Chapter Text
Jhoanna breathed in a yawn as she covered her mouth with her hand. It was in the middle of the afternoon and she really needed her coffee fix. Sorry na hindi kasi talaga gumagana utak niya kapag walang kape.
Tatayo na sana siya para pagtimpla ang sarili nang may lumapat nang tasa sa cubicle niya.
Her eyebrows furrowed before she looked up to see Colet, her work wife as the others in their department called. Colet had a small smirk on her face as she sat down beside Jhoanna, pulling up a chair from the side.
"Kanina pa kita nakikita humihikab." Colet said with a small chuckle as she leaned back on the chair and drank from her own mug of coffee. Hers was darker in color but she knew Jhoanna liked hers full of milk so she made it just right for the girl.
"Grabe obvious na ba." Jhoanna laughed as she drank from the coffee Colet gave her. It's was like a burst of energy went through her whole system as she savored the taste and the almost drug-like nutrients of the coffee. She smiled at Colet in thanks. Parang gusto niya ikiss. Ay. Hindi pala pwede. Tropa lang pala.
"Sir dali naaaa, sama sama mo naman kami!"
Jhoanna and Colet turned to the slight commotion happening by their manager's table.
They turned to each other before approaching the crowd.
"Hui ano yan?" Colet asked as she bobbed her head in between their other co-workers.
"Team building na ulit!" Gwen, a co-worker of their informed the two. Apparently their manager sir Nick had a form with him as their company's HR Department was asking for the participants of their company's annual team building.
Stacey, a friend of theirs had a glint in her eyes as she looked at sir Nick. "Sir, hindi niyo po pwede paghiwalayin si Jhoanna saka si Colet."
"Luh." Colet replied.
"Yii, o boss wala daw angal si Colet." Panggagatong pa ni Gwen habang nakaakbay kay Jhoanna. "Bale boss, si Jhoanna saka ako sa first day na tapos si Colet saka si Stacey sa second day."
"Teka nga teka nga, bakit ka ba desisyon." Himutok ni Colet kay Gwen na mas nang-aasar lang na ngumiti. Colet then turned to sir Nick. “Sir wag ka maniwala diyan.”
“So gusto mo magkasama nga kayo ni Jhoanna?” Stacey teased back.
Colet gave a simple shrug. “Malamang?”
“Ang dilim jusko ang labo.” Gwen shook her head.
Jhoanna cleared her throat. Letse naman kasi Gwen baka umasa siya.
Sir Nick had a knowing smirk on his face. “Osige pagsasama ko na kayo kaysa naman biglang hindi umattend yung isa dyan.”
He started writing on the logsheet before turning back to Jhoanna and Colet. “Ano, kayo din seat mate? Kasi may buddy system dito.”
Stacey opened her mouth to speak up when Gwen quickly covered it. “Opo sir, di naman mapaghihiwalay yang mga yan.”
Jhoanna shook her head. “OA? Pwede naman?” Pero please sana wag.
“Ha? Bakit? Tayo na magtabi.” Colet said in the most non-chalant way she could as she sipped from her coffee.
“Pakipot ampota.” Tawa ni Stacey.
Colet looked at her friend and co-worker. “Ha pinagsasabi neto.”
Stacey merely threw her hands up in the air. Ano pa nga ba.
Jhoanna turned away slightly, trying to hide the blush in her cheeks. She kept reminding herself not to think so strongly about it. Baka wala sumalo eh.
As 5 o’clock rolled around, all the other employees fixed their desks, turned their computers off and grabbed their bags, ready to call it a day.
“Excited na ako sa team building nang makapagpahinga naman.”
“Beh di pahinga yun paguran yun.” Gwen told Stacey just as they all made their way to the lobby.
“Grabe naalala ko yung games last year buti na lang may pool.” Jhoanna sighed.
Colet stretched her arms above her head as she heard her back crack.
Jhoanna quickly turned to her. “Ayan kasi ang posture.”
“Sus ikaw din naman, kakahiya naman sa likod mo no?.” Colet replied with a smirk as they walked to the biometrics machine where they could time out.
Jhoanna grinned, her eyes turning chinkier than usual and her nose scrunching. Gustong gusto niya kasi kapag nagaasaran sila ni Colet. “Sino ba tong nagpapadurog kanina ng lamig?”
“Shh kaw naman nirereveal mo ako kayla Staku.”
And Jhoanna had to laugh at that. Patola din kasi si Colet.
“Sabay na tayo sa trike?” Jhoanna asked. They always shared a tricycle since their apartments were kind of close to each other’s.
Colet’s a little further and that worked well since she wanted to make sure Jhoanna got home safely before her.
“Hi guys!”
Before Colet could answer, their friends from the other department had approached them.
Four other girls grinned as they all waved back. Even though they worked in different environments, they were all close since they had transactions in between.
“Col! Sama kayo? Grabe gusto ko magpaparty kasi naitawid ko report ko!” Maloi, one of their friends said as she wrapped her arm around with Colet’s.
Jhoanna slowly moved to the side since the movement had her bumping with the girl.
“Tsansing siya eh.” Aiah, their company’s resident pretty girl grinned.
“Huy wag ka nga.” Maloi said, not being able to resist biting her lip.
“Hahahaha ship ko kasi kayong dalawa ang cute niyo kaya!”
“Iiiih ano ba.” Tawa pa ni Maloi. “Pinapahalata niyong crush ko si Col. Pero ano g kayo? Treat ko promise!”
Jhoanna opened her mouth to answer. Hindi kasi siya mahilig lumabas talaga. But Colet saw it and quickly spoke up.
“Jho sama ka please? Hahatid kita sa building mo promise.”
Jhoanna’s eyes widened slightly. People knew that they did share fares when going home but she’d rather not obligate Colet of course.
Mikha, another friend of theirs quickly prodded Jhoanna on the side. “Dali Jho sama ka na.”
Sighing, Jhoanna slowly thought about it. And since the others were waiting for her answer, she had no choice but to nod her head.
“Buti pa kay Mikhs pumayag agad e o.” Tawa pa ni Sheena ang isa pa nilang kaibigan.
Both Aiah and Mikha had cars so they decided to split groups where they were to head over to a nearby mall with their favorite samgyup place.
Jhoanna kept a small smile as Sheena had their arms locked while they walked inside the mall.
Kanina pa kasi siya pasimpleng nagiiwas ng tingin sa nasa harap niya. Maloi had her arms wrapped with Colet’s yet again, same as with her and Sheena as they walked to their destination restaurant.
“Upo na us dali!” Stacey instructed everyone since she was also getting hungry.
Jhoanna positioned herself, ready to sit next to Colet, when Aiah gestured for the latter. “Col dali dito ka!”
Before Colet could do anything, Aiah had pulled her to their side so she was sandwiched between her and Maloi.
Sighing to herself Jhoanna ran a hand through her hair as she sat next to Gwen who was gave her a soft smile. “Jho okay ka lang?”
“Hmm? Oo naman. Actually buti sinama niyo ako nakakatakam yung samgyup.” She grinned back. Sabi ng nanay niya dati pwedeng pwede siya sa aktingan. Sana nag audition na siya baka sana mayaman na siya ngayon.
She lifted her head and saw Colet looking at her as if checking up on her. Magkatapag kasi sila. She gave Colet a nose scrunch and Colet scrunched her nose back. Okay na ‘to.
“Jho o, fave mo tong oil and salt dip.” Colet said, quickly placing it by Jhoanna who smiled in return.
“Yii.” Gwen teased and Jhoanna quickly sushed the girl who sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Ano yon Gwenny?” Aiah asked, genuinely curious.
“Nako wala Aiah wag mo pansinin ‘to.” Jhoanna chuckled as she pinched Gwen’s arm to make the girl pipe down while she saw Stacey looking at her from the other side.
Jhoanna knew that Gwen and Stacey had an inkling. Being in the same department and all. But it was her fault since she never really came up front about it.
“Col paabot nung lettuce.” Maloi nudged Colet’s side who reached for said lettuce.
“Yii! Kilig ako!” Aiah chuckled as Mikha laughed as well.
“Huy, kakatawa ‘to.” Mikha said, shaking her head at Aiah.
“Haha sorry na! Naalala ko kasi ang bait nitong si Colet kay Maloi nung first day.” Aiah grinned again.
“Akalain mo Ate Colet mabait ka daw? Kay Ate Maloi ka ng lang ba mabait?” Sheena teased back.
“Huy kayo talaga!” Maloi lightly slapped Aiah’s arm. “Pasimuno ka talaga Aiah.”
“Hahaha inaasar ko lang kayo! Enebe, kilig ako.” Aiah said, pushing her agenda further.
Stacey turned to Jhoanna who was seemingly busy with her phone. “Okay ka lang?” She whispered.
Jhoanna lifted her head a wan smile on her face. “Gusto ko na nga umuwi.” She whispered. Hindi na siya nag deny muhkang alam naman ni Stacey.
Hindi naman kasi niya naisip na patuloy pang-aasar ni Aiah kayla Colet. Selos na selos na siya pero wala naman siya magagawa. Tapos sa harap mo diba.
“Gusto niyo soju?” Mikha asked as she looked at the menu.
Aiah quickly looked at Mikha who then said; “Para sa kanila shempre tayo driver eh.”
“Ako Mikhs.” Jhoanna said with a small raise of her hand.
Colet furrowed her eyebrows at that. “Ha? Hindi ka naman nainom.”
“Huy nainom ako ah.” Jhoanna said. Hindi lang lagi. Sa mga gantong moments lang. “Magshare na lang kami ni Gwen.”
“Deh sige tayo na lang share.” Biglang pilit pa ni Colet.
Jhoanna scratched the back of her head. Sige pwede na basta makainom lang.
Mikha ordered not just soju though. May beer pa. And Jhoanna realized that she liked the taste of it.
“Ate Jho namumula ka na.” Sheena pointed out with a small laugh.
Jhoanna grinned back. Buti pala uminom siya kasi nakakatulong pala talaga? Imbis kasi na selos ang nararamdaman niya inaantok na lang siya tapos medyo mainit.
“Hina ata nung aircon.” She chuckled before removing her blaze leaving her in her sleeveless vest shirt.
“I think it’s time to go home na?”
“Aga pa.” Jhoanna pouted at Mikha just as Stacey nudged the former.
“Akala ko ba gusto mo na umuwi?” Stacey asked.
“Ha? Hindi G pa ako. Pre-game lang ba ‘to pwede tayo mag bar?” Jhoanna asked, genuinely curious.
“Okay uwi na tayo.” Maloi decided as she called for the bill.
Jhoanna pouted. Akala niya kasi mag bar pa sila.
“Jho, sakin na kayo ni Colet sumakay okay?” Aiah offered since their places were closer to each others. “Gwen ikaw din?”
“Yup, G me, Jho kaya mo b—”
“Jho let’s go.” Agad na hinawakan ni Colet si Jhoanna bago pa makagalaw si Gwen.
Jhoanna, still in a daze, slowly pulled her hand away. “Huy gagi kaya ko pa.”
“Jho uuwi na tayo.” Lambing ni Maloi.
Jhoann pouted but nodded her head.
Kaya pa naman niya talaga. Pero medyo parang hindi na nga pantay yung nilalakaran niya.
She brushed a hand through her hair. Pinagpapawisan na kasi siya.
“Jho tara na.” Colet said softly, holding on to Jhoanna’s waist as they walked to the parking.
They said their goodbyes to the other group even though Jhoanna couldn’t really remember what was happening since she was just feeling really sleepy.
“Bilis pala malasing ni Jho.” Aiah said as she started the car.
Jhoanna had her eyes close now and she was trying to fight off the feeling of sleepiness.
Colet placed Jhoanna’s head on her (Colet) shoulder. “Tulog ka na Jho ako na bahala.”
“Ikaw kasi Aiah.” Biglang sabi ni Gwen habang nagmamaneho si Aiah.
Napatingin saglit ang huli. “Hala di ko naman kasi alam.”
Colet let the two talk. She was preoccupied with Jhoanna who had actually fallen asleep on her.
The latter moaned, wanting to switch positions but Colet quickly made sure she was comfortable.
“Isa ka pa kasi.” Biglang sabi ni Gwen. “Hindi pa umamin.”
“Ha?” Maang maangan pa ni Colet.
Gwen rolled her eyes. “Sige deny mo pa. Ireto ko si Jho sa iba okay lang?”
“Hoy.”
“MYGAHD BIGLA AKO NAHIYA?” Aiah said, clearly realizing what was happening just as they arrived at Jhoanna’s apartment building.
“Jho nandito na us.” Colet said, caressing Jhoanna’s cheek.
Dahan dahan naman nagising si Jhoanna. She had a lazy smile on her face as she slowly pulled away from Colet.
“Thank you guysss see you next week sa work.” Jhoanna stopped though when Colet was already rounding to her side and opening the door. “Huy thank you kaya ko naman.”
“Malapit ka na nga matumba.” Colet pointed out.
Inalalayan niya si Jhoanna pababa ng kotse ni Aiah.
Gwen and the latter peeked at them. Colet quickly closed the door. “Dito na ako matulog Aiah, thank you sa paghatid.”
“Oki sige alagaan mo yan ah.” Aiah waved back as Gwen gave Colet a thumbs up.
Jhoanna pulled herself up as she walked towards the building only to realize that Colet was there behind her.
Eyes widening, she looked at her friend. “Huy! Naiwan ka nila Aiah!”
Colet couldn’t help but laugh. Ang cute kasi.
“Nagpaiwan ako. Halika na.” She led Jhoanna to her apartment. Ilang beses na din naman na siya nakapunta doon.
“Wash up ka na.”
Jhoanna sat on the bed instead of doing what Colet told her though.
She was pouting again. And this may be the alcohol talking but…
“Col selos ako kanina. Si Aiah kasi.”
Colet looked back at Jhoanna. She sat down next to her on the bed. “Seselos ka e ikaw naman gusto ko.”
Jhoanna’s head snapped back to face Colet. “Ha?” Siguro tulog pa siya nananaginip lang ganon.
Colet scratched the back of her head, sighing. This was not the way she wanted to confess. But she had to because she couldn’t see Jhoanna hurting.
“Jho…”
“Are you just saying this because ang obvious ko kanina?” Jhoanna asked. And then she started rambling. “Alam mo kasalanan niyo kasi uuwi naman na dapat ako edi sana naglalaro ako ng ML ngayon saka hindi nagsesel—”
“So nagseselos ka kasi gusto mo din ako diba?” Colet grinned. Kinikilig siya piskit.
Jhoanna’s eyes widened. Hindi ba pwedeng nananaginip na lang talaga siya?!
“Umuwi ka! Umuwi ka!!” She said and turned away in embarassment.
Colet chuckled as she hugged Jhoanna from behind, placing her chin on the girl’s shoulder. “Jho…I like you…pwede manligaw?”