Stranded Book 2: Standed All-Over Again

Chapter 6.

Kinakabahan si Francis habang hinihintay ang pag dating ng best friend, nasa apartment lang siyang naghihintay dahil mahirap na kung maka sagupa siya ng mga paparazzi sa labas paniguradong bagong kwento na naman ang lalabas sa media lalong lalo na sa internet. Nang makarinig siya ng katok sa pinto agad niya itong binuksan and there she was—Mika Dela Cruz, standing in his front door holding her suitcase with her best travel get up. Agad siyang pumasok without permission inilapag niya ang bags niya and faced Francis at binigay ang pasalubong niyang SAMPAL FRESH FROM THE PHILIPPINES.

He didn't see it coming obviously. He gently rub his cheeks where it stings sa kakasampal.

"That was from Alexa." Sabi ni Mika.

As he stared into his eyes alam niyang may pinagdadaanan ang best friend niya dahil bigla nalang siyang napaluha.

"Best?" Sabi ni Francis. "Alam kong may problema ka at kung ito lang ang natatanging paraan para maibsan yang nararamdaman mo then slap me a million times if you like."

Agad umatake si Mika sa best friend and when she got tired she stared at her best friend emotionless.

"Ano b-bang problema?" Tanong ni Francis.

"Kayo! Kayo ang problema Francis! Kayo ng tropa mong the br3akers! Alam mo hindi naman masama ang mangarap eh, hindi masama ang tuparin ang mga pangarap... Pero naisip niyo lang ba na dahil sa pangarap na yan nagkakasakitan na tayong lahat?" She laughs quietly. "You all just started leaving best—ya'll started leaving without saying anything at ang tanging bilin niyo lang ay isang sulat o di kaya email." Sabi niya sabay tapon sa sulat na ibinigay ni Jairus.

Natulala agad si Francis while Mika just stared at him—kalma lang.

"I—I have to tell you something Miks." Sabi ni Francis.

Flashback. (AN: Francis is the narrator)

Nung dumating ako agad dito sa UK agad 'kong tinawagan ang office ni Nash to let him know I'm here at kung pwede ba niya akong puntahan dito kahit sandali lang, it was getting lonely here Miks and I really need a friend kasi hindi ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko... Just thinking of how I left things with Alexa, ang gago ko lang?—Anyway, I called his office and his secretary by the name "Ella" answered the phone.

"Hello Aguas Company, this is Ella how may I help you?"

"Um hi, this is Francis... Nash's friend, may I speak to him?"

"I hope you don't mind me asking but are you—Filipino?" Tanong niya.

She didn't sound like a secretary at all.

"Yes."

"Oh good. Ipapa alam ko lang po na hindi siya makakapag usap sa telepono ngayon kasi busy pa siya."

So pinilit ko siyang ibigay ang phone kay Nash kasi urgent nga. Then the funniest thing happened, hindi ko alam kung sinadya niya yun o tanga lang talaga siya na pagka secretary.

"Okay, please hold—baby, your friend Francis is on the phone."

Hindi ako sumagot nun.

"Baby? Babe? Nash?"

Ibinaba ko agad ang telepono nung narinig ko na yun and I swear nung mga oras na yun gusto kong lumipad pa New York at suntukin siya.

END OF FLASHBACK

"Sounds familiar—ginawa mo rin yan kay Alexa diba? You also cheated." She laughed quietly.

"Damn—makinig ka Mika, saamin ni Barbie it's all for show! Hindi totoo ang mga lumalabas sa social media na boyfriend niya ako. According to them if I'm seen hanging out with Barbie mas lalong magiging kilala ako—and of course kahit naging international model slash actress na siya hindi ko parin siya magawang mahalin though she tempted me into sleeping with her the other night." Sabi ni Francis.