Simply The Best

25

BAGO sumama si Ember kay Ivo sa Batangas ay determinado siyang makausap muna ang mga kaibigan. She needed to do this right. Hindi siguro maiiwasang makasakit siya pero at least ay masasabi niya na naging honest siya.

Nakipagkita siya kay Teagan pagkatapos ng practice nito nang araw na iyon. Nagkita silang dalawa sa isang fast-food restaurant sa loob ng isang mall.

"Are you sure you can eat grease?" tanong ni Ember habang nagse-settle sila sa isang mesa. Inilagay nila ang mga pagkain sa mesa at itinabi ang ginamit na tray. "We can go to a restaurant with more healthy food. I think my frozen yogurt place rito."

"I'd have my caramel sundae, thank you very much," nakangiting sabi ni Teagan. "Fast food is fine. It's my cheat day. I really shouldn't deprive myself kasi lalo lang akong mabubuwisit sa sarili ko. Once a week, I can eat fast food. Burgers and pizza. And pasta. Para naman ma-happy ako. Lalo akong made-depress. Pero salamat sa concern."

"Igagawa pa naman sana kita ng healthy cookies."

"Chocolate chips, Em. Chocolate chip cookies, please."

Nakangiting tumango si Teagan. "Noted."

Kumain na muna sila. Hinayaan muna ni Ember na ma-enjoy ni Teagan ang burger, fries at sundae nito.

Mayamaya ay nangalumbaba si Teagan, may ngiting naglalaro sa mga labi nito. Her eyes told her she knew something. "You're going to tell me something."

Tumango si Ember. Halos hindi na niya makontrol ang kaba at takot. She had carefully crafted the sentences. She had practiced in front of the mirror. Inakala niyang handa na siya. Pero nang mga sandaling iyon ay hindi niya maalala ang carefully crafted sentences. Hindi niya maalala kahit na isang salita na minemorya niya.

Ibinuka ni Ember ang bibig at akmang may sasabihin pero walang anumang salita na lumabas.

Tuluyan nang tumawa si Teagan. "Look how scared and nervous you are. It's okay, Em. You're into him and he's really so into you. Of course, he is. He's not blind and stupid. Of course he saw how wonderful you are and he wants to be with you. It's sweet na inaalala mo ang mararamdaman ko at pinapahalagahan mo ang pagkakaibigan natin. But I also want you happy. Hindi lang ikaw ang marunong magpahalaga sa isang kaibigan, ako rin. So go for it. Don't think too about me. It's okay."

Napanganga si Ember.

"Honey, everyone knows something special is going on between you and Ivo."

"R-really?"

Tumango si Teagan. "May narinig ako na hindi kayo official dahil sa mga kaibigan mo na nagkagusto kay Ivo. You can't betray us like that."

"T-that's..." Hindi maituloy ni Ember ang sinasabi dahil hindi niya alam kung paano.

Inabot ni Teagan ang kamay niya at mahigpit na hinawakan. "I like Ivo. I certainly want to be his girlfriend. Nag-effort ako na mapansin niya. I want him but I didn't love him. I wanted him kasi he's very good-looking, smart and a de Miguel. He's a dream man. And I wanted the dream man. I wanted to be the girlfriend of the most popular guy in school. A Cinderella syndrome siguro. The idea of us being together is so beautiful. At least in my mind. But it's just a fantasy. And tanggap ko na na hindi natutupad ang ilang pantasya at nananatili lang talaga silang pantasya."

Nakatingin lang si Ember kay Teagan. Hindi pa rin niya malaman kung ano ang sasabihin.

"Go for it, Em. Ano nga ang sabi nila? Life is too short not to let yourself be happy. I'm okay. Hindi ko masabi ang kaparehong bagay d'on sa isa mong kaibigan pero she'd be too selfish kung magtatampo pa siya sa 'yo. She doesn't really care about you or your happiness kapag ganoon. You shouldn't be friends with that kind of person. You've chosen friendship pero hindi ka naman gaanong happy sa choice na 'yon. You can be selfish for once in your life. You can learn a lot naman. Okay na may paninindigan pero baka magawan ng paraan. Baka maintindihan ka rin n'ong impakta na 'yon. Kasi I'm sure naman same lang kami. She just wants the fantasy of having Ivo de Miguel."