Ring. Ring.
Sumagot ka.
Ring. Ring.
Utang na loob naman oh, sumagot ka peste.
Ring. Ring.
Aba't talagan— ("Hello?")
"Took you long enough." Reklamo ko.
("It's...") Nag-pause siya ng sandali. ("... four fvcking AM, Iyana.")
"Alam ko, may relo din dito sa condo. Di ako poor." Pambabara ko.
("Get to the point.") Haha, ang cute talaga ni Kuya pag umaga. Sarap inisin.
"Isang tanong, isang sagot." Panimula ko.
("Go on.")
"Bakit ang ganda ko?" Ahe.
Narinig kong bumuntong-hininga si kuya sa kabilang linya. ("Hindi ka na naman ba natulog?")
Napasingap ako. "Pano mo nalaman? Nag-install ka ba ng CCTV sa condo ko?!" Anak ng. Ayoko sa lahat yung binabantayan bawat kilos ko.
Tangina. Pag nahanap hanap ko yang pest— ("Matulog ka na. Di nakabubuti sayo ang pagpupuyat, kumakawala lahat ng sentido kumon mo. Daig mo pa ang lasing.")
"Sungit mo. Pasalamat ka nga pinag-aaksayahan pa kita ng panahon. Arte mong hampaslupa." Binaba ko na yung tawag at padabog na pinatong sa side table ko yung telepono.
***
Do you know what's annoying? It's the fact that we have to attend the Open Ball. I don't mind going to the ball wearing a gorgeous dress that suits my gorgeous face, pero yung fact na Fairytale ang theme namin? Just what the hell was our school thinking? Naubusan na ba sila ng ideas?
"Come on, IU. Kanina pa tayo nagpapalipat-lipat ng shop, wala ka padin bang mapiling damit?" At kanina padin siya reklamo ng reklamo, nakakairita.
"Kung ayaw mo akong samahan edi umuwi ka. Simple as that. Stop whining like a toddler, geez." Sita ko sa kanya. I don't mind shopping on my own, jusko. I won't die shopping alone at mas lalong 'di ikakabawas ng ganda ko yun.
"Bakit hindi ka nalang magpa-design ng gown like you did during High School? Don't tell me naghihirap ka na?" Tanong ni Suzy.
"As if, Suzy." I rolled my eyes at her. "Obviously kung magpapa-design ako ng gown, I need to have an image of the gown I want and right now, I'm nowhere near it. Sino ba naman kasing tanga ang nakaisip ng Fairytale na theme?"
"Why naman? Ang cute kaya ng theme natin." Nag-twirl si Suzy before she curtsied like a princess.
"Ganda na sana nung ginawa mo kasi 'di tugma sa mukha mo. Sad." Sabi ko bago nagbalik sa pagtitingin ng mga damit.
"You're so KJ talaga. Palibhasa the evil queen's crown fits you well." And that's when an idea came into my mind.
"Bingo."
***
I was busy talking to my favorite designer when our conversation was cut off by one of the staff, "Ms. Umali, may nagpapabigay po sa inyo." She handed me a black box that was about 18 inches long.
"The hell is this?" Tanong ko sa staff na nag-abot after opening it. May black rose sa loob. Honestly ang ganda nung rose pero aanhin ko 'to?
Kinuha ko yung card na kasama sa loob.
A little gift to match your dress. I look forward to meeting you at the Open Ball. -T
Now who the hell is this ancient person who thinks it's still 'cool' to send anonymous letters?
