Haciendera Series # 3: Sofia Carillo

NAGKAGULO silang lahat dahil kay Axel Montero. But here I am... sitting comfortably on a couch while sipping my margarita. I don't even give a f**k about that model they're talking about. "He's with that public school teacher! I can't believe it, girl!" bulalas ni Megan. Lahat silang tatlo nakalingon sa kabilang table. Hindi naman halata na pinagpiyestahan nila ng tingin ang table nila Axel dahil marami rin namang gumagawa no'n. "So, the f*****g rumors are true!" said Stacy while rolling her eyes. "He's into that woman. I told you! Nakita ko sila sa Shang noong nakaraang linggo. He looks like he’s obsessed! The way he holds her… girl, parang ayaw pakawalan!" Cassy whined and took her shot on the table while crossing her legs. They are my circle of friends. We are considered IT girls in the country.  Megan is an actress, Stacy is a fashion designer, and Cassy is a model. And me? I'm an etiquette teacher. I love everything about class and elegance. I am a dignified... sophisticated woman. I wanted to be a teacher, but I didn't know what subject I should teach, so I became an etiquette teacher. I ended up with it, and my family was not happy about my decision, but eventually, they supported me. "Why fuss about it? There's a ton of hot guys everywhere. He's just like a Turkish guy I've seen on the TV. There's nothing special." Napangiwi pa ako ng sabihin iyon at inayos ang ilang strands ng buhok ko sa gilid ng aking pisngi. "We have different tastes, Sofy. Mine? I like him! He's the epitome of a wild hot man, and we can all agree on that! Ikaw lang ang hindi. Unang tingin mo sa kanya. God! I can imagine myself na. I'll scream because his d**k is so big and thick!" Cassy burst out laughing. I can’t believe she can talk like that as if she doesn’t have a boyfie. Napailing si Megan at natawa na lang si Stacy. Umasim ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya. I couldn't believe I can hear disgusting words from her! Paano ko ba naging kaibigan 'to? "You're gross. Watch out for your words. Not feminine like! Mamaya isipin pa nila sa atin napaka-ano..." I rolled my eyes and took a chip to eat. "Jeez, Sofy! Loosen up! You'll never know the feeling because you're a f*****g virgin. Sabi ko sa'yo you can try and explore naman. There's a lot of hot bachelors who are after you!" suhesyon ni Cassy. Nagtawanan lang ang dalawa. Wala naman sa akin itong suhesyon niya. Hindi din naman ako pikunin sa mga kaibigan ko kahit panay ang asar nila sa akin na no boyfriend since birth. Who would believe that a 25-year-old woman is still a virgin? Why it's so big deal? Pakiramdam ko lang naman bata pa ko at malayo pa mawala sa kalendaryo. Kaya bakit nagmamadali? "Is it a race, huh? You can have s*x all you want, and it's your choice. I'm not gonna give my p***y to a man that I'm not serious with!" Humagalpak sila ng tawa dahil sa deklarasyon ko. I'm a woman with a few words. I don't really talk too much. Pero kapag naiinis na ako napaparami ang sinasabi ko. Sobrang baliktad ni Cassy. Liberated at madaldal. Sa aming apat. Ako yata ang naliligaw. They are flirty, while I'm not. They are all ma-chika while I'm not. I thought we will not gonna click with each other. Nagulat na lang ako na limang taon na ang friendship namin and it all because of Stacy. My favorite fashion designer.  I met the two because of her. Eventually, naging magkaibigan na dahil sa paulit-ulit na labas kasama ang iba niyang kaibigan. But for now, we decided to go out with just the four of us. "You nailed it, girl!" cheered Megan. Naghiyawan ang sa kabilang table. Nasa Mezzanine floor kami at tanaw lang ang sa kabila. Pinalibutan ng magbabarkada iyong dalawa. Napasulyap ako sa pinagkakaguluhan nilang si Axel at si Mary Anne. Tinutukso ang dalawa at panay ang bulong ni Axel sa dalaga. Nakaakbay pa siya dito at parang ahas na nakalingkis ang mga braso sa beywang ng girlfriend niya. Kung ako? Parang nasasakal ako sa ganoon. I don't find it sweet. Iyong sobrang dikit. It's creepy and it's a sign of being possessive. Nagyaya sa dance floor si Stacy at nasama niya si Cassy. Naiwan kami ni Megan. They all have boyfriends and we all agreed na we will go out na kami lang. Ayoko nga na sasama ako sa kanila tapos kanya-kanya silang boyfriend na katabi. I'm not jealous, it's just that. Wala akong makakausap dahil nasa kanila ang atensyon ng mga kaibigan ko. What am I? A post here? Uuwi na lang ako kung ganoon.  "How about Luis? Wala talaga? Tinatanong ako ni Zeke kung nanliligaw sa'yo. Balak ka rin pormahan," Megan whispered. Umiling ako at napatingin sa dagat ng mga tao sa dance floor. Maingay, makipot at malilikot na laser lights ang nagpapagana sa mga tao. Puno ng hiyawan at nagiging wild na maging mga kaibigan ko. "We're just friends," I simply answered. "Friends? Still looking for spark? Girl, baka Lola na ko wala ka pa ring makitang lalaki na may spark?" Napailing siya sa sinabi ko. This is my reason why I don't have a boyfriend. Sabi ko kapag magkakaroon ako. Seryoso na ko doon. Iyong kapag nakita ko mararamdaman ko agad na click kami. Masyado din akong mapili at mabusisi kahit sa lalaki. If I found something I don't like. I easily turn off. Ayoko na.  "Lower your standards a bit. Everyone is not perfect. May makikita kang flaws talaga and you have to accept it," Megan blurted out. I shrugged. "I know, but I can't help it. If I don't meet the right man for me and I'm still not married before 30. I'll handle our business." Tumaas ang kilay niya sa sinabi ko. Alam nila kung gaano ko kaayaw ang humawak ng negosyo. "Seriously?" bulalas niya. Ngumisi lang ako at sumimsim ng margarita habang nahagip ng pares kong mga mata kung paano sayawan ni Axel si Mary Anne sa gitna ng maraming tao. Nanliit ang mga mata ko. I find it super nakahihiya. Pagtitinginan ka ng tao. If you dance, just dance normally. That night, they became an eye sore to me.