I was the last one to leave the hospital room of Amanda when I saw her things on the couch.

Amanda asked to see Alan so Leni and Olivia got her a wheelchair before proceeding to Alan's room beside her.

Sighing, I started to arrange her bag but it was open and Amanda's things fell on the floor.

On my knees, I picked one by one Amanda's charger, powerbank, and wallet. The lipstick rolled to the floor as well as her wallet opened and I came across a picture of four kids around eight to ten years old.

I returned all the things inside Amanda's sling bag but thoughfully gazed at the picture in her wallet.

My eyes widened when I got to see the picture closer. It was the same picture I have when I was adopted by my late foster parents!

I remembered calling out for Amy while her friend, Ayah, comforted Ivy on that fateful day at the playground.

As far as I can remember, Amy used to visit the orphanage a lot of times when they were kids.

I only got close to her because of Ayah and Ivy. Both of them were originally friends as the latter usually looked for her automatically upon entering the orphanage.

She and Ayah will eventually follow since they considered themselves inseparable.

I felt my eyes brimming with happy tears.

This picture proved it all.

Finally! I found my bestfriend!

I even remembered liking Amy and wanting to find her when she got back from the states.

I wiped my tears when I heard Amanda laughing with Leni and Olivia as they return to the room.

"Oh? Anyare sayo, baks?" Leni asked while pushing Amanda's chair.

Amanda frowned and examined my face curiously. Olivia shrugged and went to the couch.

"Oks ka lang?" Amanda asked.

I was at loss for wordss and I just hugged her tightly and Amanda was dumbfounded.

"Huy. Anyare sayo? Miss mo ko agad?"Amanda joked after pulling away from the hug.

I nodded and grinned. I caressed Amanda's hair like I used to when they were kids.

"Oo. Namiss kita agad. Sobra-sobra." I said in my male voice which immediately drew Leni's and Olivia's attention. I assisted Amanda back in her bed and when Amanda had rightfully sat back up. "Ano kailangan mo, Amy-anda? Nauuhaw ka ba?"

"Huh? Anong alien language ang Amyanda?" Leni asked laughing as she prepared her things as they were about to leave.

I ignored her and handed Amanda a bottle of water. She gladly took it and drank.

"Thank you, baks, kahit napaka-weird mo ngayon." Amanda smiled and I felt a wave of emotions seeing that beautiful smile of hers.

"Uwi na kame, Amanda. Malapit na daw sila Tita dito." Olivia said and let her backpack hung freely. "Nagkukulit na naman ang kambal."

"Sure, mga baks." Amanda nodded in encouragement. "Thank you sa pagbisita sa akin. Back to work na din ako sa isang araw."

"Pagaling ka ha. Wag mo gawing tambayan ang ospital." Leni said and winked at her.

Her mom, Aling Delia, together with her father, Mang Enrico, entered the room with a small gym bag for her overnight clothes until tomorrow.

"Hi, tita and tito!" Leni greeted cheerfully and kissed their cheeks.
Olivia and I did the same.

"Uwi na po kami. May pasok pa po kami bukas." Olivia said and smiled.

"Oh ikaw, bakla? Hindi ka pa uuwi?" Leni asked and raised an eyebrow while looking at me who still hasn't gotten her bag.

I blinked and got my bag immediately.

"Got to go, Amanda! Bye po!" I gave a small smile and lead the way to the door.

"Anong nangyare dun?" Leni asked Olivia who shrugged and followed their friend.

--

As soon as I arrived home, I hurriedly went to my drawer and pulled out a wooden box which me and my friends all have before we separated ways more than about twelve years ago.

Eagerly, I opened it and saw the exact same photo with Amanda.

Still shocked and amazed at the realization, I pulled out my earrings and removed my beaded bracelet along with the nude lipstick and stared at the sight in front of me.

I have always been longing to remove the mask I had been wearing for the several years of my life: both in the real world and in my hidden life.

Staring in front of the mirror, I began to see myself in a horrendous outfit and immediately pulled out the shirt I was wearing and replaced it with a plain grey muscle tee. I also wiped out the foundation which was on my face using the back of my hand.

The moment my eyes saw the photo and discovered Amanda's smile, my heart instantly knew she is the one that I have indeed been looking for. Memories instantly flooded to me  and my heart blossomed with it.

I was startled when I saw the man standing behind me with a proud smile on his face. 

"I'm so glad you're back, Toniboy." The man who have been there for me ever since, grinned at me.