"You just got home?"
Pilit ko na inangat ang ulo ko para tignan ang pinagmulan ng pamilyar boses, "Hey, Good morning. Yeah, my best friend gave birth a few hours ago. Look!" Excited na ipinakita ko sa kanya ang larawan ng baby nila Reece.
"Looks adorable.." Nicole gushed at the picture. Nakatayo lang kami sa hallway, "I guess coffee day today is a no. You better get some sleep." Sumilip ako sa relo ko sa kamay saka tinignan ang suot ni Nicole. Just a white comfy shirt and a pants but looks so extra on her.
"I didn't expect you to be up by 8-ish for coffee." I look at Nicole apologetically. She's up so early! Akala ko makakatulog pa ako ng isang oras. This is the negative side of no communication at all. I better look awake!
"Nah, It's okay. No one knows that your bestfriend will be having her baby---"
"Tuloy tayo." Pilit ko kahit na ramdam ko ang pagod at antok, "Pasok ka muna sa unit ko while I take a quick shower." I opened my door for her but she just stood there, "I won't try anything, I swear." She rolled her eyes at me but there's a smile on her lips.
Pumasok na kami sa loob at pinagmasdan ko lang si Nicole na kinikilatis ang disenyo dito sa loob, "Boni did all the creative stuff here. Have a seat." Turo ko sa leather couch ko.
"Maligo ka na." Utos nito saka dumampot ng magazine na ako ang cover girl. Mabuti at ang napili nito ay iyong pinakamaganda ako.
Mga kalahating oras ko lang naman pinaghintay si Nicole, lumabas na ako ng kwarto ko at nadatnan ito na nagbabasa pa din. Itinago ko ang paghikab ko.
"Hey." Pukaw ko sa kanya. Tumingin ito sa akin at ngumiti.
"I hope you didn't mind me lurking around." Umupo ako sa tabi nito.
"Not at all. So, tara?"
Umiling iling ito, "You look like you need to sleep, Yas." Lumabi ako, "We can reschedule." Tawang sabi nito.
"But I can't reschedule what today is. I will have to wait for another year for this day." I pressed, "Sanay ako na walang tulog kaya 'wag kang mag alala."
Hindi pa rin ito kumbinsido, "How about I make us coffee with that." Tumingin ito sa coffee maker ko.
I turned to her, "You sure?"
"Positive." Tumayo na ito at nagtungo sa kitchen ko. Pinanood ko lang ito na parang eksperto kalikutin ang coffee machine ko, "I will only make you a mild one, yeah?" I heard her say.
"Uh okay." But deep inside me wanted to stay up. I don't want to waste today.
Binuksan ko na ang account ko sa instagram and got a hefty number of notifications and messages greeting me. I instantly smiled while reading a few. I took a quick snap of myself for my Instagram story with Nicole's side view busily making me coffee. Naglagay din ako ng 'Coffee ASAP Please.' Sa baba ng picture namin. I hope she doesn't mind me posting this.
People will assume again but not that it's new and I do not mind if they think I am dating Nicole. She's a reaaaal score.
"What are you smiling at?" Nagulat ako ng dumating si Nicole na may hawak na dalawang mug. Kinuha ko na iyong akin at nilanghap ang amoy nito.
I sighed in content, "Just that you look good in my kitchen." Biro ko, "Thank you for this." Humigop na ako ng kape kahit na mainit pa ito. I really need it inside my system now.
"Your plants are dying." Puna ni Nicole sa mga Money Tree ko, "Sayang naman ang mga 'to." Nilapitan nito ang mga halaman ko.
"I am not really good at keeping things alive, I tried but they seem to give up on me." I had a lot of attempts but still failing. Inaantay ko na lang na tuluyan ang mga ito na malanta para mapalitan ko na ng plastic plants.
"Maybe you didn't care about them at all. Baka puro pang decor lang dito sa unit mo." She said to me straightforward. Sasagot sana ako ng biglang may tumatawag sa phone ko. I looked at my screen and saw Lexi's name.
"Excuse me, Nic. I have to answer this." tumango naman ito at pinuntahan na ang mga halaman ko.
'Hey, Lex.'
'Happy Birthday, Yassy! I think you are celebrating this day differently, am I right? I want more details on your IG story soon.'
Napatawa ako, 'She's just a friend---'
'I can't believe you are seeing Nicole Lagdameo!' Sabay nito sa akin at napatigil ako. Uh what? Nicole is a Lagdameo? I am having a mixed emotions right now. I slowly turned at Nicole who's back is facing me, 'Ah so you two are not dating? Akala ko pa naman! Sasabihin ko pa sana eh finally!'
Ipinatong ko ang kape ko sa mesa at tumayo para lumayo konti ng hindi ako marinig ni Nicole, 'A Lagdameo? As in Vince Lagdameo?' Sana hindi... sana hindi...
'Yes, I know they are related and I can't be wrong because I met her twice before.' Napahinto ang kaibigan ko baka siguro na-realize na nito ang sitwasyon ko ngayon, 'Yassy... forget what I said, fuck. I'm sorry.. I am so stupid.'
"Yas, you okay there?" Nicole asked.
'I gotta go and let's catch up later. Bye.' Ipinatong ko na ang phone ko sa tabi ng kape ko saka humarap kay Nicole.
"I'm fine just... tired maybe." I am still absorbing what I learned.
Tumango si Nicole, "I told you to go to sleep. What's up?"
Umiwas ako ng tingin, "May naalala lang ako."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Lumapit ito sa akin.
"Are you related to Vince Lagdameo?" Napatigil ito bigla sa tanong ko. I couldn't help myself from asking. I just need to know now.
Hindi ito agad nakasagot, "He's my brother. Half brother to be clear." Bakit hindi ko alam na may kapatid si Vince? I couldn't tell by Nicole's features that she's his sister.
Alam ko na mukha akong dismayado sa narinig ko at hindi ko magawang ilihim ito kay Nicole, "You should go."
Nicole looked taken back, "What does my brother have to-----"
"I said, you should go." Inulit ko ng mas mariin.
Hindi na ito kumibo at umalis na. Napahiga ako sa sofa sa pagkadismaya. Of all people, why does she have to be related to Vince?
-Knock Knock-
It was already getting good.
I covered my face using the throw pillow beside my head and ignored it.
-Fast Forward-
I wasn't able to sleep and I feel so disoriented. Tuwing makukuha ko na ang tulog ko ay tutunog ulit ang door bell ko dahil may dumating nanaman na delivery ng bulaklak, regalo, balloons o cake na mula sa mga kaibigan ko, kamag-anak o hindi kaya mga ina-advertise ko na mga products.
It was too late for me to realize na pwede ko naman abisuhan ang information desk sa baba na sila na muna ang tumanggap ng mga pinapadala sa akin. It's been so long since the last time that I spent my birthday in the country, I am usually in the overseas.
Pinagmasdan ko ang paligid ko. My unit looks lively with the flowers and balloons. Naalala ko bigla si Nicole at nahagip ng mga mata ko ang kape na nakalimutan ko nang inumin. Dinampot ko ang mug saka tumungo sa kitchen para painitin ulit ito sa microwave.
I know I was to harsh on my sudden action earlier but this is for my own peace of mind.
Nilabas ko na ang kape ko mula sa microwave at mabilis na ininom ang laman nito. The taste lingers in my tongue... too bad that this will be the last coffee made by Nicole.
Technically, I am more than 24 hours awake now. Nag-ayos ako ng sarili at medyo kinapalan ang makeup ko para hindi halata na inaantok ako. Sanay na ang mga magulang ko na hindi sa bahay nagaganap ang kaarawan ko. More like days before or after it. Am I a terrible daughter because of that? As usual, bahala na sila Aldred sa venue ko today.
Pumanhik na ako sa ground parking area. I know, it's not wise for me to drive my car but I don't care. This will be a good excuse for me to exit the party. I can't get drunk 'cause I am driving.
Pumunta na ako sa Gypsies, a new bar that Aldred invested in. My birthday will be a good PR for his business as he puts it. As soon as I went out of my car, I saw Nicole and Bea talking with each other. I just stared at Nicole for a second then started walking away. Awkward. Bakit dito pa nila naisipan gumala. Nicole looks so gorgeous though.
It will be hard for me to stop looking at her... I will just admire her from a distance from now on.
Ngumiti ako sa mga tao na nakakasalubong ko. Iyong iba na nahuhuli ko na kinukuhanan ako ng video ay kinakawayan ko na lang din. I smiled at my friends as soon as I found them, "Happy Birthdaaaay!" Sigawan ng mga ito saka niyakap ako isa isa.
"Thank you! Glad that I have you guys! Wala na sana akong planong lumabas ngayon." Umupo na ako sa tabi ni Cody.
"I don't believe you." Saad nito, "Daig mo pa ang ibon sa paggala." Lahat sila sumang ayon sa kanya.
"Fine but that was before." I raised a finger, "I am now cutting off my bad routines."
"Cheers to that!" Sabay sabay nilang sabi then we all made a toast, "To Yasmine Bernice Monteverde's new life."
I laughed, "Amen." I didn't finish my drink because if I do recklessly drink, I might end up drunk as early as 8pm. That's a major no. The night is young and so am I still.
Napansin ko si Nicole na naglalakad papunta sa dulong table. Wala akong kilala ni isa sa mga kasama nitong babae bukod kay Bea. Guys are staring at her now too.
"Yassy." Hinarangan ni Lexi ang tinitignan ko ng di nito alam, "I hope I didn't spoilt your mood earlier."
"Not at all, Lex. I needed to know that anyways." I affirmed her. Nicole's already warming up in me and thank God it was only that, "How come I didn't know that Vince have a sister?" Bigla kong naalala ang sinabi ni Nicole dati na nag aral siya sa London. That maybe explains why I didn't see her before.
"Dad told me that Vince's father got someone else pregnant before. You know that cliché set up from the likes of those young businessmen who got into a fixed marriage." Really?
"Have you heard that Reece gave birth today?" I changed the topic. Tumili ito ng malakas.
"Oh my god, we already know! Aldred said that Reece must have forgotten it's your birthday! If she did, she could have induced herself to not make it today." Tawang tawa ito sa sinabi niya. Maging ako man ay natawa din dahil totoo ang sinabi nito.
"Yassy, I know that you and Reece are not okay---"
"Ayos na kami." Putol ko kay Che, "She even said that if I still want Quinn then I should go for it." Nagtinginan ang mga ito at biglang sumeryoso ang mga mukha nila, "Oh bakit bigla kayong nanahimik?"
"Inaantay ka lang namin magkwento, iyon ay kung meron ka lang naman gustong sabihin sa amin." Si Aldred.
"Nagkita na ba ulit kayo?" Diretsong tanong ni Cody. Lumapit ang mga ito ng husto para marinig ang sasabihin ko.
"Yes, she wants to reconcile and also we talked... about Hope." Napainom ang mga ito sa mga alak nila, "Alam ko na sa puntong ito may mga gusto kayong sabihin sa akin. Pero gusto ko lang na malaman niyo na hindi ako pumayag."
"Cheers!!!!" Sabay sabay nilang sigaw na ikinagulat ng mga tao sa paligid. Aldred guided me to raise my glass and drink my shot which I did.
"I am so relieved!" Hawak pa ni Che ang puso nito saka ako niyakap, "But Yassy, I know how much Quinn means to you. At the end of the day, what matters is what you really need. Whatever you decide, alam kong pinag-isipan mo ito ng husto. I am not going to judge you." Bulong lang nito sa akin.
"Thank you." I smiled her, I catch Lexi's eyes, "What?"
"I wish I didn't tell you that Nicole is Vince's sister." Mahinang ika nito.
"Bakit naman? Soon enough, malalaman ko lang din. Kaya no worries, Lex."
"For that obvious reason that I do not want you back with Quinn again and I want you to find your way back to Love. It was traumatizing to see you before, Yassy. So, I don't blame Reece for being so hard on you." Alam ko na ito ang talagang nasa loob ni Lexi. Friends who does not tolerate are for keeps right? Kaya siguro pakonti ng pakonti ang mga kaibigan ko dahil bibilang lang ang talagang nagpakita sa akin ng pagpapahalaga. Even if their harshness matches the reality but their difference is that they do not mean to destroy you.
"We've been what? Friends for more than a decade. Kahit bihira na tayo magkita kita ay gusto ko na malaman niyo na andito lang ako kapag kailangan niyo ako." Cody said.
"Awww..." we all said to him.
"Let's make another toast." Aldred clears his throat, "To Yassy rejecting Quinn, for a better luck in the love department, to more years of friendship and to Boni and Reece's baby." I chuckled lightly.
"Cheers." I gotta drink this all.
"How are you all feeling tonight!" Sigaw ng babaeng dj na on deck. I tried to get a better view of her and I think I have seen her before, "It's too early to get effed up y'all. By the way, who wants some dessert? Bring that out boys!" Lahat ay naghiyawan sa sinabi nito. Pinatay ang mga ilaw sa paligid ng ilang segundo.
"Happy Birthdaaaay!" Malakas na sigaw mula sa speaker at nang buksan ang mga ilaw ay may malaking cake na mayroong nakasulat sa gitna nito na YASSY. Sinabayan pa ito ng sariling Happy Birthday remix ng dj. We turned to each other and she smirks at me. Okay, I may have hooked up with her before?
Everyone chimes with the song, nahihiya akong maglakad papunta sa harapan dahil isipin mo na lang na pumunta dito ang mga tao para mag-party tapos biglang may pa-birthday pala, imagine the hype that could've been made instead. Cameras are all aimed at me so I made an effort to smile brightly.
Pagkatapos ng mga ito na kumanta ay humirit na ang mga ito ng birthday wish. You know what my heart desires, Lord. I will take what I can get. Pagkabukas ng mga mata ko ay napansin ko si Nicole na nakatingin sa akin. Hinipan ko na ang cake at nagpasalamat sa lahat.
Kinuha ko ang mic sa dj, "One round on me!" Sigaw ko at ano pa nga ba? Lahat ay nagalak sa sinabi ko dahil sa lakas ng sigaw ng mga ito.
We all agreed to go home at 10 pm because of our different priorities like work, family, or in my case... sleep. Bago pa magbago ang isip ko na iuwi iyong magandang dj.
After hours of happily partying, I got drunk and my tiredness tripled. Mabuti na lang at kinaya ko pa mag-maneho pauwi ng Condo ko.
I leaned on the side and closed my eyes as tiredness consume me. I sighed, what's taking this elevator--- Once I opened my eyes, I found Nicole watching me closely.
"Can you walk by your own? Or should I ask the guard to guide you instead?" She asks. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng mapansin na wala ako sa elevator kung hindi ay nakasandal lamang ako sa sasakyan ko. Crap. This is embarassing.
Tumayo ako ng tuwid at iniwan na ito. I shaked my head to wake myself up.
"What is this cold treatment about, Yasmine?" Hinabol ako nito, "Yasmine..." Hinarangan nito ang daanan ko papasok sa building.
"It's Yassy, remember?" Sinubukan ko na maging mataray pero hindi ko magawa.
"I know my brother isn't the nicest guy but what does it have to do with me?" She confronts me, "I normally don't care if people do not want to be friends with me but what bothers me is the reason why they do not want to. You were practically begging me to notice you then in the blink of an eye you are pushing me away."
Pinili ko na hindi ito sagutin at mas binilisan ang paglakad ko para habulin ang elevator. But of course, Nicole will catch up.
"Very childish, Yassy."
Nilabas ko ang phone ko para kunware busy. The elevator comes to an abrupt stop causing me to bump to Nicole. Na-out balance kami pareho kaya bumagsak ang katawan ko sa ibabaw ni Nicole na hindi mo maipinta ang itsura.
"Ouch.." Bumangon ako at umupo sa tabi. No shit, mukhang nagka-Power failure ang building dahil emergency light lang nito ang nakasindi. Tumayo si Nicole ng may konting layo sa akin. Kinuha ko ang phone ko na nahulog sa tabi para tumawag ng tulong.
"Help! Help! We are inside!" Sigaw ni Nicole. Pinanood ko lang ito na paulit ulit sa pagsigaw at pinipindot ang open button ng elevator. I dialed the emergency number ng building but there's no cell signal. Oh come on.
"Hindi ba't ayaw mo akong kasama? Tulungan mo kaya akong sumigaw dito para may makarinig sa atin nang makaalis na tayo dito." Iritang sabi nito, "We can die here!"
"Help!!!!!!!!!!!" I shouted as loud as I can, "Happy?" Tanong ko sa kasama ko.
Naningkit ang mga mata ni Nicole at dahan dahan na lumapit ito sa akin, "I've had enough of this. What's your problem?"
I looked into her eyes, Thinking of you being related to that guy... angers me.
"It doesn't concern you." Was all I could say.