Love Charms and Donuts (JenLisa)

6: I Could Be Your Crush, Like, Throw You For A Rush, Like

"Mom, how did you know that Dad was the one for you?" Lisa asked her mother one Saturday morning while they video chatted.

Her parents were staying in Thailand to take care of Lisa’s ailing grandfather. Lisa planned to visit them next month. She asked because she could see how comfortable and in love her parents still were after more than twenty years of marriage.

"You look happy and perfect," Lisa continued.

Her mother just laughed. Lisa had already said hello to them earlier while her dad played chess with Lisa’s grandfather in the garden.

"We're not perfect, but we're good friends. Best friends, actually," Chittip Manoban smiled warmly. Lisa noticed her mother still smiled the same way she did in their wedding photos when talking about her dad. Her stepfather, whenever he looked at her mother, seemed content and somewhat smug—proud to be happy.

"Didn't you get married three months after you met? How did you become best friends so quickly?" Lisa asked, both confused and amazed.

"Because I knew your dad would be my best friend for the rest of my life."

"But how did you know?" Lisa repeated.

"Oh, I don't know. I guess I just felt very comfortable with him. I prefer being relaxed around someone rather than being tense and self-conscious."

"Huh."

"Did you get back with Irene?" her mother
asked bluntly.

"Uh, no."

"It's alright, sweetheart. Some things aren't meant to be. You're too smart and gorgeous to be dumped anyway. If she can't see that, it's her loss."

"Preach," Lisa agreed.

Later, after the video call, Lisa continued to ponder what her mom had said. It echoed in her mind—tense and self-conscious. Did her mother see something about Lisa without her even saying it, like a Jedi motherly intuition?

Was Lisa really tense and self-conscious with Irene? To be honest, she was never truly relaxed around her ex-girlfriend. She always felt on edge, attributing it to being in love or falling in love. Wasn't that what romance and dating were all about? The nerve-wracking tension, the constant uncertainty of whether the relationship would last or end at any moment? She had never felt secure during her time with Irene. It was as if she was always waiting for something bad to happen, especially since that incident with Chahee a few days ago. Things were clearer now.

Lisa dialed Jennie’s number. Since returning to work the following week, Lisa had been busy. They exchanged messages, but that was about it. Lisa's days were hectic, and she knew Jennie was preoccupied with Chahee. Lisa scoffed at the thought. She kept her opinions about Jennie and the yoga instructor to herself.

"Are we still on for around four?" Lisa asked without even saying hello. It was only eleven in the morning.

"Well, hello to you too," she could almost hear the smirk in Jennie’s voice.

"What are you doing? Are you at your shop?"

"No, I'm heading to the yoga studio. I promised Chahee I'd meet her for lunch."

"Oh, is she okay now? Is she back at work?"

"Yeah, she just got back today."

"So, are you being a good girlfriend now?" Lisa added a hint of bite to the last word.

"She's not my girlfriend," Jennie practically snarled.

"Well, see you in a few hours, and good luck with your not-girlfriend!" Lisa teased.
The line went dead after a grunt from Jennie.