EXTRAORDINARY CONTEST 2.0

Kabanata 1

"Oh edi kayo na ang may forever kahit wala namang forever!"

Inirapan ko sina Scent at Jeremy. College friends ko sila sa Sta. Lucia University. Magkakasama kami sa isang organization noong araw.

Oo, noong araw pa iyon. Mga ano, isang dekada na ang nakalipas? Ten years ago!!!

Ikakasal na sila next week. Pagod na akong maging bridesmaid pero hindi ko naman matanggihan si Scent, she's one of my close-knit friends. Okay lang naman sana, dalawang beses na rin akong nakasalo ng bouquet sa mga kasal na inabayan ko pero kasi...

Paano ako magiging next in line sa kasalan, kung wala naman akong boyfriend?!

Ngumisi lang si Jeremy, jackpot si kumag eh! Magkababata kasi ang dalawa, childhood sweethearts. And yes, first and last partner nila ang isa't isa. Ang corny, ano?

More of sana all na lang talaga! Tsk!

"Ano na, Iana?! Galaw galaw din huy! O ayaw mong mag-asawa?"

I scoffed.

"Swerte lang talaga kayo! Bukod sa mas maraming babae sa Pilipinas, yung ibang kalalakihan pa ay kabaro rin nila ang bet so ano na?! The competition is just damn tough in the serious relationship market, paano pa sa marriage?!"

Natawa si Scent.

"Pati pala relationship market, nagawan mo na ng research! Anong latest data ng supply at demand?"

"What about international markets? Baka mas may pag-asa kang magka lovelife doon, Iana! Afam for the win! Baka doon talaga ang target market mo!"

Nag high five pa ang dalawa, tuwang tuwa sa pang aalaska sa akin.

I just sighed, tired of glaring at them.

"Bakit kasi hindi pwedeng si Eros na lang?"

Scent rolled her eyes, umay na umay na yata sa pangalang iyon. Umiling si Jeremy.

"Eight years with Brian, four years...and still counting ba waiting for Eros?! Kumare, mukhang pahinga muna talaga ang kailangan ng puso mo! I know that you are dating to marry, Iana pero baka mas okay for you to loosen up in dating? Baka mas effective sayo yung mag explore muna, malay mo naman! You're just too eager and serious to commit!"

Tumatango na ngayon si Jeremy in agreement with his fiancée.

"I told you Kumare, the competition is tough! Lalo na ngayong maraming mas bata at magaganda sa dating market! Online dating apps are not really for me. Sinubukan ko na rin namang kumilala ng mga reto pero wala talaga! I thought I already had a baby girl by this time pero ano na? I'll be thirty in two years!"

"Man plans, God laughs! I have the same advice Iana, just try to loosen up and let things happen! I know that you're the type of woman who doesn't need a prince charming but would love to be swept off her feet. Darating din yan, tiwala!"

Inubos ko na lang ang kape kong medyo malamig na. Napainom na lang din itong dalawa sa harapan ko. Suddenly, Scent tapped the table kaya't bahagya pa kaming nagulat.

"Alam ko na! I have an idea kung paano ka magkakaroon ng boyfriend or maybe, fiancé!"

Scent is sporting her AHA! moment look.

"Tight market competition, right? Then bring that competition exclusively for you, in your court! Remember the story of how my parents got together? Through a contest! Dad was the prize and Mom was the winner!"

"Oo nga noh?! Partida, college pa lang sina Tita Cris and Tito Mikhail noong time na iyon! But yeah, that was a serious contest back then!"

Napanganga lang ako. Tumayo si Scent, nakangisi sa amin.

"Tara sa bahay, Iana! Let's ask Lolo Dan kung paano niya ginawa yung contest!"