What We’ve Left Unsaid
Vincent Michael Simbulan
EVERY FRIDAY AFTERNOON, as the sun sets on the bustling heart of Makati, six friends meet at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Glorietta.
Some of them met in college. Some are friends from work. They come from different backgrounds: Betty, Paolo, Troy, Ryan, Josh, and Carol—all of them have chosen to follow this ritual for close to a decade now.
Conversation usually revolves around the best bargains in Tiendesitas, the latest parties in Malate, and the newest Apple products. Despite the years of friendship, there are things that they can’t bring themselves to share, not even with their closest friends.
* * *
“How’s Greg doing?” Paolo asks Betty, as he sips his second mug of Chai. “We missed you at Mina’s party last night.”
“Oh, you know
