Find Your Way

Chapter Fourteen

Althea's POV

"Tsong, umamin ka nga sakin. Ano na talagang meron sa inyo ni Jade?" Batchi asked me out of the blue. I was busy surfing the internet on my iMac for our next event. It's already 8 in the evening and we're still here in the office.

"Hindi ka pa din ba nakaka-move on sa tanong mo 'yan." I answered not taking my eyes off of the computer screen.

"Hindi mo naman sinagot yung tanong ko." She said while she manly crossed her legs. She was siting on the chair across my desk.

"Nasagot ko na yan, matagal na. Ayaw mo lang maniwala."

"Hindi naman kasi kapani-paniwala." She fired back. I looked at her with disbelief and just shook my head. I decided to ignore her remark and return my gaze on the computer screen. I was actually not in the mood to exchange tirades with her since our next client is practically stressing me out.

"Kung sa ibang tao kaya mo 'yang itago, ibahin mo ko. Kilala kita, tsong. Mula ulo hanggang paa, kahit bali-baliktarin ka pa, makikilala at makikilala kita."

"So? Anong point mo?" I shot back. I'm starting to get annoyed by the way she throws away her views.

"Tsong, ang sa akin lang naman, kung ano man yang nararamdaman mo para kay Jade mas mabuting-" Before she could even finish her sentence, I cut her off.

"Ahh, so mas kilala mo na yung sarili ko kesa sakin. Mas alam mo na yung nararamdaman ko kesa sakin." I seethe as I turn my swivel chair to completely face her. I saw her starting to become uneasy. I don't really want to argue with her but the stress that has been built up from a demanding client isn't really helping.

I heard her sigh and rub her fingers on her forehead. A habit she does when she's trying to calm herself down. "Hindi naman sa ganon, Althea. Alam ko kung paano ka nasaktan. Nandoon ako nun, tsong. Kasama mo ko nung mga panahong yun. Hindi ko naman sinasabi na mas marunong ako sa kung ano man ang nararamdaman mo. Ang sa akin lang, ngayon ka pa lang nagsisimulang mag-move on at ayokong pagdaanan mo na naman yung pagiging miserable mo."

"I know what I'm doing, Batchi. Alam ko kung hanggang saan lang ako at alam mong hindi ko ugaling mang-sira ng relasyon ng ibang tao." I said in a monotonous tone. It's true. I meant every word though it's killing me inside.

It's been a month since Jade and I became closer. It's actually after our first drinking session with the gang in RK. Since then, we check on each other everyday. We always exchange messages on Viber. There were times na tatawag sakin si Jade sa gabi hanggang sa abutin kami ng madaling araw sa pag-uusap. We often eat our lunch or dinner together depending on our free time. Jade will visit me here in my office and spend her whole day with me and vice versa.

Everything happened in just a month. And within that span of time, I fell hard. So hard that even if I hurt myself with the truth that Jade and David are together, I still let myself love her.

I understand if Batchi is getting all panicky about what I feel for Jade because I'm just the same as hers. I'm also scared I would've been in the same situation I was in three years ago. I'm just starting to rebuild my life but here I am, making the same mistake all over again.

"I understand what you feel about this, Batchi. Kahit naman i-deny ko sa'yo, I'm sure you already know that I'm in love with Jade. Pero sabi ko nga sa'yo, I know where I stand at alam ko kung hanggang saan lang ako. Masakit oo, pero kuntento na ko na ganito lang kami ni Jade. I knew from the start that we will never be together and I'm starting to accept that." I sincerely said and my throat's starting to hurt since I've been trying to hold back my tears.

Batchi nodded and grabbed my left hand that's resting on the table. "Basta tsong, kahit anong desisyon ang gawin mo, nandito lang ako. 'Wag mong kakalimutan na susuportahan ka namin ni Wila kahit anong mangyari. Kahit maging tapag-alaga mo na naman kami."