I looked around as we walked toward my reserved seat. The backyard of their modern mansion stretched wide, with tables draped in white linen scattered throughout the area.
Si Amara ay hindi na namin kasama dahil tinawag siya ng isang ginang. She hurriedly walked towards her without saying something to us.
“My party was supposed to be at a bar,” Eugene admitted, his tone almost shy before masking it with a chuckle. “But my parents insisted on something like this,”
I glanced around again. “Hmm? This actually looks fun.”
“Really? Well, I still reserved an entire bar in Makati. You should come too,” he said.
I nodded. "I will. I like parties,"
His smile widened, revealing a perfect set of teeth. “Masyado na ata ang regalo sa akin ni Amara,”
That remark made me let out a chuckle. "Regalo? What do you mean?"
His eyes widened and saw a glimpse of panic in his eyes with parted lips. "A-ah, hindi bastos ang tinutukoy ko ah,"
I tilted my head to my right while still looking at him, confused by his response. "I don't actually understand,"
What is that supposed to mean? A birthday present? Me? What?
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Sinabi kasi sa akin ni Amara na in-invite ka niya… I have a crush on you, and she knows that. Kaya nang malaman ko kahapon na inimbita ka niya, natuwa ako”
By the time we reached the table he had reserved, he pulled out my chair, motioning for me to sit. Inayos ko ang laylayan ng dress bago tumingin sa kaniya na ngayon ay nasa harapan ko.
I took a closer look at him, and he was looking at me too. He looked younger than his age. Siya 'yung mga tipo ng lalaki na habulin ng mga babae dahil sa maamo niyang hitsura. Yet, he carried himself with a quiet indifference, like someone used to attention but unfazed by it.
But what was really surprising to know tonight is that Amara lied to me. She told me that Eugene wanted me to come here. Si Eugene raw ang nang imbita saakin at nagpatulong lang sa kaniya na papuntahin ako.
The thought made me realize what he was insinuating earlier. I was indeed a present for him, a surprise one. Inimbita ako para gulatin si Eugene.
Loud indistinct chattering could be heard around, so when he talked, I leaned forward so that I could hear him properly.
"You smell divine,"
I smiled. "Why, thank you"
Scent compliments were top-tier in my book. I got them a lot, especially when in closed spaces with people.
“Do you know anyone here?” Eugene asked, glancing around. “I invited a lot of people.”
I followed his gaze, scanning the crowd. May mga nakatayo sa gilid at nag uusap habang may mga hawak na champagne flutes.
In my peripheral vision, Eugene raised his right hand, and a uniformed guy holding a tray of drinks walked past.
Sumulyap ako sa kanang parte at wala pang masyadong tao pero ang iilan na nandoon ay mga nakaupo at nag tatawanan.
Nagdalawang tingin ako sa nilapit niyang inumin saakin. It was a red wine. I smiled at him as I accepted it. Inikot ko ito nang marahan ng ilang beses sa kanang kamay bago ako sumimsim.
The tart, slightly sour taste of the wine coated my tongue. I licked my lower lip, savoring the lingering flavor before setting the glass
down.
"Wala. I don't know someone here," I said when I returned my attention to him.
Both of his eyebrows raised. "Oh. That's too bad. I want you to feel comfortable since si Amara lang ang kilala mo at wala pa siya dito..."
"Why? Iiwan mo na ako dito?" I asked, slightly surprised by what he said.
I actually want to know him better, since Amara said that he liked me. I want to know what he liked about me and when did he start liking me?
A flash of panic crossed his features before he chuckled nervously. “W-what? No, no…”
"As I've said, I just want you to feel comfortable. We just met and I could tell that you..." his eyes directly looking at me.
I leaned in slightly, intrigued. “Me...what?”
He inhaled sharply before exhaling. “N-nevermind... I’ll stay with you until Amara finds us.”
I nodded without hesitation. "Okay, then"
Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas hanggang sa nagsimula na at hinahanap na si Eugene. Natatawa pa niyang inangat ang kanang kamay niya para lang makita siya ng host. The host cracked a joke about him hiding in the corner, making us both laugh.
His ears were red as he pressed his lips together, focusing on the host in the center of the gathering.
–
Ngayon ay nagsi-serve na ng pagkain ang mga unipormadong mga lalaki at babae sa mga lamesa namin at may tugtugan na. I shifted in my seat as the uniformed girl served me another red wine on my flute.
I looked at her and smiled. "Thank you,"
Lifting the glass to my lips, I took another sip—then suddenly, my eyes landed on someone familiar.
He was slightly bending beside the girl with his left palm placed on top of the table while the other hand was placed on the top rail of the chair.
"Hey, sorry. I needed to attend to my mother inside. Anyway, how are you doing?
Are you comfortable?" Amara asked, plopping down into Eugene’s now-empty seat, slightly out of breath.
I nodded with a smile. "I am,"
"Oo nga pala, Kaleb is here. You still know him, right?" she let out a chuckle.
I almost scoffed at her playful remark. Para naman akong nagka amnesia kaagad. "Of course, Amara"
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