"Girl, yung ngiti mo umabot na ng Parañaque. Easy ka lang." Julie said, pulling me out of my reverie. "Di lang kami kumain dito, ang dami niyo nang ganap ni Brad!" Mika added as they sat beside me on the couch. I still didn't say anything, because I didn't know where to being either way.
Speechless ka kasi kinikilig ka?
Maybe.
Don't deny it, girl. I can feel it. I'm pretty sure they can too.
They?
Mika and Julie.
Oh. Right.
"Rina, magsalita ka naman. Ano nangyari at biglang nagtrend kayo ni Brad?" Mika asked. "W-wala. I mean, I'm sure nakita niyo tweet ko diba? Then nagtext si Brad. Ayon, nag-offer na samahan ako magdinner. Eh paglabas namin sa may likod ng Green, may mga nakasalubong kaming fans. May mga nagpapic sa kanya at humingi ng video greet. Nakita ko na lahat sila gusto magpapicture. So inisip ko na kuhanan sila ng group photo. Hindi ko naman inakala na makikilala nila ako. Eh biglang may nagtanong sakin kung ako daw ba yung nasa tweets ni Brad. Hindi ko alam kung ano sasagutin ko kasi nga ayoko na magkaissue o ano. Itong si Brad naman, sumagot agad. Ako nga raw yung sa tweets. Tapos yung isang fan, nagtanong kung pwede kami picturan. Pumayag naman kami. Tapos ayon. Di ko naman inexpect na kahit pati photo namin ni Brad popost nila eh." I explained then looked at the tweet again.
"Well, you're all over Twitter now. For sure, di ka tatantanan ng mga tao. Ano na plano mo?" tanong naman ni Julie. "I guess just let it be? Nangyari na eh. It's not like I can just deny and take it all back." I answered. "Point taken. She can't deny kasi si Brad na mismo yung nagsabi. Plus, may proof sila, which is yung photos. She'll just get bashed if ever she does deny it." Mika added.
I checked my phone again and saw that notifications keep popping up one after the other; and to think that's only Twitter. What more Instagram? "Grabe. Famous na best friend natin!" Julie said as she peeked at my phone. "Oo nga eh. Hoy, wag mo kaming kakalimutan ah." Mika added as she put down her phone. "Mga sira. Enough about me. Hoy Julienne. Ano na meron sa inyo ni Josh at mukhang madalas na kayong lumalabas?" I asked as I locked my phone and put it on the table. Mamaya ko nang aasikasuhin yung social media life ko.
"Actually, oo nga. Ano meron sa inyo ni Cruz? Nililigawan ka na ba niya?" tanong rin ni Mika. "Teka. Bakit ako lang yung may mga tanong? Hoy, Vasquez, may utang ka rin samin na kwento ah. Di mo pa sinasabi kung ano nangyari sa inyo ni King." sagot naman ni Julie sa amin ni Mika na nagpatawa sa aming tatlo. "Luh. Bakit ako? Ikaw yung una namin tinanong ni Rina! Ikaw muna sumagot." sabi naman ni Mika kay Julie.
Halata naman na iniiwasan ni Mika na pag-usapan namin sila ni Migs. Ganyan talaga yan. She usually wants to keep things to herself until she's either ready to speak up about it or Julie and I force it out of her. Most cases, it's usually the second one; but with this case, I think it's best to wait for her to open up about it. Si Migs naman, usually yung boys yung kausap, and when I say usually, I mean we find out his side of the story after the problem.
"Eh ikaw naman tong mas matagal na issue! Really, Mika? Ang hilig mo maglihim samin. Minsan nakakatampo na." sumbat ni Julie. "Tumigil nga kayong dalawa. Baka magkapikunan pa kayo. Julie, mauna ka na magkwento. Mas magaan yung kwento mo eh. Isa pa, parang di ka pa nasanay sa kaibigan natin. Hayaan mo muna yan. Magsasalita din yan. Hindi nga lang ngayon." sabi ko sa dalawa. Sa tagal kong naging kaibigan yung dalawa, alam ko na si Julie ay mapilit sa kwento habang si Mika naman mabilis mapikon.
Wow. Parang ikaw hindi pikon ah?
Wala naman akong sinabi na hindi ako pikon ah.
Pero hindi ka rin naman umamin.
Pag umamin ba ako, mananahimik ka? Kita mo naman may kausap ako.
Maybe.
Oo na. Pikon na ko. Okay na? Masaya ka na?
Yes, and thank you. Bye.
"Ugh fine." Julie answered as she rolled her eyes at us. "Ganto kasi. Josh and I have been talking ever since they added us on Facebook. We've gone out a few times, but nothing really special. Madalas kaming lumabas after ng klase ko or before ng training nila. Walang nakakaalam. Kahit sina Brad at AJ walang alam. Usually pag lumalabas kami, sinasabi namin sa inyo na mga kaibigan yung kasama namin. Tulad kanina. Technically, hindi kami nagsisinungaling sa inyo pag sinabi namin na mga kaibigan kasama naming kasi magkaibigan talaga kami." she added.
"Buti napapakalma mo puso mo. Diba matagal ka nang may gusto sa kanya?" Mika asked. "Oo. I actually started to like him more when we got to know each other." she answered. "But the million dollar question is, nililigawan ka na ba? Hoy Julienne Angelica, kailangan dumaan muna samin yan bago ka ligawan ah." I said as I hit her with a pillow. "Baliw. Hindi siya nanliligaw. Sinabihan ko naman siya na magpaalam siya sa inyo at siyempre sa magulang ko bago siya manligaw." she replied as she hit me back.
"So ano plano mo ngayon?" Mika asked as she stood up to get her iPad from the bedroom. "Go with the flow, I guess. Besides, I want to take things slow. Ayoko madaliin 'to just because idol ko siya." Julie answered. "Naks! Ang mature na ng best friend natin, Rina!" yelled Mika as she hit Julie with her pillow. "Pucha. Bakit ba ako yung hinahampas niyo?" she shouted as she grabbed her pillow and began hitting the both of us; causing a pillow fight.
After the pillow fight, we decided to get some water. "Thursday bukas diba?" tanong ni Mika habang kinukuha yung tubig sa ref at nilagyan niya ang mga baso namin. Kinuha namin yung mga baso namin at uminom. "Oo. Bakit?" tanong naman ni Julie pagkatapos niya ubusin tubig niya. "Tara, Happy T tayo bukas." sagot ni Mika. Nasamid ako sa iniinom ko dahil sa sagot ni Mika. "Ano? Seryoso ka ba? Bakit?" tanong ko sa kanya nung hindi na ko umuubo. Tumango lamang si Mika habang nilagay ko yung baso ko sa lababo. "Problemado, malamang. Game ako. Ikaw, Rina?" sabi naman ni Julie habang pabalik siya sa sofa. "Sure. You know I rarely say no to drinks." sagot ko habang kinukuha yung phone ko.
"Hoy Katrina Alexis. Hinay-hinay sa inom bukas. Smirnoff Mule lang iinumin ko." Babala sakin ni Mika habang nagta-type sa iPad niya. "Gago. Red Horse lang naman iinumin ko eh." sabi ko sa kanya habang tinitignan ko yung ibang notifications ko sa phone. "Red Horsa nga, ilang bote naman iniinom mo." biglang sabi ni Julie habang nagbabasa siya ng libro. "Bahala nga kayo diyan. Maliligo na ko." sagot ko kay Julie at naglakad na ko papunta sa kwarto namin para kumuha ng gamit.
I went to the bathroom to take a shower after getting my things from the bedroom. After taking a shower and changing into my pajamas, I went out of the bathroom to see the two still on the same spots. "Night guys. See you tomorrow." I said as I walked back to the bedroom.
I need to go to sleep already since I have class tomorrow morning. I unplugged my phone from the charger and set my alarm for tomorrow before checking my Twitter one last time before heading to bed. While waiting for my timeline to refresh, I suddenly received another text from Brad.
From: Brad Martinez
Hey, Rina! Training got moved to the usual time tomorrow. Free for lunch? 😊
11:30pm
I couldn't help but smile when I read his text.
Malamang. Kinikilig ka eh.
Shut up. Kahit ngayon lang please, tantanan mo ko.
Ayoko nga. Teasing you is fun.
Ang hirap mong pakisamahan, alam mo yon?
I know. That's why you love me.
Uhm, I never said I did?
It's called self-love, babe. No choice ka.
I thought about my schedule tomorrow and remembered that my class is until 12:30, so we'll most likely be eating lunch at around 12:45. Bahala na. I'll just reply first then just wait for what he'll say.
To: Brad Martinez
Hey! 😊 Yeah, sure. But I have class until 12:30, remember? ☹
11:32pm
Yun oh. Nireplyan na niya boyfriend niya.
He's not my boyfriend!
Yet.
Ugh. I hate you.
Love you too. Goodnight.
While waiting for his reply, I decided to go on Twitter again.
@_katrinaalexis: It was a fluffy night. Missed those moments with you guys! @jaenriquez @MikaVasquez46
Just as I sent the tweet, he replied.
From: Brad Martinez
It's fine. My class ends at the same time anyway since namove nga yung training, so no problem 😊 I'll just text you after my class 😊
11:38pm
To: Brad Martinez
Oh okay. Sure. Pero paano presentation natin? :O
11:40pm
From: Brad Martinez
Sa Saturday nalang! Like you said, we have week. So, game? 😊
11:42pm
To: Brad Martinez
HAHA. Okay okay. Saturday it is. See you tomorrow then. Goodnight! 😊
11:43pm
From: Brad Martinez
Goodnight, Rina! 😊
11:45pm
After replying, I turned off my internet since my notifications were at it again. I locked my phone and placed it beside my pillow. As I was about to close my eyes, I heard someone yell from outside. "Damn it, Rina! Tuloy-tuloy nanaman notifications ko sa Twitter!" Mika yelled from the living area. I chuckled a bit then went to sleep.
I woke up the next morning and did my usual routine before heading out. I decided to grab some coffee and breakfast from Bo's before heading to Yuchengco Hall for my morning class. I arrived fifteen minutes before my 7:30 class, so I decided to use my phone and eat the food I bought while waiting. The notifications in Twitter kept coming after I connected to the school's wi-fi. I scrolled through my timeline until the professor arrived.
Our professor had us go through some past lessons before giving us our activity, and as usual, if we finished early, we could go home already. After the activity, I fixed my things and left the room to go to my next class. While walking, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I took it out and saw that I got some texts from Mika and Brad. I read their texts and replied to Mika first then replied to Brad after.
From: Mika-mik
Hoy babae. Tuloy tayo mamaya ah? 😉 No backing out! 😝
9:02am
To: Mika-mik
Opo, Tita! Tuloy na tuloy mamaya! 😂
9:03am
From: Brad Martinez
Good morning! 😄 Still on for lunch later? 😊
9:01am
To: Brad Martinez
Good morning! 😊 Yup! Just text me where. See you later! 😄
9:05am
I locked my phone and made my way to my next class. I got to the room and took a seat. Since we had a quiz for this next class, I reviewed some of my notes until my phone lit up and showed that Brad replied.
From: Brad Martinez
Alright! See you! Goodluck with class 😄
9:15am
I wasn't able to reply since I was still reviewing. After a few minutes, our professor arrived and asked us to keep our things except for our pens and correction tape. He was about to distribute the papers until his phone rang. He stepped out of the room for a few minutes, which gave us a bit more time to review. When he entered the room again, he distributed our papers as we kept our reviewers and began the quiz.
After a while, the professor asked us to pass our papers then leave the room afterwards. I was on the way to my last class for that morning when I got a notification from our Facebook group and a classmate of ours said that our professor couldn't make it and just wait for the files that need to be read to be uploaded; included in the announcement is that we will also be having a make-up class tomorrow afternoon.
Pagdating ko ng Henry Sy, dumiretso ako sa may bean bags at nilapag ang gamit ko sa tabi ng isang bean bag. Humiga ako at chineck ko muna social media accounts ko.
@_katrinaalexis: Free cut for my next class! Nap time 😴💤
Pinatay ko agad yung wi-fi ng phone ko bago sumabog ulit yung notifications ko. Hininaan ko muna yung volume sa phone ko bago ko ito pinatong sa bag ko dahil baka mamaya sobrang lakas ng ringtone nito pag may tumawag. Nakakahiya kasi nasa LRC pa naman ako. Pinikit ko ang mata ko at umidlip ng saglit. Nagising nalang ako nung narinig ko na nagriring yung phone ko. Pagtingin ko sa screen, nakita ko na si Brad yung tumatawag. Agad ko naman ito sinagot.
"Hello?" sabi ko pagkasagot ko ng tawag at humikab. "Hi Sleepyhead. Nasan ka? May lunch pa tayo diba?" sagot ni Brad sa kabilang linya. "Meron nga. Nasa Henry Sy ako. Umidlip lang kasi free cut yung isang class ko." sabi ko at umupo ng maayos. "Oo nga eh. Nakita ko tweet mo. Mag-ayos ka na. Papunta na ko. Miscall nalang kita kapag nasa ground floor na ko." sabi niya. "Sige sige. Bye." sagot ko at inayos na ang gamit ko. Pumunta muna ako sa banyo para ayusin yung buhok ko. Sakto nagmiscall si Brad nung patapos na ko mag-ayos. Tumingin muna ako sa salamin saglit para lang manigurado na maayos na nga itsura ko.
Maayos na yan. Baba ka na. Naghihintay Prince Charming mo.
Akala ko pa naman hindi ka magpaparamdam ngayong araw; and he's not my Prince Charming!
Well you thought wrong. Maaga pa naman eh. Oh, and stop being so nega. He will be. I'm calling it.
How do you know that? And please stop being conyo.
Says you. Parang ikaw hindi ah?
Well you are my subconscious. Lahat dumadaan muna sa'yo bago ako magsalita.
Bumaba ka na nga lang. Smart ass.
I left the comfort room and made my down Henry Sy. Pagdating ko sa ground floor, agad ko naman hinanap ang kaibigan ko.
Kaibigan. For now.
Kahit ngayon lang, hayaan mo muna ako.
Teka. Tinutulungan kita hanapin future jowa mo.
Hindi ko siya future jowa. Now, start looking please.
Mga ilang minuto ang lumipas bago ko nahanap si Brad. Nakatayo siya sa may kausap siyang babae. Matangkad din at mestiza ang itsura niya. Familiar din mukha niya. Athlete rin ata.
Malamang athlete yan. Kita mo naman na may dalang bag pang training. Selos ka?
Hindi!
Ulol. Don't me.
Hindi nga!
Eh bakit parang di ka makalapit?
Kasi nahihiya ako?
Nahihiya o natatakot kasi baka pakilala niya yung babae as girlfriend niya?
Hindi ako takot noh!
Prove it. Lapitan mo nga. Pag nagawa mo yon, hindi muna ako magpaparamdam sa'yo hanggang mamayang gabi.
Promise?
Promise. Now go!
"Brad!" I called out as I walked towards him and the girl. Brad turned his head and gave me a smile. I smiled back and looked at the girl beside him. "Sorry kung natagalan ako. Matagal ka ba naghintay?" I asked once I got to them. "Hindi naman. Rina, si Denise pala. Athlete din siya. Volleybal. Denise, this is my friend, Rina." he replied as Denise and I waved at each other. "Brad, una na ko. May training pa ko eh. Text text nalang. Rina, it's nice to meet you." Denise said as extended her hand and smiled. "It's nice to meet you too, Denise." I replied as I took her hand and shook it.
"Let's go?" aya sakin ni Brad. "Tara. Saan ba tayo kakain?" tanong ko sa kanya habang naglalakad. "Agno? Tapos tambay nalang?" tanong niya sakin. "G. Tara." sagot ko at naglakad na kami papuntang Agno. Pagdating namin ng Agno, marami nang tao at mukhang mahirap nang maghanap ng mauupuan.
"Mukhang wala nang upuan. Got a plan B?" tanong ni Brad habang naghahanap ng makakainan. "How about take-out then chill at the condo?" I suggested as I took out my wallet from my bag. "Pwede. Meet nalang tayo sa labas ng dorm?" he asked. "Yeah, sure." I replied, and we went our separate ways to buy our food. I decided to buy some Cantonese and water. I went to gate of their dorm since that's where we agreed to meet.
I was about to take out my phone to text Brad when he suddenly showed up in front of me. "Sorry. Did you wait long?" he asked as he took a sip from his drink. "Di naman. Let's go?" I answered and began to walk.
It was a quiet walk going to the condo; but just like the other quiet walks, it wasn't the awkward type. When we got to the unit, we put our food on the table and sat down then began to eat. "Tahimik mo ata. Where's your head at, Rina?" he asked while we ate our lunch. "I'm fine. Just tired, I guess. Ikaw ba?" I answered. "Okay naman. Medyo pagod rin, tapos may last class pa ko mamaya then training right after." sagot niya bago uminom ng tubig.
"Thursday ngayon ah. No Happy T plans after training?" tanong ko naman at tumawa ng marahan. "Hindi pa ko sigurado. Ikaw ba?" tanong niya sakin. "Surprisingly, meron. Nag-aya si Mika uminom." sagot ko. "Bakit? I mean, bakit biglang nag-aya si Mika? Eh sabi mo hindi naman umiinom yun. San kayo mamaya?" Tanong niya ulit. "Ayon, problemado kay Migs. Ayaw pa magkwento eh. Hindi ko pa alam." sabi ko habang pinupunasan bibig ko. Tumango lang siya at niligpit ang pinagkainan namin.
Kukunin ko na sana yung plastic sa ibabaw ng mesa pero kinuha niya agad ito. "Ops. Dito ka lang. Ako na magtatapon." sabi niya habang naglalakad papunta sa pintuan. Kokontra sana ako kaso nakalabas na siya ng pintuan. Pumasok muna ako sa kwarto para maghanap ng susuotin mamayang gabi. Nung makahanap na ko ng damit, nilabas ko sila at nilatag sa kama ko.
"Rina! You want dessert?" sigaw ni Brad mula sa labas ng kwarto. Lumabas agad ako pagkatapos ayusin ang damit ko. "Game. Sakto may ice cream diyan." sagot ko at naglakad papunta sa may freezer. Nilabas ko yung ice cream at naglabas ng pangsandok, mga baso, at kutsarita.
"By the way, my class for later just got cancelled. But I have a make-up class tomorrow afternoon. So I'm free until training starts." he said as he scrolled through his phone while sitting on the couch. I forgot we're both taking the same minor subject except at different schedules. We have the same professor for that class. Since the professor didn't attend our morning class, it's expected that he won't be attending his afternoon classes as well.
"Well, expected na rin since hindi naman umasok yung prof kanina. What do you want to do now?" I asked as I put the scooper in the sink and put the ice cream back in the freezer. "How about a movie?" he suggested, still scrolling through his phone. "Sure. Can we watch Les Miserables? It's been a while since it's I last watched it." I suggested as washed some of the used utensils and dishes. "Okay. I don't have a copy though. Meron ka ba?" he answered as he stood up and went to where I was standing to help dry the dishes. "Yeah. It's in my hard drive. It's on my laptop there on the table. Just plug it in the USB port behind the television." I replied as I brought our dessert to the coffee table in the living area while he turned on the television and plugged in the hard drive.
"Game?" I asked as I sat down. "Game." he replied as he walked to the couch and sat beside me. "Forgive me if I cry." I commented while I searched my folders for the movie. "It's alright. At least you warned me. So, already forgiven." he replied and we both chuckled. I played the movie and we began to eat our ice cream.
He took out his phone as the movie started and took a photo. "You better not post that. Sasabog nanaman notifications ko dahil sa'yo." I told him as I watched the movie. "Okay, but no promises." he replied and smirked. After a while, I noticed that he put down his phone and got his cup of ice cream. I took a glance at him and he looked like was holding in laughter while eating. I paused the movie and looked at him.
"What's funny, Brad?" I asked as I eyed him. "Nothing. Just don't check your phone." He answered as he was trying harder to hold in his laughter. It made me curious which made me put my cup down and get my phone to check what he was talking about. Pagtingin ko sa phone ko, nakita ko na tuloy-tuloy yung notifications.
Brad Martinez tagged you in a tweet
"Kian Bradley!" sigaw ko at hinampas ang braso niya nang makita ko na sumasabog nanaman yung notifications ko at tuluyan nang tumawa ng malakas si Brad. "Bwisit ka talaga kahit kalian. Kaya ako naiissue sa'yo eh." sabi ko sa kanya at nilapag ulit phone ko. "Grabe ka. Di mo man lang titignan yung tweet ko?" tanong niya at binaba yung tasa niya. "Paano ko titignan kung tuloy-tuloy yung notifications?" sagot ko at inirapan siya. "Sorry na. Tignan mo nalang gamit phone ko." sabi niya at binigay sakin ang phone niya para ipakita yung tweet niya.
@bradmartinez: Same Class + Same Prof – Different Scheds + Free Cut = Ice Cream & Movie! #nw Les Miserables with @_katrinaalexis 🙈 *insert photos*
"Alam mo, dahil sa kakaganyan mo kaya tayo maiissue eh." I said as I locked his phone and gave it back to him. "Ano nanaman ginawa ko?" he asked as I got my cup and played the movie again, not minding him. I guess he noticed that I got a little irritated since he stopped bugging me and watched the movie as well. Halfway through, I paused the movie then glanced at him. He was finishing the remaining bits of his melted ice cream.
"Hey." I said as I got my cup. "I'm gonna get some water. You want some?" I asked and stood up to walk to the kitchen area. "Sure. Thanks." he replied timidly. "Hey. You okay? Where's your head at?" I asked again as I got the pitcher and glasses and began to pour some water. "Nothing. I'm okay." he replied as he got a glass and drank it. "Let's continue?" he asked as he made his way back to the couch. "Sure." I replied after drinking my water and walked back to the couch to continue the movie.
At the end of the movie, I was wiping some tears. I stood up and got our used cups then washed them. "Rina, I'll go ahead. May training pa kami eh. Thanks again." he said and made his way to the door. But before I could even reply, he was gone. After washing, I got my phone and checked out my notifications and saw that people were tagging me as a reply to Brad's tweet.
Brad Martinez mentioned you in a tweet
@bradmartinez: someone's mad again :'( sorry na po @_katrinaalexis :((
I decided to just leave the tweet alone and just talk to him later. Pinatay ko muna yung wi-fi sa phone ko para makaidlip ako at nagset ng alarm para sa lakad namin mamaya.
Nagising ako sa alarm ng phone ko at sa sigaw ni Mika nang pumasok siya sa kwarto. "Gising na Katrina Alexis!" sabi niya habang hinahatak niya ang kumot at unan ko. "Ang ingay mo talaga kahit kalian Mikaela Eliana. Kita mo natutulog yung tao eh." I said as I rubbed my eyes and sat up. "Parang di ka pa nasanay. Dali na. May lakad pa tayo diba?" she added as she pulled me out of the bed. "Girl. Easy ka lang. Kaya ko naman maglakad." I said as I got my clothes and made my way to the bathroom.
I took a shower then went back to the room and got dressed. I wore my green pencil skirt, white tank top, and black cardigan. I fixed my hair into a half ponytail and put on my gold hoop earrings. I grabbed my essentials and put them in my black purse then left the room.
When I left the room, I saw my two friends sitting on the couch using their phones. "Ready?" I said as I closed the bedroom door behind me. They both looked up from their phones with the same surprised looked of their faces. "What? Does it look bad?" I asked as I looked at my outfit again. "No. Girl, you look great. Pero, tayo-tayo lang naman ah? Bakit ganyan get-up mo?" Julie asked as they both stood up to prepare their things. "Malamang, kailangan handa si girl. Baka mamaya may makita siya; or better yet, baka makita ni Brad." Mika answered as winked at me. "Sira. I'm not dressing up for anyone but myself." I said as I did some finishing touches on my hair. "Whatever you say, girl. Let's go. Kakain pa tayo." Julie said we made our way to the door.
Nagdesisyon kami na sa may Jollibee sa may tapat ng Archers nalang kami kakain para mura at malapit lang. Pagkatapos naming kumain, dumiretso na kami sa Sherwood para sa pre-game drinks. Pagkalipas ng mga dalawang oras, nag-aya ako na pumunta sa Chillout. Habang naglalakad na kami papuntang Chillout, napansin namin na medyo dumadami na yung tao.
"Rina, wag na kaya tayo tumuloy sa Chillout? Ang daming tao. Baka wala na tayong pwesto don." sabi ni Mika habang naglalakad kami sa may Agno street. "Okay lang yan. Saglit lang naman tayo eh. Just a few shots then we can go. Please?" sagot ko kay Mika. Paglingon ko kay Julie, napansin ko na may katext siya. "Julie. Sino naman katext mo?" tanong ko sa kanya. "Sina Chesco. Tinatanong kung asan tayo. Sabi ko papunta tayong Chillout." sagot ni Julie habang nakatitig pa rin sa phone niya. "Ano sabi nila?" tanong naman ni Mika kay Julie. "Sunod daw sila. Kakain lang daw sa Rodic's." sagot ni Julie sabay binulsa ang cellphone niya.
We walked past Downtown and went up the stairs going to the third floor that would lead us to Chillout. When we got there, the place was packed and loud; which was no surprise because it was Thursday. To be honest, the place isn't that big. Once you enter, you walk a bit and then you're already at the bar area, which was where we decided to stay since there weren't any more tables.
"Kuya, tatlong Smirnoff po." I told the guy behind the counter. He nodded and got our drinks. While waiting, the guy's co-worker placed three shot glasses in front of us. "Ate, ano po 'to? Para saan?" I asked as I got the shot glass in front of me. "On the house po, ma'am." she answered, and I nodded. "Ah okay po." I replied and looked at the two girls beside me who got the glasses in front of them. "Cheers, guys!" Mika shouted as she raised her shot glass. "Cheers!" Julie and I said as we raised our glasses as well and drank the shot together.
After a while, our drinks arrived and so did Migs, CJ and Chesco. They ordered their drinks and we began talking. "So ano meron at bigla kayong nag Happy T?" Chesco asked as he drank his beer. "Ayan. Biglang nag-aya." Julie said as she pointed at Mika who was now having her own world with Migs. "Seryoso ba yan? Mukhang malala na talaga yung away nila kung si Mika yung nag-aya." Franco replied. "Hindi niyo pa ba alam kung bakit sila nag-away?" I asked as I took a sip from my drink. Chesco and Franco shook their heads in disagreement. "Seryoso? That's a first. Kala namin alam niyo na since madalas magkwento si Migs." Julie said. "Yun nga eh. Surprisingly, hindi nagkkwento si Migs samin." Franco said as he transferred beside me. "Eh ayaw rin naming mamilit. Kaya ayon, hinayaan nalang namin." added CJ. "Mukha naman okay na sila. Tignan niyo." I said as they turned their heads to the couple I was pointing at who were now laughing and hugging.
The four of us continued to talk as the place continued to get filled with people. It suddenly felt hot, so I decided to take off my cardigan, leaving me in my tank top and skirt. "Wala na bang table?" Franco asked. Julie shrugged, and I turned around to see if there were any vacant tables.
Saktong pag lingon ko, nabigla ako sa nakita ko sa may table sa likod ko. I locked eyes with him and smiled and he smiled back. "Rina." Sabi niya habang naglakad ako papunta sa kanya para makipagbeso. "Hi Ken." sabi ko pagkalapit ko sa kanya. Pag tingin ko sa mga kasama niya, nakita ko na nandito rin sina Isaac, Richard, at Paolo. "Hi guys." bati ko sa kanila. Binati rin naman nila ako. "Rina, sino kasama mo?" tanong ni Richard. "Sina Mika at sina Franco. Kayo ba?" Sagot ko habang naghahanap ng table. "Yung team. Ayun sila sa may balcony." Sagot naman ni Pao at tinuro yung mga tao sa likod ko.
Pag lingon ko, nakita ko nga sa may balcony area yung ibang players. Nakita ko rin sina Brad, AJ, at Josh. Pero hindi na rin ako lumapit sa kanila dahil sa sobrang dami ng tao. "May table na ba kayo?" tanong ni Richard. "Wala pa eh. Nandyan lang kami sa may bar area." Sagot ko. "Just share a table with us. Para na rin hindi kayo sumisiksik don. Baka mamaya magkapalit pa kayo ng drinks niyan. Delikado na." Ken said. "Sure ba kayo na okay lang?" tanong ko sa kanila. They all nodded in agreement.
I texted Julie to tell them where I am and that I found a table. As soon as she got my text, they made their way to our table. All of us exchanged stories and laughter throughout the night. More drinks were ordered, and more shots were taken. I excused myself to go to the comfort room so that I could freshen up.
While squeezing through the crowd, I felt someone accidentally hit my shoulder. "Sorry." We said in unison as we both looked at each other; and I was shocked to see who it was. "Rina?" he said, in shock to see me. "Carlos. Ano ginagawa mo dito?" I said with a poker face, but also surprised to see him. "I could ask you the same question. Since when did you party and when did you start dressing up like that?" he asked me as looked at me from head to toe.
I was about to answer his question when a girl suddenly walked up to him. "Babe, what's taking you so-" she was saying until she saw me. "Oh. Look who we have here. Party girl ka na pala ngayon, Rina?" she said. "Hindi. Nagpasama lang yung isang kaibigan ko." sagot ko. "Talaga lang ah? Eh bakit ganyan suot mo? Trying to get a guy?" she spatted at me. "Tricia. Wag ka naman gumawa ng gulo dito." Carlos told her, but she didn't listen. I tried to keep my cool since I didn't want to make a scene either. "What? Totoo naman eh. Hanggang ba naman dito, Rina? Ganon ka na ba kadesperada? How pathetic." she said as she laughed then looked at Carlos. "I can't believe you dated her. All the more na nagtagal kayo ng tatlong taon." She told him and continued to laugh. "I may have been a pathetic person before, but at least I've changed. Eh ikaw? Hanggang ngayon ba naman Trisha, ang squatter ng ugali mo? Ano ba yan, Carlos. Papalitan mo na nga lang ako, sa may insecure at walang class pa yung pinalit mo sakin." I said as I smirked and crossed my arms.
"Ano sabi mo?" she said as she took a step closer. "Trisha. Please. Wag ka na gumawa ng gulo." Carlos said as he held her back. I could feel some people staring at us already. "Oh, bakit? Gusto mo ulitin ko? Sabi ko wala kang class at squatter yung ugali mo." I repeated, but with a louder tone. I saw her face full of anger and I just laughed at her. She then suddenly slapped me, which caught me off guard. "Trish, ano ba! Tama na." Carlos said as his hold on her became tighter. I rubbed my cheek then looked at her.
"You really shouldn't have done that." I said as I suddenly pulled her arm and shoved her up the wall, with my forearm pinning her against it. "Kung sa tingin mo hindi ako lalaban ngayon, nagkakamali ka. After what you did to me before outside my own house, hindi na ko papayag na basta-basta mo ulit akong tatapakan." I said as our faces were only inches away from each other. By that time, our surroundings were silent and I could feel everyone's eyes on us.
When I saw the fear in her eyes, I let go of my hold on her. "Bitch." I said as I slapped her, causing her to fall on the floor since she didn't get her balance back yet. I looked at her on the floor as Carlos was helping her up, then I looked at the people around us. I saw the faces of my best friends which were a mixture of anger and sadness; then I saw the shocked faces of the rest of the people in our table. I looked over to the other side and I saw Brad and his teammates with also shock in their faces. I looked at Trisha and Carlos who were now standing in front of me. I saw Trisha's face full of anger, while Carlos was looking at me with an apologetic face. I chuckled when I saw his face. "Don't make yourself look sorry, Carlos. It won't make me forgive you, and all the more it won't make me forgive her." I said in the silence of the crowd then walked out.
Naglakad na ko pabalik ng condo dahil hindi ko na kinaya. After all this time, masakit pa rin pala na makita siya ulit. Yung akala kong nabitawan ko na siya at lahat ng mga ala-ala namin. Akala ko okay na ko. Pero akala ko lang pala yon. Pagdating ko ng condo, agad akong nagshower at nagpalit sa pantulog. Nagtext si Mika na naiwan ko raw yung bag at cardigan ko, pero sila nalang daw mag-uuwi. Hindi ko na pinansin yung ibang mga text nila. Nakaupo lang ako sa may couch sa living area ng condo nang naisipan kong manood ng movie. Sinaksak ko yung hard drive ko sa may T.V. at hinanap ang Anastasia.
Ilang minuto palang ang nakakalipas pagkaumpisa ng movie nang may kumakatok sa pintuan. "Go away, Brad. I want to be alone." sabi ko at tinuloy ang pagpapanood ko. Pagkatapos ng ilang saglit, may kumatok ulit, pero hindi ko pa rin pinapansin. Lumipas ulit ang ilang minuto at may kumatok ulit.
I paused the movie and got up then walked to the door. "Ang kulit mo rin eh noh. I told you to go away because I want to be alone Br—Ken?" I said as I opened the door, surprised to see who it was.
"Hi Rina."