Love...in Time

Chapter 3 - Fate

“Grabe! Kahit nakakapagod nag enjoy naman ako sa vacation natin,” Sue and Marga were having coffee and tiramisu at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Makati. They got back from Boracay that morning and after they dropped off their things in their respective houses then head off to have a late snack.  Kaye decided not to go since she has so much to do after leaving her house in total disarray.

“I know! We really needed that vacation,” Marga agreed with Sue. “Bes, natutuwa ako. Iba talaga ang aura mo ngayon. Maaliwalas ang mukha mo and ung smile and tawa mo umaabot na sa mga mata mo.”

“Salamat mahfriend! Magaan na pakiramdam ko ngayon. Alam mo ung feeling na nahanap mo na ulit ung sarili mo? Ung nadiscover mo na ung mundo umiikot pala sa maraming tao at kasama ko dun sa iniikutan? Hindi lang pala sa isang tao umiikot un.”

“I’m really happy for you. At least meron ka na ngayon self confidence.”

“I know right? Naging independent na ko and marunong na ko magdecide for myself. Salamat talaga mahfriend ha. Di nyo ko iniwan nila Matt and Kaye.”

“Ano ba? Syempre walang iwanan noh,” Marga said and she held Sue’s hand, “Basta friend, mahalin mo din ang sarili mo. Wag puro ibang tao kasi mauubos ka pag ginawa mo yon.”

“Uu nga eh. Ngayon I love myself na ang motto ko hehehe. Pero syempre di pwedeng take for granted ko ang nasa paligid ko. Basta hindi lang ako magiging dependent. Mamahalin ko naman ang sarili ko.”

“That’s good Bes! I’m proud of you,” Marga told Sue. “Maiba ako ng usapan, okay naman ung Alex na friend ni Matt right?”

“Huh? Bakit mo naman naitanong?” Sue was surprised that his name was brought up. She didn’t think that he’d make an impression on her friends. He was usually quiet during their vacation and he would only talk when spoken to.

“Wala. Naisip ko kasi masaya naman syang kasama. Medyo quiet pero siguro nangangapa lang. I was thinking na isama natin sya sa group natin pag lumalabas. Para may kasama si Matt na lalaki din. Lagi na lang natin kasing pinagkakampihan si Matt noh. Kawawa naman ung Hon ko,” Marga said as she observed Sue’s expression.

Marga wanted to see how Sue would react when she mentioned Alex’s name. They were still trying to figure out how Sue felt about Alex but did not want to rush or pressure her friend. As expected, there was something that lit up in Sue’s eyes at the mention of his name but her expression was that of surprise, especially when Marga suggested that they let Alex join their group.

“Okay naman sya pero kala ko di nyo masyado feel kasi nga tahimik lang,” Sue told Marga. She felt suddenly warm at the mention of his name but she thought it might be because of the weather and that they were drinking hot coffee. She quickly dismissed the feeling without giving it another thought.

“Hindi okay naman sya. Lalo na nung nag-inuman kami sa room. Sayang kasi tulog na tulog ka eh.”

“Pagod lang siguro kasi nauna ko magising sa inyo di ba? Tumakbo pa kami tapos dami natin activities.”

“Teka, teka. Tumakbo kayo? Ni Alex?” Marga was surprised. Sue had kept to herself since she and Jeremy broke up. She claimed it was because she wanted to be independent. This bit of information was news to her.