To Find You Once Again

Chapter Thirteen

Kinabukasan ay hindi na pumasok si Nikki sa opisina. Sinabi ni Lex na susunduin siya nito ng bandang alas siyete ng gabi kaya maaga siyang nagpunta sa parlor. She wanted to look beautiful for him para naman hindi ito mapahiya. Hindi niya alam pero naniwala siya ng sinabi nito na magiging masaya siya.

She looked at her calendar. It was five days before Christmas. Exactly seven years ago, she got separated from Matt. Seven years later, she had to give him up again. Why did happiness always has to be far beyond her reach?

At exactly 7:30, she heard a car stopped in her driveway. Dali-dali siyang nagspray ng Chanel no.5 sa palapulsuhan bago lumabas ng kwarto at binuksan ang pinto. She was quite expecting Lex to greet her. Napatutop sya sa noo when she saw that it was Matt who was standing at the end of her driveway. He was looking down and toying the asphalt with his leather shoes.

She got fooled. Twice. By the same guy. Damn Lex!

Tatanungin niya sana si Matt nang mag-angat ito ng paningin at magsalubong ang mga paningin nila. Matt looked really attractive as he was leaning on his car. He was wearing a suit that matched with his pastel-colored tie. Mukhang bagong ahit ito at bagong gupit. A smile played on her lips as she surveyed him from head to toe.

Si Matt man ay hindi makagawang umalis sa kinatatayuan. She saw something twinkle in his eyes as he surveyed her with approval. Naka loose braid ang buhok niya at na-a-adornohan ng mumunting gems na iba't-iba ang kulay. They sparkled against the blackness of the night.

Nikki had a feeling that it was a replay of what happened seven years ago. The scene was so familiar that something pierced through her heart. Her throat constricted at the impact of the moment.

"Where's Lex?" aniya nang makabawi sa pagkabigla.

Parang bigla namang natauhan si Matt sa sinabi niya.

"Bakit siya ang hinahanap mo? Ang sabi niya sa'kin, you insisted that I pick you up."

"No. Sinabi ni Lex na siya ang susundo sa'kin."

She saw his eyes widened as realization hit him. "Damn Lex!"

Nikki smiled. Was this the magic Lex was talking about? It was a pathetic attempt to bring her and Matt together pero hindi pa rin niya maiwasang ngumiti. Nikki walked towards Matt.

"Let's go Matt."

One last time. Promise last na talaga.

Matt opened the door for her bago ito sumakay at pinaandar ang sasakyan. Hindi sila nagkikibuan sa haba ng byahe. After a while, Matt spoke.

"You look beautiful, by the way," he said huskily.

She smiled a little but didn't look at him. She was sure to treasure this moment for the rest of her life.

Pagdating nila sa venue na pagdadausan ng party ay nagsisimula nang mapuno ito ng mga tao at mukhang kanina pa nagsimula. May mga orchestra na tumutugtog sa stage, playing some of Lex's music. Puno rin ito ng iba't-ibang artista at mga piling reporters na nag-i-interview sa mga ito.

She saw Lex shaking hands with some of these reporters. Sa paligid ay pinagkakaguluhan ito ng iba't-ibang artista, bata man o matanda. Katabi nito si Erica na kumaway pagkakita sa kanya. Tumigil naman si Lex sa pakikipagusap sa reporters at sinenyasan silang lumapit. Inakay siya ni Matt at lumapit dito.

Erica linked her arms to Matt. Siya naman ay tinabihan ni Lex. Naging abala na ang dalawa pag-uusap at nakalimutan na siya. Bored na bored si Nikki habang isa-isang ipinakikilala ang guests sa party na iyon. Her eyes were focused on Matt and Erica who was standing a few feet away from her. Nakita pa niyang sinusubuan ni Erica ng pagkain si Matt habang masuyo namang nakangiti ang huli. Marahil ay tama nga si Erica at masokista siya dahil hindi niya alam kung bakit hindi pa siya lumalayas ng hall na iyon.