I Just Loved Too

IJLT 48 - Bid

When the day of the auction came, everyone was excited except for Hans, who was quietly sulking at one corner. Well, hindi lang pala ito. Aubrey's also sulking. When she didn't agree to be auctioned, si Aubrey ang napagdiskitahan na ipalit sa kanya.

She had to agree because she and Hans begged her to.

Gabi na nang isagawa ang auction so hindi lahat ng estudyante ay pumunta. Pero halos puno pa rin ang auditorium, kung saan ito isinagawa. Nasa bandang unahan siya.

She waited for a while before Aubrey and Hans were auctioned dahil nasa bandang gitna ng listahan ang college nila. When it was finally their turn, Aubrey was the first one to be revealed.

She was wearing a blue dress na may crisscross design sa likod. It was fitting on the upper body, but the skirt was kind of billowy. Aubrey looked so pretty and she could see the appreciative stares from the guys in the crowd.

The bidding started at 500. Kanina pa niya na-realize na mas kuripot ang mga lalaki kesa sa mga babae. Ilang beses kasing nag-alangan ang mga ito bago tumaas ang bid. She thought it would stop at 2000, which was the highest bid by far, but surprisingly, it kept on escalating.

Tumigil lang ang bidding nang makarating ito sa 6300. She cheered with her classmates as the host call on the winner. The guy looked so geeky. Alam niyang pilit ang ngiti ni Aubrey sa nakapanalo rito. But she had no choice.

They were escorted to the backstage, kung saan naroroon yung mga tapos na at yung mga io-auction pa lang. Huminga siya ng malalim habang hinihintay ang pag-a-announce sa pangalan ni Hans.

"Our next 'item' for the bidding is a 21-year old Tourism student..."

Nagsimula nang magsitilian ang mga babae sa audience. Yung mga katabi niya, naglalabasan na ng pera. Tumawa yung host.

"Mukhang sikat siya a!"

"Kaloka ang mga fans!" kumento ng co-host nitong babae. "Kailangan pa ba nating i-introduce? Mukha namang kilala na nila e."

"Huwag na nga!" kunwari'y naiinis nitong sabi. "Labas ka na lang dyan kuya!"

The crowd booed collectively.

"O, ipakilala mo raw ng maayos."

"Oh-kay!" mataray na sabi ng host. "As I was saying, our next item for the bidding is a 21-year old Tourism student. Tall and very good-looking, sa tingin pa lang, busog ka na. Are you ready to empty your pockets for... Charles Hanson Madrigal?!"

Napangiwi siya sa description. She was sure that Hans didn't like that either. Mukhang sikat nga ito kahit sa ibang colleges. Ang lakas ng tilian, lalo na nang lumabas ito mula sa backstage.

Pakiramdam niya ay nalaglag ang panga niya sa sahig. Hans, in his usual getup is hot enough. But in a suit? Susme! Sa pagtingin pa lang niya rito, para na syang nauubusan ng hangin. He looked impeccable! The suit was hugging his body like a second skin. At dahil matangkad ito, nagmukha itong modelo.

Nagkatinginan ang dalawang hosts.

"Kaya naman pala ang lakas ng tilian!"

Pinalapit nila si Hans sa unahan. Lalong lumakas ang hiyawan.

"Hi Charles!" greeted the girl.

"Hello," tipid na sagot ni Hans. He didn't even bother telling her na Hans ang palayaw nito.

The host giggled. "Kasali ba ako sa bidding?" she asked the people near the stage.

"Huwag na! Swerte mo na nga kasi nakalapit ka e!" saway ng co-host nito.