Chapter 1.2

Chapter 1.2

Iris is a friend of mine here in Amsterdam, she's a local and now working as a freelance model. I've met her accidentally after a client cancelled our meeting. The restaurant were full that time and she suddenly approached me to ask if it's okay to share the table with her and since my meeting was cancelled, I let her. We didn't talk much that day, just a few glances and exchanges of shy smiles. Then a week after, I met her again and that's when she told me that we're destined to be friends. As crazy it may sound, we became friends. I don't know, it just happened, but I absolutely didn't regret it. She's an amazing friend.

A couple of knocks on my front door pulled me out of my reverie. I stood up, went to the door and opened it. A grinning Iris holding two cellophanes of a restaurant nearby welcomed me. I sighed and smile at her as I opened the door wider for her.

"I bet you're going to cook canned goods again?" She said as she stepped inside.

"Nah..." I answered and closed the door behind me.

Sinundan ko siya sa kusina at natagpuan ko siyang inaayos ang mga plastic tupperwares na may lamang pagkain. Humilig ako sa counter habang pinapanood siya at agad akong natakam nang makita ang mga pagkain. Agad akong natigilan nang bigla na lang siyang lumingon sa akin at pinaningkitan ako ng mga mata.

Tumayo ako ng maayos.

"What?" I curiously asked her.

"Something to tell me?" She asked. A creased formed on my forehead and I walked passed her.

"Tell you what?" I asked her and tried to pick a slice of meat but she swat my hand and I immediately grimaced because of the sting after it.

"Hello? The one you told me the other day? About the Lankov's hotel," she told me as if I was being ridiculous for forgetting that important thing.

I sighed and get two glasses when I saw that she started getting plates and utensils.

"Ah, why? What about it?"

I gave her the other glass after I put mine beside my own table. I turned around before she could answer and get the pitcher of cold water from my small refrigerator. Since I lived alone, I chose to buy a small refrigerator obviously because I don't need a bigger one. Iris keeps on nagging me about it, because

it also means that I'll refrain from spending too much on my food. She's a year younger than me but she acts like my older sister.

"You'll meet the team tomorrow right?" Tanong niya nang makaupo na kami at mag-uumpisa nang kumain. Nakaupo siya sa tapat ko.

Kinuha ko ang kutsara ko at inabot ang salad. Tumango-tango ako nang hindi siya tinitingnan.

"Yup!" And then I started stuffing my mouth with food.

I didn't know I was this hungry. After days of eating canned goods, it feels good to eat a different taste of food. Much healthier, but I can't help but to depend on canned goods as it's the easiest food to cook. And cheap too.

She only nods and started eating too. We just ate in silence until we finished. I'm drinking my water when she suddenly leaned on the table and put his hands above the table. She intensely eyed me. I stayed silent, waiting for what she's going to say.

"So, about the meeting?" She sounded so interested and even mover her eyebrows up and down. I arched my eyebrows, telling her to go on. "I heard..." She has that mischievous smile that I always knew what she's going to say.

"What?" I asked her after I gulped down the water and wipe my mouth using the back of my hand.

She put her hand at the side of her lips and I mindlessly lean forward.

"The son of the owner looks hot," she whispered.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napaatras.

"Goodness Iris!" I gasped.

Natawa naman siya sa reaksyon ko. Hinampas-hampas niya ang ibabaw ng mesa habang tumatawa ng malakas kahit pa wala namang nakakatawa sa pinag-usapan namin.

Ano naman ngayon kung gwapo ang anak ng may-ari? Ano'ng gagawin ko do'n? Haist. Dami ko nang iniisip, idadagdag ko pa ba 'to? At tsaka napaka-imposible naman kung makikita ko ang anak ng may-ari sa meeting.

Napailing ako nang hindi pa rin siya tumitigil sa pagtawa niya. Sinita ko na kasi baka may natutulog ng kapitbahay at maggising dahil sa ingay niya.

"Shh. Tone down your voice and let's clean up," I told her as I stood up and started cleaning the table. She eventually helped me.

Mag-uumpisa na sana akong maghugas ng pinagkainan namin nang mapansin ko ang orasan na nasa likuran ng maliit kong ref. Kumunot ang noo ko at napalingon kay Iris na ngayon ay busy na sa cellphone ko.

Napasimangot ako nang hindi man lang siya nag-alok ng tulong sa akin.

Agad na napaayos ako ng tayo nang marinig ko ang sinabi niya nang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa cellphone niya.

"I bought the food so," she shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe you should wash the dishes yeah?" Nag-angat siya ng tingin pagkatapos ay nilapag ang cellphone niya sa ibabaw ng mesa bago humilig sa sandalan ng upuan.

"Yeah, yeah," napipilitang sagot ko. "Will you still go home? It's already late to leave," I told her while washing the dishes.

"Oh yeah!" Narinig ko ang pag-atras ng upuan. "I'll just get my things on my car and I'll be back!" And she hurriedly went out.

After cleaning the kitchen I went to my small living room and sat on the sofa. A sighed of relief left my lips. I'm about to close my eyes when Iris came back.

May dala siyang dalawang paper bags. Kumunot ang noo ko sa mga dala niya.

"What's that for?" I asked her. She lift the paper bags, and shrugged her shoulders.

Lumapit siya sa at umupo sa tabi ko. Nilapag niya sa coffee table na nasa gitna ang mga dala niya.

"My overnight things. It's just my clothes and basic necessities," she nonchalantly answered. I'll send you to your meeting tomorrow, how's that sound?"

Napangiti ako dahil sa sinabi niya at hindi ko maiwasang yakapin siya nang mahigpit na agad niyang ni-reklamo. Tinapik niya ang mga braso kong nakayakap sa kaniya, pero mas lalo ko lang siyang niyakap.

"Now I'm started regretting befriending you!"

"Oh no, you don't." I told her.

Pagkatapos ko siyang pagkatuwaan ay binitawan ko na rin siya. Naawa na ako, muntik na siyang maging kamatis dahil sa pamumula ng mukha niya.

Natahimik kaming dalawa bago siya biglang yumakap sa akin. Umayos kami sa pagkakaupo at siya naman ay mas lalong sumsiksik sa akin. Kahit naman na mukhang kaya ni Iris ang sarili niya, minsan ay ganito siya. Nagpapalambing. Nagpapa-baby kahit malaki na.

Niyakap ko naman siya pabalik.

"Sheena?"

"Hm?" I sleepily answered and yawn.

"The son of the owner is hot..." She whispered. And even though I'm sleepy, I still managed to whammed her arms.

"Stop it!"

She laughed loudly.