The End of Daylight

Getting Closer

—

"Hey, good morning."

I almost had an heart attack when someone talked beside me. I was busy searching on my phone when Joshua appeared and put his hand on top of my shoulder. Mabilis kong pinatay ang cellphone ko at pinasok iyon sa hand bag ko para makausap ko ng maayos si Joshua.

I smiled genuinely. "Good morning."

"Ready ka na mag-exam?" He smiled back, a sweet one.

Right, today is our first day of examination. Lumipas ang mga araw na puro review lang ang ginagawa namin. It was a stressful hell week. Sunod sunod ang reporting namin at tasks. Hindi ko na alam ang uunahin kong gawin noon. It was just too much too handle but at least I finished them on time.

And today is the great day. Oh my gosh, I'm totally nervous as hell. Pakiramdam ko lahat ng nireview ko kagabi at last week ay hindi ko na matandaan. Parang boom. Black out. Pero sana naman masagutan ko lahat ng questions mamaya sa exam.

"Swak lang." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Anong swak lang?" He scoffed.

"Ah!" I groaned in frustration. "I don't know! I'm nervous, honestly. Freak, I'm more than scared now that I'm pressured by my Dad." Pag-aamin ko. Kagabi ay nakita ako ni Dad na nagrereview sa mini library sa bahay. He said goodluck and that I should perfect the examination, it would make him happy he said so I will do my best to perfect the exam or if not, kahit isang subject lang.

"Your Dad?" His flawless forehead creased.

"Yeah," I sighed heavily. "But we can do this right? Papasa tayo right? Aakyat tayo sa stage right?"

"Tammy kumalma ka nga!" He playfully encircled his arm around my neck as if he's trying to kill me. "Isang taon ka ng Dean's lister! Grumaduate kang valedictorian at with high honors, ngayon ka pa kakabahan?" He cheered me up.

I glared at him before rolling my eyes. Binolo bola pa ako pero masasabi kong effective nga iyon dahil nalaman kong may naniniwala sa akin. I nudged him afterwards and he just laughed. He then let go of me after a moment. Our building are way apart than each other so I'm pretty sure we'll separate ways later. He's a Political Science student so apparently, his building is at Law Building.

"Hi VP!" The group of ladies who passed by us greeted Joshua with a wide smile on their faces. They waved at me too so I did the same.

"Hi!" Bati pabalik ni Joshua na may ngiti rin sa labi. Nang makaalis sila ay inasar asar ko siya dahil halatang may gusto ang mga iyon sa kanya.

"Oo pala, next month na ang 34th Division Athletic Competition, nagsimula na ba kayo magpractice? Part ka ng Tennis Team di'ba or nagquit ka na?" He changed the topic.

I smiled unconciously when I remembered the division competition. "Hindi pa kami nagsimula pero may meeting kami after examination sabi ni coach."

"Great, minsan nalang kita makikita sa office. Great talaga." He shook his head. Hindi ko alam kung natutuwa ba talaga siya o nanghihinayang but I think it's the latter.

I didn't respond because I don't know what to say. After a moment of walking, we had to separate ways so I stopped and faced him. "I'll go Joshua, see you around." I bid my goodbye but before I could even take a step away from him, he held my arm. Napahinto tuloy ako at mabilis siyang nilingon.

"Nililigawan ka ba ni Jieven, Tammy?"

My jaw dropped literally. "What are you saying, Joshua?" My voice held astonishment. What was he talking about? Nasisiraan na ba siya? Jieven? Courting? Me? My gosh.

"Hindi naman di'ba? Hindi ka niya nililigawan di'ba?" He looked so worried, his sudden question made me feel uneasy. What makes him say that?

I slowly removed his grip on my arm. I smiled at him and fixed the collar of his uniform. "Are you out of your mind? How could he court me if he's still in love with Natasja? We're just friends. Right, I don't even now if we're friends but we're not dating so Joshua, drop it out okay?" I looked up and smiled to assure him. I don't want him to think about these things so I need to explain briefly.

Mukha namang naniwala siya sa akin dahil tumango siya pagkatapos huminga ng malalim. "Mabuti nang alam ko. Sige na, baka malate ka pa. Goodbye." He waved his hand before turning his back at me. I just shrugged and started walking again.

How could he come up with that conclusion? Mukha bang nanliligaw sa akin si Jieven? NBSB ako pero hindi ako tanga para hindi malaman kung gusto ba ako ng isang tao o hindi. You would definitely feel it right? Mararamdaman mo naman kung gusto ka ng isang tao. Just like what I've felt when before Joshua admitted that he liked me. Geez. Bigla akong napangiwi sa kaisipang liligawan ako ni Jieven. It's not that I don't want him, it's just that.. it's impossible to happen.

Seryosong seryoso ako throughout the examination. Magkatabi pa rin kami ni Claudine at paminsan minsan ay sinisipa niya ang upuan ko para manghingi ng sagot kapag hindi niya alam ang sagot sa isang number.

"Are you crazy? Oh, you're really crazy. That's essay. Gusto mo bang basahin ko sagot ko sa'yo eh ang haba nito? Tapos na silang sumagot pero hindi ko pa tapos basahin 'to sa'yo." I mumbled without looking at her. I am just looking directly to our proctor, I hope she didn't noticed me talking to Claudine.

"SONA ba 'yang sinulat mo? Come on, I can't understand the question. Kahit konti lang, clue lang ganern." She insisted. I wanted to help her so bad but I'm afraid that our protor might see us. I know it's bad to cheat but I can't resists Claudine. She's a good friend of mine. Ayoko namang bumagsak ang kaibigan ko dahil sarili ko lang ang iniisip ko.

Pagkatapos ng examination ay nakatulala nalang si Claudine sa upuan niya. Para siyang nakulam na ewan. I don't know. Tinulungan ko naman siya sa exam, why is she acting weird?

"Hey Claud!" I pinched her arm. No reaction at all. "Hey! Tara na sa canteen, nagugutom na ako." I grabbed her arm but she remained seated. "Claudine what the freak?" I slapped her face hard.

Dahan dahan niyang hinawakan ang pisngi niya habang nakatulala pa rin. "Ouch." She mumbled without any reaction at all. She just said that out of nowhere.

"Claudine! What the freak is your problem?" I hissed. I'm starting to get irritated. Nagugutom na ako't lahat lahat pero mukhang wala siya pakielam sa akin.

She was taken aback when I yelled in front of her face. Her eyes widened when she realized something I don't even know. She then grabbed both of my arms and shook it.

"Gurl I think babagsak ako!" She shouted in frustration. Mabuti nalang at kami nalang ang tao sa room dahil umalis na ang iba, she can shout and do whatever she wants.

"What are you saying?" My brows furrowed.

She let go of me and stood up. Padabog niyang kinuha ang shoulder bag niya. Kinuha ko naman ang puting hand bag ko.

"Bahala na si batman, wonder woman, spiderman, superman sa makukuha ko!" She exclamied. "I trust them! I trust God!" She held my hand and dragged me out of our room like nothing happened.

Habang kumakain kami ay nakita kong pumasok si Jieven kasama sila Czoren at Kalen sa cafeteria. Czoren saw me and waved his hand so I waved back. He then poked Jieven's cheek and pointed me out making me choked.

"Oh ayan sinong gaga? Ano ba kasing ginagawa mo?" Maegan offered me a glass of water after scolding me. Claudine was laughing and Kendra was too pre-occupied while eating her pasta to notice me.

"Alam na this, may nakita ang gaga kaya nasamid." Claudine teased. "Oh mga bakla, search it now!" She clapped her hands twice in the air and the others then looked around as if it was their signal.

Maegan and Kendra looked around, searching for something. I was just staring at them, looking frustrated of what they are doing.

"Anong katangahan 'yan?" I asked with my forehead creased.

"Target detected!" Kendra pointed her index finger at a certain spot. We all looked there and found Jieven and his friends sitting and eating their lunch while chitchatting.

Claudine laughed. "I told you guys! This girl is madly inlove!" Bigla niyang hinila ang buhok ko kaya muntik na akong sumubsob sa kinakain ko.

I slapped her hands away from me. What the freak? "Are you having a drug transaction without informing me huh? What are you guys up to?" Halata ang pagkairita sa boses ko.

"You're changing the topic!" Claudine exclaimed, accusing me of something obvious. "Yie! You're changing the topic!" She teased.

"Hey girl, you should kwento to us. What's the real score between you and Jieven na ba? You haven't told us naman na you guys are seeing each other pala ha." Kendra nuged me.

I shot up a brow, looking confused.

"Sige! Suko na 'ko!" Mas nagtaka ako sa sinabi ni Maegan. She raised her two hands in the air like a criminal admitting her crime.

"You better explain, bitch." Claudine crossed her arms over her chest while smirking at Maegan.

Maegan glanced at me, her eyes were looking terrified. I just raised a brow while waiting for her next words.

"Nakita ko kayo ni Jieven noon sa mall. Dapat sikreto lang 'yon pero nadulas ako sa harap ni Kendra tapos sinabi ni Kendra kay Claudine last week. Ayon, naging pass the message, sorry." She smiled awkwardly.

My eyes widened in shock. Omg, she saw us?

"Sorry na talaga!" Umatras si Maegan, takot na baka sampalin ko o sabunutan. But of course, I will never do that.

I just shrugged my shoulders. I should act as if nothing happened. I shouldn't be careless and defensive. Dapat kalmado lang ako kahit sobra na ang kabog ng dibdib ko.

"It's okay." I smiled sweetly, lowkey trying to stifle the words that wanted to come out from my mouth.

"Gaga!" Hinila ni Claudine ang buhok ko, hinila ko din ang sa kanya kaya binitawan niya ang akin. "So inaamin mo ngang lumalabas kayo?"

"It was just a friendly date okay? Pareho kami nang pinuntahan na gym and then—"

"Hala, nag gym pa pala ang gaga." Claudine massaged her forehead, like she was stressed because of me.

I groaned in frustration. Kaya ayokong nalilink, hindi nila ako tinitigilan. Issue dito, issue d'yan. Geez.

"Hey, ano ba Claudine." Kendra interfered. Lahat kami ay napatingin sa kanya. "Let Tammy do what she wants to do, she's big enough to realized kung ano ang tama at mali, right Tammy?"

I nodded thrice like a kid.

"So bitches, better support her nalang okay?" She asked like a mommy talking to her children.

"Ang conyo mo Kendra, hayup, ako nahihirapang magsalita sa'yo, ayusin mo nga dila mo." Maegan looked so pissed, Claudine burst out laughing while Kendra pouted like a kid. I smiled unconciously while staring at them. Talks like this with my friends is already enough to make my day complete.

Today is the second day and last day of examination, kalahating oras nalang bago dumating ang proctor namin ay nakatulala akong nakatingin sa cellphone ko.

I don't know why I'm not in the mood to review. I just spent the whole night reviewing and reading my lessons so I think that was enough. Napatingin ako bigla sa katabi kong nakikipagdaldalan dahil ang ingay niya at naiirita ako. I grabbed her hair and she glared at me with a furious look.

"What now?" Claudine asked me irritatedly.

"Stop chitchatting with them, review your notes." Seryoso kong saad. She was about to protest but something came into her mind that brought her back to her senses.

"Oo pala may exam." She sighed heavily and opened her notebook.

Muli akong napatingin sa cellphone ko. Kanina pa ako nag-iiscroll sa social media accounts ko. I don't know, I feel sad and frustrated at the same time. I feel like something's missing and it freaks the hell out of me.

Biglang nagpopped up ang isang message sa akin at napaupo ako ng tuwid sa nabasa ko.

acostajieven: Goodluck.

It was just a simple message but I think I'm going to burst out in excitement. Pakiramdam ko mapeperfect ko na ang exam. Lol.

I typed my message.

TammyXR: Goodluck din.

Right after the examination, Maegan and I made our way to the gymnasium for the meeting. Oh my gosh. Meeting after meeting. I am so busy as freak.

Next month, September, mangyayari ang 34th Division Athletic Competition. I am an Athlete ever since high school, hindi lang halata dahil hindi ako pala-laro but yeah, I'm really an athlete.

"Practice na naman, 'eto na naman.." I laughed when I heard Maegan whispering something.

Pagkapasok namin sa gymnasium ay nandoon na ang ibang athletes. I greeted some of my social friends before heading towards my Lawn Tennis Team. I haven't seen them for almost five or eight months I think? I'm not sure. I missed them so much.

"Yow, musta? Long time no see!" Daryl gave me a simple tap in my head before sitting beside me. Napanguso ako dahil ginawa niya akong parang aso.

"Why would you tap my head? Anyway, I'm fine, I'm fine. Ikaw kamusta? Buhay ka pa pala? Wala kang paramdam." I joked.

Daryl is a good friend of mine. Isa siyang Med Student at kateam ko rin. Pareho kami ng field. He's a good looking guy too. Agaw pansin ang light brown niyang mata, palibhasa may lahing spanish.

"Ayos lang ako dude! Shit, I missed seeing your face!" He grabbed for a hug.

Nakipagkwentuhan pa ako sa iba naming kasama hanggang sa napatingin ako sa bagong pasok. It was Jieven and Hero. I'm sure they are friends, hindi naman basta basta kumakausap ng kung sino sino si Jieven kung hindi niya kaibigan.

Sinalubong sila ng volleyball team na nasa gitna ng gymnasium. They tapped each other's shoulders and spread their high five's. Jieven was laughing while chitchatting with them, both hands placed inside his pocket and neat brush up style hair showing his flawless face with a little strands falling. Ang bango niya tignan, bakit ganon? I am part of the team since first year college but I never saw him nor noticed him. Siguro talagang wala lang akong pakielam noon sa kanya.

After a few minutes of waiting, our head coach came. He just informed us on what to do and what should we bring tomorrow after class.

"Prepare yourselves okay? Bukas na tayo magsimula dahil alam kong pagod kayo. Meeting adjourned!"

We bowed our heads afterwards. Nagsimulang mag-ingay ang lahat. Maegan walked towards me and put her right arm on top of my shoulder. She's part of the volleyball girls team.

"Uwian na! Uwian na! Uwian na!" She looked so excited. I just nodded and let her lead the way.

But before I could even step outside, I took a glimpse on Jieven. He was talking to his teamates with a wide smile plastered on his face. I know he knew that I'm part of the team, nagkatinginan kami kanina, he looked surprised but he didn't bother talking to me.

Ahuh? Ghosted, Tammy? I can't help but to ask myself. Parang kailan lang noong lumabas kami tapos dedma ngayon? Okay, then let it be.

"Huwag na malungkot, oy."

Maegan brought me back to my senses. My forehead creased when I saw a wide grin plastered on her face.

"Huwag mo na siya isipin, mahal ka 'non." She teased. Bigla ko siyang siniko kaya nabitawan niya ako.

So the next day, after class, we made our way to gymnasium. Bitbit ko pa ang racket ko na kinuha ko sa bahay. It's been a while since I got to hold this one. I missed the feeling of playing.

Nandoon na ang ibang players pagdating namin sa gymansium. Some were preparing the net, cleaning their balls and stretching. Maluwag naman ang gymnasium pero 'yung ibang players ay sa open field na magprapractice.

"Open field kayo o dito?" Maegan asked while unbuttoning her uniform blouse. Nasa loob kami ng Girls Locker Room sa gilid ng gymnasium. Nandito ang mga gamit naming lahat.

"Open field." I mumbled while fixing my hair. Should I braid it or put it on a ponytail? Geez. In the end, I chose to put it on a ponytail.

"Yes! Pareho tayo!" Napafist bump siya. I laughed when I remembered Czoren because of her action. Omg, they are so compatible.

I was wearing a simple black athletic shorts, plain white shirt at tennis shoes. I also put my wrist band and I put my hair in a ponytail. Maegan grabbed me afterwards. She was busy playing her ball while we're walking towards the field. I asked her if I could touch her ball but she refused. Ayaw niya talagang ipahawak ang bola niya, so possessive.

And then suddenly I felt something strange. Something is missing and shoot! "Bitch! I forgot my racket!" I yelled in frustration.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Maegan. Muntik na niyang ihampas sa akin ang bolang hawak niya. "Boba! Paano ka maglalaro?" She groaned in frustration. Malayo layo na ang nalakad naming dalawa pero ngayon ko lang naalala.

"I'm just going to—"

"Ako na! Ako na! Baka abutin tayo ng siyam siyam kapag ikaw pa ang kukuha!"

"Oh bakit ka galit?" I laughed.

She groaned in frustration before running away. Tumayo nalang ako at hinintay siya doon sa pwesto kung saan kami huminto. Nasa tapat ako ng Med Building at wala na ang ibang mga estudyante. Nagsiuwian na siguro.

"Hey."

Mabilis akong napalingon. It was Jieven and Hero. May nilalarong maliit na towel si Hero sa kamay niya at pinapaikot iyon.

I smiled and eyed at him from head to toe. He was wearing a black nike volleyball shorts, plain grey shirt and black shoes with black socks. He looked so tall with his outfit. I swallowed hard when my eyes met his. Geez. Here goes his hazelnut eyes again, they were so mesmerizing.

"Hey," I mumbled. Oh wait, parang kahapon dedma lang tapos ngayon lalapitan niya ako? Shoot! But I already said Hey. Geez. Ang rupok.

"Oy, Tammy! Ganda natin ah!" Hero playfully winked at me. I don't know what to say so I just smiled.

"Why are you here alone? Aren't you going to the field?" Jieven asked. His face was a bit irritated when he heard Hero's compliment about me. He then intently blocked Hero's view from me when the latter tried to step closer. Natawa nalang ako sa ginagawa nila.

"Uh," I scratched my arm unknowingly. "I was with Maegan earlier but I forgot my racket in the locker room so she volunteered to get it for me. We'll go there together after." Mahaba at dire-diretsong paliwanag ko. I inhaled a large amount of air afterwards.

He slowly nodded his head and smiled a little. "Okay so see you there?" That was more likely a question.

Ngumiti ako. "See you."

Magsasalita pa sana si Hero pero hinila na siya palayo ni Jieven. "Dude ano bang problema mo? Kakausapin ko lang eh!" I heard Hero's frustrated voice. Nakalayo na sila sa akin kaya hindi ko na narinig ang sagot ni Jieven.

"Oh ayan gaga!" Biglang binato sa akin ni Maegan ang racket ko. I instantly reached for it in the air before it landed on the ground.

"Epal ka! Mabutas sana bola niyo!" I exclaimed.

"Mas epal ka! Sinong matinong tao mag-iiwan ng raketa niya? Oh? Ano pamalo mo? Kamay mo?" She defiantly hissed. Natawa nalang ako dahil galit na galit talaga siya pero sa huli ay kinuha niya rin naman ang racket ko para sa akin.

We parted ways after reaching the open field. Dumiretso ako sa team ko na nagkakabit ng net sa isang gilid. Daryl noticed my presence and gave me a high five.

"Ano, game? Tayo na ang magsimula." The side of his lips rose. I chuckled but did agree afterwards.

We exercise a little bit while waiting for the net and then we started the game after a minute. Siya ang may hawak ng bola. This would be my first time playing after a long time, I'm freaking nervous knowing that our team is out there, intently watching us.

He served the ball successfully. I ran and hit the ball perfectly, he smirked when he saw my movement. Bumalik ang bola sa kanya pero mabilis niya itong napalipad pabalik sa base ko. I stretched my arm before hitting the ball again.

Naulit ulit ang pagpapalitan namin ng bola hanggang sa ako na ang napagod at sumuko. He raised his arms in the air while looking at the ball in my base. I shook my head while some of our teamates clapped their hands.

"You did a good job anyway." he tapped my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, whatever you say."

Kinuha ko ang tumbler ko at uminom doon saglit. Napatingin ako sa pwesto nila Maegan habang umiinom. She's waiving at me so I decided to come over her place.

"Tapos na game niyo?" She asked when I reached her. I was still holding my racket, lowkey playing with it.

"Oo, mamaya ulit." Sagot ko.

"Good! Lika panoorin natin bebe mo!"  She grabbed my arm and we sat down on the first line on the bleachers. Magkatabi lang naman ang pwesto nila kaya hindi na kami lumayo.

From our position, I could see Jieven. He was seriously playing with his team, I noticed that he was the tallest among them all.

"Pumapalo lang naman siya ng bola pero bakit ganon? Tinitilian siya ng mga babae? Parang tanga." Maegan mumbled, looking confused. Pareho kaming pinagmamasdan si Jieven.

I stared at him. He was so manly while playing. I can see the movement of his biceps everytime he hits the ball hard. He even landed perfectly on the ground afterwards. He looked so cool. How could he even do that?

"Pawis na pawis sila oh. Siguro kung iipunin lahat ng pawis nila, mapupuno ang isang baso."

I disgustingly looked at Maegan. "Nakakadiri ka alam mo 'yon?"

"Nakakadiri ka alam mo 'yon?" She mimicked me.

I rolled my eyes.

"Oo pala," nagseryoso ang boses niya. Hindi ko siya tinignan dahil pinapanood ko ang game nila Jieven. His team won.

"Mag-iingat ka ha, ingatan mo puso mo." She mumbled, making me looked at her with confusion.

"Mag-iingat saan?"

"Sa kanya," tinuro niya si Jieven hindi kalayuan sa pwesto namin.

"Why?" I know there is something playing inside her mind but she couldn't voice them out and geez, that makes me confused.

"Hindi mo alam kung ano ang kaya niyang gawin. Binabalaan lang kita bilang kaibigan mo.."

Her words lingered on my mind over and over again. Uwian na namin at nauna nang umuwi si Maegan sa akin pero siya pa rin ang nasa isip ko. What does she mean by that?

"Ice cream?"

Nalaglag ko bigla ang tumbler na hawak ko dahil sa gulat. Napalingon ako at nagulat dahil nasa loob ni locker room namin si Jieven.

"Why are you here? You're not allowed here!" I exclaimed. Good thing, I was alone. The athletes already left.

"Oh really?" The side of his lips rose. Pansin kong nakaligo na siya katulad ko dahil iba na ang damit na suot niya.

"Lumabas ka muna! Baka may makakita sa'yo." I pushed him away until we reached the door, I smiled at him before closing it. Mahigpit na pinagbabawal ng mga coach ang pagpasok ng opposite gender sa kanya kanyang locker. Last year kasi ay may nahuli sila nagmamake out sa locker room ng lalaki kaya simula noon ay ipnagbawal na nila. That is to prevent another mistake to happen again. Geez. How disgusting.

I immediately picked my tumbler on the ground, grabbed my lady duffel bag and went out. Jieven stood up straight when he saw me.

He smiled cutely. "Ice cream?"

I bit the insides of my cheeks, refraining myself from smiling. He did my favor, he's smiling now. A genuine one.

"I prefer doughnut."

I just found myself sitting across him in a cafe nearby. I'm limiting myself on eating cold food and beverages, it is not good for my voice so he just ordered two coffee and two chocolate doughnuts for us.

It's raining. Good thing the cafe had a glass window, we could watch the rain while drinking some coffee. Mas magandang uminom ng kape kapag umuulan. I just texted Manong Adrian and told him not to fetch dahil sasabay ako sa kaibigan ko. Right, Jieven is my friend anyway.

Friend huh?

"I never thought that you're an athlete." He started a topic. He held the arm of his cup, he tightened his grip on it then his veins manifested. I gulped for unknown reason.

"Well I am so stop being so shookt about it. Just so you know, I'm a very very very busy person."

"You're very very very busy person but here you are, drinking coffee and eating doughnuts with me." He smirked with that thought.

"Because.." I think of an excuse. What the freak hindi pwedeng ganito. Bakit nga ba ako sumama sa kanya? Tammy, admit it. You really liked hangging out with this man. My mind said but no, no. Dad, I need you. I need a counter argument, Dad.

"Just drink you're coffee, I expected you're tired from running."

His forehead creased. "Running?" Uminom siya ng kape niya.

"Running in my mind."

Bigla siyang nasamid sa sinabi ko kaya napangisi ako.

"Shit, what was that?" He frustratedly wiped his lips using the back of his hand. He cleared his throat afterwards and looked at me with amusement visible on his fascinating eyes.

I just shrugged. Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko para pigilan ang pagngiti. Napailing iling naman siya pero pansin ko ang maliit na ngiti niya. Oh well. That gorgeaous smile of his makes me flutter.

After a moment of silence, he broke it. "I'm just wondering. You looked fearless. Are you even scared of anything?"

"I am." I let out a faint smile.

"Care to tell me what is it?" He pursed his lips.

"First, being left alone. And second, not being able to follow my dad's rules." I played with the insides of my cheeks after saying that.

He crossed his arms over his chest, tilted his head a little and stared at me. "Is your dad's rules really that important to you?"

"Ofcourse!" I exclaimed. "That is also for my dream so I'm willing to do it what ever happens."

The side of his lips rose. Malalim ang pagkakatitig niya sa akin. Nahulog pa ang ilang malilikot na hibla ng buhok niya sa kanyang noo. He's indeed a good looking guy.

"What if you failed to follow his rules?" May bahid ng pang-aasar sa boses niya.

"That won't happen. No way." I shook my head countless of times. Hindi ko hahayaang masira ang matagal ko ng pangarap. No way. Una pa lamang ay malinaw na sa akin ang lahat. Pangarap muna bago ang ibang bagay.

Nagkibit balikat nalang siya. Pagkatapos ng isang oras ay nagdesisyon na kaming umuwi dahil gabi na. "Wait, bibilihan ko lang ng milkshake si Tamara." I stood up but I fell down immediately. Mabuti nalang at nahawakan ako ni Jieven sa braso kung hindi ay tumapon sa akin ang kape na nasa lamesa.

My legs, I can't feel my legs. May tumutusok tusok pa sa loob. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o maiinis. I hate this feeling. I really hate this. Tinawanan ako bigla ni Jieven. I pushed him in his chest. I couldn't walk so he volunteered to buy the milkshake for Tamara.

Just right after a moment, he stopped his car in front of our gate.

"We're here." He said in a deep and firm tone.

I removed my seatbelt and reached for the milkshake at the backseat. "Thank you." I mumbled. He just smiled as his answer. Hindi ko tuloy napigilan ang pagngiti. He looked more flawless everytime he's smiling.

"See you around." He replied casually.

"Yeah." I was about to open the door but I paused when I saw Tamara went out from the house. She looked around and then her eyes landed on Jieven's car.

"Oh my gosh." I mumbled.

—