It's already 12 midnight but still, I can't sleep.
I saw Lala's messages and I just ignored it. I'm just too bothered about my rashes pero nawawala-wala naman na ang mga ito.
I touch my lips when I remembered something.
How he owned my whole mouth is really---I should stop thinking about it. It doesn't matter.
But according to what other students told about him, he's a son of a multi-millionaire.
So he's truly rich, huh?
By the way, I'm way richer than him. Before.
Well, I'm the one and only daughter of a multi-BILLIONAIRE. And if ever my mom and dad are still alive, I'm still the richest young woman in the planet.
***
While walking through the hallway, I saw Nikolai. And when he saw me, he quickly stand straight and blocked my way.
Other students are looking at him and when they found out that he's waiting for me, they throw their sharpest stare at me.
"Crossini," panimula nito.
I don't speak.
I just look at his eyes directly with full conviction and waited him to continue.
"I wanna invite you to my b-birthday." wait, what?
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I said---"
"I know! I know! I heard you but excuse me? Do I know you?"
"Well, I'm Nikolai Cayetano. A son of the richest business man in the Philippines. As a matter of fact, you can't say no to a Cayetano. So, is it a yes or why not?" I saw his irritating smirk.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" nagsisimula nanaman mag-init ang ulo ko.
"Have you forgotten how you kissed me in the elevator last time? It seems like you're so inlove with me---" I slapped his face.
Nakita kong may pasugod na mga babae sa akin dahil sa pagsampal ko kay Nikolai but to my surprise, hinawakan nito ang batok ko at sinubsob ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya. Dahilan para matigilan ang lahat.
"Sino man ang manakit kay Crossini Rio, pagdadanan nya ang anumang uri ng sakit na ibibigay ko." naramdaman kong idinikit ni Nikolai ang labi nya sa tenga ko. "And you have no choice but to attend on my birthday. Understood?" napatango nalang ako ng wala sa oras. "That's my baby." Saka niya ako binitwan at iniwan roon.
All the students who witnessed what just happened are really shocked.
Meron pa ngang nakahulog ng hawak nitong baso at nabasag.
I forgot what's going on until Lala slapped my shoulder at kinikilig-kilig pa ito.
"Bitch!"
"She's really a slut! I hate her!"
"Ohmygod! My Nikolai!"
Agad kong hinila papasok ng room si Lala.
"Niyaya niya akong pumunta sa birthday niya." yan nalang ang nasabi ko.
"Kailan at saan raw po gaganapin, Senyorita?"
"He doesn't told me."
I feel like I'm floating. I need to feel myself right now. But why do I feel like this? I should be really angry that someone just overpowered me. But why I did nothing? I hate this.
Lumipas ang sunod-sunod na klase at ng nasa cafeteria na kami ay halos hindi ako makakain kakaisip sa nangyari kanina.
"Galawin nyo naman po 'yang kinakain ninyo, Senyorita! Masama po 'yung nalilipasan ng gutom hehe."
Sinimulan ko ng kumain at halos umalis ang kaluluwa ko sa akin ng sinensyasan niyang umalis muna si Lala. At siya ang umupo sa harap ko.
"By the way, next week pa ang birthday ko. It's on Friday."
"I'm not asking, Nikolai." padarag kong kinagat yung cheese burger at maingay na ngumuya.
"You need to know because I invited you." seryosong sabi nito.
Gusto ko siyang batuhin nitong bottled water.
"What theme do you want for my party?" agad akong napalingon sa kanya at nangunot ang noo.
"Why asking me? It isn't my party!" natawa ako.
"Well, I value your opinion and suggestion, Crossini."
Napatitig ako sa kanya. What the hell is he saying?
"Why wouldn't you just asks your mom or your special someone, instead of me?"
Natahimik ito at nakipagtitigan din sa akin.
"I-I just want to."
Agad akong nairita sa bulok na sagot nito.
"If you're just trippin' around, will you please just mind your things and your business? You're bothering me!" I shouted.
Mas lalo dumami ang napatingin sa gawi namin.
"I won't leave you unless you suggests something."
"You're a hard-headed son of a multi-millionaire!"
"But so are you." he laughed.
"FINE!" I throw him my sharpest stare and nakaisip ako ng nakakatawang theme para sa party niya.
"Hahahahaha!" bulalas ko kaya napatakip ako ng bibig. He looked at me intently that's why I tried not to laugh about my idea.
"You really value my suggestion, huh? Okay!"
***
Lumipas ang ilang araw at ngayon ay tawang-tawa parin ako sa suggestion ko.
He told me there's lots of business man and woman na dadalo. And his relatives and so on and so forth.
Well, I don't even asked him. He just said so.
I still remember what he said after he left me in the cafeteria.
"I don't tolerate excuses, Crossini."
Habang nagto-tooth brush ako dito sa banyo ko, I feel like my hair is too long. It's light brown and I inherited it from my dad. My mom is a pure Filipina.
But I remembered what my mom told me before she left.
"Puputulin mo lang ang buhok mo anak kapag nahanap mo na ang taong makakasama mo ng panghabang buhay."
I smiled at that thought.
Yes, mom. I will.
Matapos mag-tooth brush ay dali dali na akong humiga sa kama at natulog.
Nagising ako sa tunog ng aking ringtone kaya inaantok ko pa iyong inabot.
"Who the hell---"
"Crossini,"
Agad akong napabangon ng marinig ko ang boses na iyon.
"Paano mo nalaman ang contact number ko?!"
"It's not important. Why you're not yet sleeping?"
"Natutulog na ako but you just---freaking call and you just disturbed my sleep!"
"Hey, calm down!"
I ended the call and I'm about to close my eyes when suddenly it rang again.
