Carpool

Chapter 22

~ Signs ~

JHOANA

I entered the grab car that I booked carefully and trying my best not to trip in my 3-inch heels. I checked the time and I was a little bit late since natagalan din ako mag paayos at late na rin ako natulog dahil ang tagal namin nagusap ni Jia.

"Start na po yung ride, ma'am?" The driver asked. I smiled and nodded, still feeling sleepy.

Hindi na rin ako makatulog dahil sa kakaisip ng kung ano ano kagabi. Kasalanan din kasi 'to ni Jia eh.

~ Flashback ~

"SINCE WHEN PA 'TO?!" Nilayo ko pa ang phone ko dahil ang lakas lakas ng boses ni Jia, ang sakit na sa tenga.

My shoulders then slumped as I groaned and lied down on my bed.

"Hindi ko alam, Ji. Gulong gulo ako." I internally screamed. "But it's possible na wala lang naman 'to right? Baka gusto ko lang talaga siyang kasama ganon kasi close na kami?"

Natawa naman si Jia.

"Yeah right."

I groaned.

"You're not helping, Julia." She laughed again.

"Sorry, nagulat lang kasi talaga ako, okay? I mean hindi ko talaga inakala. Saka akala ko rin kasi straight ka—"

"JIA!"

"Sorry!"

I sighed and stared at the ceiling.

"Hindi mo ba talaga naalala kung kailan nagsimula?" Jia broke the silence.

I blinked a couple of times and turned to my side. I paused and thought for a minute.

"Uhm.." I started. "Siguro nag simula when we started hanging out outside of Ateneo. Noong mas nakilala ko siya lalo outside of her being the famous BDL. I realized how thoughtful, passionate and determined she can be. How she loves and values her friends and family kaya ayan... nagulo utak ko!"

Tawang tawa ulit si Ji kaya napapairap nalang ulit ako.

"Have you ever felt something like this to anyone? Kay Nico?"

"Isa pa yan!" I exclaimed. "When I'm with Nico, I always compare him to Bea. Laging iniisip ko kung anong gagawin ni Bea kung siya ang kasama ko hindi si Nico. Laging 'siguro kung si Bea 'to maalala niya na ayaw ko sa maanghang' o kaya naman 'siguro si Bea mas maganda yung tugtog niya sa sasakyan' Ang babaw diba?"

"Pero grabe, Jhow ah. Who would've thought that after all these years isang Bea de Leon lang pala ang kailangan mo para tumigil ang pagka halaman mo."

I rolled my eyes.

"Hindi pa naman tayo sure, Ji."

Jia scoffed. "When were you ever sure though?"

Natigilan naman ako. Kailan nga ba ako naging sigurado? Eh yung simpleng nararamdaman ko nga kay Nico hindi ko malaman laman.

"Look, Jhoana. Tansta tanstahin mo muna. For someone like you who rarely likes or even feels something odd towards someone, I agree that this is somehow a big deal for you but don't over think it too much nalang siguro muna?"

"Yeah, siguro nga. Maybe I'm just really overthinking this." I sighed.

"Mag focus ka nalang bukas and try to enjoy the night with Nico. Huwag mo muna isipin si Beatriz okay?"