Sweet Nemesis

Chapter 22

#OLASweetNemesis

Chapter 22
Crazy

"Faith!"

I got teary-eyed as soon as I saw my best friend walking out of the arrival area. Tulak-tulak niya ang cart kung nasaan ang mga luggage niya. I counted four big suitcases, which was enough for me to believe that she was finally back for good.

I left Keno to run and meet her halfway. She smiled as soon as our eyes met.

"I missed you!" Niyakap ko agad si Faith.

She chuckled lightly before hugging me back. "Missed you, too," she said. "I told you, you didn't have to pick me up."

"Hindi pwede 'yon!" reklamo ko. "Tito Fred's not yet home from the US. Walang susundo sa 'yo. Biglaan naman kasi. I thought you were just joking."

"It's fine with me. I can take care of myself."

Ngumuso ako. "Ayaw mo ba akong makita?"

"Of course I do, silly!" Muling natawa si Faith. "But you didn't have to pick me up. I'm sure you have a lot on your plate. Baka nag-cancel ka pa ng meeting para sa akin."

"And so?" Proud kong sabi. "I didn't cancel, but I rescheduled. I've been waiting for this moment. Ilang taon ko nang dinadasal na umuwi ka na, and now you're finally here! My prayers were finally answered! Dapat lang na ako ang una mong makita paglabas mo sa arrival."

Faith laughed, which was immediately cut short when her eyes drifted to Keno approaching behind me. She gave me a look that only the two of us could understand. I tried to shrug it off so Keno wouldn't notice. Malakas pa naman siyang makiramdam at makahalata.

Ever since that day, Keno has been really loud with his actions. Sometimes, I would often get lost, not knowing how to keep up with him. He really did keep on making me breakfast. He made sure I got everything I needed and was always two steps ahead of me. At that point, I had a joke in my head that he could be my personal assistant rather than a bodyguard.

"Stop it," I mouthed at her.

She meaningfully smiled as a response, then looked at Keno. "I guess you are my best friend's bodyguard? Keno?"

"Yes. Nice meeting you." Pormal na naglahad ng kamay si Keno kay Faith at agad naman itong tinanggap ng aking kaibigan.

"Sana hindi ka pinahirapan ng best friend ko," sabi ni Faith.

"Faith!" suway ko sa kanya.

Bahagyang natawa si Keno. "She's surprisingly easy to handle, and I don't mind if she makes things hard for me. I'll do better to keep up with her."

"That's great to know. I'm glad she's in good hands."

Napairap ako lalo na nang tumingin pa sa akin si Faith. Nakuha na siguro agad ni Keno ang loob niya. She might be rooting for him now.

"You can bring her luggage to the car now. Bili lang kami ng iced coffee," utos ko kay Keno.

"Okay. Sa labas ko na lang kayo sunduin para hindi na kayo maglakad sa parking. It's hot. I know you don't want to walk in this heat," sabi niya.

"Whatever you want," I said, acting nonchalant as I linked my arm with Faith's. "Come on! Let's buy coffee. I know you need it after a long flight."

I dragged Faith to the nearest coffee shop in the waiting area, and I immediately heard her chuckle as we left Keno on his own.

"Grabe ka naman. We should've invited him to get coffee with us," pabiro niyang sabi.

"We can just buy him one. He doesn't need to come as well," masingit kong sagot.