"Oh, Era! I'm glad you came!" Tumayo si Brylle nang makita kami.
I smiled and glanced at Olzen when he pulled a chair for me. Francis stood up too and smiled at me.
"Long time no see, Era. Sana naalala mo pa ako."
"It's nice to see you again, Francis." Ngumiti ako at umupo.
They settled down too. Hindi na ako nagsalita nang makitang umupo sa tabi ko si Olzen kahit pwede namang sa tabi ng mga kaibigan niya dahil malawak ang lamesa namin.
Agad nilang pinag-usapan kung anong o-order-in. Maingay sila lalo na si Francis at Brylle na nag-aaway pa. I wasn't that close to them before but I don't feel awkward or anything right now. We've all grown.
"Anong gusto mo?" Tanong ni Olzen sa akin.
"Sisig?" Ngumuso ako at tiningnan ang mga stalls sa malayo. "Or barbecue?"
He licked his lips and nodded before glancing at his friends. Francis and Brylle stopped arguing about the food.
"Anong drinks ang kukunin natin?" Lumingon si Francis kay Olzen.
"Are you fine with drinks, Era? Okay lang kung ayaw mo, kahit kami na lang. We can order juice for you." Si Brylle at sumulyap din kay Olzen.
Ngumiti ako at tumango. "I'm fine. May Smirnoff sila dito 'di ba? I'll take that."
Hindi sumagot ang dalawa at nanatili ang tingin kay Olzen. My forehead knotted and squinted at him too. He looks serious with his furrowed brows while looking at his friends.
"Ano, boss? Nasayo ang pinal na desisyon." Tumawa si Brylle.
What? Final decision? Magsasalita sana ako nang tumango si Olzen at nilabas ang wallet niya.
"Ilang bucket? Tatlo? O ano? 'Tsaka ambagan tayo, ah." Si Brylle habang bumubunot ng pera mula sa wallet niya.
"Walang wala ka na ba? How much are they paying you?" Francis laughed and shook his head.
I pursed my lips and brought out my wallet too. I need to give my share, nakakahiya naman.
"Here," I handed them a yellow bill.
Halos magmura si Brylle dahil doon. I smiled and glanced at Olzen when he grabbed the bill and gave it back to me. Nilingon ko siya at nahuli ang seryosong tingin niya sa akin.
"I can pay for us. No need for that."
"Oo nga naman, Era. I was just joking. We can't let a girl pay, that's no gentleman." Si Brylle.
Umiling ako at muling nilingon si Olzen. He only glared at me for a bit when he saw that I will insist. Nagtiim bagang ako nang bumunot siya ng tatlong one thousand bill sa wallet niya at inilapag sa lamesa.
"Iba talaga kapag may sariling kompanya," humalakhak si Francis at kinuha ang pera ni Olzen.
"Isn't that too much?" Bulong ko kay Olzen.
Nilapag niya ang cellphone sa lamesa at nilingon ako. His lips protruded while watching me. I cleared my throat and moved away because my heart is already pounding hard just by his gaze.
Tumayo si Francis at Brylle para mag-order. Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Olzen sa lamesa. Maingay ang paligid dahil sa background music, idagdag na rin ang ingay ng ibang tao at sasakyan.
I roamed my eyes around the area. I even saw students who are still in their uniform. Some are from our university! I shook my head in dismay. They could have changed first before going here. They're not wearing their IDs but I can still identify their uniforms.
Chapter 38
Start from the beginning
