"I don't want to date, Mon!" frustrated na sabi ko sa pinsan ko habang ipit ipit ko ang cellphone sa pagitan ng tainga at balikat ko. "It's only been a week since me and Manny and you know that."

I picked up a folder from the file cabinet and started browsing on it. May mga sales ang kumpanya namin na hindi ko mahanap sa system and my brothers, I'm sorry, I mean Blue--is going to have a fit pag hindi ko nailabas ang records no'n sa meeting namin bukas.

"It doesn't have to be a date, Sari!" dinig kong sagot ni Monica sa kabilang linya. "Just a friendly dinner will be fine! Besides, the guy's been dying to meet you!"

Simula daw nang makita ng lalaki ang uploaded pictures namin ni Mon nitong nagdaang summer ay hindi na raw ito tumigil kakakulit sa pinsan ko na ipakilala siya sa akin. Who wouldn't be anyway if that someone saw me on my red high cut bikini?

"Hindi kasi magandang tingnan--"

"Who cares if you just got off a relationship?" patiling putol ni Mon sa akin. "The guy broke up with you--though technically hindi naman naging kayo. May karapatan ka na magmove on, couz. Hindi na uso yang three-month rule na yan. That rule is for losers."

"Fine!" umikot ang mata ko. Alam kong hindi ako titigilan ng pinsan ko hanggat di ko siya pinagbibigyan. I don't know why she's so hell bent on hooking me up with her college friend. "But only one date! A friendly date!"

She squealed excitedly on the other line. "I'll let him know! He'd be so thrilled! Bye!"

I once again rolled my eyes before setting my phone on top of a table. Nasa loob ako ng file room at hindi lang siguro isandaang folder ang kailangan kong bulatlatin. I sighed.

May hinala kasi si Blue na may anumalyang nagaganap sa kumpanya namin. And although mariin kong itinanggi iyon bilang may tiwala ako sa bawat myembro ng department ko, still my brother insisted on an investigation. I really do hope no one on my team screwed up. Ayokong sumama ang tingin sa akin ni daddy dahil sa sobra kong pagtitiwala sa mga tao ko.

I pouted as I grabbed the stepping ladder. Sure, pwede ko namang iutos sa iba ang bagay na ito, pero dahil wala naman akong ginagawa sa opisina ko ay napagpasyahan kong personal na ihandle ang problema. Besides, kung sa part nga ng team ko nagkaroon ng problema, this is actually my responsibility.

I was already on the top of the shelf when I heard someone clear his throat. Impit akong napatili. "What the hell!" mabuti at nakakapit ako sa kanto ng cabinet at napigilan niyon ang pagka out of balance ko.

"Oh! Did I scare you, Ms. Del Valle?" said an unfamiliar voice. Unfamiliar but kind of familiar, too.

"Who the fuck are you and what are you doing here?!" I shrieked still trying to catch my breath.

"I'm sorry can you please come down? Cause although your ass looked great from my point of view.. it would be rude--"

Wala pang limang segundo ay nasa baba na ako ng hagdan at agad na lumipad ang kamay ko sa mukha ng talipandas na lalaki.

"Do you even know who you're talking to?! Bastos ka ah!"

He was brushing his left jaw as he chuckled. "That quite hurt."

"You know what else would hurt? If I kick your balls."

Handa na sana akong tuhurin ang hinaharap niya ngunit agad niya akong nahawakan upang pihitin ako patalikod. Now may back is pressed on his front. "Hey, that's not nice." he scolded.

"Who the fuck are you and what the hell do you think you're doing?! Bitawan mo nga ako! Tatawag ako ng guard!"

"I am terribly hurt, Sari," he whispered on my ear.

Sinubukan kong pumalag pero tinawanan lang niya ulit ako. "It's Justin," tumatawa parin niyang sabi. Nang matigilan ako ay saka niya ako binitawan.

Laglag ang panga na titinigan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa. It is indeed Justin! Justin Suarez-de Dios. Their family owns one of the biggest flying school in the country. Justin himself is an aircraft pilot. And he's also one of my biggest childhood crush. Sino nga bang hindi nagkacrush sa isa sa mga tropa ng kuya nila?

"Oh my god, Justin! I am so sorry for hitting you!" nakangiwing sabi ko.

Para bang ang paghingi ko ng sorry ang naging paalala sa kanya ng sampal ko, muling hinilot ni Justin ang panga. "I kind of deserved that."

I groaned. "I didn't know it was you! Not that I wouldn't give you hell for being a pig--" I grinned at him when I caught myself. "Sorry?"

He laughed. "It's fine! Really. Stop apologizing."

"Ano ba kasing ginagawa mo rito? Akala ko nagtuturo ka sa Japan?" I've also heard you're dating an international model? Minsan kasi siyang naging topic ng mga kapatid ko noong nakaraang gathering sa villa. And I couldn't help overhearing. Specially dahil narinig ko ang pangalan niya sa usapan.

"I did teach in Japan," he answered. "but I got bored. So I'm back."

I smiled uneasily. He was staring at me intently. I almost forgot how much I liked him back then. Minsan ko ring pinangarap na sana siya ang makatuluyan ko, but, what the hell. Like they all said hindi lahat ng gusto natin makukuha natin.

"Do you wanna go to lunch or something?" pagkaraan ay untag niya sa'kin.

Napakagat labi ako. "I.. Uhh.." I was about to to say yes to him when I remembered that I made plans with Liam. Napasipat ako sa relo ko at impit na napaungol. God! It's almost twelve in the afternoon already!

"I can't.." I grimaced.

Justin pouted. "Why? Are you that busy hindi ka man lang pwede mayaya maglunch?"

"I made plans with Liam."

"Liam? You guys are still together?"

My eyebrows furrowed. "Together?" natawa ako bigla sabay kumpas ng kamay ko. "No! No! Magbest friend kami, remember? Ano ka ba? Hindi ko boyfriend 'yon."

"Best friends huh?" it was his turn to laugh. Para ba siyang may alam na hindi ko alam. At kahit pa nacurious ako ay hindi na rin ako nag-usisa. "Pwede ba akong sumabit sa lakad n'yong dalawa? That is if you don't mind."

Well, balak lang naman talaga namin na kumain ng lunch magbest friend. Siguro naman hindi magagalit si Liam kung isasabay ko si Justin. Tutal kakilala rin naman niya ang lalaki.

Nagtatawanan kaming dalawa tungkol sa isang eksenang naalala nito nung nasa highschool pa lang kami nang makababa kami sa lobby ng EveXell. It basically involves him, Red and Blue at ang sinturon ng daddy namin. Hindi ko napigilan na mapahampas sa balikat ni Justin sa sobrang tawa ko. Napahinto na lang kami nang may tumikhim sa harapan namin.

I stopped laughing when I saw Liam standing in front of us. He was wearing a very casual outfit--a white statement shirt, khaki cargo shorts and sneakers. He was also wearing his cap backwards which made him look so boyish and yet so sexy--ugh! Where the hell did that come from?

"Uy, Li! Andito ka na pala!" I chuckled which only made things more awkward.

"Yeah, actually kanina pa ako naghihintay," there was something so off about him. Galit ba siya dahil late ako? "Shall we?"

"Uhh wait," tumingin ako saglit kay Justin bago lumapit kay Liam. Humawak ako sa siko niya. "You remember Justin, right? Kabatch nila kuya nung highschool?"

"Yeah." saglit lang na dumapo ang mata niya kay Jus bago tumingin ulit sa akin. He took my hand from his elbow and pulled me towards the exit. "Let's go, I'm starving."

"I was thinking maybe he could join us?"

Tumigil si Liam at nilingon ako.

"Kasi--"

"It's okay, Sari, maybe next time," putol ni Justin sa sasabihin ko.

"No, it's okay, really," I smiled at him reassuringly. Bumaling akong muli kay Liam. Lumapit ako ng kaunti at hininaan ang boses ko. "Cmon, he just came back from Japan. Sinadya pa ako nung tao dito, o. Sige na, pumayag ka na."

Pinapungay ko ang mata ko at nagpout. Alam kong hindi ako matitiis ni Liam pag nagpacute ako.

"Seriously?" Liam rolled his eyes at my pathetic attempt on being cute.

"Sige na kasi pota naman ang hirap umarte!"

Natawa siya ng kaunti doon hanggang sa napabuntong hininga. "Fine!"

He was still grumbling under his breath when I let go of his hand to grab Justin. Nagpatiuna na siya sa restaurant na plano naming kainan, balita kasi namin ay may siniserve na masarap na Cucumber shake doon.

I was busy chatting with Justin and Liam was unusually quiet while we were eating our food. I tried including him in the conversation but he seemed so uninterested. Which is odd, considering na kilala naman niya halos lahat ng pinaguusapan namin at for sure nakakarelate siya dahil iisang mundo lang naman ang ginagalawan nila ni Justin noon. They were both part of the school paper back then. A lot of people may not know but Liam had a talent in writing and drawing. He was both the sports writer and the illustrator of their school newspaper.

Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng kwentuhan ni Jus tungkol sa banda nito at ng mga kuya ko nang magtanong si Liam, "Who's Daniel?"

"Huh?" sabay kaming napatingin ng katabi ko sa kanya.

"Daniel Blanco. Who the fuck is this?" hinarap ni Liam ang iphone niya sa akin. There was a guy named Daniel who commented on my picture on instagram saying, "I can't wait to finally meet you this Friday. You're so hot." sinamahan pa nito iyon ng tatlong fire emoji.

"Maybe that's the guy Monica is telling me about," I shrugged.

"Anong meron sa biyernes? Are you going on a date with this person? A guy who comments you're hot on your instagram post?" he gave me disapproving look.

"I'm just humoring Mon, you know her, hindi titigil yon hanggat di ako napapa-oo."

Liam all but scoffed. While he never really approved of all the guys I've dated, he also never acted this way before. Sumandal na siyang muli sa upuan niya at itinuloy ang impersonation niya sa isa sa mga dwarfs ni Snow White na si Grumpy. "Delete that photo, ha?"

"What photo?"

"That photo he commented on."

"Bakit ko naman idedelete?"

His eyes raised on me from his phone. "Delete that. You're showing too much skin."

Ibinaba ko ang kutsara't tinidor ko. I focused my attention on him. "So?"

"So, kung sino sino tuloy ang nagkocomment sa'yo." nagtagis ang bagang niya. "Mahiya ka nga, pinapangalandakan mo pa yang flat mong dede,"

"Liam!" my eyes bulged at his words. I'm used to Liam's teasing but now's not the right place for that! May ibang tao kaming kasama!

"Excuse me, bro," salansa ni Justin sa amin. Nahalata siguro nito na handa ko nang saksakin ng tinidor ang best friend ko. "but I think Sari is capable of deciding whether she wanted that photo taken down or what. Besides, there's nothing wrong in posting sexy pictures. It just means she's confident with her body."

"Thank you!" I said to Justin. Finally someone said it. I glared at Liam.

But he was already leveling Justin with a cold stare.

"I just don't like my girl being ogled at by those fucking rats." nahigit ko ang hininga ko nang mapansin kong nagngangalit ang mga ugat sa sentido niya. "She can be confident on her own skin, alright. She can flaunt her body all she wants pero ibang usapan na kapag nakita kong nababastos na siya. It's my obligation to protect her from assholes."

He averted his gaze towards me and I almost cowered like a scared cat at his expression. "So, if you don't want me fucking up that guy, Ika, delete that photo."

Justin whistled at Liam's outpour. Napabuga na lang ako ng hangin at itinuon ang atensyon ko sa inorder kong cucumber shake. I hate to admit it but he had a point. I made a mental note to delete that picture. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na naglakas loob akong magpost ng ganoong klase ng litrato sa instagram feed ko. It was always food and places Liam and I went into. I didn't expect it to get so much attention. And I also didn't expect my best friend to react so violently.

Naging awkward na ang lunch namin matapos ang eksenang iyon. Maya maya ay tumunog ang cellphone ni Justin.

"I have to go, Sari, that was dad," he informed us after sliding his phone inside his pants' pocket. "This has been nice."

I laughed uncomfortably at that. Nice? It was a shit show.

Sinubukan na magbaba ng pera ni Justin sa lamesa nang tumayo siya pero pinigilan ni Liam ang braso nito. "I have it,"

"No, I insist."

"I insist, too." once again, he scowled at him.

Justin reluctantly shrugged and nodded at me before leaving the restaurant.

"That was rude," agad na sita ko kay Liam.

"What he did was rude," para siyang bata na humalukipkip at sumimangot sa akin. "What? Your boyfriend thinks that I don't have money? Mas mayaman ako sa kanya, Ika."

"Oh my god! Can you be a little more petty?"

"Sure--"

"Hoy, Liam! Umayos ka nga! What's with you? You haven't been getting laid 'no?"

Umasim lang ang mukha niya.

"I knew it." I rolled my eyes. "And he's not my boyfriend." not yet at least.

"Hindi pa ba?"

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin dahil parang nabasa niya ang iniisip ko.

"Hindi kayo bagay."

"Kayo rin naman ng mga nakakasex mo."

"Bakit? Balak mo ibigay dun ang virginity mo? Mujha ngang ni hindi marunong bumayo---"

"For fuck's sake, Liam, stop!"

"Fine! Maglulubay na' ko!" may kasama pang pag-angil ang sinabi niya. "but delete that post, Ika! Jesus! Mapapaaway ako sa social media dahil sa'yo!"

Sumasakit na ang ulo ko sa kaiirap ko sa kanya. "Ano naman sa'yo?"

"I'm not kidding, Ika," he leaned towards me. "I will create an issue on social media kapag hindi mo dinelete yon. I have a big following on my instagram, isipin mo na lang kung ilang followers ko ang susugod sa Daniel na 'yon pag nagreply ako sa comment niya. You choose."

"Ugh! Fine!"

"And are you serious? You're going to date that guy?"

"Ano bang problema dun? It's not like you don't tell women they're hot! Gasgas na gasgas na nga yung linya na yun sa' yo!"

"That's the point! You tell a woman she's hot because you want to fuck her!" he yelled at me.

Pareho kaming natahimik nang mapansin na napalingon sa amin ang buong restawran sa ginawang pagsigaw ni Liam. I am slightly mad at him for pointing that fact out. Of course he made sense. Alam kong lagi siyang pinagtatawanan ng lahat dahil ang akala ng iba ay tanga si Liam. But I knew better. He's smart. Maybe not in the way people expect him to be. But he always makes sense.

And now I'm thinking maybe I should call Monica and back out from my date.