David

I PRAYED for her healing habang nagda-drive ako. Thank God nga at nakarating kami nang safe dito.

I have been worrying about Maggie. I know I have to stop worrying about her. Yes, she is my employee but I guess being her boss is not enough to worry too much for her. I also have to take into consideration my bro, Brian. I know they have something beyond friendship. And I can't help but be affected. I don't know why but just the thought of Maggie and Brian together bothers me.

"Pare, gabi na. Este mag-uumaga na. Kanina pa kita hinahanap. Nandito ka lang pala. Nagmumukmok mag-isa."

"Pare, ang lalim, ah. Hindi ko ma-gets."

"David, hey. Are you even with me?" I know, Brian was trying to tease me and instead of enjoying the water, my thoughts are somewhere out there. I tried to hide my thoughts from Brian.

"Pare, ang hirap naman kasi ng tagalog mo. 'Di ko maintindihan." I chuckled. There's no way that I will tell him of what's bothering me. I want to keep our friendship plus he is like a brother to me.

"Iniisip mo siguro yung girlfriend mo,'no? Pare, she left you shattered. Forget about Minhee. Move on,pare. Marami ka pang ibang makikilala. Much better kay Minhee." Oo, masakit pa rin ang nangyari sa amin ni Minhee, pero honestly, hindi siya ang iniisip ko ngayon. Wala kay Minhee Ang isip ko. Wala . . .

"Pero pare, I also feel the same way. Kahit ako nga, 'di pa rin makapag-move on. We never became boyfriend-girlfriend but I just can't forget her."

Is Brian referring to Maggie? Well, may pag-asa pa pala ako. Scrap that. I should not mess up with Brian. He is a brother to me. A brother. And a brother loves at all times.

"Nag-text na ba sila? How is Maggie?" Muli akong nagbalik sa realidad. Ano na nga bang nangyari kay Maggie?

"Ahm. I'm not so sure. Lucy didn't text or call yet."

"Just give me your phone and I'll do it." Wala akong nagawa nang kuhanin na lang sa akin bigla in Brian ang phone ko. Wala akong nasabi. Siguro kasi, hindi ko rin alam kung ano'ng sasabihin kong dahilan kapag pinigilan ko siya. Baka makahalata pa siyang apektado ako kay Maggie. Eh,'di ba nga I decided to let this feeling go. Hindi ko naman alam kung ano 'to.

"It's out of coverage area, pare. Baka lowbat ang phone niya dahil nga nasa ospital siya"

"Ganoon ba? Mag-iwan na lang tayo ng voice mail. Para marinig niya kapag okay na siya," I suggested. Gusto ko na rin kasing malaman kung Ano'ng lagay niya. I don't want to deny it anymore. I care about Maggie.

"Ikaw na lang pare ang mag-iwan ng message, baka kasi . . ."

"Why? I thought your friends?" Sabihin mo na kasi sa akin kung ano'ng mayroon sa inyo ni Maggie para alam ko kung ano'ng lagay ng puso ko. Wait, where did that thought come from? Naku David, patay ka na talaga . . .

"David, I guess I'm not ready yet, and it's a long story. Just, just leave a message. I just want to know if she is okay. Then I'll be okay."

I dialed Maggie's number again and this time, someone answered. "Maggie? Thank God you are okay. I'll explain everything soon but please report to office tomorrow. There's so much to do and I think I can't handle it by myself. I need you," sunud-sunod kong sabi sa kabilang linya. I know medyo exaggerated ako but I can't do anything.

"Hey, hey. Pare, bakit ganyan ang mukha mo. Ano'ng sabi ni Maggie!?"

"It's Lucy on the other line and Maggie left the hospital without telling her."