To: You || DoDam

CH6

SAMUEL

We're now just chilling here, enjoying each other's company. I don't know what's with Travis, Justin, and JJ but they've been talking since lunch ended. Turns out all of them cancelled their schedules for today. 

"Mga kuya!" John suddenly shouted, catching everyone's attention as he's the youngest. "Uy may stage pala dito." I heard someone say. I didn't bother looking at whoever said that as I was surprised that a mini stage was here. So, is someone performing then? "May kakanta?" I heard someone ask the question that formed in my head.

And that question was answered by one person who suddenly came out of a room with a microphone and his cellphone in hand.

Ah, right. I should have known. Of course, the one and only Kyle. I thought to myself as I followed him with my eyes.

I've been wanting to talk to him but I didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable. I know that if I have this unwavering guilt that I keep pushing to the depths of my mind, he feels worse. Yes, I am aware of that. Well aware because everytime I open my phone, I get up from bed, go to school, almost everything I do while I was a million miles away from him reminded me of how we used to be.

But that's way too far in the past. No use dwelling on that now. He's probably moved on anyway.

I was still following him with my gaze when someone sat down next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. "Yan, ngayon hanggang tingin ka na lang." He whispered and even flicked his tongue. 

Walang ibang ganun kundi si Kuya Daniel, Kuya June, tsaka si Kuya MM. Pero dahil may nakita akong bracelet na may smiley at may sugat sa hinlalaki, alam ko nang si Kuya June ang nakaakbay sa akin ngayon. Siya rin ang pinaka mapang-asar kaya hindi na ako nagulat pa.

You could also say I've gotten used to him. 

"Hunyo tigilan mo na nga yang isa." Saway sa kanya ni Kuya Dan na nakaharap sa salamin at nagpipicture kasama si Kuya David. "Totoo naman sinabi ko ah. His lo-"

"Kuya June!" 

He wasn't able to finish what he was saying because Kyle called him over. But before he could go to him, he glanced at me first and gave me a knowing look which I rolled my eyes at. 

And since the spot next to me was now vacant, someone else sat there but he remained quiet as he looked at where I was looking as well.

"Kuya Jaden." 

The moment I said his name, he automatically looked at me with a wondering look across his face. "Do you know what song he's going to sing?" I asked. He shrugged as he told me that Kyle didn't tell anyone. "Tanungin ko ba ulit si Kyle?" He asked, which made me shake my head. "Let's just wait." I said to him.

The room though was filled with noise but not the annoying kind as we were all catching up with each other while we were waiting for Kyle, Travis, Justin, and JJ to finish whatever they were still doing at the front. Some wanted to help but the four refused as they already had Kuya June with them.

Minutes later, JJ settled on a chair followed by Travis and Justin. Kyle was left at the front fixing the microphone stand. And the moment he was about to speak, someone knocked on the door which made all of us look at its direction. Since Travis was the one who was seated the nearest to the door, he was the one who stood and opened it only for us to see two familiar faces.

"Kuya Chris! Kuya Pete!" 

I watched as Kyle excitedly ran to the door with this wide smile on his face and one of the two guys welcomed him with a hug and a smile as bright as his. 

"Uhm, good afternoon. We apologize for being a disturbance but may we talk to Producer- I mean, Kyle for a few moments?" Asked the taller one. 

"Sure." Answered the oldest one among us. The taller guy smiled and thanked us and brought Kyle out the door. 

As Travis closed the door, their eyes were suddenly on me which made me raise an eyebrow. "What?" 

"Selos ka, Sam?" Tanong ni Kuya Kevin na hindi ko inasahan. "Uhm, hindi po?" Patanong kong sagot sa tanong niya. Nagmukha tuloy akong hindi sigurado kaya napailing sina Kuya Daniel pati Kuya June. 

"Kahit naman magselos yan, walang mangyayari. Ikaw nang-iwan Sam diba? Panindigan mo yan." Seryosong tugon ni Kuya David na agad namang dinugtungan ni Kuya Arthur. 

"Hayaan niyo na sila pareho." Simple niyang sambit na nakapagpabuntong-hininga sa karamihan. Napayuko ako dahil na rin siguro sa bigat na nadagdagan na naman. 

"We'll talk later. Wala kaming proper closure eh. Para matapos na talaga." Mahina kong sabi na naging dahilan para tignan ako ni Kuya Daniel ng may pag-aalala sa mga mata niya. Pero ngumiti na lang ako ng magkatinginan kami kaya tumango siya.

"Sigurado ka, Sam? Kaya mo?" Nag-aalala ring tanong ni Kuya MM na katabi na ngayon ni JJ. 

Tumango ako bilang sagot sa tanong niya. "Wag niyo ngang babyhin. Seryoso, ganito na edad natin. Kahit nga si JJ oh, malaki na. Bukod sa alam na nila ang tama at mali, kaya na nila kung ano pa kalabasan ng desisyon nila." 

Natahimik ang lahat dahil sa sinabi ni Kuya June, ang pinakabrutal pagdating sa pagsasalita. 

"Hindi na tayo mga estudyante pa o kung ano. We're not getting any younger. Kaya magtiwala kayo sa mga sarili niyo. Lahat naman ng galaw natin may kaakibat na mabuti o masamang kalalabasan eh, nasa sa'tin na kung paano natin yun gagawan ng paraan." Dagdag niya pa. 

Tinignan niya kami isa't isa.

"Tsaka, hindi lang naman dapat si Sam ang inaalala niyo. Si Kyle. Silang dalawa. Pero kagaya nga ng sinabi ko, malaki na sila. Malaki na tayo. Kaya Sam," pagputol bigla ni Kuya June sa sinasabi niya at tsaka ako tinignan ulit.

"Kung yan ang sa tingin mong mas makakabuti, eh di sige. Pero wag na sana ulit kayong magkasakitan ni Kyle."