Chapter Text
Maybe, in another lifetime.
Maybe, there is a lifetime.
Where I get to keep you…forever. Where I didn’t choose to ruin what good thing we have—but is it? Ruined?
Maybe there is a lifetime, where I didn’t act on the warmth that spreads across my cheek at the glance of your smile, or the rush that I feel in my core at sight of your calmly rising and falling chest as you doze off. In that lifetime, I wasn’t selfish or rash nor impulsive. In that lifetime, we’re friends and no matter what I do, I know I get to keep you—forever.
In that lifetime, I was more careful not to let our looks linger. The feeling of your touch did not keep me on my toes as much. I wasn’t too hungry for your kisses nor did I yearn to hold you at night, during your worst days, and nightmares and bad thunderstorms. I wasn’t envious—jealous of those that come near you.
This lifetime, however—
Not in this lifetime.
Jhoanna adjusts her thick glasses and wipes the trickle of sweat on her forehead, glancing up the windows of the building where she’s supposed to live, well, indefinitely—while she’s still figuring out what the hell she’s going to do with life after graduating college. She knew right away that she wanted to risk going to Manila to widen her horizon—spread her wings kumbaga, live a life not within her parents’ walls.
Although, it wasn’t easy going here. Her mom and dad cried for three days straight nung nagpaalam s’ya. Being an only child, she expected their reaction. She knows it had to be done, though. Wala naming mapapala ang isang broadcasting major sa probinsya. So she thought, this is the only way—sapalaran sa matao, madumi, masikip at maingay na Manila. It’s a brand-new chapter of her life and she cannot wait to start. Kahit mostly, hindi nya alam kung paano, saan magsisimula at kung ano talaga yung gagawin nya.
With her luggage in tow, she treaded the cement floor of the lobby of the building. Hindi na s’ya nagpahatid sa parents n’ya dahil gusto nga n’ya gawin to nang mag-isa. Surprisingly, pinayagan s’ya knowing na si Sheena, pinsan n’ya, naman yung kasama n’ya sa dorm—along with two other girls.
Jhoanna struggles as she dragged her luggage and her precious suitcase—containing her podcast equipment. It was a dreadful 3-hour bus ride from Laguna to Sta. Mesa, and truth be told, she didn’t get much sleep last night—kasi nga excited s’ya. She is exhausted, to say the least.
Lumapit s’ya dun sa babae sa front desk, “Hi, new tenant po—” She didn’t even finish before the lady guard cut her off, her eyes fixed on whatever notebook she was holding.
“Pahingi nalang ng valid ID, ma’am.”
Okay. Jhoanna thought, reaching for her wallet in her duffel bag. This is not supposed to be the attitude of someone who is working on the front desk? She thinks, ganito ba talaga yung mga tao sa Manila?
She’s not entirely new to the city, and hindi rin naman probinsyang probinsya ang Laguna. But somehow she gets an inkling that actually living in Manila is different from visiting BGC for a night out. This is the real Manila, sometimes walang pakielam ang mga tao sayo. They just wanna get their job done. Everyone is just trying to make a living. So, hindi n’ya na pinagtuunan ng pansin.
She hands her newly released driver’s license to the lady before reaching for her duffel bag again, this time taking out her phone. She opens her phone and texts Sheena.
Shee [7:01am]: Shee, andito na ko.
The faint sending tone sends anxiety to Jhoanna’s stomach. Hindi pa nag-reply si Sheena sa kanya since last night. The lady guard returns her ID, and Jhoanna smiles and thanks her nonetheless, despite the former’s attitude.
She tugs her stuff slowly to the direction of the elevator. She knows what floor and room she’s supposed to go. Sheena had given her the address the other night. She tries to ring the younger girl, but to no avail. Jhoanna sighs as presses the button on the elevator. Baka tulog pa yun. Maaga pa naman kasi.
A small smile manages to crawl up her lips. Positive attitude. It’s not nice to start this chapter of her life full of anxiety. This is exciting—is supposed to be exciting.
The door of the elevator opens revealing a semi dark hall, no people just doors. Jhoanna counts the doors, as she treaded the halls and stops at Room 1604. She double checks the address on her phone before knocking.
Jhoanna shifts uncomfortably when nobody answered. She tries calling her younger cousin again. It rings and rings, pero walang sumasagot. Impatient, she knocks again. Louder this time. She hears the door unlock and then swings open slowly revealing a petite girl with short red hair. “Yes?” The girl says. You can see she woke up against her will.
“Ahh…anjan si Sheena?” Jho manages.
The petite girl yawns as she steps back. “Ikaw yung pinsan n’ya?” She asks, resigning inside the room.
Jhoanna is confused. Is she supposed to just follow in? Yes, siguro? So she does, struggling with her luggage. “Oo, anjan ba s’ya? Kanina ko pa s’ya tinatawagan…”
“Oh no…” The petite girl remarks, looking at her luggage. “This is bad. SHEEENA!”
Jho jumps, peaking at the bedroom where the petite girl entered. She follows quietly, leaving her luggage on the kitchen floor. She walks slowly, until the double bed is revealed where her cousin is lying down. “Shee.” She calls softly, may natutulog pa kasi sa kabilang single bed.
The younger girl stirs, opening her eyes slowly. She tries to make out of what’s in front of her, before jolting suddenly to sit down. “ATE JHO!”
Jhoanna hides her smile. Namiss n’ya rin kasi si Sheena, since they grew up together.
“Naka-ilang tawag na ko, Sheena Mae.” Jho deadpans.
Sheena winces at the use of her full first name. “Shit, sorry.”
Jho raises her eyebrows, a little surprised at the language that Sheena used. She brushed it off, this is Manila. She folds her arms on her chest instead.
“Ate Jho…” Sheena calls softly, before flashing the older girl her megawatt smile. “Kumain ka na? Ano gusto mo kainin? Pagluto ba kita or order nalang tayo?” She stands up, fussing over Jho.
“Hindi pa ko gutom, Shee. Pero medyo inaantok pa ko. Hindi kasi ako nakatulog kagabi.” Jhoanna pouts. “Saan ko pwede ilagay yung mga gamit ko?”
Sheena bites her bottom lip, her demeanor suddenly changing from happy and excited to nervous. She pinches the bridge of her nose. “Uhm…okay. About that…” Sheena winces again. “Fuck, sorry Ate.”
“What?” Jhoanna asks, looking over Sheena and then looking past the small redhaired girl leaning on the doorway. “What?!”
“Nakalimutan ko kasing banggitin na puno na kami dito sa condo na to. Hanggang three people lang talaga dito sabi nung may-ari. For three people lang din yung bed. Hati kami ni Gwen dito sa double and si Stacey naman dun sa single.” Sheena blurts.
Jhoanna’s eyes widen. What?! Where is she supposed to sleep now?
Only a firm “Ano?” is what she manages to come out. How can Sheena let this one important detail slip out?
Sheena sighs in defeat. “Sorry na!” She reaches for her older cousin’s hands that’s folded in her chest, as she hears Gwen. “Listen, you can stay here during the day most of us are in class naman. But with the bed capacity, wala na kasi.”
“Saan mo ko papatulugin, Sheena Mae?!” Jho raises her voice.
“Wait! Di pa kasi ako tapos, Ate Jho.” Sheena convinces. “Nakausap ko yung owner, sa kanya din kasi ‘tong unit na katabi namin.” Sheena points. “Du’n may vacancy daw, same rates.” She laughs sheepishly. “Dalawa lang sila do’n. Kaklase ni Bebe yung isa, si Aiah. Mabait yun, okay lang sayo Ate?”
Jho puffs, playfully nudging her cousin’s shoulder, her eyebrows knitted. She stares at the younger girl to unearth her. She’s disappointed, of course. Apart from figuring out what she’s gonna do with her career, she was also looking forward to having sleepovers with Sheena like they did when they were younger. She wanted to goof off again with the younger girl, and just then not think about being an adult just yet.
“Nagtatampo ako sayo.” Jho pouts.
“I know.” Sheena pleads and matches her pout.
The older girl sighs, giving in to Sheena as usual. “Wala naman na ata akong magagawa, Shee?” Jho turns around to gather her stuff that’s on the floor, passing by Gwen (she assumes).
Sheena follows her, running to get ahead. “Sorry na, Ate Jho! Gusto ko lang din naman kasi makasama din kita at matuloy ka dito sa Manila. That’s why I did a little white lie. Pero we can still hang out here. Hindi naman problem yun kina Gwen and Staku.”
Staku? Nevermind.
Defeated, Jho sighs again. “Okay, Shee. Like I said, wala naman na kong magagawa di ba?”
Jhoanna is not angry. How could she? She thinks of this as a little bump in the road to her soon success as the best broadcaster the country has ever seen. It’s OA. But it’s how she sees it. Dream big.
“Hindi ka galit?” Sheena prods.
“No, Shee.”
“Yay!” Sheena hugs her. “Okay, we’ll help you get settled in. Alam na nila na darating ka today. This is Gwen by the way.”
The petite girl gives her half a smile. She’s not rude. Definitely not as rude as the lady in the front desk. But she’s also not warm.
“Ganyan lang talaga yan, hindi s’ya masyadong OA gaya natin. Pero masaya yan na nandito ka kasi matagal na kita kinekwento dito.” Sheena says, fussing over the kitchen to take out a bunch of frozen goods. “Kain muna tayo breakfast and then we’ll help you get your things there, and introduce you to the girls there also.”
“Girls?”
“Oo, si Aiah. Yung namention ko kanina na classmate ni Gwen sa class. And then, may isa pa kayong kasama.”
She hears Gwen snicker from the small bathroom across the kitchen. It makes Jho wonder, but she brushes it off as she sits on the counter watching Sheena fuss in the kitchen.
It wasn’t long until the other girl, Staku came out. Jho stares at the girl who just joined them. She’s wearing a simple cropped shirt that’s revealing too much of her belly and jogger pants. Jhoanna can’t help but to internally comment. She has a body that’s to die for, and that waist! Possessing that should be illegal. Actually, lahat naman sila. Even Sheena lost all her baby weight since coming into college. She’s grown and matured and her body changed into a lady as well.
“Aga mo naman, Staks.” Sheena comments.
“Hapon pa klase ko pero sino ba namang hindi magigising sa inyo.” The sleepy girl deadpans.
“Sorry.” Jho apologizes.
“Nasabi na ni Shee sayo?”
Jhoanna stays silent. S’ya lang yata talaga hindi sinabihan ni Sheena.
“Oks naman don. Si Aiah, angel yun.”
Okay, she’s heard enough about Aiah. She thinks all three of them are in unison with their perception of Aiah.
“How about yung isang girl?” Jhoanna asks, out of curiousity. Kasi parati nalang si Aiah yung binabati nila.
“You’ll see.” Stacey smirks, taking a bite of an apple.
“Ha?”
Transferring everything that she loaded in the airfryer to a tiny plate, Sheena butts in. “Okay naman yon! Wag kang makinig sa mga yan.”
Jhoanna tilts her head. “Why? Ano bang meron?”
Sheena continues to fuss over her, bringing out items from their fridge to feed Jhoanna. “Hindi, ano kasi ‘yon—busy kasi law student.”
Woah. Law student? Jhoanna thinks highly of those who has the guts to study the law. It’s not an easy profession. Plus, she’s seen Barboys. She knows, or has an idea at least how hard being a law student can be. All those sleepless nights.
Jhoanna understands, so she nods.
“Pero oks naman yon, si Col.”
Somehow, Sheena’s words comforted her. It shouldn’t be hard—makisama kay Aiah and Col. Plus Jhoanna knows she’s a good roommate. She may be an only child and has only ever shared a room with herself or her dog, but pfft. Should be easy.
The four of them proceeded with having a small breakfast—since hindi parin naman nga s’ya masyadong gutom. Nakinig lang s’ya as mga kwento ni Sheena at ni Stacey. Gwen doesn’t talk much but she adds stuff here and there. Jhoanna soon learned that Gwen is an interior design major from UP Manila, and Stacey studies tourism with Sheena in UST.
When she asked why Gwen is bunking with them, given that Sta. Mesa is a little far from Taft, the petite girl just gave her a shrug followed by a sheepish smile. “Eh, nandito si Shee eh.” The two girls exchanged a look, before Sheena changed the topic.
The rest of the morning went on with just the girls getting to know Jho. What her major was and why she really wanted to go to Manila. They also find out that she’s a struggling radio broadcaster with a self-made podcast that’s never been put out there.
It wasn’t hard to open up to Gwen and Stacey, Jho thinks. It wasn’t long until they’re talking about Jhoanna’s artistic burnout and how she wanted to get over that with changing her environment. Soon enough, it was time for them to help Jho get settled in to the other unit since Gwen and Sheena soon need to prepare for classes.
They gather upfront and knock softly. Stacey had texted Aiah beforehand, asking if they’re ready to be introduced to Jho, to which the latter affirmed. They had been standing a while when an impatient Sheena twisted the door knob. Finding out that the door wasn’t locked, they proceeded inside.
“Aiah?” Stacey softly calls.
Carefully, they proceeded inside until a girl standing in front of a neon-lit mirror comes into their view. Jhoanna takes a peer at the girl. She’s pretty. Jhoanna isn’t blind not to tell.
Jhoanna stares at her from her reflection in the mirror. She was just fixing her hair, which was stuck in a nice and tight ponytail, making sure none of the strands stood out. She stood probably as tall as Jhoanna, with her baby blue dress shirt tucked under a small, black pencil skirt. She is also sporting a formidable look on her face, and it’s pretty hard to guess what she’s thinking about, if you’re going to ask Jhoanna.
It took her by surprise—the slight churning that she felt in her stomach. It’s bubbling weird because, well, kakakain lang naman nila. So she’s sure she isn’t hungry. But what is this feeling?
The four girls stood watching her and waiting until she notices them, which was only by time she was finished putting on her lip gloss. Nobody dared to say a word, not even flinch a muscle. Is this girl’s aura real?
The girl’s eyes met Jhoanna’s gaze, which made the latter girl swallow.
“Anong meron?” The girl’s low voice echoed.
“…Si Aiah?” Stacey manages.
“Wala. Umalis.” She plainly answers.
“Umm…nasabi ba n’ya na may bago kayong roommate?” Sheena asks.
“Nabanggit n’ya ata.” The girl grabs the comb, turning her attention back to her hair.
Silence.
“You can settle down sa kwarto.”
To Jho’s surprise the girl met her gaze again, noticing that her lips twitched a little. Was that half a smile?
“Wag n’yo lang gagalawin yung gamit ko.”
Sheena makes a loud, happy sigh, breaking the tension. “Okay! Tara tulungan natin si Ate Jho.” She prods happily to the only bedroom in the unit, the two girls Gwen and Stacey following suit.
Jhoanna feels uneasy, taking a look at the unit. It’s much like the other unit, the one where Sheena’s staying at, but it’s cleaner and more decorated. Definitely neater and much more organized. Jhoanna commends the yellow and teal accents in the decorations. Pagpasok, you can see how neat the kitchen is. No leftover dirty dishes, the glasses are neatly lined up. There are few indoor plants.
The couch is different from Sheena’s, though. This ones in yellow—duck yellow, the exact shade that Jho’s obsessed with, and it has a comfy duvet. Beside that couch is an old but polished turntable with a small collection of records. Whoever lives here must have loved music, because there’s also a classic Suzuki acoustic next to it.
“Akin din ‘yang mga ‘yan.” The girl comments. “Hands off ha?”
Jhoanna fights the urge to crumple her eyebrows. Hindi naman n’ya inaano, tinititignan nya lang naman. Bakit ba ang sungit netong babaeng ‘to? Maganda s’ya, oo. She’s definitely not hard on the eyes. Artistic, maganda yung taste sa interior design. Pero sobrang sungit. She could almost shiver from the cold look that the other girl is giving her.
She can only nod. “I’m Jhoanna.” She decently answers, despite the wanting of shakiness in her tone.
“Colet Vergara.” The girl replies, not bothering to look at Jhoanna.
Okay, Colet. S’ya si Col na nabanggit din ni Sheena kanina. Although Jhoanna wonders if sometime, she can call her that. But given the honest reactions from Stacey and Gwen earlier and the confirmation now, masungit ‘tong si Colet.
Jhoanna gives her an honest nod, fiddling with the strap of her duffle bag, which she forgot is still on her shoulder.
“Look.” Colet sighs. “Ang rules lang naman dito is ‘wag mong hawakan or pakielaman yung gamit ko. Hindi mo rin ako pwedeng kausapin kapag hindi kita kinakausap at lalong lalo na kapag nag-aaral ako.” She pauses. “Pinaka-lalo kapag natutulog ako, because my sleep is very important to me.”
“Oh..kay.”
“Nakuha mo?”
“Yes…” Jhoanna faintly answers.
“That does not sound very convincing. Nakuha mo ba or hindi?”
Some sort of warmth flushes across Jhoanna’s cheeks by Colet’s assertiveness. “…Nakuha ko!” She panics.
Colet’s eyes squint looking at Jhoanna from head to toe. “One more thing.” She closes her eyes before sighing. “There’s a contract. You need to sign the contract that’s co-terminus with our contract of lease here. Meaning, kung pumayag ka na titira ka na dito, hindi mo na kami pwedeng iwan nalang basta basta to look for a replacement. Masyado nang pinasakit yung ulo ko dun sa naunang umalis.”
Jhoanna pauses to think. Ah, okay. May nauna palang tenant at umalis lang kaya may opening sila.
“Is that okay with you?” Colet asks in a manner that leaves Jhoanna no choice but to say yes.
“Yes.”
“Good.
Jhoanna shifts from the uneasiness, melting like ice under Colet’s glare. What’s with all this bitchiness? Grabe naman.
She should not let this affect her and her dreams. She can manage this. She’s an awesome roommate. Hindi naman din mahirap yung requests ni Colet. Stay off her things. Fine. But she needs her space as well, as she is also a co-lessee.
“Are you in a hurry.” Jho sheepishly asks. “I need to ask kasi kung saan ako pwede mag-set up ng work station? That’s all I need.”
Colet sarcastically looks around. “Saan mo ba gusto?”
Jho was tongue-tied.
“I don’t…know. Saan ba pwe--?”
“Sa banyo?”
What? Jhoanna blinks, trying to decipher if this girl is serious.
“Oh di ba ayaw mo? Wag mo na kong tanungin. Basta wag mo lang sasakupin yung mga areas ko. Kaya mo naman sigurong gawin yun.” Colet deadpans as she puts her books inside her bag.
Jhoanna wants to match this girl’s bitchiness, but she’s better than that. Breathe. She tries to understand, mahirap maging law student baka kaya s’ya ganyan.
“You know, what? I’ll go ahead and help them nalang. Good luck with wherever you are going.” Jhoanna smiles.
She leaves Colet to be on her own and joins the girls in unloading her stuff. Nagmamadali na rin sila kasi may mga pasok din. But taking a look at the bedroom, it is much like Sheena’s. At least yung format n’ya. There’s a double bed, which she’s guessing is Colet’s from how tidy and clean it is. It has beige blankets that matched with the pillow and bed case. Colet’s bed is pushed against the wall where the window is, and beside that is her work station probably. There are thick bound books of different colors.
Civil Code of the Philippines: Obligations and Contracts. Jhoanna tries to read one. Administrative Law by Gabato, the other one reads. These are legit law books. It’s the first time she’s seen them. Ang kakakapal. No wonder wala lagi sa mood si Colet.
Jhoanna’s internal monologue is rhen interrupted by her own confusion.
The room is supposed to fit three people. If double bed is for Colet, and the single bed is occupied by Aiah…that means.
“Wait!” Jhoanna exclaims, interrupting the idle chat inside the room. “Saan ako matutulog??”
Before anyone could answer, they hear a call from the living area.
“Stakuuu!”
“Si Aiah.” Stacey mentions.
Aiah proceeds to the room, dragging another girl with her.
Jhoanna’s attention shifts from worrying where she’s going to sleep to the new intruders. She studies the two girls who just joined them.
Aiah looks as angelic as the girls mentioned her to be. She has kind eyes, and her face looks like it’s smiling no matter what emotion she is feeling. She has long, flowing hair and it reminds Jhoanna of something.
The girl she’s dragging behind her, on the other hand, looks sweet. She has red hair, which kinda matches Gwen’s shade a little. Except, hers is long and straight. She’s wearing a black tank top that really made her pale skin color pop, and sage green sixed-pocket pants.
Jhoanna quickly glances at their intertwined fingers, not too long to be disrespectful but enough to know. Mag-jowa ‘to.
What a good-looking couple. Jhoanna adds.
“Sorry we’re laaate! Eto kasing si Miks, nag-insist pa that we have pancakes sa Mcdo sa baba.”
Colet rolls her eyes. “Umuwi ka pa, akala ko taga-Taft ka na?”
Aiah and Mikha make a beeline towards Jhoanna and the girls. “Hi, ignore Colet. I do.” She lets go of Mikha’s hand to engulf Jhoanna in a tight hug. “Jhoanna, right?” Aiah beams at her, and Jho tries not to wince at her bright and quirkiness. “Heard a lot of good things from Sheena.”
Jhoanna exhales and matches Aiah’s smile. It’s nice to have some warmth in here. Parang may pending thunderstorm kasi sa may living room, Colet ang pangalan.
“I’m Aiah.” The girl chuckles, before turning to her side. “And this…is Mikha.” She smirks. “My girlfriend.”
Knew it.
“Hello!” Jhoanna beams. “I need help.” She cries out.
Aiah laughs, assuming what Jhoanna’s dilemma is. “It’s okay, I know. You can have this tiny bed. Ako na tatabi kay Col.”
“That’s if nandito ka, which 100% of the time isn’t the cas—!” The girls hear faintly from the living area.
Aiah closes the door in a swoosh to silence the fuming brunette. “It’s okay. But you can have my bed, Jhoanna. What do you prefer we call you? Jhoanna just seems like a mouthful.”
“Ate Jho nalang.” Sheena suggests from where she’s semi-cuddling Gwen on the small bed, albeit knowing Aiah is the oldest amongst them.
“Jho, you can have this bed.” Aiah repeats. “Also, quick orientation lang. The reason why I went here personally is to tell you not—never to touch Col’s things. You can go anywhere else in the unit, touch whatever. But stay out of her little shrine in the living area…” Aiah narrates, referring to the guitar and turntable at the sala, “…and her work area here. Because even if she’s not here, did not witness personally yung pangingielam ng gamit nya, she’ll know.”
Jhoanna nods. “I got it. She made it pretty clear kanina din.”
Aiah gives her a small smile. “Although generous and caring yan si Col—in her own way. You’ll see, she’ll grow on you.”
Jhoanna returns Aiah’s small smile, not knowing it’ll ever be true. She hopes Colet will be nicer to her.
“And…” Aiah laughs, looking at Mikha. “…it’s weird. If that does not happen, then I’m hoping it’s the other way around. You’ll grow on her. I think Sheena forgot to mention how much you resemble Chie Filomeno.”
At once, the bedroom door swung open, to the girls’ surprise.
“Nalimutan ko yung favorite pen ko.” Colet manages, in half-assed excuse. She’d been eavesdropping.
Mikha rolls her eyes. “Of course you did.” She teases.
Awkwardly, Colet cuts in front of the girls, making a beeline towards her desk to get her non-smudge fountain pain, allowing Jhoanna to take a whiff of the girl’s perfume.
Bango, pucha. Santal 33, Jhoanna recognizes.
Getting a hold of her favorite pen, Colet focuses on Mikha. “Ano? Mahahatid mo ba ko?”
Mikha smirks, noting the uneasiness in her friend’s demeanor. Her girlfriend is right, Jho looks like Colet’s silly girl crush. If she focused enough, she could tell Colet’s nervous as well. “Maaga pa naman, Col.” Mikha comments, placing an arm around Aiah’s shoulder. “Hangout with us muna.”
The teasing in Mikha’s tone is not unnoticeable. Alam ni Colet na inaasar s’ya nito, hell, even Aiah knows.
“I’m on deck sa recit today, I can’t be late.”
The redhaired girl clucks her tongue, surrendering. “Fine. Kadarating lang namin eh. But okay.” She turns to her girlfriend. “You okay to hang out here, bub?”
Jhoanna smiles at the nickname Mikha used. Aiah nods.
“Okay, will pick you up later after my class. ‘La ka namang class today, right?” Mikha asks and Aiah confirms again. “Alright, let’s go anger.”
The two exchanges a quick peck on the lips, before the girls teased. “SANAOOOOL!” Sheena exclaims. She laughs when Gwen pouted her lips in an attempt to kiss her.
“Bebe stop!” She exclaims before pushing her.
Colet rolls her eyes and struts in front of them, making her way to the living area to put her shoes on.
“Mga bading.” She mutters.
The rest of the afternoon went by with just Aiah and Jhoanna hanging out in the living area. Gwen, Stacey and Sheena had their respective classes to attend to so it’s just the two of them.
They resigned to eating chips on the floor of the sala since they didn’t wanna get the couch dirty. Jho had asked Aiah details about her relationship with Mikha and the older girl happily obliged. Jhoanna found out that they met through Bumble, which is odd na may nagkakatuluyan pala ‘don sa app na yon; and that it’s a fairly new relationship, 10 months to be exact.
They had been talking a while, so Jhoanna felt like it’s okay to ask. Aiah is nice and she feels like she’s comfortable with her sexuality enough to discuss.
“Pwede magtanong?” Jhoanna asks, shoving a mouthful of chips in her mouth.
“Libre lang?” Aiah jokes, laughing as she focuses on Jho’s question with the muted sound of the cartoon playing from the TV.
“Ako na nga gumastos dito sa chips….” Jhoanna pouts.
Aiah laughs again, licking her fingers. “Go.”
“Kailan mo nalaman?” Jho raises her eyebrows, implying something.
Aiah tilts her head. “Na maganda ko? Dati pa.”
Jhoanna throws her head back as she laughed. Aiah is effortlessly funny.
“Na ano ba? Na nakakaputi ng kili-kili ang calamansi?”
“Ate Aiah!”
Aiah tries to settle down and answer the younger girl’s question seriously. “Well, bata pa lang ako. And it’s not like, something that I realized growing. It’s just something that I’ve known ever since.”
Jhoanna nods.
Aiah smiles. “I mean, I’ve been with guys in the past. Okay naman, it’s just your typical hetero bullshit.” She laughs a bit, recalling her memories. “But with Mikha, things are just easier. I don’t have to pretend I’m someone I’m not. I do not have to impress her a lot, I just have to be myself. She’s my first girlfriend, if you’re also curious.”
“So are you like—how would you identify yourself?”
“Bi, I guess? Or pan? I don’t know. I’m just someone who loves a girl named Mikha.” Aiah tries to idly look at the cartoons playing on screen, but she knows her attention is with their conversation. “How about you?”
“Ako?”
“Hinde, si Donald Duck.”
Jhoanna throws her head back again, gasping for air as she laughs.
“Di ko pa naiisip, Ate.” She says, shoving another mouthful of potato chips into her mouth. “Marami pa kong pangarap sa life.”
Aiah looks at her with her kind eyes, “Lah! Para mo namang sinabing wala akong pangarap sa buhay.”
Jhoanna hits her arm lightly, “Hinde!”
“Pwede ka namang mangarap ng may jowa ka, or like inspiration lang ganon.” Aiah teases, poking back at Jhoanna’s side. The younger girl laughs and tries to escape, pushing the older girl back. “Wala? Kahit crush lang?”
“Ate Aiah! Maghugas ka muna ng kamay mo! Andumi na ng damit ko.” Jhoanna complains, all while rising from her seat and trying to get back at the older girl.
It wasn’t long until the girls are in a tickle game, laughing loud and pushing each other. They were interrupted by the sound of the condo door closing. It wasn’t long until an irritable Colet is marching towards the direction of the bedroom.
“Yung couch ko kapag nadumihan nyo, ipa-dry cleaning n’yo yan ha. Harutan kayo ng harutan.” Colet mutters before closing the bedroom door.
I guess she’s back. Jhoanna thinks.
“Hi bubby!” Aiah gets away from her grasp and rushes towards Mikha, who just threw her car keys on top of the kitchen counter. “Tabi mo yan, ‘pag nakita ni Col ‘yan.”
Mikha smiles, enveloping her girlfriend into a tight hug. “Hi.”
Jhoanna feels awkward. She hopes she didn’t cross boundaries with Aiah that would make Mikha mad. It was not her intention.
“Hi, Jho.” The redhaired girl greets.
“Hi, Mikha!” An internal sigh of relief.
“Ooh, what are you guys watching?” Mikha asks.
“Wala, I don’t know.” Aiah answers for Jho, reaching for Mikha’s hand and placing it on her waist. “How was school? Buti nagkasabay kayo ulit ni Col?”
“Well, yeah. Along the way naman PUP to here, and maaga daw sila dinismiss so yeah.”
Ah so from PUP pala si Colet.
“Tara na ba?” Aiah asks Mikha.
Jhoanna watches them and feels a slight pang of sadness na aalis na sila to back to Taft, to Mikha’s condo in Benilde. She hopes na they could still hangout. Ang awkward maiwan mag-isa kasama si Colet, and wala pa sila Sheena from school.
“Di ba natin bibigyan ng welcome party si Jho?” Mikha suggests, which made Jho light up.
Aiah gives Mikha a look, implying that she knows what the other girl is doing. Mikha gives her girlfriend a convincing smile, so Aiah gives in. She laughs nervously though. “Aral ata si Colet tonight, bub. We can’t be noisy here.”
“Sama natin s’ya.” Mikha jokingly says.
Aiah nudges her a bit. “Wag mong i-BI si Col, masipag na studyante yan.”
“Down yan si Col.” Mikha insists. “Oks daw recit nya kanina. Then online daw sila tomorrow, so she has time.” She squeezes her girlfriend. “Nabanggit ko na kanina ‘to. G naman ata. How about you, Jho? G ka?”
“Saan?”
Aiah laughs. “Inom. Dito lang sa condo.”
Jhoanna doesn’t drink much. She spent most of her time back in highschool and college trying to finish highschool and college. Although this isn’t her first time, she’s attended parties with alcohol before. But she can say she’s a lightweight. Mabilis malasing. So, she’s hesitant. Plus, it’s a Monday night. Who plans a party on a Monday?
“Come on, you don’t have plans tomorrow right?”
Jhoanna doesn’t answer. She knows na kailangan n’yang makisama. Also, it’s very uncool of her to say no? Who does she think she is? Bagong salta s’ya dito sa Manila, so she has to go by their ways.
“G.”
Mikha mainly is the one paying for the alcohol. Given Jho’s limited allowance, she’s saving up for more important things. It’s cool that Mikha insisted on paying, since this is her idea after all. Plus, she heard Mikha’s family is rich. Well, tunog pa lang ng name n’ya expensive na. Mikha Lim.
Jhoanna stayed behind, habang yung mag-jowa yung bumaba sa 711 to cop the drinks. She plans on changing into denim shorts and a printed cropped tee to get comfy for their little inuman session. Tinext n’ya na rin sina Sheena to invite them. Aiah says it’s cool.
She knocks on the bedroom door, just to make sure she doesn’t catch Colet in a compromising position. She proceeded inside nung wala namang sumagot.
She found Colet seated on her work station, reading one of the books that Jho saw earlier. Jhoanna studies the expression on the girl’s face once more. She notices that she’s prettier stripped down like this. Don’t get her wrong. Colet looked breathtakingly powerful in her formal wear, but something about an oversized Charlotte folk sweater and denim shorts screams, for a lack of better word, adorable as fuck.
Jhoanna fights a smile as she remembered what Mikha called Colet earlier. Anger. She recognizes that little character from one of Jhoanna’s favorite animated movies. Sobrang bagay.
She walks slowly to where her closet is. Hindi pa s’ya fully settled down kaya medyo magulo pa, but they’ve managed to sort out most of her clothes.
Finding the shirt that she wanted to wear, Jhoanna lets out a small shriek of joy. She stopped right away, looking back at Colet to see if she’s angered the girl. No reaction. Jhoanna sighs in relief.
Hindi naman lumilingon si Colet so she decided to change right there. She stripped off her current shirt and got into the fresh t-shirt. Her excitement must have gotten to her because she’s already stripping her bottoms kahit hindi n’ya pa nahahanap yung shorts n’ya.
Panic rushes into her, as she curses under her breath, opening and closing closets to find where the girls put all of her shorts.
Soon enough, Colet’s had enough of the fussing behind her. It’s distracted her from memorizing the assigned cases for tomorrow. “Ano ba yan?!” She whispers irritably, turning her swivel chair around to face Jhoanna.
Her expression changed in a split second. Irritation suddenly changed into awkwardness and embarrassment when she realized the girl is merely in her underwear—turned around anxiously hopping in front of the closet trying to find where her bottoms are.
Warm blood rushes across Colet’s cheeks, as she faces forward. Jhoanna hasn’t noticed her glancing, so she slowly turns around again, discreetly staring at the younger girl’s long, skinny legs.
It’s illegal—what she’s doing. She should be jailed—reclusion perpetua. But then again, for violation of what law? What provision? It feels illegal, at least. Malum in se.
Colet smirks, burying her head into her book. Silently laughing at her application what she learned in Criminal Law I. Her prosecutor professor should be proud of her.
She waits until it sounds like Jhoanna’s settled into her clothes, before turning around to face her. Which is an idiot move—she doesn’t have anything to say. She wanted to apologize for looking, but she’s not going to. This secret’s going with her to her grave.
“Umm…inom daw?” Jhoanna mutters, feeling awkward and seeing an opening to talk to the girl.
Colet has to give it to this girl. She has good taste in clothing.
“Pass.” She answers, before turning her swivel chair around again.
Jhoanna doesn’t insist anymore, resigning back to the living area para salubungin si Aiah at Mikha. She gently closes the door to leave Colet to her studying.
And Colet? She gives herself a mental slap in the head. She cannot lose focus again.
She didn't want to judge a book by its cover. But this cover…was currently very appealing. One, she had really great taste in clothes. Colet recognizes the shirt from one of the stalls in Fruit of the Loom. She found it hard to tear her eyes away from the small waist that was peeking out under the top.
Two, those denim shorts. It is disrespectful but those shorts hug her creamy legs so fittingly.
Three, those cute, thick glasses. It’s like her heart was taken out of her chest and is being squeezed every every time she looked at her. Frowning at the open drawer of her closet, Colet had a sinking feeling that she and this Jhoanna were going to clash.