Always, My Jade

Always (30)

After macheck ni Jade ang mga kailangan sa Bar, nagpaalam na siya kay Sally. Maaga siyang dumating pero balak niya ding umuwi agad. Nagpasundo na siya sa driver nila. She's about to open her door car when a familiar face came to approach her.

"Ms. Jade"- Alex

"Hi Ms. Alex ang aga mo ata."

"Yeh may dinaanan lang ako."

"Nasa office na si Sally, sorry I need to go home na eh. You can talk to her about the reservation if you want."

"I saw you with Cathleen last night, kaibigan mo ba sila?" pag iba niya ng topic.

"Yes, why?"

"Ahm, nothing. Kasi they're once my friends pero they just dumped me."

"Maybe there's a valid reason behind. I mean they are good people."

"It's because I fell in love with Althea kaya nasira ang friendship namin."

Tiningnan ko lang siya ng walang reaksyon.

"Just a heads up, I think Cath and Althea's a couple that's why she's so protective of Althea. So don't get close to her baby baka before you know it you're also been dumped. Just a warning I mean. You're gorgeous and even if you don't have a thing for Althea baka magselos si Cath. Althea hasn't forgotten someone and we don't know if si Cath nga yon."

"Why are you saying this things to me Alex?"

"Nothing just a warning, I saw you and Althea left last night. I don't want to assume Ms. Jade. I mean a Tanchningco heiress won't fall for a lesbian wouldn't you?"

"And why not?" kunot noo kong tanong. "If I ever fall in love with Althea, it's not just because she's a lesbian but because she's Althea who happens to be a woman." madiin kong sagot.

Tumango lang siya, at ngumiting nakakaloko.

"So are you---"

"Look Ms. Alex I don't care what you think and I have no time for this bvll.sht. If you want to be their friend again have it your way, it's no longer my problem. If in the future they'll dump me too then that would be my problem not yours. So if you'll excuse me I really have to go." hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at umalis na ako. Anong pinagsasabi niya. Sh.it dpa ba tapos ang gulong to.

Nagring ang phone ko. Si Althea, nagdadalawang isip akong sagutin pero I decided to accept the call.

"Hello Love, pwede ba tayong magusap? Nasa bar ka pa, puntahan kita diyan?"

"Pauwi na ako Althea, I need to rest masakit ang ulo ko. We'll talk some other time pwede?"

"Ah ganon ba, Ok. Can I see you this evening then? Please Love?"

"Pag ok na pakiramdam ko, I'll let you know. Sorry but I'm really not in the mood to talk right now."

"Ok, sige. I'll wait. I love you. Bye."

"Bye." Sagot ko lang pero hindi pa niya inoff ang linya.

"I love you Jade."bulong niya ulit pero hindi ako sumasagot.

"Always." Yon lang at naputol na ang linya. Biglang may pumatak na luha sa mata ko. Mahal na mahal din kita Althea kahit nasasaktan ako.

- - -

"Oh anak ang aga mo ata?" tanong ni Mama.

"Medyo masakit po kasi ang ulo ko Ma kaya umuwi muna ako. si Ama?"

"Nasa garden. May bagong biling orchids si Papa para sa kanya kaya ayon masigla niyang inaayos."

"Puntahan ko lang po saglit."
sabay halik ko kay Mama.