Wicked Games (An Epistolary Novel)

035

“Nasa sasakyan na ba lahat ng dadalhin?” tanong ni mommy nang makalabas siya ng bahay. We all nodded in unison. Kani-kaniya kami ng mga gamit na ipinatas sa sasakyan.

Today is a Sunday and it’s the day of our quarterly tradition of outreach programs. This time, we invited therapists who will conduct sessions for kids with special needs who could not afford therapy sessions. Our families, the Jollibee and Friends, have been doing this since we were young. Our parents said this is one way of sharing our blessings because we are very blessed in life. And besides, it’s fun to do these things. I really enjoy talking to the communities.

Our group chat was active with the exchange of messages asking each other their whereabouts.

We boarded on our SUV to go to the location which was our adopted community. The drive was just quick, and we arrived there shortly after.

I thought we were still early, but the Delgados and Dela Cruzes were already there. In true Dimaano fashion, they are the last ones to arrive.

“’My, I invited some friends,” I told mommy as we were fixing the materials that the kids will use later.

“Yeah, sure baby. No problem,” she said, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Thanks. And. . . we’re going to elyu after. HE-HE-HE.”

“Mag-overnight ba kayo? May trabaho ka bukas.”

My eyes widened because I totally forgot! Gosh.

“Ate! Nakalimutan mong may pasok ka bukas?” Nanlaki rin ang mata ni mommy, hindi makapaniwala, bago natawa.

“I’m not sure, but maybe I’ll just call-in sick tomorrow,” I smirked, earning a smack in the arm from my mother. “Aw, ‘my.”

My friends came shortly after. I introduced them to my family and briefed them of what will happen—nothing much on our part; we’ll just have to stand by in case the kids need anything. We will also be distributing food packs to the families later.

My phone vibrated for a message. I was not surprised when Xylene texted that he’s sorry and would not be able to come today. I also haven’t had any progress with his friend. My friend and follow requests were still unanswered, as well as my DMs.

“Who’s driving?” I asked the guys. Nicholas, along with his sister Nicole who happened to be my best friend, and some of our other friends will be coming with us. We were all bloc mates in college.

“I can drive,” Nicholas said, slightly raising his hand.

Napatingin kami sa kaniya, bahagyang nakataas ang mga kilay at nagdududa. He chuckled at our reactions. “I had a decent sleep. I’m not that tired,” he added.

Among our circle of friends, he was the only one who continued to med school and, well, he was constantly tired and sleep deprived.

“You sit in front,” aniya nang magkani-kaniyang pasok na sa sasakyan ang mga kaibigan namin. I could feel Nicole rolling her eyes at us. Natawa ako sa isipan.

“Feed me,” Nicholas said when we were in expressway already. Dumaan kami kanina sa drive-thru para sa merienda dahil mahaba-haba pa ang ibabyahe namin.

I leaned to him to feed him a burger and my coke.

I heard my best friend snort from behind us. “Stop frolicking in front of me,” she said disgusted.

I scoffed jokingly, laughing. “Dude, I was just feeding your brother!”

“Inggit lang siya kasi walang nagsusubo sa kaniya,” Nicholas said, smirking while looking at the rear-view mirror.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Nicole at hinampas ang braso ng kapatid niya. “Bastos!”

Malakas na tumawa si Nicholas. “You and your dirty mind.”

“Stop flirting with Noah. Kapag ikaw umiyak sa huli. . . consider yourself warned.”

“Wow, salamat po.” I laughed, not taking the snide remark of my best friend negatively. I mean. . . she wasn’t wrong, though.

We arrived in La Union just in time for the sunset. Ready na ang bikini ko sa loob ng sundress ko bago pa kami umalis sa outreach program kanina.

Nicole and I ran towards the beach area, giggling and laughing and savoring the warmth of the setting sun. Nakasunod lang sa amin ang mga boys. Our guy friends were really head-turners. I mean. . . we don’t get their appeal to other women because they seemed normal to us, girl friends. But it seemed that wherever we go, eyes follow them everywhere like a scene in a cliché movie.

We stayed at the beach for almost an hour before we went to our booked villa. After dinner, we agreed to go to a nearby bar to party. I just changed my top into my other string bikini and for my pants, I wore a flowy floral tapis. I just put on a light make-up since it’s already night and my sunglasses as my headband.

“Let’s dance!” sigaw ni Nicole saka hinatak ako sa gitna ng bar. We swayed to the loud music, cheering and screaming the BINI song playing loudly in the speakers.

‘Ayokong maniwala, ey!’ we chanted then twirled around, laughing our asses out.

Nang mapagod sumayaw ay bumalik muna kami sa table namin. Roon ako naupo sa tabi ni Nicholas. His hand automatically crawled at the back of my seat like an instinct.

“Why aren’t you dancing?” tanong ko kasi umiinom lang siya. “Are you having fun?”

“I’m contented seeing you have the time of your life,” he smiled.

I rolled my eyes. “Corny mo,” natatawang sabi ko.

The night went on and we were slowly getting tipsy. Si Nicole ay ngumangawa na sa harap namin at kung anu-ano na ang sinasabi pero kampante naman ako na safe siya kasi never naman kaming pinabayaan ng mga kaibigan namin. We always look for each other especially when we go out.

I felt Nicholas’ hands on my bare thighs. I looked up at him and smiled drunkenly. I closed my eyes when he leaned into me and kissed me. His hand cupped my cheek down to my jaw, angling his head to get a better access. I kissed him back.

“Why won’t you sleep with me?” bulong niya sa gitna ng mga halik namin. Even when on the verge of being drunk, my mind was still clear. I guess I have to thank my parents for my high alcohol tolerance.

“You know I’m safe. I’m a doctor,” he added, biting my lips. He knew of my requirements after all.

“I know,” I breathed. I put my hands on his chest to push him a little bit. I smiled at him, cupping his face. “You know I don’t do friends,” I said.

I wasn’t naïve. He has been vocal that he liked me and want to try a relationship with me but we both know that if we try to escalate our relationship to being more than friends, the probability of ruining our friendship is more likely to happen than staying as lovers. And I didn’t want that. I was clear from the start that this was just something ‘fun’ for me. . . something to enjoy when we’re bored. And I was sure it was like that for him also. Because we’re better off as friends.

I tapped his chest. “You’ll find the one for you, trust me. You’ll thank me later that I didn’t say yes to you.” I smiled. “Go and tend to your sister. Baka umiyak na iyon nang tuluyan,” natatawang sabi ko, itinataboy siya.

He heaved in a heavy sigh before he smiled back at me. “Alright.”

“Someone broke a heart again,” Dennis said in a singsong manner nang makaalis si Nicholas sa tabi ko. I was sure he saw the whole thing.

Napailing na lang ako sa sinabi niya.

Friendship, at least like ours, lasts. Love? I wasn’t entirely sure. And I’m not ready to test it yet.