Touch Of Hearts

Chapter Seven

Disrespect

Isinalansan ko sa book shelf ko ang librong binigay ni Hugo, last week. It's a wattpad story of Bluemaiden, The Four Bad Boys and Me; the first ever story I loved since I entered wattpad. Matagal na rin no'ng huli akong nagbasa sa app na iyon. I didn't have time since we're soon to graduate from Junior High School at maraming activities and projects na kailangan na i-comply.

Herrieta texted me and invited me to come over to their house since it's weekend at kaarawan ni ate Pillow. I know that today's her birthday that's why I went to the mall with mom to buy a gift for her. It's been a week since we did the project, and I feel like I haven't thanked her enough for inviting us join on their project, so I also intend to buy gifts for her, and also for the rest of the student councils, dahil balita ko, ay imbitado silang lahat sa kaarawan niya ngayon.

"Hindi ba sila magtataka dahil marami kang pagbibigyan niyan, anak?" Mom asked quietly, though her smiles are wide and almost playful.

I pouted and looked up to her. Tapos ko nang nabalot ang mga ibibigay ko. I think it'll pass, since I really did ask them what do they want if ever someone would give a gift for them.

"Hindi naman, Ma. I think they already have an idea that I am going to give them one," I smiled back widely.

Biruin mo, I would never be interested to do charity works if it's not because of them. Noong sinabi ko kay mama ang tungkol sa proyekto namin sa orphanage, hindi na siya nag-atubiling bumisita roon para mamigay din ng tulong at gawing regular ang pagtulong sa kanila.

See that? I was so happy! So, so, happy! I'd be with her when she visits them!

Hindi magkamayaw ang saya no'ng ikuwento ko rin iyon sa mga kaibigan ko. They are all in, too. Nasabi rin pala nila sa mga magulang nila and they were convinced to help. I expected that they don't care, but they actually do. Now, that we're officially part of it, madalas na rin kaming sasama sa errand ng mga student council.

Naghanda na ako para sa birthday ni ate Pillow. Mom and I will go, but papa can't make it since he's busy with his business trip in Manila.

Sinalubong kami ng mga magulang nina Herrieta. Tita Hasmin looked all the same: elegant, classy and sophisticated. She's wearing a flowy dress paired with sandals. Kamukha siya ni Herrieta kaya namamangha ako lalo dahil totoong Herrieta is her carbon copy.

We had a long time conversing with each other. Pero no'ng naging tungkol na sa negosyo ang pinag-uusapan ay nagpaalam na ako't hinalughog ang aking mga kaibigan sa kanilang bahay. It's a simple birthday party held in their house, at ang mga bisita'y mga kaibigan at mga magulang ng mga kaibigan ni ate Pillow. I have seen familiar faces too, from her batch. Lahat ay mga Senior High Students, but somehow, we blended in because of our looks. Well, I hope we do.

Malakas na tugtog ang dumagundong nang nasa bulawagan na ako. May mga nagsasayaw at kumakanta. Nakakasilaw ang mga neon lights, at dahil sa ingay, ay lalo akong naguluhan kung saan ba ako tutungo ngayon. I am searching for my friends since they are here, too.

Wow, this is really a party. Not new to this, pero talagang hindi pa rin ako nasasanay.

I almost bumped into a girl. She is tall and beautiful. Maiksi ang kaniyang suot pero hindi naman tipong kabastus bastos. Girls can wear what they want, anyway.

Medyo nahihilo siya habang sumasayaw dahil siguro sa alak. Her friends were laughing hard watching her go crazy at the rhythm of music. At dahil paiba iba ang ilaw, hindi ko kaagad napansin ang hitsura niya. I just said she's beautiful because of her side profile, too.

"Oh, bata? Hmmm... Why are you here?" I can't understand what she's saying dahil lasing na siya. Kanina pa siguro nagsimula ang party. Sabagay, late na rin naman kasi ako.