"First day na first day, nakasimangot ka. Sumpa na 'yan, dzai."

I looked at Carleen who sat beside me. We're in the room while waiting for our classmates. Kyla's not here yet, perhaps she's late for some reason. I looked away and breathed out a sigh. Mahina naman siyang tumawa.

"Ilang buwan din tayong hindi nagkita, ah." She tapped my shoulder.

"Yeah. How are you?" I tried to open a conversation.

"Ayos naman. Mas masaya ang buhay sa probinsiya, mas payapa. If I could just stay there forever, but I can't. Alam ko namang wala akong future ro'n." She smiled at me. "Ikaw? Balita ko, kayo pa rin ni Dillion. Tatag niyo, ah."

"Napagtiya-tiyagaan naman siya." We laughed at my words. Ilang sandali pa kaming nanahimik. Dinig na dinig ko na ang mahinang bulungan ng mga kaklase ko. "How about Kyla? I don't hear anything from her since the second week of vacation. How is she?"

"Ah, 'yon? Fortunately, pinayagan na siya ng magulang niya na mag-shift ng course." She looked outside the window. My mouth parted because of what she said. Mukha namang nakita niya ang reaksyon ko kaya tumawa siya. "She just told me that last week. Naayos niya na raw lahat. Surprise nga dapat 'yon kaso sinabi ko na sa'yo."

"Hindi naman siya lilipat ng school, 'di ba?" Kahit naman naiinis ako sa kaingayan ni Kyla, I couldn't hide the fact that I will miss those. She's the first friend I had when I stepped on college.

"Hmm, I don't know. The last thing she told me is that she shifted course." Muli siyang tumingin sa labas. Her presence is dull as if she's sad. "Magsasabi naman 'yon if ever may plans na siya."

"Pakalat ka ng chismis, beng. Na-late lang ako nang ilang minuto, may course shifting na naganap sa 'kin." Napatingin ako sa babaeng pumasok. I glared at Carleen when she laughed at me. I really thought that she's being serious!

"'Wag ka na kasing ma-late. Next time na ma-late ka, ang sasabihin kong rason ay nilibing ka nang buhay." Kyla sat beside Carleen before waving her hand on me. "Gino-goodtime ko lang si Callan, kita mo, pikon agad."

"Funny," I said with a sarcastic tone.

"Hindi na ako magsi-shift, ano ka ba. Baka ma-miss mo 'ko nang bongga e. Ikaw ha, cheater ka. Sumbong kita kay Dillion." Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin. Binabawi ko na rin ang sinabi ko kanina na mami-miss ko siya. "Speaking of the bitch, ang tagal niyo nang dalawa, 'no? Five months ba? Anong sikreto niyo? Baka gumana sa 'kin."

"Dasal-dasal lang 'yan, sis. Kaso demonyita ka, wala ka ng pag-asa."

First day na first day, magbabardugalan na naman sila.

"E 'di wow. Uso naman ang himala ngayon. Basta, 'wag kang magjo-jowa hangga't wala pa ako, ha? Gan'on kasi ang friendship. Hindi tulad ng isa r'yan, inspired lagi." Nakita ko pang umirap si Kyla sa 'kin.

"Depende," Carleen said, smirking.

"Sabagay. 'Wag kang tutulad do'n sa taong nagsabi na study first daw tapos naging study flirt bigla." I bit my insides to stifle a laugh.

"Sinetch itey ba? Bigay ka nga clue."

"Callan Tyler Addison is his name, lumandi ng pogi is his game."

Kaibigan ko ba talaga 'tong mga 'to? Napailing na lang ako at hinayaan silang magdaldalan. Maya-maya lang din ay dumating na ang professor. Dumating na siya pero 'yong reply ni Dillion, hindi pa. Maybe he's off to something. If he can reply, he will. What am I being so upset about it? Stop that, Callan, kung gusto mong magtagal pa kayo.

The class went well, I am able to answer queries from our teachers. As expected, the next professor didn't attend the class again. First day na first day, hindi aattend ng klase. Ilang meetings ba ang kailangang attend-an sa isang taon?

Time flew fast and I just found myself having my lunch in the school canteen. Hindi ako nakapagbaon ng pagkain ngayon kaya sa canteen na lang ako bumili. Nakapila pa sila Carleen pero hindi ko na sila hinintay.

"Hindi ka nagkakanin? May kanin ako dito, gusto mo? Bakit mo pinapapak 'yang manok?" I looked at Carleen when she sat in front of me. Si Kyla malamang ay hindi na naman makapili ng bibilhin niya.

"Nah, I'm good. Thank you." I smiled at her. Hindi naman ako gan'on kagutom.

"Uy, si Dillion! Char. Tingin agad, Callan?" I ignored Kyla's word making her laugh. "Ako, beh, kanin. Akin na. Hindi ako nakapagbaon e." Carleen put out her lunch box, giving it to Kyla.

We stayed there for an hour, talking about some random stuff like we usually did. I stopped laughing when I felt my phone vibrated. My brows shot up but when I saw his name, it vanished.

From: Dillion

slr, i am not allowed to use cellphone. kumain ka na ba?

I typed my reply while biting the apple from Kyla. Marunong din pala siyang magbaon, akala ko ginawa niyang fridge si Carleen e.

To: Dillion

Hmm, yeah.

Binaba ko muna ang cellphone ko pagka-send para iligpit 'yong pinagkainan ko. I can't just leave it here messy. Sinabihan ko rin ang dalawa na linisin ang side nila. Of course, Kyla complained. She even reason out that there are janitors roaming around. Mabuti na lang at pinilit siya ni Carleen. Napailing na lang ako. Lazy ass.

From: Dillion

so cold :((
hey, i'm really sorry, please. don't be mad

To: Dillion

I'm not. This is how I reply, Dillion.

Gan'on naman talaga ako mag-reply? Mukha ba 'yong galit? Hindi naman, ah.

From: Dillion

see? u're not calling me baby anymore -,-

Natatanga ako kapag kausap siya. Kailangan talaga baby ang tawagan kahit magka-text lang kami? Hindi ko pa nata-type ang sagot ko, nag-reply na agad siya.

From: Dillion

i'll go there, wait. i don't mean to ignore ur mssge

Nataranta ako dahil sa reply niya.

To: Dillion

'Wag na. You'll just consume your time. Eat your food. Let's see each other later.
And I am not mad, if you're going to insist.

Mabuti na lang at hindi na siya nagpumilit pa. Kasi kapag nagpumilit pa talaga siya, magagalit na ako nang totoo. Mayamaya lang din ay nagyaya nang bumalik ang dalawa. Marahil ay nabored na dahil wala naman kami masyadong magawa.

Katulad nga ng pinag-usapan namin kanina, I meet him at their building. Nauna ang dismissal namin kaya ako na ang naghintay sa kaniya. Ilang minuto lang din ay nakita kong isa-isa nang nagsisilabasan ang mga kaklase niya.

Napaayos ako ng tayo nang makita siyang lumabas. I stayed there, waiting for him. Mukhang hindi niya pa ako nakikita dahil panay ang libot ng paningin niya tapos titingin sa phone. I chuckled when his brows shot up. I put my hands inside my pocket as I watch his crumpled face.

"Hanap mo 'yong jowa mo, bro? Ayon, oh." I winced when one of guy pointed me. Badtrip. Napatingin sa 'kin si Dillion saka sa kaibigan niya. Tumango lang ito saka tinapik sa balikat bago naglakad papunta sa direksiyon ko.

"Kanina ka pa?" I was shocked when he hugged me. I could do nothing but let him.

"Hindi naman. Like, for about 10 minutes, I guess," I answered. Finally, he let go of me. "How was your first day?" Nagsimula na kaming maglakad. Inakbayan niya pa ako.

"It's cool. May activity agad. Cool, isn't it?" His voice is full of sarcasm and it made me chuckle. "How about you?"

We walked really slowly while talking. Panay pa ang tawa niya kapag nagsasalita ako. Parang tanga lang. Tumatawa kahit wala namang nakakatawa. I listened to his rants too. Kahit na araw-araw naman kaming nag-uusap, kung umakto siya ay parang ngayon lang kami nagkita after months. He's being clingy, like his usual self.

Weeks had passed normally. Everything seems so calm for me. Of course, the real survival is not yet starting. Weeks from now, everything will be chaotic again. Nagagawa pa ngang lumabas nina Kyla at Carleen kapag may time. Hindi na ako sumasama kasi wala din naman akong gagawin.

Today, Dillion visited me. Sinabi niya na wala silang klase kaya nakalabas siya. Sakto namang naglilibot lang din ako kaya sinamahan niya ako. Huminto kami sa loob ng library. Since there are no teachers to attend both of our class, I guess, we'll just stay here first.

"Anong binabasa mo?"

Magkatabi kaming nakaupo sa sahig sa pinakadulo ng building. Nakapatong ang baba niya sa balikat ko habang nakatingin sa 'kin. Tumama ang tungki ng ilong niya sa pisngi ko nang bahagya akong lumingon.

"Ah, this? I don't know either." I chuckled when I realized that I don't even understand what am I reading. Paano mo nga maiintindihan kung nadi-distract ka sa pinaggagawa ng katabi mo?

"Here." I looked at him when he handed me the other side of his earphone. Kinuha ko ito at nilagay sa tenga ko. I am not familiar with the song he played but it's calming.

Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you

Oh, shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?

Napatingin ako sa kaniya dahil sa huling linya ng kanta. I can't help falling in love with him too, no matter how hard I tried before. He's humming, eyes closed. How I wished we could just stay like this forever.

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be

Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you

Sumandal ako sa balikat niya kaya naramdaman kong nagulat siya. I closed my eyes and listened to his hum. Mayamaya lang ay nadinig kong mahina niya nang sinasabayan ang kanta. I even feel him holding my hand and it made me smile.

Oh, take my hand
And take my whole life too
Oh, for I can't help falling in love with you

Oh, oh, oh, for I can't help falling in love with you

"I didn't know you're into this kind of music." Just by looking at him, I can see that he is someone who's into rock songs or anything that can rekindle a mood. Mahina naman siyang tumawa saka tinanggal ang pagkakasuot ng earphone niya.

"I just remember you when I heard this song and it stuck in my mind like how you stuck in my heart." Hindi pa rin talaga pwedeng mawala ang ka-corny-han niya. I cringed. "Kidding. But seriously, it reminds me of you whenever I am listening to this music."

"Really?" I asked nonchalantly. Hindi ko lang kasi talaga alam ang sasabihin ko. "Because you can't help falling in love with me? Ako lang 'to, Dillion." Mahina pa akong tumawa matapos ko 'yung sabihin.

"Yabang mo." As he always did, he messed up my hair and then put his arm around me. "Hindi ka pa babalik ng klase mo? Baka nando'n na 'yong prof niyo."

"Hmm, how about you? Aren't you going to attend your class?" I stood up and fixed my glass before putting my hands inside my pocket. "You should attend your class. Sayang 'yong attendance."

"Of course, I'll attend my class." I offered him my hand so he could stand. "Give me a kiss first." Ngumuso pa siya kaya natawa ako. I looked around and when I saw no one, I planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"I'll go first." I was about to step back when he pulled me for a tight hug. I feel him caressing my back and I wish he won't hear my loud beating heart.

"Goodluck. See you later. I love you."

Kinailangan ko na ring umalis kaagad dahil hindi ako sanay na nale-late sa klase. Kahit isang beses, hindi ko hinayaan ang sarili ko na ma-late dahil baka may masabi pa ang magaling kong kapatid kay Papa.

The routine continued for months. Aaminin kong nahihirapan na rin akong i-handle ang studies ko since nagkakasabay-sabay na ang lahat. Wala pa naman kami sa second semester pero para na kaming nilalagay sa impyerno. Ang daming activities na kailangang i-comply.

Dillion's schedule is not that good too. Minsan nga, nakikita ko siyang natutulog sa ilalim ng cottage malapit sa building nila. His situation made me feel something. Pity? But I know that it's his dream. And I believe him that he can make it until the end.

"Hey." I stopped by to wake him up. I sighed when he still didn't wake up. I sat beside him and brushed his hair.

"What the---Callan." Napakunot ang noo ko nang lumayo siya. Mahina na lang akong tumawa dahil sa mukha niyang gulat na gulat. "Kani---kanina ka pa? Nakatulog pala ako, shoot." Muli siyang umupo sa tabi ko.

"No. Napadaan lang ako rito." That's a lie. Pupuntahan ko talaga siya dapat para lumabas kaso mukhang pagod siya. It's okay, may ibang araw naman. "You looked tired. Did you even eat?"

"Ah..." Mahina pa siyang tumawa saka umiwas ng tingin. "May ni-rush ako kanina e. Hindi na rin naman ako nagugutom." My brows furrowed with what he said.

"Sinasabihan mo akong 'wag magpapagutom pero ikaw 'yong nagpapagutom?" I scoffed. Ngumuso lang siya, walang magawa kasi alam niyang wala siyang masasabi.

"Where are you going?" He stood in a panic when I stood up.

"Bibili lang ako ng pagkain. Stay here, wait for me, dummy." He nodded and it was a sign for me to leave.

Kahit kailan talaga.

"Next time, if you're going to take a nap, set an alarm on your phone." While he was eating, I told him. "Also, if you're doing something, have some snacks. Hindi 'yong nagpapalipas ka ng gutom."

"I know. I'm sorry. Promise, I'll take care of myself now. Don't be mad, please." He rested his head on my shoulder. I sighed. Ayan na naman siya sa mad-mad.

"I am not mad. I'm just reminding you." I rolled my eyes.

"Don't use your serious voice, you seemed really mad. And your face, it's scary." He even had the guts to laugh at me. "Kidding aside. You too, take care of yourself. I know that it's stressful but you can do it."

We stayed there for more minutes before he told me that he needs to go first. I sighed when I was left alone here. Mukhang sobrang busy nga siya. He didn't even remember that it's our 10th monthsarry. But, that's okay. Hindi naman namin kailangang i-celebrate ang bawat buwan na magkasama kami. Okay na sa 'kin 'yong nakikita ko siyang maayos, pati ang pag-aaral niya.

The next time we met again was when he visited me in my building. He was holding two frappes and he handed me one when I approached him. I just smiled before we started walking. We're just quiet the whole time but it's not the awkward silence.

"Saan tayo pupunta? Hindi mo na ako kailangang ihatid," I asked him when he gestured me to ride on his car. Mahina lang siyang tumawa pero hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita kung bakit. Okay, that's weird.

With confusion drawn all over my face, I rode his car. I took the shotgun seat while he's on the driver's seat. Hindi naman siguro nito hihingian ng ransom ang pamilya ko, 'di ba? Wala naman siyang mahihita sa mga 'yon.

Hinayaan ko na lang siya sa kung ano man ang plano niya. Bahala na siya sa buhay niya. I busied myself playing with my phone. Namumura ko pa minsan kasi ang hirap buuin. Nakakabanas kaya tinigil ko na nang huminto ang sasakyan.

"Restaurant? Anong meron?" Hindi niya pa rin ako sinasagot. Sige.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CALLAN!!"

I was surprised to see Carleen and Kyla here. They were in the classroom recently. And what? Happy birthday to me?

I checked my phone and to my horror, it's my birthday. Hindi ko man lang naalala ang sarili kong birthday. Napatawa na lang ako sa sarili ko. Tanga.

"Happy birthday, 'te. Mahal na mahal kita...at 'yong boyfriend mo, hehe---aray! Hindi mabiro 'tong potaena na 'to." Naghampasan pa sila ni Carleen.

"Hey, happy birthday, Callan." Dillion kissed my forehead before giving me a tight hug. "Always wishing you the best for everything and... and I love you."

"Ayiieee. 'Te, hug mo 'ko para hindi ako mag-sana all. 'Te, dali na."

I smiled at him. Damn, I really fall hard for this man.

"Thank you, guys... for remembering." I told them. Tumango lang si Carleen at nag-flying kiss naman si Kyla na noon ay naka-angkla sa braso ng babae.

This year's birthday celebration of mine is quite different. Because I have them with me.

I have him with me.

And it made my day special.

Wishing to celebrate more milestones with them.