Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 22)

* HER NEW LOVE LIFE * 
 
 It has been quite a while when she stayed in U.S. At weekends, Tee and her would go for dinner or sometimes shopping. She message Fretz, Ann, Bret, Ian and Sam sometimes but definitely not DD. Today she was preparing for their dinner outside.

 Unti-unti na ring nahuhulog ang loob niya kay Tee. Kahit noon, may nararamdaman rin siya rito. Pero hindi niya talaga ito pinansin dahil sa studies niya. Kay DD lang niya talaga napagtanto na nagmamahal na pala siya.

News:

Taylor Lautner and a non-hollywood star have been seen dating so many times. They were seen eating and shopping together. The girl was said to be a Filipina. Heiress of the great Silverpine Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. They have been seen sweet. Pictures are also seen around the internet. Are they really a couple?

" My gosh! pang-sampung beses na ata ito..." sabi ni MM pagkatapos patayin ang t.v.

DING DONG! DING DONG!

" Oh its maybe Tee." sabi niya bigla.

She quickly got her purse. Put her phone in it.

She looked at the mirror.

" Hmmm, maganda nga itong dress ko ngayon."  she said to herself.

Her maid knocked at her door.

" Miss Em, Taylor Lautner is here." sabi ng maid.

" Okay po, bababa na rin po ako." sabi niya.

**
" Tee, are we ready to go?" tanong niya.

Si Tee na nakayuko, tumingala at napanganga.

Natawa si Em.

" Hey, are we going or not?" natatawang tanong niya.

" U-uh yes of course!" nauutal na sabi ni Tee.

" Well let's go!" masaya niyang sabi.

**
Nagulat si Em. Tee told her they were going to eat in the city. But, why are they heading the hills?

" Tee, where are we going?" curious niyang tanong.

Ngumiti ito. " You are about to see."

" Tee, I thought we are going to have dinner in the city? Why are we going up the hills?" kabadong tanong niya.

" Don't be scared. I wanted to take you here even before. But I have no chance. Because you need to go back in the Philippines." sabi nito.

Huminto ang kotse, nasa taas na sila ng hills. Nakita ni MM ang lights ng syudad mula sa taas ng hills. She always wanted to see a view like that.

" Em, let's go." aya sa kanya ni Tee.

They were walking. Following the lights on her path.

Tee really knows her.

She liked what she is seeing. She liked the lights on her paths.

They followed the path and saw some more lights but this time, iba na...

It was floating in the air.

" Wow! I love those lights!" turo niya sa mga nagflo-float na lanterns.

" That's why I decided to take you here MM." masayang sabi ni Tee.

" Awww, thank you!" hinug niya si Tee.

" There's more Em... Let's go!" aya sa kanya ni Tee.

" Where are we going?" curios na tanong ni MM.

" We are going to see more floating lanterns" sabi ni Tee.

" O-okay." sabi ni MM.

They were still walking she is watching the floating lanterns go up in the dark sky.

This whole thing Tee is doing for her is so romantic for her.

She is so happy.

Then they arrived in a private resto.

" I booked for us two here. I like this resto and paparazzi cannot enter. Don't worry." sabi ni Tee.

The waiter gave them their food.

Sarap na sarap kumain si MM.

Nagkwekwento naman si Tee tungkol sa trabaho niya.

Nagulat si MM ng biglang may tumunog na voilins.

" Em, I've been planning this for a long time." sabi ni Tee.

" What do you mean?" medyo nate-tense na sabi ni MM.

He clapped softly.

Then...

A Heart shaped-lantern began to go down from the sky.

" Em, I've been keeping this for a long time. I wanted to tell you that I love you. I love you. You are the only girl that made me feel like this. I love you MM." Tee said.

The heart lantern went down.

MM stand and saw something in the lantern.

A picture of her and Tee together.

Then a saying, " I love you MM"

It twisted and saw something again.

" Will you be my girl?"

It says.

" Will you be my girl MM?" Tee repeated.

She turned.

Almost teary-eyed.

She never expected him to be inlove with her.

She never expected someone would to something like this romantic for her.

She felt so happy.

" Yes!" masaya niyang sabi.

She loved him. She learnt to. But her love for him was not greater than the love she felt for DD.

Maybe it can grow by giving him a chance.

Tee was very happy. She hugged her tight.

Because of happiness he suddenly kissed her.

MM was shocked.

Tee realised what he did. He was about to back off when MM kissed him back.

After the kiss, MM blushed.

Tee hugged her again.

" I love you..." she said.

" I love you more." he said

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 21)

* PAGBABALIK TANAW *

Papasakay na siya ng eroplano. Naaalala niya ang mga nangyari.

Nagulat ang mga kaibigan niya sa ginawa niyang biglaang pag-transfer at pag-alis.

Sa mall,

" Bakit naman biglaan Em?" gulat na tanong ni Ann.

" Oo nga. Ayaw mo na ba dito? Ayaw mo na ba sa amin?" malungkot na tanong ni Fretz.

" Hindi sa ganon. Sa tingin ko lang kasi mas maganda ang kalalbasan ng par-aaral ko dun." sumulyap siya kay DD na nakatingn sa lupa.

Nakita ito ni Ann. Gets niya na.

" Basta Em, wag mo kaming kakalimutan ah." sabi na lang ni Ann.

" Kailan ang alis mo?" tanong ni Ian.

" Sa lalong madaling panahon. Na-ayos na ang lilipatan kong school." sabi ni MM.

" Ems, mag-usap tayo mamaya ah..." bulong sa kanya ni Ann.

***
" Guys, kailangan nanaming umalis." sabi ni Bret at Fretz.

" Ako rin guys." sabi ni Sam.

" My mom called earlier, I need to do something with her." sabi naman ni Ian.

" We need to go." sabi ni Emily at hinatak na si DD papalayo habang nakatingin ng masama kay MM.

"Wala na sila, you can tell me what really happened Em." sabi ni Ann kay MM.

Umupo sila sa isang bench.

" Ems, nalaman niya na?" takot na tanong nito.

Tumango lang si MM.

" Ems, ano nangyari?" worried na tanong ni Ann.

" Nilagnat siya nung araw na sinabi ko sa kanya ang nararamdaman ko. Sinasabi niya, mapilit ako... Naiinis daw siya sa akin dahil doon. Nasasaktan ako. Napilitan akon sabihin ang nararamdaman ko. Sinabi niya, hanggang magkaibigan lang kami. Alam mo ang sakit pag harap-harapan pala na sinabi ng isang tao na hindi ka niya mahal...." hindi niya na mapigilan ang kanina pang luha pinipigilan niyang tumulo.

" Nahalikan ko siya, nakita ni Emily. Sinampal niya ako. Pero wala akong naramdaman, dahil mas masakit yung nanggaling kay DD. Siguro tama nga si mommy. Sabi niya, " A tongue has no bones... so soft and yet it can BREAK a heart. It's physically harmless, but emotionally dangerous." Sana hindi na lang ako umuwi. Hindi sana ako magkakaganito." patuloy siyang umiiyak.

Naaawa na si Ann sa kaibigan. " Siguro tama yang desisyon mong lumayo. Malulungkot ako sa pag-alis mo, pero siguro magiging daan rin yun para makabangon at makapag-move on ka na rin." niyakap niya ang kaibigan.

" Ann, wag mong sasabihin sa iba. Gusto kong maging secret ang pag-alis ko. Sina tita at tito pa lang ang nakaka-alam. In two days time, I'll fly to America na..." malungkot niyang sabi.

" Naku, hindi ako makakapunta, may event akong pupuntahan kasama sina Papa."sabi ni Ann.

" Okay lang kahit hindi mo ako ihatid. Basta wag mong sasabihin kahit kanino." sabi ni MM.

" Mag-bonding muna kaya tayo bago ka umalis." pilit na ngumiting sabi ni MM.

*MOVING ON*
" I will miss you guys." sabi niya habang nakatingin sa mga maliliit na buildings.

By this time, nakasakay na siya sa eroplano.

Hinawakan niya ang labi niya, " my first and second kiss" sabi niya sa sarili niya.

***
" Tee!" excited niyang sabi ng makita itong naghihintay sa airport. Malalaman niya kung nandoon na ito o hindi dahil sa mga babaeng nakapaligid dito.

" Em!" hinawi niya ang mga babae at sinalubong si MM.

" I miss you so much!" sabi ni MM habang mahigpit na nakayakap sa kanya.

" Me too." sabi ni Tee.

Flash! Flash! Flash!

" Let's better go, these paparazzis are irritating me." sabi ni Tee.

Medyo natawa si MM. Masaya siya. Dahil kahit busy ang schedule ni Tee at kahit na alam niyang maraming paparazzi na pwedeng sumunod sa kanya, sinundo pa rin niya si MM. At least siya may time para kausapin siya. Oo nga pala mag kaiba sila. Tsaka nandito siya para kalimutan ang nararamdaman niya at ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral.

" Sure." masayang wika ni MM.

" Where do you plan to stay?" tanong sa kanya ni Tee sa sasakyan.

" Well, I planned to stay in our old house." she said.

" Ok, why did you decide to study here so sudden?" curious nitong tanong.

" Well, I thought that if I study here, I will gain more knowledge." pagsisinungaling niya. Well half true naman 'yon.

" Well, that's quite true." sabi naman ni Tee.

" Do you want to eat first?" tanong ni Tee sa kanya.

" Ummm, it's ok. Paparazzis might see us you know." sabi ni MM kahit nagugutom na siya. Hindi siya kasi kumain sa eroplano.

" Nah, it's ok. I don't mind. I can hear your stomach grumbling. You would've eat in the plane." sabi ni Tee habang nag-u-uturn.

"What do you want to eat?" tanong ni Tee.

" Well, I think I like to eat Chinese food."sabi ni MM. Natatakam siyang kumain ng chinese food ngayon,

" There is Panda Express. You want there?" tanong ni Tee.

" Sure." sabi niya.

***
" Miss, what do you want?" tanong ng babae.

Pinaupo niya si Tee at pinagsuot ng cap at shade para di makilala.

" Two fried rice, each with orange chicken. Then the other one with Honey walnut shrimp and the other one with Beijing beef." sabi ni MM.

" Ok, anything else miss?" tanong ng babae.

" No, its ok." kontentong sabi niya.

Binigay niya ang bayad at nilagay sa table nila ang pagkain.

" Mmmm... you choose nicely." natatakam na sabi ni Tee.

" Let's eat." masyang sabi ni MM.

Habang kumakain, hindi mapigilang matawa ni Tee. Natatawa siya sa pagkain ni MM. Sarap na sarap ito at halatang gutom na gutom.

***
"See you some other time!" pagpapalam sa kanya ni Tee.

" Bye, I'll call on my free time!" dagdag pa nito.

Papaalis na sana ito ng lumapit si MM sa sasakyan at sinabi.

" Thank you, take care while driving 'kay." hinalikan niya sa cheeks si Tee.

" You too take care." gulat man, he managed to talk.

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 20)

After the two weeks, they went back to the Philippines.

Tee, on the other hand, wanted to go to the Philippines to visit MM when he has free time.

It's been quite a while, Every body has been busy.

****
" Tee, when will you visit me here?" tanong ni MM kay Tee na kausap niya sa telepono.

" Well, my schedule is tight. I can't. But I'll update you if I have free time." sagot ni Tee.

" Oh ok." dismayadong wika ni MM.

" Awww, don't be like that." he sensed that nagtatampo si MM.

Siya lang naman kasi ang nagpapasaya kay MM sa tuwing nakikitaniyang magkasama si Emily at DD. SInusubukan nila Ann at Fretz pero mas epektibo si Tee na magpatawa o magpasaya.

" What?" nagmamaang-maangan niyang tanong.

" I know, your voice, your disappointed because I can't visit you." wika nito.

" No, it's ok Tee." sabi naman ni MM.

She heard someone calling Tee from the other line.

" Ooops, Ems, gotta go! I'll call you later if I have time. Take care, miss ya! Bye!" wika nito.

" Take care, Miss ya, Bye!" wika rin ni MM bago ibaba ang telepono.

" Ems," sabi ni Ann sa likod niya. Pagod na pagod.

" Bakit?" tanong niya.

" Wala naman, I was calling you, hindi ka naman nakakarinig." medyo may pagtatampo sa boses nito.

" I was on the phone, Sorry." sabi ni MM.

" Si Tee nanaman!" kinikilig na sabi ni Ann.

" It's been quite a while since last kaming nag-usap." sabi ni MM.

" Ay sus! Nag-drama ang ating sis! Quite a while? Sure ka? 3 days pa lang kaya!" natatawang sabi ni Ann.

" Che!" naiinis na sabi ni MM. Natawa lang si Ann sa inasal ng kaibigan. " At least now medyo masaya kana." sabi ni Ann.

Biglang natahimik si MM. Simula ng nakabalik sila mula sa America which was approximately 1 and a half ago, mas lalong naging sweet ang dalawa.

Si Tee lang ang lalaking nakakausap niya na nagpapasaya sa kanya. She find happiness in him. Pero hindi pa rin niya naaalis sa isipan at puso niya si DD.

Sa parking lot,

"Bye Ems." pagpapaalam ni Ann.

" Bye." tanging sabi niya.

Sa bahay,

Dumiretso si MM sa kwarto niya. Nakita niya ang picture nila ni Tee nung bumisita ito last year.

Nagkaroon pa nga ng rumors na si MM ang girlfriend si Tee ngayon.

Lumabas siya at hinanap ang katulong.

" Manang Sal? Manang Sal?" tawag niya.

She went down. " Ate Rose? Ate She?" walang sumasagot.

Umakyat siya muli at nakita niyang palabas si DD ng kwarto. Minsan na lang silang magkausap.

" Wala sila ngayon. Nag-leave ng isang araw." wala sa mood na sabi ni DD. Hinihimas himas nito ang ulo.

" Are you okay?" worried na tanong ni MM.

" Yeah." pero umubo ito.

" You are not." sabi ni MM.

" I said I'm fine!" pagtataas ng boses ni DD.

" Bakit ba palaging ang init ng dugo mo sa akin ha?!"galit na sabi ni MM.

" Sa tuwing nag-uusap tayo, bigla ka na lang nagtataas ng boses?!"patuloy pa ni MM.

" Ang kulit mo kasi!" sabi ni DD.

" Dahil lang doon?" gulat na tanong ni MM.

" Oo!" sabi ni DD.

Tumalikod si MM at nagsimulang maglakad papuntang kwarto niya.

BLAG!!!

Lumingon siya at nakitang bumagsak si DD sa floor. Pinipilit nitong tumayo.

Inalalayan siya ni MM patayo.

" I can manage." wala sa mood nitong sabi.

HInawakan ni MM ang ulo ni DD.

"Dee, may lagnat ka!" sabi ni MM at nagsimulang akayin ito sa kwarto nito.

" I'll get water and bimpo ha! Wag kang tatayo o magrereklamo!"

Pagbalik ni MM,

" Here." nilagay niya ang basang bimpo sa ulo nito.

" I really don't know how to, but my mom do it when I'm sick." tukoy niya sa bimpong nilagay niya sa ulo ni Dee.

" Huh! Really?" natatawang mayabang na pagkasabi nito.

Hindi na nagsalita si MM.

Lumabas muna siya. Pumasok siyang muli sa kwarto nito ng gabi na, may dalang lugaw.

Nakita niyang nakatayo ito at papaupo na sa bed.

" I cooked." tipid niyang sabi.

Susubuan na niya sana ito ng umiwas siya.

" I can do it by myself"matigas na sabi ni DD.

" But you are sick." sabi ni MM.

" That's why I don't like talking to you! Palagi kang mapilit! And I hate it when you do that!" galit na sabi nito. Tumayo siya at medyo lumayo kay MM.

Halos mangiyak ngiyak na si MM. " Dee, matagal na kitang mahal! Baka nga siguro ako mapilit dahil sa nararamdaman ko para sa iyo. Kaya siguro I like doing things for you. Para kahit man lang sa mga ganoong bagay maiparamdam ako sa iyo na mahal kita!" tulo ng tulo ang luha ni MM. " Hindi ko na kayang itago pa ito! Nahihirapan na ako. I've been keeping this for like almost 2 years!" Tumayo siya at unti unting lumapit kay DD.

" Dee," pumikit siya at dumampi ang labi niya sa labi ni DD.

Bumukas ang pinto. Nakita ni Emily na hinalikan ni MM si DD. Nagmadali siyang lapitan si MM.

PAK!

Isang malakas na sampal ang natanggap na sampal ni MM mula kay Emily.

" Sabihin mo sa akin Babe, bakit ka hinalikan ng babaeng ito? Bakit, hindi mo na ba ako mahal at siya ang ipapalit mo sa akin? Ha?!" galit na sabi ni Emily.

" I never loved her! Kaibigan lang ang turing ko sa kanya. Hindi ko siya minahal babe. Maniwala ka sa akin. Mahal na mahal kita!" hinalikan ni DD si Emily.

Matapos iyon, " Lumayas ka sa harapin namin! Huwag mong ipagsiksikan ang sarili mo sa kanya dahil ako ang mahal niya, hindi ikaw!" sigaw sa kanya ni Emily.

" Dee, are we just friends? Hanggang pagkakaibigan na lang ba tayo?" nakayukong sabi ni MM. Tulo ng tulo ang luha niya. Hindi niya mapigilang tumulo ag luha.

" Get out of my room! I don't love you! Kaibigan lang ang tingin ko sayo!" sigaw rin ni DD sa kanya.

Tumakbo siya palabas at inilock ang kwarto niya. Nagkulong siya at umiyak ng umiyak. Hindi niya namalayang nakatulog na pala siya.

Nagising siya 3 am. Lumabs siya ng kwarto, sinilip niya si DD. Wala ito. Bumaba siya, nakita niya na dumating n ang mga katulong.

" Ate Rose anong oras ka dumating?" tanong niya ng makita itong umiinom ng tubig.

" Ay, MM kaninang 11 pm . Sinilip kita sa kwarto mo tulog ka na. Si Daniel naman wala sa kwarto. Alam mo ba kung nasan yung lalaking yon?" sabi ng katulong. " Oh, umiyak ka ba?" ng mapansing namumula pa ang mata nito.

" Ay hindi po Ate Rose. Yung mata ko, naiyak lang po ako ng maalala ko sina Mommy at Daddy." pagsisinungaling niya.

" Ah ganun ba? O sige, alis na ako. Matulog ka na. Mamaya na pala ang dating nina Maam Marie at Sir Richard." sabi pa ng katulong.

Bumalik si MM sa kwarto.

Napag-isip isip niya.

Bumalik na lang kaya siya sa America at ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral. Nasabi niya na kay DD ang nararamdaman niya pero mas lalo lang sumama ang sitwasyon. Lalo na para sa kanya. Mas lalo lang siyang nasaktan. Yung narinig mula sa bibig nito na hindi siya nito mahal at hanggang sa pagiging kaibigan lang ang turing nito sa kanya, masakit yon. Hindi niya kaya yung sakit, masakit yung sampal sa kanya ni Emily. Pero mas masakit yung narinig niya kay DD.

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 19B)

* THE EVENT *

The said event took part the next day. DD was in shock to see his parents in Vegas. He was more shocked when they told him the event was about MM's birthday.

He was arranging his suit when someone knocked at his door.

He opened the door and saw Emily.

Emily's gown

" Hi babe!" bati nito sa kanya.

He kissed her in the cheeks and so is her.

" Let's go down..." yaya nito sa kanya.

" Ok." tipid nitong sagot.

" Do I look good on my gown?" alanganing tanong nito.

" Of course you do!" sabi ni DD.


" Well, I just thought na hindi bagay sakin dahil hindi mo naman sinabi kung maganda o pangit nung kumatok ako sa iyo." mahabang sabi nito.

" Sorry, my mind was too occupied." he said.

" About?" tanong ng girlfriend.

" Family thingy." tipid nitong sagot.

" Well you can share it to me, I'm your girlfriend right?" sabi nito.

Sa Hall ng event,

" Grabeh! Ngayon lang sinabi sa atin na dito gaganapin ang debut ni MM!" sabi ni Fretz.

" Tee, is that why we bought gowns yesterday?" tanong naman ni Ann.

Tumango ito.

" What kind of hairstyle she'll be wearing?" tanong ni Fretz.

" DO you know Tee?" tanong naman ni Ann.

Natatawa si Tee. " Seriously, I don't know. MM just asked me a favor to help her." he said.

" Ladies and Gentlemen," the host began. " To the guests invited here, we all know that this is not the real day of Ms. Monteverde's birthday. But today, we are going to celebrate her debut. She will not be able to have her debut here on the exact date because she will be in the Philippines to finish her studies." the host finished.

" Here are Mr. and Mrs. Diaz to say something." the host added before going down the stage.

" Good evening ladies and gentlemen," Richard started. " A very beautiful and only daughter of my friends Lucas and Felice. She is a girl who have a strength to fight and move on of what a happened. A girl with talent, knowledge. She got everything what her parents had. Felice's beauty, Lucas' brain, plus her very own talent. The amazing heiress celebrating her debut in her family's own hotel, May Marieliese Smith Monteverde" lahat ng tao ay nagpalapakan.

Bumukas ang isang higanteng pinto. The bright light is coming out from it. The a girl dressed in a pink gorgeous gown came out. Mas lalong nagpalakpakan ang mga tao.

Karamihan ng mga lalaki ay napanganga.

DD couldn't believe it. He can't believe that a girl like MM could look so good in that type of gown.

And he can't believe the a girl like MM would wear that kind of gown. Did the MM of the past really changed. What is happening to him. Why was he staring at her like she was a goddess that you need to bow down too.

" Ems," the only thing he and his friends could say.

" By the time MM was down the stairs, Fretz and Ann hugged her.

" You look so stunning Em!" Ann said.

" MM you don't look like a debut girl, you look like a super model!" she joked.

" Haha Really!" she said luaghing a bit.

She walked more, and more people greeted her. All she was able to say is Thank you. There were so many guests, that she doesn't know how to talk to all of them. There were also flash of cameras.

She saw Tee on the far side corner. All alone. Some of her friends are with the boys, she saw Dee, she was about to approach him when she saw Emily figure nearing DD. She stopped and went to Tee instead.

She gave him a kiss in the cheeks. Tee was surprised.

She sat beside him, and shyly said " Hi."

" Oh hi MM! By the way happy birthday!" he said happily and taking out a small box in his pocket.

" This is my present for you." kinuha niya mula sa box ang isang necklace.

" This is like a lion guarding the blue gem, right?" tumango lang si MM.

" I am the lion and you are the gem. I wanted to give you this on the exact date of your birthday but it happened today..." sabi pa nito abang nilalagay ang kwintas kay MM.

" Awww, thank you." MM hugged him.

He hugged her back too.

After that, she danced with 18 men...

Her Tita Marie thought DD was the last guy to dance with MM. She was in shock to see Tee in her birthday.

" Tee! I thought you're not going to come!" bati sa kanya ni Tita Marie.

" Well, I wanted it to be a surprise!" he said.

" MM, your gifts will be sent in your room." her Tita said.

" Okay, Tita" she said with delight.

It was 10 pm. The party was finished.

She went to the pool. Seat in a bench. Thinking.

" Dad, Mom, if only you're here, makikita nyo ang birthday ko. I miss you Mom, Dad..." she said in herself almost wanting to cry.

She sensed someone sat beside her.

She looked and saw DD.

" Crying again? Why?" worried na tanong nito.

" Wy are you here?" she said coldly.

" Is really my old friend MM gone?" out of the topic  na tanong nito.

" Answer my question!" galit niyang sabi.

" Well I wanted to give you this." inilabas nito mula sa pocket ng suit nito ang isang pearl necklace.

" I wanted to give you the other one which has more pearls but I know you want simple necklaces. That's why I chose this." he said.

 He put it in her neck not seeing that there is another necklace in her.

" Babe! Where are you?" sigaw ng boses from a distance.

"Oh, babe..." bigla itong tumayo at umalis.

" Bye Ems!" sigaw nito.

She looked at the necklace DD gave him. " Simple but elegant looking." she whispered.

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 19A)

 *PREPARATIONS*

" Huh?' nagtatakang lumapit ito sa kanya.

" See?!" he saw two necklaces on MM's hands.

" Awww, the necklaces." He remembered the necklaces. He told MM na s secong time na mapunta sila dito they would but it. " Let's pay." sabi nito.

Sa counter, " Taylor Lautner? Di makapaniwalangsabi ng american girl sa counter. Ngumiti lang si Tee. " Can I take a picture with you?" excited na tanong nito sa kanya. " Sure." ngiting sabi nito. " Miss can you take a picture for the two of us?" tanong nito. " O-ok." tanging sabi ni MM.

Matapos ang picture taking, binigay ni MM and necklaces na bibilin niya. Tinignan ito ng babae. Nakita niya ang nakalagay, " I♥M " 


"Have someone special?" tanong ng babae kay MM ng maibigay nito ang sukli. Tumango siya. Special din naman kasi sa kanya si Tee. 


" This please." sabi ni Tee habang binibigay ang necklace. " I♥T " 


" For who?" tanong ng babae ng maibigay ang sukli.


Ngumiti lang si Tee. " Ems, here it is." tinaas ni MM ang buhok niya at inilagay ni Tee ang necklace "I♥T " sa kanya. 


" Here." nilagay ni MM ang " I♥M " na necklace kay Tee.


" Thanks Miss!" pagpapaalam ng dalawa.


Naiwang nanlaki ang mata ng babae.


Dumating ang mga kaibigan. " What did you buy?" mataray na tanong ni Emily. Nakita ni MM na may mga 3 o 4 na shopping bags na hawak si DD.


" We bought necklaces." mas lumapit siya kay MM at hinawakan ang shoulder nito.  " Can I see?" excited na tanong ni Ann. " Awww, so sweet! Like couples! I heart M and I heart T! So cute!!!" kinikilig na wika ni Ann.


" Dee, Emily, do you and DD have? Your a couple for like a month and nearly two. What did you getfor your 1st monthsary???" tanong ni MM.


Nangiti ni Ann. " Nice question Ian!" Ann whispered to him. 


" NO probs!!" sabi nito...


FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!

" Paparazzi! Let's go!" sabi ni Tee. NIlingon ni MM ang paligid bago tuluyang makapasok sa sasakyan.


FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!


" That was definitely a wrong move!" sabi ni Tee sa kanya.


RING! RING! RING!

" Hello tita?" MM talked. " What?! Really??? Pero-" pinutol si MM ng kausap niya sa kabilang linya. " Happy naman po ako..." she said. " But how about school?" tanong nito. " Sige po Tita. Bye. Take care." she said.

" What was that?"tanong ni Tee.

" Oh it's DD's mom." MM said.

" Then..." sabi ni Tee.

" Can I ask you a favor?" she whispered.

Nakikinig mabuti si Tee sa ibinubulong ni MM. " What's the problem with that? Aren't you happy you're going to c-" tinakpan ni MM ang bibig nito.

" What is it?" nagtatakang tanong ni DD.

" Nothing DD. Don't mind us." palusot ni Tee.

" Are you sure?" he turned and whispered to MM.

Tumango lang ito.

" Guys, I think let's postpone our trip to San Francisco later. Let's just stay here." sabi ni Devon.

Kumakain sila ng breakfast. " Why?" tanong ni Ann.

" Well I think the hotel is hosting an event. I think we are needed here." sagot ni Tee.

" Including you?" gulat na tanong ni DD.

" Yeah, why not?" mataray na sagot ni MM.

" Tee, later let's go out and buy clothes." masayang sabi ni MM.

" Ian, Ann, Fretz, Bret, Sam, you can join us." sabi ni MM.

" And us?" nakataas ang isang kilay ni DD.

" I thought you have a date today with Emily... So you go with her. Not us." mataray na sagot ni MM.

****
" What do you want to buy Ems?" tanong sa kanya ni Ann sa kotse.

" Well I want to buy a gown." sagot naman ni MM.

" Why gown?" tanong naman ni Fretz.

" For the event." sagot nitong muli.

" Gown talaga ah! bongga naman nun!" Tili ni Fretz.

" I'll choose your gown! Dapat ikaw ang pinaka-bongga!" sabi naman ni Ann.

" Sure!"  ngiting sambit ni MM.

" Here we are!" sabi  ni Tee.
****
So loob...

Girl: Sir, this is the gowns we have that you asked for...

MM's gown

 " EMS! I love this one for you!!!" tili ni Fretz. Napatingin sa kanya ang ibang tao.

 " Wow! Ang nice MM! The colour, the design, I think it fits you best!" sabi naman ni Ann.

" You think so?" nag-aalanganing tanong niya.

" They are right MM!" nakangiting sambit ni Tee.

" The gown looks good!" sambit ni Ian at Sam.

Fretz' gown

" This purple one is nice for you Fretz!" sambit ni Bret.

" Yeah! It looks nice in you Fretz!" pag-agree ng dalawang kaibigang  babae.

" Mas lalo akong maiinlove niyan! Hahaha" samibit ni Bret na inakbayan pa ang nobya.

Ann's gown

 " Ann, I think this one is nice for you." sabi ni Ian.

" It looks good." sabi ni Sam.

" Can I see?" sabi ni Fretz.

" They are right Ann!" banggit ni Fretz.

" Yeah, it looks so nice." banggit ni Ann.

" Where is MM?" tanong bigla ni Ann ng mapansing wala si MM at Tee sa loob ng shop.

" Miss, have you seen Taylor Lautner and the girl with her?" tanong ni Sam.

" Oh sir, they went to the other shop to buy something. But they said if you choosed already, just leave it and he will pay. They paid for Ms. Monteverde's gown." sabi ni babae.

***
" MM this is nice!" natatawang sabi ni Tee.

" Haha you're crazy!" tatawa-tawang sabi niya.

Kumain silang sa isang resto. Sa TV ng resto biglang,

TV NEWS!

Reporter: Blind item time!

A hollywood actor, checked-in in a hotel in Vegas. Our source said that they saw him with the heiress of the said hotel. They were holding hands. ( MM saw the picture. The faces were blur. But she can clearly see that it's her and his hands.) It is also said that the actor bought her a necklace. Is the actor and girl a couple???

End of news...

" Uh-oh, sorry Ems!" malungkot na sabi ni Tee.

" It's ok Tee!" ngiting sabi niya.

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 18B)

The next day, they went to Grand Canyon.

They got out of the car, walked a few more steps. And there they are, there they are, GRAND CANYON!

It is quite cloudy that day. But it brought back memories.

She haven't seen this place for quite a long time. She saw her parents faces in the clouds smiling back at her.

" Ang daya daya Mom! Magkasama kayong masayang pero ako mag-isa. Mulungkot. Sana isinama nyo na lang ako!" she said to herself. Almost teary-eyed.

She turned, saw the two of them happy looking at the view. DD pointing out somethings. Emily looking in amazement. She felt so jealous. 

Ann saw her friend. Almost teary-eyed. She approached her.

" Ems, you okay?" she asked even though she knows her answer.

" I'm fine..." she said.

"Even though you are really not that fine." Ann said.

MM let out a sigh. She looked at DD and Emily.

Ann sigh. " Ems, please don't hurt yourself."

" Let's enjoy the view." Sam said on her back.

She turned and hugged him. " Thanks!" She said.

" No prob!" he said laughing a bit.

Ann giggled. At least her friend was a little happy.

They went to Grand Canyon Airport. Ride a plane. And saw the aerial view of Grand Canyon. What an amazing place!!!

" We'll go to Nevada. I guess we can stay at your hotel Ems?" tanong ni DD.

" Eh diba yun naman ang plano. Wala namang problema diba? Ba't kailangan pa akong tanungin tungkol doon." mataray na sabi ni MM habang papasakay ng sasakyan.

" Oo nga pala. Okay. Cool down." pahayag ni DD.

" Silverpine Hotel and Casino here we gooo!!!" sabay na sabi ni Ian at Sam.

Sila ang pinakamaingay sa barkada simula ng makarating sa U.S.

PAK!!!

" I want to sleep!" pagtataray ni MM.

" Ouch!" they shouted in pain.

" Meron ka ba ngayon?' natatawang tanong ni Ian.

" Oo nga" pag-sangayon ni Sam.

PAK!!!

" Okay!" pag surrender ni Ian.

" Chillax!!!" sabi naman ni Sam.

***
Nagising si MM. Nasa daan pa rin sila. Ang ibang mga kasama natutulog na...

" Maam, gusto niyo po bang mag-stop over? Para mag toilet?" tanong ng driver sa kanya.

" Okay lang manong." she said.

" Ay maam, may guest nga palang darating sa hotel niyo po ngayon daw po. Yung isa niyo pong friend daw po ata sa hollywood." pahayag ng driver.

Oo. may kaibigan sila sa hollywood. May iilang kaibigan din ang mga magulang niya sa showbiz.

" Sino daw?" tanong niya.

" Mr. Lautner daw po ata." sabi ng driver.

" Talaga! I miss that guy! The last time I saw him sa funeral nina Mommy at Daddy!" excited na sabi ni MM...

" H-huh? What's that?" nagising si DD.

" Tee, will come later. You can go back to sleep." mataray niyang sabi.

" Tee will come later? Where? At your hotel? Really?" di makapaniwalang sabi ni DD.

" Matulog ka na lang!" mas mataray niyang sabi.

She put her earpiece and opened her Ipod. Listened to some songs.

***
" Andito na po tayo." sabi ng Driver.

" Kuya, sa tingin mo anong oras darating yung guest namin." tanong ni MM.

" 5:30 daw po ata ma'am." sabi n driver.

" 5:15 na!"  excited na sabi ni MM.

" Ano niyo po ba si Mr. Lautner." tanong sa kanya ng driver.

" Friend ko po Kuya." she said.

***
" 5:30." sabi ni MM nakatingin sa watch niya.

" Let's go up!" sabi ni DD.

" I have the cards!" sabi nitong muli.

" Wait." sabi ni MM.

* TEE, A GUY IN MM'S LIFE *

Flash! Flash! Flash!

Crowds gathering.

Some girls shouting...

" He is here Dee!" sabi ni MM.

" What? So it true! Tee is coming." he said.

" Tee?!" tanong ng mga kaibigan.

" THere! Look!" he pointed.

" Ta-taylor Lautner?!" Sigaw ni Ann.

" Siya yung Tee?" Tanong ni Ian.

" Nickname para sa kanya ni MM?" tanong ni Sam.

" Kaibigan niya talaga?" dimakapaniwalang tanong ni Emily.

" Mukhang kaibigan niya talaga!" sabi ni Fretz.

Kinawayan kasi ni MM si Taylor Lautner tapos kinawayan siya pabalik nito.

Papalapit na sa kanila si Taylor.

" Tee!" at hinug siya ni MM.

" MM!" he hugged her back.

" how are you?" tanong ni MM.

" Well, doin' fine! I heard you are going here. That's why I visited! How about you? Are you doing fine in Philippines?" tanong nito sa kanya.

" Well yes! I miss you Tee!" she said with delight.

" I miss you too Em!" sabi nito.

" Hey, Daniel!" bati nito kay DD.

" And who are these gentlemen and beautiful ladies here?" tanong nito.

" Oh, this is Ann, Fretz, Bret, Ian, Sam, And Emily." pakilala ni MM.

" Hi guys!" he said.

" Later I'm planning to go out. Wanna join me?" tanong ni Tee.

" Sure Tee!" MM said with excitement.

" You guys?" tanong ni Tee.

" Daniel and I are free." Emily said.

" I am too..." Ann said with delight.

" We can't." Bret and Fretz said.

" They have a date!" Sam interrupted. "I'll join you"dagdag niya

****
They changed clothes and went outside.

" Ems, I'm here!" sabi ng boses sa likod ni MM.

" Tee! So your room is near ours?" tanong ni MM

" Yeah... Opposite side of your room. (smiled)" sabi nito. " Where are the others?" dagdag pa nito.

" Sam,Ann and Ian are down already. Emily and Dee too." she said.

" So, let's go?" sabi ni Tee.

" Okay!" she said.

" I noticed Dee and the Emily girl are close. Are they somewhat-" he said while walking on the corridors. He was cut because...

" Like couples? Well they are couples." she said. Out of the mood...

" Really!" he said. " I thought a guy like Dee would not like a girl like her. I noticed how think her make-up is. And that girl looks more like opposite of you." he said.

" Huh! I think he liked that girl even before. When she came back from U.K. after somewhat two weeks, they become a couple." MM said.

" Wow! Dee is fast." he said.

" Guys!!!" Ian shouted.

Someone noticed something. Why is Tee and MM so close? Tee is holding Em's hands and so is Ems.

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 18A)

 * THE TRIP*

" Ems, ang lapit na ng birthday mo ah... San gaganapin?" tanong ni Fretz sa kanya.

"Ah eh, di ko pa alam eh..." she said lonelier than before.

" Ems, stop it already. Move on. Try..." pangungumbinsi sa kanya ni Ann.

" I'm trying but I can't." she said.

" Girls! Let's go!!!" yaya ni Ian sa kanila. " I check-in already!" dagdag pa nito.

They are going to California for 2 weeks. It is exclusively for people who are doing their best in their studies. Since mayayaman ang mga estudyante sa school na iyon, makakayanan nilang pumunta. Kasama rito si MM, Fretz, Ann, Ian, DD, Bret, Emily at Sam. Sila ang pinili ng school.

** Magkakatabi sina MM at Ann, Bret at Fretz, DD at Emily and Ian at Sam. The trip was long...**

Alas, they're finally here.

Ng makalapag ang eroplano, parang titetest si MM ng tadhana. The places where she left the bad memories, pinupuntahan niya uli ngayon. First, in the Resort. Then ngayon dito. Sa lugar kung saan siya lumaki.

" Ems, let's go and ride the car." turo ni Ann sa isang Odyssey sa harapan nila.

" It's Dad's car Ems." sabi ni DD.

Sumakay sila. Nakatulog siya hanggang sa makarating sa San Diego. Sa bahay nila DD.

Ng madaan and signage sa kaliwa na To Terracotta Mansions, mukha ng parents niya ang nakita niya.

Malapit nanaman siyang maiyak pero pinigilan  niya ito sa pagtulo. " I miss you Mom, Dad" wika niya sa sarili.

DD's house is still the same. 5 bedrooms, a living room, study room, kitchen, dining room. A garden, a pool. It's similar to their house.

" I miss this place Dee. Your study has still the same books." MM said still exploring the house.

Natawa si Ann, nakita niya ang reaksyon ni Emily. Nagseselos.

" ( Giggled) Ems, iyakyat ko muna tong gamit ko sa kwarto natin." wika ni Ann. The 3 girls decided to be in just 1 bedroom. Si Emily mag-isa. The 4 guys will split into 2.

" Ako rin." sabi ni Fretz at Bret.

" Ems, iaakyat ko na yung gamit mo." pagprepresinta ni Sam.

" Thank you Sam!" and she smiled sweetly at him.

" What's happening???" tanong ni DD sa sarili niya.

" Dee, can we go out later." tanong ni Emily.

" Sure babe. MM, tell them to unpack later we will go out. We'll go to the park." sabi ni DD na may pagkaexcited ang boses.

" What park?"

Kinindatan siya ni DD.

She get it. She hugged him and said thank you. Then go up the stairs to tell her friends.

Natatawa si DD.

" What was that?!" halatang nagseselos si Emily dahil sa boses nito.

" Nothing. It's just somewhere we used to go..." he said.

"I'm your girlfriend. Not her right?!" sabi nito na nakakunot ang noo.

Gets ni DD and sinasabi nito. Imbis na pumunta sila sa lugar na hindi pa nya napupuntahan, pupunta sila sa gustong lugar ni MM.

" Did you know what happened to her parents?" tanong ni DD.

Umiling ito.

" Did you see the signage saying Teracotta Mansions?" tanong nitong muli.

Tumango siya.

" That is the place where there house is. And when she saw the signage earlier, she remembered her parents' death." he said sadly.

" Her parents died when???" gulat nitong tanong.

" Months ago... And I know she still remember what they used to do before. That park is a special place for her. That is where I first met her. Playing with her dad in the swing. She is so happy playing with them. I can see how she is so close to them .And I know masakit sa kanya na bigla na lang mamamatay ang parents niya." he said. Nakita niya kanina ang reaction ni MM ng makita ang signage papunta sa bahay nila.

He saw the pain in her eyes coming back. He wanted to make her happy and he doesn't even know why.

His friends went down already. Their driver is ready too. They boarded the car and then went to the park.

The swing, the slides, the little waterpark, the basketball court the benches, the water fountains, the hill, the grasses, she missed this. She missed this park. She grabbed Ann at Fretz' hands and went up the little hill. The rest followed.

On the top they saw an amazing view. MM sit down. She lay down on the grass and looked at the sky. Fretz and Ann do too. But she doesn't know if the rest did too. She closed her eyes.

♫This is a day I fear,
This might be just a dream

I missed this place and things
I used to see before...

I miss my mom and dad
I miss this place
Oh...

I miss this all...♫

She sang. She didn't know. She was crying already. She opened her eyes. She stand up and looked from where she come from. Trying to look for her friends. Then she saw them playing in the little waterpark. They were like kids who didn't experience it. Then he saw someone climbing up the hill.

She watched closely. And there he was. DD. She sit down on a rock and watched him to go up.

" Why are you here?" MM asked. Wind was blowing her hair all over the place.

" Nothing. Let's go down. The others are waiting for you. We went down because we don't want to spoil the moment. I know you miss this place." nilahad ni DD and kanyang kamay.

She didn't accept it. She went down by herself. DD at her back.

She tripped. DD prevented her from falling. But he wasn't able to control his balance. They rolled down the hill, hugging each other.

WHOOSH!

And there they are down the hill, laughing and laughing.

" Babe! Are you okay?" tumatakbo patungo kay DD. Tumayo si DD. Itinayo si MM ni Sam. " You okay?" tanong ni Sam.

' Yeah" she said.

" I'm fine babe. Don't worry 'kay." hinawakan pa nito ang mukha.

" Ang hirap talaga Sam!" she whispered to him.

The others went back to the waterpark. MM went to the swing. " Mom, bakit ganun? Bakit ganun? Bakit ang daya? Sa tuwing sinusubukan ko ng mag-move on wala. Nakikita ko silang sweet. Naiinggit ako Mom!" she said to herself.

Ann went to the swing too. Her shirt was wet because of the water.

" Fun right?" tanong ni MM.

" Yeah, but you..." Ann noticed her loneliness, her jealousy. As much as she wanted to help her friend, she can't she doesn't know how.

****
They were all ready. Their things are packed. They will be going to Arizona! Woohoo!

They used the car. The trip was 8 long hours.

MM have her Ipod with her. She played some songs.

TO make herself entertained. The things she is seeing is not good for her. Their sweetness makes her sick.

They arrived at night time already. They checked in in an Inn near Grand Canyon.

" These places..." she said to herself.

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 17)

BLAGGG!

" D-d-deee?!" gualt niyang sabi.

" Yes? Why? Is there a problem?" tanong nito sa kanya. Nakaupo na ito sa harap niya.

" W-wala... A-ano kasi diba kasama mo si-" hindi siya hinayaang ituloy ang sasabihin  dahil inunahan siya nito.

" Emily? Well sa cottage muna daw siya. Kaya bumalik ako dito. I want this place its r-" hindi niya rin hinayaang matapos ito.

" Relaxing. This place is so clam. Dito, makakapag-relax ka. Parang sa favorite place sa Arizona. Sa Grand Canyon. Pag holidays pupunta kami nina M-" she remembered the sentence she said before.

" Ems, don't cry again..." babala ni DD.

" Naaaa... I'm not..." habang nagstart na siyang mag-row ng boat.

" We haven't talk much you know..." DD said without thinking.

Bigla siyang napatingin dito.  "Bakit bigla nitong sasabihin yon???" she curiously said in her mind.


" Oo nga. Eh, may gf ka naman na kasama mo araw-araw ah. Kailangan mo pa ba akong kausapin?" she said sarcasticly.


" Are you mag or sometihng?" tanong nito sa kanya.


Ilang minuto ring may katahimikan.


10
9 " For what?" tanong ni DD
8
7
6
5
4 " Look-
3 up!" MM said.
2
1
0


  The special lights. It circled the lake again. The color makes it look more calm.She closed he eyes and saw helself in their, flying with it. Circling with it. Then she saw Emily. On her back. Running to go to the end of the light. When she reached the end, she saw them, DD and Emily, kissed.

She quickly opened her eyes. She saw DD looking at her. " What?!" she quickly asked.

" Your crying." tipid nitong sagot.

Tsaka lang niya napansin ang mga luhang dumaloy sa mukha niya.

" Why did you cry?" DD asked her.

She quickly row the boat papunta sa lupa.

" Why did you cry?" DD asked again.

She row quickly.

She needs to go now and hide in her cottage.

" Ems, why?!" this time mas malakas na ang boses nito.

" Y-yo- Nothing" she said. She saw the land. She quickly get off the boat.

" What nothing?!" DD shouted.

 He grabbed her hands then he get off the boat too. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang balikat nito.

" Ems, tell me.. I'm your friend..." DD said.

" Will I tell him?" she asked herself. " No I can't" she answer heself again.

" Okay," she started. DD removed his hands.

Then MM started running away from him.

" What was that?!" he shouted.

He quickly followed her but she seems to be a good runner. She out of  the sight.

MM was running. She reached the outer part of the forest. She is crying. "Bakit ba kasi pumunta ako sa lake? Bakit bakit bakit????" she is scolding herself.

She fell on the ground when she reached her cottage. Ann was there. Just went out of her cottage. She saw Devon fell on the ground. She quickly run to help her.

" Devon, what happend?" she quickly help her stand and help her go inside her cottage.

" I went to the lake, They were there. When they went off, I took the boat and started rowing, then he showed up. We waited for the lights, I closed my eyes. I saw them kissed. Then he looked at me, saying I cried. I was hurt the most being with him. Seeing him beside me but he belonged to another girl already. I want to tell him I love him. I can't I can't I can't I Can't!!!" she shouted and more tears fell.

Hindi man niya masayadong maintindihan. She felt MM's pain. The pain in her eyes, The way she talked, and the way her tears fell showed it. She hugged her. She tried to consoled her...

****
Over the next day, MM tried not to talk to him. DD on the other hand, was busy preparing for his birthday.

His birthday was a blast. All of them enjoyed. But MM is the only one who didn't. She was happy for Fretz and Bret though. The two are finally one. In short, sila na.

Sam joined her.

" Nagseselos ka di'ba?" Tanong nito sa kanya. She didn't reply.

" Ems, if you really love him, confess. Pero, oo nga pala may gf na siya." he said.

" Masakit makita na ang mahal mo ay may mahal nang iba. " he said looking at her lonely face.

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 16)

* HIS BIRTHDAY IS NEARING*

" Guys, my birthday is coming up. There are rumors that I'm going to celebrate my birthday here. It's true. But I canceled it. Gusto ko sa resort mag birthday." pahayag ni DD sa mga kaibigan.

" Holidays yon diba babe?" tanong ni Emily.

Walang imik ang mga kasama. Tahimik lang silang nakikinig sa gagawin daw sa resort.

* IAN & SAM ON HER SECRET*

Over the next few days, unti-unting dinudurog ang puso niya. Everyday she see them together, makes her heart shatter into a million pieces. When she felt like gathering the pieces and put them together, she see them again.

She was in the uppermost part of the school building. Nilalanghap ang sariwang hangin. Sumulpot bigla sila Ann.

" Ems, nandito ka nanaman. Alam ko nasasaktan ka kapag nakikita silang magkasama at sweet." sabi ni Ann in a worried face.

" I wish, hangin na lang ako. I could just come and go. Pag humangin, dadaan lang tapos bigla ng mawawala. Katulad na hangin ngayon. Kapag nakita ko sila, mawawala na sa alaala ko yung nakita ko. Masakit. Ang sakit ng nararamdaman ko. Mahirap itago." teary-eyed na sabi ni MM.

" Ems, kaya mo yan. There's a guy I like in this school you know. But I don't have any courage." she crossed her hands and looked at the view. " I wish I could be a wind too Em. But in a different way. Yung klase ng wind na pabalik-balik. Yung makikita ko siya lagi." sabi nito. Tinignan niya si Em. Nakatingin rin ito sa kanya.

" May girlfriend siya?" tanong ni Em.

" Wala." tipid na sagot ni Ann.

" Your lucky. Walang girlfriend ang gusto mong guy. Yung mahal ko, meron. At araw-araw nasasaktan ako kapag nakikita ko si DD at Emily." pahayag niya.

" Ems." tanging nasabi ni Ann nang makitang lumuluha na ang kaibigan.

" Hayaan mo na ako... Saan nga pala si Fretz." tanong niya na humihikbi between words.

" Kasama si BRet. May sasabihin daw yung mokong na yun sa kanya." sabi ni Ann.

" Swerte rin si Fretz kay Bret. Dahil parehas silang may gusto sa isa't isa." sabi ni MM.

" You mean- May possibility na magtapat siya ngayon kay Fretz?" di makapaniwalang tanong ni Ann.

" Yeah the first time I saw him, and the way he looks at Fretz, I can say he likes her." sabi ni Em. This time medyo tumigil na siya sa pagluha.

" Really?" sabi ng isang boses sa likod nila.

Lumingon silang dalawa at nakita nilang sina Ian at Sam.

" Kanina pa kayo dito?" nerbyos na tanong ni Ann.

" Oo. Narinig namin lahat." sabi ni Sam.

" Ems, wala na pala akong tyansa sayo eh... May mahal ka nang iba." wika ni Ian sa sarili.

" Please wag nyong sabihin kay Dee." pagmamakaawa ni MM.

" Oo naman." Ian said. He looked at Ann.

" Can we speak for a moment" Ian said looking at Ann.

**
" Your a very good friend to MM, Ann." he hugged her.

This girl is the first girl he liked. From the day he saw her transferred. But then, he knew Dee liked this girl so he didn't dare approach her at all.

Nang dumating si MM sa buhay niya, binago nito ang lahat. Na love at first sight siya dito. Tumigil siya sa pagsama sa dating barkada niya. bumangon siya at nag-arala mabuti.

Pero ngayon, si Dee may girlfriend. Si Em mahal si Dee. Siya mahal niya si Em ngunit sa tono ng pananalita ni MM kanina, mukhang walang wala na siya. Nararamdaman niya na kaibigan lang ang trato sa kanya ni MM.

Now, Ann is free, he is trying to remove his feeling for MM so that makapangligaw siya ng matino.

Nagulat si Ann pero she hugged him back.

" Let's help Em." he said.

" Kawawa siya diba. She is stuck between two things. Friendship or the love she feels." woried na sabi ni Ann.

**
" Okay ka lang?" tanong ni Sam.

" Oo, okay na na kahit papaano." sabi ni Em.

" Kaya mo yan." he said.

Bumalik ang dalawa.

****

* TWO DAY BEFORE HIS BIRTHDAY*

Again, she set foot on the island. But this time no excitement in her face. Emily took her place. She run and run. Naghahabulan ang dalawa. Hindi na rin lihim ang tungkol kay DD at Emily sa mga magulang nito.

She looked at a little path. She remembered that path. The path that leads to the lake. The lake where she saw the lights. The lights that DD told about. The DD who made her feel secured.

They walked some more. And she saw another path. The path that leads to the falls. The falls that made her feel adventurous again. That become gone when her parents died.

All the memories came back. This is the place where she told herself to have a new life. Start a new beginning but when she set foot here again she felt like she is telling herself, Start a new life again...

Napabalik siya sa wisyo ng may tumapik-tapik sa balikat niya.

" Ems, were here." sabi ni Sam.

She saw the same cottages. Tig-isa isa ulit sila. Dee's birthday is the day after tomorrow.

*
Hapon na naman, the time she explored the lake.

Since, pagod daw sa byahe ang mga kaibigan, she went on by herself. Since she know the way, she got there in minutes. But she never expect to see what she didn't really expect to see.

DeeDee, on the same place she saw him.She was going to approach him when...

" Babe, tara na. Ayoko mag-boat. Hindi naman emerald yung lake eh..." reklamo ni Emily.

" The view at night is great." sabi ni DD.

" I'm tired. Can we go?" irritadong sabi nito.

She hid behind the trees. When they were gone, she went near the lake and sit. " Ka arte naman non. Tsaka hindi marunong mag appreciate ng nature." sabi niya.

Mga 30 minutes na siyang nandon.

She looked at her watch. 5:30 pm

She saw the boat still on the same place. She pushed it to the water. She sit at was about to start to row the boat.


BLAGGG!

" D-d-deee?!" gualt niyang sabi.

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 15)

* A NEW ME *

****
" Good morning Ems!" bati nina Fretz at Ann sa kanya. Nag-overnight ang dalawa kina MM.

" Maligo ka na ha. Tapos bumaba ka na rin..." sabi ni Fretz.

" Umalis ba si Dee?" taong ni MM.

" Oo, may dat-" tinakpan ni Ann ang bibig ng Fretz.

" Date? Ah ok..." walang pakialam na sabi ni MM. Naligo ito at sinundan sa baba ang dalawa.

***
" Goodmorning dear!" bati sa kanya ng Tita Marie niya.

" Goodmorning Tita!" ngiting sambit niya.

" What happened to you my dear? Umiyak ka ba kagabi?" worried na tanong nito sa kanya.

" No Tita I'm fine po... Let's eat..."

***
Nang matapos kumain nagyaya ang dalawang kaibigan niya na mag-mall. Ayaw man niya kaso mapilit talaga ang dalawa.

" Parlor!!!" tiling sambit ni Ann. Hinila niya si MM.

" Ayoko!!!" pero huli na, ginugupitan na siya.

May make-up pa...

Before

After

" MM!!!" tili ni Fretz. " Ang ganda mo!!! This is a new you MM." sabi naman ni Ann.

Ang nag-gupit sa kanya, " Miss, pwede po bang picturan ko kayo. Ipopost ko po sa wall namin. Para makita ng mga tao, para po mas kumita kami. Ang ganda niyo po kasi eh..."

Maski siya hindi makapaniwala sa pagbabago sa kanya. " Sure poh..."

" THIS IS THE NEW ME!" sigaw niya sa isip niya.

****
Next day...

" Ang ganda mo girlfriend!" sabi ni Fretz ng makita siya sa gate. Hindi sumabay si DD sa kanya dahil susunduin daw nito si Emily.

" Ems! Kung kahapon maganda ka, ngayon super bonggang magandang maganda!" sabi ni Ann.

" Ems, have you heard, dito raw sa school gaganapin ang birthday ni DD. Sa Grand Hall." biglang sabi ni Fretz. Siniko siya ni Ann. " Oops!"

" Yeah, I know. Pati rin daw ako sabi ni Tita. " walang pakielam na sabi niya. Binuksan niya ang libro at nagbasa.

Hindi na nagsalita ang dalawa dahil alm nilang wala na sa mood si MM.
****
" Whoah! Sorry miss!" sabi ni Ian ng muntik ng mabunggo ang babaeng nagbabasa ng libro. Hindi niya makita ang mukha nito dahil nga nakayuko at natatabingan ng buhok nito ang mukha.

" Ian! Good morning!" masayang bati ni Ann.

" Good morning Ian!" bati ni MM ngunit hindi pa ito tumitingala.

" Who is this girl? A new girl?" tanong ni Ian.

PAK!!!

" Ouch! What the-" hindi na nito matuloy ang sasabihin. " Ikaw ba yan Ems?" Di siya makapaniwala sa nakikita.

Natawa lang ang dalawang babae. " Oo nga! Si Ems nga yan!" sabi ni Fretz.

RINGGGG!!!

" Ooops, gotta go to class. Bye guys! See ya later!" pagpapaalam ni Ann.

" Bye!" sabi ng tatlo.

Pumasok na sila sa kanilang room.

"Ahm miss, I think naliligaw kayo." sabi ng teacher kay MM ng makitang papasok ito sa loob ng classroom.

" Mr. Ruiz, I'm Ms. Monteverde." magalang niyang sagot.

" Ms. Monteverde?!" gulat nitong sabi.

" Opo siya nga po." singit ni Fretz.

" P-pasok ka na..." sabi ng teacher.

She giggled. Most of the people don't know her because of her looks.

****
Lunch time

" Well, well, well, another addition to our barkadz eh?" sabi ni  Bret nang makita ang isang babaeng katabi ni Ann. HIndi niya makita ang mukha dahil nakatalikod ito at si Ann ay nakaharap sa kanya.

" Si Bret naman. Wala tayong bagong addition. Ito ako oh? SI MM!" diniin niya pa ang pangalan niya.

" MM!!!" gulat na sabi ni Bret.

Dumating sina DD at emily. Nakapalupot ang kamay ni Emily as usual.

" Hi! Ems kailan ka nga pala nagpagupit?" mataray na tanong nito.

" Kahapon po. Why Ms. Emily?" mataray ring sagot ni Ann.

Napapansin ng lahat na may tension ng namumuo.

"Dee, tulala ka kay MM? Kanina ka pa hindi nagsasalita. Bakit hindi mo ba siya nakita sa bahay kahapon o kanina?" pag divert ng atensyon ni Fretz.

Napangiti si Ann. Nakita niya ang reaksyon ni Emily ng marinig ang sinabi ni Fretz.

Si MM kunwaring walang naririnig.

" I'm looking at the floor Fretz." sagot ni DD.

" Ouch!" sabi ni MM sa isip niya.

" Oh." tanging nasabi niya.

" Let's order babe" pagdivert ni Emily ng topic.

Umalis silang dalawa. Si Bret at Ian, nagpresentang sila na ang magoorder para sa tatlo. Si MM ayaw kumain. Nagbasa lang ng libro.

" Ems, are you okay?" worried na tanong ni Ann.

" Uhm, yes. Of course. Why would I be not okay?" pagkukungwaring sabi ni MM.

" Ems, we know you already. I know that you are hurt." sabi ni Fretz.

" I'm okay really! Because this is the new me." sabi niya.

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 14)

 * IT HURTS. I FEEL IT NOW. * And some parts of Chapter 15 * A NEW ME*

-Sabado-
" Ems, tara. Hinihintay na tayo ni Ann." angal sa kanya ni Freya na kanina pa siya hinihintay sa labas ng pinto.

" Teka-" at bago pa siya makapagreklamo hinila na siya ni Freya papuntang sasakyan ni Ann.

" Good morning MM. Tara!" Ann said with delight.

" San ba kasi tayo pupunta? " tanong niya sa mga ito.

" Bonding bonding. Sa mall o kung saan tayo mapadpad!" sabi naman ni Freya.

" Correct!" nakipag-apir pa ito kay Freya. Kinindatan ni Ann si Freya at ganun din si Freya.

Nalaman kasi ni Freya ang nangyari kay MM. Kaya gusto nila itong pasayahin.

Nagpunta sila sa mga museums. Tapos sa isang park. Tapos sa mall. Busy silang nagbobonding magkakaibigan.

****
-Sabado 5:30 pm-
" Daniel, kahit noon pa mahal na kita. Alam ko minahal mo rin ako noon kahit bata pa tayo..." sabi ni Emily sa kanya. Nakaupo sila sa may park.

Wala naman itong imik. Pero sa isip niya, " Siguro kaya ka nagbalik para patunayan na hindi si Ann ang para sa akin."

"Daniel..." nilapitan niya ito. Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay nito at yumuko.

" Gusto mo si Ann hindi ba?" bigla siyang tinignan ni  DD.

" Kung ganon-" tumayo si Emily. " Aa-"

Bigla siyang yinakap ni DD. " Mahal din kita Emy-ems..."

" D-daniel..."

" I love you noon pa..."

****
 -Monday-
" Oh ano?! Ha?!" nakikipagkulitan si Emily kay DD nang maabutan ito nina MM, Fretz, Ann, Bret, Ian at Sam.

" Mukhang ang saya niyo dyan ah..." bati sa kanila ni Bret.

" Hindi kaya..." wika ni Ann sa sarili.

" Please wag naman sana..." wika ni Fretz sa sarili. Sinabi na rin kasi sa kanya ni Ann ang tungkol kay Emily. May hula kasi sila ni Ann na may gusto itong si Emily kay DD.

" Bat kaya ang saya ng dalawang 'to?" wika naman ni MM.

" Oh hi." bati ni DD.

" Hi." tipid na bati ng tatlong babae. " Girlfriend, let's order" sabi ni Ann. " Oo nga... Gutom na ako eh..." pag sang ayon ni Fretz.

Ang tatlong lalaki sumunod na rin.

Nang mawala ang mga kaibigan, nagsalita si Emily at pumulupot ang kamay nito sa braso ni DD.

" When will you tell them about our relationship? Na tayo na?" tanong sa kanya ni Emily.

" Emy, in the right time..." sagot ni DD.

"DD! Lagot ka sakin!!!" umaapoy si Ann sa narinig.

Umupo siya sa harapan ng dalawa. " Pwede makiupo?" tanong niya na may ngiti. Biglang tinaggal ni Emily ang kamay niya.

" Sure!" sabi ni Emily. " Spoiler ng moment!" wika niya sa sarili.

Nakarating na rin si Fretz at MM. S.T: Ann, Fretz, MM. Opposite side: Emily DD.

"Daniel,(sweet voice) pwede bang sabay tayo mamaya umuwi?" paglalambing nito.

" O sige, papadala ko na lang ung isang car kay mang Jimmy. May pupuntahan naman ata sila MM mamaya."
sabi nito.

Si MM tahimik lang na kumakain ngunit nararamdaman niya na may parang bago. " Asan ang Emy-ems na nickname?"

" Dee-dee!" nakayuko si Ann kaya hindi mapapansin ang galit nito.

" Huh!" mahinang banggit ni DD habang nakatingin kay Ann.

" What is is bab- Daniel?" muntikan na siyang madulas.

Dumating ang mga lalaki.

" Wala naman babe. I guess we can tell them..." na may ngiti sa labi.

" Babe?" gulat na tanong ng tatlong kadarating.

" DEE!!!" nagagalit na siya. Naaawa siya kay MM. At tsaka feeling niya ginagawa iyon ni DD para pagselosin siya pero ang totoo kahit ano pa ang gawin nito kasama si Emily, hindi siya magseselos. Pero si MM...

" Babe? Does he mean? Oh MY!!!" wika ni Freya.

" Babe? Kayo ba???" hindi mapigilang tanong ni MM.

Tumingin si Emily kay DD tumango naman ito.

" Oo MM." tipid niyang sagot na parang kinikilig pa.

" Kailan? Matagal na kayo siguro magkakilala kasi ang bilis niyong maging kayo..." curious niyang tanong pero ba't ganon. May kumikirot.

" Magkakababata kami... Basta... Hindi ko ma-explain eh..." sagot ni Emily.

" Congrats!" sunod sunod na sabi nila.

Naging tahimik ang tatlong babae. Si Emily salita ng salita.

Nang matapos ang lunch, biglang nag-announce na half day daw. May napanalunang achievement ang school. 'Caring For Nature Award' at 'Go Green Award' daw. At bukas wala ring pasok dahil public holiday.

Umuwi si MM sumama sina Fretz at Ann sa kanya.

****
Bigla na lang siyang napaluha. Iniisip pa lang niya ang nangyari kanina naiyak na siya.

" Ann, Fretz, alam bakit ba ako umiiyak? Bakit ganun nung sinabi nila na sila na, ang sakit. Nung hinalikan ni Emily si DD masakit. Bakit ganun? Is this what they call being in love? Nasasaktan ka kapg nakikita mo kasama ng iba ang gusto mo? Gusto ko ba talaga si DD? Diba friends lang kami? Bakit ko nararamdaman 'to?" tuloy-tuloy ang pagdaloy ng luha ni MM. Okay lang na umiyak siya ng umiyak dahil walang makakarinig sa kanila.

"Ems, in love bigla na lang susulpot. Sa di inaasahang pagkakataon. Sa di inaasahang tao na mamahalin mo pala..." niyakap ni Ann si MM.

" Ems, ang love may nasasaktan at may nagiging masaya. May mga mabibigo at may mga magtatagumpay." niyakap na rin ni Fretz si MM.

" Babe... Masakit... Kanina, nang ibulgar nila ang tungkol sa kanila, babe sila ng babe... Mahirap eh... Bakit ba kasi kailangan akong taaman nito... Cupid, why did you pick for me the worst scenario of love? Bakit sila Mommy at Daddy ang ganda ng love story? Wlang pangit na nagyari... Perfect love story ang kanila... Bakit sakin kailangan masaktan muna ako... Bakit ?" hnidi mapigilan ni MM na mapaupo na sa floor.Naghihina na siya.

Naalala niya ang moment nila sa Emerald lake. Ang fun na naramdaman niya kapag kasama isi DD hanggang sa biglang dumating si Emily. Nagbago ang lahat.

Hinagod ni Ann ang likod ni MM. Si Fretz bumaba para kumuha ng tubig.

****
" Good morning Ems!" bati nina Fretz at Ann sa kanya. Nag-overnight ang dalawa kina MM.

" Maligo ka na ha. Tapos bumaba ka na rin..." sabi ni Fretz.

" Umalis ba si Dee?" taong ni MM.

" Oo, may dat-" tinakpan ni Ann ang bibig ng Fretz.

" Date? Ah ok..." walang pakialam na sabi ni MM. Naligo ito at sinundan sa baba ang dalawa.

***
" Goodmorning dear!" bati sa kanya ng Tita Marie niya.

" Goodmorning Tita!" ngiting sambit niya.

" What happened to you my dear? Umiyak ka ba kagabi?" worried na tanong nito sa kanya.

" No Tita I'm fine po... Let's eat..."

***
Nang matapos kumain nagyaya ang dalawang kaibigan niya na mag-mall. Ayaw man niya kaso mapilit talaga ang dalawa.

" Parlor!!!" tiling sambit ni Ann. Hinila niya si MM.

" Ayoko!!!" pero huli na, ginugupitan na siya.

May make-up pa...

After

Before

" MM!!!" tili ni Fretz. " Ang ganda mo!!! This is a new you MM." sabi naman ni Ann.

Ang nag-gupit sa kanya, " Miss, pwede po bang picturan ko kayo. Ipopost ko po sa wall namin. Para makita ng mga tao, para po mas kumita kami. Ang ganda niyo po kasi eh..."

Maski siya hindi makapaniwala sa pagbabago sa kanya. " Sure poh..."

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 13)

 * WHY?*

" Pwede ba! Stop following me!" sigaw ni DD.

" Eh gusto ko lang naman ipaalala sayo na ako si Emily... Si Emy-ems... Daniel..." sabi nito na parang naiiyak na...

****
"It's been a week, bakit ganun parang iwas ng iwas si DD. Tsaka bakit I feel like this..." wika ni Em sa sarili.

" Psst! Ano iniisip mo dyan?!" biglang sumulpot ito sa likuran niya.

" Ay! Fretz, ang hilig mong manggulat ah! Nakakarami ka na!" sabi niya na gulat na gulat pa rin...

" Ikaw naman kasi eh...This past few days masyado ka malalim mag-isip. Mukhang hindi naman tungkol sa school eh.. Kasi okay naman lahat... Hmmm... May problema ka ba?" worried nitong tanong.

" Wala..." tipid niyang sagot.

" Baka naman kasi dahil sa mga kasama natin... Mga busy sa school project. Diba nga kasi dapat gumawa ng Iconic Structure...from recycled materials. Ang hirap kayang gumawa nun. Sina Ann, Bret, Sam at DD. Tapos tayo nina Emily, Ian, ako at ikaw. Teka asan nga pala si Emily. Diba siya dapat ang mag provide ng magazines!" biglang sabi niya...

"Oo nga noh... Biglang nawala..." wala sa sariling sinabi ni MM.

" Arnold! Pakihanap nga si Emily. Kailangan na natin yung magazines" utos ni Fretz.

****
" Freya, MM, susunod na si Emily. Kasama si Daniel ng 1B1..." sabi ni Arnold.

" Kasama si DD?" curious na tanong ni Fretz.

" Oo, dun sa may mini garden..." sabi lang nito at umalis. " Sige, gawin ko na task ko eh..."

" Sige..." sabi lang ni Fretz.

" Napapansin ko nga parang matagal na magkakilala ang dalawang yon. Palagi ngang magkasama." sabi Fretz.

Kumabog ang dibdib niya. " Bakit?" tanong niya sa sarili. " What is this?" hinawakan niya ang chest niya para maramdaman ang pagkabog ng dibdib.

" Taawagin ko na lang si Emily, ang tagal niya eh..." sabi ni MM at umalis.

****
" Sorry too..." mahinang sabi ni DD.

Nagulat siya ng may dumampi si labi niya.

" Bakit... Ano nangyayari... Why did she kissed him? Sila ba? Kailan pa?" sabi ni MM sa sarili na nanggigilid ang luha. " Bakit ganito? Bakit ako umiiyak? Bakit?  Bakit parang ang sakit ng nararamdaman ko..."

Lumuluha siya at hindi niya alam kung bakit... Pinahiran niya ito... At yumuko... Naglakad pa siya ng kaunti at nagsalita ng mahina.

" Ah, Emily... yung... mga... magazines kailangan na..... Tsaka, ka...kailangan ka na rin dun... Sige una na ako...."

Nagulat si DD ng marinig ang boses ni MM. May isa pa siyang boses na narinig.

" Sorry if I disturb you DD and Emily, pero Dee, kailangan ka na don.. It's your turn for your task. I think kailangan ka na rin doon Emily." sabi ni Ann. "Mukhang kailangan ako ni MM, sige una sa ako..." dagdag niya...

"'Its gone... She's g one... Now that Ann saw us kissed, I have no chance at all..." nawalan na ng pag-asa si DD sa nangyari... " Mukhang kailangan ako ni MM, sige una na ako..." naisip niyang biglang ang sabi ni Ann kanina lang... " What happened to Em.."

"I need to go, see you later..." sabi ni Emily at umalis... Hindi man nakita ni DD, pero malaking ngiti sa labi ang rumehistro sa mukha ni Emily. " I know that you like Ann, that's why I kissed you, para hindi rin umasa if ever may gusto rin siya sa'yo. I like you Daniel..." sabi nito sa sarili.

****
" Em, is there a problem?" worried na tanong ni Ann sa kanya ng maabutang nakaupo sa isa sa mga bench.

" Yes, I'm fine..." she said pero halata ang pagkasad ng boses nito.

" You cried... Why?" tanong nitong muli.. Nag-aalala ito para sa kaibigan. Bakit kaya ito umiyak...

" Napuwing lang.. Ano ka ba?" at sinubukan pa nitong tumawa.

" Ems, I'm your friend. I know you already kahit maikling panahon pa lang tayo naging magkaibigan. Maybe I can help..." she said. MM looked at her at saw her worried face. she doesn't want her friends to be worried just because she cried and she is not telling the reason.

" Ewan ko ba, kanina bigla na lang ako naiyak nung nakita ko sila. Kanina biglang kumabog yung dibdib ko nung marinig ko na magkasama silang dalawa. Tapos nung nakita ko silang dalawa parang ang sakit... Ano ba 'to?! Ba't ba ako umiiyak?!" pinahiran niya ang luha niya at tsaka huminga ng malalim.

" Ems..." wala ng masabi si Ann. Parang alam niya ang ibig sabihin ni MM. In-love siguro ito kay DD pero hindi pa inaamin sa sarili. Dahil ang alam niya ay pag-aaral muna ang focus nito. Kaya siguro hindi nito alam ang feeling ng ma-inlove.

Hinagod ni Ann ang likod ni MM. Mga ilang minuto rin tahimik ang palagid hanggang sa huminga uli ng malalim si MM.

" Let's go!" tumayo ito at ngumiti pa. " Kalimutan na natin yon.. Wala lang siguro yon..."

" Ems..." worried siya dito. Mas masakit kung mapagtanto nito na mahal niya si DD. Hindi man niya alam ang status ni DD at Emily, mukhang matagal na itong magkakilala at may mga itinatago ito.

****
" Em, sure ka ba na okay ka?" tanong ni Ann bago pumasok sa classroom nito.

"Oo naman... Bakit hindi ako magiging ok?" natatawang sabi nito...

" O siya, sige... Gagawin pa namin ang project namin." pagpaalam nito kay MM.

Wala silang klase, buong araw lang silang gagawa ng class project.

Pagpasok ni MM sa klase rumehistro ang mukha ni Emily na napakalaki ang ngiti. Nagtataka siya, bakit ganun na lang ito makangiti. " Siguro dahil sa kanina..." sabi lang ng isip niya.

Bumuntong hininga siya baog umupo sa kanyang upuan at ipagpatuloy ang kanyang ginagawa.

****
Pagpasok ni Ann sa classroom, nakita niya si DD, pinuntahan niya ito. " Dee, can we talk?"

Biglang nabuhayan si DD ng loob. " Sure."

Lumabas sila. Unang nagsalita si Ann.

" Who is she in your life?" curious niyang tanong.

" She is my childhood friend but she left me to study in U.K. when we were ten... She suddenly came back now..." nakayukong sabi ni DD.

" So you have a relationship now?" nakataas na ang isang kilay ni Ann.

" No." tipid nitong sagot.

" Then what was the kiss about?" medyo galit na nitong tanong. Worried siya sa kaibigan.

" Are you jealous or something?" tanong ni DD na parang natatawa pa.

" Don't laugh! Because its not funny. I'm asking you a question. Answer it." medyo naging malumanay ang boses nito.

" I don't know." kibit balikat nitong sagot. " But this what I'm sure of, its nothing. So, don't be jealous 'kay?" dagdag pa nito.

" Who is saying I'm jealous?!" naiirita na siya. Bakit ba nito sinasabing nagseselos siya. HIndi naman niya ito gusto. Oo gusto niya, pero hanggang kaibigan lang.

" Well, you sounded like your jealous. I like you more than her Ann. Since she left I forget her already." sabi nito na nakatingin lang sa lupa.

Parang nagkandabasag ang isang daang salamin sa narinig ni Ann. " He likes me? No! I don't like him! At pag napagtanto na ni MM ang nararamdaman niya, kawawa naman siya..." wika niya sa sarili niya na nanginginig.

" I like you too, Dee." biglang tumingin sa kanya ito pero nakatingin si Ann sa lupa. " but, only as a friend. Nothing more, nothing less. I like somebody else." dagdag niya.

Parang bumagsak ang puso niya sa lupa.

Umalis si Ann at pumasok sa classroom.

****
Biglang lumabas si Emily at nakitang si DD na nakatayong mag-isa sadulong part ng classrooms.

Sa mga benches kumbaga. Nilapitan niya ito.

" Daniel, is there something wrong?" tanong nito.

Are We Just Friends? ( Chapter 12)

* SHE IS BACK*

" Em!" napatigil si MM sa boses na narinig. " Emily!" she said with delight. " Pasabay ha!"

"Sure!" sabi niya. " Hintayin lang muna natin si Fretz. Kasi kagabi sabi niya hintayin ko daw siya rito sa parking lot."

" Sure! May itatanong nga pala ako sa iyo. Ano ang tunay na pangalan ni DD?" biglang sabi nito.

Nagulat siya sa tanong nito. " Bakit mo natanong?"

" Emy-Ems, una na ako..." wala nang chance na magsabi ng goodbye kay DD dahil ang bilis nitong umalis. "Bakit kaya ganun yun today?"

" Emy-Ems???"

" Ah, wala lang... May kahawig kasi siyang guy that I know before..." sabi lang nito...

" Ah... Daniel Diaz..." tipid na sagot ni MM.

" D-da-daniel D-diaz?" nanginginig nitong sabi.

" Oo, bakit kilala mo siya?" wala sa sariling tanong ni MM dahil kinuha niya ang librong binabasa niya tuwing umaga kapag hinihintay si Freya.

" Daniel Diaz... Daniel Diaz... Daniel..." paulit ulit niyang sinasabi sa utak niya.

" I'm back!" bigla niyang nasabi. Nagulat naman si MM. " Ha?! Ano?"

" Wala... Can I go muna. May isusubmit pa ako sa General Office nakalimutan ko eh..." palusot niya.

" O sige, bye kita na lang tayo mamaya sa classroom."

****
"Daniel! Daniel! Wait!" biglang napatigil si DD. Kilala niya ang boses. Dahil na nga paulit ulit pumapasok sa isip niya ang boses ng babe kagabi pa. " Emily..." sabi niya sa isip niya.

Lumingon siya at nakitang ang maaliwalas at masayang mukha ng babae. " Yes?"

" Daniel, don't you remember me. Don't you remember my name?" tanong nito.

" Huh?" nagmamaang maangan nitong sagot.

" Don't you remember me? I'm Emy-ems! Your firend way bay our elementary years!" malakas  nitong sabi . Buti nalang walang mga tao dahil palaging maaga kung pumasok si DD at MM.

"I'm back Daniel. I'm back..." sabi nito na mahina ang boses. " See you around later... I'm going to our classroom..."

" Yeah your back... I don't know what you mean... But I definitely, your back..." sabi ni DD sa sarili...

****
" Hey Dee! Why do you look so out of this world today huh?!" pang-aasar nito. " Ikaw ang out of this world! Halata ka talaga eh. Pag kasama natin si Fretz napakahilig mong matulala!" ganting asar nito.

" Tumigil ka! I-secret mo yan!"

" Eh pano kung ayoko?!" sabi ni DD na natatawa sa reaksyon ng kaibigan...

" Sino si Emily sa buhay mo ha?!" biglang tanong nito.

Bigla siya napatigil... " Sino si Emily sa buhay ko?"

" Oo. Sino siya ha?! Bakit may pa I'm back, I'm back pa siyang sinasabi ha?!" curious nitong tanong...

" Man, stop it... " umupo siya sa upuan niya at tumingin sa labas ng bintana.

****
LUNCH TIME

" Patabi ha..." biglang tumabi si Emily kay DD. Dapat ay si Ann ang katabi nito pero naunang umupo si DD. Makikitabi sana si Ann para magpaturo ng homework na hindi niya nagawa kagabi. Si MM at Fretz ay nasa General Office at inaassist ang mga teachers na nandoon.

" Ian, patabi na langat tsaka paturo na rin pala." tumango lang si Ian. Si Emily kumakain ng tahimik pero halatang masaya.

Si DD, pinapakiramdaman ang ginagawa ni Emily at sinusulyapan si Ann.

Si Ian naging busy sa pagtuturo. Si Sam at Bret ay nasa basketball practice nila.

" So, ito yun ang answer.. Right?" tanong ni Ann.

" Hindi mo alam yan?" sabi ni Emily na parang minamaliit si Ann. " It's so easy..."

" Yeah, correct... So, next question..."  Napatingin si Ian kay Emily  " Ang yabang naman nito... Kabago bagong estudyante ganyan kung umasta. Kung sana siya si MM..." sabi niya sa isip niya...