Roses for Aphrodite

00

"I'm already on my way."

I groaned and drop myself on the bed. I clutched my phone tighter as I focus my eyes on the galaxy painted ceiling.

"Geneva, I don't know if I could come, okay?" I muttered with visible annoyance. God, this is frustrating me. I can hear the faint music downstairs, and it's making me more hesitant. From the other line, I could hear my friend uttered a cuss.

"Come on, babe. We already set everything tonight. You can't ditch us!" Sigaw nito sa kabilang linya. I rolled my eyes heavenwards and caressed my forehead.

"I know, I know. Pero hindi ko naman alam na may hinanda ring surprise party sila Mama! I-I can't ditch them, either! And besides, we almost got caught the last time I sneaked out!"

I stand up once again and made my way towards the full-length mirror. I was all dressed up for the celebration that my girls prepared. I brushed my hip-length wavy hair with my fingers.

It was my graduation earlier as a Grade 12 student under the ABM Strand. I was the batch valedictorian yet my family didn't arrive to the actual ceremony for the reason that they were in a business trip out of town for a week. Akala ko ay bukas pa ang uwi ni Mama, that's why I didn't get to refuse when Geneva asked me out.

"I have a plan," Geneva said. I immediately envisioned the nasty grin that she always wear.

"What plan?" Mabilis kong tanong. Oh god, among the five of us in our circle, Geneva has the most weirdest mindset. Her escape plans are always way out of one's imagination and it would be either successful or dreadful. But most of the time, it was unacceptable. "No, Gen, I got this. Ako na ang---"

"Oh, no, Isobella baby, I got you." She, then, giggled with such excitement lacing her voice. "Trust me, this will work. Now, chill your pretty lil' ass there and wait for your big sissy to do the magic for yah, mwah! Oh, don't forget to wear something that could cover your dress, a'right?"

The next thing I heard is a loud beep, indicating that she already drop the call. "Oh, fuck," I breathe out while looking at the dark screen of my phone. Binato ko iyon sa kama at saka hinagilap ang denim jacket na nakasablay sa back rest ng vanity chair. I guess this is enough to make my tight dress look decent.

After a couple of minutes, my presence was demanded down stairs. Naabutan ko sa private lounge ng mansiyon si Mama Isadora at Geneva, malayo sa mga tao. My eyes squinted when I noticed that Gen was clad in a white trench coat. Her caramel curls were down and her lips were unusually pink. Now, what the hell is this bitch trying to do?

With the raging doubt inside my head and the volt of chills swirling inside my tummy, I sashayed towards them, chin up and straight faced.

Geneva wink on me secretly when she noticed my arrival. She, then, plastered an innocent smile and act demure in front of my Mama by tucking some strands of hair at the back of her ear.

"So, my main agenda here, po, is gusto ko po sanang ipag-paalam si  Isobella for a bible study in our house," mahinhing sabi ni Geneva. And I was beyond bewildered and astonished after hearing what she just said. Just what the fuck, Geneva?

I gaped and blink several times before composing back my posture. Pinanlakihan ko ito ng mata, but her attention was fixed on Mama. Ganoon na lamang ang pagkalabog ng dibdib ko nang tinaasan siya ni Mama ng kilay. Damn, Geneva you better do the magic you promised me!

"At this hour, hija?"

If I don't know it better, I would probably ask the same. I mean, it's freaking nine o'clock in the evening! Who the hell would be in their right mind to schedule a Bible study at this hour!?