“Sure ba, Col? Okay lang talaga?”

 

Ngumiti si Colet at tumango, kahit di naman siya kita ng kausap niya. “Ano ka ba Loi, okay lang. It’s fine, really, di pa naman ako nakakaalis ng bahay.” Pagsisinungaling niya, the truth is kanina pa siya nakatambay sa cafe malapit sa condo ni Maloi, naghihintay. Buti nalang tahimik pa at wala gaanong tao, di mahahalata sa call na nasa labas siya.

 

It’s the weekend after Maloi’s midterm week and the weekend before hers. Nakasanayan nilang dalawa na magkita tuwing ganito, mag friendly date ba, to unwind and as a treat na din sa nagdaang hell week for Maloi and for her to brace to coming week feeling refreshed. Automatic na sa kanila iyon, gawa na din na magkaiba sila ng university na pinapasukan, bihira na din talaga sila magkita at weekends nalang talaga ang free time nila both.

 

Colet was really looking forward to spending the day with Maloi, she even had the day planned out. She planned on bringing Maloi on a museum hopping tour around Makati and there’s this new cafe na puro matcha flavored drink and food ang nasa menu so she knew Maloi would love it there. Also, Colet had a gift for Maloi; just a bunch of stuff she bought over the past few weeks na hindi pa sila nagkikita because it reminded her of Maloi which were mostly ribbons and cat related stationery.

 

Colet hears Maloi hum on the other end of the call. “Well okay, sabi mo ah? I’m sorry talaga, I forgot lang talaga to tell you na I’m meeting Gian today.”

 

Colet’s jaws clenched at the mention of that name. Hm..siya pala… As far as Colet can remember, manliligaw yun ni Maloi. Ilang months na din ang nakalipas ever since Maloi mentioned that someone was trying to pursue her and in those months naman, never nasabi ni Maloi na she was even entertaining him. Kaya naman, hindi talaga alam ni Colet kung kelan nag escalate at nag agree si Maloi to go out with him.

 

“Bawi ako sayo soon, hm? Col?” At kahit hindi naman sila magkaharap, alam ni Colet na nakapanguso si Maloi ngayon. Colet lets out a soft chuckle at the mental image of Maloi pouting. “Kahit wag na, Loi. O’sya! Go na. Baka malate ka pa, hindi ka pa ba niya hinahanap?”

 

“On the way na siya kanina nung nag message siya eh, siguro malapit na yun ngayon.”

 

That’s my cue. Need ko na umalis dito, baka mamaya niyan makasalubong ko pa sila… Pagiisip ni Colet.  “Okay, have fun Loiii~”

 

“Anong have fun ka jan? Hayyy sorry talaga, Col. Babawi talaga ako sayo, promise!” 

 

“Oo na, sige na babye. Ibababa ko na ha.” Ibaba na sana ni Colet ang call pero narinig niyang patarantang nagsasalita si Maloi sa kabilang linya. “Hepp! Teka, di pa tayo tapos. Huyy, Colet~ buubbb, wag mo muna ibabaaaaaa~ Huhu”

 

“Oh, bakit? Ano meron?”

 

“Babawi ako sayo, wag kana tampo ha? Labyuuuu!!”

 

Napahinga na lang nang malalim si Colet. “Oh kita mo, sabi na tatampo to e. Buuuub, sabi ko labyu. Huuyy~”

 

“Oo na, labyu too. Enjoy ka today, hm? Next time nalang tayo. Haha.”

“Wuyyy, kulang naman. ‘Labyu too, bub.’ ganon dapat ah?”

“...”

 

“Osige. Kahit hanggang mamaya pa tayo dito bub, okay lang sakin.”

 

Natawa nalang si Colet. Di niya kasi branding yang mga ganyan, nakaka-cringe, at alam ni Maloi yon. Pero kahit pa ganon, alam niyang hindi siya titigilan ni Maloi, seryosong pwede silang magtagal hanggang mamaya pag hindi pa siya sumunod. “Boang talaga to. Labyu too, bub. Ayan! Okay na?”

 

“Mhm. Okay. Sige na nga, pwede mo na ibaba.”

 

After the call, Colet noticed the time. 10:27AM. Ilang oras na din pala talaga siya andito. Maka-uwi na nga. Magreview na nga lang ako.

 

 

---

 

“Kamusta date natin lods?” Bati sa kanya ni Mikha, blockmate niya na naging kaibigan na din niya.

 

It’s now Monday and ever since Saturday, she hasn’t heard from Maloi. It bothered her but she knew that Maloi had no obligation to update her, so she just diverted her focus and energy to review for her exams.

 

“Wala, di naman kami nagkita.” Tipid na sagot ni Colet, hoping na Mikha would drop the topic.

 

“Kaya pala nakabusangot ka jan. Nagdalawang isip pa nga akong lapitan ka kanina e.”

 

“Sira! Di ko kasi maintindihan tong problem na to, gets mo ba to?” Inabot ni Colet yung papel na kanina pa niya pinoproblema kay Mikha. Pagtanggap ni Mikha, agad nitong binasa ang mga nakasulat. “Hmm, bakit pala di kayo nagkita? Diba tradition niyo na yun? Anyare?”

 

“May kikitain daw siya eh, nalimutan niya sabihin.”

 

Tumango si Mikha. “Sakit ba? Selos ka? May karapatan ka ba?”

 

“T*ngina mo din e noh, isolve mo na lang yang problem na yan para matuwa naman ako sayo. Kainis to!”

 

Tumawa si Mikha. “‘To na nga e.”

 

Nagsimula na si Mikha magsagot habang si Colet naman ay pinapanood siya. Tutal, mukhang matagal pa naman matatapos si Mikha, naisipan na din ni Colet magkwento. “Di naman masakit. I mean, oo slight kasi nadisappoint ako kasi nga excited akong makita siya uli. Antagal na din namin hindi nagkikita eh. Kaso ayun nga, nalimutan ako sabihan di pala kami tuloy.”

 

“Sino ba kinita?”

 

“Yung manliligaw niya, namention ko na din sayo before. Yung Gian.”

 

Napatigil si Mikha sa pagsagot. “Oww, lagot tayo jan. Kala ko ba hindi naman siya nageentertain ng mga nanliligaw sa kanya? Anyare? Ba’t pumayag lumabas kasama yon?”

 

Nagkibit balikat si Colet. “Ewan ko nga din. Wala pa naman siyang nabanggit pati.”

 

Humarap si Mikha sa kanyang kaibigan at pinatong ang kanyang kamay sa balikat nito. Nagbuntong hininga siya bago magsalita. “Bro…”

 

Agad tinanggal ni Colet ang hawak sa kanya ni Mikha. “Stop. Ayoko marinig kung ano man yan, Mikhs. Ayoko na din muna isipin, baka wala ako lalo masagot sa exam.”

 

Natawa at napailing nalang si Mikha bago bumalik sa pagsagot. “Sige. After exams nalang.”

 

Tumango na lang din si Colet. May hint na din naman siya kung ano at tungkol saan ang sasabihin ni Mikha, ilang beses na din naman siya pinagsabihan nito tungkol kay Maloi. Parang sirang plaka na nga and she really can’t blame Mikha for looking out for her and her feelings. But Colet knows that Mikha understands her situation as well, that’s why kahit paulit ulit na, sinusuportahan pa rin niya si Colet.

 

 

---

 

Hindi na makapakali si Colet sa upuan niya. Pati si Mikha na katabi niya napapansin na din. “Col, alam ko naman na kakatapos lang ng exams natin last week and technically, review lang to nung mga inexam natin pero maghunos dili ka naman jan dzai, mapansin ka ni Ma’am. Halatang di ka nakikinig. Kanina ka pa din tingin nang tingin sa phone mo, ano ba meron? May emergency ba?” Tanong ni Mikha, sakto kasi may kausap na studyante yung prof nila, about sa correction sa paper niya, kaya okay lang na magusap sila.

 

Nagdalawang isip si Colet kung sasabihin niya ba, pero wala din naman siyang takas kasi magsasabay din naman sila mamaya palabas, tutal iisa lang naman entrance at exit ng school nila. “Hindi naman emergency, pero…si Maloi kasi nasa baba. Naghihintay sa tapat ng school.”

 

Nakita ni Colet na nagtaas ang mga kilay ni Mikha. “Oh? Bakit daw?”

 

“Hindi ko nga din alam, nag message lang kani-kanina. Sinabihan ko naman na di pa tayo dismissed pero malapit na. Tas sabi niya okay lang, magwait lang daw siya dun.”

 

Mikha nodded. “Baka eto na ung sinabi niyang babawi siya? May kopya kayo ng sched ng isa’t isa, diba? So alam niyang wala ka nang class after neto…”

 

Sinamaan ng tingin ni Colet si Mikha. “Oh, easy. Ikaw na nga tong tinutulungan mag isip kung bakit siya andito, ikaw pa tong galit.”

 

“Pinapaasa mo lang ako e.”

 

Ngumisi si Mikha. “Kahit naman hindi ko sabihin, umaasa ka na.”

 

Sasagutin pa sana ni Colet si Mikha pero biglang nagsalita ulit professor nila. “Okay, class. If wala na kayong concerns about your scores, you may go na. Class is dismissed.”

 

“Thank you, ma’am!”

 

Matapos nila mag ayos ng gamit ay lumabas na din ng room ang magkaibigan.

 

Nakaakbay si Mikha kay Colet papalabas ng school, huminto muna sila at nagtalo kung saan nila mahahanap si Maloi kasi kakasend lang din ng message ni Colet sa kanya na palabas na sila at nagtatanong saan siya naghihintay. Nawala kasi data ni Colet nung nasa elevator sila pababa.

 

“Baka anjan kela ate gee.” / “Boang, di yun nagyoyosi!” / “Oi di lang naman yosihan yun don tsaka nagssuggest lang naman ako ah? Nagreply na ba kung san siya?” / “Hindi pa nga eh—”

 

“bub!” Biglang sulpot ni Maloi sa harap nila. “Loi!” Bati naman ni Colet.

 

“Hi Janna.” Tipid na bati nito habang nakangisi.

 

“Lah, tong si boss naman sabing Mikhs nalang e.” Sagot naman ni Mikha sabay tanggal ng pagka-akbay niya kay Colet, natawa si Maloi. “Long time no see, boss. Gustuhin ko mang makipag daldalan, di pwede eh. Una na ako ah? Iyong iyo na to.” Sabay tulak kay Colet sa direksyon ni Maloi. Di man ganun kalakas, pero napunta na din talaga si Colet sa tabi ni Maloi.

 

Agad na napatingin si Colet kay Mikha. “Huh?”

 

“Oh bakit? Kala mo ikaw lang may lakad?”

 

“Ay, eh sa wala ka naman nasabi kanina kasi…”

 

“Sige, babye na. Enjoy sa date.” Natatawang pagpaalam niya sa dalawa bago sumakay sa jeep na nakatigil sa tapat, doon na din kasi talaga tumitigil mga jeep kasi maraming estudyante na bumababa at sumasakay dito.

 

Kumaway na lang ang dalawa kay Mikha habang umandar na paalis ang jeep.

 

“Loi.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Hindi naman sa ayaw ko pero…ano meron? Ba’t ka andito? May class ka pa ah?”

 

Napangiti si Maloi. “Alam na alam sched ko ah?” Tinitigan lang siya ni Colet, naghihintay ng sagot. “Cancelled afternoon classes namin, may emergency meeting daw ang faculty sa dept namin.”

 

“Oh, edi sana nagsabi ka, ako na lang dapat nagpunta. Bumiyahe ka pa tuloy.”

 

Nagkibit balikat si Maloi. “Mas nauna naman ako madismiss kaysa sayo, sakto lang dating ko oh. Anyway, igala mo na ako dito sa inyo. Palagi na din kasi tayo dun sa malapit sa school ko, nakakasawa na.”

 

“Sinasabi ko lang naman, mapagod ka pa mag commute papunta at pabalik. Next time ha?”

 

“Unfair naman sayo. Ikaw na palagi dumadayo eh.”

 

“Basta. Next time ha?”

 

Napailing na lang din si Maloi, “Oo na. Next time magsasabi agad ako. Gutom nako bub, kain tayo.”

 

“Okay. Ano gusto mo kainin?”

 

“Hmmm, san ka ba madalas kumain?”

 

“Dito lang sa paligid, tusok tusok. O’kaya pandog minsan. Sa condo na kasi ako kumakain ng meals talaga para tipid. Gutom na gutom ka na ba?”

 

Maloi nodded while pouting, to which Colet smiled at, “Okay, masyado matagal if ipagluto pa kita. Sige, tara. Dun nalang tayo sa gillids.”

 

“Hm? Gilid? Gilid ng ano?”

 

Natawa si Colet. “Gillids, Loi. Yun name nung restau.”

 

“Ohh, okay okay. Sorry na.”

 

“Tara, malapit lang naman yun dito.” Naunang maglakad si Colet, mga ilang hakbang din bago niya naramdaman bigla ang pagpulupot ng kamay ni Maloi sa braso niya. “First time ko lang malilibot dito. Ikaw kasi, ayaw mo akong pinapapunta dito. Sabihin mo totoo, Col, may tinatago kang babae mo noh?”

 

“Boang!”

 

“To naman, parang others. Sabihin mo na, di naman ako magagalit eh.”

 

“Hmm.” Napaisip si Colet. Patulan ko kaya to… “Talaga? Di ka magagalit?”

 

Ramdam na ramdam ni Colet ang biglang paghila ni Maloi sa braso siya, kasabay na nang pagtigil neto maglakad kaya naman ay napatigil din siya. “Hala!! So meron nga?!? Ba’t wala ka man lang nababanggit sakin?! Porket magkaiba na tayo ng school!”

 

Napatawa si Colet, di naman niya inakala na seseryosohin ni Maloi ang pagsakay niya sa trip neto. “Ambot sa’yo, Loi. Wait lang, sakto tatawid tayo. Focus ka muna sa daan.”

 

Mahigpit ang hawak ni Maloi sa kanya habang tumatawid sila. Nang makarating na sila sa kabilang side, di pinalampas ni Maloi ang bumalik sa pinaguusapan nila. “So, ano? Meron nga?” Yung tono ni Maloi, parang nag halong may inis at pagka-atat, biglang kinabahan si Colet dahil dito. Gusto lang naman niya sana magbiro, pero bakit biglang malalagot pa ata siya?

 

“Wala, Loi. Joke lang yun, sinakyan ko lang trip mo.”

 

“Talaga?”

 

“Oo, bub. Biro lang yon. Sorry na.”

 

Hearing Colet call her by their unofficial call sign, Maloi finally smiles. Minsan lang kasi siya tawagin ni Colet neto. “Okay.”

 

“Wag ka mag-alala. Kapag magkaroon, mauuna ka kay Mikhs maka-alam.”

 

Maloi pauses at first, caught off guard with Colet’s statement but she brushes it off in time as Colet looks at her. “Sabi mo yan ha.” She finally responds, to which Colet just nods and tugs her along to enter the restaurant. Nakarating na pala sila.

 

Sakto, wala gaanong tao kaya nakapwesto sila sa taas, doon kasi may aircon. Agad din sila inaccomodate ng staff at kasalukuyang naghihintay na lang sila maserve ang mga inorder nila.

 

Tahimik lang sila, parehas nagpphone. Although, si Colet wala naman talagang sadya sa phone niya, ayaw niya lang muna guluhin si Maloi habang busy siya, mukha kasing may seryosong kachat judging by how Maloi’s forehead is furrowed.

 

 

 

‘brooo san mo dinala ang boss ko’ biglang pop-up ang notif ng chat ni Mikha sa kanya.

 

dito sa gillids, masyadong mainit para paglakarin ko pa-noval e

 

sabagay

pero ano, natanong mo na ba bakit bigla sya pumunta?

 

cancelled daw afternoon classes nila, may mtg mga prof

 

c: so bumabawi nga siya sayooo

ok sige bye wag Monaco replyan focus kana kay boss

 

Monaco

 

*mo na ko

to naman, napindot lang ung suggested text e

ge na may date din ako hehe

 

???? DATE????

HOY LEGIT BA YAN BAT DI KA NAGKKWENTO

 

 

 

Magttype pa sana si Colet para iflood si Mikha pero napansin niya na nilapag na ni Maloi ang phone niya. “Sorry about that, may makulit na groupmate lang. Anyway, how did your hell week go, Col?”

 

“Huh? Ahh, ano, uhm.” Tinabi na din ni Colet ang phone niya. “Okay naman? Pasado naman mga exams. Yung iyo ba?”

 

“Okay din, sorry again sa pag-cancel last time.”

 

Colet fake smiles. Naalala na naman niya. “Kaya ka ba bigla pumunta ngayon?” Maloi nods. “Mhm. Actually kahapon pa sinabi ang cancellation of classes for this afternoon, so kahapon ko pa talaga pinipigilan sarili ko na imessage ka. Kasi alam kong ipipilit mong ikaw na ang pumunta. Pano nalang ako babawi sayo kung ganun, diba?”

 

Natawa si Colet. “Eh kahit naman ako pa ang pumunta, basta makita kita, okay na—” Maloi raises a brow, waiting for Colet to continue. “—I mean, well, basta magkita tayo”

 

Maloi leans forward and rests her head on her hand. “Mhm, sure sabi mo eh.”

 

“Ay, basta! Nakabawi ka na, okay na yun. Basta next time, magsabi ka agad.”

 

Maloi nods. “Still, I’m sorry. Ang hectic lang din kasi nung week na yun that’s why I forgot to inform you na may biglang that Saturday na pala kami mag-gawa nung project.”

 

Biglang lumiwanag ang paningin ni Colet. “Project?” Maloi nods. “Yea, honestly ang gulo kasi nila about their sched kaya biglaan lahat. Nasaktuhan pa na that Saturday kami mag-interview nung nakuha nilang respondent.”

 

“Nila? Group project ba yan?”

 

“Yes, bub.”

 

“Tas kagroup mo yung Gian?”

 

“Yea, why?”

 

“Ahh, wala naman. I see. For project naman pala, di mo naman need bumawi para dun, Loi.”

 

Maloi pouted, may sasabihin pa sana kaso naunahan siya nung staff,  “Eto na po order niyo, Ma’am.”

 

“Ahh, yes thank you po,” Habang wala sa kanya ang atensyon ni Maloi, Colet took it as an opportunity to send Mikha a message.

 

 

 

ok so kung totoo nga na may date ka today, congrats

next time na kita pipigain abt jan

pero update lang kita

dahil pala sa grp proj kaya nagcancel si loi noon

tas grpmate niya ung gian

:D

 

Once makaalis na ang staff, saktong tapos din ng pagmessage ni Colet kay Mikha. Pagkalapag niya ng phone niya ay inasikaso naman niya ang pag-punas ng utensils gamit tissue at pag-abot nito kay Maloi.

 

“Thank you.” Maloi said. “Anyway, I’m still apologizing kasi nga I forgot to tell you about it.”

 

Colet nods. “Okay na, Loi. I understand naman.”

 

“Sure? Di ka nagtampo? Tradition pa naman natin yung nacancel ko.”

 

Naramdaman ni Colet ang pagvibrate ng phone niya sa table. Nagreply si Mikha. ‘niceeee bawas na sa pag-ot mo :>’ Nabasa niya sa notifs.

 

“Feel ko oo eh. Wala kang paramdam simula nun eh.”

 

“Hoy, hell week ko after non, alam mo yon!”

 

Natawa si Maloi. “Defensive ahh. Fine, eh after ng hell week mo? Di ka padin nagmemessage. Nilakasan ko na nga lang loob ko kanina sa pagsend ng selfie na nasa tapat ako ng school mo...”

 

“Eh, hindi ka din naman nagmessage…”

 

“Ohh, see? Edi nagtampo ka nga?”

 

“Hindi ah.”

 

“Sure? Kahit tanungin ko pa si Mikha?”

 

“...”

 

“Kumain ka na nga, Loi. Akala ko ba sabi mo, gutom ka na?”

 

“Siguro di joke yung kanina na may tinatago kang babae mo.”

 

“Joke nga kasi yun ano ba yan, akala ko ba ako ung nagtatampo ba’t parang ikaw na?”

 

Ngumiti si Maloi. Nagtaka si Colet. “Ano, bakit ka nakangiti?”

 

“So, nagtampo ka nga?”

 

“Awa nalang, Loi.”

 

 

---

 

Hindi alam ni Colet kung ano ang dapat maramdaman niya. Kakaalis lang ng grab na sakay si Maloi at mag-isa na uli siya. Matapos nila kumain kanina, ayaw pa umuwi ni Maloi at nagpumilit na igala siya ni Colet sa area ng university niya kaya dinala na lang siya ni Colet sa isang game shop at naglaro sila ng overcooked. Masaya.

 

Masaya naman talaga, until napansin niyang nadidistract na si Maloi with her phone notifications.

 

Then a few more minutes, nag-excuse si Maloi kasi may tumawag and then pagbalik niya, nakasimangot, need daw niya bumalik sa campus niya kasi nagkakagulo daw groupmates niya, di malaman ang gagawin kahit na daw nung una ay sinabihan siya na okay na ang part niya.

 

So ayun, nakatayo parin si Colet kung saan nila hinintay yung grab ni Maloi, di alam kung ano pa nga bang ginagawa niya dito at para bang naninikip dibdib niya. Hirap makahinga.

 

 

 

mikhs

mikhs? sorry alam kong busy ka pero need ko lang ng distraction

 

Hello. This is Mikha’s date, she’s driving kasi and ako na pinareply niya kasi baka emergency. What’s up? Only if you feel comfortable sharing it with me also :)

 

hi sayo kung sino ka man

nice to meet you??

sorry sa istorbo

umm

okay lang naman ako?

ata?

idk

ano lang naman

kakaalis lang ni mal

tapos ewan ko ba

pero kasi..

hindi ako makahinga ng maayos

??

di ko na din alam

ok sorry sa flood msgs

wooh wait kaya ko to

 

 

 

Nakita niyang na-seen ang messages niya agad at makalipas lamang ng ilang sandali ay isang video call request na ang bungad sa screen niya from Mikha. Colet accepted the request and was genuinely surprised at whose face she saw on the screen because it’s been a while since she’s seen her.

 

“Aiah?!” The last time was some months ago when Maloi initiated and insisted that their college best friends should meet one another.

 

Aiah smiled and briefly showed Mikha who’s busy driving before answering. “She told me to video call nalang haha hello, Colet. Long time no see.”

 

“Teka? Ano? Kelan to nangyari? Alam ba to ni Maloi?”

 

“She does, actually. Siya naglakad sakin to Janna.”

 

“Siya naglakad sayo kay Janna? JANNA????”
 

“Oo kaya ako tinawag na Janna kanina ni boss, inaasar ako.”

 

“Anyway, wag muna about samin. How are you? Bakit umalis na si Maloi, eh she told me she was planning on staying with you until later pa?”

 

“Wala siyang nasabing ganon, pero mejo badmood siya nung paalis dahil sa group project ata.”

 

“Ahh, that one. I see..Well, there's not much we can do about that. Pero how are you? Di ka makahinga maayos sabi mo?”

 

Colet nodded. “Kanina, pero mejo umokay na kasi nabigla ako sa inyo. Piste, I mean, in a good way naman ung pagkabigla ko so, ah basta!”

 

They chuckle. “To be fair, sabi ko naman kay Janna sabihin na sayo. Siya lang may ayaw.”

 

“Uyy, gusto kong sabihin din sa kanya. Pero naisip ko kasi mas fun kapag nasurprise siya. Tulad ngayon!”

 

“Ewan ko sayo, Mikhs. O’sya, pasensya na sa istorbo talaga. Enjoy sa date. Uwi na muna ako.”

 

“Wait, Colet.”

 

Tumingin lang siya sa screen at hinintay kung ano sasabihin ni Aiah. “Tell Maloi.”

 

“Na ano?”

 

“Na you felt that way when she left.” / “oo nga pre, sepanx ka jan malala tas di ka man lang magsabi kay boss”

 

“Wag na, okay naman na ako. Maguilty lang yon.”

 

“I insist, Colet. I just know she already feels guilty leaving so early and kung alam mo lang kung gaano siya kalungkot this past two weeks kasi di kayo masyado naguusap…kaya please do let her know about this.”

 

Natahimik si Colet. Alam niya kung ano pinaparating ni Aiah. Sabihin mo sa kanya na namiss mo siya.

 

“Colet?”

 

“Aiah. Sinabi ni Mikhs sayo noh?”

 

“Huy wala akong sinasabi ahh!!”

 

“Onga eh, pati tong sa inyo ni Aiah wala kang sinabi. Humanda ka sakin bukas!”

 

Aiah smiled. “She didn’t need to tell me anything actually.”

 

“Halata ba ako masyado?”

 

“To me, yes. Though, I’m not sure if I can say the same for Maloi.”

 

“Okay.” Colet sighed. “Basta, uuwi muna ako. Babye, ingat kayo.”

 

“Bye pre! Wag mo ko masyado ihotseat bukas!” / “Bye, Col. Ingat ka din. Talk to Maloi, ha?”

 

 

---

 

Maloi’s been waiting for a reply from Colet after the latter told her to let her know once she arrives back in Taft but it’s been hours and she hasn’t heard from Colet. Maloi’s also back in her condo, long done with the emergency group meeting and it’s still only a little past eight o’clock in the evening.

 

“Baka she fell asleep lang? Janna does that din kasi e.” Ang sabi sa kanya ni Aiah kanina on their call. Nagtaka pa nga si Maloi kung bakit siya tinatawagan ni Aiah kasi ang alam niya busy dapat ito sa date nila ni Janna, pero nakauwi na din pala ito and was just checking on her because she heard about how Maloi’s plans with Colet were cut short earlier.

 

Naisip na din naman ni Maloi yon, na baka nga nakatulog lang si Colet, o di kaya’y busy magsagot ng sample problems. But for some reason, Maloi feels that something is off, she can’t help but feel worried not hearing from Colet, ilang oras na din kasi. Tsaka pati ung message niya mismo, sent lang ang status. Meaning, Colet is offline. 

 

It wasn’t until around 10 PM when she randomly opened her instagram app and was greeted with the sight of Colet’s icon encircled with that infamous green line. Colet has posted a close friend’s story. Hindi na nagaksaya ng oras si Maloi at viniew agad ito, hindi niya alam kung ano ang inexpect niyang makita, pero for sure, what she saw wasn’t one of them.

 

Colet went for a drive. Hindi man kita ni Maloi kung saan napadpad si Colet dahil madilim at blurry ang picture na inupload nito, pero it was obvious that she wasn’t in the Metro.

 

Maloi frowns. Colet seldom goes out for a drive, and whenever she does, she always asks Maloi to come with her. May pinagdadaanan ba siya na ayaw niyang ipaalam sakin? Maloi only felt worse at the question that popped into her mind. Because if that were the case, Colet was really good at hiding it since Maloi didn’t sense anything earlier when they were together.

 

 

 

Hey, i saw that u went for a drive. i won't ask na muna but please, take extra caution. it's late, so let me know pag nakauwi ka na, hm? call me, di ko i-silent phone ko. that or come straight back to me.

 

i love you, cole

 

 

 

Cole. She seldom calls her that. Ayaw din kasi ni Colet na may gumagamit non. Nanay niya lang daw tumatawag sa kanya nun. She said it was too baring, making her feel too vulnerable to be called ‘Cole’ because it was a nickname filled with warm memories with someone who's no longer around. That's why it is rare for Maloi to refer to Colet as such, kasi alam niya kung gaano kalalim ang sugat na maaaring maungkat, alam niya kung gaano kahalaga ito for Colet; to let her know about the memories that come along with a simple nickname, and to even allow Maloi to use it.

 

Maloi then is reminded of the first time she learned about Colet’s flight response tendency. It wasn’t a pleasant one and it never will be, for it was their first major fight. It was during their freshman year, just a few weeks shy from the start of the academic year. Magkahiwalay na sila because Maloi chose to stay in Taft while Colet opted for a slight change in environment, in the heart of U-Belt.

 

Small misunderstanding lang sana about their free schedule to meet one another, kaso parehas nila pinairal pride and eventually, Colet got so frustrated mid argument and fled. Maloi didn’t hear from her until a few days later when she received a message from Colet that simply read:

 

 

 

I’m sorry. I know we're still not okay, pero pwede mo ba ako samahan ngayon? Di ko kakayanin maging magisa ngayon Mal, kailangan kita.

 

Mal…wala na daw si mama, mal…

 

 

 

That night, pareho sila walang tulog. Maloi accompanied Colet as she drove around with no particular destination in mind, kasi ayaw niya daw mapirmi sa condo. Lalo lang daw siya mababaliw. Hindi kasi siya makakauwi basta basta sa province nila. As for Maloi, ayaw niya din matulog kahit na pasahero lang naman siya. Ayaw niyang iwan na mag-isang gising si Colet.

 

Hence, the reason behind why Maloi started their tradition to meet and spend time with one another before and after their hell weeks, is because Colet responds to stress in an unhealthy way. Her usual palaban personality is just a front, she’s really the type to drop and leave everything just to take a breather.

 

Kaya din talaga hindi alam ni Maloi kung anong iisipin niya ngayon. Hindi niya alam kung anong naging trigger ni Colet ngayon.

 

Sa lalim ng pag-iisip niya, di na niya namalayang nakatulog na pala siya. Nagising na lang siya kasi nagrring at vibrate phone niya.

 

“Hello?” Maloi answered sleepily.

 

“Uyy, gising ka na?”

 

Alam na alam ni Maloi kung sino may ari ng boses na yun kaya naman agad siyang bumangon, “Colet! Anong oras na? Asan ka?? Nakauwi ka na ba???”

 

“Lagpas 5am pero, no, di pa ako nakakauwi.”

 

“Ha? So asan ka nga???”

 

“Dito, sa labas ng condo mo. Sabi mo balik ako agad sayo? Bangon ka na jan, pagbuksan moko pinto. Di ko pala dala yung spare key ko.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“May dala akong breakfast, pagbuksan mo nako ng pinto, Mal.”

 

“Huh??? Wait—”

 

Hindi na niya na-end call, agad na lang siya umalis ng kama and clumsily made her way to open the door. Lo and behold, Colet was indeed on the other side, may takeout bag na dala. Binaba na ni Colet yung call. “Good morning, di na ako bumili ng drinks ha?”

 

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Maloi, hinila niya agad papalapit sa kanya ang dalagang nasa harap niya at inakap ito ng mahigpit. “San ka naman nagpunta! Jusko Colet!!”

 

Colet let herself settle in Maloi’s embrace and tried her best to reciprocate it despite the things she was carrying. “Sorry, nagpahangin lang naman ako.”

 

Bumitaw na sila sa isa’t isa and before Colet could even make her way to put the takeout bag on the ncounter, hinampas siya ni Maloi. Di naman gaano kalakas. “Nagpahangin! Ba’t di moko sinabihan? Nag-off ka pa ng phone mo.”

 

Hindi sumagot si Colet, nagsimula lang siyang maghain nung pagkaing dala niya. “Di ko nadala yung powerbank ko, kahit cable to charge my phone sana sa kotse. Kaya in-off ko para di agad malowbat.”

 

“Oh tapos kung di ka pa nag-story, di ko pa malalaman.”

 

“Actually dapat direct message yun sayo pero ganun na din naman yun. Ikaw at si Mikha lang naman nasa close friends list. Tapos ikaw lang nag-seen, alam mo bang hanggang ngayon di nags-seen yun?”

 

Maloi sighed. “San ka nagpunta?”

 

“Rizal. Ganda pala don, tara minsan.”

 

Maloi is confused. Mukha namang okay lang talaga si Colet, she's calm and sure, she looks tired, pero that could be attributed to the fact na she's been away the whole night, probably hasn't even slept yet. “May class ka pa later…natulog ka na ba?“

 

Colet shook her head. “Mamaya pa naman 3 PM, kaya naman. Alis nalang din ako agad after kumain.”

 

Sumimangot si Maloi. “No. Dito ka na magsleep. Afternoon pa din naman class ko, sabay nalang tayo labas ng condo maya. Pahiramin na din kita ng damit para di ka na mahassle dumaan pa ng condo mo. Okay?”

 

“Sige, sakto wash day namin.” Sagot ni Colet.

 

Maloi didn’t respond anymore, she instead studied the girl. Colet just sat there, probably waiting for Maloi to take the seat across from her so that they could eat. But neither of them moved nor started to eat. Maloi saw how Colet was staring at nothing in particular, deep in her thoughts. The food on the table remained untouched, and so Maloi decided on her own.

 

She set the food aside, safe into her refrigerator, and only then did Colet move and look at her, puzzled. “Let's eat it nalang later for lunch bago umalis. Let's sleep nalang muna, parang babagsak ka na jan eh. Tsaka inaantok pa din naman ako.” Maloi reasoned out.

 

“Right, okay. Sorry.”

 

Maloi shook her head, “It's fine, bub. Come na, itulog nalang muna natin, hm?” Colet nodded and let herself be dragged by Maloi to her bedroom. It's not the first time that they'll be sharing a bed, they've had their fair share of sleepovers so it's not a big deal. They both settle in their own sides of the bed.

 

“Mal?”

 

Maloi blinked. She's heard Colet call her that earlier, di lang niya masyado binigyan pansin. Baka tinatamad lang siya buoin name ko…

 

“Mal, alam kong gising ka pa”

 

Maloi mentally shrugs the thoughts away. “Sorry, sleepy lang. Ano yun? Did you want to talk?”

 

“No, favor lang sana.”

 

“Sure, what is it?”

 

“Can you hold me to sleep?”

 

Maloi sat up abruptly, facing Colet's direction, eyes wide open. Physical touch is at the bottom of Colet's love languages preferences. Never siyang nag initiate and usually, she just lets Maloi be for skinship. She tells Maloi naman if she's uncomfortable na but she has never asked for anything like this, let alone a hug. Come to think of it, Maloi realizes Colet reciprocated the hug earlier.

 

“Mal, ang oa.”

 

Ayan ka na naman sa Mal na yan e, ano ba ibig sabihin niyan... Shortcut lang naman ng name ko yan, noh? Pero bakit? Mukha naman di ka tinatamad magsalita. “Sorry! Na-excite lang. Come here na.” Maloi opens her arms and waits for her. Colet brings herself closer to Maloi’s side and although awkwardly, she joins their personal spaces into one.

 

She hesitated but eventually, she wrapped her arms around Maloi as well and rested her head at the crook of Maloi’s neck. “Baka masanay ka ah. Ngayon lang to.” Inunahan na niya ito.

 

“Oo na, oo na. Good night, Colet.”

 

“Goodnight, Mal.”

 

“...”

 

“Mal?”

 

 

---

 

Thank god it’s Friday. Though Maloi had never been thankful for her Friday schedules, she’d never been lucky for them because it’s always jump packed. That's why, every Friday night as she walks back to her condominium building (this time, with Aiah), all Maloi thinks of is how comfortable her sleep would be, how satisfying it would be to sleep in the next day since she doesn't have classes.

“Ms. Ricalde? Ma’am! Ma’am??” Maloi and Aiah were on their way to queue for the elevator when she heard the guard at her condo lobby try to get her attention. Puzzled, the two of them approach the counter. “Kuya, I’m also a tenant na ha. Baka you’re thinking I need to log pa. I already moved in last weekend po.” Aiah explained.

 

“Ay, hindi po ma’am. Alam ko po yun, hehe. May nagiwan lang po ng package for Ms. Maloi Ricalde. Eto po oh?” Sabi ng receptionist, habang nilapag ang isang paperbag sa counter, may sticky note pa with her name written on it. Familiar yung handwriting….

 

Maloi raised a brow. “Sino po nagpadala?”

 

Ngumiti ng malaki ang guard. “Yung girlfriend niyo po, ma’am. Hehe, dumaan po kanina para ibilin to. Nagmamadali po kasi siya, di na daw kayo maaabutan.”

 

Maloi blinked. “...po?” Aiah looked at her, surprised. “Girlfriend?”

 

“Ehhh, to naman si Ma’am. Kala mo po di ko alam? Yung kasama niyo po nung isang araw, yung madaling araw dumating dito tas kasabay niyo po lumabas nung hapon?”

 

Aiah bursted out laughing. She knew exactly who the guard was pertaining to. While Maloi on the other hand, immediately felt how her face went red and hot. “K-kuya, di…po…” she tried to say, in a small voice, fading farther out with each syllable. She is suddenly reminded of what happened the rest of that morning.

 

 

 

(“Why did you go for a drive pala?”

 

The two of them were all prepped up to leave for their respective schools, just eating the food Colet brought earlier for brunch.

 

“Nagpahangin nga lang ako.”

 

“You already said that kanina, duda ako na yun lang.”

 

Maloi heard Colet sigh, and watched as Colet set aside her plate, long finished with her portion. “Okay, I was overwhelmed, kaya nagpahangin ako.” This alarmed Maloi. “What happened??”

 

Colet bit her lower lip, contemplating her words. “Cole? It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me now, just know that—”

 

“Namiss kasi kita, Mal.” Colet cut her off.

 

“Huh? What…do you mean?”

 

“Namiss kita.” Colet said with conviction before taking a deep breath. “Di ko alam, pero nung pinapanood ko ung grab mo paalis, parang gusto ko umiyak, nahirapan pa ako huminga…bawat ikot nung gulong, bawat metrong papalayo ka, lalo ko lang naisip na wala ka na sa tabi ko.”

 

Maloi blinked, her jaw slightly ajar.

 

Colet began to set their used plates and utensils aside. “It’s okay, I’m okay naman na. Sorry for worrying you last night. Ako na maghugas nito, mag toothbrush ka na para maka-alis na tayo. Alam kong onting tawid mo lang nasa school ka na, pero malapit na din kasi mag 1 PM, baka malate ka pa.” Maloi just nodded and did what she was told, still rendered speechless about Colet’s sudden confession.

 

Colet walked Maloi up to her campus’ main entrance. “I’ll see you soon?” She asked, smiling. Maloi pouted. “Oh, bakit ka naka-pout?”

 

“I’m sorry. For leaving early kahapon. Pambawi ko pa naman sana yun, tas ganon…”

 

Colet chucked and lightly tapped on Maloi’s forehead. “Okay na yun, wag na isipin. Okay tayo. Tigil na din magpout, sige ka magkaka-wrinkles ka niyan sa noo mo.” This, however, wasn't successful in convincing the other to stop pouting.

 

“Malelate ka talaga neto, sige ka..”

 

“Ehhh.”

 

“Hug, Mal?” Colet offered, her arms wide and welcoming. Maloi’s eyes widened. “Huy, ano nangyari sa’yo kagabi? Di ka ganito!” Colet laughed, still waiting for Maloi to come closer. “Ayaw mo ba? Sige—” Colet was about to let her arms rest when Maloi jumped into her space and into the hug. “Wala ako sinabing ayaw!”

 

“See you soon, Mal.” Colet said, once they broke off the hug. “Two syllables na nga lang nickname ko, tinamad ka pa.”

 

Colet only smiled.

 

“See you soon, Cole.”)

 

 

 

“Ay, tsaka eto pa po pala.” Biglang naglapag ng isa pa si Kuya sa counter, this time it was a single crochet flower. A sunflower in a pot crochet. Nagtaka naman ni Maloi dahil dito. “Kasama po yan sa binilin niya po, Ma’am.”

 

Aiah kept laughing. “Oh, what are you waiting for? Why aren’t you grabbing your girlfriend’s gifts ha?” Maloi couldn’t find any words to say, so she just grabbed them, fortunately the elevator doors opened. “Thank you po, kuya!” Maloi said, heading for the elevator with Aiah trailing close behind.

 

“Wag mo na itanong. Hindi…hindi kami.” Maloi said, after pushing their respective floor buttons and leaning against the elevator wall. Aiah chuckled in response. “I know, I wasn’t even gonna ask naman. Pero, ano yan? What’d she get you?”

 

Maloi took a peek inside the paper bag. They were clothes, the clothes she lent Colet the other day. Huh? Ba’t binalik agad…? Aiah also took a peek. “Huh? Don’t you have that already?”

 

Maloi realized she was still holding the sunflower in a pot crochet so she put it inside the paper bag too, may space pa naman. “Ahh, yea. These are mine.”

 

“Huh?”

 

The elevator reached Maloi’s floor. “Baka binalik lang niya yung pinahiram ko nung isang araw. Haha, I'll go ahead na, nighty night Aiah~”

 

“Oh, yea. good nighttt!”

 

Maloi didn’t realize she was frowning until she entered her unit, removed her shoes to wear her slippers, and was greeted by her own reflection on the mirror. She pouted. “Bakit kasi niya binalik agad? Neutral tone na nga pinahiram ko..di pa niya pinatagal until mga next month, ganon…” She fished her phone out of her pocket and agad niyang napansin na may unread message siya from Colet.

 

 

 

hi loi

galing ako jan, drinop off ko ung pinahiram mong damit nung isang araw

nalabahan ko naman na yan!! hehe thank u ulit

 

ay wag ka pala mabibigla kung magstory akong nasa kotse, im not alone naman

nagkaayaan kasi cmates ko ng gala, gamit namin kotse ko

pero si mikhs pinagddrive ko hehe

 

kakauwi ko lang

thanks for letting me knowww
san punta niyo at nakuha mo pang dumaan dito

 

tagaytay. along the way ka, kaya dinaan ko na

tas sila mikhs, sai, tsaka si ciel lang kasama ko pala

 

okok enjoyyy

ung sunflower, para saan pala?

 

haha

wala lang

cute kasi kaya binili ko, b1t1 yan nasakin ung isa

may iba pa jan sa loob nung paper bag, mga di ko nabigay last time

 

 

 

Maloi blinked. Wait, ano nangyayari? Nagbackread si Maloi. Bakit…bakit siya ganito?

 

 

 

ay malowbat na pala ko

good night in advance sayo

msg nalang din ako pagkauwi

 

 

 

anong nangyayari…? Hindi na muna siya nag-reply, nag-heart react muna siya dun sa goodnight message saka niya chineck kung ano pang laman nung paper bag bukod sa damit niya.

 

Cat themed stickers and notepad.

Sour gummies and a few tubes of goya chacha minis.

 

Little things that makes Maloi happy, though she doesn't recall mentioning them to Colet or to anyone, for that matter. Pero ganun naman talaga si Colet, attentive. Ang di lang magets ni Maloi, bakit biglang may pa-ganito? Hindi naman sa ayaw niya, kaso ayaw niya lang madagdagan mga delusyon niya sa buhay. Kaya nga nagsettle siya bilang bestfriend kasi alam niyang di siya magugustuhan pabalik ni Colet eh.

 

Kinuha na niya muna yung damit niya para ilagay sa cabinet nang mapatigil siya kasi naamoy niya ito, kaamoy ni Colet. Napabuntong hininga na lamang si Maloi. Pag sinuswerte ka nga naman…

 

 

 

nakita ko na mga binigay mo

para saan ba tong mga to ha may atraso ka noh

hehe pero thank u!! howd u kno i love these?!! 🥺💕

sana nagsama ka ng jacket mo para natuwa ako lalo

hahahahahahhaajklanhggg

enjoy sa gala, ingat!!

thank u and goodnight din

 

 

 

The next day, tanghali na nagising ni Maloi. First thing she did was check her phone, just a few notifications, most of which were from Colet informing her about what time she got back and a “jacket ko? haha sge next time”. Hindi na muna inopen to ni Maloi, baka kasi kung ano pang sumapi sa kanya sa pag reply dito. Kagabi pa siya sinusubok nito.

 

Instead, Maloi opted to open her Instagram app, kaso wala pa rin pala siyang takas. Bungad yung story ni Colet, which was a reshared story from someone whose username was ‘saimo’, probably the ‘Sai’ Colet mentioned last night. Maloi doesn't know, because she only knows Mikha personally as Colet's friend in university. Si Mikha lang naman kasi ipinakilala ni Colet sa kanya, the rest namemention lang ang name.

 

So there, imagine Maloi's surprise seeing a gorgeous girl with an arm resting over Colet's shoulders as they pose for the camera, all chummy. With the caption, “finally, @vergaraco 😌”. The added thumbs up and laughing emojis by Colet didn't help in bettering Maloi's soured mood. She closed the app immediately and decided she needed caffeine first, and a spot of breakfast—or rather, brunch, too.

 

 

---

 

Few weeks have passed since they last saw each other. It wasn’t supposed to be a big deal, Maloi supposes she’s just gone clingier and has been constantly missing Colet. But was she going to do something about it?

 

No. Not after seeing the same girl in Colet’s instagram story (sometimes Mikha’s too) from time to time.

 

No, not even after noticing the shift in the way Colet’s been communicating with her. Maloi can't pinpoint what exactly changed, just that it feels different, the good kind.

 

Maloi is still getting used to it though, trying her best to not fall any deeper than she already was with her bestfriend. That's why she wasn't planning to meet Colet anytime soon, the distance should do her good.

 

“Girl, do you not have your phone on you ba?” was the first thing Aiah said, instead of greeting her. Maloi raised a brow. “Hm? Why? Nasa bag ko lang. Tinamad ako kunin once I got seated eh.” She explained, halos kakarating lang din naman niya sa room.

 

“Booooo. Kakastory mo lang nun when we were trying to contact you eh. You were in our condo’s elevator.” That’s true, Maloi did post a story while she was inside the elevator, on her way back to campus, with the caption ‘bwisit na class, istorbo sa pagn-nap’.

 

“Huh? Sinong ‘we’?”

 

Usually, she and Aiah spend lunch together. But Aiah had a meeting with her orgmates so Maloi, although Aiah said she can come with, was not particularly in the mood to try and socialize with other people and opted to go back to her condo to eat lunch there and nap. They had a long lunch break kasi, usually din naman she and Aiah goes back to whoever’s condo between the two of them to nap, sometimes sa library. Aiah was about to respond when Maloi realized she forgot something. “Ay halaaa, nakalimutan ko yung ng jacket ko!”

 

It’s a four hour subject ahead of them, and unfortunately for them, their assigned seats were right in the air condition unit’s direction. Maloi pouted and looked at Aiah, looking all cozy in her fleece jacket. “Sabi na may naiwan ako e.”

 

Aiah chuckled. “Exactly what this is for.” 

 

Maloi was about to ask what she meant, but Aiah had already pulled a familiar jacket out of her bag and put it on Maloi’s desk. “There. You didn’t let me finish kasi, Colet was calling you. You weren’t replying to me din, kaya I said I’ll just bring it with me na lang since we’re classmates.”

 

“Colet? Pumunta siya dito???”

 

Aiah nodded. “Yep, she and Janna dropped by. Actually no, scratch that kasi they're still around, I did tell them not to wait for us kasi nga matagal pa matatapos to, but they insisted. Said they'll just study nalang daw while they wait, so why not? Then I went here na.”

 

Maloi grabbed Colet’s jacket. Colet's favorite one. The one which Maloi knows that Colet doesn’t lend to just anyone. And yet, it was here, right in front of her, and gods it smells like Colet.

 

Maloi turned her attention back to Aiah. “Don’t ask me how she knew na you didn’t bring one, she didn’t mention anything else to me eh. Just made sure na I give it directly to you.”

 

Maloi carefully wore it and embraced herself, taking in Colet’s scent. She was about to get her phone to send Colet a short message of gratitude but their professor arrived, marking the official start of the class. Bawal na magphone. She decided to not mind it too much, magkikita naman sila mamaya. Later na lang.

 

Some time into the lecture, Maloi unconsciously put a hand into one of the pockets and she felt something in it. She fished it out and realized it was a folded paper. She carefully unfolded it and saw that it was a note addressed to her, from Colet.

 

 

 

HI. :) SORRY, DI SIYA TOTALLY BAGONG LABA, SUOT KO SIYA KANINA ACTUALLY, PINABANGUHAN KO NALANG ULIT. NAKITA KO KASI STORY MO NA DI KA NAKA LONG SLEEVES, EH DIBA NGAYON UNG SUBJECT MONG APAT NA ORAS? PALAGI MO SINASABI MALAMIG JAN. PASABI KAY AIAH THANKS ULI. WAIT NAMIN KAYO NI MIKHS.

 

 

 

It took a moment for Maloi for it to sink in. May iba talaga sa kanya e…may nag-iba…

 

After class, she and Aiah went straight to where Aiah thought Colet and Mikha were waiting for them, the coffee shop Aiah left them in. To their surprise, as they were approaching their campus’ exit gates, they spotted the two waiting for them to come out.

 

Maloi was feeling absolutely ecstatic, she couldn’t wait to show off to Colet how she’s sporting her jacket. Until, she realized Colet wasn’t looking at her and was rather avoiding her eyes. Even when they were already in front of them, Colet didn’t spare her a glance.

 

“Janna? I thought you two were going to wait for us sa cafe?” Aiah was the first to ask. Mikha smiled and helped Aiah with her things despite having her own things to carry. “Hey, babe. Let me.” Sana all. Maloi caught herself thinking.

 

Aiah, although hesitant, let Mikha carry her things. “Dumami na kasi tao, babe. Nahiya na kami magstay don eh tapos naman na kami sa problem set namin.”

 

Colet nodded. “And patapos na din naman kayo nun, kaya sabi ko dito na lang kami maghintay. Lilipat din naman tayo para magdinner.”

 

“Kayo na pala magdecide saan, babe. Di naman namin kabisado ni Colet dito.” Mikha said. “Ay, joke. Baka kabisado niya pala.” Colet playfully hit Mikha’s shoulder. “Sira.”

 

Maloi bit her lip. Palagi ba si Colet dito? Aiah just laughed it off. “Alright, is it okay if we have mexican?” The two nodded. “How about you, Loi?”

 

“Hm?” Maloi looked at Aiah. “Ahh, El Poco?”

 

Aiah nodded. “There or Bad Burrito. Whichever naman is good. Though, El Poco is nearer. What do you think?”

 

“Ay, masarap daw don, sa El Poco.” Colet suddenly said. Maloi suddenly felt her world crumble. Daw?? Sino nagsabi sa kany— “Palagi ko nakikita yun sa FB e. Puro okay naman comments.”

 

Ay. Okay. Nevermind.

 

Aiah smiled. “Okay, it’s settled. Dun na tayo so you can see, or taste rather, for yourself.” Colet nodded.

 

“Hehe, thank you for agreeing to mexican! I was craving for tacos kasi.”

 

The four of them started to walk with Aiah and Maloi leading the two visitors. Maloi can hear the two friends talking behind them but she can’t hear enough to understand. Lalo na, Aiah was speaking to her as well.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Maloi spared Aiah a glance before returning her focus to the road she’s walking on. “Okay naman ako, why do you ask?”

 

“Wala, you look bothered kasi. Tapos the two of you didn’t greet each other pa, or did you? I didn’t notice kasi.”

 

“Hm? Okay naman kami ah? Di naman kami nag-away recently, tsaka mahaba pa ang oras na magkakasama tayo, kakain pa tayo dinner oh, bakit pati di namin pag-hi-hello sa isa’t isa pinupulis mo….”

 

“Oh, you are bothered about something, halos puro tagalog yun eh…”

 

Maloi sighed. “Okay, maybe I am sulking na di niya ako grineet kanina. Pero kasi, ako din naman di nag-hi, so quits lang kami.”

 

Aiah shook her head. “You know what, sometimes I don’t get you.”

 

“Shush, babe. We’re fine, don’t worry about it.”

 

“Kahit magkatabi pa kayo later?”

 

“Kahit kumandong pa ako sa kanya.”

 

Maloi, however, did not need to sit on Colet’s lap during dinner. There were enough seats for everyone, so they sat beside each other while the couple sat across from them. Dinner went well, naka-five birria tacos si Maloi which was a +2 to her usual, and it was free because the two visitors insisted it was their treat. Maloi didn’t mind it much, kasi di naman talaga siya pinagbabayad ni Colet everytime na nagkikita sila. Pinagtatalunan pa nila yun before, pero ayaw talaga ni Colet kaya napagod na lang din si Maloi makipagtalo at tinanggap na lang niya. Bumabawi naman siya sa ibang bagay.

 

Aiah retaliated about it however, so to appease her, she bought everyone ice cream and made everyone promise na next time, she and Maloi would be the ones paying.

 

Maloi is already in her unit. Hinatid sila nung dalawa sa building nila ni Aiah. At isa na yun sa hindi maintindihan ni Maloi kay Colet ngayong gabi.

 

Okay naman sila ni Colet. Wala naman silang pinagayawan nung mga nakaraang araw. Sadyang, di lang sila masyado nag usap ngayon. Nagsasalita naman sila, pero tuwing kinakausap lang sila nila Aiah or Mikha. Baka wala lang sa mood si Colet? Minsan ganun kasi siya; ayaw kumausap ng tao pero ayaw din mapag isa, kaya hinayaan niya na lang. Besides, Colet still took care of her tonight, she was attentive to Maloi’s needs, even the ones Maloi wasn’t even aware of.

 

Kanina kasi muntik nang masawsaw buhok niya sa birria soup. If it weren’t for Colet who moved her hair out of the way, matutulog siguro si Maloi ngayon na ang naamoy siya is birria. Joke, syempre maliligo naman siya. Pero the point is, Colet moved her hair out of the way and then tied Maloi’s hair for her, since Maloi’s hands were preoccupied with the tacos and Colet was yet to start with hers. Ultimo onting dumi sa mukha ni Maloi because of the food, si Colet nagpupunas. Then, on their way to their condo, Colet carried her things. (Though, dinaan niya sa biro si Maloi nun with, “Ako na, Loi. Bigat na bigat ka na nga sa sarili mo kasi sabi mo andami mo kinain eh. Ako na dito.”)

 

Maalaga naman talaga si Colet, kahit dati pa. Pero may nag-iba kasi talaga. Hindi pa din ma-pinpoint ni Maloi kung ano. Basta. Iba.

 

heyy

thank u for tonight <3

altho… is it just me or

galit ka ba sakin

like may nagawa ba ako unknowingly na ikinagalit mo :(

please let me kno huhuhu

hindi mo kasi masyado ako kinausap tonight

or am i just reading too much into it?

 

 

 

Hindi na natiis ni Maloi. Kanina pa kasi niya iniisip talaga. Balak niya kasi mags-shower siya muna, para din magather niya muna thoughts niya. Afterwards, dun niya pa lang sana balak magmessage kay Colet. Kaso, hindi na niya natiis kaya nagmessage na siya. Tinitigan niya ang screen niya, delivered lang status. Ilang minuto niyang inintay na ma-seen yung message niya, pero wala padin. Nainip na siya kaya napagdesisyunan niyang magshower na muna.

 

She was in the process of removing her layers of clothing when she realized she was still wearing Colet’s favorite jacket.

 

 

 

hala!!! ung jacket mo pala di ko nabalik huuwhshwuuu

ETO BA YON KAYA KA BA DI NAMAMANSIN HUASFIDHF

SORRY ETO NA PAPALALAMOVE KO NA

 

 

 

Maloi received a reply just a few moments later, in the form of a voice message. “Mal I’m still on the way to my condo, kakadrop off ko lang kay Mikhs. Still driving so di pa dapat ako mag-rereply kaso baka kung anu ano na isipin mo pag mamaya pa ako magreply based on your messages. Red light lang ngayon kaya vinoice message ko na since mas matagal magtype. I’m not mad, I was just…bothered by something. Basta, don’t mind it. Di ako galit and um, about my jacket. Keep it.”

 

“Ha? Anong keep it?? Eh favorite mo to? Teka, lalabhan ko na now baka sabihin mo amoy tacos pa, ipapadala ko na lang bukas.” Ginaya nalang din niya, nag voice message siya.

 

“Keep it, Mal. It looks good on you.”

 

Maloi just kept replaying that voice message.

 

Keep it, Mal. It looks good on you. Hindi na siya nakapagreply.

 

Keep it, Mal. It looks good on you. Hindi na din naman niya kasi alam kung ano irereply don.

 

Keep it, Mal. It looks good on you.  Ang alam niya lang, eto yun.

 

Yung hindi niya ma-pinpoint kanina. Yung nag-iba kay Colet. Yung mga pa-ganyan niya, yung pag-alaga at pakikitungo niya kay Maloi, para bang may laman na. Para bang may gustong iparating.

 

Meanwhile, in a neighboring town of Manila, Colet stopped her car somewhere on the side of the road and called Mikha. A few rings and finally a, “oh baket? Miss mo na agad? Mali ka ba ng natawagan? Alam ko parehas kami M, pero si Mikha to ah.”

 

“Mikhs.”

 

“Baket nga!!”

 

“P*tang*na mo.”

 

“Ano naman ginawa ko??”

 

“Wala, gusto ko lang magmura. Ge. Bye.”

 

“Taena neto, tumawag para murahin ako. Si boss nga tawagan mo! Ampo…”

 

“Bat ko naman tatawagan yun para murahin? Eh mahal ko yon.”

 

“Ahh mahal, oo nga pala. Kaya nga pala tinatawag mo siyang ‘mal’ para di masyado halata since—P*TANG*NA MO, di ka nga makaimik nung nakita mo siya suot jacket mo kanina e! Pangit mo kiligin buii! Di man lang namansin?? Taena kung ako si boss tinarayan kita e!!” 

 

“Hoy! Wala ka narinig sakin sa paglandi mo kay Aiah kanina ah!”

 

“Okay, edi sige bye. Letse to.”

 

“Okay, bye.”

 

 

---

 

Maloi can’t sleep. She’s been tossing and turning around in bed, trying to find a comfortable position to fall asleep in, but it’s been hours and she’s still wide awake.

 

Parang kanina lang kinikilig pa siya kasi paulit ulit sa utak niya yung “Keep it, Mal. It looks good on you.” ni Colet. Pero agad tong nabawi nung after niya makapagshower and nightly skin care routine niya. Nagpapatuyo na lang siya ng buhok nung may nakita siya. Bawi agad lahat ng kilig na naipon niya.

 

‘saimo’ posted a story, picture ni Colet from the point of view of a passenger. Captioned with, ‘ty po sa pogi kong grab driver eyyyy’

 

Kung bakit pa kasi finollow pa niya tong Sai na to. Ayan, agad agaran niya nakikita tuwing may story na naman siya with Colet. Hours ago na yun. Nagmessage na din si Colet sa kanya na nakauwi na siya, namention pa nga na may hinatid lang na kawawang nilalang pero di niya nireplyan. Hindi niya pinansin. Kahit nung nagmessage uli para mag-goodnight.

 

Bakit ba niya iniisip yon? Ano naman kung may something si Colet with that Sai person? Ano naman kung naisip niyang may laman na yung mga actions ni Colet sa kanya recently? Eh, kahit dati pa naman ganun na sa kanya si Colet, naging assumera na lang din siya recently kaya binigyan niya ng meaning. Magbest friends naman sila, ilang taon nang ganyan si Colet sa kanya. Bakit ngayon niya pa napiling maging delulu?

 

Kanina pa siya nagsscroll sa iba’t ibang apps sa phone niya para madistract man lang siya kahit papaano since di nga siya makatulog. Napansin niyang mag-a-alas quatro na ng umaga. Maloi sighed.

 

“Ano ba tong inaarte ko...”

 

 

---

 

Colet sensed something was off with Maloi. Ever since the thing with the jacket, Maloi has been somewhat distant. They didn't lose contact, no. They still talk every day and once in a while, Colet visits Maloi in Taft.

 

But something is off. Maloi’s replies have been cold, short, and sometimes just altogether dismissive. And whenever she gives Maloi a surprise visit, the latter's reaction, or rather lack of reaction thereof, says a lot.

 

The first time it happened Colet brushed it off, Maloi looked tired that day anyway. But it happened again, and then again, and Colet just can't ignore it any longer. She needs to know what’s up with Maloi.

 

“Mal.” She called the girl who had just entered the building, Aiah wasn't anywhere to be seen and she can thank Mikha for that. Maloi, evidently confused, approached Colet. “Kanina ka pa jan?” Colet nodded. “Eh bat di ka nalang umakyat? May susi ka naman. Kilala ka na din naman ni Kuya Guard…”

 

“Mhm. Next time.” Colet answered and took it upon herself to help Maloi with her things, hindi na din naka-angal si Maloi kasi nakuha na ni Colet. “Tara? Di ka pa naman nagd-dinner noh? Magluluto ako.”

 

“Ahh. Di pa ako nakakapag-groceries eh. I don't know if—”

 

Colet raised the shopping bag she had with her. “It's fine, unless gusto mo mag-grocery muna tayo? May malapit naman dito diba?” Maloi blinked. “Wag na, tara na.”

 

“Kamusta araw mo, Mal?”

 

Maloi shrugged. “Ayun. Kapagod.” Colet nodded. “I hope I’m not imposing. Gusto lang kita makita.”

 

Maloi chuckled, although it seemed like it was sarcastic. They've reached Maloi's floor. “Pansin ko nga, every week na nga tayo nagkikita eh.”

 

“Ayaw mo ba?” Colet asked as Maloi unlocked her door.

 

“Wala akong sinabing ganyan.”

 

“Para kasing nagsasawa ka na sa pagmumukha ko eh.” Colet said, jokingly, as she set Maloi's thing down on the table. Maloi froze, she didn’t think Colet would’ve noticed how she’s been acting. Pero kailangan e, gusto lang naman niya isave sarili niya from a heartbreak.

 

Colet proceeded to head into the kitchen. “Magstart na ako magluto! Pwede ka naman magshower muna para di ka maghintay ng matagal masyado.”

 

Maloi watched as Colet navigated through her kitchen as if it were her own. Maloi's stomach churned. Eto ang iniiwasan niya eh, ilang weeks din niya pinaghirapan na magpigil ng feelings pero wala, walang bisa. Colet just manages to pull her in every time. Hindi na niya kaya. “Cole.”

 

It’s Colet's turn to freeze. Finally, Maloi called her that again. “Yes, Mal?”

 

Maloi’s expression can't be read. “What are you doing?”

 

“Hm? Magluluto ng dinner…?”

 

Maloi shook her head. “No, what are you doing to me?”

 

Colet is confused. “Ma—”

 

“Cole, teka lang. I’m sorry pero, pwede bang umalis ka na lang muna? Iwan mo na muna ako. Feel ko sasabog na ako.”

 

Colet blinked and dropped what she was doing to approach Maloi who was standing by the kitchen’s entryway. “Mal? Okay ka lang? Anong meron?”

 

Maloi raised her hand to stop Colet from approaching. “Wag mo ko lapitan! Diyan ka lang!”

 

“Mal…”

 

“Ayusin mo tono mo, wag mo ko idaan sa paglambing mo! Tsaka ano ba ibigsabihin niyan!? ”

 

“Mal? Galing lang sa name mo…”

 

Maloi took a deep breath. it, bahala na. Hindi ko na din naman malulusutan to sa kanya if ever. “Cole, sino si Sai?”

 

Colet looked at her confused pero baka dito na siya makakuha ng mga kasagutan. “Si Sai? Classmate namin ni Mikhs. Bakit…?”

 

“Classmate lang?”

 

“Yes, Mal.”

 

Maloi clicked her tongue. Mal na naman. “Bakit ang dalas niya magstory ng picture mo?”

 

Colet blinked. She's been aware that Maloi followed Sai on Instagram, Sai was the one who told her. That's why Sai has been posting her as well, she's been teasing Colet because it's almost always Maloi who views it first. Colet cleared . “Wala, trip niya lang. Inaasar lang ako.”

 

“Well, tigilan niya na kamo, naiirita ako.”

 

Hindi maintindihan ni Colet kung bakit pero tumango na lang siya. “Pagsasabihan ko, Mal. What else?” She figured Maloi had some things to address with her.

 

“Bakit ang dalas mo dito?”

 

“Ngayon na lang ako uli dito sa unit mo ah?”

 

Maloi rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

 

“Eh, gusto nga kita makita.”

 

“Bakit?”

 

“Bawal ba?”

 

“Sagutin mo ko. Hindi yung binabalik mo ng tanong.”

 

“Namiss kita.”

 

Maloi's breathing hitched.

 

“Iba eh. Yung makausap kita araw araw sa messenger, dati okay na. Eh recently kasi parang ang…layo mo. Kaya mas pinipili ko na makita kita almost every week.”

 

“Bakit…”

 

Colet chuckled. She had planned on confessing soon, she just didn't think it would be this soon nor that it'll be through a confrontation like this.

 

“Ano? Bat ka natawa? Anong nakakatawa??”

 

“Mal.” Colet tried to take a step forward.

 

Maloi immediately took a defensive stance, one hand raised frantically as if she could stop Colet from walking towards her with just that. “Hepp! Teka! Sabing diyan ka lang eh!!”

 

Colet ignored it and proceeded to walk over. “Mal.”

 

Maloi closed her eyes, trying to keep calm. “Cole. Kung ano man ang sasabihin mo, diyan mo na sabihin.” She opened her eyes again, to look over Colet’s direction. “Please.”

 

Colet stopped at her tracks, took a deep breath, and stood a good few meters away. “Fine. Umayos ka ng tayo jan, wala naman akong gagawin sayo eh.”

 

Maloi took a deep breath and relaxed. “Okay, ano?”

 

Colet smiled. “Gusto kita, Mal.”

 

“Matagal na. Di naman sa ganitong paraan ko balak umamin, pero andito na eh. Gusto kita. Kaya gusto kita palaging nakikita, kaya palagi akong pumupunta kahit na tinatarayan mo ako recently.”

 

Maloi's jaw dropped. All the thoughts that clouded her mind for the past weeks were suddenly all gone. In her mind, it’s just repeating what Colet just confessed. Gusto niya ako?

 

“Mal? Ano? Bawal pa din ba akong lumapit?”

 

“Manahimik ka. Teka.”

 

“Okay lang naman kung di mo ako gusto pabalik. Okay lang naman saking best friends lang tayo. Ang akin lang, pwede bang wag mo na akong tarayan?”

 

Maloi eyed her, full of annoyance because of how absurd the things Colet was saying. “Okay lang sayo?? Well, sakin di okay! Gusto din kita hoy! Sabi kasing manahimik muna eh. Naooverwhelm ako, Colet!!”

 

Hearing that brought a smile to Colet's face. She took a step closer, “Hoooy diyan ka langgg!!”

 

Colet ignored Maloi's request. “I don't think I can, Mal. Pwede ba kitang i-hug?”

 

When Maloi didn't answer, Colet took it upon herself to finally close the distance between them. “You know what? I’m going to hug you, minsan lang naman to. Pagbigyan mo na ako.” Maloi was pouting as soon as Colet was just inches away. “Oh? Bat ka sad?” Colet pulled her in for a hug.

 

“Bwisit ka.” Maloi adjusted herself well into Colet’s embrace, wrapping her arms around Colet as well. “Wala na, di ka na pwede umalis. Dito ka lang.”

 

“Hindi naman ako aalis. Sa’yo lang, Mal.”

 

---

 

 

Author’s Notes:

Ending notes:

hehe hirap pala magsulat in taglish

wala po akong portrayers in mind for the characters named gian, sai, and ciel. bahala nalang po siguro imaginations niyo haha

 

bitin ba? hehe sequel otw (on the works) cguro.. (no promises)