Someone You Loved (COMPLETED)

17 - Unboxing RJoy

Zoe's POV

At least RJ and I are civil towards each other right now. I'd like to thank Boo for enlightening my mind. He's been open and didn't judge me for what he's heard. My boo-boo has really matured so much.

"Boo, diba si Joy yun?" Gael rubbed my hand with his thumb as both of our hands are clasped. Pinagmamasdan kasi namin si Rhys na namimili ng toys dito sa Toy Kingdom. My eyes followed his gaze and confirmed that it's really her. So kasama pala sya ni RJ dito. How come, iniwan nya? That's not so RJ.

"Yeah, it's her."

"Lapitan mo Boo parang mag-isa lang naman sya. Ako na bahala dito kay Rhys."

I followed what Gael told me and walked towards Joy who's busy looking at some Mattel163 games.

"Hey."

"Uy Zoe, hello!" Bumeso sya sa akin. She's really all sunny. "Mag-isa ka lang?" May excitement sa tono nya when she saw me. Her smile is infectious.

"Nope," liningon ko si Boo and Joy saw him, "kasama ko si Gael at si Rhys."

"Oh I see! I'm glad na nakita ko kayo dito. Nag-enjoy ba kayo sa EK?"

"Yes! It's such a happy place."

"Happier with your loved ones, noh? Hindi na tayo masyado nakapag-usap last week sa bahay nila RJ. Your fiance is good looking ha and I must say mukhang mabait."

I also get that word for Gael and it warms me knowing that he's with me. "He's everything."

"My God look at you! You're so in love!"

Natawa ako sa tinuran nya. I am lovestruck. Ano ba yan, parang teenager.

"By the way, may gagawin ka ba?"

"Actually, kasama ko si RJ and he just left. Uuwi na ako pagkatapos kong bilhin ito," she referred to the latest card game of Mattel.

"Great. Join us at the dessert shop. Mahilig ka ba sa sweets?"

"Nope but I love bright colors. I've always loved their interior design there so yeah, I'll love to join you. Bayaran ko lang itong binili ko ha?"

"Yey, great!"

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.

I've been careless. When I invited Joy, nakalimutan kong hindi komportable si Rhys sa kanya. Good Lord... what have I done?

Instead na masaya ang bata, tahimik syang kumakain ng cupcakes and is secretly asking Gael what time are we going home. When I asked if he likes me to take photos of him, he would refrain.

Joy is really trying to get close to him but to no avail. Gael would give her an apologetic smile every time.

"Rhys, pwede mo bang i-share sa amin yang macaroons mo?" Gael is trying to help, I can tell.

"Opo." He quietly gave us, 1 each. Although hesitant, he offered the last piece to Joy.

"Thank you," Joy told him. Rhys just looked down as a response.

"So, Joy, you're teaching pala?"

"Yes. The same school where RJ's teaching but I'm with the senior high department."

"That's great to know. Hindi naman mahirap? Yung sister-in-law ko kasi eh teacher din and I saw how teaching honed her."

"Mahirap at some point pero pag gusto mo rin talaga ang ginagawa mo, napakafulfilling ng experience. Marami pa akong pagdadaanan kasi I'm just starting but I'm sure I'll get by."

She is so mature for her age.

"How old are you? Kung okay lang naman malaman." Gael asked.

"I just turned 24."

"Wow. And yet, you maturely look at life already."

"Siguro dahil ilang taon din akong nag-stay dito sa Manila na malayo sa mga magulang ko. The independence has taught me a lot about life and how to see it."

"Proud na proud siguro ang parents mo sayo."

"They are. Na-meet na sila ni Zoe."

It's my turn to put down the sweets. My God, I'm munching the cotton candy nonstop. Chill ka lang, tonsils. "Diba naikwento ka na sayo Boo? Nakakatuwa ang parents nya. Talkative like you hehe."

"Ah ganun ha?" Sinundot nya ang tagiliran ko. "Ikaw ang mas talkative sa atin."

"Haha! Huwag ka ng mahiya kay Joy. Halata namang talkative ka."

"You really look good together," Joy complimented us all of a sudden which made Boo blushed.

"We always get that remark," pagmamayabang nitong tukmol na to. He turned serious and stared at me. "Ewan ko nga eh, ordinary looking lang naman tong si Zoe..."

Ayun binato ko ng cotton candy sa mukha nya. "Wow ha! Eh patay na patay ka nga sa akin!"

Nagtawanan na sila ni Joy and he quickly moved in closer and hugged me. 'I'm just joking, Boo!" Tumingin sya kay Joy and explained, "My girl's the most humble goddess in the universe but when it comes to me, gustung gusto nyang pinapangalandakan ko kung gaano sya ka-dyosa sa mga mata ko." And those words earned him a pinch from me. I really made sure na aaray sya.

"Dapat lang Gael. Napakaswerte mo kaya kay Zoe. All girls love it when their partners brag them to everyone and this lady in front of me deserves all the bragging noh! Parang nasa kanya na ang lahat."

Ay nakakatunaw naman ng puso.

"You are beautiful, too. Maswerte si pareng RJ." Gael knew how to compliment a girl and I don't get jealous whenever he does that. "Matagal na kayo?"

OMG Boo, you are tsismoso!

Joy paused and for twice was about to say something and withdrew. "It's... uhm, hindi naman kami."

"What?!" My reaction surprised Gael. Well, pareho lang naman kaming nasurprise alam ko. Aba teka... anon'ng nangyayari?

"Yeah... we are just, I dunno..."

"Ano bang tawag dyan, Boo?" Gael was trying to find the term. "Ah, MU. Mutual Understanding. MU kayo? Di ko alam that RJ does that thing."

"Tumigil ka nga, Boo."

"Walang label ang M.U. Diba?"

Hala sige Boo, i-push mo pa yan. You're rubbing lemon to a wound. Joy's face turned sad kasi. Marunog pala tong malungkot? Teka. Nagba-buffer pa ang utak ko. Biglang humina ang wifi connection.

I saw them kissing in the hospital and I asked RJ after that eh. It was a heated confrontation that broke our friendship.

"You can call it that way," Joy told Gael. "Pero I'm not complaining naman."

"Pwede rin namang courtship stage." Gael shakes his head, "I can't believe it."

"But I must commend RJ for having you and his family meet ha? That was brave."

Umiling si Joy, "that was impulsive."

"Pwede na po ba tayong umuwi?" Rhys cut the density.

Gael took a sharp breath upon hearing it but he smiled to Rhys. "Sure, kiddo."

"Boo, tara na? Ihatid muna natin si Rhys then si Joy na. Okay lang?"

"Sure, Boo."