GEMINI felt excited and at the same time anxious when she was on her way to the Hospital. She's with her Kuya Crading. They were riding Carding's big bike.

"Kumapit ka, Gem. Baka malaglag ka pa." Malakas na sabi ni Carding na may halong pag-aalala. Kasalukuyan silang bumabyahe patungo sa Hospital na pag-aari ng pamilya ni Shannaz.

Gemini asked Nay Sonya and her Kuya Carding a favor. She asked them if she could visit the Hospital because she's hoping that a friend of hers will come back and meet her there. Nay Sonya and Carding thought that the 'friend' Gemini was pertaining to was Shannaz but it was actually Tarius.

It's been actually a month since the last time they see each other and Gemini wouldn't deny the fact that she truly misses him.

That bastrad…where could he be? Saan na naman kaya nagtungo 'yun?

Gemini grinned and fixed the guitar behind her then hugged Carding's waist. "Don't worry, Kuya! I'm safe!" Sagot niya.

The wind whipped through Gemini's hair as they zoomed through the streets on Carding's bike. She was holding on tightly to Carding's waist, feeling the rumble of the powerful machine beneath them. The familiar route to the hospital was etched in her memory, but today was different. She was fueled by hope and anticipation, and her thoughts were consumed by Tarius.

As they approached the hospital's entrance, Gemini couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with anxiety. She knew this was where they had made countless memories with Tarius. The rooftop had become their special place, and Gemini had a gut feeling that it was the perfect spot for their long-awaited reunion.

"It felt…like a dream. I'm back…again." Gemini whispered.       

Carding parked the bike, and Gemini hopped off with an eager smile.

"Anong oras kita susunduin mamaya?" Tanong ni Carding.

Nakangiting umiling si Gemini sabay sabing, "I'll just commute po. It's not that far naman. And besides, baka maistorbo ko lang po kayo mamaya. You still have a case to finish, right?"

Bumuntong hininga si Carding, tila nagdadalawang-isip siya na sumang-ayon sa sinabi ng dalaga.

Gemini leaned closer and kissed Carding's cheek. "Don't worry too much, Kuya. Promise, I'll take care of myself!" Pangako ng dalaga.

"I know, I know." Nakangiting ginulo ni Carding ang buhok ni Gemini. "Ang pinag-aalala ko lang ay 'yang suot mo. For whoever's sake! Alam kong Hospital ang pupuntahan natin pero bakit kailangang naka-hospital gown ka pa?" 

Natawa naman si Gemini. "This is just for…pranks." Tanging saad ng dalaga. Hindi naman makapaniwang suminghap si Carding at ginulo ang kanyang sariling buhok.

"Ikaw talaga at 'yang mga kapilyahan mo. I'll take my leave now, take care okay? If boys come and try to flirt with you, don't flirt back. Instead, kick their balls." Paalala ni Carding.

Natatawa namang tumango si Gemini. "Bye, Kuya! I'll come home later. Thank you and I love you!" She thanked Kuya Carding and rushed toward the elevator that would take her to the rooftop. The familiar ding of the elevator as it reached the top floor made her heart race. She stepped out onto the rooftop, scanning the area for any sign of Tarius.

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the city skyline. Gemini stood there, waiting, her heart pounding in her chest. But as time passed, her excitement began to wane, and doubt started creeping in. Tarius was nowhere to be seen.

She paced back and forth on the rooftop, her hope slowly turning to despair. She couldn't understand why Tarius hadn't shown up. 

Has something happened to him? Was he hurt? 

She didn't know, and the uncertainty was tearing at her.

Memories of their laughter, their shared secrets, and the moments they had spent on that very rooftop played like a movie in her mind. Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered all the times they had shared. Gemini couldn't help but smile through her tears, but it was a bittersweet smile, filled with longing and sadness.

"Fuck you, Tarius. Where the hell are you?" Gemini whispered at the wind.

She sat down on one of the benches, her eyes fixed on the horizon. The city lights began to twinkle as the day turned into night, and Gemini whispered a silent prayer, hoping that Tarius would come through that rooftop door any moment.

But as the stars started to emerge in the darkening sky, Gemini's heart sank. She realized that Tarius might not be coming back. The pain of uncertainty and the longing for his presence weighed heavy on her shoulders.

"No! I must not give up!" Pagkakausap ni Gemini sa kanyang sarili. "I will wait for him whatever it takes because he promised that he will stay with me." With that, she grabbed her guitar and strummed a melody.

She let those melodies filled her heart. Strum after strum. Her fingers are turning red. Mayroon na ring maliliit na sugat ang mga daliri niya ngunit hindi siya tumigil. 

This is what she needs. Music. It calms her down, it comforts her. 

As the night deepened, Gemini's phone buzzed, and she pulled it out. It was a text from Nay Sonya asking if she was okay.

Gemini quickly replied, "I'm fine, Nay. Just waiting for someone." The "someone" in her message was left intentionally vague, as she didn't want to explain the situation just yet.

Nay Sonya's reply came swiftly, "Sige, anak. Sabihan mo lang kami kung may kailangan ka, ah? Mag-iingat ka."

She typed a reply. "Yes po, Nay. Take care too. And please tell Kuya Berting na tirhan ako ng ulam."

Gemini put her phone away and sighed. She decided to give it a bit more time. Maybe Tarius had been delayed, or perhaps he was having trouble finding her. She was determined to wait a little longer.

Time passed, and Gemini's patience was wearing thin. She looked up at the night sky and whispered, "Tarius, where are you?" Her voice was filled with longing and a touch of frustration. "Bwisit ka talagang gagong multo ka. Kanina pa ako naghihintay dito. You know that I hate waiting!"

Just when she was about to stand up and leave, the rooftop door creaked open. Gemini's heart leaped with hope, and she turned to see who had arrived. But her hope quickly deflated when she saw that it was one of the hospital staff, not Tarius.

"Excuse me, miss," the staff member said, approaching Gemini. "Are you waiting for someone?"

Gemini nodded, her voice trembling slightly. "Yes, I am. A friend."

The staff member offered a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry, but visiting hours are over, and we need to lock up the rooftop. You'll have to leave for the night."

Gemini felt a lump in her throat as she realized her wait had come to an end, at least for today. She nodded to the hospital staff member, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I understand. Thank you."

With heavy steps, she made her way back to the elevator, her heart heavy with disappointment. The rooftop, once filled with anticipation, now seemed empty and cold.

As she rode the elevator down, she couldn't help but to whisper. "I was here, Tarius. I waited for you. I miss you." Her voice was filled with longing and hope, said out into the night in the hopes that somehow he would hear it.

Gemini left the hospital and found Kuya Carding waiting for her by his bike. He could see the disappointment in her eyes, and he didn't need to ask to know that her friend hadn't shown up.

"Sorry, Gem," Kuya Carding said softly, offering her a comforting pat on the back. "I know you were really looking forward to seeing your friend."

Gemini managed a weak smile, appreciating Kuya Carding's support. "It's okay, Kuya. Baka may inasikaso lang siya."

Kuya Carding started the engine, and they rode back through the city streets. The cool night air brushed against Gemini's face, and it provided some solace amidst the disappointment.

Gemini's disappointment and longing weighed heavily on her as she returned home. She couldn't confide in anyone about her feelings for Tarius because no one knew he existed. To the world, he was a secret, a name never uttered, and a presence concealed.

They arrived back at Nay Sonya's house, and Gemini went straight to her room. She felt exhausted, emotionally drained from the day's anticipation and the eventual letdown.

As she entered her room, she noticed the old shoebox tucked away in the corner. It held mementos of their time together—letters, photographs, and a journal filled with their shared thoughts and dreams. She had kept this secret treasure chest hidden from everyone, as it was a testament to a part of her life that no one else knew.

Then, she saw a photo. It was her, with her two best friends.

Sitting on her bed, she gazed at a framed photograph of her, Cawie, and Shannaz. The three of them were smiling, their arms wrapped around each other. The picture had been taken on their school oval. It was a reminder of happier times, and it both comforted and pained her.

She took out another photo. It was a photo of her, smiling happily. It has a wide space reserved beside her. Like she was taking a picture with someone. She left a spot for Tarius.

This was taken two weeks before she got discharged from the Hospital. Tarius found a camera and he wanted to capture a photo with Gemini but ended up being not in the photo because he's a ghost. Cannot be seen by other humans, even the technology.

Gemini's voice choked with emotion, "You didn't show up. I waited for hours, but you didn't come."

Gemini wiped away a tear that had escaped her eye. "Maybe you're just busy. Fuck it. I just wanted to see you. I just... I miss you so much."

She whispered to herself, "I'll keep waiting, Tarius. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait for you." With that determination, she wiped her tears and smiled, hoping that one day, her friend would return to her life.

Gemini sat on her bed, carefully taking out the journal. She flipped through its pages, each one filled with words written in a language only she and Tarius understood. It was their secret world, a place where they could be themselves without judgment or fear. It was in those words that Gemini found solace.

As she put her journal down, she held the photo of her and unseen Tarius close to her chest, finding comfort in the knowledge that they would meet again, even if no one else knew about their connection. In their secret world, Gemini and Tarius would continue to share their hopes, dreams, and love, hidden from the eyes of the world.