Orphic Love

Chapter 33

Chapter 33
Selos

Everyone stood up to clap and congratulate Olivia and her long time boyfriend, Alfred, after they formally announced their engagement.

While everyone was busy congratulating the two, my attention was more focused on the far left where most of the hotel employees were. Isang sulyap sa gawing iyon, agad kong nakita ang dahilan bakit hindi ko magawang kumalma sa aking puwesto.

While the other employees were busy doing their job, behind them, Aedion stood tall with his back leaning on the cold wall. His arms were crossed and his darkened eyes are all on me, watching me intently with so much intensity.

One of his brows shot up when he saw me looking his way. It was as if he was asking me why I was looking without a word, but in a very snobbish and irritated way.

I averted my eyes and tried to focus on the stage in front where the reason behind the party was. Aedion already looks intimidating and snob, pero ngayong galit na, halos hindi ko na siya kayang titigan.

Akala ko off duty siya ngayon? What is he doing here?

Nagpatuloy ang kasiyahan. May iilang lumalapit sa lamesa namin ni Teo upang bumati. Most of them are acquaintances of both our parents. Ang iba nama'y kaibigan nina Tito Emmanuel at Tita Kuja.

"How's your mother, hija? I haven't seen her in any social gatherings lately." tanong ng matandang ginang na lumapit din sa amin upang bumati.

I smiled. "Maayos naman po si Mama. Busy lang po sa pagaasikaso sa eskuwelahan nitong mga nakaraang buwan."

"I see,"

Pareho na kaming nakatayo ngayon ni Teo upang makisalamuha sa mga lumalapit. His hand was on my waist as he talked to the other guests, which I think are his father's friends. Medyo kumalma na din dahil napalayo na sina Alexis at mukhang nalilibang sa mga kausap.

Gusto ko sanang lumapit kay Olivia upang i-congratulate siya at ang kaniyang fiance. Natigilan nga lang dahil sa dami nang bumabati. I slowly glanced to my left. Kumalabog ang puso ko nang makitang wala na siya doon.

I tried to look for him but the old lady in front of me stepped forward making me look back at her. When she smiled, some fine lines appeared on her face.

"Ang ganda ganda mo talaga, hija. Habang tinititigan kita mas lalo kang gumaganda," puno ng pagkamangha niyang sinabi.

"Salamat po,"

I smiled at her again before looking around once more. The beating of my heart is getting faster by the minute. Honestly, leaving our table to greet Olivia is just an excuse. I wanted to leave our table because I am nervous with the way Aedion watches me intently. Pakiramdam ko tuloy, bigla na lang siyang lalapit sa amin. Kaya ngayong nawala siya sa puwesto niya'y hindi na ako mapakali. Why does he look mad anyway? Kaninang tanghali pa siya ganito, ah.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako sa gitna ng pag-iisip. Hindi naman siguro. He's working and we're in the middle of a party. For sure he wouldn't do anything that'll cause a scene, right?

That thought consoled me. Nga lang, hindi rin iyon nagtagal. Nguling kumalabog ang puso ko at agad ginapangan ng kaba nang mahagip ng aking paningin si Aedion sa gitna ng pakikipag-usap ko.

"She's looking at us," Teo whispered to my ear.

I glanced to where he was looking at and saw Alexis looking at us just like what he said. Sandali lang namalagi ang mga mata ko doon at nguling dumako kung saan nakita si Aedion.

"You two look good together. Sigurado ba kayong magkaibigan lang kayo?" komento ng matandang ginang.

"O-Opo," hindi na ako makapag concentrate sa pakikipag-usap.