Sheena's POV
I watched the time slowly goes by. It's running so slow for some reason.
Gwen asked to be fetched from school because we need to send Nael for their monthly check up, this is our monthly routine. After check up, we'll have him groomed.
We agreed to this since last Sunday, and for the last minute, her thesis group mates had called her to talk about something and here I am waiting for exactly thirty minutes outside Bloom's.
It makes my blood to boil though. The agreed time was 10 and it's quarter to 11 already and the vet will close at 11:30 and it would also take time going there because of the heavy traffic. Maloi offered a hand because she'll bringing Chowlong and Juyon too but I refuse since vet checks are usually just Gwen and me.
And right now, it might be just me.
Ten more minutes, and I'm just gonna send our baby boy in the vet myself.
My phone suddenly beeped so I immediately open the notification hoping it was Gweneth but to my disappointment, it is just Mikha and her crazy antics.
Mikha: Where the heck is everybody? Do you want to accompany me to vet?
Mikha: Oh, I'm here at Maloi's. She's not here, though. Nagbebe time yata sila ni Stacku. Where are your pets @Maloi?
Mikha: I can't find Juyon the hairy ball and her superior bother, Chowlong.
Mikha: Oh, I just go to Sheena's. I'm bored. Reply ASAP!
I laugh as I read each text that pops up. Mikha tend to be a bully to our pets. She's good at it. Akala mo naman hindi mataba si Haru.
Sheena: Vet check today. I'm here at Bloom's, Maloi probably is in vet now.
Mikha: what about Haru? You guys left him. How dare you all!
Sheena: you sent him just last week.
Mikha: oh, you're right.
Mikha: I'll go to your condo. Bring me coffee on your way home. I'm starving.
Sheena: I have a coffee maker.
Mikha: iced Americano is better. take care.
I smiled to the last text but it immediately disappeared when Gwen sent me a message.
Love: Let's bring Nael maybe tomorrow. I can't make it today.
My brows met because of the message I just read.
Love: My group mates planned something today.
Sheena: But I'm here already. Almost one hour now to be exact.
Love: I know. But they wouldn't let me. Plus, we still have things to accomplish, babe. I can't just leave.
I didn't bother to reply rather turned off my phone. I bit my lip, fully aware that I'm pissed. I drove fast away hoping that I would still make it on the vet.
Since the veterinarian was nice enough, he let us have the last slot on their session for today. It didn't last long because after 30 minutes or so, I got the result and nothing's bad after all.
Probably only Nael getting fatter and fatter to every visit. I was advice to have a little control of feeding him because he seems to reach overweight.
After that, I went to a coffee shop to buy Mikha's coffee and some snacks because probably my friends are coming over since it is Sunday. Makakapagpahinga kami sa preparation namin for the entrance exams. Well, si Maloi at Colet lang naman ang ayaw ng may pahinga eh but Mikhs and I suggested that Sundays should be rest days, para siguro hindi rin kami masyadong makaramdam ng pressure.
When I arrived at my condo, I saw Mikha, Maloi, and Colet playing in my ps5.
"Fuckers! Ang daya niyo naman eh!" Maloi protested.
"Hindi mo lang matanggap na bano ka maglaro." Colet shook her head at naupo sa sofa. When she noticed that I already arrived, binatukan niya 'yong dalawa at pinilit na iharap sa direksyon ko.
"Oh, here's some snacks. I feel like I am the mother of the group na." I shook my head. "Bakit ko ba kayo binigyan ng spare keys ng condo ko?" I asked them, regretting the idea that I gave them my spare keys.
"Don't be so dramatic! May extra key ka rin naman sa mga condo namin." Mikha answered at agad kinuha ang iced americano niya.
"Shee, diba kasama mo dapat si Gwen? Umuwi na?" Maloi asked.
I heaved a sigh. "She's busy with their thesis eh. She didn't make it." I simply answered and looked away.
"Again?" Colet asked. I just smiled bitterly.
"Nakita natin siya sa hospital last week, diba Colet? Nagmamadali eh, di kami nilingon noong tinatawag namin siya." Maloi informed me.
"Really? Wala naman siyang sinasabing nagpupunta siya sa hospital. Baka binibisita niya lang 'yong mga bata doon." I told them.
For some reasons, I felt a pang in my chest. Don't get me wrong. I trust my girl friend so much at hinahayaan ko naman siya whenever she wanted an alone time for herself. Pero kasi, what could be the reason why she didn't bother telling me? What are you hiding, Gwen?
The next week, Sunday, I received a text notification on my phone while I was getting ready for our movie night. I pick it up and reads the message.
Love: Hey! Sorry I missed our movie night again. Thesis swamped me. Can we reschedule for next week? Promise!
I sighed with a hint of disappointment flitting across my face. It's the fifth time this month Gwen has had to cancel our plans. But before I can reply, another text comes in.
Love: Sent you a little something to make up for it! Don't peek until tonight!
It wasn't always like this. Weekends used to be our time. We'd spend hours curled up on the couch, watching cheesy rom-coms or bad reality TV, giggling like we're still in Junior high schoolers. Sometimes we'd have movie marathons, complete with popcorn and face masks.
I miss her. I miss my girlfriend so much.
I miss us. The Sheena and Gwen, younger and carefree, are sprawled on the couch, her with a bowl of popcorn overflowing in her lap, bits scattered on her shirt. Us, laughing hysterically at something on the screen with tears streaming down their faces because of too much happiness.
I shook my head head with a bittersweet smile lingering on my lips.
I know Gwen loves to accomplish her school stuff. She's so passionate about it. But lately, that passion seems to be all-consuming.
And tonight, she promised me a dinner. Maybe this time it'll be different. Maybe she'll finally have some free time.
I immediately drove to the restaurant where I will be meeting Gwen. I'm kind of nervous because this is the first time I'll be seeing my girlfriend again after a month. We talk through video calls sometimes pero hindi pa yata umaabot ng 10 minutes dahil natutulugan niya rin ako.
Warm candlelight welcomes me. It flickers on the white tablecloths, casting a soft glow on the elegantly decorated restaurant. I sits across from Gwen and noticed how her reflection shimmering in the polished wine glasses.
School and entrance review seems to have settled down a bit, and tonight, we finally have a proper dinner date.
"Hey there, stranger! You look amazing." Gwen stood up and hugged me. I blushed instantly. See? Kuhang kuha niya pa rin ako.
"You don't look half bad yourself." I answered and gave her a quick smack on her lips.
"I managed to excuse myself on the thesis just in time. Sorry I kept you waiting." Gwen said habang inaalalayan ko siya pabalik sa upuan niya.
The waiter approaches us, taking our drink orders.
It's these moments, stolen from busy schedules, that make everything feel worthwhile.
Throughout the dinner, conversation flows effortlessly. We catched up on lost time, sharing stories about our weeks, laughing at inside jokes. Despite the time apart, our connection feels as strong as ever.
"...and then our leader had the audacity to ask me to stay late again! I nearly exploded." Gwen finally said as she talks about how toxic her group mates are.
"Oh my god, Love, you should have seen the look on your face!" I said while laughing along with her.
As the main course arrives, our conversation slows down a bit. I took a bite of my salmon while savoring the flavor.
It's not just the laughter and company I've missed. It's these quiet moments too, the comfortable silences that speak volumes.
Gwen probably noticed how I gaze and smile at her so, she reached across the table to take my hand.
"I know things have been crazy lately." Gwen looked at me, worries and sadness written on her eyes.
I squeezed her hand. "We'll get through it."
Gwen nodded and smiled sweetly at me. "I promise. And next time, I won't let work take over our lives completely."
I smiles, a flicker of hope warming my heart. The evening continues, filled with stolen kisses, whispered secrets, and the promise of more time together.
But then, I remembered one thing.
"Bebe, my hindi ka pa ba sinasabi sa akin? Kanina pa kasi tayo nagkukwentuhan." I started while staring at her.
I saw how she eyes looked away and focused on our hands instead.
"Huh? Bebe, nasabi ko na lahat. Mahirap lang talaga 'yong thesis namin tapos sumasabay pa ibang requirements sa ibang subjects." she reasoned out.
I wanted to ask her what is she doing in the hospital pero mas nanaig pa rin sa akin na antayin ko siyang magsabi.
I held her chin to make her look at me. "Bebe, if there's something happening, please do not hesitate to tell it to me, okay? I am your girlfriend. You can trust me with everything. We're in this together. I love you so much." I kissed her forehead.
"Yes, love. I know. And I love you so much." she said and buried her faces on my chest.
"Promise?" I asked.
She faked a cough. I waited for a few seconds for her to answer. "Hmm ... I promise."
LIE.