PRANKED BOOK 1 (published with BOOK OF LIFE PUBLICATION)

Chapter 5

When someone grabbed my collar and kissed my lips, I thought it was Aliza. I am longing for her kiss. I am longing for her. Once again, I felt that. I thought my rigid military training makes me forget the memories of our childhood and my feelings. I just thought it was her, but it was Jodie Ree Bulli, the person whom I stole the ice cream two years ago.

"Jodie?" the total shocked makes my eyes widen. I pushed her. I slapped my forehead and looked away. I hear a gasp. Napalakas ba sampal ko sa sarili kong noo? I confusedly asked. "Aray!" What is happening to the world?! Agad akong napalingon sa sumigaw. "Bakit ka ba nananampal, Aliza?!" An angry Jodie Ree Bulli exclaimed.

"Wala, gusto ko lang." Aliza turned her back from the angry Jodie and that... that... that made me feel... Aliza is amazing. She's so amazing.

"Wait, wait, wait! Tapos na ang palabas natin," Marvin said while Jodie is complaining to him. "let's proceed to the 10th floor para sa get together natin." Marvin cut off the heated situation. 

"Yes, Jodie, later." I heard Marvin answered.

"Ano'ng meron, Brad?" I innocently asked Marvin. "Carlo, lead the others to the 10th floor." utos niya sa isang barkada. 

"Brad," he said to me, "matagal ka na naming iniimbita sa mga get together ng barkada pati ng class reunions natin pero parating hindi ka pwede." I see everyone leave the mayor's office and proceeded to the 10th floor he told. He put his hand around my shoulder while talking and started walking to lead me to the next venue. "One year mahigit din nang pumasok ka sa Army pero hindi na kami updated sa nangyayari sa buhay mo. Aakalain naming patay ka na." he chuckingly added. "Kidding aside, we want to spend time with you before you get deployed. Open minded ka naman, 'di ba?" 

"To what?" I answered.

"Kase, we never know, sana naman hindi. Maybe makakauwi ka nga ulit dito sa'tin, pero bangkay na ang maaabutan namin." Open minded naman ako sa ganyang bagay, at ready na'kong mamatay anytime. Actually, sa training pa lang ilang beses na akong namatay. But, that is not important to me now. I wanted to share my thoughts to him pero ayaw ko ng pahabain ang usapan namin.

"I see." That's the only thing I can say after the unimaginable successive occurrences. Hinahanap ng mga mata ko si Aliza. Gusto ko sanang habulin siya. "Enjoy the night with us, Lieutenant. Siguradong matatagalan na naman bago ka namin makakasama." He said and that makes me feel important. Tumango lang ako.

We did party for the rest of the time. I drink, dance, sing and have fun pero hindi ko inaalis sa paningin ko si Aliza. What I liked about this party is that, no one ever mention what happened. No one remembers 'my sawi feelings' that I've said to Aliza, but I know, the camera captured it. I don't care at all.

I just finished my thing in the men's  comfort room when I pass by the women's. I heard women talking, maybe fighting. "Bakit mo'ko sinampal, Aliza?" I did not intend to eavesdrop but I heard my baby's name. I chuckle of the endearment I gave for Aliza. "Sinubukan ko kung nakakaramdam ba ng sampal ang may makakapal na mukha." That's my girl. I can imagine Jodie's shivering with anger right now. "Huwag ngayon, Jodie. Pareho tayong nakainom." then I heard a rushing water. "I said stop or else papatulan kita." I heard their shoes clicking on the floor.

"Huh." I heard she smirk. "May gusto ka ba kay Christian?"

"Ano naman sa'yo?" I continue hearing shoes clicking on the floor.

"Hindi ka naman siguro mananampal sa paghalik ko kay Christian kung wala kang gusto sa kanya, 'di ba, Aliza?" I heard the cubicle toilet doors open and seems someone is bumping on it.

"May isip ka naman pala, e. Bakit nagtatanong ka pa? And, let go of my hair!"

"At, talagang pumapatol ka!" I decided to intrude. I opened the door and enter the female's comfort room. "Tsk." I clicked my tongue as I see the situation. Jodie is grabbing the hair of Aliza, and Aliza is bending downward. "Napaka-immature niyo. You, Jodie, let go. How could you be so aggressive? And, I remember, lalaki ako pero huwag mong binababa ang pagkatao ko, Jodie, by just kissing me whenever you want." 

"Kasi, Christian --- " she attempted to hold my hand but I grabbed Aliza's hand. "You, Aliza, we have so much to talk to." We left Jodie alone screaming, "Why her, Christian?!" and took Aliza to the terrace.

Aliza is combing her hair. "Bakit ka nakipagsabwatan kina Marvin?" I said in a firm voice. 

She face me in disbelief and clears her throat. "I don't know, I just find myself agreeing to the idea and asking you to marry me." She sarcastically smiling. "I apologize. I'm really sorry." 

"Hindi ako hihinto, this is not the end." I replied.

"May boyfriend ako."

"Mag-asawa nga naghihiwalay, magsyota pa kaya."

"Bulkan nga pumuputok, nguso mo pa kaya 'pag nasuntok." I am literally laughing out loud. Aliza is so witty, strong and brave and he can be so sweet, fragile and cute at the same time.

"Tangina, Aliza, ano'ng ginawa mo sa'kin?" My laugh faded.

"What?" kulang nalang magsanib ang mga kilay niya sa sobrang pagsasalubong nito.

"Ang mga nangyari kanina, hindi wala lang sa'kin 'yun. It is everything to me."

"Alin doon?" she face the view of the terrace. "Sa hallway ng building natin," I mean our workplace, "the car, and the..." I continued, "Sir, I love him. Yes, I do since we're young." I mimicked her voice when he confessed during our exchanging of vows. "It means so much to me." I added.

"It's all for a prank, Harold." she said.

That makes my world crumpled.