Chapter XXIII
"WHAT happened to your eyes?" kunot-noong wika ni Plum. "Did you cry all night?"
I looked away. "Of course not."
"Kung ang iba mapapaniwala mo, ibahin mo ko. Matagal na tayong magkaibigan, Tatiana."
"We're not friends, Plum."
Umirap siya. "Best friends."
"I don't do any kinds of friends."
"Nagsimula rin naman kayo ni Elias sa pagiging magkaibigan."
I glared at her. "I said don't mention him."
"Dahil naiiyak ka lang?" ngisi niya. "Grabe ka pala magmahal, Tatiana."
"Isa pang banat, ipapakain ko sa'yo 'tong kutsara."
"Let's eat our brunch na." Naupo siya sa harap ko. "Mom called me. She wants us to be early there."
Tumango na lamang ako at nagsimulang kumain. Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng kabusugan nang may mag-doorbell. Agad akong tumayo at tinungo ang intercom.
Gano'n na lang ang pagtaas ng kilay ko nang makita sina Yara at Jill. Sa muling pag-doorbell ay doon ko pa lang binuksan ang pinto.
"Stay there," I warned frigidly. "What's with the sudden visit? The last time I check, we're not on the same boat."
"You're right," mababa ang tonong anas ni Yara. "He's with another girl."
"Sinundan namin siya sa sinabi mong condo unit," mahinang sabat ni Jill. "Pero hindi kami pumasok."
"And why is that?" I raised my eyebrow. "That's your chance to raid the place and kick both of their ass."
"Alam kong may kasamaan din ang ugali ko pero nang oras na 'yon, nanghina ako," pag-amin ni Yara. "Hindi ako nakakilos at umiyak na lang. Hindi ko alam na mangyayari sa akin 'yong mga eksenang ginagampanan ko sa teleserye."
That's the worst part of being a girl. No matter how hard you try not to be emotional, you always end up being emotional.
"Next time, drain your tears. Keep your head up high and your middle finger higher."
Mahina siyang natawa at pinalis ang luha. "Hindi ko alam kung pinapagalitan mo ba ko o binibigyan ng advice."
"Consider both," irap ko. "But I really hope you get inside that unit, para mas malaman niyo ang totoo."
Nagkatinginan sila at nagtatakang tumitig sa akin. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"
"I'm inviting you in our mansion next week. And by that, you'll know the answer."
"Bakit hindi pa ngayon?" atat na saad ni Yara. "Para isahan na lang ang pagmo-move on ko."
"Tinutulungan na nga kita, ako pa ang mag-aadjust? Abuso ka, ah?"
"Oo nga naman, bes," tawa ni Jill saka tumingin sa akin. "Take your time, Tatiana."
"Go home. Marami pa akong gagawin. Hindi ko kayo maaasikaso ngayon."
Tipid na ngumiti si Yara. "Thank you."
"Si Elias ba hindi mo tatanungin?" alanganing anas pa ni Jill. "Baka lang naman."
YOU ARE READING
Drops of Divine
Narrativa generale"One day, we will meet again but only when the time is right. I will be standing in the light. And I'll give you drops of divine." A Captain of special operations unit of French Armed Forces, Tatiana Rae Gilbert acts tough and arrogant, but hides he...