Dead End

The Beginning

I turned eighteen before summer started. It was probably one of the happiest days of my life. My mom threw me a party, with Pink Candyland as the theme. Pink was everywhere, from the decorations, furniture, dessert, and anything you can think of. It made me feel as if I'm in another world, where I always wanted to be.

"Let's call on the debutant, Sorraya Marrero!" The host called me, while everyone clapped. Ngumiti ako. 

Mula sa pagbukas nang engrandeng pintong puno ng mga palamuting kulay rosas, tanaw na tanaw ko ang mga taong dumalo sa kaarawan ko. Everyone looked beautiful as their hands are raised either in a form of clapping or with their phones up, taking pictures and/or videos of me. I smiled at them. Today, everyone close to my heart was invited. Friends we consider as family,  even a few whom I barely knew looked at me in awe.

Magastos ang debut. Iyan ang alam ko. It was something that I ever dreamt of since I was a kid. Madalas kasi nakikita ko ang mga artistang nagdiriwang ng ikalabinwalong kaarawan nila. Magarbo at may kakaibang tema. Bata pa lang ako ay naging vocal na ako kay Mommy kung anong klaseng debut ang pinapangarap ko. 

Pero palagi ko namang pinapaalala sa kan'ya na hindi ko siya pinipilit na bigyan ako nang magarbong debut. Ayos na sa'kin 'yung simple lang, kung tutuusin. Pero hindi siya pumayag. Kat'wiran niya, isang beses lang ito sa buhay ko kaya ibibigay na niya ang gusto ko. Noong kapanahunan niya raw kasi, hindi pa naman uso ito. Mabuti na rin daw at maaga ko itong sinabi sa kan'ya. Dalawang taon niya rin ata itong pinag-ipunan.

I had a pink cotton candy ballgown. Sa totoo lang, I didn't originally thought of a candy-themed party. But I got rushed into thinking of a debut theme in which I can incorporate pink. This was the first thing that came into my mind. Hindi naman siya nagmukhang children's party. Because the designs were carefully selected, and any childish-like decorations were eliminated. We also avoided to make it look like JS Promenade. I know, pink has always been the juniors' color for prom, but we managed to make my party not seem like one because of the designs used. Cotton candy chairs, candy tables, candy vases, and all. Pink is my happy color.

"Mom, I want my gown to be like this." Nagsketch ako at ipinakita kay Mommy iyon. Ipapacustomize pa raw kasi namin 'yun kaya I started designing it a few months before my debut.

"It looks good, hija. You certainly have a future with that. Are you sure you don't wanna be a fashion designer in the future?" Tanong niya. Kinuha ko muli ang iPad ko mula sa kanya at may binagong kaunting design.

"No, Mom. I can't say now if I will ever be. Pero for the mean time, it's not the career I had on my mind." Paliwanag ko. Tumango lang siya at sinagot ang tawag na dumating. Probably one of the organizers she seeked help for my debut.

My ballgown is also pastel pink, covered with tulle fabric ng mga kulay na pastel blue, and pink. Its tube top is accented with glitters. It's like my own Barbie ballgown!

And today, while wearing this, I feel like I'm the most beautiful woman to ever wear such. Habang nagmamartsa ako papunta sa harap, I can hear people complimenting my look tonight. Oh, how I wish this night will never end. Magastos pero baka isa lang ito sa kaunting beses na makakasama ko sa iisang lugar lahat ng taong malapit sa akin.

The program went by. I think everyone was enjoying, especially may hinanda ring palaro ang host na ang mga tanong ay halos tungkol sa akin. Maraming nag-aagawan sumagot para sa premyo at halos lahat naman sila'y kilalang-kilala ako kaya excited silang sumagot. Natatawa ako lalo pa't dumating na sa ikalawang round ng laro kung saan ang makakasagot nang tama ang tatayo para kumuha ng pagkain, habang ang hindi naman makakasagot ay mahuhuli. Narinig ko ang pagrereklamo ng ilan na gutom na sila.