Is he angry at me?
I couldn't bring myself to talk to Caleb even if we're almost at the venue for the party. We were almost an hour late sa paarty ng conglomerate. Ni hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong magsalita kay Caleb ngayon. All I know is that I'm not comfortable with our silence.
Nang marating namin ang venue ay he offered his hand to me. It was full of people wearing their most luxurious pieces. We walked inside and I could feel people staring at us. I haven't been to a party like this and I feel so out of place.
"I'm sorry about earlier." Caleb suddenly whispered at my side. Tumigil siya sa paglalakad upang tingnan ako, "I was out of control, I'm sorry."
"Hey, it's okay." ngumiti ako sa kanya, "You are a guest in this party, I wouldn't want you to miss it." aking palusot.
"Can you stay tonight? We can visit your house tomorrow." he almost pleaded with those eyes.
I suddenly felt the rush of the blood on my cheeks. I wanted to say no, but I just couldn't.
"Okay." I smiled.
Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad hanggang sa marating namin ang malaking hall, na puno ng mga elites. I never imagined myself mingling with these kinds of people, that's why I never went for business.
"What a surprise! You're here!" bungad sa amin ng isang lalaki na siguro'y around our age. He immediately hugged Cal.
I was left standing right beside them, closely looking.
"Good to see you, Felipe." ani Caleb at umayos sa pagkakatayo.
"It was ages since you attended the conglomerate's party, I never thought I'd see you here again! And look at you! You look even better than me, haha!" pabirong tukoy ng si Felipe.
"I'm here for business, Felipe, not for the party." malamig na sambit ni Caleb.
"Come on, man! Lighten up!" ani nito kay Caleb ngunit bigla niya akong napansin. "Oh, hello! Are you with my friend here?" tanong niya at agad inakbayan si Caleb, malapad ang ngisi sa kanyang mga labi.
"Hi, yes! I'm Zafrene Sanchez." maiksi kong introduksyon sa aking sarili.
Naglahad siya ng kamay at agad kong tinanggap iyon, "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Zafrene. I'm Felipe Laurel, in case you wanna know my name." ngumisi siya sa akin. "Hmmm, Sanchez? Are you perhaps involved in AgriSan Corp.?" tanong niya, hindi binibitawan ang aking kamay.
"She is Giovanni Sanchez's daughter." si Caleb ang sumagot bago pa ako makaimik, "Now, get your hands off her." matiim niyang sambit at tinapik ang kamay ni Felipe upang bitawan ang aking kamay.
Ako na mismo ang humigit ng aking kamay mula sa pagkakahawak ni Felipe upang mabawasan ang sa tingin ko'y namumuong pagkainis ni Caleb.
Nagtaas ng kilay si Felipe at ngumisi, "Girlfriend?" tanong niya sa akin.
Ngunit bago ako makasagot ay, "Fiancee." si Caleb muli ang sumagot para sa akin. "Thank you, Felipe. We'll leave you now." malamig na pamamaalam ni Caleb.
What the hell is wrong with him? I'm starting to feel like we really shouldn't have gone here. I need to pin him down. Something about his mood is not right at all.
Nang makalayo kami doon ay hinila ko siya upang huminto paglalakad, "Is everything fine, Cal?" mahinahon kong tanong, hinahanap ang kanyang mga mata.
"Tsk." humalukipkip siya at umiwas ng tingin sa akin.
Hinawakan ko ang braso niya, "What's wrong with you, Cal? Don't be so grumpy, it's a party!" I half-whispered.
"Go ahead, if you wanna party. I'll just be there." nagpakawala siya ng sarkastikong ngiti at itinuro ang table sa di kalayuan.
