Your Friends Are Now My Friends Too.

Subsob si Alli sa inaayos na proposal para sa presentation nila ni Elai sa isang kliyente. Elai was out of the office nang mga oras na iyon. She is in another client meeting. Naiwan sa kaniya ang ibang mga trabaho nito.

Their company might be small pero masyadong patok ito sa mga kliyente. Probably because Elai was really good in her career. Her wits brought so much clients and nirerecommend pa sila ng mga ito sa iba pang mga kakilala. No wonder she needed an assistant.

With this thought, Alli felt the need to exceed Elai's expectations when she hired her. Kahit na tila naooverwhelmed siya sa dami ng trabaho, she felt more challenged to show her real talents. So far, masaya naman si Elai sa produced niya. They'd become closer. Alli felt the sister-like treatment from Elai. Hindi pa man niya totally matanggap na parte na siya ng Warrior Five's Ladies just because of how the three woman treat her.

Actually it's confusing her. Simula nang housewarming party nila, JV had been treating her extra special lately. Naging consistent tagahatid at sundo niya ito sa work. Tinanggap niya ang rason nitong because they work on the same building. He has been her companion during lunch and dinner. Walang palya kung ayain siya nito. Kung hindi ito makakasama sa kaniya, he still make sure na kumakain siya by sending him food deliveries.

She may have an idea kung bakit siya ganito tratuhin ni JV pero ayaw niyang pangunahan. Hanggang walang malinaw na inaamin sa kaniya ang binata, she will think of it as just being nice.

Katok sa glass door ng office nila ang nagpaangat ng ulo ni Alli mula sa pagkakasubsob sa ginagawang proposal. Nagsalubong ang kilay niya when she saw Wallen at the door instead of JV. Napasulyap siya sa orasan. It's almost lunch. She's somewhat expecting JV na tila nakasanayan na niya.

"Ouch! I saw that disappointed look," arte ni Wallen. Agad namang nagbuckle si Alli. She smile shyly.

"Hindi no! I was just drawn so much sa ginagawa ko," mabilis na rason niya.

Pumasok si Wallen. Ngumiwi ito and sat at the sofa.

"Sus! Don't deny it, you're expecting JV. I know how his routine is with you," pagbibiro pa nito na tinutukso siya.

She just rolled his eyes. Palagi naman silang tinutukso ng mga ito but it was nowhere near the reality yet. Tumayo siya at humarap dito. Since they'd been starting to get close, hindi na siya naiilang na makipagbiruan din rito.

"So please tell me bakit may magandang buntis na nang-iistorbo sakin ngayon? Elai is out meeting clients nitong maghapon, so I was left with all these work." She stood sa harap ng lamesa at dun sumandal.

"Yeah, everyone is busy, kaya wala ako makausap lately. And I hate talking to my husband. Naiirita ako makita siya lately," maktol ng buntis. Wallen also poutes as she tell Alli.

Natawa si Alli. "Kawawa naman ang daddy Buboy. Mukhang binubully ni Mommy," aniya na sa tiyan ni Wallen nakatingin.

"I actually wanted to see you," turan ni Wallen na ikinataas ng kilay ni Alli.

"Wag mong sabihing pinaglilihian mo ko?" she said in amusement.

Humalakhak si Wallen. "Kung paglilihian kita, hindi na siguro ako lugi. Siguradong magiging maganda ang anak ko. But it's not about that."

"What about then?"

Wallen looked at her watch. Saka humarap ulit sa kaniya. "Let's lunch out. JV won't come. Sinabi ko sa kaniyang wag ka niyang puntahan. I'll take you out," turan nito.

Napatuwid ang mukha ni Alli. But she reached for her phone sa table and said yes to Wallen. They headed sa malapit na restaurant sa building. They ordered food first and ate. During lunch natuloy ang kwentuhan.

"Was it confusing?" Tanong ni Wallen pagkuwa'y.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Alli. "What?"

"JV," maikling sagot ni Wallen.

Hindi pa rin iyon malinaw sa kaniya kung ano ang nais tukuyin ng kaibigang buntis. Napatingin lang siya rito.

"I meant the way he's treating you," ani Wallen as she rolled her eyes.

Alli smiled weakly. It's pretty obvious why is JV treating her that way but she prefer to wait for him to admit. Hindi niya ineexpect na sa kaibigan pa nito mag-uumpisa ang lahat. If this is his way para malaman kung may irereciprocate ba ang kung anumang nararamdaman nito sa kaniya bago ito tuluyang umamin, she won't give in to that. Hindi siya madadaan sa mga kaibigan nito.

"I'm used to being treated as a princess. JV is no different. But I am very honored with all of your friendship. I valued it the most," she said smiling.

Napakibit balikat si Wallen. "I think that's a given. You do look like a princess," anito na patango-tango pa.

Ngumiwi siya. "Can you stop flattering me? Naiilang na talaga ako. I feel like cringey."

Wallen laughed softly. "Sorry. I just wanted to be honest. Aminin na natin, kung may ranking sa kagwapuhan ang Warrior Five, JV would be at 1 or 2 with a tight competition kay Matt. You will definitely look good together."

Alli can't help it. She rolled her eyes, gave a playful sigh, napasandal sa kinauupuan tsaka ngumiti kay Wallen.

"Why do I have a feeling that you're building up something para kay JV? Did he put you up into something? Are we going to talk about how good he is through and through?"

Napahalakhak si Wallen. She didn't know Alli was not really too naive but quickwitted as well. "Am I too obvious? Hindi siguro talaga ako marunong umarte. Anyway, since you did caught me naman na, babaliktad na ko ng alliance. Yes, he did put me up to this. Hindi ko alam na super torpe pala si Julio Vicencio. He's too scared to admit that he wanted to court you. So he asked me to talk to you first and know where he stands."

Lumapad ang ngiti ni Alli. She even chuckled. "I have to be honest. It is quite flattering. And yes, I do have a crush on him. First year college pa lang ako. He is the reason kung bakit pumayag akong mag-muse para sa varsity team. I won't forget the day when he talked to me sa library. I thought it was the start of something new. But he showed otherwise."

"Awww... that's so sweet. May special past story pala kayo."

"Please don't tell him that. I mean gusto ko din naman ligawan niya ko. But can he do it on his own? Did he's friends asked for his help nung si Buboy ang nagpupursue sayo?"

Napatango-tango si Wallen. "Buboy might but I think your right. He has to man up."

"Sorry for spoiling your plan. But I'll be more comfortable kung siya mismo ang umaamin sakin. Hindi naman ako nangangain," ani pa ni Alli.

"Don't worry. Nasayo na ang loyalty ko. The Warrior Five Elite backs you up."

"Warrior Five Elite?"

"Oh! The wives of Warrior Five is called the Warrior Five Elite. Ang cheesy ba? But we will be happy to include you as one of us," proud na turan ni Wallen.

Alli gave another chuckled. "I feel pressured. Am I qualified to be one?"

"Ofcourse! The first rule to be one of Warrior Five Elite is dapat pinaghirapan ka ng isang Warrior Five. Kung basta-basta ka na lang oo kay JV, disqualified ka na. So you are on the right attitude. JV must take all his effort to win you."

"Is this some kind of a hazing?"

"Over ba masyado? We really didn't put it through. Basta na lang yun nangyari."

Natawa si Alli. "Ang cute nga eh. It just solidify your friendship even more. I like it. Besides, your right. The Warrior Five is not an ordinary bachelors tama lang na they come with right woman."

"And with that, you pass the test," ani Wallen. Napaangat ang isang kilay ni Alli. "What? I wanna be friends with the right people too," amin ni Wallen na umirap.

Natawa na lang si Alli. She felt happy knowing that she is accepted into something. She had to admit to herself na the friendship of Warrior Five Elite is definitely a squad goal that she wanted to be part of. And knowing na gusto siya maging kaibigan ng mga ito makes her heart flutter even more. Kahit siguro walang JV masaya na siyang may mga katulad nila Wallen na gusto siyang maging kaibigan.

"But then, it's too soon to tell that I deserve a Julio Vicencio in my life. I mean, you didn't know me well yet," she said humbly.

"Wala ka naman sigurong tinataguang kaso or tinatakbuhang illegal na gawain. Hindi ka naman siguro scammer?"

Natawa si Alli sa sinabi ni Wallen. "Pano kung meron pala?"

"Alli!" nanlalaki ang matang turan ni Wallen.

Lalong napahalakhak si Alli. "Law abiding citizen naman ako. Tumatawid din ako sa tamang tawiran. But I can't say I'm perfect. I might have flaws in life that I really can't share right now. Saka na pag super close na tayo."

Wallen gave a shrug. "I can live with that. Besides, it's better to get to know you one by one. But in behalf of everyone, I would like to say you are making a good impression. We are just hoping it lasts."

"Ang pressure," she said jokingly. "Wala ba ko express pass?"

Dumukwang sa kaniya si Wallen saka bumulong. "There's your express pass," sabi nito na inginuso pa ang direksyon ng entrance ng restaurant na kinakainan nila.

Nilingon ni Alli ang tinuturo ni Wallen. She saw JV with Buboy entering the restaurant. Kumaway ito sa kanila saka mabilis na lumapit. Buboy sat beside his wife and JV just casually pulled a chair beside her. Alli just looked at the two guys na umupo sa tabi nila.

"You had lunch already? I went to your office, wala ka na pala dun," turan ni JV na nagpapalipat-lipat ng tingin kay Alli and Wallen.

Napaangat ang isang kilay ni Alli in sarcasm. It was obvious na nagdadahilan lang ang binata but he knows she was with Wallen.

"Get your story straight, Julio Vicencio! I texted you that I'm taking Alli out for lunch. Wag kang magpanggap na hindi mo alam," pabirong pagtataray ni Wallen.

Napayukong napakamot sa batok si JV sa pagkahiya. Habang napahalakhak naman si Buboy. Alli just looked at JV blankly.

"Anyway, tapos na ba kayo? Can we still order?" ani Buboy na kinawayan ang waitress. "I am starving waiting for your call kanina pa sa office nitong mokong na 'to."

"Kanina pa pala kayo naghihintay, bakit hindi pa kayo sumunod agad? Andami niyong arte," pagmamataray pa rin ni Wallen.

"Naku, Wallynda! We understand na buntis ka pero wag kang masyadong mataray, baka pumangit yung inaanak ko kung puro sama ng loob ang pinaglilihian mo," ani JV as he flips the menu book na inabot ng waitress. Inabot ito ni Wallen saka hinampas din ng isa pang menu book. Inawat naman ito ng tatawa-tawang asawa. Alli just smile sa parang batang bangayan ng magkaibigan.

"Hon, yung kaibigan mo oh!" maktol ni Wallen.

Tatawa-tawa lang din silang apat. They ordered additional food and stayed hanggang sa makakain sina Buboy at JV.

It was another fun lunch with her friends. And Alli thought how long will it last. She might be happy right now knowing that JV had some kind of feelings for her but as long as he isn't admitting it frankly to her, she's happy to take it lowkey. For now, she's contented with the friendship that comes along with it.