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Kabanata 20 ( Sans Rival )

Sans Rival

Para sa akin ang simple ng kaarawan ni Ralph . Hindi ko alam na ma e enjoy ko dumalo sa birthday party. It was the first time I attended a birthday party surrounded by rich people. For a moment I felt that I belong. I never realized that I grew up being an introvert person but I guess being surrounded by my classmates and schoolmates help me think that maybe I can change that a bit.

Since my parents died little by little I tried to change my personality from introvert to extrovert. Hindi pa naman huli para baguhin iyom and I need to do it, so I can be confident and can still look for other part-time jobs.

" Hi! Gena, tama ? " Chelsea asked. I know her she's one of the "mean girls " I don't consider her as "mean" I find her intimidating unlike with her 2 other friends Bella and Vienna.

" Uhmm, yes ako nga si  Gena." I answered kahit medyo nahihiya nginitian ko siya. I was wondering why she suddenly approached me?

Chelsea smiled in return too.

"Anyway, asan si Ralph? " Chelsea asked.

"Uhmm he went to welcome his team mates, kaya hintayin ko na lang siya dito." I answered.

"Oh , my sorry nakalimutan ko magpakilala I am Chelsea Tan I am Ralph's childhood friend. I mean "ex" friend kasi dati hindi kami mapag hiwalay since birth until we were 12 years old pero ngayon hindi man lang siya tumitingin o kaya kausapin man lang ako ." She said and from smiling naging malungkot ito.

"I am sorry to hear about that. Siguro kung hindi kayo nagkaroon ng hindi pagkaka intindihan ay siguro ikaw ang date niya ngayon? " I answered but then saka ko lang napagtanto na masyado akong pranka. I covered my mouth and tried to take back what I said.

"Naku pasensiya ka na napa insensitive ko Chelsea I didn't mean to offend you. I take it back, I just feel sorry sa nangyari sa inyong friendship ni Ralph." I said trying to lighten the mood.

"No, it's okay no harm done. Ina amin ko kasalanan ko, I haven't been a good friend to him since we were 12 at masyadong komplikado noon mga panahong iyon." Chelsea said to lighten the atmosphere. Ngumiti siya sa akin.

"Masaya ako at ikaw ang kaniyang date. At least now I will feel less guilty because he has you. Ang pakiusap ko lang ay sana alagaan mo si Ralph for me Gena? " Chelsea held my hand at pinisil iyon

"Oo naman  Chelsea, I will take care of him it isn't because you said so but because he has been a good friend too since I transferred in ARV." I smiled and squeezed her hand in return and gave her a genuine smile.

"So friends? " Chelsea offered medyo gulat ako nang konti pero tinanggap ko rin ang pagkakaibigan niya. She's not really hard to refuse.

"Of course! I am honored to be your friend." Sabay kaming nagtawanan.

" Ohh, look who's here. My favorite girls mukhang nagkakamabutihan na kayo ahh, " We heard a woman's voice napalingon kami sa direksiyon niya at nakita si Aunt Monisha palapit sa amin

"You can probably say that Aunt Monisha. Akala ko may pagka weird si Gena dati iyon pala hindi naman. I guess I will enjoy having her as a friend."Chelsea proudly said.

Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala na ganito ang mangyayari sa pag punta ko sa kaarawan ni Ralph. This day turned out to be the best day of my life. Being Ralph's date was really memorable. Ang makilala si Aunt Monisha and offering me to be a model for her Patricia's Collection boutique at maka kilala ng bagong kaibigan na si Chelsea. Hindi naman pala masama na palibutan nang mga tao, dati kasi ayoko at gusto ko lang ang laging mapag isa.

"By the way Aunt Monisha asan na po ang Sans Rival cake ko? " tanong ni Chelsea kay Aunt Monisha.

"It's in the kitchen of course, go inside the kitchen and have a bite." Aunt Monisha answered.

"Halika  Gena let's go to the kitchen. Alam mo ba ? Aunt Monisha's Sans Rival cake is the best! "  Habang hila hila ako ni Chelsea papasok sa kitchen.

Punong puno ng mga naka unipormeng taga silbi ang  kitchen labas masok sila habang hawak ang mga tray or set of dishes, fruits, drinks and desserts.

We approached the table full of desserts at napa tili si Chelsea nang makita ang Sans Rival cake. Kumuha siya ng isang hiwa at kumagat doon then she chewed it slowly she even closed her eyes to savour the taste.

" This is the best! Na miss ko nang sobra ang gawa ni Aunt Monisha na  Sans Rival cake! " Chelsea said and finishing all the slice of Sans Rival that she got earlier at kumuha ulit ito ng panibagong hiwa pero ngayon inalok niya akong kumagat.

Hawak hawak niya ang Sans Rival cake and urging me to have a bite. Medyo nahihiya ako  but then I opened my mouth and had a bite. Wow! This cake is so good I enjoyed chewing the meringue and buttercream filling when Chelsea spoke.

" Sans Rival is made of nutty meringue layers, creamy French buttercream filling, and crunchy cashews it's chewy and buttery right? " Tanong ni Chelsea habang pinagma masdan ang reaksiyon ko.

"Yes it's good it's buttercream filling is the best, but wait did you say cashews or nuts? " Tanog ko sa kanya medyo kinakabahan na ako at pilit hinahabol ang paghinga. My eyesight is beginning to feel blurry too.

" Yes it has crunchy cashews but it also has sprinkled peanuts." Chelsea explained.

Nanla laki ang mata ni Chelsea nang makita niya akong hinahabol ang aking paghinga.

"Are you okay Gena? Wait are you allergic to nuts or any nuts? " Chelsea asked in panic.

"P p..ea n..uts" Sabi ko habang habol habol ko ang paghinga

" Saglit tatawag ako ng tulong. Oh my! I am sorry I didn't know that you have the same allergy as Aunt Monisha. " Chelsea hurried out of the kitchen.

I was still conscious at sinusubukan kong linawan ang paningin ko para makahanap ng ma uupuan pero nanlalabo talaga ang paningin ko.  I catch my breath I felt like being choked. Before I lost consciousness I felt a strong arm held me then everything went black.

ITUTULOY