Chapter 7

I took a nap in my room that afternoon when we got home. Then I had a dream. The same dream --- the full moon, ang pagtakbo ko nang nakapaa lang sa gubat, ang paglamon sa'kin ng lupa, the fire and ice sensation --- everything. This was the second time I dreamt about it. And I hated it.

I tried to shake it off when I woke up. It was already past six o'clock ng gabi nung bumaba ako at dumiretso sa kusina nang may naamoy akong masarap na niluluto. And there, naabutan ko si Auntie Edna na nagluluto ng kare-kare. Maya-maya, pumasok si Pops and he told me that Kurt already left for the party pagkatapos siyang sunduin ng mga kaibigan niya.

Pops was trying to convince me again to go. "Pero kung hindi mo talaga kaya, then I suggest you should stay," sabi niya. "Mas importante ang nararamdaman mo."

Maliban sa nahihilo ako pag may maraming tao, sometimes I also got sweating, trembling or rapid heartbeat. Nag-undergo na'ko ng psychotherapy noon and I even took medications but I stopped after our parents died. This was my secret. Hindi alam nina Pops at Kurt na tumigil na'ko sa pag-inom ng meds.

I realized moments later na wala ring mangyayari kung magpapadala ako sa fear ko. Like what they say, you have to face your fear to overcome it. Wala rin akong ibang gagawin sa bahay. Nakatulog na'ko ng ilang oras that afternoon kaya paniguradong gising na naman ako buong magdamag. Natapos ko na rin panoorin ang series finale ng Shadowhunters and I didn't have anything else on my watch list.

So finally, I decided to go to the party. Nag-text muna ako kay Rita para tanungin kung anong oras siya aalis. I needed someone na kasabay kong pumunta, at least. I tapped the send button at sinabi ko sa sarili ko na pupunta lang ako kapag di pa siya nakaalis ng bahay nila. Wala pang isang minuto ay nag-reply na agad si Rita at sabing nagbibihis pa lang siya. I also replied telling her that I'd go with her and then she sent a bunch of happy stickers.

Masaya si Pops nung sinabihan ko siyang nagbago na isip ko at binigay niya agad sa'kin agad ang susi ng kotse. Umakyat ulit ako sa kwarto at nagbihis ng pang-Slumber Party. I chose to wear my blue cotton pajamas with Mickey Mouse prints. Magkaterno sila. The top had a collar, it was short-sleeved and buttoned down while the bottom was a pair of straight cut trousers. Isang beses ko lang itong nasuot and that was last virtual Christmas party sa school namin na pareho din ang theme. What's with the Slumber Party anyway?

I put a little make up on, tied my hair back in a ponytail, and wore my white sneakers.

I went back downstairs para magpaalam kina Pops at Auntie. They told me to eat first but I told them I needed to go pick up Rita at sa party na lang kami kakain. Nalungkot si Auntie Edna at nalungkot din ako kasi paborito ko ang kare-kare. Nag-text ulit ako kay Rita na papunta na'ko at susunduin ko siya sa kanila.

Mamita let me in after I rang their doorbell while Rita was running down the stairs. She was wearing overall pink unicorn pajamas.

"You girls look so cute!" masayang papuri ni Mamita. "Ang liit-liit n'yo pa nung huli ko kayong nakitang nakaganyan. And now, look at you. Dalagang dalaga na kayo pareho," she added then she turned to me with her hands cupping my face. "And you're so beautiful, Kat."

"Mamita, tama na 'yan," saway ni Rita. "Baka dahil sa sobrang flattery, dito na titira si Kat at papalitan pa'ko bilang apo n'yo."

We all just laughed. Rita grabbed her pouch sling bag then Mamita kissed the both of us on the cheeks. "Good luck sa pagkanta mo later sa party. I wish I'd be there para panoorin ka."

"Yeah, me too," then Rita waved goodbye.

Rita had a great singing voice which she got from her grandfather. President siya ng Glee Club ng PEU. She even sent an audition tape sa The Voice at nag-aantay na lang siya ng result. I hoped na makapasok siya. Her voice needed to be heard by everyone in the world.

First time ko mag-drive ng kotse sa Puerto Estrella nung gabing 'yun. Medyo mahangin at malamig ang paligid kaya nakabukas lang ang mga bintana namin. Pareho pa kaming di kumakain dalawa. Buti na lang may baon si Rita na chocolate bars at 'yun ang pinapapak namin habang papunta sa University. While she was munching, sinusubuan niya rin ako since ako ang nagmamaneho.

"Mag-boyfriend ka na kaya. Mas masaya kung 'yung boyfriend mo nagsusubo sa'yo," asar niya sa'kin.

"Parang ang pangit pakinggan ng sinabi mo," sabi ko sa kanya at nagkatawanan kami. "Saka excuse me, mukha ba'kong uhaw na uhaw magka-boyfriend?"

She just rolled her eyes like she already got used to what I said. Madalas niya kasi akong sinasabihang mag-boyfriend na pero ini-ignore ko lang siya. Saka, sino ba naman ang magkakagusto sa isang sociophobic at loner? I was like a freak to anybody.

Nakita ko ulit ang malaking gate ng high school campus ng PEU. After we parked inside, nakita naming mahaba na ang pila sa labas ng Zaragoza Stadium nung dumating kami. We had to line up first for the registration at nagsimula na'kong makaramdam ng konting pagkalula dahil sa mga taong nakikita ko sa labas pa lang.

Hindi nagtagal ay nakapasok na rin kami ni Rita. At dahil dun, mas lalo pa'kong nalula. Di lang sa dami ng taong nasa loob kundi dahil na rin sa laki ng buong stadium. It was like you're inside a Roman arena, modernized nga lang 'yung design.

Isang napaka-glamorous na display ang tumambad kaagad sa'min. The entire place sparkled and shined dahil sa mga nakatayong blue and pink light-up fabric columns. The high tables also glowed in white plus there was the eye-catching blue and silver metallic streamers on the ceiling and dancing Fresnel lights. Nagkalat din sa sahig ng buong stadium ang mga blue and pink balloons.

All of the students were wearing their sleeping attires ranging from satin to cotton pajamas. 'Yung iba naman ay simple lang ang suot: sando, shirts, shorts, basta nakapantulog pa rin tingnan kahit papaano. Marami ring mga naka-unicorn overalls gaya ni Rita kaya it was a bit magical pag nagsama-sama sila.

Where's Kurt, anyway? tanong ko sa sarili ko. Di ko pa siya nakikita so far and I wondered what he was wearing. Siguro nag-e-enjoy na 'yun kasama ang mga new found friends niya.

To officially start the program, Principal Navarro came up on stage for his welcoming remarks.

Nagpalakpakan ang lahat ng mga estudyante na may kasamang hiyawan. It was so loud pero mas malakas pa rin ang tunog ng tiyan ko dahil sa gutom kaya inaya ko si Rita na kumuha ng pagkain. We both scanned the entire place and looked for food. Right there, sa isang side malapit sa bleachers ay may nakita kaming isang long table na puno ng pagkain. We hurriedly went to get some food and the service guy gave us everything we could ask for.

It was clear when we were all advised that the party would start after dinner at home. That's why hindi heavy ang mga naka-serve na food. They're more of like party snacks such as club house sandwiches, pizza bites, baked mac and sweets like s'mores and gingerbread cookies. Pero okay na 'yun. At least, nakakain na kami sa wakas ng totoong pagkain.

The party continued after the principal's speech with a concert-like performance by the school's all-boy rockband, Supernova. There were five of them and they honestly sounded and looked like One Direction. Maraming mga girls ang kinilig and they were screaming their names, I thought. So far, nakikita ko namang nag-enjoy halos lahat. Maliban lang sa'kin siguro. I felt nauseous again.

Nakalimutan pala naming kumuha ng drinks kaya ako na nag-volunteer at iniwan ko si Rita with our food. I went to the other side of the stadium kung saan andun ang table para sa iba-ibang klase ng drinks. I asked the bartender for two glasses of passion fruit punch and I took a sip straight away. It wasn't alcoholic, of course. It was sweet and fruity yet it had a slightly tart taste.

I immediately turned my back from the counter and then I realized more people are coming my way to get drinks. Nakipag-patintero ako sa gitna ng maraming tao hoping that I wouldn't throw any of the glasses na hawak ko. Lumalakas na naman ang tibok ng puso ko. I should've taken my meds before coming here, I thought.

I raised my head through the crowd at nakita ko si Rita na nag-aantay pa rin dun sa table namin. Just as I turned to that direction, may isang lalaking biglang sumalubong sa'kin at hindi na'ko nagkaroon ng chance na umiwas. Nangyari 'yung kinatatakutan ko. In an instant, nagkabangga kami at bumuhos lahat ng dala kong punch sa damit niya.

"Oh, my God! I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed. Hindi lang dahil nabuhusan ko siya kundi dahil na rin kulay puti ang suot niya.

He was wearing a white sando na body-fit kaya super obvious 'yung dark yellow na mantsa sa damit niya.

"Pasensya ka na. I wasn't looking at my direction," I was panicking trying to think kung paano ko matatanggal 'yung mantsa. My eyes were still focused on the mess, trying to ignore his perfect masculine chest and arms.

"It's okay. Kasalanan ko din," sabi niya. What? Di siya galit sa'kin? "I should've seen you coming at me." I raised my head again and that's the time I saw his face.

His eyes met mine. At dahil sa lights sa loob ng stadium parang kumikinang din ang mga mata niya habang nakatitig sa'kin. His jawline was more defined sa malapitan and his lips were slightly pursed.

"You're Katherine, right? Kambal ni Kurt," he verified habang sumisigaw siya dahil sa lakas ng party music. I just nodded, awkwardly. "My name's Jake! Jacob Salvador!"

He gave out his hand at nagdalawang isip pa'ko na tanggapin ito. He was my brother's friend. Kahit kilala ko na siya even before, by name and by face, this was the first time that we were formally introduced to each other.

I shook his hand . . . with guilt. "Again, I'm terribly sorry! I ruined your get up," sinubukan ko ring lakasan ang boses ko.

"Totally fine! May extra naman akong damit sa locker ko," he smiled and our gaze met again. "It's nice to finally meet you, Kat!"

I tried to smile back, barely, and then I immediately excused myself. Bumalik agad ako sa table namin ni Rita and I saw her staring at me. And with her intriguing smile, alam ko na nakita niya lahat ng nangyari.

"Mission failed," sabi ko sa kanya habang pinakita ko ang mga empty glasses na dala ko.

"No prob. Ako na kukuha," sabi niya at agad siya umalis dala ang mga baso.

I decided to continue eating at tinapos ko 'yung natitirang pieces ng pizza bites. I was thinking kung kelan matatapos 'yung gabi na 'yun. Para makalimutan ko na rin 'yung kahihiyan na nagawa ko.

Mabilis na nakabalik si Rita with our drinks and then we agreed to have a toast.

"So, anong pinag-usapan n'yo ni Jake?" tanong niya sa'kin.

"Huh? We didn't talk about anything. Just a meet and greet," sabi ko.

She gave me that look again, the whatever-look. "Alam mo, bagay kayo ni Jake," di talaga siya sumuko.

"What did you say?" nagbibingi-bingihan ako. Buti na lang malakas ang music sa loob ng stadium kaya medyo kapani-paniwala ang acting ko.

Rita and I danced the night away and we took a lot of selfies. Pero di na kami pumunta sa dancefloor at dun lang kami sa stand-up table namin. Rita knew that I couldn't do any good in a crowd. Thanks to her at sinamahan pa rin niya ako.

"Oh, there's Kurt!" she exclaimed when her attention was diverted. I turned my head to the direction where she pointed her finger.

At last, nakita ko din ang kambal ko at suot niya ang kanyang blue striped pajamas na magka-terno rin. And of course, kasama na naman niya ang tropa niya. Seth was only wearing a black shirt and boxers. And then I saw Jake again. At suot na niya ang kanyang jersey jacket. It was all my fault he had to change.

Everyone was dancing to the music, enjoying the food, drinks and meeting one another. And before the party ended that night, the emcee came up on stage and called the President of the Student Government for the closing speech. Her name's Anastasia Ortega.

Nagpalakpakan ang lahat ng tao sa loob ng stadium and then a female student with a long wavy hair and full bangs appeared on stage. Her fair skin glowed even better nung nakatutok na sa kanya ang spotlight. Lalo pa siyang kuminang dahil sa suot niyang golden silk night gown with a matching robe. Nung gabing 'yun, pansin ko na siya lang ang may suot na ganung klaseng damit. It was sultry because of the silk but not revealing.

"Again, a very warm evening to our respected Principal, loving teachers, honorable members of the Student Government and its Council, and all the fresh new faces," she started. "Yes . . . New faces, we don't know yet but we will surely love to know. Thank you for coming to the very first Fresher's Welcome Party!"

She was also Jake's ex-girlfriend according to Rita. They broke up sometime last year and I didn't ask why. They sounded like a perfect couple, though. It was my first time to see Anastasia at tama nga ang pagkaka-describe ni Rita base sa mga kwento niya. Kahit nasa malayo kami nakatayo, I could tell that she's very pretty. Her face was illuminating from afar. Kahit hindi ako ang nakatayo sa harapan alam kong lahat ng mga mata ay nasa kanya nakatingin. Overall, she looked magnificently sexy and wholesome at the same time.

". . . so all of you guys out there," Anastasia continued on stage, "for the freshmen, I wish you all good luck with the next four years of your lives. For the transfer students from all levels, welcome to your new home. Your journey continues here, make them unforgettable. Good night!"

Pagkatapos ng speech niya ay nagpaalam agad sa'kin si Rita at umakyat sa stage for her solo singing performance. It was the evening's grand finale for me. I've heard her singing for many times since nung nagkakilala kami pero sa tuwing naririnig ko siyang kumakanta, it always felt like it's the first time.

Her voice was like an angel's. It was soft --- and ethereal, melting my heart and making me shed tears of happiness. A voice that would calm your thoughts and spirit. Lahat ng mga tao sa stadium ay nakatayo lang at pinapanood si Rita habang kumakanta sa stage. Medyo late na nang na-realize ng mga tao na tapos na pala siyang kumanta saka sila nagsipagpalakpakan lahat. It was like everyone was hypnotized. We were all in trance.