“Wendy, what do your parents do in Canada?” Growing accustomed to this new normal, Joy tries to make an effort. Wendy is more than a proxy now. They’ve grown close as friends, just like how they were when they were toddlers. As far as she remembers, there isn’t much about Wendy that changed at all. Wendy is the same sweet and caring kid she first met, years ago.

“They own several coffee shops. They started from zero and then now, they’re managing about ten of it.” Wendy is proud of her parents. Kahit na sobrang hirap mag-adjust since they lived really comfortably in the Philippines before, it wasn’t the case when they migrated to Canada. She watched as her dad throw away all he worked hard for and do something he loves. When they moved, that was the first time she saw her dad smile so freely.

“That’s really cool. I guess, I haven’t heard much about them since you left.” Sabi naman ni Joy. She knew Wendy’s father, Tito Eric. He’s a batch mate of her father when they were in high school. “I guess, that’s why dad is really into Seulgi. He once told me, Tito Eric and Seulgi are very much alike.”

Yes, very much, Wendy thought. And she feels really bad for her cousin. Her dad was groomed exactly like Seulgi is being groomed right now. She cannot imagine how her top-prosecutor dad would throw away everything even though he was supposed to be promoted as the youngest judge. Career-wise, that’s a very bold decision. “I just hope Seulgi would make choices for herself just like my dad did.”

“Ang seryoso naman ng usapan natin. Seul wouldn’t want us talking behind her back like this. Ayaw ‘non ng kinakaawaan siya.” Joy wanted to know more about Wendy but she ended up bringing up Seulgi again. Minsan gusto niya na lang tapyasin yung bunganga niya dahil puro Seulgi ang bukambibig niya.

“Dang, ikaw ba ‘yon?” Tanong ni Wendy nang makita niya yung cut ni Joy sa UAAP replays sa malaking tv sa cafeteria. This is usually where announcements are posted. “Ang hot mo pag pumapalo ng bola. Sana ol bola.”

Pinalo naman ni Joy yung pwet ni Wendy. “Sana ol may pwet!”

Namula naman ang mukha ni Wendy sa ginawa ni Joy. She gets it na they’re getting close, pero this one, imagine, paluin ng crush mo pwet mo? Hindi ka ba magugulat? She knows how playful Joy can get pero she’s still in shambles.

“Ayy, hala. Sorry, Wendy! Hindi ko sadya.” Natauhan bigla