The White in her Black

Chapter 2

Dismayadong napamura ako nang biglang nag text si mommy sa akin. She wants me to come home early tonight.

May date ako!

I dialed Francesca's number so she'd entertain my date hanggang sa makaalis ako ng bahay.

"Hi," sabi ko agad nang sumagot siya. "I need your help."

"Kailan? I'm not in Manila."

"Anong oras ka uuwi?" I asked. She's probably in Quezon with her family.

"Bukas pa, eh. Ayaw ko rin naman dito." bored na sabi niya sa kabilang linya.

Just like me, Francesca is into girls. Kaya ganoon na lang yung gulat ko nung may narinig akong lalaki sa unit niya.

"Hindi ko kasi masisipot yung date ko. She's on her way now." hopeless na sabi ko.

Shit! How do I ditch her now? Hindi ako makaisip ng ibang palusot. I can't bring her with me. Hindi pa man din ako nagdala ng sasakyan para sa iisang kotse lang kami nakasakay ni Stacy.

"Bahala ka dyan." natatawang sabi niya bago nagpaalam at magbaba ng tawag.

I breathed out as I scan the whole place. Stacy invited me over lunch to talk about things. Alam ko naman kung saan ang bagsak noon.

I met her through a gathering last month. She asked for my number but only asked me out today.

I said yes because I didn't know that we'll have a dinner later in the mansion. Ang plano ko kasi, after lunch, I'll invite Stacy anywhere before having dinner in my unit.

Shit talaga!

My attention diverted to the door when the chime collided to make a sound.

Isang maputi at payat na babae ang pumasok bitbit ang bag niya na kulay puti.

She's the girl in school cafe! Siya yon! Yung sa wallet ko... That's her!

She wasn't aware with my stare. Diretso lang ang upo niya sa lamesa sa gilid ko. She looked at her phone one more time before collecting all her hair for a ponytail.

Tumunog ang cellphone ko. It was a call from Stacy.

"Hi," she greeted me merrily.

"Uh, hi," I breathed out. "Something came up..." naninimbang na sabi ko.

Muli kong tinignan ang babae sa gilid ko. It looks like she's also waiting for someone.

"What happened?"

"Uh, family matters. Nandito naman na ako sa restaurant. Nandito rin yung ate ko, sinusundo ako." pumikit ako ng mariin dahil sa kasinungalingan na naisip.

"I'm ten minutes away from you, tho. I'll go there tp greet you. We can bond some other time." sabi niya sa akin.

"We'll just wait for you here."

"Sure, I'll drop the call now." sabi niya bago hintayin ang sagot ko at ibaba ang tawag.

What do I do now?

Ngumiti ako nang bumaling sa akin yung babae sa gilid ko. Mas nilawakan ko pa ang ngiti ko nang magtaas siya ng kilay.

"Hi," I smiled so wide. Unti-unti, tumayo ako at lumipat sa gilid niya. "Hi." ulit ko.

"Do I know you?" nagtatakang sabi nito.

"Yes!" aggressive na sabi ko. "You gave my wallet back. Remember?" I asked nicely.

"Oh," she raised a brow. "That's you." then she licked her lower lip.

Nag iwas ako ng tingin doon. I didn't treat her nicely that time because I was in a hurry.