DALE FYRON'S POV

" You okay?." I caressed her hair and hold her hand tight. She fall asleep earlier right after the nurse treated her wounds.

" Hmmm. Hindi na masama ang pakiramdam ko." She smiled a little and played our hands.

I let out a sigh and hugged her tight." I'm sorry for what happened earlier. If I know that it would happen, I should've protected you. Until now, I'm still angry on the two of them."

She messed up my hair and just chuckled." Nah. It's okay, love. Hindi mo naman kasalanan 'yun. At saka sino bang nagsabi sa'yo na nakipag-away si Stella sa'min." She looked at me with frowned eyebrow.

" One of my friends told me that he saw Stella on the ground and bullying you. I didn't let him finish his words and because I immediately ran to the ground to see you. Goddammit. I'm so worried about you, love." I looked at her with concerned expression. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko talaga alam ang gagawin ko habang iniisip kung ano nang nangyari sa kanya. I promised her mother to protect her whatever happens so while she's on my hand, no one could touch any single tip of her hair.

" Thank you, love."

I just smiled and kissed her forehead. Whenever I saw her, I felt like I was in peace. We're almost 3 weeks of being in a relationship and everything goes well. She doesn't have any reason to be jealous because I'm the one who avoids girls so that she wouldn't feel that way. She's doing the same way too but sometimes, she can't help but to talk with the other guys especially when they have some projects and tasks to do. I understand it though, we can't stop it because we have to talk with others to. Ang sinasabi ko lang sa kanya ay iwasan niya ang pakikipag-usap sa mga nagkakagusto sa kanya. There are times that they want to have a conversation with her even if she refused to. She told them how many times that she has a boyfriend but they still kept on bugging her that made me pissed.

Our relationship was known in the whole university, knowing that I'm one of the owner and I'm popular even if I don't want to be one. May maganda rin naman itong kinalalabasan dahil wala nang umaaway o nag-uusap tungkol sa kinalat na issue ni Stella noon. Katria become everyone's friend. She's totally kind to them but her extraordinary attitude won't fade. Totoong-totoo siya kung makipag-usap sa iba at pinapakita niya talaga ang totoong ugali niya. She didn't mind what other people's reactions, atleast she's true to herself. Like what she always said 'I don't want to be plastic just to have many friends in public, I just want to show them the real me even if they doesn't accept who I'm gonna be'. She never failed to amaze me, indeed.

" Love, sama na kase tayo sa kanila. Wala namang pasok eh at saka boring dito sa condo ko." She kept on shaking my arms while sitting on the floor like a little girl.

I raised my eyebrow." Why? Are you bored with me?."

" It's not like that. Gusto ko lang naman magsaya dun sa labas eh. Isang beses lang akong nakapunta ng EK at sobrang tagal na nun. Just come with me, love." Pinulupot niya ang mga kamay niya sa leeg ko at ngumuso. I looked away because I think I'm going to give if I kept on looking at her with that expression.

I just let out a sigh because of defeat." Fine. Go to your room and change your clothes. You know what's the rules, love."

Bigla namang lumiwanag ang mukha niya at tumango." Yeah, promise. Change your clothes too, you'll gonna come with me right, love?." She gave me a cute smile and all I have to do is to nod.

" Of course. I'm going with you wherever you go. I don't want someone to stare at you o else they'll going to be blind." I said with authority on my voice.

She gave me my clothes and I went to the guest room to change. It's just a light green t-shirt with a pair of light brown pants and white sneakers. We're going to wear couple garments like we used to do whenever we go out on a date or something. It's one of the rules that I've made and she already knows it. She's not allowed to wear any showy clothes and she agreed on it since she's not into that kind of clothes.

" Tara na, love. We'll just wait Christophe's van to come. Sa iisang sasakyan lang tayong lahat para sama-sama." She intertwined our hands before going downstairs of her condo and waited her friends to arrive.

" Uy! Sakay na kayo sa likod." Binaba ni Doreen ang bintana ng van at sinenyasan kaming sumakay na sa likod.

I opened the door for her and waited her to sit before opening the next door and sat beside her. Apat na pares kaming lahat dito sa loob kaya walo kaming lahat. As what she told me, this is going to be a couples date in Enchanted Kingdom. Since the midterm is coming and we're going to be busy next week, we won't have time to hangout with each other. I also have to review so many lessons but I still manage my time for Katria and so as her.

When we arrived at the EK, we've payed for the entrance before entering inside. The're were a lot people and most of them were also couples, probably having a date. Hindi naman masikip dahil malaki-laki talaga ang lugar dito at marami rin ang mga pwedeng sakyan. Kat pointed the Ferris wheel and jumping that's why I couldn't do anything and followed her. I insisted to pay for us because it's my treat whenever we're having a date. Nung tumaas na ang sinasakyan namin ay pasimple siyang humawak siya kamay ko kaya agad akong napatingin sa kanya. Seems like she was shy on what she did that's why she immediately her get off her hand but I get it and hold it tight. She looked away and bit her lower lip, she's still not used to it.

" Love, let's take a selfie. Pang-myday ko lang sige na." she pouted so I gave her a peck on her lips. She was shocked on what I've done but then she smiled.

" Here. Hold it." I handed her my phone and when she opened it, she saw her picture on my lockscreen and our couple picture on my wallpaper.

Sumandal siya sa dibdib ko habang nakaakbay ang isa kong kamay na nakahawak sa kamay niya. I came closer to her and smiled when she clicked the camera. We took many pictures especially when we reached at the top. The view was very beautiful here because we could see all the establishments all over the EK. It's like a disney kingdom because of its colorful designs.

" Ang ganda 'no?." she asked, still wandering her eyes around.

" Yeah. So damn beautiful." She didn't notice that I'm staring at her. Ang ganda niya tingnan kapag naka-side view siya.

" Aish. Akala ko sa view ka nakatingin, sa'kin pala." Umismid siya kaya napatawa nalang ako.

" You're my best view, love." I answered, still laughing." C'mon, let's try the other rides. What do you want?." We finally get out of the Ferris wheel and she's searching for another rides.

" Wait, where's the others? Dapat kasama natin sila." She started looking around, probably finding her friends.

Inakbayan ko naman siya kaya napatingin siya sa'kin." Don't mind them, they might be enjoying right now. Remember, we're here for a couples date so we're going to spend time with our partners. Got it, love?."

She just nodded and didn't say anything. She choose to ride on a unicorn and so I did. Sinabi kong sa iisang unicorn lang kami sasakay dahil kasya naman kami kaya sinabi niyang chansing lang daw ako. She get on the unicorn first before I sat on her back. I hugged her tight that's why she hesitated to move when we started to turn around. She holds my hand and I just rested on her back while closing my eyes. I really like this idea, it feels comfortable to me.

Nakasakay kami sa roller coaster dahil gusto niya raw makaranas na sumakay dun. I couldn't say no to her because that's what she wanted. Right after the 3 rounds, we get out of there and I felt so dizzy. I don't feel like riding on it because it's just rolling around repeatedly. Nahihilo ako at malapit na nga akong masuka kaya binigyan niya ako ng tubig at candy para hindi sumama lalo ang pakiramdam ko. She scolded me because I didn't tell her that I don't like to ride on it. Okay lang naman daw kung humindi ako dahil hindi naman siya magagalit. Instead of saying something, I just laughed on her and messed up her hair. She really concerned on me.

" Just stay here, I'll be the one to order food for us." I kissed her forehead before going to the counter and picked food for us. The EK has also restaurant so we don't need to get out to buy foods or even going to another restaurant just to eat.

" Uhm... hi. Can I get your number?." I looked at the girl who suddenly appeared beside me and looked back at the counter." My name is Mariela, what's your name?." Pasimple siyang humawak sa braso ko kaya tiningnan ko siya ng masama.

" Get out of my sight before I'll embarrass you in front of everyone." I said coldly to her but she didn't have any reaction.

" Hard to get, huh?! Let's see if you can do anything with this." She gave me a peck on my lips that made me shocked and pushed her away.

What the hell?!

Someone grabbed her and and slapped her face that made her fell on the ground. I wasn't expecting Katria to do that but I didn't feel mad nor angry on her. That bitch deserves it. How could she kiss me like that?! This lips of mine was just for my girl and not for someone... a slut like her.

" Ang kapal naman ng atay mo para halikan ang boyfriend ko! Wala na bang pumatol sa isang malanding kagaya mo kaya pati boyfriend ko lalandiin mo?!." She looked at that girl named Mariela straight on her eyes. Galit na siya.

Mariella just smirked." You two doesn't suit for each other. Wanna know why? It's because he looks like a rich and handsome guy while you were just a simple girl, in short a trash." The people gasped on what she said. Natigil na silang lahat sa pagkain at nanood nalang sa eksena dito.

" You're calling me a trash without knowing that the guy you flirted treats me like his treasure. Simple man akong babae, atleast malinis at may respeto sa sarili. Hindi kagaya mo na humahabol pa ng lalaki para lang magpapansin at mang-akit dahil walang gustong lumapit. If I were you, you should stop what you're doing because you're just bringing down yourself. Pinapakita mo lang sa iba na low class kang babae at easy to get ka." Kat rolled her eyes on her that made the people laughed. Hindi ko talaga alam kung saan niya napulot ang mga salitang 'yun pero masasabi kong magaling siya makipag-sagutan sa iba.

" W-What?! Hindi ako low class 'no. I've owned many hotels and restaurants in every country. Pa'no mo 'yun nasabi?!." Seems like she was pissed and closed her fists.

" Hindi naman 'yun ang ibig kong sabihin. Even if you came from a wealthy family and has the highest position of all, still you're being called low class if the way you act as a person doesn't define the way you're supposed to act as a highest one. Ewan ko lang kung naintindihan mo." She shrugged her shoulders and turned her back. Napaigtad naman ako ng bigla siyang tumingin sa'kin at sinamaan ako ng tingin.

" Love, I'm so----."

" Umuwi na tayo, sa bahay nalang ako kakain." She cut off my words and immediately went to our table to get our things.

I bit my lower lip when she get out of the taxi hurriedly and opened the gate. The whole ride was so quiet because she didn't bother to say anything and just looking outside the car. I couldn't even say something, maybe she would burst out of anger. Damn it. This thing never happens to us. I don't know how to apologize to her. She walked straight to her condo and I was just following her. Napaigtad naman ako ng bigla niyang isara ng malakas ang pinto kaya naiwan ako sa labas. I slowly opened the door and I didn't saw her in the sala, maybe she's on her room right now.

" Hey, love." I called her when I finally entered her room." Please don't get mad on me. I didn't know she would do that kind of thing. I swear, I don't know her." I added and sat beside her.

" Alam ko, hindi ako galit." She stood up and sat on the other side of the bed, probably ignoring me.

" But you act as one. Love naman, sorry na kase. Pwede kong pabagsakin ang kompanya nila kung gusto mo. Just tell me." I pleaded her.

She immediately looked at me with frowned eyebrows." Sira ka ba?! Wala naman akong sinabing ganun. Hayaan mo nalang siya." she hissed.

" Then what should I do to for you to forgive me?."pagmamatigas ko.

" I understand everything, you don't have to apologize. It's not your fault in the first place." She let out a deep sigh.

Damn. She kept on telling me that's it's okay but I know she's really mad based on her actions. What should I do?!

KATE CHANDRIA'S POV

Nakakainis. Alam ko namang hindi niya kasalanan 'yun pero hindi ko talaga mapigilan ang sarili ko eh. Inaamin kong nagseselos talaga ako kahit hindi naman maganda ang pakikitungo niya dun sa babae kanina. Pero pinansin niya parin at ang mas ikinaiinis ko ay hinalikan siya nung babae. Isang segundo lang naman 'yun pero mukhang mag-aalburoto na ako sa galit. Mabuti nga at isang sampal lang yung pinatikim ko sa kanya at hindi sabunot. Kung hindi baka hindi na siya makikilala ng mga magulang niya. Bwisit!

" I can't take this anymore."

Agad naman akong napalingon sa kanya at nagulat ako ng bigla niya akong hinila papunta sa kanya at hinalikan. Nagulat naman ako at hindi agad nakagalaw. Mas idiniin niya pa lalo ang mukha ko sa kanya kaya napapikit nalang ako at sumabay sa paghalik niya sa'kin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako tumutugon sa mga halik niya, basta parang may sariling desisyon ang katawan ko. Nawawala na rin ang pagkainis ko sa kanya at hindi narin ako nagtatampo. Ganito ba talaga ka-effective ang halik niya sa'kin?

" B-Bakit mo'ko hinalikan?!." Kunwari lang naman talaga akong nagulat pero sa totoo lang nagustuhan ko. Bitin nga lang, chos!

" I don't want you to get mad on me. Maybe she stole one kiss from me but it couldn't be compared to the times that we've kissed."Napaiwas naman ako ng tingin sa sinabi niya." I want you to feel that you're the only girl that I love. Hmmm?." Niyakap niya ako kaya niyakap ko rin siya pabalik.

" I'm sorry, love. Nagtatampo ako sa'yo kahit hindi mo naman talaga kasalanan." Sumubsob ako sa dibdib niya at naramdaman ko naman na hinahaplos niya ang buhok ko.

" It's okay, love. Atleast I know you were jealous." Tumawa siya kaya pabiro ko siyang hinampas.

" You really want me to get jealous, don't you?!." Tumaas ang kilay ko pero hindi parin siya tumigil sa kakatawa.

" No. But i know when you gets jealous to someone, it means that you love that person. Am I right, love?." Ngumisi siya kaya feeling ko biglang namula ang buong mukha ko. Sinubsob ko nalang ulit ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya para hindi niya 'yun makita. Narinig ko naman ulit yung tawa niya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

Lumabas siya para bumili ng grocery dahil ubos na ang stock namin. Sabado kase ngayon kaya kailangan nang bumili ng mga pagkain. Sasama sana ako sa kanya kaso hindi siya pumayag dahil gusto niya raw na bumawi sa'kin kaya wala akong nagawa. Napatingin ako sa phone ko ng may biglang tumawag, si Aika pala. Lagot! Hindi pala ako nakapag-paalam sa kanila dahil agad kaming umalis kanina at nag-taxi lang. Paniguradong hinahanap nila kami sa EK ngayon.

[ Gaga! Asan na kayo ni Dale?! Kanina pa kami ikot ng ikot dito sa buong EK pero hindi namin kayo nahanap. 'Wag mong sabihin lumabas kayo?! ]

Bakas ang inis sa boses niya kaya napakagat ako sa labi ko." Wala na kami dyan, nakauwi na kami. Nag-away kase kami kanina kaya napunta nalang sa uwian. Sorry, nakalimutan kong magpaalam."

[ Bruha ka talaga! Pinagod mo kami sa paghahanap sa inyo tapos nakauwi na pala kayo?! Ano bang pinag-awayan niyo?! Nakakapanibago ah ]

Ngayon pa lang kase kami nagka-away ni Daron. Hindi naman totally na nag-away talaga, parang nagkatampuhan lang. Ako lang naman eh, hindi naman siya kasali." May babae kaseng biglang humalik sa kanya kanina. Eh hindi niya naman 'yun kilala tapos bigla nalang siyang hinalikan. Nabwisit ako kaya ayon sinampal ko, mabuti nga at sinampal ko lang."

[ What?! Who's that girl? Kakalbuhin ko talaga siya pramis ]

Si Doreen 'yun at parang nanggigigil na." Ah 'wag na. Tapos narin naman 'yun at hindi na ako galit sa kanya. Atleast ako parin 'yung mahal ni Daron, duh."

[ Nagkaayos na ba kayo? It's not his fault anyway ]

Boses 'yun ni Aira at parang kumakain." Oo, nag-sorry siya sa'kin kahit hindi niya naman talaga kasalanan. I felt pity on him so I forgive him. At isa pa, hindi ko naman siya matitiis eh."

[ Char, sanaol. Sige, ibababa kona kase maglalaro pa kami. Bye ]

" Bye." sagot ko naman bago binaba ang tawag. Nawala narin naman ako sa mood para pumunta ulit ng EK dahil maaalala ko lang yung nangyari.

Nagising ako nang may maramdaman akong malamig sa noo ko. Hindi ko sana 'yun pinansin nang umulit pa ito ng dalawang beses kaya dahil sa inis ko ay tumalikod ako. May yumakap naman sa'kin mula sa likuran ko kaya nalaman ko agad kung sino 'yun. Amoy niya palang nakikilala kona siya. Hinayaan ko nalang siya at bumalik sa pagtulog kaso hinihipan niya ang tenga ko kaya napahagikhik ako dahil sa kiliti. Iniistorbo niya ang tulog ko, amp.

" Goodmorning, love. It's already 6:00 in the morning. Get up now, we're going to the church." Hinalikan niya ang likod ng buhok ko kaya napaharap ako sa kanya habang nakapikit parin.

" Hmmm. Goodmorning din." Kinusot-kusot ko ang mga mata ko at nakita ko siyang bagong ligo na."Hindi ko namalayang umaga na pala, teka magluluto muna ako." Agad naman akong bumangon pero pinigilan niya ako.

" I'll just cook for us. You can take a bath first and we'll eat after. Don't sleep again, okay?." Pinanliitan niya ako ng mata kaya napatikom ako ng bibig at saka tumango.

Napailing nalang ako at natawa bago niligpit ang higaan ko. Dito kase siya natulog sa condo ko kagabi pero sa sahig siya dahil may foam naman. Ayaw niya kaseng tumabi sa'kin hangga't hindi pa raw kami kasal. Gago talaga! Kumuha ako ng tuwalya at pumasok sa cr. Pagkatapos kong maligo ay nagsuot lang ako ng loose stripe croptop at stripe trousers, bale isang pares sila. Nagsuot lang din ako ng Birkenstock sandal na binigay ni tita sa'kin. Nakalugay lang din ang buhok ko dahil basa pa naman ito at naglagay ng perfume.

Agad akong lumabas para pumunta sa kusina dahil baka tapos na siyang magluto. Nakabihis narin siya kaya baka hindi na siya papasok sa guest room. Nagpahatid kase siya ng damit nila Akken at Raizer kahapon dahil ayaw niyang umuwi, tamad raw siya. Sinabihan ko naman sila na pumunta rito sa condo ko kapag tapos na sila dahil sabay kaming magsisimba. Nakita ko siyang naghahanda ng almusal namin kaya agad akong umupo sa harap niya.

" What's that?." Mukhang iba kase ang niluto niya at hindi ko alam pero mukhang masarap naman.

" It's breakfast taco and chicken parmesan. I learned this food on social media that's why I tried to make it for you. Here, taste it." Binigay niya sa'kin ang isang plato na may pagkaing niluto niya.

Agad ko naman ito tinikman at nanlaki ang mata ko saka napatakip sa bibig ko." Gosh! How did you made it?." tanong ko habang gulat parin.

Kumunot naman ang noo niya."Why? Does it taste bad? Oh shit----."

" No, it's not. Ang sarap ng luto mo, love. Can you teach me next time? Mukhang mas marunong kana magluto kesa sa'kin ah." Ngumuso ako kaya pinitik niya ang noo ko.

" Silly. I thought you didn't like it. Of course I'm going to teach you. Besides, I'm starting to learn how to cook different types of foods so that you would be proud of me." Umupo naman siya sa harap ko at sinalinan ng gatas ang baso ko. Minsan niya nalang ako pinapainom ng softdrinks dahil nakakasama daw 'yun sa katawan.

" Even though you won't do anything, I'm still proud of you." Ngumiti ako sa kanya kaya nag-iwas siya ng tingin sa'kin.

Pagkatapos naming kumain dalawa ay may narinig kaming katok sa labas. Sinenyasan ko siyang ako na ang magbubukas kaya tumango siya at niligpit ang pinagkainan namin. Susunod rin naman siya dahil ready na kaming unalis. Nang buksan ko ang pinto ay tumambad sa'kin ang mukha ng apat. Agad naman ako inambahan ng yakap nila Akken at Raizer. Sila lang naman talaga ang sobrang sweet sa'kin.

" Ano ate, tara na? I'm excited to go to church. It's already 7:20 so we must go now." sambit pa ni Akken.

" 'Wag kayong masyadong dumikit kay Katria, lagot kayo kay kuya kapag nakita niya kayo." pagbabanta naman ni Shael sa kanila.

" Hindi 'yun, akong bahala sa inyo. Let's just stay here for a while. Malapit na 'yun matapos sa pagliligpit." sagot ko naman na ikinatango nila.

" You really changed him, don't you. Noon, palagi lang siyang nagmumukmok sa kwarto niya. Ngayon, halos hindi na siya nagtatagal ng limang minuto sa kwarto niya at palagi nang lumalabas. He even talks to us everytime, though his topic is all about you." saad naman ni Cohen at napailing nalang.

" It's because that's what true love means. Diba, ate?." tanong naman sa'kin ni Raizer.

Nakibit-balikat lang ako." Ewan ko, kahit nga ako naninibago sa kuya niyo minsan. Parang ayaw nang humiwalay eh, hindi naman ako lilipad sa iba."

" I'm done. Let's go." Biglang sumulpot si Daron sa likod ko at nilock ang pinto ng condo bago ako hinapit sa bewang at naunang maglakad sa kanya.

" Grabe ka naman sa'min, kuya. Hindi mona kami pinapansin porket nandyan si ate. Nakakatampo kana, kuya." Kahit nakatalikod ako ay alam kong nakanguso na si Akken ngayon.

" We can spend time together, Akken. Don't be like that." sagot naman ni Daron sa kanya at binuksan ang pinto ng kotse kaya pumasok ako.

" Don't be selfish, kuya. Minsan nalang namin makasama si ate Kat tapos ipagdadamot mo pa. Tatabi siya sa'min kuya, ah." singit naman ni Raizer at tinapik ang upuan sa gitna nila ni Akki.

" Sure. I missed to be with you too." Akmang lilipat ako sa likod ng hawakan ni Daron ang kamay ko at tiningnan ako ng makahulugang tingin.

" I'm still yours, love. Makikipag-usap lang naman ako sa mga kapatid mo eh. Sayo parin naman ang uwi ko." Kinindatan ko siya at dali-daling lumipat sa likod. Napatawa naman silang dalawa sa ginawa ko dahil halos hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Daron. Nagulat siguro siya sa ginawa ko, pfftttt.

Pagkatapos naming magsimba ay sinabi nilang makikipag-usap daw sila sa pari dahil magd-donate sila ng konting halaga para sa simbahan. Gumaan naman ang pakiramdam ko dahil alam kong nagbago na nga sila, may pakiramdam narin sila sa paligid nila at marunong na silang tumulong sa iba. Proud na talaga ako sa kanila. Nagpaalam ako sa kanila na lalabas muna dahil titingin lang ako sa labas. May mga nagbebenta ng kandila, mga bulaklak na sampaguita, at mga pagkain.

Napatigil ako sa pagmamasid sa paligid ng may makita akong pulubi sa gilid ng kalsada na hindi kalayuan mula sa kinatatayuan ko. Malapit kase sa kalsada ang simbahan kaya agad ko siyang napansin. May kausap siya kaya mas lumapit pa ako sa kanya at nakita ko ang isang magandang babae na nakangiti sa kanya. Mukhang nakita kona siya ng isang beses sa university, hindi ko nga lang matandaan kung saan. Basta, schoolmate ko siya. Lumapit naman ako sa kanilang dalawa at ngumiti ng mapatingin sa'kin yung babae.

" Hi, ate." Ngumiti siya sa'kin at kumaway. Mukha naman siyang isang mabait na babae at inosente.

" Hello. Anong ginagawa niyo?." tanong ko.

Napakamot naman siya sa batok niya." Ah wala, binigyan ko lang siya ng makakain at inumin tapos konting pera narin pantawid ng gutom. Naaawa kase ako sa kanya."

" You're a nice girl. Gusto ko ang pakikitungo mo sa iba. What's your name by the way?." Tumingin ako matandang pulubi na hindi alam kung ano ang pinag-uusapan namin.

" I'm Shanley Tricia Buenavista. Ikaw ate?." tanong niya sa'kin pabalik.

" Kate Chandria Lyntheria. Pero pwede namang ate Katria nalang." Nilahad ko ang kamay ko sa kanya kaya tinanggap niya naman 'yun.

" Love!." Napalingon naman ako ng bigla akong tawagin ni Daron."What are you doing? Let's eat on a restaurant." dagdag niya pa kaya agad naman akong tumango.

Nilingon ko muna silang dalawa at ngumiti."See you next time, Shanley." sabi ko bago umalis at sumama sa kanila.

She has a good heart, isn't she?

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