From The Ground Up (On Going)

Chapter 35 "Acquaintance Party"

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Flarein POV

We're here at the mall finding our dress for the upcoming acquaintance party the day after tomorrow. We almost went to all boutique but my friends can't choose to any style here. Exinn said that it's only once in the life time that's why they want something which is special, stunning and unique one. But still vogue and bandwagon. The school theme is masquerade. Our principal said that it's quite trilling and keen but somehow I find it plain. Yet, mister principal told us that it has a twist, though.

The twist is that when it's already the last dance you need to untied your mask and let your face be seen by your partner, for us to find out who's the lucky last dance. Paano naman 'yong mga bago doon? Yung first dance mo? Sayang naman kung hindi mo siya makikilala diba? But some part, it's quite good too. I don't want to show my face to everyone. I prefer to be on the side with just my friends around and seat until it end. Even when our family attended some business parties, I mostly declined it. I don't know, perhaps the ambiance?

"Guys let's eat first. I'm so tired na." Maarteng anang ni Exinn.

Lakas makaangal eh siya pa nga unang umaayaw sa mga napipili namin. Napataas tuloy ako ng kilay dahil sa sinabi niya. Sukbit ni Exinn ang sling bag habang palinga linga ng makakainan. Sumakto kasi kami na maraming tao kaya pahirapan makahanap ng makakainan na hindi puno. Habang si Hyle naman ay hawak na naman ang kaniyang phone. Pangiti ngiti sa tabi daig pa ang kinikiliti. Iba talaga kapag pumapag ibig.

"Okay," I muttered as a response.

Nauna na si Exinn sa paglalakad. Nakasunod lang kami sa likod ni Hyle habang patuloy pa rin itong katabi ko sa pagtipa ng kung ano. Siksikan ngayon sa mall marahil weekend at walang pasok ang karamihan. Madalas pamilya ang nakakasalubong namin. I suddenly reminisce my kid days. When the time we're always ligature together. Sadly, it's been a long time since we get bond as a whole family. I can't even remembered it anymore. Some parts of my memories is like a smoke transiently fading as the time passing by.

My parents is now too busy in our business that sometimes they forget us. Ah no replaced it what I mean is often but I'm not mad or either jealous on the other family though. It's just that I missed those times. I missed being with them, flocked, share happiness, and spent time with them. Like the normal families here in the mall. Having a family day in their day off. But somehow I'm too old for that stuff. How I wished to take back the time when I was a bairn.

"Ayos na ba rito?" Si Exinn, nakahinto siya sa tapat ng isang hindi pamilyar na restaurant. Walang masyadong tao hindi katulad sa iba. Tumango na lang kami ni Hyle bilang pagtugon.

"I'll order for us. What do you want girls?" Exinn insist. Mabuti naman masyado ng napagod ang mga paa ko kakalakad. Ayaw na rin gumalaw ng katawan ko sa pagkakaupo na animo'y nakadikit na ito sa upuan.

"Just the usual Exinn." I answered. Sa dalas naming magkakasama alam na alam niya na kung ano ang gusto ng bawat isa.

"Me too..." Hyle simple uttered.

She's not holding her phone right now. Perhaps they already discussed what they want to say to each other. After we eat, we continuously tread in all area to find a perfect suit dress for us. We spend almost four hours before they finally chosen a dress for the party. I go home straight after we buy our things. I'm so tired and sleepy because of so much traipse. Naghahanda na ako para sa event namin mamaya. My mom's make up artist is putting me some embellish in my face.