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Twelve

LUNA's POV

It's been an hour since that bad news arrived. Iyak pa rin ako nang iyak at nasa tabi ko pa rin si Luis. Sina Tita Yassi at Tito Patricio inaasikaso na nila ang cremation ni Hanzel. They don't want a burial.

Bukas na i-c-cremate ang bangkay ni Hanzel tapos may sandaling misa isang chapel sa loob ng subdivision ng bahay nila.

I suppress my sob when I hear Luis' phone ringing up. Kanina pa iyon tumutunog at hindi niya iyon sinasagot.

I look at Luis and wipe my tears.

"L-Luis. Kanina pa nag-ri-ring ang phone mo. Hindi mo ba sasagutin?" Nag-aalangan naman niya akong tiningnan bago ang screen ng phone n'ya.

Rs calling

Napakunot ang noo ko ng mabasa ko ang caller ID. Sino si Rs?

"A-Ahm, Luna, ano kasi. M-May susunduin ako sa airport ngayon, ano —"

"Sige na, Luis. Salamat sa pag-sama mo." I smile at him.

Siguradong importanteng tao ang susunduin n'ya kaya ganoon na lang ang itsura ng mukha niya. Maputla at parang hindi mapakali.

"P-Pero paano ka?"

"Magiging okay din ako, Luis. Sobra na ang abala ko sa'yo. Nandito naman sila Tita Yassi, e. T-They will take care of me."

"Are you sure?"

I smile at him so that he wouldn't be worried. "O-Of course. Thanks again, Luis. I owe you a lot."

He smile and pinch my nose.

"Babalik ako kaagad, ha."

He kiss my forehead and walk away. Napayuko na lang uli ako dahil sa ginawa n'ya. Palagi kasi iyong ginagawa sa akin ni Hanzel and I can't help but sees Hanzel on whatever Luis does.

They are almost the same.

LUIS' POV

Habang papalabas ako ng hospital ay sinagot ko ang tawag ni Rs. Shit! I almost forgot her arrival.

"H-Hello? (Luis! Thank God you picked up your phone. I've been calling for you more than 30 times now and still you didn't answer. What's with you, huh?)"

Napapikit ako nang marinig ang tantrums n'ya.

"I'm sorry, okay. My friend just needed me right now. (So, he or she is more important than me now?)"

Napabuntong hininga ako bago pumasok sa kotse at pinaandar nang mabilis papuntang airport.

"Look, Rs. She is crying right now because of her boyfriend's death an hour ago, okay?"

Natahimik s'ya sandali sa kabilang linya.

"Rs? Are you still there? (Y-Yes, I am. I-I'm sorry to hear what happened to your friend. Akala ko kasi i-ipinagpalit mo na ako.)"

This time, ako naman ang natahimik. I'm guilty, I liked Luna a lot but I love Rs.

"(Hey, Luis!)"

Napabuntong hininga ako. "I'm on my way. Wait for me. (Okay, I love yo—)"

I hung up the phone before she could finished her last words. Ayokong marinig iyon dahil naguguluhan ako. Naguguluhan ako sa nararamdaman ko.

After 15 mins I arrive at the airport. And there she is, sitting on a bench. Nakatungo at isinu-sway ang mga paa. Lumapit ako sa kan'ya bago bumuntong hininga.