Chances and Choices

Chapter 8: Countdown to Five

Chapter 8: Countdown to Five

It's that time of the year.

Ngayon na yung most awaited team building ng organization namin.

Yung location namin is sa Antipolo, so kailangan naming maaga umalis since it's only a two-day event, and lahat ng activities sa first day namin gagawin.

4:30 am ang meet up namin sa school. And I hate it. Hindi ako morning person, pero sino ang mag-aadjust? Syempre ako.

3 am ginising na ako ng magaling kong roommate at nagsabing magready na daw kami kasi sobrang excited na siya. She's saying all these farewells if ever daw di kami magkagroup, and at the same time, sinabi niya din na tatalunin niya ang group ko if ever. Well, dahil half-asleep pa ako, I didn't respond and I didn't care. My mind just keep telling me na "Let's just get over this. Matatapos rin naman tong team building na to."

After ko maligo and magprepare and everything, natuwa din naman ako kahit papano kasi paglabas ko ng kwarto ko, breakfast was ready. One thing about Eunice: She loves to cook. She's a Kapampangan, kaya naman kailangan niyang ibandera ang cooking skills niya. Well, not being biased or anything, magaling siya magluto. The bad thing about it: She cooks large portions and ayaw niya ng nagtitira. So cheat day kami everytime magluluto siya.

"Breakfast?" nakangiting tanong niya.

"Breakfast."

Tahimik kaming nagbbreakfast nang may nagdoorbell.

"Are you expecting someone?" tanong niya sakin.

"Why would I be? Baka si Carl?"

"I would love to assume na si Carl yan, pero andun siya sa babae niya."

"You're talking like Carl's cheating on you. Wala namang kayo."

"Huhuhu. Ansakit non ha! Bubuksan ko na nga lang ang pinto!" padabog na sabi ni Eunice.

Yes, I hurt her feelings, pero I don't want to sugarcoat kapag feelings na ni Eunice usapan. Masyado siyang madaling mafall, ma-attach. Mas mabuti na sigurong saktan siya ng katotohanan kesa paniwalain siya sa kalokohan.

"I thought you weren't expecting someone?" Eunice said while having her sarcastic smile.

"Wala naman talaga―"

He's there.

Prince is standing in front of me.

"Good morning." parang nahihiya pang sabi ni Prince.

"Good morning Prince! Anong pinunta mo dito? Si Kath ba?" nang-aasar na tanong ni Eunice.

"Ahh," he giggled, "Naisip ko lang na sumabay na kayo sakin. Para hindi na kayo magdrive."

Even before I answered, sumingit na si Eunice, "Ay no! Balak sana namin magcommute talaga. Kasi ayaw iwan ni Kath yung kotse niya sa school."

Yes, marunong ako magdrive. Actually both of us. Kaso ako yung mas nagdadrive, since mas mahaba daw ang tulog ko compared sa kanya. To make things short, natutulog lagi si Eunice sa byahe. Naiinis ako minsan kasi gusto ko rin natutulog lang ako sa byahe, thanks to my kuya and to this chipmunk guy, naranasan ko.

"Makes more reasonable kung bakit ako nandito. Hindi ko kayo hahayaang magcommute ng madaling-araw."

"Aw, how sweet naman ng friend natin. I so love you na." yakap pa ni Eunice kay Prince, "Walang malisya to Prince ha? Si Carl pa rin bet ko," na tinawanan lang ni Prince.