No Longer

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Kadarating lang ng order ko nang may nakita akong pamilyar na mukha. Is that Simon? I was staring at him intently when he removed his face mask and smiled at me.

"Hi, Ae," he greeted when they reached my table. He's with another good looking guy who's shorter than him.

"I'm Kyan," the guy introduced himself.

We shook hands and they sat on the chairs across me. Tumawag sila ng waiter at umorder na rin. Hindi ko muna ginalaw ang pagkain ko bilang respeto sa kanila.

"Why are you alone here? Aren't you supposed to be with Justin?"

"Ayokong sumama eh. Kaya na nila 'yon. Hindi naman ako mahilig sa party," sagot ko.

"So you're Justin's girl," Kyan uttered. He nodded to his self like realization hit him. Tumango na lang din ako.

Hindi rin naman nagtagal at dumating na ang order nila. Finally, some food.

"Gutom na gutom ka yata ah," sabi ni Simon na pinipigilang matawa.

"Hindi ka ba pinapakain ni Justin?" may halong pang-aasar na sabi ni Kyan.

"Gutom lang talaga ako ngayon. Daming ginawa kanina eh," sagot ko at medyo nakitawa na lang sa kanila.

While we were eating, nagkwentuhan kami tungkol sa random na mga bagay. I found out that Kyan almost became a part of U. He sang one song with them, but that's it. Now, he's with Vision with Simon and others. They're fun to talk to. Hindi awkward.

When we finally finished eating, nagpaalam na ako sa kanila. I need to go home now.

"Ihatid na kita," Simon volunteered.

"Nako, 'wag na."

"Dali na, Ae. Magtatampo ako kapag hindi ka pumayag," Kyan even pouted. Parang mga sira.

"Sige na nga," I gave in.

Pumunta na kami sa parking lot. Nauna na si Kyan. Gustuhin man daw nyang sumama, hindi pwede. May gagawin pa raw kasi sya. Free naman daw si Simon kaya sya na bahala.

Simon turned on the radio bago nagsimulang mag-drive. U's latest song filled the car. After the song, it was a showbiz news.

"Good evening, mga neviezen! Nandito na naman tayo para pinakamainit na showbiz balita. Unang-una na sa listahan ay ang pagbabalikan ng dalawang sikat na vocalist ng U at 2Mi. Of course, kilalang-kilala nyo sila. Si Justin at Mi–"

Hindi ko na narinig ang kasunod dahil in-off ni Simon ang radio.

"Huwag kang basta naniniwala sa mga naririnig o nababasa mo. We both know who's the girl that Justin loves," Simon advised.

I just nodded and kept a small smile.

"Magpatugtog ka na lang kung gusto mo," sabi nya at iniabot sa'kin ang phone nya.

"No need. I don't mind the silence."

Tahimik syang tumango at nagpatuloy sa pag-drive hanggang sa makarating na kami.

🍑🍒

Kuya Ares is already asleep when I got home. Ang aga pa ah. Maybe he's overworked again. Hays.

I just decided to go to my room and read. I was already in chapter seven when I heard my door clicking.

"Good evening, angel," Justin greeted. He hugged me tight as soon as he got a hold of me.