Please, Remember

Chapter 2

"ah, wala. Did you guys cooked?" She diverts the topic. She don't want to talk about why she cried again and then the three exchanged looks. As if alam na nila kung ano ang dahilan ng pamamaga ng mga mata ni Olivia.

"Yep! Tara, kain na tayo?" Mabilis na sagot at tanong ni Jazz and prepares the foods they've cooked on the table.

"Ang aga nyo. Bakit?" Olivia askedwhile they're munching their breakfast."Yayain ka namin. Mall tayo? Do you have something to do for today?" Tanong ni Alex at tiningna sya.

"Wala naman na pero may kukunin lang ako sa office. Di na kase ako bumalik kahapon after nf last meeting ko eh. May pinuntahan lang kase." she replied at hindi na nya napagtanto ang mga nasabi sa mga kaibigan and it's too late to take it back what she just said.

"Saan naman? Ba't hindi mo kami sinama?" Gesille asked as if wala talaga silang alam.

"Ahmmmm. Not so important." She replied and avoids their gaze.

"Tinatawagan kita kahapon, hindi kita ma-contact." Alex comment. Olivia looked at him and sly a small smile.

"Sorry, Lex. Hindi ko napansin na dead-bat phone ko eh." She honestly said. Ngumiti si Alex sa kanya at tumango.

"It's okay, Tin." Alex uttered.

They're enjoying their breakfast together talking about anything. Laughers and banters filled the dining area. Until they've finished their eating and Olivia went back to her room to change her clothes so that they can leave.

"Pumapasok pa kaya sya dyan?" Gesille asked the two pointing the wooden door upstairs. The room beside Olivia's room. Napatingin naman ang dalawa sa taas kung nasan ang pintong tinuro ni Gesille. Jazz shrugged her shoulder,

"I don't know. Hindi na siguro." Jazz replied.

"Hindi sya makakausad kung papasok pa sya dyan." Alex said.

They just heaves a deep sigh and just wait for Olivia.

What's with that room? What's inside that room? Why all of a sudden, Olivia's best friends drifted into their deep thoughts about that room? It is all about her past?

"Samahan ka namin sa loob?" Jazz asked Olivia.

"No na, just wait for me here. Kukunin ko lang 'yong mga kailangann ko sa office then we'll go na." She replied. Tumango nalang ang mga kaibigan bilang pag sang-ayon sa gusto nya. She then hopped out from Alex' car. She wear her sunglasses to cover her fluffy eyes and walks towards the company's building.

" Ang galing na magtago ng totoong nararamdaman ng kaibigan natin noh?" Gesille said out of nowhere. Napalingon si Alex sa kanya at napabuntong-hininga.

"Wala tayong magagawa. Maybe that's her way to move forward?" He said and looked at the entrance of the building.

"Lex, she can't move forward if she won't let go." Jazz told him.

"How?" Gesille and Jazz looked at him.

"Paano sya magle-let go kung lahat walang sagot sa kanya? Naiwan sya Jazz, alam nating lahat 'yon. At sa lahat nang naiwan, sya lang ang hindi pa nakakausad. Hindi ko sya masisisi kung hanggang ngayon, nandon pa rin sya. Dahil sa ating lahat, sya lang ang nawala. Sya lang ang nawawala." Sagot ni Alex at dama ang lungkot sa boses nito. Gesille tapped his shoulder and gave him a small smile.

"Makakausad rin sya, Lex. Hintayin lang natin. Hindi man siguro ngayon, pero alam ko na magagawa rin ni Tin 'yon." she comforts him, Alex eyed her and sighed.

"Huwag lang natin syang iwan. Sigurado naman na pinipilit nya eh. Hindi lang talaga madali para sa kanya lahat ng mga nangyare." Jazz told them.

Minutes had passed, Olivia came back with a couple of folders with her. She smile and settle herself at the backseat beside Jazz.

"Let's go?" she asked Alex.

"'Lezgow!" Alex exclaimed and start the engine.

They went to the nearest mall and started roaming around.

Naikot na nila lahat ng mga gusto nilang puntahan at nabili na rin nila lahat ng mga gusto nilang bilhin.

"Gutom na ako, kain na muna tayo." Aya ni Jazz sa talo.

"Yeah, I'm starving na rin." Olivia agreed.

"Then, let's go!" Alex excitedly exclaimed and clapped his hands three times.

"Wow! Sayang-saya Lex? Your treat this time." Gesille teased then wiggled her eyebrows.

"Whatever! Tara na nga!" He said and pulled Olivia's arm.

With their paper bags ng mga pinamili nila, they entered at the Filipino-cuisine.

"Order na tayo." gesille said, Jazz and Olivia nod and scan the menu at isa-isang um-order ng mga kakainin nila.

"Grabe, Ges ha! Parang ikaw ang taya ah." Alex joked. Hinihintay nalang nila ang mga pagkain at nag-aasaran.

"Hayaan mo na Lex, minsan lang naman eh." Jazz told him and winked at Gesille. Alex shooked his head and took a sighed. Hindi naman sya madamot, hindi rin sya kuripot. Sadyang pinapanindigan lang nya.

"Si Tin dapat 'yong taya eh." He said then ppouted his lips. Olivia's brow arched and looked at him.

"Why me? Stop that Alexis, di bagay sayo!" She replied.

"Mukha kang tanga 'Lex!" Gesille teased him more.

"Humingi ako ng sandok 'Lex, perfect sabitan 'yong nguso mo." Jazz added and they laugh which made him pout even more.

"Putangina! At pinagtulungan nyo pa talaga ako, talaga lang?!" Inis na angil ni Alex ngunit natawa pa rin silang apat sa huli.

Sakto namang dumating ang mga oeders nila.

The next day, Alex, Jazz and Gesille reached Olivia's house at 5PM. Since sabay naman silang aalis bukas papuntang Batangas, they decided to have a sleep over on Olivia's crib.

"Kuya, Hi! Nandyan boss nyo?" Tanong ni Gesille 'nang makababa na sila sa sasakyan.

"Magandang hapon po! Opo, Ma'am. Pasok nalang po kayo." Sagot ni Manong guard at tsaka ngumiti sa kanila.

"Sige, salamat Kuya!" Jazz thanked him and made their way inside.

Hindi na sila kumatok dahil bukas naman ang main door, at isa pa, sanay na silang mag labas-masok sa bahay na ito, though Olivia keep their door close when she's home. unlike if her Mom was here, that's everyday wide open. But now, she left the door open on purpose. to her friends.

"Tin? Where are you? We're here!" Alex shouted facing the stair thinking that Olivia was in her room.

"Kitchen girls!" Olivia shouted back so the three goes there.

"Hi! You're cooking?" Jazz asked her and gave her a peck on her cheek and she did so. The two as well.

"Yup! hmmm. Kayo lang? Where's Jordaan and Keon?" she asked them. Umupo naman muna sila at pinanood sya sa mga ginawa.

"Susunod sila, Tin. You need help there?" Gesille said and asked at the same time, then she stood up at humakbang palapit kay Olivia.

"I see. Yes please! Ahmmm. Pa-chop nalang 'nong mga potatoes please." Olivia replied and pointed where the filled-potaoes to Gesille.

"For Adobo, Tin?" Tanong ni Alex. She nods and smiled at them,

"With banana! I know y'all miss that." She said then giggled.

"Oh my gosh! You know how to cook that?!" Jazz asked in surprise.

"Yeah! Mom taught me how." She replied and softly giggles.

When the two boys came, they've ate their dinner at 8PM. They've settled themselves at the living room. Planning about their activities for tomorrow. When they're all agreed to their plans, at 10PM all of them went straight to their assignated rooms.

"Good night, guys!" Olivia said before entering to her own room.

Hours passed, Olivia stayed awake. Something is bothering her again. She heaved a deep sigh and check the time. It's already 1:00AM ngunit gising na gising pa rin sya! She stood up from her bed and went outside her room.

Alex, Jazz and Gesille at the guest room, still wake and talking about nothing.

"Alam nyo ----" Alex was talking when Gesille cut him off.

"Hindi pa 'Lex." She said and giggled.

"Ulol! Nagugutom ako." He told them, then they laughed wnough for them to hear. Hindi naman tumagal ay lumabas sila at tinungo ang hagdan para bumaba. But they stopped when they heard a sobs from the one room. The room facing the stairs. They looked at each other, worried faces formed on them. Lumapit sila sa pinto at sinubukang buksan ang pinto ngunit naka-lock ito.

"I miss you so much, Love. I really do. Ang hirap. Hirap na hirap na ako. I-I thought, I am now fine but no. I will - n-never be fine b-because you, o-only you can made me fifne. H-help me love, p-please? Help me to be fine. Help me to be o-okay. H-help me to move f-forward even w-without you. I love you so much, Love. I still do. But it's hurts, it pains me still." words that they heard behind the door while sobbing so hard. Nagkatinginan silang tatlo, but they choosed to stay up late with Olivia. Kahit na 'yon nalang ang magagawa nila para sa kaibigan.

The next morning, the gang was preparing for their breakfast. Jordan and Keon fix all of their stuffs on the van that the will use. Olivia offer her van para 'yon ang gamitin nila and they gladly accepted it.

Maya-maya pa ay bumalik na sila sa loob, wala pa rin si Olivia. They are talking about what Alex, Gesille and Jazz heard last night and exchanging opinions when they heard footsteps going downstairs so they stopped and in a snapped, Alex immediately changed the topic.

"Siguro maraming pogi don noh? Mangha-hunting akko." He uttered to them and squinted his eyes to let them know what's he meant.

"Morning." Olivia greets them and took her usual seat.

The gang saw her swollen eyes but they choose to shut their mouth. Actually, apat silang puyat dahl pinili ng tatlo na hintaying makabalik si Olivia sa kearto nito. Alex, Gesille and Jazz stayed downstairs last night and thankfully, hindi na bumaba si Olivia at hindi na rin sila kumain ulit dahil nabalot ng pag-aalala ang tatlo para sa kaibigan.

"Good morning, Tin!" one by one, they greeted her back with a genuine smiles on their lips. Then Alex offer her some fried rice, she smiled at him.

"Thanks, 'Lex. Seems like, hinalungkat nyo talaga 'yong laman ng fridge ah." she chuckled as she said that, then put some foods on her own plate.

"Sila lang naman, Tin. Wala kaming alam ni Jord," Keon sort of joke. Jordan just nodded his head and playfully smiled.

"Kapal nyo! bilisan na natin para maka-alis na tayo. Iwas tayo sa trafficc." Jazz told them kaya kumain nalang sila at nag-uusap.

When they've finished their breakfast, Olivia offered to wash the dishes, hindi na rin naman sila kumontra pa. When she's done, bumalik sya sa kwarto at nag-ayos. Same with the gang.

Nakarating sila sa rest house nila Jazz around 10:00AM. Good thing is that, hindi ganon ka-traffic.

"Wow naman Sonio! Pinaghandaan mo ba 'to?" Tanong ni Alex nang makapasok na sila sa loob ng rest house. Natawa ng mahina si Jazz at tumango bilang sagot kay Alex. Alex just mummed.

"Anyway! Since Gesille and I is with our partners, it is okay -" Jazz was saying when Alex cut her off..

"It is okay lang ba amin if we share a room? Oo naman Jazzmine! Nakakahiya naman sa inyo eh. Riight Tin?" said Alex in his sarcastic tone then turned to Olivia who's been quite since dumating sila.

"Yeah, okay na okay." She replied and smiled.

"Arte mo Agoncillo!" Jazz hissed then rolled eyes.

"So, doon kayo sa last room, Tin and Alex, second room." Jazz told them.

"Okay, rest na muna tayo. Medyo napagod ako sa byahe and hindi ako nakatulog ng maayos kagabi eh. Okay lang?" Olivia politely asked her friends which they just replied with a nod.

Kaya naman agad silang umakyat sa ikalawang palapag ng bahay at kanya-kanyang ayos ng mga gamit nila.

One week, they will still there for a week.

"You sure na okay ka lang?" Alex asked Olivia for how many times now. Of course he's worried for his best friend. She faked a smile and nods, at hindi 'yon nakawala sa mga mata ni Alex ngunit minabuti na lamang nyang hayaan ang kaibigan.

"Yes, Lex. Ano ka ba? magna-nap lang ako then I will join you guys later." She assured him again. Alex sighed and nod.

"Okay. Sa baba lang naman kami. If you need something, sabihin mo lang ha? Pahinga ka na muna." He said that made Olivia nodded her head and sly a smile. Then Alex left her inside the room so that she can get some sleep and a good rest.

Lunch time ngunit hindi pa rin bumababa si Olivia. Naka-pwesto na silang lima sa dining area ngunit hindi pa rin nila magalaw ang mga pagkaing hinanda nila.

"Gisingin na kase natin." Gesille convine them but Alex shush her again.

"Teh, alam nating puyat 'yong tao. Well, pati din naman tayo pero, ikaw kaya umiyak ng umiyak for only God knows how long she's been there. Hayaan na muna natin sya and besides, she told me naman na she will join us laater." He said as a matter of facts. Gesille heaved a sigh as an defeat when Jazz, Keon and Jordan agreed na hayaan na muna si Olivia-ng makabawi sa mga iniyak nito.

"Sige na, lafang na tayo!" Jordan jests and wiggled his brows up and down.

"Ang bakla, hon ha!" Nakataas ang kilay na sagot ni Gesille at umismid pa.

"Kabahan ka na Ges!" Jazz uttered and laugh softly.

Natapos ang kanilang tanghalian na wala pa ring Olivia-ang bumaba.

Alas-dos ng hapon nang magising si Olivia. She open her eyes and took a glance o her wrist watch.

"Shocks! I've been sleeping for almost four hours!" she muttered. She stood up from the bed and fixed the sheet before she went to the bathroom to freshin' up. At tsaka lang sya bumaba, inabutan nya ang mga kaibigan na nag-aasaran. What's new? Alex is with them and he'ss ranting because he's always a third-wheel or fift-wheel sa grupo. 'Nong mga panahong nasa US pa si Olivia. Jazz was the first one who noticed her,

"Tin! Gising ka na pala. Kain ka na muna," she said and smiled at her. Olivia went closer to them and sat beside Alex, then Alex hurriedly placed his arm on top of her shoulder.

"Huh! Gising na partner ko! Ano kayo ngayon ha?!" He joked, nabuhay naman ang malakas na tawa at halakhak nilang anim sa living room.

"Ew, Lex!" Maktol ni Olivia at tinanggal ang pagkaka-akbay ni Alex sa kanya. Mas lalo namang natawa ang mga ito sa huli.

"hmmm, kumain na kayo?" sunod na tanong ni Olivia sa kanila. Sabay naman na tumango ang mga kaibigan.

"Hindi ka na muna namin inistorbo, Tin. Mukhnag pagod na pagod ka kase eh. Sige! Trabaho pa!" Alex told her, Olivia just show made face then giggled.

"Go na Tin, kain ka na muna then we'll roam around the place. For sure you miss this kind of place. Hintayin ka namin dito, or gusto mong samahan ka namin?" Gesille said and asked the latter. muling ngumiti si Olivia,

"No na. Mabilis lang ako." she said as she stood up.

"Grabe. Maganda pa rin talaga dito!" Alex commennd as they are walking.

"Yeah. I need these kind of atmosphere." Olivia added.

Just a walkiing distance from the rest house, there's the beach. At sa likod naman ng rest house ay mapuno. Sobrang nakaka-relax!

"Swimming tayo mamaya?" Tanong ni Jazz.

"Sureness!" Mabilis na sagot ni Alex at pumalakpak pa.

"Alam mo Lex? Tahimik 'yong lugar. Ikaw lang talaga ang maingay." komento naman ni Keon para lang mang-asar kay Alex at tinaas-baba pa ang mga kilay na lalong kinaiinisan ni Alex. Tinulak sya ni Alex,

"alam mo ikaw? Ipapatapon kita sa taal, usto mo? Malapit lang 'yon dito eh." Alex fired back.

"Huwag sya, Lex. Ikaw nalang." Sagot ni Jazz. Alex frowned.

"Edi isama kita para dalawa tayo." He teasoned out. Then they laughed on their own banters to one another.

Napansin naman nila na hindi na nila kasama si Olivia. Inilibot nila ang kanilang mga paningin para hanapin ang kaibigan, and there! They found her sitting at the sand, under the Talisay tree meters away from the shore.

"Ayan, ang ingay kase eh. katahimikan ang kailangan nyan." Jordan jokingly said.

Mula sa di kalayuan ay tinatanaw nila si Olivia. Having a second thought kung lalapitan ba nila ang isa o hahayaan na munang mapag-isa.

"Kausapin na kaya natin sya?" hindi makatiis nna usal ni Gesille at binalingan ng tingin ang mga kasama. Alex and Jazz heaved a deep sigh and then nod.

"Let's try later, after dinner." Alex replied. Then they walks closer towards Oliviaa.

Napataas ng tingin si Olivia nang tumayo sila sa harap nya. She squints her eyes and mouthed 'what'. Agad naman silang umupo sa tabi nya. Napapagitnaan sya nila Alex at Jazz, at nakatanaw sa dagat.

"Bakit kase nang-iiwan, Tin?" tanong ni Alex, she let out a deep breaath which Alex and Jazz heard.

"Ang lalim 'non ah! Mukhang mas malalim pa kesa sa dagat na 'yan oh." Jazz comment, and looked at her.

"Care to share, Tin?" Gesille butted in.

Olivia didn't dare to look at them, instead she let her soft hands plays the sands. And for brief momment, no one dare to talk.

"Ke, Jord, Ka-kamusta sya?" She asked almost a whisper but enough for them to her. Keon and Jordan exchanged looks, contemplating if they would answer that question. But Keon did.

"He's fine, Tin." a small smile formed on her lips.

Marinig lang nyang maayos at okay ang taong mahal nya, maayos na rin sya. But now, she's not.

"You guys, are still seeing each other? I-I mean, ako lang naman 'yong -- ako lang naman ang n-nawala, right?" kahit na halos wala nang boses na lumalabas sa kanyang mga labi, she still managed to asked them.

She bowed down her head to hide her face from them, she don't want to burst out right now. So, she tries hard to hold the tears forming on her eyes, but to no avail.

"Did he - did he mentioned my name?" muling tanong ni Olivia.

The gang was startled for she suddenly opens up that topic with them after five long years. Admit it or not, hindi nila ito magugustuhan. Though, noon pa man ay gusto na nilang pagbuksan ulit sila ng pinto ni Olivia. Share her pain again with them, they are still scared na baka bigla nalang ulit syang tumakbo.

There's a lot of things they wanted to tell her, pero natatakot sila at hindi alam kung paano sisimulan.

Soft sobs heard from Olivia, that made Alex pulled her into his arms.

"b-bakit ganito? I thought, If bumalik ako dito, I'll be finally fine. I was fine when I was in US eh. Yes, there are times na naiisip ko sya, but not like this. Simula 'nong bumalik ako, I have this urge na puntahan sya. Maybe this time, everything will put back into places. Maybe this time everything will be okay. Isn't it enough? Hindi pa ba sapat ang limang taon para maging maayos ang lahat? Hindi pa ba sapat ang limang taon na malayo ako?" she paused, tears keep on falling down her cheeks. Jazz rubbed her back, Gesille went closer to her. They're just listening to her, crying with her.

"I-isa lang naman ang pinanghahawakan ko eh. Our love for each other. And until now, I am still holding on to his promise. Na his heart won't forget, his heart can remember. After all these years, I-I love him still. so much. Sinubukan ko naman eh. I tried, I did my best to forget him, to let him go, kase alam ko, na baka nga wala na. B-baka wala nang chance for us, baka wala na nga talaga. But even if I tried hard, there's no use! Mas lalo ko lang syang minamahal. Mas lalo akong umaasa. S-sometimes, I asked myself, did he remembered kahit isang moment with me?" She cries more as she let out all of her bagage.

Her friends pity her, right now.

She wiped her face but tears continiously falling.

"W-why, why life is so unfair with me? Bakit hindi nalang 'to nawala bigla? Bakit, why I have to suffer on these pain alone? A-alam nyo? Ang sakit-sakit na eh. Sobrang sakit na but I have to feel all of these pain alone kase ako lang naman ang pwedeng makaramdam ng lahat ng sakit. Yes, I have all of you, my family, and thank you for sticking with me. P-pero hindi kase, I can't pass or share these pain with you." she choked with her own words, still sobbing.

Gesille hush her but to no avail. Jazz bit her lip to supress her own sob. Mas lumapit naman sila Keon at Jordan sa kanila. Alex was hugging Olivia as he caressing her back to soothe her.

"A-all these pain I have right now, I don't know when will it stop. Kase kahit pilitin kong tumigil 'to,-" she hit her own chest, and Jazz stopped her hand for another move she would make.

"Tin, calm down." Gesille said, but she didn't budge.

"K-kahit pilitinkong t-tumigil 'to, a-ayaw eh. T-this? This heart beats only for - for him. I even told to myself to stop, it's enough, but this?" she placed her hand to her chest where her heart and squeezed it. Nahihirapan na rin syang huminga dahil sa pag-iyak.

Gesille eyed her boyfriend and mouthed 'water' which he obliged. He ran back to the rest house to get some water for Olivia.

"T-this just can't. I-I just, I just don't know how. Maybe because - because I love him so much? or baka kase sa kanya ako dumepende dati? Or baka kaya ganito kase I can't l-let him go? H-hindi ko na alam eh. I kept this for years. Kase ayoko na makadagdag. Pero ang hirap pala kase you are alive, I am alive but slowly dying inside. And it's funny kase ako lang, ako lang 'yong nakakaramdam kase sya, he can't even share nor feel my pains. D-did he cry? Did he shed even just a drop of his tears for me? Is he finally okay now without me around? Is he living his life like before now? Maybe yes? I don't know. A-ang gusto ko lang ngayon, di ko muna maramdaman 'yong sakit. Na mahal na mahal at nami-miss ko sya. Yung wala na muna lahat nang 'to. But I know, that won't happen. Kase there was no night na I won't cry kase I miss him so much. Na I am longing for his touch, for his hugs, for his kisses, even his voice. I miss him a lot. At hindi ko alam kung hanggang kelan ko mararamdaman lahat nang 'to." she soaked her wet face on Alex' chest and cried hard. Alex and the two girls comforted her as Alex silently cry with her.

"Nandito lang kami, Tin." Keon said and wiped away his own tears that escaped from his eyes.

"Hush now Tin, we would like to share that pain with you." Gesille whispered.

"We love you, Tin. and you always have us, no matter what." Jazz said and caress her hair.

"Hindi mo naman kailangang solohin lahat nang 'yan eh. kahit saan mo gustong pag-usapan lahat, sasamahan ka namin. You don't have to carry that bagages alone, Tin. Ipasa mo sa'min, sa akin 'yong iba kapag hindi mo na kaya. alam ko na masakit, mahirap. At wala kaming magagawa para mawala lahat 'yon, pero lagi mong tatandaan na, kahit anong mangyari? Sasamahan ka namin Tin, dahil kaibigan ka namin at mahal na mahal ka naming lahat." Alex earnestly told her, she nods but still crying. Jordan handed the bottled water to Alex para mapa-inom si Olivia.

"Wag mong kalimutan na isang tawag o text mo lang kami, Tin. Darating kami kahit anong oras o kahit saan pa 'yan." Jordan butted in and tap her shoulder.

Olivia withdrew her face from Alex' chest and faced them, despite of her unstopable tears, she smiled at them. Then Alex made her drink the water to make her calm down, after drinking thw water, she mouthed 'thank you' to them. Alex then embraced her again.

"Mahal ka namin, Kerstin Olivia. Remember that." Gesille honestly said that made Olivia smiled at her. Jazz kissed her hair, telling her how much they love her and assuring her na kahit anong mangyari, nandyan lang sila para sa kanya.

"Kaasar ka Alvino! Akala ko ba, magk-camp tayo sa likod?! Ba't naman biglang change of plan?!" Maktol ni Alex at ipinadyak pa ang mga paa. Tumawa naman sila dahil sa biglang maktol nito.

"Tin's request, Lex. And besides, mas maganda 'yong bonfire sa beach!" Gesille replied and winked at him. Alex made face as if he's going to puke. He then turned to Olivia but she stopped him by giving him a death glare at the same time, eyebrow' arched. Alex heaved a sighed.

"Fine! Pero magsu-swimming tayo!" He claimed.

"Arte mo tol!" Pang-aasar ni Jordan.

"Pero pag may humila sayo, hindi ka namin tutulungan ha." Keon teased Alex even more. Alex' eyebrows met. He then frowned at them.

"Ulol! Mas masaya 'yon." He said,

"Baka 'yong hihila pa sakin 'yong magiging jowa ko." He added then giggled. Tinaasan sya ng kilay nila Olivia habang ang dalawa naman ay napakamot sa batok at nagkibit-balikat.

"Alam nyo? Mga wala kayong kwentang kaibigan!" Inis na singhal ni Alex ngunit sa huli ay nauwi sa malakas na tawanan mula sa kanila.

Three days after she breakdown in front of her friends, she felt lightened. Nabawasan ng kaonti ang mga dinadala nya sa loob. She didn't want that to happen but it happened. And she didn't regret it. The gang did not leave her side from the very start. Nanatili sila hanggang ngayon. Ginagawa nila ang lahat to make her feel better and she appreciates every small and big efforts from them. Though, they wanted Olivia to let go of everything, hindi pa nila 'yon mapipilit dahil alam nilang mahirap at masakit pa rin.

Kinabukasan, the gang waited for Olivia and Gesille na bumaba from their rooms. The boys cooked for their breakfast and now, they're sitting at the dining.

They're startled when someone came up without them knowing. Eyes widen and surprised for the appearance.

"Men! Sabi ko na nga ba nandito kayo eh! Ba't di nyo ko sinama?" His remarks and tapped their shoulders, then sit down with them.

Because of that, Jazz and Alex cannot find their words.

"Dude!" Natatawang usal ni Keon at nakipag-fist bump na tinanggap naman ng isa.

"Ah, busy ka eh. Tsaka, sinabi ki sayo. Busy ka lang talaga." He added and stares the others.

"Hmmmm. Nakalimutan ko lang siguro. But I've been calling you all, you guys are off?" He said and roamed around his eyes

"Ay! Sorry David, sinadya talaga naming no phones while here. Pero nandito ka! You're staying?" Jazz replied and asked the latter, then threw Alex a look.

"Oo eh. Masyadong stress sa office. Pero grabe ha, kailangan lahat off ang phone?" David said and chuckled.

"Not really, David. May mga choice naman eh." Alex answered. David nodded his head, he then noticed na kulang sila, wala si Gesille kaya napabaling sya kay Jordan

"Bro, si Gesille?" He asked Jordan.

But before Jordan can answer, footsteps and voices are heard from the staircase

"Woah! David! You're here!" Gesille exclaimed, David stood up and gave her a hug, smiles on the lips

"Guys, I just need to make a call. Be back, just a minute." Olivia said, which her friends just nod in chorus.

"Nakausap mo ba 'yong CEO mismo? Okay, good. Babalik ako next week, just leave all of the documents kay Vann. Thank you!" Olivia took a deep breath after ending the call. She then shut her eyes and shrugged her thoughts off.

"Sino 'yon?" David asked them as he stares outside where Olivia is. Alex look at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Kaibigan nyo?" David asked again and looked at them. Tumango sila at ngumiti ng alanganin bilang sagot.

Pagkalipas ng ilang minuto ay bumalik na si Olivia. Umupo sya sa tabi ni Alex at ngumiti.

"Sorry, just needed to make a call sa office." She told them.

Sandaling nabuhay ang katahimikan sa paligid, kapwa nagpapaki-ramdaman.

"Ah, Tin, this is David. And David, she's Kerstin." Jordan introduced the two. Si David ang unang nag-unat ng braso bilang nasa magkabilang bahagi sila ng mahabang lamesa.

"Hi! Nice to meet you, Kerstin." He said. She smiled back and accepts his hand.

"Hi!" Her simple reply and let go of his hand. She then eyed her friends.

"I will make some coffee," she uttered. She smiled and made her way to the kitchen.

Nag-uusap ang anim nang bumalik si Olivia dala ang tray ng mga kape nila, agad din naman syang inalalayan ni Keon.

Habang kumakain ay hindi nakaligtas ang mga nakaw na titig ni David kay Olivia.

"Hmmmm! You really made these coffee?" David asked Olivia, she only nod and flashed a small smile. Tumango si David at muling simimsim sa kanyang tasa ng kape.

"Familiar kase 'yong lasa. I mean, it taste good!" He said and looked at his friends. Smiling, widely!

"Right, guys?" He added. They smiled and nodded their head as a response.

"Do you have a coffee shop or café? Sobrang familiar kase talaga." He asked again and faced Olivia again.

Olivia bit her lower lip and a small smile formed on her lips. Their friends noticed Olivia's uneasiness kaya pasimpleng sinipa ni Jazz ang paa ni Alex, Alex glanced Jazz so Jazz gave him a 'do-something-look' na agad nakuha ni Alex.

Alex faked a cough then he answered David.

"Hindi, David. Restaurant. Kerstin is the owner of Left Restaurant. At 'tong kape? Sya lang nakaka-timpla nito."

"Ah, kaya pala." He uttered. All of them eyed David, whilts Olivia arched an eyebrow.

"Kaya pala ano?" Giselle asked David, wondering what.