Taped-Up Heart

XX. Chase You

Chapter Twenty

Chase You

"Mama, will this be okay?" I asked as I showed her the rose gold, flowing dress that I was wearing. I was only wearing a strap sandals and partnered it with small pearl earrings.

She caressed my hair and looked in the mirror. "Hija, you look beautiful..." ngiti niya sa akin. Nginitian ko lang din siya pabalik. Ngayong gabi magaganap iyong debut ng anak nung kaibigan ni Papa nung highschool sila. Hindi naman ako kabilang sa mga eighteen, but still, I need to look elegant dahil bongga raw ang debut na magaganap.

Bumaba na kami ni Mama. I saw Papa looking good in his dark blue tux, kahit matanda na ay bakas pa rin ang kakisigan niya noong kabataan. No wonder habulin daw ito ng mga babae nung kapanahunan nila sabi ni Mama. "You look great, Ashan," he said.

I smiled at him. "Kanino pa ba nagmana?"

They both laughed at that. They say that I'm a mix of my parents' features kaya naman hindi na kailangang magtalo kung sino ang kamukha ko sa kanila dahil parehas ko naman silang kamukha.

The ride was almost two hours away from home, good thing walang traffic dahil kung mayroon baka inabot na kami ng tatlo o apat na oras sa biyahe.

I've heard from Papa that the debutant's family is well-known in this town. Well, what do I expect? Paniguradong mayayaman din talaga ang mga kaibigan niya. Nothing new.

When we finally reached the venue, I was in awe looking at the decorations. Sobrang ganda nang ayos. Siguro ay disney inspired ang tema ng debut niya dahil konti na lang ay iisipin ko nang prinsesa ang may birthday.

Yes, I came from a wealthy family. My parents give me all the things I need and want, lalo na dahil nag-iisa naman nila akong anak kaya expected na rin siguro 'yon.

Growing up I was kind of spoiled, halos lahat naman ata ng only child ay spoiled sa mga magulang nila. That's why I grew up in a very comfortable life, kaya rin maarte ako pagdating sa mga bagay-bagay... but as I was growing up, I realized that there are other things to appreciate other than material things.

Siguro dahil naibigay na sa akin lahat noong bata ako, hindi na ako naghahangad ngayong matanda na ako. I remember my Mama wanting to push a grand debut celebration for me when I turned eighteen pero inayawan ko ang idea na 'yon. Instead, I asked them if they could let me travel alone. A lifetime experience like that is better than dancing with boys, accepting gifts, and flowers.

I'm pretty much sure that I'll just get bored kung nag-celebrate man kami noon ng engrande. Pero kung ganito naman kabongga ang debut ko, siguro magdadalawang isip nga ako.

Maraming tao. May nakita akong iilang pamilyar na mukha na nakikita ko na rin sa Xavierville. Some were familiar because they were from my parents social circle of friends, pero ang isang hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ay ang lalaking nakatabi ko sa arena.

He was also here. He looked dashing in his cream colored tuxedo na mas lalong nagpalitaw ng kaputian ng kutis niya. His hair was neatly done, he looked different tonight somehow. Mas gwapo siya kapag formal kesa kapag naka-jersey siya o warmer.

I just shrugged at that. Ang liit talaga ng mundo. Umupo na kami sa isang round table at dahil hindi pa naman nagsisimula ay nagphone muna ako.

I opened my Facebook and saw that guy again, si Daffin. Naalala kong kaka-accept ko nga lang pala sa kanya sa Facebook. He posted a picture of him and a girl. Ngayon lang 'yon dahil 'yan ang suot niyang tuxedo.

"Oh..." I said looking at the picture. They looked so sweet, siguro ay girlfriend niya ang debutant? Ang tanging caption lang sa post ay Happy birthday! I love you! - wala nang iba. Umani 'yon ng maraming likes and comments. I just shrugged and scrolled down again. Natatawa minsan sa memes at pa-minsan ay naiinis sa mga shine-share ng mga friends ko.