ARCADE [feat. LeGine]

2: WHEN PIPPA STOOD UP FOR HERSELF

It was 7pm when Pippa finished having dinner with her friends. They passed by a Krispy Kreme branch before they headed out to the carpark of the mall they were in.

On their way home, Tala was the one on the driver seat as it was only her who brought her own ride. Lulu and Ally were sat on the back while Pippa was on the shotgun seat. They were jamming to Levitating by Dua Lipa when Tala thought of a brilliant idea which she immediately pitched to her girl friends.

"Ladies, minsan lang naman ako free, my goodness, pagbigyan niyo na ako. Mag-bar naman tayo," Tala requested after she lowered the speaker volume while her eyes were glued on the road.

"Bar?" Pippa swallowed as she clutched the paperbag of donuts she was holding closer to her chest.

"Uy! Good idea. Pampawala rin 'yan ng stress. Dios mio! Midterms killed me. Ang daming papers to check. A chill night would be handy," Lulu exclaimed.

"True blue, mars. I agree. G ako d'yan," Ally responded, "ikaw, Faye?"

"Ako?" Pippa asked as heaved a sigh, "well, I'm not sure. My kids are waiting for me at home. Wala rin akong damit na nakahanda para rito. At saka naka-uniform pa tayo. I don't really think it's reputable for us to go sa bar na ganito ang suot natin."

"Well, that's a lot of excuses, honey. And actually, it's still too early  to go there right now. How about I drop y'all off at your homes then we meet at the bar at around 10-ish? At siguro mas maganda na kung sino ang hindi pupunta or late – will pay for the whole thing, noh?" Tala smirked as she knew there was no saying no for Pippa this way.

"Hay nako, 'yung isa d'yan magbabayad kahit di naman siya sasama. Sayang naman," Lulu commented.

"Oo nga ano? Libre pala ito. Lalong g talaga ako sa gimik na ito. Na-miss ko rin kayong ka-bonding eh," Ally added.

Pippa chuckled, "fine. Since there's a wager and you girls think na malilibre kayo, my response is ASA! I am coming!"

"Ayun!" Tala smiled while the girls at the back squealed excitedly.

"Sasama rin naman pala ang dami pang kuda ni bakla," Ally stated.

"Sorry naman, mga ating. Alam niyo namang medyo mahabang paalaman ito kay Eli. Kung kay Andi lang wala naman sigurong problema pero hindi kasi sanay si Eli na wala ako. Lagi naman kasing ako ang kasama nila dahil laging wala si Drew."

"Kailan mo ba kasi sasabihin kay Drew na gusto mo na makipaghiwalay, Faye? E hindi ba't ang dami mo namang hawak na ebidensya tungkol sa pangangaliwa niya? Bakit hindi mo kumprontahin ng malaman niya na alam mo na lahat?" Ally bombared Pippa.

"What for, Ally? We have children. Ayokong masaktan sina Andi at Eli. Mahal na mahal ko 'yung mga anak ko. Anong sasabihin ko sa kanila? Mga anak, patawarin niyo si mommy ha? Hindi ko na kasi kaya na mas interesado ang tatay niyo sa footlong kaysa sa tahong kaya makikipaghiwalay na ako sa kanya. Sana nauunawaan niyo ako. Ganun ba?"

Lulu and Tala were stunned but nonetheless were trying their best to hold back their laughter.

"Nandito na tayo sa bahay mo, Faye," Tala scoffed.

"Oh," Pippa quipped then scanned the surroundings as she was facing Ally earlier, "thank you, Tala. To be continued ang discussion natin later, Ally. I will see you ladies later."

"Bye Faye. See you," Lulu commented.

Pippa only smiled as she was already shutting the car door. She waved the ladies good-bye then walked into the house.

"Good evening po, ma'am," their elderly househelp who had just opened the door greeted her.

"Good evening, manang. Ang mga bata po?"