#HNA18
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"How's school?" Papa asked while cutting the bacon on his plate into smaller pieces.
Ngayon na lang ulit kami nagsabay-sabay sa hapag. He was always busy with his work. After the breakfast that we had last time before our college year starts, hindi na ulit kami nagkaka-abutan sa bahay.
Sometimes we do but we both treat each other like ghosts.
Drake drank water before pouring some into Celestine's glass. "So far so good," he simply said, then poured me a drink.
"Ikaw, Celestine? Kamusta ang UST?" He asked while glancing at Celestine from time to time, probably waiting for her response.
"Ayos lang naman po, Tito. . ." She cleared her throat. "Actually, Tito, nabanggit na po ba ni Addie na she got accepted sa dance troupe ng Ateneo?" She asked which made my eyes widen in shock.
Why did she even have to bring it up?
She knows damn well the kind of relationship that I have with my father.
"Hmm. . . Hindi pa niya nababanggit," sagot ni Papa, who was still chewing his food. He looks uninterested in the topic so I tried to give Celestine, who was seating in front of me, a look that serves as a sign for her not to continue spilling the news to my father.
But Celestine shook her head slightly and said, "She's such a good dancer, Tito! Hindi na nga po siya pinagsecond-tryout, e. She was accepted right away! Tapos consistent pa rin naman po ang grades niya kahit na busy din siya sa training," she boasted like a proud mother.
"Is that true, Audrey?" Papa asked, now looking at me. "Alam din ba 'yan ng mama mo?"
I gave him a small smile and nodded. "Yes, Pa."
"Ilan ba ang nag tryouts?" He asked before sipping the hot coffee that I prepared. "Baka naman dalawa lang silang nag tryouts, ah?" He let out a small chuckle that made my heart sink.
"Pa," Drake groaned. My brother looked disappointed with our father's reaction. Pero hindi naman na siya new thing for me. Sanay na ako. "If only you spared some time before watching her competitions then you'll be very disappointed with your own reaction. Quinn is the best dancer and the most passionate person that I know."
"Kuya. . ." I held his hand which was gripping the fork tightly to calm him down. "It's okay. . ."
But his eyes were filled with disappointment, pain, and dismay.
"To answer your question, there were more than 100 people who joined the tryouts and your daughter was one of the 10 newly chosen members," he firmly said but respect was still evident in his voice. Drake grabbed the table napkin placed on the table near him before standing up. "Thank you for the breakfast but I'm already late for class."
"T-tara na?" Celestine asked him and my brother just nodded. Celestine was left with no choice but to ask Nanay Marie to pack her leftover sandwich so that she could still eat it on the way. "Uh, una na ho kami, Tito," she respectfully said before reaching for my father's hand para mag-mano.
Celestine went to my side before following Drake outside the house which made me confused. "Why?"
"Wala si Mang Kulas, e. . . May inutos 'yung papa mo kaya dapat si Tito ang maghahatid sa 'yo. . ." She whispered through my ears. "Okay lang ba sa 'yo 'yun? O gusto mo tawagan ko si Kazuo para daanan ka?"
Sinusubukan ba ako ni Earth ngayon?
I shook my head. "I'll be fine, Celest!" I assured her by giving a small chuckle, para hindi marinig ni Papa. "Umalis na kayo ni Kuya. My first class will start at 9 pa naman," I added.
When they left, my father did too. He left me alone at the dining table. Ni hindi na niya inubos 'yung kape na ginawa ko. The moment my brother and Celestine left for school, tumayo na rin siya while looking for something on his phone. I sighed and smiled to myself.
This is no longer new to you, Audrey Quinn.
"Nanay Marie!" I called and she immediately showed up from the back of our house. "Salamat po sa masarap na breakfast!" I happily said with a huge smile on my face.
Nanay Marie placed her hands on top of her chest and said, "Nako, pinapakilig mo naman ako masyado! At saka, gumagaling ka na talaga sa pagtatagalog, ah!" She laughed while fixing the dining table.
I decided to help her clean it dahil maaga pa naman. Nanay Marie was stacking up the plates while I was carefully transferring the used glasses to the sink. "Hay, bata ka! Huwag mo nang galawin 'yan! Kami na ang bahala d'yan," suway niya sa akin.
She was too persistent! That's why I've decided to just chill in my room and do the last three tasks that I left last night because I was too sleepy and tired to finish them. The deadline is three days from now kaya okay lang na hindi ko muna siya matapos agad. I hate cramming but I also don't want to pressure myself too much.
Rest is just as important as work.
While I was busy doing my unfinished tasks, my phone kept on beeping multiple times. At first, I thought it was just our group chat dahil halos araw-araw nag-iingay sina Astrid doon. But when I finally reached for the phone that I left on my bedside table to charge, my assumption was proven wrong.
It was Fourthsky.
Fourthsky Ramirez
Active now
7:31 am
Fourthsky Ramirez
Good moooorning!
LATE AKO NAGISING GAGI AHSHHDSAHDA BUTI NA LANG WALA RAW PROF
7:49 am
Fourthsky Ramirez
Kumain ka po ba bago pumasok?
Hindi ako pa-fall ha tinatanong ko lang :<
8:03 am
Fourthsky Ramirez
I texted Cel para itanong kung kumain ka tapos hindi niya raw sure kung naubos mo kasi nauna sila ni Drake umalis
Wala ka bang 8 am class?
Ay oo nga wala raw sabi ni Cel HASHDHSHADASHADA
8:21 am
Fourthsky Ramirez
Kakatapos ko lang magayos at maligo tangina binilisan ko talaga kasi may 9 am class ka pala boss!!
Late ko nabasa chat ni Drake na sunduin daw kita kasi wala si Mang Kulas
8:25 am
Fourthsky Ramirez
Omw po
Mag ready ka na aaaaaah
I felt my soul leave my body when I read his latest message. He is already on his way here! At hindi pa ako nag-aayos! Without even thinking, I ran toward my closet to pick the comfiest outfit that I could get. I settled for a ribbed-square neck cropped top in the color of pastel blue and white sweatpants. I also grabbed my overused denim jacket just to be sure — baka may sumita sa akin.
Fourthsky Ramirez
Active now
8:27 am
Audrey Medina
I'm already done preparing.
I'll just wait for you in the garden.
Drive safe.
"How can you even be so calm in chats when you literally acted like The Flash kanina, Audrey Quinn?" I whispered to myself, still can't believe that my replies to Fourthsky were too calm which is clearly the opposite of what I really felt while typing them.
Fourthsky arrived at exactly 8:30 am. He opened the door for me and I whined again because of it. I know that it is a way for him to show his gentlemanly side but I already told him that I can do things on my own. Hindi ko naman siya sasabihan ng masasamang words if he will not open the door for me. But in the end, he still wins.
"Buti na lang talaga tinawagan ako ni Damon! Kung hindi, siguro pareho tayong late!" He was laughing like a child laughing at a funny story that was made up by older people. "Ay, bili pala muna tayo ng pagkain. Is that okay with you? Hindi mo raw ata naubos breakfast mo," he added.
I actually finished it. . . alone. Sasabihin ko na sana sa kaniya iyon but a what if suddenly came up on my mind. What if he picked me up with an empty stomach? Knowing him, he'll definitely drop everything if someone asks him for a favor. He was always like that to everyone, especially his friends. Wala namang traffic kaya pumayag na rin ako.
"Yeah. . . I wasn't able to finish it," I lied. I don't want him to think na concerned ako, duh! He might use it to tease me! I care about him but I am not the showy type of person kaya I needed to lie just to save the image that I made for myself.
I am Audrey Quinn Medina, the independent daughter of Tamara Javier-Medina, and it is not in my nature to vocalize what I feel nor express it like an open book.
"Can I ask you something?" He asked while driving. Hindi pa rin niya kinakain 'yung inorder niya na burger from Burger King kanina.
I furrowed my brows. "But you're asking already," I responded.
"Pinipilosopo mo naman ako, e," he complained and scratched the back of his neck.
I chuckled before reaching for his burger inside the paper bag that he placed on the backseat. He kept on glancing at me while I was unwrapping his burger carefully. I smiled at him and placed the burger near his mouth for him to take a bite. He was busy driving. This is the least that I could do as a passenger. "Go on, ask me," I said.
"Can I. . ." He paused, unsure if he would still continue or not. I grabbed his cup of Iced Tea and placed it near his mouth, again. He obediently took a sip on it before continuing his question. "Can I post our pictures from Escala?"
Escala? That was the unplanned trip we had a few months ago if I am not mistaken.
"This song is really catchy kaso medyo sad," I said while munching on my favorite french fries.
Fourthsky smirked. "Ganda ng music taste ko, 'no?"
"Kapal!" I hissed and he laughed.
Nakatulog ako sa biyahe even though I told him na I'd chika him na lang. When I woke up, we were already in front of the hotel that I have always wanted to visit. Tinanong ko siya kung bakit hindi niya ako ginising kanina but he said that he felt like I needed to rest for a while. That's why instead of waking me up, he waited patiently beside me.
"Kailangan din natin bumalik agad kaya hindi mo pa masyado masusulit 'yung stay dito," he said, disappointedly. "But at least we'll have the chance to have a meal here, right?" He showed me his bright smile while offering his right hand which I gladly took.
"Right," I agreed. "We can come back naman some other time," I said which made him stop. I, myself, was shocked, too, when I realized what I have just said. I fake coughed. "With our friends, of course," I added.
We just ate there and enjoyed the view. Hindi naman kasi kami nakapagpaalam to stay and explore the place more. A meal with him and this breathtaking view is more than enough for me. Because even just for a temporary moment, it made me forget the pain that I felt every time I was left to eat alone at home.
It was always me and Kuya who eats together back in the States. Minsan kasama si Mama, kapag hindi siya busy with her work. I only have the chance to eat with my family as a whole whenever our grandfather calls for a meeting or if there's an occasion.
Other than that, ako na lang mag-isa o kami ni Kuya. I used to think na busy lang talaga si Papa kaya hindi ko siya nakakasabay. But I was wrong. I thought that set-up was normal for a family like us but as I grow older, realizations started to kick in that eating alone instead of eating together as a family is not normal.
A family should eat together or find time to do so.
Kahit isang beses lang sa isang araw. . .
But that is too unlikely for us to have, lalo na kay Papa.
"Thank you, Fourth. . ." I gave him the warmest smile that I could give. He was staring at me with admiration seen in his eyes. The way he looks at me makes me feel like I am seen. I am visible. Hindi ako multo para hindi pansinin. "Thank you for bringing me here," I said sincerely.
"Thank you for letting me bring you here," he said, ayaw magpatalo. Fourthsky didn't take his eyes off me. Kaya ako na ang unang nag-iwas ng tingin. I diverted my gaze onto the scenery again but I can still feel his stares. "Tangina, ang ganda-ganda mo. . ." I heard him whisper to himself.
"Stop cursing, Fourthsky!" I rebuked because there was a kid strolling around the restaurant near us. I shook my head and said, "The kid might hear you!"
He laughed and I did too because just like his smile, his laugh is contagious as well. "Sorry na, boss!"
"Tara na nga!" I tried to roll my eyes to keep myself in character but still failed. He wouldn't stop laughing! I grunted and said, "Argh! Annoying ka!"
Nakakairita siya pero bakit ako tumatawa?
Gosh, Audrey.
He was still laughing but eventually stopped. He looked like he remembered something. I furrowed my brows while waiting for him to say anything but instead, he just raised his right hand. A waiter that was holding a bouquet of red roses walked toward our table. The waiter handed the bouquet to Fourthsky and he handed it to me afterward. "For you," he said. He also picked up his phone and handed it to the guy in front of us. "Can you take a picture of us po?" He politely asked.
"Sure po, Mr. Ramirez," the waiter agreed. After a few shots, he returned Fourthsky's phone before thanking us.
Fourthsky was busy looking at our pictures when he suddenly raised his phone and took a stolen picture of me. I squinted my eyes at him and he pinched my nose before standing up. He, then, offered me his arm and said, "Shall we, Madame Quinn?"
I rolled my eyes for the nth time today. "Yes, Sky," I responded as I ran my hand around his arm.
Oh, those photos.
"Hindi mo naman isasama 'yung stolen ko, right?" I hopefully asked.
"Isasama. Ang ganda mo kaya dun!"
"Okay pero sa private account mo lang, ah?"
He swallowed a lump in his throat. "Actually, sa main account ko dapat i-popost. . ."
"O-on your m-main account?"
"Oo. Wala namang magagalit, e!" He stifled a laugh while parking his car. We're already inside my university pala. I failed to notice it because I got preoccupied with the sudden flashback of what happened back in Escala.
"Meron! Your fans!" I fixed myself and my things before removing my seatbelt. I was about to open the door but he held my hand to stop me from doing so. I glared at him and he sighed defeatedly. "Sa private account mo na lang! I'll go na. Thank you for dropping me off! Drive safe," I was talking too fast and I don't even know why.
The next thing I know is that I am already walking so fast like someone is chasing me while biting my lower lip to suppress a smile. I can't let my block mates see me like this! They know me as a maldita woman who refuses to ask other people for help and tends to do things on my own — even works that are meant to be done in pairs or by a group.
Nobody has ever seen me smile in this university.
I always have my resting bitch face on — it gives me the aura of a strong independent woman you shouldn't mess with.
But with him, things change.
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"Saan ka na naman galing ng ganitong oras, Reid?" Tanong sa akin ni Papa nang maabutan niya akong kakauwi lang ng 2 ng madaling araw. Dumiretso kasi agad ako sa kitchen para kumuha ng malamig na tubig.
"Birthday party, Pa," I simply answered before getting a glass of water. Audrey reminded me to drink at least a glass of water before going to bed since I updated her about my plans for the night. Kaya, the first thing that I did when I came home was to do what she wanted. Ininom ko ito ng diretso habang abala pa rin ang tatay ko sa pag-gawa niya ng gatas. "Can't sleep?" I asked.
Papa laughed. "I miss your mother," he answered which made me cringe.
Lagi silang ganito ni Mama — they are both vocal with their feelings kaya minsan nandidiri na ako kapag sa harapan ko pa talaga sila naglalandian.
"When is she coming back?" Sinalinan ko ulit ng tubig ang baso ko. "Sasama na ba si Ate pagbalik niya?"
"I think her flight is scheduled for next week. I'll ask your Tito about it," he said.
My uncle owns the top 1 airline in our country. Dalawa lang sila na magkapatid ni Papa. My grandfather from Papa's side owns the hotel chain business that he passed onto my father while the airline that was inherited by my uncle was from my grandmother's side.
I nodded. "Tulog na ako, Pa. Susunduin ko pa si Astrid mamayang 8," sabi ko habang naglalakad palayo.
Kulang ata ang padala ng lola ni Astrid ngayon kaya tinawagan niya ako kanina para itanong kung pwede ko raw ba siyang ihatid kina Damon — sabay ata silang uuwi sa probinsya ni Astrid. It's a Saturday at wala akong pasok kaya pumayag na ako. Damon can't pick her up from Morayta since according to him, may importante pa raw siya na dadaanan, and Astrid's place is out of his way.
I heard him chuckle. "Akala mo naman magigising ka ng ganoon ka-aga!"
"Gisingin mo 'ko, Pa!" Sigaw ko bago tuluyang pumasok sa aking kwarto.
Audrey Medina
Active 4 hours ago
10:19 pm
Fourthsky Ramirez
Hii andito na po kami nila Kazu
11:03 pm
Fourthsky Ramirez
May lumapit sakin pero tinurn down ko rin agad
Promise!!
12:26 am
Fourthsky Ramirez
TANGINA NI SAMU KUNG KANI-KANINO AKO NIRERETO POTA SABING AYAW KO NGA EH
Promise wala akong nilalandi dito, Drey
1:04 am
Fourthsky Ramirez
Tulog ka na po ba?
Pauwi pa lang ako pero ihahatid ko pa sina Samu
Wasted sila gagi
2:18 am
Fourthsky Ramirez
At home na po around 2:10
Dumiretso ako sa kitchen para uminom ng tubig like what you said
Tapos naabutan ko rin si Papa
Tulog na ako aaaah
Samu the fucker made me drink a lot tonight gago talaga
Goodnight bb hehehe
I fell asleep after sending her a message.
"Wake up, Reid!" Sigaw ni Papa bago niya hataking 'yung comforter ko. "You'll pick Astrid up, right? 7:30 na, Reid, wake up!"
Napabalikwas agad ako nang marinig ang sinabi niya. Putcha, 7:30 na? E, parang kani-kanina lang ako natulog, tangina. I scratched my eyes and asked, "Seryoso, Pa?" Tinignan ko siya ng may pagdudua sa aking mga mata. Baka mamaya, e, niloloko lang ako nito ni Papa.
"Do I even look like I'm kidding, Kid?" He asked while fixing his necktie. Mukhang papasok na siya sa trabaho. He looked at himself in front of the mirror before touseling my hair. "Make sure to check on your resort and bar today, Reid. Wag mong pababayaan ang mga negosyo mo," he reminded me before walking out of my room.
Dali-dali akong pumasok sa banyo para maligo at mag-ayos. I may be a lot of things pero I will never make a woman wait for me – kahit ba tropa ko lang. Baka biglang umuwi 'yung nanay at ate ko pag nalaman nilang pinaghintay ko si Astrid dahil lang sa pag-uwi ko ng madaling araw.
I wore a simple black shirt and paired it with my gray sweat shorts. I was having a dilemma between wearing my Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 Low Black V2 o 'yung New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12. I opted to use the latter, bigay kasi ni Damon 'yon noong birthday ko last year. Baka mag-tampo pag hindi ko ginamit, e, dadaan din ata namin siya.
Audrey Medina
Active now
8:14 am
Audrey Medina
Are you awake na? Astrid called me.
She asked me lang kung kasama raw ba kita.
Fourthsky Ramirez
Dreeey
Yes po, gising na po!
I'm on my way na pa-Morayta.
Audrey Medina
Don't text and drive!
Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong mapangiti nang mabasa ang reply niya. I immediately called her number and threw my phone on the shotgun seat of my car. Tangina, para na akong tanga rito na ngumingiti ng mag-isa. The line kept on ringing – akala ko hindi niya sasagutin but to my surprise, she did.
"Uy!" Masayang sabi ko. "May training ka?"
I heard her sigh. "Yes, we'll end in a few minutes," she answered. "Why did you call? Astrid's waiting for you na, right? Besides, it's not safe to use your phone while driving, Fourth. Hindi ba iyan tinuro ng driving school mo before?"
Ang sarap naman sa tenga pagalitan ng isang Audrey Medina, tangina.
"Sabi mo kasi don't text and drive, e. Tinwagan na lang kita," natatawa na sabi ko.
"Traffic ba? Should I text Astrid na papunta ka na?" She asked.
Lumiko muna ako sa isang fast food chain para umorder ng kape dahil hindi pa ako nag-aagahan. "Ay, gagi! Hindi ko pala siya na-replyan!" Gulat na sabi ko nang maalala kong hindi ko man lang nasabihan si Astrid na papunta na ako. Kinuha ko muna 'yung telepono ko sa shot gun seat bago nagtipa ng mensahe para kay Astrid.
Audrey is still on the line.
Dinig ko pa 'yung mga kasamahan niya na nagbibilang, siguro ay nagprapractice pa rin ng sayaw.
Astrid Skye
Active 5 minutes ago
8:53 am
Fourthsky Ramirez
Tol malapit na ako HAHAHAH
Medyo na-traffic
"Okay na po." Binalik ko na ulit sa upuan 'yung phone ko. "Nasabihan ko na siya na malapit na ako," sabi ko habang dahan-dahan na pinapaandar 'yung kotse.
"That's good," she responded. I heard someone calling her name, mukhang si Torvi 'yon dahil ang sungit ng tono. "I have to go. Last run through pa raw."
"Galingan mo, boss! Wag ka papa-api d'yan kay Torvi, ah?" Paalala ko. "Sunduin kita after," saad ko.
"No need, Fourth, that's too much of a hassle for you na," she declined. "Ang layo ng Morayta sa Katipunan!"
"Si Astrid nga na tropa ko lang dinayo ko. Paano pa kaya pag ikaw, 'di ba?"
"Ang kulit talaga!" She exclaimed, then, she ended the call.
"I'll pick you up after ko ihatid si Astrid sa bahay nila Damon," I firmly said. Alam naman niyang wala siyang magagawa pag nagpumilit ako.
I arrived in front of Astrid's place at around 9:20. Kumain muna ako sa parking lot ng fast food chain na pinagorderan ko bago ko siya sinundo. Nakilala agad ni Astrid 'yung kotse ko dahil 'yung pula na Camaro ang dinala ko. Iniwan ko muna kasi 'yung BMW ko sa talyer. Nagasgasan, e.
"Tara na ba?" Iritadong tanong ni Astrid.
Tinaas ko ang aking dalawang kamay sa ere. "Gago, sorry. . ."
"Halos isang oras akong pinaghintay ang puta!" Reklamo niya. "Sumbong kaya kita sa mama mo?"
"Wag kaya kitang ihatid?" Ganti ko.
She reached for her phone in her back pocket, then, I saw her type Audrey's name on her contacts. "Tumatapang ka na pala, e! Sige, subukan natin 'yan!" Paghahamon niya.
"Parang tanga, Astrid Skye!" Hinablot ko sa kaniya 'yung phone niya at binato iyon sa back seat. "Ito na nga, oh! Ihahatid ka na!" I defeatedly said before starting the car.
Patuloy lang kami sa pagtatalo ni Astrid tungkol plinaplano ko na surprise para kay Audrey habang nasa-biyahe kami papunta sa bahay ni Damon. There's no occasion, really. Gusto ko lang siyang sopresahin.
I want her to feel special even on normal days.
"Ako na mismo ang nagsasabi sa 'yo, Fourthsky, hindi magugustuhan ni Audrey 'yan! Magpapaniwala ka kay Samu, e, wala namang alam 'yon sa mga ganiyan!"
"Bakit? Ikaw ba?" Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay.
She scoffed. "Babae ako, tanga ka ba? Malamang alam ko kung pano mag-isip o umasta ang kapwa ko babae!" She rebutted.
"So, sa tingin mo hindi niya magugustuhan kung bibilhan ko siya ng sarili niyang dance studio?" I asked, curiosity was eating me up. I saw Damon walking towards their gate habang pinaparada ko 'yung sasakyan ko sa harap ng bahay nila. I honked twice and he saluted like a good boy. Parang tanga talaga, e.
Sinapo ni Astrid ang ulo niya gamit ang kaniyang kanang kamay. "Hindi naman sa sinasabi ko na hindi siya matutuwa o hindi niya magugustuhan, p're," sabi niya bago siya tuluyang bumaba ng sasakyan. I followed her inside Damon's house — tumigil lang siya saglit sa garaje para yakapin si Damon. "Pero kasi, masyadong magarbo at mahal ng plano mo! Hindi pa naman kayo, 'di ba? Baka ma-pressure si Audrey niyan!" Dagdag pa niya.
"Ano na naman 'yang pinagtatalunan niyo?" Singit ni Damon.
"Pagsabihan mo nga 'yang kaibigan mo, Dame! Gusto atang ipangalandakan na may pera siya, e, hindi pa naman niya jowa 'yung tao!" Padabog na umupo si Astrid sa couch na nandito sa gazebo nila Damon.
"That is clearly not my intention, Bro!" I defended myself, then, I poured myself a drink. I'll stay for a few minutes bago bumyahe pa-Katipunan para sunduin 'yung prinsesa ko. "Alam naman nating lahat na grabe 'yung passion ni Drey sa pagsasayaw, 'di ba? I couldn't think of a better gift than that! Lahat naman ay meron na siya, e. I'm sure hindi pumapayag si Drake na hindi nakukuha ng kapatid niya ang mga bagay na gusto niya kaya ano pa ang kailangan kong ibigay, 'di ba?" I shrugged.
"He has a point, Dris," Damon stated while crossing his arms. "Dris also has a point, Fourth," he added.
Astrid nodded. "Yes, meron nga pero bago ka magpadalos-dalos ng desisyon, pag-isipan mo muna 'yan ng mabuti," she advised. "Why don't you talk about this with Celest and Drake? Hindi 'to basta-basta na regalo o sorpresa, p're, maglalabas ka ng malaking halaga rito."
"I'll do that." I nodded. "Kakausapin ko si Drake mamaya, pagkahatid ko kay Audrey."
I saw how Damon's forehead creased. He also shifted his weight from leaning on the gazebo's post to standing firm and straight. "Babalik ka pa ng Katip?" He asked and I nodded. "Sayang gas!"
Binato ko siya ng unan. "E, kung hindi ka lumandi ng madaling araw? Edi sana nasundo mo si Dris!" Reklamo ko.
"Nagrereklamo ka ba?" Pinanliitan ako ng mata ni Astrid na nakahalukipkip na ngayon.
"Pfft! Ako? Nagrereklamo?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko. "Deins, p're. Takot ko lang na i-sumbong mo 'ko kay Audrey. . ." Bulong ko.
Napa-iling na lang si Damon sa bangayan namin ni Astrid. Lagi naman kaming ganito nila Samuel kaya sanay na rin sila ni Kazuo at Drake. "Bumyahe ka na. Bago ka pa maabutan ng traffic," sabi niya.
Umalis na rin ako agad pagkatapos kong magpaalam kay Tito Zoren. I drove as fast as I can because I heard from Celestine that no one would pick up Audrey from her dance training dahil wala raw available na sasakyan. Drake couldn't pick her up as well dahil may klase pa raw ito.
Celestine Lim: Busy ka ba? Walang susundo kay Addie eh :((
Audrey Medina: Training's done. I'm on my way to JSEC to buy some snacks.
"Putcha, na-traffic pa nga," pabulong ko na reklamo sa sarili. Wala man lang ka-galaw-galaw 'yung mga kotse rito. I tried to look outside my window kung bakit traffic ng ganitong oras pero wala naman akong matanaw. I, then, reached for my phone to dial our family driver's number.
"Hello po? Na-traffic po ako galing sa mga de Sucre, pwede bang paki-dala rito 'yung motor saka isang pants?" Tanong ko habang minamasahe ang aking sentido. Our driver agreed and asked me to wait at the nearest fast food chain para doon na lang kami magpapalit ng imamaneho. "Alright. Thank you!"
I waited for almost half an hour for our driver to arrive with my sports bike. Hindi naman daw traffic ang paalis ng Katipunan, iyung papunta lang daw talaga. I also asked him to bring an extra helmet for Audrey and he did. Nagpalit na rin ako ng pang-ibaba dahil bawal magmotor ng naka-shorts. Bumusina ako ng isang beses bago tuluyang sumingit sa traffic para maabutan ko pa si Audrey. Knowing her, she'd probably try to hail a cab for her to go home by herself — pero hindi naman 'yon sanay at wala pa nga ata siyang experience sa gano'n!
I dialed her number nang makapasok na ako sa loob ng Ateneo, malapit sa Faber Hall.
She answered right away. "Hey, what's up?" She asked.
"I'm walking na papuntang JSEC. Can you meet me halfway? Medyo pinagtitinginan ako ng mga tao rito," paliwanag ko habang naglalakad papunta sa kinaroroonan niya. Makapal naman talaga ang mukha ko pero hindi sa araw na 'to! Ni hindi man lang ako nakapag-ayos ng maayos dahil sa takot ko na ma-late sa pagsundo kay Astrid. I should've worn a different pair of shoes and a different outfit if only I knew that I would be picking her up without a car. Tangina, na-traffic pa kasi!
"Yeah? Sure?" She was unsure but I heard her friends asking kung bakit uuwi na siya. Siguro ay naglalakad na rin 'to ngayon. "You really did pick me up, huh?"
"Ikaw lang naman 'yung ayaw maniwala," natatawang sabi ko. "I can see you na. You can drop the call already."
Muntik na akong mapa-sigaw ng thank you nang makita kong naka-pants siya. Dahil kung hindi, baka pabalikin ko na naman 'yung driver namin dito para sa kotse. I won't let her ride my bike if she's wearing a shorts or anything that is far from pants. I can't risk it, masyadong delikado.
"How was your training?" I asked while we were walking toward the parking lot.
"It's fine. Nothing much really happened, nag-doings lang kami kanina," she replied. I noticed that a lot of students were looking at us already. Siguro ay alam nila na hindi ako taga-rito. Audrey noticed it, too, because she suddenly gave me the baseball cap she was wearing. "Wear it," she added.
I was confused at first pero sinunod ko rin naman ang utos niya. "Pinagdadamot mo na ba ako niyan, Audrey Quinn?" Kinikilig na tanong ko sa kaniya. I saw how she rolled her eyes which made me bite the insides of my cheeks.
Tangina, ang ganda talaga.
"Dami mong alam," she whispered but I could hear it.
"Hindi mo dineny," pagpupumilit ko.
"I just don't want to hear another chismis about us. Your fangirls might get mad at me again," she explained. Tumingala siya para tignan ako bago hablutin 'yung baseball cap niya na soot ko. We were already at the parking lot when she did that. I was toot stunned to speak. Hindi ko alam na binabasa pala niya 'yung mga comments sa internet tungkol sa amin.
My thoughts got interrupted when she asked me kung asan daw ang kotse ko. "Hindi kotse 'yung dala ko. . . Ayos lang ba?"
"Uh, yes? But. . . I've never ridden a motorcycle before," she answered, hesitantly.
"Ako ang bahala, alright?" Inabot ko sa kaniya 'yung helmet na kulay puti. I bought this last month, kasabay nitong sports bike ko. Para sa kaniya talaga 'yon. I specifically bought two helmets for us. "Ihahatid muna kita tapos babalikan ko na lang sa bahay 'yung kotse para kung sakali man na lumabas tayo ulit," saad ko habang inaayos ang pagkakasuot niya ng helmet.
"Oh gosh. . ." Bulong niya nang sinimulan ko na ang pagmamaneho.
"Kumapit ka, Drey, wag kang mahiya," natatawang sabi ko. Hiyang-hiya pa kasi kumapit, e. Para saan pa na nagpapakahirap akong palakihin 'tong abs ko, hindi ba?
I saw how she rolled her eyes again from my side mirror. "Annoying," she mouthed as if she was talking to the wind.
Pagkarating namin sa tapat ng bahay nila, sinalubong agad kami ni Nanay Marie. Sinabihan na pala siya ni Celestine na ako ang maghahatid kay Audrey pauwi. They really treat her like a princess. I smiled to myself while thinking of the people who genuinely cares for her. Ang sarap sa puso isipin na hindi lang ako ang nagmamahal sa babaeng 'to.
"Oh, hijo, hindi ka muna ba papasok sa loob?" Tanong ni Nanay Marie nang umamba akong sasakay na ulit sa motor. I looked at Audrey who was staring at me as well.
"May kukunin lang ho ako sa bahay," nakangiting sagot ko.
Audrey looked down at her feet before saying, "Wag na, Fourth. I don't have any other plans for the day."
I tilted my head. "Are you sure?" She simply nodded before going inside their house. Sumunod din agad si Nanay Marie sa kaniya habang si Mang Kulas naman ang nagbukas ng gate sa garaje para sa akin.
Papasok pa lang ako ng bahay nila nang marinig ko si Audrey at Nanay Marie na naguusap sa tapat ng pintuan. I halted and stopped myself from interrupting their conversation. Maglalakad ulit sana ako pabalik sa garaje pero bigla kong narinig 'yung pangalan ko.
"Nanay, can you prepare a tuna sandwich for Fourth?" She asked, shyly. "Pati na rin po red iced tea if we still have some. . . It's his favorite snack po kasi," she added.
"Memoryado mo na, Anak?" Natatawang tanong ni Nanay Marie. I bet she's smiling like me too.
Siniko ako ni Mang Kulas na ikinagulat ko naman. "Kinikilig ka ata, Sir?"
"Sinabi mo pa po," nakangiti na sabi ko. "Ang lakas na po ata talaga ng tama ko sa prinsesa niyo rito, Mang Kulas. . ."
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A lot of things happened in the months that I stopped writing updates for this story. Most of them made me want to completely put all of these behind me; to stop writing. But I realized that writing has always been and will always be my escape – my coping mechanism.
So, I gave it a shot once again with the help of my new-found writer friends, eyerised, userpixie, aliasteria, Astreikay, haseishi, and orngemlk. I want to use this chance to thank them for giving me the push that I needed to continue my work.
I also highly recommend their works to those who love reading epistolary stories!
Before I end this author's note, I want to sincerely apologize for making you wait for an update for almost five months. I was not in the right head space to write five months ago and I don't want my work to be affected by my personal problems.
I will try my best to update weekly but I will not make any promises.
Love, Bri
#HNA18