Note: Play the song above for a better reading experience! :)

Still Into You - Paramore

#LIT01

"Can't count the years on one hand that we've been together!"

I sang as I put a red orange paint on the canvas. I'm already painting the hair and I can't seem to focus on it 'cause I keep on jaming on the song.

The song is just so addictive. It makes me want to jump around and sing to it.

And Hayley's voice? Oh my God! I can't even-

"Cause after all this time...I'm still into you," it's funny how every five seconds I would stop everything that I'm doing and sing the song.

My eyes widened and I immediately stood up on the floor. "Chorus part!" I yelled and used my paintbrush as a microphone.

"I should be over with the butterflies but I'm into you, I'm into you. And even baby our worst nights I'm into you, I'm into you!" I sang on the top of the lungs and banged my head at different directions. "Let em wonder how we got this far, 'cause I don't really need to wonder at all! Yeah, after all this time...I'm still into you."

The speakers inside my room were in full blast. I can't even hear my own voice anymore. Hinabol ko muna ang hininga ko bago bumalik sa pagpipinta.

"Focus Sadie. Focus on your painting!" I said to myself and carefully stroke the brush on the canvas. I was like in a dog position while trying my best to paint.

I smiled widely when the colors are starting to blend. I couldn't stop myself from humming the song. I stuck out my tongue while brushing the details.

"Just one last-" I sighed and stood up again upon hearing the bridge of the song.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "Some things just, some things just make sense. And one of those is you and I. Some things just, some things make sense...and even after all this time," I sang and slowly knelt down on my painting. "I'm into you. Baby not a day goes by that I'm into you."

And one, two...one, two, three.

"I should be over all the butterflies but I'm into you, I'm into you. And even baby on our worst nights! I'm into you, I'm into you. Let 'em wonder how we got this far, 'cause I don't really need to wonder at all. Yeah after all this time. I'm still into you!" my voice cracked when I couldn't reach the highnotes. I just laughed it off and jumped up and down in every corner of my room. Muntikan pa kong madulas dahil sa mga nakakalat na paintbrushes sa sahig.

I laughed and went back to my painting. "My favorite part," I whispehered to myself and giggled. I got another thin brush and dipped it on my black paint. I held my canvas in place and carefully signed it.

My jaw dropped while looking at my painting. "Wow!" I exclaimed and took it. Tatayo na sana ako pero bigla akong nadulas. "Ouch!" I said and held my head.

"My painting!" natataranta kong sabi at nakita iyon na nakabliktad iyon sa sahig. I reached for it and slowly lifted it. "Oh no, Hayley!"

Pinagmasdan ko iyon. Dahil bago pa lamang ang painting ko at hindi pa natutuyo ang pintura at may ilang parte na nasira. The music is still playing. I put the song in repeat.

I sniffed while looking at my painting. Tumayo ako nung narinig ko ulit ang chorus. I held my painting tightly and ran towards the other side of my room. Tumingin ako sa pader kung saan may poster ng Paramore.

I smiled widely. "Hayley, look! I painted you!" excited kong sabi. I don't care if I look crazy while talking to a poster. Tinapat ko iyon sa kanya.

I continued to jump on the beat of the music while singing on the top of my lungs. "I'm still into you! I'm still into you...I'm still into you," I said while pointing at the poster

Binaba ko ang painting ko at pumunta sa kama. I jumped on my bed and sang the chorus part over again. I can't stop because the song is on repeat! My adrenaline boosted!

Kinuha ko ang stuff toy sa kama ko at kinantahan siya. "Yeah, after all this time...I'm still into you!"

I tossed the stuff toy and jumped out of bed. I then danced on the beat of the music like there's no tomorrow.

Even if the song is so high, it didn't stop me from singing it.

"Oops!" I covered my mouth when I spilled one of my paint. Tumawa nalang ako at hindi iyon pinansin. I continued to sing and played my imaginary electric guitar.

I took a deep breath. "I should be over-"

"Sadie! Ano ba?! Kanina pa ko katok ng katok dito! Sadie!"

Nahulog ko ang paintbrush ko sa kamay at agad na tumakbo sa pinto. I opened it and saw my mother.

"Oh hi ma!" pinilit ko pading ngumiti kahit na hingal na hingal na ako kakanta

She put her hands on her hips while glaring at me. "Ano ba?! Bingi ka ba? Kanina pa ako-at pwede ba patigilin mo nga 'yang kanta mo."

My lips parted. Shit! I forgot to turn off the music. Tumalikod ako at kinuha ang phone ko na nakapatong sa speaker at pinause ang music

"Pinatay ko na ma-" pagkaharap ko ay nagulat ako nung tuluyan na siyang nakapasok sa kwarto ko

Nanlaki ang mata niya habang tinitignan ang kwarto ko. Nagtama ang mata namin. "Hoy Sadie! Ano ito? Ang gulo ng kwarto mo! Bakit puro pintura ay-ayan na nga sinasabi ko eh. Nakatapon ka nanaman eh!" galit niyang sabi habang turo turo ang pintura na natapon ko sa sahig

I roamed my eyes around my room. Ngayon ko lang napansin na sobrang kalat pala ng kwarto ko. My bed was a mess! Tanggal pa ang bedsheet at ang unan ay nasa sahig din.

"Oh no, my ice bear!" I exclaimed when I saw him on the floor. Pinulot ko iyon at tinignan. Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil may bahid siya ng pintura. Sinubukan kong burahin iyon pero mas lalo lang kumalat. "Hala, ayaw na mabura!" Puti pa naman siya. Halata yung pintura

Napatalon ako nung bigla akong kinurot ni mama sa tagiliran. Humarap ako sa kanya. "Aray naman!"

"Sabi ko sa'yo maglinis ka na diba? Hindi mo ba ako narinig?!" nanliliksi ang mata niya habang nakatingin sa'kin.

I swallowed hard and looked back at the stuff toy on my hand. "Ma...nadumihan siya!" ngumuso ako at pinakita iyon kay mama

"Kasalanan ko? Tignan mo nga itong kwarto mo. Ang dumi dumi. Yung mga paintbrush at paint mo nakalalat sa sahig. Tapos yung kama mo pa-" sabi niya at bumuntong hininga. "Para kang daga eh!"

I pouted. "Ang alam ko din year of the rat ako-"

"Tsaka tignan mo yung itsura mo. May pintura ka pa sa pisngi," she added and wiped the paint off my face.

"Aray ko naman!" sabi ko dahil parang kuko niya ang ginamit niya sa pagtanggal ng pintura sa mukha ko

"Meron pa sa damit at sa braso mo oh! Palibhasa hindi ikaw ang naglalaba eh. Tignan mo ang damit mo. Kebago bago, dinumuhan mo," sabi niya at inangat ang kamay ko. Tinignan ko ang sarili ko at nakita na puro pintura ako. "Meron ka din sa buhok mo."

I touched my bangs and it felt a bit sticky. I pouted and tried to remove it but I only got hurt. "Ouch."

"Bumaba ka na don. Kumuha ka ng basahan at alisin mo yung pintura sa sahig," utos niya at hinila ako

"Pero ang hirap alisin kaya-"

"Pasensiya ka. Lagi ka naman ganyan kapag nagpipintura ka. Ang dumi mo. lagi."

"It's called Art ma," I smiled. "It's all part of being an artist. You get all messy working on a artwork for hours and hours," sabi ko at pinakita ang kamay ko na puro pintura. "This...this is the fruit of my hard work," I said while staring at her

Unti-unti din siyang ngumiti. Ngumiti ako pabalik pero nagulat ako nung biglang nagbago ang ekspresiyon ng mukha niya.

"Ewan ko sa'yo. Ang galing mo sana eh kaso hindi ka naman marunong magayos ng pinaggawaan mo," sabi niya at mahina akong hinampas sa braso

Tinulak niya ako hanggang sa parehas kaming makalabas ng kwarto. Ako na ang naunang bumaba. Nakita ko si papa sa sala na nanonood ng T.V.

"Oh, Sadie. Let me guess, nagpaint ka nanaman ano?" sabi niya sa'kin pagkababa ko

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Yes! Tapos ko na nga eh."

"Ang ingay nga sa taas eh. Mukhang nagconcert kadin ah."

I smiled awkwardly. "R-rinig ba?"

"Sa tingin mo?" singit ni mama sa usapan namin ni papa. "Pwede bang next time mag-earphones ka nalang? Ang aga aga eh nagpapatugtog ka. Daig mo pa mga kapit bahay natin. Tsaka wag ka nga mag-lock ng pinto. Alam mo bang kanina pa ko katok ng katok sa kwarto mo. Para kang may sariling mundo eh."

Ngumuso ako at yumuko. "Sorry..."

"Bakit nga pala ang aga mo magpaint? May project ba kayo sa school na malapit na deadline? Pag gising ko ng alas otso eh naririnig ko na ang ingay sa kabilang kwarto eh," pagbibiro ni papa

I smiled awkwardly and placed my hand over my neck. "Uhh...the truth is," I gulped. "Hindi kasi ako makatulog kagabi kaya ayun...nagpaint nalang ako hanggang sa inabot ng umaga."

Nanlaki ang mata ni papa. "So buong damag wala kang ginawa kundi-"

I slowly nodded. "Yeah. Hindi din siya school project. Talagang nasa mood lang kasi ako," I chuckled

"Pero ganado ka padin kahit wala kang tulog ah," pagbibiro niya

Tumawa kaming dalawa.

"Hay nako. Edi wala din siyang ginawa kundi magkulong sa kwarto buong umaga. Hindi na nga 'yan nauutusan eh," sabi ni mama

Tumigil ako sa pagtawa at tumingin sa kanya. "Summer vacation ko naman eh..." bulong ko sa sarili

Nakita kong inaayos niya ang mga labada. Nagulat ako dahil nakita kong hawak hawak niya ang stuff toy ko.

"Ma! Bakit po nasa sa'yo 'yan?" sabi ko at tinuro iyon

"Lalabhan ko. Kita mong naninilaw na at ang alikabok eh hindi mo manlang gawang labhan."

Umawang ang labi ko. "Uhh i-ingatan mo 'yan ma. We bare bears 'yan! Mahal 'yan!"

Hindi niya ako sinagot at tinalikuran nalang ako. I followed her to the laundry area of our house.

"Ma-"

"Oh, magsampay ka muna," utos niya sabay tulak sa'kin ang maliit na planggana

Napakurapkurap ako habang nakatingin doon. "Akala ko ba mag lilinis muna ako?"

Umiling siya. "Unahin mo muna 'yan," sabi niya habang naglalagay ng maruming damit sa washing machine

I pressed my lips and nodded. Binuhat ko iyon papunta sa labas ng bahay.

"Kailangan mong tulong?" sabi ni papa

Umiling ako at pilit na ngumiti. "Kaya ko," sabi ko kahit medyo nabibigatan na

Pagkalabas ko ay binaba ko iyon at hinabol ang hininga. Ilang sandali ay nagsimula na akong magsampay.

"Cause after all this time-" I paused and shook my head.

Why is that song keeps repeating inside my head? I guess it reminds me of my ex.

Unti-unti kong binaba ang damit at yumuko.

It's a song dedicated for him that's why it's so special to me.

I sighed. Why am I thinking about him anyway? Naka-move na ako. Past is past. But...but how can I move on if we both went to Paramore's concert way back 2018?!

Pumikit ako ng mariin at umiling.

"Forget about him Sadie!" I said to myself

"Hi ate! Sinong kausap mo?"

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita. Nakita ko si Mateo sa tabi ko. He is one of our neighbors. Naalala ko tuwing napasok ako sa school ay lagi niya akong binabati kada umaga. Sabi niya sa'kin gusto niya narin daw mag-aral katulad ko.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "Sarili ko."

Nawala ang ngiti sa labi niya.

My eyes widended. "H-hindi...Ahh. Sabi ko ano."

Baka nasa isip niya baliw ako. Matalino pa naman itong batang 'to.

Lumuhod ako sa harapan niya. "Anyway, bakasyon niyo din ba? Ako kasi malapit na ulit pumasok."

Ngumuso siya. He looks cute because of his choppy bangs. Inayos ko iyon dahil medyo magulo.

"Hindi pa po pero sa pasukan kinder na ako!" he proudly said

I smiled. "Talaga? Ang bilis mo naman lumaki. Parang kailan lang naabutan kita sanggol ka palang eh."

He literally grew up in our neighborhood. I felt like I'm his mom. I watch him grew up before my eyes.

"Big boy na ako ate!" pagmamaktol niya

"Baby padin kita," sabi ko at kiniliti siya

He laughed and touched my hair. "Ate, bakit kulay pink buhok mo? Ang ganda tignan," manghang mangha niyang sabi

I chuckled. "Ganito talaga totoong kulay kong buhok," I lied

Sa totoo lang nagfafade na yung pagkapink ng buhok ko. I bleached it first before dyeing it. I dyed my hair on the beginning of summer but now, it's all frizzy and dry. Light pink nalang siya ngayon hindi tulad dati na hot pink.

His lips parted. "Wow! Talaga po? Gusto ko din na may kulay buhok ko."

I smiled and pinched his chubby cheeks. Nakita kong namula iyon. Hindi ko mapigilan dahil kanina pa ako nangigigil sa kanya.

"Mateo!"

Sabay kaming lumingon sa tumawag. I stood up when I saw her mom approaching us.

"Andito ka lang palang bata ka," sabi niya pagkakita sa anak

I smiled. "Hi po!" kaway ko

"Hi Sadie. Sorry, inistorbo ka ba nito ni MatMat?" sabi niya at hinawakan sa kamay ang anak

"Ahh hindi naman po," I awkwardly replied

"Pasensiya na ah. Naglilinis kasi ako kanina ng bahay. Hindi ko napansin na nakarating na pala itong isang 'to sa kabilang bahay," sabi niya at tumingin sa anak

Hindi inalis ni Mateo ang paningin sa'kin. Ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"Sige Sadie. Una na kami," paalam ng mama niya

"Ah sige po! Ingat po pauwi," sabi ko at tinignan si Mateo. "Bye MatMat!"

He smiled and waved his hands in a cute way.

My heart! He's so adorable!

Kumaway ako pabalik hanggang sa mawala na sila sa paningin ko.

Pagkatapos kong magsampay ay pumasok ulit ako sa bahay. Binalik ko ulit kay mama ang planggana. Nakita kong busy padin siya sa paglalaba. Hindi niya ako napansin.

"Uh ma. Sino pala nagbabantay nung parlor shop?" tanong ko

My mom owns a parlor shop. Maybe that's why I grew fond of coloring my hair all the time and having different hairstyles. Matagal na iyong shop niya pero hindi siya ganun kalakas. Iilan lang din ang nagiging customers niya.

"Wala syempre. Kita mong naglalaba ako dito eh. Sinarado ko muna ang shop. Bukas na ulit ako magbubukas."

Tumango ako. "Okay..."

I guess we still don't have enough money yet to hire some employees. Paminsan minsan ay ako ang nagbabantay ng shop. Tinutulungan ko din siya doon maslalo na bakasayon ko. Magdamag ako lagi sa shop.

"Ayun pala yung basahan," sabi niya sabay turo doon. Nakita kong nakapatong iyon sa lababo. Kinuha ko iyon at nagpaalam na.

"Ayusin mo ang linis ah," paalala niya

"Opo."

Umakyat na ako papuntang kwarto. Bigla akong tinamad dahil sa sobrang kalat nito. Para itong binagyo. I saw dirty pieces of painbrushes and paint tubes lying on the floor. Akala ko iyon lang ang lilinisin ko pero buong kwarto ko pala.

"Kailangan ko ng music para ganahan," sabi ko at kinuha ang phone ko na nakapatong sa speaker. I was in the middle of scrolling through my playlist when I realized that I can't play loud music on the speakers. Baka pagalitan ulit ako ni mama. I don't want to hear her sermons again.

I sighed and closed my phone. I stare at my room again. Hindi ko alam kung saan magsisimula. I don't know what to clean first. Tumingin ako sa painting ko kanina. Pupulutin ko na sana iyon pero biglang tumunog ang phone ko.

I lazily checked my phone and saw three messages in my messenger. I opened it and clicked first our groupchat. I saw them mentioned me

Benjamin: Sadie! Andito kami sa tapat ng bahay mo.

Irene: Get your ass outside.

And then I checked their private message to me.

Benjie (nickname set): Labas ka na girl! Init na init na kami dito.

Irene maldita: Check your messages Sadie. Huwag mo kaming iinbox lang.

My jaw dropped. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang unang rereplyan.

Another message from Irene popped up.

Irene maldita: I'll count to ten. Paghindi ka ba lumabas, susugurin ka na namin sa loob.

Benjie: Galit na si madam sis!

Bigla kong nabitawan ang basahan sa kamay ko. Gusto ko sanang sabihin na hindi ako pwede ngayon dahil may utos pa sa'kin si mama pero ayoko din silang paalisin dahil nasa labas na sila mg bahay at isa pa ay naseen ko nadin ang messages nila.

Agad akong nagtipa ng sasabihin. Panay bura pa ako dahil hindi ko alam ang irereply.

Ako:

Wait. omg!

Binaba ko ang phone at tinignan ang sarili. Wala pa akong ligo ligo. Kahit gusto ko man ay wala na akong oras. I'm scared of Irene. Nakakatakot pa naman siya kung magalit.

I went straight to my closet and wore an oversized shirt. May picture iyon ng paramore sa gitna. It's their limited shirt from their merch. Nagpalit din ako ng puting maong shorts. I then wore a black choker with a mini heart pendant. Since my hair is short, I did a half ponytail with it and let my bangs loose. Nagpabango din ako pagkatapos. Pagkalabas ng kwarto ay dahan dahan akong bumaba sa hagdan.

I saw my father watching T.V. Hindi ko nakita si mama. Siguro ay naglalaba padin siya hanggang ngayon. I swallowed hard and silently went downstairs.

"Pa. Pst!" tawag ko sa kanya

Tumingin siya sa'kin. "Bakit-"

I put my index finger on my mouth telling him to keep quiet. "Shh."

His lips parted. "What?" he mouthed

"I'm going out with Bennie and Irene. Psabai kay mama," mahina kong sabi

Tumingin siya sa paligis. Ganun din ako. We checked if mom was around. Binalik niya ang tingin sa'kin. He waved his hand telling me to pass through. Ngumiti ako sa kanya. Yumuko ako at mabilis na tumakbo papunta sa pintuan. I look like a ninja right now.

"Thank you," I mouthed at him

"Huwag ka masyado magpapagabi. Ingat kayo," he whispehered

I smiled and winked at him before going outside of the house. Napansin kong may konting pintura pa sa braso ko. Tumingin ako sa paligid bago ginamit ang damit na nakasampay at pinangpunas iyon sa braso ko. Pagkatapos ay mabilis akong lumabas ng gate namin.

"Hi guys-"

"Sadie!"

Nagulat ako nung bigla akong niyakap ni Benjie.

I chuckled. "Hi Bennie!"

Kumalas siya sa yakap ko. "Akala ko mamatay na ako kanina."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Bakit?"

Ngumuso siya at tinuro si Irene. Tumingin ako sa kanya. Nakita kong nakatingin siya sa'min ni Benjie habang nakahalukipkip.

I smiled awkwardly. "H-hi Irene! Ganda mo ngayon."

She's wearing a loose black muscle tee and a denim shorts. Kagaya ko ay nakachoker din siya. Ang dami niyang accessries na suot. She's wearing hoop earings, a bracelet, and two silver rings. Her red curly hair was hanging loose too.

"Ano'ng kinaganda niyang kulay siling labuyo ang buhok?" pang-aasar ni Benjie sa kanya

"Kesa naman sa kulay mais mong buhok. Mas sira yung buhok mo," she fired back

I blinked twice. "T-tinawag niyo lang ba ako dito para mag-away kayo?"

"Syempre hindi! Si Irene naman lagi yung mukhang naghahamon ng away," banat ni Benjie sa tabi ko

"What did you say?" Irene said in a cold voice and slowly walked towards Benjie

Humarang ako sa kanilang dalawa. Kahit na maliit ako at mas matangkad sila sa'kin ay siniksik ko ang sarili sa pagitan nila. "Alam kong miss na miss natin isa't isa pero-" I paused when I heard my mother's voice inside the house. My eyes widened. Hinawakan ko sila sa dalawang kamay at tumakbo palayo.

"Hey! Why are running?" si Irene

"Sis! Sis yung buhok ko. Ang aga aga haggard na agad ako," si Benjie

Huminto kami sa malapit na tindahan. Hinabol ko ang hininga ko. Ganun din sila.

"Sorry...tumakas lang kasi a-ako pero," I gulped. "Nagpaalam naman ako kay papa," sabi ko at pilit na ngumiti

Pinaypayan nila ang sarili.

"Kaloka ka," si Benjie

"By the way, why did you guys come to my house? Mukhang may importante kayong-"

"We just missed you that's all," diretsong sagot ni Irene

My lips parted. "M-miss me?"

"Hindi sis. Bored lang kami kaya ka namin pinuntahan," si Benjie

Irene rolled her eyes and checked her new polished nails. Unti-unti akong napangiti. I jumped and wrapped my arms around their necks. I pulled them closer and so our cheeks squished to each other. "I missed ypu too!"

They both groaned.

"Aray ko sis. Nasasakal na ko," si Benjie

Kinalas ko ang yakap sa kanilang dalawa.

"Ang arte," si Irene kay Benjie

Inirapan lang niya si Irene at humalukipkip. "Sino kayang mas maarte sa'tin?"

"Shut up BJ!" si Irene

I chuckled. "Syempre ikaw Benjie," sagot ko

His jaw dropped. "Aray ko ah."

"I suddenly remembered when you first came out to us. The day you told us you were gay," I began

"So what if I am?" he fired back and arched her brow

I rolled my eyes. "Nothing. I just remembered."

To be honest, Benjie don't appear to be gay at all at first glance. Gwapo nga siya eh. Matangkad kasi tapos payat. I remember when we were highschool, all the girls has a crush on him but turns out he was gay. He's not the type of gay that dresses as a woman. He actually has a great fashion sense! Mas maganda siya pumorma kaysa sa'min. He just looks like a man on the outside but his actions say otherwise.

"I'm not the only one who's not straight here," pagpaparinig niya

I giggled and looked at Irene beside me.

"What?" tinaasan niya ako ng kilay

"Bakit hindi mo kasama girlfriend mo? Si Minnie?"

Benjie placed her arm over my shoulder. "LQ sila," he whispehered and chuckled

"Shut up BJ!" she scolded and looked at me. "She's just busy doing errands with her family."

I nodded. "Ahh okay."

Irene, on the other hand, is bisexual. She said it herself. Although it took her a while to know her true sexuality unlike Benjie who already know his sexuality at the age of 7. Irene is such a badass woman. I can't believe I almost fell for her. I'm straight alright? but she's just very charismatic and sexy. Her aura says it all. She's tall and has a perfect figure. I never expected that she'd come out as bi and has a thing for women.

"What are you looking at?" she leaned and our face was just a few inches apart. Nanlaki ang mata ko habang nakatitig sa mata niya. She smirked and winked at me before returning to her original position

Bumilis bigla ang tibok ng puso ko. This is what I'm talking about. The Irene effect! Goodness, why does she has a strong sex appeal? Both guys and girls are gay for her.

I slapped my cheek and shook my head.

I can't believe I have two bestfriends that are gay and bisexual.

"What did you say?" they asked

My lips parted. "Ha?"

Did I say it out loud?

Umiling sila. "Nevermind."

"Let's go," sabi ni Irene at siyang naunang maglakad. Sumunod naman si Benjie sa kanya. I watch them as they make fun of each other. They look like cute siblings.

I smiled. I am happy to have them as my two closest friends...eventhough I'm the only one straight.

Tumakbo ako at pumagitna sa kanilang dalawa. I held their arms tightly while skipping.

"Where are we going?" excited kong sabi

"How about BGC? I've heard theres a lot of cute guys-" si Benjie

"Hell no!"

Tumahimik si Benjie. "May dalaw ata si ate mo," bulong niya sa'kin

I laughed and pulled them closer to me.

***

"Benjie, pacover naman dito," I said and held my phone tightly

"Bj! Behind you!" sigaw ni Irene

"Mga leche kayo! Hindi pa ako nakakapagload ng bala-"

"Fuck!"

"Hala!"

"De puta. Wala na patay na ko."

Sabay sabay naming binaba ang phone namin. We all sighed in frustration.

"Bakit ka naman namatay Benjie?!" inis kong sabi

"You really suck at playing games," Irene said and rolled her eyes at him

Kanina pa kami naglalaro ng COD dito. Inabutan nadin kami ng gabi. It's the one thing we love to do together. Ito lang ang bagay na napapagsunduan namin. May iba't iba kasi kaming interest.

I already can't count on my fingers anymore how many times we played but it's always Benjie who dies first.

His jaw dropped. "Why is my fault?! Kayo na nga itong pacover ng pacover!"

"Eh kasi duwag ka lagi sumugod sa kalaban," si Irene

I sighed. "Next game na guys. Bawi nalang," awat ko dahil baka mag-away ulit sila

"Nah. I'm tired," Irene yawned

"Me too. Ako nalang lagi nagproprotekta sa inyo. Pagod na pagod na ako!" madramang sabi ni Benjie

Ako nalang ang may hawak na cellphone. Nilapag ko din iyon sa sahig. "By the way guys, malapit na pasukan."

"Yeah I know."

"You don't need to remind us."

I pursed my lips and stare at the floor.

"Hay, kailangan ko pala bumili ng lens sa camera ko," si Benjie sabay higa sa sahig

"And I still have to finish my on going story," Irene said

Bejamin is taking a course in photography, parehas kaming Fine Arts student, while Irene is in BS Journalism. We are all in our sophomore year in college.

"Pangarap mo talagang maging author?" I asked her

Tipid siyang ngumiti. "My dream is to see my book in a bookstore."

"Ganun din yun eh. Pinaganda mo pa," Benjie interrupted. He's still laying on the ground, arms behind his head.

Benjamin told us that he always wanted to become a professional photography. Nakwento niya sa'min na highschool palang siya ay parte siya ng journalism club at photographer din ng school. He always takes pictures whenever there is an event, pagaent, or ceremony in school. Nadala niya iyon hanggang college. He joined clubs, contests, and orgs about photography. He's a perfectionist and very meticulous about his craft. It's been his passion ever since.

Meanwhile, Irene loves to write. She loves both reading and writing. She sometimes shares us her stories and ideas. It's fascinating. I truly enjoy listening to her. I can feel her passion and dedication in her craft. Nakwento niya din sa'min na highschool palang siya ay mahilig siyang magsulat ng essay, poems, school newspapers, scripts at iba pa. Her favorite subject is English and her favorite author is Jane Austen but her genre is sci-fi, fantasy, and a sucker for tragic romance. She has joined many writing competitions and even took home awards. She's also a part of journalism club in her highschool years. At first, she told us it was just a hobby but later turned into passion.

I think the one thing that's common between us three is that we already found our passion in such a young age.

Yumuko ako at pinaglaruan ang daliri. "Sorry pala kung hindi ako masyadong nakakasama sa inyo. Busy din kasi ako sa pagbabantay ng parlor ni mama eh."

Umupo ulit si Benjie. "Kamusta naman pala ang parlor ni tita?"

"Uh, maayos naman. Medyo mahina kita..."

"Oo nga pala. Kailangan na natin ulit magpakulay ng itim dahil malapit na pasukan!"

My eyes widened. "Oh, yeah! I totally forgot," I pouted and touched my hair. "I'll miss my pink hair."

"Well, summer's over now."

I giggled. "Lahat pala tayo nagpakulay."

Tinignan namin ang isa't isa.

"Mine is strawberry. Yours is an apple while Benjie is a lemon," I said while pointing at their haircolor

"Hindi sa'yo strawberry. Suha yung iyo. Suha!" si Benjie. "Tapos si Irene ay siling labuyo, yung pabulok na," he joked

I looked at Irene. Her hair was dark red. Hindi nga halata na may kulay ang buhok niya dahil gabi nadin. Her hair was bright red at the beginning of summer. Hindi ko alam, bigla nalang umitim.

Irene rolled her eyes at him. "Anyway, kay tita nalang ako magpapakulay ng itim. Just inform her nalang."

"Count me in!" si Benjie

I laughed. "Sige. Titignan ko kung magbubukas siya bukas."

"Nakakahiya naman din kay tita kasi last time, nagpakulay tayo sa kanya na walang bayad."

"First customer kasi kayo no'n."

"Kaya nga. Baka naman pwede akong gawing model ni tita-"

"Baka maslalong walang maging customer sis tita kung yung mukha mo ipapaskil sa parlor niya," Irene cut her off

She is truly savage and feisty at the same time.

"Sinabi ko ba yung sarili ko? Sabi ko kumuha ng model si tita tapos ako magiging photographer."

Our night was filled with laughters and endless conversation. Ang dami naming napag-usapan. It felt awkward whenever Irene and Benjie kept on bickering with each other every five minutes. Para silang aso at pusa. Ako lagi ang umaawat sa kanila.

Well, my summer wouldn't be this happy and alive if it wasn't for them.