AT THE RIGHT MOMENT (PORDEE)

CHAPTER 2 : INVITATION

"Sino yan?"

I reached the door and opened it. Tumambad sa akin ang isang staff ng hotel.

"Good morning, Ms.Porsild! I'm here to give you this." Wika niya at inabot sa akin ang isang puting envelope. "From Ms.Rhian" Dagdag pa niya.

I thanked him and he left. Umupo ako sa leather couch bago buksan ang puting envelope.

The letter says

I am cordially invited you to a party that will be held later tonight. I hope you can come.

It was a hand written letter. I smiled as soon as I read what it says. So thoughtful of Rhian to invite me.

I took a deep breath. "Should I come?" I asked myself. "Of course you should, Anntonia. You came here to relax. Maybe meeting new friends will be a great start." Sagot ko naman sa sarili ko.

Sinandal ko ang likod ko sa sofa.

Nandun ba si Michelle? I hope not.

The thought of Michelle makes me annoyed. Di parin talaga nawawala ang inis ko sa kanya. The nerve to tell me na kasalan ko pa ha.

Maya maya pa ay naligo na rin ako at nag bihis. Plano kong mag lunch sa labas tsaka mag libot libot. I also planned to take good pictures today.

Nag suot lang ako ng mini dress na kulay puti. Nilugay ko lang ang aking buhok dahil medyo basa pa ito. I put some light make up at lumabas na din.

I took some good pictures of the view and some selca. Nag tingin tingin na din ako ng souvenir na nandun.

I wanted to buy pero nakalimutan ko magdala ng pera. Babalik nalang siguro ako bukas.

As I was taking pictures of the souvenirs, someone stood beside me. "Hi miss, gusto mo yan?" He asked. I confusingly look at him. "Abraham pala." Inabot niya sakin ang kamay niya.

I smiled. "Anntonia." Sagot ko at nakipag kamay. He's handsome pero wari ko ay mas bata to sakin ng ilang taon. "And anyway, It's fine. Bibili nalang ako bukas. I just forgot my wallet."

"Are you sure? A little help from me won't hurt." Aniya.

"No no, It's fine. Thank you!" I appreciated that he's willing to help. What a nice man.

"Alright then." He smiled.

We had a little chitchat while walking. He's so funny and I enjoyed talking to him. Naputol lang ang pag uusap namin nang nag ring ang phone niya.

"Oh, a minute." He said. I just nodded at him.

"Yes ate? Yes, I'll be there in a few." He said and hanged up the phone. Bumaling ang atensyon niya sa akin. "I'm sorry, Anntonia but I have to go. Tumawag na kasi ang ate ko. It was nice talking to you. I hope I can see you around." We bid our goodbyes. Masaya ako na kahit unti-unti ay may nakikilala na din akong mga kaibigan dito.

Bumalik na din ako ng hotel para mag tanghalian. I had steak and mashed potato for lunch. Pagkatapos kong kumain ay bumalik na din ako sa room ko. I planned to take a nap para hindi ako dalawin ng antok mamaya sa party. I hope that party would be fun.

Fast forward

I woke up and it was already 6:00 pm. I took a cold shower at nag ayos. Nagsuot lang ako ng Strapless Ruffles Split Dress na kulay green. Kinulot ko din ang mahaba kong buhok at naglagay ng hair clip na bulaklak sa gilid. Tinignan ko muna ang sarili ko sa salamin bago umalis. Sa hall daw gaganapin ang party according to Rhian. Unting lakad lang din naman at makakarating na ako dun.

Malayo pa lang ay naririnig ko na ang tugtugan sa hall. Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko dahil sa kaba. Siguro dahil ay wala pa akong masyadong kilala doon bukod kay Rhian...at Michelle. Kumunot ang noo ko. Why would I think about Michelle? Baka nga ay wala siya doon.

"Anntonia?" Naputol ang aking pag iisip dahil sa isang pamilyar na boses. Di ko namalayan na nasa entrance na pala ako ng hall. Nilingon ko ang lalaking tumawag sa akin. It was Abraham.

"I didn't expect you to be here." Aniya.

"Rhian invited me" Nginitian ko siya. Kumunot ang noo niya sa sinabi ko. Siguro ay hindi niya alam na kilala ako ni Rhian.

"So will you invite me inside?" I playfully said.

"Of course, sure sure." He said and offer me a hand. Tinanggap ko iyon at sabay kaming pumasok sa loob. Pag pasok pa lang ay bumungad na sa akin ang naglalakihang disco ball. May nag sasayawan sa gitna at Nag iinuman na din sa gilid.

"มันดีมากที่นี่" I said while habang iginala ang aking mata sa kabuuan nitong hall.

"What?" Nakalimutan ko pinoy pala itong kasama ko.

I laughed. " Sabi ko maganda dito." I answered. He already knows na may may lahi akong Thai and I just came here for a vacation nung nag usap kami kanina.

Di nagtagal ay iginiya na din ako ni Abraham kung nasaan sila Rhian.

"Oh my god, Anntonia?!" Rhian exclaimed. She rushed towards me at nag beso kami. "I didn't expect you to be here!" She looks excited.

"It was you who invited me." I chuckled. Her expression became different. She looks confused dahil sa sinabi ko. May nasabi ba akong mali?

*Blag*

Napalingon kami dahil sa isang ingay nang nabasag na baso. "Oops sorry." It was Michelle. Tama nga ang hula ko, nandito nga siya. Kahit kailan talaga papansin to.

"Come, have a sit." Sabi ni Rhian sa akin. Umupo na din ako sa tabi ni Rhian. Nakasunod din sa amin si Abraham at umupo sa tabi ko.

"Honey, are you okay?" Tanong ni Rhian kay Michelle.

"Yup. Di ko lang napansin ang baso sa gilid ko. " Sagot niya. Nilinisan na din ng waiter ang nabasag na baso.

Napatingin ako kay Michelle. She looks handsome with her white button up polo and a white pants. I shake my head. What the fuck are you talking about Anntonia? The thought of it makes me flinch.

Rhian offered me a drink. Out of frustration ay nilagok ko agad ang isang baso. Rhian laughed at me. "I didn't thought you're a heavy drinker, Anntonia."

"Sanay na yata e. Ganyan siguro pag may lahing Thai." It was Abraham who answered.

"May lahi ka pala, Anntonia? That answers why you have a different features. So pretty." Sabi ni Rhian.

"Magkakilala kayo?" After how many years nagsalita din ang loko. She was referring to me and Abraham.

"Yes, Ate. Nagkakilala kami kanina sa souvenir shop." Adam Answered. Ate? They are siblings?

"Magkapatid kayo?" Tanong ko kay Abraham.

"Yup. She's my half sister."

Hindi na muling nagsalita si Michelle. Ayoko siyang tignan. Kumukulo lang ang dugo ko sa kanya.

Bumaling sa akin si Rhian. She asked me a few questions about myself.

"Since na sabi mo na taga Thailand ka. Why are you so fluent in tagalog?" Rhian asked.

"Filipino si Mommy while my Dad is a Thai-Danish. I grew up in a household wherein we speak both language, Filipino and Thai. Kinakausap ako ni mommy using her language and si Dad naman is Thai and English."

She nodded. "That explains why."

"So, Are you still studying? Anong course mo?" Dagdag ni Rhian. Kulang nalang yata siya na papalit kay Tito boy.

"No, I graduated already last year. Fine Arts."

"Nice. Same pala kayo ni Sam. Diba Fine Arts din ang kinuha nun Michelle?" Tanong ni Rhian kay Michelle.

"Yup." She answered.

Napatingin ako sa kanya at nagtama ang aming mga mata. Wait kanina pa ba siya nakatingin sa akin?