The Brainy Rebel

Epilogue

Maxine's POV

Dull.

That's the only thing that came into mind when I saw my finished painting.

It was of a car, rain, and an umbrella. There weren't any living things, but the feeling... the feeling I have right now, it's so alive.

I sighed, deeper than normal. Nasaan na ba siya? Bakit masyado niyang sineryoso iyong pagbibigay sakin ng time to think? Mas madaling gawin iyon nang nandito siya, sana nagawa kong ipaliwanag iyon.

Bababa sana ako para saluhan sina Mommy na kumain ng umagahan nang makarinig ako ng ingay mula sa baba. With what welcomed me, I had my eyes wide open. "What the heck?"

"Maxine!" Aine was in her floral maxi dress when she went for a hug. Tinanggap ko iyon. I know how extra-sensitive pregnant women can get. "Rai, kiss mo si Xine on the cheek! Glenn, ikaw rin! Scott, 'wag na maarte!"

Sunod sunod na lumapit sa akin iyong mga lalaki.

Scott was the last to get his cheek upon mine and he whispered something. "Beach."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at naitulak ko siya. "You dare call me a bitch?"

Nagulat ito. "I said beach, Maxine! Beach with the sand and the seawater."

Everyone laughed with that. Excluding me na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin naiintindihan ang nangyayari.

Nakahalata yata si Belle dahil bigla ako nitong nginitian. "We are going to Iloilo!"

I was aware being shocked was an understatement of how I was right now.

I didn't have any sleep since yesterday, it's six in the morning, I'm almost late for my usual routine, my friends came unannounced, and they're telling me we're traveling a hundred miles! "T-today?"

"Yes, girl!" Tuwang tuwa si Aena habang winawagayway ang ilang eco-bags na hawak niya. "These are swimsuits and dresses by the way."

Hindi na nawala sa sistema ko ang pagkabigla sa mga nakikita at naririnig.

Humawak si Lorraine sa braso ko. "Let's pack your things!"

I looked behind my friends and saw Mom and Marg smiling as if there's something they knew and I didn't. Well, obviously, there are.

I didn't know how it happened, I just saw myself being dragged by the girls into my bedroom. Kinuha ni Belle mula sa ilalim ng kama ko ang isang luggage bago pumasok sa CR upang kumuha ng toiletries, hinahanay ni Aena sa bed ko ang lamat ng mga bag na hawak niya, habang naghahalukay ng wardrobe ko si Aine. I was still in shock. In ultra-shock.

"Can someone please stop moving first and tell me what's happening?" They never did a surprise outing. Lalo na't ako pa iyong nasurprise.

Sabay sabay silang tumingin sakin. For a second I was relieved because I thought they'd speak up, but I was so wrong. They went back to working with my stuff.

Seryoso ba 'to?!

Nagtaas ng dalawang bikini si Aine. Red and white. Tinuro ko iyong puti at pinanuod siyang isilid iyon sa luggage. "We can't elaborate because we'll be late for our flight."

"Kung sinabi niyo kasi sakin ang tungkol dito, baka hindi tayo nase-stress na ganito 'no?" Medyo inis kong sambit.

I love spontaneous trips and talks, but this is an exemption! Hindi pa 'ko nakakatulog simula kagabi kakaiisip kay Nathaniel. And... and I have work for damn's sake!