CELEBRATION

Artemis' POV

This is the fruit of all my hardship and struggle. At first, I hate to admit it but I really don't trust myself. I am not confident with my knowledge and skill. Who would have thought that one of these would come? I am now a certified entrepreneur with a promising shoe line.

I am really overwhelmed by God's blessing for me and for my family. Today is a very special event, it's my shoe house's 1st anniversary.

"Congrats! High five sister!" says Hera, my ever-supportive sole sister.

"Don't you think today is worth celebrating with someone?" Says brother Taehyung—my brother-in-law. Just kidding, he's my sister's best friend. but obviously they are just too sly to admit their feelings towards each other.

If they end up exchanging vows at the cathedral, I will really throw an extravagant party.

"Yah, I'll grab someone out there," I replied, then I burst into laughter.

"I told you, go get a boyfriend, why won't you entertain suitors?" Says Hera.

"I'm hearing suitors...what about it?"

My sister and I both gasped for air when our father appeared.

"Everyone's supper is about to start. Move your asses and get in here." It was our mom, calling for dinner.

"Why didn't you ask for my assistance mom? I should've helped you prepare our meal." Says Hera as she stood up next to our mom.

"You were all busy chit chatting," Mom's reply.

We offer a prayer to show our gratitude towards God's undying blessing.

"Amen! Time to feast!" My sister couldn't help herself but to get overly excited.

"Stop consuming too much food. I bet afterwards you'll tell me you caught up with a bad side of your stomach," says Taehyung, he was teasing my sister. My sister just gives him a smug look as she forks out a leg of fried chicken.

"By the way don't you have plans for today?" My sister asked.

"You think strolling around with mom is a good idea?" Hera suggested.

Come to think of it, we barely had a family bonding. We are all busy. It's about time to throw some attention and love for our parents.

"Are you coming with us, bro?" I asked my sister's bff. He just shook his head.

"It's your family day. I'm not even part of your family," says Taehyung.

I noticed my sister's facial expression. She's throwing an obvious disappointed look. I bet she wanted to be with him.

"Don't be so shy. We all know that sooner or later we're going to be a real family, right sister?"

Hera choked while eating and I couldn't help but to laugh. After the meal we went to Sm North, a mall owned by Henry Sy. We are using my so-called brother-in-law's auto.

"What are we going to watch? My treat," I announced it with a proud voice, of course it is a once in a blue moon offer. I'm quite strict with financial matters.

"I prefer any movie by Vice Ganda," suggested by mom.

I found out that the ticket lane was too long. I don't want them to wait for too long and feel bored while waiting. I asked them to wait for me outside the cinema house.

After a long couple of hours, I finally had the ticket for us. We were about to get inside the cinema but then my sister and her so called bff excused themselves. They will buy popcorn and drinks.

The place was too dark, it's hard to look for our seats yet at least we managed, somehow. We are now sitting on the 3rd lane, upper box. My sister and brother Taehyung came right before the movie started. They brought a 3large popcorn.

"Mom and Uncle, here's your popcorn," Taehyung handed the popcorn to our father.

"Timi, here's your popcorn. Kumag and I will share this last popcorn for ourselves," says Hera.

All lights were turned off by the technical team. It means the movie will start right now. The last spot was occupied by brother Taehyung. Sitting beside him was my sister. While our parents are sitting right next to each other. I'm sitting next to my mom and the seat next to mine was vacant, not until someone came to occupy it. I was curious, I kept on throwing glances. However, I failed to recognize this stranger's face.

Never mind.

The movie lasted for more than an hour. I excused myself first, I badly needed to go to the restroom. I have been checking my appearance in the mirror. Suddenly a stunning lady approached me. She's wearing a red sexy dress and red high stilettos.

"Miss, I think it's yours. I saw you dropped this on your way here." She handed me a black handkerchief.

"Thank you," I responded with a sweet smile. She smiled back and I swear she even looked beautiful wearing that Colgate smile.

I adore her beauty. If I were born as a man, I'd definitely fall in love with her.

"It's nice to meet you...finally," says the young lady. She left and I was dumbfounded.

What does 'finally' mean? I'm confused.

Anyway, I just shrugged my shoulders.

"I thought you were flushed by the toilet." It's my sister, she loves teasing me.

"What are we going to do next? Grab some food or should we go to Luneta now?"

"I suggest we'll buy food at the supermarket and let's have a picnic. What do you think?" says Hera.

They agreed with her idea that's why we are here at the hypermarket. These two crazy best friends are actually fighting over what chocolate to buy.

"Lindor!" It was my sister.

"Ferrero." This time it was Brother Taehyung.

"Lindor."

"Ferrero."

"Lindor / Ferrero." They voiced out at the same time. Now, they are competing through their blazing eyes.

Guess what? In the end they both decide to buy those brands.

I decided to leave them alone, I might get crazy as well if I stick with them. I went to the chips and junk-food section. It took me minutes to find my favorite chips. My eyes are twinkling like a star the moment I see it, but unfortunately it can't be reached by my hand. I was about to ask for assistance from the crew and then someone grabbed it for me.

"Here." A good-looking man with a piercing on his nose handed the chips.

"Thanks!" To show my gratitude I give him a smile. Then, he smiled back. He suddenly winked at me. This was the moment I knew that I was about to get upset.

I hit someone's elbow. "Sorry," I made a mistake. It's natural to ask for forgiveness.

It's her again, the lady in the restroom. Her beauty was one of a kind. I wonder if she's actually a foreigner. I may say that whoever her boyfriend is, he is hell'a lucky to have her.

"It's ok." Ngumiti na naman siya, naiilang man ako ngumiti na lang din ako besides would it be sound so rude to snob her?

"Jane." Sabay kaming napalingon sa kung saan galing ang boses.

Napalis ang ngiti ko nang makita ang lalaking papalapit. Napaawang ang bibig ko nang mapagsino ito. Hindi lang 'yun nanlaki rin literal ang mata ko sa sobrang pagkabigla. Napatingin na lang ako sa ibang direksyon.

"Let's go," wika ni Jun.

Pinagkakaila niya ba ako or nakalimutan niya na ako matapos niyang mangiwan sa ere ng dalawang taon? Dahil ba may girlfriend na siya? Teka nga bakit ako nagagalit?!

"Sure, baby." Ayun nga umalis na silang dalawa na hindi man lang niya ako pinakilala kahit man lang colleague niya.

Anak ng tinapay naman oh! Nasisiraan na ata ako. Kailan pa ako nagkainteres sa pagpapakilala?Pinakalma ko ang sarili ko biglang naalala ko na naman ang endearment nila. Nagbago na ata siya nasaan na ang kilala kong gentleman? Baby? Yuck lang kadiri talaga!

"Oh? Anyare sa mukha mo? mukhang bisokdol."

Sinimangutan ko lang ang pangaalaska ni ate nang makabalik na ako sa kanila, saktong nasa counter na pala sila. Pagkatapos namin magbayad binitbit naman ni kuya ang dalawang malaking plastic ng pinamili namin at nilagay niya iyon sa compartment ng kotse niya.

"Sige po tulog muna kayo malayo pa po at traffic din," wika ni kuya Taehyung.

Napasipat ako sa labas —traffic nga langya!

"Baka sumakit leeg mo." May inaabot na hugis U na unan si kuya kay ate.

Napangiti na lang ako bigla sa dalawang nasa unahan. Halata namang gusto ni kuya si ate pero bakit kaya hindi niya niligawan si ate?

Dapit hapon nang makarating kami sa Luneta saktong papalubog na ang araw na siyang isa sa sadya namin. Naglatag si ate Hera ng malaking sapin at isa-isang inayos ang pagkain.

Nagpaalam ako saglit bibili lang ako ng paborito namin ni ate. Medyo malayo-layo rin ang bilihan ng kwek-kwek. Sa sobrang daming nagtitinda at marami ring bumibili ay nahirapan akong makasingit.

"We've met again." Dahan- dahan kong pinihit ang ulo ko upang lingunin ang katabi ko.

Sana mali ang hinala ko.

Nanadya ba talaga sila? Naiirita na ako bakit sila na naman?

Kung kanina natutuwa ako sa mga ngiti niya ngayon ewan ko ba parang napaplastikan ako sa mga ngiting iyon. Sa inis ko napadami ako ng bili ng kwek-kwek kaya naman gulat na gulat si mama nang makita ang bitbit ko na supot.

"Hindi ka naman gutom na gutom 'nak?" tanong ni mama.

"May taga-ubos naman tayo." Inginuso ko si ate na anlaki ng pagkakangiti.

Sa totoo lang mapili si ate sa pagkain inaamoy niya muna ang pagkain bago tikman. Kapag nagustuhan niya, hindi niya talaga titigilan hangga't di nauubos at kapag sa simula pa lang ayaw na niya ng amoy hindi mo siya mapipilit na pakainin.

"Ayan ka na naman hirap ka na naman matunawan niyan." Pagpapaalala ni kuya kay ate.

"Nariyan ka naman doctor Kim eh," ani ate at ngumisi lang ito bago tumusok ng isang kwek-kwek na isinubo niya kay kuya.

"Maiwan ko muna kayo maglilibot lang ako," paalam ko sa kanila.

Naglakad-lakad ako hanggang sa makarating ako sa swing. May nauna na pala guess who? of all people nga naman sila pa talaga dahil ba matagal na hindi kami nagkita kaya halos buong araw akong napepeste sa kanila?

Diyos ko po lord kotang-kota na ako please lang last na huwag niyo nang ipakita ang sinuman sa kanila.