Player 1 | MIKHAIAH AU

Part 32

"Ilang araw na siya sa loob," Shan murmured, her gaze fixed on Addison's door, worry creasing her brow. "Sa gabi lang siya lumalabas, para kumain ng kaunti," Mandy added softly, almost as if afraid to break the silence. "Hindi na nga rin nagjogging tuwing umaga," Shan continued, her voice laced with concern.

"Nakausap mo na ba si Gab? Ano ba talaga nangyari?" Mandy asked, her eyes searching Shan's face for answers. "Ewan ko rin, ayaw magsabi ni Mackie," Shan replied, frustration slipping into her tone.

"Bayaan niyo na kung ayaw," Clover muttered, her voice sharp with a hint of disdain at the mention of Mackie's name.

"Hindi siya ang kailangan ni Addison ngayon..." Clover's eyes drifted toward her door, her expression unreadable. "Clo, hindi ba kayo nag-usap ni Jhai?" Mandy pressed, her voice gentle but curious.

Clover sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of everything pressed down on her. "Kung meron mang gustong sabihin si Mackie, siya dapat ang lumapit, hindi mga kaibigan niya," she said, her tone firm, unwavering.

Their conversation is interrupted by the soft creak of Addison's door as it swings open. She hesitates at the doorway, her face wearing a faint smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Oh... I didn't know you guys were still here. Akala ko pumasok na kayo," she says, her voice wavering slightly.

Before she can say more, Shan rushes over, wrapping her arms around her tightly. "Love you, Ate Ads," she whispers, holding on as though she could shield Addison from whatever storm she was facing.

Addison hugs her back, her grip firm but her voice betraying her resolve. "I love you too, bunso. Thank you... I promise I'll be okay."

Mandy quickly joins them, rubbing Addison's back, her own tears quietly falling as the weight of the moment sinks in. They cling to each other, their collective grief filling the room.

Clover, the steady anchor of their little group, feels her heart ache seeing Addison so broken. She steps forward, pulling them all into a group embrace. Gently, she taps Addison's head, her voice calm yet resolute. "We're here, always. Whatever happens, you don't have to face it alone."

"Are you sure about this?" Sab asks, her voice soft yet heavy with concern, as she watches Mackenzie zip her bag. Mackenzie nods faintly, her movements deliberate but subdued.

"I already told Dad," Sab says, stepping closer. "Twiny, I'll always be here for you-even if I don't always agree." Her gaze meets Mackenzie's, earnest and unwavering.

"Mackie, please, usap muna tayo," Jhai pleads, her worry etched on her face.
"Hindi mo dapat bitbitin yung ganong bigat mag-isa," Gab says gently, placing a hand on Mackenzie's arm.

Mackenzie turns to them, her smile thin and strained. "This is my decision. It's not something you guys should carry too."

"We'll talk to Direk ulit," Jhai offers, her voice steady but desperate. "Baka pwede pang ayusin."

"Hindi niyo na kailangan gawin yun," Mackenzie replies, turning back to her bag. "Besides, people already hate me."
"That's because they don't know the whole story," Sab counters, her voice rising.

Mackenzie stops, her shoulders slumping as she exhales shakily. "Ano pa bang silbi ng paglaban? Talo naman kahit anong gawin ko. Ayoko na. I'm done-accept defeat na lang." She raises her hands in surrender, her tone laced with bitterness.

"Mackie," Sab begins, her voice softening, "Sabi mo sa akin... mahal mo siya." Mackenzie hesitates, her composure faltering.

"Ipaglaban mo yun, pre," Gab chimes in firmly. "Kasi dun, hindi ka talo."

Mackenzie looks down, her resolve crumbling. "Talo na ako dun," she whispers, her voice breaking. "I saw how Clover was better for her. I saw them... that night."

"That night..." Gab begins, his brow furrowing in thought. "So it was your car. Pre, Clover wasn't making a move that night. Actually..." He pauses, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "I think she already let you have her, bro. Pinaubaya na yata talaga."

"Pinaubaya?" Mackenzie echoes, confused, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Kita naman namin," Jhai interjects, her tone lighter, as if trying to ease the tension. "Mahal niyo talaga ang isa't isa. Parang pahinga kayo ng isa't isa. Pero grabe kayo ah, kami na naiinip sa tagal ng laro niyo ng patintero"

Mackenzie looks down, his voice trembling as he speaks. "I feel like I don't deserve her. I've hurt her so much..."

"So fix it," Sab cuts in, her voice steady and direct. "Kung mahal mo talaga siya, tigilan mo na ang pananakit. Tell her the truth. Ayusin mo, Mackenzie." She looks at him, her gaze unwavering. "Bago pa huli ang lahat."

"Mackie boi" Jhai says pulling her in a tight hug. "Maiintindihan ka niya... kausapin mo lang siya" Jhai says her voice breaking a little. "It's not too late, diba nga maangas ka. Ipaglaban mo" Gab says. "We're right behind you" Sab says.