Chapter 31: Debut

"Perfect!"

Tuwang-tuwa akong napapalakpak nang makita ko 'yong reflection ko sa salamin.

I turned my body to the right before turning to the left for me to have a better glance at myself. Because of those quick movements, my hair bounced as if it has a life of its own. It became more dramatic due to the curls at the bottom.

I couldn't help but giggle because of my satisfaction with how I look.

Perfect na perfect 'tong hairstyle ko sa light make-up at outfit ko tonight. Pinili ko kasi 'yong garnet-colored off-shoulder ruched bodycon dress ko which I paired up with a silver stiletto.

I'm more than ready now but before anything else, I need to do something!

Pumunta ko sa gilid ng kama to get my cellphone. When I grabbed it, I immediately walked back to the full-length mirror while I was fiddling on my phone, setting up my camera to back view.

I stood still in front of the mirror and started making a pose.

I threw my left leg to the side and put my weight on the right. Then, I tiptoed my left foot a little bit to slightly lift my right hip. As per the last part, I placed my right hand on my waist but I made sure that what was showing in front is only my thumb. The remaining fingers were on my back.

Tinaas ko 'yong kaliwang kamay kong may hawak ng phone sa level ng chest ko. "One... two... three... fierce!" I said as I took a photo of myself.

Excited akong umayos ng tayo para tinignan 'yong picture ko.

Napangiti na lang ako nang makitang sobrang ganda ko rito. Kaso napangiwi ako nang mapansing hindi pala kita 'yong earrings ko.

Sayang! It formed my zodiac sign pa naman— Aries. It's been a while since I used this and I somehow want to low-key flex this.

Pero ayaw ko ng umulit ng take. Okay na 'to! Ganda ko na sa anggulong 'to eh. Baka ma-lessen pa sa susunod na take.

I'll have it posted over the weekend, so there's only one more piece of content to post for Fern Cosmetics.

Napangiti ako nang maisip 'yon.

Kapag na-reach ko na kasi 'yong quota ko sa kanila, wala na kong iisipin for the whole month. I can focus more on modeling, baking, and my job in PBA.

Gan'on talaga kapag nangangailangan— lahat ng opportunity, kakagatin. Pero siyempre! I make sure that those opportunities I am accepting will do me more good than harm or stress.

I held my phone tightly as I swiped to the previous photos I have taken. Those images were from my training in PBA.

Kusa na lang akong napangiti pagkakita sa mga 'yon. Happiness is overflowing inside me.

Actually, kaninang two in the afternoon lang ako nakauwi from training. Pangatlong araw ko na 'to at next week, I'll start working.

It was kind of challenging because there's no such thing as 'teaching the newbies'. Triple 'yong pagta-trabaho to impress the head and the bosses with our capabilities... why we deserve the spot.

Actually, dalawa lang naman kami and the other one made it through audition. Ako kasi, nakakuha talaga ako ng offer mismo.

During those three days and through my previous experience, I can say that being a courtside reporter is truly tough but fulfilling. Still, I believed that I was meant for it, so I am just doing what it takes to earn that.

Kaya nga hindi ko na kailangang magpa-impress eh. I just need to be confident and competent. Voila! Things will follow naturally.

Nagitla ako sa pagtingin-tingin ng pictures ko at sa pag-iisip when an unfamiliar car horn got my attention.

"Si Eli na ba 'yon?" nangingiti kong tanong sa sarili.

In an instant, excitement runs through my veins.

Kakakita mo lang sa kaniya kanina, Elise ah? Miss na miss agad? Ano, kulang na kulang lang sa pagmamahal?

Nakangising napailing na lang ako sa sariling naisip.

Sa true lang? Sobrang thankful ako kay Eli. He has been a good help to me since I started my training. He's been consistent in fetching me up early in the morning.

Ngiting-ngiti kong kinuha 'yong silver small clutch bag ko sa kama bago nilagay r'on 'yong phone ko. Takbo-lakad 'yong ginawa ko palabas sa kwarto at pababa.

Pumunta muna ko sa kitchen para kunin 'yong eco-bag sa countertop. Lumabas din naman agad ako pagkakuha n'on at saka dumiretso sa sala.

I turned the doorknob and opened the door.

Eli was already there greeting me with a jaw-dropping smile and neatly fixed slicked-back hair. He's wearing a dark blue-green tuxedo and a pair of slacks with a white inner T-shirt. Kitang-kita ko 'yong defined chest niya sa suot niya ngayon.

I smiled back at him as I closed the door behind me.

May iba pa naman pala siyang damit!

Napatigil lang ako nang tignan niya ko mula paa hanggang ulo with his confused face.

Ba't ganito makatingin 'to? Hindi ko alam kung gandang-ganda lang siya sa 'kin o baka nilalait niya na ko sa isip niya.

Kalait-lait ba ko? I doubt that.

Wala sa oras akong napakunot ng noo when I saw him press his lips together.

He stopped his gaze on my face and asked me in a confused tone, "Don't you think you need to change clothes?"

Hindi ko napigilan 'yong pagtaas ng kanan kong kilay dahil sa narinig. I felt offended by what he said. Dinagdagan niya pa 'yon ng, "You better get change, Elise." Although he used a soft voice on me, hindi ko na napigilan 'yong sarili kong mapangisi at mainis.

Tinignan ko 'yong sarili kong damit.

It hugs my waist so well, accentuating my curves. It slightly shows my cleavage but not totally. Napadako 'yong tingin ko sa balikat kong kitang-kita. Ito ba 'yong problema ni Eli?

I shifted my eyes back at him. The moment I saw him staring at me, I immediately rolled my eyes at him.

I snapped, "Nakaka-turn off 'yong ganiyan, Eli." His face turned more confused than it was. Pero hindi ko na pinansin 'yon, I was so upset and I want him to know that. I'm trying to not sound sarcastic when I continued, "Sobrang protective lang? Ayaw ko ng ganiyang toxic—"

"There's a... color theme," he cut me off with a growing smirk on his face.

Bigla akong napatulala sa kaniya. Nawala 'yong inis sa mukha ko at napalitan 'yon ng hiya. Hiyang-hiya ako na hindi ko maintindihan! Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig d'on.

I saw how his eyes suddenly became concerned with my change of reaction. He cleared his throat to take away his smirk.

Seryoso niyang sambit, "It's blue-green, Elise. Didn't your sister tell you?"

Napa-pout ako nang marinig 'yon. Dahan-dahan akong umiling bilang sagot.

Marahan siyang napatawa at saka mas lumapit sa 'kin. Para namang tumalon 'yong puso ko dahil sa maliit naming distansya.

I can already smell his natural scent. Amoy naliligo thrice a day. Gan'on kabango!

He snatched the eco-bag from my hand as his free hand reached for my cheek. He gently caressed it and on cue, I felt a tingling sensation inside me.

Automatic na tuluyang naglaho 'yong inis at embarrassment na nararamdaman ko. Wala sa wisyo akong napangiti sa kaniya.

This man and his effect on me. Iba talaga kapag nasa tamang tao at healthy relationship ka.

Ops! Hindi pa kami. Pero hindi naman lahat ng relationship, kailangang dating agad.

"Palit lang ako ah. Mabilis lang 'to!" Nagmamadaling sambit ko.

Inabot ko 'yong kamay niyang nakahawak sa pisngi ko at saka 'to pinisil bago ibinaba. I turned around to get inside, but I saw him smiling at me before I closed the door.

He assured me, "Take your time. I'll wait here, Elise."

Nakangiti kong sinarado 'yong pinto. Dali-dali rin agad akong umakyat sa taas.

When I got inside my room, it took me a while to look for a blue-green dress.

Ang dami ko na kasi talagang nabenta. Kung noon 'to, for sure, I have a variety of choices. Most likely, bibili pa ako niyan ng bago. Pero we're in 2024 when I only have enough money for my needs.

After few more minutes, I saw one dress in that color. It's a maxi dress with sleeves.

Napahinga ako nang malalim. A sigh of relief, indeed.

Marahan akong nagpalit para hindi tumikwas-tikwas 'yong nakalugay kong buhok.

When I finished dressing up, bumaba rin agad ako.

True to his words, Eli was still in front of the house when I opened the door.

"Thank you," I sweetly told him as I locked the front door.

He offered me his escorting arm that I accepted by crossing my right arm on it.

Sobrang lapad ng ngiti ko when we started walking side-by-side. Feeling ko tuloy, ako 'yong may debut.

Pero pwede rin! Baby face naman ako. Mas mukha pa nga kong bata kaysa kay Laurice.

Paanong hindi? Panay simangot n'on! Akala mo may inaalagaang makulit na bata.

When we reached his car, Eli carefully opened the passenger's seat door for me. Napangisi ako nang mapansing arden green Aston Martin DB11 pala itong dala niya.

I immediately hopped in and he was the one who closed the door. I simply watched him walk in front of the car before he opened the door for himself.

Pagkaupong-pagkaupo niya, nakangising biniro ko siya, "Pati kotse mo, pasok na pasok sa color theme ah."

He cracked a little chuckle that fluttered my heart.

Nilingon niya ko with his left arm leaning on the steering wheel while his fingers were tapping it.

Parang nahigit ko bigla 'yong sarili kong hininga dahil sa nakikita ko ngayon.

For goodness' sake! Bakit ba ang gwapo-gwapo ng lalaking 'to?

He gave me a smirk when he mumbled, "Certainly. Laurice would surely like seeing everything happens according to her plan."

Napangisi at napailing na lang ako.

He's right... and I like that he knows my sister well.

"Masyado mo namang ginagalingang maka-points! Close na talaga kayo, 'no?" natatawa kong tanong. Napataas pa 'yong kanang kilay ko nang sabihing, "Sabagay, sa sobrang close niyo nga, pati new number ko, binigay niya na sa 'yo."

Eli wasn't able to stop himself anymore from laughing. Napangiti na lang ako seeing him being this carefree around me.

Nang medyo kumalma na siya, tinuon niya na 'yong atensyon niya sa harap. Without further ado, he already started driving.

Nangingiti niyang sambit, "Laurice is short-tempered."

In which, I agreed with disbelief in tone, "Sinabi mo pa! Pikon din 'yon at ayaw niyang inuulit 'yong sinasabi niya."

He chuckled a little as he revealed, "The exact reason why she gave me your number."

Napailing na lang ako. Kahit kailan talaga 'yon si Laurice! Nagpalit-palit pa ko noon ng sim card para no contact sa iba, lalo na kay Eli— as if he would call... or maybe yes?

Basta! Sayang 50 pesos, dami ko ng mabibiling noodles d'on.

Pero okay lang naman. Duh! Mag-iinarte pa ba ko? Kung sa true naman, gustong-gusto ko naman din talaga 'yong nangyayari. Dahil sa kaniya, tinatawagan na ko ni Eli sa umaga bago niya ko sunduin.

He told me that he asked for my number from Laurice since he wasn't able to get it last Saturday. Ayon 'yong araw na nakikain siya sa townhouse at nagpakain... ng chicken, burger, at fries.

He didn't take a visit on Sunday dahil sinabihan ko siyang huwag ng pumunta during weekend. Para naman ma-miss namin ang isa't isa este makapag-trabaho naman siya!

Tumagilid ako nang maayos para mas matitigan ko si Eli.

I suddenly remembered his question last Saturday.

I was busy with my own thoughts when I got stilled because of his question, "Are you willing to risk with me?"

Hindi ko alam kung anong una kong mararamdaman— kaba, kilig, o saya. As much as I am willing to risk with him, I am pretty, sure, and pretty sure that I want to take things slowly but surely.

His gazes are getting more intense but I can sense how scared he is with my possible answer.

Napalunok ako ng sarili kong laway. Natatakot ako na kapag nagkamali ako ng sagot, iiwasan na naman niya ko.

Pero kung kami... kami talaga.

I took a deep breath first. Nanginginig 'yong mga labi ko nang mahina kong sabihin, "Pag-iisipan ko."

There were many words rumbling inside my mind, but those two words were the only thing that came out of my mind.

Different from my expectation, he sweetly smiled at me. He even caressed my cheeks with both of his hands.

Sincerity and respect were evident in his voice when he softly mumbled, "I can wait. You have all the time with you, Elise." He smiled at me before he shot a joke with his trembling lips, "You'll give me your answer before I die, won't you?"

Natawa ako dahil sa narinig. Nawala lahat ng worry at kaba na nararamdaman ko.

"Yes. Let's just take things slowly but surely," I softly answered with admiration seen on my face.

This man and his patience. I am getting more convinced with his sincerity as days passed by. The way he gives time and makes effort for me although there's no assurance? He's really on another level!

He hit the saying that says, we do not need to beg for our loved ones' time. If they truly want to be with us, they will make time and won't just talk to us during their free time.

Pero siyempre, baka nagagawa niya lang din 'yon because he's a big-time CEO! Still, I'll give him credit for every good thing he has done for me.

Pumungay 'yong mga mata ko when he asked out of nowhere, "Can I play a song?"

Walang alinlangan kong sagot, "Go! It's your car anyways."

He was smiling when he played Araw-araw by Ben&Ben.

Napangiti na lang din ako nang sobrang tamis.

https://youtu.be/V4qjAyb4lNI

When we reached our family's house, bigla na lang akong dinapuan ng kaba. Yes, dito sa bahay ang event place.

I never imagined myself going back to our house or maybe, I couldn't imagine myself back at this house because... I was so afraid they won't accept me home.

Pero siyempre, there's no doubt that daddy and Laurice will be more than happy to see me here. Kunware pa 'yon si Laurice, alam ko namang mahal na mahal ako ng sungit na 'yon!

Napahalukipkip ako sa kinauupuan ko while staring at the gate. Cars flocked in outside. Puno na siguro sa loob.

Maraming bisita? This is very unusual about Laurice. What came to her mind?

"Ready?" mahina ngunit malambing na tanong ni Eli.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya mula sa gilid ko. He gave me an affiliative smile that lessens the anxiousness I have inside.

Medyo nagulat lang ako nang hawakan niya 'yong kamay kong nakapatong sa lap ko. Napasunod 'yong titig ko r'on. Ramdam na ramdam ko 'yong pag-iinit ng mga pisngi ko kasabay ng mabilis na kabog ng puso ko.

"When things get wrong, I am here for you, Elise," marahan niyang sambit.

Napangiti ako nang sobrang lapad dahil sa narinig. Inangat ko 'yong tingin ko sa kaniya at bumungad sa 'kin 'yong maamo at gwapo niyang mukha.

I mumbled, "Thank you for calming the storms inside me."

He squeezed our hands that made me feel how much he cares for me.

Hindi pa kami nakakapasok sa event pero parang uwian na... may nanalo na kasi. Panalong-panalo na si Eli sa category na 'Best Man'!

"Tara na," nakangiting pag-aaya ko sa kaniya.

Sabay kaming lumabas sa kotse. I encircled my arms on his before we walk side-by-side. Hawak niya sa kabilang kamay niya 'yong eco-bag ko. Maingat niya na ring nilagay ro'n 'yong regalo niya para kay Laurice.

I was totally amazed when we reached the gate. It was seriously well designed— there were flowers and plants around. There's also this red carpet.

Halos mapanganga ako nang makita 'yong nakapalibot na halaman sa mismong gate. What do they call that? Vine plant?

When we got inside, we simply followed the red carpet going down the garden. I was busy observing the place when I curiously asked Eli, "Anong theme? Nasabi ba ni Laurice sa 'yo?"

I heard him crack a little chuckle because of my question. Hindi ko tuloy naiwasang kunot-noong mapatingin sa kaniya.

I immediately looked away when I noticed these elegant fountains on both of our sides. Pinanliitan ko ng mga mata 'yon only to confirm that those were expensive marble water fountains.

Wow! As in wow na wow. Parang ang sarap bitbitin n'on pauwi tapos ibebenta ko. Kaso impossible mabitbit 'yon at wala akong truck pambiyahe.

Hingiin ko kaya kay Laurice? Baka decorations lang 'tong mga 'to tonight eh.

"You did check the e-invitation, right?" natatawang tanong sa 'kin ni Eli.

I raised my gazes at him with confused eyes. "Oo, bakit?"

"You sure?" nangingiti niyang tanong na parang hindi makapaniwala sa sagot ko. He continued in between his laughs, "Below the e-invitation, it was indicated that the theme is an online game."

Napa-pout naman ako at saka tumingin ulit sa dinadaanan namin.

I disappointedly rebutted, "Malay ko ba! Dapat kasi nilakihan nila para readable."

May sasabihin pa sana si Eli nang mapahinto ako bigla sa paglalakad. My mouth was left agape with what I saw.

Right before my eyes is a lavished debut set-up. Napapalibutan ng party lights 'yong paligid from Katomi Galaxy projector. Pero hindi 'yon masakit sa mata. Mabagal lang 'yong pag-ikot.

There was also this throne in front at the middle spot in a color of gold and light blue-green. Parang gawa sa bato 'yon kung titignan. May pillow pa sa pinakaupuang parte.

Hindi pa ko nakuntento sa nakita at inikot ko pa 'yong paningin ko.

There were fancy gold-colored stone tables that weren't covered with cloth. 'Yong upuan ay gan'on din 'yong color at structure. Ang pinagkaiba lang, parang mga malalaking kamay 'yong upuan. The palm was designed as the seating area and the fingers were the backrest.

Big stones and plants are everywhere that I couldn't recognize the garden anymore. Parang hindi ito 'yong garden ng bahay namin. Sobrang ibang-iba.

Namamangha kong sambit, "This is very Laurice!"

I felt so happy that they really made an extra effort to execute this party. Napakunot lang ako ng noo when I confirmed something, "Except the number of attendees— not a Laurice thing! Sobrang dami naman ng tao? Baka mga amiga lang 'yan ni mommy ah."

Rinig na rinig ko 'yong marahang pagtawa ni Eli kahit paingay na nang paingay ang paligid dahil sa dagsa ng tao. Napatawa na lang din ako nang tignan ko siya.

Medyo nagulat lang ako when in a flash, his face suddenly turned pale and full of nervousness. Para siyang nakakita ng multo sa hitsura niya ngayon.

His eyes were darted ahead of us when he mumbled, almost stuttering, "Good evening po."