TBBM XXIX. Friends

"You're not Edward," I whispered as he neared his face to me even closer. His skin smelled musky---but the type I'd grown accustomed to. He smiled---one that placed between evil and pure piety. His lips went close to mine, in a tricky motion. I was running out breath. "What are you doing?"

"Don't deny it. I know you feel me," he spoke under his breath---cool like he practiced it, confident like he had nothing to fear.

+++

I woke up at around six in the evening to that mouthwatering scent of fried chicken. My stomach grumbled. It occurred to me that I hadn't eaten anything yet since yesterday afternoon.

I sat up only to see a basin of water beside me and a towel at the bottom of it. I found a bed of paracetamol next to the basin---two of it had been used. I must have caught a bad fever. I also sneezed, but only occasionally.

Slowly, I made my way downstairs and headed to the kitchen.

"Feeling better?" my mother greeted me, less worried than I remembered her last night.

"I guess," I spoke softly. "I'm sorry---"

"Who is Sebastian Castillo?" my mother interrupted me.

"S-Sebastian?" I repeated. "I don't know. Why?"

"Don't lie to me, Jopet! I'm your mother!" her voice raised as she took the seat in front of me, more inquisitive than usual. "Are you dating that guy? Are you using protection?"

"Protection?" I paused to catch on what she was saying. I screamed at the realisation. "Mother!"

"How did he know my number, then? Why is he asking if you got home well? He said he's your friend but why does he call allot? Look, he called five times today," she shoved her mobile across the table.

"Whoa!" I couldn't believe my eyes. My mother was not lying.

Who was he? At that moment, I remembered the guy who tried to rob me last night. Could it be him? But he didn't get any of my things.

"My daughter," she moved closer. "I know that you're slowly getting nearer your goal but if you can---only if you can... I hope you don't be too easy on men. At first, it was James. You sleep over at his place every now and then. I know how much you like him and you don't look like you can control so---"

"Mother!" I tried to stop her mouth.

"I like James, anyway. But then you stayed two days in another guy's house---"

"We slept separately, Mom!"

"And now, I get a call like this from yet, another guy!? I'm just amazed. What else will I notice once you got all your surgeries done, huh?"

"You are so wrong there, Mother!" I screamed, covering my ears.

Just then, the phone rang again. It was the same number. I jumped away from it. How could a mugger actually figure out my mother's number and look for me?

"No," I shrieked and grabbed the phone. "He could've changed his mind about my offer!"

I took a deep breath before speaking on the line.

"Did you change your mind about the... thing?" I asked loudly.

"Are you dealing substances?" my mother mouthed, her face spelling incredulity.

"What thing?" the voice retorted, confused. "Jopet-Hickey!?"

"Hick-Hickey?" I faltered. It was sick. "How did you know that?"

"Hey! I'm sorry. This is Sebastian. Seb. Remember me?"

"S-Seb?" suddenly, it felt like I knew him but my brain refused to remember all the details.

"Hey! It's Nina," a girl's voice replaced Seb's. She sounded really worried. "How are you? We've been looking for you!"

"N-Ni...na," I stuttered.

"We heard about what happened. I'm dearly sorry. I shouldn't have left---"

"I'm good. Don't worry."

"Sure?"

"U-huh," I said, despite myself.

"But he said you were absent. He found your bag on the road and your notebook's inside. That's how we got this number. What happened to you? He was really losing it, thinking that something had happened to you," it was impossible to stop her inquisition. But I couldn't let my mother hear it.

"It rained and I got all wet. I caught fever. That's why I skipped school," I walked away from the table. "Hey, listen. Let's talk about it another time, okay? And... thanks."

With that, I dropped the line.

He...

She said that 'he' found my bag on the road... and that my notebook was inside. She said that 'he' was worried that something might have happened to me… 'He'. My brain developed a filter---like a mask covering that person's face from my view. The feeling was similar to trying to say a word you knew but you just couldn't pick up from memory. It was a strong familiarity over something you couldn't tell. But you knew it existed. That was how it felt for me.

Just then, James showed up by our doorsteps. He was wearing a sleeveless hoodie. He must be here straight from practice.

"Jap," immediately, he inspected my limbs and face. He checked my temperature by placing his hand on my forehead. "You're still a bit hot. What happened? You bailed on me yesterday?"

"Long story... but I'm fine. I guess."

"Get in. It's cold out here," he took his hoodie off and put it on me. He also fixed his white cap on my head, then, covered it with the hood.

My heart. It started to warm. I wondered if it was James whose face I couldn't see in my dream. But that sounded improbable. James had been good to me ever since. In fact, he saved me so many times. Surely, he would never be anyone I could forget.

"You act like you're my husband," I commented bluntly.

"Of course," he said as he walked me to the kitchen.

My mother watched us while she laid plates on the table. We had macaroni soup, fried chicken and kimbap---a humble meal for a family of three.

"Whoa! Looks so appetising, Mom," James exclaimed.

I knew he wanted me to tell him what happened but we kind of developed the instinct to wait until my mother was gone off before we discussed critical issues. But also, how could I tell him about Seb, Nina, Stephie---

Every time I thought about it, I felt a bit uneasy. How could I tell James about it?

I thought about that on and on while my mother and James talked. I tried to be as participative in their discussion but I didn't want her to worry about me. She'd already been through so much in trying to understand me and the changes I faced.

Soon, she finished doing the dishes and retreated to her quarters upstairs.

"You can sleep over... if you like, son," she pointed to the sofa.

"You don't mind if I stay?" James' face beamed to a wide smile.

"The house is big for just the two of us. You're always welcome."

I bit my lip---partially because I was nervous he'd have more time to investigate me and partially because I'd get to spend more time with him.

"What about clothes?" my mother asked.

"I've change in the car," James assured.

"Good," she passed by me and headed for the stairs. But before she was actually gone, she pulled a few strands of my hair, teasing. "Behave."

"I am. Mother," I mouthed.

"Good night, Mom. Thank you for the meal!"

Soon as my mother was gone, James' smiling face warped into that of a dismayed monk over a secretive sinner. He usually gave me that look every time he knew I was hiding something.

"Oh, come on," I reacted defensively.

"Where were you yesterday?" he folded both legs up on the dining chair. "You did the same thing several weeks ago, during the typhoon. I didn't ask you much, then. But this is becoming more prevalent."

"I had to go to the mall," I pouted. I knew I couldn't escape him.

"Mall?"

"We have a fair, upcoming and we needed materials..."

"Alone?" his brows started to gather in the middle of his forehead. "You wouldn't take so long if you were alone, would you?"

"Jim-jim..." I had faith that baby-talking him would do the trick.

"Don't 'Jim-jim' me, Jap. I'm serious. I want to know. If I'm important to you, you'll tell me."

"You're way too stricter than my own mother," I buried my face in my palms.

He paused, just watching me. Then, he inched closer.

"I'm really close to you now, so tell me," he propped his elbow to the table and rested his face on his palms as he whispered.

"I was with a… a classmate," for a moment, I felt heavy, trying to remember him. "But he ran into an ill happenstance---"

"Classmate, huh?" his eyes thinned even more than they already were. "I think I know who. But carry on."

"James, you so can't tell my mother about this," I pursued.

"What happenstance are you saying?" he grabbed my hand.

"Nothing big. I just had to get off the car prematurely," I tried to hide it by speaking casually. "I just got wet in the rain and so---"

"Where exactly did he ask you to get off at?"

"It's not too far. It's all good."

"Jap, I asked you where."

I pursed my lips. He wore that unrelenting look on his face. How could I ever resist him?

"Where?" he asked again.

"Power grid," I blurted out.

"Power grid!? That's ridiculously far!" he ran his palms through his hair in disappointment. "Don't tell me you walked from that point to here."

I bit my lip.

"Jap!" his voice went really loud so I covered his mouth. "You know that I won't like hearing you do things like that. You could've been hurt. You could've been robbed---"

"I was... actually--"

"What? Where?" his eyes grew warm again as he grabbed my limbs to check. "Don't worry. I didn't have a phone as it was broken. I didn't have my wallet. He just kicked and ditched my bag mid-road."

"Seriously, this is no laughing matter, Jap," he scolded me. But as he did, I felt sheltered. "You can't go with that jerk anymore, Jap. I forbid. You will listen to me, or I'll tell mom."

"Jim..." I made face.

"Come here," he reached out for an embrace. "You got sick because of him."

In his embrace. I felt safe. Truly safe.

+++

We went to school together the next morning---naturally, since he slept over my place. Ma-ho came to see my mother as we were heading out. So, I knew James' little staycation would soon become the topic of the town. Thanks to her quick chatters.

I practically missed the class' preparation for the bazaar since I was out yesterday. I knew I wasn't the class president anymore but, was it weird that I feel like we didn't have one?

Classes were suspended for the first half of the day so everyone could focus decorating their booth, readying the food, rehearsing the presentation, etc..

Since James wasn't really a student of our college, he just walked me from the parking lot to our hallway.

"You guys did really prepare, huh?" he looked around at the stalls, convinced.

"I didn't get to help my team, though," I pouted.

"It's your president's fault. Don't let them blame you for it," he pointed bluntly. James wasn't the argumentative type. Instead, he was painfully agreeable. He often compromised his opinion just to reach a common denominator with everyone. He wasn't totally a push-over, though. I meant, no push-over would have that perfect face. He just knew that peace of mind was far better than winning. But he also knew when to take a stand. And, by his tone, I knew that was him, holding his ground.

Class President---that term made me feel like sinking inside.

"I'm serious about what I told you last night, Jap. Don't let that jerk treat you so lowly. I hate it," he tapped me in the cheek before he left.

+++

I headed to our booth. Everything seemed to be moving as planned. Roma was taking the lead. I watched her from afar as she made sure everything was ready. She would make a very good leader herself.

"Roma," I showed myself to her. "Good job! Everything seems good."

"Yeah. Everyone's been helpful. Plus, we got extra hands," she pointed at the painted canvass in the background. We had a table and chair set up with that painted background of a fancy kitchen. Allot of visitors had been asking to be allowed to take the seats and snap photos even before the booths were opened. "Hands?"

"Mr. President sent them to help. He was here only in the first hour. He was looking for you. He was like that yesterday, too."

"President?" It felt like I knew what she was saying but I just couldn't pick up fully.

"Hi! We meet again," the girl with bright hair approached me. She offered a handshake. "Remember me? Enon."

"Sure. Yes," I actually only remembered her name when she mentioned it. "I heard about the other night. I'm glad you're safe."

"Why? What's with the other night?" Roma poked.

"You see, Red isn't here now because he was enormously guilty of it. Seb and Keith lectured him for hours yesterday. He asked me to help your team," Enon winked. "That guy's a good friend, but he's really difficult sometimes. Don't fall for him, okay?"

'Red'. That name---I forgot that name for a while.

"Fall?" my jaw fell. "Thanks for helping. I appreciate it."

I and Roma exchanged looks. She was ready to squeeze the juice out of me.

+++

Shortly, the bazaar began. It would last for the whole of today but the contest on local delicacies was to last for only three hours. I watched as my classmates took turns in inviting guests over and getting them to vote for our entry. Some of them were ushering; others assisted guests in taking photos; some of them did the dishes--plastic plates and utensils were banned in our university; a number of them explained the menu to the guests and judges.

Everyone was present except the PAC girls. They usually disappeared at times like these. They must be loitering around in other booths; if not, they could have left the school altogether.

"Squad wanted to know if you're free after this?" just then, Enon walked up to me.

"Free?"