Cyrus still can't get over the fact that he kissed Lena last night. He even went to work the next day to get it off of his mind, but Martin told him to rest. Pinauwi siya nito. Ayos din naman sa kanya. Nabibwisit kasi siya sa pagmumukha ni Martin.

He thought of visiting Lena, but he later decided not to. He might do something stupid again. Baka wala na siyang mukhang maiharap dito pagkatapos. So instead of sulking in his own house, he went to his parents' house instead. Naabutan niya roon ang bunsong kapatid na si Cadence.

"Kuya!"

Patakbo itong yumakap sa kanya.

"Wala kang pasok?"

"Later pa. Why are you here? Are you sick? You're burning up!" Hinila siya nito papasok ng bahay at saka pinaupo. Then she went up the second floor to call their mother.

As usual, may hawak na namang panlinis ang mommy niya. That's why their house is always clean and spotless. Napakasipag kasi nitong maglinis. A trait that he didn't fully inherit.

After giving him a hug, his mom went to the kitchen to make him some soup. Ang kapatid naman niya ay kumuha ng bimpo at mainit na tubig. Itinapal nito ang basang bimpo sa noo niya kahit nagpumilit siyang huwag na. Cadence also got the thermometer from the medicine cabinet and tucked it under his tongue. Sumimangot ito nang makita ang temperatura niya.

"Uminom ka na ba ng gamot, kuya?"

"I did. Yesterday."

His sister pursed her lips. "Ang tigas-tigas ng ulo mo. Gusto mo pa bang lumala muna 'yang sakit mo bago ka uminom ng gamot? You should take your medicine every 6 hours until you're feeling okay! And drink some hot orange juice!"

He made a face. His youngest sister can be so bossy sometimes. Maalaga kasi ito, at ayaw na ayaw nitong may nagkakasakit sa pamilya.

"I'd rather have ice cream."

"No ice cream until you're well."

"You can't argue with her," his mom said with a smile. Dinama nito ang leeg niya at saka ito umiling. "How long have you been sick?"

"Uhm... three days?"

"Tapos hindi ka man lang nagsabi?"

"Ma, I'm already 24. I can handle a little fever."

"Clearly," his sister said sarcastically. Inilagay nito ang dalawang kamay sa balikat niya. Then she put her chin on top of them. "Nga pala, Kuya. When will you introduce your girlfriend to us?"

His mother sat beside him and waited for his answer. They were all happy when his dad told them that he was dating again. And when Julie showed them Lena's picture, they became more eager to meet her.

"Soon. Kapag okay na 'yong paa nya." He told them about her little accident yesterday, minus the kiss and his outburst. Suddenly, their concern went out to Lena.

"Kumusta na sya ngayon?"

Nagkibit-balikat siya. Hindi pa niya ito naku-kontak simula kahapon. Cadence urged him to call Lena. Kinulit siya nito nang kinulit until he gave in. He was half-expecting to hear Martin's voice again.

Galit na galit siya kahapon nang marinig ang boses nito. It just pissed him off that he's with Lena when he should have been there with her. He promised her that he won't let her fall and break but that's just what happened and he wasn't even there to prevent it.

Tulog kasi siya nang tumawag ito kaya hindi niya iyon kaagad nasagot.

"Lena?"

His sister pressed her ear on the phone to listen.

"Hi! Napatawag ka?"

"Kumusta? Are you feeling better?" She didn't sound like she was in pain.

"Yeah. My dad came earlier. Martin told them," she said with a grunt. His sister mouthed 'Who's Martin?' but he ignored her. "Pinagalitan ako ni Dad, but he also brought crutches. I can now move around the house on my own."

His shoulders sagged. So she doesn't need him anymore.

"That's good to hear. Kumain ka na?"

"Kanina. Dad also brought food so may kakainin na rin ako mamaya."

There's nothing left for him to do. He felt stupid for calling. Hindi naman na pala siya kailangan.

"How about you? Are you okay?" she asked. "Martin told me that you went to work earlier but you're still sick so he sent you home."

He scowled. Can she not mention Martin's name for once?

"Yeah! I'm okay." he replied with snark.

"Okay," was all she said. Hindi niya alam kung napansin ba nitong inis siya o wala na lamang itong masabi. Nang hindi na siya nagsalita ay lumayo si Cadence ng kaunti at sinenyasan siya para magsalita. He shrugged as if to say he got nothing left to tell Lena.

"So..." He scratched his nape. "Uhm..."

"Bye?"

"Oh, okay."

He sighed exasperatedly when Lena ended he call. Nahiga siya sa couch, putting his head on his mother's lap. Pumikit siya at itinaas ang braso para iharang sa mga mata.

"Well, that was awkward," Cadence commented. "Who's Martin?"

"My boss and Lena's friend."

"Oh! Kuya Martin? Mutual friend nyo pala sya ni Ate Lena?"

He nodded.

"Why do you sound like you hate him?" asked his mom.

That was the question he's been asking himself since yesterday. He and Martin had been friends for many years. Ito ang nag-offer sa kanya ng trabaho right after he graduated. Mataas kaagad ang posisyon niya at malaki ang sweldo kahit kakasimula pa lamang niya. But ever since he and Lena started dating, naging ilag na siya sa kaibigan.

"I don't. It's just--"

"You're jealous of him," Cadence continued for him.

"I'm not." Or was he? He doesn't know for sure.

--

Cyrus fell asleep after some time. When he woke up, the sun was already setting, bathing the living room in orange and yellow lights.

"Gutom ka na, anak? I'm almost done cooking."

"Where's Cade?"

"Pumasok na kanina pa."

"How long was I asleep?"

"Five hours yata?"

Kinusot niya ang mga mata. "Dapat ginising mo 'ko, Ma."

"You needed the rest."

He didn't argue. He still feels a bit sluggish though.

"Did someone call while I was asleep?"

"Yes. Si Julie." Iniabot nito ang phone sa kanya. "Tawagan mo raw sya pagkagising mo."

Pagkasabi'y pumunta na itong kusina para tingnan ang niluluto. He checked the call logs. Si Julie lamang ang tumawag sa kanya. When he checked his messages, na-disappoint siya nang hindi nakita ang pangalan ni Lena sa inbox. Maybe she's really doing okay on her own. He somehow wishes that that's not the case, suddenly wanting her to need him.

But since that's not the case at the moment, he contented himself into knowing that she's okay. In the meantime, tinawagan muna niya ang pinsan at mukhang may importante itong sasabihin sa kanya.

"Hey!" Julie greeted.

"What do you want?"

"Sungit mo naman. Kumusta na? Okay ka na?"

"No. So make it quick."

"Hmp, okay! I just want to ask kung may sinabi ba si Lena tungkol do'n sa out of town natin? Sasama raw ba sya? Huling usap kasi namin, nag-aalangan pa sya, e. Baka lang na-update ka nya."

"I don't know. Ask her. I'm not going."

"What?! Why?"

"I'll be busy that week," dahilan niya. Kahit ang totoo, pulido na ang sked niya sa linggong iyon. Nakapag-file na rin siya ng leave.

"Sabi mo okay na? Pa'no si Lena? Third wheel ang labas no'n if ever!" pangungunsensya nito. And then she asked the dreaded question. "Nag-away ba kayo?"

"No."

"Then why the sudden change of mind?"

"I told you. I'd be busy that week."

"Sinungaling."

"Huwag kang maniwala kung ayaw mo."

"I'll ask Lena then. Maybe she can explain."

"Wait!"

Julie huffed. "O, ano?" Nang wala siyang naisagot ay muli itong nagsalita. "What's up with you lately? Dala lang ba ng lagnat 'yan, Cy?"

"If I tell you the truth, will you promise not to tell Lena?"

"I promise."

Huminga siya nang malalim. "I don't want to be around her, Julie."

"Why? I thought you like her?"

"I do."

"Then bakit nga? You're confusing me."

"She likes Martin." Even the thought of it pisses him off.

"So? Martin doesn't like her. I don't see why that's a problem."

Julie didn't get it. Palibhasa ay gusto ito ng taong gusto nito. Liking Lena while she likes Martin isn't a problem now. But it could be. Paano kung tuluyan siyang mahulog dito tapos iba pa rin ang gusto nito? When Joanna died, it's as though his world ended with her. Ayaw niyang maiwang muli. Ayaw na niyang masaktan. Kung siya lamang ang masusunod, he would lock his heart and throw away the key. But Joanna made him promise. He promised her that he will not close his heart, that he will take a chance. And after three long years, he felt like this could be that chance. Kaso, may sabit naman, kaibigan pa niya.

"Cy, women don't like being disregarded. Lena will soon realize that Martin will never love her back. She will get tired of hoping. You should take advantage of the situation. Dapat palagi kang nasa tabi nya. We fall for guys who make time for us, trust me. Kapag palagi kang nandyan, sooner or later, she will take notice."

"I don't know, Julie..."

"There's a reason why she found you the same day that you lost Joanna. It might be the universe telling you that you ought to give yourself another chance. Take this chance, couz. I'm sure Joanna would want you to be happy again."