SAME COURSE [COMPLETED]

XXII. BURNING

"But I think it'll not be the case now" Gab said and we looked sa direction niya and we can see Jinn and Denise, walking towards us.

Pagdating nina Jinn, he introduced Denise as his fiancée. Christine and Steph stopped talking. Sila lang nina Gab naguusap.

"The wedding will be this Sunday. Sorry kung sudden ha. Also, I need you guys later kasi yung mananahi pupunta sa bahay nina Christine, we need your measurements"

"Okay" Jinn

"Will it be okay kung sasama ako mamaya?" Denise asked

"Ahh oo naman" Gab said

"NO" Christine said "Hindi ka naman kasali sa entourage, we don't need your measurements for the dress. So, why are you coming?"

"Because my husband is coming, I believe I should be there"

"You can be there, at the wedding. Pero mamaya, ayoko"

"Christine, it's okay" Gab said

"No it's not. She's not even my friend" tumayo na si Christine. "I'm sorry" she looked at Denise "if kasama ka man mamaya, please expect na sa labas ka lang ng bahay" tapos dumeretso na siya sa classroom.

That afternoon, sabay sabay na kaming pumunta sa bahay nina Christine except, Jinn.

"I swear to God kapag kasama niya yung babaeng yon!" Nanggagalaiti siya grabe "I know he's getting married pero I can't accept.."

"Ano bang nangyari? Hindi ata ako updated. Ako lang mukhang nashock kanina nung nalaman ko" Steph said

"Eh, Jinn's dad is saving their company and the only way para makuha yung pinakamalaking investor is to marry the investor's daughter and his son.

"I know sa mga dramas lang nangyayari to. I cannot believe na possible pala talaga in real life"

"Usually sa mga big companies talaga may mga ganitong kasunduan" Christine explained "but still, its 21st century bakit ginagawa pa rin nila to?"

"Hindi mo man lang nabanggit sa akin to Pao" Steph

"You know me Steph, kung hindi naman ako involved hindi ko para ikwento"

"So, hindi ka pa talaga involved ng lagay na to?" Christine's glaring at me "Bullshit lang Pao"

"Oh, wag kang magalit kay Pao. Wala rin naman magagawa yang galit mo and involve man si Pao o hindi, wala rin siyang magagawa because decisions to ng father ni Jinn"

Pagdating namin sa bahay ni Christine, may nakapark na SUV. Gab stopped the engine and at the same time, we saw Jinn na bumaba sa sasakyan.

"Buti naman hindi niya kasama yung babaeng yon" Christine said then sabay sabay na kaming bumaba ng sasakyan.

"Bakit hindi ka pa sumabay sa amin? I texted you" Gab asked

"Sorry. Ang kulit ni Denise eh"

"Don't tell me nandito siya"

Then bumaba yung window ng passenger seat

"I'm here" Denise, smiling. Christine rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I can't leave her" Jinn explained

"Okay lang. Don't let her get off that car I'm telling you" Christine said and pumasok na kami sa bahay nila. Deretso kami sa guest room. Wala yung parents niya since busy sa wedding preparations

I want to look at Jinn pero hindi ko magawa. I find myself reading a magazine.

"So, explain" Steph, looking at Jinn "seryoso ba tong nangyayari?" she asked

"Uhm oo?" Jinn

"My God, I cannot take this" tumayo si Steph "How about Pao? Paano si Pao?"

"Pao is.. You can see, she's fine"

"Fuck that!" Steph exclaimed "I know, I know wala naman kayo pero.. it's so frustrating!!" lumabas siya ng kwarto. Sumunod si Christine and kitang kita ko sa face niya na naiinis rin siya.

"I guess, you two need to talk?" Gab asked pero wala sa amin nagsalita pero lumabas na rin siya ng kwarto and closed the door.

"I told mom about the wedding, last night" he said and I just looked at him "galit na galit siya" he smiled "I guess, I can expect her before graduation"

"I see" I looked at him. Finally. "Ang tagal naman nung magsusukat for the dress. I need to work pa eh" tumayo ako para lumabas ng room because I don't know what to do anymore.

"Fudge" I looked at him "We're locked"

"Ehh?" tumayo si Jinn and chineck niya rin yung door knob and confirmed

"I'm sorry. I need to do this" Steph on the other side "medyo malalate daw yung magsusukat for the dresses kaya dyan muna kayo habang wala pa siya okay?" tapos we heard, she walked papalayo sa pinto.

"Sorry" I grinned with peace sign

He laughed "it's okay" then umupo na ulit ako sa sofa dahil I know matatagalan pa ang pagkakakulong namin dito.

After 5 mins, we heard a car na umalis. I guess si Denise yon pero wala akong narinig kay Jinn after that. But I saw him texting. He looked at me.

"It's Gab. He said na umalis na daw si Denise and umalis rin silang 3. They will buy food to eat daw"

"I see" tumayo ako and I'm suddenly not feeling well tapos napaupo ulit ako sa sofa.

"Oh, what's wrong?"

"Ah. Nothing. Bigla lang ako nahilo but it's okay"

"Are you sure?" tumayo siya and lumapit sa akin

"Yes. I'm sure" I smiled pero bigla niyang nilapat yung noo niya sa noo ko and nagkatinginan kami.

"You're sick" he said tapos lumayo na siya. "I'll text Gab na umuwi na agad sila"

"Really?" Bat hindi ko napansin na I have fever or something "It's okay. I'll sleep na lang muna" I looked at him and smiled.

"Okay. Dito lang ako" he sat beside the sofa

"Okay"

Jinn was the last person I saw and he's smiling at me. I suddenly feel burning. I think it's best for me to sleep, baka kasi over fatigue lang.