From: @sixth_numero
To: @HoneybeedelSol
Sent: Sun, 02/02/2020, 09:01 AM
Subject: To the girl who inspired me the most...

Hon,

Good morning. How was your week? Sana hindi ka masyadong napagod sa trabaho. Naging busy din ako sa business school. Busy para sa graduation. Galing ko 'di ba? Ga-graduate din.

Nagkasagutan kami ni Dad kagabi. We were having dinner.

"What are your plans? Tuloy mo 'yong MBA mo," he said.

"Yes, dad. Plano ko sa Manila na lang."

Nabitin sa ere 'yong kamay niyang may hawak na tinidor. "Do it in Australia. It'll be good for your background. More connections. And besides, we have a house there."

"Hindi naman po 'yon dahil sa school. It's about dedication and—"

"If that's the case, bakit pa kita pinag-aral sa isang prestigious university dito sa Cebu? If we talk about dedication, I should've sent you to a public school instead," he rebutted.

"Unorelio..." agap ni Mommy na nakaupo sa tabi niya.

"I just don't wanna go far. Puwede namang sa Manila lang," sabi ko at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"Hahabulin mo na naman siya." It was a statement and I knew he meant you.

Mom just gave me a knowing look. I shook my head.

"It's not about her. At kung magkita man kami sa Maynila, hindi rin naman niya ako kakausapin."

Mom sipped on her wine. "I think it's fine. Sixth can help us with the family business while he's taking his MBA if he's nearer."

I could feel my dad's gaze on me. He cleared his throat. "Just make sure you won't go through that senseless phase again. Buti nga at makaka-graduate ka pa."

Halos hindi ko na kasi maipasa-pasa 'yong subjects ko simula nang naghiwalay tayo. I was drunk almost every night. Pero Hon, hindi kita sinisi. Sadyang lugmok na lugmok lang talaga ako lalo na noong first few months.

Tamad naman talaga akong mag-aral kahit noon pa 'di ba? Sinisipag lang ako 'pag pinapagalitan mo. And I also wanted to keep up with you.

"Oh, Sais, ginawa mo na ba homework mo?" you asked with your stern face. We were in my room.

"Yes, Mom," pabiro kong sabi.

You slapped my butt and sat on the edge of my bed. "Yes mom ka diyan. Patingin."

I playfully wiggled my eyebrows. "Anong gusto mong tingnan?"

You pinched my side. "Bastos kang bata ka. Grade eight ka pa lang! Akin na. Homework. Just make sure na meron talaga, huh."

Sumalampak ako sa kama. Pretended to be asleep.

"Sais!"

"Wala. Pagod ako sa basketball practice. Sa school ko na gagawin. Aagahan ko ang pagpunta bukas."

Tumayo ka at nakapamaywang pa. You looked like a warrior to me. I was mesmerized for a bit.

"Ano'ng sa school mo gagawin? Homework nga 'di ba? Kasi sa home gagawin. O baka gusto mong marelocate sa school?"

"Such a nag..." I muttered.

"O sige! Sasabihin ko na lang kay Tita. I bet you prefer her nag that mine."

Bumangon ako at ginulo ang buhok dahil sa frustration.

"Sige. Do it. Papalitan ko password ng wifi namin," sabi ko na may pagbabanta.

"Yabang nito. May wifi din kami sa bahay, hoy."

" E ba't ka dito nakiki-connect?"

You rolled your eyes. "Kasi nga po, Mr. Gahaman Sa Wifi, slow ang speed ng internet sa'min."

"Where are you going?" I asked when I noticed you nearing the doorway.

Tumigil ka para lingunin ako. "Sa mommy mo. Isusumbong kita."

"Kahit na sinabi kong iibahin ko ang password ng wifi?"

"Oo. Bahala ka. Hindi na ako pupunta rito. Engot mo."

Padabog akong tumayo mula sa kama. "Gagawa na."

Nanliit ang mga mata mo. "Huh?"

"Gagawa na ng homework."

And that was the end of our petty argument.

You were so good almost in everything. Pero siyempre, may flaws and weaknesses ka rin naman.

Ang hilig mong mang-asar pero pikon ka naman. Wala ka sa beat 'pag sumasayaw. Pangit ng penmanship mo na sabi ni Eghart parang sinulat daw ng paa ng manok. At ang bilis mong magtiwala.

After dinner, I went to my room. Sumunod naman si Mom.

"Nagkita kami ni Honey last week. That conference I had in Manila which I mentioned to you."

I sat on my swivel chair and tapped my fingers on the desk. "How was she?"

Mom sat on my bed. Facing me. "She looked great. She was in another conference. Nagkasalubong lang kami sa labas ng hotel. So I invited her for a cup of coffee."

I only stared at her so she continued.

"Alam mo namang parang anak ko na rin siya. And she also treats me like her own mother. Despite what happened between the two of you..."

Tumango ako. Matagal pa bago nagsalita. "Did she...ask about me?"

My mom smiled sadly. She didn't have to say it. I knew you didn't ask her about me, Hon. Can't say I blame you.

"Sixth, are we going to have a problem once you do your MBA in Manila?" Mom silently asked.

"What kind of problem?" pagmamaang-maangan ko.

"Hmp. Honeybee problem."

I tilted my head and shook it a bit. "Wala namang problema si Honey. Ako lang naman 'to."

Mom pursed her lips. "Don't be too hard on yourself, son. I know you cheat—"

I cut her off."I don't wanna talk about it. I don't need a...what's it called? Girl talk? I'm not a girl, Mom..."

Bumuntong-hininga siya. "You never did want to talk about it even before. Sinasarili mo lang. Pero alam kong nasasaktan ka pa rin hanggang ngayon. Hanggang ngayon, Sixth, you're still stucked in that year where she left you."

When I didn't respond she left the room. She was right though. Siguro nga nasa taon pa rin ako kung kailan mo ako iniwan, Hon.
Kapag nandiyan na ba ako sa Maynila at nagkita tayo, papansinin mo'ko?

But if you tell me to go away, I'll respect it and do as you wish. Pero 'di ibig sabihin no'n hindi ako mahihirapan. Hindi ibig sabihin no'n hindi ako masasaktan kahit na wala naman akong karapatan.

-Sixth-