The Burning of Summer

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Eight

I already accepted everything, but why do I still feel pain?

Those are the words that kept playing over and over for the duration of this party that is still ongoing right now.

There's no way in hell that I will let myself stay here much longer.  But my cousin won't let me.

We just finished having dinner and some people are on the dance floor while dancing in pairs with the sound of the cello and violin as their music.

I stayed seated and Pierre never leaving my side, afraid that if he left me even for just a second I might be gone. Tinawanan ko siya doon ngunit seryoso lamang itong sumagot at sinabing hindi siya nagbibiro kaya nanahimik na lang ako.

Sa mga nakalipas na minuto ay nakita ko ang pag-iikot ng pamilya nila Lianne sa bawat lamesa, greeting and thanking the guests maybe?

Hindi ko alam. Basta ang alam ko ay gusto ko nang umuwi. This party isn't doing any good for me and I'm still very tired from my long flight. I should be resting right now if I had known who's behind this party.

"Why don't we dance?" tamad akong lumingon sa nagsalita. "Come on, we're both bored here anyway."

Suminghap ako bago tinanggap ang nakalahad na kamay ng pinsan. Tumayo kami pareho at nagpunta sa gitna upanh magsayaw.

"Can I go after this?"

"No, you have to greet Mr. and Mrs. Velasquez first. You're representing your company remember?"

Do I have to? It's not like I am embarrassed to face them, I didn't do anything wrong. Ayaw ko lang talagang makaharap o maka-usap sila. I am representing our company which means I cannot lose my cool in front of them which means I have to behave myself and it's not like me to do that.

I am never the good one. Ako nga yata ang black sheep ng pamilya namin at kahit kailan ay hindi ko naman itinanggi iyon.

"My turn." a playful voice came out of nowhere and I saw Edward beside Pierre smiling so widely. Handa na akong tanggihan ito ng ibigay naman ng pinsan ko ang kamay ko dito.

I rolled my eyes at Edward when we started dancing. Pulos kalokohan lang ang pinagsasabi nito na kung minsan ay hindi ko na napigilan ang tumawa. Sunod naman na sumingit ay si Kalix. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung anong trip nilang magkakaibigan at bakit nila ako sinasayaw.

"Did you know that you've been the center of attention tonight?" tanong nito habang marahan akong sinasayaw.

"I'm used to it that it doesn't bother me anymore." mayabang na sabi ko.

"Do you want to know what they are talking about?"

"I want to say no but I have a feeling that you would still say it."

"Let's just say that they're curious as to what's the real deal between you and Reid."

Umingos ako.

Nosy people.

To think that this party includes rich people, rich but very nosy people who like to gossip.

"Have you two talked?"

"What for?" I asked icily.

"Nothing." nagkibit balikat ito.

Bumuntong hininga ako saka nagpa-alam dito na magpupunta sa powder room. Iniwan ko na ito at nagpunta doon upang i-check ang itsura sa salamin. I was retouching my lipstick when a door of one of the cubicles and the woman who I really don't want to see comes out of there.