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Nasa bar na ako at kanina pa nandito sa counter. The customers were entertained by my performance. Ever since I was little, Ate Chona's brother taught me about being a barista. And it catches my interest. Until now, ito pa rin ang gusto ko, bukod sa pagiging mechanical engineer.

Wala namang masama na maraming pangarap 'di ba? I mean hindi naman kasi lahat binigyan ng lakas ng loob para mangarap ng mataas. Buti nga may gusto pa akong gawin sa buhay ko. Much better it anyway.

"Rej?" Tawag sa akin ni Emma. Isa sa mga nagtatrabaho dito sa bar. Part-timer ito. Dapat nga hindi na kukuha sila ate Chona ng mga part-timer, pero nag makaawa si Emma noon dahil kailangan niya daw tustusan ang pag-aaral niya. And here she is, doing her best. She's still highschool, but needed to support her study since her family were broken and never gave her any allowance.

I feel bad for her but at the same time, proud. She's like a sister to me. Pero minsan lang kami mag-usap dahil hindi rin talaga ito pala-salita.

"Hmm?" Sagot ko nang hindi tumingin sa kaniya.

"May naghahanap sayo." Sa sinabi niya, napatingin ako kung saan ito nakaturo. There, I saw a man smiling as fuck on to his ear.

What the fuck this guy doing here? Kunot noo kong sinundan ng tingin ang lalaki habang paupo.

"Hey." He greeted me with a smile.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Tanong matapos bumalik sa ginagawa. Pinupunasan ko nalang ang mga baso dahil pa tapos na rin naman ako dito. Pero hindi yata ako makakaalis ng maaga. May pisteng yawa na dumating.

"Oho...para namang hindi kaklase 'to." Saad nito sa akin. How I wish it's true. Gusto ko barahin lahat ng sinasabi niya hindi ko lang talaga magawa.

"Anong drinks?" Tanong ko nalang rito para matahimik ang bunganga. Ayoko talaga sa lahat, madada. Hindi ko kaya ang mga ganyang tao. Para bang, mas masaya buhay ko kapag tahimik nasa paligid ko. I don't like chitchat.

Sinabi niya ang iinumin niya at ginawa ko naman ito kaagad. Mangha lang siya kung paano ko 'yon ginawa at hinayaan ko naman ito.

"You know what, you should have applied for some famous bars. Look, you are so talented " ani nito dahilan para dahan-dahan akong mapatigil sa ginagawa ko.

Yeah, right. I'm good, but not good enough to be accepted. I tried not once but triple times, yet no one accepted my application. They said, I need more experience, that I'm also a minor and needed a parents consent. And that's my problem, I don't have any parents. Only ate Chona and her husband, Kuya Blake who is taking care of me. If only guardians are applicable, maybe they will accept my application.

"And you should mind your own business." Tamang sagot ko nalang sa kaniya. Tapos na ako sa mga ginagawa ko at sa oras na nakalaan para dito. May mga gagawin pa akong school works at kailangan ko nang matapos iyon. Buti nga itong lalaking ito tapos na, o baka hindi pa rin gumagawa.

Aalis na sana ako sa pwesto ng may pumasok na babae. Madilim ang bukana ng mukha nito lalo na nang makita niya ang kaklase ko.

Honestly she kinda has this cool look. How boyish her outfit but effortless beauty. I like how she shoves her hair with annoyance. It's kinda hot.

Fuck! Rej, what are you thinking?!

"Kuya Nico!" Saad nito ng galit dahilan para mapalingon si Nico roon. Ang kaninang pangiti-ngiti niya ay biglang naglaho nang makita ang babae na iyon.

Now, I remember. She's the girl who sucked at sign language.

Mabilis na pinuntahan nito si Nico sabay pingot ng tenga ng lalaki papalabas ng bar. "O-ouch! Ara--ouch!" Siga nito habang hinihila siya ng babae papalabas. Sumunod naman ako dahil gusto ko rin malaman kung anong meron sa dalawang ito, bakit itong babae, kilala si Nico.

"Kuya! How many times do I have to tell you? Don't disappear whenever I want you to teach me!" Bulalas nito at nagpapalagpalag pa habang ang kuya naman niya namumula na ang tenga. Hawak ni Nico ang kaniyang tenga na bakas sa mukha ang sakit na dinaramdam nito.

Oh...I could even feel the pain, dude.

"Ha?! When did you ask me? As far as I know. You were sitting in front of your laptop, being lazy at everything. Ni-hindi ka pa nga naghugas ng pinggan bago ka pumasok ng kwarto. Tapos ngayon? Sasabihin mo magpapaturo ka?" Mabilis na wika ni Nico sa kapatid niya.

Wow, I didn't expect to hear that. Mind blowing.

The girl sighed. "Fine. J-just...you know." Kibit balikat nitong wika. "Let's get home. I'm having difficulties in my assignment." Tamad nitong wika patungo sa isang motor.

Kita ko kung gaano nanlaki ang mga mata ni Nico sa nakitang sasakyang bitbit ng kapatid niya.

"You!" Mataas na tono nito.

Pero hindi lang nagsalita ang kapatid niya. Instead, the girl tilted his head as if she was inviting me to join her in the motor.

I don't know, but the way her eyes shine, I immediately hop in then we ride the vehicle. Habang si Nico naman ay gulat na gulat na tinignan lang kami papalayo.

"Put the helmet. Then wrap your arm, here." Turo nito sa bewang niya, matapos kong ma isuot ang helmet. And, no, I won't wrap my arms. I will never will--

Binilisan nito ang takbo ng motor dahilan para agad akong mapayakap sa kaniya. Fuck! Feels like I'm a pervert!

"Pabebe ka pa, eh " kantyaw nito sa akin. Hindi ko na tinanggal ang kamay ko sa pagka kayakap sa kaniya. Ngunit mayamaya ay may narinig kaming preno mula sa malayo. "Fuck, he's here!" Wika nitong babae dahilan para mas binilisan niya pa ang pagpapatakbo.

"Hey! Slow down! Do you want to die?!" Sigaw ko dahil hindi na kami magkarinigan sa lakas ba naman ng ingay ng motor. Buti nga gabi na ngayon at kokonti nalang ang mga sasakyan sa daan, malaya kami sa pagmamaneho dahil walang traffic.

Narinig ulit namin ang preno, but this time malapit na. Ilang beses pa iyon bago naabutan kami. "Hey! You pervert! Don't touch my sister!!" Sigaw nito sa akin kasama ng mga madidilim nitong tingin sa akin.

"I can't! I don't want to die from a motor accident!" Sagot ko. Totoo naman baka kapag bumitaw ako, liparin ako 'edi mamamaalam pa ako ng maaga sa mundo. Sayang rin ang pinaghirapan ko.

"What?! You asshole!!" Bulalas nito at handa na sana akong sungabin ngunit mas binilasan pa nitong babae ang pagpapatakbo ng sasakyan.

"Fuck!! I don't wanna die!!" I shouted but the girl was laughing as if it was funny.

"Let him be! That's normal, this motor belongs to him! Of course he's angry!!" Then the girl laughed again.

Wow, so meaning to say. She stole it to her brother? Lakas naman ng loob niya. Hindi na ako nagsalita pa at umiling nalang ng nakapikit. I'm just didn't used to ride something like this.

Minutes later, nakarating kami sa isang dalampasigan. Gabi ngayon kaya maganda ang buwan na tila ba lumulutang sa dagat.

Bumaba ako sa motor ng hingal na hingal. The woman laughed. "Dude, you look like shit. See how your hair spreads like this." She even acts like there's a big ball in my head.

"Shut up." Wika ko habang habol pa rin ang hininga. But the woman looked at the sea.

"Wow..." The woman was amazed like it was her first time being her. "Dang, this is my first time seeing it." Then, she immediately ran to remove her shoes before soaking them in the water.

Oh, It's her first time. My bad.

I shook my head then followed her. She was happily enjoying the sea. I sat on the sand and looked up to her.

Under that moon, I saw how her smile matches the beauty of night. The stars gave sparks to her moves, even the wave was enjoying her presence and dance that syncs to her. Her giggling was kinda music to my ears. Like it was the beauty when it comes to sound.

I-I don't know. But the way the night dances with her? I could feel something inside my chest. Something that it's unfamiliar, but at the same time, I could feel the happiness inside of it.

Fuck, what I was even thinking? Why do I even describe her matching at night? Fuck!

"Wow..." Unconsciously, I said that word. She heard it! Agad kong tinakpan ang bibig ko at umiwas ng tingin. Fuck, what was I thinking?!

But before she could even walk towards me, someone pulled my collar.

"You pervert!" I received a punch. It was so hard that it made me lie on the sand. Fuck, what was he thinking?!

Hinayaan ko lang siya na suntukin ako. It's no use to fight for something that is even worth it. Do whatever he wants, as long as I know why I did that, I'm fine. For fuck sake, it's for my survival. If I let go, they might dig up and throw me there!

"Kuya! Stop!" Sigaw ng babae kay Nico pero hindi pa rin ito tumitigil. Wait, the way he punch me, it's not even hurt. It was just smooth, like something to ---

I saw him winked at me then gesture 'shh' to me. Kumunot ang noo ko sa ginawa niya pero nakisakay nalang ako. I might have an idea what he was planning, but I'm not yet sure about that.

"Kuya Nico! Stop it! I-It's my fault. Sorry! I stole your baby." The woman shoved her hair. "Ugrh! Damn it! I just wanted to go to that bar to see him but you came first! You ruin the mood!"

Napatanga ako sa sinabi nito. What the fuck?!

Kita ko naman kung paano din napanganga si Nico sabay dahan-dahang lumingon sa kapatid niya. "I knew it!" Now, he went towards her sister. "You were seeing that guy again?" I even heard what they are talking about far away but I don't mind. It's their problem, not mine.

Ah, fuck this siblings!

Tumayo na ako at naglakad papalayo sa dalawa na nagsisigawan at nagsabunutan. Look how childish they are. Nang malapit na ako makatungtung sa sementandong daan, nakaramdam ako ng may humila sa akin pabalik.

"Where are you going?!" Sabay na tanong dalawa sa likod ko. What the heck?! Hindi pa ako lumilingon, but why do I even felt scared about how they asked me?!

But I didn't say anything, instead I flexed to escape, yet, both of them were strong and now, I found myself sitting between them. Oh, they made up? That fast? How I wish it would last a little longer for me to escape.

"Could you move a little?" I asked flatly.

"No."

"No."

At sabay pa ang dalawa.

"Fine, ako na lang." Wika ko sabay tangkang tatayo na ngunit hinila ako nang dalawa pabalik. "What?!" May inis na sa boses ko.

"Stay." Malamig at madilim ang mukha ng dalawa na utos sa akin.

"Fine..." Mahina kong sagot sabay dahan-dahang bumalik sa pagkakaupo. "Madali naman ako kausap." Wika ko sabay ayos ng damit.

We remained silent for almost ten minutes until I heard the woman sighed. We looked at her.

"What? What is it, Isla?" Biglang pag-aalala ni Nico rito.

So her name was Isla? Unique but cute.

I stilled. Fuck, what was I thinking?!

"No. It's just uhm. You know." Isla shrugged before looking at me. "I met him before." She started.

"What?!" Nico exclaimed. "You met him first?! Oh, C'mon. That's not fair!" Now, he was sulking.

"Honestly, I really thought you were deaf that time." Isla scoffed. "You even looked at me clueless."

Hindi ako nag komento pero nakikinig ako at ngumiti sa kaniya. I don't like to chat even if we are the only human in this world.

"By the way. I'm Isla Miller." She offered her hand. "Well, kinda weird to hear, but it's our last name. Can't complain." She shrugged then smiled.

"Reggie Salvador." I said as I accepted the shakehand.

"I'm Nico Miller " sabat ng lalaki sa tabi ko. Hindi ko siya pinansin at tumingin nalang sa dagat. Woah, ang lamig ng hangin pero, relaxing. I want to sleep here.

"That time, " Isla looked at me, mentioning something. "Why are you in the middle of the road?" She asked.

Why? I don't know either. It just felt relaxing.

Hindi ako sumagot sa kaniya. I rather keep it to myself than opening a door for someone.

"Well, guess I can't hear it right now. I understand naman" she sweetly smiled at me, but I didn't mind.

"Hey, want to have a bonfire?" Nico suddenly suggested. Then, Isla had this wide smile with her sparkling eyes as she nodded. Nico looked at me. "You in?"

Umiling nalang ako. "Ano pa ba magagawa ko?" Pagsuko ko na wika sa kanila. Masaya naman ang dalawa na naghanap ng mga sanga-sanga sa paligid at nagsimula na magsindi ng apoy. Luckily, Nico had lighter. Well, what would you expect to him, right?

Nang maayos na ang bonfire, kaniya kaniya na kami ng upo. Pero syempre, nakaupo na naman ang dalawa sa gilid ko.

I sighed. "Tell me, why do you keep sitting beside me?" I asked.

"Because we want to?" Si Nico na unti-unting kinukuha ang braso at doon sasandig.

"Hey!" Mabilis kong hinila pabalik ang braso ko. Baka kung ano pa isipin nito.

I heard Isla was laughing. "Kuya, you look like a girl clinging to his boyfie!" Then she laughed again.

Pero agad naman sumama ang tingin namin dalawa sa kaniya. Don't do that.

"Okay, okay." Taas kamay niya.

Minutes of silence when Isla broke it. "I'm sorry about that time." She apologized about what happened when I was in the middle of the road that time. "I was just scared. I mean, I have this kinda trauma -- but not that totally trauma -- it was just. I'm scared, you know. I don't like seeing someone die in front of me." She smiled. "It's reflexes."

I remained silent. I don't know what to answer since I don't even know if I am upset because she ruined the mood or happy because she saved me.

"Hayst." We heard Nico heave a sigh. "I don't know what the two of you are talking about. But, Rej. I wanted to ask you something." He looked into my eyes, as if he was really serious about what he was going to say.

I'm listening, not saying anything. Even Isla was all ears.

"Wanna be friends?"

Agad naman bumagsak ang balikat ko nang marinig iyon. I scoffed. "What kind of question is that?" I asked like it was joke.

"Hey, I'm serious." Wika ni Nico.

"Me too." Taas kamay naman na wika ni Isla, looking at me innocently.

Napa buntong hininga nalang ako. "Do whatever you want. I don't mind."

"No, you have to tell us if you want to or not." Si Nico.

"Will you leave me alone if I said no?" I frankly asked.

"Of course not." Wika ni Isla.

"See? Nothing changes. Do what you like." I let them be. I just realized a minute ago, it's not a bad thing to have friends, as long as I keep my boundaries, everything will be okay.

"Yehey!" Wika nang dalawa na tuwang tuwa.

I shook my head.

So this is another chapter that was written about my life?