A LITTLE MORE (Complete)

EIGHTEEN

JONI

The past couple of days were heaven. I can't believe I was living my dream. I just got promoted and now I even got the girl of my dream as my girlfriend. Isa na lang problema ko talaga. Letting my best friend know about the situation. I hope Trish will understand if she knows about the truth.

Since Sunday ay sa condo na ako ni Lourie lumalagi and yesterday it was nice going home there. Inagahan ko talaga ang pag-uwi, and Lourie surprised me with her cooking. Para siyang maybahay ko. I made love to her all night to show how much I appreciate her.

"What's happening lately with you, Joni?" Trish suddenly barged in my office. Tumayo siya sa tapat ng table ko.

"What are you talking about?" I asked calmly.

Shit. My heart raced up a bit. Does she know about me and Lourie already?

"You went home earlier again yesterday habang nasa meeting ako. You also did that last Wednesday. Hindi alam ng EA mo kung bakit. It's unusual because I know that your job is important to you. Then you have been purposely canceling my calls and not replying to my texts. Anong ginagawa mo na hindi ko alam, Joni?" She demanded for my answer.

"Why do you care about my private business, Trish? Hindi kita girlfriend. Best friend kita." I gritted my teeth.

I was trying my best to stay calm and choose my words wisely. But Trish is getting on my nerves and the office is just starting.

"I'm just worried about you. Are you depress or something? Kung may problema ka, pwede mo ako kausapin. If this is about the reunion at hindi mo nakita si Lourie. I'm sorry." She reached for my hand na agad ko pinalis.

"What the fuck!? I'm not depress, Trish. In contrary ay kabaliktaran ang iniisip mo." I said.

"What do you mean kabaliktaran?" She asked in surprise.

"Lourie and I already saw each other before you even saw me sa venue. She and I have already talked. I am elated and we're actually together right now." Mahinahon kong sabi habang pinagsalikop ang aking mga kamay.

I saw many emotions passed by Trish's eyes hanggang naging blangko ito which was scary for a bit.

"Wh-what? What d-do yo-you mean by together? As in kayo na?" She stuttered.

I simply nodded. She stepped backward. She clutched her stomach at napatakip siya ng bibig. Napatayo at agad na dinaluhan siya dahil sa reaction niya.

"Are you ok, Trish?" I asked worryingly.

She looked up at me. Her eyes were glassy. She was biting her lips hard.

"I... I'm... I'm just so happy for you two." She said before she jumped on me for a hug.

"Phew! I thought napano ka na. Thanks Trish." I released a big breath and hugged her back.

"Of course. Your happiness is my happiness." She sincerely said as she steps back from our hug.

"Thanks for understanding." Napakamot ako ng ulo ko.

"You didn't have to hide it from me. Ano ka ba. Para kang ano diyan." She lightly elbowed my stomach and looked a way as she folded her arms.

"Balak ka namin kausapin ni Lourie. This week actually. Naunahan mo lang ako. I'm really sorry."

"Sus. Don't apologize. Just tell me ahead of time. Oh siya. I'm going back to my office." She smiled.

Mabilis na umalis si Trish ng office ko. Ako naman ay bumalik na rin sa desk ko. I sighed a huge sigh of relief.

Since umuwi ako ng maaga kahapon ay natambakan na naman ako ng gagawin for today. I already texted Lourie that I was going to do overtime. It was really getting late in the office, bigla bumukas ang pintuan ko. Napatingin ako kung sino kasi umuwi na ang EA ko. Sumungaw ang ulo ni Trish.