Set Ashes In Flames

In Flames 12: Clingy and Desperate

In Flames Twelve

Gianna

I hurried to the kitchen to check on the meals prepared. On mornings as early as three am, I'm usually still half asleep, walking like a zombie. But today was different. I woke with sparks of adrenaline rushing inside my system. I can't decide if I slept too well or I was too energized that I was just closing my eyes and haven't really slept yet. Maybe my body would give up later this day.

"Ate Natania," tawag ko sa isa sa kasambahay na naglalagay ng mga dadalahin kong pagkain sa aking bag.

"Po, ma'am Gianna?" agad na baling sa akin ni ate.

"Paki-" I grunted while struggling to insert my heel inside my rubber shoes. I balanced on one foot while the other was raised. "-lagay din po nung mga pinamili ko kahapon. Tinago ko po siya somewhere sa shelf sa pantry."

She nodded.

Tinapak tapak ko ang paa ko sa sahig para itesting kung komportable ba akong maglakad dito sa sapatos. Old shoes ko na kase ito kaya posibleng mas masikip na sa akin. I used old ones since team building ngayon at maaaring maputikan kami o mabasa since sa resort siya gaganapin.

"Don't rush. Six am pa naman ang call time," a voice said through my earphones. She yawned on the other line.

I giggled. Akala ko nga noong una ko siyang tinawagan ay hindi niya sasagutin. She didn't seem like the type.

"Just woke up?" tumingkayad dahil may kataasan ang kitchen counter namin. Sisilipin ko lang ang laman ng bag ko.

"Mhmm..." her husky sleepy voice went through my earphone straight into my pounding heart.

"O-okay..." I jailed my lower lip between my teeth and exhaled my nervousness. "I-I'll drop the call and... let you do your own thing. See you later."

She chuckled, her voice lower than usual, and yet it fits her.

"Alright, you end it first," halos namamaos ang kanyang boses. "Good morning, Gianna Rose."

Hindi na ako nakasagot sa pagbati niya dahil agad kong napindot ang end call.

How the fuck does she sound like that in the morning?! I almost fainted in that no less than five minutes conversation.

Ibinaon ko ang aking mukha sa dalawang palad at tumili roon. Paniguradong pulang pula ang mukha ko. Mapipigtas na rin ang labi sa laki ng ngiti.

I placed my hand on my chest, feeling my pulse speed up. The insides of my chest clenched.

"Calm down, Gianna Rose," bulong ko sa sarili. I feel like a traitor. We're friends and yet I think about her like this.

How can I not if she keeps showing me non friendly gestures? Suyuin ba naman niya ako ng ganoon dahil sa simpleng pagtatampo.

It happened five days ago.

"Seat number five and six, Victoria and Nicole," anunsyo ni ma'am habang nakatingin sa printed plan ng seating arrangements sa bus for the team building.

My shoulders fell. Pumayag siya sa arrangement na 'yon?

Since lahat kaming magkakaklase ay sumama, wala kaming magiging kahati na ibang section sa bus. Kaya pinayagan kami ng adviser namin na pumili ng pwesto at kung sino ang magkakatabi. Nicole chose to sit beside Victoria. Kailangan pumayag ni Victoria na sila ang magkatabi bago sila pagtabihin ni ma'am. Yon ang kasunduan para raw walang away.

Ibig sabihin ay pumayag siya. Fine!

Ramdam ko ang mga tingin niya sa akin ngunit ngayon lang ako nanalo laban sa sarili. My pride did not allow me to give in to her stares. I kept looking straight in front. Never once did my eyes attempt to look to my right.