ch. 62 - joyful tease

CHAPTER 62
JOYFUL TEASE


Narrator: New day again, and yes, it was my actual birthday then. Yay! But first, onto Erich’s side of the story…

She and a group of friends were sitting on one of the stoned round tables near the University Hall in Cal State Fullerton. She was with the following: Jira, Melissa, Daphne, and Joyce. They were having a conversation about Erich’s kidnapping moment in the warehouse.

Melissa: No way! How?

Erich: Long story. Nasa Cerritos Town Center kami nung may blackout.

Daphne: Aba, grabe yan, ah?

Joyce: Dyos ko naman, Erich. Buti na lang nan dito kapa. Baka umiyak ako kung nalaman ko ‘to agad.

Erich: Oh Joyce. At least ng ligtas ako. Wag ka maalala. Di na mangyari ‘to ulit.

Jira: Sana naman.

Melissa: Sino ng ligtas sa yo?

Erich: Ha? Uhh friend.

Daphne: Sino si friend? Special friend mo kaya.

Erich: Oo, yung special friend ko.

Jira: Aba, edi si Matteo.

Melissa: Baka si Jay! (as the others “Ooooh”ed at her)

Joyce: Oo nga, Erich. Si Jay kaya…

Erich: Okay okay. Si Jay nga.

Melissa: Sabi ko nga aba eh.

Joyce: Wow, Erich. Mabuti pa siya ang ng ligtas sa iyo. (as Erich smiles)

Jira: Sino si Jay?

Erich: Friend ko nga.

Daphne: Bakit special friend mo siya?

Erich: Naku joke lang yan, o?

Melissa: Joke? Aba, tinatago ka pa?

Joyce: Oo nga. Ibig sabihin may special connection kayo, kaya special friend mo siya.

Erich: Wala, noh? Kulit niyo talaga.

Daphne: How sweet of that guy to do such a thing. He’s so courageous.

Melissa: (princess impersonation, holding her hands together) Oh my hero. That prince charming.

Erich: (lightly slapping Mel’s shoulder) Hoy tumigil ka.

Jira: Gwapo ba yung “only hero” mo?

Joyce: Nakss… “only hero” pa si Jay, ah?

Erich: (shaking her head as she stands up) Kayo talaga. Tigilan niyo ‘to, baka lalo ako dumaldal dito na baka tutulog pa kayong lahat. Tapos mimiss mo pa yun mga klase niyo. Hah.

Melissa: Ah ganun? Dumaldal ka na nga eh.

Erich: Naku naku… gusto mo idamay kita, ah? Sige na. May klase ako ngayon.

Melissa: Me too.

Joyce: Ako rin eh. (as she and Mel stand up)

Erich: Let’s go na. (checking her watch) I have 5 minutes.

Daphne: Bye guys. (waving at the three girls who walked away from the table)

*

Inside the basement, Jerry was working on Erich’s broken phone, repairing every part especially the inside.

Mondo opened the door from their small room hangout, seeing Jerry at the table.

Mondo: Yo Jerry!

Jerry: The hell? I’m busy!

Mondo: Come over n’ watch “Interfuel” with us!

Jerry: I watched that shit like 50 times already!

Mondo: See it again then!

Jerry: Get the fuck outta here, foo! I told ya I’m fuckin’ busy!

Mondo: K man… sheesh… (returns into room)

Narrator: As Jerry was working on Erich’s phone, he picked up the pliers beside his left shoulder, and pulled out the wires from the inside of the device.