"Is Lev coming?" tanong ni Kali sa akin. Kasalukuyan akong nakaupo sa vanity table habang naglagay ng kolorete sa mukha. I'm wearing a white dress, since black and white yung theme nung party na dadaluhin ko. Yup. It's the President's ball. Ang sabi ni Lev na sasamahan niya ako at siya ang magiging date ko ngayong gabi, that's why I had to turn down Seb's offer to be my date."I'm not sure," sabi ko at matipid na ngumiti. "He didn't message me.""Well, nagtext ka ba sa kanya?" She asked."Of course. I even called his number pero hindi siya sumasagot. He's probably busy."I expected Lev to come. Nangako kasi siya and he looked so determined nang sinabi niyang siya ang sasama sa akin dun. I was not planning on going pero sabi niya kasi that I should go. Tutal, kasama ko naman siya. But then again, I should have never put my hopes high. Last party, he wasn't there with me wherin he also agreed to be my date. I just can't help to feel disappointed.Palagi nalang bang ganito, Lev?"Well,
"Lev...""My name is Lev Laurier," pakilala niya sa mga tao. "And yes, I am her fiancé."Natahimik ang lahat at nagtinginan. Pabalik-balik yung tingin nila kay Lev at Seb na ngayo'y hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa narinig. Now that I think about it, magkasing-tunog pala pangalan nila."So you're the guy!" The President exclaimed. "It's so nice to meet you, hijo.""Mr. President," Lev smiled. "The honor is mine.""Laurier. So you are from the Laurier clan? How are you related to Elena Laurier?" The President asked."She's my mom.""Oh. So much resemblance. Kamukha mo Mama mo," He chuckled. "How is she, by the way?""She's still under her medications. Sa katunayan, kaya nga ako na-late because I was attending her.""Such a good fellow," the woman complimented. "Bihira na mga bata ngayon na mag-alaga sa magulang. Some hire caregivers. Yung iba naman ay inilagay sa home for the aged. I wish my children will be just like you."Ngumiti si Lev. "Thank you po.""Why don't everyone take a seat? M
"Do you still remember our first dance?" Tanong sa akin ni Lev.Kumunot yung noo ko. "It's the day that we met."What's a party without a dance, right? These people surrounding me loves to dance kaya tuwing may party ay hindi mawawala ito. I rested my hands over Lev's shoulder while he wrap his arms around my waist. "Naalala mo ba kung ano yung una mong tinanong sa akin?" He asked, half-laughing."Ano?" I giggled. "I hope it's not humiliating.""It's not. It was rather odd.""Bakit? Anong tinanong ko?"Yumuko muna siya at tumawa nang mahina. "You asked if I was in it for love?""What?" Hindi makapaniwala kong tanong. "Seryoso? Tinanong ko yan?"He nodded. "Yes. Kaya hindi ko makakalimutan. I was expecting you ask anything about me but you asked that instead."Napatango ako. "Ah! Alam ko na kung bakit ko natanong yun. I was looking for someone to make a ruse with.""I guessed that the second time we meet up," iling niya. "Hindi lang ako makapaniwala na may magtatanong sa akin ng ganya
Walang nagsalita ni-isa sa amin ni Lev. He's driving me home. No matter how much I want to ask him about what's bothering him ay hindi ko na nagawa. He looks tired and I thought that asking him might not be a good idea. Kaya tahimik lang akong nakaupo sa sasakyan habang nililibang yung sarili sa mga ilaw sa labas.A few minutes later, we arrived home. Walang nagsalita sa aming dalawa. I used to be so straight-forward pero ngayon ay hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin. But I should say something, right? I can't stay here and do nothing. Paano ako makakauwi niyan?I cleared my throat. "Ah. Thanks for tonight, Lev.""Kaia, I'm sorry," bigla niyang sabi kaya napalingon ako sa kanya. "You weren't able to enjoy the party because of me."Kumunot yung noo ko. "What?""Alam kong ayaw mo pang umuwi. You enjoyed Seb's presence and I spoiled it for you. I'm just...""Don't be sorry, Lev. It's okay. Gusto ko naman talagang umuwi," I said, smiling."You do?"I nodded. "Oo. I'm not the type who enj
"What are you doing here?" Tanong si Sebastian kay Lev."I should be the one asking you that question. Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Tanong ni Lev pabalik. "I'm here because I was worried for Kaia," sagot ni Seb. "You don't have to, dude. Nandito naman ako," seryosong sabi ni Lev. "I'm here as her friend--""Huwag na kayong mag-away," I sighed. "Kung gusto niyong pumasok, pumasok lang kayo. But if you want to continue whatever you are doing then sa labas niyo na gawin yan."Tinalikuran ko silang dalawa at dumiretso sa kusina. Tutulungan ko nalang si Kali. I'm not sure if she can cook but mas maganda if I am there to help her. "Sino yun?" Tanong ni Kali habang naghahanap ng ingredients sa ref. "I'm planning to remake your adobong baboy. Namiss ko yung recipe mo."Napangiti ako. Noon pa man ay gustong-gusto na niya yung adobong baboy ko. When we were in college, pumupunta lang yan sa apartment na tinutuluyan ko para lutuan siya. We went to different schools kasi kaya hindi na kami nagsam
"Tama na yan. Magsimula na kayo. Baka wala kayong ulamin mamaya," sabi ni Chef. Agad akong dumistansya kay Lev nang mapansing nakahawak na pala ako sa dibdib niya. I cleared my throat and briefly smiled at him before turning my back at bumalik sa tabi ni Kali."Nahihiya si Miss Kaia," tawa ni chef. "Magpaalam ka kasi Mr. Laurier.""I can't help it," he chuckled. "Nanggigigil ako."Napairap ako sa kanya but he returned with a wink. Out of the sudden, I giggled which made him giggle too. Luh?"Sige! Magsisimula na!" Anunsyo ni chef. "Miss Kaia, ano yung unang gagawin?""Oh. Right." Umiling ako. "Marinate the meat with soy sauce. Kayo na bahala sa pantimpla. Surprise us!"Kumuha na sila ng karne at hinugasan muna bago nagmarinate. Seb seems to know what he's doing. Mukhang bihasa na siya sa pagluluto. Hindi halata sa mukha. For sure, masarap outcome nito.Si Lev naman ay parang batang nawalan ng laruan. It looks like he's lost. Nagtagpo ang aming mga mata and he's giving me a signal to
"Kali, stop it," sita ko sa kakambal na nasa harapan ko.We are currently sitting on the floor with a mini table between us. Four-cornered yung table at each side ay nakaupo kaming apat. Nasa right side ko si Lev, left side si Seb, at nasa harap si Kali."Last nalang, please?" Kali begged. I told Kali na hindi siya iinom. I remembered the last time he drank. Hindi niya kayang control-in yung alcohol. She's not tolerant and I don't want her to have headache tomorrow morning."Last na yan."She nodded. "Yes!"Pinabayaan ko nalang siya at inabot yung baso ko. I was about to drink my alcohol when Lev took the glass from me."What the heck?" "That's enough din, Kaia." Sabi niya at nilagok yung alak.I scoffed. "You know that I can handle my alcohol, right?""Yes," he nodded. "But not this time.""Let her drink, dude." Sabi ni Sebastian. "Malaki na si Kaia. Wala ka bang tiwala sa kanya?""Yes. Thank you," Sabi ko kay Seb. He handed me another glass pero kinuha ulit ito ni Lev at siya mis
After how many minutes of staring into space, I decided to go back inside. Sa sobrang gulo ng nangyayari, parang ayaw nang gumana ng utak ko. Mabuti pa't pumasok nalang at baka lamigin ako kapag nanatili sa labas.Pagkapasok ko sa bahay ay naabutan ko ang dalawa na nagpatuloy sa ginawa nila kanina. They are sitting on the floor again with bottles on their hands. Akala ko ba hindi sila goods? Napailing nalang ako at nilapitan sila."I thought you're done with this?" I asked, pointing at the bottles."Sayang yung alak," Sagot ni Lev na hindi pa rin makatingin sa akin."Don't worry, Kaia. Everything is under control," ngiti ni Seb.I exhaled. "Fine. I'll prepare your rooms."Tinalikuran ko na sila para ihanda yung mga guest rooms. Pinuntahan ko na muna si Kali para masiguradong okay siya. I saw her peacefully sleeping in her bed. Well, my bed. Hindi na inform si Lev na sa guest room na natutulog si Kali. I went to the guest room and prepared everything. Malaki naman ang kama kaya pwede