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Khione

'Welcome Home and Congratulations Khione!'

Isang malaking tarp ang sumalubong sa amin after we landed sa plane, paglabas namin ay agad kong nakita ang mga Professors waving at us, while sina Elyzra, Maevis and Georgina ang nakita namin holding the tarp.

Napasapo naman ako sa mukha dahil natatawa ako sa kanila, parang pamilya lang na sinundo yung balik-bayan na kakauwi lang.

"Khione my baby!" Si Georgina agad ang sumalubong sa akin ng yakap, at talagang she threw herself in me dahil karga ko ito habang magkayakap kami. Good thing she's way smaller in figure and height kaya magaan lang ito. "I knew you could do it, I'm so proud seeing you at the big screen yesterday. Madami na ako'ng kaagaw dahil marami na nagkaka-crush sa'yo, hmp."

"At talagang tinupad mo yung sinabi mo na ikaw agad ang yayakap ha." Natatawa kong saad before putting her down.

"Of course, I always walk my talk."

Nagsilapitan naman ang mga Professors and congratulated me on winning, everyone barely breathed when they announced the winner last night kaya nagpasalamat naman ako dahil sa suporta nila. Isa-isa nila ako'ng niyakap well except for one.

"Tch. As far as I remember, hindi naman ganito ang reaction niyo from the previous winners." Muntik ko pa makalimutan na nasa likuran ko pala si Ms. Solana, na excite kasi ako makita yung mga kaibigan namin.

"Iba naman si Khio, she got closer to us. Selos ka ba?" Ms. Beliciana was the one who said that, tumingin naman kaming lahat kay Ms. Solana who got flustered after being asked.

"W-what? Why would I be jealous–"

"Oh salubungin din natin ng yakap, baka magtampo pa si Solana."

Napatawa na lang kaming lahat dahil yung Professors talagang yinakap pa si Ms. Sol na mukhang hindi inasahan ang ginawa nila, "Get off me! Ano ba! Beliciana I'm gonna skin you alive– Zafi! Jesus christ."

Sa huli wala na rin itong nagawa dahil patuloy pa rin sa pagyakap ang lima sa kanya, their friendship is one of a kind. That gave me the chance na malapitan sila Ely and Maevis.

"Khio, I'll be back. May kukunin lang ako sa van." Paalam ni Georgina, tumango naman ako as answer.

"Nuks, blooming. Mukhang may iba pang nangyari sa Barcelona ah?"

"Kung manahimik ka kaya diyan? Imbes na i-congratulate mo 'tong pinsan ko. hmp, Congratulations Khiooooo! I can't believe it! Mom said that she wants to see you today at the house kasi ipinaghanda ka niya ng simple lunch to celebrate your win, magtatampo 'yon if you decline." Elyzra pushed Maevis back and hugged me while saying that, parang aso't pusa pa rin 'tong dalawa pag magkasama, they never fail to make me laugh and sometimes worried with all their bantering.

"Oy! Sali ako— pasabi rin kay tita, sama ako."

Sumali nga si Maevis sa yakap so we're all huddled together like frogs. Ang clingy naman ng mga 'to.

"Nauna ka pa e hindi pa nga sumasagot si Khio, kapal."

"Okay okay, sasama ako. Diretso na ba tayo do'n?" I said as I pulled away from their embrace.

"Ah-huh, you can stay there until tomorrow para makapag pahinga ka rin. Mom says she misses you and wants to talk to you kasi."

"Okay, patulong naman ng luggage ko Maev."

"Oki doki, boss."

I noticed na nasa likuran pa rin pala namin ang mga Professors, but one certain Professor hasn't greeted me yet.

Ms. Vivien was unusually quiet today.

"Ely, sama na kaya natin yung mga Profs? I think tita would be delighted to see them. Tsaka malapit na lunch oh." Bulong ko sa pinsan ko at mukhang pinagsakluban pa ng langit dahil nakakunot itong tumingin sa'kin. "Ano? nanalo ako, bigay mo na sa'kin 'to."

"My gosh, Khio." Naiinis niyang saad. "Fine, but you invite them."

"Magkagalit ba kayo ni Ms. Zafiana?"

"N-no!" Umiiling niyang sabi. "I'm just not used to them yet."

"They're nice people, Ely."

Tumingin lang ito sa'kin at nawala naman ang pangungunot ng noo niya.

"So saan kayo ngayon, Khione?" Tanong ni Ms. Zafiana but her eyes were glued on my cousin.

"Lunch daw po sa bahay nila Ely, sama na rin po kayo."

"Is it okay with Ms. Elyzra?" Ms. Maddison asked.

I looked at Ely who shyly nodded her head kaya nagsihiyawan naman sila Ms. Beliciana and Ms. Esmé, looks like sumasali na rin si Professor Esmé sa kakulitan ni Ms. Beliciana.

"Okay, let's go? We brought Vivien's van papunta dito, do'n na ba kayo sasakay?"

"Obviously, Zafi." Ms. Solana said and rolled her eyes.

"Baka gusto mo ulit ng yakap—"

"Nope, I'm good." Sabay kuha ng maleta niya at dumiretso papunta sa van na nasa harapan namin. I chuckled as I watched her, I still remember what happened last night at muli na naman ako'ng napangiti ng maalala ko iyon.

Lumapit na rin si Maevis and Georgina sa pwesto namin at nagtanong kung ano daw ang meron, sinabi ko na maglu-lunch kaming lahat sa bahay ni Ely and told my cousin to inform Tita Janet.

Nakatanggap pa nga kami ng text from her saying that she's excited to meet all of us so we decided to be on our way.

Ms. Vivien would be driving and now I'm wondering where I will be sitting, nag-sipasukan na kasi silang lahat, Ely, Maevis and Georgina were sitting in the back row to give way to our Professors. Nakita ko naman na may spot beside Ms. Solana on the first row but before I could even get there ay tinabihan naman siya ni Ms. Beliciana who seemed to be oblivious when she glared at her for taking my 'supposed-to-be-spot.' While Ms. Maddi, Ms. Zafiana and Ms. Esmé sat on the second row.

Do'n ko lang napansin na wala palang umuupo sa passenger's seat so I opened it at mukhang nagulat ko pa si Ms. Vivien. "Hi." I say and waved at her.

[ Professor Vivien Elise Del Mundo ]

She smiled and tapped the seat beside her.

"Congratulations on your win, Khio." She finally greeted me and offered a hug na agad ko namang tinanggap, tumagal ng ilang segundo ang yakapan namin bago niya ako pinakawalan. "I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you."

"Thank you po, Ms. Viv. And thank you po ulit for this." I say at pinakita ang keychain na nakasabit sa phone ko. "Worked like a charm."

"I don't think it helped that much." She said and started driving.

"You said it's a lucky charm diba? I believe anything you say so it definitely worked."

"Or you're just talented." She winks. "So the painting.. Tell me about it. Sinabi ng speaker kahapon you had someone in your mind while painting it?"

Why is she and Ms. Sol curious about that? Hindi ko nga sinagot ang tanong ng speaker but it seemed like they caught that moment pa. "Secret po."

"So meron nga?"

I looked at the rear-view mirror and saw Ms. Solana who was sleeping peacefully, her head leaning on the window and I wished ako ang katabi niya para makatulog ito ng maayos. Bumalik ulit ang tingin ko kay Ms. Vivien.

Well, yes. But I can't say that out loud.

"That person is lucky." I heard Ms. Vivien chuckled lowly. "So.. who is it?"

"Wala nga po, Ms. Viv." I denied once more, mukhang I convinced her naman dahil hindi na niya ako kinulit about it, ngunit nanatili naman itong tahimik sa tabi ko. The others in the back were in their own world at nag chichikahan pa, buti na lang dahil baka hindi ko rin kayanin kung tahimik kaming lahat.

Naninibago nga ako sa katabi ko, usually she's very talkative but is the opposite now. I wonder what's on her mind or what happened when we were gone.

"You should take a nap, Khio. You just came from a 15-hour trip."

"I'm helping you papunta sa house ni Tita Janet, bawi na lang po ako ng tulog mamaya."

At ayon nga ang ginawa ko, alam ko naman kung nasaan ang bahay nila Ely. I've been there when I was a kid dahil laging may party ang pamilya nila, though when they came back from New York, this would be my first time coming back there. So I was excited to see Tita Janet again.

—

"Oh my, all of you are gorgeous." Tita Janet was smiling widely and welcomed us in their home. Nagulat nga yung Professors to see how big their house is, Elyzra was never vocal about her life, kahit si Tita ay isang doctor ay pinili niya pa rin ang gusto niya. She's lucky that her mom truly supports her in whatever she wants. Biruin mo 'yon, Tita Janet was the only one who raised Ely but she succeeded.

While mine? ayoko na lang mag talk.

"Thank you for welcoming us to your beautiful home, Mrs. Avila." Professor Zafiana greeted her at nagmano pa. I could see Ely snickered after seeing that.

"Oh dear, I'm a 'Ms.' I got no husband and a full-blooded Avila. But you can call me Tita, I'm more comfortable with that one."

Everyone's faces were shocked to grasp that information from Tita, kaya napatawa nalang kaming tatlo nila Ely. Si Tita Janet kasi is always proud to say that line every time someone calls her a 'Mrs.' She said she had enjoyed all her years without a man so why would she hide it.

She's really the coolest.

"Khio! Oh my goodness, ang aking dalagadingding."

"Tita, ano ba yang tawag mo." Lumapit ako sa kanya at binigyan ito ng malaking yakap, she kissed me on top of my head and told me how she missed me.

"Congratulations on Winning the Art Competition, I was so proud to see you on TV. For sure your mom would be happy to see you as well." I laughed softly after she said that, hindi nga niya pala alam. At wala rin ako'ng plano ipaalam because the Avila sisters' relationship is unbreakable, ayoko magkagulo sila just because of me.

It's enough that Tita Jen already knows about it as she supports my education but since Tita Janet is in the middle, siya talaga ang maiipit.

"Did you call her?"

"Kanina I said the good news, pinapapunta ko nga rito but she said that they're in Italy for some business trip."

Phew. I'm glad wala sila. Nginitian ko lang ito and told her na papasok na kami, she entertained the others as well at inutusan pa nga si Ely to accompany the Professors.

Kanina ko pa gustong lapitan si Ms. Solana pero hindi ko lang matyempuhan, hindi naman ganito kahirap dati e. But now I have to be cautious of my actions.

"Ely!" Tawag ko when we entered the kitchen, "I thought it's a simple lunch lang?"

"It's simple."

It's not.

Ang daming handa sa lamesa ngayon, all of my favorites are here. Seafoods, chicken, beef and pork dishes are served, may sweets, salads and isang buong lechon pa. How the hell is this simple?

"Wow, I think it was a good idea that we came to the airport to fetch you and Ms. Clemonte." Saad ni Maevis and her mouth was watering kasi sino ba naman ang hindi?

Tita Janet is over the top sometimes, no wonder namana sa kanya ni Ely ang pagiging extra.

"Kumain lang kayo diyan ha, tell me if you need something."

Umalis muna ito dahil may meeting daw siya with the hospital. Sasali raw siya sa chikahan after the meeting. Habang ako ay medyo natulala pa rin sa dami ng inihandang pagkain niya.

"Babe, halika tabi ka rito." Georgina called me over, nakita ko nalang na nakapwesto na pala silang lahat sa table and I was the only one left.

"Dito ka na maupo."
"You can sit here, Khio."

Sabay namang saad ni Ms. Vivien and Ms. Solana. Iisa lang naman ang upuan na tinutukoy nila, the one in the middle. I gulped the imaginary lump in my throat dahil tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Ms. Sol when I was about to sit beside Georgina, at least safe ako do'n. I don't know what's up with the two of them ni Ms. Vivien dahil kanina lang ay hindi sila nagpapansinan.

So in the end, I sat in between them and I think this would be my last day on earth.

Nasa harapan ko si Maevis at katabi naman niya si Ms. Maddi, muntik ko pa itapon sa kanya yung plato dahil may binulong ito kay Ms. Maddi and they both laughed lowly pa. When did the strict professor even know how to laugh like that? Nahahawa na kay Maevis, hindi pwede 'yon.

"What's your favorite dish, pala Khio? Do you want this shrimp–"

Hindi natuloy ang sasabihin ni Ms. Vivien when Ms. Sol placed the calamares on my plate, she wasn't saying anything at kinuhanan pa ako ng lechon skin and meat. I saw her licked off her fingers dahilan ng pag-iwas ko ng tingin nito.

Damn.

"I like shrimps too, Ms. Viv." I said to her when I noticed that her hand was still reaching out to the buttered shrimps, she gave me a small smile before placing it on my plate.

"Naks, prinsesa yarn?" Maevis joked.

"Oo nga no? Ako rin, Solana palagay." Dinagdagan pa ni Ms. Beliciana.

"You have hands, kumuha ka." Masungit niyang saad bago inirapan ang kaibigan, kawawa talaga si Ms. Beliciana sa kanya.

"Rice?"
"Do you want some rice?"

Lupa kainin mo na ako, sabay na naman silang nag-alok sa'kin. Nakakahiya sa mga kasama namin, hindi pa kasi alam ni Ely yung sitwasyon ko with Ms. Sol kaya nagtataka rin siguro ito sa ikinikilos ng katabi ko. While I know Ms. Vivien is just being nice.

"Ako na po, babe eat up okay?" Georgina said at talagang nilagyan nga niya ng kanin ang plato ko. Hindi nakaligtas sa'kin ang pagsimangot ng mukha ni Ms. Sol while Ms. Vivien faked a cough siguro para maiwasan ang awkwardness namin.

"Thanks George, I can take it from here hehe."

And I did what I said, ako na mismo ang kumuha ng sarili kong pagkain and when they try to place anything on my plate ay agad ko itong tinatanggihan. It's better that way.

Ilang sandali lang ay sumali na rin si Tita Janet sa amin, Ely was practically stopping her mom from asking questions about how she does well in school sa Professors namin while Maevis and I went out to get some air.

"So? may gusto ka bang sabihin sa'kin?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You have a different smile, Khio. And I know that look— you're doing that everytime you don't want to talk about something." She pointed to my face when I made an odd reaction. "Come on, I'm your bestfwend."

I snorted. "Why do you always notice everything?"

Ngumiti naman ito ng napakayabang at tinuro pa ang sarili like her noticing things isn't a big deal. Paano kaya nakakaya ni Ms. Maddi 'to?

"So, it's true? may nangyari while you were in Barcelona?"

Tumingin muna ako sa paligid dahil ayoko naman may makarinig sa pinag-uusapan namin ngayon, mahirap na. After making sure that we're the only people around, I sighed in defeat and nodded.

"Shit. Dude! You got her!"

"Shut up, Maevis. It's not like that— we.. just kissed and nothing more."

"That's a big deal, how did you even kiss her? nagka-aminan ba kayo? I knew it, she has feelings for you too."

She looks so proud and happy while saying that pero umiling lang ako, wala naman kasing confession na nangyari. More like a compromise.

"No, I didn't confess and neither did she."

Hindi naman makapaniwala ang mukha nito nang marinig niya 'yon. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

"Well.."

That night.

"Amora.. please.." She breathed when we both pulled away, our foreheads now pressing together as we panted, unable to open our eyes after that kiss. "Let's keep this to ourselves.. and leave it all behind."

It almost feel surreal when I heard those words, and I refuse to accept it as well. "Ayoko." I firmly said na siyang nagpa-bukas ng mga mata niya.

"W-what?"

"I won't be able to forget what happened tonight, Ms. Sol. Or pretend that this never happened— that kiss was amazing and we both know it." Ang lakas siguro ng kumpyansa ko sa sarili dahil sa mga pinagsasabi ko.

I already said it, I'm not giving up on her– or this situation we have. No matter how complicated and messy it might get.

Disbelief was written all over her face as she tried to push me away but I stopped her from doing so by holding on to her waist. "We can't do this. That kiss shouldn't even happen, Khio. It's a big mistake."

"Then why did you let me kiss you? Why did you kiss me back? Tell me, Ms. Sol. Back when we were at the beach you also asked me the same thing. So how was this a mistake?"

Her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something but no words were coming out from her mouth.

"I..I don't know. But please, this is for your sake–"

"If you're worried about my sake then don't push me away." I bit my lower lip as I try to stop myself from crying. Masyadong masakit isipin kung ipagpipilitan niyang kalimutan namin ang lahat ng 'to. "Please, Ms. Sol."

She lowered her head and exhaled deeply. "Why are we even doing this, Khio? Mali 'to."

I cupped both of her cheeks as her hands went down on my waist, I stared deeply in her eyes before kissing her again, this time more gentle and slow. Like I'm savoring every touch of our lips. "Tell me.. mm.. if you want.. mm this to stop."

We both moved in the same rhythm and neither of us stopped doing so, I pulled back to look at her and she did the same thing, before I left her one last chaste kiss.

"Is this still a mistake?"

Pinaglapit ko ang mga noo namin as our noses touched one another. I won't allow her to see this as a mistake when clearly it's not.

"W-what do you want us to do, then?" She asked.

"We will figure this out. We don't have to rush things, Ms. Sol. Just please, don't push me away."

She sighed and I felt her head nodding before giving me another quick kiss. "Okay."

After she said that, all I could feel was pure happiness. Kahit hindi naman namin sabihin sa isa't-isa, there's just this spark between us that we can't deny. And I don't want to confess during that night dahil ayokong mabigla ito, just like I said. We would figure it out.

"So you're telling me... you didn't confess. But you still got her?" Maevis asked. "Ibang klase ka talaga, Khio. If I was in your spot, I would just let her be."

"Duwag ka kasi."

"Are you sure you're telling that to the right person?"

I eyed her when her proud smile came out again. "What the hell.. don't tell me.."

"That's my story to tell next time. But now, let's focus on you."

"We didn't really discuss anything after that, we went back to the suite and slept. Tapos kinaumagahan parang normal ulit."

Maevis' hand was under her chin na para bang may iniisip ito. "Weird naman. So are you planning to discuss the things between you two?"

Well it's really weird, I don't even know if me and Ms. Sol are on the same page. Basta ang alam ko lang, I know that I'm falling in love with her. Not just because of her pretty looks, or that we have almost the same interests. It's because she's Solana Clemonte. No matter who or what she is, I will always accept and love her even if my heart stops beating.

Tch. Is this what they call cheesy when in love? pota gano'n ata ang nararamdaman ko ngayon, buti at iniisip ko lang at hindi sinasabi ng malakas dahil baka kanina pa ako pinagtatawanan ni Maevis. Gago pa naman 'to.

"I'm planning to confess, pero hindi muna ngayon. I need to sort whatever feelings I have for her and tell her that my intentions are pure, hindi ako padalos-dalos when it comes to things like this."

"If you need help, you can always call me. I gotchu."

"Financially?"

"Gago! Magcoconfess ka tas di mo mabubuhay pyutyur mo? pero sigi, sugar bestfriend is here to help."

"Tangina mo talaga, Almonte. Puro ka kalokohan, diyan ka na nga!"

—

Pagkauwi namin galing sa bahay nila Ely kanina ay diretsong nakatulog na ako dahil sa pagod, hindi na nga ako nakapagbihis dahil hindi na talaga kaya ng antok ko.

Diretso ba naman kami do'n after our flight tapos we had to stay for hours before Tita finally lets us go. Masyadong napasarap ang chikahan niya sa mga Professors especially Ms. Zafiana, kaya pulang-pula yung isa habang shine-share ni Tita yung baby pics niya e. I say dasurb.

Hindi ko rin nakausap masyado si Ms. Solana kanina dahil mukhang iwas rin ito sa'kin ngayon, that kinda hurt me but I guess she's just being careful since there's a lot of people around us.

Hopefully, ayon sana ang rason.

Ting!

Vivien Del Mundo sent you a message.

Oh? si Ms. Vivien? tinignan ko ang orasan ko and it was already 6 pm. Kakagising ko lang kasi kaya nagulat ako na gabi na pala.

Vivien Del Mundo
Hi, Khio. I know you're
tired today but I really
need someone to talk
to. Are you busy?

Khione Avila
Hello po. Kakagising
ko lang but of course, you
can always talk to me, Ms. Viv.
'San kayo?

Vivien Del Mundo
Rockwell Plaza.

Khione Avila
Bakit po kayo mag-isa?

Vivien Del Mundo
Just come here please..

Khione Avila
Stay there.
Papunta na po ako.
Seen.

Without second thoughts agad ako'ng nagbihis ng mas kumportableng damit at kumuha ng isang extrang jacket dahil ang lamig pa naman ngayon. Gabi na kasi and her being alone doesn't sit right with me.

I called for a taxi and told him where I'm heading to. Good thing it's not that far from my place kaya mabilis akong nakadating, kinuha ko ulit ang phone ko to text her dahil hindi ko naman alam kung saang banda siya sa plaza.

Khione Avila
Ms. Viv, san po
kayo? nandito na ako
sa plaza.

Vivien Del Mundo
At the fountain.
Seen.

Dali-dali ako'ng tumakbo kung nasaan mang lupalop ang fountain na 'yon and when I finally found it, I saw a glimpse of Ms. Vivien's back. Ang suot niya kanina ay suot niya pa rin ngayon, hindi ba siya umuwi?

"Ms. Vivien." I called out her name, and when she turned around I was shocked to see her crying. Agad itong kumaripas ng takbo and hugged me tightly. "W-what happened?"

"You came.." She cried once more at mas hinigpitan pa ang pagyakap niya sa'kin, kahit naguguluhan ako dahil umiiyak siya ay ginawaran ko lang ito ng yakap habang dahan-dahang hinahaplos ang likod nito.

"You can cry it all out, Ms. Vivien." I whispered.

Kanina ko pa pansin na iba ang mood niya compare to what she usually is, it's hard seeing someone like her cry when she has always been the happy-go-lucky type of person. Like my first impression of her back then, she's the type of person who knows how to handle herself.

But now.. I'm wondering what or who made her cry like this.

Ilang minuto rin bago ito tumahan at nanatiling nakayap sa'kin, at nang lumayo ito ay agad ko siyang pinasuot ng dala kong extra jacket. Manipis pa naman ang suot nito, how did she even withstand the cold.

"Thank you." Matipid niyang saad, umupo na rin kami sa may concrete bench at pinagmamasdan ang fountain sa harapan namin. Ngayon ko lang nalaman that they're turning the colorful water fountain on pag gabi.

I would love to take Ms. Solana here kahit isang beses lang.

"Are you feeling better now po?"

She was still sniffling dahil sa pag-iyak nito, her eyes became puffy and namumula rin ang ilong nito. "Yeah, I kinda am."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Muli ko itong tinignan at tumingin rin ito sa'kin, her eyes are still glossy from crying so I grabbed a handkerchief from my pocket and gave it to her. "But it's okay if we just sit here in silence, sasamahan lang kita."

A few seconds passed and a sigh escaped from her mouth, ginamit na rin nito ang panyo na binigay ko to wipe the little tears streaming down her face.

"I don't even know why I'm crying like this." Simula niya as she played with her fingers. "I just found out something today that broke my heart."

"Hm? Is this about someone?" I curiously asked her, tumango naman ito ng mahina. "Aba, bakit ka po niya pinapaiyak? resbakan natin Ms. Viv!"

"Sira."

"Baka makatikim siya nitong muscles ko!" Sabay pakita pa ng braso ko, at napangiti na lamang ako when I saw her laughing for a moment. At least that made her laugh.

"I don't think that's possible.."

"Bakit naman po?"

She stayed quiet for a few seconds before shaking her head. "I have always thought that I wouldn't fall for someone.. then she came. And I found myself liking her.. we clicked so much and I thought that there might be a chance that she would like me back.. but all of that came crashing down."

She? Does that mean that.. Ms. Vivien is..

"She?"

"Quite shocking huh?"

"Y-you're?"

"A bisexual." She nods her head. "And to think this is my first time liking someone of the same-sex."

Now that is indeed painful, seeing Ms. Vivien cry for someone whom she likes made me think of myself too. If the time comes that I'll finally confess to Ms. Solana, there's a chance that she might not like me back. And I know that would wreck me. Somehow I empathize with what Ms. Vivien is feeling.

"Why don't you give it a try po?"

"I..I can't."

"Ikaw po lagi ang nagsasabi sa'kin na you won't know unless you won't try, Ms. Viv." I said as I nudged her softly.

"She likes someone else."

"Hm?"

"... And I'm afraid that she might get hurt by it." I don't know why she was staring at me when she said that, kaya napaiwas na lang ako ng tingin. "You really don't have to worry about me, Khio. Knowing that you came here is enough to make me feel better, thank you."

"You're special to me, Ms. Vivien. Of course I'll come." Isinandal ko siya sa'kin at and hugged her on the side. "You have always been there when I'm in trouble, meeting you felt like I finally had a big sister. Kaya kahit anong oras at saan ka po, expect that I'll be there as well."

"...Sister?"

I noticed how her shoulders dropped when she asked me that, kaya napatingin ako sa kanya and it looked like she was gonna cry again. Sht. Kung sino talaga yung nagpapaiyak sa kanya, sana mabilaukan ka.

"Ms. Viv–"

"I wanna go home." Nabigla ako when her voice turned cold. "You should go home too."

"Hatid po kita."

"No need." Tumayo ito sa pagkakaupo at hindi ako tinignan, mas lalo ako'ng naguluhan when she removed my jacket off from her at tuluyan ng umalis, gusto ko sanang habulin ito dahil nag-aalala ako lalo na at mag-isa lang siya.

Avion Clemonte sent you a message.

Avion Clemonte
Where the hell are you?
Bakit wala ka sa apartment mo
ngayon?
Seen.