(S&BS 1) String-knitted Hearts [Published by Psicom ICONS]

String 2 : The girl with no name

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"SINO ba siya sa akala niya to impose? I'm not her alalay. She's already here for two weeks! Imagine that, Lyre. These two weeks are the hardest time of my life!"

Si Myca 'yon. Friend niya raw. Hindi pala. Kausap nito ang kaibigang si Lyre. Friend niya rin dapat. Hindi rin pala.

'You'll never really know people and what they think of you until put to the test,' naisip niya. 'So much for friendship.'

Sa phone nag-uusap ang dalawa. Timing na naiangat niya ang extension line kasabay ng pagtanggap ni Myca sa tawag. Kaya 'ayun at dinig na dinig niya ang loyalty ng mga itinuturing na kaibigan.

"What the hell is she still doing in your house? The last I heard, she's with Annie. Lately ko lang nalaman na lumipat siya diyan sa inyo," sabi ni Lyre.

"Lumipat?" Myca was still hysterical. Mataas ang pitch nito sa pagsasalita. "More like she hijacked the entire house. Wala akong magawa 'cause remember the favor she did me for our plantscaping and flower arrangement subject?"

"Yeah. Hindi ka nga makakahindi."

"And all the gifts we received from her and her family?"

"Yeah."

Dinig niya ang magkapanabay na buntonghininga ng mga bruha.

"Anyway, she's here on a whim and you know what, she even has the audacity to complain about my brother. Sinilipan daw siya. As if naman gagawin 'yon ni Kuya. She's too full of herself! She's not that pretty kaya. And Kuya has a hot girlfriend with bigger boobs than her!"

Umikot ang mga mata niya. As if that would stop him from looking at another woman's body. And she's got firmer boobs, 'no!

"So, when is she leaving? Did she say?"

"She didn't say anything. But I hope she won't stay for another week. I can't wait for her to go! I have a life, too! Things will only go back to normal once she's gone."

Hindi na siya nakatiis na hindi sumabad.

"You don't have to wait that long for your life, Myca. I won't sleep here tonight."

Natahimik sandali ang dalawang nasa linya.

"Narinig mo lahat?" tanong ni Myca.

"Loud and freaking clear."

When no one would say anything, nagdagdag siya.

"Anyway, you can go on gossiping about me. Kukuha lang ako ng sandwich at juice sa fridge and then I'll leave. And another thing pala, Myca. Hindi pa tuyo 'yong mga damit na nilabhan ko kanina kaya iiwan ko muna. I'll be back tomorrow at 8 a.m. to get it. You don't have to pretend to be a good friend anymore. Puwede mong iwan na lang sa labas ng bahay n'yo 'yong bag ko." Pagkatapos ay ibinagsak niya nang malakas sa cradle ang telepono.

Gusto niyang mas magalit pa. Magsalita pa nang mas masakit. Itanong sa mga ito ang inaakala niyang pinagsamahan nila nang ilang taon din. Pero ano pa ang saysay? Sayang lang ang laway niya. They were not her friends and that's the end of it.

Dumeretso siya sa kusina. Alas-otso pa lang pero tahimik na tahimik ang bahay. Si Myca lang ang nando'n at ang kuya nitong malikot ang mga mata na malamang ay naka-incognito sa browser at nanonood ng porn. Laging wala ang mga magulang ng dalawa for business trips. Walang alam na nagtagal na siya roon ng dalawang linggo.

Pagbukas ng refrigerator ay inisa-isa niya ang nakita—fruitcake, cheesecake, chocolate cake, ice cream, cupcakes, salad, microwave-ready sandwiches, orange juice, lemon juice, gatas, tubig, soda, energy drink, lasagna.