Watermelon Bites

And Then She Disappeared

MIKA

"Hoy Wafs! Asan ka na?"

"On the way na nga ako, Bruh. You called me five minutes ago diba? Ang kulit." I cannot help but to roll my eyes while waiting for the traffic to move.

I heard laughter from the other line.

"Naninigurado lang ako, Ye. Parati ka na lang kayang MIA sa mga plano namin. Hindi mo na ba kami mahal? Ha, Wafs?" Kim said in an overdramatic tone. Ano naman ang trip nito?

"Ew, Bruh. Hindi bagay," I laughed while slowly guiding the car through the traffic. "Papunta na nga ako diba? Wag mo namang sobrang pahalata na miss mo na ako," I added snickering.

"Oo na. Miss ka na namin. Ikaw lang naman 'to ang parang nakalimot na eh." Hala siya, nagtampo na nga.

"Awww. Wag na iyak, baby Kimmy. Wipe your tears na, bili lang si Mommy ng milk." Asar ko pa sa kanya just to lighten up the mood.

"Bwisit ka Bruh. Basta pumunta ka dito. Kung hindi, hay naku... sinasabi ko sayo," gigil na sabi niya.

I heard some noise in the background. I had no idea kung ilan at sino and ininvite ni Kim sa kanyang condo. All she said to me was that there will be a "mini get together" kasi katatapos lang ng season at pahinga na sa trainings.

"Banggain ko na lang itong mga kotse sa harapan ko?" I joked. "Sino na ang nandyan?"

"Nandito na ang mga bullies, kadarating lang. Actually ikaw na lang ang kulang."

"Wow. Pressured," tawa kong sagot. "Sige na, bye na muna. See you!" I ended the call kasi naging light na ang flow ng traffic.

I admit that I rarely hang out with them anymore. Magkaiba na rin kasi kami ng team kaya hindi na pareho ang aming schedule. And aside from volleyball, I also have other commitments like photoshoots, guestings, and interviews. Things are quite different now after we have graduated from university. Magkikita na lang kami, sa court pa, playing against each other.

I sighed. I lightly shook my head to banish these negative thoughts.

This is why I wanted to hang out with them- to catch up. And that means to talk and laugh with them in person, not just talk in social media. Thankfully, medyo naging light na ang schedule ko for the next weeks. I could really use some free time.

I signaled that I will be turning left and drove through the street leading to Kim's condo.

I stilled for a moment. Kung nandon na nga ang bullies, meaning nandon na rin siya? I thought to myself. Of course, Mika. Member siya ng bullies diba? Kayong dalawa pa nga diba ang leaders noon? She mentally slapped herself. Exactly. 'Noon' yon. Iba na ngayon.

I entered the building's basement to park. I turned off the engine and picked up my bag on the passenger's seat. I'm sure na dito na kami mag-oovernight kasi alam ko namang hindi enough ang ilang oras para magkwentuhan. And besides, this has already been the tradition even noon pa, palaging nauuwi sa overnight ang mga hang outs nila.

I turned to the backseat to pick up the three boxes of pizza that I bought. Kahit na dinner ang sinabi ni Kim, sigurado naman akong they will not refuse the pizza. Kami pa ba? Eh, wala sa aming konsepto ang kabusugan.

After making sure that I had all my things, I clicked the key fob to lock the car and then went straight to the elevator. While waiting for it to open, an idea popped into my mind. I got off the lift with a smirk. I fished my phone out of my pocket and dialed Kim's number while walking on the corridor. I stopped when I was a meter away from her door.