"Saan ba kasi naka-park?"
"Farther."
Thirdy and Kiefer woke up at 4 in the morning. Kiefer, the older, was going to a meeting for the finalization of an event while Thirdy, the middle child, needs to go with his brother to fetch Isabel's car. He was still groggy and sleepy. Now, they're in Antipolo and they can't seem to find her car. Sigurado siyang dito niya iyon nakita kagabi!
"There! 'Yang puti." He pointed at the white Camry after they covered a little bit more distance.
He checked his watch on his left forearm, 5:46. It's still early.
"Salamat, 'nong. Ingat ka." Thirdy bade.
"Susunod ka ba?" Kiefer asked. As much as possible, the whole family should attend the meeting so they'll be fully aware of everything that'll happen in the event but it's also alright to let someone from their family tell the rest about it.
"Hindi ko pa sure. I'll text you or Mama na lang." He went down and closed the car's door.
Binuksan na niya ang pinto at nagmaneho pabalik. He connected his phone and played music. He got curious with what's inside of her compartment so he opened it. Akala niya'y makakakita siya ng pagkain pero wala, ni isa! When he saw a convenience store, he decided to drop by and buy her some snacks. Bumili siya ng chips at cookies. Nilagay niya lahat sa compartment at nagpatuloy na sa pagmamaneho.
...
With the sun grazing on her face, Bea woke up with a frowning face. She still wants sleep but the heat isn't helping! Gumapang siya papunta sa gilid. She's now on the edge of the bed stretching her arms, doing her best to close the curtains. She sighed deeply as she succeeded. She used the pillow to cover her face.
Noong hindi siya nagtagumpay na makabalik sa pagtulog, binuksan na lamang niya at kinusot ang kaniyang mga mata. Nang nagising na ang diwa niya, tumingin siya sa kisame at nanibago.
"What?" It doesn't look like mine! Gulat niyang sambit. Nilibot ng mga mata niya ang paligid. Nang napagtanto niyang wala siya sa kwarto niya, napaupo siya.
"Oh." Naalala niya ang nangyari kagabi.
On top of the bedside table was her phone. She opened it and she was not surprised to see a lot of missed calls mostly from her kuya. In the middle of stretching her arms, her phone rang. It was Lou. She answered it and was stun when her friend's face appeared on the screen. She thought it was just a phone call!
"Beatriz, are you alright? Where are you?" Lou asked.
Bakas sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala sa kaniyang kaibigan.
"I'm all good." She answered. Tumayo na siya at pumunta sa banyo. Ipinatong muna niya ang telepono niya sa counter at tinanggal ang kaniyang tali sa buhok. Nakita naman ni Lou ang damit na suot ni Bea at alam niyang hindi iyon sa kaniya. Napansin naman iyon ni Bea dahil nanahimik at nakatitig lamang sa kaniya si Lou.
"Thirdy's." Inunahan na niya dahil alam naman niyang iyon ang gustong malaman ni Lou.
"Ha?" Binuksan niya ang toothpaste at inilagay sa kaniyang toothbrush.
"The clothes." Lou pointed at her.
"No, what I meant was... bakit?"Nagtataka na siya.
"Ha? Awong bakish?" Naghihiso na siya't hirap magsalita.
"Naguguluhan ako!" Hindi sila nagtatagpo! She signaled 'wait'. She will explain naman but not while brushing her teeth.
She finished brushing her teeth and looked at the screen.
