"Oh my gosh, this is so lovely" I murmured, checking myself out in the mirror. The cream-colored midi dress hugged my figure perfectly.
"It really suits you," the middle-aged tailor said, eyeing me from head to toe.
"Thank you," I smiled.
"It is unfortunate that your mother doesn't want you to be a model. I mean, look at you...you represent the dress itself," she said, letting out a warm chuckle.
I appreciated the compliment, but it wasn’t about my mom not wanting me to model. That was my choice. Modeling was never my dream.
I had always been drawn to other fields—business, or maybe culinary arts. Since I almost grew up watching Nana cook and bake. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit nakahiligan ko rin ang pagluluto at bake.
Speaking of Nana, I figured we’d be the ones visiting her soon. I just wasn’t sure when… or if Mom would even remember to schedule it.
I turned to Yus, who was lazily scrolling through his phone while slouching in my chair. "I look good in this, right?"
Tinignan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa nang mabilisan bago nagsalita.
"Yeah, you look good" he said lazily.
I rolled my eyes at his lack of sincerity. Bago mairita sa kaniya ay binalik ko ang tingin sa salamin at tinignan muli ang sarili.
It almost felt like I was wearing a corset with how well it accentuated my figure.
"Okay, I'll try on the next one" I said.
Tinawag ko si Yus para ibaba ang zipper ng suot ko habang ang tailor ay lumapit sa clothing rack para kunin ang isa pang dress. Yus unzipped my dress, and I carefully undressed what I was wearing. Naka racerback top ako at seamless shorts na parehas itim kaya hindi ko kailangang ma conscious sa katawan ko dahil lang may kasama kaming lalaki.
Atsaka ang tagal na naming magkaibigan. I even saw his patootie one time when we were toddlers. He was crying and ranting to his mother while she was putting Yus's clothes on.
He was crying because I hit his face with a plastic shovel when we were playing sands and castle in their backyard.
He was so kulit kasi. He kept on ruining ‘yung ginagawa kong castle.
The tailor handed me the next dress, and I slipped it on. She zipped me up as I faced the mirror.
I nodded as I took a closer look at the dress. This was chic, and the fabric light, airy–almost like wearing nothing.
Sinikop ko ang buhok bago onting inangat habang tinitignan ang sarili. Oh, I think a low bun will suit this dress better. Binagsak ko ang pagkakasikop ko sa buhok at medyo nanlaki ang mata ko.
My hair was tucked behind my ear and it looked more elegant with the dress. I groaned. Both hairdos were looking great on me.
I let out a groan. Oh, being a girl is really hard.
Nang matapos sa pagsukat ay sakto namang dumating ang isang kasambahay na may dalang tray na may pagkain. She walked towards my mini sala to put it down on the center table before leaving.
I gestured toward the tea. "Please, help yourself."
She took one before carefully sipping on it. Then I glanced at Yus who was still not budging on his seat as his fingers busily scrolling through his phone with brows furrowed. I bet he's reading some news or articles that he's interested in.
Then I returned my attention to the tailor with an anticipating smile. "How is the tea? Does it fit into your liking?"
Tumango siya at may tipid na ngiti. "Yes, this actually is my favorite tea,"
Naupo na rin ako sa harap niya at tinikman ang tsaa na pinahanda ko. I actually like the Tienchi flower tea but since we had not yet restock it, I had the helper prepare a darjeeling tea instead.
As we sipped our tea and ate flavored biscuits, I initiated a conversation with her. I asked about the fabrics she used and how to take care of those properly and she gladly answered them with grace.
We even started discussing what I should wear for my birthday, even though it was still months away. She handed me her portfolio, and I let out a gasp at the designs.
"Mom really found a gem," I said, flipping through the pages in awe.
"Well, I've been in the fashion industry for almost 15 years. Of course, I have to experiment with fabrics. And being exposed to different cultures helped me a lot," she said, and the fine lines on the side of her eyes appeared when she let out a chuckle.
My lips parted, amazed by what she said. "Oh, I didn't know that you travel a lot"
Our conversation was still going when Yus spoke up.
"Azalea, nasaan charger mo? Pahiram ako saglit," he asked.
My brows furrowed while we were still talking. My hands dismissed him, not paying attention to what he had said, as we were in the middle of an important part– which were her suggested spots if we were to visit Italy.
"There, found it" he said again.
I almost clicked my tongue at him to keep him from talking any further. Nang matapos na sa pakikipag usap sa kaniya ay inayos niya muna ang mga gamit bago ko siya hinatid sa baba.
"Contact me again if you think you need re-adjustments to your dresses, honey" she said, and I smiled at her.
"Sure, take care"
Pagkabalik ko sa loob ay sinabihan ko na ang isang kasambahay na ihanda na ang mga pagkain na kailangan kong tikman. The foods that I will taste test will be served for the open party, that was why I need to do this hands on.
Hindi ko na inakyat si Yus sa kwarto ko para tulungan ako sa pagtikim dahil baka may mas importante siyang ginagawa. As I waited in the dining hall, I pulled out my phone and contacted the liquor store. Yus had personally recommended them since his family frequently bought high-end alcohol from them.
Mom and I weren’t heavy drinkers—mostly just wine, beer, and the occasional cocktail. My alcohol tolerance was embarrassingly low.
I asked for the status of my orders and the other line said that they would deliver them tomorrow after lunch. After that, I called our usual florist, which they have a branch now here outside the subdivision.
Umayos agad ako ng upo nang sinimulan nang ilapag sa harap ko ang mga platito na naglalaman ng mga titikman ko. The chef in charge was standing behind me when I glanced at him as I felt a presence.
We gave each other a polite smile before returning my attention to the food. Una kong tinikman ang mga appetizer at sinabi ang opinyon ko hanggang sa napunta na sa main course meal.
"This one’s a bit bland," I commented after licking my lower lip. It was the spicy shrimp garlic aglio olio—except it wasn’t spicy at all.
The chef took note of that on his tickler before I tasted each of the desserts. The desserts were chef's kiss, so I don't have any negative feedback.
Gusto ko sana na magpa catering nalang at i-self service pero kasi hindi tugma sa theme. Ang pangit kasi tignan kung self service tapos masquerade. I would have the waiters serve the food at the tables instead.
Si Mommy na rin mismo ang nagsabi na i-serve nalang ang mga pagkain sa lamesa ng mga bisita para hindi na sila mahirapan at pumila.
Speaking of Mommy, she recovered quickly and went back to working again at the company physically. Pinaalalahanan ko pa nga na inumin ang vitamins niya at kumain sa tamang oras.
–
From: Amara
Hi, Azalea! I'll wait for you outside sa gate. Chat me kung malapit kana.
It was Saturday today, and it was her cousin's birthday celebration. Mag aalas tres palang at naka tanggap na ako ng mensahe mula sa kanya.
I hurried to the salon for a quick manicure and pedicure before heading home, feeling sticky from the heat outside.
"Ate, can you please prepare my bath again?" I said with a pleading smile.
"Ay, sige ho, ma'am" she said and skedaddled her way to my room.
I let out a couple of deep breaths as I felt my heart beating so fast because of all the energy I exhaust from earlier. Nilakad ko lang kasi dahil wala akong choice at mamaya pa ang dating ng family driver dahil hinatid si Mommy sa kompanya.
She usually went to work early in the morning, but now she woke up late.
Nagkasabay pa nga kami sa pag kain ng umagahan at nagtanong ako kung bakit late na siya nagising.
But her response was just 'I have to thoroughly read the papers that my financial advisor sent to me'
Binalik ko ang tingin sa phone habang naglalakad papunta sa sala. I quickly typed a response for her.
To: Amara
Yeah, sure! Mag ready lang ako then aalis na :)
After that, I texted Yus next. I asked him if he was not busy today since I have to buy my heels for tomorrow's open party. May mga heels ako na hindi pa gamit pero naliitan ko naman agad.
That’s why I need to buy a new one.
From: Yus
After the party? I don't know. May pupuntahan kami ni Mama ngayon.
Ngayon pala e, hindi naman mamaya.
To: Yus
Mamaya ang sabi ko at hindi agaran na as in now huhu please wala akong kasama sa pagbili
From: Yus
I'll try but in the meantime, try to ask your girl friends if they can accompany you.
I didn't type a response for him. Instead, I immediately texted Macy and the others. They were always on the go if it came to shopping so they would be perfect accompanies.
To: Gracia
Hey! Are you doing something right now? I want to go to Greenbelt to buy my heels for the open party.
To: Macy
Macy!!! Are you available today? I want someone to accompany me to buy my heels e
To: Gaia
Hey girl, what are you doing right now? I hope you're free. I need to buy my heels to pair with my dress.
Habang naghihintay ako sa mga sagot nila ay dumiretso ako sa walk-in closet at naghanap ng pwedeng masuot kung sakaling walang sasama saakin. I saw a champagne ankle-strap heels, and that made me smile immediately, but when I tried it on, my feet were longer than the heels, making me groan loudly.
"Sabi na e!" I said, ready to throw a fit.
I let out a sigh and calmed myself down before removing my heels with shoulders down. Napatingin ako sa kama ko nang marinig ko ang pagtunog nito. Binalik ko sa lalagyanan ang heels bago lumabas ng walk-in closet.
From: Gaia
Hey, I am actually at Ilocos right now. Sorry.
From: Macy
I have a flu e. Nasaan ba si Prius?
From: Gracia
I actually just got home, so I need to rest. Try to ask Gaia and Macy or si Prius nalang
Their responses made me inhale a lot before slowly exhaling. They’re always busy when I need them.
Dahil malapit ng mag alas kwatro at wala pa akong ayos ay mag aasikaso nalang ako kesa mamroblema ng susuoting sapatos. I took a quick bath before putting on my body lotion while my body was still damp before putting on my bathrobe.
I sat in front of my vanity table and started doing my skin prep before putting on a simple makeup. Dahil paniguradong aabutin ng alas dyis ang party ay kailangan ko ng makeup. I only usually put on mascara, eyebrow product, and tinted lip balm as my daily makeup, but because this was a party, I needed to do a soft glam.
Hanggang sa natapos na ako sa lahat lahat at saktong pagbaba ko ay kakarating lang ng family driver. Gusto ko sana na magpahatid pero dahil mukhang pagod ay kinuha ko nalang ang susi at ako ang magmamaneho.
Dumaan muna ako sa Greenbelt at binili ang champagne ankle-strap heels na hinahanap ko at nilagay sa passenger seat ang paper bag pagkapasok ng sasakyan bago binuhay muli ang makina hanggang sa nagmaneho na ako papunta kila Amara.
I bit my lower lip. I hope I'll come on time.
"Akala ko hindi kana makakadalo," Amara greeted me with a loose hug after putting her phone in her black purse.
"I'm so sorry, I need to go to Greenbelt pa kasi for tomorrow's open party" I said with an apologetic smile.
She let out a chuckle. "No, it's okay..." then she gently grabbed my left forearm to guide me inside. "Let's go. Malapit nang mag start 'yung party ni Eugene,"
My lips formed an 'O' as I nod. "Oh, Eugene is his name, I see"
"Yes, yes..ayon na siya," then she pointed her right index finger at one of the tables.
I saw a guy in his black tuxedo. Napapaligiran siya ng mga babae at nakikipag tawanan.
"Eugene!" Amara called his name.
Eugene looked at her with brow furrowed before glancing at me. His eyes widened and immediately arose from his seat and walked towards us.
"H-hey..." Then he cleared his throat with a right-clenched fist covering his mouth. "I'm glad you made it,"
My lips stretched, forming a smile. "Thank you for inviting me, Eugene" then offered my hand. He looked at it.
"We didn't introduce ourselves properly. I'm Azalea," still maintaining the smile on my lips.
"Hi, I'm Eugene" he let out a chuckle as he shook my hand.
"I have a reserved seat for you, let's go" he said as I felt his right palm placed on my lower back, guiding me towards the seat that he was talking about.
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