Kiss in the Rain

Kiss in the Rain
by: Daydreamer

Prologue
When once in our life we stop for a while to see if there’s something worth fighting for, we then realize, how lucky we are to have thought for it for a while and realized that indeed, there is. However, we may think again and ask ourselves if we really need to fight for it, and then again, we’ll get the answer ‘Yes’. Every story has its climax and falling action. We may not notice it because sometimes, we’ve been too preoccupied about the whole thing, we even forget how things may vanish with a blink of an eye, and this is all because we take so much of everything. The next thing we know, there we are, mad, mad because the only thing that makes us so happy is taken away from us. And then we regret being happy. We wish that everything was just a bad dream, we forget how to act when something’s taken away from us, yet before when we were still enjoying it, we were working so efficiently. Why is that? From experiences like those, we pause for a while, think and go on with our lives. Afterwhich, we’ll simply bear in mind that everything was just a nightmare, and then next, we learn to dream again. We dream to have someday… the perfect love. The kind of love we planned, but is there really a ‘perfect love?’ I don’t know, I don’t know unless you try it yourself. I don’t even know what is love… Not until I found this page from a notebook of my little friend….

She was little when she wrote it, but I think she’s right. I finally knew what love is when I met this hero. And it all started because he’s been my puppy love…..

CHAPTER 1
“Puppy love”

I was walking with bunch of stuffs with me, I look so helpless, nobody cared to help, siguro kasi di nila nakita ung maamo kong mukha kasi that big box I’m carrying is so big that it covered my face, well except for my eyes, of course. ‘Need help?’ ‘Oh sure! I would love to’ Pagkuha niya ng box, I was like o_O ‘Mukhang ayaw mo ata eh….’ ‘A-ahh, of course not!’ ‘Then, let’s go’ OMG! It’s him! My crush. Gosh!!!!! Sa lahat ng pwedeng mag alok ng tulong siya pa, ang bait ni Lord. We were walking papunta sa classroom, by the way the box was filled with things needed for our play. ‘Thanks’ ‘No problem Ms. Superwoman’ ‘Superwoman ka jan. Loko’ ‘Kung hindi ka ba naman nagpapakasuper di sana tinawag mo yung mga kaklase mo para tulangan ka magbuhat nito, total, its your class project, buti na lang…..’ ‘Oo na, buti na lang at nanjan ka para tulungan ako’ ‘Got it, galing mo manghula’ ‘Lul! Its pretty obvious you know?’ ‘I know…. oh here we are’ Di ko na namalayan na nakarating na kami, ang bilis naman. Ampf. ‘Ok, Thanks a lot Mr. Superman….. a lot!’ I was in cloud nine, ang ngiti ko abot tenga, I did not even notice my classmates, they were staring at me and they were laughing, I kinda look stupid they said… ‘Huy ! Wake up, he’s gone na, kanina pa!’ ‘You look so funny Rhia, alam mo bang 5 minutes ka ng tulala jan?’

‘SUPERWOMAN!’ sigaw nilang lahat and they laughed >_< ‘Cut it out guys, sana sinabi niyo no? para I did not look stupid here. Asar!’ Si Franco a.k.a Superman, crush ko since birth, JOKE ! Seriously, crush ko since elementary, Grade 5, natapos na lang ang elementary life ko, crush ko pa rin siya, LOL. Patapos na ang High School life ko, crush ko pa rin siya. Ewan ko lang kung anong meron sa kanya, pero one thing is for sure, cute siya, (hmmmm, ang panget naman ng cute, pang aso, mapalitan nga) POGI, oh ayan, kamukha niya si Randy Orton-one of my favorite WWE wrestler. Yah, I watch wrestling. Going back... Hmm, siya talaga ung crush ko, hahaha, nakakatawa, Grade 5 pa ako no'n ha, pero hanggang ngayon di pa ako nakakapagmove on. LOL. And Im proud of myself kasi ni minsan hindi ko inattempt na ligawan siya, JOKE !, sino ba namang tanga, gagawa no'n? Seriously, kahit gano'n ko na siya katagal naging crush hinding-hindi ko siya nilandi. Hinayaan ko na lang si 'destiny' na umeksena sa long-time-admiration ko sa kanya. Well, in that way, mas masaya, kasi you're not expecting something eh, parang 'come what may', hindi ka masasaktan kasi hindi mo naman talaga sineryoso, matutuwa ka na lang ng bonggang-bongga kasi may nangyari na unexpected na nagpakilig sa'yo. SURPRISE ! Pero sa lahat ng kilig moments with him, eto ung pinakabongga, retreat namin un eh, tapos, part of it eh ung kadramahan na part, ung confession something, ikaw na bahala kung sino gusto mong lapitan, at kung ano gusto mong sabihin, so it lasted for more than an hour, tapos, sabi agad ng principal, 'ok, that's enough, you may now go back to your rooms and sleep', eh masunurin ako kaya naglakad na ako papunta sa room namin, and then I heard a familiar voice, tumibok ng mabilis si heart... 'Rhia…' tawag ni Franco 'Oh?, sino yan???' madilim eh kaya di masyado klaro, nagulat na ako, na kinabahan, na nasiyahan, na ewan, gusto kong sumigaw sa kilig, kunwari di ko kilala ung tumawag sa akin. 'Ui, Franco, ikaw pala yan' lumakad siya papalapit sa akin na may open arms, about-to-hug gesture 'pwede pa-HUG?' Oh my God ! Nananaginip ba ako oh what ?!!!! As in, si heart parang may hinahabol na magnanakaw sa sobrang bilis ng pagtibok, grabe ! para na akong nasa heaven. 'Ohhh, Franco.......' I hugged him so tight. sabay sabi.... 'May confession ako, alam mo ba, crush kita since grade 5 up to now, you made me so happy when you greeted me personally no'ng 15th birthday ko- para akong mabaliw sa tuwa non kung alam mo lang' etc. Ang rami kong sinabi ha, tapos siya wala, *speechless*. Nakakatawa and pretty embarrassing, errrr. Tapos nag-usap na kami, siyempre umupo, umupo sa ground, nakasandal ako sa kanya, siya rin and our hands? we were holding each others hands. That moment was so magical, if I could just slow it down, I did, kung pwede pa nga ipause, basta, I did not want to end that perfect moment. At natapos na kaming mag-usap, tapos nagHUG kami ulit. H.E.A.V.E.N. Oh, after a few steps he said… ‘Rhia… I will miss you….. a-ann-d…. I love you…. BYE ! GOOD NIGHT!’ Pagkatapos niyang sinabi un, tumakbo agad siya, nawala ng parang bula. Ampf. Pero wait ! Totoo ba yung narining ko? OMG! For real !? He said that !? Jusko. He said I love you. He did! I tried to slap my face as hard as I could, to check if Im just daydreaming again or not, but I felt the pain, so hindi nga ! Totoo nga, totoo nga ! Wow ! I was screaming like hell after that. Naglakad na ako papunta sa gazebo. Tulala. 'Am I dreaming or what? I never thought that things would turn out this way. After 6 long years??? Imagine! Therefore, there's always a time for everything, minsan nga lang delayed, BUT, when it comes to you, you'll be surprised, happier than how you expected. SUBARASHII! ♥' yan ung nakatatak sa isip ko after everything, still can’t believe it happened. (subarashii- amazing)

‘HELLO?! Are you ok?!’ pasigaw na sabi ni Alex but I did not answer. ‘Ok, I think something happened, let’s leaver her alone, umandar na naman ung sakit nyan’ Hindi ko na pinansin ‘yung sinabi ni Alex. That's it, the best moment I've had with him, my longtime crush. And forever crush. Iba talaga ang happiness na bigay ni 'destiny' pag crush lang.... its more than expected. Tapos, suprise pa. Walang 'lose', walang 'pain'. So naiwan ako sa may gazebo mag isa, I stayed there for almost an hour, alone, pabalik na ako sa room… *teeeet…teeeeet* From: Jake Kami na ni Mel, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to hold on, masyado ka kasing busy eh. Thanks and Goodbye. WTF?! I was devastated, he fooled me, and I’ve been fooled all this time. Walang hiya siya. I ran back to the gazebo para maglabas ng sama ng loob, and I was crying while running. I was crying so hard, I even punch my self cause I was so pissed off, and then someone tapped my back and offered me a handkerchief and hugged me so tight. ‘Its ok, andito lang ako’ ‘It’s not ok ! he fcking fooled me! I looked stupid the whole time, I was blind, Leche, do I even deserve this, my pride, it’s ruined, akala niya kung sino siya, he could have cut his courtship if that’s so, gago siya! May pa ‘Im willing to wait, Im willing to wait pa siya’! tapos ganito? I hate looking like this, stupid. I don’t deserve this right?!’ ‘Shhh, let it out Rhia, Im just here, I won’t leave you….. ‘I can’t believe this is happening, I can’t believe he did this to me, and who is he anyway? Dumbass!, leche, di ako nagkakaganito because I love him that much, nooo way! Never. EW! its just that, my pride as Rhia, its ruined, sa lahat ng pwedeg tratuhin ng ganito ba’t ako pa?! kapal niya ah!’ ‘Humanda yung gagong ‘yun, makikita niya’ Franco mumbled ‘Ano yun?’ still sobbing ‘Wala, Stop crying, its not good seeing you that way, nawawala yung ganda mo, hindi ka na tuloy mukhang superwoman’ ‘Psssh, loko, but thanks, you made me smile there. Buti na….’ ‘Buti na lang andito ako?…. I know. Para san ba ang pagiging superman ko kung hindi ako to the rescue diba?’ ‘Thanks ulit Franco, I awe you a lot na, by the way yung sinabi mo sa akin kanina…. yung paalis ka na… yung I….’ ‘Ah yun??? sige na matulog na tayo, yung eye bags mo oh, ang laki na parang balloon, tara na hatid na kita’ ‘Pshhh, fine’ Nakarating na kami sa room ko. I hugged him ‘Thanks ulit, you’re really superman huh? Thanks’ ‘You’re always welcome, always remember…. Boku ga iru… Boku ga kimi wo mamotte ageru.. Eien’ (Boku ga iru… Boku ga kimi wo mamotte ageru.. Eien-I’m here, I will protect you… Forever’) And umalis na siya…. Hindi ko pa pala nakukwento why I was so hysterical after receiving that text, so Jake WAS my suitor, he WAS courting me for ‘bout 5 months already, and I was starting to like him, I WAS planning to answer him soon, he WAS nice, he said convincing promises and I was stupid to believe those. That’s why I’m so pissed because, all this time, he was also courting his

bestfriend, and I got no clue, I was blind.But the fact that he ditched me didn’t let me feel broken hearted… EW. Just insulted. After all he said, he did this?! &%!$#~@&. But honestly, right after Franco comforted me, I almost forgot what happened.

Franco’s POV Gago din yung lalakeng un ah! Humanda siya pag nagkita kami, makikita niya talaga. Tama si Rhia, sa lahat ba naman ng pwede niyang lokohin siya pa? Si Rhia pa?! ‘Wala, Stop crying, its not good seeing you that way, nawawala yung ganda mo, hindi ka na tuloy mukhang superwoman’ Dagdag jan, it hurts seeing her that way, pati ako nasasaktan rin, I don’t even know why, she’s special to me, even if she don’t know and even if I don’t show her I do. Lintek na! Bwiset talaga ung Jake na un, pag nakikita ko talaga sila magkasama ni Rhia, may something talaga eh, ewan ko, basta, kumukulo yung dugo ko! Asar! Hindi ko matanggap-tanggap na pinaiyak niya si Rhia, LOSER! He hurt the wrong girl. Akala mo kung sinong gwapo, di hamak na mas gwapo naman ako sa kanya no ! AMPF! He should have thought about it first before doing it. He’ll see, he’ll see. ‘JAKE!’ *blapak* ‘Next time, maghanap ka ng mas karapat-dapat lokohin! Gago ka! you should have seen her you dumbass! Kapal mo rin ha para gawin yun sa kanya… don’t you ever do that again. NEVER! Kung hindi, di lang yan ang aabutin mo!’ He was there, on the floor, di man lang nakapagsalita at nakaganti sa mga sinabi ko… Naglakad na ako and…. ‘By the way ! Wag na wag ka ng magpapakita kay Rhia, or else!’ At lumayo na ako. Sana nakita niyo yung mukha niya, halos di makapagsalita! In fact, kulang na kulang pa yon sa lahat ng ginawa niya kay Rhia. Kapal talaga ng gagong yun! Anyway, pa’no ba to, gagraduate na kami pero wala pa akong nasasabi kay Rhia?! Naman oh! She’s too perfect, matalino, maganda, mabait, masipag…. eh ako? Ang layo ko sa kanya…

CHAPTER 2
“Graduation”

Rhia’s POV By the way I haven’t introduced myself yet. My name is Rhia Margarette Lao. I’m 16 years old. I was born in Japan, I lived there for 4 years and went here in the Philippines. I’ve been staying here with my family, but we always visit Japan, since my grandparents and other relatives live there. I’m a graduating student, Valedictorian, campus journalist, girl scout, artist, and singer. Kiddin’ with the singer, I’m a frustrated singer but not a pro. My life is toxic but I try to enjoy it as much as I could. Graduation Day (March 24 2011) I’m excited. Yes, this day marks the end of my high school life, and I’m up to a new challenge, its time to say ‘see you soon’ to everyone. I was anxious though. *exciting, cant wait to see everybody else* Perfect. Pagpasok na pagpasok ko sa auditorium I heard my favourite song, ‘Crazy for you’, actually its my song for Francis, ano kayang pinapahiwatig ni ‘destiny’? Di ko na lang pinansin and I continued walking, searching for my classmates. Nakikita ko na si Alex, sa sobrang excitement tumakbo ako, and suddenly bumped to someone… ‘Oh my! I’m sorry’ Naman oh! Ang bait ni ‘destiny’, si Franco pa talaga nakabangga ko, at Crazy for you pa ang kanta ha, wait, diba graduation to? tapos na po yung prom diba? ^_^ Nakahiga si Francis ako naman nakadapa sa kanya. Ok, its not as awkward as you think it is. ‘Sorry Francis, Gomen’ (gomen-sorry) ‘U-uh, its oo-ok, pwede bang bumangon ka na?’ Ampf >_< Stupid me, kung di ba naman ako tanga no? Ba’t di ko kaagad naisip yun? Embarassing Rhia, EW. ‘UIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, Ang sweet ah!’ asar nilang lahat na nakakita sa amin. ‘Tsss, cut it out!’ ‘Oh, Rhia, congrats in advance, galing mo talaga, superwoman!’ ‘Thanks Franco, you’re part of it, superman’ ‘Really?! Wow, good to hear that. Anyway, ok ka na ba?’ Pfft. Ang ganda na ng pinag-uusapan namin tapos biglang nagshift ng topic, asar! ‘Ha? Ah, siyempre naman, si superwoman ata to!’ ‘Bilib talaga ako sayo….ahmmm… Rhia….’

‘Franco, gtg na, tinatawag na nila ako, see you later, congrats!’ Ok, stupid, why did I rush myself? I think my sasabihin pa siya eh, *stupid* So, the ceremony started, I was the last in line, pfft. Its kinda embarrassing, everyone’s standing pa to wait for the last person to march, di naman sa masyado kong finfeel yung pagkatop ko pero that’s how I feel eh, but despite it, Masaya kasi ang sarap sa feeling na pinapalakpakan ^^ Boooring, the speeches were boring, no offense pero di ako natablan. Hihihi, excited din kasi akong magspeech eh. Oh well… while the guest speaker is talking… *teeeet..teeeet* From: SUPERMAN Ngayon ko lang napansin, ang ganda mo ngayon ah, nakatalikod kasi. HAHAHA. Loko lang, seriously you look stunning. Good luck sa speech. How sweet of him to text me in the middle of the ceremony. Eto na naman si heart, umeeksena na naman, di naman napapakali, akala mo may trampoline sa katawan ko, ang bilis ng tibok eh! I secretly replied. The hell I care, kahit nasa front ako, no one can stop me from doing what I want. Gagraduate pa rin ako kahit nagtetext ako sa front row while on going ang speech ng guest speaker. I’m breaking the rules now. ^_^ To: SUPERMAN Stop fooling around, pero thanks. You look like a pro too. By the way, get ready with the speech, may gagawin ako. HAHAHA! hihingi na ako ng sorry ngayon, total last na naman eh. Watch out. Di na talaga ako nakinig sa speech…. nagtetext na lang kami ni Franco. From: SUPERMAN Oh no, is it what I’m thinking? Are you dancing….. or singing??? Either of the two. Tsss. don’t even think about it Rhia. Ang ganda pa naman ng panahon. Whatever. HAHA. He’s such a fortuneteller, how did he know? And FYI, my voice isn’t that bad to cause the weather from changing, in fact it invites it to be better. Sorry for being such a narcissist right there, gano’n lang talaga ako kafrustrated performer, nagiging super illusionada. Damedesuyo! (Damedesuyo-bad!) Hindi na ako nagreply. But a thought came to my mind. So random. But I always think about it whenever my achievements build up pressure and walls. That’s what directly came to my mind, my achievements. I think its one of the reason why Franco and I did not get along that well, hmm, we don’t fight or quarrel but what I mean is I think he looks at me like Im someone… but I really don’t think so. Halos lahat naman sila eh, ganon’n yung sinasabi, kesyo, ganito ako, kesyo ganyan. Tsss. Gusto niyo sa inyo na lang to lahat para maging masaya ako? Im happy having these things but sometimes nakakasakal na eh. Sabi ko nga, it builds wall, like with Franco’s I guess. Cut it out Rhia, there you go again with your wide imagination. ‘Huy!’ Neil said as he waved his hand 7 centimetres away from my face. ‘Ginulat mo ako ah!’ ‘Hello po, tinatawag ka na oh!’ ‘Sh*it, my speech, ako na pala, thanks Neil!’ Crap, panic mode yun ah, everyone was staring at me already and clapping their hands, napakalate ng reaction ko, it took me 5 seconds to respond and stand while they all clap as I was acknowledged. *stupid*

I started my speech, cliché format... I greeted the important persons in the ceremony, for formality’s sake. And went on… As I reach the part where I thank my classmates, I started to cry. Weak. Nakakahiya, in front of everyone? Oh please, cut it out Rhia, Shoot, tears were like cars on the expressway, they drop so fast and there were plenty of them. Ang talino ko rin at pati panyo ko naiwan ko sa purse na nasa sit ko. STUPID! Everyone was mumbling. Malabo na ung paningin ko kasi barado na ng luha ung mga mata ko. It was pretty embarrassing huh, until I see someone come close to me. Franco. He went to the stage and gave me his handkerchief. Strike 2 superman ! Everyone sighed and clapped for that thoughtful act of Franco. sabay sabi ‘YEEEHAAAAA’ Teka, kayo ba yung inofferan ng panyo para kiligin ng ganyan? ^^ After a minute of drama, nakapagsalita ako balik. My bad. I was used to speaking in front of the crowd and one major rule ng mga public speaker is ‘not to apologize in public’ and so I did. Instead of saying sorry for that drama I said. ‘Drama much? Its part of my speech actually’ tumawa sila lahat, though Im not done yet. ‘Just kiddin’. Seriously that’s how emotional I am when it comes to saying goodbye to the persons who made my high school life. PERFECT. That’s how I love everyone.’ And they all sighed, makikita mong natouch ung mga mokong, but its true. I love everyone, my batchmates. Before I end my speech, siyempre may ginawa ako para matandaan nilang ako ung Valedictorian ng batch namin. ‘For the last time, this one’s for all of you’ sings ‘Sana’y pag-ibig na lang ang isipin ng bawat isa sa mundo’ it’s the line I always sing, everywhere, to anyone… They all moaned and stand up to give their best claps. Touch naman ako. Gano’n ba talaga kaganda yung boses ko? talo ko pa ata si charice at jovit ah. Loko lang ^^ Natapos na yung ceremony at nagsilapitan na yung mga parents. ‘Congrats baby! We’re so proud of you’ ‘Thanks mom, thanks dad’ Hinanap ko na ung mga friends ko. Sila Alex, Joan, Kyri at mga classmates, especially si Superman na to the rescue kanina. Nakita ko na yung mga friends ko pero si Franco hindi pa. Ampf, sa’n ba kasi nagsuot yun? ‘Congrats dude!’ greet ni Joan with a big grin. Ikr? inaasar ako nito sa nangyari kanina. ‘Ang galing mong umarte ha, speaker ka nga, pati un, nalusutan mo’ of course Kyri knows I was acting. Great. ‘Pati ba yung pagrescue ni Superman, part of the speech?’ ‘Whatever, you got me ok? it was all acting, I was just trying not to screw things up, but the cry was really due to my emotion and that HERO? that was….. unexpected. HEAVEN…. by the way, CONGRATS dudes ! Graduate na tayo!’ ‘Tingnan mo to, nirescue nga lang ni superman muntik na makalimutan bumati. Nagtatampo na ako niyan ah.’ drama naman ni Alex. ‘Ano ba best, stop acting, di bagay sayo !’

Nagtawanan kami, nagpapicture, at nag-iyakan. Its so dramatic, I know. Bothered pa rin ako kasi di ko mahanap-hanap si Franco. Di pa ako nakakapagthank you sa kanya ah. Nag-aalala na talaga ako kasi unti-unti ng nauubos ung tao sa auditorium, no! Where is he?!! ‘Huy!, May hinahanap ka ba? Lord, ang bait mo talaga! Its Franco. Napansin niya siguro na kanina pa ako di mapakali. ‘*you scared me there!*’ ‘*iyakin*’ he teased ‘Stop it. By the way, naka strike 2 ka na superman, THANK YOU SO MUCH! You saved me on purpose’ ‘Diba nga sinabi ko, I’m always here?’ ‘How could I ever thank you? You’re such a hero’ ‘I know, I know’ He smiled; there it goes again, his killer smile. It makes me really weak, LOL, para akong nahihypnotize pag ngumingiti siya ng gano’n. ‘Congrats din pala!’ ‘Thanks, ikaw din, ang galing ah, galing ng speech. Anyway, you said ‘How could I ever thank you?’ I know how….’ Tsss. Baka ano ipagawa sakin nitong lalakeng to ah. I hope it’s not as strange as I imagine. ‘How?!’ ‘Let’s go out.’ ‘Go out?’ o_O ‘Yes, go out, as in DATE, dinner date’ Seriously? I love this day so much. I’m on cloud nine again. Si heart, ayan na naman! ‘Sure.’

CHAPTER 3
“First Date?”

Rhia’s POV Time out! Wait, for real? Slap me now! Please!!! Why can’t I believe all of this? OMG! Jesus. Ang swerte-swerte ko na ah. *I feel so lucky* Did he just ask me out? for a date? Gosh. I’m so hysterical. Kasi naman no, dead na dead ako sa lalakeng yun since elementary, pati, sa mga daydreams ko lang nangyayari yung mga ganito, and now? Unti-unti ng nagkakatotoo yung daydreams ko. I know ang babaw nito, pero after what Franco said, nakalimutan kong gumraduate ako, mas masaya ako dahil he asked me out kesa sa pagraduate ko. Lul! Funny no? Oh well, Gano’n ako kababaw. Tsss. I find it hard to sleep. Still can’t get over of what happened. I don’t want to sleep anymore, baka kasi pag gising ko mawala na ang lahat ng ‘to, di ko siguro kakayanin. Nooooo ! Ok, *stop it* Cut it out Rhia, think of the best na lang. Yah ! Matutulog na ako at may date pa ako bukas. I need some beauty rest. ‘Go Rhia, make it a homerun best!’ ‘Shhh, wag ka ngang maingay, napepressure ako eh’ ‘Napepressure pala si superwoman? Haha, ngayon ko lang nalaman yun ah’ ‘Tss, shut up Franco’ ‘Hey guys ! mamaya na kayo mag LQ, ok? we’re having a game here oh’ ‘Bring it on Franco’ ‘Game’ *pak* ‘W-O-W, Rhia ! you rock!!!’ Ayos! Tsamba yun ah, full base pa talaga, instant four points! Yahooooo! Homerun baby! ‘Galing, what else can I say? Superwoman!’ 3 outs na kami nung si Kyri ang on bat, so kami na naman ngayon ang on field, and Franco’s team were on bat. Nasa centrefield ako. My position, I love it much. Hihihi ^^ Si Francis na yung on bat, naku! magaling pa naman yun, himala na yan kundi siya nakapag hit pag siya yung naglalaro. God help me, pressure on my part. ‘Palo batter’ Sigaw naming lahat, we usually do it to distract the player on bat. I mean DISTRACT. *pak*

Ang lakas ng hit niya, sa akin papunta yung bola, ampf! at di ko nasalo, the ball rolled away from me, close to the highway, kaya hinabol ko. ‘Go Rhia, you can still catch up, bilis!!!!’ sigaw ni Kyri. ‘Rhiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!’ When I look back it was Franco shouting my name, parang may gusto siyang sabihin, he wants to stop me or warn me, ewan ko kung bakit…. papalapit na siya, he was so fast, and he pushed me. *BOOM!* ‘Francissssssssssssssssssss!’ Nasagasaan siya ng truck. While he was rushing, he was trying to tell me I’m on the highway, ang tanga ko not to know what he was trying to say. Now look. My superman, my hero, he’s gone. ‘No! No! No!’ I was crying while I shrug him. I was crying so hard. ‘Tuloooooooong! Help!’ ‘Wake up baby… someone’s looking for you out side’ Jesus! I woke up with a tear in my face. That’s the worst I could imagine, ang mawala si Francis, my superman, my hero. Thank God everything was just a dream, di ko siguro kakayanin kung totoo man yun, the fact that he died for saving me, that would be too much, he would be more than a hero. Go get dressed Rhia. It was just a dream ok? Just a dream. I said to myself Wait, diba he said Dinner date, ba’t mukhang ang aga naman, di pa nga nag eeleven eh. Hmmm, baka he changed his mind. Ok lang, di kung gano’n mas matagal kaming maghahang-out. Yahoo! Game na, magpapaganda na ako. Ahihii ^^ Nothing can stop me from being happy today, not even a dream. First date ko ata to no, at sa crush ko pa. H.E.A.V.E.N. *Exciting* Bumaba na ako. I was wearing a blue bubble skirt, with a white Matthew Williamson blouse, with a small purse. My hair? The usual hair I wear. Ayoko naman masyado magprepare, baka its too over the top na. Normal lang, total date lang naman to hindi engagement. ^_^ Pagbaba ko, I was shocked. o_O ??? Hindi si Franco yung nakikita ko. Ampf! Lumapit yung guy sa akin. He looks familiar but I really don’t know him. May inabot siyang blue rose sa akin with a note.

Superwoman, I know you haven’t eaten your breakfast yet. And it’s almost Lunchtime. See you. -SupermanHow sweet. Kinilig naman ako dun. The guy who gave me the rose, introduced himself, kaya naman pala familiar eh, siya yung driver nila Francis. ‘Tara na Rhia’ ‘Let’s go……. a-a….’ wow, it’s the BMW's new 645Ci Convertible, my dream car. Ampf, naunahan niya ako ah. ‘Ayos! Swerte naman ng alaga niyo kuya!’ ‘Ako ang maswerte sa kanya, ang bait eh!’

‘Matagal na po pala kayo sa kanila?’ ‘Hmm, sinabi mo pa, di pa pinapanganak yang si Francis, nagtatrabaho na ako sa kanila, ang bait ng pamilya nila, lalong lalo na yan si Francis, hinding-hindi ka mapapagod magalaga, napakabait na bata’ Naks naman, gano’n ba talaga kabait si crush? Nagmukha siyang anghel sa description ng driver nila ah. Nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita si kuya. ‘Kahit sobrang yaman nila, hindi sila mapagmataas, napakamatulungin. Galante.’ Wow, ano kayang ginawa ni Francis kay kuya? Mukhang kinontrata niya na ganu’n yung sabihin ah. Lul! By the way, yah, they’re really rich, Franco is a rich kid, but never spoiled. His full name is Franco Marion Mendoza. His family has a big business in the country, one of the social elites here in the country, they have businesses in the USA, Paris, China, Singapore and of course in Japan, dun din siya lumaki eh , pero pinalipat siya dito kasi andito yung office ng family niya, siya daw yung successor eh. Ooops, I think I’ve said many things. I know right? Stalker ako. Hahaha, but its not what you think it is, I’m a harmless stalker, I do it whenever I’m bored… to the persons I’m interested to. ^^ ‘Andito na pala tayo eh.’ ‘oh!’ I remember this place, Kuya Roy opened the door for me. I’m excited to see him. Pagpasok ko, wala akong nakitang Franco. Ampf >_< Kuya Roy saw my reaction. ‘Disappointed?’ He teased and then immediately disappeared. ‘Good morning Ms. Lao’ greeted the man with a toque sabay bigay sa blue rose na may note.

Superwoman, Searching for me? I bet. You remember this place? Let me refresh you, dito kita unang nakita, dito tayo unang nagkatagpo, you were with your family and a business partner, I guess, while I was alone. I glance at you, nagtagpo mga tingin natin. Paalis na ako and ikaw tumayo rin, you were talking to someone on your phone and you did not notice your way, kaya yun ! Yes! nagbanggaan tayo. Naaalala mo pa ba? Happy meal ! See you soon. -SupermanNapaupo ako sa seat na nireserve niya, that was exactly the place where I was sitting down back when we first saw each other. Galing ng memory niya ah. He remembered everything? How could he? It was like 6 years ago. ‘Here’s your meal ma’am, enjoy!’ Subarashii! Its also the same meal I was eating 6 years ago. How the?! How did he know? Yum. It’s my favourite meal. Delmonico steak. While I was eating, nirereminisce ko yung thoughts ko at this same place 6 years ago. Yah right, nagtagpo mga tingin namin, I was staring at him kais, he was alone, he seemed so mysterious, and yah, he’s cute. Napansin niya kaya na tinitingnan ko siya? *blush* Nagugustuhan ko siya lalo sa ginagawa niya eh. Ano ba! Crush ko pa naman siya, baka madevelop ako nito. Ampf. Tapos na ako kumain, at nilapitan ako ulit ng guy na naka toque and he gave me a note’

Superwoman, Lumabas ka na, Kuya Roy is waiting for you, he’ll lead you to me. See you soon!’

-SupermanOh yes! Excited na ako! He’ll lead you to me. So we’re finally meeting. Finally. Yes! The car stopped. Andito na pala kami… o_O Tapos na yung school year ah, ba’t ako andito sa school? Ano na naman bang meron dito? The school guard opened the door and gave me a blue rose with a note, again.

Superwoman, You’re already close. Enter the school. Elementary building, Shizuoka room. See you soon. -SupermanCan’t wait to reach that room. Its our classroom before. All ‘puppy love’ moments happened there. Funny right? One more step and I’m finally seeing him! Papalapit na ako ng may naririnig akong tumutugtog… finally seeing him? or not >_< Pumasok ako sa classroom. WOW. Its my classmates before. Everyone wearing there elementary uniform. Subarashii! Kyri come close to me and hand me a blue rose with of course, a note. Habang binabasa ko yung note. John started singing, ‘crazy for you’ while Keith is playing the keyboards and Mark on the guitars. But where is he?

Superwoman, Almost! This is where everything started. First day of class yun diba? Pagpasok ko ng classroom, nakatingin lahat ng students sa akin, siyempre, I’m new eh. Silang lahat nasa akin na yung atensyon, ikaw na lang yung hindi, you were too alone with your iPod, busy singing ‘Crazy for you’. And you stop kasi nalipat yung atensyon nila sa’yo, then you looked at me. Our eyes met again. Enjoy and…. See you soon! -SupermanCloud nine. I remembered that kinda humiliating yet kilig moment. Napakaromantic naman nitong lalakeng ‘to. Mahuhulog na ata ako sa kanya ah, but the question… will he catch me If I fall? Psssh. cut it out Rhia. While I was standing and the music is playing, isa-isa na silang nagtayuan at nagbigay ng blue rose sa akin. ‘What is this for?’ tanong ko sa kanilang lahat but no one gave me the clear answer, not even Kyri, Alex and Joan. Great >_< John was the last person who gave me the blue rose, with a note.

Superwoman, You’re almost there. I hope you had fun. Umalis ka na dyan. See you soon. -SupermanPatience Rhia. Patience. Total, nag-eenjoy ka naman eh, so ok lang. Franco is a genius, how could he make me feel so happy with all these things? Kahit wala siya, masaya pa rin. Eh kasi naman, lahat ng nangyayari parang inungkab niya sa treasure box ko. What more kung andito siya sa tabi ko? H.E.A.V.E.N. Bumalik na ako sa sasakyan. Kuya Roy welcomed me with a big grin. ‘Malapit na tayo Rhia, chill ka lang.’

‘Ang kulit naman ng alaga niyo kuya Roy’ ‘Sinabi mo pa, gano’n yun pag tinam-----‘ What was he suppose to say, why didn’t he finish it? Ampf. pati ba naman siya mahilig mambitin. Naman oh! ‘Ano po yun?’ ‘Ah, eh, wala’ Aw, pero in fairness, kahit ganito, sobrang nakakatuwa, I could not imagine how he remember all these stuffs, never thought he’s good in keeping memories too. Nakatulog ata ako sa sasakyan, pag gising ko, nasa mall na kami. I mean, nagstop na kami sa parking lot ng mall. Now what?! Ipagshohopping niya ba ako? Hindi ko na alam, napakaunredictable ni Franco. ‘Ma’am Rhia?’ ‘Yes, its me.’ ‘Someone told me to give this to you’ Of course, a blue rose again WITH a note.

Superwoman, Konting-konti na lang talaga. I hope you enjoy this part. I can’t wait to see you. See you soon. -SupermanGreat. Konting-konti na lang talaga. I hope so. But, Im having fun though, Im just really excited to see him kaya ako nagkakaganito. Pinasakay ako nung lalake na nagwelcome sa akin sa golf car. He drove me inside the mall papunta somewhere. I don’t know where. I almost forgot. Opening pala ngayon ng mall na ‘to kaya ang raming tao, and they were all staring at me. *blush* Wait, if Im not wrong, ako siguro yung pinakauna nakasakay ng golf car sa mall na ‘to. Subarashii! Ganito itsura ng mga tao o_O Nagstop na yung ride, and Im here at their movie house. Winelcome ako ng girl sa ticket booth. ‘Welcome Ms. Lao’ tapos nag smile siya, yung asta niya parang ako yung may ari ng mall ah. Tapos sinamahan niya ako papasok. Capital W-O-W, as in WOW! Ang ganda ng movie house nila. Pagpasok ko walang tao.Pffft. Ako lang mag-isa, ano ba ‘to. Pinaupo niya ako sa isang seat, special seat, kasi yun lang yung naiiba sa lahat ng seat eh. It’s a fluffy couch, color blue with white stripes, the style of the shirt he wore when we first saw each other. Hahahayyy, what else can I say? Umupo na ako. And I started to here some voice. Sh*t. It scared me, ako lang kaya mag-isa no? or NOT. Lahat ng classmates ko nasa upperbox. Lul! *in 3,2,1* tapos nagstart na ung film. I was clueless kung anong ipapalabas. Not until I saw it. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ It’s my pictures, with descriptions. Oooops, let me correct, its OUR pictures. Franco and I. Well, not together, parang pinagsama lang sa isang slide. When I saw the picture of the BOTH of us, yep, heard it right, as in kaming dalawa magkasama, wow, how did we have that picture? picture naming nung retreat, ung ‘we’re back to back and holding hands’ Ang ganda ng picture, hindi halatang stolen. Our silhouette looks perfect. Its soooo editorial. But what made it so special was the quote under it.

‘It was all I wanted when I first saw you, I knew I'd miss it when I couldn't see you, It all started because I'm with you’-Franco Marion Mendoza‘Yeeeeeeha, sobrang cheezy!’ sigaw nilang lahat. Shiet, inaatake na ata ako ditto eh. I can’t breath, leche naman tong si heart oh, di nagpapaawat, grabe, ang bilis ng pagtibok. Halos himatayin ako dun ah. Hindi lang yun, hindi lang pictures, videos din. As in VIDEOS. Para na akong sirang plaka sa kakatanong ng ‘How did he?!’, adik siya, How did he get these videos? di ko nga alam na may video pala yun. Im referring to our cheerdance competition. Siya kasi yung lifter ko. Im always confident when I execute stunts, kasi alam kong siya yung sasalo sa akin. Uhhh, those were the days. And what made the video amazing is kaming dalawa yung parating nakafocus. Ano ba?! Hahaha, Stalker pala si Franco eh ! Lul! Loko lang. After an hour, wow, an hour, inabot pala ng isang oras yun, lumapit yung babae sa akin at nag-abot ng note.

Superwoman, I can’t wait to see you! -SupermanYes! Positive na ako na last stop na yun and I’m finally seeing him, eto na talaga. This is it! Kuya Roy drove me to the Mendoza’s 5 star restaurant. Nasa Orchard road yun, sa main street. Nasa Highway. OMG! Nakikita ko na si Franco! Of course, siya lang kasi yung tao sa restaurant, Gosh! Pinaclose niya talaga ha. Spoiled kiddo. Nah, just kidding’. Seriously, he’s making me fall for him. But again, I’m afraid he might not catch me. Tssss. ‘Francoooooooooooo !’ I shouted dala ng sobrang excitement. Nasa tapat lang siya. ‘………’ He just waved his hands and smiled, tssss. Not the ordinary smile, its his killer smile, which made me more excited. ‘Ms. Rhia, andito na talaga tayo. ENJOY!’ at nagpaalam na si Kuya roy. Tumawid na ako. While I was walking, I feel like, ang bagal ng oras. I feel like I was taking small steps, I’m having mixed emotions, after what had happened throughout the day. Wew, its like I was slowly reaching a star. Dropping by through stores that would provide me equipments to pursue my journey in reaching the star. And now, I’m almost there, a grasp is all it takes to reach the star. One grasp. Almost there. Almost………. ‘Rhiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!’ Napalingon ako kay Franco as he ran after me. Tumingin ako sa gilid ko and nakakita ako ng liwanag. ‘…………’ *BOOM*

CHAPTER 4
“Chuckie Doll”

Franco’s POV …….. ‘Help! Someone, please! Help!!!!!!!!!’, call 911, Help!!!!’ The ambulance arrived. We reached the emergency room 10 minutes after the accident. The doctors are trying to save Rhia at the moment. Unti-unti ng nagdatingan yung relatives niya, pati friends. We were there, waiting. I can’t hold the pain anymore, kaya umalis na lang ako. I was devastated. When I saw her innocent face in that situation where I acted so late, I felt so weak. I tried to save her but I was too late. My world was devastated, my heart was torn into pieces, and my life was useless. I became useless. I’m supposed to be her hero, to be superwoman’s superman. I’m supposed to rescue her, to save her life, to do whatever it takes for the one I love. Even if I have to risk my own in the name of love. Oo, I love her, Mahal ko siya, I love Rhia so much. So much. It was devastating to see her in that scenario, but, what makes it harder………..hardest was the fact that I wasn’t able to tell her, how much I love her. I haven’t got the chance, to tell her ‘I love you’. No, I had the chance. I always do. But I chose not to. I let it pass, I always let it pass, which made me feel worst. Unti-unti akong pinapatay ng panghihinayang. I should haven’t done everything, masyado ko pang pinahaba, I could have made it simple. I could have simply said ‘I love you Rhia.’ Now, she’s gone. My superwoman is gone. I found no reason to live. No reason to breath and no reason to wake up each morning. She’s the reason why I face the day though it seems like there is no reason to wake up for, her smile, her presence, its already enough, its more than enough. She’s the reason why I continue breathing, though everything around me stifles me, a glance from her effortlessly tells me, to breathe and keep breathing. She’s the reason why this heart of mine keeps beating. A glimpse from her gives this heart enough fuel to keep running. She means everything to me, Rhia makes me want to live every single day and love her more. I love her that much. I love her that much. But I wasn’t able to tell her so. Papano na si superman? wala na si superwoman sa palibot niya. I failed. I’m a failure. Nagkulong ako sa kwarto ko. I turned off my cellphone. I no longer open my computer. I don’t answer the phone calls. I don’t watch the tv, I don’t open the radio. I did not bother to ask ‘bout Rhia’s condition. Ayoko ng masaktan, takot ako sa maririnig ko. It might kill my conscience. It might kill me softly. Naduwag ako sa nangyari. Sinisisi ko pa rin yung sarili ko. I still can’t get over it.

*tok-tok* ‘Marion, tumawag si mommy…….. she booked you a flight to Japan…. she wants to see you daw’ Since di ko binuksan , du’n na lang sinabi ni ate Cheska. My mom must have heard of what happened. Siguro nag-aalala na yun. Malamang. Right. I should go. Mamamatay ako sa sobrang depress if I stay here in the Philippines. What am I waiting for? I packed my things. I did not hesitate anymore, para san pa ba yung pagsstay ko dito? Eh wala na rin yung babaeng nagbibigay buhay sa bawat araw ko? My everything is gone, because of me. Tama na siguro tong gagawin ko, maybe in this way, I can slowly move on, forget about everything, and slowly accept reality. Life must go on no matter what. That was one of Rhia’s statements in her valedictory address. She’s right, I must go on…. for her, I will. Mahihirapan ako, at masasaktan pero gagawin ko ang lahat ng ‘to para sa kanya. I’ll still be superman. I’ll try to bring back superman, even if wala na si superwoman. ‘Marion! Tara na, 6 pm na, alas otso yung flight mo, traffic pa naman, bilis na’ Tinatawag na ako ni Kuya Roy. Aalis na ako. Goodbye……. Nasa eroplano na ako papuntang Japan. I’ll be staying there for good. I’ll start a new life and I’ll dedicate everything to the one I always love. Rhia Margarette Lao. ‘Francooo! wait for me, don’t leave me, I love you, I always do. Don’t leave me! You said you’ll always be there to protect me. Please. Doooon’t!’ ‘This is Captain Matsu. Please fasten your seatbelts, we’re about to take off in a few minutes’ Amp! Nananaginip lang pala ako. But its not a good dream, it MIGHT not be, minumulto ba ako ni Rhia? or, do I really have to go back to the Philippines? Stop. I already made my decision, magmomove on na ako para sa kanya. But one thing will remain forever, I may disappear just like a shooting star but my heart will always stay. I’ll be yours forever, I love you until forever… Rhia’ ‘Furanko! *here, I missed you son!*’ sinalubong ako ni mommy. ‘*I missed you too mom*’ ‘Are you ok son?’ the expression in her face changed. From excited to devastated. Tsss. ‘Hai, I’m almost ok, let’s go!’ ‘*Ok, let’s go, I have a surprise for you*’ Did I hear it right? Si mommy my surprise? Sus, as far as I can remember that last time he surprised me was during my 5th birthday, he changed the interior design of my room, from baby’s to grown up’s. She made me so happy that time. Andito na kami, my home in Nihon. Walang nagbago, except for…. my r.o.o.m. Eto ba yung sinasabi ni mommy na surprise? She did not get me, di ako nasurprise. Normal lang, like my room in the Philippines. Inayos ko na mga gamit ko at lumabas. Yum. I can smell teppanyaki. My favourite food. ‘Son, halika na, *let’s eat*’ ‘Itadakimasu’ Ang sarap, I missed this……… habang kumakain kami. May nagdodorbell, binuksan nung housemaid namin. Oh…. Its….

‘Nika!’ my mom shouted. Girls are just so… I don’t know. Akala mo ilang taon ng di nagkita, kung makabati parang long lost daughter niya si Nika. By the way Nika, is my childhood friend, her parents and my parents are business partners since then, that’s how we’d become friends, parati pa nga kaming inaasar na bagay daw kami at dapat kami daw yung magkatuluyan. Amp that was so long time ago. And Im not interested. Never. Hindi na kami nagkita at nagcommunicate nung sa Pinas na ako tumira. ‘Hey Franco! I missed you’ Hinug niya ako, Oh well. I was surprised. but NOT in a good way. ‘Hey Nik, long time no see.’ Kulang na lang sabihin ko get off me. Siguro she was expecting me to say I missed you too. No way. Never. Not to her. ‘Kamusta na? Its been a while na rin’ oo, marunong siyang magtagalog, pero full Japanese siya, she just studied the language for me. Tssss. ‘Mom, Nika, excuse me muna, sumakit ulo ko, siguro dahil ata sa byahe, sa kwarto muna ako’ ‘Ok’ Sabay nilang sagot. Asaaaaaar ! Sa lahat ng pwedeng magwelcome sa akin ba’t siya pa? That spoiled Chuckie Doll !!! She pisses me off. I almost killed her for choking her until she can hardly breathe when I was 4 years old. Eh kasi, while nagshoshower ako after ng swimming class namin, she was peaking at me, WITH her chuckie doll friends, WITH a camera. *&%#@!^&*!!!! Hindi lang yan yung ginawa niya sa akin, marami pa, too many to mention, ika nga nila. Gusto ko na tuloy bumalik sa Pinas. Naman oh! ‘Hey Franco’ ‘I’m glad you’re finally here’ I hugged her and kiss her on the chicks. ‘Heeeeey, what was that for?’ yung expression niya parang nagulat na natuwa na confused. ‘Gusto ko lang……’ ‘Ha?’ ‘Wala, sabi ko, you look stunning’ ‘Ahhh…thanks’ she said as I pulled the chair to let her sit. ‘Franco….’ yung expression niya sobrang confused, parang takot…. ewan, pati ako nalilito. ‘Yes Rhia?’ kinabahan ako dun ah… ‘I don’t understand why you’re doing all of this… if this is some kind of a jjjoo….’ ‘Joke? Oh please…’ nahulaan ko na naman pero, I swear, HINDI to joke, di ko kayang lokohin si Rhia, I love her. ‘Franco, natatakot ako…….. I think I’m falling for you…… bb-ut I’m afraid….’ natigilan siya, takot nga siya, pati ako di nakapagsalita….. ‘……..’ and she broke the silence ‘I’m afraid you won’t catch me’ yun lang pala eh! akala ko naman ‘I’m afraid kasi di pwede’ . Naunahan niya ako. Nauna siyang magtapat. Ano ba ‘to?! Gano’n ba talaga ako kaslow? o, Gano’n talaga siya ka spontaneous? Pffft. ‘Haahahaha’ natawa ako, siguro sa sobrang saya at sa maling akala niya… ‘I’m serious! I’m tired of being left behind, I always end up looking stupid, Ayoko na!, I’ve had enough heartaches, ayoko ng madagdagan, mas lalong ayoko ikaw ang makasakit sa a…..’

‘I can’t hurt you, I will never hurt you…. Rhia, di mo ba nakikita?’ ‘What?!’ ‘I LOVE YOU RHIA!’ ‘……..’ natigilan siya. ‘Since the first time I saw you, I don’t know, but my heart always tells me ikaw na nga, you are everything, you mean everything to me, my world turns because of you, ako si superman dahil ikaw si superwoman. Mahal kita, mahal na mahal’ ‘All this time, all this years, nothing ever replaced your place in my heart, that’s how much I love you…. will you catch me? I’m falling Franco, I’ve fallen for you’ Malamang. Mahal nga kita diba? ‘Superman will always catch superwoman. I love you….. so much.’ And then we kissed. While our lips touched, di ko lubos matanggal yung tuwa and sense of relief sa isip ko, after 6 long years, nasabi ko na kay Rhia, nasabi ko na sa taong mahal ko yung sinasigaw ng puso ko. That moment was so perfect…. I don’t wanna enn….. End it…. Lintek na! Panaganip na naman! Ano ba?! Hindi ako tinatantanan ng panghihinayang ah. Kahit sa’n ako magpunta, kahit anong gawin ko, naaalala ko pa rin si Rhia. Tinamaan nga talaga ako. Of course. Anim na taon din yun eh, 6 looooooong years. 365 days x 6 years + 1 day (leap year)= 2191 days. 2191 days, and ni minsan di ko nagawang magtapat. Torpe! But I always plan to do so, kaso lahat. FAIL…. *flash back* 16th birthday ni Rhia yun… My plan was already in action, tinulungan ako ng mga classmates niya, it was a surprise celebration. In their classroom. Lunch time hanggang afternoon yung suppose to be time span ng celebration. Walang pasok eh kasi last day na ng exam. Everything was ready. Ginamit naming yung classroom nila, pinalitan namin yung curtains ng kulay pula, its her favourite color. Balloons are everywhere, parang Valentine’s day, may music band na rin, tapos sa gitna may red chair, yung tipong pang prinsesa… tapos on the chair is a red cape, the one superman always wear. And her classmates were wearing red clothes, pati may roses na din yung 15 boys at siyempre, nasa akin ang 16th rose. Magtatapat na talaga dapat ako no’n kahit alam kong nililigawan siya nung Jake. Pake ko, suitor pa naman eh, hindi pa naman boyfriend. ‘Guys! Ready na ba lahat?’ ‘OMG! I can’t wait to see everything!’ react ni Kyri. ‘Ok na ‘tol, game?’ kinonfirm na ni Alex. ‘Sige na, magready ka na Franco, tatawagin na namin si birthday girl’ excited na sabi ni Joan. ‘Ok, ok’ sagot ko naman na kinakabahan. After 10 minutes. Nakabalik na si Joan at Kyri. Wait, ba’t mukhang wala ata si Rhia? They’re mumbling, nagtutulakan. Mukhang malungkot yung expression nila, disappointed, yun. ‘Ah…eh..ah…F-franco….’ ‘Oh? San na si Rhia?’ I asked. ‘Yun na nga eh… wala siya….’ ‘Ha?????’ Potek, napanghinaan ako sa narinig ko ah.

‘Where did she go?’ ‘We called her, she’s in the airport….’ *airplane sound* ‘Yan, nasa eroplano na siya, she got the immediate flight to Japan, nagkaemergency daw, her grandpa was rushed to the hospital, mukhang mamatay na daw eh…’ sagot ni Kyri with a sad face. ‘Sorry Franco.’ Amp. Gano’n ako kamalas. Hindi ko naman masisisi si Rhia, kasi surprise nga diba, di hindi siya aware, pati, emergency din yun kaya wala talaga akong masisisi sa kapalpakan ng plano ko. Since that incident, napanghinaan na ako, parang feeling ko, hindi talaga pwede. Hmmm. You might want to ask kung bakit ako hesitant sa pagtatapat ng feelings ko? Everybody knows how perfect Rhia is. Well for me she is. Matalino, maganda, mabait, mayaman. Lul! Nagmukha naman akong gold digger sa last description. Pffft. Balik usapan, perfect catch na siya. Siguro she’s everyone’s ideal girl. Bobo din yung Jake na yun para saktan siya. Asar! Napanghihinaan ako kasi, sino ba naman ako? Ano ba naman ang meron sa akin para magustuhan niya ako? She’s too perfect and I’m, I’m a nobody. Sabi nga sa favourite song niya… You’re so close but still a world away. Naging paborito ko tuloy ulit yung song na ‘yon. Description ko sa sarili ko? Lazy-spoiled-immature-kiddo and GWAPO. So pag pinagsama mo kami, masyadong incompatible. Amp. Basta! Ewan! Bothered pa rin ako sa mga nangyayari sa dreams ko. Halos everyday na akong ganito. Parati kong nakikita si Rhia sa panaginip ko. Yep, dreams, not nightmares. Sana pala di na lang ako gumising. At least man lang sa panaginip nakikita ko siya, nagsasama kaming dalawa at napagtapat ko yung feelings ko. Alam niyo kahit ganito, kahit alam kong wala na si Rhia…. there’s still a hopeful part of me na nagsasabing she’s alive. Siguro, dala na rin ng mga good dreams with her. TEKA. Tama. Wala naman akong balita since the accident diba? I never bothered to check her condition dahil sa sobrang duwag ko……. Nabuhayan ako. Maybe my superwoman is alive! Tatawag na sana ako sa Pinas. But I realized its still 12 midnight, meaning 1 am pa du’n. Amp. So bumalik ako sa pagtulog. ‘Franco, okiru…’ (okiru-wake up) ‘Nika is waiting for you downstairs’ WHAT!? That Chuckie doll! Bwiset. Sinisira niya umaga ko ah. Sana di na lang ako gumising, siguro napaniginipan ko pa si Rhia. Lintek. Mag-hintay siya kung gusto niya. Hindi ako bababa. Asarrrr! I know exactly what to do. Tatawag ako kela Rhia. Ayan na nagriring na. Di ko ma-explain yung nararamdaman ko, I’m hopeful pero kinakabahan…. ‘Good morning. Lao’s residence, who’s this please?’ hanep! pati katulong nag-eenglish. ‘Good morning, this is Franco, Rhia’s friend, andiyan po ba siya?’ parang nagpapalpitate ako. ‘Wala na siya….’ Pag dinig ko lang sa word na WALA, parang pinatay ako ulit. Binaba ko na agad. Sana di na lang ako tumawag. Masyado kasi akong umasa, eto tuloy. Hindi ko napigilan yung sarili ko. Napaiyak ako. Humahagulhol na parang bata, di ko kinaya. My heart was like torn into pieces for the nth time. *someone’s knocking*

I did not bother to check who it is…. di ko rin binuksan. Patuloy pa rin ako sa pag-iyak.

Nika’s POV ‘Franco, I did not bother to wait for you to open the doo…’ He’s crying.. why??? ‘….door, hey, genki desu ka? Are you ok? Why are you crying?’ He’s not answering me. We haven’t seen each other for years and this is what I’ll see? What’s wrong with him? Naaawa ako sa childhood friend/crush ko. I hugged him so tight. ‘Shhh, stop crying Furanko’ I tapped his back. But he’s not talking yet. I’m still confused, it’s not the usual Franco I see years and years ago. What on earth is happening? ‘Boku-no me-o mite…. am I a failure?’ (Boku-no me-o mite-Look into my eyes) he asked. ‘Doushite? Why are you saying that? Of course not!’ (Doushite-Why) I’m really perplexed here. ‘I missed every chance, I let it all pass… and now she’s gone, my love is gone’ He was crying like a child left alone in a dark room. Wait. He said…. SHE… who is SHE? I’m sort of getting it. He’s broken hearted. Seeing him like this, I can really assure how he loves the girl….. lucky girl. But, WTH?! Who’s the girl?! I can’t believe she did this to Franco. He continued speaking… ‘I love her so much, so much that I’m willing to give up everything I have, even my own life, but its too late, too late…. she’s gone….’ ‘????????’ ‘hindi ko man lang nasabi kung gaano ko siya kamahal….’ Ok, I think understand what he said. He wasn’t able to say how much he loves the girl? Right? Yah, whatever, it sounds something like that. He’s devastated. It’s obvious. ‘Let it out, Frank… let it out’ I said as he continues to cry. I have an idea. But I don’t really know every little detail. Maybe its one of the reason why he went back here in Japan? To move on and forget SHE? I guess so. Oh well, its time to show him how much I care. I’ll help him move on. I’ll make it up to him, for the years I missed. By the way. I’m Nika Louise Nishima. I’m 17 years old. Frank, I call him Frank, Frank’s childhood friend. His family and mine are great business partners. That’s how we became friends. I live here in Japan. I’ve been to the Philippines when I was 5 years old, and it was my first and last visit there. I haven’t gone back there since that year. But marunong ako magsalita ng tagalog. I studied the language to have a good connection with Frank. He’s my puppy love. My crush.

Franco’s POV Damn! Of all people na pwedeng magcomfort sa akin ba’t si Chuckie doll pa!? Potek. I can’t believe I cried in front of her. Bwiset. Ano na kayang iniisip ng babaeng yun? Baka, tumatawa na yun sa nawitness niya. She must be so happy to see me cry, that’s what she wanted before, that Chuckie freak doll and her puppy friends always bully me, they make fun of me all the time. Lintek. Asar! Asar! Asar! Kumukulo tala dugo ko everytime I see her. I almost forgot the tragic answer with that phone call I made.

Teka. Did I just say almost forgot? No… Yes…. No… Because of that Chuckie doll? I almost forgot? No, what if she’s the answer to everything? Baka siya na yung hinihintay ko para makalimutan si Rhia? CUT IT OUT! Stop it Franco. NO. Umuwi ka dito sa Japan to move on and forget the love tragedy. Wala sa plano ang maghanap ng kapalit ni Rhia. Right. At isa pa, wala ng makakapalit sa pwesto niya dito sa puso ko. None. Not even that Chuckie freak. Never and Noooooo way! Mamatay na lag ako na walang asawa at pamilya wahg lang mapunta sa babaeng yun! Gano’n ko siya kaayaw. Bumaba na ako para kumain… ‘Hey Franco…. umalis na si Nika’ The hell I care mom?! ‘Ahhh…’ sumagot na lang ako baka batukan pa ako ni mommy kapag di ko siya pinansin. ‘She looks upset….’ WTF?! siya ba yung namatayan para magreact siya ng gano’n? ‘???????’ ‘May ginawa ka ba sa kanya?’ %$@#! Ano na naman kaya yung pinagsasabi nung Chuckie freak na yun? ‘Wala…. nanood kasi ng Philippine drama with Japanese subtitle while I was sleeping kaya gano’n, masyadong maarte eh.. naapektohan masyado’ Good thing magaling ako magreason-out. Humanda yung babaeng yun pag nagkita kami. Sus! Kundi lang siya babae matagal ko na yun sinapak eh! ‘I see, akala ko na kung ano’ Enough with that freak. Masyado na niyang sinira yung umaga ko. Kumain na ako. 1 week later Lumalabas na ako ng bahay, nakikipaghang-out na ako sa mga dati kong friends dito. Naglalaro kami ng baseball everyday, since, malapit lang ung field sa village namin. ‘Nice one dude, *see you tomorrow*’ Kahit ano na yung ginagawa ko para maaliw yung sarili ko. I play with everyone, I talk to everyone, I meet everyone I knew before. Except kay Chuckie doll….. ‘Hi Franco!’ Potek. Akala ko tinigilan na niya ako. ‘Oh? What are you doing here?’ Yung sagot ko ay yung tipong tinataboy siya… kasi naman ayoko talagang nakikita siya. ‘Binibisita ka… aren’t you glad I’m here?’ her face, its so annoying. ‘Ahhh. K’ she looked disappointed when she heard my answer. HAHAHA. ‘Here..’ may inabot siyang food. ‘I brought you this, alam ko kasi gutom ka’ Asar na asar na ako ha. ‘No thanks, I’m not hungry; you can have it if you want. Jane!’ (Jane-Bye) Poor Chuckie doll, she must be upset. Or not. Pissed off pa siguro. HAHAHA! Ang sarap sa feeling na unti-unti akong nakakaganti sa lahat ng ginawa niya back when we were still kids. Buti nga. Ok. I know what you’re all thinking. Masyado akong immature. I don’t care, kasi totoo naman talaga eh pati, umiiral lang eto kung asar ako sa isang bagay. After 2 weeks

Its 7 am in the morning. Since dumating ako dito sa Japan. Napapaaga na yung gising ko. Ewan ko kung bakit pero nakakainis kasi everytime nagigising ako dun pa talaga sa climax ng dream ko with Rhia. Amp. *someone’s knocking* ‘Come in’ nakahiga pa rin ako. Pagpasok ng kumakatok…. ‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!’ napasigaw ako. Lintek na. ‘Serving your breakfast… isn’t it obvious?’ Serving your breakfast… isn’t it obvious? Nyanyanya. Shattap. Annoying freak! Ano ba kasi yung ginagawa niya?! Ang aga-aga pa sinisira niya na yung mood ko!!! ‘I’m not yet hungry, matutulog pa ako. Go out, bring with you your breakfast’ I said with a blank face. Nagstart na siyang maglakad palabas. ‘LOOK! I’m not gonna stop bugging you unless you’ll be nice to me!’ WTF?! %^$@!!! Sinisigawan niya ba ako sa sarili kong room? ‘Waeber. Maghintay ka kung gusto mo but I WON’T BE NICE TO YOU…. NEVER, ok? so, get out’ ‘Not getting out’ Sh*t. Papatulan ko na talaga ‘tong babaeng to ah. ‘Fine! Mabulok ka sa paghihintay’ Bahala siya. Matutulog na nga lang ako ulit baka sakaling makita ko pa si superwoman my love sa panaginip ko. I have to sleep if I don’t want to get stuck with this nightmare here. CHUCKIE DOLL FREAK! Bwiset! After 4 hours…. ‘MONSTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!’ napasigaw ako as I saw ng makita ko ang mukha ni Chuckie Freak Doll, 10 centimeters ang layo ng sa mukha ko ‘What the f*uck are you still doing here? diba sabi ko GET OUT?!’ di naman siya sumasagot ‘Gano’n ba talaga kaslow yung pagprocess ng mga commands sa brain mo? Are you that stupid?!’ di pa rin sumasagot ‘*wala ka bang bibig?* or are you deaf* BWISET!’ Galit na talaga ko, muntik ko na siyang nasapak. Buti na lang nagsalita na…. ‘You said, maghintay? it means to WAIT diba?’…. yes you freak. ‘So here, I did, I know how to follow instructions Franki’ Bwiset. Kelan pa naging Franki yung pangalan ko!? Ang bading. Lintek ha. Bobels talaga, she did not understand what I said. Mabigyan nga ng tagalong tutorial. ‘Stupid….. Yes I said the word ‘hintay’ and yes it means wait. But I did NOT say ‘you wait’ you idiot. I said ‘Mabulok ka sa paghihintay’ meaning, wait until you rot. GET IT?!’ ‘Ahhhh….’ She’s really annoying me ! ‘GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’ Sinigaw ko sa harap ng mukha niya. Hinawakan ko yung kamay niya to pull her off my bed. Nakakalimutan ko na na babae siya sa ginagawa niya ha. ‘HANDS OFF Franco! Errrr.’

‘HANDS OFF your chuckie freak face. Di kita bibitawan hangga’t di ka lumalabas’ ‘I sort of understand what you said. HAHAHA. Ok, you can hold me as long as you want Franki.’ Sasabog na ata ako sa sobrang galit eh. *&^%#$!@#! ‘FINE! What do you want?!’ ‘Yes! I won. Simple, Be nice to me’ Lintek. Ang sarap tiris-tirisin ng mukha niya habang sinasabi niya yun. Be nice to me. Ano daw?! Be nice to her? Manigas siya. Leche. Di niya ako titigilan kung di ko babaguhin yung trato ko sa kanya. Fine. I’m an actor, if she doesn’t know. Bahala na. Basta lang tigilan na niya yung pangungulit niya. BRING IT ON Chuckie freak doll. The next day… ‘Hi Franki’ Nightmare again. Pfft. ‘Hello’ Can’t believe I said Hello to that freak. ‘I brought you teppanyaki, your favourite food, ako nagluto niyan’ interesado na sana akong kainin pero nung sinabi niyang siya nagluto? never mind. ‘Ahhh, thanks.’ Binuksan na niya yung Tupperware. Teka, susubuan niya ba ako? ‘Open your mouth, here….’ Lintek. Ano ako? baby? Wala akong choice. ‘Sarap ba?’ Ok, she made me laugh, ang panget ng tagalog pero cute. Shit. nadulas lang ako. Hindi siya cute. Hindi. Pati, hindi masarap, ang panget ng lasa. di ko maintindihan, ang sarap isuka. ‘Hai’ Asar. nagmukha akong puppy na sunod ng sunod sa amo niya sa pagsagot ko. (Hai-yes) Umalis na siya. Yes ! The freak doll is gone. Dumiretso agad ako sa bathroom para isuka yung kinain ko. Praaaamis. Walang loko, ang panget ng lasa. Napapadalas na yung pagsasama namin ni Nika, habang tumatagal, gumagaan na yung loob ko sa kanya, di na ako gano’n kaasar. Ewan ko kung bakit. Siguro kasi, dahil sa presence niya unti-unti ko na rin nakakalimutan yung hard feelings ko sa sarili ko. Nafafall na kaya ako sa kanya kaya ako nagkakaganito? NO. This isn’t happening. Solid pa rin ako kay Rhia, no matter what. Di hamak na mas lamang si superwoman sa kanya no. WTH. Ba’t ko ba sila kinocompare? Wala lang sa daliri ni Rhia si Nika no. Solid to. Haaay, naalala ko naman si Rhia. I still love her. ‘Hey Frank…. let’s go out’ ‘Doko?’ (doko-where) ‘Anywhere…. Hmm, DISNEYLAND!’ ‘K’ ‘Yes! see you tomorrow!’ Ok. Naaasar pa rin ako!!! Ba’t ko ba ‘to ginagawa? Baka ano ng iniisip ni chuckie freak doll. Ah basta, bahala na. As long as she doesn’t bug me like she does before okey NA LANG.

CHAPTER 5
“d’ Come Back”

Nika’s POV Wow. I can’t believe this is happening. Frank and I are going along each other. I’m so happy ‘cause he’s not as mean to me as he was before. Our relationship is improving, I hope this continues. He’s my childhoon puppy love, and I left every intimate moments back when we were a child. I never expected, such intimacy will grow and show up at this stage. Wow. I think I’m falling for Frank. I hope he does to. Now that he’s by my sde I won’t let go of him. I won’t let anyone, anything come my way from feeling this way for him. Not even SHE. Whoever SHE is. I deserve Franco, and I assure you that. I won’t hurt him like SHE did. Franco’s POV ‘Yay! Here we are…. Disneyland. Home of my fave cartoon character. DAFFY DUCK!’ Wow, buti pa siya excited. Ang galeng. Amp. I love rides, pero di ko alam kung ba’t di ako naeexcite. Malamang dahil etong chuckie doll na to ‘yung kasama ko. And by the way, natawa ako sa sinabi niya, . Home of my fave cartoon character. DAFFY DUCK, Lul! Of course, magkamukha sila eh. HAHAHAHA! Pag pinagtabi silang dalawa, I’m sure macoconfuse kayo, they look totally the same. And yes. I’m in Disneyland, home of Rhia’s fave cartoon character, Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Tssss. ‘Hello?!!! Are you with me?’ tanong ni Chuckie doll nung napansin niyang natulala ako. ‘Yup, let’s go.’ Niyaya ko siya and I hold her hands. Teka, ba’t ko ginawa yun? Pffft. ‘Where shall we go first?’ Masyado siyang excited. Asar. ‘Ride a roller coaster. Let’s go, hurry…..’ Binilisan ko yung paglalakad ko kasi humahaba na yung pila, tapos siya naiwan. ‘Let’s gooooooo!’ tawag ko. Ba’t biglang nagbago expression niya? nawala yung smile… ‘Please make sure that you’re securely seated with your seatbelts locked. The ride will start in 3,2,1….’ ‘Wohoooooooooo ! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!’ Sigaw ako ng sigaw sa sobrang saya ng ride. Tumahimik ata si Chuckie doll. Pagkatapos ng ride. Inalog ko siya. WTF?! Chuckie freak collapsed. Binuhat ko siya paalis, tapos nagtanong sa mga employees kung san yung clinic nila. I rushed her there…. ‘*what happened?*’ ‘*I don’t know*’….. I noticed that she collapsed after the ride’

‘She’s in shock…. let her rest here… she’ll wake up in a few moment’ Ba’t ba siya nahimatay. Potek. Kaya siguro nagchange yung expression niya kasi ayaw niya. Tanga pala ‘tong babaeng to eh, kung gano’n ba’t di niya sinabi? Ang bigat pa naman niya. Bwiset. ‘*Where am I?* gising na si Chuckie doll. ‘In the clinic, you collapsed…. what happened?’ ‘I have phobia with heights’ WTF?! Tanga. Ba’t di niya sinabi? Pati, ba’t dito pa kami nagpunta, alam naman nating lahat na puro rides yung nandito…what? to see her favourite cartoon character? Is she insane!? ‘If that’s so…. WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?’ nasigawan ko siya. Pano ba naman, what she did was stupid. ‘C-ca-use I know, you’ll be mad?’ ‘Stupid.’ ‘Ok, I’m sorry. Gomen. I know its my fault. Sorry’ May tatalo pa ba sa ginawa niya? Tangaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! She could have died with what she did. Stupid Chuckie doll. I’ll be mad? Ano daw? Tanga. Mukha din pala siyang aso eh.. sunud-sunuran sa gusto ko. Lintek. Kinabahan ako dun ah. Teka, ba’t ba ako nagrereact ng ganito? Diba dapat matuwa pa ako, kasi karma na yun para sa lahat ng kahihiyan na inabot ko dahil sa kanya noon. Tama, di dapat ako naaawa. Pero, hindi eh, naaawa pa rin ako. Tsss. Am I? NO.NO.NO.NO. and….. NEVER, NOT TO HER. ‘Let’s go’ Hay salamat, nag-aya ng lumabas si Chuckie freak. ‘Are you ok?’ Naman oh! Kunwaring concern ako. pero… oo nga, mukhang concern naman talaga ako ‘Yep’ Habang naglalakad kami may naramdaman akong kakaiba, hindi yang iniisip niyo, I’m not falling for her... Of course not. May something talaga akong nararamdaman… hindi naman déjà vu. Pero unusual yung feeling… parang may paparating, tapos inaanticipate ko na hinahanap ko. Ewan… basta… Teka… may nakikita ako…. o_O Totoo ba ‘tong nakikita ko? Kailangan kong masampal. ‘Nika, slap me!’ ‘What?!’ ‘I said slap me, *SLAP ME*!’ ‘Ok.’ tapos sinampal niya ako. ‘WTF?! Why did you do that?’ ‘You told me so! Idiot!’ Right. Naramdaman ko yung sampal, ibig sabihin hindi ako nananaginip. Totoo nga ang nakikita ko….

Nakikita ko si RHIA…. Oo, nakikita ko ang Superwoman ng buhay ko. I can’t be wrong. Siya nga yung nakikita ko…. Pero…. Bakit????? How???? Nalilito ako. Mag-isa siya… she’s eating cotton candy, kaharap yung mascot na Minnie and mickey mouse, tumatawa… naglakas loob na ako, tinawag ko siya… ‘SUPERWOMAN!!!’ Nagsitinginan lahat ng tao sa akin. Pati siya, nagulat silang lahat. Tapos bumalik siya sa pakikipagtawanan kela Minnie and mickey. Bahala na, lalapitan ko na siya… Kinakabahan ako. Papunta na sana ako sa kanya ng umalis na siya, pero ung direction niya papunta sa akin… Nabuhayan ako. Patuloy ako sa paglalakad…. at nagbanggaan kami…. ‘Gomen, gomen’ bow siya ng bow. Nagtagpo yung mga mata namin…. pero bakit ganito? bakit parang di niya ako kilala? Napatingin ako sa ground. Pagbanggit ko sa pangalan niya……. ‘Rhia.’ Naglakad na siya paalis. Nalungkot ako. Sobrang disappointed. Di ko maintindihan kung bakit gano’n… Iba eh, makikita mo talaga sa mga mata niya na parang hindi niya ako kilala. Tumakbo na ako paalis… iniwan ko na si Nika…. Eto na naman. It hit me AGAIN. Parang dinurog na naman yung puso ko. Nalilito ako masyado. Alam kong si Rhia talaga yung nakikita ko eh. Hindi ako nagkakamali, hindi ako nag iilussion. Siya talaga yun… Pero pa’no nangyari yun? Tumawag ako sa kanila 1 month ago… sabi WALA NA SIYA…. pati, TEKA… diba binaba ko kaagad yun? I rushed through my notebook. Ngayon ko lang to gagawin after the accident. I’ll check my e-mail. I’ll check my phone. Pagbukas ko sa phone ko, 128 messages?! I don’t know where to start reading. Pagbukas ko naman sa e-mail ko. 28 e-mails. Lahat galing sa schoolmates ko, kadalasan kela Alex, Kyri pati Joan, mga close friends ni Rhia. Nauna kong basahin yung e-mail ni Alex, kasi yun yung latest. TO: Franco_marion15 FROM: Alex_anthony SUBJECT: Show up dude… Franco, asan ka na ba? Since the accident di ka na namin nakita… Nawala ka nang parang bula. We were looking for you. Everyone. Ikaw yung una niyang nabanggit, paggising na pagising niya. Rhia was in coma for 2 weeks. Tapos, nagising siya, ‘Franco’ yung una niyang nabanggit. We were so relieved when she woke up. Pero, right after nabanggit niya yung name mo, tinanong niya agad. ‘Where am I?’ tumingin siya sa aming lahat tapos nagsalita na naman… ‘Who are you?’… Dude, kung inaakala mong namatay siya dahil sa ‘supposed to be’ date niyo. HINDI. Muntik lang. But as of the moment may temporary amnesia si Rhia. Sana nababasa mo ito ngayon. I hope you show up dude…. baka ikaw lang yung pwede magbalik ng lahat ng alaala ni Rhia. See you. Superwoman is alive.

Rhia’s POV While I was in the park a while ago, someone bumped into me. Our eyes met. I felt something unusual. Déjà vu, I guess. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere. Weird.

Oh ! I remember ! I think he’s the guy I always see in my dreams. Right. That guy who always bug me and ditch me. Pssshh. I hate it. He’s existing. Great. But its ok. I just saw him once in real life. It’s just an accident. It won’t happen anymore. By the way, I haven’t introduced myself yet. My name is Rhia Margarette Lao. I’m 16 years old, turning 17 this September 15. I was born here in Japan, I lived here for 4 years and went to the Philippines. I visit here every summer vacation, but I settle in the Philippines. I just graduated from high school, Valedictorian. They said I’m a campus journalist, girl scout, artist, dancer? and singer? I don’t know, that’s what they told me. I had an accident the day after our graduation. I almost died. I have temporary amnesia. And I totally don’t remember anything. Of course. And my story begins here….. I’m currently in Japan now, my mom told me I’m under medication. And she also said, it would be better if I go back to where I grew up, in that way, my memories will slowly go back. And yes, she’s a doctor. But I’ll still be going home to the Philippines next week. Gotta fix everything for college. ‘Ok, that’s good, dagdagan mo ng konting emotions Rhia…. ayan, that’s it’ Utos ni Mr. Photographer. After it, nagbreak kami… someone hand me a drink. ICE COFFEE- my favourite. Nom-nom-nom ‘Fairy godmother ka ba?’ tanong niya na super out of the blue. ‘I wish. why?’ ‘Pwede mo bang lagyan ng built in camera yung mga mata ko?’ ‘Ha? Bakit?’ ‘Para parati kitang makita at madevelop ako sa ‘yo’ ‘Tsss. Cut it out’ tumalikod ako, tapos napangiti. Ang keso naman nun ! nagsalita na naman siya. ‘Eh, Ms. naniniwala ka ba sa love at first sight?’ ‘No.’ Tapos nawala siya bigla. Weird guy. Tapos na yung break namin. Back to work. Photoshoot again. He’s annoying me, I feel like I’m melting with his odd stares. He looks like a stalker, W.E.I.R.D, but if he’s one, he’s the cutest of all. Done with the photoshoot! When I opened the door of my car…. ‘Eh sa love at second sight? naniniwala ka na?’ ‘OMG!!!!!!!’ I shouted. ‘NO! So get off my car!!!’ Gosh ! He scared me there. How on earth did he get inside my car? After I said no, he disappeared like the wind. Tsss. Total Weirdo. ‘Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap!’ I shouted as soon as I woke up. ‘What’s wrong Rhia?!’ I think my voice was too loud that it woke up everyone in the house. ‘Nothing Mom, uhmmm, I thought there’s a rat in my bed, hihihii’ Reason.com. Pffft. ‘So desu ka?’ ‘Hai’

And he went outside. I lied because if I say, I had a nightmare, mom will freak out, its not good, she said, especially with my condition. But. that freakin’ nightmare…. I HATE IT! Its that guy again. Sh*t who is he? Why do I always see him in my effin’ dreams? Its freaking me out! I swear. Maybe he’s one of my stalker before? or one of those who made my life miserable? I don’t know. Can’t wait to go home and investigate. NO. Why would I? Why would I waste my time with such nonsense!? Errr. Never mind. ‘Rhia, are you ready dear?’ ‘Of course I am….. Mom, I just have temporary amnesia, I did not lose any of my body parts, so stop worrying too much, ok?’ ‘I know, its just that….’ ‘Pshhh, I can handle’ ‘Ok, your dad will pick you up in the airport, and Alex will be staying with you, to help you recall some important matters…..’ ‘Opo. Bye mom! See you soon!’ And I kissed her. ‘Take care Rhia, call me as soon as the plane lands, bye! I love you baby’ Nope. I can’t call her as soon as the plane lands. It’s prohibited. Maybe as soon as I get off the plane. Well, that would be much more possible and in accordance to the rules. I’m no law breaker. NAIA 12:00 noon I can smell Philippines! Uh-hmmmm. I’m excited to start my life. Even if I start back at one. >_< ‘Rhia! Here!!!’ Shouted Alex as he waved the placard that he’s holding. It says; Rhia Margarette Lao. I was laughing when I came near him. It’s sooooo gay. LOL. Guess he was doing it in case I forget my name. And I got to be used with all their special treatments, uhhhhh, they all just love me so much. ‘Hi Alex! Where’s dad?’ ‘Ahmmm, nagkaemergency daw kasi sa office kaya ako na lang… baket, di pa ba sapat yung presence ko?’ ‘??????’ ‘Loko lang, tara….’ ‘Uhmm, where are we going Alex? I’m hungry’ ‘Rhia ah, nagnonosebleed na ako sa English mo, alam mo since nagkaamnesia ka, English ka na ng English…’ ‘Ahw, uhmm, sorry, ay, pasensya… nag-aadjust pa eh’ ‘Loko lang ulit, tara, diretso na tayo sa bahay niyo, ipinaghanda ka ni Ate beth dun’ ‘Who’s Ate Beth?’ ‘Ah, tama, yung housemaid niyo, siya nag-alaga sa’yo since birth’ ‘Ok, thanks for the info.’

Alex’s POV

Ako nga pala si Alex, Alex De Leon.16 years old. Kababata ni Rhia. Magkakilala na kami kahit nasa tiyan pa ako ng mommy ko. Oo, tama narinig niyo, walang loko. Hindi kami kambal. Pero mag bestfriends ang mga nanay namin. Halos di sila mapaghiwalay nung nagbubuntis sila, gano’n sila kaclose. Pati, magkabirthday kami ni Rhia… amazing no? Alam ko. Sa Japan din ako pinanganak at sabay din kaming pumunta dito sa Pinas. Kaso, mas patriotic ako kesa kay Rhia. Ni hindi nga ako marunong mag Japanese eh. Pero I speak English, just that, mas mahal ko lang talaga ang wikang Pilipino. So much more of me…. Balik storya tayo. Yung role ko ngayon, eh, tulungan si Rhia na mabalik lahat ng memories niya, kahit pa konti-konti lang basta mabalik. Teka lang. By the way. LALAKE ako. Baka kasi akalain niyo babae kasi Alex. Full name? Alex Anthony De Leon. Muntik ko ng makalimutan idescribe yung look ko. Simple lang. Isang salita. GWAPO. ‘Rhia, what school shoud we go?’ Oh ha, English yan. ‘FDHU.’ ‘Eh? Entrepreneurship course natin diba?’ ‘Right, 1 day ako nagsurf sa internet in search for the best school that offers that course’ ‘Is it the best?’ ‘Of course, kaya nga diyan diba?’ Ang sungit naman nito.. nagkaamnesia lang, nagbago na. ‘Ang sungit naman… pasensya na…’ ‘Ooops, did I offend you? Sorry Alex, my bad’ ‘Its ok, I understand’ Sus. Kung di lang kita ‘best childhood friend’ di na ako nagtitiis dito eh. Pasalamat ka…. mahal kita. as a FRIEND. ‘Alex….’ she broke the silence. ‘Oh?’ ‘May stalker ba ako before?’ napaka out of the blue naman nung tanong nitong babaeng ‘to. ‘Stalker ba kamo? Wala.’ nakakatawa ‘kapal mo din ah…’ I murmured. ‘What did you say?’ narinig niya ata. Peace Rhia. ‘Wala, wala….sabi ko, ba’t mo naman naisip ‘yun?’ palusot.com, isa sa mga expertise ko ‘hmmm… I was just curious’ ‘teka…’ pagsabi ko no’n lumaki mata niya, parang kinabahan. ‘I think there is….’ ‘WHAT?! THERE IS?! SO MERON NGA?!’ hysteric girl. ‘Gosh! I’m freakin’ out, what should I do Alex?’ She looks so funny, panic mode masyado. Nakakatawa….. ‘I said… IthinkthereissometingIhavetodonowIhavetogo.. BYE!’ Hahaha. Na-uto ko si Rhia. Gusto ko lang naman kasi makita yung expression niya. You should have seen her. Kung makareact, akala mo papatayin na siya ng kung sino mang “stalker” na yun.

I love it when she’s pissed off. She looks cute. Cute-cute, not cute na mukhang aso, as she always define it.

CHAPTER 6
“Memoirs”

Rhia’s POV ‘Aallleeeexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx!!!!!’ when I shouted his name he disappeared like a snap. Goodness! He scared me on purpose. He’s so makulit. Well, he is and he always does. My mom told me so when she introduced my friends the moment I woke up from coma. She’s right. I’ll try to speak in tagalog para masanay na ako. The moment I saw…. oooops, sorry… Alex, magaan yung pakiramdam ko. Kung sa mga teleserye its “lukso ng dugo”. Ewan, pero hindi ako nahirapan sa pakikisama sa kanya, it felt normal. Parang wala akong ginawang adjustments. Malamang. magkaibigan na daw kasi kami since birth, before birth AT sabay yung birthday namin. ‘Hey dude!’ Oh, its Joan and Kyri. ‘Hey girls!’ girls? dude? ‘Haha, funny, GIRLS?’ Jo, narinig mo yun, tinawag niya tayong girls…’ Ano bang nakakatawa sa sinabi ko? hmmm. ‘??????’ ‘Kyri, loka-loka ka. Ahmm, Rhia, we don’t call each other GIRLS, we call each other DUDES, pagpasensyahan mo na si Kyri, ikaw din Kyri, be nice, she’s on temporary amnesia.. FYI, in case you forgot.’ Joan answered my puzzled face. Thanks. ‘Ahhh, dudes… DUDES!’ ‘Anyway, Rhia how’s everything doing? Kamusta ka na?’ ‘hmm, okey lang ako doing great, I guess, kahit medyo nahihirapan ng konti…’ ‘I can’t believe you said ‘nahihirapan’ its so unusual….’ ‘Really? Bakit? Ano ba ako dati?’ I got curious. ‘Ikaw kasi yung tipong tao na hindi nagsasabing ‘mahirap’, you always put to mind na walang mahirap, na it depends on our mindset, sabi mo pa, kung iisipin mo na kaya mo, kaya mo talaga’ ‘Very well said. Ahihihi, gano’n ba? Wow, ang astig ko pala, thanks for the info, I’ll live wih that statement, thanks for sharing…. ayos din ha, kasi naalala mo’ ‘Of course we do, kasi alam mo, you used to be a public speaker, a great one, ang galing mo magsalita, really convincing, nakakaprovoke ka ng listener, at every after your talk, you always leave a thought that everyone ponders about. Gano’n ka!’ ‘o_O Wow, I’m amazing….’ speechless ako dun ah. Napressure tuloy ako sa dating Rhia.

‘Super Amazing, that’s why we’re proud to be your dude’ and Joan winked then she smiled. ‘Thanks…. pressure on my part’ ‘Sus, sanay ka naman sa pressure eh.’ really? good to hear that. ‘Rhia, nananaginip ka ba lately?’ asked Joan ‘Yup’ ‘OMG!’ react agad ni Kyri. ‘It must be Franco you’re dreaming of…. Oh Franco.’ pagsabi niya ng name na ‘Franco’ yung eyes niya parang naging heart. Weird. ‘Franco? Who’s Franco?’ ‘Long story, but to make it short, he’s your ultimate crush. And we also think he likes you back… so much.’ ‘Really?’ My heart beat faster. Parang kinilig ako sa sinabi ni Joan. ‘Is he cute?’ ‘No he’s not cute, he’s GWAPO, super gwapo.’ ‘Wow, may taste pala ako eh’ they both laughed. ‘Ikaw pa… tapos, you used to call Franco; superman’ ‘Superman because, he’s always there to rescue you, ewan, but he does it whenever you’re in trouble…’ ‘for example, during your speech…. you were crying on stage, at wala kang hanky, umeksena siya by rushing to the stage and hand you a hanky….’ ‘Gosh, naiinlove ako sa kanya.’ ‘Sinabi mo pa, dead na dead ka naman talaga sa kanya eh’ Dead na dead? as in crazy? Weird. A girl crazy over a guy. Pero ok lang, he’s worth acting crazy for, I guess, sa description pa nga lang nila, naiinlove na ako. ‘Where is he now? Does he know about my condition?’ ‘N….’ di pa nakapagsalita si Joan nagcontinue pa rin ako sa pagtatanong ‘Do you have some pictures of him?’ masyado ata ako naexcite. ‘How ‘bout pictures of us both?’ Natahimik sila…. ‘Wala eh.’ ‘Or yes, hmmm, ikaw! sigurado ako may picture ka sa kanya, ewan ko lang kung sa’n mo tinago’ Great. How am I able to find it? Natapos na kami mag-usap, natouch naman ako sa visit nila. I feel so much love from everyone. Nacucurious pa rin ako kay Franco… anyway, malay natin magkita kami, or if God permits, hell visit me, with a bouquet of rose? Hihihihi… By the way, those girls are my dudes. We’re best of friends, Kyri and Joan. Since elementary magkaklase na daw kami up to high school, sila yung nakakaalam ng lahat ng girls thing ko. And they’re one of my inspirations whenever I join contests, sabi ni mommy. Joan is a sporty chic who also excels in academics. Kyri is a fan girl, she’d been to all concerts of Kpop groups and she’s also brainy and pretty, sa sobra niyang pagstalk sa lahat ng Korean idols niya,

pati sya nag mukhang Korean eh Japanese naman siya originally. Credits to Alex for all of this information. Speaking of Alex…. magpapaenroll na kami bukas… I have to call him. *kriiiiiiiiing* ‘Good morning, De Leon’s residence, this is Alex speaking’ ‘Andiyan po ba si Alex?’ late ko na narealize na si Alex pala yung nakasagot ng phone. STUPID. ‘Ay, wala..wala…. andun siya o, wala siya dito…’ here he goes again. Pfft. ‘Alex! Ano ka ba!’ narinig ko siya nagsmirk, errrrr. ‘Tao… ano pa nga ba?’ ‘Kelan ka ba sasagot ng maayos sa mga tanong sa’yo? Ha?’ ‘Hmmm, hanggang kelan ka ba aasa?’ Ok, natawa ako dun. ‘Fine!’ nainis na ako kaya binaba ko na lang yung phone. He’s such a clown, the annoying one. After 1 minute…. *kriiiiiiiiiing* ‘Good Morning, this is Rhia speaking, who’s this please?’ ‘Stalker mo’ Feeling ko mamatay na ako. I swear. Di man lang ako nakapagsalita. Napanganga lang. ‘JOKE!’ ‘Aleeeeeeeeeeeeeeexxxxx!!!!’ ano ba?! not a good joke. ok?! ‘Oh?’ ‘Not a good joke, I almost had a heart attack, you clown! Cut it out!’ ‘Ahhh.K’ ang haba ng sinabi ko tapos yun lang sasabihin niya?! Asar! ‘Fine, if you won’t be serious, then I’ll hang up the phone NOW! I’ll get lost tomorrow, bahala na!’ ‘Uie Rhia! Loko lang. sige na… magseseryoso na ako’ di natakot din siya, maybe because he doesn’t want me to be alone tomorrow. ‘So, what time shall we meet? where?..... what should I wear? Stupid, why did I ask the last question. ‘8am-inyourhouse-wearwhatever-seeyou!-bye!’ What is wrong with him?! Is he always like that? First, he’ll fool around and then speak so fast and vanish! The next day… While I was in deep sleep, with my blanket all over me……. ‘Wake up sleepyhead!’ whoelse? Its Alex. Gulat ako. ‘Shoot! You scared me, I thought its somebody else!’ ‘Somebody else like a stalker?’ and he laughed.

‘Shut up. Wait, why are you here so early? Its not even 7 yet, you said 8’ ‘Malamang, in case di mo alam, isa kang ‘sleepyhead’ pati, sabi ko see you at 8 not wake up by 8’ ‘Why so early?!!!!’ ‘Kasi po, impatient ka, yung patience mo kasing liit ng kuko mo sa paa…. 1st day of enrolment ngayon so expect na maraming tao, mahaba yung pila, for sure.’ he explained. very well said. ‘Ok’ I get off my bed and went to the bathroom while Alex, opened the TV and watched baseball. ‘Sana’y pag-ibig na lang ang isipin ng bawat isa sa mundo’ I was singing while taking a bath. Oh boy, they’re right I’m a singer. ‘Shhhhh, stop it Rhia… pinapaaga mo yung end of the world’ the what?! Whatever. ‘Shut up!!!!!!!!!!!!!’ I yelled, and continued singing. ‘Oh no, I can feel the earthquake….’ nagpaparinig si Alex. W.H.A.T.E.V.E.R. di ko na lang papansinin. ‘Talk to the hand Alex’ diba sabi ko di ko papansinin? ‘Uie, hand, usap tayo, kamusta ka na?’ And I heard him talked to his hand. Jerk! After I finish, lumabas na ako… at wala na si Alex. He vanished again, where did he go? Hmmm, nagbihis na lang ako. When I went down stairs, kitchen. There he is…. eating. Wow. Ang bait, di man lang ako hinintay. Great. ‘You should have wai…’ tumingin siya sa akin and he was like o_O tapos nagsalita. ‘Look at you! Ano ba yang suot mo?’ ‘I know right? I look fab.’ winks. ‘Yes… no! Yes, its “fab”…. pero NO! hindi ka mukhang magpapaenrol, mukha kang rarampa sa catwalk!’ ‘So? What’s wrong with that?’ ‘Masyadong hassle Rhia, mahihirapan ka mamaya, I tell you.’ LOL much?! Why? Will they require me to run and jump or jog and execute stunts upon enrolment? Stupid. ‘I’m not changing’ ‘Ok, bahala ka.’ Bahala talaga ako. Done eating. ‘Let’s go’ FDHU CAMPUS, ADMISSION’S OFFICE (7:59 AM) He’s also good in timing, were just on time. Paglakad namin papasok ng campus…. ‘o_O, Oh NO!’ He’s right again. Ang raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaming tao. ‘I told you. Good luck!’ ang yabang ng pagkasabi ha. ang yabang. >_< ‘Whatever’ The line was so looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooOong. We’re at O. Pfft.

‘Where are we now?’ I mean what step are we in the whole enrolment process. Pipilosopohin na naman ako nito. Stupid. ‘Nasa Earth tayo, Earth tabi ng Venus and Mars’ ‘Idiot. I mean! Where are we in the enrolment steps?! What number?!’ ‘I’m no idiot. Kasi naman dapat specific ka sa pagtatanong sa akin, ok? step 2 pa’ ‘Ahhh.K’ ginaya ko yung usual answer niya, and he was o_O. Nice one Rhia. ‘Where do we go next?’ ‘Sa Finance office, yung next building dito, tapos, balik tayo dito, tapos sa First hall, 3 buildings away from here, tapos, balik finance office naman, then, proceed sa 6th floor ng admission’s office building, tapos sa 3rd hall- 3rd floor, then balik admission’s office and last step sa finance office.’ ‘………’ WTH?! and dami nun ah. We’re off to the 4th step, 4 out of 9 and my feet are aching. I can barely walk. ‘Lex…. ang sakit na ng mga paa ko, let’s rest for a while’ he did not listen to me patuloy pa rin siya sa paglalakad. ‘ALEX!’ still no response. Nababasa ko sa mga mata niya gusto niyang sabihin ‘buti nga sa’yo!’ Grrrr. Humanda siya, I don’t want to make a scene in this place but he’s provoking me to do so. ‘Mr. Alex Anthony De Leon!’ hindi pa rin siya lumilingon. Fine. He want some, I’ll show him! ‘Mr. Alex Anthony De Leon!!!!!!!!’ Sumigaw na ako napalingon lahat ng tao sa amin, pati siya. ‘How dare you?! How dare you fool me?! Over that girl you met in a club?! I hate you!’ Nagdrama ako kunwari. Tapos everyone in the place was… ‘Oooooooooh’ ‘Ano ba yan!’ And he walked near me and he carried me like a baby. Yay! Tapos nagpalakpakan silang lahat. I know right? I’m such an actress, a great one ^^ Pagdating namin sa isang sulok…. ‘What’s wrong with you?! Ano bang pumasok sa kokote at ginawa mo yun?!’ I smiled and he looked so annoyed ‘Gusto ko lang’ and grinned. ‘Gusto mo lang?!’ ooops, I think he’s mad ‘How insensitive of you! Did you know what trouble you caused me?’ ‘Ooops, I was just trying to get your attention, I’m sorry Alex’ I was sincere with my apology. ‘You’re sorry, Oh C’mon! Dapat inisip mo yan bago ka gumawa ng eksena!’ naiiyak na ako. I feel guilty, so guilty. ‘Look, I’m sorry, I’m sorry’, Alam ko mali ako, I’m really, really, sorry’ My tears dropped. ‘JOKE!, sana nakita mo yung mukha while you were saying sorry, you look like a puppy’ ‘Sh*it, you were just acting?!!!!!’

‘Ay, hinde…hinde… kaya ko nga sinabing JOKE diba?’ ‘Why did you do that?! Alam mo bang natakot ako sa’yo?’ ‘AHH, K. Mabuti naman kaya wag na wag mo ng uulitin yung kung ayaw mong totohanin ko.’ ‘Galing mo mag-act ha!’ ‘Siyempre, ako pa! tara na’ and he gestured to carry me. ‘Ayaw mo? Bahala ka’ ‘Of course I want. Thanks Alex. Mwah!’ And he carried me at his back. Awesome! I was riding his back while we were on the process of enrolment, everyone looks at us but we did not bother to care. As long as I know we’re not doing anything malicious, then its ok. The last step, binaba na ako ni Alex. Wow, I felt like I was a princess for an hour. ‘Your welcome ha!’ sabi niya agad pagbaba sa akin. ‘Thanks Alex!!! I awe you a lot!’ then I kissed him on the cheeks. ‘Para sa’n ba yun?’ ‘Thank you kiss…’ ‘You think its enough? No way, libre mo ako ng coffee’ ‘Ahh, wait bili muna ako, ayan lang ang canteen oh, anong gusto mo, 3 in 1 or black coffee lang?’ asar ko sa kanya, I feel like unti-unti na akong nakakaganti sa kanya ^^ Yahooo ! ‘Amp. Nakaganti ka do’n ah. Sa coffee shop Rhia.’ ‘Yun naman pala eh, kompletohin kasi’ COFFEE SHOP I texted Joan and Kyri to have a sip of our favourite drink. ‘There they are!’ I pointed them as Alex parked, tapos lumabas na ako. ‘Hi Rhia!’ ‘Hey Dudes!’ astig yung pagkasabi ko ng DUDES ah… ‘You look….’ ‘What?’ ‘You look like you never have amnesia…. walang pinagbago sa pananamit mo’ ‘ow, thanks’ nag wink ako kay Joan. ‘Ow, look who’s here, ba’t di mo sinabing kasama mo pala yan…’ tinuro ni Kyri si Alex ‘Oh, I almost forgot, uhmm, yup, magkasama kasi kami kanina pa, nagpaenroll’ ‘Nagpaenroll at gumawa ng eksena…’ biglang sumulpot si Alex ‘Gumawa ng eksena?’ sabay sabi ni Jo and Ky

‘Yung mabait na dude niyo kasi, bigla ba namang sumigaw ng I LOVE YOU SO MUCH ALEX, DON’T LEAVE ME, I MIGHT DIE, sa buong campus? Nakakahiya! Ew!’ ‘Sinabi mo yun Rhia?!’ ‘Ulol! No I didn’t, kapal mo rin ah para gumawa ng storya’ ‘In denial ka pa… tsss, why? nahihiya ka ba Loves?’ Yuck, ang pangit naman ng loves. Kadiri! ‘SHUT UP!’ ‘SHUT DOWN’ ‘Cut it out guys, you’re in a public place….’ Umupo na kami… ‘Seriously, Rhia did you really say that? in front of….’ ‘Look, seriously I did not….’ ‘Ok, we believe you.’ ‘Ako na rin mismo babawi sa sinabi ko, baka kasi masyadong ifeel ng dude niyo…hahahaa’ WTH?! ‘Hahaha, ikaw talaga Alex….’ you’re so close but still a world away… What I’m dying to say is that I’m crazy for you, touch me once and you’ll know its true, I never wanted anyone like this, its all brand new, youll feel it in my kiss, I’m crazy for you…. ‘Oooops…’ ‘Wait, whats with the song? It seems so familiar…. I felt something unusual pagdingig ko sa song, especially sa line na you’re so close but still a world away’ ‘Its your favourite song.’ straight answer ni Alex ‘Check. Not just favourite, it’s a special song….very special’ ‘Special? Why? How?’ ‘To make it short, its your song for Franco….’ ‘And that line… explanation: kasi before, you always say, Franco and you are like 1 meter away but you don’t even talk or greet each other, that’s why’ ‘Gosh…. where is that guy? I want to see him? Sobrang curious na ako sa mga pinagsasabi niyo’ ‘Ba’t di mo kaya istalk?’ ‘Alex is right, its one of your expertise by the way, stalking….’ tapos nag grin si Kyri ‘Really? Ok! I will, full name please.’ Wow, naeexcite na ako mag fb. ‘Franco Marion Mendoza’ ‘Nice. Thanks dudes! Thanks Alex’ ‘Stalker’ wow, talagang sabay sila ha. claps*

‘Whatever’ Right after I reached the house. Diretso ako sa room to open my notebook and browse FB. And late ko na narealize, na I don’t know my account and password. Great >_<” After 5 minutes… Perfect! Maybe Alex knows… why don’t I give it a try? I’ll called him. *kriiiiiiiiiiiing* ‘Is this Alex speaking’ ‘Wrong number, sorry Miss’ ‘Alex! Its you!’ ‘Alam mo naman pala eh, nagtanong ka pa…’ ‘Tsss.’ When will he stop acting like this? ‘Oh, napatawag ka?’ Thank God, it’s a serious question. May sense. ‘I just want to ask something..’ ‘I’m listening’ ‘Do you know my account and password sa FB?’ ‘Secret’ ‘Alex naman eh! Pleaseeeeee, di ka ba naawa sa bestfriend mo?’ ‘Try harder’ ‘Iiyak na ako.’ ‘Ipakita mo muna……….bilis, punta ka na dito tapos umiyak ka’ ‘Errr.. Please….. Please…. Please….Please….Please…Please….Please….Please….Please….’ ‘Shut up, annoying na.. sige na nga.’ ‘YES!!!’ Hay salamat…. now I know his weakness. Nice one Rhia. ‘Bye!’ wait, ba’t siya nagbye? ‘Huy! yung account at password ko!’ ‘Aw, ngayon mo pala kukunin? akala ko kasi bukas pa.’ ‘Tsss, bilis na..’ ‘Account: [email protected], password: *********’ ‘Thanks best! You’re the best!’ ‘Ooops, di yan libre ok? may kapalit yan, I don’t do something without charge, malulugi ako ‘nyan’ ‘Fine, bye! Thank you ng marami!!!!’ He’s my savior. Thanks Alex. Binuksan ko kaagad Fb ko. Yes! Success! Akala ko naman niloko ako ni Alex. Yay! I started browsing, I typed Franco’s full name, nice, friends kami. I clicked his name, when I reached his profile…. I found nothing. Not even a clear picture… halos lahat cartoons, tapos kung may picture man siya, nakatalikod. Fudge. Ang swerte ko naman. And his status? The last

update was dated last March 25, 3 am, adik pala siya eh, 3 am? Wow. And it says ‘ Can’t wait to fly with my only love later…. my superwoman…’ Wait, who’s superwoman? Is it me? Kiddin’, kapal ko rin… swerte naman ni superwoman whoever she is. Wait, ngayon ko lang napansin, March 25… 3 am. Same date ng accident ko… It was his last status update. Hmm, why? Fudge. I’m so curious, grim part is I don’t know how to answer all of my questions. Tssss… Ba’t ba kasi ako naaksidente? Right! How did I have an accident, stupid. That’s the first thing I should find out. Ba’t ngayon ko lang yun naisip? Errrrr…. ‘Kyri wait… I think I lost my wallet….’ ‘Eherm, searching for this miss?’ Yes. ‘Yep, thanks…’ inabot nya sa akin yung wallet ko, tapos naglakad na kami balik ni Kyri.. ‘Miss, nahulog mo ulit…’ hawak na naman niya wallet ko, how did it happen, hawak-hawak ko na naman yun ah…. ‘Uhh, thanks…’ I opened my wallet to check if something’s missing… hmm, wala naman except for my picture. ‘Excuse me….’ I called the guy.’Kinuha mo ba yung picture ko? nawawala kasi’ ‘Check mo ulit.’ Shoot. How did it happen? I’m pretty sure na wala yun dito kanina kaya ko siya tinanong, tapos ngayon? What’s wrong with me… Ahhh siguro magician siya… ‘Magician ka ba?’ I asked out of curiousity ‘Sana’ What an answer… its so relevant. Pfft. ‘Ha?’ ‘Sabi ko sana naging magician na lang ako.’ Weirdo ‘Ha? Bakit?’ ‘Para mapakita ko sayo ang magic ng love pag naging tayo’ ‘Ahh, ok bye!’ Weirdo tumayo balahibo ko dun ah, he’s freaky! ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ‘SLEEPYHEAD! Gising!!! It’s the first day of class!’ ‘yes! Thank God…’ ‘Thank God for sending me here so early to wake you up? No problem’ ‘No, masyado kang feeling, thak God I was just dreaming’ Who the hell is that guy? He’s freaking me out. Right, he’s gwapo, but I feel like he’s stalking me in my dreams. Strange. Enough about that whoever. Right. It’s the first day of class, I might not wan to screw it up. ‘Ahh, gano’n ah, sige mauna na ako!’ ‘No, stay..’ ‘Ano ako aso?’ ‘Err, wait for me Alex, pleaseeee, you’re such an angel talaga, thanks for waking me up’

‘Plastic. Bilis na’ ‘Ok, whatever.’ I took a bath. Random thought. Ang swerte ko naman kay Alex, he’s really my best friend, he’s always after my welfare. Touch na touch na ako sa kanya ah, kahit ganyan siya, pilosopo. Matalino, mabait, joker, gwapo. Girls would be so jealous with me, for sure… Good luck na lang sa akin, I’m sure I’ll have ample haters sa college kasi I’m the best friend of a ‘cool dude’. Lucky me. ‘Rhiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! 20 minutes ka na diyan, bilis na, iiwan na kita eh!’ Masyado naman siyang excited. Pati ako minamadali. Pffft. ‘Wait! 5 more minutes.’ Done. ‘Look back, magbibihis ako’ ‘Nagpapatawa ka ba?! Namimili naman ako ng bobosohan no!’ Fudge. Kapaaaaaaal ! ‘Alex?’ ‘Oh?’ ‘SHUT UP!’ ‘Ok.’ Sabay na kami nagbreakfast. Tapos umalis agad. Its still 7 am. 7:40 yung first class namin. And yes, we’re classmates, we have the same schedule. While on the car, I wonder why he doesn’t speak, kanina pa to ah, before breakfast. Matanong nga… ‘Why aren’t you talking?’ Tiningnan ko siya tapos he looked back and gave me a vain look. ‘Magsalita ka nga!’ ‘Salita’ pilosopo!!! ‘What’s wrong with you?’ ‘Nagkaamnesia ka ba ulit?’ ‘Ha?’ ‘Kanina kasi sinabi mo SHUT UP tapos ngayon magtataka ka kasi hindi ako nagsasalita’ ‘Oh please, stop acting like you’re so obedient’ ‘Ok.’ ‘Sa tingin mo nakaalis na din kaya sila Kyri and Joan?’ ‘Hindi ko sila nakikita eh, kaya di ko matingnan.’ ‘Hay nako! Ewan ko sa’yo’ Kahit kelan talaga, pilosopo siya. Asaaaaar!

FDHU First day of Class (June 6 2011) ‘Hey Rhia!’ ‘Hey Dudes!’

‘Wow, ang aga niyo ah, naunahan niyo pa kami’ ‘Of course’ sagot ni Kyri and he flipped his hair. Cute. ‘Sus! Kung di ka lang kasi nagbabad sa banyo eh!’ ‘Whatever Alex’ ‘I’m excited guys.. tara na!’ Of course she is, If I know magboboywatching lang tong si Joan. Pffft. Credits again to Alex for the info. Naglakad na kami… Nauna si Alex tapos kaming tatlo nasa likod niya… Ako yung nasa gitna, right side: Kyri, left side: Joan. Funny. While we were walking I realized that we’re sort of Charlie’s angels and mean girls combined. Wait, why are they staring at us? or not… Akala ko sa amin, pero bakit parang sa akin lahat nakatingin? Hey! I’m a new student, I have no offense yet or issues involved to make you stare and murmur like that. Oh yes. I almost forgot. I forgot to tell you in my hastened introduction. I’m a part time model. I do appear in TV commercial, magazines and billboards. No wonder why they’re looking at me like that. Oh c’mon, stop it people, I’m melting. I mean, we’re melting. she’s that girl in the billboard at Taft Avenue pare, ang ganda niya sa personal, hanep! ‘tol, tinamaan ako ni kupido wow, ang cute naman nila swerte naman ng mga babaeng yan, 1st day of class may kasama ng gwapo Blablablah…. See? I told you, pag-uusapan talaga ako nito eh. Ampf. Jesus, thanks for giving me pretty dudes and handsome bestfriend/childhoon friend.

CHAPTER 7
“Freshman”

It’s the first day in hell, ow, college, I mean. And guess what?! I’m not excited neither anxious. Just normal. I expected it to be like 1st day fervor in high school. And I guess I’m right… Pagpasok namin sa classroom… ‘Hey guys! We have new arrivals… fresh ones…’ Hello?! Do we even look like we’re consumables? It’s a guy… he looks nice, I guess he’s part of the welcoming committee. ‘Ano daw?’ nagulat din ata si Alex eh. Tapos hinila kami isa-isa ng mga tao sa room. A girl approached me and lead me to a vacant seat. ‘You’re so pretty, My name is Jamie, how ‘bout yours?’ Weird huh. But she doesn’t look like a b*tch, she looks nice and friendly. Harmless. ‘Thanks. Nice meeting you Jamie, my name is Rhia…’ I looked around and saw Alex, Joan, and Kyi making friends too. ‘You’re new.’ Ano daw? Of course everyone’s new. ‘Kiddin’ with that, lahat naman tayo bago eh, kaya nga freshmen diba?’ I smiled. ‘Hmmm, you look like you’re not pure Filipino… are you?’ inunahan ko na siya. ‘Japanese.. half’ ‘I see… by the way… boyfriend mo ba siya?’ then he pointed Alex. I knew it. She befriended me because of Alex. ‘Hahaha, NO. He’s my childhood friend/best friend’ ‘Ang swerte mo naman…And please wag mong isipin na nilapitan kita to have connections with that guy, I find you pretty and nice… and familiar and approachable, kaya ikaw yung kinaibigan ko’ she smiled. Maybe she sensed what I was thinking. Good girl. ‘No I wasn’t and Yes I am lucky…’ Everyone was talking to each other. Wow, Im loving this section, everyone seems so harmless… its as if we’ve been classmates for a month. Parang close na kaming lahat. We continued talking and then dumating yung teacher… ‘Good Morning everyone, I’m Ms. Gonzales, your first subject teacher, I’ll be with you for the whole semester. Welcome to FDHU. Requirements? Only your attendace and cooperation in my class. Rules? As long as you listen and pay attention while someone is speaking here in front, you’ll be good. Ok, since I’m not a fortuneteller, I would love to hear you all introduce yourselves. Name. From what school. Talent. Sample The sample depends on whether I want to see you do one or not. GETS?!’ Everyone was speechless. Kung pipikit ka, feeling mo walang tao sa classroom except for Ms. Gon… ano nga yung name niya? Whatever. Wow, we haven’t greet her yet, ang haba naman kasi ng intro niya, at walang preno yug pagsasalita niya, she looks strict… I was kinda frightened but when she said GETS?! after everything she said. I was like, laughing out loud silently. ‘GETS.’ everyone answered. Funny.

‘Lets start with you…’ I looked at my back… ‘Rhia, ikaw daw…’ Sh*it, why me?! ‘Yes, ikaw, Ms. Familiar.’ Familiar? WTH?! ‘Good morning everyone, Good morning Ms. Gonzales, Rhia Margarette Lao at your service, from PNJKIS, talent… singing.’ ‘Ms. Lao, artista ka ba?’ ‘Po? Im not an actress but I’m a part time model’ Nagpalakpakan silang lahat. Sana pala di ko na lang sinabi. Ampf >_< ‘I see, you said singing? Please give us a sample’ Sh*t again, ano ‘to? Talent show? Errrr! No choice. This ones a do or die sitch. Great. Alex! Please don’t laugh. ‘Sana’y pag-ibig na lang ang isipin ng bawat isa sa mundo’ EW. I feel stupid. ‘MUTYA? Ikaw ba yan?’ Alexxxxxxxxxxxxxx! I hate you… then they all stand pati si Ms. Gonzales and clapped their hands. Fudge. Humiliating but fulfilling. I have a good voice, I guess. ‘Thank you Ms. Lao, that was a good start. You! you’re next’ Alex daw!!! You’re next. Good luck. ‘Good morning Ms. Gonzales, it seems like we’re off to a good semester, ang ganda kasi ng 1st teacher natin eh, agree classmates?’ Pfffft. Sipsip! And everyone agreed and clapped their hands, I glanced at Ms. Gonzales and her smile was like up to her eyebrows. Ok, nice joke Alex. LOL. ‘Continue…’ sus, pa-as if naman si teacher. ‘Alex Anthony De Leon at your service, from PNJKIS, talent? Isang tingin ko lang at maaamo na kayo sa akin!’ Aba ang kapal niya ha. Pero why does everyone respond like they all agree and they were all enetertained? isali mo na diyan si Ms. Gonzales. Alex, you’re such a good joker. ‘Nice try Mr. De Leon.’ Tapos, sunod sunod na lahat nag introduce. Sorry to say but after Alex’s intro, everybody else’s was B.O.R.I.N.G. kasali na diya sila Joan and Kyri. Peace dudes ^_^v ‘Thank you for the cooperation students, no doubt, I declare that this section gathered all GWAPO’s and MAGAGANDA’s among the freshmen’ ‘Ouch!’ it was Alex, what happened? hmmm… ‘Yes Mr. De Leon? Something wrong?’ ‘Ah..eh, kasi po Ms. natamaan ako sa sinabi niyo.’ Feeler! Naka strike three na ata siya sa subject na ‘to ah. Tumawa na naman lahat pati si Ms. Gonzales. ‘I was referring to everyone Mr. De Leon, so much more of that, Goodbye class’ So much more of that? Weh? Di nga, if I know gusto niya pang patagalin yun. Overall, Alex starred the scene. Break time. ‘Alex.’ tinap siya ni Joan sa likod. ‘Oh?’

‘Ang kulit mo!!!!’ tapos binatukan ni Joan sa ulo. ‘Alam ko. Matagal na’ ‘SCENE-STEALER King!’ Nice title Kyri. I agree. ‘Hey you! Don’t be so mayabang ok?’ ‘Excuse me Rhia, mas ok na ang maging mayabang kesa magpanggap maging mermaid, waah.. MUTYA! Sana di ka na lang kumanta’ I hate you !!!! ‘Shut up, sabihin mo insecure ka lang kasi I’m good in singing.. eh ikaw? pati kahit twinkle-twinkle di mo kayang kantahin eh!’ ‘Ahhhh. K.’ Here goes that annoying and cliché answer again. ‘Slap me Kyri! Now!’ why would Joan say that? ‘Ha?!’ ‘Sampalin mo ako! ngayon na!’ ‘Ouch!’ ‘Oh My God! Joan… nakikita mo ba ang nakikita ko?’ ‘F-R-A-N-C-O’ ‘Omg! si Franco nga, Rhia si Franco!!!’ ‘Franco?!’ Too much excitement caused me to collapse for a minute. Di ko pa nadidilat yung mga mata ko, naririnig ko na silang nagpapanic. AND I’m on someone’s lap, pati feeling ko pinapaypayan ako. I can’t wait to see Franco but when I opened my eyes… ‘MONSTERRRRRRRRRRRR!’ I shouted. Fudge! It’s the guy who hunts me in my dreams. ‘Hi Rhia.’ He smiled, yung timong pang serial killer. 911! Help! ‘Dude! Chill… Its him… FRANCO.’ WTF?! Seriously. Sana nananaginip na lang ulit ako! ‘NO WAY! He can’t be him, he can’t be Franco, NO. You’re not Franco right?!’ ‘I am, Superwoman’ Sh*T, siya nga ata talaga >_< ‘GET OFF ME!’ tapos tumayo ako agad and I ran away from everyone. Run liked the wind. Dumiretso na ako sa next subject namin. I was alone, I was like 20 minutes early for the next class. Pffft. I don’t care as long as I get rid of that guy. Magkulong na ako dito wag ko lang makita ung mukha niya! Dreamhunter! Nagsidatingan na yung mga classmates ko, still same faces… Wala pa rin sila Alex. Jamie approached me. ‘Uie! Rhia, Are you ok?’ ‘Of course I am, why wouldn’t I?’ ‘Narinig ko kasi na nahimatay ka daw?’ ‘Right, yes. Pero sandali lang yun, okey na ako…’

‘Sure?’ ‘Sure, thanks for the concern Jamie’ Great. Wala naman si Jamie when I collapsed diba? How did she know? If I’m not wrong, kalat na siguro sa buong campus na nahimatay ako because of some ‘babaw’ reasons. I hope not. And why would it? Rhia? Stop it! You’re acting like a paranoid. Finally andito na silang tatlo. Nagtatampo ako ah, di ba sila nag-alala sa akin? Why didn’t they look for me? Errr. Hate it. Siguro they made plenty of friends na. Tsk3. Here comes our 2nd subject teacher. Thank God he’s a guy… di na siya maloloko ni Alex. ‘Good morning students’ or NOT, he sounds like a gay. Its your lucky day Alex. Congrats. ‘Good morning sir’ tapos umupo na kami lahat. ‘Before I introduce myself, papasukin muna natin yung late enrolee ng section na ‘to, he just enrolled a while ago…’ HE? Exciting. Gosh I want to see cuties… mga gwapo. Interesting huh, why enrol this late? And he’s sort of special siguro kasi why would the teacher tell everyone about his late enrolment… Hmm, curious much, can’t wait to see him. Pagbukas ng door…. ‘FRANCO!’ napalingon ako. WTH?! Malas. Malas. Malas! It’s the dreamhunter. ‘Wow, popular enough Mr. Mendoza’ anong popular?! FYI sir or miss, he’s our batchmate. ‘Go on Mr. Mendoza, introduce yourself’ At alam niya yung last name ah, I smell something fishy. ‘Good morning everyone, I’m Franco Marion Mendoza, from PNJKIS…. I hope to be friends with you all……. thank you’ pagsabi niya ng friends with you tumingin siya sa akin. Asar! Ang special niya ha. ‘Please take your sit Mr. Mendoza’ Ang bait ng teacher ha… as in… wala sa itsura niya. Errrrr. Thank God katabi ko si Jamie and there’s no vacant sit near to mine…. ‘Dito Franco!’ Fudge, its Alex at my back. Why would he give his seat? Tapos Lumapit naman yung dreamhunter na’yun! Kapal niya rin ah. Tapos lumipat si Alex ng seat. And umupo na si dreamhunter. Someone tapped my back. ‘Hi Rhia…’ %^&$#@&#! monster + dreamhunter = DISASTER ‘HELL-O’ can’t believe I said Hello, siguro para tigilan niya ako. On going ang session, the teache keeps on talking about his/her rules and requirements and punishments whenever someone violates his/her rules. Kinalabit na naman ako ng monster. ‘Rhia..’ ‘What?!’ Of course di ako sumigaw, sinabi ko lang ng pabulong in an angry way. ‘May ballpen ka ba?’ Student ba talaga siya? Idiot, why would he go to school without a pen?! God hep me.

‘Here..’ inabot ko na lang yung pen ko para di niya ako guluhin lalo. ‘Ah eh, Rhia, di naman sumusulat eh…’ Pfft. The hell I care?! ‘Try mo ulit!’ ‘Ayaw talaga eh…. try mo kaya isulat number mo baka gumana na’ he grinned. ‘SHUT UP!’ Sh*it, nalakasan ko yung boses ko! Oh noessssss! ‘EXCUSE ME?!’ lagot ako kay his/her. ‘I’m sorry sir’ BWISET! Disaster talaga siya! I swear. Asaaaaaaaaaaaaaar! Bad shot tuloy ako sa baklang yun, lagot ako nito…. that would be his/her first impression. Sucks. Humanda siya, sinusumpa ko siya sa ngalan ng wrong first impression sa akin! 20 minutes after that humiliation, I still can’t move on. Nahihiya pa rin ako na naiinis na nagagalit, errrrrrrrrr. He caused me a huge trouble. Sometimes, nightmares really do come true, best example? that existing disaster. Naggoodbye na yung teacher namin. Ooooops ! ‘Ms. SHUT UP, please remain.’ HELL. Lumabas na sila lahat, kami na lang natira sa room. HELL. He/She looks like he/she’s gonna eat me. ‘Sir, I’m really sorry about that.’ ‘Its too late, the damage has been done.’ ‘But sir, I wasn’t referring to you….’ ‘The damage has been done.’ ‘Sir, I swear, I was referring to Mr. Mendoza’ ‘At gagawin mong reason si Mr. Mendoza? eh ang tahimik nga niya eh’ EFF you! Gay!!!!! ‘I’m telling the truth sir…I’m really sorry’ ‘Stop your excuses, its so cliché’ bullshit. ‘What was my punishment when a student commits his/her first offense in my class?’ ‘??????’ ‘See! You’re not even listening. See you in detention Ms….’ ‘Lao.’ ‘Ms. SHUT UP, este, Ms. Lao’ ‘But sir….’ Tapos nagwalk out yung bakla. I swear, kumukulo yung dugo ko, I want to kill someone! Kung di ko lang inapply yung ‘100 seconds rule’ ni Alex, siguro sinabunutan ko a yung baklang yun! Why won’t SHE listen to my side? Gano’n ba talaga ka ‘appealing’ (pukes) yung mukha ng dreamhunter na yun?! Jesus. I can’t believe this is happening to me. I would accept such ‘false accusation’ kung hindi dahil sa disaster na yun. Gosh! I want to rip off his head! Humanda talaga siya. I can’t wait to see Alex, Joan and Kyri or any of them, basta makakausap, I have to vent out. Paglabas ko, sakto, nakita ko sila, sialng tatlo….

‘Sh*it’ with that effin’ disaster. They look so happy. Great. Makapunta na nga lang sa canteen. I have to eat. I have to stress out. Bumili na ako ng food, tapos umupo sa isang sulok. I eat like I have’t eaten for years, with that anger mood. *kriiiiiiing* ‘Yes?’ Its Kyri. ‘Rhia, Where you at?’ ‘Canteen’ ‘Ok…b…’ Binaba ko na yung phone. Isa pa yan. Nagtatampo ako sa kanila, nakita lang nila yang Francong yan, parang kinalimutan na nila ako. Hello?! He just disappeared you know, and I? I had an accident and got this freaking amnesia. I continued eating. ‘W-O-W. WOW’ its Kyri. ‘Rhia, gutom ka ba?’ ‘Did you eat your breakfast?’ ‘Halos binili mo ata lahat ng food dito sa cafeteria ah, lunch-breakfast-dinner-snacks-dessert’ ‘SHUT UP’ ‘What’s the sitch?’ tanong ni Joan, as if she doesn’t know anything. And right, by the way, I bought lots of food, halos mapuno na yung table ng food. ‘Aren’t you happy? Your superman is finally here, diba curious ka sa kanya?’ Alex teased. Eff. ‘Aren’t you happy?! Are you all serious?! He’s that effin’ guy in my nightmaressss!’ ‘Ha?’ ‘And! He caused me to detention, bullsh*t!’ nakatulala sila lahat, and I continued speaking. ‘He thinks he’s so awesome? Well, guess what?! HE’S NOT,He’s a DISASTER’ ‘Funny much Rhia.’ Tumawa si Joan at Kyri. ‘Funny?! What’s so funny?! Pati, yes! I was curious BEFORE, but, after I’ve seen his epic face?! kalimutan niyo na lahat ng excitement at curiousity ko. ok?!’ ‘LOL Rhia, what’s wrong with you?’ ‘Is that the effect of eating plenty of this cafeteria’s food? cause if it is, magtityaga na lang akong lumabas at kumain’ ‘WHATEVER, and last…. I hate you all! Nakita niyo lang yung disaster na yan kinalimutan niyo na ako, di niyo lang man ako tinanong kung ok ba ako after I collapsed, di niyo man lang ako nilapitan after akong kinausap ni bakla. Guys, nawala lang siya for a while…. ako, naaksidente tapos nagkaamnesia.’ Tumawa lang silang tatlo, tapos nag appear. EFFSh*t. ‘Rhia, chill, chill, chill, gusto mo ibili kita ng ice cream? para naman lumamig yung ulo mo, pati, ice cream na lang din ata yung kulang sa table mo eh’

‘WHATEVER. I don’t eat ice cream, I HATE ICE CREAM’ ‘Go, ilabas mo na yan dude.’ ‘Oo nga, pero honestly, we really can’t understand why you’re acting like that.’ ‘Right, but we have to, so go ahead…let it out, penge ako ha’ tapos kumuha siya ng pizza. ‘Mabuti at naintidihan niyo ako. Thanks.’ ‘Of course we do. What are dudes for diba?’ ‘Tomoh!’ ‘Tigilan niyo na ang drama girls, nababading ako sa inyo eh’ ‘And, sorry kung masyado akong nagreact. My bad, eh kasi naman eh !!!’ ‘Oo na.’ ‘Goodness! I can’t believe he’s the guy I’m crazy for’ ‘Kami nga rin eh…’ ‘What? you to can’t believe I’m crazy for that disaster?’ ‘Ay, mali, I mean, we can’t understand why you hate him to death now.’ ‘Pati, napakaironic ha, dead na dead ka sa kanya before tapos ngayon parang mamatay-matay ka sa sobrang galit sa kanya. Weird.’ ‘Please don’t mention how crazy I am with him, anymore, not even once. Thanks’ ‘Rhia! Si Franco!!!’ Warned Alex. ‘HEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!’ sumigaw ako, napatingin sa akin lahat ng tao sa cafeteria. Great. This is really my day. Really. ‘OA mo, si Franco oh tumatawag…’ he pointed my phone. Right, tumatawag nga. Eff! Tumatawag lang pala eh!! Tawag lang?! ‘Fudge! Kahit kelan talaga Alex eh! Pahamak ka!!!!!!’ ‘I know right?’ Asar, he said that like he’s mocking our gay teacher. Lord, kunin mo na ako, now na. Goodness. Gwapo nga at magaganda yung mga friends ko, makukulit naman. Not just kulit, sobraaaaaaaang kulit na minsan nakakaasar na. ‘Pati, napakaironic ha, dead na dead ka sa kanya before tapos ngayon parang mamatay-matay ka sa sobrang galit sa kanya. Weird.’ Right, and I don’t care how weird it is. I regret everything I felt before, I formally declare that I’m not, and I’m no longer crazy for that guy. I can’t believe I let myself be crazy for some disaster. I also don’t know why I hate him this much. Wait, bakit nga ba? Eh sa panginip niya lang naman ako inaasar ah. No, kahit ano pang sabihin ko o nila, asar pa rin ako sa kanya. Even I disregard his ‘unwanted’ involvement in my dreams, I will still hate him for causing me that great trouble with that… yah. If you’ ask me how my 1st day in college went. It’s a TOTAL DISASTERRRRRRRR! I hope this won’t last. I desperately hope it won’t.

Franco’s POV Nagbalik na ako, nagbalik na si superman para kay superwoman.

Pagbasa ko sa e-mail ni Alex, nabuhayan ako. Unti-unting nabigyang buhay ang dating Franco. Sobra ang pasasalamat ko sa Diyos nung nalaman ko ang totoo. Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip, nagdecide kaagad ako na bumalik sa Pinas, kinausap ko si mommy, nahirapan akong iconvince siya. It took me a month and a week to make her say ‘yes’. Desperado na ako eh, kaya sinabi ko sa kanya na pag hindi niya ako papayagang umuwi dito, magkukulong ako sa kwarto ko, hindi ako mag-aaral at pag nangyari yun wala ng magpapatuloy sa pinakaaalagaan nilang business. She had no choice, I left her choiceless kaya napapayag siya. Pagdating ko dito sa Pinas, tinawagan ko si Alex, nagulat siya at natuwa. Tinanong ko lahat ng details about kay Rhia. Maswerte ako at pareho ng napiling course yung mommy ko at si Rhia. In that way, malaki yung chance na maging magkaklase kami. Kasi pag nalaman ni mommy na ibang course ang kinuha ko, papabalikin niya ako sa Japan, isa yun sa conditions niya bago siya nagyes. Di ko na sinayang oras ko, inasikaso ko na lahat ng requirements, nag exam at lahat na. Yun yung dahilan kung bakit ako nalate sa enrolment. Maswerte din ako at naging kaklase ko pa si Rhia kahit late enrolee ako. Iba talaga dapat yung section ko, buti na lang at may nagdecide magdrop sa section nila Rhia kaya dun ako nilagay ng kung sino mang in-charge sa sectioning. Pero, kahit wala ng bakante sa section nila, gagawin at gagawin ko pa rin lahat para mapalapit lalo kay Rhia. I have to make it up to her. I’ve learned my lesson. Binigyan na ako ng second chance.At hindi ko na ‘to sasayangin pa. Superman’s mission is all set. I will show her how much I love her, so much than I always do before. This time, I will never let her go, I won’t let our story end no more. Pero, nagulat ako. Bakit parang ang laki ng galit niya sa akin? Inis na inis siya na parang ang laki ng atraso ko sa kanya. Siguro nalaman niya na ako ang dahilan kung bakit siya naaksidente. Pero, kahit gano’n, kahit ano pang mangyari, kahit magalit pa siya sa akin, titiisin ko. Basta’t mapakita ko kung gaano ko siya kamahal. Game on. I will continue to fly. Lilipad ako ng lilipad, hindi at hinding hindi ako mapapagod sa paglipad basta ba’t makasama ko lang si superwoman sa pagipad ko. Pati, oo. Alam ni Alex na uuwi ako pero sinabi ko na wag muna niyang ipaalam kahit na kanino.

Rhia’s POV My day is over. Thank God it is. I took a shower and surfed the internet. I want to write a note about the hell day I’ve been through, gusto ko sa fb para in case mabasa ni Franco, makonsiyensya siya sa ginawa niya. Yes! Great idea…. The moment I opened my facebook…. Monster’s status was first on my news feed… it says… ‘Superman finally found his superwoman’ K. I don’t care… hmmm, Do I even look like I’m a thing or something? Para sabihin niyang nakita niya na ako? And FYI, I did not disappear. I just slept like I’m dying for 2 weeks. Idiot. Wait, I just said I don’t care. Why am I reacting? ‘Isa ka pang idiot Rhia’ ‘Ok lang, basta alam ko mas idiot siya’ ‘Idiot!’ I slapped my face. Idiot. Why am I talking to myself? Idiot! Anyway, I started my note… First day in college was H.E.L.L…. Its not what you think it is, I wasn’t bullied or ditched by bitches, or fell while walking in front of the crowd, not even hit by a ball or sent out from class. Oh I almost did. Its more than those things… and it’s the worst I could possibly experience on the first day of school as a freshmen in college. What it is?

Seeing that guy who ditch me in my dreams. That dreamhunter/ monster… a.k.a DISASTER. While I was typing, nag hang bigla. Eff. Feel na feel ko na yung pagtatype eh kasi lumalabas na yung inis ko…Asar na notification. Franco Marion Mendoza tagged you in a post. Tagged me in a what?! Ok, I don’t care, bahala siya. But wait, I have to check it, baka its something humiliating, kasi if it is, sasapakin ko na siya the moment I see him as soon as possible, I’ve had enough humiliation, and he’s one of the greatest contributor, di ko na talaga to palalagpasin. Kinclick ko yung notificaition. ‘I love you Rhia Margarette Lao….my superwoman’ My superwoman?! And when did I become his possession?! Kelan mo ba ako titigilan?! Damn you Franco! Akala ko sa panaginip ka lang nang-aasar, pat ba naman in reality?! Fudge. Sana magkaamnesia ako ulit !!! Now na. Inuntog ko yung ulo ko sa pader. Nothing happened. Idiot. I don’t know what to do. That post must be removed. What should I do?!! This is certainly a nightmare, its worse than my dreams. He’s hunting me, stalker nga siya! Asar, pati sa panaginip nakikita ko siya! Fudge!!!! I mean, pati sa panaginip, nagPAPAKITA siya. Monster! Sa blog na nga lang ako magpopost, para walang distorbo. And if he still follows me there, I’ll commit suicide. I swear. Asar ! Ooops, binabawi ko yung sinabi ko, I won’t commit suicide, not even for that disaster. No way!. Never. ‘Hey Franco’ ‘I’m glad you’re finally here’ he hugged me and kissed me on the chicks. ‘Heeeeey, what was that for?’ ‘Gusto ko lang……’ ‘Ha?’ gusto mo lang? kaya ginawa mo? Kapal ah, pero ok lang, gusto ko din naman eh. ‘Wala, sabi ko, you look stunning’ ‘Ahhh…thanks’ what a gentleman. Mas nagugustuhan ko siya lalo eh. ‘Franco….’ This is it, sasabihin ko na sa kanya ‘Yes Rhia?’ there was fear when he answered me. ‘I don’t understand why you’re doing all of this… if this is some kind of a jjjoo….’ ‘Joke? Oh please…’ inunahan nya ako, so siguro joke nga lang. Fine, basta sasabihin ko na lang bahala na, come what may, basta masabi ko yung hidden feelings ko. ‘Franco, natatakot ako…….. I think I’m falling for you…… bb-ut I’m afraid….’.Ok, he really is joking. Ouch. ‘……..’ the silence is killing me, I have to break it. ‘I’m afraid you won’t catch me’ ‘Haahahaha’ see? he’s not serious about me, about everything he does. Ouch again. ‘I’m serious! I’m tired of being left behind, I always end up looking stupid, Ayoko na!, I’ve had enough heartaches, ayoko ng madagdagan, mas lalong ayoko ikaw ang makasakit sa a…..’ ‘I can’t hurt you, I will never hurt you…. Rhia, di mo ba nakikita?’

‘What?!’ ‘I LOVE YOU RHIA!’ ‘……..’ natigilan ako. ‘Since the first time I saw you, I don’t know, but my heart always tells me ikaw na nga, you are everything, you mean everything to me, my world turns because of you, ako si superman dahil ikaw si superwoman. Mahal kita, mahal na mahal’ ‘All this time, all this years, nothing ever replaced your place in my heart, that’s how much I love you…. will you catch me? I’m falling Franco, I’ve fallen for you’ Please say yes, please. ‘Superman will always catch superwoman. I love you….. so much.’ And then we kissed. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Nagising ako. Fudge, nakatulog ako sa harap ng computer. and. FUDGE! nagpakita na naman siya sa panaginip ko! Fudge!!!! He’s freaking me out! Why on earth did I dream of that kind of dream?! Its worse than the ditching he always do in my previous dreams. Nth times worse. Hindi ko na alamkung ano yung gagawin ko, everywhere I go, nakikita ko siya, wrong, I mean, everywhere I go nagpapakita siya. Disaster much. What do I do now? Amnesia, please strike again. I can’t believe I said that in my dreams. Its just not me, and its not right, not even close to what is right. And, yuck! we kissed?! We kissed in my dream. EW! Goodness. I don’t think if I can still stand his presence. Kailangan kong magstress out. I need food. Plenty of food. Makalabas nga. Oooops, it 2 am, tulog na ata lahat ng tao and I’m afraid to get out of this room baka makakita ako ng something different, at baka mamatay ako sa takot kung andiyan man ung dreamhunter na yun. Nagblog ako ulit… while I was typing…. napansin ko yung sa left side ng blog ko… its my previous posts. Wow, blogger nga talaga ako… I’ll read it, anyway I don’t want to sleep yet, kung pwede nga lang, di na ako matulog forever eh, I’ll read it, maybe it could help me recall my past. I clicked the latest post. Entitled, ‘Dear you’

Dear You, Yes you. I don't know what's in you. I honestly and shamefully admit, that sometimes , oh, most of the time, you make me crazy. You were just this typical whatever guy who does as a normal guy does, you breath, you talk, you sing, you dance(but not so great), you play and yes, you flirt. And I guess, one thing is for sure, your confidence is boosting like a tornado, but that doesn't count. But I idolize you, for hitting my weakness, I was fighting to prevent this stupidity from coming out but your scent is so strong that I shall admit; I GAVE UP. You made me feel secured when I was bitter, you made me smile when I was annoyed, you made things feel imperceptible when you start talking about funny jokes and false claims and sometimes impossible promises, but these things and more, makes me want to fantasize the impossible and start thinking of the possibilities, and again, you hit my weakness and that was 'me' daydreaming; looking like hell stupid. This feeling is unacceptable, but what shall I say, its already here, I can't help but seek for it, this is something I may be happy for and something I may feel gloomy for. Impermanent are all things, and so shall this be. So, Dear You, I hope you know how I am feeling now, this is nothing serious, just for fun, but please don't laugh when I say 'You make me feel crazy for you Franco Marion Mendoza.’

Bakit ba ‘to nangyayari sa akin?! Napaka-unfortunate ko naman! Great >_<” Pati ba naman dito sa posts ko, siya pa rin yung content? Is that how crazy I’ve become to him?! Yuck. Pinagsisisihan ko lahat ng ginawa ko noon. Inexit ko… tapos naghanap ako, crossing my fingers, pag eto tungkol pa rin sa disaster na yan, meaning, mafafall ako sa kanya… I clicked the post entitled ‘Happiness’ pero di pa naloload yung page, binack ko sa list ng posts kasi may nakita akong mas interesting. ‘Goodbye pressure, hello pleasure!’ I read it…

Congrats sa sarili ko at hindi ung tungkol kay disaster. Its about me and the pressure in my life. I see. Kaya pala ako Valedictorian and active sa school kasi I want to prove something to my parents and my brother who intensified the pressure. He’s CPA board exam topnotcher. Great. I continued browsing…. ‘Rhia… Rhia….’ inaalog ako ni Ate Beth. ‘A—no yun?’ halos di ko madilat ma mata ko. I’m so sleepy. ‘May pasok ka ba’ May pasok ba ako? Fudge! May pasok ako!!! ‘Oh no! I’m so late, thanks ate Beth!’ Naligo na ako, its not the usual bath I normally do, it’s the hastened bath… I have no time to execute my bathroom routine, not now! Shoot! Tuesday… Si Ms./Mr. yung teacher namin sa 1st subject. I’m so dead! so DEAD! Done, umalis na ako, I haven’t combed my hair yet… bahala na! Its 7:15 my class starts at 7:40, It takes 15 minutes to reach my school, that’s without traffic. Goodness. I need a rocketship, now! Wala daw yung driver, Ampf, di pa naman ako marunong magdrive. Magtataxi! that’s it, the best I should do. Lumabas na ako, paglakad ko, someone’s blowing his horn.. What?! Nastuck ba yung skirt ko sa underwear ko?! Right now, I don’t care. ‘Good morning superwoman’ Bad day. It’s the disaster man, stay away from me please!!!! ‘Get lost!’ ‘Want a ride?’ ang yabang!!porket ba BMW 645Ci Convertible yung sasakyan niya he’ll act like that? ‘NO!’ ‘Its 7:17…. our class starts at 7:40’ ‘I’d rather be late!’ ‘Sure? Ok….’ No choice, this is ride or die… bahala na! ‘Wait! sasakay na ako’ Ang bilis niya magdrive. Hmmm, I don’t think its him, I think it’s the car. Baka ano ng iniisip nitong lalakeng to… its just something I HAVE to do, not something I wanted to do. ‘Bakaanonaaginiisipmongayonfyiimdoingthisbecauseimleftwithnochoiceok?!’ binilisan ko yung pagsasalita ko... I can’t stand that I’m talking with this monster. I covered my ears in case he’ll say something. ‘I know, just sit back and enjoy the ride with me’ nilakasan niya talaga yung boses niya ah. ‘Of course I’ll sit, alangan naman tumayo ako na nakatalikod?! And please don’t expect na mage enjoy ako, cause I’m definitely not!’ ‘Alam mo….’ ‘WHAT?!’ ‘Ang cute mong tingnan pag nagagalit ka, lalo kang gumaganda’ sinong niloloko mo?! ‘Talk to the hand’ ‘Ui hand, usap daw tayo, diba ang ganda niya tingnan pag nagagalit siya?’ Alex, ikaw ba yan?! ‘Shut up, magdrive ka na nga lang’

‘Gusto niya sigurong nagagalit siya parati no? para parating sabihin na maganda siya, what do you think?’ Hinampas ko siya sa shoulder. ‘Are you listening?’ ‘Ui hand, nakikinig ba daw tayo?’ Gano’n ah! Nilakasan ko na yung hampas ko. ‘Talk to me!’ ‘Yun na man pala eh, TALK’ asar! ‘Bilisan mo na nga lang yung pagdadrive mo, ang bagal eh, malalate na tayo!’ ‘Ui, concern siya, TAYO?, naks naman’ ‘Feeler’ I’m in hell. ‘Gusto mo lumipad na lang tayo, para mas mabilis?’ ‘Mag-isa ka!’ Tapos biglang nag accelerate yung speed niya, akala ko literal na lipad, lipad pala, as in, magdadrive siya ng mabilis. Sakto nakarating na kami. Its 7:37, 3 minutes before class starts. I’m wearing heels, tanggalin ko na lang, tapos tatakbo ako. ‘Bilis na…..’ He carried me like a baby. Eff! No one told him to do it! And I did not request him to do so! ‘Ibaba mo ako!’ Everyone was looking at us. Fudge! ‘No’ ‘I won’t let you run barefooted or wearing that heels, masasaktan ka.’ ‘Eeew, as if you care.’ Yuck, ang OA niya. I swear! Ew. Kill me… Now! ‘Here we are, superwoman.’ ‘Hands off’ Superwoman ka jan! Pumasok na kami, he opened the door for me. Wow, bait-baitan mode. Try harder, Im not convinced. ‘Good Morning’ LOL, akala nila yung teacher namin. ‘Uieeeeeeee, sabay sila…..’ lumingon si Kyri and Joan. ‘Guys! May lovebirds na tayo sa section natin.’ Alex! You’re suppose to be my best friend, my savior! ‘Yeeehaaaaaaaaa!’ Natahimik sila lahat. Tapos umupo, what’s wrong?

CHAPTER 8
“Trouble”

‘Please sit down Ms. Lao!’ Fudge, nakastrike 2 na ako kay Sir Tirso. Yup Tirso is the name, niresearch ko na yan kasi ayaw ko ng magkasala pa sa kanya by calling him, he/she. ^^ ‘Good Morning Ms.’ Eff, mali! I swear that was unintentional, nadulas lang ako. Strike 3 Rhia. You’re out! ‘Excuse me?!’ he look like he’s going to eat me. Scary. ‘Sorry po sir, nadula….’ ‘Explain yourself later, see you in my office Ms.Lao and please get OUT!’ Great. I made it on time, di ako nalate, napalabas naman ako sa klase for some nonsense reason. I think I’m gonna die. Now. What on earth is wrong with my life?! Ang malas ko lately ah. Is this a curse or something? Unacceptable part? Disaster man is part of this misery, a BIG part of this misery. Isa pang masakit tanggapin. Sir Tirso’s class is my favourite subject, English. Naiiyak na talaga ako. Promise. Makapunta nga ng library, mag-aaral ako mag isa, anyway, I know what they’ll discuss today, its Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. Nabasa ko na yan kagabi eh. I’ll read it again. Can’t wait to have an oral quiz or something. Masyado ng nakita ni Sir Tirso ung wrong side sa akin, I have to kick some ass ASAP. I’ll clear my name. I have to. Break time na, someone’s calling me. Great, it’s the monster. There’s no way Im gonna answer his phone call, inoff ko. ‘Rhia! You’re here! Mabuti at nakita na kita…..’ Hay salamat, may makakausap na ako. ‘Guys, in the library.. see you!’ ‘Sino yun?’ ‘Sila Alex, Joan at…..’ ‘WHO?!’ I hope not that guy! ‘Jamie, masyado ka namang OA’ ‘Thank God, how come I won’t, he caused me already tons of trouble!’ ‘Ok, forget about it…’ forget about it?! Errrr. ‘Hi Rhia!’ Wow, quadruplets na sila… Kyri-Joan-Alex-Jamie ‘Ok ka lang ba?’ ang sweet talaga ni Jamie.. ‘Ok na lang, yah , I’m ok…’ ‘Tsss, okey lang yan, maaayos mo din yan best! ikaw pa!’ Wow again, first time ko ata narinig si Alex na nagsalita na may sense…. ung tipong helpful yung sinasabi niya. Nice. Nafeel siguro niyang feeling ko pasan ko na si mother earth. ‘Thanks Alex, that’s the best thing I’ve heard from you, mabait ka naman pala eh’

‘Ay, sige babawiin ko na lang.’ ‘Che!, nasabi mo na eh. wag ka ngang KJ!’ ‘Cut it out’ here goes our referee. LOL ‘Punta ka sa office ni Sir diba?’ ‘Oh yes, I almost forgot… thanks for reminding me Joan’ ‘Bilis na, baka madagdagan pa yung punishment mo… Tara!’ ‘Wait, sasama kayo?’ ‘Of course’ ‘Yup, para may back up ka…. baka kasi sampalin ka ni Sir sa sobrang insecure.’ Nice one. ‘Loka, tara na nga!’ Wow, kahit papaano, nafeel kong hindi naman ako gano’n kamalas. Wew. Ang sarap sa feeling na may mga ganitong kaibigan. Pagdating ko sa frontdoor ng office, nakasalubong ko si dreamhunter. Fudge, masaya na sana eh! Kelangan niya ba talaga umeksena?! ‘Wag ka na pumasok dun, okey na lahat, you have nothing to worry….’ ‘I don’t believe you, step out…’ ‘Ok.’ Kahit kelan talaga pumapapel siya! ‘Good luck best! Wag mo masyado galingan ung pag-arte ha, baka mainsecure lalo’ ‘Loko, thanks!’ Strike 2 from Alex. Bumait ata siya…. bakit kaya? This is it. ‘Good morning sir…’ ‘Makakalabas ka na…’ Fudge, I haven’t said anything yet! ‘Everything’s settled, Mr. Mendoza already explained everything….’ ‘Po?’ ‘And let me apologize for not listening to what you have to say.’ ‘Thanks sir’ ‘Don’t thank me, thank Mr. Mendoza, he saved you girl’ thank who?! No way. ‘Opo.’ ‘Promise me you’ll thank him…. I’ll ask him if you said thank you, and If I knew you didn’t, your punishment would be served. Understood?’ Whatever. FINE! ‘Yes sir!’ ‘By the way, you still have detention’ ‘Okey lang po, sige po, thank you po ulit! Yes! Wow, bigla atang bumaliktad yung mundo, I think I’m off to a new start again. Yay!

‘Ang bilis naman nun ah… ano, kamusta?’ ‘You look so happy? What happened? Tell us, bilis!’ Hinanap ko muna si Franco, there he is… nilapitan ko para quits na agad kami. ‘Your welcome, always remember, superman will always be here to rescue you’ Wait, may sinabi na ba ako para magreact siya ng ganyan?! And advance niya ah, pati, Superman is not a fortuneteller, he’s a hero, how would he know I’ll say thank you?! I care not. Makapagpasalamat na nga. ‘Thank you.’ Tapos umalis na ako…. bumalik ako kina Alex. ‘Uieeeee, kayo na ba ulit?’ ‘Shut up.’ ‘Eto naman ang pikon talaga, kanina lang ang saya-saya mo tapos ngayon galit na naman, ano na ba kasi nangyari?’ ‘Oo nga…’ ‘Siguro…. kinau…’ ‘May prediction ka ba? O sige ikaw na lang magsabi’ ‘Ang sungit naman nito!’ ‘Ayan naman pala eh… so, Franco cleared everything, and guess what?!’ ‘He said I love you to you?!’ nice guess Jamie, nice guess! >_<” ‘NO!’ ‘Ano?’ ‘Sir Tirso apologized for not listening to what I have to say…’ ‘Wow! Ang galing ni Franco! You rock Franco!’ tiningnan ni Joan si Franco na nasa isang corner lang. ‘Tingnan mo? He saved you, tapos ikaw, akala mo maeexpel ka na dahil sa kanya, OA mo magreact, kahit kalian OA ka talaga best!’ ‘I know, you don’t need to stress that out.’ Last subject na. I still am thinking of how dreamhunter saved me from the trouble that he himself caused. Why did he do that? How? forget about the how, I think sa smile niya pa lang naconvince niya na si sir Tirso. Maybe he was softly kille by his conscience and by the stress look in my face. Good for him. Akala ko gano’n na siya ka insensitive eh. He’s sort of gentleman, yes, you heard me right. Im no joking. He’s kind and patient. Kasi kahit gaano ko kasungit hindi niya pa ako pinatulan. Of course. Masyado naman akong maganda para saktan niya lang ng basta basta. Ok, that’s enough. Detention pa pala. Great. I went to the sanitary engineer’s quarter and ask for the cleaning facilities. Yun yung punishment, maglinis sa campus, sa gym where the basketball team currently have their practice at sa faculty room. Perfect, kulang na lang sa cr. Well, this would be so much better and acceptable rather than I get minus points from sir Tirso’s subject. Anyway, I’m no guilty, I myself firmly believe that Im innocent. Bahala na sila magjudge, manigas sila sa kakaaccuse.

Nagstart na ako naglakad papaunta sa gym. ‘Rhia!’ Paglingon ko.. ‘What now?!’ ‘Ang ganda mo talaga pag nagagalit ka!, sige magalit ka lang.’ ‘Fudge, what do you need? Is my thank you not enough?’ ‘Sobra pa sa enough yun, gusto lang sana kita tulungan eh.’ Tulong maglinis? Yes! I won’t say no. ‘Ahh, sige, that’s good, thanks in advance sa tulong’ Its not what you think it is. I only said yes, kais 1st I’m not a good cleaner, 2nd masyadong malaki ang campus baka di ko kayanin atmahimatay ako ulit and 3rd Ayoko maglinis mag isa, its simply boring and I will look stupid. But that doesn’t imply na gusto ko siya yung makasama ko. ‘Stop it Rhia, you’re acting so defensive.’ Shoot, I think he heard it. ‘May sinasabi ka ba?’ wow, ang lakas ng hearing abilities niya. ‘Wala, let’s go, let’s start cleaning’ ‘Ahh, sige…’ We started cleaning sa gym. Wow, ang bait naman ni ‘time’ ang daming tao sa gym. Kadalasan Seniors pati basketball player… who is she? is she new here? she’s pretty but meanie, I guess, 2nd day of class, nadetention? Poor girl Pare, sayang chicks na sana kaso detention? ano ba yan! sino yang lalakeng yan? ‘to may katapat ka na, ang gwapo oh, pinagtitinginan ng lahat ng chicks. Girls, she’s a bitch, ang gwapo ng kasama niya. OMG ! Hell. I knew it. Eff. Buti na lang at di ako mag-isa. Bahala sila, judge till you die people. Anyway, none of your ‘whatever to say’ is true. Pagtingin ko sa likod, nawala si dreamhunter. Fudge. Iniwan niya ako! I hate him. I knew he’s up to something. Fine, makakapaglinis naman ako ah kahit wala siya. Crap. After 15 long minutes. ‘Here, have a break….’ Tapos inabutan niya ako ng kitkat, my favourite snack, credits again to Alex for the info… and ice coffee- my favourite drink. ‘Thanks, how’d you know? these are my favourites…’ stalker! ‘Research… uhmm, nakasulat yan sa blog mo eh…’ nabasa niya yung blog ko?! ‘You’ve read it all?!’ OMG! patuloy na lang ako sa paglilinis, embarrassing >_<” tapos patuloy din siya sa pagsasalita ‘Not all, halos lahat lang, sinabi mo pa na you love coffee because of its aroma, its taste and its effects…. kitkat because its what your kuya eats before taking exams… and…’ ‘Ok! That’s eough!’ Nakakastress, Ayoko na! Sana pala mag-isa na lang ako naglinis, dinagdagan niya yung problema ko eh. Fudge! ‘Ok.’ tapos naglinis na din siya.

after 40 minutes… I was sweating like I just jumped in to the pool accidentally. may nagpunas ng pawis ko… ‘Stop it Franco!’ asar! ‘Franco ka diyan!’ eff! its Alex!!! ‘Shoot!’ ‘Nakakatawa! sobra! Uie best, ikaw ah, wala ka ng ibang nababanggit kundi ‘FRANCO’, hmmm, if I know, nagbalik na yung memories mo, tapos umaarte ka lang, tama ba?’ ‘Really?!’ ‘Oo, pati umaarte ka para always kang sinusuyo ni Franco…’ ‘If you continue talking about that, kalimutan mong magbestfriends tayo…’ ‘Eto naman! Di na maloko… Pikon!’ see? takot siyang masira friendship namin. Mabuti at natakok ka. ‘Good.’ ‘Ang pikon laging talo! Pikon-rhia! Rhia-pikon!’ ‘SHUT DOWN!’ naglakad na siya papalayo sa akin.. ‘Alis na ako, baka masira ko pa ang moment niyo! Enjoy best!’ he stopped at Franco’s position ‘Franco sabi ni Rhia mahal na mahal na MAHAL ka daw niya! sige ‘tol bye!’ Damn you Alex!!! sinabi kong ano?! MAHAL, nilakasan niya talaga ah! Goodness, I don’t even know how to face that dreamhunter, masyado ng nakakahiya. I should have said NO. I’d rather be alone in this place cleaning than be in great humiliation with that monster. EFF. Its 7:00 pm, done with the gym, sa faculty na naman. sa FACULTY room. o_O ‘Let’s go Rhia…’ aba, Ganado… buti pa siya excited. ‘No, you can go ahead… I mean, pwede ka ng umuwi, kaya ko na ‘to’ go home!!!! ‘Okey lang, sasamahan na kita, di ako papayag mag-isa ka dun, baka anong isipin ng mga professor…’ ‘I insist’ talagang may iispin sila! Malamang. Idiot. ‘I also insist’ FINE! Bahala na! Basta matapo ako ng maaga. Errrr! This is it. Pumasok na kami. Lord, kayo na po ang bahala sa akin. ‘GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!’ Idiot! its 7 in the evening! ‘Este, good EVENING everyone’ napalingon lahat ng tao sa faculty sa amin. Lahat sila yung mukha parang big question mark. Fudge this disaster! ‘Eh kasi po, ang liwanag dito sa faculty niyo, its filled with blooming faces’ Tumawa sila lahat. Wow. Ang galing. Liar! ‘By the way, I’m Franco Marion Mendoza and…’ siniko niya ako… ‘I’m Rhia Margarette Lao’ tapos pinatuloy niya yung pagsasalita.

‘and we’re here to make this room germ-free!’ ‘Weh??? Di nga?’ goodness, he’s pressuring me. ‘Yes po! Para san ba ang facuty room kung hindi ito malinis and conducive for our beloved professor’s welfare? diba?’ ‘PERFECT’ ok, bilib na ako sa’yo, fine, let’s start cleaning up this whole mess. ‘magsisimula na po kami….’ ‘Go ahead Ms. Lao’ ok great, that was Sir Tirso with a big grin. CLEAN. CLEAN. CLEAN. After 20 minutes… nagsalita na naman si dreamhunter. What now?! ‘Professors of FDHU…. can I ask you something?’ Lumingon na naman silang lahat. ‘We’re listening Mr. Mendoza’ said Ms. Gonzales. ‘Thesaurus dictionary ba kayo?’ napalingon ulit sila. ‘???????’ ‘Obviously we’re not’ Sumagot si Sir Tirso. ‘Why?’ tapos si Ms. Gonzales na naman. ‘Kasi po, you give the students another meaning to live life.’ ‘Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, sobrang keso’ WTH?! Natablan sila ng joke na yun? Ang babaw. ‘You got us there Mr. Mendoza’ by Ms. Gonzales. Sus. After 10 minutes…. DONE! lumabas na ako, naiwan pa dun si Franco, siguro umeeksena na naman yun. Pffft. Oh please. Kahit kelan, mapapel siya! But at least, we finished ahead of time. ‘Thank you Mr. Mendoza.’ ‘No problem Sir. You’re very welcome’ ‘You did not just cleaned the office, you made everyone smile… which is hard to do, kasi usually this time, maiinit ang mga ulo ng mga tao…’ ‘My pleasure sir.’ Naglakad sila papalapit sa akin while I was wiping the sweat all over me face. ‘Ms. Lao, you’re cleared… thanks to Mr. Mendoza….’ ‘Thank you sir..’ eff, may utang na naman ako kay dreamhunter. ‘I bet, without Mr. Mendoza mahihirapan ka, hmmm, you don’t look like you’re used to doing things like those….’ ‘Ah-e-eh, yes sir, you’re right’ you’re right, di nga ako sanay sa mga ganong bagay’, pero hindi ako mahihirapan kahit wala siya! ‘Ok, I’ll leave the both of you here… take care on your way home, its late’ ‘Thanks sir…’ at sabay kaming nag thank you. Fudge.

‘O sige I’ll go ahead, maraming SALAMAT ah…. bye!’ ‘Teka, where do you think you’re going?’ oh noesss, ano na naman kayang iniisip ng lalakeng to? ‘WHAT?!’ ‘Mag-isa ka uuwi?’ A-ha. ‘Yup, kaya una na ako..bye!’ ‘No, kelangan may kasabay ka…’ ‘!!!!!!’ ‘Tawagan mo kaya sila Alex….’ ‘Umuwi na yun’ let me go na nga !!! ‘Rhia, total tinulungan naman kita…. please allow me to give you a ride home’ ‘?????’ thinking…. hmmm… ‘ok’ WOW, ano siya? nanalo ng lotto? mukhang pagsabi ko ng ok ang saya-saya niya. Babaw! ‘Thanks Rhia’ hello?! dapat kaya ako yung nagpapasalamat. Naglakad na kami papunta sa car niya. Ang gentleman niya kunwari ah, binuksan niya yung door. Hay nako! Isa pa tong si traffic! masyadong mapapel… Hello?! I don’t want to get stuck with this guy’s car, FYI! ‘Rhia…’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Magkano na nga ang diesel ngayon?’ is it what I’m thinkin? pagbabayarin nya ako ng pangfuel nya? ‘MAHAL! at patuloy nagmamahal!’ I have money but I’m kuripot you know? ‘Pareho pala kayo…’ so random ‘Ano?!’ ‘Sabi ko pareho kayo ng diesel…. MAHAL….’ tapos tiningnan niya ako with his killer smile. >_< ‘????” ‘Mahal na mahal ko… at patuloy kong minamahal’ ‘Ahh, k.’ Ok, ba’t ka nagsmile Rhia!!!!Idiot, edi iisipin no’n nagustuhan mo rin. Idiot! Then he continued driving with a smile, I mean, a BIG smile. Masaya siya. Babaw ulit ! When I reached home, I don’t know how, but I think lumambot ako kay dreamhunter… I almost bumped into the door sa kakangiti, good thing at di niya nakita… Shoot. Can’t believe this is happening… siguro may nilagay siya sa coffee na binigay niya kanina? Fudge. NO ! Pagbukas ko ng fb, yung status na naman niya yung una sa newsfeed. Ano ba?! Destiny….. NOT FUNNY! ‘Superman….. always to the rescue… for his superwoman.’

What kind of hero? Always to the rescue nga pero di naman sa lahat… Loser. Sana pala nag bodyguard ka na lang. Pero sweet ah. ‘See that star over there?’ ‘Yup…’ ‘You’re like one…’ ‘Kasi noon, ang layu-layo mo… parati lang kitang tinitingnan at pinapangarap abutin… ngayon, abot kamay na kita… Rhia…’ ‘Akala ko rin eh, puno ako…’ ‘Puno as in tree?’ ‘Yup…tree na nasa tabi-tabi lang’ ‘Ba’t naman?’ ‘Kasi araw-araw lumalaki yung pagmamahal ko sa’yo kahit di mo masyadong napapansin…’ ‘Ang keso!’ and he hugged me. ‘say that to yourself…. ikaw kaya yung nagpasimuno…’ ‘Ok… teka lang ah… kuha muna ako ng maiinom…’ *kriiiiiiiiiiiing* Its his phone… kanina pa to nag riring ah…. ayan may message… From: Nika Babe, I want you back… so badly… I know you still love me…. we always love each other…but since that girl entered your life… our relationship changed… it became worse… I know you love me more than you love her…. just that you’re afraid to hurt her… just please…. come back to me. I love you Frank, Aishiteru. Umiiyak ako habang binabasa ko yun…. niloloko niya lang pala ako. my world went black for a while… ‘Rhia… let’s dri….’ I looked at him with the tears in my face… tapos tumakbo na ako… ‘Rhia! wait….’ naabutan niya ako… ‘Its not what you think it is… Mahal kita…. mahal na mahal…’ ‘Stop it Franco…. Ayoko na…. kung ganito lang pala, tama na! Masyado ng masakit…’ ‘I LOVE YOU!’ sinampal ko siya ‘Yes you do, but there’s someone else! someone you love MORE than you love me!’ ‘Hindi totoo yan!’ ‘Stop lying Franco, mas sinasaktan mo ako…. mas dinidiin mong niloko mo nga lang ako all this time.. kaya TAMA NA!’ ‘Rhia!’ he held my face an kissed me on the lips… I was trying to push him away… ‘ANO BA! TAMA NA NGA! Go on with your life…’

‘I can’t…. mahirap kung hindi sa piling mo.’ ‘Maghanap ka ng makakausap Franco… yung maloloko mo, wag ako. bye!’ ‘Rhia! I love you more that you’ll ever know…’ ‘More than I ever know?! Franco masyado na akong nasaktan…. mahal mo pala ako eh, pero pan’no mo nagawa sa akin to?! Masakit, sobrang sakit kasi ikaw yung gumawa sa akin nito..’ ‘Sorry.’ ‘yan lang ba?! hanggang sorry ka lang, hanggang sorry lang kayong lahat.’ He kissed me back… and I let him do… Fudge! Nightmare again, that dreamunter again. Ew, we kissed? about to make out? Thank God magaling tumiming si alarm clock. Ayoko na nga… Ayoko ng matulog! Wala na akong magagawa, kundi masanay na nakikita ko siya sa pagtulog ko. I can’t complain forever… masstress ako, it might kill me. So never mind. Just in time for my first class. ‘Hey Rhia!!!’ ok, day ruined. ‘Oh?’ ‘Akin na mga gamit mo… ako na magdadala’ ‘Here’ fine… mukha kang bodyguard sa ginagawa mo! ‘CR muna ako….’ I still have 30 minutes… before my first class starts… manigas siya sa kakahintay dun… Ayoko kayang asarin na naman kami pagpasok sa classroom. no way. I went out after 20 minutes and my plan was perfectly effective… wala na siya! Pagpasok ko ng room… ‘Uiiiiii, sabay ulit sila.’ WHAT?! ako lang kaya mag isa… ‘Uiiii, saba daw ulit tayo oh…’ Or not. he’s at my back. Fudge. ‘Shut up.’ ‘Ang init naman ng ulo mo….’ malamang! ‘really? why don’t you try touching it, tapos sabihin mo ouch kung nainitan ka’ ‘Rhia?’ ‘Oh?!!’ ‘FUNNY’ sarcastic crap! ‘Ang init naman ng ulo mo best…’ don’t tell me dadagdagan mo pa?! ‘Yup, so please don’t act like you’re about to worsen things…’ ‘Grabe ka naman, di kaya ako gano’n… bestfriends nga tayo diba?’ ‘I’ll mark your word best…’ I hope so.

‘You can always count on me’ ‘Teka, best… may tanong ako….’ Hay salamat matatanong ko na finally kung bakit ako naaksidente. ‘Maya na lang…. anjan na si prof oh…’ Epic. Malas!!!! Philosophy class on going. It wasn’t boring after all. The topic was interesting… nakakaprovoke. I like it. Feeling ko nga nagsagutan na kami ni professor sa kakatanong at kaka-oppose ko. Peace prof. Pero I think di naman siya naasar. Break time…. 2 hours pa before our next class. Yes! I will have enough time to interrogate my friends about the accident. ‘Best, ano na ulit yung tanong mo’ I love you Alex…. di mo talaga nakalimutan. ‘Hay salamat at naalala mo..’ ‘Ano na nga?’ ‘Why did I have an accident?’ ‘Sus, kala ko kung ano na…’ ‘paano na?’ ‘hindi mo pa pala alam?’ ‘Of course, kasi po kung alam ko na, edi sana di ko na tinatanong sayo no?’ ‘Ahhh, k..’ here he goes again! ‘Kasi ganito yun… hmmm, do you really want to know?’ ‘Oo nga!’ ‘Ok, to cut the story short…’ ‘First date mo na sana yun with Franco… este, first date with someone since birth kasi di naman counted yung mga gimik nating dalawa… kaso pagtawid mo sa kalsada… siguro dahil masyado kang naexcite makipagdate sa superman mo…. di mo na napansin na nasa highway ka… ayun, Nasagasaan ka.’ ‘Was Franco there?’ ‘Hmmm, yup… tumakbo siya para isave ka, kaso, its too late…’ ‘WTH?! So basically I got the accident and have to suffer this amnesia because of him? DISASTER man?!’ ‘Probably..’ I was speechless… hindi dahil hindi natuloy yung date. of course NOT! Sobra akong naiinis na di na ako makapagsalita. ‘Pero best, di naman niya kasalanan eh… kasi di naman niya kontrolado yung pangyayari…aksidente yun best… walang may gusto noon…’ Umalis na ako, iniwan ko na si Alex dun… Mag-isa ako sa bleachers… nagseself-reflect…

‘Rhia!’ ‘I hate you!’ tapos sinampal ko siya.

CHAPTER 9
“At the movies”

Alex’s POV Lagot. Anak ng! Sana pala di ko na lang sinabi kay Rhia…. naku! baka magtanim na ng sama ng loob si Franco sa akin. Tsk. Saktong-sakto talaga, nakita ko yung pagsampal ni Rhia sa kanya. Di na nakapagsalita si Franco tapos nag walk out si Rhia, umiiyak. Nilapitan ko si Franco…. ‘Tol, pasensya na…’ ‘Naiintindihan ko naman eh..’ ‘Sige, habulin ko muna yung babaeng yun.. baka ano ng gawin niya sa sarili niya eh una na ako’ ‘Sige ‘tol, kaw na bahala magpaliwanag sa kanya..’ Ano ba to? Nagiguilty ako sa ginawa ko, naaawa ako kay Franco nung nakita ko yung mukha niya… parang di siya… parang nawala yung guts niya na suyuin ng suyuin si Rhia, ah basta! Ipapaliwanag ko kay Rhia lahat ng nangyari…. Ayun na, nakikita ko na si best, humahagulhol. Amp. ‘Best…’ hay nako, nakita niya lang ako, humagulhol na lalo… ‘I don’t know why I’m crying like this…. I don’t know why I’m so affected, edi diba dapat, wala lang sa akin kasi nga may amnesia ako. But, there’s something…. I don’t know… regret? anger?... ewan best…’ ‘Best, basta wag na wag mong iisipin na kasalanan ni Franco yung nangyari sa’yo’ ‘Sino pa nga ba’ ‘Uulitin ko yung sinabi ko kanina…. walang may gusto sa nangyari, at lalong hindi gusto ni Franco yun…. kung alam mo lang sana…’ ‘Alam kong ano?’ ‘Bago ka nakarating dun…. nirecall niya lahat ng intimate moments niyo na alam kong ikinasaya through date-stopovers….he did everything to make you happy that day’ ‘So?’ ‘Basta, mahal na mahal ka ni Franco…’ ‘Right now, I simply don’t care’ ‘Matagal nga siyang nawala eh, sobrang depress, akala niya kasi patay ka na….’ ‘Sana di na lang siya bumalik!’ ‘Tama na best… tama na…’ Ba’t di pa siya tumitigil sa pag-iyak…. ano ba naman to…. ‘Best…. water district ka ba?’ ‘Stop it Alex….. no time to laugh right now…’

‘kasi naman, di nauubusan ng supply yung mata mo…. sinasayang mo yung tubig eh!’ ‘try harder…. I’m not laughing yet…’ Oo nga… di pa umeepekto yung jokes ko. Lintek. Alam ko na… ‘Naaalala mo ba yung madalas mong binabanggit noon?’ ‘Ano?!’ ‘SANA’Y PAG IBIG NA LANG ANG ISIPIN NG BAWAT ISA SA MUNDO’ kinanta ko na, bahala na… ‘hahahaha! you got me there! Thanks best!’ Hay salamat. Yan si Rhia, bestfriend ko… mahal na mahal ko yan, di ko kayang nakikitang malungkot yan, kaya naman ganito ako, mapagbiro… kahit pinapakita niyang naiinis siya, alam ko namang natutuwa yan, kabisado ko na siya eh… ang di ko lang maintindihan ngayon, eh kung bakit siya ganyang kagalit kay Franco…. eh noon lang, patay na patay siya dun, halos mabingi na ako sa kakatili nya kung may nangyayari sa kanilang dalawa ni Franco.. tapos ngayon, hay nako… ewan… *kriiiiiiiiiing* Si Franco tumatawag.. ‘Alex, kamusta si Rhia?’ ‘Ok na yun… pinaliwanag ko na lahat…’ ‘Galit pa ba siya sa akin?’ ‘Ah… di na ata eh…’ siguro. sorry ‘tol ‘Sinisisi niya pa rin ba ako?’ ‘Mukhang gano’n na nga eh. pasensya tol…’ ‘Ok lang… naiintindihan ko naman siya eh…’ ‘Sige Alex, salamat, bye!’ Pagbaba niya, di ko maiwasang maguilty… dapat kasi di ko na sinabi eh! eto tuloy… Matawagan nga si Rhia.. ‘Yes?’ ‘Best, busy ka ba?’ ‘Not really, why?’ ‘Hmm, paturo naman oh..’ ‘what?’ ‘nahirapan kasi ako sa topic kanina…. punta ako diyan ah?’ ‘see you’ Ang tipid niya naman magsalita ngayon. Pero di bale… ang totoo gusto ko lang siya makasama… lately kasi… masyado na kamig naging busy, pati nadetention pa siya… at, kelangan kong malaman kung ok na ba yun…

‘Hey best! I missed you sooooooooo much!’ totoo ba yung narinig ko? ‘ako hinde..’ ‘Ah sige bye!’ ‘eto naman di na maloko, siyempre naman mas namiss kita…’ sobra. ‘IKR? Kaya ka nga andito eh… pati… alam ko na hindi ka nahirapan sa topic…. you just made an excuse para makita mo ako’ lintek. nalaman nya? ‘Ahhh… k.’ haha ! nainis na naman. ang cute. ‘Asar!’ ‘Ang cute mo talaga best!’ tapos kinurot ko yung chicks niya…. ‘Matagal na… tara na nga!’ ‘Best, ang init naman…’ ‘O sige… tawag ka sa travel agency.. bili ka ng ticket papuntang Alaska…’ ‘FUNNY’ ang korny niya talaga magjoke.. ‘Ok, lakasan ko yung aircon…’ ‘Bili tayo ng ice cream…. yung coffee crumble… paborito mong flavour…’ ‘Mag-isa ka… punta na lang ako ng Alaska para malamigan… wag lang kumain ng ice cream..’ ‘ba’t ba ayaw mo yan? its everyone’s favourite..’ ‘I’m not one of you… ibahin mo ako… its one thing I HATE… ok?’ ‘Ok.’ Yan din eh, nagkaamnesia lang kung makapagsalita parang sinusumpa niya na yung ice cream. ‘Nood tayo ng movie…. I bought some dvds..’ ‘Game…. what movies?’ ‘Hmmm, I have here… when in rome, a walk to remember, Till my heartache ends… whatcha want to watch?’ ‘Uwi na lang ako, ang bading naman niyan!’ ‘Sige na please, eto naman, time na natin to magbond eh…’ tumayo na ako…. papuntang… ‘Alex please!!!’ ‘magbabanyo lang.’ cr. ‘Ok, I’ll wait here, till my heartache ends panoorin natin ah!’ Anything, basta ikaw kasama, titiisin kahit ang bading na… Nanood na kami sa movie room nila… oh well, gano’n sila kayaman… pati oo, nilamiga niya nga… hanep! ang lamig, kelangan ko ng blanket… magkatabi kami… nakasandal yung ulo niya sa shoulders ko…. hinug ko na lang siya, ang lamig eh…

‘Funny, nilalamig ka no?’ ‘Oo na’ ‘Buti nga! sabi ko naman sayo eh.’ oo na, tama ka na. ‘Best… may tanong ako…’ ‘Ano yun?’ random question lang…. ‘Hmmm, pano kung nangyari sa atin yan’ ‘Ang?’ ‘Yang nasa movie…’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Pa’no kung maging tayo?’ ‘ok lang…’ ‘Best?’ ‘I love you too…’ ‘Aba, kapal mo rin.. sabihin ko sana EW eh…hindi I love you’ ‘Ikaw din ang kapal mo, sabihin ko rin sana JOKE eh..’ ‘Ang kulit mo! manood na nga tayo…’ Ang OA talaga ng mga babae no…. tingnan mo to si Rhia, masyadong feeler, akala niya siguro siya si Kim Chiu…. iyak ng iyak. OA. ‘Ouch!’ ‘Ano? sumasakit ba ulo mo?’ ‘No, ouch…. di ko siguro kakayanin kapag nangyari yan sa akin….’ ‘Ahhh, k.’ ‘Alex, ano ba?! I’m serious..’ ‘Look, movie lang yan.’ ‘Fine… yan tapos na…. next movie tayo… a walk to remember…’ Habang nanonood kami, nakatulog si Rhia. Ayan, sobrang OA kasi, siguro sumakit yung mata.. Kinarga ko na siya papunta sa room niya. ‘I love you best, do you love me to?’ ayan, nagssleeptalk na. Total, Saturday naman bukas.. dito na lang ako matutulog… tumabi na ako sa kanya… sanay na naman kami sa ganito… since childhood… pinapayagan lang si Rhia magsleepover kung sa bahay namin, kung kaya naman, kapag gusto niya mag slumber party, sa bahay yung venue, nagmumukha tuloy parlor yung bahay…. Napaisip lang ako… Pano na kaya kung nangyari din sa amin yun? Bestfriends gone lovers. Ok lang ba yun?

Ok lang naman ata eh, pero sisiguraduhin kong di ko gagawing rebound si best…. Teka… Lintek, ba’t ko ba to naiisip? Hinde. Hinding-hindi mangyayari yun.. imposible.. ako? mafafall kay best? HAHHAHAHA. ano yan? Joke? Lul! Nakakatawa. Di ko maimagine tawaging loves o babes o honey o bukopie si Rhia… masyadong nakakatawa, baka mamatay ako sa kakatawa. ‘Best may surprise ako sa’yo’ ‘Ano?!’ ‘Tanga, diba surprise nga! ‘Ahhh, sabi ko nga..’ ‘Basta, tomorrow 6 pm….’ ‘K. see you’ Bukas na, bukas na ako magtatapat kay Rhia… bahala na… basta masabi ko lang ang true feelings ko….wala naman sigurong mawawala sa akin kapag sinabi ko yung totoo… ah basta, come what may! ‘San na ba ako?’ ‘Wait dude… we’re almost there..’ ‘Anong we’re siya lang Jo, ihahatid lang kaya natin siya dito.’ ‘Ahhh. K.’ lahat na ata sila nahawa na sa Ahhh, K ko. ‘Here we are!, ge dude, iwan muna namin kayo’ Eto na talaga ‘to… bahala na! ‘Hi Rhia!’ pagsabi ko sa pangalan niya… parang nagulat siya, siguro kai di siya sanay na tawagin ko siya sa pangalan niya… kasi usually best eh… ‘Uie best!’ ‘Surprise!’ ang late naman ng pagsabi ko… ‘Eto na ba yun?’ ‘Yup!’ Amp, kinakabahan ako. Pak. ‘Let’s dance…’ Just the way you are na slow mo yung music…. paborito nya din kasi un eh.. ‘Ahhh, sure…’ alanganin ata yung sagot niya. ‘Best, ba’t mo ba to ginagawa?’ bahala na…. ‘Mahal kita eh…’ ‘Hahaha, nice joke best..’ ‘Rhia, di ako nagbibiro…’ ‘Try harder best, LOL’ ‘I LOVE YOU RHIA!’

‘No, hindi pwede best…. sorry…’ tapos tumakbo na siya…. ‘SANA’Y PAG-IBIG NA LANG ANG ISIPIN NG BAWAT ISA SA MUNDO’ Lintek! Sus! Buti na lang panaginip lang, ano ba naman yun! ang bading! Buti na lang nagising ako dahil sa disturbing voice ni Rhia… nakatulog pala ako eh… ayun na yung babaeng yun, naliligo, di man lang ako ginising. Matripan nga… Ooops, di ko siya bobosohan… Lul! Gugulatin ko siya, bwahahah! Humanda siya. ‘Sana’y….’ natapos na lang siyang maligo kanta pa rin ng kanta… pababalik-balik pa.. ‘Rhia!!!!!!!!!! may daga!!!!!!!!’ ‘Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!!!’ Pucha. nakakatawa siya, ang ingay-ingay, sigaw ng sigaw habang tumatakbo papalayo sa banyo, tapos umakyat sa bed niya tapos nagbalot sa kumot. ‘Helllllllllllllllllppppppppppppp!’ ‘Rhia, ayan na… paakyat na siya sa bed mo!’ ‘Alexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx!!! Help!!!!!!’ ‘OA! Joke lang!’ ‘*&^$#%@!&!’ ‘Akala ko ba matalino ka… isipin mo nga, sa linis ba naman ng bahay at kwarto mo, sa tingin mo may makakapasok na daga dito? Think Rhia… Think..’ ‘Shut up! Alam mo bang halos himatayin na ako sa sobrang takot?!’ ‘Yup… ang saya mo tingnan!’ ‘Ahhh, ganon ah!’ tapos binatukan niya ako. ‘Ouch ang sakit, ouch!’ ‘Asar!’ ‘Move on na… magbihis ka na, punta tayo mall.’ ‘really?! Ipagshoshopping mo ako? I love you best! Mwah!’ ‘Bilis na…’ Kitams, narinig lang yung mall, shopping kaagad yung naisip, girls are girls… ‘Uie ‘tol!’ ‘Hi Rhia…’ ‘What---- are---- you -----doing----- here?’ ang aga-aga bad trip na. ‘Magdadate tayo diba?’ ‘Date?! Alex!’ ‘What?’

‘I thought you’re gonna treat me…’ ‘May sinabi ba akong gano’n? sabi ko lang punta tayo ng mall.’ ‘!!!!!!!!!!’ ‘Sige best, bye! Enjoy…. Franco kaw na bahala sa kanya!’ Sana maayos yung movie date nila…. hmmm, ginawa ko lang naman yun eh para makabawi kay Franco… wew… sana, ayos…

Rhia’s POV Akala ko ba ba bestfriend ko si Alex…. errrrrrr! I can’t believe I’m with this man. Hmm, we’re not locked with each other… so takbo na lang ako… ‘Where do you think you’re going?’ ‘Away from you!!!’ ‘Di pwede eh…’ ‘Kapal mo rin ah! I can go wherever I want to go monster! ‘Kabisado mo ba yung mall?’ eff. right. first time ko dito… ‘I hate you!’ ‘Ang ganda mo talaga pag nagagalit ka…’ ‘Ano na panonoorin natin?!’ ‘Love story, you want?’ ‘I’ll get lost if that’s so!’ No way, love story? with this monster? HELL NO! ‘Sige..horror movie na lang..’ good. ‘K.’ ‘Yes!’ masaya ka! Pffft. ‘Whatever!’ ‘Let’s go!’ I don’t even know why I’m here…. with this guy who caused me this amnesia… I feel something different.. gumaan ata yung feeling ko sa kanya… ewan. Ew, parang gano’n eh… pshhhh. Si Alex kasi eh! pero may point naman siya, di ko naman talaga masisisi si Franco… kasi di niya kontrolado yung situation… CUT IT OUT. tama na Rhia… ‘Ouch!’ wait, biglang sumakit ulo ko… ‘Rhia, are you ok?’ ‘No, biglang sumakit ulo ko eh…’ ‘Sandal ka muna sa shoulders ko.’ ‘Thanks’ thanks? o_O

see? may something talaga eh, pwede ko naman sabihin, lumabas na lang kami, maiintindihan niya naman ata eh.. What’s happening? can someone, please explain to me! ‘Ok ka na ba?’ ba’t may spark pagsabi niya nun? as in spark like hearts above my head? ‘Medyo…’ nakasandal pa rin ako sa shoulders niya…. eff, bigla ata bumaliktad yug mundo ah. ‘I missed you Rhia…’ he looked at me in the eyes tapos hinawakan niya kamay ko. ‘Ha?’ tapos hinigpitan niya yung paghawak. ‘Wala, sabi ko manood na tayo…’ ‘Ahhh.’ Strike 2, pwede ko naman tanggalin yung paghawak niya ah… ba’t di ko ginawa? why did I let him…? I really feel something different… first… parang nawala yung grudge ko sa kanya, second, I feel like he’s not the monster/dreamhunter=disaster that I know… and third…. I feel so secured and protected at the moment… with him…. superman? I don’t know.

CHAPTER 10
“Safe!”

Franco’s POV Wow, feeling ko pwede na akong mamatay… himala ata, di siya gano’n kasungit.. bumait siya, lalo syang gumanda….. mas gusto ko na tuloy siyang suyuin… Nung sumandal siya sa akin… ang sarap sa pakiramdam… naramdaman ko ulit yung naramdaman ko noon, nung retreat… parang di siya nagkaamnesia sa nangyari kanina… parang nagbalik na si superwoman kay superman. Kahit gaano pa siya kasungit sa akin… kahit sinisisi niya ako sa nangyari sa kanya, hinding-hindi pa rin ako mapapagod magmahal kay Rhia… hinding-hindi ako susuko, lalo na ngayon na medyo, bumabait na siya… ‘Bye Franco… thanks’ ‘Salamat din.’ ‘Salamat ‘tol!’ kinawayan ko si Alex… nasa bahay lang siya nila Rhia.. pagpasok ni Rhia… hinug niya kaagad si Alex… para na talaga silang magkapatid sa sobrang close…. Minsan nga naiinggit na ako kay Alex… kasi siya… ang dali-dali niya lang makalapit kay Rhia…eh ako? sinusungitan pa… Hay, ang swerte ni Alex… Makapag-fb na nga, update ko muna status ko… I was flying a while ago…and I’m on cloud nine right now <3 Saktong pagbukas ko sa fb yun yung unang-una kong nakita sa home ko. Di naman sa masyado kong inaassume… pero parang, oo yung nga…. sino pa bang iba niyang kasama kanina? Diba ako lang? Ibig sabihin… natuwa siya kanina… tumpak! Kahit kelan talaga napakaarte niya… ginawa pa niyang art yung status niya… wise ata to! nainterpret ko eh. ……. ‘Franco, dinner tayo bukas ah…’ ‘Ah sige, sure ba!’ ‘See you!’ Ba’t niya kaya ako ininvite for dinner? Naks naman…si Rhia? Hirap ata paniwalaan ah, pero excited na ako… Pagdating ko sa restaurant… magkasama sila ni Alex…magkatabi…. ‘Ui, andiyan na pala kayo…’ ba’t parang kinakabahan ako. ‘Sit down Franco..’ ‘Franco, may sasabihin sana kami ni Alex…’ kami? ‘Tol… pasensya ha…’ pasensya? saan? ‘I’m sorry Franco..’ ‘Kami na ni Rhia’ ‘I’m really, really sorry…’

‘Pero….’ …….. Amp! Buti na lang panaginip lang. Nakatulog ako… Asar! May oral quiz pa naman kami sa English class. Lagot ako nito! Habang nagdadrive… di pa rin maalis sa isip ko yung masamang panaginip na yun… Pa’no na kaya kung nangyari yun? Pero hindi naman siguro… magbestfriends lang sila…at hanggang dun na lang yun… pati, alam ni Alex kung gaano ko kamahal si Rhia… di naman siguro niya ako tatraydorin diba… ‘Good morning class… as you know we will be having our oral quiz today….’ ‘Are you ready?’ Tumahimik lahat… ayos! di pala ako nag iisa… halos lahat pala kami di nakapag-aral. Yahoo! ‘Silence means yes…’ ‘Please give me the summary of the Iliad’ ‘………………’ wala atang makasagot eh… ‘Anyone?’ Ayun! Nagtaas ng kamay si Rhia. Amp. ‘Yes, Ms. Lao’ ‘On the tenth year of the Trojan War, tensions rise so high among Achaians. First, Chryses, a priest, asked King Agamemnon to release his daughter but the king refused. Chryses prayed to Apollo to send a plague to the Achaians. After nine days of plague, the Achaians demanded Agamemnon to release Chryses's daughter. He agreed with a condition that Achilleus, the greatest warrior of the Achaians will give him his girlfriend, Briseis. Though he was so mad, he just gave his girlfriend. He prayed to his mother Thetis, a goddess, to connive with the other gods so that the Achaians will lose their battles and they'll realize how much they depend on him. Thetis spoils Achilleus so she talked to Zeus. The next day, the Trojans counterattacked to the Achaians led by Hektor, their greatest warrior. After several days of violent battles, Patroklos, Achilleus's bestfriend asked permission to take the place of Achilleus. Achilleus agreed and even led Patroklos his armor. But Hektor, with the help of Apollo and Euphorbos, a minor Trojan warrior, killed Patroklos. When Achilleus knew this, he experienced terrible grief and swore revenge. He asked his mother to give him new suit of armor especially made by Hephaistos, the fire god. The next day, Achilleus joined the battle and killed many Trojan warriors including Hektor on a one-on-one battle But Achilleus isn't satisfied. For the next few days, he continually abused Hektor's body in brutal ways, even after Patroklos received a proper funeral. The gods didn't like this, and sent a message down to Achilleus telling him to give up the body. When the Trojan King Priam, Hektor's father, came unarmed, by night, to ask for his son's body, Achilleus agreed. They ate together and experienced a moment of shared humanity. Achilleus granted the Trojans a grace period to perform their funeral rituals. Then it ended with the funeral of Hektor - though we know that soon Achilleus will die.’ ‘Very well said Ms. Lao, very well said.’ Grabe, galing niya talaga… sa pagkakaalala ko, napalabas siya sa klase nung time na eto yung topic namin… Galing! Pati si sir Tirso napanganga… lahat din kami sa classroom, napabilib niya… Diba nga nagkaamnesia siya? Pero bakit yung katalinuhan niya di pa rin nawawala? Amp. Yan na nga bang sinasabi ko eh… sobra siyang matalino… almost perfect… eh ako? Ah basta! Magsisikap ako para kay superwoman.. ‘Rhia, libre ka ba this lunch? sabay tayo….’

‘Uhmm, sorry Franco… may lunch date kasi yung family namin with Alex’s’ ‘Ahh, sige… happy meal.’ ‘Next time na lang..’ ‘Sige ah!’ Bad timing naman oh! Parang napanghihinaan na ako…. ewan… kanina… bumalik na naman yung awa ko sa sarili ko… yung bang distance between Rhia and I…. ngayon naman,, kay Alex… Lokoloko din ako no?! Dapat magtiwala ako kay Alex… tama, magtiwala, trust… trust in Alex and trust in myself… Instead na mag-isip ako ng kung ano-ano dito, dapat… focus ako sa goal ko… lalo na ngayon na bumabait na si Rhia sa akin… Next time na lang. Oo nga naman, marami pa namang next time eh..

TO: Franco_marion15 FROM: nika_nishima Hi Frank. I miss you so much! You’re so mean… since you came back there in the Philippines, you don’t talk to me anymore… I just want to drop by to say Hi, and kamusta… Your mom told me you’re going home here this Christmas? Can’t wait to see you again…. I want to go back to Disneyland with you… no more collapse. Hiihihihi.. If I won’t be busy, I’ll try to visit you there! Yehaaa! Please reply Frank, I missed you soo much. Mwah!

Hay nako… si Chuckie doll na naman, isa lang yan sa 2 e-mail niya kada araw… Asar. E-mail ng email… pabalik-balik naman yung content ng sinusulat niya. Papansin talaga yung babaeng yun. Gano’n na ba ako kagwapo para di niya tantanan? Loko lang. Bahala siya. Di ako magrereply. 2 months after Ilang buwan na ang nakalipas… at good news! I’m on top of the class…. di nga lang kalevel ni Rhia… pero malapit na dun! Sa 2 months na yan… medyo ok na kami ni Rhia… actually, yung pakikitungo namin sa isa’t-isa… kasi di pa naman KAMI eh… hahaha… di pa ako nakakapagtapat. Medyo ok lang… hindi ganoon ka ok… kasi pabago-bago yung mood niya… minsan bumabait minsan naman saksakan ng sungit. ‘Today I will announce your partners in our lab class…’ Nagreact lahat… murmur dito murmur doon… kasi gusto nila sila ung pipili sa mga partner nila eh.. ganon ka rebel ang mga tao dito… matatalino nga kaso minsan nasobrahan na. ‘The moment I know that you’re switching partners… you’ll be sent out of the class the whole semester, so don’t even think about it’ ‘Yes sir!’ natakot ata lahat. ‘De Leon and Endrina’ ‘But sir….’ nagreklamo si Jamie… ‘One word Ms. Endrina, and I’ll send you out.’ ayun, natahimik bigla.. ‘Mendoza and….’ ba’t ba ako kinakabahan? Amp. ang tagal niya naman makahanap ng partner ko… tinitingnan nya pa yung buong klase… ganon ba ako kahirap hanapan ng pair? ‘Mendoza and Lao’ Lao?! as in Rhia Margarette Lao? Ayos! Jackpot!

‘Uiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeee’ hay nako… immuned na ako sa lahat ng pang-aasar nila… halos araw-araw na kasi eh… wala silang pinapalagpas basta tambalang Rhia at Franco… pero ok na ok lang! Gusto ko naman eh, kahit every minute pa… masaya kasi…. parang may nagsasabi sa aking go for the gold… Ayos tong araw na to ah.. una.. partners kami ni Rhia sa lab class. Tapos ngayon naman, P.E. class, at ang sports…? BASEBALL! yes! nagwarm up na kami… siyempre… nabalitaan ng professor namin na star player ako sa alma mater ko.. kaya ako yung pinaglead niya sa warm up… Ang gwapo niya talaga Naku! Nabalitaan ko star player daw siya sa school nila.. sana magkateam kami! OMG! He’s so hot, I wish pagnadapa ako sa kakatakbo magkabanggaan kami. He’s an angel… catch me Franco… Mga babae nga naman… masyadong revealing, sana naman kung may konting kahihiyan pa sila para sa sarili nila hininaan nila ng konti yung mga boses nila. Dinivide na ang class, yung iba sa mga kateammates ko di ko kilala, ibang section na kasi to… pero kasama ko pa rin sila Alex at Rhia… sila Kyri, Joan at Jamie naman nasa ibang class na… Si Alex yung kasama ko sa team ko… si Rhia naman nasa kabilang team. ‘Mr. Mendoza, your team is on field, get ready…’ ‘Yes Ma’am...’ Tinawag ko na ang team ko… ako na nag-assign sa mga positions nila… siyempre ako yung pitcher.. si Alex yung nasa second base… at di ko na kilala yung iba kaya di ko na lang imemention. Di ko kilala yung first batter ng team nila Rhia… pero nakaapak na siya sa first base kasi natamaan ko daw yung paa niya. Amp, di naman eh, sigurado akong hindi… kaso, magaling magdrama eh, kaya yun, pati Hinayaan ko na lang, total 1st base lang naman yun eh, masyadong sisiw. Si Rhia Na…2nd pitch ko pa lang natamaan na niya… galing ah. Yung direction ng ball papuntang first base… si Alex nakatingin sa taas habang hinhintay niya yung bola… si Rhia naman tumatakbo na papuntang first base…. ang bilis ng pangyayari, pagsalo ni Alex sa bola, nakarating na din si Rhia sa first base, tapos nagkabanggaan sila, at accidentally nagkiss. accidentally nagkiss?

Rhia’s POV ‘OMG! Sorry best…’ ‘Safe!’ sigaw nung umpire. Yahooo! ‘Sorry din best.’ Ba’t parang naiilang ako? ‘Galing ah! sa lagay na yun nasafe pa? Galing mo talaga best!’ flips hair ‘Siyempre… ako pa!’ Ang totoo, parang adrenaline rush na yun… si Franco kasi yung nagpitch, nakakahiya naman siguro kung di ko natamaan, ewan, I don’t know, why would I be shy? Ano kayang naisip niya after the accidental kiss? Weird. Why would I care? I mean, why would I consider his reaction? we’re not even dating. I’m acting weird lately… I’m trying to fight this weird feeling… weird as in; me no longer mad with Franco, though minsan nga lang, kasi may times na bumabait ako sa kanya meron din namang sobrang sungit. That’s why I don’t understand what’s happening.

And the moment the lab partnering was announced, natuwa ako, natuwa ako na siya yung pair ko. Well in fact, pagsabi ni prof na iaanounce niya na, I was crossing my fingers and hoping he’s not gonna be my partner. Tssss. Napakaindecisive ko naman! Pati, yung accidental kiss with Alex, I felt something unusual, parang nailang ako, its just not right, hindi kaaya-aya, kahit isipin ko pang bestfriend at childhood friend ko siya, may something wrong talaga. I know Alex is cute, handsome, wise, kind… he’s everything, pero hanggang dun na lang yun eh.. bestfriends, no more level ups… ‘Hey! Kanina ka pa tulala jan ah!’ its Franco! ‘Really?’ di ko ata namalayan eh…. ang rami ko kasing iniisip. ‘Oo kaninang-kanina pa… by the way, congrats!’ ‘Huh? Congrats saan?’ ‘Sus! pa-humble ka pa!’ di nga… ‘Seriously, para saan?’ ‘Nanalo team niyo, pati, ikaw yung greatest scorer! Galing!’ ‘As in!?’ ‘Oo! Idol!!!’ ‘Sus! If I know naawa ka lang sa team namin kaya Hinayaan mo lang kami makascore’ Oo nga naman. naawa ka lang ata eh. Pffft. ‘Di ah! sadyang magaling ka lang talaga…’ ‘Ok, tanggapin ko na lang kahit di ganun ka realistic pakinggan’ ‘Ano bang gusto mong sabihin ko para maniwala ka?’ ‘Libre mo ako’ ‘Libre mo ako’ pfft. ginaya niya lang ako eh!!! ‘Franco naman eh!’ ‘Ok, tara, magpalit muna tayo.’ ‘Yey!!!’ Yes! Malilibre ako sa snacks! Eto! Isang magandang example… see?! Masaya at mabait ako sa kanya ngayon… I think…. ‘Game!’ ‘Sa’n ba tayo?’ ‘Ewan’ ‘Ah sige, wag na lang…’ Asar! ‘Samahan mo na lang ko sa fabric store…’ ‘Ha?! Ano namang gagawin mo dun?’ ‘I’m gonna buy some fabric for the dress I’m making’

‘Haha! Mananahi ka na pala ngayon?’ Mananahi?! ‘Che! matuto ka nga gumamit ng euphemism… I’m an aspiring fashion designer you know..’ ‘Ahhh, K.’ Yup, its my hobby, designing and sewing clothes… pagdating namin sa store… ‘Uie Rhia…. look, ang ganda ng kulay pati texture’ LOL much? meh ganun? kulay at texture? Hahaha. ‘Impressive, oo nga, maganda… magaling ka rin pala sa mga ganito.’ ‘Of course!’ he said that in a gay way… ‘Oh no! Don’t tell me?!’ Bakla siya?! ‘Lul! Di ako bakla! wag kang mag-alala, liligawan pa rin kita.’ liligawan pa rin kita, funny. ‘HAHAHA. FUNNY.’ ‘Pwede ba?’ ‘Pwedeng ano?’ pwedeng manligaw???? o_O ‘Pwede ba bilis-bilisan mo na yung pagpili gutom na ako eh’ Aw, masyado naman akong assuming. ‘Ok, which one looks better blue or red?’ ‘Blue.’ ‘Mas maganda naman yung red ah.’ ‘Di sana di ka na lang nagtanong.’ ‘Peace Franco, bilhin ko na lang pareho’ ‘Ok’ I bought it both, total it won’t rot if its not used… ‘Akin na, ako na magdadala’ ang bait. ‘Thanks..’ Paglabas ko sa store… $_$ Oh my! My favorite street food. ‘Kain tayo!’ ‘San?’ ‘Hello, ayan lang oh sa tapat natin!’ ‘Kwek-kwek?! kumakain ka nyan?’ ‘Of course yes! favourite street food ko yan eh!’ Hinahanap-hanap ko yan eh! ‘Kumakain pala si Rhia ng kwek-kwek, unbelievable’ unbelievable?! ba’t naman?! ganon na ba ako kaarte? ‘Well, believe it.’

‘Kain na tayo…’ Naubos ko na yung isang kwek-kwek si Franco kumakain pa… parang nahihirapan din ata siya kumain ah. Nakakatuwa tingnan. ‘Mukhang ikaw ata yung di kumakain niyan eh!’ ‘Di ah!’ ‘First time mo no?!’ its as if its really his first time to eat this kind of food… pretty obvious the way he uses the stick. ‘Oo na’ LOL super duper much! ‘WHAT?! Wag mo na ituloy baka magkamalfunction yung mayaman mong digestive system’ ‘Nang-asar ka pa.. at least nagtry ako.’ ‘Congrats! nakakatawa lang kasi…’ ‘Pero masarap pala ah…’ ‘Of course, may kinakain ba akong hindi masarap? hehehe’ Nakaround two na ako pero he’s not yet finished with his first kwek-kwek… cutie. Matakaw pala ako eh. hihihihi ^^ ‘Rhia..’ ‘Oh?’ ‘May dumi sa mukha mo..’ ‘Where?’ ‘ako na nga lang..’ Our eyes met, tapos pinunasan niya yung baba ng nose ko… mukha na daw kasi akong may mustache na color orange… di ko na kasi napansin s sobrang sarap ng pagkain ko. Nakakahiya naman siya pa yung nagpunas. Hinatid niya na ako sa bahay… ‘Thanks Rhia’ ‘Ha?’ ‘Sabi ko thank you…’ ‘Sus! Dapat nga ako magpasalamat sa’yo eh.’ ‘Wala yun, nag-enjoy naman ako eh, pati, salamat sa pag introduce sa kwek-kwek, masarap, sobra…’ ‘No problemo… sige pasok na ako, drive safe and take are…’ ‘Salamat ulit… yep, I will, for you…’ ‘Tsss, sige na, bye!’ I will, for you… He will? for me? How sweet. Tsss. Cut it out. Pero in fairness, nag-enjoy talaga ako, this day is one of the best ^_^ ‘Hey baby!’

‘Mommy!’ ‘You surprised me huh!’ ‘I intended to do so baby, I missed you’ ‘I missed you too mom.’ ‘Hmmm, who’s that guy?’ Fudge, nakita ni mommy. ‘Ha?’ kunwari clueless ako.. ‘The one who carried your things… and dropped you here..’ wala ng takas to.. pffft. ‘Ahhh, its Franco, my classmate and friend.’ ‘Franco?’ ‘Franco Mendoza mom’ ‘I see, are you sure? friend? or boyfriend?’ long pauseeeeeeeeeee. ‘By the way, kanina pa tumatawag si Alex… I think he needs something…’ ‘Ah sige po, shower muna ako and then I’ll call him’ Oooops, baka importante yung tinatawag ni Alex… Bilisan ko na lang yung pagshower.. pati fb chat na lang, wala ako sa mood makipag-usap kahit kanino ngayon eh… Saktong pagbukas ko ng fb… Franco Marion Mendoza tagged you in a post Ano naman kaya yung status nitong lalakeng to? Street food trip with superwoman, ngayon ko lang narealize. masarap pala ang kwek-kwek, thanks Rhia Margarette Lao Convincing na sana eh, kaso, baseball team’s new star player? liar. ni-like ko.. magcocomment na sana ako sa status niya ng marealize ko… His profile picture! It’s the both of us eating kwek-kwek on the streets. Nainggit ako! Ang cute… I’ve been longing to have a picture of me eating kwek-kwek on the streets. Hindi niya naman siguro mamasamain kung iipoprofpic ko din yung profile picture niya… So ginawa ko nga…. ginawa kong profile picture yun.. tapos nagstatus din ako. The only person who haven’t tasted kwek-kwek yet- Franco Marion Mendoza, who broke the record a while ago. LOL. Thanks Franco! Ooops, ba’t biglang naghang??? Pffft. Nakakainis. Alex Anthony: best… Rhia Margarette Lao: uie best! sensya ah wala ako kanina dito sa bahay eh.. Alex Anthony: nagtatampo na ako sa’yo ah… Rhia Margarette Lao: Ha? why would you? Alex Anthony: Masyado ka ng busy, wala ka ng time sa akin… T_T Rhia Margarette Lao: LOL best! Ano ka ba! Alex Anthony: d k man lng nag-invite.. nagkwek-kwek pala kayo ni Alex Rhia Margarette Lao: Ooops, sorry best.

And he signed out…. offline na siya. Why is he acting like this? I mean, he talks like he’s so jealous and he owns me, well in fact, he should not. Cause first, we’re just friends… best friends and second, we’ll always be friends. No more, no less. Pero, there’s this part of me that tells me I’m guilty or something… siguro nga masyado na talaga ako naging busy, pati, pag invite sa kanya, kinalimutan ko na… Am I being unfair? Shoot, nagiguilty na talaga ako… he’s been there to tolerate my innocence and countless questions… tapos eto lang igaganti ko sa kanya? Sorry best…I’ll make it up to you. Promise. Look girls, the bitch is here She maybe lucky but she actually does not deserve Franco, never. Nakakairita siya tingnan! Flirt! At nagsagutan pa sila sa fb ha, for what? para maissue? Oh please. such a bitch! Mas maganda naman ako sa kanya ah. Watch out you bitch! What a good morning greeting! At ako pa ang bitch ngayon? eh kayo nga dito yung chismis ng chismis. Insecures! I’m used to hear all of their backstabs, pati matagal na ako na immune jan, so whatever they say I’ll still be Rhia the great… Not even one of their bitchy accusations can pull me down. Masyado akong babaw pag pinatulan ko yun. ‘Hey dude!’ angels. ‘Kwek-kwek you want?’ or not. ‘Ano ba Joan, she won’t enjoy kwek-kwek kapag di si superman niya yung kasama’ pati ba naman kayo? ‘Pati ba naman kayo? God help me’ ‘Yup!’ tapos tumawa lang sila at nag appear. ‘Tama na dudes!’ ‘Ang keso niyo kasi eh, nakakainggit…’ ‘Oo nga, pati pareho kayo ng profile picture..’ ‘Ano yun, unintentional o pinagplanuhan niyo?’ ‘Neither…’ ‘In denial ka pa.’ ‘You mean, nahiya pa siya!’ ‘Oo na, para tumahimik kayo, yes I honestly admit, I enjoyed Franco’s company, pati yung profile picture… nauna siya, kaso… nainggit ako kasi I’ve been longing to have a picture of me eating kwek-kwek in the streets kaya yun, ginaya ko…’ ‘Ang dami mo namang sinabi…’ ‘Masyado kang halata dude! Defensive much?’ ‘LOL’

‘Oh, ayan na pala yung superman mo eh!’ superman ko? Whatever ‘Hey Girls!’ ‘Hi Franco!’ ‘Hi Rhia…’ di pa ako sumasagot.. ‘Rhia! Hi daw!’ still not answering…. ‘Franco, pagpasensyahan mo na muna yan, hindi pa daw siya nakakaget-over sa street food date niyo yesterday eh…’ Excuse me! ‘Planet Earth calling Rhia….’ ‘Yes?’ ‘Ayun naman pala eh…’ ‘Hi guys!’ Oh, here’s Jamie… may kakampi na ako… yes! ‘OMG! Kayo na ba?!’ or not again. ‘HA?!’ sabay kami ha, great. ‘Kalat na sa buong campus….di niyo ba alam?’ kalat na KAMI na?! ‘NO!’ ‘Is that a no for di niyo pa alam, or no na hindi pa kayo?’ ‘Either!’ ‘Sensya… masyado lang kasi akong naexcite, peace guys!’ ‘Ayan kasi… dapat kasi next time isama niyo kami sa date niyo para walang kumakalat na maling chismis…’ ‘Stupid, edi di na date yun? kasi anjan tayo… hello?! Kyri.. think… mag-isip ka, ok?’ may point si Joan. ‘Oh, here’s Alex!’ Ooops, di ko pa alam kung papano ko siya haharapin. ‘Hi Guys!’ o_O hmmm, he acts like nothing happened.. ‘Best! Franco! Kayo na daw?!’ mukhang masaya siya ah, errrr! Pati ba naman siya?! ‘NO!’ this time di na kami yung sumagot, yung trio na… Kyri-Joan-Jamie. Hay salamat. ‘Haha! ba’t di niyo sinabing may spokesperson na pala kayo?’ kahit kelan joker talaga siya. ‘Loko-loko ka talaga ‘tol!’ maayos naman yung pakikitungo nilang dalawa… pero… ewan. ‘I know right?’ ginaya niya ako dun ah! Pffft. ‘Siya nga pala…. kaya ako naparito…’ weird… pagsabi niya nun parang may tragic news na ewan… baka umaarte lang… ‘Lex? Ok ka lang?’ ‘Dude, anong nangyari?’ di lang pala ako ang nakapansin, pati din pala sila..

‘Matanda na talaga ako. huhuhu’ ang drama!!! ‘Ha?’ di pa rin namin gets… ‘??????’ ‘Kaya ako naparito para iinvite kayo sa party ko. see you!’ ‘Ahhh.’ yun lang pala eh!

CHAPTER 11
“Surprise”

Alex’s POV Masaya na ako para kay best pati kay Franco… ok na sila eh… di tulad ng dati.. away ng away, siguro kung di lang nagkaamnesia yang si Rhia, sila na siguro ni Franco ngayon. Pero, hindi eh.. umeksena yung tadhana… Sa ngayon,ang di ko lang maintindihan eh etong nararamdaman ko… masaya nga ako pero parang may mali eh… hindi siya 100% saya… siguro 80% lang… yun yung di ko maintindihan… yung 20%... lungkot. Amp! Nagseselos kaya ako? Ewan! Siguro kasi wala na masyadong panahon si best sa akin, gano’n lang ata eh… pero… hindi… may iba pa talaga… nagseselos ata ako kasi hindi na ako yung parati nyang kasama… hindi na ako yung parating nagpapangiti sa kanya… nahigitan ako…asar! ba’t ba ganito? Mahal ko na nga ba talaga si Rhia? yung more than friends na? Tsss. Hindi pwede, hindi tama. Gustuhin ko man pero hindi… maling-mali. Titiisin ko na lang, kahit masakit… basta masaya siya, masaya si best. Pati, mabuti ng di niya alam para hindi magbago yung relationship namin.. baka kasi iwasan niya pa ako. Gising Alex! Tama na yan… tsss. Maghahanda na lang ako para sa birthday ko… este, birthday namin ni best… Naku! Nakalimutan niya ata na birthday niya next week… Hmmm, ireremind ko ba sa kanya na sabay yung birthday namin o…. surprise na lang? Surprise na lang para mas masaya…. magpapatulong na lang ako sa dudes pati kay Franco. ‘Ui dudes!’ ‘Hey Alex!’ ‘Mukhang may good news ah….’ ‘Good news?’ ano na naman kayang nasa isip ng mga babaeng to? ‘So, ano na? liligawan mo na si Jamie?’ Liligawan ko na si Jamie? Lul! Tama, di ko pa yan nakukwento, hmmm, di ko nililigawan si Jamie pati di ko rin siya pinopormahan… inaasar lang talaga kaming dalawa kasi away kami ng away.. pano ba naman! sinisimulan parati nung babaeng yun eh! Asar! Nakakita tuloy ako ng katapat… Amp! ‘Ano yan? JOKE?!’ ‘Game na nga… susuportahan ka naman namin eh…’ ‘Tama na nga…. kung anu-ano na yung pinag-iisip niyo eh.’ ‘Ano na kasing kailangan mo? madali lang naman kami kausap tol eh!’ ‘Simple lang.’ ‘Simple lang pala eh… ano na?’ ‘Diba sabay kami ng birthday ni Rhia?’ ‘So?’ nakakairita naman! ‘Pati di niya yun alam…’

‘So?’ ‘Patulong ako… isurprise natin siya!’ ‘Ayos!’ ‘OMG! You’re a genius Alex!’ ‘OMG! You’re so right Jo!’ OMG! You’re so right Jo… nakakairita! ang OA talaga ng mga babae ‘Alam ko… matagal na…so ok na?’ ‘OK!’ ‘Good.. so ganito yung plano….’ ‘Wait Alex… ayan na si Rhia…’ Wrong timing naman oh! ‘Hi guys!’ umasta kami na parang walang nangyari… pero masyado ata kaming halata eh.. ‘Ui… Sali naman ako jan…. what’s the sitch?’ ‘Wala…’ ‘Alex naman eh… share niyo na…’ kitams? walag nakakalusot sa senses nitong babaeng to. ‘We’re just reminding everyone about the party at Alex’s crib…’ buti na lang magaling sa reason.com si Kyri. ‘Yup… so ilagay mo na yan sa schedule mo ok? baka kasi may nauna na sa schedule mo… busybusyhan ka pa naman.’ loko lang yun… sinisigurado ko lang na pupunta siya.. ‘Best naman! Siyempre di ko palalagpasin yan, birthday mo eh!’ ‘I’ll mark your word.’ ‘Try me!’ don’t make promises that you can’t keep best… ‘Hmmm, tama, when is my birthday?’ tapos nag grin siya… eto lang ata yung 16 years old na hindi alam yung birthday niya eh… ‘Sa..’ ‘Sa… kelan nga ba yun dudes?’ amp naman si Franco… buti nakapagsalita ako agad… nakalimutan niya siguro yung plano namin… ‘WHEN?!’ excited? ‘Secret’ Hay salamat… napakinabangan din… akala ko puro OMG lang alam sabihin ng mga babaeng to. ‘You’re so mean..’ nagtinginan kami tapos sabay namin sinabi… ‘We know right?’ nice one… ‘Fine! I’ll research alone..’ ‘Sige guys… una muna ako… may kelangan pa akong gawin eh…’ Oo, kelangan ko pang maghanda para sa party. Potek. Ang bading naman… ako? maghahanda para sa party? Sus! Pasalamat si Rhia. best childhood friend ko siya…

Rhia’s POV Dumating lang ako umalis na si Alex. Pffft, is he that mad with me? Errr. I have to make it up to him. I really do… hmmm, how? think.think.think. Perfect! ‘Dudes… Franco…’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Diba it’s Alex’s birthday next week?’ I was serious… ‘Ay hinde.. next year pa… next year…’ Goodness, lahat na sila nahawa kay Alex… masyado ng pilosopo. ‘I’m serious!’ ‘Oo, next week na… ano ba kasing iniisip mo diyan… kakasabi nga lang namin kanina diba?’ ‘Fine, fine… I need your help..’ ‘Tulong? para saan?’ ‘I want to surprise Alex!’ ‘HA?!’ What?! Weird reaction… ‘What’s wrong?’ ‘Ah-eh… dude…’ ‘Something wrong?’ ‘Ah… Rhia… kasi…’ ‘Kasi ano?’ ‘Rhia… ako hindi pwede… absent ako this week… sa birthday pa ni Alex yung balik ko…’ ‘Ako rin…’ ‘Absent ka rin?’ ‘Hindi… pero parang gano’n.. grounded kasi ako… sa birthday pa din ni Alex yung expiration date’ ‘Ikaw Franco?’ ‘Sorry Rhia…bad timing eh… uuwi si mommy… so kelangan ko umuwi ng maaga every after class’ ‘Ahh, sige…wag na lang…’ ‘Cheer up dude! Ok lang yan… you’ll have hard time to put up your surprise even if we help you…’ ‘Right… kasi, big celebration ata yung party ni Alex eh… kasi andiyan yung parents niya diba?’ ‘Aha… and kilala mo na ang de Leon… everything’s organized and grand..’ ‘May point sila Rhia… mag-aral ka na lang this week, diba exams na?’ ‘Tama… sige… thanks guys.’

I feel like the world is against me… Im trying here you know? Ba’t parang kinokontra ako? Perfect plan na sana yun eh, epic. They can’t help me… di ko naman kaya kung ako lag mag-isa…. hmmm, if only I could find somebody else… Jamie! Jamie could help me! Or not. I remember… magkaaway pala sila ni Alex… I’m gonna have hard time convincing her.. Pffft. Ang malas ko naman. FAIL. To show up in Alex’s birthday party is the least I could do. So I have to clear everything that day, no more schedule… only Alex’s party… ‘Rhia…’ ‘Oh… Ate Beth?’ ‘Tumawag yung mommy mo…’ ‘Ano po yung sabi niya?’ ‘Nasa Davao siya ngayon.. di na siya nakapagpaalam, nagmamadali eh… may emergency daw sa resort na pinapagawa niyo…’ ‘Ahhh, may iba pa po ba siyang sinabi?’ ‘Oo, sumunod ka daw dun sa 14… tapos balik ka lang daw agad pagkabukas…’ ‘HA?!’ Oh no! This isn’t happening. Pa’no ba to? Nagpromise na ako kay Alex… I’m sure he’ll be so disappointed pag di ako nakapunta… I called mom… And she said I really have to go… My photo shoot daw kasi.. and the photographer won’t have another schedule, so kelangan talaga next week na. Pag di ko naman sinipot yun, mom will get upset, iisipin nila ni dad na wala akong pakealam sa businesses namin… and I don’t want that to happen. Ah, bahala na! I’ll do everything! God help me! I’m Superwoman right? It’s time to stand up for that name. Hahabol ako sa birthday party ni Alex… lilipad ako kung kailangan. Basta wag ko lang siya madisappoint for the nth time. Hindi ko na lang muna ipapaalam kay Alex… I’ll have things go smooth as a silk. No flaws. Sino kayang pwede kong pagsabihan? Dapat fast driver… para mabilis yung travel galing airport papunta kela Alex… yung dudes kaya? enk. Mahina magdrive yun eh… FRANCO! Exactly! Kay Franco ko na lang sasabihin… September 15 2011 To: Franco Franco… nakapagcheck-in na ako… be there in 2 hours.. see you! From: Franco At the airport... I’ll wait for you. Take care Rhia.. see you. He’s a hero! Buti na lang may Franco… Thank God. He really is Superman <3 <3 <3

CHAPTER 12
“Baby Franco”

Franco’s POV

*kriiiiiiiiing* ‘Tol, kaw na bahala magsundo kay Rhia ah…’ ‘Ah..eh.. sige ‘tol, pero mukhang malalate kami ng konti… ang traffic eh.’ ‘Ok lang, basta kaw na bahala. drive safe! See you!’ Nakakapressure naman tong dalawang to… Magkabirthday nga sila… pareho ng plano eh…kaso, sa isa lang ung successful, palpak kasi yung kay Rhia eh. Paninindigan ko na ang pagkasuperman ko… superwoman needs my help now… sigurado ako, madidisappoint ng sobra yun pag di siya nakapunta sa birthday party ni alex/surprise birthday party para sa kanya. From: Superwoman Franco, nagland na yung plane… see you soooooooooon! Ang bilis ng soon niya, pagtalikod ko, kumakaway na siya. Superwoman nga. Ayan tumatakbo na.. halatang nagmamadali… panic mode si Rhia. ‘Franco, let’s go!’ ‘Hop on!’ ‘Paliparin mo to ha…’ ‘For you I will.’ anything for you… anything… ‘Fudge, sobrang traffic naman… maglakad na lang kaya tayo?’ naririnig ba niya yung sinasabi niya? ‘Rhia, chill, relax… masyado kang nagpapanic…akong bahala sa’yo’ ‘Eh kasi naman eh!’ ‘Alam ko… wag kang mag-alala makakarating tayo dun…’ tapos hinawakan ko kamay niya… amp! ang lamig. Masyado talaga siyang nagpapanic. Pero, paghaway ko, biglang uminit. ‘Thanks Franco…’ ‘Thanks superman…’ Tama ba narinig ko? Tinawag ako ni superwoman bilang SUPERMAN? Hanep! Sa pagkaka-alala ko huli niyang sinabi yan nung graduation namin. Nung di pa siya naaksidente. Tinext ko na sila Alex… para aware sila… ‘Anything for you Rhia…’ ‘Anything for superwoman…’ Kahit ano, gagawin ko, kahit kanyon, haharapin ko para sa kanya, gano’n ko siya kamahal.

‘Here we are’ ‘Oh my! That was fast superman! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!’ ‘Oo na… mauna ka na…’ Nauna na nga siya… ‘Sabay na tayo!’ naks… ang bait. hinintay niya ako kaht nagmamadali siya.. ‘Ang bilis mo magdrive pero ang bagal mo kumilos..’ Hinila niya ako, hinawakan niya kamay ko… pumasok na kami…parang superman and superwoman to the rescue. Ayos! tamang-tama timing nila… wala na sila lahat sa venue… yun kasi yung plano… palabasin na tapos na ang party. ‘Tama ba yung napuntahan natin?’ ooops. ‘No, this isn’t happening, is the party over?’ lagot, umiiyak na siya… ang tagal naman nilang lumabas!. ‘SURPRISE!’ hay salamat.

Rhia’s POV ‘SURPRISE!’ ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHIA!’ Birthday ko?! Really?! Wow! ‘Happy birthday superwoman’ greeted Franco with a bouquet of red rose. Sweet. ‘Happy birthday dude!’ sabay ako kiniss nila Kyri at Joan sa cheeks, left and right. cute! ‘Happy birthday Rhia!’ its Jamie-my forever sweet friend. and here comes my best in acting bestfriend… ‘Happy birthday best!’ naiyak na ako. Crap. ‘Ang OA mo talaga!’ ‘Pano ba naman kasi… akala ko birthday mo… muntik na akong mamatay sa kakamadali, eh birthday ko lang pala!’ ‘Blahblahblah. Para malaman mo… birthday NATIN’ sabay kami ng birthday? ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHIA and ALEX!’ Amazing. sabay kaming pinanganak? hahaha, kaya pala. ‘Hi honey..’ hmm, sino to? ‘Happy Birthday, enjoy the party… ang laki niyo na talaga ni Alex… parang kalian lang, suot-suot niyo pa yung babysuits niyo…. good to see you, we missed you.’ ‘?????’ I was like, who are you? ‘Go ahead… kumain ka na..’ ‘Its my mom best… your mom’s bestfriend…’ ‘Ahhh’ Kaya naman pala familiar eh. Loser Rhia.

How sweet of Alex. Halatang pinaghandaan talaga ang party. Everything is so organized, like what my dudes told me. Now I know why they all declined my offer… nauna pala si Alex. I lost. Fail. Pero it’s ok… ang importante nakarating ako dito, at di ko nadisappoint si mommy at Alex, and everyone who made this party extraordinary. Hmm, I think I awe someone a lot. I mean. a LOT. Bui na lang my superhero ako… buti na lang may Franco. The moment he held my hands in the car… its déjà vu. I feel like I’ve felt it before… Here goes the feeling again… yung assurance na I will always be protected and guarded pag siya yung kasama ko. ‘Best, kain na….’ bat di sa akin nakatingin si Alex? Pffft. ‘Ui, I’m over here.’ ‘Ay, sensya! Akala ko kasi, ikaw to’ fudge. tinuro niya yung bamboo. ‘Best naman eh!’ ‘pa’no ba naman kasi… tingnan mo nga yang sarili mo, ang payat-payat mo…’ ‘Whatever..’ ‘Tingnan mo oh, magkamukha kayo… ang hirap idifferentiate…’ really?! Baket? my mata, ilong pati nagsasalita ba yung bamboo? Idiot. ‘Stop it best… its our birthday, tigilan mo muna ako sa lahat ng pangungulit mo…. ok? birthday gift mo na lang yan…’ ‘Opo madam’ Here he goes again. Kelan kaya siya magbabago? This day is a highway. Ang bilis ng mga pangyayari. Little did I know it will lead me to this super stopover. Sobrang saya, its as if, I don’t want to end it, I want to live this day forever. Ganon kasaya… ‘Best… may ibibigay ako sa’yo’ ano kaya yun? trip to Europe?! I wish! ‘Ui, andito pala kayo… Happy Birthday ulit!’ its Franco… ‘Alex, nagustuhan mo ba yung binigay ko sa’yo?’ buti pa si Alex. Pffft. ‘Oo ‘tol, salamat ah!’ that was a big thanks…. ano kaya yung binigay ni Franco? House and Lot? LOL. ‘Buti pa si Alex may gift… unfair! pareho naman kami may birthday ah…’ I was acting, sinusubukan ko lang sila… malay natin mapressure… tapos biglang maglabas ng gift? ‘Pwede ba yun? eto nga pala…. Happy Birthday Superwoman.’ See?! Effective! ‘Oh my! Thanks superman! What is this?’ ‘Ano ka x-ray machine? Ba’t di mo kaya buksan para makita mo no?’ Funny Alex, funny. Pero, may point siya…. why don’t I open it… ‘Go ahead Rhia… open it…’ ‘OMG! Thanks Franco! Thank you sooooooooo much!’ Guess what? Its my dream dslr camera… ipapabili ko sana to eh… naunahan niya ako! Nikon d90. Wow! Awesome!!! ‘Nagustuhan mo ba?’ ‘Of course yes! Thanks ulit! Thanks A LOT!’ tapos hinug ko siya. Di ko na nakontrol… ang saya ko kasi eh.

‘Best, ano na ulit yung sinabi mo?’ baka yung kay Alex trip to Europe! ‘Guys, later na your private talks ok? let’s party!’ Ooops, bitin again… dumating si Jamie eh… ‘Oo nga… tara na superheroes…’ again… he’s acting like nothing happened. I think I’m lost or something. This place is just like any other bar in town, much better than the existing ones. Ang galing… pwede na pala maging event organizer si Alex eh. Everyone was enjoying…. enjoying their drinks… enjoys singing and dancing. Cool. ‘Rhia…. kanta ka naman…. birthday gift mo na lang sa akin….’ ‘Oh sure! yun lang pala eh…’ ‘Any requests?’ sus, sisiw…. ‘Anything, basta wag lang yung mutya song mo. yung SANA’ PAG IBIG NA LANG ANG ISIPIN NG BAWAT ISA SA MUNDO’ he’s mocking me again! that was a bit of humiliation… he said that in front of the crowd. Crap. ‘Ok…’ ‘Perfect two!’ ‘Eh? Ang bading naman niyan…’ ‘Sabi mo anything eh… just listen to the song ok? the lyrics is perfect for us’ tapos nag wink na ako sa kanya… and everyone clapped their hands as the music started. ‘You’re the peanut butter to my jelly…. you’re the straw to my berry…’ ‘Magaling ka nga pala talaga kumanta best! tingnan mo oh…. lumakas bigla ang hangin… ayun! kumidlat na!’ ‘HAHAHAHAH!’ tumawa sila lahat. nice joke. nice joke. ‘Loko lang. Thanks best…. naapreciate ko… sobra, salamat!’ and he hugged me. Hay salamat. ‘Oh Franco! ikaw naman… sing a song for Rhia….’ ‘Yehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!’ ‘Go Franco, Go Franco!’ Tumayo na siya…. napressure ata eh. Bwahaha! Hmmm…. familiar yung tune… OMG! ‘Swaying room as the music starts, strangers making the most of the dark, two by two their bodies become one… I see you through that smoky air, can’t you feel the weight of my stare, you’re so close but still a world away, what Im dying to say, is that, I’m crazy for you…’ you’re so close but still a world away, what Im dying to say, is that, I’m crazy for you, His look is mesmerizing… He looked at me when he sang that line…I feel like flying with him. Lahat kinikilig. Including me. He possess such good voice…tantalizing looks… wow. I think… I’m falling for him. ‘Huy!’ ‘Best! Dahan-dahan lang… kung makatingin ka kay superman mo…. para siyang natutunaw eh’ ‘Tingnan mo to… nakantahan lang ng crazy for you, nawalan na ng boses…di na nakakapagsalita…baket? ikaw ba yung kumanta? ha? Huy!’ ‘Oh?’

‘Wala, sabi ko Happy birthday! ‘Ahhh.’ ‘Let’s drink!’ Nag-inuman na kami…. naka 4 shots na ako, cognac, yum! It’s super masarap. Pero di pa rin ako tinatablan… I wonder if I’m used to drinking before I had the accident. I was enjoying my drink... until someone, stopped me from doing so… Errr! Its… Franco.. ‘Tama na Rhia…’ ‘Why?’ Ooops, I think I’m drunk. my bad! ^^ ‘Allergic ka sa alcoholic drinks...’ ‘So?’ ‘It’s not good for you!’ is superman mad? diba superheroes don’t get mad? I mean, nagagalit lang sila sa villains not to someone like me… I’m… I’m… I’m her superwoman. ‘Ako na bahala sa kanya Franco… dalhin ko muna siya sa guest room....’ ‘Sige ‘tol’

Alex’s POV Matalino nga, careless naman. Maswerte si Rhia kami-kami lang yung kasama niya, dahil kung hindi siguro natripan na ‘to. Di kasi nag-iisip eh. Lasing na lasing na siya… nakatulog na nga oh… Ang gaan talaga niya. Di ko rin maintindihan kasi ang takaw-takaw! niya naman kumain pero yung kinakain niya… ewan kung san napupunta. Nilapag ko na siya sa bed… iwan ko muna… marami pa akong dapat ientertain na bisita. ‘Don’t leave me Franco…’ Tssss… nahypnotize ata to ng boses ni Franco eh…. puro Franco na lang yung nababanggit. Haaaay. ‘Best….’ ayun… mabuti naman. ‘Mahal ko na ata siya eh…’ sinong siya??? ‘Mahal ko na si superman…’ Sabi ko na nga ba…. mahal na niya talaga si superman niya… Sinamahan ko muna si Rhia… Napaisip ako… pagsabi niyang… Mahal ko na si superman. Parang may sumuntok sa akin sa dibdib… nasaktan ako. Oo.. tagos to the bones, parang sinampal ako ng hindi sinasadya. ‘Come in’ ‘tol, nagsiuwian na yung mga tao… ako na maghahatid kay Rhia…’ ‘Ahh sige…. ingatan mo ha’ ‘Siyempre naman… sige una na kami… happy birthday ulit!’ ‘Ingat, salamat ulit’

Kinarga na niya si Rhia. Kung kanina pakiramdam ko sinampal ako ng di sinasadya… ngayon naman, pakiramdam ko binugbog ako ng walang kalaban-laban. Ang sakit. Amp naman. Di ko na napigilan eh, bumigay na, nahulog na ako sa bestfriend ko. Alam ko namang mali. Maling-mali, pero eto na to eh. Di ko naman to ginusto… kung pwede lang kontorolin edi sana sinabi kong NO. Pero wala talaga eh…ang maihirap pa dito, di ko mailabas, di ko maipakita, kelangang sikreto, kasi pag nalaman ‘to nila, siguradong iisipin nilang masama ako. Sa kadami-daming babaeng nagpapacute sa akin, bakit wala akong napili? Bakit si Rhia pa? si rhia na bestfriend ko. Ang hirap nitong sitwasyon ko. Di naman ako pwede umiwas, kasi pag ginawa ko yun, magtataka silang lahat, baka mapansin pa nila. Pero pag di ako umiwas magiging masokista naman ako. Sinasaktan ko lang yung sarili ko, nasasaktan nila ako ng di nila alam, di ko naman sila masisisi, kasi wala naman silang alam sa tunay kong nararamdaman. Bahala na… magpapanggap na lang ako na parang walang nararamdaman, manhid na kung manhid. Sayang naman yung gift ko kay Rhia… niresearch ko pa naman, 1 buwan ko din pinag-isipan kung anong magandang model ng dslr camera, amp! minalas na naman ako. Naunahan ako ni Franco eh. Tssss, di siguro meant to be. Ewan, pinagkakait nga talaga ako ni tadhana ng happiness. OMG! Thanks Franco! Thank you sooooooooo much! Kung ako kaya ang naunang magbigay ng gift… ano kaya sasabihin ni Rhia? Gano’n din kaya yung reaction niya? Gano’n din kaya siya kasaya? Haaaay. Malas. Isang linggo na ang nagdaan simula nong sinabi ni best na mahal na niya si Franco, isang linggo na rin ako umiiwas kela Rhia… hindi naman ata nila napapansin kasi di an lang sila tumatawag o nagmemessage man lang. Ok na sana na masaya silang dalawa magkasama kaso.. yung masakit dun, eh parang kinalimutan nila ako. Lately, si Jamie na yung dikit ng dikit sa’kin… ewan ko nga kung bakit bumait yun. Di naman siya nakakatulong sa pasan ko, pero at least siya, nakikinig. You would never expect someone like her to help me in this situation. Siya na ata yung huling taong pwede makatulong sa akin… pero.. tingnan mo, mali ako. Napapadalas na yung pagtambay ko sa bar… alam din ni Jamie yan… Since Saturday ngayon… sinamahan niya ako… ‘Lex… dahan-dahan lang sa pag inom, di kita kaya buhatin… tandaan mo yan.’ ‘Opo ma’am, cheers…’ ‘Cheers.’ Nakakailang bote na ako, si Jamie isa pa lang. Weak. Di pa din niya nauubos. Akala mo astig eh! di naman pala. ‘Kahit kelan, talunan talaga ako eh.’ ‘Ha?’ ‘Lahat ng nililigawan ko binabasted ako, eh ang gwapo ko naman, diba Jamie? diba gwapo ako?’ ‘Oo.’ Kitams

‘Pero bakit ganon?’ ‘Siguro kasi…’ ‘Ngayon naman di pa ako nababasted, pero siguradong dun din papunta yun, wrong girl eh, bestfriend ko…’ ‘Lex… tama na..’ ‘Alam mo ang sakit eh, kahit ganito ako? mapagbiro at lahat na, pero sa likod ng mukhang to, isang talunan sa pag-ibig.’ ‘Ang drama na no? Masochist to eh… alam kong masakit na pero hinahayaan ko lang… basta ba’t nakikita kong masaya yung bestfriend ko, ayos lang!’ ‘Pero bakit gano’n? Ako na nga yung nagsasakripisyo pero, parang wala pa rin, parang hindi nila nakikita…. ano? kulang pa ba? kulang pa ba?!’ ‘Ako na yung nagparaya pero sa huli ako pa rin yung talo’ ‘Lintek na buhay naman oh!’ ‘Ilabas mo lang Alex… nakikinig lang ako..’ ‘Buti ka pa nakikinig, salamat sa pagtiyatiyaga ah… sana ikaw na lang si Rhia’ ‘Wala yun…’ ‘Sana ikaw na lang yung minahal ko….’ Rhia? tapos hinalikan ko siya….

Jamie’s POV I can’t believe I let this guy kiss me… siguro dahil naawa ako sa kanya…. Sino ba naman ang hindi? Tssss. Who would ever think that the Alex who always fool around and make himself look like a clown to make everyone laugh is also the Alex who pities himself and declares himself a LOSER. Pretty ironic. Naiintindihan ko naman yung sitwasyon niya eh.. I’ve been there before, but mine is better, kasi high school pa ako no’n. Naaawa lang talaga ako sa kanya, feeling ko nakikita ko yung saril ko sa kanya 2 years ago. Rhia is really lucky, I mean so much luckier than she thinks she is. Maswerte siya dahil si Alex ang naging bestfriend niya… isang Alex ang naging bestfriend niya. Di ko rin naman masisisi si Rhia kasi wala siyang alam sa totoong nararamdaman ni Alex, ang sa akin lang, sana siya yung nasa posisyon ko ngayon… siya dapat yung nakikinig kay Alex, kasi sila yung magbestfriends… Nung, nag-aadjust naman siya, si Alex naman yung parati nyang katuwang ah, pero bakit ngayon, parang iniwan niya si Alex sa ere? She’s super lucky. Pinag-aagawan siya ng dalawang hunky… hunkies as in Franco and Alex. I hope she realizes it before its too late, before Alex gives up. I want to see Rhia and tell her how lucky she is…. I don’t intend to tell everything to her, but I want to make her realize what she needs to do. ‘Rhia…’ ‘Hey Jamie! I missed you! Have you seen Alex?’

Mabuti at hinanap niya si Alex and how come she won’t miss me eh halos di na sila mapaghiwalay ni Franco. Tssss. ‘Si Alex? Wala siya ngayon eh….’ oo nga, wala siya… di ko pa nakikita eh. ‘Ahhh, alam mo ba kung nasan siya?’ ‘Why don’t you text him or call him or…. visit him?’ ‘Right… sige, after class, punta ako sa kanila… want to come?’ ‘Never mind… I know ikaw lang ang gusto niyang makita sa ngayon..’ ‘Rhia, may sasabihin ako…’ ‘Sure.. what is it?’ ‘Alex needs you now… magbestfriends kayo diba? show him that you treat him that way too, parang masyado kasing unfair eh… make him realiz he’s special to you… act like you’re a true friend asap, kumilos ka na bago mawala yung kaibigan mo…’ ‘Ha? I don’t understand…’ ‘Think Rhia.’

Rhia’s POV Weird. What’s happening? Masyado na ata akong clueless. Jamie talks like she’s mad at me… that was the other side of her, that wasn’t sweet, that was scary. Napansin ko nga na medyo di ko na nakikita si best after our birthday, I’m trying to text Alex… call… pero kahit isa walang sagot. May nagawa ba ako sa kanya? The last thing I could remember is… I got drunk in our party…. yun lang. I mean it, siguro unfair ako kasi di ko mahigitan yung nagawa ni Alex sa akin, I admit. I’ve been too insensitive… na pati si best, nakalimutan ko. But this doesn’t do anything with Franco… I wasn’t with him the whole time… medyo na busy din ako sa mga ginagawa kung dresses… Puntahan ko na lang si Alex… ‘Best are you there?’ I knocked at his room’s door. ‘Wala si Alex dito, wala.’ Pfft. ‘Pasok na ako ah…’ ‘Ay hindi, lumabas ka, lumabas…’ ‘Best naman eh!’ I jumped into his bed… and he’s under his black comforter. His room is so gloomy ‘What?’ ‘How are you?! I missed you… ba’t di mo ba sinasagot yung mga texts ko?’ ‘Lowbat ako eh…’ ‘Bakit? Nawala ba yung charger mo para di ka makapagcharge for a week?’ ‘Tsss. Ano ng kailangan mo?’ ‘Eto naman, binibisita lang kita, akala ko kasi ano ng nangyari sa’yo’

‘Ahhh. K.’ ‘Ano na nga bang nangyayari sa’yo…. you smell like you don’t enter the comfort room’ ‘Nagseself-meditate kasi ako, its good for the heart daw eh…’ ‘Sinong niloloko mo? Bakit? May sakit ka ba sa puso?’ ‘Oo!’ ‘Ha?! You mean you’re dying?!’ siguro eto na yung ibig sabihin ni Jamie. NO! ‘OA, tigil mo nga muna yan… sumasakit puso ko sa ginagawa mo eh…’ ‘Why?! What am I doing?’ ‘Tanga, ayan oh, pinapatungan mo yung katawan ko…. nahihirapan akong huminga.’ ‘Sus! Yung lang pala eh.’ Goodness. Akala ko kung ano na. Bigla siyang lumabas sa comforter niya tapos hinug niya ako… ‘I missed you best!’ Ang higpit ng yakap niya grabeeeeeee. ‘Ikaw ang OA.’ ‘Oo na OA na kung OA, pero mas OA ka pa rin.’ ‘I missed you too.’ oo, namiss ko nga siya… sobra… ‘Kitams!’ ‘Che, hands off na nga, ang bantot mo na! Ew!’ ‘Paliguan mo ako…’ ‘Ano ka aso? at ako ang amo mo?’ ‘Pwede..’ ‘No way!’

CHAPTER 13
“False Alarm”

Rhia’s POV 3 weeks after our birthday… everything’s back to normal. Alex is back to his funny costume and Jamie is back to her sweetness. Yepeeee! Few weeks more and one semester is over…. meaning? vacation! yey! Toxic lahat ng tao ngayon… ang rami kasing requirements na dapat icomply. Wew. Fighting!!! ‘Rhia… let’s meet after class ah…. para matapos na nating yung lab class project natin..’ ‘Sure! See yah!’ It took me a few months to be good to Franco… after all I realized he’s not that bad as I always expect him to be… sorry for all the accusations… yun kasi yung mga napapanaginipan ko eh. Oh well, guess its really true… what you dream is the opposite of what will happen when you wake up. Nagkita kami ni Franco sa lab…. hmmm, we’re not yet done, pero malapit na. Masyado lang kasi kaming ipit sa time kaya medyo nadelay yung expected date namin to finish the project. ‘Rhia… diba magaling ka sa English?’ so random… ‘Sort of yes’ ‘Translate mo nga…’ ‘Game…’ ‘Dapat in 5 seconds na translate mo na ha… kung hindi ililibre mo ako… deal?’ ‘Deal!’ I’m confident. LOL. ‘Nasa lab ka kasama ako… go! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! enkkkkk!’ ‘Eff’ asar! nataranta ako sa countdown niya ah! ‘Ha! you lose! yes! libre yung snacks ko ngayon!’ sus… ang kuripot! >_< ‘Translate mo nga…’ ‘You’re in lab with me’ ahh, pero ang keso! ‘Di kaya!’ ‘Uieeee, guilty…’ NO WAY? YES WAY! NO WAY! ‘I mean… mali… dapat.. You’re in THE lab with me!’ Nice one rhia… thanks reason.com ‘Sus! Naghanap ka pa ng lusot… eh parang ganun din yun eh!’ ‘Fine! tama na nga yan… focus muna tayo sa project… matatapos talaga tayo nito eh!’ You’re in lab with me, almost pero di pa totally. I’m strong enough to fall for you that easily honey :P He never failed to make me smile kahit sabihin pa nating korny yung joke niya. Basta, pag galing kay Franco, nakakatawa na. ewan ko kung bakit.

‘Superwoman… yung deal natin!’ ang galing niya…. di niya nakalimutan ah… kala ko makakalusot na ako. ‘Fine! where do you want to eat?’ ‘Ice cream parlor’ ‘Ahh, bigyan na lang kita ng pera, tapos mag ice cream ka mag-isa…’ eff. I hate ice cream. ‘Wag na nga lang!’ ‘Good’ Good! ‘Alam ko na!’ pagsabi niya nun parang may lumabas na light bulb sa ulo niya ah. ‘Where?’ ‘Streets!’ Seriously? Franco Marion Mendoza? magpapalibre sa streets? For real?! ‘For real?’ ‘Yup! Gusto ko magkwek-kwek’ ‘Ok!’ super ok, kwek-kwek lang pala eh. hay salamat makakamura ako, akala ko san niya gusto magpalibre… sus, sa tabi lang pala ng kalsada. Thank God. ‘Superwoman… may deal ulit ako…’ ‘What?’ this time I have to make sure na mananalo ako… ‘Paramihan tayo ng makakain na kwek-kwek…’ ‘Then?’ ‘Tapos pagnatalo ka.. yung primary picture mo…’ ‘What?’ ‘Picture ko na kumakain ng kwek-kwek, tapos yung sa’kin naman picture mo na kumakain ng kwekkwek’ Yun lang pala eh. chicken. ‘Pa’no pag ikaw yung natalo?’ ‘Ikaw bahala….’ ako bahala? hmmmm. ‘Libre mo ako ng snacks for the whole 2nd semester.’ ‘Suuuuuure!’ Aba, confident din siya ah! well, let’s see.. After 20 minutes… naka 6 na ako… si Franco…. 10. What?! 10!? No!!! Does that mean I lost again? for the second time this day? Errr! Unacceptable. No, this ain’t happening… hahabol ako. After 10 minutes…. naka 8 na ako… si Franco 14. Tssss. talo na talaga… di ko na kaya eh… ang sakit na ng tiyan ko… its like I don’t want to see another kwek-kwek in my life… or else… I’ll puke. EW. ‘Give up…’ ‘And the winner is ME!’ good for you. Asar! ‘Ok ka lang?’

‘NO!’ ‘No kasi your full? or NO kasi di mo matanggap na nanalo ako?’ ang yabang! ‘BOTH!’ ‘Peace Superwoman… gutom kasi si superman eh…’ How was his expensive-sensitive digestive system able to tolerate that number of kwek-kwek? Ano yun? prinaktis niya? Noon lang, ang bagal niyang kumain ah… tapos mali pa yung paghawak ng stick.. ngayon, tinalo ako?! Unbelievable. ‘Well believe it’ Unbelivable again. so mindreader na siya ngayon? Weird guy. ‘Oie, heroes keep their promises… wag mo kalimutan yung deal ah!’ ‘I KNOW!’ ‘Bye!’ Fudge. I lost. not only once but twice… twice in a day? Asar! over that kwek-kwek challenge? I can’t believe my favourite street food ditched me on purpose. But at least I enjoyed the challenge with that darkhorse. Errr. I keep my promises. So I’ll do as he told me to. Crap. And I’ll expect everyone to talk over me like I’m the best slut in town tomorrow. Whatev er. Naglo-in lang ako to change my profile picture. Ang bilis din ni Franco ha… naupload na niya yung pictures at! nakatag na… at! nachange na din niya yung sa kanya. I did not bother to look at it kasi I’m 110% sure na nagflood na yung comments. Naglog-out na ako… nagshower, tapos nagstudy. ^^ While I was studying… I can’t help but feel disturbed… eff. my phone keeps on ringing. I come to check it. and in my surprise…. 43 messages?! in 30 minutes? Ano to? wartext? Pagbukas ko sa isa… its Kyri… unknown numbersssss…. unknown numbersss. familiar but unregistered numbessss. joan…alex So hindi wartext. edi ano?! From: Kyri Dude! OMG! Its superb cute, sweet, amazing, brilliant, one of a kind, super impeccable! Sabihin mo na! ok lang naman kahit hindi ako yung unang nakaalam, so…. KAYO NA?! ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. From: unknown number You’re so lucky….. bitch! ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. From: Alex Ui best! dalaga ka na… congrats! naunahan mo pa ako ah. Ingat ha.

And the rest? its so cliché! pare-pareho ng thought. To sum it all up, they all think na kami na ni Franco…. where they get the thought? sa primary pictures namin.

Idiots! News travels like a wind. Unfortunately, it isn’t a good one… it’s the wrong one. Stupid. Ang kitid ng mga utak nila ha… ganon na ba yun? pagprimary picture mo yung hindi ikaw, ibig sabihin kayo na? Gosh! Rumors are everywhere. Good luck bukas Rhia. *kriiiiiiiiiiiing* ‘Superwoman’ ‘Yes?’ ‘Have you heard the rumors?’ ‘Yup..so what shall we do? ‘Totohanin natin, ano? payag ka?’ hmmm, thinking…. NO! ‘Loko! mag-isa ka’ ‘Loko lang din, ano na ngang gagawin natin?’ ‘Ewan, as long as I know its not true, then its ok with me…’ ‘pati, pag gumawa tayo ng isang move… mas iisipin nila na gano’n, edi guilty tayo.’ ‘Ahhh, talino mo talaga…’ ‘Pshhh, sige na, mag-aral muna tayo… bye!’ ‘See you.’ If I’m not wrong… siguro he called to check if Im so pissed. Since then kasi, he’ve been sensitive to my reactions, akala niya siguro magagalit na naman ako sa kanya dahil he caused me this rumor to spread like mushrooms. Ok, this is it… papasok na ako sa school. God help me. From: Superman Rhia, sabay na tayo… hintayin kita sa gate… alam ko marami kang bitbit… To: Superman See you. How’d he know? Before, he was the great stalker ngayon naman nagtransform… naging mind reader na. I’m suppose to say NO, pero he’s right… I have bunch of stuffs with me and I can’t carry it all at once. Haaay, sarap pala pag may personal hero ka. ^_^ Franco opened the door for me… pagpasok namin sa room. ‘Hey guys! Andito na ang bagong kasal!!!’ Aleexxxxxxxx! ‘Best wishes’ tapos they showered us confetti. WTH?! ‘Congrats!’ Goodness. Sana nananaginip lang ako… pero hindi eh. Pffft. Sinalubong ako ni Jamie… ‘Jamie, ok na ang backdrop… napolish na ba ang performances?’

‘OMG! Why didn’t you tell me?! Kayo na?!’ I knew she would say this. >_< ‘NO.’ ‘Eh? But that’s what they all say..’ ‘Ikaw na mismo nagsabi… THEY… not ME or even FRANCO….’ ‘Ooops, you look so serious… so hindi nga totoo.’ ‘Yup, so please…. erase that in mind… lets focus on the show… we have to kick some ass later.’ ‘Ok! I’ll tell them about that.’ About what? To kick some ass for later’s show or tell them the rumors aren’t true? Either of the two. ‘Guys! May I have your attention please…’ The class really obeys the moment Jamie talks. Good. ‘As you know, mamaya na yung show natin… and I believe we have everything set… costumes?’ ‘Ready’ ‘Performances?’ ‘Ready’ ‘Backdrop?’ ‘Ready’ Of course ready… ako gumawa eh ^^ ‘Music?’ ‘Ready’ ‘Perfect… all we have to do now is relax… and later let’s kick some ass!’ ‘YEEEEEEES!’ ‘And! by the way… for the information of everyone…. the rumors are so wrong..’ Nice. Pagsabi niyang ganon everyone mumbled. ‘Superman and Superwoman are not together… ok?’ ‘Ahhh.’ Hay salamat! This day won’t be that toxic… kasi… the whole day is intended for our preparation for later’s show. Workaholic yung mga tao dito eh…. sabing magrelax… pero nagpapraktis pa rin. Practice here, practice there… the whole morning, everyone was practicing…. nagbreak lang for lunch and then practice ulit pagkaafternoon… but suddenly… ‘Guys, bad news…’ ‘WHAT?!’ panic mode… ‘We can’t have our practice this afternoon…’ ‘WHY?!’ Asar! pa’no na yung backdrop? as if isang dikitan lang tapos na yun… masyado pa namang detailed yun… errrr. ‘Nagbago yung isip ni prof… may ipapanood daw kasing video sa atin…. sa Filipino class…’

murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. ‘Guys… chill, its ok.. total na polish na naman natin eh… pati ready na lahat… yung backdrop na lang… yung dapat i-fix… I’m sure kaya na ni Rhia yun…’ Really????? kaya ko? alone? Fine! I’ll sneak out during the film. Errrr. bibili na lang ako ng dvd ng kung ano man ang ipapanood sa amin.. Pagdating sa avr… KILLING FIELDS? killing fields yung papanoorin? Pffft. Boring. And I’ve seen it when I was in 2nd year… easy… lumabas na ako ng di nagpapahalata… hindi ko na lang din sinabi sa kanila na sisimulan ko na kasi baka lahat na lumabas… I’d rather be alone, I can finish it, kahit medyo slow yung work… Pagdating ko sa stage… effS. Its high… ngayon ko lang narealize… therefore I need to use the ladder, alone. Fine. No choice eh. I started attaching the pieces that goes on top…. so basically I was in the ladder… Scary but fun. But honestly, I was having hard time… ikaw kaya… mag-isa lang ako… tapos walang tagagupit ng scotch tape… lahat ng trabaho sa akin. Haaaaaay. ‘Go Rhia, kaya mo yan…. you’re superwoman… go you can do it…. matatapos mo rin yan…’ ‘Rhi… kelangan mo ng tulong?’ OH MY! Its my hero… Its Franco. Wow. kinilig ako dun ah. pero… how… ‘Di… ok lang…’ ok lang naman talaga eh, ok na lang. ‘Sige samahan na lang muna kita…’ Sweet. ‘Ba’t ka ba andito?’ ‘Eh, ikaw nga andito eh….’ Yah right… ‘Pshhh…bumalik ka na kaya dun…’ hmmm, pagsabi ko nun… I was already having hard time reaching the uppermost part of the stage, masyado ng malayo… but I really tried… and then… ‘Shoooooooot!’ Nahulog ako…. nahulog ako sa angel ko…. kay superman. Thank God! ‘Oh my! Thanks Franco….’ ‘So ngayon… sasabihin mo pang di mo kelangan ng tulong?’ Oo na! ‘Hmmm, no. Thanks…a lot. You saved me on purpose.’ ‘Si superman ata to!’ He’s an angel… and I’m the devil? LOL. Wait. I feel something familiar? Déjà vu? Franco’s POV Kahit kelan talaga masyadong nagpapakasuper ‘tong babaeng to. Masyadong independent. Una, siya lang gumawa ng backdrop… ngayon na naman siya lang ang nagpapadikit. Impressive. Buti na lang at andito ako…. ano na kayang nangyari sa kanya kung wala ako…. edi siguro naamnesia na naman yun?

Teka…. pangalawang beses na to ah…. etong ganito… yung nag-offer ako ng tulong sa kanya. Naalala ko nung birthday ko… variety show nila yun eh… *Flashback* Nasa labas lang ako ng auditorium…. ang panget naman kasi ng pinapanood ng buong 4th year… papanoorin ba naman kami ng A walk to remember? Ang bading… sa English class namin yun eh… month of February daw kasi… kaya dapat manood ng love story. Nasa labas lang talaga ako…. nagtetext… nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng nagreet sa akin. Birthday ko kasi. Tapos… bigla kong nakita si Rhia… dala-dala yung mga gamit na binitbit ko kaninang umaga nung nagkita kami… Nong una…. tinitingnan ko lang siya magdikit…. kasi naman mukhang kaya niya lang mag-isa… pero nung medyo tumagal na… parang nahihirapan na siya… kaya nilapitan ko na. ‘Rhia… kelangan mo ng tulong?’ Teka. naririnig niya ba ako? parang di sumasagot ah… ‘Ha? ah eh…’ yes or no lang naman eh… nakuha mo ngang manalo sa extemporaneous speaking contest tapos simpleng tanong di mo masagot. ‘Ahhh, okey lang ako….’ weh? ‘Ah… sige dito na lang din muna ako….’ ‘Bakit ka nga pala andito?’ ‘Ikaw nga rin eh, andito….’ tumawa lang siya… ‘Ui! tama… HAPPY BIRTHDAY!’ ‘Salamat…’ Nice. Kompleto na birthday ko… binati niya na kasi ako. Natapos na siya… nakaya niya nga… galing! At…. di mo maipagkakait na maganda talaga yung backdrop nila…. kahit kelan maganda naman talaga eh… kasi siya yung gumagawa. ‘Sige Franco… una muna ako…’ ‘Sige…’ ‘Ikaw… di ka ba papasok?’ ‘Ayoko… ang bading ng movie eh…’ ‘Ahhh, sige…. happy birthday ulit!’ Pumasok na siya sa auditorium…. sige ba papasok ako…. kung! ikaw yung katabi ko manood. Loko lang… pero, totoo. *end of flashback* Haaaay, siguro kung di nagkaamnesia si Rhia, naaalala niya rin yun… Natapos na ang show. Masaya lahat kasi maganda yung output. ‘Angels do exist.’ Status ni Rhia. Natamaan ako dun ah! HAHAHA.

Binuksan ko din yung e-mail ko. As usual… e-mails na naman ni Chuckie doll yung nadatnan ko. TO: Franco_marion15 FROM: nika_nishima Frankie! I can’t wait to see you. I’m so excited. I hope you are to. I miss you sooooo much. See you sooooo soon! I can’t wait to see you. Im so excited. Anong ibig sabihin niya? Lintek. Don’t tell me pupuntahan niya ako dito? Sana sinabi niya kung gano’n para malaman ko at makaalis ako dito. Tapos babalik lang ako pag-umuwi na siya sa Japan. Lintek na. Kapal niya din ah, I hope you are to? Mag-isa ka! As usual, di na naman ako nagreply. Sana lang wala ako dito pag bumwisita siya. Ampf! Ilang weeks na lang at matatapos na yung isang sem. Kaya busy lahat ng tao, pati maiinit din yung ulo. Pero halata sa mga mukha nila na…. excited na sila sa break… ‘I’m sure everyone’s excited to finish this semester….’ ‘Sobra Prof.’ ‘I’m sorry to cut your excitement…’ kill joy na bakla! ‘HA?!’ oh… ayan, nagreact na lahat… ‘I still have to give you the last project for this sem’ ‘But prof….’ ‘Kayo na lang magprofessor, gusto niyo?!’ nagalit… pikon pala to eh. ‘Sorry sir’ ‘I want you to submit a video that features thrill rides… kayo na bahala mag-innovate… and please… integrate it to business….’ ‘Question sir.’ ‘Hindi pa ako tapos Ms. Lao’ ‘I’m not requiring you to take a video of that ride personally… and since you all reacted a while ago without knowing yet the project…. instead of having this submitted at the end of the month… I want you to submit this, 1 week earlier. Questions?’ Lintek na! Papatayin niyo ba kami sa tonelada nyong requirements? Amp! ‘Eff sh*t!’ kitams? sabi ko naman eh… sasabog si Jamie… Ang daming reklamo, nakakabingi. Lahat galit. Ang iinit ng ulo. ‘Classmates…. 2011 pa… its not the end of the world yet…. pag-usapan na lang natin kesa magreklamo tayo…. di naman yan makakatulong eh’ Tumahimik sila. Mabuti naman. Nagmeeting na kami…. tapos napag-usapan na mag-iisland hopping this weekend… nakapag-assign na din sila ng iba’t ibang committee, si Rhia pati ako yung in charge sa funds.. sa lahat ng expenses. Kung pera lang ang pag-uusapan hindi kami mahihirapan sa pagkolekta… mayayaman kasi mga tao dito. Kaya ok lang.

Pagkabukas… nakapagbudget na si Rhia… nasa kanya na ung estimated amount ng lahat ng expenses… Lahat ata eh, kaya niyang awin. Since siya yung nagbudget ako na yung mangongolekta… para patas kami. ‘Everyone may I have your attention please….’ ‘Go ahead Rhia…’ ‘I now have the estimated amount for the expenses in our project.’ Tama, nasabi ni prof na hindi required na personal yung pagkuha ng vid… pero gusto nila pahirapan yung sarili nila eh… pati…. gusto din daw nila maexperience. ‘And?’ ‘Over all….1.500 pesos’ talaga? ang mura naman no’n! ‘WOW!’ ‘Afford!’ di naman sa mayayabang yung mga tao dito… pero… mura na talaga yun… kasi kasali na ata dun yung 5 meals… with 3 snacks… resort accommodation… bus fare…. pati charges sa rides.. ‘So, ganito… 850P for the bus fare… kasi aircon, pati… back and forth na yan… 650P includes 5 meals, 3 snacks and yung charges for the rides…. actually, dapat 2,800, but I asked for a discount… so that’s the least they could give us…. ok na ba? para mapabook ko na?’ ‘OK!’ mukhang nawala galit nila kay prof ah… galing ah…. sobra ng isang libo din yung natawad ni Rhia… ‘Rhia, ako na bahala sa letter… I still have to make parent’s consent… mahirap na…’ May point si Jamie. ‘Rhia! how’d you do that?’ ‘Ang alen?’ ‘yung sobrang laking discount…’ ‘Ahhh, simple… I used all connections I have.’ ‘Octopus ka na pala ngayon…’ ‘Funny.’ Ang cute niya talaga pag-naaasar siya. Monday, 2 A.M. *kriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing* Amp! sino ba namang bampira ang tatawag sa akin sa ganitong oras? ‘Franco!’ Rhia…matulog ka na! ‘Oh? Its late… bakit gising ka pa?’ ‘just want to inform you about our lab class project…. almost done!’ ‘Magkita na lang tayo bukas after class… and we’re done!’ ‘OK.’

‘Sige…’ ‘Teka lang…’ ‘May sasabihin ka pa?’ ‘Rhia…’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Alarm clock ka ba?’ ‘Ay sorry, I know I woke you up… masyado lang kasi akong naexcite…’ ‘Yes or no lang naman yung sagot eh… yes or no?’ ‘Of course not!, why?’ ‘Ginising mo kasi ang natutulog kong puso.’ ‘Ahhh, k. BYE!’ Totoo naman ah, bukod sa ginising niya ako ng madaling araw.. ginising niya rin yung natutulog kong puso. Grabe talaga yung babaeng yun! Ilang baso na naman kaya ng kape ang nainom niya…at napakahyper niya pa. Isa siya sa workaholic sa klase namin, in fact… siya yung no.1… Hanep! Gising pa siya ah… para gawin yung project namin? Lintek… nagiguilty naman ako do’n… ako ang himbing na ng tulog… siya mulat na mulat pa rin…. Babawi na lang ako bukas…. dapat maaga ako… 3 am na pero di pa rin ako nakakatulog… si Rhia kasi eh…. nagdota na lang ako, di ko na namalayan… 6:30 am na…. kaya naligo na ako…. 7:40 kasi yung first subject namin ngayon… tinext ko si Rhia… To: Superwoman. Good Morning Superwoman! Rise and Shine. See you ☺ Natapos na akong maligo… kumain… pero di pa rin siya nagrereply…. naku! Baka tulog pa yun… late na siya natulog eh… tawagan ko na lang… Lagot. Nakaka-5 miss calls na ako di pa rin siya sumasagot. *kriiiiiiiiiiing* Hay salamat. ‘OMG! Certified Alarm Clock ka nga Franco… thanks!’ At binaba niya agad yung phone niya… 7:00 am na…. puntahan ko na lang siya…. para sabay kami… bahala na malate… total… nalate din naman siya ng tulog dahil sa kakagawa ng project namin. Nasa labas lang ako ng gate nila… alam kong magtataxi yun kasi wala daw yung driver nila… hinintay ko na lang siya lumabas…. Ayan na… bumusena na ako… Oh well, di na katuald ng dati… kung noon pahard to get siya… ngayon tumatakbo na siya papunta sa kotse ko. See the difference? Niyakap niya ako bigla. o_O Nasa langit na ba ako?

‘Alam kong ilang beses ko na ‘tong sinasabi.. at alam kong nabibingi ka na… pero THANK YOU SUPERMAN! My hero!!! Thanks!’ ‘Basta ikaw, always welcome… sus. kahit ilang beses mo pa yan sabihin hinding-hindi ako magsasawa… basta ba’t galing sa superwoman ko..’ ‘ko ka diyan… pero ok lang… total ikaw lang din naman tumatawag sa akin niyan…’ Kitams… di na sya nagagalit eh. Sasabog na ata yung pagmamahal ko sa babaeng ‘to! Parati ko namang pinagpaplanuhan na manligaw na ke Rhia… kaso… ewan…. takot ata akong masipa eh… Bahala na! From: Mommy Franco honey… meet me at the coffee shop after your class… sandali lang naman eh… I just have something to show you… see you son. I love you. Amp! Eh mamaya na namin tatapusin yung project ah… nagpromise pa naman ako sa sarili ko na aagahan ko yung pagmemeet namin ni Rhia. Di bale na nga… sasabihin ko na lang kay Rhia… maiintindihan niya naman siguro… Siguro. ‘Franco, remind lang kita para mamaya.’ Amp, naunahan niya pa ako! ‘tama… ah… Rhia… about later…’ ‘May problema ba?’ ‘Kasi dumating yung mommy ko… makikipagkita daw siya sa akin mamaya after class… pero sandali lang naman daw eh… bibilisan ko lang…. hahabol lang ako… ok lang ba?’ ‘Ahhh, gano’n ba? sige… basta bilisan mo ah…’ ‘PROMISE!’ Hay salamat. Last subject na namin…. Di ako nakapagconcentrate kasi nagmamadali na ako… sorry ah… pero hindi dahil sa makikita ko na yung nanay ko kundi dahil ayokong madsappoint si Rhia… Sa wakas! Natapos na yung last class. Double time… double time Franco! Pagdating ko sa coffee shop, parang pakiramdam ko bumagsak sa mukha ko yung mundo…

CHAPTER 14
“Unwanted Visit”

Franco’s POV ‘Frankie! I missed you soooooooo much!’ hugs and kisses?! Lintek! ‘Where’s mom?’ ‘Mean!’ Anong gusto mong sabihin ko? I miss you too? Next time na pag nakalimutan kong ikaw si Chuckie doll. asar! ‘Aren’t you happy? or at least surprised?’ wow… buti pa siya masaya, buti pa siya nasurprise. Hindi ako masaya…. malungkot ako.. sobrang lungkot…napakamiserable! ‘Where’s mom?’ sensya… di ako hospitable eh. ‘She’s suppose to be here… joining us.’ Tanga. sabi ko where’s mom, hindi bakit wala siya dito! nabasa niya ata yung isip ko eh. ‘She had an emergency meeting… so she went ahead…’ ‘Ahhh, I’ll go ahead… enjoy your stay here…’ ‘I don’t want to be alone here…’ oh di bumalik ka sa Japan. ‘Ah..k… go to your hotel… or shop… go wherever…’ ‘But I don’t know the Philippines… I may get lost’ so? ‘Then why did you come here?’ ‘To see you! I missed you…’ ‘Sorry, but I’m busy….’ pati kahit di ako busy, di pa rin kita sasamahan. ‘Ok… then I’ll come with you’ ‘No! Naintindihan mo naman siguro sinabi ko diba? sabi ko I’M BUSY…. *Busy*’ Lintek. Sinasayang niya oras ko eh…. ‘Ok… then have a cup of coffee with me and after I’ll go home….’ ‘Home?’ Japan? ‘Im not staying in the hotel.... your mom told me to stay at your house..’ Lalayas na nga muna ako! Bahala siya… kela Alex ako matutulog ngayon. Bahala siya! ‘FINE!!!’ ‘order na bilis…’ ‘Ok…’ Ang bagal naman ng oras pag kasama ko tong chuckie doll na to. Ang bagal niya rin uminom ah… Isang oras na ang nakalipas… kamusta na kaya si Rhia... ‘Why do you keep on looking at our watch?’ ‘Its none of your business.’

Nagtext na si Rhia… From: Superwoman Franco… punta muna ako sa coffee shop… I need a drink. Lagot. baka makita niya ako kasama tong chuckie doll na ‘to… sabi ko pa naman si mommy yung imemeet k… ‘Give me your phone!’ linte….

Rhia’s POV I was about to open the door… but I saw Franco kissing a girl. Ouch. Hindi na lang ako tumuloy. Baka masira ko pa moment nila! Umalis na lang ako… I just walked… I was crying while walking. I don’t know why I’m acting like this. I think I was hurt. I was hurt by that act… I know I have no reason to cry or to react like this…. but I don’t know! Masakit. Nasasaktan ako. Déjà vu? I feel like I’ve been on this same situation before. But the pain is much intense right now. I thought I’d be happy with Franco, with my hero…. worst…… I expected him to feel the same. I thought he loves me too… I’ve become stupid… I went weak…. I can’t believe I did… unacceptable. Masyado akong nadala sa lahat ng pinagsasabi at pinag-gagawa niya. I’ve been fooled I guess. It really hurts. But I have no right to act like this… hindi naman kami ah… Maybe that’s how much I’ve fallen for that hero. Little did I know…. heroes won’t be there to catch you all the time. They might save your life at times… but they can’t be there to save you when you’d totally fell. Did I do something wron That’s exactly how I feel right now. I feel like my hero betrayed me… he disappointed me. He isn’t here to catch me or at least to wipe these tears… or heal this wounded heart? Nakarating na ako sa school pero hindi pa rin ako tumitigil sa pghagulhol. ‘Best?!’ ‘Best! ba’t ka umiiyak?!’ ‘Huy! may umaway ba sa’yo?’ ‘Best! What’s wrong?’ ‘Best… I’ve fallen for the wrong guy. and it hurts… so much.. I thought he’d catch me… but he didn’t’

Alex’s POV ‘Best… I’ve fallen for the wrong guy. and it hurts… so much.. I thought he’d catch me… but he didn’t’ sino si He?

‘I saw Franco kissing a girl’ Franco… FRANCO?! ‘HA?!’ grabe, tinamaan ata si best… grabe kung makaiyak… halatang nasaktan nga. ‘Unbelievable right?’ sobra, eh… sa pagkakaalam ko, ikaw lang yung mahal nun…. halos mabaliw nga yun sa’yo eh… ‘O.’ di muna ako masyado magsasalita…. ‘Well, guess what?!....’ nagsmile siya tapos umiyak bigla, ang lakas! parang bata. ‘he did!’ baka naman hindi naman si Franco yung nakita niya… ‘It hurts best… akala ko masaya na eh… sobrang saya… pero mali!’ ‘Best…. ok lang yan…’ ‘Its NOT OK!’ lagot… napatingin tuloy sa amin ung mga tao ‘Best…’ ‘Look, minsan lang ako nakakafeel ng ganong saya…. I thought it would last…. I thought I’d be happy forever…. but I’m wrong again.’ ‘I thought he feels the same way I do…’ mahal na nga talaga ni Rhia si Franco. kung makapagsalita siya parang di siya nagkaamnesia. ‘I expected him to do the same…. but I failed….’ ‘That’s the worse part…. umasa ako… pero mali. mali na naman!’ ‘Best….’ di naman ako makapagsalita kasi parati niya akong inuunahan. 20 minutes na kami dito…. naubos na lang ang tao sa campus si Rhia di pa rin nauubusan ng luha. After 30 minutes… umiiyak pa rin…. pero wala ng sinasabi… nakasandal pa rin siya sa shoulders ko… basang-basa na nga yung panyo niya eh… pati damit ko… nadamay na. ‘Did I do something wrong?!’ nagulat ako dun ah…biglaan eh…. ‘Rhia!’ ayan na si superman. ‘Ok ka lang?’ nalilito ata siya… tinitingnan niya din ako eh.. ‘Obvious bang hindi! Stay away from me!’ ‘Look Rhia…. I’m sorry, nastuck kasi ako kay..’ ‘Stop your excuses! Umalis ka nga dito! Aliiiiiiis!’ Grabe. galit na galit si best…. ngayon ko lang siya nakitang ganito kagalit since nung nagkaamnesia siya. ‘Rhia! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!’ Ayun na tumayo na si best! naku baka ano ng gawin nito! ‘Stop it! Stay away from me….’ tinulak niya si Franco.. si Franco naman speechless. Sinenyasan ko na lang si Franco na umalis na pati tumawag na lang sa akin… Umiyak lalo si Rhia.. tumakbo papunta sa akin tapos umiyak na parang bata na nahiwalay sa nanay niya ng isang taon.

Naaawa ako kay best… pero di ko pa masisisi si Franco ngayon kasi hindi ko pa naman naririnig yung side niya… kahit pa sabihin nating.. karibal ko siya ng di niya alam… hindi pa ako nagtatanim ng sama ng loob sa kanya… Pero sa nangyari ngayon….. pakiramdam ko… may laban ako sa kanya…. kung ako ang minahal ni best… di ko siya paiiyakin. Tsss. Lintek, eto na naman ako. Kalimutan na lang natin yung sinabi ko… Hinatid ko na lang si Rhia pauwi…nakatulog na siya… siguro sumakit yung mata. From: Franco ‘Tol…. punta ako sa bahay niyo ah… usap tayo. pwede ba? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… To: Franco Sige ‘tol… mukhang kelangan mo talagang malaman yung nangyari eh… pauwi na ako. see you.

Hmmm, kung guilty nga si Franco sa nagawa niya… siguro di na siya maglalakas-loob kausapin ako, kasi alam niyang, magagalit ako dahil sinaktan at pinaiyak niya yung bestfriend ko. Ibig sabihin… siguro nga hindi siya guilty. ‘Huy! lalayas ka ba?! ba’t may bag kang dala? ano bang nangyari?’ ang mukha ni Franco parang binagsakan ng mundo. ‘Isa-isa lang…’ ‘Sige… ba’t may dala-dala kang bag?’ bag na parang aalis siya papuntang Universal studios ‘Pwede bang dito muna ako matulog?’ ‘Sige ba… pero bakit? ‘May bwisita kasi kami…’ ‘Ha? gano’n ba talaga kabwiset ang bisita niyo?’ ‘Sobra pa sa bwiset.’ ‘Sino ba yan?’ ‘SI NIKA!’ sino yan? ‘Eh? di ko naman yan kilala eh.. sino ba yan?’ ‘Yung kababata kong hapon. ‘Tol, mukha syang si chuckie doll’ ‘Kaya naman pala bwiset na bwiset ka eh…’ ‘Hindi lang yan….’ ‘Obsessed ata sa akin yun eh…. mas malala pa siya sa mga nanlalandi sa akin sa school.’ ‘Ayos! Maganda ba yan.’ ‘Chuckie doll nga diba?!’ Oo nga pala.

Kinwento ni Franco sa akin…. pinaliwanag niya na din… Si Nika pala yung babaeng nasa coffee shop na nakahalikan niya… Hindi niya naman pala ginusto eh… biglaan na lang daw… kinuha daw bigla yung cellphone niya tapos yun na… hayop din yung babaeng yun ah! Childhood friend din pala siya ni Franco… pati… kaya daw malimit lang pumupunta ng Japan si Franco dahil dun… Ngayon naiintindihan ko na… namisinterpret lang pala ni best… pati magaling lang talaga siya tumiming at sa lahat ng pwede niyang makita yun pa. Maling akala. Ang mahirap ngayon…. eh yung ipaintindi kay Rhia yung katotohanan. Stubborn yun eh… kung ano yung pinapaniwalaan niya yun na talaga yun… mahirap baguhin yung pag-iisip niya. ‘Franco… namisinterpret ni Rhia yung nakita niya… akala niya niloko mo siya… well, oo, kung umasta siya parang kayo eh…’ ‘Naiintindihan ko yun Alex… kaya nga ako andito… magpapatulong sana ako dude…’ ‘Sige… pero wag ka masyadong magmadali kasi medyo mukhang matatagalan to eh…. kilala mo naman si Rhia diba..’ ‘Oo, basta ang importante malaman niya yung totoo…’ Tama nga yung hinala ko… hindi nga guilty si Franco. ‘Stop cryin’ best…’ ‘Sana hindi na lang siya yung minahal ko no?’ ‘Wala eh… wala ka ng magagawa, minahal mo na… ok lang yan best… time will heal.’ ‘Sana pala best iba na lang…’ ‘Sana ikaw na lang….’ ‘Di mo naman siguro ako sasaktan no?’ Oo, hindi kita sasaktan…. Hindi ko naman talaga sasaktan si best eh. Hindi ko kaya. Lintek na panaginip. Ano na naman ang ipinapahiwatig nun? Na iparamdam ko na kay Rhia yung totoo kong nararamdaman? Pwede… pero pa’no si Franco? Hmmm, nasaktan na niya si Rhia.. kahit sabihin pa nating.. di niya intention na gawin yun… Kailangan ko na ba talagang ipakita yung tunay kong nararamdaman? Siguro…. Ay ewan!

CHAPTER 15
“kiss”

Franco’s POV

Buti na lang may Alex. Sana nga matulungan niya ako. Sigurado ako mapapadali to kasi magaling yun magconvince eh… ‘Nasend ko na sa e-mail mo yung project natin, all you have to do is print it and submit it as soon as you can. And please not as late as next week.’ ‘Rhia…’ ‘Don’t even say a word… and by the way if you think I’m as mean as you are… well I’m not… I still included you in the project…bye!’ Amp. Hindi naman ako makatiyempo. Pahamak talaga yung Chuckie doll na yun eh! Kasalanan niya ang lahat ng ‘to eh! Ano na bang dapat kong gawin… si Alex na lang ang pwede kong asahan… meron pa kayang iba? Tama! Ang dudes! matutulungan nila ako. Yun ay kung hindi pa nila alam. Alam o hindi. Gagawin ko ang lahat para mapatunayan na hindi ko intention saktan si Rhia…. at magpakailanman… wala sa plano ko na saktan ang babaeng mahal ko. Sisimulan ko sa dudes… para malaman nila yung totoo. ‘Franco!’ sakto! Aray! Sinampal ako ni Joan ‘Ang kapal mo din ah!’ ‘Dudes…’ ‘Don’t you ever call us that again!’ ‘We hate you! BYE!’ ‘Pero…’ ‘Talk to your GIRL!’ ‘And kiss her till your jaws lock!’ ‘Dudes! Makinig muna kayo sa akin…’ Lumuhod na ako… ‘Stop doing that…. its…. its so not convincing…’ ‘Hindi ako tatayo hangga’t hindi kayo makikinig sa akin!’ Nilakasan ko na… bahala na mapahiya ako sa harap ng student body… pakapalan na ‘to… pati alam kong ayaw ng dudes na napapahiya sila… kaya sigurado akong pakikinggan nila ako. Nagtinginan na sila sa isa’t –isa…. mukhang kakausapin na nila ako… Ayan! Lumapit na. ‘Stand! Let’s talk about this somewhere.’ Hay salamat. ‘Now what?! What do you want us to hear? your lies?’

‘Your convincing promises?’ ‘Your charms?!’ ‘Makinig muna kayo ok?!’ ‘FINE!’ Pinaliwanag ko ulit, this time.. sa dudes na….dinetalye ko talaga… una… dinescribe ko si Chuckie doll pati pano kami nagkakilala… sunod… yung usapan namin ni Rhia…. sunod…. yung suppose to be meet-up namin ng nanay ko na nahulog kay chuckie doll. At huli… yung lintek na kiss. ‘I knew you wouldn’t do that to our dude…’ ‘Yah… we were like, are you serious!?, when Rhia called us and cried like it was the end of the world.’ ‘OMG! That Chuckie freak…. I want to see her and rip off her head!’ ‘Kyri.. you’re so OA…. maiintindihan ko pa siguro kung si Rhia ang nagsabi niyan… you’re so affected…’ ‘Of course I am…. that freak caused Rhia to break down… pati nasira image ni Franco… we all know superman is not harmful at all. tapos dahil sa carelessness and obsession nung freak na yun! Errrr!’ ‘Oo na.. tama na kayo… kaya dudes…. yung hinihingi ko lang ngayon eh yung tulong niyo…. kayo na bahala magconvinc kay Rhia ah? pati ako na din bahala sa diskarte ko…’ ‘You can count on us… superman!’ Tatlo na sila na pwede kong asahan… ngayon naman didiskarte na ako… tulad pa rin ng dati… back to zero… haharapin ko ulit yung kasungitan ni superwoman… medyo mahihirapan ako pero di pa rin ako susuko… pati basta para sa kanya… walang mahirap! ‘Rhia…’ ‘Oh? Nasubmit mo na?’ ‘Tapos na…’ ‘Ok… bye..’ ‘Rhia…. can we talk?’ ‘We are…’ ‘Rhia.. makinig ka naman sa akin oh…’ ‘I am’ ‘Yung nakita m….’ ‘Oh? akala ko tungkol sa project… kung yan lang yung sasabihin mo… sorry but I have to go…’ ‘Hatid na lang kita sa inyo…’ ‘I can manage…. marunong naman ako maglakad eh, and… look… may naghihintay sa’yo… its your girl. BYE!’ My girl? Paglingon ko… lintek na chuckie doll! Panira ng araw! Kaya nga ako umalis sa bahay para di siya makita eh!

‘Hey Frankie!’ Girls… who is she? Another bitch… Diba si Rhia and Franco? Did they break up na? ‘Ano na naman ang ginagawa mo dito?!’ ‘To see you…’ ‘Nakita mo na ako… are you satisfied? sige na umalis ka na marami pa akong gagawin.’ ‘Bu….’ naglakad na ako papunta sa loob ng campus… Di ko alam kung san ako papunta pero kahit saan na, malusutan ko lang yung chuckie doll na yun. Ano ba kasing gusto niya?! Atensyon ko? hospitability ko? Sensya pero di ko kayang ibigay yung hinihingi niya… busy ako… pati Ayoko!

Nika’s POV Here he goes again.. he’s back in his stubborn ego… he acts like I almost caused him to death. Well in fact, I didn’t. He’s such a meanie. Isn’t he happy? I’m here to visit him cause I missed him. Didn’t he miss me? I don’t think so. He seems so mad at me. It sort of hurts. When I kissed him, he almost slap my face. He was so bitter. Didn’t he like it? Though he did not slap me, based on how he reacted, I feel like its more than a slap. Why is he like this? He wasn’t one when he was in Japan few months ago… in fact, he have been good to me, I will never forget how he act like he really cared when I acted I collapsed. Aha… I just acted. I just want to see if he really cares or not. I thought he wouldn’t but he did. And I was so happy. I was just shocked when I knew he came back here in the Philippines… he didn’t even told me he will. He just disappeared like a snap. Was that girl he’s talking with ‘SHE’? She is lucky. And she’s also pretty. But.. no… she does not deserve my puppy love, she made him cry, she hurt Frankie… I won’t let that happen again. I won’t let her in to our love story. What did Frank see in her that I don’t possess? Does his mom know about her? I’m sure her mom won’t like that girl. All this years… my mom and Frank’s mom keep on saying that we should be togther when we grow up. We should get married in the right time. So there’s no way that girl would be Frank’s. I will do anything to win Frank’s love. And I believe that girl don’t have the guts. Frank has been my dream man since then… I’ve waited for years… and I won’t let someone grab him from my tight grip. Not even SHE. I’ll be back. She’ll see.

Franco’s POV ‘Franco honey… Nika went back to Japan hours ago..’ ‘Ahhh.’ YES!

‘Did you send her to the airport?’ ‘No mom… di ko nga alam na umalis na pala siya… di niya sinabi eh.. sayang naman! di ko siya nahatid!’ ‘Ahhh… she just stayed here for 2 days… were you able to bond?’ ‘Nope.. I’m busy with school.’ ‘Poor Nika… she came to see you…’ ‘My bad.’ Amp. Mas kawawa naman ako sa ginawa niya. Mabuti naman at naisip niyang umuwi na… kasi kahit maghintay pa siya… hinding hindi ko siya ieentertain. Pati.. mapapadali na yung diskarte ko, wala ng sagabal. Text ko kaya ang dudes.. baka may update na, baka nakausap na nila si Rhia. To: Kyri, Joan Dudes! Good news! Umuwi na si Chuckie doll. Bad news… di pa rin ako kinakausap ni Rhia ng maayos. Hmm, nakausap niyo na ba siya? Naniwala ba? Galit pa rin ba? Update niyo ko ah. Salamat! ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… From: Kyri Wow! Good to hear that. Sayang! I missed the chance to see her face and rip it off. For now.. di pa namin nakakausap si dude eh… bukas siguro. Magkasama kasi sila ni Alex kanina… mukhang sobrang saya… and it looks nice seeing her smile… at least di na siya nakasimangot. Text ka na lang namin ni Kyri pag may update! Don’t worry superman, we’ll help you rescue your superwoman! ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… From: Joan Nice one! Uhmm, we haven’t talk to her yet. I think Alex knows… magkasama kasi sila kanina… why don’t you give Alex a call? I’ll text you kung may update. Halos magkapareho nga sila ng reply. Masaya kasi wala na si Chuckie doll, wala pa daw update at magkasama si Rhia at Alex. Tama, tatatawagan ko na lang si Alex. Siguro siya may balita na! ‘Hello?’ ‘Tol! kamusta?’ ang ingay naman… maingay yung palibot ni Alex. nasa bar ata to eh. ‘Ok lang.’ ‘May update ba? nakausap mo na ba si Rhia? Ano’ng sabi niya?’ ‘Franco, di kita masyado marinig.’ ‘Usap na lang tayo bukas!’ ‘Sige…’

Bago niya binaba…narinig ko yung boses ni Rhia… tumatawa.. parang ang saya-saya niya… Thursday na… 2 days after the incident. Pero wala pa ring nagbabago eh… masungit pa rin si Rhia sa akin. Sabi naman ng dudes… di daw sila makatiyempo kasi parating kasama ni Rhia si Alex. Si Alex naman wala pang sinasabi. Napapansin ko nga… napapadalas na yung pagsasama nilang magbestfriend. Nasabi na kaya ni Alex? Di ko rin siya makontak eh… pati di niya sinasagot yung mga texts ko. Imposible namang wala siyang load… o nawala yung phone niya. Ano na kayang nangyayari? Oo, nakikita kong masaya si Rhia ngayon.. kahit na wala ako. Siguro dahil si Alex yung kasama niya. Hahayaan ko na lang ba na ganito na lang yung mangyari? Bahala ng hindi na ako pinapansin ni Rhia? as long as masaya siya ok na lang? I love you BEST- Alex Anthony De Leon! Thanks for making my day superb! Masaya na nga siya. Status niya yan. Pati, pagtingin ko sa profile picture niya… magkasama silang dalawa ni Alex kumakain ng kwek-kwek. Amp. Ba’t ba nasasaktan ako? Selos. Selos siguro. Pero, magbestfriends lang naman sila diba. Pero, parang may something talaga eh. Friday na. Inannounce ni prof na postponed yung class project, yung tungkol sa thrill rides. Masaya lahat ng binalita niya yun, pero… matutuloy pa rin, next sem, yun eh kung kami-kami pa rin ang magkaklase. Pero kahit postponed. Tuloy pa rin daw yung island hopping. Gusto kasi daw nila magrelax. Saturday, Island Hopping ‘Alex… pwede ko ba makausap si Rhia mamaya?’ ‘Ha???? Ah… sige, sasabihan ko siya.’ ‘Salamat.’ ‘Una muna ako sa bus… baka kasi wala ng upuan…’ ‘Sige.’ Pag-akyat ko sa bus… magkatabi sila ni Rhia. Wala ng ibang bakanteng upuan bukod sa tabi nila. Pero may distansya pa rin kasi may isle eh. Di ko na lang pinansin yung nakikita ko. Medyo malayo din yung byahe… nagtatatlong oras na pero di pa rin kami dumadating. Di rin ako nakatulog sa byahe. Di ko maiwasang tingnan sila Alex at Rhia. Ang sweet nila. Tawa ng tawa… halatang nagkakaintindihan talaga sila. Ngayon naman nakatulog si Rhia… nakasandal sa chest ni Alex… tapos yung kamay nakahug din sa katawan ni Alex. Nasasaktan talaga ako eh. Di ko maintindihan kung bakit. Gusto ko na ngang Bumaba at umuwi ng naglalakad…. gusto ko lumayo. Kyri’s POV My heart breaks for what I see. Nakakaawa si Franco… magkatabi kasi kami… parati ko siyang nakikita na nakatingin sa magbestfriends- Rhia and Alex. I don’t even understand what’s happening. Alex and Rhia are closer than ever. Its no longer the closeness they have before as friends, its sort of… naglevel-up?

Though, the three of us have been friends and I should be happy when I see them happy… this time, no. I am not happy with what I’m seeing. Inakala na kasi ni Rhia na niloko lang siya ni Franco. She didn’t listen to what Franco has to say… or even what WE-her dudes have to say. Ewan ko kay Alex. Rhia is stubborn, what she sees is what she believes. And you can’t change her mind even if you try to explain. I swear, it hurts seeing superman this way. Its not what you think it is, hindi ko gusto si Franco. I’m no traitor. I mean like…. heroes don’t get weak, heroes don’t let others see them tremble. Nafefeel ko kasi yung nararamdaman ni Franco… I was there when he planned everything for that date… I was there during our high school days…. I was there when he tried to get back Rhia’s love, even though Rhia tries to push him away. I was there to witness how he loves my dude. Poor Franco. Ano ba kasing ginagawa ni Alex?! Hinawakan ko yung kamay ni Franco… I just want to make him feel that things will be alright. ‘Superman! Smile!’ I tried to be happy as hard as I could. ‘Ha?’ ‘Sabi ko… don’t be so upset… always remember: It will always be alright.’ when I said that… nalungkot siya lalo. ‘Thank…’ Tapos tumulo yung luha niya. Sumandal siya sa shoulders ko. Eff. My heart feels like crying.

Rhia’s POV Why was he crying? I was just acting. I wasn’t sleeping after all. I always see him glance at us. What the eff? What does he want now?! But there’s something in the way he looks at us…me…us..ME. He looks like he’s so sorry…he’s sad, he’s miserable, he’s been defeated… betrayed? I don’t know and I don’t care. I’m happy now. with my best… Alex, he was the one who catch me. He made me feel lighter when that epic hero ditched me unintentionally. Alex also explained to me everything… he was sorry for letting Franco hurt me… he said.. he knew it was coming, but he did not do something. I understand Alex… he did let Franco make me feel this way… because, back then… Franco makes me so happy… happier than ever. I’ve heard enough… I don’t want to talk to him… cause don’t want to be ditched again… I feel like I’ve been insulted on purpose. Eff. Epic hero! ‘Rhi… wake up… here we are!’ ‘Okiez… I’m so excited! let’s go!’ ‘Tara… ingat ah, baka malunod ka.’ ‘Stupid! nasa bus pa kaya tayo…’ ‘Baket? sinabi ko bang sa tubig ka malulunod? sabi ko ingat baka malunod ka sa sobrang excited’

‘Ahhh, k.’ His jokes are kinda annoying but its funny… it makes me smile. Nagsibabaan na lahat. Nagsettle na lahat sa kani-kanilang mga cottages. And I was getting ready with my oh so fab outfit. Can’t wait to play in the water. Dudes, Jamie and I are in the same room. Ngayon ko lang narealize na namiss ko sila. Hihihi. ‘Hey Dude…’ hmmm, its as if they’re not happy to be with me in the same room. ‘Hey! I missed you all’ and I hugged and kissed them. ‘May sasabihin kami…’ ‘Look, if that’s about that epic hero..th..’ ‘Rhia! Makinig ka muna!’ ‘Epic hero.. then I’m not listening’ ‘Nagkaamnesia ka lang mas lalong tumigas ulo mo! ‘Why do you always remind me I had these &*^%$# amnesia?!’ ‘Kasi nagbago ka na!’ ‘People change girls’ ‘Sa’yo sumobra!’ ‘Lipat na nga lang tayo ng room girls… baka mahawa pa tayo sa katigasan ng ulo ng isa dito eh!’ ‘Where are you going?’ T_T ‘Sa mga taong makikinig sa amin! BYE!’ WTH?! Why are they so mad at me… Why can’t they understand that I was ditched by that epic hero. Baka brinainwash sila ng Franco na yun! I can’t help but cry… I can’t believe they also ditched me. Just because I did not listen to what have to say.. it doesn’t mean they have to leave me here looking like this. Someone’s knocking… I opened the door… ‘Ba’t ka umiiyak?’ ‘Get out!’ ‘Rhia, please… makinig ka muna sa akin!’s ‘Isa ka pa. Get out!!!!!!!’ ‘Please Rhia… please…’ he kneeled? he kneeled. ‘Franco tama na! Alis na! Aliiiiiiiiiiiiis!’ and now he’s crying? what?! for me to pity him? ‘Dude… ako na bahala dito… usap na lang tayo mamaya…’ thank God. ‘Best… anong nangyari sa’yo?’

‘They all ditched me… dudes.. Jamie… everyone!’ ‘HA?!’ ‘Yes… just because I did not listen to what they have to say about that epic hero… they left me looking like this… why?!’ ‘Ako pa ngayon ang may kasalanan?!’ ‘No best…no…’ ‘But they talk like I’m the most evil person ever alive.’ ‘Shhh, stop crying best…’ ‘Alex… please don’t leave me…’ ‘Hinding-hindi ko gagawin yan best…’ ‘Baka ikaw din… baka sumunod ka sa kanila… please don’t..’ ‘Promise best…’ Buti pa si Alex… always here for me. I feel sorry for almost neglecting his presence before… I feel sorry for the times I let myself be happy with the epic hero when in fact.. my best is here willing to give me more. I regret everything, everything with that epic hero. Sigurado akong hinding-hindi gagawin ni Alex yung ginawa nila sa akin. Hindi niya ako iiwan at hindi niya ako sasaktan. I am ready to get wet. Yay! I don’t care with what they all have to say about me being stubborn, selfish or whatever! At least I know it’s not true. I went immediately to that slide… I’m kinda pissed cause Alex won’t come with me… He’s afraid of heights. Errr. So basically, I have to go there alone… I mean with no friend… Everyone was there… my classmates, including the epic hero and my dudes who ditched me hours ago and also… the ‘now bitter’ Jamie. Unfortunately I was next to Franco… I have no choice…the line is a bit long… and if I transfer I would be on the last… So I’ll just have to think that there’s no one in front of me… Ok… he’s now on the water. Its my turn and I’m really excited… this giant slide is oh so cool! it drops you in the ocean water. Awesome! ‘Wohooooooooooooo!’ The next thing I saw.. when I opened my eyes is… the EPIC HERO! Eff. I drowned. And he did the ‘mouth to mouth something ask ate chi.’ Bullsh*t I forgot to wear te life vest. the waster was so deep. Eff. I slap him in the face, the moment I opened my eyes. Wala na siyang sinabi,,, umalis na lang siya… pati lahat ng andun umalis na… naiwan si Jamie. I’m still on the ground. ‘Rhia. Ano na bang nangyayari sa’yo?’ ‘Obviously I just drowned and unfortunately an epic hero saved me.’ ‘That’s bullsh*t! Rhia. come on! He saved you!’

‘I know!’ ‘Alam mo naman pala eh. pero anong ginawa mo?! sinampal mo siya!’ ‘Nakita mo naman diba?’ ‘Ewan ko sa’yo! matalino ka pa naman pero ang sama-sama ng ugali mo… di ka man lang marunong magthank you!’ ‘…….’ ‘Kung wala si Franco siguro namatay ka na.’ ‘Fine, thank you!!!’ ‘Oh ngayon? San na yung BESTFRIEND mo?’ Umalis na siya… ‘tama… wag ka sa akin magpasalamat kay FRANCO!’ Fine! Fine! Fine! They all hate me now! Masama na ako! Fine! Pumunta na lang ako sa cottage… magpapahinga na lang muna.

*kriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing* ‘Best?’ ‘Best… see you at dinner… sa may beachside… may surprise ako.. bye!’ Pffft. Ano siya nagmamadali? Hindi niya ba nabalitaan yung nangyari kanina? Of course not. Sino ba namang magsasabi sa kanya… eh lahat na ng tao dito sinusumpa ako. Hmmm. Surprise? Exciting… hay salamat. at least naman may isang taong hindi pa ako iniiwan. And I won’t let him leave me. Nagready na ako for Alex’s surprise… I dressed up… I don’t know but I’m realllllllyyyyy EXCITED! *kriiiiiiiiiiiiiiing* ‘Best, are you ready?’ ‘Yup! kanina pa!’ ‘Sunduin kita… wait lang…’ ‘Ok! See you!’ I know right? I have the best ‘bestfriend’ in the world. e just dodenst go with me wherever I come… makes me feel comforted… makes me feel happy, but he also makes me feel guarded. ‘Wow!’ ‘I know. I look oh so fab!’ ‘Wow… mukha kang magmamall.’ ‘Pfft. cut it out best… tara na… where’s you surprise?’ ‘Secret… tara na.’

May kinuha sya sa pocket niya… it’s a black hanky… he tied it over my eyes so that I won’t see anything. Oooh… exciting much…. ‘Baka iiwan mo lang ako dito ah!’ ‘Hinding-hindi ko gagawin yun… don’t worry’ ‘Ok… hold me tight.. baka madapa ako… sayang outfit ko…’ ‘Opo.’ ‘Malapit na ba tayo?’ ‘Yup… 5 more steps…’ ‘1, 2, 3, 4, 5.’ HERE. ‘Best?.... san ka na?’ Err. iniwan niya ako. ‘Best andito lang ako.. pati dito nakikita ko yung nguso mo abot ilong.’ ‘Loko!’ ‘Sige na tanggalin mo na!’ I slowly untied the blindfold… my heart was pumping like hell. masyado lang ata kong excited. When I opened my eyes… ‘SURPRISE!’ The place is perfect. It looks so romantic. There are red candles… plenty…. red petals of roses… and there’s this violinist playing ‘Just the way you are’. How sweet of Alex. hmmm, I wonder what he’s up to. ‘Eto na ba yun?’ ‘Yup!’ ‘Let’s dance…’ ‘Ahhh, sure…’ kiakabahan talaga ako… ‘Best, ba’t mo ba to ginagawa?’ ‘Gusto ko eh..’ ‘Ahh.’ and we continued dancing. ‘Best?’ ‘Oh?’ ‘I love you.’ ‘Hahaha, nice joke best..’ Weird. Why would he joke like this serious? I don’t know. ‘Rhia, di ako nagbibiro…’ ‘Try harder best, LOL’

‘I LOVE YOU RHIA!’ ‘Seriously?’ He looked at me in the eyes… and he kneeled… he held my hands… ano to? will you marry me? LOL. ‘Rhia Margarette Lao…’ full name ko yun ah… yes Alex Anthony De Leon? ‘Will you be my girl?’ o_O I stopped for a while. My world went spinning… this isn’t happening… Alex and I are just friends… Ayoko na maglevel up… But… If I say no…. mawawalan ako ng kaibigan… he’s the only one I have. I can’t let him leave. If I say yes… wala naman sigurng mangyayari… parang yun pa rin. Yes? No? Yes? No? Ewan! Come what may. ‘Rhia Margarette Lao… will you be Alex Anthony de Leon’s girl? ‘YES.’ He hugged me and kissed me on the lips.

CHAPTER 16
“the note”

Franco’s POV Wala na ‘to. Hindi na ata makikinig si Rhia sa akin… pati… masaya na siya kay Alex. Ayaw niya ng makita ako. Siguro kung di siya galit sa akin.. sinabi niya kanina… ‘you’re my hero… superman’… pero wala eh… halos isumpa niya na ako… imibis na magthank you, sampal yung inabot ko. Naglakad-lakad na lang ako… kanina pa ako dito sa beachside… di naman ako naliligo… pero andito lang talaga ako.. nagseself-reflect. Hapon hanggang ngayon… andito pa rin ako. Nagbabasakaling makita si Rhia. Nakita ko siya… kasama si Alex… Hindi na lang muna ako nagpakita… tinitingan ko sila… gustong gusto ko marinig yung pinag-uusapan nila… tinitingnan ko parin… Hangga’t makita kong…. lumuhod si Alex… tinayo ni Rhia… nagyakapan sila…. at.. nagkiss. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko… hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko… hindi ko rin alam kung paano ako makikitungo ngayon kay Alex. Akala ko, tutulungan niya ako. Siya lang naman yung inaasahan ko… tapos siya yung gagawa sa akin nito. Kinalaban ako ng di ko alam. Ang masakit…. yung kumalaban sa akin isang kaibigan, kaibigan na pinagkatiwalaan ko… pero trinaydor ako. Ang sakit. Grabe. Kahit kelan, bigo talaga ako sa tinatawag nilang ‘pag-ibig’ na sa linggwahe ko… si Rhia. Malas! Ang malas ko talaga! Hindi ba talaga kami ni Rhia para sa isa’t isa? Ano ng mangyayari kay superman ngayon? Iniwan na naman siya ni superwoman… ang masakit pa.. kay batman nahulog si superwoman. Amp. Kay batman na kapwa ko superhero. Wew, grabe! Umuulan na. Nakikisabay ata yung panahon sa akin eh. Lintek. Isa pa ‘to, pag umuulan, naaalala ko si Rhia. Siya lang kasi ata yung taong araw-araw nagdadasal na sana umulan. Gustung-gusto niya ang ulan. Masayang-masaya siya pag umuulan. Kung may sundance si Sarah Geronimo si Rhia Lao naman may ‘rain dance’. Dito na lang muna ako. Magpapaulan. Iisipin ko na lang forgiveness ni Rhia yung raindrops. Buti na lang din at malapit lang ako sa mini bar ng resort. Bumili na lang ako ng maiinom. Magdadalawang oras na ako dito. Magdadalawang oras na rin ata yung ulan… di pa rin tumitigil. kulang na lang isama na ako ng mga isda sa dagat sa sobra kong basa.

Rhia’s POV Kami na ni best? Kami na nga ni best. Yun yung lumabas sa bibig ko eh. Pero iba, parang may mali. Nung Hinayaan ko siyang halikan ako… si Franco yung nakita ko at hindi si Alex. Bakit ba? Wait. I’m seeing something…. someone, I mean. The rain is so hard, who would want to stay under the heavy downpour of the rain in the middle of this island? Eh.. may masisilungan naman. Good thing I have with me an umbrella. Di kasi ako makatulog.. kaya lumabas na lang muna ako para maglakad-lakad. And there’s something in the rain, its as if its soothing me. ‘Excuse me..’ ‘Excuse me po.. sumilong na po kayo, ang lakas na ng ulan oh..’ Hindi naman ako pinapansin kaya nilapitan ko na.. ‘Sumilong na p….’

‘FRANCO?!’ Si Franco! ‘What are you doing here?! Are you trying to kill yourself?!’ ‘Huy! Gusto mo na bang mamatay?’ ‘Pwede. Kung pwede ngayon na’ He looks so depressed. I can see here 15 bottles of beer, lahat ubos na. Epic hero nga siya. Epic! ‘Go kill yourself then!’ Umalis na ako but he held my hands… ‘Rhia..’ ‘WHAT?! Sumilong ka na kasi.’ ‘I love you.’ He’s drunk. ‘Let’s go!’ ‘Rhia, Mahal kita!’ ‘Franco…’ He grabbed my face and kissed me on the lips. ‘Franco ano ba?!’ ‘Rhia, di mo ba naiintindihan? Mahal kita! Mahal na mahal na mahal kita!’ ‘KAMI NA NI ALEX!’ ‘Pero…’ ‘Wala ka ng magagawa Franco. you’re too late.’ Aalis na sana ako, when I noticed he fell in the sand. I can’t shout for help, its 1 am already. Everyone’s asleep. Konsyensya ko naman kung iiwan ko to dito… baka maanod pa siya… the next thing I know… hinahanap na yung bangkay niya. No. Nagpabasa na rin ako sa ulan. Nothing will happen if I use my umbrella. its useless. I tried to carry him…Good thing, he’s not that dead… he’s still standing… but he can’t stand straight, and he can’t walk without someone assisting him. Damn this guy.I don’t even know why I’m doing this! ‘Si chuckie doll kasi eh…’ who’s chuckie doll? is he sleeptalking? ‘Si chuckie doll ang may kasalanan ng lahat ng ‘to’ kasalanan ng lahat ng ‘to? What is he talking about! Who is he referring to?’ I don’t know what cottage he occupies, I can’t go like this searching for his cottage assisting his huge self. I’m left with no choice. Dinala ko na lang siya sa cottage ko… I’m here. Thank God. Nilagay ko na siya sa bed… sa sobrang bigat niya.. nadala ako.. and we accidentally kissed. Again. Pfft. ‘I love you superwoman… please don’t leave me’

Sleeptalking. Eff. Shut up. Say that to your girl. Sa sofa na lang ako natulog. I’d rather sleep uncomfortable than sleep next to that epic hero. ‘I LOVE YOU!’ ‘Yes you do, but there’s someone else! someone you love MORE than you love me!’ ‘Hindi totoo yan!’ ‘Stop lying Franco, mas sinasaktan mo ako…. mas dinidiin mong niloko mo nga lang ako all this time.. kaya TAMA NA!’ ‘Rhia!’ he held my face an kissed me on the lips… I was trying to push him away… ‘ANO BA! TAMA NA NGA! Go on with your life…’ ‘I can’t…. mahirap kung hindi sa piling mo.’ ‘Maghanap ka ng makakausap Franco… yung maloloko mo, wag ako. bye!’ ‘Rhia! I love you more that you’ll ever know…’ ‘More than I ever know?! Franco masyado na akong nasaktan…. mahal mo pala ako eh, pero pan’no mo nagawa sa akin to?! Masakit, sobrang sakit kasi ikaw yung gumawa sa akin nito..’ ‘Sorry.’ ‘yan lang ba?! hanggang sorry ka lang, hanggang sorry lang kayong lahat.’ ‘Superman will always catch superwoman. I love you….. so much.’ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ‘Francooo! wait for me, don’t leave me, I love you, I always do. Don’t leave me! You said you’ll always be there to protect me. Please. Doooon’t!’

EffS. Bad dream! NIGHTMARE! He’s hunting me in my dreams again. When will this stop?! When I woke up… he’s no longer in my bed… and I’m no longer in the couch. Sh*t. The first dream was so familiar. Maye because it says something about what happened to us. The second one is worst than the first. It’s me begging to get him back. When I get off my bed, I almost slipped because of a paper. A piece of paper. It says on the outside… To: Rhia I was curious… I opened it and I realized it was from….. Franco.

I love you…. goodbye. P.S. I will never forget that kiss in the rain. See me later on the beachside, for the last time. Please?
I love you goodbye? Oh really? You did love me? Oh please, stop acting. Lumabas na ako. Alex was there, waiting for me in the restaurant. Sabay kami nagbreakfast, first time as LOVERS not bestfriends.

‘Best’ Ooops. my bad. ‘Hahaha, ok lang. ganyan talaga pag nagsisimula’ tapos kinurot niya ako sa cheeks. Ang weird. Parang naiilang ako. Ewan. I still can’t get over of what happened last night. With Alex’s and Franco’s. All in one night. Ang raming nangyari kagabi. Yung kay Alex… biglaan lang naman kasi yun. I don’t have a choice that time, I don’t know if he will understand if I say no. Nanigurado na lang ako, kaya sinabi kong yes. I can’t afford to lose another friend. He’s all I got. I was desperate. And I myself was shocked when I said Yes… bago ko sabihing yes… si Franco ang nakita ko. Boom. I let Alex kiss me because I saw Franco…. I thought it was Franco, whom I loved but broke my heart. And so I said to myself. Why don’t I give it a try? And so I did. Yung kay Franco naman. It was a kiss for a broken heart. I’ve been longing for that kiss, little did I know, I would have it this late. I don’t understand why I let him kiss me… Alam ko naman that time na di na pwede kasi kami na ni Alex, and I’m suppose to be mad at him. When our lips met, iba eh. Ibang-iba sa na feel ko nung kay Alex. Its more of a love, Alex’s was more of desperation. I feel guilty. Gusto kong puntahan si Franco mamaya… wala naman siyag sinabi kung anong oras. But I’ll try to see him. He’s right, the kiss in the rain, I will never forget it too. ‘Rhia!’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Ok ka lang? Kanina ka pa ata tulala diyan ah…’ ‘Ha?’ ‘Oo.. naubos ko na ang pagkain ko… bumalik ako sa room para kunin yung phone ko… pero pagbalik ko tulala ka pa rin..’ ‘Ok ka lang ba?’ ‘Ha? Oo.’ ‘Sure?’ ‘Oo.’ ‘Tara, let’s have a walk in the beach..’ ‘Ok.’ ‘First time as LOVERS’ LOVERS? oo nga pala, kami na. Tsss. Ba’t ba parang naiilang ako? While we were walking, I still can’t get rid off the thought that I said yes out of desperation. Hindi rin ako mapakali.. tingin ako ng tingin sa paligid pero, di ko nakikita si Franco. Alex, wait… ‘May problema ba?’ ‘I just need to go somewhere, may hahanapin lang ako.’

‘OK.’ Tumakbo ako papunta sa pinangyarihan ng ‘KISS IN THE RAIN’. Pagdating ko… wala si Franco, no signs of him. But I still can see the bottles of beer he drunk yesterday night. I was disappointed. I feel sorry for myself. I sat on the place where he was sitting yesterday under the rain. I cried. And I noticed something…. I will always love you…. Superwoman. Thanks for everything. Bye. It was written in the sand. He was here a while ago.

CHAPTER 17
“Paalam”

Franco’s POV Last na ‘to. Magsisign out na ako. Wala eh, di siya pumunta. 3 AM nagising ako sa kwarto ni Rhia, nakikita ko siya natutulog sa sofa. Kaya umalis na ako at nilipat ko siya sa higaan niya. May iniwan akong note. Tapos lumabas na agad ako. Dun mismo sa lugar na pinangyarihan ng KISS IN THE RAIN. Hinintay ko siya, 7 hours. Pero wala talaga. Sabi nila, loving is letting go, kung mahal mo daw yung isang tao, pakakawalan mo siya dahil dun siya masaya, at yun yung gagawin ko. Hindi naman ako masochist katulad ni Edward ng twilight saga, kaya hahayaan ko na si Rhia, kay Alex na boyfriend na niya. Gano’n talaga ang buhay. Minsan nananalo, minsan naman talo. Pero yung sa’kin puro talo. Amp. Pero, ok na lang… at least pakiramdam ko naman nanalo na ako kasi masaya na yung babaeng pinakamamahal ko, pati bonus na rin yung happy moments namin. Siguro ngayon masasabi kong ‘life is unfair’, pero alam ko may dahilan yun. Ginawa ko na ang lahat. Sabi nga sa isang kanta, ‘I did my best, but I guess my best wasn’t good enough’. Ginawa ko na lahat, nagmakaawa, nagsakripisyo, nagpakasuper, nagpakahero, pero wala. Wala talaga. Ibig sabihin, itigil ko na. Kaya ito, gagawin ko na. Sana maging masaya si Rhia. Sana maging masaya sila ni Alex. Haaaay, uuwi na naman akong bigo. Sige, hanggang dito na lang ako. Salamat sa pagsubaybay sa nabigong adventure ni superman. Pasensya ah di nagtagumpay. Amp. Its batman’s turn. PAALAM!

CHAPTER 18
“vanished”

Alex’s POV

BATMAN’s POV ‘Dude!’ pumunta ako sa cottage ni Franco. ‘Franco?’ mukhang wala na siya ah. Umalis na ata si Franco eh. Lintek! Akala niya siguro totoo na KAMI na ni Rhia. Akala niyo din siguro na gano’n ano?

HINDI.
Joke lang yun. Sinabayan ko na lang si Rhia. Oo, sinagot niya ako, pero binawi ko naman kaagad eh, kasi pinagtitripan ko lang si best. HAHAHA! Pero sinabi niyang, kunwari totohanin. Gusto niya daw kasi makaganti kay Franco, kahit alam niyang di naman talaga girlfriend ni Franco si Nika, loka-loka kasi si best, ewan ko kung anong gusto niyang mangyari. Basta yung sinabi niya sa akin gusto niya pagselosin si Franco. Tatanggi na sana ako, pero lumuhod siya sa akin, pati sabi niya babalik siya ng Japan pag di ako pumayag. Kaya yun, wala akong choice eh. Pero kahit yung yung intention ni best, halata namang, mahal na mahal niya pa si superman niya. Kaya niya nga ‘to ginagawa para… sabi niya… mas patunayan pa daw ni Franco kung gaano niya kamahal si Rhia. Asar! Kung pwede ko nga lang ibagok yung ulo ni Rhia sa mg malalaking bato sa beach, ginawa ko na… para bumalik yung memory niya at malaman niya kung gaano siya kamahal ni superman. Lintek! Matigas yung ulo eh. Halos sumuko na rin ako sa katigasan ni Rhia. Kaso naawa ako, naalala kong nag-away sila ng dudes niya…. ibig sabihin pag sumuko ako sa kanya wala na siayng kaibigan. Ayoko naman mafeel niya yun. Feeling ko rin, habang kunwaring nililigawan ko siya, kaya niya sinabing yes kasi… ako na lang yung natitira sa kanya. Nabasa ko yung iniisip niya. Para san ba’t naging childhood/bestfriend ko siya kung di ko pa siya nakakabisado. ‘Dudes!’ ‘What?!’ galit ata sa akin eh, pati siguro sila iniisip na trinaydor ko si Franco. Amp! ‘Nakita niyo ba si Franco?’ ‘The last time we saw him was this morning…’ ‘You mean sooooooooo early in the morning, like 4 am in the morning.’ ‘Ha?!’ ‘Yup.’ ‘Saan?’ ‘Beachside, he was like so depressed, he looks soo depressed.’ ‘Binilang ko yung bottles of beer… and I got 15…’ ‘We asked him kung anong ginagawa niya do’n early in the morning with those plenty of drinks.’ ‘Anong sinabi niya?’ ‘He said, he was waiting for someone…’ ‘Someone?’

‘Yup, and then we asked again, why so early?’ ‘He said… I will wait until forever.’ ‘Yup, his answer was so random but its so deep.’ ‘Ngayong umaga… nakita niyo ba siya?’ ‘Wala nga sabi!’ ang sungit naman. ‘Why are you looking for him anyway?’ ‘Basta, mamaya ko na ipapaliwanag, hahanapin ko muna siya.’ ‘Ok, go.’ Sigurado akong si Rhia yung hinihintay ni Franco, pati dun ata yung punta ni Rhia nung nagpaalam siya sa akin kanina. Nag-abot kaya sila? Ayan na si best. Papunta sa akin. Umiiyak? Umiiyak. ‘He’s gone’ ‘Sino?’ ‘Franco.’ Ayan! Karma mo na yan. Asar. ‘Diyan ka lang.’ ‘Where are you going?’ ‘Somewhere… basta, stay there!’ Tumakbo na ako palabas ng resort, alam kong di pa nakakalayo si Franco. Lintek. wala namang taxi dito, puro tricyle. Malas. Pagdating ko sa sakayan ng barge… hinanap ko si Franco, pero wala. Sumakay ako sa barge, pero wala pa rin. Amp. Ang bilis naman nung lalakeng yun. Sasabihin ko na dapat kasi sa kanya na nagpapanggap lang kami eh! Bumalik na ako sa resort, pwede ko na atang bigyan ng ‘most obedient’ award si Rhia eh, di nga sya umalis sa lugar na pinag-iwanan ko sa kanya. Nagstay nga siya, ano siya aso? Hay nako, umiiyak pa rin. ‘Best, hahanapin natin yung superman mo…’ ‘I’m stupid…..I let him go’ ‘Mamaya ka na nga magdrama, malay natin, nasa city lang yun..’ ‘No.’ ‘Lintek, akala ko ba optimistic ka, pati… di pa naman tapos yung first sem ah… sigurado akong papasok pa yun.’ ‘Really?! Sure?!’ ayan, mukhang nabuhayan. ‘Akala ko ba matalino ka… dapat kanina mo pa yan naiisip eh.’ Ayan, yan yung nangyayari pag masyado kang pessimistic, nakakalimutan mong tingnan ang brighter side. Eeew, ang baduy!

‘OMG! I cant wait to get back to school.’ ‘OMG ka jan! OA!’ ‘Bahala na ang requirements na yan, kahit dagdagan pa nila, basta makita ko lang si superman!’ ‘Weh di nga?’ kitams? mukhang nababaliw na ata eh. ‘Sure… diba bukas na tayo uuwi?’ ‘Hindi, next year pa… next year.’ ‘Mamaya ka na mang-asar ok? mamaya na pag nakita ko na si Franco.’ ‘ahhh, k.’ ‘Why don’t we go home now?’ ‘Sira ka ba?’ ‘Of course not. obviously I’m a human being… I’m breathing.. I have…’ ‘Two eyes, the left and the right?’ ‘Tsss.’ ‘Mahirap maghanap ng masasakyan best, pati di tayo sure kung ga’no kasafe dito sa lugar na ‘to.’ ‘Helicopter! tatawag ako kay mommy!’ ‘Ok, pero mag-isa ka… di ako sasama, alam mo naman takot ako sa heights diba?’ ‘pffft, right.’ ‘So, wala kang choice… kelangan talaga natin, hintayin yung bus.’ ‘FIIIIIIIINNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!’ ‘Ah, sige wag na lang, dito na lang tayo.’ ‘errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!’ ‘CHILL BEST! CHILL!’ ‘NO!’ Tapos umalis na siya, umiiyak na naman, hahayaan ko na lang muna magdrama yun. Hobby niya yun eh, yung tingnan yung mukha niyang umiiyak sa mirror, tapos ihuhug niya yung sarili niya. Sigurado akong kinikitil na siya ng panghihinayang. Karma na niya ata yun eh, masyado kasing madrama, masyadong creative, ayan, sumobra. Siguro gusto niyang gawing teleserye yung buhay niya. Hindi niya naman kailangan gawin yun eh, kasi kahit ngayon pa lang nagmumukhang telesrye na, sobra pa sa teleserye, parang, adventure series ng mga superhero. Si Rhia naman kasi, di kontento sa kung anong meron siya, hindi ko naman sinasabing mali yun, pero sa nangyari ngayon, meaning, hind maganda kung masyado tayong nagpapakaambisyoso. Ayan tuloy. Nagluluksa na siya. Rhia’s POV

I waited for him though I know he went ahead. I was hoping he would come and see me. I waited, waited and waited, but he’s nowhere to be found. I asked the receptionist what room he’s staying on, good thing she gave it to me. I rushed to his room, I knocked. No answers. I peeked through the window, the room was like it wasn’t occupied or used. It was as if he’d never been here. Wala na nga siya, umalis na siya. This is all my fault. I’ve been too much of a director, who tried so hard to control her life and make it much more of an adventure. I knew the truth, but I pretended I didn’t. To…. to see how much he would fight for our love. Tssss. Cut it out. Alex is right. Maybe he’s just in the city. I’m so excited to go home. I don’t care even if a bunch of requirements will welcome me when I come back, as long as the hope of seeing my hero still exists. I opened my facebook, hoping he had left a message for me. But… GOODBYE? I found nothing except for that. His status. GOODBYE?. I’m almost hopeless, until I realized there’s a question mark after the word goodbye. Meaning, he’s not yet sure of saying so. He’s not leaving yet! Yes! May chance pa akong kausapin siya, may time pa ako magexplain. Wew. Can’t wait to see him. ‘Dude!’ ‘Rhia! Wake up!’ ‘Narinig naming aalis na si Franco..’ ‘HA?! Where?’ ‘Japan.’ ‘And he’s not coming back!’ ‘Ano?’ ‘Anong ano? ano pang ginagawa mo diyan?’ ‘Dress up! Hurry!’ ‘Ok…’ ‘Bilis, CORNICLES is there waiting!’ ‘Who’s CORNICLES?’ ‘Mamaya ka na magtanong ok?! Bilisan mo na, kilos na!’ ‘Ok!!!!’ Nagbihis na ako, di na ako naligo… Oh my! Baka di ko pa siya maabutan… ‘Im ready!’ ‘Tara, lets go!’ ‘Best di ka ba sasama?’

‘NO.’ what’s wrong with him? ‘Dude! Meet CORNICLES’ ‘WOW! Thanks dudes, you’re so amazing!’ ‘Hop on!’ CORNICLES is a helicopter. Alex’s helicopter, but he don’t use it, kaya naman pala ang laki ng NO niya eh. Tssss. Pero, buti na lang! buti na lang talaga! ‘Dudes, I’m really sorry… sorry sa mga nasabi ko.’ ‘Whatever.’ ‘Sorry.’ ‘Stop the drama dude.’ ‘Mamaya na yan, habulin muna natin yung superman mo.’ ‘Yup, before its toooooo late.’ ‘Bago, ka magluksa sa kakaiyak.’ ‘AT! sa sobrang regret.’ ‘HA?! Alam niyo?’ ‘Yup, Alex told us everything….’ ‘Yup, cause if we didn’t knew, why would we come here helping you?’ ‘Ano kami STUPID?’ ‘NO! Of course you’re not, in fact your geniuses!’ ‘Yah right.’ Unti-unti ng bumabalik yung mga nawala sa akin. Una yung katotohanan na hindi naman talaga ako niloko ni Franco, second the hope to be happy, third; my dudes, my friends… isa na lang yung hinihintay kung magbalik sa akin….. si superman. My hero. ‘DUDE!’ ‘Oh?’ ‘What are you still doing here, andito na tayo sa airport.’ ‘Go!!!! Habulin mo na si Franco!’ ‘Thanks dudes!’ Tumakbo na ako… papasok sa airport…. isang flight lang ang papuntang Japan today… and its leaving in…. in 2 MINUTES?! I increased my speed, I ran as fast as I could… Pagdating ko sa passenger’s waiting area… wala na. Umalis na yung eroplano.

Umalis na si superman, iniwan niya na si superwoman. I felt so weak, I feel like I can’t breath anymore, I feel like I can no longer take one more step. I cried. again. But someone called my name…. my other name. ‘SUPERWOMAN.’ Its superman! ‘Franco!’ ‘I love you.’ And he kissed me. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ‘BEST! Gising!’ ‘Why did you wake me up?!’ ‘Kasi aalis na tayo?’ ‘Ayoko! Gusto ko matulog ulit!’ ‘?????’ ‘Ang ganda na ng dream ko eh! Nagkita na kami ni Franco! Errrr!’ ‘Ah sige. matulog ka ulit… believe in your dreams…’ ‘ok.’ ‘HUY! so mananaginip ka na lang diyan? Wake up Best.’ ‘I am awake.’ ‘Akala ko ba gusto mo ng umuwi to check if your superman is still existing?’ ‘RIGHT! Tama, thanks!’ ‘Hindi ka na ba maliligo?’ ‘Nope let’s go!’ ‘Ok… hindi ka pa naman masyadong nangangamoy eh’ ‘I know. LET’S GO!!!!’ I hate it! Akala ko totoo na, akala ko nakita ko na yung missing piece, akala ko nakita ko na si superman! Pero panaginip lang pala. Ang ganda na sana eh.. its like a scene on those movies. Akala ko maswerte na ako. Pffft. Its just a dream, only a dream. Napakaironic nga eh. Before I don’t want to fall a sleep cause I don’t want to see his face, his ego in my dreams. Binansagan ko pa nga siayng, dreamhunter diba? pero look, ngayon halos ayaw ko ng magising, gusto ko matulog na lang habang buhay, kung sa panaginip ko lang makakamit ang happily ever after. Stop the drama Rhia. Its not the end yet, hindi pa ako nakakasiguradong wala na nga si Franco.

Pagdating namin sa city, its already dark. Eff. Sunday pa pala. And its 1 am. Ilang oras pa bibilangin ko para makapasok sa school. Wait. Why don’t I go to there house? Tama… nagbihis ulit ako. But paglabas ko, narealize kong… I don’t know where superman lives. Eff again. Malas. Matutulog na nga lang ako. I woke up. I dressed up, umalis na ako ng bahay. And I arrived at school 6:30 in the morning. Wala pa masyadong tao. I can’t even see at least one classmate… 8:45 pa kasi yung first subject namin today. Inagahan ko na para makita ko talaga kung sinu-sino yung dumarating, apti, kung andito na ba talaga yung hinahanap ko. After 2 hours. Still no signs of him, nagsidatingan na yung mga classmates ko, including my dudes and Alex. Pero wala pa rin ni anino ni Franco. Hmmm, baka he’s late. I keep the hope within me, I keep the optimism. ‘Good morning.’ ‘Good morning Ms. Gonzales.’ ‘How’s your project? Isa pa lang ang nakapagsubmit ng project.’ murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. murmur. Isa? Wow! Sino kaya yun, whoever that person is, I salute him/her. ‘Sino po?’ ayan, di nakaya ng consciousness ni Jamie. ‘Mr. Mendoza.’ ‘Anyone? may magsusubmit ba today?’ ‘Prof, masyado pang busy… ang raming requirements eh.’ ‘How come Mr. Mendoza able to submit the project ahead of time?’ Tumahimik lahat. Tama nga naman, pati pa’no nagawa ni Franco yun? Amazing. Gosh! Hindi pa nga siya umaalis. Wew! I just can’t wait to see him. ‘I won’t be with you for so long today, I have to catch up with the seminar I have to attend, so please, make use of the time, to make a research for your project. I don’t want to see you running at me at the end of the month to submit your late projects. Deadline is deadline. Goodbye class.’ Nagresearch na kami. I can’t concentrate with what I’m doing. Next class na.. its sir Tirso’s Boring yung class. I did not like the story. At the end of the class.. pare-pareho lang silang lahat, tanong ng tanong kung natapos na ba yung projects namin, kung kelan ba daw kami magsusubmit kasi daw ayaw nila ng late, and so on and so forth. And! Also in this subject, si Franco pa lang yung nakakapagsubmit. Wow again. But where is he? ‘Goodbye class’ Nagpaalam na siya…. or NOT. ‘Wait, Alam niyo na ba ang balita?’ ‘Ha?’ ako yung una nagreact. Like everyone, we were curious. ‘Its as if you don’t know anything yet. So, di bale na lang, goodbye.’

Obviously we don’t so dapat sinabi niya… Di ako mapakali, I can’t go on with the whole day kung di ko nalalaman yung ‘balita’. May something eh. And its weird, si Franco yung bukambibig ng mga professors ngayon. WHY?! Hinabol ko si sir Tirso. ‘Sir..’ ‘Yes? Ms. Lao?’ ‘Sir, I was just curious… ano po yung balita?’ ‘You don’t know too? I though you’re the first one to know.’ ha????? ‘????’ ‘Mr. Mendoza is gone…’ ‘????’ ‘Look, he complied all requirements, and since you already took the final exams for the first semester, the school allowed him to finish everything in one day, may emergency daw kasi sa family business nila, and he have to go to Japan ASAP.’ ‘………….’ ‘Ms. Lao? I’ll go ahead.’ ‘And, I don’t think he’s coming back.’

CHAPTER 19
“2012”

Rhia’s POV Is it the end of the world? Cause if it’s not then please kill me now. Now I sure am hopeless. He’s really gone, there’s no way I’m gonna be able to tell him everything I want to. There’s no way I can tell him how much I love him, there’s no way to show him I care and how much I care for this adventure to go on. I failed. I wasn’t able to do my part as her superwoman, I wasn’t able to fight for our love. Kill me now. I want to die now. What’s the reason for living? He’s gone and he’s not coming back. I thought I’d be happy again as soon as I see him and tell him everything I want to say. Better yet, I want to have another accident and have amnesia for the second time. This regret is killing me. There are tons of ‘I should have’s’ and ‘If only’s’ in my mind. I’m the worst idiot ever alive, what’s the point of living now? I can’t put the blame on him, cause basically this is all my fault. If only I gave him the chance to talk and explain everything, then this wouldn’t happen. I can’t say he doesn’t love me because he left me, I know he left because he thought I’m already happy without him. He let me go. And I’ve been too selfish to let him do so. Hindi na ako pumasok. Hindi ko kaya… everything I see in this school reminds me of my hero. Pumunta na lang muna ako sa simbahan. I’ll talk to God, kailangan kong maliwanagan. I know things happen for a reason. ‘Ate, bili na kayo ng sampaguita…’ ‘Ate maganda! diba…. ikaw yung kasama ni Kuya na mabait?’ Everywhere I go, I see Franco. This child… he’s…. well, here’s the story. *flashback* ‘Kuya, bili na kayo ng sampaguita..’ ‘Magkano ba?’ ’20 po’ ‘Akin na yan..’ ‘eto po..’ the child handed Franco one. ‘Lahat.’ ‘PO?!’ ‘oo… eto…’ Franco handed the child a thousand. ‘SALAMAT PO!’ ‘Walang anuman… sige na umuwi ka na sainyo… teka… eto… dagdag mo na, kumain ka ha!’ and he gave the child a hundred… for a snack? wow. ‘Kuya, maraming-maraming salamat, huwag po kayong mag-alala, isasali ko kayo sa dasal ko… hihilingin ko na sana kayo na ang magkatuluyan ni Ate na maganda.’ he was referring to me. Cool child. *end of flashback* ‘Ate maganda, ok ka lang?’

‘Ah, oo.’ ‘San na po si kuya na mabait?’ ‘Ah… eh… wala na siya eh.’ ‘Ha? naku! nakakalungkot naman po yan.. pasensya po… mukhang nalungkot ata kayo sa tanong ko, sorry ate.’ ‘Ok lang… akin na yang sampaguita mo… umuwi ka na ha… ingat.’ ‘Salamat po… pati, wag na kayong malungkot… nawawala ganda niyo eh… wag po kayong mag-alala, ipagdadasal ko na sana bumalik si Kuya na mabait. Bye po!’ Hindi ko maiwasang mapaluha sa sinabi ng bata… he maybe young, he may not know our story but he cares so much. Nakakatouch. Sana nga bumalik pa siya… yun din yung ipagdadasal ko eh. Bahala na madelay, kahit gaano katagal, maghihintay ako. Nagdasal na ako… hindi ko pa rin maiwasang maiyak. I know its pretty embarrassing, hindi lang kasi ako yung tao sa simbahan, pinagtitinginan na ata ako eh. Kasi I was crying like… yah… it’s the end of the world. UNFORTUNATELY, wala akong dalang panyo… naiwan ko sa bag ko… all I have right now is my wallet and phone. Malas… but… someone, tapped me and handed me a blue handkerchief. Hindi ko pa ako lumilingon, I was crossing my fingers and was hoping that it could be Franco. And when I look to see the face…. its…. ‘Miss, ok ka lang?’ its not him but it looks like my superman. its like his long lost twin, or a brother. I don’t know. ‘Hindi eh..’ ‘Would you mind If I ask why?’ ‘To cut the story short, naiwan ako sa adventure ng superhero ko kasi tinaboy ko siya.’ ‘Wow, ang lalim… pero naiintindihan ko.’ ‘Ang tanga ko no?’ ‘Hmmm, to tell you honestly… oo… pero wag kang mag-alala, malay natin bumalik yun… may superhero bang hahayaan na lang na mapahamak yung babaeng pinakamamahal niya? eh… kahit sino na nga yung nirerescue niya eh… imposible namang hayaan niya lang diba..’ ‘May point ka…salamat ah.’ ‘Sige miss, una na ako… hmmm, ipagdadasal na lang kita. sana bumalik na yung superhero ng buhay mo.’ ‘Uie, yung panyo mo..’ ‘Sa’yo na yan. Bye!’ Who is he? Right What was his name? Idiot. Ba’t di ko tinanong. He did help me feel quite comfortable. Medyo gumaan yung pakiramdam ko sa sinabi niya. I was hopeful again. Wew. Pumunta lang ako sa simbahan para magdasal peroa ng rami ko ng nameet at nagsabing babalik siya.

Hindi ako susuko. Maghihintay ako. Umuwi na ako. And there lies my bag. Siguro Alex dropped it here, pati, he didn’t bother to wait for me cause he knew Im in the midst of some dramatic breakdown and Im gonna do my ritual. Cry in front of my mirror and hug myself. ‘Rhia kumain ka na.. balita ko hindi ka daw sa school naglunch…’ ‘Hindi ako gutom Ate Beth.’ ‘Sige ka…. pa’no pag bumalik si superman mo? di makikita niyang nangangayayat ka na..’ ‘Tsss. Busog po talaga ako…’ ‘Sige… basta ba’t wag mong sasabihing hindi kita niremind ah.’ Tsss. Pati si Ate Beth, alam na niya. Oh well, news travels faster than the speed of light. I guess. But I’m happy to hear all optimism in them, wala pa akong naririnig na sinisisi ako at pinapalala yung kondisyon ko… its as if, nobody wants to bring me down. Wew. 2 days na akong hindi pumapasok sa school. I know, I’m such a drama queen Pero let me be one for now. Di ko pa kasi kaya eh. Sobra pa to sa sakit sa katawan. At least naman yun may gamot, eh eto… isa lang yung gamot, tapos, nawala pa…. ang mahirap pa… hindi ko alam kung sa’n hahanapin. Goodness. Why am I so unlucky? ‘You’re always welcome, always remember…. Boku ga iru… Boku ga kimi wo mamotte ageru.. Eien’ ‘?????’ ‘I will protect you… Forever’ ‘AHHH. Don’t make promises that you can’t keep Franco.’ ‘Oo, promise…. you heard me Rhia… I will protect you…. Forever.’ ‘Forever?’ ‘Yes… and I will love you… Forever.’ ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ‘Francooo! wait for me, don’t leave me, I love you, I always do. Don’t leave me! You said you’ll always be there to protect me. Please. Doooon’t!’ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ‘DON’T LEAVE ME… NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!’ I was dreaming again. ‘Dude! Wake up!’ Dude???? wake up??? Kyri! Joan! ‘Your dreaming….’ Hindi ko pa sila nakikita kasi I’m all covered by my heavy black comforter. I get rid of it as fast as I could and… ‘Dudes!!!!! I missed you… I’m sorry, I know it was all my fault.. I’m really really really really really sorry. From the bottom of my heart. I’m deeply sorry.’ ‘APOLOGY ACCEPTED!’

‘Really?!’ ‘Aw, ayaw mo? sige babawiin na lang namin.’ ‘No. Gusto ko! Gustong gusto! I just can’t believe this is happening, I thought were gonna make war already.’ ‘of course not. Alex told us the whole story…’ ‘And guess what?’ ‘What?!’ ‘You’re so stupid.’ T_T I know. ‘Yah right… I know. wag niyo ng istress out… alam ko na.’ ‘Sorry to offend you right there… but……’ ‘Tama na, nakikita mo namang parang nabagsakan na yan ng mundo oh… lets not exacerbate the sitch.’ ‘Thanks Kyri.’ ‘So what’s your plan? Stay here forever and wait ‘till your hero come back rushing you to the hospital?’ ‘Dude… are you crazy?! You can’t be like this forever…’ ‘Tama… napapabayaan mo na ang studies mo… wake up dude! ano ng mangyayari sa mga dreams mo?’ ‘Tama ulit. And… I’m sure your hero doesn’t want to see you looking like a rotten veggie when he comes back. ‘Thanks for all the concerns dudes…’ ‘Don’t let us down again… do what is right… don’t just sleep here forever… you may see him in your dreams but you may want to wake up and see if he shows up in reality…’ ‘So…. go take a bath… let’s have a girl’s day out! let’s go…’ ‘SHOPPING!’ ‘Thanks! And sure, I won’t…. by the way… where’s Alex?’ ‘Hmmm, he’s out somewhere….’ ‘Yup… some personal business I guess.’ Naks, when did he have time to manage his own personal business. Joan’s POV Kawawa naman yung dude namin. Siguro kung hindi siya nagkaamnesia…. mas malala pa yung reaction niya. FYI, before she used to cry and tell us about how she feels sorry for herself, cause everytime she feels like she’s at the top of the world because of so much happiness, it just disappears with a blink of an eye. Here’s one her blog posts before… well she usually writes when she’s depressed.

Happiness a bird I can’t catch I find my mind wander ‘When shall this fantasy hatch?’ For everything seemed to be a ‘happily never after’ Every search was a wicked flower Bloomed as if its forever, withered for it is momentary Now it’s raining hard in this dark lonely hour Smiles turned tears, fortune turned misery ‘Why should things always end leaving me solitary?’ I stood deserted, embracing the memories of yesterday Frightened that this agony might be for eternity Freedom from this nightmare will be mine someday Response to this quest will soon rise to shine And I will rejoice, Alas! ‘Happiness is forever mine!’

See. Ano na kayang nangyari kung hindi siya nagkaamnesia? Siguro nagsuicide na siya. I can’t ask why all of these things happened… cause the answer is pretty obvious, and that the bottomline is… after all, its Rhia’s fault. So Kyri and I decided to get her somewhere she would enjoy. And that would be, with no doubt, SHOPPING. She loves it so much and she’s pretty good at I, she’s not Rebecca of th ‘Confessions of a shopaholic’, she’s the opposite, yes… she buys everything she likes… but she uses it, pays for it and make sure it won’t cause her too much. Sa kasamaang palad, Kyri and I went on so excited that we forgot to bring Rhia to a new mall, We brought her to this mall where the superhero intimate adventures happen. How dumb of us. Errr. Kyri is pretty good in keeping tracks… so she set the mood, she keeps on chattering about the new trends and new release of high end clothes and stuffs, which! enthused Rhia and I myself. Nice work dude. So I guess, the plan is running as smooth as Cleopatra’s skin. Rhia looks so happy, you can even never tell that she’s in the midst of mourning or so. Wew. I hope this continues. ‘Wow, we bought like tons of stuffs….’ ‘Masyado ka naman exagge Kyri…. we’re not halfway throught yet..’ Hmm, I just want to elongate the shopping time span. ‘You mean not even a quarter of what I’m suppose to buy..’ see? it worked! ‘Adik!, Fine… total, it’s the end of the semester and I’m sure marami kang savings…’ ‘Yup, Ikaw na ata yung pinakakuripot na babaeng nakilala ko pag wala sa department store…’ ‘Aha… you let yourself starve and let it be sooooo much full with bunch of clothes..’ ‘I know. But correction, I don’t let myself starve.’

‘Look Kyri… this red dress is sooooo..’ ‘SEDUCTIVE’ see? sabay kami. We’re certified DUDES! ‘Try mo…’ We went to the fitting room, so excited to se if it fits well and perfect to Kyri…. but suddenly I noticed.. wait, where’s Rhia? o_O Oh she’s right there… looking at someone…. someone? Eff. Someone who looks like Franco’s long lost twin. NOOOOO! Plan interrupted. ‘Rhia!’ Oh nowsss, lalapitan niya ata eh… almost… almost there… 3 more steps… Wew! Thank God. Umalis na yung lalake ng di pa nakakausap ni Rhia. Lord, salamat po! She’s coming back. Eff again, this time, nawala bigla yung bright mood niya. DOOMED! ‘Hey dudes! ok ba?’ o_O clears throat. ‘Hmm, miss.. Jo is the name, can I ask your number?’ ‘Funny Jo, try harder….HAHA! Is that how seductive I look with this red well-draped dress?’ Kyri’s not getting it.. I was trying to make Rhia laugh, and I was hoping Kyri would say Hi, my number? 12345678910. Unfortunately, it did not work. fail. ‘Guys…. I’m tired… una na ako…’ ‘No, we’ll go with you.’ ‘I insist, I know your enjoying the whole thing… I don’t want to screw things for you..’ ‘But Rhi…’ ‘Tsss, sige na… anjan naman yung driver, I’ll be fine… enjoy.’ ‘k.’ Nauna na nga siya. Argh! Akala ko perfect na yung plan eh. Sino ba kasi yun? Pati, why on Earth did that creature show up from out of the blue? Greatness. He really looks like Franco, well except for the way he dresses. Overall. Di pa nakakamove on si dude. Nagkaamnesi nga siya. Before… hmm, to site an example, when that crap-trash-freak-‘I hope he didn’t exist- Jake ditched her on purpose, it took Rhia less than 24 hours to contemplate on the humiliation and all, and after which… BOOM! tapos! move on kaagad. Its as if nothing happened, and she doesn’t care no more. She isn’t that affected after all, kasi naman di niya talaga sineryoso yun…. parang… for the sake na maexperience niya lang sa high school… kaya niya sinakyan. And, after all again, he’s so not Rhia’s type. EW. And another fact, naawa lang din siya kaya niya sinakyan. But I swear again… Rhia even turns off her phone to avoid that effin’ ego’s ‘pambibwiset’. Sorry for being so affected. Its just that I want to tear that dumbass’s internal organs and burn it to hell the moment I see his useless face. He’s face is just so thick, thicker than the thickest layer of the earth. I hate him to death. I mean. WE. Going back. Poor little girl. Ba’t di ba asi siya tinatantanan ng heartbreaks.

Rhia’s POV

I’m seeing him again. But I sure am not having an illusion… that guy looks exactly like my hero. Well, except for the way he dresses. Franco wears clothes so much better. Effortless I shall say. My hero keeps on leaving marks on the tracks we used to go whenever we have some adventure. Why can’t he just leave like its as if it’s a ‘cleanbreak’…. like what Edward did, though it didn’t work that pretty well. I think, this things, hmm, well, they aren’t simple, usual things that do happen everyday… are telling me something. Impossible naman kung walang significance ang lahat ng ‘to. Spectacular idea! I want to go back to the resort, where that kiss happened. I’ll ask for a miracle. I’ll still be hopeful no matter what. As long as I live to breath… I won’t stop hoping. ‘Kuya… nakita niyo po ba tung lalakeng to?’ I showed him the clearest and latest picture of Franco. I know what you’re thinking…. it looks like he’s a missing child. LOL. ‘Hmmm, wala po Ma’am eh.’ hopeless? NO! ‘Ah… sige po.. salamat po.’ So… I think there’s no other way that he’s coming back here to do what Im exactly doing. Meaning. Go back to the exact place where the kiss happened, sit there for a while, reminisce the kiss, and reminisce everything we’ve had and cry. I did as I stated…. I went there…. and yup, did everything I said. And I noticed something…. while doing the…. Wow. The words he wrote in the sand are still there. As fresh as I saw it for the first time.

CHAPTER 20
“Spiderman”

Rhia’s POV *kriiiiiiiiiiiing* ‘Hello?’ Who could this possibly be? ‘Hey cuz!’ my cousin… ‘Yes?’ ‘Wanna go somewhere?’ ‘Where?’ ‘Cagayan de Oro! In Mindanao!’ she sounds so enthusiastic. ‘Sure! Sino kasama?’ ‘Ikaw lang.’ seriously?! ‘Ako lang?’ ‘Yup… so? game?’ ‘GAME!’ ‘ok!’ Crazy right? I don’t even know why I said GAME. The fact that I’m gonna be alone in tht city I don’t even know is enough reason for me to say no. So Cathy explained to me everything…. papunta daw ako sa Cagayan de Oro, popularly known as CDO, to attend 18th ILC, meaning, International Leader’s Conference, it’s a religious gathering. So perfect for me, cause I badly need someone to enlighten my gloomy perspectives. I did not bother to invite my dudes, alex or whoever. Its time for me to be alone, and have the perfect time to reflect my own. ‘Miss, nahulog mo yung panyo mo…’ ‘Thanks.’ Oh no! It’s the same guy I saw on the church and in the mall, while we were shopping! Late reaction eh… stupid. narealize ko na yun nung umalis na siya. STUPID. Strike 3 from him, churchmall-BUS STATION, where’s next? CDO? Hahaha ! I just hope so. Welcome to CDO! Cagayan de Oro, somewhere tapat ng SM, 9:00 am Nakarating naman ako na safe. I registered and went to the place where my cousin booked me a room. Somewhere in Divisoria…. it’s a mini hotel. I was so alone I swear…. I don’t know anyone… So first was the mass. I attended it, of course. I did listen to what the priest was talking about… Our father in heaven moment…. yung maghahawak kamay… di ko na pinansin kung sino yung katabi ko o… kung girl ba siya or boy. Basta nagconcentrate ako sa celebration of the holy eucharist.

Peace be with you na… I smiled at everyone… I gave them my best smile… and happy to say they returned the deed… paglingon ko sa katabi ko…. na nakahawak kamay ko kanina. OMG! its…. that guy! I smiled at him… and he did as well…. ‘Peace be with you…’ Tatanungin ko na yung name niya…. this is it…. time for me to make friends…friend. ‘Ano na nga bang pangalan mo?’ Pffft, nawala na naman siya bigla…. WHY????? T_T OMG! This is getting weirder and weirder. church-mall-bus station-cdo…. where’s next? OMG! Baka stalker siya?! NOOOOOOO! I’ll be so dead! No he’s not… he looks nice. Like Franco. </3 I went to this place where all competitions are held… and in my surprise… its filled with people. Mukha kaming sardinas sa liit ng venue. And T_T… there are no more chairs… So nagtiyaga na lang akong tumayo… and unfortunately I’m wearing some killer but fab heels. Errr. On my right side…. are boys sitting comfortably and on my left…. girls and some gays sitting on the floor. Wow. I was so annoyed and pissed. Not even one of them offered one of us a sit. To my anger, I sent a group message to all boys in my phonebook. To: too many to mention :P Boys in this epic generation literally sucks! I swear from the bottom of my boiling blood! They are but junkies, not and never gents. Eff. Sensya kung nageneral, to the person reading this, I just cross my fingers and hope that you’re not one of them. A piece of advice, pag may nakikita kayong nakatayo na babae tapos kayo nakaupo na super comfy, take the initiative to give your seat to her. ok? GM And after I turned off my phone to avoid all their opposing replies. Guess I’m having fun. The performance are awesome, the performers are like pro. ‘OUCH!’ Damn! The next thing I know is I’m here lying on the floor because off some @ssh*oles who were I guess blind not to see my clear silhouette in the middle of the isle! ‘Miss, okey ka lang?’ o_O Its him! Inabot niya yung kamay niya… tapos tinulungan niya akong bumangon. ‘Ok lang ako…’ ‘Pasensya pala ah… maupo ka muna… brb’ Not again! I failed again. I failed for the nth time! I hate it! STUPID. STUPID. STUPID. >_< Hmmm, who is he? He’s another superhero… spiderman? He may look like my superhero… my Franco and he may act like him too. Like my savior… but I can’t just dump in everything I remember about my original hero. Pero… may spark… may spark kay spiderman or whatever his name is. Spark lang naman not hearts katulad kay Superman. So I went home 12 in the midnight in this alien place… riding a jeep. Walking few meters to reach the hotel.

I love the hotel location.. its surrounded by street food carts. always present? KWEK-KWEK! Medyo nakakapangilabot yung paligid kasi mukhang mga adik yung mga tao dito eh… gosh I’m scared… later na akong magpapakahysteric pagnakabili na ako ng kwek-kwek. ‘Manong… pabili…’ ’10 isa…’ ‘Dalawa po…’ Oh no! May naririnig na akong lumalapit sa akin na mga kanto scary boys. ‘Hi miss.’ HELP ME!!! ‘Duha? naa kay kauban?’ (dalawa? may kasama ka?) ‘Buang ka, akoa na… diba miss?’ (gago! akin yan… diba miss?) ‘Ha?’ OH NO… I don’t understand what they’re saying. ‘Bayad po.’ plan a: stay away from here asap plan b: RUN!!! In the count of 3…. 1….2…3… run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ‘Gukdon nato bay!’ (habulin natin ‘tol) RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!!! Feel na feel ko na yung pagtakbo, pero ba’t parang nawawala na yung strangers? Lumingon ako… and I’m seeing…. SPIDERMAN! He’s here again…. punching those whatevers!!! o_O He’s like doing it without exerting any effort. GO! I feel dizzy… I feel… *blapak* ‘MISS? MISS?’ The next thing I knew…. I’m already in my hotel room, with…. spiderman. ‘Miss…. ok ka na?’ ‘Ha? anong nangyari?’ ‘Anong ginagawa mo dito?!’ ‘Ok, kung ano man yang iniisip mo…. mali.’ ‘Hinahabol ka ng mga tambay kanina…. pinagtanggol kita…’ ‘??????’ ‘Paglapit ko sa’yo nakahiga ka na sa kalye….’ ‘pa’no mo ako nadala dito?’ ‘magsosorry na muna ako…. hinalungkat ko yung bag mo… nakita ko yung susi… pati pareho tayo… kaya natunton ko kaagad yung hotel…’

‘THANK YOU!’ ‘sus, wala yun…’ ‘YOU SAVED MY LIFE!’ ‘Ano na nga ulit pangalan mo? ilang beses na tayong nagkikita ah’ Thank you Lord! ‘Rhia… at ilang beses mo na rin akong tinulungan.’ ‘Nahiya naman ako.’ ‘Tsss. what’s your name?’ awkward…. I feel like I was asking a prep. ‘Fran…’ ‘FRANCO?!’ ‘Francis…’ sus! akala ko siya na talaga. ‘Ahhh. Nice meeting you Francis.’ ‘Tama…. kamusta na yung superhero mo? nakita mo na ba?’ ‘Naalala mo?!’ Wow, he remembers me. <3 ‘Siyempre naman, pano namang hindi, eh sa buong buhay ko noon lang ako nakikita ng babaeng umiiyak ng ganon kalakas pati sa simbahan pa.’ ‘Ooops, that’s embarrassing.’ ‘Did I offend you? Sorry.’ OMG! He speaks dollars. $_$ Franco… twins? ‘Ay hindi… nahiya lang ako… unfortunately wala na talaga siya.’ ‘Condolence.’ ‘Lul! Di pa siya patay.’ ‘Ba’t mo sinasabing wala na siya?’ ‘Umalis na eh… iniwan niya na talaga ako.’ ‘Wag ka ng umiyak… wag kang mag-alala di muna kita iiwan….’ ‘Really?’ ‘Sure ba.. pati mag-isa lang din ako dito…’ ‘As in?! Naku! Pareho pala tayo.’ ‘Talaga?! Sige, sabay na lang tayo bukas…. ok ba?’ ‘SURE!’ ‘Pati, kelangan may kasama ka… baka maulit na naman kasi yung nangyari kanina…’ ‘Salamat sa concern ah..’ whats his full name? his phone number? his address? ‘Ano na ulit yung full name mo?’

‘Francis Mario Mendoza’ ‘Nice meeting you Francis Mario Mendoza…. I’m Rhia Margarette Lao.’ ‘Samahan na kita dito?’ o_O YES! NO? YES! NO! ‘Joke lang… hampas-hampasin mo lang itong pader pag may nanggulo sa’yo… nasa kabilang room lang ako.’ ‘Loko… sige… salamat talaga ah… spiderman!’ ‘Ha? Mukha ba akong spider?’ ‘Hindi… pero para kang si spiderman..’ ‘Naks, salamat Rhi…’ ‘Rhia…’ ‘Rhi…. simula ngayon Rhi na itatawag ko sa’yo… ok lang ba?’ wow. personalised. ‘Sure… sige na spiderman, salamat ng marami. GOOD NIGHT!’ Ewan ko kung anong nakain ko…. pero niyakap ko iya tapos kiniss sa chicks. Crazy right? I just hugged and kissed someone I formally met today. Siguro sa sobrang tuwa na nirescue niya ako.

CHAPTER 21
“vanished once more”

Rhia’s POV I’m suppose to be knocked down by now… and be in deeeeeeeeeeeep sleep. But why can’t I? Insomnia, is this you visting me? Will you please come to visit me again next week… I’m just trying to sleep here, but you keep bugging me! ‘Rhi…’ ‘Rhi…’ continues knocking. ‘Rhi… open the door, kelangan na nating umalis.’ ‘Magsstart yung activity at 8 am… 7 am na.’ NO! I’m so late! Crap. nakakahiya, siya pa yung gumising sa ‘kin… ‘Good morning Francis. Pasensya talaga… sorry.’ ‘Sus, ok lang… sige na maligo ka na…. nood lang ako ng tv ah..’ ‘Sure.’ Waaaah. Nakakahiya. sobraa! I don’t want to keep him waiting. Bibilisan ko na! No! pag binilisan ko, iisipin niyang hindi maayos yung pagligo ko. Wait! Why am I so conscious? OK! I’ll act normal, act like no one’s there. Not even someone who perfectly looks like Franco. Waaaah. Nakakahiya. sobraa! I don’t want to keep him waiting. Bibilisan ko na! No! pag binilisan ko, iisipin niyang hindi maayos yung pagligo ko. Wait! Why am I so conscious? OK! I’ll act normal, act like no one’s there. Not even someone who perfectly looks like Franco. ‘SANA’Y PAG-IBIG NA LANG ANG ISIPIN NG BAWAT ISA SA MUNDO’ did I just sing in this same room with spiderman?! ‘Di mo sinabing singer ka pala Rhi.’ nice joke. ‘Nice joke!’ ‘Hindi joke yun, totoo talaga.’ ‘For real?!’ Yup, sana sumali ka sa choir’ ‘Wow, thanks…’ tama, why don’t I try out? ^_^ narcissist! So… kung inaakala niyong nagbihis ako sa harap niya. NO. Sa banyo na ako nagbihis. I’m no bitch who tries to seduce someone I met one day ago. NO. ‘Let’s go…’ ‘Tara!’ Hindi na ako mag-isa. Yahoo! May kasama na ako. Gwapo. Yay. Lucky me ^^ ‘Rhi… bili tayo ng shirt…’ ‘Sure… kelangan ko rin yan, for souvenir and for a proof na pumunta talaga ako dito.’ ‘Anong mas maganda?’ tinuro niya yung green at grey.

‘Both.’ ‘Isa lang…’ hmmm. ini-mini-miny-mo! ‘GREEN!’ ‘Ok!’ ‘Tita… dalawa po…’ I thought of paying the shirt for him. ‘Ui, ako na..’ ‘Ako na…’ ‘Ako na nga…’ ‘Ako na kasi… please…. thank you treat ko na lang sa’yo…’ ‘Ok.’ Hay salamat! ‘Here…’ I handed him the shirt ‘thank you for the words of wisdom… the handkerchief.. the help in the bus station, sa upuan… at sa pagiging superhero!’ ‘Wow, ang dami ko palang natulong no?’ ‘Sinabi mo pa.’ ‘Pero Rhi… hindi naman ako humihingi ng kapalit eh’….pshhh, di na ako magsasalita. -_Ang cute naming dalawa. Pareho kami ng shirt. We decided to wear it na eh. Para kaming sasali sa Amazing race. Lord, maraming-maraming salamat po at nakahanap ako ng makakasama sa whole duration ng conference. I feel so blessed after the misery… pero honestly, hindi pa ako totally nakakapagmoveon. *kriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing* Joan calling. hmmm, ano naman kayang sasabihin nito. let me guess? tatanungin niya kung may mga ‘pogi’ ba dito. ‘I missed you dude!’ ‘As in? I missed you too!’ ‘Joke lang… feel na feel mo naman, hmmm, busog ka na?’ ‘Busog? Dude… di naman to food tasting conference eh…’ ‘Stupid. I mean, busog na ba yung mga mata mo sa mga boyssss diyan?’ I knew it! ‘Superrrrrrrr YES!’ inexaggerate ko lang para mainggit. ^^ ‘Jealous much!!!’ ‘Sige na.. mainggit ka lang…. need to hang up, magsisimula na yung activity.’ ‘Take good pictures of some of those BOYS ha? Make sure it looks like a picture taken by a pro..ok?’ ‘Ok! Bye!’ masunurin ka dude. good.

‘I knew it. so gagawin niya akong paparazzi? Pay me first. :P Thanks to Franco… I have this cool camera… I hope he’s here with me… para may subject ako.’ T_T ‘May sinasabi ka?’ RTTH syndrome. (Rhia’s Talking To Herself syndrome) ‘Ah, wala….’ ‘Hmmm, boyfriend mo?’ ha????? ‘sino?’ ‘yung kausap mo..’ ‘Loko… di ah, dude ko… I mean friend… ba’t mo natanong?’ actually, gusto ko talagang tanungin… wala eh… gusto mo mag-apply? JOKE! ‘yes or no lang yung sagot Rhi… masyado kang defensive..’ ‘Aw.’ ‘Natanong ko lang kasi…. baka may magreact pag sinamahan kita…’ really? and? hmmm, gusto mo mag-apply? JOKE ulit :P ‘Wala… baka ikaw diyan! baka mamaya, harangin ako ng mga babae mo…’ ‘MGA? Wala no… wala pa.’ wow, no girlfriend yet? Awesome!!! ‘Edi sino si superhero mo?’ I knew he’d ask this. ‘Long-time crush?... oo. in short CRUSH’ ‘Talaga? Akala ko nga asawa mo na eh!’ gano’n ba talaga ako ka OA… ew… nakakahiya. ‘I mean it… OA talaga ako… tsss. nakakahiya.’ -_-“ ‘Ok lang… cute naman eh.’ sinabi niyang cute ako? pag nagdadrama? WOW. kung kay franco naman… cute pag naaasar. I miss you superman. So much, so badly. ‘Thanks.’ Francis’s POV Ang cute niya… nagblush pagsabi niya ng ‘Thanks’. Magpapakilala muna ako. Ako nga pala si Francis Mario Mendoza. Pamilyar pangalan ko no? Kung iniisip niyong nagpapanggap lang ako. Hindi. Oo… magkapatid kami ni Franco na superman ni Rhi. Actually… kambal kami. Pero lumaki ako sa States… di kami sabay lumaki… pero close pa rin kami…. Hindi naman talaga ‘by chance’ yung pagtatagpo namin ni Rhi… sa totoo, ipinagbilin ni Franco yung superwoman niya sa akin. Kasi daw…. alam niyo na ata kung bakit. Naguguluhan ako eh… mukhang di ata match yung pinagsasabi ng dalawa… sabi ni Franco, galit na galit daw sa kanya si Rhi, sabi naman ni Rhi, iniwan siya ni Franco. Ay ewan! Basta… gagampanan ko yung role dito… ang maging psychic ni superman… Since, alam ni Franco na mahilig akong magspy at lahat lahat na na ginagawa ng mga secret agents… pati sakto, kasi summer break namin… humingi siya ng pabor sa akin… birthday gift ko na daw hanggang bawian siya ng buhay. Naisip ko good deal na yun… malaki din ang matitipid ko sa kapatid ko pag umoo ako… mahal yun magdemand eh… kaya yun… pumayag na ako. Tinanong ko siya kung hanggang kelan niya gagawin ‘to…. pero ang labo ng sagot ni Franco… sabi niya lang, hanggang makita ko lang siyang masaya di na ako manggugulo… napaka-indefinite,

pa’no pag masaya na habang buhay si Rhi? Edi, di na siya magpapakita kahit alam niya sa sarili niya na mahal na mahal na mahal na mahal na mahal niya ‘tong babaeng to? Oh well, wala na akong magagawa… matigas ulo no’n eh. Tama, para may difference kami sa mga imagination niyo… si Franco…maporma kung manamit. Ako naman… wag tumawa… please… mukhang nerd… pero… di ako nakabraces at nakasuot ng makakapal na eyeglasses. Ang pinaka pinoproblema ko ngayon eh…. kung anong isasagot ko pag tinanong niyang kaano-ano ko si superman niya. Lagot! ‘Francis…’ Lagot. wag naman sana. waaaaaag.. ‘Baket?’ ‘May itatanong ako…’ lagot talaga! ‘Ano yun?’ Amp. Bahala na! ‘Full name mo is…Francis Mario Mendoza…’ TULONG!!! ‘Kaano-ano mo si Franco Marion Mendoza?’ ‘H…’ ‘Relative? Cousin? Kapatid? Twin brother?’ ‘Di ko yan kilala eh… ayos… sino ba yan? halos magkatulad din pangalan namin ah’ ‘Ahhh, siya si superman.’ ‘Gano’n ba…. anong itsura? mas gwapo ba sa akin?’ Sinusubukan ko lang alisin yung curiosity niya… Ayoko ng iscrutinize niya bawat detalye… ‘Pareho kayo eh… parehong-pareho… pwera na lang sa pananamit.’ ‘Haha! Siyempre naman… superman siya… ako spider man.’ ‘Tsss. tama…joke ka ba?’ Ano raw? ‘Tao ako…’ ‘Ahhh, kasi mukha kang joker eh!’ joke ba yun? tatawa ba ako? sige na nga lang…’Hahaha! ikaw ata yung joke eh!’ ‘Oo. tapos ikaw yung R.’ ?_? ‘Ha?’ Ano raw? ‘pag pinagsama tayo…. JOKER!’ ‘Ahhh, hahahaha!’ Ang korny niya nga…eto ba ang dahilan kung bakit siya nagustuhan ni Franco? Lul! Ang babaw naman. Taghali na… pumunta kami sa SM at do’n naghanap ng makakain. Sa ________ kami kumain… ang weird. Dito kasi gusto ni Rhi… ‘1 large fries…. double cheeseburger, 2 pc. chicken with sphagetti….’ ang rami… gutom? ‘….and…’ may pahabol pa?! Takaw! ‘And a mineral water…’

‘Rhi, gutom ka ba? diba nagbreakfast naman tayo kanina?’ ‘Hindi naman…. gusto ko lang talagang kumain….’ tapos nag smile siya. Cute. ‘2 pc. chicken with rice…. and 2 caramel sundae…’ ‘Dalawa talaga…. am I that hot?.... JOKE!’ ‘Isa sa akin… isa para sa’yo….’ ‘NO! I mean… sorry but I don’t eat ice cream…..’ talaga? ‘Ah… ok… akin na ang yung dalawa….’ Nakakapagtataka… siya lang ata yung kakilala kong hindi kumakain ng ice cream. Weird. Isa din ba ‘to sa nagustuhan ni Franco sa kanya? Ang babaw ulit. ‘Ba’t ba tayo dito kumain?’ ‘I’m craving for their friesssssss!’ Ahh kaya pala… gabundok na fries yung nasa tray namin. ‘Ahhh.’ ‘Excuse me sir…. invalid po yung card niyo’ HA?!!! ‘Oh no…. I left my wallet…’ lagot na…. Halos kainin na kami ng manager ng food chain. Kasi nga daw nagpapalusot lang kami… kesyo ganito, kesyo ganyan. Paghuhugasin daw kami ng pinggan buong maghapon. Ako okey lang… pero ‘tong si Rhi…. I don’t think so. ‘Let’s bring it on!!!’ ay mali ako…. excited?

Rhia’s POV Ermmm. This is so not cool. But I can handle. Tsss, ngayon pa na ang gwapo ng kasama ko. Why not? Maybe this could be the best ‘dishwashing experience ever’…. go Rhia… be enthused, be happy, be good. Be good? God help me. ‘Sigurado ka ba talagang kaya mo?’ Tsk. Alam kong alanganin talaga yung kilos ko eh. Masyadong obvious. ‘Of course!’ trying to act positive -_-” ‘Sigurado ka talaga ha?’ He’s such a gent. ‘Yup! Let’s do this.’ Naghugas na nga kami ng pinggan… I have a confession. o_O This is my first time to do this kind of cleaning. That’s a fact… So medyo nahirapan ako at di ko alam kung anong unang gagawin, mabuti at andito si Spiderman. He’s pretty good at it. Hero no. 2. After 4 hours in this alien place, we’re so done. It wasn’t that bad after all. And I mean really NOT. NOT AT ALL. Magaan kasing kasama si Francis… the whole time we were here, it was really fun, isa siyang joker, parang si Franco…. with he’s kesolines… here’s what he said a while ago. ‘Sino kayang nag-invent ng mga pagkain?’ ‘Si God?... Si God….’

‘Alam mo kung may second life ako….. gusto ko maging pagkain….’ ?_? ‘Useless naman yan…. mamatay ka lang…. it all takes 1 chew… and babrroom!’ ‘Ok lang yun…’ ‘Anong ok dun?’ ‘Bahala ng makain ako…’ ‘You’re weird…. di kita maintindihan..’ ‘Ok…. sabihin na nating…’ ‘Ano?’ ‘Gusto ko maging pagkain kasi…’ ‘Kasi?’ ‘For you to be with me…. breakfast-lunch-dinner-snacks…’ ‘Kornyyyyyyyy! HAHAHA!’ Korny ha pero, promise, nakakatawa! It makes sense. ‘Congrats!’ ‘Ha?’ Nanalo ba ako ng something??? ‘Congrats at nagsurvive ka!’ Ahhhh. ‘Siyempre! Ako pa! If you don’t know. I was superman’s superwoman!’ ‘So…. naging kayo nga ng hero mo?’ ‘Hindi….’ hindi nga naman…’ Pero…. pero he used to call me superwoman..’ ‘Ahhh.’ Sabay na kaming umuwi ni Francis. Nakauwi kami mga 1 am na. Ang saya kasi sa venue, sobrang nag-enjoy kami sa mga activities pati sa mga inspiring stories. Medyo naliwanagan nga ako. ‘Good night Francis!’ ‘Salamat din pala kanina…. nag-enjoy ako sa punishment natin.’ ‘Talaga? Mabuti kung gano’n…. sige matulog na tayo. Good night!’ ‘Sweet dreams. See you in the morning?’ Nagnod lang siya. He looks like alanganin siya sa sagot niya. Why oh why? ‘Rhia… I’ll always love you.. I’ll love you until forever is the end… maghihintay ako… I love you Rhia’ And that’s the end of my dream. How sad. Hmmm, its 7:30 am. We’re so late! Hmm, where’s Francis… di pa ata siya nagigising, I think it’s time to wake him up. ‘Aaaaaaaaaawch!’ Ok, great morning greeting. Nadulas ako…. errr! In fairness ha… masakit. Salamat sa papel na nasa door. Hmmm, where did this come from? Ano kayang nakasulat dito???

Rhia, Kinailangan ko ng umalis. May emergency eh. Its nice meeting you. Pasensya at di na ako nakapagpaalam ng maayos. Salamat sa bansag na ‘spiderman’. Wag ka ng malungkot ah, sigurado ako babalik din yung superhero mo, kung hindi naman…magkikita naman kayo… in time. GOD BLESS! your spiderman, Francis Mario Mendoza

CHAPTER 22
“Another Kiss”

Rhia’s POV

So, he’s gone. With a blink of an eye…. he vanished. Why am I gloomy for the second time? He was just someone I met 2 days ago and I’ve been with 1 day and 1 hour ago…. whom also saved my life. Pero feeling ko ang close na namin. Tsss. Masaya na sana eh, why does this smile always have to fade when its about to reach my ear? Life? You’re so not fair. Ay ewan. Natapos na yun conference, so umuwi na ako. No more trouble this time. Salamat po. Mom told me to spend my semestral break in Japan, so nagyes na ako. Anyway, boring naman kung dito lang ako… I won’t be productive here… matutulog mantika lang ako if I stay here. ‘Rhia honey! I miss you so much!’ ‘I miss you too mom.’ honestly, not that much. ‘Go take a rest… you look so tired…’ ‘Thanks.’ I can’t help but reminisce the first time I saw Franco here in Japan… in Disneyland. Nagbabasakali akong makita ko siya doon for the second time, so I planned to visit the place. I was walking and walking and walking and still walking but I’m seeing nothing. Hopeless. Inaliw ko yung sarili ko through rides. Pero wala pa rin… Inabutan na ako ng 10 hours dito, pero wala talaga. Sumakay na ako ng subway train… at may nakita akong babaeng umiiyak… she’s Western, I guess, cause she’s blonde… nilapitan ko… ‘Miss are you ok?’ ‘Hindi.’ Ay? Pinay? Mamaya ko na lang siya tatanungin… icocomfort ko muna. ‘Alam mo ang sakit eh… nagkamali ako…. at dahil do’n, nawala yung pinakamamahal ko.’ tsk. Broken hearted. ‘Ano ba kasing nangyari?’ Hindi naman sa nakikialam ako sa love story niya… pero I need to know, para alam ko kung anong sasabihin ko sa kanya. ‘I thought he doesn’t love me anymore… I thought he fooled me… I thought he just played with me… lahat ‘akala’…. lahat din… maling akala…’ ‘And I broke up with him because I thought he broke my heart…. pero mali ako…. malingmali, masyado akong nabulag sa lahat ng akala ko…’ ‘Tapos?’ Gosh. I’m crying. ‘Tinaboy ko siya…. I acted like I never knew someone like him… I let him feel I hate him… I even acted like I found another boyfriend… which is my bestfriend…’ familiar yung story… T_T ‘He continued asking for forgiveness, but I did not listen to him….’ that’s what I did too. ‘It took me months to realize that I still love him and I can’t live without him… I can’t let him go’ Umiiyak na talaga ako… feeling ko sister ko siya… I feel what she feels. ‘Ano ng nangyari?’ ‘I went to their house a while ago… and…’ Humahagulhol na siya… what happened?!

‘When I arrive their… all I saw was people wearing white… flowers… candles…., coffin, with his picture on top of it.’ WHAT?! T_T soooo tragic. ‘What happened? Pa’no nangyari yun?’ ‘My friend then told me… he committed suicide…’ tapos umiyak siya ng sobrang lakas. All eyes were on us. o_O *speechless* ‘Girl…. you have someone you love? May mahal ka ba?’ When she asked this… I can’t help but cry…. cry like her… Eff. Emabarassing! I’m in a public place. Sakto… pag-iyak ko ng gano’n, umulan…. I don’t have a jacket or an umbrella, only my purse. What am I gonna do now? ‘Meron… pero…’ ‘Pero? Girl… wag ka sana matulad sa akin…. mahal mo ba talaga siya?’ ‘SOBRA.’ ‘Don’t let him go… even if there’ so little to fortify…. even if you pushed him away… or done things you think would end up everything…. don’t give up. Love find ways…. it always do…. don’t let him go…. do what your heart tells you…. do it…. before everything’s too late’ ‘O….k… th—ank.-s’ Hindi ko kinaya… Naiyak ako sa sinabi niya…. something’s telling me I have to find him…. natatakot talaga ako.. kinakabahan…. I’ll never know when’s the end of everything… lumabas na ako… I forgot its raining. I remembered Franco… I remembered the kiss in the rain. I was walking under the heavy downpour of the rain…. crying. I’m desperate… I want to see him as soon as possible. Kung hindi…. baka maatay na ako sa sobrang panghihinayang. I end up sitting under the shade of a tree…. malakas pa rin yung ulan, katulad ng pag-iyak ko. My head is on the ground… I could not but feel sorry for myself… for everything I did. ‘Miss?’ I looked up… ‘FRANCO!’ ‘Rhia….’ ‘Franco… I’m sorry… I did not listen to….’ and he kissed me…. another kiss in the rain The next thing I knew…. I was already in my bed.. but I wasn’t dreaming…. when I opened my eyes… he’s right here… in my room’s red sofa. Feeling ko ako si Bella na nasa hospital bed… at siya si Edward na nagpapanggap matulog… kasi… ‘Hey honey’ andito na si mommy…. pwede ng parody. ‘Good morning mom’ ‘Are you feeling ok now?’

‘What happened?’ ‘He said…’ tinuro niya si Franco. ‘What? Mom… don’t point her like he’s some criminal…’ ‘No I’m not… Of course not… he’s your hero…’ my hero? How’d she know.. ‘Mom… how’D you know?’ ‘I made some research… you know I can’t live without knowing what’s going on with your life, honey…’ My mom is a spy wannabe. ‘Right… so what happened to me’ ‘Sumakit daw ulo mo… and you collapsed…. so he brought you here and both of you looked like you took a bath and forgot you’re still wearing your clothes.’ ‘Thanks for the details Mom.’ ‘I’ll have your food prepared… iwan muna kita… with your hero…’ Asar! Ang kulit. My mom is…. errr…. I don’t know. ‘Hey… good morning.. ok ka na?’ ‘Of course I am…. Franco, I missed you… and I’m sorry’ ‘Shhh, stop saying that…. namiss din kita sobra….’ ‘I love you superman…. sooo much… and I will not fly without you…’ ‘I won’t too and I love you too, I always do.’ Franco’s POV Oh well, buhay nga naman. Nagbalik ako, dahil nagbalik din si superwoman. Masaya na kami ngayon. Our relationship is soaring high, dahil ngayon dalawa na kaming lumilipad. After 2 weeks… bumalik na kami sa Pinas. Gusto kasi ni Rhia na makaattend sa birthday party ni Jamie. Wala pang nakakakaalam na nagkaayo na kami ni Rhia. Kaya sigurado akong magugulat silang lahat. Pati, Jamie’s everyone’s friend… except kay Alex, kaya sigurado din akong maraming tao dun. ‘Take care the both of you…’ ‘Mom… we’ll be fine….’ ‘Superman..’ ‘Mom!’ Ang cute ni Rhia. HAHA! ‘Franco pala… take care of my daughter.. ok?’ opo mommy. ‘Yes tita… ako na po ang bahala sa anak niyo.’ ‘Ok, then you’ll be good, call me when the plane lands’ ‘Yes mom.’ Anak ng! Nadulas ako. ‘What did you say?’ Narinig ni Rhia. Amp!

‘Wala… sabi ko… tara na.’ Tapos hinawakan niya kamay ko. Nasa eroplano na kami…. ‘Feeling ko….’ ‘Ano?’ ‘Eroplano ako na nasa ere…’ ‘Kasi…’ alam ko ‘to eh ‘Kasi pakiramdam mo lumilipad ka pagkasama ako?’ ‘Errr! Spoiler! How’d you know?’ ‘Kasi pareho tayo ng feeling eh…’ ‘Psssh! Kahit kelan talaga ang keso mo…’ ‘Ikaw nga diyan eh…’

Rhia’s POV Epic. Errrr! I never win against someone’s lines. Unfair. Pero ang sweet ah… Nakarating na kami.. dumiretso na kami sa bahay nila Jamie, its 5 pm… party starts at 6 pm…. and traffic is hell. ‘Happy Birthday Jamie!’ ‘Happy Birthday Jamie’

Kyri, Joan, Jamie and everyone --Franco held my hands… ‘Kami na.’

o_O

-THE END-

THE END??

Of course not!

CHAPTER 23
“it’s official”

Rhia’s POV There’s no way I’m gonna end the story without finishing it yet. Hello?! wala pa ata tayo sa climax eh. Hindi pa nagpopropose si superman. Kiddin’, matagal pa yun kung gano’n nga. Hihihi ^^. Pati ipagdadasal ko pa yan. So everyone was surprised. I mean really surprised. Alam mo yung para silang nakakita ng multo sa harap nila. That’s how they looked like. It’s soooooo FAAANNNEEEEH! I’m gonna die! Here’s what happened… ‘Kayo na?’ sabay silang lahat…. it took them a minute to say this. Franco and I looked at each other. ‘KAMI NA’ ‘Really?!’ Birthday girl, Kyri and Joan. ‘OO’ ‘Thank you Lord! This is the best gift of the day.’ Wow. Touch naman ako. ‘Thanks.’ Gosh! ba’t ba parati kaming sabay? Ang cute. Masaya naman yung party, kaso…. feeling ko incomplete kasi wala si Alex. Hmm, wala tuloy nangaasar kay Jamie. If I know hinahanap-hanap ni Jamie si Alex pero di lang nagpapahalata. You see I’m Alex’s bestfriend, kilala ko siya… I know he likes Jamie… and Jamie does as well. ^_~ Going back. It’s official, Franco and I are dating. We are dating. How did it happen? The kiss in the rain wasn’t the answer. Hindi rin yung tipong tatanungin ka na lang ng basta basta… ‘will you be my girl?’ NO!. Creative yung hero ko eh. So, magkukwento ako ulit. It was a bright and sunny day. But I wasn’t happy after all. I don’t like that kind of aura… basta gusto ko… parating umuulan. I love the rain you know… ‘Ba’t ka ba nakasimangot Rhia?’ ‘I hate the sun… I hate the weather.’ ‘So anong gusto mo?’ ‘RAIN!’ ‘Ang hirap naman niyan…’ yah right. ‘BrB… uwi muna ako…’ ‘K. tc’ Tsss. Ba’t kaya bigla siyang umalis? Weird. Pero seriously, kinabahan ako… kasi baka di na siya bumalik. Errr. That’s how paranoid I’ve been since I almost lost him. Alam mo yung feeling na, everytime nagkakalayo kayo… or hindi lang siya magreply… or… di mo siya makita in a day, kinakabahan ka na? That’s it.. that’s how I feel. ‘Honey, someone’s looking for you downstairs’ ‘Who?’ ‘See for yourself..’

‘Moooom!’ she just loves it when I’m curious. Goodness. ‘Just go downstairs and please… dress up.’ Dress up? Why would I? Ok. Ok Fine! Pagbaba ko…. ‘SUPERMAN!’ Not Franco… the real Superman! With the perfect costume. Hindi naman siya umimik… he just held his hand… a gesture to escort me somewhere… I looked at mom for approval… ‘Go ahead honey, enjoy..’ I can really tell that this isn’t Franco wearing a costume… this guy is 2x bigger than Franco. ‘Where are we going?’ ooops. nasa Japan pala ako… but I had amnesia… nakalimutan ko ng mag nihongo. >_< Hindi pa rin umiimik si superman. OK. After 10 minutes with this naïve man. ‘Enjoy’ sus! marunong naman pala mag-english ba’t di niya ako sinagot kanina. So, we stopped over this steel house. Dinadaanan ko lang ito 5 days ago… and now, it’s done. Hmmm, ano na naman bang meron dito? Naglakad na ako papasok sa ‘steel house’… while I was walking… umandar na yung mga water sprinklerssss, Ok! Now I’m so wet. Ano yun? Fake rain? Pshhh. Franco talaga… FRANCO?! San na nga ba yun? Pagpasok ko sa steel house, I see nothing. No one. Not even a single furniture or an ant. Hmmm, ano na naman ba kasing pakulo ng lalakeng yun? Hmmm, after 30 seconds… may naririnig akong tumutugtog. Instrumental ng…. SUPERMAN! The way its played… its sounds soooo romantic. Pagtalikod ko… here’s my real superman. Nakared cape. May dala din siyang isa pang red cape. ‘I can’t stand to fly… I’m not that naïve… I just want to be with you when I do..’ ‘?????’ Ang lalim. Di ko gets. O_O ‘So, Rhia Margarette Lao, will you fly with me?’ Habang hinihintay niya yung sagot ko sinuot niya yung isang red cape sa akin. Di pa nga ako nagyeyes eh! ‘YES!’ He kissed me again. And….. it rained? Inside this steel house? WOW! And we danced the whole time. So that’s it, end of the story. I mean not literally end… kasi nga diba di pa siya nagpopropose. LOL. So that’s how he said ‘will you be my girl?’…. Gano’n ba talaga ang mga superhero pag nanliligaw? ‘will you fly with me?’ I’m on cloud nine. Para nga akong lumilipad that very moment. Kahit nga ngayon feeling ko gano’n pa rin. Jesus. Why is he so romantic? Thank you po! After all, I realized.. things doesn’t always end leaving me solitary. I just have to wait for a better ending and not just end it like I always do. Alex’s POV And they lived happily ever after! Hay salamat at nagtagpo uli yung landas ng dalawang superhero. Ang korny pala no? Tsss, kaya nga ayaw ko ng mga love-love na yan eh, ang baduy! Di ko ata maototolerate yung ganyang kabaduyan.

Pero HANDS DOWN ako sa dalawa… baduy nga pero sweet naman. Pero I also believe, lintek, English yun ah, si Rhia naman kasi nakakahawa! Balik usapan, naniniwala naman akong hindi pa ito yung ending ng story… nagsisimula pa ata eh. Wala pa tayo sa climax. Pan’no ba yan tapos na ata yung mission ko eh. Gustuhin ko mang maging witness ng mala-tele serye nilang love story pero hindi na pwede. Lul! Di pa ako mamatay…pati babalik pa ako. Kaya di pa ako mag lalagay ng R.I.P. BRB muna… as in, be right back. Kelangan na kasi eh… sabi ng maarte kong nanay, sa States na muna daw ako mag-aaral. Nakakaasar, first time kong mahiwalay kay best. Oh well, ok lang naman ata, kasi may pag-iiwanan ako sa kanya. She’ll be in good hands. Pati, sana wag niyong isipin na…. nasasaktan ako dahil sila na. Hindi naman ako magpapakaJacob na umaasang maging kami ni Bella. Lintek! ang baduy ah! Seryoso na… hindi talaga, kelangan ko lang talagang maging masunuring anak ngayon. ‘Franco!’ ‘Alex!’ ‘Oh! Congrats!’ ‘Salamat dude!’ ‘So… ok na kayo… kaya… magsisign-out muna ako ah..’ ‘Ha? Di kita maintindihan dude.’ ‘Sabi ko magpapaalam na ako.’ ‘Sa’n ka ba papunta?’ ‘Maghahanap ng adventure? Oo… maghahanap ng adventure..’ ‘di ka na dito mag-aaral?!’ ‘Oo!’ ‘Pa’no na yung bestfriend mo? sigurado ako mamimiss ka no’n!’ ‘Sus! Sinabi mo pa… pero… para san ba’t naging kayo kung mamimiss niya pa rin ako?!’ ‘Lul! Pero iba talaga yung may bestfriend ka eh..’ ‘Dude? Gano’n mo na ba talaga kamahal si Rhia?’ ‘Ba’t mo naman nasabi?’ ‘And baduuuuuuuuuuuy mo na kasi eh! heee! nakakasuka!’ ‘Loko!’ ‘Seryoso na to Franco… ikaw na muna bahala kay best ah… kelangan ko talagang umalis eh…’ ‘Sure.’ ‘Basta wag mong paiiyakin yan ah! Kundi! Pag nabalitaan ko… uuwi talaga ako dito galing mars para suntukin ka!’

‘Easy bro! Oo, pangako yan.’ ‘Alam ko namang… di mo talaga kayang saktan si best eh… kaya ko nga siya ipagbibilin sa’yo…’ ‘So… BRB. Ikaw na bahala ah! Balitaan mo na lang din ako pag magpapakasal na kayo?’ ‘Matagal pa yun bro!’ ‘I know right?’ ginaya ko ulit yung kung paano ‘to sabihin ni best para naman di ako makalimutan ni superman. Yak! Baduy!!! ‘Loko ka talaga!’ ‘See you!’ Umalis na ako… Ay di pa pala… ibig kong sabihin… naglakad na ako papalayo kay Franco, kailangan ko pang magpaalam kay Rhia. Lintek! Lalapitan ko na sana eh, kaso… masaya siya, tawa ng tawa kasama yung dudes niya pati yun Jamie na yun! Hindi ko na lang nilapitan. Masisira ko lang ang mood ni best. Bukas na lang, bago ako pumunta sa airport. Rhia’s Red bedroom, 6 am Tulog pa si tulog-mantika… Tinabihan ko na muna… tapos niyakap, niyakap ng sobrang higpit, yung pinakamahigpit na yakap, mamimiss ko ‘to eh! Amp! Napaluha naman ako. Baduy! Sana pala di na lang ako pumunta dito. Pa’no ba naman kasi, first time kong mahiwalay sa babaeng ‘to, nagkahiwalay lang kami nito… pero less than a month na yung pinakamatagal. Asar! I will miss…. lintek na! Babalik naman ako ah! ‘Alex!!! Hands off me!’ Nagising siguro sa sobrang higpit ng yakap ko. ‘Eto naman… aalis na nga lang ako!’ ‘Wait! where are you going anyway? and why’d you wake me up so early? enrolment na ba?’ ‘Easy, hinay-hinay lang sa mga tanong ha… ok una… aalis na ako, ewan kung kelan babalik basta, matatagalan kaya pasensya kung nagising kita, pangalawa, magpapaalam na ako… 11 am flight ko, aabutan ako ng traffic kung mamaya pa kita bubulabugin, at huli… oo enrolment ngayon.’ ‘Are you serious?’ Kinarga ko si Rhia… dinala ko sa may hagdan, para makita niya yung mga bagahe ko. ‘Oh? do I look like Im joking?’ Ayan! Anak ng! Ang lambot naman talaga nitong babaeng ‘to. Kung may isang bagay na hindi niya nakuha sa akin… yun yung, pagiging matapang pagdating sa iyakan. Lintek, baka ako rin maiyak eh! ‘I hate you! Iiwan mo na lang ba yung bestfriend mo?!’ ‘OA mo talaga… babalik naman ako… bye!’ gusto ko ng makaalis dito… baka ako pa yung magbreak down. Mahirap na. ‘Beeeest! Where are you going?’ para namang bata na iiwan ng nanay tong babaeng to oh! ‘States… look, mom wants me to study there… and business Rhia…. babalik naman ako… I’ll try to visit you whenever I’m free.’ ‘Workaholic ka eh!’ Tama.

‘Basta best… we’ll still be friends…. best childhood friends…’ Anak ng! ‘So i---i—w-an mm-o na l-an—g ako?’ ‘Hindi naman sa gano’n eh! Basta, wag ka ng OA diyan ok?’ ‘I will miss you best! Sobrang-sobrang mamimiss kita best!’ magsasalita na sana ako pero tumulo yung lintek kong luha! ‘Who will piss me off now? Sino ng mang-aasar sa akin? sino ng makikinig sa akin? beeeest naman oh! Wala ng kakarga sa akin pag enrolment’ *speechless* lintek, dapat kasi umalis na ako! ‘Basta… keep me posted… e-mail me everyday… stay online everyday…. and please! ipakilala mo sa akin yung babaeng liligawan mo… dapat maganda katulad ko.’ ano daw? ‘I will miss you sooooooooooo much best’ ‘OA KA!’ bigla na lang tumawa, yung sobrang lakas! ‘OMG! I made you cry? for real?! You’re crying! Alex Anthony de Leon the great is crying!’ Where’s my camera?!!!’ Umakyat siya tapos kinuha yung camera na bigay ni superman niya tapos pinagkukunan ako ng picture. ‘Tama na Rhia… oo na… mamimiss na din kita!’ ‘Take care of your rotten veggie self. Kumain ka ng marami… sumbong mo agad sa akin pag pinaiyak ka ng superhero mo… sige na…. baka sumabog pa ako! BYE… este… SEE YOU SOON!’ ‘Am I dreaming?’ ‘No… pero pwede ka ng matulog….I love you’ Hinug ko na siya tapos kiniss sa forehead. Paalam na best. BrB everyone!

Rhia’s POV Sana Nananaginip lang ako. Sana… pero hindi. Totoong aalis na si best. I mean, umalis na siya. Err! I hate him… why does he need to leave? Di man lang niya sinabi sa akin… ngayon lang… ngayon na na aalis na siya. Alam ko sinadya niya yun para wala na akong magawa, para di ko na siya mapigilan. Hmmm, I just knew Alex for 7 months… kasi nga sa amnesia na yan… but I feel like I knew him forever. Siya yung naging memory archive ko when I was adjusting… and now he’s leaving me. Ouch. Pero I’ll be strong. This is part of growing up. Anyway, he said he’s coming back and he’ll visit me. So wala akong dapat ikabahala, and… what’s the point of having the internet and cellphone kung di gagamitin? So we’ll be good. Hindi na ako nakatulog balik, so nagbihis na lang ako, and Franco picked me up para sabay na kami sa enrolment. Pagdating ko… sila dude lang nakita ko, wait where’s Jamie the sweetest? ‘Good morning superheroes’

‘Pshh, ang baduuuuuuuuy!’ ‘Sweet naman’ oo nga, the way he said that? Ughhh, he makes me fall for him more and more. ‘Wait, where’s Jamie? diba dapat sabay kayo?’ ‘You don’t know?!’ ‘Di mo alam?’ ‘What? she did not tell you?’ ‘TIME-OUT! Di ko kailangan ng translations, where is she?’ ‘She’s not studying here anymore.’ HA?! ‘Lumipat na siya.’ ‘Where?’ ‘Singapore.’ ‘HA?! For real? Ba’t di siya nagpaalam??? Alam niya rin bang umalis na si Alex??? Why didn’t you tell me?’ ‘We thought, alam mo na… and yung kay Alex, everyone knew, you’re the last to know, he told us to keep it from you until he’s gone.’ ‘What on Earth is happening?! Don’t tell me kayo din?’ ‘No way, kaya nga kami andito eh para magpaenroll’ ‘I will never leave you.’ Pssssh. I know you won’t. Teka, nawala lang ako ng sandali tapos eto na? first, Alex, now, Jamie. Right, kami na nga ng superhero ko, and I’m happy with him, but why do they have to leave. Unfair! I got one but I lost two. What’s the point? Is this intentional? I mean, sinadya ba talaga nilang umalis sila sabay? Wew. Malay natin may love affair na pala sila tapos gusto lang nila ng privacy… hmmm, pwede! Oo nga naman, baka gano’n nga lang.

Franco’s POV Tsk. Kawawa naman si cookie monster. Alam ko, baduy yung tawag ko sa kanya. Anyway, alam naman talaga namin lahat na aalis yung dalawang machine guns, kaso, ayaw ilang ipaalam kay Rhia, pati, di daw nila aakalain silang dalawa sabay aalis. Tsss, pa’no ba yan? tatahimik na yung paligid namin, wala na kasing magpapalitan ng putok ng baril. Amp. Pero, kahit gano’n ipaparamdam ko kay Rhia na andito lang ako para sa kanya, siyempre, kami na eh! Oo nga pala. I’m back! Nagbalik adventure na si superman, masaya na yung adventure! kasabay ko na kasi sa paglipad yung nagpapatibok ng puso ko. Biruin mo? kam na ng crush ko. Hanep! Siguro alam niyo na kung pa’no ako nagpropose. Walang pinapalagpas si Rhia eh. Makinig na lang muna kayo sa side ko. First dance ko yun with Rhia eh, lintek naman kasi yung music in-charge nung prom.

JS Prom, araw na pinaghahandaan ng lahat? I don’t think so, asar na asar ang seniors dito eh, kasi nga daw, sobrang busy pati di day dapat to priority, and daming reklamo. Pero pagkakita ko sa kanilang lahat, parag pinaghandaan talaga. Mga babae nga naman. Isa na si Rhia do’n. Nabalitaan ko, este, narinig ko lang pala, siya daw yung gumawa ng gown niya. Hanep! Sobrang ganda, hers is outstanding, hindi cliché. *flashback* JS PROMENADE Mission: Maging first and last dance ni Rhia for the night. Bahala na! Basta dapat at the end of th day, mission accomplished. Ayan, dancing part na, lintek na Marius naunahan ako! pati nakita ko si Jake sumunod. Amp! Umupo na lang muna ako, naghanap ng tamang tiyempo. Nice, slow music na tapos nakaupo lang si Rhia… mag-isa o_O JACKPOT! Naglakas-loob na si superman, eto na ‘to! ‘Rhia, will you dance with me?’ Amp baka sobrang amig ng kamay ko, nakakahiya pag hinawakan na niya. ‘Sure!’ hinawakan niya na nga. Nasa langit na ba ako? ‘Ang lamig naman ng kamay mo…’ ‘Ang lakas kasi ng aircon eh…’ Nasa dance floor na kami, sakto, ‘so close’ yung music…. napakaromantic. Chance na to! ‘You look so beautiful’ ‘Thanks’ Amp, eye to eye? Muntik na sana kaming magkiss eh, yung 1 inch na lang yung pagitan ng lips naman, kaso, naging ‘dynamite’ yung music. Lintek! Tapos hinila siya ni Jake! Tarantado nga naman yung lalakeng yun! Masyadong insecure. *end of flashback* Oh well, gano’n ako kamalas noon. Pero, wala na yun! Masaya na ako ngayon eh, sobrang saya. Sigurado akong magtatagumpay lahat ng adventure ko, kasi nasa tabi ko na ang greatest weapon ko, Superwoman.

CHAPTER 24
“The Mendoza’s”

Rhia’s POV 2nd sem na. Whoa! Exciting. But… I really am missing my bestfriend. Errr, it really is weird now, I mean, noon, gusto naming i-isolate si Jamie at Alex sa isang room na silang dalawa lang ang tao, kasi naman ang ingay-ingay, away ng away and they’re so annoying. But now, I’m missing the both of them, nakakamiss yung mga bala nila. They always have something to say even if you think matatalo na yung isa. Sana pala nag polsci na lang sila. Pffft. I’m Alex and Jamie sick. T_T Rhia Alex Rhia Alex Rhia Alex Alex Rhia Alex Rhia Alex Rhia Alex Rhia Alex Alex Alex Rhia Alex Rhia Margarette: Best! I missed you so much! Anthony: I missed you too, sooooo much…. Margarette: Di ka ba masaya? Anthony: I don’t think so Margarette: Kasi wala ako jan? hahahaha! JOKE! Anthony: Pwede Anhony: nyway, musta na? kamusta na kayo ng superman mo? Margarette: Ok naman, ok kami, pero namimiss na namin kayo. errr. Anthony: Mabuti naman, teka.. kami? sinong kami? Margarette: You don’t know?! Anthony: Ha? Margarette: Jamie and you. Anthony: Ahhh, K. Margarette: Pshhh, di ka pa rin nagbabago! Anthony: Siyempre naman… Anthony: Mine, I’m leaving, soon…. Anthony: I love you. Margarette: Best? Anthony: Wrong sent!!!! Ampf, sensya best! Margarette: OMG! Who’s ‘Mine’???

Alex Anthony is now offline….. Errrr! He just wants to keep things hanging. But wait! May girlfriend na si best?! Oh my! I’m so hapy for him, kaso, nagtatampo ako, pfft. Di niya man lang sinabi sa akin, hmmm, sino kaya si ‘mine’? I’ll stalk Alex. Hihihih. ^^ I’ll call him na lang… hmmm, kukulitin ko siya. yay! *kriiiiiiiiiing* ‘Good morning, de Leon’s residence, how may I help you madam?’ ‘Good morning, can I talk to Alex please.’ ‘I’m sorry he’s not here’ ‘Where is he?’ ‘In the hospital.’ Taray, English speaking si ate. WAIT! Did she just say Alex is in the hospital?! Alex is acting weird huh, he’s keeping secrets from me, meanie! *kriiiiiiiiing* ‘Cookie monster?’ ‘Yes, Mr. Chips?’ ‘Labas tayo…’ ‘Kelan?’ ‘Ngayon.’

‘Ay, can’t for now, may photoshoot ako eh… gusto mo samahan mo na lang ako?’ ‘Sure! be there in 10 minutes.’ ‘See you!’ ‘I love you.’ ‘I love you too, take care’ ‘for you, I will’ Ughhh! He’s just so perfect. Marinig ko lang ang boses niya, ok na. Hihihihi. Nasa baba na ako, ready for the shoot, wew, thanks to my mom who exposes me to everyone she knows. >_< ‘Your late!’ ‘Ha?!’ ’10 seconds late’ ‘Sus, tara na nga...’ Outdoor shoot. Its freaking hot. And the other model, a boy, isn’t here yet. Eff. ‘Ms. Lao, the other model can’t make it, we have to postpone the shoot.’ eff. ‘WHAT?!’ ‘pero kung may mahanap tayo….’ mahanap? I think we already found something. ‘I know someone, in fact he’s here.’ perfect! ‘That’s good, where is he?’ ‘Right… there’ tinuro ko si Mr. Chips. ‘Better than expected, let’s go!’ ‘Ano na?’ ‘Magready ka na daw.’ ‘Ha?’ ‘Superheroes will rock the shoot today’ ‘Ba’t ako?’ ‘Ay, ayaw mo?’ ‘ikaw yung kasama eh, siyempre gusto! bring it on!’ napilitan ata eh. The photo shoot turned so perfect. Parang wala lang, ang dali dali nga lang eh, and I enjoyed it, the best photo shoot I’ve ever had, of course it is, si superman kasi kasama ko. By the way, it’s a shoot for a famous clothing line, whose owner is my mom’s friend, that’s why napadpad ako dun. >_< 1 week after… Sabay kami ni Franco pumasok sa school, and in our surprise, nasa amin lahat ng tingin, wait, what’s wrong? AWKWARD!

Ang ganda niya ‘tol! swerte ng kasama niya! diba sila yung nasa billboard? schoolmate pala natin yung nasa billboard eh! Ayos hot chick dude… lapitan natin. papicture tayo! that’s from the boys… thanks for the compliments, I’m flattered but I’m also scared. want to hear from the girls? errrr. here… bitch! maswerte siya You know what? I want to be friend her and him, Hihihi, they seem nice, stop the judgements. he’s so hot and she’s so not. they look perfect together Thank God, hindi puro negative, in fairness, may improvement. Wew. ‘Rhia, don’t listen to them ok?’ ‘Ha?’ ‘I can read your face… stop acting…’ great. mind reader ka na pala ngayon? ‘Fine. Thanks’ ‘Pasensya ha..’ ‘sorry for what?’ ‘Ang gwapo kasi ng boyfriend mo kaya naiissue ka’ ‘Franco?’ ‘What?’ ‘Shut up!’ ‘Ayaw mo yun… gwapo yung boyfriend mo…’ ‘Shhh’ ‘Pati, maswerte din naman ako kasi…’ ‘kasi ano? kasi hinahabol ka ng mga babae?’ ‘Siyempre hindi yan…’ ‘Then what?!’ ‘kasi maganda yung girlfriend ko’ *blush* ‘Tssss.’

‘Kunwari ka pa… halata namang gusto mo yung sinabi ko eh, tingnan mo yung mukha mo, namumula!’ ‘Oo na… errr, alam mo para kang…’ ‘ihi? ihi na di mo matiis?’ how’d he know?! ‘spoiler!’ ‘Masyado ka kasing obvious… you know what?’ ‘What now?!’ ‘Sometimes, you have to appear mysterious… secretive, try to play with other’s prediction by confusing them… magagawa mo yun pag ginamit mo yung expression ng mukha mo, it’s a great weapon Rhia, sometimes you have to fake something in order gain something.’ Etong lalakeng ‘to, at first glance, playboy/stranger, pero pag nakapagsalita na, masyadong malalim, tunog-anghel. May point nga siya. I sometimes, have to fake it in order to gain it. Since I have this li’l something which contains li’l sayings, isusulat ko na ‘to. When I grabbed the tickler, may nahulog na notebook, it’s a cutie, white and brown fur yung cover, hmmm, I wonder what it is, so I opened it Its my diary! my diary? ahh, diary ko noon, when I was in the 6th grade. Pshhh, ang OA ko pala noon pa, no wonder I still am now. I just scanned the whole thing, almost everything talks about Franco my great crush. LOL. Until I saw something…. its… its… my wishlisht.

Ayaw ko mag-asawa, promise! But I have to make exceptions if my soulmate shows up. That’s if someone completes these ‘impossible to be complied signs’. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. kiss in the rain dream of kissing him again hand me a hanky on a church see him in Disneyland wearing a red shirt with mickey mouse printed on it *to be filled when I’m in college*

Oh-my! 3 signs completed already. Weird kid pala ako eh, batang-bata pa, tpaos nagdeclare na ng di ako mag-aasawa? Weird enough. Perfect yung signs, 1st: check. 2nd: check… pero third? yung third di naman si Franco yun eh… si Francis… si Francis na pinasaya ako pero bigla na lang nawala. The fourth one is.. not yet seen. Tsss. Cut it out, why am I wasting my time reading this nonsense anyway? pshh… bata pa naman ako nung ginawa ko ‘to, wala pa ako sa tamang isip, so, I won’t consider this at all. enngk! Anyway, I’m still bothered, I mean, what if, Franco and Francis are twins? Hmmm, very possible, I’ll try to ask Franco about this matter. ‘Franco..’ ‘Yes cookie monster?’ baduuuuuuuy! pero sweet. <3 ‘May kapatid ka ba?’ ‘Oo! tama ipapakilala pala kita sa kanila… Saturday, ok?’ ‘s-sure… hmm, anong pangalan ng kapatid mo?’ ‘si ate cheska…’ so, may sister siya. ‘you know someone named… Francis Mario Mendoza?’

‘Ha? ah… wala…’ hmm, I can smell something wet-market like. ‘Sure?’ ‘Sure… anyway, Saturday, gimik tayo, my cousinssss want to meet you, so as ate Cheska’ ‘Wow… will I be ok?’ ‘Siyempre naman, wag kang mag-alala, they know you already, pati…. I’m at your back’ winks. HEAVEN! ‘Ok, sounds exciting!’ Saturday, 7 pm Uh-oh! Ba’t ba ako kinakabahan? Pffft, meet the family kasi yung drama eh, errr. So, what if they won’t like me? or… don’t find me nice? attractive? I don’t know. Goodness. ‘Your boyfriend is here sis.’ Meet my brother! Albert Einstein, kiddin’, Albert Martinez, kiddin’ again. Gabriel Marius Lao. Marius is to be read like this- ma-ra-yus. ok? Hihihi, late yung appearance niya no?, pa’no ba naman kasi, masyadong workaholic, like he spends more of his life in the office than in his house, so he’s here because he’s on a 1 week convention. Still, related pa rin sa work yung pakay niya sa Philippines. What a caring brother. Mind you, no girlfriend since birth siya! Hahahaha ! but he’s no gay, that I assure you. ‘Tsss, and where’s your girlfriend? BRO.’ ^_^v ‘Ah gano’n ah, sige, wag kang lumabas ah, you stay here….’ ‘Joke lang… hmm, gusto mo hanapan kita?’ ‘No thanks… umalis ka na, bago magbago isip ko at baka ikulong kita dito.’ torture!!! ‘You’re just the sweetest brother ever! Goodness!’ ‘Alam ko… you take care…’ sweet indeed. ‘Yes sir…’ ‘You take care of my sister and not too much drinks ok? I don’t want her red when she comes back.’ ‘yes…’ ‘KUYA’ kuya?! I don’t even call him that. Funny! ‘Yes… Kuya..’ LOL, my superhero looks like he’s facing the greatest villain ever. With the drinks? They said I’m allergic to it. How unfortunate, so, basically, malalaman at malalaman nila kung umiinom ba talaga ako o hindi. GREAT! ‘Nakakatakot naman yung kuya mo.’ ‘Did I just hear you say ‘nakakatakot si Gab?’ he’s just acting… he loves it when he does it, so don’t worry’ ‘Ahhh, humanda ka mamaya! pipritohin ka ng mga pinsan ko…. pero bago yun, imamarinate ka muna ni ate Cheska’ ‘NO! tinatakot mo naman ako eh. MEAN!’ pwede pa bang mag back out?

‘Loko lang… ang cute mo kasi pag natatakot. ahahaha!’ masaya ka! ‘Really?’ ‘Yup. nagustuhan mo rin…’ ‘Ang kulit mo!!!!’ ‘Matagal na, let’s go, they’re waiting inside, excited yung mga mokong!’ THEY?! Excited?! This is it. Help me!!! ‘Here comes the superhero’s girl’ who is that? ‘Hi Rhia!!!’ wow! is this a party in Beverly hills? I mean, everyone looks so stunning. Even the guys. ‘Hel—ll-o’ ‘Oh c’mon dear, we don’t bite, I’m Cheska, Franco’s prettiest sister, you can call me ‘sis’ or Ate Cheska! I’m so glad I finally met you.’ ‘Hi Rhia! Ako nga pala si Mawee, gwapong pinsan ng boyfriend mong gwapo din!’ ‘Mas gwapo naman ako! Hey Rhia, I’m Paolo.’ ‘What can I say? Maganda ka nga, I’m Harvey. Nice meeting you superwoman!’ ‘Boys! Hinay-hinay lang, you’re scaring her…’ wow, natahimik ata sila… ayos pala si ate Cheska eh! ‘Sorry Ate Ches…’ at sabay sila ha… ‘Pasensya na… masyado lang silang excited mameet ka, eh kasi naman si Franco, ikaw yung bukambibig, everytime naghahang-out sila, kahit ako nga eh. So, welcome to the family! let’s enjoy the night!’ ‘Wow, thanks Ate Cheska… thanks for making me feel so welcome…’ she’s so pretty, parang, girl version ni Franco, hmm, may boyfriend kaya siya? I’ll ask her. ^^ ‘You’re so pretty, would you mind if I ask you something?’ ‘Thanks…. go ahead.’ ‘May boyfriend ka?’ ‘HAHAHA! None, and haven’t got one yet… I’m too busy for that dear.’ JACKPOT! Gab and Ate Cheska! Perfect match, NBSB, Workaholic. Wow. Nice one! ‘Really?! Wow… you’re like my brother, bagay kayo. hahahaha’ ‘Good to hear that, but I’ll love to see you walk the isle first and get married with my brother before I do…’ ‘????’ get married? ang aga naman. ‘Kiddin’, pero if by your will, why not?’ ‘Joker ka rin pala… hehehe… matagal pa yun Ate Cheska…’ ‘Love can wait… and it always do..’ isa pa tong ang lalim magsalita. ‘Ate Ches! Mamaya mo na siya iscrutinize, let’s have some fun!’ wild din pala ‘tong lalakeng ‘to.

I noticed something… this is suppose to be a club, a partyhouse, but… why is there a grand piano over there??? hmmm. *thinks* ‘Franco! Franco! Franco!’ why’s everyone yelling my hero’s name? ‘Rhia, come here, sit!’ ‘You don’t want to miss this sis’ ‘What’s happening?’ wait, mr. chips is sitting… playing the grand piano? W-O-W ‘What is he doing?’ ‘Boyfriend mo siya! di mo alam na music lover yan?’ ‘Really?!’ mean! di niya sinabi yun ah! argh! ‘Ok, sit back, relax, fasten your seatbelt baka mawalan ng preno yung pagtibok ng puso mo’ pakiulit nga? ‘Lul! baka mainlove ka lalo sa pinsan namin!’ ‘Boys?’ ‘Ooops.’ And he started playing the piano, OMG! KISMET?! He’s playing KISMET! my favorite song of the week, I just discovered it, and it’s the only one have in my ipod. Mahuhulog na talaga ako nito eh!. It was nice that he’s looking while playing, mas nafeel ko yung romance na nasa song, here comes my favorite part. ‘And I’ll drive for two hours, to bring cookie monster, I don’t mind the distance, this kismet’s a dance’ bring what? ‘bring what?’ murmur lang yun. ‘COOKIE MONSTER!’ great. ‘This time I surrender my everything forever, life doesn’t matter, just our souls togther.’ Just our souls together, and he looked at me in the eyes. I feel like I’m melting, but its ok, its worth it anyway. Done. I mean not the party, the piano play. One song is worth everything. Balik party people na yung mga tao. Franco and I went out. Sabi niya may sasabihin daw siya. Oh my! Magpopropose na kaya siya, will he now say… will you fly with me ‘til eternity?! Idiot. Naoverdose lang to. Hihihi, peace ya’ll. ‘Rhia…’ ‘Yes?’ ‘let’s fly..’ see?! I knew it! ‘fly where?’ ‘singapore’ false alarm. -_‘when?’ ‘ASAP. so yes?’

do I even have to think? of course… ‘ YES!’ False alarm, but its ok. Im just too advanced when it comes to mysterious things. So sorry. I turned off my phone the whole time I was here para walang diturbo, ngayon ko lang binuksan ng tapos na ang party. When I turned it on… eff! 15 miss calls?! from GAB! errr! one message, from GAB, he said he’s going to pick me up. Oh no! I’m dead. Lumabas ako agad, pag labas ko. In my surprise…. Ate Ches and Gab are talking! Talking like they’re lovers. Destiny? I love you! You’re heaven sent! Oh jeez, they look so cute, so perfect! very picturesque. ‘There you are!’ ‘Kanina pa ako dito Gab, FYI!’ :PPP ‘Sorry to keep you waiting sis’ ‘Its ok, I had fun watching the both of you, so di ko na lang iintroduce si Gab, it seems like you had enough time to know yourselves…. perfect!’ ‘Rhia? let’s go home…’ uie, pissed off na si Gab, guilty! yes! ‘Bye Franco, thanks for the night, bye ate Cheska, thanks for welcoming me… pakisabi na ang sa boys, its so nice meeting all of them, and I can’t wait to hang out with them again.’ ‘Bye cookie monster, take care.. I love you.’ ‘Tss, cheeeeeeeeeeeeeesy! tara na nga!’ So my brother is also the kill joy of all season! Goodness! While he was driving… hmm, he’s acting weird, he’s smiling the whole time, and I keep on talking but he doesn’t talk back. ‘Ate Cheska!’ ‘Where?!’ ^_^V ‘GOTCHA!’ ‘Rhiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!’ ‘OMG! My brother is in love!!! can’t wait to tell mom and dad about this! Congrats GAB! Congratulations from the bottom of my heart! Im so happy for you!’ ‘Rhia?’ ‘Yes my dear ‘now-in-love’ brother?’ ‘SHUT UP!’ ‘O-K!’ Nice one! I pissed him off but seriously, I’m so thrilled to see him that way, I mean, yah, nagkaamnesia ako, but yun yung kwento ni mommy, Gab was never open to relationship talks and she never brought a girl in the house, not even a friend. And now?! WOW! yaaaaaay! Nasa bahay na kami.. ‘Gab is in love~ Gab is in love~ Gab is in love~ lah..lahlah…’ Oh no! He’s gonna tickle me to death now! RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN! ‘Rhiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!’ Yay! I made it on my room just in a split sEcond!

‘Gab is pissed cause he’s in love! Gab is pissed cause he’s in love! Yihaaaaaaaaa!’ I won against him! Yay!

CHAPTER 25
“first date”

Changi International Airport, Singapore, 10 pm That was boring. But what’s important is we’re here already. ‘First time mo dito?’ how will I know? pffft. ‘I don’t know’ ‘Tama, you…’ ‘I know, I know, anyway let’s go, we have some luggage to pick up.’ Ayoko na talaga maalala na nagkaamnesia ako. I swear. Hinintay na namin sa carousel yung mga bags namin, I mean bags ko. Franco managed to have with him one big pack bag. We waited for half an hour, naubos na lang lahat ng bags sa carousel pero wala pa rin yung sa’kin. WTF?! This isn’t a good start, not at all. So, nagreklamo ako, of course. And I was told mine was loaded on the wrong plane. GREAT!!!! >_< Bad news: I don’t have any clothes with me anymore. Good news: I’m gonna shop for new clothes. ‘Tara na, maghanap na lang tayo ng shop, baka may mabilhan tayo ng temporary clothes mo.’ ‘Ok’ ‘Look, we’ll get something for you tomorrow, don’t let it ruin our date… please?’ he looks cute when he begs. cutie! like a puppy. hihihihi. ‘SURE!’ So unfortunately, naglibot-libot kami sa area ng hotel namin, Aqueen Lavender, unfortunately, wala ni isang store ang nagbebenta ng kahit undy’s man lang. Great! So I ended up buying a panty liner. Di ko na lang ieelaborate. Siguro naman may idea na kayo, and wearing Franco’s big shirt. Isa pang kamalasan, eh, imbis na 2 rooms yung napareserve namin, 1 lang yung nabook ng hotel. Goodness! No choice, pagdating namin sa room, malas again. Akala ko twin bed. Hindi naman pala eh! errr! it’s a queen size bed. And paint the picture? we looked like we just hooked up. AWESOME -_-” Thank God my boyfriend doesn’t sleep talk and snore. Maayos yung tulog ko and di rin siya malikot. Cute, and, yup, mas gwapo sya pag natutulog mas nagmumukhang anghel. When I woke up…. he’s gone. Ang sama naman! Iniwan ba naman ako. Errrr! Where did he go?! Oh here’s a note… Cookie Monster, Be right back. I love you. ‘Good morning superwoman, tulog-mantika!’ ‘Tsss, where’d you come from?’ ‘From my mother’s womb?’ ‘Errr! seriously.’ ‘I bought you something’ winks. OH MY ! He went out 10 in the morning to buy me some clothes? ‘Thank you, thank you soooooo much!’

‘Nag-alarm ako para diyan ah! sana magustuhan mo. I tried my best, my bestest?’ LOL. Ang sweet naman ni boyfriend. And its from forever 21. Nice. Marunong siya. In fairness. ‘Forever 21? How’d you discover this?’ ‘Ginising ko si Ate Cheska 1 am dahil di ako makatulog, tapos yan, sinuggest niya. kabisado niya ang city eh, kaya tinuro niya na rin yung nearest shop.’ ‘Franco?’ ‘yez?’ ‘I love you so much. You’re such a hero.’ kiniss ko siya sa chicks. Hihihi ^^ And he got me a linen belted shorts, skeleton leaf tiered top, basketweave fedora w/ rope trim, rectangle bead bracelet and a leatherette beaded sandals and of course an undy. Ano siya? personal stylist ko? akala mo ‘pro’ eh, the pieces he got me was FAB, comfy but still pretty. Galing!!! ‘Kelan ka pa naging interested sa pamimili ng gamit ng mga babae?’ ‘Since birth? Loko lang, medyo kabisado ko na yung style niyo girls, pa’no ba naman kasi, si at Cheska, ginagawa akong chaperone pag nagshoshopping.’ ‘You’re the best chaperone then!’ and I’m glad I have someone as good as you. ^_~ ‘Tsss, sige na maligo ka na, magbihis, uss destination natin..’ ‘uss?’ ‘Universal Studios Singapore’ sus, yung lang pala eh. ‘Ahhh, okiez! give me 20 minutes and I’ll be ready. I love you!’ ‘I love you too.’

Franco’s POV Pwede na ata kami magpakasal sa ginagawa namin eh. Hmmm, kung magpropose na kaya ako sa kanya? Ewan. Di naman ata tama pero, gustong-gusto ko na eh. Siya na, wala ng iba, she’s the perfect catch. And I want to spend eternity with my superwoman. ‘You know what Mr. Chips?’ ‘Oh?’ tapos lumabas na siya galing sa comfort room. Ayos!!! ‘Pwede na kitang maging personal stylist! Look!’ ‘Ang bading.’ ‘Pfft! KJ!’ ‘Tara na! pero ang totoo, ang saya-saya ko, kasi nagustuhan niya yung pinamili ko. Ang ganda niya, bagay na bagay sa kanya, sus, kahit ano naman suot niya, maganda pa rin siya. siya pa rin si superwoman ni superman. ‘Sa’n na nga ba tayo papunta?’ tingnan mo ‘to, kakasabi ko lang kanina ah ‘USS nga…’

‘Ahh, tama.. pa’no tayo papunta do’n?’ ‘Lilipad tayo… lilipad.’ I smugged and she pouted. ‘Franco naman eh!’ ‘Maglalakad siyempre.’ ‘seriously?!’ ‘Magcocommute tayo ok? para masubukan mo naman.’ ‘Ahhh, okey! let’s go I’m excited.’ Akala ko papalag naman si madam Rhia… maarte kasi ‘to, di mahilig magcommute. Amp. Naman oh! puno ang mrt. Masikip, sobrang sikip, pati 50 percent ng mga sakay, Indians. Nagmukha kaming sardinas… Nakadikit si Rhia sa chest ko. Inconvenient pero dahil siya ang kasama ko, parang nasa langit. ‘Superman…’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Okey ka lang?’ anong klaseng tanong yan… ‘Ha?’ ‘sabi ko… I LOVE YOU.’ ‘I LOVE YOU TOO’ yun lang pala eh… sus. easy. Nakarating na kami sa USS, sakto, di masyado madami yung tao, kasi… di tulad nung last kong punta dito. ‘Rhia…. are you ready to fly?’ ‘Of course! of course? wait… are you…’ ‘Yup, dadalhin kita sa best ride dito! battlestar galactica, cyclone, roller coaster ride with 5 LOOPS! taraaaa!’ ‘NOOOOOOOOOO!’ ‘Please?’ ‘I’m sorry but I have to pass this time…. I think I’m afraid of heights’ ‘Ayaw mo talaga?’ madali naman akong kausap eh. ‘Ayaw’ ‘EVERYONE! MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE’ ‘Franco! WTH are you doing?!’ ‘Watch and learn’ As expected. nakuha ko lahat ng attention ng mga tao. ‘my name is FRANCO…. and this girl is my girlfriend, her name is RHIA, I love her so much but I don’t know if she loves me as well.’

‘Prove him you love him!’ kitams? ‘I want her to ride with me, just to see if she loves me as well.’ ‘wohooooooooooooo!’ nice. sigurado akong mapepressure to. ‘And in the name of love, I want to ask some help. please help me convince her to ride with me’ ‘RIDE WITH HIM!’ ‘RIDE WITH HIM! RIDE WITH HIM! RIDE WITH HIM! RIDE WITH HIM! RIDE WITH HIM!’ ‘FINE!’ ‘THANKS GUYS!’ Alam ko. Genius ako. Wais to eh! ‘Ang kuliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit mo talaga!’ kitams? imbis magalit natutuwa pa. ‘Tara na! excited ka na ba?’ ‘…….’ ‘Don’t worry, it’ll be fine… kasama mo naman ako eh’ ‘O----K.’ Alanganin pa rin, tsss, sa pagkakaalam ko thrillhunter tong babaeng to. Yan na, kami na nga… kami ang nasa pinakaunang row. Hanep! ‘I’m really scared’ kahit di niya sabihin halata naman eh. ‘Give me your hand… tandaan mo, andito lang naman ako eh. Wag kang matakot.’ ‘Enjoy the ride…. in 3,2,1…’ ‘WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!’ ‘I LOVE YOU FRANCO MARION MENDOZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!’ sa lagay niyang yan- takot daw… nakuha niya pang mag express ng pagmamahal niya sa akin. ‘I LOVE YOU TOO RHIA MARGARETTE LAOOOOOOOOO!’ ‘Wooooh! that was so much fun! isa pa!’ o_O akala ko ba takot to. Amp naman, pinahirapan pa ako kanina. ‘Akala ko ba natatakot ka?’ ‘Hindi na ngayon! let’s go!!!!’ Ayun sumakay ulit kami, hanggang naka 10 rides kami sa battlestar galactica-cyclone, pati, 5 rides sa human. Adik no? Nilibot namin yung buong park, mula sa sci-f city, sa Hollywood, Jurassic park, far-far away pati sa Madagascar. Basang-basa kami dahil sa raft ride, wala naman kaming dalang extrang damit. ‘Hey! there’s a shop!’ tsss, tingnan mo ‘to basta bilihan na lumalakit yung mata. ‘Let’s buy this one.’ And we end up, wearing the same shirt.

‘We look so cute huh? look at them… they’re staring at us’ anak ng! ano kami artista? oo nga pala, model pala tong girlfriend ko. tssss. umabot yung mukha niya dito? ayos din ah. Buti na lang at di ako ganon kaseloso, hayop kung makatingin yung mga lalake. ‘Frank!’ o_O

Rhia’s POV Who’s that?! Maybe Jamie!!! ‘Frank!’ Ooops, or NOT. Its…. ano nga bang pangalan nito?...n…ni…nika! pffft. ‘Hey.’ Loko din tong lalakeng ‘to di marunong makipaglastikan, masyadong obvious na di siya masaya at nakita niya yung childhood friend niya. Funny much? ‘Hi…’ oh noose, she’s now looking at me. ‘She’s Rhia, my girlfriend.’ ‘Hi Rhia…’ isa pa ‘tong masyadong obvious. I know right? sa tingin niya pa lang parang gusto niya na akong lutuin. ‘Hi…’ wala akong ibang masabi eh.. ‘Mag-isa ka lang?’ perfect. ‘Yup..’ ‘Aaaah, we’ll go ahead.’ may pagkamasungit di tong lalakeng to no? ‘Hey Frank…’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Can I join the two of you?’ SERIOUSLY?! Kill me now! >_< ‘?????’ ‘?????’ ‘Silence means yes! Let’s go!’ ‘!!!!!!’ WTF?! Is this how first monthsary date should be? with someone who once made your life gloomy? Nakakawalang gana. Greatness. The remaining 2 hours felt like eternity in hell. Dahil sa dalawang oras na yun, si Nika yung kasama namin. Halos siya lang yung nagsasalita, Franco and I? speechless. Our face? Miserable. ‘Guys, I have to go!’ YES! ‘Ahhh, sige, bye.’ ‘Bye!’ that was a very BIG relief. ‘Nag-enjoy ako talaga! Thank you!’

‘Buti ka pa nag enjoy.’ Murmurs Franco, sana narinig niya, joke ^_^V ‘Yes Frank?’ ‘Wala, sabi ko jaane.’ (jane-bye) ‘Bye!’ ‘Hay salamat.’ see? ‘Rhia…’ ‘Yes?’ ‘Pasensya ha.’ Nag-apologize siya sa appearance ni Nika at dahil sa di niya daw ito napigilan, kaya daw yun, nasira tuloy yung first date namin. Hindi ko naman siya masisisi eh… kahit ako nga walang nagawa. Yah, it wasn’t the ideal first day at all, but, nangyari na eh… ok na yun. Sana di na maulit yun… it’s just a small matter pero it makes me a paranoid… baka kasi mafall si superman sa villain ni superwoman, we’ll never know… Gab is suppose to pick up when we get back… and we were surprised. O_O He’s with some girl… some girl? ATE CHESKA?! ‘Kami na!’

CHAPTER 26
“blue Christmas?”

1 month later.. December na!!! Christmas! This is going to be exciting. I’m looking forward to spend this Christmas with my family and my boyfriend. Today may date ako with the Mendoza hunkies. LOL. Awkward naman ata kung ako lang yung girl no? hmm, think…think…think... PERFECT! Isasama ko ang dudes! ‘Dudes!’ ‘Hey superwoman!’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Boy watching tayo!’ hobby ko talaga yan, pero, hanggang tingin lang din naman ako eh, faithful girlfriend ako eh. ‘SURE!’ I knew it, di naman talaga ako mahihirapan iconvince sila… as long as the activity includes boy watching… they’re off to go! ‘Here comes the hero…’ ‘Hey dudes… hi cookie monster’ tsss, ang korny talaga pero ang cute… hay ewan, I just can resist it when he talks. ‘Let’s go?’ ‘Tara na!’ ‘Sama sila?’ ‘Of course… single yung mga pinsan mo diba?’ ‘Ang talino talaga ng girlfriend ko!’ tapos inakbayan na ako and kiniss sa forehead. SWEET. After 30 minutes…. ‘Look Jo! Hunkies!’ Kyri was referring to the Mendoza’s. Obviously… ‘Hi Mawee, Harvey, Paolo!’ ‘Hey Rhia…’ ‘OMG! Dude! you know them?!’ dudes? act like you’re not so obvious please. -_-“ ‘Ok, by the way, dudes… this is Mawee, Harvey and Paolo..’ ‘Insan, sila si Kyri at Joan… kaibigan ni Rhia’ Since mahilig sa girls ang mga pinsan ni Franco at mahilig naman sa mga boys ang dudes ko… it wasn’t hard to unite them, seeing them now, it looks like they knew each other for years… I’m 100% sure that my dudes are enjoying the sitch. Humiwalay muna kami ni Franco sa kanila… nag coffee shop muna kami. We share the same drink, I mean not literally share like buy one and have two straws in it, no. I mean, pareho kami ng hilig, coffee. ‘Rhia..’ ‘So sa’n tayo mag cecelebrate ng Christmas?’ ‘yan din sana gusto ko sabihin eh’ ow, there’s a sad look in his face. oh no! ‘what is it?’

‘I can’t celebrate it with you, sabi ni mommy dito lang daw muna kami sa Philippines this Christmas’ right, I’ll be spending Christmas in Japan. ‘Its ok… marami pa namang paskong darating eh.. its really ok…’ ‘sigurado ka?’ ‘Of course…’ ‘wag kang malungkot, babawi naman ako… pati, may advance Christmas party daw sabi ni ate Cheska… present lahat, pati si Kuya Gab…’ ‘Really?! then great!’ Ok, about that. I almost forgot the details about the workaholics relationship. They’re exactly compatible. Ilang araw lang sila nagkakilala tapos sila na? bilib din ako kay Gab, may tinatagong charm pala eh. He looks funny. But I’m glad he fell for the right girl… the girl I wanted. Actually its not ok. I just tried to fake it. Ineexpect ko pa naman yun, pfft. Sige na lang… I’ll try to be excited sa advance Christmas party. I thought it would be the best Christmas. Pretty much disappointing. ‘Psst.’ my brother is so not courteous! ‘WHAT?!’ ‘magmemenopause ka na ba little sissy?’ eff, he’s annoying! ‘Kung mang-aasar ka lang Gab, back off!’ ‘Anyway, 5 pm alis na tayo ha… ayoko malate… baka makipagbreak pa sa akin yung girlfriend ko, mahirap na.’ did I just hear him say that? ‘Gusto mo ngayon na? tara na, tara na… its just 8 am!!!’ ‘Matulog ka na nga muna… init ng ulo. sus!’ better. And then I can’t go back to sleep. I’m still not over the fact that I won’t be spending my first Christmas with my first boyfriend in the perfect place. ‘Let’s go…’ ‘Ba’t di ka pa nakabihis?!’ ‘Not coming…’ ‘Ok. Bye’ Good. *kriiiiiiiiiiing* Franco is calling, of course, malamang hinahanap na niya ako. not answering, 20 miss calls, not answering. Ayoko! *knocks* ok, he’s here...tssss. ‘Rhia… look, I’m sorry.’ not talking.

‘Open the door, please…’ fine! ‘Ba’t ka ba nagagalit?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘Oh come on!’ ‘You asked me, I answered you, you won’t believe me, sana di ka na lang nagtanong!’ ‘If that’s what you want.... happy trip, bye.’ ‘Bye.’ ‘Siya nga pala, Merry Christmas… I hope you enjoy the season of love.’ RIGHT! And he’s also mad. Fine, I will enjoy it as much as I could. Nakakainis! ‘I’m ok… you can go now..’ ‘what?!’ ‘Iwan mo na ako..’ ‘What’s wrong with you?! Why are you so cold to me?’ ‘Don’t you see it Rhia?’ ‘See what?! See that you want me off your life? see me leave?!’ ‘Di mo nga nararamdaman…’ ‘Ano nga?!’ ‘Sometimes I look cold, just so you’ll hold me…. but you’re not seeing it…’ ‘So?’ ‘Tama na… mas pinapahiwatig mo lang na…. wala na nga…’ ‘What?!’ ‘I guess we have to go our separate ways…. bye superwoman..’ ‘NOOOOOOO!!!’ ‘Rhia, wake up!’ ‘Oh gosh… just a dream, just a dream..’ ‘Ang OA mo… panaginip lang yun ha tapos iniiyakan mo….kung makasigaw ka, akala mo magcucrash na yung eroplano.’ ‘Shut up…’ ‘I’m sorry… ano ba kasing napanaginipan mo?’ concern naman pala eh, pffft. ‘Iniwan ako ni superman…’ ‘Are you crazy? superman doesn’t even exist.’errrr, my brother is an idiot. ‘Idiot, superman as in Franco…’

‘Aaaah, so?’ ‘Errr…’ ‘Joke lang, don’t worry, di naman kita iiwan pag nangyari yun…’ ‘Gab?’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Yuck, you’re so OA…. pero seriously… thanks Gab..’ That dream is so not cool. Nagsisi tuloy ako sa ginawa ko kay Franco. Actually nagpapanic na ako, I mean, napaparanoid ako. Nooooooo! not a good dream, not a good Christmas eve greeting. This maybe the worst Christmas ever… ‘Merry Christmas darlings….’ ‘Merry Christmas mom…’ ‘Merry Christmas..’ ‘Honey, are you ok?’ ‘Yup…’ ‘No you’re not…’ ‘really ok’ Umalis na ako, and I can hear mom and Gab talking from a distance, I know right? pinag-uusapan nila ako. Its pretty obvious. Di naman ako mapakali… Today is December 24. Its Christmas eve, the season of love! and it’s a happy season… lahat masaya! and guess what?! Ako na lang ata ang hindi. Awesomeeeeeeeeeeee! I checked my fb, and I was expecting my wall to be flooded by tons of Christmas greetings, of course, 5000 din friends ko sa fb no.. ang rami pang request, di ko lang ma accept-accept kasi umabot na ako sa maximum number of friends… And I wasn’t wrong… pero there’s one thing that caught my attention, my one message ako sa inbox. OMG! Si Franco kaya ‘to? Francis Mario Mendoza Hi Rhi… sa wakas at nakita ko din yung facebook page mo…di mo sinabing artista ka pala? may fanpage eh… anyway… MERRY CHRISTMAS! P.S. Sana masaya ka ngayong pasko kasama yung hero mo.

Or not. Pero. Wow. Nagparadam din ang mushroom na yun. Tiningnan ko yung profile niya, I wanted to know kung may connection siya with Franco, unfortunately, I saw nothing but his profile picture and his 100+ friends, na wala namang signs of Franco dun. Pffft. Pero… hindi naman sa nagiging illusionada ako that time, magkamukhang-magkamukha talaga sila ni Franco, they’re like twins. Plus the fact na.. they’re names are so relevant. Ano ‘to? ‘Minsang lang kita Iibigin’ Anyway… right, Sana masaya ka ngayong pasko kasama yung hero mo, sana nga. Oh well, I don’t hear anything from him, maybe sa phone… pero. WTH?! Hindi ako nakapagroaming. EffS. This is so not happening!!! Its indeed Christmas, talagang nararamdaman ko yung coldness. ‘In 3,2,1…. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!’

‘Merry Christmas!!!’ wow ang saya nila… why can’t I fake even a small smile?! ‘Hoy! Its Christmas, not holy week, Merry Christmas!!! I love you Rhia…’ he shook my hair and kissed me and pinch my cheeks. ‘Gab, ganyan ka na ba talaga ka OA ngayon? nagkagirlfriend ka lang ah…anyway, merry Christmas din, I love you too.’ ‘Here, that’s the best give I could give to you… I hope you like it’ Ano na naman gagawin ko sa cellphone niya? eh, mas maganda pa naman yung saken eh. Pffft. ‘????’ ‘Stupid sissy, of course di ko yan ibibigay sa’yo… look at the screen… haaay, iba na talaga pag brokenhearted.’ ang baduuuy ng kuya ko ha… in fairness… From: Uno Kuya Gab, si Franco ‘to… Merry Christmas. Sana mabasa to ni Rhia, para sa kanya to… Rhia, I’m really sorry. I’m sorry to spoil your expectations, di ko naman sinasadyang gawin yun. Miss na kita. I’m sorry. I miss you, I love you, so much. Merry Christmas. P.S. Sana panoorin mo yung video na nakaattach sa message na’to.

‘Oh? Di mo ba ako pasasalamatan?’ ‘you’re the best!’ ‘I’m glad you liked it…’ It was the best gift of the season. Nakahinga na ako ng malalim, nabunutan na ako ng tinik. Wew. Akala ko, it will go on until this season ends. The best part was the video. It was a greeting from the Mendoza’s… and dudes… I mean, Mawee and Kyri… and Harvey and Jo together. Kewl. Ate Cheska was also there. How sweet of them. Siyempre, di mawawala si Superman… his was a greeting, a serenade, shall I say. Medyo old-school, ‘Born for you’… he was playing it in his grand piano, kinakanta niya rin. Ang sweet, feeling ko tuloy we’re so close… not even miles apart. ALEX! Kamusta na kaya yun! His mom is here, ba’t siya wala? I knew it, of course, he’s not here, he’s perhaps, kicking some ass wherever he maybe, I miss my best friend so much. ‘Merry Christmas honey…here, this one’s from Alex’ ‘Thanks tita… kamusta na po si Alex? Why isn’t he here with us?’ ‘Uhmmm, he’s busy… with his studies… wait for a second… I thing your mom is calling me, iwan muna kita sandali Rhia ah.’ There’s something about how she answered my question, its as if, she’s not sure about what she’s saying. Ano na ba kasing nangyayari kay Alex? pffft, he’s not even texting me anymore. Binuksan ko yung gift, it’s a book. ‘Laugh with God Today’ The title sounds interesting. Binuksan ko, Indeed, its funny. Introduction pa lang, tumatawa na ako. Genius yung writer nito ah. Kahanga-hanga. It’s a book that everyone should read. NapaLOL talaga ako sa isang story which talks about one’s relationship…. Minsan may girl na gustong subukin ang compatibility nila ng kanyang boyfriend. Sabi ng girlfriend sa boyfriend niya, “Baby( Ang gara ‘noh? Hindi ba kayo nagtataka kung bakit ganito pa rin ang tawagan sa mga mahal natin kahit may edad na tayo?), para malaman natin kung talagang compatible tayo, dapat ipa-assess natin ang Zodiac signs natin. Ano ba ang Zodiac sign mo?!”

Sa kasamaang palad, hindi pala ala ng lalaki kung ano ang Zodiac sign. Kaya para hindi mapahiya, sabi niya sa kanyang nobya: “Ikaw muna, ano Zodiac Sign mo?” “Ah, ako?! sambit ng babae. “Cancer,” patuloy pa nya. Kaya sabi nung lalaki, “Ah yon ba? Ako naman GOITER!” See?! Its so funny! Marami pa yan eh… And my Christmas eve was spent laughing with God, thanks to the book. Thanks to Alex… at least kahit papaano naramdaman ko na siya yung nagjojoke sa akin. I badly miss his jokes. Pffft. It’s Christmas morning. And everyone’s still sleeping. Himala ata, maaga akong nagising. Hmmm, I’m so bored kaya naisipan kong pumunta sa Disneyland! I want to relax, I want to be alone for a day…. ‘I’m sorry’ ooops, paskong-pasko… ang clumsy ko. ‘Rhi?’ Franco?! ‘Francis!’ O-M-G! 4th sign! Francis is oh so, wearing a red shirt with mickey mouse in it, and we are in Disneyland! NO! may superman ka na Rhia, cut it out… ‘Small world.’ ‘Oo nga eh… anong ginagawa mo dito? mag-isa ka lang? ‘Ah… eh… Christmas vacation… oo, mag-isa lang ako…’ loner din ‘tong lalakeng to no? ‘Eh, ikaw? ba’t a andito? san na yung hero mo?’ ‘Pffft, Christmas vacation din… hero? andun… naiwan sa pinas…’ ‘Ah, ganun ba…gusto mo sabay na lang tayong mag-ikot?’ yes or no? hmmm, of course! ‘YES! sure…’ Mushroom nga ‘to… kahit san na lang sumusulpot eh, akalain mo, magkikita kami dito, amazing. Such a small world. Eh, hindi din naman siya mukhang stalker eh… meant to be ba talaga? Ang weird masyado.

Francis’ POV Siguro, nagtataka siya kung bakit ako andito.. iniisip niya rin siguro na masyadong random ang pagkikita namin… Sabihin na nating oo, pero, hindi. Ewan. Kasi ganito yun… si Franco kasi eh… sabi niyan, dito na daw muna ako magbakasyon, pumayag na rin ako kasi Ayoko dun, hindi kasi ako masyadong close sa pamilya namin eh, hinding-hindi talaga, kami lang ni Franco yung parating nagkakaintindihan. Samakatuwid… pinapunta ako ni Franco dito para samahan si Rhia… pero etong pagkikita namin, di talaga sinasadya, di ko naman kasi talaga alam na dito siya papunta. Nalilito na talaga ako sa dalawa, ewan. Nadadamay ako sa mga problema nila, ng hindi alam ni Rhi. Yun na nga ung problema eh, kung papano ko sasabihin kay Rhi yung totoo, si Franco naman kasi, ayaw pa ipaalam. Ewan ko rin kung bakit. ‘Ui, nabasa ko yung message mo… merry Christmas din pala.’ ‘Akala ko tuloy di mo mababasa yun..’ sa dami ba naman ng friends niya… ‘Why?’

‘Sa dami ba naman ng friends mo… pati… baka nakalimutan mo na kasi ako…’ ‘Alam mo… ang OA mo… how can forget you… ikaw yung naging friend ko when I was so gloomy, pati.. naging hero din kaya kita…’ ‘Naks naman… salamat ah…… oo nga pala, ba’t di mo sinabing artista ka pala?’ ‘Anong artista?’ sus… ‘Sus pahumble ka pa diyan…’ ‘Tsss, model lang naman eh…’ ‘Pareho lang yun…’ ‘Oh my!’ ‘Oh bakit?’ Ayun, tinuturo si Mickey mouse… ‘Papicture tayo!’ ‘Sige…’ adik pala to eh…ang tanda-tandna pero puro Mickey Mouse pa rin yung nasa isip. Amp naman, ang haba ng pila… talaga bang pagtitiyagaan niyang pumila para lang sa picture na to? eh, pwede ko naman tong ipotoshop eh. Haaay, mga babae nga naman, walang kasing Vain. ‘Ang haba ng pila oh… sigurado ka bang maghihintay ka talaga?’ ‘Of course! Once in a year lang yan oh… ickey mouse wearng his Christmas costume, Hihihi, dagdag na rin yan sa collections ko. If you want you can stay there…’ ‘Wag na… samahan na kita.’ ‘Yay!’ kelangan ba talagang ihug niya ako? ibang klase talaga ‘tong babaeng to. 3 hours na din kaming magkasama, kasali na diyan yung 30 minutes na pila namin para lang magpapicture sa mickey mouse na yan. ‘Yay, its raining! Awesome!!!’ Masaya siya ha… eh wala nga ata siyang dalang bag… ibig sabihin walang payong, anak ng! ako rin, wala eh. ‘ba’t parang masaya ka?’ ‘I love the rain!!!’ ‘Tara! Magpaulan tayo!’ Lul! May topak ata to eh. At hinila niya na lang ako. Lintek. Halos pinagtitinginan na kami ng mga tao dito oh! sila parang sardinas, nakasilong sa isang lugar… kami nagpapaulan. Hay nako, pahamak naman tong si Rhi oh! Ayan na, nagsilabasan na yung mga camera dito… anak ng! ok lang sana kung mga digicam lang. eh mga dslr eh, yung mga elepante na! Tapos ano? iuupload nila sa flckr, tapos ieedit, tapos lalagyan ng kakornihang quotes? o kung di naman… ivivideo, tapos ipapasa sa top 20 losers in love? Amp naman! ‘Rhi! Let’s go!’ ‘Chase me first!’ Ano to? habol-habolan? Ang bady talaga ng babaeng ‘to. Ano ba naman kasi ang nagustuhan ni Franco dito? Nadadamay ako ng wala sa plano eh.

‘Rhiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!’ ‘Ouch.’ Ayan, muntik ng masagasaan, kung di ba naman to clumsy, eh nagkaamnesia na ulit siguro to… Nakiss ko tuloy. Amp. Oy, hindi ko sinasadya yun ah, tinualg ko kasi siya, kaya yun, napahiga. ‘Ooops, I’m sorry Francis…’

CHAPTER 27
“Happy new year?”

Rhia’s POV And that was my almost ‘blue’ Christmas. Thanks to Francis for changing the whole mood/ Kahit mushroom siya, I mean, kahit bigla na lang siyang sumusulpot tapos bilang nawawala, ok lang, masaya pa rin ako. Ang galing nya nga, kasi kahit gano’n, napapasaya niya pa rin ako. I don’t know what’s in him. Basta 2 things are for sure, 1st, magkamuhka sila ni Mr. Chips and second, he makes me happy. ‘Dude…’ ‘I miss you dudes!’ ‘Have you seen this?’ ‘Ano yan?’ ‘See for yourself dude..’ ‘Oh sh*t’ ‘What were you thinking?’ ‘Who is that?!’ ‘Look, someone I met when I was in the church, the bus, CDO, Disneyland….’ ‘In short?’ ‘he’s a hero?’ ‘Dude, okey ka lang?!’ ‘Nababaliw ka na ata eh…’ ‘Look, I swear, that kiss is an accident…. mag-isa lag kasi ako pumunta sa Disneyland and… nagkita kami ng di sinasadya… we were just playing under the rain…’ ‘And kissed? Oh please..’ ‘That one… muntik na akong masagasaan, he pushed me and we accidentally kissed’ ‘Ok, sabihin na nating, we believe you, pero… how will you explain this to Franco?’ Lagot ako. Was I too insensitive? I guess so. Di ko namalayan, pinagpipicturan na pala kami nung naglalaro sa ulan, pati yung accident kiss nacapture, what on Earth were they thinking?! Gano’n na ba kaeditorial yun para umabot sa yahoo news? KISS IN THE RAIN. Yan yung headline, WTF?! News travel faster than the speed of light… the next thing I know… I’m the bitch now. here come’s the biiiiitch can you believe it? she dumped Franco for that guy?! What an idiot. ‘tol maganda sana kaso malandi, sayang. slut! ano ba yan, di marunong makontento kung anong meron siya Kawawa naman yung boyfriend niya, I hate her. I’m in hell. Sorry ha! Naging masaya lang naman ako eh! Di ko naman kasi alam na kasalanan pala ang maging masaya. Sorry ha! *kriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing*

‘Best…its ok, andito lang ako, stop crying’ ‘Alex, I miss you, wish you were here..’ ‘Shhh, minsan lang kita tinatawagan tapos eto lang maabutan ko? tama na best..’ ‘Best, everyone’s mad at me, they hate me, wala akong kakampi dito….’ ‘Andito naman ako eh, teka lang, ipapahanda ko muna yung rocketship… magdadala din ako ng machine gun, iisa-isahin natin sila.. ok? ‘tsss’ ‘Ui ngingiti na yan…’ ‘Oo na, salamat talaga ah, kahit kelan talaga…’ ‘I know right?’ ‘Kamusta ka na ba?! matagal ka ng di nagpaparamdam ah, you’re a meanie! so sikat ka na dyan?’ ‘Ang rami naman nun… okey naman, pasensya ha, nabusy kasi eh, anong sikat? baka ikaw diyan, sikat sa chismis.’ ‘Che! Alam mo naman namomroblema na ako, tapos nang-aasar ka pa. errr!’ ‘Sana nakikita kitang naiinis no? namiss ko na yang mukhang yan…’ ‘Cut it out best, anyway, ba’t di mo sinabing may girlfriend ka na? ikaw ha, you’re so unfair, you’re keeping secrets from me.’ ‘Weh di nga? meron nga ba?’ ‘Liar…. sige na please… kwento mo na…’ ‘Ha-Ha-Ha, next time na, I have to go, may pasok na ako oh, narinig mo yung bell?’ ‘Errr!’ ‘I miss you best, I love you, Bye!’ *end of call* Nakakaasar talaga si Alex. Errrr! Pero, ok na rin kahit papaano, sa 2 minutes call na ‘yun, naramdaman ko na may nagmamalasakit, tsss. This issue is getting on my nerves, great. I wish Alex was here, maybe if he’s here, sana tinutulungan na niya ako kay Franco at sa lahat ng mga nakakamatay tingin ng mga tao dito. Now, how will I talk to my hero? I feel like I’m the dumbest girlfriend ever. Did I betray him? ‘Rhia…’ Oh no. ‘Look, I’m sorry Franco… it was an accident, I was just having some fun, I was alone…’ ‘Right… pumunta ako dito para magpaalam.’ what?! magpaalam? ‘Magpaalam?’ ‘Di naman kita iiwan, wag kang mag-alala..may emergency daw sabi ni Dad, kelangan ko lang pumunta sa Japan, it won’t be long… Bye.’ ‘Bye, Take care.’

Ok, kahit di niya sabihin, its pretty obvious, galit din siya. May something talaga eh. I just don’t know what to do at the moment. I don’t know whom to run to, si Alex lang naman kasi yung loyal sa akin eh…. What a good start of the year. Wait, may nagttext. From: Paolo Fernandez Hey Superwoman! Gimik tayo, textback kung ok sa’yo! To: Paolo Fernandez Sure ba, see yah! I grabbed the opportunity. Ayoko namang umuwi sa bahay ng ganito ang mood, plus, wala si Gab dun para icomfort ako. Siguro narinig din nila ang news, malamang. >_< Nagmall kami, ewan kung bakit sa mall nila, yah, nila, the Mendoza’s except for Franco, ewan kung bakit dto nila naisipan magliwaliw, eh… boring naman mag-ikot ikot lang, hmm, baka manonood kami ng sine. Ewan. ‘Shopping tayo!’ ‘SURE!’ wow, this is going to be fun. ‘Sa’n mo gusto magsimula?’ mo? ako? ‘Ako? eh, pa’no kayo?’ ‘Ikaw muna! Tapos kami naman, ok ba?’ ‘Sige ba!’ Pumasok kami sa Zara, Accessorize, Forever21 at sa favorite shoe store ko, Alberto. ‘Eto oh, bagay sa’yo…’ ‘Ang panget naman ng kulay niyan Pao, etong blue, mas maganda..’ ‘Tama si Harvey, mas maganda yung blue.. sukat mo na Rhia’ ‘Teka, parati niyo ba ‘tong ginagawa?’ ‘Ang?’ ‘Magshopping na ang kasama babae?’ ‘OO!’ wtf?! Bading kayo? NOOOOOOOOOO! T_T ‘Lul!, akala mo siguro bading kami no?’ ‘HAHAHAHA!’ ‘Hindi ah, sanayan lang kasi ‘to, parati kasi kaming sinasama ni Ate Cheska pagnagshoshopping siya, kaya medyo familiar na kami sa mga tastes ng babae…’ Sus, akala ko kung ano na. ‘Aaah, kaya naman pala eh.’ ‘Isukat mo na!’

They are one of a kind. Tell me, where would you ever see a group of hunkies, interested in shopping, plus the fact that they’re not gays, its so cool. Hmmm, alam nga siguro nila ang nangyari, maybe they understand me too. Thank God. ‘Ok ba?’ ‘Turn left.’ ‘One more turn’ wow ha, me ganun? ‘Ok!’ that was the 5th outfit I tried. ‘Kunin mo na, kami na magbabayad.’ seriously?! NICE ONE! Freebies are oh so cool! ‘THANKS!’ They are angels…. masculine version ng Charlie’s Angels… hmmm, Cheska’s Angels! Masaya naman sila kasama, walang dull moment, I swear, lahat sila may sinasabi, tapos puro nakakatawa, or is it just mababaw lang talaga ako? hmmm, either. Done with the me, sa kanila na naman. Una naming pinasukan.. Topman. They’re really amazing, ok yung tastes nila, it will only take then a minute to choose an outfit and then they’re off to the fitting room, tapos yun, mga 10 minutes lang kami sa store, and we’re done, nakabili na sila ng tig tatatlong outfit. I’m so loving them, they are great shopping partners. After shopping nag food trip kami…. sa streets, kwek-kwek domination, yay! Malakas din pala sila kumain ng kwek-kwek eh. After eating, hinatid na nila ako sa bahay namin. I really awe them a lot, they made my day lighter. And then I realized my life is a ‘tele-serye’, or whatever drama it is, yung nangyari kanina it was like, meteor garden WITHOUT dao ming su. Pshhh. Wala lang, it just came to my mind. 1 month later It’s been a month already pero… wala pa rin si superman. Is the adventure that tough to cause him so much delay on his come back? What freaks me out at the moment is he doesn’t even text me or call me or e-mail me, there’s no sign of him. The previous month, 1st month of the year, was the worst month ever, di nga talaga good yung start ng year ko. Until when will I suffer? Minsan lang naman ako nagiging masaya ah. Why do I always have to feel that the world is against me? For once in my life, pwede bang tantanan muna ako ng mga parasites na yan? The past month, sila Mawee, Paolo at Harvey yung parati kong kasama… pati ang dudes, pati sila nagtataka kung sa’n na daw si Franco. Kahit nga yung mga pinsan niya eh di na alam kung anong nangyayari sa kanya. I can’t be clueless forever! I need to act now!!! I need to do something. ‘Dude, birthday na ni Franco sa 21’ right. ‘So may plano ka na ba?’ plan? and what should I do anyway, I don’t even know if he’s still existing. ‘Hay nako Rhia, its time to exercise your creativity!’ ‘How will I, I’m not even inspired.’ ‘So are you saying na mas gagawin mong miserable yung relationship niyo by doing nothing si birthday ng boyfriend mo?’ ‘NO!’ ‘There you said it!’ ‘THEN DO SOMETHING!’

‘Ok, ok, fine!’ Tsss. Wala naman akong laban sa kanila eh, kaya ko sinabing ok. I’m really clueless, I have no idea about the whole surprise thingy as of the moment, like I said, I’m not inspired, kadalasan resulta ng pagiging uninspired, failure. After a week, nakapagplano na ako, I did try my best to work out the plan. Plan lang yun, pero nahirapan ako, pffft. Everyone knows already, except for Franco, sinabi na rin ni Ate Cheska na day before his birthday na yung dating niya… Nakausap ko na rin sila Paolo, Mawee at Harvey, they’re sure to help me sa surprise birthday party. February 14 Happy Valentine’s day. Great. What should I be happy for? Marami ng namimiss na important dates si superman at superwoman. Normal pa ba ‘to? Ano pa nga bang mas lalala sa dinaramdam ko ngayon? ‘Happy Valentine’s day’ bati ng mga random guys in this campus with matching flowers and chocolates. ‘Thanks.’ ‘Happy Valentine’s day dude!’ ‘Same to you…’ ‘Hoy! Matagal pa ang holy week! masyado kang advance, cheer up!’ Oo nga naman, matagal pa ang holy week, pati dapat 7 days lang yan, 6 lang pala, kasi yung 7th day, easter, dapat masaya. Anyway, masyadong advance ang holy week sa akin, December pa, binati na ako, inabutan na lang ako ng Valentine’s day, di pa rin umaalis. I can’t help but feel envious of what I’m seeing. Everywehere I go, I always see happy couples, celebrating Valentine’s day together, holding hands, dating, chattering, smiling. And me? Alone. May boyfriend ba talaga ako? O dream lang yung may boyfriend ako? I just wish I’m dreaming, sana panaginip lang ang lahat ng ‘to! ‘Dude…’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Sampalin mo nga ako.’ ‘Ouch!’ ‘And what was that suppose to mean?’ ‘Nah, just checkin’ if I was just dreaming.’ Lumapit si kyri tapos tinouch yung forehead ko. WTH?! ‘Wala ka naman lagnat… but you’re acting weird…’ ‘Hindi yan lagnat Kyri, lovenat yan…’ tapos tumawag lang sila, anong nakakatawa dun? ‘LOL, ang kailangan niyan, YAKAPsule at…’ ‘KISSpirin ni Superman’ ‘Hahahahaha!’ T_T ‘Ui! San ka pupunta!’

‘Joke lang yun dude!’ Hindi magandang joke eh. Tssss. Hindi ko na talaga kaya ‘to! Sasabog na ako. I don’t know where to go, di ko alam kung san ako lalapit, kung kanino, di ko na alam kung anong gagawin ko! Parang kelan lang ang saya-saya ng love story ko, tapos ngayon? ano?! Dark ages? skfsdjfbsdjhfb! Napadpad ulit ako sa simbahan. And there I was, crying again, talking to God. ‘Ikaw yung unang taong nakita kong umiiyak sa Araw ng mga Puso..’ ‘Francis?’ ‘Sino pa nga ba? Happy Valentine’s day Rhi… eto oh..’ tapos may inabot na naman siyang panyo. ‘Salamat..’ ‘May problema na naman ba?’ kela ba naman ako tinantanan ng mga problemang yan! ‘Obvious ba?’ ‘Pasensya na…. malay ko ba, iiyak mo lang, andito naman ako eh…’ buti pa ‘tong mushroom na ‘to, magaling tumiming, alam kung kelan susulpot. ‘Is there a problem with me?’ ‘Ha?’ ‘Why can’t I be at ease? naguguluhan na talaga ako sa buhay ko eh, masyadong complicated, kahit pa sabihin nila na matalino, maganda, mayaman ako, eh aanhin ko naman yun? hindi naman ako masaya.’ ‘Alam mo? madrama ka, wala namang magagawa lahat g mga sinasabi mo eh, andiyan na yan eh, wala ka ng magagawa kundi tanggapin at harapin yan, pag yan tinaboy mo… mas lalo kang hahabulin niyan.’ that was deep. ‘So what are you trying to say?’ ‘Di pa naman gugunaw ang mundo, habang may buhay, may pag-asa…. kaya, tara!’ ‘Tara? sa’n tayo papunta?’ ‘Kahit saan!’ I need a break from all this stress. Maraming-maraming salamat Lord dahil mabilis niyong napkinggan ang panalangin ko. Nagroadtrip kami ni Francis. Umabot kami sa Batangas, umabot kami sa beach. There I was able to take a deep breath. Payapa ang lugar, no wonder, naramdaman kong namayapa na din sa kakaliwaliw yung kaluluwa kong ligaw. This place is perfect. Wala akong nakikitang couple, di ako maiinsecure, di ko maiisip na pasan ko lahat ng brokenhearts. ‘Ok ka na?’ ‘Oo, salamat ah..’ ‘you’re always welcome…salamat din ah…’ ‘Ha? may nagawa ba akong tama? eh, parati nga akong natotrouble eh..’ ‘salamat kasi, pakiramdam ko pag natutulungan kita, mabait ako…’

‘Mabait ka naman talaga eh!’ ‘Talaga? eh, buti ka pa, nakikita mo yan…’ ‘Why? does your family dump you because you’re a meanie?’ ‘Hmmm, di naman, pero…. parang ganun na nga…’ hindi naman halata sa mukha niyang may problema siya ah… hmm… ‘Magkwento ka nga…’ ‘Wag na… mahabang kwentuhan ang mangyayari pag sinimulan ko, kulang ang isang araw, isang linggo, isang buwan… walang katapusan ang kwento ng madrama kong buhay…’ ‘Cool… pareho pala tayo eh…’ ‘Hindi ah…. mas malala naman yung sa’yo!’ ‘Mean!’ ‘Loko lang… pero totoo, mukhang mas malala naman yung sayo ah, o kung hindi naman, mas matapang lang siguro ako… kasi ako, hindi humahagulhol sa harap ng simbahan pag namomroblema…’ ‘Right.’ ‘Wag mo sanang masamain ah, I don’t intend to offend you, pero, sa nakikita ko, nasa iyo na lahat eh, kahit na sabihin mong malas yung lablayp mo… pwede mo namang iwork out yan eh, wag ka lang mawalan ng pag-asa, pati, maging malakas ka, masyado ka kasing mahina, madali kang napanghihinaan ng loob.’ ‘Summary please…’ ‘Tumayo ka… lakasan mo yung loob mo.’ ‘Right, I’ll do exactly as you say… thanks ulit Francis ah…’ ‘pang-ilang thank you mo na ba yan?’ ‘Hayaan mo na ako, mabuti ng malaman mong thankful ako sa appearance mo, kasi naman, bigla ka na lang nawawala…’ ‘Sus, wala yun. Pasensya din pala kung biglaan na lang yung mga pag-alis ko ah…’ ‘Its ok… anyway, Happy Valentine’s day…. thanks for making me happy today..’ ‘Same to you… oh? napasaya kita? mabuti kung gano’n… teka lang ah, baka resbakan ako ng superman mo pag nalaman niyang magkasama tayo…’ ‘tsss, imposible yan, di na nga nagpaparamdam yun eh, di ko nga alam kung buhay pa yun…. mamatay-matay na nga ako sa kakaiisip kung ano ng nangyayari dun…’ ‘Siya, siya…. tara na, baka umiyak ka pa diyan, mahirap na…’ And the next thing I knew…. nagising ako ng madaling araw. Eff, was that another dream? Rhia, Nakatulog ka sa biyahe natin, kaya hinatid na lang kita dito sa bahay niyo. Salamat sa pagsama sa akin. Happy Valentine’s day.

Thank God I wasn’t. First Valentine’s day ko…. was unexpected. Never in my dreams to celebrate it with someone who just comes out from nowhere. Ang weird masyado ni Francis ah… stalker ba siya? hmmm, di naman ata eh, pero… how come he’s so good at timing? How come he knows when to show up? Naisip ko tuloy. Buti pa siya, kahit pabigla-biglang sumusulpot at umaalis, masaya pa rin, umaalis nga siya pero di naman ako nasasaktan. Pwede bang gano’n na lang kami ni Franco? pwede bang di ako masaktan sa pagmamahal ko sa kanya? Can love be like this? Can love not hurt me? Why can’t it be forever happy? February 19 Hay salamat, today is the day, makakahinga na ako ng mabuti, finally magrereunite ulit si Superman at Superwoman. Napagplanuhan na namin nila Ate Cheska and her angels na sabay naming susunduin si Franco. Honestly, naguguluhan pa ako. If I’ll recall… the last time we saw each other, it wasn’t good, not even acceptable, tapos wala kaming any communication since that, and then…. ngayon, susunduin ko siya. Kung ako lang, wala na yun sa akin ang nangyari, kinalimutan ko na, ewan ko lang kay Franco, sana ganun din siya, pffft, ilang buwan din kaming di nagkikita no, siguro naman kinalimutan niya na yun… NAIA 2, 4:15 pm ‘Ayan na si Franco… nakikita ko na..’ OMG! ‘Kasama si….’ Kasama si Nika… O_O Parang namatay lahat ng cells sa katawan ko, lahat ng blood nag-evaporate, yung bones ko, naging jelly, yung eyes ko nagpop-out, in short, gumuho yung mundo ko. Nika? nakakalabit yung kamay sa kamay ni Franco. Can someone please explain to me what’s going on? Excuse me, he’s TAKEN because FYI, I’m HIS girlfriend. Oh no. Totoo ba talaga ‘to? ‘Hi Ate Ches… hey boys… hi Rhia.’ WTF?! I can’t stand all of this. I have to go! ‘Excuse me.’ Umexit na ako. Sh*t, sa ginawa niyang yun, parang sinampal na din ako ng mga babaeng galit sa akin, sobra pa ata dun eh. Hello?! She’s holding my boyfriend in the most intimate way in front of me, what was she thinking? Di ba siya marunong gumalang? That awkward moment…. errr! The worst part is…. di man lang ako pinigilan ni Franco, di niya ako hinabol. Ang totoo, umalis ako para itest kung tama ba yung prediction ko… akala ko kasi pag ginawa ko yun… hahabulin nya ako, that is the most expected act from him, pero surprisingly, wala. Wala talaga. This is worst than anything else. Bumaliktad ata yung mundo… parang, noon lang, ang saya-saya namin, ang saya-saya ko. Ano na ba kasi ang nangyayari? Every question is killing me. Are we over? To: alex_anthony From: rhia_margarette Best. Ang sakit. What should I do know? The heroes adventure is about to end, natalo ata kami ng villain eh, kasi wala na kaming coordination, wala ng passion, wala na. That was just one mistake, I never thought it will cause me everything, everything that once made me smile. Epic ata tong adventure na ‘to eh. I miss you. I just want you to know, I’m not ok, I feel helpless. Take care there. Love lots.

*Kriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing* ‘Rhia!’ ‘Yes?’ ‘Tuloy tayo bukas ah…. all set na yung surprise mo…’ ‘Ha?’ ‘Sige bye, see you!’ *end of call* See you? Pupunta ba ako o hindi? May maihaharap pa ba ako sa kanila, sa kaniya? I don’t have the strength to do so. I can’t stand it. Hindi ako masokista, hindi ako tanga, I’m no idiot, I won’t let myself look stupid in front of some girl who stole my boyfriend. Not gonna happen. February 20, 5 p.m. ‘Gising!’ ‘Superwoman!’ ‘Huuuuuy!’ Ok, its Ate Cheska’s Angels. ‘I’m not feeling well.’ reason.com ‘Not feeling well pala ah!’ ‘noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!’ great! Buhusan ba naman ako ng isang balde ng cold water. not funny >_<” ‘Sorry ha, trabaho lang…’ ‘Anong trabaho? di yun nakakatawa ah’ ‘Wala na kasi kaming maisip eh, kaninang umaga ka pa namin tinatawagan, di ka naman sumasagot, sabi naman ng maid niyo, tulog ka pa…’ ‘Sobra ka pa sa sleepyhead eh…’ ‘So?!’ Actually, I don’t need all of your stories and whatevers… ‘Pinapasundo ka ni Ate Cheska…’ ‘NOT COMING!’ ‘Not coming daw oh!’ ‘You heard me, I’M NOT COMING! so, makakaalis na kayo, enjoy!’ Good. masunurin naman pala sila eh, umalis sila sa bed ko, sabay naglakad paalis, after 3 steps, lumingon sa akin, no! Is is what I’m thinking? ‘NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!’ Eff, so binuhat nila ako papunta sa banyo, pagbukas nila sa pinto ng comfort room ko, sinalubong ako ng shower ko na hawak-hawak nila Kyri at Joan. They did plan this. F*cksh*t. Hindi na talaga ako natutuwa!

‘ano bang plano niyo ha?! ipapahiya niyo ba talaga ako?!’ ‘First of all, let me get this straight…. diba ikaw may plano ng lahat ng ‘to?’ ‘No, no, no…. in the first place, kayo, KAYO! po yung pumilit sa akin na gawin ‘to.’ ‘Pero, you chose to do it, so ikaw pa rin yung may responsibilidad sa lahat ng ‘to…’ ‘Second, it would be the dumbest idea if we let the girlfriend of the celebrant miss her boyfriend’s birthday.’ ‘Excuse me?’ ‘Mamaya ka na magsalita, patapusin mo muna si loves.’ WTF?! Ano daw? LOVES? ew. ‘And 3rd, kaibigan mo kami, hindi enemy, hindi villain, hindi antagonist, hindi masasamang elemento sa buhay mo, meaning, we’re doing this for your own good and we DO NOT intend to make you look stupid.’ ‘So, may sasabihin ka pa?’ ‘meronpa….’ lintek na Harvey, tinakpan yung bunganga ko. errrrrrrrrrrrrr! Wala na akong magagawa. I am forced to show up and to make myself look stupid. Hindi ako makatakas-takas sa mga guwardya-sibil na ‘to! What are they up to? After 30 minutes, nakarating na kami sa venue. Oh well, not bad, everything went according to my plan. Mabuti naman. ‘Welcome to Franco’s 17th birthday…’ tang juice! Wow ha, WOW. Wala naman sa plano ko na may pumuwestong usherette sa entrance eh. At kung meron man, definitely it won’t be Nika. ‘Hey Guys!!!!!’ Masaya siya ng makita niya sila Harvey…. but the moment she saw me…. ang taray ng irap niya! argh! ‘Hi Rhia.’ Actually di naman niya kailangan bumati kung napipilitan lang siya eh. Please stop me… baka pag di ko napigilan, masakal ko na ‘to eh! Mukha na nga siyang aso sa choker na suot niya, baka gusto niya maging askal na lang siya pag napatulan ko siya! ‘HELL-O!’ ‘Dude…. chill’ bulong naman ni Kyri…. ‘Nik, come with me… if its ok with you?’ ‘Sure…’ as if. Ang plastic niya ah. Talo niya pa ang kaplastican ng lock and lock. Naseseal lahat ng tinatago niyang amoy. iniiiiiiiiis!

Paolo’s POV Nasa plano na din naman yung exit ni Nika. Alam naming magkakainitan talaga dito, pag pinagsama ‘tong dalawa. Kahit di sabihin ni Rhia, masyadong obvious. Yung mata niya, nang-iinit na. Kung kami lang, di naman talaga namin pipilitin si Rhia eh, kaso… utos ni Ate Cheska eh, kailangan daw talaga andito si Rhia. Pati kami, nag-aaalala kung anong mangyayari sa muling pagkikita ng mga superhero na ‘to. Pati kami naaawkward, para kasing…. para talagang may mali eh. Nagulat na nga din kami ng makita namin si Nika na kasama ni Franco. Ang gulo naman ng sitwasyon. Hay nako, basta, gagampanan lang namin yung role namin sa gabing ito, sabi ni ate Cheska… ang plano raw… ‘pagbatiin’ si Rhia at si Franco. Sana magwork. Good luck.

Rhia’s POV I don’t know what to do as of the moment. Let’s say, gumaan ng konti yung pakiramdam ko kasi I don’t see any signs of Nika. Pero, still, that doesn’t change anything. Lumalabas pa rin na pinagmukha nila akong tanga. ‘Let’s dance…’ o_O

CHAPTER 28
“last dance”

now playing: CRAZY FOR YOU ‘Sure.’ Sure?! Did I just say that? Tanga! Ba’t ba ako pumayag? diba dapat, tinanggihan ko kasi nga galit ako? Great. Kailangan ba talagang yan ang song? Not funny. Franco looks like he’s drunk. Tsss. Kaya naman pala inaya niya akong sumayaw. Eto naman ako, nagpakatanga, pumayag. Idiot! >_< ‘Kamusta ka na?’ Wow, nice question. very nice. very. ‘Ako? Hindi ok… kaw?’ I was just being honest. ‘Why? Is there something wrong?’ WTF?! Nagkaamnesia ba ‘to? ‘Seriously, sorry ah…. sorry talaga…’ Sus! akala ko naman. ‘Ba’t ba tayo nagkaganito?’ ‘Hindi ko rin alam eh…’ Sh*t, wala naman atang patutunguhan ‘tong pinag-uusapan namin eh. ‘Ano na bang nangyayari sa atin? ok pa ba tayo? tayo pa ba?’ Tsss, di ko na napigilan, litong-lito na kasi ako eh, halos sasabog na ako. ‘Once we were like birds, together flying... Never did it tell me to stop soaring For I am in action with the one who keeps me breathing... Suddenly we bumped into something and the next thing I knew, there we were, suffering’ that’s deep. Tears started to fall. ‘What are you trying to say?’ ouch, my heart… it feels like its slowly torn into pieces ‘Rhia…’ umiiyak din ba siya? ‘?????’ ‘Patawarin mo ako…’ tapos bigla na lang siyang umalis… ‘Franco wait!!!!’ I ran as fast as I could to catch him… pero mabilis siya eh…di ko na inabutan.’ ‘Happy birthday’ And there, I ended up crying in this place where I’m alone. It hurts, so much. No words confirmed our break up, but I can feel it. Diba nga, action speaks louder than words. This is the end of our adventure, isn’t it? I quit, I give up. While I’ve been trying to make this tears disappear by giving myself some hope of curing the situation, it just gone worst. Trying to prevent it from coming made it much harder, made it much painful. I know I did something. I know I went wrong but it was just one mistake, one unintentional mistake. If only… pero wala na talaga, everything disappeared with a blink of an eye. Biglang nagkahiwalay si Superman at Superwoman sa ere, ang masakit, wala ni isa sa kanila ang may nagawa para magtagpo sila ulit. After 2 hours, andito pa rin ako, nakahiga sa lupa, nakatingin sa langit, talking to myself, looking at the stars, maraming bituin, pero wala ni isang bituin ang umagaw sa atensyon ko. Ibig sabihin, wala na yung star na hawak-hawak ko dati, nawala na. ‘Gusto mo?’

Inabutan niya ako ng beer. Here he is, drunk. ‘No thanks.’ ‘Sige na…. ang KJ mo naman.’ lasing nga siya. ‘Ayoko ko nga sabi eh!’ umalis na ako… ‘Rhia….’ pinigilan niya ako. ‘Stop it! Lasing ka na! let go of…’ and he kissed me, on the lips. It lasted for a second and the rain started to pour. Ano na naman ba ‘to?! ‘Tama na Franco! Tama na!’ tinulak ko siya papalayo sa akin. ‘I love you’ and he fell in the ground. Now what?! Hihingi ako ng tulong? effffff. ‘Tuloooooooong! Tulooooooooooong!’ Nakailang sigaw na ako pero wala pa ring dumarating, of course, maririnig ba naman nila ang boses ko? eh, I’m in the middle of nowhereunder the heavy downpour of the rain. Iniwan ko muna si Franco sa ground. Its not what you think it is, I will not abandon him, hindi ako gano’n kasama, hindi ko naman gagawin yun kahit na siya mismo ginawa yun sa akin. Pumunta muna ako sa ball, cause I know everybody’s there… after a few walk, nakarating na ako. Shoot, Am I in the right place? Why can’t I see a single creature in this place? kani-kanina lang punung-puno ‘to ng mga tao ah, where is everybody? Where are they?! Ano ‘to? palabas na naman ba ‘to? Hindi nakakatawa kung gano’n nga. I checked the parking lot, the only car I’m seeing is mine and Franco’s. Sinet-up ba nila kami? I’m so not in the mood tonight. Great. So ako na lang ang magbubuhat sa lalakeng ‘to. 500 meter walk din yun mula sa parking lot papunta kay Franco. Its raining, he’s heavy. God help me. Parusa ba ‘to? Hindi pa ba sapat yung pang-iiwan niya sa akin? ~_~ Finally, umabot ako ng buhay sa sasakyan ko. Approximately, it is a 20 minute drive to Mendoza’s residence, that’s without traffic. Unfortunately, it took me 45 minutes to reach there house, dahil sa traffic na dulot ng ulan, halos di na ako makagalaw sa sobrang lamig, basang-basa ako sa ulan eh. Errr, I’m hating this whole thing. Pagdating ko sa bahay nila Franco… ‘Tao po!’ naku naman! may tao ba dito?! ‘Naku! Sorry po ma’am! naku po! ano po bang nangyari sa inyo?’ ‘Long story, papasukin mo muna kami ah…’ ‘Sige po…’ ‘Andito ba sila ate Ate Cheska?’ ‘Wala po eh… umalis na po… may business trip daw po kasi siya…’ what?! ‘Eh, sino na lang ang andito?’ ‘Ako po…’ mabuti naman…pero wait, bakit nakabihis panlakad si Ate? ‘Aalis ba kayo?’ ‘Ay, opo, hinintay ko lang si sir, may emergency kasi, sinugod sa ospital yung anak ko.’

NO!!!! ‘ha?!’ ‘Ma’am, iwan ko na po muna kayo dito ah… kayo na po bahala kay sir, pasensya po talaga…’ ‘Ah…eh’ errrrrrrrr! no choice, kelangan ko munang samahan ‘tong lalakeng to. Nakakastress! Bwiset! May pasok pa naman ako bukas. I’ll jut get him to his bed and I’ll get out from this place. As usual, just the picture of a girl, taking the shirt of her man… gano’n… nagising ata… ‘kahit anong mangyari tandaan mo, mahal na mahal kita.’ tsss, he’s sleeptalking. Yah right, whatever. Talk to the hand. Ayoko na, I’ve had enough, Ayoko ng maniwala sa lahat ng pinagsasabi niya. Bakit ba gano’n? Nagtiwala naman ako ah, kulang pa ba ‘yon? Should I hold on? or should I let go? Either way, parehong masakit. Kaya wag na lang. Umalis na ako, iniwan ko na siya. At least naman ok na siya, better than how he looked like a while ago. Ex-girlfriends good deed? whatever. February 21, 8 a.m. ‘Good Morning Rhia’ Wow ha, what a good morning greeting, at nauna pa siya sa school ah. ‘Thank you nga pala kagabi..’ alam niya ah? ‘Ahhh. K.’ ‘Rhi..’ ‘Belated Happy Birthday Frank! Good morning, here’s your breakfast.’ ‘I’ll go ahead…’ ‘Rhia!’ Naks naman. What a sweet act, clap-clap-clap. Breakfast in school? Pshhh, oh please, why does she, I mean, THEY have to do that in front of me? Nakakainis ah! Isa pa ‘tong si Franco, how could he act like he said nothing yesterday? Kung makaasta akala mo walang nangyari kagabi. Goodness, ang aga-aga, sirang-sira na araw ko. Destiny! Bakit?! Ang hirap naman ng sitwasyon, nasa isang classroom lang kami, paano ko siya iiwasan? How can I feel that I wasn’t dumped? ‘Dude…’ ‘Teka lang dude ah… tapusin ko lang ‘to…’ Ok. -_‘Kyri..’ ‘Oh dude! kamusta?’ ‘Not so great eh…dude…’ nagring phone niya. ‘For a while dude… have to answer this call.’ ‘Ok’ Haaaay, wala naman akong makausap, walang makikinig sa akin. Pa’no ako magvevent-out? Think. Think. Think. Alam ko na! I’ll cut classes. I’ll go anywhere. Basta hindi dito sa school. I’ll go shopping, food trip alone.

Nakakalungkot talaga, wala akong karamay ngayon, sa’n na ba kasi si Alex, nakakamiss talaga. I expected this from the very moment he left. Guess, I just have to learn to live my own. Tama, isa nga pala sa hobby ko eh yung…’Manhattan something’ ni Rebecca Brandon, its fun, nakakalimutan ko yung mga dapat kong isipin pag ginagawa ko yun. Pumasok ako sa isang shop, maganda kasi yung top na nakadisplay sa front door… ‘Hindi bagay sa’yo…’ ‘And who are you to…’ si Francis?! ‘Francis! what are you doing here?!’ ‘Dapat nga sa’yo ko yan tinatanong eh, diba may pasok ka? nakauniform ka pa nga oh’ ‘I cut classes…first time naman eh.. ikaw! anong ginagawa mo dito?’ ‘Sasamahan ka… okey lang?’ Pwedeng siya na lang si Franco? argh! his look reminds me of him, grabe, pati ba naman dito sinusundan ako ng kaluluwa ni Superman… I’m trying my best you knaw? Pero, wala namang masama kapag pumayag ako, anyway, single na naman ako eh, single? ah basta! ‘Sure! pero ok lang ba sa’yo? girl’s thing to eh… baka mainip ka…’ ‘No problem…’ ‘Sige, sukat ko muna ‘to..’ ‘Wag yan, di bagay sa’yo, try mo ‘to…’ ‘????’ ano bang alam niya dito? he doesn’t even look like he knows how to dress up. tsss. ‘Trust me’ tapos nagsmug siya. Fine, fine. Let’s see. Sinukat ko na… errr, I have to admit, pangit nga yung napili ko… ‘Kitams…’ ‘Oo na, tama ka na! but that doesn’t mean na maganda ‘tong pinili mo’ Ang kulet. Sige nga… Hmmm, I have to admit, maganda nga yung napili niya, why didn’t I notice it first?! ‘So?’ ‘Oo na, magaling ka na… I’ll take this..’ Bumalik na ako sa fitting room. Paglabas ko… ‘Here..’ o_O ‘Binayaran mo na’ ‘Ay hindi-hindi, ninakaw ko, diba miss?’ Tumawa yung cashier. What was that for huh? ‘Tsss, thanks…’ hindi na ako nag-insist, sayang naman, libre din ‘to eh. ^_^V ‘Sa’n na tayo ngayon?’

‘Andito tayo, nasa-mall.’ ‘Joke ba yun?’ errr! he’s sort of annoying ah. ‘Che!’ ‘Loko lang, ang ibig kong sabihin, sa’n na tayo pupunta?’ ‘Ahh, ewan… sa’n mo ba gusto?’ ‘sa puso mo?’ FUNNY MUCH? Joke ba yun? ‘HA-HA, nice joke...’ ‘Seryoso na… nood tayo ng sine… ok lang?’ hmmm, pwede.. ‘Sige!’ Hmm, wait, ang panget naman ng dating ko, nakauniform na nasa mall, tapos alam naman ng lahat na may pasok. Makapagpalit nga.. ‘sa’n ka papunta?’ ‘for a second…’ After 5 minutes…. ang bilis no? ‘Ba’t ka nagpalit?’ I knew he’d ask this… ‘eh kasi po, masyado namang di maganda tingnan na naglalakwatsa ako na nakauniform.’ ‘Oo nga no?’ ‘Yez, tara na…’ Nanood kami ng movie. Love story, haha, ako kasi yung pumili eh. Ewan ko nga kung bakit yung yung pinili ko, eh dapat naglilie-low na ako sa mga love-love na yan. Tsss, I don’t care. Ako lang ata yung nag-enjoy eh, kasi di pa nakakalahati yung movie, nakatulog na si Francis. -_-” He’s leaning on my shoulders. K. Paglabas namin sa movie house… ‘Ang ganda ng movie no…’ ano raw? naririnig niya ba yung sinasabi niya? ‘Sinong niloko mo? Eh, natulog ka nga lang eh.’ ‘Eh, nakikinig kaya ako eh.’ ‘Right… kain tayo…’

Francis’ POV Etong babaeng ‘to, puro kain na lang yung nasa isip. Sa bagay, di ko naman siya masisisi eh, alam ko yung pinagdadaanan niya. Naawa nga ako eh, kahit ako di ko maintindihan kung ano na ang nangyayari, noon lang, ang saya-saya ni Franco… ang saya-saya nila. Alam naman niya yung buong kwento tungkol dun sa picture eh, sabi niya, wala daw yun, naiintindihan niya daw. Naniwala naman ako sa kanya, totoo namang wala lang talaga sa kanya yun, alam ko kasi pag nagsisinungaling siya o kung nagsasabi ng totoo. May nagbago lang talaga sa kanya, parang may tinatago siya, yun yung di ko malaman-laman.

Ako na mismo yung gustong humingi ng sorry kay Rhi, tsk, ewan ko ba. Biglaan lahat. Parang may dinadala si Franco, na hindi ko alam, basta, parang gano’n. ‘Let’s eat! Happy meal!’ may fiesta ba? grabe talaga to kung makakain, nakakapagtataka kung sa’n napupunta yung kinakain nito. ‘Mauubos ba natin ‘to?’ ‘Of course! trust me!’ tapos nagwink siya... good luck, eh pangsampung tao ‘tong inorder niya ah. ‘May problema ka no?’ alam ko naman talaga yung sagot eh, ang gusto ko lang, mailabas niya yung kung anuman ang gusto niyang sabihin, alam ko kasi ang pakiramdam na nagtatago ng problema sa sarili. at, hindi yun maganda. ‘Sort of.’ ‘Magkwento ka naman… masama pa naman ang magtago ng problema, nakakamatay daw yun’ ‘Sinong tinakot mo? eh sanay naman ako eh, ba’t di pa ako namamatay? sus, kung totoo man yang sinasabi mo, edi sana tinago ko na lahat ng problema para mamatay na ako, Ayoko na!’ Sabi ko na nga ba eh. Bibigay din ‘to, tsk. Nakakaawa talaga, nung sinabi niya yun, maiyak-iyak na siya. ‘Hinay-hinay lang, baka malaglag puso mo, mapunta pa sa’kin, mahirap na’ ‘Loko! sana nga ganu’n na lang.’ ‘Hindi ko alam yang mga pinagsasabi mo ah, pero nararamdaman kong mabigat yang dinadala mo..’ ‘Oo nga eh, mabigat, sobrang bigat.’ ‘Kung ano man yan, andiyan na yan eh, tanggapin mo na lang..’ ‘How could I?!’ ‘Teka nga, patapusin mo muna ako, tanggapin mo na lang, wala ka ng magagawa eh, pag yan iniwasan mo, tinaboy mo, pagtaguan mo, mas lalo kang hahanapin niyan, isa lang ang sagot diyan…’ ‘What?!’ ‘Harapin mo… oo, mahirap sa simula, pero pag nagtagal, maoovercome mo din yan..’ ‘May point ka’ hay salamat. ‘Salamat ah…’ ‘Saan?’ ‘Kasi, ikaw bigla-bigla na lang sumusulpot, ang galing pa nga timing mo, everytime, mag-isa ako, lumalabas ka, kaya yun, di ko masyadong nararamdaman na malungkot ako. kaya, salamat ng marami.’ ‘Wala yun…’ masaya naman ako sa ginagawa ko eh, kahit pa sabihin nating utos ‘to ng superman mo. ‘Hmmm, pa’no mo nga ba nagagawa ‘to?’ ‘Ang alen?’

‘Eto, yung nagkikita na lang tayo, yung lumalabas ka out from nowhere… how’d you do that?’ ‘ewan… tanong mo si destiny…’ amp. baduy! ‘Ui, destiny, pa’no ba nangyayari yun?’ ‘Kumain ka na nga lang..’ Isa na yan sa pinoproblema ko ngayon eh, pa’no pag nalaman niya yung totoo? magagalit kaya siya? Mabuti naman at di siya masyadong matanong, kasi kung gano’n, matagal na akong naubusan ng rason. After 30 minutes, naubos na niya lahat ng inorder niya. Hayop! Naubos niya nga. Halatang stressed nga. ‘Pwede mo pa ba akong samahan?’ ‘Sure… sa’n na ba tayo papunta?’ ‘Fabric store…’ ‘Mananahi ka?’ ‘Errr, no… aspiring fashion designer… self-taught.’ ‘Ahhh, mahilig ka pala sa ganyan… tara na…’ ‘Yes! Thanks.’ Wow, first time kong makapasok sa ganitong klaseng lugar ah. ‘Hi Ms. Lao!’ ‘Kayo may-ari nito?’ ‘naku, hindi… naging kaibigan ko lang mga tao dito kasi madalas ako dito…’ ‘Aaah.’ gano’n kadalas? pati guard, kilala siya ah. Palagay, ko isa din ‘to sa pantanggal niya ng lungkot, kasi pagpasok namin dito, yung mukha niya parang “jackpot!”… ganu’n. ‘Rhia…’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Etong blue oh, maganda… kunin mo ah, tapos gawan mo ng kahit ano… tapos… ipakita mo sa akin yung finished product.’ ‘Ha? ahh, sige-sige…’

CHAPTER 29
“trapped”

Rhia’s POV Why does he reminds me everything about him? Magkamukha na nga sila, halos pare-pareho pa yung sinasabi nila. Etong blue oh, maganda… Tsss. Right, imagination ko lang yan, masyado ko lang kasing iniisip kaya nagmumukha silang iisa. The weird thing about Francis is how the way he looks and how he talks makes a total difference, he looks like a stranger, but he talks like an angel. His appearance is so strange, but the moment I spend time with him, everything change. 1 month later I survived a month without talking to him. Francis was right, I need to be strong. Kaya hinarap ko, I live every day fighting to overcome whatever I’m feeling. I started to accept it, I started to accept the truth. But everytime I see him, everytime our eyes meet, makes leaving him so much harder, so much harder. Sobrang awkward. Ang galing ko nga eh, kasi natiis ko pa. Nakikita yung ex mo, everyday, close to you, inches away from you, tapos at the end of the day, nakikita mo siya may kasama ng iba, ok sana kung nakikita mo siyang nakangiti, pero, since then, since nag lie-low na kami sa isa’t isa, hindi ko na nakikita yung ngiting suot-suot niya parati. Ang hirap mag-adjust. Change was never easy during the past month, I fight to hold on and I fight to let go. Ang gulo! Marami na ring nangyari, which made me tougher and more independent. Di na masyado kami nagsasama ng dudes, pa’no eh… busy na sila sa mga boyfriend nila. Yes, may boyfriend na sila. Kyri and Mawee are already together, so as with, Joan and Harvey. And me? Single. Hindi ko na rin nakikita si Francis. Last na yung sinamahan niya ako sa mall nung nag cutting classes ako. Kaya naman, madalas na lang akong mag-isa. Kahit sa bahay, wala sila mommy at daddy eh, nasa Japan. Si Gab naman, ewan. I forgot. Hindi na rin ako masyadong gumagala, hindi na ako nakakapag-gimik together with Ate Cheska’s angels. Basta, naging boring yung life ko. Nagfade lahat ng colors na dati masyadong bright. All I do now is focus on my studies, yeah right. Nagmukha akong nerd, whatever, as long as I’m busy enough to keep myself away from thinking about my miserable past, kahit pa magkandakubakuba na ako, makalimutan ko lang yun. Aside sa pag-aaral, I also keep myself busy by sewing clothes, naka 9 looks na ako since nung kami pa ni Franco… pati yung pinapagawa ni Francis, tapos na rin. I wish to see him again, nakalimutan ko na kasi yung feeling na may kasama eh. Isa pa ‘tong si Alex, 1 month na ring hindi nagpaparamdam. Wew, iniwan na nila akong lahat. That’s how miserable I’ve become during the past month. at drama rehearsals, 9 p.m. I’m not feeling well, feeling ko may fever ako, ewan, basta, I feel dizzy. Kaya umupo na lang muna ako sa isang sulok. ‘Guys, pakikuha naman nung mga props sa janitor’s quarter… sino ang pwede diyan?’ ‘Ako na!’ great. ‘Ako na…’ ‘I insist… ako na…’ Mabuti at Hinayaan niya ako, naku kung hindi, baka ano ng nagawa ko sa kanya. Nagvolunteer lang naman ako kasi, ayoko magstay dito ng walang ginagawa, it makes me feel I’m of no use. Pagdating ko sa janitor’s quarter, o_O ang dami naman pala nito. Errr, fine, I can do this… ‘Rhia?’ what the hell is he doing here?! ‘What?!’

‘Tulungan na kita..’ right, whatever. Wait, parang may tao pa… I checked it, pumunta ako sa may door. Sh*t, its locked! ‘Nalock tayo.’ eff. ‘Ha?!’ ‘Tawagan mo nga sila….’ ‘Lowbat ako eh… ikaw na lang…’ ‘Nasa bag yung phone ko..’ This is so not happening. ~_~, hindi pa naman mabuti yung pakiramdam ko, tapos ano? matatrap ako kasama ‘tong lalakeng ‘to? ‘Lagot..’ ‘Do something!’ ‘Tulong! Can somebody help us please!!!’ not working -_-” ‘May tao ba jan?! Pakibuksan naman eto oh!’ ‘Tama na yan, useless din naman, di ka nila maririnig, ang layo kaya ng drama room.’ kung makapagsalita paang gusto niya ‘tong nangyayari ah. ‘Whatever, at least I’m doing something to get out of this place’ ‘Wala din namang mangyayari, mauubos lang ang boses mo sa kakasigaw.’ Errrr! Asar! Wrong timing naman ‘to oh. Feeling ko mahihimatay na ako, nanlalamig na ako masyado, plus, andito pa ako sa dark room, goodness, impossible na siguro kung di ako makakita ng daga, NOOOO! Plus I’m with this person who took away everything that once made me happy. Gutom na gutom pa naman ako. errrr! nakakainis talaga!!! >_< After 20 minutes, wala pa ring nangyayari, we’re still trapped in this place. And I feel soooo cold. Nanginginig na ako sa sobrang lamig. I’m sitting like a child, leaning in the wall and holding my hands tight around my knees. ‘Gusto mo?’ Ok I’ll swallow my pride for now, gutom lang talaga ako masyado, baka mamatay na ako pag di ko pa to tinanggap… shoot, nanginginig na talaga ako. Kelangan ko ng heater! ‘ss-ala-m-ma-at….’ see? di na nga ako makapagsalita ng maayos. ‘Rhia, ok ka lang?’ obvious bang hindi?! Idiot. ‘Rhia?’ He touched my forehead. ‘Nako! Ang taas ng lagnat mo! ba’t di mo sinabi?!’ ‘l-like you ss-sa-id, pag m-mmay gi-nn-aawa bb-a aa-koo, may ma-ng-yy-ya-ya-ar-ri ba?’ ‘I’m sorry, amp, pa’no ba to?....’ Hindi na ako nakapagsalita, nandilim na paningin ko… the last thing I remember is I can feel him near me, I can feel him hugging me, and then I felt warmth. The next thing I knew, nasa hospital na ako. ‘Dude! gising ka na!’

‘Of course…’ ‘Sus, nagkasakit ka na, pero ang sungit mo pa rin..’ ‘What happened?’ ‘Sabi ni Franco….’ may tinuturo siya… she’s pointing into something.. ‘Ay nawala… anyway, he said, natrap daw kayo sa janitor’s quarter…’ ‘Yes, I remember that… then what happened?’ ‘Nanginginig ka daw ng sobra… tapos paghawak niya sa’yo masyado ka daw mainit… so…’ ‘HE HUGGED YOU! yeeeeeeeha!’ wow, masaya kayo?! ‘get me straight to the point please..’ ‘Nahimatay ka, 6 am na ng nabuksan kayo ng janitor, tapos di ka pa nagigising’ ‘kaya, sinugod ka ni superman…’ ‘Jo…’ murmur ni Kyri.. ‘este, isinugod ka ni Franco dito sa hospital…’ ‘kakaalis niya niya nga lang eh… sayang, di ka na nakapagthank you.’ thank you?! tsss, I’ll think about it. ‘Anong sabi ng doctor?’ ‘Ok ka lang naman daw eh, high fever lang daw yun, mabuti daw at nadala ka agad dito, it could be worst sabi niya, kung di ka agad nadala dito.’ ‘Aaah..’ ‘Rhia ! Ok ka na?!’ Ang OA naman nitong si Mawee, akala mo naman nadaganan ako ng world trade center. Pshhh, pero, nakakatouch naman, talagang, halata na nag-alala siya. ‘Yup, thanks for seeing me…’ ‘That’s good to hear… masyado ka kasing nagpapapagod eh… aral ng aral, di ka na sumasama sa gimik namin ah…’ ‘Tsss. hayaan mo na…’ ‘Dude, excuse me muna ah..’ See? nakita lang si Mawee, iniwan na ako. Now, here I am, alone again. Lumabas na sila. Hmm, think someone’s coming. Ok, here comes the ‘hero’. pffft. ‘Okey ka na ba?’ ‘Yes, thanks.’ ‘Rhia… I brought you something..’ ‘Thanks’ ‘Wala pa nga akong binibigay eh.’

‘Aw.’ Aw o_O I can’t but feel happy deep inside, it’s a cookie monster. My favorite. ‘Thanks’ pshhh, nakailang ‘thanks’ na ba ako? -_-” ‘Eto pa’ coffee! ‘Thanks ulit’ So ano na? Titingnan niya ako habang ineenjoy ko ‘tong mga binigay niya? No way, ok na yung makita niyang napangiti niya ako sa ginawa niya, tsss, baka ano pang isipin nito eh. ‘Sige na… umalis ka na… pasensya nga pala sa disturbo. sige na, baka may naghahanap na sa’yo.’ ‘Ah.. eh, wala nam…’ ‘Sus, sige na, baka magkautang na loob pa ako sa’yo, mahirap na, salamat ulit ah.’ that was sarcastic. ‘Sige… una na ako…’ hay salamat. naglakad na siya papunta sa pinto… tapos lumingon… ‘Rhia..’ ‘Oh? may nakalimutan ka ba?’ ‘Ah, wala… magpagaling ka ah… take good care of yourself…’ ‘Aaah, sige.’ What was that for? Wow ha, napakathoughtful naman ni ex. Ok na sana eh, medyo nakalimutan ko na sya, pero sa ginawa niyang yun, I can’t but feel sad again. Napatulo yung luho ko. Errr! Ba’t ba affected pa ako? Di ba nga, I’m in the process of moving on na? The fact that he did this favour to me makes me thing there’s still something between us, parang gusto ko pang lumaban, pero natatakot akong mabigo at masaktan muli. Wala na nga bang love? tapos na nga ba lahat? Why am I not convinced that everything’s over between us. If so, how long should I hold on? How soon should I let go? How do I completely move on? Those questions will be left unanswered until I soon forget that I fell for the wrong guy who took my heart and threw it away as if it were nothing, as if he never felt the same. 2 days after… ‘Huy! Anong nangyari sa’yo?!’ here comes my ‘concerned’ brother. ‘Stop acting like you even care Gab’ ‘Aba! Sorry na sis, di talaga ako makaalis-alis sa office eh’ ‘Oo na, busy ka na, alam ko naman eh.’ ‘Eto naman eh, nagtatampo pa… sorry na nga…’ ‘Oo na nga.’ ‘Wag kang mag-alala, babawi naman ako… I’ll stay here for a week.’ What?! ‘Seriously?’ ‘Oo..’ ‘Tsss, baka naman kasi may business trip ka or whatever’

‘Wala nga, babantayan kita the whole week ok? Hatid-sundo sa school, susubuan pa kita sa pagkain mo, gusto mo ba?’ ‘Hatid-sundo, pwede, subo? no thanks.’ ‘Is that an ‘apology accepted’?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Hay salamat. Mabait ka naman pala pag nagkakasakit eh..’ Yah right. ‘Aah, so are you saying na magkasakit na lang ako parati para mabait ako all the time?’ ‘Of course not, ikaw talaga, masyadong makitid yung utak mo! halika nga dito! namiss kita ah!’ he hugged me as if we didn’t see each other for years. ‘You’re so OA, kahit kelan talaga!’ Kelangan ko pa ba talagang magkasakit para mapunta sa akin ang mga atensyon nila? Sus, kung alam ko lang edi matagal ko ng pineke yang mga sakit-sakit na yan. I opened my fb. 58 notifications Pagbukas ko sa profile ko… seriously? Nagflood lahat ng ‘get well soon’, ‘how are you’, ‘take care’ sa wall ko. Wow ha, bumait ata lahat ng mga tao ah. Nakita ko rin sa home ang status ni Alex… is coming soon. Ano yun? hmm, baka artista na si best! kaya nabubusy siya! Alex Anthony: best… Rhia Margarette: Uie best! di mo sinabing artista ka na pala. Alex Anthony: ikaw! Rhia Margarette: Oh? What did I do? Alex Anthony: Anong what did I do, what happened to you? nagkasakit ka daw. Rhia Margarette: Right. Oo na. Alex Anthony: Bakit? Rhia Margarette: Di ko rin alam eh :D Alex Anthony: Umayos ka Rhia ah, wag mo na ulit hahayaan na mangyari pa ‘yun Rhia Margarette: Eto naman, kung makapagsalita parang tatay. Alex Anthony: Importante ang health best.. Rhia Margarette: Opo, pasensya na po. Masyado ka naman serious, ok lang naman ako eh, eto nga oh nagchchat pa tayo. Alex Anthony: Basta, take care of yourself. ok? Rhia Margarette: Ok. How are you? Alex Anthony: I’m good, eto.. miss na miss ka na.. Rhia Margarette: ^^ touch naman ako… I miss you too best! kelan ka ba babalik dito? Alex Anthony: Basta… Rhia Margarette: Napka-indefinite naman ng sagot na yan…basta Alex Anthony: Alam ko..gtg na best.. Rhia Margarette: pfft, ang KJ mo talaga, sige na nga. Alex Anthony: Take care of yourself ok? Rhia Margarette: Ok. Alex Anthony: Eat well, wag masyadong magpapapagod, wag muna isipin si Franco, magpakasaya ka as much as you could. ok? Rhia Margarette: Ok. Alex Anthony is now offline Haay nako, nakapag-usap nga kami ni best kaso masyado namang limited, its always like that, he’s always in a hurry, di ko man lang nakukuwento ang mga pingdaanan ko ng wala siya. Di ko man lang natatanong kung kamusta na siya, di man lang siya nag kukwento sa nangyayari sa buhay niya

dun. Hmmm, tama! Idiot, ba’t ngayon ko lang naisip yun, is coming soon. Ibig sabihin, babalik na siya! Yes! I’m not gonna be alone anymore! From: Kyri Dude, we’re coming, bought some dvd’s, have here ‘A walk to remember’ and lots of food, see yah!’ We’re? Goodness, bakit ba napakaindefinite ng mga tao ngayon, ano ako manghuhula? I hate guessing you knaw, errr, I’m not in the mood to socialize, kahit na dudes ko pa yan, pffft. Di mo naman kasi maiwasang magtampo eh… nagkaboyfriend lang sila, kinalimutan na nila ako. Oh well, buhay nga naman. ‘Hi Rhia!’ tsss. They’re here, Kyri and Mawee, Joan and Harvey and… Paolo, alone. Ano ‘to? gagawin ba nilang ‘place for lovers’ bahay namin? Hmmm, actually di naman ako pissed off kasi andito sila, I think it’s actually fun that they’re here. The only thing that I don’t want to consider is the way they treat each other, I mean, look at them, they’re happy together. It reminds me of how Franco and I were like way back when we’re still in love with each other. Everytime I see them, kahit sino naman, kahit nagsostroll ako sa mall mag-isa, pag nakakita ako ng couple, naaalala ko talaga yung dating Franco at Rhia. ‘Nood na tayo.’ ‘Ok..’ ‘And here, dinala pala namin yung favorite food mo, cookie monster and mr. Chips with matching Ice coffee.’ ‘Your welcome’ Right. I haven’t said thanks yet. What do they want from me? What do they want to see? Me smiling in awe for receiving these treats? Errr, yah right, these are my favourites, and I’m glad they still know about these, but the thing is, naalala ko si Franco! errr! Ano ba?! I’m trying my best to move on na eh! Destiny?! So not good. -_-” ‘Sana ganyan ang love story ko no? Swerte ni Jamie…’ ‘Ang sama mo namang girlfriend, di ka ba kontento sa’kin?’ ‘Ang OA mo naman boyfriend, siyempre naman kontento na’ko sa’yo’ ‘I love you Kri…’ ‘I love you too wee’ ‘Huy! ang keso niyo ah! Di maganda pakinggan sa tenga, tama na nga yan! manood na tayo’ ‘ang sabihin mo…’ ‘INGGIT ka lang!’ Hindi na nakasagot si Paolo tapos bigla na lang lumabas.Tinamaan naman ako dun. Inggit ka lang. Sino nga bang hindi, eh ang sweet-sweet nila, for the nth time, why do they have to do that in front of me? Nabobother na naman ako, naaalala ko naman yung failure ko sa ‘love’ na yan, tsss. Kaya lumabas na din muna ako. There I saw Paolo… hmm, mukhang malayo ata yung iniisip niya ah. ‘Pao? is it ok if I join you?’ ‘Sure.’ may problema ata ‘to eh.

‘Ok ka lang?’ ‘Honestly, hindi..’ I knew it. ‘Why? hmm, tinamaan ka ba sa sinabi nila Kyri?’ ‘mmm, sabihin na nating OO.’ ‘Mind if I ask why?’ ‘Siguro nga naiinggit lang ako…’ ‘????’ ‘I used to have this perfect love story… masaya ako sa girlfriend ko, masayang-masaya kami…’ ‘Tapos?’ ‘6 years na kami, mag seseven na dapat, Grade 5 pa nung naging kami, she was my puppy love and I was her’s too… we were high school sweethearts, walang kupas yung loveteam namin.’ 6 YEARS?! Grade 5?! Joke ba yun?! Grabe naman ah, ang aga-aga lumandi nitong si Paolo, tsss. Pero bilib din ako ah, umabot sila ng ganu’n katagal, to think, they were still kids when they started the relationship. Wow. I mean WOW. pero, what happened? Natigilan si Paolo sa pagsasalita for about 2 minutes, mas naging malungkot yung mukha niya, and then nagteteary eye na siya. Oh no. ‘And then one day, bigla na lang siyang nakipagbreak sa’kin, nabigla talaga ako, di ko lubos maisip kung bakit niya sinabi yun, eh, masayang-masaya naman kami, wala namang nagbago, I can still feel that we love each other so much….’ Oh no, naiiyak na talaga si Paolo. Is this my fault? ‘I tried to stop her, lumuhod ako sa harapan niya, nagmakaawa, lahat na ginawa ko para pansinin niya ako, nagpaulan ako ng walong oras sa tapat ng bahay nila, pero wala pa rin. Di niya pa rin ako pinansin, di niya man lang ako kinausap. The next thing I knew, umalis na siya papuntang States.’ ‘I’m sorry to hear that Pao…’ ‘Di ko man lang siya pinigilan… I never heard from her since that day… all throughout the year, nahirapan ako magmove on, sobrang mahirap, minahal ko Siya Rhia, minahal ko siya ng sobra, halos sa kanya na umiikot yung buhay ko, anim na taon din yun eh, anim na taon… ang masakit, di man lang nalaman kung bakit kami nagkahiwalay, basta biglaan na lang. Sa isang iglap lang, wala na kami.’ Wait, familiar ata. Sa isang iglap lang, wala na kami. ‘Masyado ko siyang minahal, dahil ang alam ko ganu’n din siya sa akin, halos binigay ko na buong buhay ko sa kanya, no wonder sobra akong tinamaan ng mawala siya sa piling ko. Isang taon na ang nakalipas pero wala pa rin… naiisip ko pa rin siya.’ Kawawa naman si Paolo, ang bigat nga ng dinadala niya. Bakit ba kasi bigla na lang siyang iniwan ng babae? eh, ang gwapo niya naman at ang bait pa. ‘Hanggang ngayon, iniisip ko pa rin kung anong nagawa ko at bigla niya na lang akong iniwan, alam ko sa sarili ko na mahal niya ako. Hanggang ngayon, may bumubulong pa rin sa isip ko na hanapin ko siya at ipaglaban yung kung ano man ang pwede pangipaglaban, pero… last month lang…’ ‘Nagkita kayo?!’ ‘Oo nagkita kami, gustung-gusto ko siyang yakapin ng makita ko siya… pero…’

‘Pero ano?’ ‘Hindi pwede…’ ‘Bakit hindi?’ ‘Rhia, may anak na siya, dala-dala niya nga… tapos, nakita ko na lang, na may lumapit sa kanyang lalake… ang sakit, grabe, parang dinurog yung puso ko ng pinong-pino’ ‘Oh God’ Ibig sabihin, umalis yung babae kasi nabuntis siya ng random guy? WTF?! She’s stupid. Hindi ko man siya kilala, pero, I want to rip off her head. ‘I had a second broken-heart, mas malala pa sa first, alam mo yung feeling na, ang rami mo ng pasa sa katawan, tapos patuloy ka pa ring sinusuntok? ganun eh. ‘Pao, I’m so sorry to hear that. I really wish I can do something..’ ‘You can Rhia..’ I can? How? ‘Ha?’ ‘Ayokong matulad ka sa’kin, one broken heart is enough, masyadong unbearable pag twice.’ ‘What are you trying to say?’ ‘Si Franco, ba’t ba kayo nagkaganyan? Ano bang nangyari sa inyo? Ba’t di mo subukang alamin? Subukan mo Rhia, malay natin, hindi pa huli ang lahat, baka may magawa ka pa to save what you once have.’ ‘That’s hard Pao…’ ‘Its up to you… basta ang masasabi ko lang, alamin mo muna bago ka sumuko, hindi pa huli ang lahat, hindi pa ‘the end’…. wala pa namang formality yung break up niyo diba?’ ‘Oo, pero… parang..’ ‘Yan, ikaw na mismo nagsabi, pero, parang… Rhia, be strong, fight.’ Be strong? I’m trying, eh makita ko lang si Franco nanghihina na ako, ano na kaya pag kinausap ko na siya, pag pinag-usapan namin yung dating kami? Magmumukha lang ata akong tanga niyan eh. Fight? How? di ko nga kaya magpakatatag eh, lumaban pa kaya. Ano ba naman ‘to. Kelan ba kasi ako makakapagmove-on? ‘Hey guys, ano bang ginagawa niyo dito, nasa climax na tayo, tara na’ ‘Sige, sunod lang ako.’ Pagdating ko sa movie room. Pffft. Climax pala ah, climax na nga, eh tulog na naman silang lahat. Ok fine, I won’t spoil their sleep, hayaan ko na lang sila matulog jan, matutulog na din ako. They look comfortable naman so, iwan ko na lang muna sila. ‘Pao… dito ka rin ba matutulog?’ ‘Hindi, uuwi na lang ako…’ ‘Ah, sige, ingat…’ ‘Sige, bye’

Naglakad na ako papunta sa room ko… tapos tinawag ako ni Paolo… ‘Rhia..’ lumingon ako. ‘Pag-isipan mo yung sinabi ko’ At umalis na siya. Pag-isipan mo yung sinabi ko. ‘Pao…’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Gustuhin man ng puso ko pero pagod na ang isip ko. Pag ginawa ko yun, di lang isip ko ang sasabog pati puso ko madudurog.’ Di niya ata narinig eh. Ewan talaga! litong-lito na ako. Basta! Ayoko ng isipin yan. Ayoko na!

CHAPTER 30
“last dance”

March na. Ang bilis naman ng panahon. Matatapos na ang 1st year namin sa college. Finals na namin today. Hmm, I’m confident enough, nakapag-aral naman ako ng maayos, I managed to stay in track though it seems there are tons of things to consider. Nasa school na kami by 8 a.m. Pinapasok na kami sa classroom, we were given seats. Un daw yung permanent seats namin all throughout the finals. ‘Is everyone present?’ ‘Ms. Lao, who’s sitting beside you? ‘Si Mr. Mendoza po.’ ‘Where is he?’ WTH?! Sa’kin ba itanong? Malay ko ba, eh di na nga kami nag-uusap nu’n eh. ‘I don’t know Prof’ Nagstart na yung exams, it was held simultaneously, its already 11 am. Crap, di ako mapakali, tingin ako ng tingin sa seat ni Franco. Errr, sa’n na ba kasi siya? Is he nuts? Finals kaya ngayon, tapos mag-aabsent siya, crazy! Buti sana kung ang babait ng mga professor dito, eh ang hiraphirap pa naman habulin. Tsss. Why do I even bother anyway? Why do I act like I’m concerned. Whatever, nakakainis lang kasi, di ako makapagfocus. Loko-loko talaga siya, dean’s lister pa naman. Sayang naman kung matatanggal siya. Idiot. Natapos na ang first day ng final exams. Last day na bukas. I didn’t mind going home early to cram, its not good. Kaya I rewarded myself by having a sip of coffee. Pagpasok ko sa coffee shop, there I saw Franco… mag-isa sa isang table, tulala.Ayoko siyang lapitan, ayoko siyang tingnan, ayoko siyang makita! Pero…errr, come what may! ‘Franco.’ why did I even bother to approach him, wala naman siyang sinagot, tiningnan niya lang ako. errrr! ‘Hey, listen to me?!’ nakakanis ah! He answered me with a blank stare. Eff! ‘Are you nuts? Nababaliw ka na ba? Anong ginagawa mo dito? Ba’t wala ka kanina, finals kanina Franco… hinanap ka ni Prof. What were you thinking?!’ Still not answering. Nakakanis na talaga ah! I’m trying to be good here. ‘Fine, bahala ka jan! Sayang naman yung standing mo, bahala ka sa buhay mo!’ Tumayo na siya, paalis na sa table niya. Sh*t, I want to rip off his empty brain, hindi man lang siya nagsalita. Fine! Naglakad na siya palabas. ‘Rhia…’ Tiningnan ko lang siya… ‘Please hold on…’ Tapos lumabas na siya. Ang dami kong sinabi, tapos yung lang yung sasabihin niya? Please hold on? What does that have to do with everything I said? Ang bastos niya rin ah, I’m trying to be concerned at the moment, wala naman akong ibng intention ah, I did that as a concerned classmate. No more, no less. Nagstay ako sa coffee shop, tapos nanood lang ng movie sa Ipad ko. Tapos sinundo ako ni Gab, nice brother. ‘How’s your exams?’

‘Good.’ ‘Minalian mo ba ng isang item?’ ‘Tssss.’ ‘Wala ka talagang patawad no, edi perfect na yun? Ang yabang mo talaga.’ ‘Nice try Gab.’ Ano yun joke? ‘Ikaw babae ka, masyado kang seroyoso…’ ‘No I’m not’ ‘Yes, you are…’ NO I’M NOT! ‘akala mo siguro di kita naabutang nag-aaral up to 3 in the morning?’ How’d he know?! ‘at least I use my time wisely’ ‘NERD!’ ~_~ NO I’M NOT! ‘Whatever, at least maganda. :P’ ‘Di ka lang nerd, masyado ka pang assuming, no ‘ba tawag mo sa mga taong assuming?’ ‘hmmm, ASSUMER? hahaha!’ Nice one Gab. LOL. Natawa ako dun ah. ASSUMER. K. Fine. Hi! I’m Rhia… the ASSUMER. May gano’n ba sa dictionary? Idiot. Kahit pala workaholic si Gab, may sense of humor din pala siya. Nerd na kung nerd. At least naaaliw ko yung sarili ko, naeentertain ako. I know its not normal staying up to 3 in the am for studying purposes. But, it’s the only way, I pull myself over thinking about that failure, and besides, its productive enough. I earn a lot of profit and incentives. The next day…. last day ng finals namin. And surprisingly, Franco showed up. Clap-clap-clap. Nagstart na kami sa first subject, ok naman, carry ko, focused na ako the whole duration ng exams, unlike yesterday, di ako mapakali. Good thing this epic hero is already here. Maaga akong natapos sa exam. 30 minutes ahead of everybody. So nagnap na lang muna ako. Since wala naman akong dapat isipin dahil tapos na ang exams. Nastress ulit ako, now what? Wala na naman akong pag-aabalahan. Meaning, I’ll end up thinking over that crap, tssss. >_< ‘Ms. Lao.’ ‘Ms. Lao..’ oh my God! nakatulog ata ako, errrr! ‘I’m sorry Prof.’ Sh*t, nakatingin lahat sa’kin. Errr. ‘Are you done?’ ‘Yes prof.’ That was pretty embarassing. So ano ng iisipin nila ngayon? Na ineeasy-easy ko lang ang exams? Na hindi lang ako bitch, mayabang pa. ‘Dude’ ‘Yabang ah!’ Grabe, pati mga kaibigan ko… >_<

‘Kung mang-aasar din lang kayon, never mind na lang, I’ll go ahead’ ‘Eto naman, di na mabiro…’ ‘Joke lang…’ ‘Well, anyway, gimik daw later, sabi nila Harvey, sama ka daw.’ ‘No thanks.’ ‘Why not?! Don’t tell me mag-aaral ka pa, eh tapos na nga yung exam diba… hmm, siguro, pagaaralan mo kung pa’no makuha si superman mo no?’ WTF?! Kaibigan ko ba talaga ‘to?! ‘Joan, stop it.’ ‘Sowwy.’ ‘Sige na dude, sama ka na please…’ ‘Oo nga naman! Let’s celebrate, tapos na ang paghihirap natin!’ ‘Freshmen year are so over, let’s celebrate!’ ‘I’ll try to catch up.’ ‘Hmmm, ikaw ah, may secret ka no?’ ‘Siguro may bago kang suitor no???’ ‘WALA AH!’ ‘ui, defensive si Rhia, siguro meron nga…’ ‘I WISH’ ‘So wala?’ ‘Ang gulo niyo, wala naman akong sinabing meron ah’ ‘In denial ka pa.’ ‘Whatever dudes, sige na, alis na ako.’ ‘Enjoy your daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate!’ I only wish I have. I WISH. Tsss, pero wala eh. Nakakainis sila ah. Masyadong makulit. Kahit ano na lang yung mga pinagsasabi-sabi, ang kikitid ng utak. Errr. nakakastress! >_< But if there’s someone I wish I could spent time with, yung mapapasaya ako the way Franco makes me happy. It would be Francis. Nakakainis naman, san na ba kasi yung mushroom na yun? Destiny please be good to me. Kahit ngayon lang. Siguro naman, deserve ko yan, I did my part. Di naman ako nagsuicide dahil nawala yun boyfriend ko diba? di naman ako nagpabaya sa studies ko. Oo nga naman, why don’t I come with them, its one way to forget about that crappy failure. Is it really? Hmmm, on the second thought, It’s actually not. Makakakita lang ulit ako ng happy couple meaning, maaalala ko naman si Franco meaning, maaawa na naman ako sa sarili ko. So better not.

I’d rather surf the net… baka sakaling maabutan ko pa si Alex. Pagbukas ko sa fb… nakakainis naman oh, kelangan ba talagag yang status na yan ang dapat kong abutan? Its from Franco Franco Marion Mendoza is struggling to win this adventure. And what was that suppose to mean? I’m sick of being this ‘bothered-clueless’ girl. There’s only two things, two things that will take me out of this ‘getting-in-my-nerves’ situation. First, tapusin to by talking to Franco, that will work, if, he’ll talk to me to. Second, hands off the sitch and step forward leaving all memories with him. So which is which? The first one doesn’t look so much sure, like I said, it will only work if he’ll talk to me. The second one sounds better…. hmmm, so. I’ll take the second option. HANDS OFF. I’ll do as what my mind told me. HANDS OFF. HANDS OFF. HANDS OFF. HANDS OFF. HANDS OFF. Alex Anthony: Best… Rhia Margarette: Hi Best! Alex Anthony: musta? Rhia Margarette: Ok lang, tapos na yung final exams. Alex Anthony: Congrats! wun? Rhia Margarette: Bahay. Alex Anthony: wud? Rhia Margarette: Natutulog ako best, natutulog. Alex Anthony: Wahaha, nakakatawa. Nice joke. Rhia Margarette: Alam mo naman pala eh, nagtanong ka pa. Alex Anthony: Aaaah, k. Rhia Margarette: >_< Alex Anthony: Ang cute mo talaga best ^_~ Rhia Margarette: I know, thanks. Alex Anthony: Ba’t di ka umalis diyan sa bahay niyo? mag unwind ka… magcelebrate. Rhia Margarette: Actually, they did invite me, but I refused to come. Alex Anthony: Stupid. Rhia Margarette: WHY?! Alex Anthony: ano pang ginagawa mo jan?! Go out Rhia. Have fun! Rhia Margarette: Tssss. Alex Anthony: Tsssss ka jan! Alam kong nagmumukmok ka lang jan, iniisip si Franco, diba? Rhia Margarette: Whatever! Alex Anthony: Basang-basa na kita best, kabisado na kita, sige na, wag ka ng OA jan, magbihis ka na, ok? Rhia Margarette: *Thinking* Alex Anthony: Ok, pag di ka pa nagbihis jan, di kita bibisitahin, madali lang naman akong kausap eh. Rhia Margarette: OK! chat you soon, miss you so much ☺ Madali naman akong kausap eh. Madali din akong mablackmail. No wonder napapaniwala ako agad ni Alex. Alex is right, I should unwind. And besides, ngayon ko lang naisip, paano ako makakapagmove on kung takot ako magsimula? Right? Right! Its time I get off this lonely mask. Its time I show them I can live my life without that epic hero. Pagdating ko sa restobar…. ‘Hey guys.’ When they saw me, their face wasn’t really good. Its as if nakakita sila ng multo. Are they not happy? Diba gusto nila pumunta ako? Hmmm, is there something wrong? And then I realized, they weren’t staring at me, they’re staring at someone at my back. Hmmm, who could it possibly be? Lumingon ako…. and I saw… Franco…. with Nika. AWESOOOOOOOME -_-”

What an entrance. Destiny? You’re so mean. Ganado na sana ako eh. Why oh why? Why are you so cruel to me? ‘Hi Rhia… Franco…’ oh? why can’t they greet NIKA? tsss. ‘Hi n-nni-ka’ ‘Hi Guys! I’m so glad to be here, this will be fun.’ she giggled, she wants to sound like she’s enthused, but she failed to get the group go with her enthusiasm. ‘Aaaah, k. tara..’ ang sama naman ni Kyri. LOL. pero that was funny. Nice one dude ^_^V Nilapitan ako ni Joan… First time ata. ‘Dude… I’m glad you came…’ ‘Sus, akala ko nga hindi eh… kung makatingin kayo parang nakakita kayo ng multo.’ ‘Actually, that stare wasn’t for you’ ‘I know, I figured it all by myself’ ‘So, ok lang sa’yo?’ ‘Ok ang ano?’ ‘Na andito si Franco kasama si Nika..’ ‘Actually, to be honest, no its not, but since andito na ako, then go, kelan pa nga ba ako magsisimula diba? ‘Magsisimula?’ Hmmm, dude! ang hina mo naman. ‘Aaaah, ok, magsisimula! gets.’ ‘Nagbuff pa ba?’ ‘Ha?’ Tsss -_-” what’s wrong with this girl? ‘Wala, sabi ko, let’s go and have some drink. let’s party!’ ‘Yeah!!!’ Goodness, ano na bang nangyayari sa dude ko? eto na ba ang epekto ng pagkakaroon niya ng boyfriend? Cause if it is, ngayon pa lang, sisimulan ko na silang ipaghiwalay. Kiddin’ I’m so right. Kelan ko nga ba sisimulang ang ‘change’? if not now then when? tomorrow? next week? next month? next year? None of the above, I should start it NOW, its now or never. In order to hasten the cure to this pain, I have to start medicating myself by acting right as soon as possible. I just need to be strong, that’s it. Like what Francis told me! Nakisama na ako sa group. Masaya naman, drinks, foods, chats, jokes. ‘May joke ako…’ ‘Weh? sige nga, dapat matawa kami ah.’ ‘Sige ba.’ ‘go…’

‘Manny: Ma, ilang liters ba ang 5000 ml na pepsi? Dionisia: 5 nak. Manny: Naks naman ma, galing ah, pa’no mo nalaman? Dionisia: Yes bibi, 5 liters talaga. Liter P, Liter E, Litet P, Liter S, Liter I. Oh ayan, 5 liters lahat.’ ‘HAHAHAHAHAHA!’ WTH?! that was like a superduperduperduper ‘must laughed at’ joke. NapaLOL ako ng sobra. Nakakatawa as in, errr. Nakakainis, ba’t ako lang yung tumatawa? ‘Okey ka lang dude?’ ‘Of course I am, why aren’t you laughing?! That was like so funny!’ ‘See? Buti pa si Rhia, marunong mag-appreciate ng joke! kayo talaga!’ ‘Eh pa’no kasi… mababaw yan eh!’ Everyoneo_O

Natigilan kaming lahat. Kung makaagsalita si Franco, parang yung dating kami pa. Weird. Tapos bigla din siyang natahimik… AWKWARD. I tried to break the silence.. I tried to act as normal as I can. ‘Oo nga naman! He’s right! mababaw lang siguro ako… sige magjoke pa kayo…’ I did my best there… I wish it wasn’t too obvious. Nakatingin naman silang lahat sa akin… wala pa ring nagsasalita… eff. Ano ba naman ‘to! Guys!!! SPEAK!!!! errrr. ‘Ako may joke ako…’ he’s the last person I was expecting to say something. What’s wrong with them?! Wala pa rin nagsasalita. Errrr! This is getting so awkward. bahala na! ‘Sige nga…’ ‘Tatlong joke to…’ ‘Sige nga…’ wow, nagsalita si Nika. clap-clap-clap. ‘JOKE-JOKE-JOKE!’ That was the dumbest joke ever. EVERRR! Tinapakan ko ang paa ni Mawee. ‘HAHAHAHAHA!’ ‘Aaaah, HAHAHAHA!’ ‘HAHAHAHA!’ That was really awkward. And the laughs? It was so plastic, it was so fake. But at least, nagcooperate na yung mga natahimik nilang kaluluwa. Goodness. That sitch is a total mess. Super awkward. But I’m proud of myself cause I was able to keep myself on the track. Good. Ipagpatuloy mo lang yan Rhia. You’re doing great. You’re improving. Keep it up. I’m so proud of you. ‘Let’s dance!’ ‘Sure… let’s party!!!’

Hinila nila kami sa dance floor. KAMI, as in, Franco and I… ang sama nga nila eh, ako at si Franco lang ang hinila nila… si Nika naman dinedma lang nila. Meanies talaga. The music is so cool, nakakaenergize. Nakakatanggal stress. I know I’m no good in dancing but the music makes me want to go wild! WOHOOOOO! Siksikan na kami sa dance floor, nasa likod ko lang si Franco, kaharap ko naman si Kyri, and beside me, sila Kyri at Mawee, and I can’t see Paolo and Harvey around… anyway, di ko na pinansin, nag-enjoy lang talaga ako… Suddenly, nagchange yung music, from party music to mellow. WTF?! Errr, medyo lumuwag yung dancefloor. Ayan na, ang sweet na ng mga lovers… Kyri and Mawee, Joan and Harvey, and all others. Yah, whatever. Para akong batang nawawala sa mall, lumingon-lingon ako sa paligid ko… I feel so alone, so sad…. paglingon ko sa likod ko… there Franco was standing too. Umalis na ako… babalik na lang ako pag party music na ulit… ‘Rhia.’ He stopped me and he held my hands… ‘Dance with me…’ ‘???’ ‘Please…’ Pumayag naman ako. The music was ‘so close.’ During the dance, wala ni isa sa amin ang nagsasalita. All I know isa that I’m dancing with my Alex, he hugged me and hugged me back. Our hearts were so close to each other…. I can’t but let the tears in my eyes drop. I can hear his heart beat. I can here it talking to me, I can here it crying, and I can here mine struggling. I can feel our hearts longing for something, and then I realized, we were longing for each other. I wasn’t able to hold on, naiyak na talaga ako…. Ano ba kasing nangyari sa amin? Di ko naman yun natanong, pero I can feel his loneliness. His hug tells me everything. And I can feel the his tears dropped to my forehead. Can I not end this dance please? And he whispered something. ‘I miss flying with you.’ I was wordless. I don’t know what to say, I don’t know where to start, but one thing is for sure, I still can feel the love we once had. The dance felt like eternity. The next thing I saw… we were on the center of the dancle floor, and the other couple are aroung us. And then I realized, this is just another drop from the heavens, and if I take so much of it, I’ll end up longing for it when its gone. So, I stopped it. Mas napaiyak ako, bumitaw na ako kay Franco…. ‘Tama na Franco…’ And I ran away. He tried to stop me by holding my hands… I looked at him and I can see him struggling… he sad nothing… ‘Let go Franco…’ Lumabas na ako… I don’t know where to go, I can’t drive yet, I can’t drive like this. So I get in the car and let every emotions out. Why is he doing that? Di ko na talaga siya maintindihan eh. Nakayuko lang ako nakasandal sa manubela… biglang may kumatok sa window ko. Paglingon ko. Oh Francis, you scared me. Binuksan ko yung car ko at pinaupo ko siya sa passenger seat. ‘Its ok Rhi… let it out’ Alex? Ikaw ba yan?

‘Here…’ inabutan na naman niya ako ng hanky. Strike 3 Spiderman.

Francis’ POV Kelan ko kaya makikita si Rhia na hindi malungkot? na hindi umiiyak? ‘Magsalita ka lang, makikinig lang ako….’ tsk. Ang lakas ng tama nitong babaeng ‘to. ‘I don’t understand him…’ ‘One day he’s gone, and then he’s back, and then we’re off and now?!’ natigilan siya… humagulhol muna, tapos nagsalita ulit. ‘He acts like he’s sorry, ano ba talagang gusto niya?’ ‘Sorry kung nabibingi ka na sa akin Francis ah… pero wala na talaga akong ibang mapagsabihan eh, sorry…’ Magsasalita na sana ako… ‘Buti ka pa…’ Ano raw? ‘Ha?’ ‘Buti ka pa, napapakinggan mo ako, naiintindihan, sana naririnig ako ni Franco ngayon no?’ ‘Aaah.’ naririnig ka naman nya parati eh, nirereport ko kasi lahat ng pinagsasabi mo. Kahit ako, hindi ko rin maintindihan si Franco eh, pinapagawa niya sa’kin to, ba’t di na lang siya gumawa nito? Pag naririnig niya naman yung mga kwento ko tungkol sa pinagdadaanan ni Rhia, tumatahimik lang naman siya tapos yung mukha, mukhang nabagsakan ng universe. ‘I wish he could hear my cries so that he could feel me suffer. I wish he could witness me struggle to win this battle, so that he would come running to rescue me. Pusang ama! Hayop! Grabe na ‘to, nanonood ba ako ng teleserye? Pwede ko nang ipa-MMK ang love story ng dalawang ‘to. hmmm, ano na bang sasabihin ko? ‘eh rhi… wag kang mag-alala, kung di man ngayon, may bukas pa.’ Lintek, ano daw yun? May bukas pa? ‘????’ di niya ata naintindihan. ‘Sabi ko, kung nasan man yang superman mo, sigurado akong mapapakikinggan niya kung ano man ang iniiyak-iyak mo diyan. Di nga lang siguro ngayon pero maririnig ka rin nun…’ ‘Malay natin, may adventure pa din siyang hinaharap kaya di pa siya nakakabalik?’ ‘Tsss, thanks Francis..’ Nak ng. Tumatawag si Franco… teka sagutin ko muna, lumabas muna ako sa sasakyan ni Rhia. ‘Excuse me muna Rhi ah..’ ‘Sige…’ Sinagot ko na yung tawag ni Franco.

‘tol? ok ka lang?’ nako, mukhang hindi eh, umiiyak ata to eh. Amp naman! Hatiin ko na lang yung sarili ko, pwede ba? Di naman sumasagot. Nako, baka ano ng ginagawa nito… ‘diyan ka lang, papunta na ako..’ Pumasok ako sa kotse ni Rhi.. mukhang ok na nanaman siya, kaya, nagpaalam na lang ako. ‘Sino yun?’ ‘Ah.. kaibigan ko.’ ‘Girlfriend?’ ‘Hindi ah… Rhi… mauna na ako ah…’ ‘Sige, maraming salamat ah… salamat talaga…’ ‘Tandaan mo yung mga sinabi ko ah? sige. good luck.’ ‘Bye.’ Nagmadali na ako paalis. Ako ang kinakabahan sa ginagawa ni Franco eh. Amp, di ko naman alam kung san ako papunta, wala naman siyang sinabi kung nasan siya ngayon. Nasa kotse na ako, paalis na sana ako ng makita ko si Franco nasa may waiting shed, sinusuntok yung pader.. nababaliw na ata ‘tong kapatid ko eh. Lagot kami. Baka makita kami ni Rhia… Hinintay ko na lang na umalis si Rhia… mabuti at di na rin siya nagtagal… mabuti rin at di niya ako napansin. Nang makita kong nakaalis na siya, umalis na rin ako at sinakay ko si Franco sa kotse. Iuuwi ko na nga lang ‘to… Isa pa ‘tong ang lakas ng tama… hayop! Wala na atang mas aangat pa sa madrama nilang storya eh. Wala namang sinasabi si Franco, di naman siya nagsasalita pero umiiyak siya. Lintek, ang bading. Nastuck kami sa traffic, tiningnan ko siya… dun ko lang narealize na dumudugo-dugo na yung kamay niya. Naku naman! Ano sa tingin niya? Kumot lang yung sinusuntok niya? Loko-loko talaga ‘tong lalakeng ‘to. Imbis na umuwi kami, sa emergency room kami napadpad. Amp!

Rhia’s POV And there he was again. My other hero, I mean my newly-discovered hero. He’s the type of hero who comes out at the perfect time. There are those heroes who comes out in action and started battling, but there’s also this hero, the one like Francis the mushroom/ Spiderman, who saves the ones who were left in the battle. Its like: when one is fighting, the other is catching others from falling. To elaborate that, hmmm, its just like saying, the hero who keeps on battling is so busy fighting and trying to win the action that he forgets to see who really needs his strength, is it the villain who’s already weak but needs to be fought to death or the victims whose wounds gone worst? And then the other hero who catches those who are falling, are the ones whom we call selfless, like Francis, I guess. He fights but the moment he notice his co-hero is feeling the moment, he lets it star the moment, instead of competing against who really should be praised after the battle, he goes flying and catching those wounded victims. Ok that’s it. I’ve made enough comparisons.

CHAPTER 31
“captured”

Rhia’s POV A week after that dance, tapos na ang second sem. Nirelease na yung results. And as I hoped for, I’m on top of the class, so as with… FRANCO?! WOW. o_O I mean really WOW. Sa lagay na yun? he still managed to stay on track? WOW. Its not what you think it is, I don’t mind having someone on the same level. Just that, napabilib niya lang ako sa secret abilities niya. One day, he’s not in the class, and then, now he’s on top of the class. So amazing. ‘Congrats dude!’ ‘Thanks…’ ‘Congrats Rhia…’ ‘Thanks’ maraming salamat Lord, umuulan na naman ng ‘congratulations’ ‘Galing mo talaga ‘no?’ ‘Siyempre naman, nagmana ata sa ‘tin yan’ ‘Masyado ka naman assuming.’ ‘Whatever… dude… nagkopyahan kayo no?’ HA-HA-HA -_-” ‘Ewan ko sa’yo..’ ‘Ganu’n ba yun?’ ‘Ang?’ ‘Pag nabobroken hearted gumagaling sa studies? tingnan mo, pareho kayong number 1.’ ‘Yah, right’ ‘Try ko ngang makipagbreak kay Mawee, I’ll see if it’ll work.’ ‘You wish.’ ‘I WISH’ ‘Di magwowork yan, based on my obervations… nagwowork lang yan sa mga superheroes..’ ‘Really?’ ‘Yup, kasi… according to my analysis, heroes who lose their loved ones, mourns through compensation, kuha mo?’ Galing ni Joan ah… how’d she know? Was I that obvious? Yes, she’s right, I mourned through compensation, it worked for me, I don’t know if it did the same with Franco. ‘Aaaah, is that so?’ ‘YES’ Ang kulit ni Kyri. Pagdating ko sa bahay, mom? o_O ‘Congrats Baby… you never fail to make us proud.’

‘Pleasure to do so Mom.’ ‘Congrats sis!’ sis? ew, doesn’t sound so nice. ‘Salamat.’ ‘Aba, galing ah, kasing galing mo na ako… good. nagmana ka talaga sa kuya mong gwapo at matalino.’ ‘Yabang!’ kapal din naman ni Gab, hindi naman ako kasing nerd niya, at least ako nagkaboyfriend at an early age, siya, ngayon pa. ‘You two stop fighting…’ ‘*Mom we’re not fighting* naglalambingan lang kami ni sissy Rhia.’ yah right. ‘Diba Rhia?’ nagsmug si Gab. fine, magyeyes na ako, baka mastress pa si mommy. ‘Gab’s right mom..’ ‘Anyway, your dad wants you to have this..’ ‘Thanks mom!’ ‘Don’t thank me, thank your dad…’ ‘Ok! I’ll cal him asap!’ Yay! it’s a gift. Hmmm, I wonder what’s inside. *opens the box* Oh yes! Guess what it is? 3 more lens and 1 flash. Kewl. ‘Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks dad!’ ‘you liked it?’ ‘So much mom…’ ‘eto pa… sorry, wasn’t able to wrap this.’ ‘WOW! That would be a big help mom! Thank you so so so much!’ It’s a body form, 3 of them. Wow. That would be a big help to what I’m working on, it’ll be good for draping.me ‘And this…’ ‘Moooooooooooooom! You’re the best!’ Christmas ba ngayon? Umuulan ata ng gifts ah. Wow. Kewl. Mom also bought 15 kinds of fabric, 10 yards each. Great!!!! Magagamit ko ‘to sa collection ko. ‘Rhia?’ ‘Yes Gab?’ ‘Sorry ah, missed the chance to give you something…’ ‘Sus, nagdrama ka pa, ok lang!’ ‘Kiss na lang yung sa’ken… and hugs…’ Ang OA!!!

‘Never mind.’ ‘Never mind pala ah!’ ‘Gaaaahahahaahab!’ Ang kuliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit! Nagtickle fight kami… wala naman akong laban sa kanya ah! Meanie brother. Nainspire tuloy ako mag-aral ng mabuti. Hahahaha. Like twice the effort. Para twice the rewards din. ‘Rhia… may tumatawag sa’yo….’ ‘Pakisabi, tulog ako’ ‘Sige.’ ‘Alex, tulog daw si Rhia.’ ALEX?! ‘Wait! Let me talk to him.’ Stupid brother, sana sinabi niya kung sino. Errr. Nakakastress! *phone convo* ‘Best, congrats.’ ‘Thanks best.’ ‘Galing mo talaga, pareho talaga tayo.’ ‘Tssss, best? ok ka lang? you sound strange.’ ‘imagination mo lang yan.’ ‘Hey! aren’t you coming this summer?’ ‘I’ll try’ ‘Naku naman, puro ka na lang I’ll try eh.’ ‘Di pa kasi ako sigurado eh, pasensya na best…’ ‘Sanay na ako, sinanay mo na ako.’ ‘Sige best, hang up ko na…. ah…. ay med…may, pasok pa ako..’ ‘Sige best! thanks for the call. I miss you. Mwah!’ ‘I miss you too.’ *end of phone call* Alex sounds so weird, so strange, masyadong weak yung boses niya. What’s up with him? Nagdududa na talaga ako kay best ah. Parati na lang syang nauuna mag-bye sa mga convo namin, he’s alwaaaaaaaaaayz in a hurry. God, I miss Alex. Perfect! Why don’t I visit him this summer?! Since he’s so busy with whatever he’s doing, why don’t I come my own t see him? I’m sure matutuwa yun. I’ll surprise him! Right! Ang talino ko talaga! Gotta tell mom about my genius plan. I need to get a ticket to the US asap. ‘Mom…’ ‘Yes honey?’

‘Wala naman tayong pupuntahan this summer right?’ ‘Yes, why?’ ‘Can I go somewhere?’ ‘Where?’ ‘US!’ ‘Ano namang gagawin mo dun?’ ‘I’ll visit Alex… and I’ll shop for some fabrics! Right!’ ‘Ok, we’ll talk about that with your dad.’ ‘Ok, Thanks mom!’ I’m positive that mom and dad will approve me on this. Of course, I deserve a break from all those studying, I’ve spent forever kicking some ass, I know they’ll reward me by giving me this shot. Well, aside from those goods. ^^V ‘I called your dad, you’re ok, but with Gab you’re going with Gab.’ ‘Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks mooooooooooooooooooooooom!’ Yay. I’m gonna visit Alex. I’m gonna visit Alex! Wohoooooooooo! ‘Don’t be too excited sissy, check ko pa availability ko, alam mo naman ako, BUSY’ Kill Joy talaga! errr! Its ok, I can go without him, bahala siya! 3 weeks later Its summer, and I’ve been eating a lot, but I don’t think I’m gaining some weight. Ewan ko nga ba, kumakain naman ako sa tamang oras, may snacks pa ako, thrice a day. Pffft. Di masyado ako lumalabas-labas the past few weeks, I stay home and sew, sew, sew, sew like the wind! I’m trying to work on this ‘fashion debut’. Madalas mag-isa lang ako kung lumalabas man, anyway, lumalabas lang din naman ako to take pictures and to get some inspiration. Today I’ve decided to go out and inhale some fresh air, so as to get some inspiration. I decided to go to this eco-park, which I heard was so good, according to the reviews in the internet. As usual mag-isa lang ako. I don’t bother calling my dudes…. kasi naman wala sila. They’re out of the country. Sayang nga di ako nakasama, I just really need to finish this collection I’m working on. Anyway, nagpromise naman ako na sasama na ako sa kanila sa susunod na sembreak. After a 2-hour drive, nakarating na ako sa eco-park. Entrance pa lang maganda na. Ok, good impression, I hope it’ll last. I started taking some pictures… good thing this lens works so well even if I’m far away from the object I wanted to capture. I was zooming to capture this fancy object, but I’m having hard time to perfect the focus, kasi medyo pasmado na yung kamay ko…. while I was struggling… may nakikita ako…. its no ‘multo’, ang liwanag pa kaya…. I’m seeing… this familiar face, and then I realized it’s…. it’s Francis! So I called him.. ‘Francis!’ that was already loud but I think he didn’t notice me, so I tried again… this time, mas malapit na. ‘Francis!!!’ Got him, I think I got his attention already, pero lumilingon-lingon pa siya, maybe di pa niya ako nakikita.

‘Francis! here!’ Yez! Nakita niya ako! Oh my, this simply means, I won’t be alone. Nize one. ‘Ui!’ ‘Ui!’ and then he looked at me, lumakad ng paikot-ikot while clapping his hands. ?????. What’s that suppose to mean? ‘Finally!’ ‘Finally what? Finally we meet?’ ‘No… finally we meet na hindi ka umiiyak.’ tsss. Right. ‘Oo nga no! Aren’t you happy? hahahaha. I’m glad to see you here.’ ‘Ako rin… hmm ano bang ginagawa mo dito? mag-isa ka lang?’ ‘Nagrerelax… yup, mag-isa lang ako.’ ‘Ikaw talaga, masyado kang emo.’ ‘Ikaw rin kaya… see, wala kang kasama oh…’ Kinukunan ko siya ng pictures, perfect… finally, may replica na ako sa mukha niyang biglaan na lang sumusulpot at nawawala. ‘Ui, tigilan mo na yan…’ ‘camera shy? LOL’ ‘Hindi… baka madiscover ako… mahirap na.’ ‘Kapaaaaaaaaal!’ ‘Ang ganda ng camera mo ah…’ ‘Thanks.’ Thanks to Franco. ‘Photographer ka?’ ‘No… hobby ko lang…’ ‘Wow, ang yaman ng hobby mo ah…’ ‘Actually binigay lang sa’kin ‘to..’ ‘Yaman…’ ‘Ni superman…’ ‘Oops, sensya Rhi…’ ‘Ok lang, I’m so over that hero…’ ‘Congrats… ang sarap sa tenga pakinggan..’ ‘How come?’ ‘Na nakamove on ka na? kasi naman, iyak ka na lang ng iyak, ngayon ang sarap pakinggan na malakas ka na… na masaya ka na..’ ‘Its good to hear that someone cares… thanks Francis.’

My day didn’t go so boring. And for the first time, nakikita ko na ang sarili ko sa pictures. Credit goes to Francis for his shots. Masaya talaga siyang kasama. He’s the strangest friend ever. I don’t even know why I trust him. He gives me this instant happiness, which I could not see to anybody else. He opens a new chapter, and makes it interesting, and then closes it and starts a new one. Masaya na ako na ganito na lang kami. Its not what you think it is. Ayoko naman siya maging boyfriend no. What I mean is, this kind of friendship. Kontento na ako na pasulpot-sulpot na lang siya tapos mawawala lang ng parang bula. As long as I’m happy whenever we see each other, all is well. At least sa kanya, wala akong expectations, meaning di niya ako madidisappoint. Pero kahit ganito… kahit anong gawin ko… no matter how hard I try to keep myself busy and do stuffs to keep my mind from wandering, I still can’t refrain from thinking over our wasted relationship. Tssss. Cause up to now I still can’t answer the questions my heart always ask, I still can’t find the cure to this scar. Salamat sa ‘pag-ibig’ na ‘yan. K. ‘Huy!’ schtupid. kanina pa pala ako nakatulala. errr. ‘Oh!’ ‘Ang lalim ng iniisip mo. ah…. san ka inabot? sa galaxy ba?’ ‘Pshhh… wala, may naalala lang ako’ ‘Wala, tapos may naalala… ang gulo mo, kung ano man yan, ayoko ng alamin… baka…’ ‘That’s enough…’ ‘Yes ma’am.’ ‘Rhi…. I’ll go ahead…’ wow, medyo improving na yung mga ‘goodbyes’ niya ah. nakakapanibago. ‘Aba… natuto ka na ah.’ ‘Baliw.’ ‘No, I’m not… sige na… thanks for your time, SEE YOU when?’ ‘Ewan, see you….’ for real? nag-iisip siya kung kelan? o_O ‘basta see you….’ pfft. akala ko pa naman magmemeet kami ulit. yung meet-up na planned talaga. Umalis na siya. Oh well, I hate ‘goodbyes’, wala naman akong idea kung kelan pa kami magkikita, it might be whenever, or if not, baka hindi na nga. Wag naman sana. Mahaba pa ang araw, so, I stayed and took more pictures. The more pictures I get the more sources of inspiration I’ll have. Hindi naman hassle kumuha ng picture kahit nasa damohan ako… maganda kasi yung landscape design ng place, masyadong convenient. Kaya ang ginagawa ko, walk-stop-take pictures, and it goes on. While I was taking some pictures… may nakikita na naman ako, from my side vision. Someone’s coming, a familiar silhouette, triny kong tingnan, pero I did not turn to my side completely. Seriously?! Franco and Nika. GREAAAAAAAAAAAAAT >_< Sana di nila ako napansin… Kunwari na lang akong walang nakita, I continued taking pictures… Anyway, ilang steps na lang at malalampasan na nila ako at pag nalampasan na nila ako, tatakbo ako palayo. That’s it, that’s my plan. Konting steps na… closer…closer…closer…closer… ayan, nakalampas na sila ng mga 1 step from me. And I heard Nika the great, say something. ‘Frankie, magpapicture tayo..’ LOL. that’s so gay. FRANKIE. Poor Franco.

‘Excuse me.’ Eff. WHY ME?! Ang dami namang…. errr, when I looked around, ako lang pala ang tao dito. ERRR! ba’t di na lang sila gumamit ng timer?! Fine, wala akong magagawa, lilingon na ako. Goodness. ‘Rhi-a..’ Nagulat siya na nabigla na nagpapaklapastic, kunwaring masaya na makita ako. Why can’t she just be true to me?! or kung hindi niya talaga kaya, sana ayusin niya naman yung kaplastican niya… yung hindi masyadong obvious. Goodness -_-” What should I say?! ‘Hi.’ ‘It’s nice to see you here…’ WTF?! Seriously?! Errrr! Nakakainiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis! ‘Really?!’ Si Franco nasa likod lang ni Nika, he can’t even look at me. Pfft. Is he that guilty? Loser. ‘Yes… uhmm, can you take us a picture?’ I knew she’d be asking this f*ckin favour. Pag-aaksayahan ba naman niya ako sa napakaepic niyang kaplastican kung wala siyang kailangan sa akin? Of course, that’s what people do. They’d be nice to you and after they’ll take it as an advantage and then they’ll abuse it. FINE!!!! ~_~ ‘Ok.’ ‘Yay!’ Yay ka jan! Relax Rhia… Relax… chill, stay cool, act as if that girl didn’t steal your boyfriend, smile. show them you’re happy. Ok? OK! Ang panget naman. Digicam. Tsss. Di ko mapepeke yung mukha ko, kasi diba pag dslr, natatago mo yung mukha mo, eh sa digicam, masyadong show-off. Nakakabwiset na talaga ah. Ayan, hawak-hawak ko na ang camera. Errr, better start faking your facial expression Rhia. Or else. ‘Are you ready…. ok… 1,2,3, smile!’ Eff. That 1,2,3 smile feels like forever. I can’t even look straight to the both of them. Seeing them together makes me feel so wasted. Parang yung mga ‘tira-tira’ na tinapon sa basura tapos pinulot ng mga batang-kalye. So not cool. Errrr! I’m mad… but my face? sad. No! don’t even think about crying. Its so not worth it. ‘Here…’ ‘Pwede isa pa?’ &*(%^$#@! ‘Sure.’ ‘1,2,3… smile.’ I better get out from this place, before they see me crying. ‘here, I have to go…’ Tumakbo na ako… ‘Thanks’ And then I was weak again. The second time I took a picture of them, I wasn’t able to hold a tear, pagpikit ko, tumulo yung isang luha. Kaya nagmadali na ako.

What is wrong with me? Di pa rin ba ako nakakapagmove on? Of course not, cause if I already did, I won’t end up crying here. Seeing them together, with those smiles, makes me feel like the most unlucky, unfortunate person ever alive. Their presence always reminds me of my failure, my imperfection, everything that’s wrong with me! I could have been happy seeing them like that, if I wasn’t dumped the way Franco did to me. Kung sana may sinabi siya, na may iba na siyang mahal, na hindi na niya ako mahal. It would be easier to accept everything. It would be easier to let go, it would be easier to move on. But he did nothing. Nagising na lang ako mula sa isang masamang panaginip at hanggang ngayon dala-dala ko pa rin. I went to a place where no one is, and I let everything out there. I shouted, I cried… all I wanted is to end all of this suffering, to cut the agony. TO FORGET EVERYTHING.

CHAPTER 32
“metamorphosis”

Francis’ POV Amp. Muntik na yun ah! Kasi ganito talaga yun… magkakasama talaga kami ni Franco at Nika sa park. nang marinig ko ang boses ni Rhia, humiwalay ako sa kanila. Tapos sinamahan ko si Rhia. Mabuti na lang talaga at di niya kami nakitang magkasama, naku! kung nangyari pa ‘yun, tapos! Sabog lahat ng sikreto namin ni superman niya. Masaya ako at sa unang pagkakataon, nakita ko si Rhi na hindi parang binagsakan ng mundo ang mukha. Dun ko naapreciate kung bakit nagustuhan siya ni Franco, bukod sa masayahin siya, adventurous, maganda din siya pag masaya siya. Pero nung makita ko siyang tulala, bumalik sa dati yung Rhia na madalas kong naaabutan, ang bilis magshift ng mood niya. Alam ko naman kung ano yung iniisip niya, kahit di niya pa sabihin, sa itsura niyang yun, isang bagay lang ang pinoproblema niya, isang bagay lang ang dahilan kung bakit siya naluungkot, nasa kanya na lahat eh… pwera na lang sa pagmamahal ng superman niya, na kapatid ko. Gustung-gusto ko talaga magkeep-in-touch sa babaeng yun, pero, naisip ko, wag na lang, kasi baka pag masyado kaming naging close, malalaman niya yung totoo. Mahirap na, mas magiging komplikado yung sitwasyon. Kaya, we’re better off this way. ‘Nagkita kami ni Rhia..’ ‘Kelan? Sa’n? ‘Kanina, sa park..’ ‘Oh? Nagkausap ba kayo?’ ‘Hindi…’ ‘Hindi naman pala, eh ba’t parang ang lungkot mo?’ ‘Dude, nakita ko siyang umiyak…’ ‘?’ ‘Nakita ng dalawang mata ko yung pagtulo ng luha niya.’ ‘Ewan ko sa’yo, ikaw lang naman makakaalam kung bakit eh.’ Di na siya sumagot. Basta ang si ‘Rhia-na–malungkot-na-ngayon’ ang pinag-uusapan, tumatahimik na si Franco. Subukan ko nga siyang tanungin kung bakit umabot sila sa ganito… kung anong nangyari… baka sakaling sagutin na niya ako… ‘Dude, ano ba kasi ang nangyari? alam mo, ako, matagal ko ng kinokomfort si Rhia, matagal ko ng binabalita sa’yo yung mga pag-iyak ni Rhia.. pero hanggang ngayon di ko maintindihan kung bakit ko ginagawa ang lahat ng ‘to…’ Parang kinakausap ko lang ang pader ah. Hay nako, kelan niya kaya sasagutin yang mga tanong na yan? Ayan kasi, ayan tuloy. Ano na? Iibig ka pa ba? Pag-ibig lang yan, pero lahat na ng paghihirap mararanasan mo. ‘Sige ‘tol.. iwan muna kita jan’ Hay nako. Pag-ibig nga naman. Ewan ko sa inyo! Chineck ko yung fb ko. Yung fake fb ko. Wala lang, gusto ko lang. Pagbukas ko, aba! may isang message sa inbox, sino kaya ‘to?

Hi Francis! I was scanning through your pictures, the ones you’re into. And I sort of realized you could be a model. No joke yan. You just need some, hmmm, a little makeover and you’re off to the runway. So, I was actually hoping if you’d be one of my model for my upcoming ‘fashion debut’… Please???? If its ok with you, see me this Wednesday, at the mall where you saw me, at the exact place, 10 am. P.S. Treat mo na lang sa’kin yan, kasi di na ako malungkot diba? I’ll be waiting

Si Rhia pala. Joke ba yun? Ako? magiging runway model? Nakakatawa. Makeover daw? Ang bading! Ayoko! Hmmm, pag-iisipan ko. Pero, parang ayoko talaga eh. Ewan, tingnan na lang natin.

Rhia’s POV Wait. If I’m not wrong…hmmm, I saw Franco and Francis at the same place, on the same day, but missed a split second to see them at the same time. Right? Right. Ba’t ngayon ko lang naisip yun no? Why is my brain as slow as the snail at random times? Normal ba yun? o, talagang abnormal ako? Whatever. Maganda naman. I transferred all the picture to my notebook, hmm, I scanned it, and I found some potential inspirations, and good innovations. Napansin ko din yung picture ni Francis, hmm, ang ganda ng pagkakuha ko (LOL, narcissist?), its so editorial. I realized he could be the next icon in the Philippine Fashion Industry. LOL. Yes, he looks sort of strange, but it just need some magic, a little work, and he’ll be good. Good as great. Kaya naman naisipan kong i-pm siya sa fb. I was taking chances, wala lang. Malay natin, magreply siya, o pumayag. Gusto ko kasi siya gawing, model sa advertisement ko for my ‘fashion debut’, he’ll be good on the tarp, and all other means of endorsements… he’ll be interesting, yun bang, pag nakita mo, maiintriga ka, macucurious, and because of you’re curious, gusto mo ng alamin, and boom! pupunta ka sa fashion show ko! And please don’t think, I’m taking advantage of him… of course not, in fact, gusto ko nga siyang imake-over… to improve his look, pogi kasi siya kaso… masyadong conservative… basta ganun. A litter adjustments, alteration and he’ll be the next legend! I’m crossing my fingers that he’ll show up. Pleaseeeee! Wednesday, 10 am As I said, I’m taking chances here… so, naghihintay ako dito, para di ako pagdudahan ng mga sales lady dito… I checked there clothes… tapos nagfifit, I buy a piece every 15 minutes. Errr, in fairness ah, ang mahal hintayin ni Francis. 2 hours after, equivalent to 8 items… err, wala pa rin siya… I don’t think he’s coming. So umalis akong bigo. Pffft. Nakakafrustrate naman, pero I can’t blame him anyway. Fine. Makapagcoffee na nga lang. Haaay, I can’t believe I spent over thousands to wait for that mushroom. Di pa rin ako makamoveon na di siya nagshow-up, meanie. I took a sip of coffee, and it was magic… gumaan agad yung feeling ko… ‘Huy!’

‘Francis! You’re so late!’ ‘Anong late, baka ikaw!’ Anong ako?! ‘Why me?! Two hours na kaya akong naghintay dun sa shop..’ ‘Pabalik-balik ako dun, pero wala ka talaga eh…’ Wait. Of course!!!! Ba’t di ko ba naisip yun, the shop is like 200 sqare meters big… maybe while I was in the fitting room, Francis was there outside. IDIOT RHIA! -_-” ‘Shoot, my bad. I’m sorry.’ ‘Ok lang yun, sakto! buti na lang nakita kita dito’ ‘Buti nga’ ‘Paalis na dapat ako eh, tapos nakita kita…. nagmumuni-muni na naman.’ tsss. right. kelan ko ba yan titigilan? yang muni-muni na yan? errr. ‘Anyway, forget about it…. I’m sooooooooooo glad you’re here!’ ‘Talaga?’ ‘Oo kaya, for the first time, nagkita tayo ng planado….hahahah!’ ‘Oo nga no..’ hello?! ngayon mo lang naisip yun? weird. ‘So ibig sabihin papayag ka na sa make-over and photoshoot?’ Nagnod lang siya. OMG! ‘Is that a yes…’ ‘Ay hindi.’ Or not. ‘Eh!’ ‘Ang hina mo naman! siyempre yes, pupunta ba naman ako dito kung di ako papayag. Hay nako Rhi, napakaloading mo talaga.’ ‘Oo nga… OMG! I’m sooooooooooooooooo excited! like superb excited!’ ‘Tara na…’ First I brought him to this high-end shop for men… there are lots of fab finds there, things I need to work his look, and rock it! Ang saya naman nito, may Barbie doll ako. Lol. Hmmm, what do you call a boy doll? Barbu doll? LOL. Yay, I got some BARBU doll!!! A real one! ‘Sigurado ka ba dito?’ ‘Of course!’ ‘Ok.’ ‘Look, I won’t make you look stupid ok? trust me… I’ll do the magic…’ ‘Ok.’ LOL. Ang weird masyado ni Francis, para siyang kinakabahan. Funny, ano ‘to surgery?

Pumili na ako ng mga outfit. Those far from what he’s always wearing. Nakikita kong, dumidisagree yung mukha niya…. so what? Wala na siyang magagawa, andito na kami eh. The sales lady accompanied him to the fitting room, together with the outfits I chose. Ako naman nakaupo na lang, waiting for him to get out with those outfit. Its so fun, natutuwa talaga ako sa ginagawa ko. Yay! 1st outfit up to the last, was so perfect, everytime lumalabas siya, its as if its not him, ever new outfit makes him look even better. Natapos na kaming magshop for clothes and shoes… and it was the best shopping ever, I guess, kasi hindi ako ang gumasto. hehehe, kasi, he volunteered to pay for the clothes, kasi naman daw, magwa-one year na rin daw siyang di nakakabili ng damit. And I was like, WHAT?! that is a recordbreaker, Hindi ko kinaya yan. I sweaaaaar. Next stop. Salon. His hair is a mess. It needs a lot of work. I guess yun na lang yung dapat ienhance and I’m done with my Barbu Doll’s makeover. I don’t know what’s worng with his hair, but it took us 2 hours in the salon. WTH?! Grabe naman yun… But when he showed up…. o_O OHMG! Si Francis pa rin ba ‘tong kaharap ko? He’s no longer the nerd-looking strange-guy. He looks sooooooooooooooo HOT. But why is he still wearing his eyeglass? Ano ba ‘to. Matanggal nga. ‘One more thing….’ ‘Ano?’ ‘Let’s take this off.’ Pagtanggal ko sa eyeglass niya…. he looked at me, our eyes met each other’s glance. Shoot! Bat may spark! My goodness, muntik na akong himatayin dun ah, nakakaet yung tingin niya, plus, he’s so not him anymore! He’s really changed! Nice work Rhia. On the second thought. I then realized, as we walk out through the Salon. Now, that he’s got this makeover. He looks exactly like Franco. EXACTLY like Franco. Naguilty tuloy ako, kasi naisip ko…. I took advantage of him and made him look like my ex so that I’d be happy once again. Pero that wasn’t really my intention. ‘Salamat’ That’s the only and last thin he said after the makeover and after we set apart from each other. Salamat.

CHAPTER 33
“sick”

After a week, nasubmit ko na ang layout ng tarp, invitation and pamphlets for my ‘fashion debut’. Yup. Nakunan ko na ng pictures si Francis, loots of pictures. The photoshoot with him was not so hard, as I expected it to be. I thought he would be a bit hard, stiff, emotionless,pero he proved me wrong, he was the exact opposite, he knows how to follow instructions, he even creates his own pose, he knows how to innovate. Perfect! Siya na nga! Siya na nga ang magiging next fashion icon sa buong Pilipinas! ^_^V and I would be recognized for discovering him.He’ll say in his future press conferencessssss, ‘thanks to Rhia Margarette Lao, a great designer at a very young age… for brining out the potential in me, which brought me to where I’m standing right now.’ Tapos sasabihin ng mga nakikinig, ‘WOW, we awe Ms. Lao a big favour, she just created a new trend in the industry and saved the industry from falling apart’ Pagkatapos, papalakpakan nila ang pangalan ko, and then next thing they would do… they’ll come searching for me. Wow, wouldn’t that be great?! Tsssssss. Ang layo talaga ng inaabot ng isip ko pag nagdadaydream. But the hardest part of the shoot was….. his exact similarity of Franco’s face, which made me uneasy again for the nth time. Eff, ibig palang sabihin, I’m so not over that guy. Anyway, whatever. Now, I’m just so excited for my flight tomorrow, yay! Finally I’m seeing Alex. Oh yez! ‘Oie…’ what a courteous brother! ‘WHAT?!!!!’ ‘Di ako matutuloy…’ ‘WHAT?! Are you serious?! Alam o bang nakasalalay sa’yo ang buhay ko?! My instant happiness! You’re so not a brother. NOW WHAT?! Di rin ako matutuloy?! I hate you.’ Di ko napigilang umiyak. Nakakainis ka Gab! I hate you!!! ‘Sorry Rhi..’ Nagdabog ako papasok sa room, like, binuhos ko ang lahat ng galit ko sa bawat steps ko, at the same time I was crying like a child left by her mom… ‘Rhia!’ ano pang tinatawag-tawag niya?! ‘JOKE LAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!’ and then he laughed like hell. Sh****************************t!! ‘Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaab!’ ‘Ang cute ng sissy ko pag-umiiyak. HAHAHAHAH!’ My brother almost killed me there, muntik na akong mamatay sa sinabi niya, sa sobrang galit ko, tapos yun? sasabihin niyang joke?! WTH?! Di ko na lang siya hinabol, kasi alam ko, di ko naman siya maaabutan. Nakakainis talaga! But at least, AT LEAST, joke lang yun, meaning, matutuloy pa rin ako. Umalis muna ako sandali to buy some necessities for my long travel, so as to, get some pictures sa garden ng mga de Leon. ‘Bye, alis muna ako.’ ‘K, wag ka ng bumalik ah’ ‘Whatever, I hate you.’

‘I love you…’ ‘Gab?’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Shut up!’ ‘Take care Rhia… ok?’ Whatever you acting-to-be-concerned brother! Hay nako, ang kulit-kulit-kulit-kulit-kulit talaga ng Gab na’yan. Yes he’s a grown man, but he acts like the kids in the kindergarten, pa’no ba siya nakagraduate? Sa ugali niyang yan? Pffft.

De Leon’s garden Alex’s mom, is into flowers, orchids and stuffs like that. No wonder how they have this gigantic garden. Sabi ng caretaker, sakto daw yung visit ko kasi blooming season ngayon. I know right? Magaling talaga ako tumiming. Colors are everywhere… so I started to take some pictures… something got my attention, its this red flower lying on the ground, its like a random flower flower that bloomed out from nowhere, so kinunan ko yung ng picture. Nakayuko ako… my head is facing the ground… and then someone…. ‘Best….’ Alex?! Di muna ako lumilingon sa kanya… ‘Alex?’ ‘Sino pa nga ba?’ I took off the camera from my face, and slowly shifted my glance. Wait. This can’t be Alex, this can’t be my best friend, why call my name in a wheel chair? di ko pa talaga siya natitingnan fully, m head’s still on the ground… This can’t be the Alex! ‘You meanie, ineexpect ko pa naman na sasalubungin mo ako ng big hug.’ Si Alex nga ‘to… I finally looked at him, and I was devastated. My world went black. Tears dropped… ‘Best!’ Oh my, why is he on a wheelchair? Can someone please explain?! Ngayon ko lang din napansin, kasama niya si Jamie, Jamie’s at his back….. what on earth is going on? Alex looks so sick. Fudge. He looks so pale, so weak, so fragile. He lost so much weight. Ano bang nangyayari! Is this just another nightmare? I hope so! ‘Best, what happened to you… Jamie! Why are you here?!’ pati si Jamie, umiiyak na rin. ‘Stop cryin’… di ka ba masaya, andito na ako o…’ he coughed. ‘Are you sick?’ ‘Ay hindi, hindi, ang healthy ko pa nga oh nakakatayo pa rin ako oh..’ Si Alex nga ‘to. Ibang klase talaga siya… sa lagay nyang yan, nakuha niya pang magbiro. Tsss. I can’t help but cry harder. Yes, I missed him, but I did not expect to see him like this, in this condition.

‘Gago ka talaga kahit kalian.’ ‘Halika nga dito!’ I gave him a big hug… God, I missed this idiot. T_T ‘Huy, hinay-hinay lang… di na ako makahinga sa ginagawa mo eh, papatayin mo ata ako eh.’ ‘Whatever.’ ‘Alex, let’s go, you have to drink you medicines and get some rest..’ WHAT?! Alam ni Jamie ang lahat ng ’to? Wait!!!! Time out nga muna! Ano na ba kasing nangyayari! Nakita ko nga ‘tong dalawang ‘to pero ang gulo! Ay ewan! Dinala na ni Jamie, si Alex sa room niya. Sumunod na lang ako. I was really devastated, why? Why does Alex have to end up looking like this? Shoot. T_T I can’t help but cry. In fairness lang ah, di bagay sa kanya, hinding-hindi. Pagpasok ko sa room niya…. Hell. Ano ‘to? Hospital? Ang daminh hospital stuffs, I don’t know the names, basta… this room looks so expensive, ang daming machines, amoy gamot. ‘?????????????????????????????????!’ Pinainom na ni Jamie along with this private nurse si Alex ng gamot. I mean, mga gamot. I also saw the injections, eff. It looks so painful, I mean not physically, God, I can’t take this anymore. Seeing my bestfriend this weak? Why? Nilapitan ako ni Jamie. Si Alex naman, tulog na. ‘I miss you Rhia.’ she hugged me, and she cried. Oh, poor Jamie. ‘I miss you too, wait, why are you cryin?’ ‘I’m sorry to keep things from you… alam ko nalilito ka na sa mga nakikita mo’ ‘Oo nga… ano ba kasing nangyayari?’ I don’t even know where to start, what to ask, how to calm down. ‘Kami na ni Alex… before pa ng birthday ko…’ as far as I could remember, wala si Alex nung birthday ni Jamie, anong klaseng boyfriend ba ‘to? Wait! SILA NA? Aaaaah, gets, si Jamie pala yung girl. Si Jamie?! Diba they used to be the cat and dog of our section? What a revelation. ‘I know you’re thinking kung bakit wala siya that time… kahit ako nga eh… hinahanap-hanap ko siya that time…but he didn’t come…’ ‘Tapos…’ ‘Yes I was really disappointed, but the next day, he come to me and told me everything..’ ‘What?’ ‘Everything ‘bout his condition…. during my birthday he was diagnosed with brain cancer ‘Is that the reason why he left? and why you vanished without saying goodbye to me?’ ‘Sort of yes… I’m sorry, hindi na ako nagpaalam sa’yo kasi...’ ‘Kasi ayaw ni Alex?’

‘No… in fact he wants me to say goodbye to you… but I refused to, sabi ko pagnagpaalam ako sa’yo baka maiyak lang ako tapo masabi ko pa yung about sa condition niya.’ ‘Bakit ba ayaw niyang ipaalam sa akin yung condition niya?’ ‘Pinilit ko naman siya eh, pinilit ko siayng sabihin sa’yo yung totoo, pero he insisted..’ ‘Bakit daw?!’ ‘Kasi daw, masaya ka na… masaya na ang buhay mo, nakahinga ka na daw from all those stress and problems… ayaw na niya daw sirain o maging KJ..’ My God, Alex, what’s wrong with you? I’m your bestfriend, I’m suppose to know everything. We should share whatever we are bearing. ‘Yan, yang umiiyak ka, tama na… yan, ayaw niyang makita kang ganyan Rhia… isa na yan sa dahilan kung bakit di kami nagpakita sa’yo…’ ‘Ibig sabihin magkasama talaga kayo sa States?’ ‘Oo… sumunod agad ako sa kanya… as soon as pinayagan ako ng parents ko.’ ‘Eh, how’d he know about all my miseries here?’ ‘Si Joan and Kyri… sila yung spy namin..’ Oh great. The whole time I was blind. Great. Great. T_T ‘Mabuti at naisipan niyong bumalik dito… what happened there?’ ‘Malala na daw eh…… the doctor said, he can’t do anything, Alex was advised to continue the medications at home.. ‘May medications naman pala, why not prevent the disease?’ ‘Medications to prolong his life… but not to stop the disease Rhia… medications to minimize the pain…’ ‘Are you saying, Alex is….’ NOOOOOOO! ‘Yes Rhia… he’s dying…’ No. He’s not. It can’t be. Of all people, why Alex? why not me? Right. Ako na lang! Ako na lang please. I’m the one who sin the most. I don’t think I deserve more of this life. T_T This is another nightmare… another nightmare in action. What’s wrong with the world? I can’t understand all of this, anymore… can’t anymore. Masyado na akong weak. Pero, mas hinigitan naman ako ng bestfriend kong loko. This time, I need to be strong, this time, hindi na ako iiyak sa harap niya, I’ll show him, I’m strong, and I will be strong for him. It’s the least I could do, to repay all of his deeds. He was the one who showed me this new life, who introduced me to everything I have, he gave me the answers to my million questions. At kahit gaano ko pa kakulit, Hinding-hindi siya napagod sagutin ako, alagaan ako, ramayan ako. Now it’s time I show him how…. no words can express how thankful I am to have Alex the Great as my bestfriend. No words…

CHAPTER 34
“the truth”

1 week after… Alex’s condition is still not improving, in fact it gone worst. Everyday I visit him, and to see him smile and hear him talk like he’s not sick, masaya na din ako. Ang nagbago lang talaga sa kanya eh yung pagiging weak niya… pero the way he talks, and everything he always do… wala… yun pa rin. Kaya naman masaya pa rin ako kahit papa’no kung binibisita ko siya… nagshishifting kami ni Jamie, minsan ako ang nagoovertime, minsan naman si Alex. Today… si Jamie lang muna magbabantay sa kanya… I need to go to school to enrol. Mahirap na, ayoko pa naman pumila. Oh, I remember how I enrolled here before, with Alex. Memories. FDHU, 8 a.m. What a good morning greeting. Of all people… si Franco ba talaga yung dapat mauna kong makita? Eff. Oh no, he’s coming… He gave me this blue rose… ‘????’ ‘Happy 7th monthsary…’ Ano daw?! I just gave him this blank stare… ‘?????’ ‘Rhi….’ ‘Hi Rhia…’ Oh c’mon. Nika! HELL-O! ‘Hi…’ ‘magpapaenrol ka din ba?’ marunong pala magtagalog ‘to? ‘Yes…’ ‘That’s great, gusto mo sabay na tayo?’ WTF? Seriously? NO THANKS! Whaaaaat?! Wait, magpapaenrol din siya??? ‘Its ok… I can handle… ikaw? magpapaenrol ka din?’ ‘I’m already enrolled… since last..last.. week, I just came to accompany Frank…’ ‘Aaah, sige… I’ll go ahead.’ Another shocking news, tssss. Greaaaaaat. Dito na mag-aaral si Nika, makikita ko na siya everydyay… actually SILA. everyday. -_-” Fine. I’ll face it. Para makapagmove-on na ako totally. Kaya ko ‘to! Di na ako nagtagal sa school, I hastened all the process, ayoko na dito! Masyadong nakakastress. I want to see Alex… Right. I’ll see Alex. De Leon’s residence ‘Hi Best…’ ‘Sa’n ka galing?’

‘Hmm, nagpaenrol ako..’ ‘Akala ko galing ka sa lamay?’ ‘Shut up…’ ‘May problema ka nanaman no?’ ‘Wala.’ ‘Hay nako, diba sabi ko sa’yo pag magsisinungaling ka na lang din… galingan mo, sa’kin ka pa nagsinungaling…’ ‘Wala nga…’ ‘Sige na ikwento mo na…’ ‘Ayoko…’ ‘Edi sinabi mo na ring, may problema ka nga. Hay nako, sige na, magkwento ka na, para makatulog ako…’ ‘…….’ ‘Please…. para naman kahit sa mga huling araw ko, maging tagapakinig mo ako..’ ‘Stop saying that…. sige… ikukwento ko na..’ ‘Good dog…’ Tsss. Alex talaga! ‘Eh kasi naman, today is suppose to be our 6th monthsary, kung di ba naman ako ginago ni Franco… and guess what?’ ‘How?’ ‘Errr, loko ka talaga!’ ‘I know right..’ here he goes again. I missed the way he says that… ‘Yah, whatever… tapos… he was the first person I saw in the campus, biruin mo… of all people, why him? so… yun, nakita ko siya, iniwasan ko naman, pero lumapit siya tapos binigyan niya ako ng blue rose… eh stupid ‘tong bestfriend mo… tinanggap ko naman.’ ‘Stupid.’ ‘Yah, I know. I know… you don’t have to say that… so tinaggap ko na… bigla ba namang bumati, Happy 7th monthsary daw. I was like. WTH?!’ ‘Sinabi mo un? WTH?’ ‘Of course not.’ ‘Stupid again.’ ‘Why? And how would I… eh, dumating si Nika, yung bago niyang ex… tapos biglang nag-hi sa akin… sabi ko hello, tapos sinabihan ba naman ako… sabay na lang daw kami magpaenroll, is she nuts?! Tapos yun, sinabi niya… na dun na siya mag-aaral.’ ‘Oh well, it simply means na makikita ko na siya every single day. Great.’ ‘lex?’

Pffft. Tinulugan lang ako. Nakatulog na siya, he’s sleeping like a baby, like a child, and looks like an angel. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nangayari to sa kanya. He still speaks like he’s strong, but acts so weak. Inaaliw ko na lang ang sarili ko, by talking to him and stuffs like that, masyado kasing painful yung tinititigan lang siya na nagkakaganito. Since nakatulog na si Alex… umalis na muna ako. I feel like drinking, so I went to this bar. I texted Kyri, Joan and Ate Cheska’s angels, pero, ni-isa sa kanila di nagreply. I messaged Francis sa fb, in case he’ll have the time to show up. Pero, kahit wala akong kasama, pumunta pa rin ako. Anyway, I can control myself. There I was, alone, drinking. I can see guys looking at me. Pffft. MANIACS! Sige, subukan niyo lang talaga lumapit, and I’ll break your bones till you suck all you pervert stares. Naka-10 bottles na ako, hmmm, it feels so good. Okay pa naman ako, I can still handle. I was about to get the 11th bottle of beer, when someone stopped me.

Franco’s POV Pinabasa sa’kin ni Francis yung message ni Rhia… gusto sana pumunta ni Francis kaso, di pwede, kasi nilagnat. Ayoko naman magpakita kay Rhia, kasi baka, masaktan na naman yun, at masaktan din ako pag nakita ko siyang gano’n. Pero, hindi ako mapakali eh. Baliw din siya ah, iinom? mag-isa? Nakalimutan niya bang babae siya? Ano ng mangyayari pag nalasing siya? Kaya, nagmadali na ako, baka ano pang mangyaring masama dun sa babaeng yun, troublemagnet pa naman yun… Alam ko naman din eh na ako may kasalanan ng lahat ng ‘to, kung bakit siya nagkakaganito. Ba’t ko ba kasi ginawa yun kanina? Nang maabutan ko si Rhia, lasing na ata siya…. biruin mo, 10 bottles? tapos iinom pa siya? Langya! Adik pala to ‘eh. Pinigilan ko siya. ‘Who are you? Get lost.’ Hindi niya ba talaga ako makilala? gano’n na siya kalasing? ‘Rhia let’s go..’ ‘No….. you go!’ ‘Why are you doing this?’ ‘Ok whoever you are… secret lang natin to…k?’ ‘I met this hero… who almost caused my death… I was so mad at him, so mad. like the lion’s groan, grrrrrrrrrrr!, but suddenly, he came at times when I needed a savior…’ ‘Let’s go…’ Ayoko na marinig to. ‘No wait… di pa tapos ang story ko…. stay mr. whoever you are.’ ‘so, he became my hero… his power is so strong, pati sa dream ko nakikita ko siya, I even called him, dreamhunter. funny right?’ ‘and so he became my lover… I fell for him and he catched me… we fell in love with each other’ ‘And you lived happily ever after, tara na!’ Di ko na kaya ‘to!

‘Nooooo! I’m not done yet, wala pa ako sa climax mr. whoever you are…. listen to my story… you’ll be soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo thrilled, I swear.. it’s the best drama in real life… talo pa ang mga Korean series na yan…’ Di na ako makapagsalita. ‘We fell I love with each other, we even KISSED IN THE RAIN! Wohoooooooooooooo! kissed in the rain..’ bigla siyang nalungkot ‘That kiss was magic… that made me fall for him, that made me…. feel I’m in love, pero….’ ‘Langhiya siya! I want to rip off his head, the next thing I knew, he now dumped me, and now I’m wasted. F*ck him! He wasted my love, he wasted my trust, he wasted everything I showed him, he’s an asshole, idiot, dumbass!’ ‘He f*ckin make me fall for him, he took my heart, threw it away as if it was nothing! he threw my love away, as if he never felt the same!’ ‘I did not!’ Lintek, di ko na napigilan. Napasigaw ako, napatingin siya sa akin. Lagot.. nakilala na nya ako! ‘L---O----L! see? I told you my story is so great, tingnan mo, diba, naapektohan ka? HAHAHAHA! eff that epic hero. Sana mabanggaan siya ng eroplano habang lumilipad siya! I hate him!!! ‘I hate him.’ I hate him. She hates me. Naknockdown na si Rhia, mabuti na lang at pumunta ako dito. Kahit na narinig ko lahat ng sumbat niya, wag lang siya mapahamak. Dinala ko na siya sa bahay nila… mabuti at wala si Kuya Gab, baka kasi isipin niyang nilasing ko kapatd niya. Pinahiga ko na si Rhia… Nagising siya, tiningnan ako… ‘I loved you, but why didn’t you love me back?’ Tapos nakatulog ulit siya. Mahal ko naman siya, minahal ko, at patuloy kong minamahal. Siguro nga, yun ang iniisip niya… na sinayang ko ang pag-ibig niya, na ginago ko siya, na niloko ko siya. Sabihin na nating gano’n nga, pero…. hindi naman talaga. Naparamdam ko sa kanya yan, pero hindi ko yan ginusto. Oo! Gago na ako, dahil sinaktan ko ang babaeng pinakamamahal ko, at sa lahat ng pwede kong saktan siya pa. Mahirap din naman sa part ko ah, mahirap makita siyang nagkakaganyan, na nasasaktan dahil sa ginagawa ko. Alam ko, tarantado ako, walang kwenta, lahat na! Ipit na ipit na talaga ako eh. Wala na akong choice. Nung nagpaiwan ako dito sa Pinas nung pasko, nagkaproblema kami sa family, sa business. Masyadong complicated… isa lang ang paraan kung papa’no masosolusyunan ang problemang yun.. Kailangan aprubahan ang business transaction ng Nishima Corporation. Oo, company nila Nika yun. Pumayag sila na iapprove, pero sa isang condition daw… Pakasalan ko daw si Nika… Ipit na ipit na sila Mommy, hindi alam nila Ate Cheska at Francis ang nangyayari, sa akin lang nila pinaalam kasi ako lang daw ang makakasagot sa problemang to. Ako lang ang makakasalba sa sitwasyon.

Pinag-isipan ko ng mabuti… pag pumayag ako, matutulungan ko ang mga magulang ko, marami akong matutulungan, pwera na lang sa sarili kong maghihirap habambuhay. Pag hindi naman ako pumayag, masyado kong iniisip ang sarili ko, mapapahamak silang lahat. Kaya, yun… wala na akong nagawa, pumayag na ako. Pumayag na akong maging miserable habambuhay… Hanggang ngayon, di ko pa rin makalimutan si Rhia, di ko pa rin makalimutan lahat ng pinagsamahan namin. Masakit pa rin makita siyang mag-isa habang ako nakatali sa babaeng kailanman di ko natutunang mahalin. Sasabog na ata tung puso ko. Sira na ang ulo ko, durog na ang puso ko. Ewan ko nga ba kung bakit pa ako nabubuhay, eh pinipilit ko na ngang wag ng gumising, dahil bawat araw ng buhay ko, masamang panaginip. Bigla na lang nagkahiwalay sa ere si superman at superwoman dahil sa isang napakasukdulang kalaban.

CHAPTER 35
“huling habilin”

Rhia’s POV ‘Ouch.’ Eff-S. Ang sakit ng ulo ko. Errr. OHMY! I’m so late… kelangan ko pang bisitahin si Alex ngayon! Teka… how did get myself here? Hmmm, maybe I don’t remember how I drive myself here. Per, at least I’m safe. I knew I can handle my self… ‘Ate Beth, anong oras na ako nakarating dito?’ ‘Mga 3 am na… tulog ka nga eh..’ tulog? Ano yun? Naglakad ako na nakapikit ang mata? ‘HA?’ ‘Lasing na lasing ka babae ka, mabuti’t wala dito yung kuya Gab mo at yung mga magulang mo.’ For real? ‘Eh, sino yung nagdala sa’kin dito?’ ‘Boyfriend mo yun eh… pero di ko na nakikita na magkasama kayo… break na ba kayo?’ ‘Ang showbiz mo ate Beth ah…’ ‘Siyempre, ako pa! Fr…. Fra.. Franco! yun yung pangalan niya!’ Of course, who else? siya lang naman yung boyfriend ko… ‘Anong oras siya umalis?’ ‘Umalis agad siya… binihisan ka lang niya, pinatulog… tapos umalis na siya agad..’ WTF?! Binihisan? Maniac! I can’t believe he did that! I can’t believe he…. he brought me home? Fine, lunukin ko muna si Pride, thanks Franco for bringing me home safe. Mabuti at naisipan niya yun, kasi kung hindi… maybe I’ll end up in the local news headline… Babae: narape dahil nalasing!. Shoot, that is the worst scenario ever. Ibig sabihin ba nun… siya si Mr. Whoever-you-are guy? Oh no…. I mean oh yes! Narinig niya lahat ng sinabi ko! Sana kinikitil na siya ng konsyensya niya ngayon. Hmm, pero pa’no niya kaya nalaman na andun ako? Was it unintentional or not? Tsss. Magbibihis na nga lang ako… kelangan ko pang pumunta kay Alex eh… mahirap na, baka magtampo ulit yun.

De Leon’s residence Nagkasalubong kami ni Jamie, sa labas… ‘Lagot ka sa bestfriend mo…’ ‘Ha?’ Hindi na niya ako sinagot, umalis na lang siya. What was that for? Kelangan niya ba talaga akong takutin? Kinakabahan tuloy ako. ‘Hi best…’ ‘Hoy babae ka!’ ooops. what did I do?! ‘What?’

‘What, what ka jan.. alam mo ba kung anong pwedeng mangyari sa’yo pag ginawa mo pa yun ulit?’ He knows? HOW?! ‘Wag ka ng umarte jan Rhia… dumaan si Franco, kani-kanina lang, sinabi niya sa’kin lahat ng nangyari…’ That guy! He’s so mapapel. So hero na naman siya ngayon? Fine! Nakakainis, is he trying to kill Alex?! Errrr! ‘Sorry.’ ‘Di naman ako nagagalit eh..’ Anong hindi? eh first time ko nga siyang nakitang ganyan. Tsss. ‘Look, best, concern lang naman ako sa’yo.. edi ako mauuna maglibing sa’yo kung may nangyaring masama sa’yo… gusto mo ba yun? There are plenty of filths out there Rhia… maswerte ka at s Franco ang nakakita sa’yo…’ ‘I know.’ ‘You’re wasting your life best… ako dito, lumalaban para mabuhay pa ng mas matagal… ikaw, maswerte ka at ok ka pa, maswerte ka at wala kang dinaramdam na sakit… please, don’t waste your life by making wrong moves best… please..’ ‘Oo na… tama na nga yan best…. I’m sorry, I promise I won’t do it again..’ ‘Halika nga dito…’ Here goes the big hug again. Gosh, I hate drama. ‘Hey, hey, hey!’ ‘Hay nako, Drama forever talaga kayong dalawa…’ ‘Tigilan niyo na nga yan, ang OA…’ ‘As if kayo hindi..’ They looked at each other… ‘WHAT-EVER!’

Alex’s POV Akala ko, they lived happily ever after na.. nagtagpo nga sila, oo, tama naman ako, pero… di ko inaasahang magkakahiwalay sila ulit. Kung alam ko lang… na gano’n ang mangyayari, edi sana di ko na lang iniwan si Rhia… pero, napag-isip-isipan ko din, na mabuti na rin yun, kasi training na niya maging independent pag wala na ako. Ang dami kong narealize sa storya ni Rhia. Ang dami kong natutunan sa kakornihan ng pag-ibig na yan. Pero dahil sa kakornihan na yan, narealize ko na iba talaga ang ‘love’. Nakakatawa nga eh, at naging kami ni Jamie. Hinding-hindi ko yun inaasahan sa simala’t simula pa… alam naman nating lahat na mortal kung kaayaw yung babaeng yun, pero dahil sa nangyari sa amin ngayon, napatunayan ko nga na… ‘the more you hate, the more you love’. Lintek, ang keso naman nun… Meron pa.. sa dami ng pinagdaanan ni best, narealize ko na, love isn’t being happy all the time, love can make you feel happy even if things are wrong, it makes you be at your best when things

are worst, love may not be the most expensive necessity on Earth, but the feeling you get when you’re love is priceless, it may not be perfect…. but it’s the best thing you could ever experience. Amp. Ok, tama na ‘yun, masyado na akong nahawa kay Rhia. Pero salamat sa kanya! Kinuwento na din ni Franco sa akin ang lahat…. Oo, alam ko na ang dahilan kung bakit nabigo na naman ang love story ng mga superhero na ‘to. Hindi ko naman siya masisisi, tama naman yung ginawa niya… marami siyang natulungang buhay pero… yun nga lang, ang buhay ng pinakamamahal niya ang nadehado. Ang hirap naman no’n! Nakakaawa talaga si best, kelan kaya magiging masaya yung love story niya? Bilib din ako sa kanya, kasi kahit gano’n, sa dami ba naman ng pinagdaanan niya, kinaya niya pa, oo, madalas yung pagiyak at pagsumbong niya sa akin, pero… despite it, hindi siya sumuko, patuloy pa rin siya. Siguro kung ibang tao yun, siguro kung ako yun, nagsuicide na ako. Ang tapang ni best. Hindi pa ako pwedeng mamatay…no, no, no… not yet.. May unfinished mission pa ako. Gagawin ko muna yun, tapos…. come what may! ‘Alex!!!’ ‘????’ ‘Magsalita ka naman, kanina pa kami nagsasalita dito oh…’ ‘Pa’no naman ako papasok sa pinag-uusapan niyo, eh puro, latest trend ng mga kung sinu-sinong fashion designer jan and pinagtatatalak ng mga bibig niyo…’ ‘Ok, ok…. fine… let’s talk about you..’ ‘Hmm, pa’no mo niligawan si Jamie?’ lintek. ano bang isasagot ko? ‘Ask her…’ ‘No, ayaw namin, gusto namin ikaw magkwento...’ ‘Sige na best… pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease, can’t you see? I’m begging you already… sige na best, pleaaaaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee’ Rhiaaaaaaaaaa! Ba’t di kita matiis! amp! ‘OK!’ ‘Yes! Kyri, bring out the video cam’ video cam?! langya naman oh! ‘Here it is…. ok, its set, in 3, 2, 1, action…’ ano to? documentary? Langya talaga tong mga babaeng ‘to, gustung-gusto pag napapahiya ako. ‘Kasi ganito yun…. wag kayong madidis-appoint ah…’ ‘Ok, go…’ ‘nag-away kami ni Jamie…. after 2 days, narealize kong mali ako… basta, sa dalawang araw na yun, di ako mapakali, di ko naman alam kung baket…tapos biglang, may… may parang bumulong na lang sa isip kong, hindi ko natitiis itong away na ‘to dahil mahal ko na nga siguro siya…’ ‘ang kornyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy’ ‘Ay sige wag na nga lang…’ ‘Joke lang… sweet nga eh, sige na, continue.’

‘Pumunta ako sa bahay nila… pagbukas ng gate, sakto! si Jamie, pero hindi man lang niya ako binati, pagkita niya sa akin, sinara niya agad ang gate, maaga pa un, mga 9 ng umaga.’ ‘Di ko naman alam anong gagawin ko, kaya naisipan kong magstay lang dun, hanggang….’ ‘hanggang pansinin ka niya?! How brave of you!’ ‘sige.. kayo na lag magkwento… dali… sig nga, pagpatuloy niyo na… makikinig lang ako’ ‘Ang OA mo talaga best… sige na, nagtampo ka pa..’ ‘Tama kayo, hinintay ko siya sa harap ng gate nila, nagbilad ako sa araw hanggang pansinin niya ako, inabutan nga ako hanggan 7 pm… 5 pm, umuulan na, dalawang oras din ako naghintay sa Jamie na yan…’ ‘Hanggang, naawa na siya sa akin, at pinapasok niya ako… pinapasok niya nga ako, pero dada pa rin ng dada, gago daw ako kasi nag-antay ako ng sobrang tagal dun…’ ‘Di ko napigilan, isa lang naman ang paraan para matahimik yung machine gun niyang bibig, kaya, hinalikan ko siya…’ ‘OH MY! SA LIPS?’ ‘Hindi, hindi…. sa ilong, sa ilong ko siya hinalikan….’ ‘Seriously?’ ‘Stupid. Siyempre sa lips. Baket? ilong niya ba yung maingay para patahimikin ko?’ ‘Oo nga, makes sense’ Hay nako… maganda sana, may pagkatanga lang. ‘Yun na yun?’ ‘Hindi pa… Pagkatapos ko siyang hinalikan, tinanong niya, ‘Why’d you do that.’ sagot ko, ‘Because I love you’ tapos, yun… kami na….’ ‘W-O-W.’ Mga babae nga naman. Di naman kasing romantic ang ligawan namin ni Jamie ah. Ewan ko nga kung may ligawan ba talagang nangyari. Matapos nila akong kunan ng video, yung mga mukha nila akala mo nakakita ng treasure. Ay ewan. Isa yun sa mga tanong ko na kailanman di pa nasasagot. Kaya naman pagnamatay ako… sana may makasagot sa mga tanong na ito: 1. Ano nga ba ang nauna… ang itlog o ang manok? 2. nagsasalita ba talaga ang mga hayop at laruan katulad ng mga napapanood ko sa tv? 3. Gaganda pa ba si Aling ______? 4. Kelan pa tatangkad si Mahal at Mura? 5. Pag ang sirena, tulad ni Mutya, niluto, lasang isda din kaya? Good luck sa mga may gusting sumagot sa tanong na’yan. Balitaan niyo na lang ako pag nasagot na. Nasulat ko na rin sa last will ko na dapat… plastic yung kabaong ko, para see through, ayoko ng may tinatago. Tapos yung suot ko, pink long sleeves, yung pants naman, sa left side dapat kulay yellow, sa right side, neon blue. Gusto ko colourful, para masaya. Ayoko naman na pinagluluksaan nila ako ng sobra. Dapat din… hindi ako sa funeral house paglamayan… gusto ko sa bar. Para, party, party. Yun lang siguro ang huli kong habilin, eto ang huli. Ang maunang umiyak sa burol ko, siya masusunod. Kaya dapat nakangiti lahat.

CHAPTER 36
“bestfriends”

Rhia’s POV Alex just doesn’t appreciate the ‘essence’ of formality. Yes, their story is, one of a kind, one of the greatest love story ever heard, but it would be even better if he did something to formalize everything. Pero anyway, ok na din yun, may puso naman pala si Alex, marunong din pala magmahal ng babae. May pa, basa-basa sa ulan pa siya ah. Hahaha, Ang baduy din pala ni best. Oh well, ganyan talaga, pag love na ang pinag-uusapan, lahat ng tao nawawala sa sarili, lumalambot na. ‘Best, halika nga dito…’ ‘Namiss mo ako agad? LOL’ ‘Hindi, masyado ka namang assuming… may sasabihin lang ako.’ ‘Pfffft.’ ‘Alam mo mamimiss ko yang pagpapaout ng lips mo… wala yan sa langit eh’ Oh no, ayoko ng ganitong drama. ‘Tsss, sigurado ka bang sa langit ka mapupunta?’ ‘Siyempre naman, naging mabuting anak naman ako… tanong mo si Mommy, naging mabuting studyante naman ako, tingnan mo grades ko, naging mabuting mamamayan naman ako ng Pilipinas, check mo sa city hall, wala akong bad record, naging mabuti din akong boyfriend, tanungin mo si Jamie…. at higit sa lahat…. naging mabuti naman akong kaibigan…. diba best?’ Enough! T_T ‘Ayan, ang hina mo talaga, hindi pa nga ako nakakalahati sa sasabihin ko eh…. kuha ka nga ng balde, isalod mo yang luha mo… tapos isubmit natin sa guiness….’ Tssss. ‘Why are you saying all of this?’ ‘Hay nako, let’s face it, mamamatay din ako… di na ako magtatagal no… kaya mabuti ng marinig mo lahat ng gusto kong sabihin…. mahirap na, takot ka pa naman sa multo… ayoko naman gisingan ka habang natutulog tapos sabihing, P.S. __________________.’ ‘No, you can’t leave me yet…’ ‘Gustuhin ko man pero Malabo na eh…’ ‘Quitter’ ‘Sabihin mo na ang gusto mong sabihin, wala na akong magagawa jan… anyway, balik usapan’ STOP THISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! T_______________________T ‘Salamat pala at naging mabuti kang bestfriend…. kahit nagkaaemnesia ka babae ka… pinaramdam mo pa rin sa’kin na parang walang nangyari… na ako pa rin yung best/childhood friend mo… at dahil jan, hindi kita dadalawin pag namimiss kita sa heaven…’ T_T ‘Ok, umiyak ka lang… anyway, baka huling pagkakataon ko ng makita kang umiiyak… kaya lubuslubusin mo na..’ ‘best…. stop it please…’

‘Salamat at naging loyal ka sa akin, salamat ang pinagkatiwala mo sa akin lahat ng tinatago mong baho… pati baho ng paa at kili-kili mo nalanghap ko na… ako lang ata yung nakaamoy niyan eh, kaya its my privilege…’ ‘Hindi kaya!’ ‘Ayan, mamimiss ko din yan.. yung pagiging sinungaling mo na hindi naman talaga kapani-paniwala. Alam ko walang gagawa niyan sa langit, kasi mga tao do’n mababait, kaya, ako sa’yo… matuto ka ng maging honest all the time, para di ka mapunta sa hell, ok?’ ‘k.’ ‘Kulang naman yung sagot mo eh…. magdadalawang isip talaga yung tagabantay sa heaven, kung papapasukin ka niya… kumpletuhin mo. O…. K…’ ‘OK!’ ‘Good. Yan… mamimiss ko din yan ng sobra… yung nagiging aso kita paminsan-minsan, yung nauuto kita, di mo lang alam kung gaano mo ako napapasaya pag kumakagat ka sa mga kalokohan ko, pinaparamdam mo sa’kin na, hindi ako ang pinakatangang ta sa mundo kundi ikaw… kaya salamat na din para diyan….’ ‘Ayoko na. aalis na ako’ ‘Ok, umalis ka lang… pagbumalik ka wag na wag mo akong mahahanap-hanap, dahil baka nasa likod mo lang ako.’ ‘Aleeeeeeeeeeex naman eeeeeeeeh!’ ‘Isa pa yan… yung pagpupuppy face mo, yung nagmamakaawa ka, mamimiss ko yan ng sobrang – sobra, kasi pag ginagawa mo yan… feeling ko master ako. Kaya salamat ulit.’ ‘Oh… nakailang litro ka na jan?’ ‘Ewan ko sa’yo!’ ‘Sabihin mo lang kung punu na… may isa pang balde jan… mahaba-haba pa yung sasabihin ko.’ ‘Salamat at naging parte ka ng buhay kong ewan… isa ka sa nagbigay kulay. pcha. ang baduy, pero, totoo, kaya salamat.’ ‘Are you done?’ ‘NO.’ ‘Idol kita alam mo ba yun?’ ‘Of course…’ ‘Sige nga… sa tingin mo bakit?’ ‘Kasi… ewan… sige ikaw na lang, baka pag sinabi ko isipin mo na naman na masyado akong assuming.’ ‘I’ll have to make some exception at the moment… sige na sabhihin mo na.’ ‘Kasi maganda ako, ok, narcissist na ako…. I’m just being true, pati wise…’ ‘May tama ka…. isa na yan sa mga dahilan ko, pero…ang pinakadahilan kung bakit kita idol eh.. kasi… sigurado ako ngayon mo lang to maririnig mula sa akin…’

‘What?’ ‘Kasi matapang ka. Alam mo yung, halos di ka na makahinga sa dami ng problema mo, yung hindi pa natatapos yung isa, tapos may dumadagdag na naman, halos pasan mo na ang mundo… pero, kahit kalian, di ka sumuko… oo, umiiyak ka nga, pero, kinakaya mo naman. Kaya, good job! Dahil diyan, pag pumasok ka na sa langit, sasalubungin kita na may dala-dalang banner. ‘Thanks…’ ‘Salamat din at dahil sa pagiging matatag mo, nainspire mo ako…’ ‘Nainspire gumising everyday?’ ‘Hindi… assuming talaga o… nainspire mo akong magpakakorny, mapatawa lang kita..’ ‘Eto… salamat at napigilan mong….’ ‘ano?’ ‘Napigilan mo ang sarili mo na wag magkagusto sa akin…’ ‘Eff. Kapal mo’ ‘Best…’ ‘Tapos ka na?’ ‘Hindi pa… nauuhaw lang ako… kuha mo ako ng tubig please….’ Nakakainis na ‘to. Ayoko na, Halos di na akomakakita ng maayos, super namamaga na yung mata ko. Pumunta ako sa kusina…. nakalimutan ko ang sinabi ni alex… ano nga ulit yun? ‘Best, ano nga ulit yung utos mo?’ ‘Lul! Nagkaamnesia ka ba ulit? Tubig lang, kuha mo ako ng tubig.’ Aaaah, tubig. Eff. ‘Here…’ ‘Thanks… San na nga ba tayo?’ ‘Nasa bahay niyo…’ ‘Uie, natututo na siya mag salita ‘the alex way’, good, mabuti yan’ ‘Whatever…’ ‘Wala naman akong maipapamana sa’yo, kasi nasa’yo na lahat. wala nga lang Love life…’ ‘Can we not talk about that?’ ‘Sorry to offend you there…. pero wag kag mag-alala darating din ang panahon na maabot mo na yang endless love. So chill… pagpatuloy mo lang ang pagiging strong mo… naks. strong daw oh..’ ‘Very funny.’ ‘Sarcastic’ ‘Si superman mo…. good luck na lang… wag kang mag-alala, ipagdadasal ko na sana magtagpo kayo sa mga future adventures niyo.’

‘Wag na… yoko ng masaktan’ ‘Wag kang matakot masaktan best, normal lang naman yan eh… its in life flaws that we accepriate its true essence, subukan mo kaya maging masaya parati, diba at the end of the day… mabobored ka lang, at maghahanap ka ng problema.’ ‘You’re saying that its ok with you seeing me hurt?’ ‘Siyempre hindi, ang point ko… wag kang matakot masaktan, lalo na sa love na yan. sometimes, you just have to risk something, suffer, let go… to see if there’s something worth holding on…’ ‘Naks, san mo natutunan yan hayop ka?’ ‘Sa’yo…’ ‘Sa’kin?’ ‘Oo, sa’yo, sa love story mong daig pa ang mga telserye at Korean series na yan’ ‘How come?’ ‘I’ll leave that to you….. masasagot mo din yan someday… wag mo lang madaliin.’ ‘Nagbigay ka pa ng idea… tsss. di mo rin pala sasabihin’ ‘Siyempre, matalino to eh… come to think of it… gusto ko lang kasi mabother ka… para naman, kahit wala na ako dito sa mundong ito… may maalala ka pa tungkol sa’ken… maaalala mo na ako ang nag-iwan ng statement na yan…’ ‘Basta best… life is beautiful… sabihin na nating hindi ako binigyan ng opportunity na mabuhay ng matagal, pero, sa short existence ko, marami akong naappreciate, and therefore I conlude: Life? It goes on. So don’t you ever give up… always remember, we still have to climb a mountain to see the plains… if we stop climbing, we’ll never see what’s waiting for us.’ Kaya, never give up. Wag kag mag-alala, sasamahan naman kita… ‘That’s enough, wag kang magsalita ng Patapos alex… wag…’ ‘And last… don’t you ever think na iniwan kita… wag na wag mong isipin na iniwan ka ng bestfriend mo sa ere… lagi mong tandaan, andito lang ako sa tabi-tabi, just call my name,and I’ll be there… gusto mo kantahin ko?’ ‘Wag na.’ ‘I’ll forever be your bestfriend, I only wish I could still see you soar high and become the best among all you competitors in the fashion and business industry, pero, hindi na eh… no worries, ipagdadasal kita parati.’ ‘May sasabihin ka pa?’ T_____________T ‘Wala na ata eh… kung meron man… gisingin na lang kita sa pagtulog mo, pramis mo na di ka matatakot… kuha mo?’ ‘Ewan ko sayo.’ ‘Tama nga pala… go to this place tomorrow… may surprise ako sa’yo… wag kang mabibigla ah?’ ‘Fine…’ ‘Pagnalaman kong di ka pumunta… huhuntingin kita.’ ‘OO NA NGA!’

‘Inaantok na ako… will you please sing that song… you always sing in the shower?’ ‘SANA’Y PAG-IBIG NA LANG ANG ISIPIN NG BAWAT ISA SA MUNDO’ Pumikit na siya… OH NO! T______________T ‘Alex!, Alex!’ ‘Shhh, matutulog na ako… good night’ Ow God, kinabahan ako dun ah.

CHAPTER 37
“blind date”

Rhia’s POV Loko-loko talaga si best… halos lumobo yung sipon ko dun ah. Why is he talking like that? I know malala na yung condition niya pero he can’t just say that like he’s giving up, nagsasalita siya ng Patapos, why? is he really sure that he’s dying? No way. Ano na naman kaya yung surprise-surprise na sinasabi niya? Hmm, maybe he’s just acting no? Maybe it’s not true that he’s so sick, malay natin, make up lang yun… tapos nagrent siya ng mga hospital equipment, maybe this is just one of his pranks… mahilig pa naman sa mga ganon yung lalakeng yun. Should I go? YES. Baka magalit pa sakin si best, baka yung galit niya sa akin yung papatay sa kanya, kaya, pupunta ako. ‘Best, alis na ako ah… andito naman si Jamie….’ ‘Sige… pumunta ka bukas ah… tandaan mo yung sinabi ko’ ‘Yes boss.’ ‘One more thing…’ ‘Yes?’ ‘Kantahin mo yung parati mong kinakanta sa shower…. sa burol ko ah…’ no thanks, baka maligaw pa yung kaluluwa mo… sisihin mo pa ako. ‘Pati… ayoko ng R.I.P sa lapida ko… gusto ko S.Y.S as in… see you soon’ ‘Shut up…’ He’s acting so strange. ‘I love you best…’ ‘Ang OA mo… I love you too!’ As soon as I arrive home. Binuksan ko yung binigay na papel ni Alex… kasi dun ako pupunta bukas… 9 a.m.

Ano na namang pakulo ‘to? What am I gonna do there? Study? Remember all those humiliation? ERRR. ewan ko. ‘I love you Franco… so much’ ‘Huy! Gising!’ ‘Oh sh*t!’ WTF?! Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaab! Why take a video? Sleeptalking! Damn you! ‘I love you Franco. yaaaaaaaaaaak! Baduy mo Rhia!’ ‘SHUT UP, OK?!’ ‘Wait, ba’t mo ba ako ginising!’ ‘Kasi madam… tumawag si Alex… may usapan daw kayo… late ka na daw, humanda ka daw sa kanya, KUHA MO?’

§  ¤ ¨ §¦¦¥ ¤ © £ ¢¡   !    ¡

‘Oo nga pala, lagot! Sige. SA-LA-MAT! ng marami.’ Oh crap. I’m so late. 9 a.m. na, I’m supposed to be there by this time… sowwy Alex. Gotta rush. Promise, bibilisan ko talaga. After 30 minutes, that’s the fastest I could do… and that’s a record… umalis na ako. I drove as fast as I could. When I reached school, tinanggal ko yung shoes ko para makatakbo ako ng maayos. Great, now I look stupid. Finally nasa labas na ako ng room-07…. Pagpasok ko… may nakatalikod na guy. Alex? ‘You’re late’ Lumingon siya, eff. It’s Franco. ‘WHATTHEHELL are you doing here?’ ‘To see you.’ ‘Uhm, no thanks… sige, I’ll go ahead.’ Nagwalkout na ako tapos pinigilan niya ako. ^&!@*$#%! ‘Get off me’ ‘Can’t…. ALEX told me NOT to let you go’ not to let you go? eff you. naririnig mo ba sinasabi mo?! ‘You already did Franco, what’s the point?!’ ‘No I didn’t….’ ‘tangina naman yan oh! don’t give me a statement that opposes your actions! let me go!’ ‘Rhia please…’ ‘Please what?’ ‘Give me this day… with you..’ ‘Franco tama na! Hindi ka pa ba kontento na niloko mo AKO, niloko mo AKO, tapos ngayon si Nika na naman, who do you think you are superman?! heroes don’t harm people… sa ginagawa mo sobra ka pa sa mga masasamang tao diyan!’ ‘Rhia look!’ Nilapitan ko siya… tiningnan ko siya, our face… an inch away from each other. ‘WHAT?!’ Hinawakan niya ang shoulders ko.. with force… his face is struggling. ‘I still love you..’ ‘WTF?! Ano ba naman yan Franco! naririnig mo ba yang sinasabi mo!?’ ‘LISTEN TO ME!’ ‘I still want to fly with you.. ni minsan hindi ko ginusto lahat ng nangyayari sa atin ngayon.’ ‘Let me go… aalis na ako.’

Hindi ko na alam kung anong mararamdaman ko. I’ve had enough heartaches, I’ve heard enough from this hero who slipped his hands off me. WHY? Umalis na ako… This time di niya na hinawakan ang kamay ko para pigilan ako. ‘Fine, kung yan ang gusto mo… let’s just spend this day together…. for ALEX’ For ALEX. Fine, gagawin ko ‘to for Alex. No other reasons… I’ll do this for Alex. ‘Fine, for Alex, I’ll do this’ Pahamak talaga si Alex. errrrrrrrrrrrr. ‘Tara.’ when he said that, its as if nothing happened 2 minutes ago. how does he do that? shift moods so quickly? ‘Sa’n naman tayo pupunta? Anong gagawin natin?’ ‘Parang tulad lang ng dati..’ tulad ng dati? ano yung? muling ibalik? Bwiset. ‘Are you nuts?’ ‘Obviously tao ako… hindi nuts.’ HA. Funny -_-” di na umeepekto sa’kin yung mga ganyan. Try mo kay Nika, baka gumana. ‘Cookie monster.’ eff, not answering. ‘Rhia…’ ‘Oh?’ ‘Let’s set a rule for this day…’ ‘Ano?’ ‘Kalimutan muna natin na may nangyari… i-skip natin yun, let’s spend this day like the days we used to have, pwede ba ‘yun?’ ‘For Alex.’ Here I go again. Why can’t I resist his favors? I mean, oo galit ako sa kanya, galit na galit, ayoko siyang makita dahil nasasaktan lang ako pagnakikita ko siya at naalala yung masaya naming lovestory na nawala na lang ng parang bula. But everytime he talks, say something, nanghihina ako, nawawala yung galit ko, lumalambot ako, and the next thing I know… napapayag nya na ako. And the cycle goes around, papayag ako, magiging masaya for a while, and then he’ll disappear, and then I’m miserable again. That’s the problem with me, I take risks to be happy, and I forget to take things into consideration… na sa huli… masasaktan lang din pala ako. tssss. And I’m doing it now, again. for the nth time. Bahala na… namiss ko din ang maging masaya kasama si superman. ‘Magshopping tayo… gusto mo?’ ‘Sige!’ Like I promised… I’ll act like nothing happened. For Alex ‘Let’s go.’ and then he held my hands. God, I missed this. *sparks* Pumasok kami sa isang unisex shop. Their displays are not so expensive… Hmm, I think I see something cute… nilapitan ko yun… its just a simple v-neck shirt, with superman logo at the center. ‘Gusto mo?’ ‘Yup…’

‘Miss may panlalake ba nito?’ ‘Yes sir… anong size po?’ ‘Medium pati xs na pambabae.’ ‘Bibili ka din?’ ‘Oo…’ K. fine. He bought the two shirts and paid for it. Yay! Got something for free again. ‘Magpalit tayo ng shirt.’ ‘No way, ang laki kaya ng shirt mo… noooooooooooo.’ ‘Tanga… ang ibig kong sabihin, isuot natin ‘tong pinamili natin.’ ‘AAAAAH. K, akin na.’ Hmmm, I don’t think na nagawa na namin ito before… magstroll sa mall na pareho ang shirt. Tsss, ang korny ah. Pero, at least, nasubukan ko, kakaiba din kaya ‘to. Magstroll sa mall na pareho ng shirt with your EX-boyfriend. That’s a record. ‘Nood tayo ng sine?’ ‘Pwede…. sige…’ We watched a movie. Horror movie, as usual, umiwas na ako sa love story, gusto ko naman, pero not with this guy. Never mind. This place is so not full, I don’t even know why they still sell tickets for this movie, mabibilang ko lang sa kamay ko ang mga nanonood, like 9? excluding Franco and I. Nagulat na lang ako bigla ng may umakbay sa likod ko. ‘Chill, ako lang ‘to.’ Eff, akala ko kung sino na, in fairness naman kasi sa movie its so scary, masyado kong finefeel. Alam niyo naman ako. ASSUMER. Alam ko na kung bakit walang nanonood, kasi siguro, takot yung mga tao, right, that’s it. ‘Can I?’ ‘What?’ ‘Hold your hands?’ ‘Like before? yes…’ Ooops, I can see hearts above my head. I let him held my hands. And the feeling was more than it was before… naramdaman ko ulit yung feeling na secured ako, protected, loved, owned. This day is a break from all my nightmares. ‘Thanks… superman’ ‘May sinasabi ka?’ ‘Wala.’

After we watched movie, naglunch kami, sa favourite café namin. Sabay nagcoffee, I missed this sooooo much. Madalas na kasi akong mag-isa nagkakape. Siya lang kasi yung kilala kong mahilig din sa coffee. Kung pwede lang ako magpakaselfish, matagal ko na siyang inilayo kay Nika. Pero, I’m not the desperate ex-girlfriend. After sa mall, pumunta na naman kami sa park. Naglakad-lakad lang. Holding hands. ‘I missed this superwoman..’ ‘ako din… Mr. Chips… sooooooooo much’ ‘mahal mo pa rin ba ako?’ Oh no, I hate this drama… ayoko mapunta na namin kami sa arguments na yan. ‘Oh look! may bikes oh… magrent tayo.’

Franco’s POV I knew she won’t answer it. Amp. Nagrent kami ng bike… for two hours, tapos paikot-ikot lang kami sa buong area. Masaya, sobrang saya, parang yung dati lang, kung pwede ko nga lang itigil ang oras, ginawa ko na, the moment we held hands. Matagal din ako naging miserable, at ngayon ko lang ulit naramdaman kung pa’no maging masaya, salamat kay Alex. Ang sarap sa akiramdam yung nakikita ko ulit si Rhia na masaya, tulad ng dati, nakangiti lang siya parati, kinakausap ako ng matino. ‘Superman, let’s take pictures…’ ‘eh, anong kukunan mo ng picture? wala namang maganda dito ah.’ ‘ikaw… tayong dalawa…’ ‘May dala ka bang camera?’ ‘Of course, your camera is always with me.’ Amp. Natouch naman ako dun, ibig sabihin ginagamit niya pa rin yun… akala ko kasi tinapon niya na. Nilabas niya yung camera niya sa bag niya, akalain mo, may lamang camera pala yung bag niya… di ko napansin yun ah. ‘Ang hirap naman niyan, pa’no tayo makakapagpicture na magkasama tayo? ang lagi kaya niyan…’ ‘Hmmm, oh yez! may tripod akong dala, nasa kotse’ ‘Galing ah.’ Namaaaaaan. Kinuha namin sa kotse niya yung tripod niya, ang talino talaga nitong babaeng to. Di nga lang halata. Para kaming baliw sa park, nagpipicture-picture, pinagtitinginan na nga kami dito, pero ok lang, sanayan na ‘to, sanay na naman si Rhia na pinagtitinginan.. ako lang yung hindi, pero natutunan ko na din dahil sikat yung girlfriend ko eh. Bago dumilim, nagstreetfood trip muna kami. As usual kwek-kwek ulit. Matagal na rin akong di nakakakain nito, yung huling kain ko, yung magkasama kami ni Rhia.

‘Contest ulit tayo…’ ‘Sure ka?’ ‘Of course…’ ‘Sigurado ka talaga ah?’ ‘Natatakot ka bang matalo kita?’ ‘Of course NOT, game…’ Nakalimang kwek-kwek na ako, pati si Rhia din, aba, lumalakas-ata yung kain nito ah. ‘Magsyota ba kayo?’ Lagot… natigilan kami sa pagnguy ni Rhia… nagitinginan lang kami… walang nagsasalita. ‘Ahhh….’ ‘OO, girlfriend ko siya.’ pinatiran ako ni Rhia. Girlfriend ko pa rin naman siya ah, wala naman akong sinabing we’re over. Yun nga lang, may sumingit. Hay nako, ang hirap ng buhay ko. Naka-siyam na si Rhia, ako seven pa lang, ayoko na. ‘Ayoko na, panalo ka na!’ ‘Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!’ ‘Masaya ka.’ ‘Of course, natalo kita eh!’ ‘Tsss.’ Umalis na kami, tapos nagbar… nagyaya siya eh, gusto niya daw uminom, konti lang naman daw, kaya pumayag na ako. ‘Let’s dance!’ Sa totoo lang, di naman talaga magaling sumayaw si Rhia, ang maganda lang sa kanya, pag sumasayaw siya, finefeel niya talaga, kaya hindi nagmumukhang trying hard. In fact, cute nga. ‘Cheers, para sa araw na ‘to. cheers para sa naudlot nating relationship!’ lasing na kami. ‘Cheers!’

Rhia’s POV Pagising ko… oh crap. Nakatulog kami dito sa bar… si Franco tulog na tulog pa. Why on Earth did the employees here not mind about us staying here up to this early? Wala ngang tao ngayon oh. Idiotsss. Oh I remember, right, close friend ni Franco ang may-ari nito. Alis na muna ako. I need to go to Alex pa, sigurado ako magtatampo yun kasi di ako nakapunta kahapon, pa’no ba naman kasi, siya naman may kasalanan ng lahat ng ‘to. Pagdating ko sa bahay nila….

CHAPTER 38
“third world happy”

Wala na si Alex… No, it can’t be…. malakas pa siya the last time we saw each other, nagbibiro pa nga siya that time diba? diba?! Baka…. baka, nasa garden lang, oo, he loves flowers like her mom, baka andun lang siya kasama si Jamie. Tama, nasa garden lang siya. I’m sure. Nagmadali akong bumaba, kinakabahan, my heart is racing, my tears are dropping, this is so not happening. Pagdating ko sa garden… hinanap ko sila Alex at Jamie, paikot-ikot lang ako, nalilito ako kung san ako liliko sa sobrang laki ng garden, I was scared, but I did not lose hope. ‘Ma’am Rhia, may hinahanap po ba kayo?’ ‘Opo, si Alex… san siya?’ Sobrang kinakabahan ako. Parang tumigil ang pag-ikot ng mundo ko, I have this urge to know where Alex really is, but I can’t hide the fear to hear that he’s gone. Parang gusto na ayaw kong marinig ang isasagot sa akin. ‘Si sir Alex po?’ ‘Oo, si Alex nga..’ ‘Wala na siya.’ Wala na siya. And there was a long pause. Natigil ang pag-ikot ng mundo ko, natigil ang pagtibok ng puso ko, natigil ang paghinga ko, parang pakiramdam ko, nawala din ako. WHY?! Alex… why’d you leave me? You’re a meanie… meanie! Bakit si Alex pa? Sana ako na lang… sana iba na lang. Now what am I gonna do? He’s my only bestfriend, he’s the only one who listens to me even if there’s no worth listening for. He listens to me like no other, he’s the only one who understands all of me. Alex. WHY?! Alam mo bang di pa ako ready sa lahat ng ‘to? Yes, you keep on saying things to make me ready, but no, I wasn’t prepared to hear all of it, I wasn’t prepared to accept it, I wasn’t prepared to let you go, I didn’t expect you to leave me this early. to leave US so early… Sino ng magpapatawa sa akin? sino ng makikinig sa lahat ng pag-iyak ko? sino ng magtatanggol sa akin? lalo pa’t ngayon na aping-api ako…. sino na ang magiging best/childhood friend ko? Sino na ang magiging Alex Anthony de Leon ng buhay ko? I feel like I lost half of my life. How can I go on now? With all of this glitches? Kahapon lang ang saya-saya ko… tapos ngayon… nagising na lang ako na wala na ang isang taong pinakamalapit sa akin. Why is my life so miserable?! WHY?! WHY CAN’T I JUST BE HAPPY AND NOT END UP GLOOMY?! WHY?!

Saturday, de Leon’s residence-mini bar As requested by Alex, hindi siya sa funeral homes pinaglamayan. He’s crazy I know… up to his death, loko-loko pa rin siya. As he requested, sa bar namin siya pinaglalamayan, sa mini-bar ng bahay nila, actually its not mini…. its as big as the normal ones. Tulad na rin ng nirequest niya, wala masyadong mukhang parang namatayan dito. Including me. I’m smiling as hard as I could, nangangawit na nga yung bibig ko eh. I never smiled this long, only for Alex. Kaya, I’m pretty sure he won’t hunt me at all. ‘CONDOLENCE!’ read it right (di ko naman pwede sabihing, HEARD it right, kasi di niyo naman naririnig, diba?) as we all know, pagsinabi mo yang salitang yan… condolence, dapat normal lang. Dito, dahil sa request ni Master Alex, pagsinasabi yan, parang ang saya-saya ng mga tao, parang ‘party-party!’. At first glance, di mo talaga masasabing lamay to ng isang nilalang na matalino-mabait-gwapo, ok, that’s enough, I’ve praised Alex so much already, going back, ou can never tell that this is burial. For example, instead of drinking coffee and eating biscuits, people here are enjoying cocktail drinks and fingerfoods. I have to admit, Alex have been the wisest dying person and the most organized and prepared. He planned all of this, he wrote every detail, that’s how he is, I think, that’s how he spent the rest of his days. ‘Hey Jamie…’ ‘Hey best…’ best? ‘Best?’ ‘Oo best… Alex told me to call you that, from now on.’ ‘Wow, sure, BEST…’ When I greeted Jamie, masaya pa siya, ngumingiti… pero when it was my turn to say best, biglang nalungkot yung mukha niya. ‘Are you ok?’ And now, she’s crying. My bad. Sorry Alex. Peace tayo ha. Di ko naman sinasadya eh. ‘Huy! stop that Jamie… may rule tayo diba? diba sabi ni Alex, walang malungkot na mukha dito… kaya tahan na…’ ‘Gago kasi yang bestfriend mo eh…’ ‘Why? niloko ka ba niya?’ ‘No… he did not. In fact, he loved me more that I expected him to be…’ ‘Oh.. yun naman pala eh… ba’t ka umiiyak jan?’ ‘Iniwan niya kasi ako… alam mo bang, ang layo ng pangarap ko sa relationhip namin? I even think of having children with Alex, laughing everyday with him every after stressful work, spending weekends with him and our children…. dating with him at the age of 50 somewhere around the world…. growing old with him…. seeing our grandchildren achieve their dreams…. taking care of him, dying with him….’ Poor Jamie… that sounds so heartbreaking.

‘I’m sorry to hear that Jamie…’ ‘It’s ok… I’m glad someone knew about my future plans… but unfortunately, wala ni isa ang matutupad…’ ‘Well, marami pa namang iba jan eh…’ ooops, peace tayo dun best ah…. I know, you also agree with me… di ko na lang tatanungin kung agree ka rin sa’kin baka kasi sumagot ka pa, mahirap na. ‘Oo, marami pang iba jan, pero iisa lang si Alex.’ Oh, how sweet. Grabe! Ano kayang pinakain ni Alex kay Jamie… ‘Ang sweet mo pala kay Alex no…’ ‘No, he’s sweet, he’s the sweetest, and I’m gonna miss it…. so much.’ ‘Gano’n?’ ‘Oo… hindi nga lang halata sa mukha niya.. but he really is, nakakapanghinayang lang no?’ ‘Ang alen?’ ‘kami… masyado lang maiksi yung relationship namin… it was the best dream ever…’ ‘no… itS not a dream…’ ‘aw… yes, but… sana dream na lang yun no? so that I can decide whether to wake up or not, and if it is, I’ll choose to sleep forever….’ Ow, that’s deep. I can really feel Jamie’s pain with her words… poor Jamie. ‘He’s just the best thing that ever happened to my life. He’s the perfect prince, ours was the best love story unrevealed.’ It was the first time I heard Jamie talk about this kind of stuffs, she sounds like the happiest princess now miserable because of the lost of her prince. The way she talks, masasabi kong walang oras na di siya pinasaya ni Alex, she sounds like the happiest girlfriend, the luckiest. It sounds like, their story is perfect… but gone not…. when his prince charming left. It was a long chat with Jamie. I had fun listening to what she has to say, not even a part that it gone boring, every part was happy, exciting, every part was climax. It was indeed, perfect, di ko lubos maiwasang isipin na… errr… I wish mine was… yah whatever, never mind. Nakalimutan ko tuloy na nasa burial ako ng bestfriend ko… feeling ko kasi nasa coffee shop ako na nakikipagchismisan sa long lost friend ko.

Sunday, cemetery It’s time we say goodbye… oops, ‘see you soon’ pala as Alex told us all in his last words, to Alex, our friend, brother, child, lover, angel, savior. It sucks when someone dear to you leaves. Sucks. And as he told us… everyone was wearing the most colourful outfits ever, and I sang during the message part. As usual I got tons of claps… standing ovation pa nga eh.

CHAPTER 39
“baseball”

Rhia’s POV 2 months after Alex’s departure…. Balik sa dati yung buhay namin. We’re back to school, kickin’ some ass again. Wala naman masyadong nagbago sa classroom namin, same faces pa rin, pero wala na si Alex. Tama nga pala, my nagbago na… medyo tumahimik na yung class namin. Nag see you soon na kasi yung pinakamaingay, pinakamakapal, at pinakamayabang naming classmate. Hay nako, nakakapanibago talaga, hindi na yung dating warzone ng labanang Jamie at Alex yung classroom namin. Its like the heavens right now. So peaceful. Nakakabingi yung silence. 2 months after that ‘one day’ date with Franco, and guess what?! I think I’m already healed, I mean, I think, I’m already ok. Nakapagmove-on na ako. Yez!!! 2 months na din kaming madalas nagkikita ni Francis, but unfortunately, he never got the chance to see his look alike yet. pffft. 2 months ko na in madalas nakikita si Nika, and I’m proud to say. Naimmune na ako sa mukha niya. The two months feel like a year…. I never thought I’d move on this fast, forget everything and act as if everything were nothing. Bati na kami ni Franco. We’re friends already, ONLY friends. Our relationship now is way better than what we had months ago, wala na masyadong grudge, pero I’m not saying na wala na talaga as in everything already clear, minsan kasi, pumapasok pa rin sa isip ko yun. 2 months already that we’re acting like we’re the normal classmates, studying together, helping each other, sharing answers? yes. Masaya, masaya. Officially, ok na kami ni Franco, but not like before. And yes… I think I’m officially single, but… still not ready to be in a relationship again. I’m with superman again. He’s the hero… and I’m now the ordinary girl, like the ones out there. Hindi na tulad ng dati… I’m his and he’s mine. I’m already happy with my life now, though, its not as colourful as it was before. I’ve learned to live it with the best I could. I’ve been the strongest I can be, just like Alex told me. And I realized, its sort of boring. It’s a safe life… not literally safe as in, away from harm. A safe life, a naïve way of living. in short BORING. 2nd year college, 1st semester, month of July July is the month of the baseball team, this is the month where all of them are given the ‘oh so great and powerful’ attention. Our school’s baseball team is the leading team in the whole Luzon, our baseball team is the toughest competitors of those aspiring teams. Cool huh? I know. Madalas wala si Franco sa class. And since everyone knew about our wasted relationship, di na nila ako masyadong kinukulit kay Franco. But Nika there… on her freshmen classmates is hailed as the ‘most popular chic’ and the ‘most lucky freshman’…. Simply because, her boyfriend is Franco the ‘crush ng bayan’ of the whole campus, and the fact that she’s new here, its already a big deal to everyone. ‘I have a good news for everyone…’ ‘YES!’ walang pinapalagpas ang mga tao dito basta good news. ‘We don’t have class tomorrow and on Friday, siguro naman alam niyo na kung bakit..’

‘Why prof?’ goodness. Its pretty obvious ya knaw? Errrr. dawk! ‘For the information of everyone, our baseball team is playing their first game tomorrow, and it’s a tradition that we support them in their first and succeeding games… so I am expecting everyone to come tomorrow and shout your loudest shout for our players…. especially for Mr. Mendoza, he’s from this class… and I heard, he IS the next star player of the school’s team.’ Tsss. Oo nga naman, who else? Watch or not? Hmmm, wag na lang siguro, anyway he doesn’t me there and I might just be bored. So better stay home, study and finish my collection. Since absent sila Kyri and Joan dahil sa sobrang hangover last night with their gimik. Mag-isa akong nag-aaral sa may gazebo… na… tapat lang din ng field na pinagpapraktisan ng mga baseball players. If it’s what you think it is… let me tell you it’s not. Hindi ako nagpapapansin dito. Since then, dito na ako madalas nag-aaral. Wala naman akong kasama, kaya nagmusic trip na lang ako, of course I’m wearing my earphones, alangan naman i-loudspeaker ko, ano ako? idiot? No way. Music trip while studying. Tumayo ako para bumili ng coffee in can…. and suddenly. ‘OUCH!’ I dropped in to the ground. Eff, that hurts, tinamaan ako ng epic ball na yan. Errr. ang sakit! Sa paa ko tumama, kaya nahulog ako sa ground, that’s embarassing -_-” ‘Lagot…’ ‘Lagot kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!’ asar ng ibang players from a far. ‘Sorry Rhia, pasensya talaga, hindi ko talaga sinadsadya yun.’ ‘Aah! aaaawch!’ ‘Ok ka lang?’ schtupid. of course not! ‘No.’ I tried to stand up… but.. I tripped. ‘Erffff’ ‘Pasensya na talaga ah…’ I don’t need your sorry actually… I need some first aid treatment. ‘Dalhin na lang kita sa clinic.’ may initiative ka naman pala eh. ‘How ‘bout your practice?’ ‘Its ok… maiintindihan naman nila eh.’ ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Oo… tara na.’ Dinala ako ni Franco sa clinic, inaalalayan niya lang ako kasi yung isang paa ko masakit pa talaga… nasprain ata eh. Eff, ang layo pa naman ng clinic… mga 15 minutes walk pa from this place. I don’t think I can hold the pain…. plus the hot stares of the people around us is so….argh! I’m innocent you judgemental craps! ‘Wait, Franco… pwede rest muna…. ang sakit kasi eh….’ Wala siyang sinabi…. tapos, bigla niya na lang akong binuhat. Ok great. Now what? I’m the bet slut in town again. ‘Ibaba mo nga ako… nakakahiya eh…’

‘Huy!’ ‘Ano?’ ‘Pinagtitinginan na nila tayo oh… I mean, ikaw…. ewan… ako… ewan!’ ‘So? Ano namang pakealam nila?’ ‘Ikaw you’re good, pero ako? Iisipin na naman nila na malandi ako kasi ganito, ganyan.’ ‘Don’t worry, I’ll protect you’ ‘Th—an-ks’ Pagdating namin sa clinic. Ginamot na ng nurse yung minor injury ko sa paa. And Franco was still there, with me. May biglang tumawag sa phone niya… ‘Hello?’ ‘Excuse me Rhia…’ Lumabas siya…At narinig ko na lang na may kausap na siya na girl…. hmmm, familiar… wait… Oh right. Nika. ‘What was that?!’ ‘Look… I accidentally hit her…’ ‘You did? or did she? accidentally hit herself?’ ‘I! She has nothing to do with this, so stop acting like she’s the one desperate for my attention!’ ‘Yes she is… she always do something to make YOU glance HER way…’ ‘I don’t have time for this nonsense with you Nika!’ ‘That’s it! Go with that slut! boyfriend!’ Ooops. Did that girl who in the first place stole my boyfriend said, I’m a slut?! errrrrrr! Kung hindi lang siguro ako napilayan, lumabas na ako sa clinic, and rip her mouth, suck it to her filthy plastic nose and punch her head till it drops her fake butt! Ako na ngayon ang drama queen?! Get lost. But good thing Franco defended me, protected, shall I say, kasi kung hindi, lalabas talaga ako sa clinic with this pilay at pag-uuntugin ko yung mga pagmumukha nila. ‘I WILL, di mo na kailangan sabihin yan, fake girlfriend.’ ooops, di pa pala tapos argument nila. Poor Nika. ‘Errrrr!’ pikon ka pala eh. Bumalik na si Franco sa loob… I don’t know what to do actually, and he’s coming. ‘Act like you heard nothing’ siya na mismo may sabi niyan ah… so be it! ‘Ok.’ ‘Anyway…. tomorrow is our game…’ ‘I know… everyone knows’

‘Punta ka ah…’ ‘I’ll try…’ ‘Please… hanapin kita…’ sure ka? ‘I will try…’ ‘1st game yung Rhia… you can’t miss it… I can’t miss you…’ ?????? ‘Ibig kong sabihin… gusto ko lang manood ka… para makita mong maglaro yung team’ ‘Aaah…k.’ ‘Yes na ba yun?’ I nodded. Wala na siyang sinabi. Bigla na lang siyang tumalon tapos tumakbo ng sobrang bilis. Weird guy. But, I shall admit, it was such a good deed from him. I don’t think I’m really coming. Sa condition ko? I don’t think so. At isa pa. May lakad talaga dapat kami ni Francis tomorrow., and I don’t think na matutuloy pa yun. *kriiiiiiiiiiiiiing* ‘Rhi?’ ‘Hey Francis. what’s up?’ ‘Musta?’ ‘Hmm, actually not so good.’ ‘Baket?’ ‘Napilayan ako eh..’ ‘Ha?! Anong nangyari?’ ‘It was an accident, I was just studying and suddenly my left foot was hit by the baseball’ ‘So hindi matutuloy yung lakad natin bukas?’ ‘I’m sorry pero hindi nga…look, kung di naman nangyari ‘to pupunta naman talaga ako eh.’ ‘Ok lang… ako na lang pupunta diyan.. ok lang ba?’ ‘SURE!’ ‘Sige bye.’ *end of call* Dapat kasi tomorrow, I should be with Francis in his… I mean, in one of his… photoshoots. Yes. Model na nga siya. I was right with all my predictions. Hindi pa nga lang siya kasing sikat ng nafortell ko, pero, papunta na din siya dun. Magkabilaan yung projects niya. Wew. And I’m his acting manager as of the moment, kaya, medyo napapadalas na din yug pagsasama namin.

It’s a good deal actually, kasi yung share ko… is suppose to be in the means of ‘cash’, kaso, pinapasave ko na lang sa kanya, para pagsinamahan niya akong magshopping, siya na lang magbabayad. And it’ll save me a lot. Next day, morning. ‘Huy!’ ‘I don’t have class now…’ ‘Gising!’ ‘Hey!, what are you doing here? diba may photoshoot ka?’ ‘Postponed daw eh.’ ‘Bakit daw?’ ‘Kasi, gustong manood ng photographer ng first game ng baseball tournament… malaking fan siya ng school niyo eh...’ ‘Aaaah.’ Hmmm, *light bulb above head*, perfect! I’ll come to the game. And I’ll bring Francis with me! Finally, magkikita na din sila ni Franco! ‘So may lakad ka pa today?’ ‘Since napostpone yun… wala na..’ ‘Nice!’ ‘Anong nice, dito lang tayo… di ka aalis diba? kasi nga oh… may pilay ka…’ ‘No… ok na ako’ actually, I’m not… I’ll just try my best to fake it. ‘Sa’n ba tayo pupunta?’ ‘Secret. Surprise!’ ‘Baaa, gusto ko yan.. surprise. sige na magbihis ka na’ Its still 8 am. Still so early, I heard their first game will start at 10, and now, I think it’s the cliché opening ceremony. Gosh! I can’t wait to see the both of them in the same place, at the same time. ‘Eto na yung surprise mo?’ ‘YES! Baseball game, one of the best in the country’ ‘Aaah.’ Bigla atang nawala excitement sa mukha niya. Naglakad na kami papunta sa field. Are we so early? Ba’t iba yung on field and on bat… as we got closer to the area of our team… There I saw… Nika, wiping the sweat of Franco. And the Franco looks so depressed… hmm, natalo ba sila? Tsss. Tapos na nga yung game, errr. At natalo pa sila. Err again! ‘Huy!, ba’t di ka makapagsalita jan?’ ‘Ah, wala, may iniisip lang ako’ si Francis? may iniisip? kelan pa? Ooops, Franco’s coming… I mean yes! Franco’s coming….

‘Rhi… c.r. muna ko…’ ‘No.. wait for a sec..’ ‘Sige na, di ko na talaga mapigilan eh’ Ahh, kaya siguro di siya makapgsalita, may dinadala pala. ‘Sige na nga, balik ka agad!’ Here’s Franco. Ooops, baka ano na naman sabihin ni ms. girlfriend ni ex-boyfriend. -_-” ‘Hey Franco! How’s the game?’ ‘Ok.’ ‘Eh, ba’t ang lungkot-lungkot mo diyan?’ ‘Sa’n ka ba kasi nagpunta?’ ‘nalate lang talaga ako sorry…’ ‘Ang daya mo, nagpromise ka sa’kin… hinanap kita, alam mo ba yun?’ how would I know? tsss. ‘Natalo ba?’ ‘Pwede ba yun? Siyempre hindi.’ ‘Yun naman pala eh, then why do you look like you caused the team defeat?’ ‘Alam mo ba ha…’ ‘Hindi’ ‘For the first time… na S.O. ako, record yun ah, ngayon lang talaga nangyari yun… ngayon lang talaga.’ (S.O.-strikeout) ‘So kasalanan ko?’ ‘Oo… di ka kasi nanood, di wala akong inspiration…’ inspiration? ‘Yung GIRLFRIEND mo naman eh andun… may dalang baby towel pa nga para sa’yo and.. banner. aren’t those enough to keep you inspired?’ ‘Eh isa na nga yun sa dahilan ng pagkainis ko eh, kaya di ko natamaan yung bola. Lintek na Nika.’ LOL. I wished Nika was here to hear it. That’s a perfect meal for her day. ‘I’ll make it up to you…’ ‘You will?’ ‘Oo… name it… and I’ll grant it’ ‘Hmmm, punta ka sa championship game, isuot mo yung shirt na sinuot natin sa mall, yung magkapareho tayo… tapos, dun ka umupo sa harap…. sa mismong pwesto ni Nika… magdala ka ng tubig ko at baby towel na din, kuha mo?’ ‘Ha? ang hirap naman nun…’ ‘You just said, you’re gonna make it up to me’ ‘Yes but… pa’no na si Nika?’

‘Ako na ang bahala sa kanya.’ ‘So… do we have a deal here?’ ‘Ok.’ Ok, fine. As a friend, I’ll do this to you and as a payback also for missing today’s game. Umalis na si Franco at dumating naman si Francis. Ba’t di sila nag-abot?! errrr! nakakafrustrate. ‘Oh, sino yung kausap mo?’ tssss. ‘Your look alike, your exact copy…’ ‘Sayang di ko nakita… pero pakiramdam ko lang ah… mas gwapo ako dun.’ ‘Yabaaaaaaaang, naging model ka lang ah.’ ‘Di, joke lang… si superman yun diba?’ ‘Oo.’ ‘Siyempre mas gwapo yun… kasi nagustuhan mo…’ ‘What are you trying to say?’ ‘eh ako nagustuhan mo ba ako?’ weird-random-outoftheblue question. ‘????’ ‘Kitams, di ka makasagot… ibig sabihin di mo ako nagustuhan at ibig sabihin din, hindi ako kasing gwapo nun.’ What is he talking about?! Sobrang weird. Anyway, I’m much more excited to see their championship game. I haven’t seen them play for real kasi eh… just practices and that’s it. But I think I’m undecided if I should be excited to be Franco’s little nanny that day. Even if. Even if he promised me Nika wouldn’t be there.

Superwoman, One more thing… wag mong dalhin yung bago mong syota ah, baka kasi madistract lang ako, mahirap na. Salamat. Intayin kita ah. Tandaan mo: The game is for you. Superman.

FYI. Francis is not my boyfriend. He’s just a friend. Ano na naman ba ‘to? nililigawan niya ba ako ulit? The game is for me? No its not, its for the legacy of the school and the pride of the whole student body. Madistract? Why would he? Hay nako. Ewan ko sa’yo Franco Marion Mendoza.

Friday, Baseball championship game As promised, I was there. I came there so early wearing the v-neck shirt with superman logo on the center. I brought him a bottle of water, fresh from our water dispenser, and a baby towel, my red baby towel, its special cause I bought it in this specialty store with superman stuffs in it. I think I came just so early. Wala pa kasi akong nakikitang player eh. Eff. Masyado naman akong excited. So since, no one’s here yet, so I decided to daydream (its my favourite pass time).

*daydreams* ‘On bat, Franco Mendoza…’ ‘GO FRANCOOOOOOO!’ sigaw naman nilang lahat. Before, he steps in to the batter’s plate. He looked at me. and shouted my name… ‘Rhia Margarette Lao!’ I looked at him in return. ‘This one’s for you.’ he said that not like the normal way, he said that from afar, so basically, everyone heard it. ‘WOHOOOOOOOOOO!’ react. ‘I LOVE YOU RHIA!’ and then he bat it and it was a boom! homerun! *end of daydream* ‘I LOVE YOU TOOOOOOOOOOOO FRANCO!!!!’ ‘Huy!’ eff! sinigaw ko yun?! Ang dami ng tao. as in! Sh*t! stupiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid! ‘I love you more’ Everyone was staring at me. Bwiset na daydream! Nadala ako. eff! Nakakahiya. sobra. Lahat na ng players, from our school, from other universities, schoolmates, supporters ng ibang university, umpires, faculty, coaches, EVERYONE!. Hell. ‘Alis na ako.’ ‘No, you stay there and don’t mind them’ ‘That was…’ ‘Embarassing? no… sweet nga eh, mas pagbubutihin ko yung paglalaro, para sa’yo’ ‘What’ ‘Ever’ Umalis na siya sa harap ko at pumunta na siya sa field. I still can’t get over, of course. That was the most embarrassing thing I engaged myself into. Hindi tuloy ako nakapagconcentrate sa game. Halos di ko na maiangat yung mukha ko eh. Erfff! As usual, without me noticing it. They won the game AGAIN. As expected. Here comes the star player, whose name I mentioned a while ago. ‘Rhia!’ he kissed me. ha?! ‘Sorry, naexcite lang ako.’ ‘Congrats.’ After I greeted him, umalis na ako.

CHAPTER 40
“almost”

Franco’s POV Yun na siguro yung pinakamasayang araw ko simula ng naging miserable ito. Noon, araw-araw masaya, ngayon naman, araw-araw miserable. Amp. Pero kahit papano, masaya naman dahil sa nangyari kanina. Natamaan ko lang ng bola si Rhia tapos ganun na agad. Sana gano’n na lang parati. Muntik na kami ni Francis dun ah, buti na lang umiwas siya agad. Ang hirap naman nitong ganito, bawat kilos kelangan bantayan. Pa’no na kaya pag nalaman ni Rhia na magkapatid nga kami ni Francis? ‘Dude, muntik na tayo dun ah..’ ‘Oo nga eh, mabuti’t napansin mo agad ako..’ ‘Oo nga.. siya nga pala, congrats’ ‘salamat dude…’ ‘pa’no nga ba kayo umabot dun?’ ‘Yun nga eh, kung alam ko lang edi sana tinanggihan ko na si Rhia, kaso… sabi niya, surprise daw, ewan ko kung anong surprise yung ibig sabihin niya…’ ‘Gusto niya siguro magkita tayo… baka gusto niyang makumpara tayo, ewan.’ ‘Mukhang gano’n nga.’ ‘Napapadalas na din yung pagkukwento niya sa’yo… pero di na tulad ng dati… yung mga kwento niya… yung pagkapilay niya, yung mga gano’n…’ Napapadalas na din ang pagsasama nila. Nahawa na ata si Francis kay Rhia, mahilig ng lumabas ngayon. Noon lang, halos kaladkarin na lang siya ni mommy para lumabas at makipagsocialize, ganun. Ngayon, halos di ko na makita sa bahay. Nagiging close na si superwoman at spiderman, pa’no na si superman? ‘Aaah, gano’n ba..’ ‘Oo… eh dude, si nika?’ ‘Wala akong pakealam dun, wag siyang mag-alala, sinusulit ko na lang naman yung huling araw ng buhay ko, dahil malapit-lapit na din akong mapasalupa’ amp. magpapakasal ba talaga ako dun? Hayop! ‘Pasensya na talaga jan dude ah…’ ‘Wala eh, wala na akong magagawa…’ ‘Si rhia… alam mo… ok siya’ siyempre naman. teka, wag mong… sabihing??? o_O ‘siyempre…. bakit dude?’ ‘Gusto ko na ata siya eh’ ‘Aaaah, niligawan mo na ba?’

‘Di ko kaya dude…’ ‘Aaah’ Tama ba yung narinig ko? Gusto na ni Francis si Rhia? Di ko maintindihan yung naramdaman ko nung sinabi niya yun, ewan, selos? konting galit? gulat? inggit? lungkot? helpless? Hirap naman nito! Susuko na ata ako eh! Pero… wala eh, wala na ata akong magagawa.

Francis’ POV Tama ba yung sinabi ko? Tama ba na sinabi ko sa harap ni Franco? Hindi. Mali ata yun eh. Pero sa totoo lang, oo, nagugustuhan ko na si Rhia, mahirap na hindi magsutuhan ang isang tulad niya, lahat na nasa kanya. At malaki an gutang na loob ko sa kanya, kung di dahil sa kanya di ako magbabago for good. *kriiiiiiiiiiiiing* ‘Hey Francis! labas tayo bukas’ ‘Ha? ah eh…’ ‘Sige na please, samahan mo ako magmall, its been a while already.. like a week and few days’ ‘pero rhi…’ ‘No more buts… see you!’ *end of call* Isang-isa pa yan… pag siya na ang humingi ng pabor, ang hirap na tanggihan. Ang kulit niya, pero isa yunsa best asset niya, yung kakulitan niyang di matatawaran. Sa tuwing nag-aaya siyang lumabas, natutuwa ako. Masaya kasi siyang kasama, minsannga noon nung ‘rhia iyakin’ pa siya, ipinagdarasal ko na sana malungkot na naman siya, para to the rescue na naman ako at mapasaya ko na naman siya. Dating gawi pa rin kami ni Rhi… shopping (siya lang), kain, sine, stroll. Yung nagbago lang lately… yung pinagtitinginan na kami. Hay nako, nakakapanibago, si Rhia sanay na sanay na, eh ako? Pinagdrive ko na siya pauwi… ‘Hoy…’ ‘Ano?’ ‘Ikaw lalake ka, ang daya mo talaga no… halo alam mo na lahat ng details tungkol sa’kin, tapos ako, ni konting personal details, waley talaga… you’re so unfair.’ ‘Bakit ba? wala naman akong sinasabing, sabihin mo lahat ng details tungkol sa buhay mo eh, ikaw lang yung madaldal jan…’ ‘UNFAIR!’ ‘Life is unfair, we all know that’

‘Mean!’ ‘Sige… mayisheshare ako sa’yo’ ‘Oh my! ano yun?’ ‘Kasi dapat mysterious ka eh…’

Rhia’s POV Mysterious, Franco? ikaw ba yan? Errrr! Why are they so the same?! Why?! ‘I know.. sinabi na din ni Franco sa’kin yan’ ‘Oh alam mo naman pala eh, bat di mo inapply?’ ‘Di ko kaya eh…. anyway, ano na yung isheshare mo?’ ‘puso ko?’ WTF?! cheesy much, seriously?! ‘cheese corn’ ‘totoo’ whatever… ‘K.’ ‘I like you’ ‘K.’ ‘Seriously…’ ‘Seriously?’ ‘Seriously…. joke lang yun’ Wew. That wasn’t a good joke, that was sort of awkward. ‘Wew, good.’ ‘Di naman kita gusto eh…’ ‘Mahal na kasi kita’ Ok, joke again. ‘Joke?’ ‘Hindi…’ ‘Tigilan mo nga ako’ *breaks* ‘hey why’d you stop the car?!’ ‘sabi mo eh…’ ‘Drive again…’

‘No… look at me..’ ‘Look’ this is so not for real, I know, isang malaking joke na naman ito, ni Francis. ‘I never felt this way before… I never felt so appreciated and loved… but when you came, everything changed.’ ‘You don’t know what you’re saying’ ‘Alam ko… naiintindihan ko lahat ng sinasabi ng puso ko… if you give me the chance…’ ‘Francis stop.’ ‘Hindi ako si superman…hindi ako hero, pero kaya pa rin kitang protektahan, hindi kita lolokohin, hindi kita sasaktan… if you give me the chance Rhi…’ ‘If I give you the chance, parang Hinayaan ko na rin na masaktan ulit yung puso ko…’ ‘No… I promise you…’ ‘Let’s stop this Francis…. wag na natin pag-usapan ‘to’ ‘Rhi..’ ‘Stop.’ Tumigil naman siya sa pagsasalita, And he continued driving… with a disappointed face. Yah, whatever. Magkamukha sila ni Franco, oo, magkaugali, oo, lahat pareho, oo. Pero, hindi, I can’t love him back, if I do, parang minahal ko na din ulit si Franco at Hinayaan na masaktan ulit ako. Hindi mahirap magustuhan si Francis. in fact he’s such an ideal guy, but… no… I just can’t… Like I said, I’m not ready yet, and I don’t think I will ever be. Not to Franco, not to Francis, not to anyone else. At first yes… probably because of the urge to forget Franco… yes, I liked him, I almost fell for Francis, almost loved him. But then I realized, nafeel ko lang yun kasi I need some aid… and I feel sorry for myself, its as if I compensated by frustration, my needs to Francis, who did nothing but make me feel appreciated and secured. Masaya na ako na magkaibigan lang kami. No commitments, no heartaches. Away from bad things. But the fact that he promsed me, he won’t hurt me like Franco did, he won’t fool me like Franco did, doesn’t make things lighter. Every words appeal to be promising, no doubt, it will easily be broken. To be honest, since Franco’s uncivilized-crap deed, I find no reason to trust anybody. Now, I’m afraid to give someone my trust, cause I know, it’ll end being wasted. So why trust?

CHAPTER 41
“revealed”

From: Francis Mario Mendoza Hey Rhi… pasensya na sa nasabi ko kagabi. I didn’t mean it like that. Let’s just forget last night, pwede ba yun? Friends?

I’m glad that he understands, that’s one of the best thing about Francis, he knows how to understand, he knows where to place himself. That’s the best option so far, forget last night, and be friends again with Francis. *kriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing* ‘May utos ako sa’yo’ he’s the MOST courteous brother ever! -_-” ‘Don’t you know how to say hi or hello first before saying something that sounds so demanding?’ ‘Hi.’ ‘GOOD!!’ ‘Birthday na ng girlfriend ko at future sister-in law mo bukas’ ‘OOMG! You’re getting married?! FUNNY!’ ‘lul!!!!!!! hindi pa nga kami nagkikiss eh’ poor Gab. LOL much? ‘Boo-huwhuw!’ ‘Anyway, I have something for her..’ ‘So what do you want? puntahan kita jan sa Japan ngayon para kunin lang yan at ibigay kay Ate Ches?’ ‘Pwede ba makinig ka muna?’ ‘K.’ ‘Nasa kwarto ko, left side, black drawer, the smallest drawer in the room, yung pangatlo galing sa baba, ay box diyan, madami, get the purple box, about 3 by 8 box…kuha mo?’ ‘Of course’ ‘And, don’t even think about opening it…. sasabog yun pag di si Cheska ang nagbukas. kuha mo?’ ‘Really?! Who do you think your scaring? Omg! I’m so scared’ ‘K, thanks, bye’ ‘waiiiiiiit!’ *end of call* And that’s an example of the irony of Gab’s courtesy and sweetness. 3 by 8? ano yun bracelet? How cliché, ang baduuuuy talaga ni Gab, forever, and that’s how it’s gonna be. I guess? San ko naman ‘to dadalhin? Francis’ POV

Amp. Bigo naman ako dun. Sana di ko na lang sinabi, akala ko kasi, ok lang din kay Rhi… nakalimutan ko tuloy kung gaano niya kamahal si Franco, kahit di niya sabihin, alam kong ayaw niya, dahil si Franco pa rin ang gusto niya. Masama pa kaya ang loob niya sa’kin? Siguro nga mali yung sinabi ko, dapat makontento na lang ako na ganito lang kami, masayang magkaibigan. Supporter sa love story nila ni Franco. Tagapakinig sa kanya, tagapasaya niya. Naisip ko din, mali yun kasi, parang trinaydor ko na rin si Franco, alam kong masasaktan yun pag nalaman niyang ‘more than friends’ na kami ni Rhi. Ang hirap naman nito. Mahal ko nga, pero di naman pwede. ‘Francis…’ ‘May kailangan ka?’ ‘Wala naman, gusto ko lang malaman kung kamusta na si Rhia…’ ‘Ah, siya?’ ano bang sasabihin ko nito… mp, bahala na nga. ‘Ok naman..’ ‘Mukhang alanganin ka ata sa sagot mo… sigurado ka ba talagang ok lang siya?’ ‘Oo naman, magkasama pa nga kami kahapon eh..’ ‘Ah, gano’n ba..’ ‘Oo… ikaw.. si Nika, kamusta naman kayo… natutunan mo na ba siyang…’ ‘Alam mo namang ni minsan di ko siya nagustuhan, si Rhia lang talaga dude, at kahit kailan, walang papalit sa pwesto niya dito sa puso ko’ Amp. Kapatid ko pa, kambal, ang magiging karibal ko. Hirap. ‘Mahal na mahal mo talaga siya no?’ ‘Sobra pa sa mahal na mahal…. kaya sana…’ ‘Sana ano?’ ‘wag mo ‘tong mamasamain ha…’ ‘sige ba…’ ‘sana wag mo siyang kunin sa’kin’ amp naman! ‘Oo naman dude… di ko gagawin yun, hanggang magkaibigan na lang talaga kami ni Rhia’ na LANG. ‘Maraming salamat dude ah…. sguro kung di mo pinagbigyan yung pabor ko, mas mahihirapan ako sa sitwasyon ko ngayon.’ ‘Wala yun dude, mas malaki naman yung ginawang pabor mo sa amin eh.’ Oo nga naman, buong buhay niya isasakripisyo niya sa ngalan ng pamilya namin. ‘Tara na nga…. hinihintay na tayo ni At Cheska sa labas…’ Yun yun eh! Ang hirap ng sitwasyong ganito, magmamahal na nga lang kayo, isang babae pa. Ag mahirap pa, nauna siya, ikaw naman, taga-salo lang, minahal mo yung babae ng di mo namamalayan, isang araw, magigising ka na lang, na hanap-hanap mo na siya… gustung-gusto mo na siya makasama habang-buhay, pero, lahat ay panaginip lang, at ang totoo, hanggang panaginip

na lang na makuha mo yung babaeng yun dahil sa huli’t huli, isang lalake lang talaga ang kaya niyang mahalin, at yun ay si Franco. ‘Happy Birthday Ate Ches’ ‘Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu’ ‘Uhw, how sweet of you two…’ Birthday ni Ate Cheska ngayon, ayaw niya ng party eh, masyado na dawng nakakasawa, kaya minabuti niyang, kaming tatlo na lang ang magcelebrate ng birthday niya, dinner lang dito sa bahay. ‘This is the best gift of the day…’ ‘Alen?’ ‘Seeing you two together in my special day.’ ‘Aaaah.’ ‘Meanie twins, since when was the last time I saw you together?’ ‘5 years ago?’ ‘Exactly what I mean, for the first time in five years, at last…’ ‘Ok, stop the drama Ate Ches, kain na tayo, gutom na daw si Franci oh..’ ‘Anong ako, baka ikaw!’ ‘And I missed that also…. tara let’s eat.’ Masaya. Masaya at sa wakas magkakasama na ulit kaming tatlo ngayon, wala nga lang sila Mommy at Daddy, pero naiintindihan naman namin, kasi, inaayos pa nila yung problema. Masarap yung kain namin… umexit muna si Ate Ches, kasi tumawag yung boyfriend niyang workaholic din. Kain pa rin kami ng kain ni Franco, at siyempre, di mawawala yung inuman. Marami-rami na din ang nainom namin, tapos bigla na lang namin napag-usapan si Rhia…. ‘Ano bang nagustuhan ni superman kay superwoman dude?’ ‘Imperfections niya’ ‘Lul! seryoso ba yan?’ ‘Siyempre naman, hindi niya kasi yun tinatago… at dahil dun, nagiging hero ako, ganon yung logic’ ‘Langya, ginamitan ba ng logic! Galing mo talaga basta babae na ang pinag-uusapan’ ‘Di naman sa gano’n….. narealize ko lang din kasi na ng love… di kailangan maging perpekto, lalunglao na, hindi kailangan maging perpekto yung mahal mo para matutunan mo siyang mahalin’ ‘Baduuuuuuuuuuuuuuy!’ ‘Totoo naman ah! ba’t ikaw di mo pa naranasan mainlove?’ ‘Naranasan na… pero, wala, di pwede’ ‘Sino?! Baka makatulong ako’ ‘Si Rhia’

‘Pero diba..’ ‘Oo, di ko siya aagawin sa’yo.. pero ikaw naman kasi, kung di mo ba naman ako inutusan na bantayan siya, at maging kuwaring hero…. di naman mangyayar ‘to eh..’ ‘WHAT?!’ ‘RHIA?’ ‘All this time, niloko niyo lang ako?!’ ‘I’m sorry’ ‘This one’s for you!’ sinampal niya ako… ‘Rhia, ako may kasalanan ng lahat….’ ‘And this! for you!’ ‘EPIC HEROES!’

Rhia’s POV kskedjiakjn;apakswoiajdkaaekakeoksakskaakenncnaksndl,zsjsnxnkoSKSWWOQNpitmlpquahtsyuhpik WHY CAN’T I JUST LIVE MY LIFE WIHOUT THOSE CONVINCING LIES?! WHY AM I ALWAYS THE IDIOT? AM I THAT WORST TO EXPERIENCE ALL OF THIS? WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE ALL OF THIS? I don’t know what to say anymore, I don’t even see something worth appreciating for all of these miseries. I can’t understand everything that’s happening to me. All this time I was again the clueless victim. I let myself be stupid and be fooled by falling unto those convincing deeds. They are nothing but craps! To be happy is a mistake, you just woke up one day, and the next thing you knew, everything’s gone, worst, everything’s never real when you assumed its existing. I quit.

CHAPTER 42
“18th”

2 months after…. A few more days, and it’ll be my special and most awaited day. The past few weeks, I’ve been trying to manage my time wisely to see if everything’s ok and ready for my fashion debut. It’s the fashion show that I’m most excited about, not the debut which will be held after the fashion show. Actually, I wasn’t really in favour of the whole ‘debut’ thing, it was mom’s… she convinced me to, cause she really wants to throw off a party specially organized by her. Everything’s set for my fashion show, models-clear, hair and makeup-clear, 18 looks-clear, fashion enthusiasts (visitors/audience)-clear, venue-clear. I’m excited to see how my efforts walk the runway, I organized everything, from the looks, models, make-up, and venue. The hardest part of everything was sending the invitations to the actors and actresses of the movie industry and some famous fashion designers. I sent it personally; it was tough getting a schedule to talk to them personally and much tougher convincing them to come. Luckily, 95% of those whom I personally invited confirmed their attendance. There are about, 500 expected audience. Wow, that’s a lot of pressure, but then again, I’m just excited to show what this young girl can do. Who knows? Since I knew the ugly truth, both of them didn’t show up. Franco’s no longer going to school, but I don’t know if he already dropped from the university. Francis… never heard from him also. It’s a good thing I have this ‘fashion debut’ to work on and spend all of my time in to. It enabled me to forget about how gloomy my life was. The cotillion dance was choreographed by Jamie. She’s one of those who contributed a LOT to this event. She’s part of the dance too, as well as Kyri with Mawee and Joan with Paolo. Though they’re Franco’s cousins, I never had hard feelings with them, they didn’t harm me anyway, same goes with Ate Cheska who helped me in the financial decisions of the fashion show. My escort and last dance will be no other than, my best (LOL) brother who did nothing but watched me cram and panic. Thanks a lot GAB. Sarcastically, you’re the best. ………. ‘This day is magic no?’ Ha? ‘Why? may magician ba darating?’ ‘Joke ba yan?’ ‘Seriously not… why magic?’ ‘Hello, are your eyes even open dude?’ ‘Of course… see oh… widely open… where’s the magic?’ ‘Errr! goodness, ba’t ka ba naging on top of the class?’ ‘What she means dude…. today is like magic, kasi everyone’s look is so classic, lahat nagtransform, gets mo na?’ ‘Aaaah.’ ‘Ano bang nangyayari sa’yo?’

‘Wala’ ‘C.R na nga muna tayo, I want to retouch, wanna come?’ ‘No thanks’ *now playing, makita kang muli* Why’s everyone clearing the dance floor? Hmm, siguro nga may magic… interesting. ‘It was all I wanted when I first saw you, I knew I'd miss it when I couldn't see you, It all started because I'm with you’ Why did they just say that in chorus while looking at me????? ‘It was all I wanted when I first saw you, I knew I’d miss it when I couldn’t see you, it all started because I’m with you Rhia…’ ‘Will you dance with me?’ …………………… ‘Wake up honey, Happy 18th birthday.’ ‘Oh! yes… thanks mom! thanks! a loooooooooot! Thanks also for waking me up!’ ‘Go get ready… I know you’ve got tons of stuffs to do you young workaholic.’ ‘Thanks again mom’ Young workaholic. No, I’m not! Si Gab lang ang workaholic, and he’ll always be, no more no less. Oh yes! Today’s the day! My adrenaline is so pumped up already…. gosh I want to see everything work already. Unfortunately, that was most likely NOT the best last dream as a seventeen year old, NOT AT ALL. I am the final look. ^^ I’ll be wearing the gown handsewn by me. Everywhere I look, go, enter… ‘Happy Birthday’ is the most uttered word. Thanks people. I appreciate all your greetings so much. But as of the moment, the only thing that matters to me is the outcome of my efforts… I am positive that all will be well, for I know I gave my best shot in every step unto the sewing machine. I can almost see everyone from the backstage, the seats are 93% full, which is a positive respond to all my invitations and sales talk. Yay! Everything’s set… the models look so good, their ain’t any other ordinary-begginers… they are those who walk on fashion week… which made me so positive about the whole output of the show. In 3, 2,1…. ‘Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first fashion show of this newly created fashion clothing line… MARGARETH… let’s all welcome the young girl who made everything of today’s show extraordinaire, today’s celebrant, Ms. RHIA MARGARETTE LAO!’ Spotlight on me. Wew, gotta say something. ‘Good afternoon everyone! I am more than privileged to see everyone here, knowing that I’m just an 18 year old, an enthusiastic neophyte of the industry…. thank you all for coming, I hope you’ll enjoy the show… I put everything of me in every piece, which makes the collection a symbol of what I’ve been throughout this journey.’

I can hear from the backstage everyone’s applauses, which makes me feel happier than ever, when I was my turn to walk the runway, it was a mix of emotions, I can’t understand what I’m feeling, but one thing is for sure, I am more than proud of myself for reaching this far and possessing the strength to face the tough times. Every clap was so inspiring. I don’t know… basta… ako na ang pinakamsayang debutant sa buong mundo. After the show… I was commended by those who watched my show… even some of the famous fashion designers and some famous actors and actresses. ‘Congrats Rhia…’ OMG! JAAKE QUENCA?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ‘Oh my God. Thanks Jake, I’m your number one fan…. this is one of the best gift ever… thank you!’ ‘Happy birthday nga pala… nagustuhan ko yung collection mo…. indeed extraordinary…. the best show I’ve ever been to so far… you’re indeed a young-talented girl….’ ‘Thaaanks.’ ‘Here’s my calling card… may nagustuhan ako sa collection mo…. bibigay ko sa little sister ko… keep in touch, ok?’ ‘SURE!’ No way! YES way! It was the real Jake Quenca! My most admired actor. Awesome. He said that?! Wow!!!! That was the best gift of the day. As of the moment. Shucks! I can’t believe that just happened. Keep in touch. Great!!!! This is the happiest day ever! Seriously!!! As I walk through the venue for the debut… everyone was congratulating me. Nakakataba ng puso, nakakainspire. I feel so much blessed, so loved and so appreciated. ‘Congrats dude! You are always awesome!’ ‘Oh well. what can I say? Basta si Rhia, the best talaga! Happy Birthday Rhia!’ ‘Seriously…. no words can explain how great the show was!!! Congrats best!’ ‘Thank you guys! You’re part of it anyway…. thanks a lot!’ Here comes my brother…. pffft. Ano na naman kaya ang sasabihin nito. ‘Don’t even think about it Gab’ he bowed in front of me. ‘Wala akong masabi sa you little sister…. you’re simply amazing, I’m so proud of you’ ‘Seriously?!!!’ ‘Siyempre naman… hands down na ako sa’yo…. ikaw na nga yan…’ ‘Wow! Thaaaaaaaaaanks GAB!’ ‘Nasabi na nila lahat Rhia… congratulations…. keep it up, always here to support you.’ ‘Thanks Ate Ches..’ I could not ask for more… today’s the best blessing I’ve ever had in my whole life.

Oh crap, its my most unwanted part of the day…. 18 roses… dance. errr. so not excited about this. Why is this even a tradition? Can someone please explain? 1st dance down to the 14th … ‘Happy Birthday Rhia..’ ‘Thanks Pao’ ‘I know you’re happy now… pa’no ba yan, single ka na…. single din ako… tayo na lang?’ ‘Tumahimik ka nga jan…’ ‘Loko lang… pero alam mo… better keep it that way.’ ‘Oo nga eh… you’re right, I will. thanks.’ ‘Happy Birthday ulit, Pao always at your side’ 15th…. ‘Maligayang pagbati sa araw ng kapanganakan’ ‘Naks. pinagpraktisan mo yun no?’ ‘Oo eh, galing mo no. pa’no mo nalaman?’ ‘Wala lang, I can feel it eh… pero, thanks… that was unique’ ‘Siyempre… Si Mawee ‘to eh…’ ‘Tsss.’ ‘Rhia… I’m happy for you, keep smiling. ok?’ ‘OK! thanks…’ ‘Don’t hassle yourself… dadating din yan… its out there somewhere..’ ‘Ang?’ ‘You find it out yourself, happy birthday ulit. dalaga ka na.’ 16th …. ‘Happy Birthday superwoman!’ ‘Thanks Harvey…’ ‘Ano pa nga ba ang di mo nagagawa? lahat ata alam mo na eh!’ ‘Tsss, di naman, ikaw talaga’ ‘Totoo nga… ngayong dalaga ka na, payong kaibigan lang ‘to ah… magboyfriend ka na!!!’ ‘Loko.’ ‘Seryoso na…. pass ka muna…. para masaya. diba masaya naman?’ ‘Oo nga eh….’ ‘Mabuti’t naniniwala ka sa akin…. expert yata ‘to!’

‘kk, fine…. expert na….’ ‘Sige na… ayan na kuya mo, baka ano pang gawin sa’kin pag tinagalan ko pa ‘tong dance na ‘to, anyway, happy-happy-happy birthday.’ 17th dance? I thought Gab will be the last. ‘You’re supposed to be the last dance…’ ‘Last dance nga… mali ata bilang mo eh!’ ‘Aaah, ganon ba?’ ‘Oo… ganon ata.’ ‘First dance ba natin to Gab?’ ‘Oo eh…’ ‘Really? wow…’ ‘Wow ka jan, di ko nga alam eh, kung tama pa ba tong ginagawa ko.’ ‘You’re doing fine….not so great, hmm, enough to keep Ate Cheska from laughing… look’ ‘Ikaw kasi eh! Sus! kung di lang para sa’yo.’ ‘How sweet.’ ‘Ikaw, matanda ka na… alam mo na dapat at di dapat mong gawin..’ ‘I don’t know’ ‘Yang boyfriend-boyfriend na yan…. tigil mo muna yan.. kuha mo?’ ‘Kuha ko.’ ‘I’ll mark your word… bawal muna yan ah…. pag nalaman ko may bago kang boyfriend at mabalitaan kong nagdadrama ka na naman, ako mismo magpapaiyak pa sa’yo.’ ‘Meanie!’ ‘Ayoko naman kasi nakikita kang malungkot, yun lang…. kaya please ah…. pass muna.’ ‘Opo KUYA Gab’ ‘Ew. wag ng Kuya, ang pangit pakinggan, di bagay sa’yo’ ‘K.’ ‘Tandaan mo yung sinabi ko ah.’ ‘How can’t I? you’re the 3rd person to tell me the same reminder.’ ‘Good…sige na, I love you little sister, I’m proud of you, Happy Birthday’ Hay salamat, natolerate ko yung part na yun. That was sort of korny but kewl. ‘And now.. for the last dance, let’s welcome Superman.’ eff. NO. or YES. superman pala, as in the real hero… or not, the fake one pala wearing the exact replica of superman’s costume.

‘Happy Birthday Superwoman’ ‘Franco?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Just this dance, please.’ not answering. ‘May gusto lang akong sabihin…. ok alng kung di ka magsalita… pero sana makinig ka.’ ‘Rhia, you are the best thing that ever happened in my life, you are the woman I want to be with for the rest of my life, you are the vicitim I would always come searching for, you are the reason why this heart of mine beats everyday, you made me fly and you’re the reason why I want to fly forever. I love you Rhia. Our adventure…. it was the best. Though it won’t end up the way we want it to, I just want you to know that I’ll always love you… always. Forever. This is the last time you’ll ever see me. Goodbye Thanks for allowing me this dance. Happy Birthday.

CHAPTER 43
“engaged”

And my special day was indeed, the best day of my life. Lahat ng pinaghirapan at pinagdaanan ko, dun nabayaran, in fact, sobra pa nga eh. It was a perfect day. With Franco’s surprise appearance, which really didn’t work well as a surprise for me, it was tolerable. Wala na akong nararadaman para sa kanya, no pain, no heartaches, no grudge, no love, no to everything. When he talked to me, I heard everything but felt nothing. This is the last time you’ll ever see me. Oh, then great. Being away from him also means, being away from harm and pain. My life will still go on and on and on and on and on and on even if he don’t exist. ‘dude!’ ‘Ang hyper mo naman… wazzup?’ ‘Hmmm, want to party?’ ‘Pwede? hmm, who’s party?’ ‘Ewan, forgot the name… basta, everyone’s invited, I’m sure its going to be F.U.N.!’ ‘I’ll be present!’ ‘Yes!’ Hmmm, kaninong party kaya yun? Ang bongga naman, everyone, lahat talaga invited? Wow. Rich kiddo, whoever you maybe. But I assume its going to be all out fun. Sabay-sabay na kaming pumunta nila Joan and Kyri sa venue ng party. When we arrived there… Wow oh wow, this is going to be aaaaaaaaaaaaawesome! plenty of people, music is great, food is diverse! May Japanese, Indian, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, European, American cuisine! Yum-yumyum! Who’s party is this?! Siguro ng saya-saya ng host ng party, sobrang all-out kasi eh! Everyone’s enjoying when suddenly the music stopped and the lights were dimmed, and the spotlight is focused to the small stage. But I can’t see the one standing there, sa dami ba naman ng tao, errrr. ‘Is everyone enjoying the parteeeeeeeeeey?!’ *yells and stuffs* ‘Allow me to borrow a little of your time… such a kill joy, I know’ familiar yung voice… hmm, recall,recall, recall… ‘Thank you all for coming. I just want to make an announcement’ hmm, still can’t recognize the voice…. errr! I hate times like this, the answer is at the tip of the tongue. ‘Franco Mendoza and I… Nika Nishima is already engaged… cheers!’ Nika. That’s it. Wow, Congratulations! ‘Ooops, uhmm, dude…’ ‘Excuse me for a while’

And here goes this feeling again. Pain. And there I was again, crying. And my heart was crushed again, from pieces to dust… Ok na naman ako ah! Why let this feeling come out again?! ‘I’m sorry Rhi’ ‘You’re here again, utos na naman ba ‘to ng kapatid mo? what?! is this some kind of a plan again? tell me! para ngayon pa lang, alam ko na kung pa’no ko kayo sasakyan!’ ‘Hindi Rhi… pumunta lang ako dito para magpaliwanag.’ ‘Magpaliwanag?! para saan pa? that was long time ago, I don’t need all your explanations, I don’t need to feel how STUPID I was for believing all of your lies!’ ‘Hindi yan… alam ko namang di mo ako, kami, mapapatawad sa ginawa namin…. may gusto lang akong sabihin sa’yo, please, makinig ka lang…. these may change everything Rhi… please’ ‘do you even deserve a talk with me? I don’t think so.’ ‘I’ll prove you I do, if you just listen to me’ ‘Look, lahat ng pagsisinungaling, pagpapanggap, panloloko alam mo na, pero, hindi mo pa alam kung bakit.’ ‘Why?! do I even need to know How much you’ve been abusing my weakness?!’ ‘Rhia, hindi! Makinig ka muna,please!’ ‘Mahal na mahal ka talaga ni Franco, he changed a lot for you… alam mo bang he was the BAD guy before? suwail na anak, walang kwentang kapati, lahat na! but the moment, you entered his life, everything changed.’ ‘I don’t need to hear his transformation’ ‘you changed the way he looks at things, gano’n ka niya kamahal.’ ‘Tang ina naman oh! mahal niya pala ako, ba’t niya ginawa sa’kin to?!’ ‘Listen first… siguro nga nasaktan ka niya… pero, hindi niya kailanman ginusto yun, kaya nga niya pnagawa sa akin ang lahat ng nangyari noon, para kahit papa’no di ka na masyado maging malungkot.’ ‘And guess what?! It was the dumbest plan ever! It made things even worst!’ ‘Oo, siguro nga gano’n din, pero, wala sa plano yung saktan ka namin pareho.’ ‘Bullshit!’ ‘Rhia, Franco was choiceless’ ‘And so he chose to break my heart?’ dump me?!’ ‘He didn’t mean it.’ ‘Oh come on!’ ‘Nika is desperate.’ ‘I don’t care about her! I don’t care about them!’ ‘Franco was choiceless’

‘So you’re saying, your brother is the hero because he saves the lives of the desperates?’ ‘No.’ ‘Rhi… sana paniwalaan mo ‘tong sasabihin ko, sana wag mong isipin na isa itong malaking excuse.’ ‘Wow! Ang galing mo manghula, gano’n mo na ba talaga ako kakilala?’ ‘Rhi… our business family business went black, mawawala na lahat ng pinaghirapan ng angkan namin, at isa lang ang paraan para masalba eto, isang-isa lang, isang salita, isang buhay…. yun si Franco, Nika’s family is our business partner, sila lang nag makaktulong sa amin, pumayag sila… sa isang condition, pakakasalan daw ni Fanco si Nika.’ ‘WHAT?!’ ‘oo Rhi… naging hero lang naman si Franco, sinalba niya kami at lahat ng nagtatrabaho sa kompanya….’ ‘Sinakripisyo niya ang buong buhay niya…. at naging miserable na ito…. pati ang babaeng pinakamamahal niya, naiwan niya sa ere…’ Tinanong ko kung bakit di nila sinabi ang lahat sa akin sa simula pa lang. And the reason was so dumb, ayaw daw ni Franco malaman ko ang lahat dahil ayaw niyang mas masaktan ako. Langya naman yan oh! Does he even know how much I’ve been dying to know why everything happened? Why in a blink of an eye, our once perfect relationship vanished like the wind? Ayaw niya na mas masaktan ako?! What he did was more the painful. Kung noon niya lang sana sinabi ang dahilan kung bakit nangyari ang lahat ng ‘to, I could have stayed away from him long time ago, I could have stopped from wandering why we ended up like this, I could have stopped feeling so sorry for my self, I could have stopped hoping to brink what we once have, I could have stopped my heart from bleeding! But now…. I understand him, I feel sorry for him, I feel sorry for myself. I guess, this is the end of everything about us. ‘Dude…’ ‘duuuuuuuuuuuude…’ ‘Dude! tinatawag ka ni prof!’ ‘YES PROF?!’ eff, wasn’t able to hear the discussion, oh no. ‘Joke lang dude!’ ‘eff you!!!! lagot ako nito!’ ‘Yes Ms. Lao? something wrong? questions?’ ‘Uhmm’ ‘None?’ ‘Actually sir, there is…’ ‘What?’ ‘What will you do if things hasn’t end yet and you still can do something, but you choose to stay idle?’ ‘That’s not part of our discussion Ms. Lao’

‘I’m sorry prof’ ‘But I can answer that… if things hasn’t end yet and you know you still can do something it will be the dumbest idea to stay idle.’ ‘Even if it’s the only way to let go?’ ‘letting go doesn’t mean ending things, letting go sometimes means seeing if something is still worth holding on, worth fighting for ‘what if its already too late?’ ‘Ms. Lao, is this all about Mr. Mendoza?’ ‘Uhmm, yes prof’ ‘If you don’t do something yet, it is….’ ‘Class dismissed’ ‘Ms. Lao…’ ‘Yes prof?’ ‘Ano pang ginagawa mo diyan, go!’ ‘Go where?’ ‘Go do something!’ ‘Thanks Prof!’ Mahal ko pa si Franco! I still love him, I still want him near me! I still can do something, I will fight for this love even if there’s a little left to fight for. Even if he’ll never fight back. Even if he’ll not do the same. Nagmadali akong pumunta sa bahay nila…. I know he’s just there. Pagdating ko… gates are closed. Alam kong andito lang si Franco, I know he’s just here, yung ang sinasabi ng puso ko. And there I was standing in front of their house, as the rain always do…. bumuhos na naman ito kasabay ng pag-iyak ng puso ko. ‘Franco! I know you’re there… alam ko dahil yun yung sinasabi ng puso ko, its ok if you don’t show up, it’s ok if you won’t fight back, gusto ko lang marinig mo lahat ng gusto kong sabihin!’ ‘I hated you the moment I saw you in my dreams, you are the reason why I chose not to sleep because your ego is so annoying and I can’t handle it! ‘When I first saw you, I can’t believe you were the guy I was crazy for, you’re undeniably, mayabang! papansin! annoying! assuming! korny!’ ‘But the moment I knew you, everything changed, you were the guy I was looking for, I soon realized, mahal na kita!’ ‘You made me realize how one’s imperfection makes him perfect just the way he is, just the way you are!’ ‘You became my hero, and I became your favorite victim, sometimes I choose to fall cause I know you’ll come rescuing me. You’re the perfect hero and you’ll always be’

‘Even if its wrong to say ‘I still love you’, even if its too late to say it, I’ll say it, cause I still do, and I don’t know if you still as well, but I want you to know, how much you changed me how much you make me happy.’ ‘Even if it is goodbye…. I want you to know…. I will always be your superwoman, you will always be my superman, and if there’s one thing I want to do for the rest of my life…. it will be flying forever with you.’ ‘And that kiss in the rain…. it may not happen again…. but it will forever be in my heart’

CHAPTER 44
“5 years after”

After 5 years…. I’ve been working with Margareth for already a year and it’s been so far, the greatest. I’ve been designing clothes for many people, there are those who just discovered me on the papers and Jake’s acknowledgement everytime he wears my clothes… her little sister also made me popular, and others are the connections of my pleased clients. And yes, we already graduated college. And dami ng nangyari sa tatlong taon na yan, I’ve been successful enough, contented with what I have, happy with everything… I almost had everything… except for a lifetime partner. Oh well, since that confession under the rain which turned out to be a self-talk under the rain, I never heard from Franco, like he said… indeed, it was the last time I saw him. Things didn’t change a lot so far… especially with my dudes. Their relationship with their boyfriends are getting stronger and stronger, in fact Kyri and Mawee are already engaged, they’re getting married at the end of the year and I’m in charge of everything, from her wedding dress to the whole outcome of the big wedding. On the other hand, Joan and Harvey are already married. 1 year married. Kewl right? Guess it’s all because of Franco and I… back when we were still the happy couple. Jamie is still single. Guess, she likes it being single forever, I don’t know. Gano’n siguro ka irreplaceable si Alex. Best, wherever you are… I’m so proud of you for being the best boyfriend you can be. Francis is also the famous man model in the country, my plan worked well. And the thing with Francis being honest with everything…. yes, we’re still friends, in fact, I guess, he’s been my bestfriend for almost 5 years already. Friends lang talaga, no more no less. And with me…. and my long lost hero… things didn’t also change, ako pa rin si superwoman, mhal ko pa rin si superman. I still love Franco… I always do. Now I’m working on to put up my new store in Rome. I forgot to share that I was able to study fashion designing in Paris for a year, but I decided not to finish the whole four years…. the most important thing is I already had the ‘formal education’ about the thing I really love. I also believe I don’t need to spend more time in schooling, as long as love what I’m doing and Im with my creative ego, all will be well. I’m actually in Rome at the moment, in this fountain of love, self-meditating, actually off to get some inspiration with Baby Franco. His been so loyal to me the past years, working efficiently like it never gone old. Thanks Franco for this very special gift…. While I was taking pictures…. I hear something familiar…. someone reading my favorite statement in a book, Looking for Alaska.

CHAPTER 45
“when in rome”

‘Just like that. From a hudred miles an hour to asleep in a nanosecond. I wanted so badly to lie down next to her on the couch, to wrap my arms around her and sleep. Not fuck, like in those movies. Not even have sex. Just sleep together, in the most innocent sense of the phrase. But I lacked the courage and she had a boyfriend and I was gawky and she was gorgeous an I was hopelessly boring and she was endlessly fascinating…. I turned my back…. slowly walking to see who’s reading it at the same time, uttering the rest of the statement…. ‘So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was hurricane.’ ‘R-F-h-r-i-n-a-co’ It’s Franco! I hugged him so tight as soon as I recognized him and he did as well! ‘What are you doing here?’ ‘You first!’ ‘Pshhh, you first!’ ‘Nagbebrath in and out…. nagpapahinga ikaw?’ ‘Nagpapakabusy…. working on soomething’ ‘Di ka pa rin nagbabago, hanggang ngayon…’ ‘Yes, workaholic pa rin ako’ ‘Why’s that?’ ‘It makes me happy…. and forget about everything..’ ‘Anyway, Oh my God, how are you?’ ‘Ok na lang…. yun pa rin miserable’ ‘Ikaw talaga…. I can’t believe it… we’ve finally seen in each other, amazing no?’ ‘Oo nga eh…. parang may gusting sabihin si destiny…’ ‘Right, anyway, may kasama ka ba?’ ‘Wala, mag-isa lang ako… ikaw?’ ‘As usual…. I’m alone also.’ ‘Mind if I come with you?’ ‘No, let’s go!’ Kismet? Destiny? Fate? I don’t know what you’re currently up to… but thanks in advance!

Franco’s POV Tama ata yung nasa movie na ‘when in rome’ tama ata na dito talaga nangyayari lahat ng magic. Di ko akalain makikita ko pa si Rhia, not in the most perfect place possible.

Ano na naman kaya ang gusting ipahiwatig ng pagkikita ni superman at superwoman ng di sinasadya sa ere? All throughout the years, hinding hindi ko pa rin makalimutan kung gaano ko kamahal si Rhia. Walang araw na di ko inisip, kung nasan na siya… kug anong ginagawa niya, kung masaya ba siya, kung kamusta na siya, kung may bago a ba siyang mahal. Kung may pumalit na ba sa role ni superman. Kung may bago na ba siyang superman. I wanted so badly to get out from the house and kiss her under the rain. Oo, narinig ko lahat ng sinabi niya… halos binabagabag nga ako ng sobrang panghihinayang kung bakit di ako lumabas at nagpakita sa kanya. Pero, minsan naiisip ko na rin na tama lang ang ginawa ko… naisip ko kasi, useless lang pag lumabas ako at sabihin ko sa kanya na mahal na mahal ko din siya, eh alam ko naman na sa banding huli di pa rin pwede… at masasaktan ko lang siya. Ayoko na siyang pahirapan pa, ayokong magsalita na para bang binibigyan ko siya ng pag-asa, well in fact, alam kong wala ding patutunguhan ang lahat, pag ginawa ko yun, di lang isip ko ang sasabog, pati puso ko madudurog. Siguro nga, tama na din na yun ang ginawa ko…. kita mo naman, masaya na si Rhia ngayon, habang ako naman, eto pa rin, miserable. Hinding-hindi na ata magbabago kailanman ang direksyon ng buhay ko. She’s the perfect girl, and I’m too imperfect for her. At ngayon na nakita ko siya, wala akong gusting gawin kundi sulitin ang bawat minuto sa piling niya, kung may isa man akong ambisyon sa buhay yun ay makagawa g time machine…. para sa mga panahong tulad nito…. matigil ko ang oras at habambuhay kong makapiling ang babaeng pinakamamahal ko. Sobrang natuwa ako ng makita ko siya…. hindi ko rin inaasahan na isang parte lang pala ng libro ang magtatagpo sa amin. Gustung-gusto ko siyang yakapin hangga’t sa huling paghinga ko… ayoko ng matapos ang araw na’to. Ayoko ng magising sa isang napakagandang panaginip tulad nito. ‘Namiss kita alam mo ba?’ ‘Hindi eh… isa lang ang alam ko…’ ‘Ano yun?’ ‘Mas namiss kita… at alam kong di mo alam yun’ ‘Oo nga, di ko rin nahulaan yun…. kamusta ka na? may bago na ba?’ ‘Bagong ano?’ ‘Superman’ ‘You’re the only superman I know, you know that…. and no one… no one can ever replace your place in my heart.’ Natahimik ako bigla. Di ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. Hindi ako karapat-dapat sa babaeng mahal ako at mahal ko pero nagawa kong saktan, mali eh, maling-mali. ‘Rhia…. I’m really sorry about everything’ ‘Tssss, Ano ba? Magkikita na lang tayo in this perfect place, tapos yan lang ang sasabihin mo?’ ‘Pasensya’ ‘Strike 2 Mr. Chips’

‘Naalala mo pa?’ ‘Of course, I will never forget that…. never forgot everything actually.’ ‘Ako din eh… cookie monster.’ ‘Si Nika…. kamusta na kayo?’ ‘Ganon pa rin eh… kailanman di ko talaga siya natutunan magustuhan… teka nga… pwede bang wag nating pag-usapan yan…. mag-enjoy na lang tayo pwede?’ ‘Right, let’s make the most out of this day!’ Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya. I’ve been longing for this for so long. Matagal kong hiniling na sana mabigyan ako ng isa pang pagkakataon na hawakan ang kamay niya, at lumipad ulit kami tula ng dati,at ngayon, natupad na ang lahat ng hiling ko. Reward ko na siguro to sa sobrang pagsasakripisyo at paghihirap na dinadaanan ko at patuloy kong pagdadaanan sa mga araw na natitira sa buhay ko. Nag-ikot ikot kami ni Rhia sa Rome…. pareho kaming hindi alam ang lugar…. naglalakad lang kami… pumupunta kung san namin gusting pumunta… hinahayaan lang namin ang hangin na dalhin kami kung saan-saan. Wala na akong pakealam kung mawala kami… ok nga yun eh…. kahit isang dekada pa kaming matrap sa lugar na hindi namin alam…. basta makasama ko lang siya ng matagal. Walang minuto na di ko naramdaman na ako na ang pinakamasayang lalaki sa buong mundo sa piling ni Rhia. Para bang… nastuck ka sa disyerto… wala kang mainom na tubig… at may biglang dumating at nagalok sa iyo ng maiinom. Tapos sobra mong saya…. muli kang nabuhay, nawala lahat ng lungkot at pangungulila, gano’n na gano’n ang naramdaman ko ng makita ko si Rhia. ‘I wish this day won’t end….’ ‘Ha?’ ‘I wish I get to be with you for the rest of my life….’ ‘Rhia..’ ‘I wish to die with your hands holding mine’ ‘Sana lahat ng sinabi mo matupad no’ ‘Of course…. we’re in the fountain of love…. goddess of love won’t disappoint us.’ ‘Sana nga..’ ‘Its weird that we’re actually here together, never in a million times have I expected this, I don’t even know if this is all an accident’ ‘Or destiny’s will?’ ‘Right…’ ‘Rhia… naniniwala ka ba sa true love?’ ‘Siguro… pero I don’t want it…’

‘Eh anong gusto mo?’ ‘Ayoko ng true love kasi… it may turn to fake love…. it may just slip from your hand without you seeing it coming….’ ‘Ano na nga gusto mo?’ ‘Gusto ko…. gusto ko ng endless love’ May point siya…. true love may turn to be a fake love…. and endless love… it just says everything. Sana nga mabigay ko sa kanya yun… ‘Uhmm, Franco… its already late…. maybe its time to say goodbye now?’ ‘Oo nga eh…. had fun Rhia…’ ‘Me too.. see you around!’ Langya! Yun na yun? Amp naman. May mali talaga eh…. hindi pwedeng magkikita na lang kami ng di sinasadya tapos after, wala lang. May ibig sabihin talaga to eh! Ayoko na! Sasabog na talaga ako! Pakakawalan ko na ang sarili ko! ‘Rhia!’ sa di kalayuan narinig niya pa ako… lumingon siya…. tumakbo papunta sa akin…. at niyakap niya ako ng sobrang higpit. ‘I love you Franco and I just want you to know how worst I feel everytime I know how forbidden this love can be.’ ‘Rhia..’ ‘Please say you love me too’ ‘Rhia, will you marry me?’ ‘Will you say that again please?’ ‘SUPERWOMAN, WILL YOU MARRY ME? WILL YOU FLY WITH ME FOREVER?’ ‘YES!’

Rhia’s POV And I wasn’t dreaming. Everything is real. I’ve been waiting for this to come for so long. One day I woke up from a bad dream, I could not do anything but live my life with all the heartaches in my bag, I did that everyday until I woke up today…. and realized I just had the best dream after all those nightmares. ‘Rhia Margarette Lao, will you accept Franco Marion Mendoza to be your loving husband?’ ‘I do.’ ‘Franco Marion Mendoza, will you accept Rhia Margarette Lao to be your loving wife?’ ‘I do.’ And then we were married. It was only the both of, the priest, and the two street workers in the church 11 in the evening.

It was not the perfect wedding I so long for. But having the perfect groom makes everything more than perfect. He’s the perfect groom and I am the happiest bride.

CHAPTER 46
“nightmare”

Franco’s POV ‘Are you ready son?’ ‘Coming…’ At eto na nga ang araw na magpapahiwatig na mapapasa-impyerno ang buhay ko. Ikakasal na ako sa babaeng hindi ko kailanman ginustong makita. Pa’no na si Rhia? Kinasal kami… pinangako namin na hinding-hindi na namin iiwanan ang isa’t isa. Hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang ginagawa ko dito. ‘Nika Nishima will you accept Franco to be your loving husband?’ ‘I do Father.’ Bawat salita na naririnig ko ar parang hiwatig ng pagpasok ko sa isang buhay na kailanman di ko gusto. Unti-unting nabubuo ang kulungan kung saan ako maninirahan sa mga natitirang araw ng buhay ko. ‘Franco Marion Mendoza will you accept Nika to be your loving wife?’ Hindi… hindi pwede ‘to. ‘I’m sorry Nika’ Tumakbo ako papalayo sa simbahan na ‘to. Lahat ng mata nakatingin sa akin, lahat may tingin na nagtatanong kung bakit ko ginawa yun… Sa ngayon, wala na akong pakealam kung anong gusto nilang sabihin, basta ang alam ko mali ang ginagawa ko, at pag wala pa akong ginawa para itama ito, parang pinatay ko na rin ang sarili ko. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta, kung sa’n ko hahanapin ang babaeng dapat kasama ko ngayon. Pero isa lang ang sigurado ako…. hinding hindi ako titigil sa paghahanap sa kanya hanggang makita ko siya.

Rhia’s POV We’re married, but what am I doing?! NOTHING! He’s going there to say I do to the gil he never loved. He already said I do to me. I can’t let this happen not because I don’t want to lose him, but because I don’t want to let him do it without him knowing how much I am willing to fight for our love. I don’t know where to find him, I don’t even know if I’ll still be able to fight for him, I don’t know. But one thing will remain unmoved…. I will never stop fighting until he sees me coming towards him, helping him win the battle. I love him and I can’t let him go again. Not now. *kriiiiiiiiiing* ‘Franco! Where are you?!’ ‘Papunta sa’yo… ikaw?’ ‘I’m in the car.. driving as well…. see you at the school’ ‘Ok, I love you!’ *end of call*

Driving this car feels so slow. I want to get off and fly as fast as I could to reach my hero. Every stop sign makes me feel uneasy, every breaks make me feel so uncomfortable. God I just want to see him as soon as I can. The next thing I knew, when the car stopped when the traffic light went red. Franco’s car is next to me. Biglang umulan. I went out in my car window, half of my body was outside, so is Franco, we kissed again…. under the rain. Another kiss in the rain. *BOOM!* St. Lukes Hospital, ICU

Franco’s POV Nang imulat ko ang mga mata ko… nakita ko na lang na katabi ko na si superwoman na tulad ko… nag-aagaw buhay na din. Masyadong mabilis ang pagmamaneho ko, gustung-gusto ko na makita si Rhia, at sabihin sa kanyang, I choose to be with her forever. Ang maalala ko na lang ay yung kiss in the rain at isang napakalakas na bundol ng sasakyan. Magkasama na kami ngayon, pero hindi sa lugar na inaasahan namin, higit sa lahat, hindi sa kondisyong ginusto namin. ‘Fra…. franco?’ ‘Rhia, andito lang ako.’ Pinilit kong lumingon sa kanya at gano’n din ang ginawa niya… ‘Superman.’ ‘You’re the reason why my hearts keeps beating, please don’t leave me Franco, please’ Inabot niya ang kamay niya sa akin habang nakahiga siya…. at gano’n din ang ginawa ko, ngayon, magkahawak na ang kamay namin. ‘Pwede na akong mamatay…’ ‘Wag mong sasabihin yan.’ ‘Now that you’re holding my hands… like I said.’ ‘I love you’ ‘I love you too.’ ‘Will you fly with me?’ ‘Forever.’

Francis’ POV At nakita ko na lang na magkahawak ang kamay nila hanggang sa huling hininga nila. Paalam Superman, Paalam Superwoman.

please click the link below to read the final chapter: http://kissintherainbydaydreamer.blogspot.com/ -daydreamer-