This Time

Be Strong, Be a Man

ALYSSA'S P.O.V.

Sino kaya yung gusto ni Ysay? I can't stop thinking who's the lucky girl eh. You know why I find it kind of unfair to say that I don't know who's the girl Ysay like?

Because when I was so drown in love with someone, I always tell Ysay about it. He would always say that I should just move on and let fate bring someone to me.

He once told me that Jovee's a jerk to let go of me, because Jovee chose to leave me to have a successful life in US.

Haayy. Ysay and I became very close friends when Jovee's still my boyfriend. Sakanya kasi ako humihingi ng GWW. Guys' Words of Wisdom daw. Kasi di ko naman pwedeng istorbohin si Kiefer eh. That time, nag sisimula palang sila ni Mika.

There was a time pa when I felt so alone because they were all gone. Ysay became so busy courting someone, Kiefer's with Mika, and what's worse? Jovee left me.

Some of my teammates would say pa na they can also give me words of wisdom that are as good as what guys can give or even better pa daw.

I don't have the guts kasi to open up with them about Jovee cause I'm afraid that they'll think that their team captain is just flirting around.

Only sir Ricky, coach Roger and coach Tai know about us. When they heard about the news that Jovee and I already broke up, they said that I should spill it to my teammates na. So I did.

The next thing I knew, Ysay stopped courting Chelsea - our schoolmate. Until now, I don't know why.

"You don't seem to be listening Ly. Are you okay?"

I looked at Kiefer who's in front of the steering wheel. The traffic light's on red, I forgot that Kief's talking to me pala.

"Ah oo. Okay lang ako. Ano na ulit yun?" I said.

"Do you think I should talk to Mika and ask for an explanation?" Kiefer asked me. It's been about 4 days since that epic fail surprise happened and he's still looking for an answer.

"If that's what you think would help you to find answers, then why not right?" I told him.

"Oo nga pero paano yan? I've been calling her through phone but the number's unattended. Now I think she changed her number na." Kiefer said and sadness's obvious in his voice.

I did not talk na after what he said. Di ko alam anong sasabihin ko eh. When the traffic light went green, he drove again and we went to the Jollibee.

"What do you want Ly? The same?"

"Yes the same. Spaghetti and Sundae."

I don't really eat rice as my breakfast eh. We sat on our chairs na and waited for our orders to be served.

KIEF'S P.O.V.

I was just staring at Alyssa who seemed to be bothered kanina ba. I really think there's something that she's thinking about.

"Thanks." I told the waiter who served our foods while Alyssa just smiled.

"My pleasure sir Kiefer and ma'am Alyssa." He said.

Everytime kasi na dito kami kakain ni Alyssa, di na kami nag hihintay sa line for our orders, we'll just sit in a simple seat and wait for our meal to come.

"What time ba class mo? Bakit mo naisipan na kumain dito with me?" Alyssa started the conversation. Is she not in the mood? I can sense it in the way she talk to me eh. But I did not bother to ask her na.

"Uhm, 9:30 am pa. 8:30 sa'yo diba? Wala lang. I just need some advice."

"For what?"

I just stared at her when she ask me 'for what' with her eyebrows up. What's wrong with this girl ba?

"Oh I see. For the nthiest time, you need an advice and your problem is still about Mika, right?" She said and ate her spag after.

"Ah, yes. What do you think's good for me to do ba, Ly? Di naman siya nag rereply eh."
I asked her and took a bite of my burger yum.

"I think it's only either you move on, or still find another way to communicate with her." She answered and looked straight in my eyes.

"Move on? Do you think it's that easy Ly?" That's all I could say. What made her think that after 4 days of our break up I'll be okay na?

"I didn't say naman na mag move on ka agad no. You should take the stairs Kief. Di naman kasi pwedeng always kang mag hahabol. Be strong, be a man." Her words stabbed my chest. I cannot take it anymore, I just kept silent until we finished eating na.

We're now inside the car, I was about to start the engine na when she said something...

"Sorry about what I have said kanina Kief. I didn't mean to-" I cut her off.

"I'm hurt Ly. Di ko alam na makakatanggap ako ng gano'ng salita from my best friend after witnessing what I've been through after we broke up. Pero okay lang."

After that, silence filled the air inside my car. No one dares to speak. No one wants to open up a new topic, maybe because in my side, my mind's still focusing on what she said earlier.

Di naman pwedeng always kang mag hahabol. Be strong, be a man.

Be strong, be a man.

Be a man.

BE A MAN.

"Is that the reason why Mika left me? Am I not a man enough to give her the love she deserves to have?" I thought to myself.

------------------------------