Luna's Point of View
After everything that happened last night, I invited Bryan to eat out. It had been a while since I treated him, so as a way of making it up to him, we decided to have a meal outside.
"Where do you want to eat?" I asked.
"Anywhere is fine as long as you're treating," he replied, winking.
We decided to eat at one of the most famous carinderias in Blumentritt, Aling Noneng's Tapsilogan. According to a post on Facebook, this place is always flooded with diners. Aside from the delicious food, the service is also excellent.
We traveled quite a distance to reach that eatery.
When we arrived at the tapsihan (a small eatery), Bryan immediately ordered our food. In a tapsihan, when you dine in, you eat first before paying to enjoy the food.
"Mmm! The chicharong bulaklak (deep-fried pork rinds) is so delicious! You should try it with the Mang Tomas sauce," he said while sprinkling the sauce on his plate.
"Here's your extra rice," the waiter placed the rice on my plate.
"Hello, Luna," he said.
I quickly looked at the waiter and was surprised to see him smiling at me. He was wearing an apron and a cap on top of his hairnet.
"Such a lovely date you have here, in a tapsihan," he said with a smile.
I cleared my throat and took a bite. I felt nervous and as if I would choke. I looked at Bryan, who was also smiling at Sky.
"It's not a date. She just treated me," Bryan said.
Bryan looked at me, and I just smiled back at him. So Sky works here. He's a working student. That's why Sky is diligent in cleaning.
He left because the cook called him. Bryan and I finished our meal. I ended up spending over P450 for a seat in that tapsihan. The food was delicious, so we had four rounds—two for the main course and two for desserts. They recommended the buko salad dessert after eating salty foods. Their buko salad was delicious.
It even surpassed my mom's homemade version.
After eating, we decided to head home immediately as it was getting cloudy and heavy rain was starting to fall. Fortunately, we were already inside a jeepney. Since we were in Blumentritt, the traffic is usually heavy when it rains.
"I feel dizzy from the smell of the exhaust here," he complained and rested his head on my shoulder. Bryan is tall, so he couldn't reach my shoulder to lean on it.
I'm used to Bryan doing these things—resting his head on my shoulder, holding my hand, and leaning on me. Why? We've been friends for 8 years, and I consider him like a sibling, even before he admitted that he had feelings for me.
There's no issue, right?
"What are the things that make you happy?" I asked softly.
"I'll just type it on my phone. It's embarrassing to say it out loud," he replied.
He started typing on his phone and showed me what he had written.
"The things that make me happy? Writing and you. Aww, screw you."
It's so cheesy, but it's adorable because I'm part of his happiness. Despite the swear word he used, I know it's sincere. I know Bryan. He's always swearing, sarcastic, and weird, but behind that personality, he's kind and sincere.
I nudged him and rested my head on his shoulder. After finding out Bryan's feelings for me, I suddenly felt regret whenever I thought about leaving him again like before.
***
"Fuck you, Bitch. See you tomorrow. I can't pick you up because I have something to attend to," he said and pinched my cheek.
"Wow. 'I have something to attend to.' Big words, huh? Anyways, goodnight."
I turned around and walked towards the house. We were late because of the heavy traffic. It rained heavily earlier, and almost no vehicles were moving.
Suddenly, Sky's face flashed in my mind while Bryan and I were talking earlier. He was working part-time at his aunt's tapsihan, which was the owner of the tapsilogan.
I took out my art materials. I was going to make a friendship album for Bryan. He made one for me five years ago. We have many pictures together.
I met Bryan at an internet cafe. I saw him typing his very first story titled "I can't breathe." I saw the number of reads and votes his story got on Wattpad. It reached thousands of views and votes. I asked him his username on Wattpad back then, just out of curiosity. And because of that, I found out that we were schoolmates and eventually became what we are now.
We promised each other not to fall in love with each other. If one of us falls, the friendship is over. That's why I feel bad about those days when I avoided him just for a naive boyfriend. Maybe because of that promise, he kept his feelings low-key because he didn't want me to avoid him.
Tomorrow, I will make it up to you, Bry-Bry!
***
I woke up early because I was excited to give my gift to Bryan. Today is our 9th year friendship anniversary. Bryan left the house early, and I wanted to surprise him and greet him.
I hurriedly went out after taking care of myself and having breakfast. I saw him putting his bag inside their car, but...
Why does his bag look like a suitcase?
I approached him to ask why he wasn't in his uniform and they looked like they were going somewhere.
"Hi, Luna!" Bryan's mom, Ate Sonia, greeted me.
"Luna, can we talk for a moment?" Bryan asked, pulling me aside.
"We're moving to a new house."
"What?" I looked at him in surprise
"Why?" I whispered.
"My mom sold our house, and she bought a house in Japan," she said.
"You're leaving me?" I lowered my head. I could feel my eyes getting warm, and soon my tears would fall.
"No-"
"What if you forget about me? What about our friendship?" I interrupted him.
"Even if you leave here," he placed my hand on his chest, "You won't be gone from here," he said, moving my hand to his heart.
I hugged her tightly. This is the last day I'll be able to be with Bryan. Did he confess to me because they were leaving?
I handed him a small paper bag. It contained what I made last night, along with the letter I wrote for him.
"Happy 9th year of friendship," he smiled at me.
I wiped my tears and smiled back.
"I'm going inside."
That was my final goodbye, telling him that I'm going inside. Nobody would suspect that Bryan is a good person because of the way he acts. He's weird, a bookworm, intelligent, and a tease. I will miss his teasing and disgust towards the food I eat. He always says that the food I devour is disgusting because it's always just nuggets.
Just when I needed to make it up to him, he's leaving.
As I continued walking away from them, tears slowly streamed down my face. I wanted to make it up to him. I wanted
to learn to reciprocate the love he gives me. I wanted to tell him how important he is to me.
Bryan Rei, don't leave. I will make it up to you.
*Footsteps*
I turned around.
"Luna, I am really sorry."
He held my arm and pulled me closer to him. After a moment,
I felt his lips touching mine.
He kissed me.
He kissed me. His kiss lasted for two minutes. I didn't know why that kiss felt like he would never come back again.
He turned around and continued walking.
***
It felt strange. Bryan was no longer there to greet me. Since it was still early, I went to the garden to contemplate. I admired the flowers and vines hanging from a branch.
"Oh!" I shouted as suddenly everything turned dark when someone covered my eyes.
Familiar?
"Luna..."
I immediately stood up when I heard the voice of a familiar man.
"Bryan?!"
"Just a prank!" he said with a grin.
"Aww.. let me see that face. You looked like you've been crying when you turned away." He approached me.
I slapped him hard. "What kind of prank is that? Aren't you leaving?"
"Ouch! Yes, that's why it's just a prank."
"You jerk," I said.
Damn you, Bryan. Damn you! Now I have to stand by what I said in the narration earlier!
"Did you enjoy the kiss?"
"FUCK-"
He ran quickly out of the garden. I didn't chase him because I might get tired. But I was happy because what that idiot did earlier this morning wasn't true. He really is a troublemaker! On their side, I'll get back at him.
"Looks like you guys are having fun?" I heard someone say behind me.
"S-Sky!"
I looked at my phone as it vibrated.
A message from Bryan:
"Do your move. This time, I'll guide you."
I smiled slightly at what I read. I raised my gaze to Sky, who was looking serious.
"Let's go inside," he said.
"O-okay."
I don't know yet. I don't want to confess until Bryan is okay. Even if he says he'll support me in my love life, I can't be sure if he'll be happy for me. Knowing that he loves me, I won't be happy in my future relationship if I feel like I've left something behind.
I was lost in thought the whole morning during my three subjects. I couldn't help but think about the possible outcomes. I like Sky, but what about Bryan? I no longer like Jude. I haven't talked to him since he argued with Sky.
"Are you alright?" I woke up from reality when Sky suddenly tapped me. Right. Class was over. It's recess time.
"Are you stressed?" he asked with a furrowed brow.
"Uh, no! I'm fine. Hehe."
He stood up and moved the chair in front of me. "You're not. It seems like you're thinking about something. Do you want to talk about it?"
Wait. What?
"Uh, no. I'm fine, really," I said. I stood up and left the classroom to go straight to the canteen.
I glanced at the art studio. The lights were on, and the door was closed. There was a small opening in the curtain caused by the wind. I peeked to see what was inside. I only noticed the art studio now that I've been transferred.
I covered my mouth in shock when I saw two people close together.
They're kissing?!
I opened the window a bit more. My eyes widened when I saw Bryan and Zoe kissing in the classroom.
"H-how?" I whispered. I stepped back in surprise.
"Luna?"
I looked at Sky behind me. I didn't say anything and pulled him towards the music room.
How could he? He confessed his love for me, and now I see him kissing someone else? Someone he said he no longer wanted to pursue? After he kissed me earlier? I don't understand.
I stared blankly at the window of the music room.
"Why?" I turned to Sky and wiped away my tears.
"What would you do if your best friend confessed his love to you, and you suddenly see him kissing someone else?"
"I don't know. I've never had a best friend. But I suppose you're talking about Bryan, right?" He sat down.
I nodded slowly.
"Well, trying to put myself in your shoes, there's nothing I can do. He kissed that girl."
"He kissed me too," I said softly.
"Then I think he wants to see this too."
He stood up and walked towards me. He held both sides of my face.
And
His lips. He's kissing me.
Again.