Henry and Harriet tried to call Klaudine, but she wasn't answering. Nagdesisyon silang puntahan na lang ito sa apartment. Walang masabi si Henry kay Harriet tungkol sa mga nakita, kung bakit sila magkasama ni Klau, at kung ano sila.

Nagpaalam muna siya na maliligo at habang nasa ilalim ng shower, paulit-ulit na pumapasok sa isip ni Henry ang lubid na itinago niya at nag-iisip na sana, huwag na ulit iyon maisip ni Klaudine. She promised to see him in the office.

"You promised," Henry whispered as he felt the water gushing through his body. "D-Don't you dare leave now, Klaudine. Please." He choked.

Nakaharap si Henry sa salamin. Nagsuot siya ng simpleng pantalon, T-shirt na kulay maroon, at pinarisan ng puting sapatos.

Paglabas niya ng kuwarto, naabutan niya si Harriet na paikot-ikot sa second floor living area na nasa labas lang ng mga kuwarto nila. May malaking TV rin doon katulad ng nasa ibaba, pero mas madalas silang nakatambay roon.

"She's gonna be okay," Henry assured. Gusto rin niyang paniwalain ang sarili na maayos lang si Klaudine, natutulog ito, o hindi kaya naman ay nasa opisina na.

But the latter wasn't the answer. He tried to call Girta, asking if Klaudine was in the office but she wasn't. He tried to call her again but failed.

Si Ford ang nagprisintang magmaneho papunta sa apartment ni Klaudine. Pare-pareho nilang hindi alam kung ano ang daratnan. Klaudine was alone . . . Henry knew he left her all alone and he wouldn't forgive himself if something happened.

Henry was breathing so hard, trying to remember what happened while he was with Klaudine. Tumingin siya kay Harriet na bakas ang pag-aalala sa kaibigan. Nakaramdam si Henry ng guilt dahil sa nagawa niya. He knew he was emotionally cheating on Leandra; he lied to his daughter about the business meeting, but what happened wasn't an accident.

Hindi magsisinungaling si Henry sa parteng iyon. He knew what he was doing, but he wouldn't tolerate what he did. He knew he was in love with someone, but he wasn't even apologizing about it.

It was traffic and Henry was fidgeting. Nakikita at naririnig niyang sinusubukang tawagan ni Harriet ang kaibigan. Gusto niyang subukan, pero hinayaan niya ang anak para hindi ito makahalata. Tumawag ulit siya sa opisina para tanungin kung nandoon ba si Klau ngunit wala.

One hour and thirty-six minutes. It took them longer than expected due to traffic and Harriet didn't waste any minute. Pagkahintong-pagkahinto pa lang ng kotse, Harriet immediately went out and ran towards Klaudine's apartment. Nakita ni Henry ang pag-aalala sa mukha ng anak, nakita niya kung gaano nito kamahal si Klaudine na malamang, pareho nilang nararamdaman.

"Klauie!" Panay ang katok ni Harriet ngunit walang nagbubukas. "Klauie, in the count of five kapag hindi ikaw lumabas, we'll break your door, I swear to god!"

Henry started having feeling of panic. Paulit-ulit niyang nakikita kung ano ang itsura ni Klaudine nang datnan niya ito. Nakahubad, may lubid sa gilid, at handa nang wakasan ang lahat.

Nagulat si Henry nang bigla na lamang sipain ni Ford ang pintuan. Kaagad na pumasok si Harriet at tumakbo papunta sa kwarto ni Klaudine ngunit wala siyang nakita. Panay ang tawag niya sa pangalan ng kaibigan, ngunit wala.

Dumiretso naman si Henry papunta sa kusina para tingnan ang mga kutsilyo ngunit narinig niya ang mahinang pag-agos ng tubig mula sa pintong katabi ng ref. Bahagyang nakabukas ang pinto ngunit madilim.

"Klauie's not upstairs," ani Harriet kay Ford na inaayos ang pinto ngunit nakita ang daddy niya na nakaharap sa pinto ng comfort room.

Harriet immediately walked towards the comfort room. Binuksan niya ang pinto pati na ang ilaw at paulit-ulit na nawasak ang puso niya para sa kaibigan.

Simula nang makita ni Harriet ang nangyari, hindi na siya nakatulog nang maayos. It was the hardest for her that she needed Ford beside her. Kinagabihan, bago nila mabasa ang news, both initiated sex. It was nothing new to them, they did it.

Ngunit pareho silang tumigil. Pareho nilang naisip ang nangyari kay Klaudine na naging dahilan ng matinding panic attack ni Harriet kinagabihan.

"Klauie." Harriet's soft voice filled the messy bathroom. Kalat-kalat lahat ng gamit, basang-basa ang sahig. "Klauie."

Wala ng pakialam si Harriet kung pati siya, mabasa. Pumasok siya sa shower area para samahan si Klaudine. Nakayuko ito, yakap ang sarili, habang nasa ilalim ng shower. Nakasuot ng hoodie, pantalon, pati ng sapatos.

"A-Ano ba'ng ginagawa mo?" ani Klauie nang maupo rin siya sa tiles katabi nito. "L-Lumabas ka na, Harri."

"Sasamahan kita. I never thought doing this under the shower is fun," Harriet said. For a moment, Harriet was thankful that her face was wet so Klaudine wouldn't see her tears. "Ano'ng nangyari, why are you here?"

Nasa labas si Henry at naririnig ang pinag-uusapan ng dalawa sa loob. Nakabukas nang kalahati ang pinto kaya hindi siya kita, sila ni Ford na nakasandal naman sa may hamba ng pinto at nakayuko.

"A-Ang daming nag-message sa akin. H-Hindi ko alam na sumuko si Richie." Mababa ang boses ni Klau habang nakayuko. Harriet's heart was breaking into a million pieces seeing how Klaudine scratch herself. "G-Gusto ko na lang sana itago k-kaso . . . ."

Tahimik si Harriet na tumayo at sumilip sa labas. Nakita niya si Ford na nakasandal sa tabi ng pinto at ang daddy niya na naka-cross arms.

"Babe, can you get some towel and clothes upstairs? Huwag ka nang mailang. Please, we need it. May damit ako sa isang closet ni Klaudine, sa right side. Nag-iwan ako ng damit dito para kapag overnight. Please, I'll just . . . fix her," Harriet whispered.

Without saying anything, Ford turned around and went upstairs. As for Henry, nakasandal lang siyang nakikinig. Panay ang tagis ng panga niya sa nalaman. He was careful with Klaudine, he wanted to be careful, he wanted to take care of her.

Now, knowing that the man Klaudine trusted ruined her—Henry was livid.

Wala itong sinabi sa kaniya, wala siyang idea kung bakit gusto nitong tapusin ang lahat, ngunit hindi niya inasahan na ganoon kalala . . . and Henry would fight.

Harriet started taking Klaudine's clothes off. Wala na itong pagpalag at nakayuko na lang. Never in her life na nakitang nakahubad si Klaudine, kahit naka-bikini, noong araw lang na—Harriet gagged when she remembered.

Nagsimula siyang shampoo-hin ang mahabang kulot na buhok nito. "I always envy how healthy and bouncy your hair is." Harriet chuckled as she massaged Klau's hair with shampoo. "Klauie, whatever's gonna happen, I'm here, okay? Kahit ano'ng kailangan mo, I'll help you. Just p-please," she started sobbing, "d-don't isolate yourself."

Klaudine looked at her. Hindi alam ni Harriet kung gugustuhin ba niyang matitigan ang malungkot na mga mata ng kaibigan. Ang malalam noon ay naging lugmok. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you saying sorry? You didn't do anything wrong, silly!" Harriet laughed. "Let's finish this. Alam mo ba, I'm starving? Remember when we ate pancakes and our tummy almost exploded? Let's do that again, please?"

Sunod-sunod ang tango ni Klaudine ngunit nagmamalabis pa rin ang luha nito. Harriet seriously didn't know what to do. Hindi niya alam kung paano i-cheer up ang best friend niya dahil sa mga nangyayari.

Harriet thought it was a good decision that Richie turned himself in, but when she learned about it, si Klaudine kaagad ang naisip niya. The effect on her best friend would be severe, but justice had to be served.

Nang matapos paliguan si Klaudine ngumiti siya. "Lalabas ako, go dress up, okay? After this, we'll talk about our pancake party. How's that sound?"

Nakita ni Henry kung paanong nangatog ang baba ni Harriet paglabas nito ng banyo habang tinutuyo ang sariling buhok. Seeing his daughter cry pained him. Dumiretso ito kay Ford na siyang tumulong para tuyuin ang sarili bago parehong umakyat sa kuwarto ni Klaudine.

Henry stayed in the kitchen, where he could see the comfort room, waiting for Klaudine.

The door opened and their eyes immediately met. Henry saw how a lone tear dropped from Klaudine's eye while looking at him. Wala siyang sinabing kahit na ano. If Harriet and Ford wasn't with them, he would hug Klaudine and wouldn't let go.

He badly wanted to hug the woman in front of him but his daughter was upstairs and he couldn't risk it. Gustuhin man niya, kailangan niyang pigilan para na rin kay Klaudine.

"A-Are you okay?" Henry asked in a low voice.

"A-Alam mo na b-ba?" Klaudine stuttered while looking at him. "N-Nakakahiya." She even had the nerve to chuckle and Henry got pissed.

Henry's breathing became heavy as he stared at Klaudine's arm and neck with subtle bruising. Hindi niya iyon nakita noong magkasama sila dahil nakabalot ito ng jacket and it was starting to make sense. Masyado namang madilim noong nakita niya itong nakahubad.

He was about to touch Klaudine's hand when they heard footsteps from the stairs. Henry immediately withdrew his hands.

"Klauie." Harriet was smiling from ear to ear and almost ran towards Klaudine. Hinawakan nito ang kamay at hinila ang kaibigan paakyat sa itaas.

Hindi na lumingon ang dalawa at hindi na narinig ni Henry kung ano ang pinag-usapan ng dalawa. Ford sat on the sofa and Henry walked towards the door to breathe some fresh air. Pakiramdam niya, nasu-suffocate siya sa nalaman at nakita.

Naupo si Henry sa unang baitang ng balcony at tumitig sa kung saan na para bang nandoon lahat ng sagot sa gusto niyang malaman. Sobrang bigat, iyon ang nararamdaman niya. His heart was pounding too fast and if he could just hug and take care of Klaudine again, he would.

He even remembered the night before everything happened. Magkasama sila at nakangiti itong nakatitig sa kaniya. The hug they shared, their intertwined hands, and the kisses on the forehead. Henry wanted to do it again . . . and never let go.

Nilingon ni Henry si Ford na naupo sa hagdan tulad niya. Sumandal ito sa plantbox at humarap sa kaniya. Malungkot ang mga mata nito, marahil ay dahil ka-close na rin nito si Richie.

"Sina Daddy, Kuya, at assistant coach po ang tinawagan ko noong nangyari 'yun." Ford shook his head. "P-Pareho po kaming hindi makatulog ni Harriet, Tito. We e-even had to setup a counseling and we're scheduled tomorrow. I-If Harri and I couldn't handle it, hindi ko ma-imagine si Klaudine."

"W-What happened?" he asked.

Nagpatuloy si Ford sa pagkuwento tungkol sa nangyari, sa nakita, sa mga sinabi ni Richie, lahat. Panay ang tagis ng panga ni Henry dahil sa mga narinig. Kinagabihan, habang nakatitig siya sa kawalan, paulit-ulit tumatakbo sa isip niya lahat ng posibleng maging dahilan para maisip ni Klaudine magpatiwakal.

All he thought it was just the pressure from her family, but he was wrong. It was more than that and he never assumed the worse.

"Richie loved Klaudine, Tito. Hindi lang niya naisip na ang magiging epekto ng drugs sa kaniya and he didn't wanna justify anything," pagpapatuloy ni Ford. "The school offered to help him get through it . . . but he refused. He turned himself in and he didn't wanna be defended."

Tahimik lang si Henry na nakikinig at mas piniling manahimik dahil kung ano pa ang masabi niya. Masyadong maraming tumatakbo sa isip niya, hindi rin umaayon ang bugso ng damdamin.

Harriet was lying sideways while caressing Klaudine's hair. Panay ang hagulhol nito at hinayan niya ang kaibigan.

"S-Sana hindi na lumabas." Klaudine sobbed. "Wala akong mukhang maiharap sa iba. Gusto ko n-na lang matahimik, bakit lumabas pa."

"It was Richie's choice to turn himself in, Klauie," Harriet whispered as she continued to brush Klaudine's hair. "It was his decision."

Hindi na sumagot si Klaudine at nagpatuloy na lang ito sa paghagulhol hanggang sa makatulog.

Harriet was trying so hard not to cry in front of Klaudine. Her best friend was too vulnerable, hindi siya puwedeng sumabay. She didn't know what to do, the issue was just too much to handle for everyone, especially Klau.

Alam ni Harriet na alam na sa buong campus ang nangyari. May isang group na kasali siya at pinag-uusapan na ang lahat. People knew about Klauie being Richie's girlfriend, the team was suspended from the league, and the university was also under investigation.

Nang maramdaman niyang mabigat na ang paghinga ni Klaudine, bumaba siya at hinanap ang daddy niya. Harriet thought of something while her best friend was healing. Hindi niya ito puwedeng iwanan, hindi puwedeng mag-isa dahil hindi nila alam ang tumatakbo sa isip nito, lalo pa na lumabas na ang issue.

"There you are." Harriet smiled at her dad who was talking to Ford. Naupo siya sa tabi ni Ford na kaagad siyang niyakap. "She's sleeping."

Silence. There was a deafening silence until Harriet started sobbing.

Hindi nilingon ni Henry ang anak. Niyakap naman ni Ford ang kasintahan.

"She fell asleep crying. Hindi ko kaya." Harriet sobbed like a child. "Daddy, I can't with this. Hindi ko puwedeng iwanang mag-isa si Klaudine. I don't know, I don't wanna lose her. I c-can't lose my best friend."

Nilingon ni Henry ang anak na nakayakap sa kasintahan at umiiyak. Kung alam lang nito na ganoon din ang nararamdaman niya. Kung alam lang ni Harriet na kung puwede lang niyang ilayo si Klaudine sa lahat ng puwedeng makasakit, ginawa na niya, but then again, he remained quiet.

"D-Dad?" Harriet sobbed like a child. Lumapit ito sa kaniya at inihiga ang ulo sa balikat niya. "D-Dad, can I ask a favor?"

"What?" Inakbayan niya ang anak.

Harriet sniffed. "Dad, can Klauie stay with us for a bit? Until the issue dials down? I don't wanna leave her behind. Kung hindi ka papayag, Daddy, I'll stay here with her."

For some reason, his heart pounded. Nakaramdam siya ng kaba dahil mukhang alam na niya kung saan iyon papunta. Kung siya lang, hindi puwede dahil mahirap . . . mahihirapan siyang umiwas.

Matagal bago sumagot si Henry. Panay ang explain ni Harriet na sa kuwarto naman nito matutulog si Klaudine, na hindi naman mahirap pakisamahan ang dalaga, na wala silang magiging problema. That was the thing . . . something was going on between them and it was going to be harder to stay away.

"Dad, please?" Harriet begged. "Magiging good girl po ako, promise. J-Just please, help me with this."

Ilang beses huminga nang malalim si Henry bago hinalikan ang tuktok ng ulo ni Harriet. "Okay, if she agreed, then we'll talk again."

Henry wanted to keep Klaudine safe, too. Gusto niyang makita ito, gustong makasama, pero mahirap dahil hindi iba ito sa kaniya.

Mahigpit siyang niyakap ni Harriet at tinawagan si Leandra para magpaalam. Kahit malayo sa kaniya ang anak, base sa ngiti nito, mukhang pumayag ang asawa niya na tumuloy si Klaudine sa bahay nila.

"Uuwi raw si Mommy today, Daddy. She agreed about—"

"Talk to Klaudine first, Harri," Henry said.

Tumango si Harriet at kaagad na pumasok sa loob ng apartment ni Klaudine. Umakyat siya nang marinig itong may kausap sa phone. Base sa boses ni Klau, alam niyang kausap nito ang nakababatang kapatid kaya hindi kaagad siya nagpakita.

Nang marinig ang sunod-sunod na paghikbi, umakyat si Harriet. Naabutan niyang nakaupo si Klaudine at tumingin sa kaniya.

Naupo si Harriet sa tabi ni Klaudine ang hinaplos ang mahabang buhok nito. "Klauie, sabi ko naman sa 'yo, I'm here, e. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here."

"M-Magiging okay rin ako." Tumayo si Klaudine. "Gusto mo bang kumain? Gusto mong magluto ako?"

Harriet nodded. "Oo . . . pero puwede bang sa bahay na lang?"

Nakakunot ang noo ni Klaudine na nakatingin sa kaniya. "B-Bakit? Pupunta tayo sa inyo?"

Tumayo si Harriet at kinuha ang bag ni Klaudine. "Yup. H-Hindi ako papayag na maiwan ka rito. Y-You're alone."

"Okay lang ako rito, Harri. Wala ka namang dapat ipag-alala sa akin, e. Strong kaya ito," Klaudine said but Harriet heard how Klaudine's voice cracked.

Naririnig nina Henry at Ford ang pinag-uusapan nina Klaudine at Harriet dahil nasa living area lang sila. Naririnig nila kung paanong nagbabago na ang boses ng dalawa.

"O-Okay?" Harriet choked. "Klaudine, face the reality, you're not okay. I was being careful with my words but please!"

Naupo si Henry at yumuko dahil sa naririnig.

"Wala ka namang dapat ipag-alala sa akin," Klaudine insisted.

Mahinang natawa si Harriet. "Klaudine, for once, babaan mo naman ang pride mo. You're so prideful that you're already faking being okay. You are not okay, we are not okay . . . I am trying to choose the best words for you but you're so—"

Tahimik si Klaudine na nakatitig sa kaniya. May isang bagsak ng luhang mula sa mga mata nito.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, Klauie, because you know how much I love you. Please, let me be there for you. You were always there for me. Sa lahat ng drama ko sa life, you're there. Please, just this once, Klaudine!" Harriet wept. "Please, Klaudine, I am begging you to plea—"

"H-Huwag ka nang umiyak." Klaudine sniffed. "Harriet naman, e. You're making this hard for me. Pinapahirapan mo ako lalo."

Harriet frowned. "S-saan kita pinapahirapan? Klaudine, I don't wanna lose you. I love you, I don't wanna lose my best friend."

"W-Wh—"

Lumambot ang expression ng mukha ni Harriet at iniangat niya ang kutsilyong hawak. "K-Knives should be in the kitchen, Klaudine." Harriet sobbed. "Hindi sa ilalim ng unan mo."

Kaagad na itinago ni Klaudine ang mukha ngunit nakita ang pamilyar na bulto ng katawan sa hagdan. Si Henry iyon, nakatitig sa kaniya. Malamlam ang mga mata nitong nakatingin sa kaniya.

"Klaudine, I c-can't lose you." Harriet bawled. "I wanted to be selfish. Ipagdadamot kita sa lahat, I will be with you, I am with you . . . just p-please, d-don't leave me."

Nilingon ni Klaudine si Henry na naglakad papunta kay Harriet. Kinuha nito ang kutsilyo.

"Let's go home." Tumingin si Henry kay Klaudine. "With Klaudine. I-I . . . ."

Kinagat ni Klaudine ang ibabang labi habang nakatingin kay Harriet na nakayukong nakatingin sa bag at kay Henry na nakatitig sa kaniya.

"Please," Henry mouthed while holding the knife with a red handle.

Humihikbi pa rin si Harriet na nilapitan ni Klaudine. Niyakap niya ang kaibigan at hinalikan ito sa pisngi. "Bakit ka umiiyak? Sabi ko sa 'yo, huwag kang iiyak kasi 'yung false eyelashes mo, mahal."

"You are making me cry! You're hurting me! You're leaving me!" Harriet blubbered like a child. "Y-You promised to be at my wedding. Please, I-I don't wanna lose you, Klauie."

"H-Hindi na." Niyakap ni Klaudine ang kaibigan bago tumingin kay Henry na nasa gilid nila.

Henry looked at Klaudine and Harriet. "Ford and I will be downstairs. We'll wait for you. O-Our h-home is open for you, Klaudine."

Bumaba si Henry at sumandal sa sasakyan habang naghihintay. Tinawagan din niya si Girta na hindi siya makapapasok at ito na muna ang bahala sa opisina. Tumawag na rin siya sa bahay nila para makapag-prepare ng pagkain ang mga tao.

—

Sa harapan ng sasakyan naupo si Henry dahil nasa likuran sina Klaudine at Harriet na parehong tahimik. Ford was driving as they traveled home.

Nakatingin lang si Henry sa kawalan, iniisip kung paano siya sa araw-araw knowing kasama niya si Klaudine sa iisang bubong. Pagkahatid niya rito kinaumagahan, nagdesisyon siyang umiwas, silang dalawa. Ngunit mas pinahirap pa ng pagkakataon ang sitwasyon.

"Dad, sa room ko mag-i-stay si Klauie. My bed is big enough for us. Ayaw ko rin na sa guest room siya so she'll just stay with me." Rinig ni Henry ang tuwa sa boses ng anak.

"It's up to you," sagot ni Henry. "Call manang and ask them to clean your room na lang."

Harriet giggled. "I already did. I'm so excited."

Nagkaroon ng katahimikan ang buong sasakyan. Bahagyang lumingon si Henry at nagtama ang tingin nila ni Klaudine na kaagad rin namang umiwas. Tahimik itong tumitig sa kawalan, taliwas sa sayang nararamdaman ni Harriet.

Nakabukas ang speaker ng kotse ni Ford at tumugtog ang When She Cries ng Restless Heart.

Ipinaglandas ni Henry ang hinlalaki sa sarili niyang labi habang pinakikinggan ang lyrics ng kanta. He was analyzing and he closed his eyes.

So I pray this time, I can be the man that she deserves. 'Cause I die a little each time . . . when she cries.

Nakatitig lang si Henry sa kawalan habang pinakikinggan ang bawat salita sa kanta. He wanted to be the one Klaudine deserved, but couldn't. Hindi puwede . . . it wouldn't be possible.

Klaudine was two decades too late. The woman he loved came unexpectedly and they couldn't be together.

Nang makarating sa bahay, si Ford na mismo ang nagdala ng bag ni Klaudine sa kwarto ni Harriet dahil nagyaya na ang mga katulong na luto na ang lunch nila. Tahimik silang kumakain at tanging tunog ng kubyertos ang dinig.

Katabi ni Klaudine si Harriet at nasa harapan nila si Ford na biglang nagsalita.

"Klau." Nag-angat naman ng tingin si Klaudine nang kuhanin ni Ford ang atensyon nito.

Natigilan din sina Harriet at Henry sa pagkain at naghintay.

"My dad called. Nakita niya ang news, nakita niya ang pagsuko ni Richie. I know this isn't the best time to talk about this matter, but my dad wanted to ask," Ford stared intently at Klaudine, "m-my dad's willing to hold your case."

Tiningnan ni Henry si Klaudine na nakatitig kay Ford. Walang reaksyon ang mukha nito at mukhang pinoproseso pa ang narinig.

Henry's jaw clenched. "I will pay for everything if needed." Umiling siya. "I can't let this go, I won't let this slide. I'll make sure that the man who did you wrong will get what he deserves whether it's an accident, drugs, or anything. I will fight."

Napatitig si Klaudine kay Henry dahil may awtoridad ang boses nito. Even Harriet and Ford felt the authority, the dominance, and the anger.

The table was quiet.

"What are the things needed, Ford?" Henry asked who even crossed his arms. "Call Florentino and tell him that I will shou—"

"W-Wala akong balak magsalita," Klaudine said in a low voice. Lahat sila nilingon ito nang may bumagsak na luha. "N-Nakikiusap ako sa inyo, g-gusto ko na lang matahimik. G-Gusto ko na lang mawala sa sis—"

Henry breathed and their eyes met. "I'm not letting this go, Klaudine."

"Please." Klaudine's voice cracked and begged. "P-Please, gusto ko na lang ng t-tahimik. S-sana . . . s-sana pakirespeto na lang po 'yun. G-Gusto ko na lang kali—"

"You need to fight," Henry said in a low voice. "I will if you don't."

Tumango si Harriet. "We will if you don't."

Klaudine smiled. "Okay lang ako."

"Hanggang kailan, Klaudine?" Henry asked. He was aware that his daughter was with them, but he wanted to ask. "Until when?"

"Hindi ko rin alam."

T H E X W H Y S