Simply The Best

12

KINAKABAHAN si Ember pagsapit ng araw ng Biyernes kahit na sabihan niya ang sarili na walang dapat na ikakaba. She was just going on a date. It was her first time but it was just a date.

She was going on a date with Ivo!

Gusto na naman niyang mag-panic. Parang gusto niyang umatras. Makailang beses niyang dinampot ang kanyang cell phone para magpadala ng text o tumawag kay Ivo.

Pinlano na nga niya ang sasabihin. May lagnat siya. May diarrhea. May emergency.

Pero alam ni Ember na mapapansin kaagad ni Ivo na nagsisinungaling at naduduwag siya. Hindi siya duwag at hindi niya gustong manalo si Ivo.

She was going to win this game.

Kaya naman pinagsumikapan niyang magmukhang "perfect" para sa date na iyon. She made sure she would look her best.

Pumasok ang Ate Jana niya sa kanyang kuwarto at natiyempuhan na patapos na siya sa paghahanda. "Puwede bang pahiram ng— My God, why do you look like that?" sabi nito habang namimilog ang mga mata.

"You know I have a date. Nagpaalam po ako sa inyo. Pinayagan mo po ako. Nagpaalam din ako kina Mommy at Daddy."

"Yes, I do remember. May curfew ka. Mag-ingat ka nang husto at naku, malalagot ako kina Mommy at Daddy. Nasa bag mo na ang pepper spray?" Habang nagsasalita ay abala ang ate niya sa pagbista sa kabuuan niya.

"Opo. Nasa bag ko na. Magte-text din ako pagdating at kapag pauwi na ako." Madalas na abala ang ate niya at parang may sariling mundo, pero hindi rin naman maikakaila ang pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit nito sa kanya. "Anong hihiramin mo?"

Tumingin sa kanya ang nakatatandang kapatid, mukhang nag-iisip. "Hindi ko maalala. Na-distract ako ng hitsura mo."

"Do I look bad? I look good."

"Yes, you look good. Too good. I mean, you really look pretty—so pretty. I'm not making sense, am I? Para kang dessert na ang ganda-gandang tingnan pero parang sumasakit na ang ngipin ko hindi ko pa man nakakain dahil alam kong masyadong matamis. Parang ganoon."

"Tumpak!" sabi ni Ember. "I was going for too princess-ey pero okay rin ako sa maasukal na dessert."

"You really look good, babe. Hindi ko lang... alam kung ano... basta hindi ko sure kung I'd love or hate it."

"I get it. That's exactly what I'm going for." Inayos ni Ember ang buhok na perfectly curled ang dulo at may jeweled headband. She was wearing a pink and a little frilly dress. Her shoes were pink. Her bag was also pink. Her makeup was perfect. Kompleto siya ng accessories. She had all the sparkles and blings.

"Ditzy blond," sabi ni Ate Jana.

"What?"

"Obviously 'di ka blond, but that's what your look right now reminds me off."

Natawa si Ember. "Okay. I can go for that too."

"If you really like this guy, he'll be all over you. They don't really like smart girls. They're all about boobs and face."

"Una talaga ang boobs?"

Tumango si Ate Jana. "They'd look at the boobs muna bago sa face."

"Then I should be a know-it-all tonight."

"Hindi kita gaanong gets. Don't you like this guy?"

"It's... complicated. Explain ko sa 'yo later. Kailangan ko nang umalis. I hope makauwi ako kaagad. I'll text you 'pag pauwi na ako." Hinalikan niya ang pisngi ng kanyang ate bago dinampot ang bag at umalis.