The Calm in the Chaos (Trazo Real Series #3)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

It's Sunday and I planned to have a night out with my friends. Ito na 'yung after-party ko dapat kahapon kaya lang hindi natuloy dahil nga may mini celebration pa kami ng pamilya sa bahay. I am actually surprised that my friends wouldn't miss this night out even if we have school tomorrow, Monday.

I looked at myself in the mirror for the nth time. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba talagang suotin ko itong damit na ito. It's a spaghetti strap, pastel yellow bodycon dress that's two to three inches above my knees. Hindi naman siguro ako masisilipan dito. I have seen Hailey wear shorter dresses than this and she managed.

Weeks before I turned eighteen, I decluttered my closet and removed my "dainty" dresses. Iyong iba na hindi ko pa nasuot ay tinira ko pero 'yung mga nasuot ko na ay inalis ko na sa closet at binigay sa mga anak na babae ng helpers namin.

"Diyos ko! Wala ka man lang bang dalang jacket, hija?", si Auntie Margaux ang sumalubong sa akin sa baba.

Alas diez na ng gabi at nasa kwarto na ang mga pinsan ko. Mukhang kumuha lang ng gatas si Auntie sa ref at naabutan niya akong paalis na at ganito ang ayos.

"Hindi naman na po yata kailangan, Auntie. Hindi naman po ako madaling lamigin", I said and she still stood there in shock.

"Kahit na. This dress is too revealing. Alam ba ito ni Rebecca? Pinayagan ka ng Mommy mo na ganito ang isuot? Hija, you're going to a club and it's your first time tonight. Don't you have other clothes?", she said, sounding concerned.

Alam ko naman ang pinanggagalingan ng concern ni Auntie. Conservative talaga siya at minsan na ring hiniling na magkaroon ng anak na babae kaya lang ay dalawang lalake ang naging anak nila ni Uncle Emilio. She once told me that if she had a daughter, she would protect her in all ways. Ganoon ang ginawa niya kay Ate Samantha.

"Yes, Auntie. Actually, Mom picked this dress for me. Bagay daw ang kulay sa akin. She said it fits me well, too."

"Dios mio! Hindi dapat ganyan. Mababastos ka roon, Adi. Bring some jacket with you", she said again.

I only smiled. Bakit parang kasalanan ko kung mababastos ako? Rafael told me that it's not my fault nor my clothes' fault kung mabastos ako. He said that we all can wear anything we want. Ngayon ko lang natanto na matimbang pala ang sinabi niya sa akin na 'yon.

Why should I be the one to adjust? Damit ko ito 'e. Bakit hindi ko pwedeng suotin ang gusto kong suotin?

"My jacket po ako sa kotse, Auntie. At tsaka kasama ko naman po ang mga bodyguard and Oliver will stay close to me. Wala pong mangyayaring masama", I said, the first sentence was a lie.

She looked unconvinced but nodded. Sa huli ay hinayaan na lamang niya ako at humalik sa aking pisngi bago ako umalis.

"Ma'am, wala kayong jacket sa kotse. Magpapakuha ba kayo sa taas?", si Oliver na nakasunod sa akin papunta sa kotse.

I stopped walking and pouted at him.

"I don't have a jacket inside the car. Please, don't tell Auntie ha?", I said. Kumunot ang noo niya at lumunok.

"Ayaw kong magsinungaling, Ma'am", saad niya.

I sighed. Ano bang gagawin ko rito sa bodyguard ko na ito? He's too obedient and honest.

"Okay naman itong suot ko 'di ba?", I asked him but he didn't look at me. He's looking at the bermuda grass where we are standing. "Pangit?", kuryoso kong tanong.

Hindi ko masyadong maaninag dahil malalim na ang gabi pero parang namula ang mukha niya sa huli kong tanong.

With furrowed brows, he answered. "Babantayan kita, Ma'am, para walang mangyaring masama", he said.