THAT GIRL | MIKHAIAH

CHAPTER 9

Aiah knocks on the door, standing outside the editorial's office where Jhoanna told her to meet.

"Ate Aiah, come in." Binuksan ni Jhoanna ang pinto at pinapasok si Aiah. "Upo ka muna."

"Anong meron Jho?" Tanong ni Aiah nang makaupo ito.

Napabuntong hininga si Jhoanna. "Our school will hold an event for V day. I just got the memo this morning. Nakakastress, I don't think we'll have enough time to prepare. Kaya ate Aiah, pwede ikaw munang bahala sa team natin? Hindi ko na alam paano ko hahatiin ang katawan ko."

"Sure, I'll take care of it. Magpapasubmit ako ng report from the other OICs tomorrow since we don't have practice on Sunday, to keep track of their activities." Sabi ni Aiah.

Bahagya namang gumaan ang pakiramdam ni Jhoanna. "Thank you, ate Aiah! Alam ko busy ka din, paano ba na'tin 'to kinakaya?" Pabirong tanong ni Jhoanna.

"Iniisip ko na nga paano ko kukompletuhin flights ko. After nitong school fest, literal na nasa ulap na talaga ako." Natatawang sabi ni Aiah. "Siya nga pala, general practice bukas diba? Nag-announce ka na?"

"I still have to finalize our venue and expenses, pero dahil parehas naman ang location ng ball games practice na'tin mamaya, doon ko na lang siguro sasabihin then to our group chat." Sagot ni Jhoanna.

Aiah nods her head. "Copy, Jho. Is that all?"

"Yeah, at least for now. I'll keep you updated, ate Aiah."

Aiah stood up. "It's almost lunch, kain na kaya muna tayo?"

"Mamaya na lang siguro ako, ate Aiah. May meeting ako in twenty minutes." Jhoanna huffed.

"Okay, padadalhan na lang kita ng lunch kay Colet, malapit lang naman dito 'yong next class niya mamaya." Sabi ni Aiah.

"Huwag!" Jhoanna exclaimed, her voice filled with horror echoes the extremely quiet room, it made Aiah flinch, her hand on her chest.

"Sorry." Jhoanna lowered her voice. "Ate Aiah naman, no need na. Promise I won't skip lunch, late lunch, yes, pero 'wag na. Aabalahin mo pa 'yon."

Aiah smirks, giving Jhoanna a teasing look. "Sus, crush mo parin si Cols no?"

Napakamot na lang ng ulo si Jhoanna. Hindi niya pinatulan ang pang aasar sa kaniya ni Aiah pero hindi rin ito tumanggi.

"Uy, grabe ha! Hindi ko alam ganyan ka pala ka-loyal kay Cols. Ilang taon mo na siyang crush?"

Jhoanna pouts. "Two?"

Jhoanna met Colet on her second year, it was on a high afternoon where she found Colet in a bench singing a song that Jhoanna had to Google out to know its title and what was it about - a morose song. Magmula nong araw na 'yon, hindi na niya makalimutan si Colet, nalaman niya rin na isa pala ito sa mga athletes ng campus kaya madali rin niya itong nasubaybayan. Sinubukan niyang magpapansin dito, naging madali rin sa kaniyang makalapit nang malaman niyang matalik pala itong kaibigan ni Aiah na noong mga panahon na 'yon ang kakilala na niya.

Jhoanna's admiration for Colet never dissipate, but seeing Colet always had her eyes for someone else, she didn't try to pursue her.

"Try mo kaya umamin." Sabi ni Aiah.

Mabilis umiling si Jhoanna. "Naku! Mas lalong 'wag na. Happy crush lang naman 'to, ate Aiah. I don't stand a chance, and we both know why."

Aiah gave her a soft, empathetic smile. "I'll get going na, Jho. See you later. Kumain ka ha."

"I will. Sabay na tayo mamaya."

"You sure? Kasama ko si Colet eh." Aiah teased her once more before she closes the door behind her.