Chapter IV: THE Girlfriend

"Hmmm, Hello?" I woke up with a severe headache. Dang, I still have low alcohol tolerance. I reached for my phone when I heard it ringing. With my eyes closed, I answered the call.

"Looks like someone is still on the bed," Dave said in the other line.

"Yeah, Got home at I think 1 am," I tried to recall. 

"So yeah, I'm on my way to Manila. I'm currently at SLEX. I will drive by. Want anything?" he asked. 

"Hmmm, breakfast and hot chocolate from Jollibee is fine with me," I said as I turned to turn off the bedside lamp.

"Alright. I'll call you up when I'm at the lobby," he stated. 

"Hmmm," I replied.

"Ingat ka," I added

"Alright," He ended the call.

After the call, I crawled out of the bed and headed towards the kitchen to get a glass of water. While drinking napansin kong umuulan sa labas. Lumapit ako sa may floor to ceiling na glass windows. I admire how the rainwater drips down the window. I kept the curtain open to enjoy the scenery.

I sat down on the sofa and looked at my wristwatch. It's 9:00 am. No wonder I'm already starving.

Today is a busy day. I need to finish the program then settle my clearance. I also need to answer some emails for promotion.

Yeah, your girl is a #influencer. I laughed at the thought. Many will think that being an influencer is easy but oh boy it's far from being easy. Imagine balancing studies, personal life, and work.

I walked back towards the bedroom to get my laptop and iPad. Dinala ko ang mga yon sa living room. Ipinatong ko iyon sa sofa at akoy sumalampak ng upo sa carpet. Cozy

I opened the program I'm working on. The only thing I need to do is insert Shaun. I decided to insert him after the presentations of the achievements of NU- Laguna for the past years.

I realized that I need to email him the things that he will talk about.

Well, I guess that's easy since it's not like I'm still crazy for him.

I finished the program and send it to Dr. Apu's email. After finishing the program, I stood up to get a glass of water. I was drinking when Dave called.

"I'm at the parking lot," he announced. 

"I'm coming down," I replied instantly. 

I put down the glass of water and headed down to get Dave. I'm only wearing an oversized shirt with a sports bra and cycling shorts underneath. I'm also wearing my fluffy slippers.

The elevator door opened. I was shocked to see Dwight freaking Jimenez with a coffee in his hands.

His lips quickly formed into a smile upon seeing me.

"Wow, you look good in the morning," he stated with a smile. 

"Shut up." I was waiting for him to get off but he didn't. He has a coffee in his hands which means he is already heading back to his condo so why is he not getting off.

Hindi ko pinahalata sa kanya ang iniisip ko. I pressed the Ground floor level.

"You're meeting someone looking like that?" usisa nito. Tskk so nosy.

"Yeah, besides it's just a friend of mine coming over," I answered. 

"This early?" he asked shockingly. 

"Ahmm, Sir? The last time I check we're not that close. And you're not supposed to ask someone who you're not close with questions like that," I roared. 

He was silenced. I elevator made a sound indicating that I'm already at the ground floor. Paglabas ko ng elevator nakita ko si Dave na nag-aabang. Tinakbo ko sya para yakapin. I miss this little guy. Well, technically he is not little.

"What a welcome hug from Ate Savannah. I'm moved." He jokes. 

"Silly. Come," sabi ko sa kanya at ikinuyabit ang braso sa braso nito

"I bought pancakes, fries, and hot chocolate." It made me hungry.

Nakatayo kami sa harap ng elevator. We're waiting for it to open. And when it opened, there is Dwight still holding his freaking coffee. Anong trip nitong lalakeng to? Joyride sa elevator?

"Dwight!" masiglang bati ni Dave.

Of course, they knew each other. They are teammates.

"Dave," Dwight replied with a cramped face. 

We entered the elevator. I stand in the middle of the two guys. I was still clinging to Dave at this moment.

"So I guess you guys are flying to Bahrain." Pagbubukas ng usapan ni Dave.

"Yeah," tipid na sagot nito. What's up with this guy? Kanina ang daldal nya tapos ngayong kinakausap sya ang tipid ng sagot. May sayad ata 'to.

"Well good luck man. The goal is 3-0," Dave giggled which made my heart jump.

 

"The team will do its best besides we've been training for months," Dwight said.

What's going with this guy? Is he this stoic? Where is the chatterbox guy I spoke with earlier?

"Well yeah, you're the so-called St. Dwight after all. In addition, we have a great coaching staff," Dave added. 

"It should have been better if you aren't injured. You'll get to play some awesome teams then you can brag about it kay Shaun," pag-gagatong ko.

"You really know how to push his buttons," Dave laughed. 

We left the elevator first and headed towards Kuya's condo unit. If I'm not mistaken it's Dave's second time here and a lot of the interior has changed.

"Wow, the unit is far different from what I can remember. It's slowly getting. Hmmm, how should I put this? Feminine?" he said the moment he entered the living room. 

"Well I come here often, and Kuya is already planning to buy a house in Alabang," I explained to him. 

"Do you mean that this condo will soon be yours?" tanong nito.

"Yeah," I answered as I prepare some plates.

"I guess next you'll be staying here a lot," sabi nito habang inilalatag ang pagkain sa mesa.

"Oo, marami rin kasing shoots with brands." I sat down with him. 

Kumain kami ng agahan and after that, we talked about his plans for college. He is just a freshman yet he is already part of the national team. This guy is going places.

"By the way have you heard? Your dad is handling the case for a TV station," he said while glancing at me.  

"Wala namang bago kay Dad. He's always busy. I never got the chance to talk to him," I replied disappointedly. 

"I think that case is a downhill battle. There were rumors that the station didn't renew their franchise for 5 years. That can be used against them. I know and I trust Tito in his field but with this one, I don't see any escape route." He shared his opinion. 

"You know naman what happens when we step into his job. It can get really nasty. He is the father that won't hesitate to shoot his child if he needs to," mapait kong sabi.

"Hey don't say that. Tito loves you," he stated trying to cheer me up. 

"So any plans for summer? Are you done with your term na ba? Mine just ended yesterday. I'm a free human," I delightedly said.

"Mine ended also yesterday. At dahil parehas na tayong free from acad responsibility, we will party later at island!" he beamed. 

"Seriously," natatawa kong wika.

"Iba yung kagabi. Hindi mo ako kasama nun," he reasoned.

"Fine. Island for two nights is a great experience I guess" I gave up. 

Dave left because he got a call from her Mom. He told me that he will pick me up later by 8.

When Dave left, I spend my time responding to emails. I came through half of them when I heard a doorbell.

Tumayo ako at sinilip ang tao sa butas. Walang tao pero may package na nasa harap ng pinto. Binuksan ko ang pinto at tinitugan ang box. It's a black box with a cute bow on top of it. Kinuha ko iyon mula sa lapag at ipinasok sa loob. The box looks luxurious. I placed it on top of the counter and opened it. It was a portrait of me framed in a gold luxurious frame. The photo was of me during a campus pageant. It was my freshman year.

Nang tignan ko ulit ang box ay may sulat but it doesn't indicate where it was from.

Hi Miss Savannah!

Here is one of my detailed sketches. I finally found the courage to send it to you. Hope you appreciate and keep it. Looking forward to your Senior Year as a bulldog. I'll be cheering for the blue and gold squad all the way from the green side.

Greenside? LAU?

I grabbed the picture frame and displayed it on my bedside table. Why are people blessed with so much talent?

I walled back to the living room to continue responding to emails. I need to send Shaun an email. Should I be formal? Of course, I should be! It's for the school after all. I decided to compose an email.

To: [e-mail]

Subject: NU @ ##

Greetings Bulldog!

I'm Savannah Abad the program directress for National University's Founding Anniversary. We are pleased to invite you as one of our speakers for the upcoming event. Below are the ideas or topics that we would like to hear from you. Hope you soar high with the blue and gold colors!

Topics:

* Why National University?

* What's your greatest achievement as a Bulldog?

*How was your journey as a Bulldog?

* What makes you proud about National University?

*As a Bulldog, how did the university change the way you view life?

* Message for future Bulldogs.

Seems good enough. I decided to click send and turned off the laptop. It's already past lunch. I need to grab something to eat.

I fetch my car keys and changed real quick into my black shirt and white Nike shirt. Pinaresan ko ito ng white shoes also from nike. #salamatnike

Nung nasa elevator na ako ay kinuting-ting ko ang phone ko. It keeps beeping. I saw dozens of emails entering my phone. Oh heck. On top of all the emails is Shaun's name. Perhaps it's a message from Messenger.

The elevator made a sound so I assumed that I'm already in the lobby but I realized it was way too late. Bumangga ako sa isang tao. Agad akong napatunghay para tignan sya at humingi ng paumanhin.

"Oh my God. I'm so sorry. I was busy with my phone. I thought I was already in the lobby. I'm so sorry." Paulit-ulit kong hingi ng tawad

"It's okay. Just be careful. Buti na lang I'm not carrying anything," sabi ng babae at sumakay ito. She is tall and toned. I think she's an athlete. Maybe a swimmer or a volleyball player?

"By the way, I'm Samantha Chen." Abot nito ng kamay. Agad ko yung tinanggap

"Savannah Abad." Ngiti ko dito. She's the girlfriend.

Nang tumunog muli ang elevator ay tinignan ko muna kung lobby na yon.

"Mauna na ako sayo. Nice meeting you Samanha," paalam ko dito.

Paglabas ko ng elevator ay agad akong nagtungo sa parking lot. Pagkasakay ko ng sasakyan ko ay tumunog ang phone ko. It was Kuya.

"Hello?" I answered. 

"Hello, Sav?" he asked.

"Ano yon Kuya?" tanong ko dito. 

"I'm just checking on you. Nandito na ako sa apartment ko malapit sa ospital. Did you eat breakfast? How about lunch?" he inquired.

"Yes, Kuya I ate breakfast with Dave. I'm currently on my way to grab lunch. What about you? How was last night? You ditch me just to get laid.Talk about a good brother huh" pagtutuya sa huling linya. I heard him laughing from the other side.

I started the engine and headed towards Steakhouse at Pasay.

"Well, I reached heaven last night. And yeah I already ate my breakfast and lunch," he answered. 

"Ewww. Kadiri ka Kuya," reklamo ko.

"Yeah, whatever. I'll hang up now. Be careful while driving," paalala nito. 

"I will." I ended the call. 

The guts of Kuya to really say na he reached heaven. Well, I'm not a kid anymore so I should be fine hearing it from people but I still can't stand it.