It was almost the finals of Jia's conference when we had a good talk about our friendship.
Except for that one time in the beginning of the conference where I watch Jia live with Deanna, I haven't stepped foot anywhere near Jia's games. Jia noticed it when she kept inviting me to watch again but I kept refusing.
"Bakit ba ayaw mo talaga manood?" Jia asked irritatedly after dinner one night in Jia's condo.
I sighed deeply.
"To be perfectly honest, I just don't want to give people more things to talk about regarding our relationship."
Again, people keep linking me with Jia. I hardly post anything about us except in special occasions because of them.
Jia turned to me with a frown.
"So? Let them talk."
I turned to her as well.
"Jia, they're calling you names because they think you immediately moved on from Miguel to me. Some are even thinking you broke up with Miguel for me."
Honestly, neither Jia nor Miguel has confirmed their break up. But the lack of JiaGuel posts and their refusal to comment on it had a lot of people speculating on what happened.
"Again, Bea, so what?"
I sighed.
"Jia, I just don't like what they're saying about you. They don't know how painful this whole thing is for you tapos ganoon pa sila."
Jia also let out a deep breath before moving her chair closer to mine so she could lean her head on my shoulder.
"Exactly, Bea. I'm already hurting so why the hell should I care about what they say and let them affect our friendship? You're one of the people who make me happy right now. I consider you my best friend." Jia stopped and looked at me embarrassedly. "Or are we too old for that now?"
I smiled at Jia. Hearing her call me her best friend gave me a warm feeling.
"Not at all. I consider you one of my best friends, too, Jia." She smiled back. "Exactly why I want to protect you."
"I don't need protecting, Bei. And besides, shouldn't I be the one asking you kung okay lang sayo na nalilink tayo? I've read what they're saying also, Bei. They think you stole me away from Miguel. Ang dami nilang sinasabing di maganda."
I sneered. "Never have I cared what they think of me, Jia. I don't really mind."
"Good. That's settled then? You're going to watch my game?"
I shook my head in defeat. Can't really argue with Jia.
"Ano pa nga ba? Pero Jia, I'm warning you, ah. 'Cause people who get seriously linked with me tend to get bashed."
She laughed.
"Papi mo kasi, eh."
"I know, right?"
She just shook her head amusedly at me.
We then started to pack away our dishes and I offered to wash since she was the one who prepared the meal.
While I was washing, Jia remained seated on the dining table.
"Bei, out of curiosity, what can be considered an acceptable amount of time to have moved on? Sabi mo nga, sabi nila masyado akong mabilis nakamove on. Gaano katagal ba dapat?"
I glanced at her briefly and thought about it while continuing with the dishes.
"Wala namang time frame 'yun, I think. Some people just always have something to say."
