“Bro, I’m so glad you were able to come today,” Gerald told Sam.
“I know. I just got so busy that I wasn’t able to hang out with you guys.”
“I know it has been months since the thing with you, Sarah and me happened but I still wanna talk to you about it.”
“We don’t have to talk about anything. It’s in the past.”
“No Bro, just please let me get this out. For my peace of mind na rin.”
Sam fell silent and waited for him to go on.
“I’ve always liked Sarah but when you said that you were going to make a move, I tried to stay away. I really wanted to stay away but things happened while you were in the US that brought Sarah and me close to each other. Please know that I didn’t do anything on purpose to make her choose me. Sa totoo lang akala ko nga naging kayo na. But still I want to apologize for everything that had happened. Don’t ever think na sinulot ko s’ya sa ‘yo or naging traydor ako sa friendship natin.”
“Bro, you don’t have to apologize for anything. If there’s someone to blame, it’s me. I pushed her to you. But everything turned out for the better. I am happy with Mel and I can see how happy you are with each other. Don’t worry about it. There’s no love lost here.”
“Thanks Sam. You’re such a great friend.”
While Sam and Gerald we’re talking, Melissa and Sarah were having a talk of their own.
“So ikaw pala si Sarah,” Melissa said snobbishly.
“Ha?”
“Ikaw si Sarah na niligawan ni Sam before me but fell for one of his bestfriends.”
“Is there a point to this conversation?”
“Well, I want you to know that I don’t intend to have a close friendship with you. Magiging friends tayo in front of them and that’s it.”
“What did I do to you? May masama ba akong nagawa sa ‘yo?”
“Wala kang ginawa sa akin pero the fact na nauna kang niligawan ni Sam makes my blood boil. Alam mo bang matagal nang magkaibigan ang mga pamilya namin. Matagal na akong may gusto sa kanya pero nauna ka pa n’yang mapansin kaysa sa akin. Bakit? Mas maganda ka ba kaysa sa akin? Parang hindi naman. I don’t know what he saw in you. But now that we’re together, I swear he will never look at you the same way ever again.”
“Mabuti naman kung ganun kasi nakakaasiwa naman siguro kung magkagusto pa s’ya sa akin ngayong kami na ng kaibigan n’ya. At tungkol sa pakikipagplastikan mo sa akin, ‘wag na. Don’t even bother. Pwede ka namang hindi sumama everytime there will be a gathering like this. Wala namang mawawala sa amin kung hindi ka namin makikita. I have been spending time with these guys for months now and we’re all enjoying each other’s company. Wala naman difference kung nandun ka o wala.”
“At least we’re on the same page now. Mabuti nang nagkakalinawan tayo.”
“Malinaw na malinaw Melissa. Kawawa lang si Sam kasi sayang ang pagiging mabait n’ya, sa isang katulad mo rin lang pala s’ya mapupunta. Mas sosyal at mas maganda ka man sa akin eh wala akong pakialam kasi alam kong mas mabuting tao ako kaysa sa ‘yo. So if you’ll just excuse me, I’d rather spend time with real people,” Sarah said then turned away leaving Melissa standing by herself.
Sarah went to the refreshment table and got a drink to calm herself. She didn’t notice that Lara was already standing beside her.
“Sa, I heard everything.”
“Ha? Ang alin?”
“’Yung usapan n’yo ni Melissa. Hayaan mo na s’ya. Totoo ang sinabi mo, hindi naman s’ya kawalan sa atin… sa ‘yo. Don’t let her get to you.”
