The One Who Stares Behind

KABANATA 21

We were standing at the entrance of the Estrella Event’s venue, where the ball was about to begin, and the four of us were almost hesitant to move forward.

It’s no surprise, considering the endless pairs of eyes watching us and the constant murmur of conversations around us.

"Is she Anne Haselton? She's hot right?"

"I envy her curves! Her gown suits to her so well."

Nang sipatin namin ng tingin si Anne upang makita ang reaksyon nito, nabigo lamang kami. Wala man lang itong naging reaksyon.

Napailing na lang si Debbie. "Kahit kailan talaga ay manhid itong si Haselton. Siguro bumabagsak na ang grasya, nasa libro parin ang pansin niya."

"Zafhyrna is always a goddess!"

"So true! Ang gaganda nila!"

"I like the sophisticated aura of Lynette."

Narinig ko naman ang mahinang pagkasamid ni Lynne.

"Well, no one can beat the elegance of Debbie.."

Ngumiti si Debbie sa mga ito. "That's me! I heard it girls! Thank you and you guys are pretty too, okay?"

Ngiting ngiti silang tumango kay Debbie.

Can she just act like she doesn't hear anything? That's Debbie with her unshakeable confidence.

Her smile never fades as she faces us, but we all share the same expression of disbelief.

"Oh my God! See that girls? Sobrang nakaka overwhelmed ang mga papuring binibigay nila sa'tin ano?"

Hindi ko alam kung ako lang o maging sila Lynne at Debbie ay napairap na lang din.

"They're not praising us, they're talking about us without our consent. That's quite different." mapaklang tugon dito ni Anne at muling tumingin sa loob ng hall. She must be looking for her date.

"Hay nako barbie doll! Tomboy ka ba? Learn to appreciate praises sometimes."

Hindi na ito sinagot ni Anne, paraan niya na rin ito upang manahimik na rin si Debbie.

"Mukhang hindi pa yata tayo magkakasabay sabay sa pagpasok."

Hindi nga pala nila alam na wala akong ka date ngayong gabi. Ang arte ko rin kasi para tanggihan ang ilan sa mga nagyaya sa akin.

I know they had the courage to approach me with their offers, but since I'm waiting for someone, they ended up with nothing, just like me.

It's my fault for hoping that El would ask me. Why didn't I consider the possibility that he would invite Maui instead, especially since they're engaged?

Stupid Zafhyrna. Sometimes I find myself wondering why I get so dumbfounded when it comes to Eli.

I just clenched my fist thinking about it.

"Whoaahh! They look good together.. perfect couple!"

"Yeah Maureen and Michael.."

"Ang gwapo niya talaga..
Sayang nga lang at taken na siya. Wala na ba siyang kapatid?!"

"Ayun, sperm cell pa lang."

Hindi ko maiwasang tingnan kung saan nanggaling ang usapang iyon hanggang sa nakuha na nila ang aking atensyon.

She looked like a toothpaste commercial model with that smile.
Maui was wearing a golden brown gown with a sleeve on her left arm extending to the wrist, while the rest of the dress was exposing her chest. Her hair was styled in a high ponytail.