"Kanaaaaaaaa, wala daw panglalaki." Mew said pouting walking towards the younger.
"Suppasit, look around puro girl stuff andito, sira ulo ka ata." Sabi ni Gulf at kinotongan ang kaibigan papalabas ng store.
Patuloy na nakabusangot na parang bata at nagiinarte ang kaibigan, Gulf found it cute so kinuha niya ang polaroid sa bag niya at kinuhanan ng litrato ang ginagawa ni Mew.
Collecting the memories I choose to always have, if only I can have you as well.
Agad nakatanggap ng hampas si Gulf dahil sa ginawa niya.
"Haup ka tuwang tuwa ka na naman sa akin." Tumawa na lang siya ng malakas dahil tuluyan nang nabugnot ang kaibigan na patuloy siyang tinatarayan.
They are on their so called night out together. But the thing is, they admitingly admire each other but is scared to put a label on whatever their status is, in conclusion they're not together.
Mew was looking around while the other is composing himself with the laughter. There, his favorite place caught his eyes and turned to Gulf.
"Arat arcade libre ko!" Pagyayaya niya at biglang hinatak si Kana sa escalator.
Kitang kita ang pagka-excited nito, kahit linggo-linggo silang lumalabas hinihintay pa din nila ang araw na linggo.
Matapos nilang magsimba ay kung saan saan na sila napapadpad, minsan sa Mall, sa park, amusement parks, beach, restaurants and many more. Parang nalibot na nga nila ang buong Luzon.
They are so happy today since nalaman nilang pumasa si Gulf sa football varsity at top notcher this semester si Mew and they decided to celebrate together...
Little did Mew know ay may bumabagabag na pala kay Kana na magpapabago ng takbo ng mundo nilang dalawa sa susunod na araw.
Nang makarating sila sa 4th floor ng mall ay nagpahuli sa paglalakad si Gulf habang magkahawak pa din ang kamay nila at pinicturan ang kasamang lalaki gamit ang instax niya.
Another polaroid of you I get to keep, sana ikaw din.
Nang makapasok sila sa loob ng nasabing arcade ay bumili agad si Mew ng card at tahimik na naghintay si Gulf.
In the next 3 hours all they did was have fun, enjoying the moment. Other people thought they were a couple but whatever, the important thing is they're enjoying their so called last hangout as Gulf would say.
Mew is now playing the zombie game and he was super serious with the game that made Kana take out his camera again and take a flash on the moment.
For real, Mew doesn't really the mind. He knows that Gulf is a sentimental person so if Gulf is happy he's happy.
Keep aiming without me ok?
The younger deeply sighed before putting the picture on his book and the camera in his bag.
"Ok tara na alam kong pagod ka na." Biglang sabi ni Mew at umakbay kay Gulf papalabas ng arcade.
The floor was almost empty since it's already 9 pm and papasara na ang mall. Yet again Kana took out his camera and gave it to Mew.
"Picture tayo ipakita mo yung arcade." Utos na na kaagad sinunod ng nakakatandang binata. They took three (3) polaroids in total.
Again Gulf stared at those before keeping it
We keep our love in these photographs.
-----
While walking to the parking lot they keep talking and laughing non stop.
When they've reached the car, Mew opens the door for Gulf before going to the other side.
He started the engine but he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Bakit?" Tanong niya.
"Hold my hands while you drive please." Gulf requested.
Mew was shocked that the younger initiated first but of course he didn't argue so he tightly held hands with Gulf before continuing to drive.
Alam niyang may di sinasabi sa kanya ang binata dahil pansin niya na matamlay ito kanina at laging malalim ang iniisip. He shook the thought of that and focused on the road.
2 mins into the drive He heard a sudden snore then he realized that Gulf is already sleeping snuggled to his place and still not letting go of Mew.
I still and will love you forever.
----
Upon arriving Kana's house,Mew got off his car and get the things the shopped earlier.
Gulf shifted from his slumber and saw Mew holding shopping bags that made him rush out of the car.
"Hoy tae bat di mo ko ginising? Akin na yung iba." Sabi niya at pilit inaagaw yung mga dala ng binata.
"Wag na, sara mo na lang yung trunk tas sunod ka na."
Di na sumagot si Gulf at ginawa ang sinabi ng lalaki ngunit may napansin siya sa kalye na wallet.
Agad niyang binuksan ito para siguraduhin kung kanino. Pero dun bumungad sa kanya ang unang pictures nila ni Mew, sa photobooth noong first year college sila.
Gulf stops his track and stare at the images he's currently holding, Mew turned around and saw the younger with teary eyes.
He soonly left the bags on the floor just to run up to Gulf and hug him.
"Why are you crying, honey? Did I do something wrong?" He worriedly asked, still confused.
Kana just hugged him tighter and started to sob.
"Please know that I love you, ok?"
"Please know that I want you to be happy."
"Please know that I'm only going to do something because of that love and happiness."
Again and again Gulf keep on repeating those sentences that made Mew confused but he should ask when he has calmed down.
"Come on let's get you inside na." He said while picking up the bags with his right arm and Kana still hugging his left side.
Mew stayed until Gulf eventually fell asleep while crying. He finally saw the pictures on Gulf's hand that made him tear up as well, he does not have any idea why but he feels the urge of crying.
Bakit ba kasi hindi tayo pwede tulad ng sabi mo? What's stopping us? The love I use to give is not there anymore. I fell out of love. I'm sorry Kana, I'm sorry for not being able to wait longer.
He fixed himself before taking his leave and making sure that Kana is well tucked in his bed
-----
Next day
"Suppasittttt!!" Rinig niyang sigaw ni Gulf sa hallway ng floor nila at bigla siyang hinatak nito habang tumatakbo.
Napatingin ang ibang estudyante sa kanila pero syempre may mga chismoso at chismosang sumunod kasi cure use daw sila.
Nang mapansin ni Mew ang lugar na pupuntahan nila ay nagtaka siya.
Pota ano gagawin dito sa feild?
"I know you'll like this. Be happy for me, ok?" Gulf said before running off the bleachers.
Music then starts to play while a boy stands behind Mew before lightly tapping him on the shoulders.
He turned around and there he found
Saint standing before him holding a paper saying "i like you too."
It's the boy Mew likes now. Also a close friend of Gulf.
When Gulf keep on declining their feelings for each other Saint was there to support the both of them but something about him made Mew see things differently and one of those is his feelings for Kana.
Sooner or later, he knew that he likes,,, no, he loves Saint. He's the only person who is ready to listen and that made him fall for the otger.
The two stared at each other while other students on the field teases them and in a spur of a moment. Mew held Saint and slowly give him a quick peck on the lips.
On the other hand, Gulf was there... sighting all of the events that is happening.
Parang may kumikirot sa puso ni Gulf, may isang parte ng buhay niya ang pinakawalan niya.
Hinayaan niyang mahulog si Mew sa matalik na kaibigan kasi matagal na itong nagkakakagusto sa binata.
Hindi man lang niya naisip ang sakit na kapalit ng pagpaparaya niya.
Gusto niyang sumigaw, umiyak, humingi ng tulong kasi sobrang sakit na. Sobrang sakit na yung taong mahal mo ay mahal na mahal ang bestfriend mo mismo.
Nanghihina na si Gulf na agad napansin ng iba pang matatalik na kaibigan niya.
"Tangina kung hindi si Saint yung babae baka binuhusan ko na ng kumukulong tubig." - Gun
"Bat mo kasi hinayaan." - Win
"Sis, kapit ka sa akin." - Earth
"Makakahanap ka din ng para sayo talaga, di mo na kailangan magparaya next time." - Mild
Sat sat ng mga kaibigan niya. Muli niya ibinaling ang tingin sa dalawa at napansin niyang nakatingin sa kanila si Mew habang nasa bisig nito si Saint.
Yet again, Gulf takes out his polaroid camera and clicked on the moment the two is having.
"Salamat." Mew mouthed and Gulf answered with a smile after fixing his camera.
At least I have polaroids to look back to...
Gulf excuses himself at may tinawagan na sa phone. Nang may sumagot na ay agad siyang nagsalita
"Hey, Kuya Ja. Please book me a flight to Thailand tonight."
"Agad-agad? Pero gg, miss ka na nila mama "
"Yup, I'll see you guys tomorrow. "
"Mamayang hapon, I'll send you the flight details. For now fix your things"
"Sige Kuya, salamat."
After the phone call Kana looked back at the field..
May be in the next life Mew.
END