Chapter Text
Colet’s brows furrowed as she stared at the glass slides by the microscope. Ano nanaman 'to? Inis niyang binunot ang telepono mula sa kanyang bulsa at agad na nagtype sa GC ng kanilang laboratory.
Colet:
Paki-initial lagi yung mga gram stain dito hindi yung iniiwan niyo lang. Thanks.
It was only after a few seconds that another message popped up.
Jhoanna:
Nandito pa kasi ako sa Bacte, wag ka mag-alala ako magbabasa niyan.
Colet's eyebrow raised.
Colet:
Bakit kasi nakasalansan lang dito?
Jhoanna:
Maayos ko na nilagay yan dyan baka may gumalaw, ako na nga kasi magbabasa, di ko naman sinabi na basahin mo.
Colet:
Malamang babasahin ko na siyempre ako sunod na duty, di pa kasi mag endorse.
Jhoanna:
Ayoko na nga kasi ibigay sayo diba? Mag OT na ako kaysa i-endorse ko pa sa'yo.
Aiah:
Guys bumili ako pizza kain tayo dito sa pantry :D
Inis na binaba na lang ni Colet ang hawak na telepono at dumeretso na lang sa iba niyang gawain. She was met with her friend Mikha logging in on the table they had next to one machine. A sly smile was on the latter's face and she couldn't help but ask with a slight growl.
"Ano?"
"Chill." Mikha answered with a small laugh. "Kailan ba kasi kayo magbabati ni Jhoanna?"
Colet feigned ignorance as she checked the specimens she had to run before answering. "Hindi naman kami magkaaway. Hindi lang talaga kami magkasundo."
"Same difference." Mikha chuckled. "Don't you realize na kaya nga di kayo pinagsasama sa duty ni Ma'am Daniela?" She said, pertaining to their chief.
Colet merely shrugged her shoulders in reply. Ayaw na niya kasi pahabain pa ang usapan. Plus, Mikha was already walking away to the direction of the pantry. Ah oo nga pala may pizza nga pala.
She lifted her head when she saw Jhoanna approaching. So she wasn't lying when she said she was still here and was just at the Bacteriology Department.
Hindi siya pinansin ni Jhoanna at dumeretso na lang sa pagbasa sa naiwang slides. Colet minded her own business and finished the tests requested in her time.
“Tapos ko na basahin yung mga gram stain. Wala din ako endorse sa Bacte.” Jhoanna told her, not really looking at her as she fixed her workstation before walking away.
Colet let out a breath. Okay maybe she was too harsh. At talagang sa GC pa niya kasi sinabi ang lahat ng iyon. Pero it was the perfectionist in her kasi.
When she was sure that she had no pending works, she followed everyone to the pantry.
Muhkang lahat naman ay nagkakasiyahan dahil nga sa dalang pizza ni Aiah.
“Col! Kain na dali!” Aya ni Maloi, isa pa nilang kasamahan sa trabaho.
“Uwi na ako guys. Ate Aiah thank you sa pizza!” Jhoanna said, leaning in to kiss Aiah’s cheek. She grabbed her back pack from the lockers and made her way out.
Tumingin si Maloi kay Colet na nagtatanong ang muhkang tumingin pabalik.
“What?”
“Kailan ba kayo magkakasundo ni Jho?” Maloi pouted as she ate from her pizza slice.
Colet shook her head slightly. When will they let this go?
”Lagi kayo kasi talaga nagc-clash.” Mikha pointed out as she draped an arm around the back of Aiah’s chair before taking a bite out of her own pizza slice.
“You know why?” Aiah said. “Kasi pareho sila ugali.”
”Kami? Ni Jhoanna? Hindi ah.” Colet vehemently denied.
The three other girls all glanced each other’s way.
”E kung ganon can you both try to get along?” Aiah offered.
Colet shrugged her shoulders. “Okay nga lang kaming dalawa. Tamo bukas maingay na ulit yun.”
Both Mikha and Maloi sighed in resignation.
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Jhoanna yawned as she entered the laboratory, running a hand through her hair. Nakakatamad talaga ang morning duty. But at least she got to head home early.
She was placing her bag inside the lockers when another person entered also donning a yawn.
They looked at each other for a while, Jhoanna more surprised than the latter.
“Morning ka?” Jhoannna questioned just as Colet slowly closed her locker door.
"Ah oo nakipagpalit si Maloi may kailangan daw siya lakarin eh." Colet answered as she grabbed her hoodie and proceeded to wear it.
"Mmm." Jhoanna nodded as she grabbed her glasses and started cleaning them before placing them back on her cute nose.
All the while Colet just stared at the girl. Hindi kasi uso sorry sa kanilang dalawa kung nagkatampuhan man sila sa pareho nilang inaasal. Usually Jhoanna would just talk to her again.
"Magandang umaga sa inyo!" Their friend Sheena came in to the picture followed by Stacey.
The two stopped though when they saw Jhoanna and Colet. "Hala? Akala ko si Maloi kasama natin?" Stacey asked as she too placed her bag inside the lockers.
"Nakipagpalit sa akin." Colet provided, also placing her specs in place.
"Di naman siguro kayo magpapatayan sa loob no? Di pa naman namin kayo mababantayan kasi nasa recep kami." Sheena said causing Stacey to pinch her. "Aray! Joke lang naman."
"Bakit naman kami magpapatayan." Jhoanna chuckled with a shrug. "Pasok na ako sa loob dami ata CBC." And before anyone could speak, she'd made her way to the main laboratory leaving the other three standing there.
"Jusko mahaba ata itong duty." Tanging nasabi ni Stacey.
Colet shook her head, simply following where Jhoanna headed. Ganon ba talaga tingin ng iba nilang katrabaho sa kanilang dalawa? She subtly glanced at Jhoanna who was already busy logging in her work.
"Dzai matunaw." Napatalon si Colet sa boses at nakita si Sheena na nakangisi sa kanya habang may hawak na tube rack.
"Ang aga naman niyan." Colet answered.
But Sheena paid her no heed and simply glanced at Jhoanna who was still preoccupied writing down on her logsheets. "Bakit kanina ka pa nakatitig kay Ate Jho?" She said in a voice that may or may not have been a little too loud for Colet's liking.
And it was confirmed to be loud because Jhoanna had lifted her head slowly to glance at them. "Ano yun?"
"Wala Ate Jho kako ang ganda mo today."
"Wala ako pera." Natatawa na sagot ni Jhoanna sa kaibigan.
Colet kept staring. Because she realized Jhoanna rarely smiled when she was with her, but she did with their other co-workers.
"Col, akyat daw kayo ni Jhoanna kay Ma'am Ica." Brent, one of their co-workers said.
Both Jhoanna and Colet glanced at each other. It was the end of their shift and they both just wanted to head on home.
"Bakit daw?" Jhoanna asked Brent with a gentle and inquisitive smile on her face.
Brent smiled back. "Ahm ano hehe di ko alam eh basta akyat daw kayo."
"Okay thank you!" Jhoanna said before starting to walk towards the direction of their Chief Medical Technologist's office.
Hindi man lang ako inantay. Colet pouted to herself. It was then she noticed Brent smiling to himself. "Hoy, ngiti ka ng ngiti dyan."
"Bakit ikaw ba hindi mapapangiti kapag ganun ka tingnan ng crush mo?" Kilig na sabi ni Brent.
"Ha? Crush mo si Jho?" Colet asked, wanting to confirm what she was thinking.
"Shh! Wag ka kasi maingay tol." Brent chuckled before almost skipping away. And Colet had to wonder why she was so annoyed with what she had just witnessed.
She walked over to the steps to the mezzanine of their Chief's office to see that Jhoanna was already there. She bowed her head in greeting as she entered.
"Hello po Ma'am Ica hanap niyo daw po kami?"
"Ayun Colet, yes upo kayo ni Jho."
Colet turned to Jhoanna who glanced at her for a second before tuning her attention back to Ma'am Ica.
Were they in trouble or something? Gago may nagsumbong ba na mahilig sila mag-away?
"Kayong dalawa kasi yung ipapadala ko sa Tagaytay para sa Total Quality Management Seminar."
Both Jhoanna and Colet turned to look at each other upon hearing that. "Kami po talaga?" Jhoanna asked again. It wasn't a secret that there was friction between them so she just really wanted to question Ma'am Ica with her decisions in life.
And in answer, Ica merely nodded her head.
"Yes kasi you two are next in line for training na din. For CPD units niyo din ito." She said with a small smile on her face. "Is there a problem?"
Jhoanna and Colet turned to each other at that. Before turning back to Ma'am Ica. "Wala po."
And so the following day, Jhoanna and Colet roamed around the hospital as they set up signatures for their upcoming seminar.
"Ahm..." Jhoanna awkwardly called Colet's attention as they were riding the elevator to the admin floors.
Colet turned to her with an inquisitive look. "Hmm?"
"Yung sa transpo...uhm, balak ko kasi magdrive na lang papunta doon so...sabay ka na lang sa akin." Jhoanna offered. And since she saw the surprised look in Colet's face, she quickly took it back. "K-Kung gusto mo lang. Uhm kung gusto mo mag-grab or commute sabihin na lang natin kay Ma'am Mira." She said, pertaining to the HR staff handling such activities.
Colet quickly answered. "H-ha? Hindi ano oo naman sige sabay ako sayo."
Jhoanna nodded her head, looking a little relieved just as the elevator stopped at their floor. They headed to the HR department and quickly went for Ma'am Mira's desk.
The HR staff went over the policy for such trainings, even giving them an outline of the policy for transportation which in this case would be the gas that Jhoanna would spend just to get to said training.
"2 days po yung training ma'am pero 4 days po kami doon since need na po mag check in and kinahapunan po ng last day ang check out." Colet explained as she handed over the necessary documents that Mira needed to file as well.
“Okie dokie.” Ma’am Mira answered. She always had a cheery personality. She turned back to the two. “Tama, kasama naman na sa pag register niyo ang food and ang room?”
Jhoanna nodded her head in response. “Yes po ma’am.”
“Tapos isang room lang din no? Sabagay pareho naman kayo babae.” Then she sauntered over to her file cabinet to finish up with the requirements.
It was then that Jhoanna turned to Colet only to see the latter looking at her. Like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar, Colet immediately looked away and turned to look at the paintings there in the HR department.
After a few moments, Ma’am Mira came back all set with their requirements. “Okay na, pati ang budget i-bank transfer na lang sa inyo. Enjoy kayo sa seminar!”
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It was the night before they leave for Tagaytay and Jhoanna was feeling reallly anxious. So here she had invited Sheena and Stacey to drink at her condo.
“Gaga ka ano aattend ka seminar bukas na hang-over ka?”
“Sa susunod na araw pa ang seminar baliw.” Jhoanna answered while preparing the drinks and the snacks they’d be eating.
“Kabado siya kasi apat na araw niya makakasama si Colet.” Stacey, or Staks as they called her said. She started opening the bottles for them.
“Kasi naman. Ayaw nung tao sa akin tapos apat na araw kami na magkasama? Anong trip ni Ma’am Ica?!”
“Ha? Grabe ka naman, hindi ka naman ayaw ni Ate Colet.” Sheena reasoned out.
Both Jhoanna and Stacey looked at Sheena, waiting for her to follow through with what she was saying earlier.
“Masungit lang kasi talaga yon.”
“Kay Jhoanna lang. Sakin hindi naman.” Stacey answered, boastfully looking at Jhoanna who rolled her eyes at them both.
“Ayun na nga. Ewan ko wala naman ako ginawa sa kanya? Baka di lang talaga niya ako bet. We can’t please everyone.” Jhoanna took a swig from her beer bottle as she let her thoughts fly.
It was then that Sheena gave a suggestion. “Ito na yung panahon Ate Jho! Malay mo after nito maging close na kayo diba?”
Stacey quickly nodded her head, obviously agreeing with what Sheena was saying. “Tama Jho! Ikaw ang mag effort! Malay mo after this friends na kayo diba?”
Jhoanna looked at her two friends, weighing in her options. Sabagay. Kaysa nga naman apat na araw ang lumipas na hindi man lang sila magkasundo ni Colet.
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Jhoanna parked at the hospital’s designated lot as she chatted Colet through their GC (oo hindi sila kasi friends).
Jhoanna:
@Colet nandito na ako sa may parking
Colet:
Okay palabas na ako
Sheena:
Yii have fun!
Maloi:
Ingat kayo guys! Uwi kayo ube!
Jhoanna placed her phone on her holder, readying her music and her Waze app just as she felt a gentle tap by the passenger side window to see Colet standing there.
Jhoanna unlocked the doors and Colet sat in where Jhoanna could see she was dressed in a simple shirt with a jacket on plus jeans.
Colet was also donning on aviator shades, her hair dressed up in a half bun.
“Huy.”
Colet suddenly called out.
Shit was she staring?
“Ay sorry uhm. Hi. Let’s get going?” She asked.
Colet nodded her head, sporting a small smile.
Hindi natiis ni Jhoanna ang mahinang matawa.
“Bakit?” Colet questioned.
Jhoanna chuckled. “Wala. Marunong ka pala kasi ngumiti.” She teased.
Colet smirked back. “Baliw. Syempre marunong ako ngumiti.”
And again Jhoanna chuckled, her straight teeth literally glowing.
“Sige let’s go na.” She checked everything before starting the car and exiting the premises of the hospital.
Well this was awkward. They were a few minutes into the ride when
“Mag music ako ah.” Paalam ni Jhoanna sa kasama.
Colet merely nodded her head. “Sure.”
Jhoanna played the first song on her playlist.
Paikot-ikot lang mula no'ng mailang
Gawa ng 'yong tingin at ngiti
'Di sinasadyang mahulog, mahibang
Aasa na tayo sa huli
Aaminin ko ba o baka bigla lang mawala
Kung ano mang pumapagitan sa 'ting dalawa?
Naiisip mo ba sa mga oras na tayo'y magkasama
Kung ano tayo sa buhay ng isa't isa?
When the second verse came the two of them started singing in harmony.
They both stopped as Jhoanna gave Colet a glance right as the stop light came.
Colet did so as well.
“Ang ganda ng boses mo.”
“Ang ganda ng boses mo.”
They stopped. Saka sabay na natawa.
“Hindi maganda boses ko dinadaan ko lang sa vibrato.” Jhoanna chuckled as the traffic lights finally signaled “go.”
Colet scoffed. “Ang ganda kaya.”
Jhoanna smiled at her. “Thank you.”
And Colet found out that she really liked seeing Jhoanna smile. Especially when it was directed at her.
The drive wasn’t that long because luckily the stars were in their side since traffic was light.
In no time they had reached the express way where they stopped for some gas and some snacks.
“Sorry di ako makakapagswitch sayo. Hindi ako marunong mag drive eh.” Colet said sheepishly as she scratched the back of her head.
Jhoanna chuckled. “Cute.”
“What?”
“Ah ano sabi ko it’s okay. Kasi taga Calamba naman ako so sanay ako.” Jhoanna said as they sat down at one of the tables in the convenience store.
That peaked Colet’s interest. “What really? Taga Calamba ka pala.”
“Yep. Malapit ang bahay namin sa bahay ni Jose Rizal.” Jhoanna said proudly.
She started opening her coke can but to no avail. Wala kasi siya kuko.
“Akin na nga yan.” Natatawa na sabi ni Colet. She opened the can for Jho who was watching her with a small pout. Tangina ang cute ng muhka.
“Thank you.” Jhoanna said appreciatively before chugging down the coke.
“Huy easy.” Colet couldn’t help but laugh.
They looked at each other and this is where Jhoanna took the chance to say what she wanted to say since learning they would be going on this trip.
“Uhm Colet, kaya naman natin no? Na mag get along? For four days?”
That obviously caught Colet off guard. She knew what Jhoanna was talking about though.
“Jho. Sorry. Kung lagi tayo nagbabangayan sa lab.”
A slow smile started creeping up on Jhoanna’s pretty face. “Sorry din. Siguro kasi pareho tayo na head strong?”
Colet agreed. “Yeah parang…pareho din kasi tayo ng ugali pero ikaw yung OA version ako yung non-chalant.”
“Grabe siya.” Jhoanna laughed.
They looked at each other yet again.
Pakiramdam ni Jhoanna tumatagos sa kaluluwa niya ang tingin ni Colet. Agad siya napatayo.
“Uhm ano let’s go? Para sakto lunch time nasa Tagaytay na tayo.”
Colet nodded her head at that. “Okay tara.”
Their footsteps padded against the pavement as they made their way back to Jhoanna’s car.
The click of their seatbelts rang throughout the car in silence.
“You can sleep if you want. Mga isang oras pa hanggang Tagaytay.” Jhoanna said as she started picking another song.
But Colet shook her head in answer. “Hindi ako matutulog. Kausapin na lang kita.”
Jhoanna breathed in as she looked at her passenger. “Ah gets. Para di ako makatulog.” She chuckled. “Don’t worry. May coke sistema ko. Pramis gising diwa ko.”
And Colet couldn’t help but laugh yet again. “Deh. Gusto lang talaga kita kausapin.”
Jhoanna looked back at the girl. At least they were both making an effort.
“Kantahan mo na lang ako ganda pala ng boses mo eh.” Jhoanna jested.
Napakamot si Colet sa likod ng ulo. “Sabayan ko na lang playlist mo.” And that earned a laugh from both of them.
Soon they were both jamming to Jhoanna’s playlist and that made the ride more enjoyable.
“Magkahawak ang ating kamayyy at walang kamalay malay!!!” They jammed just as they were arriving at the Tagaytay vicinity.
The song finally halted and they were both still giggling.
“Parehas pala tayo ng trip na kanta eh.” Colet said as Jhoanna was parking at a restaurant.
“Actually naririnig ko mga music mo minsan. Trip ko naman talaga.” Jhoanna said as they removed their seatbelts and headed inside.
Said restaurant was a tourist attraction since it had a great view of Taal.
"Hala ang gandaaa!" Jhoanna cooed as she sat by the railings, her doe eyes shining while admiring the view of the small volcano within an island.
Click!
She immediately turned at the sound and saw Colet holding up her phone.
"Hoy paparazzi ka baka ang pangit ko dyan. Akin naaa!" She tried reaching but Colet pulled away.
"Ayoko nga." Colet chuckled as she tucked her phone back inside her pocket out of Jhoanna's reach. Sa kanya na yung picture na yun.
A pout drew on Jhoanna's face as she tried bargaining with Colet using her doe eyes but the latter only shook her head, turning to the menu in front of her. "Pumili ka na ng food. Gutom ka sa pagmaneho."
And like a kid, Jhoanna grazed through the menu with her eyes.
Colet tried hiding the smile on her face. It was the first she's seen of Jhoanna like this. Well...when with her. It was no secret that the girl was very gullible and naturally a happy person when around her other co-workers in the laboratory. It was probably her fault though that Jhoanna would tone down her energy with her since she on the other hand tended to being on the quiet side of things. But now that they've agreed to get along, well, Jhoanna's natural disposition was showing.
"Jho. Sorry ulit." Colet said.
That pulled Jhoanna from her looking at the menu. "What?"
"For acting the way I acted all these months na magkatrabaho tayo." Colet said with a shy smile. "Masaya ka naman pala kasama."
Jhoanna returned the same expression. "Same." And she didn't say much but that was enough for Colet.
They enjoyed a hearty bulalo lunch with a few more viands on the side.
Colet was pleasantly surprised at Jhoanna's appetite. "Ang lakas mo pala kumain? E payat mo o!"
"Grabe ka dalawang rice pa lang naman?" Jhoanna returned. "Pero oo may balak pa ako ng pangatlo."
Hindi natiis ni Colet ang matawa. Why was Jhoanna so freaking cute?
"Ma'am kunan ko po kayo picture." Their attendant offered when she saw Colet sneaking another photo of Jhoanna.
Patay malisya na binigay ni Colet ang telepono dito para hindi masyado obvious. She and Jhoanna huddled close together, squeezing in for the photo.
"Cute niyo po." The attendant grinned before returning the phone and then walking away.
Sabay na napatingin si Jhoanna at Colet sa isa't isa bago parehong nag-iwas din naman ng tingin. Ibang pagka-awkward naman itong nararamdaman nilang dalawa.
Colet quickly stared at the view in front of them. Grabe nakaka relax naman.
"We needed this din. Bukod sa magseminar pa kasi tayo." Jhoanna murmured as she also had a relaxed stare while looking at the view in front of them.
"Mmmm." Colet replied.
After eating they quickly grabbed the bill so they could make it to check in time.
"Bill po." Nilapag na ng attendant sa lamesa.
Jhoanna reached for the book when she felt Colet's hand brushing against hers. They quickly pulled away, turning to each other. Si Colet ang unang nag-iwas ng tingin. Jhoanna chuckled when she saw the girl reddening.
"Ako na." She said as she paid the bill. Kasi nga naman nasa kanya ang binigay na budget ng ospital.
And after paying, they both headed to Jhoanna's car to head to their designated hotel where the seminar would also take place. After checking in, they quickly entered their room where there were two double beds available.
"Okay lang na una ako mag shower?" Paalam ni Jhoanna kay Colet.
"Oo naman go lang." Colet answered as she sat on the bed, the crisp and cool sheets giving her a relaxed feel.
She started browsing her phone and saw that Mikha had messaged her.
Mikha:
Dre musta kayo ni Jho? Wag mo papatayin ah.
Colet:
Gago okay kami.
Mikha:
Weh? Lagi mo nga kaaway.
And that got Colet thinking again. She glanced at the bathroom where Jhoanna had disappeared to before replying to Mikha.
Colet:
We just needed to give each other a chance. Masaya siya kasama.
Mikha:
Yiii. Ninang ako.
Colet:
Gago.
Mikha:
Diba iisa lang kwarto niyo? Dre hinay baka makabuo.
Colet:
Tanginamo pano?
Mikha:
Ah so may balak ka?
Colet:
Potacca talaga.
Colet dropped her phone to the side when she heard the bathroom doors open. And out came Jhoanna wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around her lithe body.
Putangina.
Agad na napatayo si Colet at patay malisya na kinuha ang isa pang twalya na naroon.
“Uhm, ako naman liligo.” She said before quickly entering the bathroom. Not even glancing back at Jhoanna.
She closed the door behind her and held the towel she was holding close as she breathed in and out. Why the hell was her heart beating so loud?!
”Colet, ano problema mo? Kaya mo yan.” She said, talking to herself. O diba nababaliw na siya.
Shit apat na araw na share sila ng kwarto ni Jhoanna. Mamamatay ata siya ng maaga.
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“Dinner tayo sa labas?” Aya ni Jhoanna sa kanya nang sumapit na ang gabi.
Colet slowly sat up from her bed.
“Tara. Gugutom na ako e san mo gusto?” She said, stretching her limbs out. Bukas kasi ay buong araw sila halos mag seminar kaya naman sulitin na nila ang panahon na ito.
“May malapit lang dito sa hotel, pwede lakarin, tara?” Jhoanna said with a smile.
Kinuha lang nito ang wallet at ang kanilang keycard bago naglakad na palabas.
Colet followed soon after, being the one to close the door.
She looked at Jhoanna from behind, noticing that the girl was wesring skinny jeans and a blue tank top.
Hindi ba ‘to giginawin? Nasa Tagaytay sila!
The cool evening air greeted them both when they stepped out of the hotel.
”Ayun doon lang o.” Jhoanna pointed at the restaurant literally right across the street from their hotel.
May pedestrian lane naman.
The two of them looked both ways and Colet had no idea why she instinctively held Jhoanna’s hand as they crossed the street.
Once at the other side, they looked at each other before slowly pulling their hands away.
“Uhm, tara.” Jhoanna offered before they entered the restaurant where they were seated into a booth.
It was a diner themed restaurant complete with all the retro and 50s vibes.
A waitress went up to them and handed the menus so that they could choose.
Chattering was heard and Colet immediately turned to see Jhoanna freezing.
”Tsk. Bakit ka kasi naka ganyan?” Colet smirked, pertaining to Jhoanna’s outfit. She quickly removed the jacket she was wearing and draped it over Jhoanna’s shoulders. She even leaned forward, making sure that the girl’s skin was covered.
She lifted her head to see that Jhoanna was looking at her, their noses almost touching.
The ringing in Colet’s ears reminded her that it was the blood pounding through her whole system. Kasi…ang ganda ng muhka ni Jhoanna. She noticed her two moles and was weirdly drawn to them.
“Maalaga ka pala no.” Jhoanna whispered.
Colet blinked herself back to reality and slowly pulled away.
“Hindi naman ganon kasama ugali ko.” She jested with a small smirk.
“Lagi ka lang galit.” Jhoanna teased back.
Colet scratched the back of her head and Jhoanna realized that that was a mannerism of the girl.
“Hindi nga.” Colet pouted.
Jhoanna chuckled. “O ayan nagagalit ka nanaman.”
And Colet found herself smirking. “Alam ko na bakit tayo nagclash.”
Jhoanna rolled her eyes. “Oo kasi KJ ka.”
It’s only been a few months of them being co-workers but they did always clash since both tended to decide things for their own.
Iba iba diskarte nila sa pagprocess sa trabaho.
Colet smirked. “Diba cum laude ka din?”
“Magna.” Jhoanna replied just as their orders came.
“Edi wow.” Colet rolled her eyes earning a small laugh from Jhoanna.
“Bakit pala hindi ka nag doctor?” Colet asked, swiping her fries on some ketchup. Ganon kasi lagi nga naman ang sunod na step nilang mga MedTech.
Jhoanna shrugged. “Actually gusto ko. Sabi ko mag work lang ako for experience kahit mga one year pero parang ayaw ko na.”
“Why?”
Jhoanna looked back at the girl. “E kasi syempre naka earn na ng pera.”
Colet chuckled.
”O bakit, walang marangal na dahilan ang sarap talaga kasi maramdaman na may pera.” Jhoanna said. Kinurot niya si Colet na tumatawa pa din. “Kaasar ‘to.”
”O bakit hahaha cute nga eh ang honest mo.” Colet smirked. “Ako…wala ayoko na pagod na utak ko.”
“Tali-talino mo eh.” Jhoanna said.
Colet’s lips lifted at that. Alam niya kasi sa tono ni Jhoanna na wala iyong halong pang-aasar.
“Thanks.” She said. “Bahala na kung magdodoctor nga ba ako o hinde.” She chuckled.
They spent the rest of the dinner in good company with each other.
“Bango naman ng jacket mo.” Jhoanna said as they were walking back to the hotel.
“Ako kasi yung mabango talaga.” Mayabang na sabi ni Colet.
Jhoanna teased back. “Parang di naman.”
“Heh.”
They got back to the hotel, ready for a full day of the seminar tomorrow.
Colet found herself restless as she bounced around on her bed. Nilingon niya si Jhoanna na nakatalikod sa kanya.
She noticed the girl was slightly shaking.
“Jho? Malamig ba?”
Napalingon si Jhoanna. “Ah oo pero okay lang. Diba ayaw mo hinihinaan aircon?”
Colet’s eyebrows furrowed. Naging isang away din nila kasi sa lab yun na gusto ni Colet laging malamig.
Agad siyang tumayo at inabot ang remote ng aircon bago taasan ang temperature.
“Hala you didn’t have to do that.” Jhoanna said but Colet had already lied back down.
“Hindi kita hahayaan manginig dyan no.” Colet smirked as she turned to the opposite side. “Good night Jho.”
She heard Jhoanna thinking for a second before the girl replied with a small voice. “Goodnight.”
=0=0=0=0=0=0=0=0
The seminar started early and they still had to get to registration and everything.
Colet glanced at Jhoanna getting dressed in the corner.
Nakita niyang parehas sila halos ng outfit.
“O bakit gaya gaya?” It was Jhoanna who teased her when the latter saw that she too was sporting a sports type jacket/blazer.
Ayun nga lang brown ang kay Jhoanna at black ang kay Colet.
“Nauna kaya ako magbihis.” Balik ni Colet sa katrabaho. She had that same smirk on her face causing Jhoanna to grin back toothily.
Colet hated the fact that she loved seeing Jhoanna smile. What the hell was wrong with her?
“Tara na baka ma-late pa tayo.” Colet said as they fixed their things. She chuckled to herself when she saw Jhoanna grabbing her pen and notebook. Kahit sa lab kasi ay isa ito sa mahilig sa notes.
The events room was already packed with their colleagues.
Madami din pala attendees.
“Col dito.” Tawag ni Jhoanna kay Colet na parang batang napalinga linga pa sa paligid.
She grabbed Colet’s arm and slowly ushered her to a table where they were near the stage.
“Ang lapit ah.” Colet chuckled.
“Maawa ka naman kasi sa eye sight ko.” Jhoanna pouted.
Colet laughed. Oo nga pala. Napakataas kasi ng grado ng mata nito ni Jhoanna.
The participants were still filing in when Jhoanna saw the coffee cart nearby. At dahil muhka siya kape…
“Gusto mo kape?” She asked Colet. The latter looked at her slowly nodding her head. “Sige dyan ka lang ako na kukuha nung para satin.”
“Ha? Teka Jho—” Colet called out but Jhoanna was already walking towards the coffee line.
Hindi naman pwede iwan ni Colet ang pwesto nila dahil baka may kumuha pa na iba.
“Col?”
Napa-angat ng tingin si Colet sa boses at nakita na ang dati pala niya itong ka-intern.
“Gwen!” She said in a surprised tone.
Gwen as she was called gave Colet a small but toothy grin. “Makakasama pala kita dito. Okay lang dito kami ng ka-work ko na umupo?”
She turned to the guy beside her who gave Colet a friendly smile.
“Hi! Kent nga pala.” Pagpapakilala nito.
Colet merely nodded her head just as Jhoanna came back carrying two cups of coffee.
“Ay ako na dyan Jho.” Colet quickly stoodup but Kent beat her to it.
“Ay amin na baba mo dito.” The guy said, smiling at Jhoanna. His eyes literally lit up when he saw the girl.
And ever the friendly one, Jhoanna returned the smile, not even knowing who Kent was.
“Thank you. Magkakakilala kayo nila Colet?”
“Jho ito si Gwen. Ka-intern ko dati.” Colet explained. “Gwen si Jho, ka-work ko.”
Kent cleared his throat from the sides and Gwen quickly introduced them.
“Hi Jho. Gwen nga pala, ito naman si Kent ka work ko.”
“Hi. Kent. Single ako.” Tawa ng lalaki dahilan para mahinang mapatawa lang din si Jhoanna.
Colet didn’t find it funny though, holding Jhoanna’s arm softly and pulling the latter to sit beside her. “Jho upo ka na dito.” She referred to the seat on her left.
Right on time the seminar started and so they all got to their seats to listen as the first speaker gave the introductions.
Colet noticed that Jhoanna had already opened her notebook and was now jotting down notes while also listening attentively.
While everyone was busy taking pictures of the power point presentation, here was Jhoanna, face almost near the paper, her glasses resting on her nose.
Colet found herself smiling softly as she stared at the girl, contently watching her as she wrote. She absent-mindedly reached out and fixed a strand of Jhoanna’s hair before tucking it back in under her ear.
“Col.” She then heard Gwen whispering.
She was still looking at Jhoanna when she pulled herself to look at Gwen. “Hmm?”
“Nasa harap yung presentation hindi sa kaliwa.” Gwen chuckled.
Colet immediately got what her friend was saying and consciously fidgeted in her seat before looking at the screen again.
The seminar continued on through the morning ‘till lunch time came.
Food was served to them one by one.
“Col CR lang muna ako pasabi may katabi ka ah.” Jhoanna chuckled as she nudged her shoulder with Colet’s.
“Oo pero kainin ko na agad din yung sayo.” Colet teased back and Jhoanna only rolled her eyes before walking to the restroom.
When Jhoanna was out of ear shot, Gwen took that time to scoot closer to Colet. Muhkang tsismis na tsismis na.
“Col, hehe ano?”
Colet looked at her friend weirdly. “Anong ano?”
“Luh ano jowa mo ba yon? Bakit co-worker lang pakilala mo?”
“Huh? Gago ka trabaho ko nga kasi.” Colet answered.
Gwen raised an eyebrow. “Weh? Bakit kung makatingin ka…type mo no?”
“Ni hindi nga kami non tropa ni Jho.” Colet quickly answered. Kasi totoo naman. And in the back of her mind, she didn't want to be just "tropa" with Jhoanna.
Gwen was about to say something when the servers had started plating their food.
Just in time, Jhoanna had also come back.
“Jho o di ko kinain yan ah.” Colet chided.
Jhoanna simply looked at her before nodding her head then proceeding to eat.
Huh. What was that?
“Jho papakuha pa ako water gusto mo?” She asked after a few moments.
“No thank you.” Jhoanna answered monotonously before continuing to eat.
What the heck?
Litong lito na napatingin si Colet sa babae habang patuloy itong kumakain.
Okay naman sila kanina ah?
Napatingin si Jhoanna kay Gwen na napatingin din pabalik sa kanya.
Because why was Jhoanna suddenly aloof?
She didn’t even finish her food.
“Jho ubusin ko yan para sa’yo.” Kent offered even though he was at the other side of the table.
And to Colet and Gwen's surprise, Jhoanna gave the guy a small smile. "Uy thank you ah busog na kasi ako kakahiya din naman talaga kung hindi maubos."
And then she gave the plate to Kent who happily accepted it before tuning her attention to her notebook.
Colet watched as Jhoanna quietly opened said notebook and started going over her notes.
She cleared her throat and scooted her chair closer to the girl.
"Patingin." Colet whispered.
Jhoanna slowly glanced at her and then closed said notebook. "Scan ko na lang tapos padala ko na lang sa GC ng lab." She replied before storing said notebook inside her bag.
Saka ito tumayo at walang sabi sabi na naglakad papunta sa CR.
Gwen and Colet looked at each other.
"Okay lang ba kayo?"
Colet couldn't answer since she herself didn't even know what was happening. And because she couldn't stand it. She quickly followed where Jhoanna could've gone which was the restrooms.
She opened the door and had mixed emotions when she saw Jhoanna washing her hands at the sink. Thankfully she was alone.
It took a second for Jhoanna to notice that she was there. And when Jhoanna did, Colet quickly locked the door since she saw the former was about to leave.
"Jho..."
"Baka magstart na yung seminar." Jhoanna sighed, trying to get past Colet but the latter blocked the way so they were now face to face. Jhoanna may be taller than her but she wasn't gonna back down.
"What's wrong?" Agad na tanong ni Colet, looking straight at Jhoanna.
"Wala."
"Hindi ako tanga. Kanina okay ka pa." Colet answered.
"Wala nga. Masakit lang ulo ko." Jhoanna replied which Colet knew was a lie but she bit anyway.
"May gamot ako sa bag." Colet offered, still not letting Jhoanna get by.
"Okay nga lang, kaya ko sarili ko let's just get through with the seminar."
Colet sighed and made Jhoanna look at her as she continued blocking the way.
"Not when you're like this."
Jhoanna sighed agitatedly. "Colet, ano ba pake mo? Diba hindi mo nga ako tropa?"
And that clicked something in Colet. So narinig pala ni Jhoanna.
Pano ba niya i-eexplain ito.
She sighed. "Jho...kaya ko lang naman nasabi yon--"
"Kasi nga hindi mo ako tropa. I get it."
"Kasi tinatanong nya kung type kita." Colet continued, not minding what Jhoanna said. She looked at the girl and saw that she was surprised. Not in a bad way, just...surprised. And she wasn't oblivious to her own feelings or Jhoanna's because in the short span that they were together albeit almost the whole day, she knew she enjoyed Jhoanna's company.
"Alam mo ba..." Colet started as she looked at Jhoanna. She didn't know where she was getting this courage; probably from feeling like shit when Jhoanna was ignoring her earlier. She reached to fix a strand of Jhoanna's hair which slightly startled the girl but the latter didn't pull away. "Isang araw mahigit pa lang tayo magkasama sobrang enjoy na ako? To the point na nagsisisi ako na hindi kita naging kaibigan kasi yung isang araw na yon..." Colet breathed in. Shit nahihiya siya. Nakita niya kasi na napapangiti na si Jhoanna.
"Wag ka nga!" Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. She couldn't concentrate with Jhoanna smiling at her like that.
Kaya si Jhoanna na ang nagsalita. "Akala ko kasi...ayaw mo pa din sa akin. E sa totoo lang din I had the best time with you yesterday."
Colet turned to her at that. "T-talaga?"
"Oo cute mo kaya kapag hindi ka si anger." Jhoanna chuckled. She was full on smiling at Colet and that had the latter turning her head away.
"Tingnan mo naman ako." Jhoanna chuckled.
"Tss di ko kaya." Colet murmured, looking at the floor. 'Cause Jhoanna would see that her face was reddening.
Colet felt herself tense up when Jhoanna placed a hand on her cheek not allowing her to look away. Why was Jhoanna so damn pretty? It wasn't fair that her eyes were behind thick rimmed glasses but they still managed to shine.
"So...di mo sinagot si Gwen?" Jhoanna said in a teasing manner.
Colet visibly tensed at that. "Ha?"
Jhoanna chuckled when she moved close and Colet thought that she would faint from the proximity. Kasi ang bango ni Jhoanna gago. Her heart started beating fast and she felt herself staring at Jhoanna's lips only for Jhoanna to reach behind her and unlock the door.
It took a millisecond that Jhoanna then leaned down and whispered in Colet's ear. "Ako type kita." She said before walking out of the bathroom, leaving Colet with her thoughts and emotions.