No Label

D-1

Someone from the group?

I can't think of anyone kasi hindi ko naman sila masyadong kilala lahat and I can't judge them right away. It just made me more curious about this mission. I have to do this.

Give and Take. That's what Jill wants. He didn't bother breaking up with me anymore because we only have one more day left. Tomorrow would be our last day. But in one condition, I should help him with Yanyan.

I agreed because it's not that hard, naman. Mina would be helping me kasi hindi ko naman close yung Yanyan.

And I guess the universe is helping me to make that task easier. Nakita ko si Yanyan sa labas ng school, nakasandal sa pader ng waiting area. Hindi siya dito nag-aaral kaya hindi siya makapasok, mukhang may hinihintay siya. Hindi ako sigurado kung si Yanyan ba talaga yun kasi naka facemask.  Pero base sa kanyang pangangatawaan, mukhang si Yanyan talaga. I saw him many times already. Napagkamalan ko pa nga siyang si Jimmy, pero mas payat at mas matangkad si Yanyan.

Kinunan ko muna siya ng litrato at sinend kay Mina para makumpirma. Nang sumang-ayon si Mina na si Yanyan itong nakikita ko, kinuha ko yung memo pad at isinulat ko yung address na sinabi ni Mina. Ang daming alam na lugar nitong si Mina, eh dati sabay lang naman kaming naliligaw dito.

Lumapit ako sa lalaking yun. "Uhmm.. Hey?"

Nabaling ang atensyon niya sakin at medyo nagulat nang makilala ako. "Oh? You're Jill's girlfriend! ate Nana, right?"

Of course he can remember, eh kagabi lang nila ako pinaulanan ng interview. He even labeled me as 'Jill's girlfriend', kahit malapit na din naman yung expiration date ng label na yan.

"Ah... yes", I awkwardly smiled. "You're waiting someone?"

"Yes, my cousin". Napatango ako. Akala ko may fourth party.

"Ah by the way, pinabigay ni Jill",  inabot ko sa kanya yung memo pad na sinulatan ko.

"What's this?"

"Tomorrow, 6pm. Jill wants to meet you."', I just said whatever Mina instructed. I don't know but I'm trusting her plans now.

"Bakit hindi niya na lang tinext sakin?"

"He will actually text you, pero dahil nakita na din naman kita dito, sasabihin ko na lang sa kanya na nainform na kita", I made an alibi.

"Sige. Thanks"

"I'll get going", paalam ko at lumisan na.

Nilakad ko lang papunta sa cafe kung saan ako makikipagkita kay Jill. Hindi naman ganun kalayo sa school yung cafe na yun at gusto kong maglakad para makapag-isip.

Mina is planning to meet Yanyan and Jill tomorrow. Maybe Jill will finally confess to Yanyan. The problem is... I should also accompany Jill. Mukhang awkward naman siguro pagsumama pa ako. Seriously, ano ba gustong mangyari ni Mina?

Ilang minuto lang ay nakarating na ako sa nasabing cafe. Nakita ko si Jill na nakaupo na doon. May dalawang drinks sa table, malamang sa akin yung isa.

We haven't broken up officially but it feels like we did. We are as cold as strangers now.

"I'll pay for this", tukoy ko sa isang drink saka kumuha ng cash sa wallet.

"You don't need to"

"Just let me.", inabot ko sa kanya yung pera. Hindi na siya nag insist pa at tinanggap na lang. "I did my part"

"Huh?"

"I'll help you with Yanyan. I told him to meet you tomorrow. I'll text you the address.", I said in a nonchalant manner and was about to leave the place but he grabbed my hand.

"Wait, what? I don't know what to tell him"

"That's not my problem. Tomorrow is our last day as a couple, but I guess we cannot say goodbye properly because you will meet Yanyan. I'll take this chance to say... ", Nakinig lang siya sa mga sinasabi ko. Hindi siya nanlaban at maiging tinitigan niya lang ako. Hinayaan ko lang ang kamay niya na nakahawak sa kamay ko. "...thank you. Thank you for the past 6 days that we spent together. I was able to feel you are sincere to me even just for a short while. See you again, Jill...as a friend", I put on a smile as I've said those words.

Binitawan niya yung kamay ko. "Thank you and I'm sorry, Nana", I nodded and grab my drink.

"I'll come with you tomorrow before your plans with Yanyan"

"Your plan, rather", he corrected.

"Ah... right. Anyway, see you around", I waved my hand and leave the place.

It's better this way.

Things will soon go back to it's place. Maybe I will just stay single for life.

That's the reason why I shouldn't meet people in that folder, 'Once In A Lifetime Crush', because everything could go wrong.

They should remain as 'Once In A Lifetime'.

No more, No less.