#BWB18

"Omg Tori! You're trending on twitter with that hashtag who's that girl?" gulat na sabi ni Nicole sa tabi ko

My eyes widened. "What? Really? Where?"

She showed me her phone and I gasped upon seeing my pictures on twitter! The pictures came from the fashion show yesterday. It's all over her timeline.

"Shut the fuck up!" I screamed

"Shh! Kalmahan mo lang te," sabi niya sabay tawa

"Bitch I'm famous," I flipped my hair. 

I took my phone out from my pocket and checked my social media accounts. I was flooded with notifications. My followers tremendously increased! The numbers are going up everytime I refresh my notifications. Ang dami ding nag-dm sa'kin at lahat sila ay kinongcratulate ako. 

"Who's that girl? It's me, the one and only Queen V!" binasa ko ang mga post tungkol sa'kin.

Damn! She's hot! Please someone tell me her name? Who is she? What's her social media accounts?!

She stole the runway! She's the spotlight and everyone is going wild because of her.

Tinaob niya lahat ng kasama niyang models! Siya yung nagdala ng show. For me, she's the best. She protect and she attack! Periodt.

I agree, she's the one who stood out among the girls. Her charisma ang confidence is out of this world! Everything about her screams perfection. Her walk, her beauty, her body, wow. 

I went to the fashion show and she killed it! One day, she's going to be a star.

Konti nalang ay mapuputol na ang labi ko sa sobrang ngiti. I can't stop myself from reading their positive feedbacks about me yesterday on the fashion show. For the past few months, I've only received hate due to my past issues, but I'm glad that I'm able to redeem myself. Finally, the media are starting to recognize me and my fanbase are getting huge overtime. Sana maslalo pa akong sumikat!

"Sorry if I wasn't able to come yesterday. Umalis kasi kami ng family ko e," sabi ni Nicole

"It's okay," ngiti kong sabi habang patuloy padin na binabasa ang posts ng mga tao

I honestly don't care anymore if my friends didn't come. I have no hard feelings for them whatsoever. I just looked on the positive side which is, my fans and supporters.

I sat down on the bench and decided to post the photos of me including the backstage shots yesterday in the fashion show. I posted it and tagged my fellow-candidates and wrote a sweet caption to my fans.

Inangat ko ang paningin ko at nagulat ako dahil biglang nawala si Nicole. Tumingin ako sa paligid at walang tao sa hallway namin. Binalik ko na ang phone ko sa bulsa at pumuntang CR upang magpalit ng pang P.E. namin. The color of our shirt is white and gray with a small wolf print on the side. Kulay gray naman ang jogging pants namin. I looked at the mirror and tied my hair into a highponytail.

Pagkalabas ko ng CR ay may nakita akong isang grupo ng estudyante sa dulo ng hallway. They were all girls and I was surprised to see a familiar face among them. Nanlaki ang mata ko noong tinulak ng isang babae ang kasama niya sa pader. Agad ko silang nilapitan at huminto ako para pakinggan ang usapan nila.

"Ano? Purket naging parte ka na ng squad ni Victoria, yumabang ka na. Hindi ka na namamansin. Ano kaya kung iapgkalat ko na ikaw na pinaabort mo yung anak mo? Ano sa tingin mo ang reaksiyon ng school at ng mga kakalse natin?"

"Bakit? Sa tingin mo ba hindi namin malalaman? How sad that your boyfriend dumped you after he found out that your pregnant. My condolences to the baby you killed."

"You think your popular now, just because you're in her squad? Who do you think you are? Ginagamit ka lang nila, at ikaw naman uto uto. Their squad is filled with fake entitled bitches that think they rule the school. At ikaw? Gusto mong maging parte sa kanila, for what, for fame? Sa tingin mo mamahalin ka din ng tao kapag nangyari iyon? No. All of the students here are acting like they love them but the truth is, they hate them."

"Don't be blinded by their fame Andi. Wala naman silang inatupag kundi magpaganda, magpasikat, at magpapansin. They are a bunch of social climbers and fame whores who flex their wealth in social media. Ang totoxic nila, hindi mo ba napapansin yun?"

The girls cornered Andi in the wall. Unti-unti siyang umatras habang nakatingin sa mga kaibiagn niya. Yumuko siya at pumikit ng mariin habang nanginginig ang nakakuyom niyang kamao. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at tuluyan na silang nilapitan.

"Hey!" I yelled

Lahat sila ay napatingin sa'kin, including Andi. Nanlaki ang mata niya sa biglaan kong pagdating.

"Oh, looks who's here. Victoria who acts like a hero, again," sabi sa'kin nung isang babae

I scoffed. "Who says I'm a hero? I'm a villain who punished another villain."

They laughed at my statement. "Who do you think you are? I don't care if you're the most popular girl here in school. 

"I also don't care if you're the type of girl who says 'I'm not like other girls' because honey, your the same just like everybody else. A bully and cheap in one. I don't like cheap catfights but that doesn't mean I tolerate your actions and attitude. Akala niyo naman, kinaganda niyo ang pangbubully niyo?" sabi ko at nilapitan si Andi

I smiled weakly and held her hand. "Okay ka lang?"

Malungkot siyang ngumiti at tumango. Nakayuko padin siya hanggang ngayon. 

"Let's go," hinila ko ang kamay niya at sabay na kaming naglakad palayo. Mas binilisan ko ang lakad at gano'n din siya. We turned our back to the bullies.

"Sige! Magsama kayo, mga toxic!" sigaw nila sa likod namin

Hindi namin sila pinansin hanggang sa makarating kami sa gym. Nagulat ako dahil bigla siyang bumitaw sa'kin.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What's wrong?"

Umiling siya at tipid na ngumiti. "Nothing. Thanks for saving me."

I held her shoulder. "Don't mention it. H'wag mo nalang pansinin yung mga sinabi nila sa'yo. Just don't hesitate to tell me if they bully you again."

She nodded. "Sige, mauuna na ako," sabi niya at mabilis na naglakad palayo. 

Nagulat ako dahil biglang sumulpot sa magkabilang tabi ko si Nicole at Aubrey. "Tori! Buti nandito ka na! Saan ka ba nangaling?"

"Bakit? Anong meron? Shuta, pinagalitan nanaman ba ako ni coach-"

Umiling sila. "It's Jared and Ross. They're having a basketball match."

"O tapos? Ano namang meron-"

"They have a bet. Si Jared ay ang unang naghamon kay Ross. He said that if he wins then Ross must leave you alone."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What the fuck? Tang ina ang corny ah. Ano sila? Highschool? Fuck. Where are they?" sabi ko at nilagpasan sila

Nang tuluyang makalapit sa gym ay nagulat ako dahil magkaharap sina Ross at Jared sa isa't isa habang may bola sa gitna nila. They are also wearing their P.E. uniforms. Tumingin ako sa paligid at wala akong nakitang teacher, maski coach namin. Puro mga kaibigan ko ang nandito. Binalik ko ang tingin sa dalawa. Matalim ang titig nila sa isa't isa na parang halimaw na mangangain.

I sighed and rolled my eyes before stepping inside the court. Pumwesto ako sa harapan nila at humalukipkip. "What the fuck are you doing?"

"Bida bida nanaman siya," may narinig akong nagsalita sa likod ko. I think it was Karina's voice.

"Stay out of this Victoria," malamig na sabi ni Jared

Napailing nalang ako.

This is the cringiest moment of my life. I can't imagine that two guys are fighting over me. Siguro kapag sa ibang babae ay kikiligin sila pero ako? Ako yung nahihiya para sa kanila. I'm getting a second hand embarrassment towards them.

"And you agreed to him Ross? Seriously?" tumingin ako sa kanya. "Ano namang pinusta mo? Makipag-break siya sa'kin, gano'n?"

"Tayo nalang kayang tatlo magpustahan. May mas maganda akong offer sa inyo?" lumapit ako sa kanilang dalawa at inakbayan sila. "Lapit kayo dali," nagkatinginan sila sa isa't isa. Sumunod naman sila sa'kin. Lumuhod sila ng konti para maabot ako. Mas nilapit ko sila sa'kin para kaming tatlo lang ang makakarinig ng sasabihin ko. "How about this. Why don't you, stay the fuck away from me. Both of you. Gets niyo?" ngiti kong sabi

Bumuntong hininga si Jared at lumayo sa'min. Dumistansiya din ako kay Ross pagkatapos.

"Tori-" 

"What? You think I'm a pushover?" sabi ko kay Jared

Pumikit siya dahil sa inis. He's slowly losing his patience and so am I. 

"Hindi ako bola na pwede niyong pagpasapsahan," dagdag ko habang tinitignan silang dalawa

Tumingin ako kay Ross. "At ikaw naman? Pumayag ka naman sa deal ng gagong ito? Nag-pauto ka naman?"

"Gago?" Jared scoffed

"Oo gago na cheater!"

I heard gasps from the people behind me. Hindi siguro nila inaasahan na sasabihin ko iyon.

I sighed in frustration. "Look, nanahimik ako dito. Doon kayo sa kanto mag-away kung gusto niyo. At pwede ba, huwag niyo kong idamay sa gulo niyo."

"Fine. Sorry na," sabi ni Jared. He didn't sound sincere. Parang napipilitan lang siya sabihin iyon para hindi siya magmukhang masama. Alam kong naiinis padin siya sa sinabi ko at kay Ross.

Napailing ako. "Ang aga aga, sinisira niyo araw ko," tinalikuran ko na sila.

Pinanood lang kami ng mga kaibigan namin. Hindi ko pinansin ang mga mata nila sa'kin. Dinampot ko ang bola ng volleyball sa sahig at nag-practice nalang ng palo ko sa pader. Sinigurado ko na malayo ako sa kanila. 

"Okay guys! Start na tayo ng training!" sigaw ni Karina. Narinig ko nalang ang sunod sunod na talbog ng bola. I ignored it and continued to practice my spike.

Ilang sandali ay may narinig akong yapak galing sa likod ko papalapit sa'kin.

"Tori.." 

I already knew who that person is behind me. Hindi ko siya pinansin.

"I'm sorry," he said

Mas lalo kong nilakasan ang pagpalo para sadyaing hindi marinig ang boses niya kahit na natural na mahina talaga ang boses niya.

"Anong sabi mo?"

"I said I'm sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn't have agreed to," his voice was drowned by my hard and strong spikes

"What? Sorry, I can't hear you," I said

I stiffened when I felt him behind my back. Naramdaman kong tumama ang balat namin. If I move my head, I'm sure I'll find his on my shoulder. Huminto ako kaya bumagsak ang bola sa sahig.

"I said I'm sorry," he whispeered in my ear. He was too damn close. I can feel his hot breath on my skin.

I swallowed hard. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ako makagalawa. My body just froze on the ground.

"Galit ka pa?" malambing niyang sabi

"Sa tingin mo?" masungit kong sabi

Hindi siya sumagot kaya humarap na ako sa kanya. I glared at him. "Wala pa ngang five minutes ang nakalipas simula nung nangyari tapos tinatanong mo agad ako kung galit pa ako? Oo galit pa ko."

He avoided my gaze and rubbed his neck. "Sorry ulit," ngiti niyang sabi

"Ugh! You're so annoying," inis kong sabi at nilagpasan na siya

***

"Bye guys," paalam ko sa mga kaibigan ko after training. Madilim na ang gabi at kasalukuyan akong naglalakad pabalik sa dorm. I'm still in my P.E. uniform. Nagpalit lang ako ng pang-itaas dahil pinawisan ako.

Habang naglalakad pauwi ay kinuha ko ang phone ko at binasa ang mga messages ng fans ko sa'kin. Hindi ko ulit maiwasang hindi mapangiti.

"Pst! Miss!" rinig kong tawag ng mga lalaki sa kanto

Hindi ko sila pinansin at dire-diretso lang sa paglakad.

"Hi ganda. Kamusta?" tawag ulit nila

Madilim na sa parte na nilalakaran ko, tanging poste nalang ang nagsisilbing ilaw namin. Nilipat ko ang bag ko sa harap at maslalong binilisan ang paglakad

"Oh, teka lang. Saan ka pupunta?" nagulat ako dahil biglang may isang lalaki na humarang sa'kin. Amoy yosi siya at alak. Unti-unti nila akong pinalibutan.

Nagtawanan sila habang nakatingin sa'kin. "Ang ganda nito, ang kinis, at bata pa. Mukhang masarap," punong-puno ng pagnanasa ang mukha nila

Kinilabutan ako sa mga sinabi nila. Pakiramdam ko ay minomolesta na nila agad ako kahit na hindi pa nila ako hinahawakan. Sa tono palang ng boses nila ay diring diri na ako.

"Excuse me," malamig kong sabi at nilagpasan sila

Nagulat ako dahil biglang may humila sa braso ko. Agad kong sinampal ang lalaki. Nagulat siya sa ginawa ko, pati ang mga kasama niya.

"Aba! Tang ina mo ah. Bakit mo ko sinampal?!" sinugod niya ako at hinila ang kwelyo ng uniporme ko

Tinulak ko siya palayo at malakas na hinampas ng bag ko. "Putang ina mo gago! Bastos!" sigaw ko at mabilis na tumakbo palayo

Naramdaman kong hinabol nila ako kaya maslalo kong binilisan ang pagtakbo. Hindi ako lumingon. Binuksan ko ang flashlight ng phone ko para makita ang dinadaanan ko. Unti-unti ko nang naaninag ang dorm ko. Malapit nang maubos ang hininga ko kakatakbo kaya tinodo ko na ang natitira kong lakas at mabilis na tumakbo.

"Ma'am, ayos lang kayo-" sabi sa'kin guard

Tumigil ako at napaluhod sa sahig. Inalalayan niya ako. "Ma'am. Ano pong nangyari?"

"May mga lalaking humahabol sa'kin," ituturo ko na sana sa kanya ang lalaking iyon pero nagulat ako dahil wala na sila sa kalsada. Nilibot ko ang paningin ko at maski anino nila ay wala

"Po? Asan po sila?"

Hinawakan ko ang dibdib ko dahil medyo kumirot. Mabilis akong hingalin kaysa sa ibang normal na tao kaya pagod na pagod ako ngayon. Pumikit ako ng mariin at unti-unting tumayo.

"Ayos na po kayo ma'am?" nag-aalala niyang sabi

"Okay na ko," mahina kong sabi at naglakad na palayo. Inayos ko ang bag ko sa balikat ko at dumiretso na sa dorm ko

Pagkapasok ko sa dorm ay sumandal ako sa pinto. Hindi pa din mawala sa isip ko ang nangyari. It wasn't the first time that I got catcalled. Actually, I always get catcalled whenever I commute to school, kahit uwian. But it was my first time being cornered by three men. Nakakatakot, maslalo na at gabi pa. I was lucky that I escaped, if not, they probably have sexually harassed me. Until now, I'm still catching my breath. Pakiramdam ko ay tumakbo ako ng isang daang kilometro.

I startled when my phone rang from my pocket. Kinuha ko iyon at nakita ang pangalan ni Jared. I don't know f I should answer it or not but in the end, I did.

"H-hello?"

"Tori? Nakauwi ka na sa dorm?"

I gulped. My throat felt dry. "Oo. Kakauwi lang."

I'm still mad at him for what he did earlier but I wasn't in the mood to argue with him anymore after what just happened to me.

"I just want to say sorry again to you. Kung pwede, yayain kitang lumabas bukas."

I scoffed. "What for?"

"Look, I just want to make up to you. Let's work on our relationship. Ayoko ng ganito."

"Seriously? After I saw you with some chic? Wala namang patutunguhan itong relasyon natin e, ni wala nga tayong label," namalat ang boses ko. Umubo ako.

"Wala akong ibang babae Tori. Pangako, ikaw lang. Magtulungan naman tayo. Hindi pwedeng ako lang yung nag-aadjust para sa relasyon natin."

I was about to speak but something stuck on my throat that's why I coughed again.

"Ayos ka lang ba? Masama ba pakiramdam mo?"

"I'm f-fine."

"You sure? You don't sound so fine."

I sighed and slammed my head on the wall. "Kanina noong pauwi ako ay muntikan na akong mabastos ng mga lalaki sa kanto."

"What?! Are you serious? Ano ba kasing suot mo? Baka naman masyado nanamang revealing yung suot mo kaya ka nabastos."

I scoffed. "Suot ko? Yun yung tanong mo?" tumingin ako sa suot ko. "Naka-itim na t-shirt ako na oversized at jogging pants. Balot na balot ako Jared. Wala yun sa suot ko."

I don't know why some people are blaming us women for being harassed. Kami ang biktima pero kami ang sinisisi. It's not about how the way we dress, it's about the filthy minds of those fucking perverts. Wearing revealing clothes or clothes that show too much skin is not an invitation for sexual harassment. When will people learn? When will victim blaming stop? Maski sanggol ay nirarape, how can people defend it? Rape exists because of rapist.

"Natural kasi lalaki din kami e, may times na madali kaming matukso-"

I sighed in frustration. "I can't believe you're saying this. That's your problem anymore and not mine. You should be responsible of your own actions," sabi ko. "I'm tired. Sa ibang araw nalang tayo mag-usap," hindi ko na hinintay pa ang sagot niya at agad na binaba ang tawag

Naglakad ako patungo sa kama at humiga. Hindi na ako nagbihis dahil sa sobrang antok. Unti-unting bumagsak ang mata ko haggang sa makatulog.

I woke up when I heard someone knocking at my door. I groaned and covered my head with a pillow.

"Tori! Are you awake? It's me. Jared," rinig ko sa labas ng pinto ko

What the hell is he doing here? 

Kinapa ko ang phone ko sa kama at tinignan ang oras. It's almost past lunch time. Kinusot ko ang mata ko at unti-unting bumangon.

"Tori!"

"Tang ina, hindi makapag-hintay?!" sigaw ko at padabog na tumayo

Pumunta ako sa pinto at binuksan iyon. Tumabad si Jared sa harap ko na bihis na bihis. He's wearing a black shirt and a denim pants. He's also wearing the shoes I gave him. May hawak-hwak siyang bulaklak.

"Goodafternoon. Here," he said and handed me the bouquet of sunflowers

"What are you doing here?" I asked lazily

"I came here to apologize. Kagabi 'di ba, niyaya kitang kumain sa labas."

"I'd rather sleep in bed all day than hang out with you," I was about to close the door when he placed his foot inside

"Wait. Tori, let me explain."

Binuksan ko ulit ang pintuan. He sighed and fixed his shirt.

"Ayaw mo talaga akong tigilan 'no?" inis kong sabi. "Alam mo? Gwapo ka sana e, kaso ang pangit ng ugali mo."

He sighed. "Hindi ako titigil hanggat hindi naayos ang relasyon natin. Please give me a chance Tori. I promise to be a better man. I know I've made mistakes from the past and I regret it. Just one date. I'll prove to you that I deserve to be your man."

This guy just won't let me live in peace huh? If I'd say yes, will he stop bugging me? Siguradong hindi. But if I say no, will he? Most likely not. I really have no choice. 

"Just give me an hour, or two," I shut the door again

Dumiretso ako sa banyo upang maligo. Afterwards, I changed into my clothes. I wore an orange tube top that has a leopard print in it and a black shiny highwaisted pants and paired it up with a pair of white heels. I wore some accessories like a gold necklace that has a diamond pendant and my gold watch. Kinuha ko din ang itim kong shoulder bag at sinuot sa balikat.

"Are you done yet? My knees are numb."

"Sino ba may sabi sa'yong maghintay sa diyan? You could have waited in the car. I'm still doing my make-up," I said and applied a nude lipstick on my lips. 

Nilagay ko ang buhok ko sa likod at naglagay din ng setting spray sa mukha. I took a bunch of selfies before I went to the door. I opened it and saw him leaning on the wall.

"I'm done. Let's go," sabi ko at dire-diretsong naglakad

"You look great," sabi niya nang makahabol sa'kin

"Gee. Thanks," I said sarcastically

Tumikhim siya at hindi na nagabalang sumagot. Pati sa kotse ay tahimik lang kami. After an hour, we arrived at a well-known restaurant. Hindi ko na siya hinintay na pagbuksan niya ako ng pinto dahil ako na ang naunang lumabas.

"Table for how many ma'am, sir?" sabi sa'min ng waiter pagkapasok namin sa loob

"I have a reservation," sabi ni Jared

I scoffed. "Wow."

It's his first time that he reserved a table for us. I realized that this is probably our first date. Dates are really not my thing. Before, we just normally fuck and go. 

The waiter guided us on our tables. Ako na ang unang umupo sa kanya. I immediately opened the menu.

"May inorder na ako para sa'tin," sambit niya

My lips parted. "Ahh talaga? Ano?"

"Iyong grilled pork at chicken," turo niya sa may menu

"Okay," I said and put down the menu

Habang naghihintay kaming dumating ang pagkain namin ay kinuha ko ang phone ko at nag-scroll sa social media accounts ko.

"Tori," he called

"What?"

"We should talk."

"We are talking."

"I'm serious."

"Really?" I scoffed and looked at him

He sighed. "I don't understand why are you like this. Okay naman tayo noong una ah. May iba ka na bang gusto?"

"Kapag sinabi kong oo, titigilan mo na ba ako?" hamon ko

"No."

I rolled my eyes and went back to my phone.

"I told you. I want a serious relationship with you."

"I'm not ready for a serious relationship. Okay? Hindi mo ba ako naintindihan? Besides, hindi ko pa nakakalimutan na nakita kitang may kasamang ibang babae sa mall."

He clicked his tongue, a bit pissed. "We were just friends-"

I arched my brow. "So iniba mo na excuse mo? As far as I could remember, you told me you were with the guys."

Umawang ang labi niya. Pumutla din iyon. Hindi siya nakasagot.

Good thing our food has arrived and it broke the tension between us. I thanked the waiter when he put the food on our table. Uminom muna ako ng tubig bago nagsimulang kumain.

"Sarap ah," sabi ko habang ngumunguya

Pinanood niya lang ako habang kumakain. His phone suddenly rang on the table. I looked at it and saw a woman's name on the caller I.D. Bigla niyang binaba ang tawag.

I smiled weakly. "Bakit hindi mo sinagot," I said as I sliced the meat. "Sino ba yun?"

Umiling siya. "It's not important."

Tumango tango ako. Agad niyang kinuha ang phone niya at mabilis na pinasok sa bulsa niya. I heard it rang again. Tinignan ko siya. Nagtama ang mata namin. He immediately looked away.

"Bakit ba ayaw mong sagutin? Okay lang naman sa'kin."

"We're on a date Tori."

"Well, can you atleast tell me who she is?"

"I told you. It's no one. Just a random stranger," he said and started to eat

I nodded and drank my ice tea. "CR lang ako," sabi ko at tumayo

Naglakad ako patungo sa CR. Hindi siya masyadong malayo sa lamesa namin. Nang makalayo, ay lumingon ako sa lamesa namin at nakita kong may kausap si Jared sa phone. Unti-unti akong bumalik, maingat at tahimik para hindi niya ako mapansin. Huminto ako at pinakinggan ang usapan nila.

"I told you. Tori is so hard to handle. Pakiramdam ko may alam na siya. Look, I'm trying my best here. Kilala niyo naman siya 'di ba? She hates me. Nahihirapan din ako dito. Sa tingin niyo ba madali lang kunin ang tiwala niya? Hindi."

"E 'di gumawa ka ng paraan! My God Jared!"

I can't believe I can also hear the voice in the other line. I knew it was a girl but I don't fullu understand what they were talking about. Pakiramdam ko ay isa sa mga babae niya ang kausap niya.

"I am alright? Just give me more time. Okay. I understand. Sige na sige na, baka pabalik na yun. Bye," he said and ended the call. 

Tumingin siya sa paligid at ako naman ay nagtago sa pader. I took a peek and saw him texting on his phone. I stayed there for a few minutes before walking back to our table.

"Hey," I smiled. "Sorry, haba ng pila sa CR," umupo na ulit ako

"It's fine. Let's eat," he smiled back and dived unto his food

"Did you order us desserts?" I asked

"Of course."

Uminom ako ng tubig bago tumingin ulit sa kanya. "Jared."

"Yes?"

"Mahal mo ba talaga ako o ginagago mo lang ako?" diretso kong sabi

Bigla siyang nasamid sa sinabi ko. Hindi ko inalis ang paningin sa kanya. I watch him as he drank his water and wiped his mouth using a napkin. He sighed and held my hand that's on top of the table. "I love you Tori. Are you really doubting my feelings for you?"

"Yes."

"Look, I know we had a rough start. Wala namang perpektong relasyon. What we need is trust. Stop overthinking things. Alam kong may pagkakamali din ako pero sana mapatawad mo ako. Nagkamali ka din naman noon ah, pero pinatawad kita agad," he said and squeezed my hands

I swallowed hard. I started to think that maybe I was too harsh on him. Maybe, I am overthinking. I was reminded of my past relationships. It all didn't work out. Si Jared lang ang naging pinakamatagal kong relasyon. Siya lang din yung nag-effort nang ganito. 

But why do I feel like something is not right?

There's something holding me back. I don't know why.

It's like my mind is playing tricks on me again.

Hindi ko alam kung seryoso nga ba siya sa mga sinasabi niya sa'kin. 

Am I being deceived or am I just overthinking?

"Hindi ko naman gagawin ang lahat ng ito kung hindi kita mahal 'di ba?" he added and kissed the top of my hand

Tinignan niya ako gamit ang mapupungay niya na mga mata.

How can his words sound sincere but his eyes tell otherwise? Alin ang paniniwalaan ko?

Agad akong umiwas ng tingin dahil ayokong mahulog. 

Ayokong mahulog sa mga mata niya na punong puno ng kasinungalingan.