One Last Time

Kabanata IV: PREPARATION FOR THE BALL

Preparation for the Ball.
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MADILIM na nang makauwi ako. Nag-meeting pa kasi ang club kaya ginabi ako. Mabilis akong bumaba mula sa Audi ko. Mabibigat ang mga lakad na tinungo ko ang main door ng mansyon.

My jaw tightened nang maabutan ko sa sala si Tita Norin.

"You're here, dear," bungad niya sa'kin.

"Obviously," walang amor kong sagot bago ako sumulyap sa wristwatch ko.

Ngumiti lang siya sa'kin bago siya humigop ng kape sa hawak niyang mug. Mayamaya'y inilapag niya ang mug at tumayo. "Nagugutom ka ba? Gusto mo ba ng merienda? Paghahanda kita."

Umiling ako. Mabigat pa rin ang pakiramdam niya sa naging pag-uusap namin ni Levi. I still can't get over the fact that Levi said no. It really hurt my ego.

Bumalik mula sa pagkakaupo si Tita Norin. "You looked a little dejected, dear. May nangyari ba sa school?"

I stared at her expressionlessly. "If you're worried about me...please don't. I'm fine."

Tita Norin's face quickly filled with embarrassment dahilan para mapatikhim siya.

"P-Pasensya ka na, dear..." she smiled sheepishly.

I just pursed my lips. I know I'm being rude to her, but I couldn't help it. I still can't accept this woman who took my dad away from my mom.

I exhaled a furious sigh before I turned my back on my stepmother. Ignoring the noise of my father's car, I rushed off the porch and went upstairs to my room.

"I know you need something, Kei. Spill it out."

"Help me find a dress, Anj. I badly need one," seryosong sabi ko kay Anja habang kausap ko sa kabilang linya.

"Dress for what?" Anj asked.

"For Foundation Day."

"Ow!" hagikhik ng kaibigan sa kabilang linya.

I knitted my brows. "What's funny?"

"Are you going with this Levi?"

I straightened my expression. "He's not going."

"He declined your invitation, so why would you still go to the ball?"

"Because I need to. Sa architecture department naka-assign ang preparation at ang group namin mag-o-organize ng event bilang representative. I have to be there, whether I have someone with me or not. I'm busy these days so I don't have time to look for a dress," I explained.

"You're busy, huh? Well, I'm glad that you're being responsible as the president of your club considering you have time to follow him around."

I rolled my eyes. "Will you just shut up, Anj? Tutulungan mo ba ako or what?" iritableng tanong niya sa kaibigan.

"I'm sorry, my friend, but I'm also busy. I have something very important to do tomorrow. Forgive me, but I can't help you right now. Subukan mo kay Iri-"

"Tsk! Thanks for being helpful. Anyway, I can't forgive you. Bye!" gusot ang mukhang tinapos ko ang tawag.

I squeezed my lips together. I have no choice but to ask for her help.

"Dammit!" Frustrated, I ran my fingers through my hair.

Mayamaya'y nakarinig ako ng mahinang katok mula sa labas ng room ko.

"Dear..."

My eyebrows furrowed when I heard my stepmother's voice. Padabog akong tumayo sa kama para pagbuksan siya ng pinto.