"Ida, I have a problem." 

Ida looked back at me while we were eating our salad in our seats, waiting for our prof. Ang sabi niya male-late raw siya so we should just use this time to eat. 

"What? Are you okay?" Ida was so worried. 

"Okay, so..." Inusog ko ang upuan ko at humarap sa kaniya para marinig niya nang maayos. "I have a friend, and my friend just received a confession from someone. She did not say anything after the confession because dumating na 'yong driver niya but, like, what should my friend do?" 

Ida arched a brow and pulled her chair closer to me so we would have privacy. "Does your friend like the guy?" she asked. 

"Well..." I looked away, getting nervous. "My... My friend... Uhm... She hasn't, like, thought about it?" 

"Well, your friend needs to think about it." Ida nodded. 

"My friend is scared because her dad is strict..." I looked down and played with my hands. 

"Oh, come on. Didn't you know? The more you avoid someone, the more your feelings go deep. Address it and give in! You can deal with your dad later!" She seemed so excited.

"It's not me! It's my friend!" I panicked immediately. 

"I'm the only friend you really consider a friend! Shut up!" She laughed. 

"I have other friends! Sina Ate Helen!" I still tried to defend myself.

"They're your brother's friends!" 

Sumimangot ako at pinatong ang dalawang siko sa arm chair saka tinakpan ang mukha. Nakakainis naman! Why would Sevi confess like that?! Hindi ko na tuloy alam ang gagawin ko! I became so confused and awkward! 

"But... Oh my gosh, who confessed? Sevi?!" Ida tried to take my hands off my face. "Oh, come on! I know you like him!" 

"I don't!" tanggi ko agad. 

"Elyse, trust me. I know you better than you know yourself." Ida laughed hysterically. "I mean, kung ako rin naman! I would fall for that guy! He's so... dreamy! A boyfriend material. Gosh." 

"So you like him?" seryosong tanong ko at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

"No! But see?! See that?! Your reaction! You're getting so jealous agad! You really like him!" Ida pointed at my face. "Come on! Admit that you like him! Secret lang natin, dali! Though matagal ko nang alam." 

"Fine, oh my gosh! I like him, okay?!" I yelled so loud that the room turned silent.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at nilibot ang paningin ko sa blockmates ko only to see them looking at me, smiling. I immediately shook my hands in front of me so they won't get the wrong idea! 

"Si Eli, luma-love life!" sigaw ng blockmate ko. 

"Oh my god, no! No, guys!" I tried to deny it, but they wouldn't listen to me! 

They started teasing me about it! Mabuti na lang at dumating na ang prof kaya tumahimik sila. I inhaled a large amount of breath and massaged my head out of frustration. Ida was just laughing beside me. 

It was Wednesday, around 7 PM. The whole squad was eating dinner when I messaged Sevi to congratulate him for making it to the finals. Hindi ako nakanood dahil Wednesday and may training kami. Bawat panalo nila sa basketball, kinakabahan ako dahil mas nalalapit ang cheerdance competition. 

To: Sevi

Congrats, Sebastian. 

"Pasok UST! Kalaban nila 'yong Ateneo sa finals," pinag-uusapan din nila Ate Mae. 

"Really? Sayang, we can't watch. We have training." Ate Raya pouted.

Nalungkot din ako dahil Saturday siya and kinabukasan ng game one na 'yon ay cheerdance competition namin so we really can't miss the training. I was just hoping for the best. 

Muntik ko nang mabato ang lunchbox ko nang mag-ring ang phone ko. I was in a mini circle with the girls on the floor, so I pushed myself back to keep my distance before answering the phone. 

"Hey," bungad ko, nakapagilid para hindi mapansin nila Ate Raya. 

[Oh, wala kang training?] Sevi asked. 

"Breaktime. We're eating... a little," I consciously looked back at the girls to see if they were watching. "Congratulations. Road to finals." 

[Salamat.] He laughed. [Hindi ka makakanood sa Saturday, 'no? May training kayo. Malapit na 'yong CDC.] 

"Yeah, but good luck." 

"Hoy, Eli, sino 'yang kausap mo ha?" 

My eyes widened and looked back at Ate Raya. Lahat sila nakatingin na sa 'kin at nang-aasar na ang mga ngiti. Agad kong pinatay ang tawag at bumalik sa circle, acting like nothing happened. 

"Hindi na siya baby, guys." Ate Mae wiped her fake tears. 

"Thomasian ba 'yan, baby girl?" Ate Cess smirked. "Based on experience lang 'to, but they're so good at kissing!" 

"H-huh?!" My eyes widened. "K-kiss?!"

"Kaya bago ka sumabak, dapat you know how to kiss!" She added. "Or else mapapahiya ka talaga! Omg, flashbacks!" 

My innocent mind was being corrupted! I just ignored their comments and focused on my food. Kissing?! I wasn't even thinking of that! Wala pa nga akong first kiss, so how would I know how to kiss?! My gosh.

After our training, deretso uwi na 'ko sa amin at nakatulog kaagad pagkatapos mag-shower dahil sa sobrang pagod. Hindi kami nagkita ni Sevi until Saturday dahil busy kami pareho. He was busy preparing for the finals and I was busy preparing for the cheerdance competition, but we still talked. Nagme-message siya sa 'kin from time-to-time and nagre-reply naman ako. 

Around four in the afternoon, Saturday, nang dumating ako sa training at wala pa si coach kaya sila Ate Raya, tutok na tutok sa laptop, watching the livestream of basketball. Nilapag ko ang gamit ko sa gilid at umupo rin sa tabi nila to watch. 

I was so nervous during the game! Lamang kaagad ang Ateneo sa kanila. 

"And Camero for the three-point shot!" the commentator said. 

"Oh my god, sobrang lamang pa rin ng Ateneo though," Ate Raya pointed at the scores. 

Umalis na 'ko sa pagkakaupo ko roon at kinuha na lang ang towel at ponytail ko sa bag. I refused to watch. Today's game wasn't in favor of them so I didn't want to watch. Ako lang 'yong kinakabahan para sa kanila. 

Good thing the coach called everyone na so they stopped watching the live stream and just went back to training. We had a break during dinnertime kaya nilabas ko ang phone ko at tiningnan ang results ng game. I sighed and checked Sevi's message. 

From: Sevi

olats awit 

I shook my head before typing my reply.

To: Sevi

It's okay. Game 1 pa lang. 

From: Sevi

hintayin kita after ng training mo ah

I typed okay before we went back to training. Mas late na kami natapos dahil nag-meeting pa. It was around one in the morning na nang lumabas ako at nakita ulit si Sevi na nakaupo malapit sa hagdanan like last time. He was wearing a pair of black shorts and then a yellow shirt. Mukhang bored na bored na siya. 

"Hey..." I tapped his shoulder. Napatingin agad siya sa 'kin at tumayo. He looked so stressed out. "I told you late kami matatapos. Dapat umuwi ka na. It's already midnight." I showed him my watch. 

"Gusto nga kitang makita." He sighed. 

I pursed my lips and offered him my hand so he could hold it because he looked so lonely. He gave me a small smile and intertwined our hands before we walked towards McDo. Iyon na lang ang bukas na fast food malapit sa amin.

"Come on, don't be sad. May game two pa naman, eh," I cheered him up. 

"Kapag natalo kami sa game two, game over na," seryosong sabi niya. "Last year ko na bilang captain. Sayang naman."

Oh, right. Graduating na siya. It must be hard for him to leave tapos 'yong last na laro niya pa ay talo. I bit my lower lip and sighed too. 

"I know you will do well." I stopped walking and smiled at him. 

"Weh?" He was not convinced. 

I faced him and stared at him for a moment before letting his hand go. Napatingin siya sa kamay ko pero agad ding napabalik sa 'kin ang tingin nang lumapit ako at niyakap siya sa baywang. I felt him stiffen for a while, not knowing what to do. 

"It's okay," I consoled him. 

He put his hands around me and caressed my hair. 

"It's okay. I know you did your best, and your best does not have to be perfect." I tapped his back. 

"Tama na, kinikilig ako." He laughed. 

I could hear his heart beating so fast, so I decided to let go already! Baka mahimatay pa siya. When I looked at him, his ears were already red. He couldn't even look at me. 

"Wow," I said in disbelief. "You really like me, huh?" 

"Oo nga..." He scratched his head a little, getting embarrassed. "Grabe na 'to." 

Tumawa lang ako at naglakad na papuntang McDo. He said he ate already so he just ordered a float. Ako naman, I ordered food for Kuya Roel. Humanap pa rin kami ng upuan so we could talk. 

"Have you already figured out what to wear tomorrow?" I raised a brow at him. 

"Oo." He laughed. "Bukas, makikita mo." 

We talked for a while bago niya 'ko hinatid ulit sa parking. Hindi na 'ko nakapagchat sa kaniya before matulog dahil sa sobrang pagod at nerbyos para bukas. I just wanted to get through it! 

I was up early to go to our last training before the performance. Pagkatapos no'n, nagpalit na kami at nag-ayos na para maagang makarating sa arena. I looked at my phone when Sevi sent me a message.

sevirous: goodluck! kaya mo 'yan! 

I laughed and typed my reply. 

elydezma: Thanks. Don't forget to wear green >:) 

sevirous: checheer kita mamaya pero siyempre hindi mo maririnig. focus ka lang sa routine n'yo. kaya mo 'yan :) 

It eased my nervousness a bit, pero nang makarating na sa backstage ng arena, mas kinabahan lang ako. Unti-unti nang napupuno ang crowd. Ate Raya and others were playing a game while waiting para hindi sila kabahan masyado. Pang-apat pa kasi kami sa magpe-perform just right after Salinggawi. 

I stepped outside of the room for a while to gather air. Sumandal ako sa pader at pinaglaruan ang daliri ko, inaalala ang routine para mamaya. Mas nakakakaba sa 'kin dahil flyer ako. 

"Good luck!" someone from Salinggawi said. 

"Thank you." I smiled back at her. 

Pumasok na ulit ako sa room hanggang sa tinawag na kami para mag-perform sa labas. I was holding Ate Raya's hand like a kid. Ininterview muna kami bago dumeretso sa labas. The crowd cheered for us, just like last year. 

I inhaled a large amount of breath and focused on the performance. We started when we heard the drums. 

I was hoping for a cleaner routine this time, kahit hindi na manalo. I just wanted to do the routine well. It was going well until almost the end of the performance. They threw me in the air and then sinalo nila 'ko, and then they pushed my feet up so fast I failed my balance and fell on the mat. 

I heard the crowd's 'ooh' because of that. My leg was so in pain and I wanted to cry but I still went in the air for the next stunt. Tiniis ko na lang ang sakit sa binti ko. Hindi pa nga masyadong magaling ang pasa last time, mukhang magkakaroon na naman. 

The crowd clapped for us even though we probably did badly. It was my fault. I was so quiet when we went back backstage. Our coach immediately went to me to check my leg. 

"It's okay, Eli. Don't feel bad about it," Ate Raya tried to comfort me.

I stayed quiet. After wrapping a bandage around it, pinahinga ko ang binti ko at kinuha na lang ang aking phone. My mom sent me a message. 

From: Mommy

Baby, are you okay? I was watching the live stream in the office. 

To: Mommy

I'm fine

They couldn't make it because of a very important meeting and si Kuya naman may a-attendan daw na talk. Okay lang, because they went last year. Ngayon lang talaga hectic ang schedule. 

sevirous: you did good! congrats! 

Napairap kaagad ako sa message niya. 

elydezma: Stop lying. It was so bad. I literally fell.

sevirous: oo nga pero okay naman ah? ang galing n'yo nga e! 

sevirous: cheer up! cheerleader ka pa naman tapos hindi mo chine-cheer sarili mo hehehe

Napanguso ako para pigilan ang tawa ko at hindi na siya nireplyan. Masaya naman sila Ate Raya dahil tapos na and wala naman na kaming magagawa para ibalik 'yon so they just started placing their bets on who will win this time. 

Lumabas ulit kami para sa awarding. Umupo lang kami sa mat and waited for them to announce the winners. I looked around and tried to find Sevi, but there were too many people, so I just gave up. 

They announced the winners as I predicted. NU, UST, FEU. Tumayo na kami nang matapos ang ceremony at puro interview na lang. My squad was busy congratulating the teams, so I sneaked out and looked around again. 

"Hey." Someone tapped my shoulder. 

Napalingon agad ako at nakita si Sevi. He was wearing a green La Salle shirt underneath his black jacket with a tiger logo. I looked at him with a sad face kaya nawala ang ngiti niya. 

"Okay lang ba binti mo?" nag-aalalang tanong niya sa 'kin.

I nodded and bit my lower lip to stop my tears from falling. I really hated it whenever people would ask me if I was okay because most of the time, I would burst into tears. 

"Hey..." He reached for me and wrapped his arms around me for a hug. 

Binaon ko ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya at umiyak. He tightened his hug on me and caressed my hair to calm me down.

"Hey, it's okay," malambing na sabi niya. "Okay lang 'yon. Wala namang perpektong routine. May mga nahulog din naman kanina. Maganda naman 'yong sa inyo eh. May next year pa." 

I was still crying on his chest. May tumawag sa kaniya kaya naramdaman kong lumingon siya sa ibang direksyon. 

"Uy, congrats," rinig kong sabi niya sa tumawag sa kaniya habang yakap pa rin ako. "Oo, eh. Ingat kayo." He laughed slightly and probably waved his other hand bago binalik sa 'kin. 

I tried to wipe my tears with my hands. Binitawan niya 'ko at nilabas ang panyo niya para siya na ang magpunas ng luha ko. He was smiling at me while holding my chin with his other hand. 

"Tahan na," he gently told me.

I pursed my lips and looked away, trying to stop the tears. I just felt so embarrassed. Pakiramdam ko pinatalo ko 'yong team and sinira ko 'yong routine. 

"Sev, picture tayo!" May lumapit na magandang cheerleader from NU.

Pinunasan ko ang luha ko at tumingin sa babae. She did not even notice me. I gave Sevi a nod so he could take a picture with the woman. Mukhang magkaibigan sila eh. 

"Congrats, Bianca," he said, smiling. 

"Last year na natin 'to. Sa site na tayo magkikita next time, 'no?" The girl laughed. 

"Naks naman, Engineer," pang-aasar ni Sevi. "Sana nga. Huwag mong batiin! Baka hindi ko maging last. Mahirap na!" 

"Kaya mo 'yan, ikaw pa!" The girl playfully hit him on his chest. "Sige na, my team is calling me! Hang out again soon!" 

Kumaway si Sevi sa babae bago naglakad pabalik sa 'kin. I was already glaring at him, forgetting about the tears I shed earlier. 

"Ano?" Natakot siya bigla sa tingin ko. 

"You have a cheerleader friend from NU?" I asked about it. 

Hindi siya sumagot agad. Tinanggal niya ang itim niyang UST jacket at nilagay sa balikat ko para suotin ko dahil niyayakap ko ang sarili ko. Our costume was thin and fitted and my skin was a bit exposed so I felt cold. 

"Oo, si Bianca. Engineering din," he answered casually.

"You probably like her better than me now?" I raised a brow. "Because they won. They did great." 

"Ano?" Nagulat siya sa sinabi ko at tumawa. 

"Ewan ko sa 'yo." I rolled my eyes. 

"Ikaw lang gusto ko." He smiled. 

Napanguso tuloy ako para pigilan ang ngiti ko, tila nawala agad ang masamang pakiramdam dahil sa nangyari kanina. My mood suddenly changed because of him. 

"Hay, sana all..." Napalingon ako kay Ate Raya na dumaan. 

"Ate!" gulat na sabi ko at agad lumayo kay Sevi. 

"Tawag tayo ni coach, Eli." She laughed and looked at Sevi. "Hi, Captain. Pahiram lang ng cheerleader naming ah? Nice shirt, by the way."

Napatingin ako sa shirt ni Sevi na may 'Animo La Salle.' Tumawa si Sevi at tinakpan 'yon kunwari, nahihiya.

"I'll just message you," sabi ko kay Sevi bago umalis. 

"Dalawang jacket na 'yong nasa 'yo ah," he reminded me. 

I spent time with the team before ako sinundo ni Kuya Roel para umuwi na. When I got home, Mommy was already preparing food for me. Hindi ko nga alam na nakauwi na siya from the meeting! She was still wearing her corporate attire when I went to the dining.

"What are these for, Mommy?" I asked, putting my bag down. 

"To celebrate!" She smiled at me.

"But we didn't win..." I pursed my lips.

"And so?" She raised a brow. "We're celebrating it because you did your best. Now, let's eat, my Amore." 

"Tita's right! You did your best!" Lumabas si Ida sa kusina, hawak hawak ang bowl ng soup. "It will pass!" 

I wanted to cry! I appreciated the people who were with me. Kaunti lang ang friends ko na tinuturing ko talagang close friends and the people with whom I was on good terms, but at least they were true to me. 

"Eli," my mom called, staring at my jacket. 

Hinubad ko kaagad 'yon, panicking. Tinabi ko 'yon sa may upuan at tinabunan ng dala kong duffle bag. 

"Why are you panicking? It's okay." My mom chuckled. 

"I borrowed it from a friend!" depensa ko.

Ida bit her lower lip to stop herself from talking. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin para bigyan ng warning. 

"You're so good at lying, Eli, but you can't lie to your mom." My mom shook her head. "Sit down. Invite your... friend." 

"M-mommy!" Hindi pa rin ako umupo dahil sa gulat. "I don't want to invite my friend!" 

"I said invite your friend. I want to meet him," my mom said sternly.

"It's... It's a woman!" tanggi ko kaagad. 

Bumuntong-hininga si Mommy at umakyat saglit sa kwarto para may kuhain. Pagkabalik niya sa dining, dala-dala na niya ang denim jacket ni Sevi. My eyes widened and tried to get it from her. 

"It says men here," my mom pointed at the size inside the jacket. 

"Come on, Mom. Women can also wear men's clothes and vice versa," I still tried to deny it.

"Okay, Eli, but can women play UAAP men's basketball?" she asked.

Napaawang ang labi ko at tumingin ulit kay Ida pero umiwas siya ng tingin at umaktong busy na naglalagay ng sabaw sa bowl. I glared at her. She probably told my mom something! 

"Don't look at Ida. I just asked her why you were so interested in watching basketball. Hindi ka naman nanonood dati." My mom shrugged.

"Okay, fine!" I gave up and got my phone out of my pocket. "If daddy sees this, I will go nuts!" 

"Your dad is out on a business trip, Eli. It's fine!" My mom laughed. 

Sumimangot ako at tinalikuran sila para i-chat si Sevi.

elydezma: My mom wants you here. Now. 

sevirous: HA ANO TEKA 

elydezma: I'll ask Kuya Roel to pick you up wherever you are. My mom wants to meet you.

sevirous: wait lang galit ba siya? hindi pa nga tayo e! 

elydezma: Just go. 

Umakyat na muna ako sa kwarto ko para maligo at magpalit ng damit. I wore a simple maong shorts and white shirt. Sa bahay lang ako but I sprayed perfume because Sevi was coming. I also applied some lip and cheek tint. 

I called Kuya Roel to pick Sevi up at UST hospital. Pagkababa ko, sabi ni Mommy, huwag daw muna kumain dahil hihintayin pa si Sevi kaya naglaro na lang muna kami ni Ida ng PlayStation. 

"Umamin ka na ba sa kaniya?" tanong ni Ida, nakangiti. 

"No!" tanggi ko kaagad. "Why would I?!" 

"Uhm, duh?!" She rolled her eyes. "If you like someone and that someone likes you back, then you should be together!"

"Not necessarily." I licked my lower lip, getting shy. "I'm scared, okay? You know I never had a boyfriend before." 

"And now's the time!" Ida was so happy. "I can see Sevi's impact on you, okay? And I can tell that he's a good influence. Hindi mo ba napapansin? You're not that grumpy anymore." 

Yeah, I knew his effect on me pero natatakot talaga ako magka-boyfriend! Like, what if I can't commit? What if I can't handle the relationship? What if hindi kami magka-tuluyan? What if magsawa siya sa 'kin bigla because of my attitude? All of it will end up in heartbreak! 

Paano kapag sa umpisa lang pala siya masaya? 

"Okay, if you're not ready yet, it's fine. Ask him to court you!" advice ulit ni Ida. 

"Court me?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "People still court?"

"Uhm, duh?!" 

I should ask him? What? Ako ba dapat ang nagtatanong? I didn't know! I had no idea! 

Napatayo ako sa sahig nang marinig ang doorbell sa baba. Dali-dali akong tumakbo pababa ng hagdan kaso naalala ko ang kalagayan ng binti ko, so I slowed down. My mom opened the door and smiled at Sevi.

I fake coughed and composed myself before greeting him. 

"Good... Uh... Good morning- Noon- Ay, afternoon po. Afternoon pa ba?" He looked at his watch nervously. 

"Come in, come in." My mom opened the door widely.

I bit my lower lip when Sevi entered our house. He was in a semi-formal outfit. He looked.. clean. Ready sa meet-the-parents scene.

"Hi," bati ko nang lumapit sa kaniya. 

"My god, her voice changed!" sabi ni Mommy kay Ida. 

"It did not!" inis na sabi ko. What were they talking about?!

Tumawa si Sevi at binulsa ang mga kamay niya sa pants habang nililibot ang paningin sa malaking bahay. Napatigil lang siya sa pag-admire sa paintings nang tawagin na siya ni Mommy sa dining. He panicked and walked so fast. 

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Sevi at sa harapan ko si Ida. Si Mommy ang nakaupo sa center ng long table. Sevi was just staring at his plate, mukhang natatakot gumalaw. 

"What do you want?" I whispered to him. 

"Busog pa 'ko," bulong niya rin.

"You don't want to eat my food?" My mom scared him!

"Actually, gutom nga po ako. Nagutom ako sa byahe." Sevi changed his mind and tried to get rice. 

I giggled and poured water on his glass. Parang tanga si Ida sa harapan ko na nakangiti at mukhang kinikilig. Sinipa ko tuloy siya sa ilalim ng table kaya napasigaw siya sa sakit. 

"You're from?" My mom started to ask Sevi questions. "UST?"

"Opo. Civil engineering. 5th year," sunod-sunod na sagot ni Sevi. 

"And a basketball player?" 

"Opo. Captain ng UST." Tumango ulit si Sevi. 

"Captain, huh..." My mom nodded slowly. "So, what are your plans after graduation?" 

"Review po sa boards and then take. Kung kaya, isang take lang, and then magtatrabaho na po sa Valeria Group hanggang sa maging professional. Ayon po." Sevi looked passionate and sure with what he was talking about but also nervous. 

"Valeria Group Construction?" My mom asked. "They already contacted you?"

"Uh... Opo... 'Yong may-ari po kasi..." Sevi glanced at me nervously. "We know each other po."

"Wow..." My mom gasped. "That's a big company, ah."

Tumango si Sevi at sinubukang ipagpatuloy ang pag-kain. Hindi na rin nagtanong si Mommy kaya naman nakakain kami nang maayos. Ako rin kasi, kinakabahan para sa kaniya. 

"I'll just take a call." Tumayo si Mommy at kinuha ang phone niya. 

Nang umakyat si Mommy sa study room, nakahinga nang maluwag si Sevi. Ida almost choked on her water because she laughed so hard. 

"Are you done eating? You want to walk outside to get some fresh air?" I asked him.

"What? Iiwan n'yo 'ko?!" Ida pouted. 

"You want to come?" I raised a brow. 

"Ay, hindi na! No need! I can stay here with my food!" Ida smiled. "Enjoy!" 

Tumayo si Sevi at sumunod sa 'kin papunta sa likod dahil nandoon ang malaking garden at ang pool. Umupo ako sa porch swing at tumabi naman siya sa 'kin. 

"I'm sorry. It was so sudden," I apologized. "Ang kulit kasi ni Mommy." 

"Okay lang. Ang gusto ko lang malaman ay kung pasado ba 'ko?" He chuckled. "Hindi naman siya mukhang galit. Mukhang okay naman, 'di ba?"

"I don't know!" I rolled my eyes. "I told her we're just friends." 

"Friends?" he asked, confused. "Kailan tayo naging friends?" 

'Ask him to court you' I heard Ida's voice inside my head. She was haunting me! Dapat hindi ako nakikinig sa mga sinasabi niya!

"Well, I don't know what to say! You're not even doing anything!" reklamo ko sa kaniya. 

"Ano?" Kumunot ang noo niya at tumingin sa 'kin. "Ano bang gusto mong gawin ko?" 

"I'm asking you to court me!" 

His eyes widened for a bit before his expression changed. He looked so amused now. He scoffed and smiled like I said something funny. Ngumuso ako at umiwas ng tingin dahil sa hiya.

Ganoon ba dapat 'yon?! Why did it sound so demanding?! 

Ida's fault! I shouldn't have said that!

"YOU are asking ME to court you?" he asked, emphasizing the pronouns. 

"Yes! You should!" Pinanindigan ko na lang.

"I should?" Ulit niya na naman, mukhang natutuwa. 

I glared at him because he kept on repeating everything! Bakit ba hindi na lang niya sagutin?! Nakakahiya 'yong ganito. 

My gosh... Bakit ba 'ko nagpapauto? Sana hindi ko na lang sinabi.

"You said you like me..." I sighed and looked at my hands, getting more embarrassed.

"Oo nga..." Tumango siya. "Gusto kita." 

"Ida said... You should... court me," I said nervously. 

He stared at me for a moment before letting out a short laugh. Inis akong tumayo para umalis na sa porch swing pero hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinatak ako pabalik. Napaupo ako sa binti niya! 

"Oh my gosh, sorry." Tumayo ako at lumipat ng upo sa tabi niya. 

"Sige..." The smile did not leave his lips. 

"Anong sige?" naguguluhang tanong ko. 

He leaned closer so I looked away, hindi kinakaya ang lapit ng mukha niya sa 'kin. I could feel his breath on my heated face. 

"Pwede bang manligaw?" seryosong tanong niya.

________________________________________________________________________________

:)