Jema's POV
Month have passed, Christmas is coming soon. Sa tingin ko, 25 days na lang at magpapasko na pero wala pa rin kaming plano kaya nandito kami ngayon sa conference room kasama ang WTV's CEO and CFO para pag-usapan ang tungkol doon.
"What about this?" Tumayo si Deanna at pumunta sa harap. "Let's go to New Zealand ten days before Christmas."
Napangiti naman si Papa sa sinuggest niya at mahinang pumalakpak.
"That's a great idea Deanna." He replied.
Papa started on calling her Deanna simula nung panay ang paghatid at pagsundo niya sakin. Doon namin siya mas nakikila at mas napalapit ang loob niya sa pamilya ko. Sobrang maalaga, maaalalahinin, gusto niya maayos lahat ng mga gamit, ayaw niyang may napapabayaan. Basta nasa kanya na ang lahat. Hindi ko nga alam bakit wala pa siyang girlfriend e. Yes, I know that she's into girls simula pa lang nung nakita ko siya dahil halata na. Ang nakapagtataka lang, hindi siya avaliable every Wednesday. Weird right?
And about kay Bea, parang iniiwasan niya ako nitong mga nakaraang araw.
Ugh! Ang daming weird naman.
"Jema? Are you with us?" Nabalik ako sa wisyo nang mapansing nasa akin lahat ng kanilang atensyon including Deanna who's staring at me.
Baka matunaw ako!
"U-uh sorry po Papa. Ano po ulit yun?" Kamot-batok kong tanong.
"I'm asking you before if it's okay with you kung lilipad tayo papunta ng New Zealand bago magpasko. Parang yun na ang magiging short break niyo bago sumabak ulit sa trabaho." He explained.
"Okay na okay sakin yun Papa. And besides, the whole team deserves a short break from our stressful work and paperworks." I answered him and smiled. "But what about our expenses? Paniguradong hindi biro ang magiging gastos natin doon."
Narinig kong bumuntong-hininga si Deanna sabay ngiti.
"Sagot ko na lahat ng gagastusin." Hindi kami makapaniwalang tumingin sa kanya.
"Are you sure CEO? We will spend a lot of money for our short vacation there. Masyado naman po sigurong mabigat yun sa bulsa mo." Saad ni Kyla.
Umiling naman si Deanna.
"I can handle that Kyla. At pasasalamat ko na rin ito sa inyo because of the hardwork of all of you. Hindi naman kikita ng ganito kalaki ang mga kumpanya natin kundi dahil sa inyo." She replied as she sat down beside me. "Tanggapin mo na toh please. I also want to be with you and your friends before Christmas." She whispered that gave me goosebumps.
Aish ayan na naman siya sa mga nakakakilig niyang mga salita.
"Eh masyado ngang malaki ang perang ilalabas mo kung ikaw lang ang gagastos ng lahat." Paliwanag ko sa kanya at tinaas ang isang kilay that made her pout.
"Sige, hahayaan ko kayong gumastos pero dapat hindi ganun kalaki." She surrendered.
Napangiti naman ako nang maisip na hindi niya ako gustong mainis at handa siyang magpatalo para sakin.
"Okay if you say so." I said first then stood up and approached my father. "Pa, accept her offer. I'm sure na gustong-gusto din nilang pumunta ng New Zealand just for a while pero sana kahit yung flight lang natin papunta doon at pabalik dito ay tayo na ang gagastos."
He formed a smiled and nodded. "Okay then. I hope she'll let us to."
He gazed at Deanna and got her attention.
"Yes sir?" She confusedly asked.
"Let us spend for the flight." He told her.
She just nodded. "Okay sir."
Pagkatapos ng naging usapan namin sa conference room, sinabihan kami ni Papa na pwede na kaming umuwi para makapagpahinga at bukas na lang ituloy ang mga naiwang paperworks. Uuwi na rin siya dahil quality time daw nila ni Mama kasama si Mafe.
Paalis na ako ng building at balak ko munang umikot-ikot sa mall nang lapitan ako ni Deanna.
"Hey." She called me.
"What can I do for you CEO?" I formally asked that made her laugh.
"You're being formal again hahaha. Are you going home?" Tanong niya.
"Ahm no. Ayoko pang umuwi e." I replied.
Bigla na lang lumiwanag ang mukha niya.
"Can I invite you for a dinner?" Medyo nagulat ako sa tinanong niya.
"You mean date, right?" I giggled when she scratch her nape then she slightly nodded.
"Actually a movie date if you want to." She said.
"Sure. Pero saan naman?"
"Aish. Just trust me." Dali-dali niyang hinablot ang kamay ko at hinatak papasok sa kotse niya.
Nasa passenger seat na ako pero nanatili lang siyang nasa labas. She grabbed her phone from the pocket and called someone.
Who is she calling?
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Deanna's POV
OTP
"Hey Pongs, are you already at home?"
"Oo kanina pa."
"Nakaset up na ba lahat?"
"Yup and I'm sure that Jema will like this."
"Really? Thank you so much! You're the best cousin!" I tried to lower my voice. Baka kasi marinig ako ni Jema.
"Sus nambola pa. Sige na baka maghinala pa yang may kinakausap kang ibang babae hahaha. Drive safe!"
"Hahaha you're really crazy. Thanks, bye." I ended the call.
As I went in the car, Jema gave me confused look.
"What's with that look?"
"Who are you talking on the phone?" She asked and raised her right eyebrow.
Uh oh, this is what I'm talking about.
"U-uh that is just a friend. Kinamusta lang ako hehe." Kamot-batok kong sagot and gulped.
"Okay." Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang hindi na siya nagtanong pa.
Nagsimula na akong nagmaneho papunta sa bahay.
Habang nasa biyahe, tinanong ko siya kung may alam na ba siyang gawin kapag nasa New Zealand na kami. She told me that she really wants to travel but she doesn't have enough time because of her work. Sabi ko naman sa kanya na lahat ng gusto niyang gawin doon, sasamahan ko siya dahil first time niya dba? At gusto kong maging memorable
"Where are we?" She asked as I parked my car in the garage.
Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya at lumabas ng kotse. Pinagbuksan ko siya at nang nasa harap na kami ng pintuan, I sincerely looked at her.
"Our home." Taka siyang tumingin sakin that made me smile. "You've been a good friend to me so my home is your home na."
Napilitan lang akong sabihin yung 'friend' because I love her more than that. Sana aware siya doon.
"Oh ano? Tara?" Tumango siya kaya pumasok na kami.
Sinalubong kami ni Ponggay kasama si Mr. Ronald.
"Good evening to you two." They simultaneously said and bow down their heads.
"Good evening too. I'm glad that you're safe at home. I know that you already know this wonderful lady beside me." Tukoy ko kay Jema na mukhang nahihiya pa. "You don't have to be shy Margarett. Just feel at home."
"Kayo kayo lang ba ang nandito?" Pabulong niyang tanong.
"Yep including Ate Bea but I think she's staying in our condo." I answered and looked at the two persons in front of us. "Okay na ba lahat?"
"Okay na okay Young Master. You may proceed." Sagot ni Mr. Ronald.
I mouthed them 'thank you' then niyaya ko si Jema na tumungo sa mala-theatre room namin dito.
We are welcomed by this.
"Wow." She mumbled. Kitang-kita sa kanyang mga mata ang pagkamangha.
"What can you say? Did you liked it?" I asked her as we entered the theatre room.
"I don't like it." Awtomatikong kumunot ang noo ko sa sinagot niya pero nakangiti pa rin siya na pinagtaka ko. "I love it!" She excitedly continued.
Dali-dali siyang umuwi sa may front seat. Napailing na lang ako dahil mukhang hindi na siya makapaghintay na simulan ang movie.
"Choose any movies you like to watch. Sasabihan ko lang si Ponggay na dalhan tayo dito ng snacks." She just nodded so I left her in the room.
Pagkalabas ko, nakaabang sa may gilid ang dalawa habang nakangiti na abot hanggang langit.
"Anong nginingiti-ngiti niyo dyan?" Taas-kilay kong tanong.
"So ano? Nagustuhan ba niya?" Tanong din ni Ponggay.
Napasimangot siya nang umiling ako bilang sagot.
"Because she love it." Dugtong ko kaya halos mapahiyaw sila pero agad kong tinakpan ang bibig niya. "Shh! Baka marinig ka niya!"
"Oh sorry sorry. Bakit ka pala lumabas? Are we going to prepare the snacks and deliver it here?"
"Yes and make it quick. Ayoko siyang magutom." I seriously commanded.
She just nodded and made their moves. I went back to the room and I immediately asked her if she already picked a movie that we are going to watch.
"May napili ka na ba?"
"Yup. Sabi daw nila maganda ito kaya I chose 'Five Feet Apart'." Nakangiti niyang sagot at niyaya akong umupo sa tabi niya.
"You sure you want this?" I asked her again.
"Oo naman! Bakit? Ayaw mo ba?"
"No no. Let's just wait for the snacks then start the movie." I told her and she agreed.
The snacks arrived after five minutes and we thanked them. We started the movie.
At first, medyo wala pang kilig kilog moments. But when they met and knew each other, doon na kinilig itong kasama ko at parang bulateng hindi pa inaasinan ay galaw na ng galawa sa sobrang kilig.
Pero nang patapos na yung movie, dito na ako nakakarinig ng mga hikbi. I quickly looked at Jema and I was panicked when I saw her crying.
"Hey,what's wrong?" I worriedly asked and cupped her face. "Are you okay?"
"Nakakaiyak nga talaga yung movie." Nagawa pa niyang tumawa kahit magang-maga na ang kanyang mga mata.
I wiped her tears.
"Tagos sa puso haha. Kahit alam ni Will na magkakalayo sila ni Stella kapag pumayag si Stella na gawin yung transplant, pinush pa ni Will si Stella para tanggapin yun. Love is sacrifice talaga. Basta para sa ikabubuti ng taong mahal mo, okay lang kahit na alam mong ang kapalit nito ay magkakahiwalay kayo at magkakalayo." Natutula na lang ako sa kanya.
I never expected her to be like this. Ang dami niya palang alam tungkol sa love.
"Huy!" I was startled when she called me.
Nagpupunas na siya ng mga luha ngayon.
"Na-enjoy mo ba?" Tanong ko at binuksan ang ilaw.
"Hm—mmm. This movie made me cry."
Napaupo ako ulit sa kinauupuan ko kanina at huminga ng malalim nang may maalala ako.
"Oh okay ka lang?" She asked while checking me.
"Yeah. I just remembered something." I replied in a sad tone.
"Care to share?"
I took a very deep sigh and told her everything.
"I remember that my older sisters, Ate Cy, Ate Nicole and my younger brothers, Dean Joseph and Dean Peter. Mahilig kaming manood ng movies kapag free time namin. Yun ang bonding naming lima. Sila Mom and Dad naman, ayun nagde-date." I giggled. "But not until something happened."
"Hey, it's okay if you can't continue. Naiintindihan ko naman." Pagpigil niya sakin pero hindi ako pumayag.
"I already started it so I must end it. Ayoko namang bitinin ka hahaha." I joked and laughed.
Then I continued.
"Ayun, they are now happy. They are happy above with God." Nagulat siya sa sinabi ko.
She showed me a bittersweet smile.
"I'm sorry. Pero tama ka. Masaya na sila kasama si God and I'm sure, they are with you and guiding you. They will make sure na ligtas ka palagi." She stated. "Pero ano bang nagyari sa kanila? At bakit kayo na lang ni Mr. Wong ang magkasama? Pati nila Ponggay?" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong.
Bumuga ako sa hangin.
"It's a long story. I'll tell you when the right time comes." I replied and gave her an assurance smile.
Bigla ko namang naalala na maggagabi na kaya dali-dali akong tumayo at sinabihan siya.
"It's getting darker outside. Kailangan na kitang iuwi."
"I'll just book a grab. Magpahinga ka na lang dyan." Tanggi niya but I shook my head.
"I'm not in the mood to let you go home and I don't take no for an answer." Seryosong sabi ko pero nagawa ko pa ring ngumiti.
I don't know why pero baka sa mga salitang iyon, maalala niya yung mga sinabi ng batang nagsalba sa kanya noon.
"Matitiis ba kita?" Pairap niyang sabi na ikinatawa ko.
After that, I told Mr. Ronald that I'll just take Jema home. Tulog mantika na kasi ang pinsan ko kaya siya na lang ang napagsabihan ko.
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"So, see you tomorrow?"
"See you when I see you." Sagot niya.
"Haha okay then." Binuksan ko yung gate nila at hinintay siyang makapasok pero tumigil siya ng ilang sandali at hinarap ako.
"Thank you for the night, Deanna. I really enjoyed and loved it." She sincerely said that made me blush.
Ah shit! Wag mo naman akong pakiligin ng ganito Jessica!
"N-no problema Jema. Basta ikaw." I sweetly stated and winked at her kaya namula ang pisngi niya.
Oh ano ka ngayon?! Hahaha kidding.
"Haha sige na. Ingat sa pagmamaneho ha."
"I will, my COO." Sagot ko pero pabulong na lang yung sa dulo na halatang hindi niya narinig.
"Ano yun?" She curiously asked.
"Wala. Sabi ko I'll go ahead na. Thank you again for coming with me."
"Thank you too." She sweetly smiled at me.
Pagkapasok ko ng kotse, kumaway muna ako sa kanya at nagmaneho na paalis.
I am so damn in love with you, Jema.
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Something about Deanna's fam is revealed! Ano kaya yung nangyari sa kanila?
Hey guys! I just wanted to say thank you for those who are reading and voting this story. Keepsafe everyone! ♥