Wearing a floor-length satin gown, I smiled at my reflection, once again proud of what I did. Ngayon ang private art exhibit na pupuntahan namin ni Martell at kasalukuyan akong naghihintay sa kaniya dahil susunduin niya raw ako para sabay kaming pupunta roon.

The whole week that I haven't been going to the gym, I spent my after school-hours in making my outfit for tonight's event. It was a simple backless gown in dark blue. I specifically chose that color because I thought it would flatter my light complexion. And since it was backless, I styled my hair into a messy braided bun just to flaunt some skin.

I went to my closet and took one of my favorite pair of heels, the black YSL with small rhinestones on the lining of its heels and straps. It was a present from my friends and mama Celestina when I gained one million subscribers in YouTube. Anila, minsan lang daw iyon nangyayari kaya dapat may regalo sila sa akin.

Napangiti ako sa natandaan, biglang na-miss ang mga kaibigan at si mama. Naputol lang ang pag-iisip-isip ko nang narinig ang doorbell. Sigurado akong si Martell na 'to.

"Hey..." bati niya at pasimple akong sinuri. Ganoon din ang ginawa ko sa kaniya at hindi ko mapigilang mamangha sa nakikita.

Kung gwapo na nga siya kahit naka-simpleng shirt at pants lang, ano pa kaya ngayong naka-ayos ito ng husto?

As expected since tonight's event is a formal one, he was wearing a tuxedo. It was dark blue in color which I'm assuming is his favorite color. Everything in his look for tonight suits him really well— from the his formal wear to his usual coiffed hair. He looked so dashing and regal in the most ethereal way.

Now that I got to examine him this close, my thoughts of him being this "angelic and perfect piece of art kinda man" were back in my mind once again. And I'm not mistaken.

"So, how do I look?" I teasingly asked. Tapos na akong pagmasdan siya kaya pwede na akong manukso.

"Enthralling," he answered in almost a whisper.

I chuckled, "Well, you look enthralling yourself, Martell."

He smiled and at my words and licked his lips before averting his gaze to side. Kinuha ko ang purse sa loob at saka kami lumabas ng apartment.

His car was waiting for us outside and to my surprise, it wasn't his black SUV that I usually saw him use. This time, it was a blue McLaren sports car.

"Sleek car," I complimented before getting in.

"It's a gift," maikli niyang sagot bago sinarado ang pinto ng sasakyan.

"Sinong nag-gift at magpapaampon ako," I joked.

He started the engine and chuckled on what I said. "So you want to be my sibling? Please don't."

Oh! So galing sa kapatid niya. Sayang!

"How about the yacht? Sinong may-ari niyon at liligawan ko," biro ko ulit.

Sumulyap siya sa akin at sumilay ang ngisi sa kaniyang bibig. Pailing-iling pa siya bago sumagot.

"So you'll court me then, huh?"

Damn! Sa kaniya din iyon?!

"Damn! Si Daniel Padilla kaba? Kasi nasa iyo na ang lahat," biro ko na ikinatawa naman niya.

"So, anong klaseng panliligaw ba ang gusto mo? Usual flowers and chocolate? Sweet good morning and late night messages? Poetry? Gagawan na ba kita ng kanta? O ano?"

Imbes na sumagot, tumawa lang ulit ang loko.

"Napansin ko lang ha? Noong isang araw ka pa patawa-tawa sa mga sinasabi ko," puna ko sabay nguso. "Sa ganda kong 'to, clown pa ang tingin mo sa akin?"

Lalo siyang tumawa dahil sa narinig. "Ah, too much endorphins released."

"Wow, smart jokes." Ako naman ngayon ang natawa dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. "You know you could've just said that I'm your happy pill, dude."

"Maybe you are, Axyne," walang pag-aalinlangan niyang sagot at saka sumulyap sa akin.

Bago pa ako makapagsagot, huminto na ang sasakyan niya at nauna na siyang lumabas. Hindi ko pa ma-process ang kaniyang sinabi kaya sandali akong tulala hanggang sa pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto.

Tulala akong naglakad at sinunod lang si Martell. Hindi pa nakatulong na nakita ko sa 'di kalayuan si Marga kaya natandaan ko na naman ang nakakalitong pag-uusap namin noong nakaraan. It was about the yogurts I posted on my Instagram story in which I tagged her.

@ladymarga:

sizzums it's so weird cuz I just checked the fridge and the ones u have are the same like the ones kuya bought for me

Nalito ako sa kaniyang reply. Ba't parang gulat na gulat siya eh sa kaniya naman galing ang mga yogurts na binigay ng kapatid niya?

@ladymarga:

what sorcery is this?

Hindi ko alam ang isasagot sa kaibigan kaya paulit-ulit ko munang binasa ang kaniyang messages. Baka kasi low in reading comprehension lang ako.

Nang napagtanto na hindi naman ako nababaliw at tama talaga ang pagkakabasa at pagkakaintindi ko ng messages niya, magtatanong na sana ako. Ngunit bago ko pa iyon magawa, niremove niya na ang mga messages.

@ladymarga:

omggg sorry siz medj lutang ako ngayon. i asked kuya pala to buy some yogurts for u na rin cuz I know u luv them hihi ur welcome ;)

Okay? That's weird.

Kahit naguguluhan, hindi ko na lang inisip ang mga iyon at nagpasalamat na lang ulit sa kaniya. Kahit ayaw ko mang bigyan iyon ng pansin, hindi ko talaga nakaya at patuloy na inisip iyon.

My assumera self is obviously rejoicing and has been whispering some wild assumptions. What if daw kay Martell naman galing ang mga iyon at dinahilan lang na galing sa kapatid niya. Pero... ba't niya naman ako bibigyan ng yogurts? At kung galing nga sa kaniya iyon, ba't hindi niya na lang sinabi na binili niya ang mga iyon para sa akin?

"Linked arms and both wearing the same color—" Nabalik ako sa wisyo nang biglang nagsalita si Marga na kaharap na pala namin. "—are you guys dating? Or a couple? Or something?"

Her eyes sparked with mischief but immediately went back to its innocent-like state. May bahid ng nakakatuksong ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi at parang may kung ano-anong kababalaghan siyang iniisip.

"Huh?" Nalilito kong sagot. In fairness sa magkapatid na ito, isang linggo na akong nalilito dahil sa kanila.

Her eyes dropped to my arm which my eyes also followed, then realizing what she meant. Naka-angkla ang mga kamay namin ni Martell!

Kaya pala kahit nasa kung saan-saan ang atensyon ko kanina, hindi ako naligaw o ano dahil hawak-hawak pala namin ang isa't-isa!

Bago pa may makasagot sa amin ni Martell at bago ko pa mailayo ang sarili, nagsidatingan sina Gabriello at Martini na sumipol pa nang makita kami. They, too, looked amused that my hand and Martell's are linked.

"Damn, cousin bro! Are you a scalar quantity?" Ani Gabriello at inakbayan pa kaming dalawa kaya ang ulo niya ay nasa gitna ng mga ulo namin ni Martell. "Cuz you're speed!"

The second smart joke I heard tonight.

"Dapat vector!" Ani Marga na mukhang nainsulto sa sinabi ng pinsan. "Kasi—"

"—May patutunguhan?" Patanong na sagot ni Martini at ng isa pang boses mula sa likuran namin na sa tingin ko naman ay si Orion.

Tama nga ako at si Orion iyon. Katulad ng iba, nakangisi rin ito at umiling-iling nang makita kami.

Kahit feel na feel ko naman ang mga panunukso nila, inilayo ko ang brasong nakaangkla sa kaniya. Baka kung ano pa ang isipin nila at lumayo pa si Martell sa akin. At isa pa, hindi ko nga alam kung bakit nakaangkla ang mga kamay namin.

Sabay kaming pumasok sa malaking gallery kung saan gaganapin ang exhibit. Ang maganda lang dito maliban siyempre sa mga artworks ay dahil may nakalaang isa pang room kung saan pwedeng kumain. Hindi heavy meals ang sine-serve kundi puro mga cocktails at finger foods lang.

Naglibot-libot kami at mga isang oras din yata bago kami pumunta sa cocktail room. We were at the midst of eating and chatting when a girl approached our table.

Matangkad, hanggang baywang ang buhok, matangos ang ilong, maputi, nakaarko ang kilay at mukhang masungit. Ilang beses ko siyang pinagmasdan dahil sa hindi malamang kadahilan, napapamilyaran ko siya o 'di kaya'y may kakilala ako na kamukha niya.

"Axyne," tawag ni Martell sabay baling sa akin. "This is Gretchen—"

"—the one and only gorgeous bestie of Martell," pagpapatuloy ng babaeng si Gretchen daw at niyakap si Martell sa tagiliran.

Nginitian ko siya bago nakipagkamayan sa kaniya. Mukhang magkakilala na silang lahat maliban sa akin kaya ako na lang ang pinakilala.

Binalingan ko ang mga kasama at nakita silang tutok na tutok sa amin ni Gretchen. Mukha silang naguguluhan at namamangha.

"Can you two move closer to each other and put on a stoic face," utos ni Marga na agad naman naming sinunod kahit na nalilito pa ako. Si Gretchen naman, mukhang hindi na nagulat at inaasahan na na mangyayari ito.

Mga ilang segundo kami nilang pinagmasdan hanggang sa napasinghap si Marga.

"You two look alike!"

Napatingin ako sa katabi at napaatras dahil sa gulat. Kaya pala naisip ko na pamilyar ang mukha niya dahil magkahawig kami. I just realized that the features I pointed out in my mind were all the same as mine's!

We were as tall as each other, my hair was as straight and as long as hers, and the more I look at her, the more features I could point out that resemble mine's!

What's even more surprising is that both our hairs are of the same color. I was naturally born with ash brown hair with few streaks of lighter hues. Hindi ako kailanman nagpakulay ng buhok pero hindi ko lang alam sa babaeng 'to. Baka kasi nagkataon lang na pareho kami ng buhok at ng iilang katangian.

"We're not twins," aniya kaya ang boses niya naman ngayon ang napansin ko. Her voice was thin and grating. May kung ano sa tono ng pananalita niya na mukhang nanunukso at nang-iirita kahit seryoso naman siya.

"Anyways, how are you dear bestie?" Gretchen waved her hand dismissively before turning all her attention to Martell. Ipinalibot niya ang braso sa baywang ni Martell at sumandal sa dibdib nito. Si Martell naman ay hinaplos ang kaniyang buhok ngunit ang mga mata ay nasa akin.

Parang may sariling mundo ang dalawa kaya si Marga na lang ang kinausap ko. Mukhang sanay na sila sa pagiging malapit nina Gretchen at Martell at ako lang yata ang naninibago.

"Don't worry, they're just friends," bulong ni Marga. "Trust me on this one."

"Ba't naman ako mababahala?" Itinagilid ko ang ulo at tinaasan siya ng kilay ngunit ngumisi lang ang loka.

"Hmmm... wala naman," aniya at sumimsim sa inumin. "Share ko lang."

Napatingin ulit ako sa kanilang dalawa at nakitang nagtatawanan sila. May tumawag sa magpipinsan kaya naiwan kami ni Gretchen.

"So are you guys dating? He's not telling me anything kasi, eh," ani Gretchen at tinuon ang buong pansin sa akin. "You know we used to call each other a lot but then we got so busy kaya we text paminsan-minsan na lang."

Share mo lang? Anang isang bahagi ng isipan ko.

"Uhh... we don't have a thing," sagot ko. Hindi ko nga alam kung ano kaming dalawa eh. Gym mates? Acquaintance? My friend's brother?

"Really?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay at hindi ko mapigilang makita ang sarili sa kaniya. "There's something kasi with the way the two of you act eh... but I dunno, I might be wrong."

Napatango na lang ako dahil hindi ko na alam ang isasagot. Hindi ko nga inasahan na kakausapin niya ako eh.

"But ano ha, piece of advice, be careful if you don't want your heart broken." I could hear the sincerity in her voice but it was really annoying to listen to. It was like she's trying to get into my nerves but at the same time I also feel like that is just how she speaks. Parang pabebe na conyo.

"I heard kasi na his ex is back," aniya at parang close friend kami kung makapagchikka. "You know that girl, Irene? She's a model daw but I'm not really interested with her so even when the two of them were dating, I didn't ask much. Plus, I didn't like her vibe cuz she's like... I don't know... I just don't like her..."

Napangisi ako sa narinig, "Don't worry, ganiyan din ako minsan."

She smirked back. "So as I was saying, be careful cuz Martell might be just using you to make his ex back off but—"napatingin siya sa likuran ko at kumaway-kaway. "—Be right back, sis. Someone's calling me."

At dahil doon, naiwan akong mag-isa at napaisip sa kaniyang sinabi. Totoo man iyon o hindi, wala akong pakialam. I'm enjoying the perks of being with Martell and as long as I'm not developing some deep feelings that could turn into something else, I'm safe.

"Hey..." Anang isang boses sa tabi ko. Napatingin ako kay Martell na nakangiti ngunit may kung ano sa mga ngiti niya na nagsasabi na kabaliktaran ang nararamdaman niya.

"You look... worried," puna ko at seryoso siyang tinitigan. "You okay?"

Napakagat-labi siya at saglit na tumingin sa baba bago mas lumapit sa akin. "Just some news we've been dreading," maikli niyang sagot bago pabirong ginulo ang buhok ko. "But wow, can't believe you can be this serious."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Nice way to ruin the moment!

"Siyempre seryoso ako sayo," I replied in a teasing tone with a wink. I was hoping he'd cheer up and he did. Mas lumiwanag ang kaniyang mga mata at sandaling nawala ang pagkabahala.

Napailing-iling siya sa narinig at mukhang pinipigilan lang ang sarili na tumawa. "It's about our grandfather who got hospitalized," he shared yet his smile didn't falter.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked.

Umiling siya at napatingin sa kung saan.

"Where are your cousins and siblings?" I changed the topic.

He smirked and pointed at the door. And there he was, Gabriello exiting with a girl. He then gestured to the dessert area where Orion was conversing with two ladies. Martini was there as well but he was busy with Milena who I think had just arrived. They looked like they were bickering and Martini was all out in annoying her.

"Oh..." napailing-iling na lang ako sa mga nakita. Looks like they all have different ways in escaping, huh?

"Well... I think there's something we could do that would help you forget," I whispered in a low voice, my lips forming into a smirk. I raised a brow and he did the same, his eyes not leaving me.

"Oh yeah?" He leaned towards me and I did the same. I could smell and feel his breath on my face.

We both stayed like that for a while until we weren't able to stifle our laughs. Humalakhak kami sa ginawa at patuloy lang na tinukso-tukso ang isa't-isa.

"But hey, I'm going to the spa tomorrow. You could come if you want," pag-aya ko.

"Okay, I'm in," walang pag-aalinlangan niyang sagot. We stayed at the exhibit until it started raining. Though wala namang problema dahil may sasakyan naman, napagdesisyunan naming umuwi na lang.

Nagpaalam kami sa mga kasama at pati na rin kay Gretchen na isa pala sa mga artists ng mga gawa rito sa exhibit.

"Are you hungry?" He asked when we passed by a fast-food chain. Nagngiting aso ako sa kaniya, nahihiyang umuo.

He took my silence as a "yes" and drove back to KFC. We both ordered some rice meals, fries, and an ice cream. Ako sana ang maglilibre kaso inunahan niya ako sa pag-abot ng pambayad.

"Andami ko nang utang sa'yo," sabi ko at kinuha ang mga pinamili at saka kinandong ang mga iyon. Ang pangit naman siguro na siya na ang nagda-drive tapos siya pa ang maghahawak ng mga pagkain.

Hindi siya sumagot at sumulyap lang sa akin sabay ngiti. He reached for the top of my head and messed with my hair again.

Isa pang paggulo ng buhok ko at iisipin ko na talaga na aso ang paningin niya sa akin.

"You can eat now," aniya at sumulyap ulit sa akin.

"Huh?" Gulat kong tanong. "You don't mind if someone eats in your car?"

"You didn't eat much earlier. You drank more champagne than eat."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa narinig. He didn't answer my question but I appreciate the thought. Gustohin ko mang kumain, ayaw ko namang maging abusado at kumain talaga rito. Baka kung ano pa ang mangyari at madumihan ko ang sasakyan niya.

Nginitian ko na lang siya at umiling. I assured him that I'm not that hungry and I could wait. Pero noong nag-red lights, kinuha niya ang tinake-out namin at binuksan iyon. He took one pack of chicken and rice meal then opened it before handing it to me.

"Don't tell me you want me to feed you?" He said in a playful tone but I knew that he wasn't bluffing.

I took my food from him and started eating in the most careful way possible. Buti na lang at hindi ako kumakain ng gravy kaya mas nakampante ako na walang matatapon na kung anong pagkain sa sasakyan niya.

Nag-green lights na kaya mas naging maingat ako sa pagkain. Malayo-layo pa ang apartment ko dahil hindi kami dumaan sa shortcut katulad kanina kaya kahit mabagal akong kakain, mauubos ko pa rin naman ito bago kami dumating.

"You don't eat chicken skin?" Ani Martell sabay sulyap sa akin.

Napatingin ako sa chicken skin na hiniwalay ko sa kinakain sabay iling. "You want this?"

Though his eyes were still on the road, he nodded. I took the chicken skin and fed it to him. It was until he gave me a subtle surprised look when I realized what I did. I pretended to be oblivious and just continued feeding him the chicken skin.

"Gusto mong subuan kita?" Pag-alok ko. Kahit hindi niya sinasabi, alam kong nagugutom na rin siya.

Hindi siya sumagot kaya para malaman kung gusto niya nga bang kumain, sinubuan ko siya. Binuksan niya ang bibig at saka nagpasubo sa akin.

Iyon ang ginawa namin hanggang sa naubos ang pagkain ko. Ngayon ko lang din napagtanto na iisang kutsara lang pala ang ginagamit namin.

"What's with that look?" He asked and glanced at me. I averted my eyes to the side and pretended to busy myself with my nails. "Aren't you gonna feed me?"

"Huh?" Natataranta kong tanong at dali-daling binuksan ang isa pang box ng rice meal. "I... uh... forgot to do something awhile ago."

Huminto ulit ang sasakyan dahil nag-red lights. Nagtataka siyang napatingin sa akin at iginaya pa ang kamay ko sa bibig niya para makakain siya. "This is delicious."

Siyempre, may laway ko 'yan eh!

"We've been sharing the same utensils," I admitted. I bit my lips, waiting for his reaction.

But instead of answering me, he just shrugged and took the utensils from me. Tulala ko siyang tinitigan hanggang sa ako naman ang kaniyang sinubuan.

Napatingin ako sa kutsarang hawak niya bago iyon sinubo. He even opened the bottled water and made me drink it.

Patuloy siyang nag-drive at ako naman ay patuloy siyang sinusubuan habang kumakain din. Nang maubos ang pagkain, ang ice cream naman ang kinain namin. At dahil isa lang iyon, hinati rin iyon namin.

I observed Martell while driving. He looked so serious at what he was doing. He was also silent the whole time and it made me think that his mind might be occupied with his grandfather.

I wanted to talk to him or say something that would assure that he's okay but I stopped myself. I didn't want to overstep so I just continued keeping an eye on him.

Dahil sa katititig sa kaniya, napansin ko rin na sobrang bagal ng pagpapatakbo niya. Sports car ang dala niya pero parang pagong naman ang takbo.

Wala na lang akong sinabi dahil baka isipin pa niyang nagrereklamo ako. At isa pa, mas mabuti ngang mabagal ang pagpapatakbo niya dahil una, mas safe, pangalawa, mas matagal ko siyang makakasama.

"So where are we going tomorrow?" He asked, then stopping the engine of his car on the parking lot of my apartment.

"Spa," nakangiti kong sagot. Just the thought of going to the spa and have my self-care day excites me. Ano pa kaya ngayong kasama kami ni Martell. "I'll treat you to a mani-pedi sesh, massage, and maybe a facial."

He leaned on the steering wheel and didn't answer. He only looked at me as I enthusiastically shared my plans for tomorrow.

"What?" I asked, a bit conscious with his stares. "You're okay with what I said?"

"Mhmm," aniya at patuloy lang akong tinitigan.

Tumingin ako pabalik ngunit pagkalipas ng ilang sandali, umiwas din ako ng tingin dahil hindi ko kinaya ang intensidad ng kaniyang pagtitig. May kung ano sa kaniyang mga mata na mukhang binabasa ang buong pagkatao ko. Hindi pa nakatulong ang pagdoble ng bilis ng puso ko. Kung hindi ko iniwas ang tingin, nahimatay na siguro ako.

"I'm going now," I said, breaking the silence and glanced at him.

He brought his hand to my face. I flinched when his thumb made contact with the side of my lips, then feeling his finger gently brush something off from my face.

My heart was already racing inside my chest. But because of what he did, it intensified even more that I started to get worried.

"Thank you for tonight," I said nonchalantly but with a smile, as if I wasn't affected by his touch and stares; as if I didn't care. "I'll make it up to you tomorrow."

His lips formed into a small yet genuine smile. "Good night, Axyne."

My night is definitely good! And it's because of you!

I opened the door but before I stepped out, I faced him again and winked, then giving him a flying kiss which he playfully caught.

Tuluyan na akong nakalabas at doon ko lang din hinayaan ang sarili na ngumiti. He waited for me to go inside the building before leaving while I waited for his car to leave before going to my floor.

Kagat-kagat ko ang labi buong oras na naghahanda ako para matulog. What happened earlier kept replaying on my mind. I don't even know why he has this effect on me but I'm not complaining!

This weird yet great feeling on my chest was bringing some good vibes to my system. Kahit pagod ako dahil ilang oras din akong nakatayo kanina at naka-heels pa, parang wala lang iyon dahil sa mga naiisip.

I covered myself with the comforter, then taking Nana, my teddy bear to my chest and hugged her tightly. I really wanted to sleep since I'm also looking forward for tomorrow but the image of Martell in my mind didn't permit.

Mukhang nababaliw na yata talaga ako dahil may parte na sa isipan ko na nagsasabi na kausapin ko si Nana. Gusto kong magkuwento para mailabas ang mga damdaming hindi ko mapangalanan ngunit wala akong ibang maisip kundi ang mga kaibigan.

And against my better judgment, I took my phone and went to our group chat, then sharing to my friends everything that happened.

I had fun sharing to them. I suddenly felt like I was back to my elementary days where my friends and I would engage in our usual boytalks.

But it only took one message that made me worry yet giddy at the same time. A surge of overwhelming rush enveloped my chest and I had to close my eyes to savor such strange... feeling? Emotions? I don't know what it was but it was definitely something I never had before.

I read the message again, then realizing that I might—no, not me but my heart—is at stake.

London:

You got struck by cupid's arrow. Good luck!

I'm not sure if I should be happy or wary because of my friend's message. But I definitely do need that good luck.