Uncrush (GxG)

FINALE

Sam's POV

Me: I'm here na
Franz: pasok ka lang walang bouncer HAHA!

Pagdating ko sa Pride, hindi ganon karami ang tao. sakto lang ang lakas ng music, walang neon lights at syempre pa... instead na live band ang nasa stage, LED banner ng name nila Anna at Bel-air.

Speaking, nakita ko sila agad. magka-holding hands habang kinakausap ang mga bisita. they really look good together.

napalingon si anna sakin. nagtanguan kami.

sinalubong n'ya ko ng yakap. just like the old times. "hey... you. akala ko hindi ka sisipot. who is it, your cousin fame or franz?"

natatawang tinapik ko siya sa likod. "it was franz, always." sagot ko, may kasamang irap. "i'm sorry, i forgot."

"oh don't worry about it, you're here." she said, squeezing my shoulder.

"Hello, sam." lumitaw si bel sa gilid ni anna, hinapit ito sa bewang. warm at polite ang ngiti na ibinigay sakin. "we're glad you made it."

Nagbeso kami.

"of course. congratulations guys! i'm so happy for the both of you." masayang sabi ko sa kanilang dalawa.

"Uy, spiker..." may tumapik sa balikat ko. paglingon ko, si franz. nakangiti, hawak ang dalawang cocktail.

niyakap ko s'ya. "hello, francine. nice to see you, long time."

"oo nga eh, life."

"pa'no maiwan ka muna kay franz, sam ha?" sabi ni anna sakin. "entertain lang namin ni bel yung guests."

tumango ako. "yeah, sure. go ahead." nang magkatinginan kami ulit ni franz ang lawak ng ngisi nito. "what?" tanong ko, tinanggap ang inabot niyang drink.

"you're glowing." sagot n'ya, uminom. "so, you've met my cousin tamarah? she's incredible right?"

tinitigan ko s'ya. okay, i'm not gonna psychoanalyze her. chill. "uh, yes. she's very accommodating... and friendly."

"did you guys get along?" tanong pa n'ya, inaya ako maupo do'n banda sa lounge.

"yes. she's really nice, i like her company."

nginitian ako ni franz. "that's good to hear, sam." I could tell there was a relief in her face and voice. "a good company is what you deserve."

Habang nag-uusap pa kami about random life things, parang bumagal ang oras. for a brief second, i thought of tamarah again-how gentle she looked when she smiled, how she asked questions like she genuinely wanted to know me. she's so warm and polite, and i'm kind of overwhelmed.

I've seen those gestures before...

alam ko kung saan 'yon papunta. ang hindi ko lang sigurado ay kung kailan ako magiging handa.

***

Bakit biglang ang awkward? mainit pati ang hangin kahit naka-aircon ang buong paligid. feeling ko may invisible wall sa pagitan namin ngayon ni Tamarah-she came with her two friends an hour ago. I swear i didn't know she was coming. at base sa reaction n'ya nang makita ako... hindi rin niya inaasahan ito.

Pero may suspetsa akong alam ni franz. why? ayon, panay iwas sakin. nakatabi kay fame. wala kong idea kung paano sila naging close, considering my cousin is known for being a troublemaker. tinuturing siyang 'black sheep' ng family, though we're in good terms. she's actually cool and sweet towards me-but not on Era. mainit ang dugo nila sa isa't-isa. 'yun din siguro ang number one reason bakit hindi kami nakakapag-bond.