Never Cry Murder

Chapter 9: Be Good

"Because of this." Proud niyang sambit sabay pakita sa akin ng isang white envelope mula sa bulsa niya. "I asked Dad for extra money pero hindi na siya nagbigay, sobra na daw kasi ako kung makahingi sa kanya but he said that he'll pay me once I help out at the shop. So yeah...  I'm a thousand peso richer now bitch."

Natawa na lamang ako. That's Julia alright. Once she wants something, she'll stop at nothing. "So what are you saving up for? Bibili ka na naman ba ng albums or magpapa-tattoo ka na naman? Wait, don't tell me may dent na naman ang car mo?" Tanong ko na lamang saka napasandal sa pader na nasa kinatatayuan namin.

"Bobaness! Its your 14th birthday next week! Diba sabi mo gusto mong magpakulay ng buhok pero ayaw kang payagan ng parents mo kaya di ka nila binibigyan ng money to do so? Well my dearest pal, my gift for you is a great change to further sisafy your soul." She flipped her blonde hair proudly, "I'm amahzing right?" Dagdag pa niya sabay taas baba ng kilay niya.

"Seriously?! Omg omg omg! Thank you!" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa tuwa. Pakiramdam ko ano mang oras ay maiiyak na ako. All this time, I thought we were starting to drift apart pero it turns out may ginagawa lang pala siyang kabalbalan para sa akin. I'm touched—really really.

 

"Cry a single tear and I swear to God, kakalbuhin kita Sisa." Pagbabanta niya matapos lumagok ng tubig.

                   

"Kahit isa lang? Na-touch ako eh! Bruh gimme a hug! Gimmeee!" Biro ko at ako na mismo ang yumakap sa kanya ng mahigpit. See, I've always had trouble expressing my feelings. I haven't even told my parents that I love them kasi nakokornihan ako at naiilang. Siguro sa lahat ng tao dito sa mundo, kay Julia lang ata ako komportableng mag-express ng nararamdaman. I don't know why. I'm weird, yeah, I know.

 

"Ew! Don't touch me I'm amahzing!" Sabi niya habang pabiro akong tinutulak palayo.

"Yey! I'm gonna have blue hair!" Pagmamalaki ko pa sabay palakpak na parang isang shungang seal.

"Actually, blue isn't really what I have in mind for you." Aniya kaya kunot-noo akong napabitaw sa kanya.

"Ganun? Eh anong color? Blonde din gaya mo?" Tanong ko na lamang.

She took a bite from the Pizza she's holding while looking at my long hair. Parang kinikilatis niya ito. Ugh, she's such a know-it-all.

"Red. Yup. Definitely Red." Giit niya saka nag-thumbs  up at tumango-tango pa.

"Red? Can I really pull that off?" Napangiwi ako.

Pabiro niya akong inakbayan "Damn right, you can! Come on, you're Sisa! You can pull off and do anything! No matter how much the world tries to break you, always remember that you're Sisa. Dearest pal, whenever you feel sad and worthless, just look at yourself in the mirror. Your Red hair will always be the reminder that whatever happens, you have a bitchy pal who will do anything for you and she will always be there to help you stand up whenever you trip on the floor—well after kitang pagtawanan, dun pa kita tutulungan but you get it right?" Aniya pa kaya napakagat na lamang ako sa labi ko para mapigilan ang sarili kong maiyak. "But seriously, your red hair will always be a reminder that you are not alone. Whatever happens, I'll always be your Juliangina." Tumatawa niyang sambit.