Ngayon na ang much-awaited last game between Centrex U and Ignatio. Hoshet. Ang tindi! Even from the parking lot, kitang-kita ko na ang dami ng supporters ng bawat team.

I guess that was to be expected. After all, parehong matinding teams ang maglalaban ngayon.

"You go ahead," Ahron told me before killing the engine of her car. "I'll meet my friend muna."

I nodded and got off, an excited ear-to-ear grin appearing on my face.

I pushed past the crowd to enter the arena but before I could entirely get inside, my phone rang.

RCG calling . . .

My jaw instantly dropped. What the hell? Bakit siya tumatawag when it was just a couple of minutes before the game?

Bumalik ako sa parking lot, sa bandang dulo para lumayo sa ingay. Hoshet. Ayokong mahalata niya na nandito ako.

I answered it when he called again.

"Hello?"

"Last chance. You really can't go?" sinabi niya without beating around the bush.

I'm already here.

I suppressed my grin. "Sorry," sabi ko. "Bakit ka pa tumawag? Malapit na ang game."

Without a pause, he said, "Gusto lang kita marinig," then he chuckled. Yung malalim na chuckle na nakakamelt ng puso. "Pampaswerte sana."

Napapikit ako sa nararamdaman ko. I couldn't contain my excitement.

I laughed. "Good luck. Kaya n'yo 'yan. Bring home the bacon."

"I'll make sure to give you the championship."

Shucks. Goosebumps crawled all over my arms sa sinabi niya.

"I'm hanging up. Focus ka na sa game mo," I told him with a voice na kunwari hindi ako affected. "Seriously. Good luck!"

"I'll see you later."

We ended the call. By the time I saw Ahron in our seats, naka-settle na rin ang ibang mga manonood sa kani-kanilang upuan. Nasa bandang taas kami, not too near or too far sa court. Sakto lang. To be safe, nasa side kami ng Ignatio because Ahron was also supporting her friend na player sa team nila.

The players were already down in the court, warming up kanina pa. Ayoko sanang tumitig but I couldn't stop my eyes from going to the other side kung nasaan ang Centrex team. Una, ang napansin ko sina Justin at Marco. Nagkakatuwaan pa sila habang sumusubok mag-shoot. Then it was his turn.

When my eyes landed on Racel, my heart did an automatic somersault. Grabe. Iba ang hitsura niya ngayon; ang lakas ng dating. Bagay na bagay sa kanya ang red jersey nila, matikas tingnan. Parang labas na labas ang pagiging captain niya. Tapos, that aura and air of focus pa . . . hoshet.

After he shot, lumapit sa kanya si Justin and their other teammates. Tinawag na sila ng coach to give some instructions.

Ahron suddenly elbowed me. "Did you tell him you're here?"

"I didn't. Ayokong sabihin," sagot ko, my eyes still trained on the Centrex players. "Ikaw ba? Ignatio ba talaga pinunta mo dito o si Justin?" I said with a grin.

Her scoff was immediate. "Why would I watch that boy?"

Uy. Si Babe.

"Ows? Don't deny. Tayo-tayo lang naman, babe," sabi ko lang habang tumatawa.

She pointed me an incredulous stare. "There's nothing between us. We're not even friends."

Napatawa ako lalo sa expression niya. It was blank now pero I caught that tiny flicker of emotion sa face niya kanina kahit saglit lang. She wasn't admitting it but she was definitely affected by Justin kahit papano.

"Wala naman akong sinasabi, a." I raised my hands as an act of innocence.

"Yes, but your eyes say so. You're very transparent, in case you don't know," sabi niya.

"Hindi kaya. Magaling ako mag-poker face 'no."

"Sure. Magaling kang magtago when you want to. But most of the time, your eyes are very expressive. They tell everything," she was saying. "And it's saying now how much you like your Gutierez more than you'd care to admit."

OH.

My mouth instantly glued shut sa gulat. Oh, my gods! I certainly DID not expect that. Sa sobrang gulat ko sa sinabi niya wala akong ibang nagawa kundi manahimik na lang. Ngumiti si Ahron triumphantly, knowing she won the conversation.

Badtrip. Ngayon lang ako natalo sa asaran naming dalawa.

Fortunately, tumunog na ang buzzer. And the game started right away.

***

Kinikilabutan ako.

Kahit dito sa audience, damang-dama na ang tensyon among the players. Both teams were seriously good, as in legit na magagaling pero may mga nangingibabaw pa rin talaga. I understood now why Justin was called the miracle rookie of Centrex. Mabilis siya at maagap sa bola. I think most points nga nila dahil sa kanya at sa threes ni Racel.

And speaking of him . . .

Ibang-iba siya. I always knew na field niya ang basketball and that he was damn good at it pero ngayong nakatutok ang atensyon ko sa kanya, it felt like I was seeing him in a new light. Parang lalo akong nagkakagusto. Sheeet. His game face was hot. Bawat pagkilos niya, on-point at accurate. Tapos obvious pa na umaasa sa kanya ang teammates niya for direction. He was the coach on the floor. e's probably one of the best point guards in his time. Akala ko magaling na si Kuya Jacob, pero . . .

Shit, I didn't even want to finish that thought. Basta, iba.

I was completely enthralled.

He was just THAT good.

And this game was keeping me on the edge of my seat.

I released the breath I was holding when Ignatio called for a time-out. The players went back to their coaches.

"Grabe. Nakaka-tense yung laro," I told Ahron. "Ganito ba talaga lagi? Ang dikit pa ng score."

Yeah, Deja Vu. Ganito rin kasi ang nangyari sa laban ng Centrex at Intersci.

"Mas maganda 'yan kung may overtime. Mas magiging intense pa."

Napatingin ako sa Ignatio muna bago sa Centrex. Pagod na sila. Kahit umiikot yung other players at nagsa-substitution naman, yung mga ace players kasi, hindi naman tinatanggal nang matagalan. Racel and Justin had been in the game since the start. Yeah, siguro sanay na sila at malakas na ang stamina nila but I couldn't help but feel worried pa rin.

Bago mag-start ang game ulit, tinapik ni Justin si Racel. May binulong at tinuro.

My heart raced. Oh, gods. Was he pointing in this direction?

Teka, ako ba o si Ahron?

"Babe, sinabihan mo ba si Justin na manonood ka?"

Ahron shook her head.

It happened quick. Racel turned to the audience and ran his eyes around, parang may hinahanap. Sinundan niya ang direksyon ng daliri ni Justin. Ang bilis na ng tibok ng puso ko. I would hide but that was childish and ridiculous.

Racel kept on looking until he stopped. Our eyes made contact. Then a wide, pleased smile spread on his face.

Nagtindigan ang mga balahibo ko. He found me! Fudge, nakita niya kami!

The game continued. But something changed this time. Akala ko imposible, pero parang Racel suddenly became more energetic. Mas naging aktibo siya sa pagkuha ng bola at pag-shoot. Tapos, kada points pa, lumilingon siya sa 'min.

Nahihiya ako. I think the crowd was beginning to notice. Yung iba, bumabaling na sa direksyon namin. Yung iba naman, nagtitilian sa pag-aakala na sila 'yon.

I'd be lying kung sasabihin ko na hindi ako kinikilig. Sino bang hindi kikiligin kung yung captain mismo ng isang team, lumilingon sa 'yo with that sexy grin kada puntos? Kahit sino naman siguro tatamaan do'n. Ngiting-ngiti nga ako sa tuwing may points sila.

"Show off," Ahron commented when Racel shot again, assisted by Justin.

"Mas show off si Justin," sabi ko na lang, grinning.

Thank goodness hindi nag-overtime. Paos na paos yata ako nang matapos na ang game. Grabe kasi, until the end, hindi ko talaga alam na Centrex ang mananalo. Ang galing din kasi ng Ignatio. Deserving talaga sila.

Sobrang saya ko nang lumabas kami sa arena. I was still grinning like a loon. Kulang na lang tumalon pa ko. Imagine! They won! And I was there to witness their victory. Sulit na sulit.

Ahron was staring at me, grinning na rin. "Ang saya mo, a."

"Ikaw ba hindi? The best kaya yung match."

"Don't be that excited. Iisipin ko n'yan may date kayo mamaya."

What she said made me pause.

HOLY SHIT.

Oo nga pala! Nanalo siya! Ibig sabihin n'on, tuloy ang "date" namin mamaya. Hala.

Sa reaction ko, tumaas ang kilay ni Ahron.

"Meron nga?"

I bit my lip, nodding. "Nangako ako."

Una, tiningnan lang niya ko, saying nothing. Then she laughed. "Whatever. Mag-aayos pa naman sila. Let's eat muna."

So we started making our way back to her car. We'll eat somewhere close. MOA sana kaso baka maraming tao.

We just got to her when my ringtone blasted. Huminto kami ni Ahron. Alam ko na kung sino kaya sinagot ko agad.

"You're here!" bungad niya, medyo naghahabol pa ng hininga. "You came to watch!"

"Yes," sabi ko lang.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Busy ka na. Tsaka surprise sana."

"Still! Where are you now?"

"Outside. Parking."

"Stay there. I'll go to you."

Nag-panic ako. Fudge, maraming tao dito. Maraming makakakita!

"Hey, wag na. Kakain pa kami."

"No, stay there. I want to see you."

He hung up. Ni hindi man lang ako binigyan ng time para sumagot. Nagpa-panic na ako. Maraming makakakita sa 'min kapag lumabas pa siya dito.

Ahron seemed to notice because she asked. Kaya sinabi ko sa kanya.

"Hayaan mo na. Let the people talk. If something happens, I'll make something up," she offered.

That relieved me pero 'di ko mapigilan ang kaba ko.

Soon enough, there were shrieks all around. Laking gulat ko nang hindi lang mismo si Racel ang lumabas. Kasama niya ang teammates niya. When the people gathered around them, humiwalay sila ni Justin and we met them somewhere far from the crowd.

Huh. Neat. He used his team as a distraction?

Nakangisi si Justin when he came upon us. Si Racel naman, nakatuon na ang mga mata sa 'kin.

"Sup, ladies?" bati ni Justin.

Ahron smirked. "Congrats."

Ako rin bumati na. I kept my eyes on Justin. For some reasons hindi ako makalingon sa kasama niya. Bakit. Kasi. Kinakabahan. Ako?

"Pero ang daya n'yo. Nakaupo kayo sa grupo ng kalaban," Justin complained.

Natawa na lang kami ni Ahron.

Racel stepped closer and punched Justin's shoulder. Ngumisi siya. Nagkatinginan kami ni Ahron. That was unexpected. "Go away, man. I didn't bring you here for that."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. He looked back to me, a half smile on his face. What the fuck? Pinalayas niya si Justin nang harap harapan?

Justin shrugged and laughed. Ahron, getting the message, left with him. Now it was just us. Ang ingay ng mga tao sa bandang malayo pero mas rinig ko ang pintig ng puso ko.

Shit, shit, shit.

"I can't believe it. You're really here," Racel said readily. I could hear the smile in his tone. He was happy and didn't even bother to hide it.

"Ayokong ma-distract ka so I didn't tell you."

"Are you kidding? This is the best. This is my best game so far." Halatang pagod pa siya kasi hinihingal siya. Lumabas yata kagad siya without even taking a break.

"Congrats talaga," I beamed. "Ang ganda ng game n'yo. Ang galing mo."

"Thanks to you," sabi niya na nagpainit ng pisngi ko. "Wait. I'll change first. San kayo after this?"

"I don't know kay Ahron. Pero sa malapit lang."

"Okay. I'll contact you." He nodded, then he flashed his infamous Gutierez smirk. "I won this game. I hope you haven't forgotten. You're mine today."

Goosebumps crawled on my arms sa sinabi niya. Hosheeet.

"I know. I didn't forget."

"Don't even try to weasel out of it. I'm serious."

"Opo, Cap. I'll wait."

Lumawak ang ngisi niya. Justin called him after that. Tinatawag na ang team nila para sa interviews and stuff. Kami naman ni Ahron, tumulak na para makakain. We ate early dinner nearby. Light lang, dahil ayoko namang mabusog nang sobra.

Kung ano-ano lang ang pinagkwentuhan namin. I was forced to tell her everything about Racel and I. Ngayon na lang din kasi kami nakapag-bond nang kami lang so ngayon lang din ako nakapagkwento. Ahron was chill about everything. She hadn't believed his sincerity yet but she gave him benefit of the doubt.

She told me to see how things would go.

Isa lang ang paalala niya.

"Stay smart."

A very Ahron-ish advice, if I must say. Two words but they meant so much.

Exactly an hour after, I received a text.

RCG:

Where are you?

So I told him where we were.

RCG:

I'll pick you up.

Anticipation shot through me. Hindi ko ma-explain kung ano ang nararamdaman ko. Excitement pa ba 'to? Kilig? Para kasing halo-halo na. Hindi ko na ma-gets.

"Is it him? I'll go when he comes," Ahron told me.

Hinintay namin siya sa labas, spending the remaining minutes by discussing our plans para sa sembreak. When the familiar white and blue BMW pulled up, nagpaalam na ako kay Ahron.

Her teasing grin was the last thing I saw bago siya pumasok sa car niya.

Lumabas si Racel para pagbuksan ako ng pinto. Kung tutuusin, I could've just gone inside pero mapilit siya. He wanted to do it for me. Gentleman talaga.

Sa pagbaba niya ng BMW, napatitig ako sa hitsura at suot niya. He was now wearing a grey shirt, dark fitted jeans, and white kicks. Napakasimple. Pero like always, his strong biceps were greeting me. He's truly defined everywhere. There's no contest there. Nakakayanig yung hooded eyes niya, yung matangos niyang ilong, yung perpekto niyang jawline. Every-fucking-thing, and I was deeply drawn.

Naiinis ako. Nakakainis na aware na aware ako sa bawat detalye niya. It was driving me crazy.

I shrugged myself out of the spell and entered the car when he opened the door. Pumasok na rin siya sa kabila after that.

Now we were on the road.

There was a faint music background. Buti na lang. 'Di ko kasi alam kung ano ang sasabihin. Nilalamig ang mga palad ko. I was effin' nervous kanina pa.

Racel suddenly cleared his throat. "Nakita na kita kanina, hindi ko lang nasabi. But you look damn good today."

Hindi siya nakatingin sa 'kin. Sa daan siya nakatingin but a light smile was playing on his lips.

Medyo tumaas ang esteem ko do'n sa sinabi niya. I guess the pink off-shoulder blouse, light blue maong shorts, and white sandals did the trick.

The car ride was smooth. Napag-usapan namin ang nangyaring game kanina. About what happened after that and other things. Nalaman kong hindi pala siya a-attend ng party nila dahil sa 'kin.

"Hindi ka a-attend? Is that okay?" gulat kong tanong.

"Nagpaalam naman ako. Coach said yes."

"Pwede ba 'yon? Star player ka nila. Captain ka pa. If anything, you should be there to celebrate with your team."

He glanced at me, sabay ngiti. "It's worth it. I'm with my trophy."

"Bolero, nanalo lang," I muttered as a joke.

Tumawa siya. "Totoo naman. I won for you. It's only right that I go with the reason for my victory."

Wala na akong nasabi do'n. Una, dahil ayokong magsalita baka mahalata niyang kinikilig ako. Pangalawa, bigla siyang huminto sa Roxas Boulevard.

We pulled right up to the curb. He cut the engine, then turned to me.

"Here we are," sabi niya na may halong lungkot sa mukha. "Sorry, I wasn't able to plan anything because of the match. I just want us to talk privately."

Natawa ako sa expression niya. He really felt guilty. Baka natatakot siya na ma-disappoint ako.

But I wasn't. At this point, kahit saan niya ako dalhin, ayos lang. I just wanted to be with him, too. Anyway, hindi ko rin naman mapapansin ang lugar. I bet I'd be too focused on him to even notice other details. Everything else would just fade in the background.

Ngumisi ako. "You're a romantic, aren't you?"

"I am?" Halatang nagulat siya. Shucks, ang cute niya. "You find this romantic?

"Oo naman. Convo in the seaside?" Tinuro ko ang dagat. "Kung 'di 'yan romantic, I don't know what is."

As if liking what he heard, he chuckled heartily. Tapos sabay kaming bumaba. Umupo ako sa sea walls, enjoying the peace of the place. Wala masyadong tao dito. Well, since nalipat na ang lahat sa ibang lugar, konti na lang talaga ang tumatambay dito.

But I loved this place.

My dad used to bring us here with my brothers. Magpi-picnic kami sa Tagaytay, then he'd bring us here to play around. Those memories built up my youth and shaped me. They were special to me. They taught me to appreciate the little things in life.

Nanatiling nakatayo si Racel. He was beside me, staring ahead. Pinakikinggan namin ang tunog ng dagat.

"You know, my family loves water," I mentioned to him.

His eyes flickered to me. "What do you mean?"

"Water sports. Beaches. Name it. Lahat yata ng related at meron na water gagawin at pupuntahan namin sa sobrang hilig namin sa water adventure."

"You must have a very happy family since you're all close. It must be nice."

"Sobraaaa," I sang happily.

Parang bata, bigla akong tumayo sa sea wall mula sa pagkakaupo. Alarmed, Racel opened his arms na parang nag-aalala na malaglag ako. As if he was ready to catch me if I fall.

Tumatawa na ako. Nilakad ko ang kahabaan no'n habang nakasunod siya sa baba. Patuloy pa rin ako sa pagkukwento.

I told him about my parents. Na katulad niya ngayon, ganyan din ang ginagawa ni Mom and Dad kapag ginagawa ko 'to noon. Sy'empre, mas frantic sila. Because habang nasa walls ako, naghahabulan naman ang mga kapatid ko sa baba. We were a handful bunch of mischievous kids.

Gosh. Those were the real fun days. I really missed them.

"When you talk like this, I can't help but imagine kung ano ang hitsura mo nung bata ka," Racel said, chuckling.

"Uy. Cute akong bata 'no. Chubby cheeks. Kaya lagi akong inaasar ng mga pinsan ko. I was really a chubby kid."

"Ngayon ba, hindi na?"

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Very funny. Pero wala naman masama sa chubby. Discrimination."

He laughed out loud. "Did I say anything?"

"Same difference."

"So what did you do," he asked, "when your cousins teased you?"

"What else? I punched them in the face of course." Napatawa na rin ako sa naalala.

Sina Mathev at Gian kasi ang pinakaalaskador. Kaya sila rin ang lagi kong binubugbog. Back in the days, they were both really skinny. Ha. Talo sila lagi sa 'kin. Now, it was a different story because they were both ripped and way stronger than me now.

"Close na close talaga kayo."

"We are. I love them. Uy, fish balls!"

Bigla akong tumalon sa harap niya na ikinabigla niya. His arms flailed, trying to catch me. Tawa lang ako nang tawa sa naging reaction niya. At first, nahiya akong ayain siyang kumain ng fish balls. I wasn't sure if he liked it.

Kaya nagulat ako nang nauna pa siyang bumili.

"My mom loves this," Racel told me. "Humihinto pa talaga kami just to buy this."

"Buti na lang. Akala ko maselan ka sa food," biro ko.

Inaya ko siya pabalik sa sea wall habang kumakain kami. Then I looked at him.

"Tell me about your fam," panimula ko. "I want to know. Ilan kayong magkakapatid? Any brother or sister?" tanong ko.

"I'm an only child," he answered right away. "But I'm the second eldest sa 'ming magpipinsan."

Bago pa ako makapagtanong about his cousins, my eyes caught sight of that something on his elbow. Mayroon siyang scar do'n. Fading na.

He seemed to notice my stare because he touched it. "This?"

"Anong nangyari d'yan?"

"Nahulog ako sa bike when I was seven. Sumabit ako accidentally sa nakausling pako. I got it stitched a long time ago but the scar never faded."

Napangiti ako. Ang sarap sa feeling na marinig siyang magkwento tungkol sa youth niya. Actually, this entire thing felt nice. Nakakapag-usap kami, away from the eyes of people, away from the danger of getting caught. Chill lang. Like how friends should be.

With that thought, I then sighed, and whipped my head up the night sky. It was a starry night today.

"Para palang love 'no? Kahit matagal na, the scar still remains," I said, almost in a daze. I didn't know what got into me. I just felt like saying that.

"That's deep."

At that, tumawa ako. Pero huminto agad ako when I noticed he was frowning.

His gaze was boring into mine suddenly. "Are you," he started tentatively and repeated, "Are you still in love with your ex?"

"What?" I said in surprise, then laughed harder. "No, no. Banat lang 'yon, I swear. It meant nothing."

There was just no way I was still in love with that asshole.

"Are you sure?"

"Oo naman. It's been years anyway. And that ex? Wala na dito sa Pinas." He looked relieved but kept silent, kaya I added, "Ikaw? Do you still like any of your exes?"

The image flashed in my head. What must it be like kaya, to have this driven and passionate man as yours? To call him as your own?

Wait, shit. Erase, erase . . .

Block that thought.

"Hindi na," he replied kagad. Nakatingin siya nang malalim sa 'kin before turning away toward the ocean. "Those were not serious relationships to begin with. I was young. They were too."

"So puppy love?"

"I..." He hesitated and then sighed. "Hindi siguro. At least not on my part."

"What do you mean?"

He paused muna before he answered me. "I only dated them because they liked me. Inaasar sila sa 'kin and I didn't want to humiliate them." Lumingon siya pabalik sa 'kin.

"So, nag-date kayo because of peer pressure?"

"You could say that."

Whoa. That's such a gentleman act pero sad din, in a way. Imagine, your boyfriend is dating you dahil lang inaasar kayo and not because he truly likes you. Buti na lang kahit sira ulo at gago si Rohann, we dated for real. At least, I think that was real. Hindi biro yung six months na panliligaw 'no! Lalo na kung may mga nakabantay sa 'yo na ready to pounce on him any second.

"You never liked them? Those girls?" I asked to clarify.

He was quiet for a while. Pinagmasdan niya ako na parang binabasa kung ano ang iniisip ko.

Then he said, "I did eventually. They're not hard to like but --"

"It didn't work out?"

He nodded. "We were better off as friends. They, too, realized that in the end."

I tilted my head. "So I guess you broke up with them?"

This time, his smile widened and he gave a light chuckle.

"Contrary to what you think, they broke up with me. I never had the heart to break up with them."

WHAT?

"Seryoso?" Naningkit ang mga mata ko. "Baka naman pinilit mo? Or you gave signs para makipag-break sila?"

Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala. He got dumped?

"There's nothing like that. Kahit tanungin mo sila. I guess they just got bored of me?" Tumawa siya sa sariling biro.

Itinagilid ko ang ulo ko, incredulous. Hindi talaga ako naniniwala. Bored of you, my ass. Pwede ba 'yon? May mabo-bore ba sa 'yo when you're a walking enigma? Ako nga, I didn't even think forever is enough to decode you. Shit lang.

"I don't believe you," sabi ko, squinting my eyes at him.

"You don't think girls can get bored of me?" Now he sounded amused. Nakangisi ang mga mata niya.

Tumango ako.

He shrugged, looking carefree. "Like I said, they realized we were better off as friends. They're happier now."

"Friends pa rin kayo?"

"Oo naman."

"'Di sila naging bitter or anything?"

Yeah, I was digging. Ang hirap naman kasing paniwalaan!

He shook his head.

"We had proper closure, so no."

Oh. If that's the case, baka nga maganda ang naging break-up. Or maybe they're all mature people. After all, it takes real maturity and strength to still remain friends sa taong minsan mong nagustuhan o minahal. Lalo na kung yung person na 'yon, feel mong 'di ka naman talaga nagustuhan nang buo.

To be honest, I couldn't see myself as still being friends sa ex ko. Call me immature or what pero hindi ko talaga kaya. That ass dumped me and kept me hanging. Bigla na lang nawala. Although wala na akong feelings, being reminded of the past still hurts a bit of my ego. I don't care if he's gonna be around. I can be civil. Basta ayoko lang makipagplastikan sa kanya na okay kami. That's like telling him na what he did to me was okay, na pwede niyang ulitin.

"Hey . . ."

I started when his warm hand touched my face, making me turn back to him. Hindi ko napansin na yumuko pala ako.

"What are you thinking?" bulong niya.

He was staring at me so hard I had to turn away. Shit. Ito na naman ang nagkakarera kong puso.

"Nothing. May naalala lang ako. It's not important."

There was a comfortable silence after that. Wala sa 'min ang nagsasalita parang ine-enjoy lang namin ang presence ng isa't isa, while we listened to the waves lapping onto the rocks. I was busy din with my own thoughts. Parang I couldn't wrap my mind around the idea na na-dump siya ng exes niya. Unbelievable talaga.

The quiet was broken when he spoke up.

"Sorry kung dito lang kita dinala. I was trying to figure out if you're the kind of girl who likes fancy dates better."

"So this is to test me?" I glared at him and mocked a reproving look.

"No. It's to test me," he said, continuing, "If I'm willing to bring you to my family's sacred spot."

Hinintay ko siyang magpatuloy, suddenly unable to speak.

"You should understand that my family didn't start big. My mom is very simple. Lagi niya kaming dinadala dito nung mga panahon na magkahiwalay sila ni Papa."

"Magkahiwalay? Bakit?"

"He was working in the US."

"Ta's naiwan kayo dito?"

He nodded.

"You got great family din. I know. They raised you to be this good." I let out a content smile. "This feels nice, you know. I'm starting to get to know you."

He didn't say anything. But he kept his eyes on mine as he approached me and trapped me between his arms.

I stiffened at his sudden close proximity.

What was he doing?

"I want to get to know you, too," napapaos niyang sabi.

Racel caught me off guard. Wala akong maisagot doon. Suddenly I lost my ability to think straight. All I could think of was his eyes and how they were keeping me in place.

He was so damn close to me I could feel his breath fanning my face.

"In time," I breathed, getting lost in his stare. I couldn't even look away.

"Damn. You are so mysterious. Why is that?" His voice was deep and husky as he said that.

"Ikaw din naman."

His gaze slid down to my mouth. Getting conscious, I bit my lower lip. Sinundan 'yon ng mga mata niya. Instantly, naramdaman ko ang pamumula ng mukha. He was really damn too close.

Racel suddenly closed his eyes, parang nagpipigil. His brows creased in subdued frustration. Mabilis na ang paghinga ko pero pilit kong pinipigil ang paghuhuramentado ko. Damn this.

To ease the air, I cleared my throat. "So. What did your test tell you pala?"

He opened his eyes. "I brought you here, didn't I?"

Hindi ako sumagot. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang isasagot.

He took a deep breath. Lumayo siya nang bahagya sa 'kin. "I'm a simple man, compared to what others would paint me as, and I'm showing you who I really am, wondering if you'll still stay if you find out I'm different from what they say. I'm not great. I'm not perfect. I'm just a man who's willing to be real to you until the very end."

Real to you until the very end.

Strangely, that was very comforting. It felt good to know. And that was probably the longest thing he ever said to me. I could feel the sincerity in his voice, even in his eyes. He was opening up to me. More and more, I was seeing glimpses of him I hadn't seen before.

"Alam ko," I breathed. "Matagal ko naman nang nakita 'yon."

"And?" he urged.

I smiled. "And I'm glad you're not what they said you are. I'm glad you brought me here, too."

I really was.

"C'mon," bigla niyang sabi.

I was confused. "Saan?"

Kumabog ang dibdib ko sa ngiting sinagot niya.

"To the real date."

***

We were back on the road. Pero this time, papunta na sa Tagaytay.

It was now almost eight. I honestly didn't know kung ano ang pinaplano niya. Akala ko nga, 'yon na yung date, yung sa sea side na. Hindi pala. 'Pag naman nagtatanong ako kung anong gagawin namin, hindi siya sumasagot. Ngumingiti lang.

Buti na lang, walang tao sa bahay ngayon. No one would grill me if I went home late.

"Akala ko ba hindi ka nakapag-prepare?" I asked him.

He raised his brows, amused. "You actually believed that?"

"Liar," I mumbled.

Sinilip niya ako. Tapos tumawa siya sa expression ko. His phone pinged just then. Dinungaw niya 'yon, sabay ngisi.

"Justin says hi."

He was probably in the victory party. Napaisip tuloy ako. Panigurado may alam na ang team niya tungkol sa 'min. He even brought them outside kanina. 'Di naman sila stupid. What if magsumbong sila kay Kuya?

And alam kaya nila na magkasama kami ngayon?

I wanted to ask. Natatakot lang ako masira yung mood.

"Congrats kamo," sabi ko na lang. "Kamusta na pala 'yon?"

"Still your friend's number one fan."

I laughed at that. "Totoo ba? He likes her that much?"

Racel shrugged. "He's a determined ass. Your friend will have a hard time pushing him away."

"Ahron."

He turned to me. "What?"

"Her name's Ahron. Reah Claiborne Rosales," I informed.

His stare lingered. Medyo na-conscious tuloy ako.

"And you? What's your full name?"

Simpleng tanong lang pero uminit ang magkabilang tainga ko.

"Jamie Vanna," sabi ko, masking the smile growing on my face. "Jamie Vanna De Villa."

He hummed by way of reply. He looked back to the front. Green light na ulit.

Dahil dito, lalo ko lang napagtanto na konti lang talaga ang alam namin sa isa't isa. We didn't know the basics at all. Pero na-touch ako that he bothered to ask. We were really on our way there. Baby steps lang.

"Jamie Vanna," he whispered to himself as if testing it out. Tapos ngumisi siya.

Ako naman napangiti.

I absolutely loved the sound of my name from his lips.

***

I stepped outside and welcomed the cold breeze of Tagaytay. Ang nostalgic naman. No'ng last na nandito ako, Youth Camp pa. Did he purposely bring me here to remind me na 'yon ang dahilan why we became friends?

Anyway, as it turned out, nagpa-reserve pala siya ng dinner sa isang fancy restaurant. What blew me off though was the fact na pagma-may-ari pala nila 'yon.

Tahimik sa loob when we got inside. Napaka-intimate ng ambiance. I couldn't help but notice na puro couples ang nandito. Hindi na ako natakot na baka may makakilala sa 'min. Puro matatanda at mga pamilya kasi sila. Yung couples naman na ka-edad namin, they were far too lost in each other's eyes para pansinin pa kami.

Medyo nailang ako sa vibes dito. Why did he bring me here? We'd look like we're lovers here!

"Here," sabi niya, naglalakad papunta sa dulong booth.

"This is too much," I told him hastily. Nahihiya talaga ako.

He raised a brow. "We're celebrating. Dapat ba hindi ganito?"

Okay. He got me there.

Still . . .

Nakakakaba na manatili sa ganitong ambiance kasama siya. I might forget my resolve. Our standing. Hindi nga ako sigurado if 'friends' even go to places like this.

In the end, ang nasabi ko lang, "You're right. Sorry."

He waited for me to sit first bago siya. Hindi na kami binigyan ng menu ng waiter, since everything else was arranged na pala even before we got here.

"I didn't order wine for us. You're probably still underaged. I hope you don't mind," Racel said.

Napatawa tuloy ako. "I'm seventeen pero umiinom na ako."

He gave me a look. "I know how you cousins bond. Still, I don't want to get you drunk."

"'Di naman ako madaling malasing."

"Even so. As much as possible sana, I want to play by the rules while I'm with you. I've broken so much as it is."

Oh, shit.

Ayan na naman siya. With his vague statements and all. Lagi na lang.

"Not that I regret it. I'd do it all again if I have to," mabilis na dagdag niya. He must've mistaken my silence for something else. "Ayoko lang ma-badshot lalo sa pamilya mo."

"My parents aren't home if that's what you're referring to. No one would get mad at me."

His brows quirked up, silently asking me to explain.

We spent the rest of the hour conversing about our families.

Since magkausap na rin naman kami, I wanted to ask about Jepoy sana but I didnt wanna kill the moment. Ganito kapag kasama ko siya. All my problems and issues seem to disappear. Nakakalimot ako.

Kaya for now, I'd choose to trust him. It was his victory day. I wouldn't spoil it.

We spent the rest of the hour like that. Kumakain habang nagkukwentuhan. Ang dami kong natutunan tungkol sa kanya. Nalaman kong kaya pala siya pumasok sa basketball dahil sa Dad niya na fanatic ng NBA. His mom was a neurosurgeon while his dad was a business man. Marami silang business; hence, kilala sila sa mundo ng mga elites. The upper classes.

I learned so much in such a little time. Right then, I felt na one step closer ako sa pag-decode sa kanya.

"I have to tell you something," Racel said, taking my attention.

For a split second, he seemed to be battling with himself. But then biglang naging blangko ang expression niya.

"Do you know why I brought you here? Sa Tagaytay?"

I thought about it. No. "Why?" I asked quietly.

His eyes were fully set on mine, filled with concealed emotions.

"To undo the past," he answered. "Back in Youth Camp, when you got mad at me, pakiramdam ko mababaliw ako kakaisip. I wanted to replace that memory. I don't know why. It's not even guilt. I was just fucking bothered. I kept thinking about you. And now I think I know why."

His hand reached forward and grabbed mine. Nakuryente ako sa ginawa niya pero hindi ko 'yon inalis. I was frozen in place, held by his gaze.

"Javee," tawag niya na nagpalundag sa puso ko. "I learned my lesson," he added, "so don't try to avoid me anymore. I'm avoiding your brothers for you."

As soon as he said that, I forgot how to breathe. Just for that moment, pagtatambol ng puso ko lang ang naririnig ko. A strange emotion encompassed me, fluttering wildly in my stomach.

"You did that? For me?" linaw ko.

What Kuya Onyx said flashed in my head no'ng sinabi niyang umiiwas na sa kanila si Racel.

"Yes," diretso niyang sagot. "And be assured that the others will do the same. There won't be anymore fights between us."

I wondered if 'yon din kaya ang reason kung bakit pinigilan no'ng tatlo si Marco nung nakasalubong namin sila? He stopped because of Racel?

"'Di ba sila nagalit sa 'yo?" I asked in wonder.

Kasi obvious naman na malalim na ang feud nila. Ending it just like that, okay lang sa team niya 'yon?

"Some of them did. We fought over it but I don't care. I can't afford to risk you again. Ito lang ang magagawa ko since you're troubling yourself by meeting me. Your brothers, I mean . . . " he trailed off, unsure. "And this is the right thing to do. It's long overdue and I should've paid more attention to this."

Sa nangyayari ngayon, I confirmed something. Hindi lang ako ang takot. Hindi lang ako ang nag-iisip. Racel was just as cautious as I was. He was dreading my brothers as much as I do. But for me. He was dreading them for me.

He was protecting me.

Hindi niya sinabi pero 'yon ang nararamdaman ko. Even now, he was thinking about me.

"I'm sorry if I'm putting you in a tough situation," he said with a sigh.

"I'm sorry din, kasi ganito tayo. We can't hang out freely even if we want to."

"It's okay. I understand. Kahit ganito lang, I'm content with this."

Ngumiti ako. Genuinely. Ako rin, I'd learn to be content with this.

Then may bigla akong naisip. Kahit na hindi naman wine ang iniinom namin, I raised my cup.

"Cheers, to a good friendship."

No'ng una nabigla siya sa sinabi ko. Then he chuckled and did the same.

"Good friendship," he repeated.

And really. Kahit complicated, I really thought it was worth the shot. We really were going somewhere now.

***

At around ten, after the dinner, we decided to stay at the cafe. Gusto ko lang tumambay para i-enjoy ang Tagaytay view kahit na gabi na.

I leaned over the railing, just enjoying the moment. Ayoko pa talagang umuwi kaya ganito. A cold gale blew past, making me shiver.

"Are you cold?"

"No," I lied.

'Di naman siya naniwala. He shrugged off the red jacket he wore kanina and draped it over my shoulders.

"Pa'no ka?"

"I'm okay."

"Thanks."

Lumingon kami pabalik sa Taal. Gabi na kaya wala nang makita but it felt good to just stare and lose ourselves. I was coming undone.

Suddenly, he brought his phone out. Ta's inakbayan niya ako. Napalunok ako.

"Let's take a pic."

I blinked, surprised.

"Sure ka?"

"I won't post it."

Dahil matangkad siya, kailangan pa niyang i-adjust ang sarili niya. Pinagdikit niya ang mga mukha namin. Outside, I was smiling perfectly fine. But inside, I was screaming.

Oh, my gosh. Buti na lang gabi kundi makikita sa picture ang pamumula ng buong mukha ko. I was probably as flushed as the color of his jacket at the moment.

He took several photos bago kami tumigil. May umihip na hangin kaya sumabay do'n ang mga buhok namin. When he brushed his hair back, napatitig ako. Buti na lang hindi siya nakatingin. He was checking the pictures we took.

Grabe talaga. Ang hot din talaga niya. Lahat na lang.

Being this close to him also made me notice some details about him. Like his broad shoulders. Ang lawak ng mga 'yon, and it made him look really dependable. His features were soft, but his lips were thin. Even his defined eyelashes. And those piercing hooded eyes. They all blended together to make a perfect handsome face.

I was really, really drawn.

Napansin niya yata ang titig ko dahil bumaling siya sa 'kin.

For a full minute, nagkatinginan lang kami. I felt faint. Nanghihinga ang mga tuhod ko sa bawat tingin niya. Para akong babagsak. Na-out of balance na nga yata ako dahil pinadausdos niya ang kamay niya sa baywang ko para i-balance ako.

Nagtama ang mga mata namin. Now, we were inches apart.

Something in his eyes changed. Turning darker, fiery. His free hand moved to cup my face, caressing my cheek. I shivered at his touch and let out a shaky breath.

Titig na titig ako sa kanya. His penetrating eyes were probing me, parang may sinasabi sa 'kin. His thumb brushed my lower lip as if asking for permission.

Another shiver ran down my spine.

"I can't resist. So condemn me. I can't let you go," he said very softly, almost like a whisper.

Then, he leaned and captured my lips.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Electricity fired through my entire system, igniting all my senses.

It took a while before I realized what was happening.

Hoshet.

Racel Gutierez was kissing me.