Her Prince

- 54 -

- ADDYSON LOPEZ -

I was a mess.

A crying mess.

And I thanked God for my friends, who helped and consoled me in their own little ways.

Blaire, my tsundere of a friend was the first. Dinala Nina kaming magkakaibigan sa Baguio, one of the perks of having a personal driver and a big car to take you anywhere. Yes, she was rich as hell. May villa din sila doon, so we stayed there for a few days, namasyal, kumain, at nag-enjoy.

Naagpunta kami sa Benguet, para mamitas ng strawberries, sa Mine's View, Bamboo Sanctuary, Igorot Stone Castle, Burnham Park at sa iba pang sikat na tourist spots. Pinilit naming puntahan lahat sa ilang araw na nandoon kami. On our last day, sinulit naman namin ang mga rides sa Sky Ranch, matapos naming maglibot sa SM Baguio. It was exhausting, but so worth it. Hindi ako nagkaroon ng oras para isipin si Julien.

Pag-uwi namin, Marina dragged me for a double date the very next day. Her date was tall and handsome, with a twin brother na siya namang naging date ko. They were both nice, their company was nice... but it was too early for me to be looking for someone. My heart needed to heal first. Marina understood this of course, and kissed me on the cheek to apologize and told me she'd think of a better way to help me heal my heart.

Eunice, my cosplayer friend, brought me to a cosplay event. She did my makeup and dressed me up so prettily, I thought I was a different person. For a whole day, I was Nami and she was Robin from One Piece. She even got us a realistic... (or was that called prosthetic?) big boobs as part of the get up. Ang daming nagpa-picture sa'min. I was indeed, an entire different person for a day. Now I understood why Eunice loved cosplaying, kahit pa madalas stress siya sa paggawa ng mga costumes at sa pag-iisip ng mga designs.

Lastly, there was Hana. My best friend who had been the most chill. Sinamahan niya akong umuwi sa Lingmell, and stayed with me there for a whole week. It was like we were back in her condo again, reading mangas and animes all day. Hana had taken a liking—or should I say obsession?— to a new genre. She was really in to Boy's Love now, she consumed them like they were her vitamins, her will to live. Give her a few more weeks, and she just might start writing a BL story herself.

I survived for a whole two weeks, without Julien. I restricted our conversation on Messenger, para hindi ko na makita ang mga chats niya. He was still messaging me, asking how I was, if I was okay, at kung nasaan daw ba ako. He wanted us to talk and for what? So he could properly reject me? Or to ask if we could stay as friends?

He was still so kind and considerate... but he was bad for my heart. Kailangan ko siyang tiisin. What was the point in answering his message anyway? Wala na akong balak magpakita sa kanya... not when I still had these stubborn feelings at least. Mawawala rin 'to, makakalimutan ko rin siya.

Nagawa ko kay Kuya Sana, magagawa ko rin kay Julien.... was what I kept telling myself. But it had been two weeks... and despite my aching heart, my whole being was still yearning for him. Para akong mababaliw.

"You look pale, Addy." Hana noticed, setting down her fork. She reached out to feel my forehead, but I moved away.

Thanks to Kuya Sana, healthy ang lunch namin ngayong araw. Dinalan niya kami ng salad, pasta at cake from Café Prince. Ramdam niya raw, all the way from Rachdale, na puro fast food at noodles lang kami ng kapatid niya. I just... didn't have the energy to prepare a proper meal, and Hana was a disaster in the kitchen, that was why.

Sumubo ako ng lettuce, "I'm fine."

She clicked her tongue and shook her head, "Hindi muna ko uuwi. Magpapadala na lang ako kay kuya ng damit."