A Mad Woman, Allison.

CHAPTER ONE: MEET ALLISON

She's the eldest daughter of Rowan Monroe.

She's the breadwinner of the family.

She's currently in her first year of college, and she's taking up Accountancy.

She's independent, beautiful, and smart.

But beware... she's often mad.

I'm her.

“What's taking you so long? Hurry up!” My face is filled with irritation. I can't believe I'm waiting for this girl.

“Teka lang kasi, 'di makapaghintay!” she yelled. Lumabas siyang nakabusangot ang mukha. “Oh, ayan! Grabe ka, ha, noong ikaw ang hinihintay, 'di ka nakarinig sa 'kin. Tapos noong ako na, puro ka reklamo.” Inirapan ko na lang siya. “Tara na nga! Arte nito.” She then grabbed my wrist.

We're on our trip to Metro Manila (NCR). I still can't get in on my mind that I'm already in college. God, I'm getting old!

I'm thankful to Tita because I can't fulfill this dream of mine without her financial support. She even let us borrow her car so that we are not going to commute on our way to Manila. She even hired us a driver! Don't bother saying it, I know I'm lucky to have an aunt like her.

And oh, I'm with my friend, the great Selene Perez. She's taking up Architecture. I've been years with her since high school. We're going strong, right? I think if I'd be a man, I'd probably date her. Flirty me.

“Hoy gago, anong nginingisi-ngisi mo d'yan?” She tapped my left leg.

I turned my gaze at her, “What?”

“What-what ka d'yan? Ano, bingi lang? Hello? I'm asking you kung what are you smirking at?” She seems losing her patience at me just by her tone. I can't help but laugh. “Luh, baliw na ata 'to,” bulong niya na narinig ko naman. Tumahimik na siya nang hindi ako sumagot.

Silence filled the car until she spoke again, “Alam mo ba,”

I didn't wait for her to finish her sentence. Sinagot ko agad siya. “Nope, not yet.”

“Gaga! Kung pinapatapos mo sana kasi muna ako, 'di ba?” Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. I shut my mouth. “So ayon nga, kung hindi ka ba naman kalahating gaga at kalahating bitchesa edi sana hindi ako nababadtrip at nagbubunganga sa 'yo ngayon. Pero grabe, hindi ko akalaing pati sa college ay magkasama pa rin tayo. Biruin mo 'yon, natagalan ko pagiging gago mo?” Natawa siya.

Napangiti naman ako.

“I couldn't believe it either. You're the best girl friend I've ever had.” I flashed a smile at her. My eyes were twinkling, too, as if I was in love.

Nanlaki naman ang mata niya at pinalo ako. “Tigilan mo nga ako, Allison!” asik niya na lalong ikinalaki ng ngiti ko.

“Hahaha! You're funny, Selene. Really funny.” I even clapped my hands while laughing. She's hilarious.

Not until I felt someone watching me. It was the driver. “Yes, kuya? What is it?” I asked.

Tumikhim muna siya bago magsalita. “Nandito na po tayo, Ma'am. Hindi po ba kayo gagala o kakain muna?” tanong niya na nakatingin sa akin through the mirror.

Nilingon ko si Selene, “Do you want to eat muna?” Tumango naman siya.

I looked at the driver again and answered him, “We'll eat daw muna, kuya. Do you want to join us? Baka hindi ka pa rin kumakain.”