Friend Of Mine

Chapter 1: Encounter

Chapter 1

"ARLENE! OPEN YOUR DOOR! ARLENE.." na gising ako mula sa malakas na sigaw at katok ni Kharrie.

Dahan-dahan ko'ng binuksan ang aking mata at napabalikwas ng bangon matapos ang sunod-sunod na katok niya.

"Arlene! Bilisan mong buksan to! Dali!!" I walk towards the door and open it. Sumalubong sa akin ang matamis na ngiti ni Kharrie. Kharrie is my roommate ever since college. 'Di parin siya bumukod ng condo until now kahit na may kanya-kanyang trabaho na kami.

I glared at her and she just plastered an annoying smirk on her face. "What now? Can't you see? Ang aga-aga nang i-istorbo ka?" Singal ko sa kanya.

Hindi niya alintana ang mga sinabi ko. She just entered my room without my permission and sit on my messy bed, making herself comfortable from it.

She's wearing a spaghetti topped with a black blazer and a tight ripped jeans partnered with five inches stilettos.

She looks like a model while sitting pretty, on the contrary I'm just wearing my silky camisole without undies. It feel so cozy by wearing these.

I notice that she's holding a long brown envelope.

"What's that?" Tanong ko na agad ding nagpabalik sa mood niya na parang may ka aya-ayang nangyari.

"Yieeeee, HAHAHA guess what?" Ani niya na nakataas ang isang kilay while smiling at me like a Cheshire cat.

"ANO?" Pikon kong tanong sa kanya. Ba't 'di nalang kaya nya sabihin kung ano yon. May ma thrill-thrill pang nalalaman ang gaga.

"I'm so happy for you! I can't believe na na pa aga ito pero yieeeee..." Sabi niya while giggling na parang dumaan sa harapan niya yung crush niya.

Haiissstt!! Ano na naman ba'ng trip ng babaeng 'to? But since her excitement is reaching to the highest, so why not taking this opportunity to snatch  on what she's holding?

While she's busy blabbering about the mystery content of the envelope, I grab the long brown envelope without her perceiving it.

As I  slowly open the lid and I pull the
Scented paper. Realization shocked me the most.

I can't hold back from bursting into cry. Tears of joy streak  in my face.
A huge smile plastered in my lips as I read the letter out loud.

"The Pyong chang Publishing Inc. is inviting your Company for the Pyong chang's annual celebration here in seoul, South Korea.  The Union of Asian Publishing Companies will be expecting to attend in this commemoration.
It will be our honor to welcome and accommodate a company like yours.
Respectfully yours, Pyong Chang Inc."  Oh My Gosh!? Totoo ba to? The High and mighty Pyong Chang is inviting our publishing company?

Hindi parin ako makapaniwala sa nangyari. Kharrie pulled my hair lighty 'tsaka nya ipinakita ang isa pang letter na nasa loob ng envelope.

"Gaga oh! may isa ka 'pang letter na nakakubli 'jan sa loob ng sobre," agad kong kinuha ang isang sobre sa kamay niya.

To Ms. Arlene Zhyne Mendoza,

         Good day!
         By this moment, I presume that you already received the letter from the Union of Asian Publishing Companies' Office.

The Board of Directors decided that you will be representing our company as your credentials say that you are competent enough to  stand as the company's representative.

The company will be on your hands. Good luck!!

Sincerely,
Mr. Sheldon C. Navarro
PRESIDENT OF SHN PUBLISHING COMPANY

I was in awe and nervous at the same time knowing that my company trusted me that much.

The last thing that I will do in my life is to disappoint someone who  trusted me. I'll do my best to bring honor to this company. AJA! Fighting!!

After a few moments of chikahan with Kharrie, I decided to take a shower.

I took my camisole off and headed to the shower room with a towel that wrapped around my curved body.

I immediately adjusted the waters' temperature to warm. As I stand beneath the warm water of the shower, a prick of pain run through my head. A burning sensation that lingers from my head down to toe.

It feels like my head will torn into pieces. By a moment, I stumbled and fell on the cold tiles.

I was screaming on top of my lungs due to unbearable pain. I was close to fainting but suddenly a blur image crossed my vision. An image of a boy sitting along the stream.

Was it a memory? Or was it a  delusion?

After calming myself down I slowly stood up and start taking a bath.

After minutes of staying in the shower I dried myself using the towel and wears a pink robe.

I walked back to my room and open the door of my walk in closet. I choose to wear A plain white long sleeves paired with high waist denim pants at cute na pink sandals. I let my hair down para ma match sa outfit ko today.

Nauna na kasi si Kharrie sa opisina kaya ako nalang mag-isa.

Nang matapos ako sa aking umagang gawain ay kinuha ko agad ang susi ng sasakyan at nag lakad palabas ng condo habang bitbit ang isang tumbler ng kape sa kaliwang kamay, at Gucci bag naman sa kanan.

Nang masigurado ko na ang seguridad ng condo ay humakbang na ako patungong elevator. While waiting for the elevator to open, a familiar scent of a man lingers into my nose. I tried to remember on where and when did I smelled this kind of scent.

Hinay-hinay kong nilingon ang taong nagtataglay ng pamilyar na pabango. At ng malingon ko siya ay nag tama ang aming mata. Shocked was written all over his handsome face. His almond eyes grow wide and his kissable lips got distant. I was puzzled by his reaction.

Did we met before?

What's with his reaction?

I didn't know na may Neighbor pala akong ganito ka gwapo. He has this thick black brows which I notice first. A brown almond eyes that captures my sight. A well chiseled jaw that makes every girl waver. A nose that is  perfectly formed as well as his pink kissable lips. His lean and not so muscular body makes me want to touch him and Lastly what captures my sight is his  straight hair na hanggang balikat ang Haba.

After examing his features from head to foot I immediately furrowed my brows to hide my embarrassment.

"Hi? Did we met before? Okay Lang Kung di mo sagutin, Actually you look familiar? Kakilala ba Kita?" Sunod-sunod kong tanong sakanya pa as if na Hindi ko siya ni rate by his looks. I waited for seconds still wala parin siyang isinagot maski Isa.

Hmm.. snobero naman pala tong si kuyang neighbor.

Tumayming din na bumukas ang elevator. Nauna na akong pumasok sa loob then I notice na his hesitating to come inside.

"Aren't you coming down?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"No." Maiksing tugon niya pabalik. Di kaya mapanis Ang laway ni kuyang neighbor haha problema na nya 'yon.

Tumango nalang ako sabay sabing..."Okay." Then I push the basement button. While the elevator's slowly closing its door, Our eyes still intact with each other. For a mere seconds I thought my heart will sneak out from my chest. My heart is pounding so heavily. I punched my chest to stop the abnormal beat of this heart.

A teardrop falls from my face. I tried to wipe it out. From a single drop to rain, it happens so suddenly that I weep so soundly.

Who are you?