Maraming notifications ang Facebook ko kinabukasan.

Nag-post kasi si Kuya Chris ng family picture na kinuha namin last Chrismas in remembrance sa upcoming wedding anniversary nina Mom and Dad sa paparating na weekend. Kaya 'yon, napuno tuloy ng notifications ang Facebook ko. Mostly mga comments and likes lang naman. Saka mga private messages sa mga kamag-anak namin na bumabati sa mga parents namin.

Napangisi ako nang makita ko ang palitan ng messages ng mga pinsan kong sina Pierre at Kael. They were my cousins from the mother side. Tiningnan ko ang mga display pictures nila. They're grown men now. Ang tagal na talaga no'ng huli pa naming pagkikita. Sa London pa 'yon.

'Di bale. Konting panahon na lang naman at magkikita na kami. Christmas was almost here! Dapat kasi, this week na sila uuwi kaso lang nagka-conflict naman sa schedule kaya sa pasko na lang daw. I was really excited!

Kael Rivera Zobel

Miss you all. This Christmas, we'll be there with you. Wait for us.

Jamie Vanna De Villa

@Kael Zobel Cuz!! Pasalubong<3

Pierre Mercier Zobel

Jacob looks stupid here as always. But great photo. See you soon.

Jacob Ian De Villa

@Pierre brah, wag na wag kang babalik dito

Jamie Vanna De Villa

@Pierre Lagi naman 'di ba? Bwahaha! See you real soon, Pierre

Tumatawa-tawa ako habang dinaraanan ang iba pang mga comments do'n. Masyado yata akong natuwa sa convo nina Pierre at Kuya Jacob 'cause I almost missed this one particular notification.

I went back up and read it twice baka sakali namamalik-mata lang ako. Pero tama nga. It's really from him. Kung kanina medyo inaantok pa ako, ngayon wala na. Gising na gising na ako. Fudge.

Racel Christian Gutierez accepted your friend request

Napahinga ako nang malalim. Ang aga-aga ay bumibilis ang hataw ng dibdib ko. Lagi na lang bang ganito?

I placed my phone down. I didn't need distractions right now. May exams ako mamaya. Kailangan kong mag-focus.

Umamba na akong tatayo para mag-ayos when my phone pinged, stopping me. Thinking it was either Pierre or Kael kasi minessage ko sila kanina, I checked the message.

Racel Christian Gutierez

Now we're really friends :)

I stared at my phone. Matagal.

How should I reply to this? Ito kasi ang magiging unang pag-uusap namin simula no'ng gabing 'yon.

I licked my lips. Should I go for a safe reply or a quick reply? Ewan ko. I felt nervous at 'di ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman. Paulit-ulit ko pang binasa ang message bago nakuntento sa naiisip kong sagot.

In the end, I settled down with a lame reply.

Jamie Vanna De Villa

Sorry now lang. But yeah :)

After a few seconds of waiting, I closed the app again, not expecting for a reply na. Maybe he's doing something else.

I was about to jump off the bed when my phone lit up again. Shiz. Nag-reply siya.

Racel Christian Gutierez

You're up this early? You got school?

It's still five in the morning pa kasi. Sinadya ko talagang gumising nang maaga para makapag-review sana.

Jamie Vanna De Villa

Got exams later. Ikaw ba, wala?

Racel Christian Gutierez

Just one exam for today.

Jamie Vanna De Villa

Goodluck to us!

Binaba ko na ang phone ko para makapag-ayos na. I took a quick shower and changed into outfit for the day. Nag-apply na rin ako ng light make-up bago bumalik sa kwarto para ayusin ang buhok ko.

When I returned to my room, my phone was vibrating. I furrowed my brows and rushed to check who was calling.

RCG calling . . .

I backtracked at the sight of the name. RCG. Hoshet. Si Racel, tumatawag.

Umupo ako sa tapat ng vanity mirror at sinagot 'yon.

"Hello?" I greeted in an uncertain voice.

"Hey."

Napalunok ako sa bungad ng boses niya. It suddenly occurred to me na this was how he sounded like in the morning. His voice was somewhat husky pa. Hoshet.

"Hi. Good morning," I said into the phone.

"Did I disturb you?"

I started drying my hair with my free hand. "Hindi naman. Magbe-breakfast pa lang naman ako."

"What time is your exam?"

"Eight pa. Sa 'yo ba?"

"Same time."

I blinked. "Oh. Bakit maaga kang nagising then?"

"I usually wake up early. I got used to it."

"Oh." I nodded kahit hindi niya nakikita. Um, why did you call?"

Tumahimik sa end niya. Binaba ko ang towel at hinintay siyang magsalita ulit.

"I called just to say," Racel cleared his throat, "sorry for what happened that night."

I blinked. "For what?"

He's sorry? Akala ko ba hindi siya magso-sorry? Nagbago na ba ang isip niya?

Dahil kaya sa ginawa ko kaya nagbago ang isip niya? Did he suddenly realize it was a bad move kissing me? Did he suddenly realize that he hated doing it?

Shiz. Was he regretting it now?

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa phone. Nanunuyo ang lalamunan ko sa mga naiisip. I was asking too many questions though I wasn't even sure if I was ready to hear the answers.

I bit my lip, feeling a little antsy.

Hindi pa muna sumagot si Racel. Sa dumaraang segundo, lalong nanlalamig ang mga palad ko.

At some point, inisip kong baka naputol na ang line kaya chineck ko pa yung phone. But he's still there. Hindi naman naputol. Hindi lang talaga siya nagsasalita. Lalo akong nilamigan ng palad kaya inulit ko ang tanong ko.

"For what?" I repeated, my voice above a whisper.

I heard a conflicted sigh from his end. Tutok na tutok ako sa magiging sagot niya. For whatever reasons, my heart was pounding.

"For many things. But mostly, for scaring you," he finally said. Naririnig ko ang sincerity at guilt niya sa bawat salita. "For forcing myself on you. I didn't mean to. I realized it was a dick move. I was a jerk. I'm sorry for overstepping my bounds."

Hearing that, my shoulders relaxed. For a moment there, I thought he was breaking off the friendship.

"That's not true."

"No. I was insensitive. It was really selfish of me," he muttered slowly. "That night, I was so afraid that you'd run away, and you did. You don't know how relieved I felt after seeing that friend request. Before that, I couldn't even get a wink of sleep."

Guilt automatically gripped me. Hindi ko akalain na ganito ang naging epekto ng ginawa ko sa kanya. Sasagot na sana ako para mag-sorry but he cut me off.

"I was happiest that night, believe me. I don't regret doing it. But I'm afraid that I hurt you?" Racel paused for a second. "It still stands. I still want us to be friends. From now on, I promise I won't force anything on you. I won't, so don't feel the need to do anything for me, too. I thought about this all day yesterday"-huminga siya nang malalim-"and I'm really really sorry for rushing."

"Hey . . ." sabi ko lang, searching for the right words to say.

Para akong nablangko. Wala akong maisagot. Parang pinipiga ang puso ko sa bawat salita na binibitawan niya. After a minute, do'n pa lang ako nakapagsalita nang maayos.

"That's not true. Look. It's really okay. Forget it na. Wala na sa 'kin 'yon."

Talaga lang, Javee?

Racel drew a long and deep breath. I realized my mistake right away.

"I mean," I hurried in saying, "wag mo nang isipin 'yon. You didn't hurt me in any way. You kissed me and I didn't push you away. I liked it, too. So I'm sorry for suddenly running away. It wasn't my intention to reject you. Confused lang ako no'n."

"Don't apologize. It's on me," he murmured.

"No!" I protested. "Don't take all the blame. I'm sincere when I said I liked it. I did. In fact, a lot―"

"Don't, please," Racel interrupted suddenly. "Don't say that. I'd go crazy. I'm still making peace with the fact na hanggang dito na lang 'to. Kaya wag."

Napalunok ako. I was losing my rationality again. "I ― sorry." I sighed.

"I'm sorry, too."

Silence lapsed once again. I let minutes tick by.

I cleared my throat.

"So, um," sabi ko, testing the waters. "Are we okay?"

"Yes." This time I could hear him smiling. "We're okay."

"Friends?"

"Friends."

I sighed in relief. Napangiti na rin. Thank goodness. I really thought I screwed everything up. But we're okay.

***

Exams week came and passed by quickly. Now we were just finishing the grades consultation.

I was walking down the quad to go to food stalls when my gaze caught Kuya Paul and Gian walking out from there. Huminto sila nang mapansin ako.

Ngumisi sila at kumaway. Kumaway na rin ako, pinipilit na ngumiti nang matino. Sa totoo lang, simula n'ong 'kiss' na 'yon, hirap na akong tingnan sila sa mata.

"Yo, couz!" sabi ni Gian, naglalakad palapit sa 'kin.

"Where you going?" I asked, spying the keys in Gian's hand.

Kuya Paul smiled. "Wala. Kain lang sa labas. Sama ka?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Uy. Kayo ba, nag-aaral pa kayo?"

"Oo naman," sagot lang nila, natatawa.

Kahit na obvious na hindi. Actually, I wasn't that worried for Kuya Paul. I knew he was smart, probably smarter than Kuya Andrei. Dito lang naman kay Gian ako nag-aalala. He may be athletic and good in math, but his sciences needed some improvemens. Knowing Tito Nicollo, magagalit na naman 'yon pag may tres siyang makukuha. They didn't have that issue with Kuya Nick before. He's a genius in his own way. Pero dito kay Gian? It's as if he's not into studying in general. Parang lahat ng paraan ginagawa niya makatakas lang sa pag-aaral.

I threw them a disapproving look.

"Anong oras uwi mo?" tinanong bigla ni Kuya Paul.

"Around four pa."

"Sabay ka ba kay Jacob umuwi?"

"Nope. Punta pa akong Makati." Dapat kasi kahapon 'yon but I opted to review instead. Kaya ngayon na lang.

"Anong gagawin mo do'n?" kunot-noong tanong naman ni Gian.

"I'm gonna look for a gift. Anniversary na nina Mom soon."

"Oo nga pala." He nodded as if remembering. "Sino kasama mo?"

"Ako lang. It's my me time." Ngumisi ako.

"Sus. Me time pang nalalaman." Umiling-iling si Gian. "O ano? Sasabay ka ba sa lunch?"

Hm. Pwede. Tutal wala na akong exams. I could go straight din naman to Makati and doon na lang kumain pero baka kasi traffic. Ayokong maabutan ng gutom sa daan.

I smiled at my cousins. "Sige. Sabay ako."

"Yun, o!"

Sinundan ko sila papuntang parking lot. Ang Cayenne pala ang dalang sasakyan ngayon ni Gian. Sumakay na kami at agad din nagpaandar si Gian. The boys were laughing at something Kuya Paul said. Tahimik lang ako habang pinakikinggan sila.

The three of us ate at Maginhawa. Malapit lang naman 'yon sa campus. Habang nakikinig ako sa kwentuhan ng dalawa, pumapasok sa isip ko ang nakita namin ni Lhyle. Gusto ko sanang itanong kung ano ang meron kay Zoey Chen. Why she looked so broken and scared that day. Desperate, even. I wasn't even sure if Gian went to her that day. Kaso sa takbo ng kwentuhan nila, hindi naman ako makakasingit. Kaya ayun, nakinig na lang ako sa usapan nila habang kumakain kami.

"E 'di ano na? Kayo na?" Gian asked Kuya Paul, before sipping from his soda.

"Hindi pa. Malapit na," sabi ni Kuya Paul.

"Ang tagal naman ng 'malapit na' na 'yan."

"Chill, dude. 'Wag kang atat. This one's for keeps."

Napailing ako habang nangingiti sa naririnig. Kuya Paul's smitten, too. If it kept up, that's one less player in our family. Na-curious tuloy ako kung anong klaseng babae kaya 'tong si Denise. For her to make a Magnetic Beau fall? That's something.

Si Kuya Paul kasi, tulad ni Mathev, ay isang Casanova din. If Mathev is an Ardent Chaser, Kuya Paul is definitely a Magnetic Beau.

Magnetic Beau

This is a type na you have no idea he's a player. Everything about him screams normal. Magnetic Beaus are charming and pleasing and they're friends with everyone. They make you feel better just by being with them. They are there when you most need them kasi ang dating nga nila ay kaibigan sila. Barkada. Tropa lang. At dahil nga lagi siyang nandyan para sa 'yo, you are comfortable with him. He makes you feel special. He's extremely nice kaya iisipin mong good guy siya. He's good with everyone. Funny, kind and trustworthy. A people person. There was no way to see him otherwise kaya as time passes, you will fall for him thinking he might feel the same. After all, he's showering you with extra attention.

But it's not like that. You will slowly find out na hindi pala siya ready mag-commit. Hanggang 'almost' lang kayo. Friends but not quite. You can say he's the non-boyfriend. The lover that never was. The no-strings-attached sweetheart. It won't ever be more than that. You will never have labels and you will always be in between. Never official, never the girlfriend. Ang masakit do'n ay hindi mo alam kung ano ba talaga kayo. You don't know where you stand, kung kayo ba, kung kailan kayo matatapos. You're also not allowed to see other guys pero ikaw, hindi mo alam kung pwede kang magselos or if you have any right.

Beware.

These guys are so laidback and friendly it's very hard to distinguish them. They'll come to you in the form of a friend, someone you can trust with all your heart, someone who makes you feel happy and chill. But that's exactly their tactic. When you're all wrapped around their finger, you'll realize that's all they can give. Friendship. With sweet talking and all the nine yards. So ang end status mo? Friendzoned. Ang matindi, hindi lang ikaw. Yung akala mong sa 'yo lang siya gano'n, gano'n din pala siya sa lahat. He's everyone's bestfriend.

Matapos naming kumain, bumalik na sila sa campus. Dapat ihahatid pa nila ako sa Makati kaso ako na rin ang humindi. Baka mahuli pa sila sa exams nila. Mahirap na.

Sinamahan na lang nila ako hanggang sa makasakay ako ng cab. Medyo na-traffic pa ako kaya anong oras na ako nakarating ng mall.

Pagkarating ko, I texted my brothers right away na naroon nga ako. Hindi na rin ako nagpasundo 'cause I was sure gigimik ang mga 'yon. Wala. Term break na rin naman na.

I checked every store to find a perfect gift for my parents. Halos lahat yata ay napasukan ko. I bought a branded bag for my Mom, and wallet and new shades for my Dad. And since nandito na rin naman ako, bumili na ako ng iilang mga dress para sa sarili.

It was evening na nga when I finished. I walked along the streets, preparing to book my ride. Marami akong kasabay. I guess the employees that worked around the area were going home now, too.

Several cars zoomed past us. Hindi ko pinapansin. I was too engrossed with my music. Kung hindi pa huminto ang mga babaeng nasa harap ko, hindi ko pa mapapansin yung Lamborghini na huminto sa gilid.

The girls stopped to take a photo of the car. Dumiretso akong maglakad para lagpasan sila.

"Jamie V!"

I paused in my tracks. Tumingin ako pabalik sa car kung san galing yung boses. Only one person calls me by that name, and sure enough, Angelo was there, grinning from ear to ear at me. Naka-gray na T-shirt siya at may nakapatong na shades sa ulo niya.

Nagtinginan sa 'kin ang mga babaeng busy sa pagkuha ng picture niya. Para bang nagulat sila na tinawag ako. I ignored them and walked toward the smiling guy.

"Heeeey. Where you going?" bungad ni Angelo in a smooth, cool voice.

Napangiti ako nang malaki. Hindi ko in-expect na makikita ko siya dito.

"Pauwi na. Ikaw?"

Angelo, by the way, looked oddly good in his sports car. I think that's one reason kung bakit hindi na yung Lambo ang pinipicturan ng mga girls and siya na.

"Same," Angelo replied, wearing his dimpled smile. "What're you still doing there? Get in."

Ayoko sana. But since we were attracting a bigger crowd, I quickly did as told.

I watched the girls from the side mirror as we drove off. Nang makalayo kami ng konti, do'n lang ako nagsalita.

I turned to him. "What are you doing here?"

"I live around here." He flashed me a grin.

"Really, where?"

"Forbes. Are you going home na?"

I nodded.

He was still grinning, eyes on the road. "I was kinda surprised, actually. I was about to go home na but then I spotted a familiar figure. Can't miss that beautiful face anywhere."

"Bolero. Ano naman ang ginagawa mo at sa gilid ka nakatingin?"

He whistled. "Saw a group of girls. One of them is bound to be pretty and what do you know? Tama nga. You were there."

I snorted a laugh. "Typical charmer."

"I'm kidding." Tumawa siya. Then bigla siyang lumingon sa 'kin at nag-angat ng kilay. "Why are you walking pala? Where's your brother?"

"'Di ko kasama. I'm alone," simpleng sagot ko.

"'You have a driver, right? 'Di ka nagpasundo?"

"'Di na. I can commute naman."

He shook his head, a light frown occupying his handsome face. "I don't know why Andrei's letting you commute. You should have your own car."

"I know. I've been telling them pero ayaw nila."

He clicked his tongue. "Possessive asses."

"You can say that again."

"Possessive asses."

Tumawa ako. He grinned again.

"Sa'n ka pala galing?" I asked.

"I delivered a paper to my ate. Our company is around here lang."

"Talaga naman. Rich kid," I teased.

He glanced at me briefly, smiling wide. "You din naman, a? And besides, that's my family's business. Not mine. They're rich, not me."

"Ows?" biro ko.

"Oo nga," he replied with a laugh. "I don't wanna work there. I want to start on my own."

"Why? What's your business ba?"

"Zalameda owns hospitals. Castillos, more on technology side of things. Not my thing." He grinned at me. "I want something else. Arki."

"Drawings and stuff?"

Sabagay. Back in Youth Camp, he did mention na mahilig siya ro'n.

"Hell yeah. Someday, I'll give my mom a house I designed myself." I smiled at the way he said that. Super evident how much he loved his mom. Sweet.

I chuckled. "Wow, I didn't expect that. Usual answer kasi ng guys, it's for their wife."

He looked at me weird. "I'm never going to marry, Jamie V."

I held his gaze. "Why not?"

He shrugged. "Just not into it, I guess?"

"You don't wanna commit right now pero magbabago pa 'yan. Someday, you'll meet someone who'll change your game."

He looked at me deeply for seconds. Before he chuckled and returned his eyes on the road again. "Maybe." He added suddenly, "I haven't memorized the way to your home. Lead the way."

I nodded, smiling despite myself. "Aight."

***

That very weekend, umuwi sina Dad para mag-celebrate kami ng anniversary nila.

We had a small get-together in a seafood restaurant. Kami kami lang together with our cousins.

I was absolutely happy to see them again. Lalo na si Kuya Travis. During the time he was in the hacienda in Ilocos, Kuya gained subtle changes. Medyo nagkaka-tan na siya at namumula na ang mga pisngi niya dahil sa araw. He also lost some weight pero it wasn't serious kasi if anything, he looked better than before pa nga.

In the next days, pumasok lang ako sa school para sa last meeting ng Student Council before the start of the official term break. Kasama ko ro'n sina Ahron, Joseph at Camille. Inayos lang namin ang mga projects namin pagdating ng pasukan, then it was a wrap na.

Ahron and I met Anjo, Maxxie, and Hiro sa benches. Kumakain sila ng ice cream habang hinihintay kami. Katulad namin, may mga inayos lang sila sa orgs nila.

"'Yon! Dumating din!" Anjo beamed upon seeing us.

"Ano? Party-party na?" Maxxie asked with a grin.

Pupunta kasi kami ng Candid ngayon. Last bonding namin bago kami maghiwa-hiwalay.

"Si Lhyle pala?" tanong ni Hiro.

"Sunod na lang daw si Lhyle. May tinatapos pa," I answered.

"Naku. Kahit 'wag na siya. Girls night na lang!" sabi naman ni Anjo, sabay tawa.

Nagkwentuhan pa muna kami ro'n habang inuubos ng girls ang ice cream nila. We were throwing jokes when suddenly may tinuro sa 'min si Anjo.

A few feet away from us, a chinese guy was striding down the fields, looking royally pissed. Papunta sila sa kabilang building at kasunod niya ang mga kaibigan niya na parang hinahabol siya.

Nagkatinginan kami. Mukha silang galing sa away. The guy looked oddly familiar, too.

"Wow. Ngayon ko lang nakitang nanggagalaiti 'yang si Yuan, a?" sabi ni Maxxie. "Usually naman, tahimik lang 'yan."

I looked at her. "You know him?"

"Oo naman. Yuan Chen. Zoey Chen's brother. Pretty famous among Business Ad majors."

"Parang galing sa away 'no?" Anjo added. "Anyare kaya?"

"Hm. Speaking of Zoey Chen, I heard she dropped out," Ahron suddenly informed.

"Oh? Kung kailan term break na?" said Anjo, confused. "Bakit daw?"

"Beats me." Ahron shrugged.

"I heard na-ospital siya. 'Di siya nakapag-exam," Hiromi told us.

Naglakad na kami papunta sa car ni Hiro. Naglalaro pa rin sa isipan ko ang mga narinig ko about Zoey Chen. She's sick? 'Yon kaya ang reason kung bakit sobrang maputla siya when we saw her?

'Yon ba ang reason bakit gano'n na lang ang paghahabol niya kay Gian?

The thought left a sour taste in my mouth. For some reasons, kinutuban ako.

Nakasalubong namin sina Kuya Jacob sa parking. Kasama niya ro'n ang mga barkada niya, at sina Gian at Mathev na nag-uusap sa 'di kalayuan.

Bumati lang sa kanila sina Anjo bago dumiretso sa sasakyan ni Hiromi. Nagpaiwan muna ako para makapagpaalam. To give us privacy, humiwalay muna ang mga barkada ni Kuya.

"Gigimik ka?" tanong ni Kuya Jacob. "Uwi nang maaga, a?"

I rolled my eyes. "Wow. Nagsalita."

"Sama na lang kaya kami?"

"Wag na. Magiging panggulo lang kayo."

Tumawa siya at umiling. "You're so bad to me."

Gian and Mathev walked closer to us.

"Ayos. Pa-party ka?" Gian said, raising a brow. Tumango lang sa 'kin si Mathev na abala sa tine-text niya.

Napatingin ako sa kanila. My eyes widened. I almost gasped when I saw Gian's face. Shit. His jaw was bruising. Badly, too.

"What happened to your face?" I asked in panic.

At that, tinapik lang ng boys ang balikat ni Gian. Nagkibitbalikat lang siya habang hinahawakan ang pasa.

I frowned, thinking.

It took me seconds. But then, it clicked.

"Gi, you got into a fight?" I cleared up. "With Yuan Chen?"

Parang nasisira ang mood, sumimangot si Gian. "That fucking asshole."

"Ano ba talagang issue ng mga 'yon sa 'yo?" sabi ni Mathev, tumatawa.

"I don't fucking know." Gian growled. "His sister's been texting me nonstop."

"Gago ka kasi. Kapag alam mong matino yung babae, 'wag mong patulan," Kuya Jacob said. "Boundaries, bro."

"We had an agreement, okay. She knew firsthand what she was getting into. If only I knew. What a fucking mistake."

Something in his tone made me snap. Okay. I didn't like fighting with my cousins. Lalo na with Gian since kami ang super close.

But I couldn't stand what he said. Not when I saw Zoey Chen breaking like that.

"Shut up, Gi," I blurted before I could stop myself. I furrowed my brows. "You don't get to screw her then talk shit."

Tumaas ang kilay ni Gian. "Dude, what's your problem?"

I glared at him. Hindi ko ugaling makialam pero hindi ko magawang isawalang bahala ang nakita at narinig ko.

Ewan ko.

Something about this whole thing spelled trouble to me. Yuan Chen. Zoey Chen. Si Gian. This whole fiasco seemed wrong.

"Kayo, kayo ang problema." I said with a frown. "I don't like what you're doing with those girls. It's wrong."

Gian was now scowling, his brows furrowed. "Mind your own business, Javee. Didn't you hear what I just said? We had an agreement. Don't talk as if she was a victim here."

Hindi ako sanay makipagtalo sa kanila but I wasn't backing down. They needed to hear this.

Hinawakan ni Mathev ang braso ko at binulungan ako para kumalma. I shrugged him off. No, Mathe. You can't stop me on this one.

"Mind my own business? So you can butt into my affairs but I can't call you out on your dumb behavior?" I retorted. "And screw your agreement. In the first place, dapat wala nang gano'n. Kung ayaw n'yo na magkagusto sa inyo yung mga babae, then don't sleep with them in the first place. Straighten up! Hihintayin n'yo pa ba na may mangyaring 'di maganda just because you boys liked to play games?"

Tinitigan ako ni Gian with a challenging expression. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Didn't you hear me? She knew what we were doing. What the fuck did I do so wrong? Everything was consensual. So what was fucking wrong with that?"

"Dammit, man. Wag mo nang patulan," Kuya Jacob told Gian, getting frustrated too. "Javee, mag-usap kayo nang maayos."

I sighed. "Look. I'm not trying to pick a fight here. Ang sa 'kin lang, tigilan n'yo na 'yang paglalaro n'yo. You're crossing the line too much. Lahat kayo. Lalo ka na, Gi. You're the worst of all."

Umiling-iling si Gian. "Tss. I don't get you, Javee. Labo." He turned the other way and stormed off.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. Tumingin sa 'kin si Mathev at Kuya. Mukhang nagulat at nalito sila sa nangyari.

"What the fuck was that about?" tinanong ako ni Kuya.

"I'm fed up with your games, all of you. Kahit pa with consent ang lahat. Can't you all just stop na? Tone down. Start getting serious with life for once. You have me. I know those girls know what they're getting into and they're okay with it kasi in your terms, consensual and casual lang naman. But can you really control someone's heart? 'Di maiiwasan na may mahuhulog talaga, Kuya. Ang malala, it's not you everytime. At kapag nahulog na, magpapaalam na kayo? Just like that? Can't you think of me everytime you're at risk of breaking someone's heart? Mali talaga," I said in an outburst before walking away.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla na lang akong sumabog. Basta ang alam ko lang, hindi maganda ang kutob ko sa mga nangyayari.