Jude's POV

"Why did you give me this?" Tanong ni Richard.

Richard, right? Whatever.

"When I was a child, I have this friend na mahilig magtapang-tapangan, makipagkabugan, magsiga-sigaan—mind you, she's a girl. A little girl who is a bit rough, insensitive, and foolish, yes....but at the same time, she is the toughest and the bravest girl I've ever met."

"Well, at least that's what I thought, at first, until one time, matapos niyang makipagrambulan sa dalawang lalaking nam-bully sakin noon." Napakamot ako sa batok. "Looking back, I'm quite pathetic before, letting a girl protect me while I cry and seek protection behind her."

"Lame."

"Shut up! Going back, matapos nung away, nagpaalam siya, sabi niya uuwi na siya. Kaso pag-alis niya, napansin ko na naiwan niya sa lapag yung panyo na palagi niyang suot-suot sa likod niya. Kaya ayon, hinabol ko siya para ibalik 'yon."

"Then?"

"Then after running for a while, nakita ko siya sa palaruan malapit samin. Nasa gilid siya ng isang padulasan, humahagulol, habang walang tigil niyang sinisipsip ang paborito nyang strawberry flavored lollipop—just like what you're doing right now."

"Hmnf?"

"Anyway, after some time, while she is rubbing her eyes after crying, a butterfly passed by. Her eyes followed it, followed it, until she saw me staring back at her."

"From that day onwards, the apocalypse began. She started bossing me around, making fun of me, pranking me—she did everything that made my childhood a nightmare. Thinking back, those are probably her way of trying to remove her weak ang vulnerable image from my mind—she may have wanted to remain as the strong, brave, and unbeatable person who's always in front of me, protecting me from all evil."

"That's understandable, I understand......I understand, but what rubbish way of thinking is that!!? I saw her cry once so she'll suddenly make my life miserable!? Unforgivable, I'll never forgive her!"

"But you love her?"

"Huh?"

"From this angle, It looks as if you love her."

"Dude!? Did you actually listen to my story? It's obvious how much I hate her!"

"I don't think so."

"You shit, I comforted you but you won't believe me!?"

"I didn't asked you to comfort me."

"Then die!"

"Ba't mo 'ko binira!?

"You annoy me."

"Huh!? You're unreasonable."

"Shut up."

........

9 years ago, in the playground.

"Aalis na talaga kayo bukas, Jude?" Tanong ni Kate habang sinisipsip niya ang paborito niyang lollipop.

Nakaupo kami ngayon sa butas ng padulasan.

"Oo, buti nga eh." Pabiro kong tugon para maasar si Kate, pero nang hindi siya sumagot ay lumingon ako sa kanya para lang makita siyang umiiyak.

Agad naman akong naglayo ng tingin. The last time I saw her crying, she kicked my balls. 'Di ko na gustong maulit 'yo—

"K-Kate?" Gulat kong tanong nang bigla niya nalang akong niyakap.

"Ba...balik kayo diba?" Nanginginig niyang tanong habang patuloy siyang umiiyak.

Kanina lang nagtatampo pa ako sa kanya kase kinain niya yung tinapay ko, dapat din naiinis ako sa kanya dahil ayokong nababasa ang damit ko, pero ngayon ay basang-basa ito dulot ng patuloy na pagpatak ng mga luha niya dito. Pero hindi eh, sa mga sandaling ito, ang nasa isip ko lamang ay ang kagustuhang tumahan si Kate. I don't like seeing her cry, it hurts. I want her to stop so....I promise, "Babalik ako."

"Totoo?"

"Promise."

"Then, I'll make a promise as well. Pagbalik mo........

........pagbalik ko.....what did she say again?