As soon as my last class ended, I sent a quick text to our driver to pick me up since Mommy was going to work from home for today since she had caught a cold. Dahil available naman siya at may ginagawa pa si Yus sa loob ng campus ay magpapasundo ako.
Sliding into the backseat, I leaned forward. “Kuya, can you drop me off at the dental clinic first?”
He gave a small nod, lips pressed together. “Sige po.”
I let out a sigh, then took out my phone out of my pocket.
Nagpa schedule ako ng appointment kaninang umaga dahil naalala ko kung anong kailangan kong gawin bago matapos ang buwan na 'to. And that is to get my teeth cleaning and hydra facial after. Both clinics were inside the mall, so it wouldn’t be a hassle.
Pagka park sa basement parking ay agad akong bumaba. Our family driver said that he would be waiting inside the car and I just nodded with a smile.
"Hello, Azalea. I'm so glad to have you again," my dentist, Alisha, greeted me with a smile, giving me a quick beso and a loose hug.
"Yeah, me too. Buti nalang naalala ko because I almost forgot to book a schedule," I admitted with a small laugh.
After confirming my schedule at the front desk, she led me to her workstation, and we chatted briefly before getting started. The cleaning process took about 35 minutes.
The cleaning took about thirty-five minutes, and by the end of it, Alisha playfully reminded me of the do’s and don’ts—something I’d heard countless times over the years. She had been my dentist since high school, after all.
Both agendas for today were done, and I feel super clean and fresh. With both of my hands holding two plastic bags containing food, I stepped carefully on the escalator that was heading down to the basement parking.
The headlights of the car immediately lit up when I roamed my eyes around to find it. Agad akong lumapit sa sasakyan at dumiretso sa backseat.
“Here, Kuya,” I said, holding up a plastic bag containing a salad, bottled water, and a takeout meal. “I made you wait for an hour and a half, so I got you something to eat”
His eyes widened a bit but took the bag with a grateful nod. “Salamat, Ma’am.”
Nang makauwi na ay dumiretso ako sa itaas. Sinilip ko muna ang study room pero hindi ko nakita si Mommy kaya sunod kong pinuntahan ang kwarto niya.
I knocked twice before turning the knob. “Mommy?”
Naghintay ako ng sagot niya bago tuluyang binuksan ang pinto. There, I found Mommy sleeping peacefully on the bed. I even saw a tray containing a small bowl and an empty glass. She must have finished her medicine already. That was a relief.
Mommy had always been a hard worker—constantly juggling responsibilities—and while I admired her for it, seeing her sick like this made my chest tighten. She rarely let herself rest.
Maraming ibang mga anak na may pagtatampo sa kanilang mga magulang dahil lumaki silang walang magulang na naka antabay dahil palaging abala sa trabaho.
If I'd been in their shoes, I would really feel the same. Like, what is the point of having a child in the first place if you're not going to give them any attention like what parents should naturally do?
This was why I was fortunate to be her daughter. Even though I don't have a father, she still made me feel that our family is complete because of her attention and love for me.
Bumaba ako at kinausap ang isang kasambahay. I asked to confirm if she was done eating and drinking her medicine and she said 'yes' so I let out a sigh of relief. Pagkatapos ay bumalik din ako ulit sa itaas para pumasok na sa kwarto at simulan na ang pagpaplano sa nalalapit na open party.
I listed every idea that popped into my mind because the more ideas I have, the better. Last year’s open party had been a poolside event—grilled meats, fruit cocktails, loud music, and underwater lights. It had been one of the best parties I’d ever hosted.
This year, I wanted something different. Something fresh but just as fun.
A giggle came out of my lips when an idea popped into my mind again. A masquerade party should be interesting. I should open the dining hall for my guests!
Masquerade party it is!
Hindi ko namalayan na naka idlip ako sa pagkatapos ma imagine ang magiging kahinatnan ng party. Instead of getting up right away, I hugged a pillow and stayed in bed for a little while longer.
–
Over dinner, Mommy casually brought up my plans. “I heard you’re hosting an open party, hija?” she asked, spearing a piece of asparagus with her fork.
I nodded, swallowing my bite before answering. “Yes, Mommy. It’s a masquerade party, so I was thinking of opening up the dining hall for it. Is that okay?”
She nodded. "As long as you're having fun, I'll be fine with it. But tell your guests that upstairs is strictly prohibited for them,"
"Of course, mommy" I reassured her.
"We don't want any incident to happen again," she said as she shook her head.
I nodded, remembering the time someone stole jewelry from her room during a previous gathering. After that, we stopped allowing just anyone into the house.
"I'll hire extra guards nalang," I said.
–
Now, I was just doing my assignments before taking a shower since I forgot earlier because of too much excitement. Pagkatapos kong gawin ang mga assignment ay nag unat ako bago kinuha ang phone.
It had been vibrating on my desk for a while, but I ignored it earlier to focus. When I unlocked it, I saw multiple messages from people excited about the party. Their enthusiasm made me smile. It felt nice knowing they were looking forward to it as much as I was.
Before heading to the shower, I called a helper through the landline. “Hello, can someone change my bedsheets and pillowcases? Thank you,” I instructed.
Ayokong matulog na hindi malinis ang hinihigaan ko.
That is one of my unspoken rule here and that is also applied to friends who will come here to my room. Once I finished my nighttime routine, I grabbed my phone and called Yus.
"Hello..." I greeted, giggling.
"Azalea," he greeted casually.
"Yus! I already have an idea kung anong theme ng party ko!" I said excitedly.
"Really? What will it be?" he let out a chuckle.
"Masquerade party. It's a brilliant idea, right?" I asked.
He paused for a few seconds, making me anticipate what would be his response to my question. I hope naman na parehas kaming nagagandahan sa ideya ko?
"At hapon gaganapin?" he asked, tone was gauging me.
I shook my head in disagreement, even though he could not see me. "No, silly, of course not. Gabi ko siya sina—" I let out a gasp when realization dawned on me.
I had already told Macy she could wear whatever she wanted. If she showed up in casual clothes, it would completely throw off the vibe!
"Oh, my. I'll call you back in a minute. Babaguhin ko 'yung announcement ko," I said quickly before hanging up.
Agad kong hinanap ang pinned message ko sa group chat kasama ang mga dadalo at binura ito bago naglagay ng panibago.I apologized for the last-minute change and officially announced that the party would be a masquerade event.
Oh, my God. I just hope that they will still attend.
Ang tagal pa naman magpatahi ng susuotin lalo na na masquerade party ito!
With shoulders down, feeling sad about my fickleness, I heave a long sigh. Nanatili akong nakatitig sa sinabi ko at unti-unting may nag react ng '❤️' emoticon.
Hanggang sa sunod sunod na mag nagsabing 'okay' 'noted' 'wow, that will be fun for sure!' My heart felt warm with their responses. Lalo na na may mga dinagdag sila na tao sa group chat.
They probably told their other friends that my party would be a masquerade one. It was Friday today and tomorrow will be Amara's cousin's birthday party.
Tinanong pa nga ako ulit ni Amara kung tuloy pa rin ba ako at um-oo ako sa kaniya.
–
Ngayon ay nasa hallway ako at hinihintay na lumabas si Ivy sa silid nila. I wanted to personally invite her to come to my open party.
Gracia and the others will surely disapprove of her coming over, but I do not care. I am the host and planner of the party, only I have the power to choose who can and cannot come over.
"Hi, Azalea. What brought you here?" A familiar girl asked when she saw me.
"Hello. Actually...I am waiting for Ivy. Matagal pa ata ang dismissal ng class nila," I said.
Nilingon niya ang silid kung nasaan si Ivy bago binalik ang tingin saakin. "O-oh. I see. Mamaya pa dismissal nila. Laging overtime lalo na last subject,"
I nodded. "Is that so? Thanks for telling me. But anyway, are you still coming over to my party?" my tone was laced with enthusiasm.
"Of course. I love masquerade parties. I wouldn't miss one," she giggled.
Our conversation did not continue because her friends called her from afar and she quickly bid goodbye to me.
I let out a sigh, then looked at my wristwatch. I've been standing and waiting for 5 minutes already and my legs cannot stand that long anymore. Pero kailangan ko talagang makausap si Ivy. I wanted to apologize on behalf of my girl friends.
Hanggang sa ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas at maglalakad na sana ako papunta sa elevator nang makita na siya.
"Ivy!" I called her name.
Lumingon siya saakin. Her brows furrowed as she scanned me from head to toe.
"Y-yes?" then looked around before approaching me.
"Are you free this Sunday? I am hoping that you will come to my party," I asked.
Her lips parted and nibbled on her lower lip before speaking. "Party? You mean, the party that they are talking about?" then let out an awkward chuckle.
I nodded. "Yep!"
"Uh...why would you invite me? We don't have something in common,"
Ouch. "Don't be silly, Ivy. We have something in common kaya,"
Her left brow raised, anticipating. "I'm sorry but no....I have something to do better than attending somebody's party,"
Aalis na sana siya pero hinawakan ko ang kanang braso niya at agad siyang nagbaba ng tingin sa kamay ko na nakahawak sa kaniya.
I let go of her hand quickly. "Please...just accept this as my token of apology,"
"Huh? Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?" she asked irritatedly.
Tumingin ako sa paligid at hinayaan na makaalis muna ang iba bago nagsalita muli. "Gracia and Gaia thought of you badly kasi. And I want to make up for it as their friend,"
"Gracia? Gaia? Huh?" she asked, confused.
I let out a sigh. Hindi ko na kaya at sasabihin ko na talaga para mapasama ko lang siya sa party. "Gaia heard you and your friend talking about you doing the deed with your professor,"
I watched her expression. Her jaw almost dropped, and her face was almost pale.
"W-what the f**k? Anong sinabi mo?" she asked after recovering from the bomb that I had dropped.
Her tone was ready to fully devour me, so I forced a chuckle to lighten up the mood. "But hey...I don't think that was true, okay? That's why I came here to invite you to the party as my token of apology. I did not come here to pick a fight," I said with an apologetic smile.
–
Didiretso uwi na sana kami pero bigla kong gustong uminom ng kape. My body was craving for caffeine and sweets, so I ordered an iced mocha latte and a slice of blueberry cheesecake. Usually, I'd go for my usual iced matcha latte, but today, I wanted something different.
"May nakakita raw sainyo ni Ivy na nag uusap ah?" he asked after taking a sip of his usual drink.
I leaned comfortably in my chair before nodding. "Oh, yes. Pinuntahan ko nga bago kita tinext na sabay tayo uuwi,"
"And? What did she say to you?" he asked.
"She said that she'll come. And she even told me that those were not true. Gaia heard them wrong daw at hindi bastos ang tinutukoy ng kaibigan niya," I explained, pertaining to the gossip that I have told him days ago.
His eyes widened a bit before nodding, yet his mind seemed wandering off to somewhere else. "I see,"
"Well, all's well that ends well," then smiled at him. "Anyway, we gotta go. Baka nasa bahay na ang mga susukatin ko," I added, then stood up first.
He nodded with a long sigh. "Sure,"
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