Perfect Timing

[18] What's eating you?

"Ayan na!!! Nandyan na ang manok at softdrinks! Kumpleto na ang pyesta," Ryan exclaimed, rubbing his hands in glee when he saw Rich and I enter the apartment.

"Tagal nyong dalawa ni Rich, ah. San pa ba kayo dumaan?" Ben teased the two of us.

"Matagal kasi naluto yung manok, kaya kami nagtagal," I replied as my face became flushed in embarrassment.

"Tigilan nyo na kami ni Dei. Kayo nga ni Sam, di na namin tinutukso, e mas madalas pa nga kayong magkasama kesa sa amin," Rich retorted while placing an arm over my shoulder.

Oh man, why did you have to do that?

Ben and Ryan stared at Rich's arm over my shoulder but thankfully kept mum about it. Sam, on the other hand, rolled her eyes at us.

"Sige, ito na lang. Thank you Lord sa mga mababait kong housemate. Kaya nga lang, tumataba ako nang husto sa dami ng pagkain natin dito," Ryan added, patting his slightly bulging belly.

"Naku, if I know, gustong-gusto mo nga yang pagkain mo! Lagot ka nga lang sa girlfriend mo kasi 2 strikes ka na sa kanya - INC ka, Catholic sya tapos ngayon ang taba mo pa! 3 strikes and you're out!" Ben teased Ryan.

"Kung hindi ka mahal ng girlfriend mo, kahit sundin mo lahat ng gusto nya, iiwan ka pa rin nyan," Sam replied cynically.

*kroo kroo kroo*

"Ah, sige kain na tayo! I'm sure gutom na tayong lahat!" I quickly jumped to the relief of my other housemates. Everyone started getting busy eating our pasta and chicken dinner.

Silence reigned in the house as we filled our tummies with the delicious food. From time to time, one can hear sighs of contentment coming from each of us as we enjoyed our meal.

We were almost finished eating when Ben exclaimed, "Sam! Ang sarap talaga ng pasta mo! Kung hindi ka lang engaged, magpo-propose na ako sa iyo agad-agad!"

Sam stopped chewing and stared at Ben. Then suddenly burst out crying as the guys looked on in horror.

------

"Gusto mo ng tea? Coffee? Gagawan kita if you want," I asked Sam as I helped her settle down on the couch, watching helplessly as she wiped her tears and blew her nose.

I stood up from the couch but was pulled down by Sam. She clung to me tightly and I patted her on the back awkwardly. I mean, seriously, I have never seen her act like this and it is freaking me out.

After a few minutes, she pulled back and sniffled. "Thank you ha, Dei. Hindi ka nag-panic. Hindi kagaya nung mga iba mong housemate, natulala na lang bigla tapos nagpaka-busy sa pagliligpit ng gamit."

"Pagbigyan mo na yung mga boys. Hindi lang siguro sanay na nakikita kang malungkot at umiiyak. Sanay kasi sila sa iyo na ikaw ang nagpapaiyak," I teased her gently.

She chuckled at that. Yes! I made her laugh!

"Bru," I started tentatively. "Can you tell me what is happening sa iyo? I noticed that since you got back from Manila, you haven't been your usual, bubbly yet maldita self. I'm getting worried na talaga sis."

Sam closed her eyes, trying to hold her tears back again. "I don't know where to start, sis. Ang gulo-gulo ng utak ko ngayon. Ang sakit ng puso ko."