Dusk Kisses

05

It's monday.

Naaalala ko pa lang na makikita ko si Kent ngayon? It makes me go crazy! Ba't nga ba kasi kami nag spin the bottle na may dare? Ba't di nalang mixed beverage para mas challenging.

I'm taking that back, mas challenging pala 'to!

I'm in front of my vanity area now. I was fixing my collar, kalalagay ko lang kasi ng I.D. ko. I also put a minimal amount of makeup. Pang tago ng stress kay Kent. Walang halong biro. Di niya ako pinatulog! Walang segundong dumaan na hindi ko inisip 'yung nangyari. I was all clouded by the thought of how will i act when we meet.

Should I pretend like nothing really happened? How about telling him I'm sorry? Kasi I knew that he has a relationship with that girl named Hanna pero... Sinabi ko pa rin 'yung... Tsh, I'm so disgusted with what i have done to the point that I can't even say those three fcking words!

Sinuot ko na 'yung school shoes ko tsaka dahan dahang lumabas ng kwarto.

My sight trailed to Aia. She seems...i don't know. Better, perhaps?

i hate to ask if she's really okay na, halata naman kasing hindi.

I awkwardly looked away.

Kung 'yon ang coping mechanism niya, wala na akong magagawa kundi samahan lang siya.

Binaba niya 'yung mug na hawak niya at kinuha na yung car keys.

"Ready ka na?" She asked casually.

"Yeah, tara na?" I switched the tv off, and checked if all the appliances were unplugged. Ayokong masunugan, ayoko rin umuwi sa bahay. Now that I've learned the things I can do without them? ayoko na.

T'saka isa pa, masyadong nakakasakal si Dad.

the reason i was covering up for.

Lahat kasi ng kilos namin bantay na bantay niya. Parang batas militar sa bahay. Though, pagmamayari ng company namin 'tong building na ito. That's our business, Condominiums, hotels, and transportations. He still watches us, monitors us---but thankfully, not like before.

A part of me understands his way of disciplining us. Ayaw niya kaming lumaki ng barumbado, pero, sobra naman yata yung pagiging protective niya. Mas gusto ko kasama si Aia, mas magiging independent ako dito.

t'saka pwede naman pala 'yung ganito... bakit ko pa gugustuhing bumalik do'n?

"Ito na 'yung form 137 mo, just hand it to Ms. Antonio. She already knows what to do." She said in monotone. I just nodded because I really don't have anything to say.

Asteria dropped me off in front of our highschool building, she always makes sure na nakapasok na 'ko sa loob bago siya umalis, in that way she's assured that I'm safe.

feeling niya lapitin ako sa disgrasya. she said i'm a walking bank and that i should keep vigilant blah, blah, blah.

what she doesn't really know is that no one actually cares who i am. Close friends lang talaga and family friends. i seldom join them sa mga charity ball or partnership shts. I want to keep my profile confidential as possible, nababalitaan ko kasi 'yung mga taong napapahamak dahil alam na mayaman or may ari sila ng isang sikat na kumpanya.

Well, I don't want that to happen to me, 'no!

Nung nakapasok na ako sa lobby nag wave ako kay Aia bago siya umalis at dumiretso sa college building.

Same nga kami ng pinapasukan na university pero magkaiba lang ng building, hindi naman kasi pwede pagsamahin ang college sa junior High school.

Dumiretso na ako ka agad sa classroom because Wala naman na akong iba pang pupuntahan. As soon as i landed a foot inside the classroom, parang napako na roon ang paa ko at nanigas ako sa lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko at lamig ng mga palad ko.

Kent...

He was straightly looking at me. Di ko alam kung ilusyon ko lang ba 'yon. I was looking down while shifting to my seat. My mind was clouded by the thought of what happened last Friday.

fck.

"Oh my god! Seriously?!" Napalingon ang lahat sa malakas na boses ni Hanna. kahit ako halos mapatalon. parang lalo akong kinabahan.

"and you didn't bother to tell me?" Di makapaniwalang tanong niya, it's difficult for me to know who she was talking to but... I presume she's talking to Kent dahil doon siya nakaharap.

A part of me wanted to hear more of their conversation because pakiramdam ko ay ako iyong pinaguusapan nila.

Di namin siya kaklase pero bakit nandito siya? bida-bida?

Tumingin ako sa paligid ko, iniwasan ko 'yung gawi nila Kent. I looked around to see if nandito na ba 'yung tatlo but it seems like masyado akong maaga pumasok.

I just shook my head slightly before getting my binder out from my bag. Chineck ko kung nagawa ko ba lahat ng take home tasks, I kept massaging my temple because I literally can't manage to focus solely on what I am doing right now.

"For fck's sake, Get a grip nga, Sele-- i mean Lauri!" Impit kong sabi sa sarili. I bit my lower lip as his voice kept on continuously playing in my mind.

the way he called my name. It seemed...

"huy!" para akong tangang gulat na gulat na napatingin sa tumawag sa 'kin. Gosh, thank you for waking up my system. Si Xera lang pala, akala ko naman kung sinong sugo ng kalangitan! her skin's so pale kaya!

"uy!" bati ko pa sa kaniya habang pinapanood siyang ibaba 'yung mga gamit niya sa katabi kong upuan. Wala naman kaming seat plan, kahit saan pwedeng umupo as long as makikinig ka sa teacher.

"antok ka pa?"

"huh?"

"tulala ka kanina, e" umupo na siya. "nakangiti nga lang" she was smirking!

"in love?'

"what the heck?! no--I mean of course not! hindi ko siya crush" i know i sounded so defensive pero wala na 'kong magagawa dahil narinig niya na. "in love agad? 'di ba pwedeng maganda lang 'yung gising?" i lied. Hindi naman maganda 'yung gising ko! this is definitely one of the worst moments of my life!

she grinned. "e, parang wala pa 'kong sinasabing pangalan pero meron ka nang naisip"

she tapped my left shoulder, making me look at it. "relax" she chuckled softly.

i just furrowed my brows and shrugged.

Wala akong pinalagpas na page sa libro at sa binder ko, i was thoroughly checking it dahil hindi ko talaga gustong may ma-miss akong kahit isa. Pati 'yung mga answers ko, nireview ko just to make sure i did them correctly. napapansin ko namang nagbabasa lang si Xera habang nakikinig ng music sa earphones niya.

I was in the middle of concentration and my phone suddenly vibrated. Maybe it's just Aia.

From: Kent Pogi

You're looking bright and shiny today, anyway, goodmorning:)

My eyes suddenly widened upon reading his message. I tried my best not to look at him behind me. It was hard though. I almost failed.

What's his deal ba? What does he want?

Di ko siya nireplyan pero nagtext nanaman siya.

From: Kent pogi

Are you free after class? manong's asking for you, crush ka yata.

From: Kent pogi

Just kidding!

I frowned at my phone trying to stifle a smile.

Is he using manong just to make a pass at me this early in the morning? Or.. assuming lang talaga ako?

I tilted my head partially on my right.

Yeah, right, assuming lang ako, impossible 'yung inisip ko. Friendly lang talaga siya...

From: Kent pogi

Hey, I said I was just kidding. Pero free ka nga?

Ano bang trip nito? Di ba niya gets na nahihiya ako sa ginawa ko nung friday?

Ugh!

From: Kent Pogi

Okay, you're not replying on purpose. Are you mad?

From: Kent Pogi

Or feeling famous?

Ok, sorry! Di ko mapigilan. Natawa na ako! Paano ba naman kasi, nairirnig ko yung boses niya through text--- not just that! I can also imagine his facial expressions in my mind! God is that still normal?!

I chuckled quietly, I was afraid I might catch Xera's attention.

I was about to type my reply pero dumating na yung prof namin for the first period. "Bye! Later na lang" Umalis na rin si Hanna sa room.

"Order muna ako," Xera volunteered, katatapos lang ng morning classes at nasa cafeteria na naman kami. Kumain na yata yung hobby namin ngayon.

sabayang pagtaba.

I smiled unconsciously because of that thought.

"Sama! Ay wait ano sainyo Mae? Laur?" Sy asked.

"I want barbeque!" Mae uttered with utmost enthusiasm, crave na crave, teh?.

"Bopis sakin" I'm really craving for mang Jojo's bopis.

Napaka saucy plus the chili taste!

Xera linked her arms with Sy's at dumiretso na sa counter.

"Laur?" I looked at Mae, she looked like she was hesitating to say something pero too late na dahil natawag niya na ako.

"What will you do if you find out na nirerebound ka lang niya?" her question left me frustrated. Well di pa naman ako nagkaka boyfriend and... I won't say na ready na ako kasi... Nakakatakot. Keri ng happy crush lang and fling, but commitment? Hard pass.

It's terrifying how you give love then receive pain. I mean.. Gusto ko, inaamin ko. Gustong gusto ko maramdaman 'yung sinasabi nilang spark when it comes to love pero hindi ba't sobra naman if i would... get broken just because i wanted to experience that fcking spark.

Gusto ko lang maranasang magmahal... hindi ko sinabing pati ang masaktan.

The thought of what happened to Aia made me preoccupied for less than a minute. It scares me.

"I mean, if you were me ha," She clarified.

"Well, I don't literally know what to do---I've never been in that situation. Pero mas maganda siguro kung humingi ka ng space sa kaniya. You're too good to be a rebound, you're too worth it just to be a rebound. Well, wala naman sigurong taong deserve maging rebound" I became skeptical kung tama pa ba 'yung sinasabi ko.

"You know what, i think I'm just overthinking. Ang ganda kasi ng ex ni Rizekiel" she's insecure?

'kala ko kapag maganda nawawala na 'yung insecurities.

'yon 'yung stereotype sa mga magaganda, e.

"Sa'n mo naman nakuha 'yung thought na rebound ka?" I can't help but to ask, wala nga akong experience 'di ba.

"Baka mahal niya pa si Bea, baka sobrang hirap para sa kaniya mag move on kaya he's using me to ease his pain?" She sounds so not sure.

"You know what?" I held her hand. "maganda man 'yung Bea na 'yon, maganda ka rin! I'm sure Makakahanap ka pa ng mas better para sa'yo, kung sure ka na, na nire-rebound ka lang ni Rizekiel" I tried to convince her, just to fade her insecurities away.

"Wait" I realized something as though a light bulb appeared at the top of my head.

"kayo na?!" i smiled widely enough to make me look like a child who just found out na nagkabalikan na ang mga magulang niya! nakangiti naman siyang tumango-tango.

"Maerenica!--" i almost squealed! grabe!

"shh! 'Wag kang maingay" pabulong niyang sabi. Ito naman ako, tatango tango ng parang tanga. I was just excited and acting upon the spur of the moment!

"Okay, okay" I breathed in and out to calm myself.

one out of four! well, 'di na 'ko nagtaka na siya ang nauna, maharot lang si Syrus pero si Mae talaga ang habulin sa 'min. si Xera naman low-key lang pero ang alam ko may boyfriend din siya. ewan, hindi ko sure. para naman kasing wala.

it didn't take a while, bumalik na si Sy and Xera sa table with the receipt.

"Gosh, feeling ko nalusaw 'yung makeup ko sa init! The line is too long!" Sy complained, she was making an exhausted face.

"Asan na 'yung food?" Mae asked them.

"oo nga? where's the food?" i looked behind them, i was waiting kung may sumusunod sa kanila na may dala ng food but i failed.

"Dadalhin na lang daw dito! Nako tama lang 'yon, 'no! Sobrang crowded na sa waiting area nila" reklamo pa ni Syrus.

"ahh" I mouthed.

"hey, you're not cute you look so pangit" I saw Hanna sa entrance ng Cafeteria, laughing with matching hampas-hampas pa sa biceps ni Kent. I don't know but my face suddenly turned into a grimace.

"Pabebe" i whispered to myself. napairap na lang ako.

"Oh really?" Lumapit siya sa tenga ni Kent at may ibinulong pa.

my brows shot up, i can't believe my own eyes. God. ang kalat.

i was all irritated until i saw Syrus face, nagtataka sa itsura ko.

pinatong ko na lang ang baba ko sa siko kong nasa ibabaw ng lamesa sabay tingin palayo.

God, no.

"bakit ga--"

"Heto na ang pagkain niyo mga, hija. Pasensya na at masyadong humaba ang pila, kulang kasi ng staff ngayon. Umuwi ng probinsya" pagpapaliwanag nung waitress, kinuha niya 'yung table number at umalis na. I freakingly sighed too loud!

After that we went straight to our classroom para na rin makapag plano sa activity namin. Mag fi-film kami ng short movie for El filibusterismo.

John exhorted me to get some rooftop shots using his DSLR. Absent kase 'yung may drone. Pwede naman ako bumili ng drone now na but he insisted na wag na daw.

Pumunta na ako kaagad sa rooftop kasi matagal pa naman 'yung lunch namin, 11:40 pa lang, e, 12:30 pa 'yung simula nung afternoon class namin.

Sy's with me, napilitan. and I was smiling like a fool.

"Nako! Sinasabi ko talaga sa'yo! Pag ako hindi mo sinamahan sa cafeteria mamaya, papaltukan talaga kita!" I promised to come with her kapag gusto niyang samahan ko siya, lagi kasing pumupunta sa cafeteria ng senior high. I just laughed. nervously.

"Seriously, laur what's with that face earlier?" Kinukulit niya ako habang kumukuha ng shots.

"May hinanakit ka ba kay Hanna?" She awkwardly laughed.

"I... Don't really know, Sy," i tried to convince her with my tone. She's not satisfied with my answer though. Tinignan ko 'yung shots, pictures pa lang ang kinukuha ko sa ngayon. Later na 'yung videos pag tumahimik na 'tong isang 'to

my eyes were squinting dahil masyado nang tirik 'yung araw. hinawakan ko na lang nang maayos 'yung camera then I used my right hand to protect my eyes from the sunlight. i can't get a better view dahil sa sinag ng araw.

"laur..." i answered her, "how do i say this..." she asked her self, it's almost a whisper pero narinig ko pa rin.

"By any chance....are you--" She massaged the sides of her nose bridge and looked down, still thinking "please don't tell me you like Kent? or m-maybe you can, i mean you actually can but---do you?" her sight went back to me.

Tumakbo ako sa kaniya na nakaupo sa bench at tinakpan 'yung bibig niya. I even looked around to see if there's anyone. "what the hell?!" I exclaimed.

"Look... I don't like him! I'm just annoyed because of her kaartehan" i made an imaginary quotation with my fingers.

"Alam mo, walang rason para i-deny mo 'yan sa 'kin. Tanggap ko kung nahuhulog ka kay Kentot dahil talaga namang napaka lakas ng dating no'n---"

"Di ko nga gusto, Sy"

"Pero di ka rin sure" she made me doubt myself.

"The heck? Seriously? I'm just annoyed because of her"

"there must be a reason why you're annoyed! At 'yon ang unang pumasok sa utak ko" She's just jumping into conclusions. "Kung may bitterness ka kay Hanna, there should be a reason behind it! E, ano bang ginagawa ni Hanna palagi? e,'di ba, ang sumulpot at dumikit-dikit kay Cielo na parang linta?" She's really trying to justify her conclusion. Wala namang sense.

"Okay, i get it. Ayaw mo pang aminin sa sarili mo" my brows furrowed. "look, halata ka masyado. You're just in denial." She speculated. "Okay lang 'yan, go with the flow lang, sis!"

"Sy, trust me, I don't really like him. In fact I'm also irritated when he's around--" i tried to sound convincing as i can. Hindi ko gustong ganito ang iniisip niya sa 'kin gayong hindi naman ito ang intensyon kong palabasin.

"I know you well, laur, don't you read phsychology facts? they say kapag daw lagi kang naiinis sa particular person, it's either you like them or you're envious" ang kulit!

"what the fck, naniniwala ka do'n?! they're not even real phsychologists--" i tried to not raise my voice.

"Ah basta bahala ka diyan, it's super hot here. Sayang ang skincare, magbubukasan ang mga pores ko sa mukha!" she cut me off then walked out habang magka krus ang mga braso.

I just shrugged. It's really impossible in every way and angle.

Naka limang shots na rin ako na iba iba ang angle. Pinanood ko rin 'yung videos kung smooth ba 'ang pagkaka montage. I took another one 'yung mas better for me.

The rooftop gate clanged, naririnig ko pa 'yung kandado. Pero hindi ko na tinignan kung sino iyon, my gut feeling was telling me that it's Syrus.

"Oh akala ko ba mainit dito at sayang 'yung skincare mo? Bat ka bumalik?" Nakatingin pa rin ako sa viewfinder ng camera.

"narealize mo na? Tama ako 'di ba? I don't like him." i stated with my utmost confidence.

"Sinong hindi mo gusto?" My eyes inadvertently widened as I looked around...

What the freak?

It was Kent... again.

my lips parted.

My heart began to pound harshly as my mind was filled by last Friday's memory.

damn.

Ito na naman ba tayo?

"U-uh... si..." words failed me!

Wala akong maisip kung sino!

Tumaas ang mga kilay niya, obviously waiting for an answer.

I clicked my tongue.

Bakit ba kasi siya nandito? Bakit ko ba inakalang si Syrus--- Bakit ba kasi ang daldal ko? Ang tanga namang kasi sele-- Lauri! Lauri! Si Lauri ka! Stop calling yourself Selene!

pero ako rin 'yon!

I looked away as my face looked terribly problematic but after a while my sight turned back to Kent, I don't want him to have such absurd ideas.

"Who's the guy?" He smirked

"Si ano," fck, sino nga ba? Di ko naman pwedeng sabihing ikaw!

Alam ko na!

"Si D-daustine." Nawala yung ngisi sa mukha niya kasabay ng tilang pagbago ng hanging nang banggitin ko ang pangalan ng kaibigan. May mga ideya pang binigay sa 'kin iyon but i refused to believe any of them. "Pero 'di ko nga siya gusto!" Agap ko. I was moving my hand through the air, leveling mga shoulders to gesture a 'no'

Ano namang pake ko sa ngisi niya! Ugh! Mas kailangan mong intindihin ang sarili mo Lauri!

His jaw aggressively moved as he tried to look away.

"Reto kita?" His sight went back to me. I can hear the sarcastic tone coming from his voice.

"You gotta be kidding me.. " I must've looked pathetic dahil kausap ko siya pero ako lang rin ang nakakarinig sa sarili ko dahil sa hina ng boses ko.

I can't believe him. I just can't...

After ng klase, dumiretso na muna ako pauwi. i took a cab, i don't like trying the jeep. delikado raw sabi ni Aia.

Irereto niya ako kay Daustine? Hindi ko nga 'yun gusto! At kung sinabi ko man 'yung totoo sa kaniya na siya 'yung tinutukoy ko, hindi ko rin siya gusto!

Ugh! Ba't ba 'yun 'yung iniisip ko ngayon?!

I should be relaxing and releasing all the stress my studies have caused.

"Kuha ka nga ng beer do'n" inutusan ako ni Aia.

Nanonood kami ng movie ngayon sa lounge namin, Dito rin sa condo.

One more chance. I have watched it over a hundred times.

siya lang 'yung umiinom! May pagka go with the flow ako and not kj pero 'di naman ako nagmamadali.

I can wait until my age is legal para maka inom na ng liquors. Damang dama niya kasing umiyak, mas masarap daw magdrama 'pag may beer. I didn't believe her, kailangan ko munang patunayan na it's real. Pero not now.

I stood up and went to the kitchen to get her a beer and a cupful of ice cream for me.

My phone suddenly rang, nilingon ko na lang 'yon. It was a text messaged so I didn't bother to check kasi nasa couch pa, e, nasa kitchen nga ako.

When i already got the beer, i found Aia swiping on my phone.

"From Kent... pogi" her eyes narrowed as her gaze went up to me.

"What? Siya nag lagay niyan, why the hell would i even do that?" I explained.

"Defensive ka, wala naman akong sinasabi." She turned her sight back to my phone. "okay, from Kent pogi... Hey, Daustine thinks you're... cute though i think di kayo bagay, masyado siyang mature for you..." binasa niya, loud and clear! i scoffed upon hearing his message. look at him now, dinidiscourage na 'ko.

"Sino si Daustine?" My eyes widened kaya napatakbo ako palapit sa kaniya. I snatched my phone from her! Buti na lang she didn't read any further!

Normal rin naman sigurong kabahan kahit wala naman akong ibang ginagawang masama 'di ba? Ang weird kasi talaga. "A classmate" my eyes was on her, trying to convince her.

"Ahh, classmate. May picture ka? Patingin!" She sounded like a five year-old kid!

"Wala!" I shifted to my seat, settling with my cup.

She leans closer to me just to see what I am going to reply.

To: Kent pogi

You're so kulit! How many times should I tell you na I'm not into him nga?

"Weh?" Aia commented while looking at me with her doubtful eyes.

Kontrabida! Pwede niya na palitan si Gladys Reyes!

I rolled my eyes.

"I promise, sis, I'm not seeing anyone right now" she doesn't seem convinced. "Nor dating."

"Bakit wala?" I gave her a seriously look. I knew very well that this was just some kind of her test. Knowing this girl? She always does the testing sht, especially on people she's curious with.

My phone vibrated again.

From: Kent Pogi

sure ka?

it's sarcastic! obvious naman and why the heck i can hear his voice through these letters? Nakakarindi! Kahit pagtawa niya naiimagine ko, it all makes me feel irritated.

Babanatan ko lang 'to, isa lang pramis.

To: Kent pogi

Sure ako

I grinned.

To: Kent pogi

Sayo.

To: Kent pogi

oh my, God. i'm just kidding, kadiri, pls.

From: Kent pogi

you're making me gag, pls

ginaya niya 'yung please ko!

I swear I can hear his voice! I bit my lower lip to contain a smile, I was about to reply.

Aia leaned back to the couch and rolled her eyes.

"Parang alam ko na kung bakit. Dahan-dahan sa pagtatype, baka mapudpod daliri mo, ah? Tas 'yung smile, tingin nga" she held my chin "abot langit, oh" she exaggerated as she always does.

I shook my head to take her hand away from my chin then continued to type ng irereply kay Kent.

"Wala ka ngang gusto do'n sa Daustine," i gave her a hurried look. "Baka kase yung kausap mo 'yung bet mo." She sounded like she's spilling a tea!

the smile on my face slowly faded. I have to prove her wrong.

binura ko lahat ng tinype ko, hindi ko na lang rereplyan.

"Eww ate----aray!" She hit me! shuta ang sakit!

"Wag mo 'kong ma-ate ate! Mas nagmumukha akong matanda katatawag mo sa 'kin niyan, eh! Okay na ko sa pagkamalan tayong kambal kahit mas maganda ako sa 'yo!" My face showed a disgust expression.

Ugh! Gusto niya yung kinakausap siya ng pabastos, 'yung tipong kakausapin mo lang siya like a kabarkada mo lang. Walang basehan sa age, gano'n.

That's why I'd always call her by her name.

"Ang bad mo na sa 'kin porke di ka na gano'n ka broken! I'll tell Dad about your ex!" I threatened her.

"sige lang! Basta mag si-balot-balot ka na, di ka na makakauwi dito!" She shot back.

"Joke lang Asterianah" i emphasized her name para mawala yung inis niya because i called her ate, 4 years rin naman kasi ang gap namin.

Nasanay rin ako nung nasa bahay pa kami ng daddy na tinatawag ko siya ng ate, ayaw ni dad na tinatawag ko si Aia sa name niya. Do'n daw nagsisimula yung pagwala ng respeto sa nakakatanda.

Old people and their beliefs, ugh, I'm so sick of it.

I went to the bathroom para mag-shower at magpalit ng damit, i just wore a silk pajama outfit. The lights were off kasi earlier kaya i didn't notice na the ice cream were already melting on my spoon.

Natuluan tuloy ako, ugh ang lagkit!

I did my usual night routine. Nag toothbrush, nag blow dry ng hair kasi I don't really like it when matutulog ako nang basa 'yung buhok ko, sumasakit 'yung ulo ko, then nag skincare na ako.

I jumped on my bed and reached out for the ac's remote, nilakasan ko 'yung ac.

I tried to entertain myself by surfing on twitter.

I saw a tweet liked by sy,

Can't @CkVsqz.

Sud - Di Makatulog | 2:07- 2:32

1hr ago. 09/03/07

At that very moment, I wished I didn't look up to the internet for that song.

I fave-d the tweet.

i don't know if this is just one of the side effects of what Syrus told me, a part of me was saying na... the tweet is for me. Ewan ko, ha! Pakiramdam ko lang naman.

gosh, Lauri, wake up! He has a girlfriend, it's probably for her!

I kept convincing myself that it wasn't for me hanggang sa nakatulog na rin ako.

The next day, I just did my usual routine tapos hinatid na 'ko ni Aia. Nothing special for this day... i guess.

"Hey" I was so confused when Daustine joined us for recess.

Lord! Can't this day be any better?

"Oh, my freaking' gosh, why Mr. Ordoñez is here with my girls?" Mae enthusiastically said while walking towards us. Nilapag niya 'yung tray and binigay sa 'kin yung plate ko.

"Hi" tipid na bati ni Xera.

I saw Sy tend to make a whistle when her lips formed an 'o' but she refused to do it in the end.

"Mas better kung si Cielo 'yung nandito," She mouthed causing me to nudge her!

Wala namang ibang nakarinig... sana.

Daustine took a gaze from me at itinuon ang paningin sa pagkain niya. We started eating after the short chit chat.

"Are you free this Wednesday after class?" Alam kong ako yung kausap niya pero di ko inalis 'yung attention ko sa pagkain ko.

"Miss Laura, free ka ba ngayong Wednesday?" Nilevel niya ang mukha niya sa akin,

Laura?! What da frick

"It's Lauri. Siguro?" Di ako sure.

He licked his lower lip before talking

"Sus, di naman tayo masyadong busy sa mga requirements. Kakapasa lang nung last 2 weeks, e" pag papa-alala niya. Ano 'bang trip nito?

I looked at where Kent and his friends used to sit, and there I saw Kent. He's smirking while subtly pointing at Daustine.

Mukhang pinag-kakatuwaan nila ito.

Kung di ka pumunta sa rooftop wala sana kami sa ganitong situation! Kasalanan mo 'to Kentot!

I imagined marching up to him then shouted right in his face.

The smile on his face trailed off when he saw me frowning at him, he stared back.

Aba palaban ka, ha.

His jaw moved aggressively as he turned his sight to Michael, who's Currently laughing. Maybe because of Kent, I'm not quite sure.

"Ano tara? Mall tayo bukas? Papa-reserve na 'ko ng ticket?" This flirty guy asked. Naagaw na naman ni Daustine ang atensyon ko and this time, i agreed to his offer.

"Sure, ako na sa food" I bluntly stated while staring at Kent who's full of himself.

You like playing games, huh? Well, you really have no idea how I mastered this game. I grinned.

Thank you sa Netflix. I learned a lot there kaya kahit i have no jowa marunong naman ako.

Pero agad nabaling ang paningin ko kay Xera nang padabog na binagsak ang kanyang kubyertos.

She inhaled a large amount of air and walked out from the scene. Mae worriedly followed her.

What's with her?

We finished eating at dumiretso na sa classroom, naiwan si Daustine do'n kasama nila Kent.

"So ito na nga 'yung naedit na" John was showing us the clips he edited, 'yung clips na shinoot ko sa rooftop plus 'yung introduction.

"It's really nice pero i don't like the filter, mas maganda siguro kung V17 'yung gagamitin para feel na feel 'yung vibe na pinaparating natin" Erich suggested.

"Excuse me," I have to go to the restroom na! I can't hold it any longer.

"Malinaw na malinaw, Mae! i've told him countless times and yet he chose to ignore me. i can't believe him." I heard Xera's voice Nasa isa akong cubicle ng restroom, releasing my urine.

Kakapasok lang nila nang magflush ako. It sounds like they're arguing about something, 'di ko alam.

"Maybe... maybe he's just really interested in her. He's friendly, baka gusto niya lang rin kaibiganin... parang kayo," My brows furrowed sa sinabi ni Mae. I am well taught that eavesdropping is rude but i can't help, my curiousity got caught by the hook! "but that doesn't mean your friendship is over, right? alam mong importante ka sa kaniya..."

"Then why did he choose to go against my words?"

"he must have a reason, friend... kilala mo siya"

"'yun na nga, i feel like he's not the one i knew before... he's... he doesn't seem like his usual self... our friendship's falling apart, Mae"

"Maayos niyo 'yan. kayo pa ba? you've been friends for what? 6 years?"

"this isn't the first time... and knowing him? He doesn't care about the past. Those 6 years mean nothing to him."

nang lumabas ako sa cubicle, Mae's lips parted. At bahagyang humarap sa direksyon ko.

I went straight to the sink and reached out for the soap dispenser.

"got a problem?"