Alexis Charm

Chapter 1

“Mayor! Mayor!”

“Salamat po, Mayor!”

I was all smiles beside my Daddy who was smiling and waving his hand to the supporters who were waving their flags for us. We were in the motorcade kasama ang mga ka-partido ni Daddy. It’s the thanksgiving parade of my Daddy. We just came from Daddy’s oath taking in the Mayor’s Office. And it has been a tradition for her na after oath taking ay may parade sa whole La Grande para magpasalamat siya sa mga sumusuporta sa kanya.

He has been re-elected for his last term as a Mayor here in La Grande. I can’t help but be super proud of him. He really loves public service. He loves helping people. Politics may be dirty and politicians may be greedy, but I am proud to say that my father isn’t one of them. It’s not even because I am biased and I am his daughter. People can attest how loyal he is to public service. He has a clear record and so far one of the mayors who has done so much in their town. Hindi lang mga tao ang nagpapatunay noon kundi pati na kapwa politiko at iba’t ibang mga political analyst. Kung ganoon din naman ang magigign feedback, who wouldn’t be proud di ba?

“Pagod ka na ba, hija? You can always sit down,” aniya pa nang mapansin akong nakatitig lang sa mga tao sa ibaba. I just smiled at him.

“I’m fine, Daddy. I’m really proud of you, too,” I told him. He chuckled a bit and then hugged me from the side. I rested my head on his shoulders.

“Thank you, anak. Kayong dalawa ng Mommy mo ang dahilan kung bakit mas pinagbubuti ko ang trabaho ko.”

I hugged him back.

“Aww. You’ll be a great mayor just like always, Daddy,” I assured him. I heard him laugh again. He tousled my hair before I moved away from the hug.

I smiled at him again and looked back at the people who were cheering for him. Kumaway na rin ako roon. After that, kumuha ako ng ilang mga snack packs tapos nag-abot din sa mga tao. It’s just a thanksgiving gift for them para sa support nila at of course para sa pag-aabang nila kay Daddy. Hindi rin kasi biro ang maghintay roon, no.

“Thank you po!”

“Maraming salamat po!”

“Maraming salamat mga Dela Fuente!”

I bit my lip and smiled again. Honestly, I wasn’t really interested in public service not until my Dad was convinced to run as a mayor just two years ago. With his leadership, I was able to see how public works is really about. I saw how he spent his nights and weekends coming up with projects for the people of La Grande. I saw how he helped the people who were affected by different calamities way back. And I saw how hard he worked for the people of the town.

He showed me how much it means to be a public servant. I never actually saw him as just a mere politician. He’s a public servant for me, a real one. People might say na I am biased with my thoughts kasi anak niya ako, but it’s not just me. His works, constituents, records, and accolades could speak for him.

“Congratulations, Kumpadre!”

I looked back and saw Daddy’s comrade, Tito Victor Buenamonte. He’s the newly elected vice mayor for this term and kapartido rin siya ni Daddy for how many years na rin.

“Thank you, kumpadre. Ikaw rin.” They shook hands. Bahagya akong umatras at ngumiti rin kay Tito.

Bahagya na rin akong lumayo at doon naman sa kabilang side ng motorcade para mamigay ng mga packs.

“Thank you po, Ma’am!” I heard some of the people say.

“You’re welcome po!” sabi ko at nag-abot pa ng mga packs.

“Sir Vernon, ang gwapo niyo po!” I heard some girls shouting. Sa hiyawan palang halata ng kinikilig ang mga ito.

Napalingon tuloy ako at doon ko nakita si Vernon Buenamonte sa may bandang gilid. Kahanay ko siya at namimigay rin siya ng mga packs sa mga tao kaya todo tilian ang mga babae. I bit my lip to hide my smile. He’s Tito Victor’s son. He’s also a counselor last year but then di na siya tumakbo pa this election. Ang dami talagang nagkaka-crush sa kanya. I couldn’t blame them din naman. He got the looks and the build. He’s also very outspoken and smart. Very mature din. He’s like the definition of hottie bachelor in town. He’s five years older than me, I think. And yeah, somehow I kind of understand the sentiments of the girls below since I kind of have a crush on him din.

Gosh. I’m really shy to admit that. No one even knows about that. But then, yeah, what’s wrong with that naman di ba? It’s just a crush. I sighed and smiled at the people again.

Hindi ko na namalayan iyong oras kung anong oras na ba kami natapos sa motorcade. I was actually having fun giving out the packs and also talking to some of them. Bumalik din naman kami sa Municipal Hall after. May kinausap lang si Daddy na mga friends niya so nanatili lang muna ako roon sa gilid ng lobby.

I pressed my lips together as I looked at my phone. Sumandal na rin ako sa pader. I clicked my group chat with my friends.

Cassidy:

Hey! What’s up? Are you coming tonight?

I hit send and then place my phone in my pocket. I crossed my arms and closed my eyes. I could already feel my feet hurting. Kanina pa kasi ako nakatayo. I didn’t even get the chance to sit down. But it’s okay lang. At least I had fun.

“Tired?” I heard someone. I thought may ibang kausap ang kung sino man pero nang dumilat ako ay nakita ko si Vernon na nakatingin sa akin. Mabilis akong napaayos ng tayo. Nakatayo siya sa gilid ko at nakahalukipkip. It was as if he was just looking at me the whole time.

I bit my lip when I felt my face heating up.

“Uhmm me?” naguguluhang tanong ko. Tumango lang siya. Ngumuso ako. “Hmm medyo.”

He nodded again. “It’s tiring, but fulfilling, right?” he even said.

I couldn’t help but smile. “Hmm yeah. It is. Just to see their smiles when you give those packs is so fulfilling talaga,” I said.

I saw the small smile on his lips. Umiwas ako ng tingin. I tried remembering when was the last time that I saw him smile, but then I couldn’t remember. Wala nang nagsalita sa amin. It was so awkward. Gosh. I have nothing to say! What’s worse pa is that first time kong nakahalubilo siya nang ganito ka-upclose. I could feel my heart beating so fast. Para na ngang lalabas sa aking dibdib. Oh gosh.

“Cassie?” I immediately turned my back.

“Dad!” I called and quickly went to Daddy.

“Let’s go? Convoy na lang tayo ng Tito Victor mo. We’ll have dinner with the partylist,” sabi niya. I smiled and nodded continuously.

Nang tiningnan ko si Vernon ay kausap na rin niya si Tito. Nakagat ko ang aking labi. Gusto ko na lang takpan ang buong mukha ko nang maalala kung gaano ka-awkward iyong kanina. Gosh, Cassidy, ano ba naman iyan.

“Let’s go then,” Dad said. Tumango lang ako at saka sumabay na sa paglalakad ni Daddy. Sinulyapan ko pa si Vernon nang paalis na kami roon. Nagulat pa ako nang nagtagpo ang mga tingin namin. Tipid na ngumiti lang ako bago ibinalik ang tingin sa harapan.

*****

“Mom, it’s enough na. I won’t go out naman.” Ngumuso ako kay Mommy. Paano ba naman kasi, she was dolling me up like I have some party to attend to kahit na simple dinner lang naman iyon mamaya.

“So? I want you to be more beautiful! Syempre, ikaw ang anak ng mayor, no!” she reasoned.

I just rolled my eyes. “Gosh, Mom. Mga kapartido lang naman ni Daddy iyong dadalo later. I don’t even think that my friends will come. Boring dinner lang din iyan mamaya,” reklamo ko. My mom just rolled her eyes and continued retouching my face.

Hay nako.

“Okay, I’m done!” She giggled and turned my chair to face the vanity mirror. Humawak siya sa balikat ko at pinagtabi pa ang mga mukha namin. “See? Very pretty!”

It was me who rolled my eyes again. “Yeah, yeah. Nagmana sa’yo,” sabi ko.

She just laughed at me. “Okay. Let’s go! Let’s go!” Pumalakpak siya tapos ay agad na pumasok iyong mga maids na naroon para kunin ang mga gamit ni Mommy at para na rin linisin ang kwarto ko.

Napailing na lang ako at saka sumunod na lang kay Mommy. Nakaangkla ako sa braso niya at sabay kaming lumabas ng room ko. I was wearing a champagne, one sided sleeve dress that was one inch below my knee. My big curly hair was on a messy bun, showing my nape and neck. I also have a choker on. I paired that up with a two inches champagne stiletto as well. See how extra I am? Si Mommy din naman extra with her glittering black dress na hanggang ankle niya. It was a v-neck style sleeveless dress. She has a large black flower headdress pa nga tapos may transparent black gloves. Gosh. We really like we’re going to some events kahit na dinner lang naman dapat iyong pupuntahan. And it’s not as if it’s a ball or something.

“Woah! My two most beautiful girls!” Dad exclaimed when he saw us go down our staircase. Mom just laughed and I just rolled my eyes. She immediately went to Daddy and as usual PDA na naman sila sa harapan ko. Grabe, parents, ha.

“I’m here, parents. Baka masundan na ako, ha,” komento ko pa. Tinawanan lang nila akong dalawa. Hay nako.

“Come on, let’s go out before our guests even arrive,” Dad said and reached out for me, too. Sumabay ako sa kanilang paglalakad. Since it’s a dinner with the partylist, sa garden sa harap ng house namin iyon gaganapin. It was decorated already. Maraming series lights doon and I’m guessing na gold-ish ang theme ng table setting namin kasi inilabas ni Mommy iyong mga collection niya ng gold cutlery.

Ilang sandali pa ay nagsidatingan na rin ang mga bisita. Agad silang nakipagbatian kina Mommy at Daddy and then they began talking about business and everything. It bores me to death kaya pinagkasya ko na lang ang sarili ko na maupo sa isa sa mga upuan sa dining habang nagsi-cell phone. I tried convincing my friends to come over naman para hindi ako lonely pero they had their own parties din sa mga bahay nila since nanalo rin ang mga relatives at parents nila.

I sighed. I guess no choice ako.

“And my vice mayor is here!” Kaagad na nakuha ang atensyon ko nang sabihin iyon ni Daddy. I kept my phone and immediately looked back. There I saw Tito Victor and Vernon entering. They were both in suits.

Nanlaki pa ang mga mata ko nang makitang pareho kami ng shade ng suit ni Vernon. It wasn’t really champagne, but it was in the same shade! Oh my gosh!

“Hija, Cassidy, come!” Napalunok ako at muntik pang mapatalon nang tawagin ni Daddy.

I composed myself and then stood. “Yes po?” I said and walked towards them.

I could feel everybody staring, including him. Ramdam na ramdam ko tuloy ang halos paglabas na ng puso ko sa aking dibdib. Oh gosh.

Nang makalapit ako kay Daddy ay nagsimula siyang ipakilala ako sa ibang mga naroon. I just smiled at them kahit na conscious na conscious ako dahil ilang metro lang ang layo sa akin ni Vernon.

Shit. Kalma, Cassidy. Ano ba iyan.