Jordyn's POV

Mayroong family trip sila Kairo at inimbita ako nila Tita. Para naman daw makapag vacation daw si Kairo bago ipasa sa kanya ang buong kompanya.

I'm proud of him dahil he's slowly achieving his dreams while I'm here still doing podcasts and studying. But at least he's almost there at the top.

We're already at their house at bukas ng umaga ang biyahe namin. Marami kaming pupuntahan eh.

"Hintayin lang natin makauwi si Kuya pati si Ate Luna tsaka tayo matutulog," Hiara said as she held my hand at agad naman ako nagtaka dahil kasama si Luna? Woah.

So she is part of the family, girlfriend nga ni Kairo.

It was past 12 nang dumating sila at nakita kong naka akbay si Kairo kay Luna at kumunot naman ang noo ko. Why am I even bothered? We went upstairs dahil nakalock na ang pinto and slept for the night.

We woke up early at papunta na kami ng puntod ni Tito Elliot at magsisimba din.

"I'll bring my car, Dad. Luna will ride with me." Kairo said at kahit hawak hawak ni Hiara ang kamay ko I kept on zoning out at hindi ko alam ang dahilan. Dahil ba magkasama si Luna at Kairo?

Pero si Hiara, she's the one making me happy and making my life fun to live in dahil wala kaming problema. But some part of me misses him... so badly.

Which is wrong dahil mahal ko si Hiara. Ngunit maaring mas higit pa rin ang pagmamahal ko sa kuya niya.

Nagtama bigla ang tingin namin ni Kairo at tumaas ang kanyang kilay pero umiling na lang ako.

Natapos kaming bumisita sa puntod ni Tito Elliot at nakapag simba na rin kaya dumiretso na kami sa airport dahil pupunta kaming Vigan!

Dati I wished na magtatravel kami roon ni Kairo. Mangyayari naman na ngunit hindi na nga lang namin kapiling ang isa't isa.

We had a quick and safe flight at pagdating namin sa hotel ay nagtaka na naman ako dahil may sariling hotel si Kairo at Luna habang kami ay wala.

Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo, but I know some part of me was pissed. Nagseselos ba 'ko? Hindi pwede. Mahal ko si Hiara.

Pagpasok namin sa hotel room ay nag ayos muna kami ng gamit. "Tita, girlfriend po ba ni Kairo si Luna?" tanong ko at natawa naman si Tita sa akin bago nagkibit balikat.

"Bakit mo naman natanong, 'nak?"

"Wala lang po, he seems to be so quiet. Hindi po siya gaanong nakikipag usap sa akin." I answered her but really I just want to know of sila ba talaga.

"I think Kairo likes her, I mean based on the looks they both exchange to each other you can clearly tell that there is something going on between them. Siguro ayaw lang ipaalam pa ni Kai." she chuckled at tumango na lang ako dahil nakakahiya naman kung magtatanong pa ako.

We took a power nap before we went downstairs to eat. We were already eating nang bumaba sila Kai at Luna. They both look... good together, it sucks.

Kumain na din sila at hindi mahiwa ni Luna yung steak niya kaya ginawa 'yon para sa kanya ni Kai. And I don't know why but I was glaring at them.

Umiwas naman ako ng tingin nang tingnan niya ako.

Pinagusapan din namin kung saan kami unang pupunta at napagdesisyonan nila na sa hidden garden unang pumunta.

We roam around at nagkahiwalay kami ni Hiara dahil may titingnan daw siya. Lumabas naman ako sa garden and there I saw Kairo sitting at the swing with his eyes closed.

He looked... handsome and I can't deny that factor.

Tinabihan ko naman siya pero hindi niya pinansin ang presensya ko. Binuksan niya ang mata niya at nagulat siya nang makita ako.

"What are you doing here?" he asked while fixing himself.

"Ikaw ba may ari nito?" barumbadong sagot ko at nakita ko naman siyang ngumisi.

I can't help but to ask, "Girlfriend mo ba si Luna?" tanong ko sa kanya at mukhang nawalan ng gana ang kanyang mukha.

"Why do you care?"

"I care because she's my ex girlfriend!" I shouted at nakita ko ang gulat sa kanyang mukha pero agad napalitan ng seryosong mukha. Teka, hindi niya ba alam? Shit!

"Well, you could've considered remembering me before you dated my sister." he countered. Hindi ko naman kasi alam eh! Well, I never asked.

Natahimik naman kami pero nagsalita pa ako ulit, "Are you afraid to fall in love again?"

"I'm afraid of being the only one that falls while the other one just pretends." He answered me before smiling weakly.

I never pretended Kai, I really loved you.

He excused himself when Hiara showed up.

We enjoyed exploring Ilocos, we're actually currently at a beach at naiwan kaming dalawa ni Kairo na nakatingin sa mga alon na humahampas sa dalampasigan. The waves are actually calming.

"Kailan mo ipapaalam sa kapatid ko na ex mo 'ko?" tanong niya sa akin and I just stared at him before answering.

"Kailan mo ba gusto?"

"...Labas ako sa relasyon niyo kaya ikaw ang magdedesisyon." sabi niya sa akin at tumango naman ako before hugging my knees.

"When I'm ready to look over the view of the sun. I'll tell her." I told him.

Looking at the view of the sun keeps reminding me our special moments together. I only made this certain memories with someone like him, at hindi ko pa kayang limutin ang mga iyon.

The trip ended and we were back in Manila. Nalaman ko na ipapasa na ang buong Eugenio's Cuisine kay Elliot officially.

Nagkaroon nga rin daw ng commotion doon at gulong gulo ngayon ang pamilya nila Hiara at Kairo.

It was already quarter pass 11 pm when Tita Kianna messaged me that Kairo left the house at night at hindi nila alam kung saan mahahanap si Kai.

Napaisip naman ako, with everything going on right now with his life... I know the place where he is right now.

I booked a grab at nakarating naman ako agad sa lake kung saan kami lagi nakatambay noon pag hindi na namin kaya at kailangan na ilabas ang emosyong naipon sa amin.

There I saw him crying. "Kung pagsubok 'to para sa kakayanan ko.... Sobrang bigat naman." he said and I slowly walked towards him.

"Hindi mo naman kailangan buhatin lahat, Kai," I said at agad niya kong nilingon at nagulat siya sa presensya ko.

I gave him a soft smile to assure him that everything will be fine. I sat beside him and turned his face to me para mapunasan ko ang luha niya.

Tinanggal niya naman ang kamay ko, "Let me remind you na girlfriend mo si Hiara. So, what are you trying to do?"

"Comfort you," I said. "Don't worry wala namang ibig sabihin 'to."

"Then why are you here?" He asked in a flat tone.

"Tita Kia sent me a message. I was actually in my bed already—"

"So, bakit ka nga narito? And how did you even know that I'm here?" Magkasunod na tanong niya sa akin.

"Kai, we both know kung anong ibig sabihin ng lugar na 'to para sa atin. Hindi ako tanga para makalimutan 'yon. Kaya alam ko kung saan ka hahanapin," I said confidently. "Umuwi ka na."

"Kalimutan mo na lahat ng bagay na tungkol sa atin, Jordyn—"

"Tapos ikaw hindi?" Mabilis kong balik sa kanya.

"Because you have a girlfriend and I don't!" He shouted. "Don't ever think of playing with Hiara or better yet, break up with her."

I scoff and looked at him in disbelief, "And why would I do that?"

"Then at least tell her about us—"

Hindi natapos ni Kairo ang sasabihin niya nang mag ring ang phone ko.

"Babe?" I said.

"Did you get there safely?" Hiara asked.

"Opo. I just got here. Mabilis lang 'to. Uuwi rin kaagad ako."

"Mag ingat, pahatid ka na lang kay Kuya. Matutulog na rin ako."

"Okay po. Sleep well," I told her. "I love you."

"Okay, then. Let's tell Hiara about our past," I initiated, para naman matapos na ang dinadrama ni Kairo. "You need to come with me."

We went to a cafe at hinatid niya na din ako sa dorm.

Hindi naman ako bumaba agad ng kotse. "Happy birthday, Kairo." I told him. "Alam kong nasa mahirap na sitwasyon ka and you're probably thinking to not celebrate your birthday but please, kahit ngayong araw lang, do the things that you really want to do and will make you happy."

Hinding hindi ko malilimutan na birthday niya 'no!

"Do the things that I really want and will make me happy?" Pag-uulit niya sa sinabi ko. "Are you sure?"

I nodded and gave him a smile, "Of course."

Lumabas siya mula sa sasakyan at umikot papunta sa pwesto ko. He opened the door and the next thing he did is that he hugged me. "Thank you, Jordyn." he said and I hugged him too.

Somehow I felt relieved that he's hugging me for comfort. My arms are still his comfort.

—

Kagagaling ko lang sa bahay nila Hiara, we drank and watched a meteor shower together. Agad naman din ako nakatulog agad pero naalimpugatan ako nang makarinig ako ng maraming katok galing sa aking pinto.

Tumayo naman ako agad at pinagbuksan ito at nagulat ako nang makita ko si Kairo who looks pissed. May nangyari ba? Dumiretso naman siya sa pagpasok sa aking dorm unit.

"K-Kai?!"

"Anong kinalaman ng Daddy mo sa nangyari kay Tita Lux?" He straight-forwardly asked me at napuno naman ako ng pagtataka. What the hell is he talking about? Lord, natulog lang naman ako bakit nadamay si Dad at Tita Lux?

"What are you saying?" I asked. "Ano bang sinasabi mo? Bakit ka ba narito?!" I raised my voice to match up with his tone. Umupo ako sa kama ko habang nag iisip ng kung ano ano.

My Dad was there at their house kanina ah? Bakit parang ang bilis naman ng pangyayari at may issue na agad sila.

"Tita Lux is found lifeless in her condo unit," he tried to explain. Gulong gulo naman ang utak ko at hindi agad naproseso ang sinabi niya sa akin.

"Huh?!" I reacted after minutes of wandering in my mind. "Why? Sino gumawa? At ano naman ang kinalaman ni Dad doon?"

"Last night, I heard Dad and Tito Theo talking and planning about something—" Tumayo naman ako agad galing sa aking kama.

"It doesn't make any sense, Kai. Are you accusing my Dad? Magkausap pala sila ng Daddy mo eh," She already sound so frustrated. "Ibig sabihin, pati Daddy mo, kasama—"

"Daddy namin ni Hiara," he corrected me.

"Why are you bringing up Hiara?!" I shouted.

"I just made it clear just so you know," he scoffed. Agad naman ako hindi napakali. Tumayo naman si Kairo and forced me to look at him.

"Get changed. We're going to get some answers." pumasok naman ako sa closet ko para magpalit. Narinig ko naman na kinausap ni Kai ang baby namin. How I wish that he visit Kaidyn frequently. Minsan kasi umiiyak si Kaidyn kapag namimiss ang Daddy niya.

Pagkalabas ko ng closet ay agad napako ang tingin niya sa akin, agad naman ako napangiti at mukhang hindi niya 'yon napansin. Kairo Eugenio, still find me pretty hmm?

"Let's go," pag aya niya sa akin at tumango ako. My eyes widened when he held my hand but I just let him. We arrived at the prison at agad akong kinabahan. Paano kung totoo ngang si Dad ang gumawa no'n.

Even if I love him... I wouldn't forgive him because it's murder we're talking about.

"Anak—"

He was about to say something when the police arrived.

"You must be his daughter," panimula ng isang police officer. "Sakto ang pagdating niyo para isahan na lang namin sasabihin." Lahat ng atensyon namin ay napunta sa pulis na nagsalita.

"Based on the CCTV footage na nireview ng mga kasamahan ko, Theodore Clemente was seen entering the victim, Lux Avery Sandoval's condo unit," the officer stated.

"What?!" I exclaimed. "That's pure bullshit. Dad, what is he talking about?!" Umiwas naman ng tingin si Dad. But why did he do that? Is he guilty? Come on Dad, if you keep your mouth shut you're going to look guilty!

"Babe, calm down," Hiara comforted me. "Let the officer finish talking."

"Ilang minuto lang, base ulit sa CCTV footage, nahagip na lumabas si Clemente na hindi mapalagay at may dugo ang mga kamay—"

Dad didn't let the police officer finish and shouted. "Ilang beses ko ba kailangan ipaliwanag na hindi ako ang pumatay kay Lux?! I saw her lying down, drowning in her own blood!"

"Hinahanapan ka namin ng ebidensya ngunit wala kang maiharap sa amin. Ang kutsilyo na nasa crime scene ay mayroong fingerprint mo. Paano mo 'yon maipapaliwanag?" The officer asked.

"Dad, ano?! Bakit hindi ka nagsasalita?" I told him to speak up. "Prove them that you're not guilty! And that you're not capable of doing such things!" +My voice almost broke, sobrang bigat naman nito. Alam kong hindi ito gagawin ni Dad eh! Napaka-bait niyang Tatay, he doesn't deserve to be accused like this.

"Sir, hinding hindi po 'yan kaya gawin ng tatay ko," pakikiusap ko sa pulis. "Hindi po ganoong tao ang tatay ko, please po—"

"Jordyn, stop it, anak," he said. "Oo, inaamin ko.. I came to Lux's condo unit with the motive to kill her—"

"What?!" sumigaw si Tita. Shit, dahil sa tatay ko madadamay pa Mom ng girlfriend ko? This stress is not good for her. Kakainin ako ng konsensya ko kapag may nangyaring masama kay Tita dahil sa Dad ko.

"Dad.." I cried. Tuluyan nang tumulo ang mga luha ko.

After a few minutes ay umalis na si Kairo at napasigaw kaming lahat nang mahimatay si Tita Kia. Agad kaming nagmadali at dinala namin siya sa Ospital.

"W-We lost the baby, Kai," Tita cried as she caressed Kairo's face.. "I had a miscarriage."

Tangina, hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Kahit hindi ko kaano ano si Tita Kia, tinuring niya pa rin akong pamilya. She doesn't deserve this... Tita I'm so sorry.

Dinala na si Tita sa operating room to take out the fetus. Kami namanni Hiara ay bumaba sa canteen para bumili ng pagkain. "Hey, are you okay, babe?" tanong niya sa akin at naiyak na lang ako at sumandal sa kanyang balikat.

"Shh, everything will be okay. I know Tito Theo is innocent." she comforted me at tumahan naman na ako. Pero hindi pa din ako kalmado. Hindi ko alam kung ano na ang gagawin ko if ever na si Daddy nga ang gumawa ng krimen.

Yung relationship namin ang maapektohan dahil si Hiara ay anak ni Tita Kia na kaibigan ang Dad ko. Tita Kia hates my Dad right now, so I think it would be best if I break up with her para hindi masyado magka-issue sa pamilya namin.

Oo, napaka-selfless ko. I had to let go all the people I really loved for their sake.

Babalik na sana kami sa hospital room nang marinig namin na sinuntok ni Tito Ashler si Kairo. What the hell is going on? Hindi nga nila napansin na naroon na kami nakatayo at pinapanood sila eh.

We listened... until I found out na inutusan ni Tito Ashler si Daddy para patayin si Tita Lux... Pero hindi naman nangyari 'yon. But he was about to? Muli tumulo ang aking mga luha. Tito was about to punch Kai again when he spoke.

"Punch me again and I'll tell my Mom that you were involved too. I'm sure if she hears about that you'll end up having a divorce with her." He's too intimidating, kahit ako luluhod ako at magsosorry sa kanya eh.

That's what I loved about him noon, he actually doesn't need anyone to protect him. He's been independent but loves to protect the people he loves.

"Kairo, hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan mo pang sumawsaw sa ginagawa namin." Kairo chuckled sarcastically after what Tito Ashler said. "Matanda na ko, Dad. Panganay niyo 'ko. I deserve to know everything, kasi responsibilidad kong protektahan si Mommy pati si Hiara. Okay lang kung ako ang maka-alam tungkol dito. Pero kapag nalaman 'yon ni Hiara and Mom... masasaktan sila." sagot nito sa kanya.

Natahimik naman sila at di ko na kayang manahimik. Nalaglag ang hawak ko sa aking tubig at tuluyan nang umiyak.

Buo na ang desisyon ko sa aking kaisipan. I have to leave this City. I want to go back to Mom, I have to break up with Hiara... for the both of us.

"Let's break up Hiara, hindi ko kaya ang komplikadong buhay na 'to." sabi ko sa kanya but she cried and knelt down.

"Don't leave please... just this once I want someone to stay.. with me." she said as the tears slowly fell to her cheek.

"Hiara..I love you. But it's for the best... we can't stay in this relationship that would break us both." I said at nagpakita naman si Kairo sa likod ni Hiara.

"Pakawalan mo na si Jordyn, Hiara." he said in a monotone pero ayaw pa rin bumitiw ni Hiara sa pagkakahawak sa akin. Tangina... don't make this hard for the both of us, mahal.

"Ayaw ko kuya! Mahal ko siya. I don't see any problem continuing our relationship." Hiara told her brother pero napikon ito.

"She's my fucking ex, Hiara!" Sigaw nito at pati ako nagulat. Tiningnan naman ako ni Hiara. "Totoo ba?"

Tumango naman ako. "Oo... we were.. p-past lovers." my voice broke. Lumuwag ang kapit niya sa'kin kaya pinaalis na ako ni Kairo.

Pagkauwi ko sa dorm ay agad ko namang tinawagan si Mommy.

"Hello? Mom, I'm leaving Manila at babalik ako dyaan sa'yo. I have no... time to explain. Just expect me to arrive there. I love you." before she even responded agad kong binaba ang tawag at nagsimula nang mag impake.

Kahit tumutulo ang luha ko at nanghihina ako ay patuloy pa rin ako nag-aayos ng gamit.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagaayos nang may kumatok. I opened it and I saw Kai. He looked... tired. Pumasok siya sa loob at nanginig naman ang kamay ko.

"Hold me, Kai... please." I told him and he did not think twice to hug me. Kinakalma niya ako which is a good thing. I never felt this comfort with somebody else. Iba talaga ang impact ni Kairo sa akin. God, I thought I was over him but everytime we touch or I talk to him... he's still the one that my heart wants.

Believe me, I really did love Hiara. But Kairo is different. I loved him too much and I still do.

"Where are you going?" he asked at pinunasan niya ang luha ko.

"I'm going back to live with my Mom. Sa probinsya ko na itutuloy ang pagaaral ko." I smiled weakly. Hinawakan niya naman ang kamay ko.

"If I ask you to stay, will you?" He asked me with his questioning eyes. Damn, if he says something that could make me stay... I would probably do so.

"Give me one good reason to stay." I told him. Sabihin mong mahal mo pa rin ako mananatili ako, Kairo.

"You're still... important to me." He answered and I was disappointed. I bit my lip and looked away. "That's still not good enough—"

His lips crashed into mine and it felt good. I missed this.

We bid our goodbyes and it made me really sad.

Let's pursue each of our dreams individually, Kairo. Be the best businessman on the planet. I'm already so proud of who you've become.