Hate + Love = (?)

Or maybe Maloi’s prediction is not right. 

“No.” 

“Ayoko nga.” Jhoanna and Aiah both said at the same time, dismissing Mikha’s idea of mixing their ideas for their field trip. Agreeing to it means pareho silang talo. As expected, both of them will not concede to each other’s demands. 

Their six friends together with some class officers can only mentally facepalm in defeat and slight annoyance. They have been in this meeting for two hours already but the activities for their two days field trip is far from being finalized. 

If only they knew that this would be the outcome of voting these two for president and vice president positions for their class, they would probably do everything to oppose such an idea. Undeniably, the two are responsible, intelligent and have the drive to become a good leader but for some reason, every rational judgement they had in their body disappears when the other party is involved. Despite their qualifications and intellect, they are always reduced to this when that happens - individuals who continuously bicker immaturely. 

“Pres and Vice, Mikha’s idea is actually good. It is like we’re getting the best of both worlds since ayaw niyo naman magpatalo na dalawa.” singit ni Jao, their secretary, his eyes looking at the two pleadingly. Everyone (except for the two) might have the same goal - to go home already. Jhoanna and Aiah can probably go on forever just to prove their point. 

Seeing that it is the time to use Colet’s ate card, Maloi nudges her, a sign that she should back-up Jao’s words. She really should. Pagod na rin si Colet actually, “Sige na. We all knew that it is the best decision. Huwag na matigas ang ulo niyong dalawa.” she utters with finality. 

Despite Aiah being the oldest, Colet acts like the mother of their friend group kaya kahit sino sa kanila ay sumusunod kapag ganito na siya kaseryoso. Walang nagawa ang dalawa kung hindi ang ngumuso as they both lean back on their seats in defeat. 

The rest of the officers are now mentally celebrating after settling everything. They need to just settle that particular dispute about the activities and other things smoothly followed suit. Buti nalang at hindi na contradicting ang ideas nila Jhoanna and Aiah. 

Well, to be honest, hindi naman sila always nag-aaway. Kaya lang need muna ng lahat na tawagin ang mga kung sino-sinong santo pati si Lord para pagbigyan sila na sana same ng gustong mangyari ang dalawa. Otherwise, bangayan talaga ang ending. 

Palabas na sila ng campus nang maisipan ni Jhoanna na mang-inis kay Aiah. Inakbayan niya ito ng may nakakalokong ngiti.

“Paano ba ‘yan. Need mo na atang mag-exercise baka maging pabigat ka lang sa teammates mo palagi.” Bulong niya kay Aiah pertaining to the relay races since it is mostly played by teams. The older girl rolls her eyes in annoyance, trying her best to lift off Jhoanna’s hands on her shoulder. Even if she can successfully do so, binabalik rin lang ni Jhoanna. Kaya binilisan nalang niyang maglakad. Pagod na pagod siya today to the point that wala na siyang energy para makipagtalo pa. 

Aiah immediately clings to Maloi, thinking that it would be a good idea. 

Probably. 

Since hindi na siya sinundan ni Jhoanna at busy na itong makipagdaldalan kina Stacey and Sheena. 

But it really isn’t a good idea. It might even be worse than dealing with Jhoanna’s annoying ass. 

“Masarap ba ‘yung BBQ na Pringles?” Maloi asked with a hint of playfulness but Aiah wasn’t able to distinguish it carefully. The first thing that came into her mind was the Pringles given by Jhoanna during lunch time. Driven by annoyance, she wasn’t able to think things through - that it was Maloi’s trap question to begin with. 

“Syempre pero ‘yung kanina, nope! Ang pangit ng lasa same with the face of the giver.” Aiah dismisses almost immediately, her tone defensive. 

Maloi smirks triumphantly, she never expected that it would be this easy to figure out the truth behind Jhoann’s weird act a while ago, “Ahh akala ko si Jho ang pangit ang lasa.” Maloi even nodded, acting nonchalant in hopes that Aiah will still not register her words in her mind so that she can get more information from the girl. 

“Ewww! Why would I know that?” disgust is written all over the older girl’s face. 

“Kaya nga, pero alam mo na siya ang nagbigay?” she pries more. 

“Oo. She just said kanina na eat well— wait…” her disgusted expression morphed into dread when the realization hit her finally. Aiah looks at Maloi’s face and the girl just smiles sheepishly at her which prompts her to curse herself mentally. She cannot believe that she can be this stupid to not recognize the playful demeanor of her friend. 

Kasalanan ‘to ni Jhoanna. 

Aside from the fact that the girl is the reason why she is so tired today kaya she is so lutang, she also might have been so obvious to Maloi while they’re buying. Hence, why the girl is teasing her right now. 

Yes, that’s right. Normalize blaming Jhoanna for everything. 

Binilisan ulit ni Aiah na maglakad. This time, not from her enemy but away from Maloi. 

“Ano na naman bang ginawa ko?” with a frustrated sigh, Jhoanna asks the girl beside her as they await for a jeepney. Rush hour na kasi kaya pahirapan na sa pagbook. 

Aiah had just asked her dad to pick her up but to no avail, mamaya pa daw ito uuwi because he needs to work overtime. Si Jhoanna naman ay gusto lang talagang mag-commute kasi boring daw kapag dadalhin niya sasakyan niya.

“Seriously? Tinatanong mo talaga ‘yan?” pabalang na sagot ni Aiah habang iniirapan si Jhoanna. Parang automatic na sa kaniya ang umirap kapag kausap ito. 

“Kanina pa ‘yun ah. Minus points ka na naman sa langit niyan.” 

“Kahit kahapon, last week or last month mo pa ako ininis. Valid pa rin! Lubayan mo nga ako, doon ka maghintay ng jeep.” she uttered angrily as she pushes the girl away from her, hindi naman to the point na matutumba ito sa lakas ng pagtulak niya. Kung pwede niya lang talagang gawin. But Aiah still has some decency left within her even if she is dealing with the most insufferable person in her life. 

Numerous onlookers are now looking at the two. Sensing this, may naisip na naman na kalokohan si Jhoanna. She smirks at Aiah first bago niya ito akbayan ulit. Jhoanna then looks at the middle aged woman beside her that’s clearly overhearing their banter, “Sorry po, topakin lang po talaga ‘tong girlfriend ko.” Buti nalang at hindi ito judgemental at nginitian lang sila pabalik albeit still skeptical on the reason why a certain stranger is explaining this to her. 

“Aray!” sigaw niya nang bumaon ang siko ni Aiah sa tagiliran niya. Kaagad naman niyang hinimas ang parteng ito to somehow alleviate the pain. 

“Ewww! Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo, ang pangit mo kaya.” 

“Hindi niya po ako girlfriend.” Aiah added, looking at the woman with a contorted expression to show how ridiculous Jhoanna’s words are. 

Jhoanna let out a few hollow laughs, the term ‘pangit’ and her shouldn’t even be in the same sentence.

“Ako? Pangit?” she clarifies while pointing at herself. Tinignan naman siya nang diretso ni Aiah, mirroring her challenging gaze. 

“Sino pa ba?” Aiah’s brows are now raising, taunting Jhoanna. 

“Seryoso ka? Lugi ka pa sa mukhang ‘to?” Jhoanna asks again in pure disbelief since it is surely a lie. Napipikon na siya honestly. Ikaw ba naman kasi ang sabihan ng pangit sa harap ng maraming tao. Dinig niya pa ang pagtawa ng ilan sa kanila. 

“Baka nakakalimutan mo na ikaw ang never nagkaroon ng jowa sa ating dalawa.” she added. 

“First, there it is. Sa iyo na mismo nanggaling na we're not together, dummy.”

“Second, mataas kasi standards ko.” 

“Third, my point still stands. Pangit ka pa rin.” 

Aiah continuously fired back. Jhoanna was on her way to retort a reply, “Isa nalang!” 

Shit. 

They are so caught up with their bickering that they didn't even notice that there was already a jeepney in front of them. To make things worse, it goes to the route of their subdivision. Kaya need talaga nilang makasakay dito. 

Realizing the barker's words, they stare at each other for a second bago mabilis na tumakbo papunta dito. Pinipigilan nila ang isa't isa na mauna. Anyone who can see them will really think that they act like a bunch of kids, playing around. Hindi mo maiisip na top students sila ng isang sikat na university. 

They really bring out the immaturity of each other. 

Jhoanna sticks out her tongue at Aiah upon taking her seat inside the jeepney. Tagaktak man ang pawis niya at least naunahan niya si Aiah. 

Lalabas na sana si Aiah since puno na, “Kandong ka nalang sa kasama mo, Miss. Para makauwi ka na.” Sambit ng konduktor bago senyasan ang driver para umandar. 

“Kuya teka lang! Bababa po ako.” With panic in her voice she exclaims when the vehicle immediately moves. Muntik pa siyang matumba. Buti nalang at nahawakan siya ni Jhoanna sa kamay. 

“Dito ka na.” And just like that, hinila siya bigla ni Jhoanna palapit sa kaniya. Leaving her with no choice but to sit on her lap. 

It is awkward. 

Really awkward. 

Hence, they never spoke any word after that. The both of them are busy nursing their own emotions about their current situation. 

It feels weird. 

They both feel weird. 

Not in a good way of course. Hindi nga ba? 

They never thought that this scenario would happen to them. 

“Isa, Aiah. Kapag ikaw nagpabigat pa diyan. Itutulak na kita.” Jhoanna sternly whispers in her ear. Alam niya kasi ang ginagawa nito. Sinasadya niyang bigatan para makabawi sa kaniya. 

Gusto pa sanang inisin ni Aiah si Jhoanna kaso baka totohanin nito ang banta niya. Nakakahiya pa naman kasi ang daming tao at halos lahat ay sa kanila nakatuon ang atensyon. 

Hindi naman rare talaga na makakakita ka ng college students na nakakandong at may kinakandong especially if rush hour na. But what makes this unusual ay nakabusangot silang dalawa, halatang hindi nagugustuhan ang nangyayari. They don't even look friendly to each other. 

Fortunately, after a few minutes, a passenger went off on their side. Gustuhin man ni Aiah na lumayo kay Jhoanna, wala siyang choice kung hindi tumabi dito kasi ‘yun lang ang bakante. 

Bumaling si Jhoanna sa kaniya na may ngiting alam mong may binabalak, “Libre mo pamasahe ko ha, ang bigat mo pa naman.” This girl is really testing Aiah's patience today. 

The older girl can only let out a frustrating sigh, “Oo na.” she just throws Jhoanna a glare before plugging in her earphones. Sobrang pagod niya kasi talaga today kaya bahala na si Jhoanna diyan. 

It is rush hour, which means traffic couldn't be avoided. In order not to waste her time, Aiah tried to catch a little nap. Para pagdating niya sa bahay nila ay may energy na siya para mag-aral. 

She then feels the jeep move occasionally but she keeps her eyes closed, eager to sleep for a while.

Aiah knows that it is not that ideal to do this in a jeepney, she can already predict some sore muscles after this ride. But this will do, kaysa naman pagod siya masyado. Adding to that reason, she also wants to escape Jhoanna’s teasings kahit ngayon lang. Baka kasi masapak niya ito if ever. Her worn-out self and traffic is not never a good combination. Kahit sino naman siguro ay iinit ang ulo. Huwag lang talaga siyang susubukan nitong katabi niya. 

Jhoanna on the other hand, scrolls through her phone upon noticing that Aiah is trying to sleep. She isn't that bad naman para magpapansin pa knowing that the latter is indeed tired. Siya na nga rin ang kusang nagbayad para sa kanila kasi oo lang ang tanging natanggap niya kay Aiah kanina. Hindi naman siya inabutan nito ng pamasahe. 

Pambihirang babae talaga. 

Her scrolling stops upon taking notice of the girl's head swerving towards the guy on her left, Jhoanna amusedly chuckles. She realizes that even if Aiah's asleep, she will still choose anyone over her.

Nakaka-offend ha. Even though the feeling is mutual. 

Eventually, after much thinking, Jhoanna's intrusive thoughts won. With a gentle tug, she guides Aiah's head towards her shoulder. 

Paano ba naman kasi, nakita niyang ngumingisi ang katabing lalaki nito kapag napupunta ang ulo ni Aiah sa kaniya. Kahit magkaaway sila, she knows that the latter is attractive. Hindi naman siya sinungaling katulad nito na sasabihan siyang pangit kahit hindi naman totoo. 

Afterwards, everything becomes a blur and she is left getting hyper fixated on this girl who's leaning on her shoulder. Jhoanna notices the little things. 

Aiah’s soft snores.

Aiah’s breath that’s now fanning her neck. 

Aiah’s scent. It's strawberry. Sweet and alluring. 

Lastly, Aiah’s warmth. 

May masamang espiritu atang sumasanib sa kaniya ngayon. Because Jhoanna even found herself softly removing one of the earbuds in Aiah's ear, figuring that it might be uncomfortable since naiipit ito between her shoulder and the older girl's head. Hindi niya rin mabilang kung pang-ilang beses na siyang parang malalagutan ng hininga kapag sumisiksik si Aiah sa leeg niya. 

Pero siguro kabag lang ito, ang init din kasi sa loob ng jeep. 

God knows how much she tries to shake every feeling off. But she cannot deny that at the moment, she is feeling something. 

Something that's warm and fuzzy. 

Something that feels unfamiliar but at the same time it isn't. 

Something that she will never entertain. 

Something that should just be left buried within her. 

Her unwelcome thoughts get cut off when the driver suddenly steps on the break, Jhoanna even hears him mutter a few curses under his breath. Out of instinct, she abruptly held Aiah's head in place. Mas inuna pa nga niya itong gawin kaysa kumapit sa grab bar ng jeep. Buti nalang at hindi ito nagising. Because how in the world can Jhoanna explain all these actions?

Kahit siya nga mismo, hindi niya alam kung bakit niya ginagawa. 

Tangina. Napamura nalang si Jhoanna upon noticing how her hand automatically repeats the same action whenever the driver steps on the break and even when there's a lump in the road. 

Basta tuwing feeling niya ay nahuhulog or mahuhulog palang ang ulo ni Aiah sa balikat niya, kusang gumagalaw din ang kanyang mga kamay para pigilan itong mangyari. 

Tangina talaga. 

“Bakit ang tamlay mo?” Stacey asked Jhoanna first thing in the morning after noticing the almost lifeless body of the girl. Para bang wala itong tulog kagabi. 

“Wala.” The girl plainly uttered bago ito tumungo sa armchair niya, trying her best to catch a sleep since there are still thirty minutes left before their classes start. 

Ano ang rason? 

Si Aiah lang naman. Si Aiah ulit. 

Si Aiah na nakakabwesit. 

Si Aiah na nakakainis. 

Si Aiah na nakakakulo ng dugo. 

“Ibalik mo then yung poetry book!” 

“Sige ba, basta iluwa mo ‘yung Pringles na binigay ko!” 

For some reason, while they're walking towards their homes. Dumating ulit sa point na nag-aaway na sila. Sinabi lang naman ni Jhoanna na ang bigat ng ulo ni Aiah kanina at nangangalay ang balikat niya. Totoo naman kasi! Wala namang masama sa sinabi niya. But the girl is now shouting at her. 

“Kahit bilhan pa kita ng isang box ng Pringles.” Aiah challenges with a smirk as they continue to walk. 

“Gusto ko ‘yung kinain mo talaga.” Jhoanna taunted her, not backing down.

They're so busy bickering when suddenly a honk echoed through the still night. They then finally noticed a car speeding up on their way. Panic surge through them, Jhoanna immediately pulls Aiah towards her. Sa sobrang kaba na nararamdaman niya ay napalakas ang hila niya dito. 

Aiah’s body collided with hers and again out of instinct, she wrapped her arms securely around the girl. Kahit magkaaway sila, they're still friends. Hindi kakayanin ng konsensya ni Jhoanna kapag may mangyaring masama dito lalo pa at siya ang kasama nito. 

For the second time that day, they're in close proximity. 

Sabi niya nga kanina that she cannot deny that the older girl is attractive but seeing her up close is a whole level of attractiveness. 

Her features scream unworldly. As if on cue, after registering their situation on her currently hazy brain, Jhoanna can feel the familiar surge of something she doesn't want to acknowledge within her.

That something.

The same something she felt a while ago while they're on the jeepney as Aiah peacefully sleeps on her shoulder. 

A mere second of recognition flashes in front of their very eyes, prompting them to immediately pull away from each other.

Jhoanna clears her throat to ease the tension. 

Aiah on the other hand, straightens the invisible creases on her outfit.

With a strained goodbye, Jhoanna flew out of the scene. Not wanting to be around the older girl. 

But tonight it is for a whole different reason. 

Nakakainis. 

Bulong ulit ni Jhoanna sa sarili. Katulad kagabi ay hindi pa rin siya makatulog. The happenings that transpired yesterday, keeps on replaying in her mind.

Sinubukan na niya halos lahat ng posisyon sa paghiga sa kama niya pero wala pa rin. Siguro ay kinukulam na siya ni Aiah. 

Oo, ‘yan nga siguro ang rason. 

“Jho!” Kasabay nang pagsigaw ni Stacey ang biglaang pagyugyog nito sa kaniya. 

Still disoriented, she exclaims, “Ay jeep!” Jhoanna can feel all the eyes boring through her soul. Including the person who's the very reason why she's like this. 

Aiah. 

Wow. Sana all fresh at masarap ang tulog. She mentally rambles upon noticing the girl’s appearance who is in great contrast from her. 

“Jeep? Gusto mo na bang umuwi, Ms. Robles?” tanong ng professor nila. 

“Sorry po, sir.” Jhoanna simply apologizes, embarrassment crawling on her skin. 

Hindi pwede. 

Hindi pwedeng ako lang ang naapektuhan. 

With great resolve, she promises that she'll annoy Aiah later. 

If there is one thing that Jhoanna sucks at - keeping her promises. She is really not good with it. Not unless it is something that really matters. But Aiah didn’t matter one bit kaya imbes na kulitin ito during lunch time ay hinayaan nalang niya at natulog sa library. 

But if there is one thing that she makes sure - she doesn’t want to feel indebted. Especially to Aiah. It might be her pride talking pero bitbit niya ngayon ang poetry book na binigay nito. Her words last night rang in her ear from time to time. 

“Ibalik mo then yung poetry book!” 

“Ibalik mo then yung poetry book!” 

“Ibalik mo then yung poetry book!” 

“Iluwa mo na ang Pringles.” saad ni Jhoanna as soon as she put the said book atop the table where Aiah is currently studying. 

Today ay may meeting sila ng 5:00 PM together with the other class officers to finalize everything for their field trip since next week na ito gaganapin. Seeing that the time is only 3:30 PM, Jhoanna knows that she can easily spot the older girl here, in the library. 

“You do know that I am just joking kahapon, right? I am not that petty, Jhoanna.” Without breaking her gaze away from the book she is reading, Aiah replied. 

“Pwede ngang nagjo-joke ka lang. But you are petty, Aiah.” 

“Well, when it comes to me, you really are. Kaya you cannot blame me.” she added as if that last statement was a declaration. Jhoanna even sat across from the latter, looking like she was discussing something important with the class president. 

Aiah as usual rolled her eyes at the girl, successfully making her divert her attention to Jhoanna. Kung sinadya man ni Jhoanna na inisin si Aiah so she can grace her with a little bit of attention. Siya lang ang nakakaalam. 

“I am just joking, Jhoanna. Marunong naman akong mag-sorry if I know I’ve might offended someone. Hindi katulad mo.” 

“Hoy! Foul ka. Binigyan nga kita ng Pringles eh.” Jhoanna uttered in a whiny voice and even pouted afterwards. 

A tug at Aiah’s lips can be seen due to the latter’s childish antics. Kaagad naman siyang tumikhim upon realizing her weird behavior. 

“Ang dami mo atang time? Mag-aral ka kaya para for once in your life, top 1 ka naman.” 

“I will! Humanda ka. For the rest of your life, top 2 ka na… as long as I’m in it.” the girl even leans forward, clearly challenging her. 

“Sure sure, Jho.” Aiah mockingly uttered, as she too leaned forward. Syempre hindi siya magpapatalo. 

Their intense gazes are meeting, arrogant smirks playing on both their lips. 

“How about let’s spice things up? Kung sino ang talunan, will grant the winner’s wish.” 

“Kalokohan mo na naman, Jhoanna.” her tone is so done. It is not that she’s afraid, she just doesn’t want to give Jhoanna the satisfaction that she’s playing along with her. 

“Takot ka ata?” 

Aiah lets out a humorless laugh, finding Jhoanna’s words a little too ridiculous. 

Siya? Takot kay Jhoanna? Never. 

“Fine. Bring it on, Robles. Basta huwag kang iiyak kapag natalo kita.” 

Jhoanna mimics her humorless laugh upon hearing what she just said, “We’ll see, Arceta.” 

“Ano ang gusto ng mahal na prinsesa if ever?” 

“Lubayan mo ako, mga one month.” Jhoanna groans at that although expected naman na niya. Pero kasi one month siyang bored kapag ganun. 

“One week. Manghihina ako Aiah kapag hindi kita nainis for a month. Gusto mo ba akong mamatay?” she dramatically stated with all the exaggerated gestures. 

“Ang OA ha.” For the second time that day, she smiles because of this annoying girl in front of her. 

“Two weeks.” Aiah bargains again. 

“Ten days.” 

“Two weeks and that’s final.” 

“Fine.” 

“Ikaw ba, what do you want?” 

“I’ll think about it muna. Sasabihin ko before midterms natin. Be prepared lang.”

“Ang kapal talaga. As if mananalo ka. Dream on, Robles.” 

“Again… we’ll see, Arceta.” with a wink coupled with a sly smirk, Jhoanna finally stood up and soon exited the library. 

For the first time since knowing each other’s existence, even though they’re bickering, the feeling is lighter. 

No lingering anger and annoyance afterwards. 

In fact, they’re both excited about what's to come. 

“Thank you.” Aiah simply mutters at Jhoanna with a slight smile. The girl just shrugs before plopping herself on her seat. 

It just happens that for three consecutive days, Jhoanna has been giving her a tube of Pringles after that one specific interaction at the library. 

Despite being skeptical at first, she buys the younger girl’s reason that the poetry book is quite expensive compared to junk food so Jhoanna is planning to give her a bunch of it. 

Ayaw niya daw kasing magkaroon ng utang na loob kay Aiah. She tries to dismiss the girl, reasoning that it was really genuinely given as a sign of saying sorry but as expected, a typical Jhoanna is a hard-headed Jhoanna. Kaya hinayaan nalang ni Aiah, wala naman kasi siyang choice. Besides, sayang din ang libreng Pringles, fave niya rin kasi. 

“Nasaan si Aiah?” Colet asked as soon as she got to their usual table at the cafeteria, noticing na kulang sila ng isa. 

“May inutos lang si Sir Paul. Hindi daw muna siya sasabay sa atin ngayon.” Sheena explained the girl’s whereabouts. 

Colet nodded in understanding before she suddenly thought of something, “Tamang tama. Diba kilala niyo si Jeremy?” she whispered as if she was telling a very important announcement. At the mention of the familiar name, Jhoanna immediately stops eating, her spoon even hangs in mid-air. Pati ang pagnguya niya ay natigil. 

“That’s the guy who’s rumored to like Aiah, diba? Anong meron, ate Col?” Mikha curiously asked, now getting engrossed with whatever Colet is saying. 

The girl gestures for everyone to lean more towards her. Everyone did so, except for Jhoanna. Ano ba kasing pake niya kay Aiah? 

Mabuti nga ‘yan para magka-jowa na siya. Baka sakaling bumait. Tsk. 

“Actually, may plano daw siyang manligaw kay Aiah soon. Sinabihan niya ako kanina if pwede ba daw natin siyang tulungan.” a few excited squeals can be heard coming from Maloi, Sheena and Stacey. They even playfully push each other, clearly liking the possible love prospect of their NBSB ate. As usual, si Gwen at Mikha ay napatango lang. 

While Jhoanna…

Well, she’s just there. 

She continues to eat as if what she just heard is nothing. Her expression is unreadable. 

Again, wala akong pake. 

It is not a big deal. 

It will never become a big deal. 

“I already know what’s my condition.” Jhoanna halts her steps. Aiah is now ahead of her. Nagkasabay kasi sila sa gate ng subdivision nila kaya they’re now again walking together. Hindi naman sila nag-uusap kaya medyo curious si Aiah ngayon kung anong meron. Adding to what she just said is the fact that Jhoanna never bothers her throughout the day. 

She somewhat appears to be a little too energetic - to others. Panay ang tawa niya kanina after lunch and for some unknown reason it bothers Aiah. A little bit. Despite her efforts of shaking the feeling away, alam niyang something is really off with the other girl. But oh well, as long as she is not bothering her then she’s more than fine with it. 

“What is it?” With her reply, Jhoanna faces her. And there it goes again. Her bothered look. 

Aiah can feel that the girl is contemplating if she should be uttering her next words or not. Even though Jhoanna is looking at her directly, her gaze falters as each second passes. Unlike her usual ones that’s either challenging, teasing or certain. 

Jhoanna gathers a few deep breaths.

“Buong araw nalang ba tayong magtititigan di—” her words got cut off by the latter. 

Jhoanna’s gaze intensified, she’s now certain, “Don’t say yes to Jeremy.” 

Ewan na niya. Hindi na talaga alam ni Jhoanna kung ano ang nangyayari sa kaniya. Ang alam niya lang, the thought of Jeremy and Aiah doesn’t sit right with her. 

Bahala na. 

Confusion was written all over Aiah’s face upon hearing her words. Kasi bakit nasali si Jeremy sa usapan nila ngayon? 

Sensing that it is already too late to back out. Since nasabi naman niya. Might as well panindigan nalang. 

Pero hindi niya rin kayang diretsuhin si Aiah. 

“Basta. Whatever he’ll ask you. Say no, Aiah.” so, she settled with this. 

Jhoanna is well-aware that Aiah is surely confused right now and that she still doesn’t know the meaning behind her words. But she also knew that when that time comes - when Jeremy finally pops that ligaw question, she’ll understand this conversation. 

What she is not well-aware of is that…

She finds herself hoping that Aiah will listen to her. 

Also, Jhoanna’s now more determined to defeat her in the upcoming exams. 

TBC.