From the Ground Up

Chapter 1 (Expect the Unexpected)

It started the day my eyes landed on your cold but stern smile. I could never forget those beading eyes staring at me like the world is ending.

My head felt like a concrete balloon, trying to sink to my desk at any moment. The hum of the florescent lights and the rhythmic tap-tap-tap echoed outside the classroom door, growing louder each passing second. I fought to keep my eyes wide open, but the battle was already destined to failed. Chin found solace on my crossed arms and I drifted off to a dream.

A sharp pain in my neck jolted me awake "Tonio, Hoi Tonton! Wake the fuck up!" Her voice was an angered troll in my dreamy world, I tried to focus on her face but the world was a blur of color and shapes.

"Huh? Sino ka?"

"Anong sino ka? Nahihibang kana ba?"

"Oh, hi Say" a yawn stretched across my face, wide and involuntary, trying to focus on what she is saying. "What's up?" I asked.

"Bumangon kana dyan tulungan mo ko dito!"

"Oo na bossing, eto na po" haystt to be in love with your best friend. Her name is Yusay de Dios, she is my childhood friend, simula bata hindi kami mapaghiwalay ng mga magulang namin.

"OI! Ayan ka nanaman, always sleeping. Sis college na tayo ha! Di na tayo mga bata"

"Yes I know, you don't have to remind me all the time." I played it down and said "It's always nice to sleep, dreaming about something you cannot obtain, being trapped in the never ending world of imagination, while being true to yourself which by the way I can't say the same to reality."

"Wow talo mo pa si Socrates" she sneered "tulingan mo nalang ako dito ang hirap kaya mag plano ng birthday ni Sir"

"Kaya nga tayong dalawa yung pinagsama. You can always rely on me" I said it in jest, expecting no serious response

Four months have gone by and our once warm, familiar friendship has gone cold. I tried reigniting it but..

(Messaging App)

20:30 pm

[Tonio] Sayy, busy ka? Laro tayo?

20:45 pm

[Say] huhu sorry late replyy. Pwede next time nalang ? hehe

[Tonio] sige sige, goodnight!

seen by Say 20:46 pm

The change in our dynamic is so palpable, it became evident to those around us.

"Uyyyyy di na kayo magkasama ni Say?" Juan asked.

"Ha, ano busy lang siguro siya.." My mind raced. Busy lang ba siya? Or iniiwasan niya na ako,, may ginawa ba akong mali? Bakat sa mga mukha ko ang pag aalala pero ano pa ba ang magagawa ko?

"TONIO!! TONIO TONIO TONIOOO!!" Delia burst into the room, drenched in sweat.

"Anyare sayo? Bat parang naligo ka?"

"Hayop ka Juan, sira elevator at escalator, nag hagdan ako!"

I could sense Delia's frustration but I can't help but ask "bakit? Anong meron?"

"So eto na nga, nakita ko si yusay sa food court- "

"Eto naman gutom lang siguro yung tao"

Delia slaps Juan's head and said "Gaga! May kasama siyang lalaki!"

"Ano?! Seryoso ba?? Eto naman hindi ba pwedeng Boy Best Friend niya lang? O.A agad"

"Excuse me Juan FYI, For your information, hindi ba si Tonio ang Boy bestie niya? Eh bakit nandun siya sa food court with some guy na hindi ko naman kilala and I know hindi rin kilala ni Tonio"

I couldn't breathe, my voice caught in my throat, para akong binagsakan ng langit and dinurog durog ng lupa.

Delia hovered her hands over my forehead gently before he touched it. "Huy sis? Oks ka lang?" She asked.

"Oo, ok lang ako.. May iniisip lang"

"Pano nayan? May jowa na si Say"

My eyes pleaded with Juan, silently begging him to retract those words.

"Huy! Isa! Wag kang ganyan tingnan mo nga tong ni Tonio paiyak na"

"Ay sorry, hehe labyu" Juan hugged me and said "Awayin natin sila, di natin sila bati"

When he declared them our enemies, a cold dread settled in my heart. I knew in that instant that nothing would ever be the same between us. The realization was a bitter pill to swallow, a stark reminder That things wouldn't be the same and this change will affect both of us.

"Haha,, baka naman hindi totoo yan, kababata niya ako tas hindi ko man malaman?" I brushed their assumptions off and walked to my next class.

"Alright class settled down. Our subject today is architectural visual communication graphics 1"

I can't focus sa klase All I could think of is Say, what do I do? Tatanggapin ko nalang ba.. Kaya ba niya ba ako iniiwasan? Kasi meron na siyang boyfriend.. I thought we were best friends, bakit ganun? Hindi man lang niya masabi straight to my face. ARGHHH bat ba ako nagagalit sa kaniya eh buhay niya yun. Bahala na siya...

As the clock ticked towards dismissal, the usual surge of excitement built within me has gone dry. As students started to pour out, my eyes scanned for familiar faces, searching for a glimpse of my friends who are waiting for me. My anxiety intensified with every passing second, wishing that seeing them was enough to remove the pain that bugged me for months.

"Come on bro, be happy. Sabi nga nila kung tunay na mahal mo you are willing to let go."

"Wow that's so strong coming from you ha, galing kay Juan Vernillo the Third" Delia rolled her eyes "Wag mo nang isipin, always remember nandito lang kami"

"Thanks guys.. Salamat sa pagsundo"

"Walang anuman manong Tonio, syempre susunduin ka namin baka makita mo pa yung demonyitang yon"

"Haha salamat Delia"

"Cheer up!" Juan told me while he placed his arms over my shoulder. From the corners of my eyes there she stood Say.. with a man.. I couldn't help myself, I wanted to shout and storm towards them thinking that i need an explanation,,, do I? Do I really deserve an explanation? Can't I just forget them.. Does it really need to hurt?

"Nye nyee 'di moko maabot"

"Wag mo ngang gawing human shield yang si Tonio"

"Guys tigilan niyo nayan baka magkasakitan pa kayo, WOah!" I instantly regretted what I said and soon found myself in a very difficult situation.

"Ano 'to bakit ang lambot-" the moment I realized what I have gotten myself into is the moment it started my eyes connected with his, a chilling mask of indifference and authority. His gaze, icy and penetrating, held me captive, as if the world is his oyster and I'm one of his pawns.