I
He could stay holding him like this all day, comfort Juno and ask him how he's holding up? He wanted to talk about why Stell did such gruesome crime and how to possibly stop him... but that's not how he chose things to be. He could but he didn't. More than anyone, pinaka-dispointed siya sa kanyang sarili.
Lumayo si Juno sa kanya ngunit umangkla ito sa kanyang braso. "Let's eat. Hindi pa ako kumakain mula pa kagabi."
"Talaga?" Tala sighed as he asked him. He could've insisted on them living together. Then, he'll take care of things like this. But then again, he didn't. Kahit paano ay maayos na ang relasyon niya kay Juno. Hindi na niya gustong bumalik sa panahon na kailangan nilang magkasakitan o kailangan niyang ipilit ang gusto niya. It's wrong and now he's living through the consequences of that. Hindi na niya maiaalis ang sama ng loob sa kanya ni Juno. Ang magagawa na lang niya siguro ay huwag na iyong dagdagan.
However, he's already preparing himself to let go. Hindi gusto ni Stell ang pakikipagrelasyon niya kaya patuloy siyang guguluhin nito, with no regards to what will happen to Juno.
He stared at Juno for the longest time. He couldn't exactly tell his expression because of the facemask. He's always around him for a long time now. He shouldn't really have crossed the line because now, the thought of walking away from him is unbearable. Lalayo siya pero hindi ngayon. Hindi pa niya kaya.
Juno lightly jabbed him with the airsoft gun.
"Uhh... right... Bumaba tayo sa café," suggestion Tala.
Lumingon-lingon si Tala sa paligid. The studio isn't entirely empty dahil may nakikita pa siyang ibang mga tao. It's just that nobody seems to go through their way. Even the cafeteria is almost empty. They're probably just cramped on another part of the building? That usually happens when an idol or two becomes the talk of the town for the day.
Inside the café, nagpatiuna si Juno na nagtuloy-tuloy sa alcove at naupo sa table na naaalala niyang pinuwestohan nila ni Stell dito noong huling beses nilang pumunta rito.
He pulled a chair for Juno. Mauupo siya sana sa tapat ngunit pinigil siya nito at iminuwestra na maupo ito sa tabi niya.
"I own this part of the café," Juno seemed pleased to tell him. Wala na itong ibang sinabi nu'ng lapitan sila ng waitress na nag-abot ng menu. Bahagya lang iyong binuklat ni Juno at pagkatapos ay inilapit nito ang bibig sa kanyang tainga. "Let's eat pizza, Tellie."
Hindi na Stell ang tawag nito sa kakambal niya?! At alam nito ang favorite food ni Stell?! He wanted to explode right now. Gustong-gusto niyang pagpaliwanagin si Juno sa mga kawirduhan nito ngayong araw na ito. Sinasadya ba nitong asarin siya o akala talaga nito ay siya si Stell?
He inhaled and exhaled. Ngumiti siya sa naghihintay na waitress. "One slice of pepperoni pizza. And orange juice—"
Muling lumapit sa kanya si Juno para bumulong. "You won't eat? Sabi mo kapag gusto kong kumain, sasabayan mo ako..."
II
Binago ni Tala ang kanyang order. He face the waitress again. "Double the order. Thanks. Go now." Pinaalis niya ito kaagad bago pa maisipan ni Juno na magdagdag ng ipapakain sa kanya. Pinagsisisihan niya ang binge eating niya ng calories kagabi. Ngayon ay problema niya kung paano kakainin ang pizza na supposedly ay 'favorite' ni Stell. Maybe leave out the pepperoni? Wouldn't that be too obvious and a waste?
"Wala ka nang gustong kainin? Diet ka ba gaya ng kakambal mo?" Untag sa kanya ni Juno.
"No. I'm just full," pagsisinungaling niya.
"He said he's vegetarian now. Do you think that's what he really wanted? I don't know why he's so conscious. Sino ang may ayaw na mag-gain siya ng weight? Fans? Me, I don't mind... masaya ako kung sasamahan niya akong kumain ng mga gusto kong pagkain. You know... eat to live, not eat to please."
