Juliet and Juliet [GLT 1]

Chapter 16

#JAJ015

"I'm not at my condo, Mom."

I glanced at Alana and Khloe who were practically guilt tripping me with all the squinting eyes. Sa bilis ng pangyayari, hindi na ako nakapagpaalam sa kanya about the overnight. At alam kong lagot ako kapag sinabi kong nagpunta ako ng Ilocos without their consent. Though I'm not a minor and I got all the rights to decide on my own, pinalaki kaming sobrang masunurin na maski pagpunta lang sa mall, parang kailangan ko pang ikwento.

"Eh nasaan ka? I was calling you all night, Mareese.", I trembled by merely hearing mom's fierce voice. Lumingon ako sa bintana ng sasakyan bago ako sumagot.

"I.. I'm with Alana and Camille. Gumawa kami ng project overnight.", I lied and I swear to God, it didn't felt right. I hate lying because it makes me feel uncomfortable! Especially to my mom! "Sorry, mommy."

"Haynako, Mareese. You're forgetting your manners! Next time, tawagan mo manlang ako o i-text. Ninenerbyos kami dito sa'yo.", patuloy na sermon nito. I just closed my eyes to absorb my mom's exasperation. But then, this is all my fault. I should've just told her.

The car stopped the moment she hung up, nakarating na kami sa condo ko. Bumaba ako to get my backpack at the back at nagpaalam na din ako agad sa mga kaibigan ko before I went inside. When I smelled the welcoming scent of my second home, I felt a weird feeling that to me seemed like distress. I knew I am having separation anxiety.

"That was quick.", I told myself. Just then, my phone rang.

"Nakauwi ka na?", bungad na tanong ni Jaleya nang masagot ko ang tawag niya.

"Miss mo na 'ko agad?", I joked and continued unpacking my stuff. She giggled.

"I'm sorry, hindi kita nahatid.", sabi ulit nito. Sakanya kasi sumakay yung tatlong kaibigan niya kaya tama lang na sakanya din sila sumabay pauwi.

"It's fine, ano ka ba!"

"I'm coming over.", napaayos ako ng tayo dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Why?", kunot-noo kong tanong habang pilit kinikimkim ang kilig ko.

"Ayaw mo?", alam kong nakangiti siya dahil sa tono ng boses niya. I automatically smiled with the thought of seeing her.

"Come fast."

The clock didn't even strike a minute or 5 when Jaleya arrived. She pulled over and got off of her car only to open the door for me. Hindi ko maipaliwanag kung anong dapat kong maramdaman. The idea still hasn't totally sunk in. I was dating the woman. She left me completely lovesick that I didn't have any other choice but to let her take over my entire system. And I don't regret not withstanding it.

I stole a quick glance at the woman beside me. Tamihik lang siyang nagd-drive habang nakahawak sa manibela yung isang kamay niya at nakasandal naman sa may bintana yung isa. She was fondling her silky hair, still focused on the road. The gesture certainly made me fall in love all over again. I gasped when she caught me looking at nagmadaling umiwas ng tingin.