Sunset

Prolouge

It was a peaceful afternoon at the nearby city's amusement park where Amy and his boyfriend are currently strolling. Dressed in a simple pink crop top and cream high waisted shorts partnered with white sneakers, Amy strutted towards the cotton candy stand and told her boyfriend to go buy her one.

"Brent gusto ko iyong pink ha, tapos bumili na din tayo ng bottled water kasi it's so matamis," pagkukulit pa niya.

"Why did you want the cotton candy then?" To be honest, masaya namang kasama ang lalaki, cool kasama at chill lang. Pero ganun naman talaga lagi sa una ang mga nagiging lalaki niya, pagkaraan ng ilang linggo ay magiging conservative bigla at pagbabawalan siyang magsuot ng maiksi at revealing na mga damit. Kapag ganoon ang nangyayari ay agad niya itong hinihiwalayan.

"Because it's masarap but it's making me guilty eh, it's too sweet. But come on, I want cotton candy." She even pouted to add effect, which Brent took advantage off and kissed her. "Sige na, sige na. Para namang makakatanggi ako kapag ganyan ka na ka-cute"

Holding hands, they arrived at the cotton candy stand. Akala niya namamalikmata lang siya pero nang buksan niya ulit ito ay nakita niya si Rob na nakatayo sa tapat ng cotton candy stand at nakaakbay sa isang babae. Rob is her boyfriend, one that's from back home. She was about to pull Brent away but Rob already turned to them with his girlfriend. Nagkatinginan pa sila nito, inexpect pa niyang magkakaroon ng komprontahan ngunit umiwas na ito ng tingin at nagpatuloy ng lakad kasama ang babae.

The day ended and Brent drove her to her apartment, giving her a swift kiss before she got out of the car. Opening her front door, she saw Rob eating chips in her sofa, watching a movie from netflix. She placed her bag in her room and changed comfortable clothes first before comfronting Rob.

"Let's break up," bungad niya dito pagkatapos maupo sa katabi nitong sofa.

Rob has been her boyfriend for two months now, and so far wala naman silang di pagkakasundo. Ni hindi niya nalamang may iba pala ito gaya niya kung hindi lang kahapon.

Magaling siyang magtago huh, i'd give him that. 3rd monthsary na sana namin bukas, 26, kung hindi lang nangyari yung kahapon.

Rob paused his movie and turned to me. "Yep, I was thinking about that too. I'm sorry for disturbing your peaceful life. It's not you, it's me. Hindi na kita guguluhin, salamat sa lahat lahat. There, now let me finish my movie."

"Wait, what the fuck. Linya ko yun ah and listen to me when i'm speaking." I'm so confused, ako itong nakikipagbreak sa kanya tapos magsasalita siya ng ganun. He paused his movie again and turned to me.

"Ano pa bang magulo doon, eh tinutulungan na nga kitang makipagbreak. Let's put it this way, we're both not serious about this relationship, why not end it now?" He said, looking at me nonchalantly.

"Umalis ka na kung ganoon, hindi mo naman ito bahay. And you're my ex now, ang weird naman kung kakabreak lang natin eh nandito ka pa." Naki-nood na din ako, it's interesting naman eh. The girl's mother committed suicide kasi di niya kinaya nung naghiwalay sila ng asawa niya, leaving the 2-year-old girl living by herself for 2 to 3 days.

"Mamaya na, kitang ang ganda ng pinapanood eh" And they watched a few movies after that. Nakalimutan na nga nilang magdinner.

"Hala 11:40 na pala, tara kumain na lang tayo sa 7/11" I got up and gathered my purse and phone. We walked to the convinience store since it's onlya few blocks away from my apartment.

Upon entering, I grabbed 2 hotdog sandwiches and potato chips. Rob left for the liquor isle. Nung nagbabayad na ko bigla siyang sumulpot sa tabi ko at sinabay yung kanya.

Sa labas kami ng 7/11 tumambay para kainin yung mga binili namin. I was about to sit across from him when he handed me a now opened bottle of beer. "Wait lang oh, aba. Ni hindi pa nga natin nakakain tong hotdog alak na agad inaatupag mo" pagpuna ko sa kanya habang umuupo. Hindi naman niya ako pinansin, nakatingin lang sa wristwatch niya.

"Happy monthsary" tanging sinabi niya bago nakipagcheers sakin at kumain ng sandwich niya. "Huy gago, kakabreak lang natin kanina. Monthsary mo mukha mo"

Patuloy na lang akong kumain at ginawang panulak yung beer na binigay niya. Ganun din naman yung ginawa niya kaya tahimik lang kaming kumain na dalawa.

"I like this" panimula niya bigla "Gusto ko tong set up natin, syempre minus the relationship. Parehas naman nating hindi kaya i-maintain yon." He scoffed, maybe remembering that we were only near 3 months in the relationship and we both already had an affair.

"So? Anong ibig mong sabihin?" Parehas nga kaming parang naglalaro lang, nakakatamad magseryoso. Masyado nilang pinapakomplikado ang relasyon, di ba pwedeng maging happy lang lagi? Chill, ganon.

"Let's stay as friends, tutal parehas naman tayo. I know I wont fall for you, mukhang ikaw din naman eh. Let's be friends." Nilahad pa niya yung kamay niya sa harap ko.

It was a great deal actually, tama nga naman, kung magiging kaibigan ko siya hindi ko na kailangang matakot na ma-fall siya sakin. Ang hirap kasi sa mga guy friends ko maging mabait lang ako ng konti ay nag-iiba ang trato sakin. Kalaunan ay magpapahayag ng pagkagusto kaya nahihirapan akong makipagkaibigan sa kanila. Sa mga babae naman ay well, ibang usapan yon.

I actually grew up a loner. I never had someone to share my secrets to. I was sociable, but I never had someone I fully trusted. And maybe, his hands in front of me, is a sign. That I may have found that someone.

Tinanggap ko ang nakalahad niyang kamay at nakipagcheers muli ng beer. "Sige, let's be friends"