By a while, I meant a little more than two weeks. And I was terribly, terribly missing Jia already.
It came to the point that even Maki and Cel knew something was up. Which was why the three of us were gathered in Cel's garden, drinking.
"Guys, I messed up," I said after several bottles of Smirnoff. "I'm starting to like Jia."
"Tanga. Masasaktan ka na naman!" Maki exclaimed, straight to the point.
"Wow. Thanks, Maki. That is exactly what I needed to hear," I said sarcastically.
I knew she was right but still, it didn't help.
I turned to Cel.
"Cel, I'm starting to like Jia."
Cel smiled awkwardly at me.
"Maki's right, Bei. Malaki ang chance na masasaktan ka lang."
I sighed.
"And to be honest, matagal na naming alam na in love ka na kay Jia. Ikaw na lang hinihintay naming umamin."
Cel and Maki smirked before clinking their bottles together.
Wait, what?
"Hold up, Cel. First of all, I'm not in love with Jia. I'm starting to like her. Bid difference," I said defensively. "And how would you guys even know eh it only happened a few weeks ago."
They both rolled their eyes at me.
"Beatriz, last year mo pang gusto si Jia. Remember when we went to the beach last November and you offered her your cap and made her wear your polo so that she won't get dark?" Maki asked while air quoting the last part.
I nodded.
"Well, it was the middle of November. Hindi mataas ang sikat ng araw so di siya mangigitim. Plus, you never offered the same courtesy to me and Cel. Best friends mo rin kami, huy."
"You guys are already dark. You don't need protecting," I said.
They both threw bottle caps at me and which I did not completely manage to avoid. One hit me in the forehead.
"Bei, you made her wear your polo because you don't want men looking at her body," Cel said, getting back on track.
"That's not why," I denied firmly. "Jia really just have sensitive skin."
"How about when we were carrying a lot of stuff and you only offered help to Jia?" Cel asked.
"Guys, I always offer help when carrying stuff. I've been doing it for you since high school," I argued.
"It didn't matter that between the two of us and Jia, Jia's the volleyball player who goes to the gym and strong enough to carry the stuff she was bringing?" Maki asked with a raised brow.
I paused.
That was true. But somehow, Jia doesn't give off that vibe. She seems fragile.
"Okay. Okay. I didn't know you guys were so sensitive about those. I'd carry your stuff next time," I said instead.
"Remember when you went to the states tapos biniro ka namin ng pasalubong and you jokingly said you won't give us any?" Maki continued.
"But by then, you already bought tons of stuff for Jia?" Cel followed.
I frowned, not thinking about their point.
"Guys, you should have told me that you're getting jealous of my friendship with Jia."
