Born To Be With You

Chapter 20

PHILIP'S POV

          It was around past eight in the evening when I arrived at the three-story mansion in a high end subdivision. I parked my car in front of the mansion and went ahead inside the big gate. With a bouquet of flowers and a small box of present on my hands, I confidently go directly into the garden of the luxurious house.

Wala pa halos ako sa pinaka-garden ng malaking bahay ay dinig na dinig ko na ang modern music na kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay nasa top 40 hits ngayon.

"Hi, Phil!" bati pa sa akin ng mga nakasalubong kong grupo ng kababaihan na naka-long gowns. Hindi ko halos matandaan ang mukha ng mga ito. Marahil ay mga schoolmate ko na nasa higher level.

Matamis na ngiti lamang at tango ang isinagot ko sa kanila.

Halos full pack ng mga bisita ang buong garden. At halos lahat ng mga panauhin ay puro kabataan, karamihan ay classmates at schoolmates ko. But 1/4th of the crowd looks like family, relatives and close friends of the celebrant.

I startled when I suddenly felt a pair of soft arms around my waist. Behind my back is I can already smell the familiar sweet-seductive scent of the person who just hugged me. I already guessed who it is.

"Phil! You're late!" She pouted her luscious red lips. Her tone is a bit sulky.

I handed her the bouquet of red roses and the present. "Happy birthday, Mandy. You look stunning."

I looked at her closely. She's wearing a sparkly and very fitted long gown that showing every assets of her body. Her very long dyed red hair is curled professionally. She's wearing a green contact lenses that makes her eyes pops even more. I didn't even just tried to flatter her when I said that she looks stunning 'cause she really is.

"Bakit ngayon ka lang? My introduction started at 8. Wala tuloy akong escort kanina." Hindi parin nawawala ang tampo sa tinig niya.

"I'm really sorry, Mandy. But I texted you earlier that I'm gonna be late because of the traffic. You should've asked someone to escort you."

"But I prefer... you." She seductively leaned on closer to me and touched my collar. Her smokey eyes are gazing at mine with a mischievous smile on her lips. "It's alright, you can make it up to me later. Maybe after the party?"

Pasimple kong idinistansya ang aking sarili sa mas lumalapit na katawan ni Amanda. Tumingin ako sa paligid at nagdasal na sana ay 'di kami nakita sa ganoong ayos ng isang tao na kanina pa hinahanap ng aking mga mata.

"Mija, kadadating lang ng Aunt Doris mo. Come and say hi."

Mandy finally distanced herself to mine when she saw her mom. I felt relieved.

"Hi, Tita Magda." Magalang kong bati sa Ginang sabay halik sa pisngi nito.

Matagal ng magkaibigan ang aming pamilya at ang pamilya nila Mandy kaya kilala ko narin ang lahat ng family members nila. Especially Tita Magda and Tito Joseph; Mandy's parents.

"Mijo, thanks for coming. Kanina ka pa hinihintay nitong si Amanda."

"Na-traffic po kasi ako, Tita."

"That's okay. Ang importante ay nakarating ka."

"How's you mom and dad nga pala? Still busy with their restaurants?"

"Yes Tita. Actually they're out of town right now, visiting the new branch in Laguna. At pasensya na rin daw po at hindi sila nakarating ngayon."

After a short chat with Amanda's mom, they excused themselves to say hi to the other guests. But before Amanda turned away, she significantly whispered in my ear.

"I'll find you later, handsome."

I shook my head and get a glass of champagne on the tray of the server who just passed by in front of me.

Marangya at extravagant ang ayos ng buong garden na sigurado akong papangarapin ng kahit na sinong debutant. Every detail is perfect, halatang pinaghandaan at ginastusan. Ang lahat ng guests ay naka-formal attires na pinagsisilbihan naman ng mga waiters na naka-uniform din. Masasarap at magagarbo ang mga pagkain at inumin na isine-serve. Isa pa sa naging sentro ng atensyon ang elegant pink fondant cake na may taas na 4 feet at may magagarang disenyo na gems at fresh flowers.

Guests are chatting, eating, drinking and dancing. Everyone is having a great time aside from me, I think. I don't know but this party seems to bore me. Pilit hinahanap ng mga mata ko ang isang babae ngunit nangangamba ako na baka may ibang lalakeng kasama ito.

Pero tatlumpung minuto na akong naroon ay hindi ko parin namamataan ang babaeng iyon, o ang escort manlang nito. Marahil ay hindi nakarating. Baka may ibang lakad.

I smiled reluctantly and sipped the last liquor in my glass.

Hanggang sa namataan ko ang pamilyar na couple na kadarating lamang. May kausap sa cellphone ang babae at medyo malakas ang boses nito dahil may kalakasan ang music sa party.

"Miks, 'asan ka na ba? Akala ko pupunta ka sa birthday ni Amanda? Dumiretso na kami dito ni Mash."

Palihim akong lumapit sa kadarating lamang na si Andy at Masiong, upang marinig ang pinag-uusapan ni Andy at ng nasa kabilang linya.

"Ha?! Masama ang pakiramdam mo?"

Si Mikaella, may sakit? Bigla ako'ng nakaramdam ng pag-aalala.

"O s'ya sige, magpahinga ka nalang. Gusto mo punta nalang kami d'yan ni Mash? Nag-iisa ka d'yan, eh baka kung mapano ka."

Patuloy kong pinakinggan ang pakikipag-usap ni Andy.

"O-okay, sige. Sure ka girl, ah? Tawag ka lang 'pag kailangan mo kami. Okay, bye. Labyah"

Hindi pa halos naibabababa ni Andy ang kanyang cellphone ay nagmamadali na akong dumiretso palabas ng party habang kinakapa ang car key sa bulsa ng aking tuxedo.

At isa lang ang nasa isip ko habang pinapaharurot ang aking red honda civic.

She needs me and I should be there for her...