Streisand Effect

The sky is a breathtakingly beautiful canvas of darkness, with an infinite number of stars twinkling like diamonds against the blackness.

As i gaze up at the sky, the stars seem to pulse with a gentle, ethereal light, as if they're alive and vibrating with an otherworldly energy.

The moon, a silver crescent or full orb, casts a gentle glow over the landscape, illuminating the trees, hills, and valleys with an soft, lunar light.

"Lauren." Boses ni Elaine.

I swallow the alcohol drink before answering her. "Mm Elaine?"

Nakaupo si Elaine sa pintuan ng tent habang hawak ang bote ng wine. "Sa tingin mo ba.." Our eyes met. "Matutupad natin ang mga plano at pangarap natin sa buhay?"

And I really think of it.

"Plans can changed in any moment Elaine." I answered her — as the night air is filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, the earthy smell of damp soil, and the faint tang of wood smoke, carried on the breeze from distant campfires. "But dreams do come true if we really work hard for it."

"Right." Reluctant na sabi nya.

Kaya nilingon ko si Elaine. "Why the question?"

She shrug. "Wala naman." At uminom sya ng wine. "Siguro pressured lang."

Oh i know.

Si Elaine ang magtatake over ng lahat ng business nila — as in everything.

"I don't want to get married." I could hear the sadness through her voice. "Gusto ko pang mag - enjoy, mag travel." This time nagkatitigan kaming dalawa. "With you."

Napangiti ako at tumayo, tahimik na tumabi kay Elaine. "We will." I turn my face to her. "Pero libre ko na."

Elaine laugh softly. "No way —"

"Yes way." I argue. "Ako naman ang babawi sayo."

"Lauren, you do not have to —"

"But i want to." Aba hindi ako magpapatalo. "Ang dami mong nagawa for me Elaine at.."

"Lauren." Pag buntong hininga nya sabay hawak sa kamay ko at pinagsalikop ang mga daliri namin. "Kahit kailan ay hindi ko kinuwenta yong mga bagay na binigay ko sayo." To my surprise, Elaine bring my hand to her lips and kisses it. "I did it for you ng walang kapalit."

"I know." I gently squeeze her palm. "Pero gusto ko din talagang bumawi sayo."

Naka titig sakin si Elaine. "If trips, I'm okay with ticket na ilibre mo, other than that ako na."

"Fine." As we seal the deal.

"But for now ako muna." Sambit nya.

And i didn't say anything. Basta babawi nalang ako kapag kapasa na sa bar, nakapag trabaho at may sariling kita.

We just talk about goals and plans the whole night. Until it's 11 at halos tulog na ang mga kapwa naming nagcacamping dito.

Pero nagpunta muna ako sa comfort room para mag toothbrush.

Pagliko ko ay nagulat ako dahil may nakasalubong ako — nagkabanggaan kaming dalawa.

"Ay —" Nabitawan ko ang toothbrush ko, at sya ang cellphone nya. Agad kong dinampot ang cellphone nya, baka kasi nasira — gosh baka magbayad pa ako. "I'm sorry."

At inabot ko sa kanya ang cellphone.

Kinuha nya naman ito. "Thank you." She did not check her phone though kung may sira ba or whatever.

Kaya nagtataka ko syang tinignan, and she's pretty. "Hindi mo lang ba i chcheck?"

But she just shrug her shoulder. "It's fine." At nagtama ang mata namin. "My phone is durable."

Edi wow sana all.

Still, I'm worried. "Are you sure?"

"Oo naman." Pinakita nya pa sakin ang screen ng cellphone nya. "See? It's perfectly fine."

Great.

I had a good sigh of relief.

"By the way." Ngumiti sya sakin at inilahad ang kamay sakin. "I'm Setty."

Without a doubt i take it. "Lauren."

Setty give me a squeeze habang nakatitig sa mukha ko. "That's a beautiful name."

"Thank you." I'm just being nice.

At binawi ko na ang kamay ko.

"Bago kayo dito?" Setty asked curiously.

Tumango ako. "Oo, first time."

"I see." Tumango tango sya. "Gusto mo mag coffee?"

Napakamot baba ako. "Next time nalang siguro." I declined her politely. "May kasama kasi ako na naghihintay sakin —"

"It's okay." Malumanay nyang sabi. "Basta kapag nagkita ulit tayo, bawal na next time."

Natawa ako ng mahina. "Sure Setty, no problem."

Setty give me her last wave of goodbye bago sya tuluyang umalis.

Dinampot ko ang toothbrush ko mula sa sahig at dumaretso na sa comfort room to do my personal business.

Malamig na hangin ang tumatama sa mukha ko habang naglalakad pabalik sa tent.

Sobrang payapa ang ganitong lugar, walang ingay mula sa mga sasakyan kundi mula sa mga insekto lang.

I see Elaine fixing our bed inside the tent.

"Do you need help?" I asked.

Pero umiling sya. "Patapos narin."

Konting ayos pa at okay na.

Hinarap ako ni Elaine Pagkatapos. "Who is that girl?"

"Ha?" At first I'm confused. "Girl? Sino?"

"The one you are talking to in the comfort room." Sagot ni Elaine.

I just stare at her a little longer this time. Wondering something. "Teka paano mo nalaman?"

"I saw you." Umikot pa nga ang mata nya sakin.

Natawa ako dahil ang cute nya. "Nagkabanggaang kasi kami ni Setty.."

"Oh. You know her name." Ang talim ng tingin nya.

Lumapit ako sa tent at maingat na pumasok. Umupo ako sa tabi ni Elaine. "She asked for it." As i lay the side of my head against her shoulder. "Mm I'm tired, i want sleep."

Elaine reach for my face and gently caress it. "Alright, let's rest na."

I make sure the tent is closed para Iwas mangangagat na insekto or whatever.

Malamig naman.

Mahangin sa labas.

Pag dikit ko ay nakatulog agad ako. Pagod din kasi — puyat.

I don't know how long I've been sleeping pero nagising dahil sa lakas ng hangin.

When i open my eyes, i see Elaine sitting next to me.

I'm actually surprised. "Elaine?" Nilingon nya ako. "Bakit hindi ka pa natutulog?"

" I can't sleep." Pero tunog antok sya.

"Why?"

"I don't know.."

I continue. "May masakit?"

Umiling si Elaine. "Wala naman."

Oh...

So i reach my hands for her. "Come on, I'll hug you till you fall asleep."

Elaine immediately hug me as she lay down —hugging and cuddling to her. I could feel her heart beats against her chest — it's so fast.

Wow.

It's amazing.