TWENTY-EIGHT
"I hope you've changed your mind since we last had a conversation."
Tahimik na kinlick ni Rosie ang hawak na ballpen. Bumuntong-hininga.
Tumango.
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"I'm starting to hate airports." Sabi ni Rosie.
Ngumiti lang sa kanya si Wendy. "Airports..are gateways to wonderful things, Rothie Pothie." Sabi niya.
"Shut up. I'm not going anymore. Uwi na tayo."
"Yan ka nanaman eh. No backsies. Think of all the trouble we had to go through just to get to this point."
"Trouble we wouldn't have to go through if y'all just LET me say no in the first place."
"Are we gonna fight about this again?"
Bumuntong-hininga si Rosie. Suminghot. Yumakap nalang ng mahigpit kay Wendy, tuluyan ng umiyak. "No." Bulong niya.
Tinapik-tapik siya sa likod ni Wendy. "You're going to be fucking AMAZING out there, Rosie. I know you'd be. Chin up ayt? Andito lang naman ako. With the weekly skype sessions and the two hour phone calls everyday."
"Seungwan.."
"Hmm?"
"Anniversary natin next week."
"Ahhhh.."
"How.."
"We'll figure it out, Rosie okay? We'll figure it out. I promise."
Tumunog ang speaker para sa final boarding call ng flight ni Rosie. Nagtinginan sila ni Wendy.
"We'll be okay right?" Tanong ni Rosie.
"Yeah we will be. Di naman to roadblock. Just..a speed strip. After this, we'd be better versions of ourselves and then it's a better version of our relationship."
"I..have a request.."
"Anything for you, babe."
"Don't be a serial flirt ayt? Walang mambabakod sayo. Can't have a bunch of chicks swarming around you when I get back."
"Luh? Para namang tanga yun. I don't even know when I'm flirting or nah."
"Pakyu ka."
Tumawa si Wendy. "Oo na nga lang. Sayo lang po ako magfi-flirt. Lam mo naman yun. I will save my purity for you."
Tumawa nalang din si Rosie. Pinalo sa balikat si Wendy. Tumango. "Sige. I..will go now."
"Skype me as soon as you land?"
"I shall."
"I love you, Rothie. Keep that in mind okay?" Pinitik ni Wendy ang kwintas na bigay niya sa girlfriend.
"I will..and..I love you too, Theungwan."
"See you?"
"See you."
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MONTH ONE
"How's your week?" Nakangiting tanong ni Wendy mula sa screen ng cellphone ni Rosie.
"Fucking..tiring. Jesus. I've got papers on papers on papers. Holy shit, Theungwan. They're trying to get me to take on defending this guy from a murder charge. Crazy shit."
"Damn. What did you say?"
"He's guilty, Seungwan."
"Fuck?"
"Yeah man. Could see it in his eyes. Scary.."
"Say no."
"I already did. Pero ayun nga..ang creepy. They assigned him to some other lawyer colleague of mine but I can't help but think na parang ang sketch naman nun if the other person goes and wins the case for him right?"
"Did your boss say anything about it?"
"He did. Something about how we can't say no coz business..pero he did call everyone in and said he won't get mad if we half-ass cases like that especially if we know the client is guilty."
Tumango-tango si Wendy. "I suppose that makes sense. Did your colleague tell you anything?"
"She said she's going to find a way to drop hints for the other lawyer during trial. Fucking A. I love it. We're basically fucking with our Lawyer oaths with this sort of shit but.."
"Basic morals.."
"Yep."
Sabay silang sumubo ng hapunan. Kibit-balikat lang si Rosie. "How're you?"
Nagpunas lang si Wendy ng labi. "Usual. Being a professor is harder than teaching high school..pero ayos naman. I've gotten the hang of it."
Tumitig si Rosie sa girlfriend niya. "Pumayat ka."
Natawa si Wendy. "Yehhhhh..don't got my GFF preparing cool lunches for me anymore. Gotta make do."
"Seungwan.."
"What? Kakatamad kaya magluto."
"Mhmm. Marunong ka naman."
"I know..kaso ayun nga..kakatamad."
"Please take care of yourself.."
"I will, Rosie. I'm sorry. I won't be tamad anymore ayt?"
"Better not."
Tuloy lang sila sa kain. Nang matapos ay dinala ni Rosie ang cellphone sa kusina ng apartment niya para isama si Wendy hanggang sa paghuhugas ng pinggan.
"Got a social life there?" Tanong ni Wendy.
Umiling si Rosie. Saglit na nag-isip. Tumango. "Sometimes, I go out with some work people for a couple of drinks."
"Yown! Important yun. Work life balance."
"Yep. Kaso it's not the same. I try to avoid going too much."
Kumunot ang noo ni Wendy. "Eh? Why?"
"Mehn. All those people talk about are their cases and shit. I don't wanna end up like Suzy was bruh."
Tumawa sila pareho.
"Actually." Comment ni Wendy. "Pero pweds nadin kahit paano nakakalabas ka."
"Mhmm. You should come visit." Suggestion ni Rosie.
Si Wendy naman ang tumitig kay Rosie. Matagal bago nag clear ng throat tapos ngumiti. "I will Rosie..am setting aside funds for that as we speak. Ipon. Para I can date you properly when I get there."
"Can't wait, Theungwan."
"Samedt."
"I miss you.."
"I miss you too, Rothie..I really do."
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MONTH TWO
"So guess where I got assigned." Bungad ni Rosie kay Wendy pagkabukas na pagkabukas niya ng camera.
Kumurap si Wendy. "Saan?" Tanong niya.
Jazz hands. "Divorce Law." Presenta ni Rosie.
Tumawa si Wendy. Tumawa pa ulit. Tapos tumawa lang lalo. "What. The. Fuck." Sabi niya.
Nakisali lang si Rosie sa tawanan. "Parang. Tanga." Sabi niya. "I start next week. It's gonna be fucking nuts, Theungwan. What the hell am I going to do?"
"Shit bro."
Sandaling huminga si Rosie. "What if I get disillusioned seeing all that love falling apart?" Tanong niya.
Insta-serious ang usapan. Tumingin si Wendy sa calendar ng laptop niya.
Ngumiti si Rosie. Pilit. "It's Fridaaaaaaay!" Pabirong sabi.
Tumango lang si Wendy. "You're not going to end up disillusioned, Rosie. You're the most positive person I know." Sabi niya.
"Well what if?"
"Di yan. Just think you're giving all those people a shot at finding better options?"
"Messed up..but I can try.."
"See how it goes?"
"Yeh I suppose." Kumurap si Rosie. Parang may naalala. "Shit oo nga pala!"
"Hmm?"
"I can't skype next week. There's a conference thing my boss is sending everyone to."
Sumenyas si Wendy ng ayos lang. "Gotta do what you gotta do. We can just double the hours on the next skype call to make up for it maybe?" Suggestion niya.
Tumango-tango si Rosie. "Yeh. Let's just do that."
"Cool."
Nagtinginan sila. May nilingon si Rosie out of frame. Bumuntong-hininga. "I have an early start tomorrow." Mahinang bulong.
"Ayos lang ayos lang..uhh..goodnight okay? I'll see you next week?"
"Yup.."
"Tawag ako around 2PM your time tomorrow okay?"
"I love you, Theungwan."
"I love you too, Rothie.."
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MONTH FIVE
"120 seconds." Bungad ni Rosie sa kausap sa telepono. "120 seconds before you picked up. I counted."
"Rosie.." Halata sa boses ni Wendy na parang nagtatago. "I'm proctoring an exam. I can't talk right now. I'm sorry."
Tumango si Rosie. Gets. "Well okay..Uhh..can I call again later?"
"PM kita if nothing comes up after this okay?"
"Okay."
"Right. Bye."
Di nakapag-message si Wendy. Hinayaan nalang ni Rosie. Minsan lang naman mangyari na ma-busy ng malala yung isa. Exam week. Lusot.
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MONTH SIX
"Glad to know you're still alive." Sabi ni Wendy.
Nag-panting ng slight si Rosie pero hindi na niya pinatulan. "Sure." Sabi nalang niya.
"Didn't hear from you for a week. How goes it?"
"There's a thing..Client JUST wants to keep the dog, ex-husband is fighting hard not to let her have it. Crazy shit."
"Shit. Okay.."
"Might not be able to talk much too..uhmm..I just snuck out of the meeting."
"Okay..just shoot me a message when you're free then."
"Sure, Seungwan."
"Bye then."
"Bye."
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MONTH EIGHT
"Client wanted just the dog. We managed to swing the dog, a couple houses, and a decent sum of half a million dollars." Kwento ni Rosie.
Nanlaki ang mata ni Wendy. "Goddamn. You guys are good." Comment niya.
"Di rin. The lady had a bunch of proof the guy was addicted to pills and uhh..beats on her when he gets drunk."
"Buti nalang you managed to get her out."
"Yep."
Tahimik. Kanya-kanya lang sila ng kain as usual.
Nag-clear ng throat si Rosie. Tumingin lang sa kanya si Wendy tapos ngumiti.
"Uhhmm..Client..well..former client..asked me if we can go out for dinner. Celebration daw and also we have plenty to talk about." Paalam ni Rosie.
"Okay?" Sagot ni Wendy. "You don't have to ask permission from me, Rothie. You can go out. Have fun. Meet new people."
Kamot-batok si Rosie. "Not exactly a new person, Theungwan.."
"Ha? Sino ba client mo?"
"Si Joy."
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"I'm sorry who the fuck now?!" Sabi ni Wendy mula sa kabilang linya.
Naisip ni Rosie na mali yung hindi niya agad pagkukwento ng ganap sa kausap. Na-hectic kasi siya ng malala. Ngayon lang sila nakapag-usap ng harapan after ng ilang linggo.
Nagtaas siya ng dalawang kamay tapos sumenyas na magpapaliwanag siya.
Tumango si Wendy. "Better be good." Comment nito.
"So ayun.." Simula ni Rosie. "Naalala mo nung nakita natin siya sa airport dati?"
"Oh?"
"Yung kuya na kasama niya nun eh jowa niya daw. Met him through a friend of a friend."
"Mhmm. I assume they got married?"
Pumitik si Rosie. "Yeh they did. Had a happy life for a couple years. Tas ayun daw. Na-B.I ng malala si kuya, got addicted to drugs. Meh."
"Huh."
"We've been talking a lot since client nga siya ng firm namin. Agreed on a truce. To be fair to Joy..she changed a lot."
"Gonna be weird if she didn't."
"Masaya palang kasama ex mo. Akalain mo yun?"
"That's like me saying I've been hanging out with your super fun ex Suzy." Deadpan na sagot ni Wendy sa biro ni Rosie.
Bumuntong-hininga nalang siya. "Look..I understand you're still suspish. And mej weird nga na of all the people I end up running into..si Joy pa na pinag-awayan natin ng malala."
"Nearly tore us apart, Joy."
"Yeh she knows. Said sorry about it. I've a feeling sincere naman."
"Sigurado ka?"
"I'm still being careful if that's what you're worried about."
"Hmmm.."
"Look, Seungwan..I..don't like being perpetually mad about things..especially if they worked out eventually. Tsaka..ang lala ng karma kay Joy. What the fuck mehn. Kawawa yung tao, di proportion sa ginawa niya satin yung balik sa kanya."
Tumango si Wendy pagkatapos ng matagal na tahimik. "Everyone needs a friend huh?"
"Yup. Wala din siyang anyone here eh. Like me. I guess it wouldn't hurt if we stuck together right?"
"Sure."
"Trust me?"
"I already do, Rothie. I just don't trust other people."
"Other people meaning Joy?"
"Yeh."
"I get it."
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MONTH TEN
"I can't talk right now, Rosie. I'm in class."
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"Umayos ka." Sabi ni Jennie kay Wendy.
Nasa inuman sila.
"Maayos naman ako?" Sagot ni Wendy.
"Umiiwas ka nanaman kay Rosie." Comment ni Lisa.
"Di naman."
"Oo kaya." Dugtong ni Jisoo. Nagsisindi ng yosi as usual.
Umiling si Wendy. "Erps. Busy kami pareho. As in. Dumadami yung mga clients ng firm niya, kalahati ng condo ko eh lesson plans, research papers, tsaka mga quiz na hindi ko pa nage-grade." Paliwanag niya.
"Narinig ko chummy na sila nung ex mong si Joy." Sabi ni Lisa.
"Potek. Saan mo narinig yan?"
"Kay Roseanne." Sagot ni Jisoo.
"Kasi nakakausap namin siya. Ikaw lang hindi." Sabi ni Jennie.
"Tuwing natawag daw kasi siya sayo eh busy ka kamo." Sabi ni Lisa.
"Hmm." Sabi ni Wendy.
"Anong bang problema?" Tanong ni Jennie.
Kibit-balikat si Wendy. "Wala namang problema. Di lang talaga tumutugma yung oras namin. Reduced to emails nanaman eh. Pakshet yan. Wala tuloy kaming ma-gets kasi zero context na for everything." Reklamo niya.
"Tsong. Sigurado ka?" Tanong ni Jisoo. "Di ka nagiinarte kasi tropa na nung isa yung ex mo?"
"Luh? Di mehn. Pramis. Bakit ako mag-iinarte? Ayos nga yun eh. Tsaka may point si Rosie when she said she doesn't have anyone there except Joy. Sino pa bang kakausapin niya? Dehado siya. I ended up with everyone and she's alone."
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MONTH TWELVE
"Theungwan, I'm in the middle of a hearing, I'll call you back."
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"Ano bang ginagawa mo?" Tanong ni Joy kay Rosie.
Uminom si Rosie ng kape. "Ha?" Sagot niya.
"Ano kakong ginagawa mo." Ulit ni Joy.
"Saan?"
"Kay Wendy."
"Ha?"
"Parang tanga."
"Wala naman akong ginagawa."
"Mehn. Kamo sa tawag eh nasa hearing ka." Sumenyas si Joy sa paligid ng inuupuan nilang coffee shop. "Liar ka." Sabi niya.
"I could tell sa boses palang nung isa na gumising siya ng dis-oras ng gabi para lang matawagan ako. I hung up para makatulog pa siya. Tatawag ako ulit kapag ako na yung puyat."
Kumurap-kurap si Joy. "Di ko kayo maintindihang mag bespren."
"Kahit naman dati pa." Bulong ni Rosie. Kumain ng cookie.
"Ang boplaks. Dapat eh grab the opportunity na for usap, teh! Who gives a shit kung sinong puyat or nah?"
"I give a shit. Dalawang linggo ng puyat yun kakaganun niya. Tsaka..di naman kami nagkakaintindihan na ngayon."
"So? Pareho naman nating alam na GG lang si Wendy sa ganung puyat puyat basta napapasaya the jowa. Congrats on that, btw. Sabi ko na may keme ka sa kanya kahit dati pa eh."
"Bakit ba parati nalang akong napupunta sa mga taong katulad mo?"
"Alin? Yung mga sumasampal sayo ng truth?"
"Si Jisoo dati..tapos ngayon naman ikaw. Magkamag-anak ba kayo? Parehong nakakainis eh."
Tinapik ni Joy ang lamesa. Kumain ng order na Red Velvet cake. "Tumutulay lang to naman. Umayos kasi kayo para di niyo kami kailangan. Kausapin mo si Wendy diyan sa iniisip mong unfair sacrifice count tsaka yung drift apart shit or something. Para maayos. Corny naman kung ngayon pa kayo magbe-break..sa dami ng pinagdaanan niyo makarating lang diyan? Payag ka nun?"
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Humihikab si Wendy pagbukas niya ng skype call ni Rosie. Halatang bagong-gising. Gulo-gulo ang buhok, nakahiga sa kama. "Yoooooo." Bati nito.
Tumitig si Rosie. "Hey." Sabi niya.
"Wassup GFF?"
"It's Friday."
"Is it?"
"Yup."
Bumangon si Wendy. Hinawi ang buhok, inabot ang tubig na nasa bedside table, uminom, tapos ngumiti na kay Rosie. "What do we need to talk about, love?" Tanong niya.
"I'm sorry." Bungad ni Rosie.
"Eh? Para saan?"
"Unfair nung distribution ng sacrifice. Sa puyat palang. Dehado ka coz ikaw yung pilit sumasabay sa oras ko."
"Ayos lang naman yun?"
"No it's not."
"Yes it is."
Bumuntong-hininga si Rosie. "I don't want this to turn into an argument..I..I've been a lot busier than you lately. We both know that. Pero nage-effort ka padin to connect."
"Not really..Minsan I avoid calling you on my own..or..tell you I'm busy kahit hindi kasi..well.."
"Natatamad ka."
"Yeh."
Tumawa sila pareho.
"Para tayong tanga." Comment ni Rosie.
"Gets ko na what you mean when you said it'll be harder to manage this time." Sagot ni Wendy.
"We still have emails.."
"We do..but..I don't get half the stuff you put on those sometimes."
"Samedt."
Natahimik sila. Bumangon si Wendy ng tuluyan tapos nagpunta sa living room dala ang cellphone. Humilata lang ulit sa sofa. "We're at that point huh?" Pabulong na tanong.
"Yeh. The point where di na tayo magkaintindihan kasi magkaibang mundo na nilalakaran."
"I suppose we're still awesome enough to notice before it gets messy."
"Right?"
"I wish I could high-five you right now."
"Me too."
"What's in your head?"
"Solution time."
"Was there even a problem?" Takang tanong ni Wendy. Groggy padin pala.
Tumango si Rosie. "You free this weekend?" Tanong niya.
"Huh?"
"Saturday. You free?"
"Not sure..I can free it up if it isn't?"
"Please?"
"Okay?"
"Date tayo. I missed you a lot. Tagal na tayong di nakakalabas."
Tumitig si Wendy. Tumawa. "Ayos. Saan?"
"I'll tell you when I know where?"
"On an email?"
Kumindat lang si Rosie. "You know it."
"Can't wait then."
"I love you, Theungwan."
"I love you too, Rothie."
"Bestfriends yeah?"
"Always."
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"Good afternoon, sir. I'm sorry to have to ask you this but..can I ask for a week? Something came up."
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"Hey, asshole. Libre ka ba this Saturday?"
"Istorbo ka, bitch. Ang hot na nung kinakausap ko na ate, umalis tuloy. Pakyu, Roseanne."
"Pakyu ka din, Soo. Libre ka ba or not?"
"Para saan ba yan?"
"Ganto kasi.."