M A X E N E

Ever since that day, when we almost break-up because of my never-ending insecurity towards Monique, he did everything for me to feel secure with our relationship.

Everyday he openly shows me how important I am to him. That no matter what happens, he will never let me go. That at the end of the day, he will always choose to be with me.

As promised, he shared his so-called hobby of collecting branded cars.

Ngiting tagumpay pa niyang pinakita ang mga napanalunan niya na para ba siyang bata na nangongolekta ng mga laruan.

Laking gulat ko na lang talaga na may sarili siyang garage just for those cars. Ferrari, Lambo, Chevrolet, Bugatti, Porsche, Mustang, iilan lang iyon sa mga kotse niya.

Hindi pa daw flashy para sa kanya ang BMW niya, kaya iyon ang so-called regular car na ginagamit niya sa school at sa mga araw na nalabas kami. Hindi daw flashy! Sino niloloko niya?

Tapos ngayon ko lang nalaman mula sa kanya na yung kotse na binasag ko ang side mirror is yung Maserati niya.

Iniisip ko pa kung magkano ang babayaran ko dahil nasabi niya sa akin noong nakaraan na tinapon na daw niya ang kotse na iyon. Buti na lang at joke lang niya iyon.

Mahal pa naman ng kotseng iyon!

Sa totoo lang kinabahan ako, ayoko pa man din na nagkaka-utang. Plus kasalanan ko naman talaga na sinira ko yung kotse niya na iyon.

I can say that we're more open towards one another as days pass by.

Gusto din naman namin parehas iyon.

As much as possible, we don't want to keep secrets towards one another that could cause another misunderstanding, ganoon na lang niya pinapahalagaan ang pangako niya sa akin na hindi na siya magtatago ng kahit anong sikreto sa akin, na kapag nagtanong ako, susubukan niyang sagutin ang lahat.

Minsan ko nang naitanong sa kanya ang tungkol sa kapatid niya, pero bakas pa rin sa mukha niya na hindi pa siya handang mag-open up sa akin sa part na iyon. Hindi ko naman na pinilit.

Hindi rin ata niya alam na may alam ako tungkol doon. So I think, hindi sinabi sa kanya ni Monique ang mga napag-usapan namin.

Regarding his adoptive parents naman, tama ang hinala ko na mas mayaman nga sila kaysa sa amin. He just wants to keep that fact as private as possible dahil ayaw niyang mag-stand out.

Like me, he prefers to make a name out of his own than to be his parents successor kahit na iyon ang request sa kanya ng adoptive mother niya sa Last Will niya bago siya namatay.

No wonder bakit hindi siya comfortable noong nasa Japan kami, nawala din daw sa isip niya na mapapansin siya ng mga tao doon, ang inaalala niya lang nung mga oras na iyon ay kung saan ako pa kakainin dahil nga gutom na gutom ako nung gabing iyon.

Hindi na rin siya naalis ng bahay na hindi ako kasama. Kulang na lang i-glue namin ang mga kamay namin para hindi kami maghiwalay, except na lang kapag nasa school siya at nasa work ako.

Now I'm cooking our dinner as he watches the news on the television.

Natatawa na lang ako, para na talaga kaming mag-asawa nito.

"Nagmistulang trahedya ang akala ng lahat ay simpleng meteor shower lang sa lugar na ito sa norte. Hindi inaasahan ng mga experto na may ilang bahagi sa sinasabing meteor ang bumagsak sa maliit na barrio na ito."

Matapos ko ihanda ang kakainin namin sa hapag, kaagad naman ako tumingin sa TV.

My heart drops as I see that familiar place to me.

Ayokong maniwala. This is a joke, right?

That is the same place where a part of my heart died that day.

It's a tragic news to see. Akala ko sa movies lang nangyayari ito, hindi ko naman inasahan na ganito kalala sa totoong buhay. Halos kalahati na lang ang natira doon sa barrio na pinuntahan ko noong nakaraang buwan na hinanap ko si Kenzo.

How could a small rock from space damage a small place like that?

"Maxene..." Travis called my name with worry in his voice.

"I have to know if he's okay." Distress is obvious in my voice. May namumuong luha sa mga mata ko nang tiningnan ko si Travis.

"I just want to know if he's still alive." I almost lost my voice as tears fell from my eyes. He took me in his arms calming me down.

"He's not dead, he shouldn't be. Right?" I uttered as I cried in his arms.

After quite some time my phone rings as Travis wipes my tears away.

I checked and it is an unknown number.

Bigla akong kinabahan. Tiningnan ko muli si Travis at tinanguhan niya ako para sagutin ko ang tawag. His hand offers me his strength as I answered the call not minding him beside me.

"Hello." Nanghihina kong sambit. Sana ikaw iyan Kenzo.

"Angela." Boses ni sister Elizabeth. Buti na-save niya pa ang number ko.

"Sister Elizabeth, kamusta po, bakit kayo na patawag?" Tanong ko habang kinakalma ko ang sarili ko.

"Angela, gusto ko lang sabihin sayo na umuwi na si Ken." My heart skips a beat. I'm glad to hear that he's alive!

"Pwede ko po ba siya makausap?" Hindi ko maalis ang pag-aalala sa kanya. "Kamusta na po siya? Kailan pa po siya umuwi?"

"Hindi siya makausap ngayon ng maayos." Mahinang sambit ni sister. "Angela, pwede mo ba siya kausapin?"

"Sige po, dadaan ako bukas diyan." I answered with certainty and ended the call.

I look at Travis with relief and give him a small smile.

"Sister Elizabeth called." I held his hand containing my anxiety. "She said Kenzo is back." He gulps and I embraced him. "I have to see him tomorrow." I feel his hand behind my head and on my waist.

"That's good news." He uttered softly. "I can take you there if you wanted." There's uncertainty in his voice that is in-between of being anxious and terrified at the same time.

I pushed him enough to meet his eyes.

"I'll just visit him as a friend." I emphasize the word friend for him not to worry about anything else. "Sobra lang akong nag-alala sa kanya to think na iyon ang huling lugar kung saan kami nagkita." I added. "We broke up a long time ago, but that doesn't mean that I don't wish him well."

Travis closed his eyes, embraced me and inhaled my scent. "Don't worry Maxene, I understand."

"I love you so much Travis." I uttered dearly as I listened to his heart.

His lips landed on my forehead. "I love you too, Maxene."

MATAPOS ng morning classes ni Travis, right after I see his message na nasa baba na siya at hinihintay ako, kaagad naman ako sumakay sa elevator at pagkababa ay sumakay na ako agad sa kotse niya.

He held my hand with a smile, offering me his security. "Don't worry too much." He says as if he's talking to himself. I just nod at him as I kiss his hand.

Nang makarating na kami sa ampunan kung saan namin huling hinatid sila Miguel at Antonio, kaagad naman kami sinalubong ni Sister Elizabeth.

"Pasensya ka na Angela at ngayon lang kita natawagan." I am holding Travis's hand with me as we face Sister Elizabeth, together.

"Okay lang po." Sagot ko sa kanya. "Nasaan na po ba siya?" I asked. "Nakausap niyo na po ba siya kahit pa paano?"

Umiling lang ang madre. "Wala siyang sinabi. Pero ang tanging nalabas lang sa bibig niya ay Ichirro."

"Ichirro?" Pagtataka ko. Ano iyon? Sino iyon? Bakit hindi ko alam iyon?

"May idea ka ba doon?" Tanong sa akin ng madre.

"Wala po. Wala naman po siya nasabi sa akin na tungkol doon." Tanging sagot ko.

Halata sa madre ang matinding pag-aalala. "Halos hindi siya kumain at nagkukulong lang sa kwarto niya. Hindi naman siya nagsasalita. Ikaw lang ang naisip ko na sana ang makatulong sa kanya ngayon Angela." Napatingin naman siya kay Travis ng bahagya na para bang nahihiya sa hinihingi niyang pabor sa amin.

"Sister Elizabeth." I uttered. I looked at Travis as he give me a soft nod as if he's telling me not to worry. Binalikan ko ng tingin ang madre. "Kakausapin ko po siya. Huwag na po kayong mag-alala."

Magkahawak pa din kami ni Travis hanggang sa tapat ng kwarto ni Kenzo. Kumatok si Sister Elizabeth sa pintuan ng kwarto ni Kenzo at binuksan niya din matapos maka-tatlong katok.

"Ken, bangon na diyan, may bisita ka." Sabi ng madre at pumasok sa loob ng kanyang kwarto.

Napatingin ako kay Travis at nakita ko naman na nakangiti siya sa akin.

"Thank you." I uttered almost in a whisper with a smile as I kissed his cheeks and let go of his hand.

T R A V I S

Nang pumasok siya sa loob ng kwarto ni Kenzo, nakita ko kung paano nilapitan ni Maxene ang dati niyang kasintahan.

"Ken." She called his name with a soft voice. Umupo siya sa silya na katabing kama ni Kenzo at nakita ko kung paano niya siya tingnan mula sa labas ng kanyang kwarto.

His eyes were dead inside but seeing her made him cry a tear, hanggang sa unti-unti ito nagkaroon ito ng buhay.

"Maxie." He calls for her and she smiles at him. She held his hand offering him her friendship but then what happens next is something that causes my heart to fall from my chest.

He hugs her tightly as if he is longing to see her. The way he embraces her is almost identical to how I held her in my arms.

Hindi ako makahinga ng maayos.

Lumabas na ang madre at nginitian ako. "Pabayaan muna natin sila mag-usap dalawa." Tinapik niya ako sa balikat at nauna nang maglakad sa akin palayo.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit kahit anong pilit ko, hindi ako makagalaw. Nakaramdam ako ng matinding takot iwan si Maxene kasama ng first love niya.

I convinced myself that I should trust her. She's here for him as a friend.

She's here for him as a friend.

I should trust Maxene and I should set aside my fears.

He's just a friend to her now.

I started walking away as I gave them some privacy.

He's just her friend.

M A X E N E

"Kenzo, talk to me." I paused. "What happened?" Ang laki ng pinayat niya at humaba ang buhok niya. Halatang napabayaan niya ang sarili niya.

He tried to hide his face from me as I noticed the scrapbook that I made for him. Akala ko tinapon na niya iyon.

"I'm sorry, I left you." He uttered almost in defeat.

"We're past through this." I told him. "I already forgave you." I paused and he looks at me with regret. "I'm just here as a friend Ken. Sabi ni Sister Elizabeth, halos hindi ka daw nakain, ni hindi ka nalabas ng kwarto na ito. Tell me, what happened?" Sunod kong tanong. "Who si Ichirro?"

He cried a tear again.

"Ichirro is my brother from another mother." He uttered almost in defeat.

[A/N: Ichirro is a borrowed character from another book titled: "Sa Susunod na Buhay" by Avien_Celestine]

"Hindi mo kailanman nasabi sa akin na may kapatid ka."

He shakes his head. "That's because I just found out about him recently." He admitted.

"It took me a while to search for him. All this time, akala ko ulila na ako Maxie." He looked down. "I just knew that I had a family, but I was years too late. I am too late."

"What do you mean?" I want to understand him more because he's not sharing everything all at once. "Where is your family? Where is your brother?"

He shakes his head and smiled with tears in his eyes.

"Pagkabalik ko dito, nabalitaan ko na wala na ang kapatid ko. Yung tatay ko naman, hindi ko na siya naabutang buhay. Puntod na lang niya ang nadalaw ko."

My heart drops for him and he is now crying in front of me.

"Bakit kung kailan nahanap ko na sila, tsaka naman sila kaagad binawi sa akin ng oras?" He covers his eyes crying his heart out. "Why am I not given enough time to be with them?"

I embraced him and comforted him. "I'm very sorry that you have to go through this." He embraces me tightly as he cries at my shoulder.

"Baka karma ko na ito dahil nasaktan kita Maxie." His self-pity is talking. "I'm truly sorry that I hurt you."

"It's all in the past now." I said calming him down. He pushed himself away from me and meet my eyes. "Pinatawad na kita Ken."

"But it is not past for me Maxie." He admitted as he held my hand. "Ikaw na lang ang meron ako." I gulped.

I don't know what to say to him. He is looking at me like a lost child. "Mahal pa rin kita Maxene." His words are in pain.

I feel my heart is torn apart.

But this is not right. I let go of his hand and I shook my head.

"I'm sorry Ken. But we're through." I paused. "You made it clear that night."

"Alam ko ang mga sinabi ko." He closes his eyes, his voice is filled with regret.

"Hindi kita masisisi, pero sana pakinggan mo muna ako." He held my hand once more as he confessed everything.

Hindi naman talaga siya na-fall out of love sa akin. Kinailangan niya lang talaga hanapin ang sarili niya at hindi niya magagawa iyon ng kasama ako. Lalo na at pinaimbestigahan pala ni mommy kung saan talaga siya nagmula.

Kenzo was disgusted by the fact when he learned that his father was a criminal and he wanted to know by himself if it is true or not. He wanted to know if he deserves to be with me or not. My heart breaks as he shares this information that he's keeping from me.

That my mom is keeping from me.

From the very start, my mom knows everything about Kenzo.

Kaya pala ganito na lang ang kontra niya kay Ken.

All this time, dala dala ni Kenzo ang bigat na ito sa puso niya, lalo na at nabitawan ni mommy ang mga salitang dahilan kung bakit mas lalo siyang nanliit sa kanyang sarili : kung ano ang puno, siya rin ang bunga.

Kenzo doesn't know what to expect because all his life he thought that he's an orphan, but then knowing where he came from; he may be embarrassed by that fact about his father, yet in his heart all he wanted was to meet his family even for once.

Ngunit pati iyon pinagkait ng tadhana sa kanya. Namatay ang tatay niya at nitong nakaraan lang ang napabalitang aksidente sa TV, kasama sa mga nasawi ang kapatid niya.

"What made you come back here?" I couldn't help but ask.

"To be honest, I came back for you. Advice na rin sa akin ng kapatid ko na bumalik dito, para bumawi sa iyo," he tried to smile even if there's tears in his eyes. "Sabi pa niya, ang one great love daw, bihira lang dumating sa buhay ng isang tao."

I'm speechless. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang dapat kong sabihin sa kanya.

"Pero sa sitwasyon ngayon, parang pati ikaw pinagkait sa akin ng oras." He faces me with a regretful smile.

Looking at Kenzo right now, I don't know how to help him keep himself together from falling apart.

"Mahal mo pa ba ako?" He asked as if his soul is looking into my eyes.

His question aches my heart.

"I can't unlove you Ken, you know that." I uttered with complete honesty as I avoided his eyes. He may be smiling from my answer but I'm not yet done, he deserves to know the truth.

"But, I love him more." My admission made him cry another tear.

"You're all I have Maxie." His voice almost breaks.

I hold his hand tightly. I don't know how to make this easier for him after all he's been through, but I know I couldn't give him false hope.

He locks his hand with mine and plants a soft kiss like he used to do before. I smiled at him wiping his tears away. "I'll always be your friend Kenzo, no matter what."

I wish my friendship is enough for him.

T R A V I S

Hindi ko na alam kung anong oras na, pero palubog na ang araw.

Nakita ko naman na naglalaro ang mga bata na hinatid namin dito ni Maxene na sila Antonio at Miguel.

"Hello Kuya!" masiglang bati sa akin ni Miguel. Bigla ko na naman siyang naalala.

"Kamusta na?" tanong ko sa bata. "Tumaba ka ata ah?" Kiniliti ko siya at tumawa naman siya.

"Okay naman po kami ni Kuya Tony. Nag-aaral po kami mabuti at masaya naman po dito sa ampunan kahit pa paano." Sagot ni Miguel sa akin.

"Miguel, ikaw muna ang makipaglaro sa kanila, tinawag ako ni Sister Margaret eh." Bilin sa kanya ng kuya niya at tumango naman si Miguel sa kuya niya.

"Maiwan muna kita Kuya ah." sambit ng bata at humaripas na ng takbo kasama ng mga kalaro niya.

Napansin ko naman kaagad si Maxene na kasamang naglalakad si Kenzo.

Mukhang kaiiyak lang nung dalawa kasi parehas mugto ang mga mata nila.

Ikukuwento kaya ni Maxene ang napag-usapan nila kanina sa akin?

Wait, does that even matter.

They approached where I am as I stood in front of them. Maxene stands beside me and I see her smiling at me.

"Kenzo, I believe you know Travis?" He looks at me with a friendly nod as I look at Maxene. "He's my fiance." Pagpapakilala niya sa akin na ikinatuwa ko naman.

"I'll just be in the car Travis, Ken wants to talk with you din kasi eh." She said and she tiptoes and give me a kiss on the cheek.

Dumerecho na siya kaagad sa kotse at hinarap ko si Kenzo.

"Sabi ni Maxie, may kinalaman ka daw sa nangyari sa akin dati noong highschool." Panimula niya.

Hindi ko alam kung galit ba siya o may sama ng loob sa akin. Hindi ko naman talaga siya ganon ka-kilala, pwera sa ex siya ni Maxene at minsan na niyang nakaalitan sila Pierre at Joshua dati.

"It's true." I admitted as I met his gaze. "I told her about it." Bakit naman sinabi iyon ni Maxene sa kanya?

"I guess I have to thank you for what you did." He said almost in a whisper. Hindi ko inaasahan na magpapasalamat siya sa ginawa ko dati sa kanya.

"Why thank me?" I asked, "I expected that you'll hate me for what I did to you."

Napangiti siya at napaiwas ng tingin.

"Tama nga si Maxie." He paused with a little amusement in his voice. "You do play as the bad guy."

"Just get to the point Mihara." Hindi ko mapigilang mainis kung paano niya ako kausapin.

He's this straightforward.

He's the complete opposite of me.

"Mas nabuhay ako noong pina-expel mo ako." He stares at me genuinely. "Baka hindi ko na kayanin pa noon dahil lagi naman ako pinapabugbog ng mga tropa mo dati."

I'm speechless from how he understands the situation that happened before.

"It seems that, getting me expelled is the only thing that could save me back then." He paused. "That's why I have to thank you, for what you did."

"Pero hindi din naman naging madali sayo ang lahat pagkatapos noon, hindi ba?" For all I know he stopped for a while. Pati scholarship niya naapektuhan sa nangyari.

"I can't say that, kasi nagtapos naman ako ng highschool doon. Like I promised to Maxie when we were still--" He eyed on me carefully, "In a relationship."

He takes a deep breath as he faces me with complete honesty.

"Maxie is the reason why I entered that school. She just wants what's best for me back then and since I love her, I did everything to get on my feet and come back there. Kahit maging repeater pa ako." The way he speaks her name brings him inspiration, motivation and happiness.

Why am I even listening to this?

"Well, you did it." I said with my eyes closed. "If there's nothing else, I should go."

"I want you to know that I still love her." His admission sends me into the abyss of my heart. "At alam niya iyon, ramdam ko na may parte pa ako sa puso ni Maxene." His voice is solid as if he's certain of what he is saying in front of my face.

Biglang sumikip ang dibdib ko.

"Tapos na kayo Mihara." Matipid kong sagot sa kanya.

"I just want set things straight with you." Sagot niya sa akin.

Anong karapatan niyang pagsalitaan ako ng ganito?

Is he declaring war with me?

"She's my fiance." I reminded him.

He smirked as if he is mocking me. I am literally gritting my teeth containing myself around him.

"I won't do anything that will upset her." He paused looking at me eye to eye. "Oo, iniwan ko siya. Pero bumalik ako ulit para sa kanya. Bumalik ako para sa amin."

Tangina walang ng inyo! Tapos na kayo ng iwan mo siya gago!

"What are you trying to say Mihara?" I'm trying my very best to contain my temper pretending I don't give a shit to what he's saying.

Kahit na ang totoo, baka masapak ko siya. Hangga't maaari, iyon ang iniiwasan kong mangyari, lalo na at nasa kotse lang si Maxene.

"I'll do whatever it takes to win her back." His voice is solid warning me.

That wouldn't happen!

She's mine.

I chuckled as if I just heard a funny joke.

"Kung wala ka nang sasabihin, aalis na ako ah," I grinned, "Ayoko namang pinaghihintay ang fiance ko." Sambit ko at tinalikuran na rin siya ka agad.

I approached my car and get in. Maxene held my hand as I locked it with mine. She smiled at me and I smiled back at her. Even if I am terrified of the idea that she knows that her ex is still in love with her, that he is back for her.

That he'll do everything to win her back.

The thought of it fills me with so much bitterness. It angers me.

Maxene is mine.

I will never ever let her go.

M A X E N E

Nakaidlip ako sa biyahe dahil na rin sa pag-iyak ko tungkol sa mga nalaman ko mula kay Kenzo. Halos mugto ang mga mata ko. Hindi din naman biro ang mga napagdaanan niya. Lalo na at wala ako sa tabi niya ng mga araw na pinagdaanan niya na iyon.

Hindi ko alam kung kakausapin ko si mommy tungkol doon, but then, para saan pa?

I'm happy with Travis.

Yet a part of me wants to ask mom why would she go that far for me. She kept this from me for a long time...why?

Kung tutuusin, kung hindi siya nangialam sa mga desisyon ko sa buhay, baka malamang kami pa rin ni Kenzo hanggang ngayon.

But then shit happens.

Madami akong bakit na katanungan kay mommy, siguro tatanungin ko na lang siya kapag nagkita kami. For now it is not my priority.

Meeting Kenzo today made me realize how life is short.

Unlike him, Travis's brother is still alive out there and I wouldn't want him to end up like Kenzo na nawalay at namatayan ng kapatid.

Time is either your enemy or your friend.

I know I have to do something for him.

I will do everything for him.

Nang magbukas ang elevator sa penthouse ni Travis kaagad niya akong hinila papunta sa kanya at hinalikan sa aking labi.

"Hey Travis." I giggled in between his kisses. "Hindi pa tayo nag di-dinner." I told him as he looks into my eyes as if he's guarding his emotions from me.

Pansin ko kanina pa siya tahimik.

I put my arms around his neck as his eyes locked in mine.

"I love you." Paglalambing ko.

He didn't say anything, instead he planted a deep passionate kiss on my lips again.

I let him do what he wanted and with all his strength he lifts me up for me to lock my legs at his waist.

He nibbled my ear and whispered, "Don't you ever forget, you're mine." His voice is possessive. "You're mine Maxene."

I giggled. "I am all yours." I did the same for him. I hear him grunted as I whispered next to his ears, "All yours Travis." He releases a deep breath and kisses my neck and my bosom.

He lays me on the sofa and removes all of my clothes. I can say he's a little impatient thinking that all I was able to get rid of was his shirt. His breathing is heavy as he showered me with his kisses.

Are we going to do this here?

He couldn't contain his breathing as he marked me. This is the second time that he marked me.

He doesn't usually do this.

I look at him and see that ray of uncertainty in his eyes. I wanted to ask him but his kisses, his touch, his breath, they were all overpowering me. I can't read his face as his hands distract me from asking him what he's thinking.

My mind went blank as I called his name repeatedly.

I call his name in my head, in my heart and in my soul.

"Travis... " I plead as my eyes see only him. "Travis..." His kisses and his touches were making me crazy. I couldn't control myself as I trembled in front of him.

I just submitted myself in front of him. He left me breathless and I see how he puts his fingers in his mouth consuming my remains. His eyes wanted more. He looks at me as if he wants to possess every part of me. He kisses me again and these kisses from him are domineering me.

What is happening?

"You're mine Maxene." His words are dominating me as I let him possess me.

I'm drowning. I can't breathe.

"Travis, I love you." I uttered as he filled me with his warmth. His strength overpowers me. It's two opposite words: pleasurable and painful. I wasn't able to contain myself from embracing him as if I don't want to let go of him.

I don't know what happened but I just let him reach the depths of my soul. All of my energy has left me as I submit to him again. I didn't know how many times I surrendered to him. I didn't know that this could drain me like this. I just couldn't defy his strength.

His kisses take the air out of me. His lips devoured me as he kept repeating those words, "You're mine Maxene."

I cupped his face to meet his eyes but he immediately closed them as if he's hiding something from me. When he's done he pulls away from me panting as his head falls on my heart. He is listening to my heartbeat. His lips met mine again as he marked me for the second time around on that same spot, as if he wanted that mark to stay for a very long time.

He carries me to bed, lays me and covers me with a blanket, he shows a faint smile and kisses my forehead and goes straight to the bathroom to remove the rubber.

This session is different from the usual. I just stared at him with nothing but his flesh.

Kung dati nahihiya ako tingnan siya, ngayon hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko kung bakit hindi ko maialis ang mga mata ko sa kanya.

Something is different with him. I see him brushing is hair looking himself at the mirror. I just couldn't tell what changed, I wanted to ask, but I couldn't move any inch of my body. My soul is drained.

I just let him take all of my energy.

When he came back he slid himself beside me, as he took me in his arms and inhaled my scent. He kissed my lips again and I just responded to his kisses until I felt his forehead on mine. I touched his face but before my eyes met his, he hides them in the shadows.

"What happened?" I couldn't help but ask, while I'm tracing my thumb on his face.

I'm feeling a little drowsy.

"A session had happened." He said with a little humor in his voice.

"May nangyari ba, Travis?" Muli kong tanong sa kanya.

"Let's just sleep Maxene." He said as he kissed my temple. Since I'm too drained I let myself doze-off from his arms as his warmth comforts me.

"I love you Travis." I uttered before I closed my eyes.

"I love you Maxene." His voice is filled with discomposure.

Bukas ko na nga lang siya tatanungin.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Author's Note:

The accident scene was similar to Kimi no Nawa's Itomori tragedy. This is a collaboration that I have with the author who owns the character of Kenzo's brother. This won't happen without her :)

Dedicated this to her hoping you could support her too.