AUTUMN'S DEBUT party was the kind that any girl would ask for. It was so perfect. The program was definitely well-planned and well-coordinated. There were lots of guests. Most were her high school and college friends. Contrary to what Autumn thought earlier, their family relatives were also present. Sinadya ng mga ito ang pagluwas para umattend ng kanyang debut celebration.
Halos isang oras na siyang umiikot sa mga mesa para makipagkumustahan sa mga bisita niya habang isini-serve ang dinner. Caleb never left her side the entire time which she was glad for. Kahit medyo nangangalay na ang panga ni Autumn sa kaka-ngiti sa mga bisita ay hindi niya iyon pinagtuunan ng pansin. She was overjoyed to even think of those kind of stuff.
Nang makarating sila sa isang mesa ay may isang pamilyar na mukha si Autumn na nakita. The teenage guy looked at her with a knowing expression. He was handsome in a rugged manner with his early growth of stubbles.
Kilala niya ang karamihan sa mga mesang iyon dahil mga kapit-bahay nila iyon sa subdivision. As she looked around, she saw a slightly old couple who looked familiar. It was Mr. and Mrs. Gonzales. Dati nilang kapit-bahay ang mga ito pero siyam na taon ang nakalipas ay umalis ang mga ito at lumipat ng tirahan kung saan diumano ay mas malapit na nagtatrabaho si Mr. Gonzales. Autumn was glad to know that they and her parents still have communication with each other.
Autummn greeted tha couple.
"Dalagang-dalaga ka na talaga, hija," nakangiting papuri sa kanya ni Mrs. Gozales. "By the way, naalala mo pa ba ang dati mong kalaro noong bata ka pa. I'm sure you still rememeber Jake." She said as she pointed towards the rugged looking guy.
Kaya pala tila pamilyar ang mukha nito. It was Jake, her childhood playment; the kid who always bullies the hell out of her. Hindi niya makakalimutan ang mga panahon na inaaway at inaasar siya nito palagi. Natigil lamang iyon ng dumating sina Caleb sa bansa. After that incident where he almost killed her favorite Barbie doll and the same day the she met Caleb, Jake never showed up to play with her again. Nakikita na niya ito na palaging nakikapaglaro sa ibang mga bata sa subdivision noon. But never again with her.
She flashed a smile in Jake's direction. "Of course I do. He was my childhood nemesis back then," she said jokingly but it was the truth.
Tumawa si Jake. He stood up from his seat. Lumapit ito sa kanya at ginawaran siya ng halik sa pisngi na siyang ikinagulat niya. She even felt Caleb stiffen behind her. "I wouldn't have acted like a pig back then if I knew that you would grow up to be this gorgeous, Autumn." His eyes seconded what he said with the admiration readily displaying.
She smiled with what he said. "At least, na-realize mo na salbahe ka talaga noon. You were a hardcore bully, Jake." Autumn could feel herself lighting up with this guy.
Narinig niya ang pagtikhim ni Autumn ni Caleb sa likuran niya. Dito natuon ang pansin ni Jake. "Caleb, so glad to see you, man."
Both guys shared a lame guy-handshake. Autumn always thought how a stupid fist bump and twisted fingers, be a form of greeting. It was weird.
"Hey, good to see you too. How you doin'?"
Kung makapagbatian ang mga ito ay tila super close ang dalawang binata.
Ilang natitirang mesa pa inikot nina Autumn at Caleb bago sila tuluyang natapos. When they finished, Autumn was too tired to stand up. Curse her lovely red pumps. Sacrifice comfort for beauty, Autumn, she thought to herself.
Pagkatapos ng dinner ay nagbigay ng mga mensahe kay Autumn ang kanyang mga malalapit na kaibigan at kamag-anak. Even her Mom and Dad gave a short but memorable message. The crowd were cheering for Caleb to give her a message but the guy gracefully turned it down. Hindi kasi talaga ito komportable na maraming tao ang nanunuod dito. She hasn't pegged Caleb to be theshy guy type, but maybe we was just not in the mood. It was okay with Autumn, nevertheless.
The party was almost over and some of the guests started leaving, especially the older ones. Pero para sa kanilang mga young adults ay nagsisimula pa lamang ang gabi. The fomal party turned into a shindig. May nagsulputan na mga cocktail drinks sa paligid. There was even a DJ now. The place turned into a major dance floor. Autumn knew that this part of the program was planned by her three girl friends.
Nakapalit na si Autumn ng isang red tube cocktail dress at red doll shoes para mas maging komportable siya.
Nakangiting nilapitan niya ang mga kaibigan.
"Why don't we give the birthday girl a shout now?!" Cielo screamed at the top of her lungs. Nagsihiyawan ang lahat sa paligid.
Napahampas niya ito ng wala sa oras. "Ang wild mo talaga!" Autumn was nearly screaming since the music was on the blast inside the venue.
"I know right! Happy birthday, girl! At last, wala nang underage sa atin," Cielo said. Napatawa silang tatlo dahil sa sinabi nito.
"You have lots of gorgeous college friends, girl. Hindi ako makapili," sabi ni Louise na siyang tanging single sa kanila.
"Choose whoever you want. My treat," biro niya rito. "By the way, nasaan pala ang mga boyfriends niyo?"
"Naroon sila sa bar counter." Itinuro ni Krysalle and direksyon.
Autumn saw the guys drinking with Caleb. Kasama ng mga ito ang iba pa niyang boys schoolmates na imbitado. When she spotted Caleb, he was also looking at her. Nang magtama ang mata nila ay kinindatan siya nito at itinaas ang hawak na baso ng inumin. Autumn smiled back and tilted her flute of champagne.
Lumibot-libot pa si Autumn para i-accommodate lahat ng mga kaibigan niya. She was talking to some of her college classmates when she felt a hand snake around her waist. Hindi na niya kailangan lumingon para malaman kung sino iyon.
"Girls, will you please excuse me. Hihiramin ko muna si Autumn." Caleb said as he placed his other hand on her hips.
Tila nangangarap na tumango ang kanyang mga kaklase. Autumn knew that most of them are lusting over her hot best friend. They were so open about it and Autumn didn't mind at all.
Nginitian niya ang mga kaklase bago tuluyang nagpatangay sa hila ni Caleb. Lakad takbo ang ginawa nila habang hinihila siya ni Caleb palabas ng venue ng party. "Saan tayo pupunta, Cal?"
"Later." There was a hint of playfulness in his voice as he continued to drag her.
Nang isakay siya ni Caleb sa truck nito ay hindi siya nagreklamo. This is probably one of his promised suprises to her.
Ilang minuto lang ay nasa labas na silang city. Lumiko si Caleb sa isang kurbada na offroad. The next thing Autumn knew was that they were someplace with lots and lots of trees around. They were in the middle of a forest.
Ilang sandali pa ng pagmamaneho ay itinigil ni Caleb ang Ford Everest nito.
"Where are we, Cal? Ano ang gagawin natin dito?" Iginala ni Autumn ang tingin sa paligid pagkatapos bumaba sa sasakyan ng binata.
Matatayog at makakapal ang puno sa paligid. The place looked creepy. The darkness of the night added up to the eerie air around. Hindi siya sinagot nito, imbes, hinila siya ni Caleb papasok sa makapal na gubat. They were walking for a while when Caleb stopped. Binitiwan nito ang kamay niya at hinarap siya.
"Do you want to fly with me?"
BINABASA MO ANG
THE WATCHERS TRILOGY: Caleb (book I)
Romance"One day, he just woke up realizing that Autumn wasn't just his Mortal Half, she was his other half." Some angels are meant to walk amongst us. Some have a purpose to fulfill; a duty to uphold; and a human to protect. But what will you do if you rea...
