-Catching up-
(Back at Lee's place, current time)
Zean's Point Of View
The dinner went well and that's the least I expected. Akala ko the tension will be awkward or something but I'm wrong. It's not like I want it to be like that, nagulat lang ako. After dinner, napagkasunduan naming lahat na tumambay sa tabi ng pagkalaki-laking pool ni Lee. Ewan ko ba dito sa isang 'to, ang laki ng pool hindi naman nag s-swimming. So we gathered sa tabi ng pool and formed a circle. May malaki ring ice box sa gitna filled with different types of beverages. At first, tahimik lang kami and just enjoying the fresh air but Ate May initiated a conversation.
"So guys, since we are all here and happy na Lee's back, how about we do some catching up? You know, mahaba rin ang five years." Tumango kaming lahat as a sign of agreement. "How's US ding?" Paunang tanong ni Kuya Gab. Well, we all have nicknames for Lee and "ading" was from Kuya. Later malalaman n'yo yung sa iba. I'm sure she doesn't dislike it since she doesn't stop us kapag tinatawag namin s'ya ng mga nicknames na yun. But sometimes she gets really annoyed when we call her "bubwit" in public hehe.
Lahat kami tumingin sakanya. Nakatingala s'ya, probably looking at the sky. "Well, it wasn't new to me since I was expecting my father to ask me for help now and then. And of course, US is nice." She answered nonchalantly and didn't even bother to look at us. "Yun lang?! Hindi mo manlang ba sasabihin na na miss mo kami or something?" Reklamo ni Ate Marthena na parang batang inagawan ng candy. "I don't exaggerate." Maikling sagot naman nito at hindi parin kami nililingon. "Wow ha! Missing us doesn't mean na you're exaggerating!" Reklamo ulit ni Yeri. "Still no," she looked at us before continuing her words. "But I miss my dog so come here my little scotchie pie" Asar n'ya kay Yeri and rolled her eyes. Napatawa naman kami sa reaksyon ni Yeri kasi tumayo ito na ani mo'y susugurin si Lee pero pinigilan ito ng boyfriend n'ya.
Sana all may taga pigil.
"Enough with me. I heard that the OciPo team is back." We all signed as we remember it. "Unfortunately." Michael shortly replied. "I'm sorry we won't be able to spend time with you because of this shit but we will still try." Ate Navada seriously, yet kinda softly stated. Bakit kinda? Kasi soft yung boses n'ya nung simula pero naging cold ulit nung patapos na. Siguro naalala na hindi lang kami ang tao dito. "It's alright Ate Dani. I would very much appreciate to be alone." Sagot naman ni bubwit.
"Grabe nakaka stress. Back to this phrase nanaman tayo na akala natin tapos na. How are we gonna do it this time?" Dagdag reklamo naman ni Tristan and slapped his forehead. Halata naman sa aming lahat na stress at clueless kami sa mga nangyayari. Well except for Ate Navada na ang hirap talagang basahin. Parehas sila ni Lee. Never silang naging open book for everyone to read. They are always these types of books na laging nakalagay sa naka lock na vault. You know, laging naka tago.
"So what are you planning to perform?" Tanong ni Lee, umupo ito ng maayos at tahimik na naghihintay ng sagot. I know na dapat confidential 'tong mga ganitong bagay at dapat kami lang ang nakakaalam pero, sa lahat ng nakalipas na mga kaso na hinandle namin, nasanay na kaming ikinukunsulta sa kanya. Her ideas and opinions helps a lot and we do, trust her. We've seen enough things to make us trust her even with our lives.
Ate Navada turned to look at Lee and after some minutes of eye contact, she closed her eyes and deeply sighed. Wow, lalim nun ah. Shocks lalo tuloy akong kinabahan. Bulong ko sa sarili. "We have nothing so far. And I think everyone should head home, it's already late. We have a meeting tomorrow and we will discuss this matter. I'll be sending the details in our group chat, and I'm expecting you all to cooperate. Sleep early and be ready." She ordered us, emphasizing the "be ready" part and walked away.
