Sullies of Haunted Yesterday (Casa Fuego Series #4)

Chapter 18

Little Bubble

Sabado na kinabukasan. Puro final touches na lang ng dekorasyon ang ginawa sa mansyon kanina. Gaya ng mga nakaraang araw, gabi na ako nakauwi at gusto ko na lang mahiga sa kama.

Nasa mansyon pa si Mama, kakwentuhan si Senyora Lucinda, kaya diretso na lang akong pumasok sa kuwarto ko. Napabuntong hininga ako dahil hindi ko na naman nakausap si Samuela ngayon. Hindi siya bumaba at nagpadala lang ng pagkain sa itaas.

May kumatok sa pinto. Kumunot ang noo ko, iniisip kung sino iyon. Hindi naman pwedeng si Mama kasi bakit siya kakatok? Kung si Therese 'yon, tinatawag na ako noon mula sa labas.

Bumangon ako at naglakad patungo sa pintuan. Unti-unti ko iyong binuksan at agad akong nagsisi nang bumungad sa akin si Eros!

"Hi," he smiled prudently at me.

Wala siya buong maghapon dahil may pinuntahan sila ni Don Fredericko. Pero nakita kong nakauwi na si Don Fredericko noong hapon pero hindi na siya kasama. Nakapanglakad pa siya ng suot ngayon sa harap ko, mukhang dito dumiretso pagkarating.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

He licked his lower lip, probably leaving a window of thought on how he'd tell me what he means to say. I realized he was always walking on eggshells with me. I feel bad about it, but it's better this way.

The past months made me feel like a fool. Magaling ako sa ibang bagay pero natatanga ako pagdating sa kaniya.

So I'll be smart about this, then. First of all, he'll leave pretty soon, anyway. He's never coming back so there is no reason for me to be more attached than I already am. Ultimately, I will be busy with my studies and my eventual career... until I forget about him and that this summer ever existed.

"I wanted to give you something," he rasped. "And ask you something, as well."

Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa hawak niyang paperbag. Dalawa iyon. Mas malaki ang isa... halos box na may tali lang para hawakan. Engraved in it was most certainly a luxurious brand I could have never afford.

"Ano 'yan?"

Inangat niya ang paperbags. Mataman ang tingin niya sa akin.

"I bought you a dress... and heels. I don't know much about these but... I just went ahead with my instinct of what I think would look perfect on you."

Umawang ang labi ko. Naninimbang ang tingin niya sa akin. Napansin kong medyo kabado rin siya.

"Para saan?"

"For the birthday ball tomorrow. I have been meaning to give you these but it just arrived earlier. I ordered it abroad."

Sa ibang bansa pa niya binili 'yon? Naalarma ako... nataranta. At naaapektuhan.

"Para sa ball bukas? Hindi ko kailangan n'yan. Tutulong ako sa mga organizers. Hindi makikisayaw."

Binigyan kami ng imbitasyon ni Mama bilang guests, hindi bilang trabahante nila. Pero gaya ni Mama, hindi ako pumayag na lumahok doon bilang guest. Tutulong ako kanila Manang Vilma.

"Wala akong paggagamitan n'yan bukas dahil hindi naman ako dadalo roon bilang guest."

He shifted his weight. "I know. That's why I want you to come as my date."

I was speechless. I couldn't react. I couldn't even flinch. Seryoso ba siya? Hindi niya ba naiisip kung gaano kapangit tignan 'yon?

"I want you to be my date for tomorrow's ball, Emeraude."

My heart violently thumped against my chest. I was able to pull myself together for the past days he's been hovering around me in the mansion. But at this point, I think I've reached my limit. I could feel my heart swelling and anytime now, my emotions will pour.