"Hey, where are you going?" I heard Macy call out.
Agad akong napatigil sa paglalakad para lingunin siya. Our classes had just ended, and we had stepped outside the room. "Girl? I told you earlier na kailangan naming pumunta ng coffee shop,"
She had assumed I would accompany her to the ladies’ room to retouch our makeup.
Her lips parted in confusion. "What?! Edi sino kasama ko papunta sa Rustans?"
I shrugged my shoulders, but two girls immediately popped into my mind. "I'll text Gracia and Gaia, wait a minute" then took my phone out of my skirt's pocket.
"Uy, tara na" rinig kong bulong ni Markus nang madaanan ako.
Nauna na ang iba at agad na dumiretso papunta sa elevator para bumaba.
I rolled my eyes at him upward when I looked at him, but he just let out a laugh.
"Wait, wait…don’t rush me,"
Amara decided to go to a nearby coffee shop to continue our draft, so she could also supervise us. I just texted Yus about that so he wouldn't wait for me.
To: Gracia
Hey, Gracia. Macy wants to go Rustans. Can you go with her?
Then, I scrolled through my contacts to find Gaia’s number.
To: Gaia
Gaia, girl. Gracia and Macy will go to Rustans.
Sabay akong nakatanggap na sagot sa kanila at natatawa kong pinakita ang sagot nilang dalawa kay Macy.
She let out a chuckle. "You decided for Gracia?"
"Well, Gracia can't live without her daily visit to high-end stores, so I know for sure that she can't say no,"
Nagbaba agad ako ng tingin sa phone na tumunog na naman. I assumed it was from the girls, but to my surprise, an unknown number had texted me.
From: Unknown
Hello po. I saw you earlier but was scared to approach you:)
I raised a brow. Oh, really? Where?
Ignoring the message, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and turned to Macy again. “Anyway, I’ll go first. I already texted the two, so wait for them here. Even though I want to come with you, I can’t” I chuckled apologetically.
She gave me a faint smile, which made me feel a little guilty. "Okay, see you tomorrow nalang” then she pressed her left cheek against mine.
"Alright. See you tomorrow," I waved goodbye.
Habang naglalakad papunta sa elevator ay kinawayan ko pabalik ang mga nakakakilala saakin. My gaze caught Yus talking to a girl carrying a stack of books before they entered a room.
I pressed the 'down' button and checked my nails while waiting. My short almond nails were painted baby pink this month, but I was starting to feel like changing them. Should I go for white for a clean look? Or red wine for a bolder statement?
From afar, I saw my groupmates standing outside of our building. With slight brows furrowed, I stepped outside.
"Oh, I thought nauna na kayo sa coffee shop?" I asked them.
Half of them looked back at me.
"Hindi, bumalik lang kami. We can't find coffee shops with vacant tables," Leona said.
I nodded. "Which coffee shops na ba napuntahan n'yo? I know a place kasi but I don't know if na check n'yo na,"
They listed the places they had already visited, and I smiled when they didn’t mention the one Yus and I often went to since it was a bit hidden.
"Okay. Since the coffee shop that I was pertaining to was not mentioned, doon nalang tayo" I said.
"Let's go, then" they all said, and we started walking without hesitation.
Nasa coffee shop na kami at nakapwesto na sa sari sariling upuan. Leona and Ben were fighting over something that was not related to the business plan.
I remembered that somebody make a rumor about them dating. Para namang hindi totoo kasi palagi silang magkaaway.
Leona rolled her eyes. "Bakit ko pa kasi naging kagrupo 'to…"
Ben scoffed. "Woah? Parang kasalanan ko,"
"Woah, parang kasalanan ko?" Leona mimicked, making exaggerated faces.
Natigil agad sila nang nasita sila ng iba naming kasama dahil silang dalawa lang ang nag iingay dito. I glanced around and caught a few annoyed glares directed at us.
Markus let out a chuckle, clearly enjoying their argument. "Aso't pusa kayo palagi ah? Ganyan ba talaga kapag mahal n'yo isa't isa?"
His statement made me returned my attention to them. Nakahalukipkip at prenteng nakasandal si Markus sa kaniyang upuan habang nakangisi sa dalawa.
Agad siyang pinandilatan ng mata ni Leona. I stifle a chuckle as I watch them bickering.
"Ew? I don't like stupid guys. They are annoying as hell," she retorted.
"The hell, bro. Payag ka nyan? Tanga ka raw?" Markus teased Ben.
"Sana tinanong mo muna ako kung gusto rin ba kita," Ben sneered.
"Pero hindi ba talaga totoo na you two once date?" I intervened.
Curious na kasi ako kahit noon pa. I heard that rumor when we were in the club, celebrating someone's party.
Both of them fell silent and looked at me. Leona remained quiet while Ben chuckled and shook his head, earning a glare from her—or was it just my imagination?
"No. We're not dating and never will be," Leona said breathily as she shifted in her seat after glancing at Ben.
I nodded, without asking any more questions. What she said was enough. "Alright,"
Nang dumating na ang orders namin ay kinuha na namin ang sari sariling drinks pagkalapag ng waitress sa table. Then Amara cleared her throat.
"Stop muna kayo sa away na 'yan. Mag focus na sa pinunta talaga natin dito," she said.
Sa kalagitnaan nang paggawa ay panay ako konsulta kay Amara sa ginagawa ko kung tama. Hinarap ko sa kaniya muli ang laptop para makita niya nang maayos.
“Hm…” She scrolled through the digital pages. “Ayusin mo lang ‘tong part na ‘to… ito… at ito.” She highlighted each section I needed to revise.
My lips stretched, forming a smile. "Thank you,"
The table fell into silence as everyone focused on their work. I caught Markus looking at me from across the table. He winked playfully.
My lips parted in confusion, making him let out a chuckle. I did not want to pay any more attention to him, so I went back to what I was revising.
Mag dadalawang oras nang natapos kami sa ginagawa.Some stretched their arms and necks while Amara did the final review.
I let out a sigh. Finally, our work here was partially done.
Ben groaned. "Ang sakit na ng likod ko,"
"You think we care?" Leona scoffed at him.
Inasar na naman sila ni Markus hanggang sa nag ayos na kami ng mga gamit para makaalis na. The coffee shop was starting to fill up, so we needed to free the table.
Palabas na sana kaming lahat sa coffee shop nang may tumawag na nagpatigil saaming tatlo nila Amara at Markus. But Amara step outside after glancing to the group of guys.
"Hey, the one with a white headband" one of the boys called.
"I actually have a name," I flashed them with a faint smile.
"My friend wants to know your name. Kanina pa nagagandahan sa-" then groaned when he earned a nudge from someone who was sitting beside him.
The guy who nudged the person who indirectly called me gave me an apologetic smile before sipping on his drink.
"Ano ba? Akala ko ba gusto mo malaman pangalan?" the guy who was now caressing the side of his body after that nudge.
"Ewan ko sa'yo. Nakakahiya ka," the other guy glared at him.
Yung ibang kasama nila ay tahimik lang na nanonood saamin. I even caught someone who was looking at me from head to toe as he bit his lower lip.
"So, what's your name?" he asked again. The one with a buzz cut and an arrogant look on his face.
"Azalea. And now, if you'll excuse me..." I said.
Before I could walk away, an arm draped around mine.
"Hey, please stop being disrespectful. Nandito ang boyfriend," Markus said.
I looked up to him to glare before flashing the guys an apologetic smile. "No, he's not"
Kasabay nang sinabi ko ay ang pagtanggal ko sa braso niya saakin. I stepped outside, feeling the immediate heat of the sun.
"Hey, that was actually fun" Markus chuckled from behind.
"Fun? You've got to be kidding me. That was no fun," I scoffed in disbelief, still walking.
Nakatayo si Amara sa malapit na store habang abala sa phone. I kept on walking as I finally reached her.
"Nauna na 'yung iba," she said and I just nod.
"Ikaw? May pupuntahan ka pa?" I asked, a bit curious since she was still here.
She shook her head. "No. I was actually waiting for you," then she glanced at someone and I immediately felt Markus’s presence standing behind me.
I held her gaze, anticipating what she was about to say.
"My cousin wants to invite you. He was celebrating his 19th birthday. Crush ka raw kasi," then let out a chuckle.
My lips parted with wide eyes. "Oh... alright. When ba? At anong oras?"
"This Saturday...mga 4 pm. Are you available ba? I will tell him agad," she asked with a smile.
"Wait, let me check my calendar" I took my phone out of my pocket.
I was nearly fully booked this month because some already made plans with me and I had already agreed.
Pero dahil bakante naman ako sa Sabado ay tumango ako sa kaniya at ngumiti.
"Sure. I'm available pala this Saturday,"
"Wow. Daig pa nangangampanya sa sobrang daming pupuntahan ah," Markus teased.
Neither of us reacted to him. She typed on her phone before saying 'thanks' and left first.
I sighed before looking up at Markus. "Mauuna na ako sa’yo. I hope you had a great day." Then, I walked off in the same direction as her.
"Bye!" he called out with a laugh.
–
When I got home, I went straight to my room to change. As I passed by the mirror, I took a good look at myself.
My cheeks were flushed from the heat outside, and my lashes were still curled. I looked gorgeous despite the sunny weather.
Pagkatapos ay dumiretso na ako sa banyo at naghubad na. I tied my hair into a ponytail after removing my plain white headband before stepping into the shower.
The cold water flowed from my neck down to my toes, making me sigh in relief. It instantly cooled me down.
I didn’t take long in the shower. After wrapping myself in a bathrobe, I stood in front of the sink and washed my face with a gentle cleanser, rinsing with lukewarm water.
Feeling refreshed, I sat on my bed and reached for the telephone on my side table. Auntie Dani wasn’t home, which meant Yus was alone right now.
"Azalea," he greeted.
"Hi, Yus! Come over for dinner later,"
"Hm? Sure," he said.
With eyes widened, I let out a chuckle. "That was easy. Anong nangyari?"
It is so hard to pilit him kaya that’s why nakakagulat na ang bilis niyang pumayag!
"Huh? Why? Do you want me to start an argument with you?" he scoffed.
"No! That’s not what I meant..." I groaned. "Basta pumunta ka dito mamaya. I’ll wait or else—"
"I know, I know..." he let out a chuckle.
I ended the call, then opened my side table drawer to grab my iPad. Since Amara hadn’t updated us on the business plan yet, I figured I should do something instead of waiting idly.
That would be boring~
I quickly browsed different fashion websites, looking for outfit inspiration. I had a birthday celebration, an open-party to host, and a dinner date with the girls to attend.
I groaned. The struggle of being a girl.
"Hmm, this looks cute," I muttered, interested in a dress I found.
It was a cream-colored, square-neckline midi dress. It would look great with champagne-colored ankle-strap heels and dainty jewelry. But this kind of outfit was more suited for a formal event.
Should I wear this to the open-party? Or sa birthday celebration nalang?
Napabuntong hininga ako dahil hindi ako makapag desisyon nang maayos na susuotin. I immediately looked at my phone beside me that beeped.
I received messages from two different people, so I checked them both.
From: Amara
Hi, Azalea. My cousin is so excited to meet you. Hindi raw siya mapakali lmao
I let out a chuckle as I typed my response.
To: Macy
OMG. I can't also wait to meet your cousin <3
From: Macy
Gosh, Azalea. You should have come with us. We saw a lot of engineering students here. They are so yummy and pogi!!
To: Macy
I'm not interested HAHAHA
Instead of replying to her next message, I turned my phone off. A knock from outside informed me that Yus had arrived—and so had my mom.
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