A simple pose will make you enjoy and have fun with the moment.

A simple shot will make you realize that you're making memories with someone.

But what if you want to get rid of those moments you made with someone? Not just temporary, but permanent removal in your memories.

"Hey! Tingin naman kayo sa camera! Bagong bili 'to ni Papa!" sabi ng kaibigan ko simula noon pa. He was with me during Nursery, Kinder, Preparatory, and even my Elementary life. He was there for me to protect me from 'bad guys' as he was stating it. "Estelle, tingin sabi! Sino bang tinitingnan mo?" lumingon pa siya kung saan ako nakatulala. But he only found a light scenery.

"I'm sorry," I said to him. I didn't mean to look above though!

"Fiorella, just look at that damn cam. Geez!" sabi ng isa ko pang High School friend.

"Kaya nga!"

"Huwag niyo ngang pressure-in kaibigan ko!" singit naman ni Clayden, the one who's behind of the camera. "Ayan na! Say happy graduation day, ah!"

I looked at my friends... or maybe Clayden's friends with me. Nakangiti silang lahat so I did the same way on how they smiled. I was just looking at the camera he was holding, and a flash came through. Sabay-sabay kaming sumigaw ng 'happy graduation'.

After it biglang lumapit sa amin si Clayden. "Congrats mga parechong! Paano ba 'yan? Kitaan na lang kung saang university kayo makapapasok!" Nakipag-apir-an din siya lalo na sa mga kaibigan niyang lalaki.

"What university do you want to apply to, Fiorella?" My girl classmate asked me, one of Clayden's friends.

"Anywhere," I answered without an effort. I don't know pa kasi kung anong course ang nababagay sa akin. I can do anything but I don't know where I could excel.

"Oh!" sabi niya. Mukhang nahalata na rin niya na wala akong ganang makipag-usap kaya lumapit na lang siya kay Clayden. Within a few seconds, umalis na rin sila ng mga kaibigan niya. And now, I'm left with him.

Inakbayan niya ako and I smelled his perfume. At his young age, I never knew that he could be manly. "Hatid na kita."

"Uhm... my driver's waiting me in the parking lot," banggit ko sa kaniya as I looked at my phone. I glanced at his veiny hands na nakasabit sa akin. "Aren't you going to remove that?"

He began to walk kaya napasabay na rin ako. "I can pero I don't want."

I hid my shyness along with my rebonded hair. Him, Clayden was the only guy na naging kaibigan ko all through out high school. He is so friendly to the point na kaibigan niya lahat ng nasa campus. Meanwhile, I'm a shy type of person. Many people are lumalapit, but I keep on refusing them.

"Saan ka nga pala mag-tatake ng college?" he asked me. There was a hint of eagerness to know.

"Anywhere," I repeated the answer just like what I did earlier.

"Pft! Ayan din sinabi mo kay Annyka, eh!" The girl who asked me earlier was Annyka. Maybe he overheard it.

"I don't know actually. God knows what?" I shrugged. "How 'bout you?"

He stopped walking and placed his both hands on my shoulders. "Kung saan ka, roon na rin ako. Gets?"

"What if you're not going to pasa?"

"Ako? Hindi makapapasa?" Pagmamayabang niya. "Edi gagawan ko nang paraan. Pasensya na, bobo lang ako."

"Not bagay pagiging humble mo." Pagsusungit ko.

He tsked. "Patingin nga ng graduation picture mo. For sure na ang ganda mo riyan." I reached for my diploma dahil nandoon din ang graduation pic. ko. I gave it to him at nagulat ako sa reaksyon niya.

"Wow! May rason na ako para mabuhay. This is so illegal!" Sunod-sunod niyang sabi. I took his picture as well and there I saw his bright smile and his serious face. I couldn't agree more when my schoolmates and classmates are nagkakandarapa para kay Clayden. He got the looks and mind!

"Saglit! Baka matunaw ako kapag tinitigan mo pa lalo." My brows met when he stated that. He's such an all in one, but he got a thick face.

He's just boasting his photos not until we both arrived in the parking lot. Nakita ko 'yung nakababata kong kapatid na lalaki. I'm wondering why bakit siya nandito?

"Fremont!" I called my brother because he was waiting in the car, looking at his phone. Nakita ko rin 'yung driver sa loob because the light was open. The text I received kasi was pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng graduation ko ay sa parking lot siya maghihintay. I gazed my sight to Clayden. "Thank you for... uhm... paghatid sa akin here."

He placed his hands on my head. "Ano ka ba? Ayos lang 'yon!" His face suddenly changed. I asked why noong nahalata ko 'yon. "May handaan kasi sa bahay. Ah, eh... Uuwi ka na ba agad?"

I slowly nodded. "Yeah!" I slowly nodded. My parents wanted me na umuwi kaagad after the graduation dahil baka saan pa raw ako gumala. I never had this freedom na lumabas-labas.

"Well, hanggang dito na lang for now. Chat me if nakauwi ka na, ha?"

I bit my lip while going to my brother. "I will. Keep safe, alright?"

Kumaway naman siya while his voice echoed. "Sige-sige. Ingat kayo!"

When I entered the car, a silence wrapped in. I carefully closed the door that made the light inside turn off. My driver swiftly rotated the steering wheel. 

I just found out that my brother was wearing a floral polo shirt that was opened. Behind it was a white shirt that has a small rainbow design. He partnered it with white shorts and a brown leather belt.

"Do you want to say something?" I whispered to my brother who was beside me. Hindi kasi kami nagkikita sa mansion even though na araw-araw kaming dalawang nandoon. It's just there's an awkwardness between us that I wanted to break. A silence struck. "So I guess you don't want to talk?"

"U... Uhm... Congrats, I-I think?" My heart melted when he slowly greeted me. Ako lang kasi mismo ang um-attend sa graduation ko.

Years of working hard being a high school student, all of my efforts are wasted when my parents didn't see my grand day. Siguro they will say na sila naman ang nagpapaaral sa akin kaya they have the rights to not to attend in my graduation.

"Thank you!" I smiled. I wanted to pinch his cheeks but I think he will be uncomfortable. Gumilid siya umupo and he looked outside of the car.

Lumapit ako sa driver para pumunta ng mall so I could treat my brother. I don't even know kung bakit siya nandito. Kung why siya kasamang sumundo sa akin. Did he secretly watch my graduation march?

"Ma'am, I'll call your parents po if they would agree to your request," my driver deeply said. When he grabbed his phone, I said na I already hit them both up and they agreed. Well, it's a lie. But the good thing, he agreed to it. "Okay, Ma'am!"

My problem now is my brother. Should I talk to him so we could ease the awkwardness? Nakita ko naman 'yung diploma ko beside me. "Do you want to see my picture, Frem?"

I saw that he was so nervous to even say a word. "If it's okay." I smiled when he agreed. Dahan-dahan ko muna 'yon binuksan but I saw Clayden's face! N-Nagkapalit ba kami? Did we even exchange our pictures and diplomas?!

"U-Uhm... wait." I struggled to look at my brother's face while I'm getting my phone inside my bag. I directly find Clayden's cellphone number so I could tell him about this! 

[Naliligo ako] 

"You're stupid!" Halos nagkasabay kaming dalawa when we both said a word.

[Ano?]

"What?!" I heard water dripping from the background that made me realize what he said earlier. "Just finish what you're doing. I'll call you back later!" I didn't wait for him to talk back so I ended it. Napasapo na lang ako sa ulo. He could just ignore my calls!

Nakita ko 'yung kapatid ko na nakataas ang isang kilay. I just crossed my arms hanggang sa makarating kami sa mall. It was supposed to be a fun celebrating day with my brother pero nasira lang just because I and Clayden exchanged our diplomas!

But of course, I need to get rid of this inis na bumabalot sa akin. Nakasunod lang 'yung brother ko and our driver, so I just asked him out instead. "Where do you want to go? Shopping? Are you hungry?"

He just shook his head. "Care to tell me what happened? I smelled something... fishy."

"Fishy?" 

"What happened with you and Kuya Clayden?" he asked. Fremont knows Clayden because they're always playing together. Mas kilala pa nga ata ni Clayden 'yung kapatid ko rather than me. They have this bond na mas malalaman mong magkapatid pa sila. 

"N-Nothing. It doesn't matter." I fixed my hair and started to walk. 

Pumunta naman sa harapan ko 'yung kapatid ko. He blocked my way! "I'll not walk with you unless you're going to say what's bothering you."

"Our diplomas were exchanged. That's why... I need to go to their house para maibalik ko 'to," I explained. 

"You do just want to see him. Admit it!" he teased. He smirked before holding my hand. He dragged me going to the clothes section. 

"No!" 

"He could just go to our home instead." 

"Mom isn't there?" I asked.

"She's in the agency." Our mom is the owner of one of the famous talent management and production agencies here in the Philippines. Halos nandoon ang mga famous artists, models, and other rising Stars na gumaganap local and international!

"I guess, you can go with me, right? To Clayden's?" dahan-dahan kong tanong sa kaniya.

"Of course, ate! But for now, you need to find a dress that could suit you. He said to me earlier na... I mean, nothing." Agad siyang pumunta sa assistant na nag-iikot when he spilled something. 

"Nothing, huh?" I whispered to myself. 

After the assistant came in, I fitted it kung kasya ba. The first one was a Champagne corset mini dress with puff gathered sleeves. I walked going to my brother with heels. Nakita kong nakababa ang kaniyang thumbs meaning he didn't like it. The next one was a Lauren Sleeveless Sequin Mini Dress with a Gucci belt. He disliked it again. Hanggang sa makailang suot na ako ng different types of dresses. 

"Just choose, alright? We're going late to his party!" I complained while I'm wearing a silver jumpsuit elegant formal chic. 

He formed his hand into thinking ones. "You look stunning with the outfits... but... how could I say this without making you cry," he carefully mentioned. He was inspecting me from my head going to my toe. "You look mature enough. How 'bout this?" He gave me a black long sleeve crop top round neck and a beige high waist solid straight pants. 

I walked in front of him and he even said, "Can you spin? Turn around like that?" I did what he said. Matured his ass! I'm the eldest here!

"Parfait!" I sighed as a relief. I wish that in the first place, lagi kong sinasama kapatid ko kapag mag-shoshop ako. Aside from he has a good taste in fashion, even in women's, marami rin siyang judgments about me. It doesn't make me insecure. I just feel opulent when he's choosing what I'll put in my closet. 

"How 'bout you? Aren't you going to buy?" I presented my black card while talking to him. 

"I don't like their issue this month. I'm saving up for Summer's."

"Summer?" I asked. "Oh! Right. It's Spring right now." 

"You're such a snail." After he said that, napahawak na lang ako sa dibdib ko. I never thought that he would compare my thinking skills to a snail!

After we bought it, we went to a Photo Shop. I want to buy an Instax film for Clayden since he loves photography so much. Para na rin hindi lang ako pupunta roon just to bring back his diploma. 

"What film?" I hand over it to my brother para maka-choose siya. He pointed out three designs out of five. Since I cannot pinpoint kung alin ang pinakamaayos sa kanilang tatlo, I just bought it all. Clayden doesn't want things to be pretty, he doesn't want to be expensive, he doesn't want things to be costly... As long as it is well and useful, he already wants it. 

He's really the opposite of me. And I don't know why we even became best friends ever since. For sure that someday, he will topic how we met. He's just so obsessed with that! 

Before we went back to the car, kumain muna kami sa isang restaurant. We didn't go here just to shop and buy things, we came here to celebrate my grand day. I don't even care kung unti lang kami. Ang mahalaga, I celebrated it... with someone.

"You're cold." Fremont held my hand pagkababa na pagkababa namin ng car. "Do you want me to go with you?"

"No. Just stay here with Kuya." I'm pointing out to our driver. "Mabilis lang ako. I'll just give back his diploma."

Tumango naman siya. He directly went inside the car as if I said anything bad to him. I wanted to fix it immediately but the sun is already setting. Baka maabutan kami ni mommy or ni daddy na wala pa sa mansion. For sure that our driver will be at bad stake. 

I was looking around pero maraming tao rito. I can see familiar faces such as school varsities and others. Marami na ring umuuwi. Papunta na sana ako sa mama niya when I saw Clayden's older brother. He was looking fine as usual. Not wondering why they're lapitin ng girls.

"Fiorella Estelle! Anong ginagawa mo rito? Visiting my brother or courting him?" Kuya Clyper sarcastically questioned.

"What?!" I shockingly asked him. "You're still dumb aren't you?"

"I'm not dumb. It's sarcastic. He's in upstairs," he said while looking at his phone. "You know why nasa upstairs? Kasi he's upset!"

I jokingly laugh. "So funny. A clown job looks good on you. Why didn't they invite you like that?"

"Siguro masyado akong guwapo for that?" 

My brows met. I shook my head repeatedly before deciding to go upstairs. "No." 

Since familiar naman ako rito, and my brother is always here, ayos lang na dumiretso ako sa kuwarto niya.

I found Clayden na nakadungaw sa bintana, looking at the night skies. His chin was placed on his left arm that was resting. I thought this was his day?! Bakit siya nandito? 

"Someone's sulking," I slowly whispered in the air hoping that it would be delivered to him. Halos mapatalon siya when he saw me. 

"Estelle? Ikaw ba 'yan?" he asked and directly went in front just to hug me. Mahigpit iyon para hindi ako makawala. I can feel his heartbeat when our bodies united. "Sabi mo uuwi ka kaagad sa inyo." 

"The diploma left me no choice."  

I saw his face became sad. "Ah! Pumunta ka lang dito para sa diploma? Akala ko pa naman para sa akin." 

Iniling ko ang ulo ko. "I can't stay any longer. Where's mine?"

"Nasa kusina ata." Napakamot siya ng kaniyang batok. "Wait! Gusto mo ba sumama? Nandoon si mama." 

I agreed to it naman para mas mapadali ako. Before I went outside, nakita ko 'yung mga polaroids na nakasabit sa kuwarto niya. His room was neutral. There were different sorts of vinyl from famous artists. And the extra large bear that I gave to his last 7th birthday na nakapatong sa bed niya. Wondering if he's hugging that every night. 

"A-Anong tinitingnan mo?" he stuttered. "H-Hoy! Huwag mo na pansinin kuwarto ko!" He was waving his hands above, blocking my sight. 

"Geez! I don't have an interest, okay?" I mentioned before going outside. Noong pababa kami ng hagdanan nila ay naririnig ko ang mga tao sa baba. I hate closed spaces especially a place full of crowds. I feel like I'm being suffocated. 

"Huwag ka mag-alala. Nandito si Protector Clayden mo!" Hinawakan niya 'yung kamay ko papuntang baba. He was beside at me all the time. 

"Girlfriend mo, par?" 

"Yiee! Ehem! Balato naman!" 

"Binata na nga." 

I raised my brow to them. Kaya napahihinto sila. Gosh! Masyado silang ma-issue! 

"Pagpasensyahan mo na sila. Mga wala sa tamang pag-iisip." he laughed while getting my diploma. Kukunin ko na sana 'yon kaso nga lang ay nilagay niya 'yon sa ere para hindi ko tuluyang makuha. 

"Give it!" Bulong ko sa kaniya na may kakaibang tono. I don't want to shout here lalo nang maraming tao. I don't want to make a scandal lalo na malapit na ang entrance exams for universities! However, entering universities are the least of my priorities. If my mom and dad would see it, I don't think I could live another day. "Hey! Clayden! I'm dead serious!" 

He even messed up my hair with his other hand. "Ito na."

I shook my head. "You never changed. You're still the Clayden I know."

"Huh?"

"You're still an intimidator!" I said before opening it just to make sure that it is mine.

I was going to go back but her mom was moving out to the C.R. 

"Fiorella! Nandito ka pala. Kanina ka pa ba nandito?" her mom shockingly asked. She wiped his wet hands to her cloth. "Anak, Clay! Pakainin mo muna 'yan."

I immediately declined when I saw Clayden getting all the kitchen utensils. "I need to go back na, tita, eh. Thank you!"

"Hawak ko na 'tong kutsara, oh! Sayang naman." Pagpaparinig niya. "Sarap-sarap ng luto ni mama, eh. Baka tinatakasan lang ng isa rito."

I raised a brow. What was he saying? Was he guilt-tripping me?!

"Pabaunan mo na lang ng spaghetti si Fiorella. Ayon gusto niya lagi diba?"

"Ma, hindi! Carbonara, ma!" Clayden emphasized. "Ayaw niya lang ng carbonara, dapat may puto rin. Puto with cheese!" 

"Clayden!" I whispered to him with my brows meeting at the center. Gosh! "Uhm! It's okay lang po, tita! I could bring anything po."

I just looked at him packing the carbonara into the styro box. We're calling it anemic spaghetti that made me remember back then. When he was already done, nilagay niya rin 'yon sa paper bag.

I thought that he will already give it to me but he gazed at her mom, "Ma, ihahatid ko na sa labasan si Estelle, ah?" 

"Sige lang, anak. Mag-ingat kayo!"

I bit my lip and looked at her mom, shy. "Thank you, tita!"

Noong nakalabas kami ng pintuan ay grabe maka-bus stop si Clayden. He was stopping to his friends just to make a handshake or even bro-fist! Nauurat na ako! Gladly, we finally arrived in front of the car. 

"Salamat at dumating ka."

"Told you, if it wasn't for the diploma, I won't be here."

He looked at his left downwards. "Paano kaya maging diploma?"

"What?"

"W-Wala! Wala!" 

I just moved my head, agreeing. "By the way, what's your plan this summer?" 

"Review lang ata para sa exams. Kailangan ko kasing makapasa sa mapapasukan mong university. Ikaw ba?" I can feel his sincerity in his eyes. It's like, ayaw niya ba talagang mahiwalay sa akin? Isn't he bothered with me?  

"Beach, I guess. Then review slightly? If I won't just be... lazy."

"Beach? Sama ako! Dali!" 

"No! I don't want!" I wrapped my arms. 

"Luh! Bakit? Ayaw mo ba akong makasama?"

"It's not like that. Self-time," I sarcastically said. I mean, I want to rest physically, emotionally, and mentally before draining myself! "I got to go na." I raised the paper bag he gave to me. "U-Uhm thank you for this, again!"

"Wala 'yon!" He said before I decided to open the car. "Estelle! Wait!"

I gazed at my back, looking at him. "Yes?"

"Ang cute mo talaga kapag nagsusungit ka." He even pinched my nose. And when I sat inside of the car, he closed the door of it.

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