Empty Minds

Part Four

"What?" O.O?? For real?

"Who are you? And how did you know my brother?" Shet! Nosebleed me. Nosebleed me! Tsaka, what? Brother? Hindi siya si Sam and he's his brother?

"Brother? Ano? Nakakalito naman!" Ano?! Ang gulo naman ata. He just rolled his eyes. And after a second, lumaki ang mga mata nito na para bang naggulat ito. I was about to turn my head para makita kung ano ba ang ikinagulat nito, but he grabbed my hand at... At... At... The fuck!!! He hugged me!

"Hush! Wag kang malikot." He whispered. Aba't! Kanina lang iritang irita ito sa akin, and now he's hugging me? "Bakit mo kasi ako niyakap!" Pagkasigaw ko, he stopped hugging me. He even acted like nothing happened! Damn!

"Get lost." Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. He walked away, living me hanging here. Hindi man lang siya nag explain kung bakit niya ako niyakap. Napakabastos naman niya!

So, here i am strolling alone at the mall. Gosh! I hate walking in the mall alone! Para akong kawawa tingnan! "Clarisse?" Napatingin ako dun sa taong tumawag sa akin. And to my surprise, it was... Who is this guy again? "I guess, you forgot who i am? Who would not forget? It's been seven years since the day we parted ways." I can't remember him! Hindi ko siya maalala! Tanga! Tinagalog ko lang yung inisip ko kanina!

"Hahaha! It's Tristan Martinez." Tristan? Hmm. Let me see. Ah! I remember! Siya si Tristan na best buddy ko noon. But i guess kaya ko siya nakalimutan dahil after nung seventeenth birthday ko, tinry kong kumbinsihin siyang wag akong iwan. But he never listen at tinuloy pa rin ang pag alis papuntang america. Depressed kaya ako nun, and i decided to forget him.

I'm happy that he's back again! Pero nangibabaw pa rin yung sama ng loob ko. I slapped his face. "I guess, i deserved that." And i slapped him again. "And that." Pagkatapos ko siyang hampasin ay agad naman niya akong niyakap. "I missed you." He whispered into my ears.

--

"Do you remember that time na pumasok tayo sa horror house? Hahaha! Ang lakas mong kumapit sa kamay ko! Tapos ang epic pa ng mukha mo! Hahaha!" Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin mula kanina pa. Sa dinami dami ba naman ng pwede niyang ma alala, yung ganun pa?! Aba'y sumusobra na 'to ah? "Suntokan gusto mo?!" Nanghahamon na sabi ko.

"Joke lang naman Clarisse! Pero seryoso, namiss talaga kita ng sobra!" Hyper na hyper niyang sabi. Natawa naman ako sa reaction niya, in fairness mas lalo siyang gumwapo. "I heard that naging kayo ni James." Nag-iba yung reaction ng mukha niya. Medyo nag-iba yung mood ko. "Let's not talk about it." Iniangat niya ang mukha ko, kaya ngayon ay nakatingin ako sakanya at ganon rin siya sa akin.

"Look, i'm sorry. Hindi ko alam, sana, nakinig na lang ako sayo na wag umalis. Sana naging tayo. Sana hindi kayo nagkilala, sana hindi ka nasaktan ngayon." He said and hugged me so tight. I must say that, i did loved him too back then. Pero dumating si James and... And... And.. I don't wanna remember it anymore, medyo masakit pa kasi eh.

"Clarisse?!" Nagulat kaming dalawa ni Tristan ng may sumigaw sa pangalan ko, and to my surprise si Princess lang pala yun. "Who is this guy? And i thought you're into Sam now?" Napatingin naman bigla si Tristan sa akin na para bang nagtatanong kung sino ba si Sam. "Ugh! I'm not into Sam, Princess. And this guy right here is Tristan, my old friend—" Naputol ang sasabihin ko ng biglang sumabat si Tristan. "I was used to be his lover when that James came to ruin her life." Para namang lumuwa ang mata ni Princess nang marinig niya iyon.

She faced me ng sobrang nakakaloka, she was telling me na she needs an explanation about everything that have happened today. "I'll tell you later. Anyways, how was your date with Jared?" After hearing the name, bigla naman siyang nagwala. Di joke lang, kinilig lang siya. "It was amaziiiiiinnnngggg!" She giggled.

"I'm still here." Biglang sabat ni Tristan na nakataas pa ang isang kamay nito. "So, Tristan right?" Tanong ni Princess kay Tristan at saka umupo. "Yeah?" Tristan seems to be uncomfortable talking with Princess. "My bestfriend here is currently hurting, kaya i'm warning you. Don't you dare hurt her or else mamamatay ka. Bwahahaha!" Parang abnong tawa ni Princess. "Nahh. Hinding hindi ko na yun gagawin. I'll take care of her from now on." Then he faced me and smiled so sweet.

Am i ready to fall in love again? Oh shit!