Take a Shot

CHAPTER 11

Yesterday was full of fun because of Mark. She spent her time with him watching movies and catching up. He also gave her pasalubong from Thailand but sadly he also bid goodbye to her. He got to go to another country to take photos. Malapit na kasi ang exhibit nito and he wants to show people the different cultures of everyone and promote diversity by his pictures. Believe talaga siya sa dedikasyon ng kaibigan sa trabaho. His hard work never fails.

Today is her happy day. Kahapon ay tinawagan niya si Friel to accompany her in to the mall. She want to look pretty and presentable sa dinner nila mamaya ni Allen. Friel is happy to go with her. Bet din daw kasi nitong magchange look at magshopping. Hendrina is wearing a white eyelet shirtdress and cap toe flats. She used her Salvatore Ferregamo small body crossbag, that only fit her phone and cards. She is waiting in front of her house because any minute Friel will pick her up. Tinatamad kasi siyang mag drive kaya nagpasundo na lang siya. When her friend arrived she immediately hop into her Sedan. She greet her with a kiss and put her seatbelt on.

"Good morning girl! Finally you're gonna have your first date with a guy. Excited na ako. We're gonna be a bombshells later." Turan nito at pinaandar ang sasakyan.

"Yeah! I am too. Kahapon pa ako sobrang excited. I never knew that having a crush can put a little spice in my life."

"HAHAHAHA Now you know why I go crazy with Aster." She said with a grin on her face, mentioning her club's manager name.

"Kaya nga mismong bakasyon mo ipamamalagi mo sa club. I can't understand you really. Pwede namang tumambay ka na lang sa club pero pinili mong mag part time job." Naguguluhan na sabi niya dito.

"Because I'm at a pace where I don't only have a crush on him instead, I like him, Hendrina." She said seriously. Her friend might be quirky sometimes but she is always true to her feelings. That is what she loves about her.

Right after they arrived at the mall Hendrina and Friel roamed around. They both enjoy shopping for clothes at every luxury brand they like. Siyempre napapatigil sila minsan kapag may gustong magpapicture sa kaibigan. After all, Friel Magallanes became a renowned journalist and reporter here in the Philippines.

Pagkatapos mamili ay nagpunta naman sila sa isang salon. She want to dye her hair into black. They were welcome into the salon by the staffs. The staff is happy to see them because it's been a long time they been there. Regular customer silang magkakaibigan sa salon.

Well the salon is famous and deserves every customer, they were good at giving services. It is past lunch when they have finished their hair. Freil cut her long brown hair into a blunt bob that suits her well. They both get their nails done. Her waist length brown hair is now shoulder length and dyed it to black. Hendrina feels nostalgic as she sees herself in the mirror. That was her hairstyle before and she like to bring it back.

"Your so pretty girl!" Friel said as they eat their foods. Pagkatapos kasi nila sa salon ay agad silang naghanap ng restaurant para kumain. They both famished after all the things they do.

"Thanks girl, you're not too bad at yourself too." She winked to her that made them both laugh.

Hendrina and Friel enjoy their lunch then decided to go home. They must rest before the dinner and Friel to her work in the club. Habang nagmamaneho si Friel para ihatid siya sa kaniyang bahay ay napansin nito ang suot na suot niya na kwintas.

"Hendrina ang ganda naman ng kwintas mo. Saan mo nabili yan?"

"Oh this?" She said and touch her necklace. It is rosy gold and has a pendant of flower. "Pasalubong ito ni Mark. Bumisita kasi siya sa bahay nina Mama kahapon. Sakto din naman na bumisita din ako, then he gave me this. It's so pretty right?" Sagot niya ng may matamis na ngiti.

She looked at Friel and she have those mysterious smile that she see on Mark yesterday. "O-oo ang ganda nga. Kaninabko pa napapansin yan eh. Paborito mo ba ang gardenia flower?"

"Huh? Meron ba non? Gardenia na tinapay lang ang alam ko eh." She confusedly asked.

"Hehehe W-wag mo na pansinin y-yung tanong ko. Hehehehe ang daya naman ni Mark ikaw lang ang may pasalubong." Friel replied to her. Di na lang niya pinansin ang kaibigan at nawe-weirdo na naman.

"Meron din siyang pasalubong para sa inyo nasa bahay di ko nadala kanina. Kunin mo nalang pagdating natin sa bahay ko. Sayang nga eh di man lang tayo nakumpletong anim. Umalis na naman kasi ng bansa si Mark ngayon eh. Pero once na makabalik daw siya ulit ng bansa magbonding daw tayo." She excitedly said.

"Aba mabuti naman!" Nakangising sabi nito. Friel focused herself in driving and silence filed the car.

Umalis agad ang kaibigan pagkatapos niyang ibigay ang pasalubong ni Mark. Magbeauty rest muna daw ito para magmukhang dyosa sa paningin ni Aster. It is already 2:30 in the afternoon so she decided to sleep for an hour bago maghanda.

Never in her life pa siyang nakipagdate kaya naman heto siya at kinakabahan habang namimili ng susuotin. Marami ang nabili niya sa mall kanina at ngayon hindi niya alam ang susuotin. She can't chose because all of it is so beautiful. So she just leave it by fate, she close her eyes then pick a dress.

The dress that she picked is a white off shoulder bodycon that emphasizes her curves. She paired it with a silver stiletto and her Chanel flap bag. She does her make up simple but elegant to look at. She curled her hair and decided to just let it down. Hendrina is satisfied with her look and ready to go. She feels confident while looking at the mirror.

It is exactly 5:30 in the afternoon siya nakarating sa club. Pumasok muna siya sa loob to check her employees specially her friend if she is okay. Pero ano pa nga ba ang aasahan niya sa kaibigan. Napaka energetic nito at halos akuin na lahat ang trabaho sa club and it is effective kasi natutuon ang pansin sa kaniya ni Aster. Nagbigay muna siya ng bilin sa manager bago lumabas at maghintay sa labas ng club. Any moment ay darating na si Allen.

Saktong paglabas niya ay ang pagparada ng isang red porsche. She was amazed by the beautiful car. Pero kung gaano siya nabighani sa sasakyan ay ganoon din naman sa may-ari nito. Awtomatikong nagbago ang tahip ng puso ni Hendrina ng makitang bumaba si Allen sa sasakyan at pagbuksan siya ng pinto.

He is wearing a blue suit. The two buttons of his white polo are open that show a little bit of his chest. Sa itsura ng lalaki ay mukhang galing ito sa opisina. She feels shy knowing that he is a busy person but makes time for her. She smiled at him and greeted him with a hug and kiss on his cheek. Allen stays still when she does it that makes her embarrassed. Baka kasi hindi ito sanay sa ganoong pagbati.

"Im sorry! It just came naturally. That is how I greet someone I knew or close too." Hinging paumanhin niya sa lalaki.

"Ahh no Drina! Don't say sorry nabigla lang ako. It's fine with me if that's how you greet. I want you to be comfortable with me as soon as possible." He said that made her sigh in relief.

Akala niya nakapagbigay na siya ng hindi magandang impresyon sa binata. Pangatlong beses pa lang niya itong nakikita at gusto niya pa itong lubos na makilala. If she would leave a bad impression ay baka hindi na maulit itong dinner nila. She got inside the red car and he drove quietly. Habang nagmamaneho si Allen ay panay ang sulyap nito sa kaniya. Hindi tuloy siya mapakali sa pwesto.

"Huwag kang tingin ng tingin sa akin baka maaksidente tayo." Malumanay niyang pagsuway sa lalaki.

"Pasensya ka na! Ikaw kasi bakit ang ganda mo? I know you look gorgeous in brown hair but you look like an angel now in black hair." He said that make her breathless.

"Bolero." Tanging nasabi niya. She looked away and focused on looking outside the window. She is stopping herself to scream in too much giddy. She may prevent herself from doing it but her smile betrayed her.