Somehow Last Wednesday

LXXIV

[Telegram]

Mikenzo Nikolai Alegre
last seen recently

10:48 p.m.

Kenzo
I can't sleep.

Andy
Why?

Kenzo
It's her birthday today.

Andy
HALA
NIKA? I FORGOT TO GREET HER 😭

Kenzo
It's fine.
She doesn't really like greetings.
Or maybe that was just before. I'm not sure.

Andy
Kenny 🥺

Kenzo
Can you come over?
Ask Klein to come with you.
Let's have a drink kahit 1 glass lang.

Andy
Oki
I'll ask klein if he's up for it

[Twitter]

🎀🔒 @itsadrianna
Hay :( I don't really like it when Kenny's sad

🎀🔒 @itsadrianna
Also, hindi rin alam ni klein yung binanggit ni kenny about greeting nika on her birthday

🎀🔒 @itsadrianna
Bumati lang daw si klein kanina but sticker reply lang sinend ni nika :(

🎀🔒 @itsadrianna
Ayaw naman sabihin ni kenny yung reason kasi secret lang daw nila ni nika yun. Sabi niya sa kanya lang din daw sinabi ni nika yun before kaya there's no way he's sharing kahit sa best friend pa raw ni nika

🎀🔒 @itsadrianna
It's sad 😔

[Telegram]

nika
last seen recently

11:08 p.m.

Klein
Grabe ka

Nika
Nu na naman yan?

Klein
Yung pinsan ni andy
Hirap na hirap mag move on sayo

Nika
Maniwala ako?

Klein
Klein sent a photo.
O ayan siya
Ayaw mo maniwala ha

Nika
TANGINA MO
BAT MO PINICTURAN

Klein
Ayaw mo maniwala eh
Umiinom yan dahil sayo
Birthday mo raw kasi

Nika
BAHALA KAYO DYAN
DI AKO NANINIWALA
MATUTULOG NA AKO
WAG KA NA MAGREPLY

INT. BEDROOM - EVENING

11:41 p.m.

ANDY
Are you asleep?

KLEIN
Hindi pa. Nakapikit lang ako.

ANDY
Okay . . .

KLEIN
Bakit, attorney?

ANDY
I just thought of Kenny and Nika.

KLEIN
Ano 'yon?

ANDY
Kasi before they seem really sweet, and they were a nice pair. I understand naman why they broke up pero every time I see Kenny, nanghihinayang din ako for them. Tapos napaisip din ako na if ever I do get into a relationship like that, I hope it wouldn't turn out that way. I hope it won't end, I hope we won't be estranged—

Klein shifted, laying on his side and carefully sliding his arm underneath her head so she can use it as her pillow.

KLEIN
Tingin ko kasi bad timing 'yong kanila. Based sa kuwento ng pinsan mo kanina.

ANDY
You think so?

KLEIN
Oo. Kasi patient na tao naman si Nika kahit madalas siraulo din 'yon kagaya ko. Mukha rin namang maintindihin pinsan mo. Kaya tingin ko bad timing 'yong nangyari sa kanila. Naaalala ko lang din bigla mga reklamo ni Nika dati.

ANDY
Do you think there's a chance for them to reconcile?

KLEIN
Sa part ng pinsan mo, oo. Kay Nika hindi ko sigurado.

ANDY
I see . . .

KLEIN
Matulog na tayo, attorney. Maaga ka pa bukas—

ANDY
Can you promise me one thing?

KLEIN
Ano 'yon?

ANDY
Na if ever we'd be something more tapos at the end we also have to break up, can you promise me na somehow we'd still be friends or kahit civil lang?

KLEIN
Ha?

ANDY
Please? Just promise me. Kasi for me, you're someone I really want to keep close. If we won't be together, I'm more than happy to be your friend, I really like your company and I like how we can talk about anything and everything. Madalas kasi conscious talaga ako kapag dumadaldal ako but ikaw, kaya mo akong sabayan. You also don't take it against me if I'm like this.

KLEIN
Bakit naman?

ANDY
Do you know how many times my relatives tell me na isip bata ako just because I'm like this? It feels like they don't take me seriously but at the same time, hindi ko kaya sabayan 'yong personality nila na firm and commanding. Maybe when I'm working, oo. But every minute of every day? Just for them to like me? No.

KLEIN
Andy . . .

Andy's lips quivered.

ANDY
I really like you. Not because we're doing these things where you let me hug you and you kiss me and those extra physical things. But I like you as a friend, as a person, and maybe as someone I could be something more in the future. Kaya please? Can you promise me kahit that one lang? If ever . . .

Klein breathed. The tip of her nose was red and a tear also cascaded down to her temple. He felt that on his arm.

He blinked, she did, too. They were silent and Andy inched to him closer. Klein really couldn't find the right words to say because it was the first time he felt . . . different. For someone.

It was the first time he felt something twitch and turn inside him. It was the first time he felt like holding somebody and never letting go.

He couldn't wrap his head around it. He couldn't find any reason why it all feels that way.

But it does. And he just held her closer.

ANDY
Klein?

KLEIN
Oo. Promise.