T R A V I S

Punyeta naman!

Hindi ko alam kung sinong magaling ang kumuha ng footage ng pag-propropose ko kanina sa garden kung nasaan kami ni Maxene, pero hiyang-hiya ako lalo na at ang daming taong nanonood ng proposal ko na nagplaplay sa projector screen.

Fuck this!

Mukha pala akong tanga kanina!

Itinago ko ang mukha ko sa leeg ni Maxene dahil hiyang-hiya ako ngayon sa harap ng maraming tao.

Tangina naman kasi!

Mapapatay ko ang taong nasa likod nito.

This is why I proposed to her privately. I'm not even confident if she'll say yes, since she rejected my first proposal.

Natatakot akong mapahiya kaya sinubukan ko ulit kanina na kaming dalawa lang.

Pero ano ito? Fuck talaga! Wala na akong mukhang maihaharap sa tao!

Dapat sanay na ako humarap sa maraming tao, lalo na at natugtog naman ako kasama ng banda ko, pero iba kasi ito, tangina talaga!

Hindi ko maalis ang mukha ko sa leeg ni Maxene.

Not cool. Not fucking cool Travis!

"Hey," her comforting voice calls for me. Kung pwede lang magtago na lang talaga ako sa likuran niya, ginawa ko na.

Her hands take my face and lift me up with pride. Her smile immediately warms up my heart.

"I love you." She says dearly and I just melt kissing her forehead.

Why would I even bother worrying?

Ngayon alam na ng lahat na akin siya.

Nang lapitan kami ng taong salarin ng pagkuha ng footage na iyon, hindi ko alam kung paano sila haharapin ng maayos ngayon.

Sila Anderson, Axel, Daniel, Peter, Lorraine and Audrey.

"Ang sweet, parang nanood lang kami ng movie." Naiiyak na pabirong kumento ni Audrey.

"Sabi sa iyo, collect memories. Para pwede mong balikan iyon." Nakangising sambit ni Anderson.

That is supposed to be exclusive for the both of us.

"Paano ninyo ba nalaman na magpropropose si Travis sa akin?" Tanong sa kanila ni Maxene.

"Well, secret na lang namin iyon," nakakalokong sagot sa kanya ni Peter kaya nabatukan siya ni Audrey.

"Well actually kami lang ni Peter ang nakakita, si Daniel at Axel kasi late na nakarating dito." Sagot sa kanya ni Anderson.

"Eh paano pala kung failed ang attempted proposal niya sa akin?" She narrows her eyes on them, "Tapos palihim ninyong kinuha iyon ng walang consent. Kayo talaga."

Sige Maxene, pagalitan mo sila, dali. Mga bwisit!

"Madali naman, kung failed, edi delete." Matipid na sagot ni Anderson.

Eh kung kayo ang i-delete ko sa mundo?

"Eh ano ba kasing ginagawa niyo sa area kanina?" I just snapped. Maxene held my hand as if she's telling me to calm down.

Nakita ko naman na nagulat sila ng bahagya dahil ngayon lang nila akong narinig na may konting inis sa boses ko. 

Para na lang hindi awkward, pilit ko silang nginitian.

To think na hindi ko naman sila close para gawin ito.

"Well, we're just buying sometime habang hinihintay yung mga girlfriends namin na inaayusan. Eh since maganda yung lugar, gumala-gala na muna kami." Anderson answered as friendly as he could be.

"Well dapat talaga pupunta kami sa doughnut store kasi nag-cra-crave si Audrey ng doughnuts na may glaze, eh since private dumaan sa likuran, doon na kami dumaan." Peter started,

"Natuwa pa kami nang makita namin na may mga bata kanina, kaya lang isa-isa silang nagtatakbuhan na galing sa garden. Akala namin may kung sinong kidnapper or pedo ang kumuha sa kanila kaya napadaan kami."

What the fuck was that reason?

"Gago, ikaw lang ang nag-isip nun Pedro!" Tanggi ni Anderson sa dahilan niya. "Nandamay ka pa."

"Gago ka rin, iba na ang panahon ngayon, kaya dapat mag-ingat, lalo na at ang mga bata madaling nauuto." Sagot ni Peter pabalik kay Anderson.

"Tanga, ikaw lang ang batang nauto dati." Asar na banat ni Anderson sa kaibigan at nagtawanan sila Audrey at Lorraine.

"Tama na nga yan guys." Suway sa kanila ni Axel at tiningnan kami ni Maxene. "Congrats sa inyo," bati niya sa amin at tinukso si Maxene, "Swerte mo sa kanya Max." She playfully hits him with a friendly smile.

Ako ang maswerte sa kanya.

Naalala kong nasabi sa akin ni Maxene dati na may crush sa kanya si Axel, pero pasensyahan na lang bro, akin siya.

Akin lang.

Sumunod na lumapit sa amin yung ibang co-models na nakatrabaho ni Maxene at tulad kanina sa grupo nila Anderson, they congratulated us as Maxene introduces me towards the people around her work. 

There are also some guys who she dated before she was arranged with me.

Kahit pa yung iba ay umasa na magkaroon ng second date noon kay Maxene, inuulit ko, pasensyahan na lang. Dahil taken na siya.

Akin na siya eh.

I didn't really pay too much attention to their names until a familiar person came along and congratulated us.

Si Brandon.

Pero hindi tulad ng dati, ngayon alam na niya ang lugar niya at mukhang may girlfriend na rin siya, kaya, buti na lang.

Sumunod na pinakilala sa akin ni Maxene ay yung gay friend niya na si Cyriel na pinagselosan ko din dati. Paano ba naman kasi girl friend ang tawag niya sa fiance ko. Pero noong nalaman ko na bakla siya, kaagad din naman lumuwag ang pakiramdam ko. Buti na lang talaga.

"Ayan ah, bayad na ako sa utang ko sayo." Si Radcliffe. "May jet lag pa ako, kaya I'm sorry kung mas pipiliin ko na muna ang magpahinga ngayon."

"Salamat Rad." Tanging nasabi ko sa kanya at tinapik siya sa balikat.

"Aww, aalis ka na?" Pagtatampo sa kanya ni Maxene na may halong lambing, bigla ko tuloy naalala kung paano siya kiligin dito kay Radcliffe.

I held her hand, "He needs to rest Max. He just arrived, so let's let him rest."

Radcliffe gives us an awkward smile.

"Ay kamusta kayo ni Hilary?" Hindi maiwasang itanong ni Maxene, "I'm still wishing that my ship would sail."

"Thank you," he paused with a smile, "We're good friends." Humble niyang sagot kay Maxene at nagpaalam na rin kaagad sa amin para makapagpahinga siya.

Pasalamat siya mabait ako kaya ginawan ko ng paraan para dito na siya sa hotel ni auntie mag-stay, lalo na at talaga namang kinulit ko siya na umuwi ngayon para sa birthday ni Maxene.

Mamaya kasi masabihan pa niya akong barbero, eh totoo naman na kaibigan ko din si Radcliffe, kahit na ang totoo, nakakainis siyang pagmasdan kiligin ng ganon kanina.

"Oh, huwag magselos, Mine." She teased using our endearment as she locks her hand with mine. She read my mind just like that.

"Hindi ako nagseselos doon." I denied. "Kasi akin ka na."

She smiles sheepishly. That's adorably cute.

She took my hand as we approached their table.

Isa-isa nilang niyakap si Maxene at kaagad naman akong nilapitan ni Alex Sevelleno, "Congrats sa inyo ni Maxene dude!" 

Kahit na hindi ko pa rin alam kung paano sila haharapin, pinili ko na lang ngumiti sa kanilang lahat. Nang mapatingin ako sa gawi kung nasaan si Laurenz, kahit naman pa paano hindi na niya ako tinitingnan ng masama ngayon. Kahit nagpapaka-suplado pa rin siya sa harapan ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Congratulations Travis." Hinarap ako ni Kenzo at narinig ko kung paano tuksuhin nila Martin si Maxene dahil nagkaharap daw ang past at ang present niya.

I take his hand as I give him a proper handshake.

How he delivers his thoughts are clear as day as he shakes my hand. Looking him eye to eye I know that he still loves her but chooses to respect her happiness.

Like Maxene, he's also selfless in his own way. His grip warns me not to hurt her ever again, his grip sends me a message that no matter what happens, I shouldn't let go of her.

That I should learn from his mistake because letting Maxene go, is his biggest regret.

I smiled at him and saw him smile back.

He's worthy of a rival.

We may be different but I see him as my equal, as he is with me.

Nahihiya naman kaming nilapitan ni Maxene dahil na rin sa ginisa siya nila Martin kanina. Nakita ko naman kung paano siya napalunok at hinawakan ang kamay ko. 

There's this worry in her eyes as she looks at me with a gentle face.

Para na lang hindi siya mag-alala nilinaw ko sa kanya na magkasundo na kami ng ex niya. Kahit naman pa paano, ikinatuwa niya iyon lalo na at sumang-ayon din naman si Kenzo sa akin.

Hindi naman namin kailangan sabihin ang napagkasunduan namin, ganun naman kaming mga lalaki. Naalala ko tuloy nung tinanong ako ni Maxene kung paano ko daw nasabi na nagkaayos na kami ng kapatid ko kahit na kung tutuusin ang layo pa rin niya sa akin ngayon. 

There's just some things that I can't explain properly to her, all I know is, I just know. Base from their body language.

Guys aren't really that vocal in regards to whatever they truly feel. Unless it is too much for us to bear.

Seeing how Maxene gives Kenzo a friendly smile, makes me consider that she's looking at him as her friend; that she doesn't need to worry about his feelings anymore, but I just know... how he looks at her, his feelings for her doesn't change in one bit.

Dahil ganoon ko tignan si Moe noong nakatingin siya kay Lance dati.

"You can sit with us if you wanted." Alex insisted with a friendly face, but I humbly refused.

Umiwas siya saglit ng tingin at napangiti, nang balikan niya ako ng tingin, alam kong alam na niya kaagad kung bakit.

Kung hindi ko nakilala ang side na iyon ni Alex noong high school, sasabihin kong happy-go-lucky lang siyang tao, pala kaibigan at binansagang dakilang babaero sa school.

Pero kung tutuusin pa nga mas maingat pa si Alex kaysa akin sa kung paano niya pakisamahan ang iba't-ibang tao. Kaya rin siguro madali siyang lapitan nila Pierre dati.

Because he always pretends to be a fool.

Naalala ko tuloy ang sinabi sa akin ni papa dati tungkol sa 'the fool' sa tarot cards. 

Dahil ang baraha na iyon ay ang madalas na hindi napapansin ng karamihan. Sino ba naman ang matutuwa na makakuha ng 'the fool' card? 

Kahit naman sino siguro ayaw na masabihang tanga.

Pero nag-iba ang tingin ko sa baraha na iyon nang sabihin sa akin ni papa na iyon ang pinaka importanteng baraha sa buong deck. 

Dahil kung tutuusin ang 'the fool', siya ang pinaka payak sa lahat ng baraha at samakatuwid, maaari siyang maging anumang naisin niya.

Kung tutuusin, dapat naisumbong na ako ni Alex sa mama niya noong high school, lalo na at sa hindi ko inaasahang dahilan, nalaman na lang niya na hindi talaga si Kenzo ang salarin ng pagkasunog ng science lab dati, kundi ako. Bukod tanging siya lang ang nakaalam ng ginawa kong iyon para lang mapa-expel si Kenzo dati.

Kung nagkataon at ma-eexpel ako sa school tiyak na malalagot ako kay papa.

Pero hindi ako isinumbong ni Alex at mas piniling mag tanga-tangahan na walang alam sa insidenteng iyon. 

Nag-alala pa ako dati na baka i-blackmail niya ako, pero hindi niya ginawa, gustuhin ko mang malaman ang dahilan, pero hindi naman niya ako sinagot noon at iyon ang naging huling usapan naming dalawa bago mag-graduation.

He's cunning in a playful way.

Hindi ko tuloy alam kung dapat ba akong magpasalamat sa kanya o ano pero pakiramdam ko, may utang na loob ako sa kanya na hindi ko alam kung paano mababayaran.

Hinatid ko si Maxene kung nasaan ang parents niya at muli akong binati ng daddy niya at nagpasalamat dahil nakabalik ako kaagad. 

May konting pag-aalala pa nga sa boses ng daddy niya habang nakangiting yakap-yakap ang anak niya na para bang nag-alala kanina sa biglaan kong pag-alis ng walang paalam. 

Sa tingin ko talaga ngang nakuha ko na ang loob niya para sa anak niya. Natutuwa ako na pabor na sa akin ang daddy niya. Ang susunod ko namang susuyuin ngayon ay ang mommy niya.

"Congratulations, again," Her mother faces me with a little uncertainty in her voice, "Enjoy the party na muna hijo at saka na natin pag-usapan ang pwedeng pagbabago sa set-up ninyo ni Maxene."

Bigla akong kinabahan sa sinabi niya.

"Mom," Maxene looked at her mom and pouted, "Please don't scare my fiance away."

A thin line forms at her mother's lips, "I'm not scaring him away Maxene, you're already engaged with him, ano pa ang dapat mong ipag-alala doon?"

"Eh ano po yung sinasabi mong pagbabago na naman sa set-up namin?" Maxene asks, though her mother almost dismissed her but Maxene couldn't just let her pass.

"Fine." Her mom sighs in defeat. "I'm not going to allow you to stay in his place anymore. Either you take your condo or go home."

Napalunok ako.

"But Mom." Maxene almost complains but I held her hand calming her down.

She looked at me and I smiled.

I face her mom. I hate that our arrangement comes to this after I make us official.

I respect that she has her reasons, knowing what happened to her I came to understand why she's this overprotective of her daughter, but as much as possible I want to prove to her that I mean no harm towards Maxene.

"If that's for what's best, then it's fine with me." I humbly answered her.

She gives a small nod at me as she takes Maxene from me.

Narinig kong sabi pa ng mommy niya, kailangan na daw niyang magpalit ng damit.

Nagsimula na ang dinner at nang makalapit ako sa table ng mga kabanda ko, agad akong sinalubong ako ni Gerard na may ngiti sa labi at binati ako.

"We're so proud of you bro!" Muling banat sa akin ni Gerard at nginitian ko lang sila.

"Congrats Travis." Joshua simply raised a glass cheering me up.

"Salamat guys." Tanging sagot ko sa kanila.

"Mukhang maayos na rin kayo ng ex niya ah?" Pagpuna ni Pierre habang nakatingin sa gawi nila Kenzo na ngayon ay nakikita kong tinutukso nilang itabi kay Sarah. 

Natawa na lang ako sa utak ko noong pumagita naman si Laurenz sa dalawa at nilagyan si Sarah ng icing sa mukha at muling nagtawanan ang grupo nila habang pinagtritripan yung kaibigan nila.

"He's her past," Matipid na sagot ko kay Pierre at uminom ng punch, "Pagtanggap na lang ang magagawa ko para sa amin ni Max."

"Tama ka nga naman doon," he uttered acknowledging me with a friendly tone, "Pagtanggap nga lang talaga."

There's something new with him, I can't tell what. Maybe I'm not just used to it, since I've known him for so long.

"Congratulations." He says genuinely.

Mukha namang wala na dapat akong ipag-alala, lalo na ngayon at nabigyang linaw na ang totoong namamagitan sa amin ni Maxene.

Na hindi ko siya rebound o napilitan lang akong panindigan ang arrangement namin.

I just love Maxene to this extent.

I guess I shouldn't blame them for being skeptical with what I have with her, besides, totoo ngang wala pa kaming isang taon ni Maxene, pero ganito na kalalim ang relasyon namin.

Siguro kung iintindihin ko rin ang side nila, baka magduda din ako, pero at least, malinaw na ang lahat sa amin.

Si Maxene lang talaga.

Siya na talaga.

Nag resume na ulit ang programme proper at muling lumabas si Maxene ng naka-peach laced off shoulder long dress. 

Mukhang mas magaan ang dress niya ngayon kaysa sa suot niya kanina. I can tell to how she moves freely with it. She looks stunning that I couldn't take my eyes off her, especially now that her hair is now tied down.

Napansin kong hindi na niya suot yung tiara at yung terno niyang alahas kanina, pwera sa necklace na ibinigay ko sa kanya at yung red bracelet naming dalawa. 

That just melts my heart. 

Her eighteen candles and eighteen treasures commenced to take their part.

Tulad ng request ni Maxene, dalawa ang ginampanang role ni Sarah sa birthday niya. Natutuwa naman akong pagmasdan ang dalawang iyon. No wonder why Max loves her friend so much. Kasi ganun din si Sarah sa kanya.

Kulang na lang hindi sila mapaghiwalay na dalawa.

It may have been an emotional night for her, but I am happy that she celebrated today with a smile on her face.

Nang mag-closing remarks na ang host para ihanda ang after party, nagpaalam na ang mga ibang bisita ni Maxene.

Nagpasalamat sila sister Elizabeth at muling binati si Maxene ng happy birthday. Nang nagkatinginan kami ng madre nginitian niya lang ako at tinugunan ko din naman iyon.

Nang umalis na ang madre kasama ng mga bata, lumapit naman kaagad sa gawi namin sila Joshua, Gerard at Pierre.

"Happiest birthday Maxene." Sabi sa kanya ni Joshua at inabot ang regalo niya.

"Max C, stay pretty!" Banat ni Gerard na nakangiti at inabot din ang regalo niya kay Maxene.

"Thanks Josh and thanks Baby G." Malambing na sagot niya sa dalawa.

She looks at me with a playful smile and I just knew it, sinasadya niya iyon.

Pinagtitripan niya ako.

"Happy birthday Maxene." Pierre greeted her with a warm and friendly face.

I see how she smiles back at him as if she's looking at him like a long lost friend and uttered, "Thank you."

"Mauna na kami at next time na lang kami babawi." Pagpaalam niya kay Maxene at tumingin sa akin, "Para masolo ka rin nito ni Travis." Palaro niya akong hinampas sa balikat at nginitian ko lang siya bilang tugon.

Maxene giggled and nodded at him.

Nang makaalis na silang tatlo, kaagad naman akong nginitian ni Maxene at hinawakan ang kamay ko.

"You know," she started, "It seems like I was wrong about Pierre all along."

I'm a little confused as I face her with uncertainty.

She looks at me and without me asking her she just answered the confusion in my head, "Like you, he's just another misunderstood person and I think I judged him wrongly."

I couldn't help to agree with her, yet how I see her acknowledges him like this made me curious.

"Let's just enjoy the rest of the evening," I just have to divert her attention, "You still have an ongoing party." I reminded.

She smiled at me and nodded. "Okay."

Sa after-party, talaga namang lahat ng bisita ni Maxene ay kitang nag-eenjoy.

Yung iba pa nga nagpapaka-lunod sa alak.

Maxene also drinks, but I am counting. Ayokong mapasobra siya, mamaya mapaano siya at masyado na ring gabi. 

Especially that her dad personally reminded me to take care of her and I don't want to disappoint him.

Pagod na rin ang mommy niya para sumali sa after-party ng anak niya. They called it a night and return to their rooms and rest.

Maxene is now dancing with her friends kasama nila Sarah, Martin at nung iba pa nilang kaibigan habang natugtog ang after-party music.

When it's almost midnight nagpaalam na sila kay Maxene kahit pa gusto pa niyang mag stay pa sila, nilambing niya pa yung kaibigan niya pero mukhang hindi na rin niya napigilan dahil na rin sa Lunes bukas. 

Bigla ko tuloy naalala na may pasok din ako bukas, pero buti na lang at hapon pa iyon.

Ang bilis ng araw.

Nakita ko namang nagpaalam na sila at sumama na rin si Kenzo sa kanila. Nagkatinginan pa kami ni Laurenz bago sila umalis.

He gave me a simple nod as his way of acknowledging my presence so I returned the favor.

"Hello," bati sa akin isa sa ipinakilalang ng co-model ni Maxene, ano nga ulit ang pangalan niya? 

Ang awkward naman kung hindi ko siya papansinin, dahil sa hindi ko maalala ang pangalan niya, nginitian ko na lang siya.

"You don't remember me, do you?" She asks teasingly, I can say she's a little tipsy. She offered her hand towards me, "I'm Edie."

Tinugunan ko naman iyon ng maayos.

She sits beside me looking at me curiously, "Aren't you going to engage a conversation?" She raises an eyebrow with a playful smile.

Kung si Joshua pa ang kaharap mo baka marami na kayong napag-usapan.

"Wala kasi akong maisip na pwede nating pag-usapan." I humbly admitted.

She laughs, "You're a mystery," She says with amusement, "Sa school, lalo na kung may events, hindi ka naman ganyan ka-timid, in fact you're so cool." She complimented with a friendly smile.

Is that a compliment? Me, timid?

Wait, did she say school? Is she going to the same university as me?

She takes another shot. "The first time I saw you, was when your band performed for the school's foundation day." She puts her index finger to her thumb, "I think that's second year college." She looks back at me, "I'm taking BS Biology," she pauses as she looks at me, "You're taking law, right?"

"Seems like I got nothing to say." I look at her amusingly as she tucks her hair behind her ear.

Her slender shoulder is revealing and before my eyes wander somewhere else, I look away.

"Wala ka bang kasama?" I asked with a friendly voice.

"Well, my date just left me." She says tonelessly.

"Bakit naman?" It's really okay if she doesn't answer my question, it's just for some reason, I have to keep this conversation going. Mukhang kailangan niya kasi ng kausap.

She sighs frustratingly.

"Well, let me ask you," she faces me, "What does it feel to have a girlfriend like Maxene?" She pauses as if she's assessing my reaction, "Aren't you intimidated by her? Dahil actress-model siya, tapos maraming lalaking nakapaligid sa kanya?"

I've been through that phase already and I can say that I was able to manage those situations.

Kahit na minsan hindi ko pa rin mapigilan ang makaramdam ng selos or worse, insecurity.

She shakes her head taking a deep sigh, "I guess yung boyfriend ko lang ang ganun." 

How do girls do that?

Magtatanong sila tapos may sagot na sila agad sa utak nila bago pa kami makasagot?

Ano sila, manghuhula?

"Just to answer your question," I started just to defend the guy's side, "It's all about compromise."

Totoo naman, may tiwala ako kay Maxene, pero sa mga tao sa paligid niya, wala. Kaya hangga't alam niya kung ano ang posibleng ikainis o ikagalit ko, umiiwas na siya, para hindi kami magulo.

Kahit na minsan, oo, may mga times na napaparanoid pa rin ako, lalo na noong kamakailan na akala ko nagkabalikan sila ng ex niya.

Sadyang ang laki nga lang talaga ng insecurity ko.

Kung tutuusin naman, hindi naman talaga ako insecure. Wala sa ugali ko iyon. Kahit pa noong may gusto pa ako kay Monique. 

I'm not in the position to feel anything, because like what she said before, there's no us to begin with.

Nasanay lang ako ng ganoon.

Pero nang dumating si Maxene sa buhay ko, oo ang laki na nang pinagbago ko. Ang mga hindi ko nararamdaman dati, pwede ko nang maramdaman ngayon.

Kahit pa minsan aminado akong nasasakal ko na siya, pero tumatak sa akin ang sinabi niya noong unang beses na may mangyari sa amin: na bukas-loob niyang tatanggapin ang lahat sa akin, na sa harapan niya pwede akong maging makasarili, na sa harapan niya, pwede akong magpakatotoo.

Noong gabing iyon, yung ginawa kong kulungan para sa sarili kong emosyon, unti-unti niyang natibag.

Hindi man ako lumabas kaagad sa sarili kong selda, pero sa tuwing kasama ko siya, pinapabayaan kong hilahin niya ako paalis doon.

May pagkakataon man na nabalik ako dahil nakasanayan ko iyon ng ilang taon, pero hindi siya napagod para makalaya ako sa sarili kong impyerno.

Hindi niya ako sinukuan hanggang sa isang araw, tanging liwanag na lang niya ang nakikita ko sa buhay ko.

Edie smiled at me, "She's lucky to have you."

Bakit ba iyon ang laging sinasabi ng mga tao sa akin? Kung alam lang nila, ako ang maswerte kay Maxene.

Dahil hindi siya napagod mahalin ang taong katulad ko.

"Sana katulad mo din ang boyfriend ko," she shakes her head, "Pero imbis na makipag-compromise kasi sa akin, mas pinipili niyang iwasan ang usapan na ikakababa ng pride niya."

I may feel a little guilty with that too.

Likas na sa amin iyon, that's a fact.

"Try to make him understand you." Iyon lang ang naiisip kong sabihin sa kanya ngayon, "Nadadaan din naman ang lahat sa maayos na usapan." I give her a friendly smile.

"Mine." Maxene wrapped her arms behind me.

"Hello Edielyn." Bati niya sa co-model niya.

Mukhang hindi ko na nabilang ang nainom niya dahil sa tono ng boses niya, lasing na siya.

"I'll just call it a night Max." Sabi sa kanya ni Edie, "Nice talking to you too Travis." She playfully winks at me.

"Happy birthday again Maxene." Edie faces her with a smile.

"Thank you." Maxene replied, she almost squeaked.

Nagbeso beso sila at umalis na rin kaagad si Edie.

Pagkainom ko ng huling shot nagulat ako na hilahin ni Maxene ang tie ko palapit sa mukha niya. 

"I thought you won't take your eyes off me?" I gulped, she's too close... too close.

I shake my head, she's just tipsy. She's not the aggressive type, that's just the effect of alcohol.

"She just needed someone to talk to and I'm just being nice." I tried to reason with her, pero mukhang hindi siya nakikinig.

"I can sense that she likes you." She said with lazy eyes, shaking her head and clicking her tongue, "Bawal."

She's not jealous, right?

Hindi ko napigilang tawanan siya sa utak ko. Kung ito ang epekto sa kanya ng alcohol, baka lagi ko siyang painumin.

"What's funny?" She puffs her face, "I hate you," she hits me weakly, "You flirt, nahawa ka na ba kay Joshua?" She clicks her tongue.

I take her in my arms, "May boyfriend yung tao Maxene and I'm not flirting with anyone."

She pouts and weakly fell on my shoulder, I chuckled. "Lasing ka na, tara na at--"

Bago ako makapagsalita naramdaman ko na lang na para akong nakuryente sa init ng hininga niya sa leeg ko.

She just marked me.

"You're mine Travis." Her playful yet soothing voice just jolts every inch of my body.

We're still in public. I know I have to control myself around her. Napalunok ako habang inaayos ang paghinga ko. She pulls herself from me and gives me a playful smile. She even bit her lip teasing me.

"Let's go somewhere." How she looks at me sets the mood as if she's taking control of the situation. 

This is the first time she showed me this face. It's dangerously fiery. Masama ang tama ng alcohol niya, pero tangina, ang lakas ng epekto sa akin. She leaned pushing herself towards me. She's seducing me and I'm still fighting to control myself around her presence. Her hand landed on my chest, her soft hands tracing upwards until she reached my hair brushing it so she could see my eyes properly. Napahigpit ako ng pagkakahawak sa lamesa nang mas lumapit pa siya lalo sa akin. She starts nibbling my ear as I feel the warmth of her breath next to my neck again.

I can't take this anymore.

Umalis kami sa area at mabilis na naglakad papasok ng hotel. Dinala ko siya sa nirentahan kong kwarto, pagkapasok namin agad niya akong hinila sa kanya at hinalikan.

Just like that, all of my defenses are down.

She's taking in control, she's on fire.

She pushes me a little for her to take off my shirt and I just let her.

I could feel myself burning up as she showers me with her kisses.

I unzip her dress and in an instant she's just in her underwear. Automatically my hand just wanders around her body as I kiss every part of her inhaling her scent. God she smells so nice. Anong alak ba ang ininom niya at ganito siya kabango?

She takes my lips again and deepens the kiss. She's taking the air out of me. I felt her heart beating rapidly as my hand landed on her chest, then I remembered. "Max, you have to calm down." I said in between our kisses.

She smiled playfully at me, "Don't change the mood Hayes." She put her arms around my neck attempting to deepen her kisses.

I hold her shoulders and change our rhythm.

Gradually, I was able to take control of the situation and I'm glad that she lets me.

I laid her to bed and kissed her slowly. I look at her and brush my thumb to her face, telling her my favorite words, "I love you."

She smiles back at me and unlike her fiery eyes earlier, she's now looking at me filled with endearment, "I love you too." 

I gaze at her back again and close the gap between our foreheads.

"Masama ang tama sayo ng alcohol Maxene." I reminded her and see her face puffs.

"Because you lost count." Sinisi niya pa ako at nag cross-arms.

"You should control your alcohol intake." I reminded her.

"Edi ikaw na hindi nalalasing." She looks away. Her voice sounds a little pissed.

"Why is Mine mad?" I kissed her cheeks, "Birthday mo, pero kung makapagmaktol ka diyan," I kissed her nose, "Bakit?"

Gusto kong marinig, kahit may idea na ako kung bakit.

"May crush siya sayo," she started, "Si Edielyn."

"Oh, eh crush lang naman." I try to sound casual, I tuck her hair behind her ear to see her face clearly.

"Eh, basta." She answered like a spoiled child.

"Akala ko ba, ayos lang kasi crush lang naman iyon?" I raised an eyebrow, "Besides, tayo naman."

"Ewan," tinulak niya ako at tumagilid, nagtago siya sa loob ng kumot.

I embraced her from behind and kissed her shoulder.

"You're not jealous, are you?" I chuckled because there's nothing to be jealous about in the first place.

"I am." Her childish admission overwhelms me as the alcohol in her system lets me access this side of her.

"Dakilang selosa ako Travis, kahit pa noong minsan na nakita ko kayo magkausap ni Monique kasama ng barkada mo, todo selos pa rin ako sa kanya, kaya rin hinalikan kita sa harapan nila para makita na rin ni Monique na akin ka lang."

Sino ang mas possessive sa amin?

Tinakpan niya yung mukha niya ng unan niya at inalis ko naman kaagad iyon at inayos siya para magtugma ulit ang mga mata namin, "Why lie about this?"

I love seeing her candid face.

"Naging issue sa previous relationship ko ang pagiging immature at childish." She said, "I dismissed the flaws I had because I don't want to give you any reason to leave me."

"Maxene..." Now she hides her face with both of her hands. 

Is this what she's doing the whole time? 

Kaya ba minsan pinapabayaan niya akong saktan at sakalin siya? 

Ito ba ang paraan niya para sabihin sa sarili niya na nagbago na siya?

"Kaya yung mga naging mali sa previous relationship ko, hangga't maaari, ayoko na maulit. Kaya pinipilit kong magbago, magpaka-mature at lawakan pa ang pang-unawa ko." I tried taking her hand off her face but she won't let me.

"Lalo na ngayon..." Her voice almost breaks with worry.

"Na ano?" I asked her, touching her hand.

"Engaged na tayo," she started, "That means I still have a long way to go to improve myself before you could change your mind."

Why would I even change my mind?

"Leaving you is not an option." I held her hand, "And we always have room for improvement."

This time she lets me take her hand away from her face.

"Like you said before, our love helps us to become the best version of ourselves." I paused, "But being better is also a progress," I traced her face with my fingers, "Right?"

Her eyes mirror mine as she looks into my soul.

"I love you Mine." She uttered softly.

"I love you too Mine. Always." I plant a soft kiss on her lips.