Chapter Text
Naglalakad si Wrailey mula sa Dapitan gate, tiningnan niya ang relo niya at nang makita ang oras ay kumaripas na siya ng takbo. Nasa harap na siya ng main building nang biglang tumunog ang kampana. Ah, inabutan na naman siya! Naghanap siya ng masisilungan mula sa sinag ng araw, at doon nanatiling nakatayo. Hinintay niyang matapos ang Angelus prayer bago siya muling naglakad papasok sa building nila. This is his last class for today, thankfully. Kaya lang ay isa itong laboratory class kaya parang kailangan niya nga talaga ng prayers.
bubs 🫧
good luck sa lab :3
inabutan ka angelus, ‘no? HAHAHAHA
sabay tayo uwi ah, hihintayin kita wala kang choice !!
Nag-reply lang si Wrailey at tinago na ang cellphone niya nang makarating siya sa harap ng classroom nila. Nagkakagulo na ang mga kaklase niya, may mga aligaga at iilang hindi mapakali dahil sa paparating na practical nila. Instead of joining in the panic, umupo na lang siya sa isang tabi at doon tahimik na nagbasa. Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na rin ang prof nila at nagsimula na silang mag-practical.
Inabot sila ng tatlong oras, two parts kasi iyon, may written quiz at application o iyong practical mismo. Confident naman siyang may naisagot siya kahit papaano, he also performed really well in the practical. Although there’s an unsettling feeling inside of him doubting if he really did well. Parang kaya pa eh, he could’ve done better than that. But at least, tapos na.
Habang pababa siya ng main building, nakasalubong niya ang mga kaibigan niya. It was Joaquin and Jaxon, magkaklase ito at nasa same program sila.
“Wrai! Sama ka? Angkong daw,” aya ni Jax. Ngumiti siya at tiningnan ang cellphone niya at doon nakita na nag-usap nga silang mag-Angkong sa gc.
Nagpahila na siya sa dalawa at lumabas sila sa Noval gate dahil nandun na raw ang iba nilang kaibigan. He looked at his phone again and typed.
bblossom 🌸
oy kasama ka angkong?
nag-seen ka lang sa gc eh
bubs 🫧
hii yes pu
dito na me huhu sorry inde q pala nasabi
bblossom 🌸
oki lang nmn
kasama ko waki and jax, papunta na kami
bubs 🫧
okkk ingat sana ‘di ka madapa
Pagdating nilang tatlo, sila na lang pala hinihintay. Dumating na rin ang order ng friends nila kaya naman tumayo na si Joaquin para mag-order ng sa kanila. Jaxon was telling him his order and when he was done, Waki looked at Wrai. Magsasalita na sana ito para sabihin ang order niya nang biglang may naglapag na ng pinggan na may Japanese siomai at kanin.
Jax snickered at tumango-tango naman si Waki. “Okay, meron ka na pala.”
Umupo na rin si Maverick sa tabi ni Wrai. “Kumusta quiz?” Tanong nito habang naglalagay ng chili oil, toyo, at pinipiga ang kalamansi nilang dalawa.
Wrailey shrugged. “Just as expected. Pero nakaka-pressure pa rin talaga kasi may timer.”
Sumali na rin ang mga kaibigan nila sa usapan. “Hala, same prof tayo diyan ‘di ba, Wrai?” Tumango naman ito. “Bukas kami! Paano siya magpa-quiz?”
“Ang naririnig ko, same coverage lang usually pero magkakaibang sets siya magbigay,” Si Waki naman ang sumagot. Tiningnan naman siya ni Jax at nag-beautiful eyes pa sa kaniya.
Binato lang siya ng tissue ni Waki. “Saka hindi ka makakahingi ng tips kay Wrai kasi ahead tayo sa kaniya. Same prof nga pero magkaibang subject naman. Dapat nga ikaw ang namimigay ng reviewer diyan.”
“Sa’yo lang din naman galing mga nire-review ko!”
“Tamad ka kasi!” Inirapan siya ni Waki at nag-asaran na lang ang dalawa.
Sila Mavy, Matthew, at Seven naman ay may ibang topic na sa kabilang table. Dalawang table kasi ang nasakop nila. Sampu sila sa friend group, anim lang sila ngayon dahil may mga klase ang iba.
“Susunod daw si Kuya Sean kaso kumain na daw siya,” sabi ni Sev.
“Sabihin mo libre na lang niya tayo ng XLB diyan sa tapat.” Tumatawang sabi ni Mavy bago sumubo ng siomai niya.
Sumang-ayon naman si Matti at ginatungan pa ni Jax. “Sabihin mo sabi ni Wrailey para hindi siya tumanggi.”
Nagtawanan naman silang lahat, maging si Wrai mismo. It’s not a news to their friends na siya talaga ang paborito ni Sean at may special treatment talaga ito sa kaniya, hindi naman rin nito tinatago. Minsan nga sinasabi ni Seven na baka si Wrai talaga ang nakababatang kapatid nito at ampon lang siya. Since SHS, may soft spot na talaga si Sean for Wrailey, sobrang protective din nito sa kaniya at baby na baby siya nito. He’s just so fond of him and honestly, no one can blame him because there’s nothing not to like about Wrailey.
Nang makumpleto na ang mga order nila, agad din naman silang nagsimulang kumain. Akala mo pa ay galit-galit sila dahil mga hindi na sila nagpansinan at nag-focus na lang sa pagkain ng kaniya-kaniyang order nila ng siomai.
Si Matti ang bumasag sa katahimikan nila. “May nag-aaya ng party sa sabado.” Nagkatinginan naman silang lahat. “Pupunta si Kayden, aayain din kayo nun mamaya sa gc inunahan ko lang ngayon.”
“Saan ba?” Tanong ni Jaxon, interesado. Joaquin shot him a glare, tinawanan niya lang ito. “Reward ‘yon after all the quizzes na pinagdaanan natin this week!” Pag-explain niya pa kahit na inirapan lang siya ni Waki.
While going over the details, bigla namang dumating si Sean at umupo na rin kasama nila. As expected, nauna itong lumapit kay Wrai at pinisil pa ang pisngi nito. Wrai just smiled at him at nagulat pa dahil may inabot nga iyong balot ng chocolate XLB for him alone. Binigay din naman niya ang isa sa mga kaibigan pero may nakahiwalay talaga for Wrai.
“Thank you, Kuya Sean.”
“‘Kaw pa ba, malakas ka sa’kin eh.”
“Respeto naman daw sa tunay na kapatid!” Pang-aasar ni Matti at tumawa na lang ulit silang lahat.
Truth be told, he isn’t fond of chocolates in general. He does not a sweet tooth either, kaya nilapag niya lang muna sa table ang bigay sa kaniya ni Sean. Nagpatuloy na ang usapan at nakisali na rin si Sean. They were all invited for this particular party because kakilala daw pala nila ang magd-DJ, they wanted to attend it and give them some love and support. It was open for everyone din kaya kung kani-kanino na umabot ang invites.
Nagkakagulo na sila sa table, hindi tuloy makahanap ng tiyempo si Wrai na sabihing hindi siya makakasama. He looked around and stared at his friends, he didn't want to ruin their fun. That's why he just pursed his lips and smiled quietly. Inayos din niya ang salamin niya by pushing his glasses along his nose bridge.
Mavy noticed it so he shifted closer to him. He leaned on his shoulder. “May sasabihin ka?”
“Hmm?” Lumingon naman siya sa katabi. Umayos din ng upo si Mavy at tinawag ang atensyon ng mga kaibigan niya. “May sasabihin ata si Wrai eh, ang iingay niyo kasi!”
Wrailey scrunched his nose, feeling a bit shy because he’s suddenly the center of their attention. Nakita naman niyang ngumiti ang mga ito, hinihintay siyang magsalita.
He cleared his throat. “I can’t go sa party.” Agad naman silang nag-react sa sinabi niya. Bago pa may magtanong ay dinugtungan na niya agad iyon. “Bebe time kasi. Minsan na lang eh, busy kami pareho.” He explained, napahawak pa siya sa batok niya dahil nahihiya na talaga siya.
Nag-iba naman bigla ang expression ng mga kaibigan niya. From being disappointed, they smiled at him at inasar pa siya.
“It’s okay, bebe. Bawi ka na lang next time! Enjoy sa date,” Sean said at sumang-ayon naman ang mga kaibigan niya.
“Parang tagal na ng last date niyo together, ‘no?” Waki said, tumango naman si Wrai.
In the end, they understand and hindi naman talaga required pumunta sa party so it’s really okay. Besides, they know how Wrai missed his boyfriend kaya hindi na nila hinadlangan iyon. After eating, naglakad na lang sila pabalik ng university dahil may klase pa ang iba sa kanila. Pagpasok pa lang ng gate ay naghiwa-hiwalay na sila dahil iba-iba sila ng building na pupuntahan, nagkataon namang wala nang class pareho si Wrai at Mavy at napagdesisyunan nilang tumambay muna sa gazebo.
When the both of them were seated, Wrai handed the chocolate xiao long bao to Mavy.
Mavy chuckled softly, “Ayaw mo?”
Nagkibit-balikat lang ito. “Hindi ka naka-kain kanina eh, tagal mo na ‘yang gustong i-try, ‘di ba? Inuto mo pa si Kuya Sean para diyan.”
“Sorry, ginamit pa pangalan mo.”
“Okay lang, baliw. Saka I know Kuya Sean would love to treat us all, hindi lang halata pero marupok din ‘yon sa inyo.”
They both laughed at that. Well, it’s true. Sean really is their Kuya sa barkada. He’s always looking out for all of them, mas nga lang talaga kay Wrai. Favorite, eh.
They were enveloped by silence, a comfortable one. Maverick munched on the snack given to him. Kumuha rin si Wrailey para matikman ito. He cringed when he tasted how sweet it was on his tongue.
Mavy saw it so he offered his flask to Wrai. He took it and chugged it down. Inubos na rin ni Mavy ang tira nila at uminom din ng tubig pagtapos.
“Uwi na tayo?” He asked habang inaayos ang mga gamit nila.
Nakita naman niyang busy ito sa cellphone niya, pero agad ding tumingin pabalik kay Mavy when he heard him. He gave him a small smile, an apologetic one.
Ngumiti lang pabalik si Mavy at hindi nagsalita ulit. Gets na niya. Alam na niya yung ganiyang tingin eh.
“Sorry, Mav.” Again with that apologetic look on his face. “Hindi pala ako makakasabay, nagpapahintay si Daniel eh. Una ka na.” And again, Mavy just smiled at him.
“Okay. Ingat kayo, ah? Una na ako.” He said then he grabbed his things before he turned his back on Wrai.
Hindi na niya ito nilingon pabalik. Matagal-tagal na rin naman mula ng huli niyang nilingon ito pabalik pagtapos magpaalam. Kumbaga, hindi na bago sa kaniya ‘to. Dito na siya nasanay, dito na niya pilit sinasanay ang sarili niya.
⋆｡𖦹°⭒˚｡⋆જ⁀➴
“Uwi na tayo?” Mavy asked, kakatapos lang nilang kumain ng pancit canton sa tapat ng school nila. They were dismissed from their class just a while ago, pero ayaw pa nila umuwi kaya nag-aya si Wrai na kumain muna.
Bumuntong-hininga lamang ang isa. “Katamad,” He saw him pouting while sipping his Royal on a plastic.
Tumawa naman si Mavy sa itsura ng kaibigan. “Ikaw lang kilala kong tinatamad sa pag-uwi.”
“Boring kasi sa bahay! Ayoko dun,” pangangatwiran naman ni Wrailey sa kaniya.
“Edi saan tayo? Lib?”
“Ayoko rin, sira lagi aircon dun.”
“Ang arte! So saan nga?”
Umakto pang nag-iisip ang binata habang sumisipsip sa softdrinks niya. “Alam ko na!” Tinaas pa nita ang kamay at daliri niya na para bang naisip na niya ang pinakamahalagang solusyon sa problema ng mundo. “Comshop!”
Sumimangot naman si Mavy sa suggestion nito. “Puro ka na naman Dota diyan.” Nag-make face lang si Wrai sa kaniya. “Saka hindi tayo papapasukin, naka-uniform tayo oh.”
Humaba na naman ang nguso ni Wrai nang mapagtantong tama ang sinabi ng kaibigan niya. Pero bigla ulit itong nabuhyan. “Magsa-sando na lang ako!” Nakangiti pang sabi nito.
Kumunot naman ang noo ni Mavy. “Baliw, lalamigin ka.”
Tiningnan naman siya ni Wrai mula ulo hanggang paa. He snapped his fingers in front of Mavy. “AHA! May jacket ka oh!” Turo pa nito sa jacket ni Mavy na nakapulupot sa bewang niya. It’s one of those trendy varsity jackets in color green with white stripes as the design.
Lalo lang lumala ang pagkakakunot ng noo niya. “So ako yung maghuhubad?” tanong nito na hindi makapaniwala sa suggestion ng kaibigan.
“Grabe naman sa hubad! Naka-sando ka rin, ‘di ba? Tanggalin mo lang yung polo mo, or pantakip mo yung jacket para hindi tayo sitahin.” Sasagot pa sana si Mavy pero hindi pa pala tapos ang kaibigan. “Tapos kapag nilamig ako pahiram na lang.” Ngumiti ito sa kaniya at kumurap-kurap pa, halatang nang-uuto na lang.
Hinila na siya nito sa braso. “Dali na! Hindi naman tayo magtatagal, promise! One hour lang kasi bente na lang din pera ko.” Pamimilit nito sa kaniya habang hinihila na siya papunta sa computer shop.
Bumuntong-hininga na lang siya at nagpahila sa kaibigan. Tumabi rin muna sila sa may gilid para tanggalin ang suot nilang ID at ang kanilang mga polo. Maglalakad na ulit sila nang biglang pinatong ni Mavy ang jacket niya kay Wrai. Napatigil sa paglakad ang binata at humarap naman si Mavy dito para ayusin ang pagkakasuot ng jacket. He then zipped up the jacket to fully cover him up because he knows how easily Wrai gets cold, especially when they are inside of an air-conditioned space.
He started to notice it whenever they will have their laboratory class, may aircon kasi sa laboratory room nila at tuwing tumatagal ang klase nila doon ay makikita niyang hinihipan ni Wrai ang mga palad niya at pinagdidikit iyon upang makagawa ng init. Then, on the rare occasion where the library opens their aircon and is actually producing cold air, he would see him shivering from the cold. Tumitigil pa siya sa pagsusulat dahil hindi niya maigalaw ang mga kamay niya dahil sa lamig. Sakto naman na Mavy has this habbit of always bringing a jacket to school, he doesn’t know why or when it started, nakasanayan na lang niyang may dala siyang jacket palagi.
At bilang mabuting kaibigan, pinapahiram na rin niya ito kay Wrai (Wala siyang choice, kasi basta-basta na lang din kinukuha nito sa kaniya nang sapilitan).
Una silang nagkakilala dahil magkaklase sila ngayong Grade 7, naging magka-grupo sila at dahil doon ay naging seatmate sila sa isa sa pinaka-kalaban ni Wrai na subject: mathematics. Dahil may katangkaran din sila, sa may bandang dulo sila naka-upo at doon na nagsimulang daldalin ni Wrailey si Maverick tuwing wala na siyang naiintindihan sa topic na dini-discuss sa harapan.
Tahimik lang si Mavy… sa una. Kalaunan ay nahawa na rin siya sa kadaldalan ni Wrai at naging close na talaga sila. Umabot na sa point na kahit recess ay sila ang magksamang bumaba sa cafeteria. Nakilala na rin ni Wrai ang kaibigan ni Mavy sa ibang section, ganun din naman si Mavy.
Currently ay nasa fourth quarter na sila ng Grade 7, kaya naman ilang buwan na rin nilang kilala ang isa’t isa. At kaya rin wala na sila masyadong ginagawa sa school. Sa susunod na linggo na ang quarterly exam nila at iyon na lang ang hinihintay para magawa na ang grades nila at makapagbakasyon na.
Naging successful naman ang plano nila at naka-upo na sila sa magkatabing PC na parehong may isang oras na limit. Agad namang sinet-up ni Wrai ang PC kung saan siya maglalaro, halata mong sanay na at madalas tumambay dito para maglaro maghapon. Si Mavy naman, nalilito pa kung ano ang pipindutin para mag-start ang PC. Nakita iyon ni Wrai at natawa bago tulungan ang kaibigan niyang i-open ang PC sa harap nito.
Ilang minuto lang silang ganun, nakatutok sa screen, rinig ang tunog ng parehong keyboard at mouse, ang ingay sa paligid ng mga kapwang naglalaro, may mga sumisigaw at nagt-trash talk-an na, pero nanatiling kalmado si Wrai habang nakatuon ang pokus sa screen niya. Si Mavy naman, dahil wala talaga siyang ni-katiting na interes sa online games, dumiretso lang siya sa YouTube para manood ng mga music videos at kung ano-ano pang makita niya doon.
Nang ma-bored siya, kinalikot niya ang PC at nakitang may iDate doon, mabibilang lang sa kamay niya ang alam niyang online games at isa iyon. Nagsimula na siyang maglaro, ang paborito niya pang kanta doon ay ang Hot Issue. Nalibang siya at hindi niya namalayan na nakatitig na sa kaniya si Wrai, pinapanood siya mula sa upuan nito. Hindi siya siguarado kung pinagtatawanan siya nito at nang-aasar lang o naaaliw talaga siya dahil sa nakikita niya sa harapan niya. Tinapos na niya ang laro at nilingon ang katabi.
“Bakit? Hindi pa time ah,” Tiningnan niya ang monitor at nakitang lagpas 20 minutes pa ang meron sila pero tapos na ata mag-Dota si Wrai.
Nagkibit-balikat lang si Wrai, “Wala, cute mo.” Sabi nito at tinusok pa ang pisngi niya.
Bago pa mag-protesta si Mavy ay nagsalita na ulit si Wrai. “Tetris tayo!” Masiglang sabi nito kaya wala na ring nagawa si Mavy kung hindi um-oo.
They spent their last 20 minutes on the computer shop, playing Tetris, naka-ilang K.O. na si Wrai kay Mavy, sobrang obvious na hindi gamay nito ang laro kaya napapangiti na lang si Wrailey. Kapag nililingon naman siya ni Mavy ay nahuhuli siya nitong tumatawa kaya napapaguso na lang ang isa.
“Isa pa! Last na talaga,” aya ulit ni Wrai kahit umayaw na si Mavy dahil halata namang talo na naman siya. “Kapag natalo manlilibre ng gulaman sa baba.” Kumindat pa sa kaniya si Wrailey nang sabihin iyon.
Mavy sighed and stretched his arms, preparing for another round of the game kahit na alam niyang mabilis lang ‘to dahil for sure ay mak-K.O. na naman siya. But that’s not what happened this time. Hindi niya alam kung nag-focus lang ba talaga siya sa laro o pinagbigyan na lang siya ni Wrai.
Kakatapos lang nilang mag-log out at ppataying yung mga PC nila. “Galing naman ng Mavmav na ‘yan!” Again, hindi niya alam kung pinagtatawanan ba siya nito dahil finally ay nanalo na siya o genuine yung sinasabi nito. Pinisil pa ni Wrai ang magkabilang pisngi niya bago tumayo para hilahin na siya palabas at bumaba na kung saan may tindang mga street food at palamig.
With the last money inside Wrai’s wallet, bumili siya ng dalawang 5 pesos na gulaman para sa kanilang dalawa. Mavy looked at his watch and saw that it’s already 4:30 in the afternoon, hindi na ganun katirik ang araw.
“Sabay tayo uwi?” Tanong ni Wrai at inakbayan pa siya. “Okay.”
They were just 3 blocks away from each other’s home, anyway. Nauna nilang madadaanan ang bahay nila Wrailey kaya naman nagpaalam na siya dito. Niyakap lang siya ng binata at inabot na ang jacket niya pabalik.
When Mavy arrived home, nakita niyang may mga hindi pa pala siya naliligpit na damit niyang kakatanggal lang sa sampayan ng Mama niya. And then, he realized na kailangan niya pa palang labhan ang polo niya dahil last na niya iyon at wala siyang susuotin bukas kung sakali.
Okay lang, pwede namang isabit at tutukan ng electric fan para matuyo agad. O kaya plantsahin na lang para mainitan.
Ang importante, nag-enjoy siya kanina kahit akala niya tutunganga lang siya sa comshop kasama si Wrai. At least, he gets to be with his friend. And he saw how happy Wrai was, even with his empty wallet, he saw how his smile reached his eyes while talking animatedly about his opponents in that online game. Walang naiintidihan si Mavy, pero basta mukhang masaya naman si Wrai, kaya nakinig na lang siya.
Alam niyang magkikita rin naman sila bukas sa klase. Pero si Wrai kasi ‘yan eh, makulit, mapilit, gusto niya hangga’t maaari, masusunod siya. Totoo naman lahat ‘yan.
Pero ang isa pang bagay tungkol kay Wrailey? Kapag kasama mo siya, he will make sure that you’ll enjoy every second of your time spent together. At living proof nun si Mavy.
When they became Grade 8 students, they were practically attached to the hip. Kung saan may Mavy, nandun si Wrailey and vice versa. Many would say that they are so opposite from each other. And while it’s true, there are also some similarities. One of them is: pareho silang mailap sa tao. It’s like they found each other and that’s it. They never bothered to befriend anyone, they were already content with each other. But it’s not like they don’t interact with other people, they do. Mavy even became the President of their class. Sadyang mailap lang talaga sila sa mga tao especially when it comes to letting them in their life.
But it’s all good. Hindi naman talaga kailangang kaibiganin ang lahat. As long as they’re good with everyone and no one’s harming anyone, then it’ s okay.
Also they have their other friends naman, sa ibang year nga lang o kaya naman ay sa ibang section. And if they can, sabay-sabay silang kumakain during recess.
Just like today, they occupied a table and their food was set up on it. May kaniya-kaniya silang baon at nag-share sila nito kaya nilatag nila lahat sa mesa.
“Kuya Jiro, totoo bang Grade 9 daw talaga ang pinakamahirap na year?” Dion, Mavy’s friend from another section asked.
Tinapos muna ni Jiro ang pagnguya bago niya iyon sagutin. “Hmm, sakto lang naman? Or siguro kasi kaka-start pa lang ng classes.”
“Pero sa workloads, oo, parang medyo mas dumami nga siya compared last year. Tapos may Research na rin kami.” Dugtong pa nito. Nasa Grade 9 na kasi ito ngayon, ahead siya ng 1 year kila Wrai but he’s been Wrailey’s friend since elementary.
“Parang nakakatakot pala mag-Grade 9,” sambit ni Wrai habang nakahilig ang ulo niya sa may tumbler niya at nakatitig sa kawalan.
Tumawa lang si Jiro, habang nag-agree naman si Dion. Uminom lang ng tubig si Mavy pero pagtapos ay nagsalita din siya. “Normal lang naman matakot! Siyempre matatakot pa tayo kasi wala pa tayo dun eh, kaka-start pa lang natin ng Grade 8.” Tumingin naman ito kay Dion. “‘Di ba nga nung Grade 6 kinakabahan at natatakot din tayo? Pero look, Grade 8 na tayo ngayon!” He said with a big smile on his face, his canines showing. Kaya naman napangiti na lang din ang mga kaibigan niya.
“Tama naman si Mavy. Kakayanin niyo ‘yan, feeling niyo lang ‘yan ngayon kasi nga wala pa kayo dun, pero once you get there, mare-realize niyo na kaya niyo naman.” Advice naman ni Jiro sa kanila.
Mabilis ang naging takbo ng school year na iyon para sa kanila. Puro group projects, filming, sayaw, at kung ano-ano pa ang mga pinagawa sa kanila sa iba’t ibang subject. Busy lahat ng kaklase nila pero doble ‘yon lahat kay Mavy kasi siya ang Presidente ng klase. And not just a normal president, he was a very organized one. Sinisigurado niyang walang maiiwan sa mga kaklase niya kaya consistent sa GC nila ang mga reminders niya at ang pag-mention sa mga hindi nila maramdaman na kaklase. He’s very present and is willing to help all of them. Natural na sa kaniya ang ganitong ugali. He was raised well by his parents and is determined to be a good role model for his younger sister, kaya naman nature na talaga niya ang maging mabait.
To the point na kahit mga ibang estudyante sa ibang section ay gusto nang magpaturo sa kaniya at siya ang maging class president.
Aliw na aliw sa fact na ‘to si Wrailey, at lagi siyang inaasar. Paano ba naman kasi, hindi siya makapaniwala na ang dating sobrang tahimik at hindi halos magsalita sa tabi niya kung hindi niya dadaldalin ay sobrang in demand na ngayon. Literal na in demand!
Tuwing may program sila ay hindi mawawalan ng mga nakapalibot kay Mavy, mapa-upper o lower year man ‘yan. May iba na totoong nagpapatulong sa mga bagay, karamihan gusto lang magpapansin. Sa ganitong events, laging nagkaksundo si Dion at Wrai sa pang-aasar sa kaniya kasi Shet, sobrang pogi lang ng tropa nila!
Of course, there are times when it will get overwhelming for Mavy. Gaya na lang nitong Valentine’s program ng school nila. Hindi na magkandaugaga si Mavy dahil ang dami niyang inaasikaso, required kasi na magtayo ng booth ang bawat section, bali nakipag-collab sila with two other section to set up a booth. At dahil siya ang President, natural magiging busy siya rito. Dumagdag pa na hindi ma-reach out ang President ng isang section kaya doble ang trabaho niya. Bukod pa ro’n, hindi siya makapag-pokus nang maayos dahil ang init-init na nga, tatlong beses pa siyang pabaik-balik sa Jail Booth dahil lagi siyang pinapahuli ng mga nagkakagusto sa kaniya. At tatlong beses na rin siyang nalagasan ng sampung piso para tubusin ang sarili niya.
Nang sa wakas ay may break siya, bumalik muna siya sa room nila at nakita kung gaano kagulo iyon. Napansin din niyang may mga taong palabas-labas at kumukuha ng gamit nila, pero naka-upo lang sa isang sulok sa sahig ang kaibigan niya at nakatingin sa isang upuan na puno ng mga tsokolate, candy, flowers, letters, at kung ano-ano pang bigay ng ibang estudyante.
Lumapit siya dito at tumayo sa harapan ni Wrai. “Dami niyan, ah.”
Tumango naman si Wrai, “Oo dami nga, Pres.” Tumingin ito sa kaniya nang may nakakalokong ngiti. Nagtaka naman si Mavy kaya nilapitan niya iyon at tiningnan ang nakasulat.
Ah, kaya pala.
“Nagbantay lang ata ako sa booth natin para mag-receive ng mga binili para sa’yo,” Wrai snickered, “Pero at least, marami tayong nabenta! Lakas mo talaga, Mavy.” Nag-pogi sign pa iyon sa kaniya at kumindat.
Umupo na siya sa tabi ni Wrai. He unbuttoned his polo to let the air cool him down dahil pawis na pawis na siya.
“Pagod?” Wrai asked and offered his fan to him. Pinaypayan siya nito at tinutok sa kanila ang malapit na electric fan.
Tumingin siya sa relo niya, “2 hours pa, tapos ligpit pa natin ‘yan,” Ngumiti na lang siya nang marahan. 2 hours na lang.
Wrailey looked at him with pity, “You did well today, Mavmav!” He pats Mavy’s head and ruffles his fingers on his hair. “Kainin mo na lang mga binigay sa’yo ng fans mo para ma-energize ka!”
Natawa naman siya sa sinabi nito. Fans, amp. “Kapagod pero this also won’t be possible without the cooperation of our section, pati yung mga kasama nating nag-contribute hindi lang ng gastos pati oras at pagod nila to make our booth successful.”
Tumango-tango naman si Wrai, “Kaya ‘wag mo na masyadong isipin pagligpit mamaya, marami naman kami. Take turns na lang. Pahinga ka muna.”
Wrai leaned closer to him, offering his shoulder. “Tulog ka muna, Pres. Papangit ka na niyan, sige ka! Paano na bebenta booth natin niyan!”
Pinisil naman ni Mavy ang ilong ni Wrai dahil sa sinabi nito. “Nandiyan ka naman, Pogi.”
Wrailey gasped dramatically. “Amats! Seryoso, tulog ka muna. Gisingin kita after 30 minutes.”
He closed his eyes and smiled as he tried to sleep on Wrai’s shoulder. He felt the other stiffen, but later on calmed down and got used to the feeling of his head against his shoulder. He even heard some of their classmates asked Wrai about something but he immediately dismissed it, saying that Mavy’s sleeping at mamaya na lang niya aasikasuhin. He smiled at that before he finally drifted to sleep for a while.
“Mavy… Gising na. Mag-wrap up na kami ng booth.” He felt someone tapping his cheeks. Gumalaw siya nang kaunti patagilid, at by instinct, he hugged whatever’s in front of him. Nagulat naman siya nang maramdaman na parang tao iyon. Unti-unti niyang dinilat ang mga mata niya at nakitang nakapulupot ang mga braso niya sa bewang ni Wrailey. Umayos siya ng upo at kinusot-kusot pa ang mga mata niya.
He looked so confused, gulo-gulo pa ang buhok nito dahil galing siya sa pagkakahiga sa kandungan ni Wrai.
“Inayos kita kanina, nahuhulog ka kasi sa balikat ko. Baka magka-stiff neck ka, kasalanan ko pa.” Paliwanag nito dahil nagtataka talaga ang ekspresyon ni Mavy kung paano siya napunta sa ganoong posisyon.
Tumango lang si Mavy at inayos na ang sarili. Tumayo si Wrai at nilahad ang kamay kay Mavy para makatayo na rin ito.
“Labas lang ako, tulungan ko sila mag-ayos.” Paalam nito kay Mavy bago tuluyang lumabas sa room at nagtungo sa booth nila.
Pagdating niya doon, halos settled na rin lahat. Kailangan na lang ng maglilinis sa paligid at magbubuhat ng mga gamit para maibalik kung saan ito nakalagay. Kumilos naman agad si Wrai at nakita niya rin kung paanong kumilos ang mga kasama nila sa booth. It was good that they were all cooperative and there’s no problem when it comes to contributing and communicating with one another.
Totoo nga yung sinabi ni Mavy, this booth wouldn’t be successful if not for everyone who helped in every way possible.
Nang matapos sila, nagkita-kita rin sila sa classroom para kunin ang mga gamit nila at magsi-uwi na. Before that, tinipon muna sila ni Mavy at nagpasalamat sa kanilang lahat.
As usual, sabay silang umuwi ni Wrai at may dala-dalang isang punong-punong paperbag si Mavy na naglalaman ng mga bigay sa kaniya ng kapwa estudyante niya. From time to time, habang naglalakad sila, naririnig niya ang mahinang pagtawa ni Wrai sa kaniya.
“Sobrang famous mo lang talaga,” Pang-aasar na naman nito sa kaniya.
“Let it go, Wrai.” He said, not in a serious tone, but more of I’m tired of this topic.
“Wow, Elsa?!” Tumaas pa ang boses ni Wrai kaya naman natawa na lang din si Mavy. Kainis.
Nagpatuloy na lang sila sa paglakad hanggang sa makarating na sila kila Wrailey at naghiwalay na sila ng landas.
When they entered Grade 9, it was exhausting. Totoo palang mas malala ang workload. Puro groupings pa rin, may mga acting pa, musical play, dance festivals, research, at trigonometry! Jusko po! Stress na stress si Wrailey dahil bakit pa ba kailangang i-prove na triangle ‘yon eh, obvious naman?! At talagang hindi siya tinantanan ng math dahil hanggang physics ay pinahihirapan siya nito.
“Ayoko na! Okay na yung alam ko ang Pythagorean theorem, tama na ‘yon. Hanggang dun lang ang capacity ng knowledge ko!” Singhal niya at binaba sa notebook niya ang ballpen na hawak niya.
Narinig naman niya ang pagtawa ng katabi niya. Sinamaan niya iyon ng tingin. “Ang yabang talaga.” Umiling-iling pa siya.
Nandito sila ngayon sa sala ng bahay nila Mavy dahil nagpapaturo siya sa Math subject nila dahil paparating na ang quarterly exams nila. Ang bilis lang din talaga ng panahon, parang dati lang seatmate sila sa Math subjuct nung Grade 7 tapos ngayon, Grade 9 na sila.
And what Mavy said was true. Normal lang makaramdam ng takot, lalo na dahil nung Grade 8 kami hindi naman namin alam kung anong paparating. Pero ngayong nandito na kami, hindi pala namin kailangang matakot. Kasi kinaya naman namin, at kakayanin namin. Hindi ko lang sure sa Trigo, but yeah!
“Hindi naman kasi ganoon ka-komplikado. ‘Wag mo kasi kalabanin yung triangles!” Sermon nito sa kaniya. Inirapan niya lang ito. He knows he’s right, at nage-gets naman niya yung topics. Masakit lang talaga sa ulo.
“Okay, future Engineer.”
Bumalik na sila sa pagre-review at nakinig na nang mabuti si Wrailey sa mga pinagsasabi ni Mavy sa kaniya. He tried his best to retain every information para hindi naman sayang ang away ng best friend niya sa pagtuturo sa kaniya.
Wrailey saw Jiro waiting outside their assigned room just after their last quarterly exam for this year. Nang makita siya nitong lumabas sa room ay kumaway ito at ngumiti sa kaniya.
“Saan si Mavy?” Tanong nito sa kaniya. Tumingin naman pabalik sa room nila si Wrai. “Hindi pa tapos.”
Jiro nodded his head. “Hintayin na natin? Inaya ko rin si Dion eh, nakasalubong ko kanina sinabihan ko intayin tayo sa gate.” Wrailey agreed to that.
Nag-aya kasing gumala si Jiro because this is his last year here. Ga-graduate na siya ng junior high school kaya gusto niyang makasama ang mga kaibigan niya for the last time. Hindi rin naman siya lalayo for senior high school, pero siyempre baka maging busy na sila nun pare-pareho dahil nasa Grade 11 na siya at sila Wrai naman ang graduating.
Lumabas na si Mavy sa room at agad naman silang bumaba na sa gate at nakitang naghihintay doon si Dion.
Sumakay lang sila ng jeep at bumaba nang makarating sila sa SM. They decided na maglaro sa arcade. Sa basketball sila unang nagpunta after getting some token at marami silang nakuhang ticket dahil doon.
Dion and Jiro played something about guns together, while Mavy and Wrai played Tekken. It was a no-brainer that Wrailey would win, of course. But Mavy won one time and they both felt triumphant at that. Binigyan pa nga siya ni Wrai ng double thumbs up, kahit na he barely won the game.
After having fun, they ate sa isang fast food chain and Jiro insisted na libre niya raw.
When their orders arrived, they dug in immediately. Tinabi ni Wrai ang mushrooms sa order niya at binigay iyon kay Mavy.
“Oh, ayaw mo ng mushrooms?” Dion asked when he noticed.
Mavy answered. “Hindi siya kumakain niyan eh, kaya akin na lang.” He even smiled because he likes mushrooms.
On the corner, Jiro just smiled observing them all.
Recognition came, and just as expected, they were both awarded with High Honor. The ceremony just finished, and magkausap ang parents ni Mavy at Wrai when Dion and Jiro approached the two.
Nagdadaldalan lang sila at nang makita ni Wrai na tapos nang mag-usap ang parents nila ay nag-aya siyang mag-picture silang apat, “Picture tayo!” Inabot niya ang Instax niya sa Mama niya at tinanggap naman iyon at tinutok sa kanilang apat.
They posed four times, so that they could each have a copy of a polaroid photo of them. Umalis na rin si Dion at Jiro after to interact with their classmates.
“Anak, kayo naman ni Mavy mag-picture!” His mother suggested, and they both agreed.
Ang mama ni Mavy ay nag-picture sa kanila gamit ang phone, habang ang Mama naman ni Wrailey ay gamit ang Instax.
The first photo was just two of them smiling with their certificates and medals, parang formal photo lang. For the second one, naka-akbay si Mavy kay Wrai habang pareho nilang kagat-kagat ang mga medal nila. And for the last one, pumunta sa likod ni Wrailey si Mavy, pinisil niya ang mga pisngi ng kaibigan mula sa likod at lumingon naman si Wrai sa kaniya with his nose scrunched.
It was a perfect shot because the sun had just set, painting the skies golden with hints of pink and blue skies. And it was enough to give light on the photo and highlight the expressions on their faces.
Mavy posted it on his Instagram, his first ever post with a caption: survived grade nine with this one! The first photo being the one where he had his arms around Wrai’s shoulder, the second one is them holding the certificate, medal, and polaroids altogether. And the last picture being a snap of the three polaroids they took together.
Wrailey kept the two polaroids, the formal one and the one where his cheeks were being pinched by the taller. Mavy has the other one, and that being his number one pick. Wrai put the formal one on his walls, while the other one was kept in his wallet.
“Weh?! Si Bubbles favorite mo sa PPG?” Napatakip pa si Wrai ng kamay sa bibig niya as if he just learned the most surprising information ever.
“Ikaw ba?”
“Hulaan mo!”
“Hmm…” Kunwari pang nag-isip si Mavy. “Si Mojo Jojo?”
Binatukan naman siya ni Wrai dahil sa sagot niya. “Joke lang kasi! Brutal naman nito.”
Inayos naman ni Mavy ang pinagkainan nila, kakatapos lang kasi nila manood ng movie sa bahay nila Wrailey. “Blossom.” Bigla naman itong nagsalita.
“Tama ako, ‘no? Galing ko talaga.” Nagkibit-balikat pa ito at mukhang proud na proud sa sarili.
Wrai does a make face, mocking him. “Akala ko si Buttercup favorite mo kasi fa–”
“Kasi favorite color ko green?” Sabay naman silang tumawa. By this time, they really do know each other very well.
Summer vacation na nila sa school at sa susunod na pasukan, last year na nila sa junior high school. Nandito sila kila Wrai kasi uuwi ng probinsya sila Mavy sa isang araw. Nag-aya si Wrai na mag-bonding muna sila bago ito umalis kasi baka mamiss daw siya ni Mavy.
While that was also true, deep inside, Wrai knows he will probably be the one who’s going to miss the taller more. Mabilis siyang ma-bored, at alam niyang makulit siya, kaya nga hindi niya talaga in-expect na magiging friends at tatagal ang friendship nila ni Maverick. Kasi nung una, sobrang tahimik at reserved talaga ng aura ni Mavy. But when they got closer, parang lumabas na bigla ang kakulitan ni Mavy, mas naramdaman niya ang pagiging free-spirited nito, at ang dami niyang na-discover sa kaibigan na akala niya ay never niyang makikita kay Mavy.
One of those is that he’s a fan of Disney movies. At ang paborito niya sa Powerpuff Girls ay si Bubbles.
Nag-sleepover din si Mavy sa kanila, dahil sabi nga ni Mavy, sobrang clingy daw niya. Hindi naman niya iyon tinanggi. On normal occasions, mas clingy talaga si Mavy, hindi lang halata. (Promise!) Pero this was the first time sa almost three years of friendship nila na magbabakasyon ang pamilya nila Mavy sa probinsya nila at doon sila mags-stay for almost two months.
May iba naman siyang friends at marami naman siyang pwedeng pagkaabalahan, kaso lang kasi nasanay na siya na tuwing gagala siya, o may gusto siyang gawin, matic kasama niya si Mavy doon. So yes, sue him kung gusto niyang makipag-quality time sa best friend niyang malalayo sa kaniya ng two months.
At sa totoo lang, gets na gets naman siya ni Mavy. Sabi pa nga nito, tawagan or mag-chat lang siya kapag gusto niya ng kasama o kung kahit ano lang. Nandiyan lang naman siya. Kaso persistent ang kaibigan niya na i-lessen ang screen time niya (duda siya diyan) at ayaw daw niyang mang-istorbo sa bakasyon niya.
And Mavy also knows that Wrai is disappointed because they won’t be able to celebrate his birthday together this year. Ang date kasi ng alis nila ay saktong the day before his birthday, sinabi niyang pwede naman silang mag-celebrate virtually kaso ayaw ni Wrai kasi baka pagod pa siya sa biyahe nun.
It would’ve been Wrai’s third year of celebrating his birthday. And Wrai is the kind of person who gets excited on birthdays, sometimes more than his own. He knows his best friend wanted to keep the streak going. It really is such a disappointment na hindi nila iyon magagawa for this year. Kaya dinadaan na lang din niya sa pang-aasar because he knows Wrai doesn’t want to keep thinking about it.
The night of April 5th, naghihintay na sila Mavy sa terminal. Target nilang makarating sa Pangasinan ng madaling araw, at balak talaga ng pamilya nilang maghanda for his birthday doon.
Hindi rin siya nakapagpaalam personally kay Wrai dahil tulog na daw ito nung pumunta siya sa bahay nila. His mother said na medyo masama raw ang pakiramdam ni Wrai kaya maagang natulog. So he just messaged him na nakaalis na sila at nakasakay na sila ng bus.
He was preparing to sleep because it will be a long ride, then the clock strikes twelve. And his phone lit up with a notification.
Quinn Wrailey Jeon
Uhmmm😘 Pano Ko Bato Sisimulan?😆 Happy Birthday Beh!!🤪 Hehe! Una Sa Lahat Ang Ganda Ko!😛 Char! Eto Na Talaga😀 Happy Birthday Maverick! 🥳🎉Thank You Sa Lahat🙃 Omg! Naiiyak Tuloy Ako Charot!😭🤪 Salamat Sa Lahat 🙈Enjoy Your Day!😋 Penge Lumpia Beh Ha?!!😝 MBTC LOVE YOU❣️❣️💞💘 Sana magbago ka na and Stay what You Are 😘😘😘
sent 00:00
He laughed at that, so expected of him. Akala niya ayun lang but it was followed with another two messages.
The first one was a gift message. He tapped it to open.
Quinn Wrailey Jeon
hi, mavmav! happy 16th birthday.
this would be the third year that i’ll celebrate your day. though, it’s not physically this time. pero ok lang! bawi ako next year haha, marami pa namang birthdays mo na magkasama tayo, ‘di ba? anyway, enjoy your sweet 16th! i hope you’ll enjoy your vacation there. nabanggit mo miss mo na mga pinsan mo diyan, kaya sana you’ll get to bond with them this time around.
april 6 will never be the same for me ever since i’ve known you. i will always be here to celebrate you, mavy. thank you for keeping up with me, and for staying with me. you mean a lot to me, my best friend, my favorite kaaway, and my tutor xD
ang wish ko sa’yo ay sana hindi ka magsawa sa’kin. i know nagsusungit ako sometimes pero hindi ka nagpapatinag bwahaha kulit mo rin kasi. nandito lang ako palagi, tho hindi ngayon huhu >:(
i know how excited you are to be there, and sorry kung i made it feel sad na uuwi ka diyan :( hindi ko ‘to nasabi personally pero matagal pa naman tayo magkikita ulit so i’ll say it! mamimiss kita, mavy. sana ‘wag mo ako kalimutan (OA two months lang eh HUHU PERO KASI???)
anw focus!!! ANG HABA NA ANO BA ‘YAN KAINIS hays happy happy birthday, mavyyy! you deserve to be happy, not just today but throughout your whole life.
such a bummer na wala ako diyan to watch you blow your candle on your cake, but here’s a virtual cake made by me!
And then a picture of his drawing of a cake was sent. May kandila pa iyon sa taas at nakasindi, as if waiting for him to blow it. There are also details around it, with confetti and party hats. May design rin na green frosting, at may bubbles sa paligid. You’d instantly know that it was made for him by Wrailey just with the tiny little details about him.
He smiled, Wrai really never forgets to let people know how much he loves them, even without saying it directly.
Without thinking much, he grabbed his earphones then tapped the dial icon to call him. It only took two rings for Wrai to pick it up.
“Oh? Nasa bus na kayo?” Bungad nito sa kaniya.
Tumango naman siya bilang sagot, then he realized that Wrailey can’t see him so he answered, “Yes, kakaalis lang namin halos sa terminal.”
He heard some rustling and a sigh on the other line. “Okay, ingat kayo.”
And then silence. A good almost 3-minute silence enveloped them, Mavy even checked kung binabaan na siya ni Wrai but the call is still ongoing.
“Wrailey? Diyan ka pa?”
“Hmm?” He sounded so sleepy, Mavy felt bad for keeping him up but he wanted to hear his greeting.
He pouted, even though he knows hindi naman siya nakikita ni Wrai. He heard soft giggles from the other line.
“I can hear you pouting,” Mavy scoffed at that.
“Hindi mo ako babatiin?” He asked.
He heard Wrailey yawning, and followed by louder giggles from him. “Pag-isipan ko. Antok na ako, eh.”
“Okay, baba ko na.” Mavy realized that maybe he’s keeping him up for long, so he was ready to drop the call.
But even before he did, he heard it loud and clear. It was faint, and said in a soft manner, as if a whisper only meant for him to hear.
“Happy birthday, Mavmav. I love you.”
“What? Umamin ka agad?!” Wrailey exclaimed at Mavy.
Kine-kwento ni Mavy how his little crush went, and he said that he confessed to her already. And it was okay, but not something close to magical or whatever they were describing in those stories.
“Ano ba dapat? It’s been months,” Pinaningkitan naman siya ng mata ni Wrai. “Siyempre dapat may build up muna, duh! Baka isipin niya you’re too easy.”
Mavy sighed. “Hindi ko na problema ‘yon? I genuinely like her, and if she feels the same then we’ll get to know each other.”
Nakahalukipkip na si Wrai sa harap niya. “Okay, bahala ka. Lovelife mo naman ‘yan.” He even gave a thumbs up to Mavy, na tinawanan lang ng binata.
Nasa isang coffee shop sila ngayon, nagco-collaborate para sa research nila. It was by group and nagkataon na magka-grupo sila. Ine-edit na lang nila ang mga ipinasa ng ka-grupo nila at so far ay maayos naman ang mga iyon.
Mavy sipped on his matcha latte, “Eh ikaw? Musta love life mo?”
Nag-cringe naman si Wrai sa tanong. “Next question, Tito Boy. Study first po ako.”
“Seryoso? Wala kang nagugustuhan? Paraang wala ka pang na-kwento sa’kin ever na nagka-crush ka.”
“Not worth my time. ‘Di ko gets yung hype. Saka bata pa ako.” Wrai said with finality. Parang hindi pa talaga ito interesado sa idea ng dating.
And well, he’s right. They were still so young, marami pa silang mararanasan. But also, it’s not that bad to explore in terms of dating, as long as you know your limits. It’s not like Wrailey’s unattractive, either. If he wants to date, he knows he has many options to choose from. And that’s what he likes about his best friend the most, he knows what he wants. And when he wants it to happen. Kaya hindi naman siya nag-aalala rito in terms of that part of their life. They were both raised in a loving family. Yes, there may be some conflicts at times, but they were never deprived of love and attention growing up. Both of their families were supportive of whatever they want to do in life, as long as it’s not harmful to anyone.
So, he’s confident that Wrai is secure enough and is full of love that he won’t ever desire it from anyone else.
Nagpatuloy na lang sila sa research paper nila at tinapos iyon. They were halfway through their last year of junior high school. Kahit sila hindi makapaniwala na ganoon lang kabilis. It was one hell of an experience but now that they’re looking back, parang ang bilis pala. Hindi nila namalayan magtatapos na sila.
Wrailey groaned out of frustration. Mag-isa lang siya sa bahay dahil um-attend sa isang party ang mga magulang niya at ang Ate niya ay may inaasikaso kaya hindi muna raw makakauwi. Dahil wala siyang magawa, of course, una niyang naisip ay ayain si Mavy. And he did. Kaso lang ay nasa date daw ito, that was the third one just for this week alone.
And wala naman siyang problema doon. He was happy for his best friend. Believe him, he really is!
Kaya hindi niya maintindihan ang pait na nararamdaman niya ngayon habang nakatingala siya sa kisame ng kwarto niya.
Mavy’s dating Stella, from the same section with Dion. They are not official yet but they’re on their getting to know each other stage. And yes, she was the same girl that Mavy confessed to. He was glad that it all went well.
Napasabunot na lang siya sa sarili niya dahil sa mga naiisip niya. It can’t be, right? Wala ‘to. Masyado lang siguro siyang naging dependent kay Mavy kaya ganito yung nararamdaman niya. Tama! Baka ano lang, sepanx?
Ah, tangina naman! Ano ba ‘to?! Siya pa talaga? At sa kaibigan pa niya talaga, jusko po! Kung may sampung haters ang friends to lover trope, isa siya dun. At kung wala nang hater ang trope na ‘yan, ibig sabihin wala na rin siya. Oo, ganun kalala! Paano ba naman, mabibilang na nga lang sa daliri niya ang mga kaibigan niya tapos magkakagusto pa siya sa isa? Awa na lang, Lord!
Another thing, hindi naman siya naghahanap ng taong magugustuhan! As in, wala ‘yan sa bucket list niya. Masaya at kuntento siya sa buhay niya. Hindi niya ever naisip na kulang siya sa pagmamahal at kailangan niya iyong hanapin sa ibang tao. And no, he’s not being bitter. He strongly believes in love, he’s seen how beautiful it is to be loved. He’d like to say and believe that he himself is proof of love. But, hindi naman siya nagmamadali kaya he never looked for one. And he doesn’t get the idea of it, of dating people just for the sake of dating or experience.
Kaya naman nagkandabuhol-buhol na talaga lahat sa utak niya ngayong tila may nare-realize siya sa mga nararamdaman niya nitong mga nakaraan. Hindi talaga dapat siya iniiwanan mag-isa sa bahay nila, kung ano-ano tuloy pumapasok sa isip niya. And whatever he’s thinking or feeling right now, one thing is for sure. He doesn’t like it. He will do anything and everything for this to be gone.
And so he did what anyone who had a crush on their friend does, umiwas siya.
But that doesn’t mean he did it successfully. Of course, he won’t be successful. Si Mavy ‘yan, eh.
Especially now that he’s become the Class Secretary of their class. Ewan din niya sa mga kaklase niya, akala niya okay sila tapos bigla siyang ni-nominate nung first day of classes. Tinanggihan niya pero wala na rin siyang nagawa. Siyempre, si Mavy pa rin ang President nila. Hindi na nila ‘to pinakawalan mula nung naging Class President siya nung Grade 8. Isa pa, magka-group sila sa halos lahat ng subject, lalo na sa Research na kailangan talaga nilang bigyan ng atensyon.
Because of that, hindi niya rin talaga maiwasan ang kaibigan kahit ilang beses niyang sinubukan. Bukod sa wala naman talaga siyang ibang nakakasama sa school, may duties and responsibilities sila pareho as the President and Secretary of the class. Required talaga silang magsama at mag-usap. But actually, thankful din si Wrai dahil dito kasi it means pareho silang naging busy. At mas busy si Mavy kaysa sa kaniya, because he’s been dating Stella all while having those responsibilities.
That being said, thankfully, he didn’t caught on Wrai’s attempt to avoid him. Right?
Mavy approached him as he was collecting his things. Their class just ended, and they were getting ready to get out of the classroom. “Sabay tayo uwi?”
Wrai smiled at him, teasing. “Hindi kayo sabay ni Stella?”
Umiling lang ito. “Nope. May practice daw sila, eh. And tagal na rin nating hindi sabay umuwi kaya sabi ko hindi ko na muna siya hihintayin.”
That warmed Wrailey’s heart. Totoo naman kasi, hindi na sila nagkakasabay masyadong umuwi nitong mga nakaraan because they were too caught up on what’s going on with their own lives, Mavy with her special someone and Wrai with his, well… dilemma on his feelings.
Wrai push his glasses against his nose bridge. “Hindi rin ako makakasabay, Mav. Nag-aya si Trisha eh, birthday niya kaya hindi ko na tinanggihan.” You see, they’re really not actually friendless without each other. He also knows that Mavy’s been bonding and talking with his own friends mostly from Dion’s section. Si Wrai din, lately he got close with a group of friends from their section. It was good, bukod sa na-divert ang atensyon niya sa kanila, napatunayan niya rin sa sarili niyang kaya naman niya kahit wala si Mavy.
Mavy just blinked, and then smiled after. “Aww, sayang. Pero it’s okay. Enjoy kayo, and pasabi na lang happy birthday kay Trisha.”
Tumango naman si Wrailey at tinapik ang balikat ng kaibigan. “Una na ako, nasa canteen pa ata sila eh. Bye, Mavy! Ingat pauwi!”
They wave their goodbyes to each other. Mavy will be lying if he said that he wasn’t disappointed. Totoong matagal na nung huli silang nagsabay umuwi ni Wrai. And hindi na rin sila masyado nakakapag-bonding. Minsan na lang din niya ito makita kahit pa ilang kanto lang naman ang layo nito sa kaniya. He can’t help but think he’s being such a bad best friend. Pero parang wala lang naman kay Wrailey iyon, normal pa rin naman ang pakikitungo nito sa kaniya.
Mavy sighed heavily, he can’t help but feel guilty. He doesn’t even know why, maybe it’s because he miss his best friend so much. He really miss Wari, kahit pa araw-araw naman silang nagkikita sa klase, at nagpapansinan naman sila palagi. It just wasn’t the same.
What changed, then?
Iyon lang ang laman ng isip ni Mavy hanggang makauwi siya sa kanila. Pag-uwi niya, sumalubong naman sa kaniya ang nakababatang kapatid niya.
“Kuya!” She opened her arms and Mavy immediately grabbed her for a hug.
Macey laughed as she was being carried by his Kuya Mavy. She was a 5 year old little girl, and Mavy is so fond of her sister.
He dismissed whatever he was thinking at that moment and just decided to bond with her younger sister. Nagpaalam muna siya sa Mama niya at nag-ayos bago pinasyal ang kapatid niya sa plaza.
Inabot rin sila ng ilang oras habang nagtitingin ang kapatid niya ng laruan. While they were walking, nakasalubong sila ng iba’t ibang estudyante. May hawak na cotton candy si Macey pero biglang may naka-bangga sa kaniya kaya nabitawan niya iyon. She looked so shocked about the cotton candy, she didn’t cry but it was evident on her face that she’s upset.
The student who they bumped into didn’t even notice them at first. Mavy approached her, and was shocked when he saw that it was Stella. She’s still in her uniform, probably because of their practice.
“Oh, Mavy! Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Stella said, with the sweetest smile on her face.
Mavy smiled back and looked at her sister. “Kasama ko kapatid ko.”
Stella saw them and her jaw dropped when she saw the young girl.
Nilapitan niya si Macey at naupo sa harap nito. “Oh no, I’m sorry! Hindi ko kayo napansin.”
Nagtago naman si Macey sa likod ng Kuya niya.
“Macey, I know her. This is Ate Stella.” Tinitigan lang ito ni Macey at hindi nagsalita.
“I’m so sorry, Macey. Ate is sorry, okay? Bili na lang tayo ulit, gusto mo?” Umiling lang si Macey at kumapit nang mas mahigpit sa Kuya niya.
Napakamot na lang sa batok niya si Mavy dahil kilala niya ang kapatid niya. Mabilis itong magtampo at hindi basta-bastang nakakalimot, kaya kumbaga first impression lasts talaga sa kaniya.
Umupo rin si Mavy para matingnan niya sa mata ang kapatid. “Baby, Ate Stella said she’s sorry. What will you say to her?”
She mumbled some words but it was not audible. Tinitigan lang siya ng dalawa, naghihintay kung anong sunod na gagawin nito. “It’s alright,” halos pabulong lang na sabi nito.
Mavy chuckled softly at binuhat na ang kapatid. He turned to Stella. “Sorry, bugnutin eh. Don’t worry about it, I’ll just console her with some ice cream.”
Stella looked sad, but she just nodded. “Okay. See you, Mavy.” Tumango na lang din si Mavy at naglakad na habang buhat-buhat ang kapatid.
After how many minutes of walking around, trying to find some ice cream, her sister suddenly wanted to walk kaya nagpababa ito sa Kuya niya.
“What is it, Macey? Anong gusto, hmm?”
“Si Kuya Wey!” Turo nito sa bandang harap nila.
Mavy looked at what she was pointing at and saw Wrailey saying good bye to his friends.
“Tara, Kuya! Let’s go to Kuya Wey,” She said excitedly, even jumping and running while going straight for her Kuya Wey.
Nauna na ito sa kaniya papunta kay Wrailey at napansin na rin siya ng binata. Sinalubong naman ni Wrailey si Macey at hinagkan ito.
“Macey, lablab! Bakit ka nandito? Sinong kasama mo?”
“Kuya Mavy,” She just said while smiling brightly dahil binuhat siya ni Wrailey.
As she said her Kuya’s name, bigla namang nagtama ang mga mata nilang dalawa.
Wrailey’s still wearing their uniform, his backpack attached on his back. Mavy, on the other hand, was just wearing a simple grey shirt with his basketball shorts. Nagpalit na kasi siya nung nakauwi siya kanina.
Tinitigan lang siya ni Wrai, asking what are they doing here.
“Wala, pinasyal ko lang.” Wrai nodded and chuckled because Macey hugged her tight around his neck, parang ayaw na siyang pakawalan.
Sinaway naman ito ni Mavy, “Macey, baka hindi makahinga si Kuya Wey mo niyan.”
She pouted and Wrai noticed it instantly. “Kuya, sorry… miss lang kita po.”
“It’s okay, baby. Namiss rin po kita! Let’s play later, okay?” Masiglang sabi nito sa kaniya.
Natuwa naman si Macey at yumakap ulit.
“Bili lang tayo ng ice cream mo, tapos uwi na, ha? Para makapag-play na kayo ni Kuya Wey.” She immediately agreed and clung back to Wrailey.
Naglakad na si Wrai habang buhat ang kapatid niya. He stopped him from walking further at nagtaka naman iyon.
Tinuro ni Mavy ang backpack niya. “Bag mo,” Kinuha niya iyon kay Wrailey at siya na ang nagsuot.
Nagpatuloy na silang maglakad at bumili ng ice cream para kay Macey. Kinain din nila iyon habang naglalakad pauwi kila Mavy.
“Kuya Wey, I have legos! It’s my new toys po, Kuya gave them to me.” Binida naman agad nito ang bago niyang laruan pagkapasok na pagkapasok nila sa bahay.
“Hmm, is that what you want po? Not dolls?” Wrailey indulged her with so much adoration in his eyes.
“Yes! I love the flower one. Tulungan mo po ako magbuo then I’ll give it to you!” Humagikgik pa ito at nilabas na ang lego set para makapagsimula na sila.
They just laughed at how adorable Macey is. Iniwan rin muna ni Mavy ang dalawa at naghanda ng merienda para sa kanilang tatlo.
After almost three hours, nabuo na rin nilang dalawa ang lego flower. It took them that long dahil ayaw ni Macey na tulungan sila ng Kuya Mavy niya. She said she wants to give it to her Kuya Wey so silang dalawa lang daw ang pwedeng magbuo. Kaya pinapanood lang sila ni Mavy mahirapan maghanap ng lego pieces at kung saan iyon dapat ikabit.
“It’s doneee! Kuya Wey, we’re so galing!” Lumapit ito kay Wrailey at niyakap siya.
Wrai giggled and returned the embrace. “You did great, lablab!”
Kinuha iyon ni Macey nang dahan-dahan at inabot kay Wrailey. “This is for you, Kuya! You’re so pretty like this flower.”
Tinanggap naman iyon ni Wrailey. “Nang-uto pa talaga,” Natatawang bulong pa niya. “Thank you, lablab.” He said and kissed Macey on the cheeks.
Hinatid lang ni Mavy si Wrai after their long goodbye to each other dahil ayaw pakawalan ni Macey si Wrai. Bigla kasing umulan at walang dalang payong si Wrailey so Mavy insisted to bring him home.
“Thank you for spending time with Macey,” panimula ni Mavy nang makaalis sila sa tapat ng bahay nila.
“Small things, I love spending time with her din naman.”
“Eh ako?”
Wrailey just looked at him, so confused. “Huh?”
“When will I get the chance to spend time with you?” He sounded so sulky. Kulang na lang ay mag-pout ito sa harap niya.
Natahimik lang si Wrailey at nagpatuloy silang lumakad. Mauuna dapat maglakad si Mavy pero siya ang may hawak ng payong kaya binabagalan niya lang para hindi maulanan si Wrailey.
When he stopped, nasa kanto na sila ng street nila Wrai. Hinarap niya si Mavy at saka nagsalita.
“Mavy, mas matampuhin ka pa sa kapatid mo.” He snickered, trying his best not to tease his best friend but obviously failed at that.
Nakayuko lang si Mavy sa kaniya, tahimik.
“Mav, you know busy tayo pareho, right? Mas lalo ka, you’re basically juggling everything in your hands so it’s completely normal na hindi tayo masyado nakakapag-bonding. Pero hindi naman ibig sabihin nun hindi na tayo best friends.” Lumapit ito sa kaniya at hinawakan ang kamay niya.
“Nasanay lang siguro tayo na laging magkasama tuwing may free time tayo. Kaya lang ngayon, medyo nabawasan na free time natin kasi graduating na tayo in a few months. And I think you’d choose to spend it more with the person you’re dating, and that’s okay. Gets ko ‘yon. You don’t have to be guilty or anything, I’m actually glad you get to spend time with other people, and ako rin. I get to have new friends, new people in my life that I trust and love. Isn’t that good?”
Mavy refused to look at his best friend still, so Wrai reached for his chin and make him look at his eyes.
He chuckled when he saw that Mavy was actually pouting!
“Miss lang talaga kita.”
Tumawa lang ulit si Wrailey. “Miss rin naman kita.” Hay, kung alam mo lang.
“Okay naman tayo, ‘di ba?”
“Malamang! Mavy, stop overthinking. Enjoy your life, and I will too.” He pinched Mavy’s cheeks and forced his lips to form a smile.
“Okay.” This time, Mavy gave Wrailey a genuine smile. Pumasok na si Wrai sa bahay nila at nilingon ulit si Mavy bago tuluyang pumasok sa pintuan.
And now here they are, at their moving up ceremony. Finishing their junior high school years on a random Wednesday afternoon.
“Jeon, Quinn Wrailey. With Highest Honor.”
“Kim, Maverick Akin. With Highest Honor.”
Magkasunod lang silang tinawag at umakyat sa stage dahil magkasunod ang first letter ng surname nila. Iyon din ang dahilan kung bakit madalas ay silang dalawa ang magka-group dahil alphabetically arranged sila.
After the ceremony, of course they took the mandatory pictures. They each have three medals and certificates. They also received the same grade point average, even the decimals are the same. They decided to recreate the polaroids they took during their recognition last year. Only this time, they were wearing their own toga and not just their uniforms.
“Congrats, Mavy! Dapat may Best President Award ka rin, eh.” He said as he cupped Mavy’s face and pinched both of his cheeks.
“Congratulations, Wrailey. Ikaw dapat may Best in Comshop Award.” Wrailey just glared at him at nag-belat face lang si Mavy. Nag-aasaran pa sila nang may biglang lumapit at kumapit kay Mavy.
“Hi!” Sobrang hinhin pa nang pagkakasabi nito. “Congratulations, Mavy!” Lumapit na si Stella at humalik pa sa pisngi ni Mavy.
Tumabi rin si Dion kay Wrailey at pinagmasdan nila ang dalawa sa harap nila. “Cute.” Wrai said, unconsciously.
Tumingin lang si Dion sa kaniya at tumawa. “Cute nga.”
Maya-maya pa ay lumapit sa kanila si Stella. “Hello! Pwede pa-picture kaming dalawa?” Sabay lahad ng cellphone niya sa kanila.
Nakatitig lang si Dion kaya naman si Wrai na ang kumuha ng phone. “Okay, go! Pose na kayo.”
They posed for a picture at binilangan naman sila ni Wrailey. Pindot lang siya nang pindot hanggang sa tumigil na mag-pose ang dalawa at kinuha na ni Stella ang phone niya pabalik.
“Hindi pupunta si Kuya Jiro?” Tanong ni Dion sa kaniya.
Umiling naman Si Wrai. “Busy daw eh, patapos pa lang ata sem nila.”
Tumango-tango naman si Dion.
“Okay lang ‘yan, same school na ulit tayo sa kaniya!” Nakangiting sabi naman ni Wrailey.
Biglang lumapit na sa kanila si Mavy kaya nagtaka naman sila ni Dion.
“Saan na si Stella?” Dion asked while looking for her classmate.
Mavy shrugged. “Uuwi na raw sila, may reservation pa raw sila eh.”
“Anong pinaguusapan niyo?”
“Ah! Si Kuya Jiro, hindi daw makakapunta ngayon. Pero it’s okay, kasi sabi ko kay Dion, same school naman na tayo ulit next pasukan.” Nagpatuloy lang ang usapan nila at naglakad na pabalik sa mga magulang nila. They spent their celebratory dinner together while talking about things that they need to catch up on each other.
While they were eating, nabanggit ng parents ni Mavy na baka umalis na sila ng Manila for good. May aasikasuhin daw kasi silang business at naka-base iyon sa Pangasinan, so they may have to stay there for good. Mavy looked worried and his eyes found Wrai, but he found nothing. Patuloy lang iyong kumakain na parang wala siyang narinig.
He thought it’s all good, but then, Wrai didn't even spare him a single glance throughout the dinner. Hindi siya nito kinakausap o kinikibo man lang. Puro si Dion ang dinadaldal niya, o ‘di kaya naman ay si Macey.
Hindi kasi niya sinabi iyon sa kaibigan. Well, he has his reasons. First is, he’s still hoping that they won’t have to go permanently. Ayaw niya munang sabihin kay Wrailey kasi hindi pa naman sigurado kung matutuloy. Another is, they passed the SHS entrance exam at UST. So, he will have a definite reason as to why he doesn’t want to go and stay in Pangasinan. He’s still convincing his parents to let him stay in Manila for his studies. He knew this was a crucial information, and he left Wrailey out on that. Naiintindihan niya naman ang reaksyon nito. Pero moving up nila ngayon, oh? They’re in the middle of a big milestone in their life. And he doesn’t want to let the day end without talking or at least apologizing to his best friend.
Natapos na ang dinner nila nang hindi talaga kinikibo ni Wrailey si Mavy. Sabay-sabay silang umuwi, at nang nasa tapat na ng street nila Wrailey, nagpaalam si Mavy sa mga magulang niya na doon muna siya.
With nothing but his toga and his phone, tumakbo siya papunta kila Wrailey. Pagdating niya sa bahay nila, si Ate Ria ang bumungad sa kaniya.
“Mavy? Natulog na yata si Wrai, mukhang pagod eh. Dumiretso agad sa kwarto niya.” She informed him pero pinapasok niya rin naman si Mavy. “Masama yata pakiramdam nun. Pansi mo sa dinner? Tumahimik bigla.”
Mavy just smiled awkwardly. Of course, he knows why. “Oo nga, Ate. Kaya nga po pinuntahan ko.”
Bigla namang lumabas galing kusina ang Papa ni Wrai. “Oh, hindi ka pa nakakauwi sa inyo, Mavy?” Pansin nito dahil suot pa rin niya ang uniform at maging ang toga niya.
“Opo, Tito. Pwede ko po ba puntahan si Wrai sa taas?” Hindi na siya nagpaligoy-ligoy pa. Pumayag din naman agad ang Papa nito kaya nagpasalamat lang siya at umakyat na sa kwarto ni Wrai.
Hindi madalas magtampo si Wrai, at sa ilang taong pagkakaibigan nila ay never pa sila nagkaroon ng seryosong away. Puro mga asaran lang at hindi naman sila napipikon sa mga ganoon. But the thing is, he knows his best friend. So much that he knows how he deals with these kinds of situations. Ganitong mga sitwasyon lang lumalabas ang pagiging tahimik ni Wrailey. He also doesn’t like confrontations that much, that’s why the first step for him is to always avoid the persons involved.
But that won’t be possible with Maverick. They need to talk about it, and he needs to explain to him.
Kumatok siya nang tatlong beses bago nagsalita. “Wrailey? Si Mavy ‘to, pwede pumasok?”
As expected, Wrai didn’t respond. Kumatok lang ulit siya, sinubukan niya ring pihitin ang door knob at napagtantong hindi iyon naka-lock. Still, hindi niya iyon binuksan at hinintay na payagan siya ni Wrailey.
Naupo na lang siya sa tapat ng pinto. “You can hear me, right? Kung ayaw mo akong papasukin dito na lang ako magpapaliwanag. Ayos lang, basta, pakinggan mo ako, ha?” Silence.
Magsasalita na sana siya ulit nang makarinig siya ng kaluskos, at unti-unting lumapit yung tunog sa pinto. Maya-maya pa ay bumukas na iyon at niluwa si Wrailey na naka-pajama na.
Tumingala si Mavy sa kaniya, napansin niyang namumula ang mga mata nito at hindi na suot ang salamin niya.
“Tumayo ka na diyan, hindi naman kasi naka-lock yung pinto.” Masungit na sabi nito at umupo sa kama niya.
Mavy wanted to laugh but stopped himself dahil baka lalong mainis si Wrai sa kaniya.
Umupo siya sa sahig, katapat niya si Wrai na nakaupo naman sa dulo ng kama niya. “Okay, first of all, I’m sorry kasi hindi ko sinabi sa’yo yung tungkol sa plano nila Mama na umalis sa Manila. Mali ko ‘yon. Pero kasi hindi pa naman sure ‘yon.”
Narinig niya ang pagbuntong-hininga ni Wrailey. “Sabi ni Tita for business, so for sure planado na talaga ‘yon and hindi na sila mapipigilan.”
Mavy reached out for Wrai’s hands. He pursed his lips before speaking again. “You’re right. Kaya nga I’m convincing them to let me stay here, kahit ako lang. They know naman na I really want to study in UST so they’re thinking about it.”
This time, Wrai looked at him in the eye. “Pero malalayo ka sa kanila.”
“It’s okay, this is what I wanted even before. Saka kahit hindi sila pumayag, I will still try for college. So ganun rin, why not habang SHS pa lang?”
“You sound so sure.”
“Because I know I can, and I’m with you.”
“What if hindi sila pumayag?”
“Edi see you sa college?” Mavy smiled softly.
Tumayo na siya at lumapit kay Wrailey. “Bakit ka umiyak?” He cupped his face and traced the trail of dry tears around his face. “Hindi naman ako mawawala.”
Umiling lang si Wrailey at hinapit si Mavy para yakapin ito. “He buried his face against Mavy’s chest. “Nakakainis, wala akong ka-ide-idea. Tapos kay Tita ko pa nalaman, tapos–” He sniffed, trying to soothe himself and stop himself from crying. “Tapos sa moving up pa talaga natin mismo.”
“Paano kung hindi ko talaga nalaman? Bigla ka na lang mawawala nang wala akong alam kung kailan ka babalik?” He started sobbing. “Ayoko nun, Mavy. Ayoko nang ganun.” Ramdam na ni Mavy na basa ang polo niya dahil sa mga luha ni Wrailey. He reached out for Wrai’s head and caressed his hair to comfort him.
“Sorry, Wrai. Hindi naman ako aalis, eh. Hindi ako mawawala, hmm? Tahan na.” Paulit-ulit niya lang marahan na hinahaplos ang buhok nito hanggang sa naramdaman niyang kumalma na si Wrailey.
Umalis si Wrai sa yakap niya at tumingin kay Mavy. “O-okay lang naman kung aalis ka, kung kailangan talaga. Basta sabihin mo sa’kin. Ayokong maiwan lang basta.” Mavy saw him pouting while wiping his face.
Tinabihan na niya ang kaibigan at niyakap itong muli. “I will. But I won’t kasi I’ll do anything to stay here. Aabutin pa natin ang Thomasian dreams, right?”
Ngumiti lang si Wrai sa sinabi nito. And just like that, they were okay again. Nagpaalam lang si Mavy sa parents niya na kila Wrai na siya matutulog, pinahiram na rin siya nito ng pantulog para makatulog na sila.
Pagbalik ni Mavy galing sa shower, natutulog na si Wrai sa kama nito. He looked peaceful while sleeping, nakayakap iyon sa plushie na bigay ni Mavy sa kaniya noong birthday niya. Before he finally went to sleep, he opened his IG and posted some pictures, the first one was their polaroids taken on their moving up ceremony, and the second photo was Wrailey sleeping while hugging the plushie.
mavyakim jhs won’t be as fun without you. congrats, @qwraileyj! thanks for making the last four years bearable and fun. see you on the next ones. 🐯💛
And that was his third post on his IG account, the second one was on Wrai’s birthday.
A week later, nagbakasyon ulit sila Mavy sa Pangasinan for the whole duration of their summer vacation.
Sobrang bored na naman ni Wrailey, kung ano-anong hobby na ang na-pick up niyang gawin dahil nabuburyo na siya sa bahay nila. Nag-uusap naman sila halos araw-araw ni Mavy, at maging ang iba niyang mga kaibigan kaso iba pa rin kapag physically niyang nakakasama ang mga kaibigan niya. Next week pa raw sila makakapagbaksyon dahil may trabaho pa ang Mama niya, kaya wala na siyang nagawa kung hindi intayin na lang iyon.
Kaya ito siya ngayon, nakaharap sa laptop niya, nanonood ng mga music video sa YouTube. Hanggang sa natagpuan na lang niya ang sariling nagtitipa sa Google Docs.
Dear Maverick Akin Kim,
Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko ‘to tina-type ngayon. Bored na kasi ako, nakakatamad na rin maglaro kasi puro bano naman parehong mga kalaban at kakampi ko. Kaya naisip kong mag-ayos na lang ng mga gamit ko kanina. Then I stumbled upon my photo albums and journals. I realized, halos puro tayong dalawa ang laman nun. Ang tagal na rin pala nating magkaibigan, ‘no? We survived junior high school together, and now we’re going to brave senior high school, still together.
Alam mo ba, nung first day nung Grade 7, sobrang kabado ako. Kasi alam ko nang wala talaga akong magiging friend because I don’t like approaching people. Tapos si Jiro, hindi ko naman siya makakasama lagi kasi nasa ibang year siya. And then, nung in-arrange tayo sa math subject, nilalabanan ko na yung antok ko nun. Sumakto pa na wala na akong naiintindihan sa dini-discuss ni Ma’am. Tapos ang tahimik rin ng seatmate ko, which is ikaw, by the way. Kaya para hindi ako makatulog at mabato ng eraser, dinaldal kita nang dinaldal. Akala ko nga wala kang pakialam at hindi ka interesado pero nagulat ako nung bigla kang sumagot sa tanong ko! And the rest is history, lol.
Ang dami ko namang sinasabi, eh hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ko ‘to ginawa. Well, I don’t even know kung makakarating ba ‘to sa’yo. If I would have the courage to send this to you myself. Kasi, Mavy… may na-discover yata ako sa sarili ko.
It’s been a while since I realized it, pero ito na, sassabihin ko na nga sa’yo. Kaya ‘wag kang magagalit or maiinis, ah? Alam ko ako nagsabi na let’s try not to keep secrets from each other pero ako pala ‘tong ngayon lang magsasabi.
Whatever you’ll read from here, pwede bang mag-request? After mong mabasa ‘to, pwedeng ‘wag mo na lang banggitin? Or ‘wag mo na lang isipin, gusto ko lang talagang sabihin at ilabas ‘to. Para mapakawalan ko na rin.
Sobrang vague ba? Sorry. Hindi ko kasi alam kung paano magsisimula.
Mavy, kasi ano… Pakiramdam ko gusto kita, eh. It’s been a while since I realized it. And I don’t know what to do with it. Ayaw ko kasing tanggapin. Kasi kaibigan kita, eh. Best friends tayo, ‘di ba? I felt frustrated to myself kasi bakit biglang ganun? Wala ka namang ibang ginawa, pero biglang naging ganun yung nararamdaman ko. And I don’t want that feeling.
Sorry, Mav. Hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksyon mo at kung ayos lang ba ‘tong ginagawa ko. I just really want to let this go. At gusto ko ikaw unang makaalam.
I know you kinda have someone right now, kaya please don’t think of anything about this letter. I just really want to let this out. After this, I’ll try to move on—no, I will definitely move on from you.
Kaya ‘wag kang mag-alala, okay? Ako pa rin ‘to, please don’t think of me differently.
See you soon, Mavy.
Your bff,
Wrai.
After typing those, Wrai closed all his tabs and even his laptop kasi hindi niya alam ang gagawin. He doesn’t know if he’ll send it or let it rot in his Google Docs forever. Unlike what he’s expected, he doesn’t feel any fear or anxiety. He’s confident about their friendship—he knows their friendship won’t end just because of a confession. And he made it clear that he wants nothing out of it. He just really wants to say it and tell it to him so that he can finally let it go.
Still, kabado pa rin siya sa maaaring maging reaksyon ni Mavy. Baka bigla siya nitong layuan. O kaya naman ay makipag-F.O. na sa kaniya. Aba, sayang naman ang iniyak niya sa best friend niya! Edi kung ganun, sana mag-stay na lang si Mavy sa Pangasinan forever. Joke!
Nagtatalo pa rin ang utak niya kung gusto ba niyang malaman ni mavy o ano, pero sigurado siya na gusto niya itong sabihin. Kaya naman ginawa niya ang safest option: send it through his email dahil alam niyang hindi ito nagche-check ng emails niya frequently. Unless, may kailangan talaga siyang tingnan doon.
He squinted as he stared through the screen, his hands were even shaking as he was typing Mavy’s email address. Pumikit na siya nang tuluyan at pinindot ang send. Hay, bahala na si Lord!
Kung sakali mang hindi na siya pansinin ni Mavy, okay lang. New school naman na sila, new environment. Oo, magkapareho nga sila ng school pero hindi naman sure kung magiging magkaklase ba sila. So, mat pag-asa pa rin siyang magbagong buhay at maghanap ng new friends if ever. Tama! Think positive.
Alas tres na ng madaling araw kaya minabuti na niyang isara ang laptop niya at matulog.
Everything's going well, so far. Looks like he did the right thing by sending it through Mavy’s email dahil wala pa itong pinapakitang signs na nabasa niya iyon. They were in constant communication with each other. Sure na sure na nga ang pag-stay ni Mavy sa isang condo sa Manila dahil binenta na nila ang bahay nila dito. Ihahatid daw siya nila Tito next month tapos ay babalik na silang Pangasinan at doon mags-stay kasama si Macey.
Next month na rin mags-start ang Senior High School journey nila. At halos three weeks nang nakatambak yung email niya sa inbox ni Mavy. Jusko po! Wala pa namang delete message o unsend sa email.
Nasa call silang dalawa ngayon, nags-share ng kwento si Mavy tungkol sa mga pinsan niya. Sinabi din nito na nag-inom sila doon nung nakaraan for the late celebration ng birthday niya.
“And si Stella, she ended things with me just yesterday.” Parang nanlamig naman bigla si Wrailey sa narinig niya.
“Wow, sobrang casual naman?! Paanong end?”
He heard Mavy’s chuckle. “End as in tapos na. She won’t be studying in Manila na daw and she doesn’t want to have LDR. Also, sabi niya if I really wanted to become her boyfriend, dapat daw noon pa lang. Bakit ko pa raw pinatagal?”
“Eh, bakit nga ba? Tagal niyo rin dating ah. Kilala rin kayo ng family ng isa’t isa. Bakit hindi niyo ginawang official?”
“Hmm, ewan? Parang hindi ko lang ma-feel yung genuine connection namin.”
Kumunot naman ang noo ni Wrai. “Tunog red flag ka naman diyan, boi!”
Inayos naman ni Mavy ang buhok niya, ginawang salamin ang screen. “Pero totoo nga! Kahit sila Dion ganun din sinasabi.”
“Also, it’s not really my priority. And I don’t really feel bad about it. But I know I really liked and cared for her.”
Tumango-tango lang si Wrailey. “I’m sure she did, too. Baka hindi niyo pa lang time talaga.”
“Anyway, uuwi na raw pala kami in two weeks. Start na kasi ng lease sa condo so might as well.”
Nagpatuloy lang ang usapan nila hanggang sa mapagod at antukin na sila pareho. While they were talking and seeing Mavy on the screen, Wrailey realized why he did got a crush on him. He’s responsible, he carries himself with such confidence. And he knows what he wants. Well, given naman na gwapo talaga ito. Tuwang-tuwa pa nga siyang inaasar ito dahil sa dami ng admirer niya, not knowing na pati pala siya ay mabibiktima.
But aside from that, he also realized how precious their connection is. That he would never want to taint it of something uncertain. He then decided that what he’s doing, the forgetting of his feelings and moving on from his silly crush on his best friend, was the bestest and most righteous thing to do.
So, when Mavy found out about the letter, just when they were about to start the first day of their classes in Senior High School, the first thing Wrai did was shrugged it off.
“Past is past, Mavmav. Naka-move on na ako sa’yo, ‘no! Tropa lang talaga.” Tinawanan na lang din nila iyon at hindi na inungkat pa.
Until the end of the first semester of Grade 11.
When Mavy was the one who did the confession this time around.