The NBSB's Sweetest Downfall

Prologue / Rewritten Version 2022

NBSBSD

Note: The 2022 version is a lot different than the 2013 version. This is more matured and digs deeper into their story. It will also be longer.

Prologue / Rewritten 2022

Note: Re-written, 2022 Version by Starlee.

"Ang tanda tanda mo na hindi ka pa 'rin nagkaka-boyfriend." Biro sa akin ng bestfriend ko na si Chanel. Hindi naman ako nasaktan dahil totoo naman 'yung sinabi n'ya. Wala naman akong pakialam din.

Napatingin lang ako sa kanya. "At least maganda ako, diba."

"Luh." Higik n'ya at napa-irap na lang ako.

"And successful," dagdag 'ko pa. She just gave me a blank stare and I responded, "Some women just don't need a partner in life."

"Pero ayaw mo ba yun? Meron kang kasamang tumanda? Kapag wala kang kaibigan o pamilya, at least merong tao na nandun para sa'yo. It's not just about the sex or intimacy. It's about a long-term partnership, hanggang dulo, andun para sayo at andun ka para sa kanya," she reasoned out.

Totoo naman 'yung sinabi n'ya. Maganda nga naman 'yung notion na 'yun. I mean, hindi kasing ganda ko ha, pero close enough.

"Oh, eh, anong gagawin 'ko? Eh wala nga." I asked as I sat on my chair, sa harap ng dresser ko. Andito kami sa loob ng walk-in closet ko na konektado sa bathroom 'ko. Ito ata ang paborito 'kong lugar sa bahay 'ko dahil napaka peaceful. Except ngayon na andito 'tong kaibigan 'ko at pine-peste ako sa life choices 'ko.

Tumayo siya sa likod ko at tinignan ako through my mirror. "I told you to try dating apps or even, I can hook you up with people I know. Blind date."

"Ugh, ew." Bulyaw 'ko. "I already have beauty, brains, career, and money. I can't have it all, Chanel. Believe it or not, God is just. Hindi na Siya just kung bibigyan N'ya 'rin ako ng boyfriend."

Napatitig siya sa akin nang matagal, alam 'kong inis na inis na s'ya sa akin. Umirap at umismid na lang siya. "Whatever!" anya at saka siya umalis.

Natatawa na lang ako.

Well, that's Nicole Y. Cortez for you. The NBSB in the group, but also the prettiest. Syempre, since Elementary lagi akong muse. At hindi lang 'yun, lagi 'rin akong nasa first section at Valedictorian. I studied in St. Mary's and then UP Diliman for my undergrad degree and then Ateneo De Manila for my graduate degree.

Yes, I've never dated anyone. Who has time for that?

Super active ako sa school and universities 'ko, pati na 'rin sa pamilya 'ko, na hindi 'ko na naisip na humanap ng lalaki o ano pa man. Ewan 'ko, hindi lang talaga sumagi sa isipan 'ko 'yun eh. I have nothing against people who are in a relationship, actually I commend them. I always say I don't have enough bandwidth to deal with the bullshit and heartaches that come along with relationships. Eh sa ganun ang nasa isipan 'ko 'eh. Do me, right?

"You did great," sabi ng boss 'ko nang maka-alis ang mga investors namin sa napakalaking board room namin. Kaming dalawa na lang ang natira habang inaayos 'ko ang mga gamit 'ko.

I smiled at him sarcastically. "I know."

"So vain," he commented, leaning against his chair, smirking like the asshole that he is. Kung hindi 'ko lang siya kilala, I would think he's flexing his arms.

Tinignan 'ko siya. Sabi nilang lahat napaka-gwapo daw nito, pero parang hindi 'ko naman makita. Feeling nang ibang tao gwapo siya dahil half caucasian siya. Puti 'yung tatay niya tapos 'yung nanay naman niya is Filipina pero mestizang mestiza. Sus. Anong special dun? Mas gusto 'ko pa 'yung dark skinned, gusto 'ko mga tipong Richard Gomez.

Pero matangkad si Bryan, perhaps 6'1. I've been to the US before, pinapadala ako lagi ako ng kumpanya sa Europe and States. Normal lang naman 'yung mga ganyang height. Wala nang bago.

In short, sinasabi 'ko lang na nakakabwisit siya at hindi excuse 'yung 'gwapo' daw niyang mukha para sa nakakabwisit niyang ugali.

"Yes, I'm just so perfect." Sagot 'ko. Kinuha 'ko na agad lahat ng papeles 'ko at laptop 'ko para maka-alis at hindi na makausap itong taong 'to. Wala na 'tong ginawa kundi asarin ako, konti na lang masasapak 'ko na 'to.

"If you're perfect, why are you single then?" Pang-iinis niya.

"Seriously? Talking about my personal life while working? Akala 'ko ba NYU graduate ka. Aren't you supposed to be intellectual?"

Tumingin siya sa rolex niya. Wow, sarap basagin. "It's 9pm. It's after hours." sagot niya sa unang tanong 'ko.Umirap lang ako. "Seriously, what am I missing?"

"Men are pigs." Sabi 'ko. Well, hindi naman lahat. Pero marami na 'rin akong nakilala na ganun.

"Oh come on." Sagot niya. "You're acting like..."

"Like what?" Taas kilay na tanong 'ko sa kanya.

"Momordica Charantia."

Napakuyom ang kamay 'ko nang marinig 'ko yun. Tumaas ata blood pressure 'ko. Pagod na pagod na ako tapos bi-bwisitin pa ako nito. Boss daw siya pero kung umasta akala mo kung sino! Konti nalang sasapakin 'ko na talaga to.

Momordica Charantia is the scientific name of bittergourd AKA ampalaya. Loko lokong 'to!

"Excuse me. Hindi ako bitter." Giit 'ko.

Napa ngisi siya, parang tuwang tuwa siya na nakuha niya na ng buo 'yung atensyon 'ko. "You wouldn't act like that if you weren't."

"You know why? Because everyone is acting as if it's abnormal to choose this kind of lifestyle. What's wrong with being single?" halos pasigaw na tanong 'ko sa kanya.

Gusto 'ko siyang sampalin.

"Isn't it tiring though?" malambing na tanong niya, napa-kunot naman ang noo 'ko. "To be alone all the time?"

Napa tahimik ako. "Who said I'm alone?" bawi 'kong tanong.

"Chanel."

Tumaas lalo blood pressure 'ko. 'Yung bruhang 'yun, konti nalang, itatapon 'ko na sa ilog.

"This is none of your business." sagot 'ko saka ako tumayo. "Have a good evening, sir."

Naglakad ako papunta sa pinto ng makalabas na ako.

"I think you're just scared."

Napahinto ako nang marinig 'ko 'yun. "What?"

Pumikit ako sandali at sinubukan 'kong kumalma. Nararamdaman 'ko na nag-iinit ang mga pisngi 'ko pati na ang tenga 'ko. Mahihimatay ata ako sa sobrang galit. "Being scared of uncertainty is normal. And I get that you're a career oriented woman, I want to empower that as your superior. But, be more loyal to yourself than to your job. Just get out there and have some fun. Not all men are pigs."

Tinignan 'ko siya at lumapit sa kanya, na alam 'kong kinagulat niya. "So, you're saying that I deserve to have some fun? Be stupid? Be careless?"

Tinignan niya ako with his really light brown eyes, ngumiti siya at tumango. "Yeah, have fun. Life's too short to live with such bitterness, don't you think? Loosen up a bit. Do something different."

"Fine, how do you suggest I do that?"

Ngumisi siya. "Be my girl. Date me."

What the... fuck.