STACEY IMMEDIATELY GOT UP. Fresh air scented the room. It breezed past the thin sunglowed white curtains draped over the open window. Sumunod ang lumang amoy ng mga canvas at oil paint.

Ng kahoy.

Nilibot niya ang tingin sa paligid.

Nasa kwarto siya ng kanyang Tito Manuel. Nasa kwarto siya na ginagamit ni Renante.

Gising pa siya nung hinatid sa bahay ni Maximillian. She zigzagged and refused his offer to help her walk. Pagkapasok ng bahay, dumapa siya sa sofa.

Sinubsob niya roon ang mukha. Natulog.

Umiyak ba siya? Hindi niya na maalala.

Pero sobrang bigat ng kanyang pakiramdam.

Wala siyang hang-over. Walang pananakit sa kanyang katawan. Pero ang bigat ng kanyang pakiramdam.

“Remember? Nung debut party ni Sonny?”

“What about it?”

“I just remembered it… I always remember it dati… Dati lang naman.”

“Ang ganda nung party, ‘di ba?”

“Si Renante… I always remember him that night… What he did that night…”

“He’s… Damn, it. How should I say this? Ang bait-bait niya, ‘di ba? Pinagtanggol niya ako kina Vernon… Ang gentleman, right? Tapos nung nalasing ako n’on… He helped me get to my bedroom there…”

Stacey held her breath. It was the very same reaction she had last night. At ngayong gising na siya, buhay na buhay na naman ang nangyaring usapan sa kotse.

The aftertaste was worse, now that she’s already sober.

Mas nag-sink na sa kanya ang kaba.

Ang takot.

Ang pagkalito.

Ang gulat.

Ang pagkadismaya.

“I had a crush on him since that night.”

Kylie’s guilty giggle echoed at the back of Stacey’s mind. Tanda niyang sinandal pa nito ang ulo sa kanyang ulo. Mabigat na napabuntong-hininga bago siya ulit nito tinulugan.

Nginangatngat siya ngayon ng pangangamba.

Hindi man lang kinumpirma ni Kylie kung… hanggang ngayon ba? Hanggang ngayon ba, ganoon pa rin ang nararamdaman nito?

A lot of questions fogged her mind.

What happened that night? Nung hinatid ni Renante sa kwarto nito si Stacey? What happened last night?

Napamulagat siya.

She leapt out of bed. Swayed and staggered on her feet but still scrambled out of the bedroom. Walang pakialam kung ano ang mabangga ng kanyang mga nanlalambot na binti. Kung ano ang masagi ng nangangapa niyang mga kamay.

Una niyang nasilip ang salas.

It was empty.

Kumabog ang kaba sa kanyang dibdib. Her mind raced.

“Can one of you drive Stacey’s car? I’m bringing her with me in my car.” She remembered Renante say last night.

Pero ang nangyari, si Maximillian ang naghatid sa kanilang tatlo pauwi. Ibig sabihin, si Renante ang nagbantay o nag-uwi sa mga naiwang kotse sa club.

“I don’t know how to drive. Nakisabay lang ako kay Kylie.” It was Sondra she remembered replying that to Renante.

“Kylie drives a car now?” Renante said.

“She’s sleeping now.” It was Renante again. “How are you supposed to go home now? We can’t leave anyone here alone, you hear?”

Stacey’s walk became even as she slowed down each step. Nilagpasan niya ang salas at binuksan ang pinto para sumilip sa bakuran.

Nagkasya roon ang magkatabing kotse nila ni Renante. His sleek black ones and her red Corvette.

Hinatid din niya ang kotse ni Kylie… sa bahay niya…

A pair of teeth sunk into the very flesh of her heart.

Tumukod ang manginig-nginig niyang kamay sa hamba ng pinto. Habang patagal nang patagal ang pagkakatulala ni Stacey sa pinto, parami nang parami ang nagfoformulate na mga possibility sa kanyang isip.

“My God, Stace,” Renante overwhelmingly sighed in relief.

Napako siya saglit sa kinatatayuan bago nilingon ang binata.

He was holding a tall glass of water on one hand, a small plate of toasted bread sided by pieces of oranges on the other. Kagagaling lang ng lalaki sa kusina. That kitchen was a turn past her Tito Manuel’s room.

Nilapag nito ang mga bitbit sa nadaanang mesita sa salas. Mabilis siya nitong nilapitan.

“No hang-overs?” he worried. And if she didn’t know Renante that well, she would mistake the way his face crumpled as out of irritation instead of worry.

Tuluyang pumihit si Stacey paharap dito. “Hinatid mo ‘yong kotse ni Kylie sa… sa bahay niya?”

“Yes,” he answered which stopped her breath. “Nauna pang makauwi sa kanya ‘yong kotse niya. Pinabantayan ko muna kina Cynthia ‘yong kotse natin n’on.”

Stacey swallowed. “Then…?”

Lumambot ang mukha ng binata. Stacey could not understand why he was giving her that lovestruck gaze, his smile spilling at the corners of his lips despite his resistance to stretch it out.

“Then, hinatid ko rito ang kotse mo.”

Nakatitig lang siya sa binata. Nakuha nito na gusto niyang magkwento pa ito.

“Then, I drove here.”

“What happened to Fritzie? To Cynthia? Sila Maximillian—”

He chuckled gently, fondness emitted from the smile he just could not hold back.

“Kakabantay sa kotse natin, nabawasan kahit papaano ang kalasingan nila Fritzie. So, they managed to go home safely. At first, I let them leave on purpose. To make them feel I don’t contradict them. Tapos pinabalik ko nung tinawagan ko. Alam mo naman ang mga cerberus. Ayaw nila na kinokontra sila, but they have a pride stoked when you ask for their help. They insisted that they can still drive, but I really don’t trust it. So, pinabalik ko sila, nagpatulong ako sa pagbabantay sa mga kotse habang hinahatid ko isa-isa pauwi.”

“They got home safe?”

“I believe they did. I can’t confirm. Since last night, hindi ko na sila nakausap.”

“Sila Maximillian at Sondra… nakauwi siguro sila ng safe.”

“Obviously. You think Maximillian will let anything get in the way between him and Sonny?” mahina nitong tawa. “Kahit car accident, ipopostpone ang sarili niya, huwag lang makatikim ng galit ng taong ‘yon.”

Her chest tightened. Anumang segway ang gawin ni Stacey, malaki pa rin ang kaba niya nang mapadpad sa talagang gumugulo sa kanyang isip.

“Si Kylie?”

Renante gave her cheek a pat. “I think she’s okay. Si Maximillian ang naghatid sa kanya. Magkakasama kayo sa sasakyan, remember?”

She lowered her eyes.

“Among your friends, Kylie’s really the special one, eh?”

She felt terrible when she heard that. Ano ang nais ipahiwatig ni Renante?

Kylie… Special? One?

“You won’t worry that much for her if not,” magaan nitong dugtong bago siya kinabig para yakapin.

He stroked her back soothingly, assisted her head to lay on its side against his shoulder. Hindi niya naitago ng mabuti ang reaksyon. Ang munting pagkagimbal kanina dahil mali ang pagkakaintindi sa sinabi ni Renante.

“Are you shocked? Sa tingin mo, sa mga taong lumipas, magbabago ang pagtrato mo sa kanila?” magaan nitong tawa. “You still care about them, silly. Parang tulad lang nung dati. Hindi ka nagpapakalasing, masigurado mo lang na makauwi silang lahat ng maayos. Mabantayan mo lang sila. Mamonitor mo lang ng maigi kung gagago-gago ba ‘yong mga lalaking nakakasalamuha nila.”

Stacey found comfort in Renante’s arms, in his words, in the way his hand reassuringly rubbed her back and the back of her head. By inside her heart there was restlessness. Her mind kept feeding it with the secret that Kylie just unveiled last night.

“I had a crush on him since that night.”

Dahan-dahan silang naghiwalay. Dumulas ang kamay ni Renante sa kanyang mga braso. He ended up taking her both hands. Renante stepped back slowly, guiding her to the sofa and coffee table.

“Have some breakfast now,” ngiti nito sa kanya.

Stacey wasn’t sure what she exactly did, but the way he stared at her suddenly reeked of something different. It was as if he adored her more than he did before.

“Paano mo nga pala nalaman kung nasaan ako?” aniya habang paupo na sila ni Renante sa sofa.

“Oh, that. Kylie told me,” abot nito sa isang triangle-slice ng toasted bread para iabot sa kanya.

Disappointment filled her again. A chill of strangeness enveloped Stacey. She fought it off with a generic smile.

“She told you.”

“I have no idea where you are,” pagseryoso ni Renante. “Halos mabaliw-baliw ako kakahanap sa’yo. Hindi ka man lang kasi nagpaalam. Hindi ka man lang sumagot sa mga tawag at text ko. So,” he groaned and playfully pinched her chin, “I had to text Kylie and ask your whereabouts.”

Nagbaba si Stacey ng tingin. “She’s the first person you thought of asking.”

“Of course,” he spoke in a matter-of-factly tone. “Among our friends, you meet-up with her the most.” Nagtaka na ito. “Why? May iba pa bang mas updated sa mga lakad mo bukod sa akin at kay Kylie?”

Napaangat siya ng tingin sa nobyo. “No. It’s just that…” She took in a deep breath. “I’ll check on Kylie tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Wala ka bang gagawin sa work n’on?”

Muntik na siyang masamid. Buti at nakaharap na siya sa pagkain nang tanungin niyon ni Renante.

“After work,” she clarified, picking up a piece of orange. She sucked it a bit on the tip before turning to Renante.

“Ito muna ang dapat mong inuna,” abot ulit nito sa toasted bread na hindi niya tinanggap kanina.

Kinuha niya ang mainit-init na tinapay. Kumagat.

Renante watched her. Contentment in his cool eyes.

“Gusto ko makabawi. Ihatid-sundo kita after work, you want?”

Pinigilan niyang mabulunan. “What about VVatch?”

“I could use a break, I guess. Sabadong-Sabado kahapon eh, inasikaso ko na naman ang VVatch.”

Gloom weighed over her shoulders. Nasa harap ulit ang tingin ni Stacey. “So, gusto mong sumama bukas? Kapag nakipag-meet ako kay Kylie?” She finished her toasted bread. “You want to see Kylie too?”

“Hindi ko aabalahin ang girltalk ninyo. I’ll just ait in the car and wait for you. O sasaglit ako sa VVatch. Hintayin ko na lang ang tawag mo kapag magpapasundo ka na,” nakikain na rin ito ng orange.

Sumilip siya sa gwapo nitong mukha. Renante looked so unbothered.

“Hindi ka pa kumakain?”

“I barely thought of that. You were groaning in your sleep earlier, kaya pinaghanda na kita ng almusal. I thought it was hang-over, kaya ganoon.”

Nakatitig na lang siya sa binata. “What about our argument yesterday?”

“Kahapon pa iyon. Argumento lang iyon. Wala na iyon.” His eyes met hers. “What remains true everyday is that, you’re my girlfriend.”

She shyly lowered her eyes. Renante noticed her heart and chuckled.

“What? You’re expecting na ‘yong pinag-awayan natin kahapon, dala-dala ko hanggang sa susunod na araw?” dumampot ito ng isa pang orange.

Their fingers almost brushed but Renante’s hand left the plate swiftly.

“I don’t know,” Stacey shook her head. Matapos kumain ng ikatlong orange, dinampot na niya ang huling piraso ng tinapay. “Maybe, you’re not taking it seriously, kaya binabalewala mo na lang.”

“Mali ako na pinangunahan kita,” titig ni Renante sa kanya. “I am not mentioning any of your business to anyone anymore. Ipapaubaya ko na sa’yo ang pagkukwento tungkol sa’yo at sa mga ginagawa mo.”

“So, you’ll stop mentioning to anyone anything about me?”

He picked up her tone.

“Stace, naghahanap ka na naman ba ng pag-aawayan?”

She faced him. “Now you’re accusing me. Na nakikipag-away ako.”

“It’s your tone! Bakit ganyan ka magtanong?”

“Pwede namang sagutin mo na lang ang tanong ko.”

He lowered his tone, face darkened. “Of course, I will still tell people that you’re my girlfriend. But that’s it.”

Stacey stared at Renante. Ano ba ang klase ng assurance ang kailangan niya at panay ang kanyang paghahanap sa mga mata nito? His eyes responded a defensive gaze. Forlorned and disappointed.

Na-guilty tuloy siya. Why was she being like this? Si Renante na ang unang nagpakumbaba sa kanila. Ito na mismo ang nagsantabi ng mga pinagtalunan nila kahapon. He finally chose her over winning an argument.

At wala namang kaalam-alam ang lalaki tungkol sa feelings ni Kylie. Bakit ito ang pinagbubuntunan niya ng epekto ng kanyang pagseselos?

Hay. Bakit ba kasi kailangang sabihin ni Kylie ang mga bagay na ‘yon? Para saan? What would be the sense of revealing that she had feelings for Renante? Worse, she did not clarify if it was all in the past… or if until now…

“Renante,” lingon niya sa binata. Nasaktuhan niyang walang buhay ang mga mata nito, madilim ang anyo habang nakatitig sa kawalan.

Lalo tuloy siyang nadurog.

“I’m sorry,” lakas-loob niya. Lalo siyang lumubog nang hindi siya nito lingunin. Stacey knew in an instant that she had to keep trying. “I don’t know what has gotten into me.”

“But if you already figurr out what’s going on,” walang-lingon pa rin nitong saad, “I hope I will be the first to know. Sana sabihin mo agad sa akin kung anuman ang gumugulo sa isip mo.”

Then he moved. Dinampot ang wala nang lamang plato. Hawak pa rin ni Stacey ang piraso ng tinapay habang sinusundan ng tingin si Renante.

“Should I get more?” tanong nito, nakaharap sa direksyon papuntang kusina. “Ito pa ba ang gusto mo? O may iba kang gusto?”

Stacey knew Renante was pertaining to the toasted breads. Pero bakit ang dating sa kanya, tinatanong nito kung ito pa ba ang klase ng relasyon na gusto niya?

Either way, she knew the answer to both of that.

“More oranges,” she replied, resignation in her voice.

Stacey wanted to smile to lighten things up. But with Renante’s mood already turned cold and serious, she’s afraid to do so. Baka isipin pa nito na nang-iinis siya o hindi sineseryoso ang mga pinag-usapan nila.

At that, Renante headed to the kitchen.

.

.

STACEY GOT UP EARLY ON MONDAY. Alam niyang wala na siyang negosyong pupuntahan, pero pumayag siya sa pagpresenta ni Renante na ihatid-sundo siya. Pumayag siya para tuluyan nang gumanda ang mood nito at magkabati na sila.

Kilala niya si Renante. If he wanted to fix an argument, he should be allowed to make it up for all the mess it caused.

As soon as she opened her eyes, the other side of the bed was empty. It was supposed to. Dahil natulog siya sa sariling kwarto. Ang kwarto ni Tito Manuel noon ang gamit naman ni Renante. But last night, they had make-up sex in her bedroom.

She expected Renante to stay by her side. At kung mauna man itong magising, nasanay siyang hindi ito umaalis para hintaying magising na rin siya.

Pero hindi.

Ang naiwan lang sa kanyang tabi ay ang magulong kumot at ilang mga unang nagkalat. Her movements were slow, groggy and tight-muscled as she pulled up the blanket. Tinakip niya iyon sa hubad na katawan bago bumangon ng kama. Her legs felt twisted. Naninigas ang mga muscle sa pagod.

Nagmamadaling naligo siya at nagbihis. Stacey picked a yellow button-down blouse. It was a tight crop top with a sweetheart neckline and puffed sleeves. Pinaresan niya iyon ng puting high-waisted jeans at puting peep-toe heels. She draped the towel on her shoulders to keep her yellow blouse dry. Pinupunasan pa niya  mas maliit na towel ang itim na buhok nang lumabas ng silid.

Her eyes searched for Renante. She found him in the dining room. Hinahanda nito sa mesa ang mga in-order online mula sa isang fast food chain.

Napaawang ang kanyang mga labi. Renante was dressed up already. His jet black hair was damp. The sleeves of his short-sleeved shirt hugged his biceps, emphasized how hard they could be when they flex in his every measured movements. He tucked his shirt in his fitting dark blue jeans. A belt wrapped around his hips— sexy and narrow.

Nangingiting nilapitan ito ni Stacey. He glanced at her, feeling her presence, then resumed what he was doing.

Nang marating ang tabi ng lalaki, hindi niya napigilang mapasanding sa likuran ng balikat nito. Her nose pointed to the crook of his neck.

God, he smelled viciously delicious. It reminded her of cold nights and fast cars. Lurking in the shadows and stolen fuckeries— the things they used to do before.

Before she got tired of it and ran away from him.

Before they got into a serious relationship like this.

Stacey slowly opened her eyes and distanced from him. Siyang harap ni Renante sa kanya.

“Come, breakfast.” Nagmamadaling dampi nito ng halik sa kanyang mga labi. Sa sobrang bilis, hindi na nakatugon doon si Stacey.

Pinaghila siya nito ng upuan, kaya pumuwesto na siya. Renante sat by her side.

“It’s 5. Maaga ka nagising. Hindi ba 7:30 ang alis mo?”

Pinanood ni Stacey ang pag-asikaso ni Renante sa kanya. Ito mismo ang naglapag ng box sa tapat niya at binuksan iyon. Nagkalat sa silid ang malinamnam na amoy ng mainit-init na fried chicken. It was followed by the soft buttery and solid salty aroma of the golden brown gravy.

Then, black coffee.

“Stace?” usig nito sa kanya.

“Oh,” lingon niya rito, “yes. 7:30 dapat. But it takes me time to prepare. Kaya ganito kaaga ako nagising.”

Hindi niya inalis ang tingin sa nobyo. Ang sarili naman ang ipinaghanda ng makakain ni Renante. “Gusto mo, ihatid kita sa work ng 6 AM?”

Stacey grew cautious. Hindi siya pwedeng pumayag sa ganoon. Ang lalabas kasi, siya ang magbubukas ng kompanya niya. Wala na sa kanya ang susi ng building. Makakahalata si Renante.

Pero kung 7:30 siya pupunta roon, naroon na ang mga staff. She could pretend she still owns the place by simply walking in the building. Karamihan naman sa mga dating nagtatrabaho sa kanya ay hindi pinaalis ng bagong management. Iyon ay dahil gamay na nito ang mga trabaho. Kaya sigurado si Stacey na papapasukin siya ng mga ito roon kahit hindi na siya ang may-ari.

“6 AM is too early, Renante. What’s wrong with my usual sched?”

He opened his box of fried chicken and rice.“I am just hoping we can leave by at least 5:30.”

“And why?”

Siyang panibagong sipa ng amoy ng mainit-init na kape nang tanggalin ni Renante ang lid niyon.

“I need to get to VVatch early.”

“Akala ko, hindi ka muna magwo-work ngayon?”

He turned to her, gave her a sad smile. “Sadly, I have to.”

“Why?” Stacey just could not help worrying. Nakaharap na siya ng pagkakaupo kay Renante. “May problema ba sa VVatch? This weekend pa lang, inaasikaso mo pa rin iyan.”

His smile was intended to reassure her. Yet, Stacey could not be swayed by Renante’s attempt. Her hestt focused on the way his eyes saddened, and confirmed that he was just trying to ease her mind.

“It’s just a small problem. Things will be alright.”

“Then, why does the CEO himself have to handle it?”

“VVatch is still on start-up phase,” he fondly patted her cheek. “Remember when you had to do everything and the bags yourself? Nung nagsisimula ka pa lang sa woven bags business mo?”

It was true. She nodded. Napipilitang ngumiti si Stacey kahit ang totoo ay nadidismaya siya. Uunahin na naman ni Renante ang VVatch kaysa sa kanya.

She should be fine with it.

Dapat nauunawaan niya dahil nagdaan din siya sa start-up phase ng negosyo noon.

O siguro, ito ang dahilan kaya binenta rin niya ang negosyo sa huli. Bukod sa nakakawala ng excitement ang paulit-ulit na trabaho, masyado ring time consuming magpalakad ng sariling negosyo.

Stacey didn’t know what else to say. She just nodded her head. “Look. Just eat up and go ahead. I’ll drive myself to work.”

“May usapan tayo—”

“Please,” nakikiusap niyang titig sa mga mata nito, “let’s do what will be helpful for the both of us at this rate. Okay?”

“Sunduin na lang kita.”

“No. I’ll bring my car with me, eh. Sino magda-drive n’on kapag sinundo mo ako?”

Nakipaglaban pa ito ng titigan sa kanya bago sumuko.

.

.

KYLIE KEPT HERSELF BUSY. Medyo nakayuko ang dalaga, marahan ang kilos ng kamay. Her digital pen stroked here and there against her tablet’s screen, putting a touch of colors on her latest artwork.

Kahapon lang sinimulan ni Kylie ang drawing pero mabilis pa nitong matatapos. It was just that, she was brimming with life.

With inspiration.

Tumigil ito sa ginagawa at tumanaw sa malayo. Her eyes swerved to the left and right of the coffee shop’s interior. Hindi pa dumadating ang katagpo.

Nakangiting niyuko ng dalaga ulit ang dino-drawing. Kandong ni Kylie ang side bag na nakasandal sa gilid ng mesang katapat nito. At nakapatong sa bag na iyon ang kanyang tablet.

She remained seated on one of the brown-coffee colored bar seats of the coffee shop. The rectangular table before her was made of cream-colored wood with faint swirls on it and a smooth varnish finish.

Iyon ang tagpong nadatnan ni Stacey nang marating ang coffee shop. Maga-alas diyes na rin ng umaga nang makarating siya.

Nilapag niya ang bag sa gilid ng mesa.

Mabilis na nag-angat si Kylie ng tingin. Malaki ang ngiti nito sa kanya. “Stace!”

Stacey hoped something would change when she sees Kylie. Her big, voluminous loose curled blonde dyed hair. Her bright smile. Her innocent eyes. Stacey was hoping all of them would ease these stirring feelings she gave her last night.

Malungkot dahil hindi.

Instead, she flamed within unsteadily.

She’s threatened.

Bakit ba kasi nakipagkita pa siya rito?

Ano ba ang gusto niyang mangyari?

Gusto bang patunayan ni Stacey sa sarili na mabuting kaibigan si Kylie? O patunayan na kahit kailan, wala siyang naging tunay na kaibigan dahil hindi naman siya naging totoo sa mga kinaibigan niya?

Nagmamadalig tinabi ni Kylie ang ginagawa. “Take a seat, hurry! How’s your weekend?”

Umupo siya. Malamig na tumugon.

“You told Renante I was with you in LG last Saturday?”

Tumakas ang kulay at sigla sa mukha ng kaibigan. Gulat na napaawang ng kaunti ang mga labi nitong may pink na lipgloss.

Sa reaksyong iyon ni Kylie, nakumpirma na agad ni Stacey ang sagot.

“Bakit mo ginawa iyon? Pinangungunahan mo ako. I never wanted Renante to know where I was that time.”

Nalungkot ito. Pinilit nitong ngumiti na lagi nitong ginagawa para kuhanin ang loob ng kausap.

“I just figured, I’ll tell him. He texted me while we are all drinking. And… nabanggit mo na rin lang na may problema kayo ni Renante.” Tumuwid ito ng upo, nilapag sa mesa ang mga kamay. “He’s worried about you. Sigurado akong mabaliw-baliw na siya paghahanap sa’yo para napilitang itext ako.”

“I’m glad to know you are so concerned with my boyfriend’s well-being. Still, why tell him where I was?” mariin niyang usisa.

“Is it wrong if I did?” paglukot ng lungkot at pagkabahala sa mukha nito. “I just thought, magkakabati kayo kung magkikita kayo. Imbes na tinataguan mo siya at hindi sinasagot ang mga calls niya… Gusto ko lang namang magbati kayo.”

“Pero relasyon namin ito,” giit niya sa kaibigan. “Hindi ang gusto mo ang masusunod pagdating sa relasyon namin at issues namin sa isa’t isa ni Renante. Kuha mo?”

Tears rimmed Kylie’s eyes. Noon, nauunawaan iyon ni Stacey. Madaling paiyakin ang kaibigan kaya ganoon. Pero ngayon, nginangatngat siya ng pagdududa sa puso. Pwedeng nabubulagan siya. Pwedeng naliliwanagan na siya. Kylie’s teary eyes was either a natural vulnerability or a self-defense she always put up to survive from situations, to get results she wanted.

But not this time. Stacey would not swayed ever again by her weak, pure and soft-hearted friends.

“I’m sorry…” Kylie’s small voice strained slightly. “Did I make it worse?”

“Do you wish to?”

“Of course not!” she blurted.

Stacey placed her hand on her bag. Does she even remember what she said that night? She acts like she doesn’t. Hindi siya nagdududa sa mga inaakto ko ngayon.

Renante… Kylie… They feigned indifference. Stacey was left perplexed. Siya lang ba ang nagbi-big deal sa mga bagay-bagay?

Wala ba talaga siyang dapat ipag-alala?