ill standing outside the restaurant, whic

arili habang tinatanaw ang mga dati kong kaklase n

that I failed to attend that celebration. Besides, I h

familiar na boses na 'yun. Mabilis kong nilingon ang nags

ang class president namin noong

ack then. His presence makes you want to s

to reality upon hearing him talk again. Since when did h

oob." Alinlangan kong sabi

wrong?" He seems concerned. Normal naman

e you guys are! Kanina pa namin kayo hinihintay!" It was James. Na

right? Hinihint

Francis. Ilang hakbang na ang layo niya sa ak

ng sa makarating kami sa loob ng restaurant. It is

It felt so awkward na parang gusto ko na lang

ng makilala kung sino iyon. It was Jasmine, my not-so-nice former classmate na may hidden gr

niya ang dati niyang barkada at doon niy

e. Naupo ako sa bakanteng upuan kung saan katapat ko siya. Some of our

no ang kinakausap niya kaya naman napatingin ako sa gawi n

me?" Naiilang kong tanong. S

ares are making me nervous. What is up wit

ik pa akong masamid sa sarili kong laway. It was like I

kanya. "I am to

. She acted as if she doesn't believe my words.

ile from my face. "Balita ko kasi, you still haven't found yourself a decent jo

great pretender. Kunwari pang sinasaway niya si Dian

pero mukhang sila lang ang nagkakasiyahan. What

in sa harapan ko. Agad ko 'yung ininom at

t you're a good drinker." Natatawang sabi

smine commented as if she really cares about my imag

aso ko ay muli ko 'yung tinungga. "Why do you even care

ero may panahon din na nauubos ang pasensya ko. I've been studying their every move and every word that comes out fro

ako sa paraan nila ng pagtrato sa tao. 'Yung tipong mabait lang sila sayo kung angat ka at

my appetite." Maarteng sabi ni Mia a

an ni Rico na para bang may masama

said while faking a smile, such an

it but I'm far from being drunk." Stella's forehead crumbled

yone, at least do it properly." I burst out of laughter like

you saying?" Dianne

natanong mo?" Sar

crazy." Naiiling n

not. I'm just frustrated because of this damn species who doesn't know the meaning of the w

guys, I have my dignified self." Natahimik sila

through any hardships like me because they've all gone

da upang pumara ng masasakyang taxi. Pakiramdam ko ay tutumba na ako

nan nito. Strategy ko ito upang madali akong makita ng driver. Hindi naman ako nabigo da

sa tanong ng driver. Bagkus ay naglabas ako ng papel at bal

kot 'yung mukha niya habang nakatitig sa ibinigay kong papel. Nanlala

" Napasi

ka-encounter ng englisherong taxi dr

at force came out of my mouth. "What the fuck is

ung pagpapalinis sa sasakyan mo." Sumandal na ako sa

pinansin ang walang-kwenta niyang pinagsasasabi. He doesn't even own this taxi for this

st drive." Mahi

paligid. Hindi ko namalaya

e?" Napabalikwas ako ng bangon nang m

" Sumalubong sa akin ang

that smell?" I

moy lalaki?"

Nagulat nga ako. Nobyo mo ba siya?"

n' happened