Encore at Midnight (Chances Series 1)

7 🧁

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"What did I do in my past buhay?" tanong ni Laurene isang araw matapos nilang mag-usap ni River sa may library. Ang magkakaibigan ay kasalukuyan nasa katabing coffee shop ng kanyang condominium, katapat mismo ng campus gate.

"To score a date with my crushie..." nakangisi siyang sumipsip ng kape. "How you like that, I look like ma-boastful now."

"Paki-translate Lars, parang lyrics eh," hiling ni Melody sa kaibigang kasakuyang nausap lang nila sa video call dahil abala.

Sumunod naman si Lara. "Paano ba 'yan, mukha na akong mayabang nito."

"Thanks," ani Melody at nakisipsip sa milktea ni Sienna.

"I must have saved a country in my past life," dagdag ni Laurene.

"Paano pa kayang si Cess na ikakasal sa childhood bestie, first crush at first love niya? Ilang parallel universe niligtas mo babes?"

"I'm just lucky," sagot ni Cess, mayuming ngumiti at idinulog ang dala nitong muffins. Kung bawal mang magdala ng sariling pagkain sa shop, hindi rin makaimik ang mga staff dahil suki sila doon. Naging tradisyon na pagsaluhan nila ang dalang pastries ni Cess na ito mismo ang nag-bake.

"Kumusta ang preparation, Cess?" sa wakas tanong ni Sienna, marahas na pinahiran ang gilid ng bibig ni Melody. Umangal naman ang isa pero walang nagawa.

"We're almost down. May delay ng konti sa gown ng bride's maids, but it's not that long. Also, I added cordon bleau on the menu."

"Thanks bestie!" Melody gave a thumbs up.

"I also got us matching hairpins and shoes," Cess added. "For my real bride's maids."

Maliban kay Laurene, hindi kilala sa alta-sociedad ang tatlo pa nilang kaibigan. Bride's maids from middle class to unknown origins isn't really good for the papers. So Laurene, who was the only one invited in the group for th position, declined to be with her friends.

Although Cess is getting married for love, it was not the case for her parents. Kaya naman, ang mga abay at bisita ay puro koneksyon sa negosyo.

Cess fought for her friends to be invited in the wedding, thus they planned to have something matching even if they get to watch her on the ceremony only from the back.

"And Chase, is he excited as you?" Sienna asked, too frankly that somehow it dampened the mood.

"Narinig ko kumarera raw ulit 'yon noong nakaraang linggo," sabat ni Melody.

"Oh. He did?"

"Nanalo. Lage naman. Mabuti di pa nabubuwag yang underground racing na yan. Di ba niya sinabi?"

"...Hindi."

Doon pa lamang napagtanto ni Melody ang sinabi.

"Bibig mo kahit kailan," saway ni Lara sa video call.

"Basta I'll do your make-up. You already sumpa, Cessie," ani Laurene para bawasan ang tension.

"You already promised," salin ni Lara.

"May kasama ka ba diyan?" puna ni Sienna kay Lara, sinuri ang screen. "Sino yang katabi mo?"

"Wala akong katabi," tanggi nito, at nagpaalam na.

Kasabay ng pagpatak ng alas-sais y-media, sakto ring pagdating ni River sa motorsiklo nito. Melody, as always, greeted him with the most enthusiasm, while Cess just nodded in acknowledgement and told Laurene to call for anything.

"Iuwi mo bago mag alas-dose," utos ni Sienna, sinusukat ng tingin si River. Tumango lamang ang huli.

"Mahina 'yan sa alak, pero malakas sa pulutan. First base, pwede pa, pero wag lalampas doon."

"Why hindi?" reklamo ni Laurene. Ngunit agad ring natahimik nang suutan ni River ng extra nitong helmet.

"Ang kulit. Ako nga dapat mag-ingat sa'yo," bara ni River.

"Tanga 'yan," singit naman ni Sienna. "Kaya ingatan mo."

"Noted." Binuhay nito ang makina nang naka-angkas na si Lauren sa likod.

This time, she was prepared. She wore her jeans and the shirt and the leather jacket she bought that matched River's favorite.

"Wait," aniya kay River.

Napangisi si Laurene nang mamataan ang sabunot-buddy niyang si Gigi na kakalabas lamang ng campus gate.

"Bestie!" sigaw ni Laurene binuksan ang shield ng helmet. "I going on a date with River, and you're hindi!"

Tinapik niya ang lakaki upang umarangkada paalis, hindi na hinintay ang reaksyon ng self-proclaimed niyang karibal.

"You're so petty," rinig niyang sabi ni River.

"Yep, I super am!" At yumakap siya ng mahigpit sa beywang nito.

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