Song: BTNS (Bakit 'to Nangyari Satin)- The Juans ft. Janine Teñoso

Smile

"What are you-"

Hindi na naipagpatuloy pa ni Dominic ang sasabihin niya dahil dali-dali akong humakbang patungo sakanya. His mouth parted in surprise when I pulled him closer to me using the nape of his neck. I angled my face before I crashed my lips into him.

I kissed him torridly and hungrily as tears continue to roll down my cheeks.

Baka ito ang gusto niya kaya niya ginagawa ang lahat ng 'to. Kaya siguro inayos niya 'to dahil may kailangan na naman siya sa akin. Baka bumabalik na naman siya dahil gusto niya ulit akong sirain.

Gano'n naman diba ang nangyayari kapag nabahiran na ng dumi ang dating samahan? Hindi mo maiiwasang magduda dahil natatakot kang mangyari ulit ang nangyari noon. Ganyan ang naramdaman ko simula nang pumasok siya sa loob nitong unit.

Dominic didn't kiss me back. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang braso ko upang ilayo ako sakanya.

"Hey-" I tried to reach for his lips again but he dodged it.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Come on, Dominic. Kiss me! Isn't this what you want?"

Patuloy parin sa pag-agos ang luha ko. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang pumapasok sa isip ko nang mga oras na 'to. The moment that Dominic stepped into this room, the pain that I've been trying to ignore for the past years came back.

Bumalik ang lahat upang ipaalala sa akin kung gaano kasakit ang nangyari sa amin noon. Na kahit sa kabila ng masaya naming pagsasama noon, nagawa niya akong paglaruan at lokohin.

I pulled his collar to kiss him again. Umiwas siya at mas lalo namang humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin. I groaned in frustration. Nagpumiglas ako sa hawak niya.

I frantically teared down the buttons of his shirt. It revealed his muscular chest.

"Arielle, what are you doing-"

Hindi niya magawang magpatuloy dahil inatake ko na ng halik ang leeg niya. His hold on me tightened, pilit akong pinapalayo sakanya.

"You have to stop." He said.

Hindi ako nakinig at nagpatuloy lang sa ginagawa. My lips travelled from his neck down to chest. Dominic kept on pulling me up.

Sa sandaling iyon wala na akong ibang naririnig kung hindi ang pintig ng puso ko at ang tahimik kong pagsinghap. I couldn't think straight. Napapangunahan ako ng takot at sakit. Hindi ko alam ang ginagawa ko. I just did what I think he wants.

"Arielle!"

Ang sigaw niyang iyon ang nagpabalik sa akin sa kasalukuyan. He made me face him. Mahigpit ang pagkakakapit niya sa aking mga braso. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pagkabigla. He's just as confused as me.

My lips trembled as I stare back at him. My tears fell down like a waterfalls. I started to shake terribly from crying out some painful tears.

"What do you want from me this time, Dominic?" I asked frustratingly. Wala na akong pakealam kung nakikita niya ang sakit sa mga mata ko.

Kumunot ang noo niya dahil sa tanong ko.

"I don't under-"

"You want sex? Huh? Iyon ba ang gusto mo ngayon? Kaya ba may ganito dahil gusto mo no'n? Then fine! Come on! Let's do it!"

"Arielle, you have to calm down. You're not-"

"Come on, Dominic! Let's do it! Gawin na natin para matapos na 'to. 'Yun naman ang kailangan mo sa akin ngayon diba? Ano may pustahan na naman kayo at ako na naman ang naisipan niyong pagtripan?"

"What are you saying? It's not-"

"Eto na, Dominic, oh! Pinapadali ko na ang trabaho mo!" I yelled.

"Hindi totoo ang lahat ng sinasabi mo. You have to calm down. Tell me what's wrong. Let's talk about it."

"Ayaw mo pa ba? Hanggang kailan ba 'tong pustahan niyo na 'to ha? Gawin na natin para mabilis na ring matapos ang lahat ng 'to."

We said those at the same time. Hindi na kami halos magkaintindihan dahil nag-uunahan kaming dalawa sa pagsasalita. He keeps on saying that I need to calm down and we can talk about this properly, while I keep on forcing him to have sex with me because that's what I think this is all about.

I keep on shouting some nonsense while he tries this best to calm me down. Pumikit ako at umiling habang patuloy ako sa pang-aakusa sakanya ng mga bagay na hindi naman ako sigurado kung totoo.

"Arielle, listen to me. Look at me!"

Ang sigaw niyang iyon ang nagpatigil sa akin. I took a deep breath. Kasabay ng pagbuga ko ng malalim na hininga ay ang pagtangis ko.

"I know you're frustrated and hurt. But, love, you have to calm down. We can talk about this properly if you really want to know everything now. Hindi magiging maayos 'to kung-"

He stopped when I started hitting him hard on his chest. Doon ko nilabas ang galit sakanya. Malalakas ang bawat hampas ko, umaasa na sa paraan na iyon maibabalik ko sakanya iyong sakit na ibinigay niya sa akin noon.

"Just... tell me... what you want from me this time. Gusto ko nang matapos 'tong kalokohan na 'to dahil pagod na ako... ayoko nang masaktan pa ulit..." I said slowly in between my tears.

Yumuko ako at bumagal naman ang paghampas ko sa dibdib niya dahil sa pag-iyak ko. I heard him sigh. Dominic caught my wrist which made me stop.

"Nasasaktan din ako," aniya. "Nasasaktan ako dahil ganyan na ang tingin mo sa akin. Na kahit anong subok kong ayusin 'to, nag-iba na ang tingin mo sa akin. Tingin mo sasaktan parin kita."

Marahas kong inangat ang tingin sakanya. I look at him angrily. Padarag kong inalis ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa aking palapulsuan.

"Bakit? Hindi ba't iyon naman ang totoo? Nagawa mo na akong saktan noon, sigurado akong kaya mong ulit gawin 'yon ngayon."

"But I am not that guy anymore, Arielle."

"Bullshit!"

"Believe me!"

"How?!" I yelled. "Noong huling naniwala at nagtiwala ako sa'yo, sinaktan mo lang ako."

Mariin niyang ipinikit ang kanyang mga mata. He swallowed hard before trying to reach me again. Humakbang ako palayo kaya natigil siya sa tinatangka niyang gawin.

"Alam kong kahit anong gawin ko, wala nang makakapagbago sa isip mo."

My breathing suddenly turns shallow. Di naman nakaligtas sa mga mata ko ang pagtulo ng luha niya.

"Alam ko na kahit anong gawin ko, I was wrong and I admit that. Nasaktan kita kahit hindi naman iyon ang intensyon ko. That's why I am sorry. I wanted you to forgive me and give me a chance to prove myself to you this time."

Umiling ako. "Ano na namang ang mangyayari sa akin sa oras na bumalik ako sa'yo? Anong klaseng sakit na naman ang ibibigay mo sa akin?"

Hindi siya nakapagsalita. I walked towards the center table. Kinuha ko ang photo album at binato sakanya iyon. I wanted to calm myself down but then all my emotions have piled up. Napapaungahan ako ng frustration at galit kaya kung ano-ano na rin ang pumapasok sa isip ko.

Dominic squatted to reach for the photo album. The look on his face sent thorns inside my heart.

"What's this? What's all of this about?" sabi ko sabay turo sa photo album. "At 'yung Serenity Wine, para saan 'yon? Bakit mo pa tinuloy 'yon? To make me feel bad for leaving you? And this..." tinuro ko ang buong unit.

"You probably saw what it looked like the day I left! You probably realized that's how much pain you've caused me! And now what's this about? Sana hinayaan mo nalang ito noon! Sana hindi mo na inayos! Para saan? Para madali kitang mapapatawad?"

"No..."

"Then why?! Why are you doing all these things?"

"You. Everything is all about you, Arielle." He said desperately.

Tumawa ako at pinalis ang luhang tumulo sa aking mga mata. I shake my head again, still refusing to believe him.

"Alam mo... gustong-gusto kong maniwala sa'yo na totoo ngang mahal mo ako. But then I will remember what happened, ayun at natatakot na ulit ako. Natatakot ako na baka saktan mo lang ulit ako! I was so lost because you don't even know how much pain you've put me into!"

His jaw clenched. He tried to reach for me but I already backed away even before he does that.

"Ang sakit, sakit ng ginawa mo sa akin, Dominic! Sa sobrang sakit wala akong ibang magawa kung hindi ang lumayo dahil sa tingin ko mas masasaktan lang ako kapag mananatili ako dito. What you did just reminded me of why I hated this place. Pinaalala mo lang lahat ng sakit na dinanas ko.

"I trusted you with everything! Alam mo kung gaano kahirap para sa akin ang magtiwala pero bumigay ako sa'yo. Kaya bakit? Bakit mo nagawa sa akin 'yon?" sigaw ko.

Sa sobrang pag-iyak ay hindi ko na namalayan na nakalapit na pala siya sa akin. I tried to push him away but he caught my wrists again to stop me. Patuloy kong hinahampas ang dibdib niya habang nakahawak siya sa palapulsuan ko.

Bumuka ang bibig niya pero wala ni isang salita ang lumabas doon. He was lost for words so I continued.

"Anong meron sa akin para ako ang maisipan niyong pagtripan? You are well aware of the pain that Ariana's death has caused me but then you still went through that stupid bet. Para ano? Para pwede ka nang mangligaw kay Hannah? Gano'n ba?"

"No-"

"Was it fun watching me, Dominic? Masaya bang paglaruan ang puso ko ha?!"

"Just please calm down, Arielle. We won't fix this if we continue to-"

"I don't care! Sabihin mo sa akin ang totoo ngayon! Is that the reason why you are so keen on getting close to me? Kaya ba lagi mo akong kinukulit dahil may kailangan ka sa akin?"

He sighed heavily. Marahas ko namang inalis ang kamay ko sakanya at lumayo. I look at him angrily.

"Matagal nang tapos 'yung pustahan bago pa kita ligawan. I was stupid, Arielle, I didn't mean to hurt you. But I know better now. I've learned my lesson that's why I'm here... trying to make things right. Just calm down please... we can talk about this properly."

Umiling ako. "How can I calm down? I wanna know why! B-Bakit ako? Ano bang m-meron sa akin?"

"I'm really, really sorry..."

Bahagya akong tumawa. Suminghap ako at marahas na pinalis ang mga luha sa aking mga mata.

"Sana nga ganyan nalang kadali mawala ang lahat. Sana sa isang sorry mo, okay na tayo... kaya na nating ibalik ang dati. Pero hindi, e... what you did to me made me question myself. Lagi kong tinatanong ang sarili ko kung may may mali ba sa akin? Was I not good enough? Kaloloko-loko ba ako?"

"Arielle... no..."

"Then why?! Bakit mo nagawa sa akin 'yon?! Bakit mo ako nagawang paglaruan?!" tumaas na ang boses ko ngayon.

Yumuko siya. I saw him breathing heavily while I continue to sob. When he raised his gaze back at me, his eyes are bloodshot.

"I told you I called the bet off after two weeks. Hindi kita pinaglaruan noong mga oras na magkasama tayo dahil hindi ko kayang gawin sa'yo 'yon. What we had was real, Arielle. Believe me. I love you..."

Sa sobrang bagal ng paghinga ko dahil sa pag-iyak, hindi ko magawang makapagsalita. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pag-iyak, umaasang mapapawi nito ang sakit. Umaasa na dahil nailalabas ko na ang lahat, mawawala na rin 'tong bigat sa dibdib ko.

Pero hindi ganoon ang nangyayari. Habang tumatagal... habang mas nakikita ko siya... mas lalong bumibigat ang pakiramdam ko dahil naalala ko lang ang sakit na idinulot niya sa akin.

"I looked for you everywhere, Arielle. I went here because I still hoped that we can fix this. I can explain everything even if you won't believe me. But when I came here, you were already gone. I didn't know where to find you because you already cut off everything that would help me reach you.

"I was devastated just like you. I tried to reach for your uncle pero kahit siya mukhang galit din sa akin. So, I waited... naghintay ako na humupa ang galit mo. Baka sakaling pagkatapos no'n, pupwede na kita ulit kausapin. But I didn't know that you already left the country. And yet, I still waited for you, Arielle... because I wanted to explain my side. I wanted to make everything right."

"I trusted you, Dominic... I even begged you not to hurt me but you still did! You took everything from me! You stole my hope, my faith, my everything! You stole it from me!"

"I know and I'm sorry..." he sounded desperate.

"Alam mo... hindi naman mali na aminin mo ang totoo sa akin. Ang mali ay hindi mo agad sinabi sa akin! I could've tried to understand you because I love you! Mahal kita, Dominic, at kaya kitang intindihin basta sinabi mo lang sa akin!"

He squeezed his eyes shot and clenched his jaw.

"Ang sakit kasi sa iba ko pa nalaman imbis na sa'yo. Paano kung hindi sinabi ni Hannah sa akin 'yon? Kailan mo balak sabihin sa akin? O baka naman wala ka na talagang balak sabihin sa akin? Kayang kaya naman kitang intindihin, e, basta sinabi mo lang sa akin! Iintindihin ko na baka hindi mo naman sinasadya 'yon. Iintindihin kita kasi gano'n kita kamahal.

"Nagmukha akong tanga, Dominic. Nagmukha akong tanga dahil wala akong alam. Ang sakit dahil mas nauna pang malaman ni Hannah kaysa sa akin."

"Inaamin ko, naduwag ako. Natakot ako dahil ayaw kong maging rason 'yon para iwan mo ako. I love you so much, Arielle, and I can't afford to lose you!"

"But you still did. The moment you decided to keep that thing away from me, you already lost me."

Humakbang siya palapit sa akin. Nawalan na ako ng lakas para lumayo pa sakanya. Patuloy lang sa pag-agos ang luha ko.

"Just tell me what I should do. Gagawin ko para lang patawarin mo ako. Alam kong kahit ilang beses akong humingi ng tawad, hindi parin noon mababago ang lahat. Nasaktan kita at handa naman akong ayusin 'to. I just wanted to make everything right between us this time. Please..."

"Totoo ba 'yung sinabi ni Hannah? Was the bet about her? Did you really want to pursue her that you are willing to accept that stupid bet?"

Sandali siyang natigilan. I rolled my eyes and looked away from him.

"At first," he admitted. "But I was a coward! It was foolish of me to accept the bet. I didn't know what I was doing. But I already told you, Arielle. I called the bet off after two weeks. It was even before I completely knew you."

Dominic moved closer to me again and tried to reach for my hand but then I shake my head. Natigilan siya at nagaalala akong tiningnan.

"Don't." my voice cracked but I tried to sound strong.

He looks over at me wearily. May panibagong luha na tumulo sa kanyang mga mata.

"I'm sorry," He said softly while looking at me.

Mariin kong pinikit ang aking mga mata. I pursed my lips to try and stop myself from letting out another painful cry but I couldn't. I thought it would hurt less once I start to confront him about it, pero hindi. Gano'n parin. Ang sakit parin.

"I'm sorry, Dominic. Gustong gusto ko nang kalimutan ang lahat. I wanted so bad to forgive you dahil gusto ko nang mawala 'yung bigat... dito sa loob ko," I said pointing at my heart. "I don't want to live with this burden my whole life! Pero sa tuwing nakikita kita... bumabalik lang ang lahat."

"Then what do you want me to do? Do you want me to give you space? Ayaw mo na ba akong makita?"

"I don't know..." I whispered.

I let out a deep sigh. Pinalis ko ang luha sa aking mata at matapang siyang tiningnan.

"Kahit patawarin kita... hindi ko alam kung... kaya pa ba nating ibalik 'yung dati."

'Yun naman kasi talaga ang nangyayari kapag nabahiran na ng dumi ang dating relasyon. Nawawala na ang tiwala at mapupuno na ng pagdududa ang samahan.

Paano kung gawin niya ulit 'yon? Paano kung masaktan ulit ako? Paano na naman ako babangon ulit?

Ayoko nang pagdaanan ko ulit ang nangyari dati. I wanted to forget it. I don't want it to be the reason why I could never bring myself to love again.

"I guess... there's really no starting over is there?" his voice cracked.

I shrugged my shoulders. Hindi ko magawang tumingin sakanya dahil nasasaktan rin ako para sakanya. I pained me to see that he was also in pain. That he was desperate for me to forgive him because this is also hurting him too much.

Nabigla nalang ako nang bigla siyang lumuhod sa harap ko. Humigpit ang hawak niya kamay ko. He started sobbing painfully.

"I blamed myself for everything, Arielle. Alam kong mali na hindi ko agad sinabi sa'yo at hindi sapat na rason na naduwag ako. I blamed myself because that caused you to leave. Nasaktan ako dahil nasaktan kita. That's not what I wanted to happen and I hope you know that. I love you and it's not my intention to hurt you," He said in between his tears.

"I'm sorry for all the pain, love... If I have to apologize to you every single day, I would. I just want you to finally forgive me."

My lips started to shake. Nang dahil sa pag-iyak niya, muntikan na akong bumigay. I covered my mouth to stop my hiccups. Gusto ko siyang yakapin. Gustong gusto ko.

"Maybe it's time to let go, Dominic." I said ridiculously.

Agad agad niyang inangat ang tingin sa akin. Pinaghalong takot at pag-aalala ang nasa itsura niya ngayon. He shakes his head.

"No... I don't want to lose you again."

"How many times do we have to hurt ourselves before we realize that maybe this isn't really meant to be?"

Dominic paused for a moment. He squeezed his eyes shut. Nagsunod-sunod ang pagtulo ng luha niya. Nakita kong bumabagal ang paghinga niya bago niya bitawan ang kamay ko.

"Do you want to give up?" he weakly looks up at me. His eyes are blooshot.

I didn't answer. "Just stand up, Dominic."

Agad niya namang sinunod ang sinabi ko. Nanatili ang tingin niya sa akin.

"Is that a yes?" He asked.

"No..." I whispered. Nabuhayan naman ang mata niya ngayon. "You did not give up on me so I wanted to give you a chance. But... I don't think this is the right time. I needed time to think about this. Hindi ko kayang magdesisyon ngayon."

"It's okay. I'll wait. You can take all the time that you want, Arielle. Don't worry... I can wait forever if that's what it takes for you to forgive me."

Suminghap ako. I look at him softly.

"And if ever... this still doesn't work out... I want you to promise me that you'll never think of me again-"

"Don't say that." He cut me off.

"Promise me that you'll forget about me. Tell me that you're going to go on and live your life as happily as you can be without me." I continued, hindi siya pinakinggan.

"That's not gonna happen."

"Tell me-"

Hindi ko na naituloy pa ang sasabihin ko dahil naunahan na niya ako. Dominic reached for my cheeks. I leaned against it and closed my eyes. He used his thumb to wipe away the tear that streamed down my face when I felt his warm hands on me.

"Shh... don't say that," he shakes his head. "That's not gonna happen. I will find a way for us to work out. I promise you that... we will find a way."

I nod my head and looked back at him.

"It's time to also forgive yourself for what happened, Dominic." that was the last thing I said before I leave.

My mind was blank the whole time I was driving back to the penthouse. Mabuti nalang at maayos parin akong nakauwi. Pagod kong binuksan ang pinto. Agad namang sumalubong si Carol sa akin. I smiled at her weakly.

"Hey... Liam just called. He told me that Dominic's asking if you're already home. Are you two together?"

Tamad akong tumango. Bumuka ang bibig ni Carol sa pagkabigla.

"Oh... uh... I'll tell Liam to tell Dom-"

"Don't. Just ask him to give Dominic's number to me."

Mas lalo ata siyang nabigla sa sinabi kong iyon. Dali-dali siyang tumango.

"O-Okay! I'll tell it to him now!" agad niya akong iniwan upang tawagan na si Liam.

I went straight towards my room. I wasn't in the mood to eat anything kahit na inaya ako ni Aling Nerissa na kumain. I kindly rejected her offer. I'm just so tired. I feel like a lot has happened this day.

Nang matanggap ko ang text ni Liam, agad akong nagtipa ng mensahe upang ipadala iyon sa number na binigay niya.

Me:

I'm home now. -Arielle

Dominic replied seconds after.

Dominic:

Okay. Please rest. I'll see you again soon.

Hindi na ako nagreply pa at pagod nalang na humiga sa kama. I stared at the ceiling and thought about everything that happened a while ago.

He was telling me the truth. That's the only thing I was sure of from what happened. Kitang kita ko sa mga mata niya ang pagkadesperado dahil alam kong matagal niya ring hinintay ang pagkakataon na 'to.

I still hate him for that stupid bet but I admire him because he admitted that he was wrong. He owned up to his mistakes. He admitted that it was stupid of him to get himself involve in that foolishness.

I sigh heavily and reached for my phone again. It's been a while since I last called Tito Chad. Masyado na akong naging abala sa ibang bagay na nakakaligtaan ko nang tawagan siya. I have not been able to update him about everything that's happening.

"Hello, dear! It's been a while! I missed you!" Tito Chad greeted on the other line after he answered my call after its third ring.

I smiled. "I know... I've been so busy. Sorry po kung hindi ako madalas makatawag."

"It's fine! So... how's things? I saw some of your latest photos. May chika ka ba sa akin ngayon?"

I licked my lower lip before nodding my head.

"Nagkausap na po kami ni Dominic."

Tito Chad doesn't seemed surprised. Nanatili siyang tipid na nakangiti sa akin.

"I knew eventually that would happen," My forehead creased because I didn't get what he meant by that. "You've been attending events that he's also invited. Imposible na hindi magkrus ang landas niyo doon. So, tell me... how was it?"

I told Tito Chad everything that happened a while ago—everything that Dominic said. I didn't leave any detail. I made sure that I was able to tell him everything.

"Ano na? Ano nang balak mo ngayon?" tanong niya matapos kong magkwento.

I shrugged my shoulders and sighed heavily.

"I don't know."

"Will you forgive him?"

"Of course," I said like it was the obvious. "I also want to let go of the grudge that I have for him."

"You're doing the right thing, dear." He smiled.

I shifted. Hindi ko alam kung dapat o tama ba 'tong sasabihin ko pero bahala na. Nailabas ko na naman ang galit ko kanina. Oras na rin siguro para ilabas ko rin ang tunay na nararamdaman ko para kay Dominic.

"I miss him, Tito Chad."

His brows rose at my revelation. Napaayos rin siya ng upo at mukhang buong atensyon na ang binibigay sa akin ngayon.

"It hurts me just thinking of everything we've been through. We both suffered and I want him to forgive himself for what happened..." I sniffled. "I love him too much, Tito Chad. Kahit ilang beses ko siyang 'wag isipin, kahit ilang beses kong libangin ang sarili sa ibang bagay, I can't stop thinking about him."

Pinalis ko ang luhang lumandas sa aking mga mata bago magpatuloy.

"It's hard moving on from him..." I admitted.

Tito Chad smiled apologetically at me. Sigurado ako na kung nandito siya, kanina niya pa ako niyakap. Nakakalungkot lang na ngiti lang ang maibibigay niya sa akin ngayon bilang paalala na magiging maayos rin ang lahat.

"It'll get easier soon, Serena. Mawawala rin 'yang sakit na nararamdaman mo. Ngayong nakapag-usap na kayo, sigurado akong malapit nang maayos ang lahat. You both will get there. I promise..." alu niya. "It might take time... but it will be worth it."

I have a few days off from work before I go to Thailand for a shoot. Kaya naman bago umalis ay naisipan kong bisitahin ang puntod ni Ariana. Ngayon nalang ulit ako makakabisita simula nang bumalik ako dito. I feel bad because I couldn't make time for her.

Tinigil ko ang sasakyan malapit sa puntod niya at kinuha ang bulaklak na binili ko habang patungo rito. I made sure that it has Ariana's favorite flowers in it. That's just my way of apologizing to her for taking a while before I could visit her again.

I ran my fingers through my hair once I went out of the car. Pinatunog ko iyon at agad na naglakad patungo sa puntod ng kapatid ko. Hindi pa ako nakakailang hakbang ay natigilan agad ako nang makita kung sino ang nandoon.

Dominic holding a bouquet of daisies, squatted in front of my sister's gravestone. He ran his fingers through it before a ghost smile appeared on his lips. My mouth parted at the scene. Mabilis akong naglakad patungo sakanila.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

Mabilis na napaangat ng tingin si Dominic sa akin. Agad siyang tumayo upang upang mag-lebel ang tingin namin. He pointed at Ariana's gravestone.

"I just dropped off some flowers." He answered. Binaba ko naman ang dala kong bulaklak.

"How did you know that she was buried here? Madalas ka ba rito?"

Nag-iwas siya naman siya ng tingin bago siya tumango.

"You told me before where she was buried so I came to visit her when you left. Akala ko kasi dito rin kita mahahanap noon. Simula rin no'n, nakasanayan ko nang bumisita rito."

That took me by surprise. Hindi ko maitago ang pagkabigla sa sinabi niya kaya naman napangiti siya nang makita niya ang reaksyon ko. He inserted both of his hands inside his pockets before nodding his head at me.

"Sige na... I'll you two here. Mauna na ako."

Nanatili lang ang tingin ko sakanya habang lumalakad siya palayo sa akin. May kung anong pintig sa puso ko nang sabihin niyang madalas siya rito. I really appreciated that. Pakiramdam ko tuloy, hindi ako nawala sa tabi ni Ariana.

"Dominic," I called. He stopped on his tracks before turning to me. He raised his brows.

"Yes?"

"Thank you... for being there for her when I wasn't."

Sa tingin ko hindi niya inaasahan na sasabihin ko 'yon kaya bumuka ang bibig niya. But then, he quickly redeemed himself when a genuine smile curved on his lips. Namiss ko 'yang ngiti niyang 'yan. 

I stared back at him before I returned the smile.