"Hi," he greeted. Tears stream down my cheeks.

Tumango ako. "Hi."

"Am I awake, or have I been dreaming?" he inquired in such a manner as if he were high. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba 'to sa lasing siya.

"No, you're not. Wait, kukuha lang ako ng first aid kit para gamutin ka."

I was about to stand up, nang hilahin niya ako at pinaupo sa hita niya.

"They beat me. Those thugs who we met last time when we bought our wedding rings. They beat me, and I just let them, 'cause I deserved it even if I could fight them all. I thought I deserved their punches because I was an asshole," kwento niya na parang nagsusumbong na bata habang hawak pa rin ang kaliwang kamay ko. "I was satisfied, but what they did never let the guilt escape my heart. It's still here, Sheen May. The pain."

Inilagay niya sa dibdib niya ang kamay ko. I can feel his heartbeat.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin at napatingala para pigilan ang mga luha. It pains me too to see him like this. Bakit ba kami napunta sa ganitong sitwasyon?

"And now I'm hallucinating seeing you in front of me. I guess I'm really drunk. Why would you be here in the first place? You hated me, right?"

Tumango ako. "Yeah, I hate you."

"And I couldn't afford to approach you to apologize again since I was the one who brought all the pain into your life. How can I face you after all I've said and done? I faked our marriage and caused our baby to die. You are now scared of me."

Napayuko siya. Binitawan niya ang kamay ko.

"I want to beg, pero baka lalo ka lang magalit sa akin. Gusto kong lumuhod sa 'yo't magmakaawang bumalik ka na sa 'kin, pero hindi ko mahanap ang kapal ng mukha para gawin 'yon. I don't think I have the right to do that."

Rinig ko ang hikbi sa pagitan ng kaniyang pananalita.

"I told you I loved you; that was true, but I couldn't prove it. How can I prove it?"

Pumatak ang butil ng luha mula sa mga mata ko.

"Is it enough to let you go so you can finally be happy with someone else?"

Napakagat ako sa labi ko.

Hindi ko na napigilang tuluyang umiyak.

Agad na umangat ang ulo niya upang tingnan ako.

He was surprised to hear me crying.

"See? Even in my imagination, I can hear your sobs. How can I approach you in person if I know I will just see you crying?" He brushed away my tears with his delicate fingers. I missed his touch, which sent chills down my spine. "God knows how I regret everything. I want to touch you again, kiss you, make love with you, take care of you, and be with you again, Sheen May. I want it all to happen again."

Napakamot siya sa ulo, at pinunasan ang mga luha niya. "If you were just really here, those are the words I would say."

"I am here, Jhon Rey. I am real," I said as I cupped his face.

Tumawa siya na para bang hindi kumbinsido. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin bago hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko.

I saw how his pupil widened when he realized he was not dreaming or hallucinating.

"Sh-sheen May?"

He seemed surprised and sober.

"Yes, Jhon Rey. It's me. You seem to believe me now, so wait for me here; I'll get the med kit, and I'll treat your wound," I stated.

"No, don't leave me again." He held my hand and caressed it against his cheek.

"Please, Sheen May. I'm begging you. Don't leave me here alone again."

I bit my lip.

"I won't leave. I promised. Just wait for me here." Inalalayan ko muna siyang humiga sa couch bago kunin 'yong med kit at pagkabalik ko, nakita ko siyang nakapikit. Mukhang nakatulog na siya.

I carefully bandaged the cuts that were on his face. Even though I didn't expect him to be beaten by his former classmates, I can't ignore the fact that he's still incredibly gorgeous in my eyes.

His hair is quite long and thick now. It's a far cry from the Jhon Rey I last saw. Now he is losing weight and doesn't look healthy anymore. Wala rin siguro siyang abs. Tingnan ko kaya?

I bit my lips. Sheen May. You have completely lost your mind. It's not the right time to have luscious thoughts. You are not married, so stop lusting after the poor man.

Bumalik ka rito para mag-ayos ng gamit hindi para makipaglandian.

Napabuntong-hininga ako nang matapos ko nang gamutin ang sugat niya.

"Why did you sigh?"

I was taken aback when I heard him. He opened his eyes and met mine. Bumangon siya sabay kapa sa ulo niyang mukhang nananakit. Naglakad siya sa ref at parang uminom ng pampa-hangover. He even gave me a bottle of yogurt.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Does he have hangover drinks and yogurt in the refrigerator?

"Yes, I was here all the time," sambit niya na para bang nabasa ang isip ko. I was sitting on the carpet, staring up at him, while he was sitting on the couch. He was looking down at me.

Mukhang nawawala na ang pagkalasing niya or mali ako?

"Hoping for you to come back," dagdag pa niya. "And you did."

"I was here to pick up my things," sambit ko at tinuro sa kaniya ang mga maleta na nakaabang sa pintuan ng kwarto. "I was surprised to see you bruised, but I've finished mending your wounds now."

"I see. Are you really leaving me now?" he asked, his eyes suppressing themselves from crying.

"You told Jhunel to marry me," sagot ko.

"He proposed to you?"

"He did."

"Do you love him?"

"He loves me."

"Does he treat you well?" tanong niya pa.

"He does treat me well."

I noticed him gulp as if regretting what he said to Jhunel last time. "I see. He really took a chance. I knew it; he would do that."

He drinks the remaining drop of the hangover drink, and that's when I notice he's wearing our wedding ring. I looked away, trying to avoid his gaze so he couldn't see that I was just bluffing. Should I stop lying now? Jhunel did propose to me, but that was back then.

"Can I tell you not to marry him anymore?"

I cast my gaze once again in his direction. That really surprised the hell out of me. I thought he was going to push me away again. Does he learn his lesson now?

"I know this is being selfish and greedy, but instead of being with him, can we start over again, Sheen May?"

Nawalan ako ng salita. Hindi ko na alam ang isasagot ko pa. Hindi ko ito inaasahan.

He shook his head in displeasure. "Hindi kita kayang ipaubaya."

Napalunok ako. My eyes are clouded by tears again. I can't believe this is not a dream.

"I can't bear to see you marry someone else, Sheen May."

His gaze taunts me.

Hypnotizing me to say yes to his offer.

"I don't want to lose you this time, now that you're here."

My tears fell as if they were me falling in love with the guy in front of me.

"Then don't try to push me away from you again."

Ilang segundo siyang nakatulala sa hangin habang nakatitig sa akin na para bang hinahanap sa sarili kung tama ba ang narinig niya mula sa akin. Gumuhit ang ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi.

"I won't. Kung may gagawin man ako, it is pulling you closer."

Hinila niya ako paupo sa kandungan niya. Pinagmasdan niya ang buong mukha ko. "I missed you so much, my beloved wife."

Natawa ako. "Hindi pa tayo kasal, huy," I remarked. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko nakuha sa puso kong tanggapin muli ang katulad niya. Ganito ko ba siya talaga kamahal?

"Why? Are you still going to marry your ex-boyfriend?"

I shook my head. "No, I was lying a while ago. He did propose to me, but that was a long time ago."

He pouted. "So you were lying. Such a naughty woman."

I blushed when he pinched the sides of my hips.

"Wait for it, I'll marry you for real now so I can call you mine."

Ngumiti siya at ganoon din ako. Ilang segundo naming pinagmasdan ang isa't isa na tila ba parang hindi naniniwala sa nangyayari. Totoo bang sa isang iglap magkasama na ulit kami? Paano? Am I that stupid to forget all of the things happened between us and continue being with a man who nonstop fooled me in the past?

"Sheen May..." pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko. Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ko dahilan para mapapikit ako. "Pangako aayusin ko na ang lahat sa atin. Thank you for coming back."

Pareho naming pinagsaluhan ang labi ng isa't isa. His electrifying lips is shocking me. Ramdam ko ang matagal niyang pananabik sa akin.

"Jhon Rey, nalalasahan ko 'yong dugo ng labi mo," komento ko na nagpatawa sa kaniya. Gusto kong maiyak dahil sobrang saya ng puso ko't nagkaayos kaming muli.

"Parang hindi ka naman nadiri nung nalasahan mo 'yong—"

Hinalikan ko na lang ulit siya para hindi niya na matuloy ang sasabihin niya. Sabi ko nga, hindi na ako mag-iinarte.

Natawa naman siya sa ginawa ko.

Buong gabi kaming nag-usap tungkol sa aming dalawa. Hindi ko na naituloy pa ang pag-alis at pagkuha ko ng gamit mula sa bahay na ito katulad din ng hindi ko pagkuha ng mga gamit ko sa unit niya noon. Lagi na lang napupurnada dahil muli ko na namang nakikita ang sarili kong bumabalik sa kaniya. 

Pero ganunpaman, ibang klase ang nadarama kong saya ngayon. Lalo na't magkasama na kaming muli ni Jhon Rey. Magkayakap. Holding each other close. I am too longing for this day to happen, and I never really imagined this day would come. I want to be forever here in his arms.