"Hey Max, you seem out of space, any problem?" tinabihan ito ni Buddy sa couch sa tambayan nila. That's after nitong makipag meet dito after another round of race. Yes, she race more now than usual. At kapag ganito ang kaibigan, alam ni Buddy na may iniisip ito o problema. Racing is her outlet. Ayaw nitong magsasabi ng problema sa iba. Much as she wanted to keep it to herself. She don't want anyone to meddle, as she always said, she can do it all by herself. He understood why. Max turned to be braver, tougher, mysterious and aloof since their parents died. Carrying a big responsibility to earn for them. To live. Specially for Mint. Loving her sister much that she forgot that she's still alive----she forgot that she also has her own life. He pity her. He wanted to help in any possible way he can but she always refused. Once he did, she get mad. So he stopped. He don't wanna lose her. As a friend----much more, the woman he's secretly in love all this time.
"Huh!" looking at him blankly.
"Ang sabi ko, may problema?"
"Wala" as Max diverted her gaze from Buddy to her phone she's been holding from the time being. She been thinking about her sister since yesterday. Looks like she don't want to talk about it. About that guy.
Hindi siya pwedeng ma in love----masyadong magiging komplikado.
"Of all people Max. Sa akin ka pa mag de-deny. Alam kong meron and I know, hindi mo sasabihin. I will remind you over and over again that I'm here. Willing to listen and willing to wait " Buddy wanted to add but he chose not to "don't keep it to yourself coz it won't help" instead, he added.
"Si Mint, mukhang may nagkaka interes na" finally ay umamin si Max.
"How did you know?"
"I saw them yesterday" and base on her observation, he's not just a guy. He's handsome actually. Tall, fair white skin, broad shoulder and mas napansin niya ang mga mata nito. He's owning a perfect observant eyes.
"Maybe he's just a friend" Buddy commented.
"Hindi ko alam. Sana nga, alam mong magiging komplikado kapag na involved siya kahit kanino" thoughts that keeping her unease.
"Keep calm okay. You just saw them yesterday, don't conclude yet not until you're certain. You worry too much"
"What if tama ako? How can I stop Mint from liking someone? We talk about this pero paano kung sinuway niya ko----it will make everything worst. Nahihirapan na ako at pag nangyari yon, mas madadagdagan pa yung problema ko. You know the situation right" unti unting nailabas ni Max ang nararamdaman niya kay Buddy. Bagay na hindi niya gawain. Hindi pa iyon nangyari kaya nakaya nilang malagpasan ang mga nagdaang taon na pag aaral ni Mint. Huwag naman sanang kung kailan malapit na itong mag tapos ay saka pa sila mahirapan.
"Talk to her again---in a nice way. Mint will understand---I'm sure of that. But now, don't make any assumption" Buddy tapped Max shoulder and she take a deep breath. Stress won't give any help, it will make her paranoid.
Nagku-kwentuhan sila when suddenly Buddy's mom came in. Hindi pa nakikila ni Max ang mommy ni Buddy since she insisted to. She wanted to make it sure na minimal lang ang nakaka kilala sa kaniya. She hid herself sa loob ng banyo. Praying na sana, hindi magawi doon ang mommy ni Buddy.
All she heard was kung ano ang gustong dinner ni Buddy then she's gone. Max heard knocked after a while so she moved out from where she's hiding.
"Uwi na ko Buddy. Susunduin ko pa si Mint" kinuha ni Max ang bag niya at helmet saka isinuot sa ulo nito.
"Hindi ba pwedeng dito ka mag dinner"
"Kailan ako nag dinner dito Buddy" lumakad na palayo si Max palabas ng pinto. Never itong nakikain ng dinner sa bahay ng kaibigan kahit ilang beses na siyang iniimbitahan nito. Una, iniisip niya na baka may makakita pa sa kaniya. Pangalawa, kung hindi rin naman siya buy sa trabaho, mas gusto niyang kasabay saka hapunan ang kapatid. Dalawa na nga lang sila, hindi pa magkasabay.
