A Love To Remember

27.

Audrey's Pov

[PRESENT]

*knock*knock*

“Wala ka talagang balak bumangon? Audrey, isang linggo kana nagkukulong sa kwarto mo.” Riley scolded me and I, of course refused to get up.

“Isang linggo na rin lumipas nung umattend ka ng reunion niyo at pagkikita niyo ni Bada pero ano? Akala ko ba okay kana?” She added.

One week na lumipas but after our encounter, ayun nasira na naman lahat. Dapat talaga hindi na ako pumunta dun at hindi nagpakita.

“Riley, tigilan mo muna ako.” I said, pulling up the blanket and covered my ears.

“Anong tigilan? I just checked your email and ang daming kumukuha sayo para magturo. May iba rin na gusto kang makacollab.” Riley said and knocked on my door again.

“Diba on break nga—”

“Anong on break? Jusko ka sana talaga hindi kana umattend kasi tignan mo na naman nangyayari sayo.” sermon niya saakin at napabuntong hininga na lang ako.

In the end, napabangon ako at pinagbuksan siya ng pintuan. She looks stressed and alam kong dahil yun saakin. Riley and I are friends and we're living together. After I moved out from our city, I started to chase my dream and that's where I met Riley.

“Ano ganyan kana lang ulit?” Riley bore her eyes on me as soon as she got inside my room.

“Of course not.”

“Good and as I was saying, anong balak mo sa mga gusto kang makatrabaho? They've been waiting for your response.” Riley sat down on the edge of my bed, still staring at me.

“Edi go lahat.” I replied and sat next to her.

Siguro mas okay kung maging busy na lang ako kaysa nagmumukmok dito sa kwarto ko. Isang linggo na rin yung pahinga ko at sana naman ayun na yung last na pagkikita namin ni Bada.

“Ano ba kasing nangyari sa reunion niyo? sa ibang bahay kapa ata nakitulog.” tanong ni Riley at napacrossed arms na lang.

I haven't told her anything and ang alam niya lang, nagkita na kami ni Bada. Well, I shared a lot of things to her including yung past experience ko when I was in highschool kaya kilala niya rin si Bada by her name.

“Inuwi ako ni Bada.” I began and her eyes widened.

“Seryoso?!”

“Yes and paggising ko, ayun nandun na girlfriend niya at ako yung sinisisi kung bakit sila naghiwalay ni Bada noon.” I shrugged.

I didn't even know na naghiwalay sila because after we graduated, wala talaga akong naging balita sakanilang dalawa since I decided to cut them off. I had no idea at all kaya hindi ko maintindihan mga accusations ni Iris saakin.

“At bakit ba sila naghiwalay before?”

“As if namang alam ko. I told you after we graduated, my mom and I moved out from another city kaya wala talaga akong alam sa sinasabi niya.” I explained and sighed.

“Ang sabi mo mahal ka ni Bada noon and she asked you to wait for her, right?” Riley softly said, reaching out my hand.

And?

“So?” I frowned.

“What if kaya sila naghiwalay kasi hinanap ka ni Bada? What if ikaw talaga pinili niya—” I gently pulled her up and shook my head.

“Stop! That ain't funny at all, Riley.” I said, pushing her out of my room.

“What if lang naman!!!” Riley chuckled.

“Yung what if mo masyadong delikado!”

“Oh kaya do your things na lang para makalimutan mo na 'yang si Bada!” Riley playfully said, still laughing at me.

Minsan gusto ko na lang kaltukan si Riley but at the same time alam ko namang ginagawa niya lang 'to para mapagaan loob ko and you know, kumilos kaysa mabulok dito sa loob ng kwarto ko.

“Ikaw na magreply sakanila basta go ako sa lahat.” I said and finally managed to get her outside.

“Sabi mo yan ha? May tatlong collab class ka and dalawang dance class.” She said and stood in front of my door, placing her hand at my door and preventing me from closing it.

“Tatlong collab class?” I looked at her and she nodded.

“Yup and nga pala yung isa dun galing sa agency ni Bada. It looks like she wants to work with you.”

“A-ano?”

“Pagtapos ng reunion niyo biglang nagsend ng email agency niya and ayun until now hinihintay sagot mo. I've been trying to tell you this one pero panay ang taboy mo saakin eh.”

“Decline them.”

“Okay.” Riley smiled at me and didn't ask me anymore as she turned her back on me and started to walk away, leaving me alone.

Ano bang trip nito ni Bada? Akala niya talaga gusto ko siyang makatrabaho? After what I've been through because of her? No way. Mas okay kung hindi na ulit magtatagpo landas naming dalawa.

—

Finally, I had a courage to drag myself out. Si Riley kasi may dance class kaya naiwan akong mag-isa sa bahay namin. Instead na magkulong, I went out para pumunta ng grocery.

While I was busy walking around the grocery store, my phone vibrated.

From: *unknown number*
    Hello this is Celine Perez and I sent you an email for our collab class. I've already received your reply and I just want to know if are you free today? If yes, can we meet at *insert address* and talk about related to our collab class? I'll be waiting for you.

So tinanggap na nga ni Riley yung mga offers saakin except yung kay Bada? Maybe I should go now and meet her since wala namang akong plano today.

Also Celine Perez? I never heard her name before.

[Meeting place]

I've arrived exactly 3 in the afternoon and the place is nice! Wala pa masyadong customers kaya malamang wala pa si Celine. Mas nauna ata akong dumating kaysa sakanya.

“Ang sabi niya on the way na siya?” bulong ko at humanap ng pwesto.

I received a message from her and she said she was on her way na. Celine even described her outfit para makita ko siya agad. She's wearing a black shirt, baggy pants and white cap.

I waited and haven't ordered yet since wala pa siya. Bat naman kasi ang tagal niyang dumating? I really hate waiting.

“Good afternoon, Ma'am.” bati ng waiter sa papasok na customer kaya agad akong napatingin sa gawi niya at nagkatitigan kaming dalawa.

As she walked closer, my eyes widened. What the hell is she doing here? Shit hanggang dito ba naman?

“Sorry kung pinaghintay ka. Medyo traffic kasi eh.” sabi niya at umupo sa harapan ko.

“Pinagsasasabi mo? Hindi naman ikaw yung pinunta ko—” My words trailed off when she showed me the email I've sent her.

“It's good to see you again, Audrey.” Bada smiled as she put down her phone and stared at me.

“Celine Perez? Ikaw yun?”

“I've sent you 3 emails para sure akong makakatrabaho kita. Alam ko kasing idedecline mo yung offer ko kaya gumawa ako ng ibang way. Look, it really works kasi nasa harapan na kita ngayon.” Bada said, leaning against the chair while her eyes on me.

“Ano bang pumasok dyan utak mo at ginugulo mo ulit ako ha?! Stop this shit!”

“Gusto ko lang bumawi sayo at itama lahat, Audrey.” Bada sincerely said.