Almost three hours had passed but I am still standing outside the restaurant, which is the venue for my high school reunion.
“Should I come in or not?” Mahina kong bulong sa sarili habang tinatanaw ang mga dati kong kaklase na nagkakasiyahan sa loob. “This is so embarrassing.”
Hindi na lang ako pupunta. I bet they won’t even notice that I failed to attend that celebration. Besides, I have no friends to talk to. So what’s the point of going?
“What are you doing?” Nanlaki ang mata ko nang marinig ang familiar na boses na ‘yun. Mabilis kong nilingon ang nagsalita at sumalubong sa akin ang seryosong mukha ni Francis.
“Did you hear what I said?” Siya ang class president namin noong nasa high school pa lang kami.
He still brings the same atmosphere like back then. His presence makes you want to shut your mouth and just dart your eyes away.
“Are you going to stand there all evening?” I came back to reality upon hearing him talk again. Since when did he become so talkative? I guess people change after all.
“Ah! P-papasok rin ako sa loob.” Alinlangan kong sabi at pilit siyang nginitian.
“Why are you stuttering? Is there anything wrong?” He seems concerned. Normal naman siguro ‘yun for a matured person like him.
I was about to answer him when someone called for our names. “There you guys are! Kanina pa namin kayo hinihintay!” It was James. Nakatayo siya sa may entrance ng restaurant habang kumakaway sa amin.
Did I hear him right? Hinihintay din nila ako?
“Hey! Aren’t you coming?” Napatingin ako kay Francis. Ilang hakbang na ang layo niya sa akin. Kung saan na naman lumilipad ang isip ko.
“Sasama ako!” Sumabay ako sa paglalakad niya hanggang sa makarating kami sa loob ng restaurant. It is an exclusive facility owned by one of my classmates.
Halos lahat ng atensyon ay nabaling sa amin. It felt so awkward na parang gusto ko na lang lumabas ulit at lumanghap ng sariwang hangin.
“There she is!” Napadako ang paningin ko sa babaeng sumigaw. Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko nang makilala kung sino iyon. It was Jasmine, my not-so-nice former classmate na may hidden grudge sa akin, though hindi ko alam kung ano ang rason niya. “Come and join us!” Paanyaya niya.
Nauna nang maglakad si Francis. Tinungo niya ang dati niyang barkada at doon niya piniling makipagkatuwaan.“Hey Khaela!”
Wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang tanggapin ang invitation ni Jasmine. Naupo ako sa bakanteng upuan kung saan katapat ko siya. Some of our old classmates like Mia, Rico, Dianne, Stella and Andrew are with us.
“Kamusta naman?” Panimula ni Stella. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang kinakausap niya kaya naman napatingin ako sa gawi niya. I was surprised to see that she is also looking at me.
“Are you perhaps talking to me?” Naiilang kong tanong. She just nodded as an answer.
Tumikhim muna ako bago magsalita. Their stares are making me nervous. What is up with them? “Okay naman ako.” Tipid kong sagot.
“Are you dating someone?” Biglang tanong ni Andrew. Muntik pa akong masamid sa sarili kong laway. It was like I am on the hot seat while receiving outraging questions.
Umiling ako sa kanya. “I am too busy for that.”
“Too busy?” Lahat kami ay napatingin kay Dianne. She acted as if she doesn’t believe my words. “I’m sorry. Nagulat lang ako.” She apologized.
Ngumiti na lamang ako, but the next thing she said immediately wipe off that smile from my face. “Balita ko kasi, you still haven’t found yourself a decent job.” There was a hint of sarcasm in her voice. What string is she trying to pull?
“Hey, stop that. You’re offending her.” Rico is not a great pretender. Kunwari pang sinasaway niya si Dianne. Halata naman na natatawa rin siya sa sinabi nito.
This is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable night pero mukhang sila lang ang nagkakasiyahan. What’s worst, ako pa ata ang napili nilang pagtripan.
Kinuha ko ang isang basong beer na nakahain sa harapan ko. Agad ko ‘yung ininom at wala akong itinira kahit na isang patak.
“Who cares if you don’t get a job? At least you’re a good drinker.” Natatawang sabi ni Andrew at ininom na rin ang beer niya.
“That is not a proper way for a woman to behave.” Jasmine commented as if she really cares about my image. If I know, mas gugustuhin niya pa na mapahiya ako.
Matapos lagyan ni Andrew ng panibagong lamang beer ang baso ko ay muli ko ‘yung tinungga. “Why do you even care about the way I behave?” Kalmado pero seryoso kong tanong.
Tinapunan ko ng tingin si Jasmine. Her shocked reaction is so evident. Hindi ako mahilig makisabay sa mga trip nila pero may panahon din na nauubos ang pasensya ko. I’ve been studying their every move and every word that comes out from their disgusting mouth. Naiintindihan ko na kung ano ang gusto nilang mangyari. They called me in to humiliate me.
Hindi naman ako masyadong naaapektuhan sa mga indirect insults nila. Sadyang naiinis lang ako sa paraan nila ng pagtrato sa tao. ‘Yung tipong mabait lang sila sayo kung angat ka at kung hindi naman, balewala ka and worst, mas idodown ka pa nila. They are awful creatures.
“What’s with the mood? It’s ruining my appetite.” Maarteng sabi ni Mia at binitiwan ang hawak niyang tinidor.
“Just as I expected…” Dagdag naman ni Rico na para bang may masama akong ginawa. Am I at fault again?
“Maybe she’s just drunk?” Jasmine said while faking a smile, such an impostor. I hate people like her!
Tumayo na ako at isa-isa silang tiningnan. “My head hurts a bit but I’m far from being drunk.” Stella’s forehead crumbled upon hearing what I said. My head is spinning. I feel so dizzy.
“Look guys, if you’re trying to embarrass me in front of everyone, at least do it properly.” I burst out of laughter like a psycho who lost her mind. I finally got everyone’s attention.
“What the hell are you saying?” Dianne asked annoyingly.
“Bakit ako ang tinatanong mo?” Sarkastiko kong sabi.
“She must’ve gone crazy.” Naiiling na komento ni Rico.
Umugong ang bulungan ng mga tao sa paligid. They might think that I have lost it but I did not. I’m just frustrated because of this damn species who doesn’t know the meaning of the word respect. Is it fun for them to ruin other people’s life? Those bunch of shameless punks!
“I may be a jobless human-being but unlike you guys, I have my dignified self.” Natahimik silang lahat dahil sa mga salitang pinakawalan ko.
Yes, they are all well-off in life. They are not going through any hardships like me because they’ve all gone successful. How can they still be selfish and ungrateful?
Lumabas na ako sa restaurant at dali-daling nagtungo sa tabing-kalsada upang pumara ng masasakyang taxi. Pakiramdam ko ay tutumba na ako ano mang oras, namamanhid na ang katawan ko at nasusuka na rin ako.
Nang matanaw ko ang papalapit na headlights ng sasakyan, mabilis akong humarang sa daraanan nito. Strategy ko ito upang madali akong makita ng driver. Hindi naman ako nabigo dahil tumigil nga ito. Agad akong tumakbo patungo sa sasakyan at sumakay sa passenger seat.
“H-hey! What do you think you’re doing?” Hindi ako sumagot sa tanong ng driver. Bagkus ay naglabas ako ng papel at ballpen. Isinulat ko ang address ko at iniabot iyon sa driver.
“Take me here, manong driver.” Sinulyapan ko ‘yung driver. Sobrang lukot ‘yung mukha niya habang nakatitig sa ibinigay kong papel. Nanlalabo na ‘yung mata ko kaya hindi ko na gaanong maaninag ang itsura niya.
“Omygod!” Napasigaw ako.
“Are you crazy?!” Ngayon lang ako naka-encounter ng englisherong taxi driver. This man is unbelievably rare!
I was about to speak-up when something with a great force came out of my mouth. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!” Nagpapanic na sigaw ‘nung driver.
“I’m so sorry, idagdag mo na lang po sa charges ko ‘yung pagpapalinis sa sasakyan mo.” Sumandal na ako sa backrest ng upuan saka ko ipinikit ang aking mga mata.
“Mas mahal pa sa buhay mo ang sasakyan ko! How dare you throw up in here?!” Hindi ko na pinansin ang walang-kwenta niyang pinagsasasabi. He doesn’t even own this taxi for this belongs to an agency. Dapat nga ay matuwa pa siya dahil babayaran ko naman ang damage ko.
“Shut up and just drive.” Mahina kong bulong.
Unti-unting tumahimik ang paligid. Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako.
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“Why does it smells like men’s perfume?” Napabalikwas ako ng bangon nang malanghap ko ang kakaibang amoy na iyon.
“Apo, gising ka na pala.” Sumalubong sa akin ang seryosong mukha ni lola.
“Lola, what is that smell?” I curiously asked.
“Iyon bang amoy lalaki?” Tumango ako.
“May naghatid sa’yong lalaki kagabi. Nagulat nga ako. Nobyo mo ba siya?” Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig.
What freakin’ happened last night?!