Tanghali na nang bumangon si Trisha and lazily went to the kitchen to prepare something to eat. Ginising siya ng kumakalam niyang sikmura. She was yawning when the front door opened and revealed her bestfriend.
“Chlo!” sabay takbo ni Trisha and affectionately hugged her bestfriend.
Niyakap din siya ni Chloe at natatawa sa ginawa ng childish niyang bestfriend.
Minutes passed, Trisha was still clinging to her. “I’m so glad you’re here,” prolonging the so.
“So how are you?” Chloe asked as she pulled Trisha towards the sofa.
“I’m fine,” hinawakan niya ang mga kamay nito. “Really, I am,” pangungumbinsi niya dito nang mapakunot-noo ang kaibigan. She really did feel fine. Remembering Marsden’s help last night, she told her friend everything that happened.
“That Jade I would really skin her alive, bruha talaga. Friends with the same feathers really flucks together,” galit na galit na turan ni Chloe. “Wait! Like, the Marsden you kissed at the airport, the Marsden in the bar?” Hindi makapaniwalang tanong nito kay Trisha. “Oh my God Trish, it’s fate!” kumikinang ang matang turan nito.
Binitawan ni Trisha ang mga kamay nito at tumayo para ipagpatuloy ang pagluto ng itlog, her babies were having a war inside her stomach because of hunger, not because of nerves or fluttering brought by the words her friend uttered. Really not! Kagabi pagkatapos magpaalam ni Trisha kay Marsden, there was a sudden thought that lingered in her mind, were they being played by fate? For Trisha, sometimes it is hard to believe that the person who always gave her comfort these days was her long lost friend whom she never thought she would met again. But before it takes root, she strugged it off and just thankful that she had a friend she can cry on during her bad days, she wasn’t abandoned, she wasn’t alone.
“Pwede ba Chlo, tumigil ka nga, I know what you’re implying and it’s definitely not that.”
Umupo ito sa upuan across her. ”Okay fine, I’m just so thankful that he’s there. I should have been there for you. Sana hindi na kita pinilit na pumunta,” pagsisisi ng kaibigan.
Trisha stopped scrumbling the egg. “Kung hindi ako pumunta, hindi ko malalaman agad na may kumakalat na picture namin ni Marsden. We wouldn’t have met at the hotel and he can’t help me put it down.”
“Sabagay tama ka.” Pero hindi pa rin mawala kay Chloe ang galit. ”Subra na talaga ‘yang pinsan mo, hindi ata kayo magkadugo eh, ang sama ng ugali. Why would she do such a thing. You’re demon ex is already hers, what else does she want?”
Remembering Drake still pained her but she have to face the fact na wala na ang three-year relationship nila. She have to move on.
“I don’t know, nagulat din ako sa ginawa ni Chelsea, hindi ko inakala na magagawa niyang planuhin ang lahat, it’s like she hated me too much because of something I did but I don’t remember doing anything to hurt her,” naguguluhang saad ni Trisha.
“Well, she’s just a natural b-i-t-c-h.” Chloe pretended to whisper her words by slightly covering her mouth with her hand. But the words were loudly uttered that made Trisha laughed.
“Hmmm…smells good! Nagutom tuloy ako, we should go to an Eat-All-You-Can Restaurant, heartbroken ka, you should change your eating habit.”
Trisha smiled. “ Gusto mo ba akong tumaba bestfriend dear?”
Tumawa ito. “Mostly, heartbroken people eat, eat and eat because of depression. You know while crying their hearts out,” sabay pahid ng hintuturo sa daluyan ng luha.
“Kakainis ka talaga!” natatawang nilagay ni Trisha ang lutong itlog sa harapan nito. Kumuha siya ng bread at nilagay sa toaster.
“Just wanna make you laugh.”
“Thank you Chlo!” saad niya sa kaibigan, she really mean it.
“So, Eat-All-You-Can later?” sabay subo ng malaking hiwa ng egg.
“No!” she doesn’t feel like going out and eating too much. Sayang lang ang ibabayad niya.
★★★
“Gosh! I’m so full,” saad ni Trisha habang hawak-hawak ang tiyan.
Trisha and Chloe walked home after they ate at Chawmi Eat-All-You-Can Seafood. She had eaten probably the plentiest food her entire life, she ate like a brokenhearted without the crying of course.
“If only…naniwala ako sayo nang sinabi mo’ng may kadudaduda, maybe It wouldn’t be this painful kung nalaman ko ng mas maaga,” seryosong saad ni Trisha.
“Alam kong masakit best and I understand if you wanted to cry pero remember this,” pinisil nito ang kanyang kamay, ”he doesn’t deserves it, he doesn’t deserves you.”
Trisha wanted to cry. She expected too much from their relationship…of being a family in the future, no matter how much she tried, she can’t help the feeling of loss and if she would be honest with herself, maybe even regrets, for denying Drake her whole self, her virginity.
“Well, Chelsea is…gorgeous, sexy, seductive…sino ba naman ang hindi papatol sa kanya,” Trisha said bitterly.
“Hey, don’t you dare act like that. ‘Wag na ‘wag mo ikukumpara ang sarili sa bitch na ‘yon. Weak lang talaga ‘yang boyfriend mo. Again best, he doesn’t deserves you,” inis nitong turan sa kanya.
“Okay fine, I promised to wallow for a week, no, three days and then move on,” determinado niyang turan sa kaibigan. She really wanted to move on. It was hard but she had faced worse. This one would not quenched her positive look in life so she resolves to forgive and forget.
When they got home, they had a movie marathon. Ironically instead of watching funny movies Chloe insisted on playing hearbreaking ones. “So you can start wallowing already and end it on three days,” she said. It is so annoying to have a bestfriend.
★★★
Monday came at kinakabahan si Trisha nang pumasok ng opisina. Her friends talked to her this weekend through video chats. She explained everything from what happened at the airport and even how Marsden helped her out on putting down the picture and blocking it from any sites. The only thing she doesn’t share was the beautiful place Marsden showed him. It’s their little secret. Her friends got so angry with Drake. Brix even threatened to punch him when he see him next but Trisha pleaded to just let it slide. No matter how they think of it, Drake was at the higher position and if they charged impulsively they might lose their jobs. Hence, they cheered her up and erased her fears that they would judged her just like at the beginning of their friendship when they thought she flirted with Brix.
Ipinagpatuloy niya ang kanyang trabaho just like normal days. Hindi niya pinapansin ang mga tingin na ipunupukol sa kanya ng ibang mga katrabaho na para bang sinasabi ng mga ito na kilala na nila kung ano talaga siya. Their eyes were accusing and it hurt, but Trisha knew it’s not her fault at all and she clinged to this thought.
Nasa cafeteria silang lima, Trisha, Abby, Jay, Brix and Joyce. They talked and laughed as if nothing happened.
“Itong si Trisha kanina, akala ko kung anong report ang deadline na, subra kung makatrabaho. Sabi ko sa sarili ko hindi ako efficient na employee kasi wala akong ginagawa tapos nang pumunta ako ng cubicle niya busy pala sa g****e, hoy girl, ‘yang figure mo please ‘wag mong sayangin,” saad ni Abby na katabi niya sa mesa.
Nakita siya nitong nagba-browse ng mga lutong bahay sa kanyang computer. Akala nito nagsisimula na siyang madepress at nagbabalak idaan sa kain ang kalungkutan. The truth was, the other day she contacted Marsden for a dinner treat. She was ready to treat him sa mamahaling restaurant pero nagulat siya nang sabihin nitong he wanted homemade foods especially adobo and kare-kare, he said these were the foods he’d missed when he was in America.
“Hindi ah, I just wanted to practice my cooking more, alam n’yo naman na hobby ko ang pagluluto,” paliwanag niya sa mga kaibigan nang tumingin ang mga ito sa kanya. She hated lying but it will not hurt them. She had to or else they would believe her and Marsden really have a thing just like what the picture implied.
They believe her and they continue talking while drinking and eating delicacies from this cafeteria they love to hang-out after eating lunch at the canteen.
Marami ang kumakain ng desserts dito from different companies around the Business Center. For five years it continues on expanding until tatlong blocks na ang sakop nito. Sabi nila ang may-ari at partner nitong chef ay dating trabahante ng White Marz Hotel, one of the biggest and luxurious hotel in the city with branches nationwide and abroad.
“Tingnan niyo guys, that guy na nakasalamin, special order nanaman mula sa may-ari,” saad ni Joyce.
“Baka naman anak niya lang, just like Jay kapag pipabaunan siya ni tita ng lunch,” sabat naman ni Abby dito.
Everyday for more than a week na nilang nakikita ang isang lalaking naka-eyeglass na bumibili ng special macarons dito sa cafeteria. Matanda lang ata ito sa kanila ng ilang taon, payat ito, hindi rin katangkaran pero sophisticated, siguro secretary ito ng mga nasa higher positions sa malaking kompanya. May tatlong server na nasa counter para eaccommodate ang mga customers pero sa tuwing dumarating ang lalaki tinatawag nila ang may-ari at ito mismo ang umaasikaso dito. Sure si Trisha na mataas ang position ng amo nito dahil ‘yong kagagaling pa ng kitchen ang binibigay dito. Minsan nga nakita ni Trisha na ang chef mismo ang nagbigay ng isang malaking box ng macarons.
“Iba talaga ’pag mayaman, special treatment, makahanap nga ng mayaman,” saad ni Abby na nakatingin sa lalaking naka-eyeglass.
“Girl, bakit ‘di na lang kaya siya, look at him, gwapo naman ah, medyo nerd nga lang pero pogi oh.”
Natawa ang lahat sa sinabi ni Jay. “Pwede ba ang sabi ko mayaman, ‘yong CEO or Politician. Mangagarap na lang din ako lulubus-lubosin ko na noh!” pairap na saad ni Abby kay Jay dahil mahilig nga siya sa mga pogi pero ‘yong macho, malaki ang katawan dahil nga plus size siya.
“Sa mukha mo’ng ‘yan choosy ka pa!”
“Bruha! Sa tingin mo bagay kami? Baklang to, tiyak na mas mabigat pa ako sa kanya noh!”
They all laughed and the banter continues. Nang marinig ang sinabi ni Abby, Trisha remembered when Marsden told him she’s heavier than him when they we’re both drowning. She can’t help the smile creeping on her face. Then she heard someone said the name Marsden. When she looked at the direction where she thought it came from, likod ng lalaking naka-eyeglass ang nakita niya. Guni-guni ko lang siguro.
Nag-undertime si Trisha dahil kailangan pa niyang mamalengke ng gulay para sa lulutuing kare-kare. Nakapaggrocery na siya kahapon kaya naman gulay na lang ang dapat niyang bilihin para fresh. When she got home from the market, agad siyang naligo at nagsimula ng magluto. She already baked a chocolate cake last night and also marinated the chicken in her special sauce. She wanted to make it special that’s why she searched the internet for additional tips. After two hours, she was almost done and just preparing the salad dressing when a knock came at the door. She took her apron but remembering how she looked, agad niyang inayos ang kanyang loose ponytail. When she opened the door, she was stunned for a moment. May artista ata sa bahay ko! Kinurap niya ang mga mata. “Hey!” she said smiling at Marsden. “Hi!” Ngumiti ito at itinaas ang dalang malapad na golden box na may pulang ribbon na nakatali dito.
Weeks passed, Unti-unting nawawala ang kirot na dala ng betrayal ni Drake. Nawala na rin ang echo ng scandal na sinimulan ng kanyang pinsan. Trisha and Drake were both putting their relationship behind. Kapag nagkikita sila sa Office, hindi pa rin sila nagpapansinan. Mas mabuti na rin sa isip ni Trisha upang hindi na sila pag-usapan pa ng mga kasamahan sa trabaho. Sa tingin ni Trisha nakakatulong din ang friendship ni Marsden para siya makalimot. Palagi itong nangungumusta at siya rin dito. Once in a while nagpapadala ito ng chocolates from Pixies which her friends really love to eat. Ngayon nga may delivery nanaman siya from Pixies, one dozen of mini chocolate cupcakes na may chocolate frosting on top. “Oh my God Trisha, huwag mo munang sagutin si Marsden para may rasyon pa rin tayo from Pixies,” saad ni Abby na sarap na sarap ang kain. Nakaupo ito sa kanyang cubicle habang busy siya sa pagphotocopy ng kany
“Do you love her still?” It took a while bago ito sumagot. “I don’t know. I haven’t think of her for quiet some time. I don’t think the feeling is still the same.” Mas mabuti sana kung sinabi nitong hindi na, kaysa sa hindi ko alam. A flicker of discomfort pricked Trisha’s heart. She can’t explain the sudden tightness she felt when she heard his answer. It’s not right, she doesn’t want to dwell on it. “You’ve been asking yourself why he haven’t said sorry when he betrayed you right? Maybe the reason why the anger returned when he finally said it is that all along you were asking yourself, did I deserve what happened? Don’t I deserve the sorry? I’m not a psychologist pero minsan kasi we asked ourselves kung deserved ba natin ang masaktan. If all along ako pala ‘yong may kasalanan kaya nagkaganito–“ Natigilan si Trisha nang mahinuhang nakatitig ito sa kanya. “Shoot!” “What?” Nagug
Friday night Trisha was preparing to sleep and scanning her f******k account when she got a chat from Marsden. Ganito sila palaging nagcha-chat… kahit na ano lang ang topic, about their work and other nonsense. Bago lang din niya nalaman na may-ari pala si Marsden ng Construction and Engineering Company, Engineer din pala ito. »Hey pretty! Whats up? She laid in her bed and replied: »Hey pretty!😝 Still getting prettier each day. »Same here girlie.hahaha »Hahahaha. Hey man how’s your day? »I’m not going to reply until you call me handsome. »(rolling my pretty eyeballs here) »Com’on I’ve called you pretty (I’m sulking here) Trisha laughed, para talaga itong bata. »Okay fine Mr. Handsome, how’s your day? »Yeeh! I
Hinihintay ni Marsden si Trisha sa loob ng sasakyan while searching a good music on his phone to play in the car radio. Nang marinig niya ang pagsirado ng pinto ay napalingon siya dito. Natigilan siya nang makita ang papalapit na kaibigan. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin niya mapigilang humanga sa ganda nito. She radiated light in every turn and Marsden can’t stop the sudden sensation caressing his heart. She wore a yellow floral beach minidress. It surrounded her like a petal in bloom. He was attracted to her. No matter how he refused to admit it, the attraction lingered there whenever their together. Remembering their almost kiss and the urge to kiss her yesterday when he saw her playing with her lip took a lot of his self control. He sighed. I needed to date, and fast. She’s a friend Marsden, always remember that. Paalala niya sa kanyang sarili. “Hey!” Umupo na ito sa passenger seat at ibi
Natatawa na lamang si Max sa dalawa. “She’s cool,” lumapit sa kanya si Elise. “Yeah, she makes him laugh.” “You knew her?” “Just an acquaintance, I knew his ex-boyfriend. Why all the questions Elise?” tanong ni Max with a mischievous smile. “Nothing! I’m just curious, they looked good together. Do you honestly believe na wala talagang namamagitan sa kanila?” curious na saad ni Elise. She was itching to know because if this girl was the one who could break Marsden’s wall then she wanted to make sure she was worth it. Max thought of the picture and mysteriously said. “I don’t know but it’s for them to find out and for us to wait patiently dear,” sabay tapik sa pisngi ni Elise at tuluyan ng umalis para magpahinga sa sarili niyang kwarto…he was also travel weary. Max knew Trisha had already cracked the outer shell Marsden had built to protect himself from the hurt again. Hopefully
Gabi na at nakaupo ang mga babae sa dalampasigan sa harapan ng rest house at nakapalibot sa isang maliit na campfire. Panay ang tanong ni Elise tungkol sa kanya na sinasagot naman niya at minsan naman ay nagtatawanan kapag may ikinikwento si Myrtelle na ginawa ng kapatid sa current girlfriend nito. Magkatabi sila ni Elise. “So Trisha, you’re an Accountant?” tanong ni Rheanne. Medyo nagulat siya nang magsalita ito, hindi niya akalain na papansinin siya nito. She talked to everyone but her. “I’m a Junior Accountant at Lucian Group,” nakangiting sagot niya dito. Nakita niya ang slight grin nito, warning her to be cautious with her before the attack. “So you were just an accounting staff?” saad nito at ngumiti kay Myrtelle when she silently laughed at the insult. “Rhey!” saway ni Suzette. “I am an accounting staff.” Trisha proudly said. “I am actually proud to be one. You see, we
Kinaumagahan nagmamadaling nag-ayos at naghanda ng gamit si Trisha dahil napatagal ang kanyang paggising. Madaling araw na nang dalawin siya ng antok. “Naku naman ba’t ba hindi mo ako ginising Mars, nakakahiya,” nasabi niya ng ayusin ang higaan. Ngunit bigla siyang natigilan nang maalala ang narinig kagabi. She decided to act normal right now and talk to him about it later kaya nang matapos ay dumiretso na siya sa kitchen kung saan narinig niya ang magiliw na kwentuhan ng mga kasama. “Good morning Trish!” masayang bati sa kanya ni Suzette nang makita siyang nakatayo sa may pintoan. Naggood morning din ang iba nang lingunin siya. Siyempre maliban kina Rheanne at Myrtelle. “Good morning! Pasensya na napasarap ang tulog ko.” Dumiretso siya sa bakanteng upuan sa tabi ni Marsden. “Good morning!” bulong nito sa kanya while grinning. “Don’t worry, kakagising lang din namin.” He poured a hot coffee sa cup niya at nagpat