Chapter 39.
Mandy's POV
Magulo.
"Oh my god, is that Mandy?!"
Nakakahilo.
"Buhay siya?! Paano?"
Nakakapanibago.
"The Queen is back! She's really back!"
Ngumiti lang ako sa mga nadadaanan kong schoolmates ko. May natural resting bitch face ako, so hindi ako sigurado kung nagtranslate ito sa kanila. Sana oo, dahil kahit naman bago ako mawala dito sa University, I was known as the "nice" girl.
And I was also known as "his" girl. That girl na laging nasa tabi niya. That girl na laging kasama siya. That girl na maiisip mo na counterpart niya.
Not until today.
"Oh my gosh, beeeeeeeestfriend!!! You're back!!!"
Napatingin ako sa paparating. Curly red-haired girl with a dimple. Maganda. It's been years pero I know her voice in the back of my mind kaya kahit hindi ko pa makita ang new look niya, I know it's her.
"Marga," napangiti ako. "Hello."
"Tamlay mo girl. Pa-hug nga!" sabi niya pagkalapit niya sakin. "Namiss kita!"
I hugged her back of course. I heard she frequently facetimed my ate yaya ever since I was hospitalized in the US. She's been singing nonstop on the call. I used to get annoyed by her back in high school because of that. But honestly, I'm so thankful for her.
"So, what's up?"
"Anong what's up? Ikaw ang what's up! Nakaadjust ka na ba ever since you woke up from that deep-long slumber?"
Patuloy lang kaming naglalakad papuntang registrar.
I sighed. "Honestly, it feels a bit.. confusing. Like I look the same, but--"
"--It feels like you're inhabiting someone's body?"
Tumango ako. "You nailed it. Para bang di ako kumpleto kahit kumpleto naman ako."
"Awwwww. You'll feel better. Mahirap pa ngayon kasi bago pa lang, pero don't worry, you'll be okay."
"I know. Buti nalang nandyan kayo nila kuya and Dylan para sakin ever since."
"Ni Dylan?"
"Oo. Wala namang nagbago diba? Siya nga pala, do you know his number? I think he changed his kasi I kept calling him kahapon cause I want to catch up with him, but no response."
Di ko alam kung bakit pero napangiwi si Marga.
"Uhm, wala kasi akong number niya. To be honest with you Mandy, wala akong interaction with him after you were gone. But I think he's active na uli on social media. Why not message him na lang on Facebook?"
I sighed. "Yun yung unang ginawa ko nung di ko siya macontact, pero kasi naka-left on sent lang ako sa kanya. I tried messaging his other friends pero naka-left on sent lang rin."
Marga rolled her eyes. "Mas active kasi yung mga yun sa rambulan. Hayaan mo pag nalaman naman nila na andito ka na, I'm sure pupuntahan ka nila agad."
"Sabagay," I smiled. "I'm their favorite."
Hindi ko alam pero nakita ko na naman sa peripheral vision ko na napangiwi si Marga. What's up with her?
"Okay ka lang ba?"
"H-ha? Oo naman!" sabay pulupot sa braso ko. "Di lang ako makapaniwala na andito ka. Namiss talaga kita best friend ko!"
"Ikaw talaga. Akala ko naman kung anong meron."
"Hehe, wala! Mas maganda ka naman dun."
"Ano? Kanino ako mas maganda?"
Tinanggal niya yung kapit niya sa braso ko. "Ang sabi ko, I'm happy our queen bee is back. Oh my gosh ang dami kong gustong planuhing college parties with you! Excited na ako!"
Napangiti ako. "Honestly, namiss ko din yan. Sana kilala pa nila ako."
"Of course! You're unbeatable when it comes to your status here. Bow down to you sis."
I scoffed. "Para namang may trono talaga? At kahit naman meron, parang wala namang aagaw sa trono ko? I got the king wrapped in my hand, remember?"
I expected her to laugh at my rhetoric remark, but she didn't. She made that "look" again.
May mali ba akong nasabi?
I was about to confront her about it nang biglang may nakapukaw ng atensyon ko.
It was a girl. Straight hair, looks half-korean. Pretty dimples, pretty smile, almost perfect in all aspects.
There's just something wrong about her.
Then it clicked.
She's holding hands with the king.
My King.
And that's when I realized that my throne has been taken away.
"Wow."
And I'll do whatever it takes just to take it back.
To take HIM back.
