First Lead
“Ano gift mo kila Mayi?”
I kicked off a pebble on the side of the road, “Not sure.”
Krissia sighed, we were both waiting for Aizhy at Robinson’s since we thought buying gifts for the twins together would be a great idea given that Sia was a terrible gift giver. Once she gave me a picture of herself. Naka-frame pa ‘yun.
“Why didn’t you go here together?” I questioned her, she shrugged nibbling on her lower lip na para bang iniiwasan niya ang aking tanong.
“Did something happen?” She looked like she was about to cry yet she gave me another shrug, playing it off.
“You told me I could tell you everything,” I reached for her hand. “You’re not following your own advice.”
“Short or long?”
Before I could speak she cracked a joke, “Syempre gusto mo long.”
I stared daggers at her, I’m trying to have a serious conversation yet she’s fooling around. I get that it’s her way of coping with her problems but I want to help. She just needs to tell me how.
“Short na lang para twinning sa temper mo,” She stuck her tongue out. I so want to pull it to teach her a lesson. As a dignified, proper friend I persisted.
“Rejected.”
My face softened, it was not a shocking outcome. Anyways I still sympathized with Krissia. She’s an amazing friend discounting her teasing tendencies along with the gift-giving knowledge shortage—she’s still a darling, the crowd loves her. Unfortunately the person she wants to love her back does not, in a romantic way at least.
“When did you confess?”
“After final exams, wala lang adrenaline rush,” She lowered her head. “Yun ‘yung mali ko eh I ran a marathon with no definite finish line.”
“Meyron naman actually,” Her head still hung low even with her cap hiding her face I noticed a tear escaping her eye.
“Just finished without a line, period.”
I opened my arms and she accepted it, her tears flowing non-stop. Krissia tightened her embrace while I caressed her back to ease her.
“I expected it.”
“I really did,” She said with finality.
“She was right, your gaydar is absolutely broken,” It was now my turn to lighten up the mood. Gladly it worked as she giggled like a child.
We let go of each other. Krissia wiped her tears away forcing a smile. Then she gave me a double thumbs-up, ang kanyang sombrero dahan-dahang nahuhulog pero she fixed it by turning it backwards.
“Baka makita niya pa ako umiiyak.”
“Sinabi ko pa naman sa kanya okay lang,” Krissia was far from being okay, she was drained of energy which was her whole identity—our section’s ball of light always moving around brightening everyone’s day.
“Anong pinaguusapan niyo?” We both froze upon hearing Aizhy’s voice. I honestly felt like I was a character in a sitcom as I’m so sure I heard a laughing track in the background somewhere laughing at our deer-looking-at-headlights expression. I swear, may naririnig ako.
“Nothing much,” Krissia replied with a smile, trying her best to school her laughter.
“She cried because I told her favorite boxer died just this morning,” Technically I wasn’t lying, her favorite boxer did recently die but she knew that before me. I did not break the news to her.
“Napak is dead!?” Aizhy gasped.
We laughed at her reaction and Krissia sneaked in a quiet thank you before we went inside without exchanging another discussion. Thankfully, the mall’s air cooled down the heating tension amongst the two.
“Game plan!” Aizhy huddled us on one of the shop’s sides. She put her hands across both me and Krissia’s shoulders. Her eyes lingered on Ai’s face with longing—this is the first time I’m witnessing the painful moving on arc of my own friend. Kadalasan kasi sa mga fictional characters ko lang nababasa ‘yun.
“For Mayi, of course books or bags, addicted yun sa bags.”
“Kay April napansin kong gusto niya ng pink and cute things so plushie, bows, and lacey things is the go-to,” She eyed Krissia, “Gets mo?”
“Yes Ma’am,” Krissia comically saluted, breaking the huddling we had going on.
“Bwiset ka talaga,” Aizhy clasped her hands together, “Anong binigay na budget sa inyo?”
“Two thousand,” I said.
“Same,” Krissia added, distancing herself from Ai.
“Same-same lang pala eh,” She stood up straight, same as her sexuality. I meant she shouted, “Let’s go!” and we booked it.
After our shopping expedition I went home with two paper bags. I am not confident with my gift for April but I do know that Mayi would freak out when she learns what I picked for her. I had to make sure her gift was perfect; I am part of the 18 treasures after all.
“How’s the shoppin’?” Mom asked, sipping on a can of soda. I showed a satisfied smile lifting the two bags to show her what I got and upon seeing the contents she gave me a thumbs up of approval.
“That’s so cute!”
“I agree po!” We both squealed in excitement causing my Dad to shake his head, a contradiction to his wide smile. Eto talaga si Dad hindi magaling mag-act as nonchalant.
“Mag-ayos ka na ng gamit, Nak,” Dad suggested, “Bukas na ang debut ‘diba?”
“Opo,” I ran upstairs after responding to him. Dad made me realize that time does go by really fast. It's already December 23 tomorrow but it feels like the semester just started. Nakaka-dismaya nga eh dahil hindi kami pinayagan mag year end party ng school pero sabi naman ni Mayi bawi na lang sa debut nila.
Ayun na nga it’s been a week since class ended; since Krissia was rejected by Aizhy and the other incident I’m going to pretend did not happen. Hindi ko napansin na that she confessed. She’s usually that good at keeping her negative emotions at bay. I’m assuming she could not handle keeping it in, resulting in her break down.
“Manifesting a cute gf for her next year,” I whispered as I dropped the things I was carrying onto my bed. Tiningnan ko ang aking cabinet scanning through all the clothes I would be needing for the event.
For the actual debut, the dress code is black and white. Luckily I had a white tuxedo that I’ve been wanting to wear ever since my Mom gifted it to me on my 17th birthday. She did not have a particular reason why she bought me one but she did mention, “For your future groom to look at,” with a teasing wink.
I know that will not happen any sooner so Mayi’s debut will have to do, Mom. Your son doesn’t even have a boyfriend! I hung up the tuxedo to take a good look at the details, nothing about it stands out—just a simple white outfit yet para sa akin ang ganda nito.
I took a picture to send to Mayi. Just in case. We’ll never know if it actually follows the debut’s dress code or not.
While packing all my belongings I heard the sound of my phone’s notification. Kinuha ko kaagad ang aking phone para tingnan kung nag reply na si Mayi sa aking message.
Future Judge Mayi:
Prettyyy
Pls wear that
Kung hindi, mag dr-drama ako
Me:
Okayyy (੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ̀ˋ
I-lalapag ko na sana ang aking phone ng nag-notif ulit ito. Did Mayi reply? That was fast. She usually takes a long time before she even reacts to a message. I picked up my phone to confirm if it was Mayi but it was not.
HUMANISTA NUMBA ONE
You + 19 others
Emi:
@everyone MAY NASAGAP NANAMAN AKO
York:
Ah shit here we go again
Emi:
SHUT UP SANTA CLAUS
York:
@P.O. Queenie binubully niya ako
Porket Santa pangalan ko
Emi cancelled ka sa akin
P.O. Queenie:
Sure sure I close my eyes
York:
Tanginang peace officer yan
Emi:
TANGINA MGA SAPAW KAYO
Pres AJ:
Ano ganap
Emi:
Nalaman ko kung sino ininvite ni April for overnight
I can’t deny that I was curious about who April invited. Popular kasi siya kaya ‘di na ako magugulat if she also invited famous names around our school. There was even a slither of hope that she would invite you-know-who. I feel like if I mention his name I will jinx it.
Pres AJ:
GAGO AS IN!?
Emi:
YESSSSS
OMG ANG CRAZY NGA EH
I KNOW DI AKO PINAYAGAN SA OVERNIGHT
BUTTTT
AS YOUR GUYS’ CHIKARETTE
Pres AJ:
@VP Sia @Muse Ai @Seth @Quatro @Treasurer Mel
@Kirby @Leo @Sec Lou @Cali WAKE UP PARA SA ATIN TOH
Cole:
Sanaol talaga kasama sa overnight
Wala pa nga and I’m already having fomo
Candy:
SAMEEE HUHU SANAOL PUTCHA
Lam q naman na meyron tayo sa mismong debut
Pero hUhuhuHuhu
Halo bumped Cole’s message
Quatro:
Di kasi kayo fave ni Lord
Candy:
Doon ka nga sa far away
Quatro:
Pilitin mo ako
Leo:
Please
Let Emi chat
Seth:
^ curious ako
Emi:
Okieee sending yung list
Mas marami pa siyang overnight guest kaysa kay Mayi
Hmphhhh yaw ko talaga sa kanya
P.O. Queenie:
I’m literally her biggest hater guys
York:
Peace officer they said…
P.O. Queenie kicked York out of the group
VP Sia:
HAHAHAHHAHA DSURV
Sec Lou added York to the group
York:
Thanks bunso
Sec Lou:
You spammed me :(
Emi:
1. STEM Hottie
The list was strange not just because it was longer than Mayi’s overnight list but Emi chose to use code names instead of actual names further making me spiral in confusion. Admittedly I knew who the first three were but the others? Not at all. Hello, sino si Snake?
Muntikan ko na din mahulog ang aking phone dahil sa excitement that I was feeling. He’s invited which can only mean one thing: I can try to catch his attention. I promise this time I will not panic and go straight into action.
Quatro:
Tangina ano yan secret language?
Emi:
BAKA KASI MAEXPOSE AKO AS A SPY
KAYA CODE NAMES
Quatro:
Ano sila famous?
Leo:
Yes
Quatro:
Baka mas kilala pa ako ng uni
VP Sia:
SBI NI IMPULSIVE FUCKER
Quatro:
Still better than those nicknames
VP Sia:
Tangina englishero era!?
Pres AJ:
Sino si kapitan bomba????
Emi:
SI JC
Pres AJ:
Ahy
@Mayi baka di ako makatuloy
Natawa ako sa chat ni AJ, he always tries to avoid JC. His excuse is that JC hates his guts and he fully knows the reason why. I’ve never seen JC despise someone so much, he commonly has a loud demeanor—not in a bad way. It’s almost the same with Zy, they’re both bright beings you can not ignore.
I’m giving my best of luck to AJ who JC apparently hates. Nakakatuwa nga eh kasi pareho silang may John sa pangalan, they’re the perfect mismatch.
Mayi:
Pres AJ:
LOUD INCORRECT BUZZER
Maka-eye contact ko lang yan mamaya nasuntok na ako
Kirby:
Ang alam ko lang diyan yung first five huhu
@Emi walang spy dito
P.O. Queenie:
Si York
York:
Crush mo ba ako?
P.O. Queenie:
Nasa GAS crush ko bobo
Emi:
Sige na nga
SANDALEE
It took a while for Emi to resend the list. Habang typing siya, natapos ko na ang pag-iimpake ko at pag-aayos sa mga gamit na susuotin ko kaagad. The event starts with the debut, hence why I already ironed the tuxedo, found accessories, and borrowed some of my Dad’s old formal shoes that fit me.
Emi:
1. Apollo Zyle Sanvictores (Zy)
2. Matteo Yro Syjueco (Matt)
3. Kaizer Flynn Escario (Kai)
4. Luca Gayle Montesa (Luke)
5. Jonathan Carlisle Arquero (JC)
6. Seraphina Briar Barrion (Sera)
7. Gretchen Grace Edosma (Gigi)
8. Faith Fontanilla (Fae)
9. Vivienne Basilakis (Viv)
10. Karl Ryder Esquivel (Ry)
11. Roman Malavega (Rome)
Emi:
AYAN FULL NAME WITH NICKNAMES
MEYRON PA BANG ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS!?
Muse Ai:
Invited si Karl?
VP Sia:
olats
Poor Krissia, she just came from a heartbreak then tomorrow she’s going to witness Aizhy trying to flirt with her top 1 crush, goodbye to the 99 plus others as she will not be giving up on making her rejection tactic to Zy a reality.
I put my phone down, deciding I should eat dinner dahil kailangan kong matulog ng maaga para bukas, The event will be starting as early as ten in the morning since the eighteen or should I say thirty-six treasures, roses, and bills will be taking longer than the usual debut.
According to Mayi, only the 18 candles will stay eighteen. The reason is pretty understandable; they have exactly eighteen cousins that fit the role. This was the only request of Mayi’s that got approved. Which is safe to assume that their parents have a certain favorite ‘cause bakit lahat ng suggestion ni April came to fruition while Mayi’s only got one request accepted?!
I groan at that thought, parents with favorites are the worst. Mayi is the kindest, most caring person you’ll ever meet and her family even her sister treats her like an unwanted addition. They’re identical twins! They have different personalities for sure but still they’re siblings.
Nalulungkot ako na wala akong magagawa para kay Mayi, actually we tried multiple times to tell her parents that 36 roses separated was time consuming and it would be better for it to be mixed so everyone can eat the buffet earlier. We said that because we learnt that the buffet cost so much yet there was little to no time for it.
Ang sagot nila? Magtatampo daw si April. No they didn’t even call her April—they called her our little princess. What's worse is that they call Mayi by her second name! No nicknames, no nothing. I hate to say it, pero sila yung tipikal na mga magulang na mapapanood mo sa mga telenovela. They’re definitely someone’s villain origin story!
Now that I’m remembering all of this I want to eat. Eating would help me calm down, I was so happy earlier dahil alam kong magugustuhan ni Mayi yung gift niya at nalaman ko din na invited siya. Gosh, Mayi’s parents are so weirdly irritating. Maybe they’re my villain origin story.
Nevermind that, kakain na ako lang ako.
“This way, Sir and Ma’am.”
Everything was overwhelming. From the decor to the crowd, it was extravagant—the interior had a baroque-style architecture which I didn't even know we had a place like this in Antipolo. The guests, oh my gosh, the guests! They were all dressed to impress, para nga sila yung mag de-debut eh. I’m almost certain I will shake from anxiety.
“Parang ang underdressed ko ha…” Krissia adjusted her tie, yes she was wearing a tuxedo. It was black in color, a slim fit, and the blazer was longer at the back. She also had these white rose cufflinks that she’s been anxiously playing with.
“You’re not underdressed, you look amazing!” I complimented her. Ngumisi siya, cocking her head with pride.
“Ihhh ene be,” She tucked her wavy short hair behind her ear. To me it felt like she was copying Aizhy’s signature ironic move. Can she really move on if she’s copying her actions?
Speaking of Aizhy… where is she? I have not seen her since we entered the vicinity. I looked around for her only for my vision to be blocked by an older man, “Please follow me to your seats.”
They have butlers!? Oo nga pala, mayaman sila. Palagi ko talagang nakakalimutan that Mayi’s a Chua a.k.a. the owner of La Lavande—a globally known luxury brand where all the jewelry you can purchase is custom made for you.
Sa tingin ko ang rason kung bakit ko palaging nakakalimutan is Mayi’s too humble for her own good. She needs to flex a little bit, she’s like a wattpad main character where the plot circulates in her rich family problems most likely due to her getting an arranged marriage to a man she’d never met.
“Hoy, Earth to Mel!”
Oh we’re already at our table, I didn’t even realize I was following the butler.
“The gang’s complete,” Sigaw ni AJ na nakasandal sa kanyang upuan. His chair is almost tipping over and somehow he’s still keeping balance. That’s talent.
“Upo kayo, may nameplates diyan,” Aizhy waved us to come over, she was sitting but I could see her white off-the-shoulder cocktail dress which fit her like a glove. She had her curly hair styled with pearl embellishments which matched my pearl accessories that I added to my outfit.
“Ganda mo,” Quatro said when I sat beside him. I beamed at his words, he’s so nice!
“And you’re really handsome in that white tux, Quatro,” I complimented back. Biglaan siyang umiwas ng tingin when I realized we had the same tuxedo style, “Oh wait we match!”
“We do match,” He bit back a smile, the only difference in our outfit is that he had a necktie while I opted for a lacy ribbon tied by my Mom who said bow ties looked to nerdish and neckties were so not me.
Her words, not mine!
Seth whistled prompting me to look at him, “Quatro, ang landi.”
We all cackled at his comment excluding Quatro who threw one of the table napkins at him. Habang hinihintay mag-umpisa ang debut we had a blast on basically gossiping and playing a game of “Paglaki ko gusto ko maging criminal,” dubbed by our president, AJ. It’s a game wherein we had to guess why guests would go to jail with “proof.”
“Okay, the woman who is already in her fifth glass of wine by the table of old rich men is definitely not a wine aunt but a wife planning to kill her husband,” Leo concluded.
“And she’s about to do it in this event, look how she’s trying to offer the cup of wine she never drank out of since the start to the man coddling her,” I mentioned. “Definitely poisoned.”
“Isn’t that too obvious?” Lou checked out the scene with squinted eyes, “I notice that she has a pocket on her gown, maybe she can hide a murder weapon there? I mean the security did not check our pockets.”
“Paano naman niya malalaman na hindi i-che-check ng security? There were no announcements nor indications of that,” AJ questioned.
“Feather boa,” Cali, na tahimik lang kanina ay biglaang nagsalita.
“Care to explain?” AJ crossed his hands on his chest, curious. Kirby who had been sipping on the complimentary cranberry juice was seemingly deep in thought.
“Iniisip mo ba na pwede niyang ilagay yung weapon sa feather boa?” He asked, taking another sip on the juice.
“Yes.”
“Do you guys know the existence of feather daggers?”
“Ah, alam ko na!” Muntikan na tumalon si Emi paalis sa kanyang upuan, “Pwedeng-pwede niya itahi ang feather dagger sa feather boa lalo na kung ang gamit niyang feathers ay peacock feather kasi halos the same lang ang bigat n’un!”
“At tingnan niyo nang mabuti, kulay puti man ang feather boa niya pero may peacock details ito,” Hindi na ako nagduda kay Emi, her biggest hobby is sewing so she would be knowledgeable with this subject.
“Then the feather dagger must have a white peacock feather design, mahaba ang boa niya kaya It makes sense kung nasa hand level niya ang dagger,” Dagdag ni Quatro. Lazily he pointed at the woman’s direction, “Napapansin niyo ba na palagi niyang hinahawakan ang kanang dulo ng feather boa niya?”
“Shet oo nga noh!” Krissia gasped while Aizhy covered her mouth in shock.
“Sandale, mas mabigat ng slight ang dagger diba?” Cali nodded at Aizhy’s question, “If you look at
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