untouchable

26

"Be freaking for real right now!" Tricia exclaims through the phone screen.

Naturally, Jillian would tell her sisters the shocking news, expecting them to be just as shocked. But she only elicited that reaction from Tricia.

Tricia is still wide-eyed at the info, a hand covers her mouth. "What are the chances? That's so mindblowingly insane!"

"Imagine what I felt kanina!" Jillian said.

"Pero OMG. Do you think she's single pa? Malay mo there's a reason your paths crossed ulit. Baka the string of fate is working its magic na. Yiee, sana all na lang! Hey God, it's me again." Tricia rambled.

"Maka-'sana all' si Janine, akala mo walang naghihintay sa kaniya rito," Aika commented.

"Ate, ang KJ! Let me pretend for a minute muna." Tricia argued.

"Sorry for bursting your bubble, Ate. But we're just workmates. Nothing more, nothing less." Jillian replied.

Tricia made a 'weh?' expression. "Really? Walang feelings na magbabalik now that crush is also nagbabalik?"

"Wala. I've moved on a long time ago na."

"Hmm... Naka-move on na nga ba talaga o repressed lang ang unresolved feelings? Kasi there's a difference." Tricia said in a matter-of-factly tone.

Jill scoffs at the personal attack. "I'm telling you, wala na nga!" She interjected, trying to convince her sister (and herself).

Because it's the truth, it's what Jill believes. She has zero romantic feelings for you anymore. Zero.

"Let's see na lang siguro... But shet, what I'd give to be home right now!" Tricia replied. "Another thing... Bakit parang hindi ka kasing-shookth sa balita, Ate Aiks? Do you know something we don't?" Tricia accusingly asked the eldest.

Aika has been silent the whole video call, occasionally quips but wouldn't comment on the discourse. Which makes her seem guilty. Aika looks everywhere but the screen. Jill also turned to the eldest beside her.

But then again, Aika is not one to lie, so she decides to come clean now. Her conscience can't hold it in any longer.

"I... may or may not have realized something beforehand..." Aika confessed.

Jill gasps at her sister's statement and looks at her in disbelief. Tricia's mouth opened as well in surprise. She can't believe her bluffing worked! She was just being silly!

"Oh my god, the plot thickens!" Tricia mumbled through the screen, then covers her mouth again.

"You knew? You knew this whole time? And you didn't even bother telling me?" Jill unbelievingly asked Aika.

If only Aika told her what she knows this morning, maybe Jill would've prepared! Maybe Jill would've resign right there and then! Her first day be damned, breaching of contract be damned (no, not really).

"Listen. May vague idea ako kung sa'n nagtatrabaho si Y/N. Pero that was a long time ago, so it slipped my mind na. But when we drove you to work this morning, saka ko lang na-connect. Parang ang familiar ng building. I realized it too late na so I thought 'okay, I'll just let it be, baka mali ako'. Besides, how would I know? It's a big company, bunso. How could I possibly know na you'll be working directly under her?" Aika calmly defended.

Jill's blood is boiling right now, exasperated at her sister. She's trying so hard not to scream or raise her voice at her, but she's seeing red right now. "But still! You could've informed me pa rin! Kahit sa text man lang. Edi sana nakapag-handa ako!"

Aika purses her lips at that, guilty. Tricia however tries so hard not to make any noises at her end. She wouldn't want to be caught in the crossfire, but she also knows deep in her heart that she sort of caused this chaos. That's why she tries moderating between her sisters.