Mabilis lumipas ang panahon, pero mabagal pa ring maghilom ang sugat. Mona found out that emotional wounds are so much harder to heal. Napapagod man sa kaiiyak, nagri-recharge pa rin ang mga luha niya. May mga gabi pa ring nilalamon siya ng lungkot, pero madalas niya iyong itulog.

Thankfully, she was finally able to work like a normal human being. But there is no joy in what she does. Everything became a routine. Alam niyang pansin iyon ng mga katrabaho niya at pansin niyang gumagawa ang mga ito ng paraan para pagaanin ang pakiramdam niya.

Kanina lang, napansin niyang nagkukulitan sina Tess at Ralph. Ralph rolled some excess fondants into balls and threw them at Tess. Nang mapansin ng dalawang nakatingin siya, biglang naglayo ang mga ito.

"Sorry, boss," sabi pa ni Ralph.

"Sorry saan?" She forced a smile. "Hindi porket brokenhearted ako, e, bawal na kayong magkulitan. Just make sure that you'd finish all the orders."

"Saka na kami magkukulitan, Boss, kapag may kakulitan ka na rin," sabat ni Tess. "Nakakakunsensya kasing maging masaya kapag malungkot ka."

Sinimangutan niya ang mga ito. "Matatagalan pa 'yon. Gusto nyo bang malungkot na lang tayong lahat dito?"

"Bakit naman matatagalan pa, boss? Di ba, may isa ka pang boylet?"

She scowled. "Hindi ko 'yon boylet. Besides, he's not a boy anymore."

She wouldn't dare call Baste a boy. Baka masapak sya. Touchy pa naman 'yon sa terminologies.

"You can flirt with each other all you want. Malalaman nyo naman kapag nasasaktan na 'ko kasi paaalisin ko kayo sa harap ko."

Tumawa si Tatay Ben. "Masokista ka talaga, ano?"

Pilit siyang ngumiti sa matanda. "Mas madali kasing maka-move on kapag sinasalubong at tinatanggap ang sakit. Acceptance is the first stage to moving on."

"Hindi na ba talaga babalik, Boss?" tanong ni Ralph. There's genuine concern in their eyes.

"Hindi na 'yon," she answered dismissively.

But in the deepest crevice of her hurting heart, she's still hoping for his return. Hindi pa kasi dumarating sa punto na sawa na siyang maghintay. Hindi pa rin nauubos ang pag-asa niya.

--

Mona tried her best to surround herself with people, to not be alone, most of the time. Baste and Brandi made sure to help her. Busy rin kasi si Aika kay Mickey kaya hindi ito makatulong sa kanya. Hindi na rin naman niya inabala ang kaibigan. Mickey and Aika are finally doing okay. Ayaw naman niyang makasira sa kaligayahan ng mga ito. Kaya ang mga kaibigan na lamang niyang single ang ginugulo niya.

Tuwing umaga, maaga siyang gumigising para makasabay si Basta sa pagja-jogging. It was hard, at first, because she'd rather eat than exercise, pero naisip din niyang magandang bonding moment nilang dalawa 'yon, in case na sila nga ang magkatuluyan. In a few days of jogging every morning, gumaan-gaan naman ang pakiramdam niya. There's a reason to get up in the morning. Wala syang panahong magmukmok dahil bawat oras ng araw niya ay planado, nilagyan niya ng gagawin.

After jogging, she'll head of to work early. Mas marami siyang natatapos dahil matagal siya sa shop. Siya ang pinakaunang dumarating at pinakahuling umuuwi. Dahil maaga siyang gumigising sa umaga para mag-jogging, maaga rin siyang natutulog sa gabi. Pagkauwi niya galing sa trabaho, natutulog na siya kaagad.

During weekends, si Brandi naman ang kasama niya. They'd go out on dates or just hang out as friends. Nakakatulong ang pagja-jogging niya araw-araw at pagbabawas ng kain para pumayat. But some parts of her body don't shrink, like her chest and hips. Nagmukha tuloy siyang hourglass, which guys dig. Every weekend, may date siya. Hindi siya nababakante.

For a while, it worked. For a while, she was so occupied, she stopped thinking about him. For a while...

Okay na, e. She was doing okay.

It wasn't until she received a call from Fresia, that every step to moving on came to a halt. Hindi nila inaasahang babalik kaagad ang dalawa mula sa Canada. She thought that Bullet's finally okay, but Fresia sounded weird on the phone. Something's up.

But that's the least of her worries.

Kung magkikita-kita silang lahat... ibig sabihin... he will be there?

--

One week before Fresia and Bullet's arrival, Mona told Brandi her concern. Brandi took it as a serious problem.

"If you're not okay with seeing him again, then don't go. Kami na lang ang magdadahilan kay Fresia," sabi nito.

"Beh, ngayon ko lang ulit makikita si Fresia. Magtatampo 'yon, for sure. Lalo na't mukhang maselan ang kundisyon nya ngayon."

Brandi raised an eyebrow. "Ginawa mo pang dahilan si Fresia."

"Si Fresia lang naman ang dahilan kung bakit ako pupunta."

"Really? Are you sure it's not the other F?"

She bit her lip. "Sya lang naman ang dahilan kung bakit nag-aalangan akong pumunta. But we're not even sure if he'll be there. For all we know, nasa kabilang panig na sya ng mundo kasama ang mag-ina nya."

Brandi crossed her arms against her chest, suddenly in deep thought. Maya-maya ay nagsalita ito.

"Why not bring Seb with you? Introduce him as your boyfriend."

"Baka magkainitan lang silang dalawa do'n. They don't like each other."

"So? First of all, you aren't even sure if that asshole's going to be there. Second of all, why do you care? Kung magkainitan sila, e, di mas mabuti! Kumampi ka kay Seb para naman masaktan kahit konti 'yong gagong 'yon."

"He has a name."

"Everybody has a name. That doesn't make them important." Itinuro nito ang phone niya. "Call Seb and make him go with you."

"Beh..."

"Mona, it's been more than a month. If he wanted to come back, he would've done it ages ago. Pero may narinig ka ba sa kanya? His silence says a lot, you know. So huwag ka nang umasa. Kaya ka nasasaktan, e."

"Ang dami mong sinabi. Mas affected ka pa yata sa 'kin," biro niya.

Sinamaan siya nito ng tingin.

"Pa'no ako hindi magiging affected, e tanga ka nga pagdating sa kanya?"

"Aray naman!"

"Call Seb. Dali na!"

Hindi siya titigilan ng kaibigan hanggat hindi niya ginagawa ang ipinagagawa nito. Kaya kahit usapan nila ni Baste na no weekends together, napilitan siyang tawagan ito. But it turns out that Baste is busy that day. Hindi naman siya nagpumilit. Sobra-sobra na nga ang ginagawa nitong pagsama sa kanya pagja-jogging sa umaga, e. Baka maningil na ito kapag humingi pa siya ng pabor.

Before Brandi could talk to Baste, she thanked him and ended the call.

"Hindi raw sya pwede that day," sabi niya sa kaibigan.

"Hindi ka man lang nakiusap."

"At makikiusap ka?"

"No. I'll force him."

She shook her head. "Beh, I'll be okay. Kakayanin ko 'yon. It's just one day."

Tumaas uli ang kilay nito, hindi naniniwala.

"Plus, you'll be there. Hindi mo 'ko pababayaan, di ba?"

That made Brandi smile.

--

Unfortunately for Mona, the circumstances continuously go against her. Instead of just one day, nakiusap ang parents ni Fresia na pumunta sila ng Huwebes sa bahay ng mga ito para maghanada ng surprise welcome party. Siya ang ginawang punong-abala kaya kinailangan niyang mag-leave sa trabaho. Brandi assured her that she'll be there for the whole stay.

Pumunta sila roon nang Huwebes ng hapon. She left early from work tapos naka-leave sya ng Friday. She planned the menu for Friday. Kinabukasan, maagang siyang umalis kasama ang kasambahay ng parents ni Fresia para mamalengke. Brandi was left at the house to help clean.

Pagbalik nila, nandoon na si Felix.

Bakit unfair ang mundo sa mga babaeng brokenhearted? Mukha siyang losyang, lost, at kulang sa pagmamahal, pero bakit ito, gwapo pa rin? He's clean-shaven. Maayos ang gupit. Mukhang mabango. Gustong-gusto niyang tumakbo papunta rito para yumakap. Every ounce of pain she felt while he was away will surely disappear with just one hug.

But Brandi's warning glare stopped her.

Ramdam niya ang ilang pares ng mga matang nakasunod sa bawat kilos niya. She tried to concentrate on the task at hand. Ilang oras na lamang ay darating na sina Bullet. They did a last minute cleaning. May naglilinis habang sila ni Yaya Sally ay nagluluto. Aika made a huge sushi platter.

Sa kanilang mga nandoon, si Mickey lamang ang hindi tumutulong. Panay ang kwento nito. Nakikipagkulitan sa kanila. He's bossing everyone around. At ang pinakang-nakakairita, ayaw nitong lubayan si Aika.

Kagabi pa ang mga ito. Akala yata ay hindi nila napapansin. Napakalandi ni Mickey. Gusto pang katabing matulog si Aika. She's the youngest among the four of them. Emotionally young. First boyfriend nito si Mickey at kitang-kita naman na masaya ang dalawa. And there's nothing wrong with them flirting. They're already adults. Naiirita lamang siya dahil wala syang kalandian.

Mona left the food to simmer for a few minutes. Tinabihan niya si Aika at nakidutdot sa ginagawa nito.

"Hey."

"Kumusta?" tanong niya, kahit obvious na ang sagot.

Awtomatikong lumaki ang ngiti ng kaibigan niya. "Masaya," sagot nito. "Ikaw?"

Tiningnan niya si Felix na noon ay naghuhugas ng mga kubyertos at pinggan na gagamitin nila mamaya. Inilabas kasi ng mommy ni Fresia ang mga gamit pangkusina na ginagamit lamang kapag may special ocassion. Felix volunteered to wash them, and she's trying hard not to assume that he did that because she's in the kitchen too.

"Keri lang. Still breathing." Tumawa siya nang mahina at iniba ang usapan. Napansin niyang hindi suot ni Aika ang promise ring nito. "Nasa'n na 'yong promise ring mo?"

Proud na proud si Aika sa promise ring na 'yon. She could hardly believe when she showed them the ring. Hindi siya makapaniwalang magbibigay ng ganoon si Mickey. Parang wala kasi sa ugali nito ang maging sweet at committed. But what do you know? People in love do the sillest things.

Itinuro ni Aika ang leee, which means that she's using the ring as a pendant. Mona pulled the collar and took the pendant out and was flabbergasted by what she saw.

"Beh!" she hissed. Tinusok-tusok niya ang gilid ng leeg ng kaibigan. "Ano 'to, ha? Ano 'to?"

Aika averted her gaze. "W-Wala."

"Jusko! Kaya pala naka-turtleneck kang bruha ka!"

Naiirita na siya sa kalandian ni Mickey. Sukat ba namang bigyan ng hickeys ang kaibigan niya! Kaya naman pala naka-turleneck ito nang araw na 'yon, may gusto palang itago.

She only stopped poking and grilling Aika when she saw that Felix was looking. For a moment there, there was an itch on the corner of her eye. She blinked when Mickey walked in. Si Felix naman, umalis ng kusina.

"Ikaw ha! Huwag kang gigil na gigil dito kay Aika!"

Hindi pwedeng mauuna pang mag-asawa't magkaanak ang dalawa. Dapat siya muna!

Bilang pang-aasar, Mickey hugged Aika from behind and kissed her temple. Ngumisi pa ang loko!

"My God! Ang landi mo, Mickey!"

At hindi pa ito nakuntento, hinalik-halikan pa ang leeg ng kaibigan niya. Mapang-asar talaga!

Luckily, Brandi appeared to tell them that the plane just landed. They have approximately 3 hours to finish preparing. Bago ito bumalik sa ginagawa, tiningnan nito ng masama ang dalawa.

"Maglayo nga kayo. Nakakadiri."

--

When Fresia and Bullet arrived, unang napansin ni Mona ang tiyan ng kaibigan. It's just a small bump, but it's definitely there. Halata rin sa kinikilos ni Fresia na buntis ito. Finally! Justice is served!

Pero syempre pa, kahit buntis na ito, mas malaki pa rin siyang tingnan kapag nagtabi silang magkaibigan. But it's nice to know that that's the reason why they're already back and they also plan on staying for good.

Para raw maalagaan si Fresia. It's also an opportunity para makabawi ito sa mga magulang at ganoon din ang mga ito sa kaibigan niya. And the best part? Bullet's planning on marrying her.

Dalawa na sa mga kaibigan niya ang may happy ending. Si Brandi, mukhang wala namng pakialam kung tumanda itong dalaga. Siya na lang yata ang naghihintay at umaasa pa rin.

Mabuti na lamang at kasama ni Mickey si Felix na umalis. She had a time to regain her composure. Si Aika dapat ang sasama but Brandi insisted na si Felix na lang. Pushy pa naman ang kaibigan niya.

Pero syempre, sandali lang 'yon. Dumating ang mga ito nang padulog na sila sa hapag-kainan, nauna lang nang kaunti si Richard, na syempre ay imbitado rin. What's a family gathering without the honorary son? Sinadya niyang umupo sa malayo kay Felix. She's aware that he's looking at her. Pero kahit manakit ang leeg niya, hinding-hindi siya titingin sa gawi nito.

Mahirap malunod ulit lalo na't nagpipilit pa lang siyang makaahon.

She tried to avoid engaging in the conversation, and was thankful na nasa dalawang kadarating ang sentro ng atensyon.

Pero nang lumipat na sila sa sala, hindi naiwasan ang kaunting panghihimasok. Kumustahan kasi.

Unang pinansin ng mommy ni Fresia sina Mickey at Aika, na magkadikit na magkadikit na naman.

"So... are you two really... together?" tanong nito.

"Yes, Tita. Forever and ever," natatawang sagot ni Mickey. Lalong humigpit ang yakap nito sa kaibigan niya. Aika looked so happy. She was happy for them. Finally, natapos na rin ang urong-sulong, miscommunication, at pasakalye.

"Sus. Magbi-break din kayo," Brandi chimed in.

"Tita, single si Brandi. Ireto nyo kay Richard," biro ni Aika.

That earned her a glare from Brandi. Si Richard naman, hindi kumportable. Alam kasi nitong ayaw nila rito. Well, they hate him less now, pero not less enough to even consider him a possible boyfriend.

"How about Mona? Are you with someone?" Patay. Bumaling ang daddy ni Fresia kay Felix. "Felix?"

"Single and very much available po ako, Tito," she replied sourly. "Pero hindi po kami compatible ni Richard. No offense, Richard."

"And Felix?"

Ano ba! Hindi ko na nga binanggit, tinatanong pa. Malay ko ba! himutok niya.

"Taken na taken po sya," malamig niyang sagot, not even throwing him a glance.

Felix didn't speak. His silence bugged her. Hindi ba ito nagsalita kasi totoo? Dahil ramdam nilang lahat ang tension, the elders decided to try to make the atmosphere a little lighter again.

"So who's going to get married first?"

"Si Fresia po."

Suddenly, si Richard naman ang nakaramdam ng bigat. Nagpaalam ito bigla. They tried to make him stay, but he said he's needed at the hospital. Nobody argued, especially since Bullet looked so happy he's finally leaving.

"Next kami," Mickey blurted out a while later.

"Hoy! Kalma lang!" saway ni Aika rito.

"Paunahin nyo 'yong mas matatanda sa inyo," natatawang sabi ni Bullet. Nakatingin ito sa kanila ni Brandi.

She slapped Bullet's arm and looked reprimandingly at the other pair.

"At pwede ba, maghiwalay naman kayo? Baka mamaya, may made in the Philippines na rin kayo ha!" paalala niya. "Behave!"

--

Naiinis si Mona. Inis na inis. Tuwing magsasalita siya, tumitingin sa kanya si Felix. Na para bang nagsusumamo na ewan. Naiinis siya dahil kaunti na lang ay papatol na siya. Why does he have to look at her that way?

Nanghihinayang ba ito? But why would he regret ever letting her go? Why now? Matapos ang lampas isang buwan na hindi nito pagpaparamdam, did he really think that he can just come back in her life like nothing happened?

She loves Fresia and was happy to see the both of them back, but she couldn't stand Felix's presence. Paubos na 'yong naipon niyang pasensya.

Sinenyasan niya si Brandi na kailangan na nilang umalis. Ayaw pa nga siyang pauwiin ni Fresia pero kailangan na talaga. She was already at the brink of breaking. She didn't want to shatter while Felix is looking.

"Dadalawin ko naman kayo some other day," pangako niya kina Bullet. "Lalo na ngayon na magiging ninang na 'ko, do you think I'd miss the chance?"

"Yes, Fresia," Brandi said. "We just really, really need to go."

Humalik sila sa kaibigan at nagpaalam na sa mga nandoon, except to Felix.

When they headed outside, the dreaded confrontation came. Felix followed them.

"Mona!"

Nakatalikod siya rito. She was almost at the car when he called her name. Napapikit siya. Huminga nang malalim. Wala sa plano niyang kausapin ito and she intends to stick to her plan!

She walked briskly to the car.

"Mona!" he called out again. "Can we talk, please?"

Hindi niya ito pinansin. Bagkus ay binuksan niya ang pintuan ng passenger's seat.

"Mona..."

She winced when she felt his hand on her arm. Hindi pa rin niya ito nilingon. Nakatutok ang mga mata niya sa loob ng kotse. Isang hakbang na lang, ligtas na siya mula rito.

"Let her go!" Brandi snapped.

"Stay out of this, please," pakiusap ni Felix sa kaibigan niya. Ni hindi ito nagtaas ng boses. Ni hindi ito nag-amok ng away.

"Mona, let's go!" iritadong sabi ni Brandi.

She pulled at her arm but Felix won't let go. She blinked her tears away and mustered all the courage she could find within her. Hinarap niya ang lalaki. Matalim ang mga mata.

She gave him a smile and said as calmly as she could, "We have nothing to talk about. Let go of me."

--

Sorry sa typo. Kung meron man.