Change of Fate

Chapter 8

I sighed. "Lumapit lang siya sa akin at tinulungan kumuha ng sweets. 'Yon lang yon. 'Wag gawing big deal."

Nanliit mga mata niya sa akin. "Nag-uusap na pala kayo ulit ni Galen."

"What? Hindi naman kami ganun ka-close, diba? Kahit noon, hindi ko naman ganun nakakausap 'yon." I said.

She only looked at me, maybe deliberating the answer I gave. She then changed the subject and talked to the people on our table. I continued eating until an emcee interrupted us.

"Well, well. Hello again, people! I know all of you enjoyed the meal. Nabusog din kayo panigurado. Para naman maibalik ang sigla, ituloy na natin ang ating palaro! Ang larong ito..." The emcee continued speaking until Misha asked me to accompany her to the comfort room. We both stood up and went outside to find a comfort room.

"This would be so much fun if Bellinda was here. I miss her so much. Kailan kayo last nagkita?" Misha asked me, referring to our other friend.

"Last na kita namin is nung nagpameeting yung kompanya about sa latest drug na inaasikaso namin. Hindi na siya masyadong nagpakita after nun." I answered.

Bella, or Bellinda, has been our friend since college. She's also a graduate of chemical engineering like us. Masyado nga lang mailap dahil sa iba siya nadestino. Her career choice is demanding because it requires her to be on field always.

"I hope one of these days mag-bond ulit tayo. Our last bond for the three of us was matagal na."

I nodded, agreeing with her. "Magpaparamdam naman 'yon, hindi pa naman patay 'yon. Ako maghuhukay sa kanya sa ilalim kung ganon."

We reached the comfort room as we retouched ourselves. Nakakawala rin ng poise ang kumain.

I went inside a cubicle to take a pee. Ang dami kong nainom kanina na tubig dahil na rin ang daming kinain. Nagtahong pa.

I went outside and saw Misha still retouching her face. She looked at me from the mirror in front of the sink as I washed my hands.

"I really don't get it kung bakit lumapit sayo si Galen." I stared at her reflection in the mirror, bored because it's the same conversation again.

"I really don't get it kung bakit 'yan pa rin ang gusto mo pag-usapan." I answered back.

She then faced, tapos na sa pag-aayos ng sarili. "Ikaw na rin nagsabi na hindi kayo ganun ka-close ni Galen. Plus, he's a famous news anchor in the country! Girls flock all over him, and I won't be surprised if some of them attack you for being close to him."

"Misha, I'm not trying to compete with them. Kunin nila ang atensyon ng lalaking 'yon, for all I care. Katatapos pa lang nung sa amin ni Daniel. I'm not looking for a new romantic prospect. Nakakapagod."

"I'm not saying that you should go for it. You still want to have a lifelong partner, right? Hindi pa naman tapos paghahanap mo?" She looked at me.

"I said, I'm not looking for a new romantic prospect. Baka hindi na rin ako maghanap pa. After three failed relationships, I think that's the universe's way of saying enough for me." I applied nude lipstick all over my lips and fixed my face with pressed powder.

Sumimangot siya at bumuntong hininga. "Bummer. But good to know that you're not trying to compete with other girls kasi baka ikaw naman yung nanalo simula pa lang." Nagkibit balikat siya at nagbalik tingin sa salamin para mag-ayos ulit.

Hindi ko na pinansin ang huling sinabi niya at hinintay nalang siya matapos sa gawain. Ilang minuto na rin kasi kami nag-stay sa banyo. Nang matapos, nagbalik na kami sa party hall kung saan naririnig namin ang malalakas na sigaw ng mga babae at ilang tawanan ng mga lalaki at ibang guests. Pang-ilang laro na kaya ito?