DANIEL

After I said the line, grandma just sighed, "Is that so? So, you like to be remembered as The Daniel Elizalde, who she broke up with? Is that how you want her to be remembered? Do you think if she does break up with you, just in case you won't get hurt and even more so she won't get hurt? Think hard, Daniel. You'll both get hurt. You don't want to hurt her, do you?"

"But I have no other choice, grandma. What else would I do if I knew I would lose right away? Her siblings really can't accept me and I remember Kath telling me something before when we weren't together if the family didn't want you, then it's over. I'd rather be hurt than she would be hurt more in our situation."

"Do you think separation is the right solution? Wait, why would you break up just for the sake of it?"

"It's because I'm tearing up their family. Her siblings have blamed me for what happened like Kath didn't have time for them. We're always together so that's why they got angry. They missed their sister's presence and I know that Kath will also realize that in the future she will choose her family and not me."

I know because family goes first. Especially with Kath, she will pick her family over me.

"You decide with that, grandson. You're old and you're alive but remember that you'll regret it."

KATH

I shook my head while walking down the hallway. It's Monday and I haven't seen and been with Daniel the whole weekend. I can’t help but think about what happened to us. Are we slowly tearing apart? Are we going to split up?

I can't afford to lose him. In the few months of being our boyfriend-girlfriend, I loved him so much.

When I turned into a hallway, someone passed by, so we collided and I fell. When I looked up, I saw that it was Daniel and he seemed to be in a hurry. Maybe, he will avoid me again.

"Kath? Are you okay? What happened to you? Are you okay" he asked me and helped me to my feet. I want to criticize him for why he treated me like this and I want to say I think of him so I'm stupid now but I can't.

When he stood up to me, he removed the dirt from my clothes and looked me in the eyes. I want to be happy and smile, but I can’t because I'm so sad and so hurt by what happened to us today, "D-do you have a problem?"

"What about you? Do you have a problem?" I asked him directly and I saw he was surprised and he didn't seem to expect me to ask, "or should I say, do we have a problem?"

"W-what?" he stuttered and laughed but I knew it was fake, "What kind of question is that Kath? I'm okay, so far," he replied and looked at his watch, "Okay and I still have to go. "

He was about to leave when I stopped him. He looked me in the eyes with astonishment, "I know you're not okay. WE'RE NOT OKAY. You're avoiding me, I know that." I know, that's not a question. I said that directly because it hurts me that he still avoids me. I don’t know what my role is in his life.

"W-what? I'm not avoiding you, Kath."

I close my eyes, "Please, Daniel. Can you just stop denying it? Are you not avoiding me? Then care to explain why you're not answering any of the calls and texts? Is it difficult to update or at least text good night or good morning, or at least pretend to reply late?"

"I was busy because Grandma --"

"Oh, please don't lie to me. I know you didn't stay long at your grandma's place. You're busy playing basketball with your friends, am I right?"

"Ugh! Why do you even care?"

After he said that, it was as if a few needles had pierced my heart. What happened to you, Daniel? Now, my tears started to drip and it was even more annoying because he didn’t seem to care! "Why do I care?!" I shouted at him and I burst out laughing as I shed my tears, "Are you even asking me that stupid question? In case you forgot, I care because you're my boyfriend and I love you so much! Even though I'm hurt by what you're doing, dear I still love you! That's my reason. Well, what about yours?! What's your reason for being like that?"

He was about to speak but I ran off. It's very painful but I can handle it. I know he loves me but I just don't understand what's happening now.

DANIEL

I shook my head down and the tears I urged started to drip on my eyes. I know that my Grandmother is right that we were both hurt by what happened today.

I'm so stupid because I thought I'd make her free and less hurt but I forgot that I should fight for her more. Seeing her cry and hearing her saying that she loves me, I remembered the reason why I stayed and fight.

I forgot that I was just a human being who will be hurt, too. Another motivational speaker said, "it's okay to be hurt and fall, but don't make it a reason to give up. Learn to stand."

I remembered that I was in a hurry so I left school and went home immediately.

I really can't handle the pain anymore, but I hope that she can forgive me soon. It hurts on my part because I love her too but this is the reality. Maybe I'll break my promise not to leave her.

But, let's not think about the negative thoughts. Let us get positive, I should continue this.

As I was meditating, suddenly the doorbell rang in our house.

It was surprising because all I knew was that I had no guests and I didn't expect someone.

I kind of think if it was Kath, but it's impossible since she's probably busy this day and she's still mad at me. That is probably not my parents as well, they aren't here in Butuan as they are on a trip to Davao and they will be gone until Sunday.

I stood up and opened the door for whoever it was. When I opened my eyes widened I saw them, "Hi, D!"

I can't believe seeing them visit here, "Oh. Jess, Peter, Walter! What are you doing here? Don't you have a class? Let's go inside first," I let them in. Jess, Peter, and Walter are my cousins ​​and they are triplets.

They are in their 7th grade or 8th grade, I think. Their dad is my dad's brother. My dad has a lot of siblings so it's no wonder there are so many Elizalde's in the world.

"D! Can we stay here first? We'll be here for about a week," said Peter as the three of them entered our home. I can see that brought a lot of suitcases, it's like just going on vacation.

"Sure, but why do you bring all of your stuff? What happened?"

"Haven't you heard?" Jess asked but I shrugged, "There was a fire in our village but not many were burned."

"What?! There's a fire there again?" they live in the New Society Village, and it's amazing in that place because every month, there are houses that got into the fire.

"Yes, but only three houses were on fire," replied one of the triplets, Walter.

"But it's unfortunate and even your house was affected," Jess added.

"Yes. We were scared then because our mom was still at work when the fire happened."

"It's a pity then. Where are your parents now?"

"They're at grandmother's house by now. It's crowded in their house since Uncle Roman and his family is living there," Peter replied, "also, maybe we will pursue moving to Cagayan de Oro. They've also arranged the work they'll leave behind."

"Oh, by the way, where is Uncle Romeo and Aunt Charlie? I haven't noticed them yet," Jess asked, looking for my parents.

"They are in Davao now as they are taking care of something at work."

"Oh, so it's just the three of us and you," Jess said and looked at me, "are you okay, D? You look so sad by now."

Why does everyone just notice my emotions? Am I that sad and broken?

I just sighed and I still answered him, "Maybe I'm going to break up with my girlfriend."

"Oh, but why, D? Don't you love her? Is she bad and mean to you? Besides, when did you have a girlfriend?"

"It's been a few months since she's my girlfriend, and she is not bad and mean," I replied and smiled when I remembered her, "If you only knew how kind and simple her life is and her personality. She loves and treasures her family, especially her siblings. She loves everyone, especially me and her friends," I said and my thoughts seemed to fly.

I remember the first time we met. I immediately fell in love with her even when I first saw her outside the school, how she cared for and loved Camille and everyone around her.

"Why would you break up with her? As I can see from here, I also feel that you love her so much because look at you, you're smiling like an idiot," my smile faded. I remember again what happened last Sunday, the conversation and deal we had with his siblings.

"It's because her siblings don't like me. They don't want me to be close to her to their sister," I said and picked up my ball, "Enough with this topic. Come and let's just play basketball to avoid drama! I might even cry here."

"All right! Oh, I remember! Can we play at Earl's place? There's a clubhouse there, isn't it?" Jess shouted enthusiastically.

"Yes, there is," I said, "Let's go and so we can play him, too if he's not busy."

They excitedly picked up their gear, as well as me. Hopefully, I’ll see Kath there.

KATH

Here I am in my room, sitting at a study table and studying. Whatever I do, nothing enters my mind and brain.

I can't focus because I'm still thinking about what's going on with Daniel right now. Why does he avoid me so much that I don’t remember anything being done to him?

Just as I put down my pen, I felt someone enter my room, "Kath?" I turned around and saw that it was Rafael.

"What's that, Raffy?" I asked him and Jeremy suddenly entered the room but I noticed that he didn't look at Raffy. It's like he doesn't know it, which is weird.

"Kath? Can we wander around the Clubhouse? We're bored here and we just want to play basketball. Please?"

"That's also what I should tell you, Kath," Raffy replied.

"Tss, dork," I was a little shocked when Jeremy suddenly frowned and I even heard him whisper.

Wait, did they just fight? That's so new for me. What happened?

"Ah, a-all right. Who else is coming with you?"

"It's just Nicole. Camille and Sandra are going to do something," Jeremy replied again and still didn't pay attention to Raffy.

"All right. Get dressed and we'll leave," I ordered and they hurried out of the room and went into their respective rooms to get dressed.

DANIEL

We are in Bridge Town where Kath and Earl live and are currently playing basketball with my triplets cousins ​​and fortunately, they are also having fun.

Earl isn't here now because he's wandering around so, only the four of us are playing.

"When I grow up I want to be like you, Daniel!" said James once shooting the ball in the ring.

"Oh! That's an awesome shot!" I was proud when the ball enters the ring, "just practice and practice so you'll get better. I used to be like that, my dad always teaches me."

Walter looked the other way, "I see some kids in the clubhouse. Can we play with them?" he asked and I nodded.

"All right. You can go play with them and behave," I told them and they were happy.

They left to go to the children they saw so I first sat on a bench a little far from the court. Who are those children? Aren't those Kath's siblings?