Always the Best Friend, Never the Girlfriend

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15

Erin's POV

Ten minutes before seven. Pumasok na kami ni James sa venue. Is this really a bar? Parang hotel at formal party talaga ang aura. I carefully observed the people as James talked to some people of our age at the registration table. There were no loud noises coming from the guests, maybe when you're raised to attend social gatherings, you'll get used to it.

At a distance, I noticed a bunch of girls giggling excitedly as they eyed James on the registration table. Sabi ko na eh, madami siyang magiging admirers tonight at hindi na niya kailangang isama ako as his date. I smiled at the thought, na ako ang date niya tonight.

I sat on the couch watching James talk to a number of people. Baka ganon talaga pag nag-socialize sila, mahabang kwentuhan at nagpapakilala sa iba pang friends with common interest. Okay lang naman sakin, uupo lang muna ako dito at papanoorin ang mga tao.

I looked up the chandelier above the ceiling, nakakasilaw ang ilaw dito. Sobrang liwanag at ang kikintab ng mga furnitures lalo na ang mga salamin sa paligid. I could smell flowers everywhere. Kahit malalayo ang pagitan ng vases, parang humahalimuyak ang mga fresh flowers sa buong venue.

I'm really grateful sa opportunity to mingle with rich people tonight. I will forever treasure this memory. Again, I looked at James, who was now talking to the bunch of girls I saw earlier. A pang of jealousy strucked me. I'm here as his date but he's flirting with other girls. I shook my head to erase the thought. I shouldn't assume too much of what's been happening on me tonight. Tandaan, Cinderella ako ngayon. Hanggang mamayang 12 midnight lang ang magic.

Closing my eyes for a few seconds, I talked to myself. Okay, I'll put this in my mind: Don't fall in love with James tonight. Kahit gaano pa siya kabait sayo, wag kang aasa. Masasaktan ka lang. Lahat ng ito ay pabor na hiningi niya sayo kaya wag kang umasa.

With a deep breathing and closed eyes, I stood up and looked at the registration table. wala na si James. I panicked. Saan kaya siya pumunta?

Lumakad ako papunta sa ibang tables sa paligid. Walang upuan ang venue, more on high tables lang na may cocktail drinks at finger foods na sine-serve ng waiters. May matataas at malalaking pillars every 5 tables at naglalakad ako sa gilid ng pillars kasi baka matapilok ako sa heels ko. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan si James. At hindi ko siya makita!

"Miss... By chance, have you fallen from heaven and broke your wings?" I heard a male voice from my back.

James, naliligaw na ako, cannot be reached pa ang cellphone mo...

"Miss, did you hear me?" I felt someone grabbed my arm.

I turned around to look at the guy, "Excuse me?" Then biglang lumaki ang mata ko.

"Christy?!"

"Cesar?!" I stared at his shocked face. Probably the same shock level I had on my face right now.

Tinignan ako ni Cesar from head to foot, then foot to head naman. "Wow, seriously, ikaw ba yan?" He put a palm over his mouth in disbelief, "Akala ko ba, wala kang invitation?"

I crossed my arms in my chest, "Nakapulot ako ng invitation, edi pumunta ako. Kakain ako ng madami dito!" I felt relief flooded my chest. Buti nalang nakita ko si Cesar! Oo nga pala, andito din pala ang tatlong ugok na yun.

"Nung nakatalikod, akala ko kung sino. Ginamit ko pa naman ang ultimate pick up line ko!" Cesar got his cellphone out from his pocket at pinicturan ako. "Ganda mo ah!"

"Tigilan mo nga ko-" I started saying but another guy tapped Cesar at the back. Lumingon si Cesar at nag-kamay ang dalawa. Parang nakalimutan saglit na ako ang una niyang kausap. Umatras ako dahan-dahan at tahimik umalis. Kailangan kong hanapin si James. Siguro napaka-hectic ng gabi sa mga umattend dito, puro pagpapakilala ang nakikita ko kahit saan.