CROSSING BOUNDARIES

PROLOGUE

ANDREI'S POV

The hall shimmered with laughter and clinking glasses as everyone raised their champagne flutes in unison. I raised mine with everyone else, joining the chorus of cheers aimed at Nico and Mia, still beaming on stage like the world belonged to them.

For a moment, I just stood there, glass in hand, watching the two of them soak in all that love.

Nico and Mia couldn’t contain their emotions after seeing all of us gathered here tonight—celebrating not just their upcoming union, but the enduring bond of friendship we've shared through the years. Kudos to us! And of course, to Patricia. Once again, she’s proven her worth. She truly is one of the best event organizers in town.

Posible naman pala talaga kaming magsama-sama ulit—kung gugustuhin namin. At ang dahilan kung bakit namin ginusto, aside from our love for Nico and Mia, ay walang iba kundi ang paulit-ulit na panggi-guilt trip ni Patricia sa aming lahat. Yes, indeed! Our secret weapon is a certain girl who goes by the name Maria Patricia Bajao—armed with her charm and a handful of strategic approaches.

I let out a small chuckle. Sigurado akong hindi na niya kami tatalakan muli after this. Makakahinga na rin siya nang maluwag, at tiyak—ngingiti siya nang abot-tainga. Achievement unlocked! She’s crossed off another item from her bucket list. Alam kong hindi biro ang pinagdaanan nila ni Rafa para lang maging matagumpay ang event na ito. Well, tumulong din naman ako—kahit papaano. Actually, halos kaming lahat. We've all made some sort of contribution, in one way or another.

Pero siyempre, we give credit where credit's due. Besides, Patricia deserves the compliments more than any one of us. Siya naman ang naging punong abala sa lahat ng ito. I can't argue with her this time, Kasi sa pagkakataong ito, napatunayan niyang tama siya… at mali ang pinaniniwalaan ko.

But that doesn’t mean it will change the way I see things. Na magiging batayan ko na ito sa aking pamumuhay. Sure, I will no longer protest, yet I cannot totally agree. Kasi para sa akin, this is just a small part of a much bigger picture.

“When you know what you want and you want it bad enough, you'll find a way to get it.”- JIM ROHN.

Isang linya na madalas niyang sinasabi sa akin. Mga linyang walang sawang inukit ni Patricia sa utak ko ng paaulit-ulit. Parang sirang plaka. But somehow, sa dinami-daming beses ko na ‘tong narinig mula sa kanya… it still doesn't sit right with me.

“So, ibig mong sabihin, Trish… pipilitin mong makuha ang isang bagay just because gusto mo lang? Without even considering the other factors involved?” Minsan kong naitanong sa kanya sa gitna ng aming pag-uusap. Kasi para sa akin—life isn’t that simple.

"Oo, Drei! Gagawin mo ang lahat. You'll work hard and you won't stop until you finally get what you want. At 'yong sinasabi mong factors involved? Hindi mo sila kaaway, they were supposed to mold you, to become the best person you can be. So you can eventually succeed in obtaining your goal.

" I shook my head in disbelief and half in frustration. "Asan yong logic don? Its pointless, kasi alam naman natin pareho na hindi lahat ng gusto mo ay makukuha mo. Hindi araw araw pasko, Trish." Pero hindi siya umaatras.

Never naman talaga siyang umatras, lalo na sa ganitong mga diskusyon.

"Hindi nga! Hindi pa... maybe not now, pero kaya nga may eventually di ba? At hindi mo nakuha, kasi hindi mo lubusang ginusto, Drei!" Ang tigas ng kanyang paninindigan. She always speaks from the heart.

And while I admire that about her, I can't help but think—na baka masyado siyang idealistic. Well, halos lahat naman yata ng mga babae ganon.

"Kung minsan kasi... sa gitna ng 'yong paglalakbay. Kasabay ng araw-araw mong pakikipagbaka, makamit lang ang isang bagay na pinaniniwalaan mong para sa'yo, ay unti-unti mo ring mapapagtanto ang lahat. Nagiging malinaw sa'yong mga paningin ang linyang nagbubuklod sa pagitan ng gusto mo at ng kailangan mo lang," I paused, letting that truth sink in—for her, or maybe for me.

"And when you find yourself standing before those two significant lines of your life, when your only option is to choose one in order to survive, you'll begin to think rationally." Akala ko, tapos na ang usapan. But Trish leaned closer, eyes burning with something I couldn’t name.

“But it’s your heart that knows what you really want, Drei,” she said, softer this time, but still firm. “Wala namang pakiramdam ang utak. Logic lang ang kaya niyang ibigay. Yes, maybe it’s right to be rational—pero for a time lang ‘yon.” Tumigil siya saglit, like she was measuring her next words. “Because the hard truth is… you’ll never be satisfied. You’ll just end up chasing something all your life. For a time, iisipin mo na tama ang naging desisyon mo, but deep down, you’ll always feel that something’s missing. Kasi hindi mo nakuha ‘yong totoong gusto mo.”

Napalunok ako. “So if I were you…” she continued, “…try using your heart too. Paminsan-minsan.” Tahimik akong napatingin sa kanya. That’s the thing about Trish. She’s stubborn, impulsive, idealistic to a fault—but damn, she makes you think. Kahit ayaw mong aminin, may punto siya. And maybe… just maybe, my logic isn’t always the answer.

Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses naming pinagtalunan ni Patricia ang bagay na 'yon—at ang marami pang isyu na puwede naming pag-awayan. She on the affirmative side, habang ako naman ang laging kontra. And sometimes, vice versa.

Sa isang maling pandinig, aakalain mong may something na sa amin. Na may hugot. May pinaghuhugutan. But nah—Patricia and I never shared anything beyond friendship. Walang malisya. Walang anything romantic. In fact, kung may isang babae man na nakakaalam ng lahat ng kapilyuhan ko sa buhay—walang iba kundi siya. My OG girl best friend. My constant. Madalas man kaming magbanggaan ng opinyon—dahil na rin sa kanya-kanyang paniniwala at paninindigan—our friendship remains solid.

Through the years, we’ve stayed intact. Respeto, pang-unawa, at pagmamahal sa isa’t isa—‘yan ang tatlong bagay na naging susi kung bakit buo pa rin ang samahan namin hanggang ngayon.

And going back to that famous line—gets ko naman ang pinupunto ni Patricia, at pati na rin nung mismong nagsulat noon. On that note, I do understand why a lot of people feel inspired to keep pushing forward because of it. And precisely—that’s my point.

And those quotes? They were simply made to motivate us. Para kahit papaano, mabawasan ‘yong bigat ng araw-araw na pressure. To give people something to hold on to. A reason to keep believing in whatever goal we’re chasing.

But at the same time… it could also be a form of bluffing. A beautifully wrapped illusion.

It might just gave someone false hope that could even lead to a more possible disaster. Baka mas lalo pa silang ma depressed if their hard work doesn't paid off.

Sorry for being straight forward, tactless lang talaga ako kung minsan, or maybe I just can't find the right words to use. What I'm really trying to say is... wala namang masama don, but it doesn't fit to everyone, lalong lalo na sa akin.

Wala na din kasi 'yan sa sistema ko. For the longest time ay nasanay na akong sumabay sa agos ng buhay. To just let things be. Minsan kasi, nakakapagod ng lumaban... especially, kapag ramdam mong matatalo karin naman sa huli. So why bother yourself to go against strong forces, when you will only find yourself at the losing end?

Such a coward guy, some of you might say. But if you only knew what I've gone through, maybe then you'll realized how tough I am. FYI minsan narin akong lumaban, minsan na akong nakinig kay Patricia. BFF kaya kami, remember? Minsan ko ng tinahak ang iba't ibang daan. Nakarating na ako sa kawalan, bago napadpad sa kasalukuyan.

And believe it or not, it wasn't easy back then, it was actually one hell of a rough ride. I even lost myself in finding my way back to where I should be.

But then, I've come to realize that it was a part of the learning process—a certain phase that I needed to go through at some point in my life. At ito na ako ngayon. I am the product of what life has taught me over the past years. Gone with those wild and carefree days as I embrace transition.

Hindi ko sinasabing magiging boring na ako or mananatili na lamang sa isang tabi, for no one can take away that inner child in me. I will still enjoy life to the fullest and I intend to keep it that way. However, this time around, I will try to stay on my lane as much as I could. Segurista na kung segurista, but it's better to be safe than feel sorry after.

Kung magiging ganito na ba talaga ang paniniwala ko, forever? Hindi ko rin alam, perhaps only time can tell. But as far as I’m concerned, matagal-tagal ko narin siyang ginagawa at hindi pa naman ako pumapalpak.

But then again, for some reason ay bigla nalang akong kinakabahan ngayon. Parang tambol na dumadagundong ang dibdib ko sa iginawad niyang sulyap sa akin kanina.

And I'm talking about Gwyn. Pumikit ako at hinawakan ang tapat ng aking puso. Ayaw parin talaga nitong kumalma. Bahagya akong natakot. Sana lang it won't reach to a certain point na kailangan ko na namang kalabanin ang sarili in order to prove something. Sana hindi ako makalimot. Sana kaya ko paring panindigan ang mga sinasabi ko sa harap ni Patricia.

I step back as my eyes starts to wander around. I saw Ysa na nakapupulot sa braso ni Patrick. There's Gelai on the other side. Nathan and Ivy at marami pang iba. In full blast ang nararamdamang saya ng lahat as we offer a final toast for our dear friends. Bumaba na rin sila sa stage at nakipag halo bilo sa amin. Hudyat na magtatapos na ang programme, pero hindi pa raw kami uuwi. May after party pa sabi ng babaeng pink ang buhok.

Then all of a sudden music fills in the air, I know that it'll gonna end up on getting wilder so soon, just like old times. "IT'S TIME TO PARTY!" Sigaw ni Alex pagkatapos niyang inagaw ang mic kay Trish. He dances as he slowly unbutton his shirt up and going down.

"OMG! LEX, why didn't you tell us na may ganyan ka palang talent? Di na sana kami nag hire ng sexy dancer kanina," pabirong wika ni Trish.

My brows furrowed then, so nag hire pala talaga sila? "Anong akala niyo sa'kin? Easy boy?" He smirked, ngunit nagpatuloy siya sa paggiling-giling.

Tawang-tawa na may halong pandidiri yong naging reaksiyon ni Patricia. "Yong totoo? Oo!" Singhal niya. "Remember one time when you were locked at the..." huminto siya kalagitnaan habang napaawang ang aking bibig.

Sasabihin ba talaga niya? It was supposed to be our secret. Iilang tao lang nakakaalam ng pangyayaring yon. Loaded narin yata si Trish kaya nakalimutan niyang kalimutan ang dapat ng kalimutan. Haha.. gustong gusto ko ng tumawa sa nakitang reaksiyon ni Alex, pero nagawa ko parin namang pigilan.

Luminga-linga ako at hinanap si Rafa, 'yong co-host ni Patricia kanina. Mas kawawa si Alex kapag narinig ni Rafa ang lahat. His secret will be out of the open. But instead ay si Anthony ang nahagip ng mga mata ko. Hanggang sa may narinig akong nagsabi na nauna na raw si Rafa sa susunod naming venue.

Muli kong ibinalik ang paningin sa dalawang tao na nag-aasaran. Pinakawalan ko na ang aking tawa nang makita kong biglang nataranta si Alex. Tuluyan na siyang huminto sa pagsasayaw. Animo'y maiihi siya sa sobrang pagkataranta.

"What the f**k! Shut up Trish!" He uses his palm to cover Patricia's mouth, may kahihiyan din pala ang gagong 'to. Hangang sa humagalpak na ako sa katatawa nong maalala ang pangyayaring 'yon.

I'm sorry Lex, I just can't help it. But he do got a glimpse of what I just did. Enough for him to call my attention. Sa akin naman siya bumaling ng tingin.

"Don't... wag mo akong pagtawanan Drei," he points a finger on me, "Ikaw ang may kasalan no'n!" Untag niya.

Mabilis na humakbang si Anthony palapit sa akin. "Lagot ka Drei, kasalanan mo raw," humagalpak narin siya sa katatawa. "A-ako? Ako talaga? Ba't naging ako?" Sagot ko habang tumatawa parin.

"Oo, ikaw! Nilandi mo 'yong tao using my name at no'ng magkagipitan na, no'ng makarating kay..." he was taken aback and trailed off. May nalunok yata or maybe he just remember the Bro code? Pinaikot niya ang tingin sa paligid bago muling ibinalik sa akin. Biglang naputol ang aking tawa.

Para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Bilis naman ng naging karma ko. Pigil hininga ko siyang tinitigan, hoping he'll be able to comprehend. Makuha ko sana sa tingin Lex. Diyos ko po, maintindihan niya po sana ako. Maikli kong panalangin.

Inakbayan ako ni Anthony, "I got you Drei. But I suggest, magdasal ka na ng maigi ngayon. Maybe tonight is not your lucky night, dude." Mahina niyang ibinulong sa akin, humahagikhik pa.

Marahang siko sa tagiliran ang itinugon ko sa kanya. Isa pa tong alaskador nato. Antayin mo mamaya kapag nakalapit ako kay Ysa. Tingnan lang natin kung magagawa mo pang tumawa ng malakas.

"Di bale na nga..." Narinig kong muling nagsalita si Alex. Tinapos na niya ang kaingayan at umalis ng stage.

"Whoah!" Sinabayan ako ni Anthony sa pagbuga ng hangin. Hanggang sa muli na akong nakahinga ng maayos.

"Daldal mo Bro, di ka pa lasing niyan ha!" I immediately grab Lex and drag him outside. Sa rooftop bar na namin itutuloy ang party.

"Mahaba pa ang gabi Bro, I intend to do the talking later, so yah better watch out!" Banta niya sa akin ng tumatawa narin.

"Sige, subukan mo lang akong ilaglag, sasapakin na talaga kita." Nasabi ko habang naka-akbay sa kanya. Sinundot-sundot ko ng aking kamao ang kanyang tagiliran.

Ngunit di man lang natinag ang loko, instead ay mas lalo niya pa akong pinagtawanan. "Anong meron Drei?" Ngumiti siya ng makahulugan.

"What do you mean?" I acted innocent kahit alam ko naman ang tinutumbok niya.

"Nawe-weirduhan ako sayo. Dahil ba ito sa lady in a bl…" dali dali kong tinakpan ang kanyang bibig, gaya ng ginawa niya kay Trish kanina. Nagpupumiglas si Alex, pilit na inaalis ang kamay kung nakatakip sa kanyang bibig niya.

"Bakit? Wala pa naman akong sinasabi ah! Ni hindi nga ako nagbanggit ng pangalan. Anyare? Ba't bigla ka yatang nagiging matatakutin ngayon?" Kantiyaw niya sa akin habang tumatawa.

Sasagot na sana ako, just when my eyes met hers as I look at the person next to us. How could I haven't even noticed them?

Gwynneth and Patricia following our lead while chatting. I look away as I felt a little bit anxious, may narinig kaya sila? Siya? Mas binilisan ko pa ang paglalakad at iniwan si Alex, wanting to get rid of him and his blatant behavior. I can no longer tell kung hanggang saan niya pa kayang kontrolin ang sariling bibig, ngayong nakainom na. Mas mabuti ng wala akong marinig, and it's up to Gwyn kung maniwala man siya o hindi.

I've gone tired of defending myself according to other people's opinion. Just then ay may kamay na biglang humila sa akin. Pagtingin ko ay si Anthony ulit ang aking nakita. Nagpatianod na ako sa kanya. Mas kampante ako with him, compared to being with Alexandro.

"Antayin niyo ako Drei!" Sigaw ni Alex habang nakasunod sa amin, but we just ignored him. Bahala ka sa buhay mo Lex daldal mo.