Plot Twist

01

"Jae kailan ka bibisita dito? Namimiss ka na ng mga bata." ate Jana asked

"I'll visit before your birthday." tipid na sagot ko sa kanya.

She called to bug me to visit her kids and to celebrate her birthday. "Why not come to my celebration?" pagpipilit niya.

I rolled my eyes as if she can see me. "Alam mo naman kung bakit di ba?"

I heard her sigh before talking again, "Okay. But promise me that you will visit before my birthday."

"Yeah, I will and I need to go, I have something to do pa." paalam ko sa kanya.

After our conversation, I sat on the sofa, took a deep breath, and closed my eyes. I need to relax and think properly. I lied to ate Jana when I said I needed to do something, I was just here in my condo the whole night.

When I finally felt relaxed, I washed up and got ready to bed.

The next day, I woke up and jogged around the vicinity then prepared to go to work.

"Jae. Ito na po yung mga documents na hinihingi mo kahapon." nilagay ni Rose sa ibabaw ng desk ko ang mga folders

"Thank you Rose." sambit ko sa kanya

"Rose" tawag ko sa kanya bago siya tuluyang makalabas ng office ko.

"Bakit Jae?" harap niyang muli sa akin.

"Ahmm... Nevermind. Huwag na lang. Thank you" nahihiyang sabi ko sa kanya.

"Ano yun?" tanong niya muli sa akin ng makalapit na sa mesa ko.

Hinintay ko siyang maupo sa may tapat ko bago magsalita. "Anong magandang regalo kay ate Jana?" nahihiyang tanong ko sa kanya.

"Masaya na siya kapag bumisita ka sa bahay niyo." she said and smiled at me like I really know what to do.

Of all the people I know, Rose is the one I can fully trust about everything. She's been my assistant for almost two years. She was my father's secretary first.

I smiled and nodded to her, accepting her suggestion. I will visit them next Friday right after work.

Itinuon ko ang buong araw sa pagbasa ng mga proposal, pagpirma ng mga documents, at pag revise ng ibang mga files.

Na-realized ko na lang na almost 6 o'clock na noong tumunog ang phone ko.

"Hey. Class reunion sa Zambales. Send you other information kapag na settle na."
From: Eise

College reunion? Parang three years pa lang kami nung nakaka graduate at gusto na nilang mag reunion agad?

I didn't bother to reply since I had no intention to come. I packed all my things and went straight to the elevator.

I am driving when Eise calls me. I immediately connect my phone to my car to answer her call.

"Hmmm."

"Really Jae? Ngayon na lang kita tinawagan tapos ganyan pa bungad mo sa akin?" iritableng bungad niya sa akin.

"I'm driving Eise. So what's up?" I asked while swiftly maneuvering my wheels.

"Oops! My bad. So about sa reunion." sagot niya sa akin

"What's about it? Fire it up. Binibitin mo pa eh." asik ko sa kanya sa kabilang linya.

"Fine. So Zambales nga ang reunion. 23rd of November." bigay impormasyon niya.

"Okay." tipid na sagot ko sa kanya.

"Don't tell me na hindi ka pupunta? Hoy sayo ako sasabay kaya pupunta ka." sigaw niya sa akin

"You know I don't have plan to come sa mga inarteng events nila right? Tsaka may car ka naman at driver." I said

"Come on sumama ka na. It is our time to bond. Masyado ka ng naging busy sa work mo eh." pangungumbinsi niya sa akin.

"I'll think about it." sabi ko habang maingat na nag papark.

"Come on -"

"Eise, I still have two weeks to think. I'll contact you before the event. I'll hang up na. Bye." putol ko sa kanya sabay baba ng tawag.

I know it's kinda rude but if I don't do it, hindi matatapos ang pangungulit niya sa akin.

I get up my things at bumababa sa kotse ko. Pagsakay ko sa elevator I press 22nd floor. The door almost got close when a hand suddenly stop it. Nang tuluyang magbukas ulit ang elevator door ay pumasok ang isang lalaki. He wore a green pullover jacket and a sweat short. Dalawa lang kami sa loob ng elevator kaya amoy na amoy ko ang pabango niya, a manly scent.

Nang makarating sa 15th floor ay bumukas ang elevator, akala ko ay may sasakay ulit ngunit lumabas ang lalaki. Naiwan uli ako mag isa sa elevator hanggang sa umabot sa floor ko.

As I entered my unit, I placed my things in my room and washed them to change. After that, I ordered my dinner from a restaurant nearby. Ganon ang naging gawain ko for the past years of being alone.

While waiting for my food to be delivered, I open my email to check some files and my social media. Pagbukas ko pa lang sa Facebook ay agad nag pop up ang isang message, it is a group chat of my college classmate. I back-read a bit.

Ellaine Montecarlo: Three days and two nights tayo guys. Agree?

Hanna Lopez: Sure!

Eise Guadalupe: Game ako.

Mica Tolentino: Me too!

Eric Montefalco: Count me in.

Aimee Javier: Ako din.

Ellaine Montecarlo: Again.
Zambales Beach Resort
Nov 24 to 26
Meeting Place: GreenPark Mall
Departure Time: Nov. 23 - 6:00 pm

Nagulat ako ng biglang may nag door bell. It was the food I ordered. I eat while checking on other files that I need tomorrow for the meeting.

Bago pa matapos ang gabi ay nakatanggap ulit ako ng text mula kay Eise.

"Please, come with us. Let's bond naman."

Napapikit na lang ako pagkabasa ng message niya. Lord naman bakit parang lahat yata ng ayaw kong gawin nangyayari? Kailangan ko na bang harapin ang lahat after all of this years na pagiwas ko sa kanila?

I decided to sleep without replying her, I'll take my time to think para wala akong pagsisihan sa magiging decisions ko.