Enticing the Untamed Jewel

Chapter 11: Realize

I was about to open the door of my unit when I heard footsteps behind me. Akala ko ay ang kapitbahay ko lang but when I turned to see who it was ay agad na naging matigas ang ekspresyon ko.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" I asked Steven while clicking the key.

"Mom ordered me to fetch you, may importante tayong dadaluhan bilang pamilya. Kanina pa ako naghihintay dito, lumabas lang ako sandali para magpahangin kasi ang tagal mo." Sagot niya at tinitigan ako nang bahagya. "You must be so busy with something."

Tumango ako. "Yeah, I'm busy, kaya nga naiinis ako kapag may nang-iisturbo sa'kin."

"Oh, okay. But this one's really important. You should really go," he added and moved closer. Bahagyang sinilip ang loob ng ngayo'y nakaawang na pinto.

I rolled my eyes. "Important? Why? Does it concern the senator again?" I laughed.

He sighed. "Yes, so you really need to go, or..." he stopped and shook his head like he was just preventing himself from saying something.

I raised a brow. "Or else?"

"Nothing," he answered and took his phone out.

"Okay, wala naman pala. I'll go inside now, pakisabi nalang busy ako." Mabilis kong sabi at papasok n asana nang marinig ang isang boses mula sa naka loudspeaker niyang phone.

"Bring her here, Stev. Kung ayaw sumama, then remind her that I am still financing her whims and studies, and I can take them away from her any time I want to!"

It was my father. Of course, ano pa bang aasahan ko?

"Nakikinig siya, Dad."

I sighed, I really hate it.

"Oh? Is that so? Gertrude, are you really listening? If you are, then stop rebelling and-".

I cut him off because I couldn't take it anymore.

"You want me to come? Okay." Mabilis kong sabi bago tumalikod at pumasok na nang tuluyan sa unit ko.

Dahil ayoko nang makinig pa. Nakakapagod na ang pagiging insensitive nila.

And I hate that I still love him despite all the pain he have inflicted to me. Kaya rin ayoko nang magmahal, because when you love, you become a fool. Na kahit paulit-ulit ka nang saktan ay nand'yan ka pa rin, umaasa na kahit papaano ay magbabago sila. Maghihintay ka pa rin kahit na alam mong wala nang pag-asa. Kasi mahal mo e. That's the crazy side of being in love.

I fixed my hair when the cool wind blew it. It was a hassle dahil sa pagmamadali ko ay hindi ko na naayos at naitali ang buhok ko. But of course, I made sure that the dress I am wearing will still make me look elegant.

"This way," the usher smiled at us, kasabay ko kasi si Steven sa pagpasok dahil wala naman akong choice, siya ang sumundo sa'kin.

When we entered ay agad ko Nakita si Tita Sanya na nakikipag-usap sa mga sosyal niyang amiga. I rolled my eyes. Mukha na naman kasi siyang Christmas tree dahil sa suot niyang sobrang OA naman ata tapos colorful pa. Pero kung 'yon naman ang definition niya ng fashion, then okay.

I sighed and looked around. I saw my father sitting with his friends on the table near us and when he saw us ay tumango lang siya, he didn't even look at me properly like I am just an eyesore for him.

Well, right. I am indeed an eyesore for him. Dahil para sa kanya ay isa lang akong rebeldeng anak na gustong magpapansin sa kanya dahil kulang aruga.

I diverted my gaze as I sat on the chair intended for us. At no'ng makaupo ako ay doon ko lang naappreciate ang lugar. It was another fancy party and probably, isa na naman sa mga amiga ni Tita Sanya ang nag-imbita.