Lipstick series #4: Burn in Rouge (Jennica)

💄Prologue💄

“Congratulations to us! Yay!”

Masayang sambit nilang lahat habang pumalakpak. Tapos ay naka-serve ang maliit na red velvet round cake sa kanilang lamesa, at kanya-kanyang order rin sila ng kape.

They just finish their graduation ceremony earlier. And right after the ceremony, ay agad silang dumiretso sa paborito nilang cafè ni Rosie.

They always hangout in this cafè everytime there is an opportunity. Not just the two of them, kasama rin ang dalawa pa nilang kaibigan na si Lili or what Jennie always called her Sakura. At si Marce, these girls are Jennie's best friends.

They are the only people who understands why Jennie is a rebellious child or what some called her pasaway.

Kaya naman kahit suot pa nila ang kanilang high school uniform ay tumambay na sila rito sa cafe. Nakaupo ang magkakaibigan sa kanilang favorite spot sa tabi ng glass wall kung saan nakikita nila ang view sa labas at ang mga taong naglalabas pasok sa establishment na ito. Nakaupo sila sa isang black and white na couch at isang white round table sa harapan nila.

Naalala pa ni Jennie noong unang dinala nila ni Rosie ang dalawang kaibigan rito. Nahihiya iyong dalawa dahil mamahaling café ito. Hindi naman kasi nila kasing yaman sila Lili at Marce kaya inililibre nila ito paminsan-paminsan.

At simula rin noong araw na iyon weekly na sila pumunta rito. Para tumambay, mag-bonding at syempre sa kanila rin lagi tumatakbo si Jennie everytime her father scold her by doing rebellious things.

And also this café is really awesome. The food, the drinks, and the ambiance was really good. It also keeps Jennie's attention away from her problems.

“First of all, congratulations to our dearest friend, Rosemarie for being our batch valedictorian. Cheers!” masaya niyang bati habang nakataas ang coffee cup niya.

Truth is, minsan ay naiingit siya kay Rosie. She has everything in the palm of her hands, she has a bright future ahead of her. While Jennie, her life has no direction. But she was happy sa achievement na ito ng kaibigan. She knows Rosie works hard just to be the class valedictorian. And she really deserves this.

“Congratulations, Rosie!” masayang bati naman ni Marce at Lili sa kaibigan.

“Thank you,” nakangiting tugon naman ni Rosie.

“So, what’s your plan na sa college?” tanong niya naman rito.

“Well, I’ll just do what my parents told me. They want me to take a business related course in Ateneo,” sagot ni Rosie.

“Woah. Ateneo,” manghang sambit naman nina Marce at Lili.

“Uhm! Ikaw naman, Jennie? Saan mo plano pumasok at anong course ang gusto mo?” masiglang tanong naman ni Marce sabay palumbaba sa mesa.

Sa totoo lang, wala talaga siyang planong mag-college. Para saan pang mag-aaral siya kung lagi lang rin siyang didiktahan ng tatay niya. And Jennie hated it, she hated being controlled, and people telling her what to. Like she was a fucking robot following their orders.

Plus, hindi rin siya kasing talino ni Rosie na maglalaan ng time para mag-aral. Its even a miracle that she graduated this high school.

Yeah, kasi palagi niyang bine-break ang school rules. At parang lalo siyang nabubuhayan at na-eexcite every time she does something illegal.

“Wala siyang balak mag-college,” singit naman ni Sakura. Tapos nakita niya ring nagtawanan sina Marce at Rosie. Pinindilatan niya naman itong si Lili.

Kung nakakapatay lang ang tingin, kanina niya pa na-triple kill ang babaeng ito. Paano ba naman, ibuking ba naman ang plano niyang ito sa buong barangay, este sa kanilang magkakaibigan.