"Anak, come here!"

"Wait po!"

I have a morning class today, and Daddy told me he was going to pick me up para ihatid sa uni. It's been months since the last time he visited me sa bahay ni Mommy.

Sumakay na ako sa red SUV sa harap ng gate. Dad was smiling at me and took my bag so I could fix my seatbelt.

"Where's Tita Hellen?" I asked about his wife.

"Sa flower shop. I'll pick her up after this."

"I loved the flowers she sent me last time. Like din ni Gina. Tell her I said hi." I smiled at Daddy and took my bag.

"I will, honey."

Dad drove along Dolleton paalis. I studied in FE Alabang before, a few streets away from Mommy's house, and had to transfer to FE Manila to study in college under the tourism course.

My parents were separated. It wasn't that sad since they were still good friends. Walang third party sa kanila. After their annulment when I was five, nagkaroon na sila ng sariling buhay.

Daddy married Tita Hellen, a florist and store owner sa Dangwa and sa Araneta. Mom has a girl partner named Gina. Nagpakasal sila sa Los Angeles two years ago, and they managed several gun shops in the Metro. It was easy for them since Mom's family works in the gun industry.

Mom was the one who initiated the annulment when she found out that they couldn't work the relationship out anymore. It was a healthy breakup for me kasi hindi emotionally drained si Mom even after she learned na hindi niya gusto ang asawang lalaki.

Dad is a good man, and he wanted my mom to be happy even if he wasn't the reason for that happiness anymore. I didn't feel a lack of love or toxicity between them kasi para lang akong nagkaroon ng extended family. There were times na sama-sama kaming nagdi-dinner as a family.

"Mr. Ybañez called, running for president's lister ka raw," Dad said, and I nodded.

"Yes, Dad! I'm keeping my grades high para puwede na ulit akong makapag-China by April."

Dad chuckled and nodded. "As you should."

My dad, Adrian Chua, is the youngest son of the owner of Asia Lite Brewery. Exporter at importer sila ng iba't ibang mga alak na sinu-supply sa restaurants na nagke-cater ng exotic food at Asian cuisine. Isa sa mga client din nila ang family ng isa sa directors ng school, si Sir Ybañez. Although si Daddy, working siya ngayon abroad at kauuwi lang for a vacation.

8 a.m. ang class ko, and after we headed to Morayta, ibinaba na ako ni Daddy sa may entrance ng building namin. May three cars pang naka-park din sa unahan niya at nakikita ko na ang iba kong classmates.

"How about your last class, honey?" Dad asked after he opened the car's door for me.

"Night class po ako. Seven po ang out."

"Oh." Dad frowned, and I understood what that meant. He needed to be with Tita before six kasi susunduin pa niya sa flower shop.

"It's okay po. Susunduin ako ni Gina."

"Much better." He smiled at me and kissed me on the forehead. "Sunday, may family dinner. Sabay na kayo ng mommy mo pumunta."

"Sure thing, Dad. I love you!"

"I love you too, honey."

My dad is the sweetest dad in the universe. He loves to travel, and he always takes me abroad if there's a chance. I was planning to go to Beijing this coming summer and was looking forward ako na makita siya sa bahay ng grandparents namin doon.

Malapit naman na ang closing ng school. Puwede na ulit akong mag-out of town.

Kinuha ko na ang phone ko para i-text si Lesley. May class kami ngayon sa Retorika, sabi niya, nasa campus na siya by 8.

Next class ko, two in the afternoon pa. Isang subject lang ang 8 to 9.

Si Jules, na-take na niya ang Retorika last year pa. Back subjects na lang ang kinukuha niya na kasama kami. By next academic year, third year na siya. Hindi na rin namin siya masyadong makakasama kasi puro na siya major subjects.

"Oh my God!" I threw my phone in the air when a hot liquid poured and soaked my arms, and someone slipped in front of me.

"Aray, putang—"

Oh my God, my right arm was burned!

"Daddy . . ."

Sobrang hapdi ng kung anong tumapon sa akin. Namumula na ang balat ko. Naiiyak na ako habang nakatingin sa paligid para manghingi ng tulong.

"Daddy, help . . ."

I was weeping quietly and searched for my phone while holding my arm carefully.

"Uy, sorry! Okay ka lang?" A hand grabbed my shoulder and let me face him. "Ay, put—okay ka lang?"

"Leo . . ." I was sobbing as I stared at his worried face. "Ang sakit . . ."

"Taragis talaga. Saglit!"

Everyone was looking at us. Leo was searching for something on the floor. Nakihanap din ako ng phone ko. He picked up his things. There was a cup of coffee spilled in front of me.

My arm felt a sore sting. I was having goose bumps because of the pain. I was about to pick up my phone when he grabbed it first and looked at me with discomfort in his eyes.

"May klase ka?" he asked, brows furrowed, annoyed.

I only nodded to say yes.

"Ngayon?"

I nodded again.

"Sinong prof?"

"Si Ma'am Garcia."

Napasuklay siya ng buhok saka napatingin sa paligid namin. "Sino 'yon?" mahinang tanong niya sa kung saan na parang may hinahanap.

"Okay lang . . . I'll go na lang sa restroom."

"Sira. Tara sa clinic." Then he grabbed my other arm and pulled me like a guilty prisoner towards the other building next to ours.

I wanted to appreciate Leo helping me right now, pero ang sakit talaga ng napaso kong braso. Namumula na ang skin ko, and feeling ko, para na itong lumolobo kahit hindi naman.

He walked so fast, and kahit lakad lang niya, para na akong tumatakbo para lang makasabay. I looked at my arm na hawak niya nang mahigpit. Sobrang higpit, parang may masama akong ginawa.

The clinic was located in the other building, kaso pagdating namin doon, closed pa.

"Buwisit naman." Leo was murmuring something I couldn't understand.

"Leo, it's okay. I'll soak it in cold water na lang."

"Yung blouse mo, may tapon ng kape," galit na sabi niya.

"Okay lang . . . tatakpan ko na lang ng bag."

"Wala ka bang ibang alam sabihin kundi okay lang? Nakakarindi ka."

Napayuko ako. "Sorry."

He sighed, and the other students were looking at us kasi nagtataas na ng voice niya si Leo. Ang daming students ng morning class, nakikita nila kaming nagtatalo.

"Sige na nga, pumunta ka na lang sa restroom. Bahala ka na diyan."

"Okay."

Then he left me in that building na malayo sa room ko at sa nearest restroom na alam ko.

Okay lang . . .

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin habang naglalakad sa hall pabalik sa kung saan kami galing na building.

Okay lang.

♥♥♥

"MARE, NASAAN na 'yon at ako ang sasapak!"

"Lesley, it's okay."

"'Tang inang 'yan, 'be! Iniwan si ganda matapos pasuin? Kung ako 'yon, kahit guwapo ka pa, ingungudgod kita sa sahig na puno ng kape, gago ka ba?"

Lesley was overacting. Nakatayo siya at palakad-lakad habang nasa canteen kami sa labas ng school at naghihintay ng afternoon class. Jules was giving me the "I told you so" look. May bandage na ang braso ko, hindi na rin masyadong masakit. May pain pero kapag nagagalaw na lang. I changed my blouse ng PE shirt kasi may coffee stain na ang damit ko kanina.

Leo left me after he took me sa clinic na sarado pa. Pumasok akong late sa morning class, but my prof understood when she saw my sore arm and the coffee stains in my blouse. She even told me to go to the clinic kapag bumukas na, and that was after her class, when I checked it again.

Hindi naman daw worst case ang paso, but may pain pa rin kahit ganoon lang.

"B, baka gusto mo nang magpalit ng crush? Ang sakit sa balunbalunan ni Leo, for real e," Jules said.

I couldn't avoid it. Ayoko ring magpalit ng crush.

"Leo was nice naman when we were in high school," I explained. "He even let me borrow his hanky when I was crying because I got three mistakes sa exam."

Biglang nagkamot ng ulo si Jules saka umiwas ng tingin sa akin. "Three mistakes, iniiyakan mo na? Ako nga, three lang ang correct answer, ipinagdiriwang ko pa! Iba ka rin! Ang babaw mo talaga, 'kaburyong."

I will still adore Leo, no matter what. He's a bit nice naman, baka bad mood lang today.

"Ahoy!" We turned our heads to that guy who shouted. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman." Then he pointed to Lesley's face.

"'Tang ina mo, Clark, salot ka buhay ko. Bakit nandito ka na naman?" parang gangster na tanong ni Lesley.

"Nandito ako para sa crush ko, bakit? Papalag ka, brad?" Lumapit si Clark kay Lesley na parang makikipagsuntukan.

"Ang pangit mo, gago." Lesley covered Clark's whole face with her hands and pushed him away.

"Hoy, huwag ang pogi kong face! Palibhasa mas lalaki pa mukha mo sa 'kin, tse!" Clark brushed his imaginary long hair over his shoulder and sat beside Jules.

Makulit si Clark, as in super. He's cute, though, kahit same sila ng skin color ni Leo. He's jollier than his friend. Compared kay Leo, sobrang light ng aura niya. Naka-V-neck shirt siya today and jogging pants. He took nursing last year, pero nag-shift siya ng computer science. I wasn't sure if he still knew what he was doing right now.

"Hello, Kyline my love and forever, how's your sugat?" He carefully touched my arm and inspected it.

"There's a bandage na, Clark. I'm okay na," I told him.

"Pa'no mo nalamang may sugat siya?" tanong ni Lesley.

"Sabi ni Leo, natapunan daw niya ng kape kaya pinapunta ako."

"Gago siya, 'ka mo! Sagad hanggang bone marrow!" sigaw ni Lesley. "Papupuntahin ka kung kailan okay na? Kung life and death situation ang nangyari kay Bellamy, nasa morge na frenny namin!"

"E, bakit ka OA?" sabi ni Clark pagtingin kay Lesley.

"Alam mo, isa ka pang ipinanganak na gago, e. Tara nga rito."

Lesley head-locked Clark, and the latter attempted to wrestle with her.

But still, I appreciated Leo's concern. He asked Clark to be here naman to check up on me. He's nice talaga.

"Hoy, babae." Jules slapped the table, and I was startled for a moment.

"Julie Anne!"

"Alam ko na 'yang mga ganyang ngitian mo," she said, pointing at my face. "Ang gago, gago pa rin. Layuan mo na 'yan."

"But he sent Clark here naman, e," I explained.

"'Be, wala pang alas-otso 'yang paso mo. Ala-una na, gaga! Ano pa'ng gagawin ni Clark dito?" Napatingin si Jules kay Clark saka niya pinalo sa hita kahit sakal pa ni Lesley. "Hoy, lalaki. Saan pala si Ronie at ikaw ang nandito?"

"Ay, oo nga. Nasaan ang asawa ko?" tanong ni Lesley saka binitiwan si Clark.

"Asawa ampota hahaha! Bagay kayong magkumpare."

"Alam mo, lubayan mo nga ako!" Paulit-ulit na hinampas ni Lesley si Clark.

"Manang, 'yong bouncer n'yo, nangangaway, o!"

I chuckled at them. Ang cute nilang panoorin.

"Nasaan nga kasi si Ronie?" sigaw ni Lesley habang tinatadyakan na si Clark.

"May exam nga, pota!" Naghatak na siya ng upuan at kunwaring ibabato kay Lesley. "Sige, isang palo pa."

"Stop na, guys," awat ko. "Magagalit na si Ate Weng sa atin."

Clark glared at Lesley, and so did my friend. Umikot pa siya papunta sa akin para hindi siya malapitan ni Les. He was pointing both of his eyes using his two fingers, and he shifted that to Lesley.

"Sira-ulo," Lesley said in a low voice.

"Kyline my loves, pagsabihan mo 'yang bulldog mo, nakawala na naman."

"Alam mo—" Naghatak na ng upuan si Lesley at inangat na talaga niya sa floor para ibato.

Nagtago agad sa akin si Clark. "O! O, sige, sige ano? Ano?"

"Clark . . ." I calmly called out.

"'Yang alaga mo kasi, Kyline, allergy sa balat ko e."

Clark was almost kneeling in front of me just to hide from Lesley.

"Where's Leo pala?" tanong ko.

"My loves, huwag mo nang hanapin 'yon. Ayaw n'on sa makulit."

"And you're his friend," I joked.

"So, pinepersonal mo 'ko?" he sarcastically answered, but he grinned afterward. "Joke lang, my loves. Sige, saktan mo pa 'ko basta masaya ka diyan."

Tumawa na lang ako nang mahina sa kanya. Sobrang cute talaga ni Clark.

"You want meryenda?" I asked.

"Okay lang, my loves. Babalik din ako sa class."

"You have class pa?"

"Yeah, ngayon na rin. Kaya magpapaalam na ako since okay naman na you." He stood up and hugged me from the left side. "Text-text na lang, ha?" Saglit na nanlaki ang mata ko nang paluin niya si Lesley sa likod. "Bulldog."

"'Tang ina ka talaga!"

Ronie is the sweet guy who visited us here when he had the time to do so, and Clark is the polar opposite of him. Either way, my friends were still chaotic once they visited us here in our tambayan.

"Uy, di ba, nakauwi na daddy mo?" Jules asked after laughing at Clark.

"Yes. Last night."

"Hingi naman kami n'ong dala niyang mamam last time."

And mamam means alcohol in Jules's vocabulary.

"I'll ask Daddy first," I said.

"Kami naman iinom, 'ka mo. Mag-Yakult ka na lang, bebegerl."

"Hahaha! Yeah, sure thing, Jules."

I'll talk to Dad na lang siguro about Jules' request.

I was about to get my phone to ask Dad, yet my phone beeped.

I checked the lone message from an unknown number.

"Hoy okay ka na?"

My heart stopped for a second and came back to beating twice.

Oh my God . . .

Is this Leo?

♥♥♥