PAGKATAPOS MAG-HEART-TO-HEART TALK, ini-briefing na si Stacey ni Kylie tungkol sa kung paano pakikitunguhan at makaka-good shot sa nanay ni Renante. Saktong nagkukwentuhan na lang sila tungkol sa kanya-kanyang pinagkakaabalahang trabaho nang dumating si Paige.
Suot ni Paige ang usual nitong istilo ng pananamit na may cream at light brown color combination— for this occasion, she wore a cream-colored turtle-neck sleeveless crocheted top and mocha-colored high-waisted straight pants. Nakaladlad ang maikli at unat nitong buhok.
Habang paupo ang babae, tinapunan nito ng nagtatakang tingin si Kylie. Mabilis na napansin ni Stacey ang pagkukwestiyon sa mga mata ng babae.
"This is Kylie, my best friend," pakilala niya sa kalapit. Pagkatapos, inilipat naman niya ang tingin kay Kylie. "Kylie, this is—"
Natigilan siya dahil nagningning ang mga mata ni Kylie. Bahagyang nakaawang pa ang mga labi nito habang manghang-manghang nakatitig kay Paige.
"H-Hi, Paige Uychengco..." she almost sighed dreamily.
Paige remained poker-faced.
"Hi, Kylie."
Kylie gave Stacey a look, asking for her approval. Wala namang ideya si Stacey kung ano ang gustong sabihin ni Kylie kay Paige pero nagtiwala na lang siya sa kaibigan at tumango bilang sagot dito. Masayang ibinalik ni Kylie ang tingin kay Paige.
"Paige, I love your works!" Kylie declared, suppressing her fangirling squeal.
Paige remained composed and emotionless.
"Thank you."
"I bought that bunny print from your online shop! Naka-frame sa kwarto ko," kwento ni Kylie.
Stacey just watched the two of them. Medyo naiinggit siya kay Kylie dahil magaling itong kumilala ng mga tao. Kaya heto at may naiisip na conversation starters. Stacey has never been really that interested with people, with knowing the people around her because she thought she's already okay being the lone wolf... being alone and independent.
For Stacey, trying to get to know people before meeting them would be like stalking them, which reminds her of having a stalker that traumatized her back in college. And trying to get to know people in action would be like chasing them, which reminds her of chasing renante and her mother before because she craved for their attention and affection. Kaya heto siya ngayon, hindi niya alam kung paano magsisimula ng conversation kahit siya ang nakaisip ng get-together na ito. Meeting people in personal is very different from meeting people because you have an agenda at the back of your mind.
Nasa kalagitnaan ng pagpuri si Kylie sa tinutukoy nitong 'bunny print' nang matanaw ni Stacey mula sa malayo ang nanay ni Renante.
Luz wore her usual white dress ensemble. This time it is a round-necked dress with short sleeves that slightly hugged her round figure. May pearl bracelet ang ginang at hawak nito ng dalawang kamay sa tapat ng ilalim ng dibdib nito ang maliit na puting handbag. She had her hair tied in a low bun. Her make-up was softly applied and made her serene beauty pop out, but failed to hide some of the fine lines on her face.
Tatayo na sana si Stacey para sunduin ang ginang mula sa entrance ng café, kaya lang, natigilan siya nang mapatingin ito sa kanyang direksyon. Stacey gave Luz an inviting smile. Siyang lakad ng ginang patungo sa kanilang table.
"Sobrang liit ng bunny sa artprint na iyon, pero iyon ang una kong napansin," patuloy ni Kylie habang tahimik na nakikinig lang dito ang walang karea-reaksyong si Paige. "At iyong malaking puno ng acacia na main subject ng art at nasa center? Sobrang ganda. Ang realistic ng dating kahit may fusion ng 90s anime artstyle a.k.a vaporwave iyong artwork." Paige gently smiled at Kylie. "Thank you for noticing the bunny."
आप पढ़ रहे हैं
Through Secrets Unveiled
सामान्य साहित्य[ Manila's Finest Series # 3] [ Wattpad Version ] ••• Rated SPG - R18+ When revelation comes, denial follows.
