Chapter 9: Friend Zone

SHE is busy playing the piano in her room when her phone rings.

Napangisi siya nang makita kung sino ang tumatawag, "Wow I wasn't expecting this," bungad niya dito.

"Expecting what? That I miss you?" She can imagine the smirk on his face when he said that. That baritone voice that makes every girl in their school fall on their knees except for her.

Yes, he is freaking handsome, plus the only son of Julia Soller and her counterpart in the rank for boys, because just like her he holds the no. 1 spot on the Most Popular Boy in the school but for her she is just a normal boy that happens to be her childhood bestfriend.

"Yeah... because it seems like you forgot about me," kunwaring tampong sabi niya. Hindi kasi siya sanay na hindi siya nito kinakamusta pero she won't ask why, not because she doesn't care but it's just the way she is. She learned not to beg for anyone's care, not even the one closest to her. It will surely hurt but she will never show it.

"Hi ate Honey!!!" she heard Kyle's voice at the background. 'That cute kiddo.' Napangiti naman siya.

Ito ang bunso sa JAA Prince Band and he is such a sweet boy. They met him during middle school, they were his seniors. He is so talented, he can sing, dance and play instrument that's why Justin waited for him and reserve a spot so when he comes in college, he can join the band as they are planning to create the group ever since with some of his also talented friends who's really into music and performing.

"Hi daw sabi ni Kyle," walang gana nitong sabi.

"How is he? Please tell him that I miss him," nagpipigil na tawang sabi niya. Alam naman niya kung anong magiging reaksyon nito.

"Wow ah buti pa si Kyle namiss?! Seriously?!" may hinanakit nitong sabi.

"Ate I miss you too!" narinig pa niyang hiyaw nito sa background.

"Shut up! Go away!" pagtataboy nito dito na malamang sa malamang ay salubong na ang mga kilay dahil sa selos.

Narinig niya ang tawanan sa paligid ng iba pa nitong mga kasamahan. Napahagikgik din tuloy siya. Naiimagine niya ang nakabusangot nitong mukha habang nakatingin ng masama sa mga kabanda.

Two weeks na itong hindi nagpaparamdam sa kanya. Nagkatampuhan kasi sila bago ito umalis para sa dance training nito kasama ang JAA Band, nang malaman nitong naging boyfriend niya si Jake.

"Eh kasi baka busy ka sa bago mong boyfriend. Nakakahiya naman baka makaistorbo pa ko," parang batang nagtatampong sabi nito.

Hindi na niya napigilan pang mapatawa nang marinig ang sisentemyento nito. Lagi naman kasing ganon ito kapag may boyfriend siya.

Bahagya siyang tumikhim upang maikalma ang sarili mula sa pagtawa. "You've been so busy, so kaylan ang balik mo?" pag-iiba niya ng usapan bago pa ito tuluyang mainis.

"Soon... at pag balik ko pwede mo na ulit akong idate kasi balita ko nag break na kayo ng boyfriend mong mathematician."

She can imagine the boxy smile form in his lips. He still acts like a little boy just like the old times when he can switch from being upset to excited. From sad face to his signiture irresistible boxy smile.

"Sira! By the way inaway ako ng ex mo," pag-sisingit niya sa usapan.

"Sinong ex?" curious nitong tanong. Sa dami nga naman ng ex nito eh kailangan talaga niyang ipaalala kung sino ba doon.

"Yung arkitekto mong ex, I forgot her name."

"Ah si Veronica!" Napatawa ito sa kabilang linya, "I forgot to inform you that she hates you to the bone."

Napakunot naman siya ng noo. 'What?!'

"But why? I can't remember my self-doing something bad to her, except for me being the bestfriend of her ex," reklamo niya.

"Eh kasi nga nalaman niyang I'm in love with you haha! Nakita niya yung message ko sayo na may I love you ayun ginera ako kaya nagbreak kami. Ang sabi niya mas sweet pa daw ako sa bestfriend ko kesa kanya."

Kahit hindi niya ito nakita alam na alam niya ang itsura ng mukha nito na siguradong nagpapacute na naman sa kanya kahit hindi siya kaharap.

Kuno't noong napailing-iling na lang siya. 'Aba loko! Tuwang-tuwa pa sa ginawa.'

"Kaya naman pala sira ka talaga! Nadagdagan pa ngayon ang galit niya sakin dahil sa bago kong boyfriend sa department nila."

"ANO?!!!" as expected nagfreak out ito sa kabilang linya, "M-may bago ka na naman?!!"

"Ang OA mag react?! Ganyan ba ko mag-react pag nag-kakagirlfriend ka? And yes, I have a new boyfriend, feeling ko she's trying to hit on him pero she found out na boyfriend ko na... kaya ayun she's now angrier with me."

"Aaaaaiiiisssshhh!" isang malalim na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan nito sa kabilang linya, "Hindi pa nga ako nakakauwi nagboyfriend ka na naman?! Ako nalang gagawa ng project mo! Wag ka lang magboyfriend," patuloy parin nitong pagmamarakulyo sa kanya.

"Justin..."

"What?" halata ang pagkatampo sa tinig nito.

"I think this time... it's for real. I don't think that it's just another game of mine," she suddenly sounds serious.

Sumandal siya sa piano nang hindi ito magsalita.

She knows it's going to hurt him but it's only fair to let him know. Alam niyang in love ito sa kanya but she has chosen their friendship. She can't let her precious bestfriend go.

"How can you be so sure? Kilala kita you will change your mind in no time," pinasigla nito ang tinig pero hindi ito nagtagaumpay dahil 10 years na silang magkaibigan, alam niya ang iniisip nito, "Anyway I'll see you soon baby,” then he hangs up.

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MATAPOS niyang maiparada ang kotse niya nahagip ng paningin niya ang isang babae na tila may kinukutingting sa motor nito.

Napangiti naman siya. Mukhang may solusyon na sa problema nila.

She looks so pretty even though she has that boyish type of gestures. She is perfectly slim and her posture is nice. Athletic to be exact and regardless of the rock chick make up she can clearly see the beauty features in her face.

Nilapitan niya ito at agad namang lumingon sa kanya ng maramdaman ang kanyang presensya ngunit mabilis ding ibinalik ang atensyon sa motor nito na parang hindi siya nakita.

"I think I know where's the frustration is coming from,"

Napahinto ito sa ginagawa ngunit nanatili doon ang atensyon.

"This is already rubbish," she said with a ruthless smile while looking at the poor old pink vespa. It looks like so worn out that it has scratches everywhere.

Napapalatak ito sa sinabi niya at tinaasan siya ng kilay nang sa wakas ay tuluyan itong tumayo at hinarap siya. Halatang hindi nito nagustuhan ang sinabi niya.

"Excuse me?! Hindi mo na kailangan ipamukha pa sakin yun. Alam na alam ko at nakikita ko," iritableng sabi nito.

"Don't get me wrong... by the way I'm Honey." She offers a hand.

Napatitig nalang ito sa kanyang kamay, "Heaven, my name is Heaven. Madudumihan ang kamay mo pagkinamayan pa kita," nangingiwing napatingin nalang ito sa dalawang palad na puro mantya ng grasa.

Mabilis na binawi niya ang kanyang kamay nang maintindihan ang ibig nitong sabihin. Hindi naman siya nandidiri pero alam niyang mahirap alisin un sa kamay kaya... 'no thanks.'

"Can I help you?"

Napatingin ito sa kanya mula ulo hanggang paa. Sa isip isip siguro nito saang part kaya niya ito kayang tulungan?

"I mean... I know someone who can help you fix this," pagliliwanag niya dito sa kanyang intensyon.

"Really?" nagtunog interesado ito at tila nakahanap ng pag-asa sa katauhan niya, "M-magkano?" but there's also that doubt in her eyes and she can sense that it’s about the price.

She can't help but to smirk inside her head for she already knows where to attack her.

"Saving this... I think this one will cost you a lot."

After 10 minutes.

"OK Rob thanks!" she just finished talking to her good friend who specializes in customizing the aesthetic and restoration of any kinds of vehicle. Ito ang nagmemaintain ng mga kotse niya.

Muli niyang binalingan ang babaeng tulala parin sa hangin. Sa itsura pa lang nito kanina alam niyang kaya niya itong mapapayag sa plano niya.

"So, everything is set," nanlulumo itong napalingon sa kanya, "They will pick this up later and lend you a temporary motorbike while they fix yours."

Pasimple siyang napahagikgik.

'Poor girl.'

"That's 50,000 make over for your motorcycle and 5,000 rent for the motorcycle lending, free of charge. You just have to come and model for us. Ewan ko nalang kung itirik ka pa niyan," mala-inosenteng ngiting paalala niya dito.

Napanganga ito. Wala itong kawala sa kanya.

"Don't forget the deal. Answer my call and don't even think about ditching me." Kinindatan niya ito at saka tuluyan ng umalis sa car park.

¤¤¤¤¤¤

"I'M back! Meet me in the theater." message nito sa kanya na sinamahan pa ng sandamakmak na kiss emoji.

Hindi siya makapinawalang umuwi na ito after two days mula noong huli silang nag-usap. Naisip niya tuloy baka dahil sa sinabi niya kaya agad itong umuwi.

Papasok na siya ng theater nang...

"Excuse me?!" nakangiweng sabi niya nang maabutan niya itong may kasamang babae.

He just came home and now he's already flirting? napapailing-iling na lang siya.

"Honeeeeyyy!" masayang sabi nito nang mapabaling sa kanya at biglang binitawan ang kamay ng babaeng hawak nito.

Mabilis itong tumakbo papalapit sa kanya at mahigpit siyang niyakap.

"Sandy?" nang makilala niya kung sino ang babaeng kaninang hawak nito. Ito yung estudyanteng iniligtas niya mula sa mga bully nung nakaraan.

Bahagya itong yumuko upang bumati at napilitan siyang ngumiti na nauwi sa pag-ngiwe.

"I miss you baby... na-miss mo ba ko?" Kinulong nito ang mga pisngi niya sa sariling palad upang maangkin ang atensyon niya na parang batang naglalambing at ikiniskis pa ang ilong sa pisngi niya.

Naguguluhang napatingin nalang siya dito, "Oo na, namiss kita..." bahagya niyang ginulo ang buhok nito at wala sa loob na napabaling ulit siya kay Sandy. "... eh teka bakit magkasama kayo ni Sandy?" curious niyang tanong habang nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin sa dalawa, "Don't tell me binubully mo si Sandy?!" matalim niyang tinignan ang tila batang paslit na walang malay.

"Hindi kaya!" Ngumuso ito pero agad din naman umakap sa likod niya sa bandang baywang at ipinahinga ang mukha sa kanyang balikat. "Eh kanina kasi hinahanap kita tapos napadaan ako dito narinig kong kumakanta siya."

"Oh tapos?" pinipigil niyang mangiti at kinindatan si Sandy na para bang kinukontyaba niya itong sakyan ang panenermon sa kaibigan. "Sure, yan na hindi mo binubully?"

"Opo!" pamaktol na sagot nito, "My face is too handsome for a bully you know?" at isiniksik ang ilong sa leeg niya na alam nitong malakas ang kiliti niya kaya bahagya siyang napatawa at kumawala dito.

"Huwag kasi!" natatawang saway niya dito.

He just smiles like a sheep at her making her suddenly realize how she miss him so much.

"And then I find myself playing the piano for her," nakangiti itong tumingin kay Sandy, "She really sounds beautiful."

Napatango-tango naman siya, "You know what, I ended up doing the same thing the first time I heard her sing," She said sincerely while looking at Sandy, "I fell in love with her voice."

"Sandy!" Hinatak niya si Justin upang lapitan ang tulalang si Sandy nang may bigla siyang naalala.

"She's dreaming again," natatawang komento ni Justin nang makalapit sila dito at nakitang parang tulala pa rin ito.

"Hey stop it!" saway niya dito nang biglang mapayuko ang kaharap nila na halatang nahihiya.

Pasimple namang napahagikgik ito.

"By the way Sandy..." nag-angat ito ng ulo at nahihiyang tumingin sa kanya, "There will be an audition next week for the upcoming musical play, you should come to audition."

Panandalian itong napaisip.

"Ah hindi ko pa sure k-kasi dalawa ang part time job ko. Sa umaga sa pastry shop at sa gabi bar waitress naman ako," medyo nahihiyang sabi nito.

Oo nga pala nagtatrabaho ito habang nag-aaral. Napabuntong-hininga nalang siya sa habag na nararamdaman dahil sa sitwasyon nito. "It must be really tough for you," wala sa loob niyang niyakap ito at hinaplos sa likuran pero agad din binitawan, "Anyway just in case you change your mind, you can always ask me for help. I can help you to practice or maybe play piano for you."

Napamaang ito at namula ang pisngi. "Ah Salamat."

"You can also ask for my help too. We got your back," presinta din ni Justin sa likuran niya.

"Right! So, I really hope you can think about it."

Nanghihinayang kasi siya, gusto niyang marinig ng buong JAA ang boses nito. That might help her to gain self-confidence.

"Love!" tawag mula sa likuran nila.

Agad siyang napalingon dito at napangiti kasabay nang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso niya. It's his normal effect on her.

Lumapit ito sa kanila at bahagyang h*****k sa pisngi niya. Napansin niyang tila nag-iba ang mood ni Justin.

Agad naman niyang pinakilala ang mga ito sa isa't isa... but when Dave offers a hand to him, he didn't respond but instead he just gave him a death glare.

Napangiwe naman si Dave at napahiyang binawi nalang ang kamay at mapait na ngumisi. "I guess that's a no."

Matalim niyang tinignan si Justin. "Justin!" mahina pero mariin niyang tawag dito.

Hindi parin nito inaalis ang matalim nitong tingin kay Dave na seryoso ding nakatingin dito.

"Sandy let's go," nagulat siya nang kunin nito ang kamay ni Sandy at hinatak palabas ng theatro na hindi man lang nagpaalam sa kanila.

Napapalatak siya. "What the hell?" napansin niyang nakakuno't ang noo ni Dave habang nakasunod ang tingin sa papaalis na sila Justin at malalim na napabuntong-hininga. Halatang hindi nito nagustuhan ang inasal ng bestfriend niya.

Agad naman siyang humingi ng pasensya sa inasal ng kaibigan,

"Love pasensya kana kay Justin medyo may pag-kamoody kasi yun," she really felt embarrassed for herself and sorry for him.

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HE can clearly see in his eyes.

'He's jealous.'

Napatingin siya dito nang maramdaman niyang hinawakan nito ang mga kamay niya at humingi ng paumanhin.

"It's not because he's moody," mahinang tugon niya na sinamahan ng mapait na ngiti, "It's because he likes you."

Napabuntong-hininga naman ito, "I know... but I made myself clear a long time ago." Yumakap ito sa kanya, "Don't worry about him, soon he will get over it."

Inside him he can't deny that he is also jealous. He knows that he is important to her. He can't imagine how long they know each other compares to him. He has like 1% of Honey's life and that guy has the rest of it.

Nasa ganoon siyang pag-iisip nang angkinin nito ang mga labi niya.

Hindi niya inasahan ang ginawa nito kaya panadalian siyang natigilan at nakalimot sa isipin niya.

"I will never love anybody else the way I love you," she said with her eyes sparkling with love for him. She caresses his cheeks with her thumb.

Masuyo rin niyang hinaplos ang mga pisngi nito at pinagmasdan ang maganda nitong mukha.

"Sorry I feel insecure. It's really hard not to fall in love with you? Everyone wants to be your man," he honestly confessed with a weak smile, "I know that he's also important to you."

She pouted at his worries, "Yes he is but it's you, who matters to me the most. Have you forgotten that you are the one who made my heart works? That's why it's only yours," she said giving him a smile of assurance.

Does he really need to be jealous when he owns her heart and that look in her eyes?