Forgetting Samuel

Kabanata 38

Kabanata 38
Engaged

“Well, well. If it isn’t our Adelaide Garduce, the crime bitch-dog.”

Maxelle Delara’s voice was of a snarky man, as she imitated a rephrased line from an award winning movie when she saw her friend approached.

Adelaide Garduce smirked at her friend as she walked towards her. It was really long time since she last saw her. Tila college graduation pa yata ang huli nilang pagkikita.

“I missed you too, Maxi.” she uttered as she leaned in for a ‘beso’ that they got used to practicing in college because of their Spanish descent friend, Gianna De Leon. They both puckered their lips as they lightly smacked with their cheeks, one on each other.

“Kailan ka pa umuwi?”

Ady can’t hide her amusement nang hilahin niya ang bangko sa table na kinalalagyan ni Maxelle at prenteng umupo sa bangkong reserved for her, leaning forward to get a much better view of her friend.

These days, talagang malabo na ang mga mata ni Ady, at hindi na puwedeng hindi siya nakacontacts or eyeglasses.

Nataong hindi siya nagsuot ng kaniyang contacts, at shades ang dinala niya at hindi ang graded eyeglasses niya dahilan kung bakit blurred ang buong background, and even some details of Maxelle’s face.

“Maxy, you bitch. I was at work no’ng tumawag ka!” dagdag pa ni Ady at saka pumangalumbaba sa kaniyang kamay nakatungtong sa mesa.

Maxelle and Adelaide had a tough and complicated history together; emotional and physical torment brought by one another. Full of hatred that eventually bloomed to friendship noong maging thesis mates sila noong third year sa College.

“I missed hanging out with you here, and thesis days, God, exhausting.” napapailing pang sambit ni Maxelle sa kaniyang kaibigan habang nililibot ang tingin sa diner na napakalaki na ng pinagbago mula noong mga college pa lang sila.

“Thesis papers all rejected, spreading out on the whole table. You remember no’ng nadetach ‘yong isang piece, ta’s lumipad sa pagkain nong isang customer? My God, nightmare! You remember the horror in Gigi’s face?” dagdag pa ni Maxelle na tila hindi pa rin makapaniwalang naka-graduate na nga talaga sila at may sarili nang mga buhay.

Natawa si Ady at saka napailing sa kaniyang kaibigan habang nirereminisce nila ang mga alaalang meron sila sa Jug&Betty’s. Ito ang diner kung saan lagi silang naghahang out nila Maxelle.

“Anyway, have you heard, Couple novelist na daw ang may-ari nitong diner? ‘Yung apo ng may-ari?"

Lumawak ang ngiti sa labi ni Ady, “Really? Rowan? That’s cute! Are they married?”

“Getting.” ani Maxelle at saka agad na tinakpan ni Maxelle ang kaniyang mukha ng magkabilang kamay habang umiiling-iling pa. Puno ng excitement ang kaniyang mga mata.

Naaninag ni Ady ang isang singsing sa left ring finger ng kaniyang kaibigan. May malaking bato ng diamond na nakadesign doon.

“Oh, no. You’re such a show-off!” Ady cried; she’s not believing what she’s seeing.

It’s an engagement ring, no doubt about it.

Maxelle smirked at her friend as if it was all her motive, to show off the breath-taking ring; a big diamond ingrained on the center, and small intricate ones surround the whole circle.

“Yep!” she answered, her irises growing bigger and bigger, loving Ady’s suprised reaction. “I’m also getting married, Adz!”

Napailing si Ady, napupuno ng ngiti ang kaniyang mga labi, “Who’s the unlucky guy?” she asked curiously.