Friends?
"Kompleto na ba ang lahat?" Tanong ko habang nakatayo sa harap ng mini truck kung saan nakalagay ang mga bulaklak na idi-deliver namin sa isang event.
"Yup! We're ready to go!" Marco exclaimed who made his way to my car and sat in the passenger seat.
Hinintay ko munang makasakay sa truck sina Manang Delya at Manong Mario bago sumakay sa sarili kong kotse. Sila ang mag-asawang empleyado ko. Si Manong Mario ay nagsisilbing driver ko sa tuwing may deliveries at si Manang Delya naman ay isa sa mga gumagawa ng mga arrangements. Nagta-trabaho na sila sa flower shop noong buhay pa sila mama at talaga namang mapagkakatiwalaan sila.
It's only seven in the morning but we had to wake up early to prepare the flowers needed in a wedding tonight. It wasn't just a simple wedding but an elite one so I decided to come along with them to deliver. Mukhang mayaman ang ikakasal dahil mga mamahaling bulaklak ang pinili nila.
Papa-andarin ko na sana ang kotse nang biglang dumating si Cara at kinatok ang bintana ni Marco. Ibinaba ni Marco ang bintana.
"I'm coming with you." Hinihingal na sambit nito.
"Okay, hop in." I said gesturing me head at the backseat.
"Marco, alis diyan! Dapat ako diyan eh! Doon ka sa likod dali." Reklamo ni Cara na hindi parin sumasakay.
"Excuse me?! Nauna ako sayo kaya bakit mo'ko pinapaalis?" Taas kilay na sumbat ni Marco na hindi na pinansin si Cara at itinaas muli ang bintana niya.
So, Cara had no choice but sit in the backseat with a scowl. "What a gentleman."
"Who says I'm a man?" Marco laughed, batting his long lashes.
"Maghintay ka lang, bakla ka. I'll have my revenge soon." Cara smirked with a hidden agenda and texted someone in her phone.
Marco ignored her as he was busy with retouching his foundation. I don't understand why does he need to put on a make up when we will end up carrying baskets of flowers later.
"Cara, bakit ka nga pala sasama sa amin? How about Sterling?" Tanong ko na ang tinutukoy ay ang woodcraft business na dati pagmamay-ati ng pamilya ko. Sa ngayon ay sila na ang nagpapatakbo.
"I need a break from that effin' shop! Susme! Ginagawa nila akong katulong. My job is at the reception but mom made me do the inventory! Do you know how hard that is?!" She exclaimed while rolling her eyes in exaggeration.
"Of course, I know. I have a shop remember?"
"You know how bad I am with counting and numbers! And I needed to carry heavy woods!"
"Yes, you're an idiot when it comes to that matter." Marco insulted as he put on lip gloss. "Well, you're pretty stupid at almost everything. Wala nang bago."
Greeting her teeth, Cara grabbed a handful of his hair, pulling him back causing the lip gloss to smudge his cheek.
"Anong sabi mo?!" Bulyaw ni Cara.
"Ow! Let me go you monkey! Not my hair!" Marco yelled trying to free himself.
Hindi na ako naki-alam sa kanilang dalawa dahil sanay na sanay na ako. Sa tuwing magkikita sila ay wala na silang ginawa kundi magbangayan. Wala nang bago. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi magkasundo ang dalawang ito. Sumila't sapul ay ganyan na sila sa isat-isa.
Saka lang ako nakiki-alam kapag nagiging pisikal na ang away nila.
"Cara, let him go. Ayokong mabahiran ng dugo ang kotse ko." Sita ko kay Cara and she thankfully let him go.
"Gosh! Anong ginawa mo sa buhok ko? Do you know how long it takes me to fix this?" Mangiyak-ngiyak na litansya ni Marco habang tinitignan ang sarili sa salamin.
"Like I care." Inirapan lang ito ni Cara na nakabusangot.
"You grip like a f*cking hawk!" Sigaw ni Marco na masamang bumaling dito.
They fought all through out the ride. I tried turning on the radio but their voices overpowered my speakers so I had no choice turn it back off again. What sin have I done from my past life to deserve a friend and a cousin like them? It should be considered a curse!
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang makarating kami sa venue. Napanganga nalang si Cara habang inililibot ang tingin sa ganda ng lugar.
"Woooooow! Bakit ngayon ko lang alam ang lugar na to'? Gusto ko dito din ang venue ng kasal ko. This place is beautiful, I'm speechless!" Cara exclaimed in awe.
Tinapunan lang siya ng masamang tingin ni Marco. "Speechless daw eh andami nang sinabi."
Susumbatan pa sana ito ni Cara pero pumagitna ako sa kanila.
"Tama na yang away na yan ah. Naririndi na'ko." Sita ko sa kanilang dalawa nang lumapit ang coordinator ng kasal sa amin.
"Good morning, I am Penelope Grendel. Your flowers are all ready." I smiled offering the lady a wide smile.
She smiled back and accepted my hand. "Yes, thank you. Call me Hana, you arrive just in time. These flower's are beautiful!"
"We give the best to our customers."
Pagkatapos nito ay nagtawag siya ng mga lalaking tumulong sa amin sa pagbubuhat ng mga bulaklak. This place is full of busy people. Some were arranging the tables and decorating the place.
I was carrying a basket full of fresh flowers which is not that heavy when a pair of arms took it away from me. I was about to scold whoever that was butI managed stopped when I saw who that is.
"I'm happy to meet you again, Penelope. I'll take this." Nakangiting sambit ni Stephen Villanueva na hawak hawak na ang basket ng mga bulaklak. He was the guy I met at the fiesta yesterday.
"Oh, hi." Bati ko dito. "Thank you."
"No problem."
Tahimik lang ako habang naglalakad kami patungo sa lugar kung saan namin ilalagay ang mga bulaklak. I really don't know what to say to him. Why is he here anyway?
"I didn't expect to see you here." Maya-maya ay pag-uumpisa nito sa usapan.
"Me either. I delivered flowers for the event." Sagot ko.
"Tito ko nga pala ang ikakasal. It's his 20th anniversary with his wife and to celebrate, they're marry each other for the second time."
"That is so romantic!" I exclaimed in awe. They probably love each other that much to marry again. Sana ganito din kami ni Maddox kapag kami naman ang tumanda.
"Yes it is. Hey, Penelope." Tawag niya sakin.
"Bakit?"
Hindi ito makatingin ng diretsyo sa akin. Tinawanan nalang ito ang sarili habang umiiling.
"I'll be honest with you. Actually, ako ang nagrekomenda sa flower shop mo. Mamayang gabi pa ang kasal at wala naman talaga akong balak pumunta sa venue ng ganito kaaga pero nagbakasakali ako na baka pumunta ka. Good thing I made the right decision to come here." Pag-aamin nito na napakamot nalang sa batok sa pagkahiya.
There was silence between us for a few seconds. My mind was busy processing everything that he said, and when I realized what he was trying to say, I couldn't help but ask.
"Why would you do that, Stephen?"
"I don't know?" Natatawang sagot nito. "I just wanted to see you."
"I have a boyfriend." Iyan nalang ang nasabi ko. I know he never said anything about liking me but I'm not that stupid to realize his motive.
"I know that. Don't worry, wala naman akong balak na kahit ano. I just wanted you to know that I like you." Pag-aamin nito.
There, he said it! How is it possible? I don't even know him until yesterday.
"I-I don't know what to say. Sorry."
But then he gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't be sorry. It's actually not a big deal for me. I like you and that's it. I wasn't expecting anything more than that aside from friendship."
"Uhmm..."
"So? Can we be friends?" He smiled offering his hand.
"Of course." Pumayag na ako dahil wala namang masama kung tatanggapin ko ang pakiki-pagkaibigan niya. Wala naman daw siyang ibang motibo. Besides, he looked like a nice guy to me.
Sabay na lumapit sa amin sina Marco at Cara na kulang nalang maging hugis puso ang mga mata nila habang pinagmamasdan si Stephen. Ako tuloy ang nahiya para sa kanilang dalawa.
"Pinsan, hindi mo man lang ba kami ipapakilala?" Pasimpleng bumulong sa akin si Cara.
"Ano nga pala, this is Cara, my cousin and this is Marco my receptionist." Pagpapakilala ko.
"Nice to meet you, Cara. I'm Stephen." Nakangiting bati ni Stephen na nilahad ang kamay sa harap ni Cara.
"Nice to meet you." Kinikilig na sagot nito na kung hindi ko pa siniko ay hindi pa bibitawan ang kamay ni Stephen.
"Nice to meet you, bro!" Pagkatapos ay kay Marco naman ito bumati.
"You can call me, Marc or bro. Whatever you prefer." Malalim ang boses na sagot ni Marco.
Cara only rolled her eyes at Marco's act to be manly. He does that every single time, kaya naman mga taong malalapit lang dito ang nakaka-alam na lalaki din ang gusto nito.
Nakunot noong pinagmasdan ni Stephen si Marco. "Are you wearing foundation?"
Marco faked laughed in a deep voice and waved his hand in front of him. "Ako mag mi-make up? No way, bro! Ano lang toh... sunblock. Sensitive kasi ang skin ko sa sunlight. Alam mo naman sa Pilipinas sobrang init ng klima, we should protect our skin."
I pursed my lips to stop myself from laughing. Marco is such a great liar. Kung hindi ko lang siya nakitang naglalagay ng foundation kanina ay baka naniwala narin ako sa kasinungalingan niya.
"Marco, naka-lip gloss ka ba?" Turo ni Cara sa bibig nito. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Marco at kulang nalang sabunutan niya ang pinsan ko.
"Lip gloss? Ikaw talaga Cara makakalimutin ka na. Diba kumain tayo ng liempo kanina? Kaya siguro mamantika tong bibig ko." Pagsisinungaling ulit ni Marco na dali-daling naglabas ng panyo at pinunasan ang bibig.
"I see you already ate breakfast so can I treat you guys to coffee instead?" Stephen offered.
Tatanggi sana ako pero inunahan na akong sumagot nina Marco at Cara. At sabay pa talaga sila.
"Sure!"
"Great!" Stephen said in delight. "I think that the flowers are already being taken care of so shall we go now?"
At wala na nga akong nagawa kundi pumayag. Sina manag Delya at Manong Mario ay nauna nang umalis tutal linggo naman ngayon at wala naman talaga silang trabaho. It's just that the wedding is today and they need the flowers.
Dahil may sarili akong sasakyan ay magkahiwalay kami nila Stephen papuntang coffee shop. Nag-alok si Marco na dito nalang sumabay pero knowing Cara, hindi siya pumayag. Sa pagkakataong ito, ay magkaribal ang turing nila sa isat-isa.
So they both ended up riding with me, with Cara seating in the passenger seat and Marco at the back.
"Nakaka-asar ka talagang babae ka! It was my chance to be alone with him!" Galit na bulyaw ni Marco.
"Like I'm going to let you alone with him. There's no way in hell. He's mine!"
"And you think he likes you?" Taas kilay na tanong ni Marco.
Panandaliang natahimik si Cara ngunit sumagot din. "At sa tingin mo magugustuhan ka din niya? A guy like him, likes people with vag***, in short girls."
"Stop it guys. Wala sana kayong pinag-aawayan ngayon kung hindi kayo pumayag sa alok niya." Sambit ko na nakatuon sa sasakyan ni Stephen habang sinusundan kung saang coffee shop ba ito pupunta.
"Penelope naman, alam naming ang hot ng boyfriend mo, hindi ba pwedeng pagbigyan mo na kami sa isang to'?" Sambit ni Marco.
"Oo nga naman pinsan. I admit, Stephen is not as hot as Maddox but he is indeed hot! Kaya palalagpasin pa ba namin to?" Pagsang-ayon ni Cara.
"Sa ganyang bagay na nga lang kayo nagkakasundong dalawa, iyong hindi pa ako payag. Poor Stephen, he have no idea what he brought himself into by inviting you both for coffee." Umiiling na sambit ko na pinarada ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang coffee shop kung saan tumigil ang sasakyan ni Stephen.
"He actually wanted to invite you, wala lang siyang choice na isama kami dahil nandon' kami." Komento ni Cara.
"Right. Masakit mang tanggapin pero, ang haba ng buhok mo Penelope! Ikaw na!" Marco exclaimed.
"Shut up guys."
Stephen marched towards my car and opened my door before I could even do it.
"Thanks." I said giving him a half smile. I'm kind of guilty that I'm having coffee with other guy. Although, kasama ko naman sina Cara at Marco, I'm still anxious!
I feel like I'm cheating on Maddox. Good thing their team had a practice game today, kaya naman hindi ito nakipagkita akin ngayon.
Habang nag-uusap kaming apat ay biglang lumapit sa amin si Luke na galing sa kung saan.
"Hey guys!" Bati nito sa amin. "Hindi ko alam na magkakilala pala kayo."
"What? You also know, Penelope?" Tanong ni Stephen.
Umupo naman sa tabi nito si Luke at umakbay dito. "Of course, I'm her boyfriend."
"You're kidding me right? Parang malabo yatang magkagusto sayo si Penelope." Natatawang sambit ni Stephen.
Hindi ko alam na magkakilala pala ang dalawang ito. At base sa pakikitungo nila ay mukhang malapit sila aa isat-isa.
"Grabe ka naman sakin, bro. With this face and body?!"
"You're such a liar, Luky. Ang alam ko ay wala kang girlfriend ngayon. Tell me Penelope, is he telling the truth?"
Natatawa nalang akong umiling sa kanilang dalawa.
"See?! Napakasinungaling mo talaga, Luky."
"Stop calling me, Luky or I'll call you Stephy." Pagbabanta ni Luke. "And for your information, I am her boyfriend, you know, a guy friend so don't accuse me of lying little Stephy." Litansiya ni Luke.
"Luky? Stephy? The heck?!" Bulyaw ni Cara.
"Oh, hi Cara." Bati dito ni Luke. Nagkakilala pala sila sa last game ng soccer team kung saan kasama ko siyang nanuod. "Magkababata kasi kami nitong si Stephen at iyan ang mga nickname namin noong mga bata pa kmi."
"Aw! That's so cute."
Napabaling kaming lahat kay Marco na mukhang nakalimutan yatang nagpapanggap siyang lalaki ngayon.
Marco coughed hiding the fact that he just spoke in a soft voice. "I mean those nicknames are cute for little boys. But stop calling each other that way. Masyado na yata kayong matanda para tawagin ng ganon'."
"Tinatawag ko lang naman siyang Stephy kapag gusto ko siyang asarin eh." Natatawang paliwanag ni Luke.
"By the way, I'm Marco." Pagpapakilala ni Marco.
"I'm Luke Hemmington."
"Hemmington? How are you related to Governor Carson Hemmington?" Tanong ni Marco.
"His my dad, not a big deal." Tila hindi komportable si Luke sa tuwing pinag-uusapan ang ama nito.
"Hindi ba may practice game kayo ngayon?" Tanong ko kay Luke.
"Yeah, later after an hour." Sagot nito.
"Guys, do you mind if I invite another friend in here?" Maya-maya ay tanong ni Cara.
"Sure." Nakangiting sambit ni Stephen.
Nagtaka naman ako kung sino ang kaibigan na tinutukoy nito pero nang dumating si Olivia ay alam ko na agad ang binabalak nito. Remember Olivia? She's the girl who is head over heels to Marco.
"Hey, Olivia! You can join us here." Tawag dito ni Cara. "Siya nga pala, this is Stephen and Luke."
"Hi." Sambit ni Olivia na hindi man lang tinapunan ng tingin ang dalawang lalaki at agad na lumapit kay Marco at umupo sa tabi nito.
"Marco, baby. I miss you. You haven't been answering my calls." Malambing na bati nito kay Marco na hinalikan ang pisngi nito.
Masama ang tingin ni Marco kay Cara na alam kong nagpipigil lang sa sarili. I know how much he badly wanted to shriek and run away from Olivia but he can't. Not in front of two gorgeous hunks.
Olvia is a pretty lady, sa katunayan ay maraming nagkakagusto dito pero basted ang lahat ng sino mang lalaking magtangkang manligaw dito. Si Marco lang ang kaisa-isang lalaking gusto nito.
Sa kabilang banda, nakangisi lang si Cara at halatang nag-ienjoy sa panunuod kay Marco.
"Whoa, may girlfriend ka pala, Marco. Nice, bro. She's very pretty." Luke said and gave Marco a pat in the shoulder.
Marco only nodded, trying to hide the smile in his face as he clearly like the way Luke was touching him.
"But I don't think she likes me as much." Dugtong ni Luke na inalis na ang kamay sa balikat ni Marco dahil binigyan siyang ng masamang tingin ni Olivia.
Olivia is aware that Marco is gay and the fact that there were two other guys with us is not making her happy.
"I don't appreciate you touching my Marco." Olivia said as she wrap her hand around Marco's arm possessively.
"Sorry, geez. It was just a friendly pat." Luke laughed and raised his amrs in the air to show submission.
They continued with their conversation when my phone rang. I excused myself and went outside the shop but I heard Luke shout, "Bilisan mo, redcheeks."
"Where are you?" Iyan agad ang bungad na tanong ni Maddox sa kabilang linya.
"I'm having a coffee with Marco and Cara." Sagot ko.
"I think I heard someone say red cheeks. Isang tao lang ang alam kong tinatawag ka niyan." Base sa boses nito, ay seryoso ito.
"Well... we have some company." Nag-aalangan ako kung sasabihin ko bang kasama namin sina Stephen at Luke. As far as I know, Maddox is not fond of the two.
"And who do you mean by 'we'?"
"You see, nag deliver kasi kami kanina ng mga flowers para sa isang event-"
"Babe. I'm asking who, not what."
"I'm with Cara, Marco and Olivia."
"I think you said that already." Madiin nitong sambit.
Huminga muna ako ng maluwag bago siya muling sinagot. "We also have, Stephen and Luke with us."
"That's it. I'm coming to get you." He said and then I heard the sound of clothes shuffling from the background. He must be putting on clothes.
"No need, Maddox-"
"Tell me where you are."
Napatingin nalang ako sa relo sa kamay ko at nasapo ang noo ko. "Maddox, it's only eight. I thought you have a practice game later? You don't have to come here. I want you to attend your game, okay?"
"But-" He was about to argue but I cut him off.
"Paalis narin kami. Wag ka nang pumunta."
"You know I'm jealous right now dahil may kasama kang dalawang lalaki. I don't like you being with other guys." He said in a frustrated voice.
"Correction, hindi lang sila ang kasama ko. I have Marco and Cara with me." I tried to explain if that would make him feel better.
"Fine. Tell that a$$hole who calls you redcheeks if he's late even for a minute, I'll have him do a hundred push ups and run around the oval ten times."
I laughed in relief. "Sure, Maddox. I'll tell him that. See you tomorrow at school."