Before Anything Else (Absinthe Series 2)

Kabanata 39

Kabanata 39

Before Anything Else

" Zepporah, hindi ka na virgin!" Kinurot ako ni Adina sa tagiliran nang magyakapan kaming dalawa. Umilag ako ngunit napangiwi nang maramdaman ang kaniyang kuko.

" Talagang hindi ka na virgin! You're glowing." ngumisi siya.

Namula ako. I am glad Eion chose to stay in his condo unit kung hindi ay maririnig niya talaga ang nakakahiyang sinabi ng aking kaibigan.

" He was that good?" namilog ang mata ng aking kaibigan. Umirap naman ako.

" Hanap ka ng boyfriend para malaman mo." sabi ko. Humalakhak siya bago ako hinila sa upuan.

Adina's pageant night is this coming June. Napag-isipan kong dalawin siya dalawang linggo matapos kong dumating. I know she'll be busy in the coming days kaya mabuti na lang at maluwag ang kaniyang schedule ngayon.

" I am sorry. Nawalan na tayo ng contact sa sobrang busy ko but I am glad you're here. So how was it?" she wigggled her eyebrows.

" Magaan sa loob. My family was very welcoming, Adi. Hindi ko pa nararamdaman iyon noon. It was something I had wished a long time ago at ngayon ay natupad na."

"I'm happy for you too, Zeppy. Hmm, free ako the whole day. Why don't we watch a movie. Ang alam ko ay may bagong palabas ngayon."

Malapit lang ang mall sa studio kung saan ang training ni Adina. We ended up watching an action movie. Hindi naman namin pinagsisihan because it was an action-comedy movie.

" Hindi ka na ba babalik sa Marina?"

" Hindi na muna. I want to spend time with my family. Matagal na panahon rin ang hinintay nila, Adi. At saka babalik-balikan ko rin naman ang Marina kapag gusto kong bumisita."

" Oo nga. But then, I couldn't also promise na makakabalik ako. My mom was bugging me about transfereing to New York after this pageant kapag hindi ako nanalo. She said the careers were better there. Sabi niya ay hindi dapat ako magsettle dito sa Pinas."

" Sigurado naman akong mananalo ka. I believe in you, Adi. Kung hindi man papalarin, the kids are waiting for you. Bakit gusto mo ba talagang pumunta ng New York?"

She sighed. " Hindi but then my Mom is lonely. Kailangan niya rin ako but maybe I could convince her to come back here and live with me. O di kaya she'll stay with my grandparents in the Manor but then, she clearly hates politics."

"Saka ko na iisipin iyan kapag natapos na ito. Hmm, what's your plan? Clearly, your family will keep you here. Baka pwede kang magtrabaho sa corporation ni Snow."

" Hindi ko pa naman naiisip 'yan. Maybe I could take a break."

Tama naman siguro na huminto muna ako sa pagtatrabaho. I just got back with Eion and I wanted to be with my family. Hindi rin naman ako makakapagturo next month kasi narito pa rin ako. I have to go back to Marina to finish my resignation. Napag-usapan naman namin ni Eion ang bagay na iyon at okay lang lang naman. He said I could take my time.

There was an emergency back in Adina's quarter kaya naudlot rin ang ibang plano namin. She went back immediately but I assured here that it was okay and she doesn't need to worry about me. Naglibot lang ako sa mall hanggang sa mapagod ang mga paa ko.

I took my rest at a milk tea shop. Alas cinco na at mas lalong dumarami ang mga tao sa mall lalo na at malapit lang ang amusement park dito.

I was sipping on my milk tea when someone caught my eye. I know it's been years but I couldn't forget her face. Kahit humaba pa ang kaniyang buhok ay natatandaan ko pa rin ang mukha ng taong pinagkatiwalaan ko noon.