"I am the master of my fate and the captain of my destiny."
Devone POV
We chatted happily while sharing the dinner we had prepared. Yhael is sitting at the cabecera, I'm on her right, Hale and Dom are next to me. Then to her left is Huxley then Chantal, and Santos is next to her.
"Alam mo bang si Beverly pala ang nag-ipit ng kodigo sa activity notebook mo noon?" Kwento ni Santos kay Yhael.
"Talaga?" Yhael responded in surprise. "Hindi ko inakala 'yon. Ni sa hinagap ay hindi ko talaga siya pinaghinalaan. Parang ang bait-bait kasi niya sa akin noon."
Santos clacked her tongue loudly. "Ayaw niyang maungusan." And shook her head thrice in disappointment. "Hayun tuloy, hindi siya ang naging With Highest Honors noong grumaduate kami."
"So what happened to her when they found out about it?" Tanong ni Yhael, particularly sa akin.
"Sorry, but I cannot disclose what was discussed or whatever the board's decision regarding her case," I replied. "It's part of my job not to."
"Sabagay, matagal na 'yon." Nakakaintinding saad ni Yhael. "It doesn't matter to me anyway. As long as alam ng mga taong malalapit sa akin kung sino ako o ano ako, wala na akong pakialam sa iisipin ng iba." Saka ngumiti sa akin.
"Pinanindigan mo talaga ang love mo para kay ma'am 'no?" I can see genuine happiness in Santos' eyes. "Kayo pa rin hanggang sa huli."
"Gano'n naman talaga kapag mahal mo, pinaninindigan mo." Nakangiting tugon ni Yhael saka idinantay ang palad sa kamay kong nasa ibabaw ng lamesa. "Ipaglalaban mo." Napangiti din ako sa kanya.
"And you should also find a way to make that person feel that you love her." Chantal seconded.
Napansin kong natigilan si Dominique sa pag-inom sana ng tubig at napatingin sa nakayukong si Chantal.
"Words of affirmation is one of the five love languages as well, according to studies," Dominique added.
"Yes, you're right." Chantal raised her eyes and met Dom's gaze. "Quality time and physical touch are also essential to any relationship. Isn't that correct, Professor?"
They stared at each other as though there was a secret war between them. It's as if there is a staring contest going on, and whoever looks away first loses. And we all know what's at stake... it's love.
It was like we were suddenly surrounded by tension. We can almost feel it thickening in the air. Whatever is going on between them, it seems that it has something to do with why the two of them broke up.
Maya-maya ay eksaheradang napatikhim si Santos just to drive the tension away. Parang noon lang din kami bumalik sa pagkain. Actually, patapos na ng dinner.
"Attorney." Bigkas niya sabay napasulyap kay Huxley na may kasamang ngisi. "May boyfriend ka na ba?"
Itinukod ni Yhael ang siko sa ibabaw ng mesa saka napahawak sa noo na tila ba biglang na-stress. Napayuko ako para itago ang pagngiti. They are at it again.
"None," Huxley replied lightly. "But I am married."
"Ha?" Parang biglang nadismayang bigkas ni Santos.
"I'm married to my job." May ngiting dagdag ni Huxley ng makita ang naging reaksyon ni Santos.
"Ah..." Santos smiled slowly while nodding her head. "Willing akong maging kabit." Dagdag niya na may kasamang ngisi.
