ONE

Almost and Already

Meet Brenda, Girl Number One: fashionable, showy, classy, trendy and attractive. Her long silky back hair will totally enthrall young boys down the hallways of the school. Her lips? Perfect! Body? Seductive. Values? Lost. Raised in a luxurious life her parents had worked for years, Brenda always gets what she wants. Her parents are huge business people who travel from this side of the planet to the other. O di ba? Yaman Te!

Meet Alice, Girl Number Two: can’t spell fashion, glasses and books, clumsy and unconventional. Her wavy hair will totally irritate you on a windy jeepney ride. Her lips? Chapped! Body? Functional! Raised in a silent mysterious place named Celestia, Alice moved to the city after burying her granny a year ago at 98. A silent painless death, she died in her sleep.  Alice found financial help as a flower arranger and delivery girl at her Aunt; Meriz’s Flower Shop. Eto siya? Chox lang! Our kind of girl!!

Meriz Custudio’s Flower Shop

“People never stop to flood in. Super dami nang human ha!” Alice said as she soaked the floral foam into the water.

“It’s Sunday, Alice.” Meriz announced, a fine young lady in her mid-thirties, single and lovely in her own way.

She glowered at the people passing by her. “I know its Sunday.”

“Why don’t you go to church and offer flowers to the altar and pray for my soul.”

“Who will finish this?”

“Joey.” She pinned the last stem of antorium into her design. “And also grab those basket right there. Para yan kay Aling Rose. She ordered that for the next mass. Make sure fresh pa yan when you get there.”

“Roger that, Tita.”

“Thanks darling.”

She tossed her coat and took off her gloves and headed at the back door. “Sige Tita. I’ll go and pray for your soul. I’ll go get my bag.”

“Take care.”

Alice looked at her and smiled. “Will do.”

“—and don’t do anything stupid, Alice.”

St. Peter’s Church - 9 AM

“..that we all be blessed and glorified through His name.” Was the statement that Brenda last heard as her lazy and heavy eyes fell close. Mrs Liz Arnelli Divinagracia, the first lady of the town, wife of the powerful and inducing Mayor of Fosorcim City : Mayor Arnold Ayala Divinagracia saw the humiliation her step daughter was doing.

“For the love of Christ, Brenda! Gumising ka nga.” Were the words she whispered as she pressed on some weights to Brenda’s knees.

She opened her achy eyes, “para akong sinuntok ni Pacquiao…” then rubbed it.

“Umayos ka, before people starts noticing that my step daughter is slumbering on the first Sunday mass of the month!.” She growled with maintained eloquence.

She rolled her eyes furiously. “I am listening, you know.”

The next thing that rang into Liz’s brain was her name mentioned by the priest, “…Mrs Liz Divinagracia, na naandito ngayon kasama na nan gating pinakamamahal nating Mayor, Mayor Arnold at ang kanioyang anak na si Brenda. These people mga kapatid … ” the priest continues whis affimrations. Liz’s face beamed with bliss as the crowd clapped their hands. She then grabbed Arnlod’s hands and smiled at them and did so even better.

Chusera. Brenda thought.

Twenty long minutes later they were out from the church.  Mayor Arnold buttoned his tux as the usher opened the door of his limousine. “Brenda, be nice to your Moth—”

“Step.”

Liz rolled her eyes. “Go on Arnold, you’ll be late for your meeting with the president. I’ll take care of everything.”

“Sure lang.” Brenda headed towards her car. “I’ll see you after a week, Dad. Bye.”

“Bye honey.” He said and stared at Liz. “Bantayan mo ang bata, please. She’s still transitioning to all of these. Please understand her, Liz.” He touched her slender hand and kissed her.

“No worries, baby. I will.” And she hugged him. “I’ll take of her. And you…” She tucked his tux again tighter and wiped the dust on his shoulder, “..you enjoy and you take care of yourself. I love you.” And kissed.

Seeing that, Brenda roared her car to life and hustled her car out the place.

As her curly hair sheltered her face, Alice saw Aling Rose spraying her flowers glittered with dews on a sunny Sunday morning. And without hesitation she leaped over the pavement and evinced herself few meters away from the dashing pink car.

“Fuck!” Brenda stepped on her break and tossed her sunglasses out her head. The sound of the squeaking wheels cried in her ears and the people screamed in shock. “Fuck you!” Brenda’s voice was cracking as she gasped for air when she finally came to an instantaneous halt.

Alice stood inches away from Brenda’s smoking car and saw the black streaks of lines marked by her tires. She advanced herself towards the jaw-dropped Aling Rose, who held on tight to her spray bottle. Couldn’t find the words to say on what just happened in front of her.  Alice swung the basket of mums as she stared at the exhausted and really haggard looking, Brenda. Who was now really shock with Alice’s conserved composure. “Sorry.” Alice said.

“Are you fucking insane?” She sent herself out of her car and mounted herself with fury in front of Alice. “Are you fu—”

“Shhhh.”

Brenda’s eyes widened.

“Watch your mouth. You talk too dirty for a girl. And besides, you’re in front of your God’s house. I said I’m sorry.” She said calmly.

Brenda could not believe what she just heard. This is freaking awesome morning, huh? She mused. “You…” pointing her forefinger, “almost had me killed! Why on earth would you suddenly come out from nowhere, FREAK!”

“Sorry Miss. But I’m glad you’re fine.” She tapped her on her right shoulder. “Now if you’ll excuse me.” She turned away and handed the basket to Aling Rose.

“Miss? Unbelievable. I’ll make you see what my God taught me. Till next time...Freeeeeeaaaaakkkkkk!!!!!!” And dashed away.

..........