Crossing the Line

Nine

Hindi mapigilang mapangiti ni Mella habang pinapanood ang mag-asawang sina Michelle at Brent na ngayo'y sumasayaw sa gitna ng dance floor. Para bang may sariling mundo ang mga ito dahil titig na titig ang dalawa sa isa't isa.

Brent prepared a party for his wife, Michelle. It's their first anniversary as a married couple.

She's happy that Michelle found someone that will treasure and love her. As her friend, she wants the best for her and she thinks that Brent is the best for her. At syempre, ganoon rin ang kaso kay Brent. Michelle is the best for him. Bagay na bagay.

"Sayaw tayo?"

Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa naglahad sakanya ng kamay. Si Adam pala 'yon.

She smiled at his friend and accepted his invitation. Some couples are already on the dance floor, joining the married couple.

Adam placed his hand on her lower back and held her other hand and they began swaying to the ryhthm of music.

"She's happy. I'm glad that she's happy." wika ni Adam nang sinulyapan sina Michelle at Brent.

Sinulyapan niya rin ang bagong kasal tapos ay nginitian si Adam. "Yeah. I'm glad that you're both okay. I can't believe exes can be friends." she joked to make the atmosphere lighter between them.

Ramdam niya kasi na medyo malungkot si Adam, but she doubts that it has something to do with Michelle and Brent. She's thinking that it would be Jen.

"Mabait si Michelle. Hindi naman ako umaasa na magiging magkaibigan pa kami, pero ibinigay niya iyon sa'kin. Ganoon din si Brent. Bagay sila." nakangiting saad ni Adam. Bakas ang sinseridad sa bawat salitang inutal nito.

Napaisip tuloy siya kung paano nagawa ni Michelle na maging kaswal sa ex nito. Sabagay, nagsimula naman sila sa pagkakaibigan. Magkababata silang lahat eh. Pero kasi, parang ang awkward na, hindi na maibabalik iyong dati na pakikitungo sa isa't isa. Siyempre, nagkalamat na eh. Kahit pa sabihing okay na sila, magkakaroon pa rin ng gap.

"Nahanap mo na ba si Jen?"

Sandaling hindi nakasagot si Adam. "Oo."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "Oh! Ano na balita? Nag-sorry ka na ba?"

"She's.. pregnant."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa binalita sakanya ni Adam. "Nabuntis mo kaagad si Jen?!"

Umangat ng kaunti ang gilid ng labi nito. "She's pregnant with another man's kid."

Kung may ilalaki pa ang mga mata niya, siguro ganoon nga ang nangyari. Halos isang taon na hinahanap ni Adam si Jen tapos makikita nito na buntis na sa ibang lalaki? Ang bilis naman mag-move on ni ate!

Anger rose up in her. "What a.. sorry for the word ha pero malandi siya!"

Adam chuckled. "Don't say that, mahal ko siya."

Napaangat ang kilay niya. "So, babalikan mo, ganoon?"

He shook his head. "No. She has a family now. She has a man that will love her and never neglects her. I don't want to take that away from Jen. Like Michelle, she deserves to be happy."

Bigla siyang nakaramdam ng awa kay Adam. How can this man be hurt a lot of times? Mabait ito, maalaga, mapagmahal at hindi naman maitatanggi na gwapo. She doesn't understand why this keeps happening to him.

She tapped his back. "Okay lang 'yan. Masarap maging single." pang-aalo niya rito.

"Single ka ba? I thought you and Marky have a thing." natatawang sabi ni Adam.