Chapter Ten: Part One

“Red, could you get that bag of cornick, thanks.”

He grabbed it from the shelf and placed it on the grocery cart. Red wondered why Leni kept on stacking packs of dried mangoes and hopia when her mom just asked them to buy fresh milk and sugar. She explained to him that she would give them to Aldo as a pasalubong to his relatives in Vienna. To mask his jealousy, he added packs of pancit canton and a bottle of soy sauce.

“These items would be expensive if they would buy them there.”
“Thanks, Red. By the way, I’m going to meet with him the week after this.”
“Okay. Leni, my parent’s silver anniversary would be this coming Saturday, I want you to come with me. I’ll introduce you to them.”

Leni couldn’t believe with what she heard.
“Are you serious?”
“Mukha ba akong nagbibiro?”

Red smiled. Without saying a word, she wrapped her arms around him. They caught the attention of the shoppers inside the grocery. A gay man walked near them, clapped his hands and exclaimed.

“Magaling! Magaling! How sweet?! Gusto niyo ba ng chicharon at lobo? Para kayong nasa Luneta, Mag PDA daw bas a grocery?! Ang ‘chaka’ niyo ha.”

Upon recognizing a familiar voice, Leni removed her arms and turned around. It was their former professor.

“Sir, kumusta na kayo?”
“Okay naman, eto bongga pa rin. Kayo na pala ulit.”
“Opo kami na po ulit ni Leni.”
“Napaka-husay, sana kayo na ang magka-tuluyan. Isang athlete at theater girl, perfect combination. Basta kung kailangan niyo ng emcee slash entertainer sa kasal niyo, mura lang ang raket ko.”

Leni and Red laughed at their professor’s antic.

Chapter Nine:Part Six

Leni sat beside the window, random thoughts ran through her mind. She remembered the time when Aldo took her to the bus terminal. She can’t help but smile. She was probably, falling for him, she just didn’t know.

It dawned to her that Aldo it would take someone special for him because he made a person realize that he or she is valued. Leni should know because this is what she experienced that summer. This is something that she still hopes to find in her relationship with Red.

“Why are you smiling?” Red asked.
“I just remembered my vacation here last summer.”
“Yeah, I know. Aldo and Mong told us about the play that you guys did. Nag-enjoy nga daw kayo.”

Red and Leni stood silent for a while. He stared at her while she glanced at the window. That bracelet that he gave her during college was still there. This assured him that she still loves him despite what he did to her in the past. Then, he knew that he shouldn’t let her go this time.

Adam broke in and offered them a bag of chips.

“Gusto niyo?”
“No, thanks.” Red replied.
“Guys, parang nakita ko minsan si Aldo sa university.”
“Oo, prof siya dun eh. Sa College of Education.” Leni said.
“Hindi dun sa coffee shop. Pero, hindi ako sure ah, isang beses ko lang naman na-encounter yung tao.”

Faith said,

“Baka nga kamukha lang.”



Leni was silent during the rest of the trip. Adam and Faith noticed something different with her.

“I notice something about Leni. Ikaw, may napapansin ka ba?” Adam asked Faith.
“Oo nga eh, Iba ngiti niya ngayon. Parang iba siya kumilos kanina kay Aldo, yung tipong masyadong natutuwa. Pero wag siguro natin bigyan ng kulay yun, kasi magkababata sila. At isa pa, ngayon lang natin si Aldo nakita.”
“Sa bagay, tama ka. Magsasabi naman si Leni sa atin eh. Natanong ko lang siguro kasi medyo nagseselos si Red kay Aldo.”
“Adam, takot lang siya na baka gawin din sa kanya ni Leni yung ginawa niya dati.”
“Faith, yan ka na naman eh. Baka mapa-away ka niyan ha.”
“Sorry, ayoko lang kasi makitang masaktan yung kaibigan natin. Yung histura niya kasi, parang natalo sa lotto.”
“Para kang sira, ginawa mo namang katatawanan si Leni.”
“Ang panget lang talaga.”
“O, tama na, baka marinig ka nila. Inaantok na ako, paki-gising na lang ako pag nasa Manila na tayo ha.”

While Adam was asleep, Faith kept glancing at her friend.

Chapter Nine:Part Five

After that conversation with Aldo’s mother, she excused herself and went back to the table.
When she got back, Aldo and Mong currently dishes their childhood experiences to them.

“Did I miss something?” Leni asked

“Leni, umaakyat ka pala ng gate para makapag-laro sa labas ha. Hindi namin alam na ‘amazona’ ka dati.” Red said while chuckling.

She just laughed about it and so did the rest of them. While they were exchanging their own stories of embarrassment, Leni left the table again and entered the house.





She went to the living room where all the pictures of Lolo Celso and his family hanging on the wall. A voice behind her said,

“Doesn’t he look handsome in that picture?”

Leni turned around and realized that it was Aldo.

“Oh, I didn’t know that you were here. You almost frightened me. Anyway, I was just staring at these photos.”
“I know how much you’ll miss him. My family planned to go home and spend Christmas with him this year. Unfortunately, he passed away because of heart attack. Needless to say, he left us sooner that we have expected.”
“Same here. I was actually looking forward to spend Christmas here in the province because I promised him that I’ll be back. So, what are you planning to do now?”

He paused before answering her.

“Well, I’ll be going with Mom in Austria. Probably, stay for six months and work.”
“You’re leaving? What about Carol and your work here?”
“Yes, things have been complicated between the two of us. I need to take some time off so that the two of us would figure out where our relationship will be going.”
“Okay, I understand. Who am I to stop you from leaving, right? I’m just Agatha’s cousin.”
“Leni, please don’t say that. Hindi ka na iba sa amin. I won’t stay there for good. Once I got back, I’ll resume teaching in the university and co-manage our business with my cousins.”
“Sorry for being melodramatic, I probably just said that because I hate goodbyes.”
“I’m not saying goodbye. Once, I got there I’ll let you know.”
“Yeah, you’re right. What’s the use of emails, right?”
“I’ll keep in touch, I promise”
“Aldo, size five ha?”

He chuckled and said.

“Sure, just keep me updated in your life. Ikaw naman kasi, hindi ka nagku-kwento, kayo na pala ulit ni Red, ilang buwan lang ang lumipas.”
“Sorry, medyo busy sa trabaho eh. I guess, Red told you about my job.”
“Yes, he did. It’s a good thing that someone is there for you. Well, I wish I was there too.”
“What?”
“Nothing, forget it. I just remembered those times whenever I defended you with those bullies in your neighborhood. You always come home crying. “
“Yeah, I was young then. You know how nasty those kids could be .But they backed off after you talked to them. Don’t worry about me; I could take care of myself now. Big Girl na ako.”


The two were silent for a while. Leni hate to admit it but she realized that she missed him, so was he.
She wanted to hold his hand but she can’t because she’s already with someone else. She wished to stay longer and catch up but she have to get back to Manila.

A few seconds later, Red, Adam, and Faith came.

“There you are. Leni, I’m sorry to interrupt the two of you, but we have to catch next trip.” Red said.
“Yeah, I know. I’ll be there in a minute.” Leni replied.

Before she left, Leni asked Aldo a favor.

“Aldo, can I have something that would remind me of Lolo Celso?”
“Sure, I’ll just get something in his room.”

He handed her a pocket size image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“He always brings this when he travels. Tamang-tama, kakailanganin niyo to sa biyahe.”
“Thanks, Aldo.”
“I’m glad that I was able to meet your friends. They shared to us about your college days. They were fun to be with, especially Faith.”
“Yeah, ‘kalog’ talaga si Faith. Isn’t it funny that we’re both in the same university but we didn’t have the chance to meet?”
“I know. I guess, napaka-laki ng university para magkita tayo, tapos magka-layo pa tayo ng building. Anyway, Adam mentioned that you love to hang-out at La Prinsesa.”
“Yes. In fact, we were the loyal customers of that coffee shop. Do you go there?”
“Yes. How did you become loyal customers?”
“The place has been our favorite tambayan since first year because of the artsy ambience and inexpensive coffee. Plus, we heard that it is owned by a former student and was named after a girl. We were really intrigued about that.”
“You did your research huh?”
“A little, but what I really want is to meet the owner of that shop and write a blog entry about it. After all, that coffee shop has been a witness in my college days. Ano ba yan? Napa-kwento na ako ng wala sa lugar. Anyway, you should visit there more often.”
“That’s okay. Gusto mo ba, magkita tayo doon bago ako umalis?”
“Sige, ibibili kita ng mga pwede mong baunin, yung mga pagkain na wala doon sa Vienna. Paano, alis na ako, naghihintay na sila Red sa akin.”
“Ingat kayo ha. Mag-text ka pag-uwi mo sa bahay .”
“Sige.”

Before leaving the house, Aldo called her again.

“Leni”
“Yes?”
“I hope that Red would take care of you.”
“Of course, he does. Don’t worry about it. Ayusin niyo yung sa inyo ni Carol ha?”

Aldo didn’t say a word, he just smiled instead.

Chapter Nine:Part Four

The next day, the four of them, together with Aunt Juana went to the church to attend the last mass for Lolo Celso. Upon reaching the coffin, tears rolled down on Leni’s face. A few seconds later, Aldo came and comforted her.

“Kailan ka pa dumating?”
“Kagabi lang, pasensya ka na,hindi ako nakapunta kagabi.”
“Okay lang yun, alam ko namang napagod ka sa biyahe. May kasama ka ba?”
“Oo,bukod kay Tita Juana, sina Adam at Faith, at yung boyfriend ko. Ipapakilala ko sila sa’yo mamaya.”

Upon seeing Aldo embracing Leni, Red can’t help but get jealous. He was about to stand up but Faith pulled him back.

“Red, what are you doing?”
“I will just ask Leni to go back here.”
“What’s with you? Nagse-selos ka ba?”
“Eh paanong hindi ako magse-selos, tignan mo nga kung paano maka-yakap yun sa girlfriend ko.”
“Ang sabihin mo, nagi-guilty ka lang sa mga ginawa mo dati kay Leni, kaya natatakot ka na pwedeng gawin niya yan sa’yo.”
“Hindi naman sa ganun..”
“Hay naku Red, wag ka nang magpa-liwanang alam ko na nagse-selos ka talaga. Halata naman eh.”
“Oo, aminado ako.”
“Pag si Adam ba niyakap si Leni, sila na?”

Red got embarrassed that he didn’t answer her question. Faith went on and said.

“Ang dumi naman ng isip mo. Alam naman nating lahat na ikaw pa lang ang naigiging boyfriend ni Leni. Yang si Aldo,boyfriend dati ni Agatha. Kaya matagal na silang magka-kilala. Pero, ngayong summer lang sila ulit nagkita ni Aldo.Hay naku Red, isipin mo na lang na faithful si Leni sa’yo. Kaibigan namin siya at alam namin na hindi ka niya pagta-taksilan.”

Adam asked them to keep quiet because the people were starting to notice them.

“Huy! Ang ingay niyong dalawa. Nakaka-hiya, sabit lang tayo dito.Umayos kayo ha.”

Faith bluffed,
“Si Red kasi eh.”
“Huh? Anong ako?”



Aldo ushered Leni and her aunt to the pew were the rest of his relatives were sitting. She asked her why and he told him that his late grandfather counted her as a part of their family. This made her broke into tears even more. She sat beside Dana and the rest of his cousins. She patted Leni’s back as she was sobbing. Leni was crying because she once again lost another person that touched her life.

The church was overflowed with flowers and filled with relatives and friends. After the burial, all of them headed back to Aldo’s house for merienda. Leni finally had the chance to introduce her companion to them. While Leni was getting pansit from the buffet table, Aldo talked to the three of them.

“So you must be Leni’s friends. She told me a lot of things about you.”

Faith was the first to answer.

“Actually, it’s just the two of us. This is Red, her boyfriend. They got back a couple of months ago. But, it’s a long story. Just ask her for the details.”

Adam pulled Faith and whispered,

“Faith, ang daldal mo. It’s inappropriate to talk about it. Umayos ka nga.”

Aldo veered from the topic and began to talk about the play that they performed last summer. He mentioned that He and Leni got the lead role. Then, he also told them that they had a great time during the rehearsals.

Red just smiled so that it wouldn’t be obvious that he’s getting uncomfortable with Aldo. Even if he knew that there’s nothing went on between them, he can’t help but get jealous. This was his first time to feel this way towards Leni.


---

While placing the pansit on her plate, a rotund, middle-aged woman approached Leni with excitement.

“Leni , Do you remember me?”

She smiled at her as she realized that it was Aldo’s mom.

“Tita Jean? Kumusta na po?”
“Mabuti naman. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Tita, I hope you don’t mind. Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Where’s Carol? I didn’t saw her in the church earlier.”

Aldo’s mom rolled her eyes and said.
“Oh, I pretend that you didn’t ask. She was here yesterday, but she left early.”
“I see. Tita, why did you react that way? Is there something wrong?.”
“No. It’s just that I have doubts about the two of them.”
“Why? How can you say that? May nangyari po ba?.”
“As a mother, I can sense that Carol is hiding something. Aldo on the other hand seems that he’s not that serious with their relationship. Parang hindi siya masyadong masaya. Hindi siya ganyan nung sila pa ni Agatha.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but are you in favor with them?”
“Honestly, I’m not. I would rather wish that my son is with someone else, hindi yung maririnig ko na palagi na lang sila nag-aaway. Paano kung mag-asawa na sila? ”
“Tita, baka naman po kaya pa nilang ayusin yung relationship nila.”
“I hope so. I’ll pray for a miracle. Anyway, let’s not talk about her. How about you? Are you still studying?”
“No, Tita. I’m already working.”
“I see. Sino yung mga kasama mo?”
“Those were my friends and the tall guy beside them is my boyfriend.”
“I see , he looks ‘artistahin.’. Most of my nephews were staring at him earlier, asking his name. Yun pala, boyfriend mo.Gaano na kayo katagal?”
“Going three years na po kami, kung hindi lang kami nag-break dati. Pero, okay na po kami ngayon.”
“Okay, that’s good. I hope that your relationship would work out this time.”


Leni got flattered with what she said.

“Thanks Tita. I’m glad that you still remember me because the last time that we saw each other was like twelve years ago,before you move to Vienna. Ate Agatha and Aldo were still in high school then.”
“Of course, how can I forget you? Ikaw yung batang makulit noon. Whenever you felt out of place, you headed on our kitchen grabbing their snacks before it was served. And, if you’re not in the kitchen, you patiently listen to my father’s stories. I also know that you spent time with him last summer at dapat kami ang nandoon. We really appreciated that.”
“Oh, that’s nothing Tita. I should be the one to be thankful because whenever I’m here, I feel like I’m a part of your family.”
“You are Leni, just like your cousin. Hindi ka na rin ibang tao sa amin.”

Chapter Nine: Part Four

After the five hour trip from Manila, the four of them headed first to Aunt Juana’s house. Leni introduced them to her. While Leni was sleeping, her aunt took the chance to talk with Adam, Faith, and Red in the living room. While Red was browsing through the old photo albums, her aunt conversed with the two of them.

“How long did you know my niece?”

“We were classmates in college po.” Faith replied.

“By the way Tita, Leni and Red got back together. That’s why he’s with us.” Adam added.

“I see, bakit pala kayo nakasama?”

“Si Leni po kasi ayaw lumakad mag-isa.Tapos po,simula nung nag-trabaho kami, minsan na lang po kami mag-bonding kaya simantala na namin.Nandun po ba kayo nung libing ni Nanay?”

“Naku, wala ako nun, nasa Dubai pa ako. Hindi pa kasi ako pinayagan umuwi nung may-ari nung kumpanya namin.”

“Ahh, talaga po? Ano po ba ang naging trabaho niyo doon?”

“Manager ako sa isang hotel.

“Ahh kaya pala si Agatha, tumira kina Leni nung college siya.”

“Oo, alam ko kasi na mahal magpa-aral eh. Umuwi lang ako sandali nung namatay yung anak ko.”

“Ganun po ba? Eh, kailan po ba kayo umuwi dito ‘for good’?”

“Last year lang, Faith. Nag-retiro na kasi ako.Alam niyo,kahit mag-isa na lang ako ngayon sa buhay, hindi na ako nalulungkot”

“Bakit naman po?”

“Nandiyan naman si Leni, para ko na rin siyang anak.”

“Talaga po? Alam niyo po ba, binilin po siya sa amin ni Nanay bago siya mamatay. Nandun po kasi kami nung nangyari yun. Ang dami talagang, nagmamahal kay Leni, hindi lang niya alam.”

“Adam,Faith, hindi niyo siya masi-sisi, kasi hindi biro yung mga napag-daanan niya nung maliit pa siya. Kaya madalas, sumpungin, o kaya naman mabilis magtampo. Pero, mabait naman si Leni kahit ganun. Onting pang-unawa lang ang kailangan niya.

“Oo nga po medyo sumpungin nga si Leni. Kahit ganun po siya, totoo naman siyang tao.”

“Tita, kailan po ba tayo pupunta sa burol?”

“Pwedeng mamaya para sa huling lamay o bukas para sa libing. Pero, hintayin niyo na lang gumising si Leni para maka-decide kayo.”

“O sige po. Saan po ba namin ilalagay yung mga bag namin?”

“Faith, dun kayo ni Leni sa kwarto ni Agatha. Tapos, si Red at Adam, sa guest room. Magpahinga muna kayo, kung pupunta kayo mamaya sa lamay.”

When Faith placed her bag at the corner of the room, Leni woke up and yawned.

“Faith, what time is it?”

“It’s seven-thirty. Pupunta na ba tayo sa lamay?”

“Wag muna, magpahinga muna kayo. Hindi pa kaya ng loob ko.Nasaan sina Adam at Red?”

“Ahh ganun ba? O sige, ikaw ang bahala. Silang dalawa, nasa guest room. Leni, ang ganda pala dito noh?”

“Oo nga eh, si Tita Juana kasi mahilig sa halaman. Ang daming magagandang bahay dito. Actually, pinaka-magandang nakita ko dito yung bahay nila Aldo.Ang ganda ng garden nila. Doon tumatambay yung barkada nila Ate Agatha, tapos palagi akong kasama. Pero, saling-pusa lang. Wala kasi akong maka-laro dun eh.”

“Kaya ba naging-close ka kay Lolo Celso?”

“Oo, palagi niya akong nakikita na mag-isa, kaya kinakausap niya ako.Naalala ko tuloy nung tinuruan niya akong gumawa ng elesi. Sabi ni Aldo, palagi niya ako hinahanap nung hindi na ako pumupunta dito.”

“Talaga? Nakaka-tuwa naman. Alam mo, matagal na ka na naming kaibigan ni Adam. Pero, ngayon na nandito tayo, parang ang dami pa naming hindi alam tungkol sa pagkabata mo. Siyempre, college ka lang namin nakilala. Hmmm, siguro, yang si Aldo, maraming maiku-kwento.”

“Nyek! Baka ilaglag lang ako nun.”

“Goodluck Leni. Hahaha!”

Chapter Nine: Part Two

They were in the living room, laughing at the flick that they’re watching, when Leni’s phone rang. At first, she doesn’t want to answer it because she got carried away with the hilarious scenes, but Red insisted.

“Hi Leni, Mong here.”
“Oh, hi there. Kumusta na kayo diyan?”
“Mabuti naman. What’s with the noise?”
“We’re watching a movie. Wait, I’ll step outside so I could hear you.”
“Ok.”

Leni went to the veranda.

“Ok, the reception is better here. Napatawag ka ata.”
“Leni, there’s something that I would like to tell you, wag kang mabibigla ha.”
“What is it? Bakit parang kinabahan ka.”
“Lolo Celso passed away this morning?”
“What?! This can’t happen; I promised him that I’ll be back in December!”
“I’m sorry Leni.”
“Kailan ang libing?”
“Sunday next week, hihintayin pa kasi umuwi yung mga kamag-anak nila Aldo sa ibang bansa.”
“Basta, pupunta ako diyan.”


A few minutes after sobbing, she went back to the living room. She tried to pretend that everything was okay, but her eyes can’t hide it.

“Umiyak ka noh?” Adam said
“Hindi, marami lang akong nakain na wasabi.” Leni replied as she wiped her tears.

Faith patted her back and said.
“Sus, hindi ka na makakapag-tago sa amin. Alam namin kung umiyak ka o hindi. Ano ba yung sinabi nung kausap mo kanina?”
“Wala na kasi si Lolo Celso, yung lolo ni Aldo. Naging malapit kasi ako sa kanya nung nagbakasyon ako dun sa probinsya. Nung nandun ako, tinuring niya ako na parang tunay na apo.Doon ko lang naranasan kung ano ang pakiramdam ng may lolo. ”
“Naintindihan namin, Leni.So, ano na ang plano mo? Pupunta ka ba?”
“Oo, pupunta ako sa Sabado. Pwede niyo ba akong samahan? Para kasing hindi ko kakayanin kapag ako lang ang pumunta dun eh.”
“Naku Leni, problema yung shift namin ni Adam. Di bale, makiki-usap na lang ako sa supervisor namin. Pero, ikaw muna ang magbayad ng ticket sa bus kasi wala na kaming oras pumunta sa terminal.”
“Huh? Kulang ang pera ko, next week pa ang sweldo.”

Red broke in and said

“Sasama rin ako. Ako na ang magbabayad ng ticket niyo.”

“Sigurado ka? Baka kailangan ka dito,limang oras ang biyahe dun ha.” Leni said.

He held Leni’s hand and said.

“Hindi, magpapa-alam na ako ng maaga. Maiitndihan naman nila siguro yun eh.”

“Yan naman pala Leni, may pakinabang din ang boyfriend mo!” Faith exclaimed.

“Babes, wag mong pagsamantalahan yang si Red. Nagmama-gandang loob na nga yung tao, aasarin mo pa.” Adam said.

Leni imperceptibly asked.

“Bakit ‘babes’ ang tawagan niyo?Dahil ba mataba kayo dati?”

“Leni, isa ka pa ha. Alaskador kayo parehas ni Faith.” Adam said.

Chapter Nine: Part One

Red began to pick her up from the office and drive her home every week. Since then, those guys backed off. What has been weekly between Leni and Red become daily. Eventually, they got back together.

The two of them started from scratch. He did some things that he never did to a girl before. Red was used that a girl would take care of him, just what Leni did to him before. Every league that Red’s team joined, she and some Teatro members would make banners in order to support them. But this time, it was the other way around. Red was the one who adjusted first in their relationship. He used to be late whenever he would meet Leni, but now, he is always five minutes early.

Leni once shared to him how much she missed hanging out with her two best friends. Red wanted to win the two of them because he knew from the start that they were not in favor of him. So, he bought some VCD of tagalong teeny boppers, and invited Adam and Faith to watch it with them.

Faith and Leni were preparing their food in the kitchen, while Red and Adam were selecting the film to be watched.

Faith was placing the potato chips on a bowl, while Leni was pouring Sprite on the glasses. She accidentally dropped a glass on the floor and got motionless afterwards. Her face turned pale.

“What’s wrong?” Faith asked.

“I don’t know. After the glass fell on the floor, I sensed that something bad will happen.”

“Leni, don’t believe in superstitions.”

“Anyway, what’s with Red. He’s not like this before. Parang nagpapa-good shot sa amin eh.”

“Uy, hindi ko yan sinasabihan ah. Kusa siyang nag-imbita dito, sinabi ko kasi na nami-miss ko kayo. Kaya yun, nag-presenta siya.”

“Hay naku, sana totoo yung mga kinikilos niya. Kung hindi, lagot siya sa akin.”

“Hayaan, niyo na yung tao. Bigyan niyo na lang ng chance.”

Before, their ‘bonding moments’ seemed to bore Red because he used to go out in bar with his friends. But this time, he enjoyed hanging out with Adam and Faith.

While assembling the DVD player, Adam asked Red.

“Red, bakit mo naman naisipan na papuntahin kami dito?”

“Gusto ko kasi ma-experience kung paano kayo mag-bondig.”

“Ganun? Hindi kami katulad ng barkada mo ha. Hindi namin puntahan yung mga gimikan niyo.”

“Okay lang yun. Eh, ano pa ba ang ginagawa niyo, bukod sa manood ng mga movies?”

“Minsan, kumakain kami ng fishball o isaw sa labas, manood ng play sa ibang university, pumunta sa mall, o kaya naman, pumunta sa mga museum.”

“Talaga? Pare, minsan isama niyo naman ako sa iba pang lakad niyo. Sa totoo lang, may mga bagay din ako na gusto kong gawin pero hindi ko magawa kasi iniisip ko kung ano ang sasabihin ng barkada ko.”

“Oo naman, basta wag mo na lang sasaktan si Leni ulit. Tatapatin na kita, kami ang nag-encourage sa kanya pumunta sa probinsya kasi masyado siyang na-apektuhan dun sa paghi-hiwalay niyo dati.”

“Ah ganun ba? Hindi ko na talaga gagawin yun sa kanya. Kaya ko naman ito ginagawa kasi, gusto talaga makabawi sa kanya.Pare, wag kang mabibigla ah.Akala ko talaga nung una, bakla ka. Puro babae kasi kasama mo.”

“Sobra ka naman,Red. Hindi lang dahil mahilig ako sa damit eh, nanganga-hulugan na bakla ako. Pare, iba ang style ko manligaw, binabarkada ko muna, tsaka ako magtatappat. Mas makiki-lala ka ng babae pag ganun.”

“Kaya ba ganun ang ginawa mo kay Faith?”

“Oo, Pare. Marami na akong nakilala, pero hindi basta-basta yung mga tulad ni Faith. Red, okay na yung adaptor.”