Meet Me In Mabini (City Series #2)

Chapter 35

#MMIM35

I sat down at the lounge as I watched the hard rain pour down through the huge windows. Ang dami nang pinagbago dito sa Church. Most leaders are new ones from the younger generation, which is good! I guess kami kami nina Claude, we're the new ate's and kuya's of this place.

I smiled as I tugged on the sleeve of my white knitted sweater. I've always loved this city's weather.

Isang linggo na ako dito sa Baguio. The new year is coming tomorrow, and I am not excited about the fact na I'm going back to Manila in a few days, with its weather and all. But I am excited about the plans I have with work!

"Kuya Claude!" anang isang leader. "We missed you!"

Nagsi-lapitan na ang lahat kay Claude para yakapin siya. Sumunod naman si Raffy sa kanya sa likod niya at binati rin yung mga naka-abang sa kanilang dalawa.

"Hoy!" Raffy smiled at me and immediately sat beside me by the couch. "I missed you! Kailan ka pa dumating?"

"Last week." I gave her a hug. "Buti umabot kayo before New Year!"

"Oo, guilty'ng guilty nga 'tong si Claude nung Christmas, eh!" She laughed. "Halos isang buwan rin kaming wala."

"Kuya, akala ko ba kukunan mo ako video greeting galing kay Vance?" Simangot ng isang babae kay Claude.

I laughed as I saw others saying 'oo nga kuya!'

"Wow, kilalang kilala rin si Vale dito, 'no?" I told Raffy. She nodded and smiled.

"Nakakaproud nga! Sana di lumaki ulo nung panget na 'yon," she said. "Naguusap pa ba kayo no'n?"

Lumunok ako.

I shrugged. "Yeah. Ikaw ba, doktora? Kamusta naman?"

"Grabe super stressful agad, di pa ako nagsstart!" sabi niya. "Buti nga pinayagan ako na late magsimula. Sa January na start ng residency ko."

"Yun oh," I smiled. "Sayang wala kayo nung Christmas eve. It was fun! Ang laki na pala nina Aurora."

"Hay nako, oo! 'Yang Clint na 'yan nagpapa-high blood kay Tita, eh! Sobrang enjoy na enjoy buhay. Sinundo namin ni Claude last month samay Kennon Road kasi naaksidente. Buti nga okay lang siya. Wasak lang yung car."

I blinked a few times. "Talaga?"

She nodded. "Pero hindi ata alam ni Vale. With him being in Manila and all."

Lumunok ulit ako. Should I tell him? Ayoko namang mag-tago sa kanya ng bagay na dapat alam niya.

"Speaking of the party, nakita mo ba si Lia doon?" she asked.

Tumaas ang kilay ko. Nandoon si Lia?

"Hindi naman." I said. "Nando'n siya non?"

"Oo! Siya nagsend ng pictures," she said. "Gulat nga ako na—"

"I think your ride is here, Nat," ani Claude sabay turo sa labas ng bintana. Vale's car is pulling up by the parking and I immediately fix my bag.

"Oooooh." Asar ni Raffy. "Sino naman 'yan, Nat? Mukhang mayaman. Sugar daddy?"

Ngumisi si Claude at inakbayan si Raffy. "You're about to find out."

Lumabas si Vale ng sasakyan niya na may hawak na payong. Mabuti at medyo tumila na rin ang ulan pero umaambon pa rin.

Napaawang kaagad ang bunganga ni Raffy at agad niya rin akong binatukan. "ANO?!"

"Aray!" Tumawa ako at binatukan rin siya.