No Strings Attached

-12-

I was reminded again that Eleanor is beautiful.

"Ang ganda niya, diba?" Monique blurted. Napatingin tuloy ako sa kanya, suddenly embarrassed dahil nakalimutan kong kasama ko pa nga pala siya. Nakita ko naman nakatingin din siya sa asawa niya na kasayaw si Eleanor.

"Si Eleanor?" She nodded. Napangiti naman ako. I was suddenly proud about her.

"Bakit? Nagseselos ka?" Biro ko. Tiningnan naman ako ng masama ni Monique but her expression softened again as she watched them.

"I don't have to be jealous anymore. Kahit naman malandi yang kakambal mong si Lourd, sakin pa din yan babalik." I can see how her cheeks flushed when she said it. Halata mong hindi talaga siya nagseselos or nagdadalawang isip tungkol sa kanila ni Lourd.

She's somewhat secured with what she and Lourd have.

"Anyway, Kai is really pretty. I love her smile. Nakakagaan ng loob." She stated. Tumango naman ako.

"Can I tell you something?" Tiningnan ako ni Monique, "Anything Chance."

"Don't get me wrong about this. But I wanted to ask this, why Lourd? Is it for the thrill because he's the bad boy? The fun? Or whatsoever?"

Monique sighed, "He's... He's the one, Chance." Alam ko namang yun ang isasagot niya pero mas gusto kong marinig mula sa kanya. Wala naman akong naramdamang kahit anong selos or panghihinayang.

"The one." Pag-uulit ko. Yung taong pinaghahanap ng lahat sa mundo. Diba yun naman yung isa sa pinakamahalagang dahilan kung bakit tayo nabubuhay? Ang makikilala yung the One? Ang mahalin yun the One.

"What you and Lourd have, what I thought you and I had, what I know Mom and Dad have, I want that. I want that kind of thing. I'll be a hypocrite if I tell you I never wished to have it because I know I did want it―I still want it. I keep waiting for it to happen. I waited and waited. But I guess I'm tired of waiting. It seems like the universe is telling me that I won't have it. Lagi na lang naman akong nasasaktan when I try to have that kind of love." I shook my head. Napatunghay lang ako when I felt Monique tap my shoulder.

"Alam mo wala naman akong alam sa destiny or sa fate or sa mga ganyan dahil hindi ako psychic. Pero alam mo, pag nahanap mo siya Chance, the wait will be worth it. Malilimutan mo yang mga nirereklamo mong matagal na pag-iintay because it doesn't matter anymore. Andyan na naman siya eh and that's all that matters. Hindi ko alam kung nasan na ba siya but I can tell you that she's on her way to find you." She gave me a knowing smile as if she really knows. Gusto kong maniwala na alam niya nga.

Monique then smirked, "Anyway, now that I am thinking about it, feeling ko andyan na siya. You just have to look around... and you'll see." Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay before glancing at Lourd's direction.

"Huh?"

Tinawanan lang ako ni Monique, "Basta invited ako sa kasal ah. Ipapapatay kita kapag hindi."

I made a face, "Ganyan ba talaga pag kasal na? Nagiging brutal? Pareho na kayo ni Fier."

"Basta, pag hindi ako invited. Nararamdaman kong malapit na din yung sayo. Pikutin mo na lang para mapadali ang lahat." Tinawanan ko na lang si Monique. She's still the same Monique, the one who says anything she has inside her hear.