"Oh, bakit ngayon ka lang? Gabi na ah." My head snap up as I hear Aila's voice. Kakabalik ko lang sa quarters but as I take step to the room she stand there looking at me dumbfounded.

When I look around the room I noticed that the light's are off already and most of them are already asleep. Or some are just laying down while using their phones.

"Ah ano.. wala naman." I hesitantly said before scratching the back of my head.

"Kanina ka pa hinahanap ni Addi. Nag-aalala yung isa sayo pero hindi na namin sinabi kila maam. Baka kasi maging big deal pa tapos mapagalitan ka. Eh matanda ka naman na, alam naman namin ni hindi ka papayag na isilid ka sa isang puting van." She said making me chuckle a bit. She's holding a water bottle which I guess she took a drink.

"Ano tara na? Matulog kana, awarding pa bukas." She said, signaling me to come.

I bite my lower lip, "Ahm.. pwede ba tayong mag-usap? I mean, pwede ba akong mag kwento then.. hingi na rin ng tulong?" I hesitantly ask, she look at me, squinting her eyes before nodding.

"Sure, sige ba." She said and I slowly nod.

"Pero before we talk, I just want to tell you to not call me names ha?" I said and her brows furrowed.

"Bakit nakipag-momol ka ba sa isang tabi tapos natatakot kitang tawaging malandi o pokpok?" She said and my eyes widened.

"Gaga! Tara na nga dito!" I whispered shout before walking down the stairs. Around in the middle part I sit down and she did as well beside of me.

"So.. ano nga? Di kita I ju-judge promise." She said and I slowly nod.

"So.. you remember Bright, right?" I hesitantly ask,

"Ah oo, yung lalaking nanakit sayo? Yung lalaking ginawa kang rebound? Yung lalaking ginawa kang pampalipas oras para makalimot siya sa ex niya? Yung pinasaya ka ng pabsamantala pero sa huli, he made you doubt yourself?" She said and my lips parted a bit from each other.

Grabe naman, ganun ba talaga yung ginawa niya? Ganun ba talaga kasama at kasakit yung ginawa niya para ganun yung isipin ng mga kaibigan ko sa kaniya?

"Oy, grabe ka naman." I said pouting a bit. Aila chuckled making me pout even more.

"Totoo naman ah." She said and I rolled my eyes.

"I was just asking kung na-aalala mo siya." I said and she nods,

"Ahh, okay, oo kilala ko, bakit?" She ask, I clasped my hands together and pursed my lips.

"Nanliligaw na siya sa'kin eh." I said and I saw how her eyes widened.

"Gagi seryoso?!" She almost screamed which we immediately realized and covered her mouth.

"Gaga hinaan mo lang!" I whispered shout and she slowly nod as we remove her hands from her.

"So.. seryoso nga?" She ask and I slowly nod.

"Well.. alam ko rin naman yung pakiramdam na may nanliligaw kasi may nanligaw din naman sa akin noon." She said and my brows furrowed.

"Ay weh? Seryoso? Di halata eh." I jokingly said and she glared at me.

"Grabe ka, seryoso nga." She said and I chuckled before nodding.

"Fine fine, naniniwala ako." I said and she nods.

"Yun, alam ko yung pakiramdam nang nililigawan ka na nung tao na gusto mo. Kaya hindi ko naman masisisi yung puso mo na masaya ka sa lalaking yun kahit para sa amin siraulo siya." She said making me chuckle a bit.

"Eh asan na yung manliligaw mo na yan?" I curiously ask,

"Ahm.. wala eh, toxic, sad boy na manipulative. Ginusto ko naman talaga siya nung una. Kaso, nanliligaw palang, puro red flags na." She said at napangiwi ako. Grabe naman yun.

"Sayang naman." I mumbled and she nods.

"Sayang nga. Pero balik tayo sayo." She said making my head snap upward to look at her.

"So.. okay lang na manligaw siya? After what he did to you?" She ask and I slowly nod.

"Oo, nung magpaalam siya kagabi, hindi ko mapigilan na matuwa at kiligin." I said and she slowly nods.

"Okay, gaya ng nang sabi ko, hindi ka naman namin masisisi. Hindi naman namin alam kung ano pa yung mga laman ng convo niyo." She said and I nod,

"Tapos, hindi naman namin alam kung paano ka talaga niya napasaya kasi ang nakita at natandaan lang naman namin ay kung paano ka niya pinaiyak." She continued making me chuckle a bit.

Grabe naman, yung pinaiyak talaga ang naging highlight eh.

"Then.. puso mo yan. Hindi namin hawak ang control dyan. Tanga kami kung didiktahan namin yan. Baka nga maski ikaw hindi mo masabihan yan ng kung sino ang dapat mahalin, kami pa kaya?" She added and I nod.

"Oo nga, hirap nga eh." I said while slowly nodding.

We became silent for a but until she decided to break that silence.

"So.. yun lang ba? Problema mo na yun? Na may nanliligaw sayo?" She ask and I shrug.

"Actually, medyo problema ko nga na nanliligaw na siya." I said and when I look at her, she's squinting her eyes at me again.

"Bakit naman?" She confusedly ask,

I took a deep breath, "She Jake kasi." I said and her brows furrowed.

"So ano, may gusto ka kay Jake, eh kaso hindi ka niya gusto or hindi ka pa umaamin. Tapos ngayon na nanliligaw na sayo si Bright, iniisip mo kung dapat mo ba talagang hayaan si Bright na ligawan ka kahit sa tingin mo sa huli hindi mo siya sasagutin?" She said and my eyes widened before aggressively shaking my head.

"Gaga ka! Let me finish first kasi! Masyado kang jump into conclusions agad." I said and she slightly chuckled lead before nodding.

I took a deep breath, "She Jake, kanina magkasama kami manood ng event. Tapos, we had a bottle of beer. Di ko alam kung naging tipsy siya pero.. umamin siya sa 'kin, gusto din daw niya ako. Tapos akong si tanga, sinabi na may nanliligaw na sa akin. Kaya ayun, galit siguro sa akin." I explained and Aila, the whole time is just staring at me with her squinted eyes.

"So.. ang problema mo ay.. dalawa sila ngayon na may gusto sayo?" She ask and I slowly shake my head.

"No, my problem is, galit siya sa akin ngayon. Ang kaso, ayaw ko nang may galit sa akin. Now I want to make suyo kaso.. galit nga eh. Paano ko susuyuin?" Ani ko, nang tingnan ko si Aila ay nakatingin lang sa akin ito habang nakangiwi ang mga labi.

"Gaga ka, yun pa talaga ang problema mo. Di rin kita gets minsan Xavi eh. Bakit naman yun pa ang iniisip mo? Hindi naman gaano ka complicated ang situation mo pero yun pa ang problema mo." She said that made me pout bit.

"Eh kasi nga, he's probably mad at me. And ayaw ko nang may galit sa akin. Specially he's my friend, best friend rather." I said and I hear Aila flick her tongue.

"Alam mo.. kung magalit man siya, hindi mo kasalanan, okay? Kasalanan niya. Na fall siya sayo, dapat handa siya kung hindi mo man siya gusto pabalik. Tanga niya kung magalit siya sayo nang dahil don." She said and I slowly nod.

"Ginusto niya na gustuhin ka. Desisyon niya na umamin siya, eh may nauna na, tapos ngayon magagalit siya? Bobo pala siya." She said at napasinghap ako.

"Now I don't know how to approach him. Hindi ko nga alam kung gusto pa niya ako makita o maka-usap. Totoo pala na hindi magandang desisyon ma fall sa kabigan or bestfriend mo. It can ruin the bond between you two." I sadly said and I once again hear Aila hiss.

"Xavi naman, didn't I tell you to stop feeling guilty about it? Kasalanan niya kung layuan ka niya. Oo, kaibigan ko rin naman si Jake. Pero ang tanga lang, seryoso, kung nang dahil don lalayo siya at kakalimutan niya yung pagkakaibigan niyong dalawa." He said and I slowly nods.

To be honest, tama naman talaga si Aila. Kahit saang anggulo ko rin tingnan ay hindi ko naman nakikita ang kasalanan ko. Maliban siguro sa sinabi ko na may nanliligaw na sa akin. Pero wala talaga eh.

Hindi ko naman masasabi na kasalanan ko dahil sa ganda ko.

Dahil first of all, hindi ako maganda. At hindi ko kasalanan kung nahulog sila nang sabay. Pero putangina naman, bakit na gui-guilty ako nang dahil don?!

"Eh ano nang gagawin ko? Gusto kong malaman kung galit ba siya o hindi." I said, slightly sounding like I'm whining.

"Edi.. kausapin mo, sus, kilala kita Xavi. Malakas ang loob mo, kaya mo yan." She said and I slowly nod.

"Hayst, tara na nga, gabi na oh, napuyat pa tayong dalawa. Nag-ayos pa ako ng gamit ko kanina baka kasi may maiwan pa ako. Ikaw ba?" She ask before standing up and dusting the back of her pants. I stand up as well.

"Hindi naman gaano magulo ang gamit ko, konting pag-aayos nalang." I said and she nod.

"Arat na, matulog na tayo." She said and I nod before following her upstairs. I went to mine and Addison's bed and saw her sleeping already. I carefully put down my things and started fixing them quietly since most of them are asleep already.

I didn't kept away all things. May nga gagamitin pa naman ako bukas ng umaga. At gaya na rin ng sabi ko ay hindi naman qko magulo sa gamit kaya hindi ako nahirapan mag-ayos.

Nang matapos ako ay ipinatong ko nalang sa sahig ang cellphone ko na naka alarm ng 5am.

At sa oras na tumunog ito ay agad ako napabalikwas ng bangon at kinuha na ang damit na isusuot ko sa awarding na inihanda ko kagabi.

Pag pasok ko sa banyo ay wala pang ibang gising. Pero nang matapos ako at makalabas na ay may pailan-ilan nang gising at naghahanda na rin sa paliligo.

Nang matapos ako sa pag-aayos ng aking sarili ay saka ko na itinabi ang lahat lahat ng gamit ko para isasakay nalang ito mamaya sa aming service. Habang naghihintay na matapos maligo ay mag-ayos ang mga kabigan ko ay nanatili akong naka-upo sa kama, hawak hawak ang cellphone ko at naka flash sa screen ang convo namin ni Bright.

He already ask me if hows my sleep and of course I had to say I had a goodnight sleep, or else he will scold me. But the truth is it took me an hour before I can really drift to dreamland. Because its him and Jake who's running around my head.

From boi:
Its awarding day, I know you'll win, I know you will.

To boi:
Tse! Don't bring my hopes up nga. I'm scared na baka wala akong place na makuha.

From boi:
Heh, ikaw pa? I know you did your best, kaya alam ko na mananalo ka.

To boi:
There's a part of me na hoping to win though. Kaso like what I said, takot ako na baka ma disappoint lang ako sa huli.

From boi:
Aww, come here.
*cuddles*
I know you will win a place, I can feel it.

Napangiti ako nang mabasa ang message niya. Starting he told me he will court me, every message coming from him feels different. It gives me more electricity and that butterflies in my stomach.

To boi:
Aww, thanks.
*cuddles*

"Hoy, tara na, kain na tayo sa baba." My head snap up when I heard Aila's voice.

I nod and send Bright a message, informing that we will eat already. I slid my phone inside my body bag and we went downstairs to the cafeteria.

Naunang makakuha nang pagkain sila Addison at Ayen kaya nauna na silang pumili nang table namin. Habang nakatayo ay may nakabanggan ako sa balikat at agad akong nag sorry.

"Sorry-

Natigilan ako nang magtagpo ang aming mga mata.

"Jake.." Ani ko, tiningnan lang niya ako at tumango.

"Oh, goodluck sayo alam ko naman na mananalo ka." He said before about to turn around when I stopped him.

"Uy, wait, galit ka ba sa akin?" I immediately ask. Ayaw ko nang magpaligoy-ligoy pa.

He look at me and squinted his eyes.

"What? Of course not. Why would I be mad at you?" He ask and I scratch the back of my head.

"Eh kasi.. yung kagabi-

"Sus, para yun, tipsy lang ako kagabi kaya mukha akong galit. Pero trust me, hindi ako galit. Magagalit ba ako sayo? Eh ang cute cute mo. Mukhang kang minion kapag naka jumper." He said before ruffling my hair. Agad naman akong napasimangot bago siya sinamaan ng tingin.

"Tangina mo." I cursed before taking steps forward to get my food.

I proceed to our table where my friends at.

"Aila, nagkausap na kami, di daw siya galit. Nilait pa ako, mukha daw akong minion." I said and Aila burst into laughter and I saw how confused the others are.

"Bakit? Sinong hindi galit?" Ayen confusedly ask.

"Wala wala, katangahan lang ni Xavi yun." Aila said at napsimangot lang kami.

We continue to eat and once we are done. We proceed to the event hall. We joined our schoolmates that are at the back part of the hall and there's no available seats for us which made us sit down on the floor.

While waiting, the whole event hall is into a big noise. Students from different schools talking and some are even laughing. At that time I just sit down there while using my phone. Scrolling through my social media.

After almost an hour the event started. But of course, they presented the award for elementary first. Which means matataglan pa kami dito sa paghihintay. My previous school, where I went elementary won awards which made me happy.

But when highschool category came, I can't help but to feel cold specially my hands and feet.

Other categories where presented. But they started at the individual first. We won the photo journalism, science writing and Arven even won a 3rd place.

When Jake was announced that he won a second place, I can't help but to stand up and clap which probably confused my teachers and schoolmates. But Jake saw me cheering and I saw him smile which made me feel better that he is indeed not mad at me.

When group competitions came such as the collaborative writing and broadcasting, that's when I tensed up even more.

Tera and her groups won awards which made us all cheer for them. But when presenting of broadcasting awards came, thats it, that's when K can't help but to have a hard time breathing.

Best script writer came, then commercials, then reporters, then best anchor came. I wasnt called at the 3rd and 2nd place. Which made me lost hope that I won a place. There's no way I'll won the 1st place.

"For our best anchor that will proceed to regional in Cainta Rizal is... from their news paper Ang Dugo ko ay Tinta, Xaviana Feliz Alvarez!!"

Halos makalog ang buong katawan ko nang yuhyugin ako ni Addison sa tuwa. Nang banggitin palang ang pangalan ng news paper namin ay naramdaman ko na agad na ako iyon.

Nanatili akong naka-upo doon at hindi agad nakatayo habang ang nga schoolmates ko ay humihiyaw sa tuwa. Naramdaman ko nalang na may humigit sa akin patayo at agad akong nahatak papunta sa unahan. Yung trainer lang pala namin. Malamang ay nagtaka ito kung bakit hindi pa ako nakatayo kaya hinatak na ako.

Ibinigay na ang medal at award ko habang ako ay nanatiling wala sa wisyo. Tila hindi pa rin nagsi-sink in sa utak ko ang lahay ng nangyayari.

Takte, Cainta Rizal, here I come.

"Congratulations everyone!! Yey! Clap clap!" Turan ng trainer namin. Napapalakpak kami nang malakas at ang mga kalalakihan ay naghiyawan pa.

"At dahil dyan, dahil marami ang pupunta sa regional, mag ma-mall tayo! Yeyy!" Muli kaming napasigaw sa tuwa.

Kahit nasa city lang din ang school namin ay madalang din naman ako makapunta nang mall. Bukod sa may kalayuan ito ay takot din ako na pumunta doon nang mag-isa.

Isinakay na namin ang aming mga gamit sa service at nang masigurado na ayos na ang lahat, na wala nang naiwan na gamit at nakuha na lahat ng certificate ay umalis na kami ng venue at dumiretso na sa mall.

"Hello ma, nasa mall na kami. First place ako oy! Road to regional 'to." I happily said while we are walking in the mall.

[Wow, galing talaga ng anak ko! Sabi naman sayo eh! Kayang kaya mo 'yon!] Turan ni mama sa kabilang linya. Napatawa ako dahil sa tono ng kaniyang pananalita na animo'y tuwang tuwa sa narinig.

Kahit sino naman siguro diba? Come think of it, I won 1st place sa competition and road to regional competition. Siyempre matutuwa ka talaga.

"Nasa mall po kami ngayon. Dito na kami kakain." Pagpapa-alam ko.

[Ah sige, end call ko na. Ingat kayo dyan. Bye, love you!]

"Love you, bye!" I said and end the call.

I put my phone back inside my bag and look at my friends.

"Saan tayo kakain?" I ask while looking at them. Lakad lang kasi kami nang lakad, kaya ako naman itong sumusunod lang sa kanila.

"KFC tara," Aya ni Addison at wala nang nakatanggi pa.

Pag dating namin sa KFC ay halos wala na kaming maupuan. Ang ibang delegates kasi ay pumunta na rin agad sa mall kaya halos mapuno ang mall ng estudyante na galing sa journalism.

"Aila.. kakainin mo yung balat ng manok mo?" Tanong ni Addison habang naghihintay kami ng pagkain.

"Tumigil ka Addi, hindi kita jowa para ibigay ko sayo yung balat ng manok ko." Sagot ni Aila at ikinatawa naming lahat na magkakasama.

"Ako kahit jowa ko hindi ko ibibigay balat ng manok ko." Ani ni Arven at napatawa kaming muli.

"Lalakas ng tama niyo." Sabat ko at napatingin sila sa akin

"Tse, broken ka-

"Hindi na oy! Hindi na broken si Xaviana." Sabat ni Aila kay Addi.

"Ay weh? Nakahanap ka ng pogi Xavi? Iba ka talaga!" Ani ni Ayen at napahagalpak kami ng tawa ni Aila.

"Hindi, thank you come again kasi si Xavi." Ani ni Aila at napakunot ang noo nila.

Napatawa ako ng pagak, "Ano.. siya ulit." Ani ko at mukhang nakuha agad nila.

"Ay marupok talaga." Ani ni Addi habang umiiling.

"Sorry na." Ani ko at suminghal lang sila.

"Wala eh..-

"Marupok ka eh." Putol ni Addi at napatawa kami.

Maya maya ay dumating na ang mga pagkain namin at kumain na kami.

Hindi kami nagtagal doon dahil kailangan namin bumalik bago mag 6pm at hindi na rin naman kaagahan nang dumating kami sa mall.

Dumaan lang kami sa Miniso at department store bago umuwi na sa dorm.

Nag ayos pa kami ng mga gamit bago nagpalit sa nga pantulog. Pag tingin ko sa cellphone ko ay doon ko nakita ang messages ni Bright na ngangamusta.

Pero tinatamad kasi ako mag type.

To boi:
Call? Sorry pagod ako para mag type eh

From boi:
Sure.

Kinuha ko na ang headset ko at saka siya tinawagan, agad naman siyang sumagot.

[What's up bitch.] Bungad niya na ikinagulat ko.

"Aba, tangina mo ah." Sagot ko at napahagalpak siya ng tawa.

[Hindi biro lang.] He replied and I just hum as I get comfortable on bed.

[So? Kamusta? Hindi mo pa nasabi ang results sa akin ah.] He said at napakunot ang noo ko.

"Hindi pa ba? Sorry," I said,

[So ano? What place?] He ask and I slightly chuckled.

"1st place tayo Mr. Nañagas." I said with a smile on my face.

[Wow, congrats! Sabi na nga ba. Pero wala pang tayo tsaka hindi pa ako mister.] He corrected and I chuckled.

"Okay, sir Nañagas." I said while slightly rubbing my eyes.

[Pero pwede namang magkaroon na ng tayo.] He softly said and I rolled my eyes.

"Tse, paghirapan mo aba. I'm a girl with class ulol." I said and he chuckled.

[Okay okay, and I think its best if you go to sleep now. Let's have a talk kapag nakapag pahinga kana.] He said and I hum.

"Okay, goodnight, bye." I said and he hum.

[Bye, love you.] He said before chuckling.

"Mhmm, love you too." I replied with a sleepy voice.

[Yiee kilig yun.]

"Ulol."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•