Red Teasing The Dark 1 ✔

Chapter 12

Red Teasing The Dark
CHAPTER TWELVE

At Eighteenth

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Nabuhay lahat ng ilaw sa paligid. Nawala ang nakalagay sa projector screen at napalitan ng 'Happy 18th Birthday'. Then suddenly the intense light coming from somewhere turned in my direction and their attention was all mine. My gaze glued on the projector screen repeating to read 'Happy 18th Birthday' and catches me by surprise. I couldn't believe it. I had the urge to cry. 

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang iba't-ibang mga taong nakapalibot sa akin. Some images flash in my mind. I was encircled by the people who have been part of my living relatives, friends, old classmates, and even our neighbors. They were all in their attire, including me, of course. 

But I am the only exception who was wearing an elegant dress that tonight. Ang mga naggagandahang mga kababaihan ay nakasuot ng simpleng pula na dress habang ang mga kalalakihan ay naggwagwapuhan sa kanilang suot na red polo and black slacks. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. I surveyed the crowd once more and our eyes met.

"Smile, sweetie," Ina mouthed then gave me a sweet smile that I wanted to see. Totoo ba ang lahat ng ito? Totoo bang gaganapin na ang kaarawan ko? I observed that the party was themed red-black. It was so perfect at all kahit pa sa maliliit na detalye, from the theme of the party to the venue. 

We are celebrating the party right in front of the vastness of the blue sea while we are all barefooted enjoying the white sand. It was an open area so we could see the moon and stars up above. Ugh!—it was so romantic. I want my wedding to be like this! Beach Wedding will do at the right time. 

"Ladies ang gentlemen our glamorous debutant are finally here! Let's welcome, Blair Harlow Sawyer!" the guy emcee acknowledged. 

"Thank you," I mouthed as I gave him a sweet smile and he just nodded his head. 

Sinalubong nila akong muli ng masigabong palakpakan. My heart pounded as I witnessed those smiles on their faces while their attention was all mine as I was in the middle of the dance floor. I don't want to believe this is happening to me right now. Pero totoo nga. Gusto kong gumalaw ngunit parang napako ako sa aking kinatatayuan. Hindi ko lubos akalain na totoo lahat ang nangyayari.

 Ang takot at pangamba ay tila kisapmata na nawala dahil napalitan ng galak at tuwa. Sa sobrang kalugdan ng aking puso ay hindi ko namalayan ang pagpatak ng aking mga luha. I quickly wiped it away but in a gentle motion not wanting my make-up doesn't get ruined. 

Pero bago ang lahat, sino ang may pakana ng lahat ng ito? I have a hint but I need to verify it. 

"Ladies and gentleman...her first dance!" the emcee welcomed me. 

"May I have a dance with this beautiful girl?" someone's talked behind my back. I knew that voice of him. The first man I have ever loved. I turned to face him. "Ama!" I couldn't help but hug him. "You were the 'big boss' right?" I sobbed while saying those words. 

I could hear the mellow music coming from the violin. It filled my ears that lessened the things that are bothering me. In exchange, feeling ecstatic and astonished as well. I positioned my hands on his shoulders as he held my waist so we can dance. 

"I'm sorry...Sweetie...but I have to do that," turan niya, humihingi ng patawad. 

"Nakakainis po kayo...ang buong akala ko nakuha na ako ng mga sindikato...hindi ko akalain na kayo ang nasa likod nito, Ama. Sobrang natakot po ako...ang akala ko hindi ko na kayo makikita pang muli kasi naman po ang sabi niyo babawiin niyo ako pero parang pakiramdam ko wala kayong ginagagawa na paraan para makuha niyo ako sa mga sindikato," I pouted my lips at bahagya siyang natawa sa sinabi ko.