Frozen Fire

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Lunch

Pagpasok naman ng Ciat's ay humanap ako ng mauupuan na malapit sa salamin. We both ordered and stayed silent.

Nakatingin lang ako sa tanawin sa labas. Medyo dumidilim na dahil malapit na ring mag ala sais.

"Uhm..." Napatingin ako sa babaeng nasa harap ko.

"I'm Skyler," sabi nito at naglahad ng kamay sa akin. Hindi ko naman tinanggap at tumloy na sa pagkain ng ice cream na inorder ko.

"Safira," I said blankly. Nag-aalangan naman niya akong ngintian.

"I'm sorry I dragged you into a mess. Akala ko kasi kaya ko pang bumyahe ng mag-isa," sabi niya na tinanguan ko lang. I don't want to talk.

Pinagbigyan ko lang siya dahil ayokong malunod sa pag-iisip sa bahay.

Tahimik akong kumain ng ice cream at ganoon din siya pero mukhang hindi ata siya makatiis na manahimik.

"You're from Mondragon?" she asked. I momentarily became suspicious of her dahil sa tanong niya but I realized that I'm still in my uniform. Kaya siguro ay naitanong niya kung taga Mondragon.

"Yes," tipid kong sagot. Napatungo naman siya.

"How is it?" tanong niya.

"It's fine. Nothing extraordinary," I said. Tumango ulit siya while I busied myself with the ice cream in front of me.

A few minutes later we both finished our ice cream. Tumayo na ako at napatingala naman siya sa akin.

"I have to go," malamig kong sambit. Napatungo nalang siya at nginitian ako.

"Thank you so much for accompanying me. See you around Mondragon," napataas naman ako ng kilay sa sinabi niya. She's from Mondragon?

Well, she does look like she came from a wealthy family. Mukha rin naman siyang matalino. I have never seen her in Mondragon though. Maliit lang ang population ng Mondragon for a University.

But then again baka nga ay hindi lang talaga nagkukrus ang daan naming dalawa which is why ngayon ko lang siya nakita.

Tumango nalang ako at lumabas na ng Ciat's. I'm going home.

I drove off Ciat's and went straight home. Today has been a long tiring day. I need a 5-year long sleep.

Pagpasok ko palang ng bahay ay nakita ko si Saffron na nakabestida. She was twirling and smiling at her reflection in the mirror.

Nandoon rin ang designer na family friend namin. Mukhang isinusukat na ni Saffron ang damit na gagamitin niya para sa luxurious party slash dinner na sinasabi ng aking ina which will happen in about a month.

Bakit sila nagmamadali? Is it really this important?

Napansin naman ng aking ina ang aking presensya at agad nito akong nilapitan.

"Safira, anak, bakit hindi ka magpagawa nalang ng dress kay Amanda? I'm sure you still have some dresses in your closet but we need your dress to be grand, sophisticated, and just amazing," napakunot naman ang noo ko.

What's with this party? My mom's never like this unless it's as serious as closing a deal.

Hinila naman ako ng aking ina kay Amanda kaya't di na rin ako nagprotesta pa.

Sinukatan niya naman ako agad.

"Do you have a design in mind, dear?" she asked with thick Russian accent. Her lips covered in thick red lipstick pressing together as she spoke. I shook my head.