Izane suddenly realized that I was looking at Hannah and Tasha and the child. May kung ano'ng dumurog sa puso ko nang makita ko sila. This ain't working. We need to go. I told Izane that we should go home.

When I went inside my condo, hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong mapaisip. Ang saya nila... Ang nakita kong bata, kaninong anak iyon? Bakit may kasama silang bata?

I tried to distract myself from thinking about them. Lord, I still thank you for making my friends happy. It's okay that I suffered and struggled, at least they're doing better, and that's okay for me. As long as they are doing well... The pain still taught me a lot and I can't hate people just because they weren't there when I needed them. Each one of us holds our own story, It's my responsibility to heal myself for my own sake without needing someone else.

I tried to move forward after everything, another satisfied client because of our successful project. May upcoming na naman, I think the project that we will handle this time is a different one. Mukhang mabigat ang project na ito.

"Wala ka talagang balak kausapin sila Hannah?" tanong sa akin ni Izane.

I smiled, "Bakit? May project ba akong hahawakan sa kanila?" I asked.

Tumawa siya at napakamot sa ulo, "Hindi 'yun, Amalia. They're your friends, bakit ayaw mo silang makausap?" he asked.

It hit me. Those words stuck in my mind, for some reasons, I want to also ask myself, bakit nga ba?

Tinignan ko si Izane, "Because we have nothing to talk about," I said nonchalantly.

"Nakita mo ba ang message nila sa iyo noon?" he asked, I stopped... hindi ko nabasa iyon dahil itinapon ko ang phone ko, I slowly shook my head.

"Ikaw? Nabasa mo?" I asked him.

"Sorry, hindi ako pakialamero e, hindi ko nabasa," he mouthed, slightly shaking his head, "But may aaminin ako,"

I gazed at him, "Ano iyon?"

"They reached me that time, nasabi ko na kasama kita pero hindi ko nasabi sa kanila ang mga nangyari, ayaw ko'ng pangunahan ka, Amalia." he confessed in a sincere manner.

I was problematic back then. I know how I messed up, losing myself, but I didn't expect it to turn out this way. I'm glad Izane didn't tell Hannah and Tasha about what happened, ayaw ko'ng maging pabigat sa kanila, mahirap ang pag-aaral nila noon, may sarili rin silang problema, nararapat lang ang ginawa ni Izane.

"Thank you for keeping it," I smiled a little.

He nodded, "Hindi ka ba talaga gagawa ng socials mo? Google account lang ata ang meron ka e,"

"Ang random mo, Izane," I scolded him and shook my head, "Hindi naman gano'n kahalaga para sa akin ang gano'ng bagay, ayaw ko'ng mahilig sa gano'n,"

Needless to say, social media is not good for me. Meron naman akong phone number at account sa google for clients' queries, hindi ko na kailangan pa ang Facebook, twitter, o Instagram na ginagamit ng karamihan.

"Sure?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Izane, may trabaho ka pa 'di ba?" I told him, he gave me a teasing smile. I sighed and ignored him. I continued doing my work.

Nung lunch time, bigla naman dumating sila Madelina kasama si Sandra at Renda. Sila talaga ang speaker sa office dahil maiingay sila. Ginulo na naman nga nila ako.

"Busy?" tanong ni Madelina.

I nodded, "Kain ka muna!" pagaaya ni Renda sa akin.

I looked at the foods they bought, it is from Cedrick's restaurant. I... can't eat foods like that.

"Architect Dauag, ano pala ang pinagusapan niyo ni chef pogi?" tanong sa akin ni Sandra.

"Huwag mo ngang tawaging gano'n, malay mo ex niya!" suway ni Renda.

"Ex naman na," pangangatwiran ni Madelina.

I took a deep breath. It was a serious matter but I wanted laugh because their accusations are wrong, paano ko naman naging ex si CJ e pinsan ko nga siya?

"Wala na dapat kayong malaman," I mouthed.

They all looked at each other again, trying to accuse me using their looks, I'm not even bothered at all. Besides, dwelling on the past won't help and contribute anything with the present. Just let the past be in the past and not in your present moment.

Renda cleared her voice, "Pinabibigay sa'yo e, galing kami sa restaurant, nakikisuyo si hot chef na ibigay sa iyo 'to," she said lowly.

Kung si Sandra ang tawag sa pinsan ko ay chef pogi ngayon naman si Renda tinawag si Cedrick na hot chef?

I looked at the food, I swallowed hard, "Sa inyo na lang, may nabili na akong pagkain e," I lied. Sorry, lord, I lied. I just can't take it. Hindi ko kaya.

"Tignan mo?" Sandra assumed, "Ano ba ang issue niyo ni chef pogi?"

"Ex niya 'yan for sure, as if naman sasabihin sa'yo ni Architect Dauag," Madelina said.

"He's not my ex, stop gossiping, kumain na kayo," I tried to stop them from spreading misconceptions.

"Sure ka? Ayaw mo 'tong binigay ni hot chef?" Renda asked, I nodded, she smiled, "P'wedeng akin na lang?" she asked again, tumango na lang ako.

"Teka, hati tayo!" pagmamaktol ni Sandra.

"Tumigil ka! Sa akin binigay, kainin mo sarili mong order!" sigaw ni Renda.

Mukhang magaaway sila dahil lang sa pagkain. I continued doing my work. Hindi ako nakakain ng lunch dahil sa nagpaka-busy ako. Naramdaman ko ang pagtunog ng tiyan ko dahil sa wala pa akong nakakain.

Nagulat ako nang ilapag ni Izane sa mesa ko ang isang monde mamon at C2. Ngumiti ako.

"Gutom ka na 'no?" he asked teasingly.

I laughed and nodded, "Thank you."

I, Izane, and Madelina were assigned for a big project. May makakahalubilo na naman kaming engineers. Hindi pa naman napauusapan ang project siguro ay next week pa iyon. I went to a near cafe after work. Izane can't fetch me today, okay lang naman sa akin iyon, mas mabuti rin para hindi ko siya ma-disturb.

"One caramel macchiato please," I said. I waited for my coffee inside the cafe as I was checking some emails.

Nang makuha ko na ang order ko ay minabuti ko na rin na umuwi na. I put my phone inside my pocket. I held my bag and my coffee. Kape na talaga ang sandalan ko simula nang magtrabaho ako.

I was about to go out but I bumped into someone, muntik nang matapon ang kape ko wala pa naman akong naiinom. I looked at the person I bumped into. I froze.

Kiven.

Napaiwas ako nang tingin, I tried not to glance at him. Mabilis akong umalis sa cafe na iyon. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako pa ang tumatakbo ngayon, bakit ako pa ang nahiya? Nagulat lang naman ako at hindi ko iyon inaasahan.

Napainom ako sa kape ko, bakit ang pait nito?

Kaya nga pala kape kasi mapait. Nawawala na talaga ako sa matinong pag-iisip. I should gather my thoughts. Be calm, Amalia. You are doing great. Wala na siya, wala na. Nakalayo na ako, impossible pa na makita ko ulit siya.

I should look for a taxi right now, bakit ba walang dumaraan?

Nagulat ako nang may batang yumakap sa mga paa ko, napatingin ako sa batang babae na 'yon, her eyes is familiar, she looks like six or sever years old.

"Tita!" tawag niya sa akin.

Tita?

I smiled because the little human looks cute, "I'm not your Tita, you're mistaken, baby," I told her and caressed her hair. Mukhang gusto niya pa'ng magpabuhat sa akin. Itinapon ko ang kape ko at binuhat ang bata.

Hinawakan niya ang mukha ko, "Tita," she murmured again.

Asaan kaya ang magulang ng bata? Bakit hinahayaan ang anak na mawala? Baka kung ano na ang nangyari sa bata kung hindi ako ang nakatagpo sa kaniya.

"What's your name?" I asked with a gentle voice.

She giggled, "Alisha Velmores po," she mouthed in a pleasant and attractive way.

Velmores?

I smiled. Hindi naman siguro tama ang hinala ko, hindi naman p'wede. Parang namumukhaan ko ang bata pero binalewala ko iyon. Asa'n na kaya ang magulang ng bata?

I looked around, wala namang naghahanap ng bata, bakit ganito?

I looked at the child's cute face, "Where's your parents?"

She slowly shook her head. My eyebrows furrowed. Bakit?

My heart started beating rapidly, it felt like something was wrong or I'm nervous for no reason, is it because of the coffee that's why I'm palpitating?

"Ali!" I heard a voice. I turned around and saw someone.

Tasha. She was running towards us, she stopped when she saw me. Behind Tasha was Hannah who's also startled to see me. I let go of Alisha, the little human went to Tasha. I was still standing while looking at them. Para bang napako ako sa kinatatayuan ko.

"Amalia!" sigaw ni Hannah sabay tumakbo sa akin at niyakap ako.

Tasha slowly went to me and also hugged me. I don't know what to do. My chest clenched, and I felt like I was catching my breath even though I didn't do anything, but standing in front of them.

"Ang tagal ka naming hindi nakita!" hingal na saad ni Hannah, "Kamusta ka na?" she asked.

Hindi ako makasagot, napatingin ako sa bata na hawak ni Tasha, they noticed that I was looking at the kid.

"Hann, mabuti pa ipaliwanag na lang natin sa malapit na cafe?" Tasha suggested.

I shook my head. Hindi ako babalik sa cafe na iyon, I won't go there anymore.

"Ba't hindi ka nagsasalita Amalia?" tanong sa akin ni Hannah.

"Sure ka bang si Amalia 'yan?" Tasha asked.

They never changed. Their actions towards me was the same. Parang ang gaan, parang walang nangyari. They are now successful. Living their own life. Para akong nadudurog dahil hindi ko sila nakasama ng ilang taon.

"Tanga ka ba, tash? Mukha bang hindi si Lia 'yan?" prankang saad ni Hannah.

Tipid ko silang nginitian, "Ano ang paguusapan natin?" I mouthed.

They looked at me, "The past, may sasabihin sana kami sa iyo," Hannah uttered.

"Tell it here," I said, gripping the strap of my tote bag.

"Mahaba ang sasabihin namin, Lia." Tasha protested.

I swallowed hard. They looked better, Hannah doesn't has her bangs anymore, she used to have a bangs when we were in junior high, parehas silang gumanda nang lalo, tumangkad lang sila at nag-matured nang kaunti pero parang pareho pa rin ang lahat.

We went to a near restaurant dahil gaya nang sabi ko, hindi ako babalik sa cafe na napuntahan ko.

"Ang tagal mong nawala, hindi ka namin matawagan, wala ka ring mga socials, okay ka lang ba?" Hannah asked.

"Better," tipid kong tugon sa mga sinabi niya, hindi ko alam kung bakit nananakit ang dibdib ko, at humahapdi ang gilid ng mata ko, "B-Bakit kayo nawala?" my voice cracked.

Tasha looked down and I saw how Hannah's lips parted, "I'm sorry, nabalitaan namin ang pagkasunog ng simbahan noon kaya tumawag kami sa iyo pero hindi ka sumagot, sinubukan namin..." Hannah started.

"Tasha was pregnant that time, Lia," she added.

Tasha was what? She was pregnant that time!?

Tumingin ako kay Alisha, she was just playing beside Tasha, "Alisha is my daughter, Lia," nakita ko ang pagdaan ng sakit sa mga mata ni Tasha.

"W-Who's the father?" I asked as I trembled, Tasha was pregnant those times, but I'm not even there for her.

Tasha spoke, "Derrick."

Then where's Derrick!? Wasn't he's there for my friend?

"Nasaan siya?" tanong ko habang nakakunot ang noo.

"What happened between us was accident, Lia... My parents disowned me when I didn't tell them the father of my child," Tasha said.

"We thought you are okay there because you were with Izane, kaya hindi na kami nakapunta pa sa 'yo," Hannah said softly, "We tried to find you after Tasha gave birth, hindi ka na namin naabutan pa sa Isabela, we don't know where you are,"

"Ikaw, kamusta ka?" Tasha asked me.

I swallowed hard, I can't add up to their pain, "I was doing better," I enunciated slowly.

Minutes of talking to them, they hugged me. I felt all the pain goes away, parang nawala lahat ng sakit, parang nawala lahat ng hinanakit na naramdaman ko, ngayon at nalaman ko ang rason kung bakit wala sila, I didn't want to tell them what happened to me. Ipinasa-diyos ko na ang bagay na iyon.

"You are indeed an Architect right now?" Hannah asked.

I nodded, "Kayo?" I asked.

"Nurse," Tasha said.

"CEO, cosmetics you know?" Hannah winked, and I laughed, she's really into make-up. I'm happy for them. Ang gaan na ng pakiramdam ko sa kanila.

Parang nabalik lahat ng samahan namin. Napawi lahat ng tanong kung bakit nawala sila, dahil ngayon nalaman ko na.

"Bakit pala wala kang account sa social media?" tanong ni Tasha.

Hannah glared at me, "Oo nga?"

I smiled, "Hindi na importante iyon sa akin," I reasoned out.

"Pero hindi pa ako nakakaganti sa ex mo ha, talaga lang na makita ko siya walang takas 'yun, tanginang cheater!" Hannah protested, I laughed at her.

"Hannah, may bata," suway ni Tasha. Napatingin kami kay Alisha.

Ngumiti ang bata sa amin, "T-Tangina," she giggled. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig ko sa sinabi ng anak ni Tasha.

"Gago, ang bilis maka-adapt ng bata!" tumawa si Hannah, parang proud pa siya.

I and Tasha glared at her while Alisha giggled. Napa-sorry naman si Hannah. Natutunan na tuloy ng bata ang magmura dahil kay Hannah.

"Gawan na kita ng socials mo!" Hannah said.

I shook my head pero makulit siya at inagaw niya ang cellphone ko, hindi na ako naka-angal pa at pumayag na, social media account lang naman, hindi na ako makikipagtalo.

Nang matapos niya iyon ay binalik niya sa akin ang phone ko, hindi ko alam na ang nilagay niyang profile ko ay stolen picture ko lang ngayon. Mukhang kinuhanan niya ako habang hindi ako nakatingin.

I smiled, "Thank you," I said.

"Saan ka ba nagtatrabaho?" tanong sa akin ni Hannah.

"Corporate," I said.

"P'wede bang magpagawa ng bahay sa'yo? Ikakasal na kasi kami ni Mingyu," Hannah giggled.

Mingyu? Boyfriend niya ba?

"Delusional ka talaga, hannah, 'no?" Tasha fired back.

"Sino si Mingyu?" I asked.

"Fiancé ko nga, LDR kami, nasa korea siya ngayon e," Hannah sarted giggling again, parang kinikilig siya sa sinasabi niya.

"Huwag kang maniwala diyan, Lia, K-pop idol 'yun, fan girl lang 'yan." Tasha informed me. Muntik na akong matawa. Nahilig pala si Hannah sa gano'n?

"Basag trip ka naman, tash, e! Mauuto ko na sana," Hannah rolled her eyes.

I sighed. Knowing their reasons made me learned something. I will never tolerate my actions ever again if I don't know the other side of the story. Feelings are meant to be felt but our wrong actions are unjustifiable.

It has been a week since I met my high-school friends again, and I felt ecstatic.

"Architect Dauag, ikaw na raw ang makipagusap sa mga Engineers," Madelina said. Another big project, Madelina talked with the clients while Izane did some other thing.

Ako naman ang kakausap sa Engineers na kasama naming hahawak ng malaking project na ito. I walked out of the area, and tried to look for the Engineer that I will talk to.

"Excuse me, where are the Engineers?" I asked a man. Agad nitong tinuro sa akin ang isang lalake.

Naglakad ako papalapit sa isang taong pamilyar ang pigura para sa akin.

I was confused but I still continued walking towards the man, I can't deny that he has a muscular body, light skin, and has a bigger biceps that would probably attract girls. I shook my head, no... I can't be into an Engineer, get a grip, Amalia.

Nakatalikod ang lalake kaya hindi ko makita ang mukha niya, when I reached him, I cleared my voice.

"Good day, Engineers, I'm Architect Dauag, let's proceed with the meeting?" I asked in a soft tone. Pinapawisan na rin ako dahil mainit sa site.

He slowly turned around, same as the man beside him.

I swallowed hard when I saw him. I froze and don't know what to do. Seryoso ang mukha niya nang tignan niya ako... Kiven.

Sinubukan ko'ng tibayan ang loob ko. Mas naunang nagpakilala ang lalakeng katabi niya.

"Hello, nice meeting you, Architect Dauag, I'm Engineer Reyes," the guy introduced himself and offered me his hand, I shook hands with him.

After shaking hands with Engineer Reyes, I looked at Kiven and tried acting like nothing happened.

"I'm Engineer Kanson," Kiven mouthed in a cold tone. I faked my smile.