VIANNIARA
Nagsisimula na ang party nang matapos ako sa pag-aayos. I wore a simple floral vintage evening dress just below my knee. I paired it with an ankle-strap heel. I let my hair flowing, exposing the natural curls of it. I put on some minimal make-up to hide the paleness of my face. Just some accecories, and I'm done!
I was slightly nervous, for sure all eyes will be staring at me. Not on my outfit or my face, but because I came down late. Business people always value their time. I don't even know if my Mom would be happy to see me there.
I sighed with that thought. Tuloy ay muli akong nagdalawang-isip kung dadalo pa ba ako. Eventhough it's just on our front yard, there's a lot of prominent people out there! I'm not like my sister. She often goes to party, whether it's formal or casual. Me, I'm fine with just going to work, sleeping, and do some craft. In short, introvert.
I stare at myself from the mirror, then smile sadly. A day will come and I won't be seeing myself even just in front of the mirror. I would be horrified to do that. I would be scared. It would be hard for me to look at myself once more because of abundant bruises all over my body, and of course, surely, I would be bald by that time.
Another knock on the door came. I walk my way towards my door and slowly opened it. For the second time, my brother, Chaste, standing in front of my room wearing his most handsome smile.
"Are you done?" pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang kabuoan ko bago ngumiti at tumingin sa akin ng may paghanga.
"Uhm... yeah," I shyly said. Hindi ako makatingin sa kaniya dahil sa kahihiyan sa ginagawa niya. Naninibago ako. I mean, days ago, he came home with a cold attitude towards me. Then days after that, he avoided me. Tapos ngayon, ganito siya? Is he crazy?
"Dad's waiting for you. Let's go?" he widely smiled again. Hindi ako nakakilos at napamaang na lang sa kaniya nang iminuwestra niya ng isang kamay niya ang hallway.
Nanatili akong nagigitlang nakatingin sa kaniya bago umiling. What's with the change? Seriously?
Tuluyan akong lumabas ng kwarto at isinarado iyon. Napatingin ako kay Kuya na wala pa ring kasing ganda ang ngiti sa akin. Ngumiwi ako.
He put his hand on the small of my back to guide me. Naiilang man ay nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad kasabay niya.
"Your boyfriend is there. Gavin, right?" sabi niya habang naglalakad kami sa mahabang pasilyo ng second floor.
"Uh... yeah." I stuttered. Matunog siyang ngumiti bago ako nilingon. Napatingin ako pabalik sa kaniya.
"You've grown up so fast. You have a boyfriend now, I can't believe it." his smile changed after saying that, it became weary.
Tumingin pa ako sa kaniya ng ilang sandali bago nag-iwas ng tingin. Hindi ako umimik.
"I heard you've been in a relationship for five years now. Wow, staying strong, huh?" biro niya pero hindi muli ako nagsalita, at sa halip ay ngumiti na lamang ng pilit.
Natahimik siya nang hindi pa rin ako umimik. Ilang metro na lang ang layo namin mula sa hagdan nang mapahinto ako. My tears well up when I saw our service area, also known as the family hall, with my painting being displayed on it.
Nangunot ang noo ko at nagpigil ng luha. I can feel my brother stare at me. I smiled sweetly. Whispering my thank you to whoever display that painting in our family hall.
"Dad wants to put it here. Pina-ayos niya kanina," napatingin ako kay Kuya at bahagya pang nagulat. Napatingin ako sa hagdan, katapat ng family hall, na para bang makikita at mapapasalamatan ko si Daddy sa ginawa niya.
