CHAPTER 2

A week later, it is their graduation day. Her mom and ate were so busy with preparing for the after party. They even assigned an artist for Ellie’s makeup and hairstyle. And invited some of their friends and their relatives.

After preparing, agad naman silang pumunta sa venue dahil magsisimula na rin ang ceremony after 20 mins.

Nakarating naman agad sila ng hindi pa nagsisimula kaya umupo na si Ellie sa naka assign sa kanyang upuan.

The usual graduation program happens, isa isang tinatawag ang bawat student para I-received ang kani-kanilang award.

Nang pangalan na niya ang tinawag ay tumayo naman siya agad.

"Khloe Eleanor V. Echavez, Magna cum Laude"

She gracefully walked towards the stage and received her medal and certificate with her mom and dad. She smiled sweetly in front of everyone. As then they took pictures.

Pagkatapos ng program ay agad namang nag sama-sama ang blocks nila Ellie for picture taking. They also took pictures, the 3 of them, Bryce and Via and her.

Uwian na kaya , she invited Via and Bryce, then some of her batchmates, for laters after party. They agree about it but pupunta lamang sila pagkatapos ng kani-kanilang celebration kasama ang pamilya.

Pagkauwi ay sinurpresa namn siya ng kanyang ate Eya, kuya Klyde and kuya Kai, ng isang susi ng sasakyan na ang kuya ang bumili, and a key for a condo who bought by her ate Eya.

While her mom and dad give her the funds. Pera ang binigay nila dahil baka raw ay gusto niyang mag travel or magtayo ng negosyo for herself. She was touched by their gifts to her. They took a lot of family pictures and pictures na kasama ang kanyang ate Eya and two of her loving brothers.

The after party starts at 8pm in the evening. Kaya medjo crowded na din sa labas ng bahay nila where they held her after party since it's already 7 in the evening.

Kinumusta niya naman ang mga pinsan niya from her mother's side na nandito na sa bahay. Wala pa ang ibang mga pinsan niya sa father's side. She thinks that they always get late when it comes to gathering.

Nakatanggap naman siya ng chat nila Via na they'll be here at 9pm. While Celine, her best friend, will be there at 8pm.

Naglibot muna siya sa may buffet area, to taste the foods they prepared. They all are good and taste delicious but there are just some that she doesn't like lalo na yung amoy. Naduduwal siya sa ibang lasa ng pagkain inihanda.

She just shrugged and continued to taste some of the desserts. Pagkatapos ay kumuha naman siya ng wine and sip it but agad ring nag-iba ang kanyang mukha dahil sa pangit na lasa.

"Huy!"

She was startled by that. Nilingon niya naman ang pinanggalingan ng boses na yun. And recognized that it was Celine.

"Bat dito ka nagtatambay ha? Matakaw lang?"

Napalingo siya sa kanyang sinabi. She just wants to taste the food.

"Hindi ah, tinikman ko lang if they prepared the taste I want."Agad niyang bwelta sa kanya. "And masarap naman halos lahat, ito tikman mo."

Sabay harap sa bunganga ni Celine ang hawak nyang spoon na may blueberry cheesecake. Agad naman napatango si Celine ng malasahan ito. They were just talking casually habang kumain ng cake.

Nagsimula na din ang party since it's already 8:15pm. Habang ngumunguya ng cheesecake ay may tumawag naman Kay Ellie. And it was her mom, iniwan niya muna si Celine saglit.

"Why mom?"

"Come here sweetie." nasa may table siya kasama ang mga kaibigan ng mom niya. They are not familiar in her eyes since she's not that type to know her mom's friend except her Tita Olive, Via's mom.

Via's mom and her mom are friends. When she reached their table, she immediately greeted her mom's friends. Pinaupo namn siya ng mommy niya sa tabi nito.

"Just sit here, I'll introduce someone to you." tumayo ang mom niya and walks towards the bar area. Hindi niya na siya sinundan ng tingin pa. When she hears gaps,she instantly turns her eyes to someone who's with her mom.

She stared at him, until she noticed his features and the scenes that replayed in her head, going back and forth.

When he noticed that Ellie was staring at him, he stared back at her. Habang unti-unti nabubuo ang pira-pirasong imahe sa isipan niya na syang nagpagulat kay Ellie.

But She didn't let them notice that, umayos siya ng upo ng makalapit ito sa kanilang table.

“Ellie sweetie, this man besides me is Kael Hendrix Castellano.” pagpapakilala nito sa kanya ng kanyang mommy.

Kahit alam niyang tinitigan nya siya ng lalaki ay tumingin pa rin si Ellie sa kanya. Nagkatitigan ang dalawa na parang walang niisa ang gustong kumalas.

“His the son of your Tito Klaus Harold Castellano, do you remember him?” with that question, She cut first their staring contest.

“Oh you mean, Tito Harl mom?” Her mom nods about her question. “Yes I remember him, where is he by the way?” sunod niyang tanong dahil parang hindi niya ito nakikita.

“Hindi sya nakasama since his very busy, Kael is with his mom.”

Tumango nalang siya from what her mom said.

“Kael this is my daughter, Khloe Eleanor. Though we call her as our Ellie short from her second name Eleanor.” pagpapakilala ng mom niya sa kanya. Pati nickname niya ay sinabi na rin. Tumango nalang si Ellie of how her mom introduce her to him at ngumiti ng pilit sa lalaki.

He just nodded while looking at her intently na parang naaalala nya ito. oh my god! Sana naman nakalimutan na nya yun. Sa isip isip ni Ellie.

“Would you mind if you stay with Ellie Kael? I'm just going to talk to your mom.”

No, mom! please isama mo nalang sya! If only I can say this straight to my mom, even if he's beside her. God! pagsasalita nito sa kanyang isip.

“Yeah sure Mrs. Echavez,” he answered.

“Just call me tita ijo.” Elea’s mom uttered with a smile. Bago sya umalis, she pat the back of Kael.

This is an unexpected meeting, Ellie never expected to see him here. She even tried to forget everything that happened.

Ngayon na alam niya na ang pangalan. And what he looks like, parang she just did a suicide. Dahil ang pamilya nito ay kaibigan ng magulang niya.

Pa'no nalang kung magsabi ang lalaki sa mga magulang niya that there's something happened them. Ano nalang ang sasabihin niya?

Napabalik si Ellie sa huwesyo when he gives her a wine. Yung wine pa talaga na ayaw ko ang lasa!

We we're just sitting there casually. Wala ni isang gustong mag initiate na magsalita. She felt so awkward! Kasi, she slowly remembered what they did!

Pero si Karl he's just sitting there like nothing reminds him of something! How come he's so calm?! Hindi na mapakasali sa iniisip si Ellie.

"How's Tito Harl?" pagbabasag ni Ellie sa katahimikan.

"Dad's good, he's just busy with his businesses."

Tumango si Ellie sa kanyang sinabi and sip her wine which cause her to mostly vomit.

Pero buti nalang naduduwal lang siya. She was startled when she saw him holding a glass of water.

He hand it over to me and I immediately drink it. I sigh from that scenario and inayos ang postura ko.

"I'm sorry about that, It just that this wine is not good." napansin niyang napakunot ang nuo ng lalaki when she said those.

Maybe because he likes wine. Sa isip-isip nito, she shrugged it off and drank all the water.

Hindi na sila nakapag-usap pa dahil sobrang limit nitong magsalita. I can't handle him! Bat ba ang tagal ni mom?! While talking to herself in her mind.

Her phone beeps at the right timing, para maiwan muna niya ito dito. Oh god! This saves me from hell!

Nang makita niya ang chat ni Via that they are here already. Agad siyang napatingin kay Kael na sya ring nakatingin sa kanya.

She was taken aback by his stare but she cut it off first.

"I'll just fetch my friends sa labas. Is it okay for you to stay here muna?"

He nodded shortly without even muttering a word. What a cold person he is! Bat ako nagpatira dito?! Wow! the word Ellie ha. That is what Ellie thinks.

Tumango nalang din siya at tumayo na agad but unfortunately pagtayo niya ay bigla siyang natapilok.

Pinikit niya ang mga mata upang maramdaman ang tigas ng sahig. But instead, Karl was able to catch her from falling. They shared stare at a seconds, at agad na din naman siyang umayos ng tayo.

"I-i'm sorry. I was being careless." wth! I even said those words while stuttering a little. Shocks! Ellie! sa isip-isip nito.

"It's fine, be careful."

Kahit sobrang ikli lang ng sinabi nya. It still caused a tingling sensation in her spine!

She immediately turns her back and walks fast, para mapuntahan na sila Via and Bryce. She can't stay any longer besides him. Baka, he will talk about what happened to them.