One More Weekend

PROLOGUE

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Please be advised that this story contains mature themes and strong language that are not suitable for very young audiences.

Read at your own risk.

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"Inuman daw mamaya. G ka?"

Tumango nalang ako habang abala pa sa paghahanap ng necklace ko. Alam ko naman na kahit ayaw ko ay pipilitin lang ako ng mga kaibigan ko. Mga lasinggero't lasinggera talaga!

"Shit. Saan ko ba kasi nilagay yun?" Ang kalat na ng kwarto dahil bawat sulok ay na-check ko na pero wala pa din akong nahagilap na necklace.

"Baka naiwan mo sa Harana kagabi." Ani Luciana. Kanina pa namin hinahanap ang necklace na 'yon. Hindi ko pwede mawala yun, yun na nga lang yung natitirang alaala ko sakaniya tapos babawiin pa!

"Wait. I'll contact the owner of Harana, okay? Kaya kalma ka lang diyan." Luciana stood up and went outside, probably contacting the owner.

Napasabunot nalang ako sa aking ulo at pilit na ikinakalma ang sarili. Umupo ako sa kama at napatulala nalang sa kawalan. That necklace is the most important jewelry that I have, hindi iyon malalamangan ng mga diamonds and pearls ko. It was a gift from him.

"Pst. Ano daw itsura ng necklace?" Bulong ni Luciana at agad kong dinescribe iyon.

"Gold siya at parang mini wave yung design sa loob ng circle." She nodded and started talking to the owner again.

Bakit ba kasi ako naglasing kagabi? Eto kasing si Luciana aya ng aya porket alam niyang hindi ako makatanggi.

Bigla kong naalala yung mga panahong nagbabakasyon palang kami rito sa Siargao, sinusulit talaga namin dahil syempre summer time yon kaya inuman every night. Ngayon na dito na kami nakatira, pwede na siguro namin kalmahan ang bisyo. Atsaka, mas tumindi yung hang over dahil mas matanda na kami ngayon!

"They'll call lang daw if they find something like your necklace." Luciana informed me. Napansin niya ata na kinakabahan pa ako kaya hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.

"Don't worry. I'm sure we'll find it in no time." She reassured me. I don't know but somehow, her words calmed me down. Thank God for giving me a friend like her.

"Now, stop being a KJ and go take a bath na! It's almost 4:00 PM." She shoved me inside the bathroom. Ewan ko ba kung bakit atat na atat tong isang 'to. Baka may nabingwit na namang new boy toy.

I took a shower and did my daily routine. I wore a white tank top and denim shorts. I just let my hair down para tumuyo na ito. I also applied lip and cheek tint para hindi naman ako magmukhang maputla.

I also brought a tote bag with me. I put all of my essentials inside it. I just slipped on a pair of white sandals since wala talaga ako sa mood na mag dress up.

"Hey, Bee. Let's chill sa Cloud 9 for a while. Andun na kasi sila lahat sa Harana kahit na ang aga pa for dinner. I have a date kasi eh!" Luciana smiled cheekily. I knew it! May bagong boy toy nga ang gaga!

"At talagang dinadamay mo pa ako sa kalandian mo ano?" Napairap ako sa kawalan at tumawa lang siya ng nakakalokong ngiti.

I'm curious kung sino itong bagong laruan niya. She's always bored about her men but this one really messed with her! She's all smiles at naging pabebe ang gaga!

"Tara na nga!" Kunwari niya akong inirapan pero nahuli ko naman siyang tumatawa ng mahina.

Buang bayhana.

Napailing nalang ako at tuluyan na kaming lumabas sa room. We walked past by some guests and of course as a sign of politeness, we greeted them. I truly believe that the attitude of the staff and the owners is what the guests really like.

Pinaandar na ni Luciana ang motorcycle at umangkas ako sa likod. I don't know how to drive one kaya nakikisakay lang ako palagi. And besides that, I don't trust myself. I'm clumsy kaya I'm trying to avoid getting into any accidents that would cost me my life.

A few moments later, we finally arrived in Cloud 9. As usual, the place is packed. Mostly by tourists, hindi na masyado nagha-hang out ang mga locals dito dahil sobrang crowded na.

"O, anong nangyari sa mukha mo?" Nakita kong nakasimangot na si Luciana ngayon na kanina pa nakatingin sa cellphone niya.

"He cancelled last minute. Sabi niya may emergency daw." She shrugged her shoulders and acted like it wasn't a big deal.

"Ilang days na ba kayo magkakilala?" I asked her while patungo kami sa Cafe Loka.

"Kahapon pa." She pouted.

"Before you can say anything, he's just... I don't know... different! I feel like he's the one for me." Aniya at nagtungo na kami sa front desk ng Cafe Loka.

"You say that to every guy you ever encounter." I rolled my eyes at her as I scanned through the menu.

"Bitter mo talaga kahit kailan!" Umupo na siya. Napatawa nalang ako sa reaksyon niya. Parang bata!

I just decided to order us fruit shakes since malapit na din naman kami magdi-dinner. Ako na naglibre sakaniya kasi I felt bad for her. This is the first time she was stood up! I mean, the guy clearly stated that there was an emergency but Luciana's pride is higher than the Eiffel Tower.

We just walked around and just talked to some locals that we know. When we finally got bored, we decided na magtungo na sa Harana. I'm pretty sure our friends are dying out of boredom there.

When we arrived, nagulat ako dahil sobrang daming tao. I mean, it's usually full but para kasing paparazzi ito dahil ang daming nagpi-picture sa loob.

Luciana parked the motorcycle at bumaba na kaming dalawa. We were supposed to have a peaceful dinner but now it's ruined. Lilipat nalang siguro kami.

"Ano meron?" Tanong ni Luciana sa isang babaeng tumitili habang nakatingin sa cellphone niya.

"May artista sa loob. Hindi ko alam kung sino pero ang pogi!" Tuwang-tuwa ang babae at napapatalon-talon pa.

"Ay, ayan picture namin ate oh! Ang pogi ni kuy—" Hinarap niya saamin ang cellphone niya at nung namukhaan namin ni Luciana kung sino iyon, agad kaming tumakbo sa loob.

Humaharang ang press pero wala na akong pakialam. Hinawi ko sila at pilit na ipinasok ang sarili ko para hanapin siya. Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Luciana.

"Serena!" I shouted when I spotted her but it was already too late.

My eyes couldn't believe the sight in front of me. After all these years of trying to hide her from him, nahuli niya din kami sa wakas.

Serena, my 4 year old daughter was standing next to Blaze Buenaventura, her biological father. His gaze was focused on my daughter's neck.

My necklace!