Napangiti ako nang makita ko ang pamilyar na gusali sa harapan ko. Seeing this brings so much memories. I smiled to myself as I make my way inside.

I looked around inside the restaurant and smiled. It's still the same as before. It still has the home'y feeling whenever you're here. This restaurant is established in the late 90's and it's still here right now. But it's sad to think that only a few people dine here anymore. It's mine and Kara's favorite hang out spot since there's not much people and the owner's really nice. We often meet here for our dates before.

"Oh? Long time no see..." sabi ni Mrs. Park. Siya ang may-ari ng restaurant, matanda na siya pero malakas at maganda parin siya.

"Mrs. Park!" I said and hugged her. "It's been a long time" I smiled.

"San ka ba nagsusuot ikaw na bata ka!"

"I've been busy Mrs. Park" sabi ko. Tinitigan niya ako bago ngumiti. "Kaya ba hinayaan mong magpunta dito mag-isa ang nobya mo netong mga nakaraang buwan?" tanong niya. I looked at her confuse. Mrs. Park knows about me and Kara, kami nga daw ang favorite customer niya.

"Kaya naman pala lagi siyang mag-isa kung magpunta rito, isine-celebrate niya ang buwanang monthsary niyo ng mag-isa" sabi niya. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Ibig sabihin buwan buwan nagpupunta si Kara dito para ipagdiwang ang monthsary namin? Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig ko.

"Oh? bat mukhang gulat ka?" natatawang tanong ni Mrs. Park. "Laging nagpupunta dito si Kara, at nakikita kong mukhang palungkot siya ng palungkot tuwing dumadalaw siya dito" sabi niya.

"Don't let her feel like she's alone when you're still by her side" sabi ni Mrs. Park at tinapik ako sa balikat.

"Go! she's waiting for you" Nakangiting sabi niya at itinuro kung nasaan si Kara. I thanked her and smiled before walking away. Those words she said still lingering in my mind.

Napangiti ako nang makita ko siyang nakaupo sa may gilid, she's busy looking through her phone. Napakaseryoso ng mukha niya pero napakaganda parin niya. Unti-unti akong Lumapit sa kinauupuan niya at naupo sa harap niya.

Ininangat niya ang mukha niya at gulat na napatingin sa akin. "Hi!" I smiled at her.

"Uh... Hi" she said and smiled a little.

Kumain na muna kami dahil sinabi ko sa kanya na hindi ko tatanggapin yung isasauli niya kung hindi muna kami kakain. Pagkatapos naming kumain ay lumabas na kami sa restaurant at nagpunta sa malapit na park. Wala naman kaming pinagkwentuhan nung nasa restaurant kami dahil tahimik lang siyang kumakain at ganun din ako, dahil nahihiya akong magtanong ng kung ano-ano sa kanya.

"How are you?" I asked while we're walking, hoping to break the silence between us.

"Uh... Fine" she sighed. "How about the prank caller? Is he still calling you?" tanong ko. Umiling naman siya.

"That's good" I smiled at her. Tumigil siya at tumingin sa akin. "We should probably go home" sabi niya.

Napatingin ako sa relo ko at nagtatakang tumingin sa kanya. "It's still early..." sabi ko.

She sighed and looked straight at me. "Paano kung may makakita saatin?" she asked.

"Who cares about them Kara?"

Ngumiti siya ng mapait. "Hindi mo man lang ba inisip kung anong mararamdaman ng girlfriend mo?" tanong niya.

"Kara... I already told you, hindi ko girlfriend si Yeri... " I sighed.

"She's not my girlfriend, Kara. And she will never be, dahil ikaw lang ang gusto ko."

She looked at me like she's studying my face then she sighed.

"Still.... We shouldn't be seen together mamaya baka kung sino pang makakita saatin" sabi niya tsaka umiling.

"I don't care about what they say---"

"Well... I care! Kung wala kang pakealam sa sasabihin ng iba ako meron!" sabi niya saakin.

"Bakit may pinoprotektahan ka ba?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"w-wala! I'm just saying...." she trailed off.

"Here" sabi niya at inabot saakin ang paper bag na hawak niya. "I guess that's yours" she mumbled. Nagtataka kong inilabas ang laman ng paper bag at napakunot ang noo ko nang makita ang denim jacket na isinuot ko sa kanya sa bar.

"I want you to keep this" sabi ko at ipinatong iyon sa balikat niya. Napangiti ako nung hindi siya umalma."It looks great on you" I smiled at her.

"I... I should go now..." sabi niya. I sighed and grabbed her arms. "Can't we enjoy this moment?" tanong ko.

"Kahit ngayon lang?... please?"

She looked at me and sighed. "Fine..." she breathed.

Napangiti ako, I grabbed her hand and slowly laced our fingers together. She didn't protest so I just held her like that while we were walking.It felt so good having her by my side. Her hands on mine felt like it was sculpted for eachother.

Masaya lang ako na kasama ko siya ngayon kahit na hindi kami nag-uusap. Pakiramdam ko nagkakahiyaan lang kaming dalawa.

KARA'S POV

Hinayaan ko nalang na hawakan ni Taehyung ang kamay ko habang naglalakad kami. Is this right? Tama ba na gustuhin ko din to kahit na alam kong mali? May girlfriend siya. At kahit na sabihin  niyang hindi totoong sila, ay mali parin.

Tumigil ako sa paglalakad at tumingin sa kanya. He looked at me worried.

"Is something wrong?" tanong niya. I nodded.

"What is it?"

Inalis ko ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko. "This.... This is all wrong Tae" I sighed.

"W-What do you mean?" he asked looking confused.

"I'm sorry but.... I just can't do this" sabi ko. I started to walk away as my heart gets heavier with every step I take.

"Kara!"

I heard him,but I didn't look back. Lalo ko lang pahihirapan ang sarili ko. I shouldn't have agreed to have dinner with him in the first place.

"Kara... wait!" I felt him grab my arm. Humarap siya saakin at tinitigan ako sa mata.

"Tell me what's wrong..."

"Everything's wrong Tae, simula nung bumalik ka. I was finally fine, I was happy!.... or that's what I thought" I laughed bitterly. I saw how his expression change from what I said.

"I was happy living my life without you... and... and now that you're back... it just... its confusing me... I'm starting to question myself. I know this isn't right for me to feel like you're mine again. Because I know that you're not mine..." I said whispering the last part.

"Kara...."

"Let's just.... let's just go back to where we were before---" I took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in my throat before looking straight to his eyes.

"Live your life, and I'll live mine" sabi ko. Tumalikod na ako at nagsimulang maglakad palayo sa kanya. If I continue to stay here and look at him I might give in and break down.

"I know you're lying..." I heard him say. "I know you're just as lonely and hurt as me" sabi niya. Napatigil ako sa paglalakad dahil sa sinabi niya.

"If you're really happy without me then why are you still celebrating our monthsary?" he asked.Napalunok ako. Paano niya nalaman?

"Tell me Kara.... Why?"

"I... I don't know what y-you're talking about" sabi ko.

"Is it because you still love me?" he said. Naging dahilan iyon para mapatingin ako sa kanya.Pinilit kong sumagot pero walang lumabas na salita mula sa bibig ko. "Tama ako hindi ba?" he stared at me, his eyes piercing into mine.

"You still love me."sabi niya. Naglakad siya papalapit sa akin at tumayo sa harap ko habang nakapako parin ang mga mata niya saakin.

" I know you still love me, Kara." Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. "Because I do, I still love you Kara."

He cupped my face and stared at my eyes, drowning me with his gaze. Napalunok ako nang unti-unting bumaba ang tingin niya sa mga labi ko. He leaned in slowly making me close my eyes. And as our lips finally met, the rain started pouring down.

We both pulled away from eachother, he stared at me and claimed my lips again, kissing me slowly like he's savoring the moment. It feels like the whole world stops and it's just us two here right now.

I don't care anymore, whether this is wrong or right. I'll just live in this moment and worry aboyt the consequences of my actions tomorrow. But for now, I want this.

"I love you, I'm still truly, madly, crazy, deeply in love with you Kara" he whispered when he pulled away.

"And even if you keep on pushing me away, I won't go. I'll stay by your side"

//

"So you're staying here?" tanong ni Tae habang nakatingin sa bahay. Patay na ang mga ilaw kaya sa tingin ko ay tulog na sila mommy at daddy, and hopefully tulog na din si Kuya.

Tumango ako. "Y-Yeah" sabi ko. Tumila narin ang malakas na buhos ng ulan pero, nandito parin kami sa loob ng kotse niya. Ayaw ko na sanang magpahatid pero nalaman niyang hindi ko dala ang kotse ko, kaya nagpumilit siyang ihatid ako.

"T-Thanks for taking me home..." sabi ko habang nakatingin sa kanya. "The pleasure is all mine" he smiled.

"I.. I should go" sabi ko. I hurriedly get myself to unbuckle my seatbelt but it wouldn't budge.At kahit na anong pilit ko ay hindi ko parin matanggal. O sadyang natataranta lang ako?

I heard him chuckle, napalunok ako nung lumapit siya sa akin. He leaned forward and helped me unbuckle my seatbelt. Napalunok uli ako nang tumingin siya sa akin at ngumiti. My eyes trailed down to his lips.

'Why is his lips so kissable?Damn' Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa naisip ko.

'What the hell Kara Vixen, get a hold of yourself' I scold myself. Ano ba tong mga naiisip ko!?

He smiled and I can feel his breath on mumy neck since our faces are just inches apart. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.

'Tell me he's not going to kiss me again'

Then he did! Inilapat niya ang labi niya sa labi ko. It was just a peck, but his lips still lingers in mine. I felt him pull away but I don't have the strength to open my eyes yet.

"You can open your eyes now, Kara" I heard him chuckle. Napapahiya kong unti-unting iminulat ang mga mata ko. I felt myself getting hot when I saw him staring at me.

"You told me something earlier..." He said and smiled. Tinignan ko naman siyang nagtataka. "That you're questioning yourself, you don't know if its right to feel like I am yours....." he said.

Tumango ako. He held both of my hands and kissed the back of it.

"You don't have to question yourself because. I'm yours Kara. Since the beginning until now and up to the present I'm still yours, All yours Kara"

"I'm yours"

Napalunok ako habang nakatitig sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagbubunyi ang puso ko dahil sa tuwa.

Bababa na sana siya para pagbuksan ako ng pinto pero pinigilan ko siya. Baka may makakita pa sa kanya.

"Goodnight" sabi niya bago ako bumaba. Ngumiti ako at tumango."Goodnight" bulong ko.

"I'll see you in my dreams" he said and I waved at him goodbye. Hinintay ko muna siyang makaalis bago ako naglakad papasok sa gate. Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago ako tuluyang pumasok sa loob.

"Where have you been?"

"Ay! Goodnight!" bulalas ko. I clutched my chest and looked at my brother who's standing infront of our doorway his arms crossed over his chest with a serious look on his face.

"K-Kuya! bat andito ka pa gabi na---"

"I asked first, Kara" seryosong sabi niya.

Napalunok ako. "A-Ah... jan lang! tama! jan lang" I laughed awkwardly. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

"Sinong yung kasama mo? That's not Eunwoos car" he pointed out. Napalunok uli ako, bat ba kasi gising pa si Kuya? tsaka anong ginagawa njya dito sa baba?

"Uhm...---"

"Oh My God! Kara! bat basang basa ka?" rinig kong bulalas ni mommy mula sa likuran ni Kuya.

'Perfect timing mom! Thanks for saving me!' bulong ko sa utak ko.

"Pumasok ka na para makapagbihis ka na! baka magkasakit ka pa" sabi ni Mommy. Agad naman akong sumunod. Nginitian ko nalang si Kuya nung papasok na ako.

Mabilis akong umakyat at pumasok sa kwarto.Dumiretso na ako sa banyo para maligo.

I stripped all of my clothes and stepped into the shower letting the cold water run down my body freely.

I closed my eyes tight as I remember what happened earlier.

"I know you're lying..." I heard him say. "I know you're just as lonely and hurt as me" sabi niya.

"If you're really happy without me then why are you still celebrating our monthsary?" he asked.

"Tell me Kara.... Why?"

I wanted to tell him that I still celebrate our monthsary even after we broke up. I know it sounds really stupid celebrating something that doesn't exist anymore, celebrating alone every month even if I knew that we're not together anymore. I wanted to tell him that I still go to our favorite hangout spot whenever I miss him. Because I still hope that he'll come find me there. But he didn't show up, not even once.

"Kara... I already told you, hindi ko girlfriend si Yeri... " he sighed.

"She's not my girlfriend, Kara. And she will never be, dahil ikaw lang ang gusto ko."

I really wanted to believe him.Gustong-gusto kong paniwalaan ang mga sinasabi niya pero paano? Kung hindi talaga sila bakit hindi man lang i-deny ng agency nila ang tungkol dun sa issue na iyon? bakit hanggang ngayon tahimik parin sila tungkol sa issue?

Why am I hoping that what he said is true? Why am I hoping that it was just really a publicity stunt? It's because I still believe him when he told me that he still loves me. Natawa ako dahil sinagot ko din ang sarili kong tanong.

" I know you still love me, Kara."

"Because I do, I still love you Kara."

"I love you, I'm still truly, madly, crazy, deeply in love with you Kara"

"And even if you keep on pushing me away, I won't go. I'll stay by your side"

Napabuntong-hininga ako.

"If you only knew how much I love you too" bulong ko. Hindi niya alam kung gaano ko ka gustong sabihin din ang mga salitang yon pabalik sa kanya.

"Let me tie your shoelaces---"

"Because I don't want you to fall.... "

He looked at me straight in the eyes." for anyone else"he continued and winked at me.

Iminulat ko ang mga mata at napahawak sa dibdib ko dahil sa bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. His face, his smile, his laugh, his cute remarks and corny pick-up lines popped into my head. Napalunok ako.

Eunwoo

Ihinilamos ko ang mga palad ko sa mukha ko at paulit-ulit na bumuntong-hininga.

Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko.

Pagkatapos kong makaligo't makapagbihis ay tinabihan ko na si Celine sa kama. Hinalikan ko ang pisngi niya at napangiti. Ayaw ko na munang mag-isip ng kung ano ano ngayon, all I want is to cuddle with my daughter right now.

I hugged Celine and let myself drift off to a peaceful sleep.

//

Maaga akong lumabas para magpunta sa factory para icheck ang production at kung tama ba ang mga designs na nagagawa. Palabas na ako mula sa building nang biglang mag-ring ang phone ko.

"Hello?" I answered as I open my car door and went inside.

"Goooooodmorning!! Bestfrrrriiieeeennnd!" Inilayo ko ang phone ko mula sa tenga ko dahil sa lakas ng tili ni Yareli.

"God! Yareli my eardrums about to burst! May balak ka bang gawin akong bingi?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Sorry!" she laughed making me roll my eyes kahit na alam kong di niya ako nakikita. "Why'd you call anyways?" Tanong ko habang iniistart ang kotse ko.

"Have you seen the article? or watched the interview?" tanong niya. Napakunot ang noo ko. Ano na naman kayang article ang pinagsasabi neto?

"Hindi pa, wala akong oras para sa chismis. I'm too busy for that Yareli" I laughed.

"Duuuuh! I check mo yung article bilis!.... dalhan kita ng favorite mong frappe tapos chikahan na din tayo..." she giggled.

"Sige mamaya, pagdating ko sa shop" sagot ko.

"Bakit asan ka ba?" tanong niya."On my way" I answered and hung up. I put my phone away and focused on driving. Dumiretso agad ako sa office. Nakaupo ako at tinitignan yung mga bagong sketches  nung maalala ko na may sinend si Yareli saakin kanina. I opened my laptop and checked my email.

Napakunot ang noo ko nang makita ang sinend ni Yareli. It was a link, so I guess this is the article she's talking about earlier. Nagtataka akong pinindot yung link. Ano na naman kaya to?

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko habang binabasa ang titulo ng article na iyon.

MEMBER OF THE GIRL GROUP JEWELS: YERI CLEARS UP RUMOR BETWEEN HER AND BTS V

Yeri deeply apologizes to the public after months of silence about the dating scandal between her and BTS V. Yeri said in an interview that it was just a publicity stunt made by Play House Entertainment. And BTS V is just a victim by her agencies dirty trick to gain popularity. Yeri also admitted that she got a lot of death threats from sasaeng fans when the rumor got out.Yeri also apologizes to BTS V for dragging him into this mess. Yeri claimed that Play House entertainment is responsible for all of it.

Play house Entertainment also apologizes to Big Hit Entertainment for stirring false rumor and for causing trouble to their artists....

click to watch the full interview....

Napakunot ang noo ko nung mabasa ko iyon. So Tae wasn't lying when he told me it was just a publicity stunt.

I took a deep breath before clicking the video.

"So about you and BTS V, is it true that you two are dating for quite a long time now?" The interviewer asked her.

"No, I am dating someone but not V Sunbaenim" Yeri said smiling. "The photos are real but the rumors aren't. Me and V sunbaenim isn't dating. That was a lie for publicity..."

"What do you mean, Ms. Yeri?"

"It was a publicity stunt set up by my agency..." she started. "It was a publicity stunt and V sunbaenim is just a victim" she said.

"At first, I thought it would be a good publicity for my group... but when I realize that there are people that would be hurt, I told myself I needed to stop.

"Wow!! that was shocking! but.. why are you confessing all of sudden?" the interviewer asked.

"Actually I was just waiting for the perfect time to reveal the truth" she smiled.

"I am truly sorry for the fans and to the people who have been hurt because of us, and to V sunbae---"

Napalunok ako. So I guess this is all true.

'Oh My God!'

Hindi ko na tinapos pa na panoorin yung video, I already had enough information to prove that it's really just a publicity stunt. What Taehyung said is true, it was a publicity stunt and he was just a victim in that situation I should've believed him before.

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko habang naalala yung mga panahong sinasabi niya saakin na hindi sila at hindi totoo ang mga iyon, na publicity stunt lang ang lahat. He must have been so frustrated before, at naawa ako because I didn't let him explain before and I didn't believe what he said not even once. All this time he was telling the truth but I just ignored him.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at ikinalma ang sarili ko. I'm having mixed emotions right now. Masaya ako dahil finally alam ko na ang totoo tungkol sa issue nila Tae. But at the same time I feel sad, dahil hindi pa rin nagagawan ni Eunwoo ng paraan yung tungkol sa issue naming dalawa.

'So what if it's true Kara? Ano naman kung totoong publicity stunt lang iyon?Umaasa ka bang magbabalikan kayo? Hindi iyon ganon kadali Kara, isipin mo si Celine...Si Eunwoo' bulong ng utak ko.

All of this makes it more confusing to me. Umiling ako at napabuntong-hininga.

Napapitlag ako sa gulat nung mag ring ang phone ko.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hi, are you busy?" I swallowed after hearing his voice. It was Eunwoo. "H-Hindi naman" sagot ko.

"do you want to have lunch with me?" tanong niya. "Y-yeah sure..." wala sa sariling sagot ko.

"Okay, I'll see you later then" he said and I sighed again before hanging up.

Napasabunot ako sa sarili kong buhok. Bakit ba ang gulo-gulo ng buhay ko!? Why can't life be simple? Bumuntong-hininga uli ako, hindi ko alam kung ano bang uunahin ko dito.

Nag ring uli ang cellphone ko. Tinatamad kong kinuha ito at sinagot ang tawag.

"KARA!"

"Jungkook?!? I raised an eyebrow after hearing his voice. Ano kayang sasabihin neto! Ichichismis din ba niya etong article na to!

"can you come over?"