Tumikhim ang nilalang at napatawa naman ang lalaki. He's a journalist.

"Wow, pang miss U." Sabi pa nya, ngumiti naman ako. "Anyway, how do you guys doing?" I know what he is up to. He is going to write a story about me, well, probably about us. Kaya ito sya't chinichika ako, kami.

Nagtaas ng kilay ang nilalang nang tiningnan ko sya. Hindi nya kilala ang lalaking nasa harapan namin. Ngumisi ako at tiningnan ang lalaki.

"Ito, trying to cope up with the years na hindi kami nagkikita." Or more like walang kumunikasyon. Hindi ko nalang dinagdagan pa.

Napasinghap ang lalaki at nanlaki pa ang mata. Nice act.

Pinaningkitan ako ng mata nitong nilalang na kaharap ko. Tinaasan ko lang sya ng kilay. Bahala sya dyan, kung ayaw nyang magsalita, that would be great!

"OMG! Today is your fi-"

"Joke lang." I cut him mid sentence. Natawa ako sa biglaang pagkasamid ng nilalang sa kanyang ininom. Sinamaan nya ako ng tingin. Hindi ko nalang pinansin.

"We actually have a communication two years ago. Prior to that year, wala. We're both busy na din kasi, you know na." Sumimsin muna ako ng juice.

Dumating ang waiter at padagdagan ko sana ang inorder namin para sa journalist na ito kaso umayaw sya, may lalakarin pa daw sya at nagmamadali din. If I know.

"Aww, I still have an appointment to attend Miss Shaunty, I hope I can have more time to spend with you both." Sabay sulyap nya sa kanyang wrist watch at muling tumingin sa amin. "Mind if I can set an appointment with you two, within this week?"

Alanganin akong tumingin sa kaharap ko. Loaded ang sched ko this week.

Irita namang napatingin ang nilalang sa lalaki.

"For what?"

"You see, I'm a journalist. And I want to write a story about business. I want to know how do you run a business. How it became successful. And it happened na magkasusyo kayo ni miss Shaunty, an international model and a successful business woman." He paused at muling tumingin sa akin. Ngumisi sya, yung mga tingin nyang nangangausap. Lihim akong napangiti.

"It's interesting you know. How did the ex-fiances became business partners after what happend five years ago."

Parang nanigas ang nilalang sa kinauupuan nya ng marinig nya ang sinabi ng journalist na ito. Ngumiti ako at nag iwas sya ng tingin sa akin.

"I'm afraid, I wouldn't be able to grant your request." I still have lots of business meetings to attend. Ugh.

Parehas silang napatingin sa akin. Kahit walang ekspresyon sa mukha, nagtatanong naman ang mga mata nitong nilalang. It's not as if his interested in knowing my whereabouts. Duh? But wait, don't tell me? Tss, never mind.

"Why Miss Shaunty?"

"I will be in Cagayan the entire week but I'm open to phone interview." I put down my glass.

So there, pwede naman pala. The journalist left tho he wants to have a photoshoot together para daw sa article nya. Kaso, busy akong tao.

Pagkatapos ng aming mumunting selebrasyon ay kaagad na akong nagpaalam. May pupuntahan pa nga kasi ako. Late na nga e.

"Thank you for the early dinner Mr. Hunter but I need to go first." I said as I put down my phone. I just received a text from Jane, nasa labas na raw sya.

He immediately put our bill on the table and followed me. But he was quick to open the door for me. I thanked him not minding his action since I'm late as fuck.

"Wait, you did not brought your car with you ." Napatigil ako at hinarap sya. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti sa naisip ko. Anyway, late na talaga ako.

"Don't worry, I'll ride with you again but not now." I tiptoed to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Have fun tonight honey." Bahagya kong pinisil ang braso nya, I grinned.

Dali dali akong naglakad papunta sa kotse ko na dala ni Jane.

"You're aware that you're already ten minutes late Miss Sy, so buckled your seat." She said as soon as I close the door. Hindi pa nga ako nakapag-ayos ng seatbelt kaagad na nyang pinaharurot ang sasakyan.

I forgot to tell, she's a reckless driver kaya nga ako lagi ang nagdadrive pero I don't have time to protest. I am absolutely late and I needed her driving skills right now!

It took us twenty minutes na supposedly a one hour drive papunta dito sa hotel where the event was held. I just thank God we're both safe and sound.

Pagpasok ko palang sa hall agad nagkumpulan ang mga taga media na nagcover ng event. Flashes of cameras block my way. I needed to raise my hand to cover para makadaan ako. Agad ding may mga marshals na umalalay sa akin at tinulungan ako para makadaan ng maayos.

As usual, center of attraction na naman ako, late eh.

May mga nagtanong pa nga from the media pero hindi ko na narinig sa sobrang kalabog ng puso ko.

This is my first time for the past five years na makita silang muli at late pa ako. I am completely screwed up!

Nihindi ko na napansin pa kung ilang personnel ang nandirito dahil nakafocus lang ako sa isang malaking table sa gitna.

"Let us all welcome, the unica hija of Mr. Rodolfo and Mrs. Georgina Sy! Miss Beauty Shaunty Sy!" Magiliw na pagpapahayag ng emcee. Lalo lang akong nanlumo nang may spotlight na nakatutok sa akin.

Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao. How I hate this shit!

Pagka-upong pagka-upo ko, nakasunod lang din pala agad si Jane, tahimik lang ang boung table. Nandito lahat ng pamilya ko. From my father's side, the Sy's, up to my mother's, the Heathen's.

"I'm sorry, I'm late." I was clutching my purse sa sobrang kaba. "And happy birthday granny Julie." My grandmother on paternal side.

"Wow, grand entrance." Hindi makawala sa pandinig ko ang pagiging sarcastic nya. But what she said made my heart shattered. "I'm just wondering, bakit kaya lagi ka nalang may eksena?"

Up until now, they always bring that up. Why can't people move on? I know masakit para sa kanila ang nangyari noon. Sino nga bang hindi masaktan kung halos boung mundo nakakaalam sa eskandalong iyon? Pero hindi ba nila naisip na kung may nasaktan man ng sobra noon, ako yun. Ako kasi yung naiwan. Ako yung tinakbuhan ng lintik na lalaking 'yun!

I forced myself not to shed tears in front of them. Hell, I wouldn't let them give the satisfaction. I can manage myself. Hope so.

Tumikhim si dad at nagbukas ng panibagong topic. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na hindi pa pala sila kumain. Siguro may konting programa sila kanina.

And yes, they're completely ignoring me. Kung hindi lang dahil sa paunlak ni auntie when she learned that I'm here in Philippines, I wouldn't give a damn attending to this event. Hindi dahil sa ayaw ko, I just don't want to be surrounded by them kasi alam ko namang hanggang ngayon, tingin nila sa akin isang kahihiyan. And I guess I'm right.

I thought kaya ko ng harapan ito, sila, pero hindi ko pala kaya. Masakit pa rin. Lalo na't ngayong araw din na ito mismo nangyari iyong kahihiyan na yun.

A tear escape from my weary eyes. Hindi ko napigilan. Before they even notice, Jane handed me a water which I gladly accept.

Pinigilan ko ang sarili ko na huwag umiyak at hayaan nalang sila. Kung ayaw nilang mag move on, then so be it. I don't care.

Minutes later, nagsimula na ang kainan. Ayaw ko sanang kumain kasi nga kakakain ko lang.

"You were gone for five years at kahit ang pagkain man lang hindi mo pa marespito?" Granny Lucia said. My mom's mother. Napatingin tuloy silang lahat sa akin.

Auntie Leah whom invited me here gave me a meaningful look telling me na kumain nalang daw. I was left with no choice. She's dad's sister, dalawa lang sila, ang kaisa-isang parte ng pamilya na nakamove on na sa nangyari. Even my mom and her other two siblings at si dad. tikom pa rin ang bibig. Tho, I can see through their eyes na nasaktan pa din. I don't know kung para saan, they never talked to me since that incident.

"Such an ungrateful child." Lolo Rodolfo commented.