The (not so) Sweet Serendipity

12

October 2018, 2 months before the "Grand Reunion"

"Talagang nagpatahi ka pa ng gown?" Career ah. I was really surprised since the invitation does say semi-formal attire.

Valeen and Kenneth are both here in my place and the three of us are seated on the couch in my living room. Valeen went to visit again so she can buy her outfit for the reunion.

"Gaga ka talaga, semi-formal nga eh." Ang gullible ko pa rin talaga.

"Alam kong semi-formal, kaya nga nagulat ako na nagpatahi ka pa diba." Valeen faked laughed and then she became serious.

"Nagpatahi nga ako pero hindi gown! Nagpatahi ako ng dress." Kenneth couldn't take this conversation anymore, he laughed and it was so contagious that I found myself laughing too.

"Something's never change talaga. Pero teka, parang napapadalas pag visit mo dito ah." She usually comes twice a year only to visit me but I think this is now her fourth visit, not that I'm complaining or anything. Just curious.

Is it just me or did Valeen just blush. I look at Kenneth but he didn't seem to notice. So maybe not, but it really looked like she did.

"Wala, I'm just really excited for this big reunion of ours. High School kaya was the best."

"Yeah nakakamiss nga High School days natin no, parang sobrang dali lang ng buhay nun." Kenneth added.

"I agree, best years of our lives maybe." It was true. I grew up with these people and it was really nice that we had one night to catch up and reminisce with everyone.

Valeen and Kenneth then looked at me. I suddenly felt conscious.

"Kung makatingin naman guys, did I say anything wrong?

"Alam mo ba ang mga nangyayari sa mga High School reunions, Menggay?" This was very Valeen but I still wasn't catching on. Diba reunions are basically catching up and reminiscing with classmates? I must've really looked confused cause she kept going, "Puro throwback yun. Kasi we will look back on our High School years." I still didn't get where she was going with this, though she heavily emphasized on High School.

"Yeah, that's how High School reunions work right?" I looked at Kenneth as if asking for back up.

"Wala lang kasi I'm sure puro pictures niyo ni Chard yun. Buhay niyo nung High School was each other diba? Ready ka rin ba for that?"

"I would love to see them. He was my High School sweetheart, Val. Hindi natin mababago yun. Ayoko rin naman baguhin." I said this matter-of-factly. Sila Val pa ang nagulat. I can tell from their reactions na hindi pa rin talaga sila totally used to me talking like this about Richard.

Valeen and Kenneth are witnesses to how I changed and matured because of my past relationship with Chard. They saw how fragile I became. Their only fear was that I was just putting up this façade. Even my with my boyfriend after Chard that ended just four months ago (but again, leave that to another chapter), they feel that he was just a rebound. Jusko guys, 2017 naging kami nun, rebound pa rin? Yung totoo? Mas baliw na ata 'tong mga kaibigan ko eh, nahawa sa kagagahan ko nuon.

They just love teasing me so much. I have told them over and over, that relationship was a big part of my life, it took a big chunk of it even when we were no longer in a relationship. It may have brought so much pain, but the happiness it gave me outweighs the hurt. It took me years to realise this but that's the truth.

Si Kenneth naman ang sisingit, "So kahit andun silang dalawa magkasama ni Louise? Balita ko ikakasal na ata yung dalawang yun eh."

"Yeah, walang problema. Ah talaga? Nice, I'm happy for them. I'd even congratulate them. They deserve it." Agad kong sagot and I was being honest. I smiled at the irony of this, ang dami na palang signs na hindi talaga kami ni Richard in the end. Doctor Richard was bound to end up with a doctor wife all along. I smiled at a memory. It's a good thing busy yung dalawa.

Valeen would then say, "Sure na ba yung kasal? Parang chismis lang naman?"

"Oo, sure na yun. Hinihintay na lang kung kalian balak ni Richard mag propose. Meron pa nga baka daw sa reunion mag propose eh. Since andun na lang rin naman lahat, diba? Okay yun. Kung ako yun, ganun gagawin ko eh." Kenneth still on the topic of this wedding.

Daming alam ni Kenneth, "San mo naman naririnig yung ganyan? Mas marunong ka pa sa taong mag propose? Hanap ka muna girlfriend mo, huy." Niloko ko siya para naman makabawi ako minsan. Actually, I think Kenneth is right, that's exactly how Richard would want it if ever.

"Bakit kaya hindi na lang kayong dalawa? Bagay naman kayo ah, magkasundo pa. Tapos pareho kayong lawyers. Oha, may pantapat na tayo sa doctor couple." Si Valeen naman, minsan nga lang ako makabawi, ang bilis bumalik sakin.

Awkward silence. Shit. Actually, okay naman si Kenneth eh, hindi ko rin alam bakit never ko siya naconsider. I guess we just all need that one guy friend na, how do I say this, na alam mong friends lang talaga kayo and that's it? I don't know. Kenneth did really keep me sane. He's my rock nga diba. Buti na lang nag salita na si Kenneth.

"Alam mo Val, sa totoo lang. Tama ka naman eh, kami ang perfect match ni Meng. Kaso nakita ko na kagagahan ng kaibigan nating yan. Platonic love ang meron kami, no more no less." Convinced naman ata si Val sa sinagot niya.

Thank you, Kenneth. You will forever be my rock.