Chapter 2

            "Okay, pack up na! Everyone did a great job! Congratulations!" everyone clapped inside the studio.

Nakipagkamay si Samira sa director at mga staff ng shinoshoot niyang magazine for the month of October.

"It's been really great to work with you again, Samira. You never failed us." sabi ni Sir Gio, ang photographer ng shoot niya. 

"No problem. As long as I am free, I'll be available anytime."

They bid goodbyes and when she was about to change, her phone vibrated. Kinuha niya 'yun mula sa sofa sa dressing room at tiningnan.

Sam #5
Where are you? PTA namin today, remember?
Are you coming?
Bilisan mo.
It's getting late.
Bilis.
Bilisan mo.

"Shocks, oo nga pala." agad-agad niyang kinuha ang hand bag na Prada at nagmamadaling umalis.

"Hindi ka na ba magbibihis, Mira?" tanong ng stylist niya nang mapansing aalis na siya.

"No need. I'll go ahead, may nag-aantay pa saakin." she waved her hand goodbye bago dumiretso sa bagong bili niyang Lexus RX.

Still on her fancy looking dress she used during the shoot, she rushed to her sister's school. Nakalimutan niyang may PTA meeting ito ngayon. No one was available except her kaya ito ang napilitan nitong papuntahin sa school niya.

Nakaagaw atensyon ang pagpark niya sa napakalawak na parking lot ng school ni Samara. Nagsitingin sakaniya ang mga tao pati sa sasakyan niyang ilang linggo pa lamang ang nakakalipas nang ilabas.

Kahit nagmamadali, she was proud and confident as she stepped out of the car and flipped her hair stunningly. Alam niya maraming nakatingin, kaya pinagmamalaki niya ang tinuturing na ganda. 

Oh, how she loves it when she comes to Samara's school and everyone just looks at her as if she was some kind of a celebrity. Well, she's a model but still.

She proudly walked inside the campus while smiling back at those who smiles and waves at her.

"Hi, Ate ni Samara!" sigaw ng isang bata na sa tingin niya ay nasa 7th or 8th grade.

Napasimangot siya.

Really? 'Ate ni Samara'? Excuse me, I have a name. 

Oh well, she forgot how famous her sister is in her school kaya kahit siya ay nagmumukhang sibling nalang ng kapatid niya.

Okay lang, sikat naman ako saamin.

Lumingon-lingon siya nang makarating sa main grounds ng campus.

Where is Samara?

As if on cue, her phone rang and her sister's name popped up. Ngumiti siya sa mga napapadaan bago sinagot ang tawag ng kapatid niya.

"What the hell are you wearing?" ang flat-toned na boses agad ng kapatid ang bumungad sakaniya.

"Why? It's beautiful and it's expensive." itinaas niya ang skirt at winagayway iyon na parang ipinagmamalaki. She knew her sister can see her and she knew that she is super annoyed right now.

"I don't care if it's beautiful and expensive. Bakit ganyan ang ayos mo? It's a PTA meeting, not a freaking Halloween party."

Napasimangot siya, "ang harsh mo naman! I came from my shoot and rushed here. Sabi mo kasi I was late already." she started walking towards the elevator. Agad naman na nahawi ang mga tao nang makita siya at pinauna pa sa elevator. She thanked them and walked in.

"Sana nagbihis ka muna. If only I knew you will be this super extra, I should've asked Samantha."

She rolled her eyes. This kid really knows how to annoy me, does she?

"Jokes on you, she's busy with her shoot on her so-called reality show." may pang-aasar sa boses nito.

"Kuya Sammy—"

"He's with Belle. They are spending their 'alone time' in Paris."

"Kuya Samue—"

"Don't even get started with him. He will never be free, kiddo." ngumiti siya ng nakaasar at lumabas sa elevator. She's now on Samara's classroom floor.

"Whatever, pumasok ka nalang sa classroom ko. I'll be waiting in the car." akmang ibaba na niya ang tawag nang sumigaw siya.

"Hey! Don't tell me you're going to leave me alone?" kumunot ang noo niya. Aba, itong batang 'to.

"They are all looking at you! Ayokong makita nila akong kasama ka. Nakakahiya."

Wala talagang preno bibig ng babaeng 'to.

"Whatever, Ara. They all knew I'm your sister so wala ring mangyayari if you'll keep on avoiding attention~." nang-aasar niyang sabi and she swear on all angels, nakikita na niya ang nanlilisik na mga mata ng kapatid. "Anyways, you'll come with me or I will not get your card?"

"Fine. Mauna ka na sa classroom, susunod ako."

Napangiti siya ng malapad, "just make sure."

***

            "Nothing new, Samara. First ka parin naman this quarter. Still, the best in academic, best in extracurricular activities. Best in Math, English, Science, History...lahat naman mataas ang grades mo! Mas magugulat ako kung may bumaba ka ng 90 dito sa card mo." sabi ni Samara habang naglalakad sila sa hallway ng school building. She was scanning her card and it still shines in 96, 97, 99, may 100 pa nga.

"But!" humarap siya sa kapatid na halos itakip na ang buong buhok sa mukha niya. Napansin niyang maraming nakatingin sakanila pero binalewala niya 'yun.

"You are too snobbish, sabi ng adviser mo! May nagreklamo daw na classmate mo na hindi mo daw pinapansin. Hindi lang nag-iisa, there were more of 'em." tinuro niya ang kapatid na bored na bored na tumingin sakaniya.

"They were talking non-sense. I don't even have to entertain them kasi puro walang kakwenta-kwentang mga bagay ang lumalabas sa bibig nila."

Napangiwi siya, "at least be extra little nice!"

"Yeah, yeah. If they'll brag on my face again, I'll say 'thank you'."

Doon siya natigilan at nameywang, "who brags on you? Are they bullying you? Being sassy and everything?" nakataas ang kilay niya.

"You really think I will let someone bully me?" she rolled her eyes, "pigs are thin then."

"Hey, just tell me if someone is being a btch on you, I won't hesitate to btch over them right away." warning niya dito na nakatingin sa likuran niya. She looked at what she kept on glancing at and saw five girls, probably the same age as Samara, who looked at her nervously and acts really weird.

"Who are they?" tanong niya sa kapatid na nakangisi na.

"Wala, just my classmates." Samara looked at her, "I'll just say goodbye to my friends. Susunod ako sa'yo."

Tumango siya at nagsimulang naglakad paalis. Nakasalubong niya ang limang babaeng tinitingnan ni Samara na kaagad na nagsalisan nang makitang nakatingin siya.

Weirdos.

She just walked out of the campus when her phone vibrated and a text came in.

Lu
I'm here at Mara's school. Heard you were here.
Thinking of treating her lunch with you. Matagal ko na rin siyang hindi nakikita.
I'll let Mang Eric drop your car at your condo.

Napangiti siya at nagreply agad ng 'ok'.

***

           "So, where do you want to eat, Mara? Kuya's treat." sabi ni Blue habang nakatingin kay Samara na nakaupo sa likod habang nasa passenger's seat naman si Samira.

"Can we just do a drive thru? I'm too tired to go anywhere."

Agad naman na napatango si Blue, "drive thru it is then." at agad na pinaandar ang kotse.

"Hey, ako din ha. Gusto ko ng—"

"Sabi ko si Mara lang. Hindi ko naman sinabi na pati ikaw kasama." nang-aasar na sabi ni Blue.

Hinampas ni Samira si Blue sa braso at sumimangot, "ang sama! Nagugutom narin ako. Galing pa naman ako sa shoot tapos hindi pa ako nakakakain." nagtatampo niyang sabi.

"Kaya pala ang gara ng suot mo. You look like you were about to go in a—"

"Sige, ituloy mo." nagbabanta niyang sabi kaya napatutop ng bibig si Blue.

"—Halloween party." pagpapatuloy ni Samara na nasa back seat.

Sumimangot siya at tiningnan ng matalim si Samara at si Blue nang matawa ang mga ito.

"Hey! Ang ru-rude niyo talaga! This dress is Chanel, fyi. It's expensive!" sabi niya at napaupo ng maayos habang nakasimangot.

"Ajuju, ang cute mo talaga kapag naiinis!" kinurot ni Blue ang pisngi niya kaya agad niya iyong tinampal palayo.

"Not the cheek! Baka magkapimples ako!"

"OA! You never had one!"

"Kaya nga baka magkaroon! Never knew what you do with your hands!"

Nakakalokong ngumisi ang lalaki kaya agad na nanlaki ang mga mata niya, "Blue!" at hinampas ito ng paulit-ulit.

"H-hey!" tumatawa nitong sinasangga ang mga palo ni Samira. "Ang halay mo mag-isip! Nandiyan si Mara oh!"

Panay naman ang irap ni Samara na nakaupo sa likod at pinapanood na naghaharutan ang dalawa.

Dinamay pa ako. Mga bastos.

Mas lalo siyang napasimangot nang makitang green light na at hindi pa pinapaandar ni Blue ang sasakyan. Kung hindi pa nagsibusina ang nasa likod nila, hindi pa sila matatauhan at titigil sa harutan nilang dalawa.

***

            "Here's for you Samara." iniabot ni Blue kay Samara ang isang paper bag at paalis na sana kung hindi lang pinikot ni Samira ang tainga niya para kunin ang in-order niya.

"Eto na! Nananakit ka eh." natatawang sabi ni Blue at iniabot kay Samira ang isa pang paper bag.

Samara was silently eating at the back habang naghaharutan nanaman ang dalawa sa harap. Pinipilit ni Blue na pasubuan siya ni Samira ng fries pero babatukan lang siya nito at magpapatuloy na kumain.

"You have your hands, dumbass."

"I can't. I'm driving."

"Red light pa naman! Eat by yourself."

"Madumi kamay ko."

"Not my fault you don't bring alcohol with you."

"Nasa isa kong sasakyan. I forgot to bring it."

"Not my fault, either."

"'To naman, isa lang. That won't hurt."

Hindi na siya sinagot ni Samira at nag-make face bago nagsimulang kumain ulit. Naiiling naman na ngumiti si Blue at kinuha ang fries niya at inilang subo lang ito.

"You always eat fast. Paano ka matutunawan niyan?" tanong ni Samira nang makitang naubos agad nito ang fries.

"Concern ka?" nang-aasar na tanong ni Blue at tinaas-baba ang kilay.

"Not really," pagsasawalang bahala niya at bumalik sa pag-inom ng pinaorder na iced tea. "Concern lang sa gastos kapag nagkataon."

"Money is not a problem to me." he shrugged.

"Yabang."

"Crush mo naman."

Agad na napangiwi si Samira at inirapan si Blue na tinutusok-tusok ang pisngi niya.

"Sabing, not my cheek!"

Agad naman niyang tinusok-tusok ang sintido nito.

"You're so annoying!"

"Cute naman."

"Yuck. You're too full of yourself, dude."

"Honest lang!"

"Honest my ass."

"Meron ka nun?"

"Hoy!"

"Iuuwi niyo ba ako o ako nalang uuwi mag-isa?" agad silang natigilan nang mag-salita si Samara sa likod. Muntik na nilang makalimutang may kasama sila.

Samara was in full sassy mode today. Bukod sa pagod siya, ni hindi sila makarating-rating sa bahay dahil panay ang harutan ng dalawa. Kanina pa sila nagkukulitan at kung hindi pa niya patitigilin ang dalawa ay mananatili sila sa gitna ng high way kung gugustuhin nila. She silently hoped na sana kay Mang Eric, ang personal driver nila, nalang siya nagpasundo.

Napasimangot siya nang makitang nagsisimula nanaman silang magharutan on their way to her house.

"I swear, you don't really think you are boastful, aren't you?"

"Boastful is different from being honest and proud, miss."

"You brag too much. At least be humble!"

"Say that to yourself."

"Nanghahamon ka?"

"Ikaw naun—"

"With the name of Cupid, just get back together."

Agad silang natahimik at napatingin sakaniya bago tumikhim at napaayos ng upo sa kani-kanilang upuan.

Napailing nalang si Samara.

How I wish I have an arrow at itatarak ko 'yun sakanilang dalawa. Yung sagad sa buto.

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