Chapter Text
^^stacey’s pov^^
"Let me get this straight: you call each other love," Aiah, the friendlier between the couple, started.
I’m on my way to Hong Kong today. While waiting for my flight sa isang cafe, this couple requested to share a table with me. Puno na kasi ibang tables. Well, just few minutes later, we were talking about our lives na. I honestly didn’t know why they became interested with Jho.
Anyway, they really looked good together and I felt like they’re really inlove with other. Single pa maman ako ulit ngayon so nang-iinggit ba sila? Maghahanap na ba ako ulit ng jowa? #StaceyNeverBeatingTheHindiNagigingSingleAfterRelationshiopsAllegiation (omg who started the trend!)
Aiah’s girlfriend is named Mikha. While she listened to my story as well, she’s the quieter one. Jho can’t relate— mas OA pa sa OA ‘yun eh!
The first time Jho called me love was when we were in 4th year high school. She got sick so she was not able to go to go to school. I pretended to be sick so I can be with Jho and take care of her. After giving her medicine, she said, Thank you, love . I knew she was sick that time pero tinawanan ko talaga siya. Then inasar ko na siya afterwards by calling her love back. And ayun, it sticked. I thought I was special…
"It’s not only me. Jho calls her other friends babe, honey, dear, and all other sweet endearments," I defended.
"...you carpool going to and from work almost everyday," Aiah added.
"We both work in Ortigas," I answered. "Tipid gas."
While we work in totally different industries, our office buildings were just right beside each other. When Jho was considering places to work with after we graduate, she tried doing a pros and cons list. I joked na one pro of working with her current company is that we can have more concerts sa car together (one of our favorite things to do since she had her first car). We always fight sa playlists namin, and I won’t ever admit it, but I really like her song choices. Lately lang kasi, kapag siya scheduled mag-drive, meron siyang officemate na gustung-gusto niyang sinasabay. Ang guess what? Sobrang out of way nung Colet na ‘yun!
“… you attend Sunday family events nina Jho as much as you can…”
That is true but what is Aiah getting into? “We live in the same village. It’s like free food.”
Plus, I’m an honorary Robles. Dun sa ilang years ba naman na tumatambay ako sa kanila, halos buong angkan yata ni Jho na-discover na kung gano ako kabait, kaganda, and ka-talented. Actually, pwede pang maging legitimate Robles na sana kung hindi niya ako pinipigilang ilakad dun sa isa niyang pinsan na crush na crush ko. Sabi ni Jho, ayaw daw niya akong maging kapamilya. Sa ganda kong ito? Saka ang talented ko kaya! Ayun, happily married na tuloy si Kuya Donny ngayon tapos nagiging yaya nalang ako nung baby niya kapag Sundays. Haha.
"...you go on date nights," she continued.
"What kind of friends do not go on date nights?" I asked back.
“All kinds of friends!” This time, it was Mikha who answered. “We just call it hanging out or we always ensure we add the word ‘friendly’ to it.”
"Yes. Tama baby ko,” Aiah said while nodding. “Tapos… you celebrate monthsaries and anniversaries pa. Wow.”
I’m starting to get annoyed na talaga. "Can you please just get to the point?"
Aiah looked at Mikha, who gave her a nod, then she said, “You do all that but you’re not together?”
"Uhmmm, yes? Because we're bestfriends?" I stated.
Aiah and Mikha just both looked at me na parang hindi sila naniniwala.
Mikha raised her eyebrow, "And why are you going to Hong Kong again?“
I frowned. Jho has a work thing in Hong Kong and she really did not want to go. “Because Jho messaged me na she misses me and she wishes na makakasama ako.”
"And she only went there yesterday," Mikha said looking amazed. Why does she sound like it was the most unbelievable thing to happen?
“She sent a sad emoji! Okay? Hindi siya nagsesend usually ng sad emoji unless super sad na siya,” I replied. What’s hard to understand?
Also, I saw her story with Colet. Yabang talaga nun. Akbay ng akbay kay Jho.
"And she's just your bestfriend?" Aiah asked.
"Paulit-ulit?" Ang kulit talaga nila.
“Hey! She’s just asking!” Mikha said, defending her girlfriend. Oh well, sana all na-po-protect.
“What I meant kasi was, do you secretly like her or something?"
"Hell no!" I quickly said. I have enough of this already. Everyone— and I mean everyone— was saying that I am simp for Jho. Palagi daw si Jho ang bukambibig ko. I’d give up everything daw for Jho. In two out of my three past relationships (the other one was just a plain cheater), my ex-boyfriends always whined that I spent more time with Jho than them. Ano bang akala nila? I’ll choose them over Jho whom I’ve known longer? Jho who can make me laugh without even trying? Jho who gets really really cute kapag napipikon siya? Jho na ka-physical bargadulan ko (especially kapag ginagaya namin sina Cassie at Marga dati of Kadenang Ginto) but gives the sweetest hugs afterwards? Jho who can have the loudest voice in the room but turns soft when she’s comforting me? Jho, who’s so lovely, that I once caught myself staring at her for minutes? Kakapal mukha ng exes ko if they think they could be better than my bestfriend. Bestfriend. Right. “Guys, Jho’s just my bestfriend."
I have said that a lot of times already. But why am I suddenly doubting that now?
“Yeah, but it doesn’t mean that you couldn’t like your bestfriend,” Mikha shrugged. “Or if you didn’t really like her, she has to secretly like you, you know?"
Jho liking me? Didn't she once called out our friends na nang-aasar samen and told us that it's not gonna happen? "No, impossible. She's straight af."
She may never had a boyfriend but that’s only because she’s more focused in her career. Plus, wala namang worthy sa lahat ng nanligaw sakanya, jusko. Jho deserves only the best!
But then… bakit biglang ganun sila ka-close ni Colet? Dati, Jhoanna just leaves her phone anywhere. She even asked me to type for her ng replies to some of her messages! Ever since Colet entered the picture, biglang sobrang protective na niya sa phone niya. Ano bang pinag-uusapan nila?
"Tingin nga ng IG. Malakas gaydar ko," Aiah volunteered. “Tignan mo ‘tong si Mikha, unang kita ko palang alam ko na agad.”
Then she fucking winked at Mikha. Mikha then cupped Aiah’s face and pecked on her lips.
I rolled my eyes. Naglandian pa talaga sila? Right infront of my salad? Pasabunutan ko sila kay Jho eh.
I went to Instagram and looked for Jho’s profile. Then I handed my phone to Aiah. Mikha leaned close and put her chin in Aiah’s shoulder to see my screen too. Grabe, sobrang synchronized nila gumalaw. Parang kami lang ni Jho when we—
"Dude. Sabi ni baby, IG nung quote unquote bestfriend mo. Hindi IG mo. We already know you bend that way,” Mika complained.
“Excuse me! Straight din ako no,” I replied. Then I got my phone back to check the screen. "Tangek, kay Jho nga 'yan."
Both of then frowned. “Dude, puro ikaw 'to eh,” Mikha said. Mikha scrolled down while I still stared at the screen. Jho likes to take a lot of pictures, but I didn't realize that she also likes to take a lot of pictures... of me.