M A X E N E

Kakauwi lang namin at napagdesisyunan niyang sa condo ko na lang muna siya magpapalipas ng gabi, dahil na rin sa dito naka-park ang kotse niya na iniwan niya noong sinundo kami nila Alex noong nag-outing kami. Buong biyahe ata akong tulog kaya naman kahit papaano ay may energy pa ako pagkauwi namin.

Inayos muna namin ang mga dalahin namin galing sa trip at hiniwalay ang mga naiuwing pagkain at konting pasalubong. Naalala ko pa noong namili kaming girls, talaga namang nag-enjoy kami at kahit naman pa paano ay napagaan ko ang loob ni Sarah.

Bago pa kami bumalik noon, nag kape muna kami at nagkakwentuhan. Masaya sa pakiramdam na makabilang ka sa mga taong katulad mo rin. Though sometimes, I couldn't help to feel like Kathleen and Abby were still overwhelmed towards my presence because I'm a Maxene Campbell.

Ayoko pa man din ng ganung pakiramdam.

Hindi naman nila ako kailangang tingalain or malilang sa akin. Gusto ko rin naman sila maging kaibigan dahil kaibigan sila ng bestfriend ko.

Sarah did her best to be the bridge of different people, naging harmonious naman ang grupo kahit pa paano, lalo na at sobrang welcoming din naman si Stephanie sa akin na bestfriend rin ni Sarah.

Nakakahiya lang talaga na nakita niya ako noon na parang batang nagmamaktol dahil lang sa sampaloc.

Ang immature mo Maxene, napaka-isip bata mo. Napaka-topakin mo pa, alam mo ba iyon?

Yung ilang maduming damit namin ni Travis ay derecho ko ng nilabhan sa washing machine.

Dapat sana ay magluluto pa ako ng panghapunan namin, pero nag-order na si Travis ng pagkain namin. Ayaw daw niya kasing napapagod ako, to think kakauwi lang namin galing trip. Pero kasi wala si Natasha sa kabilang unit para mautusan ko ipagluto kami. Ang paalam ko kasi kay mommy bukas pa kami makakauwi, kaya pinag-leave niya muna si Natasha ng dalawang araw.

Sabay kaming kumain ng hapunan ni Travis at pagkatapos, ay siya na rin ang naglinis at nag-ayos ng pinagkainan namin.

Pinauna na rin niya ako maligo para daw makapagrelax na ako sa kwarto. Matapos kong maligo ay ipinaghanda ko na siya ng warm bath since relaxing ang mag-warm bath sa gabi.

I check the time and it's already past ten. I'm lying in bed browsing the photos we took with our friends together.

Nag-message sila Stephanie sa akin na sinasabing ipost ko na daw ang photos namin sa social media kasi kokopyahin daw nila.

Inayos ko muna ang photos namin dahil malaki ang sizes ng quality ng pictures na galing sa DSLR na iniregalo sa akin ni Ken noong birthday ko.

Nakakatuwa at may ilang videos kaming ginawa na magkakasamang magkakaibigan.

Baka next time ko na lang ayusin ang videos namin. Bibigyan ko rin ng kopya sila Martin dahil gagawan daw niya ng documentary ang outing namin.

Well, what could I expect from a future film director? I'm sure that the result will be awesome!

That thought made me smile.

Nakita ko rin naman yung iilang sample edited videos na pinost ni Martin sa Youtube account niya na mga random moments nilang barkada simula pa noong high school sila.

Hay, parang kailan lang.

Sayang lang at hindi ko sila nasubaybayan dahil na rin sa naging gap namin ng bestfriend ko.

Si Martin at Sarah ay nasa iisang college department, pero hindi ko naman inaasahan na pati pala si Abby ay nakuha ng Theatre Arts dahil daw sa gusto niyang maging artista.

I giggled, if only she knew how tough that job is.

Well, may potential din naman si Abby, lalo na at maganda siya. Iyon nga lang, hirap pa rin siya magsalita ng tagalog. Nakakaintindi siya, pero may accent pa rin ang tagalog niya.

Cute.

Si Alex naman ay nag-aaral ng Aeronautical Engineering, hindi ko pa alam kung ipupursue niya ang maging piloto dahil idol daw niya ang papa niya, kahit na aminado siyang may takot siya sa heights.

Si Kathleen naman ay Astronomy and Research ang course. Ang cool lang dahil isa rin iyon sa gusto kong course sana.

Si Laurenz naman, pinag-aaral ng Business Management ng mama niya, para daw may pakinabang siya sa negosyo ng pamilya nila, kahit na ang totoo ay gusto niyang pumasok sa Med School.

Samantalang si Stephanie naman ay nakuha ng Nursing, dahil lang daw sa in demand ito miski sa ibang bansa at nurse din naman daw ang nanay niya. Mukhang balak niya ring mag-abroad balang-araw.

I suddenly remembered the word she used when she teased me.

Hindi ko na lang talaga pinansin iyon dahil ayoko rin naman na mahalata nila akong nagtatago. Pero kahit anong pag-iwas ko, halata ata ako.

Dalawang tao agad ang nakapansin sa akin. Kahit anong pilit ko, napaka-impulsive kong tao.

Kung tutuusin nga hangga't maaari ayokong kumalat ang issue na iyon tungkol sa akin.

Kaya lang noong hinarap ako ni Kenzo, kahit anong iwas ko, hindi ako makapag sinungaling sa harapan niya, at iyon ang ikinaiinis ko dahil sadyang kilalang kilala na niya ako at alam na alam na niya kung paano ako pipigain.

Sobra akong nainis sa kanya noon at naka pagbitaw ng mga salitang hindi naman dapat.

Nakasakit ako, oo, alam ko naman iyon. Pero kasi... Ang sama ko na ba?

'Walang lihim na hindi nabubunyag, Max.' Iyon ang payong iniwan sa akin ni Stephanie ng mag-open up ako sa kanya.

Hindi ko man ikinuwento ang lahat, dahil na rin sa ayokong ma-judge ako ng tao, pero sa tingin ko mukhang may idea na rin siya.

Ika nga ni Kenzo, theory. Natakot pa ako dahil baka nagkwento na rin si Stephanie sa iba, pero sinabi naman ni Kenzo sa akin na silang dalawa lang ang nagka-usap tungkol doon.

Mabuti naman at nirespeto naman ni Stephanie ang privacy ko.

But then, Kenzo did confirm from me about that so-called theory and promised me that he wouldn't meddle with my business.

Kapag nangialam siya, talagang magagalit na ako sa kanya!

He's just that concerned of me and my health. I get it. But I can take it.

I can handle this matter on my own.

Sa totoo lang, nahihiya pa ako noong una na mag-unload kay Stephanie.

I'm fully aware that Sarah isn't in good shape for me to tell her what's been bothering me. Isa pa may pinagdadaanan din naman siya.

But, I know to myself that I need someone to talk to. Someone I could trust. Well Pierre knows, but I need to hear a female perspective, though Edielyn also advised me, but I don't know, maybe I'm just looking for enough reasons to resolve this issue on my own.

I just want to clear the uncertainties in my mind. Dahil miski ako, nagdududa na ako sa sarili ko.

To be honest, Stephanie isn't like me, she is in fact a strong, outspoken and decisive woman. Kaya nga siya ang binansagang Ate ng grupo eh.

I suddenly felt envy with that fact alone.

Sana may ate rin ako. Pero wala eh. Ako ang Ate sa amin. Isang isip-batang Ate sa pamilya namin.

'Pero hindi naman porket nagpapakatatag ka ay, malakas ka na. Minsan ang magpakatatag lang ang kaya mong gawin para sa sarili mo. Kasi kung lugmok ka na at mag papaka lugmok ka pa, sino na lang ang tutulong sa iyo makaahon?' Naaalala ko pang sambit niya noong nagka-inuman kami.

Hindi ko rin naman malilimutan yung eksena na iyon. Nagkaroon kami ng biglaang sleep-over dahil na rin sa ayaw muna talaga ni Stephanie umuwi, ayaw niya lang din daw ipahalata kay Alex.

Nagpaka-wasted kami noong gabing iyon, kasama syempre si Sarah.

Iyon ay dahil sa hindi maka-move on si Stephanie sa ex niyang bigla na lang siyang iniwan.

Pero ika nga niya, 'paano makakalimutan ang isang relasyong binuo ninyo magkasama at sa isang iglap lang, bigla na lang magbabago ang lahat na para bang nasa isa kang magandang panaginip at ginising ka ng realidad na: wala na siya sa tabi mo?'

Mas masaklap pa ata ang nangyari sa kanya, kaysa sa paghihiwalay namin ni Ken.

Kasi ang kwento niya pa, wala naman silang problema nung boyfriend niya, maayos ang lahat. Their relationship is going smoothly. Oo may tampuhan, hindi naman maiiwasan iyon, pero naayos naman nila ang lahat.

Mula highschool sila na, mas nauna ata silang maging boyfriend-girlfriend bago nagka-aminan ng feelings sila Laurenz at Sarah.

Pero matapos ang high school graduation nila, doon na lang biglang nawala yung guy ng hindi nagpapaalam sa kanya.

It was like she's left in a trance and I couldn't help to feel sorry for her.

Pinipilit lang din ni Stephanie magpakatatag at kahit hindi ako pabor sa kung paano siya mag-move on, aminado naman din siya na halos lahat ata ng naging relationship niya ay puro temporary lang... rebound boyfriends.

Pero sino ba naman ako para mag-advice sa kanya, eh ako nga dati pagtalon sa bangin ang naiisip kong gawin.

I sighed, ika nga niya: 'try and try hanggang sa isang araw magising ka na lang na wala na yung sakit.'

She's hoping that the pain would just stop, but one question keeps haunting her since he left her, 'why?'

At least kami ni Ken, nagkaroon ng closure.

Plus I opened my doors and fell for Travis.

I love Travis. I know that our relationship isn't like what I had with Kenzo. But one fact is certain, as days go by, I am still falling in love with Travis.

That at the end of the day, I will still choose Travis.

'If you truly trust the person, there's no room for doubts. How your partner reacts with the situation given to him, isn't up to you.' Stephanie advised me that day.

I take her advice by heart.

Dahil iyon rin ang minsang sinabi ko kay Travis noon.

No more secrets.

That's what I told him, but ironically, I'm not taking my own advice, what am I so afraid of?

But I don't know where this fear in my heart suddenly appeared, that if I let down my guard, I might collapse?

I trust Travis all my life and he trusts me.

Ano pa ba ang ikinakatakot mo Maxene? To be honest, I don't even know to myself anymore.

Kaya noong nakita kong nag-uusap sila ni Ken, hindi man sabihin sa akin ni Travis kung ano ang napag-usapan nila pero alam kong nagbilin si Ken sa kanya.

My God, si Kenzo pa ba?

He said he wouldn't meddle, but he gives away clues. Bwisit lang talaga.

But then maybe that's enough push for me to do what I should. I know I have to do the right thing.

Nangako ako kay Travis na sasabihin sa kanya ang nilalaman ng puso ko... sa tamang panahon. Sa ngayon, kailangan kong mag-ipon ng lakas ng loob para umamin sa kanya sa takdang panahon.

And I just know the right moment when. I smiled with the thought I had in mind, I'll tell him on his real birthday... as my special gift for him.

I took a deep sigh.

"Ang lalim naman ng buntong-hininga na iyan." He teases as he leans on the door frame of my room.

Will he ask me what's on my mind?

"I'm just looking at our pictures. I would love to redo these memories with them again." I don't know why I answered my own question. Eh hindi naman siya nagtatanong.

Defense mechanism.

He smiled and his smile tells me that he would also love that. Lalo na at ngayon, maayos na talaga sila magkapatid.

I see him entering the room wearing his black sleeveless shirt and his gray pj's. Medyo tuyo na ang buhok niya, mukhang nagblower muna siya bago pumasok sa kwarto.

I couldn't help noticing the necklace I gave him all the way to his wrist where I see our red bracelet from Japan.

He's just like me, so sentimental.

I smiled at him as he joined me to bed. He puts his head on my chest as I feel him savoring my scent again and locks our hands together.

New bath Travis smells so nice.

"Anong oras ang pasok mo bukas?" Malambing kong tanong sa kanya habang nilalaro ang buhok niya.

"Ten in the morning." He said with a soothing voice. I check up on him and see his eyes closed, mukhang inaantok na siya.

"Mag-aalarm ako para magising tayo ng mas maaga at para din makapag luto ako ng agahan at baon mo bukas sa school."

His eyes meet mine, his whole face looks pleased. He smiled as he kissed my heart, my neck, my cheek and my lips.

"Umayos ka na ng higa para makatulog na tayo." He tells me as I did what I'm told, he turned off the lampshade and adjusted himself so he could pull me close to him. This time my head is on his shoulder as I feel his arms around me.

"Hey, how do you see us five years from now?" I randomly asked him.

Ganito naman kami bago matulog. Kwentuhan muna bago dalawin ng antok.

He chuckled as I felt his thumb brushing my shoulder.

"Probably we're married by then already." That image of us filled my heart with glee. "Baka graduate ka na rin ng Architecture," he pauses and sighs, "Well as for me, I'm probably a lawyer, five years from now."

I adjusted my head as I looked into his face. His eyes filled with warmth as I caressed his cheeks.

I close my eyes picturing that image in my head. "That would be wonderful." I muttered.

He adjusted himself cupping my face, "Bakit, ano ba ang naiisip mo sa atin pagdating ng panahon na iyon?" He asked with a playful voice.

I shrugged, "I really don't know... but one thing is certain, I'll marry you though."

The light of the moon is enough for me to see how he smiled widely as his lips took mine again.

I love kissing him and I believe he is too.

"Anyway," I try to relax as we cut the kiss, "Do you ever picture us ten years from now?"

Hindi pa rin maalis ang ngiti sa labi niya, "Probably we'll have kids." He says casually. He said those words as if he is wishing them in his heart. He looks like a child as he sees that picture inside his mind.

I giggled, "Eh paano kung ayaw ko?" I teased him, "I prefer taking care of dogs... Many dogs."

He pouts, "Kahit isa lang, please."

I fixed his hair biting my lip. He looks so handsomely cute everytime he does that.

"Girl or boy?"

"The gender doesn't matter, I just want to build a family with you." His voice is hopeful and his face is filled with light.

"Hmmm..." I put my index finger on my lip, "Maybe, I'm good with three kids," pilyo niya akong tiningnan, "Kasi tatlo nga kami ng mga kapatid ko, na napalaki ng maayos ni mom," I shrugged, "Kahit papaano."

"Tapos kasing pasaway mo rin?" He asks with a little humor in his voice. It may be dark but I feel that he just raised me an eyebrow.

"Ah, so sakit ako ng ulo mo? Ganun, ganon?" Pagsusungit ko, "Ikaw rin naman sakit sa ulo, huwag kang magmalinis Hayes."

Natawa siya sa naging reaksyon ko.

I really love hearing his laugh.

His eyes shine with a smile calming himself down, "I'd love that image of us someday."

I close the gap between our foreheads.

"Pero, paano pag nagkaroon ng scenario na nanghina ako... you know how mother's give birth naman, hindi ba?" His smile starts to deflate, "Who'd you pick, the baby or me?"

He gulps, holding my hand tightly, "I'm not going to choose." He says almost in a whisper.

"I'd probably tell you to pick the baby over me, you know?" I paused, "Mother's instinct."

"No." His voice was deep, his eyes were closed.

"Eh paano yun, edi baka mawala naman yung baby?"

"Don't make me choose Max." Fear is evident in his voice now as his eyes meets mine. "Hahanap tayo ng matinong doctor, hindi pwedeng mamimili ako." His face is serious.

"Travis..."

"I said no." His voice is firm, filled with horror. He embraces me tightly this time, "I will not lose you in any way."

I hear his heart calling my name.

"I'm sorry, wrong image." I muttered apologetically. "I'm one ugly drastic thinker."

"I know the consequences of childbirth very well Max. Kaya ayos lang sa akin na kahit isa lang or kung hindi mo kaya ng katawan mo, hindi ko na ipipilit, basta magkasama lang tayo."

"Travis..." My heart just melts in front of him.

"Bigla ko lang naalala si Nanay... hindi rin niya kinaya noong inakala niyang namatay si Laurenz pagkasilang niya." He defeatedly admitted. "She suffered postpartum depression after that, and you know the rest... I don't want to see you in that state..."

Why am I insensitive to this topic? Of course his reaction would turn out like this, lalo na at alam niyang may suicidal tendency rin ako.

But I've changed. For the better.

"I get it. I'm sorry." I cupped his chin making him look at me, "I'm not that same girl you saw attempting to jump on that cliff." I assured him. I touched his face, his eyes were looking into my soul, "I'm sorry if I scared you." I kissed his lips. "I love you Travis."

His fingers traced my face, "The future is scary Max... it scares me," He pauses, "Especially without you in it."

I have to at least brighten up the mood.

"Erase that image. Erase. Erase." I tell him. "We'll take one step at a time." I reminded him, "The future is unknown, but we'll get there... Together."

'Together' is a promise.

The 'us' is certain.

He smiled kissing my temple holding my hand to his chest, "Always Max..." he kissed the ring on my finger filling up the spaces between our fingers.

"Always, Mine." I say with such promise, "I love you so much Travis." I muttered and felt his lips on my temple.

"I love you too, Mine. Always."

T R A V I S

Weeks passed by without me hanging around with the boys.

Mas mabuti ng ganito, tutal, naggagamitan lang naman din kami, eh hindi na naman kami high school. May kanya-kanya naman na kaming mundo.

Besides, ano pa ba ang mapapakinabangan nila sa akin?

Kung tutuusin, kaya ko lang naman sila pinakisamahan noon ay para iiwas ang atensyon nila sa utol ko.

I'm just at the point that I got fed up around them.

Perhaps this triggers right after I figured out that Pierre is hitting on my girlfriend.

Maxene told me everything.

Everything and I just figured out what is really going on, pero hindi ko na ipinaalam kay Maxene dahil ayokong isipin niya na dahil sa kanya kaya umiiwas ako sa kanila.

Ayaw lang talaga ni Maxene na may kaalitan siya, ayaw ni Maxene na isipin ng mga kaibigan ko na tinatanggalan niya ako ng social life, lalo na at ilang taon ko rin sila nakasama, na halos sabay kaming lumaking apat na kami-kami lang ang magkakatropa.

Eh tangina, kung kaibigan ko iyon, bakit niya ako tinatarantado patalikod?

Just to avoid another misunderstanding between us, Maxene did what she had to do.

Oo nagkakatext pa rin sila ni Pierre at lahat ng messages nila ay pinapabasa niya sa akin dahil ayaw niyang magkagulo kami.

Kapag natawag si Pierre at magkasama kami ni Max, lagi niyang sinasabi sa kanya na ako ang kasama niya.

Kung dati ay kapag after shoot nagkikita sila dahil sa putol na schedule ni Pierre sa school, ngayon, na derecho na si Max sa condo niya agad para makapagpahinga siya at para daw kapag dumaan ako ay maabutan ko siyang gising.

Minsan, nakain pa kami sa labas para daw may quality time kaming dalawa bago ako umuwi dahil sa curfew naming dalawa.

Of course, we still need to respect her Mom's demand sa pagbabago sa set up namin, lalo na at ayokong sirain ang tiwalang ibinigay ng Mommy at Daddy niya sa amin.

Tulad ng pangako sa akin ni Max, unti-unti niyang inilayo ang sarili niya kay Pierre, para na rin sa ikakapanatag ng loob ko.

Ikinatuwa ko iyon ng sobra, nakikita ko rin naman sa kanya na inaalagaan niya ang relasyon namin.

I trusted her the most.

Sadyang ayoko na ng pakiramdam na may kahati ako, may tiwala ako kay Maxene, pero sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya, depende pa.

I really don't want anyone to take advantage of her, and again I'm just being protective of what's mine.

I'm walking towards my car, mabuti at maaga kaming pinauwi ngayon sa school dahil may event na pinaghahandaan nilang gawin.

Mabuti pang supresahin ko si Maxene sa shoot niya ngayon.

"Travis... Hey, wait up."

Speaking of the goddamn devil.

"Oh hey." I greeted him casually.

"May event ah, uuwi ka na agad?"

I shrugged not interestedly, "Not really feeling it." Matipid kong sagot sa kanya.

"Eh paano sa vocals?" Muling tanong niya, "Matagal tagal ka na ring hindi nakakasama sa banda dahil sabi mo busy ka mag-aral kahit na ang totoo, lagi namang si Maxene ang kasama mo." There's this little sarcasm in his voice that ticks me off. "Hindi ko naman akalaing under ka pala ng isang Maxene Campbell?"

I put my stuff inside my car and smiled at him.

"You can do the vocals Pierre, lahat naman tayo nakanta sa banda since high school." I ignored his comment as I walked towards the driver's seat.

Binuksan ko ang pintuan ng kotse ko pero kaagad niyang sinarado iyon ng may pwersa sa harapan ko.

"Para namang wala tayong pinagsamahan, dude." Pilyo niyang sumbat. "Plus lagi mo naman ding kasama si Maxene." He says as if he is trying to convince me play with them.

"The band will manage, kayo pa ba?" I tapped his shoulder dismissing his demand. For some reason my answer sparks bitterness in his eyes as he forces out a smile on his face.

"If she's not the one who is holding you back, then it is you," He paused as I heard first hand what he had told her.

He is looking at me with amusement in his eyes, "You're manipulating her, aren't you?"

"Now, what made you say that?" I asked impassively facing him with a small grin on my face.

"Knowing you, Travis Hayes. You're cunning and manipulative." He says chuckling, "Just admit it, you're putting Maxene on a leash, ginagaya mo na ata ang mommy niyang control-freak."

I shook my head as I opened the car but he closed it again. His attitude starts to get on my nerves but I have to keep my cool before I could snap in front of the motherfucker.

"She's avoiding me, because of you, right?" Biruin mo iyon, ngayon mo lang naisip iyon?

"Paano mo siya na paikot sa palad mo, Travis?" He shakes his head with a sarcastic smile on his face.

"I really don't know what you're talking about." I blinked, containing my temper still facing him with a blank smile.

"What made you do it then?" He's still looking at me with curiosity, "Don't tell me, are you're threatened, by me?" There's this sudden amusement in his voice as I see both of his brows raised with that unfriendly smile on his face.

"You?" I shake my head, "A threat?" I chuckled, "Not to me, Pierre." Biglang nawala ang mapaglaro niyang ngiti.

"At bakit mo naman naisip yan?" Taas kilay kong tanong sa kanya. Ang taas naman ng kumpiyansa niya sa sarili niya para isipin na threat siya sa akin. Nagpapatawa ba siya?

It seems he couldn't answer me back as he observes my reaction.

"Kung anong meron sa amin ni Maxene, sa amin na lang iyon." I smiled at him, "Kaibigan ka lang naman niya."

"Oo nga, pero iniiwasan niya ako, impossible namang wala kang kinalaman doon?"

I chuckled remembering what he told me that night, "Nakareserba na siya sa akin, tapos kukunin mo pa?"

Natawa siya sa sagot ko sa kanya na para bang nakarinig siya ng nakakatawang joke sa akin. "So threat nga ako sa iyo?"

"No."

"A worthy rival?"

I shake my head, "Not even close."

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya pero pilit pa rin siyang nakangiti sa akin.

"Well, Kenzo is a worthy rival for me, but not you, Pierre." I tell him, still wearing my friendly mask around him. "You're not even close to Kenzo Mihara."

Muling nawala ang mapaglaro niyang ngiti at napalitan ng isang malamig na ekspresyon.

I blinked, "I don't know what you're trying to prove, but if you're trying to say that you're better than me," Tiningnan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa, "You're not even close from being me."

He grins unfriendly, "You may want to be careful of how you face me Travis." He says, "Know your place."

I put up a wide smile. So he's intimidated around me.

"Oh, I know my place very well." I answered him with a friendly smile. "I hope you know yours too." I paused but I'm not done, "Besides, we're friends, right?"

I emphasize that one word for him to be reminded of his place.

"Hindi mo naman ako binabalak tuklawin patalikod, hindi ba?" He steps back from me and I think he got the message already.

He nods as I open the door of my car and get in. I started the engine as I waved at him taking my leave.

As I drove away, I checked him from the rear view mirror and saw that he's not smiling anymore.

Pailalim siyang makatingin sa akin ng makalayo na ako sa campus.

Pagkarating ko ng studio, agad kong hinanap si Bridgette dahil nga susurpresahin ko si Maxene sa shoot, pero mukhang minalas ako, dahil ang sabi ni Bridgette sa akin ay kakaalis lang ni Maxene kasama ng best friend niyang babae.

Yung totoo, kanino ba siya mas clingy, sa akin o kay Sarah? Well at least she's with someone decent.

Makadaan na nga lang sa pinakamalapit na coffee shop.

Nag-order ako ng expresso at kaagad din akong dumerecho sa parking lot. Sumakay ako ulit sa kotse at tinext si Maxene.

Travis: Early dismissal. Where are you?

I took a sip of my coffee and got her immediate response.

Maxene: I'm with Stephanie. Heard from her that Sarah is sad, so we're planning to cheer her up. Nasa school nila ako ngayon. <3

I wonder why? Nagkausap na ba sila ulit ni Laurenz ng maayos?

Travis: Do you want me to come there?

Maxene: It's okay, saglit lang ito, I'll go home soon. Sorry if I forgot to inform you, I thought nasa school ka pa kasi. >3<

Cute emoji.

Travis: It's fine. I'll see you later then. ;)

Maxene: May susi ka naman sa condo, you can stay there if you want. ^_^

Good idea, pero ayoko naman na pumunta na wala siya doon. It's a little improper. I still respect her space.

Travis: I'll be okay. Don't worry. :)

Maxene: I'll update you okay? TTYL. I love you. <3

Travis: I love you too. Mag-iingat kayo. Keep me posted, okay?

Maxene: Will do. XOXO

I closed the SMS but then with my surprise, I received an unexpected message from a person I didn't expect to text me.

Laurenz: Busy ka?

Travis: Hindi naman.

Laurenz: Dala mo kotse mo?

Travis: Oo, bakit?

Laurenz: Pupuntahan ko sana si Nanay, pero nadukutan ako kaya wala akong extra pang-commute.

Travis: Nasaan ka? Pupuntahan kita.

I arrived where he was and saw him wearing his typical converse shoes, his ragged denim pants, a black hoodie underneath a maroon colored shirt. He wears his shades and an odd black bonnet.

I opened the passenger seat for him and he immediately sat next to me.

Nagsimula na ako mag drive papunta sa institution.

"Anong nangyari sayo?" Tukso kong tanong sa kanya, dahil kanina pa siya tahimik. Pilit ko siyang binabasa pero iniiwasan niya akong tingnan.

"Sabi ni Max, malungkot daw si Sarah ngayon, nagkatampuhan na naman ba kayo?"

"Mind your own business." Suplado niyang sagot.

Well, I guess I got my answer. But one thing is for sure, hindi si Sarah ang dahilan kung bakit wala siya sa mood ngayon.

"Pwede mong ilagay ang bag mo sa likuran, wala namang ibang tao dito."

I'm glad that he did what I asked but I hear him grunted as if he's in pain.

I hope I'm wrong.

"Anong nangyari sa iyo Lance?"

"Wala." His voice is definitely hiding something.

I don't know what else to think, but my gut tells me something.

Binisita namin si nanay, and the usual, nagbonding kami, pero hindi kailanman inalis ni Laurenz yung shades na suot niya.

Sadyang kailangan lang daw niyang dumalaw dahil pangako niya iyon kay nanay, kahit siya lang mag-isa.

Talagang sumaglit lang kami para bisitahin si nanay, dahil na rin sa maaga ang pasok niya kinabukasan at kikitain niya pa raw sila auntie bukas.

We're now heading back and I see the stop light. I asked him again, "What happened to you Laurenz?"

"Alam mo, kung puro ka tanong, mag-bubus na lang ako pauwi." Bored niyang sagot sa akin at sabay tanggal ko sa shades at bonnet niya. "Tangina naman oh!" Muli niyang inayos ang sarili niya, "Bakit ba napaka pakialamero mong tao?" Sagot niya na para bang wala akong nakita.

I gulped bitterly as I saw the green light.

"Itigil mo na nga lang sa bus stop, mag bubus na lang ako pauwi."

"Sino ang may gawa niyan sa iyo?" I asked containing my temper.

Kung hindi ako involved, sasabihin niya kaagad kung sino, pero dahil sa tinatago niya, alam ko na kaagad kung sino ang gumawa sa kanya nito.

I can read him like an open book. Kaya hindi siya makakapagsinungaling sa akin.

"Wala sabi. Itigil mo na yung sasakyan Travis." Inis niyang sambit pero hindi ko siya pinansin.

"Hoy, saan mo ako dadalhin?"

"Manahimik ka na lang diyan." I muttered monotonously.

Nang makarating na kami sa destinasyon namin kaagad akong bumaba.

"Hoy." Sigaw ni Laurenz, "Kung may naiwan ka dito sa school mo, sana pinag-bus mo na lang ako." His voice starts to sound defensive.

Bigla niya akong hinila, "Aalis na ako Travis." He is avoiding this confrontation. It's damn too obvious who did this to him.

"Sila ba ang may gawa sa iyo niyan?" I asked him, but he looked away. "Laurenz!" I growled.

"It doesn't matter." His voice is deep. "Sabi sayo wag kang mangialam, gulo ko ito, kasalanan ko dahil pumatol ako sa kanila at nagpadala sa init ng ulo."

"Kailan pa Laurenz?" Muli kong tanong sa kanya.

At bakit na naman pinagtripan na naman nila Pierre si Laurenz? Tangina naman!

"Hindi na mahalaga iyon." Nagmamatigas na sagot niya sa akin.

"Hindi ko alam na nangyari ito sa iyo." I muttered, feeling guilty. "I swear I didn't--"

"I don't need your help Travis." He cuts me. This is his voice pushing me away.

The look on his face reminds me of when we were still in high school. I hate it. It disgusts me.

"I'm sorry." I muttered looking away.

"Sanay na ako, hindi na bago ito sa akin." He tried to sound casual but his answer pinches my soul as I look back at him. "Naghihilom naman ang mga sugat ko at kaya hindi rin ako nakikipagkita pa ulit kay Sarah, dahil mag-aalala lang din iyon."

"Nadukutan ka ba talaga kanina?"

"Oo, sadyang minalas lang ako, kakatapos ko lang din kasi sa part time job, kaya nakatulog ako sa biyahe kanina."

"Part time?" Kunot noo ko siyang tiningnan.

"Binawasan ni Mama ang allowance ko." Bored niyang sagot, "Sagot na nga daw nila yung school na pinapasukan ko at yung condo... Kaya huwag daw akong abuso." Natatawa at iling niyang sambit.

I'm about to ask more not until I hear a familiar voice greeting me. "Hey Travis!" It's Gerard.

"Dude buti nakabalik ka kaagad, abot ka pa sa susunod na event, maraming chicks!" Boses ni Joshua.

"Well, guess you change your mind." Hinarap ko si Pierre na ngayon ay pilyo ako kung tingnan.

"Wait, is that the infamous Laurenz Mendez?" Bati ni Joshua sa kanya. "Magkasama kayo?" He asks curiously with an unfriendly tone. "Ano yun, friends na kayo?"

"Naligaw ka ata Mendez?" Palarong tanong ni Pierre kay Laurenz. "Namiss mo kami?"

"Alam ninyo, ang ganda ng pinapasukang niyong university, pero bakit ganun, basura pa rin ang ugali ninyo?" Sagot pabalang ni Laurenz sa kanila.

"Baka nakakalimutan mo, nasa teritoryo ka namin Mendez?" Asar na sagot pabalik sa kanya ni Joshua.

Tiningnan ako ni Pierre, "Don't tell me dinala mo siya dito Travis," he tilted his head beside, "Bakit, makikipaglaro ka ulit sa kanya?" He grins at me.

I chuckled, but before I could answer him an unexpected person stopped me as she approached our direction casually.

"Will you boys grow up already, you're not in high school anymore."

It's Monique.