The Good Equal (COMPLETED)

Chapter 23

THE GOOD EQUAL | #TGEC23

IRIS

"I strongly believe that friendships should be 50/50, you tell me the happenings about your love life to me, and I will religiously listen," Kaia said while looking at her phone.

Kaia and I were inside the library, nagre-review kami dahil exam namin mamaya sa BroadJourn. Isa lang ang exam namin ngayong prelims dahil 'yung ibang subjects namin ay puro pasahan lang ng Chapter 1 ng research. I was busy reading my reviewer on my phone when I heard her saying those. I initially ignored her because I thought she was just reading something aloud, but when I saw Kaia looking at me from my peripheral vision—which took too long; it immediately sunk into me that she was referring to me.

Tumingin ako sa kanya saglit bago ko binalik ulit ang paningin ko sa phone. "Ano na namang problema mo?" Kaia puts down her phone on the table then scooted a bit. Nakangiti siyang sumulyap sa akin.

"So what's the status between you and Pres?" she probed.

I already visualize this moment where Kaia would ask about me and Joaquin. Hindi naman tanga si Kaia para hindi mapansin ang pagbabago sa relasyon namin ng President ng Student Council. Noong isang araw kasi ay sinama ko si Kaia sa exhibit room, gustong-gusto niya kasi talaga makita 'yung ginagawa nina Joaquin. Okay lang din naman sa mga ka-grupo ni Joaquin kung may manood sa kanila—natuwa pa nga sila no'ng isama ko si Kaia. But since Joaquin can't keep his hands off me kapag magkasama kami, nakita 'yon ni Kaia. But Kaia didn't ask about it that time—nginingitian niya lang kami. Kaia may be nosy at times but she knows how to read the situation.

I already outlined my answer if Kaia would ask me about it. Sasabihin ko naman yung totoo; ayoko na rin magsinungaling sa kanya. Wala rin naman akong balak itago ito kay Kaia—tama na yung isa. And Kaia's been nothing but a good friend to me. Details of my relationship with Joaquin wouldn't hurt me if I share it with her. It's high time to share some truth.

Binaba ko na rin ang phone ko sa table at tuluyang humarap sa kanya. "Let's just say that we like each other's company," I began.

"Like?" she asked, quoting the "like" in the air.

Tumango ako, "We like each other's company—nothing more, nothing less..."

Kaia rolled her eyes, "Understatement of the century," she said. "Hindi ako naniniwala na "like" lang 'yung nangyayari sa inyong dalawa. Mukhang patay na patay sayo si Pres eh."

I laughed, "Baliw!" but Kaia was still serious; she was looking at me directly.

"It's true Kai. Nothing is going on aside from what you witnessed in the exhibit room," I insisted.

"Ano ba yung na-witnessed ko sa exhibit room, Iris?" she countered question and my lips went agape. Kung hindi talaga reporter, inspector ang bagay kay Kaia.

"What you saw in the exhibit room was the truth of what's happening between me and Joaquin. Hanggang landian lang kami, Kaia. Wala kaming relasyon," I prompted. Kaia was still looking at me. She looked like she's ready to travel the world just to find answers to fill her curiousness. Ugh, ang lala talaga ng investment niya sa amin ni Joaquin!

"Okay lang sayo yung gano'n?" tanong ni Kaia at nagulat naman ako dahil nag-iba ang tono ng boses niya. Hindi ganito 'yung boses niya regularly—masyadong matinis ang boses niya. But now she's wearing her inspector mask again on me.

"I prefer it that way Kai, no complications and everything. I like his company; he likes mine. I think we'll just have to keep it at that," I answered seriously. Pero hindi natinag si Kaia. Mas lalo lang naging seryoso ang mukha niya.