Once Upon He Was Mine (Good Girls Series #4)

Chapter 51: Illness

A year after...

"Ate, how's New Zealand?" I asked while smiling on the phone.

"Hmm, okay lang. Ikaw ba? Si Ate?" she asked. I saw the exhaustion in her eyes.

"I am fine, Ate Sharly's good. She's with Neo and Nash right now," I said, watching Ate Sharly being busy with the kids.

"Ayy, nandiyan sa bahay 'yong dalawa?" she asked, surprised.

"Yup, Ate Chenie and Kuya Paulo has something to do inside the municipal hall so they left these two with Ate Sharly," I answered.

"Ayy, bantayan mo si Ate, ha? Baka mamaya makapag-asawa na, hindi pa tayo nakakaahon sa mga bayarin natin," Ate Shanty said. "Ikaw, Shanel. Nag-aaral ka ba namg mabuti?" she asked and I nodded.

"Better than my performance before," I answered with a smile. "When are you going home? We already miss you, Ate."

"Kailangan ko munang ma-promote dito bago ako makauwi. Medyo matatagalan pa," she said.

"Hey, li'l girlie, is that Shanty ba?" I was surprised when Ate Tanya appeared beside me. I just nodded hesitantly and gave her a huge space beside me. She smiled and sat excitedly. "Hello, Shanty-gurl! How are you na ba riyan? You did know ba na in New Zealand first na sumisikat 'yong sun? It must be majestic, 'no?" Ate Tanya asked.

"Yeah, majestic but exhausting," Ate Shanty answered while sighing.

"You should come home, Ate. It's too hard for you, you might get sick," I said worriedly.

"Tss, wala pa 'yon there sa breakup of them ni Ryle just because she twerked," Ate Tanya said. I immediately looked at Ate Shanty. I thought she would be angry but she just smiled a bit.

"Ah, kailangan ko na nga palang pumasok. Shanel, mag-aral kang mabuti. Pakibilinan si Ate na 'wag muna mag-asawa, huh? Ingat kayo lagi, ikaw din Tanya. Pakisabihan na lang sila Eycee at Xyle na napatawag ako, huh?" she said and waved her hand. I just waved mine too with a smile.

After my parents' death, we experienced being bankrupted. We have to sell the hospital just for us to have our bills paid, Ate Sharly sacrificed her cars, Ate Shanty has to work abroad just to pay for my tuition and other expenses, Ate Sharly lost some of her properties, our house almost got sold but good thing, Tita Ven, Tito Leonard, Tita Miya, Tito Benj, Tita Azerah and Tito Carlos joined forces to help us. They became our parents too. We were so lucky that we have them despite of the challenges.

"You know what? I think nagalit sa akin si Shanty," Ate Tanya said.

"Masyado raw kasing matabil dila mo." Ate Tanya almost jumped on her seat when Ate Xyle came. My eyes widened also, she's wearing a coffee brown jump shorts, high heels and a sunglasses with gems. Beside her is Ate Eycee wearing sexy corporate attire.

"Wait, I thought nasa Singapore kayo?" Ate Tanya asked.

"No, dear, obviously nandito kami sa Pinas at nakatayo sa harap mo," Ate Xyle said while flipping her hair.

"Wait a minute, why are you wearing sunglasses? Is it too sunny here?" Ate Eycee raised her brows.

"Ikaw, bakit ka nakaapak?" Ate Xyle retorted.

"None of your business, bitch." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh, maybe na-bankrupt siya that's why she's nakaapak?" Ate Tanya laughed. "And maybe you have sore eyes? Or you cried because of Ca---"