Ayesha Point of View
I was busy arranging my belongings and the things I had bought while Ron did speak too much. Instead of helping me, she was talking about why I didn't prepare in advance and complaining that I move unhurriedly. Good thing that I already prepared myself and am good to go while my things are not yet.
"Okay, everything is settled," I proclaimed as soon as I finished and she looks like a child clapping and a wide smile was evident on her lips because I'm done.
"After a long span of waiting." She reached her bag pack and tucked her bag on her back and so I did. "Wait," she halted as if she remembers something and held my hand. "How about your pouch?"
"Yeah," I said.
We secure first our unit before we both went out. I got out last and Ron was already outside. I prepared the key to lock the door but I was surprised to see Vener talking to Ron. He looked at me coldly, the opposite of how he immediately plastered a smile when our eyes met.
I bowed my head and focus on locking the door. I'm glad I did it. I looked at both of them and based on Vener's outfit, he was just clothed in casual clothes at home with white plastic on his right hand and he still look good.
"We got to go," Ron said enthusiastically. "We need to hurry so we might not get late for our reunion."
"Okay, stay safe!" Vener responded without bothering to dart his gaze at me. Even though my lips were trembling, I smiled back at what he said even though I knew he was talking to Ron and not me. I also don't want to be rude just because he didn't glance at me.
"Thanks," Ron said and passed by. I went to his pace as I took one glance at Vener but to my dismay, he already walked away.
Well, what do I expect?
We got to the terminal, boarded to our hometown. The bus was leaving just in time and there were two more vacancies so we didn't waste any more time and got on. The driver waits for us to settle down on the back before he steps and drives.
"Are you not on good terms with Vener?" Ron asked out of the blue but she didn't get enough answers to her question. When she realized I didn't have the will to tell the whole details, she got out junk food and started to eat it. She offered me but I refused him.
After that, she suddenly fell asleep holding her food. I slowly took the food she was gripping slowly and put it inside the paper bag before focusing on the passing scenes of nature until the road to our grown-up place gradually became familiar and even on the way home, I carried with me the words he had left and his cold dealings.
All I could do is to sigh with all the thoughts running into my mind.
Just a few hours later we arrived home and it's too early for the said time of the reunion. Ron went to their home and we decided to fetch me for we will together.
"Hello, my little sister," my older sister, Nina said and welcomed me in her embrace while my brother, George tap my shoulder.
I even gestured bowing down both to my father and mother as I take their hand and pressed it on my forehead. In Filipino culture, we called it 'pagmamano' though some are not practising it.
"How I miss my Ayesha?" my mother gladly hugged me. "Why do you seem to lose weight?" Mama looked at me from head to toe intently which made me chuckle slightly.
"No, I'm not. When did I get fat?"
"Maybe you're neglecting yourself? Surely you already know why we let you do what you want," Papa butted in without hesitation. When it comes to my safety, Papa is the strictest of all though, I understand why.
"No, it's not," I mumbled and that's what I always do.
They didn't bother me anymore and just let me rest in my room first because they knew Ron and I will be attending a reunion. I looked at my phone to watch Korean dramas for a while before thinking about taking a bath and getting dressed.
I chose a simple and knee-length black and white retro dress match with a pair of leather black wedge sandals. I didn't bother myself to put on makeup, only a powder and rosy lipsticks and tired my hair with a messy bun. I wear also my favourite watch and earrings and no more accessories.
I did my last check on my outfit and I felt satisfied though I am expecting that Ron will nag at me about not wearing makeup. I got my shoulder bag and went downstairs. As predicted, Ron was waiting for me on the couch talking to my sister.
Ron was wearing the modest killer outfit that perfectly fit her and light make-up that suits her get up that made her stand out in the crowd. When they both notices my presence, they acknowledged me.
"Ayesha, why did you not put on make-up? Mind you, it's a freaking reunion?" Ron commented hysterically as expected but I just ignored her giving an expression that I was comfortable with it. "Anyway, you've got the looks."
I looked at her and this time, I can figure out that she gave up on her litany.
After that, we both bid our goodbyes. Ron started the engine of their family car and drove us to the event place based on the location sent to us. It's an eat all you can restaurant near the school where we graduated from secondary. It is the most visited hangout place of the students in our place way back then and now.
Ron parked the car in the parking lot and a few more times I noticed Ron take a deep breath before turning off the engine. She nervously pulled down his dress and fixed herself. "Why did I feel nervous if way back earlier I felt excited about this reunion?"
"Kindly calm down! I'm getting nervous about it for you," I can't help but to poke his head but not my intention to do it harshly that made her groan.
"Ayesha!" she beamed at me.
"Oh, Ron! That is not you! Don't tell me!" I paused when I suddenly realized something. A light bulb flashed in my head as I burst into laugher. Why did I forget about it? Of course, her ex-boyfriend will be attending the reunion.
"You are so bad, Ayesha. You are not helping me," she let out and stop from laughing because she might attack me.
After calming herself, we both went out and one of the staff in the reception lead the way after checking the email sent to us. I roamed around and the ambience of the place still gives me the chills yet calming every time I step my feet on this place. A lot of things change in things place but I'm glad that this restaurant is still alive after how many years had passed keeping all the memories of our high school years.
Ron reached my left hand and her hand is sweating. I squeezed her hand and comforted her with my genuine smile.
Some look at us that I know but I'm sure they were in a different section then.
"Ayesha! Ron!" Mandy approached us happily, our block mate. She hugged us and we did it, too. "Long time no sees!
"Ayesha, nothing had changed only that you look more even beautiful. Well, as always!" she beamed and I just laughed at her comment. "You, too." She commented to Ron.
"No need to tell. I already know," Ron said as she flipped her hair. Self-proclaimed.
"Even you!"
She walked Ron and me over to the table where our classmates sat. As more of our classmates arrived, it became evident that a lot had changed. We were giggling over an incident from our high school years. Full of uplifting mood and nonsense talks as we reminisce of the past but it all seemed to fall apart for me when I noticed someone I hadn't seen in a long time after we had talked before. Everything had stopped.
None other than Renz Abueva, my special friend and he look so nice. Too nice.