Always, My Jade

First Test (16)

"Best, dapat kasi naglolock ka ng door. Buti ako ang pumasok" ngiti ngiting may halong pang aasar ni Sally.

"Sabi ko na maling magkasama tayo sa isang office eh." Balik asar ni Jade

"Tse! Nagka Althea ka lang nagsisisi ka ng nakasama ako sa isang room. Dka naman ganyan nong May David ka pa." irap ni Sally.Oo nga ano, naisip niya, wala silang intimate moments ni David sa office niya kahit madalas silang maiwan na silang dalawa lang, nong silang dalawa pa.Iba talaga si Althea naisip niya.

"Ahm Best, alam na nila Tito Oscar?"may pagaalalang tanong ni Sally.

"I told Dada that I like Althea pero not this serious, although alam kong ramdam ni Dada and Mama that it is more than like." Sabi ni Jade at inalala how his Dada suddenly reminded her about his house rules, maybe he really feels that our relationship is getting serious.

"How about si Angkong?" Sunod na tanong ni Sally.

"You know naman na I don't care what Angkong will say. Dada and Mama accepted me and I think that's the most important thing. Angkong can't imposed what he wants and besides I already proven myself to him na kahit wala ang kayamanan niya I can live with my own." pangangatwiran niya sa kaibigan.

Napa tango tango lang si Sally pero biglang naalala ni Jade ang kaninang usapan nila ni Althea.

"Alamo mo Best, parang pareho kayo ng concern ni Althea"

"What do you mean?"

"Kanina lang when we talked about us being official, she mentioned that we take it slow at wag muna maging open sa iba, except sa inyo and my family. Medyo nagtampo nga ako eh, actually hanggang ngayon but I just tried to understand her when she reasoned na para din daw to sa akin at sa family ko especially kay Dada."

"Make sense naman Best eh, considering what will be the impact pag nalaman ng Angkong mo."

Tiningnan lang siya ni Jade saka tinuloy ni Sally ang gustong sabihin.

"Best, Tito Oscar lost the position of being the president of the company which he worked hard for for so many years because he stood up by Paul's side, remember? Now if Angkong finds out about you baka tuluyan na niyang alisin sa kumpanya niyo ang Dada mo."

"But it's ok with Dada, Best. He still has his own businesses under his name." Rason ni Jade.

"But your Angkong is very influential."

"And so is Dada, for years he has proven himself in the business world and to the society he's living with."

"Granted, pero siguro hindi kayang tanggapin yon ni Althea if ever na makita niyang masaktan ang pamilya niyo because of her."

Natahimik lang si Jade at nagisip, now nagkakaron ng linaw sa kanya dahil na rin sa paliwanag ng bestfriend niya.

Hindi pala madaling magmahal  ang isang katulad niya. kaya ba Paul's discreet pa rin kahit na alam na sa business circle ang tungkol sa pagiging gay niya. It s.vcks to live in such a world like this dahil
sa mga taong sarado ang utak naisip niya.
- - -
Pagdating ni Althea sa RK at matapos magpaalam kay Mang Carding na sumundo sa kanya sa bar nila Jade, masaya niyang binati ang mga staff.

Nasanay na din silang nakikita na si Althea ng halos araw araw at maaga sa resto.

Pagdating niya sa office niya nakita niya ang pamilyar na susi ng kotse na naka patong sa mesa niya at may kasamang note.

Althea,

I think your car misses you already.
You can drive only within Manila or should I say up to Alabang. No driving to any place without a passenger or your license will be revoked again. And I'm serious Guevara.
No sleeping.