Last-Minute Changes (2nd)

Chapter 8

Louisse's POV

It's been five days and I haven't seen any sign of Tori. Is she avoiding me on purpose? I never tried calling her back after that night. I thought it was best to just talk to her but now she's MIA. I didn't ask anyone about her whereabouts yet but now that I am seeing Stephanie who was about to leave after our council meeting, I couldn't stop but to call her.

"Stephanie---" I started but I don't know what to say next.

"Yes?" Stephanie picked the folders in front of her before finally looking at me.

I paused and regarded her for a few moments. Should I ask her? Then what should I say if she asks my reasons for asking?

"It's probably better to ask me your questions than overthink on your own, Louisse." She released an amused laugh. Does she know something I don't?

"It's nothing. Nevermind." I waived my hand dismissively.

"Or probably about someone whose name starts with letter T. As in Tori Garcia?" Biglang singit ni Franco. Akala ko abala siya dun sa projector. Yun pala nakikinig sa usapan namin. Chismosa.

"Oh, that. Sorry I can't say much about it." Stephanie threw an apologetic smile at me.

"I don't think it's beneficial for her to be absent for a week without any explanation." I said, trying not to make it sound like I'm interested.

"Nagpaalam na siya kay Dean bago umalis and pumayag naman." Stephanie answered but I see something in her eyes.

"Kaso nakalimutang magpaalam sa jowa." Singit ulit ni Franco na kinatawa ni Stephanie. Hindi man lang nila itinago ang pagka-amuse at my expense. And in my presence at that ha.

"Shut up, Franco." Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin pero patuloy lang siya sa pagliligpit. 

Buti na lang kameng tatlo lang ang nasa conference room ngayon. Baka kung ano pa ang isipin ng mga tao kung marining nila ang usapan namin. Not that I care about their opinion.

"Sige, sasabihan ko siya na magpaalam sa susunod." Pagsakay naman ni Stephanie na kumindat pa kay Franco.

"I'm happy to be of entertainment to you today." I rolled my eyes at them.

"Stephy, pakisabihan nga si Tori na huwag niyang iniiwang tigang 'tong si Louisse nang matagal. Baka mamaya tayo ang kainin niyan. Eww." Parang kinikilabutan na pagkakasabi ni Franco. Exaggerated naman ang baklang 'to.

"Eww ka rin. What the hell are you talking about?" Binato ko siya ng folder kaya naman mas lumakas na ang tawanan nilang dalawa.

"Uuyy, may nami-miss pero ayaw umamin." Pagpapatuloy ni Franco sa pang-iinis sa'kin.

Hindi na talaga maganda ang timpla ko. "Franco, isa." Banta ko pa.

"Dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima? Marunong akong magbilang, Louisse." Banat ni Franco na muling nakailag sa binato kong pencil.

"Tama na yan. Franco, stop before this gets out of hand." Si Stephanie na ang umawat sa'min. She looked at me before releasing a breath. "Tori had an emergency. She should be back by next week. Around Monday."

"I'm not asking." I said defensively which made Franco laughed out loud.

Biglang nag-ring ang phone ni Franco na pagkalakas lakas. Bigla ba namang ngumisi bago sumagot sa boses na rinig na rinig naming tatlo. "Hello there, Tori. We were just talking about you."

Lahat ng atensyon ko ay napunta kay Franco ngayon. Ramdam ko ang titig ni Stephanie sa'kin pero wala akong pakialam. Bakit tumatawag si Tori kay Franco tapos sa'kin wala man lang ni 'hi' ni 'ho'?