Once In Katipunan

Chapter 07

I was quietly sleeping on my room when I heard Arni's growl outside. I checked the time and it's just 7:30 in the morning. Ang aga naman ata niyang gumising ngayon?

"Pokpok! Gumising ka may papang dumating!" Rinig kong sigaw ni Arni.

Agad akong napabalikwas ng tayo ng mapagtanto kung ano ang isinigaw niya. Pota! Bakit ang aga naman niyang dumating? 10:00 AM pa ang usapan namin ah!

Agad akong bumangon sa pagkakahiga at agad na nag-ayos ng sarili.

It seems like I am going to star in a horror film by the way I looked right now. 

I took a quick shower, before brushing my teeth and do my other morning rituals. I wore a common house dress before going out of my room. I spent 15 minutes by just preparing myself to look presentable in front of him.

"Ara!"

I am expecting to see France in the living area, but another face showed up. My face couldn't hide the bit of disappointment I felt when I didn't saw France who I was expecting.

But still, I got shocked when everything sank into my mind. My eyes widened when I recognized that it was my childhood bestfriend.

"Punyeta! Red!" Sigaw ko at yumakap sa kaniya. "Anong ginagawa mo rito? Kailan ka pa nakauwi?" Tanong ko nang kumalas sa yakap.

Rence Devione Marquez, is my childhood bestfriend. My mother and his, were best of friends that's why we had that connection. Kaklase namin siya ni Arni hanggang 3rd year high school lang dahil nagmigrate sila ng pamilya niya sa Seattle.

"I'm staying here, for good." He said.

"Tangina, nagbibiro ka ba?" Arni said when she joined the conversation.

"Yeah, I'm planning to transfer to La Salle this semester." Sagot niya.

"Pucha, anong klaseng TB ang dumapo sa utak mo at bigla bigla ka na lang magdedesisyong mag transfer?" Arni shouted again.

"Mom and Dad have to settle our businesses here, since Tito Philip had to rest and take medications." Paliwanag niya. "So, Dad told me to just continue my management course here in the Philippines."

"Ay bongga mo sez!" Sabi ni Arni kay Red. "Pa'no mo pala nalaman na rito kami nakatira?"

"Ashton told me your address that's why I was able to locate you," Sagot ni Red "You looked quite matured Ara. You changed a lot, I missed you!" Sabi ulit niya nang tumingin sa akin.

"Yeah, me too. Dapat nagsabi ka na darating ka para nasundo ka man lang namin sa airport." Sabi ko habang naglalakad patungo sa kusina.

Nakapagluto na ng almusal si Arni kaya inaya niya na kami sa hapag. Nakahain sa lamesa ang sinangag, hotdog, spam, salted egg, tuyo at kamatis.

"Kumakain ka pa ba ng ganitong pagkain?" Tanong ni Arni.

"Oo naman, it's still my favorite comfort food." Si Red, habang nagsasandok ng kanin.

"So anong plano mo? Saan ka titira niyan eh malayo rito ang La Salle? Pwede ka sana rito." Tanong ko.

"My dad already prepared a condo unit for me, malapit lang din daw sa University. He actually asked me to check it out and equip it with furnitures," Sabi niya at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. "By the way can you two accompany me later? I am going to the University to get my schedule and to check the unit daddy bought. Hindi pa kasi ako masyadong maalam sa Manila," Sabi niya ng may tono.

He changed a lot since we last met. Sure, he already had those muscles before, but they are more defined now, they are more appealing than before. Tumangkad din siya at pumuti. Lalo siyang gumwapo actually. Even his speaking tone and voice changed, it's deeper now, than before.