Searching the Stars (Montereal Series #1)

[12]

The stop light turned green kaya naman binalik niya na rin ang tingin sa daan. I just kept looking at him, trying to read what's on his mind. Kung niloloko niya lang ba ako ulit. It's hard to tell what's serious and what's not when I'm with him.

I pursed my lips and watched the lights as we moved. I was spacing out too much that I didn't even realized that we were home. He had already parked his car inside. Natauhan lang ako nung narinig kong tinanggal niya ang seatbelt niya.

I looked at him at sakto naman na napatingin siya sa akin. Agad ko naman din tinanggal ang seatbelt ko at lumabas na rin. I also grabbed my bag from the backseat.

"Thanks again," tipid kong ngiti bago dire-diretsong pumasok sa loob. Nakasalubong ko naman si Santi na paakyat na sana siya nung nakita niya ako.

"Oh, you're late again." he said. Napatingin din siya sa likod ko. He looked at his brother, before returning his gaze at me. He gave a small smile. "Mukhang napapadalas na gabi ang uwi niyo ah,"

"Yeah." sagot ko lang at medyo nagmadaling umakyat para pumunta na sa kwarto.

I held onto the handle of the door knob, biting my lip. I shooked my head at pinili nalang na mag-ayos.

Mabilis rin ang mga araw at dumating na sa araw ng graduation. Nothing changed, hinahatid-sundo niya pa rin ako pero napansin ko na medyo may nag-iba sa atmosphere. It was... a bit awkward.

I am excited to graduate, because finally! I can dye my hair, have color on my nails and have freedom! I can also get a part time job siguro to help Mommy. I don't wanna be forever indebted to the Montereals.

The day of the Graduation, I was in my room. Around 1:30 PM pa ang rites kaya naghahanda palang ako ngayon. Lahat sila ay pupunta ng Graduation ko. Maski sina Inigo. Feeling ko tuloy, ang dami nila masyado dun.

Tita offered to give me a makeup artist for today, but I declined. I know naman how to do my makeup properly. Pumayag naman siya at hinayaan akong gawin yun, but she still had someone to do my hair. Hindi naman ako nagreklamo dahil yun yung hindi ko kayang gawin.

When I finished, she quickly checked how I looked at tuwang tuwa naman siya sa nakita.

"Oh my, hija! Ang galing mo nga magmakeup! Simple, but elegant!" She said admiring my look in the mirror. I smiled. Years of being in the dance troupe, taught me how to do all that. Doon din kase ako nagsimulang matuto magmakeup because we need it for perfomances.

She told me na nandun na daw sa baba ang mga pinsan ko at si Mommy. Kasama din sina Tito Leon at Tita Winona. Bumaba na kami at nakita kong ngang nandun na silang lahat. I smiled. Si Inigo, Tito Leon at ang mga pinsan ko, Ate Frances at si Mommy. Maski sina Trent at Santi handa na rin. I feel like a debutant na hinihintay nilang makababa ng hagdan.

"Wow naman! Graduate na siya!" Sabi ni Inigo sabay akbay sa akin. Tumawa naman ako.

Nakatingin lang sa akin sina Trent at Santi. Trent smirked at me sabay tumingin sa malayo. Kumunot naman ang noo ko sa ginawa niya. Mommy went to me, all smiles and hugged me.

"Congrats, anak." She whispered.

"Thank you Mommy..."

A girl who is as tall as me walked towards me with a smile. I couldn't place her face anywhere though, she's pretty and her natural wavy hair is perfectly down. She had a huge smile on her face, I also noticed our resemblance with each other.

"Congratulations, Ate!" She happily said and hugged me.

I looked confused, trying to know who she is. She looked really familiar.