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Growing up, I was an only child.
Kaya namang todo iyak sila mommy at daddy when they drove me to my condo near my school. Grabe, kulang nalang ay pilitin ni mommy si daddy na kumuha na rin sila ng unit doon. I hugged them tight and promised that I'll visit every weekend.
Days flew by fast. Mahirap din magadjust kasi for one, this was a really new environment for me. At pangalawa, hindi ako marunong tumawid! Unang beses kong tinry dahil nagugutom ako noong hapon ta's ubos na mga ulam ko sa maliit kong ref. Ayun, I think I almost held the hand of the person next to me sa sobrang takot kong mabangga.
Pero although it was hard, it was fun din. Living independently, living freely. Nakikipagkita rin ako sa mga friends ko if may time. Mostly, Liana because she's the nearest. Pati condo namin magkatabi, e'di sana nagshare nalang kami.
And yes, I agreed to meet up with Yves.
Narito ako ngayon sa loob ng UP Town Center, I decided to meet up with Liana for moral support. Papunta na daw siya nung tinext ako ni Yves na imemeet niya daw ako sa entrance.
"Tagal mo." I said when Liana took a seat in front of me. Tinulak ko yung pina-order niyang inumin at agad niya itong ininum. "Sorry, may tinapos lang kami ng mga kagrupo ko. What time is it na ba?" tumingin siya sa relo niya. " Uy, mag sisix na, 'di pa ba dadating 'yon?"
"Wait, I'll ask." but before I could even ask, umilaw cellphone ko. Nandito na daw siya. I looked at Liana who was busy watching Grey's Anatomy on her phone. Seriously, ba't pa siya sumama?! I need moral support!
"Uy, nando'n na daw siya." maliit kong boses. Why was I feeling all sweaty?
Like Liana could read my mind, she gave me her small bag which contains almost everything without even looking away from what she's watching. Halos maubos na namin nila Ysa at Maria ang oil control niya t'saka perfume niya dati. Pareparehas kaming oily 'e. T'saka siya lang ang may sipag na dalhin lagi ang mga 'yan.
My leg was bouncing up and down now. Pilit kong ipinapakalma ang sarili ko. Relax, Louise. Ba't ako matatakot?
Deep breaths lang. "Okay ka lang?" Liana asked.
"Of course. Bakit naman hindi?"
"Sure ka? You look constipated na nga 'e."
I didn't have the energy to flip her off. Tangina. Sige, kabado ako. Will I casually call him and invite him to eat dinner with me? What will we talk about? Will I bring up all the topics we talked about? I shook my head, no. 'Di siguro kami matatapos ngayong araw na ito kung pinagusapan namin lahat.
I looked down on my phone. Should I cancel?
"Tara na." halos hilahin ako ni Liana papunta sa labas. Putangina. Putangina. Putangina. Ayoko na. Inhale. Exhale.
The cold wind gave me shivers as we went out the mall. Actually hindi naman ata malamig. Kanina pinagpapawisan ako, tapos now? I feel like I'm gonna be sick. I eyed the trash can na nakapwesto sa gilid. Puta, nasusuka ako.
Liana lightly tapped my back. She grabbed my phone and looked at the screen. "He's calling."
"Shit!" I quickly grabbed my phone back. Nagisip pa ako. Should I answer? Or should I like... text him that I suddenly came down with a cold. Bago pa ako makapagdecide, Liana swiped right and the call started. Nanlaki mata ko at pasimpleng kinurot ang beywang niya.
