Little too Late

Chapter 9 Defeat

" Mhicaelah, anak, gising na. It's already 7:30. Hindi ka pa kumakain." At bahagyang niyugyog ang balikat ko. Nagaalalang mukha ang kinamulatan ko.

Napabangon akong bigla at tarantang hinagilap ang cellphone ko.

" Five text messages received" one from Aron, charrie, and three from Zach. I open it one by one starting with Aron.

" baby-aron: bakla, we'll pick you up at 8:30. See you!"

" baby-charrie: elah, you don't have to do this. Pag-isipan mo etong mabuti. You still have time to change your mind."

" Fortaleza: Mhicaelah, don't forget 9 pm."

" Fortaleza: Please be there okay? This will be the last."

" Fortaleza: I'll be waiting. See you!"

" anak,kumain ka na. Are you not feeling well?" Nagaalalang tanong ni mama. I totally forget she's still here.

I smiled " okay lang po ako ma. Bababa na po ako. Napagod lang ako kanina"

" o sige baba ka na. Sabay na tayo." at lumabas na si mama sa kwarto. Napatitig nalang ako sa phone ko. Ni isa wala akong nireply. Ilang sandali pa at bumababa na ako at sabay na kumain ni mama. Naligo na rin ako pagkatapos. Ilang minuto nalang at dadating na ang sundo ko. Isang simpleng itim na bestida na turtle neck na walang manggas lang ang suot ko at above the knee na tenernuhan ng flat sandals na kulay itim rin at nagsuot ng headband na kulay puti. Sakto namang dumating ang barkada.

" wow girl you look stunning even with just a simple dress your wearing." Puri no aron. Tipid lang akong ngumiti.

" black talaga elah? Nagluluksa lang ang peg?" Panunukso ni Jelai. Binatukan naman eto ni charrie. Napahawak nalang eto sa ulo. " ouch naman! What was that for?"

" baliw! So elah, I guess you've made up your mind." It's not a question at all. Charrie sigh. " you hurting yourself" puno ng pagaalala ang mga mata nito.

" its okay. Kaya ko eto." And give them a smile. Nagpaalam na kami kay mama at agad na umalis. Dala ni aron ang sasakyan nila. After 20 minutes, nakarating din kami sa hotel. Buti nalang hindi masyadong matraffic.

" We'll just wait here baby elah." Sam said to me. " Just text or call us if something came up okay?" I nod at lumabas na ng sasakyan. I took a deep breath before entering the building. Hindi pa man ako nakakarating sa roof top eh nagiinit na ang sulok ng ang aking mga mata.

Biglang nagvibrate ang phone ko. Yeah nakasilent mode eto.

" Fortaleza Calling " humugot muna ako ng malalim na hininga bago eto sinagot.

" where are you Mhicaelah? It's almost 9 pm" natatarantang sabi nito.

" I-im already at the e-elavator. I-il be there in just a s-sec." At agad na pinatay ang linya.

I took a deep breath before opening the door towards the rooftop. I was about to open the door ng bigla etong bumukas at iniluwa si Zach. He was wearing a black long sleeve polo shirt with matching tie and black pants. God he's so hot! So handsome!

" Mhicaelah your finally here!" At bigla akong niyakap ngunit agad din etong bumitaw. I was speechless. I can't move. Nabibingi na ako sa lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko. " oh I'm sorry I'm just carried away!" Hinging paumanhin nito.