Where Juan discovers his feelings for a childhood friend whose heart is just starting to mend.
Social Serye + Real life. A work of fiction.
Date Started: Oct. 7, 2019
Date Ended: Nov. 16, 2019
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It was all too late when I read Yani's message. Nasa tapat na kami ni Juan ng dorm ko by that time. And there I saw the devil, bottle in one hand, sitting at the steps.
"Shit."
My reaction made Juan peep through my side of the car window. He saw my undeniable worry and annoyance.
"You sure you wanna go out now? We can wait him out somewhere else. Or maybe you can stay the night at our house. I'm sure Mom wouldn't mind." Juan suggested but I had to face this head first. No backing out.
"No, I gotta face him. Kilala ko si Mike. Hindi siya aalis diyan hangga't di niya ako nakikita."
I opened the car door with such confidence. Juan also followed behind. He insisted to stay just to make sure I would be alright.
Pero sa totoo lang, pagkakita ko sa mukha ni Mike, parang gusto ko na lang tumakbo papalayo. He quickly got to his feet when he saw me, quite loosing his balance. His drunken state made him walk so wobbly towards me.
"Anong ginagawa mo dito Mike?"
He gently fell onto me with his hands, loosing his balance again, clinging on both my arms. "Pen, please. Iniwan ko na siya. For you. Please, Pen."
His eyes were bloodshot red, both from the alcohol and the crying and maybe, the sleepless nights too.
Bakit ganun?
A week ago, those were the words I longed for. A week ago, I only imagined those words to come from his mouth. But now, there was nothing in my heart. It's empty. I feel numb.
"Anong please, Mike? Bitawan mo nga ako." I tried to keep my composure. I wanted to understand him. I want to give him a chance to explain himself. But he didn't let his grip loose.
"Please come back to me."
"And why should I come back to you?" His grip went tighter.
"Because I love you!"
Wrong answer. Hanggang ngayon, sarili lang talaga niya ang iniisip niya. He kept on shaking me with both his hands on my arms as he kept on saying the words "I love you". Pero kahit anong pilit niyang isubo sa akin ang mga salita, hindi pa rin tumatagos. Walang laman. Wala akong maramdaman.
"Tama na, Mike. Lasing ka lang. Umuwi ka na."
"Pen, please. I can't bear to see you with someone else other than me." He wrapped his arms around me, making it so hard to breathe.
"Bitawan mo nga ako!"
Juan saw the struggle I was in. His concern forced him to interrupt the commotion.
"Bro, bitawan mo na. Nasasaktan na si Penny." Juan pulled me out of the hug, which was more of a strangle really. But Mike didn't take it lightly.
"Sino ka ba?" He was furious.
"Ito ba pinalit mo sa akin, Pen? Si Juan Gomez de Liaño? Pagod ka na pala sa nagbabanda lang. Gusto mo basketball player na ngayon, ano?"
The shouts made the commotion even more scandalous. Isa-isa nang nagsibabaan ang mga dorm mates ko, curious as to who the yells were coming from. And with the mention of Juan's name, it became a ruckus definitely worth seeing and hearing.
"Tama na, Mike. Please. Umalis ka na!" I tried my best to stand between the rising tension between the two men. But it just made the situation even worse.
"You have a problem with me, man?" Juan was offended. I tried to pacify him by pleading.
"Juan, please. Huwag mo na patulan."
Pero ayaw talaga paawat ni Mike.
"Oo, bakit? Let's settle this man to man. Suntukan na lang, ano? Unless naduduwag ka."
"TAMA NA! TUMIGIL NA KAYO!"
As my screams echoed, the sirens of the campus police came wailing like the cries of my heart.
