The runaway heiress

3. Eighteenth

 "Eighteen roses, eighteen candles, umayos na kayo para matapos na tayo!"

I rolled my eyes as I watched Milli – the gay choreographer Nanay hired for my eighteenth birthday. Kasalukuyan naming pina-practice iyong eighteenth things para sa birthday ko – sa isang araw na iyon kaya kailangan okay na ang lahat. I sighed. Nakatayo lang ako sa gitna ng function hall ng hotel. I was wearing a made – up skirt. Nakatali lang iyon sa baywang ko. Actually mukha lang akong tanga.

I was looking around and I can see half of my friends and some of my dear cousins. I saw Gabriel – Uncle Adam's son standing near Yto making fun of him. Kasama si Gabriel sa eighteen roses ko kahit na nine years old pa lang siya. Of course my two brothers were there too. Yllak was sitting beside Yvo who was playing with his PSP while Yllak watch him closely.

Naririnig ko naman si Nikita na nakikipagkulitan kay Migs at kay Xander. I wanted to join them because Nikita looked like she was having a lot of fun but I stayed right in the middle instead. I sighed. Napatingin ako kay Yto, mukhang bad trip siya.

"Okay, eighteen roses!" Sigaw ni Milli. I sighed. Sasayaw na naman kami. "Teka nasaan iyong singer?" Tanong niya. My forehead knot. Ilang linggo na kaming nagpa-practice pero ngayon ko lang nalaman na may singer pala para sa eighteen roses ko.

"Sorry, late ako."

My gaze automatically flew on the door. I saw Zachary Drew entering the function hall. Tulad ng dati ay dala na naman niya iyong gitara niya. I sighed. Hindi ko talaga mapigilan ang mapangiti kapag nandyan siya. Siguro dahil mula noon magkakilala na kami at siya ang unang kaibigan ko sa mundong ginagalawan ko ngayon.

"Hi Yza..." He smiled at me tapos nilagpasan niya rin ako. I just sighed. Hinintay siyang matapos mag-set up ni Milli. May banda na doon – tinulungan nila si Zachary na mag-set up. I guess he knew them already because they're talking to each other.

"Okay na?" Tanong ni Milli.

"Sure. Sorry na-late ako, may finals kasi ako ngayon." Apologetic na sabi niya.

"Sus, nag-aaral mabuti, para sa akin ba iyan?" Narinig kong sigaw ni Nikita. She laughed out loud. Zachary just shook his head. Tumingin ako kay Nikita at kay Zach – para bang may inside joke silang dalawa. Tawa kasi nang tawa si Nikita. I made a mental note to ask her later.

"Mauuna ang escort. Alam ninyo na iyong gagawin ninyo okay? Don't make a fool of yourselves!" Sigaw pa nI Milli. Zachary smiled. He started strumming his guitar again. Naghihintay lang ako doon. I was looking at him. Napansin kong palaging iyong dark blue niyang gitara ang dala niya.

When Yto came over to me, Zach started singing...

I'd never gone with the wind
Just let it flow
Let it take me where it wants to go
'Til you open the door
There's so much more
I'd never seen it before
I was trying to fly
But I couldn't find wings
But you came along and you changed everything

"Kunot na naman ang noo, galit ka?" Tanong ko sa kakambal ko. "Hmnn, nagseselos ka kay Migs no?" Tinawanan ko si Yto. His face turned red.

"Tumigil ka nga Yzang." Sinaway niya ako. Kambal kami, alam ko kung ano talagang iniisip niya.

"Umamin ka na kasi Yto. Kaya ka masungit lagi kasi hindi mo ma-express iyang feelings mo. You like her."

Yto glared at me. He smirked.

"I'll admit my feelings for her when pigs fly, Yzang kulet. And stop talking about it. Mabubungi ka na naman." Pang-aasar niya. Hinampas ko ang balikat niya.