Reverso

Chapter 16

Napaawang ang mga labi ko sa nakita ko. Para akong pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Nagtama ang tingin ni Adrian sa gawi ko. Nagkibit-balikat lang sya at 'di pinansin ang mga luhang bumabadya sa aking mga mata. Umaasa pa rin ako sa loob-loob ko na nagkasabay lang sila, na sa akin pa rin didiretso si Adrian, pero hindi. Inalayan nya pa si Rose hanggang sa pag-upo at nagtatawanan pa sila.

Hinahaplos-haplos lang ni Riley ang likod ko so I could feel better but it only made me feel worse.

"Terrie, tara na, it's not worth it." She tried reassuring me. Nakatingin na rin sila Misha sa akin with empathetic eyes. Ayoko ng ganito, ayoko ng kinakaawaan ako. I looked at Riley as a tear drop in my eye at nagmadaling umalis sa table namin. Not to go home and be a sore loser but to go to the dean.

Sobrang sakit na parang winasak yung puso ko ulit. The worst part is this feels worse than it did the first time. It's like I was never hurt, I felt like a child, unaware of how happy love can make you not until it bites you and hurts you. Like a snake and its venom.

"I deserve the recognition." I boldly told the dean when I reached their table.

"Pardon?" she said, smiling.

"I deserve to be known. I've been carrying the student body on my back for years. And I never asked for anything in return, just this, please." I begged her. Para akong batang inagawan ng candy.

"I thought you'd never ask." She said. Tinawag nya ang emcee at may inabot na papel. She faced me once again.

"Go with your friends, my dear, and wait for your name to be called."

I just gave her a nod and went to where the students were, preparing themselves to be called. Medyo matagal matapos ang entourage, nauna ang freshies as usual at hinuli ang seniors. Napasinghap pa ako nang sila Adrian at Rose na ang naglalakad. Paano kaya nila nagagawang maging masaya kahit alam nila yung kapalit ng kasiyahan na yun ay pagdurusa ng iba? Ganun sila kasasamang tao?

Kinabahan na ako ng huling batch na ng seniors yung tatawagin pero wala pa rin pangalan ko. Pota, joke time ata ako ni Dean. Naglakad na ang huling pair at naiwan na lang akong mag-isa sa holding area.

"And before we formally start our ball, let me have the honor of introducing you to the one and only, Theresa Gerona Caldez!"

I tried to flash my sweetest smile as the doors open for me. The crowd was cheering as the emcee said my name. I took my time ramping down the isle.

"Miss-President Theresa Gerona Caldez is a 3-year-female president of the OSB Organization which was responsible for all events, such as this, that give out joy and love for the whole student body and even to its mentors. "

Pagkarating ko sa stage ay lalong lumakas ang palakpakan ng mga tao. Erin ran up to me and gave me a glass of champagne and I raised it ever so gracefully and made a toast.

"This is for the the student body, the organization, the administrators, and the school. Please, enjoy your night." I smiled again, this time at the dean who looked so proud of me. And to Rose and Adrian, who didn't even clap, but my presence is too big for them to handle. The emcee escorted me as I went down the stage, dumiretso agad ako kila Riley na pigil na pigil ang mga tili.

"That's right girl, you tell them!" Victoria snapped her fingers. Nagtawanan lang kami.

"Thank you for being here, girls."

"We're proud of you." Riley told me before sipping some champagne out of my glass. Lasinggera talaga.

Mabilis na lumipas ang oras, nakapag-dinner na at nagshowcase ng talent, and it was time for the dance. The girls were already at the dance floor with their dates. Mapapa-sana all ka na lang talaga, pero kasalanan ko rin naman kasi I've been rejecting anyone who asks me to dance. Napasinghap na lang ako at lumabas to get some fresh air.

Binuksan ko ang cellphone ko at di ko naiwasang maluha habang tinitignan ang picture namin ni Adrian. We were so young, and so naïve.

"A lady like you shouldn't be out in the cold." Nagulat ako nang ilagay ni Prima around my shoulders ang coat nya.

"T-thank you." Nakita nya ba akong umiiyak?

"It's okay, it's normal. He doesn't deserve you anyway." Sabi nya at inabot ang panyo sa akin.

"Unfair lang." ikli kong sabi kasi baka maluha na naman ako.

"Nag-alala ako nung hindi na kita ma-contact. Nareceive ko na yung email ng secretary mo pero I couldn't understand why you were taken out of the responsibility. You deserve the hype earlier."

We heard High School Musical's 'Can I Have This Dance' playing, nginitian lang ako ni Jess at nilahad ang kamay nya.

"I don't normally dance, but you deserve to have one tonight."

Maingat nyang nilagay ang kamay nya sa bewang ko, and we swayed to the music.

"Psych course mo di'ba? So, scam ka kapag di mo nabasa utak ko?" pagbibiro nya.

"That's a myth, haha, but okay." Kunwaring pikon na sabi ko pero natatawa talaga ako sa kanya.

"Sige nga, kung mabuti kang estudyante, ano nasa isip kong kulay?"

Tinignan ko muna sya saglit bago nagsalita.

"Yellow?" hula ko.

Nanlaki ang mga mata nya, tila iniisip kung bibitawan ba ako o hindi.

"Are you a witch? What the- that's amazing. How did you know?"

"You seem happy."

He shrugged "It's in front of me."