"Kanina pa 'yan tunog ng tunog." I heard Kleo said as he glance at me.

Itinigil ko ang pagkain saka mahigpit na hinawakan ang cellphone ko. Bago ko patayin ay nakita ko pa ang number ni Louie sa screen. I sighed and put the cellphone in my bag and hid it.

I saw out of the corner of my eye the frown of Kleo's face next to mine. We're here in the cafeteria, and in the few weeks I've been avoiding Louie, i always been with Kleo or should be forced to be with.

I can say that Kleo is a good friend even though he is always annoying. Siya lang 'yata ang naglakas loob na bwesitin ako sa araw-araw. Ever since I was in high school, almost all the students here at school have avoided me. Maybe, they still can't forget what happened then.

Bagaman wala na sa akin 'yon, I can't help but get annoyed. Like now, almost their eyes are on us. I was shaken and then drank some water. I was about to stand up nang hawakan ni Kleo ang braso ko. I raised an eyebrow at him, but like the usual he just shrugged.

He quickly finished eating and then spoke.

"Sabay ulit tayo."

Napairap ako. "Fine."

Wala rin naman akong magagawa dahil talagang mapilit siya. We got out of school at the same time. The sun was shining so freaking much so I took out my umbrella. I was surprised when Kleo grabbed it and he held it teasingly.

I angrily pinched him on the shoulder. "Papansin ka talaga 'noh?"

He just smirked and shook his head. "I'm not."

I mocked him so he laughed softly. I just took a deep breath and then adjusted my walk. I leaned over him so I wouldn't get sunny. The umbrella I brought was small, just for me really. But since he joined I had to adjust.

"Hindi ako napapayungan!" I hissed ng ilayo niya ang payong.

"Parang hindi naman.." I heard him whisper as he moved my umbrella further away.

I was really annoyed so I reached for the umbrella but the madman just lifted it. My eyes glazed over, my lips tightened. Porke't ba mas matangkad siya sa akin gaganituhin niya na ako! Argh!

"Isa!" I shouted, but he just looked at me. I sighed then tried to retrieve the umbrella but he quickly pulled it away.

"Kaya mo.. Kaya mo?" Nang-aasar na sabi niya pa!

I tsked. "Akin na kase!"

Tinignan niya ako saka napakamot sa kilay. Nakikita na sigurong naiintan na talaga ako. He sighed saka inilapit ang payong at pinayungan ako. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. I heard him mumbled something so my eyebrows met.

"Ano nanaman ba 'yon?" Bulyaw ko sa kanya.

"Ang liit mo kase, payat pa." He stated as he looked at me from head to toe.

I sighed and then looked at him. "Matangkad ka lang talaga."

He shook his head. "No, you're just really short."

"Tang ina ka!" Malutong na murang sabi ko kaya napahalakhak siya saka pinisat ang pisnge ko.

My eyes widened saka hinampas siya sa tiyan. "Ouch! My abs!"

"I can't believe you.." I muttered as I give him a dead look. He just pouted saka hinawakan ang tiyan niya na may abs raw—edi wow!

Natigilan kami sa pagbabangayan ng may humintong sasakyan sa harapan namin. We both recoiled in panic. I even felt Kleo's hand supporting me. I silently thank him, there is a rock behind me. Kung hindi niya ginawa 'yon, baka matapilok pa ako.

"Magdahan dahan ka naman! Kita mong tumatawid kami!" Galit na sabi ni Kleo.

"If you have a complain, here's my card. You can contact me freely." Napaangat kaagad ang tingin ko sa driver! Si Louie!

"What?!" The annoyance in Kleo's voice was obvious from Louie's rebuke.

I swallowed.

Tension building between the two of them. They stared intently until Louie's gaze dropped to my arm. I looked straight at it, Kleo was holding it. His jaw tightened at the sight so I quickly took my arm. Nagtama ang mata naming dalawa, isang matalim na tingin ang ibinigay niya sa akin.

Palihim akong kinabahan, kumabog ang dibdib ko at bahagyang natigilan. Bakit kung tignan niya ako ay tila may nagawa nanaman akong kasalanan?! Nagtagis ang bagang ko sa isiping 'yon. Siya ang may tinatago sa akin kaya hindi dapat ako matakot.

"You're a lawyer but you don't follow the law," panimula ko kaya napatingin siya sa akin. "Do you know the stop you made was a violation?" Seryoso ngunit madidiing sabi ko pa.

I don't even know where I got the strength to say that. Basta ang alam ko lang, nagagalit ako. Naramdaman ko ang pagkagulat niya sa sinabi ko bago tumiim ang bagang, hindi nagustuhan ang sinabi ko.

"Did you know that according to Republic Act no.10344 stealing is a crime?"

Nangunot ang noo ko, parang nasabi ko na 'yan noon 'ah. "What are you saying!"

"That guy beside you.." Tinuro niya si Kleo. "He's violating the law too."

"A-Ano!" Nanlalaki ang matang sabi ko, I then glanced at Kleo who is also confused now.

"He's stealing my property." Louie said as he look at me, like I am the property he was talking about.

Akmang magsasalita na ako ng paandarin niya na ang sasakyan saka nilampasan kami. I blinked and then turned to the person next to me who was grinning, more like chocking. Marahil ay na-gets na ang sinasabi ni Louie.

"He's so.. Darn, so fvcking corny!" Hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Kleo kaya nauwi nalang sa tawa ang reaksyon ko.

Mukha siyang tanga.

"Tara na nga." Yaya ko nalang kaya napatango siya.

Pagkauwi ko sa bahay ay wala akong naabutan. I glanced at the sticker on the refrigerator. I took it and then read it, nakasaad doon na nagtungo sila sa palengke para mamimili. Looks like we're running out of stocks. Mommy doesn't buy at the supermarket which is just near here. Mas gusto niya sa palengke dahil sariwa talaga at mura pa.

Naupo ako sa sofa saka sumandal doon. Nakakapagod ang araw na 'toh. I shuddered as I held the sinus. The amount I've been thinking about these past few days. So what I did.. I focused on what I should really worry about. I don't want to disappoint my mommy ganda and ate for nth time.

Malapit naman na ang graduation namin, last day nanamin kanina. I put my foot on the table, but I immediately stopped. I remember Louie, he don't like it. I straightened my hair and then combed it before putting on my glasses. I will be preparing for the profession I will enter. The sooner, the better.

Kabubukas ko lang ng literature book ko ng marinig ko ang pagtunog ng gate. I think someone is outside. I got up then went to the door. When I could not see who was outside I crossed the gate.

"L-Louie..." I said in shock while looking at him.

Nakaharap siya sa akin kaya bumaba ang tingin ko sa matipuno niyang dibdib para makaiwas. I couldn't speak anymore especially when he held my hand.

Nararamdaman ko dun ang pag-iingat na masaktan ako kahit na mabilis kaming pumasok sa bahay.

Inupo niya ako sa sofa.

"We should talk." He seriously said as he seat beside me.

When I did not move or say a word, he presented me to him. He held both my hands, one on top while the other was folded. I looked down even more.

"Look at me.." He commanded but I shook my head.

"Don't let me repeat it again Hazel Duro!" Seems to be running out of patience, he almost groan.

"No.. I d-don't want to.." Nabubulol man ay nagawa kong ituwid ang salita ko.

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa mga kamay ko. Akala ko sasaktan niya ako sa katagisan ng ulo ko o sisigawan ako. Pero hindi, he took a deep sighed bago mapahilamos sa mukha. He looks so frustrated. He seemed to want to force me to speak but he couldn't because he just couldn't.

My fist clenched and my face hardened even more. I'm not going to be soft on him now. some nights I cried for him, some days I pretended to be okay even though it wasn't really. And it's all because of him.

"Tell me.. Hazel, what do you want?" He asked, so sudden. "Why are you avoiding me?"

Parang nabingi ako sa narinig ko! Nagtatanong pa ba talaga siya?! My gaze deepened before I looked at him. Although surprised by the expression on his face, I did not show it. He looked a lost puppy. Ang mga mata niya ay punong puno ng kaguluhan. I could also see the dark circle around his eyes, his eyebrows meeting side by side. It's likes, he did not seem to sleep for a days.

Pumirmi ang labi ko at tinitignan siya sa mata. "I want a label Louie."

Umuwang ang bibig niya at hindi nakapagsalita. Para siyang napipe sa sinabi ko. My heart arched painfully, with just his reaction I could tell he couldn't. I laughed softly then preceded him in speaking.

"Let's just end this 'thing' between us Attorney..." My declaration words were emphatic —which darkened his face.

"No!" He even managed to stand up to protest.

"Yes! Tapusin nalang tin 'toh!" I retorted, his fist clenched. His jaw tightened and he showed that he really didn't like what I was saying now.

"What the fvck Hazel?!" Mataas na boses na sabi niya na, gustong tumutol.

I averted my eyes especially when he looked at me sharply. The Louie I knew seemed to have disappeared, and a different personality of his was in front of me now. He looked really furious, it's like he was looking for an explanation for my sudden decision. But why? Isn't this what it should be? He already have a girlfriend for pete's sake!

"Tell me.." Biglang huminahong sabi niya, "is it because of the guy you've always been with?!"

My face wrinkled. "What are you saying!"

"Gusto mo na ba siya?! Wala ka na bang nararamdaman sa akin?" Parang nasasaktan pang sabi niya at nagawa pa akong hawakan sa balikat. "Kayo na ba? M-May relasyon na ba kayo—"

I couldn't help but slap him for what I heard. He gasp and opened his mouth to utter a words but no words came out. He seeming to realize what he had said. Tears welled up in my eyes and then I slapped him again.

"Gago ka! A-Ako pa talaga ang babaliktarin mo?!" Lumuluhang sabi ko saka sinamaan siya ng tingin. "You're the one who did something wrong here Louie.. Ikaw!"

"W-What?" I was applauded, he was really good at pretending to know nothing. Bravo!

"Wow huh! Really attorney?" I asked sarcastically then added, "tama na ang pagsisinungaling!"

"I already know that you have a fvcking girlfriend Louie!" Kitang kita ko kung papaano siya matigilan, rumehistro ang gulat sa mukha niya.

"You already in relationship with someone else attorney.. and her name is Lydia! Ang babaeng sinabi mong wala lang sa'yo!" I shouted and then let the tears trickle down my cheeks.

"When are you going to tell me that?! Huh? When?!" I even pushed him on the shoulder  dahil para siyang na-estatwa sa kinatatayuan niya.

"L-Let me explain—" I shook my head then weakly backed away from him.

"Don't come near me.."

"Hazel.."

"Sobrang sakit ng ginawa mo Louie.." Panimula ko habang patuloy ang pagluha sa harapan niya. "Niloko mo ako.. You lied to me.. You made me look like a fool like Mark."

"She's your girlfriend, why aren't you satisfied?! Pano mo nagawang pagsabayin kaming dalawa? Why are you continuing.. with whatever communication we have now." puno ng sakit na sabi ko. "B-Bakit Louie.. B-Bakit?"

"Akala ko iba ka.. Pero nagkakamali ako." Naiiling na sabi ko. "Pare-pareho lang kayong mga lalaki.. H-Hindi kayo marunong makuntento."

"N-No.. Hazel.." His eyes were red as he spoke, a few more words coming from me —He seemed to be crying too. "Hear me out p-please.."

"Tama na Louie.." I said sadly as I looked him in the eye. I pointed my chest, where my heart was bago napapaos ang boses na nagsalita. "M-Masyado ng masakit.."

Nakita ko kung papaano siya matigilan, manghina na tila ba paunti-unting nadudurog dahil sa sinabi ko. Masakit man sa dibdib, ikamamatay man ng puso ko ay pinaalis ko siya sa harapan ko. Pinagsaraduhan ng pintuan at panay ang sabing, 'ayoko na kitang makita' na 'umalis ka na sa buhay ko'.

"Ma'am Hazel!" I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes and then glanced at my students with a smile.

"Yes, Astrid?" Masuyong tanong ko as I approached where he was.

"Do they have a happy ending?"

I smiled bitterly. "No, because the girl pushed him away. She didn't let him explain even though the man begged a few times. She was in a hurry to make a decision because of the pain her loved one made her feel. Wala rin siyang pag-aalinlangan umalis at iniwan ito para iwasan ang muling masaktan."

"Sad ending po teacher?" I laughed softly, they're really listening.

"Yes children, sad ending."