On The Edge (Girlfriends Series No.2)

Chapter 6

Great. I am trying to cool down myself by drinking brewed coffee on this sunny morning while waiting for these cars to loosen up the road. I hate Monday if it's going to work. I have a meeting today with the photographers and I'm still stuck here in the middle of a traffic jam.

Fortunately, Elise came back from a leave of absence and she's already in the office. Some of the models of our agency were struggling because of their hectic schedules.

Tatawagan ko muna ito habang traffic pa sa daan. Ilang ring pa bago siya sumagot ng tawag. "Hi, Elise! I'm gonna be late. Buy me more time, okay?"

"We have some problems sa models natin, Miss Anne."

"Some of them hindi nagkakatugma ang schedules nila sa clients," paliwanag ni Elise.

"Okay let's talk later." Binaba ko na agad ang tawag nang magsimula ng gumalaw ang mga kotse sa daan.

*ring*

*ring*

*ring*

Kuya K calling...

*ring*

*ring*

Tumatawag na naman si Kuya Kasper. Iniiwasan ko ito simula noong sinabi niyang hiwalayan ko si Benjamin. Sa totoo lang ilang linggo na ang dumaan pero hindi ko pa rin magawang kausapin si Benj tungkol sa pictures na may kasama siyang babae. Pinipigilan ko lang sila Kuya Kasper at Kuya Borge na makialam sa amin. I know they're being protective as my brothers but when it comes to my relationship, only I and Benjamin can fix this.

From: G Squad Natalia

Hey, Anne. Are you still alive? Where the hell are you?

Yikes. Nat texted me. I've been missing a lot of dates with the girls. I think the last time we talked was before I started dating Benjamin.

To: G Squad Natalia

I'm sorry! I've been busy lately and too tired from work. Do you know? I miss you, girls! Send my hugs to the others. *mwah*

Speaking of— Malapit na pala monthsary namin ni Benjamin. Maybe we can talk about it later.

"Thank goodness, Miss Anne. Finally you're here," bungad sa akin ng mga photographers pagpasok ko sa meeting room.

"Sorry for the wait, gents. Alam niyo naman nasa Pinas tayo," reklamo ko tungkol sa traffic jam kanina.

Inayos ni Elise ang projector na gagamitin para makita namin wide screen ang mga clients via zoom meeting. Si Elise rin ang nag-present ng portfolio ng mga model. Ako lang ang nakikipag-negotiate pagdating sa mga kontrata ng models.

Pagkatapos ng meeting sa clients ay nag-brainstorming naman kami ng mga photographers sa next concept to promote the agency kasama ang mga bagong model na nakuha namin.

"That's it everyone! Let's call it a day," anunsyo ko sa lahat.

"Do you wanna grab dinner after this?... My treat."

Yes!

Yes!

Guys libre ni Miss Anne!

Naghiyawan ang mga tao sa loob ng meeting room na parang biglang nawala ang mga pagod sa mukha nila.

"Yuhooo! Salamat, Miss!" halos magkakasabay na sagot ng employees.

Hindi namin namalayan na nalipasan na kami ng lunch dahil sinama na rin namin sa pag-iisip ang designs na gagamitin para sa susunod na mga araw ay mabilisan na ang trabaho.

Bumalik muna ako sa opisina para mag-check ng emails at documents na pinasa ni Elise para sa final contract na napag-usapan kanina. Elise already made a reservation in a nearby restaurant. Alam niya na ang gagawin kapag ganitong gabi na kami natapos sa meeting.

Nakita ko ang text ni Kuya Kasper na nasa condo ko raw siya kaya pinapauwi niya agad ako. Napakagat ako ng labi, ayoko pa makaharap ito.

From: Kuya K

Kapag hindi ka umuwi ngayon. Pupuntahan ko ang boyfriend mo sa work niya.

Sh*t. Grr! I really hate Kuya Kasper!

Nagmadali akong ayusin ang gamit ko para umuwi na. I texted Elise na hindi ako makakasama sa dinner at gamitin na lang niya ang company card to pay the dinner.

To: Kuya K

Fine! I hate you.

×—————×

"Hi babe. I've missed you," salubong sa akin ng boyfriend ko pagdating sa coffee shop. Nagkita rin kami sa wakas dahil katatapos lang daw ng project niya kaya may oras siya. Halos lumundag ang puso ko nang may nakita akong bulaklak sa table. I was expecting for a surprise since it's our monthsary today.

"I missed you too! So... How's your project?" tanong ko habang tumitingin-tingin sa bulaklak.

"The project was a success... Shall we order? pag-aaya niya.

"Go on... I'll just have the usual." Kinuha ko ang bulaklak at inamoy ito. It's a sunflower.

Kuya Kasper and I had a big fight a few nights ago. I begged him to stay out of my relationship with my boyfriend. I'm waiting for the right timing to ask Benjamin.

Muntik na bumangga si Benj sa edge ng table kanina pa kasi ito nakatingin sa cellphone niya.

"It's there any problem, Babe?" tanong ko baka tungkol na naman sa trabaho niya.

"No. No. It's just a message from a friend," he said not looking away from his phone.

Umupo na ulit siya at saka pa lang ako tiningnan. "Babe, that's not yours," tukoy niya sa hawak ko.

"Ha?"

"Sa friend ko 'yan... pinasuyo sa akin dahil monthsary nila ng girlfriend niya."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko at pilit na kumalma. "Benjamin, don't tell me... nakalimutan mong monthsary natin today?" I know it's immature to ask this but I felt ignored today.

He gave me a minute of silence before he looked at me. I see. He really forgot!

"N-Nawala sa isip ko," palusot niya.

"Really? But you have time to buy flowers for your FRIEND," I emphasize the word friend.

"Don't get mad, please... Babawi a—"

"...Wait— stop there," putol ko sa sasabihin niya.

"Let's go to Baguio."

He avert his eyes from me. "But I—I can't do it today." Nainis ako lalo sa sinabi nito.

"O-Okay." Tumayo agad ako mula sa pagkakaupo.

"I—I guess... U-Uuwi na lang ako." My lips were trembling because I'm trying to hold back my tears. I walked out of the coffee shop. He didn't bother to chase me.

I went straight to the club. I'm going to waste myself tonight. I called Elise to join but she had other plans. My friends are based in Cebu, that's why I don't have any friends to invite right now.

I asked the bar counter for their strongest female drinks. I wanted to unwind from all the stress I've got from Benjamin. The bartender suggested vodka with a twist and gave it to me. "Enjoy the night, Miss," I asked for two more shots and went to the dance floor.

"Woo! F*ck you, Benjamin!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. No one cares. No one knows me here.

I swayed my body to follow the beat of the music. I tied my hair into a bun style to get rid of the sweats.

Everyone!

Lauren is in the house!

Wooo!

Yeeeah!

Lauren!

Is she the heiress of AS@#Es---

I heard the DJ saying something. I don't care who the f*ck is in the house. I can feel someone behind me trying to hit on me.

"Knock it off!" sigaw ko nang harapin ko 'yung dumidikit sa pwetan ko.

"Hey, wanna go somewhere?" he whispered in my ears.

Aalis na sana ako sa dance floor nang hatakin ng lalaki ang braso ko sabay dila niya sa kanang pisngi ko.

"What's wrong with you?! F*ck off disgusting piece of sh*t!" pagpupumiglas ko.

This guy is crazy! Inagaw ko ang baso na hawak niya at binasag ito sa dance floor para makaagaw kami ng atensyon. Biglang tumahimik ang paligid at natauhan ang lalaki saka binitiwan ako.

"It's okay... Calm down."

"It's okay... Calm down," paulit-ulit na bulong ko sa sarili. Bumalik ako sa bar counter para uminom ulit. Dito na lang ako tatambay baka balikan ulit ako ng lalaki kanina sa dance floor.

"Hi, Miss... This is for you," abot ng bartender ng isang cocktail drink.

"I didn't ask for this," tanggi ko. May tinuro siya sa bandang dulo ng bar counter at may nakita akong kumaway. The person is giving me a cool vibes.

"Oh thanks," I mouthed and put up the glass to cheer.

×—————×

"Rise and shine!"

Narinig ko boses ni Kuya Borge. Nagising ako sa silaw ng araw na tumatama sa kwarto. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko na mabigat ang pakiramdam.

Inabutan ako ni Kuya ng gamot at tubig. I didn't bother to look at the meds. "Drink this and this to ease your hangover."

"How did I end up here?" Ang huling naaalala ko ay may ininom pa akong cocktail drink. I even forgot the face of the person who gave it to me.

"Sinabihan ako ni Elise na nasa club ka last night... That's why I came to pick you up," paliwanag niya.

"And then I found you sound asleep at the bar counter." I facepalm myself for being reckless.

"Thanks, Kuya Borge... Please, I want to sleep." I pushed him out of my room.

*riiing*

*riiing*

My Engineer calling...

*riiing*

I took a glance at my phone and saw his name. I immediately turned off my phone. I really don't want to talk to anyone right now.

Natulog lang ako buong araw, ilang beses tinangka ni Kuya Borge na pumasok sa kwarto pero binabato ko ito ng unan para hindi siya makalapit sa akin.

*knock* *knock*

Nagtalukbong ako ng kumot at tinakpan ko ang mga tenga ko para hindi ko marinig si Kuya. Hindi na ako nagkaroon ng matinong pahinga dahil sa kanya.

*knock* *knock*

Mary Anne... Will you open the door?

"Dad?" Napabangon ako mula sa kama at mabilis na binuksan ang pintuan nang marinig ko ang boses niya.

"Dad, kailan kayo dumating ni Mom?" tanong ko. Three months silang nasa Europe para mag-celebrate ng golden wedding anniversary. The trip was a gift from us their children.

Inabot niya ang pasalubong para sa akin. "Ngayon lang... Nag-away ba kayo ng kuya mo?"

"We are not."

"Eh bakit 'ganon mukha ni Bogs... Nakasalumbaba sa sala at iritado." He is referring to Kuya Borge.

"...Nagkakaganoon lang naman kapatid mo kapag nag-aaway kayong dalawa."

"Ewan ko sa kanya... Hindi ko pinapapasok dito sa kwarto ginugulo niya ang tulog ko," paliwanag ko.

"Hi, Mom!" tawag ko nang makita kong naglalakad siya papunta rito sa kwarto ko. Sinundan niya siguro si Dad.

"Mary Anne, did you get our pasalubong?" tanong ni Mom.

Pinakita ko sa kanya ang hawak na paper bags. "Thank you!"

Umalis na si Dad at naiwan si Mom para makipagkwentuhan sa akin. I even told her about Kuya Iulian leaving the country. She cannot talk about him when Dad is around.

"You look exhausted... Busy sa work?" singit ni Mom sa usapan namin.

"Yes, Mom but It's okay... It's part of being an adult."

"Why don't you quit being a model and just focus on your agency?" Mom suggested.

"Noooo... I can still do my job pa naman besides I have Elise na magaling sa work niya... Don't worry." I held Mom's hands to give my assurance.

*knock* *knock*

"Dinner is ready!" rinig kong sigaw ni Kuya Borge mula sa labas ng kwarto.

Pinauna ko na si Mom sa baba at saka ako nagpalit ng damit. I am still wearing pajama, I'm pretty sure I can't easily sleep later tonight.

From: My Engineer

Please let's meet tomorrow, Anne. Please.

Please.

If you don't then I'm not going to meet you again.

To: My Engineer

Fine.

I tossed away my phone to the bed. Does he wanna break up with me? Sigh.