Elliana's Point Of View

"Love, hindi ako si Akon pero I wanna Be With You."

Marahang natawa ako sa sinabi ni Yvonne.

"Don't do that, baka matawa ako ng malakas. Bawala mag-ingay dito," marahang iling ko.

Pinatong nito ang kamay niya sa itaas ng kamay ko na nasa mesa. I took a sip from my coffee and flip the page of the book that I am currently reading.

"What's so funny about that? Dapat nga kiligin ka," nakasimangot na sabi nito.

"Love, natatawa ako kasi kinikilig ako. Hindi naman pwedeng mag-acrobat ako dito sa kilig," I explained.

"Dalhin kita sa bahay tapos do'n ka mag-acrobat."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at bumalik sa pagbabasa. Yvonne decided to spend the whole afternoon at a local library. Of course, I agreed. Request ng tangi ko eh, sino ba ako para tumanggi?

Kidding aside. Stressed din ako dahil sa nangyari noong nakaraang araw. I found out he's a new worker under our company. So, obviously, hindi niya ako nakilala.

"What book are you reading?" she asked.

"Just... about the law," I answered.

"Hm? Why?"

I shrugged. "It's interesting."

"You're something, Elliana," she chuckled.

I know. One of the things I had in my mind way back in high school was to take pre-law. It was just a thought tho.

"Mama's inviting you for dinner."

Nagtaas ako ng tingin at napangiti. Sobrang bait at maalaga ng Mama ni Yvonne, pati na rin ang Papa nito. Gusto ko ng ipakilala si Yvone sa mga magulang ko pero alam ko na agad kung anong magiging kalalabasan.

"Let's go. Malapit na gumabi," tumayo ako para ibalik 'yong librong binabasa ko.

"Stay here, let me."

Yvonne snatched the book from my hand.

"Love, I can do it."

"Me too," she shrugged and left.

Mahinang natawa ako dahil sa salubong na kilay nito. My girlfriend loves spoiling me. She's not spoiling me with things but she's spoiling me with her sweet words and sweet gestures. Yvonne's not that vocal with her feelings with me but I'm trying my very best not to let her feel bad things such as jealousy.

"Let's go?"

I nodded. Yvonne carried my purse for me and held my hand. We walked out of the library with intertwined hands. Her hands perfectly fits in mine. Her hand feels so soft and it's hot.

"Ikaw n ang bagong paborito ni Mama at Papa. They keep blabbering and asking about you," she stated as we drove off.

I chuckled. "Is that a bad thing?"

"No, it's a good thing. Ibig sabihin lang no'n ay hindi ka na makakawala sa 'kin."

"You're planning on... keeping me?"

"Elliana, baliw na baliw na ako sa 'yo tapos pakakawalan pa kita? Love, never. Hindi mangyayari 'yon."

Pinamulahan ako ng mukha kaya bumaling ako sa ibang direksyon na hindi nito makikita ang namumula kong mukha. Well, I didn't expect that. I want to be with Yvonne for a lifetime so there's no escaping for her too. She's mine, I'm her's. I love her. Eight Letters.

"You're not planning on leaving me are you?" she worriedly asked.

"Yv—"

"Love," sinamaan niya ako ng tingin na ikinatawa ko.

"Ano ba 'yang sinasabi mo?" natatawang tanong ko.

"I swear, Elliana. Hahanapin kita at itatali sa tabi ko kapag iniwan mo 'ko," sobrang sama ng tingin nito sa 'kin.

"Love, I'm all yours, okay? I'm keeping you for a lifetime."

"Let's get married then."

Nanlaki ang mata ko at binigyan siya ng hindi makapaniwalang tingin. I can hear the fast beating of my heart at this moment. I feel excited and nervous at the same time. 'Cause I know for myself, if she'll ask me right here, right now, I'll say yes.

"Mag-drive ka na nga lang diyan," kuyari ay irap ko.

Sa halip ay itinabi nito ang sasakyan. Bumaling si Yvonne sa 'kin at hinawakan ako sa kamay.

"Binili ko 'to para wala ka ng kawala sa 'kin. Hindi 'to kasing mahal ng mga designer bags mo, pasensya na."

She took a small velvet box with a ring inside. I gasped in surprise. Don't tell me—

"Elliana, payag ka bang pakasalan ako?"

Huminto yata ang puso ko at nanatili lang ang titig ko sa kaniya. Papalit-palit ang tingin ko sa singsing at sa masayang mukha ni Yvonne.

"L-love, nag-aaral ka pa—"

"Yes or no, Love. That's the only choices."

"Yes," I whispered.

"I can't hear you."

"I said yes! Yes! Yes!" I blurted out of excitement.

Yvonne grinned and said yes to the air. She took my hand and put the ring. I'm engaged. With the love of my life. With my girlfriend. Naiiyak ako sa saya.

"Thank you, Love. Just one more year and I'm going to marry you. Bibigyan kita ng magandang buhay. Dito ka lang sa 'kin. You're mine, Elliana. No one has the rights to have you but me. Mine. Always mine," she whispered as she hugged me tightly.

"Yours. Always."

There's a wide smile plastered on our faces as we drive to her sister's apartment.

Napalitan agad ng inis at sakit ang sayang nararamdaman ko nang makita kung sino ang naghihintay sa pagdating namin ni Yvonne. Tumingin ako sa magkahawak naming kamay at pilit na binabawi ang kamay ko.

"Let go, Yvonne. Pupuntahan ko si Yelena," diin ko.

But Yvonne didn't even glance at me. She's staring at her best friend who is sitting on the couch, staring back at us. Mahigpit ang hawak ni Yvonne sa kamay ko.

"Yvo! I'm glad you're already here. I miss you!" Kaicy, Yvonne's best friend, exclaimed.

"I'm glad to see you here, Kai. Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Yvonne asked with a straight face.

"Family vacation. Flight na namin bukas ng umaga," she smiled.

"Mag-iingat kayo do'n," tango ni Yvonne.

"You might want to come?"

Sasagot na sana si Yvonne nang dumating si Yelena. Nagliwanag agad ang mukha nito ng makita kami.

"Elli! Buti nalang dinala ka ni Yvonne dito. May sasabihin din kasi sana ako."

Lumapit si Yelena sa 'kin at hinawakan ako sa kamay. She gently pulled me giving Yvonne no choice but to let go. Hinabol pa ako ng tingin ni Yvonne.

"Ano 'yon?" tanong ko pagpasok namin sa kwarto niya.

"Matagal ko ng gustong sabihin sa 'yo 'to pero palagi kang sino-solo ni Yvonne. That girl, palagi nalang pangalan mo ang lumalabas sa bibig," irap niya.

"Ano ba kasi 'yon?" nagmamadali kong tanong.

Hindi ako mapakali. Magkasama si Yvonne at Kaicy. I don't feel well at that thought. Kinakain ako ng selos. I trust Yvonne, not Kaicy. I don't like her.

"Elli, you should relax. Walang gagawing masama si Yvonne at Kaicy. You trust her, right?" hinawakan ni Yelena ang kamay ko.

"I trust her, not the one who's with her. Ayoko sa kaniya, Yel. Anyway, what is it that you want to tell me?" I asked.

"May nanliligaw sa 'kin," she bit her lip.

"Who? Uso pa ba ligawan ngayon?" I grinned.

"Hindi uso pero gusto ko maranasan eh. If he's serious with me, then he'll wait. Ikaw kaya itong hindi hinayaan na ligawan ni Yvonne," tumawa ito.

"Yes. Love knows no time. As long as your feelings for that person is valid then go for it. I love my person, Yel. Kailan mo ba ipapakilala sa 'kin 'yan? Is he trusted? Is he rich? Kaya ka ba niyang buhayin? What?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko.

"You know him too well, Elli. Kaya nga magpapatulong ako sa 'yo."

"Sino?"

Is it my cousin? Hope not. I will really strangle him to death. First of, he's not trusted. Second, he's a very bad influence. Third, he's irresponsible.

"It's Dart."

My lips parted in pure shock.

"What— how?!"

"Hindi na ako tinantanan. Napag-usapan din namin kayo tapos ayon, simula no'n araw-araw na akong kinukulit. Natatakot ako sa kaniya."

"Huh? Bakit? Dart is good. He's a full package, actually. Oh, and he's hella rich," tumango-tango ako.

"Well, there's this one time, when a guy approached me, and he went ballistic."

Wow. I never knew Dart could be so possessive.

"Ano pang ginawa niya?" natutuwang tanong ko.

I'm sure Yelena will be in good hands with Dart. He's the most caring and responsible guy I know.

"He threatened the guy. He'll ruin him. That's what he said."

Napailing nalang ako.

"He's a good guy. Sa panahon ngayon, ang tawag sa mga katulad ni Dart ay green flag. You'll be in good hands, Yel. You have my blessing."

"Hm. Thanks, Elli. The best ka talaga."

"Kaya nagtatampo 'yong dalawa sa 'tin eh. Let's go out sometimes, just the four of us."

"I'm in! Balikan mo na si Yvonne do'n, sasabihan ko 'yong dalawa," she tapped my shoulders.

Tumayo ako at lumabas ng kwarto niya. I saw Yvonne and Kaicy talking in the living room. Magkatabi na ito sa couch at mukhang nag-uusap talaga sila ng masinsinan.

Tumikhim ako para kunin ang atensyon nila. Yvonne immediately stood up when she saw me. Lumapit ito agad sa 'kin at ipinulupot ang braso sa baywang ko. She leaned in and kissed my temple, in front of Kaicy.

"Y-yvo..."

We both turned to Kaicy. I gasped when Yvonne pulled me closer to her.

"This is my girl, Kaicy. And if you don't like her, then so be it. Don't get on my way, Kai. You know I hate crushing a friend."

Kaicy gulped and so was I. Yvonne's seriousness sent shivers to my bones.

"Yvonne, you shouldn't—"

"Love, this is me, fighting my all for you. So let me," Yvonne smiled.

Yelena told me Kaicy is the only friend she have, aside from her band mates way back. Ayokong masira ang pagkakaibigan nila ng dahil lang sa hindi pagkakaintindihan namin ni Kaicy.

Yvonne locked me in a tight hug, facing her back on Kaicy. Kitang-kita ko kung pa'no magsilaglagan ang butil ng luha galing sa mga mata nito. Her lips is trembling while wiping her tears. She's in pain.

"Kakausapin ko si Kaicy, puntahan mo muna si Yelena," mahinahong ani ko kay Yvonne.

Mas lalo lang humigpit ang yakap nito sa 'kin. Tinapik ko ang likod nito.

"Yvonne, this is not the right thing to do. Hindi ako papayag na mawalan ka ng kaibigan ng dahil sa 'kin. I'll be fine. Don't you trust me?"

"Trust has nothing to do with this, Elli."

"This is me, Love. Giving my all to you. Now, go to Yelena and I'll talk to Kaicy."

Nag-aalangan man ay sumunod pa rin ito sa sinabi ko. Yvonne left and I went to Kaicy.

"I'm sorry. Yvonne didn't mean to say those rude things to you," I started.

Namutawi ang katahimikan sa 'min. Mayamaya pa ay nagsalita ito.

"Is she happy?" Kaicy asked.

"Yes, I am."

Napalingon ako. Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Yvonne na nasa hamba ng pintuan ng kwarto ni Yelena.

"I swear, Yvonne. Hindi kita papansinin ng isang linggo kapag hindi mo kami iniwan," I glared at her.

"But Love—"

"Alvarez!" sigaw ko.

She quickly closed the door of Yelena's room. Binalik ko ang tingin kay Kaicy na nakamasid lang pala sa 'min.

"Wow. You can tame her. She follows you," she stated.

"What do you mean? She's always like that."

"She's not like that at all. Hindi iyon sumusunod sa utos ng ibang tao. Mabait si Yvonne pero mas matigas pa sa bakal ang ulo no'n. Kung walang sasabihin ay mananahimik. Kung hindi mo kakausapin ay tahimik," litanya niya.

"Well, she's a bit talkative when we're together."

"She's comfortable with you. Anyway, I'm not against your relationship. Just don't hurt Yvonne in any ways."

"We're engaged. I plan to have her next to me for eternity," I showed her the ring in my hand.

"Congratulations, newly engaged couple. You have my blessing. Akala ko magkakaroon lang si Yvonne ng girlfriend after graduation. I was wrong. Engage na nga rin ito."

I didn't even think I'll end up with her. Nevertheless, they say expect the unexpected.

"Thanks, Kaicy. Sorry sa sinabi ni Yvonne kanina. She didn't mean a thing."

"I know. I provoked her and I understand why she acted that way. I have to go. Tell Yvonne I'm sorry and yeah, we're still best of friends. Take good care of each other, I'll always have your back. Thank you for making her happy."

"Friends?" I extended my hand.

"Best friends."

*****