Chapter 28: A Night to Remember
It was not hard for me to recognize the dress Amanda was wearing. Mula sa makingkad na pulang kulay nito hanggang sa maliit na detalye, iyon talaga ang dress na dapat ay isusuot ko ngayon.
Paano ito napunta sa kanya?
"I thought her dress was yellow?" Chester asked, confusedly.
"She probably heard Ulrich's attire was white," may bahid na pait na sagot ni Camila. "Hindi mo pa ba kilala ang kapatid mo? She's going to do anything just to match the love of her life."
I was speechless. Ayokong isipin na binayaran niya ng malaki ang designer namin para lang makuha 'yon at masira ang gabi ko pero... paano kung gano'n nga?
Matapos nilang magpa-picture at makipag-usap ay napagdesisyonan na nung dalawa na pumunta sa table namin. Chester stood up to greet them. Well... everyone did. Kami lang ni Cams ang nanatiling nakaupo at walang pakialam.
"Rizzieee!" Amanda giggled my name. She approached me with a big smile on her face. "Oh, my. You look so fabulous!"
I still tried to find a mistake on her dress, baka sakaling nagkataon lang talaga. Pero... itong-ito 'yung dress na pinagawa namin, eh.
"Oh, my dress?" Amanda pouted. "It looks disgusting, right? Wala na kasi akong choice, eh. May kaunting aberya kasi sa yellow kong dress."
"Really? Akala ko ba ayos na lahat?" tanong pa ni Chester.
"Just tell us the truth, Amanda." Camila rolled her eyes. "Nalaman mong hindi bagay ang kulay ng dress mo sa suot ni Ulrich kaya agad mong pinalitan!"
Amanda laughed. "No. Duh? Look at my dress? The design looked so cheap! If only I have another option..."
Napatingin ako sa mga boys sa harapan namin. Nilapit ni Art ang ilong niya sa suit ni Ulrich at inamoy 'yon. Sinapok siya ni Jessie kaya natigilan ito.
"Hoy. Ang gago mo naman, Jess. Buhok ko pa talaga!" asik ni Arthur.
"Nilulukot mo lang suot ni Ulrich!" singhal din pabalik ni Jess.
I stared at Ulrich. He was talking to PJ. I waited for their conversation to end but he talked to Chester next. Hanggang sa umiwas na lang ako ng tingin.
Really, Rik? Just because you are dating someone else, you will totally ignore me?
"Rizzie..." Napatingin ako kay Cams. She looked concerned. "You are frowning again. It's fine. You look so stunning!"
I shook my head. "Nagugutom lang..."
"I just missed the prom days." Narinig kong tumawa si Chester habang kausap si Ulrich. "Also, Riza invited me to be her partner."
"This event is strictly for Senior High students only," may diin ang pagbanggit ni Ulrich sa bawat salita.
Chester scratched the back of his head. He looked embarrassed. Paano ba naman kasi ay naririnig ng iba ang sinasabi ni Ulrich.
"Just let them, babe. Nakakaawa naman kasi si Riza kung walang partner. Baka hindi siya um-attend eh," pag-epal ni Amanda sabay kawit ng braso kay Ulrich.
Amanda even smiled at me, like she did me a favor.
"Si Riza pa talaga?" Tumawa si Jessie. "She survived her entire life without a man beside her, aside from me. What makes you think she wouldn't attend the event without a date?"
"Truth! The last thing she needs is a man!" halakhak ni Camila. "Hindi katulad ng ibang babae diyan..."
Amanda's brows arched. Pasimple itong umirap.
"Wait. Let Riza decide," PJ butted in. "Siya naman ang date ni Chester. Riza, do you want Chester to stay here or what?"
Everyone was staring at me except Ulrich.
"Syempre gusto niya!" epal na naman ni Amanda. "Crush nga niya si Kuya Chester, hindi ba? If I know, kilig na kilig ang best friend ko!"
"Kailan pa naging Riza ang pangalan mo?" biro ni Jessie kaya pasimple siyang siniko ni Art.
"I will stay," may diin na rin na sagot ni Chester. "Come on, Rik. Ano naman ang big deal? If something happened, then point your finger at me. I always take responsibility for my actions. You know that."
I sniffed. "Chester is here to stay..."
Doon na napatingin sa akin si Ulrich. He just... stared at me using his blank expression. Then... he nodded. That's it.
"Let's go, babe..." ay ani Amanda.
"Aren't you going to sit with us?" Chester asked.
Amanda giggled. "Nah. Ulrich wants a separate table for us," kinikilig na sabi ni Amanda. "So... see you later, guys. Enjoy the night."
Sinundan ko sila ng tingin. Sumalubong din sa kanila si Raechelle. Nag-usap silang dalawa ni Amanda at pagkatapos ay nagtawanan. Napansin ko pa ang pasimpleng pagsulyap sa akin ni Raechelle.
"Are you okay?" tanong ni Chester.
Nakangiting tumango ako.
I will have fun tonight. That's what I promised my sister. Hindi ko hahayaan na sirain lang ito ng mga taong walang magawa sa buhay kung hindi ang manira ng iba.
We had a short introduction. Sinabi ang dapat at hindi dapat gawin. Nagsalita rin sa harapan si Ulrich. He mentioned everyone involved with the preparation of this event. He didn't mention any name.
May mga award din na ginawad. Camila got the Best Dressed for women. Ulrich got the Best Dressed and Face of the Night for men. Jessie got the King of Fame and Social Media Icon Award.
"The Prom King award goes to..." Miss Hailey broadcasted. "Our SSG President, Ulrich Damian Delgado!"
Everyone stood up to applaud him. Naglakad si Ulrich sa red carpet papunta sa harapan. Humarap siya sa amin nang nakangiti.
Napangiti ako. He looked so handsome!
He stood there, waiting for the Prom Queen.
"The Prom Queen award goes to..." Vincent paused to build the anticipation.
Everyone was cheering for Amanda.
"Let's give a warm of applause for our Prom Queen... Rizaline Chavez!"
Nabingi ako sa sobrang lakas ng hiyawan nina Art, Jessie at PJ. Niyugyog pa ako ni Camila habang tila nang tili. Nakatayo ang lahat habang pinapalakpakan ako.
"Congratulations!" Chester was the first one to greet me.
I didn't expect to win any award so I had no idea what to react. I just got the main award for the night. I won the Prom Queen award.
"Come on!" Cams urged me to go.
Huminga ako nang malalim. Sinamahan ako ng isang babae sa dulo ng red carpet kung saan ako magsisimulang maglalakad. Sa pinakaharapan ay nakatingin sa akin si Ulrich.
For the first time tonight... he smiled at me.
His stare carved a path that only I could walk on.
Dumaan ako sa harapan ng mga kaibigan ko. Hinawakan ni Art ang braso ko at pinisil 'yon kaya hinatak siya ni Jessie. Si Cams naman ay naiiyak habang nakatutok sa akin ang camera. Sumipol si PJ kaya nasapak siya ni Cams. And there was Chester, looking so proud at me.
I mouthed them, "Thank you..."
"Go, Rizzie!" sigaw ni Amanda.
I didn't look at her.
I didn't want to ruin the moment.
Ulrich met me halfway. Napansin kong sinigawan siya ng organizer dahil dapat ay hihintayin niya lang ako sa harapan. He ignored them to give me a hand.
I held his hand back. He squeezed it.
Pinaragasa niya sa bewang ko ang kanyang kamay at sabay kaming pumunta sa harapan. Pagkaharap namin ay pinatong sa ulo namin ang crown.
Everyone was clapping for us. Even Amanda.
"Congratulations..." Miss Hailey greeted us.
Binulungan na nila kaming bumalik sa upuan pero hindi binitiwan ni Ulrich ang kamay ko. Bagkus ay mas hinigpitan niya pa ang pagkakahawak dito.
"Did you wear it?" he asked, still not looking at me. Nakatingin pa rin siya sa harapan at nakangiti sa mga tao.
I sniffed. "Nasa pouch ko..."
"Please?" he clasped my hand again.
That brought a comforting feeling.
"Okay..." I whispered.
"You look gorgeous, baby..." he whispered.
Napalunok ako. Hindi na nakasagot.
He finally let go of my hand. Dumiretso siya sa table nila ni Amanda nang hindi lumilingon sa akin. Bumalik na rin ako sa table namin.
"Pahiram!" Kinuha ni Cams ang crown ko at sinuot. Saka siya nag-selfie.
Napatingin ako kay Chester. "Buti na lang hindi ka kasali 'no? The awards are safe."
Natawa siya saka pinisil ang ilong ko.
I wasn't lying. He could easily win all the major awards without even trying.
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. I didn't react like I used to. I didn't feel anything. It just made me feel comfortable... but that's all.
Napatingin ako sa harapan. May isang papel pa ang inabot kay Miss Hailey. Napansin kong kumunot ang noo nito. Sa huli ay wala rin siyang nagawa kung hindi ang basahin ito.
She swallowed. Halatang nahihirapan siyang basahin 'yon.
"We have another award!" Miss Hailey announced. "Let's not take it negatively, all right? An award is still an award after all!"
Napatingin ako sa table nila Raechelle. Narinig kong natatatawa ito habang kausap ang kanyang mga kaibigan. Bigla akong kinutuban nang masama. What is this?
"The worst gown goes to..." Miss Hailey proclaimed.
A loud random conversations shattered around. May ibang naguguluhan kung bakit may gano'n na award, at may iba namang natatawa.
"Tangina. Huwag lang ako 'yan ah!" kinakabahan na sabi ni Art.
"Tanga. Gown nga 'di ba?" singhal ni Jessie.
"The award for the worst gown goes to Miss Amanda Megardon!"
Biglang tumahimik ang paligid. Narinig ko ang mga ipit na tawa nila. Halatang natatakot silang mapagbuntungan nito ng galit.
Camila laughed, too.
"Yesss!" Amanda stood up cheerfully.
I was breathing heavily. Parang may batong nakapatong sa dibdib ko habang pinapakinggan kung paano pagkatuwaan ng mga tao ang gown ni Amanda.
"Baliw ba siya?" tanong ni Camila.
"What's happening?" Even Chester was confused, too.
"Nasiraan na yata ng bait ang kapatid mo," Cams joked. "Worst gown? Ano kaya 'yon? The gown looked so stunning!"
Pumunta sa harapan si Amanda. Kinuha niya kay Miss Hailey ang microphone. Nagulat pa nga siya sa ginawa nito.
My attention darted at Ulrich. He was staring at Amanda. Halatang naguguluhan din ito sa inaakto nito. For someone who always craves compliments, it is so strange to see her be happy with this shitty title. Unless... she does it for some other reason.
"Worst gown of the night!" Amanda blurted out.
Sumabog ang malakas na tawanan sa paligid.
The tears loomed around my eyes.
"Honestly, wala lang talaga akong choice kung hindi suotin ito. It looked so cheap, at least nabawi ko sa ganda ko, 'di ba?"
Mas lalong lumakas ang tawanan sa paligid. Malawak ang ngiti sa labi ni Amanda.
"Rizzie..." Pati si Camila ay naguguluhan na rin.
"Not at all, Miss Megardon. It looked stunning!" salita ni Vincent na isa ring host.
"Yikes." Amanda rolled her eyes. "Alam niyo kung ano ang maganda sa gown na ito?" Lumapit si Amanda sa isang wine glass na nakapatong sa table.
Everyone gasped when Amanda spilled the wine on her dress.
Doon na bumagsak ang mga luha sa mata ko. Nangangalaiti ako sa sobrang galit. Minabuti ko na lang na tumayo. Ayoko nang mapanuod ang susunod niya pang gagawin. Nagpaalam ako na pupunta lang rest room.
I was holding my tears until I reached the restroom. A loud heavy gasp escaped my lips. Napatukod ako sa lababo sa sobrang panghihina.
Maybe she knew all along. Alam niyang dapat ay sa akin 'yon, alam niyang pinaghirapan namin 'yon, alam na alam niya kung gaano ako nasasaktan sa tuwing pinagkakatuwaan ng lahat ang suot niya.
She fucking ruined the dress my sister designed for me!
I was shaking in so much agony. Iniyakan 'yon ni Ate Sarah, eh. Nung umalis ako sa bahay kanina, alam kong umiyak pa uli siya dahil hindi niya natupad ang pangakong ang gown niya ang isusuot ko.
That dress meant so much to her... to me.
Amanda ruined everything.
Gumaganti ba siya? Ginawa ko ang lahat para lang hindi siya masagasaan sa bawat galaw na gagawin ko. Right. She somehow scared the shit out of me. Why? Because I can't compete with her. I can't compete with her level!
After everything... she still did me dirty.
Tumingin ako sa reflection ko sa salamin. Nasira na ang mascara ko. Suminghap ako bago kumuha ng tissue sa bag ko. Mabuti na lang nagdala ako ng pang-retouch kung sakali.
I fixed the mistakes caused by my senseless tears.
You want a fight? I will give you that.
Nilabas ko ang box na binigay sa akin ni Ulrich. I haven't opened it yet. Dahan-dahan ay binuksan ko 'yon. It was a star-shaped necklace. It looked so... fancy.
I wore the necklace. Whatever is this for, I know Amanda won't like it.
I was done retouching my makeup when Amanda and Raechelle came in. May dala siyang paper bag na malamang pang palit sa dress niya. Basang-basa ng wine ang dress ni Amanda. Natatawa pa silang dalawa.
"Rizzie. You are here..." Amanda smiled.
"Hey!" I smiled back. "Nag-retouch lang."
"Hello, Riza," nakangiting sabi ni Raechelle.
I just smiled again.
Hindi ako agad lumabas kahit na tapos na ako. Tinulungan ni Raechelle si Amanda sa pagpapalit ng dress. She wore another gown but this time, a yellow one.
So... it was all a lie. She was really planning to wear this one from the very start. Kinailangan niya lang talagang sirain ang dress ko.
"I told you, Amanda. That dress looked disgusting!" asik ni Raechelle.
"I just tried. Even my gorgeous face can't save the cheapness of that dress." Amanda rolled her eyes, but she smiled when she saw me staring at her.
"Alam mo kung ano ang bagay sa dress na 'to?" Kinuha ni Raechelle ang dress. She used the dress to wipe the wet floor.
They both laughed.
I bit my bottom lip. How low can they go?
Raechelle turned to me. "Uy, congrats nga pala!"
I chuckled. "No worries. I haven't washed my hand..."
"What?" naguluhan si Raechelle.
"When I won the Prom Queen award, Ulrich held my hand." Humarap ako sa kanya at pinakita ang kamay ko. "I'm sorry. This is the closest you could ever get near him. Touch my hand."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Pumula ang mukha ni Raechelle. "What makes you think I like Ulrich? She's for Amanda only!"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. Your gallery says it all. You take a picture of him at any given chance. Why? Did Amanda tell you to do that?"
Napalunok si Raechelle at hindi na nakapagsalita.
"Where's your phone, Raechelle?" tanong ni Amanda.
"A-Amanda..."
That's when I turned my back. Umiiyak na pumasok ako ng rest room at humahalakhak namang lumabas. Narinig ko pang sinampal ni Amanda si Raechelle.
What a scene.
Bumalik ako sa table namin. Cams stared at me. Her worried expression turned confused. I leaned on her shoulder. Tinapik naman niya ang balikat ko.
This is what Amanda and Raechelle can never be. Their friendship was built out of falsified affection. It will never be genuine because it didn't start out genuinely. What a pity.
Bagay naman sila. They are both pitiful.
Dumaan sa harapan ko si Raechelle bago bumalik sa table nila. Napansin kong namumugto ang kanyang mga mata. I wonder what happened? Did Amanda just drop her?
Sumunod na dumating si Amanda. She was still smiling, like nothing happened. Why would she feel sad? Raechelle was never her friend.
She can really go this far just for Ulrich.
I smirked when a thought popped into my mind. I wonder what else can she do if I tried to steal the only thing that keeps this world valuable to her?
We had a quick dinner. Kasama ko ang mga kaibigan ko. Tawa kami nang tawa kay Roland dahil kararating lang niya. Nakatulog daw siya. Nakasimangot pa nga dahil hindi siya nakapag-red carpet.
I decided to talk to Miss Hailey. Kinausap ko siya kung meron pang pwedeng mag-picture kay Roland. Mabuti naman meron pa. Walang partner si Roland kaya kaming dalawa ni Camila ang tumabi sa kanya. Syempre tinulak din namin si Miss Hailey para may picture sila ni Roland.
"Cheater!" ani PJ kay Rol.
"Save the best for last, Jae," pang-aasar pa ni Rol.
Sa isang banda ay nakatingin lang sa amin si Ulrich. Nakasimangot ito. Hindi niya maiwanan si Amanda na nakakapit pa rin sa kanyang braso.
Ano na naman kayang kagagahan ang ginawa ni Amanda para mapasunod si Ulrich? As far as I know, ako ang crush ni Ulrich. She's nothing to him.
Habang palalim nang palalim ang gabi ay palala nang palala ang mga tao. Wala namang lasing pero parang lasing ang lahat. They were all having fun... including me of course!
When the slow music came in, Chester invited me to dance. I nonchalantly held his hand back. He wrapped his arms around my waist. Pinatong ko naman sa balikat niya ang mga kamay ko.
"Nag-aaway pa ba kayo ni Amanda?" tanong ni Chester habang malambing akong sinasayaw.
"Kailan ba hindi?" Tumawa ako. "Ang layo ng ugali niyo 'no? You came from heaven. Let's not just talk about her..."
Chester just chuckled.
I roamed my eyes around. Nagsasayaw rin sina PJ at Cams. Sa isang banda naman ay naghihilahan pa sina Art at Jessie. Roland was nowhere to be found.
Tumagos ang tingin ko kay Ulrich. He was dancing with Amanda but he was looking at me. His stare dropped at my necklace. Nakita kong napangiti siya.
We exchanged partners. Sinayaw ni Chester si Camila at ako naman kay PJ. Hindi makatingin nang diretso sa 'kin si PJ.
"Are you mad at me, Riza?" he asked.
"What do you think?"
"Look..." He sighed. "We are just having fun. Kung inaalala mong baka masaktan ko ang kaibigan mo, hindi 'yon mangyayari. We are aware of what we have."
"Really?"
He nodded. "Camila is special to me, Riza. I know what I am doing..."
"I really hope you do, Jae. I'm not mad at you. I am just worried for my best friend."
Jessie also danced with me. Hindi katulad kina Chester at PJ, mas kumportable kong kinawit ang mga braso ko sa leeg ni Jessie.
"Dalagang-dalaga ka na Rizzie." Tumawa siya. "Pinaliligiran ka na ng mga lalaki ah? May nanliligaw na ba sa 'yo?"
"Sira!" Hinampas ko siya sa dibdib. "Wala ah."
"You are like a little sister to me, Rizzie. Kayo ni Camila..." Pinaglapat niya ang mga noo namin. "I am always here. If you want someone to talk to, just run to me. Okay?"
Lumunok ako. "Please, don't make me cry..."
He chuckled. "We will always be best friends forever. Kahit na may sarisarili na tayong career, okay? Let's be successful together."
I smiled. "Syempre naman..."
Isasayaw rin sana ako ni Art pero hinila na siya ni Jessie. May pinakilala siyang babae rito. Tuwang-tuwa ang mokong.
"Rizzieee!" Humahagikgik na niyakap ako ni Camila. "Ang ganda talaga natin!"
Slow ang music pero patalon-talon kami ni Camila habang magkahawak kamay. Dinaluhan kami ni Jessie hanggang maging sina Art at PJ. Napansin yata 'yon ng DJ kaya agad na pinalitan ang slow music into a party one.
Natigilan ang lahat nung mamatay ang mga ilaw. Hanggang sa nagsigawan na ang lahat at nagtakutan. May mga nakabunggo pa sa akin.
"Gago may zombies yataaaa!"
Napangiwi ako nang magtilian sila.
My eyes went down on my necklace. May kaunting liwanag ang lumalabas dito. Hanggang sa may humawak sa bewang ko at hinila ako palayo roon.
The surrounding was totally blocked out. I couldn't see a thing, but the moment he wrapped his arms around me, I easily recognized him.
"Hush, baby..." he whispered in my ears.
Naramdaman kong may pinasok siya sa tainga ko, isang wireless earbuds where slow romantic music was being played. He, then, guided my hands on his shoulder.
Napasinghap ako nung hapitin niya ako palapit sa kanya. Pinatong niya ang baba ng kanyang ulo sa balikat ko. Naramdaman ko ang kanyang mainit na hininga.
"I'm jealous, Riza. Nagseselos ako dahil hindi kita maisayaw sa harapan nila..." bulong niya. "But God knows you are the only one I want to dance with."
"B-baka makita tayo ni Amanda..."
"Can I be your prom date?" he whispered, ignoring what I said first. "I wanted to ask you that. I wanted to be your first and last dance. Gusto kong ako ang susundo sa 'yo... ang unang makakahawak sa bewang mo. Gusto kong ako rin ang maghahatid sa 'yo pauwi. Gustong-gusto ko, Riza... kasi..."
"Rik..." I was holding my tears.
"Kasi gusto kita..." bulong niya.
That's when I pushed him away. Saktong bumukas ang mga ilaw. Tumalikod na ako at aktong maglalakad palayo nung makasalubong ko si Amanda.
"R-Riza..." Her voice was shaking.
She saw us.
Pumatak ang luha sa kanyang mga mata.
"Fine." She smiled as she wiped her tears. "Akala ko ay madali kang kausap. Akala ko ay malinaw na sa 'yo ang lahat..."
Lumubog ako sa kinatatayuan. Sobrang lakas ng kabog sa dibdib ko.
"Remember this night, Riza. You will regret this night even happened!"
She walked away. Ulrich immediately followed her.
Dumaan din sa harapan ko si Raechelle. Nakangisi ito.
"Good night, I guess?" she chuckled.
Dinaluhan ako ng mga kaibigan ko. Sa dami ng tanong nila ay wala akong maisagot. Napuno ng pangamba ang puso ko.
Niyakap ko si Camila.
"What happened, Rizzie?"
"I want to go home..."