"Go back to sleep, stupid. I'll come back and bring you food."

However, he grabbed my hand and drew me to him just as I was about to stand up.

"Where are you going now after you've called me stupid?" He grinned while tucking my hair behind my ears. His other hand is on my waist.

I gulped, as I had just noticed that I was on his lap. Too close to him.

"What's wrong with you?" nauutal kong tanong habang sinusubukan siyang itulak. Ano na naman ba itong trip niya? Papatayin niya ako sa nerbyos.

"Have you forgotten that we agreed that you would grant me a wish if I won the game?"

"Mawalang galang na, pero hindi ako pumayag, Jhon Rey, so take your hands off of me."

But his two hands remained to embrace me, and he was too powerful for me.

"Until you agree to fulfill my wish, I won't let you go."

I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Fine! I'll grant you a wish, so let your hands off of me now." Mabuti nang malayo ako sa 'yo. Ayoko nang sobrang lapit mo. Hindi ako makahinga nang maayos.

I overheard him giggling. "Alright." He took his hand off of me. I can breathe now, at last.

"So, what do you want?" I asked him as I straightened up.

"Hmm... I guess I'll save it for later."

I saw him taking off his blanket, like he was preparing himself to leave this place. He put his arms around my shoulder, saying, "Let's go together."

I couldn't let go because I was being dragged in.

"Hey, don't you feel sick? You can stay here for a while while I buy food. It won't take long, I promise," sambit ko.

"Tsk. Let's go together; since you already did not return to class, let's ditch out." He played with his eyebrows, moving them up and down. I just shook my head and agreed.

Ahead of our departure, he wrapped his arm around me. We also bid adieu to the on-duty nurses. I simply followed him. I thought we were going to the cafeteria, but it seems we are not.

"Hey, where are we going?" I interrupted.

He opened his car door and let me sit in the passenger seat. He took the helm and kept going. I fasten my seatbelt while still unsure of where we are going. He immediately started the car. I recognized that we were going to a jewelry store.

"What are we doing here?" I blurted it out when we entered the shop. This shop was familiar, and there I remember, we have an appointment here for next week.

Are we here to make a purchase?

"Let's choose our wedding rings," he casually said, not noticing how surprised I was.

Is he for real? I mean, why suddenly rush things like this?

Alam ko namang nakaplano talagang bumili kami ng singsing para sa kasal, pero bakit ngayon na kaagad? My heart isn't prepared for such elation. I should stop myself from starting to hope for something.

"Are you serious?" I asked, and he just nodded while checking those rings hiding on the glass shelves. Nakapasok na kami sa loob at heto siya abalang-abala sa pagpili, habang ako ay namamangha pa rin sa ginagawa niya.

"Look, you might like those." He grabbed my hand and pulled me away to see those identical gold rings with unique patterns. I smiled. Totoo ang sinabi niya, magugustuhan ko nga iyon. 

"Should we take it?" he inquired, looking at me still. Hindi ko maialis ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. Why a sudden change of attitude, Jhon Rey? Hindi ako sanay.

"If it fits," I simply answered.

Mr. Remington smiled. He was the one who assisted us in choosing and fitting our rings. I still couldn't believe that we are now at this point in our lives where we are choosing our wedding rings.

I glanced at Jhon Rey, trying to read what was on his mind, because I couldn't bring myself to ask why he acted like this. He keeps me wondering what he really feels about this marriage.

"You made a wise choice, Mr. and Mrs. Carpio." According to Mr. Remington, "These rings stand for everlasting love and the enduring connections of marriage."

Mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Gusto kong maluha. Kung totoo lang sana ang lahat at hindi namin kailangang magkunwari para lang sa kapakanan ng pamilya namin. Sana, masaya akong tunay.

"There was no need to alter it because it fits your fingers wonderfully. Such a perfect couple," Mr. Remington complimented, which made me feel embarrassed.

I was shocked to hear Mr. Remington say, "We'll deliver it to you as soon as we completely engrave your initials."

Did I hear it right? Engrave?

"Alright," Jhon Rey replied before standing up. I stood up also, even if I still felt confused.

My heart felt like it would burst.

Did Jhon Rey just instruct them to personalize the rings with our initials?

Why?

Why would he do that?

Even after we left that prestigious shop, my mind was still going nonstop and thinking of what had happened. Because of these intense feelings I was experiencing, I was having trouble breathing. My face is already blazing red; I feel it.

He stumbled and asked feebly, "Hey, are you alright?" Napakurap ako at tumango habang iniiwas ang tingin. "Why aren't you looking at me?"

I shook my head once again. I can't even look at him with this expression.

And at that moment, I immediately recalled that we had left the university because I had assumed we would go buy something to eat, but he brought me here. The hell! Nawala sa isip ko! The nurse told me to take care of this guy, but he ended up taking care of me.

I took a deep breath and turned to face him. "Hey, I believe you ought to get a snack," sambit ko.

"Right. Let's head that way. I'm in the mood for a salata salad."

He dragged me to the establishment, where we could customize our salads by adding different types of ingredients, which I was so satisfied to watch.

The nurse was correct; based on what Jhon Rey liked to eat, he appeared to be in great health. Mabuti naman dahil kailangan na kailangan ng katawan niya ang gulay dahil dalawang beses siyang nahimatay ngayong araw. 

He placed an order for me as well. Yes, I should eat a healthy meal too, so that the child inside of me can grow healthy as well.

I did not insist on a conversation and just concentrated on the food so that Jhon Rey could do the same. I suppose because of what occurred earlier, I'm a little concerned about him. Mabuti naman at kumakain siya, at least hindi ko na masyadong kailangan pang mag-alala na baka mahimatay na naman siya kahit bitin ang tulog niya kanina. I should also tell him later what the nurse told me about him.

We finished our meal in an instant. I never thought I would have to miss classes because of things like these. I never imagined I'd be this careless. How did I become like this?

"Where else do you want to go?" tanong ni Jhon Rey nang makalabas kami sa restaurant. I shook my head in an effort to convey that I wanted to go home and not someplace else. He nods. But it appeared that he was still looking for more from our walks around here and wanted to do something else with me.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" tanong niya na siyang ikinagulat ko. Pakiramdam ko, parang niyayaya niya akong makipag-date. What in the world?

Why am I assuming things like these?

I should probably stop myself. Yet how? How am I supposed to say no if one handsome man asks me that?

But just as I was ready to respond, a group of men approached us. Obviously, the reason I scowled was that I don't know them, but it looks like they are here to start a fight.

"Hey! Jhon Rey Carpio! Long time no see, huh?" I squinted to the guy who greeted the guy beside me. "I learned what happened to you. Due to your shits, you were compelled to marry another girl."

I was right. I can actually tell that he's a jerk because of his aura. The taller man in front of me seemed to be picking a fight. At 'yong tatlo pa niyang kasama ay nagsisitawanan na para bang mga kumag. They were four, and based on their attire and their watches, it appeared that they were from wealthy families.

That man gave me a look.

"Siya ba 'yong babae? I see, kaya pala sa loob mo naiputok. She's gorgeous." He stroked my face, which astonished me, but Jhon Rey pushing him surprised me even more. That guy only needed a small nudge to end his airheaded attitude.

"Huwag mo akong simulan," Jhon Rey pleaded.

They bugged out. "Woah, woah, woah, you haven't changed at all. Alam ba ng babaeng 'yan kung ano ka?" He looked at me. "Do you know the kind of guy he is, Miss Velasco?"

Kilala niya ako.

"When you eventually get to know him, you might decide to change your mind about marrying him. Gusto mo, sumama ka sa 'min para malaman mo."

I turned to face Jhon Rey. Because he is facing them, I can only see his back, but I can tell he is getting annoyed, and it appears that when his patient's capacity gets full, these guys will be dead.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya. I have no idea why I did that. All I want to do is stop him. Even if there are four of them, I know he can overcome them, but since he just left the clinic, I worry that something awful might happen to him. Baka mahimatay na naman siya.

I trembled. "Let's just ignore them, Jhon Rey," mahina kong sabi.

He glanced at me. We locked eyes.

At napaatras ako dahil doon. Kilala ko ang tinging iyon. Minsan niya na akong tiningnan nang ganoon—the day I committed suicide. Those eyes are scary.

"Please," I stuttered. His eyes softened in an instant as I tried to persuade him. 

He turned to them. "Don't do this again in front of my wife," he said. "Call me if you really want to start a fight."

Everyone laughed. However, I was unable to do it. I couldn't take what he said. Hindi tungkol sa dahil gusto niyang makipag-away, kundi sa huli niyang sinabi.

Was I just addressed as his wife?