Silvia's POV :
"I'm sorry sir. But we do not have a guest under the name of Selena Casanova." Ang sabi ng isang babae, nang sabihin ni Mama ang kanyang pangalan.
Na verify na kami at tanging si Mama na lamang ang hindi na verify. May iilan ding mga guest ang nakasunod sa amin at nagsimula ng magbulungan.
"Are you sure?" Paniniguradong tanong ni Papa. "Maybe you just missed it."
Mukhang kilala naman ng babaeng coordinator si Papa dahil muli nitong tiningnan ang iPad.
"I'm really sorry sir, but there are only seven Casanova's in the guest list," makikita sa mukha nito ang pag-aalala.
"That's not possible because we RSVPed." Giit ni Papa.
"For a while sir." May kinausap ang babae sa kanyang walkie-talkie. Medyo marami na ang nakapila sa likod.
Yung ibang guest ay una ng nilapitan ng iba pang coordinator at pinapasok pagkatapos na ma verify.
"The rest of you Sir, Maam, can go ahead inside." Sabi nya sa amin. Pero syempre ayaw naman naming iwan ni Jealena si Mama dito sa labas, na halata nang napapahiya dahil pinagbubulungan na.
"Jaime, we will go ahead inside." Ang sabi ni lolo, na mabigat man sa loob ni Papa ay tinanguan na nya.
"Ahm. Should we wait for you Dad?" Ang tanong naman ni Jazz.
If I know, nagdiriwang ang loob niya ngayon dahil hindi man namin kasalanan ay napapatunayan nyang napapahiya si Papa dahil sa amin.
"No need. You go ahead with your Mommy at samahan sina lolo mo. This will be sorted out," ang sabi ni Papa na tinanguan lang nya.
Nakakailang hakbang pa lang naman sila palayo ng may isang lalaking naka black suit ang lumapit sa amin.
"Good Evening Mr Casanova." Nagpakilala itong head coordinator. "Sorry about this inconvenience. May I know ma'am how you spell your name?"
Binigkas naman ni Mama ang spelling ng pangalan nya.
"We do have a few Selena's here." Isa-isa nyang binigkas ang mahigit sampung babae na ang pangalan ay Selena.
"Yan." Ang agad na putol ni Jealena. "Selena San Diego."
"Ah yes. There is indeed a note here saying that you are under the Casanova household," ang sabi pa ng lalaki bago ni clear si Mama at pumasok na kami.
"Grabi naman ang higpit. Kong sa probinsya to, kahit sino, pwedeng pumasok sa party," ani Jealena.
Totoo. Pero bakit kaya hindi Casanova ang nilagay na apelyido ni Mama, eh Casanova naman siya.
Dahil mabagal lang din ang paglalakad nina lolo, ay naabutan lang naman namin sila.
Mukhang sa garden ng mansyon ang main venue. Pero gusto kong libutin pati ang loob ng bahay.
"Amigo," ang dinig kong tawag ng isang lalaking kaedaran lang ni Papa na malaki ang pagkakahawig kay Vonn.
Inaalalayan nya ang isang napaka-eleganting babae.
Sigurado akong sila ang mga parent ni Vonn na sina Tito Val at Tita Reigna.
Unang binati ng mga ito sina lolo at lola.
Ipinakilala kami ni Papa sa kanila.
"Nice to meet you, dear." Ang sabi ni Tita Reigna.
"The pleasure is all ours po Tito, Tita," ganting bati ko at syempre binigay ko ang pinakamatamis kong ngiti.
"Amie!" masayang tawag ni Tita Reigna kay Angela at nag biso biso sila.
"Joyeux anniversaire de mariage, mon ami."
"Merci. Merci." Hinarap naman ni Tita si Jazz. "Jazz, sweetheart. I missed you. Hindi mo na ako dinadalaw."
"I'm so sorry Tita. Masyado lang busy sa school. This is for you." Inabot niya ang gift niya.
"Thank you so much, sweetheart." Tinanggap ni Tita Reigna ang gift at binuksan ito. "This is so thoughtful." Pinakita rin nito kay Tito Val ang gift ni Jazz na figurine na gawa sa ginto. Ang isa sa mga regalong dala ni Marco kanina. Pagkatapos ay iniabot ito sa isang babae na kanina pa pala nakatayo sa may likuran nila.
"Anyway, I saw your mommy's post on Instagram. Congratulations, mon cher."
"Merci, Tita."
"I'm sure you're so proud of this daughter of yours, Amigo," si Tito Val na nakatingin kay Papa. Ngumiti at tumango naman siya.
"I'm sure you feel the same, Tita."
"What do you mean?" nakakunot ang noong tanong nito.
"Did Von not tell you?"
"Tell us what, sweetheart?" si Tito.
"Oh my gosh! He did not tell you! Now I am not sure if I should."
"You're killing us with suspense, mon cher."
"I'm just not sure if I should. Since it's not mine to tell."
"Come on, sweetheart. Just tell us. Vonn won't mind. And if he does, we all know he'll change his mind knowing it was you who let the cat out of the bag," sabi ni Tito.
Ang arte naman ng babaeng to. Paimportante talaga.
Kunwari napipilitan pa siya, para sa kanya ang atensyon nina Tito at Tita.
"Vonn also received an email of admission from YALE."
Kagaya ng mommy at daddy ni Vonn, ay di rin ako makapaniwala sa aking narinig.
"Are you sure?" Hindi makapaniwala na tanong ni Tita Reigna, pero kitang kita ang galak sa kanyang mukha.
"Yes, Tita. We took it together. He was pestering me so much that day that I asked him to take the exam with me instead."
"Hahahah. That rascal never told us." Si Tito Val.
"Looks like there's something to add to tonight's celebration, amigo." Nakangiting sabi ni Papa.
"You're right, amigo. You know that son of ours. Too stubborn for his own good. That's why the only thing I asked from him is to take Business Administration and to graduate without fail."
"Good evening My Queen," biglang sumulpot si Vonn sa kinatatayuan namin at humalik sa pisngi ni Jazz. "You look dashing."
Binati naman nya kami pagkatapos.
"Looking good Silvia." Sabi nya sa akin. Agad ko naman naramdaman ang pag-iinit ng aking mukha. "You too Jealena."
"T-thank you."
"Reign Vonn State," pagalit pero nakangiting tawag ni Tita Reigna sa buong pangalan ni Vonn.
"Full name? What did I do?" Nagda-drama naman niyang hinawakan ang kanyang dibdib at tumingin sa mama nya.
Lalo siyang gumwapo sa suot niyang dark blue na tuxedo.
"You did not tell us about YALE," nakangiting sabi ni Tito.
"You tattletale," sabi niya kay Jazz na nagpatawa naman kina Tito.
"I thought you told them already. Don't blame me," defensive nyang sagot.
"Son-"
"Hep." Itinaas niya ang kanyang kamay upang pigilan ang kung ano man ang sasabihin ni Tita. "You don't pester me about that tonight, Mom, Dad. You have a party to start and you're spending so much time here away from the crowd."
Hinarap nya si Jazz.
"My Queen, let's leave these Gen X'ers here," sabi niya at hinawakan ang kamay ni Jazz. "The gang is already in the pavilion."
"Excuse us! Gen X?" Kunwari ay di makapaniwalang tanong ni Angela.
"Opps, correction, oldies?"
"Vonn!" Natatawang tawag ni mommy nya.
Agad naman siyang nagpa-alam at hinila si Jazz.
"Look at him. So smitten with your daughter." Sabi ni tita habang sinusundan ng tingin sina Vonn.
Siniko naman ako ni Jealena ng mapansin siguro niyang lumukot ang aking mukha.
Agad ko naman ibinalik ang ngiti sa aking mga labi.
"Kung hindi lang isang Azakura ang mababangga namin, amigo. I would have them marry immediately." Si tito Val.
Azakura? Yun ba ang tito ni Jazz? Ang alam ko, Nakago ang pangalan nun.
"Darlings, what are you still doing here? Sundan nyo na sina Vonn. Nasa pavilion ang mga friends nyo from schools. And other guests within your age group. Baka ma bored lang kayo if you remain with us 'Gen X'," nakangiti niyang sabi at binilinan ang isang usherette na ihatid kami papunta sa pavilion.
*****
Vonn's POV :
"I'm sorry." My Queen whispered.
I am escorting her arm in arm towards the garden pavilion where our friends are.
"For what?"
"For tattling." I see. She must have thought that it's not hers to tell. "I thought you already told them about it."
I chuckled.
The only person I told about it is her. Se was the first person I thought of when I received and read the email.
"Don't worry about that. It's no big deal." I said shrugging my shoulders.
"No big deal? This is YALE we're talking about." She raised an eyebrow towards me.
"Are you going?" I asked.
I know it's a long shot. Afterall, she only took those exams as per her Tito's advise. Tita Angela and her Tito Nakago both finished in UPenn with the highest Latin honors.
But he will never allow her to go abroad. To live independently. She was the reason he took over SDA two years ago, and made it a very conducive place for learning. Make the curriculum at par with the eight Ivy Schools. It's his way of caging her, albeit not obviously.
"Biatch!" it was Lexi calling, cutting her off from whatever she was going to say.
She let go of my arm, in my disappointment, and approached our friends.
"Girlfriend." Simon called.
She throw them kisses in the air which they did as a response.
"You look on fire, girlfriend." Yui said while looking at her all smiling.
And she's right.
My queen is wearing a black, sleeveless gown with a deep V-neckline. The dress is adorned with shimmering sequins that resembled the stars. A black belt cinches in her waist, accentuating her figure. The dress has a tiered skirt that falls to her feet, with a single slit revealing her leg.
She looks so exquisite.
"Biatch, why can't we contact you?" Lexi asked.
Yeah. I though I was the only one who could not reached her phone since early today. But it seems, even our three friends was not able to reached her as well.
"My phone broke." She answered shortly.
"What happened?" Yui.
"I threw it."
"What? You threw it? You?" shock and disbelief written on Simon's face. "The ever so patient, calm you?"
"Hey! I can also throw a fit, you know."
"Of course we know that. But in front of lolo and Tita Angel?"
"Shh" she put her point finger on her lips in a keep quite sign and wink.
A few moment later, the party started.
Guest our age gathered together here in the Pavilion talking about school, fashion, sports and other gossip.
"What happened?" I asked one of the coordinator in the middle of the party when I noticed the the hired band is no longer playing.
"Sorry sir. The vocalist lost her voice," ang sagot naman nya. "But they already contacted someone to replace her, but it may take a few minutes for her to arrive."
I nodded with concern and she excused herself.
"Vonn, may problema ba?" approached me and asked.
"Ah, just a little hiccup. The band's vocalist lost her voice."
"Oh. May papalit na ba?"
"Yes. They've called a replacement already but it may take a few minutes fore her to arrive."
"Ahm kung gusto mo, ako muna ang kakanta. Hindi mo natatanong, magaling akong kumanta," she said shyly but I saw a glint of happiness in her eyes.
And an idea came into my mind which made me smile widely.
"You just gave me a great idea." I told her holding her shoulders.
"Talaga, ano bang - "
"Excuse me Silvia." I walked away from her and approached my queen.
"My queen." I whispered in her ears. "Do me a favor please."
She looked at me with a raised brow.
"Let me hear it first, before I say YES," she replied in a whisper as well.
"The band's vocalist lost her voice. It may take a few minutes or an hour for the replacement to arrive. We don't want to dampen the mood of the party while waiting, right? So please sing for me? Huh?" And gave her my cutest and irresistible smile.
"What? Are you serious?" She asked with a surprise.
"Please?" I held my hands in a pleading gesture.
"But there's too many people."
"Please?"
"But - - - " she let out a deep breath. "Okay fine. But any song will do right?"
She asked in surrender.
"Of course. Any song will do." I smiled brightly. "I know you'll never say no to me."
She rolled her eyes.
"But first, I need a drink."
She does not drink alcohol as she has very low to zero alcohol tolerance. She must be very nervous right now to ask for a drink just to do me a favor.
I asked one of the standby waiter for a glass of Dom Perignon and gave it to her.
"You owe me bigtime for this," she said and gulped the glass of Champagne.
"Where are you guys going?" Simon asked when he noticed us walking away.
"Stage."
I walked her to the stage and talked to the band that my queen will do one song, while waiting for the replacement vocalist, which they readily agreed.
They talked for a while on what music to play then proceeded to fix the microphone.
Noticing this, our friends and peers walked towards the stage as well.
"Is she going to sing?" Lexi excitedly asked.
"Go, girlfriend." Yui cheered.
Some elderly party goers are now looking her way as well, making her more nervous.
"Go My Queen." I cheered loudly at the top of my lungs.
The band started to play an upbeat music then she started to sing.
If all of the kings had their queens on the throne
We would pop champagne and raise a toast
To all of the queens who are fighting alone
Baby, you're not dancin' on your own
"Now this is starting to feel like a real party." Lester said while gently dancing to the tune of the music.
Can't live without me, you wanna, but you can't, no, no, no
Think it's funny, but honey, can't run this show on your own
I can feel my body shake, there's only so much I can take
I'll show you how a real queen behaves, oh
A few moment into the song and almost everyone I know is already dancing.
In chess, the king can move one space at a time
But queens are free to go wherever they like
You get too close, you'll get a royalty high
So breathe it in to feel alive (alive)
If all of the kings had their queens on the throne
We would pop champagne and raise a toast
To all of the queens who are fighting alone
Baby, you're not dancin' on your own
"Thank you," she said out of breath, after the song.
"Vonn. Vonn. Vonn."
Our peers decided to yell my name after her. Telling me to sing us well. Which I oblige.