So Into You (A JeDean / GaWong Story)

Play House

***
(Deanna said)

"Hello?" I woke up early in the morning to answer my phone. I didn't even check who was calling. I just wanted it to stop ringing.

"Good morning Deanna!" Jema said. She seemed excited.

"Morning... maaga pa ah." It was our free day from training. The day was meant to catch up with sleep for most of us--well apparently, not for Jema.

"Busy ka today?"

"Yup. Busy matulog."

"Rise and shine!" Her energy was unwavering.

"I'll rise and shine after lunch."

"Now na please?"

"Ughh... Jessica Margarett... not now..."

"Claim ko na 'yong favor that you owe me." She was referring to the favor I insisted I owe her for driving me to the hotel last week. "Spend the whole day with me... That's the favor I'm asking you."

Suddenly feeling excited myself, I got up from bed. This would be the first time that the two of us are hanging out since I returned to Manila.

"Okay, sige na nga. Para quits na." I purposely sounded annoyed. 

"Thanks, Sungit! Sunduin kita in 30 minutes okay?"

"Okay. Ingat ka ha..."

***
(Jema said)

I finally got the keys to my own place. I already imagined the interior and was determined to get all the furniture I had in mind. Ate Jovi offered to join me shopping but I told her to rest. I asked Deanna to come with me instead--she knows home furnishings well from running a hotel and it's also a good excuse to ask her out.

"Saan ba tayo pupunta?" Deanna asked as soon as she got in the car. She was pouting and acting up again, which I really find cute. "Sarap pa ng tulog ko kanina."

"Mamimili tayo ng gamit ko sa condo," I answered.

"Does this mean you got your own place?"

"Yes!" 

I was caught off guard when she hugged me. "Congrats! Nakakaproud ka naman. Your hard work really paid off!"

"Thank you." I calmed down from her embrace.

I felt Deanna's sincerity even if my  accomplishment was trivial compared to hers. When we were dating, I started planning on getting my own place. Back then she witnessed my frustrations with failing to save enough. But she never got tired on reminding me to be patient and wait for the perfect timing.

***
(Deanna said)

We arrived at the home furnishing store and got the smaller items Jema needed. We were shopping with ease because she knew what she wanted for her condo.

"So this is how happy adulting feels like!" I said as we were looking for curtains to match her wall color. Her enthusiasm had already rubbed off on me. "This is therapeutic. Thanks for inviting me to do this."

"Wala 'yon. Kailangan ko rin ng inputs mo sa interior design," Jema answered. Sana next time na yayain kita sumama ka ulit ha?"

"If it's too early like today, pag-iisipan ko muna."

"Wag na nga lang!" She rolled her eyes.

We headed to the furniture area to pre-order a couch, a bed frame and a mattress.

"Totoo bang five hundred thousand pesos para sa higaan?!" Jema said in disbelief as we saw a premium bed on display.

We caught each other's eyes and just like that we knew we had to jump in. We threw ourselves on the matress and felt the instant comfort it gives. 

"Ahhh iba! Pang five hundred thousand nga ang feeling," I said.

"Lambot nito! Siguradong mahimbing at masarap tulog ko dito," Jema answered.

"Mas masarap matulog pag katabi ka." I instantly cringed when I lost control and let those words slip.

"Oo na, malaki at malambot na mga braso ko!" She joked to ease the tension--but she knew I meant it.

***
(Jema said)

"Hatid muna kita ha para mahiram ko na rin 'yong foldable trolley," I said as we loaded the stuff we bought in the car. Their hotel was on the way going to the condominium building.

"Daan tayo sa hotel para kunin 'yong trolley tapos tutulungan kitang magbuhat," Deanna answered. "Magpapasundo na lang ako from your place."

"Hala, baka masyado na kitang naaabala."

"Di ba the favor you asked me is to spend the day with you? Eh hindi pa kaya tapos 'yong araw. Tsaka gusto ko ring mabinyagan 'yong condo mo."

"Fine! You win this time." I tried so hard wiping off the silly smile on my face.

When we arrived at the hotel, her staff was already waiting for us at the lobby. They rearranged my trunk to fit in the trolley. They also handed her a bag.

"Ano 'yang inabot sa'yo?" I asked Deanna.

"Overnight clothes para masubukan ko na 'yang malambot mong unan," she answered, squeezing my arm. "Jooooke..."

I gave her a side-eye. "Banned ka na sa condo ko."

"Hahaha! Ito naman hindi na mabiro." She then showed me jars of rice, salt, sugar and water.

"Para saan 'yan?"

"Ayan daw ang unang ipapasok mo sa bahay para sa good fortune! Wala namang mawawala kung maniniwala tayo sa kasabihan."

"Ahhh oo nga. Nabanggit din pala ni Tatay 'yan. Nawala na lang sa isip ko. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"At meron pa!" She took out a bottle of wine. "Of course we have to celebrate this perfect timing."

"Di ba meron ding kasabihan na kapag may alak, may balak? Ikaw ah, anong binabalak mo?"

"Are you even ready for it?" Deanna just winked at me and smiled.

I was suddenly nervous. "Ewan ko sa'yo!"

I continued driving as my heart pounded so hard.