Chapter 11.1
"Wayde! Aren't you excited for the fiesta?" I styled my hair into soft curls and put on my headband.
Naghahanda ako para sa idadaos na event mamaya. This would be the very first time that I would attend such a thing and I'm excited for it.
Marissa and Laren would be there too. Hindi rin naman papigil si Clayton at kukuhanin niya raw ang lahat ng atensyon ng mga kababaihan. I really can't believe that the brute is here. What a small world after all. "Hmm, there's nothing exciting about it. I'm not going," ani Wayde habang ang mga mata'y nakatuon sa Ipad nito.
"O c'mon, it's just for tonight and then done. Dapat sumama ka. And I'm also sure that you might be interested on dancing with a girl too!" I didn't really mean when I said that last line. I'm in denial and I admit it! Ever since that confession, I always tried to pushed this feeling away. But as I tried to erased it, the more it has the urged to approached me. It looks like it's trying to play a tricked on me. A tricked that always got me thinking. Damn it. "You." Napatigil ako sa ginagawa at lumingon sa kanya.
"W-What about me?" I stammered.
"You're the one I'm interested to dance with," sinarado niya ang ipad case at maingat iyong nilagay sa ibabaw ng lamesa. Napakurap-kurap ako sa sinabi niya. Did I hear it right?
Tumayo siya at lumapit sa'kin. I stepped backward when he tried to close the space between us. He bowed a little to meet my gaze, and when he met mine, the corners of his lips turned up. I felt like the color drained out of my face. "You gotta be kidding..." hindi ko makapaniwalang saad. Rinig ko ang malakas na kalabog ng dibdib ko. How could he say it casually when I'm trying to stopped myself from this kind of sensation? I thought he would just laugh and take away his words but it didn't happened.
Humalukipkip lang siya at lumayo. "And I'm not even kidding."
Then he left. Nakatunganga lang ako dahil sa sinabi niya. I could feel my heart beats violently. Did he just... What the heck is happening to me? Ang inipon kong eneryhiya ay parang naupos dahil sa tatlong salita na sinabi niya. The feelings that continues growing responded like a wildfire.
How many days have passed since that confession?
It's so ironic to think, but I can't help to start questioning myself. It's making me nervous and confusing sometimes.
"Tao po! Celestia yuhooo!” nabalik ako sa kamunduhan nang marinig ang pagkalabog ng gate. That ear shattering voice from Marissa started to echo in the house. Inayos ko ang sarili bago lumabas.
My lips parted when it wasn't just Laren and Marissa who is present. Also ate Alma. The three of them were wearing dresses and you can really tell that they really prepare for this kind of event. I greeted them and invited them to go inside as I waited for Clayton.
Siguradong magugulat ang tatlo dahil hindi ko sinabi sa kanila na hinihintay ko pa si Clayton.
They would surely bawled their eyes out.
"Hindi ako makapaniwalang nandito tayo sa bahay ni Mr. Patterson! Sana makasayaw ko siya mamaya." Marissa giggled. I motioned them to sit down in the sofa.
"Unfortunately, he's not going." Kaagad silang napalingon sa akin na may panlalaki ang mga mata.
"Ano?!" napagitlag ako nang lumukob ang mga boses nila sa silid.
I nodded. " Yeah, he's a busy person."
Ate Alma and Marissa's shoulders fell. Akala ko rin ay sasama talaga siya, but it turns out that he wouldn't. He must be so busy with his work that he had no time to attend such an event. I'm actually concerned with his well-being. He has been working day and night consecutively since he forgot to eat his meal.
I can really relate with him also too. My dad's always so busy with our company that he sometimes forgets to attend my activities in school way back. Nanlulumo rin ako minsan, but whenever I think that he's doing it for my future, those kind of thoughts fade away.
"Sayang! Pinaghandaan ko pa naman ang pagdating niya. Tignan niyo kung gaano ako kaganda ngayon❞ umikot pa siya sa harap namin at ipinakita ang bestida niya.
It's a Korean style dress that is now popular now a days. She also have that bandana style in her head that we usually seen in the olden days painting about a young woman. Marissa really looks good on that.
Her morena look compliment the color of her dress.
We were just having a conversation when I heard a knock from our gate. Kaagad akong sumilip para tignan kung sino iyon. Nakita ko si Clayton na pormang-porma at may dala 'pang rosas sa kamay niya. I gestured him to come in and cling to him.
Clayton looks so good with his plain basic tees tucked in and paired with some textured trousers. His messy hair also compliments with his look.
"Alam kong gwapo ako kaya huwag mo akong titigan ng ganyan." I rolled my eyes on him.
"May kasama tayong pupunta, and it's gonna be fun!" Clayton frowned. "Who?"
"Celestia, sino ba ya--- OMG!" Marissa shrieked out when she peaked outside and saw Clayton. Her lips parted in shocked. Nagpalipat-lipat pa ang tingin niya sa aming dalawa at napakurap-kurap ng ilang beses na animo'y sinisigurado kung nandito ba talaga si Clayton.
"May mga crush 'yang mga yan sa'yo," bulong ko kay Wayde at kinindatan siya. Nang makapasok ay lumilinga pa siya sa paligid na parang may hinahanap.
"Where's Wayde? Makikipag-bardagulan pa ako sa lalaking 'yon."
"Para ka talagang bata." Nalukot ang mukha nito sa sinabi ko. When he bobbed his head, his stare averted to Laren's side who is also shocked seeing him. Kaagad namang umiwas ng tingin si Laren kay Wayde.
Is there something going on between them?
"So ano? Tara na?" Pang-aaya ni ate Alma sa amin at kanya-kanya naman sila ng tayo.
Lumingon ako sa silid ni Wayde. Is he really not coming? What he said a while ago flashed in my mind again. I shake my head to washed it off in my head. It's just for tonight. I sighed and faced Clayton.
"Mauna na muna kayo, susunod lang ako." They nodded and proceeded outside.
Kaagad akong naglakad patungo sa silid niya. I was in front of his door, I was hesitant to even hold the door knob. Inangat ko ang kamay ko para sana buksan iyon nang may nauna nang bumukas niyon. Nakita kong nagulat rin si Wayde nang makita ako sa labas ng silid niya.
Kaagad akong tumikhim at nagsalita. "You sure that you will not go?"
"I'll figured it out. You're with that Clayton, again?" kumunot ang noo ko sa klase ng pagtatanong niya. Hindi ko nalang pinagtuunan ang sinabi niya at tumango.
"Yeah, I'm also with my workmates. Sige, I'll keep going now."
Tatalikod na sana ako nang magsalita siya.
If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Celestia," he called.
"Hmm?" I bobbed my head halfway.
"Have fun. I'll try if I can attend." My eyes twinkled in glee.
"Aasahan ko yan." I smiled before turning back.
Nang makabalik ako ay nagsimula agad kaming maglakad. Marissa and ate Alma are busy intriguing Clayton sa game na game naman sumagot.
Sinabayan ko sa paglalakad si Laren na tahimik lang sa gilid. She seems spacing out.
"Laren."
"H-Ha? Ano yun?" nahihiya niyang saad.
"Anong gusto mo sa isang lalaki?"
Laren was taken aback with what I said. I can sense that she panicked for a moment before composing herself together.
"E-Ewan, wala pa naman akong nagugustuhan eh." Napatango-tango ako sa sinabi niya.
"What do you think about Clayton?"
"H-Ha?" maang na tanong ni Laren sa akin.
"Si Clayton, anong tingin mo sa kanya?" sinulyapan ko si Clayton.
Nagbaba siya ng tingin at pinaglalaruan ang mga maliliit na bato sa dinadaanan naming. "A-Ayos naman pero depende naman iyon kapag nakilala mo talaga ang isang tao." "Do you like Clayt-" napagitlag ako nang tinakpan niya ang bibig ko. Lumilingon pa si Laren sa magkabilang gilid at baka may makarinig.
"We... w-we have a past." My mouth turned into 'o'. A shocking revelation indeed! Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya.