First Impression Last Impression?

Chapter 3 ✔️

As they reached their vehicle, panting and out of breath, Gretchen volunteers to drive them back once they settled inside. The car swerves and speeds through the highway, even sila Alyssa, Marge and A— sitting on the backseat and passenger seat, respectively— was slipping on their seats with Gretchen's reckless driving.

"Hoy! Baka may mabangga ulit tayo!" Aillysee smacked the back of the driver's headrest.

" 'Wag mo ako sigawan! Baka bumangga talaga tayo!" Sigaw pabalik ni Gretch.

In the back of the car is a drowsy Alyssa and a queasy Marge, who couldn't help but fish out another stick inside her pocket, and light it. Nagising nang dahil dito si Alyssa, not liking the smell, and the idea, of nicotine freely staying inside the vehicle, she pressed a button from her side to roll the windows down.

"Ugh," the five-foot-nine Phenom groaned.

"Walangya naman, Margarita, oh." Reklamo ni Gretchen, finding the younger one's eyes in the rear view mirror to which Marge only shrugs in response.

"Si ate A kasi, eh!" She exclaims.

"Siraulo ka. Ako na naman sinisi mo!" Saad ni A nang lumingon ito sa kaibigan.

"Ang eerie kasi ng vibe mo!" Marge nervously laughs. "Ina-anxiety ako sa'yo," she added.

Alyssa mockingly scoffs, focusing on the view outside rather than the unpleasant smell of the burning cigarette stick inches from her. Gretchen rolled down all the windows of the car, para tuluyang lumabas ang mabahong amoy ng sigarilyo. Wala na ring nagsalita pa sa mga natitirang minuto ng kanilang byahe. The quartet was all having a hard time finding reasons as to why their fathers called their immediate presence.

~~~

   Mr. Nacachi, on the other hand, was impatiently awaiting for his daughter to arrive, and Mr. Valdez poured him a glass of whiskey in order to ease his mind.

Clearing his throat, "they'll be fine, Nicholas." Mr. Tejada pats Mr. Nacachi's shoulders as he walks past him to peek through the window.

"Pala-isipan pa rin sa'tin ang mga pangyayari 7 years ago, Timothy." Mr. Nacachi remarks. "Nag-aalala lang ako para sa mga bata."

"Ipapaalala ko lang sa inyo, ha. Hindi na sila mga bata pa." Sabat ni Mr. Ho sa mga kasama. "May mga sariling utak na 'yang mga batang pinag-uusap natin."

"Look, may point kayong lahat... pero tama si Henry. They're not kids anymore." Ani ni Mr. Valdez. "We can't do anything but to support and guide them," he added.

"Oo nga, Vince, pero katulad ng sinabi ni Nicholas. Pitong taon na, nguni't patuloy pa rin tayong nakatunganga at walang magawa." Mr. Tejada sighs in disbelief. "Pakiramdam ko—"

"Otōsan." All four heads turned to see their daughters come in from the front door.

"Aillysse," Mr. Nacachi heaved a sigh of relief when he spotted the four incoming fgures. "Girls, glad you can make it."

"Sorry, we're a bit late, Tito." Alyssa waved at everyone.

"Looking good, Tito," clicking her tongue, Gretchen strode through the living room; nagmano ito sa kanyang mga tito at niyakap ang kanyang ama. "Pa, hello po."

Marge, Alyssa and A exchanged knowing looks once they hugged their fathers, as Gretchen continues her faux innocence to her father, who obviously has an idea of what her daughter is up to. Mr. Nacachi, Mr. Tejada and Mr. Valdez also has big grins plastered on their middle-aged faces.

"So, anong kailangan mo?" May nakakalokong ngiti nitong tanong.

Gretchen pouted, while everyone in the room laughs at her behaviour.