All at Once (Absinthe Series 6)

Kabanata 28

Kabanata 28

All at Once

I spent the New Year's Eve with my friends. Dahil nga hirap na rin si Raya ay doon na lang kami sa bahay nila ni Helion nag-celebrate. Tita Rima and Ate Nina's family were also there to celebrate with us. Sina Ruth at Trinity ay mas piniling samahan kami kasi sanay naman na sila sa okasyon kasama ang kanilang pamilya. It was their decision to come here.

"Happy New Year!" we shouted with pure joy as the clock strikes at twelve. Malakas na ang putukan sa labas. There were also coloreful fireworks up in the sky scattered like glittering birds.

Yumakap ako sa aking mga kaibigan at bumati sa iilang naming mga kasama doon. I also greeted my Mom at the phone. Inimbitahan naman ako ni Mommy pero desisyon ko namang sumama kina Raya. The past New Years, I sometimes spend it alone. Kung hindi mag-isa, sumasama naman ako kay Ruth. Palagi ay tinatanggihan ko talagang salubungin ang Bagong Taon sa pamilya ni Mommy. I always think that they should just celebrate it together. Ayaw ko lang din namang makagulo lalo pa at alam ko ngayong mainit na mainit na ang ulo ni Dilly sa akin.

I should just understand her and stay away. Mas mabuti ring huwag masyadong paunlakan ang mga pang-iimbita nina Mommy at Tito Arthur sa akin. I think that Dilly was jealous of the attention I am getting from her father. Hindi ko naman intensyon iyon. I was also trying so hard to at least reject some offers because I don't want her to think that I was using their family for my own advantage. Hindi ko gawain iyon.

I tried to ignore the bad thoughts away. Ngumiti na lamang ako kahit na medyo nalulungkot rin. Naalala ko lang kasi na wala si Rogan sa bansa ngayon at nasa Spain. All the Zobels and de Ayalas were in Spain to celebrate the New Year. Iyon ang sabi ni Rogan sa akin nang magtanong ako sa plano nila sa New Year. He says that it's part of their tradition to celebrate the coming year in Spain.

Masaya naman ako. We get to celebrate the Christmas together. I gave him a Parker fountain pen as a Christmas gift. Sa totoo lang ay wala talaga akong maisip na ireregalo sa kaniya. I always think Rogan could buy everything with his money. But I want to give him something that would remind me of him whenever he sees it. Pumasok na lang sa akin na businessman siya at may mga pinipirmahang papeles at kailangan niya ng panulat para roon. The fountain pen was the best gift I could think of. Pina-engrave ko na lang ang pangalan niya roon para kung sakaling mawala, mahahanap niya agad.

I guess he liked it. He actually showed me a picture of the fountain pen and beside it was his signature. Napangisi ako nang maalalang ginamit niya na iyon sa pagpirma ng mga papeles.

"Phaedra! Let's take a picture!" Hinila na ako ni Ruth patungo sa kanila. Pumwesto ako sa tabi ni Ruth at humarap sa kukuha ng litrato. Si Ate Nina pala iyon kaya ngumiti ako.

It was a fun New Year. Nag-media noche at nagbigayan kami ng regalo. I received a set of cosmetics from Ruth, si Trinity naman ay isang bote ng wine ang ibinigay sa akin. Raya and Helion gave me a blender. Si Tita Rima ay may kalakihang mug ang ibinigay sa akin. She said it could match the blender, iyon na lang daw ang gawin kong baso kung sakaling gagawa ako ng shake sa condo. I could also use it if ever I want to share the drink with Rogan. Natawa na lamang ako sa mga iniisip nila.

The day after the New Year, the cafe operated again. There weren't much customers. May customer kasi talaga na hindi pwedeng gumastos dahil Bagong Taon kaya hindi na ako nagtataka.

"Hindi ka pa makakabalik?" I asked Rogan over the phone. He called me using FaceTime. Kita kong mukhang nasa teresa siya ng bahay at nagkakape. It was already 8 am there at alas dos naman ng hapon sa Pilipinas.

"I might travel to California tomorrow. What is it? Any problem there?" alala niyang tanong. Agad naman akong umiling.

"Wala naman. I just..." I chewed my bottom lip. Nagbaba ako ng tingin. Iniisip ko pa lang na sasabihin ko ang mga katagang iyon ay nahihiya na ako. He was miles away but still! I could feel my cheeks becoming flustered.