Just a Night, Raven (Friend Series #7)

Chapter 5

"Kailan ka pa nakarating?" Enthusiasm was etched in my voice when I asked Ace the question.

Seeing him after months felt like all my troubles were buried deep down the ground. The feeling never got old. The excitement was still there every time I got acquainted with my long-time and childhood bestfriend.

The ray of the sun cast a glow on him making his skin look more healthy and vibrant. Nag-presinta kasi siya na siya ang mauupo sa may bandang initan pero sa halip na magmukhang tustado ay lalo lang siyang gumwapo tingnan. Madrid indeed did wonders in him, huh? He seemed revitalized.

Nasa isang fast food restaurant kami ilang metro lang ang layo sa unibersidad. We were seated at a table for four near the glass wall overseeing the passing cars and people below. We were on the second floor of the restaurant. Oras ng uwian ng mga estudyante kaya punuan ngayon at hirap kami sa paghahanap ng magandang puwesto. 

Umangat ang isang kilay sa akin ni Ace. He probably noticed my explicit mood today. Hindi na maalis-alis ang ngiti ko sa kaibigan.

"Kanina lang," he answered, his voice devastatingly soft. 

I felt Belle kicking my feet under the table. I dragged Belle along because I knew how she would love to spend time together with her long-time crush.

"Hot as fuck," she whispered beside me which distracted me a bit. "Be my wing woman, girl. I-reto mo ako sa kaibigan mo!" she both screamed and whispered at me.

Napailing ako, pinipigilan ang ngiti. Bumaling si Ace kay Belle at alam kong narinig ni Ace ang sinabi ni Belle dahil sa uri ng tingin niya. My childhood bestfriend gave my bestfriend a polite smile and I could almost hear Belle's internal screams. 

"I should have brought Nikolai with me."

Nagulat ako sa pagsisimula ni Ace ng usapan. Everyone at this table would take it as a ridiculous topic. Even Belle! Hindi ako makapaniwala na si Ace ang magbubukas ng usapan.

Belle's shoulders slumped. I snickered. Isinubo ko ang fries at nangingiting pinagmasdan silang dalawa.

"What happened between me and your bestfriend was a mistake."

Ace laughed and I heard Belle's dreamy sigh. I smiled when I noticed that Ace was in good disposition now. Malayong-malayo sa mga nakaraan naming pagkikita. I couldn't talk to him properly before. I was happy that he was finally healed.

"How could that be a mistake? You two loved each other dearly."

My eyes ping-ponged at the two as they exchanged clever jest with each other. I side-eyed Belle when she threw a napkin at Ace's face and pouted. Mabilis namang nakailag si Ace at humingi agad ng paumanhin na gustong-gusto naman ng kaibigan ko dahil sinusuyo siya.

Hinila ni Belle ang manggas ng PE uniform ko para bumulong nang umalis sa mesa namin si Ace. "Sa iyo at sa kanya lang ako hindi magagalit kapag dadalhin niya sa usapan si Kai."

"But she remembered you as his ex's girlfriend," I said she had her eyes rolling.

Hindi nagtagal ay nagpaalam na rin si Belle dahil nandiyan na ang kanyang sundo samantalang ako ay si Ace ang maghahatid sa 'kin pauwi. My parents knew that I was with Ace. Ipinagpaalam na rin niya ako sa mga magulang ko bago pa man siya pumunta rito.

"So, you just went here to see me?" I asked him, wanting to confirm that he really came here for me.

Nakakatuwa lang kasi na isa ako sa mga una niyang pinuntahan pagkalapag na pagkalapag ng eroplanong sinasakyan niya. I appreciated it a lot. Hindi lang siguro ako sanay na ngayong wala na si Rain ay mas may oras siya sa 'kin.