"Mahal na prinsesa!" galit na abot ni Lance ng pagkain.

Nasa condo niya kami ngayon kasama si Ella at Keily, group study pang nalalaman kain lang naman sila ng kain.

"Ang sabi magpuyat hindi magpapayat" dagdag niya.

Umirap lang ako bago tinanggap yung slice ng pizza.

"Why didn't you bring your own butler" he mumbled .

"Ay wow nagrereklamo?" pagbiro ko.

"Hindi po!" pagalit niyang sagot.

Aba aba, akala mo naman. Kailan lang di pa makapagsalita ng buong tagalog.

I remembered nung nagsisimula palang kaming maging close, ever since he's bubbly and caring kahit kina Ella at Keily.

Kaya di rin nagtagal nagkaron na kami ng special bond apat, he was a new addition to the pack, and he's doing really well.

"Hoy Lance! wala ka bang pambabaeng sabon?!" sigaw ni Keily galing sa banyo.

"What?! the heck you really think kinabango mo yan, that's all I have! use mine, mas mabango naman ako sayo! " pasigaw na sagot ni Lance.

Tuwang tuwa talaga sila ni Ella na asarin kami ni Keily.

"By the way, saksak mo na yang tv Lance natapos ko na first set ng notes ko I deserve a reward" singit ni Ella habang umaabot ng pang ilang slice na ng pizza, napakatakaw.

"Wow okay! this doesn't really feel like studying to me, anghirap magalaga ng tatlong reyna e" asar na sagot ni Lance.

Nanahimik lang ako still reading, sobrang kinakabahan nanaman ko sa exams, last na'to for out first year in med school. I know I have to do really really good.

"Doc, perfect mo na yan. No one's stopping you from resting" Sabi ni Lance habang umuupo sa tabi.

"I'm stopping myself from resting" sagot ko nang hindi tinutuon yung pansin ko sakanya.

He has been very supportive sa aming tatlo, it's like having a big brother. Yung pagsali niya sa aming magkakaibigan gave balance to our friendship. I hope hindi lang sa part namin nila Ella yun, sana ganun din sa part ni Lance na pakiramdam niya andito lang din kami for him.

Nagtuloy-tuloy yung pagreview naming apat kasi med school is no joke kahit na nagsisimula palang kami, it drains you out. You really need to be determined sa goal mo and you have to remind yourself why you started over and over again.

After finishing the last reviewer that I made, I decided to take a quick nap 2:15 am narin naman. I'm planning to scan my notes again after this nap.

I streched my neck and arms para mawala yung ngalay and I looked around to see the situation inside the condo.

Nakita ko na nagtutulungan sina Ella at Keily sa pagrereview hindi na ako sumali sa kanila kasi mas okay sa akin yung mag-isa at tahimik yung environment kapag nagrereview.

Napansin ko naman na sobrang focused ni Lance sa binabasa niya pinching the bridge of his nose with that slightly wet hair fresh from the bath, bagay rin pala niya maging seryoso. He kinda looked cool and refreshing. Ghad ano ba 'tong iniisip ko, puyat siguro to.

"Soph wake up, we're going to be late" bumungad sakin yung mukha ni Lance na halatang kakaligo lang, may nakasabit pang tuwalya sa leeg niya.

I reached for my phone to check what time is it. 6:20 na pala.

"Wait.. what?! 6:20 am na?! shit" napatayo ako kaagad galing sa pagkakahiga. Ang sabi ko kasi quick nap e, ano ba yan Sophia Fajardo!

"Uh.. Yes. Let's wake the others up na so we can take breakfast and start getting ready" sabi niya at halata sa boses niya yung pagtataka kung ba't ganon yung reaksyon ko.

I need to scan my reviewers again, mahirap na kapag bumagsak. Iskolar ng bayan tapos ibabagsak ko lang.

Ginising na rin namin agad sina Ella at Keily, mga tulog mantika e. Naligo na rin kami at pagdating namin sa hapag-kainan may mga nakahanda ng pagkain. Is this Lance?

"Wooooow, nakakagutom naman yan!" parang bata na sabi ni Keil.

"Sakto kailangan ko talaga ng pagkain na hindi instant" sabi naman ni Ella. Ang tamad kasi magluto kaya puro instant noodles at processed food.

Good thing marunong din magluto si Lance, pero ewan ko lang kung makakakain pa ako, kailangan ko talagang magbasa ulit.

"Eat your food Soph, wala naman akong nilagay na poison diyan" biglang sabi ni Lance, hindi ko napansin na may nakalagay na pala sa plato ko.

"Yeah sure" pag-aalangan na sagot ko. Alam ko naman na hindi ko rin magagalaw yan.

"Drive faster but safely Lance! weak mo naman!" ang ingay ni Keily ano ba yan.

"Kaya nga unahan mo na yang nasa harap natin" isa pa itong si Ella.

"Chill guys, we're gonna get there on time trust me. By the way Soph, you didn't even touched your food. You're killing your body" pag saway ni Lance na parang kuya ko.

"I'll eat after the exam. I promise" pangugumbinsi ko.

Nakarating nga kami on time sa school and agad kaming pumwesto sa mga kanya kanya naming upuan. Dumating na rin agad yung professor na magpapa'exam sa amin.

I started answering, good thing nakapagreview kami kasi halos lahat ng items sa exam ay nabasa ko.

"10 minutes left, start finalizing your answers" pag'announce ng professor namin.

Itong last 3 items nakakabobo, essay pa kasi e, nabasa ko 'to e. Bahala na siguro naman may partial points.

As I was writing my essay I started to feel dizzy, parang nasusuka pa ako sa hilo.

"Shit naman Sophia, kaya mo' to patapos na oh" I tried pushing myself na matapos nang maayos yung exam. Konting push nalang.

"That was crazy! Mag-aasawa nalang ako ng doctor. I can't na!" Pag-iinarte ni Keil. I still feel dizzy, mas lumala nga feeling ko anytime magcocollapse na ako.

"Walang doctor na magkakamaling pakasalan ka Keil!" sabat naman ni Ella.

"Are you okay? You look pale." Naramdaman ko yung biglang paglapit ni Lance sa akin.

"Yeah, Nahihilo lang ako"

"I told you don't push yourself too much" Pag-aalala niya.

"Ang sabi kasi mag-aral hindi pakamatay" Parang nanay na sabi ni Ella.

"Kaya nga, natutulog at kumakain rin naman sina Einstein kapag nag-aaral" I just threw a glance at them, I'm not in a mood to argue.

"Why don't we go eat then i'll take you guys home?"

"Sounds good" Sabay na sabi nila Ella at Keil.

Mas lalong sumakit yung ulo ko, naramdaman ko na ring nanghihina na yung tuhod ko kaya sumandal ako kay Keily. Everything's turning upside-down. 

"Soph!"

I smell a strange fragrance that kinda stinged and the next thing i knew I was lying on a bed.  I looked around that's when I realize i'm in the university clinic. Did I just faint?

"Hey, how are you feeling?" I immediately looked at Lance and I saw how worried he is.

"Yeah, I should've taken your advice" Nakakahiya naging pabigat pa tuloy ako.

I slowly sat up and leaned sa headboard.

"Where's Ella and Keil?" I asked when I noticed that they're not around.

"They went to the cafeteria to buy an energy drink for you"

"Hmm.. Buti at wala muna sila. I expect a lot of sermon coming from Ella when she gets here"

Just as when I finished talking, bumukas agad yung pinto at niluwa sina Ella at Keil.

"Omg! Soph you're awake finally!" tili ni Keil habang tumatakbo papunta sa akin habang naka'open arms para yakapin ako.

"Keil nahimatay lang ako hindi na'coma" sabi ko naman. Ang OA talaga.

"Yan gaga ka e, sabi kasing kumain. Pakamatay pa nga, gusto mo ako na mismo maglibing sayo? isang salita mo lang madali naman akong kausap." suway sa akin ni Ella.

"C'mon Els, I know you're just worried." Sabay yakap sa kanya. I know her, ganto lang niya iexpress yung pagmamahal niya sa amin. Para na siyang nanay.

"Look guys, I'm fine and still breathing. Why don't we continue our plan on having a proper meal and have a good rest?" pag-aaya ko sa kanila. I'm so blessed to have them as my friends.

"You sure you're fine?" sabat bigla ni Lance.

"Yes. I'm sure" I said as I gave them an assuring smile.

We decided to eat at a chinese restaurant. We're all craving for some hot broth and noodles.

We ate peacefully, enjoying the food, I can still see Lance na nakatingin sakin worriedly so I looked at him.

"What? sabi ko okay na ako, sadyang nakakamatay lang yung essay kanina no" I tried to make him laugh.

He just smiled softly before humigop ng sabaw.

"Kasi naman kala mo talaga mahihimatay na rin yan sa kaba" pagsingit ni Ella.

I saw Lance glared at Ella for what she said.

"Oo nga kala mo kung sinong boyfriend" pangaasar ni Keily.

Lance just gritted his teeth before grinning at me.

"Can't we find another set of friends? I don't think I want them anymore" he said jokingly.

"Hoy! baka nakakalimutan mo ha ikaw sumingit dito itapon kita pabalik ng US e" pagsabat ni Ella.

"Hahaha omg yea! kasama pa si daddy sa first day of classes hahahaha!" Keily then added.

We all laughed together while Lance is still speechless habang natatawa rin.

"Really? after eating my stuff and sleeping sa condo ko?" he raised his eyebrows smiling.

"Oo really talaga, ewan ko sayo simula nung dumating ka kinailangan kong magbasa ng dictionary para maging maayos pagsasama natin e!" pagbibirong sagot ni Ella.

I really enjoy these kind of moments, just happy together, like the old times with Bri.. with Ali.

We were so happy, the fun we had was unbeatable.

Youth is a lot more memorable because of them. Seeing their smiles, kahit mapipikon na si Lance pinipitik niya lang sa noo si Ella, it's true we look better when we're happy.

"You sure you can be by yourself?" Lanced asked for a hundredth time before dropping me of sa apartment.

I looked at him and raised an eyebrow before sighing.

He's looking out his window while I try to open the gate.

"I'm all good, tatawag ako pag kailangan ko ng tulong" I assured him, he just smiled at me.

"I'll hold my phone all night" he said before he went ahead.

I entered my room and started fixing my things before taking a shower.

God how refreshing, tapos na rin ang hell week, this is by far one of the best ligo na ginawa ko.

I plopped down my bed and reached for my phone, I still have my towel wrapped around my wet hair.

I checked my messages, may texts na kasi silang tatlo kala mo naman talaga alalang alala lang?

from Keil: "Huy Soph nakarest ka na?"

from Els: "Naihatid ka ba ni Lance o dineretso ka sa motel? nako magingat"

The hell Ella?! I groaned sa nabasa ko, what is she thinking?

I was about to read Lance's when may biglang tumatawag sa gate.

I just ignored it baka yung landlady ang hanap.

from Lance: "Panget! have you had your rest?"

Aba angkapal di naman pogi. Hindi nga ba? argh ano ba tong iniisip ko!

I replied to all of them one by one before I heard a knock sa pinto ng kwarto ko.

Pinuntahan ko agad bago binuksan, yung landlady pala namin.

"Oh iha may nagabot sa may gate, para saiyo daw, Sophia Fajardo" she said softly.

I smiled at her before taking the box from her hand, hindi naman kalakihan parang sing laki ng throw pillow. Ano naman to? wala naman akong ineexpect. Shit hindi kaya may napindot ako sa Shoppee? ayan sige sale pa kase.

"Ah salamat ho La" mabait talaga yung landlady namin dito, halos mag 70 na ata siya, kasama niya yung apo niyang nagmamanage ng apartment nila. Minsan nga nagaabot pa siya ng ulam pag nakikita niyang late na ako umuuwi.

"Siya sige na magpahinga ka na" ngumiti siya bago naglakad paalis.

"Thank you po!" I shouted before closing the door.

Ano naman kaya to, di kaya bomba na to? jusko. I shook it lightly, magaan lang yung box pero halatang maraming laman, siksik e.

I read yung nakadikit na receipt, sakin nga, ako naman si Sophia Hannah Fajardo diba? unless hinde. Tama rin yung address.

So I opened the box and removed the bubble wrap.

Nagulat ako when I caught a glimpse sa laman, all my favorite chocolates may kasama pang fresh milk.

"Wh- ano? san to galing?" I asked myself confused.

Reese's? Twix?! omgg maltesers? shet hulog ng langit, sobrang dami para akong magpapa children's party.

Nagulat ako when I saw a small note sa ilalim.

"Please treat yourself more, don't overwork your body"

I furrowed my eyebrows, may panote pero walang pangalan? binaliktad ko pa yung papel baka nasa likod pero blangko na.

"Wait, Lance? napaka naman"

I quickly reached for my phone and opened it to message Lance.

Magtytype na ako when I received a reply from him.

"Good, dapat talaga nakahiga ka na, by the way I can't sleep and tapos na mga exams, shall we talk?" I'm really confused now.

Wala naman siyang nababanggit, saka hindi niya alam yung favorite chocolates ko, how come? pati yung gatas na'to, only one person knows about these.

I removed what I was about to send him.

Sophia:"Okay, di pa rin ako inaantok, may aayusin lang ako"

Lance: "Bilisan mo I hate waiting"

I suddenly remembered someone. I smiled at the thought but just shrugged it off bago ayusin yung chocolates and getting a pack of maltesers and laying down sa kama.

Sophia: "So anong trip mo?"

Lance: "Nothing, I just wanted to talk"

Sophia: "E ano nga?"

Lance: "How about fast talk?"

Ano ba yan? anghilig nito sa Q and A nakakabobo kaya magisip ng mabilis. Jeje naman.

Sophia: "Fine, start it"

Lance: "Sex or chocolates?"

Ay deputa.

Sophia: "Hoy gago, ayusin mo naman po tito boy"

Lance: "Sex"

Putang ina talaga.

Sophia: "Hoy! ayoko na nga balakajan"

Lance: "Just kidding! c'mon I'll start over"

Lance: "City or Province?"

Sophia: "City, and you?"

Lance: "What?! why?"

Sophia: "Huy walang why fast talk nga e"

Lance: "Fine, City na din sakin"

Sophia: "Ew gaya gaya"

Lance: "Meh meh"

Sophia: "My turn, Seattle or Philippines?"

Lance: "Philippines"

Sophia: "What?! why?"

Lance: "Haha no asking, I have my reasons"

Sophia: "Oo na!"

Lance: "Ako o siya?"

What?

Sophia: "Ano? what are you saying?"

Lance: "You're too serious Sophia! loosen up I'm just joking"

Sophia: "Oh talaga ba?"

Lance: "Fine ito na oh, would you rather be with someone you love for a day and never see them again or never be with them but see them happy even from afar?"

Sophia: "Hoy foul! bakit mapanakit?!"

Lance: "So nasasaktan ka?"

Sophia: "Double foul! ayoko na!"

Lance: "Ano ba naman, you're weak bruh"

Sophia: "E hindi kasi ganyan, ganto lang oh, nagkagirlfriend ka na ba?"

Lance: "The hell!? you said foul pag ganyan"

Sophia: "Yiii di makasagot"

Lance: "Fine, just one, a childhood bestfriend"

Sophia: "Asusss! apakalande, jinowa ang bespren"

Lance: "oh what now? jowain kita diyan e"

I widened my eyes sa reply niya.

Sophia: "Di kita bet"

Lance: "Di mo sure"

I laughed.

Sophia: "Hoy san mo nakuha yan?!"

Lance: "Heard it kay Ella so I asked how to use it"

Sophia: "Gaga ka e kung ano anong natututunan mo kay Ella, pero di parin kita bet"

Lance: "Yeah yeah, so why medicine?"

Sophia: "It's been a dream ever since, and someone always reminded me to never let go of what keeps you going, ever."

Lance: "Wow philosopher"

Sophia: "Duh of course, and why UP?"

Lance: "It's dad, he chose na dun nalang since dun siya nagtatrabaho, plus he's paying my tuition and my mom handles my allowance"

Suddenly I was curious sa nanay niya.

Sophia: "Why did you fly to Seattle before?"

Lance: "You're cheating, it's my turn"

I was about to reply when he texted me again.

Lance: "But it's because my parents wanted to get separated"

Sophia: "Oh, sorry"

Lance: "Why are you sorry? kabit ka ba ni dad?"

Sophia: "Hayup ka nagmamagandang loob na nga e"

Lance: "Hahaha okay then, but why sophiathefirst?"

Sophia: "Huh?"

Lance: "Sa IG"

Sophia: "Oh that? panganay kasi ako so first ako hehe alam ko corny"

Lance: "Oo nga"

Sophia: "Grabe walang support, pero why Arceo?"

Lance: "My mom's maiden surname"

Sophia: "Ahh okay, your turn"

Lance: "Who's Ali?"

I suddenly tensed up sa nabasa ko.

~~~~~~~

uwu :>