All that Matters (Absinthe Series 3)

Kabanata 19

Kabanata 19

All That Matters

The month of January ended so quickly. Hindi ko namalayang Pebrero na at ang lahat ay excited na sa gaganaping Prom. I wasn't excited because it just mean more workloads to do. Prominade is one of the SSG's program at hindi dapat mawala iyon. It was the time for students to be free from school hassles and feel in love because it's the love month.

Wala naman akong tutol doon pero marami lang talagang trabaho. We have been preparing ever since December. Ang adviser namin sa SSG ay naplano na ang magiging tema at kung ano ang magiging disenyo. The last week of January, we're alreafy finishing the designs for the stage. Sa malaking auditorium gaganapin ang Senior's Ball at tanging Senior High students lang ang pwedeng dumalo. The Junior High's prominade will be held the day after the Senior's Ball.

" May susuotin ka na ba para sa ball?" tanong sa akin ni Muriel nang kumain na kami ng lunch sa cafeteria. Wala si Nile dahil may practice ang kanilang banda para sa kanilang performance para sa Senior's Ball. He'd been on it since last week. Tuwing uwian na lang kami nagkikita at kapag vacant naman ay todo practice rin sila.

" Natapos na raw sabi ni Mommy ang susuotin ko. You know her when it comes to these things."  halos umirap ako sa aking sinabi. It always excites her whenever these things happen. Mahilig si Mommy na gawin akong human barbie at kung anu-ano ang ipinapasuot sa akin. I let her be because I am her only daughter. At wala ng tutumbas pa sa kasiyahang makikita sa mukha ni Mommy kapag pumapayag ako. I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Muriel chuckled at my response. Sumang-ayon siya sa akin pagkatapos ay hiningi ang aking payo tungkol sa kaniyang maisusuot. I know I am not that good in fashion at kaunti lang ang sense ko roon, pero masasabi kong magaganda ang napiling mga desenyo ng gown ni Muriel.

" I like that one. Parang pareho lang din ng sa akin." sabi ko kay Muriel at itinuro ang silver na gown. Mayroong silver studs sa bahaging dibdib ng gown at diretso lang ang tabas. With the shape of Muriel's body, I'm sure the gown would cling at her like a second skin.

Sumang-ayon sa akin si Muriel. Wala naman kaming masyadong napag-usapan maliban na lamang sa preparations na ginagawa. We talked about our plans after Senior High. Ang sa kaniya, sabi niya ay kukuha siya ng course na Engineering. Good for her. I always envy those people who already established their life plans. Eh ako? Kahit gaano ako katalino, litong-lito pa rin sa pagdedesisyon.

But deep inside of me, I wanted to take Arts. Bigla lang iyong pumasok sa isip ko nitong nakaraan. I've been with our adviser, planning and designing and that made me feel a sudden urge to take it. To pursue it. Hindi ko lang alam kung papaano ko sasabihin iyon kina Mommy at Daddy without diasppointing them. I sure know they had high hopes on me. Kahit na yung ibang kamag-anak namin ay mataas din ang hangad para sa akin.

Thinking of it made me want to stop dreaming at all. What's the use of it kung ibang tao lang din naman ang magpaplano para sa akin?

" You're not okay." I heard Nile said while we were walking. Napahinto ako sa paglalakad at nilingon siya. His piercing delphic eyes darted to me and filled with scrutiny.

" I am fine. Marami lang akong iniisip." I shrugged.

Tumaas lamang ang kilay niya at mas lumapit pa sa akin. He held my hand gently and interlaced his fingers with mine. Naramdaman ko ang init na dala ng kaniyang hawak sa akin. I bit my lower lip and stared at him.

" Isa ba ako diyan sa iniisip mo?" he teasingly asked.

Humalakhak ako. " Why would you think that? Nasa tabi lang naman kita." sabi ko at ngumiti. We both continued walking until we reached his car.