The One Who Stares Behind

KABANATA 19

"Zafh!"

Debbie approached me with excitement, but I was too tired to react positively. I thought she was going to hug me, but instead, she grimaced and headed straight for the box that my Mother's secretary had delivered.

Debbie Antonette!

In the corner, I heard Lynne giggling. She just flashed a peace sign at me when I looked her way.

I sat down on my bed, feeling like I was in heaven. I closed my eyes, reflecting on how studying can be so toxic. I'd rather be fighting.

"Zafh, buksan ko na ah?" Hindi ko paman tuluyang nakukuha ng buong antok ko ay muli na naman akong napamulat sa boses na iyon ni Debbie. Masyadong masakit sa tenga.

"If that's gonna make you sleep at night, then go." walang ganang sagot ko dito.

"Okay!"

Ipinikit ko na lamang muli ang mata ko, umaasang sa pagkakataong ito ay tuluyan ng makatulog. Masyado yata akong napuyat kagabi. Nakakatuwang isipin na parte ng dahilan na ito ay si Eli.

His innocent face and his smile can make everything seem perfect. But every time Maureen's face crosses my mind, it feels like I'm suddenly tormented. Just like what happened earlier-she clearly said that to annoy me.

"Wow, Zafh!"

Pagod man at inaantok ay nakuha ko paring imulat ang mata ko at lingunin ito. Kahit kailan talaga ay hindi ako makakakuha ng katahimikan sa kwarto na 'to.

Damn. Hawak lang naman ni Debbie ang isusuot ko at mangha mangha itong iniharap sa amin para maipakita ang kabuuan nito.

All I can say is-wow. But I can't imagine myself wearing that damn dress.

It was a bloody-red sweetheart neckline gown, backless with a V-shaped cut that revealed my back from neck to waist. The fit was perfect, hugging my curves and featuring a long slit on the left side.

My mom has an impeccable taste for this kind of fashion-if by "impeccable" you mean sarcasm.

"Yung dyoga mo diyan, Zafh." napatingin ako kay Lynne. Hindi ko alam kung ano talagang problema nito sa dibdib ko.

"Shut up Lynne! Palibhasa wala ka nun. You sounds so bitter. Inggit lang yan!" Kapwa kaming natawa ni Anne sa pang aasar ni Debbie dito. Inis naman kaming tiningnan ni Lynne at pinagbabato nito ng unan si Debbie.

Ngunit hindi ito pinansin ni Debbie at mas lumapit pa dito. Itinaas nito ang gown ni Lynne at iniharap sa amin na parang siya pa yata ang magsusuot nito.

"It's pretty!" Komento ni Debbie.

"Hindi tulad mo." Humalakhak lang dito si Debbie.

"Lynne! We both know the truth! Come on, don't be so cheap to admit it." Isang irap lang ang natanggap ni Debbie mula dito.

Wala namang nagawa si Debbie kundi ang ipagpatuloy na lamang ang pagtitig sa gown ni Lynne na tila ba iniinspeksyon ang bawat detalye nito.

To be honest, I like the color and style. It's a sleeveless gown in peach with cutouts on both sides of the waist. Like mine, it is also backless. It will suit Lynne's slender yet shapely figure.

Lynne is a pretty girl. Her Chinese features are striking and obvious when you look at her. Her slanted eyes, small but pointed nose, her fair complexion, and the moderate size of her face all stand out.

"Bagay sayo 'to. Chinese na chinese talaga ang datingan mo dito, Tan!"

Siguro ipinanganak talaga ang dalawang ito upang magbangayan.