SEVEN

"Remember Jasper?"

Nakahiga ako sa may sofa ng hotel room habang ka-video call si Lyonelle. He would call me every night ever since I cried in that call. How fucking embarrassing. I would never do that again in front of him. Now, he's acting weird... like I'm going to break any second! 

"That asshole who kept hitting on Nat?" Tumaas ang isang kilay niya. "He's still on the team?"

"Unfortunately." I rolled my eyes. "He's here. The last person I want to see."

"Didn't I tell that fucker that the next time I see him, I'm going to snap his neck?" Lyonelle laughed, remembering the time he almost got into a fight after hearing that shitfuck talk about Nat in the lockers. "Should I go there?" 

"Don't. I'll just try my best to ignore him." 

How could I ignore him when he kept on talking to Alia like they were best buddies? Lahat na lang talaga. Was he that eager to get a girlfriend? Good thing Alia didn't look interested at all. Well... She wasn't interested in anyone, like what she said. I questioned... So everything she made me feel... was just her trying to be nice to me? 

I had the wrong idea then. Back to zero. I thought, at least, we were making progress. Ako lang pala ang nag-iisip ng ganoon.

But instead of giving up, I tried to improve my game because I was already in it too deep to stop. Sinimulan ko na, eh. I thought I would be satisfied with just watching her from afar... but here I was, hoping for more. 

The first time I learned she had been bullied was when I asked her out on a date. At first, I didn't even realize what she meant—she spoke about it so casually, almost like a joke.

"Ah! Kasi nagko-comment 'yong mga classmates ko noong high school!" She even smiled like it didn't hurt her. "Mga haha react ganoon... tapos ginagawa akong meme." 

She spoke about it as if it didn't bother her, but her trembling hands told me otherwise. She tried to make it sound lighthearted, as if downplaying would make it seem less serious. 

That night, I realized just how terrible her high school experience had been. I didn't press her for details, though. I wondered whether to ask Sean since they had been classmates. But would he really share something so personal?

"Nauunahan ka na," bulong ni King sa akin habang pinapanood namin si Alia at Sean na nagtatawanan sa inuman. 

I shook my head and looked in the other direction, acting like I didn't care. "It's not a race." 

"Hindi kusang lalapit sa 'yo 'yan, Pito. Galaw-galaw rin!" Tinulak pa ni Ira ang upuan ko so I almost fell. Ugh, they reeked of beer. I tried to hide my disgust.

"It's fine. I'm not jealous."

Then she wore his jacket! 

Fuck it, I am jealous.

"Give me your jacket." I couldn't help it anymore. It was a petty move, but I still asked her to take off Sean's jacket so she could wear mine instead. Besides, it looked better on her anyway.

She was tipsy, so we bought ice cream to help sober her up. Since she was feeling dizzy, we sat on a bench outside the convenience store.

I nearly made an awkward sound when Alia suddenly leaned in to examine the bruise on my cheek. That fucker, Jasper... But honestly, thanks to him, Alia was now this close to me.

"Nagpasa nga siya..." She brushed her thumb gently over it. I grabbed her hand to make her stop... because, at that moment, I could barely breathe! Hindi ba niya napapansing hindi na ako gumagalaw? 

"Are you drunk?" I asked because she looked so out of it. 

"Tipsy..." I lowered her hand, telling myself to let go—but no matter how hard I tried to convince myself to do it, I just couldn't. Bitawan mo, Seven! Bitawan mo na! 

But her hand felt so soft against mine. How could I let go? 

She might get weirded out. Just let go of her hand.

Fine.  As I stood up to toss the ice cream cup, I finally let go of her hand. Then, I kneeled down so I could see her better. Halatang inaantok na siya. 

"Can you still walk?" 

That was the only thing I asked. The only thing... So... What the fuck made her kiss me?! 

I could barely process what happened. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at her—she had just kissed my cheek! What... What the fuck! Oh my god. What did I say that made her do that? I'll say it again! 

"Thank you... sa ice cream."

Damn, is that really how she shows gratitude?! Is that normal?! How many times has she done this?!

"Don't ask anyone else for a favor. I'll do everything for you. Anything you need. Just tell me..." 

I meant every word I said. Kahit anong hingin sa akin ni Alia, ibibigay ko. I was ready to do anything for her, no matter how absurd it was.

"Doon ka muna sa amin mamaya, Chae! Para makapag-catch up tayo!" 

I wasn't thrilled to have Chae around because ever since Alia and I started talking, she looked at me like she hated my presence. We never cared about each other the whole time we were blockmates, so it was weird to suddenly have her treat me like that.

"You're going to dinner with Alia? Can I come?" Chae asked when she went down from Alia's house. 

"And what is it to you?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "Why would you want to go with us?"

"Do you like Alia?"

"Do you?" I raised a brow.

She looked at me in shock, her lips slightly parted. In just a brief second, she quickly composed herself, as if I hadn't just caught her off guard.

"She's a friend," she answered vaguely. 

"Alright..." I said, sounding like I wasn't convinced—because I wasn't. I was quick to add two and two together. I wasn't that naive to not know why she was suddenly giving me a cold shoulder.

"She's straight," she said, changing her answer when she saw my face. Nothing she said would have convinced me otherwise, so she just came clean with it. "Ugh, why am I telling you anyway? I'm just here as a friend, really. I'm not hoping for anything else."

"Won't confess?" I raised a brow. "Because I'm planning to... so you should try to settle those feelings with her tonight... This is the last time I'm backing off."

I texted Alia to postpone our dinner... but one delay turned into another until I ended up leaving for Manila for Dad's birthday. I wondered if Chae had actually confessed, but when I returned, it seemed she hadn't—Alia never brought it up. It was probably too difficult, especially since they were friends.

"Ugh, why did you even come with me here?" I glared at Lyonelle, who was on my bed with his outside clothes. Inis kong hinatak ang paa niya para mahulog siya sa higaan. Then, I got rid of the blanket and my pillow sheets. 

"Dude, I was only in the car the whole time! My clothes are clean!" he defended himself.

I just shook my head and asked him to replace the blanket and sheets. He insisted on coming with me here because he was bored. Wala 'ata 'yong nilalandi niya kaya manggugulo siya rito. 

"Pare!" Nakipag-apir sina Ira nang makita si Lyonelle sa kwarto namin. "Ano? Inom maya?"

"You're going to regret saying that," I whispered, shaking my head. 

Coach told us we'd be having dinner at his house tonight, and he even planned to serve Lyonelle some drinks. The moment Ira and King left the room to find something better to do, Lyonelle slung an arm around my shoulder, smirking.

"You said you'll confess today," he reminded me. 

"I told you it's hard. I don't know what to say."

"Then..." He got a paper and a pen. "Write it down. You have to do it today, or that Suen guy, whatever his name is, would beat you into it."

"It's not a competition."

"Alright. Repeat that when your girl's already holding hands with that dude." 

Lyonelle was so annoying... but I did what he said. He probably just got into my head. I can't believe I let him win again. 

"Stop fucking whispering in my ear. It's annoying." When we arrived at their house for dinner, Lyonelle wouldn't stop teasing me about Alia. I pushed his face away, already fed up. 

"Where is she? Where is she?" God... Kailan ba babalik 'yong nilalandi nito so he would stop annoying me instead? "Is that her?" Wow... Sana sinigaw niya na lang.

"Mind your own business."

Alia suddenly left with Sean to buy something, and it made me uneasy. Lyonelle's words echoed in my mind. What if he had already confessed? Would Alia give him a chance?

"Let's just follow them," Lyonelle suggested again.

"Fuck, no. That's weird."

We did try to look for them. 

Nagtulakan pa kaming dalawa ni Lyonelle para tumakbo at magtago sa likod ng puno nang makita naming naglalakad si Sean at Alia sa kanto. I tried to cover Lyonelle's mouth because he was breathing too loudly. It was so damn annoying. 

"Gago, hinawakan 'yong kamay," he whispered. 

"You're overreacting—what the fuck?" He just leaned his forehead on her shoulder!

"Wait, let's go closer."

We moved closer to eavesdrop on their conversation, but the moment we heard my name, we froze in place.

"May... gusto ka ba kay Seven?" Sean suddenly asked. Lyonelle looked at me with wide eyes. 

I waited for Alia's answer.

"H-huh?! Wala, ah! Bakit naman ako magkakagusto sa kanya?"

Oh. Lyonelle and I exchanged glances. He gave me an awkward smile and tapped my shoulder. "She's lying," he said, trying to make me feel better.

"Kahit... may gusto siya sa 'yo?" Sean continued. What the hell?! A snitch! 

"Sa akin?!" Alia laughed as if it were the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard. "Sira, ikaw lang nag-iisip niyan. Imposible mangyari 'yan, ano ka ba! Tara na nga! Lasing ka na talaga... Kung anu-ano na sinasabi mo."

Well... Damn. 

"Hey, don't throw it." Lyonelle tried to stop me from crumpling the letter I wrote earlier with my confession. 

"It's no use. You heard her answer." 

"If you're going to throw it..." Ininom niya na lahat ng natitirang coke doon sa glass bottle na dala-dala niya at inabot sa akin. "Here, throw it into the sea. You put your heart into that. It'd be a waste to just crumple it up and toss it in the trash."

"This is dangerous, you know." I rolled my eyes. 

I didn't want to go back to Alia's house anymore, so Lyonelle walked with me to the beach. I also rinsed the bottle, because just the thought of Lyonelle's saliva all over it was pretty disgusting. "You should still confess. You might regret it later..." paalala ni Lyonelle.

"Just leave me here. I'll think about it." I sat on the sand, wanting to admire the waves for a while. It was not like I had anything else to do. I didn't feel like drinking, and the apartment was empty anyway. Dito na lang muna ako tatambay. 

"I'm telling you... it's now or never," Lai said before walking away.

I thought about it for a long time, but in the end, I decided not to go through with it. Instead, I rolled up the letter and tucked it inside the bottle, planning to hide it somewhere.

I sighed again. Should I just accept that I'll never have a chance with her? Who am I to think I even deserve her attention?

Is this really the end?

After this... I'll move on.

"Seven! Nakita mo si Tito?" 

What perfect timing. What brought her here?! Ah... Lyonelle. That dumbass. I should've known he'd pull something. He was never the type to just leave me alone.

"Ano 'yang hawak mo?"

Shit. I hid it behind my back. "It's... Uh... Remember when I told you I had something to tell you?"

"Oo... Ano na 'yon? Sabihin mo na ngayon." She was smiling too. I was getting weak! 

"We were always interrupted, so... I just wrote what I wanted to say." I looked away. I almost handed it to her, but then I remembered her answer to Sean's question earlier. "But... I changed my mind. I don't want to tell you anymore."

"Eh? Ano nga 'yon? Mas na-curious tuloy ako."

"I feel like you'll get mad if I give you this letter."

She was simply being kind out of the goodness of her heart. What if she gets upset with me for misreading it?

"Bakit? Ano ang pinagkaiba niyan sa mga dati mong letter? Ano ba ang nakalagay diyan at ayaw mong ipabasa sa akin?"

I didn't know what happened. I just... ended up giving it to her. She looked so eager to take it. Fine. Fine! I'll just go through with it... and then I'll move on. At least I tried, right? At least I wouldn't have any regrets.

I wasn't waiting for an answer. I expected her to avoid me or even get mad. I never hoped for her to feel the same way. Okay na sa akin 'yong alam na niya para wala na akong tinatago sa kanya. 

"Gusto kita, Seven."

But she was... so kind to accept me. 

At first, I couldn't believe what she said. I thought maybe she was just responding out of pressure from my confession or that she was too kind to reject me outright. But then, she handed me a jar.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I read through its contents. There were short letters about how she wondered why my small gestures made her smile or whether I was just being nice. Oh, so we had been thinking the same thing all along. Then, there was one about being jealous...

With Chae?

Really? Chae?!

"Cute," I muttered sarcastically, folding the paper back. Then, I noticed an entire notepad folded so many times that it had become thick. What is this? 

'Kung magko-confess ako sa kanya... This is how it will go:

Seven,

hala ano bang sinusulat dito?' 

She crossed out the entire line and rewrote it. 

'Gusto kita. Hindi ko kayang sabihin though. When you confessed to me... Una kong naisip, 'Bakit ako?' kasi simula noong nagkakilala tayo, alam ko nang hindi ako 'yong type ng tao na magugustuhan mo. I was out of your league, ika nga nila. Kaya tuwing pinapakitaan mo ako ng signal na gusto mo ako, iniisip kong baka mabait ka lang kasi naman. 

Palagi kong naiisip kung deserve ko bang magustuhan ka kung ganito ka kalayo sa 'kin? 

Pero ngayon, bahala na. Ang gulo-gulo na ng paligid ko at sa 'yo lang tumatahimik ang utak ko. Nasanay na akong hindi dumedepende sa iba. Ako ang nag-aalaga sa sarili ko. Ako ang nagtatrabaho para mabuhay ko sarili ko. Sanay akong wala akong sinasandalan, pero dumating ka. You always made me feel so at ease. Na parang okay lang lahat kapag nandiyan ka. 

Kaya kaysa tanungin ko ang sarili ko kung deserve ko bang magustuhan ka... Gagawa na lang ako ng paraan. I'll be someone you deserve to be with. Mas okay 'yon 'di ba? 

Paano kaya ine-end 'yong mga ganto? huhuhu basta yun na yon gusto kita seven 

Sana masabi ko sa 'yo.'

I felt like I was on cloud nine. No matter what I was doing, the contents of that jar kept replaying in my head. I caught myself smiling while cooking, cleaning, and even organizing things at home.

"Okay lang kaya siya?" I heard Dad's voice. 

"Saan mo ba kasi nabili 'yan, Dade? Baka may warranty. I-return na lang natin," Kiel whispered. 

"Kaya nga. Natago ko ba 'yong resibo? Parang may sira na, eh. Ngumingiti na mag-isa." 

Lumingon ako sa kanila nang ma-realize na ako ang pinag-uusapan nila. They both looked away and acted like they were doing something else. 

It was hard telling everyone that Alia and I were already together, so I just changed my profile picture as an announcement para hindi na sila magtanong. Isahan na lang. 

"O.A.," I muttered under my breath and was about to step out of the court the moment I stepped inside... because right there, the whole team stood with a giant fucking banner, congratulating me on my relationship.

"Hoy, Pito! Nag-effort kami, tapos aalis ka lang?!" reklamo ni King. 

"What the hell is this for?" reklamo ko dahil may hinanda pa silang pagkain. Don't tell me I'll pay for all of those?

"Coach, 'yong player mo, sineduce pamangkin mo!" pagsusumbong noong isa naming ka-team.

"Seven, ah?! Hindi ka nagsasabi..." Lumapit sa akin si Coach at bumulong. "Kapag pinaiyak mo si Alia..." pagbabanta niya. I almost shivered. 

"Congratulations, Pito!" Sinuotan pa ako ni Ira ng fake medal. "Graduate ka na sa pagiging torpe!" 

My relationship with Alia was going smoothly. I even found myself doing things I'd never normally agree to... like being her model for a project. I blamed Lyonelle for that. Kung may problema sila ni Icelle, huwag na niyang idamay si Alia. 

"I'm really sorry, man," Lyonelle kept apologizing for bailing on Alia's project.

"Save it," I shot him a glare.

"Sorry na nga, bro. You're so cold." Nagpaawa pa siya. "I'll just buy you that shit you want. What was that again? That anime thing?" 

"Alright." Pumayag kaagad ako. He didn't even ask about the price. Magugulat na lang siya.

Ever since Nat came back, I hadn't found the right moment to introduce her to Alia. It was difficult to time it correctly, especially since she had just broken up with Yori. I wasn't sure when it would be okay to introduce my girlfriend—until training also took over my schedule.

But when I noticed Alia overthinking my relationship with Nat, I knew I had to introduce them as soon as possible. I hadn't realized it was already weighing on her, and I didn't want her mind occupied with unnecessary worries.

Was that even the right call?!

Because ever since then... Nat wouldn't stop stealing Alia from me!

"Damn, they're going out. Should we ask Yori to go with us on our date?" Lyonelle took his phone out to contact Yori.

"Ask if he's free... and stop saying 'date.' I have a girlfriend." I pushed his face away from me again. We just watched Alia and Ice leave before he typed Yori's number. I thought that was a joke. "Dude... No."

"Why not?" nagtatakang tanong niya.

"Let the man heal first before seeing his ex's friends." 

What happened between them wasn't something to take lightly. I knew Yori was hurting after the breakup, so we gave him space and time to heal.

I just hoped Alia and I would never reach that point.

"Mom, Dad... I said I'm moving out," I started. "I think it's about time. What do you think?"

Mom didn't take the news well, and we ended up arguing. So, I decided to stay with Alia for a while—I wasn't ready to face Mom yet. Dad told me to take a break, too, so I stayed with Alia.

But things weren't easy. She had her own struggles, and I couldn't stop myself from trying to fix them for her. I just couldn't stand seeing her like that—losing sleep, losing weight, barely having time to rest.

It hurt to watch her wear herself down every single day. She always kept her problems to herself. And ever since her mom slept at her apartment that one night, she had only become busier, like she was carrying a weight too heavy for her shoulders.

Her landlady knocked on the apartment while I was there, asking me to tell Alia to pay her dues because, apparently, ang dami na niyang na-miss na bayaran. I was already there, so I just paid her in cash. Since I was living in her apartment for a while, I paid the electric and water bills too. 

But Alia got mad at me for it. I didn't understand... I was completely lost—why was she upset with me for trying to help? Why was she crying?

"Ikaw na nagbabayad ng pagkain, ikaw nagluluto, ikaw naglilinis, pati ba naman lahat ng late na bayad ko sa rent noong nakaraang mga buwan at pati mga bills ko, ikaw na rin? Parang wala naman akong kwenta rito, eh..." 

 I felt like she was dealing with something bigger and was just letting her emotions out on me... but that was better than bottling it all up.

"Don't cry. I'm sorry. I will accept it... Half of it. I will accept it. I'm sorry."

Her tears were my weakness. 

"Ano na lang iisipin ng ibang tao? Na pineperahan kita?"

So that was it... the root of everything—her fear of what others would say or think about her and our relationship.

Alia cared deeply about people's opinions, while I was the complete opposite. I couldn't understand why it mattered so much to her. But from that moment on, I started paying closer attention, watching as she slowly changed, especially after she took that tutoring job.

"Hello! Oh my gosh, are you Alia's boyfriend?!" I looked at the woman she was with. She was unfamiliar. It was the first time I saw Alia with a stranger. 

I was about to introduce myself when Alia talked.

"Hindi."

What did she just say?

"Umalis ka na," she told me in a cold tone. My brows furrowed, getting even more confused. Why was she talking to me like that? "Hindi mo ba 'ko narinig? Ayaw kitang kausap." 

"Okay..." I had just left the coffee shop, still confused. Sitting in my car, I tapped the steering wheel, replaying everything that had just happened.

What happened to you, Alia?

She thinks I don't notice the changes, but I do. I know her too well, and she wasn't like this before. Something was weighing on her, something she wasn't telling me.

And I couldn't stop myself from trying to figure out what it was. What was making her change?

"Shit, I'm sorry... Please? Kausapin mo ako... Alam kong galit ka." She looked so scared.

"I'm not mad, Alia."

Yes, I was mad... and confused. Why can't she just tell me what was happening with her? I knew there was something. 

"Did I do something? Is this about the bills again? Are you still mad at me?"

"Hindi ganoon. Promise, wala kang kasalanan..."

"Alright. It's fine... You don't have to explain. Don't cry..." 

Every argument ended the same way—me forgiving her and never bringing it up again. Was I running away from the conflict? Maybe... but I was also confused. I needed time to process everything. But with how busy I had become, I barely had the chance to think about it. I just felt so lost.

On top of that, there was this problem with my family. Nothing seemed to be in its right place, and it was weighing on me more than I wanted to admit. I was bothered by how things were all over the place. I wasn't used to it. 

"Okay ka lang ba?" nagtatakang tanong ni Ira. "Parang ang tahimik mo?"

"I'm quiet all the time."

"Hindi, eh. Parang hindi ka okay noong mga nakaraang linggo. May problema ba?" 

Umiling lang ako sa kanya... because I also didn't know what the problem was. Alia wasn't telling me, so I was just walking on eggshells, trying to act like everything was normal. 

But it wasn't. We both knew that. 

"Was that your friend from before?" I couldn't help but ask. "In the coffee shop. What was her name?"

She suddenly looked nervous. "Bakit mo tinatanong?"

"Nothing..." She was looking at me like she was starting to accuse me of something else. "What are you thinking, Alia? She just keeps on messaging you, that's why I asked."

What was it about that woman? 

I was dying to know.

"Old classmates lang sa highschool. Pero matagal na 'yon... Nagpaplano lang sila ng reunion kaya ang daming messages."

Oh... a high school classmate. So that was it. I slowly began to understand why she always seemed so troubled.

During the photoshoot, I happened to glance at Alia's phone when a notification popped up.

From: Rox

Hey, go to the reunion, ah? The others miss you a lot :) We had so much fun before. They can't wait to meet you again xx

She tried to hide it from me, but I had already seen the message. I pretended as if I hadn't noticed. When Alia stepped away for a moment, I quickly got Rox's number from her phone... just in case. I needed to ask her about the reunion details.

I thought Alia wouldn't go to that reunion. Why do they keep on asking her to go? Are they planning on something?

"You're back home..." Mom looked surprised to see me with all my luggage. "Uhm..." She played with her hands, not knowing what to say. We really didn't have a proper conversation about what happened.

"I'm tired, Mom," I told her.

"I'm sorry..." She looked down. "I'm sorry, Seven... for letting you suffer because of my trauma. I just... I'm just so scared to lose a family..."

"I know, Mom... But you can't keep me here forever. You know that, right?" I spoke in a gentle tone. I was never used to raising my voice. There were just... certain times when emotions would get the best of me. 

"Seven... I'm sorry for relying on you too much." She looked down on the floor. "We shouldn't have let you feel like that... It's our fault. If you're tired... I won't stop you from moving out anymore..."

"Mom, it's alright. I'm sorry for making you feel bad." I walked towards her and gave her a tight hug. "I'm tired from training..."

"Oh... Then you should rest na!" 

I wasn't sure if that was already everything I wanted to say. I was just tired of everything going on. I couldn't have a long conversation about that. Maybe we'll just talk about it again when it comes up. 

Alia's mom texted me again, this time asking for a job. She often messaged me randomly, usually requesting money. I rarely responded unless it was about Alia. But I figured that if she had a stable job, it might ease some of Alia's burdens.

So, I asked Mom if there were any openings at her office. She told me they were hiring cleaners, so I passed the suggestion on to Alia's mom.

Everything was going well. That was what I thought.

"Ever since Hana started working here, our things have been going missing..." Mom said, referring to Alia's mother. "This is serious, Seven... What should I do? You tell me..."

"Mom, we're not sure yet. Let's not bring Alia into this."

"Seven... You know that's not what I'm aiming for. I'm saying I can't help anymore if it's going to be like this."

"Pang-apat na beses na rin 'to. Paano ba gagawin dito?" Dad said. 

"Two of my bags, Seven... And your brother's wallet... Your Dad's watch too..."

"Mom, whatever you do... please just don't involve Alia in this. Just give me some time to think things through. I promise I'll try to find a way to solve this." 

I didn't know how to fix this. But I knew—it was Alia's mom. Who else could it be? This had never happened before. I just thought... she wouldn't be that kind of person. I should have known better. Now, I just feel awful for my family. I fucked up. It's my fault. I have to fix this. 

Mom checked the CCTV footage and told me she was going to press charges.

The total value of everything stolen? Five million.

"Mom, please... Alia's going to suffer," I pleaded. I didn't know what to do. Alia's mom kept messaging me about it, too.

"Then what should I do, Seven? Just let her get away with it?" Mom's frustration was also evident.

"I'll... I'll ask her to pay."

But in reality, I offered to cover half of it myself. I took on a part-time job and started selling my things just to help Alia's mom pay off that five million. Because I knew that if no one else did, Alia would be the one to bear the consequences. And I couldn't let that happen. She was already struggling enough.

I didn't want her to find out.

I didn't want to lose her completely. She was already changing... and I was afraid that her feelings for me might change, too.

From: Unknown Number

You should pick your girlfriend up. I sent you the address right? 

That was Roxanne. I didn't bother saving her number. "Mom, I have to leave for a bit," I said while I was in the office for my part-time job. 

"Office hours, mister."

"Sorry, Mom. It's an emergency."

I tried to get there as fast as I could. I knew there was something wrong. When I saw the videos being played on the screen... My heart dropped. Alia... has already suffered a lot. 

 "Starting tomorrow, Alia... You'll never have to worry about them anymore. Just do what you want to do..." 

I had promised she wouldn't suffer again. I was willing to do whatever it took to help Alia live in peace without anyone bothering her. She had already endured too much.

At the reunion, I approached someone who seemed to know something.

"Where's Roxanne?" I asked. She hesitated, but I could tell she was hiding something. "What made Alia come here? Do you know?" I pressed, trying to remain patient. 

"Uh... it was Rox..." She looked away. "Not me!" 

"What about her?"

"Rox is blackmailing Alia over a six-hundred-thousand loan. That's all I know... Oh, that's her!" She pointed toward someone before quickly running off.

Six hundred thousand this time?

I turned, spotting Roxanne. Without thinking, I walked in her direction and grabbed her arm.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I snapped. "All this... for six hundred fucking thousand? Are you seriously doing this shit for money? How low can you go?"

"Is money all you want? Is that it?" My anger was boiling up. "Fine. I'll wire you the six hundred thousand within the day. But after that, don't ever contact Alia again. Delete her number, block her... I don't want to hear your name or any of your friends' names from her ever again."

"W-what? Are you threatening me?"

"Threat?" I narrowed my eyes. "I haven't made any... but..." I raised the flash drive, the one containing all the videos they had played earlier. "I do have this."

I was planning to destroy the flash drive and make sure Alia would never have to relive those memories again. Hindi na niya kailangang masaktan ulit. She had been forcing herself to endure it all—the blackmail, the pressure—just to make a living or avoid feeling indebted to anyone.

It had to end. 

I thought it would all be over after that. I thought everything would finally be fixed. I thought Alia would go back to being herself again.

Back to her usual smile.

"Maghiwalay na tayo, Seven." 

But that wasn't the case. I never imagined we'd end up here. I truly believed I had done the right thing... that this was the right way to love her.

"Seven, nahihirapan lang ako lalo kapag nandiyan ka."

But in the end, I was the one making things harder for her.

I did everything to shield her from suffering... only to realize that I was the one causing it all.

"Huy... Seven... Bakit?" Nat and Lyonelle looked at me with concern. 

Lyonelle pulled me into a tight embrace, letting me break down on his shoulder, while Nat gently squeezed my hand. 

"I'm tired. I'm so fucking tired," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I don't know what to do this time... Help me. It hurts..."

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