Page 85 of Chasing Mr. Prefect

“I won,” Cholo said, jaw dropping and facing me. “I WON!”

He swooped down and took me in his arms and we all got swallowed by a massive group hug by those around us.

“Never doubted you for a second,” I told him, letting him go for a moment as our orgmates swarmed and congratulated him.

“Iba siyaaa, landslide,”I teased Gian as he descended the stairs. Gian also won by a huge margin over the other guy who ran against him.

“Hello, First Lady.”

“Shut up,” I scoffed. “Congratulations, Gian.”

“I’m meeting Liana in Makati to celebrate. Kayo ni Chucky? Any plans?”

“Hey,” Cholo said, looking like he wanted to react to being called Chucky and deciding against it. “Thanks for waiting for me.”

“There’s going to be more of that this coming year so I’m practicing already,” I told him. Gian chose that moment bid us goodbye and ran off. “You’ll be going to Ortigas later?”

“Yeah. Easier for us to go to the airport from one place para sure that no one will be late. I can drop you off at Quezon Avenue or North Mall, if that’s okay?”

“No need. Don’t go to EDSA when C-5’s right there.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“I am! Have you told your kuyas about your win?”

“I have. Kuya Chip made a reservation at this buffet near the condo. If you’re not busy, do you want to come with us?”

“It’s okay. You guys go. I haven’t properly packed yet and I’m waiting for my visa.”

Cholo looked worried. I shook my head and put my hands on his shoulders.

“Our flight’s tomorrow.”

“I know. I’m being ready either way. You go have a good dinner with your kuyas. You’ve earned it.”

He looked conflicted.

“I was hoping we could celebrate in Seoul together,” he told me. “And you know. Talk.”

“Well, if the visa doesn’t arrive in time, I can always book another flight. The accommodations are booked for a week, anyway,” I told him. “It’s my fault for applying for the visa too close to the flight date. Life and acads happened. But don’t worry about it. Today’s your day. You’ve been preparing for this since last year. Don’t let my woes bother you.”

Cholo frowned.

“Thank you for booking the passes in. I know you made a lot of effort and spent a lot on that. I’m looking forward to it too,” I added.

He looked at me for a long while and then pulled me close towards him.

“Then here’s to praying we get that visa grant overnight,” he said. I hugged him back as tightly as I could.

“You should go. Don’t keep the kuyas waiting. You know Metro Manila rush hour traffic.”

“More than anyone,” he groaned. “Okay then. Text me when you get home.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

Well,I’ll be damned.

My phone beeped at six the next morning. I picked it up half asleep, prepared to curse whoever had sent a message at this ungodly hour but I bolted out of bed upon seeing what it was—an SMS from the Visa Application Centre asking me to pick up my passport. That meant my visa had been granted!

I looked at my suitcase, which was only half-heartedly packed because I really thought I was not going to get the visa in time.

“Ang galing-galing mo talaga, universe!” I said, now panicking as I opened the suitcase again to stuff more things in it.

My family helped me pack more things but we all ended up in stitches in the living room because of the suddenness of it all. We had to go backwards to estimate how much time I would need because I still needed to pick up my passport before I could go to the airport.

Cholo had texted me as well as Ate Ania and Asher on our group chat asking for updates.