MY PLANTS LOOKED a little lonely as I browsed and touched their leaves as gently as I could. Maybe I should put some of them directly in the sun so that they'll get enough sunlight.

"Gwen, tara na?" I heard Maggie called from the kitchen.

When I turned to her, she was already made up and ready to go. She blinked at me and then tapped her wristwatch.

Sa kabilang bahay lang naman kami pupunta pero nagmamadali siya. I bet it's because of Rafa. I smiled at the thought of her laughing in the presence of her best friend.

Rafa's mom invited us over for dinner at their house because she's celebrating her birthday and she'd want company more than her husband and two rowdy boys—her words not mine.

Maggie's dad couldn't come because of prior commitments that I think might be related to someone he's dating. Okay, maybe I overheard a phone call not too long ago. But I'm not about to tell Maggie unless her dad is ready to tell her. It's not my business.

Liv, on the other hand, stayed a bit far from here in their mom's house so she was also unavailable. And that leaves me for Maggie to drag to the dinner party. Not that I mind, Rafa's mom is so nice that she would always give me a pat or a hug whenever she sees me outside. Also, she adores my plants!

I pinched my yellow clip on the side of my head to pin the hair that slipped out of my bun while I waited for Maggie to lock the door of the house.

"Do I look okay?" Maggie asked as she pulled down her blue cropped sweater that paired well with her flared jeans.

I nodded, feeling my bangs already starting to stick on my forehead from sweat. "Oo naman. Why are you fussing?"

She shook her head, her long hair falling over her shoulders. "Nothing. Tara na?"

I doubt it was nothing. Maggie is particularly easy to read not because she's my cousin, but because her face is very expressive. So small things like this indicate that she's worrying about something I can't quite put my finger on.

When we arrived at Rafa's house, I was greeted by the aroma of home made food. Hindi naman ako maselan sa pagkain and I eat what's on the table especially if it's home made. I know Rafa's mom cooks pretty good meals and has a whole cookbook she wrote herself.

I dusted off my denim overalls before entering the front yard which was already decorated with small tables and chairs enough for a few people.

"Mags!" Rafa called from inside their house. He was pumping air for the balloons with his younger brother.

While Maggie went to him, I poked around the kitchen and smiled when I saw Rafa's mom.

"Hi, Tita. Busy po kayo?" I asked and schooled my face to look fluffier than it usually was in hopes that she'll let me in her kitchen and maybe try out the food before everybody else.

When she saw me, she turned off the heat and immediately greeted me with a hug. "Oh, no. I was just finishing up the sauce for the roast beef. Si Maggie ba dumating na rin?"

I nodded. "Yes po, magkasama kaming pumunta. Tito couldn't come kasi may prior commitments daw po siya."

She waved her hand and returned to the stove. "No problem! I can understand that he's a busy man, much like my husband. How about you pull a chair and help me with the plating?"

That was my cue. 

On their island counter, nakahilera na ang mga tray ng pagkain starting with a hefty amount of pancit bihon, barbecued chicken thighs, mixed veggies, as well as a huge pot of mashed potato. I almost dipped a finger on each just to taste them but I held my hand. I'm hungry.

Tita asked me to grab a white plate and pick out the best slice of cordon bleu to place it on the plate. I did what I was told and picked a few stems of cilantro on her kitchen counter to serve as garnish before cutting it to tiny pieces.

Maggie came to the kitchen just as I was done and greeted Rafa's mom as she handed our gift. It wasn't anything expensive, especially on my part. I just painted a portrait of her with what I have and had it framed, and Maggie bought her a set of kitchen shears. 

"Thank you, girls. Remind me why I don't have a daughter!" she cried and hugged us both. 

Even though she was blessed with two boys, I think she secretly wants a daughter. 

"Ma, parang ayaw mo na sa amin ni Ronan." I heard Rafa teased when he came in to help us carry the plates outside.

"Rafael, if I no longer wanted you boys, I would've thrown you out the minute you turned 18." 

Rafael tsk-ed when he heard his full name but kissed his mom's temple nonetheless.

"Si Ronan na lang itapon mo, ma. Wala namang silbi 'yan dito sa bahay."

Ronan, who was sticking the balloons on the doorframe, frowned at us. "I heard that. But I'm the smarter one. I study hard for this family."

Rafa made a face before he grabbed a plate to transfer outside. Maggie followed with the cake while I stayed behind to finish up the cordon bleu. Rafa's dad was already outside cooking the roast beef and letting the other guests in.

"Gwen, have you thought about staying here in the Philippines?" Tita asked as she poured the sauce into smaller serving bowls.

Her question caught me off guard not because it was the first time I heard it, but because even though I wanted to stay and have plans for it, I knew that that could change in a heartbeat. 

"I plan on staying until college, but I'm not sure if my dad would want that."

"I'm sure he would understand. Mas mahal naman ang mag-aral abroad, especially if you're planning to take a technical course."

Nobody really knew about why I was brought back here except for Maggie and her family. A shortened version of an explanation was what I shared to other people, but it was more complicated than that.

"I still have the whole summer, Tita. So we'll probably talk about it." 

I picked up a tray from the kitchen counter when she asked if I could help her and Rafa put the food on the table outside. Some of the family's friends from the village were already outside, so I carefully held on to the delicious tray of barbecued chicken and avoided running into people.

Maggie was now helping Rafa entertain the guests while they waited for the food. Rafa was the more sociable one between the two, but Maggie has her moments, especially if she's comfortable with her environment. Pretty much like myself.

I stopped short when I saw one of Rafa's friends heading inside the gate. Jastin or Jass, as he was mostly known for, was wearing a black and white windbreaker from a popular brand of sportswear, and was just removing his helmet, shaking his long hair in the process.

When his eyes landed on me, he gave me a small smile like he always did, his lips curving into a pretty but reserved arc. Monty and Jass were Rafa's friends that I knew because of Maggie and because we see each other from time to time.

He walked towards the crowd, his minty scent engulfing me when he passed by.

I excused myself and headed over to the table to put the tray safely and help Tita arrange the rest. I wanted to stay at the task at hand, but it was already too late, all I wanted to do was linger for a few more seconds staring at him.

I shook my head, my bangs wiggling at the motion, to stop whatever I was feeling. A tiny crush could grow over time if I didn't put a lid on it.

But he's cute, the devil on my shoulder said.

With a heavy sigh, I decided to join Maggie at the table where she was currently occupying with Rafa.

"Gwen, come on, kain na rin tayo." Maggie pulled me up again to grab a plate and started piling her own with food.

My soul almost sang at the thought of food as I scooped some mashed potato and grabbed the tongs to get a piece of chicken.

When we got back to our table, I immediately sat and dug on the food. And true to my prediction, it was really good. Rafa is lucky to have a mother like her.

I was in the middle of devouring a piece of chicken with my fingers when I felt someone pull the seat next to me. When I looked up to see who it was, the air whooshed out of me that I almost dropped the chicken back on my plate.

"Monty, I'm not going to bore you with my stories, I promise." I heard Jass called for Monty who sat far from him, or us, technically.

"Don't care. I know you'll ask me to listen to your stories soon enough. I'm sitting here."

The guy beside me chuckled and pulled up his pants before sitting down and setting  down his plate. He didn't have much on his plate, but he did get a lot of pancit. He must like noodles.

"It's my favorite," he stated, voicing out my assumption. "The noodles, I mean."

"Oh, no, I wasn't. . . " trying to ask you.

He must've sensed my discomfort, so instead of giving another remark, he started to eat. "Just so you know, kumuha ka na ng chicken. Paubos na kanina."

The deep grumble of his voice made my attention linger on him longer than necessary.

"You don't mind me sitting here don't you? I forgot to ask."

I shook my head, digging my hand on the side of my seat. "No, it's okay. You've just never really spoken to me, so this is new."

His forehead creased. "Really? But I do know that you're Maggie's cousin. That girl hates me with passion."

A laughter bubbled out of me. Maggie does avoid him whenever he's around. Something about a bad reputation among women.

"She doesn't hate you. She's just wary."

"Which is the same thing as hate in her dictionary. You can't change my mind."

I leaned forward to get a little closer to him in case he still wanted to talk to me. If not, it's fine. I can sit and eat my food in peace. My heart will stay at rest. I'll be fine.

"Business din ba ang kukunin mo?" he asked when the silence felt long. 

Maggie is going to take up a business-related course next year and although it was initially my plan to take up business too, I'm still a little bit hesitant. If I did, I would be equipped enough to run my own business—a flower shop is one that has been my goal since I was a teen. Or, I could apply for an 8-5 job, that would be boring, but would pay the bills nonetheless. 

I scratched my nose and turned to him. "I'm not sure yet. Depends on my dad because he's going to pay for my education. Ikaw ba?"

Jass leaned back on his seat and seemed to think about it. "Now that you asked me, I'm not so sure anymore. I want to do a lot of things." 

"Like?"

I caught a smile from him. A genuine one. I made him smile!

"Do you have a pen and paper? Baka kailangan mong ilista 'to."

"No worries. I have a great memory." I pointed at my head.

"Well for one, I want to make a career out of my hobbies. I want to study music and be able to play. I also want to have a degree in aeronautics or aviation. Really, endless possibilities."

I couldn't help but beam at him; at the amount of things he wants to accomplish in life.

"I'm sure you'd be able to pick one as your degree and foster the rest."

I was about to say something else when Maggie came to my side and pulled me to join a game. Rafa also dragged Monty and Jass in front.

While they were busy playing, Jass approached me and lowered his head a bit to whisper. "Thanks for the confidence, by the way. I appreciate it."

What he said only fueled me to inspire courage and confidence whenever I can and in whatever I could. Because I don't want them to end up like me.

The night went on without any more interactions with Jass, and although it made me sad, I hoped what I said would encourage him to work for what he wants. And just as Maggie and I were about to go home, I saw him outside, already mounted on his motorcycle.

"Ingat pauwi." I heard Rafa.

I stopped and stood a few feet away from them, but Jass caught my eye. His lips curved into a smile when I waved at him. I'd like to think that it was because of me.

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