VII. The Scandal

Marsden was busy reading through the reports for the new expansion in Mindanao when his bestfriend and company lawyer entered his office.  Kakabalik lang nito from Davao.

Napangiti siya when he saw his annoyed face.  “You should get over it man.”

Napaupo ito sa harapan ng malaki niyang table.  “Erase that smile bro, I haven’t forgiven you yet.”

“Come on Max, it’s been a week since I got home and let me reminds you you’re out of town if you forgot.”

“You should have called me or even just a text from you would suffice.  Learning from someone that your bestfriend finally came back without even telling you hurts bro.” 

Para itong batang nagmamaktol but he can’t blame him, afterall he is like a brother he never had.  Every year Max would tell Marsden to visit the Philippines even for just a while so they could party together and be wasted together just like the old days but he always reasoned that their branch in New York needed close supervision. 

“You know I would fly back just to welcome you and drinking without me really pissed me off,” galit ang tono nito but he was smirking.

Napatawa si Marsden sa sinabi ng matalik na kaibigan.  He deliberately kept his plans from him to piss him off and he had succeeded.  It’s a joke for them eversince pissing each other off.

Napapailing na lamang ito with a mischievous smile on his lips. “You’ll gonna pay for it.”

“With interest?”  Pinagpatuloy na niya ang trabaho.

“Hundred percent but before that hayaan mo akong e-welcome ka, just us and the gang.  It’s damn time to put the past behind and begin anew.  We really did missed you bro.”  Lumapit ito sa kanya and gave him a brotherly hug.  Marsden chuckled and patted his back.  He was one of the people he missed when he was away.  The only friend who never betrayed him.

“I really missed you man.  I think I’m going to cry.”  Marsden pushed him and they both laughed.

Napaisip si Marsden dahil ibig sabihin ng the gang ni Max are their  circle of friends.  For the sake of their long friendship he jokingly said.  “Fine, should I wear my bikini then?” It’s a beach party.

“Damn right you should!  Ah, I should shop for mine and along the way I should wax my flawless legs.”  Tumayo na ito. “See you at the wedding tomorrow.” 

Nang makaalis ang kaibigan, naramdaman ni Marsden kung gaano niya na miss ang lahat ng iniwan niya five years ago.  Aside from his grandmother who called almost every week, he realized how he missed his friends whom he distanced himself from.  Now that his back, he won’t let petty emotions destroy the relationship he has with them.  He’s changed.  He realized that they were just concerned and didn’t want to hurt him then.  His now more mature and less emotional.  The experience taught him well.

★★★

The event for the celebration of the Foundation Anniversary of Lucian Group of Companies arrived and Trisha was lazily sitting at her bed while Chloe helped her choose the dress to wear later.

“Dito na lang tayo Chlo, let’s watch koreanovelas and have ice cream, Rocky Road or Double Dutch?” pangungumbinsi niya sa kaibigan.  Patuloy pa rin ito sa pagcheck ng cabinet niya for the right dress.  “Cookies and Cream?”  pagpapatuloy niya.

“I can’t believe na wala ka talagang hinanda na susuotin to this event,” nakapamaywang ito nang lingunin siya.  “Bestie, huwag mong hayaan na kontrolin niya ang sitwasyon.”

Napabuntong hininga na lamang si Trisha dahil ang totoong rason kung bakit ayaw niyang pumunta ay dahil kay Drake.  Hindi pa rin alam ng mga kasamahan nila kung anong rason why when they encountered at the building, they won’t even look at each other.   Naiinis siyang isipin na gano’n ang inaakto ng ex-boyfriend.  She was the one who’s been cheated, pero kung umasta ito parang nagkasala rin siya.  “I just don’t wanna ruin my night so mabuti pa espend ko na lang with you, diba? Diba?”  Lumapit siya dito and sweetly hugged her bestfriend from behind to calm her up. 

Chloe relaxed and let her bestfriend hugged her dahil baka ano pang masabi  niya tungkol sa ex nito.  Talagang nanggagalaiti siya sa galit everytime she thought of the devil.  Just like now, Trisha won’t be enjoying the party.  Her friend doesn’t deserves it. Sasabihin na sana niyang huwag na itong pumunta at mag movie marathon na lamang sila nang bumitaw ito at kinuha ang damit na hawak niya.  Hindi pa ito nasusuot ng kaibigan dahil nang bilihin nila ito ay nacancel ang event.  Peach colored dress that will definitely suits her bestfriend’s curves showing her great assets which Chloe envies. It’s not hard for Trisha to look for another man if she wanted to but knowing her bestfriend, it would be years for sure.

“Alam mo, tama ka, I’ll wear it and enjoy the party.” Huminga si Trisha ng malalim at pilit pinasigla ang sarili bago nagbihis.

★★★

“I’ll call you,”  paalam ni Trisha sa kaibigan bago sumakay ng GRAB.  She was so nervous she can barely breathe.  Everything will be fine, compose yourself Trish!

Bumaba siya sa front entrance ng five-star hotel kung saan gaganapin ang party.  Kinakabahan pa rin siya nang lumulan sa elevator, nakasabay niya ang mga officemates na nakasuot din ng magagarang dresses and suits.  She greeted them unconsciously and stayed at the corner until they reached the 5^th floor towards the grand hall. 

“Trisha, oh my God! You’re soooo pretty.” Sinalubong siya ni Abby, sabay yakap sa kanya.

“Ikaw din, looking like a real lady sis.” Nginitian niya ito, she relaxed a bit dahil dito.  Abby was wearing a dark green long gown that fitted her so perfectly.  She’s plus size but the way she wore the dress with confidence really brought out her beauty.

Tumingin ito sa likuran niya. “Where is the hot boyfriend?  Hindi kayo magkasama?”  tanong nito.

“Ahmm–” she sighed in relief nang dumating si Jay at nakibeso-beso sa kanila.  Hinila na siya ng mga ito papunta sa table ng mga kaibigan.

Malaki  ang hall at napakagara ng interior design.  Daig pa nila ang totoong mayayaman dahil sa kanilang mga suot at sa mga naglalakihang chandelier above them na kumikinang at lumiliwanag sa buong lugar.

“Alam niyo kung ano ang most awaited view ko tonight ay ‘yong makita si Trisha wearing a dress, really girl, everything suited you,” sabay hawak ni Jay sa kamay niya nang paupo na sila ni Abby.

Napangiti siya dito.  “’Kaw talaga, bolero ka,” sabay kurot sa tagiliran nito.

Napangiti ito nang marinig ang agreement ng mga kasama.  “See, kung prom night lang ngayon I will nominate you as queen and of course, me as king.”  After saying it his face looked like he wanted to puke. “Yuck!  king daw oh, kakadiri.”

Natawa sa reaksyon ni Jay ang magkakaibigan.  “Girl, I’ll nominate you queen at siyempre si Anton ang king no!” turan ni Analie sabay akbay kay Brix na hanggang ngayon natatawa parin sa topic nila.  Magkatabi ang mga ito across them.

“Gusto mo bang umiyak ang kaibigan natin An, my brother will punch him for sure.” Tumingin si Brix kay Jay.  “Sorry bro, get over him already.”

Binatukan ito ni Jay leaning over the table. “BRO?! Pwede ba sis ako Brix, SISTER okay?” reklamo nito.  “At tsaka anong get over, ang gwapo gwapo ng kapatid mo noh, tuod lang ang baklang hindi magpapantasya sa kanya.  Ewan ko ba ba’t ikaw hindi gwapo, ampon ka ba?” panunukso nito.

“Ang sakit mong magsalita ah,”  napangiti ito, “kahit hindi gwapo magaling naman ako sa ibang bagay, and Joyce loves me for it,” he said while smirking mischievously towards her girlfriend na kagagaling lang ng rest room. Nagtinginan ang dalawa at simula na nga ng landian.

“Tumigil nga kayo baka saan pa mapunta ang ngitiang yan,” pigil ni Trisha sa dalawa habang tumatawa.  Ang totoo naiinggit siya kay Brix at Joyce.  You can see the passion in their eyes and sweetly show it through flirting with each other. Sina Jay at Brix naman ay ganito palagi, nagtutuksuhan, pero never nagkapikonan dahil magbestfriend.  Five years ago nang magsimula siyang magtrabaho sa kompanya, si Brix ang una niyang naging kaibigan.  Ito ang nagtrain sa kanya at mentor niya sa system na ginagamit ng kompanya.  Mabait ito, patient at halos palaging nakangiti.  Girlfriend na nito noon si Joyce, college sweethearts ang mga ito.  Kahit na maganda naman ang trato ng mga katrabaho sa kanya si Brix ang naging close niya dahil ito ang palagi niyang nakakasama pag may mga overtime.  One day, kumakalam na ang sikmura niya pagkatapos nilang mag extend ni Brix para tapusin ang isang report kaya naman nang mag-anyaya itong magdinner kasama ang girlfriend nito ay pumayag siya.  Nang ipakilala siya nito kay Joyce na nasa Operation Department sa 2^nd Floor, masaya si Trisha at finally makikilala na niya ang great girlfriend that Brix always talked about.  Habang kumakain sila, napansin niyang tahimik si Joyce habang si Brix naman ay kwento ng kwento tungkol sa college life nila.  As a hopeless romantic, siyempre interested si Trisha sa love story nila at ngiting-ngiti habang nakikinig.  Napapatawa rin siya pag nag-aastang babae ang boses nito upang gayahin si Joyce.  She’s enjoying the dinner without knowing na naiinis na pala sa kanya si Joyce nang bigla na lamang itong tumigil sa pagkain at tumayo.  Napatigil sa pagkwe-kwentuhan sina Trisha at Brix at nagulat nang bigla itong umalis ng walang sabi-sabi.  From then on iniwasan na ni Trisha ang masyadong pagiging close kay Brix pagkatapos niyang magsorry dito the day after.  Napansin din niyang iba na rin ang trato sa kanya ng ibang kasamahan lalo na ang mga kaibigan ni Joyce na sina Analie at Abby especially nang napabalitang naghiwalay ang mga ito. Everyone thought siya ang dahilan kaya naman a week after, kinausap niya ng masinsinan si Joyce and told her everything that Brix shared that shows how he loves her so. After that day naging magkaibigan sila ni Joyce lalo na nang magkabalikan ang mga ito and Trisha became part of their circle of friends.

Nakikinig siya sa kulitan ng mga kaibigan nang makita niyang pumasok si Drake sa Hall.  Napansin niyang may hinahanap ang mga mata nito at nang mapatingin ito sa direksyon niya ay napangiti ito.  Trisha felt nervous realizing Drake’s intention when he walked towards their table.  Agad siyang nag excuse sa mga kaibigan na pupunta ng ladies room.  Nakita niyang napatigil ito sa paglalakad and disappointedly looked at her as she left.

Pinagmasdan ni Trisha ang reflection sa salamin inside the Ladies’ Room.  Thankfully, walang tao kaya naman nagawa niyang mag inhale-exhale ng ilang beses to calm herself.  The pain of being cheated on was coming back to her and she hated herself for hiding in here because she still feels something towards  him despite everything that happened.

Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong pagtatago ay pinilit ni Trisha na umaktong normal at bumalik na sa party upang hindi mag-alala ang mga kaibigan.  Napansin din niyang nacu-curious ang mga kaibigan tungkol sa kanila ni Drake ngunit hinihintay ng mga ito na siya ang mag-open up.            Taking a deep breath, she decided to not let him affect her and be brave to face him ngunit bago pa siya makarating sa pintuan ng Ladies’ Room ay bumukas ito at pumasok ang nakangiting si Jade.  “Hello Trisha, you look unwell.  Anong nangyari?”

Huminga siya ng malalim at hinarap ito. “Pwede ba Jade leave me alone, you and my cousin can go to hell!”

Nawala ang ngiti nito when she cursed.  “Akala mo kung sino kang anghel kung umasta, If I know better deep within, you deserve hell as I do.” 

“Let us go separately then, I don’t wanna see your face when I get there,” paalam niya dito ngunit bago pa man niya mabuksan ang pinto nagsalita ulit ito.

“Trisha Lee M. Fuentes, I won’t go back there if I were you.”  Jade looked like Lucifer himself when Trisha glanced back.  Smirking like she knew something Trisha don’t.

“You see, may kumakalat sa social media about a woman who cheated her boyfriend with another guy and unluckily the boyfriend witnessed the devastating scene at the airport.”  Napansin niyang nakatingin ito sa cellphone nito.

Hearing the word airport, bumilis ang tibok ng puso ni Trisha, she knew something was wrong and whatever Jade was trying to imply made her heart beat fast, her pulse hammering.  Nakatingin lamang siya dito waiting for the next words the devil will utter.  She can’t move even if she wanted to.

Lumapit ito sa kanya at parang matalik na kaibigang ipinakita ang isang larawan na nakapost sa f******k nito. Agad niyang kinuha ang cellphone at binasa ang mga comment. Nanghihina siya nang mabasa ang cheater, looks like an angel but a devil in disguise and so on…The woman in the picture was kissing a guy, the woman was clearly Trisha samantalang si Marsden ay small part of the face lamang ang makikita.  The memory of the airport incident came back and she looked at Jade accusingly.  Gusto niyang umiyak ngunit ayaw niyang gawin ito sa harapan ni Jade so she let the anger ruled.  “Why are you doing this?” panunumbat niya dito, nakakuyom ang kanyang mga palad to stop herself na sampalin ito.  She was at her limit.

Jade just laughed. “Hindi ako ang nagpost nito Trish.”  Ngumiti ito nang makitang nanginginig na siya sa galit.  “A friend…perhaps.”

Nang marealize kung sino ang sinasabi nito pinakalma niya ang sarili.  “Tell my bloody cousin to stop making me angry or she will regret it.”

She unconsciously walked out and with her emotions,  her knees seemed like jellies so she leaned on to the wall along the hallway. Sumasakit ang ulo niya and she looked around her, the hallway was empty.  Seconds passed before she remembered that Jade could see her, dali dali siyang lumakad kahit na hindi pa siya stable kaya naman hindi niya namalayan ang pagbukas ng pintuan at ang paglabas ng isang babae.

“Oh my!” napabulalas si Trisha nang mabangga ito, mabuti na lang at mahina lamang ang kanilang pagkakabangga. Agad siyang humingi dito ng pasensya.

“Miss next time tumingin ka sa dinadaanan mo,” irita nitong saad bago dali-daling umalis papunta ng Ladies’ Room.

“I’m really sorry,”  mahinang turan ni Trisha.  She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.  It won’t be good if she break down now, here in the hotel where her coworkers could witness.

“Trish?” Tawag sa kanya ng isang lalaki.