M A X E N E

Nang magising ako, umaga na.

As usual nasa kama ako at naka-PJ's na ako. I'm sure pinalitan na naman niya ako ng damit. Tulad ng usapan namin, ngayon, inuwi niya ako sa condo kasi hindi naman pwede na lagi akong nasa penthouse niya, lalo na at bilin sa akin ni mommy na dapat laging may nagbabantay sa akin.

OA man, but what can I do? She's just that worried of me.

Kaagad namang bumukas ang pintuan ng kwarto ko at nakita ko siyang may dala-dalang dalawang mug, naka-PJ's din siya, well, ano pa ba ang masasabi ko, may iilang damit din siya dito sa condo ko.

"Good Morning, Mine." He uttered with a soft and warm voice.

I smiled at him and see him approach me. Kinuha ko yung mug ko sa kanya at tinabi muna sa side table ko. I need to drink my water first before anything else.

"Good morning, Mine." I said after I drank my water and he kissed my temple inhaling my scent.

"Pagod na pagod ka kagabi." Pagpuna niya habang inaayos ang buhok ko.

"Oo nga eh. I'm sorry." I said and he shakes his head with a smile as if he's telling me he didn't mind. "Uminom din kasi ako ng gamot, kaya nakatulog din ako kaagad."

"Good." his face looks pleased. "Well, I hope nag-enjoy kayong dalawa."

I smiled at him, "We did, we even made our friendship bracelet." Pagmamalaki ko, "Ang ganda, hindi ba?" He just smiled at me like a child. I drink my coffee with him and asked him, "Kailan pala ulit tayo bibisita sa Nanay mo?"

Natawa naman siya, "Gustong-gusto mong nakikita si Nanay, ah?"

"Well, masaya akong napapasaya siya, so tell me kailan ulit tayo dadalaw sa kanya?"

Kung dati once in every three months siya kung bumisita sa nanay niya, ngayon, twice a month na kung bumisita kami sa kanya dahil gustong gusto ko din naman na binibisita si nanay.

And for some reason, parang mas bumubuti na ang lagay niya ngayon, siguro malaking tulong na madalas siyang nadadalaw ng anak niya.

"This Sunday will be nice." Sagot sa akin ni Travis.

"Okay, great." Sunday it is.

After we drink our coffees he puts our mugs away and embraces me from behind. I feel him kissing my shoulder. I couldn't help but smile from his sweet gesture.

"Oo nga pala, may sinasabi ka ba sa akin kagabi, bago ako makatulog?" I asked ang I hear him chuckled, "Sa sobrang antok ko kasi, hindi ko na narinig kung ano ang sinabi mo kagabi...o nanaginip na naman ba ako?"

Humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin at muli niya akong hinalikan sa pisngi.

"I was just asking you about something last night, pero nakatulog ka nga ka agad." Panimula niya at tiningnan ko naman siya.

"Oh, ano iyon, gising na ako ngayon, kaya sabihin mo na sa akin."

Pero para siyang nahihiyang tingnan ako, but then I couldn't help to notice that smile on his face since yesterday, noong sinundo niya kami ng best friend ko.

"May nakapagsabi lang sa akin," hindi pa rin maalis ang ngiti sa labi niya.

"Na ano?"

"That you just declared that you're officially with someone...noong interview mo..."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi na lang niya kumpletuhin yung tanong or nahihiya siyang itanong sa akin ang bagay na ito.

"Just ask the question already." Inip kong sabi, "Pabitin pa, ano ba ang gusto mong sabihin Travis?" Kaagad naman akong humiwalay sa kanya at nakita ko kung paano niya ako harapin na para bang nahihiya siya sa akin.

Umiling siya, "Nevermind."

Hala, mukhang napahiya na nga siya.

Kinuha niya yung mug namin at derecho siyang lumabas ng kwarto.

Mali ba ako ng tanong? Ang gusto ko lang naman derecho niya akong tanungin. Ano ba ang nakakahiya doon? Dati naman lahat tinatanong niya?

Kaagad ko siyang sinundan at nakita kong nililinisan niya yung mug namin.

Niyakap ko siya sa likuran, "I'm sorry if I said something wrong."

Nakita ko naman na umiling siya na para bang nahihiya sa akin. Nakatago na naman ang mukha niya sa buhok niya.

Nang matapos na niya hugasan ang mugs namin, hinarap ko siya at inayos ang bangs niya, "Ano bang mali sa sagot ko sa interview?" I started, "May mali ba akong nasabi?"

"Wala lang iyon," he's still denying it, "Just ignore it. Baka mali lang din ako ng intindi."

I'm confused, but I have to make things clear.

"Tama naman," I answered him and he looks at me, "I just declared that I'm officially with someone sa interview ko noong nakaraan." There's this spark in his eyes that seems to emerge as a smile forms from his face. "Anong mali doon?" I tilt my head beside.

"So you just declared that we're official?" His question seeks validation.

"Oo." I answered him. "Bakit, ano ba ang pagkakaintindi mo?"

He shakes his head with a smile as if he's containing his emotions.

"Kapag ang isang celebrity, nagsabi ng relationship status niya on national television, that means that he or she is officially with someone. Private man iyon or public." I explained. I'm still confused kung bakit parang hindi siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ko.

"Plus lagi tayong magkasama, may iba pa nga na nakakakuha ng pictures natin na magkasama." Kaswal kong sambit, pero yung ngiti sa mga labi niya, hindi pa rin nagbabago.

I see how he bit his lip containing his smile from what he just learned, holding my hand.

"May mali ba doon?" I asked him again but he just shakes his head again. "Bakit, may nangugulo ba sayo?"

"Why would that even happen?" He asks with a little amusement in his voice.

"Because you're dating me," I answered with uncertainty, "Baka may nangugulo sayo dahil nga sa girlfriend mo ako."

He laughs as I notice that ray of light in his eyes.

"Are you overwhelmed because of it?" I asked again but he only shakes his head, "Kaya nga hindi ko sinabi ang pangalan mo, mamaya magulo ang tahimik mong buhay." I look away feeling a little worried about that fact.

He cups my face, he's still smiling at me.

"I'm just happy." He said adoringly, "I really don't know much about your job or how it works...pero ang malaman na ginawa mo tayong official, sobra lang ang saya na nararamdaman ko Maxene."

He is looking at me like a winner. I couldn't help to blush from his reaction.

Akala ko naman kung ano.

Bakit kung ano pa yung mababaw, iyon pa ang talagang tumatatak sa kanya?

Hindi ko alam kung bakit masaya akong nakikita siyang masaya ngayon.

"Sorry, kung ang babaw ko lang," he looks away feeling a little embarrassed while scratching his hair.

I embraced him and kissed his lips. His genuine reaction just melts my heart.

"Iyon ba ang gusto mong linawin sa akin mula pa kagabi?" He embraces me back and nodded at me like a child.

Why does he look so handsomely adorable when he smiles at me like this?

"Well, hindi ba, minsan mo nang naitanong sa akin, kung paano tayo magiging official sa iba?" I paused as I reasoned, "To be honest, si Peter lang din ang nagbigay sa akin ng idea simula noong sinabi niya ang tungkol sa kanila ni Audrey, pero kasi ako gusto ko talaga private lang ang lovelife ko." I kissed him again and felt that smile on his face. "Plus mamaya nga ma-overwhelmed ka nga, mamaya pagkaguluhan ka ng media or what."

"Bakit sa tingin mo ba, hindi ko sila kayang harapin?" Taas kilay niyang tanong sa akin. He's trying to act cool kahit na hindi maalis ang ngiti niya sa kanyang labi.

"Well, at least let me protect you from those people." I tell him as I take his face with both of my hands. "Lalo na at lahat ng ito, first time sayo. I made it official para na rin wala ka ng kaagaw sa akin."

He chuckled as he closed his eyes from what I said and by the time he opened his eyes, he looked at me filled with endearment as he kissed both of my hands.

I'm lost in his eyes again.

Umiwas ako ng tingin kasi pakiramdam ko natutunaw na naman ako kung paano niya ako titigan.

"Anyway, may afternoon classes ka pa hindi ba?" Pag-iba ko ng topic at binawi ang mga kamay ko na nasa mukha niya kanina. "I'm just going to tell the maid next door na bumili ng makakain-"

I was about to open the door but his hand immediately stopped me from opening the door.

I gulped.

My eyes slowly gaze to his hand on the door, to his forearm that always cages me with warmth, to his shoulder that I sometimes kiss and serves as my pillow every time we cuddle, until our eyes meet again.

Now as I look at him observing my reaction, I just know right away that he's laughing at me in his mind again.

"What are you doing?" I raised an eyebrow. I should maintain my cool.

He said nothing as he playfully smirked at me.

What happened next was something I didn't expect that made me flush. He took a strand of my hair and inhaled it in front of me without breaking eye contact.

"What are you doing Travis?" My voice almost squeaked and I gulped...again.

My reaction pleased him as if he's about to go phase two.

He looks at me intently as if he is openly declaring what is really happening between us.

But I won't say anything!

Ang harot na naman niya!

Natawa naman siyang muli at parang nabasa na naman niya ang isipan ko.

"To answer your question," he cups my face and he lets his other arm lean to the door, "I'm actually flirting with my fiance." Pilyo niyang sagot na dahilan kung bakit lahat na ng init sa katawan ko napunta sa mukha ko.

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata, "Behave Hayes, uutusan ko pa si Natasha."

I was about to turn around to avoid him but he pinned me to the door and felt his knee on my left leg stopping me from moving an inch.

"Ginawa ko na iyon, bago ka pa gumising kaya namamalengke na siya ngayon," I feel the warmth of his breath next to my neck, "Kaya masosolo kita ngayon." Sabik niyang sabi sa akin.

Halos wala akong lakas itulak siya, ang bilis ng kabog ng dibdib ko.

Ganito na lang ba ang epekto niya sa akin?

Bago pa man ako bumigay sa harapan niya, bigla kaming nagulat sa pagkatok sa pintuan ng unit ko.

Mukhang sinuwerte ata ako ngayon. Sinilip iyon ni Travis at kahit hindi pa niya sabihin, alam ko na.

He clicks his tongue as a straight line forms on his lips, "Your maid is here already." He muttered in defeat.

Impatient Travis is so cute! Especially when he pouts.

I couldn't help to giggle because of his reaction. I pulled him for a kiss just to make up with him and feel his lips smiling again.

I opened the door, greeted Natasha and let her in.

Nang balikan ko ng tingin si Travis, nakaupo na siya sa sofa at patay malisyang nagbabasa ng magazine.

I attempted to help Natasha, but she insisted on cooking our breakfast.

Hanggang ngayon talaga, nagpapaka-maid pa rin siya sa akin kahit hindi siya naka-uniform, dahil ayoko naman magstand-out siya dito sa condo building.

She's living next door, dahil kahit pa paano gusto ko rin naman ng privacy, ang liit-liit na nga ng unit ko, may maid pa ako.

Hay, kasi naman si Mom!

Matapos naming mag-agahan kaagad naman akong pinainom ni Travis ng gamot. Pati oras na dapat uminom ako ng gamot, naka-timer sa kanya.

"Take your medicines on time." He reminded me for the nth time.

"Opo." Tanging sagot ko at hinalikan niya ako sa noo.

"Your today's schedule?" Tanong niya sa akin habang nagbibihis siya. Ako ulit ang pumili ng damit niya at natutuwa naman ako dahil pinapabayaan niya akong alagaan siya.

"Wala naman akong schedule ngayon, pahinga ako sa work. Kakatapos lang din ng movie namin, hindi ba?" I answered.

"Mabuti naman iyon kung ganoon, bawal ka munang mapagod."

I approached him and fix his hair again, "Bawal daw mapagod, pero ikaw--"

He smiled playfully, "Iba iyon." He defended. "Besides, hindi naman na ako madalas nangungulit ah?"

Very well said.

Though he attempted earlier.

"Any progress in school?" Pag-iiba ko ng topic habang inaayos ang kwelyo niya.

"Too early to say, pero tulad ng sinabi ko, babawi ako, kaya don't worry." I smiled at him. I love seeing him how he does better.

"I don't want to keep you long, baka ma-late ka sa class mo." He smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I walked him through the door and before I let go of his hand I reminded him, "See you later?" I winked at him and I saw him smile at me as if I just made his day.

T R A V I S

Hapon na at biglang nag-vibrate yung phone ko.

Reminder: Maxene's medicine.

I was about to text Maxene, but she texted me first.

Maxene: Update: Kakainom ko lang po ng gamot, kaya don't worry. I love you. xx

Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapangiti sa message niya. Napakababaw ko na siguro talaga.

Lalo na at gustong-gusto ko na inaalagaan siya ng ganito.

Travis: Class is over, do you want me to get you anything?

Maxene: I'm on my way to your school, kaya let's eat somewhere na lang. :)

Oo nga pala susunduin niya ako ngayon kaya hihintayin ko siya.

Travis: Okay, hihintayin kita sa parking lot.

Maxene: Can't wait to see you. xx

I'm just with her this morning, she misses me already?

Maxene: I miss you na kasi, sorry, clingy. o3o

Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko hindi ngumiti sa text message niya sa akin, napilitan akong takpan ang bibig ko bago pa may makapansin na para akong baliw na nagbabasa ng text message.

Travis: See you, I'll wait. I love you.

Maxene: See you Mine. <3

She just used our endearment.

"Hoy, mukha kang tanga diyan!" Banat ni Joshua na nasa harapan ko na pala.

"May klase ka pa ba at nakatambay ka dito sa parking lot?" Tanong ni Gerard.

"May sundo ako." Tanging nasabi ko na lang sa tanong nila.

"Sino, si Monique ba?" Kumento ni Pierre.

"Why would you say that?" Strange.

"Kasi kararating niya lang." Sambit niya at tinaguhan si Monique na kakalapit lang din sa amin.

"Hi guys." Matipid na pagbati niya sa amin. "Kamusta?"

"Hey Moe, ikaw? Kamusta?" Joshua asks her with a friendly smile.

"Kamusta school?" Tanong ni Gerard sa kanya.

"Nakakabawi naman na ako. Though mahirap, pero kailangang magtapos." She answered with a little smile on her face.

Mabuti naman kung ganoon.

"Ikaw ba ang sundo ni Travis ngayong araw?" Tanong ni Pierre sa kanya at napansin ko naman na parang hindi niya inaasahan ang tanong na iyon.

"Si Maxene ang susundo sa akin." Paglinaw ko, "May lakad kami."

Nagulat naman si Pierre sa sagot ko at napailing, "Oh, akala ko si Moe ang sundo mo eh."

I look at Monique and smiled, "What's up?" matipid kong tanong sa kanya.

Kahit pa ang gusto ko talagang tanungin ay: kung bakit siya nandito? O anong ginagawa niya dito?

But either of the questions sounds a little unfriendly to her.

"Gusto ko lang sana ikaw makausap saglit." Nahihiya niyang sambit.

"Sige, mamaya na lang muna kami mangungulit. Bibili lang kami ng softdrinks." Sabi ni Joshua at sabay-sabay na silang tatlo na umalis papunta sa malapit na convenience store.

I faced her but I maintain my distance from her. I crossed my arms and asked her again, "Anong gusto mong pag-usapan?"

"Gusto kong mag-sorry sa nangyari noon." She might be pertaining to her confrontation with Maxene.

"Wala na iyon Monique, it's in the past now."

She force out a smile, "I'm still sorry," There's this regret in her voice, "Because I took you for granted. Tama naman doon si Maxene." She laughed at herself, "Kahit kailan hindi ka nagalit sa akin, pero nang muntikan ko siyang pagbuhatan ng kamay, iyon ang unang beses na natakot ako na magalit ka sa akin Travis."

She shakes her head, "Akala ko kasi mababawi pa kita, pero mukhang nakuha na niya ng buo ang puso mo." She looks away with a sad smile on her face, "I lost Lance and then now I lost you too."

"Magkaibigan pa rin naman tayo Monique." That's all I could give.

Her smile breaks, "I just missed the days where you used to look at me like I am your everything," she pauses, "Ngayon kasi, sa tuwing nakikita ko kung paano mo siya tingnan, sa totoo lang nasasaktan ako, ganoon mo kasi ako tinitingnan dati." She utters with bitterness in her voice.

Bakit ba sa tuwing binabalikan niya ito, naaapektuhan pa rin ako?

I can't even look at her eyes. "I'm very sorry Moe." I just don't know what else to say.

She shakes her head while biting her lip, "Sa totoo lang mas malaki ang kasalanan ko sayo Travis."

"You don't have to blame yourself Moe," she has to let this go, "You have to forgive yourself."

She smiles genuinely, "After some time, finally, you were able to say those words." She approached me but I have to maintain my distance from her. I don't want to cause another misunderstanding yet, I'm at the end of the line already.

"Masaya ako na napatawad mo na ang sarili mo Travis," Halos pabulong niyang sabi, "Masaya ako na masaya ka na ngayon." She says as if she's convincing herself that she is.

Gusto kong itulak siya palayo, pero hindi ko kaya.

Muli niya akong niyakap at biglang nanikip ang dibdib ko. I'm worried that Maxene might see us like this.

"No matter what happens, I will still love you, even if from afar." Napapikit na lang ako sa sinabi niya.

Humiwalay rin naman siya sa akin at umiwas ng tingin, "Ayokong dumating ang araw na kapag nagunaw ang mundo mo, wala kang masasandalan."

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" I'm confused.

"Kung dumating man iyon, I just wanted you to know that I'm here for you." She says filled with sincerity.

I shake my head, "You don't have to, I'll be fine." I tell her, "I'm with Maxene."

"I know," Tumungo siya, "Natatakot lang ako para sayo," Muli niya akong tinignan sa mata na may pagaalinlangan, "Kahit kailan hindi mo ipinakita sa iba ang kahinaan mo Travis. Ikaw yung tao na hangga't kaya mong itago ang nararamdaman mo, itatago mo. Pero ang nangyari noong..." She couldn't finish her sentence and looks away.

"What are you trying to tell me Monique?" Tanong ko sa kanya pero bago pa man siya makasagot, saktong kababalik lang nung tatlo kong kabanda.

"Hey guys, we're back." Sabi ni Gerard at inabutan si Monique ng softdrink.

"So nagkaayos na ba kayo?" Tanong ni Pierre sa amin.

I look at Monique and see her smiling at him. "Yep. We just made up."

"Buti naman kung ganon." Kumento ni Josh, "Sayang din ang friendship, iyon naman ang pinakamahalaga sa isang samahan."

"Anyway, baka ito na rin ang huli nating pagkikita guys." Pagpapaalam ni Monique sa amin.

"Why, where are you going?" Hindi ko maiwasang tanong.

"Nakakuha ako ng scholarship, kaya pwede na akong maging full time student sa university na pinapasukan ko."

"That's good news." Bakit ngayon niya lang ito sinabi sa akin? "I'm happy for you Moe."

"Oo kami rin Monique, deserve mo naman iyon." Dagdag pa ni Gerard.

"Anyway, how are you and your father?" Tanong sa kanya ni Pierre.

Now why would he be interested in her personal affairs?

"Nililigawan ko pa rin siya," Matipid niyang sagot, "He's still my father."

"Hindi ka naman matitiis ng tatay mo Monique. Siya na nga lang ang pamilya mo eh." Pag-singit ni Joshua.

"Basta kung ano man Monique," muling nagsalita si Pierre, "Nandito lang kami."

"Salamat." She said almost uneasily.

Nagulat na lang ako nang may nagtakip ng mga mata ko. Sa pabango pa lang niya alam ko na. Hinawakan ko ang malambot niyang kamay at inalis sa mga mata ko.

"Surprise Hayes!"

Akala niya namang nagulat ako.

But then her smile just warms up my heart.

She immediately held my hand and looked at my friends, "Hello guys!"

"Hey Maxene! Kamusta ka na?" Tanong sa kanya ni Gerard.

"I'm doing well. Thank you for asking." She answered casually.

"Kanina ka pa hinihintay ni Travis," Sabi sa kanya ni Joshua, "Kung hindi ka pa dadating, hihilahin namin siyang sumama sa amin."

She looked at them as if she's embarrassed, "Pero may date kami." She pouted and she looked at me.

Huwag nga niya ako pakitaan ng ganyan, baka hindi ako makapagpigil.

"Ang tamis naman talaga oh!" Joshua teased.

I was able to glance at Monique and see how she came to accept the fact that Maxene is my world now.

Tinignan ko naman si Pierre at tinanong, "Pasado na ba si Joshua, para kay Addy?"

Napansin ko namang parang nagulat naman si Monique sa tanong ko kay Pierre.

Pierre just smirked and answered, "Bahala siya diyan."

"Dude naman." Pagmamaktol ni Joshua sa kanya.

"Wow, biruin mo iyon, nagseseryoso ka na rin pala Joshua?" Maxene raised an eyebrow looking at him with a smirk on her face.

Nakapamot ulo na lang si Joshua, "Bakit ba ako na naman ang napagtritripan dito?"

"Eh noong isang araw, ako ang pinagtitripan ninyo, hindi ba?" Reklamo ko sa kanya.

"Bakit?" Tanong ni Maxene sa akin.

"Masyado silang intriga sa ating dalawa."

"Hoy, grabe, bakit mo naman kami nilaglag kay Maxene?" Muling napakamot si Joshua na parang nahihiyang harapin si Maxene.

"Dinaig niyo pa ang mga tao sa showbiz," she pauses crossing her arms at him, "Kalalaki niyong tao, mga chismoso!"

Ayan, lagot kayo sa fiance ko!

"Eh arranged lang naman kayo." Muling banat ni Pierre sa kanya, "Mamaya niyan napipilitan lang yung kaibigan namin sayo." He says almost like a joke to him.

Napansin ko kung paano umiwas ng tingin si Monique sa nasabi ni Pierre.

"Is that a joke Pierre?" From the tone of her voice, Maxene is assessing how she'll respond to what he just said. I'm just glad that she's playing her cards right. "I just made us official." She declared and I noticed how his face looks at her impassively.

"Weh, hindi nga, official na kayo?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Joshua.

"Eh, akala ba namin Travis-" bago pa makapagsalita si Gerard sinubuan ko na siya ng tinapay na hawak-hawak niya.

Mamaya masira pa ang plano ko kapag nagsalita siya.

Maxene sighs and faced my friends, "Noong interview ko, sinabi ko na committed na ako." She explained.

"Yeah, but still you didn't say who." Muling sagot sa kanya ni Pierre.

A firm line forms on her lips as if she's insulted by him.

I was about to answer him back but before I could. Maxene removes her hat and her eye glasses that serves as her disguise.

All of a sudden, all eyes were on her.

She eyed on the boys with a smile and back at me. In an instant she kisses me in front of everybody.

I was caught off guard.

My heart was about to burst from my chest and I responded to her kiss.

She cuts the kiss and faces my friends again, especially Pierre, "I really don't need to drop his name. Because all they will see now is his face."

I could feel my soul smiling at her. That kiss from her is a declaration to everybody who witnessed, that I am only hers and she's mine.

"Grabe Maxene ah, PDA po kayo masyado." Gerard teased.

"What?" Pagmamaldita niya, "Am I not allowed to kiss my boyfriend now?"

Now I couldn't help myself to smile at her.

"That's enough," hinila ko siya pabalik, "Mauuna na kami. Babawi na lang ako next time sa inyo guys."

I noticed Monique looked at me with worry in her eyes.

Next time ko na lang siguro siya tatanungin tungkol sa dapat na sasabihin niya sa akin kanina.

"Dapat lang, mamaya magselos na namang tong sila Josh at P." Paalala ni Gerard sa akin.

Sinakay ko na si Maxene sa kotse at nang bubuksan ko na ang driver's seat narinig kong muli ang mga salitang, 'enjoy it while it lasts.'

Hindi ko alam kung guni-guni ko lang iyon pero nang tingnan ko naman sila Pierre, Gerard, Joshua and Monique nakangiti naman silang lahat sa akin.

Muli akong nagpaalam sa kanila at sumakay na rin kaagad sa kotse.

Kumain kami sa labas at bigla niya akong niyaya sa isang drive-in cinema. At katulad ng dati siya ang bumili ng popcorn at drinks. Hindi na ako kumontra, ako naman ang sagot sa tickets namin.

"Pwede naman tayong manood ng movie sa bahay or sa sinehan mismo." Sabi ko pero sinubuan niya lang ako ng popcorn.

"I just wanted to do new things." Sagot niya sa akin habang nanguya ng popcorn. I kissed her hand and locked our hands together. "I'm collecting good memories of you and me."

"Nainis ka na naman ba kanina?" I just wanted to confirm.

She sighs as she looks and looks at me, "I just want them to shut up." I couldn't help to smile from her reaction. Like me she's pissed to how the boys doubted the real deal between us.

Hindi naman namin kailangan ipaliwanag sa kanila ang lahat.

"I just hated the idea na akala nila napipilitan lang tayo sa arrangement natin, " She pouted like a child, "It's making me uneasy." She admits and I kiss her cheek, "Tapos nandoon pa si Monique," muli niya akong tiningnan, "Bakit siya nandoon?"

Hindi ko alam kung nagseselos ba siya or naiirita pero natutuwa ako pagmasdan siyang naiinis dahil lang kasama namin si Monique kanina.

"She came to apologize to what happened before, nag-sorry na siya sa'yo, hindi ba? Kanina sa akin naman siya nag-sorry." I answered and her eyes softens. "Nagpaalam na rin siya na baka iyon na ang huli naming pagkikita pansamantala, dahil magiging busy na siya sa school. Nakakuha na siya ng scholarship, kaya hindi na alanganin ang hindi siya makapagtapos ng college."

"Wow, that's good news." Her face looks pleased, "I'm happy for her, kung ganoon."

Muli kong hinalikan ang kamay niya, "Bakit, ano bang iniisip mo kanina?" I'm trying to read her thoughts but she's avoiding my gaze. "Answer me Maxene." I hold her hand tightly.

"Wala lang," she pouted, "Akala ko lang, binubugaw ka ng tropa mo sa first love mo."

Seeing her being jealous like this makes me a little happy. "I'm all yours Maxene." I tell her but she's avoiding my gaze as if she's throwing a childish tantrum.

"Ang cute mo." I teased her.

She glared at me, "Talaga." She answers with pride.

"Akala ko ba hindi ka na nagseselos kay Monique?" Muli kong tanong sa kanya.

She looks back at me, "Hindi na nga," She pauses, "But if your give me a reason to, I would be." She looks on the screen. "Hindi naman biro na ilang taon mo siyang minahal, eh ako, saling-pusa lang naman ako sa buhay mo." May konting lungkot at pagkabahala sa boses niya.

I made her face me again and kissed her temple. "I love you." I adjusted her face for me to kiss her lips, "I love you Maxene."

She smiles at me and kisses my shoulder. "I love you too Travis."

Pagkatapos namin manood ng movie niyaya na naman niya ako sa isang lugar na hindi ko kailanman pinuntahan sa tala ng buhay ko.

"You want to get a tattoo?" I asked in disbelief and I saw her nodding at me like an innocent child, "Why?"

"Takot ka?" She grins at me.

"No, I just don't like having one." Maaring yung iba gusto nila, pero hindi ko kailanman naisip magpatattoo.

She pouted, "Saglit lang naman ito." She's shaking my arm. "Please, please, please, please, please."

Ang kulit na naman niya!

"Pwede ka ba magkaroon ng tattoo sa trabaho mo?"

"Basta, it is just small. Barely noticeable, ganoon." Depensa niya. She really wants to do this.

"Bakit ba gusto mong magpa-tattoo?" Muli kong tanong sa kanya.

"I just want to do something out of my comfort zone." She answered, "Plus, I designed the tattoo that I want for us." She smiled.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit sa tuwing nababanggit niya yung salitang 'para sa amin or kami' mabilis kong ikinatutuwa iyon.

"Okay fine." Tanging sagot ko para matapos na lang ito.

Nang pumasok kami sa loob kaagad siyang lumapit sa gagawa ng tattoo namin at pinakita yung design na gusto niya.

Saan niya ba kasi iyon balak ilagay?

Sinenyasan niya ako lumapit sa kanya at umupo sa katabing upuan kung saan siya nakaupo at nagulat sa kung saan niya balak ipalagay yung tattoo.

"Sa daliri?" Napalunok ako.

"Oo, mabilis lang ito, swear." She said as if she's prepared for this.

Tama din naman siya, mabilis lang gawin, pero kasi sobrang nabadtrip ako dahil ramdam ko yung karayom sa balat ko. Fuck this!

Bakit sa dami dami ng pwedeng pag-lagyan sa daliri pa?

Kaagad namang tinakpan nung gumawa yung tattoo na ginawa sa akin dahil daw pakiusap iyon ni Maxene sa kanya bago ko pa man makita kung anong tattoo ang ginawa sa daliri ko.

She paid the tattoo artists with tip and we left.

Pagkasakay namin ng kotse todo ang ngiti niya sa akin.

"Happy?" I can't help to sound a little sarcastic.

"Heh, nasaktan ka doon?" Pang-aasar niya.

"Bakit, ikaw hindi?"

"Hindi ko nga halos naramdaman." she says with pride.

"Edi mas magaling na yung gumawa ng tattoo mo, sa akin masakit eh!" Pagrereklamo ko.

"Halata nga." She uttered with amusement on her face as she took my hand and removed the cover.

Kaagad niyang ipinakita yung design na siya mismo ang gumawa. Hindi ko naman maintindihan kung ano ito o kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng tattoo na ito. "Ano naman itong design na ito?"

She sighs and smiles then she locks our hands together, "Ayan, gets mo na ba?"

Yung inis na naramdaman ko kanina, biglang nawala.

I look at her and she looks at me filled with endearment. "Ganda ng design noh?" Pagmamayabang niya pa.

Hanggang kailan ba niya ako pakikiligin ng ganito?

"Masakit pa rin." Mahinahon kong reklamo.

"I'm not going to say sorry for that." Pilyo niyang sagot sa akin. Muli niyang tiningnan ang mga kamay namin.

"What's the meaning behind the tattoo?" Alam kong heart shape iyan, pero gusto ko lang talaga malaman. Lagi namang ganon kapag nagpapa-tattoo, hindi ba?

"I'm incomplete without you." Paano siya nakakasagot ng ganyan ka-simple na halos kumawala ang puso ko sa dibdib ko?

"At kaya ko nirequest ilagay sa palasingsingan yung tattoo, ay para magsilbing couple's ring na rin natin yung tattoo na ito."

I listen to what she has to add as I contain my feelings at the moment.

"At least this," she's pertaining to our tattoos, "This will mark us forever, right?" she tilted her head beside and giggled, "I love you, Mine."

My heart couldn't take these emotions that she's filling in my soul and in an instant, I pull her close and take her lips passionately.

My heart is definitely hers forever.