Chapter Five

            Between papers and the dread she was feeling, she’d gladly choose the former.

            She’d rather stress herself out with work, which provides monetary support to the company, the employees and her talents, than stress herself over the embarrassment she’d feel later.

            Yes, she was seriously overthinking this party.

            Sa opisina palang, hindi na siya mapakali and it was obvious by the way she was trying to busy herself with work that wasn’t even hers. Ang ginawa ng magaling niyang sekretarya, pinauwi siya nito after matapos ang pag-present ng financial report. Hindi pa nga umiinit ang pwet niya sa swivel chair sa opisina niya, tinaboy na agad siya ni Mia paalis.

            She was out of her wits, wala siya sa hulog kahit medyo maayos naman ang tulog niya. Sadyang anxious lang siya for the engagement party.

            Pagkadating niya naman sa unit niya, to take her mind off the dreadful party later, inabala niya ang sarili sa pamimili nang maisusuot. Halos kunin niya na ang lahat ng nasa closet niya because she couldn’t find the perfect outfit to wear. She kept on mixing and matching pero wala siyang magustuhan.

            Nang mapagod, she settled for her black, Arlene bodycon pearl jumpsuit, na ipapares niya sa peeptoe mamaya.

            Instead of grabbing a decent lunch, she opted for a red wine and cheese. Awa didn’t think she could swallow her food, not when she’s anxious. Her wine glass in hand, she paced back and forth on her living area.

            She’d been to a lot of engagement parties, and weddings as well, and she must say, she does actually enjoy attending such events. Aside from it’s romantic and gives her the tingling feeling, she uses it as an inspiration and idea for her writings. Until one question from a college schoolmate ruined it for her: when are you getting married?

            It wasn’t supposed to be an offensive question, but every engagements and weddings she’s attended after, lagi’t lagi’nang may magtatanong kung kailan naman daw ba ang turn niya. Halos kasi ata sa mga kakilala at batch mates niya, from elementary to college, pati ata Master’s niya, lahat ay either engaged or settled down na. Parang siya nalang ang hindi pa.

            Even an extended relative has asked her about marriage, too.

            Kaya pressured din siya makahanap ng boyfriend, because a lot of people have been expecting an engagement announcement from her. Everybody’s expecting to finally hear her wedding bells. It has been four years since her break-up, of course people would assume that she’s gonna be with someone already. Pero ano ba naman ang magagawa niya kung wala?

            She didn’t want to hear another word about her relationship status, especially from people who only want to have something to talk about, because that’s what most people are good at: talking about other’s lives as if those were even any of their concerns.

            If she hears so much as asking her why she’s still single, she’s going to fucking riot.

            But if she does, she’d take it as a sign that she was meant for something else.

            Nang makita niyang alas tres na ay tumuloy na siya sa banyo para magbabad sa bathtub. She need to at least relax a bit, considering the stress she’s been since forever. Ayaw niyang pumunta sa party na haggard. Kung mapahiya man siya, at least blooming at maganda naman siya kahit papaano, so she could at least save face.

            She submerged herself on the rose lavender and jasmine oil infused water, tsaka niya inabot ang champagne glass niya at sumimsim dito, pang patapang lang ng loob. Eyes closed, she leaned her back comfortably onto the fiberglass tub, as she takes in the fused scents of lavender, jasmine and musk.  Who needed spa and therapy when there’s essential oil, champagne and scented candle, anyway?

            Her me-time was cut short when the door to her bathroom opened and came in Last, yelling, “Ate!”

            “Could you knock?”

            “I did.” She could clearly hear sarcasm in her tone. “But nobody answered so I welcomed myself in.”

            “So what are you doing here?” she peered through an eye as she asked. Nakita niyang naupo sa malawak na sink ang pinsan, nakaharap sa pwesto niya. “Aren’t you supposed to be dressing up for the party?”

            “Just checking on you first.”

            “You mean, making sure I won’t ditch you...?”

            “Exactly.” Last jumped down from her seat. “Will be dropping here, sunduin daw tayo ni Kuya Raf, e.”

            Tumango siya bilang sagot. “Please close the door when you go.”

            “’Kay!” nagsimula itong lumakad palabas, pero lumingon sa kanya at ngumiti nang nang-aasar. “Nice tits, by the way, Ate.”

            Napa-iling nalang siya sa tinuran ng pinsan. It was not as if they haven’t seen each other naked before, maliliit palang silang apat ay sabay-sabay na silang maligo, e. And besides, hindi na iba ang mga pinsan sa kanya. Sanay na rin sila sa mga ganitong bagay.

            And she’s proud of her body, kahit palagi siyang tinutukso ni Last kasi masyado raw extra ang hinaharap niya. Ani pa nito, “kaya wala ka’ng jowa kasi intimidated sila sa laki niyan, Ate.”

            Sinisi ba naman ang boobs niya?

            Maybe it stood out kasi manipis siyang babae, although her body is on its right proportion, manipis pa rin siya compared sa apat. Una talaga’ng napapansin lagi sa kanya ay ang boobs niya.

            Nagbabad pa siya ng ilang minuto sa tub bago naisipan magbanlaw. She took a quick bath, because knowing her cousins, laging on-time ang mga ‘yun sa mga ganitong events.

            Nagsusuot palang siya ng peeptoe niya, narinig na niya ang pagbukas ng pinto sa unit niya. Hindi niya lang sure sino sa mga pinsan niya ang dumating.

            Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang sarili sa salamin, fixed her hair a bit, before putting her stuffs into a sling bag.

            “Ready ka na, Ate?” White poked her head in. “Kuya Raf said he’d be here in five.”

            “Yea,” she made a quick grab of her phone from the dresser. “Guess I am. How do I look?”

            “Gorgeous.”

            She tried for an eye roll but her lips already draw in a smile. Her cousin didn’t look so bad herself, given she was a model, as well as an actress and a singer, she could bring any clothes she wears with class and style. Kahit ata basahan ang ipasuot sa kanya, madadala niya nang maayos.

            “But just so you know, hindi lamay ang pupuntahan natin, Ate, ha?”

            “I was going for a casual yet elegant look.”

            “You could’ve worn something with color.”

            “Black is a color.” She reasoned.

            “It’s more like a shade, Ate.”

            “Yes but it actually depends on the person, really.”

            They were still arguing about black when they reach her living area. Muntik na niyang ikuha ng cardigan si Aye sa suot nito; low cut ang sa harap na hanggang sa nipples lang nito ang height, at backless!

            “Hindi ka kaya kabagin niya’ng suot mo?” was her question as soon as she saw Aye. “Baka umutot ka nalang dun bigla, ha?”

            “I told her.” Last crossed her eyes against her chest. “Hindi strip club ang pupuntahan natin kundi engagement party, ano ‘yun pati sa engagement bubukaka ka sa lalaki?”

            She saw pain crossed Aye’s eyes for a split second before it was replaced with a look of sarcasm and mockery. “And so what if I will?”

            “Let’s go…?” sakto naman bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Raf, saving them from yet another argument.

            The growing tension slowly dissipated.

            There was a moment of stillness in the room before Ember broke the ice. “Tara na, tara!” hinila nito ang braso ni Last at nagpati-unang lumabas ng unit niya.

            Lumapit siya kay Raf at bumulong, “Thank you for the save.”

            Kunot ang noo’ng tiningnan siya ng binata. “What do you mean?”

            “I meant it as it is.”

            It was fortunate that the drive from her place to the venue was short, dahil masyadong mabigat ang atmosphere sa loob ng sasakyan. If Rafeal noticed, he didn’t say anything about it.

            Half of the Acosta clan were already there, socializing with the other guests, some talking business in the corner.

            Garden themed ang naisip ng pinsan niya for the engagement party; white and green ang dominant color, with touches of floral pink, lavender and blue. The platform was decorated with vine walls with neon signs that read: Marco & Pat, sa right side naman ng platform may dalawang wing chair na nakapwesto.

            The whole reception was decorated with lots of flowers; some Awa couldn’t even recognize. The wooden chairs were draped with white chair sashes and were decorated with flower vines. At dahil garden themed, sa may garden ng hotel ang reception; neatly trimmed ang grass lawn na pinugpog ng iba’t ibang klaseng flower petals. May mga light decorations din nakapalibot sa bawat puno at plant bushes. The only thing missing is pixie dust and the whole place would completely radiate Pixie Hollow, it would feel as if she was really inside the Tinkerbell movie.

            “Nandito na pala kayo.” A familiar voice greeted. Nilingon nila ang pinanggalingan ng boses and there stood Rich, one of her cousins, hawak ang isang clipboard. Katabi nito ang isa pa’ng pinsan, si Liam. “Good, makikisuyo ako Raf, paki-check mo naman ‘yung sa sound system, make sure na nandun lahat ng songs na patutugtugin later.”

            Umakbay si Raf kay Last at isinama ito papunta sa iniuutos ni Rich.

            “You already got seats, so kung gusto niyong ma-upo na. go ahead.”

            Nasa harap ng presidential table lang ang pwesto ng table nila, kaya kitang-kita niya ang mga mangyayari mamaya. She heard there would be singing; her cousin’s fiancé would, apparently, serenade her Ate Pat later, that was according to the flow of Rich’s program.

            Ilang minuto at nagsimula na ang party, pero ang magaling niyang date wala naman sa tabi niya. Sa dami ng guests, for sure, hindi niya mahahagilap ang Raf. Baka nga, sa hula niya, he’s already banging a woman inside one of the hotel’s comfort room cubicles. And here she thought he’s trying to get into his Dad’s good side.

            “Awa, anak.” Her Dad called, agad lumiwanag ang mukha niya nang makita ang Ama. For her, it felt as if it had been years since the last she’s saw her father.

            “Papa!” agad siyang tumakbo para yumakap dito. “Missed you.”

            Chuckling, her father wrapped his arms around her and planted a kiss on her hair. “Missed you, too, anak.”

            Kumalas siya sa Ama at nilingon ang paligid. “Sila Ate’t Kuya po?”

            “Oh, they’re just around here somewhe― eto na pala si Kuya AJ mo, e.”

            “Hello, baby girl.”

            “Kuya!” she shrieked in excitement as she threw herself to her brother, who, fortunately, caught her. “Missed you!”

            AJ chortled. “Hindi naman halata, bunso.”

            “I heard you just came back from your business trip in Europe.”

            “Yes.” Kumalas ang kapatid sa yakap nila at kinurot ang pisngi niya. “Don’t worry, may pasalubong ako sa’yo.”

            “Like you’d even forget.” She stuck her tongue out at her brother. “Nagka-usap ba kayo ni Kuiya Russ?”

            “Si Russia?” AJ frowned. “Regarding work lang. Bakit?”

            “Wala naman Kuya, it’s just…” she pouted her lips like a kid. “He dropped by my unit, about a week ago.”

            “Oh? Tapos?”

            “It’s just… surprising lang.”

            Ginulo ng kapatid ang buhok niya. “Maybe but don’t shut him out, Awa.”

            “Hindi kaya Kuya, ah!”

            “That’s good to know.”

            “AJ!” Patricia’s voice almost overpowered the volume of the speakers. “Yuhoo!” itinaas nito ang kamay at kinawayan sila.

            “Patring.” AJ greeted, teasing their cousin. Patring kasi ang nickname na ibinigay ng mga Lolo’t Lola nila sa pinsan. “Hello, Marco.”

            “Patring ka dyan?!” umusok agad ang ilong ng pinsan sa narinig sa kapatid. “Pa-blacklist kita, e.”

            “May bayad ang isang gabi’ng stay mo sa suite na gagamitin mo sa kasal.”

            “Grabe ka, regalo mo na.”

            “Kay Marco libre, sa’yo five percent ang discount.” Her brother continued teasing Patricia. “I’ll have the receptionist and the manager know.”

            “Wala ka siguro’ng lovelife kaya bitter ka.”

            Snickering, she kissed her cousin’s cheek, as well as her cousin’s fiancé’s. “Hi, Ate, Kuya.”

            “Himala, sumipot ka!”

            “Of course, wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

            Sumimangot ang mukha ng babae’ng pinsan. “Naku, Asia Winnessa, ‘wag ako.”

            This time, natawa na talaga siya sa pinsan. “Hindi, pupunta talaga ako.”

            “Dapat lang, hindi kita papapasukin sa simbahan at reception ng mismo’ng kasal kung wala ka rito ngayon, ano.”

            “Ay, grabe siya, oh.”

            “She’s just kidding, Awa.” Biglang sabi ni Marco, na kanina pa tahimik at pangiti-ngiti lang sa tabi ng Ate Pat niya. “She’s gonna make you go to the wedding by hook or by crook.”

            “Hoy, secret ‘yun, diba?” hinampas ni Pat ang braso ng fiancé.

            Nangiti nalang siya sa kakulitan ng pinsan. It was cute how Patricia and Marco complimented each other: madaldal at makulit ang babae, samantala tahimik lang ang lalaki at hinahayaan ang pinsan mangulit at dumada.

            She felt a bit jealous. She wanted to have a relationship like theirs, too. But with her personality? Parang imposibleng maging cute ang relasyon niya sa magiging jowa. She’s kind of uptight and knows a fair amount shite about life in general, hindi bagay sa kanya ang salita’ng cute, and it will never describe her. Or her future relationship.

            Baka pa nga, ang relationship niya, would be a competition of who’s the bossier of the bosses. Not her ideal relationship, though.

            “Kiev?”

            Sabay sabay silang napalingon sa nagsalita.

            Her shoulder slumped when it dawned on her who the person is.

            “I thought tayo lang, Ate?” she whispered dejectedly.

            “Yea. I made sure of that. I’m not even aware that she’s here.”

            “I don’t think Rich knows this, too.”

            “Oh, she’d surely be pissed off.”

            “No shit.”

            Tumigil sila sa pagbubulungan nang tuluyang makalapit sa pwesto nila ang taong pinag-uusapan. Her fake smile was automatic when she was finally in front of them.

            “Long time no see, Kiev.”

            “Likewise, Kirsten.” Pormal na sagot ng Ama sa kaharap.

            Her Aunt Kirsten, isang malayong kamag-anak. Her Aunt Kirsten’s family had tried to unseat her great grandparents and her whole family from the Acosta Corp. for several years, maybe decades, now. They wanted to seize power of the corporation but had always failed.

            Gahaman kasi sa pera ang pamilya nito, her Aunt’s parents had wanted the corporation to themselves alone, kahit wala naman silang karapatan at ambag dito.

            Hostile ang buong angkan niya sa pamilya nito, pero masyadong makapal ang mukha ng Auntie niya para dumalo sa event na hindi naman ito imbitado.

            “You don’t need to be so strained, Kiev.” Mahinang tumawa ito bago bumaling ang tingin nito sa pwesto nila. “Oh, hello, mga pamangkin.”

            Walang may sumagot sa kanila.

            Lahat silang magpipinsan ay tinuruan nang magandang asal at rumespeto sa mga nakakatanda, itinatak din ng mga elders na sa away ng matatanda, labas ang mga anak at apo dun. But in her Aunt Kirsten’s case, lahat sila ay dinamay nito.

            “Congrats on your engagement, Patricia.”

            “Thank you.” Patricia replied curtly.

            “Oh, Awa.” Her Aunt Kirsten smiled at her, the kind that unnerved her. “Haven’t heard from you, hija. Are you finally married?”

            Heaving a breath, she replied, “Not yet.”

            Her Aunt feigned surprise and concern. “I thought―”

            “You thought wrong then.” she immediately supplied. “My relationship status has nothing to do with you, Aunt Kirsten. If you’ll excuse me.”

            That was her sign, she guessed.

            And with that, she left the party with a plan formulating on her mind.