Buntong-hininga na nilagay ni Kris ang dalang plastic sa coffee table pagpasok sa bahay nito.
Jhake and Alden who were resting on the sofa quickly scrambled to check the plastic bag.
"We asked for beers," reklamo ni Alden.
"Hindi Jellyace," simangot ni Jhake.
But they still took a piece in hopes that it will brighten their mood a bit.
Kris watched the two with sympathetic eyes and went to change his shirt. "Bagay sa inyo iyang kinakain niyo."
"I am not jealous!" Jhake rebuked, hands holding his second jelly. "I am furious! Pagsabihan mo iyang pinsan mo, A, na okay lang makipagkaibigan. Pero hindi sa lalaking matipuno ang katawan, maganda ang mukha, magaling manamit-"
"Selos ka nga," Alden observed while eating his fourth jellyace. "Nanliligaw ka pa oi..."
"I'm just trying to lessen any possible competit-Teka, why are you even here?"
"Nagselos sakin si Dei."
Jhake scoffed. "Ikaw na gwapo..."
"I don't know what to do. Bubuksan ko sana ang pinto ng kwarto niya but she cursed at me..." he sighed.
"Ano bang nangyari?" Kris asked and leaned on the frame of his bedroom door, arms crossed against his chest.
"I had dinner meeting with Juris and her boss. Eh katabi ko siya, at hindi ko alam na ganun pala katapang ang amoy niya. Naamoy iyon ni Dei. Ayun, nagselos."
"Si Dei pa, ang lakas ng pang-amoy nun. Laging sold-out perfumes nun dati," komento ni Jhake.
"Eh, ikaw?" Kris asked Jhake. "Ano'ng nangyari sayo?"
"I asked Barbie last night for a dinner date. She declined because she made plans to party with Mathew and few of their friends. It would have been fine pero inumaga na ng uwi. Our messages went down to me asking her not to be friends with Mathew. Ayun, nainis."
Kris heaved a sigh. "Madali lang naman iyan... lambingin niyo lang girlfriend niyo..."
"Bukas na, mainit pa ulo eh," sabay na sabi ng dalawa.
The next day, Jhake woke up with Alden giving her a tight hug.
"Huwag kang gumalaw. Kailangan maamoy ni Dei ang amoy mo," sabi ni Alden and tightened his hold to Jhake who was peacefully sleeping on the couch few seconds ago.
"Hindi pa nakatirik ang araw, nambubuwesit ka na..." Jhake squirmed on the couch
Natawa na lang si Kris habang nagtitimpla ng kape sa kusina.
"Today's sunday. Do you want to spend it with each other?"
"Hello no!" Alden and Jhake chorused.
*****
Jhake was standing in front of Barbie's door while holding a bouquet of red roses, a big blue bear, and a bondpaper with a word, SORRY.
Napangiti naman agad si Barbie habang nakasilip sa peephole.
"Sorry na, Bhei," Jhake called out and tried to press the doorbell again. "Pag-usapan natin ito..."
