[ COMPLETED ] • [ EDITED ]
Nadia Valiente's disappearance has always been a mystery to her friend, Marina. By how her alleged suicide took place, up to the position that she was in whilst on that river, soaked to death, felt like an unsealed package...
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MARINA
I stare at the table while waiting for my order. Padilim na nang padilim ang paligid at napansin kong nagpatay na rin ng ilaw ang university na katapat ng coffee shop na pinasukan ko.
It has been twelve minutes after Hope left the cafeteria. Sinabi niya kasing daraan muna siya sa supermarket na medyo may kalayuan mula sa coffee shop dahil doon daw sila kumukuha ng supply ng sinasabi niyang special coffee beans.
"Yo! I'm back!" biglang bumukas ang pintuan at napansin ko ang masiglang mukha ni Hope. Her face is sweaty and she's gasping for some air, too. "I hurried because..." she catches her breath first. "... because I thought you were just fooling around. I forgot to take the payment before heading out," tatawa-tawa nitong usal.
I chuckle at how cute she is. "It's fine. By the way, I'm Marina. So if ever I fool you next time, you know what name to post on social media," I joke and she claps her hands while cackling.
That's when I noticed that she's holding two different plastic bags from both of her hands.
Napansin niyang nakatingin ako sa kaniyang mga dala. "Oh! Nga pala, I bought you some inihaw, if you don't mind eating street foods, you kno—"
"I don't mind." I shake my head with a sincere smile.
She jumps in glee toward me. "Oh, really? I'm glad that you're not like those picky brats of North Easton University who treat themselves like prince and princesses—"
"How," panimula ko. "How did you know that I study there?"
She stares at me first like as if she's searching for an answer.
Later on, she points my attire using her pinkish lips. "Your uniform states everything about you, miss Quintana. That's why I never asked your name, because you have that big nameplate right there on your chest."
"Oh." Shoot. I forgot.
"Did I creep you out?"
"No, not really. Can you prepare the coffee, please?"
"Sure! Take this first while waiting." masigla niyang inabot sa akin ang puting plastic bag sa kaniyang kaliwang kamay. When I take a peek at what's inside, I saw two barbeques, three sticks of isaw, and a betamax together with the sauce.
