Olive felt nude, except for the fact that she’s wearing a nearly nude outfit. On top of that, she feels the men staring at her, particularly her breast. Para tuloy gusto na niyang kumaripas ng takbo, at magtago sa kanyang silid. Kundangan nga lang at kapit-tuko sa kanya si Melody at nasa kabilang braso naman niya si Sugar.
The three of them have been friends since they’re on diapers. They have been classmates from kindergarten to highschool and then schoolmates in college. Though at one glance you’ll know how different their personalities are, still they are inseparable. They usually spend most of their time together even on weekends. They are more than blood sisters to her. Perhaps it’s because she only has one brother who bullies her most of the time, and she craved the companion of sisters and “girl” friends.
Noong magcollege sila, they had to temporary separate. Melody took up, journalism. Amongst the three of them, she had the wildest and craziest mind. She wanted to be a writer. Olive gave in to her passion which is photography and cinematography. She has eyes for blending colors and light. Ito ang artist sa kanila. At habang siya, si Olivia Fernandez ay naging isang dakilang guro ng makukulit at magugulong bata.
Yes, isa siyang elementary school teacher. She loves kids.
Though madalang na lang silang magkasama-sama, they make it a point to meet up whenever they have free schedules. Like today…
But most of the time, siya ang tampulan ng tukso at schemes ng dalawa. Napabuntunghininga siya. She heard them giggle. Looks like Melody is cooking up a scheme again. Sa sobrang lawak ng imagination ng babae ay laging siya ang ginagawa nitong topic sa mga sinusulat na libro. She would use her to see how the heroine in her book would turn out.
Tiyak na hihimatayin ang matandang dalagang principal ng school na pinagtuturuan niya kapag nakita siya sa ganong ayos, she would rather die. She’s just an ordinary looking girl compared to Sugar who’s really a stunner, while Melody has a natural charm. Melody is the typical Pinay who’s petite, while Sugar is tall and graceful. What’s different about her is that she has a plain face with an erotic body. Iyon ang definition ni Melody sa kanya. She has a body to die for, plump and curvaceous.
Kundangan nga lang at laging nakatago sa likod ng plain at old style niyang uniform ang itinatagong asset, kung asset mang matatawag iyon. She has known jeans and loose shirts to be her constant fashion buddies. She doesn’t and wouldn’t draw attention from anyone. It’s not her cup of tea.
“Loosen up a bit, Olie,” ani Sugar, bahagya siyang siniko. “You look hot tonight,” nagsasayaw sa kapilyahan ang mga mata nito.
She pouted. “ Kapag nalaman ‘to ni Kuya Matt, who knows what he’s going to do.”
“Pabayaan mo ang lalaking ‘yon,” nguso ni Melody, hate na hate nito ang kapatid niya. “He’s a selfish and bitter asshole. Ang lakas ng loob niyang idamay ka sa kamiserablehan ng buhay niya. Huwag na kamo siyang uuwi kahit kailan.” Sukat duon ay sunud-sunod na tumungga ito ng alak.
“Hey, easy,” awat ni Sugar. “The night’s still young, baka malasing ka agad, ikaw rin.”
She can’t deny what Melody said. Five years ng hindi umuuwi ang kapatid niya. He decided to work abroad after his wife and their parents’ death. He’s the only survivor in that freak car accident. But the accident left him half dead. Wala na itong buhay after losing the only girl he loved. He became an alcoholic and went to rehab many times before he decided to leave.
She understands him. Hindi katulad niya na nawalan at naulila lang sa magulang, he lost his wife na tanging nagpatino rito. He was a changed man because of her but because of fate he turned back worse than where he left off. She longs for him to come back not just because she misses him but for the three kids waiting for him. Malalaki na ang mga anak nito na naiwan sa pangangalaga niya. They badly need a father at this point.
Napangiti siya ng maalala ang mga pamangkin. Ang kambal na sina Juriz at Julia, at ang bunsong si Jeremy. They have complex personalities. But one thing they agree on is making bets.
“Hindi pa ba tayo uuwi? Baka hinahanap na ako ng mga kids,” aniya. “Would you like me to get pneumonia?” She can’t even look at herself. Mukha siyang starlet sa isang nearly nude FHM pictorial. She’s wearing a body-hugging tube na halos iluwa ang kanyang Cup C na boobs na tinernuhan ng mid-thigh na palda that highlighted her rounded, sexy bumper, outrageous. It could have been an ordinary attire but because it emphasizes her so called assets, nagmukha tuloy dramatic and exaggerated.
“Olivia Fernandez, wala ka namang pasok bukas,” kalmanteng sabi ni Melody. “I even left my maid at your place para tulungan si Nene na magbantay sa mga kids, remember? I’m sure they are fine.”
Napailing siya. Mukhang hindi makikipag negotiate ang bruha. What’s new?
When she wants something from her, hindi siya talaga nito pauuwiin hanggang hindi nasasatisfy. “Spill it out,” sa wakas she gave in.
“Now, this is interesting,” anang partner in crime nito, nakangisi.
Lantaran siyang sumimangot. Tama nag kutob niya.
“I’m writing a new novel,” umpisa nito. “Everything’s fine except for the heroine. Hindi ako kuntento sa draft ko sa kanya.”
Alam niya how passionate Melody is on her craft, she wouldn’t be dubbed as Philippines best author if she’s not a genius. She writes complex and witty story lines that are out of the ordinary. She won’t settle for less, mediocre.
“What do you want me to do?” may bikig sa lalamunang sabi niya.
“I’d make a woman out of you,” she said smiling.
Nagkandasamid-samid siya sa narinig.
“Well, you don’t exactly have to lose your virginity,” hagikgik nito. Nagkulay makopa ang mukha niya. She’s a certified NBSB (no boyfriend since birth). “Tonight, I’d like to see how a naïve girl seduces a man.” Walang kagatul-gatol na pahayag nito.
“Hell, no!” halos lumuwa ang mata niya sa pagtanggi.
“Hell, yes,” kampante pa ring sabi nito. “ May utang ka sa akin remember?”
Ang tinutukoy nito ay nuong itakas ng kambal ang kotse niya at makabangga ng gate. At ang gate na nabangga nito ay ang bahay ng pinakamasungit na lalake sa buong neighborhood nila. The guy was furious kasi muntik ng namatay ang alaga nitong aso. At muntik pang magkademandahan dahil kay Sugar na mainitin ang ulo. Si Melody and gumawa ng paraan para maayos ang gusot na ginawa ng mga pamangkin niya at ni Sugar. At ang ending, nagkaroon siya ng utang kay Melody. Now, she’s asking her to return the favor.
She looked at Sugar, nagpapatulong. Napailing ito, “Pumayag ka na kasi para tumigil na ang babaeng ‘yan.”
“Why me?” helpless na sabi niya.
“Ikaw lang ang pwede, alangan namang si Sugar at baka mapaaway pa tayo rito,” Melody giggled. “At isa pa, I’m pretty sure I can get good reactions from you, like always.”
“Don’t worry, andito naman ako kung sakasakali. I’ll rescue you,” segunda ni Sugar.
Napabuntung-hininga siya uli. “Okay,” she said flatly. “Hindi na ‘to mauulit kahit kailan.”
The two nodded na halos mapipigtal na ang leeg.
“Sino ang ‘target’?” poker-faced pa rin siya.
She could sense how excited Melody is. Hindi maitago sa body movements nito at ang mga matang nag-isparkle na parang puppy.
Nagpalinga-linga sina Melody at Sugar habang siya ay kakabog-kabog ang dibdib sa verdict.
“That one,” nguso ni Melody. Sinundan niya ito ng tingin. The farthest corner from them. The man was alone. “He’s you target.”
“I have a bad feeling about this, “bantulot siyang tumayo.
Huminga siya ng malalim. Here goes nothing…
