"She's funny, smart, sweet, and very pretty. Like she's my dream girl."
Bea just smiled and said, "Hindi masyadong halata na inlove ka dun no?"
"But may problem eh."
"What is it?"
"I don't think she likes me." The girl said emphasizing the word "she" which surprised Beatriz. She wasn't aware that her friend is also into girls like her.
But Beatriz erased her thoughts and laughed at her friend. "Ang humble mo naman po. May hindi ba magkakagusto sa'yo? Parang lahat naman may crush sa'yo: mapa-grade school, high school, senior high, college or working adults na sila. Nagkakagusto sila sa'yo eh."
"Wow Beatriz. Ang OA mo diyan."
"Totoo naman eh."
"But still, she doesn't like me."
"Edi just ask her if she likes you."
"What?! Seriously? Ayoko nga. Mapahiya pa ako sa kanya."
"You're just going to ask her naman eh."
"You have no idea how heartbreaking it is if she'll reject me. Even if that girl will do it in a nicest way, still, it's going to be painful." Hindi na sumagot si Beatriz.
"But I know she likes someone else."
"How did you know?"
"It's obvious. May mga bagay kasi na kahit hindi mo na itanong, sapat na yung nakikita mo para paniwalaan mong totoo iyon."
"Assuming ka kasi."
"Hindi ah. Loving someone, secretly, from a distance, do you know how that feels?" Napatitig naman si Beatriz sa kanyang kaibigan.
"And the worst part is, you see and watch her loving someone else but still your heart choses her."
"Jhoana! Patulong naman sa gate." Napalingon ang magkaibigan ng tawagin si Jhoana ni Anton.
"Sure! Beatriz? Iwan muna kita dito ah."
"Oo naman. I know exactly how you feel." Beatriz whispered softly.
•
•
•
"Are you done with your writings?" Beatriz asked Jhoana.
Nasa music room sila. Kasali kasi sila sa isang banda na minsan tumutugtog sa mga bars sa Metro Manila.
"Alin doon?" Jho answered with a question.
"The song?"
"Oh, not yet. But lapit ko na siyang matapos. Hmm. Kantahin mo ng maayos yun ha?"
"Ha? Bakit ako yung kakanta?"
"Bakit? Ikaw kaya yung vocalist ng banda, Beatriz."
"Kanta mo iyon. So dapat idedicate mo yun kay dream girl, di ba? Chance mo na yun. Sing that song to her."
"Nako. Hindi niya yun gagawin. Torpe yan si Jhow eh. Ikaw na kumanta, Bei." sabat ni Kenneth.
Beatriz sighed and faced Jhoana. "Fine. Sige na nga, ako na kakanta."
Jhoana's phone suddenly rang. Iniwan niya muna ang mga kasama niya at sinagot ang cellphone sa labas ng music room. Ramon caught Beatriz watching Jhoana.
"Uy Bei. May gusto ka kay Jhow?"
"Ha? Wala ah."
Natawa ng malakas si Ramon. "Ang taong may dine-deny, halatang - halata. Don't worry Bei, your secret is safe with me."
