The NBSB's Sweetest Downfall

Chapter 01 / Original Version 2013

NBSBSD: Chapter 1

I don't know what to feel. It sounds surreal. Ni hindi 'ko nga magawang tignan siya nang napa-oo na lang ako sa sinabi niya. Nagka-ugat kasi ako sa inuupuan 'ko, hindi ako makagalaw.

"And you said..." George trailed off, my best friend since God knows when.

Umiling ako, horrified and remorseful with my decision. "I said yes! I was helpless and confused. I didn't know what happened."

"Oh, really? My god, you're not an NBSB anymore."

You don't have to remind me constantly, George. Nade-depress na nga ako dito. Hindi 'ko 'rin maintindihan ang sarili 'ko kung bakit ba naman ako pumasok sa ganitong klaseng gulo. My god, I am not familiar with this kind of bullshit. I don't know how to give a fuck about other people's feelings, let alone a man.

It was maybe just because I was challenged. I liked being challenged. But not this one, though. I don't know how to win, ni hindi 'ko nga alam kung ano ba talagang pinaglalabanan namin ni Bryan. Pero kung ang challenge niya ay iyong tipong hindi 'ko siya magugustuhan, I am pretty confident I'd win. But still, it fucking bothers me.

"Ah, shit." Naiinis 'kong inuntog ang sarili 'ko sa table 'ko habang si Georgina ay naka-upo sa harapan nang la mesa 'ko.

"Deal with it. It's as simple as that." She flipped her hair and concentrated with her laptop.

Umiling ako. "It's not simple to deal with a man's shit, George. You never know what runs in his head. Hindi 'ko lang din talaga malaman-laman kung ano ba itong nasa isipan 'ko at napa-oo na lang ako. I was helpless back there! Some employees were there." I whisper yelled. Ayoko na sanang marinig pa nang malanding secretary 'ko.

"Hindi mo malaman laman kung bakit ka napa-oo?" tumawa siya at ako naman ang naguluhan. She looks amused. "Because he's Bryan Saavadra Lopez, Nicole! He is your prince charming."

Napatawa ako dahil doon at umiling-iling sakanya. "Fairytales don't happen, they can't happen, it's nonexistent."

"You don't get my point, Nicole." She rolled her eyes. "Hayaan mo lang siya. Let him do whatever he wants to do. He's the man. If you want to ignore him, ignore him all you want. Just let him do whatever pleases him. I know he's a good man. Don't stop him from being him."

Napataas ang kilay 'ko sakanya at nagkibit balikat siya sa'kin sa'ka muling tinignan ang papeles na ipina-rereview 'ko sakanya. She looked again at her laptop. Ni hindi man lang niya napapansin na nagpa-panic na ako. There's a fucking turmoil inside my head and I just hate it.

"I don't know if you're my friend or his." Napa-iling ako habang nakatingin sa computer 'ko na katabi nang laptop 'ko. My god, I can't even concentrate with my work.

"Don't get too affected. If you do, para mo na 'ring sinabi na talo sa kanya. You're spacing out, you're not concentrated, you're agitated. Stop it." Tinignan niya ako. "Para kang hindi si Nicole na confident. Can't you win this battle?"

Itong bruhang ito, kung hindi 'ko lang siya best friend ay pinalayas 'ko na siya rito sa opisina 'ko.

I rolled my eyes. "I can. I'm just annoyed, George. Bigyan mo nalang kaya ako nang kape para may magawa ka sa buhay mo?"

Umismid siya. "I'm not your secretary. Maka-utos talaga 'tong bruhang ito."

"Pero tatayo ka na." She did. She's always like that. Magrereklamo pero susunod. Hindi dahil boss 'ko siya kundi dahil ganyan talaga ang ugali niya. Alam naman niya kung sino ang tutulungan at hindi. "Bait talaga."