My Greatest What If - Moira Gokongwei (Published)

Chapter 17

I have always hated being under the spotlight. But since I met Gio, I couldn't even begin to count how many times I was pushed to take center stage.

The good thing about those experiences though, was that she was always right beside me.

"Congrats, Sir George!"

"Congrats, Sir!"

"Congrats sa inyo!"

The people inside the cafeteria cheered.

Gio was cool about it. I, on the other hand, thought that my face would forever be tinged red.

"Sir George, good catch!"

"Yes, indeed." Gio good-naturedly replied. "Now, whoever goes near my girl will get fired, okay? That's fair warning."

"Noted!" Sheila hollered and the cafeteria filled with laughter. "Since my cousin is in such a great mood, lunch is on us!"

Everyone applauded.

"Girl, how to be you?" Shey asked as we all sat down. "At ikaw naman Couz, ang swerte mo, ikaw lang daw sapat na...inggit much."

"May inggit ka pang nalalaman, puntahan mo na kasi sa Diliman."

"Shit ka, George, lalo tuloy akong naiiyak..." Sheila said dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief. "Menopausal na yata ako, I am getting so emotional. Oh, God, I can't be approaching menopause, right?"

"Ano ka ba, nasa early twenties ka lang, 'di ba?" I asked.

She nodded. "But what could this be? Why am I crying like this?"

"Baka buntis ka, Shey?" Gio kidded.

Sheila threw daggers at her. "Alam mo naman, 'di ba, na dinaig ko pa si Madonna."

"Madonna?"

"Like a virgin, touched for the very first time. And no follow-ups after that. Ilang buwan na 'yun, ano. Ano si Harold, mala-Goblin?"

"Goblin?" I asked.

"My God, saang planeta ka ba galing at hindi mo kilala si Goblin? How about Grim Reaper?"

"Um..."

"Ay, kailangan mo silang makilala, Girl! Wait lang."

"Shey, ano na naman ba 'yan?"

"George, h'wag ka nga d'yan. Ipakikilala ko lang kay Moira 'yung legitimate kong lalaki. Si Harold kasi talaga side dude ko lang 'yun, eh. Wait lang, nandito sa phone ko—'eto!"

She eagerly showed a photo in her phone to me.

"Sino 'to?"

"Si Goblin nga, ano ba?"

"Artista?"

"Shh! Selosa ang fangirls n'yan, hindi pwedeng malaman nila na ako talaga ang tunay na Goblin's Bride!"

She shrieked. "My God, kilig na kilig talaga ako sa lalaking ito! Okay lang kiligin ka, Girl, hindi naman ako maramot!"

"Ang generous mo naman," I kidded. "Pero, mas guwapo 'yung katabi n'ya..."

"'Yan naman si Grim Reaper—oh, my God, Couz, ha, ang sama ng tingin mo. Baka naman bigla na lang akong magliyab n'yan?"

"Kung anu-ano ang itinuturo mong kalokohan sa girlfriend ko—"

I moved Shey's phone close to Gio's face. "Kahawig mo s'ya..."

"Who?" she asked.

"'Yung Grim Reaper."