FRIEND OF MINE (2nd Generation HUGS)

Chapter 13 -Best Friend's Covenant

Chapter 13 -Best Friend’s Covenant

Iba pa rin talaga ang feeling kapag nasa sariling bansa ka. The feeling of being home once again is refreshing and rejuvenating. Kahit na mas ahead ang ibang countries when it comes to economy and technology, there is still no place like home. 

Halos two weeks rin na sinamahan ko ang mag-asawang investors sa mga resorts namin then after touring them around ay naghiwalay na kami. Sila for a month long vacation at ako naman ay uuwi sa family ko. Ngayon ko pa lang sila makikita mula ng dating ko ng bansa, inatupag ko muna kasi ang work before anything else. I want to enjoy my stay at the country with my friends and family, and also with Troy. I am on my way to the mansion, actually nobody knows na ngayon ang dating ko kaya ganun na lang ang pagka-surprise ko when almost everybody are around pagpasok na pagpasok ko.

‘SURPRISE! WELCOME HOME BELLA!’ everyone chanted.

‘How did you guys know that I will be arriving today?’ Every head turns to where my father is standing. He is grinning widely as he massages his nape. ‘Daddy naman! I was the one who supposedly had to surprise you, not the other way around!’ napangiti na lang ako as he and Tita Coreen embrace me tight. 

‘Has my girl arrive?’ napatingin ako sa boses from the kitchen. Mas lumapad ang ngiti ko upon seeing my boyfriend. 

‘You’ve said you were out of town!’ He quickly walked towards me and gave me a chaste kiss on my lips. 

‘Surprise Love.’ 

‘Nakakainis ka Troy! Pinagkaisahan nyo ako! How could you guys!’ everyone laughs.

‘Are we late?’ mabilis akong tumingin sa main door. Tita Lovely and Tito Zeus entered, followed by Zinnie. My gaze passes them hoping to see him. Pero lumipas ang ilang minutes ay wala ng pumasok pa. I tried to mask my dismay and sadness and put on a happy face while Zinnie hug me tight. 

‘Hi Ate Bella. How are you?’ She looks at Troy who is behind me. ‘Hi Troy.’

‘Now that everyone is around, let’s head to the back garden to eat.’ Tita Coreen announced. 

‘Akyat lang ako sa room ko Tita to change.’

‘Samahan na kita Ate Bella.’ bago pa ako makasagot ay hinawakan na ni Zinnie ang kamay ko. We head to my room. ‘Until when ka dito Ate Bella?’

‘Depende.’

‘Depende saan?’

‘Well, if hindi ako kailangan agad at work.’

‘Ah. Akala ko depende kung matutuloy na umuwi dito si Kuya Ziggy.’ that caught my attention kaya mabilis akong tumingin sa kanya. 

‘Your brother’s coming home?’ she nodded. ‘When?’ 

‘On Daddy’s birthday, next month. Kasama daw niya ulit si Phoebe and he said that he has a surprise for all of us.’ 

Naalala ko bigla ang huling pag-uusap namin ni Phoebe sa Boston. Maybe that is their surprise to Ziggy’s family, Phoebe being pregnant and him being a father. Mabilis akong yumuko and turn my back at Zinnie. Until now ay hindi ko pa rin lubos maisip na magiging father na si Ziggy. Until now ay hindi pa rin mag-sink in sa mind ko ang sinabi ni Phoebe sa akin. 

‘Baka naman ikakasal na sila.’

‘Ewan ko lang Ate Bella. The last time Kuya called Mama, sabi ni Mama he sounded excited. Siguro nga.’ I didn’t look at her as a tear fell on my cheek. 

‘Shower lang ako ng mabilis Zinnie. You can go ahead if you want to. Sunod na lang sa back garden after.’

‘Alright. Areszel is on her way na daw.’ She walks to the door then closes it afterwards.

Nang makalabas si Zinnie ay hinayaan kong tumulo ang mga luha ko. A part of me died sa binalita ni Zinnie about her brother. It’s a painful news to bear which I know that I will have to struggle hard to get over with. Malungkot akong pumasok sa bathroom with hopes na sana tangayin ng tubig ang sakit na nararamdaman ko sa puso ko. 

Mabilis na lumipas ang isang buwan. I was supposedly to leave the country last week kaso ay hindi pumayag si Daddy. Pauwi raw kasi si Ezra this month kaya sinabihan niya ako to stay para magkita kaming magkapatid bago ako bumalik ng San Francisco. Honestly, ayoko lang magkita kami ni Ziggy. That is the real reason why gusto ko ng umalis ng bansa. Ayoko na magpunta sa kanila to welcome him and Phoebe which I knew was inevitable dahil nagsabi na sa amin sila Tita Lovely last week about their arrival and about sa simple gathering to be held sa kanila. I don’t want to hear the surprise they are about to reveal. Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko ba kung sa mismong bibig ni Ziggy manggagaling ang lahat. 

‘Why aren’t you dressed yet Princess?’ bungad ni Daddy when I open the door.

‘I don’t feel like going Dad.’ umupo ako sa couch and lean exhaustedly. He followed me and sat beside me. 

‘Kanina pa nasa baba si Troy, waiting for you.’

‘Pwede bang hindi na lang ako sumama Dad? Can I just stay here instead? Kayo na lang nila Tita Coreen and Core ang pumunta kila Tito Zeus.’ I hear him sigh heavily. 

‘What’s bothering you Princess? Tell me.’

‘Nothing Dad. I just don’t feel like going there.’ He raised an eyebrow and looked at me doubtfully. 

‘I thought you already got over him, Pretty Bella. Hindi pa ba?’ 

‘I already did Dad.’

‘Then why won’t you come with us? The way I see it, parang hindi ka pa nakapag-move on judging by your lack of interest knowing that your best friend has arrived in the country. Unless you haven’t got over him then I see why nagkaka-ganyan ka’

‘It’s not that Dad.’

‘Then what?’ huminga ako ng malalim and stood up. 

‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me Dad. Ayoko lang magpunta kila Ziggy to welcome him and Phoebe. That’s all.’

‘Because?’ I exhaled another deep breath.

‘Basta!’ He stared at me for minutes before standing up and heading towards the door. 

‘We will wait for you downstairs. Don’t keep us waiting for too long Princess.’ 

Wala na akong nagawa when my father closed the door behind him. I effortlessly wear a simple tee and shorts, hindi na ako nag-abala pa na mamili ng susuotin ko from my closet. Tutal ay wala naman akong balak na magtagal and to mingle for hours. Yayayain ko na lang mamaya si Troy na mauna na kami, pagbibigyan ko lang si Daddy. If my father insists that I must be at the Reiz’s mansion, then I have to put my game face on and do what I do best. 

‘Finally! Ang tagal mo naman Ate!’ I grouchily look at Core who is grinning widely at me. Nilapitan ako ni Troy and held my hand. 

‘Let’s go. Reiz and Catherine Lovely are waiting for us already.’ Dad utters as they head outside. 

‘Are you alright, Love?’ I force a smile to my boyfriend. 

‘Pwede bang saglit lang tayo dun Love? I want to go to the mall after, gusto ko ng ice cream and walnut brownies. I also want to go shopping.’ I cling onto his arm.

‘Sure. Anything you want, Love.’ I sweetly look at him bago kami lumabas. 

Bago pa kami pumasok ni Troy sa mansion ng mga Reiz ay huminga muna ako ng malalim then plaster a sweet smile. As much as possible ay hindi ako hihiwalay kay Troy while I am here. Ayokong mag-mukhang outcast and sober sa harap ng marami, most especially in front of my best friend and his girlfriend. 

‘Ate Bella!’ all eyes were on us sa sigaw nila Areszel and Zinnie nang makarating kami sa garden. I saw Phoebe glancing at me while Ziggy was busy talking to Arzel. Hindi nagtagal ang tingin ko sa kanila as I walk towards Zinnie and Areszel while holding Troy’s hand. 

‘Hi Troy.’ Areszel greeted him while blushing. 

‘Hello.’ He answered back meekly.

‘Akala ko hindi ka pupunta Ate Bella. Kanina ka pa hinahanap nila Mama sa akin.’

‘Of course I will come. I wouldn’t miss the surprise!’ malakas kong sagot to show everyone that I am as ecstatic as they are. 

‘What’s the surprise ba kasi Zinnie?’ Areszel asks intriguingly.

‘I don’t know what. Wala pang sinasabi si Kuya sa amin.’

‘I think I already knew what the surprise was.’ sabay-sabay na tumingin sa akin ang tatlo. I just smile and shrug my shoulders while gazing at Phoebe who is wearing a loose jumper skirt over a peach blouse. 

‘What Ate Bella?’ 

‘Let your brother reveal it for us. I don’t want to spoil the surprise.’

Bago pa makasagot ang dalawa ay pumunta na si Tita Lovely sa front. I lean at Troy’s chest as he wraps his arms around my waist while we look ahead. 

‘Hi everyone! As we all know, today is my husband’s birthday.’ Everyone utters their greetings to Tito Zeus who walks to his wife. He clasped his hand to her and kissed her lips. ‘Actually, simple celebration lang dapat talaga. But our eldest arrived yesterday together with his girlfriend and they had a surprise to share with all of us.’ I saw Ziggy hold Phoebe’s hand with gentleness as they walked to where his parents were. 

Kahit ayokong tingnan ang sweetness ng dalawa ay pinilit ko ang sarili ko na tumingin, for the sake of showmanship. I held Troy’s hands tightly and leaned even closer to him. 

‘Ayaw namin na agawan ng spotlight ang birthday celebrant so we will just make our announcement quick and brief.’ Ziggy glance at everyone. I didn’t expect him to look at me but he did. He stared at us for seconds before looking at Phoebe and smiling happily. ‘Phoebe and I are delighted to share with everyone that she is in her 5th month of pregnancy.’ umingay ang paligid with claps and cheers. Everyone was happy, even Troy. I didn’t know how I had managed everything but I was able to smile without difficulty and even congratulate Phoebe once again when she walked towards us. Nang makita ko na palapit si Ziggy sa amin ay mabilis akong humarap kay Troy. 

‘I think we better go. Gusto ko na talaga ng ice cream and brownies.’ Then I quickly granted him a kiss on his lips when he nodded. 

‘Paalam muna tayo sa Daddy mo, Love.’

‘I’ll just message him while we’re on the road. Let’s go.’

‘Buntis ka rin ba Love? Hahahaha!’ 

‘Silly! As if naman! Asa ka pa! Hahahaha!’ 

---

I don’t know if it is a blessing in disguise or what. But a month after what had happened to us ni Bella in San Francisco ay may nangyari sa amin ni Phoebe. I was so drunk that time because of misery and heartache. Ang unang s*x namin ay nasundan pa at nasundan ulit, until such time that she had told me that she was pregnant. At first, I didn’t believe her since she just tested using a pregnancy kit. Nagpunta kami sa isang clinic to know the truth, and an OB Gyne confirmed it. I will be a father soon. Phoebe is really thrilled with the knowledge of her pregnancy, masaya siya. Although I was shocked about it, part of me is also excited because I will be a daddy soon. I am still half-hearted kung pakakasalan ko na si Phoebe, wala pa naman kaming pinag-uusapan about that. But one thing is for sure, pananagutan ko siya as a real gentleman I am. 

Hindi ko na sana gusto pa na umuwi ng bansa but Phoebe wanted to tell it personally kila Daddy at Mama. Kung ako lang ay pwede naman na sabihin na lang sa kanila through call since I have to be at work regularly. But as much as possible ay ayokong ma-stress siya or mag-isip pa dahil sinabihan ako ng OB Gyne niya not to let her overthink things or to give her tension and pressures. Hindi naman daw siya maselan magbuntis pero sinabihan ako to pamper Phoebe and give her demands if possible. Kaya kahit na may work ako ay sinunod ko ang gusto ni Phoebe na umuwi kami ng Philippines to tell my family about her condition at tinaon namin na birthday ni daddy. 

Even if a part of me is happy with this revelation, hindi pa rin maalis sa akin ang malungkot. Nalulungkot ako dahil it is Bella whom I truly love and not Phoebe. Alam ko sa sarili ko na si Bella ang mahal ko pero siguro nga ay hanggang pagiging magkaibigan na lamang kami lalo pa ngayon na magiging father na ako. Maybe hindi nga talaga siya ang destined for me dahil may dumating na blessing sa akin na alam kong mahalaga pa sa buhay ko. 

When I saw her earlier with Troy and how happy they look, there is regret in my heart. Kung sana ay noon ko pa natuklasan ang lahat at kung sana ay noon ko pa nalaman na mahal ko siya, maaari siguro na kami ngayon. Maybe walang Phoebe at wala rin Troy. Siguro ay masaya kami ni Bella and fulfilling our promises to each other noong mga teenagers pa kami. Bigla ko tuloy naalala ang scene na yun sa clubhouse noon. 

***FLASHBACK***

‘Bella, I want to ask you something.’

‘What about?’ She is eating her sandwich, we are at the clubhouse right now. Katatapos lang namin mag-basketball.

‘Syempre time will come and we will be adults right?’

‘So? Ano naman?’

‘What if kapag dumating ang time na yun, let’s say when we reach our 27th year then mga single pa tayo.’

‘Ako siguro yes, but ikaw for sure hindi ka na single by that time Ziggy.’

‘What if nga lang!’

‘Alright, let’s say we are both single at age 27. So ano ngayon?’ 

‘Will it be probable kung tayo na lang ang maging mag-boyfriend/girlfriend kapag umabot tayo sa age na yun na single tayo pareho? What do you think Bella?’ I laugh when suddenly her forehead creases and she arch her eyebrow. 

‘Yuck! You? Ayoko nga!’

‘Choosy ka pa sa akin best friend? Sa pangit mong yan at sa payat mo! Do you think may magkakagusto pa sayo?’

‘You are so rude Zeus Genesis Reiz Jr.! How dare you insult me!’

‘Hahahahaha! Ano nga?’ I stare at her intently as she looks at me seriously.

‘Fine! When we reach the age of 27 at pareho pa tayo na single then tayo na lang dalawa!’

‘You sure about that?’

‘Well, come to think of it. We knew each other since we were kids so I guess wala naman sigurong masama if tayo ang magkatuluyan in the end. Besides, baka matuwa pa nga ang mga parents natin if that happens.’

‘Alright. That is our promise to each other, Princess. Kapag 27 na ako at 27 ka na rin then single pa tayo pareho, then tayo na lang dalawa. Deal?’ I extend my hand to her. 

‘Deal. Our best friend's covenant.’ She took my hand and shake it. 

***END OF FLASHBACK***

Well I guess hindi na namin matutupad ang best friend’s covenant namin ni Bella. She is turning 27 next year and so am I. Hindi na rin siya single since nagkabalikan na sila ni Troy and who knows baka sila na rin ang magkatuluyan. Ganun rin ako with Phoebe and I will be a family man soon. That covenant of ours will just be a memory of our past. A covenant na walang patutunguhan because none of us are single anymore. 

------,--’-,-{@