Dress Me Up Or Dress Me Down

VII

“No. Freaking. Way.” Dianne astounded as her jaw dropped.

We were hanging out at our unit’s veranda, we were drinking beer and eating chips as we talked about different random stuff that has happened to us. Noong umpisa ay nagkataon lang na sabay-sabay kaming tumambay sa veranda para magpahangin hanggang sa naging weekly tradition na namin ito. I like hanging out with my girls, they make my life more fun. They’re more than just my housemates, they were the sisters I never had.

“Yup. I was shocked din when I heard it from her,” I said before sipping my beer. The cold bitter taste of the beverage felt good against the hot summer nights of the Philippines.

“Ang lungkot naman nun para kay Belle at ang unfair para kay Xanthus.” Cassandra commented.

“I know. Eto namang si Belle, patuloy pa ring nagtatrabaho for them kasi iyon lang daw ang way para makita niya pa rin si Xanthus,” dagdag ko pa.

My eyes landed on Gus na kanina pa tahimik ever since we talked about Xander and Belle. She was intently looking at the bottle of beer in her hand.

“Ang tahimik mo naman Gus. Is there something bothering you?” tanong ko sa kaniya.

“Ah. I was just thinking of a plot for my story.” Gus responded, beaming at me. She drank her beer as if she was dehydrated; and she wasn’t the best drinker among us.

Dianne noticed Gus’ odd actions too. “Ay, beh, uhaw na uhaw lang?”

Tinawanan lang siya ni Gus. Tumayo siya mula sa kaniyang pagkakaupo sa bean bag. “Kukuha pa ako ng beer. Sino pang may gusto?”

All of us raised our hand. We all looked at each other and smiled. Naglakad na papasok sa loob si Gus para kumuha pa ng mga beer.

“It seems like we all had a tough week.” Cass said as she lit up her smoke.

“Tell me about it.” Pagsang-ayon ni Dianne. Kinuha niya ang sigarilyo sa kamay ni Cass at siya ang humithit nito.

“Rude much.” Sabi ni Cass at pabirong inirapan si Dianne.

“Aww. I love you too, Cass.” Dianne mockingly said and smirked at Cass.

Gus arrived with bottles of beer in her hands. Tulad nga ng slogan ng San Mig Light. Mahaba-haba pa ang inuman.

- - - - - - - - -

Two days had passed since I became the unofficial-official stylist of MX. Bella and I met up for two consecutive days to talk about the designs of the suits that they’ll wear for the shoot. Bella has her own team and tailor business that’s why making customized suits out of scratch for the guys is a walk in the park.

“So, tapos na ‘yung mga undershirts nila. We’ll start with their coats naman.” Nakangiting sabi ni Bella. Nasa loob kami ngayon ng meeting room. Isinasabit naming ang mga undershirt na gagamitin nila for the shoot sa stand. Magsusukat kasi sila for adjustments.

“That’s good. Pero kakayanin ba talagang matapos ‘yung mga coats and pants within 4 days?”

“Yup. My team and I decided na maglagay na rin ng night shift para mas mapabilis ‘yung production.” Sagot niya habang masusing tinitignan ang isang black silk undershirt na hawak niya. “This one will look really good on Xan.”

Bella was smiling but I could certainly feel that she’s breaking inside. Seeing her trying her best to keep herself together deeply moved me. Hindi ko alam kung magiging kasinlakas ko siya if ever na ako man ang nasa sitwasyon niya.

Bella and Xanthus loved and still love each other but they can’t be together. All because of a certain someone na bigla na lang pumasok sa buhay nila and ruined everything.