BRYSON 18
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (GRADE 11)
CANDACE'e eyes fluttered open when she heard a sound of breaking glass. Her heart pounded, and even with her hazy state, she immediately sat up, and went out of bed to check what was it, or where did it come from. An idea came in Candace's mind but she's hoping that it is not her parents like she used to know, and as she walked down stairs, she's holding into hopes.
She's hoping that it was just an accident.
She's hoping that it's not her mom, or her dad.
She's hoping for the impossible.
She's hoping that her parents are downstairs, having a great time, and a glass slipped in the kitchen counter because of their playfulness, while waiting for her to wake up. She's hoping that it is what she's hoping for, even though every morning, a silence—a dreadful silence will greet her down stairs.
And when she finally reached downstairs, her heart thumped in excitement when she saw her mom in the living room...but it was a snap of excitement when she saw her mom wiping her tears, and pulling her hair out of frustrations.
Bumagal ang lakad niya, at hindi alam ang sasabihin. Napatingin siya sa main door, at nakita niya mula sa driveway ng bahay nila ang sasakyan ng ama na papalabas ng gate nila.
Malalim siyang napalunok. She can feel her insides tearing apart, once again.
Absentmindedly, she walked towards her mom, like how she walked towards her father days ago when she got home late because she's with Bryson up until midnight, comforting her, because both of her parents cannot do it in their accord.
They know nothing about her, as much she knows nothing about her parents either.
"Mommy..." she called. She felt like a little kid even though she's almost on her legal age.
Parang natauhan ang ina niya at umangat ang tingin nito sa kaniya, habang naka-upo siya sa sofa. Candace played wit her fingers, not knowing what to say.
"Princess..." balik na tawag nito. Halata sa boses ng ina ang pagod na hindi niya malaman kung saan nanggaling, at kung bakit ito pagod.
"Do you need something?" it sounded careless.
Candace wanted to smile bitterly, hearing her mom asked.
Umiling lang siya bago unti-unting tumalikod.
Candace silently walked back to her room. She has a lot of needs to say. She has a lot of things to say to her mom. She has a lot of questions to ask. All of her life was full on confusion that she's trying to ignore just for the sake of her family. She's trying to be unbothered from the eyes of her parents around her because she knows, that once she asked...once she slipped...she knows that there would be a consequence on it, and she can't bear to handle it.
She can't bear to lose the family she's trying hard to hold together...even it consumes her.
She will strive harder... she will do anything... she will not be losing any hope like what she promised to her father that night.
She won't give up.
That time will come, that her family will be back like how it used to.
Like even she has no single emotion on her face, but her heart will be at its fullest.
She will just be patient...
AFTER an hour, Candace was already full clothed, and ready to go to school. Nang maka-baba siya ay nakita niyang winawalis ng katulong ang nabasag na kung ano mang bagay, na siyang paniguro niyang iyon ang naka-gising sa kaniya kanina.
"Good morning ma'am Candace, nakahanda na po—"
"No, thanks." Umiling siya at walang emosyong dinaanan ang katulong.
She heaved a breath before stepping out of their house. Napatingin siya sa orasan niya. She's actually an hour early from her usual routine. The sun on the horizon just almost risen, and she can feel the healthy sun on her skin. Mahamog pa halos ang labas habang nakatayo siya sa labas ng nakasaradong gate ng bahay nila. It's nearing ber-months so she understands the reason of the cold wind, and the thin fogs around.
Then her eyes settled on the house, proportionate to their house.
For a moment, she can feel at peace inside of her when she saw Bryson's house. Hindi niya alam kung bakit, pero pakiramdam niya, kapag nakikita niya ang bahay nila Bryson, at kapag nasa loob siya, ay pakiramdam niya may emosyon siya. She felt like she belongs there. She felt like she has a family she has always been hoping for.
With her cold feet, because of the cold weather, she slowly crossed the street, and carefully stood up in front of Bryson's house. Alam niyang kailangan niyang pindutin ang doorbell para makapasok siya sa loob, but with no thoughts in her, she just stared at Bryson's house.
Ilang minuto siyang nanatili sa ganoong posisyon, bago pinindot ang doorbell. Candace didn't wait that long. The gate opened right away, and the guard let her inside.
"Good Morning po." Bati niya sa guwardiya.
The guard greeted her back before motioning her to go inside. She crossed the path walk, and as she nears the main entrance of the house, she can already hear baby Bella's squeal ang laughter.
"Bellaaaa, kumain kaaaaa!" Bryson's strict yet soft voice invaded her ears next. Panigurong ito ang nagpapakain kay Bella. He's being a responsible first born, giving her mom and dad a time to rest.
She can also hear the clinks of the utensils against the plate. Walang tao sa living room pero rinig na rinig niya ang boses ni Bryson at ni Bella. She silently put her bag, and the coat of her uniform in the couch before heading to the kitchen.
Si Bryson ang unang nakapansin sa kaniya, at tama ang hinala niya. Bella is in his lap, and he's feeding her even Bella was trying to escape from Bryson's firm grip. Hawak ni Bryson ang maliit na kutsarita na kulay pink, habang suot nito ang isang jersy sando, at karga nito ang kapatid na kaunti na lang ay iiyak na.
"Uy, robottt!" Bryson beamed. Mula na nakabusangot na mukha ay umaliwalas ang mukha nito nang makita siya.
Bryson's parents looked at her, and even Bella's eyes settled on her, making baby Bella struggle more against Bryson's grip. Wala itong pakialam sa pagkain na pilit ibinibigay sa kaniya ng kapatid bilang almusal.
"Teeee! Teeeee!" Baby Bella reached for her, still trying to get away from Bryson.
"Good morning po." Bati niya sa magulang ni Bryson.
"Candace! Mabuti at nandito ka, halika. Sumabay ka na sa almusal." Alok sa kaniya ni Tita Becca.
She tried her hardest to smile, even it felt like she's forbidden to do it. Tumabi siya ng upo kay Bryson, at hindi na nagtakha ang mga magulang ni Bryson kung bakit siya nandito. Hindi na ang mga ito nagtanong ng kung ano pa man dahil sanay naman na sila na makasalo siya sa almusal ng walang pasabi, kahit hindi kasama si Macey at Arrow.
"Robot! Kain ka na." alok sa kaniya ni Bryson, at gamit ang isang kamay ay pilit siya nitong ipinagsasandok ng sinangag na ibinigay ni Tita Becca.
Kaagad niyang kinuha ang serving ng sinangag para hindi na mahirapan si Bryson, pero akmang gagawin niya pa lang ito nang magsimula nang umiyak si Bella habang pilit siyang inaabot.
"Te! Teeeee!" tili nito habang inaawat ni Bryson.
"Bryson, ibigay mo na." ani ng ama nito.
Bryson pouted and looked at her like a lost puppy. Napa-iling na lang siya at siya na ang kumuha kay Bella na masayang yumakap sa leeg niya kaagad. Naapakan nito ang skirt niya, at panigurong makukusot iyon pero wala naman siyang pakialam 'doon.
"Traydor, Bella. Ako ang kuya mo. Ako ang nagpapalit ng diapers mo, at ako ang bantay mo sa madaling araw—"
"Bryson!" suway ni Tita Becca.
"Ako ang kuya!" pinagdiinan pa 'rin ni Bryson habang bubulong-bulong sa ipinagsandok siya ng pagkain niya, habang siya ay busy kay Bella. Inabot niya ang bowl ng pagkain nito, at sinubukang pakainin ang bata.
"Say 'ahhh'" she motioned her mouth open so Bella would follow her lead.
Napatitig siya kay Bella. Hindi niya matandaan na naging ganito katigas ang ulo niya sa mga magulang niya. Once they feed her, she will gladly eat it, as long as it was her parents who will give her food, not anyone, even maids in their house.
Ang maybe, she still adapted in that kind of attitude dahil hanggat hindi luto ng grandparents ni Macey, o ni Arrow, o ni Tita Becca ay hinding-hindi siya kakain. She's not picky into food, but she doesn't trust people easily around her, and she doesn't even know why.
Maybe because she was lack of insights... she's lacking of point of view on how people are capable of doing good things.
She's lacking of discoveries around her, that made her put high walls, and thick limitations around her because all she sees is danger...
Or maybe because...
There's no one to protect her. No one will attend to her, except her friends that she's also trying to protect too.
Maybe that's it.
"Uy, robot!" Napakurap siya. "Nandito na tayo sa school. Inaantok ka ba?" Bryson asked.
Napatingin siya sa paligid, and Bryson was right. They're already in ZNL university, at nasa parking na sila. Bryson's already waiting for her outside the open car.
Walang salita siyang bumaba ng sasakyan. Si Bryson na ang nagdala ng coat niya matapos nitong magpasalamat sa driver na naghatid sa kanila. Bryson held her shoulders, as if he's guarding her not to bumped into anyone, or anything. Hindi na siya nagreklamo.
"Hindi ba maganda ang gising mo?" Bryson asked all of sudden.
Hindi siya sumagot.
"Anong nangyari?" Bryson asked, sensing that something is not right.
Napalingon siya. Halos mapatigil siya sa paglalakad. Gusto niyang tumigil.
For once, she wanted everything to stop.
For once, she wanted to take a break from something she doesn't even know what.
For once, she wanted silence.
Hindi na niya alam.
"Hindi ko alam." She answered Bryson. Napatingala siya sa kalangitan. It's the healthy sun lighting up the whole place, as of no darkness would be left anywhere.
"Bryson..." she called. Malalim siyang napabuntong hininga. Bryson didn't answer like he's letting her speak her mind, and anything that's inside her. Hindi na ito nagtanong ulit, but even though Bryson isn't saying anything, she felt at ease.
As always.
Even just for a little bit.
"Bry..." she called.
"Hmm?" Bryson was the one guiding her. Mabagal ang lakad niya, habang nakatingala siya sa mga ulap. Wala siyang ibang gustong makita kundi ang katahimikan pansamantala. She wanted to clear her mind, even though her thoughts are organized, and just felt like in chaos at the back.
"You...still like me?" she asked.
Humipit ang hawak ni Bryson sa balikat niya. "Oo naman..." mabilis nitong sagot.
Instead of feeling relief inside, she suddenly feels worried. "Is it because... you haven't heard what you wanted to hear?"
Naramdaman niyang nilingon siya ni Bryson. "Ano bang gusto kong marinig?"
She scoffed. "Ewan ko... na gusto 'rin kita? O... parehas tayo ng kung anong nararamdaman?"
Bryson didn't answer her.
"What if... I will tell you I feel the same? What would you do?" she asked.
"Nothing... maybe strive harder so I could be more deserving...o kaya, maging consistent. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko, robot. Lahat naman ng 'to, hindi lang dahil gusto kita, o dahil mag-best friend tayo e. Walang pagpapanggap 'dito kaya hindi 'to magbabago. Siguro meron pero paniguro...para sa ikagaganda..."
Hindi siya sumagot.
"Or maybe..." hindi niya maituloy ang sasabihin.
"Ano 'yon?" Bryson asked.
"Bryson, sa tingin mo, karapat-dapat ba akong mahalin... o kaya may magmamahal kaya sa akin?"
***
"MAM! SURE NA PO BA YUNG MARVEL HEROES?! FINAL NA?!" Candace stirred from her sleep when she heard Macey's loud voice. Kulang na lang ay magmukha na itong megaphone sa lakas ng boses. Parang kahit mag-ingay ang buong klase ay walang binatbat kapag bumuka na ang bibig ni Macey.
"Yes, Macey. Why?" rinig niya. She opened her eyes to see that she fell asleep in the middle of their vacant hours, at mukhang hindi naman nagk-klase ang teacher dahil katatapos ng lang exams, at tungkol lang sa school event ang pag-uusapan.
"Hindi naman po kasi nakakatakot 'yong marvel heroes! Nakakatakot ba si Chris Evans?" tumingin pa ito sa klase na para bang nanghihikayat.
Candace fixed her seat, and immediately looked at Bryson. Tulog 'din ito, at nakapahalumbaba sa armchair nito. Hindi na niya dinistorbo si Bryson, pero dahil busy si Macey na makipag-daldalan sa teacher nila ay lumipat siya sa kabilang arm chair, para kung sakali mang hindi mabalanse ni Bryson ang sariling ulo habang natutulog nang nakapahalumababa.
"Ma'am! Sino po ang lalaban sa contest?" Macey asked once again. Nilingon siya nito, at napasimangot nang makita kung saan siya nakapwesto.
"May muse and escort ba tayo, Miss President?" tanong ng teacher nila. "By the way, we only need escort."
"Wala po." Mabilis na sagot nito.
Well, the school higher ups didn't recommend it since there would be a lot of contests during this year, at hindi pwedeng parehong pares lang ang palaging lalaban bilang representative ng klase.
"Oh, so let us choose who will be the muse and escort now, shall we, class?" tanong ng teacher bago ngumiti kay Macey. Even Macey was too loud, and talkative, walang teacher na naiinis kay Macey. Maybe because of her lively aura, and fighting spirit even she's in the middle of chaos.
Umiwas na lang siya ng tingin. Hindi niya alam kung paano nagagawa ni Macey na maging masigla, at maingay sa kabila ng hinaharap nito. Candace is guessing the it could be Macey's way of coping up. Napapa-isip 'din siya... she's asking herself if what's her way of coping up? O kung mayroon ba?
Napakurap siya nang malaglag ang ulo ni Bryson sa balikat niya.
Ni hindi manlang nagising si Bryson sa nangyari sa ulo nito.
She looked down on Bryson. She just stared at him doing nothing, but as she stares at him, she felt calm.
"Any nominees?" rinig niyang tanong ng teacher kapagkuwan.
Napakurap siya at parang bumalik sa huwisyo. Nang tumingin siya sa teacher ay hinihintay nito ang mga kaklase niya na sumagot. When her eyes settled on Macey, she was grinning at her. Halos mag-hugis puso ang mata nito habang nakanguso kay Bryson.
She just looked at Macey before fixing Bryson's head so his neck wouldn't hurt when he wakes up.
"Wala kayong gustong escort sa class?" nagtatakhang tanong ng teacher nang walang sumagot.
"Ang papangit ma'am e. Parang mas mukhang kailangan ng tagapag-ligtas." Ani ng isang classmate nila.
The whole class laughed. It was a half-meant joke. Since naipon sa klase nila ang ilang matatalino, karamihan sa mga lalaki ay hindi interesado, at mga mukhang nerds pa.
"Hoy, hindi kaya!" Macey's voice invaded the whole class. "Si Bryson! Everybodyyyyy!" She shouted, and the whole class cheered along with Macey. Halatang um-agree ang lahat sa sinabi nito, habang walang ka-alam alam si Bryson, at bukod sa kaniya na hindi pabor sa gusto nito.
Nilingon niya si Macey, at sinamaan ng tingin. Macey just grinned at her apologetically.
Gusto niyang humindi. Ayaw niyang pumayag na si Bryson ang maging representative dahil alam niya kung gaano ka-busy ang ito, at isa pa, Bryson will be running for the student's organization. Ngayon pa nga lang na naghahanda sila ay busy na ito.
Mukhang narinig na 'rin ni Bryson ang ingay kaya nagising na ito. With his disheveled hair, he sat up, and massage his neck bago ito napatingin sa kaniya. Kaagad na napangisi Bryson sa kaniya nang marealize kung ano ang ginawa niya.
Natigil lang ito nang tawagin si Bryson ng teacher nila. "Bryson, do you agree?"
Kumunot ang noo nito. "Saan po, ma'am?"
"You will be the representative of your section for the spooky month. You classmates are nominating you." Their teacher explained.
"Ah, sige lang po." Parang wala pa sa huwisyo na sagot ni Bryson.
Hindi niya napigilan ang sarili na tadyakan ang paa nito. Hindi na niya mapigilan ang sarili na pigilan si Bryson sa panibagong pinapasok na responsibilidad na akala mo ay hindi napapagod, pero ang totoo ay may masandalan lang ang likod nito ay tulog na kaagad.
But when Bryson looked at her, he just smiled assuringly as if he knows why she kicked him.
"Ma'am, kami po ba nag mamimili ng hero?" tanong ng isa.
"No. I already have the assigned hero from the faculties."
"Sino po?"
"Venom."
"Wooooah!" kahit pati siya ay napataas ang kilay. She immediately imagined the costumes, and the things that would be needing in the making of Venom, at it was complicated. If this is a serious competition against other strands, and section, the making of the costume of Venom should be detailed.
Their teacher explained the details, the date, which would be two weeks from now, and their teacher assured them that it will only be discussions dahil nagbigay ng memo ang SHS executives to pave the way for the spooky month. Sinabi 'rin na buong SHS department ang makakalaban nila. The mechanics was also explained to them, and the things needed.
"Now! Let's proceed! Is everyone willing to contribute, financially?" their teacher asked. "If you guys wanted to win, then we have to give our all."
"Yes po, ma'am!" everyone agreed.
"Okay. Good to hear that. How about helping making the costume?"
Everyone agreed once again.
"Now, let's talk about who will lead the making of the costume, and other details."
"Ma'am si Diane!"
"Si Candace!"
Kaagad na nagtawanan ang buong klase, habang siya ay hindi niya ma-gets kung bakit. Bryson laughed on her side, while Macey still insisting that it should be her to lead the making of Bryson's costume for the spooky month.
"Ma'am, votings!" suhestyon ng isa nilang classmate.
"Sabong na 'yan oh!"
"Kay Candace taya ko!"
Napakunot ang niya. She looked at Bryson. "Anong meron?"
Natatawang tinignan siya ni Bryson, at lumingon sa ibang direksyon bago nailing na tumingin si kaniya. At that moment, she felt like she's only seeing, and hearing Bryson, and not anyone.
"Tingin ka kay Diane."
And she did. A single glance, and Diane was frowning, like someone's pissing her off. Parang hindi makasabay sa vibe ng buong klase, katulad niya. Pinangu-ngunahan pa 'ito ni Macey.
"Anong meron?" she asked again. Not getting any hint.
"Diba naiinis sa'yo 'yon? Kasi magaling ka sa arts, tapos pinatulan mo nung nakaraan, at ngayon ulit, parang may kompitensya ulit kayo." Bryson explained because he knows that Candace doesn't easily remember petty things, and even the encounter with Diane so he has to explain the context of what's happening around.
Kumunot ang noo ni Candace. "Eh anong kinalaman 'non dito?"
"Wala." Napailing ito. "Hayaan mo na."
Hindi na siya umangal nang sabihin iyon ni Bryson. She looked at Diane once again, at saktong nakatingin sa kaniya ang babae, na masama ang tingin sa kaniya. She looked back at her, with no single emotion in her face. Hindi niya talaga maintindihan kung bakit naiinis sa kaniya si Diane sa kadahilanang may outstanding performance siya, na kung saan mas nalalamangan niya si Diane.
Kasalanan ko bang mas magaling ako?
Kasalanan ko bang Bobita siya?
Candace is not competing to anyone, at any manner. She's just giving her all. She's giving all of her efforts, at hindi na niya kasalanan kung nalalamangan niya si Diane. Her dedicated hard works just paid off, and it's not her fault anymore if Diane became a second to her.
"...Bryson?" nabaling lang ang atensyon niyang muli nang marinig niya ang boses ni Bryson. Their teacher is asking him something that she wasn't able to catch up. Sa sobrang pagkatulala niya 'rin ay hindi niya napansin na si Diane na mismo ang umiwas ng tingin.
"Ma'am, baka maging kabit si Diane!" sigaw ng classmates nila.
"Woooooh!" Macey was too hyper for today. Paniguradong tuwang-tuwa ito na lumalayag ang barko niya, habang patagong gumaganti kay Diane dahil sa ginawa nito sa kaniya 'nong nakaraan.
Alam naman niya na nasabi na niya kay Macey na best friend lang talaga sila ni Bryson, but at their age, and by the looks of their closeness, lalo na't babae at lalaki silang dalawa, kahit sino ay maniniwala na may namamagitan sa kanila.
"Aruy, kabit daw, Diane oh!"
"Manahimik ka!" rinig niyang boses ni Diane. Halatang napipikon. Hindi makasagot si Bryson dahil sa sobrang ingay ng klase nila.
"Anong tanong?" bulong niya kay Bryson. Hindi na naman niya kasi ma-magets kung bakit dawit na naman siya sa pinag-uusapan.
"Sino raw pipiliin ko na magl-lead ng costume making—"
"Bryson! Class makinig muna para matapos na tayo. Enough with your issues! Ang laki niyo na ha!"
Natigil sa pagsagot si Bryson sa kaniya, at nakinig sa teacher nila.
"Bryson, who will you choose?" tumingin ito sa kaniya, at kay Diane kapagkuwan. "Let's talk in my office after class."
"Ohh..." hindi niya alam kung nalungkot o nag-alala ang mga ka-klase niya.
"Silence!" mukhang nairita na ang teacher nila.
"Bryson—"
"Ma'am si Candace po. Hindi po ako sasali kapag hindi si Candace ang gagawa ng costume ko."
The whole class cheered on Bryson's answer, embarrassing Diane at the moment. Hindi na marinig halos ng boses ng teacher nila.
"Sino raw?" Bryson leaned on her to whisper. "Syempre, ikaw. Sino pa ba?"
CANDACE and Diane was called to their adviser's office after class. Si Bryson ang may dala ng bag niya, habang hinihintay siya sa labas ng office, kasama si Macey dahil gusto silang makausap ng adviser nila nang personal.
"What's the problem with you two? Anong issue ang naririnig ko?" their adviser—teacher directly asked.
She assumed that Diane wouldn't answer even she was the one who started the issue, and she hates this kind of personal talk, lalo na't alam niyang wala siyang kasalanan. Being inside this office is suffocating her, and she wanted to leave right away.
"Wala po akong kinalaman actually. Someone just told me that she heard herself that Diane is pissed at me, at sabi niya ay bida-bida raw ako sa klase kaya may mataas akong grade. And on the other day, she purposely stepped on my test paper since I got a perfect score."
She explained shortly. It may not be verbatim, but she surely, it is what she knows, with no sugar-coated words.
"She's pissed at me." She added. "Kasi mas mataas ako sa kaniya. I assumed."
Diane's eyes widened, on the other hand, her adviser stilled, not expecting that she would be directly, and shortly address the issue with no inhibitions. Ni wala nga siyang kabang nararamdaman dahil alam naman niyang wala siyang kasalanan, di tulad ng katabi niya na mukhang naiihi na.
"Ma'am, no! It's not true—for sure, she's making allegations—"
"Ms. Diane, is this is true?" their adviser asked.
Natahimik si Diane. "Let's say that someone didn't hear you directly, but is it true? The reason of your intentions? And Candace, are you telling the truth?"
Nauna siyang sumagot. "Yes po. I only talk to Macey, and Bryson, and I don't like competitions thus far, ma'am. I only do my performances for myself, not to compete with others."
When their adviser heard her answer, mukhang naniwala at narelax ito, bago tumingin kay Diane. "Ms. Diane?"
Hindi sumagot ang ka-klase niya.
Their adviser nodded. "Okay... I assumed it's a yes, and you can't tell me honestly. I understand. It happens—"
"Ma'am! Hindi... hindi ako galit kay Candace...galit ako kasi nauungusan niya ako." Biglang nagsalita si Diane. "Iyon na nga lang ang maipag-mamalaki ko sa mga magulang ko pero kinuha niya pa!"
Napakunot ang noo ni Candace sa narinig. Hindi niya alam pero bigla siyang nairita. "Hindi ko kasalanan na nagkulang ka, o naungusan kita. Imbis na gamitin mo ang oras mo para mainis sa akin, at sa grades na nagawa ko, mainis ka muna sa sarili mo dahil ikaw 'yong nagkulang at hindi ako. Your insecurities have nothing to do with me. Excuse me, wala akong kinukuha sa'yo. I earned it."
Then she looked at her teacher. "I'm sorry ma'am, but I think you should only talk to Diane, and not me."
Napabuntong hininga ang teacher nila at tumango. "Okay... you may leave now, Candace."
She suddenly feels thankful for that. "Thank you, mam."
Then she looked at Diane. "Stop looking at other's spotlight, Diane. Stop being envious, and shine on your own, without dragging someone down just so you can step on top."
"Ms. Candace—"
Diane looked at her. Kahit luhaan ang mata nito ay matalim pa 'rin itong tumingin sa kaniya. "Malakas lang ang loob mo dahil kay Bryson, at Macey. Tignan natin...hanggang sa pati sila ay madadamay na dahil lang nagtatago ka sa likod nila—"
"Diane! Candace, leave now!"
Gusto niyang patulan si Diane pero pinipigil niya ang sarili niya. Gusto niyang ipag-diinan na hindi siya nagtatago sa likod ng mga kaibigan niya pero biglang pumasok sa isip niya ang dahilan kung bakit nags-stay si Macey sa kabila ng sitawasyon nito sa pamilya nito para lang mapalapit sa kaniya, at si Bryson na kung saan nakadepende siya palagi.
Pakiramdam niya ay tama ang sinabi ni Diane sa kaniya.
But despite of feeling, and realizing that Diane could be right, she still looked back at Diane, with unbothered expression she could muster.
"Subukan mo... at makikita mo kung ano ang kaya kong gawin."
With that, she left... with full doubts of herself, if she was really possible to bring danger to her friends.
Hindi...
Hindi 'yon pwedeng mangyari.
Sila na lang ang meron siya.
And losing them would be the end of her.
***
"Arrow! Paki-hawakan 'yang check list, and paki lapit 'yan sa amin ni Candace habang sinusukatan namin si Bry, ah." Macey requested from Arrow while Macey handled her the note pad they're going to use, habang siya naman ay hawak ang tape measure.
"Yes, boss!" Arrow even saluted to her. Tumabi sa kaniya si Bryson, at sinubuan siya ng Takoyaki na inorder nila sa grab. Bryson feeds her the who Takoyaki since he knows she can manage eating the whole of it, and she will glare at him if he did the otherwise.
Tumingin siya kay Arrow habang ngumunguya. Hindi niya alam kung bakit pero sa nakalipas na taon ay nag-iba ng paraan ng pagtingin si Arrow kay Macey, hindi tulad noon na halatang may tinatagong lihim si Arrow kay Macey.
"Hindi ka busy?" tanong niya kay Arrow. He's already in his 2nd year college, and he seems chill. Ang alam niya, at mga naririnig niya sa mga college student ay wala ng oras para sa sarili, at palaging bagsak sa exam. Hindi niya sigurado kung totoo 'yon pero marami niyang nariring na ganoon.
The latter shook his head. "Medyo...kaya namang isingit ito sa schedule."
"Luh!" Macey complained. "Option na nga, singit pa sa schedule."
"Baliw." Ginulo ni Arrow ang buhok ni Macey. Hindi na iyon mukhang may gusto kay Macey, kundi mukha nang nakakatandang kapatid.
"Arrow, we know our worth. Hindi pwedeng option lang kami." Macey pointed herself. "Lalo na ako."
"Daming kuda ni saklay o! Kilos na!" Bryson intervened before looking at her. He leaned on her ear. "Mukhang wala nang gusto si Arrow kay Macey ano?"
"Mukha." Sang-ayon niya.
"Epal mo, Bryson!" sagot ni Macey. "Ikaw ang lamon nang lamon diyan. Ready na akong sukatan ka."
"Hah! Siguraduhin mong epal lang talaga ko. Kapag naging tanga ka sa lalaki, di kita kilala. Option, option ka pang nalalaman diyan."
"Tangina mo! Knock on wood!" mabilis na sagot ni Macey at kinatok ang pinakamalapit na kahoy sa tabi.
After few minutes, they proceeded into their planned task. They're in Bryson's house, specifically inside his room. It's been days since her encounter with Diane. Candace tried her hardest to keep it to her friends, and since they're starting to get busy, it became her alibi for Bryson not to ask a single thing.
And they're busy making Bryson's costume, to estimate the financial need, and to have enough time making detailed costume of Bryson so they would win in the contest.
And Candace will do anything to prove that Bryson chose her to do this not because they're best friends, pero dahil may ibubuga siya. She wanted to show everyone—not only to Diane and to her teachers that she's not hiding behind Bryson and her friend's back.
"Oo kawawa si Arrow—" hindi pa natatapos ang sinasabi ni Bryson nang masamid na si Arrow.
"Ba't ako?" tanong ni Arrow habang umuubo. Napa-inom tuloy ito ng tubig.
"Oo nga! Ba't si Arrow?" Macey looked at Arrow with confusion. Gusto niyang batukan ang kaibigan dahil naturingang matalino pero pagdating sa ganitong bagay ay tatanga-tanga. Hindi na siya magtatakha kung magiging sawi ito sa pag-ibig. "May girlfriend ka?"
Arrow smiled. "Nililigawan pa lang, Mi Sorellina... pa lang."
"Oy ang daya! Ako ang best friend mo na lalaki pero di ako alam!" si Bryson ang unang nagreklamo.
"Ayokong ma-usog." Sagot ni Arrow. Natatawa.
"Aruy, ka-usog-usog ka pala." Gatong ni Macey.
"Pakyu ka, Macey!"
"Ano ba, mag-s-start ba o ano?" tanong niya.
Natahimik ang tatlo, at hindi nagtagal ay nagseryoso sila, but Macey is just Macey with her talkative, and nosy attitude that no one could ever stop after a minute or two.
"Kailan pa Arrow?" tanong ni Macey.
"Nung senior high—"
"Napaka-maduga." Bulong ni Bryson. "Hindi nag-share."
"Respetuhin mo." Aniya at sinukatan ang balikat ni Bryson gamit ang tape measure. She's being hands-on on every detail Bryson's costume, and she planned most of it, even sketch the costume all by herself. Kung noon ay hinahayaan niya si Macey, at bahala na ito palagi, ngayon ay halos ayaw niyang patulungin si Macey.
"Ginagawa na po." Sagot ni Bryson.
Sinabi niya ang sukat kay Arrow na kaagad nitong sinulat sa note pad nila. She doubled check it, before stepping in front of Bryson to measure his waist.
"Robot, alam kong tahimik ka, pero parang mas naging tahimik ka."
"Parang lang."
"Ano meron?" Bryson asked.
"Busy ako sa costume—"
"Kahit busy ka, hindi ka ganito."
"Kaya mo ba talaga? Di'ba busy ka sa upcoming election?" she tried to divert the topic. Not only the topic, but things about her.
It shouldn't be always about her.
Diane was right...she's somehow right.
Hindi pwedeng palaging siya.
"Candace—"
"Sagutin mo 'yung tanong ko,Bryson. Hindi ako pabor sa contest na ito."
Napabuntong hininga si Bryson. "Kaya ko naman..."
"Sigurado ka?" She asked Bryson. Nakahinga siya nang maluwag dahil pinag-paliban ni Bryson ang gustong pag-usapan.
"Oo..." Bryson leaned. Hawak niya ang tape measure sa bandang tiyan nito. Akmang ipapalibot niya ang maya para sukatan ang binata nang mas lumapit si Bryson sa kaniya.
"Kakayanin... kasi nandyan ka."
Then he kissed her forehead.
As if comforting her even she won't say a thing.
***
PRESENT TIME
"Hi, robot!" That's what she heard when she entered Macey's room to visit her. Naiirita man siya sa tawag nito, at sa boses nitong walang iniinda, pero hindi niya maikakaila na mas okay iyon, kaysa makitang walang malay ang best friend niya, at halos nasa bingit ng kamatayan.
"Buti naman at buhay ka pa." sagot niya at inilapag ang mga dala sa side table, bago sumalampak ng upo sa monobloc chair.
"Grabe naman, robot!"
"Anong nangyari?" tanong niya. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman niya ang tungkol sa bestfriend niya. Isa sa kondisyon niya kay Macey na wala siyang is-sekreto sa kaniya.
Macey sighed before resting her back. "Hindi ko alam... nahuli ako nila papa. Akala ko nga hindi na ako makakalabas nang buhay pero may dumating, pero hindi ko mamukhaan. Sila 'yong paniguradong... nagligtas sa akin."
Macey looked into the ceiling as if she was thinking hanggang sa unti-unting nanlaki ang mga mata nito, at napatakip sa bibig. Macey looked at her.
"What?" she asked.
"Si... yung nagligtas sa akin! Pero...--"
"Sino?"
And Macey told her who it was, and she was surprised to. It immediately answered the confusion from her, when Macey came here.
"So, she's...one of mafia?"
"No! Hindi... ang alam ko... pero hindi e. I will recognize it immediately dahil kilala ko naman...pero wala e."
Napakunot ang noo niya. "She could be affiliated..."
Macey nodded. "Could be?" napakunot ang noo nito at napatitig sa kaniya. "Para kang low battery na robot. Nagpahinga ka ba?"
Umiwas siya nang tingin.
"Robot—"
Napabuntong hininga siya. "Uuwi na ako. May projects akong kailangang tapusin."
Macey didn't insist anymore. Halatang nirerespeto nito na ayaw niyang pag-usapan ang tungkol sa nangyari. Nagpa-alam na siya sa kaibigan niya bago pinuntahan ang iba niyang kaibigan. Nagpakita lang siya, at ibinilin si Macey sa kanila bago napagpasyahang umuwi. When she reached home, she immediately cleaned herself before taking a short nap.
She isn't lying when she told Macey that she will be doing her remaining projects, and she has to finish it before weekend since she would be flying back to Japan for her projects. May mga natatanggap kasi siyang invitation mula sa mga company internationally, noticing her unique designs, at hangga't kaya niya ay tinatanggap niya ang projects.
It's not because of money, but that's one of the things she loves. Making an art.
One of her way to cope up. Iyon din ang sabi sa kaniya ni Arce, at ng mga kaibigan niya. She must continue what she loves, and that is art. In a way, she would be able to calm down herself, and be able to cope up...to save herself at least.
At this point,
She's not depending on anyone.
She rather has people depending on her, than the other way around because she knows to herself that she won't leave.
CANDACE stirred from her sleep when she heard a noise. Inaantok man ay naiirita siya sa tunog na siyang naging dahilan para magising ang diwa niya. It was also a blessings in disguise since her nap is NAPatagal. She literally fell asleep for hours instead of minutes as she planned, and she has to stay up until late night because of it.
Muling may dumagundong mula sa labas kaya pinili na niyang bumangon.
Ano ba 'yon?
Yawning, she went downstairs, curious where was the sound coming from. Titignan niya muna iyon bago magtimpla ng kape, at bago mag-simulang magtrabaho.
She walked towards the gate. Kaagad niyang nakita ang guard, at ang hardinero na nag-uusap.
"Ano pong meron?" she asked.
Kaagad siyang napansin ng mga guard. Mukhang nahiya pa dahil nakita niyang walang ginagawa sa oras ng trabaho pero wala naman sa kaniya iyon. Sa totoo lang ay wala naman nang dapat trabahuin sa bahay nila dahil mas nakatira pa ang mga katulong at guards sa kanila.
"Ah..." napakamot ang guard sa ulo. "Parang may naglilipat po yata, at nagdedeliver ng mga bagong furniture sa loob..."
"Naglilipat? Wala namang vacant na bahay dito ah."
Hindi na niya inantay na sumagot ang dalawang kausap, at binuksan ang gate para siya mismo ang makakita.
And to her surprise...
It was the house proportionate to her.
Doon may naglilipat.
No... hindi naglilipat dahil may nakatira naman doon, and by the looks of it... mukhang titira ulit doon ang dating nakatira.
Then she saw him... mandating the men carrying a furniture inside the house, habang siya ay nakasilip sa gate, at nakatingin sa kanila... o sa kaniya.
And I felt like a de javu.
The day she regrets the most.
The day they first met...the day that became a reason why they are friends—best friends—the reason why she became at her worst.
Bryson.
What the hell are you doing?
***