CHAPTER 2
REVENGE
"There he goes again with his self-centered boring speech." I rolled my eyes and crossed my arm. Tumalikod na lang din ako sa stage at ininom na ang glass of wine ko.
"Himala, hindi ka nagalit sa ginawa niya," tatawa-tawang pagpuna ni Tiffany.
"I told you, I will handle him differently now. Sinadya niyang banggain ako para masira ang gabi ko. He wants me to be angry, lash out and show everyone that I have a shitty personality. Tapos ano? Babagsak agad ako sa ranking? Well, I'm not that stupid to fall into his trap."
"Smart move! We stan an intelligent queen!" proud na sabi ni Naomi, pumalakpak pa ito ng mahina.
"But we know you. Hindi ka papayag na ganun-ganun na lang," Ava pointed out. She sounded as if she wants me to do something about it.
I turned around and looked at Zin. Surprisingly, his eyes are on me. Nagsasalita siya sa mic pero halata sa mukha niya ang pagtataka dahil hindi ko pinansin ang ginawa niya kanina.
"Just wait and see," I told my friends before winking at Zin. Mukhang na-gets naman niya na hindi ako magpapa-badtrip sa kanya ngayong gabi kaya napailing na lang siya habang nakangiti.
"The 20th Annual A-List Event is now officially open!" He announced. "A votre santé!"
"A votre santé!" We answered back before raising our glasses. It's the French word for 'Cheers!'.
This is it. The game has now begun.
Ngumiti ako at nakipag-socialize na sa mga iba ko pang friends. I also made sure to talk to the new ones para naman ma-familiarize agad sila sa akin. What can I say? I'm good at faking my emotions. Kaya kong makipagplastikan magdamag sa mga ito, makuha ko lang ang mga boto nila.
After dinner, we entertained the press waiting at the lobby. They interviewed each one of us. Tinanong nila sino ang gumawa ng gown ko and kung ano-ano ba daw ang mga plano ko ngayon.
"Well of course this isn't really a competition so I'm just going to chill like what I mostly do." Sabay kaming tumawa nung babaeng nagi-interview sa akin. Syempre kailangan kong magpaka-humble.
"But for the past decade, you and Mr. Romero have been constantly at the top 3. Are there any possibilities that you'll be coming home with the award this year?"
Sasagot na sana ako ng bigla na lang may nagsalita sa likuran ko.
"Not a chance." Sabay hawak ni Zin sa bewang ko. "Hi."
Napaka-epal talaga nitong hinayupak na 'to! Gustong-gusto kunin spotlight sa'kin kaya kahit sa interview ko, tumabi pa talaga at nakisawsaw! ARGH!
I faked a smile and laughed. "Ganyan 'yang si Zin, madamot," biro ko kaya pati ilan sa mga fans namin, natawa. Our supporters don't really know about the rivalry between me and Zin. On cam, we look like good friends. Off cam? That's a whole different story.
"Awww. You guys are so cute!" pagkomento ng interviewer. "Buti hindi kayo nagkakaroon ng samaan ng loob?"
"I don't know with Caylee. I think she's pretty mad at me for never allowing her to win," biro ni Zin. Pretty mad? Boy, I'm extremely angry at you! And you will feel my wrath as soon as we're out of here!
"Nah, you're only winning because I never actually participated in the game," I answered confidently. And again, people laughed at what I said. Zin, on the other hand, just smiled and didn't argue.
Ano kayang pumasok sa isip nito at hindi nakipagtalo?
"Sa akin ba walang magi-interview? Ayaw niyo sa gwapo?" Biglang dating ng kaibigan naming si Asher. "Hey bro! Sup Caylee?"
I waved at him while I gazed at his new medium-length brown curls. Kamukha niya tuloy si Timothee Chalamet.
Asher is one of Zin's friends but I have no problem with him. He's actually nice to hang out with. Sobrang baliw kasi niyan.
"I mean it, wala ba talaga? You guys are hurting my feelings!" pangungulit niya kaya naghalakhakan ang mga tao.
Tinawag naman ako nila Tiffany kaya nag-thank you na 'ko sa interviewer at tumakbo na papunta sa mga kaibigan ko.
"We need to take pictures at the photobooth!" She said. Hindi kami nakapunta doon kanina dahil after namin kumain ng dinner ay halos lahat ay pumila doon.
After taking dozens of pictures, we went back to the function room.
"Buti nakakaya mong mapadikit kay Zin," tatawa-tawang sabi ni Ava.
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Don't you hate him?"
I shook my head. "Hate is a strong word. I don't hate him."
Parang nagtaka si Ava sa sinabi ko. "Okay if you say so, but you're always irritated at Zin."
I sighed, "I don't hate him, I just don't like him and that's because he always teases me. Tsaka may vibes lang talaga siya na 'di 'ko trip but he's tolerable."
I don't even remember if I ever liked him before. Parang bata pa lang kami, buwisit na yata ako sa kanya. Paano ba naman kahit hindi kami parehas ng school dati ay palagi pa rin kaming naglalaban. Mula Quiz bee hanggang Science Fair and even on National competitions, kaming dalawa talaga ang napapatapat sa isa't-isa.
It was like we were born to compete with each other.
*****
"Saan ba tayo pupunta at kailangan discreet pa talaga?" tanong sa akin ni Naomi habang nagmamadali kaming sumakay sa elevator. Kapag kasi ginamit namin 'yung elevator malapit sa function room, madaming makakakita sa amin kaya dito pa kami sa kabilang wing dumaan.
"Just trust me girls." I giggled as I pressed the close button.
"Basement 2?" tanong ni Tiffany sa akin. "What are we doing here, Caylee?"
"I'm getting my revenge," I answered them before walking to the valet area.
"Wait, what? How?"
Hindi na ako sumagot. Hinanap ko na lang ang kotse ni Zin. A White Porsche Boxter. Ilang beses ko ng nakita 'yon sa campus kaya hindi ako pwedeng magkamali. Parehas kasi kami ng university na pinapasukan.
"There it is!" Tahimik akong pumunta sa tabi ng kotse at nilabas ang nakuha kong ice pick kanina. I did a little fieldtrip to the hotel's kitchen. It's a long story but I almost got caught. Pinalabas ko na lang na nawawala ako dahil hinahanap ko 'yung CR.
"Oh my gosh!" tatawa-tawang sabi ni Tiffany.
"You're so evil!" Ava laughed.
"Baka mahuli tayo ah!" nagaalalang sambit ni Iris.
"Then get down para walang makakita sa'nyo!" suway 'ko. Yumuko din sila at nagpigil ng tawa nung binutas ko na ang isa sa mga gulong. Then we immediately ran back to the elevator.
"Girl, ang salbahe mo!" Naomi couldn't even stop laughing.
"It runs in the blood," I proudly said.
Yung Mom ko kasi, maloko nung highschool days niya. B*tch pa nga tawagan nila ni Tita Alicia, 'yung bestfriend niya. Tapos nagtayo sila ng sorority na ang pangalan ay 'The Royalties'. Basically all the club members are bullies like her.
Nagbago lang naman si Mama nung na-meet niya na ang father ko. Kaya nung time na naging leader na rin ako ng 'The Royalties', ibang iba na 'yung sorority namin. We're just rich fashionistas.
*****
Nang matapos na ang program ay naglabasan na kaming lahat at hinintay ang mga valet drivers dalhin ang mga kotse namin dito. The girls and I are going to use Tiffany's Red Chevrolet Corvette to the After party.
We're not done having fun. We are all just starting.
"Caylee, look!" bulong sa akin ni Tiffany sabay turo dun sa Manager at isang driver na mukhang nagtatalo. "I think they're talking about... you know...." Naghagikgikan kami ng mga kaibigan ko.
"What's so funny?" tanong ni Dashiell na kakalabas lang ng lobby. Behind him are Zin and his friends; Asher, Theo, Evan, Kiel, and Rios.
Magkakasing tangkad lang silang lahat, mga 5'10" to 6" ang height except Evan and Asher. Those two are probably the smallest in their group. Both are 5'8".
Evan is your typical boy next door. His crew-cut hair makes him look more like a good guy while Theo has a very defined jaw and he has slick back hair.
Si Kiel naman, mas maangas ang itsura. May lip ring siya at maraming hikaw na itim sa tenga. His hair's just like Chase Crawford and honestly, it suits him. Para siyang boy version ni Ava kung manamit.
Kung anong daming abubot sa katawan ni Kiel, iyon naman ang kabaliktaran ni Rios. Napakalinis niyang tingnan sa brushed up and back waves hairstyle niya. Everything is clean. Para bang everyday siyang nagshe-shave ng mukha para walang tumubong bigote o balbas.
And Zin... well Zin has a perfectly messy hair. 'Yung tipong kakagising lang tapos umalis na ng bahay pero bagay na bagay pa rin sa kanya. I guess some boys are just so lucky to have a hair like that. Kasi ako? Hindi ako pwedeng umalis ng bahay na magulo ang buhok. That would be a disaster.
"It's nothing, babe. Just some silly jokes Caylee said," sagot ng girlfriend niyang si Iris.
Inakbayan naman ako bigla ni Zin kaya nawala ang ngiti sa labi ko. Alam niyang hindi ko siya pwedeng itulak palayo dahil ang daming mga taong nakatingin. I forced myself to act cool.
"Share mo naman 'yan," biro niya.
"You wish," I whispered, crossing my arms before looking away from him.
He's such an attention seeker. Ghad!
"Sir Theo!" Napalingon kaming lahat doon sa Manager nang lumapit ito. "May kaunting problema po."
"Ano 'yon?"
"Yung gulong po kasi ng kotse niyo, medyo malambot daw sabi ng valet driver. Mukhang may butas daw ho pero ginagawan na po namin ng paraan kaso baka matagalan lang po."
Nanuyot ang lalamunan ko. Sh*t.
Nagkatinginan kami ng mga kaibigan ko. What the hell? Paanong nangyaring kay Theo 'yung kotseng 'yon?
"Oh, andito na pala 'yung BAGONG kotse ko!" sambit ni Zin. "Ganda ba? It's a gift from my parents yesterday. 2020 Silver McLaren Speedtail! Search mo sa google kung magkano," pagmamayabang niya.
Halos mapanganga ako ng iabot sa kanya ang susi nito. But of course, I quickly composed myself before he could see how shocked I am. "I don't care how much that is. I have a new car too and it's better than yours."
"You wish," He mocked me, making his friends laugh.
Nilingon ko sila Evan at inirapan kaya tumigil kaagad sila. Si Asher lang 'yung hindi nakahalata kaya sinita pa siya ni Rios.
"Ay sorry sorry!" Nag-peace sign pa sa'kin si Asher.
"Oy Theo, hayaan mo na silang ayusin 'yung kotse mo. Pakuha mo na lang sa driver mo bukas. Tara na, sumabay ka na lang sa'kin." Inalis na ni Zin ang pagkaka-akbay niya sa akin bago siya naglakad papunta sa may driver's side.
But before entering his car, he looked at me again. Parang nagpipigil siya ng tawa.
"Nice try."
*End of Chapter 2*