DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

47

Kaya nang nagtawag na ang host ay agad tumayo si Apollo. And two other cousins of his, joined too. I sighed and muttered a 'thank you' to Lukas. At least if it were them, it isn't too much of an awkward situation. They're already like my extended family.

The event started. My eyes drifted in front. I saw Apollo in the back. Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata nang mapalingon sa'kin.

'Get it. At all costs.' I mouthed at him.

Apollo nodded obediently like a child. I don't know why, but I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped out of my mouth. Pero kahit natatawa ay kabadong kabado ako. Of course, I'd rather Apollo get it than the men I'm not close with.

I bit the insides of my cheek as I wait for the toss. Dumagdag pa sa kaba ko ang ilang beses na pabirong paghagis ng groom.

I almost stood up from my seat to join the crowd's cheer when Apollo was able to successfully catch it! Oh my gosh!?

Nawala nga lamang ang ngiti ko nang mapansing nakabalik na si Javier. He has that creased on his forehead when he took a seat along with his father. His eyes roamed around and found me.

Tinawag ako sa unahan ngunit kahit ganoon ay nanatili ang tingin ko kay Javier. The corner of my lips curled upwards but not so much of a happy smile.

''Uy, napansin namin yon! Puro Montecarlo ang sumali, ah? Parang may something.'' The host teased.

A few flashes of the camera hurts my eye a bit. Apollo immediately covered me from it.

Nakita ko na lamang na wala na ang host sa aming tabi. Lumapit ito sa mesa kung nasaan ang aking mga magulang. Mas kinabahan akong lalo.

''Daddy, are we expecting a Sarmiento-Montecarlo tying a knot in the future?'' The host asked my father.

Papa smiled warmly. ''A father can only hope.''

My heart throbbed painfully at what my father answered. I immediately looked at Javier, who has been watching me. I slightly shook my head at him. I know he knew what I wanted to tell him.

''Sounds interesting, Daddy, ha!''

I saw how Javier's mother leaned to his side, whispering something. Kitang-kita ko ang pag-igting ng panga ni Javier at ang pag-iling nito sa kanyang ina. Then his dark eyes went back to me.

I was asked to sit in a chair. The ceremony continued with cheers but I couldn't even breathe properly anymore.

''Don't worry about it, they only misunderstood.'' si Apollo na nakaluhod sa'king harap.

''I know.'' I said in a faint voice. ''Thank you for doing this, by the way.''

''Anytime.''

There was music, and a loud cheer. The glee of the people did not fade a bit, and only intensified. Despite the noise around, my eyes did not leave Javier's darkening and brooding eyes that bore at me, as I felt the garter sliding up to my legs until the deed was done. Umiwas ng tingin si Javier pagkatapos noon, kasabay ng palakpakan ng lahat, at pakiramdam ko sobra akong nasaktan.

Gabi na at halos tapos na ang pagdiriwang nang nagpaalam ako saglit para magpahangin sa labas. There's this garden with a big fountain outside of the hotel. I sat there on the cement of the fountain, maluwag iyon at tila pwedeng upuan.

Tumingala ako sa mga tala sa kalangitan. I watched it shine brightly in the dark and mysterious sky. And when the evening breeze blew, my eyes closed to feel it more.

Kung hindi lamang naramdaman ang presensya ng isang tao sa aking harap, mananatiling nakapikit ang aking mga mata.

I smiled weakly when I saw Javier de Leon, standing in front of me, both his hands are in his pocket. His face is dark and shadowed because of the light post at his back. Pero kitang-kita ko ang paraan ng kanyang pagdungaw sa'kin. He looked like a greek god watching a mere peasant like me who dared anger him. He looked really intimidating at this angle.