This time...

CHAPTER 2 "The Vain and The Suplado"

6AM.

She got up early. Sasamahan kasi niya si Kristine na kunin ang mga

invitations na pinagawa ng mga ito para sa kasal. They still have time

to distribute it to the guests. The wedding is a month from now.

She’s very excited to be one of her cousin’s bridesmaids and also to

wear her very elegant gown made by Rajo Laurel.

Imagine that, isa sa mga sikat na fashion designer ng Pilipinas ang

gumawa ng gown ng Ate Kristine niya at ng mga kasali sa entourage.

They must be all lucky.

She is still deciding what clothes to wear. Ito ang morning dilemma niya

 everyday. Ang tagal niyang mamili ng damit because she always  wants

to look her best. Her family and friends know her to be like that. She

was even tagged as “vain” by them. It’s perfectly fine with her.

Dito siya masaya at tanggap naman siya ng mga ito.

Finally, after an hour and a half she found what she wanted. Paikot-ikot

siya sa harap ng salamin nang makarinig siya ng katok sa pinto.

That must be Ate Kristine.

She excitedly opened the door and she was smiling until..

“Ang tagal mo namang magbihis. Mata-traffic na tayo papuntang

Manila.”

Nakasimangot na bungad ni Paul. Mukhang katatapos lang nitong maligo

dahil basa pa ang buhok nito at humahalimuyak angpabango nito.

What the hell is he talking about?! She was puzzled.

Paul raised his eyebrow. He looked at her from head to toe then he

frowned again. Tila hindi nito gusto ang nakikita.

“Kaya naman pala ang tagal mong magbihis. Hindi fashion show

ang pupuntahan natin. Kukunin lang natin ang invitations na

pinagawa nila Ate Kristine. Are you set? sumunod ka nalang sa

akin sa garage nang makaalis na tayo. Sa daan nalang tayo

mag-breakfast. We are running out of time. “ pagkatapos nitong

magsalita bigla nalang siya nitong tinalikuran at dumiretsong

bumaba ng hagdan.

Hindi man lang siya nito hinayaang makapagsalita.

Naiwan siyang natitigilan.

Ang ganda-ganda ng gising niya tapos bigla lang sisirain ng

 supladong Paul na yun. Nakakirita!

Who is he to question her? At ano yung sinasabi nito na sila ang

pupunta sa Manila to get the invitations? As far as she knows sila

ni Ate Kristine ang may lakad. Paanong naging sila ng

 supladong iyon?!

Naku! Hindi dapat masira ang araw niya ng dahil lang sa lalaking yun.

Magka-wrinkles pa siya dahil don sa supladong yun. Kapag naasar