Seven and Nine (FIN)

Fifty Eight

Nine's

"Hey Nine"

"Huh? What is it?"

"You're spacing out. I called you thrice already. Is there something wrong?"

Umalis ako sa pagkakasandal sa pader at lumabas ng recording studio. Nagrerecording kasi si Seven at pumunta ko dito para i-check ang mga kanta nya. Kaso kahit anong pilit kong mag-focus, hindi ko magawa. My mind is still thinking about John and what he said last night. Dapat diba nabawasan na ang alalahanin ko? Kasi isa ang kasal sa pinoproblema ko. Pero for some reason, hindi ko magawa. Mas naguguilty pa nga ako.

"Nothing. Go back and continue your recording. I'll go check out Ju-hee for the meantime"

"Wait Nine!" I stop walking and face him. "You still doesn't clearly answer my question on who you really are. Why did you say that there's a possibility that I might hate you once I know the real you? What are you hiding from me?"

"Seven, this is not the right time to talk about this. You should focus on your recordings"

"But Nine--"

"Please, Seven. Just...not now. Okay?"

Wala syang nagawa kundi tumango na lang sakin at hayaan akong makalayo. Malalaman nya rin naman eh. Hindi lang sa ngayon. Masyado na kong maraming iniisip para idagdag pa ang posibleng mangyari.

(ring ring)

Kinuha ko ang phone sa bulsa ng pantalon ko at tiningnan ang caller id. Si Justin pala.

"Hello?"

"Hi Nine. How's your vacation?" he chuckled at the other line as if teasing me.

"I'm not here for a vacation and you know that, Just"

"Haha. I'm just kidding. So? Kelan ka babalik? You still have a lot of things to do here na pinasa mo sakin haha"

"Sorry about that, Justin. Promise. I'll make it up to you. Give me less than three weeks. After Seven's concert, I'll go back asap"

"Okay. Don't extend a little longer. Baka mamiss kita ng sobra mahirap na hahaha"

"Baliw ka talaga. Oh wait. Kumusta na yung pinapahanap ko sayo?"

"Wala pa rin. Pero kumuha na ko ng tao to investigate it deeper. Sabi nya, it must be kept safe somewhere in the hospital. Inaalam ko pa but I'll let you know agad kapag may nalaman ako"

"Sige. Kapag wala kang nahanap, we'll go over it pagbalik ko. Sigurado akong hindi nila dinispatcha ang video since nandun pa si Janet that time. I'm still tracking her whereabouts pero wala parin. Please keep an eye on them for now"

"Don't worry, Nine. Leave it to me. Sandali I have good news for you before you go"

"I'm dying to hear a good news. Well?"

"Your bestfriends Katy and Jiho. I saw them in a restaurant a couple of days ago. Looks like they are in speaking terms now"

"Wow. I'm glad to hear that, Justin. Thank you for telling me"

"No prob. So you should date me when you get back hahahaha"

"Hay naku. Araw araw na nga tayong nagdedate sa Manila humihingi ka pa ng isa. Pano? Gotta go. Take care of yourself ha? Bye"

"Haha. You too, Nine. Bye"

"Unnie Nine!"

Ju-hee called me pagkababa ko pa lang ng phone. Kakalabas nya pa lang ng practice room kung saan pupuntahan ko pa lang sya dapat kung hindi tumawag si Justin.