Enticed by Miranda Jadeite

Chapter 16

Enticed by Miranda Jadeite

Chapter 16

Heart's beating loudly, sweat almost dripping from the side of my forehead, I stared deeply at myself. The lower part of my eyelids were covered with glittered bronze eyeshadow. Nose, cheekbones, and upper lip were highlighted, and lips were red as crimson. With these makeup, conservative yet sexy looking evening gown, I don't look fourteen at all.

I enjoyed playing with Tita Jade's makeup but I'm nervous because the Christmas ball will happen later. It's my first time attending something like that... something that my father and mother used to attend to... together.

The thought of seeing my mother there made my insides rumbled. Tita Jade said there's a possibility that we'll see her there, one of the reason why I feel anxious. Pilit kong pinagaan ang nararamdaman ko at ngumiti habang nakatitig pa rin sa salamin.

"Ready?" Tinanguan ko si Kuya bago kami sabay na naglakad papasok sa venue. Nasa harap namin sina Daddy at Tita Jade, sa likuran naman ay ang kambal. Jack and Andrei.

My grip on Kuya's arm tighten when my father and aunt stopped. They were exchanging greetings with someone.

"I'm glad you came, Danaus, Athaliah." The woman said. I assumed she's  somewhere from the upper class, the complete set of pearl accessories she's wearing says it all. "And you brought your children!"

"Acerb, the eldest, and Miranda, my fourth child." Pagpapakilala sa amin ni Daddy sa babae. "Jack and Andrei, Athaliah's twin."

"This is Sheena Garcellano." I don't know what to do so I just simply smile and nodded but the woman took my hand and shook it.

"Ang gandang dalaga naman nito." Nag-init ang pisngi ko sa sinabi niya, ramdam ko naman ang lahat ng atensiyon nilang anim sa akin. "Nice to meet you, Miranda."

"T-thanks, and nice to meet you, too." I managed to say when she's shaking hands with my brother. Gano'n din ang ginawa niya sa dalawa ko pang pinsan pagkatapos ay nagpaalam na siya. We were ushered to our seats.

"Saan na kaya 'yon?" Tanong ni Jack kay Andrei, tumayo pa ito habang nililibot ang paningin. He's looking for Kuya Regan and Kuya Art.

May dalawang bakanteng upuan sa aming lamesa at ang hinuha ko ay sa kabila uupo sina Tita Yssa dahil wala ring nakaupo roon.

"Nilalamig ka ba?" Tanong sa akin ni Kuya.

"Hindi naman, Kuya." Sabi ko, pagkatapos ay natahimik na ulit ako. Nilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid. There were too many people in this ballroom yet their chatters not that audible.

"Miranda, tingnan mo 'yon, ang ganda." Turo ni Jack sa isang maputing babae. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nag-iwas agad ng tingin sa babae dahil bigla itong lumingon sa amin. Inakbayan niya ako at pilit hinarap ang aking mukha sa gawi noong babae. "Ang ganda, 'no?"

"She looks... fine to me."

"Wala talagang maganda para sa 'yo kung hindi sarili mo."

"What are you trying to imply Jack? Na narcissist ako? For your information, may kanya-kanya tayong definition ng ganda, kung ikaw sa panlabas ka tumitingin, ibahin mo ako. Saka hindi gano'n ang tingin ko sa sarili ko." Seryoso kong sabi sa kanya kaya natawa ng bahagya sina Kuya at Andrei.

"Joke lang naman, sungit mo."

"That's not a funny joke." Sabi ni Kuya kahit na natatawa naman siya sabay hawi ng braso ni Jack na nasa aking balikat.

"Magsama kayong magkakapatid, walang sense of humor." Pang-aasar pa niya kaya pabiro ko rin siyang inirapan.

Bigla kaming napatayong apat nang tumayo sina Tita Jade at Daddy. Lumapit ulit 'yong babaeng naunang bumati sa amin kanina, pero wala pa rin sina Tita Yssa.