No Longer

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I believe that I'm a strong independent woman. I grew up without our parents. My dad died due to heart attack even before mom gave birth to me. My mother passed away after I was born.

Si Lola ang nag-alaga sa'min. Pero kinuha rin sya agad. I was 15 back then. Kuya Ares had to go to states to pursue his dreams and also to work. I am so used to being alone.

I was in my second year in college when I saw a foreign girl, being harassed. Nilapitan ko sila.

"Nambubully na naman kayo. Bitiwan nyo sya kung ayaw nyong isumbong ko kayo sa Dean," takot ko sa mga freshman na akala mo kung sino. Mukha namang clown ang make up.

"And why would us be threatening to you?" pagtataray ng leader nila.

"First of all, please fix your grammar. Pakisabay na rin ng make up. And ng attitude na rin please lang."

Hihirit pa sana sila nang biglang may dumaang student body. Thank God. Pag-alis nila, aalis na rin dapat ako. I shouldn't have meddled with them in the first place. Ano bang naisipan ko?

"T-thank y-you," I heard someone so I turned back. I saw the girl. That's Sheena.

After that incident, she has been always around. Library, cafeteria, kahit sa apartment. I taught her the language kasi hindi pa pala sya familiar. I taught her the culture, traditions and other stuff, too. She has been my only friend. Until now. Even though she's annoying most of the time, I care for her. She's already a sister to me.

"Ate Ae," tawag ni Cholo.

"Mukhang malalim po iniisip mo ah," sabi ni Andy.

"Hindi naman. May naalala lang. Sige, kain na kayo," paliwanag ko.

We went back on eating. Pero hindi nawala ang kwentuhan at tawanan. Mukhang close na close talaga sila. Sometimes they would involve me with their convo but I'm too shy and awkward.

"Ate Ae, hindi mo ba talaga kilala sina kuya Simon at kuya Justin?" tanong ni Donny nang matapos kami sa pagkain. Naghihintay pa nga lang ng desserts kaya hindi pa makauwi.

"Dapat ba kilala ko sila?" I unconsciously looked at Simon and Justin who are both looking at me at the same time. Simon looks amused. Saan ko nga ba sila nakita?

"Nope," Simon said. He chuckled a bit.

"It's just weird coz most girls of our age usually knows us or recognize us, at least," he expounded.

"Sikat ba kayo? Artista? Politiko? Model?"

"Si kuya Justin, member po ng U. A boy group with three great singers po. But they can dance and rap, too," Raven explained.

"While kuya Simon is a part of WayV. They're a boy group din po with seven members," sabi naman ni Jeno.

"Familiar yung groups nila. Saan ko nga ba narinig 'yun? Ah, nando'n kayo sa Dream Concert?" Tanong ko.

"Yep," Justin answered.

"Nanood ka?"

"I'm a fan of 'To Me' (2Mi), that's why I watched," sabi ko.

They were all silent. There's suddenly a tension. Buti na lang dumating na ang desserts.

"Kilala mo po sina Ate Mia and Mina?" James intrigued.

"Yes. I've been listening to their songs since they debuted."

"Pasensya na po, ate Ae. Ex kasi ni kuya Justin si ate Mia kaya natahimik," bulong sa'kin ni Cholo. Oh, that's why.

"Sorry, I didn't know."

"Let's just all focus on the food. Their ice cream is the best," segue ni Justin. Halatang uncomfortable sa topic.