❝Lee held back a 3-word sentence he preferred saying in person, not in a phone call.❞

— ❁ —

        "THESE SHOULD go in the back," Laurie told Malie before kicking the café door open. Yakap ang isang box ng kararating lang na plastic cups, dumiretso siya sa coffee bar. Dahan-dahan niya iyong ibinaba. After that, she hurried outside to help Malie.

        Malie carried two boxes and placed them on the cart. "So, wala talagang nangyari?"

        Kunot-noo itong tiningnan ni Laurie. "You keep asking me that. Wala nga. We just kissed and slept, then I went here to help you."

        "Okay, okay." Itinaas nito ang mga kamay, natatawa. "Nagtataka lang ako kasi biglang may pa-singsing?"

        "It's just an early Christmas gift, Mal."

        Matapos siya nitong pagbuksan ng pinto ay hinila niya papasok iyong cart. The door chimes loudly dinged, prompting some customers to glance in their direction. Laurie and Malie smiled sheepishly as they walked to the counter.

        "Nagsabi nga pala si Cheska, pupunta raw siya mamaya. May isa-submit lang daw siyang requirements, then didiretso siya dito."

        Stretching her arms, Laurie sat on one of the stools. "Okay, sige. Will she also help during the art convention?"

        "Mm-hmm. May kilala raw siya do'n sa lineup ng artists, e. Matagal na raw siyang fan. Si Lee ba, in-invite mo?"

        "I mentioned it last night but I don't think so. Babawi raw siya kay Charlotte." Dumukwang siya sa counter para kunin ang thermos sa purse. "Besides, I don't think it's polite if he attends. Baka sa kanya mapunta atensyon ng ibang a-attend."

        Binuksan ni Malie ang ref. "Hala, Lauwie!"

        "What?"

        "May kasalanan ako."

        "What?" Laurie quickly approached the fridge. Sinilip niya ang nagpalukot sa noo ng best friend. Sighing, she grabbed a plastic container. Sa loob niyon ang whipped cream na ginawa nila kahapon. "I knew we forgot something."

        They were supposed to add gelatin to prolong its shelf life. Kaagad tuloy iyong umimpis at nasira.

        Malie grabbed a teaspoon and scooped some of the whipped cream. Bago pa man nito maisubo ang kutsarita, tinabig ni Laurie ang kamay nito. Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang kaibigan.

        Napamaang si Malie. "Bakit? Titikman ko lang naman."

        "Mal, obvious namang sira na. God, you and your sweet tooth."

        Tuluyan niyang kinuha ang teaspoon. Nang hindi tuminag si Malie ay inagaw na niya pati iyong container. After scooping the cream and washing the container, Laurie took her thermos. Nagmamadali niya iyong pinuno ng Americano. She was about to sit when Malie coughed behind her.

        "Lauwie, give it." Malie extended a hand, asking for the thermos filled to its brim. "Akin na sabi, e." Padabog na nilapag ni Laurie ang thermos sa countertop. Habang ibinubuhos ang kape sa sariling mug, malaki ang ngiti ni Malie. "Here you go."

        Sinilip ni Laurie ang thermos na inilapag ni Malie. Her lips twisted into a frown. Lagpas sa kalahati kasi ang ninakaw nitong kape.

        "'Wag mo nga 'kong tingnan nang gan'yan. Dito na nga lang tayo nakakabawi kasi ayaw mo namang kumain ng gulay," nakangiwi nitong sabi. "'Pag hindi ka nakinig sa 'kin, isusumbong kita kay Stefan."

        As if on cue, the café doors swung open. Pumasok ang hangin mula sa labas kasabay ng pagkagingking ng door chimes. Laurie sighed, shutting her eyes. The air grew colder than usual. Hindi na bago iyon. Maihahalintulad na rin naman sa Habagat ang kakambal niya.

        "What's up, sis?"

        She rolled her eyes at the sound of that endearment. "God, he's like Beetlejuice."

        "Oh, you were talking about me?" nakangising tanong ni Stefan bago umupo sa tabi niya. "Okay, I'll take your silence as a 'yes'. So, bakit niyo 'ko pinag-uusapan?"

        "Bakit ka muna nandito?"

        "Ouch naman. We haven't seen each other for weeks, tapos gan'yan?"

        "Mal, please don't give him any coffee. I think he's starting to palpitate." Before Stefan could complain, Laurie reached for his hand. Tahimik niyang itinaas ang kamay ng kapatid at ipinakita kay Malie. True enough, his fingers were shaking. "In case you forgot, I follow your Facebook page. Alam kong marami kayong December releases."

        The moment he stepped in, Laurie figured something was wrong. Stefan didn't take his blazer off. Hindi nito iyon sinabit sa mga braso. Magulo rin ang pagkakatali ng neck tie nito, mukhang paulit-ulit na sinubukang ayusin sa kotse.

        Sa halip na tumutol, nangingiti lang itong umiling.

        "May tortellini pa kami, luto ni Lauwie," nakangiting sabi ni Malie bago tumalikod.

        While her best friend reheated the pasta, Laurie glanced at her brother. Inabala nito ang sarili sa phone. "Are you having problems at work?"

        Stefan raised his brows at the question. "Concerned ka?"

        "If I say 'yes', are you going to answer me honestly?"

        "Fine," buntonghininga nitong sabi. "Wala namang problema. I just get so frustrated with my subordinates. Kung p'wede lang na ako na gumawa ng lahat, e."

        "What's exactly the problem?"

        Before pursing his lips, Stefan looked at her in disbelief. "Subordinates ko nga. They've been working with me for years. They know the whole process behind publishing a book but they still fall short. Kung 'di pa 'ko hihingi ng update, hindi pa kikilos."

        "You're behind schedule, is that it?" she asked before placing her chin on her hand.

        "Not really. I'm just frustrated because I feel like I have to micromanage all departments all the time. On top of that, Dad requested to see me."

        "Just ignore him," walang preno niyang suhestiyon. "P'wede naman 'yon. It's not like he can do anything if you ignore his calls."

        "The publishing house was his starting point, Lau. I can't just cut him off of it. May karapatan siyang humingi ng updates." Sighing, Stefan massaged his temple. "Anyway, I wouldn't have this problem in the first place, kung pumayag kang maging Vice."

        "And then, what? I'll be forever compared to you."

        Her brother scoffed, offended. "You make it sound so bad. Honor na kaya 'yong makumpara ka sa 'kin."

        Cringing, Laurie kicked Stefan's leg. "I can't believe I even tried to comfort you."

        "Aha! So, concerned ka nga?"

        "Not anymore," she replied with disgust.

        Malie placed a plate of tortellini on the counter, pausing their conversation. "Iced tea na lang muna inumin mo, a? Actually, si Lauwie din dapat, iced tea lang, e."

        "Magbabayad ka, 'ha?" Laurie muttered the second Stefan sipped his drink. Binawasan niya ang laman ng thermos at saka, bumaling kay Malie. "Before I forget, Mal, should we discuss the menu now?"

        "Go lang," Malie answered with a grin. "So dahil sira na 'yong whipped cream natin, does that mean we won't have meringue this week?"

        Tahimik lang na ngumuya si Stefan habang nagpapasalitsalit ang tingin sa kanila ni Malie.

        Inilabas ni Laurie ang phone. Her lips twitched into a small smile upon noticing several notifications from Lee. Mabilisan niyang binasa ang mga iyon. The messages weren't really special. Most reminded her to eat. Ang iba naman ay updates. Lee was supposed to meet Charlotte later in the afternoon.

        "Earth to Lauwie~"

        Laurie blinked. Kaagad niyang sinarado ang binabasang message ni Lee. Naramdaman niya kasing sumisilip si Stefan. She shot him a look. He quickly averted his gaze and continued munching on the pasta. "As I was saying—"

        "You weren't saying anything, Lau," natatawang sabi ng kambal niya.

        "Just shut up and eat." Stefan made a face and Malie chuckled. Ipinagpatuloy ni Laurie ang balak na paglilista. "So because of the meringue, uh, the whipped cream, we won't be having meringue this week. Sa tingin mo ba, p'wede na 'yong strawberry chocolate as substitute this week?"

        Her forehead furrowed when she met Malie's eyes. "Actually, Lau," panimula ng kaibigan. "Iniisip kong i-drop na 'yong meringue and eclairs. They're really hard to make and ang dami na nating nasayang na ingredients tapos—"

        "Mal."

        "Hmm?"

        "Calm down." Napangiti siya nang huminga ito nang malalim. "I agree with you. Ang iniisip ko lang ay 'yong posters na pina-print natin para sa meringue and eclairs. We even paid Theo for the pictures."

        "Well, 'di ko naman sinasabing i-give up na natin."

        "You know there's an easy way out, right?" pagsingit ni Stefan. "P'wede naman kayong makipag-partner sa pastry shop or bakery. That way, you don't need to learn new recipes. A box or two could be enough."

        Laurie and Malie exchanged glances. The latter seemed convinced.

        Napabuntonghininga si Laurie. "Okay, I'll take note of that but for now, pause muna tayo sa eclairs and meringue. I'll take the posters down later." She quickly typed on her phone, listing reminders as she went on. "How about the tortellini and croissants?"

        "Keep the tortellini. It's good. Galing talaga ni Mal magluto," ngumunguyang sabat ng kapatid niya.

        "Really?" Muli silang nagtinginan ng nakatawang si Malie. "It's good?"

        "Yes, why?"

        "Stefan, si Lau na nagluluto niyan. Sumama ka no'ng nag-cooking class siya, 'di ba?"

        Laurie had never felt prouder when she saw the look on her twin's face. Pinaningkitan siya nito ng mata at saka, muling sumubo ng pasta. "Hindi nga?"

        "I took a couple more classes after the one you attended," kuwento niya. "Binigyan din ako ni Chef Den ng recipes. She told me to try them at home and I did."

        "Really?"

        Dahil mukhang walang katapusan ang pagdududa ng kapatid niya, bumaling na lang siya kay Malie. "Pause din muna tayo sa croissants, 'di ba?"

        Mabilis itong tumango at ngumuso. "Ang hirap paalsahin, hu-hu. Ang hirap ding makuha no'ng shape. I hate the French."

        "No, you don't. You love French fries," Laurie mumbled, still typing. "But okay, that's a 'no' on the croissants. Huh. Does that mean we're only keeping the tortellini?"

        "For now lang naman, Lauwie. P'wede rin namang humanap tayo ng bakery'ng p'wedeng maging partner, then try tayo ng sarili nating recipe over time."

        "By the way—" Napasulyap sila kay Stefan. "—ano nga palang nangyari do'n sa pasta from Tito Harold?"

        "We decided to mix them with the fresh ones," sagot niya. "Mayro'n pang 10 packs d'yan kung gusto mong mag-uwi."

        "Are you giving them to me for free?"

        "Are you really my brother if you still have to ask?"

        Sighing in content, Stefan pushed the now empty plate of pasta toward Malie. It's as if a cat licked it clean. Awtomatikong napangiti si Laurie. Sumimsim muna siya ng kape bago tumayo. "Kain ka lang d'yan, Mal. I'll do the dishes."

        Laurie was on her way to the sink when her phone vibrated on the counter.

        "Lauwie, nag-text ata si Lee. Check ko ba?"

        Nagpantig ang tainga niya sa narinig. Tumutulo pa ang hawak niyang sponge nang bumalik siya kina Malie. "What did he say?" she mumbled as she squeezed in between Stefan and Malie. "Akin na nga."

        Halos magdikit ang mga kilay niya nang agawin ni Stefan ang phone mula kay Malie. "You just said you'll do the dishes. Maghugas ka do'n." Pang-asar pang inilabas ng kapatid niya ang dila. "Go on, Cinderella."

        "I'm not your maid. Give it." She threw the sponge in his face, distracting him. Sinamantala niya ang pagkakataon para maagaw ang phone. Habang tumitipa ng reply kay Lee, muli iyong hinalbot ni Stefan.

        Laurie ended up sending the message mid-sentence, much to her frustration. Nakadagdag sa inis niya iyong tawa ni Malie. Ni hindi kasi siya nito tinulungan kahit na halos maghabulan sila ng kapatid sa café.

—

        BECAUSE HE didn't have time to drop by Cafuné, Lee settled with another café's signature blend. Hindi niya mawari kung anong kakaiba sa lasa niyon. Americano lang naman ang binili niya kaya hindi siya makareklamo. On his way to Charlotte's office, he spotted Jegs and the rest of Makamundo playing Uno cards in the recording booth.

        The band sat on the hardwood floors in a circle. Nakagilid ang instruments at equipment. Nang mapansin siya, kumaway sina Jegs. He couldn't hear them because of the soundproofing so he made gestures instead. Before walking away, he pointed towards Charlotte's office.

        Gamit ang mga braso ay gumawa ng malaking puso sina Jegs at Icai.

        Bago sumilip sa salaming pinto ni Charlotte, pinahupa muna ni Lee ang tawa. She gestured him to come in.

        Napamaang siya pagtulak niya ng pinto. May kausap pala ito sa phone. She raised her forefinger, telling him to hush. Bago lumapit kay Charlotte, itinago niya sa likod ang bitbit na paper bag.

        "Okay, I get what you're saying but we already have an agreement. Believe me, naiintindihan ko na nag-away kayo ng ka-situationship mo kaya demotivated ka pero Minnie naman. . . ang ayos ng usap natin."

        "Minnie?" Lee mouthed as he sat on an armchair.

        "Wait lang," bulong sa kanya ni Charlotte. "I explained this already, right? Magwa-one year ka na. By now, you should already know that the show goes on. Kailangan mong maging professional kasi pati pangalan ng R/C, nakakabit na sa 'yo. Hello? Oh, my God, she did not."

        Charlotte looked so offended as she set her phone down her desk. Salubong ang mga kilay nito habang nakatitig sa screen.

        "Binabaan ka?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Lee.

        Charlotte scowled at him. "Ay, hindi. 'Kita mo naman, I'm still talking to her," she answered sarcastically.

        "P'wede naman akong bumalik na lang kung gusto mo," he suggested. "P'wede naman ako bukas."

        "No, it's okay," buntonghiningang sabi nito. "May tugtog kayo ni Sandro bukas, e. Bawal kayong ma-late do'n."

        Tumango-tango siya. "By the way, sino 'yon? Sinong Minnie?"

        "You met Hiro, right?" Charlotte squinted when he nodded. "Yeah, well, he quit last week. Alaga niya 'tong si Minnie. Pun intended kasi Minnie Mouse, ha-ha. Anyway, she's an average singer and a pain in the ass. 'Di ko na ishu-sugarcoat kasi ikaw naman 'yan."

        Hindi niya napigilan ang ngiti. "Okay, uh—"

        "My God, sabi na, e." Pumalatak ito at saka, ngumiti. "Kinuwento ba sa 'yo ni Sandro? That's why you're really here, right? Magso-sorry ka?"

        Napalitan ng ngiwi ang kaninang ngiti ni Lee. "Oo pero hindi lang dahil do'n. Sabihin na lang natin na medyo dahil do'n pero may mga sinabi rin kasi siya na nagpa-realize sa 'kin na—" He bit the inside of his cheek before smiling apologetically. "—hay. I'm sorry sa lahat. For taking you for granted, saka sa pag-abuso sa friendship natin."

        "Aba, himala, a?" Grinning, Charlotte crossed her arms over her chest. Sumandal din ito sa swivel chair. "You're not making excuses this time?"

        "No excuses this time," tumatango niyang sabi. "Saka hindi pa pala ako nakakapag-'thank you' kasi pumayag ka sa 3 weeks kong hiatus." He bent down to get the paper bag.

        Her eyes sparkled upon recognizing the orange-colored bag. Umayos ito ng upo at saka, binuksan ang paper bag. "You got me designer perfume? Ni wala kang matinong vacuum cleaner sa bahay tapos binilhan mo 'ko ng pabango?"

        "P'wede ko namang ibalik kung ayaw mo," nakangiwi niyang suhestiyon.

        "Oh, no, this is mine now. Nasira ko na 'yong seal." Smiling, Charlotte spritzed the bottle on her wrist. "Thanks but you didn't have to. Okay na sa 'kin 'yong nag-sorry ka, saka in-acknowledge mo 'yong shortcomings mo. I'm sorry, too, by the way."

        "Para saan?"

        "For the silent treatment lately. Ang immature ko do'n sa part na 'yon." She smiled sincerely. "Anyway, I appreciate the gift but you know, 'di pa tayo totally okay. I know I always say that I'm your friend first, pero 'di lang naman ikaw 'yong may mga na-realize sa 3-week break mo."

        Lee hummed in agreement. "Actually, sasabihin ko pa lang. Mukhang kailangan nating ayusin 'yong boundaries natin kasi 'di lang tayo 'yong naaapektuhan. Actually, ayon 'yong pinunta ko. Si Sandro kasi—"

        "He said he was jealous of you," pagtapos nito sa balak niyang sabihin. "Ilang beses na niyang sinabi 'yan sa 'kin. Once, kina Jegs din no'ng uminom sila. To be honest, hindi ko pinansin no'ng una kasi parang hindi naman totoo. That is until Laurie."

        He chuckled softly. "Yep, si Laurie."

        "Now that we agreed on establishing 'boundaries'—" With her fingers, she made air quotation marks. "—okay lang ba kung tanungin ko kung anong nangyari last week?"

        Slowly, Lee broke into a smile. Mahina namang natawa si Charlotte. There was just nothing left to say. Parang ngiti pa lang niya ay kuhang-kuha na nito ang sagot.

        "Onto the next agenda, where do you see yourself in the next five years?" she asked, putting her manager hat on once again.

        "Manager naman—" Sabay silang napangiti kahit reklamo ang dating niyon. "—grabe 'yong tanong?"

        "Come on. Just answer me. Unang pumasok sa isip mo."

        Sighing, Lee looked around the office before meeting her gaze again. "Dito pa rin."

        She crossed her legs under the table. "Okay, but doing what?"

        "Gusto kong gumawa ng album or kahit EP lang," nangingiti niyang pag-amin. "Gusto ko rin sana na lahat ng kanta do'n, naka-credit din sa 'kin as writer, hindi lang 'performer'."

        "Mm-hmm. Ano pa?"

        "Marami akong draft no'ng college, kasabayan ng 'Iyo' pero 'di ko matapos-tapos. Gusto kong isabak sa workshop pero kung maraming malagas, e, 'di susulat ako ng bago."

        "Okay, sige." Inabot ni Charlotte ang phone sa ibabaw ng desk. She typed quickly. "For now, ang masisiguro ko pa lang ay 'yong workshop. The EP or album, idudulog ko pa sa management. I don't want to rush your creative process but we need a deadline. Tentative lang naman."

        "Album release nina Jegs sa New Year, 'di ba?" Nakagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi nang tumango ang babae. "P'wede kayang sa Valentine's Day ako?"

        "Bakit naman bawal?" nakatawa nitong tanong. "Kung Valentine's Day, that gives you less than three months for the workshop. Now, I'm only asking this as your manager kasi bilang kaibigan, malaki tiwala ko sa 'yo pero. . . are you willing to do the work?"

        Lee swallowed the lump of self-doubt forming in his throat. "Yes, oo naman."

        That one word cemented a smile on Charlotte's face. Although the designer perfume definitely helped, Lee felt lighter when she accepted his apology. Magaan ang paghinga niya habang hinihintay na lumapag ang elevator sa ground floor.

        His breathing hitched when his phone vibrated. Si Laurie iyon, tumatawag. Bumalik ang lawak ng ngiti niya bago pa man niya iyon sagutin.

       "Hi, sorry for not replying earlier," panimula nito. "How did it go?"

        "Okay naman," nakangiti niyang sagot. "Okay na kami. Nag-sorry ako tapos binigay ko 'yong pabango. Thank you nga pala sa pagpili. Tuwang-tuwa si Manager, e."

        "You're welcome. I saw her looking at it during the shoot. Anyway, I'm proud of you. I know you're probably doubting your decision but I heard your drafts. Hello? Are you still there?"

        "Yep, nandito pa ako." Tuluyan siyang lumabas ng building nang matanggap niya ang text ni Junnie. "Sabihin mo nga ulit. Sarap naman no'n sa tainga."

        "Stefan's here. Please don't make me repeat myself." Ikinatawa niya iyon. "Sorry if that came out of the blue, by the way. Na-realize ko lang na 'di ko pa nasasabi out loud."

        "Lau naman, e," Lee said in between chuckles. The wind blew, prompting him to run his fingers through his wavy hair. Nagsuot din siya ng face mask pagkatapos. "Pa'no ba 'yan?"

        Nakarinig siya ng ingay sa kabilang linya. "What did I do now?"

        "Pa'no kita makikita niyan agad, e, 10 minutes away pa si Junnie?"

        He heard her scoff. "Don't be dramatic. Besides, it's good that he's not there yet. Nandito pa kasi si Stefan. He won't leave." Umingay ulit. "Hi, Lee!" Natawa siya sa pagsulpot ng mababang boses ng kapatid nito. "Steffie and Mal say 'hi'. He noticed the ring. Hihintayin ka raw niya."

        His phone vibrated again. Galing ulit iyon sa road manager niya. Paliko na raw ito.

        "Dapat ba 'kong kabahan?" tumatawa niyang tanong kay Laurie.

        "Not really. He hasn't slept lately. Kanina pa siya nagpa-palpitate. You could push him with a finger and he'll fall off." Umuga ang mga balikat niya katatawa sa sinabi nitong iyon. "Okay, wait. I'm getting a notification. Fuck, it's the list."

        Muli siyang napangiti nang matanaw na ang van. "Listahan ng?"

        "List of drinks for the upcoming art convention here in the café. Okay, uh, we need to delegate tasks. Dito ka ba magdi-dinner?"

        "Yep. Kakarating lang ni Junnie. Pasakay na 'ko ng van." Binuksan niya ang pinto ng sasakyan. Junnie didn't bother turning the engine off. With the phone still in his ear, Lee settled on the passenger seat. "Kakaupo ko lang sa van."

        "Okay, take care," Laurie mumbled. "See you later. May leftover dough nga pala kaming hindi na magagamit. Mal's making them into cookies right now. Junnie can bring some home. He doesn't have to get off the van. Kung may lakad siya, p'wede ko namang iabot na lang."

        Lee glanced in Junnie's direction. "Gusto mo raw ba ng cookies? P'wede mong ibigay kay Alice."

        "Sakto, Kuya, cookies craving no'n ngayon. Malapit na nga akong mamulubi. Naglilihi pa lang, ang mahal-mahal na, e."

        He couldn't help but laugh. Bukod kasi sa mga inamin ni Sandro noong nalasing ito, iyon ang isa pang gumulat sa kanya pagbalik niya. Buntis pala si Alice. When he broke the news, Junnie was half-laughing and half-crying. Hindi na pala basta hormones ang tumutulak sa pang-aaway ng girlfriend nito.

        "Thank you in advance. Sige raw sa cookies." Inalis niya ang face mask at saka, siya sumandal sa head rest. "Iidlip pala muna ako, Lau. D'yan na siguro ako around 7 PM."

        "Okay," she hummed. "See you."

        Lee bit his lip, holding back a 3-word sentence he preferred saying in person, not in a phone call. "Bye, see you."#