A Letter from Gabrielle

V

Year, 2020 (Later months)

'Did I ever tell you that eversince that night, I became your number one fan, Ka-el! Damn! Just like Reina had told you, 'You slayed it girl!'. You just don't know how exceptional and significant you were! Have more confidence and faith in yourself, Ka-el! When you sing at the top of your lungs that night, pakiramdam ko nakita ko ang kakaibang version ng bestfriend ko.

I wished I can always see you like that, Ka-el.

Carefree. Happy. Relax. Untroubled.'

"Please can you explain to me why am I here again?!"

I wanted to slap my face right now. Maybe it will help me realize that this was all just a dream. Hindi ko pa rin mapaniwalaan na ganon kadali lang akong napapayag ni Reina na pagbigyan ang kagustuhan ni Gab.

Now we are all in the backstage of the function hall kung saan gaganapin ang Graduation Ball. The thought of singing in front of my fellow students, made me shiver. But thinking that we'll have to perform three songs make me wants to just die at the moment and be revive tomorrow!

"Hey, relax, you'd be okay hun!" Malambing na sabi ni Gab saka ako marahang tinapik sa aking pisngi.

I gave her a daggering look. "This is all your fault! Kung alam ko lang talaga na ito ang magiging resulta ng hindi mo pagpasok, ako mismo sana ang kumaladkad sa'yo noon pabalik sa gym!" Angil ko sa kanya na wala namang naging epekto dahil napatawa lang siya. 

"Now you learned your lesson, Mikaelle! You should looked out on her everytime." Ilang distansya palang ang layo sa amin ni Reina ay iyon na agad ang sinabi niya.

She's wearing a ripped skinny jeans pants and crop top black shirt na may nakaprint sa may left side na smiley. With the black high cut converse, she looked so damn hot!

I rolled my eyes. "Look who's talking! Shouldn't you be the one to look out for her?"

She just smirked and walk on Gab's side. Hindi nakaligtas sa tingin ko ang mabilisang paghalik sa kanya ni Gab sa labi.

"Hey hey, no fighting ladies! I love both of you and we should look out on each other!" Nakakalokong ngisi ni Gab saka iniyakap ang kanyang braso sa bewang ni Reina na umakbay naman sa kanyang balikat.

I snorted. "Sakit nyo sa mata!" Sarcastic kong sabi. I know sanay na sila sa mga ganitong pasaring ko, especially at malimit akong third wheel sa kanila.

"Where do you think your going?" Mabilis na agap ni Gab nang mag-umpisa akong maglakad palabas ng backstage.

I looked at my watch. "We'd still have twenty minutes right? Let me get some breath of fresh air!"

"Be sure to be back on time ha? We'll about to start, Ka-el!" Seryosong bilin ni Gab.

I turned my back on them and waved my right hand. "Yeah yeah yeah! No need to remind me! Just I need a breather!"

Hindi ko na sila hinintay pang magsalita. Dere-derecho na akong naglakad palabas. Naghanap lang ako ng bench na mauupuan saka ko tinanggal ang aking loose long sleeves black na nakapatong sa  white sleeveless kong damit. Itinaas ko ang jogger pants ko saka naupo.

If I'm smoking just like Gab, I probably lit a cigarette right now. Kinuha ko ang aking cellphone saka nagbrowse sa aking gallery. I automatically smiled when I watch the video of my brother that Mama sent me just recently.

"Wow! Is that Mike?"

Napatunghay ako sa taong nagsalita. Hindi ko namalayan ang pagsunod nya. Wala na akong nagawa nang mabilis niyang naagaw sa aking kamay ang aking cellphone. "Yeah.." Nangingiti at naiiling ko na lang na sabi.