I was crying pathetically. I lost of counts how I pleaded Kuya Pau to save the organization. I felt guilty, wala na yata akong mukhang ihaharap sa kanilang lahat na ako pang kabago-bago ang sumira ng lahat.

"Don't worry. I didn't tell them gusto ko kasi na solusyonan na muna natin bago ipaalam sa kanila"

"We just prolonged the agony impossible na hindi nila malaman and worse? they will blame me for this" I said still tears running down my cheeks "Kuya Pau you know how strict my parents are, hindi ko alam kung ano ang manyayari sakin if they find out about this. This is enough to ruin their reputation"

"I know. Gagawan ko ng paraan, okay?" hindi na ko sumagot. ang daming tumatakbo sa isipan ko ngayon.

I was scared,ashamed, disappointed with myself. Gusto kong patunayan kila daddy na hindi ako tulad ng iniisip nila sakin pero how can I prove myself when I ruined the tiniest chance I had? How can I still face people despite the dirty image they will find out? I'm scared of the possibilities. Ayaw ko na layuan nila ako dahil sa pagkakamali na hindi ko naman ginawa.

I asked Sy to come over in my place, kailangan ko ng makakausap feeling ko mauubusan nako ng bait kapag hindi ko nailabas ang lahat ng 'to.

"Are you okay? You look sick"

"I wasn't okay. at least I was pretended to be. Sy, what will I do?"

"What happened?" Nakikita ko sa mata niya na sobra siyang nag-aalala sakin. Pinilit ko ngumiti "Don't try. You're not okay, pwede mo sabihin sakin, I won't judge you kung iyon ang kinakatakot mo"

I shook my head "No. Alam ko na hindi mo ko huhusgahan. Natatakot ako kasi hindi lahat tulad mo, hindi lahat maiintindihan ako"

"What really happened? You're worrying me out"

"I messed up bigtime. It all started in our organization party, you know me I always have a low tolerance in alcohol but I still drink, ayaw ko na sirain 'yung laro dahil sa ka kj-han ko. I was drunk, someone took me in a restroom because I was starting to vomit but that wasn't enough so he took me in his car para ihatid ako sa condo ko, he was just concerned since everyone were tipsy at siya lang 'yung okay pa. Little did he know his girlfriend was following us. She saw me naked with her boyfriend's car. Hindi ko alam 'yon kasi nga lasing ako pero I have to admit that I really have a habit that I strip everytime I got drunk. The girl was our director's daughter, she reported what happened and he dismissed our organization because of that. I needed to defend myself but I can't. At isa pa natatakot ako na malaman nila daddy..." she hugged me and brushed her hand to my hair.

"I know where are you coming from. But before you can defend yourself you need to settle things to that guy. He's the only one who can help you. Have you tried talk to him?"

"I tried pero nahihiya ako saka iniisip ko din na baka makita nanaman kami ng girlfriend niya na magkasama, ayaw ko naman na dagdagan pa 'yung problema ko"

"I'll be honest to you. I think I know the people you were talking about isa lang naman alam ko na anak ng director e. It is Anastasia and she's Chase girlfriend. You have to talk to Chase... gusto mo ba samahan kita?"

"No. Hindi na. Kaya ko na. Salamat talaga Sy"

"It's okay basta para sayo. Sino pa ba ang magtutulungan kung hindi tayong dalawa lang diba?"

***

After midterm examination I decided settle things to Chase. Ito nga naghihintay ako ngayon sa kanya, sa starbucks niya ko pinapunta dahil ayaw ni Anastasia sa starbucks para sure na hindi niya kami makikita.

"I'm sorry" Iniangat ko ang tingin ko sa kanya "Sorry kung dahil sakin hanggang ngayon hindi ka pa rin pinapansin ni Anastasia"

He sipped in his coffee before he answered "you have nothing to sorry about. It wasn't your fault, she put colors in the scenario and beside I'm the one who owe an apology. I heard everything from Paulo. Don't worry I'll explain everything to tito and prove your innocence"

"Would you do that?" he nodded "Is it really okay?" he again nodded.

I smiled "Thank you!"

Nagpaalam na din ako sa kanya pagkatapos namin mag-usap may susunod na klase pa kasi ako. Hindi ko naman pwede na pabayaan ang pagaaral ko. Late na akong nakarating sa Psychology class ko. Mabuti na lang at discussion lang manghihingi na lang ako ng notes sa mga kaklase ko. Mabilis lang natapos 'yung klase pagkatapos ay umalis na din ako dahil kailangan kong mamili ng guidebook  para sa experiment namin sa chem lab bukas.

I was waiting to uber when someone tapped me in shoulder. His usual playful smile welcomed me, I raise my brow in return.

"Alam mo nakakapanibago ka" he said as he observed the unusual thing that's happening to me.

"As if we barely know each other" I mumbled.

"What?"

"Wala, bakit nga pala?"

"I've been calling you but seems something bothering you" may kinuha s'ya sa bulsa "Your number?" naniningkit ko s'yang tinignan, saka pilyang nginitian.

"For what?" I said and gave him a meaningful look.

"Alam mo ang malisyosa mo. It's for academic purposes just so you know it was Engineer Laggui instruct me to have it"

"Okay... No need to be defensive"

"No, I'm not"

"Alright, as you say"

"Are you going to give or what?"

"Psh!" kinuha ko 'yung phone na hawak hawak niya saka tinype 'yung number ko "Oh okay na po. Pwede na po ba kayong umalis?" hindi niya ko sinagot,may pinindot siya sa phone niya tapos bigla na lang nagring 'yung phone ko "Just save it, just in case" sabi niya bago ako nito tinalikuran at naglakad palayo.

Wow naman. Antipatiko talaga.

I opened my phone and save his number just like what he told me to do so.

To: Carter Gregory Astor

What was your name again?

Pilya akong nangiti bago ko nilagay sa bulsa ko 'yung phone ko. Gusto ko lang talaga siyang asarin aba! sobrang taas na ng kumpyansa niya sa sarili niya bawasan muna natin kahit onti. Palibhasa alam niya kung ano 'yung meron siya eh. Natigil ako sa pag-iisip ng huminto na 'yung uber sa harap ko.

***

I was about to ride the escalator when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Stacey? Stacey friend of Lorsy? Is that you?" I desist from walking and face the girl who called my name. My forehead crumpled then I've realized who that girl was"Shaira?"

"Oh my gee! It's really you!" She grabbed my both shoulder then hugged me after "So natuloy ka pala sa Princeton? How're you?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Breathing and alive so far"

"Haha! Kaya mo yan. Ah! Anyways, this is Wilson my boyfriend, pachoo this is Stacey bestfriend ni Lorsy" Nginitian ko lang si Wilson, ganon din naman siya sakin "May pupuntahan ka pa ba?"

"I bought this for my class tomorow. Pauwi na sana ako"

"Good! Come with us! We're celebrating our anniversary with our close friends. If that's okay to you?"

"Wala naman akong gagawin, sure"

"Nice! So come on!"

Nagkwentuhan lang kami ni Shaira all the way to yellow cab, doon daw kasi sila nag-first date ni Wilson kaya every anniversary nila don na sila nagse-celebrate. Pagdating namin sa pinareserve nilang table madami na din sila doon. Ando'n din sila Sy, Mia,Pam,Cess saka si Tin.

"Cey!" salubong agad ni Sy sakin "Saan mo naman nahagilap 'tong babae na'to Shai?"

"I saw her on the way to escalator. Mabuti nga nakita ko s'ya" hinatak agad ako ni Sy sa tabi ng upuan n'ya "Grabe ka hindi mo na ko binalitaan" nginitian ko na lang siya mabuti na lang tinawag ni Shaira ang attention ng lahat kaya hjindi na ako natanog pa ni Sy. Wala din kasi ako sa mood na magkwento sa kanya ngayon.

"Ah? Guys? I know I promise that I would introduce you to Wilson. This is Wilson, boyfriend ko" 

Ngumiti lang si Wilson sa kanila, ang cute nilang dalawa. Bagay na bagay sa kanila 'yung term na opposite attracts. Magkaibang magkaiba kasi talaga sila, si Shaira na more on bubbly tapos si Wilson naman na sobrang tahimik.

"Is everybody here? Are we going to order? Pachoo, nasaan na daw sila?"

"They're on their way, Pachoo. Let's order food first padating na din naman 'yung mga 'yon" Tinawag na ni Wilson 'yung waitress para kuhanin ang mga orders namin.

We're in the middle of eating when Wilson's friends came but one person got my attention, napatingin din siya saakin saglit at agad din iniwas ang tingin niya. Since 'yung upuan sa tabi ko na lang ang bakante kaya doon sila sa tabi ko naupo. Naupo siya sa tabi ko, hindi niya manlang ako tinapunan tingnin pero napansin ko 'yung pasa sa kanang pisngi niya.

"Pachoo? You didn't tell me you're friends with Chase"

"Sorry, haven't I introduced you to him yet?" She shook her head "Chase? Shaira my girlfriend"

"Nice meeting you Shaira" A small smile escaped to her lips.

"Pachoo?" Wilson engaged with warning tone.

"What? I just find him good looking but you have nothing to worry about, you're more way handsome than him. Ang cute mo talaga magselos!"

Sy acts vomiting "Kadiri Shai tigilan mo yan please lang!"tiwanan lang siya ni Shai.

"My dear, maganda ka naman. For sure maraming lalaking magkakagusto sa'yo d'yan. So stop being veggie. Chase? Can you grant me a favor?" she said more on bitchy tone and face Chase.

"Sure"

"Can you set this bitter beautiful lady on a date?"He chuckled "Your brother will do" nangiti na lang si Chase sa sinabi ni Shaira.

"Hey! What do you think of me? Cheap?" iritado naman na sagot ni Sy kay Shai, itong si Shai naman ay nagawa pang tumawa.

"Woah? It's Greg! Choosy ka paba?"

"Let me remind you, I'm no just like other girl there saka parang sinabi mo naman na ang malas ni Greg sakin kaya wag na akong choosy'ah?"

"Okay chill! Wala naman akong sinabi ah? Sige na hindi na, shut up na ko" nakatanggap lang s'ya ng irap galing kay Sy tiwanan niya lang ulit si Sy saka napabaling ng tingin sakin, parang may bigla siyang naalala.

"Wait? So you two know each other?" She asked him looking at me.

"Yeah, orgmate" iyon na lang ang sinagot ko. Hindi rin naman ako nagsinungaling totoo naman na orgmate kami hindi nga lang detailed'yung sagot ko.

"Ah..."

***

Nauna na 'yung iba na mauwi dahil may mga gagawin pa daw kaya kaming lima na lang ang natira nila Shai, Wilson, Chase, Sy at ako.

"Uwi na din tayo babe? Maaga ka pa bukas diba?"

"Oo nga.Pero ikaw? Babyahe ka pa ba? Gusto mo sa pad ko muna ikaw ngayong gabi? Wala naman tao sa kabilang room 'don ka muna. Mamayang madaling araw ka na lang umuwi"

"Okay lang ba?"

"Oo naman,ito naman parang baliw"

Pina-take out na muna ni Wilson 'yung mga pagkain sayang daw kasi madami din kasing natira. Grabe naman kasi'yung inorder 'nya pang 30 person 'yung dami.

Wilson insisted to drive me home since he asked earlier if I rode a car along the way.

"Just enjoy your day, sabay na lang kami ni Sy" once in a blue moon na nga lang sila magkita makikigulo pa ba'ko.

"No. Isabay n'yo na siya. Sorry Cey! dadaanan pa kasi ako sa hospital, mayduty ako ngayon e..." Inirapan ko na lang ito. Kahit kailan talaga si Sy!

"Don't mind me. Okay lang naman I'll just get uber na lang--"

"I'll drive her" napatingin kaming apat sa kanya.

"Paano ba yan? okay na?. Oh paano ingat kayo" Nakangiti na paalam ni Sy saka mabilis pa sa alas quatro na hinatak si Wilson at Shaira palayo samin.

***