as soon as nallie opened the restaurant, hinanap niya kaagad si reika. but instead, si kio, feia, at iilang pamilyar na mukha ang nakita niya.
nagdadalawang isip siya kung lalapit ba siya pero nakita na siya ni feia. "ate nallie, here!"
everyone turned their heads on her, making her slightly anxious. pilit siyang ngumiti nang makarating siya sa table nila feia.
"w-where's reika?"
"may kinausap lang." si kio ang sumagot, mukhang wala sa mood. "ah, by the way, k-kasama raw silang kakain." turo ni kio sa limang lalaki sa harap niya.
"tol, 'yan ba si na-" bulong ni jisung kay chenle na siniko siya kaagad.
"hi! my name is mark. ah, we are haechan's friends. yinaya niya kaming kumain dito. we had no idea about his plan kaya pumayag kami. if you are comfortable, we can move to another table." magalang na bati ni mark.
mabilis na umiling si nallie. "no, no, no, it's okay! hindi ko lang ini-expect 'to. it's fine!" she said with a forced smile.
nginitian naman siya ng binata at inalok ng upuan. "hi! ako si jeno," bati ng isa sa kan'ya at inabot ang kamay.
"nallie," tanggap nito.
"renjun,"
"chenle, the cutest!"
"jisung, the youngest"
sunod-sunod nilang pakilala. natawa lang si nallie.
"hmm, they said they know you raw ate nallie. is this your first time meeting each other?" inosenteng tanong ni feia.
"ah, yeah." awkward na sagot ni nallie.
"ohhhh," tatango-tango nitong sagot nito. "by the way, your hair looks really nice! it suits you well." puri ni feia, nakaramdam ng awkwardness.
"t-thanks." awkward na sagot ni nallie.
silence.
silence enveloped whole table. a defeaning and awkward one.
suddenly, chenle cleared his throat. his friends knew he'd only cause trouble. "by the way, kailan ka pa nakabalik?"
"uh... 3 weeks ago?"
tumango-tango si chenle. "where have you been, pala?"
nallie once again forced a smile. "places?"
natawa lang si chenle sa sagot niya. "3 weeks ago? that's when ..."
nallie phone vibrated, causing everyone to look at him awkwardly. "excuse me," nahihiyang paalam nito.
