"Jho..."
I tried to say, but it ended up as a weak whisper na ako lang ang nakarinig.
I'm not hallucinating.
It's Jho.
The Jho I met from Batanes. The Jho that I've been trying to find for weeks. The Jho that I've been comparing to other girls.
No, I'm not hallucinating at all.
It's really her, standing just a few inches from where I'm seating.
"I'm so sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Gaston. May kinailangan lang talaga akong tapusin sa work kaya hindi ako nakaalis agad. Pasensya na talaga. I hope you didn't change your mind."
"It's fine, Jhoana." nakangiting sagot ni Ponggay sabay tingin sakin.
Hindi ko alam if it's because of the aircon but my hands are getting cold. Ice cold. And my heart's beating too much as if it wants to jump outside my ribcage.
"Anyway, this is my friend Bea De Leon." pagpapakilala ni Ponggay sakin.
Jho suddenly looked at me na parang dun lang niya narealize na may ibang kasama pa pala si Ponggay dito sa table. And I swear, unti unting nawala yung mga ngiti sa labi niya when she saw me. Napalitan iyon ng pagkagulat. Hindi siya nagsalita. She was just staring at me na parang hindi rin siya makapaniwala sa nakikita niya ngayon.
She only looked away ng magsalita si Ponggay.
"I hope you don't mind if I'm with a friend."
"I-It's alright." Jho cleared her throat when she stuttered. Tapos muli siyang tumingin sakin. "Nice to know you, Miss De Leon."
She offered her hand for a shake. Hindi ako nakapagsalita at parang wala pa ako sa tamang katinuan kaya wala sa sarili kong tinanggap yon. It was just a quick handshake at agad din naman niyang tinanggal ang kamay niya at hindi na ako ulit tiningnan.
"Have a seat, Jhoana." Ponggay said, completely unaware of my frozen stares, and Jho's attempt of pretending that everything's normal.
Jho took a seat in front of me. She put her laptop sa table while trying so hard to avoid my existence. Like she doesn't see me, or even know me at all.
"What do you want to drink?" Ponggay asked.
"Oh, it's fine." tanggi niya.
"No, I insist. Let me order you a drink before we start."
"Uh okay siguro Americano na lang." medyo nahihiya niyang sabi.
Ponggay nodded and then bumaling siya sakin.
"How about you, Bei?"
I suddenly came back to my senses.
"W-What?"
"May gusto ka pa bang iorder?"
Napakamot ako bigla sa noo ko tsaka naiilang na napaayos ng buhok.
I shook my head. "No. I'm already fine with my latte. Thanks."
Napasulyap ako kay Jho. She's looking at me, pero nung tumingin ako bigla niyang inalis ang mga tingin niya sakin.
When the coffee came, they started with the meeting for the design of the website. While me on the other hand was just staring at her.
Jhoana Maraguinot
All this time I've been wondering what her full name might be, or where the hell I will find her. And now she's here, in front of me when I thought I will never see her again.
