The Love Tree

***5years Ago***

'Nagpapahangin si Red at Terrenz sa ilalim ng malaking puno nang mga sandaling iyon. Red lied down beside her with eyes close habang abala naman si Terrenz sa pag-guhit. They are waiting for Red's friends na nang mga oras na iyon ay nagsasaka sa lupain ng mga Calderon.

They are on a supposedly vacation sa farm nila Buboy. But Buboy fell inlove sa anak ng katiwala ng farm nila na si Wallen. On a different side of story, Buboy is doing his best to court the lady. Thus, kasama nila Matt, Thor at JV, nagsaka ang apat sa farm to make an impression. But Red has to stay with her. Nakaisip ito ng paraan para makaiwas sa mga kaibigan.

Bumungon si Red sa pagkakahiga at humilig kay Terrenz.

"I'm bored," maktol nito.

"Then help your friends. Ikaw lang ang hindi supportive kay Buboy," ani Terrenz na hindi inangat ang atensyon sa ginuguhit.

"I support him by not telling him not to do it. Besides, I doubt na hindi siya magugustuhan ni Mang Waldo. Masyado lang strict si Mang Waldo kay Wallen because he believes that Buboy was a no good kind of guy. Masyadong pilyo. But Buboy is actually nice and you know that," ani Red.

Napangiti lang si Terrenz. There was truth in what Red had said. Out of the five members of Warrior Five, Buboy is actually the sweetest and responsible. They all have different characters and Buboy is actually the most gentle.

"But then, it's not right na gawin mo kong dahilan para lang makaiwas ka sa trip ng kaibigan mo. It is not supportive at all," turan pa rin ni Terrenz.

Ngumiwi si Red. "Iihhhh. Ako ang boyfriend mo pero mas may concern ka kay Buboy kesa sakin. Hindi masayang mag-tanim ng palay. Masyado lang deads na deads si Buboy kay Wallen kaya niya nagagawa yun. At yung 3 bugok, tinotolerate naman. There could've been better ways to make impression," maktol pa lalong ni Red.

Napaharap si Terrenz sa nobyo. "And that's what you call supportive? Eh di inamin mo ding hindi mo talaga suportado yung way ni Buboy to impress Wallen," she mocked.

Parang batang napasubsob si Red sa balikat ni Terrenz. Natawa na lang siya sa inakto ng nobyo.

"Ano ba yang ginagawa mo?" tanong ni Red nang lingunin ang sketch pad na hawak ni Terrenz.

Terrenz look up and pointed out the big tree na sinisilungan nila.

"I'm trying to create a landscape na may ganitong view. A huge tree na mayabong at nakaka-attract ng coziness sa paligid," ani Terrenz.

"Another school project?"

"No. Just an inspiration. In the future I'd like to build my own house. And gusto ko ng may ganitong landscape."

Red looked at Terrenz with full admiration. She's designing her future. And he liked to be a part of it.

"I'd like my children to play around sa mayabong na puno and that it would create their memories. Do you think how long can a tree like this to grow?"

Red pouted as if thinking. "A hundred years, maybe," he shrugged.

Napatango-tango si Terrenz. "Much better atleast it will stay for generations."

Napangiti si Red. Then he hugged Terrenz. "You're too sentimental. For the record, I'd liked to be part of that inspiration," he said.'

***Present***

Napabuntong hininga si Terrenz as memories flashed in her. She found a huge tree na nasa isang sulok ng island. And it brought her memories.

Ayaw niyang isipin, but this island seemed giving her hints of her past. Hindi niya sure kung sinasadya ba yun ni Red but then she didn't want to give him the benefit na parang apektado siya sa mga nakikita. But then what she's seeing is almost the same nang mga memories nila ni Red. It's all a vivid replica na para bang sinadya iyong irecreate. She thought na nakalimutan na niya ang mga bagay na yun but it was as if just on sleep mode in her brain.

"The tree was already here when we brought this island." Hindi niya naramdamang nakalapit na pala si Red sa kaniya. "Yung mga residente na ang naglagay ng pahingahan diyan tsaka duyan. It's nice kaya hindi na namin pinaalis."

"It's a very nice view. We could retain it. Or atleast improve,"simple niyang komento.

"Suit yourself. Your the architect," Red smiled.

"The tree must've been here for hundreds year para yumabong yan ng ganyan kalaki. It's tragic kung puputulin natin. This could be the heart of this island."

Napatango-tango si Red. He agrees to what Terrenz had said. Hindi na siya nagkomento.

"It's just funny though. This things keep popping up as if reminding of something in the past," diretsang turan ni Terrenz. Humarap pa ito kay Red as if urging him to be honest with her. Napalingon naman si Red sa kaniya. Surprised at her attack.

He smiled as if caught in the act but he responded calmly and avoided not to sound defensive.

"Please don't take it differently. The tree was really here when we arrive. Besides, it took years to grow ng ganyan ka kayabong na puno as you know di ba? Do you think we can plant a tree na ganyan kalaki agad in just 5 years?"

Partly true. The branches looks old and the shade was so massive. But Terrenz know that Red is powerful and he could combine fire and water if he really wants to. But she just don't want to assume na ganun kalawak ang effort ni Red na gawin yun. For what? Para sakanya?

'He's getting married, like he said,' kastigo ni Terrenz sa sarili.

"The tree was just one thing. But the drawing on the room? I know that is mine," turan ni Terrenz. She wanted to clear thing straight. Mabuti nang sigurado siyang hindi siya nililito nito.

"That is OURS. I am part the artist remember? Besides, I didn't know it was there. We brought things here way back. I have forgotten na rin about that," ani Red.

Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Terrenz. He had forgotten about it but the mere thought na sinabi lang niya about the drawing, eh alam agad ni Red ang tinutukoy niya. Gusto man niyang pahiyain ang binata, hindi na niya tinuloy. She don't want to provoke him.

"Let's just be clear, Redentor. What happened to us in the past was all just a memory. At this time, we are no more than just colleagues. Don't do mushy things to bring out our past, understood?"

Red smiled widely. It's good to know that Terrenz have been realizing this things. Atleast he knows that she didn't forget.

"I am not implying anything, Katrenza. Don't misjudge it. Besides, iisipin kong you didn't get over with what we have five years ago kung ganyan ka mag-isip," ani ni Red provoking here.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Terrenz. Saka nagbago ang anyo na tila nangigil. "Narcissistic! I'm over you, Redentor! Don't even think about it!!" Hindi na niya hinintay na sumagot si Red. She stormed away. Naiwang natatawa na lang si Red sa inakto ng dalaga habang nakahabol ng tingin dito.

Nabaling ang tingin niya sa puno. Napailing siya. This is Buboy's doing. He didn't know how his friend did it but it wasn't really there when they bought the island. But Buboy knows na this will help him a lot.

Napabuntong hininga siya. "I love you, Bros. Thank you for this."