THE REUNION

(Lumipas ang ilang taon....)

AIKKA's POV

Its been 4 years since the last time I visited this place. Graduating from college is a tough one but I tried my best to make it with flying colors.

"Aikkka! bestie!" napangiti na ako ng marinig ko ang boses na iyon.

"Elaine!" then I hugged her.

"Oh M! is that you bestie? ang laki na ng pinagbago mo ngayon ah simula nang nag-aral ka sa Cambridge, what's your secret?"

While looking at her, I was able to realize that she was still the same person that I've known for years. I mean, nothing's changed from her personality. Masayahin pa rin siya and I think, baliw pa rin. Bwahaha. But her appearance, she looks more gorgeous right now, I mean, she loves make ups dati pa but mas bagay sa kanya ang ayos niya ngayon. And she looks more elegant, the way she dressed up right now compared sa dati na masyadong revealing everytime she wears her dress.

"wala naman. Well, how did you know that I'm already home?" I asked her.

"of course, tito just told me" she said.

Then dad walked down the stairs and gladly welcomed me as if we didn't saw each other last week during my graduation.

"you're here my daughter" him while hugging me.

"where's mom?" I asked him because I didn't saw Elena with him.

"oh! she's just helping Manang to prepare our lunch today. And expect more visitors today because I invited all your friends to come here" then he smiled.

ALL? Did I hear it right?

So does it mean that he also invited_

Ugh. Nevermind.

"so how's your study abroad bestie? Kumusta naman kayo ni Spade doon?" Elaine suddenly asked.

"oh yes, Spade was not able to come with me because he has to visit yet his doctor there. He was been so stressed lately since their department required them to finish their internship much earlier than expected for him to graduate. He was not feeling well before I left but he said that he'll be okay and I hoped so, If his doctor allows him to travel, he'll be here next week" I said.

"I see....by the way..balita kong kailangan na niya ng surgery? Di kaya iyon na ang punishment niya for what he did to you in the past?" she whispered to me.

Those past happenings again...it always make me sad. I don't want to remember it anymore.

"no, don't say that Elaine and besides I have forgiven him for what he had done to me....so that I can move on.....Kaya, I think, we don't need to discuss about our grievous past bestie, kinalimutan ko na iyon. Better if we only talk about our friendship, like how we've been able to overcome our problems despite of being apart from each other" I said then umupo na ako sa sofa.

"speaking of being apart, akala ko ba na sa England din nag-enroll si Abby?"

"I don't know why she suddenly changed her mind and got enrolled in Seoul University instead, but kamakailan lang din naman siya gru-maduate sa Seoul di ba?" me.

"sino ang pinag-uusapan niyo dyan?"

Then, napalingon kaming dalawa ni Elaine. There they are (Abby and Jotham).

While looking at both of them. I was amazed.

Abby was turned into a very pretty woman now. I mean, ang laki ng pinagbago niya the last time I saw her. She has this kind of angelic face right now compared sa dati na laging nakasimangot like me....and the way she acts? she's the kind of girl na super hinhin na kung titingnan.

While Jotham, kung noon, he looks like nerd with his eyeglasses and weird haistyle. But now? shocks, he really looks like a model with a good body. In fairness.

"sana lahat..4 years in a relationship" Elaine teasing them.

Yes, Abby told me about it when I was able to spend my vacation here 4 years ago, because she was asking my opinion about Jotham asking her to be his girlfriend. Buti na lang at I was able to convince Abby na Jotham was really a good guy. Sana I'm not wrong. (me while smiling)

Ngumiti lang rin si Abby tapos agad niya akong niyakap.

"I really missed you so much bff. Hindi ka na kasi umuwi simula nang nag-college ka na, lagi ka tuloy'ng wala every vacation namin dito." her.

"yeah, I know...that's why babawi ako sa inyo ngayon. Have a seat first at marami pa akong gustong itanong sa inyong dalawa." me while smiling.

"well, its good to be back here na we're complete" Jotham said.

"tama kasi I'm here na" then Cloud came in.

Teka, why he looks taller this time? Noon kasi, Jotham and him have the same height lang but now? He's a fully grown man with, I think...6 feet tall. And, he becomes payat. Was he so stressed ba these past few years?

"are you still eating?" biglang ask ni Elaine sa kanya after sitting beside me.

"of course! until now, bully ka pa rin? Kaya ka hindi nagkakaboyfriend eh" Cloud said.

"excuse me! you're wrong, I'm dating Jordan right now. Wala lang siya ngayon, because he's preparing for his licensure exam. You know, for our future"

Shocks! Tama nga ang hula ko noon na magkakatuluyan sila ni Jordan. Bwahaha!

"eh di kayo na ang may future together, kami na lang ata ni Aikka ang hindi pa iniisip ang relationship thing na iyan eh" he said.

But he's wrong,....mali siya ng akala this time....

I think, I need to tell the truth na..

"actually guys, me and Spade are....dating"

When I said it, their reaction was so shocked as if they could not believe that what I was saying is true.

"really?kailan pa?" Elaine said.

I'm about to answer it but mommy Elena called us to eat na.

"everyone! let's eat na! our lunch is already prepared."

"let's go, punta na tayo sa dining area" I said then tumayo na ako papunta doon.

"but why Aikka?" Abby can't help but to ask about it.

I know na hindi pa rin siya nakakamove on about what happened in the past but.....

Naaawa ako kay Spade.

He's been courting me for almost six years and I don't want him na umasa lang sa wala. And besides, may sakit siya and I can't afford to see somebody suffering again because of me.

And I believe that everybody deserves a second chance.

"I'm just starting to like him, that's why" then I smiled and continue walking. Nang makarating na ako sa dining area..

Wow....

Those foods! I really missed them so much. Lalo na yung pizza-stuffed mushrooms na sinasawsaw ko pa sa crab artichoke sauce. Hmmm.. dali akong napaupo sa upuan. May nakikita din akong Giant party sub in the middle of the table. Wait, bakit parang andaming appetizers ngayon?

"let's eat" dad said.

Then we started to eat na while dad has been asking so many questions to my friends specially to Abby.

Everything was fun and I really enjoyed the moment with my friends.

Sayang lang, he's not here.

Asaan na kaya siya this time? After I heard the news that he was been hospitalized, wala na akong ibang narinig pa na balita about him. Was he doing fine right now?