After dinner, Cam and I slipped out quietly, making our way toward the infinity pool near the Acqua Bar. The path was softly lit, and everything about the evening felt serene, almost dreamlike. Nakakamangha ang pool, isang malawak na tubig na nagpapakita ng mga bituin sa kalangitan sa itaas. Tahimik at kalmado ito, parang bumagal ang mundo para lang sa amin.

Dahan-dahan kaming sumisid sa pool, ramdam ang banayad na init ng tubig na bumabalot sa amin. Sumandal ako sa gilid, ninanamnam ang paligid—ang katahimikan, ang banayad na kaluskos ng mga puno, at ang malamig na simoy ng hangin na nagpapalamig sa lahat ng bagay. "This place," I murmured, "it's like some kind of paradise."

Cam nodded, glancing around with the same amazement I felt. "Yeah, it's hard to believe this is real. Kind of makes you want to never leave."

I turned to him, feeling a warmth in my chest. "Salamat ulit sa regalo, Cam. I know I said it already, but it really meant a lot to me. I actually wanted to ask... why a portrait?"

Cam looked out over the water, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Hindi mo natatandaan? Back in high school, palagi mo akong kinukulit, humihiling ka ng portrait mo. And I always told you no, like a million times, because... well, I wasn't exactly used to doing something that, you know, sweet for you."

I laughed, the memory rushing back. "Yeah, I remember you'd always say, 'Don't count on it, Shan.' I never really thought you'd actually do it."

"Well, you're different now," he said, his voice soft. "You've always been special, but I think back then, I just didn't know how to show it. You've been a true friend through everything, and I guess... I just wanted to give you something that felt real. Something that's actually a piece of me."

Saglit na nanatiling nakabitin ang mga salita niya sa pagitan namin, mabigat at puno ng kahulugan. Hindi ko napigilang ngumiti, nadadala ng emosyon na hindi ko inaasahan. "Cam, that's... you know that means a lot to me, right?"

He shrugged, looking away, but I could see the hint of a smile on his face. "Yeah, well. I figured it was about time I came through for you."

Feeling a rush of warmth, I leaned back against the edge of the pool, looking up at the stars. After a pause, I glanced at him, remembering a different time, a memory that felt distant but precious. "Do you remember when we first became friends?"

His expression softened, his gaze thoughtful. "Of course I remember."

***

I was in my 4th year High School, excitement buzzing through me as we gathered at the small resort owned by my classmate, Paul. The air was thick with the scent of sunblock and anticipation, our group buzzing with energy as we set up for our commercial shoot to endorse Emperador Coffee. It was a sunny afternoon, and the vibrant blue of the sky framed the rustic charm of the resort. We needed to film a lively party scene, complete with a DJ spinning catchy tunes and classmates dressed to impress, ready to dance and celebrate.

As the cameras rolled, laughter echoed through the air, blending seamlessly with the rhythmic beats. I watched as my classmates danced, the sunlight glinting off their hair and casting playful shadows on the wooden deck. The crew was in high spirits, yelling playful directions while the DJ pumped up the crowd. Nakaupo ako sa gilid, iniinom ang juice ko, at pakiramdam ko ay halo ang excitement at nerbiyos. Nasa eksena ako, pero parang observer rin, ninanamnam ang sandali.

Once we wrapped up filming, the energy shifted. Nagmadali kaming pumunta sa pool area, sabik na magtampisaw at magpalamig. The water shimmered invitingly under the sun, and the laughter continued as we splashed around. It felt liberating, a perfect way to celebrate our hard work.

Later, we settled around a long table adorned with a feast of delicious food, ready to indulge after our hard work. The spread was impressive: grilled meats, vibrant salads, and a large platter of crispy sisig, the sizzling sounds of which made my stomach rumble. Lahat ay masiglang nagkukuwentuhan, at para kaming nasa isang eksena sa pelikula—students clinking glasses, laughter ringing in the air, the sun slowly sinking in the sky, painting everything in a warm golden hue.

As I sat down, I noticed that while everyone was cracking open bottles of Emperador, I preferred to savor the food. I was content, laughing with friends and enjoying my plate of sisig. But then Jayvee, Cameron's best friend, stood up, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

"Hey, guys! Just so you know, Shan's boyfriend, TJ, told us to keep an eye on her tonight. No drinking for Shan, and definitely no man should sit beside her!"

Sumabog ang tawanan sa paligid, at naramdaman kong umiinit ang mukha ko sa hiya. I could practically feel TJ's possessiveness radiating from the far end of the table, even though he wasn't present. He was always overprotective, and hearing Jayvee announce that made me squirm in my seat.

Doon ko napansin si Cameron. Kaswal siyang nakaupo malapit, may pilyong kislap sa mata habang tumatawa sa sinabi ni Jayvee. I had always known him as one of the popular guys, the star basketball player who always seemed to be surrounded by friends, but this was the first time he really caught my attention. He nonchalantly slid onto the bench beside me, moving as if he didn't care about the unspoken rules that TJ had set.

"Ikain mo na lang 'yan. Mukhang lahat bawal sa 'yo eh," he said, gesturing to the food in front of me.

His casual kindness surprised me, and a smile broke through my embarrassment. It was the first time Cameron had ever talked to me, despite being classmates for years. I was stunned, feeling a flutter of warmth at his unexpected gesture.

Habang kumakain ako ng sisig, yumuko si Riana, na nakaupo sa tapat ko, at pabulong na nagsabi, "Huy, lumayo ka kay Cameron. 'Wag kang maingay ha, pero lagi kasing may balak si Cameron kapag may tinatabihan siyang babae sa inuman."

I blinked, taken aback. Riana was one of Cameron's closest friends, and I never expected her to say something negative about him. A part of me was intrigued, but another part dismissed her warning. If Cameron had any plans to take advantage of me, he wouldn't be offering me food. That didn't make sense; he was just being nice.

For a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the food and the unexpected companionship. The noise around us faded as I focused on the flavors, the crispness of the sisig, the way it danced on my taste buds. I could feel Cameron's presence beside me, and it felt oddly comforting.

A few days later, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when news spread that Cameron had injured himself during an important basketball game. I overheard his friends discussing it in hushed tones, their voices laced with something that made my stomach churn. "He deserved it. Masyado kasing mayabang saka babaero," ani ng isa sa kanila, at nadama ko ang lungkot at pagkadismaya. Hindi ba dapat ay nag-aalala sila para sa kanya?

As the weeks passed, I noticed Cameron's demeanor changing. When he returned to school with a brace on his leg, it was clear he was struggling. I watched from a distance as his friends bombarded him with questions, their voices a cacophony of concern that felt insincere. Cameron sat there, looking detached, often opting to eat alone or sleep through classes.

One day, as I watched him, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. He looked so lonely, and I hated that his friends, who should have supported him, were now talking about him behind his back. At lunch, I found myself unable to tear my eyes away as Cameron sat at a table by himself, the laughter and chatter of his friends echoing around him like a cruel reminder of his situation.

Then, as if sensing my gaze, he caught my eye and greeted me with a small, tentative smile. "Hey, Shan!"

That moment struck me—it was simple, yet it held so much weight. It was as if he was reaching out amidst the noise, and I felt compelled to respond.

Ilang araw pagkatapos noon, narinig kong muli ang kanyang mga kaibigan na nag-uusap, ngayong pinagtsitsismisan naman kung paano siya na-scout ng Ateneo, La Salle, N.U., at iba pang kilalang unibersidad para sa kanyang husay sa basketball. Their voices dripped with mockery as they discussed his injury that had shattered his dreams of becoming a UAAP player. Cameron had worked so hard for that chance, and now it had been snatched away from him just as it was within reach. It made me furious.

"Can you believe he can't even play anymore?" sabi ng isa, natatawa. "Ang laki ng pagkakataon niya, pero tingnan mo siya ngayon."

I wanted to yell at them, to tell them how wrong they were, but I held back. What could I say that would change their minds? All I could do was watch, feeling helpless and angry.

Kinagabihan, habang nagba-browse ako sa Twitter, nakita ko ang tweet ni Cameron—"T*nginang buhay." My heart sank at his words, a visceral reaction to the pain I felt radiating from him.

Worried, I decided to reach out. I typed up a message, my fingers trembling slightly as I hit send.

"Hi, Cameron. Hindi ko na tatanungin kung kumusta ka or kung okay ka lang, kasi alam ko namang hindi ka okay. But I just wanted you to know that if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. I know you'll think this is a bad idea because I have a boyfriend, but... it's definitely not a problem at all. I'm not doing anything wrong. So... in case you need a friend, I'm here."

Agad siyang nag-reply.

"Hey, Shan. Thank you! Of all people, I really didn't expect you to reach out. Salamat. It really means a lot."

I thought that would be the end of it, but he continued typing, sharing how devastated he felt about his injury and how it had derailed his dreams. It was raw and real, and as he opened up, I felt an unspoken bond forming between us.

That night marked the beginning of our friendship. From then on, we started to hang out more. I found myself looking forward to lunch periods, where we would sit together and talk about everything—our dreams, fears, and the pressures of our teenage lives. He confided in me how hard it was to accept that his basketball career, something he had dreamed about for so long, had come to a crashing halt.

"May mga plano ako, Shan," inamin niya isang hapon, mababa ang boses habang nakatingin sa malayo. "I was going to play in the UAAP. I had offers from some of the best schools. They were counting on me, and now... I don't know what to do. It feels like everything I worked for is gone."

His vulnerability pierced through the air, and I felt a surge of empathy for him. I couldn't imagine how it felt to have your dreams shattered so abruptly, and I wanted to help him find a way to navigate through the pain.

Pero naramdaman kong lumalaki ang selos ni TJ. Naiinis siya na madalas kaming magkasama ni Cameron. Kahit gaano ko siya kinukumbinsi na walang masama sa pagiging magkaibigan namin ni Cameron, ayaw pa rin niyang maniwala.

One Valentine's Day, Cameron excitedly shared that he was courting a girl from 3rd year named Patricia, introducing her to me with a boyish grin. I felt genuinely happy for him, hoping that this would bring him some joy amidst the chaos of his injury.

Months later, at our high school graduation, Cameron confided in me that things didn't work out with Patricia because she was moving to Australia.

After the ceremony, amidst the celebratory atmosphere and the vibrant sounds of our classmates, I took pictures with my family and TJ. But even in that moment, my mind was on Cameron. When I arrived at the registrar's office to return my toga and claim my framed toga picture, I saw the long line stretching out the door. Anxiety bubbled in my chest; I wanted to be done and head home. Just then, I heard Cameron's voice calling my name.

"Shan! Tara! Dito ka na sa harap ko!"

Panglima siya sa pila, at nagdadalawang-isip ako. "'Wag na. Unfair 'yon sa mga nakapila," sabi ko. Ayokong sumingit sa pila lalo na't marami ang naghihintay.

Ngumiti si Cameron, mukhang walang pakialam. "Come on! You can't make me lose my chance to help a friend."

Before I knew it, he pulled me forward, and I felt a rush of warmth. But then I caught sight of TJ, who had been watching from a distance. His face darkened with jealousy as he saw Cameron grip my hand, unable to contain his frustration any longer. Without a word, TJ stormed out of the registrar's office, leaving me confused and anxious.

***

As we floated in the pool, the sun casting playful reflections on the water, I glanced over at Cameron, his face relaxed as he leaned back against the edge, letting the gentle waves cradle him. It felt surreal to be here with him, the years melting away as memories surged to the surface. The laughter and warmth of our shared past enveloped us, and I couldn't help but smile at how far we had come.

"Can I tell you something?" I broke the comfortable silence, my heart beating a little faster.

"Sure, what's on your mind?" Cameron turned his head to meet my gaze, his expression curious yet warm.

Huminga ako nang malalim. "I've been wanting to say this for a while. I owe you an apology."

Bahagyang kumunot ang kanyang noo. "An apology? Para saan?"

"I'm really sorry for cutting you off after graduation," I said, my voice softening. "I didn't want to. But TJ made me choose between you and him, and I was young and naive, so I chose him." Mabigat sa loob ko ang mga salitang iyon, pero alam kong kailangan ko itong sabihin.

His expression softened, and he nodded, acknowledging my confession. "You don't have to apologize for that, Shan," he said gently. "I get it. Relationships can be complicated."

"I know," I continued, my voice trembling slightly. "But what surprised me the most was that you reached out to me a year later, when I was in such a dark place. I didn't expect you to do that after everything. Thank you for checking on me."

Cameron's eyes sparkled with understanding, and I could see the memory flicker in his mind as well. "Gusto ko lang siguraduhing okay ka. I was worried about you."

The honesty in his voice struck a chord within me. "It came at the perfect time. I was diagnosed with depression, and life was just overwhelming. My breakup with TJ because he was abusive, and on top of that, my family issues just piled on. I was struggling to keep up with architecture school, it felt like I was drowning."

I paused, feeling the weight of those days lift slightly as I shared. "But you... you didn't give up on me. You were always there, making sure I was alright, checking in on me. You helped brighten those darkest days."

Cameron smiled, a soft, genuine expression that made my heart swell. "I'm just glad I could be there for you. You're a great person, Shan. Having you in my life means a lot."

Sandaling katahimikan ang bumalot sa amin, ang tunog ng tubig at banayad na kaluskos ng mga dahon ang tanging naririnig. I felt grateful, overwhelmed by how much he had been there for me when I needed it the most.

Cameron shifted slightly, his tone more serious. "You know, when I got injured, I cut off my friends too. I always knew what they said behind my back. That left a scar on me, and it's hard to trust again. But with you, trusting you was so easy. It felt natural, like breathing."

I couldn't help but smile, a warmth spreading through me. "Thank you for that, Cameron. I appreciate your trust in me."

He met my gaze, his eyes reflecting sincerity. "Dahil sa'yo, alam kong kahit anong mangyari, nandiyan ka. Kaya kahit isang taon kang mawawala, alam ko naman 'pag nagkita ulit tayo, magkaibigan pa rin tayo."

His words settled in my heart, and I felt a wave of emotion crash over me. We had weathered storms together, faced our fears, and grown stronger in the process. The bond we shared had been forged through laughter and tears, light and darkness.

In that moment, I felt hope for the future, knowing that we had each other through thick and thin, no matter what lay ahead.

_______

a/n: Aaaaa. Shan and Cam, why are you both sooo genuine?