One Last Time (R18)

Kabanata IV: PREPARATION FOR THE BALL

Preparation for the Ball.

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     MADILIM NA NANG MAKAUWI AKO. Nag-meeting pa kasi ang club kaya ginabi ako. Mabilis akong bumaba mula sa Audi ko at mabibigat ang hakbang na tinungo ang main door ng mansyon.

My jaw tightened nang maabutan ko si Tita Norin sa sala.

"You're here, dear," bungad niya sa'kin.

"Obviously," walang amor kong sagot bago ako sumulyap sa wristwatch ko.

Ngumiti lang siya sa’kin, parang hindi naapektuhan ng tono ko. Mayamaya’y humigop siya ng kape mula sa hawak niyang mug bago ito marahang inilapag sa center table.

"Nagugutom ka ba?" tanong niya habang tumatayo. "Gusto mo ba ng merienda? Paghahanda kita."

Mabigat pa rin ang pakiramdam ko mula sa naging pag-uusap namin ni Levi. I still couldn't get over the fact that he said no. It hurt my ego more than I wanted to admit.

Bumalik sa pagkakaupo si Tita Norin. "You looked a little dejected, dear. May nangyari ba sa school?"

I eyed her expressionlessly. "If you're worried about me... please don't. I'm fine."

Tita Norin's face quickly filled with embarrassment. "P-Pasensya ka na, dear..." she said with a sheepish smile.

I just pursed my lips. I know I'm being rude to her, but I can't control it. Until now, I still can't accept this woman, who took my dad away from my mom.

I exhaled a furious sigh before turning my back on my stepmother. Kasabay ng pagdating ng sasakyan ni Dad sa labas, mabilis akong dumiretso sa hagdan at umakyat papunta sa room ko.

"I know you need something, Kei. Spill it out."

"Help me find a dress, Anj. I badly need one," seryoso kong sabi kay Anja habang kausap ko siya sa kabilang linya.

"Dress for what?" she asked.

"For Foundation Day." 

"Ow!"

Napakunot ang noo ko nang marinig ko ang hagikhik niya.

"What's funny?"

"Are you going with this Levi?"

My face straightened. "He's not going."

"“Wait—he turned down your invitation?" natatawang sabi ni Anj. "So bakit ka pa pupunta sa ball?"

"Because I need to. Sa Architecture department naka-assign ang preparations, at ang group namin mag-o-organize ng event bilang representative. I have to be there, whether I have someone with me or not. I've been busy lately, so I don't have time to look for a dress," I explained.

"You're busy, huh? Well, I'm glad you're being responsible as the president of your club, considering you have time to follow that Levi around."

I rolled my eyes. "Will you just shut up, Anj? Tutulungan mo ba ako o hindi?" iritableng tanong ko.

"I'm sorry, my friend, but I'm also busy. I have something very important to do tomorrow. Subukan mo kay Iri—"

"Tsk! Thanks for being helpful," iritableng putol ko. "Anyway, I can't forgive you. Bye!" Gusot ang mukha kong pinatay ang tawag.

I squeezed my lips together. I have no choice but to ask for her help.

"Dammit!" bulong ko habang frustrated na sinusuklay ng mga daliri ko ang buhok ko.