*[UPDATED CHAP 08 /12082023] Summer Solstice

02

2PM pa bukas ng cafe pero nakapasok ako before 12nn because I received tons of text messages and missed calls from Marga that she will bring lunch and dapat daw sabay kami kumain.

Past 5AM na ako nakatulog because I processed the things na napagusapan namin ni Niko. Hindi ko actually alam kung natuwa ba talaga ako sa mga nalaman ko or nanghinayang or tama lang talaga na ngayon ko lang nalaman for the sake of my sanity?

"What are you thinking? You've been spacing out!" Marge blurted

"Huh? What are we talking about nga?"

"I said, I saw Niko last night sa grills, I think may party ata and hindi ko alam kung napansin niya ako"

Pucha. I've been trying to erase him since this morning "oh tapos?"

"If you can see him, Lemonade, kayang kaya ka na niya lalong ipaglaban ngayon"

"Marga, what the fuck?"

"Lemon, I am telling you, he look so hot, sana okay pa si Nixie ngayon. Balita ko sila pa rin until now"

"Uhmkay"

"Pero sana I'm wrong. Grabe, hindi ko akalain na si Niko yon, with that eyeglasses and slicked back hairstyle" she said and sounded so whipped

I laughed "okay ka lang ba?"

"Hindi lang ako makamove-on, parang gusto ko siyang lundagan kagabi and asked if he can still remember me"

"Eh bakit hindi mo ginawa? Edi sana tahimik ka ngayon?"

"Respeto ko sayo" she said and napatingin lang ako sa kanya and she smiled "diba? You like him very much? Kunwari ka pang hate hate mo"

"Hindi ko na maalala"

"Lemon, wag ako. From the moment na he helped you with your wound sa clinic until natalo mo siya sa debate until naging sila ni Nixie, until graduation and I know until now, you still like him"

"Desisyon ka?"

"Tama ako or tama?"

"Mali?"

She rolled her eyes "wala sa choices. When ka ba magiging totoo ha? Leon, Austin and then when Tristian asked if there's a possibility for the two of you, lahat negative"

I sighed "Hello Marga? Okay ka lang? Best friend natin si Tristian and I am just telling him the truth"

"I know" she sighed "naiinis lang ako na you can't even open windows for other person to know you"

"I admit that I like Niko before pero ngayon? Eh hindi ko na nga siya naiisip eh, ikaw lang nag-open about him"

"because I want to share and I want you to know that he is still existing in case na makita mo siya in public, hindi kana magugulat"