Nathalie Chanell's Point Of View

"There, pretty" Ani Reylee na siyang make up artist ko. I looked at my face and I noticed na it's just light pero litaw pa din ang pinagbago nito sa mukha ko. My hair was tied in a bun and it was curly and brunette so it's really beautiful

"Thank you, Reylee" Ngitian ko muna ito bago ito nagpaalam na lalabas para makapagpalit ako

I faced my dress and smiled, it's just a common and simple dress yet, bagay naman sa akin for sure. Wala namang damit ang hindi bumabagay sa appearance ko eh

It's a cocktail dress, a-line off shoulder tea length lace with appliques paired with my new maroon ankle strap sandals, open toe chunky heels

Makalipas ang ilang minuto sa pag-aayos, biglang dumating si Mommy "Baby" Bigla agad nalukot ang mukha ko dahil sa bungad palang nito ay naaasar na ako pero hindi ko na pinahalata pa ito dahil baka masira ang araw ko

Biglang lumapit sa akin si Mommy habang tumatawa. Mukhang napansin nito ang reaksyon ko, I thought she didn't noticed

"Okay, I'm sorry. Are you ready?" Pinagmasdan ko ito at masasabi kong maganda si Mommy at mas lalo siyang gumanda dahil sa ayos nito. Saan pa ba ako magmamana diba? Lumapit ako sa kaniya at binigyan siya ng matamis na ngiti "Of course Mom, hindi pa naman ito ang debut ko diba?" Sabay naman kaming natawa dahil sa sinabi ko

Yes, seventeen ko palang ngayon and I have a car already, ilang beses akong sinusuway nila mom at nagsisisi silang binigyan nila ako ng sasakyan dahil hindi na ako nagpapahatid sa aming driver at kinakabahan sila tuwing late akong umuuwi

"Here" May nilabas ito na lalagyang pahaba at binuksan niya ito. I gasped when I saw what's inside the box. It's a yellow gold necklace with a heart pendant. It's so beautiful!

"Your lola gave that necklace to me when I'm seventeen years old kaya sayo ko naman ito ibibigay ngayon dahil seventeen kana, ingatan mo yan anak ah?" Hindi pa ako nakasagot agad dahil sa tuwa at pagkamangha

It's really beautiful!

"Yes Mom, thank you. I love you" Niyakap ko ito ng mahigpit dahil sa saya at hindi talaga matigil ang pagngiti ko dahil sa kakatitig dito

Sinuot sa akin ni Mommy iyon at humarap ako sa salamin habang hinihintay na matapos ito. Bagay na bagay ito sa akin dahil sa makinis at maputi kong balat. Halos hindi ko na ito mabitawan dahil sa saya

"Let's go downstairs my gorgeous daughter" Aya sa akin ni Mommy kaya tinampal ko naman ng mahina ang braso niya dahilan ng pagtawa namin sa isa't isa. Nagpagiya nalang ako sa garden kung saan gaganapin ang simpleng dinner kasama si Daddy

Pagkababa palang namin ng hagdan ay pakalat-kalat na ang mga maid at abala ang mga ito sa pagseserve ng pagkain sa garden na kung saan idaraos ang aming munting celebrasyon

Nang makarating kami sa garden ay namangha ako sa disenyo nito, color red and white ang theme nito. Red ang tela ng mesa na nakapatong rito at white naman sa upuan at ganun din ang ibang stuffs na nakakalat dito

Napakaganda!

Tumingin naman ako sa pool na may mga bola, salbabida na iba-iba ang disenyo na nakakalat roon pero ang ipinagtaka ko ay meron ding nilagay na glass sa ibabaw ng pool para pupuwedeng daanan kapag may gustong pumunta o umalis sa mini stage na pinagawa ni Daddy. Sa glass na iyon ay meron nang red carpet na nakalatag na mas nagpaganda rito

Para kang nakalutang sa tubig kung tutuusin!

Dumako naman ang paningin ko sa disenyo ng stage na ginawa nila Kuya Arnold, yung kasamahan namin dito sa bahay. It was red and white combination, maganda ang pagkakadisenyo dito na parang pangkasal and there's also a balloon letters na nakadikit sa tela

Happy Birthday Princess, Prince, and the King of Buenaventura!

Iyan ang nakalagay duon at may mga bulaklak ng rosas duon sa vase na mas lalong nagpapaganda ng disenyo

Biglang kumirot ang puso ko dahil sa nakasulat. Prince!

Meron pa kaming picture nina Daddy at kasama siya duon na nakadikit sa karton o isang matigas na bagay, I think. Meron ding mga instruments duon sa stage na nagsisilbing ingay para sa party na 'to

Bali ginawang daanan ang pool papunta sa podium na ginawa at sobrang ganda kung tignan ito, meron pang lights na color red sa gilid-gilid ng pool na mas lalong nakapagpamangha sa aking paningin. Mayroon ding tumutugtog ditong isang banda. Mga kalalakihang naka-red at white din ang suot gaya ng tema. Para tuloy Valentine's day kung tutuusin. Kulang nalang ay ang mga pusong nakasabit para magmukhang ganun nga

Perfect by Ed Sheeran ang nakaplay ngayon pagkapasok ko palang sa garden

♪♪But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own. And in your eyes you're holding mine

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms. Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song. When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath. But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight♪♪

"Channn!!"

"Lieeeeeeee!!"

Humarap ako sa kanila at pinaningkitan sila ng tingin "Ano to? Pahabaan ng tili?" I looked at them down to their knees

Tumalim ang tingin ko sa kanila nang mapagtanto ko kung anong suot nila, arggghh dapat ako lang ehh!!

Nakakainis talagaaaa "Really? Don't tell me it's not purely coincidental same outfit as me, Ane and Les?"

I'm using this nickname kapag naiinis na talaga ako sa kanila pero minsan talaga nagagamit ko yung Les dahil nakakatamad sabihin ang buong pangalan niya kahit dalawang bigkasan lang naman talaga

"Then we won't tell" I looked at Shane who answered my question. She's wearing a maroon solid bardot fit and flare dress. While wearing her faux suede ankle-strap platform heels. Really? Like Wtf?! So isa lang ang ibig sabihin nung sinabi ni Ane, hindi ito coincidence dahil sinadya nila ito

Damn you guys!

Then I faced Celes who's wearing a green elaine off shoulder flare dress pair with her color green ankle-strap rounded buckle open toe stilleto

Arggghh buti nalang ganito pinagawa ko, kasi ganiyan talaga sana ang ipapagawa ko kay Kiara kaso nagbago isip ko aisssst kahit kailan talaga Ane mapang-asar ka!

"Ayaw mo talaga? Okay bibigay ko nalang to kay Ella" Ikatlong beses na tugon ni Celes patungkol sa regalong hawak kaya agad akong bumaling sa kaniya at pinalinsikan siya ng mata

"Pati ba naman sa regalo?"

"What?" Inosenteng tanong nito

Kaagaw ko!

"What the heck! What are you talking about?!!" Bulalas ko

"About what?" Sabay na tanong ni Shane at Celes, mukhang naguguluhan sila sa inaasal ko kaya nanlaki ang mata ko

"O-Ohh n-nothing, it was just my freaking subconscious. Wait, what's that kind of gift ba? Mamaya panty at bra lang yan ah, ipapalapa ko kayo sa tigre ko sige" Seryosong lintaya ko pero tumawa lang sila. Yes, last year they gave me a one dozen of bra and panties, like what the hell? Such a good friend!

Note the sarcasm please!

"Where did you get that word tigre? Really Lie? Kung mananakot ka, dapat yung meron ka. Wala ka ngang aso eh, tigre pa kaya" Sabay pa silang tumawa ng malakas. Wow hah. May contest ba talaga ng speech choir dito? Psh kanina pa sila ah?

"Last question Chan, ayaw mo ba nitong regalo ko? Pinaghirapan ko pa naman 'to oh" Ngumuso pa ito para magpacute pero biglang nagsink-in agad sakin ang sinabi niyang 'pinaghirapan' kaya naman napatiim-bagang ako dahil gusto ko na agad itong ubusin dahil sa sarap

Napansin naman ni Les ang kislap ng mga mata ko kaya bigla niya itong binawi "Okay ayaw mo eh!" Akmang aalis na siya nang kinuha ko 'to agad sa kaniya

"May pabalot-balot ka pa kasing nalalaman, edi sana kanina ko pa 'to kinuha sayo" Ngiti ko rito ng pagkatamis-tamis nang biglang sumingit si Shane

"Di mo manlang ba ako papansinin? Aba'y mahal 'to. Yung gas ko, yung oras ko para hintayin 'to. Alam mo bang ni-rush ko lang ito para may maibigay ako sayo pero di mo manlang papansinin? You're hurting ne!!" Tampo ni Shane kaya inirapan ko lang ito

"Edi sana di ka nalang nagbigay para di ka na nangongonsensiya" Inirapan ko na naman ito matapos kong sabihin iyon pero, di talaga 'to mabubuhay kapag hindi nambabara eh

"Parang may konsensiya ka naman!" Agad-agad nitong sabi kaya kinuha ko na sa kaniya ang regalo nito at naramdaman kong malambot iyon kaya napangiti ako. Buti naman at may natanggap na 'kong maayos na regalo sa dalawang 'to. Buti na't hindi deodorant, bra, panty, feminine wash, toothbrush, shampoo na naka pack, noodles, lipstick tapos makikita mong may price sa likod na P35, like shit! Ano kala nila sa akin? Cheap?

"Chanell, anak" napalingon naman ako kay Daddy nang tawagin niya ako. Iniwan ko naman na sila Shane at nakita kong pumunta na sila sa table kasama ang mga parents nito

"Happy Birthday, Dad" Bati ko at niyakap ko siya, ganun din naman ang ginawa ni Daddy

"Anak, where's Kian? Lumingon naman ako sa paligid at nakita kong madami ng tao rito, nandito na din si Dean, some not so important people, business partners ni Daddy, Shane, Celes' parents at pati na din yung mga kaklase kong nasa thirty plus lahat

"I don't know Dad. Basta ako, I gave that invitation to him—"

"Not properly at nag away pa kayo sa school kaninang umaga. Ano ba naman iyan anak" Putol ni Daddy sa iba ko pa sanang sasabihin, yumuko nalang ako para wala akong masabing hindi kaaya-aya

"Contact him now Chanell, we want him here" Anito kaya nanlaki ang mga mata ko

"Dadddd!! Sino ba talaga ang anak niyo dito? Ako or Siya?" Napabuntong-hininga naman ito kaya ngumuso ako "Syempre ikaw anak. But, I want you to invite him anak"

"I did—"

"Not in a nice way" Sabi nito, umawang naman ang bunganga ko dahil sa gulat kung paano nito nalaman. Wait, pangalawang beses na binanggit ni Dad yun ah pero bakit ngayon lang ako nag-react?

"Okay, whatever Dad! But how can I damn contact him if I don't have his number or what so ever to contact that freaking guy!?" Inis kong tanong

"Daughter, it's up to you!" Tugon nito at umalis na sa harapan ko. What a real karma tsk. Agad-agad akong lumapit kina Shane at Celes sa kinauupuan nila para humingi ng tulong "What?" Shane asked

"Can you contact Kian and his gang for Dad?" I pleaded matching my fake puppy eyes

"Gang? Like WTF? Ikaw na kaya, daliiii. Try to open your account then chat him na" Sabi pa nito kaya naman kahit naaasar ay dali-dali kong in-open ito kasi 6:10 PM na

I searched his account and ohhhh jackpot!!!

He's online!

Kian Luis Asuncion
You're friends on Facebook
Lives in Sta Rosa, Laguna Philippines
6:12 PM
"Hey you cheap|

Agad ko itong binura baka lalo pang hindi siya pumunta. I need to be nice kahit ngayon lang

Kian Luis Asuncion
You're friends on Facebook
Lives in Sta Rosa, Laguna Philippines
6:13 PM
"Kian, come here to Andreda Village. Dad is looking for you and also your friends, come here ASAP"
Delivered.

Pagka-send ko ay bigla akong may na-realized. Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil dito

We're friends here! But, how—

"Good evening everyone" Ani Daddy na nakapagpa-ayos sa akin, maybe mamaya ko nalang ulit ichecheck baka namamalikmata lang ako

"Thank you for coming here in our simple celebration, and this celebration is my daughter's request and I don't know why she asked me to throw a party like this instead of a grandiose. Come here anak" Tawag sa akin ni Daddy kaya naman lumakad ako sa glass na nakalagay sa pool na merong red carpet papunta sa podium kung nasaan si Daddy

"This is my Daughter, Nathalie Chanell Buenaventura, she's now 17 years old taking Accountacy, Business and Man..." Hindi ko na narinig yung ibang sinasabi ni Daddy dahil may nahagip ang paningin ko na papasok na dito sa garden

It's Kian...

With his girl and friends

I nodded. Yeah, with HIS GIRL

Ngumiti naman ako ng mapait dahil sa sinabi ko. Tinignan ko naman si Santa at biglang kumulo yung dugo ko dito, she slapped me earlier.

IN FRONT OF MANY PEOPLE!

I looked at Kian and I admire him because of his looks, he's wearing a black tuxedo, same as the guys in his back, his hair was messy that fits him and looking hot at—

"Chanell?" Tawag sa akin ni Daddy

Tatlong beses na pala ako nitong tinawag shit! Nakakahiya! Paano kung napansin nila ang titig ko kay pangit? Oh my goodness, I'm embarrassed. At tska! Anong iniisip ko kanina!! Really? Yuck he's not hot because he's ugly, world breaker kaya sa kapangitan duh!

Dali-dali kong tinapos yung speech ko sa stage at sabay na kaming umupo ni Daddy

Pagkatapos ng salo-salo ay kwentuhan. Napansin ko naman na lumapit si Daddy sa gawi nila Kian kaya bigla naman akong tumayo at lumapit din sa kanila

"Hey Dad!" I kissed my Dad in his cheek then faced to Kian

"Ohh, you're here"

"Nathalie" He said kaya nagulat ako pero hindi ko iyon pinahalata

"Thanks for granting my Dad's request, hope you enjoy!" Sabi ko at ngitian sila isa-isa. Not a genuine one

♪♪Don't pretend you're sorry♪♪

Biglaang tunog ng instruments na nasa stage at kumanta ang isang lalaking nandoon

"Let's dance?" Dad asked me

I smiled "My pleasure Dad"

Nakita ko namang halos pumunta na ang lahat para sumayaw sa gitna, mangilan-ngilan nalang ang naiwan sa kani-kanilang upuan dahil halos lahat ay nasa dance floor na

♪♪I know you're not
You know you got the power
To make me weak inside♪♪

Nakita ko naman si Shane at yung Oliver I think? At si Celes at yung Justin. Kian at Ella. Pati na din yung mga classmates kong pinagtatambal sa room na gumitna upang sumayaw

♪♪And girl you leave me breathless
But it's ok. 'Cause you are my survival. Now hear me say♪♪

Nasa gitna na kami ni Daddy nang bigla itong mag-open ng topic "Do you like him?" Tanong nito na nakakuha ng atensyon ko. Naguguluhan naman ako sa tanong nito kaya tinanong ko siya

"Sino Dad?" I asked confused

♪♪I can't imagine life without your love. And even forever don't seem like long enough♪♪

"Kian" Aangal na sana ako pero agad nitong dinugtungan ang kaniyang sinabi "I saw you earlier" He paused "On how you looked at him. I saw that desire in your eyes while staring at him, just like how I looked at your Mom. I saw also your anger eyes while looking at them from afar" He whispered

♪♪'Cause every time I breathe I take you in. And my heart beats again. Baby I can't help it. You keep me drowning in your love♪♪

"I know what you're feeling, anak. I saw your tears ready to fall when we were in the restaurant. I saw the bitterness in your smile and laugh while setting your eyes on them for you to believe us that you're okay"

♪♪And every time I try to rise above. I'm swept away by love. Baby I can't help it. You keep me drowning in your love♪♪

"I know, as your father. I know you're in pain while you are looking at them two from afar, laughing"

♪♪Maybe I'm a drifter. Maybe not
'Cause I have known the safety
Of falling free into your arms♪♪

Pinunasan naman ni Dad ang luha ko na hindi ko manlang namalayan na umiiyak na pala ako

♪♪I don't need another lifeline. It's not for me. It's only you can save me. Oh, can't you see?♪♪

"I invited him to check if I'm right, and I am"

♪♪I can't imagine life without your love. And even forever don't seem like long enough (It don't seem like long enough, yeah)♪♪

Napansin kong nasa tabi na namin sila Kian kaya hindi na umimik si Daddy

"Change partners!" Sigaw ng lalaki na nasa podium. Bigla naman akong inikot ni Daddy at pagkaharap ko ay iba na ang partner ko.

It's...Kian

♪♪'Cause every time I breathe I take you in. And my heart beats again
Baby I can't help it. You keep me drowning in your love♪♪

Saktong-sakto namang chorus na nung kaharap ko na si Kian

"K-Kian" I utter

"Happy Birthday" Bumilis at lumakas ang tibok ng puso ko, at natatakot akong marinig niya ito pero mas natatakot akong totoo ang sinabi sa akin ni Dad kani-kanina lang

♪♪And every time I try to rise above
I'm swept away by love. Baby I can't help it. You keep me drowning in your love♪♪

"T-Thank you" I stuttered

"Hey! Breathe properly, I can feel that you're holding on your breath. Are you nervous?" Tanong nito sa nag-aalalang tono

Di naman ako nakapagsalita. I blinked multiple of times

♪♪Go on pull me under. Cover me with dreams. You know I can't resist. 'Cause you're the air that I breathe♪♪

"This is not the Nathalie Chanell Buenaventura I knew, Nathalie is a fierce woman, but here. You're like an angel sent from above because you're so tame as of now, what happened?" He asked cluelessly

♪♪'Cause every time I breathe I take you in (Every time I breathe, yeah) And my heart beats again. Baby I can't help it (Baby I can't help it)

You keep me drowning in your love. And every time I try to rise above. I'm swept away by love
Baby I can't help it. You keep me drowning in your love♪♪

Matagal na katahimikan para sa aming dalawa, at binasag ko lamang ito dahil naiilang ako sa tagpong iyon "If you don't mind, can I hug you for a while? I just want to prove something on myself that it's not real" I asked helplessly

He nodded so I hug him tight. So tight!

♪♪Baby I can't help it. You keep me drowning in your love♪♪

My heart is pounding so loudly but I don't like this kind of feeling towards him, but I couldn't say it's a bad feeling because it's really not because it's actually good.

♪♪Baby drowning (Ohh)
Got me drowning. Keep me drowning in your love♪♪

Do I really like him? If I'll still continue what I am doing, is there a possibility to fall in love with My Enemy?

♪♪Baby I can't help it
(Can't help it, can't help it no no) Got me drowning♪♪

Binitawan ko na sa pagkakayakap si Kian baka may makakita pa sa aming dalawa

Tumingin naman ako sa gawi nila Daddy at nahuli kong nakatingin ito sa amin, ganun din si Mommy na siyang partner nito sa pagsasayaw

They just smiled at me. A reassuring smile!

♪♪I can't imagine life without your love. And even forever don't seem like long enough♪♪

I looked at Kian but his eyes was fixed to Ella with the other guy. I saw Kian and Ella, smiling to each other na parang sila ang dalawang nagsasayaw

Dati kapag nasasaksihan ko ito ay naiinis at kumikirot ng bahagya itong puso ko. Pero ngayon...

Wala paring pinagbago

♪♪'Cause every time I breathe I take you in (I do) And my heart beats again (Oh yeah)♪♪

I'm started to like him unconsciously and it kills me inside. I really don't like this feeling. I don't want to like someone—to love someone.

Especially a guy named KIAN

♪♪Baby I can't help it (Baby I can't help it) You keep me drowning in your love. And every time I try to rise above♪♪

Kasi alam kong sa huli, talo ako. Tinignan ko naman ng mabuti si Ella at Kian

They looked in love with each other. I don't like being helpless

♪♪I'm swept away by love.Baby I can't help it. You keep me drowning in your love♪♪

Ayokong mas lumalim pa 'tong pagkagusto ko dahil alam kong sa una palang, talo na ako!

—°—

END OF CHAPTER 14!

Song: Perfect
By: Ed Sheeran

Song: Drowning
By: Backstreet Boys