Even After Everything (After #1) (COMPLETED)

26: Marco

"Sorry, hyung, ah?" malumanay nitong sabi. "I know it's not my fault na ngayong date ang binigay pero..."

"Come on!" tawa ko. "Hindi mo talaga kasalanan! Look, they probably didn't know either na masama ang panahon sa araw ng bakasyon na regalo nila sa'yo. But we're here now! Does anything still matter?"

Now wearing a black Midnight Cullen band shirt, he gave me a tepid, but still unsure, smile. "Salamat, hyung... Sana gumanda na 'yung panahon bukas."

"Don't fret about it. I've extended our days here, anyway." bulong ko at naupo na sa sahig. "Have you written a lot already?"

"Not really..."

Tumikhim ako. "Imposible..."

He chuckled and continued strumming the guitar. Did I tell him already how much I missed him after being away for so long?

Nah. Of course, not. We just had a fight right when we saw each other again, right? Alam kong nagselos siya bigla dahil sa inaasta ng kasama. But how could I defend what's really normal? Normal for Zid? Paano pa kaya kung sumama siya sa amin e 'di lagi kaming magkagalit?

Thankfully, he abated and apologized for it. I tried explaining the nature of that friend of ours pero hindi ko alam kung nakinig ba siya. He brought me home first, helped me unpack, Johann even treated some of my legs scars, before he surprised me with another trip.

At first, I almost turned it down. Why? For Pete's sake, I just got one! But as soon as he explained where he got it, how it's not his original idea, I softened up only for him and said yes. Hindi ko na sinabi sa kaniya na pagod ako dahil ayokong sirain 'yung pag-look forward niya.

I remember asking him why me? I learned Norwyn asked him who he was going with on this trip and he faltered while answering me. Parang hindi sigurado. Parang takot.

It left a stain on my head. And yesterday, Norwyn messaged me with a news headline about... Johann and I. Apparently, somebody recognized us, pictured us, then sent it to any devil outlets they knew. Now, nabalita na magkasama kaming dalawa para sa ibang bakasyon.

Of course, I was taken aback, but mostly furious, pero binasa ko pa rin iyon. I could still remember how loud my heart was beating while going through it... Akala ko... Akala ko may nakapansin na nang kakaiba sa amin pero... How could the title be misleading?

They put out a title like we're secretly dating each other, but in the article, they're just questioning why there's only two of us!

I don't think Johann knows but...

"I've always wanted to write a song about us..." he whispered, completely pulling me out of my reverie.

"Then do it." I smiled. "Kung kaya kitang tulungan, I would. But you know..."

We both chuckled. There's no need to explain it further. I know we always say to our fans and to everyone we're all involved in our album making, though it's true, but when it comes to writing and producing the songs? They knew where to find me: in the corner, waiting to be called to record.

"Hindi ko alam pero..."

He tried hitting some notes and it turned out bad pero wala akong sinabi. "Why? Hindi mo alam kung paano? Aren't they saying when you're in love, you're completely inspired?"

"Hyung, I could write many verses and chorus about the moment I've met you from today but... Ang hirap magsulat ng kanta tungkol sa takot ko na mawala ka."

Unbidden, my speech went lost. He seemed serious about it: his face is devoid of any emotions but blankness. Hindi naka-kurba ang mga labi at tila hirap na hirap.