Three Meters Above The Sky

Chapter 5: The Honest Truth

"Everybody, this is Glaiza," Celeste introduced her to Nate and Elena, two of their closest friends.

"Hi Glaiza," Elena smiled genuinely at bumeso pa sa kanya na kinagaan ng loob niya. Kanina pa kasi siya nini- nerbiyos at ilang beses naisipan wag na tumuloy. Kasi naman what on Earth was she supposed to do all night at a night out with these people? Kaninang umaga niya lang nakilala itong si Celeste at ngayon naman ang dalawa nilang kaibigan. Although, inaamin naman niya sa sarili niya na she was dying for some grown-up conversation, madalas kasing si Noah lang ang kausap niya. And of course, hoping pa din siya to catch up with Rhian, eh yun kung sisipot ito.

"Nice to meet you," nakangiting sabi ni Glaiza sa dalawang bagong kilala. When Nate heard Glaiza's accent, his ears perked up. Tinanong nito kung saan siya galing at ng malaman tiga Pilipinas siya ay tuloy tuloy na ang mga tanong nito. After answering several questions, Glaiza raised her eyebrows and looked to Celeste for help. Uncomfortable na kasi ang mga tanong nito sa kanya at mukhang nagpapa cute na.

Usually, Celeste enjoyed Nate's company since they had finished college together, he had became a good friend, pero there was no denying it, he was incredibly vain. Well, they liked him well enough because when he wasn't obsessing about his looks he was good fun. Amused, Celeste and Elena watched Glaiza squirm as Nate made his moves. He worked hard. Celeste could tell that he was completely bowled over by Glaiza. To their further amusement, within minutes after learning that Glaiza was new at Silver Sands, he produced every contactable number and address in the known universe just in case Glaiza needed a tour of city.

"Ok, that's enough. I swear, Nate you're a dead meat!" Natatawang sabi ni Celeste at tumuro sa likuran nila. Sabay naman sila lumingon ni Glaiza at nakita nga nilang nakatayo dun si Rhian na nakasimangot. If looks could kill, kanina pa bumulagta si Nate.

"Hey, you made it!" Bati ni Nate na oblivious sa masamang titig ni Rhian sa kanya. Tumayo ito at inoffer ang upuan niya. "I'll go get your drink, you want Tequila?"

"Beer. Strong," maikling tugon ni Rhian sa tanong ni Nate. Wala man lang explanation ito kung bakit siya late.

The night went on as the group drank and engaged into friendly chatter. Tahimik lang si Glaiza na nakikinig sa kanila. Hindi din naman niya kilala kung sino sino ang mga pinag-uusapan nila at wala naman siyang masyadong alam sa politics dito, mag aapat na buwan pa lang kasi siya sa America.

Elena eventually interrupted when she noticed Glaiza getting bored. "So, enough about politics. Let's talk about Glaiza here."

"I'm not as interesting to talk about as your politicians here," nahihiyang sagot ni Glaiza at biglang gusto niya ng umuwi ngayong nasa kanya ang spotlight.

"Are you and Rhian old friends?" singit ni Nate dahil may napapansin siyang kakaiba.

Glaiza glanced at Rhian before answering. "Yes. You could say that."

Nate immediately asked, "How did you two meet?"  There was an awkward silence. Glaiza didn't want to go into that part of her past. Na- sense naman ni Nate ang tensyon. He turned to Rhian and said.  "You are always been so mysterious about your  past. Tell me, Is there something going on between you and Glaiza?"

Halos maibuga naman ni Rhian ang beer na iniinum niya. Shocked silence fell across the table. Nate looked at Glaiza then Rhian. "No offense, Rhian but you could barely keep your eyes off of her the entire time and you were seething everytime you noticed me checking her out," Nate laughed so loud that Rhian wanted to smack him repeatedly.

Wiping her lips, Glaiza blushed. Posible kayang may katotoohanan ang sinabi ni Nate na kanina pa siya pinagmamasdan palihim ni Rhian?

Nate now turned to Glaiza. Apparently, he's on a roll. "You know," he said waving a finger between Rhian and himself. "We've known Rhian for a couple of years, but she's never been on a serious relationship," He gazed at Rhian as if she was an alien. "Never!" he said. He looked at Celeste. "Isn't that right?"