"Breaking news! Isang babaeng natagpuang patay sa isang abandonadong swimming center sa bayan ng Citadel. Ayon sa mga pulisya, ang naturang biktima ay isang buwan nang nawawala at huling natagpuan ito palabas ng isang bar sa nasabing lungsod. "
Ingay ng telebisyon ang bumati sa aking umaga. Nakapagtataka, ang bayan namin ay kilala sa pagiging peaceful at zero crime rate sa nakalipas na limang taon.
"Napag-alaman namin na ang babaeng natagpuang patay ay anak ng dating mayor na ngayon ay nanunungkulan bilang konsehal sa lungsod."She turned off the tv and asked
"Nak, ano oras matatapos ang klase mo?" tanong ni mama na habang lumalatag ng pagkain sa mesa.
"6:00 pm po ma" sagot ko naman habang inihahanda ang mga plato.
She nodded and started eating. I looked at the calendar beside our fridge and realized that it's already February 1, 13 days before our annual prom. At first, I don't want to join the said prom because for me it's cliche at dagdag gasto lang sa paghanap ng susuotin at sa make up. But mom is too persistent and wanted me to join since it's my last year in high school and she wants the best before I leave another phase of my life.
"After your class, go immediately to the boutique and get your dress for the prom. The designer texted me earlier that your dress is already finished. " She said after sipping her coffee. I looked at her with bored face.
"Do I really have to join the prom? I asked her with my bored tone. She just nod and continue eating her breakfast.
"Ingat ka pauwi, nakita mo yang sa balita? kung pwede sa mataong lugar ka dadaan para may kasama ka" she said and put a spoonful of food into her mouth
After that, I bid my good bye and left the house. Malapit lang naman ang school namin from our house so instead of riding a vehicle, I decided to walk since it's still early. May nakita akong convenience store at pumasok ako, I bought a bottle of mineral water and 3 bags chips at nung papunta na ako sa counter para magbayad, a strange man is looking at me wearing a black cap and a jacket. The cashier punched the items that I bought after she packed it, I immediately left the convenience store ignoring the strange man beside it.
"Napanood niyo yung balita kanina? Grabe nakakatakot!" Bea said while talking to her seatmate Faye. I continued my way to my seat. Pulled my earphones from my pocket, inserted it in my phone's audio jack, and putted it in my ears.
"I think it's so cute and I think it's so sweet"
"How you let your friends encourage you to try and talk to me"
"But let me stop you there, oh, before you speak"
"Nah to the ah to the, no, no, no"
"Hey, Ash what will you do after class?" Mira pulled my earphones out of my ears then looked at me intently. I rolled my eyes at her and answered.
"I need to get the dress mom bought" I lazily answered. She just chuckled and have her good bye because the teacher is already in our room and is ready to start the day with a boring lesson.
Natapos na ang klase at papunta na ako ngayon sa boutique kung saan pinatahi ang damit para sa prom. To tell you honestly, our family isn't rich. Sakto lang makabili ng mga gusto at pangangailangan. According to my mom, my father left us when I am still 8 months old. So my mom had no choice but to raise me alone. The previous years were good. We didn't encounter any big problems and I'm thankful for that.
"This dress really suits you, iha" ani ng designer habang nakatingin sa akin. I look at myself in the mirror to see if it really suits me. Dark blue ombre with glitters mermaid cut gown. It compliments my fair skin and my long wavy hair. I'm satisfied with my dress even though I really don't like to go to the prom.
