Broken Vessels

Kabanata 01

Kabanata 01

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"Ysabel!" I called out to my friend who was now running toward me.

I smiled widely as she reached me and gave me a hug.

"Did you go to the concert last night?" she asked, pulling away.

I shook my head. "Hindi. Open grounds nga at libre ang tickets, pero hindi pumayag si Mommy kasi hanggang hatinggabi daw. Alam mo namang malayo pa tayo sa inyo."

"Well, Gabriel and I could've taken you," she said.

"Hindi pa rin. Besides, may exam tayo ngayon!" I exclaimed.

She glared at me playfully. "I'm a multitasker!"

"Ewan ko sa'yo, Ysa." I rolled my eyes and teased her back.

I glanced to the right and saw Gabriel Lucero walking toward us. I smiled and waved. She turned to her friend and did the same. Gab waved at us. In the middle of our banter, someone suddenly tapped my shoulder. I turned around slowly and smiled when I saw who it was—Tan!

"Hey!" I greeted, hugging him instantly.

Ysa turned toward us, and Gab finally reached us.

Tan chuckled and patted my back.

"Na-miss kita," I said softly.

He laughed even more. "Ako rin, Beth."

I nodded and slowly let go of the hug. I said I missed him seriously—because I meant it. After the typhoon hit, classes were suspended. It took more than a month before we were able to come back. Ysa and I always saw each other since she often went home. But Tan went abroad, and so did Gab.

"Ako rin, Beth," Gab chimed in, pretending to be offended.

I laughed and looked at him. I nodded and gave him a hug too.

"Miss you, Gab," I said.

"Asan na 'yung 'I' doon?"

Arte!

"I..." I said, pulling away and looking at him. He furrowed his brows. I laughed.

"Bakit? Kay Ysa ka na lang humingi. Siguradong meron 'yun para sa'yo!"

Suddenly, Ysa's eyes widened. She slapped my shoulder playfully. I saw how Gab smiled while looking at her.

They're in love!

"Ano ba, Beth!" Ysa exclaimed.

I looked at her innocently. "Totoo naman ah! Besides, friends tayo! Don't be like that!"

Gab grinned. "Eh bakit si Tan, hindi ka ba gusto?"

We all looked at our usually quiet friend. He blinked like he was just catching up. Then he furrowed his brows, like he didn't understand the joke. Gab hiccupped a laugh when Tan reached for my hand. I knew it—he always does that when he feels nervous or uncomfortable with attention. He holds my hand to stop it from shaking.

"May gusto si Tan," I said, looking at the two.

Ysa didn't take her eyes off our hands. Gab was giggling beside her, eyes darting between us. I felt Tan turn to me.

"Yeah. May gusto ako," he said, steady and sure. He didn't even glance away.

I already knew what he meant. Just from their reactions, I knew. And I couldn't think of anything to say. This was one of those topics I tried to avoid.

Tan is my friend—technically, my childhood friend. Let's just say I did like him before. To be honest, But that's just admiration—for being a gentleman, for being a great friend. Nothing more.