Princess Series Two: The Bitter Bitch

20: The Baby II

JASMINE

"Erella, what the hell? Calm down!"

Huminga ng malalim si Erella sa kabilang linya pero 'di naglaon ay tumili din ng sobrang lakas. Napangiwi ako at saglit nilayo ang phone ko mula sa tenga ko. "I can't believe it, Jas! Can you? Shit, Jasmine, I'm getting married!"

Kahit naiinis ako sa kaingayan niya, napangiti padin ako. Contrary to my overprotective nature when it comes to my friends, gusto kong mag-settle down na sila. Biased of me for not wanting the same for myself, pero nasa protective nature ko kasi na protektahan ang mga kaibigan ko, e. They're my sisters, practically. And I'm so happy for Erella, who, ever since a young girl, wanted to meet her Prince Charming so badly. Sana lang si Richard na talaga ang lalaki'ng para sakanya dahil ayokong maranasan ng mga kaibigan ko 'yung pinagdaanan kong heartbreak.

"I'm happy for you, bi. I really am. Kailan at paano siya nag-propose?" tanong ko at sumandal sa inuupuan kong couch. I'm waiting for Papa right now dahil magkikita daw sila ni Derick for a game of golf. Of course, taga-sundo lang ako dahil magba-bonding daw ang dalawa. At the thought, I rolled my eyes. They've been spending a lot of time together na kahit ako ay hindi na masyadong nakaka-date si Derick. We barely have time to make babies dahil busy siya masyado sa pakikipag-kwentuhan kay Papa. I'm glad they're getting along really well pero I need my Derick time, too!

"Well, gusto kong i-kwento kapag kumpleto na tayo! When do you think we can all meet up?" Erella asked.

Napaisip ako saglit. "Si Ari paniguradong makakapunta anytime. Count me in, too. Pero si Belle? Eh, I don't know. Wala na ata siyang leave or time off dahil ginamit niya last week."

"Aw. Kung punta kaya tayo sa apartment niya? Tapos magluto tayo and we can wait for her there."

I smiled. Talagang desidido siyang ipagsigawan na ikakasal na siya. I don't blame her, though. A woman in love is a woman in bliss. "Sure, that sounds good. Ikaw na magsabi kay Ari and kayo nadin ang bumili ng ingredients. I'll call Belle later."

"Thank you, Jas! So see you later?"

"See you later, bi. Bye!"

The call ended and I felt myself grin. Excited na ako na ikasal si Erella, dahil siya ang unang ikakasal sa grupo. I've always wanted to be a bridesmaid!

Before I could lock my phone, may tumawag na naman.

"Miss?" Diana greeted.

"Diana, call me Jasmine." Natawa ako. "Even before I met Derick, sinabi ko na sa'yong 'Jasmine' nalang itawag mo sa'kin, e."

Natawa siya. "Kunwari professional," biro niya kaya natawa ako. Ever since I met Derick's family, naging close na ako sakanila. In the span of two months, apat na beses na ata kaming lumabas and Derick wasn't there to chauffeur for us dahil sabi ni ate Denise na mas maganda daw kapag all girls lang. Derick had a lot to say, but he wasn't heard or listened to. Doon ko nalaman kung saan niya namana ang pagiging pursigido at pagkatigas ng ulo niya.

"What's up?"

"Andito kasi si Mr. Raymond Andres, at gusto ko daw niyang maka-usap."

Whoa, what?

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Ano'ng kailangan niya sa'kin?"

"Hindi ko alam, pero mukhang bad mood siya. Ano'ng sasabihin ko?"

I sighed. "Tell him na late ako papasok, family matters. I'll be there in about one hour, though."

"Sige, sige. Pa-hi naman kay tito Manuel tapos kay kuya din," aniya at um-oo naman ako. My dad had demanded to meet Derick's family, kaya naman pumunta silang lahat minsan dito. Even Denise's husband came pero naiwan ang anak nilang masyado pang bata para magpuyat. Needless to say, they all got along very well.