Dusk Kisses

16

"ahh" I massaged my head gently.

Ang sakit ng ulo ko! Lagot ka talaga sa 'kin Syrus!

if i had only known that it would be this hard sana di na lang ako sumama.

My body feels a little bit stiff kaya nag-stretch ako ng katawan.

"Oh my God," Napabalikwas ako ng upo as my eyes automatically widened as if I had no control over it. I held my head, trying to remember anything. I hissed when I remembered nothing but the fact that I had real fun last night. "f*****g disaster..." I checked on my body if I am still wearing the same clothes I was wearing last night. Relief washed over my system. napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at nakahinga ng maluwag. "Thank God," but that relief immediately trailed away the moment my own smell gathered around my nose. My hair stinks! Amoy alak! Amoy na amoy 'yung pagiging madumi, gross!

Wala nang maghehesitate, agad akong pumasok sa common room.

When I entered the cr, I have noticed that I wasn't wearing any make up, wala naman akong pake dahil-- boastful enough, maganda pa rin naman ako. Nag hilamos ako at nag gargle ng toothpaste with water. Hinalo ko lang. Pwede naman siguro 'yon? I guess?

While staring at my own reflection, I can't help but wonder how the hell i got in here. Sinuyod ko na lahat ng kasuluksulukan ng memories ko pero mas bulok pa yata sa 2gb ang memorya ko. Pamilyar ang scent ng room kaso di ko matandaan kung saan ko ba naamoy 'yon.

A quick scan through the room helped me found my phone. Napakunot ako nang may nakita akong nakadikit na sticky note doon sa phone ko.

'You were sleeping like a log, I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise that i'll transfer you right after we get your key-card. I locked the door for you, don't worry.

Best, Kent.'

Agad akong napatingin sa pintuan at napansing nakalock nga yung door knob. I bit the inside of my cheeks for a second, preventing myself from smiling like a fool.

I'm so lucky to finally found these people. My people.

Pero kahit nagpapasalamat ako kay lord na nakahanap na ako ng mga kaibigang hindi ako pababayaan, naiinis pa rin ako kay Syrus! I bet she didn't even bother to look for me or even check up on me!

Her phone rang countless times and just when it's about to hung up, bigla niyang sinagot.

Buzzer beater rin 'tong babaeng 'to, e. "you witch," I said with obvious conviction.

[Ugh! Masakit ulo ko wag mo muna ako talakan ngayon, please]

"You're my most hated person right now, hindi mo man lang ako hinanap!" Sinadya kong sigawan yung phone ko para naman makaganti kay Sy.

[Gaga ka ba? Pa'no kita hahanapin kung tulog pa 'ko?] She groaned, probably stretching up. ['wag ka na sumimangot d'yan, nasa panaginip naman kita... yie]

"Ugh! I hate you! Buksan mo 'yung door, I'm on my way na!" I told her before cutting the line. Madali lang akong nakalabas. Nakita ko na nasa counter lang yung keycard (iniwan siguro nila) kaya hindi ko na nilock ang pintuan. Baka sila pa yung mahirapang pumasok kung ilolock ko. Saan kaya sila natulog?

Not long after, I ran to our room, bare footed. I was holding both of my heels dahil masakit ang paa ko. I don't think I can manage to walk with such a painful ankle. Syrus opened the door for me in spite of her unwillingness to do so before sending herself back to sleep again. It seems like she really was in a deep sleep and I am the only one who had the audacity to disturb her peace. Gano'n din ang ginawa ko after I freshened up and had a heavy meal. I checked the time before dozing off, it's almost 1pm na pala.

I was completely at peace not until the girl who was sound asleep earlier woke me up with her soul-strickening music! I tried to cover my ears with my pillow para makatulog ulit pero di talaga kinakaya ng eardrums ko! I swear i won't get taken aback kapag may kumatok sa amin at magreklamo.

Binato ko ang unan ko kay Syrus na kalalabas lang galing bathroom, She dodged it kaya she stuck her tongue out to tease me sa kapalpakan kong bumato. "Bumangon ka na Señorita! Ano? Wala ka nang balak kumain? Past 7pm na, oh!" She showed me her phone. "Matutulog ka lang pala, dumayo ka pa"

"For the record, you're the one who wanted me here." I shot back.

"Nasa labas na sila, tayo na lang ang hinihintay. Dun daw magdi-dinner sa restaurant malapit lang dito" she informed me.

"Gaano kalapit? 40 kilometers?" I chuckled sarcastically.

"Grabe ka naman, mga 37 lang!" She rode on my joke.

Disappointing enough pero ganun talaga kalayo yung mga restaurants mula dito sa resort nila Mae. "bakit ba hindi na lang sa hotel mag-dinner?"

"Masarap daw do'n sabi ni Maerenica."

"That better be worth it. I swear to God." nahihirapan man, I immediately stood up at naghanap ng damit na maisusuot. I decided to stick with a basic top, I partnered it with high waisted plaid shorts and a beige ankle strap sandals. Thankfully, my ankle has gotten better than it was earlier.

Di na 'ko naligo dahil i already took a bath earlier bago matulog, di 'rin ako pinagpawisan kaya i don't feel that dirty naman.

"Bilisan mo! 'Pag tayo naiwan, ikaw ang maghahanap ng kakainan natin!" Syrus threatened me.as if naman na madadala niya ko sa paganyan ganyan niya!

"Eto na nga, madam, 'di ba?" Binilisan ko 'yung lakad ko to keep up with her.

When we reached the area kung saan naghihintay 'yung mga kasama namin, I apologized to them for being late. I bet they were all hungry na rin.

Our trip lasted for approximately 40 minutes. Sa loob ng 40 minutes na yun sinisisi ko lang yung sarili ko kung bakit hindi ako kumain muna ng kahit sandwich lang. Kulang na lang manginig ako sa gutom, e.

Naunang pumasok si Mae, may kakausapin daw muna. For reservation pala kasi 'tong Restaurant. And we just spontaneously appeared in front of their place. Pero kakilala naman daw ni Mae yung may-ari so we expect no issues.

Nasa labas kami ng coaster ngayon, yung iba nakaupo sa bench sa mismong labas rin ng restaurant habang ako nakatayo lang sa tabi ng paso na malapit sa bench. I keep looking over inside, hinihintay kong matapos mag-usap si Mae t'saka yung empleyado. May sinusulat sa papel yung emplayado habang si Mae, inip na inip na nakapangalumbaba sa may counter.

"Water?"

Napalingon ako sa likod ko, "M-mhm?" Kent was holding a bottle of water and he looked like he was handing it over.

"Gusto mo ng tubig?" I raised my brows quickly, fully understanding what he meant earlier. "Don't worry, it's sealed."

"Oh," Gutom na talaga ako. Feeling ko na-dry na yung laway ko sa loob ng bibig ko. "Thanks." I smiled before accepting it.

Maganda 'yung napili nilang resto, I wish masarap 'yung pagkain para naman di nakaka-disappoint and so staving my hunger won't go to waste. Kanina ko pa nililibang ang sarili ko para hindi ko maisip na gutom na ako pero halos lahat yata ng sulok ng restaurant na makikita ko just from here where i'm standing nakita ko na. The place was so i********: feed material. It gives off spanish era vibes. Even their posters outside the restaurant. Yung mga dish, pang filipino talaga. Not like the restaurants in Manila na para kang nag around na world sa lawak ng options.

"Kent,"

"Selene?" sa tingin ko never na talaga ako masasanay na second name ko ang piangtatawag niya sa akin.

"Salamat," nginitian ko siya.

He was smiling dominantly when he tilted his head a little on the side for just a couple of seconds. Parang nag-isip pa siya. "Sa tubig?"

"For letting me sleep in your room... pero sana ginising mo na lang ako para nakalipat ako ng kwarto."

Napatawa siya ng konti bago muling nagsalita. "You should've heard how you snored, bet you won't even dare to disturb yourself." my lips parted in so much embarrassment. Grabe saan siya humuhugot ng lakas ng loob para asarin ako?! "Ang lakas pa nga, hindi halatang pagod na pagod, ah?" he said in such a sarcastic manner.

"You're definitely bluffing, I don't snore!" I sounded defensive.

"Yes, you do." he seems adamant about it!

"Hindi nga." pilit ko. Sa buong buhay ko hindi pa ako nasasabihan na humihilik ako. Bakit pa ako maniniwala ngayon?

"You can't deny it, I heard you clearly." he flashed a grin, pushing me to my edge! "Mas malinaw pa sa 4k resolution."

"Sa ganda kong 'to?" tinuro ko ang sarili kong mukha. "I won't buy it. Hindi ako humihilik. Tapos ang usapan."

He's still wearing the same smile he was showing earlier. It never faded for the whole time I was talking to him. It makes me want to appreciate his company even more. "Hindi dahil maganda ka, hindi ka na humihilik. It's normal when you're tired. I understand."

Sa dami ng sinabi niya, ang pinaka remarkable talaga ay yung hindi siya nag oppose sa sinabi ko. I smirked subtly but I think it was noticeable because he slightly furrowed his brows. "Ahh, so, maganda nga ako?" alam ko naman na maganda ako. Matagal na akong aware. Pero iba kasi talaga kapag sa ibang tao nanggagaling. Syempre para sa akin maganda ako pero para masabihan ng maganda ka? Nakakaflatter na pasok ka sa standards nila in terms of beauty. Let's be honest, beauty standards are things we hate but also believe. Kung hindi man natin ma-apply sa iba, sa sarili naman natin nagagamit. And that sucks. Everyone is pretty, iba-iba lang talaga ng preferences ang bawat tao.

Ang tagal kong naghintay ng sagot niya but it seems like he froze. I was close to thinking na na-stroke na siya. Parang hindi na nga rin humihinga. "Huy!" I nudged him gently.

He raised his brows as he blinked rapidly as if he lost control over it. "S-sorry what?" he answered after looking preoccupied.

"Have you gone dumb?" Nung natutulog ako naririnig niya yung hilik ko tapos ngayon hindi niya narinig yung tanong ko na undeniably na mas malakas kaysa sa hilik ko?

he drew a sharp breath in before letting it out at once. Even his confused look faded when he let out that deep breath. "Oo naman."

"Ha?" I instantly creased my forehead as I felt so lost in our conversation. Nabingi nga siya? Pakiramdam ko hindi kami nagkakaintindihan. Parang magkaibang subjects yung topic namin. "Oo as in na-bingi ka?" paglilinaw ko.

Yung itsura niya, parang gusto niyang matawa! "Na maganda ka," he pointed out, which sent shivers down to my spine. I looked away. Akala ko sanay na ako makatanggap ng compliment pero parang gusto ko nang magpalamon sa segundo na naramdaman kong nag-iinit ang mga pisngi ko. Parang mas okay pa ko sa humihilik ako kesa sa ganitong sinabi niya.

I thought I was already confident enough.

"By the way, where'd you guys sleep?" I diverted the conversation.

He looked away, seeming like he's hesitating if he's going to tell me or not. Ilang beses pa siyang umiwas sa mga mata ko. Kahit pa sapatos niya, natignan niya na. "We rented another room." my eyes almost popped out when it widened.

Did he just say they rented a freakin room?

"Sandali, anong sinabi mo?" my lips parted upon realization. It's starting to sink in. "You rented another room?" I know very well that I don't look scary when I widen my eyes naman pero mukha siyang intimidated nang sobra-sobra!

Nakita ko yung listahan ng rates ng hotel at sure akong hindi biro ang expenses. Tumango lang siya na parang batang inosenteng hindi alam kung ano ang mali sa ginawa niya! I gasped upon confirming what i heard. "And how much did it cost you?" kunot noo ko siyang tinanong. I might've done it a little too aggressive than I can describe.

"Around 10k?" hindi pa siya sigurado sa lagay na yun!

"My God. You're already excessively spending just by doing that. Hindi ka na sana gumastos, mas madali namang gisingin ako kaysa magbitaw ng 10k for just one night!" one thing I hate is being treated by other people when I know I don't deserve it. Ayokong nasasabihan ako ng ibang tao na hindi ako deserving so i trained myself to not accept anything that I don't deserve. But sometimes, people are just too good to be true. Just like This guy, Kent.

"Ano 'to?" agad nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin nang inabot ko sa kanya yung kinuha ko sa wallet ko. I don't really use my cash because it's just for emergencies pero bahala na. Ngayon lang naman.

"Duh, 10 thousand?" i sarcastically said. It was obvious tapos tatanungin niya pa? "Bayad ko sa accomodation mo."

"Hindi ako naniningil." His voice gives off a real soft tone in a way that's kinda soothing. Yung ayaw na ng away. It feels too warm, hindi masakit sa tenga.

"Gusto kong bayaran." Pinilit ko kasi gusto ko.

"Paano kung ayaw ko?" He raises his brows quickly as he turns his head slightly to the side but he's still looking at me—or my reaction, I guess.

Tumingin ako sa tuhod niya para pasimpleng yumuko, baka magka-stiff neck kasi ako sa sobrang tagal ko nang nakatingala sa kanya. Bakit ba kasi ang tangkad-tangkad nito? Never in my life i expected myself to blame my own genes for being just 5'5'' kuntento na ako dati pero ngayon pakiramdam ko napakaliit ko kapag nasa tabi ako ng mga kaibigan kong lalaki. "Ayokong nagkakaro'n ako ng utang sa ibang tao."

"Hindi ako ibang tao. We're friends, Selene." ayan na naman siya sa ganyang tono. Pag nakaaway ko siguro 'to mahihirapan akong hamunin—not like i'm planning to fight him naman.

"At ano? Sasabihin mo na that's what friends do?" I chuckled once. "Gasgas na 'yun, tanggapin mo na 'to."

"I don't need that," the way he declined my offer made me feel like i'm offering him something that's illegal.

"For my own peace. Tanggapin mo na lang. Nangangawit na ako, oh." I flinched my arm to show him that I've been holding it up since the moment I whipped the cash out of my wallet.

"Say please," if he hadn't said it in such a sarcastic manner, I would've believed him.

"Fine! If you don't like cash, what else could I do to pay you back?"

"Bahay at lupa." he was smiling kaya medyo nahihirapan akong i-anticipate kung seryoso ba siya o hindi. A house costs much colossal than a hotel room but his request was unquestionable dahil it's his thought that counts. He's kind and he deserves it naman. What I just can't justify is, why would he want a house and lot? Ang alam ko, mayaman naman sila.

Kinuha ko na agad ang phone ko para ilista ang mga sasabihin niya. "Your preferable location?"

He blinked thrice. "Wait, seryoso ka?" I winced. so he was not? "Jusko, masama kang biruin." kung makatingin siya sa akin para akong bagay na bago sa paningin niya. His eyes were wide and his lips parted.

My lips parted. God knows how hard it is for me to verbalize what I wanted to say. Gusto kong mainis kasi naloko niya ako. Pero gusto ko rin mainis sa sarili ko kasi naniwala ako kaagad. "You know, I was about to open my savings account right now. You got me there." I rolled my eyes while stopping myself from smiling. Nakakaasar.

He just smiled like someone who just achieved something huge. "A dinner would do," sabi niya.

"Dito?"

"Maybe when we got home?"

"Okay, deal."

It felt like victory when the crew let us in already. We hurriedly shifted to our seats. Finally.

I looked around to evaluate the place, "they have good taste in interior design."

She raised a brow, "really?" Even though she still seems sassy, I could see the smile on Mae's face.

"yeah... kakilala mo yung owner, right?"

"not just a kakilala,"

I slowly nodded then massaged the temple of my head. I felt so uncomfortable when a headache started acting up. I tried to drink a lot of water---like seriously a lot.

Gosh i shouldn't have agreed with this plan. Hindi sana parang binubutas sa sakit yung ulo ko kung nasa unit lang ako.

As expected, dumating na 'yung food namin. We took a lot of photos for our i********: stories and feed. Xera led our short prayer, she even gave us a good scolding na kesyo inuna daw dapat 'yung pag-pray kaysa sa pag take ng photos! You know naman, Xera, the tita of manila.

After that moment, we paid the bill. We divided it into eight para equal daw, kuripot ng boys! Si Kent at Michael lang 'yung willing magbayad pero wala silang choice kaya nagbayad na lang din sila. Iiwan namin sila doon para maghugas ng plato kung hindi sila magbabayad, though it's still depends if the manager will show leniency.

We went straight to our rooms and changed our clothes. Balak nila mag bonfire sa seashore, ayoko naman masabihan ng KJ kaya sasama na lang din ako kahit ang sakit talaga ng ulo ko. T'saka... gusto ko na rin silang kasama. Makulit sila at maingay but they make such a good company.

"Sy, mauna ka na muna... I'll find my anklet. I think I misplaced it, eh," parang nagdududa pa ang tingin niya sa akin. Akala niya siguro iisahan ko na naman siya. "Mabilis lang, I swear,"

"Okay?" The doubt in her face slowly faded but was immediately replaced with excitement. "Bilisan mo, ah! Pag ikaw hindi sumunod sa akin, sinasabi ko talaga sa 'yo Lauri Selene!"

"God. When will you ever stop threatening me?" I chuckled before I bent my knees to look under the bed. Baka nahulog ko yung anklet ko dito.

Halos maitaob ko na yung buong room namin pero hindi ko talaga mahanap yung anklet ko! Possible kayang naiwan ko kila Kent yun? I almost flinched when I heard knocks. "susunod nga ako..." sabi ko pa. hindi makapaghintay, e. "Sandali na lang talaga, promise!" i shouted so she could hear me kahit nasa loob ako ng comfort room.

I'll try to look inside my bag. Last na dun. Kapag wala talaga, pupuntahan ko na lang yung kwarto nila Kent mamaya.

"Hey," I was quite taken aback when I heard a different voice so I took an effort to turn around and there, I saw Kent. He was leaning against the door in his summer clothes.

"Oh." napasinghap ako. "I thought you were Sy," I just smiled then went back to looking for the anklet.

"Saw her on the way to the elevator," he inhaled a large amount of air. I saw him whip something out from his pocket. "Anyway, dumaan lang ako para iabot ito. I figured you might need... this" he stepped over the door threshold, completely getting inside the room.

May inabot siya sa akin na box ng pills and it looks like it's for hangover. "Seems like you figured it right. Kailangan ko nga," I smiled at him while accepting what he gave me. Actually, muntik ko na ngang makalimutan yung sakit ng ulo ko sa kaingayan ni Syrus, she kept me entertained talaga at hindi ko magets kung bakit ang taas taas ng energy niya gayong lahat naman kami nagpakalasing kagabi. Life's just unfair.

"Now I know how you guys still manage to go to school after alcoholic nights. Dahil ba dito?"

"Bingo." he smiled. "There's so much in one pill. Totally a life saver."

"Paano ka nakakauwi nang lasing? Hindi ba nagagalit mom mo?"

"Will you think badly of me if I tell you that she doesn't know?" Hindi ko na naman alam ang isasagot ko sa kanya kaya napatingin na lang ako sa kanya. Gusto kong isipin na hindi maganda yung ginagawa nila but who am i to do that? Kahit rin naman ako hindi ko sinabi sa mga magulang ko o kahit pa kay Aia na uminom ako kagabi. There's no reason I'm aware of to be enough for me to decide kung kailangan ko bang sabihin sa kanila o hindi.

"I won't judge. Every person has skeletons in their closet." kahit pilit, ngumiti pa rin ako.

Tinuro ko yung plastic na nasa ibabaw ng kama ni Sy, "You want some?" inalok ko siya nung binili ni Syrus kanina sa pasalubong store. Sinabihan ko naman siya na wag na siya bumili nang marami dahil hindi pa naman kami uuwi pero ang sabi niya sa akin hindi naman daw niya iuuwi. Dito niya raw kakainin. Sa sobrang dami nun, hindi niya naman siguro mapapansin na may binigay ako kay Kent? Pero if ever lang na mapansin niya, bibigyan ko na lang siya nitong hangover meds.

"Ano yan?" lumapit siya t'saka umupo sa gilid ng higaan ko. He casually spreads his legs as he reaches for the plastic bag. Mula sa lamesa, i walked towards Syrus' bed para buksan yung plastic at ipakita kay Kent ang laman nun. "Tablea?"

"Chocolate daw yan but a little bit bitter," binuksan ko para sa kanya. "Gusto mong kainin as it is or with hot water? Pwede siyang hot chocolate."

I was expecting an answer from him but he raised his brows and looked at me instead. "Ikaw? Ano bang gusto mo?" tanong niya.

"With hot water."

"We'll have hot chocolate, then."

"Ikaw nanunuod nito?" he asked me right after he turned the tv on.

"Nah, si Syrus ang mahilig sa mga ganyang movies. Mahilig sa zombie s***h thriller yun," i mentioned. Minsan nga, pipili pa lang ako ng papanuorin namin meron na agad si syrus na naisip pero puro naman zombies. Horror ang gusto ko, iyong may mga multo o possession and especially exorcism pero siya ang gusto niya ay yung mga zombies na parang laging may minumumog sa lalamunan.

"Tell her I recommend resident evil. 10 percent feel-good, the rest, chaotic zombie scenes," he chuckled. "Ikaw? What kinds of movies do you like?"

"I prefer horror pero halos lahat na ng horror movies sa netflix napanood ko na, I wanna try romcom."

"You don't like sci-fi?"

"Masakit sa ulo intindihin." napatawa siya sa sinabi ko. Totoo naman kasi.

He rested his forearms on top of his knees t'saka kinunot ang noo, "Why? Tell me more,"

"Masyadong malalim. Kapag manonood ako ng sci-fi pakiramdam ko instead of relaxing, sumasakit lang yung ulo ko dahil sa sobrang daming details na dapat i-keep in mind. And you know what? I hate watching movies and learn nothing. Like you know vibranium?"

"Yeah, the fictional element."

"I once watched a movie and it featured vibranium. I was amazed— like really amazed of it's attributes so I studied about it tapos malalaman ko it's not true pala! Nakakaasar lang. Thinking of how much energy and effort I put into that. Gosh, it feels beyond nakakapanghinayang."

"So you really analyze things?"

"Yeah and one more thing." he raised his brows, hinihintay akong magsalita. "Sci-fi isn't my thing. Never would be."

"You remind me of someone." he chuckles before sipping on his cup of hot chocolate. Napasarap na rin kami sa kwentuhan, I just hope Syrus won't yell at me for breaking what I told her.

"Talaga? Sino?" I couldn't help but feel curious. "Ang lawak na ngiti, ah? Parang mapupunit na yung labi mo. sabihin mo na kung sino."

"Childhood friend," he looked at me with those brown eyes. Ang galing talaga ng mata nito, they look so much lighter than the usual brown i see from people's eyes. Parang natatapatan ng flashlight yung shade ng brown ng eyes niya. They look unreal.

"hmm,Let me guess, the name starts with H..." I subtly bit the inside of my lower lip as I tried to smile. "I'm right, aren't I?"

He nods. "She also hates sci-fi the way you do," tatawa tawa pa niyang sinabi. Wala namang nakakatawa dun. I can't really get over how I hate being compared or even being similar to other people. I wanna be unique. One in a million.

"Just to be clear. I don't like sci-fi but I don't hate it either." Bottomline, Hanna and I are not the same.

"Really? Well, then, will you give it another chance?"

"Let's say, I'm fine with second chances." In a swift move his hand was already wrapped around the remote but I stopped him from looking for a movie. "But not now, ayokong masinghalan ni Syrus. Let's go down na," nang tumayo ako, agad rin siyang sumunod t'saka niya pinatay ang tv.

"Wala namang araw pero naka sunglasses?" Pagpupuna ni Daustine sa shades ni Syrus ang una kong narinig nang marating namin ni Kent ang pwesto.

Mark smirked with all the mischief he has. "Sorry, akala ko sanay ka na sa nakakasilaw kong kapogian," he wiggled his brows playfully.

Syrus' immediate reflex was to wince with passion and glare at the boys with all her heart. "Pakialam niyo ba kung masyado akong naliliwanagan sa apoy? Kayo ba magpapagamot ng mata ko 'pag nabulag ako?" sagot niya kay Daustine. Hindi na ako magtataka kung hanggang sa ilalim ng dagat rinig pa rin ang boses nitong babaeng 'to. She's too loud. "At t'saka, hoy! Markian! Saan ka naman humuhugot ng kapal ng mukha mo?" She shot back.

"Pinagkakaisahan niyo na naman 'to?" I said before sitting beside Syrus. Tinawid ni Kent ang kabilang gilid at doon umupo sa tabi ni Daustine. Nagkatinginan muna silang dalawa bago ibinaling ang kanya-kanyang atensyon sa kung saan.

"At ikaw, Ba't ngayon ka lang bumaba?" Syrus asked me with a crease on her forehead. Halos 15 minutes lang ako nalate grabe agad siya makareact. What more kung nanood pa kami ng sci-fi ni Kent? Baka magkaroon pa ng world war 3, knowing how loud this woman can go. "Magkasama kayo?"

"Yeah, he gave me something." I'm having a debate with myself whether sasabihin ko bang kumuha kami ng tablea o hindi. "Sy,"

nilingon niya ako.

"kumuha kami ng tablea, just one pack lang. I'll pay for it later, ha?" she just creased her forehead then shook her head rapidly that I lost count on.

"isa lang naman pala, wag na!" she looked at me with suspicion in her eyes. I know it very well, she's thinking about something. "Pero ba't ang tagal niyong bumaba?" that's what i thought. Wala namang chismis na nakakaligtas dito.

"Napasarap yung usapan. Oh, also, he recommends you to watch resident evil instead of that movie you were watching earlier"

Kumunot ang noo niya na parang may inaalala siya. "Ah yun? Isusunod ko nga yun pagkatapos," tumango-tango na lang ako.

We're almost ten meters away from the sea but the gentle wind from the sea felt like feathers being caressed against my bare soul. Pakiramdam ko kinukulong ako nito sa mahigpit niyang yakap. There were a few bulbs out here, bukod sa bonfire iyon ang nagbibigay ng liwanag sa paligid namin. Wala nang lumalangoy dahil madilim na at malakas rin ang alon but some people were hanging out by the shore, hinahayaan na dumampi ang alon sa kanilang talampakan.

Everythings was beyond serene. Everything was soothing.

Just like the usual bonfire parties, they prepared snacks and beverages. Nagsimula na yung mga guys na mag roast ng marshmallows nila kasi atat sila at hindi na makapag-hintay. "Tanga iikot mo kaya! Napakatamad mo talaga 'no?"

"kailan ba yan sinipag?" Daustine commented. they were picking on Mark. Steady lang kasi niyang niroroast yung marshmallow. He's supposed to continuously rotate it pero tinatamad nga yata.

"tignan mo, ayan sunog na yung kalahati!" halatang pikon na pikon na si Syrus sa inaasal ni Mark. i'm not expecting them to have a ceasefire pero sana 'wag na lang sila sumigaw. Nakakarindi rin minsan.

"Ikaw na lang kasi gumawa nung sa 'kin, hindi nga ako marunong" sabi ni Mark kay Syrus. Kapag siguro dumating yung araw na hindi na sila nag-aaway, masosolve yung kalahati ng problema ng buong mundo. Kaso malabo.

"Lahat na lang pinagawa mo sa akin, ako na rin kaya bumuhay sa 'yo?!" napipikon na sagot ni Syrus.

"Paalam ka muna kay mommy natin," biro ni Mark. inirapan na lang siya ni Syrus, parang hindi na alam kung paanong paraan kakausapin 'tong loko-lokong 'to.

"Lauri!" Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa akin. It was Xera. I smiled, returning the smile she gave me.

"Kanina pa kayo?" Mae asked.

"Hindi, kakarating lang din. sila, nauna rito," i motioned my hand to lead her sight to the guys.

Nung umupo sila sa log na ginawa naming umupuan, nilapag agad nila yung cooler na dala nila. I have a feeling that there is alcoholic drinks inside it.

shet, di pa nga ako fully recovered sa kagabi may kasunod agad?

"sana prepared ka," Sy whispered close to my face

"prepared for what? liver transplant? no thanks," nakangiti akong umiiling sa kanya habang sinasagot ang sinabi niya.

"Ang oa mo, alam mo yun?"

"The best ka talaga, Mae. Kaya ikaw ang favorite bestie ko," pangbobola ni Mark nang makita niya yung nasa loob ng cooler.

"Akala ko si Syrus ang favorite mo?"

"Favorite asarin, bwisitin, alipinin, kulitin at laitin pwede pa," sabat ni Sy with a mix of a little (little lang siguro) bitterness.

"Grabe ka naman sa akin, lods," sagot ni Mark.