The Nerd's Obsession | ✓

Twenty-one

Twenty-one

"CAILA!" Masaya kong bati. "Mabuti naman makakasama na kayo."

"Oo naman. Nakakuha na rin kasi kami ng nanny ng mga bata."

We sat down on the fur couch of the boutique. We're in a boutique of a known fashion designer in Cavite at magfi-fit ng mga gowns.

Malapit na ang reunion ng MPU and we heard that a lot of alumnis are preparing so much for this event. Since I am Jeircho's date for that night, I thought to prepare as well.

"Mgabo-ball gown ka ba, sis?" Tanong ni Caila while looking at the brochure.

"No. Parang magde-debut naman ako no'n." Natawa siya ng bahagya sa sinabi ko.

It took us almost 3 hours sa boutique at sa huli ang napili kong gown ay isang champagne colored cowl neck sheath gown. While Caila picked an off-shoulder one.

PABALIK na kami ng Maynila at pinagd-drive kami ni Kuya David.

"You know, you look really blooming. Masayang masaya ka na 'no?" Ani ni Caila.

Ngumiti naman ako sakanya. "Very much. You don't know how much happy I am right now. Yung sobrang saya mo na hindi mo kayang maniwala na nangyayari na sa wakas yung lahat ng 'to." Wala sa sarili kong sagot. A unfamiliar feeling started to creep inside me.

"Too good to be true?"

"Yeah! It's... I'm so happy right now that..."

"That it's scary? Yung feeling na sobrang saya mo at iniisip mo na baka may mangyaring masama after?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Caila.

"Exactly." Pabulong kong sambit.

"I think you're cherophobic, sis." Aniya habang nakatingin sakanyang cellphone.

"Chero... phobic?"

"Yeah. Sabi rito, it's the fear when you are too happy and carefree, you think something terrible might happen."

"You're saying I have a phobia?" I asked. Hindi ko sinasadyang medyo tumaas ang boses ko kaya agad ko siyang nginitian pero sarcastic lang siyang nakatingin sakin.

"You might be cherophobic. Hindi naman 'yon surprising for you, I think. Kasi nung senior tayo, everything is going smoothly for you. You're slowly adapting to your new school, Jericho came in the picture and basically everything's fine. Then in a blink of an eye your Lola suddenly passed. Gets mo ba?" Mahabang eksplenasyon niya.

Tahimik naman akong tumango at ninamnam ang mga sinabi niya.

"Pero hwag ka kasi masyadong mag-overthink. Talagang matatakot at matatakot ka na baka may masamang mangyari tuwing nagiging masaya ka. Just seize the moment, Nikki. You deserve it. The both of you do." Hinawakan niya ang aking kamay at tipid na ngumiti.

"And besides, Jeric will take care of you. Hindi hahayaan ni Jeric na may mangyaring masama sa'yo o sainyong dalawa. Sinundan ka nga sa Awstralya 'di ba?" Natatawang sabi niya. Kahit papano ay nagawang patawanin ako no'n.

NAKARATING na kami sa opisina bago pasado ala-una na. Unang bumaba ng elevator si Caila dahil pupuntahan niya ang kanyang asawa kaya naiwan akong mag-isa at bigla ko ulit naisip ang mga sinabi ni Caila.

She's right. I should just seize the moment. Kung may mangyayari mang masama, iisipin ko 'yon kapag nangyari na.

Right now, I have a boyfriend who needs to be fed.

As soon as I entered his office, naramdaman ko agad na may yumakap sakin. Agad kong naamoy ang kanyang panlalaking pabango kaya hindi na 'ko nagtaka kung sino 'to.