Everybody in the gymnasium was wondering when the student body president back in 1985 and Raffy's ex-girlfriend Kristy Borromeo now Sebastian would finish her decade long boring welcoming speech. Some fell half-asleep, some bit their nails till they bleed and some began their side conversations with friends that they haven't seen for a long time. It was so much like a high school assembly when nobody really pays attention to what the speaker is saying. For some parts, there are still an immature side of them despite their ages.
When Kristy finally did, everyone started applauding, not because she's done a great job making them all feel welcome but because the speech they've been waiting for to be over is done so they can get back to business.
Not a whole lot of people really liked Kristy back in high school anyway. Unless they're wannabes. She was the beauty but her attitude was rotten. Daddy's girl, got the guys she liked and considerably the one of the most popular girls in school because of those but a lot of girls didn't like her for being a snob but liked her and tried to get along with her because of her high school status.
Raffy and Stella were almost in the gymnasium when Raffy felt Stella stiffen.
Raffy looked at Stella who turned pale and asked what's wrong. Stella shook her head.
"Nothing,"
Raffy didn't believe her for a second. "Stella, I'm waiting."
Stella knew Raffy meant he's waiting for her to tell him what's wrong. They've been best friends and they know each other's cue.
Stella swallowed, "Kinakabahan lang ako."
Raffy snickered and took a step closer to Stella, already knowing why she was nervous. "You shouldn't be. Sila ang dapat kabahan when they see Stella Pimentel after twenty seven years. If I'm not mistaken, still Pimentel right?"
For some weird reason, Raffy hoped she's still Pimentel.
Stella beamed and nodded. "Yes. Still Pimentel and single."
At that moment, that answer was enough for Raffy.
Stella held Raffy's arm and finally entered the scene.
...
"Miggy Salvador!" Kathy Robredo, one of the girls from Miggy's group in high school, appeared out of nowhere that seemed to scare Wendy although she did a great job of not showing.
"Kathy Robredo?"
"No longer Robredo. Esguerra." Kathy murmured.
"Napangasawa mo si Don?" Don Esguerra was Miggy's team mate from basketball.
Kathy nodded. "And we have four kids. Can you believe that?"
Miggy was about to say no. Don and Kathy were like oil and water. They never mixed in high school. Kathy was also close friends with Helga and Don used to annoy her a lot. For Don, annoying Kathy was like his oxygen, he can't stand a day without annoying her.
"Oh ayan na pala si Helga e!"
Miggy felt his whole world stop. He knew for a moment that he lost his breath. It also seemed like it was still part of his instinct to turn around when he heard Helga's name and saw her.
The woman whom he had created his future with. His first love.
Miggy and Helga held each other's eyes. Helga was no longer the a little bit chunky girl with bangs and long wavy hair.
She wasn't the girl he used to know.
She stood next to a tall, good looking enough guy and Miggy readily admit they look good together.
She stood next to him like a dream come true.
Her hair is shorter. Now shoulder length and still chestnut brown, she had also completely lost the baby fats she used to have. Her face now is more defined, more mature (obviously).
What really caught Miggy's attention though was Helga's brown, almond-shaped eyes that stared back at his. They look lost. No longer the jolly and always positive which he loved most about her back then.
He didn't realize they walked up to them. It was silent for a while until Kathy broke the silence and said something that really made everything more awkward.
"Akala ko kayo ang nagkatuluyan!" When Kathy realized Helga was holding the other guys hand while Miggy was holding Wendy's.
Helga let go of their eye contact and said, "It's nice to see you again guys. This is my boyfriend Paolo. Pao, this is Kathy, my friend from high school. And... And this is Migo-- Miguel. Miggy. The guy from the yearbook."
Miggy noticed two things. Helga stopped herself from saying Migoy which was the name she used to call him back in when they were still together. She was the only who who can and did call him Migoy.
Second, right after Helga mentioned Miggy was the one from the yearbook, she avoided his glance.
Miggy had to wonder, did Helga tell Paolo about their past?
"It's very nice to meet you Paolo, I'm Kathy and my family's on the other side so I can't really introduce them to you guys."
"Nice to meet you Paolo," Miggy shook Paolo's hand.
Helga was still avoiding his looks.
"And guys, this is my fiancee Wendy. Wendy, these were my friends from high school. Kathy... and Helga."
Miggy and Paolo notice Helga became anxious. "Sweety, are you okay?" Asked Paolo. Helga tried to smile but Miggy could help but look at her eyes and saw something different from what they saw when they first came in.
He saw hurt that totally deters her smile.
"Wow! Engaged ka na?" Surprised, Kathy asked. Still not realizing the awkwardness surrounding the five of them.
"It's about time di ba?" Miggy teased, still trying to look at Helga's expression that remained indifferent.
Kathy laughed. "Sa bagay. By the way, it's nice to meet you Wendy." Kathy hugged Wendy.
"It's nice to meet you too Kathy. I love meeting Miggy's old friends." Wendy chanted.
Helga cleared her throat. "It''s nice meeting you Wendy. Nice to meet the woman... the woman to finally make Miggy settle down." Helga hugged Wendy as well and when they let go, Wendy spoke.
"It's very nice to finally meet you Helga. I've always been wondering who the girl with Miggy was on his year book."
Helga smiled tentatively. "Excuse me guys but I just have to use the bathroom."
...
***To those who have read Chapter One at nabasa nyong girlfriend lang ni Miggy si Wendy, pinalitan ko na sya. Inedit ko na din and ginawa ko ng fiancee para magkaron ng konting thrill. Abangan ang Chapter Two kung saan mag-vevent out na si Helga at kung pano ipagtatanggol ni Raffy si Stella sa kanyang mga 'nemesies'.***
