My AI Romance

Episode 15

Special

Everyone was too excited about the Arcadian's ball. This is just a once in a year event so the council and the officers exerted too much effort to make this day memorable. Primo called me last night, asking me if I have something to wear at the ball. I told him I'm not coming but that was only a lie.

He keep on sending me text messages and I just replied him that I'm all good. Sinabi ko kasi sa kanya na magpapahinga na lang ako dahil sa sobrang pagod ko ngayon at noong mga nakaraang linggo.

I browse my journal while I'm comfortably sitting here on the sofa. I read what Nikkolas told me the last time.

My eyes widened upon reading that he's asking me to be his date. I was a bit curious because all I ever thought is that, he already forgot me and the recent datas installed in him we're all deleted.

Because of too much curiosity, I earned an enough courage to ask. I was given a chance to talk to him the moment that he's discussing something about our group report.

"I want girls like you. Just quiet and not very annoying," that was his reason before turning his back on me. Even if there is some part of me who wants to nod and just say yes, I controlled myself.

I rejected his offer.

By 5 pm, nagbihis na ako para pumunta sa university. I lied when I told Primo that I will not go there.

The truth is, I will attend the Arcadian's ball because it's part of my work. Denise told me about it. She's my classmate that is a scholar student. I'm sure my allowance is not enough for this month that's why I took the opportunity.

Being a waitress is not a problem at all since the salary is not bad. Besides, hindi ko din naman mae-enjoy ang ball at magagastusan lang ako sa damit.

Denise was the first one who arrived there. Pagkakita n'ya sa akin ay kaagad n'ya akong nilapitan.

"Hershey, here's your uniform. Doon ka na magpalit tapos hihintayin kita dito," tumango ako sa sinabi n'ya bago inabot yung damit na binigay n'ya.

"Thank you," tipid kong sagot.

No one care about my existence that's why I don't care if they will see me wearing this uniform. I'll just do my duty here and thank God, Denise was here to accompany me.

Marami na ring mga estudyante ang dumadating ngayon dito sa hall. There's a red carpet at sobrang engrande ng mga disenyo sa palibot. It was like a hollywood event.

I can say that almost all of them really prepared a lot for this. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nakaramdam ako ng panliliit para sa sarili ko ng makita ko si Eleonora.

The moment I saw her and our eyes met, she acted like she didn't care at me. Parang noong una lang ay gusto n'ya pa sa aking makipagkaibigan.

What do I expect? Dapat noong una pa lang talaga ay hindi na ako nagtiwala.

"Hershey, tayo na," natauhan lang ako dahil sa tapik ni Denise. Pagkatapos kong maibigay yung bote ng wine ay umexit na ako papunta sa likod.

Habang naglalakad, namataan ng mga mata ko si Primo. Our eyes suddenly met. Stella's hand was snaked around his arms. They really look good together.

Napatungo tuloy ako dahil sa hiya ngayong alam na n'ya na nagsinungaling ako. Stella told something about him so I took that oppurtunity to immediately disappear in his sight.

"Hershey, kanina ka pang wala sa mood. Ayos ka lang ba?" puna sa akin ni Denise. Tipid naman akong ngumiti sa kanya bago ako nagpatuloy sa trabaho ko.

Mayroong natapong wine doon sa kabilang side kaya't 'yon muna ang inuna kong nilinis. I don't know if some of my batchmates did that for a purpose or it's really an accident. Nagtatawanan kasi sila ng pumunta ako doon.

I just chose to ignore it and think that it's part of my work. Noong wala na kaming masyadong ginagawa ay nagdecide ako na pumunta muna sa comfort room. While I'm heading my way there, nakasalubong ko si Primo.

He's not smiling at me and I guess he's mad because I lied.

"Let's talk outside," he exclaimed with the same expression he gave me earlier.

"I s-still have work, Primo."

Maya maya ay mas lalong lumakas ang tunog sa hall kaya't hindi na kami magkarinigan. Nagulat ako ng bigla n'yang dinampot yung kamay ko at marahan akong hinila papalabas.

When we're already outside, I noticed his dark stares on me.

"Tell me why you're here as a waitress? Do you have problems financially, Hershey? Why didn't you asked help from me? Why are you doing this?" he asked continuously.

I'm doing my best para hindi n'ya malaman ang bagay na 'to kasi ayoko na s'yang mag alala pa.

"I'm starting to learn to be independent," I answered, while trying to smile at him. "I'm alright. There's nothing to worry about."

"Damn reasons, Hershey! You're not even replying to my text messages the last time. I am f*****g worried!"

I can see that he's very frustrated now. I felt happy because whenever he's in situation like this, I know he truly cares for me.

"Thank you, Primo. Thank you for being a good friend to me. You don't have to feel that way and I'm asking you to let me do this. Starting to learn on how to be independent is for my own good. This is for myself. Believe me, I'm all good," I replied again bago ko sinubukang ngumiti ulit sa kanya.

Paulit ulit ko ng pinapaalala sa sarili ko ang bagay na ito. I need to learn on how to provide my own needs. I need to learn on how to live my life alone. Alam kong darating yung araw na walang wala na akong ibang makakapitan pa kundi yung sarili ko. I don't want to disturb my mom anymore. I'm so tired of pleasing her to stay with me.

"There's still a person who won't get tired showing how much he cares for you. Don't forget that I'm always here, Hershey," he said before our conversation ends. I really appreciate his kindness towards me but I want to keep my promise to Stella.

Primo should focus on his future family at ayoko ng pakaisipin pa n'ya kung ano man yung mga pinoproblema ko.

"Hershey, Eleonora is asking for you. She told me earlier to bring her wine. Ayos ka lang ba?" tanong ulit ni Denise. Inayos ko naman yung sarili ko bago ako kumuha ng glass.

"Okay. I'll do it," wika ko bago hinanap ng mga mata ko ang pwesto ni Elenora. Hindi naman ako nahirapan pang hanapin s'ya dahil nakita ko kung saan sila punwesto kanina.

"I think she's here," rinig kong wika ng kaibigan n'ya. Malapit kasi ito sa akin kaya medyo narinig ko. I went to her direction before giving her the glass of wine that she's asking.

"It's been a while, Hershey. I'm expecting to see you wearing something good tonight but I was very surprised seeing your outfit. I realized that your cheap attire suits you perfectly. Dapat araw araw ganyan na lang yung suot mo," she said before her circle of friends laugh. I just pretended that I didn't hear anything because of the music.

"Anything else you need, mam?" I asked politely while smiling at them.

"Get me a glass of wine too. Make it fast!" the girl in black cocktail dress exclaimed. I nodded before turning my back on her.

To my surprise, nawalan ako ng balanse nang may tumakid sa akin. I fell on the floor as different flashes of the camera hit my face.

Hindi pa man ako nakakatayo ng may maramdaman akong bumuhos sa ulo ko.

"Oppps, natapon... sorry," Eleonora laugh sarcastically.

"Gosh, so gross!"

Basang basa yung ulo at damit ko. Mabuti na lang at dumating si Denise para tulungan akong makaalis sa kahihiyang 'yon.

"Kahit kailan talaga, napakamatapobre ng mga 'yon. I just wish na dumating yung araw na dalawin din sila ng karma," inis na nis na wika ni Denise habang inaayos yung buhok ko. Napahawak ako sa likod ko at naramdaman kong basang basa ito.

"Just stay there, Hershey. I think may extra pang uniform doon," wika niya bago nagpaalam sa akin.

I don't know why Eleonora is acting that way besides, I'm not anymore sticking with Nikkolas. Iiwas na lang siguro ako para hindi na lumala pa kung ano man yung nangyari.

Ayoko ng patulan pa sila dahil kung gagawin ko iyon, mas lalo lang gugulo ang sitwasyon. Besides, this is just an annual event. Ayokong sirain ang kung ano mang meron ngayong gabi kaya hangga't kaya ng pasensya ko, pagpapasensyahan ko nalang sila.

I was waiting for Denise to get the uniform when ate Chanel asked me to do something. Naka-cater naman kasi ngayon dito pero sadyang may mga animong paralisado lang talaga kung kumilos.

Alam kong hindi ko na kailangan pang magtaka. Central Arcadia is a very popular and a prestigious university. Many students are dreaming to study and be part of this institution. Karamihan din sa mga estudyante dito ay talagang angat sa buhay.

Without minding my wet uniform, I get a glass of wine and bring it the guy who's comfortably sitting in his place. It was late for me to realize that it was Nikkolas looking good in his suit.

Muntik ko na tuloy mabitawan yung hawak kong glass.

I took a deep sigh first before acting professionally. I'm in the middle of my work so my feelings for him should be excluded.

When I'm already infront of him, our eyes met. Kinuha n'ya 'yong wine mula sa kamay ko. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang kabahan.

"I was waiting for my partner. I'm glad, you're here," he said that made my heart skipped a beat. Didn't he understand that I rejected him?

"E-Enjoy your wine, sir, " I said and I was about to turn my back but I froze the moment he holds my wrist. Napaharap tuloy ako sa kanya.

I watched him taking off his suit before putting it to me.

"N-Nikkolas..."

"Just return it after you change your clothes,"

Naguguluhan na ako sa mga nangyayari. Maybe Mr. Parker was just lying about what he told me the last time. Akala ko makakalimutan ko na ang robot na'to pero ganito?

"W-Why are you doing this?"

Hindi kaagad siya nakasagot sa tanong ko pero dahil hindi ko na napigilan pa ang sarili ko sa pagiging sobrang curious, nagtanong ulit ako sa kanya.

"M-May naaalala ka pa ba? Bakit mo ako tinutulungan?"

His lips curved as I watch him say those words.

"It's because you deserve to be treated in a very special way."