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“Grabe teh, after six months na kayo, saka ka pa lang ipapakilala ni Mikko sa family niya? Hindi ba dapat nung first months niyo pa nangyari yun?” Jamiel said to his friend, Adley.
Bahagyang ngumiti si Adley sa sinabi ni Jamiel.
“Ano ka ba, syempre busy din sa trabaho si Mikko. Ngayon lang kami nagka-time ng ganito, sakto pa na magba-birthday ang mama niya kaya ayun,” sagot ni Adley.
“Okay, sabi mo eh,” Jamiel replied, sabay taas-balikat bago bumalik sa pagtipa sa keyboard.
May point naman si Jamiel. Sa totoo lang, dapat noong nililigawan pa lang siya ni Mikko ay ipinakilala na siya sa pamilya—pero hindi nangyari. Lagi lang na, “Sorry, busy. Sa birthday na lang ni Mama,” o kaya’y “Hindi pa ako makapag-leave, magre-request ako tapos uwi tayo sa amin.” Hanggang sa umabot sila ng anim na buwan bilang magkasintahan bago pa lang siya ipakikilala.
Hindi naman demanding si Adley. Mahaba talaga ang pasensya niya. Siya yung tipo ng taong madaling umintindi—marunong magtimpla ng expectations. Hindi siya bigla-bigla mag-demand ng kung anu-ano. He was just patiently waiting to be introduced to Mikko’s family.
It was their lunch break when Mikko messaged him,
From: Aa Love
*“Love, ano lunch mo? Nga pala, naka-request na ako ng leave for 3 days next week. Since plano din natin umuwi kila Mama. Anyways, happy lunch. Eat on time, love you!”*
Napangiti si Adley sa message ng boyfriend.
“Alam mo friend, buti nakayanan mo na six months bago ka ipakilala. Hindi sa pang-o-offend, pero kami nung boyfriend ko, nililigawan pa lang ako kilala na ako ng relatives niya sa mother side. Nakasama pa ako sa reunion,” pang-aasar ng isa niyang ka-trabaho.
“Baka naman pamilyado pala yang jowa mo, te. Kaya ang tagal ka ipakilala sa pamilya,” singit pa ng isa.
Medyo nasaktan si Adley sa narinig. Wala naman siyang issue kung late siyang ipinakilala ni Mikko—ayaw niyang pangunahan ang boyfriend sa plano nito, lalo na pagdating sa pamilya. Oo, medyo may tampo siya dahil anim na buwan na sila pero hindi pa niya nae-meet ang kahit sinong kamag-anak ni Mikko. Kahit sa social media, wala pa siyang nakausap.
“Sus, ano bang paki niyo sa lovelife ni Adley? Eh ikaw nga, Maryjane—anong silbi na kilala ka ng kaanak sa mother side ng boyfriend mo kung lagi ka rin namang niloloko nun? Katulong pa pamilya nun magtago ng side chick,” pang-aawat at pangtatanggol ni Jamiel nang madatnan sila sa pantry area. “At ikaw, Marjorie—anong pamilyado? Huwag mong i-compare si Adley sa’yo na nag-boyfriend ng may anak at kasal pa.”
“In my defense, hindi ko alam na pamilyado siya,” sagot ni Marjorie, pero inirapan lang siya ni Jamiel. Hinila na ni Maryjane si Marjorie palayo bago pa humaba ang away.
“Alam mo teh, baka concern lang sila sa akin,” mahinahong sabi ni Adley.
“Si Mama Mary ka ba o sadyang tanga ka lang?” iritadong sagot ni Jamiel. “Te, halata namang dina-down ka na ng dalawa, tapos ganyan pa sasabihin mo?”
Totoo, mabait si Adley. Siya yung tipong inaaway na, ngingitian ka pa. Sobrang haba ng pasensya, hindi masusukat sa ruler. Hindi rin siya mabilis magalit, kaya madalas naaabuso.
“Hayaan mo na,” sagot ni Adley. “Hindi naman ikaw yung inaano—pero parang ikaw pa yung mas galit sa ating dalawa.”
“Eh kasi naman, nakakapikon sila. I mean, wala naman talaga silang dapat na pakialam sa relasyon mo. May kanya-kanya tayong buhay, so bakit kailangan pa nilang magsalita ng kung anu-ano tungkol sa inyo?” iritang saad ni Jamiel.
Napangiti na lang si Adley. Naiintindihan naman niya ang reaksyon ng kaibigan—natural lang namang magalit, lalo na kapag may naririnig kang may kumakanti o nakikialam sa kaibigan mo, ’di ba?
→ Fastforward←
"Te, message mo ako kapag andun kana kila Mikko ha, update ka kung inaalipusta ka ng mga kamag-anak nya ha. Kumain ka rin ng marami, mamimiss kita , te." Paalala ni Jamiel, na para bang mangingibang bansa ng sobrang tagal si Adley.
Ngayung araw kasi sila ba-byahe ni Mikko pauwi sa kanila, hindi naman sila mahihirapan sa pag-commute dahil may sasakyan namang sarili si Mikko.
"Love, nag-message si Miel sa akin. Siguraduhin ko daw na ibalik kitang buo at walang galos." Kaswal na saad ni Mikko nang maupo siya sa driver seat, "Si tita nga ang paalala lang ay pakainin kita sa tamang oras tapos itong bestfriend mo, grabe ha." Dagdag pa nito.
"Hayaan mo na, ganyan talaga yan. Kung inireto mo sa katrabaho mong si Nate edi hindi yan nagpapaalala ng ganyan." Natatawang saad ni Adley.
"Galit pa rin ba sa akin si Miel dahil dun? Wala talaga akong magagawa dun love, ayaw ni Nate sa reto-reto eh." Mikko answered and shrugs his shoulder, agad naman niyang sinuot ang seatbelt at binuhay ang makina ng sasakyan.
"Wag mo na alalahanin yun, mawawala din yung inis ni Jamiel sayo kapag nakahanap yun ng bagong crush." Adley replied.
The ride from city to country side wasn't that tiring at all, Adley actually enjoyed it, sino ba namang hindi gaganahan sa byahe kung ang tanawin na matatanaw ay may magandang view ng dagat, may malawak na palayan, berdeng kapaligiran at marami pang iba.
Tho, they stop to a gas station para umihi at magkarga ng gasolina.
Kinakabahan man ay pinili ni Adley na maging positive, may mga relatives talaga na hindi kaagad makukuha ang timpla. Yung tipong tatarayan o di kaya naman ay hindi ka papansinin, madadala naman siguro sa panahon yan.
Sa totoo lang walang experience si Adley sa ganitong bagay, lalo na't pinakaunang boyfriend niya si Mikko. He was busy chasing his studies and building his career kaya wala siyang time sa lovelife. Oo, may mga nagpaparamdam naman noon, pero dahil masyado siyang career and goal oriented, he choose to declines those. Kasi para sa kanya noon, being in a relationship was a total distraction and he doesn't want to take a guy who sees his ambition as a threat.
Kaya nung panahon na pinakilala si Mikko sa kanya ng isa sa common friend niya, he was fascinated how mature Mikko talks, wala naman talaga siyang balak pumasok sa relasyon noon, not until Mikko came into picture who showed him na pupwede naman palang maging mature and understanding ang dalawang taong nasa relasyon.
The relationship Adley imagined in his mind was something like his blockmates back then, laging may immature sa relasyon, that's why he was afraid of being in a relationship, but Mikko prove him wrong.
The relationship Mikko had given him was far more then he expected, hindi kagaya ng mga sinasabi ng mga blockmates nya noong college. Or maybe because he was already adult enough when he entered relationship, pero hindi, some his co-workers has also that kind of relationship problem. Yung iba nga nak-kwento pa na pinipirahan sila or some, kumbaga the immature one on the relationship had evolve to a gold-digging-bastards.
Good thing is he found the right person to be in a relationship, dahil boyfriend nya si Mikko, and not just boyfriend, his FIRST boyfriend. Bonus na din na hindi nya naranasan yung mga relationship problem ng mga kakilala nya.
"Love, malapit na tayo sa amin, isang barangay nalang then amin na." Saad ni Mikko na naka-focus ang mata sa daan.
Yung kaba naman ni Adley umusbong nanaman, normal naman talaga na kabahan, pero iba kasi yung kabog ng dibdib nya. Napansin naman ni Mikko na tila kinakabahan ang nakababata, kaya naman ay kinuha niya ang kamay nito at pinagsaklop.
"Love, wag kang kabahan, kilala ka naman nila Mama. Nak-kwento kita sakanila. They will like you, I'm sure of that." Mikko assuringly said.
But even with Mikko assuring him, it was still impossible for Adley not to worry—especially since it was his first time meeting Mikko’s family. And not just his immediate family, but his entire clan,since they were celebrating Mikko’s mom’s birthday along with a family reunion.
It took about 30 minutes before they arrived at Mikko’s house. They stopped in front of a maroon-colored gate, which wasn’t that big. Mikko beeped the car horn twice, and someone came to open it. Their backyard wasn’t very large, but it was spacious, with wide Bermuda grass and an outdoor furniture set. There were also many flowers around—it had the typical countryside home ambiance.
"Kuya! Buti maaga kayong nakarating!" the girl greeted as they got out of the car.
"Maaga kaming lumuwas sa city kanina, kaya mabilis lang ang biyahe," Mikko explained. "Si Mama? Andyan ba?" he added.
"Nasa simbahan, Kuya. Maaga siyang umalis kanina, baka mamaya nandito na rin siya," she replied. "Nga pala, Kuya Mikko, sino po kasama niyo?" she asked.
"Ah, Mika, si Adley—boyfriend ko. Adley, si Mika, bunso namin," Mikko introduced them.
"Hello po, Kuya Adley," Mika greeted. Adley smiled and shook her hand. "Tara po, pasok na tayo para makakain kayo sa loob," Mika said as she led them inside. She also helped carry their things and the pasalubong they brought.
When they entered the house, Mikko spotted his older sister, Myka, preparing something in the kitchen.
"MIKKO!! DUMATING KA NA PALA!" she happily greeted him and immediately hugged him. Mikko hugged her back.
Adley was about to introduce himself to Mikko’s sister when she spoke first.
"Hi, Adley—Mikko’s boyfriend, right? I’m Myka," she said.
Adley was surprised. He had been preparing himself to introduce himself to every member of Mikko’s family, so it caught him off guard when Myka greeted him first.
Before he could even respond, Myka gave him a warm embrace.
"It’s so nice to finally meet you. Mikko talks about you a lot, so I was really eager to come home when he said he’d bring you to Mama’s birthday," Myka said with a smile.
Gumaan kahit papaano ang pakiramdam ni Adley, lalo na’t ganito siya sinalubong ng ate ni Mikko. It also warmed his heart knowing that Mikko’s older sister already knew about him.
"Huwag kang mahihiya kung may kailangan ka. You're part of the family, okay?" dagdag nito. Ngumiti naman si Adley sa narinig.
"Ate, nga pala, saan ulit gaganapin yung venue?" tanong ni Mikko.
"Ah, doon sa beach house. Magpahinga muna kayo, kasi mamaya pa naman yun.
Adley, kung gusto mong umidlip muna, yung kwarto ni Mikko nasa taas—pangalawang pinto sa kaliwa," saad ni Myka.
Agad namang dinala ni Mikko si Adley sa kwarto para makapagpahinga.
When they settled in the bedroom, agad na nagpalit ng damit si Mikko at inayos ang mga dala nilang gamit sa cabinet. Samantalang si Adley ay dumiretso na sa kama.
Nang makahiga si Adley, tumabi naman si Mikko sa kanya at niyakap siya mula sa likod.
"Sorry, love ha. It took me 6 months to properly introduce you kay Mama. Pero si Ate Myka, madalas kitang naikukwento sa kanya," sabi ni Mikko habang yakap si Adley.
"I understand, love. I told you, right? No pressure. Hindi naman kita minamadali na ipakilala mo ako sa family mo," pag-aassure ni Adley.
Nagkayakap sila hanggang sa pareho silang nakatulog.
~
Bandang alas-dos na ng hapon nang gisingin sila ni Mika. Unang nagising si Mikko at hinayaan muna niyang matulog si Adley.
"Kuya, nandiyan na si Mama. Ikaw nga ang hinahanap niya kanina pagkarating galing simbahan," sabi ni Mika habang pababa sila ng hagdan. Tumango lang si Mikko bilang tugon.
Pagdating nila sa kusina, nadatnan niya ang kanyang ina na naghihiwa ng mga sangkap para sa kanilang ibo-bring and share sa reunion, kasabay ng selebrasyon ng kanyang kaarawan.
"Ma!" tawag ni Mikko. Lumapit agad siya at nagmano sa ina.
"Kaawaan ka ng Diyos, anak," saad ng ina matapos siyang magmano. "Nga pala, naikuwento sa akin ni Mika na may kasama ka raw—boyfriend mo raw iyon?" dagdag nito.
"Opo, Ma. Naalala niyo po yung kinukwento ko—yung nililigawan ko? Siya po yun," sagot ni Mikko.
Ngumiti na lamang ang kanyang ina at nagpatuloy sa kanyang ginagawa. Mikko helped in preparing the food. Masaya siya—masaya na sa wakas ay hindi na niya nararamdaman na huli niyang ipinakilala si Adley bilang boyfriend niya.
On the other hand, Adley woke up without Mikko by his side. Alam niyang nasa baba ito at tumutulong. Dumiretso siya sa CR para maligo at mag-ayos, at agad niyang sinuot ang damit na gagamitin niya para sa event mamaya.
Nang matapos siya, lumabas na rin siya at bumaba. Pagdating niya sa unang palapag ng bahay nila Mikko, napansin niyang maraming tao at abala ang lahat sa paghahanda. Natanaw niya si Mikko at nilapitan ito. Napansin din siya agad ni Mikko at sinalubong.
"Love, gising ka na pala. Nauna na ako kanina kasi tutulong pa ako kila Mama," paliwanag ni Mikko. "Ay, Ma, si Adley po—boyfriend ko po. Adley, si Mama," pakilala ni Mikko.
"Hello po, Adley Lee po," bati ni Adley at nagmano sa ina ni Mikko.
"Kaawaan ka ng Diyos, anak. Kumain ka na ba?" tanong ng ina ni Mikko.
"Busog pa po ako," sagot ni Adley.
"Kapag nagutom ka, huwag kang mahihiyang magsabi ha. May pagkain dito, kumain ka lang," tugon ng ina. Ngumiti naman si Adley at tumulong na rin sa ginagawa nila.
Tinutulungan ni Adley si Myka sa pagbabalot ng lumpiang shanghai nang magsalita ang nakatatanda.
"Adley, kung ano man ang marinig mo, sabihin nila, o itanong sa’yo—pasok sa isang tenga, labas sa kabila, ha," sabi ni Myka.
Nagtaka si Adley at napatingin sa kanya.
"Bakit naman po, Ate?" tanong niya.
"Wala lang—typical na relatives, alam mo na, minsan toxic," casual na sagot ni Myka.
Napatango na lamang si Adley sa sinabi nito.
~
The venue was a simple beach house with a large pavilion near the seaside. The view was beautiful—it was very scenic. Napakarami palang relatives ni Mikko. Some were looking at him, some were smiling, pero may iilan pa rin na tinitingnan siya mula ulo hanggang paa, which made him uncomfortable.
The event started well. Bawat pamilya ay nagpapakilala sa buong clan. Dahil malaki ang angkan ni Mikko at marami ang sangay nito, it took about one and a half hours bago natapos ang introductions.
Mikko introduced Adley as his boyfriend to his uncles and aunties. Everything was going well, but when they were already settled at the table, one of Mikko’s aunties started asking him questions.
"Ano palang trabaho mo, ijo?" tanong nito kay Adley.
"Ah, Research Analyst po," sagot ni Adley.
"Anong course ang tinapos mo?" tanong muli nito.
"Marketing Management po," sagot ni Adley.
"Ah, so hindi ka magte-take ng board exam? Walang board exam ang course mo, tama ba?" saad muli ng auntie ni Mikko.
"Opo, civil service exam po ang tinake ko," sagot ni Adley.
"Ay, edi diploma lang ang meron ka? Naku, bakit hindi ka kumuha ng course na may board exam?" ani nito. "Yung ex ni Mikko na si Yanna, doctor yun—hindi lang basta doctor, surgeon pa, neuro pa. Sayang nga naghiwalay sila ni Mikko," dagdag pa nito.
Tanging “Ahh” at pagtango na lamang ang naisagot ni Adley.
"Eh ang parents mo? Anong ikinabubuhay nila?" tanong muli nito.
"Ah, si Mama po, may tindahan," sagot ni Adley.
"Ah, sari-sari store? Doon kayo kumukuha ng pang-araw-araw niyo kahit noon? Eh ang papa mo, anong trabaho?" tanong muli nito. Ayaw mang sumagot ni Adley para hindi maka-offend, sumagot na lamang siya.
"Ah, hiwalay na po sila ni Mama. May business naman po siya, pero hindi ko po alam kung ano dahil hindi ko po siya kinakausap."
Which was half true and half a lie. Alam niya kung ano ang business ng ama niya, at sinusubukan naman siyang kausapin nito—siya lang ang may ayaw.
"Ah, edi broken family pala kayo. Yung magulang din ni Yanna naghiwalay noong first year college sila ni Mikko. Kaawa nga yung batang yun, buti na lang at girlfriend siya ni Mikko noon at natulungan siya. Nanghihinayang talaga kami na naghiwalay sila. Alam mo, nag-live in pa sila ni Mikko noong nag-aaral pa siya ng medisina. Nag-message nga ako sa kanya na sana umattend siya ngayon sa reunion. Lagi namin siyang kasama noon. Napakabait din nun, paborito pa ng mga nakababatang pinsan ni Mikko. Pero simula noong naghiwalay sila, hindi na siya pumupunta dito," kwento nito.
"Alam mo, akala namin ikakasal na sila. Lalo na’t walong taon din sila—simula senior high hanggang sa makagraduate. Sayang lang at nasa ika-apat na taon na ng medisina ni Yanna nang maghiwalay sila ni Mikko. Hay, sayang talaga," dagdag pa nito. Halata sa boses nito ang labis na panghihinayang sa relasyon ni Mikko at ng ex nito.
Busy si Mikko sa pakikipag-usap sa kanyang mga pinsan at uncle, kaya naiwan si Adley na nakaupo kasama ang mga auntie. Si Ate Myka naman ay abala sa pag-aalaga ng anak nito. Maya-maya, umupo sa mesa ang mama ni Mikko sa tabi ni Adley.
"Kumusta ka, Adley? Ayos ka lang?" tanong ng ginang.
"Ayos lang po," sagot ni Adley sabay ngiti.
"Beth, nakakausap mo ba si Yanna? Naku, ka-chat ko siya kahapon. Inaaya ko nga siyang dumalo dito, pati na rin sa birthday mo, pero siyempre doctor—busy raw siya," biglang saad ng auntie ni Mikko na kanina pa siya iniintriga.
"Nakausap ko rin si Yanna. Nagpadala pa nga ng pera kay Mika—pinabili niya ng bulaklak at cake para sa akin. Nakakatuwa nga yung batang yun. Kahit hiwalay na sila ni Mikko, lagi pa rin niya akong minime-message. Hay, sayang talaga sila ni Mikko," saad ng ina ni Mikko.
Hindi maiwasan ni Adley na masaktan sa mga narinig. Nanahimik na lamang siya, dahil ano nga ba ang magagawa niya kung pati ang ina ni Mikko ay nanghihinayang sa dating karelasyon ng kanyang nobyo.
Tahimik lang si Adley habang nakikinig sa usapan ng mga ginang tungkol kay Mikko at sa ex nito. Gusto man niyang magalit at mainis dahil ikinukumpara siya sa ex ni Mikko, hindi niya magawa, lalo na’t sinusubukan niyang magustuhan siya ng pamilya ni Mikko. Ayaw niyang magdulot ng kahit anong eksena, kaya tiniis na lamang niya ang lahat ng sinasabi ng pamilya nito.
The reunion and birthday event went smoothly for Mikko’s family, but not for Adley. Masakit sa loob niya kung paano naging bukambibig ng pamilya ni Mikko ang ex nito kahit wala naman ito roon, at kahit may bago nang karelasyon si Mikko.
~
Kinabukasan, maagang nagising si Adley. Naabutan niya sina Ate Myka at Mika na naghahanda ng agahan. Normal na ito lalo na sa probinsya, kung saan maagang gumigising ang lahat para maghanda ng pagkain.
"Adley, magandang umaga. Ang aga mo namang nagising. Nakatulog ka ba nang maayos?" bati ni Myka.
Ngumiti si Adley. "Opo, nakatulog naman ako nang maayos. Si Mikko, masarap pa ang tulog," sagot niya. "May matutulong ba ako?"
"Naku, huwag na. Umupo ka na lang diyan at magkape. Baka magising si Mikko at pagalitan kami," biro ni Myka.
Umupo na lamang si Adley sa hapag at nagtimpla ng kape. Nagtimpla na rin siya para kay Mikko at balak niya itong dalhin sa taas para gisingin ito.
Pagkatapos, nagpaalam siya kina Myka at Mika na aakyat muna siya para gisingin si Mikko.
Pagdating niya sa kwarto, mahimbing pa rin ang tulog ni Mikko. Dahan-dahan siyang umupo sa tabi nito at marahang tinapik ang pisngi ng kanyang kasintahan.
Mikko groaned softly at the gentle pat on his cheek, hudyat na nagigising na ito. Muling tinapik ni Adley ang pisngi nito, at unti-unting nagmulat ng mata si Mikko.
"Good morning, love," sabi ni Mikko sabay ngiti.
"Good morning," sagot ni Adley at hinalikan siya sa labi. "Bangon na. Pinagtimpla kita ng kape."
Agad namang bumangon si Mikko at dumiretso sa banyo para maghilamos.
Sumimsim si Adley ng kape niya habang nakaupo sa kama at inaantay na matapos si Mikko sa banyo.
"Nakatulog ka naman nang maayos kagabi?" bungad ni Mikko pagkalabas niya ng banyo, may tuwalya pang nakasabit sa leeg niya.
"Oo naman, nakatulog ako. Bakit?" sagot ni Adley. "Naghahanda na sila Ate Myka sa baba. Tara, magkape ka na para makatulong tayo."
Sabay silang bumaba. Pagdating nila sa dining area, nandun na ang mama ni Mikko pati yung auntie niya na kahapon pa panay banggit sa ex ni Mikko.
Umupo sila sa mesa. Habang naghahain ang kasambahay, napansin ni Adley na ang main dish ay pritong bangus. Allergic si Adley sa ilang seafood, at isa na dun ang bangus.
Tahimik lang siyang nakatingin sa ulam nang may isa pang dish na nilapag sa mesa, sinigang na bangus. Alam niyang hindi niya puwedeng kainin yun. Nahihiya man siyang magsabi, ayaw din niyang maka-offend, lalo na pamilya ito ni Mikko.
"Love, may itlog ba kayo? Hindi ako pwede sa bangus," mahinang sabi ni Adley kay Mikko.
Napatingin si Mikko sa kanya, saka niya naalala ang allergy ni Adley. Agad siyang tumayo at pumunta sa kusina para maghanap ng ibang ulam.
"Kuya, kakain na. Bakit tumayo ka pa?" tanong ni Mika na sumunod sa kanya.
"Hindi kasi kumakain ng bangus si Adley, kaya naghahanap ako ng pwede niyang kainin. Baka may natira pa kahapon," sagot ni Mikko.
"May ininit akong menudo galing kahapon. Yun na lang," sabi ni Mika habang nagsasandok ng mainit na menudo sa mangkok at inaabot kay Mikko.
Pagbalik nila sa mesa, napansin agad sila ng mama nila.
"Ano pa bang ginawa mo sa kusina? Kakain na nga tayo, umaalis ka pa sa mesa," saad nito, halatang may konting inis.
"Kumuha lang po ng menudo si Kuya, Ma," sagot ni Mika.
"Bakit? May ulam naman dito sa mesa," sabi ulit ng ina.
"Hindi daw po kumakain ng bangus si Kuya Adley, Ma," dagdag ni Mika.
Napatingin si Adley kay Mikko, sa mama nito, kay Mika, at sa iba pang kasama nila sa mesa.
"Buti pa si Yanna, paborito ang bangus. Lalo na yung sinigang na bangus, ang sarap kaya. Bakit hindi ka kumakain ng bangus, Adley? Masarap na, healthy pa," sabat ng auntie ni Mikko.
Napatahimik si Adley sa narinig. Pilit siyang ngumiti kahit ramdam niya yung bigat sa dibdib niya.
"Ah, may allergy po kasi ako sa bangus," mahinahon niyang sagot.
"Allergy?" ulit ng auntie ni Mikko, parang hindi kumbinsido. "Ay ganun ba? Sayang naman. Si Yanna kasi, kahit anong luto ng bangus, gustong-gusto niya. Kahit araw-araw pa yan, hindi nagsasawa."
Natahimik ulit si Adley. Napatingin siya saglit kay Mikko, naghihintay kahit konting salita man lang mula rito. Pero tahimik lang si Mikko, kumakain, parang walang naririnig.
"Oo nga," singit ng mama ni Mikko. "Naalala ko, lagi siyang excited kapag may sinigang na bangus dito. Siya pa nga minsan ang nagluluto."
"Tsaka ang sipag nun," dagdag pa ng auntie. "Doctor na, marunong pa sa bahay. Bihira ka na makakita ng ganung babae ngayon."
Parang lalong sumikip ang dibdib ni Adley. Hindi na siya makasabay sa usapan, tahimik na lang siyang kumain ng kaunting menudo na kinuha ni Mikko para sa kanya.
"Mikko, kumain ka na. Paborito mo yan, diba?" sabi ng mama niya.
"Oo, Ma," sagot lang ni Mikko, tuloy pa rin sa pagkain.
Hindi na ulit nagsalita si Adley. Pakiramdam niya, parang wala siya sa lamesa. Parang hindi siya kasama sa usapan, kahit nandun siya.
"Eh ikaw, Adley," muling tanong ng auntie, "tagasaan ka nga ulit?"
"Sa Puerto Princesa po," sagot niya, mahinahon.
"Ah, city boy," sabi nito, sabay tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. "Iba talaga pagpapalaki sa city no? Medyo sensitive."
May ilang natawa sa mesa.
Napayuko na lang si Adley, pilit nilulunok ang pagkain kahit parang hindi na niya malasahan.
Hindi pa rin nagsalita si Mikko.
Lalo iyong masakit.
Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto, tumayo si Adley.
"Excuse me po," mahina niyang sabi.
"Hala, hindi ka pa tapos kumain," sabi ng mama ni Mikko.
"Busog na po ako," sagot niya, kahit hindi naman.
Hindi na siya naghintay ng sagot. Tahimik siyang naglakad palabas ng dining area.
Sa likod niya, tuloy pa rin ang usapan, tawanan, at banggit ng pangalan na paulit-ulit niyang naririnig.
Yanna.
Paglabas niya ng bahay, dumiretso siya sa may bakuran. Huminga siya nang malalim, pero hindi pa rin nawawala yung bigat sa dibdib niya.
Hindi niya alam kung mas masakit ba yung mga narinig niya… o yung katotohanang hindi man lang siya ipinagtanggol ni Mikko.
Paglabas ni Adley, dumiretso siya sa may bakuran. Tahimik doon, maririnig lang ang hangin at yung mahinang ingay mula sa loob ng bahay.
Huminga siya nang malalim, pilit kinokontrol yung nararamdaman niya.
"Grabe…" mahina niyang bulong sa sarili.
Hindi niya namalayan, may sumunod pala sa kanya.
"Adley."
Napalingon siya at nakita niya si Myka na papalapit sa kanya. Hawak pa nito ang apron, halatang nagmamadaling lumabas.
Ngumiti si Adley, pero pilit. "Ate…"
Lumapit si Myka at tinignan siya mabuti. "You okay?"
Tumango si Adley, pero hindi agad nakapagsalita.
Napabuntong-hininga si Myka. "Hindi ka okay."
Tahimik lang si Adley. Ilang segundo rin bago siya nagsalita.
"Sorry po," mahina niyang sabi.
Nakunot ang noo ni Myka. "Ha? Bakit ka nagsosorry?"
"Hindi ko po kasi… ma-handle," sagot ni Adley. "Ayokong maging bastos, pero parang… hindi ko na po kayang umupo dun."
Lumambot ang tingin ni Myka. Lumapit siya at marahang hinawakan ang braso ni Adley.
"Adley, listen to me," sabi niya. "Wala kang ginawang mali."
Napayuko si Adley. "Pero parang… hindi nila ako gusto."
"Hey," mahinang sabi ni Myka, tinaas ng bahagya ang mukha ni Adley para magtama ang tingin nila. "Hindi lahat."
Natahimik si Adley.
"May mga tao lang talaga na… stuck sa nakaraan," dagdag ni Myka. "At isa na doon si Auntie Merly, ganyan na talaga yan ever since. Kahit sino pa ipalit diyan, may masasabi at masasabi yan."
Bahagyang natawa si Adley, kahit papaano.
"Tsaka," dugtong ni Myka, "hindi basehan ang pagiging doctor, o kung gaano katagal ang relasyon, para masabing mas better yung tao."
Napatingin si Adley sa kanya.
"Ang importante, kung sino yung pinipili ngayon," sabi ni Myka. "At ikaw yun."
Unti-unting napabuntong-hininga si Adley, parang gumaan ng kaunti ang pakiramdam niya.
"Pero Ate… kahit ang Mama nyo…"
Alam na agad ni Myka ang ibig niyang sabihin.
"Si Mama… oo, medyo attached siya kay Yanna," diretsong sabi niya. "Pero hindi ibig sabihin nun na ayaw ka niya. Hindi lang siya sanay."
Tahimik lang si Adley, pinoproseso ang sinabi nito.
"Give it time," dagdag ni Myka. "Hindi ka nila makikilala in one day."
"Eh si Mikko…" mahina niyang sabi, halos pabulong.
Napahinga nang malalim si Myka. "Kakausapin ko siya."
Mabilis na umiling si Adley. "Huwag na po, Ate. Ayokong mag-cause ng issue."
"Adley," seryosong sabi ni Myka, "hindi issue yung ipagtanggol ka."
Natahimik si Adley.
Pero ngumiti si Myka, pinagaan ang atmosphere. "Pero sige, hindi kita pipilitin. Basta tandaan mo lang… hindi ka nag-iisa dito."
Lumapit siya at niyakap si Adley.
Saglit na natigilan si Adley, pero niyakap niya rin ito pabalik.
"Thank you po," mahina niyang sabi.
"Anytime," sagot ni Myka. "And for the record… mas gusto kita."
Bahagyang natawa si Adley.
"Talaga po?"
"Oo naman. Mas marunong kang magbalot ng lumpia kahapon, kesa kay Yanna hindi pantay magbalot." biro ni Myka.
Natawa na nang tuluyan si Adley, kahit papaano gumaan ang pakiramdam niya.
"Halika na," sabi ni Myka. "Kain tayo ulit. Huwag mong hayaan na gutomin ka dahil sa kanila."
Tumango si Adley. Sa pagkakataong iyon, kahit hindi pa siya lubos na okay, pakiramdam niya may kakampi na siya.
At minsan, sapat na yun para magpatuloy...
~
It was their last day in Mikko’s hometown. Sa totoo lang, hinihintay ni Adley na magsorry si Mikko—o kahit man lang magpaliwanag kung bakit wala itong sinabi noong harap-harapan siyang kinukumpara at binabanggit ang ex nito ng mga kamag-anak.
Kung tutuusin, nakakabastos iyon para kay Adley. Lalo na siya ang bagong karelasyon ni Mikko, pero ni katiting na respeto, parang hindi man lang ipinakita ng pamilya nito.
Mahaba ang pasensya ni Adley, pero kapag paulit-ulit siyang dini-disrespect, doon siya sumasabog. Ayaw niyang magsimula ng away—honestly, ayaw niyang ubusin ang energy niya sa mga bagay na wala namang kuwenta.
“Love, sa inyo ba kita ihahatid o gusto mo sa apartment ko na lang?” tanong ni Mikko, dahilan para mapabalik sa ulirat si Adley.
“Ah, pwede naman,” malamya niyang sagot.
Mag-aalas-diyes na nang magpaalam silang dalawa sa pamilya ni Mikko. Ni-yakap muna siya ni Myka bago magpaalam. Nagmano rin sila sa mama ni Mikko, habang si Mikko paulit-ulit pang pinapaalalahanan si Mika na mag-aral nang mabuti.
Pagkasakay nila sa kotse, tahimik pa rin si Adley—something very unusual for Mikko. Pero binalewala lang niya iyon, iniisip na baka pagod lang ito sa maikling bakasyon nila.
Tatlong oras ang biyahe bago sila nakabalik sa city.
Buong biyahe, tulog lang si Adley.
Ala-una na ng hapon nang makarating sila, lampas lunch na. Usually sa ganitong biyahe, si Adley pa ang unang magyayayang kumain, pero ngayon, tulog lang ito buong daan.
Pagdating sa apartment ni Mikko, nagising si Adley at agad bumaba ng kotse. Hindi na niya hinintay na pagbuksan siya ni Mikko—something that caught Mikko off guard.
Hindi ganito si Adley.
Sa anim na buwan nilang magkasama, nagkakatampuhan man sila, sobrang bihira.
Tahimik nilang kinuha ang mga gamit sa likod ng sasakyan hanggang makapasok sa unit. Dumiretso si Adley sa bedroom para ilagay ang gamit niya, habang si Mikko naman ay naupo lang sa living area.
~
Dalawang araw ang lumipas matapos ang bakasyon nila sa hometown ni Mikko.
Hindi pa rin binabanggit ni Adley ang tungkol sa hindi pagdepensa sa kanya ni Mikko.
Adley was the type to shrug off minor inconveniences, lalo na kung hindi worth ng energy niya. Pero iba ito.
Hindi lang talaga niya mabuksan ang usapan dahil alam niyang posibleng mauwi sa away—at iyon ang pinaka-ayaw niyang mangyari.
“Ang lalim ng iniisip mo. Hindi mo pa nga nakukwento sa’kin yung mga ganap n’yo doon sa family ni Mikko,” saad ni Jamiel, pinapabalik siya sa ulirat.
“Ayos naman doon. Kasundo ko yung ate niya,” maiksing sagot ni Adley.
Pero may kutob si Jamiel.
Matagal na silang magkaibigan. Kilala niya si Adley, at alam niyang hindi ito magaling magsinungaling.
“Alam mo, Adley, baka hindi tayo friends since diaper days, pero magkaibigan tayo sa panahong alam na natin ang tama at mali,” diretsahang sabi ni Jamiel habang nakatingin sa mga mata niya.
Malalim na bumuntong-hininga si Adley.
At alam ni Jamiel ang ibig sabihin ng buntong-hiningang iyon.
“Spill it. May ginawa sa’yo yung mga kamag-anak ng boyfriend mo, ano?” may halong inis at pag-aalala sa boses ni Jamiel.
“Warm naman yung pag-welcome nila sa akin… it’s just…”
Naputol si Adley at napabuntong-hininga.
“It’s just what?” tanong ni Jamiel.
“His family clearly doesn’t like me… liban kay Ate Myka.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, diba sabi ko sa’yo kaya kami pumunta doon dahil birthday ng mama niya tapos sinabay pa sa family reunion? Halos lahat ng kamag-anak nila nandoon."
Huminga siya nang malalim, pilit pinipigilan ang pagluha.
“During the event… may ibang hinahanap yung mga tita niya.”
“Yung ex ni Mikko.”
"Close na close raw ito sa pamilya."
“Hindi naman ako magtataka kung may ex si Mikko. Matalino siya, may itsura, may stable na trabaho… I mean, what more could I ask for? Mikko has it all.”
Napangiti siya nang mapait.
"Pero syempre… masakit pa rin. Parang ayaw nila akong kilalanin. Lahat sila, bukambibig yung ex ni Mikko.”
Unti-unti nang namuo ang luha sa mga mata niya, habang tahimik lang na nakikinig si Jamiel.
“Ikinumpara pa nila ako sa ex niya. Kesyo yung ex niya doktor—hindi lang basta doktor, neurosurgeon pa.”
Tuluyan nang pumatak ang luha niya.
“Parang ininsulto pa nila yung course na tinapos ko. Bakit Marketing Management daw ang kinuha ko, wala naman daw board exam doon. Dapat daw medisina o accountancy na lang tinapos ko.”
Humihikbi na siya.
Tahimiklang na hinaplos ni Jamiel ang likod niya.
“Mga gago ‘yon,” gigil na sabi ni Jamiel. “Hindi ka man lang pinagtanggol ni Mikko? Dinipensahan ka man lang?”
Tanging iling lang ang naisagot ni Adley.
“Gago ‘yon. Wala man lang siyang ginawa?” galit na ulit ni Jamiel.
“Ayaw ko naman na mag-away kami… wala lang din ‘yon. Normal lang naman siguro yun,” depensa ni Adley.
“Beh, mabait ka. Pero tangina naman, lumaban ka rin. Kita mo tinatarantado ka na ng pamilya ng boyfriend mo tapos ‘wala lang’?”
Umigting ang panga ni Jamiel.
“Adley, hindi dapat ganun.”
“Hayaan mo na…”
"Punyeta, hindi ganun Adley. Inaagrabyado kana ng pamilya ng boyfriend mo tapos hayaan lang?" inis na saad ni Jamiel.
"Palitan mo nalang kaya si Mama Mary? Tangina beh, hindi ka man lang ipinagtanggol ng boyfriend mo sa pamilya. Tangina talaga." gigil na saad ni Jamiel.
Kahit papaano ay gumaan ang pakiramdam ni Adley, may napagsabihan na siya ng nararamdama niya.
~
Two days had passed, and Adley chose to ignore whatever happened in Mikko’s hometown. Clearly, his mantra in life was, “Whatever happens, let it be,” and “Everything happens for a reason.” He decided to just let things pass until he eventually forgot about it.
He and Mikko had both been busy with work. In the past two days, they hadn’t had any physical interaction—just constant communication through their phones. Mikko’s schedule was fully packed because he was preparing for an upcoming presentation.
That’s why Adley was surprised when Mikko messaged him, saying susunduin siya after work.
Even though he was excited to see his boyfriend, there was something off—something in his gut that didn’t feel right. Parang may iba.
Adley finished his work early since Mikko had already told him about the plan. He thought maybe his boyfriend just missed him.
Nag-clock out siya nang mas maaga at nagpaalam kay Jamiel na mauuna na siya. After saying goodbye to his colleagues, he went downstairs and immediately spotted Mikko parked in front of the building. He waved, and Mikko noticed him right away.
Pagkasakay niya sa kotse, he kissed Mikko’s cheek. Then they drove off.
Adley was expecting na lalabas sila, but to his surprise, dumiretso sila sa apartment ni Mikko.
He just shrugged it off, thinking maybe Mikko wanted a cozy stay-at-home hangout.
Ginagawa rin naman nila ‘yon minsan, especially after a long week of work and presentations.
Pagpasok nila, Mikko started preparing the living room—he placed a blanket on the sofa and adjusted the lights. Tama nga ang hinala ni Adley—cozy night nga.
Adley went to Mikko’s room to change into something more comfortable, since may mga damit din naman siyang naiwan doon.
Paglabas niya, everything was already set. The TV was on, naka-play na ang Netflix, and may mga pika-pika na sa coffee table.
He sat on the sofa, waiting for Mikko, who was still in the kitchen getting drinks.
When Mikko returned, he sat beside Adley. They started watching To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Adley snuggled close to him as the movie began.
Kahit may kakaiba siyang nararamdaman, he chose to ignore it. It felt calming—just being there with Mikko. They weren’t talking, just quietly enjoying each other’s presence.
Halfway through the movie, Mikko suddenly spoke.
“Love, if you have a problem, just say it directly to me,” Mikko said in a flat tone.
Adley looked up at him, confused. “Huh? What do you mean?”
“You. If you have a problem with me or with my family, sabihin mo diretso sa’kin,” Mikko repeated.
Adley straightened his posture and looked at him seriously. “Hindi kita gets, love,” he said, even though deep down, he knew exactly what Mikko was referring to.
“Adley,” Mikko met his gaze. “I want you to tell me what your problem is with me or my family. Hindi yung malalaman ko pa sa iba.” His tone was edged with irritation. “I mean, boyfriend mo ako, tapos sa kaibigan mo ko makakaalam na may problema ka sa’kin at sa pamilya ko?”
“Hindi naman ganun ‘yon, love,” Adley replied, his voice carrying guilt. “Hindi yun ang ibig kong sabihin.”
“Alam mo bang nagulat ako? Bigla akong binungangaan ng kaibigan mo. Hindi ko nga alam kung anong pinanggagalingan niya,” Mikko said, clearly annoyed. “Ano bang sinabi mo doon? Kung makapagsalita siya, parang inaapi ka namin.”
“Naikwento ko lang sa kanya na bukambibig ng pamilya mo yung ex mo. Yun lang,” Adley defended.
“Yun lang?” Mikko scoffed. “Puta, Adley, yun lang? Dahil lang doon?”
Adley was taken aback by Mikko’s response—as if it was nothing, as if it was something he should’ve just ignored.
“Mikko, naririnig mo ba sarili mo?” Adley shot back. “Hindi yun basta-basta lang. Okay lang sa’yo na i-disrespect ako ng pamilya mo by constantly mentioning your ex in front of me? Mikko, masakit yun.”
“Yun lang yung issue, pero pinapalaki mo,” Mikko replied dismissively. “Pwede ko naman silang pagsabihan kung sinabi mo agad sa’kin.”
Adley felt his chest tighten. Disappointment washed over him. He felt completely invalidated.
“Pagsabihan mo rin yang kaibigan mo—wag siyang nangingialam sa relasyon natin. Napaka-sawsawero,” Mikko added.
That was the last straw.
“Wow… just wow,” Adley said, his voice heavy with disbelief and disappointment.
“Really… just wow,” Adley repeated, shaking his head as he let out a short, disbelieving laugh.
Mikko frowned. “Ano? Anong ‘wow’?”
Adley slowly pulled away from him, creating space between them on the couch. That alone made something shift in the air—parang biglang naging malamig.
“Alam mo kung anong ‘wow,’ Mikko?” Adley said, his voice calmer now—but sharper.
“The fact na mas galit ka pa sa kaibigan ko kaysa sa ginawa ng pamilya mo.”
Mikko scoffed. “So kakampihan mo pa siya?”
“Hindi ko siya kinakampihan,” Adley replied, eyes locked on him. “But at least siya, alam niya kung anong nangyayari. Ikaw? You were there, Mikko. Pero tahimik ka lang.”
Mikko’s jaw tightened. “Ano bang gusto mong gawin ko? Sagutin ko sila doon? Gawan ng eksena?”
“Hindi ko kailangan ng eksena,” Adley cut in. “Kailangan ko lang ng respeto. Kahit konti. Kahit from you man lang.”
Nanahimik sandali si Mikko, pero hindi pa rin nawawala yung inis sa mukha niya.
“I told you, I could’ve handled it if sinabi mo agad sa’kin,” he insisted.
Adley let out a bitter smile. “Handled it? Kailan, Mikko? After it happened? After I already felt humiliated sitting there habang pinag-uusapan nila yung ex mo like I didn’t exist?”
That hit a nerve.
“Hindi naman ganun yun—”
“No, Mikko. Ganun yun,” Adley said firmly. “And what’s worse is… hanggang ngayon, you''re still making it seem like I’m overreacting.”
Mikko looked away, running a hand through his hair. “Kasi naman pinalaki mo. Dinamay mo pa ibang tao.”
“Of course I did,” Adley shot back. “Kasi wala akong makuhang kakampi sa’yo.”
That landed heavier than anything else.
For a moment, both of them just stared at each other. The movie continued playing in the background, completely ignored.
Mikko exhaled sharply. “So ano? Ako na ngayon yung masama?”
Adley’s expression softened—but not in a comforting way. It was tired. Drained.
“Hindi ko sinasabing masama ka,” he said quietly. “Pero you failed me, Mikko.”
Silence.
The words hung heavy between them.
“And the worst part?” Adley continued, his voice slightly breaking but still controlled. “Hindi mo man lang nakikita kung saan ka nagkamali.”
Mikko’s pride kicked in. “So anong gusto mo? Ako mag-sorry kahit wala naman akong ginawang mali?”
Adley stared at him for a few seconds—parang doon mismo, may nag-click.
Something in him settled.
Hindi na galit. Hindi na frustration.
Kundi desisyon.
“You know what?” Adley said softly, almost too calm. “That’s exactly the problem.”
Mikko frowned. “Ano?”
Adley stood up, grabbing his bag from the side.
“That you think wala kang ginawang mali.”
“Adley—” Mikko called out, confused now. “Saan ka pupunta? Inaayos pa natin ‘to."
Adley shook his head. “Inaayos?” he let out a small, humorless laugh. “Mikko, you’re not even trying to understand me. You’re just trying to defend yourself.”
“That’s not true—”
“It is,” Adley cut him off, finally looking at him one last time. “And I can’t keep explaining myself to someone who already decided I’m the problem.”
Mikko stood up now, tension rising. “So ano? Aalis ka na lang basta?”
Adley’s grip on his bag tightened.
“For now, oo,” he answered. “Kasi if I stay, we’re just going to keep going in circles.”
“Adley, ang babaw naman kung ganito lang—”
Adley froze.
Slowly, he turned back.
“Babaw?” he repeated, almost in disbelief. “Respect is not mababaw, Mikko.”
That hit harder than anything before.
“Hindi ako nakikipag-compete sa ex mo,” Adley continued, voice steady but firm. “Pero I also won’t stay in a place where I feel second—especially sa sarili mong pamilya, habang ikaw tahimik lang.”
Mikko opened his mouth, but no words came out.
“And if you can’t see why that hurts me,” Adley added, “then maybe… we’re not on the same page anymore.”
Silence filled the room again—this time heavier, more final.
Adley took a step back toward the door.
“I love you,” he said, and this time, it sounded more like a goodbye than a reassurance.
“But I need someone who can stand beside me… not someone I have to stand up for myself against.”
He paused for a second, waiting—maybe for Mikko to say something, to stop him, to finally understand.
But Mikko stayed quiet.
And that was answer enough.
Adley nodded to himself, then turned around and walked out of the apartment—closing the door softly behind him.
Leaving everything unsaid hanging in the silence Mikko chose.
The door closed with a soft click.
For a moment, Mikko didn’t move.
He just stood there in the middle of the living room, staring at the space Adley had just left behind—as if something would change if he waited long enough.
It didn’t.
The room stayed quiet. Still.
Heavy.
Mikko exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair before letting himself drop onto the couch. The movie was still playing, voices filling the room, but none of it registered.
“All that… for something so small,” he muttered under his breath, jaw tightening.
He grabbed the remote and turned the TV off.
Silence swallowed the space whole.
~
The next morning felt no different.
Mikko moved through his routine like nothing had happened—woke up early, got dressed, fixed his tie in front of the mirror. His reflection stared back at him, composed and steady.
Unaffected.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
On his way out, his eyes briefly landed on the corner of the room—Adley’s things still there. A shirt draped over the chair. A hoodie carelessly folded.
Mikko paused.
For a second.
Then he looked away and grabbed his keys.
“Hindi naman siya aalis nang tuluyan,” he murmured, more to convince himself than anything else.
Work was easier to deal with.
Numbers, presentations, deadlines—those made sense. They followed logic. They didn't demand emotions.
Mikko focused on his tasks, answering emails, going over slides, keeping himself occupied. When his phone buzzed, his eyes instinctively flicked to the screen.
Notifications.
But not from Adley.
His grip on the mouse tightened slightly before he forced himself to look away.
“Focus,” he muttered.
He may act tough, convincing himself that everything is normal—that their tampuhan is just like any other. But he can’t shake off the fact that it’s the first time Adley has ever gotten mad at him. Maybe he really was insensitive to how Adley felt. Still, he knows Adley as someone who would immediately speak up about a problem, especially to him—or at least, that’s what he thought.
One night, Mikko came home late.
Pagpasok niya ng apartment, automatic siyang napatingin sa sofa—the same spot where they last sat together.
For a brief second, he remembered.
Adley sitting there. The way he said, “You failed me.”
Mikko clenched his jaw and looked away, tossing his keys on the table.
“Ang drama,” he muttered under his breath.
Still, he grabbed a drink and sat on the couch.
Out of habit, he turned on the TV—Netflix still logged in.
Adley’s account.
His profile.
Mikko stared at it for a moment longer than he should have.
Then, with a sigh, he switched to his own.
That night, Mikko found himself scrolling through his phone.
Their old messages.
Photos.
Random conversations.
His thumb hovered over Adley’s name.
For a second… he almost called.
Almost.
But then his pride kicked in again.
He locked his phone and tossed it aside.
“If he has something to say, siya ang mauna,” he muttered.
~
On the other hand, Adley was hurt that Mikko thought he was the problem. Days passed with no calls or messages from him.
Unti-unting napagtanto ni Adley na kaya siyang tiisin ni Mikko. It was their first major conflict—their first real fight. He wanted to apologize first, but then he remembered that he was the one who had been wronged. Even Jamiel told him that he shouldn’t be the one to say sorry first.
He waited for Mikko to reach out, but nothing came. Days turned into a week, then two, and still there was no message, no sign from Mikko.
Masama ang loob niya—sobrang sama. First, Mikko made him feel like he was the problem. Now, Mikko could go on for weeks without talking to him. Maybe the Mikko he thought he knew wasn’t the real Mikko after all.
“Teh, may bagong bukas na café two blocks away. Gusto mo, try natin?” Jamiel said. Adley looked at him.
“Sige,” he replied shortly.
Wala naman siyang ibang gagawin kundi magmukmok, dahil hindi naman siya kino-contact ni Mikko. At hindi rin siya ang unang magre-reach out. He was hurt, and the last thing he wanted to lose was his dignity. If Mikko thought he was the problem, then so be it.
Ibinigay niya ang buong respeto sa pamilya ni Mikko, pero sila mismo ang hindi rumespeto sa kanya. Wala sana siyang problema kung mas gusto ng pamilya ni Mikko ang ex nito kaysa sa kanya. He just expected Mikko to stand up for him—but he didn’t. And that shattered something inside him.
The café was small, tucked between an old bookstore and a laundry shop—quiet, almost hidden. Sakto lang, kasi wala si Adley sa mood makipagsiksikan sa maraming tao.
Pagpasok pa lang nila, sinalubong agad sila ng amoy ng kape at bagong lutong pastry. Jamiel glanced at him, subtly checking if he was okay. Adley just kept his face neutral, hands in his pockets, like everything was fine.
“Order tayo,” Jamiel said casually.
“Ikaw na bahala,” Adley replied, already taking a seat near the window.
While waiting, his eyes wandered outside. People passed by like nothing had changed—like his world didn’t just quietly fall apart over the past two weeks.
Nakakainis. Ganun lang ba talaga kadali kay Mikko ‘yon? To just… disappear?
“Here,” Jamiel placed the drink in front of him. “Favorite mo.”
Adley gave a small nod. “Thanks.”
For a moment, tahimik lang. Then—
“Hindi ka pa rin kinakausap?” Jamiel asked, softer this time.
Adley shook his head. “Wala.”
Jamiel sighed, leaning back. “Ang tigas ng ulo niyan.”
Adley let out a dry laugh, pero walang humor. “Hindi lang tigas ng ulo.” He paused, fingers tightening around his cup. “Parang… ang dali lang sa kanya na i-let go ako.”
“That’s not true,” Jamiel said quickly.
“But it feels like it.” His voice dropped. “Kung importante ako, bakit kaya niya akong hindi kausapin ng ganito katagal?”
Jamiel didn’t answer right away.
And that silence said enough.
Adley looked down at his drink, watching the foam slowly settle. “Alam mo ‘yung mas masakit?” he added quietly. “Hindi lang dahil hindi niya ako kinausap.” He swallowed.
“Kundi dahil nung kailangan ko siya… hindi siya nagsalita for me.”
Bumalik sa isip niya ‘yung hapag-kainan—yung mga biro, yung mga tingin, yung paulit-ulit na pagbanggit sa ex. And Mikko… just sitting there. Quiet. Letting it happen.
“Doon ako nasaktan,” he admitted.
Jamiel exhaled slowly. “Then don’t chase him.”
Adley nodded, but his chest felt heavy. Kasi kahit anong pilit niyang maging matatag, may parte pa rin sa kanya na umaasang… baka bukas, may message na. Baka bukas, babalik si Mikko.
Pero habang tumatagal, mas nagiging malinaw—
Baka wala nang babalikan.
He took a sip of his coffee, now lukewarm.
And for the first time, he didn’t wait for his phone to light up.
~
Lumipas pa ang ilang araw.
Adley kept himself busy—work, errands, even small things that didn’t really matter—just to fill the silence Mikko left behind. Hindi na rin siya masyadong tumitingin sa phone niya. Or at least, that’s what he tells himself.
Pero minsan, kapag tahimik na ang lahat, napapatingin pa rin siya. Umaasa. Kahit konti.
Wala pa rin.
Unti-unti, nasasanay siya sa kawalan. Nakakatakot, pero at the same time… nakakapagod na rin umasa.
One afternoon, habang nag-aayos siya ng gamit, napansin niya ang isang hoodie—kay Mikko. Naiwan no’ng huli silang nagkita. He stared at it for a while, fingers brushing over the fabric like it would bring something back.
It didn’t.
Instead, it only reminded him of everything Mikko failed to do.
Napabuntong-hininga siya, then grabbed his phone. For a second, he hesitated.
Then—
He opened their chat.
Still the same. No new messages. No missed calls.
Just silence.
His thumb hovered over the keyboard. Ang daming gustong sabihin—galit, lungkot, tanong. Pero isa lang ang malinaw: he deserves better than this kind of silence.
Dahan-dahan siyang nag-type.
“I waited.”
He paused, staring at the words.
Then added—
“But I think this silence already said everything you couldn’t.”
His chest tightened, but he kept going.
“I was hurt. Not just because of what happened, but because you didn’t even try to fix it.”
For a moment, he thought about deleting it. About waiting a little longer.
Pero hanggang kailan?
So he took a breath—and pressed send.
Napatitig siya sa screen, watching the message deliver.
No reply.
Of course.
Adley let out a shaky exhale, placing his phone down beside him. Masakit. Sobra. Pero for the first time in weeks, he didn’t feel stuck.
He chose himself.
And maybe… that was the closure he needed.
~
Mikko saw the message late.
Hindi dahil busy siya—kundi dahil ilang araw na niyang iniiwasan buksan ang kahit anong konektado kay Adley. Pero nung gabing ‘yon, hindi niya napigilan. Parang may humihila.
“I waited.”
“But I think this silence already said everything you couldn’t.”
“I was hurt… but you didn’t even try to fix it.”
He read it once.
Then again.
And again.
Tahimik lang siya, phone in hand, nakatitig sa screen na parang may mababago pa kung titigan niya nang matagal.
Pero wala.
A part of him wanted to reply. To explain. To say that it wasn’t that simple—that he didn't speak up not because he didn’t care, but because he didn’t know how. Na nasanay siyang manahimik, umiwas, palipasin.
Pero kahit anong ikot ng isip niya, one thing stayed the same—
He didn’t do anything.
Hindi niya ipinagtanggol si Adley.
Hindi niya ito hinabol.
At lalo, hindi niya ito kinausap.
And now, this… this was the consequence.
Napahawak siya sa batok niya, letting out a quiet, almost frustrated breath. Ang bigat, pero hindi siya gumalaw. Hindi siya nag-type. Hindi siya nag-react.
Kasi anong sasabihin niya?
Sorry?
After weeks of silence?
It felt… empty. Late.
Too late.
He leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment. For the first time, he didn’t try to justify himself. Hindi niya na pinilit isipin na “normal lang ‘to,” or that “lilipas din ‘to.”
Because clearly, it didn’t.
And Adley didn’t wait forever.
Mikko glanced at the chat one last time, thumb hovering over the keyboard.
Then slowly—
He locked his phone.
Hindi dahil wala siyang pakialam.
Kundi dahil alam niyang kung may sasabihin man siya ngayon, hindi na nito mababago ang nangyari. Hindi na nito mababalik yung mga araw na pinili niyang manahimik.
And maybe… this is what it means to face something you caused.
No excuses.
No chasing.
Just the quiet weight of it settling in.
Mikko sat there, staring at nothing.
And for once, he let the silence stay— not as an escape, but as something he had to live with.
"What if I make you pancake, but you choose to skip breakfast" — NIKI