Anne and I were left in the room, and neither wanted to speak first. I remembered again how I slapped her that day. I wish I hadn't confronted her in front of a lot of people first so that we wouldn't be embarrassed. Sana hindi ko siya sinaktan.

I was surprised when she hugged me. "I'm sorry, Sheen May."

Napaluha na rin ako. I know that at this time, even if we don't explain anymore, we have forgiven each other. I feel that I am blessed, and I have realized that now. Parang sobrang tagal naming hindi nagkausap at nagkasama sa paraan ng pagkakayakap niya sa akin. Mahigpit. Kakaiba.

"I'm sorry too, Anne. I should've let you explain."

"It's okay. I told you, I'm at fault too. I was careless. What I did makes you feel awful, and that's why I understand that." She caressed my back.

I let go of her embrace and looked at her. "Bakit ka ba umiiyak?" I asked, trying to tease her funny face.

"Kasi umiiyak ka rin." She snorted.

We laughed together like crazy.

"Bati na ba tayo?" she asked. "Hindi pa ba?"

It feels good to be reunited with my friend. Tama nga sila; you will feel the love of someone better after you argue and solve the problem. The bond of your relationship gets stronger when you pass the trials and you see her worth increased because you chose to fix it rather than leave it broken.

"Why are you here, Sheen May? What are you doing here at Aaron's family's private clinic?"

She sat on the couch, waiting for me to answer. Suddenly, nervousness rose in my chest. Hindi ko inakalang darating ang araw na ito na sa wakas ay maipagtatapat ko na sa kaniya ang hindi ko masabi noon.

"I had a check-up." I held back the tears while telling that to Anne. I saw that she seemed surprised by what I said.

"Checkup? Bakit? May sakit ka?"

"I'm pregnant, Anne," I answered.

The reaction on her face changed. She was surprised at the moment that she couldn't say a thing. I saw how her tears suddenly fell down her cheeks. She wiped it away immediately and looked away from me, looking like she was trying to find words to say.

"Y-you're pregnant? Bakit? Paano?"

I couldn't answer at all.

"How about your studies now? Are you going to school with a baby bump? I mean, it's not a problem for me to see you in a maternity dress, but are you going to be fine with that?"

I also thought about how many eyes would judge me at school when they saw me in that state. Paniguradong pagtatawanan nila ako at pag-uusapan, katulad na lang ng ginagawa nila kay Erica. The amount of discrimination that I will receive from them is something I know will be too much to handle.

"Sinong ama?" she muttered, which made me cry even more. I feel like I've never seen her so concerned about my condition, as if she doesn't know how to show whether she's happy or sad for me.

"Si Jhon Rey..." I sobbed.

She gasped. "Siya? Bakit siya? Bakit siya, Sheen May?" She couldn't get rid of the annoyance on her face. I saw how she clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.

"We were drunk."

"Kahit na. Hindi mo ba alam ginagawa niyo? I know it won't help you if I scold you now, but why did you let this happen?"

"I have been carried away by the gust of my emotions. How can I resist?"

She was stunned as if she had given up on how stupid her best friend was.

"Do your parents know this already?"

I nodded.

"Fuck, Sheen. I can accept that you're pregnant, but the fact that Jhon Rey is the father? Hell, no! That guy had a long-time girlfriend that he really loves. He was just playing with you. I never had a chance to tell you this because you told me you'd stop seeing him, but why did you let this happen?"

"I thought he liked me too; that's why I gave in."

I saw how she pity me in this situation. "When did this happen?"

"That night, when I attended his birthday party."

She closed her eyes and covered her face. I can see how she feels frustrated more than me. I feel like she knows something that I don't.

"Now, I understand more why you slapped me that day. If I were in your situation, I would also be aggressive, or even crazier than you are. I am a possessive kind of woman." She's trying to comfort me while being miserable with me at the same time. "So does he already know about this?"

Tumango ako.

"What did he say?"

I couldn't answer.

"I knew it! I knew it! Why did I even let you be comfortable with that guy?" nanggagalaiti niyang tanong habang napapahawak sa sintido.

"You think I should just have an abortion?" I blurted out.

"Gusto mong sampalin kita?"

She stood up suddenly. "Come on, let's go to that child's father. I can't let him be happy when you're here suffering."

She grabbed my hand and violently pulled me out of the room. I saw that Rod and Aaron were surprised when we came out. I heard Aaron call Anne, but she just kept walking while pulling me.

"Anne, be careful! Your friend!" Rod reminded her because he also noticed that my friend was dragging me, but my friend seems to be unstoppable.

I just said goodbye to them before finally getting out of that house. I didn't realize it was late, and Derrick had been waiting for me.

We were immediately met by Derrick, who seems relieved to see us. He opened the door for us but Anne pulled me into her car and let me in. She started the car without hesitation. I just shrugged when Derrick looked at me in confusion.

I saw him following us. It feels like I'm about to be in trouble again.

"Anne, please, I've talked to him, and he really has no intention of being the father of this stop, so please don't go to him anymore," pangungumbinsi ko pa habang kapit-kapit ko ang seatbelt dahil sa bilis niyang pagpapatakbo sa sasakyan niya.

"No, Sheen, I will force him to do something about this. He can't just escape from what he did."

My chest is pounding hard. I don't know what can happen. Maybe he'll just dump me again. I will only get hurt more.

"Anne, tama na. Hayaan na lang natin siya."

"Shut up, or else I'll kill him," she stated, disgruntled.

I was made to not talk anymore. I can't stop her, even if I try to kneel and beg her to stop.

"Where is his unit?" she asked me. There is a trace of anger on her face, and if I don't tell her, she is willing to go to every room in this building just to find Jhon Rey.

My chest pounded when I saw that we were in front of the door of Jhon Rey's unit. Anne repeatedly rang the doorbell. I was nervous because we might be disturbing them and their neighbors.

"Sigurado ka bang kay Jhon Rey 'to? Huwag mo akong subukang lokohin, Sheen May." She was still frowning and confused as she rang the doorbell again and again.

"Anne, I already told you we were just wasting our time here. You know, I can raise the child if you want, and besides, you're here for me, right? We don't need him. I don't need him."

"No! Listen to me, Sheen. You can't be the only one to suffer for the sin you two committed. He has a responsibility to you, an obligation, so he has to do something, or else what he did to you, he will repeat it to someone else if you never stop him." She keeps on ringing the doorbell of Jhon Rey's unit. She's shouting now like she's mad making a scene. I was enveloped in fear and trepidation. I can feel the tension in my chest. I can't even breathe.

Maya-maya lang ay nagbukas na ang pinto. I was stunned when I saw someone else. A woman. That girl was familiar and I realized who she was. "Yes, what can I do for you? Why do you keep ringing the doorbell? Who are you?"

She's the girl I saw at the coffee shop when Jhon Rey and I went on a date. And she's the same woman I saw when I came here to tell Jhon Rey about my situation. Siya ang nakasalubong ko sa elevator noon.

It's like my heart is breaking with the conclusions in my head.

"Nand'yan ba si Jhon Rey?" Anne asked.

"Yes, he's here. He's inside. We're having a family dinner. Why?"

"Family dinner?" Anne repeated sarcastically. She crossed her arms as she looked at her from head to toe.

"Yes, but it is not just a typical family dinner. Two families are in there—his family and mine. We're getting married." Para akong binuhusan ng napakalamig na tubig dahil sa narinig ko. Ikakasal na sila?

I bit my lip as I tried not to cry. Why am I feeling hurt like this?

My heart is tearing apart. What the hell?

Hinila ko palayo si Anne. Gusto ko siyang alisin sa lugar na ito dahil ayokong gumawa pa kami ng eksena lalo na't family dinner ang masisira namin.

"Who are you again? Why are you looking for my fiance?" asked the girl innocently. She's smiling like it's the best day of her life. She is beautiful and brunette, tall and slender body. Her hair is straight up to her chest. She looks like a model.

I can't help but compare myself. I'm not that tall, and my skin is white, but her skin, even though it's brunette, is beautiful to look at, unlike my pale skin. I am nothing compared to her.

"I'm sorry, Miss. I'm calling off your marriage."

"What?"

Anne went inside while dragging me. It's a shame because we're blowing them up. I'm really embarrassed. Their family appeared to me. Their faces were full of wonder while sitting at the table. I saw Jhon Rey, who was also surprised by our sudden appearance at his house.

"Why are you here?" There was a trace of annoyance on his face as to why I was there in front of him. It hurts to see that he doesn't want to see me.

"You invited your friends, Jhon Rey?" tanong ng isang lalaki na hula ko'y ama ni Jhon Rey.

They all turned to me. "Wait, aren't you the daughter of Velasco? What are you doing here?"

The smile on their face vanished, and it feels like they are all hating me to see. I know, because I am your rival's daughter.

"Anong ibig sabihin nito, Jhon Rey?" tanong pa ng ama niya. "Why is she here? Haven't I told you to stop being friends with her?"

"Sheen, can you go home now? Let's talk tomorrow." Jhon Rey approached and tried to push me away but Anne Marie butt in.

"What do you mean tomorrow? Bakit hindi ngayon? After all, your family is here. Bakit hindi mo sabihin sa amin kung anong plano mo sa kaibigan ko?"

"What did he do? What was this woman saying?" Jhon Rey's father was confused, but at the same time, I can hint that he was getting mad at what was happening now, even the other family that was in there didn't know what was going on.

"Sheen, why don't you stop your friend?" Jhon Rey shouted. Lalo akong nakaramdam ng takot. Kahit na gusto kong umapela pero parang wala akong lakas na gawin 'yon. Naiipit ako sa sitwasyon. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang susundin ko sa kanila.

"Stop me from what? From spilling the truth? What the hell, Jhon Rey?" Anne fumed and was ready to ruin the night of the families here. I want to disappear this time. "Ikakasal ka na? Hindi ka ba nahihiya? Binuntis mo 'yong kaibigan ko!"

Jhon Rey grimaced as he looked at me. I also feel everyone's attention is on me now. At hindi ko maiwasang mahiya sa sarili ko. Why can't I make things right?

"Anne, stop this," I whispered to her.

"No, sometimes we need to create chaos for us to be seen and heard," sagot niya sa akin. "Everybody listen! He got my friend pregnant and he's not taking responsibility for it and now he's planning to escape and get married! How ridiculous!"

Jhon Rey's father stood up when he heard it. "Jhon Rey? Totoo ba ang sinasabi niya? You got Velasco's daughter pregnant?" Anger was evident in the tone of Jhon Rey's father's speech, and here I am feeling absolutely scared of him. He gets mad like my father is.

"No, Dad, let me explain. They're lying. Dad, listen, she was so obsessed with me and wanted to destroy my life."

There's a gut in my throat.

Lumingon siya sa akin. "Sheen May, can you explain to my family that I am not the father of that child? Look, I am happy now. I am getting married to the woman I love. Don't take away from me the right to be happy because of a lie."

I want to cry.

I want to disappear before his eyes.

How can he do this to me?

Nasasaktan ako nang sobra.

I feel like I'm being stabbed. I was crushed by the words that came out of his mouth.

I can't imagine that I fell for this person.

"Right, you are not the father," litanya ko.

"See? She's delusional!" sigaw ni Jhon Rey na para bang nagtagumpay.

Agad naman akong hinarap ni Anne Marie. "What do you mean, Sheen May? Are you fucking stupid? Tell them the truth! Why are you being like this? You don't deserve to be the only one hurting in this situation. You both did it, Sheen May! Let him take responsibility too!"

I saw her cry in desperation. She seem didn't want to be defeated in this situation, but we can't win this one.

"And you! Are you sure you wanted to marry that guy?!" sigaw ni Anne doon sa babaeng sumalubong sa amin sa pintuan kanina. "Nakabuntis siya ng ibang babae! And he will just run away from that responsibility. Ganiyang klase ba ng lalaki ang gusto mong pakasalan?"

"Tama na!" I screamed as I covered my ears.

When will this stop?

I cried a river as I immediately ran out of that unit.

My heart hurts so much.

I feel suffocated.

It feels like someones is strangling me to death.

Ayoko na.

I want all of this to end.