One Great Love (COMPLETED)

25: Fixed Misunderstandings

JAY

I rested my back on this swivel chair. Piles of paper works welcomed me this morning. I had to have them recorded on my computer. A cup of coffee from the pantry was my breakfast as I had no time to eat at home. Late na ako nagising dahil hindi ako nakatulog agad kagabi. Unti-unti, nararamdaman 'ko ang pagbalot ng antok sa aking katawan. Dumagdag pa ang lamig dito sa loob ng opisina.

Everybody busied themselves with work. Tahimik ang buong paligid at tanging pagtipa ng mga keyboard at ugong mula sa aircon ang maririnig. Lalo lang ito nakakadagdag sa antok. My eyes went to the time on my computer screen. Two more hours before break.

I took out my phone from my pocket to check for any messages. I was hoping that Cat would reply to my message from last night. But up until now, wala pa. I understand how hectic their schedule was, and so was mine.

Came lunch time, I decided to not go out. Instead, I stayed inside the locker room. Naka-upo ako sa malambot na sofa dito habang nagpapahinga. All I wanted was a thirty-minute nap. My body comfortably rested on this grey L-shaped sofa. Everybody was out for lunch so I have it all alone.

My mind was about to shut off when my phone started vibrating in my side pocket. I peeved. But that faded when I saw my girlfriend calling. In no time I tapped on the green button. "Hey,"

"Hi, babe! How is my love doing?" Sounded sweet, as ever.

Umayos ako ng pagkaka-upo at niluwagan ang aking kurbata. As if she'll see me. "Much better now. Narinig 'ko na ulit boses mo." I tried to reciprocate the tone habang nilalabanan ang antok.

"I miss you so much, babe. I wish I could go out and see you but you know how busy we are."

"Baka naman pinapagod mo masyado ang sarili mo. Don't starve yourself too much. I know you have to maintain a figure but do not deprive yourself from food."

"I will, babe. And you, too. Don't stress yourself on work."

That put a smile on my face. "Noted."

"Anyway, I can't stay long. We're in a middle of a sponsor visit and tumakas lang ako to call you."

After exchanging our 'I love you's', we hang up. Right then and there, nawala ang antok 'ko. I felt I came from an eight hour nap. Isang tawag niya lang, napawi ang pagod 'ko.

ANDRES

Sa araw-araw 'kong pagsama sa pangangampanya, nasanay na ako sa init at paguran. Gigising ng alas-siyete ng umaga, aalis ng alas-otso at dire-diretso na hanggang sa sumapit ang tanghalian. Pahinga lang ng tatlong oras at balik ulit ng alas-kwatro ng hapon. Depende pa kung saang barangay dahil may mga barangay na malalaki at kailangan isa-isahin ang mga tao ng lubusan. Lalo na kung alam naming teritoryo iyon ng kalaban.

I looked myself on the mirror one night. Nabawasan ako ng timbang at medyo nangitim na rin ng bahagya. It wasn't bad, but my two weeks and a half stay here in Ilocos has been great. I felt that I need this kind of vacation after working and studying at the same time for years.

And on that same night, while browsing my news feed I saw tagged photos of Gino. Swiping, I checked on this particular photo. It was them baristas including the new girl I heard the last time I talked to him. Ayon sa aking pagkakatanda, Mimi ang pangalan niya. And damn, Mimi's undoubtedly beautiful. Short, long black hair, skinny and fair-skinned. Nakatabi pa siya kay Gino sa picture na malaki ang ngiti.

Bakit ba may kirot akong naramdaman sa aking puso? Should I be hurt? I shoved away that nonsense feeling. Subukan niyang kantiin si Gino. Ipapatikim 'ko sa kanya ang hagupit ng isang Andres Montecillo.