girlfriends (LingOrm)(on-going)

44

O L I V I A

The much-deserved semester break is almost over. I'd say it was the most productive one I've ever had since entering college. Hindi ako umuwi ng probinsya kasi uuwi naman ako doon ngayong Christmas break, at nandito naman si Mama sa City, kaya okay lang na dito muna ako buong break.

After nung nag-dinner kami almost two weeks ago, napapadalas na ang pagkikita namin nila Papa at Mama at syempre kasama din namin si Oliver. We usually eat out, and that made me more comfortable around my Papa. May nakita na rin siyang bahay na malapit lang sa apartment ko. I just learned that Papa actually owns the apartment I'm staying at. Kaya pala mura ang rent kahit ang ganda ng place. I didn't ask about it anymore kasi baka maging awkward lang. No wonder super British-like ng building na 'yon.

Papa gave me the freedom to design the new house. He hired one of the best interior designers in the city, and I've been working with her ever since. The house is huge, built around the 90s pero sabi ni Papa, super tibay daw nito and it's built to last for at least a hundred years. Kaya 'yon na ang kinuha niya. It's actually near Bless's house, kaya sobrang saya ko nung nalaman ko 'yon.

"Baby, what about this?"

I snapped my head toward Savannah. She was holding her iPad, showing me the design she was working on. Kakabalik lang niya noong nakaraang araw, at ngayon ay busy siya sa paggawa ng bagong design. She kept asking for my opinion, which is weird because usually, she doesn't.

"It's beautiful po," I said, kasi to me, everything she creates is beautiful. Even Stacey's works look amazing in my eyes.

"That's been your script since earlier," she said, annoyed.

"Hala? Eh kasi naman te, maganda lahat ng mga pinapakita mo," I replied, half-laughing but she suddenly turned to me with a glare.

"I told you not to call me that."

"Ha?"

"'Te!' We are not sisters," she huffed, moving away from where she was leaning on me.

She's been home two days ago, but this was the first time we'd seen each other. I wasn't able to pick her up at the airport kasi I was with Papa at the new house. She said it was fine, pero halata namang hindi. Kanina pa siya nagmamaldita, and now she's sitting on the far end of the sofa.

"Sorry na, hindi ko napansin," I said softly, moving toward her but she glared again, making me stop in my tracks.

"Whatever," she mumbled, returning her focus to her iPad.

I slowly inched closer until I was beside her again, resting my chin on her shoulder. "Sorry na, hmm? Dapat di tayo nag-aaway kasi ang tagal mong nawala."

"Then stop addressing me like how you address your friends. I am your girlfriend, just to remind you," she said without looking at me.

"Yes po, mahal. Sorry na po," I murmured, wrapping my arms around her waist and burying my face in her nape.

Her scent hit me right away... soft, clean, and warm. Ang bango niya talaga. Tuwing magkalapit kami, lagi kong naaamoy 'yong buhok niyang mas healthy pa yata sa buong pagkatao ko.

I smiled when she finally dropped her iPad and rested her hands over mine. When she was away, the anxiety I had because of Wayne grew every day. I didn't tell my friends here, ayokong may kumampi or mag take ng side. Instead, I contacted Kate, even though she was busy with her promotion.

Kate and I talked for hours whenever she had time. She comforted me through the screen, and somehow, that was enough. She made me realize that Wayne is just a speck of dust in our relationship and that there will be bigger storms ahead, and if I can't handle this, then how can I handle the rest?