Chapter X - The Reunion

“Cora.” My attention shifted at Zella. “I really am so afraid na makita si Aaron, I'm afraid to break my rule,” she said and released a heavy sigh.

I am so surprised! Does she still have a feeling for that man who lost his balls somewhere? That man who broke her heart because his Mom doesn't like her? Damn!!!

“You have to socialize, Zella, and if you see Aaron and your stupid heart beats for him again, then break your rule. You don't have to worry, I am your best friend, I am always free to console you, listen to your dramas, and watch you get fooled again after 3 years,” I replied sternly and even showed her my sweetest smile!

“Hindi ko alam kung seryoso ka ba o sarcastic, eh,” Freiya said, or should I call him Jared? Or Bu? Sh*t! Whatever!

“Sorry, I'll try my best.” Zella lead the way to her other friends. I hope she will still enjoy the night.

“Cora?” I turn my head and have a glance at the woman who called my name. “It's you! OMG! Tara, kanina ka pa namin hinahanap,” Melanie said and grabbed me through their table. She's Silver's friend who happened to become my friend as well as time goes by. Siya iyong todo kung makasuporta sa amin noon, number one fan daw siya ng love team namin ni Silver. Tss!

“CORA!” They all exclaimed together as they saw me, Trish, Glee, and Van. Ito rin sila ay mga fan namin ni Silver dati. They're my closest friends before. Hindi naman sa 8 years na rin nang huli kaming magkita-kita kagaya ng ibang nandito, we barely see each other, pero iyon nga lang hindi kompleto.

Zella, on the other hand, isn't my friend in high school, she's just my classmate with benefits. We became best friends when we were block mates in college. I've also taken up BSN or Bachelor of Science in Nursing, but when I graduated at 18, I'd decided to just raise a business. Alam ko kasing hindi ako yayaman sa pagtatrabaho lang, and since I'm good at arts, it's my passion, then I used it to earn higher income with profits.

“Hi!” I've greeted them with a bright smile across my face, including my ex and his new girl. Silver just briefly smiled, while his girlfriend slash his first love slash the snake, greeted me back with enthusiasm. Wow, plastic! 

“Oy, mukhang may bago na, ha? Pakilala mo naman,” Van seemed to be teasing me as he saw Freiya, ignoring the fact that Silver is around.

Well, they were very mad at Silver after knowing that he cheated on me, but since I was hella in love with him, I told them to let bygones be bygones and move on to the important things. But now, everything had changed, it's fine that they harbor no grudge against Silver, but I can't just easily stop feeling resentful towards him. Ano siya sinuswerte?!

“Ah, he's Jared, my boyfriend.” Pormal ko siyang pinakilala at nagpakilala rin naman sila sa kanya.

I've noticed Silver eyed Freiya with a fair amount of discomfort, which wasn't surprising because I have anticipated it already. And, when it's time for them to shake hands, Silver's uneasiness is still evident.

Malaki naman ang ngiti sa labi ni Dahlia nang magpakilala siya kay Freiya. I know I'm better than this woman, but I really hate seeing her face. Tsk!

“Jared,” nakangiting sabi ni Freiya kay Dahlia and they did a handshake. At ang bakla, pinahid ba naman agad ang kamay niya sa dala-dala niyang panyo! Sh*t, I wanted to laugh out loud, it's a good thing I've controlled myself.

“How long have you been together?” Dahlia asked.

Ang lakas nga naman talaga ng babaeng ito para itanong iyan. My God!

“Two weeks pa lang kami, pero matagal na kaming magkakilala,” I replied and tried to smile at her sweetly, and it's what she does as well. Sige, magplastikan tayo rito!

“Ahh, bago pa lang pala, buti naka move on ka agad, 'no?” That actually placed everyone in silence.

Damn! I can't figure out what kind of ghost possessed this woman to have this overflowing confidence to ask me such a question. At ito namang si Silver ay parang walang pakialam at hindi man lang nagawang suwayin ang girlfriend niya!

“Of course, sino ba naman 'yang boyfriend mo para hindi ako maka-move on agad?” I asked her as well. Akala ba niya ay siya lang ang insensitive dito? Hell, no!

She smiled awkwardly and glance at Silver. “Madali ka lang palang kalimutan, 'no?” she said.

God! I couldn't get the logic of this woman! Parang hindi niya boyfriend ang tinatanong niya.

“Enough,” Silver said and she just nods her head immediately. Under naman pala sa boyfriend. Tss!

“Ah, by the way, Jared, kamusta bilang girlfriend si Cora?” Trish asked with a trace of excitement in her voice.

Good job, Dear, tinanong mo talaga iyan sa harapan ni Silver. Let's see how will my dear ex-boyfriend reacts with this.

Freiya looked at me with a smile. “Hindi madali.” Damn! Bumagsak ang dalawa kong balikat. It wasn't the answer I am expecting him to say! Akala ko positive ang sasabihin niya. Mas lalo pa akong naasar when Dahlia chuckled! Tss. “But, I always have to understand her, mahal ko, eh.”

Sh*t! I-I knew this is all just an act, but can he please avoid showing too much sincerity?! Mukhang gusto niya talagang taasan ko ang sahod niya, ha.

“Ahhh, Cora must be so lucky to have you, Jared, hindi ka lang pala gwapo, ang taas din ng level ng understanding mo. Sana lahat!” Melanie said. Inggit na inggit naman, akala mo talaga ay wala siyang asawang naiwan sa bahay nila.

“Eh, Pare, huwag mong aawayin si Cora, mababaliw ka, ibang klase magalit 'yan,” Van said and I gave him a death glare straight away.

Baka siya ang nabaliw! Akala niya siguro ay nakakalimutan ko na na umiyak siya nang umiyak nang malaman niyang kami na ni Silver. Duh! He had hidden feelings for me in the past at sinabi niya lang iyon when he finally moved on.

My smile suddenly faded when I caught Silver staring at me. After almost a month, nothing changes in his blessed looks. Kung pagwapohan lang naman kasi ay panalong-panalo na siya. From the tip of his hair, down to his thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, perfect eyes, nose, and naturally pink lips, broad shoulders, masculine chest, abs, v-line—stoooop! I've gone too far!

Mabuti na lang at naramdaman ko ang marahang paghila sa akin ni Freiya kaya natigil ang staring match namin ni Silver. He then wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

“I know that Corazon has this uncontrollable bad-temper, at sapagalay ko naman ay pati tayo, but so far, she has been so kind. Her good heart actually made me fall in love with her over and over again.”

My gosh, Freiya is really so good! He's giving me no regrets for choosing him, without any doubts, to be my gay boyfriend.

“I know.” To hell with that self-satisfied smile on Freiya's face?! “Ganito ako ka-espesyal sa kanya, Dude, she just let me call her what I want, right, My Bu?”

D-Damn! We should have practice our acts first para hindi naman ako bigla-bigla na lang natutulala. God!!!

“Y-Yes, My Bu.” I shifted my gaze away from him. This is very awkward!

“Cora's blushing! Oh, my God!” Trish exclaimed.

“S-Shut up, no one's blushing here,” I replied, but they just continued teasing me.

“Anong meaning ng Bu?” Van asked.

Ano nga ba? Ewan ko rin sa baklang ito kung bakit Bu ang naisip niya. Mema lang para sa linya niyang ‘bubuo ng nawasak mong puso.’ Tss!

“Bu—tiki?” Dahlia said and her laugh was short and humorless!

“Are you referring to yourself?” I asked, but she just smiled at me. Take note, plastik ang ngiti niya.

“Alright, chill, everyone.” Glee joined in. “Ano nga ba, Jared?” she added, smiling so damn wide.

“Simple lang naman. Ako ang Bu niya, bubuo ng nawasak niyang pangarap,” sinserong sagot niya.

“Ano 'yon?” Glee asked.

“Ano nga ba?” I asked as well.

Deliberately, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and I flinched a little as he moved closer to me, he bent down to my level and his face only an inch away! His mouth is so close to mine that I can even smell his minty breath. My eyes were looking at elsewhere when he speaks, “You felt unimportant when he breaks your heart, but not anymore because I am more than willing to build your dream again. Corazon, you're valuable, so let me treasure you more than anyone did.”

And, when our gaze met, I sincerely smiled at him. Oo nga pala, sinabi ko iyan sa kanya sa Sixty's Bar when we were getting to know each other. Pangarap kong maramdaman na importante ako sa lahat ng taong mahalaga sa akin at mahal ko, kaso iilan lang sa kanila ang pinaparamdam sa akin iyon, iyong isa pa, sinira niya.

“Oh, my God! Lakas ni'yo maka-teenager sa pagpapakilig, ha,” nakangiti namang sabi ni Melanie.

“Eh, ikaw, Cora, ano namang meaning ng Bu mo?” Trish asked.

Without being hesitant, I replied straight away, “I am his Bu, bubuhos ng pagmamahal sa kanya.” And we both smile like an idiot. It's weird, pero hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ang ngiti namin. And again, they all exclaimed together in enthusiasm. Kilig na kilig ang mga baliw! Tsk.

But I also suddenly remembered Copper kaya ko rin iyon nasabi. He didn't love Freiya, wherein fact he deserves to be loved genuinely. Well, I think everyone deserves it. Iyon nga lang akala ni Freiya ay makukuha niya iyon kay Copper, but the reality hit him big-time.

“Where are you going?” Dahlia caught our attention when she speaks. “Silver!” She then followed him as quickly as she can when he suddenly walked out.

A smile of joy and satisfaction lit up my eager face. I think I just won in the first battle. OMG! One point for Corazon Peters. Nice game!