"Miss Laura meron pong offer sa inyo na meet and greet? Marami daw po kasing fans niyo ang gusto kayong makita in person." Lester said with a wide smile on his face. I remove my attention from my phone and look at him before taking a deep breath.

"When?" I ask,

He look back at his iPad and probably scroll through the whole email.

"Ahm.. ah, two days from now miss. Okay po ba? Accept ba natin? Or rest ka muna?" He hesitantly ask, I pursed my lips and look at the window of my van.

I sigh, "Tell them that I'll think about it. I still feel a bit tired." I said and he nods. We arrived back at my condo and there I stayed the whole afternoon. I watched movies, read books, order foods that I was craving before but because of strict diet I wasn't able to eat it.

Then around 6pm, I watch as the sun sets while having some light exercises. It's around 7pm, I was just laying down on my bed while a movie in Netflix is playing. When suddenly notification on my phone started popping up.

My brows furrowed as I pick up my phone. I saw the notifications from our group chat which made my eyes grew wide. I even had to backread since they have sent messages already in just short period of time.

From Tobilicious:
What's up! What's up!

From Jax For DreamWorks:
Tobi gabing-gabing ang ingay mo.

From Tobilicious:
Tse, ang sungit mo. Nakakain ka nanaman ng sisig 'no!

From Jax For DreamWorks:
Hindi 'no! Pass muna ako sa sisig!

I was smiling the whole time as I read the two argue in the messages. Gosh, I miss them. Jax.. well she had some few things to do back then that's why this group chat was so dry before. Specially around our 22-24 years old. Gosh, I remember how it will take 4 months before someone will remember that a group chat that we made when we were 7th graders exits.

From Laura The Richest Bitch:
Tobi, Jax! I miss you! Sinabi na ba sa inyo ni Gwen or Ali?

From Tobilicious:
Ang alin? Hoy! 'Wag mo sabihin na buntis yung dalawa!? Ayaw ko nga sabi maging ninong eh!

From Jax For DreamWorks:
Ang OA mo Tobi. Di kana nagbago. Ano ba yung dapat sabihin nung dalawa, Laura?

I pouted a bit, hindi pa nila alam. Those two are probably busy sa work nila kaya hindi nagawang mag message sa dalawa.

From Laura The Richest Bitch:
We're planning to go to the bar kasi. Or kahit hang out lang. I really miss you guys. Nakita ko na si Ali and Gwen kanina. I visited them sa hospital. Si Lory naka-usap ko na via call. Kayo nalang dalawa ang hindi ko naririnig ang boses.

From Tobilicious:
Infairness sa haba ng message ha! Iba talaga kapag artista. Sanay sumagot sa mga interview. Pero game ako, what time ba?

A smile grew on my lips as Tobi said he's in. Finally! A chance of seeing him once again. I know I can still see him some other time. But I'm really eager to be with them again. Us 6, complete.

From Jax For DreamWorks:
What time ba?

From Laura The Richest Bitch:
Ali said her shift ends around 11, so maybe 11:30?

I am actually doubting this part. Everyone is tired from work and I feel like everyone is about to drop on their beds but here I am asking them for a shot or hang out. Am I being selfish when I just tell them that I just want to see them? Is it something selfish?

From Tobilicious:
Wait lang ha, medyo nakakalunok ng laway 'yon. Kakauwi ko lang sa condo ko ngayon. Trabaho ko bukas 7am, kakayanin kaya?

From Jax For DreamWorks:
Oo naman! Ikaw pa! Tobilicious nga nickname mo diba!? Kasi sabi mo nung collage, ikaw ay bonggaycious!

I slightly chuckled as I read Jax's message. I probably missed a lot of things when I was in New York. I probably missed lots of events and jokes. It's the 4 of them who was left here since Ali studied in different country. I hope once we see each other they can tell me all the new jokes specially Jax's nickname. It's a bit odd and weird since DreamWorks is a big name in the movie industry.

I snapped back to reality when my phone vibrates and a notification popped up from the group chat once again. Looks like I'm about to be fed by bickering of this two again.

From Tobilicious:
Yuck! Kadiri! 'Wag mo na ngang balikan yung mga pinagsasabi ko nung college! Let's forget that phase of Tobias Emory.

From Jax For DreamWorks:
Ay wow English. Pero Laura, game ako. 11:30pm, Go lang. pakisundo nalang ako dito sa bahay. Send ko address. Dito lang naman sa QC.

From Tobilicious:
I'll go too. Sabihin lang if tuloy at saan.

I was smiling the whole night while thinking of seeing them once again. After the talk with Tobi and Jax wala pang ibang nag chat. The two surgeons are probably busy and our accountant as well for her duties and responsibilities.

I stayed up late watching movies and eating. I won't care much on my body. I just need it healthy and no too much fat so I was eating a fruit cake the whole time of waiting. When the clock strikes 10:30pm I get pretty observant in our group chat. Cause any moment one of the two doctors might chat.

And I'm not wrong. By 10:48 Gwen's messages bombed the whole group chat. The way she messages still haven't change. It still contains bad words and some unexplainable things.

From GWen's ApPLE BoTTom JEAN's:
Hoyy! Mga baklaaa! Ano na!?

From GWen's ApPLE BoTTom JEAN's:
Tapos na duty ko! Suot ko na ba silk tight dress ko!?

From GWen's ApPLE BoTTom JEAN's:
Hoy sagot mga hindot!

From GWen's ApPLE BoTTom JEAN's:
Kjkjkjkjkjkjkjkjkjk

From GWen's ApPLE BoTTom JEAN's:
Wag niyo kong tulugan mga puta kayo!!!

From GWen's ApPLE BoTTom JEAN's:
HOYYYY!! Lulunok ako ng scalpel dito!

Her last message made me burst into laughter and even choke on my cake. I put down the box of cake and type a reply for the girl who's out of her head.

From Laura The Richest Bitch:
I'll just get ready. Game daw si Tobi at Jax, I'll call Lory. You handle Ali, Gwen. Kasama mo lang naman siya. She said her shift ends at 11.

From GWen's ApPLE BoTTom JEAN's:
Ay gaga, di ba nasabi ni Alejandra sayo? 7pm-11pm ibang ospital ang kina-career ng babaeng 'yon. Masyadong nagpapayaman. Binubuhos ang oras sa trabaho. Kaya wala ring dilig yon eh.

My eyes widened when I finished reading Gwen's message. I'm shocked because of different reason. I'm a bit shock to know that Ali works in multiple hospital. Two, the mature thing of course. I wasn't born yesterday to not know what she means.

Jax and Tobi suddenly started seeing her messages.

From Tobilicious:
Manahimik ka nga Avelline!

From GWen's ApPLE BoTTom JEAN's:
Heh! Ready na ako, nakapaligo na ako, didiretso na ako sa pupuntahan natin.

From Jax For DreamWorks:
BGC nalang kaya?

From GWen's ApPLE BoTTom JEAN's:
Kayo bahala, ready na ako magwalwal.

From Tobilicious:
Bahala ka, siguraduhin mo kakayanin mo sarili mo.

From Laura The Richest Bitch:
Okay okay, let's just go sa BGC. I'll just change clothes then I'll call Lory since she's not seeing the messages. Then I'll pick up Jax, okay? Jax tell me your address.

I jump out of my bed and pull out the dress I prepared this afternoon. It's a channel white dress that I'll top with a channel black cardigan. I put on some light make up and the shoes from Dior and a pair of glasses and I'm ready to go.

But then Lory.

"Oh gosh, this lady." I said before picking up my phone and dialing her number. Few things and she answers.

"Hey.. we're going BGC. You know.. hang out, shots? You up? Or.. no?" I hesitantly said. We all know her situation. I'm just hoping.. a bit.

[Sorry, kayo nalang muna. May shift pa ako bukas.] she said and I nod.

"Sure sure, no problem, next time I guess. Good night! Sweet dreams!" I said before ending the call and rushing out my room.

I drive my car, yes I do know how to drive and I have my car here besides my van. Jax already messaged me her address. It's a bit hard to get to her place but when I saw the house that matches her description, I immediately stopped there and press the horn. The small gate opened revealing her, looks like rushing. She's on a cute skirt and top which I think matches her.

She enters my car panting.

"Hey, kalma, andun na sila. But it's fine." I assured her before stepping on the engine.

When we arrived there I immediately put on my mask. We didn't end up in BGC and end up in another place. Somewhere less people and have a private room but a good one.

"Tobi!! I miss you! You look so.. damn.. manly." I said while looking up and down to his body as I analyze his body features.

"Yun nga rin yung napansin ko nung bumalik ako ng Pilipinas. Siyempre nagkita kita din agad kami." Ali said before taking a shot.

"So.. what should we talk about? I know I missed a lot. So I want to know things." I excitedly said. Gwen took her shot and almost slam the shot glass on the table.

"First of all, putangina sino nag set ng nickname sa GC? Alisin niyo na. Parang mga tanga. Hindi mukha ng gc ng mga matitinong tao." She said and I saw how Ali's jaw dropped.

"Gaga, bakit? Tao lang naman mga nasa gc na yon. Hindi matitino, pero sa tuwing makikita ko nickname mo. Nahihilo ako." Ali said making us all scoff. In the end of that nickname conversation. Tobi deleted those nicknames. They said that Ali's nickname came from one of her stories that when she was still in her med school, she puts ketchup on her noodles. Jax's was when she performed ballet in college and she became a big talk in her university but as a meme.

"Sayang si Lory." Gwen suddenly blurted out. The girl is already tipsy and playing with the cap of Soju.

I sigh and pull out things from my bag. "It's fine. It's not sayang, we can still hang out with her. Tobi oh." I handed Tobi a watch from a designer brand. I handed a bag to Jax, top for Gwen and a personalized stethoscope for Ali.

"Hoy! Gaga! Ang ganda! Nakakaiyak wait! Oy! Mahal 'to 'no!?" Ali panicked when she saw the stethoscope. I chuckled and shake my head.

"It's fine, I just like it. I personally like it. But I thought saan ko naman gagamitin. So I bought it for you. And I want people to know kung kanino 'yan so I asked them to put your full name except the surname there." I explained and she nods.

Tobi and Jax started telling stories from their colleges since the two were blockmates before Jax had to do something personal. Sa pagtagal ng usapan, it came to a topic where drunk people usually ends up.

"Nakakainis yung ex ko! Nagpakita sa ospital kanina! Ang gwapo pa rin niya!" Gwen whines while hugging her arm with the empty bottle of soju. Oh gosh, they look so wasted already. How can Ali even go home!? She came here with her car! Tobi still looks fine but Jax isn't. I'm the one who'll send her home so I shall not get drunk.

"Eh!? Bro same! Grabe yung glow-up nung akin, like dati medyo.. eh. Pero ngayon! Tangina siz! Sarap jowain!" Ali squealed and I shake my head.

"Eh? Sabi mo gwapo 'yon noon. Inaasar ka pa nga dati ni Lory." Jax said and I hear Ali scoff who is just beside me.

"Eh, gwapo na 'yon noon? Well medyo, pero kahit na. May sama pa rin ako ng loob sa kaniya. Punyeta na 'yan, dami kong iniwan dito sa Pilipinas." She said and I just pursed my lips as they started talking about their past lives.

I just don't want to get involve in that topic. Not in this kind of talk. Not when I know to myself I left something, someone here as well. When I know to myself that I messed up on something in my past as well.

"Ikaw Laura? Kamusta kayo ni Jiro?" Tobi suddenly ask making my head snap at his direction.

"Ay gaga oo nga! Kasama namin ni Ali sa ospital si Jiro! Mas matanda pa pala sa akin yon! Ang galing nung surgeon! Takte Laura, kung alam mo lang na halos kumita yon ng million-million nung magamot nun yung isang senator dito sa Pilipinas! Big talk siya that year!" Gwen exclaimed. Almost shouting as excitement took over her.

Suddenly Ali lean to me, "Ganiyan talaga yan pag lasing. Doble-doble sa normal basis." She whispered before pulling back away. I slowly nod and played with the shot glass I have.

"I.. I saw him kanina nga-

"Puta weh!? Anyare!? May sinabi ba!? Bakit kayo nagkita? Nagkita lang pero di nag-usap? Or nag-usap kayo?" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong which made me panic a bit.

"Huy Gwen, kalma lang. Baka sensitive topic pa rin kay Laura yon." Jax said and Gwen nods.

"Ah sige, sorry, na excite lang ako bigla eh. Gusto ko rin naman malaman break up story ng iba. Hindi yung paulit-ulit sa isip ko mga sinabi niya." Gwen sadly say making me feel sad as well. Gwen is a funny and out going person. But when's she's sad.. which is we barely see.. we just can't believe that a person that laughs so hard cry that hard too. I wonder how she ended her relationship too.

"Ay gago iiyak na yan. Jax tissue!" Tobi screamed and Jax immediately handed the tissues to him before he handed it to Gwen who's about to cry.

Break up can be painful, really. We can't just judge a person based on her characteristic and energy. What if that thing is a very big deal to that person. I also didn't hear much about Gwen's guy, pass guy.

"Buti nga kayo nga break HAHAHAH! Bakit ba ako nag ke-kwento!? HAHHAHA!" Ali laughed before taking a shot. Her face already turning red from being drunk.

"Tangina mo Alejandra, sana all nalang. Tangina talaga, para kasing mga tanga yung magulang ko." Gwen said while wiping her tears. Her voice already hoarse from crying.

Both me and Ali panicked as we see her red eyes.

"Uy gaga! Tanga ka! Walang iyakan sa inuman! Inuman nga hindi lamay!" Ali exclaimed as she caress Gwen's back who's just beside her.

"Si Laura nga hindi mukhang affected." My head snap once again at Tobi's direction as he speak.

"What do you mean? My past manager told that to me as well. Hindi ko gets, Ano ba dapat? What should I feel? How should I act?" I confusedly ask.

"Hindi, ang ano lang.. ang bilis mo maka move on?" Jax said and my brows furrowed.

"Gaga, nauna kasi sila kaysa sa akin. Lugi naman yata ako." Gwen said and our head snap at her as she continue to cry.

I shrug, "I just.. don't see the point of crying." I hesitantly said.

Ali suddenly faced me, "So.. hindi ka umiyak nung nag break kayo?" She ask and I look at her with squinted eyes.

"A bit.. pero yung ganiyan? Never, I didn't even made a sound while crying. Just.. normal crying. Then that's it. The night we broke up, I cried a bit. But after that.. none." I explained and I saw how her brows furrowed.

"Gagi, seryoso ka? Hindi ka nakapag labas ng grabeng emosyon? Minahal mo ba talaga-

"I did! Of course I did! Why do you have to doubt it!? I know to myself na mahal ko siya! Bakit ba ayaw niyo maniwala sa akin?! Mukha ba talagang hindi ko kayang magmahal?! Your love life was messed up as well pero kinwestyon ko ba!?" I suddenly burst out, I got lost on my own control and those words just suddenly and I saw how scared Ali is. Her staring at me with wide eyes and her lips shaking.

"Uy, Laura, kalma, si Ali Lang yan. 'Wag mo awayin." Tobi said and I suddenly realized what I did. My mouth formed a small 'o' and I don't know what to say. Gosh did I went that far? Did I say too much?

"Gosh, I'm sorry. Nadala lang siguro ako ng alcohol. I should probably stop drinking." I said and she slowly nod while still caressing Gwen's back.

"Hindi naman sa I'm doubting your love to him. Puso mo yan, malay ko ba sa kung paano mo siya minahal. Ang akin lang, paano mo nakayanan na hindi maglabas ng sobra-sobrang emosyon? Kahit pagwawala sa kama? Wala?" She ask and I nod.

"Grabe.. ang tibay mo. Ako nga.. hayst, sa apartment na nakapagwala. Pero ikaw? Grabe ka Laura. Naipon na siguro ang mga hinanakit sa loob mo. Natakot tuloy ako bigla kung makapag usap na kayo." She said before taking a deep breath.

Ali smiled at me, "I hope you can still keep your cool once you hear his grievance that he probably kept all this time."

"Jax, we're here." I said as I remove my seatbelt. I went out my car and went to her door. I even almost tripped on nothing. Once I pull her out from the car the gate opened revealing a guy who's in his shirt and shorts.

"Maam ako na po." He said before rushing to me and getting Jax from my arms.

"Naku maam salamat po. Pasensya na kay Jax. Hindi po talaga yan sanay uminom. Naging asikasuhin pa tuloy." He politeky said and I shake my head.

"No its fine, I'll go home now. It's 2am, please do take care of her. She threw up once kanina. She still smells a bit." I said and he look at Jax who's on his arms and laugh.

"Sige po maam, salamat po ulit. Ingat po kayo!" He said before walking towards the gate. I walk towards the driver seat and I can still hear him chuckling and talking.

"Ikaw talaga opao, nagsuka ka pa pala!" I hear him say before I finally hit the road again.

I arrived at my condo around 3am. I just took a bath and didn't bother putting on creams and proceed on drifting to dreamland.

I woke up with my phone ringing right beside my ears. I reach for it and press random parts of the screen until it stopped ringing followed by a voice.

[Hey.. Laura, lasing pa?] Lory softly said, I opened my eyes and put the phone on my ear.

"Mhmm, not anymore. Just woke up." I replied while doing some stretch.

[Grabe it's almost 1pm, kakatapos ko lang mag lunch. Tapos ikaw kakagising mo pa lang? Baliktad na ata. Ganiyan na ganiyan ako dati.] She said before chuckling a bit.

She stayed on the call while I get up from bed and take a glass of water. I sit on one of my dining chairs and sigh.

"Last night was.. okay. At first it was really funny and full of laughters. But then.. topic about ex came. Gwen started crying, and I even raised my voice kay Ali." I said while massaging my temples.

[Oh? Really? First, tell Ali you're not mad anymore. She needs assurance cause she's probably still thinking na galit ka sa kaniya. Second.. sana all may break up na naganap.] She said and I slightly chuckle.

"Stop laughing at it. I know it's a big deal-

[Oyst! Tama na, 'wag a natin pag-usapan. I just checked on you. I know hindi ka sanay sa mga yon. They became.. alcoholic nung college. I know you're not used on alcohol because of your career. So you better take a bath na kahit alam kong amoy mamahaling pabango ka pa rin.] She said making me chuckle. I just woke up and I already got scolded.

[Go.. end the call. Babalik na ako sa trabaho. Bye!] She said and I hum before ending the call.

I lean on my table and closed my eyes, hoping I'll fall back to sleep. But instead something came up to my mind.

"I hope you can still keep your cool once you hear his grievance that he probably kept all this time."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•