"Let's go~!" Sigaw ni Blake at kinaladkad si Zel papunta sa pool. Nag sisigaw si Zel pero wala siyang nagawa ng isama siya ni Blake sa pag talon sa tubig.
Natawa nalang kami ni Clayd habang pinapanood sila na hindi pa nakakaahon.
"I'll just go inside, Shein." Dinig kong sabi ni Clayd na nasa likuran ko.
Tumango lang ako habang patuloy na nakatingin sa dalawang nag wrestling na sa pool.
After a short minutes ay bumalik si Clayd may dalang isang case ng beer.
"Wow~ prepared!" Sigaw ni Zel habang paakyat sila sa pool.
"Ayos yan." Dinig kong sabi naman ni Blake.
Napailing naman ako, ang hilig niyo sa alak talaga. Buti naman at hindi hard at madami ang binili ni Clayd.
Kanina pa kami dito sa pool and sa may cottage. After we had our lunch ay deretso agad dito.
"Let's swim, Shein!" Biglang sabi ni Zel at hinablot ang kamay ko.
"Sandali!" Di na ako nakapalag at nagpadala nalang kay Zel.
Naiwan naman sa may cottage si Clayd at Blake na nag iinoman.
I was just wearing a one-piece na pinatungan ko ng mini shorts. Habang si Zel ay naka two-piece bra at pinatungan niya din ng mini hawaiian shorts.
Ganito kami pag kami lang ang naliligo. But once lumabas na kami in public, of course Zel will choose super revealing suit.
"Girls, smile~" Biglang sabi naman ni Blake na may dalang camera habang nasa bewang na part lang kami ni Zel.
"Come on~ smile~"
Napailing nalang ako at ngumiti katabi si Zel.
We stayed at the pool habang walang humpay ang pag bigay ni Blake ng drink sa amin, hindi makahintay na umakyat kami. Or di kaya ay kukuha ng stolen shots.
Zel and I was laughing after the funny story she shared when Blake suddenly pushed Clayd to the pool and then he jumped after.
Napatili si Zel dahil sa pagtalsik ng tubig sa amin pagkatapos ay tumawa ng sobra. Natawa naman ako at pinanood lang sila habang nasa gilid ng pool at nakaupo.
Basang basa na rin ako since kanina pa kami lumalangoy langoy.
"Blake! Help me!" Zel said when we decided na umahon na sa pool.
Tinulungan naman siyang umahon ni Blake. And I went directly to the cottage. Inabot naman agad ni Clayd ang towel sa akin.
"Let's change na." Pag-aaya ko kay Zel ng makalapit siya sa amin.
"Later na Shein. Let's finish this muna." Sabi naman ni Blake habang nakaturo sa drinks.
"Okay." Umupo nalang ako sa upuan katabi si Zel. While Clayd and Blake were just infront of us.
After an hour, we've finally finished our drinks. We swim a bit before kaming mag decide na mag palit na ng damit. And it's already five pm.
There's a comfort room with two cubicle inside, near the pool area kaya dito na kami nag palit ng damit ni Zel.
She was still inside the cubicle habang nasa labas na ako and just looking at my reflection at the mirror.
When my phone suddenly rung.
"Hello." I immediately answered the call without looking who's the caller.
"Hi Shein!" Masayang salubong naman nong tumawag.
"Oh Elle? Napatawag ka?" Tanong ko nong makilala ko ang boses kung sino.
"I just wanna asked kung busy ka ba tomorrow?" Tanong niya naman sa akin.
"Ahm, no, why?" Sagot ko naman.
"Well... Birthday ni mom tomorrow then bukas ng gabe ang celebration. She asked me to invite you..."
"Huh?" Tanging lumabas lang sa bibig ko.
"... It's just a simple celebration, only the closest friends and family lang ang invite since sa bahay lang namin gaganapin." She added.
"Ahm..." Napatingin naman ako sa pintong bumukas. Tumingin naman agad si Zel sa akin ng may pagtatanong.
"Shein? You're going right?" Dinig kong tanong ni Joellen.
"Ahm... sure." Tanging sagot ko naman.
"Alright!... Remember before six you should be there. I'll send you the address." Masaya niyang sabi.
"Okay." Sagot ko naman.
"Bye. See you~" Huling na rinig ko before she ended the call.
"What was that?" Zel immediately asked the moment I put down my phone.
"Joellen... She invited me to her mother's birthday party tomorrow." Sagot ko naman sa kaniya.
Tumango lang siya at inayos naman namin ang mga basa naming damit.
After that ay lumabas at bumalik kami sa cottage. I saw Blake and Clayd cleaning the area so we help a bit.
Then we headed inside the house and stayed at the living room. Hindi pa man kami nakakapagdinner ay nakahiga na si Zel mahabang sofa at si Blake sa single couch.
"Hey Blake, Zel! Do you still wanna eat dinner?" Clayd asked.
"Hmm..." Sagot ni Zel at umiling iling pa.
Umayos naman agad ng upo si Blake.
"Hayaan mo na." Sabi ko kay Clayd.
Tumango lang siya at inaya si Blake na kumain. Ginising ko naman si Zel at sinamaan sa kwarto niya. Then I also went inside my room. Hindi na rin ako nag dinner since madami naman na akong nakain kanina.
Kinabukasan, maaga akong nagising dahil may pupuntahan pa ako. After I had my breakfast ay bumalik ako sa kwarto ko para makapag palit ng damit.
"Where are you going?" Agad na tanong ni Blake ng makita akong bumaba ng hagdan.
"Mall." Tanging sagot ko sa kaniya.
"Anong gagawin mo don?" Another question from him.
Mag-isa lang siya sa living room. Since 8:55 am palang at tulog pa si Zel and I don't know where Clayd is.
"I'll attend a birthday party later. Of course I'm not going there without a present." Sagot ko naman sa kaniya.
"Where? Pwede sumama hehehe."
"Ewan ko sayo, Blake." Sabi ko sa kaniya at naglakad na paalis.
I saw Clayd at the garage talking to a guard. He also asked me the same question Blake asked earlier.
"You'll have lunch here, right?" He asked.
"Yup." I answered and then closed the door of my car. I started the engine while the guards opened the gate for me.
Agad akong umalis sa doon at magtungo sa mall.
I'm just wearing a simple fitted jeans and a shirt. I did tied up my hair but I didn't wear my eyeglasses.
I still don't know what present I'll give to Joellen's mother. But my feet lead me to the jewelry store.
"Yes ma'am? For you? Or for your lover?" Nakangiting tanong agad ng saleslady ng store.
"Hmm for a mother." Tanging sagot ko.
Ngumiti naman siya sakin at pinasunod ako sa kaniya. May itinuro siyang mga jewelries sakin. And a pair of earrings and necklace caught my attention.
"Just a moment ma'am, I'll prepare your jewelry." Nakangiting sabi nito ulit sa akin.
Tumango lang ako at nag tingin-tingin sa ibang jewelries.
"Oh my... Is that you Elshein?"
Napasulyap naman ako sa taong biglang dumating.
"Wow, I didn't recognize you. What a surprise to see you here." Nakangiti nitong sabi sakin at tiningnan ako mula ulo hanggang paa.
Napairap nalang ako dahil sa ginawa niya.
"You look a bit nice without eyeglasses... And... Nicer in your current get-up. Why are you wearing eyeglasses at school? Malabo ba eyes mo?" Sunod sunod niyang sabi at tanong. But I didn't bother to answer her questions.
"Hmm. You look nicer today than at school that you always look ahmm, cheap?. No offense ha, pero nakaka-sira ng fashion ang eyeglasses and always jeans and shirt na naka tuck-in pa."
Napairap naman ako dahil sa mga walang kwentang sinasabi niya.
"Anyway, what are you doing here nga pala?" Another question from her while she's looking at the displayed jewelry infront of us.
"Are you doing some canvassing?" Natatawa niyang sabi at sumulyap pa sakin.
"How much is that?" Tanong niya naman sa saleslady.
"Ahm, it cost 100,000 ma'am." Dinig kong sagot sa kaniya nong saleslady.
"Oh~ it's so expensive just for a pair of earrings, right Elshein?" Tanong ni sakin.
"But I don't like the design, it looks cheap than the price, is there any more?" Tanong niya ulit sa saleslady.
Napairap naman ako at napatingin lang sa akin ang saleslady na kausap niya.
"You know what Ellejah. Choose the very expensive jewelry they sell. It will really suits you, for sure your attitude will be stored by them... At least you look really good and not cheap." Nakangiti kong sabi sa kaniya.
Kunot noong lumingon naman siya sa akin.
"Excuse me, ma'am." Then the saleslady who accompanied me earlier went on my way while smiling really wide.
"Here's your jewelries. It cost 300,000 pesos." Nakangiti nitong sabi habang hawang ang isang paper bag.
Nakita ko namang napatunganga lang si Ellejah habang nakatingin sa paper bag.
"Here, I will pay with my card." Sabi ko sa saleslady.
"Sure ma'am!" Nakangiti niyang inabot ang black card na inilabas ko.
Napatingin naman ako kay Ellejah na medjo nakanganga habang nakatingin sakin.
I just smiled at her at hinintay ay card ko.
"Here ma'am. Thank you, please come again." Masiglang sabi nong saleslady. At inabot ang card and ang paper bag sakin.
I just smiled at them and walked away. I just chuckled when I heard no response from Ellejah.
Tsk. What a joke.
I immediately went home and had my lunch with the Zel, Blake, and Clayd. Tinanong nila kung ano ang binili ko so I just told them about the jewelry I bought.
After that ay nag start na ako mag prepare.
It was already 5:40 went I went downstairs. I decided to take my leave before six since it took thirty minutes until I reach Joellen's home.
I've already look for the address she sent last night. And that's what it tells. Thirty minutes.
"You're now going?" Tanong agad nila ng makita akong papababa.
"Yup." Sagot ko naman.
"Alright. Wag super late ang uwi ha." Sabi naman ni Zel.
"Yeah..." Napailing nalang ako dahil sa bilin niya.
"I'm out, bye." I didn't wait for their reply and just walked away.
Agad akong dumeretso sa kotse ko. I picked up my phone when I went inside and text Joellen that I am already on my way.
I saw the guard opened the gates so I already started the engine, and drove away.
Habang nag dra-drive, I just can't keep on thinking. That, this is my first time attending a party without the three and was just invited by a friend, not an invitation given by paps.
It doesn't take me thirty minutes to the address Joellen sent.
I drived slowly when I saw a house that has many cars parked outside.
When I reach the front, I saw Joellen standing at the gate with Alexus.
What is he doing here?
Bigla akong kinabahan sa ideang pumasok sa isip ko.
They both saw me, that's why Allyza waved her hand. I parked my car at a space I saw then lumabas na dala ang gift ko sa mommy niya.
"Hi Shein!" Agad na salubong nila sakin.
"Hi." Sagot ko naman sa kanila.
Joellen's wearing a simple white dress. White Alexus is wearing a pants and a polo shirts.
"Let's go inside." Pag-aaya ni Joellen. Tumango lang ako and sumunod naman sa kanila.
Their house is huge but just a few steps from the gate is already their terrace. They have separate garage at the right side.
"You look good, Shein." Dinig kong sabi ni Alexus.
Sinulyapan ko lang siya and just smiled a little.
I'm just wearing a skinny high waisted jeans and a fitted v-neck shirt. I didn't wear my eyeglasses and I didn't tied up my hair as well. Hinayaan ko lang na nakalugay ito.
Madami naman ang tao pero may kaniya kaniya naman silang ginagawa.
"Go ahead girls, I'll just go my dad." Alexus suddenly said. Tumango naman kami ni Joellen and she smiled at me.
"I thought hindi ka pupunta." Nakanguso niyang sabi at humawak sa braso ko.
"Well, I'm not busy naman, so why not diba." Sabi ko naman sa kaniya.
"Right! Let's go find a table... Mom's talking to her friends but I'm sure she'll see us." Sabi niya naman at naglakad sa gitna ng maraming taong busy sa kwentohan.
We found a vacant table and we stayed and just talked their.
"Elle, what's your relationship with Alexus?" I suddenly asked which made her gasp.
"Ahm... We're not in a relationship. Our parents are just business partners." Sagot niya naman.
"Sure?" Seryoso kong tanong sa kaniya.
"Well... We're engaged. Please Shein don't tell anyone!"
Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko dahil sa sagot niya. What the hell??
"It was just an arrange marriage, We're not the one who decide... We don't have any feelings to each other either." Mahinang sagot niya sa huli.
"Please don't tell anyone, Shein. It was just Me and him and his best friends, and you. AC doesn't even know about this." Mahinang sabi niya ulit.
"Don't worry... What's your plan? Are you against?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.
"I don't know." Tanging sagot niya.
May nag serve naman ng food sa amin kaya hindi na namin naipag patuloy ang pag uusap tungkol doon.
"Hi girls." Then her mom showed up.
"Mom! Happy birthday again." Masayang bati ni Joellen.
"Hi tita, happy birthday." Sabi ko naman at nakipag beso pa sa kaniya, and gave the gift to her.
"Wow thank you Elshein." Nakangiti niyang sabi habang nakatingin sa present ko.
"What is this? Can I opened it?" Tanong niya naman, and I just nodded.
She immediately opened the present I gave her, and even Joellen help her.
"Oh my god..." Reaction agad ni tita kahit hindi pa man na bubuksan ang laman ng box.
"Tiffany & Co." I heard her mumbled.
She opened it and was amaze by the things inside.
"So beautiful... Thank you so much Elshein." Nakangiti niyang sabi and even hugged me.
I just smiled at her as she asked Joellen to help her put the box inside the paper bag.
"Enjoy the night, Elshein okay?" Huling sabi niya bago siya umalis dala ang binigay ko.
"Nakakahiya sayo! Nag abala ka pa. Hindi ka na sana bumili ng ganong mamahaling regalo para kay mommy." Sabi naman ni Joellen. Natawa at napailing nalang ako.
We were just talking about stuffs when suddenly Alexus came to our table.
"You wanna drink?" Tanong ni naman sa amin.
"Sure." Sagot sa kaniya ni Joellen.
"Great, let's go to the veranda. There's no one occupying the tables there." Sabi naman sa amin ni Alexus.
Tumango lang kami at sumunod sa kaniya.
I haven't seen anyone I know except this two. Mukang sila lang ang kilala kong narito.
"Let's us the servers to bring us a drink." Sabi naman ni Joellen ng makarating kami sa veranda ng bahay nila.
It's almost eight in the evening and maingay ang mga tao sa loob kaya mas better dito.
I had a drink with them while we're just talking about some school stuffs.
"Shein? Can I asked you a question?" Alexus suddenly asked when Joellen excuse herself kaya kaming dalawa nalang ang nandito.
"What?" Sabi ko naman.
"Why were you at Cebu?" I was stunned by his questions. I thought they already forgot about that.
"I was with a sudden vacation with my family." Tanging sagot ko sa kaniya.
He just look at me then nodded.
"Who's the guy that is always with you?" Another question from him.
Then Clayd's annoying face pop-up inside my head.
"Clayd? He's my friend and a family, why?" I confusedly answered.
"Nothing." Sagot niya at umiling pa.
His phone suddenly rung kaya nag excuse siya para sagutin iton. Lumabas lang siya ng veranda habang ako naman ay nanatili doon sa loob at uminom nalang.
After just a minute ay bumalik na siya, then sumunod naman si Joellen. So we've continued what we were doing.
"You sure you can drive home?" Tanong ni Alexus sa akin.
"Of course, I told you I'm not drunk. Instead, bring Joellen to her room ." Sabi ko sa kaniya.
It's already 10:30 and Joellen's already drunk. And I've decided to go home na. Umuwi na nga rin ang ibang bisita.
"Okay, take care Shein." Sabi niya ulit sa akin at inakay si Joellen papasok ng bahay. Sa kabilang pintoan sila dumaan hindi sa main door since may ilang bisita pa ang maroon.
Lumabas na rin ako at pumunta kung saan naka park ang kotse ko.
But I was stunned to saw who was standing next to my car.
"Shein..." He mumbled my name.
"What are you doing here, Ice?" I confusedly asked.