"Ayaw ko nga."

My jaw dropped when he refused my offer! The side of his lip rose before getting his towel and leaving me here! Pinanuod ko siyang pumasok sa shower room, iniwan akong nakatanga. 

Hindi ako makapaniwala! Did he just reject me?! It was my first time asking a man to eat with me tapos ire-reject niya lang 'yon? My gosh, hindi niya alam kung gaano kalaki ang nawala sa kaniya. Hmp. It was his loss, not mine! I mean, I swallowed my pride for us to be okay and to lessen my guilt, tapos ganoon!

Inis akong umupo sa monobloc at napagpasyahang hintayin pa rin siya. I was sure he was playing hard to get! I'll try for the second time pero kapag ayaw niya pa rin, eh di huwag! I'll go na and eat my salad alone! 

"Arkin," I called him. 

Hindi niya kaagad ako napansin because he was busy taking a picture with his fans. Nang matapos, lumapit siya sa'kin, nagpupunas pa ng pawis. 

"Bakit ang annoying ng bestfriend mo?" iritang tanong ko.

"Huh?" He laughed. "Bakit? Ano b'ang sabi niya?" 

"He rejected my offer to get breakfast!" Sumimangot ako.

"Gusto mong mapapayag?" He smirked. 

"Paano?" 

He gave me a 'wait' sign to get his towel. Dahil sinabi niya, naghintay nga 'ko mula sa pagkapasok niya sa shower room, hanggang sa paglabas niya. He was now wearing a white polo and jeans. Halatang nagmadali siyang maligo para maunahan si Sevi. 

"Oh, what's your plan?" I asked him. 

Magsasalita na sana siya pero natigilan nang makitang lumabas na rin si Sevi galing sa shower. Pinupunasan niya ang kaniyang buhok gamit ang towel habang naglalakad palapit sa may bench. 

"Saan ka na? May schedule ka?" tanong niya kay Arkin, purposely ignoring me. 

"Ah, magbe-breakfast pa kami ni Elyse." Umakbay sa 'kin si Arkin.

Sevi's lips parted a little as he stared at Arkin's hand on my shoulder. Pagkatapos, binalik niya ang tingin sa 'kin, sunod kay Arkin. He pursed his lips and shook his head a little, hindi na kami pinansin. 

"What the hell, ayaw niya na lalo," inis kong bulong kay Arkin.

"Wait mo lang..." Arkin smirked. 

Inalis ko ang akbay niya sa'kin at tinalikuran na siya para ayusin ang bag ko. Nilagay ko na ang mga gamit ko roon, handa nang umalis. Kung ayaw niya, eh di huwag! 

Pagkatalikod ko, muntik na ulit akong mabunggo sa dibdib ni Sevi. He was already standing in front of me with his bag on his shoulder. Arkin was laughing while fixing his things. 

"Ako 'yung inaya mo, 'di ba?" Sevi raised a brow. 

"Ayaw mo, eh." I shrugged.

"Kaya mag-aaya ka ng iba?" seryosong tanong niya.

Phew, why was he so serious ba? Para namang napakalaki ng kasalanan ko sa hitsura niyang 'yan! My gosh. 

"Tara na, Eli!" Malokong lumapit si Arkin, dala-dala na ang bag niya. 

"Sama ako," singit ni Sevi.

"Ha?" Arkin scratched his ear a little, acting like he did not hear him. 

"Sasama ako," Sevi repeated, more serious now. 

"Akala ko ba ayaw mo?" naguguluhang sabi ni Arkin. "Huwag ka na sumama, p're. Mukhang busy ka!" 

"Bakit ayaw mo?" Sevi raised a brow. 

Arkin stepped backwards and raised both of his arms, giving up now. He laughed so hard and shook his head. 

"Chill, joke lang! Tangina, bubugbugin mo na yata ako, eh!" Tumawa siya at tinapik ang balikat ni Sevi. 

"Saan ka pupunta?" Sevi's brows furrowed. 

"May taping ako, gago! Enjoy your breakfast!" Kumaway si Arkin at nagmadali nang lumabas ng gym. 

Naiwan tuloy kaming dalawa ni Sevi. It was so awkward! Nilagay ko na lang ang duffle bag sa balikat ko at sinenyasan siyang sumunod sa 'kin palabas. He really did. Pagkalabas ko, naroon na si Kuya Roel, naghihintay. 

"Can you drive us to the mall first? I'll eat breakfast lang with my friend to discuss our... group project, Kuya," I lied again. 

"Okay, Ma'am." Tumango siya at sumakay na sa kotse. 

Hindi nagsasalita si Sevi hanggang sa makasakay. He was sitting at the very edge of the backseat. Mukhang sinisiksik niya ang sarili niya roon kahit tumatama na ang tuhod sa likod ng shotgun seat. He was too tall. 

"Hey, why are you so grumpy?" I whispered.

Nakatingin lang siya sa bintana, pinapanuod ang ibang sasakyan. Sumimangot ako at umusog nang kaunti para makalabit ko siya. I reached for the sleeve of his shirt and tugged on it a little. Napatingin tuloy siya sa'kin, nakasandal ang siko sa bintana at pinaglalaruan ang labi. 

"What the hell is your problem?" I whispered. 

"Ikaw 'ata ang may problema eh," he whispered back. 

"This is exactly the reason why people are making an issue about us," inis na sabi ko pero pabulong pa rin dahil baka marinig ni Kuya Roel. 

"Anong issue?" Tumaas ang kilay niya. 

"Na we have a 'thing.' Inaasar ako ng friends ko and pati ikaw, right?" I toned down my voice again. 

"Oh?" Kumunot ang noo niya. "Ano naman?" 

My lips parted a little and realized what he just said. Ano naman, huh? So wala siyang pakialam kahit isipin ng mga tao na nagfi-flirt kami? Well, I usually didn't care din naman about sa opinion ng ibang tao about me. Marami akong naririnig na maldita ako, attitude, bitch, maarte, childish, pero hindi ako naapektuhan. 

Because they were right. Duh! And it wasn't like they knew me personally! 

"You're not bothered by it?" I asked. 

He scoffed sarcastically and rolled his eyes a little like I said something funny. Binalik na niya ang tingin sa bintana at hindi na sinagot ang tanong ko. 

Hinatid na kami ni Kuya Roel sa tapat ng pancake restaurant na gusto ko. Naunang bumaba si Sevi pagkatapos magpasalamat kay Kuya Roel. I was about to open the door by my side when Kuya Roel talked.

"Sana magkabati na kayo, Ma'am." He chuckled. 

"Huh?!" 

I looked away when I realized that he probably heard the whole conversation! I mean, the car was small enough for him to hear our whispers. Nagmamadali na tuloy akong bumaba at sinara ulit ang pinto para maglakad na papasok ng restaurant. Nakakahiya!

Pagkaupo namin, may lumapit na kaagad na waitress para ibigay ang menu. Nasa harapan ko si Sevi, hindi na nag-abalang tingnan ang menu. Katabi namin ang glass wall kaya roon siya nakatingin, pinapanood ang mga taong dumaraan. 

"What's your order?" I asked. "My treat."

"Kung ano sa'yo," maikling sagot niya.

I was planning to eat salad lang pero napa-pancake ako para iyon din ang kainin niya. I called the waitress again. Pagkalapit niya, nakita ko kaagad ang kakaibang tingin niya kay Sevi na nakapangalumbaba at nakatingin sa labas. 

"I'm the one who's gonna order," I tried to get her attention.

"What's your order, M-Ma'am?" Nilabas niya ang maliit niyang note pad para magsulat doon. 

I ordered two sets of pancakes, and then dalawang fruit shake. I was not planning to eat lunch today. Pakiramdam ko'y mabubusog na 'ko sa ganito lang. 

"Are you still mad?" I asked when the waitress left. "Why are you so mad at me? I could have done worse but I did not!"

"Ah, salamat naman pala," sarkastikong sagot niya. 

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from letting out a laugh. He just sounded funny when he used sarcasm. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pikon na pikon siya. Masama ba ang gising niya today? 

"How's your leg? You can walk properly now," pansin ko. 

"Huwag mong tanungin," he said while pouring water on his glass. 

"Why not?" 

"Baka magka-issue," he mocked me.

I couldn't contain my laugh anymore. Mas lalo pang nagkasalubong ang kilay niya dahil tinawanan ko ang sinabi niya. 

"Why are you being such a kid?!" reklamo ko, natatawa. 

"Wow!" hindi-makapaniwalang sambit niya. 

Napanguso ako saglit para pigilan ang ngiti ko dahil mas naaasar siya. I exhaled a large amount of air and inhaled slowly, calming myself before talking. 

"Listen..." I slightly leaned over the table so he could hear me properly. "Hindi ka ba naba-bother? People are thinking that we are... together." 

"Ano'ng pakialam ko?" He arched a brow. 

"Okay, then! Kung wala kang pakialam, ako mayroon." I crossed my arms. 

"Bakit? Nakakahiya ba 'ko kasama?" deretsong tanong niya. 

Nagulat ako bigla sa tanong niya at hindi nakapagsalita. Of course, walang nakakahiya, what the hell! I was just scared na baka malaman ni Daddy or ni Kuya na sumasama ako sa kaniya. My dad was strict, especially with boys. My gosh, iniisip ko pa lang ang reaction niya, naririndi na 'ko sa sermon. 

And Sevi's mom worked for him. Ano na lang ang mangyayari, right? Baka mawalan pa ng trabaho! I was really overthinking the consequences. It was better to be safe than sorry. 

"Okay..." Sevi licked his lower lip and slowly nodded. "Cancel mo 'yong order. Aalis na 'ko." 

"What?" 

Bago pa 'ko makapagsalita ulit ay tumayo na siya at tuloy-tuloy na naglakad paalis, iniwan ako mag-isa rito! I didn't even have the chance to answer his question! I got lost in my thoughts!

Matagal akong nakatulala, iniisip kung bakit ganoon. Nakabalik lang ako sa katotohanan nang dumating ang waitress para i-hain ang pagkain. I stopped her immediately.

"Take out na lang. Thank you," sambit ko.

Tumango siya at hindi na nagtanong. Napaisip siguro siya kung saan nagpunta ang kasama ko. Nang bumalik siya, dala ang paper bag, tumayo na 'ko at bumalik sa kotse. Inis na inis ako nang makasakay kaya hindi na nagtanong si Kuya Roel. 

Nang makarating sa bahay, binigay ko ang paper bag kay Kuya Roel, pati ang fruit shake. Sa kaniya na lang 'yon dahil nawalan na 'ko ng gana! 

Siguro mas mabuti na nga 'yon, 'yong hindi na kami mag-uusap. 

"Eli, pick a gown!" sabi ni Mommy pagkapasok ko.

Nagtataka akong tumingin sa paligid. There were designers and stylists in the couch at may mga mannequin na nakahilera roon, suot ang iba't ibang design ng gown. My brows furrowed, trying to think if I missed an event. 

"Birthday party ng Dad mo next Saturday, right? You need to pick a gown. Everyone will be there, including his business partners so you need to present yourself nicely," my mom informed me. 

Right! Birthday ni Daddy! 

Tiningnan ko ang mga gown at nakuha kaagad ng atensyon ko ang dark blue off shoulder evening gown na gradient. Nagfe-fade ang color hanggang sa dulo ng gown kaya white na lang. It had crystals all over it and it was fitted. Hanggang taas lang ng ankle ang harapan at ang likod ng gown ay abot hanggang sahig. It was perfect. 

"This one," I pointed at it. 

"Perfect!" sabi ng stylist. 

Mom asked me to put it on to check if it would fit me. It hugged my body perfectly kaya nakaakyat na 'ko kaagad. Nag-gym lang naman ako pero feeling ko napagod ako sa araw ko. I decided to just read books the whole day just to distract myself from the guilt I was feeling. 

For the whole week, wala akong ginawa kung hindi um-attend ng classes at mag-training pagkatapos. 

From: Kuya

Anong oras matatapos training mo? 

It was Friday, 8 PM, nang mareceive ko ang text ni Kuya. I kind of replied late because I was in the middle of our training. 

To: Kuya

Around 9 sabi ni coach so we can rest. Why? 

From: Kuya

We'll pick you up. I'm with Helen, Ericka, and Neil. 

I was excited! Matagal ko nang hindi nakikita ang friends ni Kuya. Palagi akong sumasama sa kanila noon. But hindi sila complete ngayon. Busy siguro ang iba. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sila magkakasama ngayon at kung saan kami pupunta but the thrill just made me more excited. 

"Bye guys!" nagmamadaling sabi ko pagkapalit ko ng damit. 

"Saan punta? May date kay Captain?" panloloko ni Ate Raya.

"No! We don't talk anymore!" tanggi ko agad. 

"Ay, ghosted agad?!" Tumawa si Ate Mae. 

Hindi ko na sila nilingon at nagmadali nang umalis para puntahan 'yong place kung saan naka-park si Kuya. Van ang dala nila ngayon kaya mas lalo akong nagtaka. It was probably Neil's black van. Parang artista van nga eh. Customized ang loob. 

"Hi!" I squealed when Ate Helen opened the door.

I hugged the three of them. Si Kuya ang nagda-drive at lahat sila'y nasa likod na. 

"Where are we going?" I asked Ate Ericka. 

"Airport, Eli!" excited na sagot niya. "Aren't you excited?" 

"Huh?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "Why? Are we going out of the country? I did not bring my passport!" 

Kinabahan agad ako! Minsan pa naman sobrang spontaneous nila! Mamaya, bumili pala sila ng airplane ticket. Wala nga akong damit at wala rin akong dalang passport! Pati charger, wala. I would die!

"You'll see." Ate Helen winked at me.

I anticipated it more! Kinakabahan nga lang dahil baka nga umalis kami ng bansa. Hindi pa naman nila nagagawa 'yon pero malay ko ba kung maisipan nila bigla! 

Nang makarating sa airport, may kausap na si Kuya sa phone. My brother stopped the car in front of the arrivals. Napakunot ang noo ko nang may matanaw na pamilyar na lalaki. 

"Oh my god!" I screamed, napahawak pa sa braso ni Ate Ericka. 

Pagkababa ni Kuya, dali-dali ring binuksan ni Neil ang pinto ng van kaya bumaba na rin kami. 

"Hiro!" I waved while running like an excited kid. 

Hiro smiled at us, may suot na itim na backpack at sa tabi niya, naroon ang dalang malaking maleta. Niyakap siya ni Kuya Shan at tinapik sa balikat at ganoon din si Kuya Neil. They were whispering something to him that I did not understand. 

"Ilang buwan ka pa lang nakakaalis, nandito ka na naman? Sayang despedida party." Ate Helen hugged him.

"Babalik din ako." Hiro smiled. 

"Sino nga bang binalikan dito?" Ngumisi si Ate Ericka bago siya niyakap. 

"Shut up." Hiro smiled and looked at me. "Elyse," he greeted. 

I pouted and gave him a tight hug. I missed him! All of us missed him! Grabe rin ang iniyak ko sa despedida party niya ah! I really thought I would never see him again. Wala naman na siyang plano talaga umuwi. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nandito na naman siya. 

Tinulungan siya nila Kuya sa gamit niya at nilagay sa likod. Pagkasakay sa van, ang dami na kaagad nilang pinag-uusapan. 'Yong iba, hindi ko na maintindihan! 

"Still can't find her, bro. I'm sorry," Kuya Shan said while driving. 

"It's fine..." Hiro sighed. 

Hindi ko maintindihan pero masaya pa rin ako dahil umuwi siya. Well, at least may kasama na ulit si Kuya, right? Kahit temporary lang. Feeling ko babalik din naman ulit si Hiro sa Florida. It was just that... maybe may gagawin siyang importante rito kaya siya umuwi. 

We ate in a 24/7 fast food. I posted a selfie of us in my Instagram story with the caption 'I'm so glad you're back! Missed you :(' and a cute filter. He was smiling and effortlessly looking good. He still looked a little tired from the flight.

"Birthday ni Daddy tomorrow. You should go!" aya ko kay Hiro.

Napatingin siya bigla kay Kuya Shan and they whispered about something. Tumango si Kuya at bumuntong-hininga. 

"Yeah, I'll go." Hiro gave me a small smile. 

Good. Kapag pupunta siya, pupunta si Kuya for sure! Buti naman. Akala ko kasi hindi a-attend si Kuya eh. Last year kasi, he did not attend. 

After eating, hinatid na kaagad namin si Hiro sa bahay nila para makapagpahinga siya. It must be tiring to sit on the plane for so many hours. Ah, wait, magpi-piloto nga pala siya. Kaya niya 'yon. 

The next day, maaga akong gumising para kumain at maligo. Dumating na rin ang stylist ni Mommy para ayusan kaming dalawa. Fraida was inside my room again, waiting for her turn. Nakalibre pa siya ng makeup. 

"Kuya Hiro's home? I saw sa IG story mo," chika niya agad at humiga sa kama ko.

"Yes. It was unexpected. Hindi ko nga alam! Kahapon lang noong sinundo siya sa airport!" I was so excited but I couldn't move dahil nilalagyan ako ng eyeshadow. 

We finished around 5 PM. My soft-curled hair was in a wavy ponytail, leaving some bangs and  small strands of hair at the side of my face. Nagsuot ako ng diamond necklace at diamond earrings. It was perfect for my evening gown. Naka-contact lens din ako na grey. 

"This would be fun!" Fraida, on the other hand, was wearing a wine-colored evening gown. She had her hair in a messy bun. 

Nang matapos, hinatid na kami ni Kuya Roel sa venue. Nauna na kasi sila Mommy doon para mag-greet ng guests. When we arrived at the luxurious hotel, natanaw ko na kaagad sila Kuya na nakatayo sa entrance, nag-uusap sila ni Hiro. 

"Hey," Kuya greeted. "Pasok na kayo sa loob." 

"I'll see you later!" sabi ko sa kanila bago pumasok sa double doors, kasama si Ida. 

Marami nang tao pagkapasok ko. Marami na rin ang naguusap-usap sa cocktail tables, holding their wine and champagne glasses. It was just a formal party and walang program or anything. Para lang siyang gathering ng business partners and employees ng company.

Employees! 

Mommy ni Sevi!

Napalingon agad ako sa paligid, kinakabahan na baka nandito siya. I couldn't see everyone kaya napalagay na lang ako na wala siya rito. I should not even be bothered by it. Kinalimutan ko na nga 'yon buong week! 

"Let's get food," aya ko kay Ida. 

Lumapit kami sa long table para kumuha ng plato at pagkain. Kaunti lang ang kinuha ko dahil sa diet kaya nauna na 'ko kay Ida magpunta sa table. 

"Oh my!" I suddenly stopped walking when a little girl fell on the floor while she was playing with the other kids. 

Dahil hawak ko ang plato ko at baso, wala akong available hand para tumulong. I looked around, waiting for someone to help the kid who was about to cry. 

Napaatras ako bigla nang makita si Sevi na naglalakad palapit in his black suit. Wala siyang suot na necktie at nakabukas ang tatlong butones ng charcoal grey dress shirt. He helped the kid up, pinagpagan pa ang suot nitong dress habang pinapagalitan. 

"Sabi ko sa 'yo, huwag kang tumakbo," he whispered to the kid. 

Pagkatapos, binuhat niya na 'yong bata at napatingin sa 'kin. 

"Uhm-" Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko dahil naglakad na siya paalis. 

I felt embarrassed kaya umalis na 'ko kaagad para pumunta sa table namin nila Kuya. Nilagay ko ang pagkain ko roon at tahimik na kumain. Ida sat beside me and later on, dumating na rin sina Hiro at sina Ate Helen. 

"What's up?" Hiro sat beside me, holding a plate. 

"I'm fine! How are you?" Gumanda kaagad ang mood ko! 

"I hope I am fine." He laughed. "I'm getting there."

What the hell, bakit ang lonely naman ng sagot niya? 

"I'm bored. Let's play XOXO." Kinuha ko ang tissue at nilapag sa gitna naming dalawa. I knew he had a pen with him. Palagi naman siyang may pen. 

I was laughing the whole time we were playing dahil hindi pa 'ko nananalo sa kaniya. Mas marami ang tie dahil hindi naman siya ganoon kahirap, pero minsan naiisahan niya 'ko. I laughed when I won the last round.

"Loser!" I pointed at him while laughing. 

"You won once and lost five times. I don't know who's the loser here." He shrugged, boasting. 

We stopped playing when the photographer called the family members for a picture. I looked at Kuya who was pretending not to hear anything. Sumimangot ako at hinatak siya sa braso para papuntahin sa harapan. 

"Elyse, I don't want to take a picture-"

"For me, please?" I pouted.

He sighed heavily and nodded. 

We took a picture as a family. It probably looked awkward dahil nang sinabi ng photographer na wacky, walang nag-iba ng pose. We stayed formal, lalo na si Kuya at Daddy. I, at least, made a peace sign just to lighten up the mood. 

"You haven't greeted me yet," sabi ni Daddy kay Kuya.

Lumingon si Kuya sa kaniya saglit, walang emosyon sa mukha. 

"Happy birthday. I hope it's not your last." Then, he walked away.

"You son of a-"

"Daddy," I stopped him. 

"This is the reason why you're getting all of my fucking shares," he said with so much anger. 

"Calm down. This is your party, okay?" My mom held his shoulders. 

Hindi na yata sila mapagsasama sa iisang lugar nang hindi nag-aaway. My mom tried her best to calm him down. Ako naman, sinubukan kong sumunod kay Kuya pero nawala na siya sa paningin ko. Hiro disappeared too. He was probably with my brother. 

I sighed and went out to the garden for a minute just to get fresh air. May little playground sila roon kaya umupo ako sa swing at yumuko, pinaglalaruan ang kamay ko. 

"Shares," I sarcastically said. "Who cares about those shares anyway..." 

"Hi!" 

Nagulat ako nang may batang lumapit sa 'kin. It was the little girl who fell on the floor. I stared at her for a minute, analyzing her resemblance to Sevi. 

"Sofia." Napatingin ako kay Sevi na naglalakad na palapit. "Tinatawag ka na ni Mama. Let's go." 

"Kuya." The kid pouted. She was probably around three to four years old. "Play?" 

Sumulyap ulit sa 'kin si Sevi, mukhang nako-conscious sa presensya ko. I did not leave. Nauna ako rito eh! Bakit ako aalis?! I was thinking about those freaking shares. Siya ang umalis!

"Sige na, sige na..." Sevi sighed. 

The little girl jumped out of joy and ran towards the slide. Sevi walked towards me and sat on the other swing to watch his little sister play. Tahimik lang kaming dalawa. 

"You have a sister," maikling sabi ko. 

"Oo," maikling sagot niya rin. "Tsaka brother." 

"Panganay ka?" I asked again.

"Oo." 

And we were silent again. I blew on my cheek, hating the awkward atmosphere surrounding us. I would prefer him being annoying than being this quiet. 

"Congrats. Final four," I remembered that they won the game.

"Salamat." He nodded. "Bagay sa 'yo 'yong suot mo."

"Uhm, thanks, I guess." 

It was too awkward! Gusto ko nang umalis!

Napatingin kami sa kapatid niyang nagsa-slide doon. Mukha namang masaya siya kaya hindi na namin siya pinakialaman. I looked up, trying to think of what we should talk about next. The silence was too loud. 

"Ano ba 'yan, hindi ako sanay nang ganito." He laughed a little. 

Napatingin ako sa kaniya pero hindi siya nakatingin sa'kin. 

"Magbati na lang tayo, please..." He sighed. 

"U-uhm..." Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. "Okay. I'm sorry about what happened last time. I was just thinking about... a lot of things kaya... Uhm... Hindi ako nakasagot-"

"Okay lang," he cut me off. 

"Okay, then." I pursed my lips and nodded. "May tanong ka pa ba? Let's clear this out." 

"Bakit mo ako nilalayuan noon?" He asked the right question. "Baka hindi lang naman 'yon dahil sa ini-issue tayo." 

"Well... Aside from that... I was thinking that you still liked someone else." Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya. "And I don't want to look like... a wall between the two of you, I guess."

"Sino? Wala naman akong nagugustuhan." Napakunot ang noo niya. 

"Hmm... Si Luna?" I admitted.

Napatitig siya sa akin, thinking of what he would say. Then, he just gave me an assuring smile. 

"Hindi ko gusto si Luna," he clarified. "Naiilang ka ba?" 

"No!" Umiling kaagad ako. "Do you have other questions ba?!" I was panicking on the inside. 

"Sino 'yong kasama mo kanina? Boyfriend mo?" He did not even hesitate to ask.

My brows furrowed, trying to remember who I was with earlier. Kuya ko? Wait, parang hindi naman. Omg, si Hiro?! 

"No!" I denied so fast. "I mean, no..." I fake coughed. 

"'Yon 'yong tinutukoy mo dati na gusto mo, 'di ba?" he concluded. 

"Well, yeah, but..." Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. "Whatever. Why am I even explaining?!" 

Tumawa siya sa sinabi ko. 

"Hindi kayo bagay," he insulted. 

Napaawang ang labi ko at agad napalingon sa kaniya. He seemed unapologetic by his rude comment! Parang gustong-gusto niya talagang sabihin 'yon. Parang naghintay pa talaga siya ng timing para masabi! 

"Okay. I don't remember asking." I rolled my eyes. 

"Totoo naman." He scoffed. "Hindi ka para sa kaniya." 

"Wow..." I sighed in disbelief. "I didn't know you were this rude, huh?" 

"Feeling ko..." He stopped midway.

"Feeling mo what?" 

Feelingero talaga siya. 

"Feeling ko mas bagay tayo. Feeling ko lang ah. Hindi ko sure." He shrugged, nagyayabang. 

I stared at him for a moment before biting the insides of my cheek to stop myself from smiling. He was laughing now. 

"You're not feeling well." I tried my best to sound serious. 

"Gusto mo maging friends?" he asked me now. 

Friends, huh. 

"It's fine." I shrugged. 

"Ako, ayaw ko." 

Nagulat ako at napalingon ulit sa kaniya, hindi nagegets kung anong gusto niyang iparating. He doesn't want to be friends with me? Gosh! Being friends with me was already a privilege! 

"Kawawa ka naman if you don't want to be my friend..." I made a sad face. "I pity you."

"Mas kawawa ka kapag naging friends tayo," he countered.

"And why is that?"

"Kasi ibig sabihin noon, hanggang doon na lang tayo." 

I arched a brow and shifted on my seat. I was about to talk when his sister ran towards him, pawis na pawis. Kinuha niya ang towel mula sa likod nito at tinupi bago pinunasan ang pawis sa noo ng kapatid. 

I never wanted a younger sibling, dahil baka magselos lang ako. Gusto ko ako 'yong inii-spoil, but seeing him with his sister made my heart soft. 

"Crush?" she suddenly asked his brother and pointed at me.

Binaba ni Sevi ang kamay ng kapatid niya at tumawa. 

"Oo." Sevi smiled and nodded. "Crush ko 'yan. Ganda 'no?" 

I smiled awkwardly at the kid. Tumango ang bata sa Kuya niya at ngumiti rin sa 'kin pabalik. Sinundan ng mga mata ko ang pagtayo ni Sevi, hawak-hawak na niya ang kamay ng kapatid niya. 

He walked towards me and handed me his grey handkerchief. Nagtataka kong tiningnan 'yon.

"What am I going to do with this?" I raised my brow. 

"May rason na tayo para magkita ulit." He smiled at me before walking away. 

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:)