Evanesce

Chapter 5

I spent hours looking only at the painting that Rad gave me, trying to figure out what's the meaning behind the mystery and fearsome portrait of a couple. Kahit saang anggulo ay hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang larawan. So, let's just appreciate the beauty of the painting despite the eerie feeling.

I decided to take a shower before giving one last glance to the portrait. Mom told me that they prepared a not-so-big birthday celebration tonight so I must get ready for it lalo na't babiyahe pa kami papunta sa venue na hindi naman ganoon kalayuan dito sa amin. Wala na akong magagawa pa kahit na ayaw kong makihalubilo sa ibang tao dahil handa na ang lahat.

So, I'm wearing a chic a-line square silver tulle applique short dress paired with a black stiletto and a messy updo hairstyle. Mom insisted on having a make-up artist and hair stylist for me and I can't go against it. But as much as possible, I want my look to be simple yet classy and elegant to fit with the classic setting on one of my Mom's hotel here in Calamba.

I'm only seventeen pero bakit mas lumalabas na parang debut ko na ito. Hindi ko na lang napigilang mapabuntong-hininga habang pinagmamasdan ang sarili ko sa isang malaking salamin na sakop ang buo kong katawan. Kahit anong ayos ng tindig ay hindi pa rin maiibsan ang bigat na pumapaimbabaw sa buong sistema ko.

Sa loob ng labimpitong taon ay dalawang salita lamang ang makapaglalarawan ng naging buhay ko- sakal at pagod. Ang hirap maging anak ng isang bilyunaryong magulang. It's so hard to live with their expectations and demands.

Nabalik ako sa reyalidad nang marinig ko ang ilang katok mula sa pinto ng kuwarto ko. Napalingon ako roon kasabay ng pagbukas nito. Bahagya siyang pumasok ng magalang at maingat bago sinabi ang pakay niya.

"Miss, Madame is calling you already," Mom's handmaiden said.

"Sige po. Salamat."

I deeply sigh for the last time while trying to compose myself in front of the huge mirror. Naglakad na ako palabas ng kuwarto ko nang makontento na ako sa ayos ko. Pero bago ko pa man tuluyang maisara ang pinto ay hindi ko maiwasang mapabulong sa sarili ko.

"Here we go again." I can sense tiredness in my voice even though the celebration for my seventeenth birthday is not yet starting.

Wala pang trenta minutos ay nakarating na agad kami sa hotel. Sa likod kami dumaan dahil marami na agad ang mga dumating na bisita sa unahan. Pina-retouch pa ako ni Mom sa nakalaang kuwarto sa akin bago tuluyang magpakita sa guests.

Mom's being paranoid again kahit na hindi niya ipahalata kaya nauna na sila ni Dad sa baba para maasikaso na nila ang mga bisita. She's always meticulous on time, that's why.

I stayed for an hour in the room to gain my confidence back before going to the venue. While walking gracefully on the long and narrow hallway, I'm preparing my delicate figure to expose it to the rich and elite people. Mahirap magkamali sa harap nila lalo na't sa harap ng mga magulang ko. Pero ano pa bang bago? In fact, I'm also living in the house of elite people so I should get used to it already.

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa dagat ng tao bago tuluyang bumaba ng hagdan and I just realized that I'm looking for him again. Masyado pa yatang maaga para dumating siya. I should refrain myself from thinking about him to avoid committing any mistakes. Alam ko ring mali na isipin at hintayin ko ang ibang tao, knowing that the person that I want to see will not be here.

"Mom, Dad," I greeted my parents with a kiss on their cheeks.

"Finally!" my Mom said using her jaunty tone before facing her business associates.

"Everyone, the birthday heiress!" anunsiyo niya pa.

I have no choice but to greet everyone who came tonight for my birthday, particularly those who are in the table with us. I'm also pretty sure that this is not just about my birthday. This will also serve as an event for their business to gain and attract more investors, customers and partnerships. Oh, it's quite annoying, you know. Also, para bang palagi na lang nakakabit sa akin ang titulong 'heiress' that made me want to roll my eyes everytime I heard that.