"Ali?.."

Nasa kotse kami ni Ali, she hasn't talk since we left the church.

"Boo may problema ba?" tanong ko.

She looked at me but quickly looked back sa daan.

"Are you just going to ignore me?" naiinis na ako, she should talk to me but somehow naiintindihan ko naman why she can't.

Like my first time of seeing that side of her, maybe she's just as surprised as I am.

I sighed at sumandal nalang sa bintana ng kotse. I so wish pinagisipan ko muna bago ako um-oo kay tito.

We stopped sa may kanto papasok kina tito and bumaba na si Ali bago ako pagbuksan ng pinto.

She was about to go back sa driver's seat but I grabbed her sweatshirt.

"Talk to me naman boo oh.. I'm sorry about what happened" mahina kong sabi.

I can't take another minute na hindi namin to paguusapan.

"It's not your fault" malamig niyang sagot.

She removed my hand and went back inside the car without looking at me.

Kinatok ko yung bintana sa passenger's side kaya naman binaba ito ni Ali. I peaked inside.

"I have an interview for my course tomorrow.. can you come with me? I need my inspiration" nahihiya kong sabi.

"What time?" she asked while still looking straight.

"8 am.."

"Too early" God I hate this, she's so pissed dahil sa nangyari.

"Ah ganun ba? okay.. ingat ka" I stepped further away sa kotse niya para makaalis na siya ng maayos.

Mabilis na humarurot yung kotse ni Ali paalis which gave me an uneasy feeling na baka she'll take it out while driving.

I went directly inside my room when I got home, mamaya pa siguro makakauwi sina tito kaya minabuti ko nang itext siya na nauna na akong umuwi.

Nakakapanibagong walang messages from Ali paguwi, so I decided to take my mind off of it and just texted her to hit me up when she needs something before cleaning up myself at nagluto ng dinner.

It's already midnight pero wala paring paramdam si Ali, I miss her so much. I hate it, I hate this.

"Ali magusap nga tayo"

"I know you're pissed kay Jake so please talk to me and we'll fix this"

"Stop ignoring my messages"

"Kakausapin mo ako o susugurin kita jan sa condo mo"

Still no replies. This is giving me a headache.

After almost forever of waiting, my phone vibrated indicating a message.

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat at tuwa bago ko inopen yung phone ko.

You have one message from Jake

Wha-?! urghhhh this is killing me.

I didn't even bother opening it sa inis ko, I put my phone sa tabi ng unang ko and internally screamed.

Why'd he have to bother me sa gantong oras?!

My phone vibrated again, gosh this bitch is really trying me.

You have one message from Boo🐻💕

Nawala lahat ng pangit sa mundo..

"You said I have no reason to be jealous, but that jerk be really acting like your boyfriend? "

I calmed myself.

"Boo he's just an acquaintance, I too was shocked with his behaviour. Please let's not fight about it."

"He better be, unless he wants to be a dead acquaintance"

"Stop talking like that Ali"

I waited for a response pero wala.

"Boo?"

"I'm sorry"

"Notice me please"

"I'll be more careful around him"

"Ali?"

Hayyy.

I texted her one last time before sleeping.

"Goodnight boo please be fine na tomorrow, I miss you 💙"

Ginising ako ng alarm this morning, I just finished taking a bath and am getting ready na for my interview.

Tulog pa si tito while tita is playing with baby faith sa sala.

I wore my white ankle pants and light gray turtle neck before tucking it in sa pants ko.

"Hannah magaalmusal ka ba muna?" rinig kong tanong ni tita.

"Hindi na po, malelate ako ta" sagot ko.

6:45 palang naman pero mahirap magcommute kaya nagmamadali na akong magayos.

I put on my white heels and grabbed my sky blue coat together with my shoulder bag bago lumabas.

Shit umaambon pa talaga, it's quite windy sa labas buti nalang tama yung bihis ko.

I was about to go back in para kunin yung payong ko when I felt na may humarang sa patak ng ambon and I was not getting wet for a moment.

I turned to look at it then I saw Ali holding up an umbrella.

Akala ko ba hindi niya ako masasamahan. She still looks serious in her black jeans and leather jacket.

She tipped her white hat and looked at me.

"I thought I was too early"

I practically jumped at her and hugged her tightly, oh how I missed you bebe ko hahaha.

"Get off, magugusot yung damit mo hindi ka matatanggap sa interview"

"Hoy wag ka namang ganyan, I just missed you"

Bumitaw na ako sa yakap and I just smiled at her, showing how happy I am na dumating siya.

"Stop looking at me like that" nanakunot na noo niyang sabi.

"Hmmm bakit naman?"

"I get soft" she said pero pagalit at nakasimangot parin.

I smiled wider at her.

"Am I forgiven?" pagappacute ko.

"Tss"

"Yan lang sagot mo?!" pagbibiro ko.

"Do good sa interview, pass it then I'l forgive you" she said.

"Ano?! kailan pa yun? Aliiii!!"

"Text mo nalang ako agad pag natanggap mo na results mo"

"Huyyyy! angsama mo" pagiinarte ko sakanya habang hinahabol siya papunta sa sasakyan.

I get this style of her motivating me. Nawawala lahat ng kaba sa katawan ko.

Ali was driving seriously when suddenly my stomach slightly growled.

Shit naman.

Ali looked at me, hindi na nawala yung kunot ng noo niya simula kanina.

She sighed and turned the around.

"Oh bakit tayo bumabalik boo?" tanong ko.

She stayed silent until we reached McDonald's drive-thru.

She ordered na and paid for it before handing it to me, parang tinapon lang sakin e.

"Uy concerned" panginis ko.

"I just don't want the professors hearing that sa interview, baka di ka tanggapin"

"Aba kanina mo pa sinasabi na hindi ako tatanggapin ha tigilan mo yan baka magkatotoo na!" sigaw ko.

She slighty rolled her eyes and continued driving.

"Jan nalang ako baba boo" pagturo ko sa gilid ng building ng course ko.

"Malamang" sagot ni Ali.

Aba bibingo na'to sakin talaga.

I laughed with her kaartehan, she's so cute pag nagseselos.

"Stop laughing and prove me you deserve UP, just get in there" she said.

She knows the words I need to hear everytime.

I went in after I watched Ali drove away. Gosh this is it, sana po tanggapin niyo ako mabait po ako hehe.

"Goodmorning po.." pagbati ko pagpasok ng interview room.

The interview was done so fast hindi ko naramdaman, o wala lang talaga akong naramdaman kasi natabunan ng kaba.

But atleast natapos ko wooo, almost all naman ng questions nila personal. Like why did you choose this path chuchu, I answered with all my heart.

Pangarap ko to oh simula noon pa, malapit na ako ma, pa..

Nagantay na ako ng masasakyan when I checked my phone.

You have one message from Boo🐻💕

"You did good, congrats" angcold parin niya hahaha but atleast she talks to me na.

Nagreply na ako sakanya at nagscroll pa habang walang dumadaang taxi.

You have one unread message from Jake

I rolled my eyes before opening it, di ko pa pala nakikita to kagabi pa.

"Hi Hannah, sorry sa nangyari kanina, I didn't know. Maybe we can start again? Di na ako manghihimasok"

Hindi ko alam kung anong irereply ko o kung magrereply pa ba ako, right now I don't want any connection with him.

I put my phone sa bag bago pumara nalang ng jeep pauwi.

Nakababa na ako sa kanto namin and started walking when I saw someone running to me, yung kapitbahay namin.

"Hannah! Hannah yung tito't tita mo nagaaway!"

Ha?! bakit? tumakbo na ako papunta sa bahay.

"Pagod na akong magtiis na pangalawa lang sayo! andami mong inuunang ibang bagay na nakakalimutan mo na may pamilya ka!" rinig kong sigaw ni tita sa kwarto nila sa pinto palang.

I went inside and saw broken pieces of glass, mga plato, baso. Angkalat ng sala and halos nakatumba na yung mga upuan.

Dumeretso ako sakanila tito para mangawat but even before I could stop them, natamaan ni tita which made me fall sa mga basag na plato.

Then I heard Faith crying sa may gilid ng cr kaya hindi na ako nakapagisip at pinuntahan siya.

"Hush shh na baby, bakit ka ba nila iniwan dito" pagbuhat ko sakanya.

"Nagtitiis?! alam mo namang para saatin din yung mga ginagawa ko diba?!" anglakas ng boses nila na rinig pa ng kapitbahay kahit nasa loob sila ng kwarto.

I got startled as I heard another loud sound sa kwarto nila, what seems like another broken thing. Faith started to cry harder.

Kasabay ng sigawan nila at pagpapatahan ko kay Faith ay bumuhos na yung ulan.

Anglakas ng ulan na halos hindi ko na marinig yung iyak ni Faith, tumutulo na rin yung tubig sa kusina galing sa bubong.

I didn't know where to start, I was panicking already.

Hindi parin sila tumitigil at lalo lang lumalala lahat.

Nakatulog na sa kakaiyak si Faith pero hindi pa lumalabas sina tito sa kwarto, paminsan minsan naririnig ko paring sinusuntok yung pader.

I had no choice but to call Ali, I really need her help right now.

"What?" bungad niya sa tawag.

"Ali? Ali please help me, please puntahan mo naman ako dito oh please.." iyak na ako ng iyak sa takot habang karga ko si Faith.

"Anna? what's happening? where are you?" rinig ko yung pagaalala ni Ali.

"S-sa bahay nila tito, please come.."

I didn't hear any answer after that, she hanged up the call.

I started packing up clothes for Faith, siniksik ko na lahat ng bag ko together with her milk and feeding bottles. I didn't know what else to bring.

All I know is I have to get her away from here now bago pa kami madamay sa away nilang magasawa.

After almost 10 minutes, my phone rang together with a loud knock on the door.

I didn't answer the call and immediately ran to open the door only to reveal Jake na may hawak na payong.

"Hannah? I came as soon as may nakapagsabi sakin na kapitbahay niyo, san sila pastor?"

I couldn't speak a word sa sobrang takot, nanginginig pa ako habang tinuturo yung kwarto nila tito.

"Hey, kalma ka muna ah" he dropped his umbrella and hugged me.

I couldn't step back, I didn't have enough energy that I broke down sa dibdib niya.

He caressed my back and hugged me thighter.

I had nothing in mind right now, the situation is so bad that people had to come and help us.

Jake closed the door before sitting me down sa sofa at kumuha ng tubig at ipinainom sakin.

"Maghiwalay na tayo!! hindi ko na kayang manatili dito! habang buhay nalang ba ganto yung estado natin?!" nagsisigawan parin sina tito.

It made me shiver sa takot.

Nagulat nalang ako when Jake covered my ears with his hands.

I looked at him startled but he shook his head telling me it's fine and to just rest.

My phone rang again but Jake turned it off before I could stand up to get it.

"That must be Al-"

"I'll help you, stay there with Faith, kakausapin ko sina tito mamaya or not maybe you can stay muna sakin malapit lang yung tinitirhan ko dito" he cut me off.

He sat beside me and held my hand before putting my head in his shoulder.

"Breathe lang muna, you'll be fine" sabi niya.

I couldn't move sa takot and my body just gave in, sumandal na ako sakanya.

He caressed my hand and slowly looked at me in the eye.

For a moment I froze there and just looked at him.

His forehead was already touching mine but my mind is wandering around something else.

I felt his breath touching my nose as he was closing the gap between us.

I slowly looked up at him and closed my eyes afraid of what will happen next, still shivering.

The next thing I knew, the front door flew open and came in Ali na basang basa sa ulan.

"Anna?!" sigaw niya.

I immediately looked at her, she was crying, hinihingal pa.

She looked terrified but the moment she landed her eyes on Jake, it turned as cold as ice.

I saw Ali's eyes pointed sa kamay namin. Shit.

Tinanggal ko agad sa pagkakahawak yung kamay ko and stood up attempting to come to Ali but she took a step back.

I can't take the look she's wearing, her fist started to ball as she looked at me in the eye.

Her stare felt so deadly, but dead inside.

Walang makalabas na salita sa mga bibig ko, pati ako gulat na gulat sa mga pangyayari.

"And I thought you really needed me"

~~~~~~~

uwu :<