Rave

Chapter 6

Raven smiled as he stared at Ella walking on the red carpet to the improvised staged. Ang party ay ginanap sa malawak na bakuran ng mga Santillan. Everybody stared at her with awe. She had grown from his sweet young Cinderella to a full-blown woman. Bagay na bagay nito ang suot na pulang gown. Humapit ito nang husto sa katawan nito.

He walked towards her and offered his arm. Nakangiti naman nitong umabrisiete. She really had the most charming and glowing smile. She tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek. Mas lalo tuloy siyang napangiti. Her smell lingered on his cheek. Para siyang teenager na kinilig. She's really that single person who could make him giddy despite his masculinity.

Inalalayan niya itong umakyat sa stage. Hindi sana siya sasamang aakyat pero hinila siya nito.

"I am glad that our unica hija is finally home with us," anunsiyo ng ama nito.

"And yes, finally back in Mayor Rave del Castillo's life," her dad added with a chuckle. For the first time in his life, Ella's father recognized him as part of her life. Dahil ba Mayor na siya o dahil pareho na silang nasa tamang edad?

Mr. Santillan spoke for another three minutes before he handed the microphone to Ella. Again, he looked at her in astonishment as she spoke. She really had the sweetest voice he ever heard.

Ella spoke something about her life abroad and how she always wanted to go home to Sto. Tomas, not only to run their business but to be with him. Kinilig naman din siya ulit na parang gago. He had to scold himself to stop his lips from smiling widely.

The party started after the speech and they both roamed around the wide lawn to meet the guests. Kahit gusto niyang umupo man lang sana ay hindi niya nagawa dahil ayaw siyang bitawan ng girlfriend.

He felt uneasy when he saw Jessica on a nearby table. Dumalo pala ito. She hates parties like this. Hinanap niya kung kasama ang mga magulang nito pero hindi niya makita ang mga ito. Maybe she attended in place of them.

"Hey, babe! Kinakausap ka ni Mr. Juico," bulong sa kanya ni Ella.

"Ano bang tinitingnan mo doon?" tanong nito.

"Huh?" Sumulyap siya kay Ella saka tumingin sa mga taong kaharap. He chose not to answer her question.

"Oh, yes Mr. Juico, you can always visit my office anytime, basta pasado sa environmental permit okay sa akin," tugon niya sa kaharap. He knew he was asking if he could seek permission to put up a feedmill somewhere in their town.

Nagpasalamat naman ito.

"Babe, CR lang ako," paalam niya sa girlfriend nang hindi na makatiis. Tumitig naman ito bago dahan-dahang tumango. Agad siyang nagpaalam sa mga kaharap bago nagtungo sa CR.

Kanina pa niya gustong magbanyo pero nahiya siyang magpaalam sa mga kaharap. They are the biggest investors in their town. Ang mga businesses ng mga ito ang nagdadala ng malaking Internal Revenue Allotment sa bayan nila.

Pagkatapos kasi ng isang bisita kanina, sumunod naman ang iba na nakapigadaupang palad. Kung hindi lang siya Mayor, umexit na siya kanina pa.

He was on his way back when he saw Jessica talking to another guest. The man is familiar. Isa rin ito sa mga businessman sa lugar nila at wala pa itong asawa. He owns the biggest hardware shop in their town.

"Hey, Jessica! Asan sina tito at tita?" tanong niya nang makalapit sa mga ito. Bumati naman ang kausap nito sa kanya bago nagpaalam at sinabing tatawagan na lang nito ang dalaga. He's wondering what's that 'I will call you' for, but he decided not to speak his mind.

"Hindi sila nakapunta kaya ako ang umattend," tugon nito. Her voice was void of emotion.

"Just as I thought," he said nodding. Hindi naman ito nagsalita. Tumingin ito sa ibang direksyon. They stood there side by side looking around.