One week later . . .

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Fritzie replied through the phone call. "Talagang magyayaya ka kung kailan flight ko na kinabukasan no'n?"

Stacey checked the screen of her phone. She slightly swiped down the top most part of the screen to check the date. It was already January 5.

Ibinalik niya sa tainga ang cell phone. "Sige na, Fritzie. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na lahat kayo, narito sa Pilipinas, eh. Hindi ko alam na saktong may flight ka bukas. But just this once, pagbigyan mo naman ako. Magkita-kita tayo bukas. Pumayag na sina Sonny, oh. Ikaw na lang."

She heard her friend sigh. "I really want to come. Pero importante ang flight ko this January 7 sa Sweden!"

She smiled. "Ganito. Why don't we all hang out in your place tomorrow, January 6? We won't do anything crazy, para walang ligpitin masyado. We'll spend the whole day there and have an overnight. Pagkatapos, kinabukasan, ihahatid ka namin sa airport. How's that?"

"Are you sure about that? Is it not supposed to be your bachelorette party?"

Namilog ang kanyang mga mata. "Anong 'bachelorette party' ang pinagsasasabi mo d'yan?"

"Kasi naman po, ano," taray-tarayan ni Fritzie ng boses, "these past few years, we rarely arrange a meet up. We are always busy, at kung may instance na magkita-kita tayo, it is either, by accident—like stumbling upon each other at the mall—or planned, pero hindi tayo kumpleto. So, I thought, this has to be very important kaya pinipilit mo na makumpleto tayo sa meet up na ito. And at this point, the only thing I can think of as something very important for you is getting married with Renante!"

Mabilis man magsalita si Fritzie, narinig naman niya ang bawat katagang binitiwan nito. Pigil niya tuloy ang matawa. Kinikilig kasi siya sa isiping maging ang kaibigan niya ay iisa lang ang nakikitang magiging future nila ni Renante—ang ikasal—pero natatawa rin siya dahil ipinaalala nito ang kondisyon ng friendship nilang lima kasama sina Sonny, Cynthia, at Kylie. She was reminded that they got so busy with life they even rarely meet each other, or even talk on the phone. But what's making her smile about it is that even if that is the case, they still consider each other as friends.

"Well, saan pa ba kami pupunta ni Renante kundi sa kasalan?" Stacey grinned proudly. In her mind she was flipping back her hair confidently as she chuckled. Pagkatapos, sumeryoso na rin siya. "But seriously, Fritzie, gusto ko talagang makumpleto tayo. I don't know when I will find this chance again na lahat tayo ay narito sa Pilipinas."

Her friend fell silent on the other line. The suspense made her hold her breath. She only managed to breathe when Fritzie finally spoke.

"Okay. Let's gather in my place. I am not talking about my apartment in Makati. Matagal na akong umalis doon."

"Oh!" Medyo nataranta siya. Hindi malaman ni Stacey kung ano ang unang poprosesuhin sa kanyang isip—ang tuwa niya sa pagpayag ni Fritzie o ang pagkabigla dahil ngayon lang niya nalamang nag-iba na ito ng address. "Sorry. I don't . . . I'm so happy, m-makukumpleto na rin tayo—" She took a breath to calm down. "Sorry, ngayon ko lang nalaman na lumipat ka na pala."

Bahagyang natawa si Fritzie sa pagkataranta niya. Hindi kasi nito akalain na may ganitong side ang matapang at go-getter na si Stacey. Iyong nangangatal at natataranta.

"Well . . . I am also sorry, I did not inform you, girls. It's just that . . . panay ang out-of-town trips ko these past few years. I can't maintain an apartment anymore, so I'd rather sell it . . ."

.

.

FRITZIE continued her story the next day. Sa loob mismo ng gusali kung nasaan ang condominium unit nito. All of them stopped in front of the door and waited for Fritzie to unlock the door.

They walked through the narrow hall. Nahuli si Stacey sa pagpasok kaya siya ang nagsara ng pinto. Bago marating ang elevated na parte ng flooring, iniwan muna nila ang suot na mga sapatos at sandals.

"It was just this year when I learned about properties," kuwento ni Fritzie sa kanila. "I thought of selling my old apartment kasi hindi ko na naman masyadong nauuwian. The idea of letting others rent it was suggested to me, but since I don't have anyone I can contact constantly about it, I ended up selling it. But these days, kumaunti na lang ang out-of-town projects ko, so for my convenience I bought this condo."

Habang nagkukuwento ang kaibigan, ipinapasyal sila nito sa bawat silid na kanilang madadaanan. Una nilang dinaanan ang pasilyo patungo sa mga kuwarto. Nalalatagan ito ng vinyl wood flooring.

"I have learned from my agent, na mas malakas na ngayon ang renting business. Renters have more options nowadays. Ang expectations before, kapag magre-rent ka, it has to be for at least six months, with contracts and everything. But now—" Fritzie stopped in front of a door on their left and opened it. "—'staycation' is the hype. So, I agreed to let people 'staycation' in this condo once I go out-of-town again." Nauna itong pumasok sa silid at inimuwestra ang kamay sa cabinet para ilagay na nila roon ang kanilang mga bag. "Imagine, I can charge pretty handsomely for a 22-hour stay, if we will multiply it by 30 days per month, then—" Fritzie clapped her hands. Napaharap tuloy sila rito maliban kay Kylie na inilalagay pa sa cabinet ang dalang bag.

Fritzie grinned from ear to ear. "Passive income! Coolsies, right?"

Stacey cocked her head to the side. "Cool idea. But who will overlook all of this now that you'll be out-of- again? Hindi ba needed ng renters ng authorization letter or anything? How can you make sure na maayos nilang iiwanan itong condo mo?"

"Agent ko na ang bahala roon," kampanteng saad ni Fritzie bago sila isa-isang tiningnan. "Oh, nasa cabinets na ba ang mga gamit ninyo? Let's go to the dining area na!"

At excited pa itong nauna sa pag-alis. Masayang sumunod sina Cynthia at Sonny. Kylie was the last to head foe the door but then stopped. Nilingon siya nito nang mapansing hindi siya natitinag sa kinatatayuan.

"Go ahead," nahihiya niyang ngiti rito. "Ilalagay ko pa itong bag ko sa cabinet."

Kylie lowered her eyes that were still round and a clear brown full of innocence. She's just naturally baby-faced especially because of the round shape of her face and petite figure. Na-maintain nito ang pagiging blonde ng makapal at alon-alon na buhok na kasalukuyang naka-high ponytail. Looking at her made Stacey feel like she's looking at this beautiful white-haired, Vanessa porcelain doll even if she's wearing blue jeans and a white blouse with ruffled, short sleeves instead of a Victorian-era gown.

Alam niya na pareho silang nahihiya sa isa't isa lalo na mula noong nagkaroon ng isyu tungkol kay Piccollo—Stacey cut him off completely from her life; and Piccollo did the same to Kylie. Pero hindi niya puwedeng hayaan na magtagal pa itong pagkailang nila sa isa't isa. Kaya sinikap niyang mapapayag si Kylie na sumama rito sa condo ni Fritzie.

"Thank you. Pumunta ka pa rin kahit na . . ." Hindi talaga siya makatingin nang deretso rito. Kinabahan tuloy siya. Paano na ang goal niya sa pagpapapunta rito sa kanyang mga kaibigan?

Mahinang tumawa si Kylie, pero nasa boses nito ang lungkot. "Bakit naman hindi ako pupunta? We are friends, Stacey. And we're still friends."

Humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa handle ng kanyang sports bag. "I feel guilty . . . I made it worse. I took away your chance to make him fall—"

"I asked you to do it for me, Stace. It's me and my selfishness that made me lose my chances with Piccollo."

Nag-angat siya ng tingin at nasalubong ang malungkot ngunit sinserong mga mata ni Kylie.

"When it comes to love, your chances of winning someone's heart doesn't depend on other's help or your own effort. Kahit ano ang gawin mong maganda o nakakakilig o paglapit sa kanya, hindi ka niya mamahalin kung hindi ka talaga niya mahal."

Stacey lowered her head. There was a short silence between them before Kylie's soft voice continued.

"You knew that all along, right? Because you experienced that with Renante."

"Yes. But we are two different people. We experience things differently. Umasa ako kahit papaano na kapag ibinigay ko ang tulong na hinihingi mo, mag-work out iyon para sa iyo. That strategy did not work for me, but I was hoping that it will work out for you . . ."

Kylie smiled softly. "I know."

Natigilan siya nang lumapit ito at maingat siyang hinawakan sa braso. Napatitig tuloy siya sa maamong mga mata ng kanyang kaibigan.

"At least, we tried," natatawa nitong saad.

Pigil niya ang maluha. Nabitiwan niya ang bitbit na bag. Mabilis niyang kinabig si Kylie at niyakap nang mahigpit. Hinagod-hagod naman nito ang kanyang likod.

"I hope your heart will be okay soon," pikit niya para pigilan ang mga luha. Even if Kylie gave her the assurance that she was not blaming her for anything, Stacey still felt like it was her fault that Piccollo distanced from her friend too. It will take her some time to accept it wasn't her fault.

"It will be okay. I will be okay." Humiwalay ito ng yakap at nginitian siya. "Now, focus. Ang isipin mo ay ang agenda mo sa pagpapapunta sa amin dito."

Stacey smiled and took Kylie's hands. "This is my agenda—to come clean with each of you."

Napaawang ang mga labi nito. "Come clean? May kasalanan ka ba sa aming lahat?"

"Sa iyo, feeling ko, ginawa kong mas mahirap ang sitwasyon ninyo ni Piccollo—"

"Come on. I already said that it isn't your fault!" she smiled reassuringly at her.

"Yes. So, that's one down."

Kapwa sila natawa. "Who's next? Need my help na masolo siya para makapag-heart-to-heart talk kayo?"

Inihilig ni Stacey ang ulo at tumanaw sa malayo. "Cynthia."

.

.

PAGDATING nina Stacey at Kylie sa dining area, tila nakahinga ng maluwag si Fritzie na nakatanaw agad sa kanila.

"Oh, finally, nakahabol din sila," mahina nitong tawa.

Stacey scanned the place—they were in a small dining area centered by an eight-chaired dining table made of smooth, varnished mahogany wood. Katabi ng doorway papasok sa kitchen ang isang kulay gray na Kelvinator refrigerator at nasa kabila ang wall phone.

Nakaupo sa upuan sa bandang gitna ng mesa si Cynthia. Si Sonny naman ay nakatayo sa likuran ng upuan katabi nito. Fritzie stood on the other side the table, cwith her back turned from the refrigerator.

Stacey scanned at her next 'target'—Cynthia. Katulad nina Fritzie at Sondra, isa rin itong fashion model. She usually graces the Filipino magazines since when she was younger or in her tweens. She went from kid's apparel to underwears to Philippines-based fashion brands. Her success wasn't as loud internationally as Fritzie and Sondra, but she had been in photo shoots abroad, so she should be doing well. Sa kasalukuyan, makinis na makinis pa rin ang maputi nitong balat. Her purple, mid-length hair was tied into a low pigtail. Fit sa katawan nito ang pastel pink na bodycon dress na may puffed sleeves. She is really the 'dressy' girl in their group. Kapansin-pansin na hindi na ito kasing balingkinitan katulad ng dati. Medyo matambok na ang upper arms, puwitan, hita, at balakang nito ngunit maliit pa rin ang baywang nito.

She broke her gaze from her when Fritzie spoke again. Lumapit na ito sa wall phone. "So . . . lahat na nakapag-breakfast na? O may gusto nang mag-brunch? I can have food delivered here."

Nagpalitan ang lahat ng excited na tinginan. Nag-unahan pa sila sa pagsabi kay Fritzie kung ano ang tatawagan.

"Pizza!" they almost chorused.

"What pizza?" natatawang tugon ni Fritzie sa kanila.

Nag-unahan na naman silang maglabas ng kanilang cell phone para mamili ng mga ipapadeliver.

After that, Fritzie got busy in the kitchen. Tinulungan ito ni Sondra sa paghahanda sa mga kubyertos na kanilang gagamitin. Bukod kasi sa pizza, may mga in-order din silang pasta, chicken meals, at salad. Samantala, naiwan silang tatlo nina Cynthia at Kylie sa dining area.

Cynthia looked around. "In fairness, maganda nga ang ambiance nito."

"Have you been here before?" Hindi kasi naniniwala si Stacey na wala sa kanilang magkakaibigan pa ang nasasabihan ni Fritzie tungkol sa bago nitong condo. Sa kanilang apat, tiyak na si Cynthia ang kauna-unahan nitong iimbitahin dito sa condo para mag-chill.

Umiling si Cynthia. "It's Fritzie who always drives and picks me up, remember?"

Stacey lowered her eyes and shrugged. Napaawang lang nang bahagya ang mga labi ni Kylie na hindi naman makapaniwala.

"So, how's life lately? Kumusta kayo ng new boyfriend mo?" tanong ni Kylie nang mapansin na nahihirapan siyang umpisahan ang pakikipag-usap uli dito

Cynthia just scoffed and waved a hand. "Don't even bother to check on him. Wala na kami."

Nagtatakang tinitigan niya ito. Kasalukuyan kasi siyang nakaupo sa kabila ng mesa, that was why she had to leaned in just a little to see Cynthia clearly.

"Kailan pa?"

"A few weeks after noong nag-club tayo, we're already over." Malapad itong ngumiti. "But who cares? I'm even glad, we already broke up before things even got too deep."

Stacey narrowed her eyes at her. "Why? Because that's what happened between you and Vernon? Things got too deep before you broke up? It hurt you so much, kaya this time around you won't let that happen again?"

"Bakit nagne-namedrop ka na naman?" mataray nitong taas ng kilay.

"Well, I just want to be clear. You can't stick with another man if you are using your past relationship with Vernon as a comparison!" She slightly raised a tone, but she didn't even sound angry.

"A comparison to what?" nakangising depensa ni Cynthia. "I think it is you who is comparing things. I am not like you, Stace. I cannot keep coming back to the man who kept on breaking my heart over and over for gazillion years."

"Well, paano naman ang feeling ng mga lalaking ginagawa mo lang na rebound?"

Naeeskandalong pinanlakihan siya nito ng mga mata.

"Excuse me," tayo ni Kylie mula sa upuan nito katabi ni Cynthia. "CR lang ako."

Umalis ito agad nang hindi man lang hinihintay ang pagpayag nila. Ibinalik agad ni Stacey ang mga mata kay Cynthia na hinahatid pa ng tingin si Kylie.

Now, how can I come clean with this friend of mine?

Cynthia returned her eyes on her, glaring again. "Rebound na pinagsasasabi mo riyan?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, you just said you're glad you and your new ex is over before things got too deep. So, what else does that mean? It means, you don't really intend to have a deep relationship with him."

Cynthia puffed a breath. "You're really so annoying."

"Well, you're always annoyed with me. Paano, lagi akong may point. At ako lang naman kasi ang may lakas ng loob na i-call out ka sa mga kalokohan mo."

Her friend just rolled her eyes. "You're calling me out for nonsense things, Stacey. Stop treating me like a kid because you are never my mom."

Natulala siya saglit sa kaibigan. Because what she said just made her realize something. Sa kanilang magkakaibigan, mas malayo siya kay Cynthia. Their friendship paralleled her relationship with her mother—distant and the only type of communication they share is through preach and sermons . . .

Stacey lowered her head. She suddenly changed her mind about her plan on how to come clean with Cynthia. She planned to ask her frankly why they are friends and yet she finds her annoying. She planned to clarify her actions if she misinterpreted it as annoying. But now, it's going to be different . . .

Mahina siyang natawa bago ibinalik ang tingin dito.

"I'm sorry if I can't help it. I see myself in you."

Lumukot ang mukha nito. "What the heck? No way on earth we are alike, Stacey Vauergard, you idiot."

They fell into a short silence before they broke into laughter.

"Sorry for the bad news, but you are like me." Mahina siyang tumawa. "So, reckless! Kung saan-saan ibinabaling ang mga problema imbes na harapan itong i-confront."

Kapwa na sila sumeryoso uli.

"Just face it. Vernon scarred you too deep. You can't heal it with a Band-Aid made of hot guys. You need to medicate it first." She lowered her head and smiled. "It doesn't have to be decades. Give yourself two or three years . . . Or a few months."

Cynthia shrugged. "Whatever, mother."

Nang ibalik niya ang tingin dito ay nakangisi na ito. Napangisi na rin tuloy siya.

"Sorry for being so annoying. Promise, mababawasan na ang ikinaiinis mo kapag ikinasal na kami ni Renante."

"Come on," she groaned.

"I mean, I'll be busy with my husband since then. After that, busy with children. I will lose time to invite you all for a girl's night or day out to annoy you "

"Prrft. As if!"

Nangingiting inihilig lang niya ang ulo. Cynthia didn't really seem so bothered with her playful threat. Mukhang sigurado ito na hinding-hindi niya matitiis na hindi nakakausap nang sobrang tagal ang kanyang mga kaibigan.

.

.

RENANTE was in front of his laptop when he noticed his smart phone vibrating on its stand. Inusog niya saglit ang upuan para abutin ito at sagutin ang tawag.

"Hello," he answered, his eyes back on his laptop screen.

"Hi, Villaluz. How's your Christmas?"

He remained straight-faced. Hati man ang kanyang atensiyon, malaking porsiyento naman nito ang nakapukol sa sales na mino-monitor niya sa screen.Yet, he chose to be polite first.

"I think it's the best Christmas celebration I had in years. How about you, Guillermo Cereza? What made you call me?"

Mahina itong tumawa bago siya sinagot. "Best Christmas? So, you spent it all alone with Stace? Huh? I bet you did, " natutuwa nitong wika. "After all, Artemia already flew to Budapest. Ikaw na lang ang makakasama niyang mag-Pasko rito."

Pinagtagni-tagni ni Renante ang history nila ni Guillermo Cereza. Through all these years, tuwing nakikipag-communicate sa kanya si Guillermo ay lagi nitong nababanggit si Stacey. That was why he became acquainted with him in the first place. At first, he was intrigued about his intentions until he found out that he's Artemia's spy when it comes to looking after Stacey from afar. Hindi siya interesado kung bakit ginagawa ito ni Guillermo para sa nanay ni Stacey. Sinabi nito na may utang-na-loob ito sa ginang, pero hindi na niya hinalungkat pa dahil para saan pa? They were not even friends. He was only keeping Guillermo close because he seemed interested with Stacey at first, and that bothered him. Nang magkaayos na sila ni Artemia at ipagkatiwala nito sa kanya ang pag-aalaga kay Stacey, inakala niyang lulubayan na siya ni Guillermo. Kaya bakit tumawag na naman ito? Nagre-report pa rin ba ang binatang ito kay Artemia tungkol sa anak nito? Shouldn't he start minding his own business now?

He sighed. "I'm in the middle of something here. Imbes na magtanong ka nang magtanong ng tungkol sa amin ni Stacey, why don't you just get to the point, Cereza?"

Guillermo scoffed lightly. "I am just checking. Artemia called me from Budapest. She said that my mission is done. I just want to make sure it is really done."

At saka lang niya itinigil ang ginagawa sa laptop at ipinukol ang buong atensiyon sa kausap. "It is done, Guillermo Cereza. You don't have to look after Stacey on behalf of her mother. Kasi, ako na lang ang dapat na magprotekta at mag-alaga sa kanya."

"Impressive. Nakuha mo na sa wakas ang tiwala ni Artemia."

He shrugged. "Not me. But Stacey. I believe, Artemia only told you to stop spying on her, kasi may tiwala na siya ngayon na kayang-kaya na talaga ni Stacey ang kanyang sarili."

There was a long silence from the other line.

"I guess, this is a goodbye, vermin."

"Vermin?" naeeskandalo nitong bulalas.

Mahina siyang natawa. "I am sorry, but I've always thought of you as a vermin, scurrying in the dark, silently eyeing on others . . ."

"Asshole!"

Natawa lang siya. At ilang segundo pa ang lumipas bago nahawa sa kanya si Guillermo.

"Look, Villaluz. Since my mission is done, why don't we hang-out? You know? For one last time? Kasi pagkaalis ko rito sa Pilipinas, hinding-hindi na ako babalik kahit kailan."

Hindi niya malaman kung bakit nakaramdam siya ng lungkot sa isiping iyon. Hindi naman sila magkaibigan ni Guillermo, kaya . . . bakit?

He sighed and tried to sound nonchalant. "Masuwerte ka, kasi hanggang bukas ng umaga ay kasama ni Stacey ang mga kaibigan niya."

"Oh, really?" Renante could imagine Guillermo smirking teasingly. "Bakit? Nagba-bachelorette party na ba sila?"

"Nah," sara niya sa kanyang laptop. "She just wants to hang-out with them . . ." Tumigil siya dahil muntik na niyang masabi ang hindi niya dapat sabihin, at iyon ay ang personal na dahilan ng girlfriend niya sa pakikipagkita nito sa mga kaibigan nito. "That's all."

"Seems like she's making the most of her single days to me. Naghahanda na yata para maikasal in the future."

"Isa ka pa. Huwag kang mang-pressure dahil hindi minamadali ang pagpapakasal."

"I am not pressuring you! I'm just saying it like it's a natural thing because it is!"

"It is not, because others don't want to marry by choice, and that's okay." Tumayo na siya mula sa kinauupuan at tinungo ang kanyang cabinet. "Saan tayo magmi-meet? Ano'ng oras?"

"This afternoon . . ." He trailed off, probably checking his wristwatch. "Doon tayo sa Florence Gold Club."

"On our last meeting, you want us to play golf?" pigil ni Renante ang matawa.

"Is that a bad thing?"

Napailing siya at sinimulan ang mamili ng damit mula sa mga naka-hanger sa kanyang cabinet. "Not at all. Magtatanghali na, so let me start preparing."

"Great. See you." At hindi pa siya nakakasagot ay pinatayan na siya ng cell phone ng Guillermo na iyon.

Napapangiting napailing na lang si Renante bago ibinulsa ang cell phone at ipinagpatuloy ang pamimili ng susuoting damit.