Dusk Kisses

04

"Sino siya?" She said with a heat resistant spatula on her left hand, 'yun pa ang pinanturo niya kay Kent.

"Hi, miss," I don't know how he kept it cool. Aba! Don't tell me type niya ate ko?!

I glared at him habang sinasabi ang mga iyon gamit ang mga mata ko dahilan para tinigilan niya 'yung pag ngiti niya. But that wouldn't stop my heart from beating so fast!

Teka ba't ba 'ko kinakabahan eh wala naman kaming ginagawang masama?

I faced Aia

"Ah, si Kent. don't worry, aalis na rin siya. " i tried to sound convincing.

"H-huh? Aalis na 'ko?" I gave him a makisama-ka-nalang look.

"Oo aalis ka na, 'di ba--" I eyed him with my best smile... I did that just to contain my nervousness. ewan ko rin.

"dito ka na mag lunch," ramdam ko 'yung coldness ng voice ni asteria. Isusumbong niya kaya ako kay daddy? Ano naman isusumbong niya? Porke magkasama jowa agad?

Why am I even thinking about those absurd things?

"ikaw kasi, 'di mo 'ko pinakain kanina... hindi naman ako mabubusog sa tubig" he whispered near my ear before stepping inside. ang kapal naman talaga ng mukha, oh! Did i told him to help me? Hindi naman, 'di ba?

"Are you guys... friends?" She raised her brow at nilapag 'yung dishes sa dining table. 4 sitters lang 'yung table namin dahil kaming dalawa lang ni Aia dito, madalang din na may pumunta kaya inapatan na lang namin.

I said no but Kent said yes. ang feeler? he looked betrayed.

I just rolled my eyes out of frustration.

He took a glance at me then trailed back to Aia. "Yes, po" Aia made a disgusted face when Kent responded to her.

She mocked him.

"Po?" He mimicked what Kent has said "Ano ako gurang?" Pambabara pa ni Ate.

While we were eating, nagsimula na magtanong si Asteria ng mga bagay that i don't fcking understand why she had to.

"So how long have you guys been friends?"

"Ate," i warned her. Hindi maganda yung pagkakatanong niya, assumero pa naman 'tong si Kent.

"Yuck! Don't call me ate, and I'm just asking lang naman. Right, Kent?"

Bahagyang tumango si Kent, i can sense that he became skeptical kung tama ba yung pag-nod niya lang.

"So gaano na nga katagal?" Nakataas pa iyong isang kilay niya.

"I can't specifically---"

"Stop with those detours, diretsahin mo na lang" di makapag-hintay na ani Aia.

"3rd grade, then it stopped, then it has resumed this August." ako na ang sumagot.

"Shut up, I'm not talking to you" both of my brows raised up matapos niya sabihin 'yon.

Hah! Matapos niya 'kong hindi samahan sa pamimili she's just going to talk to me in that way?! Aba naman!

"Bakit natigil?"

"We kinda... lost connections."

Asteria nodded slowly, "Long enough, huh."

"no, it's not" i immediately stopped her from thinking stupid ideas.

she said some things in an inaudible voice kaya di ko rin naintindihan.

"Are you single--"

"Aia." I warned her.

"what? I'm just asking!"

"you're going over the line!"

"asan? asan ang linya? gin lang ang alam kong bulag pero wala akong makita?" she sarcastically asked me.

what the heck.

"Tsh" nagpatalo na lang si Asteria.

"i think i already saw you... sa'n ba yun" she looked up to somewhere, really trying so hard to think where she had last seen him.

"ah! sa parking lot, yung mall d'yan sa 8th district? ikaw yung kausap niyan nun 'di ba?" she points at me.

Kent looked at me with confusion all over his face, "y-yeah i think that's... me"

Natapos ang lunch and Aia didn't ask any further. It was a relief.

Nasa labas kami ngayon ng building, hinatid ko lang siya. I don't want to be rude sa taong tumulong sa 'kin.

"Uh, thank you... for lending a hand" he licked his lower lip before biting it subtly.

"hands, actually" he joked. I chuckled.

"And also don't mind Asteria gano'n lang talaga siya--" I tried my best to sound so sincere but he cut me off.

"No it's okay, at least now I know how it feels to have a sister" bitin ang tawa niya.

"I think I should get going," he pointed to the exit door with his thumb while looking at me.

"Ingat ka," I raised both of my brows for a second.

"Right, I will," he smiled before turning his back against my direction.

Days went fast, lalong nagiging busy araw-araw. Asteria and i can't even talk to each other. Uuwi akong wala siya, gigising akong tulog siya. Mukhang pagod na pagod.

Today is the day na magluluto na kami. We enjoyed serving foods sa mga kids. Ang babait nila kaya we didn't have any difficulty.

"Ate, ang ganda mo na ang sarap mo pa magluto! tapos ang bait pa! Gigirlfriendin kita paglaki ko." The kid enthusiastically said, that made me smile.

ang saya niyang tignan kaya hindi ko na lang sinabi na hindi ako 'yung nagluto...

I just caressed his hair and tapped it a little. "pag laki mo baka may anak na 'ko," he frowned as he pouted.

"ang daya naman! bakit ba kasi hindi ako kasing edad mo..."

"marami naman ibang girls d'yan for sure, magugustuhan ka rin nila... just try to be friendly!" hindi kasi siya nakikipag usap sa mga kids na ka-age niya.

"pero ang iingay nila!" i just laughed, he's too cute!

At first hindi siya mukhang kasama sa ifi-feeding dahil sa loose shirt niya, di ko nakita 'yung kapayatan niya. Maputi siya at may katangkaran para sa age niya.

If i only had a brother siguro iispoil-in ko lang siya. We won the competition and We had 5% incentive sa grade kaya i was super duper ecstatic that day! It was a nice and fair price kesa naman pera na kung saan-saan lang ipang-gagastos. T'saka sa yaman ng mga tao dito baka barya lang sa kanila yung makukuhang premyo! And cut the bullsht, we spent a helluva lot more than the money they would consolate us. Sa uniform, aircon at upuan mo lang naman mararamdaman yung binayad mong ilang daang libong tuition. The rest, mararanasan mo rin sa any kind of shool. Hindi naman binabago yung mga lesson plan. Hindi rin naman pwedeng baguhin nila. Hindi naman sila batas.

The next week, finals na for first quarter.

I had a hard time studying. i often sleep late, naabutan ko nang umuwi si Aia.

"Sure ka bang pumapasok pa sa utak mo yung binabasa mo? Ugh!" She's exhausted.

"Uh, yeah? I guess?" i shrugged.

Madali lang naman 'to diba? Di naman ako babagsak, 'di ba?

Gosh, her question just made me doubt my own mind!

Why did she even have to ask that?!

how annoying!

Just by Aia's question, I became uncomfortable and freaking skeptical! If I fail, I'd definitely blame it on her.

Tatlong araw 'yung na-consume ng finals namin. Dalawang araw to see the results.

"YES!" I almost jumped in excitement

"Sy, yes! Wala tayong bagsak, Sy!"

"Oo, 'teh! Nakikita ko! Teh, may mata ako, oh!" I hugged Sy, kasama ko siyang tumingin ng results.

Later that night, we went over to Xera's house because her mom wanted to throw a party pero we insisted na dinner nalang since di pa naman kami umiinom ng liquors kaya parang kiddy party lang ang mangyayari.

Kaming apat lang ni Sy, Mae and Xera kaya we'd decided na ituloy na 'yung sleep over namin.

Sa kanilang tatlo, si Syrus ang pinaka close ko ever since 3rd grade.

Magaan siyang kasama kahit garapal 'yung bibig, she's not her if it weren't for her voice and unlimited chikas. Taklesang bibig.

Pranka din, and that's what i like about her. Kung may hindi siya gusto tungkol sayo she would immediately tell you that. Pero may pag ka soft hearted. she's like a chocolate coated ice cream. hard on the outside but soft in the inside. like there's a soft spot inside her na hindi niya pinapakita basta-basta. she's like a mom, alam niya kung sino ang dapat kaibiganin at kung sino ang hindi.

"Tara spin the bottle!" Mae suggested, right after we put our facial masks on.

Ang 'go to' game ng lahat sa sleepover!

"There should be a dare if sa 'yo natapat," Xera added.

We played sa room ni Xera, sa part ng floor na walang carpet para smooth 'yung pagkakaikot.

Sy spun the bottle.

Kinakabahan na 'ko!

"hay" Xera and i both sighed, we giggled nang mapansin iyon.

Si Mae ang taya.

I can see the annoyance on her face. We laughed because she threw a tantrum.

"Sure ba yan? Ako agad? Baka scam yan, ah? Check niyo nga if it's defective!" She rolled her eyes, she was left with no choice! Aha!

"Gaga ka, bote lang 'to!" Syrus drastically said.

"I dare you to facetime your crush---but don't tell him why," Xera dared her.

"Okay, okay! That's easy" pinagpag niya pa 'yung sleeve ng damit niya, pretending that there was a dust.

The phone rang, inaantay naming lahat kung sino ang sasagot.

"It's late na, why?" we heard a raspy voice. Our eyes widened in such amusement. She showed us her phone and the guy waved at us. parang natutulog na siya kaso nagising.

Holy Freaking Sht

It's Rizekiel! Yung senior high!

Omg I'm envious of her! Total package na 'yon, e

We greeted him goodnight before hanging up the call.

"Kayo na?" Sy curiously asked Mae.

"Uhh, parang oo na hindi?" She shook her head "ah! I don't know!" She pouted.

"let our response be: sana all!" Syrus pretended to be in a mass with her hands together as if she was praying. Nako, baka masunog 'to!

"SANA ALL" Xera and i leaned over then shouted.

"Huh? Anong sana all do'n? We don't even have a label" we all made a sad face.

"Sana all may landi" Syrus winced, expressing her jealousy.

"Tama na, next na!" I tried to sound cheerful "it's okay sis, madami pang lalaki sa whole wild--ay wide world if ever he doesn't want a commitment." I consoled her.

My phone vibrated.

From: Kent Pogi

This monday, are you free?

are you free, sugar free... Pakantang asar ko sa isip ko.

Di ko siya nireplyan, i haven't checked my schedule for that day. Mae spun the bottle. Just like I did earlier, I tried my best not to be nervous at all. Aapat kami, impossible naman na ako agad yung maturo nitong boteng 'to.

I paid attention to their faces, puro mga kabado. Una pa nga lang facetime agad eh.

I heard them signed out of relief. My eyes widened as I witnessed how it stopped, pointing at me! Tangina.

I muttered a curse! I even pointed at myself with my index finger.

"A-ako?" Di makapaniwalang anas ko

"Hindi, 'yung nasa likod mo. Ayun, oh" tumagos ang tingin niya sa 'kin na para bang meron ngang kung sino na nasa likod ko.

"Ha.Ha.Ha. You're so funny, Syrus. Pwede ka na mag-comedian, 'wag ka na mag-aral. Mas may career ka diyan" Mae sarcastically Laughed

"Oo nga ikaw nga!" Napipikon man kay Mae ay sinagot niya pa rin ako.

Xera squinted her eyes. I can really feel her sharp stare! making my hand shake out of nervousness! kulang na lang ay mabutas ang mukha ko sa talim ng titig niya!

I looked at their eyes, palipat lipat ako ng tingin. I was waiting for them to say something until Xera grinned in a very intimidating way.

"Call the person who recently texted you" I smiled when i remembered it's Kent. I'm sure he won't mind. Kahit na for sure, mahaba na yung listahan ng mga kahihiyan ko sa kanya, siguro sanay na siya.

" 'yun na 'yon? Tsh, basic!" I pretended to be unbothered by his relationship status. for fck's sake.

"then tell that person that you love them!" She laughed. Hearing her laugh because of my face is the most mortifying moment of my life.

I can't even blink! It felt like I was paralyzed for a second or two!

but he... he's taken---i never dreamed of being a homewrecker!

i wanted to reason out pero akmang kukunin ni Xera ang phone ko and they would be the ones to call him kung hindi ako ang tatawag. My heart was rapidly racing! As in! I don't think I have had this kind of rhythm before in my damn whole life! My hands were still trembling while turning my phone on.

I bit my lower lip while dialing his number, it rang Once. Sinagot niya agad. Napapikit ako, I'm thinking kung gagawin ko ba talaga. "Hello?" His voice made my heart double a beat! Naghuhuramentado na naman 'yung puso ko...

normal pa ba 'to?! Baka naman defective na rin? May nabibili bang extrang puso sa Quiapo? O baka naman sa Baclaran?

"Selene" lalo akong ginapangan ng kaba at nanghina nang sabihin niya yung pangalan ko.

"I..." felt something in my throat.

"You what?" He sounds worried.

"I-i....love you"

nanginginig ako.

I feel so stiff yet every nerve within me trembles!

"Huh?" he asked but then, I didn't have enough courage to attend to his question. I hung up the call immediately. Nilamon na ng hiya ang buong sistema ko!

Tangina... What should i do now?! Must I apologize to him because I have said an undeniably--- outrageous thing given the fact that I am all aware that he's in a relationship with that hella intimidating chick?!

Tinignan ko silang lahat. They're stopping themselves to scream. Pero naniningkit ang mga mata nila.

"Sino 'yon?" Xera leaned over with her most smitten smile.

Halos maging 10 inches na lang ang layo niya sa mukha ko! She's paying super super extra attention to every moves I make!

"Ba't tumahimik ka?" Syrus started teasing me nang may napansin siya.

"huh... h-hindi ah" i defensively replied, I'm trying to stop my self from talking too much dahil kung hindi ay baka madulas lang ako at masabi ko sa kanila.

God, I feel so flushed!

"So... who's that person?" Mae curiously asked.

Bakit ba gustong-gusto nila malaman? Hindi naman ganoon ka intriguing ang pag uusap namin, ah? Tsaka sinunod ko naman ang sinabi nila!

"Si ano... "

"Sino?"

"'Yung, ano..."

"Sino nga kasi? " di makapaghintay na tanong ni Syrus.

"Sabihin mo na, don't be shy!" For goodness' sake! I'm not shy! Sadyang ayoko lang na malaman niyo pa, you know naman, mahirap mapunta sa isang awkward situation lalo na dahil.. Kent is one of my Classmates tsaka... May girlfriend siya... The one who helped him when his asthma acted up.

"Ano ba? kami lang 'to! Sabihin mo na!" Xera persistently said.

i was so nervous! wala akong ibang maisip."si A-asteria lang 'y-yon ano ba" halatang di sila naniniwala, binaling ko ang tingin sa ibang bagay pero ang utak ko ay halatang naglalayag sa kalaliman ng isip ko. Sht, i shouldn't have done the dare. Ano nang iisipin sa 'kin ni Kent ngayon? homewrecker?!

"It won't take you this long to tell us kung si Aia nga 'yon" my eyes subtly widened while i was looking down, how'd Xera know that?! is she some sort of undercover agent?! For the love of God..

"my gosh, so madaya! Patingin ng call history!" Mae stood up. She tried to snatch my phone, but thankfully, Xera's mom appeared at the door

"Girls? sleep na... Masama 'yung nagpupuyat pa kayo." Xera kissed her mom goodnight.

"Yeah, we were about to sleep na 'rin, ma" Tila ako tangang nakangiting nanonood sa kanilang mag-ina. At some point, I wished... I wished I were Xera... I hate to say this but I'm envious of their relationship. Hindi ngayon ang unang beses na nakapunta ako dito sa bahay nila kaya, somehow, nakikita ko yung pakikitungo nila sa isa't isa. I don't claim to know all about their relationship as mother and daughter but whenever I look at them all I see is what I want to have. The kind of bond that I will never have. I don't know why, but I'm sure.

Will I ever experience this?

"Oh, matulog na, ha?" Walang tigil niyang pagpapaalala, naninigurong matutulog na kami.

"Goodnight tita!" thank you..

The next day, maaga rin kaming umuwi kasi may kanya-kanya pa kaming gagawin. It's saturday today so magkikita kami ni Sy para sa training ng DALC, flag bearer siya at majorette ang sa akin.

Tinuruan kami kung paano 'yung mga basics. Di maiiwasan ang mapagalitan, mahirap rin kasi talaga. our instructor? he's so so mataray!

some of us, lalo na 'yung mga nasa lower grade level? umiiyak!

Dear God..

"Hey! Hey!" Our instructor shouted.

I looked around to see if I'm the one he's shouting at.

Damn it. Kasalanan ito ng baton! Napaka haba, ang hirap iikot!

"Yas girl, you!" He held his waist and walked towards me.

"po?"

"Ayusin mo ang paghawak mo ng baton!" He took the metal thing.

"Ganito!" He showed me how to hold it right as my mouth started to form an 'o' shape. I can't help but express my amusement.

Ang galing niya! Kung di lang sana mataray 'to...

"Di 'yung lalamya-lamya yang kamay mo!" He shouted while giving the baton back to me. He rolled his eyes at bumalik sa pinu-pwestuhan niya kanina. Tsh, ang galing rin nito, e. Mas masarap paikutin kesa sa baton!

Nasa loob kami ng isang room na parang pinagawa talaga for this club. Napapalibutan ang kwarto ng mga malalaking salamin, sa isang sulok naman ay may mga nakapuwestong extrang gamit. Malawak 'yung space kaya hindi problemado yung mga flag bearers.

The training lasted for 3 hours. Sy and I decided to go to the nearest mall. Masyado daw siyang na-stress do'n sa instructor nila.

"Sis, ayaw talagang mawala sa sistema ko 'yung pagkapikon ko sa instructor na 'yon!" Singhal niya. "Tapos nakita mo ba kung paano ako irapan kanina? Shuta, dukutin ko eyeballs niya, e!" She drastically said nang hindi man lang inisip ang sinabi.

We're currently at the ice cream parlor, hinihintay 'yung inorder namin. I just ordered extra vanilla, and as for her, she chose overloaded caramel. Vanilla has been my top pick when it cmes to ice cream---i love all of the flavors but nothing beats the classics.

She kept on ranting about their instructor and even I cannot stop myself from talking badly about my instructor! For a moment it felt so bad but that feeling has eased nang naalala ko kung gaano niya ako sinigawan kanina! We chatted for a couple of minutes hanggang sa dumating 'yung order namin. The server was a guy.

He's older than us pero sakto lang. Actually he looks 19 or something pero not higher than 23. Matangkad siya at may pagka moreno ang balat, his eyes are exceptional, may makakapal na kilay at pilik mata, medyo may kanipisan ang labi pero sapat na, he kinda looked like a smart guy. but who knows? never judge a book by its cover, right?

My eyes widened as my lips subtly parted when I witnessed how Sy winked at the guy.

tama ba 'tong nakikita ko?! Nang makaalis 'yung server, I found her smiling with a dumbfounded look on her face, her elbow resting on the table while her chin was upon her palm. Oh, God. She needs Jesus.

I made a wincing face then nudged her.

She was beside me lang kasi.

"you're disgusting the sht out of me"

"Ang hot niya right?" Sy playfully stated. Di manlang pinagisipan ang sinabi.

"you need christ"

We just went to the department store and shopped for skin care products. We tried the korean skincare routine nung nasa bahay pa kami nila Xera so we thought we could do it by ourselves kaya bumili na lang kami nung mga suggested products ni Xera. After that i went home na, gano'n din si Sy.

Nag-take out na lang ako ng fast food dahil expected ko nang wala naman doon si Asteria dahil 7 pm pa lang pero gano'n na rin ang gulat ko nang naabutan kong nakaupo siya sa couch, sitting with her most comfortable seat. nanonood ng kung ano sa tv habang dim lights lang ang nakabukas.

"Oh, di ka na busy?" Nilapag ko 'yung paper bag. Medyo nanibago ako dahil hindi naman ganito kaaga ang karaniwang uwi niya.

"di naman. hindi na" I don't know if it's just me pero something was off with her tone. Okay lang kaya siya?

I gasped in shock when I saw a broken non-salvageable mac book sa counter top namin.

Was this her's?! Bakit sirang sira?!

my god. Ano ban'g nangyayari?

I did nothing but stare at her. How could she let this happen? Ineksamina ko pa nang bahagya yung laptop. Wasak na wasak talaga. Wala nang pag-asa. Given the fact that Aia's the most unwilling person to spend money? I can't imagine how the laptop turned into something like this. Into something even the most intelligent robot can't fix.

Pero baka napulot niya lang? may pang bili ng isang building pero namumulot lang ng macbook, tss.

I shrugged then just chose to ignore it.

I took a shower tapos nag skincare. I wore pastel pink tank top and black dolphin shorts then jumped to my bed. Kinuha ko ang phone tapos nag browse sa ig.

Sy tagged me in her story. It was a video of me na tumitingin ng shades ng lip tints but before I even looked, the camera suddenly turned to her face. She made a resting b***h face with a smirk.

Typical i********: girl.

My curiosity didn't let the hook go, nakita ko 'yung story ni Daustine, a photo of a beer at isang Gin. Nahagip din sa photo si Kent, Nakayuko na parang iwas sa picture.

drunk highschoolers?

Well, that's not my... problem anymore.

I noticed the caption 'Pakisundo na @Hannaaintmontana si @KentVsqz' with a laughing with tears emoji.

May sumunod pa na story si Daustine.

Nakaakbay na si Kent doon sa Hanna na nasa kanan, siya pala 'yung babaeng nabunggo ko. At sa kaliwa ay si Michael na inaalalayan si Kent papasok sa puting BMW.

Something urged me to visit her profile which is why I just found myself doing so.

I can say that she's pretty photogenic. stunning, perhaps.

Model din siya ng isang fashion line. May mga photos din si Kent do'n pero puro stolen shots.

Tapos 'yung mga Highlights niya puro out of the country, kung hindi vacation ay photoshoots naman.

She has a lot of friends. Nakita ko sa post niya na may caption na 'christmas eve' it's a sleepover. Nando'n sila Kent, Michael, Daustine, Mark at may tatlong babaeng di ko kilala but i saw Mae there. Nasa isang malaking room sila na may 5 king sized bed. 'yun ang nasa background.

Halata rin na her family is very well off, itsura pa lang naman niya obvious na iyon. She looks spoiled.

I saw a picture of her in front of a building.

building ng company namin, a condominium-hotel company kung saan kami nagi-stay ni Aia. I checked the caption and it says

'bae took this photo.'

i scoffed loudly nung na-imagine kong kinukuhaan ni Kent ng photo si Hanna sa tapat ng building namin.

I pressed the back button, bumalik sa story ni Daustine 'yung screen page ko.

At first I hesitated to click Kent's profile but it's too late to have a debate with myself because I have clicked it na. I can't deny the fact that I was smiling while browsing through his photos.

Puro silly pictures, karamihan do'n may kasama siyang aso. From being a pup to a fully grown dog.

so he's a fur parent pala? Akala ko ba may asthma siya?

But my attention was caught by this picture, he was wearing a cute bunny headband tapos he has his tongue out. It's in a black and white filter. I can't stop my mind from sailing, wondering if the headband belongs to Hanna.

Sabagay, girlfriend niya nga pala.

I shook my head out of frustration. I almost had a heart attack when Aia suddenly barged into my room. She's hugging a pillow with a gallon of ice cream covered by her hands.

She climbed up to my bed then leaned on my back. I shook my body a little bit, ang bigat niya huh.

"What's wrong?" Nilingon ko siya. "Ayaw mo na ba sa makalat mong kwarto?" I joked. i laughed because of the look in her face but that laugh quickly faded when i noticed something off.

she took a deep breath in, seeming like composing herself. she looked up before turning her eyes on me.

"Ganun ba talaga?"

"Pag pagod ka na, nasa choices na 'yung pagsuko?" I don't really know where this is coming from but I'm sure she's in a bad situation. I can feel it.

Really really bad.

She looks tired, wasted.

Mukha siyang manang. Wala nang time na mag ayos man lang ng buhok. Parang pinagbaksakan ng langit at lupa.

"Sinong napagod?" I asked. Umayos siya ng upo and opened the ice cream.

Wala akong natanggap na tugon, mukhang hindi pa siya handang sumagot "Mm?"

She's avoiding my eyes.

"ako,"

"Tell me why. I know you, hindi ka madaling mapagod. you always fight for what you want"

"i gave way,"

"you gave up.." her eyes were rather deep, this Aia was different. Ang daming emosyong nilalabas.

she bit her lower lip as she nodded.

She scooped the ice cream with her index finger and licked it.

Disgusting b***h.

"What the hell Aia! Ikaw lang ba ang kakain niyan? Ang baboy, girl, ha" i walked out and went to the kitchen para kumuha ng dalawang spoon, a jug of water, some chips tsaka glass.

Madami but I still managed to go there without dropping a thing.

Pagbalik ko sa room ko, i almost ran when i heard her sobbing.

Oh my God, what has happened to her?

I can't help but to cry along with her, napakababa ng luha ko kapag ramdam ko rin 'yung sakit na nararamdaman niya.

"oh, my god" words have failed me.

my mind was clouded of so many thoughts. hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang itatanong sa kaniya sa dami no'n, marami akong gustong malaman, gusto ko siyang magsabi sa akin pero feeling ko this isn't the right time yet.

The wound is so fresh and I'd hate to rub salt in it.

"I will be always right here," i comforted her sa paraang alam ko. I ran my hand back and forth through her arm habang nakayakap pa rin sa kaniya.

She told me every detail kung ba't siya umiiyak.

"Don't chase that asshole!" I cheered. That made her smile and wipe her tears off again. "He deserves to be left! Hindi mo siya kailangan! You're still strong and beautiful even by yourself"

"Yeah you're right, I won't lose anything--- even an ounce! In fact I'm the one who's going to benefit the break up!" Nabuhayan siya ng loob. Napangiti akong makita siyang ganito.

"sis, i'm telling you, he's a total fckboy! Mabuti na lang at di ka pumayag na makipag se-" i was about to say a vulgar thing but she screamed, naki-cringe daw siya.

I smirked.

her boyfriend for 3 fcking years cheated on her with her so-called friend. Well if i were her, I'd cut those people out from my life.

They don't deserve a friend like Aia, and she doesn't deserve to have a friend like them as well.

She's too good for those assholes and jerkasses.

We slept beside each other, I hugged her the whole night just for her not to feel alone.

Sunday, we went to the church. Mabuti na rin na mabasbasan 'tong kaluluwa ko.

I also prayed for those people who are in need. Thank for the blessings that we had and we will have. Also prayed for those souls to have peace.

And,

I wished to never experience what my sister is going through. I don't want to see myself waking up for another day just to cry. I want my man to protect me at all costs. I want him to love me even though I feel unlovable.