All Is Not Lost

Chapter 17

Katulad

Santi couldn't come to my graduation because he has a presentation later and an important meeting with the board. It's okay because my plan is to eat lunch with my family and dinner with him. I haven't told Dad about Santi so it's meant to be this way.

Gusto kasi niya na mapanood ang grad ko kahit nakatanaw lang daw sa malayo. I joked about graduatig from med school years from now and how he can watch it legally unlike now.

Kuya Kinniel hired a professional makeup artist for me. Sa condo na ako inayusan noong umaga. At first, I thought it was too much but as I go back to the sleepless nights I had because of college, I think this is just enough.

Santi:
Love, I'm on my way.

Nag-beep ang cellphone ko at nakita ang text niya. I was inside my room already, getting dressed up. Nagpasama ako kay Laylin sa mall noong nakaraan para makabili ng dress at heels. She bought a dress, too, and lots of films for photographs later.

Kallista:
Okay. Ingat ka.

Paglabas ko ng silid, bumungad sa akin si Santi na namimigay ng dala niyang kape, si Kuya na napatigil sa pagsimsim sa kape niya habang nakasandal sa pader, at ang team na hinire ni Kuya na napatigil sa pagtanggap ng kape galing kay Santi.

Natahimik silang lahat at napatitig sa akin. They looked at me in awe and admiration, but all I could feel was awkwardness.

Ako naman ay tumingin sa dress ko. It's a tie shoulder dress in light pink raffia color. Pa-corset type ang bodice at may built-in pads. Tulle ang fabric niya at may kaunting glitter o star na detail kaya parang kumikislap. I paired it with heels slightly the same color as my dress. May toga kaming suot kaya matatakluban din naman lahat.

I looked at them again and this time, medyo nakabawi na sila. My hairstylist put his coffee down and went to me to fix my hair. Kuya was smiling like a proud father while talking with my makeup artist.

Ibinaba ni Santi ang mga dala niya at inalok ang team. He brought pancakes, bread, and coffee from a famous café. Nakasuot na siya ng black slacks at tuxedo, ready na sa presentation niya mamaya.

He went near me and my hairstylist automatically left me. Santi snaked his hands on my waist and pulled me closer. Kahit nakasuot na ako ng heels, mas matangkad pa rin siya sa akin.

"You look so beautiful, I wanna keep you in my pocket," he whispered and stared at me more.

"Hoy, Ranollo. Tigilan mo 'yan at baka masuntok kita nang wala sa oras," Kuya interrupted and ate a bagel.

We all laughed at his remark. I thanked Santi for the breakfast and he turned his back on me to get something from my couch in the living room.

Abot langit ang tuwa ko nang makitang bouquet ulit 'yon. This time, pure red roses. Siksik na siksik ang pagkakaayos kaya ang ganda tingnan.

"Congratulations!" Santi greeted me when he handed me the bouquet.

Natawa ako. "Thank you." I hugged him upon receiving the bouquet.

He was smiling so genuinely, but his restraint from kissing me was too evident. Kaya tawang-tawa ang mga naroon.

The team also brought things for a photoshoot. Ako ang naunang kuhanan ng litrato. Bago kami ni Kuya, bago pa si Santi. For the second time, I wore my toga and took pictures again. Sumunod ay kasama ko na si Kuya at sunod ay si Santi naman ang kasama ko. The photographer was teasing Kuya and Santi, so we went for a picture of us three for the last time.