The Faulkersons

XII. - The Past -

"Hazel?" Thirdy asked, eyes glued at the girl who caused his first ever heartbreak. His hands started shaking, he doesn't know whether he should take a step forward or not. 

"I'm sorry for dropping by unannounced. Gusto lang kitang makita." she said. Her voice made his heart flutter. Thirdy started feeling a bit weird, a part of him whispered to go inside while another one said that he should kiss her. 

"Here I am. Kelan ka pa nakabalik?" he asked. His heart is still pounding hard against his chest. Seeing Hazel again crushed every ounce of confidence he has in his body. 

"Yesterday." she replied, smiling slightly at him. The door then suddenly opened and he heard his mother's sweet voice. 

"Hazel, is that you?" Maine asked the young girl. 

"Yes, Tita."

"Oh come in. Thirdy, let your friend in." 

"She's not my friend." he suddenly said. Thirdy then turned around and ran upstairs, leaving everyone behind him. After locking his door, he pulled out of his phone and called Jack. 

"Dude, where are you?" he asked right away. 

"Gym ... why?" 

"Come here now please, I need you." 

"Pare, nababakla ka na naman." 

"Fuck you ... Hazel showed up." 

"Really? on my way." Jack answered and then ended the call. Thirdy then started pacing back and forth inside his room. 

---

After Hazel left, Maine quickly approached RJ to talk about what happened. She looked at her husband's face and saw how serious he is. They all witnessed how Thirdy cried when she suddenly left. She placed a hand on RJ's shoulder and asked what they should do. 

"Nakita mo naman yung reaction nung anak natin kanina. Hayaan na natin sila. Maayos din nila yan." 

"Hayaan? Ricardo naman .... masyado pa silang bata para magtanim ng galit sa isa't-isa. Well, mukhang si Thirdy lang naman meron but still. He's too young for that." 

"Alam mo Menggay, may na-realize ako eh." 

"Ano yun?" 

"Gwapings talaga anak natin eh no?" 

"Baliw ka talaga! Nahihirapan na nga yung bata. Bilisan mo na , puntahan mo na sa taas." she said. 

"You think I can help him? Eh di ba parehas kami ng problema? Ikaw na lang kaya." 

"But you got through it. Sige na Ricardo." 

"O sige but under one condition." 

"Ano yun?" Maine asked.

"After this ... no matter what happens ... you're going to trust your son's decision because taht will shape and help him to become a better man." 

"I will." 

---

RJ took a deep breath and knocked on Thirdy's door. Slowly, it opened and his son's afce came to his view. 

"Can I come in?" he asked and he opened it fully. RJ went inside Thirdy's room and sat on the edge of his bed. 

"So what happened back there?" 

"I panicked." Thirdy replied, embarrassed. 

"Are you still mad at her?" he asked directly. Thirdy sat beside him and looked up at the ceiling.