Chapter 5 - five

𝗗𝗘𝗘

𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟯, 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟳:𝟯𝟬 𝗽.𝗺.

"Where are you going?"

I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard my dad's voice from a few steps above me. Pababa na ako ng hagdan and I was wearing a black dress and Doc Martens, kaya alam niya agad na aalis ako nang malayo. I groaned inwardly dahil paniguradong mahabang interrogation na naman bago ako makaalis ng bahay.

"I'm grabbing dinner with some friends, Dad," sabi ko without looking over my shoulder.

"Razve ty ne znayesh' kotoryy chas?" Dad asked in the commanding voice he always used on me ever since I was a child. The same voice that made me respect him because I feared him, not because I loved him. I understood his question even if I did not speak Russian very fluently. Parang pang-tenth yata yun sa list ng sentences na naka-program siyang sabihin sa anak niya ever since he became a father. He asked me if I did not know what time it was already pero bago pa ako makasagot, he added, "Bumalik ka sa kwarto mo."

Finally, humarap na ako sa kanya and I was greeted by his huge stature. My dad, Ivan Yuriev, was a very tall man, standing at over six feet. He had a very pointed nose and very grey eyes. His dad, my grandfather, was Russian and his mom was an OFW in Japan where they met. My own mom, Giselle Yurieva, was a Filipina too, although she acquired permanent residence in Russia.

My dad was born here in the Philippines and did not meet his father until he was fifteen. He was brought to Russia and became a citizen there. I was born there too. My middle name was even taken after his. He and my mom met when they were in middle school before he moved away. Then he came back for her after studying in Harvard and brought her there with him.

My parents were rarely ever home. They were always in Lesovostok, managing the business they inherited from my grandpa. We had a house in Lesovostok which they said na gusto nilang tirahan ko kapag nag-settle na ako in life kasi ako lang naman ang anak nila. It was a massive house, but it looked old and creepy. Ang dami ko lang sigurong napanood na horror movies.

My parents had been home for the past three weeks for Mie's funeral. So baka umalis na rin sila ulit kasi malapit na ang peak season.

For the past sixteen years of my life, masasabi ko na kalahati lang no'n ang time na nakasama ko ang parents ko. Iniiwan nila ako kay Mommy Alicia, but now na wala na si Mie, hindi ko alam kung anong magiging set-up. They had not mentioned anything about bringing me there yet, so I was hoping against hope that they would leave me alone here. After all, kaya ko naman. I might be useless at taking care of myself, but we had helpers in the house naman who could look after me.

"Dad, please? I'll be home before midnight naman, eh," sabi ko.

"What's going on here?" Mom came into the picture, dressed in a brown Gucci dress. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest. "Are you going somewhere, Dominika?"

The reason why I hated being called by my real name. Only my parents ever called me that and I never felt loved when hearing it.

"I'm just meeting Gwen and Helen, Mom," ulit ko. "Uuwi ako before twelve, I swear."

Mom looked at Dad. "Where are they then?"

Dad just stared at me with his brooding eyes as he waited for my answer and I felt so little standing before him.

"On the way. Malapit na raw sila."

"Saan kayo magdi-dinner?" Dad asked, but it sounded more like a demand.

"Evia," mabilis na sagot ko ulit. I had never lied about going to gigs before because they knew Zach was with me and they trusted that asshole. But now I had to be careful kasi baka ipadala nila ako sa Russia at paghulihin ng isda. "It's near here, wala pang thirty minutes yung car ride."

They exchanged looks ulit.

"Please," pakiusap ko. "Ngayon na lang ulit ako lalabas this late at night. I promise I'll be home before midnight. I've never broken a rule."

Dad sighed and started on his way back upstairs, waving a hand up like he already had enough of dealing with me. Mom probably knew that and that might be the reason why she never told him about the baby I carried.

Mom let out an identical sigh and gave me a pointed look. "That's a promise, okay? Be home before midnight."

"Yes!" I beamed. "I promise. Thank you, Mom—" I almost hugged her but pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. It kinda felt awkward. Sure, I had hugged them before but I could not remember the last time I did. "Thanks."

Mom drew another deep breath. "Fine. Will they drive you home or do you need Manong Allan?"

"They're my ride to and from."

"Okay. Twelve, alright?"

A wide smile crept its way across my lips. "Yes. Thanks!" I jogged downstairs sa sobrang pagmamadali ko.

"Your promise, okay?"

"Yes!"

"And, Dominika?"

Napatigil ako at nilingon siya.

She had a faraway look in her eyes, like she was trying to figure out what happened to me, where did it go wrong, why were we worlds apart. In a soft voice she said, "Take care. And enjoy."

I allowed myself a small smile. "Thanks."

Saktong paglabas ko ng bahay, dumating na rin sila Gwen. Kuya Simon was driving us there, then susunduin niya na lang kami pagkatapos. Kinakabahan ako na nae-excite because not only would I be watching the Vandalics again, but this time, I would be seeing the whole Pale As Dead perform at last.

We got to Toracco din agad kasi wala masyadong traffic and after magbilin ni Kuya Simon na we should not drink too much if we had to at all, umalis na siya and told us that he would be back before twelve.

"Ilang taon na kayo?"

"Eighteen," Helen told the bouncer at the door.

The bouncer eyed her thoroughly before pointing to the big standee of Red Horse sa side ng entrance. "Bawal ang wala pang eighteen sa loob."

"We're eighteen na nga!"

"Sila mukhang eighteen, ikaw hindi. Nasa'n ID mo?"

Helen looked at us, a look of wild disbelief masking her small face. She even mouthed 'What the fuck?' and Gwen and I would have laughed at the situation kung hindi lang talaga nakakainis.

"Wait," I told them and stepped away to dial Paris' number. He texted me the directions last night so I already had it. It took five rings before he picked up. "Hey."

"Hi. Nasa'n na kayo?"

"Outside the bar. Ayaw kaming papasukin 'cause Helen looked young."

Tumawa siya nang mahina. "Teka, lalabas ako. Nasa backstage kasi kami. Sunduin ko kayo."

I went back to my friends after the call and told them to wait on the side with me. It did not take Paris that long and dumating na rin siya kasama si Kyo. For a moment, I asked myself, Where's Shishi? Then I remembered that I should not care. Siguro kasi nakikita ko sila as a trio, so parang may kulang.

Kinausap ni Paris yung bouncer and mukhang friends din sila kasi they bumped fists pa bago kami yayain ni Paris sa loob. Helen glared at the bouncer on our way in so Gwen told her that he was only doing his job.

"Fourth set nga pala kami," sabi ni Paris. "Ayos din yung mga mauunang banda."

Right past the entrance, may booth where they sold beer. We bought one Stallion bottle each. Dito pa lang sa booth, naririnig na namin yung tumutugtog na band. A cover band, from the sound of it, kasi it was a Rage Against the Machine song.

"Iinumin niyo?" Paris asked us.

"No," sabi agad ni Gwen before giving her bottle to him like she had been waiting to get rid of it kanina pa.

"I'm drinking mine," Helen said when Paris looked at her, expecting the bottle. She even gave him a very pilit na ngiti.

Napatingin sa akin si Paris at nag-sigh siya. May sasabihin yata sana siya kaso napatingin siya sa kaliwa and he raised his hand with the beer while the other cupped the side of his mouth. "Shishi!"

Fuck, biglang bumilis heartbeat ko. Nagulat ako.

Shishi saw us agad. Hindi siya sumimangot lalo (kasi nakasimangot na talaga siya), but it was like he did not see us. "Hindi raw makakapunta si Amy."

Yun talaga agad ang bungad niya? Okay.

"Sayang," sabi ni Paris. "Iinumin mo 'yan, Dee? Sabi mo, 'di ka nainom."

"No," I said at inabot yung bottle sa kanya.

Instead na kunin niya, Paris asked Shishi. "Gusto mo, tol? Meron pa 'ko."

Tumingin sa akin si Shishi saglit pero sa bottle na hawak ko siya tumingin nang mas matagal. Then sa akin ulit, tapos kinuha niya na. Halos sa nguso ng bottle siya humawak kaya sobrang layo sa kamay ko. Not that I was expecting our skins to touch, pero parang nandidiri naman siya.

"Hindi ka nainom, Kyo?" I asked na lang.

Umiling siya tapos ngumuso siya kay Paris who did not see it kasi nag-uusap sila ni Shishi about some band na may issue yung member. "'Di ako pinapayagan. Pero minsan, kapag may party." He paused kasi may nakita siyang papasok din and he nudged Paris sa likod to get his attention. "Si Emma."

We all turned. There was a purple-haired girl na pumasok, wearing a short leather skirt, fishnets, and a leather jacket. The ring on her nose glinted against the lights. She bought two bottles agad and napatingin pa siya sa group namin, but she gave Paris the middle finger kasi he was about to stop her.

"Grounded siya, 'di ba?" Kyo said as the girl disappeared inside.

"Oo. Patay 'yan kay Kuya Warren."

"'Wag niyo nang sabihin. Para kayong tanga," sabi ni Shishi at umalis na siya papunta sa door ng backstage na nasa dulo.

"Who was that?" Helen asked.

"Kapatid ni Kuya Warren," sabi ni Kyo. "Wala kasi si Kuya Warren, kaya siguro pumunta."

"Why is she grounded?"

"Hindi umuwi ng two days."

"Why are you so chismosa?" I asked.

Helen finished two swigs muna bago siya sumagot. "Why are you so chismosa rin sa'kin?"

Nagpaalam na rin yung magpinsan at sumunod na sila kay Shishi.

Inside, marami na ring tao and ang dilim sa loob. Different-colored lights flickered in and out, and the music playing from the huge speakers rang loudly in my ears. On either side were the tables and chairs. The bar was on our left and was lit with purple lights. Two baristas were behind, serving half a dozen customers sitting on the stools. Then sa gitna, may malawak na area for people who would like to dance or jam with the band playing on the stage. Nasa gitna rin yung stage, which was what you would immediately see as soon as you got in.

"There's an empty table there, oh." Tumuro si Gwen sa isang table sa bandang right side namin na medyo malapit sa stage. The spot was great so we occupied it agad bago pa kami maunahan ng iba.

A waitress immediately went to our table and showed us the menu. We ordered drinks—Gwen and I settled on canned Cokes while Helen said she would order once she finished her beer. Then fries.

"Ang daming taga-school," I half shouted-half said so my friends could hear me over the loud music. A reggae cover band was playing onstage, performing a respectable rendition of Bob Marley's Buffalo Soldier.

"Tapos sila pinapasok kahit walang back-up na PAD?" Helen huffed. "No fair."

"Grow up," Gwen teased kaya siniringan siya ni Helen. "Physically, I mean. Pero mentally rin, if you have the time."

"Fuck you."

Gwen laughed. "Paris was calling her earlier but 'di niya sinagot. Sira talaga."

"Really?" Natawa rin ako. "Why naman?"

"Itatanong niya lang naman kung papunta na tayo," Helen said. "He texted it when I declined his call. Pwede naman palang i-text, 'di ba?"

"Malay mo, gusto kang makausap," sabi ko before siya sundutin sa waist. "Uy. Is this the start of something new?"

"I'd rather talk to this table, Cinderella."

The reggae band was replaced by another one who started performing their original composition. Catchy yung song nila, and the beat sounded like Kamikazee's, one of the local bands that Zach loved to listen to.

Zach na naman.

The band was ending their first song when I received a call from my mom. I told my friends I had to step out to take it, and Gwen reminded me to go back as soon as possible kasi PAD na yung next. I weaved my way through the big crowd and stood beside the car na pinakamalayo from the entrance.

"Mom?"

"I'm going to Solaire with Joan. Your dad's gone to the clubhouse with Gary. But we expect you to be home on the agreed hour."

I swallowed and stared at the ground.

Kasama na naman pala nila ang parents ni Zach. I knew they were in the country since they went to Mie's funeral once, but I never really talked to them about their son. Kinumusta lang nila ako noon at nag-sorry sa akin dahil sa biglang pag-alis ni Zach. They probably would have told me what happened to him, but I excused myself agad that night. I was grieving that moment and I did not have the mental energy nor the physical capacity to go back to the things that plunged me into a dark chasm in the first place.

I had not seen Tita Joan and Tito Gary since the funeral kahit nasa kabilang street lang ang bahay nila. They did not drop by our house as well, so I assumed they were in Dasma the whole time. They had another house there. I did not know about their son though. My guess: he was still in the States with his sister because I had also never seen Ate Rebecca since he disappeared. That was what I had been told when I asked before—that he went back to Baltimore.

"Is Zach back?"

"No," Mom said.

I exhaled a relieved breath. "Okay. Enjoy."

"Twelve, Dominika. Twelve. Magagalit ang Daddy mo."

"I heard you the first time."

"What?"

"Sorry. Yes, twelve, Mom. Twelve. Ingat kayo."

She ended the call without saying bye.

I took a deep breath and looked around. Ang presko ng hangin. Wala masyadong tao sa labas dahil nasa loob na ang lahat. Ang ganda rin ng night sky kasi wala masyadong clouds. Papasok na rin sana ako kaso natigilan ako.

There, five cars away on the other side of the parking lot, leaning against the driver side door of a black Jeep Wrangler, was Shishi. He smoked a cigarette as his eyes carefully watched the starry sky.

Siya lang mag-isa, wala yung ibang ka-band niya. Looking at him, lalo akong na-curious kung sino ba talaga siya, behind all those things na nakikita ko sa kanya sa school.

Naisip ko, kailangan ko nang pumasok. Ayokong titigan siya at panoorin. What if makita niya ako dito? He could catch me staring at him again. Ayoko na no'n.

Lalakad na sana ako ulit but a couple of kids, who both looked to be no older than seven, approached him. From their looks, I could say that they were kids from the street.

They asked him for money or food. Medyo malayo sila sa akin and hindi ko marinig dahil na rin sa sounds sa loob. Shishi brought his cigarette down from his lips and started to pay attention to them.

I always had a soft spot for kids like them. I wondered what he would do. And what happened next made my brows furrow in disappointment.

Shishi threw his cigarette butt to the ground. He stepped on it and went back inside the bar, using the back door to enter.

Napasimangot talaga ako. Lahat ng nararamdaman kong curiosity at admiration sa kanya, nawala. Hindi ko masyadong pinapansin yung rudeness niya noong mga nakaraang araw, but what I saw tonight made me realize the kind of person he really was.

Naisipan ko na ako na lang ang magbibigay sa kanila ng pangbili nila ng makakain but naiwan ko sa table namin nila Gwen yung purse ko. I did not bring a bag with me naman kasi.

Lumakad ako papunta sa kids para sabihin na hintayin nila ako kasi baka umalis sila but before pa ako makalapit, lumabas ulit si Shishi, carrying take-out bags from KFC with him. Nagtago ako sa likod ng isang car.

He went back to the kids and gave them the bags of food. Then what surprised me next was when Shishi held up a hand and gave each kid a high five, nodding at them as they left, saying their thanks and good bye. Then pumasok na ulit siya sa loob.

What a surprising turn of events. Medyo nainis nga lang ako sa sarili ko kasi na-judge ko agad siya. Kaya pala hindi umalis agad yung mga bata when he left. Sinabihan niya siguro na maghintay doon saglit while he was getting the food.

On my way in, nakita ko pa si Helen buying beer sa booth ulit. Lalapitan ko sana siya kaso dumating bigla si Emma at nakita ko na nagkatinginan sila. Emma smirked kaya nagtaka ako. I could not see Helen's face kasi nakatalikod siya sa direction ko, pero pumasok na rin siya. Kaya pumasok na rin ako.

"Hey, great timing," sabi ni Gwen pag-upo ko. "Magse-set up na ang PAD."

Umakyat na rin isa-isa ang PAD sa stage. Finally, nakita ko na rin sa personal ang dalawa pang member ng band na mga alumni ng Miwako.

There was Clark, the tall guy with a petulant expression in his arrogant face. He carried a guitar by its neck and hung the strap on his shoulder as he took his position. He looked like an older version of Shishi for some reason. Maybe it was the vibe they emanated. Nakasimangot din kasi.

Then there was the band's vocalist, Chico, a guy who was not too tall but not too short, sporting a full-sleeved tattoo on his right arm. He looked young compared kay Clark, his built was very teenager-like din. And his face looked serene and calm like, I got my shit, don't worry about me. He adjusted the microphone in its stand and said, "Test. Mic test. Test. One, two."

Then the Vandalics came up na rin. Paris carried a bass guitar and took his spot sa tapat ng isang mic stand. Siguro dahil siya ang backing vocalist ni Chico. Kyo stood beside Paris and adjusted the tune of his guitar.

And there was Shishi. Shishi took his place quietly sa likod ng mga kabanda niya, sitting in front of the drum set with a pair of drumsticks in his hands. He was adjusting the cymbals, and strangely, he reminded me of a new dad, afraid to touch his delicate newborn carelessly.

"Good evening," Chico started, causing an uproar from the crowd. Gwen and I stood up and went to the floor to join the others, while Helen was left sa table namin to look after our things. "Wala nang paligoy ligoy pa. First song, Matalik."

And they started playing. It was so unreal watching them. I was not a solid fan yet, but listening to them made me feel like someone who was just recently introduced to the scene and quickly got hooked.

I wanted to look at the others, to watch them perform, but my eyes could not stay away from Shishi. I watched him sa bawat palo niya, a satisfied smirk on his lips whenever he hit the cymbals, like he was glad that his noise would be heard over the others.

Bago matapos ang set nila, I found myself even more drawn to my classmate, like he was a strange sea that I was afraid to swim in but everything he did and said were making it too exciting to take the risks.

Behind your strong and hostile veneer, who is the real you, Shiloh Dominguez?

∘ ⸻ ∘

𝗚𝗪𝗘𝗡

𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟯, 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟬 𝗽.𝗺.

I had no idea how it happened but here I was, alone with Kyoya freaking Matsuoka, at the bar, drinking with him. Cocktail for me, beer for him. I never liked the taste of beer, but he told me it was his favorite alcoholic drink.

In the middle of the sixth band's performance kanina, Paris and Kyo arrived at our table. We were having casual conversations about school stuff and the cousins were also sharing funny stories about their band with us, but Helen must have been tipsy na kasi she basically told Paris to shut up when he asked me if I never really had a boyfriend like what Dee said. Binuking niya kasi na never pa rin nagkaka-girlfriend si Kyo kaya yun sinabi ni Dee. Na-offend yata si Paris kasi umalis siya after humingi ng sorry sa akin at kay Dee, but not kay Helen. Hindi sumunod si Kyo sa kanya, but there was awkwardness na until Kyo broke the ice and jokingly said na makakapag-inom na siya kasi hindi niya na kabuntot si Paris.

Kyo asked me if I did not drink, so I told him about my distaste for beer. He said he knew a great cocktail drink, so here we were.

"Anong pinapanood mong anime ngayon?"

Medyo hindi ko inaasahan yung tanong niya kasi we were drinking at a bar then anime ang magiging topic namin. But it made sense kasi wala naman talaga kaming alam sa isa't isa bukod sa parehas kaming nerd. "I'm binge watching Bleach right now. Trying to catch up kasi tapos na ni Dee."

"Talaga?" He smiled. "Favorite ko rin yun."

"Yeah, nagiging favorite ko na nga rin, eh."

"'Wag kang tatawa, ah," sabi niya before taking a sip from his second beer mug. Parang pinipigilan niya ring matawa. "Nagpapa-customize ako ng Zanpakutō nila."

I reined in a laugh but I burst out. "Sorry. Where?"

"Sabi mo hindi ka tatawa."

"Wala 'kong sinabi. So saan ka nga nagpapa-customize?"

"Online. Meron ako ng kay Hitsugaya, Renji, Aizen, and kay Ichigo pero yung shikai."

"I wanna see. Do you have pictures?"

"Yeah, wait."

Nilabas niya yung phone niya, clicked on a few buttons, then inabot niya sa akin. Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita pagkakuha ko kasi it was a blank page for a new contact information to be put in. Hindi rin ako makatingin sa kanya agad.

"Okay lang ba?"

I bit my lower lip then nodded. Saka ko nilagay yung number ko at inabot ulit sa kanya. "So nasa'n yung pictures?"

He had a toothy grin when he glanced at me as he weaved through his gallery. Ngayon ko lang napansin na protuberant pala yung canine teeth niya, like he had fangs. Pinakita niya na sa akin yung mga Zanpakutō na sinasabi niya pati yung collection niya ng action figures at home. I was impressed kasi he had a full room dedicated for it. Sabi niya, the room for his collections was twice bigger than his own bedroom where he kept his favorite ones.

"Parang museum yung room mo," I said.

"Gusto mong makita?"

Natigilan ako. "Like, in person?"

Binaba niya yung mug niya na less than half na lang yung laman. "Yeah."

Nagkatitigan kami saglit. Tumatama na yata yung alak sa kanya kasi namumula na ang mukha niya. Sa akin, hindi pa, kasi nakakadalawang small sips pa lang ako. I had decided that I never really liked alcohol talaga.

"Umm, we'll see."

"Sure. Sabihan mo 'ko agad. Para makapaglinis ako. Medyo magulo, eh. Maayos lang sa picture kasi bagong linis no'ng kinuhanan."

"I won't complain naman."

"Ngayon lang tayo nakapag-usap nang ganito kahaba."

I was embarrassed kaya napatingin ako sa baba.

"Ayos lang naman. Napansin ko lang. Sila Ate Dee at Ate Helen nakakausap ko kasi palagi. Nae-enjoy mo ba yung OT?"

"Yeah, sobra. I like my guildmates kasi they teach me techniques."

"Mm." He nodded twice. "Ayos yun. Buti naman. 'Wag mo na lang pakinggan yung mga sinasabi ni Kuya Paris na kulto ko raw yung club."

I giggled. "Okay."

Ngumiti lang siya at tumingin sa stage kaya pinanood ko yung bartender who was making drinks for the other patrons.

Naiilang na ako. I was not looking at him, but I could feel his eyes glancing at me from time to time habang pinapanood niya yung band na natugtog. I should not be acting this way, but I had never experienced anything like this. That recognition for my pin from him was the first time somebody took notice of me and what I liked.

Sa Fairfield, where I studied since grade school, I had friends din naman, but they were all nerds like me. Our worlds revolved around anime, manga, comics, books, games, toys, movies, and a lot of other 'nerdy' things. So the appreciation of stuff we owned within our circle was a common thing. Outside that circle were people who made fun of us because they thought we lived in a fantasy world in our heads. Then I met Helen and Dee in middle school. But their appreciation was different kasi we all did not know that we liked the same thing bago kami naging friends talaga kasi that was the time when I decided that I did not want to be bullied anymore, so I kept all my favorite things hidden.

When we were comfortable enough to call ourselves best friends, doon ako nagkaroon ng confidence ulit na i-express ang sarili ko. Even Zach, who could rarely relate sa mga gusto namin, supported us.

Then Kyo noticed my pin and said he liked it. Sikat pa siya. It was totally unexpected. Yung mga popular kids sa Fairfield, sila yung tumawa sa akin. Sa Miwako, it was the opposite.

Kaya ako nahihiya sa kanya. I should not be because I should, in fact, be more confident and comfortable, but that smile he gave me made me feel things from an alien territory that I had not explored yet.

"Gwen?"

Kahit ayoko sana, tiningnan ko siya. Siguro halata yung gulat sa mukha ko. I could not decide if I was startled sa biglang tawag niya or sa fact na hindi niya ako tinawag na 'ate' like what he did to my friends. I was the oldest in our group nga, eh. We lived in the States before moving here for good when I was kid, so late ako nakapag-start ng schooling dito. I was eleven months older than Dee. I would turn seventeen next month na. And Kyo was, what, fifteen? fourteen? One other reason kaya ako nahihiya.

"Wala lang, tahimik ka na kasi. Okay ba yung gig namin?"

"It—It was great. Wish I recorded it, kaso low-batt na 'ko kanina pa."

"Nuod ka ulit sa next gig namin kapag malapit."

"Yeah, sure. Nagustuhan ni Dee band niyo, eh. Magyayakag ulit yun for sure."

"Ikaw ba, nagustuhan mo?"

Nginitian ko siya. "Yeah. A lot."

Ngumiti rin siya.

Maybe the conversation was too much na for my mahiyain na self kaya I told him I needed to go to the toilet kahit mas nakakahiya yung excuse ko sa mismong personality ko. While I washed my hands after doing the deed, nakarinig ako ng something na nakakadiri. It sounded like lips smacking kasi. Inexperienced man ako, but I was not stupid.

Biglang lumagabog yung wooden wall ng last stall before two figures came into view. And I saw them through the mirror.

It was Emma. Kissing a girl. Passionately.

Our eyes met through the mirror din, pero sobrang saglit lang kasi I quickly turned off the faucet and grabbed a handful of tissue. Pagkalabas ko ng toilet, my phone vibrated from my purse.

There was only eight percent left sa battery ko. Enough to text my brother later kapag magpapasundo na kami. It was an unknown number and it said:

𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐤 𝐧𝐚 𝐤𝐚𝐦𝐢 𝐬𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐝. 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲. 𝐔𝐬𝐚𝐩 𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐡? 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭. -𝐊𝐲𝐨

Napangiti yata ako. But I was sure I saved his number.