Chapter 25

Girl's night

"What is this?" nang inilabas ng guard and bagay na iyon mula sa bag ko ay mabilis ko iyong kinuha at ibinalik sa loob ng bag. Nahagip ng mata ko na tumatawa si Pee shooter at Bella sa isang tabi. Hindi ko naman maitago ang sobrang kahihiyan sa ginawa ng guard na ito. "You can't leave, Miss. Kailangan mo munang ipaliwanag ang bagay na iyon."

Mas lalong nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya, hindi niya ba alam iyon? O pinagkakatuwaan na lang nila ako? Pansin ko rin kasi ang patagong pagtawa ng kasamahan nitong guard.

"I know, you know sir kung para saan po iyon."

He laughed, "I'm kidding, you can go now. You are all secured."

Kinuha ko agad ang bag ko at mabilis na naglakad palayo sa kanila. Sinundan din naman ako nila Pee shooter at Bella na hindi mapigilan ang kanilang pagtawa.

"Bakit naman kasi may dala ka no'n?" natatawang tanong pa ni Pee shooter sa akin.

"It's girl thing you wouldn't understand." Sagot ko sa kanya, "saka, nakakahiya na pinakita niya pa sa harap ng maraming tao iyon."

Inakbayan naman ako ni Bella na kinakalma na ang sarili pero alam kong tawang-tawa pa rin naman siya, "Hindi ko inakalang tampon user ka pala." Hagikgik pa niya.

Inalis ko naman ang pagkaka-akbay niya sa akin at inunahan ko sila ng paglalakad.

"Hoy! 'Wag ka mang-iwan, babae!" sigaw ni Pee shooter. "Ikaw ang iiwanan namin, bahala ka sa buhay mo, gaga!"

Huminto ako sa paglalakad at dahan-dahan ko silang nilingon. Napasinghal naman ako habang papalapit sila sa akin.

"What's so funny about it? Lahat naman siguro ng babae, gumagamit no'n diba? Its our essential thing!"

Tumango naman si Bella sa akin, "you really have a point, tampon user din naman ako, I switch from a pad year ago dahil hindi ako makomportable but tampon seems like doing its job."

Sumang-ayon ako sa kanya, "that's why I have it, meron ako ngayon and I hate it when I have my red month. Sobrang komplikado."

"Oh, there's the Troubly Alex's we wanted!" Pee shooter cheered, "but I can ask something?" aniya at inabangan namin ang kanyang itatanong, "what does the tampon feels like? Ang liit no'n diba? Hindi ba pumapasok ng tuluyan sa loob lalo na't kung—"

Bella interrupted him dahil alam na niya kung saan mapupunta ang topic niya, "just stop, Philippines, baka kung ano pang masagot ko sayo at mauupakan din kita."

He rolls his eyes, "but anyway, siguro kaya pinakita ng guard sa ibang tao 'yong tampon mo kasi he's making it look like his dick."

Nagsalubong naman ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya, "ew, Pee shooter."

He laughed, "maka-ew ka naman, boys are boys at wala kang magagawa kung gano'n sila kadumi mag-isip."

"Ah, that's why you were so curious, Philippines." Bella mumbled, keep nodding her head. "But whatever guys, sana mahanap nila ang taong nagdadala ng drugs dito sa Savvy and that person should be kicked out. See you later at lunch!"

"See you, Bella." Aniko at kumaway sa kanya. Naglakad naman siya palayo.

Sabay naman kaming dalawa ni Pee shooter patungo sa room namin.

—

Buong araw, hindi ako mapakali. I felt uncomfortable dahil sa monthly period ko. Dumaan na rin naman kami sa clinic kanina para maka-inom ng gamot at kahit papaano naman ay naibsan ang sakit. Habang nasa clinic kaming dalawa ni Pee shooter kanina, kinuwento ko naman sa kanya ang nalalapit kong debut and he is excited about it.

He's happy that I get to share the news on him, at siya na rin ang bahalang magkuwento kay Bella dahil kapag sa gano'ng bagay ay maalam talaga siya and for sure, meron kaagad itong suggestion for what will be the debut themes or anything that will go beyond the event.

Gaya rin ng sabi ng dalawa, naging iwas rin naman ako kay Lathomia the whole day. Bukod sa changing moods ko, kapag lalapit si Lathomia ay kusan na agad akong lalayo and I think she doesn't have any idea kung bakit ako ganoon sa kanya.

Actually, I didn't even tell to the two na niyaya niya ako sa babay niya. Siguro, kaya panay ang lapit ni Lathomia sa akin tungkol doon. Ayoko na lang muna ipaalam sa kanila dahil may gusto rin akong malaman kay Lathomia whichc everyone aren't talking about.

Lumabas na kami ng room, finishing our last class today. We took the hallway and as we unexpectedly bound with Lathomia. Pee shooter's reaction were timidly surprise pero hindi niya pinapalahata. Ngiting-ngiti naman si Lathomia na siyang ginagawa niyang way of getting everyone's attention.

"What are you doing, Mia?" Pee shooter asked, raising his brow.

"Hindi ba nasabi sa'yo ni Alex?"

Kunot-noong hinarap ako ni Pee shooter at binalik ang tingin kay Lathomia, "At ano naman iyon?"

"I invited her to my house and she's coming with me." She answered, wilfully smiling.

"What?!" Pee shooter were in shocked. "Paano naman nangyari iyon?"

"I called her last night." Lathomia said.

"Alex?!" tumataas na tono ni Pee shooter.

Tumango naman ako sa kanya, "it is true..."

He sighed, "whatever, Alex, go and have some fun."

"See you, tomorrow, Philippe!" Lathomia said, and she hold my hand. "Tara na, Alex. I'll drive us home."

Kumaway na lang din naman ako kay Pee shooter pero inirapan ako nito. Nagpadala na lang din naman ako kay Lathomia palabas ng building hanggat sa makarating kami sa parking lot where her car is.

She open her car using her key, pinatuloy naman niya akong sumakay sa kabilang side. Nag-aalinlangan pa ako pero dahil tuloy-tuloy siyang pumasok sa loob ay sumunod na lang din naman ako. When I get to sit beside her, she put her handbag at the back.

"Kung hindi ka comfortable, you can also put your bag back there." Aniya.

I shook my head, at niyakap ang bag ko. "No, thank you, dito na lang sa lap ko."

She nodded, "okay, sige, we'll be going."

I put up my seatbelt and she started the engine. Tahimik lang din naman ako sa biyahe dahil sa music na kanyang pinapatugtog din. Almost thirty minutes nang marating naming ang bahay niya. Dumaan kasi kami sa drive-thru kaya natagalan nang kaunti. Nang bumaba naman ako ng sasakyan ay halos malula naman ako sa ganda ng bahay na bumungad sa akin.

"Oh, stop staring the house girl, there's more inside." She smirked.

I snapped out of my senses. I followed her as we walked entering the door. She didn't even had to knock on the door at mismong maids niya ang nagbukas ng pinto para sa kanya. They pick up her bags. The maid comes to me and asked to get my bag.

Umiling naman ako, "no need na po, thank you."

"Alex, just give your bag, don't worry, safe 'yan dito." Aniya.

In the end, binigay ko na lang din naman ang bag ko sa maid at sinundan ko siya sa sala. Naupo naman ako sa sobrang garang sofa. It is like I'm living in royal castle. Karamihan nang gamit ay babasagin at sobrang namumutawi ang white and gold aura sa paligid at mga bagay-bagay.

"Alex, the dinner will be served in a minute, you'll join us okay?"

"Hindi ba nakakahiya?" aniko.

She chuckles, "it is not, of course. I let you come into our home and I will make you feel comfortable."

I nodded, "thank you..."

She smiled, "not a problem, it is a pleasure to have my new friend here."

Naupo naman si Lathomia sa sofa at ginamit ang kanyang phone. She took selfies and by she done that, it was so perfect. Model na model nga ang kanyang moves. Nakakatuwa lang na makita mong sobrang iba siya from what I have seen on Savvy.

Tumapon naman ang mga mata ko sa center table kung saan naka-pile up and mga magazines. And to find out that the girl on the front covers were Lathomia Plowells. She looks stunning in every magazine she is and it is very accomplishing seeing how you become a center girl in a magazine.

"Oh, don't be shy, you can read those magazines, Alex. Hindi 'yan tinititigan lang." aniya nang mapansin ang pagkahanga ko sa mga magazine niya.

Kinuha ko naman ang isang magazine at pinakita sa kanya iyon, "this is one so perfect. You really had the best features here."

She smirked, "that's why Korg love me because of my features. Too bad he lose me."

Nanahimik ako sa sinabi niya at no comment dahil ayokong magbigay na siyang bibigyan naman niya ng kahuluhgan, or if any other words na may malisya sa kanya, so I proceed to another topic dahil hindi makayanan nang tenga kong pakinggan sa bawat bigkas niya sa pangalan ni Korg.

It's cringing and heartbreaking.

"Pee shooter told me that you were—" she stopped me to continue my words.

Her forehead creased, "who are you saying? Whose Pee shooter?"

Napangiwi naman ako sa kanya, "ah, Philippe, kind forget his real name." I said and she chuckles, "nakuwento niya lang naman sa akin na wala ka na daw sa model agency nila?"

She smirked, "yes, why would he tell you that?" aniya.

Napakibit balikat naman ako sa tanong niya, "it is just that, the first time I have seen you. Wala akong ideya kung sino—except for the flying gossips that you were Korg's ex and was a talent of Montreal Model Agency that Philippe were talking about."

"Nakakatuwa lang ano," aniya at napakunot-noo naman ako. "If anyone were talking about Korg or my name, hindi naiiwasan na mabanggit in any other way ang pangalan namin. Just like what you said, after my name were Korg's name."

Tango na lang din naman ang binigay ko sa kanya, "but you were fired in their model agency? Tama ba?"

She immediately shook her head, "no, who said that? I resigned to their agency because of their unfair treatable to their talents and I'm one of the talents who felt it. They didn't fired me, I resigned myself."

Mas lalo akong natahimik dahil hindi ko alam kung papaniwalaan ko ba siya o hindi. Wala namang masama kung papakinggan ang kanyang side and hearing Pee shooter's side which his parents handling the agency. Kung ano man ang totoo, whatever it is, bahala na at kung anong gustong paniwalaan.

Their maid attended us at the living room.

"Ma'am, the dinner is served." Aniya.

Tumayo naman si Lathomia, "c'mon, Alex, we need to go."

Tumango naman ako sa kanya at sumunod papunta sa dining. The maid help us and move the chair for us. Naupo naman ako kahit hiyang-hiya na ako sa treatment ng mga maid niya. Ayos lang naman daw iyon at 'wag daw ako mahihiya dahil trabaho naman nila iyon.

"Lathomia, thank you for having me." Ngiti ko sa kanya.

She chuckles, "just leave Lathomia and call me Mia, and that is fine dahil mas sanay ako doon."

"Okay, Mia." I said, "I was so grateful that I came to step a foot in your house, maybe a lot of them would want too, right?"

"Super." Aniya, "they really want to befriend me pero hindi ko sila in-entertain dahil minsan ang habol lang nila sa akin ay ang popularity ko or if in any other case, gusto nilang mapalapit kay Korg—that's the time when we were still together."

"I must be that special, huh." Ngiwi ko. "So, ano bang gagawin natin?"

She look up, her eyes were at the corner, thinking of something. "I don't know, what do you suggest?"

Napakibit balikat ako, "I really have no idea about girls night."

She nodded slowly, "okay, I'll try to think of something but before that, we should take this dinner."

We started to eat our dinner. Kaming dalawa lang ang nasa dining table ngayon, wala ang parents niya dahil nasa ibang bansa and she wouldn't speak about them because all the time at the dining, it was all about her.

"The footballs tournament is at this weekend, pupunta ka ba?"

I nodded, "he invited me." Pilit na ngiti ko pang sagot sa kanya.

"Oh, he did that on you..." her voice were fading. "But I'm still going... are you finished? I have something to show you on my bedroom."

And this is her girls night, just the two of us. Sobrang awkward yet fulfilling and information na nakukuha ko sa kanya. Matatapos din ang gabing ito, tiwala lang.