Connections.Co

Episode 2

Althea struts as quickly as her heels could take her. She rushes to the nearest washroom to halt her shaking knees. She gasps for air. She hates this feeling. That tightness in her chest that comes as soon as her eyes meet hers. It's those same eyes she held all those years ago. Those same eyes that overpower her sense of control. 

The washroom felt like a safe place. The same place where she met a strange but beautiful woman on her knees looking for a lipstick cap. She remembers it just the same. 

You both laugh.

You finally know her name

Jade.

You hoped to see her again. 

And of all your thoughtful ideas you decide on the most unusual.

Jade comes out from the toilet cubicle only to meet your face. It's a sudden attraction. Your heart gives you a buzz, pushing your mind to take another step closer. She looks at you with wonder, her eyes the most fascinating thing you've seen all day. You slightly tilt watching your step but instead of looking at your toes you get a whiff of her scent.

She smells gratifying.

Jade panics for a moment and tries to stretch her head away.

"Yes?"

"Relax. May nakasabit sa buhok mo" She plucks it out of Jade's hair "May naiwan na tissue. Actually, kanina ko pa yan napansin"

"There. See?"

You both laugh

"Akala ko naman.."

You hope she finishes her sentence but fails

"Nevermind. Anyway, thank you"

"You're welcome. See you around, Jade"

"Yes. See you around" she replies hoping that you might.

And you did

 She takes a good look of her reflection in the mirror before giving herself a slight smile. 

"You're okay. You saw her, and you're still okay. relax..." she whispers to herself.

The sound of the cubicle door alerts Althea back into the present. She clears her throat and pretends to fix her make up when the stranger from behind proceeds to wash her hands. They both acknowledge each other's her presence. The stranger gives her a slight nod while she gives the good-looking stranger a nervous smile. Her features seem to indicate her having mixed blood, perhaps a mestiza she notes to herself. It takes another half minute and a buzzing sound brings the stranger's attention to her bag. She rummages inside bringing out some personal articles before finally getting a hold of her phone to answer

"wei?" <hello?>

Oh. most likely Chinese, Althea finally settles in her mind

The quietness is interrupted when a set of giggling girls burst in. The first person raises her eyebrow before elbowing her friend eyeing the stranger who was busy setting her things back inside her Birkin. She continues her call in a hushed foreign tone

"Beh, di ba yan yung taga katabing office ni boss?" The first girl begins

"Oo, uy tumigil ka, baka marinig ka niyan"

"keri lang yan, di niya tayo na gegets"

Althea overhears the conversation. She moves her view to the stranger, concerned as to how she's taking the trio's comments. She's not reacting to it. The girls' assumption is confirmed.