"I thought you're gonna be an engineer?" I confusedly ask as I watch him to start drawing, 

He nods, his attention still focused on his sketch pad, "Oo nga," he shortly answered, 

"But what you're doing is an architect's work." I said, he lift his head up, a slight confusion drown on his face, his face slightly tilted and his brows furrowed. 

Iyon na rin 'yon, tsaka gusto ko lang naman na subukan eh. Kaya sige na, sabihin mo na mga details ng gusto mo na bahay." He playfully said which made me giggle and nod, 

"Fine, put a lot of veranda, I want it big but not too big, sakto lang, pero mala castle yung look niya. I want it in all white color, tapos may pool, may garden--"

"Boss sandali lang boss, mahina ang kalaban." he cut me off with a teasing tone, I chuckled and slightly hit his shoulder. I lean closer to him to see what he's working on. To my surprise, he's actually a good artists, the house already have a figure and I can see the details I told him I wanted. I stayed in that positions for minutes, watching him draw, he started putting the terrace I told him too, the size of it is just the way I like it and it looks like  a castle I see on cartoons and movies. 

"Tapos swimming pool dito..." he said as he slightly twist the sketch pad around and starts drawing a pool, I lean closer to him to see the drawing, he's even adding some shades and chairs beside the pool side. 

"You're a good artist pala." I said, attention still focused on his drawing. 

He chuckled, "Sabi sayo eh, baka Inin 'to." he said and it made me giggle. He finished drawing the pool after minutes, he paused which made me confused and face him. 

We both flinched as he turn his face at my direction, our faces inches apart. 

"Uy... baka mag kiss tayo sa lapit na 'yan." he said, I can sense that he is a bit nervous and tensed, and so am I because of the closeness of our faces. 

I gulp, "Why don't you give it a try?" I asked, his eyes slightly widened, I saw him glance at the door's direction at is at my back before he look at my direction once again. 

"Sa cheeks lang, pwede?" he asked that I find it, a small smile crept on my lips and I nod. 

When he pursed his lips, I saw the dimples show up at the side of his lips, I faced my left cheeks to him and I felt his breath closer and closer until his lips touched my face. It was so quick, a peck, it was like a blink of an eye then he pull away immediately. 

"Ang bango mo," he said, he's already standing up, when I saw his face, it made me giggle. 

"You're blushing," I said, even though he has a dark skin tone, just by the look on his face, he's blushing so hard. 

"Hindi ah!" he denied, but he's getting more red and red that even his ears looks like a tomato. 

I raised my brow, "Pero mapula ka." I said, he pouted before running towards their bed, covering his face with a pillow, 

"AHHH!!" he screamed under the pillow which made me burst out laughing, he's so cute!! I can't believed he will look cute like this when he's flattered. 

"Halika na dito, hindi pa tapos yung bahay ko," I told him as I stay sat on my chair, watching him from 4 meters away. 

He remove the pillow from his face and sat up on their bed, looking at me with a pout. 

"Ikaw kasi, pinakiss mo ako sa pisnge mo." he said like a whining kid before standing up and walking back towards me. I chuckled as he sat back down and got a grip on the pencil again. 

I reached for his hair and slightly caress it, "Huwag mo 'kong ginaganyan, Lory, baka maihi ako sa kilig." he said, not even looking at me but it made me burst out laughing. 

He finished the drawing after an hour, he even added other things and other details which made it really beautiful, I'm amazed! 

"Maganda ba? Did I meet your expectations?" he ask while I'm looking at his work. 

I nod, "Yes! So much!!" I said, a wide smile printed on my face.

"Pwede pa hug?" I asked and his eyes widened before hugging himself, "Huwag na, hindi pa ako handa, iyon nga lang kiss kanina halos kapusin ako ng hininga, sa susunod nalang yung hug, ihahanda ko muna yung sarili ko!" he said while hugging which made me giggle. 

"Fine fine, itatabi ko lang 'to, I'll try to photo copy it para may copy ka rin." I said and his brows furrowed. 

"Bakit naman? Diba bahay mo 'yan? Bakit mo 'ko bibigyan ng copy?" he confused ask, I smiled, 

"Siyempre, hindi ko lang 'to bahay 'no, magiging bahay din natin 'to." I said and his eyes widened, 

"Lorryy!!" he whined, covering his face with his both hands. 

"Ikaw naman eh!! Huwag mo nga akong pinapakilig!" he said, making me burst out laughing, throwing my head backwards. 

"Totoo naman eh! We will be living in this house kapag ikinasal na tayo--"

"Lory!! Umuwi kana, gabi na oh! Sige ka, may aswang sa daan!" he cut me off, making me laugh even harder. 

"Fine fine, pero bibigyan pa rin kita." I said, standing up and grabbing my bag, he look at me, a small pout on his lips. 

"Halika, samahan na kita sa labas." he said and I nod, inihatid pa niya ako sa labas hanggang sa makasakay ako sa motor. I started the engine of my motorcycle and ready to go when an idea pop in my mind. 

"Inin, come close." I told him, he seems unsuspicious about it and he did, I pursed my lips before smacking my lips to his cheeks and drive away immediately. A giggle left my lips and I look at my side mirror to see him jumping outside their hut as I drove away, poor guy probably catching his breath by now. 

The following days, I wasn't able to see him personally but we keep in-touch by messaging and updating each other about our day. We don't talk 24/7 on our phones, that's ridiculous. And even after weeks, he still can't forget about the kiss on his cheeks. He said he can still feel my lips on his cheeks. 

I also got my driver's license! At firs I was contemplating if I should also start studying on how to drive a car or just stick with my motorcycle. But tito Thiago told me that it is better if I know how to drive 4 wheels as well, so before I even take my driver's license exam, he let me borrow his Audi and our driver gives me driving lessons. Within 4 days I was able to go out the house with tito Thiago's Audi just to get ice creams, but of course, I'm with the driver so I can't visit Inin. 

"Me and your tita Julieta decided that you and Sam will start living together a week before school starts so you two have time to adjust with each other." I froze on what mom said, I slowly lift my head up and look at her. 

"When am I leaving?" I asked, nervous, hoping not so soon. 

"A day after tomorrow, Sam already bought the things in your house. He even decorated the place, he's a very nice kid." Mom said and a bitter smile appeared on my face. 

'And very rich too. That's why you want me to marry him.'

"Sure, I'll just start packing today." I said and mom nods, after breakfast, and after mom and tito left, I immediately rush upstairs, took a shower and get change. Using the printer and photo copier in my room, I photo copied Inin's drawing just like what I told him. I put it in a folder and rush downstairs. 

"Kuya, pahiram ng susi ng sasakyan." I called our driver, 

"Kailangan niyo pa ba ng kasama ma'am?" he ask as he hand me the key, I shook my head, "No need, sa kaibigan ko lang naman ako." I said before entering the car. The gates opened on their own and I drove off. 

I don't know why but I'm feeling... upset and sad. I want to stay longer here in Tagkawayan to see him more before college starts. Biglaan naman masyado na kailangan ko na palang umalis at pumunta agad sa Manila. I should have known earlier! Me and Inin could have spent more time together!!

When I arrived at the construction site, I caught some attentions from the workers, I made sure I parked the car on a safe place before I rush out and rush inside the hut where I saw Inin washing the dishes. 

"Hey," I called him, he faced my direction and his eyes widened. 

"Ano ba naman 'yan Lory, nanggugulat ka! Wala pa akong ligo oh! Sige ka mabaho pa ako! Baka magnakaw ka nanaman ng halik!" he said which brought a smile to my face, but the upset feeling is still inside. 

"Hindi ah, ibibigay ko lang sayo 'to." I said and hand him the folder, his brows furrowed as he slowly reach for the folder. 

"Ano 'to?" he confusedly ask, "Well... I told you I'll give you a photocopy, diba? So ayan na," I said he pull out the photo copy of his drawing and stare at it. 

"Ahh, sige sige, nag-almusal kana ba? Kape?" he ask before smiling at me. I forced a smile and shake my head. 

"Hindi na, nag-almusal na ako sa amin. Tsaka kailangan ko na rin bumalik kasi mag-iimpake pa ako." I said and his brows furrowed. 

"Impake para saan?" he ask, "Ahm... aalis kasi ako, pasukan na sa susunod na linggo, diba? Pupunta na ako ng Manila." I said before pursing my lips. His lips parted from each other and slowly nod. 

"Oo nga pala, ako rin sa mga susunod na araw maghahanap na ng matutuluyan sa Maynila, sige, ingat ka! Sabihan mo nalang ako kapag paalis kana at nasa Maynila kana." he said and I slowly nod, 

"Sige, bye, ingat kayo ni tito palagi." I said and faced my back at him, I was about to leave their hut when I stopped on my tracks and faced him once again. 

"Can I get a hug?" I ask and his eyes widened, "Hindi pa ako naliligo, Lory. Amoy kama pa ako." he said and I pouted, 

"But I'm leaving the day after tomorrow, I don't know when we will see each other again!" I whined, he scratch the back of his head. 

"Hindi pa nga ako naliligo eh." he said and I rolled my eyes. 

"Akin na kamay mo." I look at him confusedly but push my hands forward. 

He reached for my hand and slowly lean closer to it and plant a soft kiss on my hand. 

"Yan nalang, nakakahiya naman na yapusin ka eh ang ganda-ganda mo pa naman, bagong ligo ka rin, tapos yung damit mo ang ganda, ang bango-bango mo, eh ako ito pa yung pinantulog ka kagabi." he said, I felt the butterflies in my stomach as I take back my hand. A smile crept on my lips and nod, 

"Okay, that will do, see you around Manila." I said and he nods, "See you," he said and that's when I step out of their hut. I get inside the car, I took a deep breath first, inhale, exhale, calm down Lory. Huwag kang masyadong kiligin. 

I drove back to the house and immediately started packing. I can't believe its been almost two months since me and my friends started parting ways. Not that we no longer have contact with each other, we still messaged through our group chat that Gwen named 'Kagubatan' since she said we are all like animals in the woods sometimes. But I can't deny that I can feel that we somehow got less more close, plus Laura is in New York, she even went to Singapore the other week! Then Ali is in Massachusetts, Jax went to Korea last May 1, Gwen and her family went out of town and Tobi is still in Laguna by now. I miss them. 

I spent the whole day packing and even the next day. After making sure I have everything I need, that's when I relaxed myself, I cooked popcorn for myself in caramel flavor and binge watch some movies. Around 4PM, I got messaged, I thought it's from Inin, but it's from Sam. 

from Ponce:

I heard you're coming here in Manila tomorrow, I already prepared the condo, I'm also here right now, making sure everything is all good. 

I sigh after reading his messaged, I put down the bucket of pop corn and begun typing a reply, 

to Ponce:

Okay, I'll probably end up sleeping once I get there, thank you by the way. 

from Ponce:

No problem, Louise. 

By 6PM, I went to bed early, I even skipped dinner cause I'll wake up by 12am cause I need to leave by 1AM. So early but I understand that we need to avoid traffic and get stuck in it. 

By 12am, I woke up because of my alarm. I immediately took a shower and change into the jeans, shirt and a blazer that I prepared yesterday. I only applied creams and not make ups. By 12:48am, the maids helped me to get my luggage down. Theo is waiting for me downstairs with a sad face. 

"I will miss you, ate." he said with a teary eyes, I chucked before cupping his cheeks. 

"You can visit ate naman eh, when there's a school break, I'll also try to go home, okay?" I said and he nods, a pout printed on his face. 

"I asked the maids to do these for you pala ate! You didn't eat dinner last night eh." he said, showing me a large eco bag full of tupperware and snacks. 

"Aww, thank you Theo! I'm hungry na nga eh, but ate have to go, okay?" I said and he nods, I planted a kiss on his forehead before picking the eco bag up. I was about to exit the house when tito Thiago called me. 

I faced him and saw him holding a card, "Here, your mom told me not to give you one. But I know you'll need it, and knowing you Lory, shopping brings a smile on your face just like your mom." he said, a small smile printed on his face as he hand me a credit card. 

"Just don't tell your mom, I got you." he said, even though I am confused, I accepted the card. 

"Why?" I asked, tito Thiago chuckled, "I know you would ask that, of course I'll give you that, I gave Theo one, of course I'll give you one too. You're my daughter, Lory. No one can tell me otherwise. I may not be your real father but I see you, I treat you, and I love you just like my real child. I know your mom can be unfair, and I can't blame you that you have a slight hatred towards your mom, but I want you to know that to me, you and Theo are equal. None of you two deserves to feel the unloved and unimportant." 

I was too stunned to speak, my lips are parted from each other and I feel like I would cry any moment. I swallowed the lump in my throat and look away. 

"T-Thank you, tito, I... I promise I won't spend much." I said as I finally have the courage to face him. 

He smiled and shake his head, "No Lory, spend as much as you want, reward yourself when you do something good, when you aced a test or a project. Don't worry about it, okay?" he said and once again, I felt like crying. 

"Can I hug you po?" I asked, he smiled and opened his arms. I step forward and hugged him, holding myself from crying. 

"I remember when I saw you when you were four, you're a very shy and silent kid, I tried my best to play with you and made you smile, your mom even told me not to worry about you so much, but the moment I saw you, I feel like I want to take care of you and become your father." he said and that's when tears started streaming down my cheeks. 

I pull away from the hug and wiped my tears, "Mag-iingat ka sa Manila, mag-aral ka nang mabuti but don't stress yourself so much. Your health and mental health are more important, rest when you need, shop when you're stressed, I know you're a very smart kid. Call us when you miss us, I'll try to bring Theo there when we have time." he softly said and I nod, 

"Thank you... dad." I said, I said tito Thiago's eyes widened and his eyes immediately begun to get teary. 

"Sige na, umalis na kayo, it's almost 1am, baka abutan kayo ng traffic." he said and I nod, I went out the house and waved at him and Theo before entering the van. 

I was sobbing silently, I'm hugging my bag and looking outside. All my life, I have never felt the love of a father, I always see tito Thiago as someone who only cares for me because I'm his step-daughter, I have never thought that he actually see me as his real child. I've never felt the love of a father before. It feels new and odd, but it feels warm and nice. 

I calmed down myself after few minutes, when there are no longer tears in my eyes and I feel more relaxed, I pull out my phone from my bag and texted Inin. 

to Inin:

Naka-alis na kami ng Tagkawayan, on my way to Manila.

to Inin:

And by the way, I feel happy right now, sobra. I can't tell you why, but I feel like a part of me that I thought I don't need just filled an empty space.