Taste of Life

13

"Huy, explain mo na friend lang ako. Please lang. Ayaw ko po ng gulo." Annie pleaded. Nandito na kami sa harap ng bahay nila. Ang dami dami niyang sinasabi.

"Hindi naman ganon si Eli."

"Explain mo ah. Wag mo kalimutan magdala ng burger, milktea, at fries." Dagdag niya pa. Kanina pa siya paulit ulit sa mga iyon. I told her na Eli is not even a fan of milktea. She's a coffee person. She would rather have a Latte.

"Whatever. Go na. Mattraffic na ko."

She waved goodbye bago pumasok sa gate. To be really honest, hindi ko na rin alam. But I followed what Annie said, I bought food before heading to Eli's unit.

Pagdating ko roon, nagdoorbell ako pero wala nanamang sumagot. Hindi ko na alam if dapat ko bang gamitin ang susi ko or hindi na dapat. I tried to ring the doorbell one more time. I tried calling her too pero hindi rin siya nasagot. So I decided to wait sa labas ng pinto niya. I texted her that. I let her know I'm waiting. Na kahit tanggapin nalang niya yung food kasi sayang naman. But my messages got delivered lang.

While I was contemplating if sa lobby nalang ba ko maghihintay para makaupo ako sa sofa kesa sa floor, I heard the elevator ring. So doon ako napatingin. Lowkey praying na sana siya na yun. Pero I was disappointed kasi it's just someone from the same floor.

Napatingin rin siya sakin bago siya pumasok sa unit niya. I just shrugged. I waited a bit more.

I tried calling her again, pero hindi talaga siya nasagot. So I called Annie instead. Hoping na hindi pa siya tulog. It's just 9pm.

"What? What happened?" Annie asked when she answered.

"Are you sure it's a bad idea na gamitin spare key ko? Kasi I'm waiting for an hour na sa labas ng unit niya. And I'm starting to get worried. She's not answering her phone."

"Uhm. Try to open it tapos kapag walang tao. Wait sa labas ng unit."

"Okay I'll knock and call before doing that."

"I'm just allowing you kasi baka she passed out again."

"I'm scared."

"Don't be. Just ring the doorbell then call her."

I didn't answer anymore and put her on hold. I used my spare key to open the door.

The unit is pretty clean. And my hunch is right, she's not here. I'm just overthinking now. I locked the door again and talk to Annie.

"She's not inside. Sayang food na binili ko."

"Eat it. Baka gutom ka na. Hindi ka pa nakain. And I almost eat everything kanina sa yacht." She reminded me. I just nodded and start unwrapping the food I brought. Bahala na. Totoo namang gutom ako.

I put Annie on the loud speaker while I'm munching on the burger and fries. She's just ranting about an essay she's making. And how it won't solve the poverty in the country. I just listened.

Natapos na kong kumain but Eli isn't arriving. I'm starting to think that I should go home.

"Should I go home, Annie?"

"To be really honest, feel ko oo."

"I'll wait until 11pm. If wala pa rin siya, I'll go home."

"Okay. I'll sleep now. Balitaan mo nalang ako. Good night! Take care." She said before ending the call.

I just stayed there, sitting like a kid. Imagine ang tangkad tangkad ko pero nakaupo ako sa floors outside a unit. Oh, Eleanor, the things I'd do for you.

When the clock ticks at 11:01pm, I stood up. Walked a bit kasi parang nangalay yung legs ko.

After stretching a bit, I head to the elevator and pressed it. Lowkey praying that she's there when it opens.

But she wasn't.

I got inside and went down. I don't know but I feel like I'm walking super slowly.

Pasakay na ko sa kotse when I heard her voice. Her drunk voice.

"You know what, ang haba ng pila but look where am I? Doing stupid things for my best friend? Aha. Stupid." She said while someone is guiding her towards the lobby.

"Shh. Ingay mo Eli." The guy said. Eli just closes her eyes. Is she asleep? Really? That drunk?

I went near them.

"Hi. I'm Eli's best friend. Thank you for bringing her home but I can't take it from here." I smiled and tried to carry Eli on my arms but the guy held Eli's arm tightly.

"Bro, sorry. I can't. I promise Eli, ako ang maguuwi sakanya. Gabi na. Umuwi ka nalang." He said. Napakunot ang noo ko.

"I'm seriously her best friend."

"I know. Troye right?"

The guard stepped in between us. Bago ko pa man mabangasan yung mukha nitong kausap ko.

"Idol, siya yung nagsusundo pag busy ka." He confirmed. Lalong kumunot yung noo ko.

"See? trusted 'to." He said and smiled sa guard. He continued to walk while guiding Eli.

I was so torn.

But I ended up accepting my defeat. I watched both of them went inside the elevator. I even saw the guy smirked.

Annoying but then, it's okay. I'm glad Eli got someone who'll be taking care of her when I'm gone.

Or when I decided to be gone.