Love in Bangketa

26

My new work occupied most of my time. I didn't have the chance to watch many series and movies, unlike before. Since my schedule was always gabi, kung hindi pagod, super inaantok naman.

I was preparing my things when Aezy knocked. I opened the door. Naabutan ko siyang may hawak-hawak na plato na may dalawang slices ng pizza. It was my favorite flavor!

"I brought you pizza. Kain ka muna bago ka umalis," She smiled at me. Agad ko namang kinuha 'yon at kinain. Hindi ako nakapag meryenda kanina, so I thought that eating two slices of pizza would suffice.

Umupo si Aezy sa bed ko at tinignan ang susuotin ko. "Is this what you are going to wear, Xynnah?"

I nodded. "Does it look bad?"

"Not really. It's not just my favorite color,"

I decided to go on something pink for my outfit tonight. I was feeling happy kasi and light, kaya tingin ko, wearing pink would add substance to my mood.

Inubos ko na ang pizza at pagka bigay ko kay Aezy ng plato, umalis na rin siya dahil may gagawin din daw siya. I did my rituals and wore my ID. I like wearing this talaga. Mawala na lahat, huwag lang itong remembrance kong ID.

Pagkababa ko, the dining area and living room were in a dim mode. Hinanap ko ang iilang kasambahay and Manang Tina, pero hindi ko sila mahanap. Wala rin ang van nila Tito Gerard. Umalis na naman ba sila?

I struggled a little bit more because I was wearing my newly bought heels. Hindi naman siya sobrang taas, hindi rin sobrang mababa. I had plans to practice walking on it sana, pero busy nga ako.

"Pst!"

My eyebrows furrowed when I heard that. Nakita kong naghihintay na sa labas si Max. Kaya lumabas na ako at agad na pumasok sa loob. He greeted me good evening, pero hindi ko siya pinansin.

"You were already doing good at work, Xyrish, wala ka pang isang linggo ha," Queen commented.

"Am I? Feel ko nga ay kulang pa," I stretched my arm after having a long conversation with a customer. Hinubad ko rin saglit ang headphones ko.

"You were doing good nga!" Queen insisted. I said thank you and afterward, she went back to her seat. Nakita ko namang dumaan Ria sa table ko. She was curling her hair using her index finger. Mukha siyang baliw.

"Balita ko, you had a boyfriend daw, Xyrish?"

"Why do you care?"

Tumawa siya kahit wala namang nakakatawa. "Bakit ka nagagalit? Nagtatanong lang ako,"

"Hindi tayo close para sagutin ka,"

She sighed. "Look, I am sorry for what happened, alright? Pero, nakita kita kanina with that guy again. Narinig ko rin convo niyo ni Winnie last week. He isn't your boyfriend pala!"

I wore my headphones back dahil nakita kong may calls akong naka line-up. "Why were you asking me when you already knew the answer?"

"Just making sure! What's his name? Pa reto ako!"

Napatigil ako sa pagta-type nang sabihin niya 'yon. Is this the reason why she was sorry?! Kasi, magpapareto siya? Walanghiya talaga 'tong babaeng 'to!

"Hindi ka niya papatulan,"

"At sa tingin mo, sino papatulan niya? Mga katulad mo?"

"I wasn't expecting him to like me, pero mas lalong hindi ko ine-expect na ikaw ang papatulan niya. With that low-class attitude, I don't think anyone would dare to be with you,"

"You're literally a bitch, Xyrish!"

"I am. And, you might not want the bitch pulling your hair, right? Bumalik ka roon, Ria, habang may pasensiya pa ako sa'yo,"