Why?

xxxiv

“Ayan, inom pa ng inom. Alam namang may byahe tayo mamaya.” I heard someone quietly say.

Where did that noise come from? I slowly opened my eyes and saw my roommates seated on the floor. Cienne noticed that I was already awake kaya she greeted me a good morning at sumunod naman ang iba.

“Good morning. Ba’t ang aga niyong mag ingay ngayon?” Tanong ko habang nakahiga pa rin at nakapikit uli ang mga mata.

I heard Camille groan in agony. Kaya minulat ko ulit ang mga mata ko para tignan silang muli. Magkatabi ang kambal pati na rin sina Mika at Kim. Parehong may hawak na kape sina Mika at Cienne. Mukhang may hangover pa ang mga inaalalayan nila.

Dahan dahan akong umupo sabay kuha ng cellphone ko sa gilid para tignan kung ano’ng oras na. It’s almost 9 am and we’re scheduled to leave the resort by 11 am. I heaved a sigh, at least we all have two hours to prepare ourselves.

“Kumain na ba kayo?” Tanong ko sa kanila habang nag-sstretch.

Mika shook her head sabay abot ng hawak na kape kay Kim. “Wala pa, but we’re already planning to eat. Cienne was about to wake you up. Good thing gising ka na rin.”

“Great. Ano’ng nangyari sa dalawang ‘yan?” Tanong ko.

“Nag-inuman challenge ang dalawa vs the boys, parehong competitive kaya ayaw magpatalo. Tignan mo tuloy ang ending.” Cienne mumbled while still nursing her twin.

Natawa naman ako. “Mga loka talaga. Mga anong oras na pala kayo naka uwi kanina?”

Tumayo si Mika sa pagkaka upo sabay nagstretch rin. “Mga 5 am na ata.”

Tumango nalang ako bilang sagot.
“Buti walang nakakita sa inyo. Medyo maaga na rin yung 5 am ha.”

“Medyo nag enjoy kasi kami sa kwentohan, kaya hindi namalayan na almost 4 am na pala.” Sagot naman ni Cienne.

Nahinto lang ang usapan namin nang narinig naming tumunog ang tiyan ni Kim. And we took that as the sign that we need to head to the dining area for breakfast. It’s time to feed these weirdos.

Pagkarating namin, medyo madami nang tao ang kumakain. But you can see in some’s faces that they are suffering from the curse of alcohol hangover. Ayan inom pa kasi kahit alam naman nilang aalis na kami mamaya.

While scanning the place, I first noticed Kib when he waved at me. I waved back naman. He suddenly nudged Jeron who was seated beside him. Napatingin rin naman ito sa gawi ko. Ngumiti naman ang loko sabay wave ng phone niya. I took the hint to check my phone. Inasar naman ni Kib si Jeron, parang mga bata talaga ang dalawa.

After getting our meals, naupo ako sa tabi ni Mika. The rest of the team, except the bullies, were busy chattering around while eating their food. Tumingin ako sa harap ko at nakitang parang lutang na kumakain si Kim.

She must have noticed my stare because she glanced up at me. “Ang sakit ng ulo ko, Ars. Pakuha naman ng gamot dito,” sabay bigay sakin ng medicine pouch niya.

And being the good friend that I am, hinanap ko naman ang advil na kailangan niya. Kumuha na rin ako ng isa para kay Camille. I handed the meds to the two who are trying their best to stomach the food they’re eating.

I felt my phone vibrate kaya I took it out from my pocket and checked to see who the message came from. Nang makita ko na it was from Jeron, tumingin agad ako sa kung saan sila banda naka upo. I saw him grinning at me. I read his message and typed my reply.

“What happened to Kim and Camille?”

“Hangover.”

“Ohh, so it was them who went up against Gab and Kib.”