Nagising akong bigla nang mag alarm ang phone ko. My ghad, 8 am na?!!!! Jusko bakit ngayon lang ako nagising? Sabagay wala rin namang pasok ngayon coz its Saturday today.

Wait. Sabado na pala. The day has finally come. Ngayon na pala yung Homecoming. Ngayon ko na ulit makikita si Kyle, after 10 long years. 

Napalit muna ako ng damit at nagtoothbrush bago magluto ng late breakfast ko. I just cook fried rice and hotdog and nagtimpla na rin ako ng four seasons juice.

After kong kumain, naghugas na ako ng pinaglutuan ko, pati na rin ang mga plates. Naglinis na rin muna ako ng kwarto pati the whole unit. After all of that, I decided to watch a movie. It took almost two hours hanggang nakalimutan ko na ang oras. It is already 11 in the morning. Malapit na mag lunch time.  Instead of cooking, nag order nalang muna ako ng value meal ulit from Jollibee, and included a  sundae sa meal. I'm craving for Jabee this days, maybe my period is near already.

Since mamaya pang 5:30 pm ang event, I decided to take a beauty nap. I set also the alarm para hindi ako matagalan sa kakatulog. Nag hilamos muna ako, and did my skincare routine before taking a nap. I check the clock, 12 noon na pala. So medyo mahaba habang beauty nap 'to.

I was going to bed when my phone make a sound. It was a message from Claire.

From Claire:

Sis, sunduin ka namin ni Adrian later mga 5:00 pm. Be sure na prepared ka na when we arrive. Kitakits! Mwah!

To Claire:

Sure sis, beauty nap muna ako. Thanks! See you!

After kong magreply, natulog na ako. I feel so relax and relieved when I am taking naps. Mabuti nang maka beauty rest, para feeling fresh later, hehe.

Hours later, nagising ako sa alarm. It is already 3:00 in the afternoon. Mukhang hindi na yun nap, sleep na. Bago ako magshower, I clean first the unit, nagwalis, and fix anything na messy. I always make sure that the unit is always clean, para iwas sakit. After kong maglinis, I decided to take a shower. Pagkatapos kong magshower, I also did my skincare routine, para hindi mukhang haggard. While blowing dry my hair, a message appeared on my phone.

From Claire:

Hoy sis, wake up na. Huwag tulog ng tulog, galaw galaw rin. Seeyah!

To Claire:

Yes ma'am, gising na. Skin care atm. Seeyah laturr!

Pagkatapos kong magblow dry ng hair ko, I prepared my outfit and ang heels na gagamitin ko, and also my accessories. My make up set was already on the front of my mirror.

It is already 3:30 in the afternoon. I just eat small snacks before going back to my room. Nagpalit na rin ako ng damit. I am already wearing my orange slim pleated off-shoulder flare dress, which is only above knee fit. Hindi ako nagsisi na ito ang napili kong bilhin since ang ganda niyang tignan although it is simple and napakaformal naman nito tignan. I partnered it with my black heels and a small, white clutch sling bag. I use also my pearl earrings and a small heart pendant necklace. I want to be simple as much as possible.

On the remaining time, naging abala na ako sa pagma-makeup. I make it sure na hindi masyado makapal ang makeup ko pero will last till the end of the event. I also bring my small makeup kit inside my clutch bag to make sure na may pangreretouch ako later. I chose to use a red lipstick, pero not too reddish. Sakto lang. I did my messy bun look with remaining hairs on each sides, na I choose to curl. Mabuti naman at bumagay siya sa outfit ko.

Almost 4:30 in the afternoon na nang nagtext si Claire. They are already on their way here sa condo unit ko.  Luckily, I'm almost done with preparing. Nagpabango na rin ako. I double check my things sa clutch bag ko if nadala ko ba lahat, including the invitation and my small makeup retouch set.

Almost 5 in the afternoon na nang makarating sila Claire at Adrian sa condo ko. Sa reception area nalang sila ng condo nag hintay. Before I left the unit, I make sure na naka lock ng maayos at na off ko ang mga aircon and other appliances, mahirap na baka masunog condo ko.

Claire was shock to see me. She is wearing a red flowy floral dress with slit matched with beige heels and a bangle earrings. She looks gorgeous too in her outfit. Si Adrian naman ay naka navy blue suit and brown leather shoes.  And napaka neat ng pagkakagupit sa hair nya.

"Looking gorgeous Gia ah", Claire said while we're heading towards Adrian's car.

" Thanks! Ikaw rin sis, malapit na kitang hindi makilala. Akala ko model ng Victoria Secret.", I replied to her.

"Asussss, bolera ka talaga sis. We both look  gorgeous , kaya tara na? baka ma-late pa us.", Claire said.

Nasa car na kami ni Adrian pero chika pa rin kami ng chika. Kapag magkasama kami ni Claire, hindi talaga mauubusan ng kwento.

Nag retouch na rin kami habang nasa car. Our phones keep on beeping because of the notifs from the group chat. I don't bother to open it kasi I want to save my battery percentage mamaya for the picture taking. I know Claire, she likes taking a lot of pictures, at na-aadopt ko na rin yung way na minsan to take a lot of pictures.

We reach the Casa Isabelle at exacly 5:15 in the afternoon. We still have 15 minutes to take photos and to register ourselves sa may table near the entrance of the function room. Nauna na kami ni Claire sa function room and Adrian was in the parking area to park his car. After namin magparegister, we are told kung saan kami uupo. We took photos of the venue and syempre, photoshoots with Claire. Sabi ko na nga ba, mapupuno 'tong gallery ko.

Lumabas muna kami ni Claire para magphotoshoot rin sa labas. We stayed near the gazeebo, surrounding us the garden full of blooming green plants. Yung iba naming classmates were also busy doing their own stuffs. Sila Adrian and the tropa are here already. After a long time, we are here again.

Nagpaalam muna si Claire sa akin na pupunta kung saan naroon sila Adrian. Baka magpipicture taking rin sila. You know, relationship goals. I really love them as a couple. Sa lahat ata ng highschool sweethearts, sila lang hindi natibag. Hindi naman na sinasabi ko na since nagbreak kami ni Kyle ay naging sumpa at sunod sunod na yung breakup ng ibang highschool sweethearts pero parang ganun na rin, or maybe nagkataon lang.

After 10 years, I never expected to meet again my HS classmates. 10 years na ang nakalipas, and all of us grown up. We are all busy sa paghahanap buhay. Yung iba nga, I never expected na magiging ganun sila ka successful. Ibang iba na talaga sila. I'm so happy to see them all fulfilling their dreams.

At mas naging happy ako nang magkaroon ng alumni homecoming ang aming alma mater.

"Sis, pasok na tayo." sabi ni Claire.

"Sige, sunod na ako" sambit ko.

Maya maya ay nag announce na ang emcee na kailangan nang mag form ng line for the opening rampa namin. Syempre the usual rampa na ginagawa namin nung HS kami during progams, by pair. Syempre yung mga mag jowa naming classmates , pair. Si Claire ka- partner ang jowa niyang si Adrian.

Isa - isa nang tinawag at rumampa ang mga classmates ko. Hanggang sa lumapit na sa turn ko. Pero nakakapagtaka, wala pala akong partner! Hays! :(

At mas lalo akong nagtaka na wala pa rin si Kyle. Bakit kaya wala pa rin sya? Sabagay, busy siguro yun. Ikaw ba naman ang isa sa mga successful and in demand Head Electrical Engineer sa buong Pilipinas, syempre every time is important. Sabagay di na nakakapagtaka yun.

"Please welcome, Miss Gia Kristine Salvador, CPA and.. " palakad na sana ako papuntang harap nang biglang sabihin ng emcee na --

--last but definitely not the least, please welcome, Engr. Kyle Jayden Mendoza." again let's give them both around of applause.

Halos manigas ang mga paa ko nang marinig na sabihin ng emcee ang pangalan nya. After 10 long years? nandito siya? bakit kami ang pair? ughhh lupa kainin mo na ako please.

"Yieeee, muling ibalik" sabi nila nang makaupo na kami ni Kyle. Yes, oo. magka-table kaming dalawa. Kasama namin sila Claire, Ava, Elise at Alaina. Kasama rin namin ang mga tropa ni Kyle. Sila Adrian, Dominic, Xavier at Caleb.

"Sis, labas muna ako", sabi ko kay Claire.

" San ka? pahangin? sabayan kita." tugon ni Claire.

"No, I'm fine. Promise." sabi ko.

Lumabas ako nagpahangin.

Nabigla ako sa mga nangyari.

Nagulat ako nang may biglang nagsalita.

"Gia, pwede ba tayong mag - usap?"

Nagulat ako nang makita si Kyle sa harap ko. He is wearing a black long sleeves and brown pants. Naka white Nike shoes siya which really look great sa kanyang tignan. Nakasalamin pa rin sya till now, but not the usual one na sobrang kapal ng lens. Kahit kailan, ang gwapo pa rin nyang tignan.

I still in shock of what happened. Hindi ko pa rin sya kinakausap. We're actually on the gazeebo. Siya nakaupo on the other side, while still looking and waiting on my response. While me, on the other side, still processing all of the things happened.

Instead of responding, tumayo na lang ako and was actually going back to the function room when he hold my left arm.

"Gia...", he said in a soft voice.

" Pasok na'ko sa loob." , I replied awkwardly.

At ayun, pumasok na nga ako, and he was following me actually. Nagtaka tuloy sila Claire and whole tropa what really happened to us outside. But they never bothered to ask one of us. I just want to be silent and to somehow, enjoy this night. Kahit ang uncomfty na, pero for the batch's sake, I will enjoy nalang.

I don't know but I don't feel that Kyle's presence is good for me. Siguro nashock lang talaga ako. Sa tagal ba naman ng taong hindi kami nag kita, after our breakup.

Daming pakulo ng event na 'to. From parlor games to video throwback of our pictures before and some song and dance number. Adulting be like, nakakaantok na.

I don't eat too much, sakto lang. I feel that I'm already full kahit hindi naman. I have lost maybe my appetite today. Sila Claire and Kyle's tropa, busy kakachika while eating. Si Kyle, kumain naman pero same as mine, not that much. He looks serious while looking at me. Parang ako yung may kasalanan.

Olivia, our class president before, said her speech before signaling the dancing part of the program. Sort of afterparty kind of vibe with some party music. Claire pull me from my chair to dance, but I refused. Tinatamad ako kaya sila nalang together with the guys. Si Kyle naman, he seated a meter far from me. Hindi rin sya sumayaw.

The party music changed into a sweet dance music. All of them picked their partners, same with my friends and Kyle's tropa. Sila rin namang magjojowa so sila na agad ang partners. Kami nalang ata ni Kyle ang wala sa dancefloor.

Kyle walked towards my seat, asking me to dance with him.

"Can I have a dance with you?", Kyle said politely.

Matagal pa ako bago nakasagot. Maybe I should give a try. 

" Okay. Sure.", nahihiya kong sabi.

The song was forevermore. I really remember this song. This was the time na nagsisimula palang kami, as a couple. Kaya ganun nalang ang atake ng kanta sa akin nang marinig ko ito ngayon.

Kyle and I are already in the dance floor. He placed his right hand on my waist, and holding my right hand with his left hand. I feel awkward at the moment, pero later on na-manage ko naman. We dance swiftly in the tune of the song. Parang gusto kong umiiyak, sumigaw. Pero parang iba yung nangyayari. Parang bumabalik kami sa nakaraan.

"Ohh...
You're all I need
To be here with forevermore..."

Natapos ang kanta, but we are both looking at each other. Iniwas ko ang tingin ko sa kanya, the moment na bumalik na ang lahat sa kanya-kanyang seats. Nahihiya na talaga ako. Gusto ko nang umalis, pero bastos ko namang tignan kapag ganun.

Finally, natapos na ang event. Ava, Elise and Alaina already go home since sinundo na sila ng mga parents nila. Kyle's tropa and Kyle as well stayed, same with Claire and I.

"Sis, I wanna drink. Sama ka?", I invited Claire to have a drink.

" Inom ka nalang tubig, ghorl.", Claire replied to me.

Iniwan muna ako ni Claire sa entrance dahil ang paalam nya, pupuntahan niya muna si Adrian sa carpark para kumuha ng jacket since nilalamigan na siya. Nung nakahanap ako ng timing, naghanap ako ng bar. Luckily, I found near their small stay-in hotel. Actually I don't go to bars and drink, but feel ko sya ngayon. I just wanna drink it all hanggang sa malunod ako. Hanggang sa malunod ang feelings ko ngayon.