Love in Bangketa

19

Tito Gerard's words hit like a train to me. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't hurt. Pero, Hindi ako hurt in a way na iniinsulto niya ako, duh. I was just hurt because paulit-ulit niyang sinasabi in front of Aezy and Auntie Roan kung gaano ako ka-pride! In my thoughts, it all started with that... fucking Max guy. I could sense na nagsusumbong siguro 'yon! Paano niyang ganoon treat ko sa kaniya? My god!

I picked up my phone and searched through my contacts just to find for her name. I do not want to sulk myself na lang lagi rito. I badly wanna go back na! I missed my dating life! Hindi ako sanay na nagiging ganito ako rito.

When I found her name, I immediately swiped the green button. Pero, it kept ringing lang, she wasn't picking it up!

"Elisa, where the fuck are you?" I irritatingly murmured. After ilang calls pa bago siya sumagot. I must have woken her up, I guess?

"Hmm? Why did you call me?"

"Hey, Elisa, let's meet up," I called Elisa because I wanted to unwind. Of course, ilang months na rin kami hindi nagkikita.

It took her seconds before she answered. "What?! Really?!"

I put my phone in between of my ear and shoulder. "Acting shocked? Really?!" I laughed.

"Duh! I never thought that you would still want to meet up with me! Remember, may kasalanan ka pa sa'kin!"

I raised my brows kahit hindi niya naman 'yon nakikita. "Kasalanan? Should I say sorry ba sa'yo? Should I kneel?!"

She sighed. "Whatever. What are we gonna do and saan?"

"I want to go shopping. Kakatingin ko lang sa Instagram ko kanina, mayroong new set of clothes yung finafollow kong fashion stall, and it's so beautiful as in!" I exclaimed.

"Ikaw lang magagandahan doon!"

I chuckled. "Then, go and find yours na rin while we're there. Basic, Elisa,"

"Fine fine. I'll see you, then? Three pm?"

"A'right," Ako na ang nagbaba ng call, since ako rin naman ang tumawag. It is still 10 in the morning, it's too early pa, so I reactivated my Finder ulit. I'm gonna find a boylet for this day, because I just feel like having it.

Sa bawat picture na dumadaan, my eyebrows were meeting endlessly. Ano ba 'to?! I was only away for ilang months, tapos ang papangit na ng mga nandito. But, I didn't give up, baka may maswertehan ako. Thankfully, my Daddy raised a patient girl, at nakahanap din ako ng tipo ko. I chatted him and katulad dati, easy way, because I convinced him na pumayag na makipagkita sa'kin.

I chose a black v-neck choker crop top and a leather skirt. It will look more immaculate if I am gonna pair it up pa with boots. Nag make-up na rin ako, but minimal lang this time, just to enhance my natural features.

Sa bilis ng oras, it is already 2:50 na pala. I sent Elisa the place where we will meet, and the guy din, syempre. I went downstairs at walang tao. Pero, nakasalubong ko si Manang Tina.

"Saan ka pupunta, hija?" Tanong niya nang makalapit siya sa'kin while wiping the wet plates.

"Uhm... I invited a friend of mine over, Manang. I will reunite lang ulit with her after uh... ilang months," I smiled. Isa si Manang sa mga hindi ko pinagsisinungalingan dito sa loob ng bahay. I wasn't close with other housemaids the way I was kay Manang.

"Naku, paniguradong na-miss mo ang kaibigan mo. Ingat ka ah? Gusto mo bang ipasundo ka kapag pauwi ka na?"

"No need, Manang. I know the way papunta here,"

"Osige," Kinawayan ko siya, kumaway din naman siya.

"Where ka ba, Xynnah?!" From my place, I could see Elisa getting irritated. Pinapahanap ko kasi siya sa'kin.

"Sa likod nga! You look dumb kakahanap sa'kin!"

"Hindi nga kita maki--- oh my god, Xynnahhhhh!" When she saw me, para siyang batang tuwang-tuwa dahil nakita ang childhood friend. She went to me and hugged me. Umikot pa siya habang nagpapadyak.

"Elisa, what the fuck! Dahan-dahan! I'm wearing boots!" She finally let go of me and shocked crossed her face.

"You looked prettier!" She complimented. Nag flips hair lang ako sa harap niya. Nagtaka pa siya?!

I smirked. "Of course! I don't undergo glow down, Elisa. Parang hindi kita kaibigan because you don't know!"

She rolled her eyes. "I must have thought twice about complimenting you! Mas lalong lumalaki ulo mo!"

I pulled her hair jokingly. "What did you say?!" But, she only laughed. Elisa was the same as before, except that she got a short hair na ngayon. Mukha siyang dora, pero dora the grown up version.

"Tara, let's go shopping na!" Hinila niya ang kamay ko, but I stopped her.

"Wait, I invited a guy over," Luminga-linga ako. Same lang sila ni Elisa ng sinabihan ko kung saan magkikita. Late na nga kaming dalawa ni Elisa, but he's pa VIP ngayon!

"You got a boyfriend?" Her brows furrowed.

I laughed sarcastically. "Are you joking?! In that kind of place... you think I'll find a boyfriend?"

"Then who are yo—"

"Hi miss, I guess... you are hottybaby, right?" A guy with a deep voice spoke behind me. Nang lingunin ko 'yon, I wasn't disappointed. My lips automatically smiled.

"Yep, I am. In the flesh,"

"Who is he, Xynnah?" Bulong ni Elisa sa gilid ko.

"Finder," I only replied. Alam niya na kasi kapag sinabi kong Finder!

The guy roamed his eyes around my body. Nilagay ko pa ang buhok ko sa likod nang tignan niya ang mukha ko. "You look exactly like your icon,"

I grinned. "Do you think I'm a catfish? No fucking way. Natural ang ganda ko para mang-catfish,"

Pinakilala ko si Elisa sa kaniya at sinamahan kami ng guy mag-shopping. He was actually... sweet. I am not used to guys with this kind of aura. Bulky, pero sweet. Mukha silang mga Mama's boy, pero hinayaan ko na lang. Just for once, makakalimutan ko man lang ang stress na dinala sa'kin ng bahay na 'yon. I wish not going home.