Chapter 13 | Friends

Xamuel did his best to recover during the weekend. Klassey flooded him with messages, but he never replied to any of them. His decision to break up with Klassey was final, no matter what. Wala na rin naman silang pagtutunguhan kahit pa pilitin ni Xamuel ang sariling maghintay, lalo na kung kabaliktaran lahat ng pinapakita ni Klassey sa mga salita nito.

Magaan na ang loob ni Xamuel pagdating ng Lunes. Nakapasok siya nang buo sa paaralan at hindi na mukhang nalugi sa buhay tulad noon. Nakasabay na rin siya sa mga klase at hindi na madalang matulala sa kawalan. Suddenly, he no longer had to walk on eggshells or constantly worry about being misunderstood. The chaos was replaced with calmness and tranquility that he hadn't experienced in a while. Of course, there were moments of sadness and nostalgia for what once was, but overall, the breakup gave him immense relief.

Sinamahan ni Xamuel si Lion dalhin ang mga notebook nila sa faculty nang nag-bell para sa recess. Nauna naman sina South at Frost sa cafeteria para bilhan na rin sila ng pagkain. Ito yata ang unang beses muling sumama ni Xamuel kumain sa mga kaibigan. Sumagi rin sa isip ni Muel kung kumusta si Yara habang paakyat sila sa faculty room. Hindi na kasi muling nagparamdam ang dalaga matapos siyang mag-reply.

"Lion, mauna ka na sa cafeteria. May dadaanan lang ako," Muel said as they left the faculty.

Lion was skeptical but didn't argue. "Bilisan mo lang, ah. Alam mo naman si Frost, hindi pa rin niya matanggap mga sinabi ni Klassey. Baka lumaki ang tampo."

Muel chuckled. "Ako bahala."

They then parted ways. Xamuel had no idea where to find Yara. Alam niya kung saan ang room ni Yara pero naisip niya ring baka nasa cafeteria dahil break time. Tinahak ni Xamuel ang corridor pababa ng admin building. Dahil may isang floor na maraming gamit na nakakalat sa lapag, sa ibang hagdan bumaba si Muel para tumawid sa katabing building.

He heard faint notes of a piano nearby, and his mind already knew where it came from. Nandito sa building na ito ang music room. Ayaw ni Xamuel mag-expect na si Yara ang tumutugtog pero siya lang ang naisip niyang maaaring tumugtog sa music room.

Halos tumakbo na si Xamuel para lang maabutan ang taong nasa music room. Hindi nakasara nang mabuti ang pinto kaya narinig niya ang piano. Dahan-dahan niyang binukas ang pinto at pumasok.

"And I'll still be a fool; I'm a fool for you."

Xamuel's expectations didn't disappoint. Tama ang kutob niyang si Yara ang maaaring tumutugtog sa music room. Sa silid lamang rinig ang boses ng dalaga at halos nalimutan na ni Xamuel ang oras habang pinapanood si Yara.

Even though Xamuel didn't want to interrupt, he needed to speak. "Yara," he called.

Yara, lost in her world of music and lyrics, abruptly stopped playing and singing as Xamuel's voice pierced through the air. Startled, she remained motionless, almost like time had frozen for her. Her wide eyes captured a mix of confusion and curiosity as she looked in Xamuel's direction, searching for an explanation or reason for his call.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito? Break na," Xamuel asked.

"Sinoli ko ung gitarang hiniram. Ikaw? Bakit ka nandito?" sabi ni Yara habang nakatingin sa sahig.

Naramdaman agad ni Xamuel na parang ayaw siyang makausap ni Yara. Hindi naman maintindihan ni Xamuel kung bakit. "I heard someone playing."

"Ah, sorry. Aalis na rin naman ako," Yara said and stood up.

Wala siyang ibang dala kaya mabilis siyang nakalakad patungo sa pinto, kung saan naghihintay si Xamuel. Nang naramdaman ni Xamuel na hindi titigil si Yara sa pag-alis, hinarang niya ang daan.

"Wait, usap muna tayo. Hindi ka nag-reply sa huli kong text tapos ngayon para kang umiiwas," Muel chuckled to lessen the tension. "What's wrong?"

Yara bowed her head.

"Do you still feel responsible for what happened? I told you not to think about it anymore. I'm also not blaming you. Hindi rin ako galit."

"P-Pakiramdam ko lang talagang kasalanan ko kung bakit kayo naghiwalay. Kung hindi ko sana pinilit ang surprise, kayo pa rin ngayon–"

"I already thought of breaking up with Klassey before the surprise. Kaya nga hindi ko siya sana tatanungin sa prom dahil nagco-comtemplate na ako kung may rason pa bang gawin iyon. You encouraged me to try one last time, and I was thankful you did. Nalinawan na ako ngayon kaya–"

"P-Pero sinisisi ako ni Kla... dahil nakipaghiwalay ka," Yara said, her voice shaking. "They hate me now, and I'm scared. Ni hindi ko kayang bumaba sa cafeteria ngayon para bumili ng makakain dahil nandoon sila. Sinisisi ako ng lahat ng mga taong alam na cool off lang kayo–"

"Ano?" Muel interrupted. Yara's shoulder shivered as she covered her face with her palms. "That's getting out of hand. Can't these people take a break?"

Hindi pa nga tumatagal ang katahimikan ni Muel, may bago na naman siyang problema. "Hey, don't worry. I'll talk to them. You don't have to be scared–I'm here."

Hinayaan ni Xamuel kumalma si Yara. Hindi niya maisip kung paano nagagawa ng mga taong kagalitan ang babaeng ito lalo na't wala naman siyang kinalaman sa relasyon nila ni Klassey. Guilt ruled Xamuel's mind. He was the one who put Yara in this mess. He asked for a favor, and now it led to something horrible. Xamuel couldn't accept Yara got traumatized because of his selfishness.

"I'm sorry for putting you in this mess. I promise I'll fix this. Huwag ka na umiyak, kumain na lang tayo sa baba. I'll... introduce you to my friends. They're waiting for me."

For the first time, Yara looked up to him. "H-Huh? Kaiiyak ko lang, for sure mapula pa mukha ko. It's embarrassing–"

Xamuel stared at her face. "Hindi naman halatang umiyak ka, Yara. Ayaw kong malipasan ka ng gutom dahil nagtatago ka sa bagay na hindi mo naman ginawa. Anyway, this is also your chance to meet South up close. I know the timing seems off, but it's now or never."

"N-Next time na lang kapag–"

"Trust me, it's okay," Xamuel reassured. "You're okay; you look fine."

In the end, Xamuel successfully convinced Yara.

"D-Do you think introducing me to your friends now that Klassey's friends are targeting me is the right choice?" Yara asked as they finally set foot in the most crowded place.

"Bakit hindi? They can't do anything bad to you if you're around Lion. He's low-key everyone's boss here because he's intimidating."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Yara na tila ngayon lang iyon nalaman. Xamuel chuckled when he noticed Yara's priceless expression. Paano pa kaya kapag kaharap na niya ang tatlo, lalo na si South? The thought of her blushing in front of South sent mixed feelings in Xamuel's mind, but he was more glad to introduce Yara to have more friends other than Klassey. Hindi nga sigurado si Xamuel kung tama pa bang tawaging magkaibigan sila ni Klassey ngayong galit ang ex niya kay Yara.

"N-Na saan sila?" Yara asked as they passed through a lot of groups.

"Our usual table's around here," he said as he wandered. "There they are. Tara na."

Nagulat si Yara nang hilahin ni Xamuel ang kanyang pulso na para bang walang ibang nakatingin sa kanila. Nakayuko siyang sumunod dahil wala naman na siyang magagawa–hawak na siya ni Xamuel patungo sa mga kaibigan niya.

"Ang tagal mo, ah! Akala ko igo-ghost mo rin ako," reklamo ni Frost. "Sino kasama mo?"

Napalingon sina South at Lion habang may nginunguyang pagkain dahil sa tanong ni Frost. Binitawan ni Xamuel si Yara nang sa wakas ay nasa harap na sila ng lamesa. Xamuel saw Yara tried hesitantly to greet them.

"She's Yara, the one I'm talking about," pakilala ni Xamuel. "Huwag niyo masyadong titigan, please lang."

Napatalon si Yara nang biglang humalakhak si Frost. Tumayo ang loko at nakipagkamay. "Hello, Yara! I'm Frost Alvaro, ang pinakagwapo sa barkadang 'to. Nice to meet you!"

Yara smiled awkwardly and accepted his hand. Mabilis niyang sinuyod ng tingin ang mukha ni Frost: medyo singkit, maputi, sobrang tangkad, at may pagka-atheletic ang katawan. Siya lang ang mukhang physically active sa grupo dahil may mga visible muscle. Hindi mawala ang tingin ni Yara sa malalim niyang dimple sa kanang pisngi.

"Tama ka na, Frost," sabi ni Lion at hinila ang kamay ni Frost. Natatawang napa-upo si Frost kaya mas naguluhan si Yara.

"Hayaan mo 'yan, masayahin lang. I don't know if you remember me, but I'm Lionel Hernandez."

"I-I remember you," Yara said. "Nice meeting you ulit."

Saka lang naintindihan ni Yara kung bakit maraming nai-intimidate kay Lion ngayong nakalapit. He had a dark green hooded eyes and a defined jaw line. Mukha nga siyang masungit, unapproachable, at snob kapag hindi mo kilala. Lion smiled and turned his gaze to South.

Everyone on the table knew South was the most distant. Hindi siya madalas magpakilala dahil wala namang pakialam. Laking gulat na lang nilang lahat nang tumayo rin ito at nakipagkamay kay Yara habang titig na titig.

"I'm South; nice meeting you, Yara." His words contrasted his blank expression.

Hindi matukoy ni Xamuel kung masaya ba talaga si South makilala si Yara o hindi dahil wala siyang pinakitang kahit anong emosyon. Katulad ni Frost, medyo singkit at maputi rin si South. Kung si Lion ang pinaka-intimidating sa kanilang lahat, si South naman ang pinakamisteryoso at ang mukhang tunay na mahirap kausapin.

Yara turned to Xamuel after the greetings. Lion told them to sit and eat their food already. Katabi ni Yara sa magkabilang gilid sina Muel at Lion samantalang kaharap naman sina Frost at South. Maraming binili ang magkakaibigan dahil nanlibre daw si Frost at sumaktong nandoon ang paboritong order-in ni Yara na brownies.

Yara noticed how different Xamuel's features were from his friends. He's tall, moreno, has deep-brown hooded eyes and has an average weight. Although Muel doesn't often socialize, Yara now considers him the most approachable among them. Oo, madaldal at makulit si Frost pero hindi siya mukhang palakaibigan.

"You're quiet," puna ni Muel.

"Oo nga. Tell us about yourself. We'll be your friends from now on anyway," singit ni Frost. "Huwag kang mag-alala, hindi nangangagat si Lion."

"Gago, sa 'yo nga yata siya natatakot," sumbat ni Lion.

Yara chuckled. "Ah, hindi naman."

"Sa una lang siya mahiyain kapag nakilala niyo na 'di na kayo niyan titigilan asarin," komento ni Xamuel.

Nilingon siya ni Yara nang nakasimangot. "Kapal."

Tinuro siya ni Muel. "Kita niyo? Sa inyo lang 'yan nahihiya kasi 'di niyo pa close."

Yara sighed and looked at Frost, who seemed very amused. "I'm Yara, galing ako sa last section dahil late enrollee. I used to be friends with Klassey–"

"Ah, oo nga. Naalala kong nakilala ka rin ni Muel dahil kaibigan ka ng ingratang 'yon," Frost interrupted.

"Maka-ingrata 'to," South said. "Totoo naman."

Yara chuckled because she thought South would disagree. Napunta tuloy sa kanya ang titig ni South. Agad siyang umiwas dahil nahiya.

"Paano ba kayo naging magkaibigan? Sobrang iba ng vibes niyo sa isa't isa," Lion said.

"Ah... the thing is, we're not friends anymore."

"Sabi ko na, e. Anong ginawa sa 'yo?" Frost asked. "It's okay to spill the tea, Yara. Kami nga sinisi niya dahil nagbago raw si Muel dahil sa amin. Sinong matinong girlfriend ang maninisi ng iba sa kakulangan niya? At kami pa talagang kaibigan ni Muel, ah. Kung bad influence talaga kami gaya ng dinidiin niya, hindi na sana sila nagtagal ni Muel."

Nagulat si Yara sa sobrang pranka ng pananalita ni Frost na tila ba wala siyang pakialam kung may ibang makarinig. He could sometimes be childish, but he doesn't miss a point.

"Pagpasensiyahan mo na, nagtatampo pa 'yan dahil sa nangyari," Lion said.

"It's okay, may point naman si Frost," Yara whispered. "A-Actually, the same happened to me. She blamed me for their breakup."

"Seryoso ba?" sali ni South sa usapan. "Paano ka nadamay?"

"Long story short, si Yara ang tumulong sa akin noong nakaraan para yayain si Kla sa prom. Dumating si Derrick sa kalagitnaan ng pangyayari kaya nakipag-break na ako. Klassey still thinks my decision's influenced by irrational anger, but it isn't. Naisip ko na talagang makipaghiwalay kung tutuloy siya kasama si Derrick sa prom," Muel narrated.

Napanganga si Frost. "So she's targeting you now because of that?"

"Ang bobo talaga," bulong ni South at sumubo ng fries.

Yara unexpectedly felt validated seeing their reactions. She thought no one could understand her struggles, but these people understood even without her explaining anything.

"She's getting out of hand. Nandamay pa ng walang kasalanang tao sa gulo na ginagawa niya," Lion said irritatedly. "She's the one who keeps going out with another guy tapos magagalit ngayong nakipaghiwalay si Xamuel. Muel tried to reach out numerous times. Xamuel's not a masochist–napapagod din ang gagong 'yan."

"Exactly! Ang pointless ng point ng ex mo, Muel. Bagay nga sila ng Derrick," si Frost.

"Isa pa 'yon–alam na nasa relasyon pa si Klassey noon kay Muel pumatol pa rin," South said. "Or maybe Klassey lied?"

"Wala akong alam tungkol diyan. Basta isang araw, magkasama na sila," Yara hopelessly said.

"It's okay. Tapos naman na. We just need to look after you para hindi ka na nila pag-initan," Muel said.

"Hang out with us from now on," Frost smiled.

For Yara, the invitation was so tempting to accept. Xamuel felt Yara almost crying. Xamuel had this uncanny ability to read people, and he knew deep down that Yara didn't have anyone besides him as a... friend. It wasn't like she verbalized it or anything; she was never one to discuss her personal life openly.

There was something in how she carried herself, an air of loneliness mixed with a silent longing for a genuine connection. Xamuel first figured out his assumption during Yara's birthday. He couldn't believe Yara could live without a single friend for eighteen years. He wanted to offer friendship but never had the chance until today. Xamuel knew his friends would like Yara, and Yara would feel safe around them.

Their bond grew stronger with every unspoken word and understanding glance they exchanged–proof that sometimes friendships are built on what remains unspoken rather than what is said out loud.

"Huwag kang mahiya sa amin, makakapal naman mukha ng mga 'yan," Lion said. "Let's be friends from now on."

"Friends..." Yara muttered. "S-Sigurado ba kayo?"

"Oo naman," South, out of all people, said. "Lalo na ngayong mainit dugo ni Klassey sa 'yo. Her friends have a bad reputation for bullying. We don't want you to get involved in their nonsense."

Xamuel saw how a light suddenly shone through Yara's eyes.

"Sumama ka na sa amin lagi, Yara," Lion insisted.

"Anong itatawag natin sa bagong group? Bradir Hud featuring Yara?" si Frost.

"Brother Hood?" Yara repeated, clueless.

"It's our Messenger group name. It's spelled as bradir in Tagalog, and u instead of double o sa English," South explained. "Brad tawagan dito dahil brother figure namin si Lion."

Hindi na napigilan ni Yara ang tawa na kinatuwa rin nila. Doon nagsimula ang panibagong asaran nilang apat kasama si Yara, na paniguradong tatagal pa. Xamuel was thrilled to see Yara making new friends and feeling accepted by others. Seeing her happy brought a sense of joy and contentment to his own heart.

Xamuel was once hesitant to introduce Yara to his friends, specifically South, but he let that thought aside to give Yara the happiness she deserved. He knew, deep down, this was the right choice all along.