One More Drink

03 | ketana

03
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k e t a n a

Tatlong araw na'ng lumipas simula ang katangahang nagawa ko. Still his image couldn't be easily dissolved by any solvent. Hirap na hirap akong makalimutan siya. Of course, his my long-time heart's desire! Nathan, who made me feel complete though I didn't have any parcel from him.

"Alam kong mabibigla ka kapag nabasa mo na 'to," matalim kong tiningnan ang tomboy kong kaibigan, April. I catnap.

Napadako ang tingin ko sa isang kulay puti at maliit na sobre'ng isinilampak niya sa ibabaw ng mesa. Kunot-noo ko itong tiningnan. As if the envelope at my front is inviting me to open it as soon as possible.

"Mabibigla?" was all I asked.

Ngumisi ito at saka inayos ang kulay puting panyo sa kanyang ulo; nakasuot siya ng itim na sombrero at kitang-kita ang tatak na tsek sa harapan nito. Mas lalo ko pang nilaliman ang mga tingin ko sa kanya.

"Bakit hindi mo na lang buksan ang envelope?" maikli niyang pakli.

I rolled my eyes and showed a bitter smile. Wala ka talagang makukuhang impormasyon kapag ganito ang kausap mo. Sabagay, wala namang alam ang tomboy na 'to kundi ang maglayag at maghanap ng mabibingwit na isda!

Marahan kong kinuha ang envelope. Mukhang mahalagang mensahe ang nasa loob nito. Nang makita ko ito, naramdaman ko ang pagbilis ng aking kaba. By the way t'was folded and placed inside the envelope - it indicates information, anew.

Nanginig ang mga kamay ko. I don't know why all of a sudden my hands turned like an engine, it won't stop shivering 'till I open the card.

Tumingin muna ako kay April. She persisted; she may exude a magic that would control me and follow her.

In my sincerity, I started to open the envelope and my eyes frantically traveled to read what's inside the card.

Dearest Ms. Ketana Anduanne Virchow,

It is your pleasure to read this message. Forget about what happened between us inside the cubicle. Magkita tayo bukas, 8 A.M. in the morning at Abueldo's Mansion. I would not waste any of your time.

Respectfully,
Nathan

Talaga lang, ha? I smirked after I read the message. Talagang nag-effort siya para magsulat? Iba ka din pala Mr. Nathaniel Bretan Abueldo. I just couldn't blame him for sending this letter. He doesn't have any of my social media accounts, kahit email ko ay wala siya. He's traditional, isn't he?

"Ano? Pumapayag ka?" she interrupted me.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at hindi na nagsalita para sagutin siya. Nakakatamad at wala akong gana para kausapin siya.