24 Hours Challenge: EX EDITION

I. Challenge Accepted

Gal

"Hey, guys! It's me, GandaKho! Welcome to my channel, and guess what kung ano ang challenge na gagawin ko today with my crush?" the woman shrieked excitedly as a couple of drum rolls played in the background. Matapos ay huminga siya nang malalim. "Walang iba kung hindi ang 24 Hours Mag-jowa cha—"

Biglang nag-pause ang video. I paused it. Yes, I did.

"Ano nanamang kalokohan 'to?" hindi ko mapigilang sabihin.

Bagong "challenge/pakulo" nanaman? I mean, no offense, ah pero bumabaha na nga ng challenges ang mundo ngayon, e. May global warming na, air and water pollution, animal extinction, corruption, poverty. Tapos dadagdag pa 'to?

Charot.

Despite my 'dilemma', ipinagpatuloy ko pa rin ang panonood ng vlog. I'm halfway through it nang biglang nag-ring ang phone ko. I answered the call.

"Bitch, what's up?"

It's Bee, one of my bestfriends.

"Hindi ka ba na-inform na I'm one of the most boring people in the world?" I jokingly said.

Nahalata ko ang pagpigil niya ng tawa.

"I'm the uninformed bitch of all season, remember?" sabi niya at tuluyan nang humalakhak.

"Anyways, I called to make sure na pupunta ka sa lakad natin mamaya. You're not going to cancel, are you?"

I grinned. Kilalang-kilala niya talaga ako. Sa barkada kasi namin, I'm the one who usually cancels plans during the last minute. Sue me.

"Of course not," I answered. I heard him sigh in relief.

"Good! Fixed na talaga ang lakad na 'to so you better show up! And besides, ito ang first ever hangout natin in a long while na kompleto tayo. Well, except for Ike. I heard medyo busy 'yun today."

I paused upon hearing his name. Pero mabilis lang naman 'yon.

"Bakit, sinu-sino ba ang pupunta mamaya?" tanong ko.

"Hmm, let's see," Bee started mentioning some names. "Care with her boyfriend, Tresh. Camille together with Arch. And Migs, my boyfriend."

Hindi ko nakaligtaan ang pagtili ni Bee matapos niyang banggitin ang pangalan ng "pinakamamahal" niya.

Okay, let's get this straight. Bee's a guy. Well, physically. Dahil deep inside, may pusong mamon siya. Which means that he's gay. Actually, his real name is "Brynner" but he doesn't like to be called that way. It's too 'masculine', according to him. He prefers "Bee".

The names he mentioned are our circle. The most "solid" in my life, I must say.

Sumimangot ako nang na-realize kong puro couples ang makakasama ko mamaya.

So, I'm third-wheeling later?

"Dakilang 'Third-wheel' na naman ako, gano'n?"

I heard Bee snort on the other line.

"Oh, come on! Don't sound too bitter! Malay mo naman, baka makita mo na mamaya si 'The One' doon sa bistro ni Tresh," he said, in an attempt to lighten up my mood.