Project LOKI: Forward ⏩

Blue Birthday (Part 3)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Heto na ang third at last part ng birthday special ni Lorelei! Enjoy reading!

LORELEI

THE NIGHT has fallen. The time has come.

I was not that excited about the evening party. The orphanage visit was already satisfying for me. Masaya at kontento na akong mapasaya ang ilan sa mga naulilang bata roon. Nakasama ko rin ang tatlong malalapit kong kaibigan. Perhaps none of my previous birthday celebrations could beat that experience.

But as hours went by, I found myself excited and anxious at the same time. The last time I felt this way was during my dad Walter's birthday. Because he's a well known and respected consultant in the city, high profile personalities within his circle attended. Kinailangan kong maging presentable noon at maingat sa mga ikinilos ko. And that made me feel uncomfortable. Thankfully, my friends were surprisingly there, I didn't feel so much pressure.

I just hope that nothing untoward would happen tonight. We've been through a lot the past year and we're kinda spent in our morning visit to the orphanage. Mas mabuti kung relaxing ang gabi na 'to.

"I promised your dad that this is gonna be one of the most unforgettable night in your life," Nancy said. "Kapag pumalpak ako rito, malamang mumultuhin ako noon at sesermonan mula sa kabilang buhay— Oops! Sorry, napasobra yata ako sa sinabi ko."

She had nothing to worry about. I didn't take offense to her joke. Gano'n din ang naiisip kong gagawin ng dad ko sakaling magkaaberya sa party mamaya. He's a perfectionist, and he wanted everything to flow smoothly. Any hitch would earn his ire.

Lumabas na ako sa changing room at humarap kay Nancy. Napatayo siya't napanganga nang makita akong suot ang royal blue gown. She had prepared a long list of debut dresses, but I chose one of the simplest. Ayaw ko kasi sa masyadong madekorasyon at komplikado ang pagkakatahi. The simpler the dress, the more comfortable I'd feel.

"How do I look?" I asked, twirling in front of her.

"You look... stunning!" Nancy exclaimed. She gently held me by the shoulders and led me in front of a tall mirror. "You're gonna be the most beautiful woman at this hour. Yes, woman!"

Humarap ako sa salamin at tiningnan ang sarili ko mula ulo hanggang heels. Nancy hired professional hairstylists to tie my hair into a bun, exposing my nape. She also hired a professional make-up artist to accentuate my facial features. I kinda liked the bluish eyeshadow, it perfectly matched with my dress.

Pagdating talaga sa effort, walang tatalo kay Nancy. Now I understood why my dad kept her close. She's worth the trust that she's given. Kung tutuusin, hindi na niya kailangan masyadong mag-effort. She could have just let me do my orphanage visit and do away with the evening party. But no! She wanted to have the best of both options.

For tonight's celebration, she rented the event hall of the nearest five-star hotel in Clark City. Dahil kaunti lamang ang bisita namin, doon kami sa pinakamaliit na venue, kasya ang thirty pax. There's no need to make it grand anyway.