UNKNOWN

U_20

Grace Amari Chan

"I hope so."

Natawa ako sa sagot ko. I closed my phone, throwing it on my bed. Why did I have to say that I was hoping for the unknown sender to be someone I know? Hindi ko rin talaga alam.

Minsan iniisip ko na baka dahil bored ako kaya pinapatulan ko na lang lahat ng panibagong dumarating sa buhay ko. Kagaya na lang noong last week, noong nakipagpalitan kami ni Amber ng social media accounts sa kakakilala lang namin na mga taga-SDU.

I actually don't like the idea of associating myself with strangers, but I also don't entirely hate the thought of making new friends. Maybe... I'm just scared of the process. After all, it's hard to earn someone's trust and to give someone your trust.

Siguro nga parang dagat ang buhay, minsan kalmado ang alon pero madalas malakas ang hampas nito. I just really hope that the sudden change I'm in at the moment won't cause me any regret.

"Helluuuu," rinig kong bati ni Amber. "Asan ka?"

I waved at her from inside my walk-in closet. It's Saturday, the day I promised Nico that I'd repay his kindness; I am currently picking an outfit. I texted Amber earlier today to help me browse through a good place to eat, and to let her approve any of the clothes I plan to wear.

"Girl, nakasalubong ko si Lola and- omygosh!" Napatakip siya sa bibig niya pagkakita sa akin.

I pulled on my top's strap. "Panget ba?"

Kumurap siya ng ilang beses. "Sure ka bang hindi 'to date?"

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin bago tumalikod sa kanya. I looked at myself in the mirror, dusting off the invisible dirt from my clothes. Lumapit naman siya sa akin at hinawakan ako sa magkabilang balikat.

"Bestie," tinignan niya ako mula sa salamin. "I'll do your makeup!"

Napangiwi ako nang matapos mag-load 'yung laptop. Kakatapos lang namin mag-ayusan ni Amber, at kasalukuyan kaming nagse-search ng mga lugar na magandang puntahan. She did say that she thought of a perfect place for me to take Nico but an hour had passed since, at wala pa rin kaming nahahanap na sakto sa plano.

"Teka nga, kanina pa tayo search nang search e." She closed the laptop, turned the swivel chair, and leaned in toward me. "Ano bang plano mo? Kakain lang?"

"Is that the safest option?"

"Honestly, yes. Kasi nilibre niya tayo ng pagkain, so okay na rin siguro kung kumain na lang din kayo."

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. Tama naman. He payed for our food twice, but that's all there is. So, why am I putting so much effort?

Tumango ako. "Okay."

I stood up from my bed and went back to my closet. I removed my makeup and just applied a soft layer of tint on my cheeks and lips. Instead of a skirt, I wore a black trouser, and instead of a sleeveless blouse, I wore a white cropped top and got a black coat to make it look semi-formal. For my shoes, I changed my ankle boots to sneakers.

I went to my full length mirror and smiled at my reflection.

Pagkalabas ko ng closet hindi na ako nagulat nang hampasin ni Amber 'yung nuo niya. Umiling iling pa siya at bumuntong hininga. "Tinawag mo pa ako, edi sana hindi na ako pumunta."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Well you still owe my grandparents an explanation."

Agad naman siyang napaderetso nang upo sa may study table. "Do I have to?"

"Oo." I went to my vanity to fix my hair. "Hindi ko naman siya manliligaw. It's best to fix a misunderstanding. Baka mamaya makarating pa sa tao. Nakakahiya. I also need someone to look out for my grandparents. Wala si Kuya."