The Universe Conspired

EIGHTEEN

Hindi ko alam kung bakit tanga akong pumayag na sumama kay Atlas sa party ni Bernadette. Una, hindi naman kami magkaibigan kahit noon pa kaya duda ako na kasama ako sa imbitasyon. Pangalawa, mga mararangya at propesiyonal ang mga bisita kaya wala ako sa lugar. Ano ang iisipin nila kapag ipinakilala ako ni Atlas bilang asawa?

"Are you, okay?" Atlas asked as his hand snaked around my waist.

Pumasok kaming hawak-kamay sa hotel dahil medyo ninerbyos ako bigla. Maganda man ang suot ko at hindi nila alam na hindi ako mayaman o nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral, naaasiwa pa rin ako.

I nodded shyly at him.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you're the most beautiful here," he whispered.

Namula naman ako kaya bumulong siya ulit. "Hindi ka pa ba handa? Alam kong halos tatlong buwan pa lang simula nang mamatay ang Nanay Sylvia pero naisip kong makakabuti sa'yo ang makaalis naman ng bahay maliban papunta sa eskuwelahan. Pero kung gusto mo, umuwi na lang tayo."

I shook my head at him and gave a little smile to show him I was okay. It's no use trying to hide myself because people already know Atlas is married.

Mas mapapahiya siya kung palagi akong magtatago.

Ang sabi ni Atlas ay pinabili niya sa sekretarya niya ang damit at sapatos na nasa isang paper bag na nakita ko sa itaas ng kama 'ko pagdating namin kanina sa bahay.

It was a dark-green dress with a sweetheart neckline and flowy skirt that had a side slit. Light makeup lang din ang nilagay ko dahil halos wala rin ako nito. Kahit ang buhok ay hinayaan ko lang na nakalugay. Because the open-toe stilettos were also gold, I regretted not getting to use my silver necklace tonight because it's been months since I've last worn it. Medyo naiilang ako na suotin ang wedding band at engagement ring pero siguradong hindi matutuwa si Atlas kapag hindi ko sinuot ang mga 'yon.

Pagdating namin sa hotel kung saan ang handaan ay nagsisi ako nang nakita ang magarbong mga suot at makeup ng ibang mga bisita.

Sinipat ni Atlas kung saan ako nakatingin at nahulaan yata ang iniisip ko.

"Kahit hindi ka naka-makeup, Rae, maganda ka pa rin."

I looked at him and exhaled heavily, appreciating his encouraging words. His eyes immediately settled on the rings on my finger.

He swallowed heavily as he rubbed my finger, his Adam's apple more prominent than usual.

A woman approached us and tugged Atlas away from me before we could speak more.

"Atlas! Mabuti naman at nakarating ka. Unang beses yata ito na pinaunlakan mo ang imbitasyon ko," bati ng babae sa isang boses na halatang sanay makihalubilo sa iba't ibang klase ng tao.

"I'm sorry, Dette. Happy birthday!" saad ni Atlas at agad inabot ang isang maliit na kahon.

I realized I've never really seen Bernadette smile a lot all those years ago. One of her rare smiles was on for Atlas now. Hindi maipagkakaila na maganda talaga siya.

Mas lalo pang lumitaw ang kagandahan niya dahil sa suot. She was also wearing a dress with a sweetheart neckline but the dip was lower and more seductive. The red ball dress sparkled with crystals and the skirts ballooned enough to make her look like a princess.

"Salamat!" she gushed at she looked at the pair of ruby earrings that Atlas had gifted her.

"You're welcome. You should thank my wife, though. Si Rae ang pumili," Atlas said easily and pulled me closer to him.

"Wife?" This time, Bernadette didn't have a choice but to look squarely at me. A flash of recognition instantly lit her eyes.

"Nandito na pala kayo! Akala ko hindi ka na naman dadalo, Pare," someone joined us and put an arm on Atlas's shoulder playfully.