6ix Days Book Two

Chapter 23

Unlike in college when her black hair was past her shoulders, now it was cut in a simple bob and dyed light brown.

Bumagay naman sa kanya ang style.

"Magkakilala kayo?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Kuya habang nililipat ang tingin from Nicole to me.

"Classmates kami noong college." Sagot ko.

Kahit airconditioned sa lobby, bigla akong pinagpawisan.

Is it because this was totally unexpected?

"When Maggie mentioned that Hugo," Tumingin siya kay Kuya na hindi matanggal ang ngiti sa labi mula ng dumating kami, "na may kapatid siya na Chanel ang pangalan, akala ko coincidence lang. I mean, how many people are named Chanel di ba? Kumusta ka na?" Pinisil niya ang braso ko as if it was the most normal thing to do.

"I'm okay. Ikaw? I heard you're very successful sa event management business mo." I glanced at Kuya Hugo who was watching us with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

"Naku. Your Kuya is just being nice." She smiled at him.

Namula ang pisngi niya dahil sa compliment.

"I'm not just being nice, Nicole. I'm telling the truth." Gumapang na ang pamumula sa puno ng tainga niya.

What the hell is happening?

Mukhang tama ang hinala ko na may crush si Kuya sa wedding planner nila.

"Maggie texted nga pala." Iniba ni Nicole ang usapan. "Natraffic siya so she will be late."

"Oo. Iyon din ang sabi niya sa akin. Mauna na daw tayo at bahala na akong magcheck ng venue."

Niyaya kami ni Nicole sa ballroom kung saan gaganapin ang reception.

Pinauna kami ni Kuya na pumasok sa elevator.

I was sandwiched between them and Nicole stood close kahit pa meron namang space.

Halos magdikit ang balikat namin.

Noong nasa college kaming dalawa, I was taller than her.

But since she was wearing heels, nagpantay ang height naming dalawa.

When I turned my head, I caught a whiff of her perfume.

It was a mixture of sweet and musk.

Nicole turned her head to look at me.

She smiled then subtly bit her lip.

I quickly looked away.

The trip to the sixth floor felt so long.

It wasn't so much as the surprise of seeing Nicole that unnerved me.

The feeling that no time passed between us was what made me feel uneasy.

Parang tinutuloy lang namin ang last conversation that ended when? Decades ago?

There was always that easy energy between us kahit noong nasa college kami.

Naging close kami dahil bukod sa pareho kami ng course, the first time we met, parang matagal na kaming magkakilala.

Natural ang flow ng conversation namin.

Ni hindi ko kailangang mag-isip kung ano ang magiging response ko.

The two of us grew very close the more we got together.

It even led her to say na baka magkakilala na kami sa previous life.

She believes in reincarnation and astrology.

Mahilig siyang magbasa ng horoscope sa diyaryo while waiting for our class to start.

I remember telling her na tao lang din ang sumusulat ng horoscope pero patuloy pa din siya sa pagbabasa nito.

When I was broken up over Lise, she was there.

But I never said anything about my relationship.

I was still trying to protect Lise kahit there was a very slim chance na magkakilala sila sa personal.

"Let's catch up later after I gave you a tour of the venue." Sabi ni Nicole when she stepped out of the elevator.

"Okay."

Kuya Hugo gave me a quizzical look.

Nakabuntot ako sa kanilang dalawa while Nicole showed as around the Magenta Ballroom.

Sobrang laki ng space.

According to Nicole, it could accomodate at least three-hundred people which was perfect for the guest list sa wedding.

Three hundred?

Nalula ako sa dami ng taong invited.

We stood in the middle of the ballroom.

On the high ceiling was a large crystal chandelier that added to the elegance of the place.

Creamy ang color palette and the walls were draped with luxurious fabric in the colors of magenta.

I figured that was how it got its name.

"I hope you still dance, Chanel." Tumingin sa akin si Nicole at ganoon din si Kuya.

I feel like I was put on the spot.

Hindi ko inexpect na Nicole would remember this tiny detail about myself.

"Ang lawak ng dance floor dito." She looked at the large space in the middle.

"For sure mage-enjoy ka."

"Malimit ba kayong lumabas dati?" Kuya had a teasing look in his eyes.

"Oo. Saturday nights kasama ng mga barkada namin. Minsan, invited kami sa mga parties lalo na pag may birthday. Kami ni Nel ang nagbubukas at nagsasara ng dance floor. We were very good." Her face shone from the memory of those days.

"Ganun pala." Nanunukso pati ang tono ni Kuya.

"That was a long time ago." Sabi ko.

"But those were good times, no?" Nicole's smile never went away.

My heart raced faster.

"This is very good, Nicole." Sabi ni Kuya habang naglalakad kami palabas ng ballroom.

"I'm glad. Nothing but the best for you and Maggie." Ngumiti si Nicole.

Kita ko ang pride sa mukha niya.

"Paano," Tumingin si Kuya sa relo niya.

"Nasa traffic pa din si Maggie. Kung okay na daw sa akin, magkikita na lang kami mamaya. Hindi na daw siya tutuloy dito."

"That's fine." Tumingin si Nicole sa akin tapos kay Kuya.

"Um, puwede ko bang hiramin ni Nel?"

Natawa ako sa pagpapaalam na ginawa niya.

Para siyang nanghihiram ng laruan.

"Wala ka bang ibang commitments?" Tanong ko.

"This is the only one I have on my schedule. Iyong iba, mga assistants ko ang nag-aasikaso."

"Kaya mo bang umuwi mag-isa?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Kuya.

I was about to say oo pero naunahan ako ni Nicole.

"Don't worry, Hugo. I'll take care of her the way I'm taking care of you and Maggie."

There it was again.

That megawatt smile she was known for kahit noong nasa college kami.

How many guys and gals did I hear comment about that beautiful smile?

"Kung okay kay Nel, walang problema sa akin. Tol, okay lang ba sa'yo?"

"Sure. Text kita kapag pauwi na ako."

"Okay." Lumakad na kami pabalik sa elevator.

Nagpaalam si Kuya when we got to the lobby.

Bago siya umalis, he told me to have fun.