Don't Go

011

I heard voices coming from the living room. Nang makaabot ako roon ay nakita ko si mommy at Paris na may kausap na babae na sa tingin ko ay nasa kanyang late twenties.

"Siya na ba ang mag-de-debut?" nakangiti niyang tanong.

"She is. Ang ganda ng ate ko 'no?" Paris smile is contagious that I smiled myself.

Tumango naman ang babae. "Yes. Kamukhang-kamukha siya ni madam."

"Can we proceed on the planning of Venice's debut?" walang ganang sipi ni mommy dahilan upang mawala ang aking ngiti.

Tinapik ni Paris ang vacant space sa sofa kaya agad naman akong nagtungo roon at umupo.

"Ako nga pala si Olga, your event organizer," nakangiti niyang pagpapakilala.

"Venice po," magalang kong wika.

"Ang una dapat nating malaman ang theme and motif na gusto mo para sa iyong debut."

Come to think of it. I never thought about that.

Hindi ko kasi in-expect na magde-debut ako. I never had a grand celebration of my birthdays before. It is always simple that I got used to it. Don't get me wrong, I treasure those but now I'm completely happy dahil pakiramdam ko ay espesyal ako. My parents' time and effort for making this party are beyond relevant to me.

"Kung fairytale na lang kaya, ate?" Paris suggested.

I chuckled at her. "Parang masyadong pangbata ang theme."

Nakita ko naman siyang ngumuso. Agad kong pinisil ang pisngi niya kaya nagreklamo siya.

"Here are some of my theme suggestions," ani ate Olga at ibinigay sa amin ni Paris ang lists ng themes na maari namin pagpilian together with their sample pictures.

Nakatingin lamang ako roon nang maagaw ang atensyon ko ni mommy na biglang tumayo. I looked at her questioningly.

"Saan ka po pupunta, 'my?" I asked with the small voice I have.

"Nandiyan naman si Olga at Paris para tulungan ka. May importante lang akong gagawin" she said to me.

Tinanguan ko naman siya at nagpaskil ng ngiti sa aking labi upang ikubli ang sakit na nararamdaman.

As long as I can remember, she was so hands-on sa mga parties ni Paris especially nang mag-sixteenth birthday siya.

What's new?

I said, I should stop expecting in order for me not to feel disappointed later on. But my heart never listens. It still keeps on hoping.

"Enchanted forest is also a great choice. I can totally imagine you being the enchantress. Ang ganda," punong-puno ng excitement na sipi ni Paris na akala mo siya ang magde-debut.

Kahit si ate Olga ay napapangiti kay Paris.

I want to have that same excitement that she has yet I couldn't make myself be fully happy and engaging.

Tiningnan ko na lamang si Paris na siyang masayang-masaya na nililipat ang kada pahina ng brochure. And then I looked at ate Olga upang imungkahi ang nais ko."Gusto ko sana ay simple lang."

"You can try the classic theme. Or maybe black and white," suhestiyon niya.

"No, ate Olga. Those themes are so used na kaya," agad na saad ni Paris habang umiiling.

"Well, we can spice those up. A masquerade debut party, perhaps?"

Agad naman napatango si Paris. "Sounds nice. What do you think, ate?" she asked while looking at me.