The Fall of Alexander the Great (Monteverde Series 3)

38

"What are you saying? Of course they are okay."

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. "Mabuti naman. Bakit ka ba kasi galit na galit? And why did you blow up my phone if it wasn't an emergency? And why are you wearing a formal dress? Galing ka ba sa party, Mands?"

"Ano'ng party sinasabi mo r'yan? May family dinner tayo ngayon!" She was shrieking as if it was a big deal. "How come you forgot? At talagang nakapajama ka na at 7 pm in the evening?"

"I'm sorry, okay? Magbibihis na ako, kumalma ka nga." Tumalikod ako at pumili ng isang pulang dress. It was plain and simple and I paired it with my favorite pair of Prada stilletos. Pinandilatan niya akong muli bago kami lumabas ng condo. She brought her own car with her, which was a red Pagani. Iniwan ko na lang ang sasakyan ko at tahimik habang nakapangalumbabang nakatingin sa labas.

Mandy was not even uttering a single word and I chose to zip my mouth. Nakarating kami agad sa venue, habang naglalakad kami sa hallway ay bigla na lang siyang nagsalita.

"You almost gave us all a heart attack. Muntik na talagang masira ang plano." She straightened her dress before leading me to the end of the hallway where there was a set of steel double doors.

"It's just dinner. Calm down. You act as if I failed to attend Mom and Dad's anniversary." Itinulak ko ang steel doors at pumasok. Sobrang dilim. Kumapit ako agad sa braso ni Amanda at kasunod non ay malakas na tilian.

Light flickered and my mouth dropped open when I saw how big the place was. Napanganga ako sa gulat.

"What the hell is happening, Amanda?" Naguguluhan at kinakabahang tanong ko. She smiled instead of answering me. Everyone important in my life is here, okay, scratch that. Nandito ang lahat ng bata sa ampunan, ang mga empleyado ko, si Roselynne at ang boyfriend niya. Si Mom, Dad, and shit... Alexander's whole family, except for Daze, was here. Litong lito ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong mayroon. Maraming lobo sa lapag, may mahabang mesang punong-puno ng pagkain sa magkabilang gilid, puno rin ng mesa at mga upuan at may stage pa sa dulo.

Naghuhurumentado ang puso ko habang hinahanap si Alexander ng mga mata ko. Nanginginig na ako nang biglang magputukan ang kulay sa langit. Fireworks exploded in the peaceful night sky and everyone can see it through the glass ceiling. Hanggang sa bigla na lang tumugtog ang kantang The Woman I Love ni Jason Mraz. Alexander always sings this one for me and I found myself tearing up.

Unti unting nagform ng straight line ang mga bata. Lahat sila ay naglabas ng isang pula na rosas sa mga likod nila. Isa-isa ko itong kinuha hanggang sa napuno ng isang bungkos ang mga bisig ko. The last kid was Kyla. But instead of a red rose, she was holding a piece of paper.

I opened it and read.

Sorry, love.

I'm sorry for all my shortcomings. I'm sorry if you ever thought I cheated. I'm sorry for hurting you and making you cry. I want you to know that you are the best thing that ever happened to me and that I will do everything, anything, to make you happy.

Roses are red, your hair is blue

You might not believe me

But I really do love you.

-A

Itinupi ko ang papel at natutop ko ang bibig ko. I was shaking and preventing myself from crying. I was looking for his face in the crowd but he wasn't there. They were just staring at me smiling and then all of a sudden they all shouted,

"Happy Birthday, Blythe!"

I looked at Mandy who was still beside me. I was confused.

"Ano? Anong kalokohan 'to? Hindi ko birthday, loko kayo. Four months pa. Nasaan si Alexander at nang mapingot ko siya? Kalahating taon kami pero hindi noiya alam kung kailan ang birthday ko!" Pero humihikbi na ako habang sinasabi ko 'yun. I just want to see Alexander.