Song: Dumating Ka Na- Edsel of PPop Generation 

Gift

"What's this?" agad na tanong ni Dominic nang iniabot ko ang binili namin ni Tito Chad para sakanya.

Dalawang araw pagkabalik namin ng Pilipinas ay nagkita kami ni Dominic sa school. He was also here to enroll for the second semester. Mabuti nalang at sinabi niyang papunta rin siya ng school kaya nadala ko iyong pasalubong para sakanya.

I never really planned on buying anything for him pero pinilit ako ni Tito Chad. Noong una wala akong ideya kung ano ba ang ibibigay ko sakanya kaya mabuti nalang at nadaanan namin ang isang liquor store.

"It's a wine duh?" I said, stating the obvious. Kita naman sa box nagtatanong pa!

"I mean... for what? It's not my birthday."

I rolled my eyes. "Alam mo, kung ayaw mo, akin nalang. Ang mahal pa naman niyan!"

Hahablutin ko na sana sakanya iyon nang mabilis niyang nailayo sa akin ang wine. He pouted like a child. Umiling siya sa akin para ipamukha na hindi na niya ibabalik sa akin iyon.

"It came from you. It's the first ever gift you gave me. Why would I return it?"

I made a face and sat down on my seat again. Kinuha ko ang isa pang pasalubong sakanya na si Tito Chad pa mismo ang bumili. I don't even understand why he has to buy a crafted umbrella for him kahit na marami namang ganito dito sa Pinas! Dahil lang kasi lumabas sa sinearch niyang 'best souvenirs to buy in Milan' ay talagang bumili nga siya!

"Ano naman 'to?" tanong niya ulit habang pinapasadahan ng tingin iyong inabot ko.

"Panghampas ko sa'yo kapag ininis mo ako." Pabalang kong sagot.

Dominic let out a chuckle. He scratched his nose and smiled at me.

"Thank you." Dominic said sweetly. "Kahit hampasin mo pa ako, magte-thank you parin ako."

Inirapan ko siya. Tipid lang akong ngumiti at tumango. Lumapit akong muli sa lamesa upang ipagpatuloy ko ang pagkain ng cake.

"I'm sorry I didn't get you anything. I was busy with the plantation; I didn't get the time to shop." Dominic frowned.

"It's fine. Hindi naman dahil binigyan kita ng pasalubong, kailangan magbigay ka na rin. Plus, I'm not very materialistic. Okay na sa akin 'yung bati mo."

I felt him moved closer towards the table. Bahagya tuloy napaangat ang tingin ko sakanya at kuryoso siyang tinaasan ng kilay. Itinungkod niya ang magkabila niyang siko tsaka ipinatong ang baba sa palad.

"Really? So, you appreciated my greetings huh?"

"Yeah? So what?" I asked. It's not like it's a big deal!

"So... that also means that you... wanted to spend more time with me this year?"

My mouth parted. Hindi ko akalain na i-oopen niya ang naging greeting niyang iyon! I could still vividly remember that message! Halos wala akong mareply doon!

"This year mo lang gusto?" ganti ko naman sakanya. "Ayaw mo ng marami pang taon?"

Unti-unting lumaki ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. He had to bite his lip to stop himself from stifling a chuckle. And for a moment, I thought his face heated. Maybe it's just my imagination.

"Really huh? Pag ako talaga na-fall sa'yo..."

"Bakit? Hindi pa ba?" nakangisi kong pang-aasar sakanya.

Wala naman akong kasiguraduhan sa bagay na 'yon. Gusto ko lang talaga siyang asarin.

Natigilan naman siya sa sinabi kong iyon kaya napasandal siya sa kanyang kinauupuan. Hindi ko na ata imagination iyong pamumula ng mukha niya. His face is so red now that he had to fan himself! Did I just said something that made him embarrassed? Joke lang naman iyon!

"Walang preno ang bibig mo ngayon ah?" aniya habang pinapaypayan parin ang sarili. I snorted.

"Kumain na nga lang tayo!" nag-iwas siya ng tingin.

Ngumisi ako. I titled my head and tried to catch his eye even if he keeps on looking away. My smirk grew bigger.

"Guilty ka ba?" I asked teasingly. I couldn't hide the smile on my face now.

Ito na ang ganti ko sa lahat ng pang-aasar na ginagawa niya sa akin! Ito na ang ganti ng isang api!

He made a face at me. Pinuno niya ng cake ang bibig niya para ipakita sa akin na hindi siya makakapagsalita. He waved his hand to signal me to stop talking. Natawa na ako ng tuluyan.

"Akala ko ba crush mo lang ako? 'Wag mong sabihing mahal mo na ako ngayon?"

Dominic almost choked on his own food. I was taken a back so I quickly reached the water to him. Nauubo-ubo pa siya habang umiinom ng tubig. I had to wipe his chin with a tissue para hindi tumulo iyong tubig sa damit niya. Parehas kaming natigilan sa ginawa ko.

Nagkatinginan kami kaya agad kong binawi ang kamay ko at sumandal nalang. Ako naman ang nag-iwas ng tingin sakanya ngayon. This time... my face freaking heated!

What the hell!

"Ang sweet! Isa pa nga!" biro niya matapos makarecover. I rolled my eyes at him.

Ang bilis naman makaganti! Ang unfair nito ah?

"Bakit ka nahihiya ngayon? Do you love me now, Arielle?" Dominic asked with an annoying smirk on his face.

I widened my eyes as I made a face at him. The nerve! Kung kaya ko lang talagang hablutin pabalik 'yong payong na binili sakanya ni Tito Chad ay talagang walang pag-aalinlangan kong ihahampas 'yon sakanya! Dominic is totally enjoying this because he couldn't stop laughing!

He keeps on nudging me while we were walking towards our car. Patuloy ko naman siyang sinasamaan ng tingin. Nakakainis talaga na ang bilis ng karma!

Nang magsimula ang klase ay mas naging madalas na rin ang pagkikita namin ni Dominic. He's just everywhere! Hindi ko nga alam kung may ginagawa pa ba 'to dahil palagi ko siyang nakikitang pagala-gala sa loob ng campus!

"I'll watch your game on Saturday!" habol niya bago ako sumakay ng sasakyan ko.

Tinanguan ko lang siya at nagpaalam na. May pang-gabi siyang klase kaya maabutan niya pa ako. Madalas ko siyang nakikitang nanonood ng training namin. Naging maganda rin ang standing namin sa league kaya naman ay nakaabot kami ng Finals.

Nang dumating ang araw ng laro namin ay nakita ko siya sa may bleachers at naririnig na ang sigaw niya ngayon. He's with his friends again. Nakahablot pa nga ng mga kadamay ang isang 'to! Halos ang grupo niya na ang nagtataguyod ng crowd namin.

I scoffed and shake my head. Inasar akong muli nila Ashley bago magsimula ang laro pero di na ako nagpaapekto doon.

"Uwian na!" narinig kong sigaw ni Dominic nang maka-score ako ng goal.

Masyado siguro siyang nadala ng emosyon kaya muntikan siyang malaglag sa bleachers. Mabuti nalang at nasalo siya ng mga kaibigan niya. Natawa sila sa nangyari sakanya. When Dominic saw me looking, he waved at me and smiled.

I raised a brow a him to ask if he's okay. He gave me a thumbs up as his smile grew wider.

"It's okay, guys! We did our best!" Alu ni Ashley sa amin pagkatapos naming matalo sa kalaban.

I smiled bitterly to myself. We gave our everything for this game. But I guess, that alone, is still not enough. Magaling kasi ang kalaban at talagang nahirapan kaming tapatan ang gameplay nila.

Pagkatapos mag-ayos sa locker room ay dumiretso ako sa bleachers dahil ang sabi ni Dominic ay hihintayin niya ako rito. He's still with his friends, mukhang mga wala pang balak umuwi.

"Congratulations parin, Serena! Ang galing mo!" bati ng isa niyang kaibigan.

I smiled a little at him. "Salamat."

Pinakilala ako ni Dominic sa mga kaibigan niya. I've come to find out that Arthur is taking up a different course. Magkaklase pala sila ni Dominic noong high school. While these guys in front of me, they are all taking up the same course. Pinagmamayabang pa nila na si Dominic raw ang nagiging tutor nila tuwing may hindi sila maintindihan sa topic.

"Akala mo lang, Serena, loloko-loko 'to, pero matalino 'tong tropa ko! Kaya di na ko talaga nagulat kung bakit halos lahat ng babae sa room namin ay may gusto sakanya!" ani Nick, sabay inakbayan si Dominic.

Dominic chuckled humbly. He took a bite of his fries and pursed his lips. He glanced at me and winked. I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

"Tss." I muttered.

"Uy, Nick! Baka magselos ang girlfriend! Mahirap na!" sabi naman ni Harry.

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niyang iyon kaya mabilis kong inangat ang tingin sakanya. Iiling na sana ako nang magsalita siyang muli.

"Oh, we know you're going to deny it, but it's obvious, Serena! Halos di na namin nakakasama 'tong si Dominic dahil palagi ata kayong magka-date. Hindi sa ayaw namin ah? Pero mukhang napalitan mo na kasi kami sa puso niya, e." Harry smiled sadly.

Binatukan naman siya ng isa pa nilang tropa, si Danny. Napahawak tuloy siya sa ulo niya at galit na nilingon ito.

"Aray ko ha!" reklamo ni Harry.

Inakbayan naman siya noong bumatok sakanya at tsaka kami binalingan ng tingin ni Dominic. He pouted at the both of us. Umangat ang gilid ng labi ko dahil hindi ko malaman kung bakit umaacting sila ng ganito.

"Oonga! Buong akala namin, Dom, kami lang nasa puso mo. May bago na pala. Hmp!" he hit Dominic on his arm like a whiny lady. That took me by surprise. Ganito ata sila magbiruan.

Nagbiruan pa sila hanggang sa mapagdesisyonan na naming umuwi. Sinundan naman ako ni Dominic upang masigurong makakauwi ako ng maayos bago siya nagtungo sa tamang daan niya. He's always been like that every time we were out together. Kahit out of the way siya, lagi niya parin akong sinusundan para masiguro na ligtas akong makakauwi.

Naging abala kami sa mga sumunod na buwan. Tito Chad has been busy, too. Inaasikaso niya na rin kasi ang mga papeles para sa pagtransfer nitong condo sa pangalan ko. Inaasikaso niya na rin ang mga kailangan niya bago siya tuluyang lumipat ng Milan.

The thought about him leaving made me feel a little lonely. Ngunit iniisip ko nalang rin na ang pag-alis ni Tito Chad ay maaaring makatulong rin sa akin para tumayo gamit ang sariling paa. Alam kong magiging mahirap ang manirahan dito ng mag-isa, pero alam ko rin na kalaunan ay makakasanayan ko iyon.

Naging maganda rin ang takbo ng career ko sa pag-momodelo simula nang kunin ako ng Guess. Simula nang makuha ko ang balitang iyon ay talagang pinagbutihan ko ang lahat! I work out every day and ate healthy for a month! I mean, it's Guess! Normally puro local brands lang ang nag-o-offer sa akin kaya hindi rin ako makapaniwala nang sabihin sa akin ni Teresa na may nag-o-offer sa akin mula sa isang international brand!

When I get to see the photos of my shoot with Guess, I immediately uploaded it on my Instagram. Sakto at kaarawan ko ngayon kaya hindi ko talaga maiwasang matuwa lalo. I couldn't contain my happiness that's why I wanted to share it with everyone especially with my followers! I also didn't forget to share this news with Ariana.

I visited her grave. Binaba ko naman ang binili kong bulaklak sa ibabaw ng lapida niya. I smiled as I touch her gravestone.

"I've got news for you," I started. "Do you still remember how I told you that someday... an international brand will offer me to model their brand? Well... it happened now."

I smiled to myself. I took out my phone to show her the picture. I know I'll probably look crazy by doing this but I don't care. Sa tuwing nandito ako sa puntod niya, pakiramdam ko nandito lang rin siya at nakikinig sa akin. She was never really gone for me.

"I wish you were here with me to celebrate this achievement, Ariana. Sigurado akong tuwang-tuwa ka rin para sa akin kagaya ni Tito Chad," I ran my fingers through her name. I chuckled to myself as I remember that I still haven't told her about someone...

"And oh, I... I met someone. Tuwing nabibisita kasi ako rito sa'yo, hindi ako sigurado kung dapat ko ba siyang ikwento. But now... I am certain that you need to know something about him." I pursed my lips as I try to remember everything that happened between Dominic and I for the past few months.

"We met at a MotoGP race, Ariana. It's funny because you hated me for doing that sport but would you actually believe that because of it, I managed to meet this guy who... somewhat... contributed so much to my happiness?" I paused to chuckle. I bit my lip before I continued. "Yeah... he makes me happy, Ariana. But I'm still not sure if I like him though. You know how I hated to commit again after what I've been through with Samuel. But... he's different. Every time I'm around him, I feel more like myself. Like I didn't have to pretend to be anything or anyone whenever I'm around him."

"And do you also know what's so surprising about him? He listens to me, Ariana. You know how I crave for someone to understand. And I think... I finally got someone who would." I smiled genuinely. "This might be my best birthday yet. I wish you were here to celebrate it with me."

Pagkatayo ko ay nagulat ako sa kung sino ang sumalubong sa akin. My mouth parted at the sight of Kuya Nate. There's a bouquet of flower in his arm. He smiled a little.

"I knew I would find you here."

Tumango ako. "Yeah."

"Happy Birthday, Serena." He greeted then he handed me the bouquet of flower that he's holding.

I scoff sarcastically. I actually never thought that someone from my family would remember. May pag-aalinlangan kong kinuha ang bulaklak na binigay ni Kuya Nate. He inserted both his hands inside his pocket.

"Thanks." I said. "I was just about to leave. If you're here to visit Ariana then she's all yours now."

"I'm also here to greet you."

"You could've just texted me."

"I know but I also wanted to greet you personally."

I shrugged my shoulders and looked at him like this interaction is boring me to hell. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. If he's not going to tell me anything then I'm leaving. Tito Chad is already waiting for me at our condo. May hinanda pa naman 'yun para sa akin. Halos pagabi na rin kaya kailangan ko nang umuwi.

"If you don't have anything to say, Kuya Nate, then I have to leave. Tito Chad is already waiting for me at home."

Inilubay ni Kuya Nate ang tingin sa akin. He bit his lower lip as he nods his head. Hahakbang na sana ako paalis nang magsalita naman siyang muli.

"I just want you to know that Mama and Papa have been arguing for quite some time now."

Napatigil ako at kumunot ang noo. I turn to look at him.

"Why?"

"Papa is sick. He's been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Ever since Mama brought him to the hospital, palagi siyang nagagalit sakanya. Mainly because she's the reason why he found out he was sick. Mama forced him to have himself checked and now that he already got his diagnosis, he refuses to believe that he's sick."

"Is he gonna get better?"

"Hindi pa naman gano'n kalala ang sakit niya that's why we're trying to stop it from getting worse. Magaling naman ang doktor niya kaya panatag ako na may tsansang gumaling siya."

I nod my head slowly. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipoproseso itong nalaman ko. Kahit na hindi maganda ang pagsasama namin, tatay ko parin siya at nag-aalala ako para sakanya.

"I just thought that you deserve to know, Serena." Dagdag niya.

"I know. Thank you for telling me." tiningnan ko siya sa mata. "Please do everything to make him better, Kuya Nate. Tell him that I wish him well."

"I will. Mag-iingat ka palagi."

I nod my head again before I went on my way. Buong byahe ata nasa isip ko ang sakit ni Papa. The last time that I saw him, he was looking better. Hindi ko naman inaasahan na ilang buwan makalipas noon ay mababalitaan kong may sakit siya. I looked like a ghost while walking towards our unit because I'm thinking about things too much.

Kaya naman laking gulat ko nang pagkapasok ko sa loob ay may biglang sumabog na confetti. Napabitaw ako sa pinto at napahawak sa dibdib ko.

"Happy Birthday!"

I was surprised that Tito Chad wasn't alone because Dominic is also here! He's even wearing a party hat over his head! Masaya siyang nakangiti sa akin. The both of them started singing a happy birthday song to me. Tila ba nawala ang lahat nang iniisip ko nang dahil sa surpresang ginawa nila.

Hindi ko naman akalain na may ganitong ganap na pinaplano si Tito Chad. Akala ko ipagluluto niya lang ako. I also did not expect him to invite Dominic over! Ang isang 'yon! Mukhang gustong-gusto na ni Tito Chad!

Dominic walked slowly towards me with a cake on his hands. Si Tito Chad naman ay masayang pumapalakpak at kumakanta sa gilid. I smiled.

"Make a wish, Arielle." Dominic said in a low voice.

I glanced up at him without breaking my smile. I closed my eyes and put my hands together as I make my wish.

My wish was just simple. I wish for this pure happiness to never end. I wish for Tito Chad's happiness and safety once he's in Milan. I wish for Dominic's success. And I also wished... for my father to get better.

After I finished, I blew my cake. Dali-dali namang lumapit si Tito Chad sa akin upang yakapin ako.

"Happy birthday, Serena! Tumatanda ka na! Pwede ka na mag boyfriend." Then he gave a meaningful glance at Dominic who is busy putting my cake down on the table.

I glared jokingly at him. I kissed his cheek and hugged him again.

"Thank you, Tito Chad."

I suddenly wonder if he knew about what happened with my Dad. Kung sakaling hindi pa, baka mamaya ko nalang sabihin sakanya. Si Dominic naman ang lumapit sa akin ngayon.

"Happy birthday." He greeted with a boyish smile on his lips.

I smiled back at him. "Thank you. You didn't say you were coming over."

"Then that wouldn't be a surprise anymore. Nasorpresa ka naman sa prisensya ko hindi ba?"

Ohh... the confident man in him! Pabiro kong siyang tinaasan ng kilay. Humalukipkip ako.

"Syempre nasorpresa." Mayabang siyang ngumiti nang dahil sa sinabi ko. "Nasorpresa dahil hindi ka naman welcome dito."

Agad na nawala ang mayabang na ngiti at napalitan ng pagkainsulto. Tumawa siya. He ruffled my hair and pinched my cheek. Tinampal ko naman ang kamay niya at sinamaan siya ng tingin.

"Nineteen na siya. Pwede na siyang ligawan." Pabiro niyang sinabi.

"Ewan ko sa'yo!"

Tinawag naman kami ni Tito Chad para simulan na ang pagsasalu-salo. Mukhang nakapag-usap na itong dalawa kanina habang wala ako dahil parang close na close na sila sa isa't isa ngayon. Nagkakasundo pa sila dahil nakukuha nila ang humor ng isa't isa. Nang matapos nagpresenta namang magligpit si Dominic pero hindi siya hinayaan ni Tito Chad.

Dumiretso naman ako sa balcony dahil bumagabag na naman sa isipan ko iyong sakit ni Papa. I wanted to see if he's doing okay but there's a part of me that tells me that maybe they wouldn't want to see me there. Nagugulohan ako kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang dapat kong gawin.

Itinungkod ko ang siko ko sa barandilya habang tinatanaw ang buong syudad. I sighed heavily and closed my eyes.

"Everything alright?"

Napadilat lang akong muli ng aking mga mata nang marinig ko ang boses ni Dominic. Pumasok rin siya sa balcony upang samahan ako. Tumabi siya sa akin, leaving a safe space between us. Hindi siya tumingin sa akin at nanatili lang rin ang titig sa buong syudad.

"Yeah." I answered after a while.

"Why does that sound so hard to believe?"

Well, maybe I was right about what I told Ariana. Dominic really do understand me―that even if I try to pretend that everything's fine, he would still notice that it isn't. I sighed heavily.

Trust for me is something that I couldn't just give too easily. I've been screwed over and over because of it. But I don't know what's with Dominic and why I feel like I could easily trust him with everything. Like even if I tell him my deepest and darkest secrets, he still wouldn't judge me.

I'm afraid that once I give my trust to him... I might fall for him, too.

"My father is sick. I just found out a while ago from my brother."

From the corner of my eye, I saw him nod his head.

"How is he doing?"

"Fine, I guess. Hindi pa naman daw malala sabi ni Kuya Nate. But I just couldn't help but worry, you know? He's still my father. Hindi man maganda ang relasyon namin, ayoko rin namang makitang mahirapan siya sa sakit niya."

"Does your Tito Chad know?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. If he already does, I understand why he's not telling me. He's just being protective of me. Ayaw niya lang sigurong problemahin ko pa iyon."

"Do you believe in miracle, Arielle?" he asked curiously. Doon ako napabaling ng tingin sakanya. My forehead creased.

"Yeah?" I answered, slightly unsure.

"I do believe in that, too," he turns to face me. "We just don't notice it sometimes. Even my sister believes in miracles. She told me that as long as you continue to hope, miracles will continue to happen. So... believe that your father will get better. Because believe it or not... miracles happen every day, Arielle."

I smiled. "I didn't know you had it in you."

"The what?" he chuckled lightly.

"The deep type. You were always fooling around that's why it's odd seeing you get serious about this kind of things."

"Natatakot kasi ako. Baka mas lalo kang ma-fall kapag nagseryoso ako."

I roll my eyes. Here he goes again.

"Or maybe... you're just afraid that you might fall for me that's why you take everything as a joke."

"Well, that wouldn't be too hard."

I was taken a back with that. Hindi niya rin iyon binawi gaya ng madalas niyang gawin kaya mas lalo akong nagulat. Nilubay niya ang tingin sa akin. Itinuon niya ang atensyon sa buong syudad at tsaka nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga. I suddenly have no idea about what to say!

"You're graduating in a few months. Are your parents going to be there?" he asked to change the topic.

"I don't know. I don't want to ask."

"I'll be there."

Ngumisi ako. Pumangalumbaba ako habang pinapanood ang unti-unting paggalaw ng traffic.

"Of course, you'll be there. Felicity's also graduating." Bahagya akong tumawa.

"I mean, yes, I'll be there for her. But... I'll also be there for you. To... you know. Celebrate one of your milestones with you." he sounded like he was having a hard time finding the right words.

Nilingon ko siya at nginitian.

"Thank you. I really appreciate it when you always try to be there for me."

"That's what we do for the people we love." He whispered.

Malabo ang pagkakarinig ko doon noong una pero habang pinapaulit-ulit ko, mas naiintindihan ko kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin doon. My forehead creased. I was about to ask what he meant by that pero naunahan niya na agada ko.

"Before I forgot," aniya habang may kinukuha sa kanyang bulsa. "Here."

Ipinakita niya sa akin ang maliit na itim na box. Siya na mismo ang nagbukas noon para sa akin. It was a gold necklace with an open heart as its pendant. Ang puso ay nababalot ng maliliit na dyamante. Dominic took it out of the box.

"Do you mind if I wear it on you?" he asked. His eyes looked hopeful.

Kahit gaano ko man pigilan ang sarili na 'wag mapangiti, hindi ko kaya. This is just overwhelming. I never thought that this would still happen to me even after everything I've been through. Umiling ako at pinayagan na siya ang mag-suot sa akin noon. Hinawi ko ang buhok ko at tumalikod na sakanya.

I stiffened when I felt his arm around me. If he wasn't serious, he would probably strangle me by now. Pinanood ko naman habang isinusuot niya sa akin ang kwintas. Hinawakan ko iyong pendant at tinitigan ito. Nang matapos si Dominic ay nginitian ko siya. Inayos niya naman ang kwintas at tsaka ngumiti rin pabalik sa akin.

"There's actually a message behind it that's why I chose it for you."

"What is it?"

May kung ano muli siyang kinuha sa loob ng box. Nakatupi iyon nang inabot niya sa akin.

"Read it." aniya. Tumango ako at binuksan na iyon.

An open-heart necklace will remind you that whatever you do in life, do it with an open heart. Do not be afraid of failure or vulnerability. Allow yourself to take chances, say what you're thinking and live in the moment. A broken heart will mend and a mistake will help you grow so keep your head up and your heart open. For it's only when we are truly open with ourselves and others do we get the chance to know what it really fells like to be alive.

Mangha kong inangat ang tingin sakanya matapos kong basahin iyon. He shrugged his shoulders and tore his eyes away from me shyly.

"I hope you like-"

Hindi ko na siya pinatapos pa sa sinasabi niya dahil agad nalang akong napayakap sakanya sa sobrang galak. Mukhang nagulat siya sa ginawa ko kaya hindi agad alam ang gagawin. Ibinaon ko ang mukha ko sa leeg niya. I closed my eyes.

I don't know what I did or what I said to deserve this kind of... relief. I have almost forgotten how to smile genuinely because of the many things that happened in the last two years. But when Dominic came into my life... I started to remember how it feels to be happy again.

"Thank you for making me smile... when I'd almost forgotten how to. Thank you for everything." I whispered.

Naramdaman ko ang pagbuga niya ng malalim na hininga. Dominic crouched a bit to rest his chin on my shoulder. Umangat ang mga kamay niya upang yakapin ako ng mas mahigpit pa.

"You're always welcome, Arielle."