Maddison’s POV
“Ma, ano ba balita?” I just heard my mom muttered on the other line. May mali talaga.
“Mama! Kelan ba uwi niyo? Please let me know.”
“O, Jane.” She timidly answered. “A-nak..”
“What’s happening?” Jade sat down beside me.
“Wala. Si Mama lang tumawag.” I handed the phone to Jade.
“Hi Ma, how’s your vacation? It’s been a week.” Wow. What an angelic voice of Jade. Nakadrugs ata. I just turn on the television, may laro ang Teng brothers ngaun.
We ate dinner together. I mean, I ate dinner with them. Teng Brothers. Kulang na lang maging pipi ako sa oras na iyon but I did not let that happen,kung talkative si Jeron syempre tinapatan ko.
“,…. Do you h-have a b-boyfriend right now?” Me and Jeric were stunned for that question.
“Why? Are you planning to court me?” kahit ako nagulat sa sinagot pero andyan na yan. I just gave him a Poisonous-smile. Taray! Lakas makaahas.
“Hahaha! Is it ruthless asking like that? But you gave me idea and I can say that it’s not bad at all.” Then he winked. Sh!t. Laglag panga ko.
“What do you think Kuya?” then I unexpectedly choked. Jeric handed me a water while Jeron, iced tea. I stared for a moment to them. “Why so gwaposs?” my mind said. Dalawang Adonis sa harapan ko. Gosh!
“Are you okay, Maddison? Drink this.” Nakakahiya, Jeric forcedly put the glass on my mouth and let me drink the water.
“No, I’m fine.” Kinuha ko na ang baso. I was looking for my handkerchief ng bigla naman may pumunas sa bibig ko.
“No,no.. I’m okay.” I said and giving Jeron okay sign.
“You’re like a kid Maddison and I find that really cute.” *booogsh* Wala na! Nahimatay na ako. Charot! Ayaw talaga ako tantanan nito ni Jeron. “Take this.” Handed me his handkerchief. Qota na ko sa panyo, pangalawang panyo na niya ito sa akin…
“Hoy!! Are you listening?!”
“NO!!”
“Tsk. Tsk. I was talking for the whole time here and you’re not paying attention. Gosh!” Sorry naman. Ikaw kaya ang magflashback ng mga kakakilig na moments.
“Oo na. Pakiulit na lang yung mga sinabi mo. Pwede po?” I teasingly asked her. Itong magaling kong kapatid ang may kasalanan nun, iwan ba naman ako at umuwi mag-isa tapos nung tinanong ko kung bakit umuwi agad ang sagot lang “Im just protecting you.” O, di ba ang layo ng sagot sa tanong. Weird!
“Mama and Papa are extending their vacation. Kinuha daw kasi silang ninang at ninong sa kasal nung anak ng kaibigan ni Papa dun.”
“Okay lang. basta next week balik na ko dorm.” Sagot ko at tumayo na.
“No! You won’t leave me here alone. Karren texted me and she told me that her mother is in critical condition, so she have to stay there for good, I guess.” Ayan na nga sinasabi ko eh.
“Kelan mo naman ako balak pabalikin sa dorm ko?”
“Until Mama and Papa came home.”
“Ay Juice ko! Kelan un?” nasapo ko na ang noo ko.
“1 month pa ata sila dun.”
“ANO?! Seryoso yan?”
“Anong problema?” tumayo na din si Jade at pinatay ang tv.
“Yung dorm ko, sayang yung bayad tsaka ginagawa mo lang akong cook dito.” Iniisip ko pa lang baka lagi nang andun si Brandon or worst pati si Thomas dinala na din ni Samantha dun. Napaupo na lang ulit ako.
“That’s not a big problem Jane. Hello. We can freely call to our resto and deliver foods for us, so that you’re not going to cook anymore.” She said with a smirked to her face and left me in dumbfounded.
I can’t stand here alone. Pero konsensya ko naman ‘pag iniwan ko siya dito mag-isa sa bahay. Ang dami-dami ko na iniisip tapos nakikisali pa siya, the Ms. & Mr. Thomasian pageant is on…. day after tomorrow. Yes! That’s why I’m so busy to think about Jade and for that pageant. Buti na lang nasa kondisyon lagi ang mga manok ng department namin. Althea and sorry to mention, Kyle also of course. Medyo mabait na ‘yan si Kyle ngaun compare last few years.
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“How’s everything, Ms. Rodriquez?”
“Don’t worry, sir. Everything is going to work well tomorrow evening.”
“Then goodluck to our department, I hope we can get the title this year.”
“Haha. I hope sir but who knows.”
“Okay. Okay. I trust you and on how you mentor those kids.” Wow. Lakas maka-kids. Gurang na kaya un si Kyle and as far as I know mas matanda pa pala sa akin si Althea.
“Thank you, sir.” I gave Mr. Seno a warmth smile. He taps my shoulder and left, he said that he’s planning for a little surprise kapag naglalakad na sa catwalk si Althea.
Andito ako ngaun sa auditorium para pangkalahatang praktis ng buong department. Ako lang mag-isa, wala sila Alex and Sam they have their DSGN2 class. Ang gaganda naman ng mga representative mga mana ata sa akin. Pinapanuod ko lang sila.
“Hi. Can I sit here?” A pretty familiar girl approached me. I just smiled and nodded as answer for yes.
While I was paying attention into the stage the girl spoke again. “They’re all dazzling, right?” I looked around to check if the girl talking to someone pero ako lang naman and siya andito sa part na ‘to.
“Yes, Miss. I was talking to you?” She told me and let out a laughter.
“Sorry. I thought you have an imaginary friend. By the way, yes, they are.” Tumingin naman ako sa babae. May kamukha talaga siya. Promise. She’s pretty. She has a porcelain skin, long hair and omg ang height pang Ms. Universe.
“You should join the pageant, Miss. Ang ganda-ganda mo. What dept are you anyway?” Naks! Maganda daw ako. Alam ko na un, no need to comment it. Haba ng hair. Laki tenga na naman Maddison!
“No. You’re the one who suitable on that pageant. Ikaw kaya ang super ganda.” Sabi ko sa kanya. Imbes na back to you ang sabihin ko, nagcompliment na lang rin ako sa kanya. “Architect is my dept and you?” I added.
“Me. I’m a---“
“ALMIRA?!” hindi na natapos nitong katabi ko ang sasabihin nang may sumigaw sa likuran namin.
“Ahia! This way!” she stood up and waving her right hand.
“My brother just arrived. Sorry. I have to go.” Before I can turn around. “Yeah. She’s Almira Teng.” My mind stated.
“You’re Jeric’s sister?” I asked her into my deepest voice. And she automatically stopped walking.
“Yes. You know me?” She asked and giving me a weird look. Tumayo na ako para mapantayan siya, nanliliit ako kasi nakayuko siya.
“Ah-“ eh- ih-oh-uh.
“Almira why are you here? Kung hindi pa ‘ko nagtanong kong nasaan ka edi nagantay na naman sana ako sa cafeteria ng mataga-.. Maddison?”
“Hi Jeric.” Nakalapit na pala siya.
“You know her, Ahia?” Jeric just nodded to her sister’s question.
“Oh nice, isa ba siya sa anak ng amiga ni mommy, ahia?”
“Nope.”
“Really? She looks familiar. By the way I’m Almira, I think Ahia don’t have any plan to introduce us to each other.” she reached for my hand and gave me a lovely smile.
“I’m Maddison.” I said and we shook hands. I felt something when she reached her hand and mine. I stared for a moment to Almira while were holding each other hand. Para bang kilala ko na siya.
“Ate Maddison!” I immediately free her hand and turn to see Althea running toward us.
“Ate, nasa backstage na yung costume ko for tomorrow. Can you please check it, I think it not fit me. Masikip unti.” Sabi ng kakarating na si Althea at tumingin sa likod ko.
We did not spend much time with Jeric and Almira, we bid our goodbyes to them because there’s lot of things we need to finish for the pageant. Kung wala nga lang daw sanang lunch date sila ni Almira, tutulong daw sa amin si Jeric. Ang sweet lang.
“Don’t worry pagpupuyatan ko na lang ‘to sa bahay Thea, baka lalong masira yung sa bandang waistline.”
“Oh my gee! Madds tomorrow night is the judgement day then what hindi pa rin ayos costume niya?” Alex asked nervously. What am I going to do kung hindi talaga kasya kay Althea ‘to. Kahit sa akin ‘di rin kakasya ‘to eh.
“It’s our first option, tatahiin ko na lang ‘to.” I said with finality in my voice. And put the dress on my mini bag.
“How about we just return it to sewer? What you think Madds?” Sam asked.
“Walang kalalabasan dun. Hello. Dejavu! Same thing happens last year, remember? Puro perdible yung dress nung isang contestant.” I know we should try pero hindi ko isusugal ‘to no! Baka hindi maasikaso eh.
“Okay. Okay. Let her be Sam.” Alex said and put her two hands into air as a sign of lose.
“No! I’ll tell to mom na lang about this, maybe she can help us to get a new costume.” Althea stated.
“Huwag na Thea, bukas na kaya ito. Tsaka ito yung theme natin mahirap magpagawa ng mga feathers-feathers na kaek-ekan na ito.” Lalo lang nilang pinapakomplikado.
“Pttff. We should blame this to the sewer. Tsk. Tsk. This is sabotage. I will find a solution for this, don’t worry. I have to go first, bye girls.” Althea left us here speechless.
“Where the hell is she going?” Alex asked.
“Try niya lang magpalate bukas. Naku! Ihahampas ko siya sa puno na puro langgam.” Sam stated while shaking her head.
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Absent muna ako ngaun sa trabaho. I need to finish this. Kanina pa ko dito sa kwarto ko nagtatahi. *yawn* Antok, please leave me alone hindi pa ako nangangalahati dito. I reached for the cup …
“Sh!t, ubos na naman ang kape!” hindi ko na lang pinansin, tinamad naman ako tumayo para magkanaw.
I check the time. 2am. Hala! Please. Anlayo ko pa. I leaned my head to the table and keep saying.. ”You can do this Madds.” In a sudden, I felt my eyelid become heavier, until I just can sense nothing and everything went black.
*Gringggg!*
“Yes, Hello?” I answered my phone and don’t bother to look for the caller.
“WHERE THE F*CKING ARE YOU NOW MADDISON!” omg! I instantly drop my phone.
I opened my right eye, followed by left eye. It’s 2pm, yes its freaking 2pm. Oh gosh! I slept for 12 hours. Why!! Hindi ko pa tapos tahiin un.
I’m so dead. Now I can imagine how Sam and Alex’s faces can be look what.
Goodbye Tittle. Huhuhu! I'm really sorry.
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A/N: Comment and Vote. Please. Thank you.