Every Bad Thing

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I couldn't breathe. 

The crowd awed in unison while I remained frozen, staring at the projector.

"Damn, boy, Gallego!" sigaw ng sa tingin ko ay si Takumi. Sinundan iyon ng tawanan. May sinabi ang host ngunit hindi ko masyadong narinig.

My head turned towards Silas. I could see how flushed his face was, even from here. His eyes went back to mine, as if he knows I was looking at him. He licked his lips, a sign that he's anxious. I bit mine. Damn it... I suddenly have the strongest urge to kiss him.

Kung wala lang kaming audience ay baka natakbo ko na ang distansya naming dalawa. My parents are really not an issue, but his parents are here. I wouldn't want them to think I'm a sexual predator. With the remarkable innocence of Silas, I knew they wouldn't think twice.

Inuna muna ang 18 treasures. Majority were my girl relatives and cousins. Kabilang dito si Ate Lavie, of course. Nang matapos ang parteng iyon ay nag-announce na ang host ng dinner.

It sucked but I had to eat alone. Hindi kasi kami magkakasya sa table kung sasama ako sa table ng family ko at family ni Silas. My ball gown is too big, it'd consume too much space. Nang matapos ay ina-assist ako papunta sa likod para i-retouch ang aking make-up.

The stylists removed the trail on my ball gown. Isinuot lang naman kasi iyon para sa grand entrance. It'd be hard to move in that outfit, lalo na at sunod na ang Father and Daughter dance, followed by the 18 roses.

A few knocks blared from the door. It wasn't locked, which is why the door opened afterwards. Una kong nakita si Eula, sa likod niya ay si Daddy. There's a playful smile on his face. I couldn't help but grin at the sight of my father. 

Tumayo ako mula sa kama at sinalubong siya nang yakap. I haven't talked to him or any of my family all day! 

"You look beautiful, honey." Dad rubbed my back before releasing me from the hug. Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Napabuntong hininga siya. "Hindi ka pa naman ikakasal. Why do I feel emotional?"

Umirap ako sa ka-dramahan ni Dad, pero tumawa rin. "If you're like this, paano pa kaya si Mommy?"

Ngumisi lang siya sa akin bilang sagot. Tinawag ni Eula ang atensyon naming dalawa. She guided us outside. She said it's time for the dance.

Nang makatayo kami ni Daddy sa tuktok ng staircase ay nagsalita na ang host para i-cue ang pagpasok namin. Kasabay nito ang pagdim ng ilaw kagaya ng kanina, pagtutok ng spotlight sa amin, at pagsimula ng kanta. It was picked by my father. My Little Girl by Tim McGraw.

Sumunod si Hadeon sa pagsayaw sa akin. He's my first rose. He deserves the spot because he's my twin. The other half of my soul. He picked our  favorite song of Michael Buble. We even sang it as we danced. The Way You Look Tonight is our go to song whenever one of us is feeling down. 

It was followed by Kuya Xavi who complimented me and told me to tell him if Silas hurts me in any way. Tinawanan ko lang iyon at biniro pa na baka ako pa ang makasakit. The next one is Zeno, then Dash. Sumunod ang mga childhood friends namin ni Hadeon. 

"You owe me big time for this dance, L." iyon agad ang bungad sa akin ng demonyong si Chaos. "This is hurting my manly side."

I scoffed at him. "You should be honored to be seen with me, De la Fuente."

Ngisi lang ang naging sagot niya sa akin. Few dances more and I was eager to reach the end. Hindi pa pagod ang mga paa ko... pero si Silas kasi ang eighteenth rose. I've been dying to talk to him. Kahit na nasa isang lugar lang kami ay sabik na agad ako para sa kanya.

After Takumi's turn ended, the music changed into James Blunt's You're Beautiful. Sa intro pa lang ng guitar strums ay alam ko na agad na iyon ang kanta. Naglakad palapit sa akin si Orion, may baon na ngisi.