Chasing Hope [HIATUS]

CHAPTER 05

Dalawang oras na kaming nag-iikot ni Maeve rito sa Blue Leaf Pavilion para magpicture, papalit-palit lang kami. When she's done taking pictures of me, I'll take pictures of her. "Kapag walang maganda sa mga kuha mo, makikita mo talaga, Maeve." I threatened. Nag-pose ulit ako; I leaned my hands apart on the sink countertop. I brushed my hair aside and put my hand back on way the countertop, lips parted.  Marami pang kinuha si Maeve sa akin bago niya ako palitan.

We are here in the restroom, this is the last place we decided to go to take pictures. May isang oras pa naman kami ni Maeve rito mag-ikot-ikot dahil hapon ang debut party ni Nathalie, isinakto na sa dinner 'yung pag-kain. Nathalie called me and told us to go back to the room for video and pictures. Nag-oo na lang ako roon kaya binilisan na namin ni Maeve. She's vlogging din kaya nakikita 'yung mga kalokohan na pinaggagawa namin. Nagtiktok na rin kami sa bawat place na pinuntahan namin. Sinusulit lang namin habang wala pang tao.

I greeted Nathalie again when we entered the room where she was doing her make-up and hair, everything. We requested a room for her becase she has another gown here for her outfit change later, kaysa naman sa bahay siya ayusan, right? Pabalik-balik pa roon. Nakapag-video at picture na rin siya sa labas, umalis lang sina Mommy at Daddy para may puntahan saglit pero pabalik na rin iyon, kasama nila si Adrian. Kuya Ashton is already on his way, I told him to go early for the pictures.

Maeve and I sat next to Nathalie and smiled, as if the three of us were talking and laughing. That's just for the video. Nang matapos kami, tinawag ako ni Nathalie kaya tinignan ko siya at itinaas ko ang isang kilay ko bilang sagot. "Ate, what are you going to do after the party later?" she asked me. I finished what I had to do in school so I don't have any problems now, nag-advanced study na rin ako para sa mga upcoming tests. Nag-take notes ako kaya aaralin ko na lang 'yon ulit kung makalimutan ko man.

"Drink, I guess? Sama ka?" I chuckled, I'm just kidding! I mean.. legal age na siya. Puwede na. Ako ang bibinyag! Tiningnan ko 'yung pictures namin ni Maeve na magkasama. I saw our mirror pictures. I'm wearing a coat because I'm wearing a lace cami crop top and pants. While Maeve, she's wearing a lapel collar crisscross knot front crop top & split hem skirt. Parehong Khaki ang kulay ng suot namin, 'yun ang theme color.

Maeve and I entered the venue, there were people. I don't know the others, but I do know a few of Nathalie's friends, actually, lahat. She immediately introduces me to her friends kaya alam ko, siguro 'yung mga unfamiliar faces ay inimbitahan lang ng friends ni Nathalie. I also greeted our aunts and uncles when I saw them, they were already here. Pati na 'yung mga pinsan ko, kumaway lang ako sa kanila. I don't want to waste time talking to them.

Pumunta na rin kami ni Maeve sa may photo booth habang wala pang tao, kami yata ang may pinaka maraming picture rito. As Maeve always does, she has her camera with her wherever we go. There's no problem because it's her job. Dumating na rin 'yung mga kaibigan ko na binigyan ko ng invitation card; Andrei and Rafi, Nicho, Ary. Marami akong kaibigan but I just invited my close friends, just you know. This is not my party to invite everyone in the Katipunan, just kidding.

I checked my bag kung nandoon ba 'yung kwintas. Before the meal begins, the emcee will announce that Nathalie's siblings will present a gift. Before the celebration was over, it was the parents' turn. Umupo na kami ni Maeve dahil napagod na ang paa namin magpunta kung saan-saan.

Sa totoo lang, from the beginning, Maeve was accepted in our family, she is also close to my parents, she is also considered a child. I am also in her family. Actually, her parents will also be here, wala pa sila. Maeve and I only became close to each other because our parents are best friends. Kaya welcome talaga kami sa buhay ng isa't isa. Six ang chairs every table, katabi lang ng table ng family ko 'yung table naming anim na magkakaibigan. May three chairs available pa kina Mommy, wala pa kasi si Kuya Ashton at 'yung parents ni Maeve. Doon sila uupo.