Once upon a Time

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT: Belle of the Ball

Ramiel

Bukas na ang birthday party ni Laylah and everyone inside the house is already busy. I took a peek inside the Piano Hall kung saan gaganapin ang event. Yana is helping with the decorations. I smiled as I look at her. That happiness in her eyes is still there. Suddenly Igor appeared beside me.

"Mas mukha pa syang excited kesa sa kapatid mo." Igor said referring to Yana. I crossed my arms at sumandal sa may pinto.

"Hindi ko talaga magets yang babaeng yan." I commented.

"You are curious about her to the point that you can't get her off your mind?"

"Yes." the word just slipped right out of my mouth. Tumawa si Igor samantalang ako naman ay nahiya.

"Mukhang unti unti ka ng nahuhulog ha?" Igor said as we both stare at Yana.

"I can't. If I fall para na rin akong kumuha ng bato para ipukpok sa sarili kong ulo. She is nothing but heartache Igor. Una, I don't think she could ever like someone with this face. She's too beautiful to be with someone like me and second, isang taon lang sya dito."

Tinapik ako ni Igor sa balikat. "Matagal naman ang isang taon Ramiel marami pang pwedeng mangyari and one thing is for sure YAna can look beyond what eyes can see." he said before leaving.

I look back at Yana and she waves at me with her radiant smile and I just nod at her.

One year seems to be too short if ako ang tatanungin. Can't she just stay here forever?

Later that day...

I am staring at my costume for an hour already. Hindi ito ang plinano Kong susuotin ngayong araw but due to a very unexpected reason nawawala bigla yung costume na dapat kong susuotin sa cabinet ko and I don't know why.

"Talagang costume ni Beast ka pa ha!" I said to the costume. It seems funny though dahil naka-mask ako then I am wearing this! Ano ito? Fusion ako ng mga halimaw sa movie?

I let out a sigh then kinuha ko ang nakasabit na costume. Wala naman din akong magagawa dahil kailangan kong pumunta para kay Laylah.

After wearing the costume I headed downstairs. When I entered the Piano Hall madami ng mga bisita sa loob. Nakita agad ako ni Misis Morticia kaya agad syang lumapit sa akin.

"Señorito nandito na po pala kayo. Wala pa si Yana kasi nag-aayos pa pero ang daddy mo daw at si Laylah pababa na." she said.

"Ganun po ba? Sige po hintayin ko na lang sila." I said tapos bumalik na si Misis Morticia para asikasuhin yung mga bisita.

The house felt lively again. Para kasing nawalan ito ng buhay magmula nh maganap ang aksidente pero looking at all the people inside the hall it seems like yesterday.

Finally my dad entered the hall with Laylah. Naka mask of Zorro na outfit si Dad while Laylah is dressed like a fairy. I saw Laylah smile as she looks at her party. I can't help but to feel happy as well. My sister never showed that kind of happiness for two years already, ngayon na lang ulit.

When my dad saw me lumapit silang dalawa sa akin. I gave Laylah a hug and greeted her a happy birthday.

"Shall we begin the party?" my dad asks.

"Wala pa po si Yana dad."

"Dumaan kami sa kwarto nya before kami bumaba dito and she said simulan na natin para hindi mainip ang mga bisita."

"Okay dad."

The party finally begins. The children are all excited and happy as the clown the performers do their magic. Nakailang sulyap na ako sa pinto pero wala parin si Yana.