The following days were quite the same but I'm not complaining! Xaviell and I either have lunch or dinner together and most of it includes the sudden appearance of Valerianna. I don't know what's up with her but I started getting used to her presence that she no longer surprises me.

And just like what Lavinia planned, we're now on our way to this favorite spa of hers. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay nakapunta na rin kami ng mga kaibigan dito noon. Pagmamay-ari yata ito ng kapatid ng asawa ni Galaxy.

We just finished our bath and scrub and now we're having a massage in front of a small, manmade waterfall. Lavinia managed to convince me to avail the spa's most expensive package 'cause according to her, it's the most luxurious and most relaxing.

Hindi na lang ako umangal at napapailing-iling na lang minsan dahil sa kanyang kagarbohan.

"So, how's it going with you and Beaufort?" Malapit na sana akong makatulog pero agad ding napaigtad nang magsalita si Lavinia.

"Well... we're okay," nakangiti kong sagot. Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung ano dapat ang isagot ko sa kaniya. At isa pa, hindi kami ganoon ka-close kaya hindi madaling makipag-kuwentuhan sa kaniya.

"You know, I never saw him as the romantic type... I mean he's sweet but I don't think he was ever in a relationship," aniya na nakakuha naman agad ng atensyon. Bigla rin akong na-curious dahil hindi naman namin napagkuwentuhan ito ni Xaviell.

"I honestly thought that he has this secret feelings for me and he was just waiting for me... 'ya know... but I guess I'm wrong," dagdag niya sabay halakhak. Nakita ko naman na napangiwi ang kaniyang masahista dahil panay ang galaw niya.

Patuloy kaming nag-usap ni Lavinia pero kung iisipin, tagakinig lang naman ako. Minsan, may kung anong kirot akong nararamdaman at parang ang sarap niyang bigwasan.

But then, I remembered that I have no right to be jealous. Xaviell and I... we're friends... we're not "official" so the jealousy part should stop.

"Cheers, Valentina," Lavinia said, then raising her fruit-infused water with mine. Hindi ako makapili kanina ng inumin namin pero nang binanggit niya na 'yong palaging iniinom ni Xaviell, 'yon na lang iyong in-order ko.

Kasalukuyan kaming nagpapa-pedicure habang kumakain. Nakakakalma ang buong spa at nakatulong pa na umuulan kaya mas naging relaxing ang ambiance.

Sa gitna ng pagkukuwento ni Lavinia, biglang nag-ring ang kaniyang phone. Pagkatapos sagutin iyon ay nakasimangot niya akong hinarap.

"Valentina, I'm sorry but I have to go," she said with a frown. "Emergency..."

Tinanguan ko siya sabay tango. Paalis na sana siya nang bigla kong natandaan na wala pala akong dalang sasakyan dahil sumabay lang ako sa kaniya.

Mukhang natandaan niya rin iyon dahil bumalik siya sa tabi ko. "I almost forgot... is it okay if I call Beaufort to fetch you?"

Excited akong tumango at mukhang napansin niya iyon dahil may multo ng ngisi sa kaniyang labi.

"Hey, Hon!" Bati niya sa kabilang linya. Parang tinusok na naman ang dibdib ko dahil sa narinig. Agad ko namang pinaalalahan ang sarili na huwag dapat akong magselos dahil kung ganoon, ako ang talo.

At isa pa, siya naman ang nag-offer na tawagan si Xaviell. Kung may gusto siya sa kaniya, edi diba dapat pinapalayo niya kami? At ano naman ngayon kung may gusto siya kay Xaviell?

Nasapo ko na lang ang mukha dahil sa mga naiisip. Pagkatapos ng tawag ay umalis na rin si Lavinia.

At dahil wala na akong kausap, mabilis akong nakatulog habang nagpapa-pedicure. Sa dinami-rami ng mga nangyari nitong mga nakaraang araw, ngayon ko lang napagtanto kung gaano ako kapagod.

But it's the good kind of exhaustion. 'Yong tipo na kahit pagod ako, magaan pa rin ang pakiramdam ko. I guess it's eustress.

Nagising lang ako nang naramdaman na natigil ang pagmamasahe sa mga paa ko. I removed my eye mask and was surprised to see Xaviell beside me. May nagpe-pedicure rin sa kaniya at may face mask pa!

I tapped his hand and whispered, "Xaviell..."

Akala ko ay natutulog siya pero imbes na sumagot ay pinagsilop niya ang aming mga kamay. I bit the insides of my cheeks to prevent myself from smiling. Nakakahiya naman kung aakto akong kinikilig dito, noh!

"Gising ka?" Bulong ko ulit.

"Hulaan mo," bulong niya pabalik na ikinahalakhak ko naman. Agad kong tinabunan ang bibig at bumalik na sa pagkakasandal sa sariling upuan.

Hindi nagtagal ay natapos din naman siya at saka kami umalis. Umuulan pa rin at lalo pang lumakas. At dahil wala kaming payong at wala na ring may maipahiram ang spa sa amin, tinakbo na lang namin papuntang parking lot.

As expected, the traffic was heavy. It didn't help that it was starting to flood. Sa sobrang bagal ng pag-usad ng mga sasakyan, ay nakatulog ulit ako. Nagising ako na mabigat ang pakiramdam. Doon ko natandaan na mahina-hina pala ako at mabilis lagnatin.

I tried to sleep again but I started coughing and sneezing. My body feels heavier and I couldn't seem to move without feeling weak.

Xaviell turned to me with a worried look so I tried to assure him with a smile. He doesn't look convinced though.

"You look pale," he pointed out, then trying to go near me but I defensively placed a hand to stop him. Sigurado akong may lagnat ako at ayaw ko siyang mahawaan.

He sighed, then placing a hand on my neck and forehead while the other was turning the air-con off. "We're near my place, do you mind staying there first?" Tanong niya, parang kinakabahan pa. "Nothing indecent or malicious, just so you know," he added with a sheepish smile.

Kahit masama ang pakiramdam, nagawa ko pa ring ngumiti dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. Tinanguan ko siya at muling ipinikit ang mga mata.

Nakaidlip ulit ako at nagising lang nang maramdaman ang mahina niyang pagyugyog sa akin. Laking pasasalamat ko na binuhat niya ako papunta sa kaniyang unit dahil wala na talaga akong lakas at gusto ko lang matulog.

"Valetines?" Tawag niya sa malumanay na boses. Naramdaman ko ang malambot aa sofa sa aking likuran kaya lalo akong inantok. "I know you don't feel like moving but you have to take a bath..."

I groaned and covered my face, then turning to the side. I heard him sigh before I felt his hand on my arm. "I'm gonna carry you to the tub. Is that okay?"

Instead of answering, I groaned again. He took it as a yes and carried me to the bathroom and made me sit on the sink. Pero dahil wala talaga akong lakas, sumandal ako sa kaniya at ipinalibot ang braso sa kaniyang baywang.

Sandali pa siyang napasinghap at nanigas pero masuyo rin namang hinaplos ang aking ulo. "Well, it's nice that you're hugging me but you really have to take a bath..."

I groaned again and jumped from the sink. Mabilis akong pumunta sa tub habang hinuhubad ang damit. Narinig ko naman ang mabilis na pagsara ng pintuan.

The water was warm and if only I wasn't sick, I would've stayed in the tub. But since the only thing that I want right now is to sleep, I showered quickly and wore the robe.

I opened the duffel bag that was on the sink and found some unused clothes. May mga price tag pa ang mga iyon. May gamot at tubig din siyang nilagay.

Nang makalabas ako ay nadatnan ko si Xaviell na nakahilig sa dingding sa tabi ng banyo. "Those are London's clothes," he said then gesturing to the bed.

I ran towards the bed and snuggled under the comforter. He fixed the comforter for me and turned the lamp off. I felt his hand on my head, tapping it lightly before muttering a low "good night."

Kahit walang alarm clock, maaga pa rin akong nagising. Mas maaga pa kaysa sa nakasanayan ko dahil madilim pa ang paligid at wala pang sinag ng araw.

Hindi na mabigat ang pakiramdam ko at wala na siguro akong lagnat. May thermometer sa sa bedside table kaya ginamit ko iyon para manigurado.

Nang makita na normal na ang temperature ko, dumiretso ako sa banyo at saka naghilamos. Lumabas ako ng kwarto na sa tingin ko ay kay Xaviell at hindi guest room. Maghahanap na sana ako ng pagkain nang may naaninag akong anino sa may terasa.

I clenched my fist defensively as I took a step forward. Nakahinga lang ako nang maluwag nang makita na si Xaviell iyon. Mukhang nagulat ko rin siya dahil napaigtad din siya nang makita ako.

He opened the terrace door and let me in. I beamed at him while he placed a hand on my forehead.

"I'm okay now," nakangiti kong sabi. "I checked my temperature."

He messed with my hair and nodded. We were enveloped by silence for a moment before he offered to make me breakfast. Ngunit dahil hindi pa naman ako nagugutom, sinabihan ko na lang siya na gusto ko munang maupo at ma-enjoy ang tanawin.

"Did you sleep well?" Tanong niya na mabilis ko namang ikinatango sabay sandal sa kaniyang balikat.

I don't know why I did it but it felt like the right thing to do. He placed his arm around me while I encircled mine to his waist. Naramdaman ko ang kaniyang mga mata sa akin kaya tumingala ako sa kaniya at nakita siyang nakangiti.

"What?" Mahina kong tanong, biglang na-conscious dahil sa kaniyang tingin. Baka kasi may kung anong dumi pala ako sa mukha at kitang-kita niya!

"Brace yourself 'cuz it's gonna be cheesy but I was just thinking... whoever wrote that letter got some things right. I am grateful that I met you—I was, still am, and will always be happy that you're part not only of my stay in Aldea Blanca, but also that you're part of my life..."

Umalis ako sa pagkakasandal sa kaniyang balikat at mapanuri siyang tinitigan, sinisiguro na hindi siya nagbibiro o ano.

"Is that your way of saying that I'm such a great person?" Tanong ko na may halong biro. Kung sumeryoso kasi ako, baka hindi ko lang makayanan.

"Mhmm..."

"A great friend to you?" Tanong ko ulit.

"Mhmm..." aniya ulit sabay tango. "But we can be more than that," dagdag niya sa mahinang boses. Hindi ko nakayanan ang intensidad ng kaniyang tingin kaya napatingin ako sa gilid.

"But if that's all that you can offer..." I turned to him as he spoke. I saw him swallow while his eyes were still on me. "This is enough for me... but..." he paused again. Parang nagdadalawang-isip pa siya.

"But if there's a chance that we can be... hmm... together," aniya at parang nahihiya pa pero agad din namang sumeryoso. "If there's a chance, even just a small one, I'll take it... just please tell me so I know where I stand. I'll take any chance, Valentines..."

Tulala ko siyang tinitigan, hindi alam kung ano ang isasagot. "So, tayo na?" Wala sa sarili kong tanong.

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata at napa-facepalm. "Oh, Valentines..." bulong niya sa sarili bago ako hinarap. "Please take me seriously."

Now it was my turn to facepalm. "I am taking you seriously!" I said defensively. "Why would you think I'm not taking you seriously?" Nanlulumo kong dagdag. "Hindi ako maalam sa mga ganito kaya pasensya."

Hindi ko napigilang mapasimangot dahil doon. Yumuko na lang ako at tinuon ang mga mata sa kamay. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ginawa ko para isipin niyang hindi ko siya sineseryoso.

"Valentines," tawag niya.

I bit my lips and brought my eyes to him. "I'm sorry, please don't be mad."

"Why would I be mad?" Naguguluhan niyang tanong. He cupped my face and caressed my cheeks. He looks concerned and confused.

I really thought he'd be mad because I did something that made him think that I'm not taking him seriously. I don't know why I'm being like this... overreacting... ayaw ko lang talaga na magalit siya sa akin o sino man lalo na kung malapit sa akin.

"I'm not mad at you... I think there's some misunderstanding here," aniya.

Napakagat-labi ako sabay tango. "Akala ko galit ka kasi sabi mo hindi kita sineseryoso."

"No, it's not that," he assured. "I just thought you were kidding 'cuz I mean... why would you say such?"

"Dahil gusto kita," diretsahan kong sabi.

"Akala ko 'yon na 'yong cue pero hindi pala... like what I've said, I don't know how this is suppose to flow. It's not like there's a manual or guide... things such as this unfolds differently so I thought..."

The corner of his lips rose. He whispered something to himself before pulling me into a hug. Sandali pa akong nagulat pero agad din namang nakabawi at niyakap na siya pabalik.

"I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure there's a courting stage," he said.

"Li-ligaw?" Nauutal kong tanong at mabilis na dumistansya sa kaniya. May kung anong memorya ang sumiklab sa isipan ko at mabilis na binalot ng pangamba ang dibdib ko.

Gulat akong tinitigan ni Xaviell. Ako mismo ay nagulat din sa ginawa. He looked like he has something to say but he remained silent.

"Wait, I need some time," I said, then turning my back on him and faced the railings instead.

I calmed myself with some breathing exercise and massaged my temples. Ayaw kong pag-usapan ito pero ayaw ko ring magtago ng kung ano mula sa kaniya. Mas mabuti nang alam niya na may kung ano pa rin sa akin na naaapektuhan.

I took another deep breath before going back to his side. "I'm sorry about that... it's just that I remembered... him..." I explained with a sigh, then looking down. Hindi ko siya matingnan nang diretso.

Instead of answering, he encircled his arms around my waist and embraced me instead. We stayed like that for a moment and it wasn't long after that the first rays of the sun appeared on the horizon, blanketing the skyscrapers with its gentle glares.

"Valentines," he called.

"Mhmm?"

"I'm up for whatever makes you comfortable the most," he said in a low, soothing voice. Parang nanghehele ang kaniyang tinig at sobrang lambot pakinggan. "Say no if you have to. No rush or anything."

I hugged him tighter, wanting to be as close to him as possible. I couldn't help but feel a tug in my chest because of his words.

They were so gentle and so comforting... it was so him... so Xaviell... always the understanding one. Always the one who clarifies things. Hindi namimilit. Palaging inuuna ang kung ano ang kumportable para sa akin. Hindi naniningil. Hindi nanunumbat.

Dahil sa mga naiisip ay nanubig bigla ang mga mata ko. At dahil ayaw ko munang mag-emote, kinalas ko ang pagyayakapan namin.

"This is the chance, Xaviell," I said in almost a whisper. "Take this with me.

His serious gaze remained on me for a moment before his lips curved into a smile. "Gladly, Valentines."

He leaned towards me and pressed his lips on my forehead while his hands made their way to my waist, pulling me closer to him. Kasabay niyon ay ang tuluyan na pagsikat ng araw.

The gentle, golden-ember rays shone upon us as we remained in that position. There was nothing extravagant — it was just the two of us on his terrace, watching the sun rise, but it was more than enough for me.