Chapter 29

Carla continued telling her story. 'He told me that I was so busy with med school that I was neglecting him already. So he looked for another girl." 'That is the most stupid thing," Joshua blurted out. 'He's stupid. He's-" Joshua stopped before he could say some bad words. He took a deep breath to calm himself as he was enraged at what he found out. Carla smiled. 'Thank you. You know, I know it's bad but every time someone is furious because of what he's done to me, I kind of feel good." She giggled. 'I guess I'm so bad, right?" 'I won't blame you. What he did to you was really terrible," Joshua said. 'And he blamed med school for what he did? He's a jerk. He just can't say that he doesn't love you enough to endure those times you're not with him because you're busy with school. He just can't admit to himself that his love for you is insufficient." Joshua paused upon realizing what he said. He looked at Carla who is just looking straight ahead. 'I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…" He suddenly doesn't know what to say. 'It's okay," Carla said to him. 'Do you think, after all these times, I haven't realized that yet? I already thought of that, and I agree with you. And maybe because Thopei also said that. You see, that's why I'm so grateful to him. He literally brought me back to my senses. It's like having an epiphany." She giggled. Joshua still feels guilty. That's why he thought of telling her his story to get even with her. 'Caith also cheated on me." It was Carla's turn to get shocked. 'With our handler, who I trusted so much. And now, I don't know if she really ever loved me, or everything was just for show. Because to me, I really did love her. Sorry for this, but I kind of forgot you because of her. In a way. I really loved her so much." Carla nodded. 'I understand. It's okay with me. Really." Joshua didn't know if he would be happy with what Carla said, or he would be annoyed that she was glad he had lost his feelings for her. In the end, he just laughed. 'Wow! That was really bad, you know." Carla smiled. 'Well, you're really annoying back in high school, you know. You won't stop even if I was pushing you away." 'I just really like you very much. What can I do?" Carla did not answer. Actually, she's starting to regret where their conversation is heading to. Why did she even react to what he said about his feelings for her before? If she just kept quiet about it, then they should not have ended up talking about the two of them again. 'Maybe, she really did love you," she just said to divert the conversation to Caitlyn Soriano again. 'But she fell out of love because Tony is always there for her." Carla suddenly realized something. 'You know, we have the same experience. Right?" Joshua smiled. 'That's also what I thought." 'Are we really this doomed when it comes to love?" 'I guess doomed is too much," Joshua said. 'Maybe, they are just not who we're meant to be." 'Maybe you're right," Carla agreed. That time they were close to Carla's house. They agreed that Carla would drive but they would go to her house first. Then Joshua would drive home alone. 'So, do you have work later?" Joshua asked Carla. 'Yes. Actually, my shift should have started this morning. I just asked my colleague to fill in for me. How about you?" 'I have a duty tomorrow, at Pure Act." Carla laughed at what Joshua said. 'You know… I'm kind of happy," Joshua suddenly said. Carla looked at Joshua as he stared at her. 'I'm glad that… we're really okay now," Joshua said. Carla felt glad as well. For the first time, she can finally say that they are really okay now. That's what she feels in her heart right at that moment. They finally arrived at Carla's house. She got out of his car, and Joshua also got out to see her off. Though he didn't need to do that because he can transfer to the driver's seat without getting out of the car, he still did that because he felt it's the right thing to do. 'I won't invite you inside, for now. You need to go home immediately so that you can rest because you still have a duty tomorrow." Carla smiled. 'Get well soon, okay?" 'Yes, Doctor," Joshua said. 'I will be an obedient patient." 'Good," Carla said while nodding. 'Okay. So, take care!" Joshua nodded. 'Bye, Doctor!" He went back to his car. Carla waited for Joshua's car to completely disappear before she went inside their house. **************************************************************************** Ria is reading the menu when a familiar face stopped in front of her. 'Ria!" She looked up to him. 'Vico! Hi!" She stood up and shook the man's hand. 'Nice to see you again," Vico said. 'Same to you." 'Are you meeting someone?" 'I am," Ria answered. 'But I guess she's running a bit late." 'Well, if you like I can accompany you while waiting. So that you won't look pathetic sitting here alone." Ria laughed. 'Okay, stay with me." The two of them sat down. 'Do you want anything?" asked Ria. 'It's really nice to have a rich friend who can buy you food," Vico said as he looks at the menu. 'My mother is rich. I'm just an extension of her credit card," Ria joked. 'How is your mom?" Vico asked. 'She's okay. She's busy on her new collection." 'You should help her sew. You know how to sew, right?" 'She can do that herself," Ria said. 'By the way. I heard you're running next election. Mayor, right?" 'Yes," Vico answered. 'I'm actually enjoying myself right now before the campaign period starts." 'Wow! For sure you'll win. You're quite popular among voters here. I have a lot of friends who work here. They know you very well." Vico smiled at what Ria said. 'The only problem is…" Ria giggled. 'They're not registered voters here, because… because they're registered in Tarlac." She was laughing while saying that. Vico looked at her annoyingly, and Ria laughed harder. In the end, Vico smiled and just shook his head at his acquaintance's mischief. 'No, but you're really popular to the locals here. They really like you." Ria is still giggling. 'Okay, I'll stop laughing because it's making me thirsty. I guess I'll order something to drink." Vico just watched Ria as she skimmed the menu. Then suddenly, he asked her. 'By the way… how's Jovie…?" Ria looked at him. 'Hmn?" Vico looked away. 'She's your mayor in Tarlac, right?" 'Yes. Actually, we're together yesterday. We did an outreach program in Tarlac." Vico nodded, and then looked down, missing the curious look that Ria gave her. 'I guess she's quite busy. Does she have a lot of projects?" 'Quite…" Ria answered. Then, out of curiosity, she asked, 'You know, I never thought that you still remember Jovie… I mean, it's been two years since I introduced you to her on that party, right?" Vico looked at her. 'Of course! That was just two years ago. It's not unusual that I can still remember, right? I can ask an acquaintance from a person who also knows her, right?" 'Yeah, but… this is not the first time that we met each other after that gathering. We met each other a couple of times since then, but you only asked me about Jovie today… Did you two talk to each other again? I mean, after the party?" Again, Vico just looked away, and Ria concluded that he's trying to hide something. 'Yeah… We met a couple of times…" Vico answered. 'When was the last time you talked to her?" Vico looked at her. 'I mean, when you asked me about her it felt like you just recently met. You know…" 'Hmn… It's been like… three months?" Three months… Ria frowned. Could be something, could be nothing. Was she just trying to make an issue out of nothing? Vico's phone buzzed as a message arrived. He read the message on the screen. 'I have to go," he told Ria after. 'Okay," Ria said. 'So, see you?" 'Yes. And, maybe next time we meet, you're already the mayor." Vico smiled. 'I hope so." 'I'll tell Jovie we met." Vico's smile slowly faded. 'Or, maybe… not?" Now, Ria is getting suspicious again. Why did Vico react like that upon hearing Jovie's name? 'It's okay." Vico smiled once again, then left. Ria just looked on as the public servant went out of the restaurant. 'Vico and Jovie… what is going on between you two?" She wasn't able to know the answer as the person that she really is meeting finally arrived.