Hello, before reading the update, I'd like to let you all know:

1. This chapter and the following chapters will include MAJOR spoilers of Good night enemy and Attack of the Fuckboys. Discretion is up to you :)

2. The nursery rhyme in the previous chapter has been changed. You'll know more on FHS 4.

3. Wattpad is kinda glitchy, may instances na hindi lumalabas ang notifications. IF you have twitter, follow me so that you can be aware if may update na ba or wala since linked ang wattpad and twitter account ko.

4. May mga characters na hindi name-mention lagi but that doesn't mean they're not around. Hindi ko lang talaga sila sinasali sa POV ni Reika para wala akong ma-spoil about sa upcoming stories ng series. Same with what happened to GE & AOTF na hindi masyadong minention doon sina Slade, Reika, Silver, etc.

5. Don't spoil anything on Facebook and Twitter please <3 Everyone deserves a spoiler-free reading experience <3

6. THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

Almost 3 years later

Back then, my life has been about following my heart even if it meant breaking the rules. I didn't care about getting in trouble nor being hated by anyone. Truth is, I didn't even have a clue what to do with my life considering everything I ever needed was already provided by my Grandfather. But the moment I returned to Filimon Heights, everything started to change, for the better.

I had no idea that returning to Filimon Heights would help me fix my family, reunite with my old friends, meet new people, and find the love of my life. Hell, I never even thought that it would help be become a better person. 

Sure, my future still felt unclear to me but I was sure of one thing... to make damn good memories with the people I love.

"Villafranca, Slade G."

Napatayo agad ako at malakas na napapalakpak nang si Slade na ang tumayo at nagmartsa patungo sa stage suot ang kanyang itim na toga. Dali-dali kong nilabas ang camera ko upang mai-record ito.

"That's my boy!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, mimicking his words on my graduation day. 

As he received his diploma, he turned to our direction and winked at me. He then raised his hand, gesturing rock and roll.

I was so happy and proud of him. Slade had been through a lot but he managed to prevail and even reach higher. Everything he achieved, he did it with his own effort and hard work. There were times he got tired, even thought about giving up, but he chose to continue and climb even higher. 

"I never thought this day would even come. Thank you, Reika." Nagulat ako nang biglang magsalita si Tita Sophie na nasa tabi ko. I stopped recording and put down my camera as I looked at her with a smile.

"I think that's the other way around." I chuckled. "I should be thankful, Tita. I was a wreck before your son came into my life." 

"Well, you're both lucky with each other." Silver chimed from the other seat. Hindi niya nagawang tumayo mula sa kinauupuan dahil kandong niya si Drummer na tahimik nakikinig ng music, nakahilig pa ito sa balikat niya habang nilalaro ang tenga niya. Drummer was already 4 but we all still treat him like a baby, gustong-gusto rin naman kasi nitong laging kinakarga o kinakandong.

Through the years, Drummer grew close to Silver. Mukhang namana rin ni Drummer ang pagiging tahimik ni Elemento. May mga pagkakataon din namang maingay at makulit ang kapatid ko lalo na kung kami ni Slade ang kasama niya.

As the program ended, sinalubong namin si Slade. 

He was running with a big smile on his face. He was so happy that he didn't even wait for his Dad, naiwan niya ito sa upuan ng mga escort kaya panay ang reklamo nito. Kawawang tito neil.

"Babe!" Slade yelled happily as he hugged me tight and even lifting me from the ground. Nahiya ako sa Mommy niya dahil ako pa talaga ang una nitong niyakap kaya naman dali-dali kong tinapik ang balikat niya upang mapakawalan niya ako.

Kinuha ko muli ang camera ko at sinimulan silang kulang ng litrato. Pagkatapos ng ilang mga shots na magkakasama sina Slade at ang mga magulang niya, mabiliskong nilingon si Silver na karga-karga pa rin si Drummer.

"Little Bean, baba ka muna kay Ate Silly." I didn't have to ask twice, masunuring bata si Drummer at ito mismo ang nagpumilit na umalis mula kay Silver at yumakap sa hita ko. He gets all shy and uncomfortable when we're at crowded places kaya yumayakap agad ito sa amin. I guess we were his safety blanket. 

"Ang cute talaga ng kapatid mo!" Tita Sophie exclaimed while clasping her hands. "Oh how I miss having a little kid in the house." 

"Gusto mo sundan din natin ang kambal?" Natatawang biro ni Tito Neil kaya halos masira ang mga mukha nina Silver at Slade dahil sa pandidiri.

"Hintayin n'yo na lang ang magiging anak namin ni Reika." Nakangiwing giit ni Slade bagay na ikinalaki ng mga mata ko. Lokong 'to, sa harapan pa ng mga magulang niya nagbiro nang ganoon.

Tita Sophie smiled as she looked at Slade and I. "Okay, tutal naka-graduate na naman kayo."

Pinamulahan agad ako ng pisngi pero itinawa ko na lang ang hiyang nararamdaman. Lagi kaming nagbibiruan ng ganito pero iba na talaga kasi kapag kasama na namin ang mga matatanda. 

"Mag-ipon ka muna! Mamaya mapahiya pa tayo sa pamilya ni Reika." Pabalang na paalala ni Tito Neil at nakita kong nahihiyang ngumiti sa akin si Slade. 

Ang awkward na ng usapan kaya nagpatuloy ako sa pagkuha ng litrato nilang apat. Nakaka-dalawang shots pa lang ako nang pinasali ako nila ako sa kanila dahil parte na raw naman ako ng pamilya, ganun din si Drummer. Nanghila pa sila ng kung sino para lang may kumuha ng litrato.

"Teka, baka ma late na tayo!" Bulalas ni Slade at napasulyap sa kanyang relo.

"Okay, pero mamaya sabay tayong magdi-dinner." Paalala ni Tita.

"Silver, sabay ka na sa Kuya mo." Giit ni Tito pero umiling si Silver, palibhasa may sarili nang sasakyan ang elemento.

Akmang kakargahin ko na sana si Drummer nang bigla itong tumakbo patungo kay Silver at yumakap sa hita nito. "Kay Ate Silver ako sasama."

"Hoy, wag kang traydor. Ako kapatid mo."  Pabiro kong giit pero mas humigpit lang ang yakap nito kay Silver. Ang elemento naman, patawa-tawa pa. Proud na proud na mas pinipili siya ng kapatid ko.

Sa huli wala kaming nagawa ni Slade kundi hayaan si Drummer na sumabay kay Silver tutal isang lugar lang din naman ang pupuntahan namin. Parang maiiyak na rin kasi si Drummer kung ihihiwalay namin siya kay Silver. I can blame Drummer, I really missed Silver too.

Bago pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan, hinubad ni Slade ang suot na toga at hindi ko napigilang matawa nang makitang nakasuot na siya ng navy blue polo at black pants. Buti na lang hindi niya pa sinuot ang blue suit niya kundi nahimatay na siya sa init.

"What? Nakakapagod nang magbihis!" Natatawa niyang giit bago ko pa man siya maasar.

"Hala!" Napasinghap ako nang may maalala. "Babe, magbibihis muna ako! May CR sa loob ng arena, hintayin mo lang ako."

"'Wag na, tinted naman ang bintana ng kotse ko." Giit niya.

"Siguraduhin mong pipikit ka!" Pabalang kong giit.

"Babe, I'll be driving, baka mabangga pa tayo. 'Wag ka nang mahiya, makikita ko rin naman 'yan." He smirked. 

I looked at him flatly. "I hate you."

He chuckled. "On second thought, 'wag na lang pala. Mamaya hindi ako makapagpigil."

"I really hate you." I rolled my eyes and grabbed my pastel blue dress from the backseat and ran back to the arena.

"Babe, dahan-dahan lang sa pagmamaneho." Paalala ko sa kanya habang maingat akong naglalagay ng make-up. Suot ko na ang bridesmaid dress ko habang kanina pang umaga nakaayos ang buhok ko. Magkasabay pa kasi talaga ang kasal nila at ang graduation ni Slade.

"Maganda ka na, tama na 'yan." He chuckled as he turned on the radio. Saktong kanta ng Wave Syndicate ang bumungad sa amin.

Wave Syndicate managed to land a record deal with a famous company. Marami nang nakakakilala sa kanila sa buong bansa. Heath even became a celebrity of some sort. Napakarami na nilang fangirls.

"Nice!" Slade smiled with so much pride.

I smiled at his reaction. Kahit nag indefinite leave siya sa Wave Syndicate, todo suporta pa rin siya sa mga ito. 

Ibinaba ko ang hawak na make-up at napahilig sa kanyang direksyon. Hindi ko na napigilan pa ang sarili kong magtanong. "Slade?"

"Hmm?" He glanced at me with his honey-colored eyes.

"Do you ever regret it?" I asked.

"Let me guess... leaving Wave Syndicate?" He chuckled.

"Yeah." I chuckled as well.

"Wala naman akong pinagsisisihan. I'm playing for the music, not the fame. Nakakatugtog pa rin naman ako sa tuwing nagtuturo ako sa mga bata. I gotta admit though, I miss playing with the guys... especially when I see you in the crowd, enjoying our music." He glanced at me again, making me smile uncontrollably.

"May balak kang bumalik?" I asked. "I mean, part of your reason for leaving was to focus on your studies right?"

He nodded nonchalantly as he glanced at me again. "They told me I could come back anytime. SIguro kung may pagkakataon, bakit hindi? Okay lang ba sa'yo?"

"Gago ka ba?" I jolted up my seat as I laughed. "Oo naman! Sino naman ako para pagbawalan ka. Baby, I'm your number one fan... and basher as well, so umayos ka."

He grabbed my hand without looking away from the road. He kissed it and continued holding it in one hand. "I'll make you proud."

"I've always been proud of you." I reminded him as I grabbed our intertwined hands and kissed his.

*****

I couldn't help but smile as I watched Denver and Braylee have their first dance as husband and wife. My adorable Bubbles looked very beautiful in her lacey v-neck wedding gown while Denver looked hella dapper in his black tuxedo. Both of them looked so happy, their glimmering eyes only focused on each other.

Every single one of us were so happy for them. After all they've been through, they deserve a happily ever after. 

Instead of a church wedding, they chose to wed on the hillside of the Nature Park that held a great significance to their lives. Mukhang nakisama rin ang panahon dahil hindi masyadong mainit ang araw at medyo malamig pa ang simoy ng hangin. From where we are, we could see the beauty of nature and it's surrounding cities. Ethereal. I guess that was a word to describe it.

"Pagkatapos nila? Tayo naman?" Slade whispered as he stood right behind me, hugging me tenderly by the waist as his jaw rested above my shoulder.

We all stood by the side, waiting for our turns to pin money on their clothes. 

"Why not?" I chuckled as I planted a kiss on his cheek. 

"Apollo wants to show us a house. Malapit lang daw 'yon sa nabili niyang bahay pati na rin sa bahay nila ni Denver at Braylee." 

"How about the price?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Don't think about it. Ako na ang bahala. I'll save up for it. I'll work ten times harder." Giit niya.

"I should help too. May naipon na ako sa pagta-trabaho sa company ni Lolo." Giit ko naman.

"No, let me do it for you. Just trust me, all you gotta do is marry me." He chuckled as he kissed me on the cheek. "Konting hintay lang."

"'Wag tayong magmadali." I smiled as I reminded him. "We have all the time--"

"Hala, kayo pa rin?!"

Kapwa kami napalingon ni Slade at natawa na lang nang makita si Chewey na may mapang-asar na ngiti sa kanyang mukha. Matagal-tagal na rin mula nang huli namin siyang makita. Naging sobra kasi naming abala ni Slade sa mga nakalipas na buwan. Slade has been juggling his studies, teaching music to kids, and helping out on their business kaya nawalan na siya ng oras sa banda. Ako naman naging abala rin sa pagtulong sa kompanya ni Lolo at pati na rin sa lumalagong negosyo ni Daddy. From what I know naging official bassist na si Chewey ng banda, not replacing my Slade of course. Dalawa na lang talaga sila.

"My God, kailan ba kayo ikakasal? Makaka-dalawang kasal na si Piper pero kayong dalawa nganga pa rin!" Patutsada ni Riley na nakatayo lang sa isang tabi habang sumisimsim ng champagne. Nakikinig pala sa usapan namin ang loka. He looked so cute in his pastel blue tuxedo, complementing our pastel blue bridesmaid dresses. Kung sina Slade ang Groomsmen, si Riley naman ang Bridesman ni Braylee.

"May problema ka Riley?" Pabalang na tanong ni Apollo kay Riley. Basta talaga pangalan ni Piper, napakalakas ng radar ng ulol.

"Manahimik ka, mas macho pa ako sa'yo." Pairap na ganti ni Riley kaya napasimangot na lang si Apollo. Totoo rin naman kasi. Si Riley lang yata sa mga barkada ko ang may six pack abs.

"May problema ka Riley?" Pabalang naman na tanong ni Piper na katabi lang ni Apollo.

"Meron." Humalakhak si Lucho. "Di pa kasi dumarating si Macho boy niya."

Umayos nang tayo si Riley at nag-stretching ng mga kamay. Hindi na nag-atubili pa si Lucho at nagtatakbo na para sa kanyang buhay.

"Kung ako na lang sana ang 'yong minahal, di ka na muling luluha pa." Ma-drama kong patutsada kaya biglang ako naman ang sinamaan ni Riley ng tingin.

"Babe." May pagbabanta ring sambit ni Slade.

I rolled my eyes. Pikon talaga ng mga 'to.

"Ilang taon na nga kayo? Grabe, nakikita ko pa 'to si Slade noon na naghihintay kay Reika sa mini park ng uni." Manghang tanong ni Stacy, isa sa mga kaklase ko noong college.

"5 years."

"3 years."

Kapwa kami nagkatinginan ni Slade dahil sa magkaiba naming sagot. Naramdaman ko ring napatingin sa amin ang iba pa naming mga kaibigan.

"3." Giit ko kay Slade.

"5." He grinned sarcastically. "Babe, Drummer is four. Buntis si Tita nang maging tayo."

"Oh..." Tumango-tango na lang ako at inosenteng ngumiti. "Best five years of my life." Pabiro ko pang dagdag para huwag siyang mainis.

Five Years. I couldn't believe that it was that long already. Our relationship wasn't perfect. May mga pagkakataon din naman na nag-aaway kami at nagtatalo pero ni minsan hindi kami napagod intindihin ang isa't-isa kahit pa kapwa kami may saltik.

"Sa dami nang nagbago, at least kayo gaya pa rin ng dati." Riley sighed as he took a sip from his glass of champagne.

"Wala namang nagbago." I smiled as I insisted. Or was it just me, trying to convince myself that nothing has changed.

Me, trying to convince myself that the gang was still as strong as it was. That none of us fell apart. That Cohen was the only person who drifted away from us. That we don't just hang out during very special occasions.

"Babe, nag-usap na ba kayo ni Sawyer?" Biglang bulong ni Slade sa tenga ko. Otomatiko akong napatingin sa direksyon kung saan nakatayo sina Magno, Sawyer, Haji, at Jethro. Malayo-layo sila sa amin at may kanya-kanya ring pinag-uusapan.

I felt a sinking feeling when Sawyer suddenly looked at my direction and acted like our eyes didn't even met. 

"We haven't talked since Piper and Cohen's botched wedding. It's not like he's trying to reach out as well. Ang hirap magpatawad ng taong hindi naman humihingi ng tawad." I couldn't help but sigh. "I want to make good memories but I'm tired adjusting to people's wrongs just make things right."

"Well, it's not your fault for feeling that way." Slade tried to console me.

"He's my best friend, how could he betray me like that and give me a half-assed apology." I couldn't help but sigh. "I need that phone back, Slade. I need it so bad."

▬ end of 65// thank u ▬