M A X E N E

Because of mom's demand, I was forced to move out completely from his place.

Hindi na kami kumontra ni Travis. Kahit na sa totoo lang ayoko namang umalis doon, dahil lahat ng gusto ko nagagawa ko doon.

Pero kahit naman papaano ayoko naman na dahil sa katigasan ng ulo ko magalit si mom kay Travis.

Wala namang reklamo si mom sa relasyon namin, in fact she is pleased to see the outcome of our arrangement.

It's just she's afraid that we might do something outrageous.

We may be officially engaged. We may be in a relationship. But for mom, we're still young.

Na masyado pa daw kaming bata para seryosohin ang kung anong meron kami.

Payo pa nila ni dad, dapat ienjoy lang daw muna namin ang company ng isa't-isa lalo na at konti na lang magtatapos na si Travis sa law school.

Samantalang ako, ewan ko pa kung kailan ako magkakaroon ng chance na mag-college pero napag-usapan naman na nila dad at ni mom ang tungkol sa education ko.

If ever I'll have the chance, I want to pursue architecture.

Habang nandito si dad siya ang nag-asikaso sa akin since busy si mom sa company.

Dad took a three months break from work simula noong umuwi siya para paghandaan ang eighteenth birthday ko. Natutuwa ako na ganito na lang ang suporta na ibinibigay sa akin ni dad.

We checked some good schools where I can enroll and be a normal student after how many years, dahil ilang taon din akong home school or minsan private lessons pa.

Sa sobrang dami ng school na binisita namin ni dad, I narrowed my options down to five schools that they say has a good record of architecture graduates in the country.

As much as possible I don't want to consider, but the university where Travis is taking law is also a top notch in architecture. That's indeed a fact.

Eh, ayoko naman na doon mag-aral since malapit na rin siyang magtapos ng college.

Mamaya pa niyan masabihan pa akong clingy masyado sa kanya.

I'm considering another university, though balita ko doon napasok ng college sila Laurenz, Sarah, Stephanie and Martin, plus iyon din ang isa sa pinakamatandang school sa bansa at maganda din ang campus nila doon.

Kumain kami ni dad sa labas at pagkatapos noon ay hinatid niya ako sa condo, hindi naman niya ako kailangan ihatid sa mismong kwarto ko pero ginawa pa rin niya.

My dearest overprotective loving dad.

This is the first time he visited my unit. He even assessed my room and is very pleased that mom got me a nice place kahit pa hindi yun ganun kalakihan.

I really don't need a big unit, kasi ako lang naman ang nakatira dito.

"Parang kailan lang, sa bahay ka pa nauwi." Dad is being a little emotional again.

"I can still come home dad." I reminded him, "But I want to be independent and handle things on my own."

"Alam ko naman iyon anak," he smiles as he held my hand, "I respect your decisions and I'm happy for you, iyon lang namimiss ko kasi ang prinsesa ko."

I giggled, "I'm still your princess dad."

He looks at me with a regretful smile, "I love you sweetheart and no matter what happens, I will always support you."

I embraced my dad as he kissed my cheeks.

Nagpaalam na rin siya kaagad at umalis na, nang mawala na si dad sa paningin ko sinarado ko na ang pintuan ko at nagulat na lang ako nang may humila sa bewang ko.

I heard him chuckled and I hit him playfully. He should have texted me first.

"Pasaway ka, paano kung nakita ka ni Dad?" I hissed.

"Nakita ba ako?" Pagmamayabang niya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

"It's been two weeks Mine, can I stay here?" May konting pagkasabik sa boses niya.

"Pero sabi ni Mom bawal ang abutin ka ng gabi dito and it is late Travis." I reminded him of the time as he turn me to face him.

He puts my hands on his face and makes a sad but cute face.

"But I miss you." Paglalambing niya, "Baka naman pwede nating pag-usapan, kahit ngayon lang." He starts negotiating with me and I laugh at him inside my head.

"Bakit hindi mo iyan sinabi noong kaharap natin si Mom?" I raised him an eyebrow keeping my cool.

"The truth is, I'm still working on how I'll please your Mom," he reasoned as he takes a deep breath looking away, "As much as possible I want to gain her trust."

I cupped his chin and looked into his dark brown eyes.

"Pero?" Sinubukan kong dugtungan ang sinasabi niya.

"Pero kasi, nasanay na ako na kasama kita lagi." He admits almost in defeat. "It's been three hundred and thirty three hours since I last saw you."

I bit my lip containing my smile, "So you're counting?"

He tilted his head beside, "I actually convert it first so I can sound smart."

I roll my eyes at him.

Muli ko siyang hinampas at hindi ko na mapigilang hindi siya ngitian.

"Ilang araw mo na ring kasama ang Daddy mo," he pouted, "After ng debut mo, wala ka ng oras sa akin." Kunwaring pagtatampo niya.

"Lagi naman kitang inuupdate ah?" I started, "We even call each other kapag may free time."

Muli niya akong hinila papunta sa kanya, "Like what you said, kapag may free time, pero hindi naman lagi kang free."

"Hey, free naman ako minsan." I defended.

"Free ka man, pero ako naman ang hindi. Kapag may oras akong dumaan dito sa condo mo lagi naman kitang naabutang tulog." He reasoned.

"Eh bakit hindi mo na lang ako ginising?" I asked.

"You need all the sleep you can get," he reminded, "Iyon ang sabi ng doktor mo sa iyo hindi ba?" He cups my cheek and looks at me softly, "There are also times that I waited for you to wake up, but I guess I'm not lucky enough to have the right time to catch you."

For some reason I felt bad because he's feeling like this.

He's putting me first before him.

"Kailan ang susunod mong check-up?" He looks at me adoringly.

"By the end of this year," I reminded him, "Then next year yung operation ko, hindi ba?"

He nodded weakly and held my hands tightly.

I almost forgot about my surgery, he might be thinking that as a countdown.

"I want to have more time with you." His voice is begging me. "As much as possible, I want to be with you all the time, pero kailangan ko rin ingatan ang tiwalang ibinigay ng Mommy mo sa akin... sa atin," he pauses, "Pero kahit isang araw lang sa isang linggo, kung pwede lang, makasama kita ng buong araw."

I smile at him as I see him facing me with complete honesty.

"Please, let me stay here until tomorrow," He kisses my hand, "Please, mine."

My heart melts every time he uses our endearment.

I nodded and embraced him tightly.

"I just miss you so much." He kisses my temple.

"I miss you too Travis." I uttered and pushed him a little, "Nag dinner ka na ba?" I asked him, looking at him he looked like he lost some weight, I held his hand and took him to the dining area.

"Sit," I tell him and he obeyed, "Mukhang namayat ka ah?" Pagpuna ko at binuksan ang fridge ko.

"Wala na kasi akong kasabay mag-almusal sa umaga." He reasoned that made my cheeks on fire.

Nilingon ko siya at nakapalumbaba siya sa lamesa, "Tuwing lunch lang ako nakakakain sa school."

"Pinapabaunan naman kita kay Natasha ng pagkain ah?" I made an impassive face, "Kaya may pagkain ka sa penthouse, huwag mo nga akong niloloko."

He smirked at me as I started cooking for him and he waited patiently.

After I finished cooking our meal I made him some coffee with milk.

Sasabayan ko na siya, nagutom ako din kasi ako ulit. Masamang nakakakita ako ng pagkain, pakiramdam ko lagi akong gutom.

"Sasabayan na kita kumain." Sambit ko at nilagay ang plato sa harapan niya, sinandukan ko na rin siya ng kanin at ulam at kita naman sa mukha niya na masayang masaya siyang inaalagaan ko siya ng ganito.

"Why are you smiling like an idiot?" I asked sarcastically, containing my glee.

"Kasi kasabay kita ulit kumain," he answered as simple as that, "Mas masarap ang luto mo Mine, kaysa sa luto ni Natasha."

Sus, makapaglambing naman talaga!

"Huwag mo akong binobola," I tell him as I started eating, "Masarap naman si Natasha magluto, siya nga madalas ang nagluluto kapag tinatamad ako."

Bigla na namang nalungkot ang mukha niya.

Bakit ba napaka-expressive nitong taong ito ngayon? Dati hindi naman siya ganyan.

Kainis!

Kainis kasi ang cute niya.

"No wonder kung bakit hindi masarap," halos pabulong niyang sambit na may halong pagtatampo sa boses niya, "Kasi hindi ikaw ang nagluto."

Umiwas siya ng tingin sa akin, "Tapos tinatamad ka pa." that familiar line forms on his lips again. "Pasensya ka na, hindi mo naman kailangan na gawin iyon."

Hala nagtampo na nga.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya, "Sorry na Mine." I woo him.

"Hindi naman sa tamad, pakiramdam ko lang kasi madalas akong pagod, inaantok at tinatamad, kaya pinapakiusapan ko si Natasha na dalhan ka ng pagkain, recipe ko naman iyon." I winked at him but still his whole face isn't pleased with that reason alone.

Tinabihan ko siya at umupo sa hita niya.

"I love you Mine." I tell him as I notice how his eyes avoid me and gulps as if he is containing himself from my presence.

Nagpipigil na naman siya ng kilig.

I squeezed his cheeks teasing him to give me a smile and gladly he did.

"I love you, Mine," I kiss his cheeks, "Babawi ako," I put my hands behind his head, "Sorry na, kapag sinipag ako, ipagluluto kita."

Sinusubukan niya ako ngayon subuan ng kanin at ulam sa kutsara. Alam naman niyang ayoko ng sinusubuan, hindi naman ako batang paslit.

Nakakainis kasi nagpapacute na naman siya.

Para matapos na lang, sinubo ko na lang iyon mula sa kutsara niya at nakitang sinubo niya ulit iyon kahit walang laman.

Pilyo. Tch!

Matapos kaming kumain siya na ulit ang naghugas ng pinggan at inabutan ko siya ng tuwalya para kung sakaling maligo siya o maglinis ng katawan bago matulog, may gagamitin siya.

Pumasok na ako sa kwarto at nagbihis na rin ng pantulog.

Hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong school ang pipiliin ko, pero miski ang bagay na ito tinatamad akong isipin, next year pa naman ako kukuha ng entrance exam kung sakali at ipush ko ito.

Humiga na ako sa kama at pumikit.

T R A V I S

Napakamot na lang ako sa buhok ko at napailing.

Hindi ko na naman siyang naabutang gising pagkapasok ko ng kwarto niya.

Mukhang pagod na pagod siya.

Well at least pinayagan niya akong samahan siya ngayong gabi hanggang bukas.

May ilang pamphlets na nakakalat sa kama niya at inayos ko iyon dahil mukhang hindi na niya nagawang ayusin dahil sa pagod niya.

Napansin kong pamphlets iyon ng iba't-ibang universities.

Nasabi man niya sa akin dati, pero hindi ko naman akalain na ipagpapatuloy niya ang pagkuha ng architecture. Dati pa sinasabi niya na pa na impossibleng mapagbigyan siyang kumuha ng isa sa apat na kurso na gusto niya, pero natutuwa ako at ngayon ay napag bigyan siya ng parents niya.

Isa sa university na nakita ko ay yung school na pinapasukan ko.

Is she planning to take her course there?

Kasi kung oo, edi mas masaya dahil magkakasama kami, pwede ko siyang dalawin sa building niya kung sakali. Pwede din kaming magsabay pumasok sa school at tuwing break time; mas magkakaroon kami ng oras sa isa't-isa.

Gustuhin ko man sana na doon siya kumuha ng architecture, pero nasa sa kanya pa rin ang desisyon, ayoko namang pangunahan siya.

Saan kaya niya balak mag-aral ng college?

Inayos ko siya ng pagkakahiga para naman pwede akong tumabi sa kanya, mas maliit ang kama niya sa akin. Kung tutuusin nga nawawalan pa ako ng pwesto sa sarili kong kama ko kapag katabi ko siya.

Kinumutan ko siya at natuwa naman ako nang yakapin niya ako bago ko pa man siya hilahin papunta sa akin.

"Mine, I miss you." She says in her sleep as she inhales my scent.

I couldn't help to smile, kahit na kanina nagpapakipot na naman siya sa akin.

I fixed her hair and kissed her temple.

"I miss you too, Mine." I tell her softly as I sleep with her tonight.

HINDI KO alam kung anong oras na pero nagising na lang ako nang biglang humiwalay sa pagkakayakap sa akin si Maxene.

Dali-daling siyang pumunta sa banyo. Tinawanan ko pa siya dahil akala ko tinatawag siya ng kalikasan, pero laking gulat ko na lang nang marinig siyang dumuwal sa banyo.

I checked the time and it is five in the morning.

Agad ko siyang pinuntahan pero nakasubsob ang mukha niya sa inidoro. Nanginginig siya at halatang hirap na hirap siyang sumuka.

"Maxene." I tried calling her attempting to meet her level but she shoves me away demanding me to leave her and close the door.

Gusto ko man siyang alalayan pero nirespeto ko ang gusto niya at lumabas ako ng banyo.

Pagkabukas niya ng pintuan, nakapikit siya, hinahabol ang paghinga niya at namumutla ang labi niya. Bigla akong kinabahan sa kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari sa kanya.

"How are you feeling?" I couldn't hide my anxiousness from how I see the color of her face. She's so pale. I cup her cheek, "Maxene please talk to me."

She just shakes her head, "Masama yata kung kinain ko kagabi."

"Parehas lang tayo ng kinain kagabi," I reminded her, "Edi dapat sumama rin ang pakiramdam ko, hindi ba?"

Umiling siya, "Kumain din kasi kami ni dad sa labas," nakapikit niyang sambit, "Baka iyon."

I sighed, "Yan, resulta ng katakawan mo." I teased and sees her smiling weakly.

"Let me sit." nakapikit pa rin siya at hindi niya napansin na malayo pa siya sa upuan kaya bago pa siya matumba, binuhat ko siya papunta sa sofa para doon siya umupo. Sumandal lang siya sa balikat ko.

"I'm okay. Don't worry." She holds my hand softly.

Paanong hindi ako mag-aalala, mamaya kung anong mangyari sa kanya. Bigla kong naalala yung hitsura niya noong naospital siya.

I don't want that image in my head.

"Do you want some water?" I asked her and she gave me a light nod.

Iniwan ko muna siya saglit at kumuha ng baso ng tubig at pinainom siya. Pinunasan ko rin ang labi niya at nakita kong nginitian niya ako kahit na nanghihina siya.

"Do you need anything else?" I asked her again and she shook her head. "Anong gusto mong gawin?" I asked her again.

"I want to sleep more, if that's okay." Mahinang sambit niya sa akin.

"Of course," Agad kong sagot sa kanya at binuhat siya sa kwarto niya, "Rest Maxene, I'll stay here with you."

"I'm sorry if you saw that." Halos wala sa wisyo niyang paliwanag na parang ilang araw na siyang nagkakaganito.

Bago ko pa man siya natanong, nakita ko naman ka agad na nakatulog na naman siya

Kailan pa?

Ilang oras pa ang nakalipas at hindi na ako nakabalik sa pagtulog. Nang marinig kong nagbukas ang pintuan ng unit niya kaagad akong lumabas.

"Natasha," nakita ko naman na nagulat siyang makita ako pero bago pa man siya makapagsalita tinanong ko na siya kaagad, "May sakit ba si Maxene?"

"Hindi naman po siya inaatake niya matapos siyang maospital dati." She answered, but then that's not what I meant.

"She's having nausea earlier, so I'm wondering if she's sick," I tell her, "Umiinom ba siya ng gamot sa tamang oras?"

"Opo, iyon po ang kabilin bilinan ni Madam," she pauses, "Iyon din po ang bilin niyo."

I look away. What else could do wrong?

"Baka po nasobrahan lang siya ng kinain kaya po siya naduwal," She reasoned, "Ganoon naman po si Miss Maxene kapag nasosobrahan, kaya rin siya laging pinapagalitan ni Madam."

She looks at me without worry, "May diet po kasing sinusunod si Miss Maxene at kapag napapasobra siya, dinuduwal niya iyon minsan."

I don't know why I'm not convinced.

Hindi naman kailanman sumobra si Maxene sa pagkain. Oo matakaw siya, but not to that extent.

"Ilang taon ko na pong inaalagaan si Miss Maxene, kaya huwag po kayong mag-alala Sir Travis." Nakangiting sambit niya, "Ipaghahanda ko na po muna kayo ng agahan kung gutom na kayo."

"No." Matipid kong sagot sa kanya, "Hihintayin ko na lang siyang magising."

"Sige po." Tinalikuran na niya ako at sinimulan ang trabaho niya.

Naupo na lang ako sa sofa at binuksan yung TV. Gustuhin ko mang bumalik sa kwarto pero ayoko namang istorbohin si Maxene.

I have to divert my attention somewhere, maybe I'm overthinking this.

It's almost nine thirty when her bedroom door opens.

"Good morning everyone!" Her cheery voice lights up the room.

Buti naman at may kulay na siya ulit ngayon.

Agad naman niya akong nilapitan at palihim na hinalikan ako sa pisngi ng hindi nakikita ni Natasha.

Para-paraan.

Napangiti naman ako sa ginawa niya.

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

"Never better." She smiles with her eyes closed and puts her head on my shoulder.

"Akala ko umalis ka na," halos pabulong niyang sambit, "Wala ka kasi sa tabi ko kanina."

I chuckled, locking our hands together, "I need to behave, may bantay ka."

"I know I can trust Natasha," she says with pride, "She knows what to say and what not to say to Mom," she pauses and whispered, "Noong natakas nga ako dati, siya ang natulong sa akin." She giggled, "Mabait yan, mukhang masungit lang."

I said nothing and smiled at her.

"Okay na po yung breakfast ninyo Miss Maxene." Tawag sa amin ni Natasha at agad naman akong dinala ni Maxene sa dining area.

"Sumabay ka na sa amin Nat." Pagayaya ni Maxene sa kanya at bahagyang napatingin sa akin, "Dali na, wala ka namang kasabay sa kabilang unit, kakain lang tayo." Pagpilit sa kanya ng makulit na babae.

Napapayag naman niya si Natasha at kumain kaming tatlo ng agahan.

"Nat, huwag mo sabihin kay Mom na dito ko pinatulog yung fiance ko ah," she pauses, "Namiss ko kasi siya eh, kaya tinawagan ko siya kagabi."

I hold back before a smile forms on my face.

She just lied to her.

Hindi naman ako makakapasok sa unit niya kung hindi dahil sa duplicate ng susi niya.

I planned to surprise her yesterday, yet I didn't anticipated that she'll come home a little later than I thought. Kaya hindi ko na rin na-justify ang surprise part, lalo na at natulog lang naman kami kagabi.

Alam din naman ni Natasha na nadalaw ako minsan, yun lang iniiwasan kong abutin ako ng gabi dahil na rin sa pakiusap ng mommy ni Maxene sa akin at malay ko ba kung nagsasabi si Natasha sa mommy ni Maxene.

"Wala naman pong problema miss Maxene." Nakatungong sagot ni Natasha sa kanya.

Maxene confidently smiles at me telling me her point.

Napailing na lang ako.

"And probably starting this weekend, dito mag-slesleep over si Travis." Paalala niya kay Natasha na parang binibigyan niya na rin ako ng permiso.

Tinanguhan lang siya ng maid niya na ikinatuwa naman niya at agad ding bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin.

Okay fine, I get her point.

Nang matapos na kaming kumain, si Natasha na ang naglinis ng pinggan namin habang pinaupo ako ni Maxene sa sofa at pinabayaang manood ng TV. 

I see that she just takes her medicine at the same time my phone vibrates.

Buti naman at umiinom siya ng gamot sa tamang oras.

Napatingin siya sa akin at dinilaan na naman ako na parang bata. Binalik ko ang mga mata ko sa TV at napailing.

"Nagluto na rin po ako ng lunch ninyo." sabi sa kanya ng maid niya. "Kung may kailangan po kayo, nasa kabila lang ako. Mamaya pong hapon ako maghahanda ng dinner."

Tinanguhan ni Maxene si Natasha bilang tugon.

Agad akong tumayo at pagkasarado ng pintuan nagulat siya nang makitang kaharap na niya ako.

"So, what now?" I raised an eyebrow.

She looks away attempting to hide her blush and shrugs.

"Ewan." She playfully pushed me away as she went inside her bedroom.

Papatulan ko siya, akala niya ah!

Pagkapasok ko sa kwarto niya, napansin ko na parang may hinahanap siya.

"What are you looking for?" I asked her.

"Yung pamphlets." She answered looking under her bed. "Saan ko ba nailagay iyon?" She uttered to herself.

I sighed, "I put them in your drawer, burara mo kasi." I opened her drawer handing the pamphlets to her.

She smiles embarrassingly. I shake my head.

Umupo ako sa kama niya.

"Sorry." She said sitting beside me.

I adjusted myself for her to have enough space to sit properly. I see her putting pamphlets in front of her as I embrace her from behind.

"Sa tingin mo, anong school ang may magandang offer ng architecture course?"

"Sa school ko." I answered not looking at her options. Why would I even lie about it? Iyon naman talaga ang gusto ko.

"I know you'd say that." She giggled looking back at her options.

I still have to consider her decision, "Do you plan to take your course in a different school?"

"I'm thinking here," she pointed at the school where she is attending her college, "Maganda din ang architecture sa school na ito, hindi ba?" Her voice is filled with glee.

Ayoko namang basagin ang trip niya, pero hindi ko maiwasang isipin, "Gusto mo lang diyan pumasok dahil nandyan yung bestfriend mo eh, hindi ba?"

She smiles widely and nodded like a child.

"Pangarap ko din na makasama siya sa isang school, hindi ba nasabi ko na iyon sayo?" Excitement is visible in her eyes, "Plus I heard na doon rin napasok si Laurenz, Martin at Stephanie, so the more the merrier."

I sighed smiling at her, "If that's what you wanted, then I'll support you."

Anyhow, the distance doesn't matter, from my school to her school it's only a thirty minutes drive. Pwede ko pa rin naman siya makasabay kung magtutugma ang schedule namin.

She looks at me, "Really, you'll do that?"

I put my head on her shoulder facing her, "Oo naman, doon mo gusto, hindi ba?"

She blinks as a thin line forms on her lips, "Hindi ka naman nagtatampo niyan?" She asks, "Dahil hindi ako sa school mo papasok?"

Napakababaw ko naman kung dahil lang doon magtatampo ako.

"No," I answered her, "Any school will do and I'd still support you no matter what." I kissed her cheek. "Like how you support me."

She smiles.

"Though at first I am considering to take my course in your school," She admitted looking back at the pamphlets, "Pero kasi malapit ka na rin gumraduate doon, plus ayokong maging clingy masyado, mamaya maumay ka na sa akin talaga." I know that those last words were just her made up reason.

She's looking at me through her shoulder, "Patapos na ka, ako magsisimula pa lang ulit. Gusto ko pagdating ng tamang oras, maipagmamalaki ko na sa sarili ko na kapantay na kita."

She blinks and smiles again, "I just want to be someone that you could be proud of someday..."

I smile at her.

Ngayon pa nga lang proud na ako sa kanya, pero sa future pa rin siya nakatingin.

Sa future namin.

"Someday you'll be a lawyer and I'll be an architect, who knows pa kung ano ang i-mamajor ko." She giggled. "Makakayanan ko kaya ito?" There's a little uncertainty in her tone.

I embraced her tightly kissing her nape, "I know you can do it."

"You think so?"

"I believe so." I tell her and she looks back at me again. "You'll be a fine architect someday."

She playfully hits me, "Binobola mo lang ako Hayes."

"No I'm not." I humbly answered her.

"Ikaw, masyado kang bilib sa akin." Nahihiyang sambit niya.

"Bakit naman hindi?" I take her hand and kissed it, "Isa iyon sa pangarap mo, kaya susuportahan kita ano pa man ang mangyari."

She smiles adoringly, "I know it's one of my dream," she pauses, "But then I really don't know what to expect lalo na at matapos ng ilang taon, ngayon na lang ako magiging student ulit."

I cupped her face, "I'm sure you can manage." I tell her with pride, "You have your friends there," I paused, "Kung hindi ka pa at ease doon, pwede naman kitang bisitahin doon. Just say the word."

She laughs, "Ikaw talaga."

She smiles and cups my face, "Thank you for believing in me." She get up and put the pamphlets inside her drawer leaving that one school that she set her eyes into and pin it on the cork board.

She puts her hands on her waist looking at the cork board with pride.

"Architecture is my goal after the surgery." She says casually, "One step at a time Maxene." She reminded herself.

I felt that fear rise in my chest again.

I stood up and embraced her from behind again. My body has a mind of its own as if in an instant there's this threat that I need to protect her from that one fact.

She's a ticking time bomb.

She pushes me a little meeting my eyes, I wouldn't want to worry her but I couldn't convince myself as I face her candidly.

"I promised you," she reminded with a soft smile on her face, "So trust me, okay?" She cups my face, "Mairaraos ko ang surgery."

"I know." I took her in my arms as I inhaled her scent. "I love you Mine."

She giggles and takes my head on her shoulder.

"I love you too Mine." She uttered almost like a soft melody.

She caresses me as her hand traces upward until her hand reaches my neck. I felt her kissing me while brushing my hair. I close my eyes as I feel how she sets the mood between us. I kiss her shoulder, her neck all the way as our lips meet again.

"Babawi ako sa iyo, since tinulugan kita kagabi." Malambing na sambit niya habang hinahaplos ang mukha ko.

I kiss her hand twice without breaking eye contact with her and I see her smile.

I know that she's just cheering me up from that gloomy mood earlier.

"Buti naman at naisip mo iyon." Pilyo kong sagot. Napangiti naman siya sa naging reaksyon ko at pinabayaan niya akong simulan ang dapat kagabi ko pa ginawa.

M A X E N E

I know I requested him to sing me a song but for some reason his voice calms me that I dozed off again.

I don't know how many hours I slept but when I woke up, it's almost three in the afternoon.

He is still looking at me with warmth as if minutes just passed between us.

He's now tracing my face with his fingers.

"Good morning sleeping beauty." His voice is almost teasing me.

"Nakaidlip na naman ako, bakit hindi mo ako ginising?"

He chuckled.

I glared at him, "Did you take pictures of me when I'm sleeping?"

Nagulat naman siya sa reaksyon ko, "Now why would I even do that?"

Okay I sounded a little defensive back there. Ganun kasi ang ginagawa ko kapag nauuna akong magising sa amin.

He looks at me with amusement, "Bakit, iyon ba ang ginagawa mo pag tulog ako?"

Hinuhuli na naman niya ako.

I should act cool.

"Of course not," I look away, "Pangit ka kaya kapag tulog." I teased him and his face almost looked like he's insulted and carries himself to be on top of me.

"Liar." He muttered with pride. 

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay na para bang gusto niya mag sorry ako sa kanya.

Natawa naman ako kasi ayaw niya ng nilalait siya, pero ayaw niya rin na pinupuri siya.

"Hi pogi." I sound like a girl flirting with him and he shakes his head with a smile.

I fixed his hair and kissed him again. He closes the gap between our foreheads while brushing his thumb on my cheeks.

"I love you." His favorite words.

"Thank you for letting me stay for the day Mine." May lungkot sa boses niya pero masaya ang mukha niya.

"Halos nga puro tulog na naman ako," I pouted, "Sorry ah." I said but he shakes his head.

"Don't be sorry," He says kissing my cheeks, "Gusto ko lang talaga makasama ka kahit isang buong araw lang. Kahit walang session."

I made a skeptical face, "Sus Hayes. Totoo ba?" I raised an eyebrow as I saw him shaking his head hiding his guilt.

"Kahit daw walang session," I mocked him as he hides his face at my neck again and starts tickling me.

"Daya mo!" Natatawa kong sambit pero agad din naman siyang tumigil, maaaring inaalala na naman niya ang kondisyon ko.

I catch my breath as I kiss his shoulder, "You can stay until tomorrow morning, you know?"

He pushes himself to face me. "Ang sabi ko hanggang gabi lang ako dito."

"Technically weekend pa naman, hindi ba?" I reminded him, "Sabi ko rin naman kay Natasha na weekend dito ka uuwi," I tilted my head beside, "So, it's fine if you stay here."

He smiled but he shakes his head, "You're spoiling me too much, Mine."

I pouted, "Pero gusto mo naman mag stay pa hindi ba?"

"I do, but I have morning classes tomorrow." He says as he helps himself up. "Biglaan mo lang din namang sinabi iyon kanina. Ni hindi pa natin iyon napag-uusapan."

"Eh ayaw mo ba?" I asked and see his face tempted with my offer, "Akala ko ba namimiss mo ako?"

He shakes his head in defeat, "Next week." He says, "Magbabaon ako ng damit para sa weekend sleepover natin."

"May damit ka pa naman dito eh." He looks at me with confusion.

I stand wear my robe and approached the closet, binilhan ko kasi siya ulit ng damit.

Ipinakita ko iyon sa kanya at umiling na naman siya na may ngiti sa labi.

"Tada, sabi sayo may damit ka pa dito eh." Pagmamayabang ko.

He chuckled. His face is pleased. "Fine, I'll stay until the morning."

"Yay!" I tell him as I look at the time, "Magbihis ka na muna, pupunta na rin si Natasha dito maya-maya."

He obeys as he wears his clothes and leaves the room.

Biglang lumabo ang paningin ko at napaupo ako sa kama.

Kakagising ko lang naman, puro na nga ako tulog.

Bakit ako biglang nakaramdam ng hilo?

It's embarrassing that Travis witnessed how I threw my guts up earlier this morning.

Ayoko rin pag-alalahanin si Travis, kapag nalaman niya pa na madalas na nagkaka-ganun ako, baka hindi na naman mapakali iyon.

Umayos ka Maxene.