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Thursdays are for dinner with friends and tonight, they are at Mikha and Gwen's shared house.
Table was lively and crowded with food, laughter, and their chatter.
Jhoanna suddenly leaned back, looking thoughtful.
"Naalala ko lang... ano bang pros and cons of dating me?" she asked, eyes flicking to Colet.
Aiah nearly choked on her dinuguan, "Ang random naman nito, bakit mo naman kami tatanungin niyan?"
Jhoanna shrugged, "Eto kasing si Staku, always bugging me na gumawa ng account sa isang dating app. I mean, bakit si Sheena hindi niyo kinukulit na mag-jowa eh parehas din naman kaming walang nagiging jowa pa ever?"
"Si Ate Colet din," Sheena butts in.
Maloi snorted, "Pointless 'yan eh. Lolokohin ka lang ng mga nakikilala mo dun."
"Eh Ate Maloi," Stacey said, grinning at her friend. "Ikaw lang talaga 'yung puro red flag ang nakikilala."
They all laughed, and after finishing their food, Colet offered to drive Jhoanna home.
"Same area lang kami ni Ate Jho, bakit di mo ako ni—" bago pa man matapos ang sasabihin ay pinigilan na ito ni Mikha.
"Ako maghahatid sa'yo." Mikha casually says.
"A-Ah, okay.." Sheena answers with flushed cheeks.
Inside the car, the quiet hum of the engine filled the space.
Colet stole a glance at Jhoanna, who was staring out the window, her fingers tapping nervously.
"So... pinag-iisipan mo parin ilalagay mo?" Colet asked, trying to sound casual.
"Parang tinatamad nga ako eh," Jhoanna admitted. "I mean, hindi pa parang unfair na babase lang ako sa looks kapag sa dating apps?"
"Oo nga... saka wag ka na dun, tama si Maloi, baka mapano ka lang dun," Colet said, but her voice had a soft edge she couldn't hide.
Jhoanna turned to her, titlting her head.
"Pero... kung ikaw tatanungin, ano sa tingin mo ang pros and cons of dating me? Or kahit me as a person."
Colet took a breath, "Okay... pros..."
She hesitated, then started, voice going softer.
"Una sa lahat, funny ka. Nakakatawa ka in a way na parang ang cute din. Pangalawa, matalino ka... pero hindi 'yung boring kind of smart, you make even the most complicated stuff interesting. Third, loyal ka sa mga taong love mo or just people you care about... to the point na minsan mas nauuna mo sila bago ang sarili mo."
She glanced at Jhoanna who was listening quietly now.
"Plus, busy girl ka sa work pero ang adventurous mo parin. Pag may trips ako tapos niyaya kita, sumasama ka tapos wala kang arte arte. Nung kumain tayo ng uod sa Thailand, nung maasim yung helmet nung grab sa Vietnam, nung natulog tayo sa Subway sa New York—my best travel buddy talaga. You notice the small things din, likr kung may nagugutom sa table or kailan dapat mag-stop for gas. You like animals din, si sinta and si hirang, halos ikaw na ituring na mommy pati narin si Choco nila mama. And your playlists? Chef's kiss talaga. Alam mo yung mga sinesend mong bagong gawa mong playlist? It actually matches my mood palagi."
Colet laughed lightly, shaking her head.
"You're thoughtful too. Tipong kahit hindi ko sinabi, but alam na alam mo kung ang kailangan ko ba ay kausap or space. And cute ka talaga ka pag nagagalit ka or naiinis, pero never grumpy for long. And your hugs... walang katulad. Parang isang hug mo lang parang anong problema nga? Ah wala, si Jhoanna na bahala."
Then she grinned, teasing a little.
"And some funny stuff.. like how you always steal my fries pero ikaw pa talaga nao-offend kapag pinansin ko or how you rearrange everything sa bag mo na para kang nagb-blockblast. And how you talk to inanimate objects when you're annoyed, ilang beses ko n bang narinig na kinakausap mo 'yung duck plushie mo by your bed? I swear, gusto ko matawa. And your random OCD moments, like lining up your pens or checking your phone five times for notifications... nakakatawa kasi kahit alam kong weird eh wala, that's Jhoanna. And your silly dramatic moments kunwari 'Hay nako, the universe is so against me!' I secretly love that."
She looked at Jhoanna whose cheeks were slightly pink.
"And the best part is that you make normal days feels special. Kahit stuck tayo sa traffic or kapag quick dinner lang natin after work, parang okay na okay ang world when you're around.
Jhoanna blinked slowly.
"Never thought you saw me that way."
Colet shrugged, "Cons? Walang cons. Kapal naman ng mukha nila kung sakali. I mean, si Jhoanna Robles ka na, ano pa bang hihilingin nila?"
Jhoanna laughed, "Sira ka talaga. But Colet..."
"Hmmm?" Colet glanced at her while driving, heart still hammering sa lowkey confession niya. Well she didn't mean to but since Jhoanna asked, she can't help it.
"Are you... in love with me?" Jhoanna asked softly.
Colet stayed quiet for a minute, gripping the wheel tighter.
The she exhaled slowly,
"Yes, I think i'm in love with you."
The didn't speak until they reached Jhoanna's house. Colet got out first, opening the door for her and walking her to the gate, as always.
Jhoanna didn't move at first. Colet's chest tightened.
"Kung uncomfy ka, Jho, pwede mo kalimutan yung mga sinabi ko kan—"
"Ayoko," Jhoanna said, finally looking at her. "What if i'm inlove with you rin? What will happen then?"
Colet stared for a moment before smilling, "Eh di ligawan mo ako."
"Okay," Jhoanna noded shyly. "Liligawan kita."
"Joke lang, Jho," Colet laughed. "Uhm, what if we go on dates muna?"
"10 years na tayong magkakilala, 10 years mo na akong passenger princess, 10 years mo na akong travel buddy.. I think we're way past that."
"So... anong gusto mo, girlfriends agad?"
"Only if you want it too," Jhoanna said softly.
"Gusto ko," Colet exhaled and grinned. "Gustong gusto ko."
"So... day 1 of being girlfriends?"
"Yes," Colet reached for Jhoanna's hand and softly pressed her lips on the back of her palm. "Date tayo bukas?"
"After work?" Jhoanna asked.
"Okay. Goodnight, uhm... anong tawagan natin?"
"We'll figure that out tomorrow." Colet said with a grin.
"Goodnight, Cols." Jhoanna pressed a quick kiss on Colet's cheek and stepped inside.
"Goodnight, my Jhoanna." Colet watched her go, hand still raised in a half-wave, heart full, smile wide.
The quiet street felt warmer somehow, as if the world was smiling her with her.
END.