Chances (The Girl Ghost Writer 2)

Chapter 3

"What happened to you? We're waiting for you!" Galit na galit si Kaye.

"I'm sorry Kaye. May inayos lang ako saglit."

"Reasons."

"I'm sorry na nga kasi. At least I'm here."

"Oo nga naman, Kayenah," Tom defensing me again.

"Hay naku! Isa ka pa." 

Nag walk out si Kayenah.

"What did I do?" nagtatakang tanong ni Tom. Sinundan nya si Kaye.

"Kaye naman. I'm sorry."

"Hmmp!"

"Kaye... I..."

Biglang dumating ang isang babae. 

"Oh! I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Medyo na traffic lang," a woman apprached us.

I think she is in her late 30s. Maputi, medyo singkit. Maganda. Super ganda.

"It's fine, Mrs. Tan. By the way, these are my friends..." hindi nakatapos si Kaye.

Nilapitan ako ng babae. She has this soft palms na animoy pambata.

"Have we met before?"

Staring blankly at her, I responded, "Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry Mrs. Tan. This is Debline Sy. She is an editor-journalist from one of the biggest magazines in New York. I think you haven't met each other," answered Kaye.

"I see. Nice meeting you, Debline. Tom! Great to see you again!"

"Pleased to hear that, Emily," said Tom

"Debline, this is Mrs. Emily Tan. She's a friend of mine. A great client. And a good friend of mine and Tom's."

"You're a good friend too, Kaye."

"Thanks Emily."

Para akong ewan. Sino sya?

"Shall we order? My treat," she said.

"Great! Kailan ka pa dumating ng Pilipinas, Emily?" asked Tom.

"Last week pa. I'm visiting my son."

"I see. I thought he's in Chicago," said Tom.

"Alam mo naman yun, Tom. He keeps on changing from one place to another."

"HAHAHAHA! ThAt man. When will he grow up?" said Tom.

Who is this MAN they're talking about?

"So, kayo? Kailan kayo dumating?"

"A couple of days ago. We all need a break. Right Debby?" asked Kaye.

"Tahimik ka yata, iha?"

"I-I'm sorry. I was just. Ugh! Don't mind me."

"She's just stressed lately. Phone calls pa rin kahit on leave," sabat ni Tom.

"HAHAHA! Don't stress up yourself dear. Maaga kang tatanda nyan."

I'm still speechless.

"Tignan mo tong si Emily, she'es still looking young. By her looks, you can't really tell her age," said Tom.

"That's thoughtful of you, Tommy. And kaya nga gusto ko kayong imbitahan. I'll be celebrating my 45th birthday. Friday next week."

"You're 45???! Oh my gee! I thought you're 30 something."

Out of nowhere, I reacted that.

"HAHAHAHA! How sweet of you Debby," she said.

"See Emily? No one can really tell how young you are. HAHAH!" Kaye added.

"(blushing) Shut up Kaye. Nakakahiya na."

We were all laughing. She went into the details of her birthday. It's going to be a black and red party. Isasabay nya sa launching ng bago nilang product. 

We ate, talked and I felt na comfortable na ako sa kanya. I think we're good friends now.

"Thank you for the treat, Emily," said Tom.

"Anytime. See you next Friday then?"

"Count us in," answered Kaye.

"Nice meeting you, Debby."

"Nice meeting you too, Emily."

We shook hands. We parted ways. 

"She's beautiful."

"Yeah. Getting more beautiful each day," added Tom.

"How I wish I'm going to be like her someday. Yung tipong parang hindi tumatanda," Kaye said.

"Asa ka pa!" teased Tom.

"Nakakainis ka!" reacted Kaye.

And we're all laughing.