Chapter 29 | Break

Nagkatinginan sina Irene at Seulgi sa biglang pagbaba ni Yeri ng video call nila. For some reason, it’s now more awkward than how they were nung kumakain sila ng breakfast. They ate in silence habang nagtititigan at may pangiti-ngiti on the side bago nag-decide si Irene tawagan sila Yeri.

“Anong ginawang kalokohan ni Yeri?” Binawi ni Irene yung tingin niya. Nag-iinit yung pisngi niya sa lalim ng pagkakatitig ni Seulgi. Kissing Seulgi was different from this. Parang bumalik lang sila kung paano sila naging awkward dati when Seulgi drunkenly confessed to her.

“Relax, it was nothing.” Tumayo na si Seulgi sa pagkakaupo niya. She looked at how her girlfriend is pouting at her. She thinks Irene is being a baby. “Parang kapatid ko na yun si Yeri, you know I won’t let anything happen to your sister. Just trust me, she’s a good kid. Medyo bobo lang minsan.” Natawa siya nang maalala kung paano nagpasama sa kanya si Yeri para bumili ng regalo para raw sa nililigawan nito. She cannot say if it’s too early for a junior high school student to be acting that way when she herself already had a girlfriend earlier than that.  

“Go to your room and rest.” Utos ni Irene kay Seulgi at tumayo na rin. She still doesn’t know how to deal with the situation. After the kiss, they really didn’t talk much. Wari'y nagpapakiramdaman na naman sila. 

“Anong gagawin mo?” Seulgi asked. Umubo pa siya ng mahina. 

“Ah, eh… I’ll do some readings in my room.” Natatarantang palusot ni Irene. Right now, kailangan niyang kalmahin ang sarili niya. Kailangan niyang kalmahin yung puso niyang parang sasabog sa kilig.

“Okay.” Lumapit si Seulgi kay Irene at hinalikan ito sa pisngi. “I’ll be in my room, resting. Let me know when you’re finished, hmm?” She offered her girlfriend a shy smile. Kahit na walang pasok, acads pa rin yung inaatupag ni Irene. It’s not that she doesn’t like it, but she hoped they could talk about what they are after the kiss. She was hoping they could clear being a fake couple after what happened and put a proper label on whatever this is.  

Napatango lang si Irene. Parang hindi siya ready sa ganito. She immediately went inside her room at tumalon papunta sa kanyang kama. She cuddled her pillow para ilabas ang kilig niya.

Pagkahiga naman ni Seulgi sa kama niya, she felt her phone vibrate in her hand. It’s from President Sunny asking her if she’s g for a meeting. She didn’t have anything to do naman, so she replied yes. After a few seconds, nag-ring naman yung phone niya at nagrerequest ng videocall si Aling Maliit.

She immediately sat up and answered the call. Naka-group call sila together with all other elected officers as well.

“Oh, ayan. We already have Seulgi with us.” Paumpisa ni Sunny na may nakakalokong ngiti. “Is everyone doing fine? Except kay Seulgi nasa Baguio kasama si Miss Irene Bae, who else is in quarantine?”

Parang biglang umurong yung kinain niya sa sinabi ni President Sunny. Kung pwede lang magpalamon sa lupa dahil sa pagbanggit kay Irene, ginawa niya na. It’s odd that everyone is not minding it. Siguro nga at nag-ooverthink lang siya. Nakita niyang nagtaas ng kamay ang ilan sa kanila, including