MIDDLE

ix

After ko maligo and mag-ayos ng gamit ko, I walked faster palabas because I know Mika's waiting for me but unluckily, I did not get to escape agad because there are people who wants to take a photo with me. How to escape?

Smile dito, smile doon. I appreciate my fans and I love them but Mika's waiting for me kasi. Ayoko naman na sabihin na aalis na ako kasi for sure they'll think na di ako accomodating or baka sabihin nila "ay hindi pala okay to si Kiefer" or "sungit naman pala nito ni Ravena" but who cares?

Yes, I know and I'm aware that I am a public figure but that doesn't mean they'll have to know everything. May limitation ang lahat ng bagay but I can't control what they are thinking. So better yet do what you gotta do and do whatever makes you happy.

After an hour or so, natapos din yung photo ops with the fans. That means one hour ko din pinaghintay si Mika? Really Kiefer?

To: Mika 👸

Hey I'm sorry sobrang dami kasing nagpa-picture and I know you waited ng sobrang tagal. Sorry! Where are you ba?

She changed her name in my phone kasi sabi niya she's a princess daw so ayun. Wala din naman akong magagawa because she really is.

From: Mika 👸

I'm here sa parking lot. Sa tapat ng car mo.

Sobrang plain ng reply niya, I'm sure galit na 'to. I remember sabi niya ayaw niya yung pinaghihintay kasi sobrang impatient niya. Lagot ako nito. But syempre I'll explain everything to her and I know she'll understand naman.

When I got to the parking lot, I saw her agad leaning in my car. She looked bored tho. Malamang Kiefer, kanina pa siya naghihintay.

"Sorry Miks kasi ang daming nagpa-picture kaya di ako nakaalis agad and ayoko naman umalis agad kasi that's the only way para ma-give back ko yung love na binibigay nila for me. Kaya sorry talaga Miks, I hope naiintindihan mo ako." Dire-diretso kong sabi sa kanya.

"Okay. Tara na!" She said and took my car key tapos binuksan niya na yung car and sumakay. Sumakay na din naman ako.

"Di ka galit?" I asked her while I'm starting the engine.

"Nope." And she smiled.

"Huh? E diba you don't want to wait? Diba sabi mo sobrang impatient ka?" I asked her once again.

"Okay I admit, nagalit ako nung una kasi sobrang tagal ko naghintay and ako lang mag-isa, Jessey and Kim left na kasi pina-una ko na sila. Nahiya na din kasi ako sa kanila. And so nainis ako kasi dapat pala sumama na lang ako sa kanila if I know na sobrang tagal mo but I realized na sikat ka pala and for sure everyone wants to take a photo with you so ayun, I understand naman so you don't need to worry." She said. This is one of the best traits of Mika, she understands and she knows what I am feeling. Although wala siyang idea kung paano ang life pag sikat ka, she always puts herself in my shoes kapag may hindi siya naiintindihan.

"Hay buti naman you understand. Kaya kita gusto e." I said then biglang nagkaroon ng awkward silence. The fuck? What did I just say?

"Kaya kita gustong friend." I added. Muntik na yun ah.

"Ahhhhh." Is all she can say and I continued driving.

"Where nga ulit tayo pupunta? I mean, saang restau or mall? Kasi diba we will be having dinner with your fam?" She asked. I have no plans of taking her sa madaming tao that's why sabi ko kay Mama it's better to eat sa house na lang para kami kami lang and para mas makilala din ni Mika yung family ko.