Tattooed Avenue

Chapter 1

Straight A's

I EXPERTLY MANOEUVRED my car with one hand, as the other reached out to answer the call from my mobile phone on the dashboard. I looked at the digital display and a grin formed on my face when I saw that it was my friend who was calling me.

"Yes, hello? Avery speaking." Mapaglaro kong sinabi nang masagot ko ang tawag.

["Good Evening, Miss Avery."] - A formal voice answered. ["May I remind you that we meet in the Casa Hermoso at 7:30pm."]

"I am aware." I bit my lip - I didn't know if I would be amused or nervous with how my friend speaks on the other line.

["Now, where are you darling?"] - She huffed.

"On my way." I simply answered, shrugging, as the 'tension' eases from the air.

["Darling, it's almost 8 in the evening, tapos on the way ka pa lang?"] - Aerelia, or so we call 'Ae', was probably hyperventilating on the other line.

"Ae naman." I pouted. "It's the first time na nalate ako, cut me some slack, hmm?"

["I'm not going to push through with this attitude of mine."] - Napangiti ako nang maramdaman kong napalitan ng saya at excitement ang mood ng kaibigan ko sa kabilang linya. ["I'll cut everyone some slack, since we'll be meeting again!]

"I know you miss us, Attorney Tan." Humagikhik ako.

["Of course, the gang has been MIA!"]

"It wasn't my fault that we are all busy with our careers." I cleared my throat as I turned on my car's indicator, which signals that I will turn to the left.

["You know I'm really happy that we're able to bond with each other this night."] - Bumuntong hininga siya. ["Bakit kasi late kayo ni Doktora eh."]

"I'm sorry, I'd been busy - It was the first month of the financial year for our company, so I had to attend various meetings abroad, and even locally." I shook my head. "We can continue this later. I can see the casa na."

["We see you!"] - Ae excitedly said, as I saw them - I figured that she was with Angel - waving at me from the terrace of the restaurant.

"I'll be there in a jiffy." Ani ko bago ko ibinaba ang tawag para mas mabilis na makapagpark.

I smiled at the guard of the establishment when he stood up. Ngunit, mabilis kong naimaniubra ang Benz ko sa isang bakanteng spot, na mukhang ikinagulat naman niya, lalo na n.

Bago ko patayin ang makina, kinuha ko muna ang cellphone, pati ang card holder ko sa passenger seat na katabi ko, bago ako lumabas. I was being practical, we will be partying, and bringing a bag would be a hassle.

"Magandang Gabi, Ma'am." Sumaludo sa akin ang guwardiya. "Matagal tagal na noong huling kain niyo dito nila Ma'am Angel ah."

"Magandang gabi din po, Manong." Giliw na ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Naging busy din po kasi kami."

Nginitian ako ng guwardiya. The restaurant that we will be eating at, has been built and was known since we were in middle school. Sikat na sikat na ito sa buong parte ng Pilipinas. We discovered it during junior year of high school, and from there onwards, parehas naming nawitness ng mga kaibigan ko ang pagdami pa ng branches, at nawitness naman ng mga staff nila dito ang paglaki namin.