Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Fifty-Nine - Hole-in-one

STACEY and the girls had fun all day. They got their lunch from food delivery. Pagkatapos, tulong-tulong sila sa paglilinis ng kanilang mga kalat at pagliligpit ng mga pinagkainan. Dumeretso sila sa entertainment room ng condo pagkatapos. They huddled together in Fritzie's couch that is so big it almost looked like a bed with a back rest half the height of the room's wall. Patay ang ilaw at sa higanteng smart TV lang nagmumula ang liwanag. They watched a lot of chick flicks and haven't finished one horror movie because Kylie started crying in fear. When they stopped watching movies, they entertained themselves with gossip. They updated each other about what's going on with their lives as well. None of them talked about Piccollo, though. That gave her the hint that even if they rarely talk in groups, Stacey had an idea that one of her friends talk with the other one every now and then. Kaya tila alam nilang magbabarkada na bawal pag-usapan si Piccollo—for Kylie's sake.

               Ilang beses niyang sinubukang makahanap ng tiyempo para masolo si Sondra pero hindi niya magawa. Ihuhuli na lang niyang kausapin si Fritzie dahil hindi siya sigurado kung maayos ba ang kalalabasan ng heart-to-heart talk nila o sisipainba siya nito palabas ng condo.

               It was only five in the afternoon when they completely drained their social batteries.

               Nakatulog sa couch sa entertainment room sina Cynthia at Kylie. Kylie was already the only one wrapped in blanket that the five of them were sharing earlier. Nakayakap dito si Cynthia na nakatulog na. Fritzie was sitting with her feet up on one of the three long blue sofas in the living room. Kandong nito ang laptop at dino-double check ang details ng booked flight nito para bukas. Across the small table was another blue sofa where Stacey lounged. Si Sondra naman ang nakaupo sa panggitnang sofa na nakasandal sa pader kung nasaan ang isang malaking glass window. Kasalukuyang nakaharap doon si Sondra. Her arms rested close to the window, and her chin was atop her folded arms. Nakatanaw ito sa view sa labas ng bintana—ang luntiang damuhan ng golf course na may mangilan-ngilang mga puno. Hinahaplos ang mga ito ng mapusyaw na kahel mula sa liwanag ng papalubog na araw. Pagkalagpas ng tingin sa mga ito ay makikita ang tila nahahamugan na hulma ng mga nagtataasang gusali.

               Stacey took in a deep breath and got up. Maingat siyang lumapit sa sofa kung nasaan si Sondra. Nakataas ang mga paa nito roon pero may natitira pang espasyo sa dulo ng sofa kaya umupo siya roon. Napalingon agad ang babae sa kanya.

               "I thought you're going to take a nap?" malumanay nitong ngiti sa kanya.

               She smiled and shook her head. "Maya-maya na siguro."

               Ibinalik nito ang tingin sa bintana kaya nakitanaw na rin dito si Stacey. Masyadong maliit ang mga tao sa golf course, pero sa palagay niya ay dalawang lalaki iyon na may nakasunod na tig-isang caddy habang naglalaro. She could not help thinking of Renante. Ito lang naman kasi ang kilala niya na marunong mag-golf. He tried to teach her months ago, but she's just not really interested with that game. For Stacey, it is too slow and unclimactic. 'Tapos, napakapresko pa ng hangin at maraming puno sa isang golf course, kaya mas nakakaramdam siya roon ng ginhawa at antok kaysa excitement sa paglalaro.

               Nagnakaw siya ng tingin kay Fritzie na busy pa rin sa laptop nito. Inaantok na tiniklop ni Stacey ang mga braso sa ibabaw ng backrest ng sofa bago ito inunan. Nakahilig ang kanyang ulo para maipako naman ang kanyang tingin kay Sondra.

               She scanned her with her eyes first and realized that she may have aged, but her trademark features remained. Sondra still has those eyes so conflicting to look at—fierce but at the same time, innocent. Bahagya itong pumayat, kaya mas nagmukhang mahaba ang hugis ng mukha lalo na at na-maintain nito ang natural na pagiging unat na unat ng itim nitong buhok. Her hair was mid-parted with no bangs, and every strand were smoothly clasped together with a hair tie in a low ponytail. She wore a pair of jeans and a tight, ribbed button-down blouse colored maroon. So, chic and smooth like a pretty My Scene doll.