Behind Her Smile

01-02-19

"Mommy aalis lang po ako saglit"

"Where to?" Tanong ni mommy habang nagluluto.

"Secret" natatawang sagot ko bago ako umalis.

Well, I don't really know kung saan ako pupunta. I just want to go out.

I didn't bring my car with me. I decide to take a cab papunta sa coffee shop ni taylor.

I miss that girl sobrang busy na kasi nya dahil sa dami na ng branch ng coffee shop nya.

"Hey!" Mabilis pa sa alas kwatro syang lumapit saakin at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

"I miss you!"

"Lagi mo naman akong namimiss eh" naka ngusong sambit ko bago humiwalay sakanya.

"What do you want?"

"Coffee Jelly pleaseeee"

"Oki" naka ngiting sambit nya bago sya pumasok sa loob. It feels really good to see her achieving her goals in life. Im so proud of her.

"Clarrise?" Napalingon ako dahil sa tumawag saaking pangalan

"Tommy!" They were really happy to see me dahil isa isa nila akong niyakap.

Were not that close but I really miss them and I am happy to see them too.

"How are you?" Tanong agad saakin ni Josh pag kaupo nila.

"Im fine. How about you guys? Nag asawa naba lahat kayo?"

"Cleo is getting married next month same with troy. And joshua is now planning to marry taylor and me? Im planning to find a girlfriend" Nakatanggap ng isang suntok sa braso si tommy galing kay joshua dahil sa kabaliwan nya.

"You really need to find a girlfriend now " natatawang sambit ni Taylor habang isa isa nyang nilalapag ang coffee namin.

Taylor will going to get married probably this coming valentines day.

"How about you?" Napalingon lahat sila saakin dahil sa naging tanong ni Cleo

"What about me?" Painosenteng tanong kopa.

"Have you met him already?" Tanong ni troy while drinking his coffee.

Nagkibit balikat ako. "He doesn't remember me. Well, its a good thing" I tried my best to hide the sadness in my eyes but I can't.

I feel so sad.

"Harry will going to remember you sooner" pagpapagaan nila saaking loob. Kahit hindi na. Atleast kahit sa ganitong paraan lang nalalapitan ko sya at nakakausap.

"No need. I know he's happy now and masaya na ako don."

"Its not yet too late for the two of you" troy tap my shoulder. Its too late.

"Stop tapping my shoulder. It hurts" pagsusungit ko dahilan para mag tawanan lahat sila.

"Althea the suplada!" Sabay sabay nalang sambit.

Its good to be back to hang out with them.

"Wanna take a vacation next week?" Suggestion ni Tommy.

"Im in!" Masiglang sagot ni Taylor habang naka taas pa ang kanyang kamay.

"Lagi ka namang G. Kahit saang lakad" natatawang puna ni josh.

"Count me too" sabay na sambit nila Cleo and Troy kaya napunta lahat sa gawi ko ang tingin nila.

"Fine" pagsuko ko. Dahil hindi rin naman nila ako titigilan kung tatanggi ako.

"Im so excited" tili ni taylor.

Nag paalam na ako sakanila dahil may bibilhin pa ako. They insist na ihatid ako but I refuse. Gusto kong mapag isa.

Bumaba ako sa mall. Di ko rin alam kung anong gagawin ko dito. Naglakad lakad ako hanggang sa mapunta ako sa Primadona.

"Yes ma'am?" Nilapitan agad ako ng isang saleslady.

"May size 7 ba kayo nito?" I pointed the baby pink sandals. Ang cute kasi. Sobrang tagal ko na rin hindi nakakasuot nito.

"Yes ma'am. Wait a minute po"

While waiting for her. Naghanap pa ako ng iba. I want to buy something for my mom.

"Althea" I look back and I saw keisha waiving her hands to me.

She's smiling as if were really that close.

I raised my eyebrow. Couldn't help it.

Nilapitan ako nito. "Its been a long time"

Kahit hindi nya sabihin I know she's killing me in her mind right now.

"Yeah" naka ngiting sagot ko din while looking to her from head to toe.

"Babe" Behind her back it was harry carrying out her things. Kailan kapa naging alalalay harry?

"Oh. It's you" gulat na sambit ni harry. Mabilis na pumulupot si Ramirez sa braso ni harry.

Ts. Takot maagawan ehh. Tandaan mo nabaliw muna yan saakin bago naging sayo.

"Hi" naka ngiting bati ko kay harry trying to irritate ramirez.

"Wanna come with us?" Pagyayaya ni harry saakin na mabilis namang tinutulan ni Ramirez.

"But babe! It's our day!" She's stamping her feet like a kiddo.

I laugh at the back of my head.

"No, Im fine"

"Ma'am eto na po" I turn my back before I get irritated.

"1,300 ma'am" I pay for my sandals and waited for them to wrap it.

"Thank you ma'am. Come again" I take a deep breath bago ako humarap muli kina Harry.

"You don't really want to come with us Althea?" I look at him trying to figure out what's running in his head.

Why? Why are you doing this to me harry.

You're hurting me.

"Why are you asking her babe. You promise me na babawi ka saakin!" So pathetic keisha.

I smirked

"No. I have some important meeting to attend"

He smile and it makes my heart melt. Its been a long time since the last time I saw you smile like that to me.

I miss you even more harry.

"Okey. See you around"

I wink at ramirez before I go. Ang sarap inisin.

Nakakailang hakbang palang ako when someone grab my wrist.

"Harry" gulat na sambit ko.

"Im sorry" napakamot pa ito ng batok.

"I just want to know if you're interested to be a model again"

Tinitigan ko sya. Why would I be a model again?

Pag naging model ako ulit mapapalapit na naman ako sayo.

You'll get hurt again kups and I will never ever let that happen again.

Im happy because you didn't recognize me. Im so happy for you.

I hope you'll live a long long long happy life.

Without me you're totally fine and happy.

"Im sorry. Im not interested" I didn't wait for him to answer. I walk out. Diyan nman ako magaling eh.