All that Matters (Absinthe Series 3)

Kabanata 9

Kabanata 9

All That Matters

Ngumiti ako sa bawat bisitang bumabati. My feet was already aching but I had to endure it since the party may take a while to finish. Wala namang problema sa akin pero sana naman makapagpalit ako nang mas flat na sapatos para hindi mamaga ang aking mga paa.

My friends approached me and took some group pictures. May iilang solo kami nina Arunika at Muriel. Arunika was even ecstatic about knowing my gown was made by my mother's friend. Hinihiling pang sana ay ganoon din sa kaniya noong nagbirthday siya.

" Tapos na iyon, Aru. It's not like you get to have a second debut party." angal ni Muriel. Tumawa na lamang ako at niyakap silang dalawa habang nagpapakuha ulit ng picture.

My mother called me after. Ipinakilala nila ako sa iilan nilang mga business associates. Don't get me wrong but I love meeting my parents' colleagues and business partners. It really helped me get a glimples of how working people do in their field of expertise.

"Ano bang kukunin mo sa college, hija? Do you want to follow your father's footsteps?" tanong sa akin ng isang ka-trabaho ni Dad. I think she's a gynecologist.

" I'm still not sure po but I think I'll settle in handling my mom's business po." ngumiti ako.

Tumango siya at ngumiti na rin sa akin. " That's good, at least you have an insight of what do you want to be. Noon ang anak ko ay ayaw talaga maging doktor kasi nga matagal bago makapagtapos. Well, he's a doctor now." kuwento nito.

Well, wow. Kahit masipag akong mag-aral hindi ko talaga nakita ang sarili kong nag-do-doktor. I was more of paper works—like someone working in an office or handling business. I don't know. Maybe I'll just cross the bridge when I get there.

Hinayaan na ako nina Mommy. My eyes roamed around to search for a particular person but I couldn't find him. Instead, my eyes found Ma'am Graveda sitting in one of the chairs and eating. Napangiti ako sa sarili bago ito nilapitan.

" Ma'am! Thank you po at nakarating kayo." sabi ko. I took in the dress she was wearing. Isang light pink dress na gawa sa lace. Bumagay ito sa magandang kutis ni Ma'am at mas lalo kong nakita na mas maganda pala ito kapag hindi nakasuot ng teacher's uniform.

" Salamat sa pag-imbita, Adina." Her formal smile warmed me. Kahit saan talaga si Ma'am ay hindi nagpapaawat. I really like it about her. Propesyunal kahit sa labas ng school.

" Wala po iyon, Ma'am. Enjoy the food po!"

Sandali kaming nagpapicture. One from my phone and one from her and from the photographer.

Luminga-linga ako sa paligid para mahanap si Nile. Kumunot na lamang ang aking noo. Maybe, he went home? Wala naman kasi siyang kakilala dito kaya baka nga umuwi na. Pero hindi siya nagpaalam sa akin! How rude is that?

" Si Nile na ang hinahanap mo? I saw him round the corner." sabi ni Ma'am nang mapansin ang paghahanap ko.

Napakagat labi ako at napatango. Ma'am Graveda smiled gently at my reaction. " I think you should let your parents meet him. I don't think it's a bad idea, Adina."

" Ah, hindi naman po." It's just that I don't really what's happening between us. Ni minsan ay hindi nilinaw ni Nile kung ano ba talaga kami. I did not ask him about this relationship— if it's real or not. But I felt that we like each other.

" Sige na, hanapin mo na siya. I'm sure he's waiting for you." Tumango ako sa sinabi ni Ma'am Graveda. I sneakily round the corner and searched for Nile. Hindi ako nahirapang makita siya dahil nakaupo siya sa isang metal bench.