Max: The Queen of All

Kabanata 1

Maxine

I tried my best to smile at the person in front of me. Naramdaman ko ang pagpisil ni Charlotte sa aking kamay sa ilalim ng mesa. Isang tingin na lang ginanti ko sa kaniya at tinikman ang Oreo Cheesecake Milkshake na nakapatong sa mahabang mesa kung saan kami nakaupo.

The Milkshake is in hurricane glass and loaded with chocolate toppings. The long table is loaded with plates full of puddings, dark chocolate cupcakes, cookies, and sizzling plates. I frowned when I saw buckets loaded with ice and . . . uh, 'bottles'.

"Hindi ba sabi ko wala na akong budget?" pabulong kong sabi kay Charlotte. Ngumiti naman sa akin ang babae sa harap namin kaya ngumiti naman ako. I don't care If she heard what I said. Wala rin akong pake kung halata sa mukha ko na nababagot na ako rito.

"Ano ka ba, madami namang food oh. For the first time in forever ka ngang pumunta sa reunion natin." Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya at tinitigan ang milkshake na nilalaro ko gamit ang straw.

Mahirap bang intindihin ang salitang "wala akong pera"? Hindi naman kasi ako tulad nila na may trabaho na't lahat-lahat, humihingi pa rin sa magulang.

"Okay ka lang, Max? Kamusta?" Emma said as if we used to be closed. I rolled my eyes inside my head.

"I'm doing good. Thanks for asking." Mabilis kong sinakmal ang kalahati ng cookies na agad kong kinuha. Nag-abala akong kumakain kahit na gustong-gusto ko na isuka ang sinakmal ko para lang hindi niya ako kausapin.

"Ok. Para kasing hindi mo na ginagamit 'yong dati mong account," I nod in response. She began flexing her brand new and latest model of iPhone and smiled at me. If people knew that her smile is fake as her nose.

Little did they know, I already deactivated it and made a new one. I blocked every people in my new account. For my peace of mind, of course, but here I am sitting in front of them.

Charlotte keeps spitting things and I act as if I care, but the truth is I don't. She forced me here, and she will just talk about herself? I forced a smile whenever she looks at me and pretends that I'm listening while sipping my milkshake.

Gaano ba kahirap intindihin ang ayaw kong pumunta? Isn't it obvious that I didn't want to attend for this 'reunion' for years that's why I keep ditching their invitation? Hindi ba sila marunong makiramdam? Pagkatapos ng mga ginawa nila sa akin ay iimbitahan nila ako rito? Right as I thought, people don't change.

"Hey, are you listening, Max?" Hinanda ko ang peke kong ngiti. I wore doll eyes contact lense tonight... because they used to make fun of my round and thick lenses. I was even named betty, la fea by someone.

"Yes. What happened next? Buti walang nangyari sa'yo? How could you go for a stranger's condo that you only met in a bar?"

I made sure that my tone was not arrogant but knowing Charlotte, nagkatinginan pa silang dalawa ni Emma. Concern lang ako pero minasama ako. I tried my best to stop myself from rolling my eyes. Ang hirap talaga makisama sa mga taong insensitive. I should have finished checking and doing tons of paper works this time. Kanina pa ako busog pero pinipilit kong sipsipin ang milkshake. I wanted to keep my mouth busy so they won't talk to me.

"No! I swear! I went home safe! Pagkagising ko wala na siya sa kama!" Charlotte giggled with excitement. Gosh, she never changed. "I swear! It's the best among the best! Grabe! I've been looking for him for 3 weeks!" she added.

"Consistent yarn, girl? Inlab?" Emma commented. Of course, she's listening to this kind of topic dahil gawain din niya. She looks at me and looks hesitant to talk, she probably asking if I experienced that kind of thing, but as usual, she laughs it off thinking that no man would sleep with me.