MAROONED

1

"Ate, be careful"

Rebecca felt Laurel's hands on her shoulders when she was getting out of Zero's car.

Sabado ngayon at kakatapos lang ng exam week nila kahapon kaya napagpasyahan nilang magpipinsan na lumabas. They wanna have fun because she's been feeling so down lately that everything is suffocating her. At dahil sa kabila ng masamang ugali niya ay mahal pa rin siya ng mga pinsan niya, they decided to take her out for a drink.

Sanay naman na siyang uminom kaya hindi siya sobrang lasing. She's just dizzy. Sadyang oa lang din si Laurel.

"Bec, can you get ate V's groceries at the trunk? I need Laurel's help here because Sandro is so wasted"

She rolled her eyes at Zero who's helping out Sandro. Halos tulog na ang huli dahil sa kalasingan kaya mabilis na lumapit si Laurel para tulungan si Zero sa kapatid nito. Sandro is Zero's younger brother. Kaedad lang ito ni Laurel at pareho silang nasa second year college habang si Rebecca at Zero naman ay kapwa nasa ikatlong taon.

Kakapark lang nila sa condo ng pinsan nilang si Vivian. She's 3 years older than them and is currently studying law. They all study on the same University kaya madalas silang magkakasama lalo na ng tatlong lalaking pinsan.

Vivian just moved to another condo. Napilitan itong kumuha ng mas malaking condo unit dahil madalas silang nakikitulog dito. Most especially when the four of them are going out to drink. Hindi sila pwedeng umuwi sa mga bahay nila dahil siguradong mapapagalitan sila ng mga magulang nila.

"Kaya mo na ate?"

Laurel asked her after getting Zero's car key so she could get V's groceries.

"I can. Hindi naman ako lasing, just dizzy. Anong number ng unit ni ate?"

"6th floor, room 609. 3rd door to your right once you get out of the elevator"

She mentally snorted because of Zero's instructions. No need to be so detailed.

"Para naman akong bata"

Masungit niyang komento dito. Napapailing lang ang pinsan niya.

"You're not a child yes, but you're bad with directions"

Tumingin siya ng masama dito.

Asshole.

"Shut up. Dalhin niyo na nga sa taas si Sandro bago pa ako tuluyang mabwisit sa'yo. I'll follow"

"Be careful ate"

Hindi niya na pinansin ang pagpapapaalala ni Laurel. She just shoved her hand to shoo them away while walking towards Zero's car. Nang makuha niya na ang grocery bag ay sinarado niya na ang trunk ng sasakyan at naglakad papunta sa elevator. She then pressed the 6th floor.

Napapapikit siya habang sumasandal sa dingding ng elevator na sinasakyan niya. Geez, the ride is making her more dizzy. Nang makarating na siya sa tamang floor ay mabilis siyang napahinto pagkalabas niya ng elevator.

"Shit, what unit is it again?"

She mumbled to herself. Pumikit siya ulit habang inaalala ang sinabi ng pinsan.

Right. Room 606, 3rd door to the left.

Nang makarating siya sa unit ay tatlong beses pa siyang nagdoorbell bago bumukas ang pinto. Nahihilo na siya kaya hindi niya na tiningnan ang pinsan at dire-diretsong pumasok.

"Here's your groceries ate, I'll sleep now because I'm really dizzy. Huwag niyo na akong istorbohin"

She gave the grocery bag to her older cousin and went directly to the room. Her forehead creased when the smell of the room changed from lavender to fresh scent. Vivian likes floral scents and her favorite is lavender so it's kinda weird that her new room smells different.