A Setback Beauty

Kabanata 7: WELCOME PARTY

Welcome Party.

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INABOT ako ng halos kalahating oras bago ko narating ang mansyon nila Tita Roma sa La Versailles. I called Tita as soon I entered the silver-painted main gate of their mansion.

"I'm already here Tita, I'm just looking for a place where I can park my car." Dumukwang ako sa windshield habang hawak ko ang cellphone kong nakatutok sa isang tainga ko.

Luminga-linga ako para maghanap ng lugar kung saan ko maaaring i-park ang sasakyan. Mabilis naman akong nakahanap ng lugar. Pinarada ko ang sasakyan sa tabi ng fountain.

"Oh! I can see you from here, hija." Rinig kong saad ni Tita Roma sa kabilang linya pagbaba ko ng sasakyan.

"Sandali at baba na kami ng Tito Gavin mo," aniya bago ibinaba ang tawag.

Sinulyapan ko ang malawak na garden nila Tita na nasa harapan lang ng mansyon. Mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay rinig na rinig ko ang classical music na pumapainlanlang mula sa malaking speaker at ang tawanan ng mga nagkukumpulang bisita.

"Should I be flattered that you made an effort to attend my homecoming party?"

Umigting ang panga ko nang marinig ang pamilyar na tinig na pumukaw sa atensyon ko. Mabilis akong lumingon.

As usual, she greeted me with her plump lips wearing a sardonic smile.

"Why are you here?" I asked as I'm facing the almost younger version of Tita Roma.

"It's my party, so I'm here to welcome my guests," ismid niya at saglit akong pinasadahan ng tingin. "Nothing has changed. You're still an old-fashioned woman."

I just folded my arms. I raked my eyes to her pitch black wavy hair down to her long violet halter dress. It's a gown with a deep neckline and high slit that exposes one of her legs.

Napailing na lang ako. Talagang pinaghandaan ni Star ang susuotin niya ngayong gabi.

"Done checking my gorgeous dress, Calleiah? You're starting to feel ashamed of your simple outfit, aren't you?"

I sighed exasperatedly. "I'm not here to argue with you, Star."

Star arched an eyebrow. "Oh! Is that so? But I'm having fun arguing with you right now, Calleiah. It's been years since the last time we had a cat fight, remember?"

"Ganyan ka pa rin mag-isip hanggang ngayon? At your age right now, you should start acting like a mature woman." malamig na tingin ko sa kanya.

"Whatever you say, Calleiah. By the way...since I'm already here, you should be careful 'cause I'll keep my eye on you. I'll make sure that I'm going to make your everyday life miserable."

Calm down, Clarity. It's her party tonight, remember?

"Do whatever you want, Star. It doesn't bother me, anyway. Is Raki already here?"

Star rolled her eyes. "Yes."

"Where?"

"My gosh, Calleiah! Just find her on the lawn!" Star hissed irritably, as if I was really getting on her nerves.

"Thanks..." I muttered before I walked past her.

I'm exhausted to argue with anyone right now, given the fact that I'm already starving. Mag-aaksaya lang ako ng oras at lakas kung papatulan ko pa si Star.

"Star!" Tinig iyon mula sa isang lalaki. Kasunod nito ay ang mga yabag sa aking likuran, palapit sa kinatatayuan ni Star kung saan ko siya iniwan.

"What took you so long? I thought hindi ka na talaga darating eh."