Arch of the Centuries

06

VINCE’S POV

Kakatapos ko lang maligo nang makita kong nagtext pala sa ‘kin si Lance 10 minutes ago.

: Hey Viel, you up for a drink? I’m with Drake and Renzo, we’re here in BGC.

: Count me in.

I replied

I’m already done with everything so I guess it’s time to freshen-up a little. I haven’t drink for a while because of too much school work plus I’m not actually into alcohol naman. I just drink occasionally depending on my mood.

He replied after a minute.

: Totoo ba ‘to? Wow. The world is healing. I repeat....The world is healing.

He’s so extra.

: Shut up! Just send me the address.

: Okay, boss. We’ll wait for you here.

He sent me the address. Time surely is fast, its been a while since we last hang out together. Things are complicated lately that’s why I’m not in the mood to go out and have fun, but I’ll loosen-up today, that’s for sure.

: Got it. See you guys later.

: Faster! Maraming shawty, baka maubusan ka.

He texted back.

I drove na papuntang BGC sa usual place na tambayan ng barkada. I parked my car and went directly sa loob para hanapin sila Lance.

I saw the three of them seating in our favorite spot, actually...my favorite spot. I like it there kasi malapait sa labas. You can feel the cool breeze of wind that gently flows to your skin then slowly brush the smallest strands of your hair, which really calms me.

“Hey, Viel! Here!” sigaw ni Renzo while waving his hand.

I nodded then walked towards their table.

“Zup, bro! Ughh, it’s been a while.”Bungad sa ‘kin ni Drake.

Tumayo si Lance at umakmamg makikipag fist bomb sa ‘kin.

“Walang bago isip bata ka pa rin“ Pangaasar ko sa kaniya.

“Anong isip bata?! Don’t you miss my handsome face?” pagmamayabang niya.

“May bagyo ba? Ba’t biglang lumakas ang hangin?” singit ni Renzo.

We all laughed so hard. Ang hangin pa din talaga ni Lance. Nakipag fist bomb na ko sa kaniya at baka magalit pa sa’kin.

Umupo na kami at nagsimula ng uminom. We have a lot of things to catch up. Paniguradong gigisahin ako ng mga ‘to ng tanong mamaya. They already ordered drinks but they haven’t drink a single one yet, maybe because they’re waiting for me.

“Kamusta pagiging med student?”naunang tanong ni Drake.

“Okay lang. Noong una mahirap kasi my parents, specially my dad...he’s against it. Kaya din ako umalis sa house.”

“What?! So where are you staying?” Lance asked, he seems pretty shock. I haven’t told him yet since it’s not that of a big deal for me.

“Yeah. I rent a dorm malapit sa School.”

“Dapat sinabi mo sa ‘kin. You know you’re always welcome sa place ko.”

“Of course, but I don’t want you to get involve. It’s my problem. I should be responsible for it.”

“I’m involve already. Remember? I’m your friend….” Lance sneered.

“f**k off! You two,” Drake snapped.

“I don’t understand. I mean… isn’t medicine a good course? Bakit ayaw ng Dad mo?” he asked out of curiosity.

“Oh, boy,”

“Didn’t you know? Vince’s dad owns the most sought and respected law firm in the country?” Renzo spoke.

“s**t. You mean that famous Riquez law firm? Our family lawyer even came from that firm, and now you’re saying it belong to his dad?”

“Can we get a discount?” Drake chuckled.

Everyone burst out of laughter.

“But that’s the problem. Simula ng mawala si kuya Ken, sa ‘kin na napunta lahat ng pressure and responsibilities, and it made me who I am today. Cold, unreliable selfish jerk.”

“Dad wants me to continue run his firm. That’s why I left home.” I smiled, slowly became emotional.

A moment of silence. The atmosphere turned gloomy and cold due to what I’ve said.

“You’ll get there. We’ll all get there,” Lance comforted.

“Here’s a toast for our friend here. May he become a successful doctor someday. Cheers!” Lance cheered, trying to lighten the mood.

He gave me a glass of vodka. And told me to chug it in one drink.

“Cheers!“

We continue to drink and talk until alcohol hits us. You know sometimes a little vodka is good for the nerves- maybe the whole bottle.

We surely missed a lot of things.

“Kamusta naman kayo ni Sharmaine? Boss,” lasing na tanong ni Renzo.

“That’s off limit bro-”

Hindi ko na pinatapos pa ang sasabihin ni Lance. It’s a bit sensitive topic for me, but I moved on already.

“Sino si Sharmaine?” I teased them.

“Yung pinagpalit ka kay Ace.” confirmed lasing na nga ‘tong si Renzo, he’s out of his mind.

“Alam mo pare matulog ka na lang dami mong daldal.” Pinitik ni Drake ang noo ng kaibigan at dahan-dahang ipinatong ang ulo nito sa kaniyang balikat.

“Ace and sharmaine are both strangers to me now. Im not into her anymore.” I poured alcohol to my glass then drink it.

“Speaking of girl. Do you have interest in anyone? ‘Coz our friend here ( Lance ) looks like someone caught her attention sa welcome walk last week.”

“Shut up, Renzo,” Lance suddenly yelled.

“ I guess it’s true then,”

As we teased Lance, he bacame shy and quiet, he was extremely reticent about his feelings.

“Now I’m starting to get curious about the girl.”I smirked.

“f**k off you two! Ba’t sa ‘kin napunta ang spotlight?”

We laughed as he rolled his eyes.

Speaking of a girl, one person suddenly came to my thoughts. That noisy, short, crazy little girl.

“Guys, is there a free hug event last week?” bigla kong tanong.

“What’s that?”

“Last week kasi there’s this girl standing in front of the Arch of the Centuries with her hand widely opened sideways.”

“That’s weird.” Lance said.

“Exactly!” I chuckled.

“Are you sure it’s a person? Baka multo!” Pananakot ni Renzo.

“Alam mo naman UST is such an old university, maraming stories na ang nabuo, maybe the girl you’re saying is one of them.” he urged.

“Scary!” dagdag pa ni Lance.

It can’t be. I’m pretty sure it’s a person. Meron bang multo na gan’on ka daldal.

I chuckled on my own.

Suddenly, a girl bumped on me, she looks pretty wasted. She apologized quickly after hitting me but I’m literally shocked when I caught a glimpse on the girl beside the one who bumped on me. It was her, the ghost. I mean…the girl infront of the Arch.

Laking gulat ni Vince ng makita niya ang kasamang babae ng babaeng nakabangga sa kaniya. Animoy lumabas na lamang itong bigla matapos niyang sumagi sa isipan ng binata. Pinagmasdan ni Vince ang dalaga papalayo hanggang sa mawala na ito ng tuluyan sa kaniyang paningin.

“Bro!”

“You won’t believe me, remember the girl I was saying kanina?”

“Yes, what’s with her?” Pagtatakang tanong ni Renzo.

“I saw her!”

“What do you mean, Viel?“ Lance said, confused.

“just saw her right now, here. She’s real. I told you!” I confidently said.

“Bro, are you sure?”

“You still good? Looks like the alcohol is finally hitting you na.” Renzo complained.

Paniguradong hindi naniniwala ‘tong dalawa sa ‘kin. But im sure of it, I know what I saw. It’s her, she’s not a ghost. End of discussion.

Nagpatuloy na lamang sa paginom si Viel kasama si Renzo at Lance habang nakahiga naman sa sofa ang nauna ng bumagsak na si Drake.

“Now nothing’s bothering me anymore.” Bulong nito sa sarili.