SUADELA | (ON-GOING)

10

"May sakit ka?"

Hindi pinansin ni Suadela ang tanong na iyon at kaswal na inabot lang ang bag na naglalaman ng mga damit na pinakuha sakanya ng kaharap.

"You look like a shit. Uminom ka na ba ng gamot?"

"Pag-uwi ko nalang sa bahay." Suadela walked inside Dance Bliss, Hedone's dance studio. They're in the lobby and from there, all you can see are mirrored walls. It's oddly quiet, and she can't see anyone around. Maybe everyone is busy rehearsing since Hedone has taken a big project recently.

Ibinaba ni Hedone ang bag ng damit at sinundan ng tingin si Suadela. "Sana sinabi mo saking may sakit ka para ako nalang umuwi."

"Okay lang." Tipid na sagot ni Suadela at ipinasok ang mga kamay sa bulsa ng hoodie na suot. Mukhang lalagnatin pa ata siya. Nang magising siya kanina ang buong akala niya ay dahil lang sa hangover kaya mabigat ang pakiramdam niya. Pero mukhang trangkaso ang tumama sakanya. Mabuti nalang talaga at Linggo ngayon.

"Kumain ka na ba?"

"Sa bahay na."

"It's already pass one o'clock," Hedone said looking at her wrist watch. "Dito ka na kumain at nagpadeliver ako ng -- " biglang may nagdoorbell, "food. Yan na yun." Then, Hedone headed to the front door.

Sinundan din ni Suadela ang kapatid dahil aalis na siya. Wala siyang ganang kumain.

"Hello there, cutie! "

Suadela tsked. Even the delivery boy was not missed by this woman. She was about to go out the door when she saw the delivery boy looking at her. They were both stunned.

"Bakit?" takang tanong ni Hedone na palipat-lipat ang tingin sa mga kaharap. "Magkakilala ba kayo?"

"Hindi." Suadela denied.

"We're schoolmates." Luan retorted.

Hedone whistled.

Looking down, Suadela saw the logo of Tummy Rush on the paper bags in Luan's hands. It is a nearby restaurant to Hedone's studio.

"Your order," Luan put the paper bags on the lobby counter and looked tiredly at Hedone. "How many times should I tell you, we don't do delivery?" 

"So, sa SU ka din pala nag-aaral?" Hedone sounded amused, completely ignoring Luan's remarks.

Suadela shook her head. Small world. Who would have thought that the two of them already met? Luan mistook her for her sister before. Does he realize that it was Hedone? She immediately cut the train of her thoughts when Luan made an eye contact with her. She suddenly remembered what had happened last night. It still annoys her. With that, she stepped out without saying anything.

"Hey! Kumain ka muna, Ela!"

Suadela cringed after hearing her house nickname and didn't bother to look back even more. Outside, she reached her phone when it vibrated.

Lapit na ko.

Galing iyon kay Castor. Mapilit kasi itong sundan siya dahil alam nitong hindi maganda ang pakiramdam niya. Sasamahan siya nito sa bahay dahil nasa Baguio ang ina para sa isang seminar. She agreed on it because she hates being alone when she is sick.

"F-fuck." Napatigil siya sa paglalakad nang makaramdam ng pagkahilo. Nang mamataan ang Tummy Rush ay mabagal ang mga hakbang na nagtungo siya doon at nakiupo sa isa sa mga upuan sa labas ng restaurant.

Hindi na niya nagawang magreply pa kay Castor at lugmok sa mesa na ipinasok niya ang mga kamay sa bulsa ng hoodie na suot. Bukod sa pagkahilo ay giniginaw din siya. Gusto na niyang umuwi at mamaluktot sa kama.