I never dared to dream that last night would happen. Last night was the best night of my life... I hope it was the same for her too.

Papasikat pa lang ang araw nang magising ako. Aliyah is still sleeping like an angel beside me. Maybe she's tired from last night. Hahayaan ko na lang muna siyang matulog. I looked at her intently. Para akong sira-ulong bigla na lang napapangiti kapag naaalala ko ang mga nangyari kagabi. She's wearing my shirt, her head is on my chest and her left arm resting on my lower abdomen, almost touching my...

Fuck! Why would I think about that, this early? I took a deep breath.

"Andrew, calm down," I whispered to myself as I slowly moved away from her.

Dahan-dahan akong umalis sa pagkakayakap niya kahit na ayaw ko pa. But I stilled when I suddenly heard her whisper something.

"Andrew... ba-by..." Her eyes are still closed.

Is she dreaming?

"So, you're only calling me baby in your dreams, huh?" Ngumisi ako. Para akong tangang nakikipag-usap sa tulog. Natigilan ulit ako nang makita ang unti-unting pagguhit ng ngiti sa mga labi niya. Narinig niya ako?

I smiled at that thought. I slowly bent down to see her beautiful face clearly. I sniffed her hair and kissed her forehead. I also tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear, taking a moment to admire the masterpiece in front of me. Gently, I touched her cheek before planting a soft, warm kiss on it; I'll never get tired of mornings like this.

While walking towards the kitchen, I realized that I don't know how to cook, but I want to cook for her. Kaya kong mag prito, that's easy enough. So, I decided to whip up some bacon and scrambled eggs. But then I scratched my head, realizing I'd added way too much salt to the eggs and burned the first batch of bacon. But it's for her... so I tried again.

"Done!"

I checked the time and my brows furrowed when I saw that it's already 7:00 AM.

"What?! Isang oras akong nagluto?!"

 Really, Andrew? Gaano ka ba kapalpak sa pagluluto?  

I took a deep breath. Bigla kong naalala ang niluto kong sinigang for Aliyah and how I traumatized her friends because of it. I knew it tasted awful. Halos mabuga pa nga ni Jasper 'yong sabaw noong unang beses niyang matikman ang sinigang ko. But I had no choice—they knew Aliyah so well and they knew exactly what she likes. So, for five days, wala silang ibang lunch kundi ang palpak kong sinigang. Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na buntong hininga. Babawi na lang ako sa kanila pagbalik namin ni Aliyah sa Manila.

When did I even start to feel this way? I never knew that I could love this hard. 

Pilit kong inaalala kung kailan ko na-realize na mahal ko na si Aliyah... noong birthday ba niya? When I saved her from that incident? Or maybe when I first saw her? Shit! I really don't know when.

So, maybe, I just need to stop thinking about when it all started. All I know is that I don't want this to end. Even if it's just a deal for her.

***

I can still vividly remember that rainy afternoon. Nauna akong dumating sa restaurant kung saan kami magkikita ni Aliyah. She said we need to talk about something urgent. I had a hunch that it's about our photos that night, from her 25th birthday. Halos tatlong araw na ring pinag-uusapan iyon online. People were thinking that I'm Aliyah's other man while she's engaged to Marcus. Which, of course, is completely false.

I waited for fifteen minutes or so, then she arrived. She's wearing a yellow hoodie and shades. Umuulan pero naka-shades siya.

"Hi, Andrew. Sorry late ako," she greeted as she removed her shades, pero suot pa rin ang hood ng jacket niya. She slowly sat on the chair in front of me.

"Ah, okay lang. I just got here," I lied. I smiled at her.

Ngumiti siya sa akin pabalik, pero alam kong pilit iyon. I can't help but notice that she looks so tense. A portion of her hair was framing her face, but I can still see how anxious her almond eyes were, and the way she's blinking too much.

"Y-You want to order something, Aliyah?" I asked, trying to somehow lift the heaviness of the air surrounding us.

"A-Ah!" She quickly glanced at the menu on the table.

"Americano with one extra brown sugar," nakangiting niyang sagot. This time, her smile is more genuine than her smile earlier. She must really like coffee.

Tinawag ko ang waiter para sa order ni Aliyah. I don't drink coffee. Napapaitan ako ro'n. But Aliyah likes it... so maybe, I'll give it a try next time.

Suddenly, she caught my gaze. She straightened up in her seat, adjusted the shades she had put on the table earlier, and gently pulled out a folder from her bag.

"S-Sorry if I look so stupid. I have to wear this para hindi ako makilala. You know, marami na akong bashers because of our photos." She faked a laugh. I nodded slightly.

She doesn't deserve the hate. People were calling her names—flirt, two-timer, cheater, and other cruel labels. They ridiculed her because of those three pictures. May mga nabasa rin akong hate comments about me, but they're not as harsh as what they're throwing at her. I can't help but feel bad about it. If we really have an affair, pareho kaming at fault, pero mas maraming mga tao ang sinisisi lang si Aliyah.

"Ayoko nang magpaligoy-ligoy pa, Andrew." She cleared her throat before continuing her statement.

"I'm here to propose a deal with you."

"Deal? W-What kind of deal?" I asked her while looking at her worried almond eyes.

My heart started to beat fast.

"I need you to marry me."

That's when my heart went wild that I thought it was going to break my rib cage. Gusto akong pakasalan ni Aliyah? The girl I like! No. Love. I know that now. I love her... even before everything.

"W-What?... M-Marry you? Why?" My voice was shaking. Kinakabahan ako. Pero 'yong klase ng kabang gusto ko.

"Akala ni Daddy may relasyon tayo. Actually, baka buong Pilipinas 'yon na ang iniisip. I need to marry you to save my name—Dad's name." She chuckled uncomfortably.

"And also... for my dream." Bumuntong-hininga siya. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Dream? What dream?"

"'Yong café ni Mommy, ibebenta lang ni Daddy sa akin 'yon... if we got married."

My eyes widened. "W-What? Why?" She exhaled sharply before fixing her eyes at me.

"Nag-usap na ba kayo ng daddy mo? Maybe you just need to explain everything to him. Baka mas magkaintindihan kayo," I said, trying to cheer her up.

"We did talk, but that didn't end well. He disowned me, so, ito na lang talaga ang solusyon." She gulped. That caught me off-guard. How does even a father disown his child? His only daughter even?

"Please, marry me, Andrew. I can pay you. I'll pay you for everything," she pleaded with her tantalizing eyes. Parang mahuhulog ako sa upuan ko dahil sa mga mata niya. Napatikhim ako para gisingin ang sarili ko.

"You don't have to pay me, Aliyah. Maybe, hindi mo rin talaga ako kailangang pakasalan? You know... we can just fake it." I shrugged my shoulders.

"No! Malalaman ni Daddy 'yon!" kontra niya agad sa sinabi ko.

"I need that café, Andrew. 'Yon na lang ang meron ako. Kailangan kong matupad 'yong pangarap namin ni Mommy," she softly said, her voice laced with sadness. I swallowed hard, feeling a lump on my throat.

She looked down for a while, and then glanced back at me.

"Two years lang Andrew. Let's just stay married for two years and then... I'll give your freedom back," she said, staring at me intently, as if she's making sure that I'm really listening to her.

"I'll pay for our annulment, Andrew. You don't have to worry about anything. I just need you to marry me," patuloy niyang pangungumbinsi sa akin. I absentmindedly looked away, I don't want to see her like this—pleading. I shifted my gaze on the rain pattering the restaurant's glass window. I have a decent job, kaya sa totoo lang, hindi na niya kailangan pang akuin ang pagbayad sa annulment.

"Okay. I'll marry you," I said without hesitation. 

I don't even know what happened... or what came to my mind. Seeing her reflection through the window, with her beautiful, almond eyes filled with worry and uneasiness, the words just came out of my mouth.

Her worried eyes widened with my sudden, but true answer. "R-really?! Oh my gosh! Thank you, Andrew! Two years lang, promise!" she exclaimed. She was so happy that she didn't realize she was already squeezing my hand on the tabletop.

"S-Sorry, Andrew," she stammered. "I was just too happy—one less problem!" I gazed at her and I saw her eyes glistened with joy. I tried to hide my smile.

Ang ganda niya talaga... lalo na kapag masaya siya.

She looks so happy, but she had no idea that I am happier. 

I got the best of our deal—I got her.

Maingat niyang inabot sa akin ang folder na nakapatong sa lamesa.

"What's this?" My brows furrowed.

"Our contract, Andrew. Included na rin diyan ang mga rules na dapat sundin natin sa loob ng dalawang taon." Her tone is now serious.

Nakakatawa na lang din isipin ngayon na halos lahat ng nasa papel na 'yon... hindi namin nasunod.

We will sleep in same house but not on the same bed. We slept on the same bed in Iloilo, we even cuddled. She even initiated that embrace, but the next morning, it seemed like she forgot everything, or at least, that's what she said. And last night... we did more than just sleeping on the same bed.

We should never have any feelings for each other. Well, I confessed twice—sa Batangas at sa condo. Parehong palpak, parehong wrong timing. I fell for her, and she did too... but I know that I fell first. Damn! I fell harder too.

While in this arrangement, we should never date other people. We will remain exclusive. This is probably the only rule that we successfully followed. Although, there are still people who wanted to separate us—Marcus who never really got over her, and Bianca who stole a kiss from me, in front of her. Because of that kiss, hindi ko na natuloy ang plano kong sabihin kay Aliyah sa dinner date namin. I'm pretty sure I broke Aliyah's heart that night, and I don't want to see her like that again.

We will not meddle with each other's lives. I broke this rule several times, even before we got married. She's not even aware of all the problems I'm protecting her from. I don't want her to suffer. I didn't tell her about Santiago who shot her dad, kahit pa problema niya na dapat iyon. Hangga't kaya ko pa, ako muna.

We will not be intimate with each other: no kiss, no hug, no sex. I can still remember Aliyah's exact words when she told me this rule; "I don't do casual sex, Andrew. I'm saving it for my real husband. Isa pa, ayokong magka-apo si Daddy. He doesn't deserve that happiness!"

We've kissed... a couple of times. From gentle kisses to hungry kisses where I almost devoured her. We've hugged. We've cuddled. And just last night, in between our 'I love yous', we had sex. We made love with each other like a real husband and wife. Like we're not going to end this something between us anymore. Hindi na ba? Hindi na nga ba kami matatapos?

I am protecting Aliyah from all her problems—some she doesn't even know exist. There's a lot she doesn't know about me and about us. Maraming beses akong nagsinungaling sa kaniya at hanggang ngayo'y nagsisinungaling pa rin. Kapag ba nalaman niya na lahat, hindi pa rin ba kami matatapos?

***

Ilang araw pagkatapos namin ni Aliyah pag-usapan ang deal, inasikaso na agad namin ang kasal. We opted for a civil wedding because it's more practical for our situation. Si Samuel ang nagkasal sa amin ni Aliyah. He's Leo's cousin, mayor ng Sta. Rosa, Laguna. They owned several resorts in Cavite and Laguna. Halos lahat ng iyon, kami ni Leo ang naging architect kaya naging kumpare ko na rin si Samuel.

A week before the wedding, I received a text from Tito Rod saying that we need to talk about something. At first, I was hesitant because I don't like him. Simula pa noong bata pa ako, ayoko na sa kaniya. Palagi silang nagtatalo ni Dad kapag sinasama ako ni Dad sa mga family gatherings ng mga Alfonte noon.

Kahit ayoko nang maalala, minsan ay parang naririnig ko pa rin ang mga paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Tito Rod noon. 'Sinama mo na naman ang bastardo mo, Ramon! Dapat nilubos mo na at pati ang nanay sinama mo na rin!'

Hindi naman sasagot si Dad, he will just grip my hand tight. "Ano po 'yong bastardo, Dad?" I always ask him that, and he will always give me lies. "Ah, mahal... mahal na mahal." That's what he always said.

I was eleven when I knew what that word really means. That year, I told my dad that I don't want to see him anymore, that I'll never go with him to the beach house on my birthdays, dahil bastardo niya lang ako.

***

I settled uneasily into the mahogany chair in front of Tito Rod's desk, tapping my fingers nervously on the armrest. I felt anxious—tungkol ba ito sa beach house? O dahil sa ikakasal na kami ni Aliyah at pakiramdam niya inagawan ko ang anak niya ng mapapangasawa?

My gaze was drawn to a carefully placed photo frame on the desk. They're three on the picture, wearing their college uniform and they all looked so happy: Tito Rod, Mr. Alvarez, and a woman who looked just like Aliyah. Siya ba si Amor? Aliyah's mom?

"Andrew! Kanina ka pa?" I was startled by Tito Rod's voice. Hinintay kong makaupo siya sa upuan niya bago ako tipid na sumagot.

"No, Tito."

"So, ikakasal na pala talaga kayo ni Aliyah? Next week, right?" He looked at me with the corners of his lips slightly up.

"Yes, next week."

"I didn't know na namamana pala ang pagiging kabit, Andrew," he chuckled, but I didn't.

My fists clenched. His words have always affected me ever since I was a kid, but this time I refused to let him get the upper hand. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me lashing out in anger, so I remained calm.

"Marcus is not Aliyah's boyfriend. Hindi ako kabit, Tito," I politely answered, and then I looked at him firmly.

"Kay Marcus pa rin dapat ikakasal si Aliyah kung hindi dahil sa 'yo," he scoffed. "Alejandro and I have decided that long ago!" Halos pasigaw niya pang dagdag. I could sense that like me, he is also controlling his temper.

"Aliyah can make decisions for herself... and she decided to marry me, not Marcus," I responded firmly.

"Mayabang ka na ngayon, Andrew? Dahil may firm ka na? Look at you! You've successfully seduced an heiress!" He exclaimed with sarcasm.

Napatayo ako sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa sinabi niya. I was mad not because of what he called me, but because of what he was thinking about Aliyah. She is not that kind of woman. She is not easy.

"I didn't seduce her! She's not like that!" I shouted.

He chuckled bitterly. "Say what you want to say, Andrew. The narrative of the story will always be like that. Aliyah left my son because of you, 'yan ang paniniwalaan ng mga tao. You will always be the other man!" Nakangisi niyang sabi na parang bang ang batang Andrew ang kaharap niya—madaling maliitin, madaling saktan.

"Do you think hindi sa 'kin sasabihin ni Alejandro ang dahilan kung bakit ka papakasalan ng anak niya? It's all for Amor's coffee shop isn't it? No feelings involved," he said with a mocking tone.

I scoffed in disbelief. Muli akong umupo. If Tito Rod knew that this is a marriage of convenience, then what the hell am I doing here? Para makinig sa mga pang-iinsulto niya? Para pagbuntunan niya ng galit at disappointment niya dahil hindi makakasal si Marcus kay Aliyah?

"I can help you get the best out of your... arrangement," he said smiling at me, tempting me with his words.

"What the hell are you trying to say?!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong ilabas ang inis sa kaniya.

"I'll give you back your mom's rest house in Batangas." My eyes widened upon hearing that. The beach house will be mine again? I can't help but feel a little bit of happiness. Parang bigla kong nakita ang ngiti ni Mom at bigla kong naramdaman ang yakap niya dahil sa sayang naramdaman ko. But knowing Tito Rod, I'm pretty sure na may kapalit ang sinasabi niya.

"And in return?" Inunahan ko na siya.

He smirked. "Make Aliyah fall in love with you. Make her happy, treat her well, love her in all ways possible... I don't fucking care how! Basta kunin mo ang loob niya... and then convince her to sell her shares in AHG and Amor's coffee shop to me!"

Napakurap-kurap ako sa sinabi ni Tito Rod. I clenched my jaw, feeling something catch in my throat. At first, I was too stunned to speak. But when I finally found my voice, I didn't hold back.

"FUCK YOU! You're sick! You're out of your fucking mind!"

Hirap na hirap akong pakalmahin ang nanginginig kong kamao. I stood up and decided to leave. I don't want to punch him.

"Andrew... you like her, don't you?" His question halted me from walking out.

"Ayaw mo bang mahulog ang loob niya sa 'yo?" He continued, persistently tempting me.

"If you think about it, it's a win-win situation for all of us. Wala rin namang pakialam si Aliyah sa kompanya nila. Sooner or later, ibebenta niya lang din ang shares niya. At 'yong coffee shop? Paniguradong malulugi lang din 'yon, ibebenta niya rin. Might as well, sa akin na lang mapunta."

I took a deep breath before facing him again. "Mr. Alvarez disowned her, wala ng shares si Aliyah sa AHG."

"No, Alejandro didn't do that. Aliyah still owns 30% of AHG and if makuha ko 'yon, I'll be the major shareholder," nakangiting sagot niya.

"Is that how greedy you are, Tito Rod? Pati kaibigan mo tataluhin mo?" I glared at him.

"Hindi ko kaibigan si Alejandro, Andrew."

I can feel the pain and bitterness in his voice when he said that. For all I know, magkaibigan sila ni Mr. Alvarez kaya nila ipinagkasundo si Aliyah at Marcus. So, what the hell is going on?

But my mind was too clouded by the idea of Aliyah and me, falling in love. To make her fall in love with me and to be loved by her... I will trade anything for that. Even my soul.

"Ano, Andrew? Deal?" Nakaabang ang kanang kamay ni Tito Rod sa akin at naghihintay ng sagot ko.

"Deal!" I firmly said and then I shook his hand.

I wasn't able to sleep after that deal. Gano'n ba ako ka desperado na makuha ang beach house? Pati si Aliyah lolokohin ko? Lolokohin? No! I'll make her fall in love with me.

I'll make her fall in love with me because that's what I want! That's what I feel about her, hindi dahil sa utos ni Tito Rod. Pero kaya ko bang ipagsawalang bahala ang plano ni Tito sa mga Alvarez? He obviously wants to take over AHG. He's going to steal Aliyah's dream. 

***

Isang araw bago ang kasal namin ni Aliyah, pinuntahan ko ulit si Tito Rod to tell him that I'm out of our deal. I just couldn't go through with it—not with Aliyah. I'll make her love me, but I'll do it my way.

Wala si Tito Rod sa opisina niya at nasa AHG daw. According to his secretary, nakipag-business meeting daw kay Mr. Alvarez. Napailing-iling na lang ako habang nagmamaneho papuntang AHG. Bilib din talaga ako sa pagpapaikot niya kay Mr. Alvarez.

Naabutan ko siya sa parking lot ng AHG. He's about to leave but I managed to stop him.

"Andrew! What a surprise! Hindi ba dapat busy ka ngayon para sa kasal niyo bukas ni Aliyah?" he said with a fake smile.

"Tito, I don't want to do it anymore. Hindi ko kaya," I softly spoke.

"W-What?! Don't be a pussy, Andrew! Alam mo sa sarili mong gusto mo si Aliyah. You'll just gonna make her fall in love, convince her to sell the café and her shares, and the beach house is yours. No harm done!" He was grinning from ear to ear.

"I don't want the beach house anymore. I just want Aliyah. But I'll do it my way, hindi sa paraang gusto mo..." I exhaled slowly. "Sasabihin ko na rin kay Mr. Alvarez ang mga plano mo," I firmly added. 

I stared at him intensely, letting him know that I am no longer afraid of him... na hindi na ako ang batang Andrew na tinatawag niyang bastardo.

He laughed, sarcastically. Like a villain in a movie.

"You try, Andrew. Try and I'll make sure na hindi lang beach house ang mawawala sa'yo! You know what I can do."

Nagdilim ang paningin ko at bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I took one step closer to him, I wanted to punch his mocking face.

"What the fuck do you mean?!" I shouted; my voice quivered with rage.

"Kapag nalaman ni Alejandro ang plano ko or ni Aliyah or anyone. I'll shut them forever. And of course, I'll drag you with me."

Parang nabingi ako nang marinig ko ang mga salitang 'yon. Then everything went dark—even my thoughts. I clenched my jaw. I took one deep breath and lunged at him, aiming a punch for his face. But he struck first. His fist landed on my face first. Nalasahan ko ang sarili kong dugo at naririnig ko ang halakhak niya.

Shit! What the fuck did I do? Why the hell did I even agree with him in the first place? How can I protect Aliyah if I can't even land a punch at this old man?!

Hindi ko puwedeng sabihin kay Mr. Alvarez ang lahat ng nalalaman ko dahil baka may mangyari sa kaniya gaya ng pagbabanta ni Tito Rod. Baka madamay pa si Aliyah, hindi ko kakayanin kapag nasaktan si Aliyah.

***

I can still remember how Aliyah's hands were shaking that night when her dad got shot. Takot na takot siya, pero alam ko ring hindi ko siya mapipigilan sa pag-alis, kaya nagpumilit na lang akong sumama sa kanya sa Iloilo. Si Santiago ang bumaril sa daddy niya—si Santiago na ninong ko. I even considered him my second father after Dad died, but not anymore.

That night before the news flash came, Tito Rod called me. He was threatening me.

"Andrew... siguro naman kilala mo pa ang boses ko? Hindi mo gugustuhing mainip ako Andrew. Kung ayaw mong may mangyari sa asawa mo, do your job!"

"Leave her alone!" I snapped. "She's out of this. Huwag na huwag mo siyang papakialamanan!" I responded furiously before ending the call.

I can't help but think that Tito Rod and Santiago might be working together. Or baka may ibang agenda rin si Santiago sa mga Alvarez? I still don't know kung ang nagmamanman kay Aliyah sa Manila ay si Tito Rod o si Santiago. All I know is that we're not safe there for now.

Nagpaiwan si Mr. Alvarez sa Manila para makipagtulungan sa mga pulis at mahuli si Santiago. He doesn't even know that there's a bigger threat in front of him—si Tito Rod. Hangga't wala pang napapakinabangan sa akin si Tito, ligtas pa si Aliyah at ang daddy niya. At tulad ng pinangako ko kay Mr. Alvarez noon sa ospital bago kami bumalik ni Aliyah sa Manila, I will take care of his daughter.

"Andrew, does Tanya know about your relationship with Santiago Castro?" Napakurap ako sa tanong ni Mr. Alvarez. Nagulat akong alam niya ang pangalan ng gunman at alam niyang may koneksyon kami ng hayop. Kaya pala pinauna niya na sa labas si Aliyah.

"No, Sir," I replied, looking down.

"Good. Ayokong malaman niya. Ayokong matakot si Tanya, lalo pa ngayon. Mas kailangan ka niya ngayon Andrew. She trusts no one but you."

I swallowed hard. What he said is true. Aliyah trusts me because she's unaware of the secrets I've been keeping just to protect her.

"That night, when she walked out of that party, she ran to you because she trusts you." He took a deep breath. "Ibibigay ko rin ng buo ang tiwala ko sa 'yo, Andrew. Ingatan mo ang anak ko, lalo pa ngayong babalik kayo sa Manila at siya ang magiging CEO ng AHG," nanginginig ang boses niya. He's weak and still healing from his gunshot wound.

"Yes, sir. I will take care of her," I firmly answered and looked directly at his eyes.

"Good. At kahit ano'ng mangyari Andrew, hindi dapat malaman ni Tanya ang tungkol sa kasal niyo. Not now."

"Of course, sir."

I feel like I'm playing the devil here. I have a deal with Aliyah, a deal with Tito Rod, and also with Mr. Alvarez. I feel so trapped. But I'm doing this for Aliyah, all for her. I want to keep her safe. I need to do this to protect her, even if... even if it hurts her.

It will kill me. Sooner or later everything I did will catch-up on me and kill me. I just want to savor these moments with her before anything happens. Call me selfish, but I just want to enjoy this married life with her.

***

Nakahain na sa lamesa ang almusal na inihanda ko. Kape na lang ang kulang pero hindi ko alam kung paano ang gusto niyang timpla ng kape. She's good at it, so I'll just leave that to her. Ayoko rin namang lumamig agad iyon.

"Good morning, Andrew!" Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses na iyon. She's walking towards me with a wide smile on her face that slowly infected me.

"Hey baby. Good morning..."

"Nagluto ka? Sana ginising mo na lang ako," she said sweetly to me as she approached the table. She is still wearing my shirt, but her hair is now in a messy bun and damn, I find that so sexy.

"This is easy, Aliyah," I replied with a smile, trying to hide the lie. Isang oras akong nagluto... that's far from easy.

"Okay, pero bukas ako na ang magluluto, Andrew," sagot niya habang unti-unting lumalapit sa may lababo, maybe to wash her hands.

"Na-trauma ka ba sa sinigang ko at ayaw mo nang kumain ng luto ko?" Napabungisngis ako sa sarili kong tanong.

"What? Hindi no! Masyado lang maasim for me, pero hindi naman nakaka-trauma." She's lying. I know her voice when she's lying. Nakakahiya pala talaga 'yong sinigang na 'yon. I slowly walked towards her. Nakatalikod pa rin siya at naghuhugas ng mga kamay. I hugged her and planted a kiss on her hair. I couldn't help it.

"Andrew, mababasa ka," protesta niya pa at bahagya pa akong siniko para mapalayo sa kaniya. Pero hindi ako nagpatinag, I planted more kisses on her hair, down to her exposed nape.

Bigla siyang humarap sa akin. Her eyes are glistening. I noticed how red her cheeks are, making me smile. I lifted her and placed her on the counter top. She giggled. Damn! Those sexy giggles! Hindi ko na alam kung makakapag-almusal pa ba kami dahil sa mga ginagawa niya. She's absentmindedly bewitching me.

Nakatitig siya sa mga mata ko at parang may hinahanap. I looked at her intently so she can see me clearly.

"Do you still love me... after last night?" Her question caught me off guard. I chuckled before answering her.

"Mas lalo po. Mas lalo kitang mahal ngayon." Tumawa siya nang malakas pero halatang-halata kong kinikilig siya.

"Don't do that, Andrew!"

"Do what, Aliyah?"

"Huwag ka masyadong magpa-baby!" she said teasingly.

"Okay, " natatawa kong sagot.

"Now, my turn to ask a question, Aliyah." I smiled at her, but her lips stole my attention.

"What is it, Andrew?" she asked, staring at me too.

"Are you still sore? Does it still hurt?" I moved my eyes to hers. Nakita ko kung paano nanlaki ang mga mata niya. She let out a soft giggle and playfully slapped my chest.

"W-What? 'Yan ang tanong mo?!"

I nodded and placed my hands on her hips. She kept staring at me, so I acted as if I was waiting for her answer. I love seeing her like this.

"It's... tolerable," she answered shyly. Tumango-tango ulit ako at maingat na iginapang ang mga kamay ko papunta sa maliit niyang baywang.

"That's good to hear..." I said, as I slowly closed the distance between us to lavish her neck that's been attracting me. I kissed her neck, and felt her hand gripping my biceps.

"May isa pa akong tanong," I spoke while showering her neck with warm kisses.

"W-What is t-that, An-drew," she answered slowly. Ramdam kong pinipigilan niya ang boses niya, so I stopped kissing her.

"Do you still love me, baby? After last night?" tanong ko habang nakatitig sa mga namumungay niyang mata.

"Of course! I love you, baby!" Her cheeks flushed and her red lips curved into a perfect smile.

Parang biglang tumalon ang puso ko. I can't stop myself anymore. I kissed her forehead before devouring her sweet, red lips.

Pagkatapos ng lahat ng nangyari, I still believe that I really got the best out of this deal.

***

MsLynLuna ☽