A Love To Remember

34.

Audrey's Pov

“Kami na lang ni Chocol oorder.” pagvovolunteer ni Riley sabay hila kay Chocol paalis ng table namin. Ni-hindi man lang niya hinintay yung sagot ng isa kaya wala ring nagawa si Chocol kundi sumama.

Alam kong tuwang-tuwa si Riley ngayon—aba, imbis na saakin kumampi, pinigilan niya umalis si Bada at inayang kumain sa labas.

“Audrey...” Bada softly called my name and my eyes automatically landed on her.

“Ano?”

“Kilala mo ba yun?” seryosong tanong niya.

“Si Chocol? No, bakit?” napakunot noo na lang ako at hinihintay siyang magsalita ulit.

“But you know her name.”

“Yes and we just met earlier. Ano bang meron? Bakit ka pumunta sa studio namin without asking my permission?” I coldly said, crossing my arms.

“I tried reaching you out para sana sabihin na ituloy pa rin natin yung rehearsal kahit na—”

“I told you na huwag na kasi nga may hangover kapa and mas better kung ipahinga mo na lang yan.” I scolded her.

Hindi ko alam kung ayaw niya lang makinig saakin or gumagawa lang talaga siya ng paraan para magkita kaming dalawa. I hate it, I hate how she acts.

“Pero—” again I cut her off.

“No buts, you are so stubborn.” I raised up my hand near her face, asking her to stop talking.

And as expected, she didn't say anything more. Maya-maya dumating na yung dalawa na may dalang tray and I helped them para ilapag na yung foods namin.

“Ako na.” kinuha ni Chocol yung tray saakin na ibabalik ko na sana but she stopped me.

“Okay.” I smiled at her.

Bada is sitting across from me while Chocol is in front of me. We started to eat at syempre while talking. Medyo pansin ko rin na hindi nakakasabay si Bada sa topic namin since hindi naman niya kilala mga kasama niya except me.

“Bada, ayos kana ba? wala kana bang hangover?” tanong ni Riley sakanya.

“Ha?”

“Tinawagan mo raw si Audrey last night tapos lasing na lasing ka raw.” Riley explained as she glance at me.

Hindi naman ako kumibo at patuloy lang sa pagkain, ganun din si Chocol. Ewan siguro silang dalawa ni Riley nagkakaintindihan lol.

“Ah about that....” Bada paused.

“Huy.” bulong ni Riley at bahagya akong siniko para makuha atensyon ko.

“What?” I stared at her and she pointed Bada using her lips kaya nalipat yung tingin ko kay Bada.

“May sasabihin ka?” I asked her.

Everytime na magkakatitigan kami or tinititigan ko siya, bigla siyang umiiwas like hello? hindi ito yung Bada na nakilala ko. Well siguro nahihiya siya or nagiguilty sa mga ginawa niya saakin before.

“I don't remember a thing but I just want to know if I called you last night? May sinabi ba ako? Did I fuck up or what?” seryosong tanong niya.

I was about to respond but Chocol suddenly giggled.

“Oh sorry.” Chocol apologized and shook her head.

“Huh?”

“Normal lang siguro yun lalo na kung wala kana sa wisyo but why would you want to ask about it?” tanong ni Chocol kay Bada.

“Kasi gusto kong malaman kung anong mga pinagsasasabi ko sakanya.” sagot ni Bada.

“And if she's uncomfortable about it? Kung gusto mong malaman, alalahanin mo. Look at her, she's clearly uncomfortable.” Chocol said as she stared at me, our eyes met but she quickly averted her eyes off me.

“Why do you even care?” naiinis na tanong ni Bada sakanya.

“You are ruining the mood and atmosphere.” Chocol replied, still eating her food and didn't even look at Bada.

“Oops! Tama na 'yan.” saway ni Riley sa dalawa.

“She started it first. Hindi naman kasi siya yung kinaka—” hindi na ako nakapagpigil pa at sinaway din si Bada.

“Stop it, Bada. Ano, kaya ginugulo mo ako para malaman mga pinagsasasabi mo last night? Okay fine.” I butted in, trying to stay calm para hindi makuha atensyon ng ibang customers.

“You called last night and you were so drunk. Sa sobrang kalasingan mo, wala akong naintindihan sa mga pinagsasasabi mo kaya I ended the call. Ano, okay na ba? nakuha mo na ba yung sagot na gusto mo?” of course, I lied.

I don't want to talk about it anymore. Bada was drunk and she wasn't in her right mind when she said those things. Ayoko ring maniwala—ayoko na siyang pagkatiwalaan.

“Okay chill. Aalis na kami ni Bada and you two, maiwan na muna namin kayo.” agad tumayo si Riley at hinila si Bada.

“Bakit siya maiiwan? Isama mo rin 'yan.” sabi ni Bada kay Riley habang nakaturo kay Chocol.

“No, she's staying with me.” I said while staring at Bada. Wala rin siyang nagawa at umalis na lang kasama si Riley.

After that, ni-isa walang nagsasalita saamin ni Chocol. Siguro gulat din sa nangyari pero kasi sobra na so I had to speak up and patigilin si Bada sa mga plano niya. I don't know siguro may trust issues na rin ako when it comes to love or kay Bada lang talaga. I don't want to experience the same thing I've been through before.

Chocol gave me some space and hinintay niya talagang ako mag-aya na umuwi na kami. I didn't bring my car kaya ang ending, she gave me a ride.

While she was driving, I remained quiet in my seat while my eyes were roaming around outside, watching people passing by.

“Hey.” napalingon ako kay Chocol nang marinig ko boses niya.

“Hmm?”

“You good?” nag-aalala niyang tanong saakin.

See, mabait naman pala 'to masyado lang maangas tignan pero soft hearted din pala.

“Yup, why?” I smiled at her.

“Ang tahimik mo kasi.” sagot ni Chocol habang abala sa pagmamaneho.

“Ah.”

Silence.....

“Ex mo ba yun?” tanong ni Chocol.

“Si Bada? No, never naman naging kami.”

“Eh bakit ganun siya kung makaasta? It seems like she likes you or should I say hindi pa nakakamove on sayo.”

“For sure gusto niya lang ulit guluhin buhay ko. I don't know what she really wants pero I'm trying my best to protect myself from her.” napabuntong hininga kong sabi at sakto namang nagred light kaya napatingin siya saakin.

“Gusto mong gumanti?” seryoso niyang tanong at nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hawakan mga kamay ko.

“Ano?”

“Gaganti tayo. Let's make her jealous and ipakita mong kinaya mo na wala siya. Prove to her na you already moved on.” Chocol explained.