One More Chance

VII

Tonight's the grand launch of the company, and I'm starting to feel nervous. I am finally going to see my friends again, ano kaya magiging reaction nila? Naka check in na kami dito sa hotel para hindi na kami ma traffic along the way. Nag hire ako ng glam team para para ayusin ako at si Thalia, we have to look good tonight because important people are going to attend.

Si AJ at Dad nasa ibang room, while kami naman ni Thalia and Cayla magkasama. Ewan ko nga kung bakit kailangang separate rooms pa kami, pwede namang isa lang. Besides, after ng event tonight uuwi rin naman kami sa bahay.

Thalia: "Daming arte ni Kuya. Why do we have to stay in separate rooms?" tanong niya sa akin.

Issa: "You know naman your Kuya, hindi ka pa nasanay. Haha." Nag tawanan lang kami. Buhok na lang namin ang inaayos then after, magbibihis na kami.

Thalia: "I really hate wearing makeup, ugh super bigat sa face. Kung di lang talaga big event tong grand launch." Sabi niya.

Issa: "Tiisin mo na lang. It's only for tonight, at ayaw mo nun magmumukha kang tao. Hahaha." Pang-asar ko sa kanya. Maganda naman siya, pero she doesn't really know how to carry herself. She doesn't comb her hair, hindi naglalagay ng powder sa mukha, doesn't put on lip gloss. Reminds me of my younger version, sobrang basic lang and slightly boyish.

Thalia: "You're so mean to me Ate." Sabi niya habang nakapout.

Issa: "I'm just kidding baby girl. Stop with that face nga, pumapangit ka. Smile okay." I said while pointing at her mouth.

Thalia: "Ate stop calling me baby girl, I'm big na kaya. If my crush hears you."

Issa: "Bahala siya. At kahit magka boyfriend ka na, baby girl pa rin kita noh." Sabi ko sa kanya. "We're done na pala, tara bihis na tayo baka maabutan tayo ng kuya mo na hindi pa ready."

I'm wearing a soft and shapeless flowing dress made of silk na kulay white. It's actually quite revealing kasi sobrang open sa likod, but it looks very elegant.

Thalia: "I love your dress Ate, revealing yet very classy." Sabi niya.

Issa: "Props to your Kuya's taste." I said while letting out a giggle. Kanina ko pa napapansin na wala sa room si Cayla.

*knock knock*

Thalia: "I'll open it Ate." Sabi niya habang naglakad patungo sa pinto.

Pagbukas niya, nakatayo si AJ at Cayla, nagpunta pala siya sa kabilang kwarto. AJ's wearing an Olive vintage suit in silk brocade fabric, bagay na bagay sa kanya kasi na eemphasize ang complexion niya.

AJ: "You look beautiful and stunning love." He said and kissed me on my forehead.

Issa: "You look equally dashing as well." Sabi ko while giving him a side hug. "You look so pretty princess." She let out a smile and turn around para iflaunt ang suot niya.

AJ: "You ready?" bulong niya sa akin.

Issa: "Ready. Let's just enjoy the night whatever happens." I said and gave him a reassuring smile.

Di na kami nagtagal sa kwarto dahil magsisimula na ang event in 30 minutes so nagpunta na kami sa grand ballroom. Hindi kami pumasok sa main door, instead sa back door kami pumasok dahil ipapakilala din naman kami mamaya sa program. Sumilip ako sa pintuan and saw politicians, aristocrats and people from the press pero hindi ko pa nakikita sila Thirdy.

The host approached us and told us na magsisimula na ang event in a while, and by that, my heart is racing. I'm really getting anxious. Oh my god this is it, after 5 long years of pretending to be dead. Pumasok na lahat ng guests inside the venue, so pumunta na kami sa main door for our grand entrance. Pumwesto na kami while waiting for our cue to go inside.