I fucked up!

What would she think about us? About her?... na rebound lang siya? Dapat ba hindi ko na lang tinulungan si Bianca? Why did Bianca say those things to her? And why the hell did I compare her to her coffee?

Hindi gano'ng klaseng confession ang deserve ni Aliyah. Fuck! I hate myself!

And her eyes... when I told her about Tito Rod, I knew she knew I was lying!

Damn it Andrew!
How can I keep her? How can I protect her kung ganito kami ngayon?

Dumiretso agad ako sa kuwarto ko pagkatapos kong mag-shower. Alam ko namang hindi agad ako makakatulog, kahit pa napagod ako sa long-drive kanina, but I need to stop myself. I need to stop myself from knocking on Aliyah's door. I want to ask her if she's okay. I want to tell her the truth, but the less she knows, the safer she will be.

Sa ilang oras na magkasama kami simula kagabi, ilang beses ko rin siyang nakitang umiyak. My weakness—'crying Aliyah' and to think that I am the reason why she cried, makes me hate myself even more. 

Mabilis siyang umiyak—she's so fragile, yet she's so strong at the same time. She knows what she wants, and she will fight for it. Just like the first time I saw her... crying but standing for herself—fighting.

***

"Why would he say that? I hate him... I hate him!"
The woman exclaimed, talking to someone on her phone, as she entered the backseat of my car.

Who's this? I asked myself. Bakit siya pumasok sa sasakyan ko?

"Kuya, Tower 1 po ako, 'yong may laundry shop sa baba," mahinhing sabi ng babae. She's not even looking at me. Just focusing on her phone.

Shit! Does she think I'm her Grab driver? Bakit ba naman kasi ang tagal bumaba ni Leo, e! How will I tell her that I'm not? This is so awkward. 'Miss, hindi ako Grab' or 'Miss, sorry baba ka na lang, I'm actually waiting for my friend' or 'Miss, sorry wrong car po'.

Bahala na, basta papababain ko siya. I heaved a sigh then faced her. She was still talking to someone on her phone.

"Uhm... Miss, sorry, but I'm not a—"

I was stunned because she started crying. A stranger inside my car is crying... her body shaking as she sobs, as if the weight of the world's sorrows presses down upon her.

I don't know what got into me that I started driving. Hindi ko siya magawang tingnan. I want to give her at least that moment. She seems so lonely, and I don't want to make it more awkward for her. So, I just drove silently.

"Steph! Can you believe that? Sabi ni Daddy kung ayaw ko raw maging involve sa company, might as well ipakasal niya na lang ako to someone who can do that!" she sobbed.

"Ugh! I hate him, Steph! I don't need a man to love me, Steph. I don't need a man!"

"Makikita ni Daddy! Once maayos ko 'yong Café ni Mommy, I'll prove to him na I can live my life on my own. Hindi ko kailangan ng pera niya! I'll do what I want Steph—no one can stop me! Even him!"

Feisty. That's my first impression about her. She has long wavy black hair. Her almond eyes expressing longing. Her red lips painting sadness on her face. But still, I found her so beautiful even when she's crying.

Without looking at her, inabot ko sa kaniya ang tissue box na nasa dashboard ng sasakyan ko. She took it and she quickly wiped her tears.

"Thank you po, Kuya," she said with her angelic voice.

Kuya? Do I look that old? I smirked and continued driving for about ten minutes. The whole ride I can hear her sobs. I can't help but feel sorry for her.

"Are you okay, Miss?" I failed to stop myself from asking.

"Ah, yes po, Kuya. Uhm, diyan niyo na lang po ako i-drop sa may unahan," nahihiya niyang sagot, hindi pa rin ako tinitingnan.

I unlocked the door and she quickly got out of my car, pero hindi muna ako umalis agad. Binaba ko ang window sa passenger seat. She stood still at the entrance of the building, looking at her phone, then I saw her eyes widened.

"Fudge! Nakakahiya ka Lia!" I heard her. Mukhang na-realize niya nang nagkamali siya ng sasakyan.

I saw her looking in my direction. I saw her long wavy hair dancing with the wind. And then, she started walking towards my car. Natigilan siya nang biglang lumabas ang isang chinitang babae mula sa building. Tumakbo ito papalapit sa kaniya at niyakap siya nang mahigpit.

I saw her smile. Mas maganda pala siya kapag nakangiti.

I thought that was it. That I'll never get the chance again, but after a week... fate maybe or whatever you call it, I saw her again.

***

"Let's wait for my daughter, Architect, bago tayo mag-start. I want her to work closely with you sa Amore," paliwanag sa akin ni Mr. Alvarez, one of our new clients.

"Okay po Sir. Wala naman kaming appointment after this," I responded, smiling at him.

Mr. Alejandro Alvarez is one of the country's most successful business tycoons. Marami silang hotel chains sa Manila and Makati, and they are also expanding to some provinces in Visayas. Isang malaking achievement para sa nagsisimula pa lang na architectural firm kagaya namin ang magkaroon ng client na kagaya ng Alvarez Hospitality Group.

"Medyo pagpasensyahan niyo na nga lang 'yong anak ko. She's a bit stubborn, manang-manang sa ina!" He chuckled as he adjusted his eyeglasses.

"But she's creative and hard working. I'm sure marami pa siyang ideas na ma she-share sa inyo."

"Don't worry, Sir! Si Andrew na bahala sa anak niyo. Wala pa po 'tong nakakatrabaho na hindi niya nakakasundo," Leo added with a grin on his face as he pats my back.

Ngumiti rin si Mr. Alvarez. He then started checking the blueprint that we prepared for Amore Hotel & Spa. I was looking at his reaction and he seemed pleased with the initial layout. I was watching him intently, so I didn't notice that the oak door opened.

"Ayan na 'yong anak," Leo whispered to me. I immediately stood up while Leo and Mr. Alvarez remained seated.

"Mas excited ka pa sumalubong kaysa sa tatay, pre, ha?" biro ni Leo.

I shot a stern look at him. Mabuti na lang at hindi nakita ni Mr. Alvarez 'yon.

"Hi, Dad!" nakangiting bati ng babae kay Mr. Alvarez. She is smiling but I can feel that she's not happy. Her almond eyes say it all.

Sinalubong siya ni Mr. Alvarez. He was about to hug her, but she avoided it and gave him a side hug instead.

"Ah... this is Architect Romulo and Architect Del Rosario. Sila 'yong architects natin for Amore Hotel & Spa," pagpapakilala sa amin ni Mr. Alvarez sa anak.

I politely extended my left hand at agad din naman siyang nakipagkamay sa amin ni Leo. She didn't recognize me—she had forgotten our first meeting.

"Aliyah Tanya Alvarez. Uhm... daughter of the CEO, but will never be the CEO!" She laughed sarcastically.

"Tanya!" saway ni Mr. Alvarez sa kaniya.

"What?" nakataas na kilay niyang balik.

"This is a business meeting! Please take this seriously, and this is your first project! Stop fooling around!" Mr. Alvarez said with his voice full of authority. Then his lips pressed into a tight line.

"Fine, Dad, just this one project and then 'pag wala talaga... I'll quit," sagot naman ni Aliyah. She slightly rolled her eyes and slumped on the office chair near her.

Bumaling siya sa akin ng tingin at saka ngumiti. Damn! That smile.

"Looking forward to working with you, Architect Romulo, Architect Del Rosario."

After that, mas madalas ko pang nakita si Aliyah. Mr. Alvarez is right, Aliyah is hardworking, she never missed a workday. Marunong din siyang makisama sa mga trabahador. Wala kang maririnig na reklamo sa kaniya kahit maalikabok at maingay sa site.

Paminsan-minsan ay nagdadala siya ng mga homemade pastries. She always looks so happy every time na sinasabi ng mga tao sa site na masarap ang mga 'yon. I remembered what she said to her friend on that phone call the first time I met her—she will fix her mom's café, and no one can stop her.

So, that's her dream. She's willing to throw away her father's fortune for that dream. She's willing to start from zero, and I admire her for that.

"Architect Romulo!" tawag ni Aliyah sa akin habang papalapit sa puwesto ko.

"Kumakain ka ba ng sweets?" She flashed a smile at me.

"Naku! Hindi mahilig sa matamis yan si Andrew," sabat ni Leo.

"Ay, sayang naman. May bago kasi akong recipe—choco lava muffin." She looked so excited, her almond eyes widened as she slowly opened the box.

"Mukhang masarap. Can I try one?" I asked politely. I can feel Leo's eyes judging me.

"Sa inyo na 'yan ni Architect Del Rosario," she said with her soft, angelic voice as she handed me the box.

I took one bite of the muffin as soon as Aliyah walked away. It was indeed delicious, hindi ko namalayan na nakatatlo na pala ako.

"Hoy! Hati raw tayo!" sigaw sa akin ni Leo nang makita niyang isa na lang ang laman ng box.

"Sorry, pre." I shook my head as I chuckled. Binigay ko ang box kay Leo.

"Mamaya may gayuma pala 'to ah? Nagayuma ka na no'n ni Aliyah!" Leo teased with a mischievous grin.

"And?" nagulat ako sa lumabas sa bibig ko.

"Shit, pare! Type mo si Aliyah?" Namilog ang mga mata niya. Napatigil pa siya sa pagkagat ng natitirang muffin.

"Gago! Hindi! Nagagandahan lang ako," I said defensively. Naibuga ni Leo ang ilang piraso ng muffin na nginunguya niya.

"Crush mo, Andrew?!"

"Gago! I'm too old for that!"

"O! E, 'di love na lang!" asar pa niya bago humagalpak ng tawa.

Naputol ang tawanan namin nang may narinig kaming sigawan galing sa iilang trabahador na malapit sa amin.

"Iyong scaffolding, bibigay!"

Mabilis na nagtakbuhan ang mga trabahador. Agad din kaming lumayo ni Leo, but I noticed Aliyah standing still, eyes wide open, near the scaffolding.

I rushed to her side and shoved her forcefully. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng klaseng takbo ang nagawa ko, but I was relieved that I was able to save her. Napaupo siya sa maalikabok na sahig at napadapa naman ako. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain on my legs and I can't seem to move them.

"Oh my gosh! Andrew! Are you okay?!" Her voice was breaking.

That was the first time she called me by my name. Lumikot ang mga mata niya, then I saw her pupils dilated as she fixed her gaze on my legs.

"Andrew! You're bleeding!"

She started crying. Wala akong ibang narinig sa kaniya except sa 'sorry' at 'I'm sorry, Andrew' in between sobbing.

Fuck! Hearing her cry makes me weak. Mas nararamdaman ko ang sakit.

"Stop... crying... please," I begged weakly.

Walong araw din akong nasa ospital dahil sa injury. Mabuti na lang at hindi bakal ang bumagsak sa paa ko at wood planks lang. Sa walong araw na nasa ospital ako, isang beses lang pumunta si Aliyah. I was sleeping that time... or pretending to be.

She was saying her apologies. She was so guilty at panay pa rin ang iyak. Ayokong imulat ang mga mata ko dahil ayokong makita siyang umiiyak.

Isang beses lang siyang dumalaw sa ospital, pero araw-araw siyang nagpapadala ng mga pagkain. It was not until I was living with her that I learned she was the one who cooked those hearty meals.

***

Masarap siyang magluto, halos magkahawig sila ng luto ni Mom. Mas masarap siyang magluto ng kare-kare kay Bianca. Until now, I can still remember the taste of it... and I can still remember the taste of her lips that night.

I didn't know that she was waiting for me that night. That was the first time that someone made an effort for my birthday after Mom died. Nagulat siya nang sinabi kong iyon na yata ang pinakamasayang birthday ko—because it was. That was my best birthday. Maybe because of that kiss.

I kissed her—gently, delicately. Just enough to feel her lips, just enough to taste them. I saw her blush, but we both ignored it.

"Please, don't do that again, lalo pa't wala ka namang feelings sa akin," she said nervously.

That was her first kiss? I can't seem to believe that, but the way she reacted, mukhang iyon nga ang first kiss niya. Then I asked her something so stupid.

"Are you sure... na wala akong feelings sa 'yo?"

Damn it!

I felt so stupid. Lalo pa nang hindi siya umimik after that question—she can't even look at me. And like the other dinners that we had; we ate silently. Narinig niya ba 'yong tanong ko? Am I too fast? Was that a bad kiss?

This woman has no idea how she drives me crazy.

First day pa lang ng agreement namin ay halos mabaliw na ako. At ngayon na mag wa-walong buwan na kaming ganito, baliw na baliw na ako.

I got so crazy about her to the point that I even tracked her cycle. Just in case. I said to myself... just in case.

Ilang beses kong pina-paulit-ulit iyon sa sarili ko habang kinokopya ang mga bilog sa kalendaryo sa kitchen. Just in case.

"What the fuck, Andrew?! Ano ba 'yang iniisip mo?!"

Alam kong malinaw sa usapan namin na hindi kami matutulog sa iisang kwarto. We will never do THAT. She also mentioned before na ayaw niyang magka-anak dahil ayaw niyang magkaroon ng apo ang daddy niya, because she hates him.

"So, why the hell am I doing this?" I asked myself as I still continue scribbling circles on my calendar.

"Fuck!" I put my pen down. Marahan kong kinuha sa loob ng bedside drawer ang nag-iisang picture namin ni Aliyah. Our wedding photo. We we're smiling but her eyes weren't.

"Goodnight, baby..." I whispered to her picture and kissed it, pagkatapos ay itinago ko na ulit iyon.

I do that every night, and sometimes I pity myself. Nasa kabilang kwarto lang siya pero hindi ko magawang mag-good night man lang.

That's how crazy I am about her.

***

Nagmamadali akong umuwi dahil sigurado akong pagod na si Aliyah sa café at ayokong magluto pa siya. Dapat ay mauna akong makauwi.

While driving home, I can't help myself to smile habang naaalala ko kung paano niya ipinakilala ang sarili kay Diana bilang Mrs. Romulo. Bagay na bagay sa kaniya... and she called me baby! Nabigla ako roon, but I liked it! I liked the way how she called me baby. It was as if we're real.

Agad kong inilapag sa kitchen island ang seafood ramen na binili ko on the way. I'm sure she will like this. Masarap humigop ng mainit na sabaw kapag umuulan. 

Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang lumabas galing sa bathroom ko.
She's wearing my shirt? Damn! She looks so... so...

I gulped. "What are you wearing?"

Halatang nagulat din siya at napatakip pa sa katawan. Napayuko ako. She looks uncomfortable and I don't want to make it worse.

Nanatili akong nakayuko kahit noong inabot ko ang susi ng kwarto niya na nahulog niya dahil sa pagkagulat.

That rainy night, I couldn't sleep. Hindi dahil sa nakita ko si Bianca sa TV at hindi dahil sa mga tawag at messages niya, kundi dahil paulit-ulit na pumapasok sa isip ko ang itsura ni Aliyah kanina.

Damn it!

I decided to take a bath to cool off. It was almost 3:00 AM and it was still raining outside. Pagkatapos ko mag-shower, napansin kong bukas ang pinto ng kuwarto ko. I saw her sitting on my bed, touching my phone.

Now she knows about Bianca, for sure! But what if she saw my calendar or our wedding photo?

Shit! I swiftly entered my room.

"What are you doing here?!"

She quickly turned to my direction with her eyes widened. Mabilis siyang umiwas sa akin ng tingin. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at napansin kong nakalipat na sa July ang kalendaryo.

"Fuck!" 

I hope she didn't hear that.

I gently pushed her and quickly positioned myself on top of her carefully. Closer to her but not too close. I won't touch her... not like this, but I want to tease her.

"Do you want me that bad at ikaw na mismo ang nagkusang pumasok sa kuwarto ko, baby?"

I saw how she blushed kahit mukha siyang takot at kinakabahan sa kung ano'ng gagawin ko sa kaniya.

"Ano'ng baby sinasabi mo riyan?!" She pushed me away weakly.

Her hands brushed against my chest, only intensified the deafening pounding of my heart.

Okay then, just a kiss on her forehead and maybe this heart will calm down. And I did, hinalikan ko siya sa noo at nagulat na lang ako nang maramdaman na sobrang init no'n. Maging ang leeg niya ay gano'n din.

Fuck! Inaapoy siya ng lagnat!

Seconds later, she collapsed on my bed. I quickly scooped her. 

Sobrang malas ko lang din yata ng araw na iyon dahil sira ang elevator ng building. I have no choice but to use the stairs, carrying Aliyah who's still unconscious, from the fourth floor to the ground. Kahit pawis na pawis na ako, hindi ako nakaramdam ng pagod. I felt nothing but fear. Is she okay? Will she be okay?

I drove to the nearest hospital. I hate the smell of hospitals, naaalala ko si Mom and the years that I've been living alone. I lost her when I was 18, and I lost my Dad in a car accident when I was 17. I hate the smell of hospitals because I've associated it with losing someone. 

Damn! I don't want to lose her. Not her.

"It's just a fucking fever!" I said to myself, but I was shaking, waiting for her to wake up.

Ilang beses ko ring nakitang nagbubulungan ang mga nurse habang nakatingin sa akin. They will smile upon glancing my face but will chuckle after giving a quick look on my feet. Wait... my feet?

Shit! Kaya pala! Yumuko ako at natawa't nagulat na lang sa itsura ng mga paa ko... MY BARE FEET. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nakalabas ako ng condo nang naka-paa lang sa sobrang panic ko.

This woman makes me crazy... crazier each day!

***

Like what her father said, Aliyah is stubborn. After two days of full rest ay nagpumilit na siyang pumasok sa café—when she should still be resting. I don't want to control her kaya pinayagan ko siya, pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilan ang sariling mag-alala sa kaniya. Kaya kahit na busy ako sa firm namin ni Leo, ay sinadya ko pa rin siyang puntahan sa Café Amor.

My fist clenched when I saw Marcus on the counter, patagong sinusulyapan si Aliyah habang busy itong nagbibilang ng mga supplies.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Marcus, trying to be calm even though I wanted to drag him out of the café.

Kinukumusta niya lang daw si Aliyah. Why would he? For all I know, inutusan siya ni Tito Rod na pumunta dito to check if everything is going well.

"Na-miss ko lang siya. I just miss my... f-friend," sagot niya. God knows how much I wanted to punch his face, but that will not do anything good. Not until I fix everything.

Sinundo ko si Aliyah that night. Gusto ko siyang ipakilala kay Mom—kung buhay pa si Mom, I'm sure magugustuhan niya si Aliyah. Napangiti ako nang maisip iyon. 

Sinulyapan ko si Aliyah na natutulog sa passenger seat. Ang ganda niya. Napakaganda niya! Even though her hair is a bit messy, and even with those tired almond eyes.

"We're here, Aliyah." I gently pat her shoulder. Mukhang nagulat pa nga siya at mabilis na inayos ang buhok at nagkusot ng mga mata.

She seems surprised when she saw that we're on the beach. I saw her looking up at the sky, in awe, as if she was counting the stars. Maganda ang langit nang gabi na 'yon, bilog ang buwan, malamig ang hangin, maraming bituin, pero wala nang mas gaganda pa sa kaniya—kay Aliyah.

With her angelic voice, she introduced herself to Mom and to the beach house. Natawa pa nga ako dahil sa pagyuko niya na para bang nandoon talaga si Mom.

I don't know what got into me, but I was so vulnerable that night. I told her about my family, about Mom, and about my dream of acquiring the beach house again. She seems excited knowing that the beach house will be mine soon. She's really happy for me.

Every time na pumupunta ako sa beach house, lungkot ang nararamdaman ko, but that night it was something different. I was happy. For the first time after a long time... I was happy.

And how could I forget how she smelled that night? She smelled like my favorite memory.

"You smell like vanilla and flowers... and sunrise, and hope. Like my favorite scene... every morning here on this beach house. Sunrise. Me—eating my vanilla-flavored birthday cake. Mom—with flowers from Dad. You smell just like that," I told her slowly.

Nakita kong unti-unting pumula ang mga pisngi niya.

I failed to stop myself. I kissed her—I kissed her the way I wanted to kiss her during our wedding, I kissed her the way I wanted to kiss her every night. I kissed her, and she kissed me back. Akala ko nananaginip lang ako, but it was real. We are real. My heart is beating so loudly. I was happy until I tasted her tears.

Fuck! Did I make her cry? Why did she cry? Did I scare her?

The whole ride home was torture. Hindi ko alam kung paano aalisin sa utak ko ang halik na 'yon.

This woman poisoned my mind.

I never felt this way before, not even when I was with Bianca. Damn! I should never compare her to Bianca! She doesn't deserve that!

Kumain kami sa lomihan ni Mang Fred and I don't know what happened, but after sharing that meal and some hot coffee, her mood seemed to lighten up. We were both content until I fucked up again.

Nakita namin si Bianca sa isang convenience store. I wanted to ignore her, but she looked like she was so helpless and scared, and so, I helped her. Kapag naaalala ko ang nangyaring iyon, naiinis ako sa sarili ko. I should have asked Aliyah first. I should have asked her permission first.

The entire time we're with Bianca was hell. I saw Aliyah's eyes full of doubt. Ikinuwento ko dapat sa kaniya ang tungkol sa amin ni Bianca.

"You proposed to her? Sa beach house? Doon ba? Kung saan mo ako hinalikan kanina as if... as if I'm your real wife!" She was crying and shouting at me.

"Because YOU ARE!" Nagulat ako sa sinabi ko. I can't seem to think straight, especially seeing her cry like that.

"...YOU STILL LOVE HER!"

Damn it!
That was it, my last thread. Ayoko na! I'll tell Aliyah na ayoko na, na ayoko nang mag-laro. I'll tell her that I wanted us to be real.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Aliyah at ipinatong iyon sa dibdib ko. I wanted her to feel my heart as if telling her... nararamdaman mo ba 'yan? This FUCKING STUPID HEART is beating so loud because of you. It will beat only for you!

"I love you, Aliyah." My voice was trembling.

"No, Andrew! We're about to end this next year."

That deal again. The hell I care about that fucking deal! It's just a piece of paper! There is so much more to this, Aliyah. I wish I could tell you everything. I leaned forward, wanting to kiss her, but my fucking phone rang.

I lied about why Tito Rod called, but she doesn't seem to buy it. Ayon ang sinasabi ng mga mata niya. Napa-atras siya at inayos ang pagkakaupo sa passenger seat

"Client? Kailan mo pa naging client si Tito Rod?" she asked with her brows furrowed.

"Ah, bago lang. Last week lang." I lied again.

"Ano'ng pinapagawa sa 'yo ni Tito?"

"Their rest house in Rizal," sagot ko kahit bahagya nang kinakabahan.

I know her. She will not stop until she knows the truth, but I wanted to protect her. Lying to her will protect her.

"Rizal? I didn't know may rest house pala sila roon," nagtataka niyang tanong sa sarili.

I fucked up. Big time. Hindi 'yon ang confession na paulit-ulit kong ni-re-rehearse sa isip ko. Kung mababawi ko lang lahat kanina, hindi ko na dapat tinulungan si Bianca. I should have fixed everything months ago.

Kung mababawi ko lang lahat ng mga maling desisyon ko, I would! Lahat ng maling ginawa ko na wala naman sa plano ko—I should have sticked to my plans!

To build my own firm? Done. To gain new clients this year? Done. Mabawi ang beach house? I'm almost there. To fall in love with Aliyah Tanya Alvarez? Definitely not part of my plan... but I'm glad I did.

I'm glad I was there that night. I'm glad I stayed that night.

***

"Good morning, Architect! Ms. Aliyah Alvarez is here po," my secretary on the phone said.

"Ah... okay. Let her in, Meg," I politely answered.

I quickly fixed my long hair and sprayed my perfume. After ng incident sa site ay ngayon na lang ulit kami magkikita ni Aliyah.

"Thanks, Meg," Aliyah said smiling as Meg guided her to the chair in front of my desk.

"Good morning, Ali... Ms. Alvarez," nauutal kong bati sa kaniya. I can't even address her with her first name.

"Aliyah na lang, Andrew," she said with her soft voice.

I cleared my throat, trying to remove the lump building up on it.

"What can I do for you, Aliyah?" I asked nervously.

"Ah, nothing. I just wanted to say thank you for saving me last time." She slowly exhaled. "And sorry din, kasi dahil sa akin, nasaktan ka. I went to the hospital last week pero tulog ka no'n, and I don't want to wake you up." Her voice was shaking.

"It's okay, Aliyah. You don't have to feel guilty about it," I quickly answered, trying to comfort her.

"Sorry talaga. Ang bagal kasi ng reflexes ko eh... hindi ko napansin na—"

"It's okay," I cut her off upon seeing her eyes welling up with tears.

She sniffled as she reached for something inside her bag. Inabot niya sa akin ang isang puting envelope.

"This is for you," she spoke gently, smiling at me.

Binasa ko ang laman ng envelope.

'Aliyah's 25th Birthday, November 11, 6 :00 PM, Hotel del Sol Grand Ballroom'

"Birthday mo bukas?"

"Yup! And I wanted to invite you... kayo ni Leo!" she said with her bright eyes.

"Wala si Leo tomorrow. He's going to Bangkok, but I'll be there," I answered happily.

"Talaga?" I saw her smile.

"Yes, I'll be there," I assured her.

I spent almost the rest of that afternoon looking for the perfect gift. I really couldn't think of anything. Parang wala naman siyang kailangan. I doubt that she likes gifts. She's not luxurious either. So, I just decided to sketch her.

I sketched her like she was on the beach house with me. Starry night, full moon, her hair dancing with the wind, and she's smiling at me.

"Someday, I'll bring you there, Aliyah. Dadalhin kita sa beach house," I said to myself, daydreaming. Masayang tinitigan ang natapos na sketch na ireregalo ko sa kaniya.

***

I was running late because of the terrible traffic. I quickly parked my car and grabbed my gift. I was so excited to see her. Ini-imagine ko pa lang ang reaction niya kapag nakita niya ang regalo ko, and I couldn't help myself but to smile.

I was about to enter the ballroom at mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay nakita ko si Aliyah. She looks absolutely perfect in her white gown. Her long, wavy hair cascaded freely down her back. I was breathless. 

She's standing on the center of the stage, wearing a smile as the host introduced her.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the 25th birthday celebration of Ms. Aliyah Tanya Alvarez!"

Aliyah was just there, smiling, but she looked uneasy. Parang may hinahanap siya. Was she looking for me? Hindi pa ako tuluyang nakakapasok ng ballroom nang makita kong papalapit si Marcus mula sa likod niya—joining her on the stage. But Aliyah's still busy looking for someone in the crowd. Then her forced smile disappeared when the host continued his opening spiel.

"...and to celebrate her engagement to Mr. Marcus Alfonte!"

I stilled. What?! She's engaged to Marcus?!

Tumigil sa paghahanap ang mga mata ni Aliyah nang bigla siyang akbayan ni Marcus. I saw her eyes filled with confusion. I saw storm in her almond eyes. Marcus whispered something to her, but Aliyah was visibly upset. She shrugged off Marcus's hand from her shoulder and murmured something to the host.

At first, I was too stunned to move. She's engaged? How? I thought she doesn't need a man to love her?!

I ran outside the hotel as fast as I could. I threw the sketch I made for her. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nagagalit. I don't even have the right to feel that way. She was just the daughter of my client... just that.

Damn it, Andrew!

I stopped in front of my car, gritting my teeth. I just stood there, hindi ko alam kung bakit parang ayaw ko pang umalis. I felt like I needed to save her.

I feel so cold, I don't know if it's because of the wind or is it because my heart feels like it's about to stop beating.

Then I saw her... Aliyah. She was running as if someone was after her, but no one was after her. She was crying—sobbing like the world betrayed her. She was running towards me.

Bigla niya akong niyakap. Kusang gumalaw ang mga bisig ko para protektahan at yakapin din siya. I can feel her tears on my chest. I can feel her pain. My chin's almost resting on top of her head. I can smell her hair. She smells like flowers and vanilla.

She continued sobbing while in my arms. I wanted to ask her what's wrong, pero ayokong kumalas sa yakap niya. Then I heard her angelic voice.

"Andrew, please... take me away..."

Her long wavy hair dancing with the wind. Her arms hugging me and my arms embracing her. Her eyes forming storms.

The wind blew again, but this time I didn't feel its cold breeze. I feel something warm and new.

***

MsLynLuna ☽