Upon hearing the woman's name, Niana gazed at Cavin who was standing two tables away from them. Mas lalo niyang naramdaman ang paninikip ng dibdib kahit na pigilan niya iyon.
Hera Alonzo was Cavin's former buddy.
Although Niana already expected that the woman was beautiful, she didn't expect that calling the woman beautiful was an understatement because her name fit her well—a goddess.
"So he mentioned that you enrolled here." Bahagyang nilingon ni Hera si Cavin na parang umiiwas pa nga. "Don't worry, I know the secret." She winked.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Niana at ibinalik ang tingin kay Cavin dahil ang usapan nila, piling tao lang ang makaaalam, pero alam pa ng dating fuck buddy nito. Nakaramdam siya ng inis o kung ano mang emotion na bakit kailangang malaman ng babae ang tungkol sa kasal nila.
'Ganoon ba sila ka-close?' Iyon lang ang tanong na pumasok sa isip ni Niana.
"Waiting for something?" tanong ni Hera at lumingon sa dalawang babaeng paparating. "Hey, come here!"
The woman with curly hair waved at Cavin and said hi. The other woman walked towards them and sat beside Hera.
"These are my cousins," pagpapakilala ni Hera. "This girl na mukhang doll is CK, and this girl na mukhang rugged doll is Blair."
Ngumiti si Niana sa dalawang babae at nagpakilala. Nagtanong ito kung ano ang course niya, kung bakit siya lumipat, at nabilib pa nang malamang nagtatrabaho siya sa Karev Telco.
"I'm fucking hungry!" Hera exclaimed and looked at Niana. "You're still waiting for the process, 'no? Tara, punta muna tayo sa cafeteria. Nag-aayos din kasi kami sa lounge namin, so we're here. Tara?"
Nilingon ni Niana si Cavin at bahagya itong tumango. Wala naman siyang itinatanong.
Tumayo si Niana at sumabay nang lakad sa tatlo na panay ang turo sa kaniya sa mga building. Pati ang basurahan na automatic at mayroong disinfectant, itinuro ng babaeng Blair ang pangalan.
Panay lang ang iling ng babaeng mukhang manika. Ang ganda ng mukha lalo na at bilog na bilog ang mga mata, sakto rin na kulot ang buhok na hanggang likuran.
Nakapasok na si Niana sa cafeteria ng EU nang dalhin niya ang thesis ni Cavin at iyon din ang first meeting nila personally, pero hindi niya napansin noon dahil sa pagod at pagmamadali.
Kinuhanan ni Hera ng pagkain si Niana dahil nahahalata niyang nahihiya at naiilang pa ito sa kanila. She knew her past relationship with Cavin and he also informed her that Niana knew about it.
"Hey." Hera approached Niana who was in front of a vending machine. "I know Cavin told you about our past."
"Uy, okay lang." Niana smiled at Hera. "Walang kaso sa akin 'yun."
"No. I want to tell you na wala nang ganoon sa amin ni Cavin. It was long ago and we're good friends. Wala na kaming ganoon and he respects your marriage," Hera assured. "One thing about Cavin, he's loyal and faithful, and you won't have to worry about me."
Nanatiling tahimik si Niana habang nakatingin sa magandang mukha ni Hera. Kung siya rin naman si Cavin, liligawan din niya ito. The woman was just so attractive, even her raspy voice was appealing.
Naramdaman ni Niana ang insecurity na hindi naman dapat. Wala siyang karapatang ma-insecure dahil alam niya ang katayuan kay Cavin.
"If you need someone here since nabanggit sa akin ni Cavin na you guys wanted to keep it low, I can be your friend." Hera offered. "Hindi naman ako snob or something."
"Okay lang ako, Miss H—"
"It's Hera, Niana." She smiled. "Kung hindi ka comfortable na nasa paligid ako, I would understand. I respect your marriage, okay?"
