What Separates Us

20

(Janella's POV)

Nasa bahay kami ngayon nila Pao and Lili, more on, one of their many houses since originally yung bahay nila is yung malapit sa beach kung san kami nagkita-kita 2 years ago. Back when I thought everything is going well in my life.

"we need some solid evidence para sa kaso na isasampa and this recorder could be it." Lili's mom said as we all nodded.

Hindi namin sinabi sa mom nila Lili and Pao ang plano naming paaminin si dad, tsaka na pag nagawa na namin, we will provide that new evidence kung sakaling sumubok pa si dad na lusutan ang copy ng record na meron kami.

"we will abide by the law and process everything and expect na bukas na bukas din, malalaman ni Mr. Salvador ang tungkol sa kasong possible niyang kaharapin." pahabol pang sabi ng mom ni Lili and again, we all nodded.

Ibig sabihin, we have until tomorrow para mapaamin si dad. I shot Luna a glance as she nodded at me, she understood it immediately. Hindi din nakalagpas sa mga mata ko ang magkahawak nilang kamay ni Lili under the table.

"Luna." Lili's mom called her kaya tumingin si Luna dito.

"Lili told me everything, thank you for looking out for her, and for loving her unconditionally." ang genuine ng ngiti ng mom ni Lili when she said those that I cannot help but smile.

Kami lang nila Marc, Kim, Lili, Luna and me ang nandito ngayon, the others will have to wait until tomorrow bago kami pwede mag usap-usap ng harapan.

Kami-kami lang din ang nakakita on how Luna blushed as Lili hid herself sa likod ni Luna.

"mom, it's not the time for that."  Lili said matapos niyang maka recover sa kung ano man yung naramdaman niya kanina.

She looked funny kanina, honestly. Lili really seemed to be more comfortable and happy pag kasama si Luna.

Which reminded me, hindi pa kami nagkakausap ni Lili.

"what? pinapasalamatan ko lang si Luna." her mom answered but I can see the smile she's giving.

By the looks of it, kung si Luna nga talaga yung nagugustuhan ni Lili, I can see na approve na 'yung mom niya.

"whatever mom.. let's talk about other things to lighten more the mood, okay lang ba yun sa'yo Luna?" Lili asked the person beside her na tumango naman.

"okay, ahm, mom! may battle of the bands next week, magpe perform din si kuya Pao and ang dance club, pupunta ba kayo ni dad?" she asked and her mom smiled.

"of course, your dad and I will have our schedule free that day.." sabi nito kaya napangiti din ako.

For those 2 years na kilala namin ang family ni Lili, we saw how supportive, loving and caring they are. Something I envy but at the same time feel happy kasi hindi na experience ni Lili 'yung buhay na meron ako when I was with dad.

I smiled as I watch Lili interact with her mom, pati sina Luna, Marc and Kim, all smiles in their faces as they talked.

This could have been what my family is like, if only hindi si Rex ang naging dad ko.

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(Lili's POV)

I hate cutting classes, pero right now I am doing it. Hindi na kami pumasok ni ate Jea sa afternoon classes namin since we went sa bahay, however, sila kuya Marc and ate Kim humabol sa last classes nila. While si Luna, hindi din siya pumasok, she is scheduled to meet Rex.

Which is why hindi na kami humabol ni ate Jea sa last class namin. Binabantayan namin si Luna, naka park lang kami sa labas ng bahay ni Rex, a bit far and tago pero enough for us to run incase may gawin si Rex.

We can hear their conversation and see Rex through the monitor na meron kami, provided by kuya Pao and Josh na hindi na namin pinasama, in case may nagmamanman sa grupo namin and makapansin na wala halos kaming lahat sa  school.

"so, what was the thing you need help with?" ate Jea suddenly asked.

Right, about that. Buti nalang hindi kami naririnig ni Luna, I guess this is the time na pwede ko ng tanungin si ate Jea.

"hmm, 'yun nga ate, pa'no mo malalaman na genuinely, you like this person and hindi lang dahil sa gusto ka nito?" I asked.

She looked at me for awhile bago sumagot, "honestly hindi ko alam, pero sa tingin ko, you yourself will be able to know that eh. like, somehow, in yourself, you'll be able to feel that what you feel is real. you just have to give it time." she said bago tumingin ulit sa monitor as I nodded.

Honestly, kulang ako sa tulog not only because of my worry sa situation ngayon but also sa nararamdaman ko.

I haven't talked to Josh personally simula kahapon and I have been spending time with Luna simula kahapon pa. I am afraid na baka naguguluhan lang ako and that could possibly result to me hurting Luna.

But ate Jea is right, I have to give it time. Kailangan ko din munang alamin kung ano 'tong nararamdaman ko for Josh, sure akong nababawasan 'yung attraction ko for him but what I am unsure of is the reason. Baka kasi kaya nababawasan is because andito si Luna. Which is again, could cause a big misunderstanding.

May feelings si Josh sa akin or wala, I don't know if it'll change what I'm feeling right now. Kaya somehow, I know I have to let this feeling out.

Kailangan ko din talagang kausapin si Josh.

"ikaw lang nakakaalam kung ano 'yang nararamdaman mo, basta, isipin mo ang mga taong nakapaligid sayo pero 'wag na 'wag mong kakalimutang ang sarili mo." ate Jea added and I smiled at her.

"salamat ate."

A sudden knock on our car window happened kaya napalingon agad ako sa labas.

It was Luna.

Binuksan ko agad ang car door at pinapasok siya.

"what happened?" I asked.

She looked at me na nakataas ang kilay, "I thought you all heard everything?" she asked that made me smile at her awkwardly.

"I----" ate Jea spoke for me.

"we were talking about me and Jane, pero binabantayan pa din namin 'yung monitor kung sakaling may gawin si dad. I'm sorry, it was me na kinausap siya." ate Jea lied.

"okay lang, the conversation went well according sa plan.. umamin siya, tinakwil na niya ako saying wala na siyang mapapala sa akin and that I have no evidence against him. Gusto ko siyang pagbantaan and sabihin sa kanya itong plano natin but I know it will just ruin things so hinayaan ko nalang siya na isiping nanalo siya." she said as ate Jea and I nodded.

"I'm sorry Luna." I said as I held on to her hand, she put her other hand on top of mine and smiled at me.

"things will get better, I know it'll happen." she said as I smiled.

She's really a strong person and I admire that about her.

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NOTE: Hi everyone and good night 😅