THIRTEEN
"Yo. Napatawag ka?" Sagot ni Rosie sa cellphone niya.
"What are you up to?" Sabi ni Wendy.
"I've got a two hour break between classes. Spending it chilling dito sa Yoong Tapa. Anmeron? Kaw ba?"
"Lunch time at school. Wanted to know what you're up to this Saturday so I called."
Sandaling nag-isip si Rosie. "Suzy and I are going on a post anniversary trip." Sagot niya.
Fifteen seconds na tahimik sa kabilang linya. "Cool. Saan?" Sabi ni Wendy.
"She won't say. Might have to pack for every possibility, all I know is we're off for a week."
"Ayos..I suppose di ka rin pwede next Saturday?"
"Yeah. Baka chill day kami sa bahay nun eh. Post-vacation pahinga."
"Cool cool..Uhh. Sige. I'll call you back yeah?"
"Seungwan?" You sound like it's urgent. "I can make time. Been a month since we last saw each other anyway."
"Deh. You don't have to. Di naman important. There's uhhh..there's other chances."
"Sure ka?"
"Yup! I'll call you back, Rothie. Let me just figure something else out."
"Okay. Take care yeah?"
"You too, Rosie. Stay happy."
Binaba na ni Wendy ang tawag. Tinitigan ni Rosie ang cellphone niya. Something's wrong.
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"At least give me a clue, babe." Sabi ni Rosie.
Sinundot ni Suzy ang tip ng ilong ni Rosie. "Nope."
"Dali na. I don't want to end up packing our whole house."
"I won't let you do that."
"Tsk..kahit word clue lang..please?" Lumingkis si Rosie. Tamang lambing. Baka mag-work.
"Yah! I know what you're doing. Stop seducing information out of me. It won't work."
"Weh?" Naghubad si Rosie.
Kinilabutan si Suzy. "It's cold."
"Yeah that's what the AC is for."
"No..that's..your clue..uhh..it's cold?"
"Di ka sure?"
"Sure." Sagot ni Suzy bago siya halikan.
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"Tagaytaaaaaaaaay!!" Cheer ni Rosie pagkalagpas nila sa arch na 'Welcome to'.
Ngumiti si Suzy. "Tagaytay. Figured we need a week to recharge. Sembreak naman eh."
"Ayos! Thank you, love."
"Gonna be fun."
Sandali lang din na biyahe at nakarating na sila sa hotel. Escala.
"Fancy." Biro ni Rosie habang nakaupo sila sa lobby at naghihintay na ma-ready ang room nila.
"Right?" Proud sa sarili na sabi ni Suzy. "Spent weeks trying to get a reservation."
"I would have been happy anywhere."
"A girl like you deserves a fancy place, Rosie."
"I'm sooooo spoiled."
"I like to think dalawa tayong magbe-benefit anyway."
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"What..is there to do?" Tanong ni Rosie.
Nakatambay sila sa bed. Nanunuod ng TV si Suzy. National Geographic.
"Stay here and finish this documentary on Aztec culture." Sagot ni Suzy.
"Punta tayong Sky Ranch." Aya ni Rosie.
"Rosie I wanna finish this documentary..interesting na eh..we can go tomorrow?"
"Hmmm."
"Please?"
"Fine."
Hinalikan siya sa noo ni Suzy. "Thank you, love. Nap ka muna diyan. I'll just room service dinner. Pasta sound good?"
"Di tayo lalabas?"
"Kinda just want to lounge around to be honest."
Parati naman ganyan trip mo eh.
"Okay." Sagot nalang ni Rosie.
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"In fairness sa allowance natin." Natatawang sabi ni Rosie.
Nakatayo silang dalawa ni Wendy sa 'lobby' ng hotel nila sa Tagaytay.
Napag-tripan on a random Saturday na bumiyahe at tumambay.
"Three stars. Not bad." Comment ni Wendy. Kinukunan ng picture ang Japanese style na stone lamp sa isang garden sa tabi ng front desk.
"Bet this place would be our go to kada punta natin dito." Biro ni Rosie.
"May free massage kasama nung coupon eh. Talagang go to." Sagot ni Wendy.
Dumating ang receptionist. "Ready na po room niyo." Sabi niya kila Wendy at Rosie.
"Ayos! I wanna pass out so bad. Yung kaunting hinto natin para kalikutin yung makina ko was a doozy." Sabi ni Wendy.
"Sabi ko naman kasi sayo itapon mo na si Song One eh." Sagot ni Rosie.
"Lul. How about no. Wag ka nga magsalita ng ganyan! Tropa yung si Song One. Baka marinig ka tas magtampo." Tumingin si Wendy sa kotse niya na aninag nila sa parking ng hotel.
"Mas mahal niya yung kotse niya kesa sakin." Sabi ni Rosie sa ate receptionist na tumawa.
"Luh?" Sabi ni Wendy. "Di kaya! Binili ko nga yun para madala kita sa kung saan saan eh. Wala na akong mas mahal pa kesa sayo."
"Yieeeee kinilig ako!"
"Sira-ulo ka."
"Cute niyo po." Sabi ni ate receptionist. "Sana eh magka-jowa din ako na ganyan."
"Ay!" Sabi ni Rosie. Tumatawa. "Di ko yan jowa ate. Bestfriend ko yan."
"Eh? Parang di naman. Niloloko niyo yata ako eh."
"Oo nga ate! Bestfriends kami. Mula pagkabata kaya sanay na." Sabi ni Wendy.
"Game naman ako na jowain tong si Wendy.." Sabi ni Rosie.
"Luh! Sure ka na ba?"
"Oo naman! Bakit hindi? Boto na si ate."
"Yan tayo eh."
"Madami po kayong oras para pagisipan yan." Sabi ni ate receptionist. "Single bed naman room niyo eh."
Binatukan ni Rosie si Wendy. "Di ka nanaman nagbasa ng fine print sa coupon."
"Kala yata natutuwa akong isa lang yung bed. Likot mo kaya matulog!"
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"Move, Rosie..You're hogging the space again." Mahinang comment ni Suzy. May kasama pang mahinang tulak.
Nagising ng slight si Rosie. Groggy na gumulong palayo with matching comment. "Ayaw pa yatang nakadikit ako."
"It's okay..at a certain degree. Pero ang lala. Likot mo sobra. Can't be still even while sleeping."
"Hmm."
"Try and chill yeah?"
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"Naalala mo nung unang sleepover natin?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"I have a scar on my elbow to remind me." Sagot ni Rosie. Umayos ng pwesto. Humigpit ang yakap sa kanya ni Wendy.
"Sorry I pushed you off the bed."
"Meh. Di mo naman alam na edge na pala yun."
Bumuntong-hininga si Wendy. "I got used to you eventually right?"
"Only took two more sleepovers pero pwede na."
"Is it just me or did you gain weight?"
Pinalo ni Rosie sa collarbones si Wendy. "How rude."
"Or baka naninibago lang ako ulit?" Sabi ni Wendy. "Been a while since you topped."
Natawa si Rosie. "That sounded SO wrong."
"What else would I describe this as?" Tumawa nadin si Wendy.
"Matulog na nga lang tayo!"
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Gumulong si Rosie sa kama para makaharap ng maayos kay Suzy.
"It's been three days." Sabi niya.
"Hmm?" Sagot ni Suzy. Hininaan ang volume ng TV.
"We haven't gone anywhere except this room and the hotel restaurant, di man lang natin nakikita pa yung pool despite it being RIGHT outside our door..you..said punta tayo ng Sky Ranch for rides and stuff pero di naman natuloy..what's up?"
"Do we even need a swim? I mean..we can do that sa condo may pool naman dun..Sky Ranch..why? Rides aren't really my thing, Rosie. Honestly, I'd rather spend the vacation chilling in here."
"All we're doing is go somewhere we have to pay to do the exact same stuff we do sa condo on day-offs."
"Not really..we get food cooked for us, we don't have to do the dishes pati..even laundry is taken cared of. I think leagues better than sa bahay. This is how a vacation should go."
"We could at least go sightseeing."
"Nakita na natin lahat ng nandito sa Tagaytay eh. Not like it's both our first time here."
Bumuntong-hininga si Rosie. Bumalik nalang sa pagpipindot sa cellphone. Walang panalo as always. To think I'm training to be a lawyer.
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"Good morning, Seungwan!" Sigaw ni Rosie sa tenga ng bestfriend niya.
"Good morning to you too, bitch." Nakasimangot na sagot ni Wendy. "Anong trip natin today?"
"Breakfast buffet, Sky Ranch, that thing at the top of the thing, there's supposed to be a puzzle museum somewhere here, bili tayo ng espasol tsaka buko pie, find a decent coffee shop, go ziplining tapos back here for a massage oyeah!"
Kumurap si Wendy. Ngumiti. "Oyeah! Let's go!"
Nag-apir sila. Tapos sabay na tumayo para mag rock-paper-scissors kung sino ang mauuna sa banyo.
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"Yo."
"Sup, Seungwan?"
"Uhh..Pauwi na kayo from wherever your trip is?"
"Yup. Just stopped by one 7-11, Suzy wanted a slurpee."
"Cool..uhh..are you free this Saturday?"
"I was supposed to be..but then I cooked up a plan. Wag ka maingay with Suzy. I set up a cool date we can go to with all sorts of stuff like hikes and shit. Make up for spending literally a week doing nothing."
"Uhh..What?"
"So we went to Tagaytay right?"
"Did you? Nice."
"Yeah. It is. Except..wala."
"Watchu mean?"
"Parang normal day lang. Literally nothing new..like it had been the past year..tumambay lang kami sa hotel the whole time..and did exactly what we do on a normal day."
"Baka naman gusto lang talaga mag-unwind ni Suzy."
"Seungwan..that's all we've been doing the whole year we've been together..nothing..dates..are ALWAYS dinner dates at the same restaurant we had our first date in, we go home and sleep..repeat the next day..nothing..new."
"Kinda hard to think of something new off the fly."
"I can."
"That's what you're doing this Saturday huh?"
"Yup. I'm going to try and ease Suzy into some spice. Kasi..wala nun eh. It's like..we're so comfortable with each other wala na. As in. Now that I think about it..ganito naman talaga ever since."
"I doubt it."
"There are some moments before we started..pero since naging kami..wala na. Seriously."
"Hmmm."
"I love her though. I gotta do something right? Keep this alive."
"Well alright. Have fun then!"
"I'll see if I can swing the next Saturday yeah?"
"Please, Rothie."
"Okay..Ayos ka lang ba? You sound like you REALLY have to see me..pwede ko naman i-move yung thing with Suzy and go to you instead."
"No no no no no don't do that..I'm fine, Rosie. I'm fine. Sorry if it sounds like it's urgent. It's really not. Sige lang. Spend time with your girlfriend. You need to get that spark back and all that."
"Sure ha?"
"Yup. I'll see you when I can see you."
"Okay then. Love you, bestfriend!"
"I..love you too, Rothie."
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"Rosie..stop..I..can't." Hinihingal na sabi ni Suzy.
Trekking. Basic level. Saks lang para makarating sa next stop ng zipline adventure nila for this Saturday.
"Luh?" Sabi ni Rosie.
"This is hard as fuck."
"It's a short walk. We can do this, Babe!"
"There's a cool second part to the docu I was watching last week. Supposed to premiere tonight..I..think I'll end up missing that coz of this. Ugh."
"Are you really gonna pick that over spending a day with me?"
"We could have spent the day sa bahay. Di pa tayo pagod. Also, if you wanted a date..you should have said something..the resto is a fifteen minute drive."
"Hmmmm."
"Uwi na tayo..ayoko na."
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"I'm approximately fifteen seconds away from barfing." Announcement ng nakadapa sa floor na si Wendy.
May nahanap si Rosie na isang tour package that includes a few mountain hikes. Napagtripang ayain ang bestfriend para sa isa nanamang weekend.
Lumingon si Rosie. "Luh?" Sabi niya.
"Saglit..lang..Mauna ka na..I'll..I'll catch up..pero teka muna."
"Tara na nga at umuwi. Parang papanaw ka na eh."
"Deh deh..Ayos ka pa ba?"
Tumalon-talon si Rosie. "Ayos pa naman."
"Cool..that's what matters. I'll catch up in a bit."
Tumingin sa watch niya si Rosie. "Pag nagtagal ka diyan, we'd miss that football match you wanted to see."
"Ohshit.." Sabi ni Wendy. "Meh. Ayos na yun. There's youtube for the highlights." Dugtong pagkatapos ng ilang segundong tahimik.
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"I..am on my way to a Vigan trip with the whole family." Guilty na sabi ni Rosie sa phone.
Kasalukuyan siyang nakasakay sa isang van. Smushed sa gitna nila ate SeulRene, napapatungan ng kalahati ng legs ng natutulog sa lap nilang tatlo na si Yeri.
"Ahhhh." Sabi ng kausap niya.
"I'm sorry, Seungwan."
"All good, all good. There's..always next Saturday."
"Legit na pramis. Walang talkshit." Pangako ni Rosie.
"Don't worry about it too much."
"I feel bad..di na nga tayo nakakalabas..I keep saying no whenever you ask pa."
"Gotta spend time with your girlfriend, gotta spend time with your family. I get it. All good."
"Hmmm."
"Kamusta nga pala thing niyo ni Suzy last time?"
"She hated it. Nag-ayang umuwi agad. Ended up getting take out from the usual restaurant and then I..napped while she nerded out over a documentary series she tuned into."
"Hmmmm."
"Ayos na din. Means I gotta think of something else to do that fits more up her alley."
"That's the spirit. Look for the chill types of activities."
"I'm thinking go-carts."
"Yeah..no..try something a little bit more chill."
"Watching people ride go-karts."
"Yeah okay..It's your relationship."
"I'll figure something out."
"Alright then."
"See you next Saturday?"
"If the Universe lets it happen."
"Hugot. Sorry na nga diba?"
"Joke lang. Sige na. I'll see you. Bye."
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"Saan nga tayo nagpunta last time?" Tanong ni ate Irene kay ate Seulgi.
Nasa restaurant silang anim. Stopover bago tumuloy sa biyahe.
Saglit na nag-isip si ate Seulgi. "Japanese Restaurant number 2 sa mile-long sa Makati. Bakit?" Sagot niya.
"Is that a thing you two do now?" Tanong ni Mommy Tiffany kay ate Irene.
Tumango si ate Irene. "Yup. Sluggie put together a list of every single Japanese Restaurant sa mile-long. We're using up all our date nights until we finish the whole list."
"Admirable goal." Comment ni Mommy Taeyeon. "Anong trip niyo pag natapos?"
"We're switching to Korean restaurants." Sagot ni ate Seulgi.
"Nice." Sabi ni Mommy Tiffany.
"Kayo ba?" Tanong ni ate Irene kay Mommy Taeyeon. "What's the tea?"
"Fany wants to run Asia like we're still teenagers."
"Luh?"
"Yep." Nakangiting sabi ni Mommy Tiffany. "We're going for the whole traveler schtick. You children are grown enough to be left alone for a bit. Tama na kami naman ang mag-vacation. Gonna go for the whole vibe we had when we were still dating."
"What's the point if you've already done it?" Biro ni ate Seulgi.
"Wala." Sagot ni Mommy Taeyeon. "Should be fun though."
"Makes sense."
"Tita Wosie!" Tawag ni Yeri.
Lumingon ang nakikinig at nanunuod lang sa ganap na si Rosie. "Hmm?" Sagot niya.
"What you and ate Swuzy do?" Tanong ni Yeri.
"Onga naman." Sabi ni ate Irene. "What do you guys do? Wala kaming naririnig na kwento ng adventures mo with your jowa."
Kibit-balikat si Rosie. Sumubo ng pagkain. "Wala namang pweds ikwento..uhh..normal stuff."
"Like what?" Tanong ni Mommy Tiffany.
"You talk about your friendly dates with Wendy more than you talk about your dates with Suzy." Comment ni Mommy Taeyeon.
"Uhhh.." Sabi ni Rosie.
"Is it boring?" Tanong ni Yeri.
Kita ni Rosie na nagpigil ng tawa ang katabi nito na si ate Seulgi bago sinaway ang anak.
Umiling siya. "No, Yerms..it's not boring." Sabi niya.
"Then waht?"
"Wala..it's just..normal."
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"BEHOLD!" Sigaw ni Wendy.
Weekend. Tambay sila sa condo doing roommate stuff. Kakatapos lang pareho gumawa ng homework kaya sila parehong nasa living room instead of nakakulong sa kani-kanilang kwarto.
May roleta sa tabi ng bestfriend niya.
"What now, Seungwan?" Deadpan na comment ni Rosie.
Nag jazz hands si Wendy. "THIS. IS THE WHEEL OF FATE!"
"Isn't that a TV show?"
Nag-isip saglit si Wendy. Umiling. "That's Wheel of Fortune."
"Ah. Okay. Forgive me for being mistaken."
"GG na!"
"Ano nanaman pakulo mo?"
"I thought of this in the middle of thinking about what to do to reward ourselves for another week of surviving college and life in general."
"That's a lot of thinking."
Pumitik si Wendy. Kumindat. "Keri na."
"So ano nga yan?"
"Wheel of Fate nga! Kulet!"
"No. I mean..what's it for?"
"We spin this thing..and it tells us what to do."
"Okay?"
"So I went on google and searched up cool shit to do with your bestfriend and then wrote them down here." Paliwanag ni Wendy. Tinuturo ang pies sa mahiwagang roleta. "We spin and then we do whatever it lands on."
"Ooooooh!"
"Exciting right? The best part is it's all vague stuff like 'go eat' or 'go on a roadtrip' or 'go fishing.' Ewan. I forgot half of them already. Basta this has half of the sort of shit you like and half of mine. Para fair."
"We're going to still be so confused."
"Ayos na yun! Part of the fun is meeting the wheel's expectations! The best best best part..is the day always ends at the Overlook."
"Can't wait then. What's for today?"
"Spin and find out."
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"That's it huh?" Tanong ni Irene.
Tumango si Rosie. "See? Normal girlfriend stuff." Sabi niya.
"You go on dinner dates every night?" Tanong ni Mommy Tiffany.
"Yup."
"At the same restaurant where you two had your first date." Comment ni Mommy Taeyeon.
"Yup."
"Every night." Sabi ni ate Seulgi.
"Yup. She picks me up from school after she's done with work..or I grab it and then meet up with her sa resto na mismo if she has to overtime or if my class runs late."
"Hmmmm." Sabi ni Mommy Taeyeon.
"Don't you guys have that bi-monthly thing you do with your college squad?" Tanong ni ate Irene.
Tumango ulit si Rosie. Nangiti na ng konti. "Yeah we do. Different bars depending on kung saan malapit yung in-charge. We switch between ourselves." Paliwanag niya.
"Why not make it a monthly thing?" Tanong ni Mommy Tiffany. "All 9 of us college buddies do that. Easier and also mas fun talaga."
"Suzy..hates those outings." Sagot ni Rosie.
"Luh?" Sabi ni ate Seulgi. "Can't imagine anyone hating a drinking session with their bestfriends. I still let Irene hang out with hers, even if kasama yung ex niyang ang sarap sapukin na si Sehun."
"Why..do you hate Sehun so much?!" Tanong ni ate Irene kay ate Seulgi.
"Something about his face." Sagot ni ate Seulgi.
"Ay!" Sabi ni Mommy Taeyeon. "May ex din si Fany na ganyan. Yung di mo maintindihan bakit nakakagalit makita. Ano nga pangalan nun? Si Nichkhun. Sarap konyatan eh."
"Nice." Sabi ni Mommy Tiffany. Deadpan. Poker face. Sumundot ng isang piece ng pork mula sa plato tapos nagtanong kay Rosie. "Did Suzy tell you why she doesn't like going out?"
"Monthly yun dati eh. Siya yung nagsabi samin na bi-monthly nalang daw. Something about how she doesn't like bars being too loud."
"Hmmmm." Sabi ni ate Seulgi. "May alternative eh."
"Sa bahay. Jisoo tossed that idea out." Kwento ni Rosie. "Kaso Suzy shot it down too. Something about how it would make the house messy."
"Hmmmmm." Sabi ni ate Irene.
"Ayos na yun. Whatever we have going works."
"Hmmmmmmm." Sabi nila Mommy Taeyeon at Mommy Tiffany.
"I assume there's at least something new on the weekends. I know you." Sabi ni ate Irene. "Di ka makali. Gotta be doing something all the time. Layas ka eh. Kahit nung bata pa tayo. If you hadn't met Wendy, baka hanggang ngayon eh ako padin yung hinihila mo kung saan-saan."
"Well.."
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"This..is fourth of my weekly phone calls." Masayang bati ni Wendy kay Rosie mula sa telepono.
Lunes.
"Yeah it is." Sabi ni Rosie. Sana di ka tumigil.
"Sana libre ka na." Sabi ni Wendy.
"Looking good so far."
"Nice."
"What's the plan?"
"Di naman overnight..I..was actually just thinking of going to the Overlook again."
"Haven't you been?"
"I don't really go there without you, Rothie."
"Huh..okay.."
"I'll pick you up?"
"All day?"
"If you want then yeah. I can bring stuff for us to do."
"Sige. See you!"
"See you!"
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SATURDAY
"I'm surprised di ka hinatid dito sa baba ni Suzy. She usually does that." Bungad ni Wendy.
Nadatnan siya ni Rosie na nakasandal kay Song One at nakangiti.
"Suzy's at the office." Sagot ni Rosie habang pinagbubuksan siya ng pinto ni Wendy.
Tumango lang ito sa kanya. Umikot para makasakay sa driver's seat. "It's Saturday." Comment pagkaupo.
"Yeah..may project daw or something tapos kailangan all hands on deck so she has to put in overtime."
"Okay then." Kibit-balikat na sagot ni Wendy. Binuksan ang aircon sa kotse, tinaas ang mga bintana tapos binuksan ang radyo.
"Overlook na talaga tayo maghapon?" Tanong ni Rosie.
"I thought of something on the way here." Sabi ni Wendy.
"Oh?"
"Something dumb but could also be fun." Nagsimula ng mag-drive si Wendy.
"Okay? I'm listening." Sabi ni Rosie.
"How..would you like to try out swimming?"
"I've..already done that?"
"At a public resort."
Natawa si Rosie. "Legit?"
"Yeah legit. One hundred twenty pesos entrance fee, spend all day there. We can even rent out our very own bahay-kubo and grill shit. There's some meat in a cooler sa trunk."
"Ohmygod."
"Still not marinated though. I imagine part of the fun is trying to prep those with a bunch of strangers passing by our space."
"May waves ba yung resort?"
"Duh. Only the best for us."
"Ayos! Let's go!"
"Coolbeans."
Saglit silang natahimik. Nagsalita ulit si Rosie. "Shit though. Wala akong dalang pang-swimming."
"Hiniram kita kay ate Irene."
"Trip mo lang yata akong bosohan eh!"
"Luh? What the fuck?"
"All ate Irene has are bikinis!"
"Tru ba? Well shit. I guess we're passing by a mall for rash guards then."
"Mhmmm."
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Humahalakhak padin silang dalawa na bumalik sa bahay-kubo.
"Yoko na lumangoy ulit." Sabi ni Wendy. "Tangina. Di na wave ng tubig yung nakakalunod sakin eh. Wave na ng tao."
"Ohmygod." Sabi ni Rosie. "The way you dissappeared under that giant guy was the funniest thing I've watched all year!"
"Yeah yeah laugh it up. Tara na! Grill na natin yung liempo. Masarap yun pag after lumangoy eh."
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Tumawag si Suzy kay Rosie sa gitna ng jam session nila ni Wendy.
Binaba niya ang gitara tapos sinagot ang tawag. "Hello?"
"Hey babe. I'm done with work. Pauwi ka na ba?"
Tumingin si Rosie sa bestfriend niya na nagkakalikot sa tuner ng acoustic nito. "Not yet. I might be late. Kasama ko si Seungwan eh."
"Labas sana tayo." Aya ni Suzy.
"Uhhh.."
"The usual has a new dish I wanna try."
Tumango ang pinapanuod niya na si Wendy. Nagsimulang tumugtog.
"I..kind of want to spend the day with my bestfriend." Sabi ni Rosie.
"Tuloy niyo nalang lakad niyo next Saturday. I assume you're dropping by your guys' spot mamaya?"
"Yeah we are."
"Andun padin naman yun next week."
"Hmmm."
"GG? I kind of want to shake off today's overtime with my girlfriend."
"I'll call you back yeah?"
"Okay. Best to ask Wendy what she thinks first. Sige. See you!" Paalam ni Suzy. Binaba nadin agad ang call.
Tumitig si Rosie kay Wendy. Tinawag niya. "Seungwan?"
Nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya ang bestfriend niya. "Hmm?"
"Suzy's asking me out."
"Cool! Saan daw?"
"Usual restaurant. Said there's a new dish she wants to try."
"Neat!"
"Uhh..tonight."
May dumaan sa mata ni Wendy. Mabilis. Di mahuhuli ng ordinaryong tao. Pero bestfriend niya ang kausap niya. Alam niya kung ano yun. Lungkot. Hesitation.
"I can say no." Sabi ni Rosie.
"Why?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"This is the first day we managed to spend together since we graduated, Seungwan."
"That's your girlfriend."
"So?"
"Uhhh..mas priority?"
"Not really..I spend everyday with her anyway. What's the difference?"
"Kahit na."
"Hmmmm."
"Di sa tinataboy kita ha! I..want this to go longer..pero I have to return you eventually anyway."
"I know what this is about." Sabi ni Rosie.
"Eh?"
"Finally..gets ko na. Umiiwas ka. You have been for a whole year. Why?"
"Di ako umiiwas."
"Yeah you are. Kaya ngayon lang tayo lumabas ng solo. Why?"
"Rosie..I'm not."
"Seungwan..please don't lie.."
Binaba ni Wendy ang hawak na acoustic guitar. Umiling. "I have to."
"Why?"
"Kasi may girlfriend ka na."
"So?"
"Wala. Yun lang. Ayokong sumapaw sa oras na dapat eh kasama mo siya."
"Meron pa eh."
"Wala na."
"Seungwan.."
Umiling si Wendy. Pinulot ang mga gamit tapos tumayo. "I..promise there's nothing else in there, Rosie. I'm sorry I've done all that..I'll..try not to again okay? Uhh..magsa-shower na ako. You should too. Tapos I'll..drop you off at your favorite restaurant."
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Tahimik sila sa sasakyan.
Nakasilip lang sa labas ng bukas na bintana si Rosie.
Naka-set ang radyo sa isang random na station na nagpe-play ng OPM na tugtugan. Nagmamaneho lang si Wendy.
"May mga bagay talaga na mas mabuting tanggapin nalang." Sabi ng DJ sa radyo. "Kesa masira ang mga hindi dapat masira. Here's Kundiman by Silent Sanctuary!"
"Tara." Sabi ni Rosie. Pinatay ang radyo.
"Huh?" Kunot-noo na sabi ni Wendy.
"Sa overlook. Tara."
"Maghihintay jowa mo."
"Finish out the whole plan at least..please, Seungwan."
"Hmmm."
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Iba. Iba ang pakiramdam ni Rosie.
Nakahiga silang dalawa sa hood ng kotse ni Wendy. Tahimik na nanunuod ng langit.
Hindi bago. Pero iba ang pakiramdam ni Rosie.
"Tingin mo.." Biglang sabi ng katabi niya na si Wendy. "Where..would we be in two years?"
Lumingon si Rosie sa bestfriend niya na nakapikit. "Di ko alam." Mahina niyang sagot.
"I think..we'll be even better than we are now."
"Pwede."
"Nice."
"Why..are you suddenly so philosophical?"
Kibit-balikat si Wendy. Nakapikit padin. "Wala lang."
"Hmmm."
"Kamusta?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"Same old." Sagot ni Rosie.
"I hope it gets better."
"Ikaw ba?"
"Same..old."
"Hmm."
Matagal na tahimik. Bumalik siya sa pagtitig sa langit. Narinig niyang bumuntong-hininga si Wendy. Nilingon niya ulit. Nahagip ang pagbaba ng left arm. Tumingin pala sa relo.
"Seungwan?" Tanong ni Rosie.
Bumuntong-hininga ulit si Wendy. "My moms.." Sabi nito.
"Okay?"
"Set up something for me."
"Uhuh?"
"A scholarship but not really."
"Oh cool! For Math still?"
"Yep..parang an opportunity to pursue my Master's degree."
"NOICE! Huli ka ng isang taon pero oks na! At least we're both students again! Saan daw?"
"Sa Canada."
Napabangon si Rosie. "Eh?"
Natawa si Wendy. "Exactly. Eh. Canada."
"What the fuck.."
"Should be okay. Not like I haven't been. I'm basically just going back to my roots before we moved here." Sabi ni Wendy. Bumangon nadin.
Umiling si Rosie. "Soooo..okay..Canada. Uhh..for how long?"
"Mabilis lang. I don't know how they managed to find something that lasts for two years instead of the usual four pero that works to my advantage. Just gotta work twice as hard to finish on time I suppose..pero pweds na."
"Two..years.."
"Yup."
"Kelan..ka aalis?"
Bumaba si Wendy mula sa hood. Nag-offer ng kamay kay Rosie para matulungan siyang bumaba.
Warm. Please don't let go.
Hindi nga bumitaw. Hanggang makasakay sila pareho sa kotse.
Hanggang makarating sila sa restaurant. Hindi bumitaw si Wendy sa hawak sa kamay niya. Pero hindi rin nagsalita.
Natanaw ni Rosie na kumakaway mula sa usual na window table nila si Suzy nang makaparada na sila ni Wendy sa harap ng restaurant.
"Seungwan." Bulong ni Rosie nang nakatayo na sila sa labas ng kotse.
Pinindot ni Wendy ang kamay niya na hinawakan ulit pagkatapos siyang pagbuksan ng pinto. Bumuntong-hininga.
"I'm flying tomorrow, Rosie. Sana ikaw din." Sabi ni Wendy bago bumitaw.