SHE’S NOT ANSWERING, palo ni Renante ng isang kamay sa manibela.

Nasa kalagitnaan siya ng pagda-drive. Nakailang subok na siya pero wala. Paglingon niya sa smartphone na nasa holder malapit sa airconditioner ng kanyang kotse, kusang nagdisconnect ang tawag. Unattended.

I can’t believe pahahabain niya ng ganito ang pinag-awayan namin kaninang tanghali. Aren’t we supposed to be mature about this?

Nag-aalalang tumanaw siya sa mga nadadaanan. Kahit maliit na tsansang makita ang sasakyan ng babae, kinakagat na ni Renante.

What is matured anyway?

Kinabig niya ang manibela pakanan.

Everyone’s entitled to deal with things the way they feel like dealing with it.

His usual calm demeanor was washed over with worry. He shifted gears, slowing down his car a bit.

But damn, she’s running away again.

Nabanuntong-hininga si Renante.

She always does that…

He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Then back to the steering wheel.

Keep your cool. You’ll find her.

If not on that cliff, then on one of the thousands of bars and clubs here in Manila.

He sighed wearily.

Of course, she won’t make it easy to find her when she doesn’t want to be found.

Napailing siya nang matanaw ang buntot ng mga sasakyan. Padagdag na ang kanyang kotse sa hanay ng mahabang trapiko.

On the horizon, Renante saw brushstroke stripes of purple, orange and white. Cable lines and posts turned to silhouette. Nightfall up ahead as buildings began lighting up their windows and signages.

.

.

SINALUBONG SILA STACEY NG DUMADAGUNDONG NA TUGTUGIN. Mapaglaro ang mga ilaw sa club na tinuluyan nila. Hindi iyon nalalayo sa mall kung saan nagpaunang inom at merienda na sila.

Naghintayan muna sila sa parking lot bago sabay-sabay pumasok. Kaya wala talaga siyang takas sa mga ito. Lalo na kung panay ang buntot ng kotse ni Kylie sa kanya.

Halos tingalain ni Stacey ang paligid. There were even lofts in this club! Dark-tinted glass boxes over-looking the dance floor! Sa kabilang dulo naman ay isang maliit na entablado na okupado ng DJ at ng mga equipment nito. It was just a few minutes past 6 P.M. and the whole place already has lots of people in it! No wonder, her fashion model friends stepped in with ease and no escort required. They can be lowkey in here since there were too many people and a tricky lighting to recognize them.

Sa magkabilang gilid ng dancefloor, nakahanay na ang iba’t ibang mga mesa. Kahanay naman ng entrance ang bar at ilang long-lounged seats.

“First time?” lambitin saglit ni Kylie sa kanyang mga balikat bago bumitaw.

Nilingon niya ang kaibigan na malaki ang ngiti sa mga labi. Nilagpasan naman sila nila Fritzie at Cynthia para maghanap ng mapupwestuhan nila.

“Yeah,” amin niya rito. “Is this a new club or…”

“Let’s go,” daan ni Sondra sa kanila. Hindi pa kasi sila lumalakad.

Sinundan ito ni Stacey ng tingin. Hindi lang talaga niya alam kung paano kakausapin si Sondra. Kahit maliit na bagay tulad ng pag-oo lang ang sasabihin. Meanwhile, Kylie just gave  Sondra nod then returned her eyes on her.

“Matagal na ang LG!” mahinang bunggo ni Kylie ng braso sa braso niya pagkabanggit sa pangalan ng club. “Hiwalay lang siya sa magkakahanay na clubs ng Manila so, very out of the way.”

“They call this LG?”

“Gen Z’s do!” masaya nitong tawa, sabay na silang naglalakad, nakasunod sa tatlo pa nilang kasama. “I don’t think they mind if we do the same!”

Tipid siyang ngumiti at binalik ang tingin sa paligid. “I just want a few drinks. Just a few, as usual, dahil ako ang nagda-drive.”

Nakahanap sila ng pwesto. It was inside ome of those private rooms that overlooked the dancefloor through its dark-tinted, one-sided see-through glass walls. Paikot sa mesa magkakatabi si Sondra at Kylie. Katabi siya ni Kylie at sa kanan naman niya nakaupo si Fritzie. At ang nasa kanan ni Fritzie ay si Cynthia na katabi ni Sondra.

Pagkaupo na pagkaupo nila sa isang table, hinainan agad sila ng waiter ng tatlong bucket ng alak. They have choices between a bucket of lightbeer, some strong pale pilsens and a big golden bottle of brandy. Tig-iisang baso sila ng chaser na gusto nila. As for Stacey, all she asked for as a chaser was a tall glass of water. Pinaka-epektibong pangontra hang-over sa kanya. Most of them took iced teas— their fitness and figure-concerned fashion model friends who wanted to cheat on a little sugar without risking a lot. And Kylie opted for a sweet orange soda.

“Brandy first?” maluwag ang ngiti na abot ni Sondra sa leeg ng bote ng brandy. Bahagyang nakaangat ang puwitan nito para maabot iyon.

“What happened to finishing strong, Sonny?” naghahamong ngiti ni Cynthia.

“Well,” Sondra shrugged, plucking out the bottle from the buckle that trinkled all the crushed ice inside it, “we never know kung may mapapauwi ng maaga sa atin at hindi na abutin itong brandy. So let’s start strong!” Bumalik ito sa kinauupuan. “Tutal, lahat naman tayo, wasted na uuwi mamaya!”

“Well, not me,” taas ni Stacey ng mga kamay, “I driving so I must not be wasted.”

“Oh, you never changed,” Fritzie groaned, shaking her head. “As always, you don’t get so black out drunk.”

“Come on, get wasted if you want,” Cynthia encouraged. “Wala ka nang dapat ipag-worry ngayon. You’re don’t have to always stay sober just to make sure Sonny will be home safe!”

Ah, the old memories. Iyong mga panahong kontrolado ni Stacey ang pag-inom kapag kasama ang mga kaibigan. Ayaw niyang malasing dahil siya ang nagda-drive sa mga ito pauwi. She used to have that red roofless car back then. Susunduin niya ang mga ito at sabay-sabay silang pupunta sa bar o club. Mag-iinom. Kapag gusto ng mga ito ng makaka-flirt, siya lagi ang naghahanap ng lalaki para sa mga ito. Mga lalaking inininspekyon muna niya kung gagago-gago ba o hindi bago ipakilala sa mga kaibigan na naghahanap ng simpleng kakuwentuhan o kalambingan habang nag-iinom. Why not? After all, sometimes they need male point-of-views during those long inuman talks. Sometimes her friends pined over unrequited loves or heartbreaks so they need a little flirting to ease those pains.

“Isa pa,” putol ni Kylie sa pagbabalik-tanaw niya, “kasama mo naman kami, oh! We’ll make sure, makakauwi ka pa rin. Whether you’re driving or not.”

“That’s enough,” nabuksan na ni Sondra ang bote ng brandy. “Just let Stace do what she wants. As long as we’ll enjoy here!”

Masayang tumayo si Sondra, nagsalin ng brandy sa takip niyon. Umapaw ang alak at natapon sa makinis na mesa kaya napaatras sila para iwasang matalamsikan. Even Sondra stepped back and joined their friends’ light laughter at the small predicament.

Patayong hinawakan ni Sondra sa leeg ang brandy at tinaas ang takip niyong may laman.

“Let’s start the party!” masayang bagsak nito sa takip sa sahig.

All of them excitedly squealed, followed by laughing as the liquor spilled on the floor. Namamanghang napatingin lang si Stacey sa mga ito.

It felt just like before. Noon na kahit kasama niya ang mga ito, parang nasa loob sila ng sarili nilang bula. At siya ang nasa labas.

She was always outside of that bubble. Umaasang hahabol si Renante para samahan sila sa pag-inom. Kahit alam naman niya noong humahabol lang ito para siguraduhing hindi napaparami ng inom si Sondra.

Pinanood ni Stacey ang isa-isang pagsalin ni Sondra ng brandy sa kanilang mga baso. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Stacey nang mapansing punong-puno ang short glass nito.

Gusto niyang sawayin ang babae. Sabihing Mapapagalitan na naman tayo ni Maximillian niyan!

Pero napreno agad ni Stacey ang bibig. Baso na niya ang sinasalinan ni Sondra ng brandy kaya doon na nakatutok ang kanyang mga mata.

The low light focused on their table made the gold-colored liquor glisten while crisply being poured down the shiny transparent glass.

When will you leave the past behind, Stacey? These girls don’t mind what you did before… And Sondra’s drinking and being sober is not your responsibility anymore… Not required anymore to show Renante that you’re a person worth loving…

“Stace!”

Napamulagat siya. Tumapon na sa mesa ang umapaw na alak sa kanyang baso.

“She didn’t say stop!” natatawang depensa ni Sondra. “Hindi lang yata isang baso ang kailangan ni Stace, bitches!”

Bitches— that’s their chosen endearment as friends. Stacey could not explain the nostalgia the memory brought to her.

“Don’t be so greedy,” nakairap na biro ni Fritzie sa kanya.

Yeah. She was too absorbed with her thoughts earlier. Hindi niya tuloy narinig masyado nung sabihan siya ni Sondra na magsabi siya ng stop kapag okay na siya sa dami ng sinalin nitong alak sa kanyang baso.

Stacey had her drink quietly. Lumalagpas lang sa kanya ang pinag-uusapan ng mga kasama sa mesa. It was as if they were floating voices murmuring, Stacey could not make out a word of the things they were saying.

Sinadya niyang uminom para mag-senti. Para damdamin ang tampuhan nila ni Renante. Pero paano niya mailalabas lahat ng kinikimkim? She could not even cry in front of these women.

Sa tuwing napapagawi ang tingin kahit ng isa man lang sa mga ito, napipilitan siyang ngitian ito.

This time, it was Sondra. Again.

“I am really glad we get to be with you again, Stace.”

Hindi niya mapigilang ituon sa malayo ang tingin. Things still felt awkward for her.

Hindi pa siya nasanay na ganito si Sondra— masyadong malambot.

Napainom siya. Saktong nasaid ang baso.

“It’s been quite a long time, you know,” patuloy nito. “How’s life?”

Nawala sa isip niyang inumin ang chaser. Nakipagtitigan siya kay Sondra. Pilit niyang hinahanap sa mga mata nito kung may katiting pang sama ng loob na natitira rito para sa kanya.

“Life is great,” she lied.

“Is that why you’re celebrating alone? Getting drinks without even inviting us?” magaang tawa ng babae.

“Are you mocking me?” salubong ng kanyang mga kilay.

“Take it easy, Stace,” tanggol agad ni Cynthia kay Sondra. “Huwag ka naman magdala ng bad vibes dito. We came here para magkasayahan.”

She just glared at Cynthia.

Fritizie blocked her view of Cynthia to challenge her with her eyes. “Glaring now. What with the attitude? You should be thankful that Sonny is still letting you join us—”

“Fritz. Cynthia. Pwede ba?” saway ni Kylie sa dalawa. But with a voice as small and sweet as hers, she sounded less of a threat or authority.

“She started it—”

“Come on,” pakikisali ulit ni Sonny, “I worded.my question wrong, Fritzie. It’s my fault.”

“B-But—” Fritzie dumped the attempt to protest. She sighed and looked away from them. Uminom na lang ito.

“Tell us more. Come on, tagal ko nang walang balita sa’yo eh. It’s been what? Four years, right?”

“Four years,” Stacey confirmed, pushing hee glass to Sondra’s direction.

Malugod nitong sinalinan ng brandy ang kanyang baso. It was their second bottle of brandy. Nung naubos kasi ang isa, nag tig-isa sila ng bote ng pale pilsen at lightbeers. Their emptied bottles randomly scattered on the table.

“What happened in those four years?” Sondra prodded.

Puno na ang baso. Kinuha ulit iyon ni Stacey at pinuwesto sa tapat niya.

“I was here and there and anywhere. Went out of town. Got sick of it. Opened this little business that boomed.”

“It’s the woven bags,” masayang dagdag ni Kylie na updated sa lahat ng nangyari sa kanya.

“Wow, that’s great,” ngiti ni Sondra. Nakalimutan na nitong uminom dahil attentive na nakikinig sa kanya. “Before ‘di ba, hindi mo naman talaga trip ang Business Administration. You just took the course for your parents.”

For Renante, koreksyon niya sa sariling isip. To be in the same school and class with him…

“Nakakatuwa naman, naa-apply mo na siya ngayon—”

“Well, yeah, but this year I decided to sell the business.”

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito. Kahit sila Fritzie at Cynthia na nakikinig lang, nagulat sa naging reaksyon ni Sondra.

“That fast?” singhap nito.

Kahit si Stacey ‘di maintindihan kung ano ang nakakatuwa roon. “Yeah. What about it?”

“Ibig sabihin, ang laki agad ng kinita mo sa business. If not, hindi mo ‘yon ibebenta agad just three or two years after mo siya i-establish!”

“Paano mo naman naisip iyan?”

“Why? Is it wrong ba? Kasi, ganoon ang ginawa ng ilang businessmen na kakilala ni Millian. Magtatayo ng business, tapos kapag pumatok siya, ibebenta nila. This is not franchising, okay? This is actual turnover ng business sa management ng ibang tao. We’re talking about billion peso deals here. They sell the whole ownership and everything of the business to someone else. Tapos gagawa na naman sila ng negosyo na kapag nag-work, ibebenta nila ng mahal sa ibang negosyante.” Lumibot sa mga kasama nila ang tingin ni Sondra habang nagkukuwento. Tapos bumalik ito sa kanya. “Is that what you did? Binenta mo talaga ng ganoon ‘yong business?”

“Yes,” bagot niyang sagot.

Totoo naman kasing sa ganoong paraan niya binenta ang negosyo. Pero ang dahilan sa likod ng pagbenta ay hindi para kumita ng malaki o gumawa ng negosyong ibebenta niya ulit.

She just got bored with being a CEO, with being a businesswoman. That’s all. That’s how lame her reason was.

It had been two hours of internal self-pitying because all of her ex-friends’ life were going great— may bagong fashion model boyfriend na si Cynthia na two years ago nang hiwalay kay Vernon; si Fritzie naman ay kasali sa grupo ng mga modelong magpo-photoshoot in the next two months for Vogue Paris; and Kylie was close to hitting her first million of followers on her digital art social media page.

And of course, Sondra, who initiated the get-together had a better news.

“I am launching my bakeshop next week. At syempre, invited kayong lahat,” matamis nitong ngiti sa kanya.

“Tuluyan ka na talagang nag-quit sa modeling. Tinuloy-tuloy mo na talaga ‘yong hilig mo sa pagbe-bake,” mangiyak-ngiyak na ngiti ni Kylie rito.

Nangingiting napailing si Stacey. Kahit kailan talaga iyakin si Kylie. Lalo na pagdating kay Sondra.

Napalagok siya ng marami-raming alak.

“That’s great, Sondra. That’s great,” her voice slurred as she laughed painfully.

“You’re going?” paninigurado ni Fritzie.

“Why? Hindi ka ba pupunta kapag pupunta ako?”

“Oh, please, what is really your problem? Bakit laging away ang hanap mo tuwing nagsasalita ka?” pagod nitong buntong-hininga.

She gently pushed Fritzie’s shoulder with the glass she was holding. Napaharap tuloy ang babae sa kanya.

“Gusto ko lang naman uminom at mapag-isa. Pero magaling itong babaitang ito manguliiiit.” Stacey swung her head to point Kylie’s direction, then swung it back to face Fritzie. “So here I am. Drinking. I can’t even lash out like I planned too, or just cry, dahil magiging malaking KJ lang ako sa masasaya niyong buhay—”

“I told you, we can make her talk,” Sondra smiled, flushed with drunkness as she glanced at their friends.

“Make me talk?” Stacey’s slurred voice tinged with disbelief.

Natawa ito. “Hindi mo napansin, no? Because you’ve been drinking here with us for two hours, and yet your eyes is so far away. Pati utak mo nasa outer space.” Sumimsim ito ng kaunting alak. “Then I remembered, you went alone to the restobar pala. So probably, you’ll drink on your own. Having problems and all that.”

“I bet that’s why you want me here. To witness my misery!” pagak niyang tawa.

“More like, to ease your pain. So now tell us.”

“Puro ka tell us. Feeling mo magsasalita ako everytime gusto mo ‘kong magsalita. Ginagawa mo akong parrot, Sonny.”

“I bet it’s Renante,” bulgar ni Kylie.

“Anong taon na? Siya pa rin? My Gahd, Stace!” iling-iling ng lasing na ring si Cynthia.

“And so?” Damn it. Just a mention of his name and her eyes already saddened. “It’s been him and always been him.”

Cynthia winced after having a drink. “Fuck. Why stick with a guy if he brings you nothing but problems?”

“Bakit parang si Vernon ang tinutukoy mo?” tukso ni Kylie rito.

“Pwede ba?” mayabang nitong taas-kilay at ngisi. “May gwapo na akong boyfriend. Let’s freaking stop talking about Vernon, alright?” At tinanaw siya nito. “And you better stop that Renante shit, Stacey. Move on already.”

“Move on?” bulalas niya.

“Why? What happened ba?” Cynthia squinted her eyes, a sign her vision is starting to blur a little.

Napailing siya. Nagsimulang magkwento.

It felt like the very first time that they listened to her. Habang nagkukwento siya para i-update ang mga ito kung paano naging sila ni Renante hanggang sa naging tampuhan nila, naghalo-halo ang reaksyon sa mga mukha nito— nagtawanan sila, nag-asaran, nag-iyakan.

Hay, lasing na nga yata talaga sila.

When she was about to hint that something was about to sexually happen, nakakatanggap siya ng pabirong eew at mga palo mula sa mga ito bago humagalpak ng tawa na hindi malaman kung nang-aasar o kinikiliti. As if naman ikukwento niya ang mga iyon sa kanila. Never! But they still scolded her and warned her to not detail how her sex with Renante happened. Kung makasaway ang mga ito, feeling wala pang experience. Natatawa na lang din tuloy si Stacey bago ipagpatuloy ang pagkwento.

“So, iyon nga,” pagtatapos niya sa wakas. Nakasandal na sa balikat niya si Kylie, ang laging unang natutumba sa inuman sa sobrang hina ng tolerance sa alak. “Nakakainis lang.”

“True. Nakakainis talaga iyang ganyan, pangungunahan ka,” labi ni Cynthia. “Iyang mga lalaking iyan, kapag boyfriend mo na, feeling entitled. Feeling nila, alam nila at pwede nila gawin ang kahit ano na may kinalaman sa’yo. Masyadong nakikialam.”

“Why not tell Renante the truth?” matamlay na wika ni Sondra, medyo malakas na ang tama ng alak. “Para hindi na maulit iyan.”

“Nakinig ka ba sa kwento ko kanina?” nang-aaway na naman ang tunog ng lasing niyang boses.

“Come on, Stace—”

“Nakinig ka ba?” diin niya.

“Of course, I listened!” she high-pitched in defensiveness. “Kaya lang, nag-explain naman siya sa’yo why he did that… I know Renante, okay? He’ll do everything to make things in favor of everyone.”

“You know him, but I know him in a deeper level, Sondra.” Dinampot niya ang baso. “Okay? I am his girlfriend now. So it’s me who knows him better now.”

“Geez, easy. Wala ka nang dapat ipagselos, kasal na ako kay Millian. Hindi kita aagawan lalo na at—” nanunukso ang ngiti nito at tono, “—kayo na pala. Uy…”

“Naku, Sondra, hindi mo ako madadaan sa ganyan. I am really offended,” lipat niya sa ulo ni Kylie para pasandalin ito kay Sondra. “Sasayaw na lang ako. Pampawala ng inis ko sa’yo.”

“Ang daya niyo,” maktol ni Sondra nang makitang pati sila Fritzie at Cynthia ay nakisabay ng sayaw sa kanya.

Stacey just grooved with the music, her body simply swaying back and forth while tilting forward each side in time with the beat. Hawak pa rin niya ang baso ng alak na paubos na. Nangingiti baho tinapunan ng tingin ang nakisayaw na sila Cynthia at Fritzie.

Cynthia moved softer and finer, just swaying left to right and nodding her head. Ang ganda-ganda talaga nito. Kada balik mula sa ibang bansa, parang bagong tao. This time, her hair was fiery red under the low. Kumislap ang maputi nitong balat. May kintab sa spaghetti-strapped bodycon dress nitong peach colored. For some reason, panay rin ang inom kaysa sayaw. Is she really okay?

And Fritzie. She gently rolled her shoulders while swinging her hips side to side. Parang tela ang pagkakabagsak at pagdulas-dulas sa likod at balikat ng unat nitong itim na buhok. She dressed up in low-waist jeans, her hips peeking and a skim-tight, yellow ring necked croptop. Napansin siya nito at nginitian siya.

Now she understood the hostility of these two towards her earlier. They had forgiven her already just like Sondra. It was all just a front. Just a defense for them just in case things don’t go well.

Stacey lowered her head and resumed dancing— dancing with her friends in this dainty pastel blue dress.

Nagawan ng paraan ni Sondra para masandal sa upuan nito ang tulog nang si Kylie. As always, she didn’t want to miss out on anything and joined their dancing. Stacey glanced, as anyone would when the sun’s radiance glared against their peripheral. Sondra danced the same— energetic but poorly. She really does fit for slow dances, not club dances. Hindi nito mapinpoint na ang beat ang sinasabayan sa pagsayaw, hindi ang tempo.

Natatawang nag-iwas ng tingin si Stacey, inubos ang nalalabing alak sa baso bago iyon binaba. Bumunggo ang balakang ni Sondra sa kanya kaya gulat siyang napaharap dito.

Sinamantala iyon ni Sondra para ilambitin sa kanyang leeg ang mga braso.

She pulled her into a tight hug.

Tumigil si Stacey sa paggalaw.

“I missed you,” Sondra sobbed with her face sunk on the crook of her neck.

“Sondra…” she breathed.

“Even if it wasn’t real, to me it’s all real. Our friendship and all… It’s what you made me feel. It’s what real friends do, make you feel you have a friend even if deep inside they are having a shitty day. And for doing that for me for so many years… Thinking through of my feelings first before showing your own? You are such a great friend.”

This woman. Hindi talaga nito alam ang sinasabi minsan. She always choose to see the good side in everything, even if that doesn’t exist in the mind of the person Sondra builds up in her mind.

Humiwalay siya sa pagkakayakap nito. “You’re… drunk,” she pressed a forefinger on Sondra’s cheek before staggering on her feet.

Kinailangan pa niyang humawak sa mga braso ng kaibigan para maibalanse ang katawan.

Dahil abala, hindi nila narinig ang mga katok sa pinto. Binuksan na iyon ng escorting bouncer. Gulat silang napalingon sa pinto at natanaw kung sino ang kasama nito— si Renante.

Tarantang tumuwid ng tayo si Stacey. She could feel that she can run toward him normally. But fuck it, as she rushed she hit the low table with her legs.

Gumewang siya bago mabilis na nasalo ni Sondra.

“Party’s over, ladies,” madilim ang anyo na sugod sa kanila ni Renante. “Uwian na.”

“Boo!” Cynthia started and began hitting Renante with her purse.

“Cynthia— What the?” salag nito ng braso bago nilikod ang pagsangga habang dinadaanan nito ang babae.

Hindi naman ito nakaligtas sa pagyapos ng mga braso ni Fritzie sa braso nito.

“Ang aga-aga pa, eh! Sumali ka na lang, Renante! Umupo ka! You have a lot to explain?”

Stacey blinked her eyes. Kanina lang ang normal-normal pa ng lahat. Bakit dumating lang si Renante gumulo na? Her friends began speaking slow and slurred or high-pitched and slurred. Nakakahilo nang magpalipat-lipat ng tingin. And Renante moved too fast her eyes could not keep up.

Stacey firmly shut her eyes and shook her head. Pagdilat niya unti-unting luminaw na nakatayo sa harapan niya si Renante. In fact, he spun her just to face his direction— to be seized in the eyes by his firm gaze.

“Sondra is okay, Renante,” awtomatikong sagot niya kahit wala pa itong tinatanong.

“I wasn’t asking,” he murmured.

“Can’t we leave later?” Sondra smiled lazily as she slurred. “Magpapababa lang kami kaunti ng tama. Then, we can drive home. We have our cars naman. I mean, they have their cars naman.”

“Can one of you drive Stacey’s car?” salo sa kanya ni Renante nang lasing siyang sumubasob dito. “I’m bringing her with me in my car.”

He didn’t really change at all…

But this time… it’s not Sondra’s name anymore…  tears welled Stacey’s eyes.

“I don’t know how to drive. Nakisabay lang ako kay Kylie,” mas kalmado na ang lasing na boses ni Sondra.

“Kylie drives a car now?”

“She bought a new one two months ago,” sagot ni Stacey.

Ewan. Bakit pakiramdam niya napag-iiwanan siya dahil lang nag-uusap sila Renante at Sondra? Ano pa ba ang dapat niyang ipagselos? Wala.

Wala naman.

Wala na.

“She’s sleeping now,” Renante commented, as if not hearing her. Si Sondra pa rin ang kausap nito.

Why are you still ignoring me?

Naparami nga yata ang inom niya. Her mind isn’t working straight at all. Kung anu-anong hindi makatwiran ang pinag-iisip niya. Sinasaktan noya ang sarili sa wala.

“How are you supposed to go home now? We can’t leave anyone here alone, you hear?” lingon din ni Renante kina Cynthia.

“Opo, Manong!” tatawa-tawang yakap ni Cynthia sa likuran ni Renante.

Alertong sinilip niya ito mula sa balikat ng binata. Tinulak-tulak niya ito ng kamay palayo.

“Stop hugging my maaan!”

“Damot mo naman. Kaibigang yakap lang naman, eh!” pakikipaglaban pa nito, ayaw bumitaw kay Renante.

“Hindi lang makatayo na ng straight iyang si Cynthia kaya nakayakap,” hila ni Fritzie rito pero walang kalatoy-latoy dahil nanlalambot na rin ito.

“Bitaw sabi!” palo-palo niya kay Cynthia bago hinigpitan ang pagkakagapos kay Renante.