Waah ang bilis lumipas ng araw. I've already sent a letter of acceptance to Ms. Salvador about Wilmana's offer. It's been two weeks and nearly three pero wala pa akong natatanggap na sagot nila. No reply, no mail, no call, nothing. I think I have to call Andy instead.
And especially since I didn't talk to Kev about it yet. I won't talk about it now, not today because we're at Niel's birthday party right now. Dito sa bahay yung venue and I literally had to push him into coming here today.
"Anong oras ba tayo uuwi?" naiinip na tanong niya.
Tignan mo 'tong taong to. Wala pang isang oras na nandito kami eh.
"Will you stop asking me and just enjoy yourself."
"Kung hindi mo sana ako pinilit na pumunta dito wala sanang nagtatanong sa'yo. Tss."
"Will you stop complaining? We're here anyway and you can't go home without me." I smile at myself.
"Paano ako makakauwi eh na sa'yo yung susi ng kotse ko?"
Kinuha ko yung susi niya dahil baka umalis na lang at pag bumalik tapos na yung party.
"Kaya nga. Loosen up, will you?" I say but he just rolled his eyes at me.
Nag-enroll na rin si Niel last month sa preschool. May magician ngayon sa harap at nanunuod si Niel kasama yung mga batang bisita niya. We're seated around the table right now.
"Gusto mo ng beer? Ikukuha kita." alok ko. I think he needs it right now because his annoyance is growing.
"I'll get it myself. Stay here." sabi niya ng may pagbabanta pa sa boses niya.
"Sa'n naman kaya ako pupunta?" tanong ko pero hindi na niya ako pinansin at umalis na siya para pumasok sa loob ng bahay.
After a few minutes, lumapit sa'kin si Mark. Syempre nandito rin siya. He's a family friend at close sila ni Niel.
"Working it out with the boyfriend?"
"Yep. Are you mocking me right now?" biro ko.
"If you take it that way..." he shrugs his shoulders.
"Back off." I playfully tell him.
"Given that he's coming right now... mas mabuti ngang umalis na ako." natatawang sabi niya at napatingin ako sa tinuturo niya sa likod ko.
Kev's coming my way with two bottle of beer on hand.
"I'll see you later." paalam niya and I just nodded and smiled.
"Ano namang kailangan nun?"
"Wala, nangamusta lang. Para sa'kin ba yang isa?" pagiiba ko ng usapan.
"Nope." he said, popping the 'p' before drinking from the bottle.
"You're still driving later. Wag kang masyadong iinom."
"Since when did you start repremanding me like that?" he smiles.
"It started 5 seconds ago." I stuck my tongue out and he smiles more.
I love that smile.
****
"Tita!" napalingon ako sa tumawag sa'kin sa likuran ko.
Kevin's arm is around my chair and we're seated nearer than we were.
Excited na nagpakandong sa'kin si Niel while Kev removed his arm from my chair.
"Are you enjoying?" I ask the cute kid.
"Yes tita! Sa'n regalo ko?" He pouts.
"Oh, shocks! I forgot." I dramatically say as I get the paper bag under the table.
