DETECTIVE FILES. File 1 (Published under PSICOM)

CHAPTER 48: DANCE WITH THE NERD, DEVILS AND DETECTIVES

"Hindi pa po dumarating Dad eh, maybe later," sagot ko at tumango naman ito. I got my phone and sent Gray a text message.

Ilang minute ay muling lumapit si Daddy sa akin at nagtanong kung nasaan na si Gray dahil labinlimang minuto na lang ay magsisimula na ang party. I just told him na baka na-traffic lamang si Gray kaya wala pa ito. After Dad left the suite ay muli akong nagtext kay Gray. I walked back and forth around the suite habang nilalaro sa kamay ko ang cellphone ko as I waited for Gray's reply. I tried calling him again ngunit hindi pa rin nito sinasagot.

Now I'm so worried. What if may nangyaring masama sa kanya? No no no! Iwinaksi ko iyon sa isip at muling nagtext kay Gray. I called his number again but to no avail. Gray, where the hell are you? Iniwan na ba nito ako sa ere? Did he realize na ayaw niya palang maging escort ko? Did he decide to boycott me on my birthday?

Naramdaman ko ang panginginit ng gilid ng mata ko ngunit pinigilan kong maglandas ang mga luha ko. Bakit naman ako iiyak? Eh ano ngayon kung wala si Gray? It's not the end of the world.

Tinawag na ako ng organizer. She informed me that the party is about to start. I texted Gray again. Nang hindi pa rin ito nagreply ay piniga ko na ang lahat ng natitirang lakas ng loob ko. I texted him a sad emoticon bago iniwan ang cellphone ko sa suite at lumabas doon.

Hindi naman nagtagal ay nagsimula na nga ang party. Everyone greeted me and praised me how beautiful I am. Namataan ko sina Andi at Therese sa isang tabi. I also saw Ryu and Cooler on one side. Kasama naman ni Marion at Jeremy si Khael. Kahit anong paglilibot ang gawin ng mata ko ay hindi ko makita kahit ang anino ni Gray.

Please Gray, just be safe kung nasaan ka man.

I asked Khael to be my escort instead dahil wala talagang dumating na Gray. The cotillion's rituals started at nagsimula na akong sumayaw kasama ang bumubuo ng cotillion ko. Nang magsimula na ang 18 roses ay si Daddy ang una kong sayaw.

"Hi there, beautiful lady," bati niya sa akin habang nagsasayaw kami.

"Hi Dad."

"I can't call you baby now since you are a lady," wika niya and I smiled at him.

"But I am still your baby." Oh yeah, I'm a daddy's girl. Oh well, close ako sa kanilang dalawa ni Mommy but Dad spoiled me most of the time.

"Sweetie, kanina ko pa napapansin na nagkakandahaba na 'yang leeg mo sa kakalingon. You're looking for that Gray guy?" Dad asked and I looked down. There's no point in lying.

"He did not make it Dad."

"Yeah, I noticed too. Didn't he notify you for his absence?" tanong niya and I shook my head.

"Cheer up sweetie. He must be dear to you to the point na nalulungkot ka ng ganyan. You're really a lady now," he said with a smile.

"Dad!"

"You don't have to be shy sweetie. It's normal," wika niya at kahit anong tanggi ko ay iba pa rin ang ibig sabihin sa kanya ng pag-aalala ko kay Gray. My next dances were from my cousins and relatives hanggang sa umabot na ito kay Jeremy.

"Happy birthday Amber," bati niya sa akin. He looks so good in his coat and tie. Nakadagdag pa sa appeal nito ang suot nitong braces. If he would be less weird ay malamang marami na siyang napaiyak na babae.

"Amber may knock knock ako. Knock knock!"

I rolled my eyes. "Just make sure it's not another pun Jeremy. Who's there?"

Natawa siya. "I'm good at this, don't worry." Uh really? I don't believe him and I don't want to believe him. We were still dancing at hawak-hawak ko ang binigay niyang rosas. "Beautiful girl."