No Longer

u

I don't know what gotten into me but I decided to leave earlier than planned. I called Sheena and she gladly helped me. Iniwan ko muna sa kanila ang mga gamit ko. Babalikan ko na lang mamaya after ng job interview.

"You really left him there sleeping?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Sheena.

"Yeah, why?"

"It's just... if it was months ago, sigurado akong 'yan nga ang gagawin mo. But you've changed so akala ko..." she looked for more words but she just stopped.

Maybe she's right. Being with Justin really changed me. I wasn't really sociable, but now I have friends other than Sheena. I used to not care with what people will say, but with Justin, I just can't do that. I have been more affectionate. He made me feel things I never thought I'd feel.

There are lots of changes that it scares me. I mean, changes aren't really bad. And it's not like he forced me to change. But it's just... not me.

After some minute pep talk with Sheena, dumiretso na ako sa job interview. I applied in a food company. Fortunately, they badly needed to fill the position so I got the job.

Palabas na ako ng building nang biglang may naramdaman akong nakatitig sa'kin. Lumingon ako pero wala naman. People were busy with their works.

I decided to just shrug it off then continue walking. I waited for a taxi for some minutes. Nang makasakay ako, sinabi ko kay manong ang address nina Sheena. Kinontrata ko na rin sya para maghatid sa'kin sa lilipatan namin.

"How's the interview?" Sheena asked when I got into their house.

"Finally, may trabaho na ako," maligayang balita ko.

"Wow, congrats, love," sabi nya at akmang yayakapin ako.

"Mamaya na ang drama. Naghihintay si manong sa labas, yung mga gamit ko," sabi ko.

"Sige, tulungan na kita. Sama na rin ako," presenta nya.

"Okay. Thank you."

Nakarating din naman agad kami sa bago kong tutuluyan. But what we didn't know is that there's something waiting for me there.

"What–" it was cut by Sheena's screams.

Sino ba namang hindi mapapasigaw kung may makita kang duguang manika sa harap ng pintuan? There was a note so I picked it up.

Malandi kang bruha ka! Sinira mo ang JusMi! Mang-aagaw! Anong akala mo, hindi ka namin matutunton? Pwes, nagkakamali ka! Simulan mo nang magtago dahil hahanapin kita kahit saan ka pa mapunta. Lubayan mo na si Justin, peste ka!

Nangangalahati pa lang ako sa note pero nasakit na ang ulo ko. Lumayo na nga ako diba? Kaya nga ako nandito ngayon.

But where the hell did they find me? And how did they know that it's me? And how did they know I'm moving here? That's just borderline creepy.

"Love, I think I know why their fans are that upset," sabi ni Sheena nang makabawi sya mula sa pagsigaw.

"Look," she added and gave me her phone.

It's a photo of me and Justin. It was during our stay in that beach. Our faces were clearly seen. And Justin's answers in a magazine interview didn't help.

Name: Justin Jung
Group: U

Q: Are you single right now?
A: Technically, yes.

Tsk. Single na malandi.

Q: What's with you and Mia? Are you two back together?
A: No. We have no plans like that.

Hmmm. Mas bagay naman kayo.

Q: What's your message to your fans?
A: I love each one of you. If it happens that you don't support my personal decisions, it's actually fine. But please, don't push me to do something I don't want. Again, I love you all, but I love her more.

Is it safe to assume that 'her' is me? Coz the fans are saying it's me. Kikiligin na sana ako kaso biglang nag-ring ang phone ko.

Simon calling...

"Hello?"

"Ae, where are you?"

"Why?"

"Just text me the exact place of your location right now. I'll explain later," he said and hanged up.

Anong problema no'n? I just texted him coz he seemed stressed. It's like it's very urgent.

"Sino 'yon, love?"

"Simon. Friend ni Justin na naging friend ko na rin," sagot ko.

🍑🍒

"Where are we?" I asked Simon when the car stopped.

"My province. You're a lot safer here," he said.

Bumaba kami pareho ng sasakyan at kinuha ang mga gamit ko.

"Tawagan mo na kaya si Ares or Justin," he suggested when we reached a house. Dito raw muna ako pansamantala. Habang magulo pa.

"'Wag na. Mag-aalala lang sila. But I'll text Kuya," sabi ko.

"Justin's probably searching for you right this moment," sabi niya.

"Ayoko ng gulo, Simon. I don't wanna drag him down just because of his crazy fans."

"Kaya ikaw na lang ang mags-suffer?" he asked, looking disappointed.

"It's okay. As long as kaya ko naman. Why not diba? Sanay naman ako mag-isa," I responded.

"What if I tell them where you are?"

"I know you won't. Nag-promise ka diba?"

"Fine. But please, call or text Justin. Baka mabaliw 'yon kakahanap sa'yo," he pleaded.

"Sa susunod siguro," sabi ko.

Nagkatiningan lang kami.

"Sige na. Kanina ko pa nakikitang nagri-ring 'yang phone mo. Sagutin mo na. For sure hinahanap ka na ng manager nyo."

Nasa kotse pa lang, agaw pansin na yung phone nya. Kahit naka-silent nakita ko pa rin.

"Sige, mauna na ako, Ae. Just call me when you need anything."

"Salamat talaga. Hindi naman tayo sobrang close but you've treated me like we're best friends," pagdadrama ko.

Kung hindi siguro dumating si Simon kanina pinagpipyestahan na ako ng obsessed fans ni Justin. Hindi na sila nakuntento sa pagbibigay ng threat, gusto yata nila akong patayin. Will that make them happy? I wonder.

🍑🍒

A week passed. Nandito pa rin ako. Medyo nakapag-adjust na. The neighborhood was very nice. They welcomed me like family kaya hindi rin ako nahihirapan talaga.

I texted kuya but I didn't tell him where I am. I just told him I'm fine and I'm safe. For sure kasi sasabihin nya kay Justin kung nasaan ako. Nagpalit na rin ako ng number dahil tawag sila nang tawag. Only Simon and Sheena knows where I  really am.

I actually checked Justin's social media. He was– I don't really know what to call it, but he's somehow mad. There's a news about him being rude to his fans. He even cancelled a huge fan meeting.

I know I should've called him. I should've console him. But I can't. I just can't. It feels like he's someone I shouldn't have touched. He's just out my league. I don't need him in my life and so does he.