RHS 1 (WGB) : CHAPTER 10 - THE REUNION

CHAPTER 10

CORA'S POV

My gaze was drawn to the people who were now engrossed in their conversations. I saw some of my previous classmates at a circular table, and some of them appeared to be living well, while others appeared to be in a bad situation.

May iba pang nandito na dala ang mga anak nila, ang iba naman ay buntis na, at syempre, may mga katulad kong single. I'm only in a phony relationship, but in reality,  I'm single and not ready to date.

"Cora." My gaze turned to Zella. "I'm truly afraid na makita si Aaron, I'm terrified to break my rule," she replied, sighing heavily.

I am stunned! Is she still in love with that man who misplaced his balls somewhere? That man who destroyed her heart because his mother disapproves of her? Damn!!!

"You have to socialize, Zella, and if you see Aaron again and your dumb heart beats for him, then you break your rule. You don't have to worry, I'm your best friend, and I'm always available to console you, pay heed to your dramas, and witness you get duped for the third time in three years," I said severely, even flashing her my finest smile!

"Hindi ko alam kung seryoso ka ba o sarcastic, eh," Freiya remarked, or should I say Jared? Or is it Bu? Sh*t! Whatever!

"Sorry, I'll do my best," Zella said as she led the way to her other friends. I'm hoping she'll still have a good time.

"Cora?" 

I turn around and look at the woman who has spoken my name. "It's you!" exclaims Melanie. She then pulled me across their table and said, "Kanina ka pa namin hinahanap."

She's Silver's friend, and as time passes, she's also become my friend. She was a fan of ours before and was very supportive of my relationship with Silver. Tss!

"CORA!"

When Trish, Glee, and Van spotted me, they all exclaimed. They were once my closest friends, and although we didn't meet each other often, we still regard each other as such.

Zella, on the other hand, isn't a high school friend; she's just a classmate with benefits. We became best friends when we were on the same block during our university years. I also studied BSN, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing, but after graduating at the age of 18, I opted to focus on starting a business. Alam ko kasing hindi ako yayaman sa pagtatrabaho lang, and since I'm talented in the arts, and it's my passion, so I've turned it into a profitable business.

"Hi!" I've greeted them all with a broad smile, including my ex and his new girlfriend.

Silver only gave me a fleeting smile, while his girlfriend, a.k.a. his first love, a.k.a. the snake, greeted me warmly.

"Oy, mukhang may bago na, ha? Pakilala mo naman," Van teased as he noticed Freiya, oblivious to the fact that Silver was nearby.

After hearing that Silver had cheated on me, they were furious, but since I was head over heels in love with him, I told them to let bygones be bygones and move on to the essential things. But now that everything has changed, it's fine that they don't hold a grudge towards Silver, but I can't seem to shake my resentment of 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," he replied.

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," he added.

Sh*t! I-I knew this is 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 of 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.

"Wait, did you just say Corazon?" Silver suddenly asked.

Lahat tuloy kami ay napatingin sa kanya. Pinasidahan ko ng tingin iyong girlfriend niya at nag-uumpisa ng umusok ang kanyang ilong. Oh, not too fast!

"As far as I remember, she doesn't like to be called with her real name," he further added.

"I know," Freiya said.

But, to hell with that self-satisfied smile on his 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, "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!