A Close Second

Seventy Fourth

GREGGORY ELIJAH LORENZO

Second to the last day before we leave, biglang umulan.

I woke up gray skies and gentle light rain. Parang ang sarap pang matulog pero alam kong gising na ang mga tao kaya naman pinilit kong bumangon at maghilamos na bago bumaba.

Hindi nga ako nagkamali dahil naabutan ko si Thea at si Jake na nasa kusina, busy with breakfast preparations already. Nag babati ng itlog si Thea habang si Jake naman nasa harap ng counter, already busy with the waffle iron.

"You're up early." Thea smiles at me.

"Ikaw rin." Sabi ko, sitting down on the barstool by the counter. "Bakit ba ang aga niyong magising?"

"Bold of you to think we slept." She says at me, an eyebrow raised, eyes already playful.

I smirked. "I'd ask if you used protection, but I know your boyfriend is too prude to even touch you."

A snort came from Jake as he takes off a steaming waffle out of the iron. Thea just laughed and then took an empty cup, sliding it to me.

"I already brewed coffee, just pour yourself a cup na." she smiles.

Sinunod ko nalang siya, takin g the freshly brewed pot and serving myself. I looked out the glass door, seeing the light drizzle that had started.

"I guess no beach for us today, huh?" Tanong ko.

"Good because I still look like a tomato from yesterday."

Aya skipped the last part of the stairs, Nico lagging from behind her while on his phone. She reaches out a hand, taking my cup of coffee from my hand and smiling.

"Hey, that's mine."

"Thank you! Good morning BB" She laughs habang pumunta sa counter, and looking at Thea before smiling sweetly. "May balak ka bang lasunin kami?"

Thea looks at her, deadpanned. "I have half a mind to."

"Sige, Ai. Inisin mo si Thea, baka nga mamaya di ka talaga lumabas ng banyo buong araw."

Jethro jogged down the stairs while Laiza followed, yawning but already showered and dressed. They take the seat beside Aya, watching Thea slice some strawberries habang si Jake naman nag lapag ng waffles sa harap ng mga ito.

"We have to stay indoors today, guys." Sabi nito sa amin, taking the eggs that Thea was beating kanina. "Mag movie marathon nalang tayo o mag inom dito sa loob."

"Utang ng loob." Laiza frowns. "Baka mamaya masakal ko ng wala sa oras si Aya kung ganito siya kaaga uminom."

"Teh, kung mamayang gabi rin naman ako mag iinom, sasakalin mo rin naman ako, edi agahan na natin." Aya grins.

Nico joins in the discussion. "For the love of God, please ilayo niyo ang alak muna sa girlfriend ko."

Napailing nalang ako saka naman nagsimulang kumuha ng mga plato para mag lagay sa hapag. Hinayaan ko silang mag-asaran muna habang nagaayos ako ng mesa.

Binuksan ni Jethro yung pintuan malapit, letting the breeze in. Medyo malamig yung hangin dahil umuulan sa labas.

"Ano ba dapat ang gagawin today?" Tanong ni Laiza habang kumuha ng sariling kape. "Ang alam ko may pupuntahan dapat tayo e."

"Sa bayan sana para makapamili ng pasalubong pero baka mamaya na yun." Nico says beside her, holding Aya's mug which was previously mine. "Wala pa sila Pareng Andeng."