Kennedia Wyatt's POV

I was getting ready for the dinner in the restaurant. I'm going with my boyfriend and best friends. It's kinda sudden surprise, so I am running a bit of late.

I ended up picking my red fitted dress which I paired with red heels, too. I put some lipstick on my lip and reached for my coat and beret.

"Okay, I'm ready." I mumbled and strode to the door.

I was surprised when Mom approached me. She seems excited? "Do I look beautiful Mom?"

"Yes, Hija. Nandun na nga pala ang Dad mo, ihahatid ka na niya--"

"Aren't you supposed to go to the orphanage together?"

"I can go by mys--"

"No, Mom. I can drive myself. Samahan ka na ni Daddy. Mahirap buhatin yung foods 'e."

"Are you sure?"

"Opo."

"Okay. I guess you're old enough to take care of yourself. Take care baby!"

"Kayo rin po." And Mom walked towards Daddy. Nagmano ako kay Daddy and umalis na rin.

Pasakay na ako ng kotse ko nang narinig kong tumutunog ang cellphone ko. Aurisse's name is on the screen. "Hello?"

["Nasaan ka na?"]

"Papunta na, sasakay na nga ako 'e. Nandyan na ba si Chan?"

["Kumpleto na kami pero lumabas muna si Chan, bumibili ng flowers. Sumama rin pala sina Hugh at Rei."]

"Your boyfriend and Yejenia's boyfriend, right? It's okay, I wanna meet them actually."

["Akala ko ayaw mo haha! Bye!"]

"Bye."

I put back my phone in the bag and hopped on the car. Sasama talaga dapat ako sa orphanage kasi namimiss ko na 'yung mga bata 'e. Working makes me so busy. Kaya siguro bukas ko na lang sila bisitahin.

Habang nagmamaneho, inaalala ko yung mga unforgettable memories namin ni Chandler. We've been friends for many years now, simula highschool pa 'e. We're 29. Una akong nagkagusto sa kaniya, umamin, nasaktan, na-reject and tinago ang feelings for years. But, habang magkaibigan kami, masaya naman na ako. Hindi na ako nag-expect pero dumating 'yung araw na 25 na kami, umamin na rin siya, na mahal na niya rin ako. After a year of courtship, I said yes. We were couple for three years now.

And now, today is my birthday. Sa orphanage dapat talaga 'e pero niyaya nila ako.

Malayo layo pa 'yung restaurant namin. I rested my arm on the window while driving. The sceneries are still beautiful.

There are shops, boutiques, and stores. Yes, that were all the same.

Nag-ring ang cellphone ko. Probably one of my friends again. 'Di ko maabot ang cellphone ko na nasa back seat kaya tinanggal ko ang seatbelt ko, and I finally reached it. I answered and turn on the loudspeaker, "Hi. Why?"

["Ken, I'm gonna ask you. Do you think Chan will propose to you?"]

"Ha? No. Why would you think that?"

["Nothing. Instinct? I thought you're assuming 'e. Nevermind."]

"By the way, nanghihinayang ako sa orphanage. Bakit kasi ngayon pa?"

["Ngayon lang nagkaroon ng time boyfriends namin e."]

"Aha! So both of you planned it."

["... You got me."]

"And Aurisse, too."

Hays. Yejenia and Aurisse are surely silly. ["I'm not going to hang up yet, may sasabihin ako sayo 'e, aalahanin ko lang. Wait."]

"You're oblivious now?"

["Daming work 'e."]

Yes. I am an architect, may extra jobs din ako gaya ng guitar gigs, paintings, pagsusulat ng books at arts. And silang dalawa naman ay nag-doctor. While Chan, well... He is an engineer, nag-e-extra rin siya ng photography. As we get older, we also get busier. Kaya 29 na kaming lahat, boyfriends pa lang ang meron kami.

Habang nag-iisip, nag-flash sa isip ko si Ianne, parang siya 'yung figure sa di kalayuan. Kissing a man violently. Nakasandal 'yung lalaki sa light post. Kailan pa siya bumalik?

"Jeni, may balita ba kayo kay Ianne? Parang siya 'yung nakikita ko."

["Hindi ba nasa Tokyo 'yun?"]

"I'm not sure if it's her. Wait, malapit na ako sa place na 'yun." I turned the call onto a video call and then shown her the scene.

["WHAT THE!?"]

"What?"

["Wala pa si Chan, hindi pa bumabalik."]

"Anong kinalaman ni Chan dito?"

["Isn't he the man with Ianne?"]

"W-what? He can't be. Sabi ni Aurisse nasa flower boutique siya?"

"Yes, he was."

Maya-maya ay nakarating ako sa spot na ito, nilingon ko sila and I confirmed it. He is kissing another girl. My man kisses another girl.

"Chan..." Unti-unti na tumulo ang aking mga luha nang makumpirma kong siya nga. Hindi niya magagawa ito. Mahal niya ako. He said that.

Pagkabalik ko ng tingin ko sa daan ay nakita kong may mga batang tumatawid kasama ng isang teacher. Malapit na at mabilis ang aking takbo. I won't make it. Diniinan ko ang preno pero hindi kaya, masasagasaan ko ang mga inosente.

Ramdam ko ang sikip ng aking paghinga, nahihirapan na ako magmaneho. Iniliko ko na lamang ito at napahawak na sa aking dibdib. Napapikit ako at naramdaman ko ang malakas na pagtama ko sa light post sa tapat ng restaurant. I also felt that I was on something hard.

["KEN! WHAT'S HAPPENING!"] Rinig kong tanong ni Yejenia.

Napatingin ako sa paligid, nararamdaman ko ang diin ng mga bubog sa aking mukha, tumutulo ang mga dugo ko sa mukha ko. But, I'm thankful. No one has died. It's okay if it's just me.

I draw a long deep breath and everything went black.