Jade's POV
"Hi. Nice to meet you."
The table was filled with silence the moment I introduced Althea as my girlfriend. Those two were exchanging looks as if they're not convinced with what I told them.
"Guys?" I asked.
"Oh. Hi, Althea. I'm Bianca." She said.
"Just call me Sally."
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I needed to attend my meetings for today." Althea apologized as she looked at me.
"It's okay, lubb." I assured her.
"Uhh, so is it true? You guys?" Bianca interrupted.
"Yes. We're together." Althea said as she smiled to them.
"Why? I-I mean how? Noong umalis ka naman ng L.A. straight ka, Jade." Sally said.
"Sally!" I said.
Althea held my hand and smiled at Sally.
"It's fine, Jade. We met at my restaurant and that's where it all started." Althea calmly said.
"Paano mo na-convert si Jade? Did you know na she was about to marry David? How could you change someone in just two months?!" Sally exclaimed.
"Enough, Sally!" Bianca said.
"I'm just asking! This is overwhelming!" Sally said.
"Jade told me that she was about to get married but that man cheated on her. I didn't mean to convert her. It just suddenly happened." Althea answered.
"Pwede ba, Sally? Walang pinainom na gayuma at walang sorcery na ginamit para ibahin ako." I said.
We were all exhanging looks when Althea's phone rang.
"Excuse me, I need to take this call." Althea said.
"Go ahead, Althea. Take your time." Bianca said.
"Yeah, take your time." Sally repeated.
Sally was obviously not okay with this kind of setup. She immediately took my hand and eyed me.
"How could you?!" She asked.
"Ha?" I confusingly asked.
"How could you fall inlove with a girl?!" She said.
"Sally, wala naman na tayong magagawa. Let's just accept it." Bianca directly said.
"Jade, you know how unacceptable this is, right? Alam mo ang magiging reaction ng pamilya mo!" Sally said.
"Yes, but it doesn't really matter at all. I love Althea. I'll fight for her, for us." I firmly said.
"Sally, calm down!" Bianca said.
"Calm down?! This situation is very different." She said.
"Can't you just accept the fact na mahal ko si Althea? Our sexual preferences have nothing to do with our relationship. Love has no gender, Sally. It's universal." I said.
"Girl, hindi ka pa ba sanay sa mga lesbians na kinakasal sa states? Wala namang pinagkaiba. Nasa Pilipinas lang sila but that doesn't change the fact that they're crazy for each other. I can see it in their eyes." Bianca added.
"But still, kapakanan mo lang naman iniisip ko, Jade. Tito would definitely do anything to stop this." Sally said.
"I know and I'm thankful because you're all there for me. All I ask from you guys is acceptance. Sana matutunan niyong matanggap kung sino ako ngayon at kung sino ang gusto ko." I said.
"We're here for you, Jade." Bianca said.
"Oo naman. Nagugulat lang talaga ako sa mga nangyayari. It's just happening so fast that I can't easily cope with it." Sally said.
"So please, be nice to Althea. Behave!" I said.
"Si Sally lang naman overreacting dito eh!" Bianca teased.
Althea went back to continue our dinner at sinimulan na siyang gisahin ng mga bestfriend ko.
"So Althea, sigurado ka na ba dito kay Jade?" Sally mocked her.
"Kaya mo bang buhayin 'tong bff namin? She demands alot!" Bianca said.
"Shut up!" I said as we all laughed.
"I'll try to attend to her needs. Alam kong medyo needy 'tong si Jade." Althea continued laughing.
"I hate you!" I said.
"Althea, can you promise us a thing?" Bianca seriously said.
"Uh, sure? Ano ba 'yon?" She asked.
"Take care of her, okay?" Bianca started.
"And don't make her cry! I'll kill you the moment I saw tears from her eyes!" Sally continued.
"Please don't leave her. We'll not be always around for her since she's here." Bianca said.
"Lastly, love her, Althea, even if it's difficult." Sally said.
"Love her despite all the problems that might come in your way." Bianca said.
"Guys.." I was starting to get emotional when Althea looked at me.
"I promise to take care and love her. I'll take full responsibility of Jade, don't worry." Althea smiled as she assured them.
"That's too much cheese. Enough!" Bianca said.
"Ewww, guys. Haha." Sally teased.
"Might as well name this couple, your call?" Bianca asked Sally.
"Uhmm, Jathea would be nice!" Sally said.
"Jathea! Ang loveteam ng taon! Hahaha!" Bianca laughed.
"Tigilan niyo nga kami. Geez!" I demanded.
"See? Senyorita Jade is coming out!" We all laughed.
Our dinner went well and I decided to go home with my best friends. Althea volunteered to drive us home and she told me to stay with them and enjoy the rest of the evening.
The next day was one of the saddest moments of my life since they'll be going back. I really missed them.
I drove them to the airport and we waited for their flights to be called.
"Oh bakit nakasimangot ka dyan?" Bianca asked.
"Aalis na kayo agad eh." I said.
"Napakadrama mo talaga, as always." She said.
"Basta Jade ha? Tell us when something goes wrong. I swear babalik agad kami dito!" Sally said.
"Pag sinaktan ka ni Althea, reresbakan namin 'yon!" Bianca added.
"Be strong, okay? Take care of yourself. Wala kami to protect you."
"I'll be fine, girls. Althea's with me." I answered.
"We'll update you as soon as makarating kami." Sally promised.
We bid our goodbyes and we can't help but be emotional. I really love my besties.
"Love you, girls!" I said.
They went in and waved their hands. I waved my goodbye and went back to my car to call Althea.
Calling Althea...
"Hello, lablab?" Althea answered.
"Pasakay na sila. I'm on my way now to the office. See you there?"
"See you. Drive safely. Don't forget to put your seatbelts!" She reminded me.
"Lubb, don't treat me like a child." I said.
"I know. Pero mahirap na! Baka pagalitan ako ng best friends mo." I can feel her smiling.
"Ewan ko sa'yo! Bye. I heart you." I said.
"Heart you too!" She said.
I smiled while putting my seatbelts on.
Friends done. My family to go.
