Twenty-Six

Gabie's POV

"So come on!" He quickly turned his back on me once, and once he pulled me like a child. We will enter the grocery store to get close so we can talk to Miggy. Not in my coldness and softness, with the intensity of nervousness and various questions I drifted as Jhay pulled me and tried to keep me from crying.

They continued their happy story while putting the fruit that the two of them were buying with the woman. I saw that their cart was full.

"You mean they've been together with that woman before? He texted me earlier and then I received some food that he sent to the courier. "

When we were close to them, I saw the woman hug him sideways because they were standing side by side while facing the fruit container. When I look at the mango fruit in front of them, of all the fruits that they can be faithful to, my favorite is the mango. He knows that because he once gave me a mango because he found out from Jhay that I like to eat ripe mangos and make mango float as well. I keep getting sick.

I don't think he is a pure Filipino because of his complexion, white and tall, there is little difference between him and Miggy in height. I still can't say how beautiful she is because they both turned their backs on what we do.

"Bushet! Looks like I don't like mangoes anymore after this time! "

"I think you're very happy, sir, buying mangoes so you can stay there for a long time. How can we buy that fruit as well?" Jhay said it was hard for Miggy to notice that we were here behind the two of them while shopping for mangoes.

Then they moved a little and turned to us. I even heard his companion laugh but he didn't pay attention because he was surprised to see that we were behind them.

"Gabie? I thought you were busy with your thesis? " He asked in shock after he was stunned for a few seconds as he looked back and forth between the two of us and Jhay. It's as if we're still coming out doing wonders.

"Does that mean when Gabie is busy, you're with someone else?" Jhay scolded her. I couldn't speak anymore. I was afraid to speak because I knew I would just cry.

"N-No! I-It's not what you think? " Then he stammered. I saw the woman's confused expression, and it was obvious she didn't know what was going on.

"So, what does what we saw today mean?" Jhay raised an eyebrow at him.

"Oh no! 'Lagot na!'It's not like we just give up, we can endure now without the plan. "

"Ah, s-she's…" Jhay didn't let him finish what he was going to say.

"What? Will you deny it? Even if you're late for the act? I thought you understood Gabie's situation so you would wait for her? But what did you do today? Are you like that while waiting for him to go with another woman first? You just wasted my trust in you, especially Gabie's trust in you! You know, it's a pity, it's a pity, it's a pity because we've been talking about you lately, because I'm still voting for you. I wish I could just wait a little longer, because Gabie would have decided that she would have ended your wait. After a few months of enduring your courtship with her, she will just let go of her defense, eh. But because of what you did, it all came to nothing. So suffer! " I bowed and cried, especially after what I heard from Jhay.

"Come on, excuse me. You seem to be thinking wrong, "the woman with Miggy suddenly spoke.

"Or why? Who are you? Are you participating in our conversation? Are you Miggy? What is he? " Jhay continued to insult them.

"Ah, because I understand everything you said to my brother, but what I know is that he is dead to her," he pointed out to me.

"Did I hear right? His older brother? "It was as if the right mindset had left me. I stiffened in my stance, even though I wanted to run away from them. I don't know what to do if what I heard the woman say today in front of us is correct. It's so embarrassing, by any chance. Can I just ask the earth to swallow me now?

Actually, that's why we're here to buy mangoes: it's said to be the favorite fruit of the person he's dating, so I'm teasing and teasing him because he still hasn't introduced me to the person he's dating, "he continued.

"What?" Jhay asked in astonishment as I lifted my gaze to them from the white grocery floor to the two of them.

I saw the woman kick Miggy, so she calmed down before speaking.

"Ah, like I said earlier, it's not what you think. I don't play games when it comes to you, Gabie. I am serious with what I've told you, "he rubbed his neck as if it was hard for him to say what was really true.

"Honestly, she's my sister on my father's side. But no one knows, not even my mom. It's very complicated and we've been keeping this from her because we're worried about her mental health. We find it difficult to tell her about Gabriella. I've already mentioned to Gabie that my mom had depression when my dad passed away, right? So we struggle and constantly weigh in on the situation, deciding how we will tell mommy. But my uncle decided that we'd be going to tell her right after they arrived. And for the record, she kept asking me to see you because she wanted to meet you. She's been rooting for us, albeit you guys haven't seen each other yet. Nevertheless, we are all here right now. So, I'll introduce you before this creates a fuss. Anyway, Gabie, this is my sister Gabriella. This is Gabriella. is Gabie, the girl I've told you about. And this is Jhay, her best friend and manager. Jhay, my sister Gabriella. I'm sorry for not telling you earlier, "he told us sadly. While we both remained stunned by Jhay's words, No words were uttered at us out of embarrassment, nor did we even manage to accept Gabriella's handshake.

"It's so embarrassing! Can the earth swallow me up now? Oops! Maybe Miggy will turn me off because of what happened today, "I close my eyes in great shame. Jhay's covert grin on my hand hasn't helped me yet. She is probably more embarrassed now because of what she is telling them.

"Hey!" he whispered as Miggy approached me. I couldn't look at him, so I kept my eyes closed in utter embarrassment.

Shouldn't we be the ones to tell him then?

As I remained bent over, he slowly lifted my face with his index finger so he could see my face.

"Open your eyes and look at me please?" he said softly.

I was no longer stubborn, so I slowly opened my eyes. I see his chinky hazel brown eyes staring at me. My eyes shift to his thick brows, compact lashes, straight nose, and full lips, then back to his eyes. The way he looks at me seems to me like he's memorizing the whole features of my face, replete with emotions that are so difficult to decipher.

"I'm sorry for not telling you about my sister. I hope you can forgive me and give me another chance to show you how much you mean to me," he said passionately. I was so embarrassed by what happened that I still couldn't speak, but I nodded softly to him in response to what he told me.

I saw how his face lit up when I nodded to him. But I was even more surprised by what he did next to me.

"Thank you, Gabie," he said, then he kissed me on the forehead.

I felt Jhay squeeze my hand, which he still holds to this day. So instead of looking at Miggy's face, I turned my gaze to her.

"S-Sorry s-sir," Jhay said softly, obviously smiling at the embarrassment reached by the scene he had made.

"It's alright Jhay, you don't have to say sorry. I truly understand and I admire how you love and protect Gabie. She's so lucky to have a real friend like you, "he said seriously to Jhay.

"It's really good that the conversation went well, even though I know you're angry. Thank you for not shouting at me," he added.

"I'm really sorry. I admit I was worried because I didn't want to see my best friend really hurt and sad. But I know that no matter what I said, what I did was really wrong," he continued.

It's okay now, Jhay. Let's just forget what happened. By the way, from now on you will always see Gabriella here because she will move into her condo. So we went to the grocery store because his refrigerator was full because he was about to start applying for a job here in Manila. He used to live in Bulacan, so now you only see him here. I will really introduce him to you in case I thought Gabie was still busy today, so I told him that it was just after your defense, so I really didn't expect that we would meet here today, so I'm sorry again, "he explained.

"So brother, get organized! Be kind because you already know who you will be angry with by chance, "I heard her older brother scold.

"Tss, it's loyal!" He was proud.

"We women should just be miserable, shouldn't we, Gabie? Are we friends? Don't worry, I'm on your side when your older brother does something bad to you, "he said with a smile.

Like his sister, Jhay also apologized to Gabriella. They immediately forgave Jhay and then talked as if nothing had happened. Because of what happened, it took us longer because Miggy didn't want to let us go, she wanted us to wait for them after they paid the cashier. They even invited us to eat, but we said we were done eating, so we only ate dessert while they ate their dinner.

"All right, don't take us anymore, we're just a jeepney so it's okay, we're used to it," I said.

"Okay, thank you, I'll see you after your defense?" He asked me hesitantly once he handed me the mango he bought for me.

"Okay, see you. Thank you for this, "I lifted the plastic containing the mangoes.

"You're welcome. You take care, okay? " I just looked at him with a small smile because I still haven't lost the shame I felt until now, even though they treated my siblings well.

Okay Gab, we'll be ahead of you. Thank you. Then I'm sorry again. "I pointed to his brother, who was smiling next to him.

"Sus! It's gone. We still have almost the same name, "he said with a smile.

"You don't really have the same name as Gabriella, so Gabie is her nickname," Jhay added in the conversation.

"Really? You heard that Kuya? We have the same name! "he said excitedly. Miggy just nodded at him but seemed confused by what she heard.

"Okay, go ahead, bye," I said again.

"All right, bye tokayo! Take care! Nice meeting you both! " Gab is still waving and smiling.

"Be careful too," I replied.

"Next time we'll get the chicka back," he chased after us, telling us that we were about to turn around to leave.

I just waved at them, then I saw Miggy nod at us. Jhay and I were both quiet while riding in the jeep. I know we both can't believe the embarrassment we both went through because of us being praning both. Until we came home, we idiots sat silently, stunned at the absence of Fortunately, mama was busy taking care of the lists of orders and then she also checked the stocks. So he did not notice why we were silent, which we would often be noisy because of our bullying and temptation.

I jumped in shock when my cellphone rang suddenly inside my sling bag, which I had not yet removed from my body because even when I sat down, my sling bag was still hanging. So I quickly grabbed my cell phone to see who had called.

Miguel is calling...

Me: Hello.

Hi, Miggy.

Me: You were called?

Miggy says:I just want to check if you are already home. Because I sent a message earlier but you didn't reply.

Me: Sorry, I didn't notice because I can't hold my phone.

"Wild!"

 Miggy: Did I disturb you? "

Me: Ah, not really.

Miggy says:I'm sorry, even if you don't say I know you're finishing your thesis, that's why you bought the things you needed earlier at the bookstore, right?

Me: It's okay.

Miggy: Okay if you say so, but don't stay up too late. It's okay to rest. But just tell me if you need help, I'll be willing to help you.

Me: Oh, not anymore. I'll just print it so I can bind it so it's okay.

Miggy: All right,Good night Gabie. I'll hang up now so you can finish what you're doing.

Me: Thanks for the call. Good night.

Miggy's POV

The teasing I gave Gabriella was so bad that she even told Meynard a bad story, so in the end, they both helped to harass me.

Gab's condo is in the same building as mine, but his unit is only on the lower floor because that's the only thing for sale when I was looking for something to buy for my graduation gift to Gab. So they often used my unit to hang out or we would hang out in his unit at night when I came from the office and then Meynard didn't come home right away because he was going to have dinner. There is an instant cook because when we arrive, Gab will bring the food he cooked or we will eat there in his unit.

He is not busy yet as he waits for calls from the company where he works. He didn't want me to help him get in because he wanted to test his ability. He said he didn't want to get used to the connections because working would be a challenge for him. I understood what he wanted to happen, so I just let him because he was used to being independent. If I hadn't just said that I gave him the condo as a graduation gift, he probably wouldn't have accepted it. It's amazing because some of the time I met him, I could see that he was principled and had a stand on life.

Time passed quickly as usual. I woke up early, but before I prepared to go to the gym, I first picked up my cellphone, which was placed on the bedside table. I even thought of sending a message to Gabie.

To Gabie:

Good morning. Goodluck with your defense later. I know you can do it!

I didn't wait for his reply because I knew it was early and he was probably still asleep. It was fifteen minutes before five in the morning. But to my surprise, I was surprised to see

From Gabie:

Good morning. I'm nervous. But, thank you.

I immediately replied to him.

To Gabie:

No, don't be. Just focus and be confident. Don't drink coffee if you can to avoid nervousness.

I'll just put my phone on the bed to get a towel to take a shower…

From Gabie:

Yeah, I won't. Thanks again.

To Gabie:

Don't mention it. Take care.

From Gabie:

Have a nice day and take care.

Due to the fact that we exchanged messages, I did not continue the plan to go to the gym. Instead, I cooked my breakfast and called Gabriella to come and join me for breakfast. I know he wakes up as early as he can because he's used to it, so minutes later I heard someone enter. I've already given her my passcode so she can come in even if I'm not there, because she occasionally cooks for our dinner.

"Good morning brother!" He greeted them warmly as he approached the counter.

"Good morning,"

"Need help?"

"Yes, just make us both a cup of coffee," I ordered, which he immediately complied. I'm going to finish cooking the bacon and eggs, then I'll just make pancakes and waffles. I lost my mind that there was no rice, so I couldn't cook fried rice.

We ate together when I had served everything I had cooked.

"Where are you going now?" I asked her as we ate.

"No, it's boring, I'm not used to not having to worry about every day," he complained.

"It's really like that when you are a new graduate you have to wait with the companies you applied for. But I told you, don't you just go in with my acquaintance. You can even start working there right away if you like. "

"No. We already talked about this brother, "she groaned. I know he's already disgusted with me that I keep telling him.

"I know. I'm reminding you because you said you were bored. "

"No worries, I know now what I'm going to do," he answered me with a smile.

"Don't go on if you're thinking nonsense," I threatened.

"No! "Definitely not! "he said sternly.

"What is it then?"

"Secret first. You'll know eventually when you get home tonight. All right, brother, take a bath, maybe you're late, "he pushed me into my room.

"I will take care of washing and cleaning it. Go, go, go! " I didn't leave and just let him do what he wanted to do because I knew he wouldn't lose either.

I was about to leave for work when Gab called my attention.

"Brother, if my recall is correct, isn't Gabie's defense of her thesis now?"

"Yeah, why?" I asked while holding the door knob.

"Do you have any plans for her later?"

"Uhm, I didn't think, do you have something in mind?"

"Yeah, of course. I think you can send her a bouquet of flowers to congratulate her, "

"Great idea! Thanks! I've got to go now. You take care of it, okay? "

"Sure to! Be careful, "I didn't look at him anymore and I walked straight out then closed the door.

When I reach the parking lot,

"Good morning lover boy!" Meynard is teasing me while he's cleaning the car.

"Good morning," I said, then looked at the car park beside my car and noticed it was my old car, which Meynard was driving.

"Wow! "It appears that the shine is embarrassing to those who are exposed to it," I said, pointing to the car.So he immediately looked at me and then at what I pointed out.

"Ah, s'yrempre alagang-alagang kaya yan. I rented the adjacent vacant lot for the garage, then I spent on wood and galvanized iron because I didn't want to smell it, "he boasted. I laughed at what I heard from him.

"Seriously?" because I know that Meynard doesn't like to spend because he saves and he also sends his brother to school in addition to him being responsible for their household expenses. So I often help him with their groceries so that he will not be burdened with their expenses. After all, when the nanny stopped working because she was also old, then Manong, as our former driver, no longer had any income.

"True, even if you go home," he said seriously as he put away the rag he used to wipe the car earlier.

"There's a cover. Isn't that okay?" I said as I sat in the passenger seat.

"I'm still putting it on but I don't want to consider that he's parked on the side of the road. We don't know, maybe later someone will go crazy after tripping. It's a pity I bought wax to polish and then just scratched it, "he explained while the vehicle is powered. He first glanced at the parked vehicle before the driver finally started running.