the decade of longing [ jedean / gawong ]

three.

Jema slowly woke up when she felt the sun hit her face. She carefully looked around the room.

She asked herself at first kung nasan siya but eventually realized na nasa condo na pala siya ni Deanna and not sa apartment niya sa states.

Kinapa niya yung phone niya sa side table to see what time is it.

9:04 am

Still too early, pero sakto lang. At least hindi mahihirapan yung katawan niya sa body clock adjustments.

Tumayo na siya and went sa bathroom to do her morning rituals.

Dumiretso siya ng kitchen paglabas niya ng kwarto. Walang kahit anong nakaprepare. And no signs of Deanna rin.

Somehow she felt disappointed. Though she has been living alone sa States and sanay na siya making food on her own, she got used to the fact na Deanna will always serve her breakfast kasi ganun sila dati before she left.

She started rummaging through Deanna's cabinets and refrigerator to see kung ano makakain niya but to her surprise, wala rin stocks si Deanna.

She's still asleep siguro? Jema thought.

Just as she was about to walk towards Deanna's door to knock, she heard na may nagswipe ng keycard sa front door kaya agad siya napatingin.

Pumasok si Deanna ng pawisan, with gym clothes on.

Napalunok si Jema, she didn't exactly know why. She just kept on staring at Deanna.

Nagulat naman si Deanna when she saw Jema nakaupo sa kitchen counter niya, looking at her na parang mas gulat pa sakanya.

Deanna: Hey. Gising ka na pala. I didn't expect you to wake up until 10am kasi pagod ka.

Jema nodded slowly and just watched Deanna untie her shoes.

Deanna: Let's get breakfast outside? No stock ako ngayon eh. Shower lang ako and papalit ng damit. I went for a morning jog eh.

Jema: Okay...

Nginitian siya ni Deanna before siya pumasok sa kwarto niya to take a shower.

Jema decided to take a shower na rin since they're going out.

-

Jema: Ramen? Really? Ang init kaya.

Deanna laughed.

Deanna: Duh, you know I love ramen. Everyday kaya ako dito nagbebreakfast.

Jema: Kaya no stock ka no?

Deanna: Yes. I settle for deliveries or I go outside for a meal. Lately lang naman since naging busy ako sa all-day training for the championship.

Jema nodded her head and started eating. Habang kumakain siya she would also observe Deanna. Nothing's changed sakanya, she knows that.

She's still the same Deanna she knew a decade ago.

Deanna: Why are you staring? You want Ramen Kuroda ba?

Nabalik naman sa ulirat si Jema when Deanna called her out.

Jema: H-Huh? No, it's okay. May iniisip lang ako.

Tumango lang si Deanna and ate again. Napansin naman ni Jema na Deanna still really loves ramen.

Noong magkasama pa sila dito sa Pilipinas noon, this was their hangout place. And Deanna would always debate with herself kung ramen nagi daw ba or ramen kuroda.