Amidst Uncertainties

Chapter 21

Keep

"Gago, bakit naman kasi ang galing mo? Congrats!" galit na galit na sabi ni Antonia. Natawa na lang ako kahit hindi sigurado kung joke ba 'yong galit niya or totoo talaga habang binabati ako.

"I'm not even surprised, to be honest. You are the smartest among us four. Congratulations for being one of the top M.D. students in UPM! Imagine, you just finished your first year sa College of Medicine, but you are already doing well!" sabi naman ni Leila.

"Thank you, though I'm not even sure if I do deserve that," natatawa kong sabi.

"Of course, you deserve it!" Lei countered.

"Second year na kayo ngayon ni Travis, 'no?" tanong ni Tonia bago uminom sa iced coffee niya. Tumango lang ako habang umiinom sa Frappuccino ko.

"Where is he anyway?" Lei asked.

"Nasa sikat na modelling agency siya ngayon. I forgot the name of the agency, but he told me na may nag-offer daw sa kaniya roon through his manager," sagot ko. They both nodded in return.

"Nagmo-model pa rin pala ang isang 'yon kahit med student na rin siya? Buti napagsasabay niya," ani Tonia.

"Ngayon na lang siya ulit nag-accept ng offers since miss niya na raw ang modelling. Kumbaga, part time niya lang ang modelling sa ngayon dahil focus siya sa med," pagpapaliwanag ko.

"Anyway, I heard that you got a lot of clients this year, Tonia. Congratulations!" sabi ni Leila habang nakatuon ngayon ang atensyon kay Antonia na nagd-drawing sa iPad niya.

Tumango ito bago bumuntonghininga. "I have a total of 20 clients this year. Siguro stressed lang ako kaya tanggap ako nang tanggap ng clients. Pero tapos ko naman na 'yong kalahati. Tapos after ko roon ay sisimulan ko nang asikasuhin iyong first gallery exhibit ko," she announced.

"Oh my god. Bakit hindi mo naman sinabi sa amin na may balak kang mag-open ng gallery exhibit?" gulat at halos nagtatampong tanong ni Leila. Tumango ako bilang pagsang-ayon kay Lei.

"Ngayon mo lang sinabi kung kailan aasikasuhin mo na. Dapat noong binabalak mo pa lang or bigla mong naisip ganoon, dapat sinabi mo agad sa amin!" I added.

Antonia made a face. Umirap ito at muling uminom sa kaniyang iced coffee. "How am I supposed to say anything about that when you are all so busy? Si Ace, super dami ng exams nitong mga nakaraang buwan tapos ikaw naman Lei, ang daming paper works na inaasikaso sa firm ng tito mo!" Umirap muli si Antonia.

"Kahit na, ano. You know that we will always make time for you, bruha ka!" I said. Lei nodded with what I said.

"We have to plan na pala for that. I'm all done with my paper works, so I can assist you na sa invitations and venue. I can also take photograph of your chosen artworks for social media and in print use," sunod sunod na sabi ni Lei because of excitement. I chuckled as I watched her take notes of the things she just said.

"Wait lang! Mas excited ka pa sa akin, e! Tatapusin ko na muna sabi iyong natitirang artworks for my remaining clients, chill ka lang, Leila Monique!" natatawang sabi ni Antonia. I smiled mockingly when Lei pouted.

However, my smile faded when I remembered something.

"They won't be here for your first gallery exhibit, huh..." I unconsciously said which made the two of them stop from quarrelling.

I was shocked when I realized what I just said. Damn, it was supposed to be a happy celebration, but I made it become gloomy.

"Sorry..." I said then bowed my head in frustration. Natahimik sila bigla at buntong hininga lang ang narinig ko.