Losing The Dream

05

"Thank you for inviting us, Ji. If I only knew that Surigao Del Norte is this beautiful, I would've visited here years ago." Mark, Jian's friend said when they arrived.

Nananahimik lang ako sa sala. Some of Sebastian's cousins are here too that's why I'm trying to avoid them. Hindi ko na ni-reply-an ulit si Sebastian matapos ang napag-usapan namin ni Jian. I don't want to be the reason for him to lose his dream.

"Ano ba, Stella? Kanina pa tunog nang tunog 'yang phone mo. 'Di mo ba sasagutin 'yan?" Tanong ni Jian nang sa pang-apat na bedes ngayong araw ay tumunog ang cellphone ko dahil sa tawag.

"Oh! Hi there, Miss Lowkey!" Lucas, Sebastian's cousin, greeted me. I tried to reciprocate his smile but I only ended up nodding.

"It's him, Jian. I don't want to answer it." I shrugged. He took a deep breath and nodded.

"Fine, would you mind helping Dahlia in her room?" I looked at Dahlia who's patiently waiting for me. She has a little smile on her face while touching her bag.

"No, it's okay. Let's go?" Pag-aaya ko sa kaniya at agad namang sumunod.

Hinatid ko s'ya sa 2nd floor at sa kung saan ang kwarto n'ya. She has a lot of things so I helped her organize those.

"May..." She suddenly spoke. "May problema ba kayo ni Kuya?" Umawang ang labi ko sa naging katanungan n'ya. I licked my lower lip before shaking my head.

"Sebastian and I are fine, Dahlia." I chortled.

"I see."

Mabilis ko na lang s'yang tinulungan dahil ayaw ko nang matanong ulit tungkol kay Sebastian. Alam ba n'ya na hindi ko sinasagot ang mga tawag ng Kuya n'ya kaya n'ya natanong 'yon?

Sumapit ang hapon ay kahit seen man lang ay hindi ko iginawad kay Sebastian. Nakatatak sa isipan ko ang mga sinabi ni Jian. I cannot afford to be his downfall.

"How long did you live here?" Mark asked Jian during our dinner. Tahimik lang ako sa buong oras na kasama sila.

"I grew up here while Stell was in Quezon. But when I graduated in Elementary, my parents took me and enrolled me in the City." My brother answered.

"Uhm how about you, Stella? Why did you take Civil Engineering?" Dahlia asked. Now, the attention of everyone is with me.

I licked my lower lips before answering. "It's not obvious but I'm an art person. I've always wanted to pursue a career related to arts."

"Then you should've took Architecture. It will fit you the most." Lucas intervened.

"It's my love in arts and mathematics." I raised a brow. "I like the Math subject so much, Lucas."

"Wow, impressive. Magkakasundo tayo r'yan." He smiled. Right, he's the great Lucas Bonifacio! Ano bang 'di alam nito?

"Guys, we're here to relax, okay? Don't talk about acads." Tutol ni Jian na halatang sawang-sawa na sa usapang pag-aaral.

"Chill, bro. We're just having a casual conversation." Lucas laughed and sipped on his glass with a smirk. He suddenly stared at me so I had to look away. "Hmm, anyway, one of my fiends is asking for your number." Umangat ang kilay ko dahil sa narinig.

"Your... What?" Kunot noong tanong ko sa kan'ya.

He took a deep breath as he lowered his glass. "My friend. He was invited on Sebastian's graduation party, too. He finds you adorable.

I snarled and smiled sarcastically.  "What am I? A dog?" He laughed his heart out and raised his two hands as if he's surrendering.

"Geez, you both are hot headed." He said, pertaining to me and probably, his so-called friend.