CAPTIVATED

Chapter 36

I was smiling the whole time as the makeup artist compliments my face and how his makeup suits me. He kept on saying how healthy my skin is and how thankful he is to meet Janine and me.

Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na aayusan niya si Janine pero ngayon niya lang ako nakilala kaya natutuwa raw siya.

"She used to have just her cousins as companions. I'm so happy that she's getting married now." He showed me a genuine smile through his reflection in the mirror.

He looks like a sweet gay with bright personality. Wala sa itsurang sasabihin ang mga binitawang salita ngayon-ngayon lang.

"Ano ka ba, Carlo?" Natatawang sumingit si Janine na inaayusan rin sa gilid ko. "I have friends naman, ah?" She added while laughing.

"Wushu, palaging mga pinsan mo ang date mo sa ganitong event noon." Sagot ni Carlo.

Janine got invited to a socialite event and she wants me to be her date. I mean, wala namang ibang pwedeng date bukod sakin.

Nang matapos sa lahat, nauna akong bumaba sa kanya. I'm wearing a black shimmer-y gown that has a long cut on the right side of my leg. Mababa rin ang cut sa parte ng dibdib kaya naman sumisilip doon ang nananahimik kong mga alaga. Suot ang black strapped stiletto sa mga paa, hahang kumikinang ang mahahabahg mga hikaw sa tainga.

Inaayos ang pagkaka-kulot sa ilalim na parte ng buhok ko nang marinig ko ang tunog ng takong ng sapatos ni Janine. She's walking gracefully.

Wearing her gold full body gown with bright sequins on the side of her arms and some details on the bottom. Her gown is as elegant as she is. It matches her personality.

For I don't know how many times, I found myself captivated by her again. There's this something in her that I cannot put in to words. Masyadong mababaw kung sasabihin kong ganda niya lang iyon.

Maybe... just maybe, maybe it's her soul that captivates me. I really wish that our love for each other wont flicker or die. May it burn even more and become hotter as time passes by.

"You look really good in that gown." She whispered as she went closer to me.

Naramdaman ko pa nga ang pagdampi ng labi niya sa tainga ko kaya hindi ko naiwasan ang kakaibang sensasyon sa loob ko.

Nakasunod lamang ang tingin ko sa kanya nang may dalawang bodyguard na nag alalay sa amin at nagpasok sa sasakyan.

Kuya Esong, as usual, will drive us there but he's wearing a formal suit. Katulad sa suot noong bodyguard sa gilid niya.

"They're coming with us. We can't go anywhere alone, love." She said as if I don't understand a thing.

"Yeah..." I just uttered.

I was never into an elite event with socialites. Palagiang tumatanggi si Janine dahil busy sa trabaho at mga ginagawang plano sa kasal.

Pero ngayon, we can't say no. It was the governor who invited us directly. Ang sabi pa niya, maging si Catherine ay inimbitahan din at hindi nag reklamo. Kaya ngayon, sabay kaming pupunta sa event.

It was a congratulatory event for the governor in his project. Binanggit rin ang engagement party na gaganapin sa susunod na buwan para sa panganay nitong anak.

I saw people from the show business. Mayroon ding mga modelo doon. Abala ako sa pagtingin sa paligid at pag ngiti sa mga taong ngumingiti nang maramdaman ko ang palad ni Janine sa slit ng gown na suot ko.

Tumayo siya at ganoon rin ako. Nakangiti niyang sinalubong ang paparating na limang tao.

"Tito," she smiled and slightly bow down to Catherine's father. Baka kaya wala si Catherine dito.

Ako naman ay tinanggap ang kamay ni tito Philip para makapag mano.

"Good evening po," I smiled.

"How's the preparation going?" Sambit nito na kahit hindi tinuloy ang ibang salita, naintindihan namin.

Nang matapos si Janine na batiin ang mga kasama ni Tito Philip, sumagot ito.

"Maayos na po ang lahat, tito, mayroon lang pong mga kailangan asikasuhin para sa susunod na linggo."

Ganoon kabilis ang naging paglipas ng mga araw. Two weeks from now, ikakasal na kaming dalawa.

"I received the invitation, hija. And so does my son. Congratulations on your wedding." She smiled genuinely at us.

"Thank you so much po, auntie."

When the sophisticated lady in her early 70's looked at us, she only nod on Janine. I already met her before. Siya ang mommy ni Catherine. She's not okay with this kind of relationship but she can do nothing about it.

"Enjoy the rest of the night, hija." Sabi ni tito Philip sa amin bago alalayan ang asawa niya.

They excused themselves. At doon pa lang ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na pakawalan ang hiningang pinipigilan ko pala nang hindi napapansin.

"Don't mind them," Janine whispered as she felt the uneasiness within me as people stare at us.

Hinaplos ni Janine ang lantad kong balikat bago ako ilapit sa kanya. I even felt her lips on my wavy hair. That made me feel at ease.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you baby," I said before staring back at her.

"You wanna go home now?"

"No, we should finish this party." Sambit ko bago tumayo dahil may papalapit na naman sa amin.

"I heard about the upcoming wedding, Janine. Congratulations." Lumapit si Gov sa amin para bumeso sa aming dalawa.

"Salamat po," sagot ko pagkatapos magpasalamat ni Janine.

"My son told me about it." He said.

"I invited him, Gov." she smiled on the governor in front of her. "Ang sabi ko po, kung hindi kayo busy, sana makasama rin kayo."

"I'll check my schedule and try to attend your wedding," he nodded for a couple of times. "Saan ang kasal?" He asked politely.

"Batanes po, tito. Beach wedding po. In Aubrey's hotel." Nakangiting sambit ni Janine. Finally loosening up in front of the governor.

"I'll try to attend the wedding, hija. I can't promise yet."

Ang gobernador ay muling tumingin sa akin para bigyan ako ng malapad na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. "Please take care of our Janine," saad nito sakin.

"Opo, makakaasa po kayo." Nakangiti rin na sagot ko.

"My blessing is all yours, basta masaya kayo. Just don't get tired with each other so you'll have yourselves for the rest of your lives."

"Opo, tito." Nakangiting sabi ni Janine sa gobernador.

"Pag pasensiyahan mo na ang mga kamag anak mo sa Korea. At least they don't meddle that much with your private life." Sambit nito.

"Si Catherine ang kinawawa nila dahil panganay." Makahulugang dugtong nito.

Janine only smiled at him. Not wanting to open up the topic. She's that reserved when the topic is not about her.

"Anyways, babati ako sa ibang bisita. Just enjoy and call a waiter if you need help." Sambit nito bago magpaalam sa amin.

Hindi ko na inisip pa ang ibang bagay noong nasa byahe kami pauwi. My mind is fed up with the thoughts of our upcoming wedding.

Walking down the aisle, and Janine waiting for me. With the eyes of the witnesses on me, smiling in awe and reacting all at the same time as the two of us exchanged our vows.

I can't wait. It may be the wedding of the year. If not, at least for me.