Jane's POV
After what Maxine said yesterday, I just stay in our room and never bother to enjoy this celebration.
Tangina...
Alam ko namang wala na talaga akong pag-asa kay Maxine pero these past few days kasi, bakit nararamdaman ko na may feelings din siya sa'kin?
Bakit dama ko na she also reciprocates the feelings I have to her?
Ako naman 'tong si gago na nagpatuloy at nag-efforts pa rin.
Ngayon, anong nangyari?
"You deserve it, asshole ka kasi." See? I am getting crazy, talking to myself again.
I just drank another beer to forget this pain I felt.
"Florence..." That voice, siya ang rason bakit nararamdaman ko lahat 'to.
She knocked a few times...
Kahit kumatok ka pa diyan nang ilang beses, hindi kita lalabasin.
Why the heck should I opened the door? Mas masasaktan lang ako kapag nakita kita.
"Joshua told me that you didn't eat anything today; so here's a tray full of foods. Kain ka na please." Actually, all I wanted is to be wasted to escape this situation kaya uminom lang ako nang uminom mula kaninang umaga.
I just heard her footsteps, maybe she already left, so I continued watching any movie I saw and drinking my beer.
---
"Mom..." I know na medyo na tinatamaan na ako ngayon because of alcohol, but why it is unfair?
The pain never goes away, mas sumakit pa nga ata.
Because of that, I called my mother. I mean, Joshua's mother who adopted me.
"Hey, anak? What's the matter?"
"Ansakit po, ansakit-sakit."
"Ng ano? Are you drunk, Jane?"
"Why is it always happening to me? Why should I always be the one who needs to sacrifice?" And with that, mom knew the issue already.
Well, I never hide anything from my parents, even this situation I am torned in. I am just thankful that they understand me.
"Jane, anak, what do you want me to do?" This time, I heard dad's voice.
"Gusto ko lang po na mawala 'yong sakit, napapagod na ako."
"Anak... The bad thing about pain is it cannot be healed quickly. Hindi pwedeng pag gusto mo itong mawala, mawawala na rin agad... Pero, pain can potentially fade with time.
I know it's very unfair for you kasi ikaw lagi ang nagpapaubaya, you always look for Joshua's welfare first...
Pero sana this time, unahin mo muna sarili mo.
Before pa namin gusto na maghiwalay muna kayo ni Johua but ayaw mo naman na mag-aral siya sa ibang bansa.
Kaso iba na ngayon... You already suffered a lot.
If you want, we have a house in California, you can continue your College life there. Our relatives are also there to guide you." Mas umiyak lang ako sa mahabang litanya ni dad.
"Please anak, follow our suggestion now. We don't want you to suffer anymore, as well as your mental health. Don't worry, we will visit you frequently." Mom added.
I guess, this leaves me no choice but to really follow my parents
All of this will end kapag umalis ako...
"Okay po, mom and dad. I'll go to California as soon as possible."
---
"Buti naman at sumama ka na sa'min, bro!" Mark as walked towards my direction.
Last time ko na rin naman na makakasama kayo, bakit pa ako magmumukmok?
"Wala eh, namiss ko kayo agad." As I bro fist with him.
My plan is to go to California without having any dramatic scenes with them. We can contact each other pa rin naman through social media.
"Hi guys, drinks?" Two girls approach us but I immediately decline their offer.
"Sorry miss, not interested." I also smile not to offend them.
"Thanks, man! You saved me." Mark whispered.
"Whoah... Nagbabagong-buhay ka na agad?" I also looked at him.
"Loko, kanina pa kasi kami nag-i-entertain ng chicks u know... Nakakapagod din palang manlandi." Natawa na lang kami parehas because of his statement.
"Grabe si Paolo oh..." As we both look at our friend who is currently making out with a girl we didn't even know.
"Sus, nagtaka ka pa! Hindi siya si Paolo kung hindi siya ganyan." We just shook our heads.
"Pero mas grabe si Joshua..." I immediately clenched my fist as I witnessed how that one girl clung her both arms in Joshua's shoulder.
They dance wildly synchronizing the music in the party.
Their bodies touch and their faces only have an inch distance...
I cannot tolerate this kind of action so I forcefully grabbed Joshua's arm which made him startled a little.
"Huy, bestfriend! Ano ba 'yon? Panira ka nam---" Pilit niya ring inalis ang kamay ko na nakawak sa braso niya.
"Ako pa talaga tinatanong mo niyan, gag* ka ba?!
Joshua, ano ba 'yon?!
Ano 'yong nakikita ko kanina?!"
Fortunately, nahinto kami sa lugar na wala masyadong tao.
"Grabe naman, chill lang bestfriend." As he attempted to touch my shoulder, pero iniwas ko agad.
"Joshua may nililigawan ka na, gets mo ba 'yon?"
"Tssss... Nakikipagsayaw lang naman 'yong ---"
"Nag-iisip ka ba talaga?! Masasaktan si Maxine pag nakita niya 'to!"
"Hindi niya naman makikita. Maaga sila natulog. Chill ka nga diyan, tara na at hinaha---"
"Tangina naman eh! I cannot tolerate you, Joshua! Niloloko mo lang si M---"
"Teka nga, bakit ba ganiyan 'yong reaction mo?" I also stopped because of what he asked.
"Ako nakakahalata na sa'yo bestfriend, tapatin mo nga ako. Ikaw ba may gusto na rin kay Maxine?" He also pointed his finger at me.
Oo, matagal na...
Actually, mas nauna pa nga ako sa'yo na magkagusto sa kaniya...
Gustong-gusto kong aminin sa'yo na mahal ko rin si Maxine pero saan pa? Magpupunta na rin naman ako sa ibang bansa.
Ayoko na makigulo pa sa inyong dalawa...
"Ga-gag* ka ba talaga?! Anong... Anong sinasabi mo? Kilabutan ka naman." I also tried to act disgusted.
It's just that even though I tried to pretend, I cannot stop being stuttered because I am so pressured with his question.
Third Person's POV
"Tutulungan ba kitang ligawan siya kung gusto ko siya? Adik ka ba?" Jane added to sounds more convincing.
"Ayon naman pala eh! So, chill ka lang diyan... Alam ko ginagawa ko, man!" Umakbay pa si Joshua sa kaniya.
"Nga pala, okay ka na ba? Nag-alala ako ng sobra sa'yo, kaso ayoko rin naman na kausapin ka muna, baka u need alone time din kasi...
Next time, 'wag mo solohin problema mo. Alam mo naman na andito ako palagi para sa'yo diba?" As he also patted Jane's head.
By this time, the tension breaks down...
After all, mananatiling magkapatid pa rin ang turing nila sa isa't isa.
"I know naman pero may sariling ka ring problema, ayokong makidagdag...
Joshua seryoso ako ha... I don't want to tolerate you. Nangyari na kay Julia before 'yang cheating incident... ayoko na mangyari pa ulit... Not in my watch." Jane calmly explained as they walked again towards the party.
"Jane, hindi pa naman cheating kasi wala pang kami."
"Tsss... ang bulok ng mindset mo." Jane just rolled her eyes while Joshua laughed because of what she said.
"Anyway, speaking of 'kami,' tulungan mo ako bukas ha! I'll finally ask her to be my girlfriend!" Joshua shouted.
Jane just signed and accepted her fate, always being defeated to Joshua.