A Rose's Thorn

Part 5

"Girl, I called you last night but you didn't pick up. Balita?" usisa ni Ish. Nagkita kami sa entrance ng university at hinihintay si Anthony.

"You look like shit." pang aasar pa niya.

I sighed. "Nakatulog ako. I have so much to tell you. Mas maigi na kasama natin si Anthony para isang upuan lang."

"My place tonight? Nauuhaw na rin ako eh. Gusto kong uminom." nakangisi niyang tugon.

"Saan na ba si Anthony? It's unlike him to be late. Siya ang early bird sa'tin lahat."

"I guess miracles do happen." nakatawa niyang saad. Puro talaga kalokohan tong babaeng to.

"Girls, kanina pa ba kayo?" biglang bati ni Anthony.

"OMG! Kanina pa kami dito. Saan ka ba nag susuot?" pinandilatan siya ni Ish.

"Tama na yan. Pumasok na tayo at baka ma-late pa tayo." saway ko.

"I brought you coffee." humingi ng tawad si Anthony at sabay abot sa amin ni Ish ng kape. Naglakad kami patungo sa first lecture namin.

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"Pucha, nakakadrain talaga Mondays. I hate Mondays. Ugh!" reklamo ni Ish.

"Hoy bunganga mo. Tumigil ka nga. Tamad ka lang talaga" saway naman ni Anthony.

Natawa ako. They are the reason why I can smile like nothing happened with Adrian. I'm glad to have them as friends.

"Beb, mukha kang tanga. Tumatawa ka na naman mag-isa. Lumilipad na naman isip mo. Hello? Nasa Mars ka na ba?" kaway niya sa mukha ko.

"That's Rose for you, may sariling mundo." Natatawang dagdag ni Anthony.

"Tigilan niyo nga ako."

Napatingin ako sa phone ko. Papunta na si Adrian.

"Tulungan niyo ko tumakas." I panicked.

"What's wrong?" tanong ni Anthony.

"Huli ka na sa balita. I messaged you last night." Ish rolled her eyes at Anthony.

"Adrian is coming to pick me up in 10 mins. Bilisan natin kumilos."

"Nagpahatid lang ako sa driver." sagot ni Anthony.

"Wait niyo ko sa exit. I'll just get my car." tumakbo si Ish palayo.

"Are you okay?"

I sighed. Di ko na mabilang ang buntong hininga na dumaan sa labi ko. "Okay lang ako. I just can't deal with him right now."

"Let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you." I smiled at Anthony.

A white Buggati honked at us. It was Ish's Mansory Vivere.

"Oi bilis!" tawag niya.

We hurriedly entered the car and she sped away like a manic driver.

"Girl, slow down!" tili ni Anthony.

"She told me to make bilis eh" maarteng tugon ni Ish sabay tawa ng nakakaloko. She slowed down after driving out of the university. I texted my mom I'll be staying with Ish for the night then turned my phone off. I can't be bothered by Adrian.

We parked in a mall at nag-grocery. Anthony and I trailed behind Ish who's pushing the cart.

"Buy soju! Soju! Soju! Soju!" pakantang sabi ni Ish.

"Ako ata ang may problema pero bakit mas excited ka pang uminom kesa sa akin?"

Nilingon niya ako at ngumisi.

"Nagtaka ka pa. You know how she likes to drink." puna ni Anthony.

Ilang ikot na rin ang ginawa namin to complete our list nang mapansin ko na wala si Ish. Nagpalinga linga ako at kinalabit si Anthony.

"Where is she? Andito lang yun kanina ah." I asked him.

"Baka nasa liquor na naman. You know how she is."

Sabay namin tinungo ang liquor area ng mahagilap ko sa gilid ng mata ko ang buhok ni Ish. It's really easy to spot her. Ish dyed her hair a fiery ombre red to match her personality. Agad ko naman tinapik si Anthony sabay turo sa direksyon ni Ish.

"Hi! I never thought I'd see you again." narinig namin na sabi ng lalakeng kaharap ni Ish.

I stopped Anthony from going closer.

"Miss, saan yung soju?" iniwasan ni Ish yung lalake sa harapan niya at lumapit sa liquor counter.

Lumapit ang lalake at tila bumulong kay Ish. Nakita ko naman ang pagdikit ng kilay ni Ish na parang nairita. May inabot na card yung lalake kay Ish at saka umalis. Anthony and I stepped forward.

"Got everything?" tanong ni Anthony kay Ish. His eyes were telling me not to say anything about what we saw.

Tumango siya. "Soju, beer, and vodka." Is she planning to get us wasted? Tanong ko sa sarili ko.

Umakbay siya sa'kin, "Don't worry about anything else tonight. We'll have some fun!"

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