TIME AFTER TIME (KathBie)

9. BEING FRIENDS WITH AN ANGEL

NO MATTER HOW HARD MARA tried to hide it hindi niya pa din matanggi sa sarili niya, pagod na siya. Nasa bahay siya nila Claire and she gave a lot of instructions already. Who knew na sobrang hirap pala maging actress? Kahit mga physical exercises ginawa nila. Siguro exaggeration lang din ni Claire iyon dahil perfectionist siya. Pati body language pinag-aaralan na din niya. Lahat ng feelings, pinakita ni Claire. Claire helped her internalize and somehow, feeling niya nagiimprove ang acting skills niya. Claire was somehow being patient na din. Mara can still feel Claire’s irritation pero hindi na kagaya ng dati. 

“Okay, let’s take a break.” Sabi ni Claire, nagpahanda na din ito ng merienda. From the garden, they transferred to their living room.

Mara slumped on the couch as she try to find her comb. Nilabas niya ang iba niyang gamit dahil sabog ang laman ng bag niya. She tied her hair and then wiped her neck with a hankerchief. Dumating si Claire at ang helper nila na may dalang food. It was settled on the table.

“Thanks, di ka na sana nag-abala.” Sabi ni Mara. 

“And what kind of host would that make me?” tanong ni Claire sa kanya. 

“Galit ka pa ba sa akin? I’m sorry, pareho naman tayong ayaw mangyari ito eh.” Sabi ni Mara with sincerity.

“I know there’s no point in getting mad at you, wala ka din naman talagang kasalanan. I guess naffrustrate lang ako.” Sabi ni Claire as she sit on the chair across Mara. “I hate this injury, I hate Migs for volunteering you.” Patuloy ni Claire.

“Sorry talaga.” Mara said as she took a bite sa cake. 

“Pero ang totoo, aside from me, sayo na talaga bagay nung role. I don’t want to give it to someone else.” Napangiti na sabi ni Claire. 

“Familiar tong cake na ‘to.” Mara complimented the cake.

“Yeah, sa Martian’s yan. Nung coffeeshop nila Christian.” Sabi ni Claire.

“Kaya pala. Masarap talaga gumawa si Chef Dina.” Biglang napasabi ni Mara.

“Alam mo, yun nung hindi ko maintindihan. Bakit parang sobrang familiar mo sa kanya? Dati nakita ko Chef Dina was hugging you. Close kayo?” Pagtatakang tanong ni Claire.

“Ah, eh, it’s a long story.” Sabi na lang ni Mara. “Magkakilala na talaga kami dati pa.” 

“So, you know Christian, too? Chef Dina is Christian’s aunt nga pala.” Claire explained.

“Ah, yeah. We used to be neighbors.” Sabi ni Mara as she took a bite of the cake. It was a new recipe, sigurado siya. It’s not one of Chef Dina’s classic. 

“Ah, you’re not close to Christian but close to Chef Dina?” pagtatakang tanong ni Claire. 

Mara gave out a little laugh pagkatapos niya uminom ng juice niya. Claire just stared at her.

“Are you really looking out for all the girls that is connected to Christian? Ganun mo ba siya kagusto? You really like Christian?” Nakangiting tanong ni Mara. Somehow she wanted to kill whatever it is between her and Claire. 

“Hayy.” Claire gave out a sigh. Parang sinasabi that she’s letting her walls down and finally telling something na matagal na niyang dinedeny. “I don’t know anymore. Frustration ko siya. He’s Christian Tolentino. Freshman pa lang ako, it didn’t take me so much time for me to like him. He was very sociable. Bago lang kasi ako nun. Pero nung tumatagal na, I start to realize na si Sandy lang yata talaga ang gusto niya. Hindi ko naman maintindihan kung bakit.” Claire sipped to her juice. She smiled at Mara as if telling her that she trusts her with all the things she’s saying.