Chapter 24

"FOR WEBLINK and for Gabryel! Congratulations!"

Itinaas ni Claudine ang kopita ng alak at saka humalik sa pisngi ni Gabryel. It was followed by greetings from members of the club and other guests. Tahimik lang si Sindy habang nakatayo sa tabi ni Gabryel at nakamasid.

It was a dinner party thrown by Claudine for Gabryel. Nakuha kasi nito ang deal para sa web design project ng cable company ni Claudine. Everyone was celebrating except her. She felt left out. Pakiramdam niya ay hindi siya kabilang sa grupo na iyon.

"Oh, you should have seen Gabryel during the presentation. He was so confident and so articulate. And handsome, too. That's why my bosses are impressed," Claudine boasted to everyone. "Wait till you see the Web site about its launching. Kahit may Web site na kayo, magpapagawa pa uli kayo ng bago. I never doubted for a moment he would get the project."

"Thanks, Claudine," sabi ni Gabryel at hinawakan ang kamay niya. "Gusto mo ba ng champagne?"

"Sure," sabi niya. She could use a drink to ease her boredom. After all, wala naman siyang sasabihin. Claudine was the party's host. At siya ay tagapakinig lang sa mga istorya nito.

"Paano iyan? Naka-concentrate ka yata sa trabaho. Baka naman hindi ka makapaglaro nang maayos sa competition bukas," ani Brad.

"As if you don't know Gabryel," wika ni Claudine at umabrisete kay Gabryel. "Remember last year? We even went on a vacation in Davao. We arrived the night before the competition. But he still got a perfect score!"

"Burglar is a great horse. We trust each other. It is the key. Saka kahit walang competition, nagpa-practice pa rin kami," paliwanag ni Gabryel.

"No. Inspired ka lang last year. Siyempre, nanood ako sa iyo," malambing na sabi ni Claudine at humilig kay Gabryel.

"Yeah, great!" mahinang usal niya at ininom nang straight ang champagne. Not strong enough. She went to the bar. "Bloody Mary, please," order niya sa bartender.

Gusto niyang mamanhid. Ayaw niyang marinig pa ang nakaraan nina Gabryel at Claudine. If she wanted to rehash their past, not in front of her.

She drank up her Bloody Mary and ordered another one. Unti-unti nang humihina ang mga kuwento ni Claudine sa pandinig niya. Bahagya na ring lumalabo ang mga paningin niya habang bumubulong si Claudine kay Gabryel.

"You don't even know I am not beside you. Siguro, mas masaya ka na kasama si Claudine," mahinang usal niya.

"The Stallion series will be out soon," excited na anunsiyo ni Neiji at luminga-linga. "Where is Sindy?"

Nakita siya ni Gabryel sa bar at nilapitan. "What are you doing here?"

Wallowing in pain. Celebrating my own shame.

Itinaas niya ang pangatlong baso ng Bloody Mary. "I am celebrating for you and for me. For us," aniya sa namumungay na mga mata.

Hinawakan siya nito nang mariin sa braso. "Bakit umalis ka sa tabi ko?"

Nagkibit-balikat siya. You didn't even notice I am not there.

"May problema ba?" tanong ni Claudine.

Walang emosyon na tiningnan niya ito. Ikaw ang problema ko. Sana, `di mo na lang iniwan si Gabryel noon para balikan lang kung kailan mahal ko na siya.

She didn't know what to do. She was dying inside.

"I am sorry, Claudine. We have to go," sabi ni Gabryel.

"The party has just started," angal ni Claudine. "Why so soon?"

"Kanina pa masama ang pakiramdam ni Sindy. Pinilit ko lang siyang sumama rito. I am sorry," wika ni Gabryel at nagpaalam na sa iba.

"Bakit umalis tayo agad?" Naramdaman niya ang matalim na tingin sa kanya ni Claudine. Iniisip siguro nito na gusto niyang ilayo si Gabryel dito.

"You are not feeling well," he said as he pulled her inside the car.

"Okay lang ako."

"Nakailang Bloody Mary ka na? You were having your own private party. Now tell me what the problem is."

"Wala," aniya saka yumuko. Gusto ko lang makalimutan na mas gusto mong kasama si Claudine kaysa sa akin. I just want to numb the pain.

Niyakap siya nito. "I am sorry. Whatever is wrong, I am really sorry."

"Gabryel, you don't have to be sorry. Wala kang ginawa..."

"Pakiramdam ko, meron. Hindi mo lang siguro gustong sabihin sa akin. So whatever it is, I am really sorry."

Ngumiti siya nang malungkot at hinayaang tumulo ang mga luha mula sa kanyang mga mata. What if I tell you 'I love you'? Are you sorry because you can't love me back?

"Ako ang dapat mag-sorry. I am the party spoiler. That party is for you."

Pinahid nito ang mga luha niya. "Don't cry. The party is not really important. Ang importante sa akin, kasama kita." He pressed a kiss on her lips. "Close your eyes and take a rest. You have to cheer for me tomorrow."

Those simple words were enough to lessen the pain. Nakalimutan niya si Claudine dahil parang siya ang pinakaimportanteng tao kay Gabryel. And the rest of the world didn't matter, including Claudine. She wished things would always work that way.