EX with Benifits

01

Chapter One: What I need is CLOSURE!

*****

"Dang it, Jolly, stop saying his name already!" I exclaimed in frustration. I even lightly smacked her shoulder in response to her relentless teases about my ex.

It's been one month now yet hindi parin nakaka-move on si Jolly. She kept teasing me about him. My EX.

She just laughed and grinned at me, finding my miserable state cute. "What if there's a possibility of a reconciliation?" she suggested. "What if he hasn't moved on from you either?"

I rolled my eyes at her. "Yeah, right. That's just wishful thinking," I replied, trying to hide the flicker of hope that crept into my heart. Sana nga Jolly. Sana nga...

She smirked, seeing right through me. "Oh, come on. You can't deny the possibility."

My nose wrinkled in disgust. "That is a disgusting possibility, Jolly." Maarte kong sabi. Kinuha ko ang bag at bago lumakad papalabas ng apartment ay tumingin muna ako sa salimin.

Daily routine ko na talaga ito... Looking at myself in the mirror, reminding myself to look pretty and confident.

Another day, another sweat, but slay.

Shit, I'm too beautiful to see.

"Tigilan mo na nga iyan, Jai... Masisira na ang salamin natin." I glared at my friend. Kung hindi talaga kami magkasama dito umuupa sa apartment ay talagang pinalayas ko na yan.

"Whatever, Jolly-bee" asar kong sabi. We both walked out, but before that, we made sure na naka lock na talaga ang apartment. Mahirap na at baka manakawan.

Today, our class begins at 9 AM, but as the class secretary, I have to arrive at 7 AM to assist with documents. I asked Jolly to come with me because she wanted to spend time at the office, where her crush Artteos, the university's student council president, is also present. Malandi kasi tong gaga, feeling ko talaga kinaibigan niya lang ako dahil magkaibigan kami ng crush niya.

"Good morning people!" Jolly is living her name again as she enters the students co-teacher's office. Bumungad rin sa amin ang naka busangot niyang crush at iba pang mga officers.

Dito palaging tumatambay si Jolly at tignan mo ang bruha, humiga kaagad sa sofa at initsa ang sling bag sa mesa.

"Bakit sinama mo na naman yan?" Naka busangot na pahayag ni Artteos sakin. Napa iling nalang ako dahil maging ako ay walang magawa.

I playfully rolled my eyes, "Ask me if I do have a choice?"

Feeling ko lang talaga ay may sekretong nararamdaman tong si president sa kaibigan ko, ayaw niya lang aminin dahil nahihiya or kaya may ibang bagay pang inaalala. I mean, who wouldn't like my best friend? She's not so maarte, mabait, pala-kaibigan, medyo bossy at madadal lang palagi pero--- mapag tsatsagaan naman diba?

Umupo na ako sa swivel chair ko at inumpisahang arkilahin itong sandamakmak na papeles. It's not that hard to be secretary; you just have to stay tuned and responsible. Manage your time well and stay focused. Marami rin akong mga privilege na nakukuha sa pagiging secretary ko.

Busy akong tao. No day would pass na wala akong ambag sa mundong ginagalawan ko. I am a consistent dean lister; I do pageants, battle in sports, run clean green advocacy, model and advertise commercial brands, and all. Nakaka pagod nga... Minsan nakaka overwhelmed, but at the end of the day, I can't help but to smile. I am always happy with who I am and what I am doing. I don't doubt myself because I know my worth. I know what I am good at, and I feel so alive.