HINDSIGHT

005

"Ayan na siya." Bungad na bati sa akin ni Aira. I just got here at Rendezvous Cafe. We occasionally meet by the virtue of making an agreement to catch up each time we get together. Busy na rin kasi sila sa kanya kanyang buhay. They are already starting to take a leap with their long sought-for walk in life. As for myself, I am still figuring my life out, and I could never think of any other way to thank them enough for not criticising me nor rushing me in my endeavours. I am so grateful to have them by my side through peaks and valleys. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko without them by my side. "Speak of the devil." I heard Anika utter these words as I approached them. I bet my deteriorating system that Aira has hitherto divulged what I told her the last time we saw each other. Mabilis talaga kumalat ang balita.

Napailing na lang ako ng ulo.

"Ang saya talaga ng buong pagkatao niyo pag pinag-uusapan niyo buhay ng ibang tao, ano?" I condescendingly expressed to them. Daily occurrence na samin ito. This is our bonding: messing with each other. They both looked up to me and fluttered their eyelashes on me. I cocked my eyebrow and looked at them with disdain. I squinted my eyes on them. "Of course! Bakit namin id-deny kung totoo naman?" Anika said and turned her head on Aira. "Right, Aira?" She added. Aira nodded her head adamantly. It's them we are talking about. That is needless to say. Yan ang kasiyahan nila, who am I to speak ill of it? "I am just filling Anika with some recent updates in your life." Aira glanced at me and at Anika before they burst into an annoying, naughty way of laughing. Can somebody please enlighten me as to how I became best of friends with them? Kasi hindi ko rin mawari sa sarili ko kung paano.

"Anong balita? Did you ask him out already?" I took a seat beside Aira. I fixed myself comfortably in my seat before I answered Anika. "Yeah." Casual na sagot ko. "Oh my! So tinotoo nga ng gaga." Napakunot noo ako sa turan ni Aira. "Bakit? Sinabi ko naman na I plan to compensate him." Inirapan ko siya and averted my attention on the menu. Ano kayang masarap kainin? "May tama ka. When did you ask him out?" Tanong pa niya ulit. My gaze slid over to her and answered "Kanina lang." at muling tumingin sa menu. "Omg!" Maarteng tili ni Anika. "Ano na naman ba?" Inis kong tanong. I am not literally annoyed, nagulat lang ako and besides, ganito lang talaga kami. "Girl! You, of all people, who despise initiating conversation, asked him on a date?" Anika exaggerates the whole narrative. I am well aware that this phenomenon shakes their whole system. Haler, their friend of almost 18 years, who do not even have friends outside their circle- not even an acquaintance, who is a problematic, dr*g add*ict, alcoholic, black sheep of the family, a prodigal daughter, a gal that only excels in the field of ruination, lacked a sense of affinity had just asked a guy she barely knew. Of course they will be bewildered.

"Bakit? May batas ba na ipinatupad na bawal ko siyang ayain? Kasi kung meron, bakit hindi ako ininform?" Sarkastikong tanong ko sa kanila. Both of them shrugged their shoulders affably. Aira leaned on the table. Talagang invested ang gaga. "So? Saan mo siya planong i-date?" Pang-usisa niya. "Oh, please! It's not a date. It's called compensation, at isa pa hindi ko ipapaalam sa inyo." I defended myself. "Mamaya ano pang gawin niyo." I added. "Hey! Wala akong balak ano. Ewan ko na lang diyan sa isa." Anika hastily blurted. "Wala rin ako, no! In my defence, I am merely a damsel who is harmlessly eager to learn the information associated with your recent life happenings by the virtue that it is thrilling to gain news that solely arouses the sensation of excitement which will keep me entertained for the time being." I looked at Aira with a baffled face. "Don't be so dramatic. Pinaganda mo pa yung term sa chismosa." Hirit naman ni Anika.

I snort a laugh. "Ang oa kasi kahit kailan. Halatang kulang sa pagmamahal eh." Sabi ko. Aira made an offended look and dramatically placed her hand on her chest. "Hiya naman ako sayo! Akala mo ikaw overflowing sa pagmamahal." Aniya sabay tawa. Napatawa rin ako. Oo nga naman. "Wala naman ako sinabi." I uttered. The bell chimed and our heads automatically flew to that direction. We saw Chalilla come in. "Hi!" Pagbati niya samin. "Hello, Cha!" We said our greetings to each other and hugged afterwards. It's been awhile mula nung magkasama-sama ulit kami. "How's work?" I queried. "It's good. Doing what I love." She smiled morosely. "Isn't that good? At least you get what to do, duh!" I was about to answer when someone interrupted me. Napalingon kami sa maarteng sumingit sa pag-uusap namin. "Hi! Didn't you girls miss me? I bet you did!" Maarte niyang ani at umupo sa tabi ni Chalilla.