Sunken Promises

Kabanata 13

Classical music, the rhythmic pattern each drop of rain produces from outside, and the lavender scent here in my room is so relaxing that it almost feels like it's rocking me to sleep. However, I can't sleep. I want to rest but I literally just woke up. 

Tumayo ako sa kama ko at lumakad patungo sa glass wall. Hinawi ko muna papunta sa hanang bahagi ang kurtinang nakatabing dito at umupo sa sahig paharap dito. 

With my house built on top of a hill, the view beyond the wall offers nothing but a masterpiece. Small drops of rain are scattered all over the glass. Nearby mountains seem to be competing with each other in terms of height. Streets, even at this hour, still seem to be busy.

Dahil sa lubos na pagkamangha ay kinuha ko ang polaroid camera ko at kinuhanan ang tanawin. I can't use my phone since it's broken so this is my only choice. Pakiramdam ko pa ay hindi gaano kaganda ang kalalabasan nito dahil sa may flash ito. Baka raindrops lang ang nakuhanan nito.

Nasapo ko ang noo ko nang maalalang naiwan ko sa kotse ni Ivy ang digital camera ko noong graduation. Dito na rin kasi sila ni Creia nagtapos ng high school. Our parents left right after the ceremony so we celebrated alone. Nasundan pa nga ito ng isang celebration sa The Ampersand dahil hindi pa yata nakuntento si Creia.

Knowing Ivy, malamang itatago na lang niya ang camera na iyon kaysa tanungin kami kung sa amin ba 'yon. That part of her personality hasn't changed since high school. Kahit gaano sila kayaman, kapag nakakakita siya ng magandang ballpen sa sahig ay kaagad niyang pinupulot at ibinubulsa.

Iwinawagayway ko sa ere ang film na lumabas mula sa camera. It was plain white at first but after a few seconds, an image started to appear. Tulad ng inaasahan ay raindrops lang ang kita. I'll still keep it, though. It still looks aesthetically pleasing.

Iniwan ko ang film sa kinauupuan ko habang dinala ko naman ang polaroid camera ko sa nightstand ko. Inilapag ko iyon sa tabi ng alarm clock bago binuksan ang pinakaibabang drawer. I took my box of polaroid films and brought it to where I left the other film earlier.

I was about to close the small box after I put the photo inside but then a certain picture came out after I sighed. Nakataob ito nang mahulog. I only saw the image imprinted on it when I picked it up and looked at it.

It felt so nostalgic. The photo is just dated 3 years ago, though. I'm actually surprised that I still have it. It was a picture of me, Ivy, and Creia when we were on our 3rd year of high shool. Lahat kami ay nakasuot ng gown na kulay puti dahil iyon ang tema ng prom nang gabing iyon.

Our first prom will always feel like yesterday once you begin to reminisce its memories. Your first dance, and probably even your first love.

I was wearing a tea-length, white off-shoulder chiffon gown and beige pumps while my hair is tied up in a fishtail braid. I was also wearing a minimal silver jewelry and I brought a simple beige leather purse.

Creia looked like an international model with her simple spaghetti strap, sheath, dirty white silk gown with a slight on her right thigh. She paired it with gold stilettos and bold gold jewelry. Her hair is tied up in a neat ladder braided bun and she carried a gold clutch with her.

Ivy, as expected, looked so elegant in her white satin ballgown with a sweetheart neckline. The lavender-colored ends of her gown gradually faded as it went upwards. Her long straight hair fell on her shoulders. She had no accessories aside from the two clips on both sides of her hair that resembles a lavender and she held a clutch embedded with diamonds.

Kung tutuosin ay sila lamang ang mature ang porma. I looked like a little girl having her seventh birthday party or something. Well, I guess my style barely changed since then. Actually, I barely changed as a person in general. Hanggang ngayo'y iyakin pa rin ako.