SINCE NINE Book 2: Reunited

The Deal

CHAPTER 4

AFTER ONE WEEK

“Seriously, Vi! Is this how you will greet me everytime you see me?” Ramcel was annoyed as she rubbed her stinging left cheek.

Victoria glared at her. “Serves you right.” She slapped Ramcel hard the moment she appeared on her doorstep on a Sunday morning. She felt a little guilty when her bestfriend’s cheek reddened.

Isang linggo kasi sya nitong pinag-alala. Pagkatapos nilang maghiwalay last week, ni hindi nagsend ng message si Ramcel kung nakauwi na ito sa apartment. Pinalagpas nya iyon dahil baka busy itong mag-ayos ng mga gamit. She started to get worried when Ramcel didn’t text nor call her after two days.

Tinatawagan nya ito pero hindi ito sumasagot. Gusto nyang puntahan ang apartment nito but she was stupid for not getting Ramcel’s address. Kung anu-ano na ang naiisip nya. Was she robbed? Or stabbed perhaps and was lying helplessly on one of the dark alleys? Nagbakasyon ba ito kasama ng sexy assistant nito? Busy ba itong mambabae?

“I’m sorry for not telling you I was going to California. It was so immediate,” paliwanag ni Ramcel habang sinusundan sya nito papasok ng bahay. “I was needed at Studio 11. May ginagawa kasing bagong TV series and I have to help with the script and all. I had to concentrate so I turned off my cellphone. Huwag ka ng magalit please.”

Nawala agad ang galit nya nang yakapin sya nito mula sa likuran. Humarap sya rito. “Promise me you won’t do it again.”

Ramcel smiled. “Promise!”

“Vi? Si Ramcel na ba yan?” Agad syang binitawan ni Ramcel nang marinig nila ang boses ng Mama nya.

“Yes, Ma,” nangingiting sabi ni Victoria mula sa living room. Lumapit sa kanila ang older version ni Vi.

Bumakas sa mukha ng ginang ang tuwa nang makita si Ramcel. Her mother hugged her bestfriend tight. “My god! You are so tall and beautiful. Pasensya ka na at wala ako rito last week. You should stay with us until dinner. Samahan mo na lang ako dito the whole day para makapagkwentuhan tayo. May date kasi ang kaibigan mo. But she’ll be back before dinner.”

Napakagat-labi si Victoria. Muntik na nyang makalimutang may lunch date sya today with Luke, her classmate from college. Napatingin sya kay Ramcel, na tila parang wala lang itong narinig. Bakit ba nya tinitignan ang magiging reaction nito? Ano bang ine-expect nya, na magseselos ito?

“Sure, Tita.”

Ramcel talked to Vi’s mother in the living room. Kinumusta ng Mama nya ang parents ni Ramcel, na ibinigay ang contact number ng Mommy nito para makapag-communicate ang dalawang ginang. Tita Jo and Vi’s mother were closed. Naputol ang communication when Vi’s family migrated in the U.S.

Magiliw na nakipagkwentuhan si Ramcel sa Mama nya, but Victoria noticed she was giving her cold treatment. Hindi sya nito tinitignan o kinakausap. Nakafocus lang ang attention nito sa Mama nya. Hindi rin ito nagkomento nang bigyan nya ito ng Cinnamon rolls na sya mismo ang nagbake.

Frustrated syang pumasok na lang sa kwarto at diretsong naligo. Almost 10am na rin pala at susunduin sya ni Luke ng 11am. Inilugay lang nya ang kanyang blow dried hair. She chose a knee length white and red cotton dress to wear. She sat on the bed and was about to wear her red stilletos when Ramcel entered the room.

Ramcel was poker faced. She silently approached Victoria, who was sitting on the edge of the bed and was surprised when Ramcel dropped on her knees and gently put on the shoes on her feet one by one. Victoria’s heart pounded hard when Ramcel smiled and looked into her eyes. “You are breathtakingly beautiful, my Queen.”