Gravity

Chapter Eight

Jhoana

It's been two weeks since that last encounter with Bea. Buti na lang, nagvovolunteer si Marci na sya na lang muna ang makikipag-coordinate sa kanila kaya kahit papaano ay nakaiwas ako kay Bea at Maddie. Kung pwede nga lang na magpa-assign sa ibang project kaso masyado naman na akong talunan kung gagawin ko yun. Gusto ko rin namang kahit papaano ay may matira paring pride sa akin. Hindi ko rin naman pwedeng iwasan sila ng iwasan. At least, pagkatapos ng project na ito ay hindi na kami makikita, diba? Sa commencing lang naman kami kailangan which, I think, will only last for about a month. After nun, pwede na ko magsimula sa pagmo-move on. Konting tiis na lang, Jho. After one month, you can finally let go. It hurts that I have to let go, once and for all. I guess, nag expect parin ako na one day, magiging okay din kami. Pero mukhang wala ng chance. If only I could turn back time and undo the things that I did. Kaso, wala eh. Nangyari na ang nangyari. All I can do now is just move on.

I was in the office, busy staring at my laptop (hey, I can't concentrate on work) when I got a call from Maddie. Honestly, a call from her is the least thing I've expected so I was hesitant to answer it at first. Then I remembered that she's our client, she might have things to ask about the business.

"Hello? Maddie?" I answered. I tried to be cheerful and friendly as I said that but I sounded more constipated.

"Uhm, hi, Jho! I was wondering if you're free today? Can we have lunch? I am near your office kasi and I don't want to eat alone." I could've said no and just tell her that I'm busy even though I'm not. Pero ayaw ko rin kasi na kumakain mag-isa. Hindi ko rin alam bakit ako ang tinawagan nya. We've only met once and we're not really close. Pero naisip ko na mas okay na rin to, at least kay Bea na lang ako maaawkward at hindi sa kanya.

"Sure. Where are you ba?"

"I'm on my way sa Wild Flour. Can we meet there na lang?" I told her it was fine then ended the call. Buti na lang, Wild Flour is near our office building so hindi hassle mag lakad. Kanina ko pa iniisip kung anong pwede naming mapag-usapan over lunch. I am not good with conversations pa naman. Bahala na. She's already at the restaurant when I arrived. She smiled and waved at me when she saw me.

"Please, sit down. Thank you talaga sa pagpayag mo sa invitation ko for lunch. I know this is so sudden. I just don't want to eat alone." She smiled apologetically and signaled a waiter for a menu.

"No, it's okay. Hindi naman ako masyadong busy ngayon at ayoko rin ng kumakain mag-isa." I answered, meaning every word of it. "Bakit ka nga pala mag-isa? Nasan si-" I stopped because I remembered that I shouldn't be asking about her. Natawa naman si Maddie sa paghinto ko.

"Si Bea ba? She's busy eh. Pero maybe I can call her, convince her to join us?" She was about to get her phone when I suddenly semi-screamed.

"No, no, no, wait!" She stopped and I can see that she's holding her laugh. I realized what I just did. Jho, could you be even more stupid than that? "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout. What I mean is, okay lang naman na tayong dalawa lang mag-lunch." She finally let go of the laugh that she's been holding.