Chapter 12

True to Note's word, after a week, Maya went to me to apologize. Wala naman siyang dapat i-hingi ng tawad pero naka-hinga ako ng maluwag dahil sa wakas, handa na siyang sabihan ako ng tungkol sa pinagkaka-abalahan niya.

"Should I start?" she asked like she's about to defend her thesis.

I nodded calmly. 

I promised myself that I'd be understanding no matter what. Paulit-ulit na nag-e-echo iyong boses ni Note sa isip ko na this is her life. Just trust her. Buhay niya 'to. Nasa kanya iyong buong kontrol ng buhay niya. Ako, as a friend, should support her...

"It started in the acquaintance party," she started and my mouth went agape. 

"What?! Ganon katagal?"

She nodded and showed me a peace sign by her hand. "You were the emcee. Lucky and Guilbert were both preoccupied with their fans who were asking them to dance. Note was dragged by some girl and never came back—"

"Uhm, to set the record straight, he went to me after dancing with that girl," I honestly told her.

Nanlaki 'yung mga mata niya. "Really?" I nodded. She sighed. "Buti naman..."

"How about Jessi?"

"Huh? Anong meron kay Jessi?"

"I mean... isn't he with you when the other boys went busy?" I asked. Hindi ko pa rin kasi nakakalimutan iyong Blind Date request ni Jess noon. Imposible namang trip niya lang makipag-blind date kay Maya nang walang feelings involved?

"Some girl went to our table and talked to him," she replied. "Tsaka 'di ba, hindi naman kami masyadong close no'n. I feel like he doesn't like every time I tag along with the band. Tahimik niya masyado."

"Tahimik ka rin naman, ah?"

"Normal naman akong tahimik. Siya naman kasi, nagsasalita kapag kayo lang iyong kasama. Pero pag naka-buntot ako, parang masama ang loob niya."

I chuckled. "You're not sure." I shake my head. May misunderstanding pa 'yung dalawa. "Anyway, I believe nasa intro pa lang tayo ng kwento mo kaya shut up muna ako." 

I zipped my mouth. Tinawanan niya 'ko.

"So being the only one left, I wanted to go to you to tell you that I'm going home," she paused. Then smiled. My forehead creased. Weird nito. "Then on the way to you, I bumped with someone."

"Hindi ka ba sinundan ni Jess?" I asked again. I'm sure his eyes are on her all along that night. Wala ba siyang ginawa? Hindi man lang niya niyaya sumayaw? Ugh. Kami nga ni Note, sumayaw, e... I bit my lip. Hala, si Cady!

"I don't know. I was upset with him. Masyado akong na-OP doon sa pinag-uusapan nila, e. Kaya umalis na lang ako. Hindi na 'ko nagpaalam."

"Tapos? Sino 'yung naka-bangga mo?"

Her eyes twinkled. I arched my brow. Weird na babae. "Guess."

Nag-isip ako ng taong makakapag-dulot sa kanya ng ganitong reaction. 

My eyes widened. "Don't tell me... si Gamboa?"

She shrieked. "Yes! Si Cyrus." 

Hinawakan niya nang mahigpit iyong braso ko. Ngumiwi ako. I don't like that guy. Alexander Cyrus Gamboa. He has the aura na parang dapat layuan. Kaya nga 'di ko kinakaibigan 'yun kahit na friendly naman akong tao.

"Oh, then?" 

"He apologize for bumping with me. Tapos natunganga lang ako sa kanya. Syempre, he's my crush way back elem days. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. But then, he smiled and introduced himself to me!"

She's so happy while telling me her story. I forced a smile. Well, at least she's happy, right? 

"Then he asked me to dance. We danced for so long, Cady. Parang 'di kami napagod. Ang dami naming napag-usapan. Nakilala ko siya lalo. Hindi na iyong mga basic knowledge lang tungkol sa kanya na nakikita sa SNS niya 'yung alam ko. He shared many things about him and that makes me appreciate him more..."

I smiled at her. She looks so happy. It's the first time I saw her this giddy for a guy. She's a mum. Ngayon lang siya nag-kwento nang ganito with full energy. It's different. She's different. Parang something has changed. Maybe because she matured already? 

"Then he asked for my number—"

"Huh?! That night? That quick?" nabibiglang tanong ko. "Did you give him?"

She confusedly nodded. "Of course. Kilala ko naman na siya, e."

I cleared my throat. I want to rant but okay. I'll hear her first. I'd listen.

"Continue, please."

"Remember the night mini concert?" she asked and I nodded. Of course, that's the day of our performance! "Sabay kaming nanood noon sa inyo."

"What?!" I hissed. I mean—sobrang lapit ng mga tao sa isa't-isa noon sa audience area. And knowing that guy... "Have he tried you some of his moves?"

"What... moves..." she laughed awkwardly. I sternly looked at her. Lumikot iyong mata niya tsaka siya bumuntong hininga. "Umakbay lang siya tapos holding hands. And hug."

Ipinikit ko nang mariin 'yung mata ko. I massage the temple of my nose. Teka lang, ha. Na-stress ako bigla. Huminga ako nang malalim.

"Maya," I breathed. "That's just the second day you knew that guy—I mean, of course, you knew him while we're still in primary—but second day mo pa lang siya nakilala na with semi-formal introduction, and you already let him touch you?"  

"I like him, Cady," sabi niya bago napa-yuko. "I was really afraid to tell you about him. Kasi baka magalit ka nga. But I like him."

Natahimik ako. Huminga ako nang malalim. Ayokong pangunahan siya. Kailangan kong kumalma. 

"Did he court you already?" I asked her calmly. "Alam ba 'to ni Tito?"

"Yes, he did. About a day... but kami na."

"What?!" I shouted. "A day lang? Bakit ang bilis?"

She gave me her defensive stance. "Because I like him, Cady!"

I rolled my eyes. "Gosh."

Naglakad ako sa harap niya. Paikot-ikot. 

We're still 16! At sobrang istrikto ni Tito. Siguradong hindi siya makakalusot pag nalaman man niya na may ganito na nga sa anak niya. I don't know if I can help her kapag nabuko siya ng Daddy niya tungkol dito. Even I was scared of her father. 

"And your grades..." I mentioned. No. I pointed out. "Dahil ba kay Gamboa kaya bumaba nang ganun 'yung grades mo? Kaya ka nagka-cut class? Kaya 'di ka nakakapag-review or nakaka-gawa ng assignments?  And the last time na pumunta ako sa bahay niyo. You used my name to get away from your Dad?"

"I'm sorry, okay?" she pleaded. "Please support me on this, Cady. I really like him. He's a good guy. Masyado lang talaga akong nagpabaya kaya bumaba iyong grade ko. Wala siyang kinalaman 'dun so don't put the blame on him. Aayusin ko na 'yung grade ko ngayon, but please promise me na 'di makakarating 'to kay Dad?"

I shake my head. 

"Of course. Hindi kita kayang ipahamak," I replied. She smiled at me. I remained serious because I am serious. I can't help but feel a little disappointment from what I heard. But since it's her life, I won't meddle with her business. "In one condition," I firmly said.

Parang nanlumo iyong mukha niya. "Ano?"

"Bring back the Maya whose grade conscious and has the ambition to finish high school with title. You are a candidate for Valedictorian 'di ba? Basta maayos 'yung grade mo hanggang Grade 12 tayo. That's your dream, 'di ba? Please don't let that go just because you found Cyrus. Please, mag-tino ka sa pag-aaral. Prioritize it. Kasi kung mahal ka ni Cyrus, he'd understand. And this is about your future."

Her face fell. "But he wants to have most of my time..."

"Gosh, Maya! 'Wag tanga, okay? I'd support you two kahit na 'di ako panatag diyan sa boyfriend mo basta 'yung responsibilidad mo bilang estudyante, 'wag mong kakalimutan. Live your life the same or the better, your choice, even if you already learned how to love someone in a romantic way. Your life is still that life. Nagkaro'n lang ng Cyrus. So you need to double the work."

"I'd discuss it with him—"

I cut her off. Umiinit na iyong ulo ko. Ayokong magka-away kami. "Mauna na ako. Susunduin ka ba niya? Siya na ba 'yung nag-hahatid sa 'yo pauwi?"

"Oo. Pero hanggang labas lang ng village."

"Huh?"

"Baka kasi makita kami ni Dad."

I pressed my lips firmly. Sobrang bibinggo na sa akin 'yang Gamboa na 'yan. But I won't meddle. I won't meddle. That's their business... Sapat nang sinabihan ko siya. It will be her choice in the end.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kanya para umuwi. 

* * *

Instead of going home, sinabihan ko iyong driver namin na pumunta sa bahay nila Note. He was absent today. He is sick. Dumaan muna ako sa mall para bumili ng fruits and medicine. Bumili na rin ako ng soup para sa kanya dahil alam ko namang 'di ako magluluto sa bahay nila. Baka ma-food poison pa siya pag sinubukan ko.

I rang their doorbell. Mabilis na nabuksan 'yun at bumungad iyong naka-ngiting mukha ni Auntie Nerissa.

"Cady!" Agad siyang bumeso sa 'kin. She's too excited. Natawa ako.

"Auntie, hello po," I greeted. She's like my second mother. This is my second home since I was a child. Pinakita ko sa kanya iyong mga dala ko. "Si Note, Auntie?"

"Naku! Nakatulog sa itaas. Sobrang taas ng lagnat mula pa kagabi."

"Hindi ko nga po alam na may sakit pala. Kung 'di ko pa narinig kila Guilbert, hindi ko pa malalaman."

Pumunta kami sa kusina. I get a clean bowl for the soup. 

"Ayaw ka lang noon mag-alala. You know how stubborn he is." Auntie smiled. Pinanood niya akong mag-balat ng prutas. Buti na lang talaga may peeler sila. I don't know how to use a knife.

"But did he already take his meds po?"

"Of course. Don't worry. I did not stop nagging him."

I chuckled. "Hindi ka naman nun matitiis, Auntie."

Natawa rin siya. "Yeah. That's a good thing."

Nilagay namin ni Auntie iyong gamot, tubig, soup at mga prutas sa isang tray. Inihatid niya lang ako hanggang sa pinto ng kwarto ni Note para pagbuksan ng pinto. She then asked me to look for Note for the mean time dahil mayroon daw siyang pupuntahan.

Note looks surprised when he wake up not long after I went inside his bedroom.

"Gising ka na, Kamahalan," I smiled at him. 

I touched his forehead. Ngumuso ako. Sobrang init niya! 

"Why are you here?" he asked while struggling himself to sit down. 

"Syempre, you're sick! I am here to nurse you."

Lumapit agad ako sa kanya para alalayan siya. Isinandal ko siya sa headboard.

"Bakit ka ba kasi nagkasakit?" 

Akala ko kasi nag-absent siya dahil nag-viral 'yung video niyang sumasayaw sa parking lot, e.

"Naambunan lang ako kagabi. Tapos natuyuan," he replied. "But I'd get better soon. Hindi naman tumatagal 'yung lagnat ko. Ikaw 'yung 'di na dapat nagpunta dito, baka mahawaan pa kita diyan."

Umiling ako tsaka kinuha 'yung bowl of soup na nasa tray. Kinuha ko 'yung kutsara tsaka inihipan iyon habang hinahalo. Kumuwit ako nang kaunti sa kutsara tsaka inihipan 'yun bago dalhin sa tapat ng bibig niya.

"Say aahh," I commanded. He looks at me with his eyes full of amusement but follows otherwise. 

Pinanood ko 'yung reaction niya nung nakain na niya.

"Masarap, 'no?" I sheepishly asked and he nodded. "Syempre binili ko lang 'yan."

He chuckled. "In which I was relieved."

"Ang sama nito, oh! Kapag ako natutong magluto, you'll beg me to cook for you!"

Nangungulit 'yung ngiti niya sa 'kin. "I'll wait for that to happen."

I rolled my eyes. May sakit nga pero ang lakas pa rin umepal!

Pinakain ko lang siya tsaka pina-inom ng gamot. I thought he's going to sleep again but he just stayed by sitting down.

"How's school?" he asked.

"Ayun... school pa 'rin."

He flicked on my forehead. I gave him a scowl. "Seryoso kasi. Nagka-usap na kayo ni Maya?"

Upon remembering Maya, I pouted and nodded. Tapos ikinwento ko sa kanya 'yung napag-usapan namin. It's Maya's secret but I feel safe talking to Note about it. He's reliable. Tsaka, I need his clear perspective on about what I should do. 

"Did I do the right thing?" I asked him after I told him about the whole conversation.

He smiled at me and nodded. "Yes. I'm so proud of you. You didn't let your emotions clouded your judgment. I think Maya needs more of your guide since she's new in having commitment."

"And I'm an expert?" I asked him while grinning.

Natawa siya. "Oo nga pala. Experience-less ka rin pala."

I scoffed. "Wow, came from the mouth of another member of NCSB."

His eyebrows furrowed. "NCSB?"

"No commitment since birth," I replied.

Tumawa siya nang malakas sa sinabi ko. "Ayaw mo nun, 'di ka nag-iisa. Kasama mo pa rin ako kahit na may boyfriend na si Maya."

"Yeah," I whispered faintly. "Kaya pag balak mo nang mag-girlfriend o pag nanliligaw ka na, sabihan mo ako agad, ha? Don't do to me what Maya did. Ayoko nang mabigla ulit."

Of course, mababawasan na iyong oras nila sa kaibigan pag pumasok na sila sa commitment. Marami naman akong friends pero bilang lang kasi sila na talagang pinagsasabihan ko ng mga nangyayari tungkol sa buhay ko. The others are more like acquaintances.

"You're unfair. I'm sick right now."

Kumunot 'yung noo ko sa kanya. "Anong connect nun sa pinag-uusapan natin?"

"You're being cute right now. I want to hug you."

Nanlaki iyong mga mata ko. Bumabalik na naman sa trabaho 'yung malisya na permanent tenant na yata sa utak ko!

"Hug mong mukha mo! Nag-dadrama ako dito tapos panira ka d'yan," sabi ko na nanlalaki pa rin 'yung mga mata sa kanya.

Tawa naman siya nang tawa sa 'kin. "Seriously, though. You're like asking for a hug."

My mount went agape. "Excuse me lang, ha?!"

He chuckled, then he tousled my hair. "Don't worry. I won't have a girlfriend anytime soon. Ikaw pinaka-unang makaka-alam pag may girlfriend na ako."

Medyo natahimik naman ako sa sinabi niya. I can't still get a grip to the fact that he's going to have a girlfriend. Hindi ko alam kung ano mararamdaman ko pag may ibang babae na magiging ka-close niya na gaya naming dalawa. Or possibly, closer. 

"Anong iniisip mo?" His brow arched.

Seryoso ko siyang tinignan. "Basta bago mo ligawan, sabihan mo ako, ha?"

Lumapad 'yung ngiti niya.

"Oo naman. Syempre."

Huminga ako nang malalim. I need to be braver. "May prospect ka na ba?" 

He stared at me longer before smiling a little. "Meron na..."

I swallowed hard. Tumango ako nang sunud-sunod. Nauuhaw ako. 

"From our school?"

He nodded. Gosh. 

"Maganda ba?" I asked again. 

He chuckled. "Oo. Why are suddenly so curious?"

I did not answer his question. Ayokong sagutin. Instead, I asked again. "Kilala ko?"

"I think," he replied with a smirk.

"Anong grade?"

"Going grade 10."

"So ka-level natin?!" I asked, surprised. Sino kaya? For sure naman, 'di magsasabi 'to. Takot niya lang na baka kausapin ko 'yung babae na 'yun at pangunahan siya.

"Ka-close ko ba? Friend ko?" I asked again, more agitated. 

Ngiting-ngiti lang sa 'kin ang bwisit. Parang nag-aasar pa! Hindi na lang kasi sabihin. Kitang seryoso akong nag-tatanong, e.

"You have lots of friends, princess. Mahihirapan ka niyan. But you definitely know her."

"Ugh!" Umirap na ako at sumuko. "Sabihin mo na lang kaya sa 'kin? Promise, I won't bug her."

Titignan ko lang kung mabait. Hindi ko naman aawayin. I'll just see kung deserving ba siya para palitan ako sa buhay ni Note. I seriously am so territorial when it comes to my friends. Syempre, lalo na kay Note. He's not just my childhood friend. He's very special to me. Sometimes, I think, may gusto na ako sa kanya. But my logical reasoning was insisting na naguguluhan lang ako sa closeness naming dalawa. Kaya may nagbakasyon na malisya sa utak ko.

My line of thought broke when he answered me with a smile and a shrug.

"I'll tell you someday. 'Wag muna ngayon. Wala pa siyang plano magka-love life, e."

"Ah," I said, sighing. Ang considerate naman. "She must be special."

Naka-tingin lang ako sa kanya. He gave me a small smile.

"So special," he mumbled as he stared back at me.