When I woke up, Jia was staring at me softly as she traced circular patterns on my stomach.
"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
I shook my head before turning away to talk. I felt like I had bad breath and I didn't want to turn her off.
"What time is it?"
"Almost noon," she answered before sitting up. "We're the only ones left here."
That made me breathe out a sigh of relief. At least, I didn't have to face the rest after what happened last night.
"Come on, Hon. Wash up. We should say goodbye to Ate Ly and Ate Den before we leave."
"Ate Den's here already?"
"Yeah. I said goodbye to the others earlier and saw Ate Den arrived."
Well, that sucks.
I mean, I love Ate Den and I kinda feel that as her friend, I'm backstabbing her a little by supporting Mika over her when it comes to Ate Ly.
I took another minute of rest before I started moving, ready to face the day.
Before we went out of the room, Jia gave me a kiss on the lips and a reassuring smile.
When we got down, I didn't have to face Ate Den. She was already asleep, tired from her duty. Ate Ly, on the other hand, invited us to stay for lunch which we accepted.
I didn't have to apologize to Ate Ly again and she even gave me a soft smile. If Jia was curious why and how Ate Ly and I were okay, she didn't show it.
Lunch was a peaceful event and Ate Ly sent us off warmly.
Inside the car, I addressed Jia. I knew I also had to say sorry to her.
"Jia, I'm sorry about last night. Sorry about how I acted and that you had to take care of me," I said sincerely.
Since my car was automatic, Jia didn't hesitate in taking my right hand in hers.
"I'll always take care of you, Hon. You don't have to say sorry to me and I figured you and Ate Ly already talked? You both seemed okay earlier."
I nodded as I kissed the back of Jia's hand.
I told her that I woke up really early today and was able to apologize properly to Ate Ly before I crashed on the bed again.
I didn't tell her what Ate Ly and I talked about. I didn't have to. My resolve earlier to commit to my decision - to accept whatever Jia can give and not ask for more even if it meant only being second - was still strong.
From now on, I'll be whatever and whoever Jia needs me to be; no questions asked.
I glanced at Jia and appreciated her beauty.
I smiled.
This wasn't so bad.
Half her heart wasn't so bad.
-
Everything went smoothly for Jia and I after. PSL started and we got busy with training and competitions but we always made time for each other.
There were two major changes in PSL this conference. One, Mika moved back to F2 after being a mainstay in Petron for so long. Two, a certain ex of mine also decided to come back to volleyball.
The first one was something we already expected as Ate Kim did mention that Mika attended the team dinner/meeting F2 had on Valentine's day. The second one was also kinda something I expected as Ate Ella already hinted on it last year. But it's still quite different actually witnessing it happen.
