Mga hikbi ni Sue ang nanaig sa kwarto. Ang hilingin na sana'y nagkamali ako ng rinig ay huli na. From how her moist eyes shied away from me and Wilmer's anger, it was a surefire sight that I heard him all right.

I didn't have to ask the questions. Paliwanag ang kailangan ko mula sa dalawa. My mind treaded back to our high school days, trying to trace some proof regarding these two. Ganoon sila kagaling maglihim?

Dean's arm slithered around my slim waist. Kaagad sumunod ang mainit niyang hininga nang bumulong sa aking tenga.

"Ruth, let them talk in private first."

I fought the shiver it brought to my skin and braved my way into his stare. His green slits were deliberate and cautious while mine already has the accusation.

"Let them sort this out then you talk to them after."

I stared at him longer than necessary. How could he let other people have their matters fixed when he wouldn't even allow to settle ours?

Sa muli kong pagbaling sa dalawa ay hindi na sila makatingin sa akin. I started to understand their need for privacy the second I saw their reactions. Wilmer was glaring on the floor while setting his muscled arms akimbo. Si Sue na humihikbi pa rin ay niyayakap ang sarili.

Binitawan ko ang doorknob at lumabas ng kuwarto. Sinara ni Dean ang pinto.

"You look mad," aniya. The loud pounding of his footfalls declared how near he was behind me.

Umikot ako upang maharap siya. Mukha pa siyang nagulat at agad na huminto.

"You knew," I stated.

Hindi iyon tanong ngunit simple siyang umiling.

"How come? He's your bestfriend."

Nag-angat siya ng kilay. "And how come to you, too. She's your sister."

Uminit ang pisngi ko at nag-iwas ng tingin dahil sa hiya.

Huminga ako nang malalim at binagsak ang sarili sa sofa. Mabilis akong hinagkan ng pagod at balak ko na sanang magpahinga. But resting was just the expectation while I was on my way here. Confronting all of these was the reality.

Tiningala ko ang kwartong pinag-iwanan ko sa dalawa. I heard murmurs and slight raise of voices. Muntik na akong sumugod doon nang makarinig ng pagbagsak ng mga gamit. Nagtama ang paningin namin ni Dean.

"Si Arrow?" tanong ko.

"With Skylar. Nasa music room."

"May media sa baba," agap ko, hindi na nagpaligoy-ligoy. "Siguro gustong klaruhin ang nakita nila sa mall. It's all over the social media now, Dean."

He didn't seem bothered. Ang salubong niyang kilay ay hindi ko alam ang ibig sabihin.

"You're worried," He simply stated. And he sounded so relaxed at that!

"Of course, I'm worried!"

"For what? Let them know about us."

How could he say something like that given our situation? Hindi porke't nagpapansinan kami ay maayos na ang lahat. We're all pending cases of an unfinished business in here.

"Paano magkakaroon ng tayo? Our issue is still up in the air because you still don't want me to start talking about it. You don't want to listen. So, what is there for us to have an 'us', Dean?" diin ko.

His nature colored eyes were violently wiped out by the hurricane that has claimed his rude being. The sharp stare reminded me of the lines and bolt of lightning. Hinila niya ang sarili at marahas na inilapit ang kanyang mukha. He was up for a challenge. His jaw indicated it as it clenched.

Tinukod niya ang isang kamay sa backrest ng sofa at mas tinakot pa ako sa lalong paglapit ng mukha niya. If he's expecting me to cower in fear, then he'd be monumentally disappointed. Totoo naman kasi ang sinabi ko kaya hindi ko iyon aatrasan.

"You kissed me. You set your territory on me." His tone has a warning edge.

"That's for Jillian's lesson and for the music video," mas kalmado pa sa ambon kong tugon.

His irritation got promoted into anger. Hindi ko pa rin magawang matakot. I found myself in a weird place asking myself why I even find him more attractive when angry. Sa halip na matakot ay iba ang gusto kong gawin sa kanya. Gusto ko pa siyang galitin at iba pa!

"I don't entertain meaningless kisses, Ruthzielle. My lips don't allow that." His whisper was razor-edge. "Tangina, umasa ako sa halik na iyon!"

A door opened at the tail end of Dean's hysterics. Sabay kaming lumingon sa taas at natunghayan ang unang paglabas ni Sue kasunod si Wilmer.

Mula rito sa baba, halata ang pamumugto ng mga mata ng kapatid ko. Ngunit wala nang lungkot doon, taliwas sa nakita ko kanina. Wilmer has the same cold and wicked expression. Sinundan namin ng tingin ang tahimik nilang pagbaba.

Nilingon ko si Dean na hindi pa pinapakawalan ng galit sa naging usapan namin. His brows met and his thin lips were shut so tightly. I wasn't sure how to leave that conversation without encouraging an argument with him. Kaya naman isang gantimpala ang paglabas ng dalawa na ngayo'y nakaupo na sa Cleopatra sofa sa aming harapan.

"So?" Hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa.

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Bumuntong-hininga si Dean sa tabi ko at saka tinukod ang mga braso sa hita. Nagsalikop ang mga kamay niya sa gitna ng mga tuhod.

"What d'you wanna know? How we made the kid or how did we happen?" panimula ni Wilmer. "I'm sure you don't want me to answer the first one, Ruth."

Muntik ko na siyang lapitan para lang masapak! Hinawakan ni Sue ang braso niya para pigilan at ganoon din si Dean na sa hita ko naman kumapit.

"Wilmer," banta ni Dean.

Binalingan siya ng kaibigan at nagkibit. Habang ilap pa rin ang mga mata ng kapatid ko sa akin.

"Suzanne," udyok ko sa kanya.

Agad niyang nakuha ang gusto kong mangyari nang siya ay umimik.

"Ayaw mo kasi akong payagan noon kaya..." Yumuko siya't naiilang na kinagat ang labi.

"Kaya palihim kayong nagkikita?" dugtong ko.

Tumango siya at mas nagsusumiksik pa sa inuupuan. Wilmer released my sister's hand only to reconnect it on her waist and pulled her closer to him.

Umiiling akong nag-iwas ng tingin na hindi sadyang naibaling kay Dean. Tutok na tutok rin siya sa dalawa. Sa salikop niyang mga kamay, pinaglalaruan ng mga hinlalaki nito ang kanyang labi. His head slowly bobbed up and down as he played while seemingly to be in deep contemplation.

"You didn't tell me, Will," he said.

"I trust you, man. But I don't think you can keep this secret, not especially from her." Sabay baling sa akin na parang kasalanan ko pa.

Dean turned to me and nodded. "Point taken."

I fell silent for a while. Kung nasa isang reality show lang kami, baka nanguna na kami sa ratings. Teen mom seven years ago has finally reunited with the baby daddy: The Ice Prince of The Metaphoricals. This would be a big news given Wilmer's reputation as the dangerously good looking bass player of the band. Pumapangalawa siya kay Dean sa fame status at baka papantay pa nga kapag sumabog ang balita sa madla.

Matalim ko siyang tinitigan sa nag-iinit kong mukha. How could this man have hated me all the while setting his sights on my sister, was never in my list of expected realities.

"She was fifteen, Wilmer..." Hindi ko alam ang idudugtong. As long as shock streamed in my blood, my thoughts went into a total clusterfuck.

Nagyuko siya ng ulo at hindi ako matignan. Tila ba'y ngayon lang ito napagtanto at gusto nang pagsisihan.

Noon ko pa ito gustong gawin sa araw na nalaman ko ang pagbubuntis ni Sue. Probably, like what other mothers would have done, I would confront the guy, the father of my sister's child. Ngunit wala nang magagawa ang sisihan dahil lumalaki na rin naman ang bata. Arrow is a blessing. His existence indemnified the holes done by our family's predicament. He makes our father happy. Sue changed for the better to maturity, so I wouldn't treat this like I want them to regret what they have done.

"But you hate me to the depths, tapos inanakan mo ang kapatid ko. Ano 'to, Wilmer, gaguhan?"

Humigpit ang kamay ni Dean sa hita ko.

"Ate..."

"I was in love with her throughout high school."

"Oh my God..." Nasapo ko ang noo ko.

Being also at seventeen then, I wasn't the one to judge Wilmer. What would that make me when I'd been in the same route as him and so as with our age? Iba nga lang ang paraan niya. I didn't know if that's immaturity on his part. O sadyang labis lang talaga ang nararamdaman niya para sa kapatid ko na binalewala na niya ang mga edad nila.

And with their age, along with the consequences from their juvenile decisions, led them to Sue's early pregnancy.

"Ilang beses kayong nagkikita nang palihim noon?"

"I lost count. We always meet since we went to the same school."

"Who knew about you two?"

"No one. But Cash caught us one time at the back of the freshmen building. Walang rumors, so I guess he never told anyone."

"Caught you two what? Doing it? At the back of—"

"Kumain lang kami ng lunch! Ate naman..." si Sue na pulang-pula na ang pisngi, kumapit sa braso ng katabi.

My eyes narrowed at the both of them.

"You can't blame me, Sue. You were sexually active at the age of fifteen. I have not even tried second or third base! While you've already bagged a homerun? Hiyang-hiya naman ako sa 'yo!"

Feeling Dean's shoulder shaking made me turn to him. Tahimik nga itong tumatawa at namumula ang tainga at leeg.

"Walang nakakatawa, Dean!" I snapped. Bumaling muli ako kay Wilmer na nahuli kong kabulungan ang kapatid ko. "So, ikaw si Kean?"

Tumuwid siya ng upo at pormal na tumango. "Wilmer Kean Rivero. Yeah, that's my name."

Yeah, and I was mind fucked. Sinuyod ko pa noon ang buong corridor para sa Kean na 'to! Si Wilmer lang pala. These guys should work as spies. They could make great money from it. Ang lakas maka-ninja kung makapaglihim ng relasyon!

"Have you been in a relationship with another woman or women aside from my sister? Sa galing niyong magtago ay baka may lihim ka ring nakarelasyon, Wilmer."

He recoiled. "Bakit ako lang ang tinatanong mo?"

"Basta ako wala," agap ni Sue at kinalas ang kamay sa braso ng katabi. Taas noo siyang umiwas kay Wilmer.

Sa naging tanong ko ay napagtanto rin yata niya na dapat pagdudahan iyon. Sabay nilang nilingon ang isa't isa at nang magtama ang paningin, mabilis ring nag-iwasan.

"You're my witness, Ate Ruth. Ilap na ako sa mga manliligaw. A teen mom like me, I highly doubt a guy would take up the responsibility of an available woman with a six-year-old kid."

Binalingan ko si Wilmer. "Ngayon alam mo na kung bakit ikaw lang ang tinanong ko."

He sighed. May pagsuko sa mukha kaakibat ang pag-intindi.

"Wala. Never..." I heard his heartfelt whisper on the last word.

Kita ko ang pagnguso ni Sue at ang pamumula ng mukha nito. I've never seen her go weak just by sitting there beside a man.

Secretly, my stomach flipped, and my chest warmed from the smallest things I noticed about them. Siguro ay nababaguhan ako. I know my sister is capable of relationships but not with a man as cold and naughty as Wilmer. Akala ko nga noon ay hampas-lupang fuckboy lang ang Kean na 'to.

I probably have underestimated my sister too much. Wilmer may have the attitude but from what I heard him say, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt to be a great father to Arrow.

"So, anong plano niyo?"

"I'm going to marry her."

Mabilis kong hinubad ang sapatos ko't tinapon sa kanya. The shoe catapulted straight to Wilmer's chest. Hard.

Si Dean na parang papatulog na sa sofa ay napabalikwas at tumuwid ng upo.

"Come again?"

"Marry her?" I could have laughed but I can't!

"May anak na kami, Ate..." mahinang sabi ng kapatid ko at maamong yumuko.

Matabang ang tawa ko. Disbelief didn't even cover it.

"Magpapakasal kayo dahil may anak na kayo? Iyon lang? Aba'y kawawa ang pamangkin ko kung ganoon, Sue. You don't marry each other just because you both made a kid alone!"

"I love your sister."

Sheer determination was set on Wilmer's face and tone. His eyes were cold and ready for a kill.

My head tilted to the side. Duda ko siyang pinanliitan ng mga mata.

"Kung hindi mo nalaman na may anak pala kayo, masasabi mo pa kaya 'yan, Wilmer? Na pakakasalan mo ang kapatid ko? Seven years, huh? And you've just told us that you love her. Pero hindi mo naman binalikan sa Cebu at pinuntahan sa bahay. Ni pabango mo roon wala akong naamoy."

Nanuyo agad ang lalamunan ko pagkatapos ilahad ang akusasyon.

"So you can't fool us with that declaration, Wilmer. Let me throw your own words back to you. Masyado kang nagpadala sa bata mong puso. You're reckless, I could say."

Wilmer remained stoic and unperturbed. Nananantiya ang kanyang pagtitig na tila nilalangoy nang mabuti ang daloy ng isip ko at hindi aahon hangga't walang nauungkat.

"Hindi porke't hindi natuloy ang kasal niyo ni Dean ay ayaw mo na ring makasal ang kapatid mo. Don't be so bitter about us, Ruthzielle."

Suminghap ako sa ganti niyang paratang.

How could he think that I'm...
"Wilmer, what the fuck? Tumigil ka na." Si Dean.

"Believe me, I'd thought about going back to the city to see her. I had no idea that she was pregnant when she broke up with me. Did you ever see me entertain other girls?"

"Hindi iyan ang sagot na kailangan ko! And most especially, I'm not bitter! Mas lalong hindi ko kayo papayagang makasal kung iyan lang din naman ang iniisip mo tungkol sa akin!"

"Ano bang alam mo sa nararamdaman ko sa kapatid mo? Words and actions, fine, they're not enough for you. But it's not on you whom I'm gonna prove a lifetime with but on your sister!"

Sa galit ko ay hindi ko matagpi nang maayos ang aking mga katwiran. I wanted him to see my point why they can't marry because first, the kid should not be an excuse! Second, his claim and declaration of love for her won't mean a call for a shotgun marriage. Lastly, my sister was fifteen when she got pregnant. That should be enough for this not to resort to marriage!

"Bakit hindi sapat sa 'yo na gusto ko ngang pakasalan si Sue hindi dahil sa may anak kami? I love her."

"Because that's not enough!" sigaw ko.

"Katulad ng hindi pagiging sapat ng pagmamahal ng kaibigan ko sa 'yo kaya hindi mo sinipot sa kasal niyo?"

What?

"See? That's what I'm trying to say. As long as you two can't be settled, you won't allow your sister to marry me."

"Wilmer, tangina tumigil ka na." Dean's cold warning started to distribute fear.

Suminghap si Sue sa pagtayo ni Wilmer. His measured steps, menacing as his brooding eyes, advanced towards me.

"Wilmer..." may kaba na sa tono ni Dean. Tumayo siya at humakbang agad sa harap ko na tila tinatago ako.

Wilmer ignored him. His sharp cold was slicing on me.

"You're telling me that this is not enough, then let me tell you something, too. You claimed that you love my friend, but you kissed another boytoy—"

"You kissed me, motherfucker!" sigaw ko at humakbang na upang sugurin siya. Dean held my waist to stop me and pulled me away from slashing the subject of my anger.

Hindi niya ako binitawan habang dinuduro ko na ang kaibigan niyang nanatiling kalmado at malamig habang naiiyak na ako sa galit nang maalala ko ang ginawa niya.

"You kissed me to ruin us so you can save the band!"

"You kissed another boytoy while you thought Dean was in Spain!"

"Wilmer!"

Tumigil ako sa pagpumiglas. Ang yakap ni Dean sa aking baywang ay unti-unting kumakalas. Ang marahas niyang hingal ay sumusugat sa aking pandinig.

"Anong sinabi mo?" Nabasag ang boses ko.

"You were happy, in a relationship, and rumor has it that you dated him for two months already. But Dean came back with a ring for you, Ruthzielle. He came back three months after with a ring for you. To ask your hand again in marriage..."

"Son of a bitch! Wilmer, goddammit! Stop!" Dean erupted.

Dean took large angry steps and was about to lunge at his friend, but Sue told them to bring the fight outside where the kid couldn't hear them.

Namanhid ang mga tuhod ko. My arms went numb, too. Hindi ako makagalaw sa gumugupong lamig sa akin.

"Maybe... your love wasn't enough for him." Wilmer carried on, taunting. "Imagine? Tatlong buwan lang nawala ang kaibigan ko at may kapalit na siya agad? Did you really love him, Ruth? His love could move mountains for you, but hell!! Anong natunghayan niya sa pagbalik niya?"

Dean cursed sharply and loudly. Tanging mga mata ko na lang ang kaya kong igalaw na nakatutok sa namumuti na niyang kamao.

"The ring Dean had was ready to be put yet again on your finger, Miss Seventeen. But then, seeing you and your lips touched by another man...happy, content..."

"Goddamit, Wilmer." Dean's voice was strained and tortured.

Umulan ng luha sa aking pisngi nang tinanaw lahat ang sinabi niya. Humihikbi kong nilingon si Dean na unti-unting tinagpo ang aking tingin. I found his bloodshot eyes that almost couldn't meet mine. All the blame and the pain... summarized inside those tortured hazel green eyes.

In front of me was an intense man who is set to rule the world with his passion. But at this moment, all I can see was surrender and downfall.