girlfriends (LingOrm)(on-going)

40

O L I V I A

I started driving and focused on the road, we were just quiet the whole time. I have been thinking about it since last night after seeing Savannah after a few days. She seems tensed up. She never raises her voice at me, unless she's annoyed and I know she's only doing that for me to console her. There must be something bothering her.  
 
"Olivia." She called my name.  
 
I hit the brake as we merged into the traffic part of the City. I removed my gaze from the car in front of me and looked at her.  
 
"Hmm?"  
 
"I'm sorry." She mumbled.  
 
"It's okay, you did not mean to raise your voice." I said and reached over and held her left hand.
 
As much as I want to ask her a lot of questions, I'd rather keep them for now until this semester ends. I want her to focus on her studies and not stress over me just because I am somehow overthinking.  
 
"No, not that. It's about Wayne earlier---"  
 
The sound of my phone stopped her from talking. I sighed and grabbed my phone, si Mama.  
 
"Ma?" I asked as soon as I answered the call.  
 
"Anak, saan ka?"  
 
"Nandito sa gitna ng kalsada po." Seryosong sagot ko.  
 
"Anak, maging seryoso ka naman kahit minsan lang."  
 
Natawa ako sa sinabi niya at nilipat ng facetime yong tawag para ipakita sa kanya na nagsasabi ako ng totoo.  
 
"Oh, kita mo yan? Gitna ng kalsada. Tingin ko kasi sa akin ay joker palagi." Sabi ko at binaliktad ang camera para mukha ko naman makita niya.  
 
"Ay sorry. Susunduin mo nga pala si Savannah." Sabi niya kaya napatingin ako sa jowa ko na nanahimik nalang sa may gilid.  
 
"She's with me now." I said and faced the phone towards Savannah who immediately wore a smile and waved her hand at my mom.  
 
"Bakit po kayo tumawag?" Tanong ko ulit kay Mama at nagsimula nang magmaneho kasi umuusad na ang traffic.  
 
I felt Savannah's hand holding forearm so I quickly glanced at her, "Hmm?"  I raised my brows at her.  
 
"Let me hold this. You're driving." She said and got my phone from my grip.  
 
I smiled, "Thanks, Love." I whispered and continued to drive.  
 
"So anak, nag decide ako na kitain si William. Sunday naman bukas diba? So free ka."  
 
Kumunot ang noo ko, "No Mama. I planned to spend my whole day tomorrow with Savannah. Can you tell him to reschedule it next week?"  
 
"It's okay, Olivia. This might be something important." Savannah said and reached over to me and put her free hand on my right knee.  
 
"It's just dinner, Sav. We can always do it next time, right Ma?" Nilingon ko si Mama na ngayon ay may kinakalkal sa isang box.  
 
"Oo. Hindi pa naman ako nag confirm sa kanya, kaya nga kita tinawagan kaagad. Kung busy ka bukas ay sasabihin ko nalang na may another hiking gig ako." Mama said and laughed a little.

Natawa din ako sa sinabi niya, ginawang alibi na talaga ang hiking eh. What if biglang mag-aya si William ng hike date? Edi tapos ang maliligayang araw ni Mama?  
 
"Ma, sabihin mo nalang na busy pa ako. Wag ka nang magsinungaling, jusko ka." Suway ko sa magaling kong Ina.  
 
"Savannah, hija. Do you want to join us? It's just dinner with William and his son."  
 
Savannah looked at me, then back to Mama. "I will see if I have free time for that, tita."  
 
"Sure, dear! No pressure, para naman makilala mo din yong anak niya." Sabi ni Mama.  

Jusko. Kilalang kilala na siya ni Wayne. To the point na di na nakakatuwa.
 
"What for Ma? She's busy with her project right now." Sabi ko at inirapan ang plate number ng kotse sa harapan ko. 

Wala akong ibang mairapan, baka dukutin ni mama ang mga mata ko pag sa kanya ko yon ginawa.
 
"Ay ayaw mo ba nak?"  
 
"Hindi sa ayaw ko. Tsaka na natin ipakilala si Savannah kung sure ka na sa William na yon." Sabi ko.  
 
"Hey, don't say that." Saway sa akin ni Savannah.  
 
Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpa-alam nalang kay Mama. "I will message you nalang Mama. Bye po."  
 
"Sige Nak, mag iingat kayong dalawa. Bye Savannah, dear!" and the call ended.  
 
Savannah put my phone on her lap and faced me. "Hey,"  
 
"Why?"  
 
"Don't you like William for your mom?"  
 
"It's not like that, Savannah. I don't even think my Mom is serious about him. She said that he begged her to give him a chance and try it with him. He sounded just like his son." I said annoyed.  
 
Savannah sigh, "Your mom told you that?"  
 
"Yes. I called her kanina nong papunta pa lang ako sa bookstore. Sabi niya ay wala talaga siyang balak, pero mapilit daw si William. Kaya ayaw ni Mama na makipag dinner with him na hindi ako kasama."  
 
I hit the brake when I finally parked my car in front of her apartment building. "We're here."  
 
She nodded and handed me my phone, "Thank you for picking me up."  
 
"Of course." I said and gave her a smile.  
 
"Sorry, I've been so out of it these days. This project is almost done."  
 
"Don't be sorry for things that you have no control over, okay? I understand that you are busy and that's perfectly fine. We're good." I said and leaned over to kiss her lips gently.  
 
"Thank you. I don't know how to be sane without you." Sabi niya at niyakap ako.  
 
"Aww, baby you are a strong woman. This is just a project, you got this, okay?"  
 
"Of course, just stay with me."  
 
"I am not going anywhere, clingy ako eh." I said and let go of the hug.  
 
"Do you want me to walk you inside?" Tanong ko pero hindi siya agad sumagot.  
 
"Can you... stay with me tonight?" Tanong niya pabalik.  
 
"Of course. I have nothing to do in my apartment and Kate is busy watching her favorite Netflix show when I left her earlier."  
 
"Oh, yeah. Kate's all alone--"