CHAPTER 3: HIS BEST FRIEND
1189 Words
WHILE holding his jaw, Sandrick entered Nicholai’s condo, wherein he invited him to have a drink to celebrate his comeback to the Philippines. And after what happened at the Mall, he decided to unwind with his artistic best friend named Nicolas, but Nicolas preferred calling him Nicholai because it irritates him so much. For Nicholai, Nicolas name is uncool.
Kasalukuyang gumagawa ito ng grapics para sa Manga book na ginagawa nito nang mapansin nito ang pasa sa gilid ng kaniyang labi. “Wooh! What happened to your face, dude? Is that how your father welcomes you?” Nicholai teased.
He just shook his head to ignored his question, and went straight to its kitchen and opened the refrigerator to get four pieces of beer in a can. He’s always like that every time he visited Nicholai’s place. He makes himself at home as if he was the owner of the condo.
Nilapag niya ang mga kinuhang beer at junkfoods sa pantry area nito saka umupo sa katapat nitong upuan.
“Hey! What’s up? Huwag mo sabihing napaaway ka habang papunta ka rito?”
Sandrick shook his head. “Some of my fans noticed me at the Mall. They chased me, so I don’t have a choice but to run away. Then I met this woman. I kissed her just to mislead my fans. At ito pa ang napala ko sa kaniya,” he explained while touching and moving his lips and jaw.
“Grabe na talaga ang karisma mo. Ibang level na. Mabuti at nakalabas ka pa ng buhay sa Mall.”
He rolled his eyes.
Nicholai also laughs at him while opening a can of beer. “Did she step on your ego?”
He’s right. His ego just can‘t stand the fact that she was the only woman who was not fascinated by his charm. Parang lumalabas tuloy na lugi pa ito sa kaniya.
“She is the only woman who did this to me. You know that no one has done that to me yet. Isn't she happy that someone like me kissed her? If she only knew that women would do anything just to get a smile or wave from me.”
His best friend shrugged his shoulder. “Well, I think there’s always an exception.”
He tsked. “Whatever, dude!”
“Handsome problem, yeah?”
He just nodded, laughing. But he frowned when he noticed something with his best friend. “Holy s**t! Why do you have braces on your teeth?”
He stroked his chin. “Am I handsome?”
“Tsk! Do you think it makes you more handsome?” he teased.
He threw chips at him. “Why you‘re so hard on me?!”
“‘Cause I don’t see anything wrong with your teeth,” he said while eating some chips.
“Dude, this is what they called fashion!” Nicholai said proudly.
“No! You‘re crazy, dude!” he said while shaking his head.
“The truth is, I went to the dental clinic to have my teeth clean when I met this girl, Viodeza, my dentist‘s assistant. I decided to put braces on too so I would have a reason to go back to that clinic. And it’s been two months since I put on my braces.”
Sandrick couldn’t believe it. “You’re acting like that just because of a woman?”
He nodded. “Yup! And I think she’s the right one for me.”
“Are you serious, dude?”
“Of course I’m serious! Do I no longer have the right to take a woman seriously?”
He laughed slightly at his friend's confession. Knowing his friend, he’s also a chick magnet like him.
“And when did you learn to take a woman seriously?” untag pa niya.
“Since I met her. Maybe, it’s love at first sight?”
Natawa siya. “You're unbelievable, dude! I know you since we were in college. You treated women like you’re just changing your clothes every day. That’s why I don't expect you to think like that just for the sake of the woman you’ll only hurt in the end."
Humalukipkip ito. “Why? Hindi na ba ako pwedeng magbago?”
“That’s not what I’m talking about! It’s just that, it’s not you, dude!" he said while opening the second can of beer.
“Wooh! Nagsalita ang hindi womanizer,” Nicholai mocked at him.
He raised his hands as if he’s surrendering to the police. “I’m not denying that I’m a womanizer, pero hindi ako dadating sa puntong gagawin rin ang ginawa mo.”
For now, he’s not going to spend money for a woman he knew he wouldn't take seriously in the end.
“Oops! Don’t make a final decision yet. You might eat what you said when you see Dr. Fortaleza."
He frowned at what he said. “Dr. Fortaleza?”
“Yes, my dentist. You know, maybe it's better if you show her your teeth so you can get to know her. She's nice and sexy too."
“Kung ganoon din pala, bakit hindi iyong dentista ang pinatulan mo?” takang tanong niya.
“Simply because she’s already engaged, so I choose her single assistant instead of her."
He coughed at what he just said. “Are you out of your mind? You want me to date with someone who’s already engaged?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.
“Isn’t it challenging?”
“Siraulo ka ba?!”
“Seryoso ako, dude! Maybe it's time for you to get serious too like me?” proud pa na sabi nito.
Binato niya ito ng chips. “Tigilan mo nga ako! Sakit lang sa ulo ang mga babae,” he answered.
“I'm sure your perspective will change when you see her. And you’ll be as crazy as I am with Viodeza. Mark my word.”
“If I’m going to take a woman seriously, I will choose a woman who’s not committed with someone else! Ayokong dungisan ang pangalan ko.”
“Whatever, dude,” Nicholai said, then opened another drink.
“Oo nga pala, balita ko, sold out ang manga books mo at most recommended din sa Manga World,” pag-iiba niya ng topic.
Because the truth is, he really doesn't want any commitment yet. For now, he wants to enjoy himself, being single. At saka isa pa, bata pa naman siya. Hindi naman siya nagmamadali. Kaya naman niya makuha kahit sinong babae kaya madali na lang humanap.
“Ako pa ba? Alam mo naman siguro kung gaano kalawak ang imahinasyon ko, hindi ba?” anito na ikinailing niya lang saka ipinagpatuloy ang kanilang inuman.
- Writer
