D'Beasts Series #4: Ceasing the Rivalry

IKAAPAT

Napagkasunduan ng grupo namin na ngayong Sabado isagawa ang food testing sa Caza Bistro. We’ll meet outside the place at ten in the morning, kaya naman alas-otso pa lang ng umaga ay gumagayak na ako para hindi ako mahuli. Hindi ko alam kung bakit maya’t-maya akong dapuan ng kaba kahit pa wala naman kaming ibang gagawin ngayon kung hindi ang mag-order at tumikim ng pagkain sa bistro’ng iyon. Maybe because the back of my mind is thinking about what might happen during the span of time.

Dahil sa kaba, I ended up wearing just a navy blue oversized shirt paired with white trouser pants and white sneakers. I blow-dried my hair and put on a small amount of perfume before leaving my room. I’m one hour early, but I just can’t wait here at home. Nandito ang parents ko and they’re talking about their work, so it’s best to leave before I get into their conversation. Hindi na rin ako nagpaalam. Whether I leave or not, they don’t really care much. 

“Breakfast, Seven?” tanong ni Nanay Rosita habang naglalapag ng pagkain sa lamesa para sa almusal ng parents ko.

“Hindi na po, Nay. May food testing kami mamaya kaya hindi na muna ako kakain.”

She looked at me meaningfully bago kalauna’y tumango na rin. I went outside the house and rode in my newly washed car. It was cleaned by one of our drivers because I told them it needed to be cleaned today as I had something important to go to. I started the engine and drove my car at a moderate speed to the specific address of the bistro. While driving, I couldn’t help but think once again. I’m not yet ready to see him. Parang mas gugustuhin ko na lang na ganito kami, walang communication na parang hindi kami kailanman nagkakilala. When I was young, I thought I couldn’t live a day without him. Ngayon, mas masaya pala kapag wala siya. Aamin ko, it’s not just about him kissing Wesley, but because of the unhealthy competition my mind thinks of when I’m with him. Pakiramdam ko ay nalalamangan niya ako sa kahit na ano. It was really my fault. Sa kagustuhan kong matapos na ang kompetisyong ginagawa ng isip ko, mas pinili kong tapusin na lang ang pagkakaibigan namin.

“I guess some things are really meant to happen,” kibit-balikat kong bulong.

I parked my car in an almost empty parking lot and went outside to survey the area while waiting for my group mates. Gusto kong malaman kung talaga nga bang maganda rito. In all fairness, malinis at spacious ang parking lot and that’s a good thing. Patuloy lang ako sa paglalakad-lakad nang mag-ring ang cellphone ko, hudyat na may tumatawag.

“Hello, Seven?” boses ni Tessa sa kabilang linya.

“What’s up? Nasaan na kayo?”

“Seven, nakaalis ka na ba? Mukhang hindi muna natin itutuloy ngayon ang food testing. May biglaan lang na lakad ang family ko. Masama rin daw ang pakiramdam ni Janine kaya i-reschedule na lang natin.”

Kung kailan narito na ako, saka naman maiiba ang schedule. Kung sabagay, kasalanan ko rin naman dahil masyado yata akong maagang umalis.

“Oh, well…” mahina kong bulong habang pinaglalaruan ang susi ng kotse. “Alright, it’s okay. Sa susunod na lang.”

“Thank you, Seven. Pasensya na talaga.”

Matapos naming mag-usap ay napatunganga na lang ako sa sobrang disappointment. Maybe I should leave. Hindi ko gustong magpunta rito nang walang ibang kasama. I wouldn’t even come here if it weren’t for the sake of our group presentation. This place is the least I will visit.

I’m about to walk away, headed back to my car, when I hear footsteps coming my way. Napalingon ako at kasabay nang paglingon kong iyon ay ang pagsilay ni Chase mula sa pader na napaliligiran ng mga halaman habang lumilinga-linga hanggang sa magtagpo ang mga mata namin.