Pagitan

Unang Kabanata

Laine doesn't know when it happened. She doesn't know when she carved a piece of her heart and gave it to Uno.

Is it when Uno came at times when she needed comfort and found it in his arms?
Or is it when Uno showed his undying support for her when she needed someone to cheer her up?
Or is it when she realized that Uno's the only person that filled the missing piece of her self?

A guitar and its string. That's what their friendship is.

And Laine, couldn't tell when exactly the time she began to feel more for the older.

Not as a friend. Also not as a lover.

It's more than that.

Kahit ano atang salita ay hindi kayang mabigyang kahulugan ang nararamdaman niya para sa binata.

But she's terrified. Three years of age gap wasn't bad right? Or is it?

So she tried. She tried to take back the piece of her heart she gave him. But she just can't.

She can't. And she won't.

Laine sighed as a relief when she finally arrived at her apartment. It's been a long tiring day for her.

She's so exhausted that she's barely taking steps on her way to her room.

A loud pop of a balloon was heard after she opened her door. Natuod siya sa kinatatayuan at parang ang lahat ng antok niya ay nawala dahil sa gulat.

"Happy birthday!"

Frozen in place, she pointed at the man in front of him.

"Surprise?" Uno chuckled.

"Birthday ko pala?" She murmured and touched her lips.

Funny how she forgot a special day to be celebrated by her. After a while, Uno came closer with a cake in his hands.

"Blow na."

With a smile plastered on her lips, she blew the candle. "Thank you."

A guitar can never work without its string.

"Wala na si Papa," Laine cried as she reached for Uno's arms. "Iniwan niya na kami, Uno," she sobbed.

The older said nothing. Instead, he caressed the younger's hair and tightened his hug.

It was enough for Laine. His presence was enough. While this, it's more than enough for her. The cold she was feeling vanished. She can only feel warmth in his arms.

A guitar can't make good melodies without its string.

"You did it, Uno! Graduate ka na!" She smiled and clapped her hands after Uno came to give her his toga.

"Yes. And yet, hindi mo pa rin ako ginagalang." He teased the younger one.

He never experienced being called "kuya" by the other. He always wanted that. He's longing for a younger sister's love, which she found in Laine's.

"Hindi mo ikamamatay ang hindi ko pagtawag sa 'yo ng kuya," she didn't want to.

Ayaw niyang maging kuya si Uno. Ayaw niyang maging kuya lang si Uno.