"Gusto mo? 'E di 'wag, chos."

Pinangunutan ko ng noo si Kyla dahil sa pinagsasabi nito. Tatlo kaming loob ng shop habang hinihintay siyang matapos sa kung ano man ang binibili niya. Nadaanan lang naman namin ang tindahan ng damit na 'to tapos nagyaya na bumili.

"Nakakairita ka naman, Kyla. Dalian mo nga." Carleen glared at her while the other girl just rolled her eyes.

Ilang buwan pa lang silang nandito sa Pilipinas, nagbabangayan na naman sila. Para namang hindi sila magkasama sa Korea ng apat na taon. These two really is something.

"Maghintay ka, nene. Maganda ako kaya dapat maganda din ang isusuot ko." Kyla flipped her hair.

"Your mom," Carleen scoffed.

I couldn't help but to laugh at them. Tumingin na lang ako sa labas at hinayaan silang mag-asaran.

A smile was plastered on my face while staring at the road. I probably looked stupid by now. It's been two years since I left Singapore and go back to Philippines because I wanted to fix all my problems.

It was peaceful for me. Iba pa rin talaga kapag nasa sarili mo ikaw na bansa. It's more comforting.

My father already died, but I am able to talk to him before it happened. At least, I regret nothing now. I am much better, I can say that to myself. There's no more grudge. I am more free to do what I want.

As much as I wanted to talk to my friends more, I have to go home early. I bought my own house now, and I am able to provide for my own needs. Many things changed already.

Kaagad akong nagtungo sa kuwarto ko para maglinis ng katawan. I let the water flow through my body as I closed my eyes.

How is he? Is he doing good?

For the past years, I never really focused on him. Sure, there were times when I'll think of him but not that frequent. I don't know if he's thinking of me too. The last time we talked was last year's New Year. He just greeted me, and then it never happened again.

Habang nagbibihis ako ay narinig ko ang doorbell kaya nagmadali ako. I just wore a simple white shirt and black short since I'm just staying on the house today.

"Hi!" I kneeled in front of my nephew to carry him with me. He giggled when I pinched his cheek. I looked at my sister when she suddenly entered my house. "Are you alone? Where's Aeron?"

"Oh, he have work today." She sat comfortably on the sofa. Sinarado ko naman ang pinto at lumakad palapit sa kaniya, karga-karga pa din ang isang taon na bata. "Your nephew just wants to see you that's why I am here. Itimpla mo 'kong juice, ano ka ba."

"Right. Baby, stay with mommy first." I gave him back to his mother. I let them play both and go to the kitchen.

"How are you?" She asked as if she didn't see me last week. "Bakit grapes? Ang pangit ng lasa."

"'Wag ka nang um-arte." I chuckled.

"Balita ko, magbubukas na daw ng bagong extension 'yung company niyo sa iba pang country ng Asia. Wow, damn CEO things." I smiled at her with what she mentioned.

Those years of hardships payed off. I became CEO of a great company in the Philippines. It wasn't easy for me to reach this, but I can now proudly say that I did.

"Yeah, anytime soon." I sipped on my juice.

"So, puwede na ako umutang? Babayaran ko din." She joked.

"Your husband is rich, you don't need to do that." I chuckled.

I was also proud of my sister being able to create a family. She leave engineering and just focused on her son, and husband. Aeron now owns his own company, and it is now slowly being recognized by many.

Cleo was about to marry his fiancee next year. He was now one of most successful man in the field. He even bought mom a house but she insisted on staying on our mansion. Binibisita lang namin siya kada-linggo. I learned how to let go of everything that happened before. Nothing will change, anyways.

My older brother stayed on the Australia, pursuing his own path. Hindi na namin siya masyadong nakakausap but we know he's fine wherever he is right now.

"Bye, Treyton! Take care, ate. Drive safely, okay? I'll see you soon."

I'm smiling while watching their car depart. Kahit na gusto ko pang makasama ang pamangkin ko, kinailangan na rin nilang umuwi dahil baka abutan sila ng gabi.

I was just staring at Dillion's Instagram update. It's a photo of him with his co-workers. He was smiling widely on the camera. He's wearing a simple dark blue button-down polo and had a hard hat on his head. He looks fine with those sunglasses.

Napatingin naman ako sa palapulsuhan ko. It was still here. The bracelet he gave me years ago. I kept it. Hindi ko man parating sinusuot pero tinago ko. It feels like something big is missing whenever I don't see it.

"Are you still waiting?"

Lumipas ang ilang linggo at palapit na nang palapit ang araw ng pagbubukas ng extension namin sa Thailand. Kinailangan kong pumunta do'n pero sa sumunod naman na araw ay pumunta ako sa HongKong. It was tiring but I have to do it.

Nakatingin lang ako sa building habang may mumunting ngiti sa labi. The head engineer was explaining something and the least I could do was to nod. It was standing beside Ford Company, which was a good spot.

The next day, I have to go back to the Philippines because they had something to discuss on me. Tungkol lang naman 'yun sa delayed na construction sa China at sa bagong investor.

I told them to do something about the China's delayed construction. It was a big country, and we are expecting much from that country. By the end of the year, I guess we'll be able to open that.

"You can now leave, thank you. And don't forget to send me the hard copy of that." My secretary nod her head and leave my office.

I go home later that afternoon. Sa bahay ko na itinuloy ang mga hindi ko natapos na gawain kanina. Maaga akong natulog ng araw na 'yun.

"Callan! 'Di ba may flight ka pa-Singapore next week? Sama ako! I want to breathe and travel!"

The next day, Kyla talked while we were taking our lunch. We decided to just meet here for a moment. Si Carleen naman ay tahimik lang na nakikinig kay Kyla.

"Sure." I nod my head which made her squeal in excitement. Kinulit niya pa si Carleen na sumama, kaya walang nagawa ang babae kung hindi ang tumango. "Maybe next Tuesday. Sabihan ko lang kayo."

It wasn't my plan staying there for long time, but I guess, I will since the two will be there. I can't just leave them roaming around the Singapore with their selves. It's not that I don't trust them, though.

"Gagi, first time kong pupunta sa Singapore. Malamig ba do'n? Dapat na ba akong magbaon ng makapal na jacket?" I rolled my eyes on Kyla.

"That's still a Southeast Asian country, are you expecting winter?" I chuckled. We were just waiting for boarding.

"Ay shet, sorry. Akala ko may winter. Sa Korea kasi meron." She clapped her hand. Hindi ko na siya pinansin kaya si Carleen na naman ang ginambala niya.

We took the business class seats. Ilang oras lang naman ang biyahe papunta do'n kaya hindi na ako natulog. Si Kyla naman ay naglalaro lang sa cellphone niya ng dinosaur na may cactus sa google. While Carleen was just eating her snacks.

"Shuta, beh, ang ganda ng airport ng Singapore. Papainggit ko 'to kay Mommy, akala niya ha. Wait lang, magpi-picture pa ako!" We had to stop for Kyla to catch us up. Napailing na lang ako sa kalikutan niya.

"Pagod na ako, Kyla. Dalian mo naman. Sasampalin na kita," Carleen said, starting to get annoyed now.

"We have to appreciate everything. Hindi nagpakahirap ang mga architect ng airport na 'to para dedmahin ang gan----hoy! Shuta, wait lang!"

Kinailangan niya pang tumakbo dahil iniwan namin siya. I get my phone when it beeped. I smiled with what I read.

From: Colby
i'm hsre already! wow, been a long time. i'm excited lol

When we stepped out, I wandered my eyes around, trying to look for Colby but it was him who found me first. He approached me with a tight hug. I chuckled and just let him.

"Bro, I fucking missed you! We didn't see each other when I went to Philippines." He even pushed my shoulder. Napatingin naman siya sa likuran ko nang mapansing may kasama ako.

"Hello!" Kyla greeted him loudly.

"Oh, we have someone. Hi! I'm Colby." He introduced his self.

Nagpakilala lang sila sa isa't isa bago kami tuluyang umalis. I just told him to dropped us on my unit. Hindi ko na 'yun binenta, at nagbayad na lang ng maintenance. I have good memories there. That was the first unit I bought on my entire life. Malaki naman 'yun kaya kasya kaming tatlo. They can sleep on the guest room.

While looking outside, my mind flew on random things like, will I see him again? Singapore wasn't that big so the chances of meeting him again wasn't small.

"Hala, ganito unit mo? Gagi, parang bahay na namin ampota. Unit pa ba 'to o pad? Yaman mo naman, 'te. Baka naman, pang-Bingo lang." Carleen had to shut her up by pulling her to the guest room and fix their luggages.

Nilibot ko ang paningin ko sa paligid ko. Malaki na rin ang nagbago dito, pero gan'on pa din ang pakiramdam. Nagdagdag lang ng space at ng mga furnitures. I smiled again before going to the kitchen.

I spent the whole day inside my room. Nagpaalam sina Kyla na lalabas muna saglit at maglilibot. I just told them to be here before 7. May tiwala naman ako sa kanila since kasama si Carleen. She's much responsible so I wouldn't mind.

I don't know what's with me but I just found myself searching his name on google. I admit that he was pretty popular around Asia. Everyone was pleased on his works. He came too far. After everything that happened.

Kinabukasan, napagdesisyunan kong lumabas din ng bahay. I ride a bus to the Marina Bay for me to acquire fresher air. It's been a long time since the last time I see the Merlion statue. Like before, it was still mesmerizing.

I was just standing there, watching how people passed by. May mga bata din na naglalaro kasama ang mga magulang nila. Funny how the noise here became a peaceful scenery for me.

"Careful..." I kneeled at the little girl when she tripped in front of me. She even giggled when I carried her. Pinagpagan ko ang mga bato sa tuhod niya.

I stopped when I looked at her face. There are some similar features I could recognize. I tilted my head and tried to remember who they were.

"Keeley!"

Napaangat ang tingin ko sa tumawag sa kaniya. The girl shouted so I had to let her go. I stand up again, watching where she's going. Naningkit ang mata ko nang makita ang pamilyar na mukha.

It was Dillion.

The girl approached him, motioning her hands for him to carry her. Naningkit ang mata ko nang tumawa si Dillion saka kinarga ang bata. I put my hand on my pocket as I watched his laughing face.

"Where did you go? You're worrying your mommy again." He said in a concern voice.

Tumingin sa'kin ang bata kaya napatingin din sa'kin si Dillion. His smile vanished as soon as he recognized me. I am just staring at him, feeling my own heartbeat before my eyes dropped off the little girl, and to the other girl who approached the two of them.

It was Shane.

I played with my tongue, trying hard not to feel something. Did he have a family with her?

Nakita kong i-abot niya ang bata kay Shane saka naglakad palapit sa'kin, hindi pa rin pinuputol ang titig. Hinayaan ko siyang makalapit.

"Callan..." He stopped inches away from me. Parang hindi pa siya makapaniwala na nandito na ulit ako. He looked at me from head to toe. "You're here...?"

"Ah-huh, so what?" I raised a brow. Umayos pa ako ng tayo saka tumingin sa paligid.

"I never seen you for years, I can't believe you're here! Why didn't you tell me?" I looked back at him.

I wanted to say that I didn't came here to see him, but I refused to. I can't lie to myself. Part of me go here because I wanted to meet him again.

"I came here because of business." He gestured me to sit on the steps of the stair so I do.

"I heard you're now a CEO, huh." He smiled at his thought. Napaiwas ako ng tingin nang tumingin ito sa'kin.

I wanted to ask him about that kid! Hindi niya naman kamukha. Those familiar features were Shane's. Pero puwede namang hindi maging kamukha ng isa ang anak niya, 'di ba?

"Hmm..." So what now? I don't know what to say anymore. We went silent for minute. The only thing I can hear is the sound of wind and the waves coming from the sea.

"Adi."

My heart skipped when he called me. That was the name he used to call me way back when we're still together. I looked at him and caught him looking at me too. He smiled and I even saw how his ears turned red.

"Do you want to have lunch with me?"