That Perfectly Imperfect Girl

THE STARTING LINE

Vhalaiya's POV

Ends are not bad things, they just mean that something else is about to begin. And looking at the massive blinking chandeliers hanging from the roof made me realize, this is really it. I'm graduating from high school for good.

My high school life was not always rainbows and butterflies but it was worth it. Doing the things to make your life better will always make you happy, so I'm happy. I know that ending sometimes means leaving but not a goodbye.

I'll never say goodbye to those people that I care about. In contrast, I plan to include them in my college days and bother them for the rest of my life. My family who has always been with me since day one, and supported my not-so-good decisions. My friends who put up with my craziness and cried with me throughout my heartbreaks. I will always be grateful to all of you.

"Vhal!"

I turned my head in the direction of the voice that woke me up in my reverie and saw someone pacing towards me.

"I've been calling you for a while, didn't you hear me?" Kiana said slightly annoyed with her thick American accent.

I just chuckled casually as I find her cute rather than annoying. "Sorry, I was busy admiring the place."

Kiana rolled her eyes. "Your life has always been like this. Shining, shimmering, splendid. Haven't you got used to it yet?"

"How about you? You've been staying in the Philippines for almost 6 years but you can't still utter a single word right in Tagalog." I respond jokingly which earns a glare from her.

She pouted and said, "Hmmph! For the record, this is the first time that I'm having a hard time learning a language."

Oh, Kiana. How can a woman be hot and cute at the same time?

"Stop looking at me weirdly, Vhal." I laughed as she blushed. "Anyway, I called you earlier because the designer wants to check our insights about the dresses."

"Okay, then, let's go."

We went to the main dressing room which is occupied by my sisters, Kiana and Tiara. As we enter the room, we were both astonished by the massive pile of dresses laying everywhere in the room.

"Uhmm..." was all I could say.

Wow, I'm speechless.

We found Tiara sitting on the couch while eating cupcakes. She looks down and stressed.

"Tiara! What's with all this mess?" Kiana frustratingly asked somewhat raising her voice.

"I can't pick a gown." She looks depressed while she glances at us.

I can help but snicker while Tiara is pouting and Kiana is glaring at her.

Same old, Tiara! She made it seem like picking a dress is like solving a hundred trigonometry questions.

"Seriously? We're going to be late at this point. Just pick anything, Tiara!" Kiana commanded then she turned her head to me, glaring. "And you! Shut up! You aren't helping!"

I cover my mouth with my right hand while making a peace sign with my other hand. She just rolled her eyes at me and stormed out of the room.

I and Tiara can't help laughing at the way Kiana acted. We both cackle our asses out till we can't breathe anymore.

"That's on you," I stated as we both calm down.

"No, it's her fault. I ask her to help me choose a gown, yesterday evening. But, she's too busy calling her boyfriend that she forgot about it. I waited all evening until I fell asleep. Now, I still have to pick a dress." She argued.

"Well, you can't blame her." I took a deep breath. "She's been busy taking care of Papa's birthday party together with our graduation celebration all day. So, night is the only time she could call her boyfriend."

"Yeah, you're right," Tiara replied. "Come here." She said tapping the space beside her signaling me to sit beside her.

Although puzzled, I obliged and went to the couch. "Why? Are there some problems?"

"No, silly. I just want you to help me pick a dress."

I just nodded at her and replied, "Okay, then.."

I roamed in the room and search through my eyes, "how about that long-sleeve champagne-colored cocktail dress?" Pointing it out.

"Too conservative." She said as she looked at the dress with disdain.

It's actually nice and modest.

"Oh, I forgot you're not into that type. Anyway, how about that glittery short-sleeve yellow cocktail dress?"

She made a face. "Ugh, yellow is too bright."

Now, I understand why Kiana doesn't want to help her choose a dress.

I forced a smile. "Then, what do you think of that off-shoulder baby blue cocktail dress with high-low hem?"

"Baby blue's not my type. But, I like the high-low hem."

I'm starting to lose my patience. "Well, then, what color do you prefer?"

"A color that will not only display my cuteness but also reveal my sexy side."

I was just stunned by what she said. That's not a color! And I'm not even a fashion designer, what do I know about this stuff?

And what again? Cute yet sexy? This bish! She just turned eighteen this past few months.

"Why don't we just ask, Mother Teresa? Hmm?" I was suggesting, no, more like persuading her.

She looks at me forming a pout. "But I want you to help me with this. Please?"

I laugh lifelessly while nodding my head. Tiara giddily hugs me as a result.

What is this torture?

After hugging me, Tiara asked, "So among the colors, what do you think has that type of vibe that I wanted?"

Think, Vhal. Come on!

"Uhmm..." I thought for a while but fudge it!

I can't think of anything. Can I just blabber nonsense here? I badly want to finish this. I still have to fix myself for the night.

"Uhmm...." I look at her and hesitantly state, "...pink?"

"O...kay, but what type of pink? Isn't it a child's pick?" She expressed with a grimace.

I roam my eyes around trying to find a sexy yet cute pink dress. And my eyes darted on that particular dress.

"Oh, that!" I exclaimed while pointing out a spaghetti-strapped tube cocktail dress with a high-low hem. "Though, it's more of a lavender than pink."

She glanced in the direction of my pointing finger, went to the dress, and looked through it.

I need to do something. I feel like she's doubting it.

I followed her and went to analyze the dress as well. Now, what I need to do is to make the sale.

"It is a dress that is designed like a corset and has floral petals glued in the upper part, which you prefer, right?" I looked at her expectantly and she simply nodded while still examining the dress.

Please, choose that already. I really have to go.

"I think I'll pick this. This is what I've been looking for." She said with a smile on her face looking at me.

The moment she said that I felt like my dark world lightens up again. I am relieved and free. I just want to cry, right now. At last, I did it!

From smiling, she made a puzzled look, "Why do I feel like I put you in misery?"

I wave my hand signaling to her that she didn't. "No, you――"

"I'm sorry, Vhal," She said earnestly, suddenly seeming guilty.

"Hey, no worries! It's just dress-picking," I am confused as to why she was acting so guilty and sad abruptly.

"Not about this, Vhal. I want to apologize for everything. You're so kind, forgiving, considerate, and thoughtful, yet I took you for granted."

"Tiara, I don't what you're talking about, but I can assure you there's nothing to apologize for."

"No, Vhal. For now, I bet you're thinking that I'm uttering nonsense, but soon you'll know. And if that time comes, I hope you could forgive me. I did what I had to do." She smiled sadly.

I looked at her baffled by her words yet somehow curious about it.

"Whatever you're sorry for, you don't have to drown in it. I'll be leaving soon, anyway. You'll get your peace of mind."

I tried to lift the mood by cracking that half-meant joke. Giving her some peace of mind and trying to say that it's fine, that it's nothing. But to no avail, she still look bothered by it.

"You could go, now. I have kept you prisoner here for some time. Go fix for the evening, Vhal."

She went to the changing room and pretended that everything is all right, but is it?

What are you trying to tell me, Tiara? Is it so bad that you think I'll hate you? Do I have to keep my distance now? Can I still trust you? Because, as I remember, you're the one who shouldn't trust me.

I just shrugged my bothered thoughts and went to my room. I have my dressing room alone. Perks of being the apple of the eye, note my sarcasm, please.

I found Ate Cole sorting my clothes. She's my private designer. The one and only person who understands my preferences when it comes to clothes. She's one of the closest people to me.

"Good afternoon, Young Miss." She greeted me and slightly bowed her head.

I frowned. "Again, this sudden formality, Ate Cole?"

She sighed. "I was just being cautious as you might come here with someone."

"Right! So what?" I asked kinda annoyed.

I'm irritated by the fact that Ate Cole doesn't want people to know that we're acquainted. She's not just some people to me. She's my friend and my big sister. We used to hang out when we were kids, but things suddenly changed.

And before this day. We were back to being okay again. She already called me by her nickname to me, yesterday. What happened again?

"If you have forgotten, your father hates it when you're with me. I don't want to burden you, Young Miss." She said seriously and got back to her job.

I have to respect her decision, right? But why do I feel like it's fvck up? I shouldn't be mad. I have to tolerate and understand her reasons. Well, valid reasons. I have to be mature about this, but I'm furious. I'm angry because she listens to everything my father says but not to me.

Hasn't she thought of what would I feel about this? How much has she changed after my father talked to her? Her sudden cold treatment, avoidance, and formal words. The Cole I used to now was warm, talkative, and fierce. Someone who doesn't care about what anybody would say.

"Is this what we're going to be from now on, Ate Cole? I'm trying to salvage what's left of us." Moist is starting to build up in my eyes.

I may be overdramatic, you think, but Ate Cole is not just a designer to me. She has been more of a sister to me than Kiana ever did. Now, I understand how Anna suffered the moment Elsa became cold to her 'cause that's exactly what I'm going through right now.

And I don't want to keep enduring this. So I'm looking at her pleadingly to stop this and just listen to me.

"I'm sorry, Young Miss. I don't know what you're talking about." Again, she said coldly and get back to her job.

And, I was left stunned. She acted like we were never friends. So, back then, is she just playing me? Because, if that was truly just a game, she played me well.

She always tells me to run to her if things get messy and if I don't know where to go. She always tells me I can count on her. That she'll be with me and help me. But what is this?

If this is how you wanna play the game, fine!

"Okay, then. From now on, you're fired." She was stunned. Probably, she didn't expect me to say that.

"You'll need a designer for the upcoming events. I'm afraid you can't fire me. That was up to your father."

"I was the one who hired you," I said sarcastically.

"Yes, but you're father has the last say. He agreed to hire me but he won't agree to fire me." I frowned.

And chuckled annoyingly. "And what makes you confident? He hates you."

"We had a deal. Your father never turns to his words."

My frown gets bigger this time. "And what deal is that? Is that why you suddenly became cold?"

She didn’t answer me after that. I waited a couple of seconds that turn into minutes, but still none.

I smiled sadly. "You don’t really want to tell me, do you?" And nodded my head. "You’re fired."

She turned and looked at me. "Can’t you understand, Vhal? You ca――"

I cut her off. "…Because I’m leaving soon. Father and I talked about it already. I won’t need a designer anymore."

She was shocked, at first. Now, it's her turn to frown. "You're leaving?! Why?"

"As I said, we had a deal, Ate."

She easily understood that I am talking about my father. I glimpsed how rage fueled in her eyes, but as she blink, it was gone as well. I am not sure, though.

Am I starting to see things now? Am I losing my mind? Hope not. 'Cause I definitely saw it.

"And I don’t fully understand, so I am going to have a conversation with your father." My brow arched. She sound determined while taking her bag and getting ready to leave.

I caught her arm before she could leave. "Are you nuts?! Do you think Dad will listen to you? He won’t. He doesn’t even listen to his family! You’re just a designer. You don’t have the right to meddle in the family’s matters."

I caught a glimpse of sadness, but it was immediately washed away like the rage from a while ago.

'You're just a designer.'

And that’s when I realize my choice of words. It was harsh. I know she's just trying to help me. Yes, she is a designer but she's been with us for 10 years now. I went too far. Ugh, me and my straightforward tongue!

"I’m so――" She cut me off and look straight into my eyes.

"I have more rights than any of you can imagine." She said before she stormed out of the room and I was left alone regretting what I said.

You’re getting stupid as time goes by, Vhalaiya!

I don’t know what came onto me and I said that. I badly want to say sorry but I think an apology won’t fix this. ‘Cause somehow, I meant what I said. Out of anger. Out of frustration, at the fact that no one can oppose my father’s decisions even, us, his children, and Mom. And I’m afraid that she’s only going to add fuel to the fire as, you know, my father isn’t a supporter of my designer. He’s more of her hater.

However, I can’t shrug the thought about what Ate said. ‘I have more rights than any of you can imagine.’ What does she mean by that? To think things through, yeah, my designer was pretty confident conversing with my father and expressing her opinions about things. But what rights is she talking about? Political rights, or, human rights?

What a dumb thought, Vhal!

My ghad! This is getting out of hand, my stupidity. Why doesn’t anything make sense for this day? First, Tiara’s apology. And now, Ate Cole’s rights of ‘I don’t know what’.

Why can't they just open up and tell me honestly what's bothering them? What is it they want to say? Question after question after question. This is exhausting, maddening, and exasperating! I am totally going to be mad at this point!

I can’t go on like this. I still have a party to attend to. And now that my designer is MIA, I have to help myself find a suitable dress for the night.

My heart feels so down so I’m not feeling colorful. Therefore, I am going to a light-color dress. I also don’t want a complicated one. Just right elegance and class. A silver silky off-shoulder cocktail dress with a high-low hem will do.

I take it out of my closet and proceed to the changing room. As I am alone, I only do the zipper midway. I can't reach it. Why did they make it like this? They should have put the zipper on the side so it's reachable. Ugh! It's so hard to wear it alone.

"Come on, zipper! Work with me!" My back is facing the human-size mirror in front of me as I try to reach the zipper in my back.

I take a deep breath. "This isn’t working."

I stop doing my zipper and go outside the changing room. I pick up my phone on the table trying to find Ate Cole in my contacts.

I hissed. "Where is the nu――"

"Need some help?" Said someone.

I annoyingly turn to the direction of the voice to see Kuya Lothur standing at the doorstep.

He smiled and walked towards me. "Turn around."

I did what he said. And in no time, the zipper is done. "Thanks, Kuya."

I run off to the changing room and looked at myself in the mirror. Wow! I look amazing in the dress. It was well-tightened and it showed my curves. I'm pretty sure I'll become more gorgeous with make-up on.

"It suits you well."

I turned to the speaker. "I know, right."

He chuckled. "Ooh, too confident."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Because I have the right to be."

He grinned. "Of course, you're my sister." He also said as he carefully tapped my head.

"Anyway, walk with noise, please. And don't sprout out of nowhere."

He just showed me an okay sign using his hand. I just shook my head.

I went to get all the other necessities when going to a party, like my earrings, necklace, rings, and bracelets. Then, I went in front of my makeup mirror with lights and put those on.

"Why are you here, by the way?" I asked Kuya Lothur. He is just sitting on the couch and reading a magazine as I am finishing my setup.

"Those two kick me out." I glance at him and he looks at me. "Kiana and Tiara."

"Ahh." I went back to face the mirror.

We went silent for a couple of minutes. I watch him through the mirror sometimes to see what's he doing. And I notice that he is stealing a glance at me, then contemplating something after.

I think he wants to say, or ask, something. And it's taking him forever to make up his mind. Yet I still waited for him to speak up.

"Hey." Finally!

Ugh! Why is it so hard to unclasp the necklace?!

"Mmh?" I respond.

I put my thoughts in ths earrings in front of me. Which of these earrings suits my dress better?

"I want to ask you something."

Is it the minimalist white pearl stud earrings with the size of a marble?

"Go on."

Nah, that's too big. I just need.... Oh! I like these silver dangle earrings. But is it suitable for my dress?

"Did you come to the party yesterday?"

"I think so." My subconsciousness answered.

"You did?" He sounded shocked.

I hurriedly turn to him. "Huh? What? I was... Uhmm... pertaining to the earrings!"

Now, he looked confused. "Huh?"

I shooked my head. "I mean, I went to bed early yesterday."

"Oh, is that so?" He sighed out of... relief?

"Why do you sound relieved?" I frowned.

"Do I? Nah, it's nothing." I stare at him suspiciously and he chuckles.

"I won't bother you anymore." He says and signals his hand out of the door. Which is I understand so I nod my head and he left.

Wait... Did he just go here to ask me that? What's wrong with these people?

The hell, I am confused.

Maybe, he doesn't have anything to do that's why he decided to bother me. Yeah... That's it only.

Afterward, I fix my hair as I have no choice. I did a messy bun and left some small hair on the sides which I curled.

I don't know if I'm doing this process of glamour in the right order, but I don't care anyway.

I put on some light makeup. I didn't avail services from our makeup artist anymore since I only use foundation, pressed powder, some light-colored eye shadow, mascara, and nude lipgloss.

That's it. And I'm done. I take my purse and look in the mirror one last time. Then, I went to the door and open it to see someone.

"Ril!" I said delighted to see my best friend.

"We've been waiting for you. They had to ask me to pick you up."

I winced. "Sorry, I didn't notice the time."

She smile at me. "It's okay. Let's go."

I nod my head and say, "Many things will change after this."

She sighed, "Are you ready for that?"

I look at her in the eyes. "I was born ready."

I'll do what it takes to make everything work for my own good.