Unrequited (GL) [HSS #4, Completed]

Chapter 40

"Jade, para naman tayong hindi nag-uusap sa bahay," sabi ko sa kanya. "Ang daldal mo."

Jean decided to treat us para magpa-body massage. On usual days ay hindi ako papayag dahil ingat ako na huwag nilang makita ang katawan ko. Although they're not the type who will purposely check one's body. But Gail's here...so...

"Si Gail ba iyon?"

I felt my heart skipped a beat at mabilis na nilingon yung area na tinitingnan ni Jade. Mabilis ko naman siyang nakita at napangiti saglit.

"Gail!"

Mabilis itong lumingon sa amin. Nagkatinginan pa kaming dalawa bago niya tingnan itong si Jade. "Uy!"

She looked breathtaking as usual. It's been awhile since I last saw her and I honestly missed her. Hindi niya lang alam kung gaano ako nagpipigil na maging clingy at expressive sa kanya.

She already has a boyfriend so I should just stop thinking about her. I'll just hurt myself.

Mabuti nga at hindi ito katulad ni Jean na laging akay-akay ang boyfriend na ngayon ay asawa na niya. Kung tutuusin ay mas discreet pa si Gail in terms sa love life niya, super low-key. You wouldn't know she's committed kung hindi pa tatanungin.

She's just so carefree. Sometimes I wish she's still single.

Jade slid our cart hanggang mabunggo no'n yung kay Gail. "Ay, napalakas."

"Baliw." She laughed. I was almost carried away with the sound. Pasimple akong huminga ng malalim, sinusubukang pakalmahin ang sarili lalo na nang lumingon siya sa akin. Hindi nakaligtas sa paningin ko ang bahagyang pamumula ng pisngi niya. "Uhm, hi, North."

I smiled and simply nodded my head, afraid that I'll carelessly tell her how pretty she is today. Hindi ko alam kung alam niya iyon pero marunong siyang magdala ng sarili. She looked fashionable even if she's just wearing a black and red buttoned polo shirt showing a customized ombre shirt underneath, a black high-waisted ripped jean, and a dirty white sneaker. Her hair falls perfectly, halatang alagang-alaga. She's a little boyish but it's really amusing when there's a hint of being girly on her.

Sometimes I wanted to just keep her and be the only one to have her. But that's not how the world works. Besides, she's someone that should be proudly shown to everyone because she's worth all the attention and she deserves it.

"Grocery day ka rin?" Jade asked and was received with a single nod. "Sumabit lang ako rito kay Hilaga kasi gusto ko ng cake."

"Cake mo mukha mo." wala sa loob na nasabi ko.

"Meanie naman ni Northy Babe."

"Dito ka ba lagi nag-grocery?"

"Nagkataon lang kailangan na rin mag-grocery and since dito naman ang punta, isinabay ko na lang." I explained with a smile.

I was so happy when Gail decided to do grocery shopping with me ─ with us pala, dahil kasama ko si Jade. I can't help but stare at her when she's not looking, or smile at her whenever na huli na para mag-iwas ako ng tingin. Ang cute niya ngumiti, nakakapanlambot. If only she knew her effect on me.

No, no. I'll appear creepy. Sasarilinin ko na lang iyon siyempre.

At dahil parehas lang naman kami ng gagawin ay sabay na kaming naghanap ng mga bibilhin namin. Parang sira si Jade, nilalaro niya talaga yung cart, akala mo naman siya ang nag-g-grocery.

"Jade, itatapon talaga kita." I said. Panay kasi ang paglalaro nito sa cart, daig pa ang bata. Tuwing kasama ko talaga ito mamili, para akong may bitbit na anak. Mas malikot pa sa toddler, kung anu-ano pang kinukuha.