M A X E N E

"Let him go Maxene." She's not requesting me, she's more like demanding me.

Sana maging manhid na lang talaga ako.

"Alam mo bang ikaw ang nagpapahirap sa kanya?" Sumbat sa akin ni Monique, "Kung hindi naman dahil sa arrangement ninyo, malamang sa akin pa rin siya Maxene."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ako makapagsalita sa harapan niya.

"I know he still loves me, I own a big part of him that you will never have."

Isang malaking sampal sa akin ang mga binibitawan niyang salita.

"Alam mo namang mahal ko siya, hindi ba?" Sumbat niyang muli sa akin. "Travis still loves me, the only problem is you're in the way Maxene." She says with strong conviction.

Kasalanan ko pa pala na maging sagabal sa kanilang dalawa.

"Monique," He approached the both of us, "What are you doing here?" Tanong ni Travis kay Monique.

"Why aren't you answering my calls and texts Travis?" I look at them and see them talking like they're boyfriend-girlfriend. "I don't know where to find you at ngayon ka lang umuwi? Tapos kasama mo na naman siya?"

So I'm the other woman in this scene.

"Moe...please don't do this here." He tells her, his voice is weak.

So mas gusto niyang magtago na lang sa akin kahit na huling huli ko na siya?

I don't even know what I am doing here.

Dapat pala kay dad na lang ako sumabay. Mali pa na kay Travis ako sumama. Bakit ba nakalimutan ko ang lugar ko sa pagitan nilang dalawa?

Three is a crowd.

I was about to walk out but he grabs me, "Maxene." I look into his eyes and in those dark brown eyes of his, there's this enormous fear as he looks into my soul, "Don't let go." His voice is pleading me almost in a whisper.

"Travis," Monique calls him, "Magpakatotoo ka na lang sa kanya. You say you love me, I felt it when you kiss me, Travis. Ako pa rin ang nasa puso mo. What you have with Maxene is just some stupid arrangement."

I look at him and see how her words destroy his heart. Yet the way he faces her is like he's keeping himself together from falling apart.

"Sabi mo sa akin noong naospital ka, ako pa rin. Ako ang mahal mo, na tutulungan mo lang naman si Maxene makalaya sa mommy niya."

So he told her about our previous set-up?

Gusto ko mang bumitaw dahil sa mga naririnig ko pero kung paano niya hawakan ang kamay ko, parang doon lang siya nakuha ng lakas ng loob para hindi siya tuluyang bumigay.

"Moe, please...don't do this..." His voice is breaking. "Let's just talk some other time. Please--"

"I get it kung hindi mo kayang saktan si Maxene," she cuts him, "Travis, pero kailangan mo na siyang bitawan at bumalik ka sa akin." Pagsusumamo ni Monique sa kanya.

"Hindi mo na kailangan pang ipilit ang sarili mo kay Maxene, Travis I'm here already...I love you." She paused but she doesn't stopped there, "I just told you 'I Iove you' , let her go and be with me Travis."

Mas lalo pang humigpit ang pagkakakapit ni Travis sa kamay ko na parang nagmamakaawa siyang huwag na huwag ko siyang bibitawan.

He closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. His soul is in pain. Her presence alone suffocates him.

Muli akong hinarap ni Monique, "Can you see what you're doing to him?" She shakes her head and blames me, "Pinapahirapan mo si Travis, Maxene."

I look at her and I don't know why I feel sorry for her.

"You know that he's not capable of hurting you, let him go, set him free Maxene." Monique demanded, but his hand won't let me go.

His hand tells me that if I let go of him, he'll break.

"You're destroying Travis, Maxene." Sumbat ulit sa akin ni Monique na dahilan kung bakit ako napapikit, "You changed him into someone he's not." I look at her and see desperation in her eyes.

She scoffs, "He's never yours in the first place Maxene." I felt my face smiling from her statement. "Mas mabuti pang ibalik mo na lang siya sa akin bago pa siya tuluyang masira nang dahil sa'yo."

I took a deep breath as I let go of Travis's hand. I noticed how he attempts to reach for my hand again but I maintain my distance from him.

His breathing changes and shakes his head filled with fear in his eyes. How he looks at me almost made him cry as if he is begging me not to go anywhere far from him.

As much as possible ayoko ng mag paapekto...but I'm at my limit already.

I closed my eyes as I approached Monique with a smile on my face.

And in an instant, I slapped her face enough for her to be on her knees.

Kanina pa akong nagtitimpi sa kanya. Kita naman sa kanya na nagulat siya sa ginawa ko, na para bang hindi niya iyon inaasahan sa akin habang hawak-hawak ang pisngi niya na dinapuan ng palad ko.

"Do you really think, I am the one who is destroying him?" I scoffed, "Tumingin ka na ba sa salamin Monique?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"You don't know what you're saying Maxene." Mahinahon niyang sumbat sa akin at tumayong muli para harapin ako.

She looks at Travis in disbelief as if she's asking him how could he allow me to hurt her like that.

Kung pipigilan ako ni Travis na saktan si Monique, madali naman akong kausap.

Besides, he doesn't want anyone to hurt Monique in any way.

"You have no idea how difficult it was for him to rebuild himself from the ground up, Monique," I started, "If you say you love him, then why did you leave him in ruins? Where are you when he needs you the most?" I shake my head showing how disappointed I am towards her, "Guilty?"

She looks at me as if I just offended her.

"Are you guilty that because of you, he became a monster towards the person who's supposed to be the most important to him?" She gulps with bitterness in her eyes. "So what, you can't have Laurenz kaya kay Travis ka ulit natakbo ngayon?" I couldn't contain my sarcasm.

"Maxene, alam mong akin si Travis, simula pa lang." She declared. Nandilim muli ang paningin ko at sinampal ko ulit siya sa kabilang pisngi.

"Ang kapal ng mukha mo Monique," I laughed at her, "You had your chance, but you took him for granted!" I glared at her, containing my temper.

"Pero mahal niya ako." Sumbat niya pabalik sa akin.

"Correction," I cut her, "Minahal ka niya, that's it."

"Are you this selfish?" She scoffs. "The goody good girl is not so good after all." There's this sarcasm in her voice.

I grinned, "Kung selfish ako, anong tawag sa'yo?" Muli kong sumbat sa kanya na dahilan kung bakit siya natahimik ulit. "Huwag mo ako itulad kay Sarah. May hangganan ang kabaitan ko." I warned her, "Kung nagawa mong makuha si Laurenz dati kay Sarah, ibahin mo ako," I face her and meet her eyes, "Dahil ipaglalaban ko kung ano ang akin." I paused but I'm not stopping there.

"Travis is mine." I declared.

Mapait niyang nilunok ang mga salitang narinig niya sa akin pero hindi niya iyon matanggap. Tinangka niya akong pagtaasan ng kamay, pero agad naman siyang napigilan ni Travis.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on my woman Monique." His voice is warning her, containing his temper.

"Travis...but...she's...not..." Her voice is weakening, almost breaking.

"Don't push me Moe," he is eyeing her carefully as he let go of her hand, "Ayokong magalit sayo, pero kung sasaktan mo si Maxene, ako ang makakaharap mo." His voice is solid and deep.

"Travis...hindi ikaw ito..." Her face softens looking at him in disbelief.

"Just leave," He commanded her, "Leave Monique." Mahinahon niyang sigaw sa kanya.

I see Monique walk away towards the door with tears in her eyes.

T R A V I S

After Monique left I checked up on her.

She takes a deep breath with her eyes closed.

I take her face in my hands, "Are you okay?" I asked. She just nods at me.

Bigla kong naalala ang payo ng doctor niya, bawal siyang ma-stress, bawal siyang makaramdam ng sobrang makakapagpabagabag sa kanya.

Hindi ko maalis sa isipan ko ang mukha niya na halos mawalan ng kulay noong gabing isinugod siya sa hospital.

Hindi, hindi na ulit mangyayari iyon sa kanya.

"Maxene." I look into her eyes and see her cry a tear. She's shaking but how she faces me looks like she's containing her emotions from the encounter we had earlier with Monique.

She needs to calm down. I have to secure her feelings.

"I love you." I uttered, meeting her eyes. I took her in my arms and I say those words again, "I love you Maxene."

She hugs me back and replied, "I love you too Travis."

Finally.

"I'm sorry." I know I just have to say it.

I feel defeated. I don't know why but I feel like I humiliated myself in front of her again.

Halos hindi ko matulak si Monique kanina, pero hindi ko mabitawan si Maxene.

Hinding hindi ko siya bibitawan.

Alam kong nagkasala ako sa kanya pero nang harapin niya si Monique kanina, pakiramdam ko matagal na niyang alam.

Kaya ba siya nananahimik lang?

Is she waiting for me to confess my sins to her?

Fuck!

Now that I am considering that I may be right, I couldn't ignore the fact that she might have seen me with Monique before she had an attack...if that's true... then I am guilty...

Her heart almost stopped beating because of me.

The thought of it scares me. It maddens me. I have no one to blame but myself.

I look at her and in her eyes I see me.

She's looking straight into my soul.

I am guilty.

Lumuhod ako sa harapan niya, kung kailangan ko halikan ang mga paa niya, gagawin ko.

I'll do anything for her. Everything.

"I'm sorry for hurting you again. I'm so sorry..." Naiiyak kong pagsusumamo sa kanya.

"Travis..." Sa tono pa lang ng boses niya kung paano niya tawagin ang pangalan ko, alam ko na. Ramdam ko sa puso ko. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit malayo ang loob niya sa akin.

This is the invisible wall that is keeping her away from me.

Ganito na ba talaga ako kasamang tao? Na pati ang taong mahal ko, sinasaktan ko?

Damn it Travis!

"Saktan mo ako Max," I hold her hand and have her slap me like how she slaps Monique earlier with a little force from my hands, pero hindi niya ako sinasaktan pabalik.

"Punish me, feel free to hurt me...tatanggapin ko lahat ng naipon mong sama ng loob at galit sa akin." Hindi ko mapigilang magalit sa sarili ko.

Her eyes looked at me softly and I couldn't stop my tears from falling.

Bakit hindi niya ako sinasaktan?

She kneels in front of me and meets my gaze.

Bakit ba paulit-ulit ko siyang nasasaktan at pinapabayaan niya lang na saktan ko siya?

Tangina naman Travis!

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I fucked up again." My voice is guilty. My voice is filled with regret. "I hate myself." I have no one to blame but myself.

I look at her and I see her face as if she's forgiving me already. She shouldn't, not yet.

She closes her eyes and a tear just fell and I wipe it from her.

I don't deserve her tears.

"It's okay for you to be mad at me." I uttered almost in a whisper. "I've wronged you, I hurt you. Magalit ka sa akin Maxene. Be angry at me."

She wipes my tears, cages my face in her hands and kisses my lips.

"I can't." She answered with a soft voice.

"You should be." I pleaded. "You have every right to be Max." I don't deserve her forgiveness.

Dahil miski ako, hindi ko mapatawad ang sarili ko dahil nasaktan na naman kita. Mas lalo na kung dahil sa akin, muntikan ka nang bawiin sa akin ng hindi ko napapansin.

"I just love you more." She answered with a soft voice and warm smile. "Mas matimbang ang mahal kita Travis, kaysa sa masama ang loob ko sayo."

Napalunok ako habang patuloy na lumuluha sa harapan niya.

Do I even deserve to be with someone like her?

Nalulunod ako sa pagmamahal niya sa akin. Masyado ko siyang mahal, hindi ko siya kayang bitawan. Hindi ko siya kayang mawala sa buhay ko.

I love Maxene so much. I love her so much.

She cups my face with both of her hands and utters, "I want to feel how you love me Travis." It's like all of a sudden, there's this gravity that leads me to her.

It's like her heart just speaks for her. How she uttered those words it feels like her soul just yearns for me as she invokes my name.

I took her in my arms, cupped her chin and guided her lips on mine.

I will be forever in her debt.

I will surrender my everything to her...

I am only hers...

Always...

M A X E N E

Our eyes mirrored each other as our clothes just fell into place. He looks at me as I am his world. I look at him as my everything.

Our love was just that painful towards one another...but it was worth fighting for.

Totoong nasaktan niya ako ng sobra, pero sa umpisa pa lang naman, nagkakasakitan na kami.

He's like a rose full of thorns. The more I hold him tightly in my heart, the more I bleed.

If Kenzo was my dandelion, Travis is my rose.

He's the most beautiful rose that I can't let go.

Kahit na ilang beses na akong nagtangkang bumitaw sa kanya dahil sa takot kong mahalin siya ng sobra, siya itong patuloy na kumakapit sa akin. Sa sobrang higpit ng kapit niya sa akin, hindi na ako halos makabitaw sa kanya.

I'm at the point of no return already.

It's all or nothing and he is my everything.

I'm bound to him, as he is to me.

We're two pieces of a puzzle that fits to one another.

We fill each other's weaknesses as we give each other strength.

He is my light when I am lost in the dark.

He is the hope that I had when I have none.

He kisses me as if his kisses give me life, hope and commitment.

He laid me to bed gently as if he was afraid that I might break in front of him.

He showers me with his kisses as his hand starts its journey around my body. His fingers were light as a feather it almost tickled me, but his hand didn't falter as I felt it's warmth.

I release a breath as his mouth lands on my chest. He kissed my heart and he listened to how it beats for him. "Please don't stop beating for me." He says as if he is talking literally in my weak heart. I smiled at him and cups his face.

"I love you Maxene. I will love you all my life." He says with a soothing voice, as if he is singing those words to me as he fills me with all his love.

His mouth finds mine as he devours my lips slowly and passionately. "I love you so much." He says as he catches his breath.

I fix his hair and cups his chin, "I love you Mine."

His lips formed a smile and kissed me again. "I am all yours Maxene." He says with a strong promise as he fills me with his warmth.

His warmth gives me security, devotion and loyalty.

Napasabunot ako sa buhok niya at naramdaman ko ang init ng hininga niya sa leeg ko.

"Breathe Maxene. Don't forget to breathe." He says as if he is reminding me as he catches his breath on his end.

He cages me in his arms as he stares at me again, "I love you so much, Mine."

"I love you Travis." I uttered as he kissed my heart again.

I guess I will never get tired loving him.

Kumapit ako sa mga bisig niya habang patuloy niya akong nilulunod sa mga halik niya.

I closed my eyes feeling him reach the depths of my soul. I couldn't contain my heart from beating as my heart calls for his name.

"Look at me." He says as if he is asking me a favor so I did. I fix his hair so I can see his face properly. There's this fire in his eyes that gives me warmth and sanctuary. I really love how he looks at me every time we make love. It feels like I complete him, that we are one.

Our heartbeats sing one melody as our soul dances in one harmony.

He kissed me again as he savored my lips with his mouth. I couldn't help myself around him as I shelter him in my arms.

"I love you Maxene, always." He sings those words like a song in my ears. I cried a tear as I felt him reach the deepest part of me.

The sound of his voice is like music to my ears as his soul invokes my name repeatedly. I hear his heart calling my name, I hear him in my heart as he releases a breath.

My heart may be weak, but my love for him isn't.

I trembled as I surrendered myself to him, he embraced me before his energy leave him. He let his head fall on top of me as he submitted himself to me. His arms carry his weight as if he's afraid that he might crush me. He traced my face with his fingers as I see him cry a tear. The weight of his tear is filled with every emotion that he has for me.

"I love you Maxene, always." His words hold a strong promise as his lips landed on my forehead.

"I love you too Travis..." I love him so much.

Minutes have passed and now we're cuddling. My head is on his shoulder serving as my pillow. He is still looking at me as if he is thinking the right words he should say to me.

"Wala ka bang itatanong?" He started with uncertainty in his eyes.

I smiled, masyado na ata akong obvious.

"I only have one question," I paused and met his eyes, "Bakit?"

I see how his jaw hardens and he gulps as if my question alone worries him or terrified him.

"Maxene..." His voice sounds guilty, "I'm very sorry," he uttered those words filled with regret, "Hi-hindi ko alam kung paano ko sisimulan." May takot at pag-aalangan sa boses niya.

I cupped his face, "Take your time. I'll listen."

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Do you remember the day that I called you telling you that I have a late class in school?" He started and and opens his eyes to see my reaction.

I nod at him as my response.

"I was actually on my way to the hospital that time." He looks away feeling embarrassed. "Monique attempted to end her life that day."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko sa nalaman ko.

"Ako lang ang nakalagay sa contact person niya Maxene, kaya ako ang tinawagan ng ospital para puntahan siya." Kaya pala siya parang nagmamadali ng oras na iyon.

"Her father disowned her. Her stepmother and stepsister just hated her," He paused, "She wants to end her misery, gusto na niyang sumunod sa nanay niyang nagpakamatay din."

I didn't imagine that her life was this sad. I couldn't help to feel sorry for her.

He gulps as he looks at me softly, "Ako lang ang meron siya. Ako lang ang tunay niyang kaibigan, Maxene. Willing naman akong tulungan siya sa abot ng makakaya ko para maka-ahon siya, pero hindi ko pala kaya ibigay lahat." Those last words weakens his voice.

Inintay kong sagutin niya ang mga katanungan sa utak ko.

"Inamin na niya sa akin na mahal niya ako noong nagising siya." I blinked convincing myself not to be affected by that fact. Inamin na rin naman ni Monique sa akin iyon.

"It's true I waited for her to reciprocate my feelings, siguro kung dati niya pa sinabi iyon, baka grabe na lang ang saya ko." His eyes were blank but still he is forcing himself to make it sound as light as possible.

"Pero noong binitawan niya ang mga salitang iyon," muli niya akong tinignan sa mata at huminga ng malalim, "Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigat sa dibdib ang naramdaman ko."

He takes my hand, "Sa sobrang bigat, nanghihina ako. Hanggang sa naramdaman ko na lang na parang may kung anong nababasag sa puso ko kapag sinasabi niya ang mga salitang iyon sa akin. Especially when the person she's calling in me was the Travis from the past."

He gulps with bitterness in his face. "But I'm not that person anymore, yet for some reason she has that effect on me that pulls me back from who I was."

Kung paano niya sabihin sa akin ang saloobin niya, halos madurog ang puso ko habang tinitingnan siya, hindi madali para sa kanya ang magsimula ulit, pero bakit may mga taong pilit siyang ibinabalik kung sino siya dati?

Bakit ang unfair ni Monique sa part na iyon?

"Wala siyang makapitan kundi ako lang. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pinabayaan ko siyang kumapit sa akin, siguro dahil na rin sa gusto ko siya alalayan sa abot ng makakaya ko, pero hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko when she asked for more." He takes a deep breath as he look at me. "She wanted more from me, but I can't give her more enough what I could give her." frustration is obvious in his voice.

"It is suffocating, but I can't think of anything that could help her, because if I push her away, baka magtangka ulit siyang magsuicide. Hindi kaya ng konsensya ko kung may mangyaring masama sa kanya." He looks at me like a defeated child filled with pain in his eyes.

I cupped his face as he looked at my hand, "I wouldn't want to lie to her, but she wants me to tell a lie to her."

"What do you mean?" Hindi ko maiwasang itanong.

"Gusto niyang makita ulit yung dating Travis na mahal siya. Yung Travis na loyal sa kanya kahit anong mangyari. Yung Travis na handang gawin ang lahat para lang sa kanya na kahit anong mangyari, hihintayin siya ng Travis na iyon."

Hindi ko mapigilang masaktan para sa kanya dahil nakikita ko siyang nahihirapan ng ganito.

He scoffs, "Tutal naman daw, sa kasinungalingan ko siya iniligtas noon, kaya dapat lang, madali lang sa akin ang magsinungaling ulit sa kanya." muli siyang napapikit na para bang nanliliit siya sa alaalang iyon. "Sinusumbat niya sa akin na kung hindi ako nagsinungaling dati, malamang daw mayroong kami." He looks at me with a broken smile. "Edi sana daw, hindi kami nahihirapan ng ganito, sana daw hindi siya nag-iisa ngayon."

Bakit niya isinusumbat ang lahat kay Travis?

"Kasalanan ko naman talaga, may mga bagay sa nakaraan na hindi ko na mababago pa." Nanghihina niyang sambit na may kirot sa puso niya. "But I can't allow myself to drown from my past anymore," He cups my face as he looks into my soul, "Because I am given hope to be better." He smiles weakly.

I smiled at him as I closed the gap between our foreheads.

"We-uhh..." Nahihiya niyang simulan, "We also went out for a while." he gulps feeling a little embarrassed while holding my hand, "Isa iyon sa mga naging demands niya. Pinagbigyan ko naman at inisip na tamang labas lang bilang magkaibigan, pero hindi siya nakuntento doon."

I'm preparing to hear this part from him but the way he started seems to scare him. He might be worried sa kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ko sa mga susunod na salitang bibitawan niya.

Hinawakan ko ng mahigpit ang kamay niya at tiningnan siya sa mata.

"I'm still listening." I tell him. I know I have to be strong to hear this specially it wasn't easy for him to tell me everything, yet still he is telling me everything.

Muli siyang napalunok, "Like what I said, she wanted more." He shakes his head, "I just can't give everything she demands me to, unlike before. That wasn't me anymore." His voice is in pain. "Every time she kiss me, I can't breathe. I'm suffocated when she touch me."

He's gathering his courage to face me with complete honesty, "Pakiramdam ko nababasag ako sa tuwing kasama ko si Monique, pero hindi ko naman siya matulak palayo, dahil nga sa ako lang ang meron siya." His voice sounds defeated, anxious and frustrated, "I know how fucked up this is, but I just don't know what I'd do to make the situation better."

I know I just have to ask, kahit na masakit, "May- may nangyari ba sa inyo?" My voice almost breaks.

He met my eyes and answered. "Wala." His voice is solid, "I can't go that far for her."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako napaluha sa sagot niya. Muli naman niyang pinunasan ang luha ko.

"Gusto niya, pero ayoko. Ang lagi kong dahilan sa kanya ay maaga pa ang pasok ko kinabukasan. Kahit naman pa paano, natanggap niya iyon." he stares into my eyes. "She requested me to at least keep her company instead, hanggang sa iuwi ko siya sa apartment niya. Indefinite pa kung anong oras niya ako bibitawan, pero hindi pwedeng hindi ako uuwi. Iyon ang lagi kong itinatatak sa utak ko."

I smiled at him.

"That routine tires the hell out of me. I just can't be in two places at once." He ranted like a child. "I wouldn't want to spend a night without you by my side. I want to wake up in the morning na ikaw ang unang taong makikita ko." He paused tracing his fingers at my face. "Kaya kahit anong mangyari, uuwi ako kung nasaan ka Maxene."

That made my heart flutter.

I brush my thumb on his face. "Pagkauwi ko, lagi akong pagod, dahil napapagod ang puso ko alalayan si Monique. Pero ikaw ang nagbibigay lakas ng loob sa akin magpatuloy sa araw-araw."

"Pinapagod mo nga ako sa umaga." I teased as I see he smiled embarrassingly in front of me.

"That's because I know I have to make up with my untold sins." He says with honesty looking me in defeat, "Hindi ko alam kung paano sasagutin ang tanong mo tuwing umaga, natatakot akong malaman mo, natatakot akong saktan ka. Natatakot akong iwan mo ako kapag nalaman mo."

He sighs as he holds my hand to his face, "I'm just filled with fear with the worst that could happen that I'm not ready for."

"Bago ko malaman na sinugod ka sa hospital, maaga akong pinakawalan ni Monique noon, kaya nagmamadali akong umuwi, pero nang malaman ko ang nangyari sayo," his voice starts to break again, "Halos ikamatay ko Max."

"Hi-hindi ko kayang mawala ka sa akin." Muling bumuhos ang kanyang luha, "Sobra ang galit ko sa sarili ko na malaman na inatake ka na wala ako sa tabi mo. Wala akong magawa, hindi man lang kita naaalalayan." He paused, "I will never forgive myself if something happens to you."

"I'm still here Travis." I wanted to at least make him feel better but his emotions were all over the place.

"Pero paano pa kung hindi ka na bumalik?" There's this enormous fear in his voice, "Paano pa kung iyon ang huling beses na mayayakap at mahahalikan kita?" He shakes his head, "I should have been there for you, but what the fuck I am doing?" His voice feels frustrated, angry and helpless. "Hindi ko mapigilang hindi magalit sa sarili ko Maxene."

I kissed his forehead as I calm him down. He kissed both of my hands again.

"It will be the end of me...Maxene..." His voice uttered weakly as he looked into my eyes. "I don't know what I'd do if I lose you." his voice is filled with fear.

"Hindi ko alam kung panaginip ba iyon, pero nasa isang lugar ako na hindi ako pamilyar na para akong batang naliligaw, pero nang marinig ko ang boses mo, napaiyak ako, kasi hindi kita makita at tanging boses mo lang ang pinanghahawakan ko para hindi ako maligaw." I don't know when I dreamt about that... It's just fresh in my memory. O dahil involved siya kaya naaalala ko yung panaginip ko.

Muli siyang napaiyak sa sinabi ko at muli kong pinunasan ang mga luha niya.

"Ikaw na ata ang iyakin sa atin ngayon." I teased him, "Ang pogi pogi tapos iyakin, parang babae." Kumento ko para hindi masyadong seryoso na dahilan kung bakit natawa siya na parang ngayon lang siya ulit nakatawa.

Hinila niya ako sa ibabaw niya at tinatago niya ang mukha niya sa leeg ko.

I can feel him savoring my scent as I feel our heartbeats singing one melody. He brushes my hair with his hand while the other is on my waist. I embraced him and kissed his shoulder.

I pull myself a little so I can see his face. He is no longer crying.

His hand is now cupping my face, "Mahal na mahal kita Maxene," he uttered.

I smiled at him and kissed his heart. His face is soft and filled with warmth. I kissed his chest, still he is looking at me with a smile on his face. I adjusted myself as I caged his face in my hands as I kissed his lips, his jaw and his neck. I feel him release a breath as I did too.

He chuckled, "Did you just mark me?" Pilyo niyang tanong sa akin.

"Akin ka, hindi ba?" I said mimicking him. "Ang akin, akin lang." I raised an eyebrow and again he embraced me with a smile on his face.

"Sayo lang ako Maxene... iyo lang." He says holding a promise.