"Ew, don't come near me, Kuya. You have sipon." 

I laughed at Elyse's disgusted reaction when I tried to hug her the next day I got wet because of the rain. Wala kasi kaming payong ni Kierra and I didn't want her to get sick, so I just covered her up with my jacket. 

"Are you seriously sick right now?" Maarteng tinakpan ni Haze ang bibig at ilong niya gamit ang panyo para hindi mahawa sa akin. I had colds. He even moved his seat away from me. 

"Damn, no one wants me," reklamo ko sa kanila. We were at the coffee shop, and for some reason, all of them visited today. Hindi rin nila pinagplanuhan 'yon. Elyse said she was near, so she decided to pass by. Kuya Roel was waiting at the side, drinking coffee. I couldn't work today because I had a cold so I was just supervising. 

"I'm here, bro." Tinapik-tapik ni Hiro ang balikat ko, pampalubag-loob sa akin. "I don't get easily sick, unlike Haze. It's fine."

"Thanks, bro..." I touched my chest out of gratitude, and he laughed. "You're the only man I ever respected in this house." 

"What does that mean?" Kumunot ang noo ni Haze, nakatakip pa rin ng panyo sa bibig at ilong. "Ah, anyway, I have news..."

"That better be not about me..." kinakabahang sabi ni Elyse. I looked at her and raised a brow, wondering what she was trying to hide. 

"No, but I already know something about you. Anyway, that's not what I was going to talk about..." Haze changed the topic. Elyse made a dramatic gasp and covered her mouth.

"What do you know about me?" Elyse asked again, but Haze ignored her and talked about other people. 

When the Juarez brothers left, I was staring at Elyse with my arms crossed over my chest. She couldn't even look at me. "Do you have a boyfriend now?" I asked her directly. 

"It's not like that!" tanggi niya kaagad. "You know me, Kuya! Studies first and... And I'm busy with cheer dancing!" 

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling. What a bad liar. I didn't probe more since she didn't want to admit it alone. Maybe she wasn't comfortable telling me yet. I understood that she could be really shy about it, given that it was the first time she would ever talk about another boy. 

I became busy afterward with my finals. Wala na akong tulog palagi kakaaral. The most hours of sleep I could get was three hours. Kung papalarin, maybe four, pero madalas dalawang oras lang din. 

When I went to school to take the exam, Miguel already stood up to talk to me, but I raised my hand. "Don't fuck with me right now. I didn't have sleep. I don't have patience for you." 

His lips parted with shock. "You're fucking rude. I'll talk to you after exams." 

I rolled my eyes and just took my seat, ready for the exam. Like what he said, he followed me to the parking lot after exams to talk. He was alone. Hindi niya kasama 'yong mga gago niyang kaibigan. 

"What do you know about me?" deretsong tanong niya na may halong pagbabanta. 

I laughed and closed the door of my car to face him again. "What are you scared of?" I raised a brow and looked down at him since I was a bit taller. 

"Why did you mention Kierra?" he asked, getting closer to lower his voice. "You got a thing with her?" He let out a laugh, mocking me. 

"So you do know her. Why did you pretend that you didn't?" I asked this time. 

"Ah... I did not pretend. She was just not that important to remember." He shrugged, laughing and tapping my shoulders. "Why? What was she telling people? Dude, I'm telling you, stay away from that woman." He moved closer to whisper. "She's crazy..." 

I held his wrist tightly and aggressively removed it away from my body. "Shut up," I hissed. 

"Do you really have a thing going on with her?" He looked surprised. "Friendly advice... Don't. She almost ruined my life by spreading rumors about me! Huwag kang maniwala roon, bro... She's sick." 

Nakakuyom ang mga kamay ko, pinipigilan ang sarili. My fingers were already digging through my palm. I counted in my head just to stop myself from smacking him in the face. "I said... Shut up." 

"I heard she's seeing a doctor. I told you she's crazy and delusional-" 

Before I could deck him to the ground, I opened the door of my car and went inside. Mabilis akong nag-drive paalis, making him run to the side as I nearly hit him. I was so mad that I needed to release the anger somewhere. 

I went to a shooting range with Hiro to release the heat. Hindi ako nagsasalita at sunod-sunod ko lang pinapaputok ang baril. I was hitting the target. "Damn, who hurt you, bro?" He asked, removing his headphones while I was putting more bullets in the magazine. 

"Fucking asshole," I kept on whispering, thinking about Villaflor. I faced Hiro when a thought came to me. "If I become a criminal..." 

"I'll bail you out," mabilis na sagot niya, hindi man lang tinanong kung anong balak kong gawin.

"What if it's a violent crime?" 

 "Why? You want to commit murder?" seryosong tanong niya sa akin. "Who is it? What did they do?" sunod-sunod na tanong niya. "Don't tell me you're studying law to break it..." 

"No... But I know someone like that, and it makes me so mad. How could an evil person enter law school and not feel even the slightest guilt for doing the opposite of what they are studying? It bothers me." 

Hindi ko siya maintindihan. He could have felt remorse. Repentance... but he was still convincing himself that he did not hurt anyone... that he was the victim. I wondered how someone could go to lengths just to make themselves believe they never did something wrong. How could someone's ego become so large that they couldn't even feel regret? 

Was that what my father felt? He did not feel remorse. He did not repent. He never apologized and never treated me better. He never realized that what he did was wrong and that he damaged me forever. People like those... really existed. 

I avoided Miguel at all costs. It was hard to resist. Natatakot akong baka hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko. I was already gaining control of myself. I didn't want to lose my pace. I didn't want to be violent. Ako na ang umiiwas. 

"Hindi mo ba siya kakausapin? Ganoon kaya 'yon. Kapag bumibisita... Kinakausap namin sila." 

I visited my mom to ease the madness I was feeling. Tuwing binibisita ko siya, umuupo lang ako sa gilid at hindi siya kinakausap. I just thought it was useless. She wouldn't hear any of those anyway because she was already gone. I just needed to feel just a bit of her presence. Okay na ako roon. 

I just wanted her to meet Kierra. She had already known her ever since Kierra was a kid. It was nice to see some old faces, right, Mom? 

I wanted to say... Mom, this is her now. She's with me. I'm with her... and we are exploring things together, trying our best to find happiness. Soon enough, I hope we could. Soon enough, I hope we could be free. 

"Okay ka lang ba?" Pinakiramdaman niya ang noo ko. "Hala, nilalagnat ka na!"

Alam kong nilalagnat na ako kagabi pa dahil pagod ako palagi kakaaral, hindi na ako nakakakain at hindi na rin ako nakakatulog. I could feel my body giving up. Alalang-alala naman siya dahil sa lagnat. 

"I'm not going to die, Kierra."

It made me laugh because the thought came into my mind. She was so worried, like I was dying. 

No, Kierra. Not when we haven't explored the world yet. 

I stared at her while she was sleeping on the couch. Nakatulog na siya nang nakasandal doon dahil binabantayan ako. I woke up at midnight to drink my medicine, but I couldn't get up since I was taking my time looking at her sweet innocent face. 

"Cute," I whispered, putting some of her hair behind her ear so I could see her better. I let out a short laugh after combing her bangs a little with my fingers, making her furrow her brows in her sleep. 

Maaga akong nagising kinabukasan kaya si Luna lang ang naabutan ko sa kusina. She was toasting bread and glaring at me at my sleep, but still gave me one slice of the toasted bread. Kumagat ako roon at ngumisi sa kaniya. 

"Why did you guys break up?" I asked while fixing the couch I slept at. 

"Long story," sabi niya at inismiran ako. "Chismoso ka." 

"Just curious. How did this shirt fall into your hands?" I pertained to the Ateneo shirt she made me borrow. "Natutulog din siya rito?"

"Oo, at nag-iiwan siya ng damit. Okay na?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "Chismoso ka talaga. Bahala ka diyan." 

I laughed when she rolled her eyes, napipikon na sa akin. After fixing the couch, I asked her if she had a sticky note and a pencil so I could leave something for Kierra before I left. 

"Take care of my cousin." 

Napalingon ako kay Luna habang nagsusulat. She was looking away from me like she didn't want me to read her emotions. 

"Ang dami na niyang pinagdaanan. Please... be kind to her," dugtong pa niya, naluluha na. 

I gave her a small, sincere smile. "I promise."

***

"Weh? Promise mo 'yan, ha! Bawal nang bawiin!" 

Tumatawa pa rin ako nang umupo ako sa tabi ni Mommy para sa family picture. Nasa tabi ko naman si Shan, suot-suot iyong Santa hat. Ako ay nakasuot ng reindeer headband para sa picture-taking. 

Una ay formal, at ang pangalawa naman ay wacky. Pinisil ni Shan ang panga ko kaya hinatak ko ang buhok niya. Tuwang-tuwa naman sina Mommy sa kinalabasan. Pagkatapos noon ay kami naman ni Shan ang nag-picture sa tabi ng Christmas tree. Nagpapahinga ang kamay niya sa baywang ko nang ngumiti kami sa camera. 

"Isama n'yo si Kia," sabi ng tita ko. 

"Kia, come here!" Tinapik-tapik ni Shan ang binti niya para lumapit ang Corgi na aso ng tita ko. Binuhat siya ni Shan at nilagay sa gitna namin, saka kami nag-picture. Pumikit ako at ngumiti, nakasandal ang ulo kay Kia sa susunod na picture. Pagkatapos, nilagyan namin siya ng Santa hat. 

Pagkatapos ng picture-taking sa malaking villa na binook ni Daddy ay nagsi-kainan na naman kami for lunch. Habang kumukuha ako ng pagkain, tumawag sa akin si Theo at sinabing nasa parking na raw siya ng resort. 

Sinundo ko siya roon. May dala-dala pa siyang mga regalo para sa akin, kay Mommy, at kay Daddy. "Nag-abala ka pa talaga, ha," sabi ko sa kaniya habang naglalakad kami papuntang villa. "Medyo maraming tao dahil nandito rin ang relatives ko. Baka magulat ka." 

"Nakakakaba naman," sabi niya at humawak sa dibdib niya. "Hindi ba nila ako papalayasin? Baka i-judge ako at sabihing nagdala ka pa ng palamunin." 

"Ano ka ba, Pasko eh!" 

Pagkapasok namin sa villa, napalingon kaagad sa amin si Shan na buhat-buhat ang bata kong pinsan at kinukuhanan ng pagkain. Lumipat ang tingin niya sa kasama ko bago umiwas ng tingin. 

"Mommy, nandito na si Theo," sabi ko sa kaniya. Nagmano naman si Theo sa kina Mommy at Daddy, tsaka sa mga kamag-anak ko. Inabot pa niya ang regalo niya. "Si Theo po, kaibigan ko sa UST!" pagpapakilala ko. 

Pagkatapos ko siyang ipakilala sa iba ay pinakuha ko na siya ng pagkain para hindi siya maubusan kaagad at lalamig na rin 'yon mayamaya. Hiyang-hiya siya kaya kakaunti lang ang kinuha niya, saka naghanap ng upuan. 

"You can sit here." Tinuro ni Shan ang space sa tabi niya sa may couch nang mapansing lumilinga si Theo. 

"Thank-" Natigilan si Theo sa pag-upo nang mamukhaan kung sino 'yon. "Huh?! 'Di ba siya 'yong barista?" bulong niya sa akin. 

"Ah, Shan, si Theo, friend ko sa UST. Theo, si Shan," pagpapakilala ko sa kanilang dalawa. Nilahad ni Shan ang kamay niya at bahagyang ngumiti. Dahan-dahan itong kinuha ni Theo at nag-shake hands sila. Pinabalik-balik pa niya ang tingin sa suot naming matchy sweaters. 

"Dito ka na, Ke," sabi ni Theo at tinuro ang space sa tabi ni Shan. "Dito na lang ako." Ngumiti siya sa akin at umupo roon sa bakanteng upuan sa tapat namin. 

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Shan at nilapag ang plato ko sa may coffee table. "'Yong alcohol?" tanong ko kay Shan. Tumayo naman siya at kumuha ng alcohol sa bag ko bago bumalik at nilagyan noon ang mga kamay ko. "Thank you!" I gave him a cute smile. 

"Theo, do you need some alcohol?" Shan asked out of politeness when he caught him watching. 

"Ah, sige, p're..." Nilahad ni Theo ang mga palad niya at nilagyan din siya ni Shan noon. 

Hiniwalay ko 'yong taba sa pork at nilagay sa plato ni Shan dahil hindi ko 'yon kinakain. Hindi na siya nagulat at tahimik lang na kumakain. Pati iyong mga gulay na hindi ko kinakain ay nilalagay ko sa plato niya. 

"I also don't eat this, dummy," sabi ni Shan sa akin, natatawa. Binalik niya sa plato ko iyong gulay at sinimangutan ko naman siya. 

"Theo, 'di ba gusto mo 'to?" Natandaan ko bigla at sinubuan siya noong gulay gamit ang tinidor ko. Wala na siyang nagawa dahil nasa harapan na niya. Ngumiti ako at bumalik sa kinauupuan ko. 

"Hindi mo naman sinabing maanghang, Ke! Nasamahan mo 'ata ng sili!" reklamo niya sa akin at saka naghanap ng tubig. "Ang anghang!" 

Tumawa ako at pinainom siya roon sa baso ko. "Ayaw mo nga pala sa sili!" Tinapik-tapik ko ang balikat niya, pampalubag-loob lang. "Okay lang 'yan, Theo... Kaya mo 'yan."

Nang bumalik ako sa pwesto ko, kinuhanan na ako ni Shan ng panibagong baso ng tubig dahil napunta na kay Theo 'yong sa akin. "Thank you!" Ngumiti ulit ako sa kaniya bago kumain. Sa sobrang bilis kong kumain ay nabulunan pa ako.

"Eat slowly," Shan reminded me while gently tapping my back and making me drink water. Hawak niya iyong baso at pinunasan pa niya ang tubig na tumulo sa baba ko gamit ang tissue. 

Pagkatapos kumain ay nakipaglaro si Shan sa mga pinsan ko. Ako naman ay dinaluhan si Theo dahil baka naiilang siya sa mga tao. Inaya ko siyang maglakad-lakad muna sa beach para magpahangin. Mabuti cloudy ngayon at hindi mainit. Sobrang hangin pa na nililipad ang buhok ko.

"Gusto mo siya 'no?" Tumigil ako sa paglalakad nang marinig ang tanong niya. Lumingon ako at nakitang nakatayo siya sa tabi ng dagat at nakapamulsa, nakangiti nang tipid sa akin. 

"Sino? Si Shan?" Kumunot ang noo ko. Nang tumango siya, umiwas ako ng tingin. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasagutin 'yon. "Uh... We're taking it slow. Alam mo naman 'yong nangyari last time..." Hindi ako makapagsalita nang maayos. "Ayaw kong magmadali." 

Tumango siya sa akin. "Mm-hm... Maganda nga 'yon. Mukhang masaya ka naman, Kierra. Masaya ako para sa 'yo. Sobra-sobra pa." Ngumiti siya at bahagyang ginulo ang buhok ko. 

"Biglang ganoon, Theo," pang-aasar ko. 

Tumawa siya at nag-inat ng braso, saka nilagay ang mga kamay sa likod ng ulo niya habang nakatingin sa dagat. "Mukhang nawalan na ulit ako ng pagkakataon, ah..." 

"Pagkakataon saan?" nagtatakang tanong ko. 

"Pagkakataong ipaskil sa mga labi mo 'yong ngiting binibigay niya." Pinisil niya ang pisngi ko habang nakangiti sa akin. 

"Sira, hindi lang naman 'yon dahil sa kaniya. Masaya rin ako kasi kasama ko ang family ko. They make me happy. They are my support system," pagpapaliwanag ko sa kaniya.

"Para sa 'kin naman, Ke, wala naman 'yon sa kung sino 'yong gumagawa noon. Basta okay ka, okay rin ako." Binigyan niya ako ng thumbs up. "Minsan lang, napapaisip ako, siyempre..."

"Napapaisip na?" 

"Paano kung ako 'yon?" 

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko at tinitigan siya. Napapasaya rin naman niya ako, ah! Sila nina Sevi. Masaya rin ako kapag kasama ang mga kaibigan ko.

"Ah, wala, basta!" Umiling-iling siya at tumawa na lang. "Halika na, baka hinahanap ka na nila sa loob... tsaka baka magselos si Shan!" 

"Bakit naman 'yon magseselos? Hindi ganoon 'yon, sira!" Umakbay ako sa kaniya at hinatak siya pababa sa height ko. 

Nang makarating kami sa loob ng villa, abala pa rin si Shan sa pakikipaglaro sa mga pinsan ko. Natigilan lang siya nang makitang nakabalik na kami ni Theo. He gave us a smile and asked us if we needed anything, like water. 

"Was it cold outside?" tanong sa akin ni Shan nang maupo na ulit kami sa couch. Ang sabi ko ay medyo dahil mahangin. Sunod naman niyang binaling ang tingin kay Theo. "Bro, do you play cards?" 

"Ah, oo. Anong laro ba? Pusoy dos?" Lumapit naman si Theo para makipaglaro ng baraha. 

"Let's play that with the uncles. Gusto rin nila, eh." Inaya siya ni Shan papunta roon sa table nina Tito para roon sila maglaro. Slowly, Theo felt comfortable in the villa. Napanatag tuloy ang loob ko at nakipaglaro na lang sa mga pinsan ko ng Mario Kart. 

Shan and Theo got close after the game dahil sila lang ang pareho ang edad doon. Nagkakampihan pa 'yong dalawa sa ibang laro at naga-apir kapag maganda ang bagsak. Ginabi na tuloy si Theo dahil masyadong nag-enjoy sa pakikipaglaro. 

"Salamat po. Nag-enjoy ako. Una na 'ko, Ke at Shan," paalam niya sa amin. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at kumaway.

"Take care," sabi naman ni Shan. 

Habang nagsasaya ang lahat ay pumunta muna ako sa room ko para mahiga saglit dahil napagod din ako kakalaro at kakahalubilo sa iba. Sumunod naman si Shan sa akin para makatakas kina Tito. Inaaya kasi siya ng isa pang laro. Sumasakit na raw ang ulo niya. Iyon ang palusot niya. 

"Kumusta si Theo?" tanong ko sa kaniya habang nakahiga ako sa sofa at nakatingin sa kisame. Nakaupo naman siya sa sahig at nakasandal ang likod sa kabilang upuan, pagod na rin. 

"He's a nice guy. He's great." Tumango-tango siya sa akin. 

"Uhm..." Napaisip ako sa sinabi ni Theo kanina tungkol sa pagseselos. Sa palagay ko naman ay hindi ganoon si Shan. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko bubuksan ang topic na 'yon. Umayos ako ng upo para makaharap siya. "Seloso ka ba?" 

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya sa tanong ko, naguguluhan. "I don't think so... Why would you ask?" Bahagya siyang natawa. 

"Wala... Hindi ka ba nagselos kay Theo?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang bibig ko. Na-curious ako sa sinabi ni Theo kanina tungkol doon. Napaisip tuloy ako kung ano ang nararamdaman ni Shan tungkol doon. "Uh... Kanina?" 

"Huh?" Natawa siya saglit sa tanong ko. "No, Kierra... He's your friend, and I know that he's important to you. There's no need for me to be jealous."

"Hmm... Paano kapag hindi ko friend?" Humiga ulit ako at tumitig sa kisame, ang mga kamay ay nasa bandang tiyan ko, nagpapahinga roon habang nag-iisip. "What if someone... like... a stranger asks for my number?" I thought of the possible scenarios. 

Miguel was jealous of my friends a lot... I believed it was wrong to hang out with my friends anymore, but I couldn't just avoid them, so I started lying.

I didn't want to become like that again. I didn't want to become a liar. 

"If you feel uncomfortable, I'll step in... but if you feel okay and like the guy, that's already your decision. We're not... together anyway..." Humina ang boses niya at umiwas ng tingin sa akin. 

Right. Napatango-tango na lang ako at umayos ulit ng upo. "Do you also want to celebrate New Year with us?" aya ko sa kaniya. 

"I would love to," sagot naman niya. 

Tumayo siya at kinuha iyong ribbon sa may side table at umupo sa tabi ko para itali niya iyon sa buhok ko. Bagay 'yon sa suot kong sweater at flowy skirt. "Can I see? Face me, please," sambit niya pagkatapos.

Lumingon ako sa kaniya para makita niya ang hitsura ko roon sa half-ponytail na ginawa niya gamit ang ribbon. He smiled and gently held the side of my head. "Do I look okay?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

"You look perfect." He gave me a small smile. 

Lumabas na ulit kami ng kwarto dahil nagsisimula na silang magsayawan doon. Shan offered his hand so he could dance with me, along with my parents, titos, and titas. I was giggling when he put his hands on my waist and I put mine on his shoulders. We slow-danced to La Vie en rose. 

The smile on my face widened when he tried to spin me but I went to the wrong direction kaya umikot ulit ako. Inikot niya ulit ako at sinalo ako sa baywang, sabay bahagyang baba sa akin, which made both of us laugh. My long hair almost hit the floor. 

We just slow-danced to beautiful Christmas mellow songs until we got tired of it and decided to eat some desserts. He asked me what I wanted to drink so he could prepare it for me. I said I wanted hot chocolate. Perfect sa marshmallows na kinakain ko. 

We decided to eat them on the balcony of my room para mahangin at kita ang dagat. "I like holidays. Ang peaceful and calming. Wala akong iniintindi..." sabi ko sa kaniya habang nakaupo kami sa magkatabing upuan. 

"I like holidays with you," sagot niya. 

Muntik na tuloy akong masamid sa iniinom ko dahil sa gulat. Tumawa siya at kinuhanan ako ng tissue mula sa loob, pamunas sa kaunting hot chocolate na natapon. 

"Lagot ka. Lagi ka nang aayain nina Mommy sumama sa amin," pananakot ko sa kaniya pero mukhang mas natuwa pa siya roon. 

The family already planned to go to Jeju Island to celebrate New Year. Matagal na iyong nakaplano kaya nagulat ako nang ayain talaga ni Mommy si Shan. Wala pa naman siyang plane ticket at hindi rin siya kasama sa hotel room. 

"It's okay, Tita. I can just stay in Manila," tanggi ni Shan pero umiling si Mommy dahil wala raw siyang kasama kung doon siya magse-celebrate. 

"No, we already looked for tickets on the same flight. Sasama ka sa amin, okay?" pamimilit pa ni Mommy. 

Napasapo ako sa noo ko dahil buong araw nilang inaasikaso 'yon at nagtatalo pa dahil hiyang-hiya si Shan at si Mommy naman ay ini-insist dahil ayaw niyang mag-isa si Shan. Ang gugulo nila. For me, of course, it would be fun to have Shan with us. Ayaw ko rin siyang mag-isa sa New Year. 

Lumuwas tuloy kaming dalawa ni Shan ng Manila para makakuha siya ng gamit at makabili rin ng susuotin niya dahil malamig doon. "This travel wasn't included in my plans this year..." Napahawak si Shan sa ulo niya. 

"Impulsive talaga si Mommy. I'm so sorry." Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako sa kaniya or maaawa. Hindi kasi siya prepared. 

"I don't even celebrate special occasions like these..." Naguguluhan pa rin siya. "Wow, I can't believe I'm suddenly leaving the country with you." 

"Wait, kailan birthday mo?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"Oh, tapos na birthday ko last November." Napaawang ang labi ko sa sagot niya. "I don't like celebrating it now. I already celebrated my birthday a lot of times during college and it tired me out. It just went by like a normal day for me last time, aside from the cake my best friend gave me... and I was also busy with law school so..." 

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin?! We could have celebrated it!" inis na sabi ko sa kaniya. "Hay nako... Then treat this vacation as your birthday celebration!" 

"There's nothing special with my birthday-"

"It's special to me, okay? Shut up ka na." Nilagay ko ang daliri ko sa mga labi niya para patahimikin siya. 

The side of his lips rose, forming a smirk. He playfully pouted his lips so it would look like he kissed my finger. Bahagya ko siyang kinurot sa baywang dahil doon. Natawa naman siya. 

"What colors are you wearing?" he asked because he wanted to match my clothing again. Nag-shopping lang kami sa mall para sa mga susuotin niya dahil biglaan nga 'tong travel na 'to sa kaniya. 

"Ito, cute 'to sa 'yo... Wow, pogi naman!" It was my turn to pick clothes for him. Tinatapat ko sa kaniya para makita kung babagay ba at saka nilalagay sa basket kung oo. "Ito pa. Suotin mo 'to. Maganda rin 'to."

"Lahat maganda, Ke," sarkastikong sabi niya sa akin dahil ang dami kong nilalagay sa basket niya. Tumawa ako kaya pinisil niya ang pisngi ko. "Pati ikaw. Ganda mo." 

"Thank you!" Nilagay ko ang dalawang kamay sa magkabilang pisngi ko bago naglakad paalis para humanap pa ng ibang ipapasuot sa kaniya. 

Naglalakad kaming dalawa pagkatapos bumili, bitbit ang mga paper bags, nang bigla na lang siya napahinto at mabilis na tumalikod. "Shit," rinig kong bulong niya.

"Bakit?" Lumingon ako sa paligid. Hinatak niya ako at tinago ako sa ilalim ng braso niya. Nagtataka pa rin ako. 

"Ha-ha! Caught you, little fucker!" Nakarinig ako ng boses ng lalaki. His voice was low and manly. Naramdaman kong humarap nang kaunti si Shan dahil nadala niya ako. 

"Leave me alone, Haze." Kahit hindi ko nakikita, ramdam kong irita si Shan. 

"Why, hello there... Would you mind introducing me to your date?" May himig ng pang-aasar sa tono ng lalaki. 

"Yes, I would mind. Get away from her. Shoo." 

Nakarinig pa ako ng tawa bago kami mabilis na naglakad paalis ni Shan. Pinakawalan niya rin ako nang makalayo na kami. "Fuck, I'll be the next topic of the gossip," bulong niya, namomroblema na.

Inaya niya ako sa ibang mall dahil delikado raw kami roon. "Bakit? Kabit ba 'ko?" naguguluhang tanong ko habang kumakain kami. Nabulunan siya bigla at agad inabot ang tubig habang umuubo. 

"No, no, you're not!" agad na depensa niya. "I don't entertain anyone anymore! I'm all yours!" mabilis na paliwanag niya. 

"All mine?" Napaawang ang labi ko sa gulat. 

"Ah, no, like..." Hindi niya alam kung paano ipapaliwanag. "You get what I mean. It's just you." 

Uminom ako sa baso para itago ang ngisi ko. He looked adorable, trying to explain things without sounding too defensive. "Hmm, okay..." 

Pina-laundry niya iyong mga binili niya at doon ko na lang napagdesisyunang matulog sa condo niya dahil wala si Luna roon sa condo namin at ayaw kong maiwan doon mag-isa. Nakita ko ang painting ko sa tabi ng side table niya nang pumasok ako sa kwarto niya para kumuha ng twalya. 

He told me to just sleep on his bed because it was more comfortable. Siya na raw ang matutulog sa may kabilang kwarto, pero bago ako makatulog ay nanatili muna siya roon sa kwarto niya dahil nanood kami ng movie hanggang sa makatulog ako.

Late na ako nagising at nakita kong nakuha na rin niya ang mga damit niya. Nakaayos na nga rin sa maleta niya 'yon. Dederetso sina Mommy from Bataan to the airport in Manila at dala ko na ang mga gamit ko kaya hindi ko na kailangang bumalik pa sa resort.

"Come on, Ke. Get up for breakfast." Sinubukan niya akong itayo mula sa kama pero ayaw ko dahil masyado akong kumportable roon. Napabuntong-hininga siya at umupo na lang sa gilid.

Gumapang ako at sumampa sa likod niya para hindi ko na kailangang maglakad papuntang dining. Tumayo naman siya at binitbit ako. Ginawan niya ako ng garlic bread at juice. 

"Do you want to eat rice? I'll cook for you," offer niya ulit. Umiling ako at kumagat doon sa garlic bread. Okay na 'yon sa akin. "Alright. Eat a lot, angel. I'll just take a shower." 

Mukhang galing siya sa gym kaya kinailangan niyang maligo ulit. Tahimik lang akong kumain ng garlic bread doon habang hinihintay siya. Nakayakap pa ako sa tuhod ko at pinagmamasdan ang magandang view sa labas. 

While waiting for him, I texted my doctor just to let her know that I was okay and doing well. She would check up on me from time to time since I couldn't see her in person. 

"Are you done?" Binaba ko na ang phone ko nang lumabas si Shan, bagong ligo. Tumango ako sa kaniya kaya niligpit na niya iyong pinagkainan ko. 

"Ako na," angal ko kaagad pero hindi siya pumayag. 

"I can do it. You can take a shower."

I just took a shower like what he said. Bukas pa ang flight kaya may isang araw na naman akong bakante. We decided to continue with our list. Hobby na niya ang next. He wanted to teach me how to make a latte.

"Okay, so you get the shot..." Inalalayan niya ang kamay ko. Nakasuot pa kami ng apron sa Yesterday's Coffee. It was closed for today kaya kami lang dalawa ang naroon. Naka-pigtail braid din ang buhok ko para hindi sagabal sa ginagawa ko. "You pull this... No, no..." 

He went behind me and helped me out. He looked so serious and focused while I was all smiles, enjoying what I was doing kahit mali-mali. Kumuha siya ng milk, then pinunasan niya 'yong small tube gamit ang towel. 

"Okay, so you have your shot. Pour the milk on the cup. You see, this is the kind of milk that is perfect for the latte..." Pinakita niya sa akin ang milk. Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay ko para alalayan ako sa paglagay. 

He helped me shape it into a leaf, but I failed. "Good job!" he happily said. 

Tinikman ko iyong latte at natuwa naman ako sa lasa. "It's good! Ang galing ko!" I was so proud of myself. 

"Yes, you are." Pinunasan niya iyong cup dahil may tumulo. "You did well."

I wanted to learn how to do more drinks. Tinuruan niya akong gumawa ng Oreo milkshake. He also held my hand so I could spread the chocolate syrup properly sa whipped cream. I was so happy I posted it on my Instagram story. My first ever Oreo milkshake! 

"Okay, you're hired," pagbibiro niya. 

"Thank you, Sir. I'm grateful for the opportunity you gave me." I held my chest and did a curtsy. 

He also baked some cookies and made me taste them. Nakaupo ako sa taas ng countertop habang kumakain noong chocolate almond cookies. They were so good. Ang talented niya naman sa maraming bagay. 

"You like it?" He stood in front of me, put his hand on my side, and held onto the countertop.

Kagat-kagat ko 'yong isang cookie nang tumango ako. My eyes widened when he leaned and took a bite from the cookie I had in between my lips. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko. My heart was beating so fast because our lips almost touched.

"Good," he whispered before turning his back against me to get more cookies from the oven. "I like you... I mean, I like it too." 

________________________________________________________________________________

:)

Since elections are nearing, this is a reminder for everyone to vote and choose wisely. Your vote is for the Filipino people. Your vote is for the future of the next generations to come. 

Vote for the candidate that has a clean record, a good sense of leadership, a great educational background, and a lot of achievements. Vote for the candidate that will inspire us to be good and do better things.

That is why my vote goes to Leni-Kiko.

Para sa gobyernong tapat.

Para sa bayan.

Visit https://anobanagawanilenirobredo.com/ 

and 

https://kikopangilinan.com/materials/mga-nagawa-ni-kiko/ 

to know more about the candidates.

Please take time to know who you are voting for. 

Your vote is important for our future.