"O bakit parang nakakita ka ng multo?" (Why are you so shocked?) said the person who was banging the door real hard a moment ago. "Ohhhhh!" he exclaimed.
Then he waved his palm in front of my eyes seemingly testing if I could really see him.
It's my friend Gino. It's been 3 years since I've seen him in person but the weasel still looks the same.
Aside from Jordan, he and Patrick knew me the most. We met at a game tournament in our previous university.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the best first impression about him. When I met him, he's a real douche.
I remember during the tournament, he's bragging about his game achievements to everyone like there's no stopping him.
He even told me about them just before the tournament started. And I think he did that to provoke me and lose myself during the game.
He also told Jordan, but Jordan has temper of hell that even Gino is scared of.
He also showed Patrick how to do a certain move in the game but Patrick is just too kind to tell him he already knew that.
I, Jordan, Gino and Patrick became the last men standing in the tournament. We fought for the championship.
The game is so intense. I actually thought that we won't be in good terms after this game and I'm sure we won't talk to the winner ever again.
But I never thought we'll become friends eventually.
Even if I didn't like Gino's attitude at first, I became friends with him in no time. He's kind and trustworthy and he has proven that in many occasions. He's been a good friend that's why I trusted him with all of my secrets.
Aside from my parents and other close relatives, only him and Patrick know that I'm back.
I'm not ready to tell anyone, especially Jordan. I'm not sure if he can forgive me. I don't even know if he would want to see me again.
I turned on the TV and we sat on the couch. He opened his hands to me. It seems like he's asking for something but he's not saying anything.
I looked at his ready-to-receive palm and then slowly looked at him, shaking my head, signaling him that I'm asking what he wants.
"Ahh!" he irritably exclaimed. "Yung pasalubong ko." (Where's my gift?) he added.
"Ohhhhh." I said understanding now what he meant.
"Riley, Riley, Riley. Tsk, tsk, tsk." He sounded disappointed rather.
I gave him a glare before I got his presents. I just got back and he's already asking for them. He never changed.
"O ayan." (Here.) I lazily said.
"Ayun oh! Ikaw talaga ang pinaka-dabest na best friend!" (That's what I'm talking about! You're the best!) said Gino happily as soon as he received his presents. "Thanks man." he also added.
"Walang problema." (No problem.) I replied. "Si Patrick 'di mo kasama?" (Where's Patrick?)
"Darating din yun maya-maya. Masyadong busy lang sa girlfriend niya." (He'll come. He's just too busy with his girlfriend.) He said. "Teka alam mo ba muntik na akong atakihin sa puso dahil sa'yo?" (Did you now I nearly had a heart attack because of you?) he added.
"Hala. Bakit naman?" (Really? Why?) I asked.
"Nung chinat mo ko nung isang araw, akala ko may nangtitrip lang sa akin. Para ka kayang patay na muling nabuhay." (When you mailed me few days ago, I thought someone's pranking me. You like rose from the dead.) he said. "Kung hindi ka pa nagvideocall, hindi ako maniniwala. Ang tagal din nating di nag-usap. Nagdeactivate ka kasi ng facebook eh." (If you didn't videocall, I wouldn't even believe. We didn't talk for so long because you deactivated your facebook.) he added.
"Noong una lang 'yon. After kong gumaling, gumawa din ako ng bagong account kaso iba yung pangalan. Palagi ko kaya kayong ini-stalk." (That was only temporary. When my eyes are ok, I made another account but it's under a different name. I always stalk you guys.) I said.
"Di nga?" (Really?) He laughed.
"Oo. Ahhh. Akala ko ba bukas pa kayo pupunta?" (It's true. Right. I thought you said you'll visit tomorrow?) I asked.
"Syempre para masurprise ka. Surprise!!!!" (Surprise!!!! Are you surprised?) said Gino.
"G*go." (Moron.) I chuckled.
"Teka. Sabi mo magbubukas ka ng coffee shop 'pag nakabalik ka na 'di ba?" (Wait. You said you'll open a coffee shop when you get back right?) he asked.
"Oo." (Yeah.) I muttered later remembering the dream I had before Gino came.
"Bakit parang ayaw mo naman?" (Are you having second thoughts?) asked Gino.
"Ah hindi. Naka-open na. Mga isang linggo na. Sina Tita Leah at Luan muna yung nag-manage nung nasa US pa 'ko. Ite-take-over ko lang." (Ah, no. It's already open since last week. Aunt Leah and Luan managed it while I'm away. I'm just taking over.) I explained.
"Talaga? Sayang. Akala ko may grand opening." (Really? It's a shame. I thought there will be a grand opening.) Gino said.
"Sus. Di na kailangan yon." (It's unnecessary.) I answered.
"Alam na ba ni Jordan?" (Have you told Jordan?) asked Gino seriously.
I stared at him then silently uttered, "Well..." Then I shook my head as I slowly looked away.
"Seryoso?" (Are you serious?) he roared. And then he calmed down. "Ri. Magsabi ka nga sa akin ng totoo." (Ri. Please tell me the truth.)
And then I looked at him for a moment and I wasn't aware I'm already sharing too much to him.
In the middle of the conversation, there came another knocking. It's probably Patrick. I opened the door.
He was standing like he caught his girlfriend having an affair. Just like my reaction a little while when I first saw Gino after 3 years. "R..R...R....Riley?!"
"Oo, ako nga 'to." (Yeah, it's me.) I replied.
"Riley!" Patrick said as he hugs me. "Tagal mong nawala!" (You've been away for too long!) he added.
"Teka, umiiyak ka ba?" (Hold on. Are you crying?) I asked.
"Masaya lang ako na nakabalik ka na at ok ka." (I'm just glad that you're back and doing well.) he said as he let go of me and wiping his teary eyes.
"Umayos ka Pat baka makita ka ng girlfriend mo." (Don't make that face if you're girlfriend is around.) I jested.
I pat his shoulder and then nodded showing him how I appreciate his concern.
And then Gino butted in. "Ang dadrama naman ng mga 'to. Mabuti pa, uminom na lang tayo at i-celebrate ang pagbabalik ng ating butihing kaibigan. Tara may alam akong bar malapit dito. Tara bilis." (You guys are so dramatic. You know what, let's just drink and celebrate our friend's comeback. Come on, I know a good place. Hurry.)
"Let's go!", I called. And then we headed out.
"Pero seryoso, mabuti naman at ok ka Ri. Akala ko hindi mo na kami makikita ulit." (But seriously, we're happy you're all good. I thought you'll never see us again.) said Patrick.
"Ssssh. Tama na ang drama! Magcecelebrate tayo! Patrick naman eh." (Sssh. Enough with the drama! We're celebrating!) said Gino. "Teka, nakakakita ka na ba talaga Ri?" (Are you sure you can see us now?) asked Gino too.
"Oo nga! Sige na labas na." (I told you many times so get out now.) I said.
"Sure yan? Di naman bawal sa 'yo yung alak?" (Are you sure? Are you allowed to drink?) he added.
"G*go. Hindi sa atay yung sakit ko." (My liver is doing fine, idiot.) I answered.
We left the building laughing. It seems like yesterday I'm laughing with them like this.
*flashes after-school memories with the gang 3 years ago.*
YOU ARE READING
Glasses 2
Teen Fiction"Isang machiato at isang blueberry cheese cake. Table 15," basa ni Riley sa note na nakadikit sa may counter. "Coming up," mahinang sabi niya sa sarili. Lumapit siya sa may coffee maker at gumawa ng kape. Kumuha din siya ng isang platito, at mainga...
