Fall and Chase (ML, #4)

Kabanata 27

Kabanata 27

Paano na?

I feel so conscious with this purple skater dress I am wearing for Afterparty. Its halter neckline and open back makes me more exposed. But what I liked more is this beige lace-up heels. I can't stop staring at it when Freya gave it to me to wear. I hugged Freya multiple times because of this.

"Hey..." Someone whispered to my ear. It's been the loudest sound I've heard and louder than the music I am hearing tonight. "Still thinking about the show?" Conrad asked. I faced him. Tumama sa mukha niya ang kulay pink at purple na ilaw. I felt his hand on my small back. I gulped and breathed after. I stared at his lips. And then darkness in our place.

Oh...

I immediately looked at my heels.

Umiling ako. "Medyo. Overwhelm pa rin," ani ko sabay tawa. But I lied. I was occupied by my dress and of course, his palm on my back. I shivered and panic all at once. I feel barer.

"Well..." He chuckled. "Marco had been talking a lot about you in every guest!" Lumapit na naman iyong mukha niya sa tenga ko dahil sa musika na umaalingawngaw sa venue. "Guess what?" Humalakhak muli ito.

Napailing na lamang ako at napangiti sa sinasabi ni Conrad sa akin. "Hay, naku! Si Marco talaga!" Tumingin ako sa malaking espasyong nilaan para sa afterparty. Everybody standing beside with their high top tables. Sa pinakaunahan ay nandoon ang DJ kung saan abala sa pagpapatugtog ng loud music. Gumagala ang pink at purple na ilaw sa paligid. And there are waiters for assisting the guests for drinks. Iilang tao din ang nakikilala ko sa pagsulyap-sulyap ko.

Ilang tao na rin ang nakausap. It is a humbling experience. I will never forget this...

"Masanay ka na," I heard him whispered to my ear again.

I shivered. Kaya bigla na lang akong napaatras nang hindi ko malaman ang dahilan. Naramdaman ko kaagad ang kamay ni Conrad nang hapitin niya ako papalapit sa kanya. At iyong kamay ko naman sa dibdib niya.

"I'm sorry!" Nanlaki ang aking mata at napatitig kay Conrad. "Sorry! Nabigla lang ako!" ani ko muli. But Conrad just laughed at my reaction. He is continuously staring at my surprised and confused face.

What?

"How many times I'd warned you about being sorry-" I stopped him.

"Nasanay na 'ko. Even it's not my fault or what? I can't help but be sorry..." Inalis ko ang kamay ko sa dibdib niya. Unti-unti kong inalis ang kamay niya sa likod ko at gumawa ng distanya sa aming dalawa.

It will be difficult if I stay with that kind of position...now that it's become weirder and weirder every time...

Bigla akong na-awkward sa sinabi ko. I need to say something! Hindi pwedeng may maisip na iba sa katahimikang ito. "Nasanay lang talaga akong ganito!" I forced a smile. Sana naman hindi halatang peke ang ginawa kong tawa. "Well for a girl who grew up in a province..." Ginalaw ko ang aking kilay at napangiti si Conrad sa ginawa ko.

"You're being humble, every time," aniya.

"Yes? If that's the right word? Yes?" ani ko.

Success!

Akala ko mamatay na ang usapan namin ni Conrad at hindi na naungkat kung bakit biglang ganoon na lamang ang reaksyon ko sa distansya namin kanina. I felt relieved.

"But it is not okay sometimes," seryoso niyang sabi. Inawas niya ang tingin sa akin nang may dumaang waiter sa amin. Kumuha siya ng dalawang cocktail drinks. "You're okay with this?" Kinuha niya iyong isang cocktail drink at inalok sa akin.