"Where are the twins?" Palingon-lingon si Frank. Talagang wala ang kambal.

"Haven't you noticed? Umalis." Si Red ang sumagot sa kanya. Ibinalik ko 'yong phone ko saka sila binigyan ng tingin.

"Let's swim?" Rain takes the lead. At dahil kaibigan n'ya kami, sumunod kami sa kanya.

Sa kalagitnaan ng aming pagbabad sa tubig, Frank asked about the phone ringing. I know it was mine. I forgot to turn it off or kahit man lang e silent.

"Mine. Let me take an excuse."
Umahon na rin ako. I get my phone and started to walk. Isang tawag mula sa unregistered number ang bumungad sa akin.

"Yes?" There was a coldness from my voice.

"Ito ba si Sky Tyler Mendez?" tanong ng isang boses babae.

"Who's this speaking?" Wala akong in-e-expect na tawag mula sa isang taong hindi pamilyar sa akin.

"I'm looking for SKY TYLER MENDEZ."

"It's me."

"We are giving you a hint. It should be detailed by us." I began to curve my fist.

"I don't have time to play with you."

"This is not a game. This is the real setting."

"Stop your f*ckin' nonsense talk. I ain't playing with you, bitch."

"Don't ignore it," she said and hanged the phone.

"Hey! Are you okay?" pagtatakang tanong ni Jack.
Talagang nilapitan pa n'ya ako. At sana, wala s'yang narinig.

"I need to have my shower." And getting my clothes, I gaved them a sign as part of my excuse.

Someone tryin' to suck my nerves. Someone is playing with me. Someone wants to.
I need to find out.

**
A S H Y

The sun comes up. It's a new day again. As I was going down the stairs, I felt the essence of sweet lavender and it's fragrance.

"Good morning, Jack," bati ko sa nakaupong si Jack habang nagbabasa ng dyaryo.

"Good morning, Kamahalan."

"Where are they?"

"Bagsak ang lahat."

Tuloy lang ako sa paglalakad going to the kitchen. Ganito pala talaga kapag nakaranas ng kabaliwan. Badly need refreshment after. Wanting for water, I opened the fridge. The feeling is better. Burp!

"Good morning." Naglakad s'ya palapit sa akin. "How's your sleep?"

"So fine, so good."

"Do you want coffee?" He pulled the chair and sat on it.

"No. Water is just fine." I roamed my eyes.

"I haven't noticed my mokong."

"He's in the guest room and still sleeping."
I thought magkatabi kaming natulog. It really sounded like 'Aww.' He let me to used his self-room.

"Does he like coffee in the morning?"

He was looking to his phone, "Usually."

"Can I make one for him?" Umangat s'ya ng tingin sa akin.

"He likes creamy black." My eyes kept on asking him.

"Creamy black is a coffee. Instead of adding sugar, just add two teaspoons of cream." Tumango ako matapos mabigyan ng kasagutan ang aking simpleng tanong.

He looked into my eyes. "He doesn't like sweet."

I make coffee for him. The last time I saw my Mom made coffee for my Dad, she placed it on the food tray with breads and fresh fruits. Best remedy kasi sa pamilya namin ang prutas, lalo na ang red apples.

"Does he like bread, too?"

"Sometimes."
I get the coffee and loaves of bread, then placed them on the food tray. I held it carefully.
I walked upstairs as I was heading to the room where he slept.

I simply knocked the door, but no one answered. I turned the knob. Unlocked. Hindi pala s'ya hilig mag-lock nang pinto. I slowly opened it. Nakita ko s'ya habang nakahiga sa kama. Sarap na sarap s'ya sa kanyang tulog. Inilagay ko ang tray sa mesa na malapit sa kanya. I suddenly walked out and closed the door.

"Good morning, Kamahalan." Red was still yawning.

"So damn. Napasarap ang tulog ko," sabi ni Frank habang kinukusot ang kanyang mata. Kasabay ko na rin silang bumaba.

"I'm so tired. Grabe." Umupo si Red sa mismong tabi ni Jack. Bumalik na rin ako sa kusina. Yet, I saw him. He's about to start cooking.

"Can I help?"

"If you want to."

"Okay, I will follow."

•••
S K Y

"Do you love cooking?"

"Sometimes."

"Still, the adobo is excellent," she said and make a smile on it. At kahit noon pa man, adobo na ang paborito naming dalawa.

"Adobo is one of a kind."
The truth is, iniisip ko ang tungkol sa unknown caller ko. Someone wants to hit me. Someone wants to tear her down. I need to get any source of information about that. Crap!

"We always served healthy foods here. Hindi pwedeng walang fruits and veggies during meals."

"I see. The healthier, the better naman."
Looking at her, she's trying to achieve something people usually called, 'success.'

"How's this?"
I get the spoon and take a nibble. It was already cooked. It was good.

"Delicious. It was done."

"Should I place it now?"

"Yes, please?"

She placed the veggies in two bowls. Preparing anything in the table with her is totally priceless. I'm always wanting a woman like her to become my girlfriend, and to become my wife.

"Good morning, Hon." Lumapit s'ya sa kanya. She kissed his lips gently and sweetly. Okay na sana 'yong imagination ko, but when Rain came, it limits.

"Thank you for the coffee, Ashy."

Tiningnan ko s'ya. She's really happy. Don't really know what emotion I will be going to show. Something is missing. So closed and I believed.

I calmed myself. Tinawag ko na rin ang mga mokong para kumain. Nanibago rin ako maging sa seating position namin. Most of the time, si Jack ang kaharap ko, but this time, si Franko ang nakikita ko.

"Hindi pa pala nakabalik ang kambal?" pagtataka ni Red.

"They are f*cker, remember?" Frank answered.

"I don't have better idea for that."

Staring to them, the ambience wasn't good. I'm starting to feel the 'mixed emotions' as people thought about uncomfortability with.

"Today is our free day."
Bakas sa mukha ni Jack ang sobrang excitement.

"We are all free anytime," sagot ni Rain.

"I mean, the things that we can do after the meal," Jack clearly stated.

"Planning for our vacation trip."

"I'm waiting for this," Frank smiled.

"We need to inhale good things in life." Rain gave a reason for it. "And we need to exhale those bad memories happened from the past."

"Exploring new ideas and new things are better than of nothing. Rain was right."
I appreciated his idea. We need to breathe, chill, and relax.

"Frank?" She insisted. "Could we visit them?"
She means them, her friends and we knew it thoroughly.

"Sure, we can." Frank easily concede.

"Hon?" Tiningnan n'ya s'ya. Rain nodded his head as an answer for it.

"I'm done eating." She make her stand and fixed her own. She showed us her smile. She really melts my heart. So damn!

"Hihintayin kita sa labas, Frank."

"I will be there, Kamahalan."

"Bye, Hon." She leaned on and kissed his cheek. "See you later."

"Take your time," he answered. "Take care."

"Yes, I will," she answered gently and walked away.

**
A S H Y

I saw him with the cool smile of him.

"Let's go?" I reluctantly smiled as we moved swiftly.

"How's your last night, Ash?" tanong n'ya habang tumatakbo ang sasakyan.

"It makes me feel better now."

"First time mo bang uminom ng alak?" Tumango ako bagaman nasanay ako sa pag-inom ng wine.

"Gusto mo ba ulit uminom?"

"Do I need it?"

"No. I'm just asking. But, if you need it, you can have it. Know what I mean? Kung gugustuhin mo ang uminom ng alak, hindi mo 'yon pwedeng gawin sa kahit saang lugar. Rest house was a nice place for it."

"Knowing that I'm a woman?"

"You're not just a woman. You are his girlfriend. Know what I mean?"

"I understand."

"Did someone follow you?"

I stopped as I asked a little. "Meaning?"

"I mean, gumagamit ka naman ng emails and apps, right?"

"Yes, I do."

"Did someone?"

"I set my privacy for friends."

"You will become his wife, at kailangan mo ng masanay sa mga bagong ganap. The better changes."

Tiningnan ko lang s'ya. Nga lang, hindi ko maiwasan ang mailang sa kanya. Parang may kung anong bumabagabag sa kanya. Sa tingin ko, wala s'yang tiwala sa akin.

"Always remember to act good. Kapag nagkamali ka, magiging big deal iyon sa mata ng karamihan. Nowadays, madali ng masira ang image ng isang tao. Bukod sa hindi nag-iingat, maraming binabangga. Therefore, watch out from that zone."

"Thank you, Frank."

"No need to thank me. You're on your way, and we are about to finish. Did you still remember?"

I smiled and nod. "Do what I say and know what to do. That's your word, Frank."

He smiled. "Ingatan mo ang sarili mo, Kamahalan. Dahil mahal na mahal ka talaga ni Ulan."

"Mahal na mahal ko rin si Ulan. Sobrang mahal ko sya."

Mula sa sinabi ko, nakaramdam ako ng lungkot at pagkatakot sa loob ng aking puso. Mahal ko talaga si Rain. I don't want to lose him. I don't want to leave him. I don't even want to hurt him. As they said, 'Love is Magic.'

We're at Heaven's Cemetery.

"Right here, Frank."
Nauna akong bumaba at agad na tinungo ang vendors' stall. I saw bunch of flowers. Pero ang binili ko, e 'yong talagang gusto nila.

"Flowers, please?"
Cait wanted white rose and Missy did for red.

"Thank you." Pagkabigay sa akin ay saka ako nagbayad. Agad na akong umalis at saka tinungo ang main gate kung saan naghihintay sa akin si Frank.

"Sa totoo lang, hindi ako sanay na pumasok sa ganitong klaseng lugar."

Tumuloy kami sa loob. "Dahil ba tahimik at malungkot?"

"They are all dead. Different stories and more than that, the pain and guilt twisted moreover."

As I looked forward, nakita ko na sila. Una naming tinungo ang puntod ni Caitlyn.

"Cait? Frank and I are missing you a lot." Tiningnan ko si Frank. Nakakunot-noo lang s'ya habang nakatingin sa akin.

"He still loves you." I placed bouquet of white fresh roses besides her.

"Listen, Cait. He wants to tell you something."
Umiling lang sya.

"C'mon, Frank. Tell her."
He sighed as he was opened his palm to his chest.
Palihim akong nakangiti habang nakatingin sa kanya. Para s'yang takot sa patay. Sobra.

"Cait." I saw his sadness. 'Yong ngiti ko, napalitan ng lungkot. His eyes hid failures for many times.

"I loved you so much. At sa totoo lang, hindi ko tanggap ang nangyari sa'yo. I tried, but I failed. And know that I need a better chance from above. I want to be happy." I want to reached out. Hinayaan ko lang s'ya sa kanyang mga sinasabi. People usually called it 'peace of mind.'

"I want to move forward and start a new life," giit n'ya at hinawakan ang aking isang kamay. Sobrang lamig ng kanyang palad. He pressed a little at mabilis na tumalikod.
Maya pa ay umalis na rin kami at sunod na pinuntahan si Missy.

"Hey, Missy. Here's your favorite flower. A bunch of roses painted on red color. We missed you a lot." The inner part of me says that 'they're dead' but actually, they weren't. The memories were still existed.

"I'm sorry for being unfair to you, Sy. I see you as my real sister. You're my very friend. And... And thank you for everything."
He holds my hand and nodded his head. He showed his eye sign, at naintindihan ko 'yon. Talagang ayaw n'ya kaming tumagal dahil ayon sa kanya, hindi s'ya sanay sa mga patay.

We walked until we reached his car. At sakay sa kotse n'ya, tahimik kaming umalis.

•••
S K Y

"I'm planning to take a long ride."

We are watching the movie Taken 2. Liam Neeson was a nice actor. He knows everything in chilling, spying and doing the best move just to struck down his enemies.

"Where?" tanong ni Jack.

"Somewhere." Rain was uncertainty.

"During vacation?"

"Kung pwede, ngayon na sana," he answered as he was deeply thinking something undone.

"Are you sure about that?" Nagtaka si Jack sa kanyang sinabi.

"I ain't talking much with no sense. Isn't it?" tanong n'ya na tila ba naiinis.

The long journey of Taken was over.

"Ang totoo, gusto ko ng mahabang bakasyon."
Natigilan kami nang bumukas ang pinto. They are here. Binigyan ko ng tanaw ang babaeng papalapit.

"Na hindi sya kasama." Rain concluded it in a low voice.

Tuloy lang s'ya sa pag-upo sa sofa kasama si Franko.

"How's the visitation?" tanong ni Red.

"So annoying," Frank answered.

"What?!" Nagulat s'ya sa naging sagot ni Frank kay Red.

"Why?" tanong ni Jack habang nakataas ang dalawang kilay.

"It's really been awkward na kakausapin mo ang mga taong patay na," reklamo ni Frank. "Really hate it."

"Awkward ba ang ginawa n'yo? Kinausap n'yo lang naman, hindi ba? Hindi hinukay," sagot ko.
He's gonna be wrong, so wrong. He'll make her disappointed.

"Anyway, how's the plan?" pag-iiba ni Frank sa usapan. She stood and excused herself.

"How's that?" pabulong na tanong ni Red.

"Something wrong?" pagtataka ni Jack.

"Frank." Rain mentioned his name na akala mo malaki ang problema. Tiningnan n'ya ito ng may pagtatanong.

"Sh*t! I was wrong," he was trying to explained. "I didn't mean something sh*t."

I stood. "Let me talk to her." I began to walk and followed her way.

"Ashleigh," tawag ko sa kanya.

"What?" She's not in her mood.

"Why you walked away?"

"I want to have my self-meditation."

"Does it really important?"

"Always."

"Don't mean him."

"No. I don't."

"But, you did."

"Okay, fine. He's jerk, and you know."

"He was wrong."

"So well. But he was right."

"No."

"He does."

"C'mon, Ash. You're not a kid anymore."

"I'm sorry."
She tried to calm herself.

"Please."

"I was disappointed."

"I know."

"Don't tell me about being kiddie."

"Sorry."

"They're my friends."

"I know."

"People don't really understand what life means to them," she clearly said.

"Please, go back inside."
Tiningnan n'ya ako sandali saka n'ya ako inirapan.

"I wouldn't."
Talagang matigas ang kanyang ulo.

"You should."

"Why should I?"

"Rain wanted you to be a part of his vacation."
Lumapit s'ya sa akin at mariing ngumiti.

"You're lying."

"No, I'm not."

"You did."
I breathe in. Hindi ko na s'ya binigyan ng tugon. Bumalik naman s'ya sa loob at nakasunod ako sa kanya.

"Hon? I really need to go."
Tahimik ang lahat nang sya'y magsalita.

"Someone is waiting me over the condo. It's my old friend from Florida. I will see you tomorrow."

She didn't kiss him or what. Hindi rin s'ya nakangiti. It makes no sense.

"I will take you home." Rain showed his willingness to drive her home.

"No need. Just stay here, with them. I will be fine," she said and looking by us. "Don't worry. I love you."

Tumalikod s'ya saka tuluyang umalis. Hindi rin tumayo si Rain para sya'y sundan. Hinayaan n'ya lang din itong umalis. Ngunit, bakas sa kanyang mukha ang kaunting pagkadismaya.

**
A S H Y

Sakay sa taxi, talagang wala ako sa mood. Staying with them really feels like I'm beaten. It makes me ill. It makes me hard to catch them. Babae ako, samantalang lalaki sila. We're too different.
Ano ba ang laban ko?

Heading to my room, my phone was beeping. I received three messages and it was from S.G. Si Rain na nagmamahal sa akin, si Sky na nag-aalala at si Frank na humihingi ng depensa.
So sad.

I'm about to open the door when I received a call from someone, not known.

"I'm still following you. So, better to watch out."

"I know." Pumasok ako sa loob for me to be safe.

"Do you need money?"

"I still have."

"Conquer your fear."
I laid down my bed. Gusto kong umiyak pero sadyang may pumipigil.

"I will take you soon."

"Please." I was begging something from my inner soul.

"What!" Sa kanyang tono, she doesn't want me to ask something even for a small favor.

"I'm already happy."

She laughed, "Stop that damn feelin' of  yours. Better to stop everything."

"We should stop this freakin' deal."

"Do you think, papayag ako?"
Sa isip ko, gusto kong magmakaawa sa kanya ng maraming beses. Para ano pa at hindi n'ya ako pakikinggan.

"Mahal ko na sya."

"Talaga ba?"
Gusto kong ipaliwanag sa kanya ang lahat kung gaano at paano ko minahal si Rain pero talagang hindi nya maiintindihan ang aking tunay na saloobin. She does not believed on love.

"And because of that, he needs to pay about this stupid thing."

"No!" mabilis na pagtutol ko. Talagang hindi ako umaayon sa kanya.

"I will do anything. But never try to touch him."

"See you soon." She hung the phone.

I closed my eyes and still holding the phone. I saw millions of stars on the darkest side of the moon. Through the deepest soul, I'm in my deepest adversities. I'm in vain.

**
Sky was thinking for great possibilities to happen. Hindi n'ya alam kung bakit iniisip at naiisip n'ya s'ya. He started to dial her cell.

"What makes you still up?" There's a coldness from her voice.

"Matutulog ka na ba?"

"Going."

"Let me know something."

She sighed, "What was that?"

"Do you love, Rain?"

"I do."

"Yes, he does."

"I know."

He doesn't know why. Pero gusto n'yang sabihin sa kanya kung ga'no ito kamahal higit pa sa isang kaibigan. Pero alam n'yang huli na ang kanyang pagdating.

"Please, love him more."
He wanted her to cheat just for him. Pero ayaw din n'ya maging selfish.

"Yes, Sky."

"Forgive me for everything."

"Napatawad na kita, at alam mo 'yon."

The feelings from the past wasn't changed. At mas mahal n'ya pa ito sa kasalukuyan.

"Goodnight, Maddy."

"It's Ashleigh. Goodnight, Sky." She hung the phone.

And again, he checked his email. Muli s'yang nakatanggap ng isang anonymous message from the same sender.

"Take her or better watch out."