"Hi, Arielle!"
I was a bit surprised finding Mariella and Bernice outside my suite that next morning. Kagagaling ko lang sa morning jog ko and I was expecting a quiet suite to greet me pero nandito silang dalawa at mukhang kanina pa nila ako hinihintay.
Inalis ko iyong headphones ko so, I can talk to them. Gulat na gulat talaga ako.
"Hello, good morning! So, what brings you here? May nakalimutan ba ako or may maitutulong ba ako sa inyo?"
"Wala! Ano ka ba, it's Saturday! It's girls time!" Masayang pag-announce ni Bernice. "Well maliban kay Georgina at Leira, si Gina kasi busy sa ospital, si Leira naman umuwi ng Cavite kasama sina Simoun para dumalaw sa parents niya. So, tayong tatlo lang ang magba-bonding ngayon!" Napatawa ako. Kung iisipin wala pa nga akong kaibigan dito sa Pilipinas, so maybe we can pull this off.
"Sure! Halika, pasok na tayo sa loob." I said. Binuksan ko na ang pinto para makapasok na kami. I suddenly became a nit excited about this bonding thingy. "Magsa-shower lang ako tapos we can start na. Wait, make yourself feel at home." I smiled at the both of them. Pumasok ako sa bed room para makapag-ayos na. I took my clothes off and I went straight to the bathroom. Pero lumabas ulit ako kasi nakalimutan ko iyong body wash ko. Kinuha koi yon sa drawer. Nahagip ng tingin ko iyong phone ko, may message ako doon kaya agad kong binasa. I was a bit surprised when I saw Judas' name appeared on my screen. May isang missed call ako galing sa kanya.
His message read:
From: Hey Jude
Message: It's a costume party, btw. So please, wear something magnificent.
Napangiti ako. I like dressing up pero wala naman akong costume. Mamayang ko na lang siguro pakaiisipin kung anong isusuot ko. Naligo na ako at nagbihis. Nadatnan ko si Yella at Bernie sa may kitchen na nagluluto. May dala si Bernie na mga tinapay and she cooked some saugsages. Si Yella naman ay nagagawa ng coffee. She smiled at me.
"Coffee?"
"Nah, I prefer tea." I said in a polite way. Nag-break fast kaming tatlo. I feel like they'd been wanting to ask something pero parang nagkakahiyaan pa yata kami.
"Ano iyon?" Ako na ang nagtanong. Natawa si Bernice.
"Wala naman. Busy ka ba? Are you in for a blind date? May kaibigan kasi kami na walang girlfriend, walang sex life at walang night life na gusto naming ipa-date sa'yo. He's been living like a hermit for a very long time and we all want to see him happy."
It's not bad. Saka kung mabait naman ang kaibigan ni Bernice. It's much nicer sana kung iyong leading man niya sa teleserye pero hindi naman na siguro ako aasa kapag ganoon.
"Sige, wala naming problema." Napansin kong namilog ang mga mata nila ni Yella.
"H'wag lang tonight. I kind of promised Jude that I'll have dinner with him."
The two exchanged knowing looks. I don't understand what's happening but they seemed to know what's going on. Parang may inside joke silang dalawa.
"Jude? Sinong Jude?" Yella asked again. I took a sip of my tea and answered them.
"Si Jude. Escalona. Iyong friend ninyo." Paliwanag ko. Again, they exchanged funny looks.
"He asked you to have dinner with him?" Parang naniniguro si Bernice.
Napatigil ako. Siya nga ba ang nag-aya o ako?
"Siya. He asked me if I could have dinner with him. Then kanina nag-text siya, telling me that it's a costume party. So, I might have to make a costume for this." Tumawa ako. Muli na naman silang nagtinginan and it bothers me.
