CLEANING his apartment after a not so long vacation was Leo's first agenda. Nauna na nakauwi sina Rayos sa kanila, probably because it's just a one week beach trip.

He bought a lot of things that reminded him of Rayos. Nilagay niya lang ang mga 'yon sa kwarto nito sa apartment na tinitirahan niya. Mostly, clothes and soft toys.

Alam na ni Rayos na ngayon ang uwi nila. But Leo advised her to come the next day. Kahit na gusto na rin niya itong makita. He needs to clean up and rest after.

Having Rayos around him, after what they did before him, going on a trip. Sa tingin niya ay mahihirapan na siya na kontrolin ang sarili.

It was her fault. She started it. But what will happen next was on him.

It was a peaceful afternoon when he finally finished cleaning his apartment. He took a quick shower and did not bother to wear a shirt. Nakasabit sa braso niya ang ginamit na towel habang inaayos ang kahon kung saan niya ilalagay ang mga libro na nabili niya.

The clothes and soft toys were just add ons. Kapag nakita 'yon ni Rayos, sure, matutuwa ito. But books were different cases.

"Mas mahal noon ang mga libro," he uttered to himself.

Akmang ibabalot na niya 'yon nang may malakas na kumatok sa pintuan ng apartment niya. Leo sighed. Alam na agad kung sino ang nasa labas at halos gibain na ang pinto.

"Ang usapan bukas ang punta—" naputol ang sasabihin niya nang dambahin siya nito nang mahigpit na yakap at mariin na hinalikan siya sa labi.

"I missed you, mahal ko!"

Leo sighed in defeat. Hinayaan niya ito na nakayakap sa kanya.

Her eyes went down to his body. He's not wearing a shirt, Rayos was free to appreciate his body.

"You smell good…" She whispered and leaned closer to his neck to smell him more.

Mariin siyang pumikit. Tukso talaga ang isang 'to!

Leo slowly slid his hands on both sides of her waist. Marahan niya itong pinatakan ng halik sa noo at iginiya papunta sa sala.

"Kumain ka na? Anong gusto mo? Order na lang tayo."

Binawi ni Leo ang isang kamay na nasa baywang nito at pinitik ang noo ni Rayos. She's looking intently at his lips. Nabasa agad ni Leo na may binabalak na naman.

"Gutom ako… sa halik?" Humalakhak ito.

Ginulo ni Leo ang buhok ni Rayos at inakbayan. He pulled her closer and dragged her towards their sala. Nauna siyang umupo sa sofa at hinayaan na maupo si Rayos sa pagitan ng mga hita niya.

He wrapped his arms around her stomach and leaned his chin against her shoulder.

"I bought something for you," aniya at ininguso ang kahon na inayos niya kanina.

Rayos smiled widely and picked up the box. And while she's opening it, he was just behind her, smelling her scent. Nang hindi siya makuntento, he started to kiss her neck down to her shoulder blade. Paulit-ulit 'yon.

"Hindi kami nakapunta sa bentahan ng souvenirs. Nagmamadali kasi na makauwi si Daddy." Sumimangot ito. "Next time, before ako mag-enjoy, ibibili na kita ng pasalubong. Pati sina Tita at Tito, si Ate Pisces din."

"Next time…" Leo echoed.

Rayos giggled as she open the box and squealed happily when she finally saw what's inside the box. Maluha luha nito na nilabas ang mga libro at isa-isang hinalikan. Leo almost rolled his eyes.

"I love you! Thank you!" Binitawan ni Rayos ang mga libro.

Umikot ito paharap sa kanya. She cupped his jaw and pressed her lips on his. Nagtagal 'yon. His hands were now in her back, supporting her. While Rayos hands were wandering on his body. Touching his bare chest and stomach.

Leo groaned. He cupped her nape and deepened their shared kiss. He'd like to think that he kind of… deserves this. After all, he did a great job, for making his woman happy. His Rayos.

"Ang sarap naman ng pasalubong mo, Leo," pang-aasar nito sa kanya.

"Agree. Now, kiss me again, Rayos." Utos niya na agad naman sinunod nito.

He was holding her nape firmly while they attacked each other with passionate and hungry kisses. His hands remain in its place. While her hands were gripping his shoulders. Enough to leave a mark of her fingers.

That should be enough. But Leo just found himself carrying Rayos towards his room. He forgot to tell her about the girl. And later on, decided not to tell Rayos. Knowing how much she dislikes her.

Not knowing that keeping secrets and simple lies could affect the relationship they have.

***

HIS COURSE building was near to Engineering building. Natural na para kay Leo na makasalubong ang mga kaklase niya noon sa Senior high.

However, there's one guy who never dare to cross his path. Ngayon lang. Nakangiti ito nang mamataan siya at agad siya na nilapitan.

Ang unang napansin ni Leo ay ang pasa nito malapit sa labi. Pasimple siyang napangiwi dahil mukhang masakit 'yon.

"Zodiac, Bro!"

Bro? Lakas naman mangago.

"It's me, Russel!" pakilala nito. "Ako yung nagbabalak manligaw noon kay Vraiose."

Leo scoffed. Was it really necessary to bring that topic? Ano naman ngayon? He just stood there and didn't answer him. Hindi naman sila close para kausapin niya ito.

He kept his resting face on. Gusto na niyang umuwi sa apartment niya. Rayos was probably home and hungry, his woman likes his cooking. Kapag nasa apartment niya ito, Rayos rarely ate take outs and her self-made food.

Tumawa ito. "What's with that look? You should know that. After all, ikaw ang rason kung bakit hindi ako natuloy."

Parang kasalanan ko pa?

Leo nodded his head slowly. He was the only guy that her brother allowed to court Rayos. Hindi pa malinaw sa kanya ang totoo niyang intensyon kay Rayos, pinaburan na siya ng kapatid nito.

If he really wanted to court Rayos, hindi dapat ito natakot sa kanya. Hindi porket nasabi nila na siya ang gusto ng kapatid ni Rayos ay tumigil na ito.

That only means his love for his girlfriend was superficial.

He only likes her because she's reigning their class that time. He only likes her because of her surname. He only likes her because she's beautiful. Whichever of the choices, Leo doesn't really care.

Noon, kahit ngayon, wala itong chance.

"If you really like her… hindi ka dapat tumigil noon?" Leo grimaced. Labas sa ilong ang pagkasabi.

He bit his bottom lip when he noticed some of their schoolmates were now looking at them. Nasa gitna ba naman ng daan.

"She took a claim on you. Kung tutuloy ako, parang ang labas ako ang umagaw?" He sarcastically answered.

It's now his turn to be sarcastic as fuck. This man was running his mouth for a while. At sa bawat salita na namumutawi sa bibig nito, mas lalo lang siyang naiirita. He knows that if he done something bad, nasa likod niya lang ang kapatid at pinsan ni Rayos.

"Hindi ba?" Leo asked, sarcastically smirking at the guy. "Look, I don't know what the hell is your purpose for approaching me. Might as well tell me. Huwag ka na makipag plastikan sa akin."

The guy, named Russel, smirked smugly at him. He suddenly had the urge to hit his face.

Kinuha nito ang cellphone sa bulsa ng jeans na suot nito. Leo waited patiently. Kahit na nangangalay na siya sa pagkakatayo.

"I actually saw her last time and… Fortunately, we had some time to catch up!" Hinarap nito sa kanya ang screen ng cellphone nito. His lips thinned upon seeing the picture.

May nai-send sa kanya si Rayos na selfie, suot ang bikini na suot din ni Rayos sa picture na pinapakita sa kanya ngayon ng lalaki.

"She's still gorgeous and man! I'm telling you… her body is amazing!" He maliciously said.

Nakita na niya ang buong katawan ni Rayos. But telling other guys how amazing her body was, never crossed his mind. Unlike the guy in front of him. He was continually disrespecting his girlfriend with his chosen words. Describing every part of her body. Nandidilim ang paningin ni Leo.

"Fuck off."

Tumigil sa pagsasalita ang lalaki. "What? Who are you to tell me that? Kung kailan alam ko na may chance na ako?"

His lips parted a little. Tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya at marahan na tinawanan ang lalaki. He pat his shoulder and walk past him.

"Stop being delusional. Wala kang chance sa girlfriend ko. Don't you dare crossed the line again. Baka madagdagan 'yang sugat mo."

Pinakalma niya ang sarili nang makauwi siya. Maaga ang cut ng klase ni Rayos ngayon kumpara sa kanya. A genuine smile crept up to his lips when he saw Rayos and was about to ask her if she really met the guy, named Russel, and if they took a picture together. He might took the picture without her consent.

Pero bago pa bumuka ang bibig niya para magtanong. Rayos throw a fit. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Leo nang ibato nito sa kanya ang mga libro na binili niya para rito.

"What the heck?" Leo exclaimed.

"I don't need those books!"

☕