Chain Reaction (On Hold)

Chapter VI

When she got home from Church, she just rested for a while. After that she started making changes in their room. It didn't take her that long because all she needed to do was change the bed sheets and curtain and rearrange the furniture. Although those were minimal things, she felt tired. She said that she'll just lie down for a while. But then, she dozed off to sleep, because of that she wasn't able to eat.

The next morning when she woke up she felt hungry, that's why she just toasted some bread and had some coffee before going to work. She just wore a shirt and a pair of jeggings that she matched with a 4-inch wedge shoes. She didn't mind putting on some accessories or make-up. That's how she usually dresses for work. She doesn't put that much effort because, well, she's already gorgeous even though she looked very haggard and second she's going to teach painting, she'll get messy eventually.

When she got to their gallery she went straight to her "classroom" excited to see the children. But when she got there, she was wondering why there were no kids. So she just decided to go to the lobby and be with Kelly. Also, she'll wait for the kids there.

"Tanghali na, wala pa rin sila..." She said habang papalit kay Kelly.

"Girl! Dire-diretso ka kasi! Di mo manlang ako kinausap habang papunta ka doon." Kelly said.

"Huh? E bakit?" She asked curiously

"The shop will be closed today." Kelly answered plainly.

"You're joking. Why didn't you text me then?"

"Kasi alam kong di ka papasok pag ganun. Anyway, tama nga hula ko. Di ka naka-ayos. Ay nako talaga!" At hinampas ni Kelly si Ana.

"OUCH! What was that for???"

"Diba nga outing ng barkada mamaya? So we will pamper ourselves today. At ikaw, mukha kang stress kaya I'll treat you for a day out!" Kelly said excitedly.

"Oh. Oo nga pala no. Sorry, I forgot. Sige, I also think I need a break." Ana said with a smile a geniune smile. She meant it. She really needs to be pampered.

Little did Ana know, Kelly did this not because they have a night out. But because she knows that the other day was the exact date Ken left her 2 years ago. And she wanted to make Ana feel better. She knows what her friend has been through. How can she not know? She saw her the night he left. It was the most horrifying night for her. She almost lost her bestfriend. Kelly erased the thought. "Good vibes lang dapat ngayon!" Kelly told herself but in a very soft voice, close to a whisper.

"Anong pinagsasabi mo dyan?" Ana asked curiously.

"Huh? Wala! Tara na!" Kelly clung on to Ana's arm and went on their way to Ana's car. Of course, Ana's to drive. Kelly doesn't bring her car because she has her driver slash boyfriend. Funny right?

"Ano girl? Salon tayo!" Kelly suggested excitingly.

"Salon? Hmmmm. Ayoko pa magbago ng look e." Ana answered.

"Ano ka ba, mukha ka nang losyang 'no!"

"Oy! Grabe ka! Okay, maybe color will do."

"Yeeey! Oh tara let's go shopping muna." Kelly pulled her.

And remember the saying "shop 'til you drop?" They didn't actually do that but they kind of bought a lot. They also bought outfits for tonight. Kelly felt good because she thought she was successful with making her friend happy. Although a day isn't enough, at least she saw her smile. A genuine smile. She really is in awe with her bestfriend. Ana acts like nothing ever happened, she keeps herself strong. But if you look right through her, you'll know how broken she is. That's why humahanga talaga siya sa bestfriend niya. She acts and smiles so naturally. It is right that a smile can hide a person's sadness. Ever since Ken left Ana, she never saw her bestfriend cry. Not that she expects her to cry. Pero kasi natural na yun e, nasaktan ka, malamang iiyak ka. But Ana? No, kaso ibang iba na itsura niya. Wala na yung vibrance niya. One day babalik rin yung dating sigla niya! She said in her mind. What's important is that atleast for tonight she'll make her friend happy. She'll prove to her na kahit anong mangyari, they will be there for her.

"Sup, Dude?' Ken called a friend.

"Hello... Ken?! You Ken! You're back my man! What's up?" Jake answered, and by his voice you can say that he got surprised.

"Nah, the usual. Still the same."

"Oh. Since when did you get back here?" Jake asked.

"Last Saturday."

"Oooh. Have you and Ana met?"

"Uuuhh..Dude! I'll be getting my car later. I assume you took care of it." He said to his friend, Jake, on the phone trying to change the topic. Damn! Why does he have to mention her name?

"I guess that's a no. Hmmm. You can say that. If by took care you mean no scratch. Then yes, I took care of it."

"Good, I'll pick it up later. I need it."

"Why? You gotta date?" Jake joked.

"In your dreams. Oryt, man, I'll be there later-" he wasn't able to finish his sentence.

"Oh, Ken, if ever you don't want to be with your wife again, can I have her?" Jake's question hit a nerve in Ken, for some reason, uminit ulo niya.

"DO NOT even think about it--" he wasn't able to finish his sentence again because the line ended. Halos mabato ni Ken ang phone niya.

When Jake ended the call, he laughed so hard. He can imagine how his friend looks like. Halatang affected pa rin ang tukmol. Jake thought. The thought made him laugh. His friend is silly.

It was already 8 pm. He's on his way to 21 under. He already got his car from Jake's house at around 6 pm. And his friend kept on laughing at him. He keeps on imitating how Ken reacted on his joke. He just defended himself by saying...

 "Asawa ko pa rin siya. And that's a shame kung isa sa mga bestfriend ko ang ipapalit sa akin. Tsk" What a lame excuse right?

He's driving towards the place where he and Ana first met. So many memories came back to him. It's funny because there was never a bad memory. He didn't have any bad times with Ana. But how come he still feels the pain? He's been away for a long time but he still hasn't move on yet. He can't go back to her, if he does malamang masasaktan siya. Shit naman kasi. Why did she have to do that?! Kahit anong gawin ni Ken, di pa rin niya makalimutan.

He's already in 21 under kaya he called his friend, Mark.

"Dude! Na’san kayo? I'm here already." He said, the other line is kind of noisy.

"Just stay there. I'll come out." His friend almost shouted.

After a few minutes, Mark came out and he saw Ken. Kaya niyaya na niya ito sa loob.

While they were going in, a car parked right beside Ken's car.

"Ayan! Andito na tayo!" Kelly exclaimed

"Hay nako. Sa dinami-dami ng lugar dito pa." Ana pouted.

"Sorry, girl. Dito nila sinabi. Okay lang yan. Overcome it! At wag ka ngang ganyan. Look at you. You look gorgeous. Let's gooooooo!" Kelly said and then went outside. Ana pulled the key and then went out of the car. When she got out, muntik nang mabangga ng pinto niya yung other car. She looked at the car parked beside them. It looked exactly like Ken's car.. Could it be?

That's impossible! Ana, enjoy this night. No thoughts of him. And with that she went inside the bar.