S U A D E L A

24

Suadela had been holed up in her room for days. She missed her classes and even her nearly completed OJT. All she did was send a message to HR, saying she was feeling sick.

Sick in the head.

It was Luan, not Gia's friends, who made her feel miserable. She couldn't stop wondering what was wrong. They both knew there was something between them, and it's clear he cares for her, so why was he acting so distant?

Fuck.

Situationship lang ba ang nangyari sa kanila? At ngayon, gino-ghost na siya nito?

Suadela pulled her hair with eyes wide open. She had not seen Luan in that way but was he a real player?

"Hey— mangyayari sayo?" si Soteria na kunot-noong nakatingin sa kanya habang nakatayo sa nakabukas na pinto.

Suadela rolled her eyes and stared at the ceiling.

"Utang na loob, mag-Ingles ka nalang. Ang sakit mo sa tenga pakinggan."

With her lips gaping and her eyes wide, Soteria exaggeratedly pointed at herself.

"M-me? You're so mean. I'm doing my best na. Unti-onti kong binabalik ang Filipino skills ko. You wait at huhusay din ako."

"Bakit pa? Sayang effort mo. Babalik ka rin naman ng Saipan."

Hindi nakaimik si Soteria.

Suadela tsked and pulled herself up, leaning on the headboard. "May sasabihin ka?" pag-iiba niya ng usapan.

"Ah, yeah." Soteria cleared her throat and went in. " Atty. Escaño has already taken care of the videos, so there will be no scandal regarding that day. You can go out now."

Tumango si Suadela kahit pa hindi iyon ang dahilan ng pagkukulong niya ay hindi na siya nag-abalang magpaliwanag sa kaharap.

"And you know what?" Soteria sat on the edge of  her bed. "Remember the guy I used to kwento to you? The one before I moved abroad?"

Ah, Soteria's supposedly first and only crush.

"Oh, bakit?" Suadela frowned.

"I met him again." Soteria grinned. "He's more handsome now. Kagigil. Kaso he's such a snob pa rin."

Kakilig. Suadela mentally corrected her sister as she listened to her story.

"Kulitin mo. Para ano pa at naging si Soteria Jacinto ka kung hindi mo gagamitin ang asset mo."

"I know right!" Soteria flipped her hair while smiling broadly.

Naiiling na tiningnan niya ang kapatid kasabay ng maikling dasal na sana okay lang ang lalaking nagugustuhan nito. Knowing Soteria, she could be a real pain in the ass.

After two more days, Suadela decided to finally go out for two reasons. First, she was bored to death, and second, Soteria kept bothering her.

"Oh, hi." The woman walking beside Suadela smiled at her softly.

She was the rumored daughter of the owner of TPI.

Tipid na nginitian ito ni Suadela bago tahimik nilang tinahak ang daan papunta sa elevator. Katatapos lang ng shift nila at pupunta na siya sa SU. Bahagya pa siyang natigilan nang makita sila Nea at July sa labas ng elevator na kapwa nag-iintay din. Nauna na ang mga itong mag-out sa kanya kaya nakakagulat na napang-abot pa sila.

Tinanguan siya ni July habang nanatiling nasa harap ang tingin ni Nea.

"Going down." Anang elevator operator nang bumukas iyon. Sabay na pumasok sila Nea at July.