I
Sa lahat ng bagay na hindi inaasahan ni Juno na maibabalik pa sa kanya ay iyon pang baril niya. Mas lalong hindi niya inaasahan na si Stell pa ang magbabalik niyon sa kanya.
Hindi na niya kailangan pang kumpirmahin kung kanya iyon dahil kilalang-kilala niya ang baril niya. "B-Bakit nasa iyo ito?" Tanong ni Juno kay Stell.
"Kinuha ko sa bahay pag-alis ko roon. Tama nga si Tala... sa iyo nga talaga iyan. Bakit hindi ka man lang nagsinungaling sa akin?"
There is something weird with Stell. Iba na ang vibe nito kumpara kanina sa café. Itinago ni Juno sa kanyang likuran ang paperbag daig pa ang batang nasukol. Pilit niyang hinahanapan ng sign na baka si Tala ang kanyang kaharap. Unfortunately, it's really Stell. "Nevermind. I-If you please, go now... I want to be alone—"
Stell took a step closer to him and embraced him. The paperbag containing his gun slipped from his hand and fell on the floor.
"Everything about you is okay with me so don't worry. I also know you and Tala had a thing going on before... But you two are clearly avoiding each other now. You're too repulsive. Is it because I looked like him? I just wanted to be your friend and I find your treatment unfair."
"Hindi porket marami tayong similarities ay puwede na tayong maging magkaibigan..." Despite of his crazy heartbeats, Juno tried to muster enough strength to speak. "I am not a good friend. I used to think I am... but I never was... I don't really need a friend. I am contented with what I am and what I have now. Hindi naman ako kawawa kahit iniisip mo pang loner ako."
Mas lalong hindi siya pinakawalan ni Stell. "But I need a friend like you... I am contemplating about it for the longest time since I met you... until I saw you unconsciously shedding a tear... I know I can tell you things I can't tell my twin brother."
There was a long moment of silence until Stell decided to let go of Juno. He's out of reasons and he doesn't want to be pushy. Hindi dapat siya nagpadala sa kanyang impulse at sumugod dito.
"I don't think I can be friends with you, Stell, and it's not for you to say you want me as a friend. Kapag tinitingnan kita ngayon, si Tala lang ang nakikita ko. It's not my intention to give you that unfair treatment... it just so happened that Tala is enough in my life."
Stell bit his lower lip. He finds it hard to breathe because of his heart pounding hard against his chest. He can't blame Juno. It's Tala's fault. But still, Tala isn't around anymore and he decided he wanted to know more about Juno.
Nakatalikod na sa kanya si Juno nang magsalita siya ulit. "I—I don't mind if you would treat me like Tala... Yeah... I'll be Tala for you. Because why not? We have the same fucking face. If you want to hurt him, which you can't— I'm cool. Just... let me confide in you."
Nakita niyang bumuntong-hininga si Juno ngunit hinarap siya ulit nito. "What if... I wanted to do this to Tala?"
Sinapo ni Juno ang kanyang magkabilang pisngi at bigla siya nitong hinalikan sa mga labi.