Author's notes: added 1.5k words instead of publishing another chapter kasi yung next chapter would be Chapter 36 na. "Chapter" is chapter 35. Balik na tayo sa present time after this. Hehe.
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After that small fight we had, Jia and I were fine. Totally. I love her, she loves me. It was good.
I couldn't say the same for Mika and Ate Ly though. I mean, I didn't even know they weren't talking to each other or seeing each other until I randomly decided to pester Mika some time before the conference was supposed to start.
I was surprised when I asked if she made progress with Ate Ly already but she told me that maybe she could exchange the rest of the food-before-game bet I owed her to one walwal night since that wasn't something she was willing to talk about without alcohol. I was worried so I agreed.
"Hon, I think something happened with Mika and Ate Ly," I started, broaching the topic as Jia and I cuddled inside Boyfie's arms.
"What do you mean?" Jia asked, looking up to me with a worried look.
I told her my interaction with Mika and her face turned blank before moving away from me.
"So you're going to drink with her? Kayong dalawa lang?"
I got confused by the sudden change in her behavior but I still nodded in response.
"Where?"
"In her place," I answered.
"She lives alone, right?" Jia continued to grill me.
"Yes, Hon. May problema ba?" I asked cutting to the chase.
Jia hesitated and avoided my gaze as she talked in a low voice.
"I'm not comfortable with the thought of just you and her getting drunk in her place."
I clenched my fist as I realized that Jia thought what happened with Miguel will happen to me as well. What the hell? As if I would ever cheat on her!
"Jia," I said seriously. "I'm not like Miguel. I'm not going to get drunk and cheat on you."
Jia sighed.
"Bea, the alcohol is a devil and-"
"I won't cheat on you, Jia. Trust me."
I could see she wanted to argue but she held back her tongue and nodded.
"I trust you," she whispered, seemingly defeated.
The following two days before my walwal night with Mika was filled with tension at certain moments. Jia was anxious and I was stubborn. I wanted to prove to Jia that I'm not going to be like Miguel.
On the night of our walwal, I dropped by Jia's place first to assure her again that I won't make the same mistake Miguel made. Before I left, Jia hugged me tightly.
"Just... Stay mine, Isabel," Jia whispered.
I smiled softly as I kissed the top of her head.
"I'm forever yours, Melissa. I promise. I love you."
"I love you, too," Jia replied before giving me a searing kiss.
She sent me off with a hesitant smile.
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When I got to Mika's place, I could feel how broken she was. But we really didn't talk about her and Ate Ly until the alcohol already kicked in our system.
"Why did you do it?" I asked her after she told me what happened. "Why did you give her up?"
Mika looked at me painfully.
