Seige Of Pleasures

Five

Good things really happen to those who persevere. You can never get what you want if you only wait, right? That's why persevere is the right term for her.

"Jenna. About last night," Hindi niya alam kung paano niya pasasalamatan ito. If it wasn't because of Jenna, baka hindi na siya makatapos ng first year dito. Buti na lang na Jenna's always there to lend her a helping hand.

"Look here, Yuri. . Don't ever worry about that. Well, that's the least I can do for everything you've done for me." She smiled sincerely.

"Oh Jenna, I've never done anything for you."

"No, Yuri. You have and you always do. Remember the day my father died at the same time my boyfriend broke up with me, you were there. You never left me. Remember how rude I am to everybody, and to you?" Yuri bit her lip to stiffle a sob. She remembers that. She remembered how miserable Jenna is and how she worried a lot because she didn't know what to do.

"Yuri, they thought of me differently after that. They turned their backs on me. They never understand me. But you? You were there. You never gave up on me. You understood me. Remember when I almost fail one unit back then?" Oh yes! How can she forget that? She felt responsible because she was her only friend left then.

"You insisted on helping me to the extent na wala ka ng tulog. You've worked hard double because of me. Yes, I was acting numb because I was hurt, but I know, perfectly aware, that you were struggling to help me pass that unit. You always update me to everything. And heaven knows, I could memorize it with you, reminding me every hour!" Yuri snorts.

"Oh Jenna. . " This is the first time Jenna said those fluttering things to her. "I was only returning the favor. How could I turn my back to someone who's been very kind to me?"

"But I was rude to you. ."

"Because you were in agony. And I know I shouldn't leave you. Atleast you have someone you can cry on. I know back then that I should've understand you, and that's what I did."

Jenna held her hand and was surprise to see tears falling from her eyes. "Why. . What have I done to deserve a friend like you. . I am so lucky." She whispered.

"So do I." Yuri said.

Bigla siyang tumawa at pinahid ang luha niya. "This is insane!" Tsaka siya tumawa uli.

Natawa na rin si Yuri. For almost four years na magkaibigan sila, ngayon lang sila nagkaiyakan ng ganito. Pero sa loob-loob niya, ang sarap sa pakiramdam. Sobra.

"Yeah right!" Sabi pa niya habang natatawa.

"Okay, enough of the drama! Nakakadiri!" Sabi ni Jenna atsaka pa siya tumawa ulit.

It feels good. Lalo na kung pagkatapos mong umiyak, alam mong okay lahat.

Talagang sobrang swerte niya kay Jenna. And so is she. Ganoon siguro talaga kapag nakatagpo ka ng isang totoong kaibigan.

It doesn't matter how many friends you have, as long as there's one who'll always be true and someone who's willing to stay through hard times. One is worthy to millions you have if you finally found that treasureㅡa true friend.

"Osya, nagugutom nako. Tara na't kumain!"

-

Papasok na siya sa University, hindi niya kasama ngayon si Jenna dahil wala naman itong pasok ngayon. It's Monday. Pero siya, kailangan niyang pumasok para maghanap ng reference na librong gagamitin niyang thesis sa library.

Open naman ito at may mga pumapasok sa ilang subjects, though kadalasan kasi ay free day ng mga students ang Monday.

"Yuri!" Napalingon siya sa tumawag sa kanya. Isang babaeng may mahaba't kulot na buhok. Sexy, matangkad at makinis ang balat base sa suot nitong off shoulder na dress na sobrang ikli. Mahahalata mo tuloy ang kaseksihan nito.

Ito rin ang babaeng nagalok sakanyang maging Concubine.

"Oh! H-hi?" Nahihiyang bati nito sa babae.

"Hello!" Masigla namang niyang tugon. "So, have you met him?"

Bigla siyang namula. Hindi niya kung bakit pero parang ang dumi dumi niya at isang nakakahiyang trabaho iyonㅡwell, nakakahiya at marumi talaga iyonㅡkinakailangan niya lang talaga ng pera.

"O-oo." Napayuko siya. Kung may mahahanap lang sana siyang mas madaling pagkakitaan ay hindi siya kakapit sa patalim.

"C'mon!" The woman held her chin up. "You're gorgeous, don't be shy. I'm sure, Winston won't get over with you once he learned about you."

She flushed scarlet. Bakit kailangang ganoon siya magsalita sa harap niya? She knows how to read between the lines. At alam niyang ang three-letter-word na yun ang tinutukoy niya.

Natawa naman ang babae sa reaksyon niya. "Look here Yuri honey, you won't aim success if you keep hiding on your shell."

Nakaramdam siya ng encouragement at the same time, pagkahiya sa tinurang iyon ng babae.

Tama naman siya eh, pero may mga bagay talagang mahirap alisin, lala na kung nakasanayan.

"Anyways, pinapasabi pala ni Winston na heto ang calling card niya. Call him when you get home." She said. "And when he says call him, call him. He's not patient, Yuri. And he hates being disappointed."

Yun lamang at iniwan na siyang ng babae.

Bigla tuloy nag-flashback yung mukha ni Trace nung huli niya itong nakita sa opisina niya maging ang hitsura nito tuwing ico-close up siya sa interview.

Gayunpaman, nagtataka siya dahil gusto siya nitong makita muli. Sa pagkakaalala niya kasi ay hindi naging maganda ang huling paguusap nila. Tinangka niya pa ngang ialok ang sarili sa lalaki!

Ano na namang kailangan sakaniya ni Trace? O Winston? Bakit siya nito gustong makita? Pumayag na kaya ito?

She shakes her head to get rid of her thoughtsㅡthoughts that involves Trace Winston Andersen.