Gwen's Point Of View
"How was your meeting with Leslie?" Nikka asked as soon as I picked up their group call. I smiled faintly.
"Hmm, gusto ko nalang umalis." Wala sa sariling sagot ko. I cursed under my breath when I felt my eyes stinging. My three girl friends watched me with pure sympathy in their eyes. Napatawa ako.
"I'm okay, but can I stay muna sa house nyo? I mean kung kaninong house lang naman available." Mabilis naman silang sumagot ng sabay sabay.
"Available sakin." They said in unison. I smiled wider. We have decided to stay at Quian condo. Kila Angel and Nikka, pwede naman kaso sabi ko ayoko sanang makagulo since andun din parents nila, baka makita pa akong umiiyak.
Kararating ko lang sa bahay namin nang biglang tumawag si Jarred so I answered it right away.
"Hi, baby." I smiled at him. He's in a restaurant right now.
"Hi. Are you eating dinner already?" He nodded while looking at me intently. Napaiwas naman ako saglit ng tingin. Medyo halata pala sa mga mata ko na umiyak ako.
"What happened to your eyes, love? Did you cry? Are you okay?" He asked worriedly.
"I'm okay. Hindi ako umiyak. There's no reason for me to cry." I smiled reassuringly. Tumango naman siya pero alam ko namang nagiisip pa rin. He asked me again if I'm sure that I'm okay so I smiled reassuringly.
"Anyways, hindi pala ako dito matutulog, ha?" Hindi ko na naituloy ang sasabihin ko kasi sumagot na agad siya.
"What? Saan ka matutulog?" I rolled my eyes at him at umupo muna sa sofa. I smiled at Ate Rose. Bago naman ako umuwi ay nagsabi ako na hindi ako dito kakain kaya hindi na sila nag-prepare ng dinner for me.
"Kila Quian, mag-overnight lang kaming apat. Or pwede namang mag-extend pa if ever." Napa-tango naman siya bago uminom ng juice.
"Okay, love. Enjoy kayo and please update me if you can. Kumain ka na ba?"
"Not yet. Kakain muna kami sa labas bago dumiretso sa condo ni Quian. Mag-aayos na muna ako ng gamit, ha? Enjoy your dinner. Ingat ka." Tumayo na ako ag magsimulang maglakaf papunta sa hagdanan.
"I will, baby. Kumain ka ng marami. Ingat ka, please." Ngumiti nalang ako at tumango bago ibinaba ang tawag. I sighed at mabilis na nag-ayos ng gamit. Nagda ako ng extra clothes kasi pakiramdam ko, magtatagal ako ng ilang araw sa condo ni Quian. Mukhang dun nalang muna ako manggagaling bago pumasok sa work.
I informed Ate Rose about my plans para hindi siya mag-alala sakin. I just told her that I'll update her kung kailan ako uuwi.
To: Jarred
I'm leaving na. I'll update you pagkarating ko sa restaurant. On the way narin naman silang tatlo.
I sent it and started the engine of my car. Wala pang 30 minutes ay nakarating na ako sa isang Italian restaurant kung saan kami kakain ng dinner. Papasok na ako sa restaurant nang makitang palabas palang ng sasakyan niya si Angel kaya naman hinintay ko siyang makababa at sabay kaming pumasok sa restaurant pagkatapos namin mag-yakapan.
My phone rang again as soon as I settled on our table. Nag-restroom lang muna si Angel, we're still waiting for Nikka and Quian.
"Yes, Jarred?" I answered my phone as I was scanning the menu, looking for something that I want to have for dinner.
"Hi, love. Nasa restaurant ka na? May kasama ka na ba diyan?" Napa-tango ako nang makita ang truffle pasta, I'll definitely have this.
"Yes, baby. I'm with Angel na pero nasa restroom pa siya. We're still waiting for Nikka and Quian. Bakit ka napatawag?" I heard him hummed before he sighed.
"Okay, that's good. Baby, are you sure you're okay? Are we okay?" Mahinahon na tanong nito. Sakto namang dumating si Angel so I mouthed that I'm talking to Jarred and pushed the menu on her side.
"Of course, we're okay. Matutulog lang ako sa ibang bahay, hindi naman ako maglalayas." I joked and I heard him groan kaya naman napatawa ako. Nakita ko namang inirapan ako ni Angel. Nasa isip siguro ng kaibigan ko na napaka-rupok ko. Kanina umiiyak tapos ngayon naman tumatawa mag-isa habang kausap si Jarred.
"Love naman, don't use that word. Kinakabahan na nga ako dito. Kanina pa ako hindi mapakali. Sigurado ka bang wala tayong problema? Baka may kasalanan pala ako?" Umiling ako kahit hindi naman niya nakikita. I cleared my throat as I felt a lump piling up. I also blinked a few times.
"Walang problema. Wala kang kasalanan. Calm down, okay? I'll talk to you later, we need to order already."
"Alright, my love. I miss you. Say hi to the girls for me." Sumigla na ang boses nito.
"Bye, I'll talk to you later!" I ended the call immediately. Alam kong mas mabo-bother lang siya dahil hindi ako sumagot sa "I miss you" niya. I just can't. Mas lalo ko nang pinapahirapan sarili ko sa pakikipagusap sa kaniya, pagbibigyan ko pa ba na masabi sa kaniyang miss ko na rin siya?
From: Jarred
Where's my "I miss you"? You don't miss me anymore? :((
I laughed a little and immediately wiped the tears from my eyes. Mabilis naman akong tinabihan ni Angel at niyakap.
"I think you should be honest with him, Gwen." I nodded.
"I know, I just don't know how. At natatakot ako, sobra." She nodded and consoled me. I tried to laugh and broke from the hug.
"Let's order already, para pagdating nilang dalawa ay kakain nalang." We decided on the foods that we will eat. Hindi naman mapili sila Nikka at Quian kaya ayos lang sa kanila na kami ang pumili ng pagkain for dinner.
Saktong isine-serve ang drinks namin nang makarating silang dalawa na halos magkasunod lang. Agad silang yumakap sa amin ni Angel.
"How are you? Gusto mong uminom?" Pabirong tanong ni Nikka kaya natawa kaming lahat.
"Ano namang iinumin natin? Juice?" Sagot ko kaya mas lalo kaming napatawa. We all don't really drink pero nakatikim naman na kami.
Nagsimula kaming kumain habang naguusap. Ang tagal na rin nung huling nagkita kami. Puro chat at video call lang kami nitong mga nakaraan na linggo.
My phone vibrated again so I instantly looked at it. It was a message from Jarred. Hindi ko nga pala siya na-reply-an kanina.
From: Jarred
I'm sorry if I sound so clingy, love. Update me when you can. I'll just watch a series. You can also call me if you want. I also prefer it :) I miss you.
