M A X E N E

Maaga akong gumising dahil alam kong pupunta si Travis dito sa condo.

Ayoko namang maabutan niya akong wasted lalo na at namamaga ang mga mata ko sa kakaiyak kagabi.

Inayos ko ang sarili ko at narinig kong bumukas ang pintuan, I'm worried if the person on the door is him.

Unti-unti akong sumilip at lumuwag din kaagad ang pakiramdam ko nang makita ko si Natasha na naghahanda ng almusal.

I checked the time. It is six in the morning sharp.

Pagkalabas ko ng kwarto kaagad naman niya akong tinignan ng derecho.

"Good morning Nat." Bati ko sa kanya at uminom ng tubig.

Imbis na tugunan niya ang pagbati ko, tiningnan niya ako na para bang hindi niya alam kung anong reaksyon ang ibibigay niya sa akin.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita kong hawak hawak niya yung maliit na bagay na itinapon ko sa basurahan kagabi pagkauwi ko.

"Miss Maxene." Napalunok siya at parang kinakabahan itanong sa akin ang tungkol sa bagay na iyon.

Bago pa niya maituloy ang sasabihin niya sa akin, kaagad na bumukas ang pintuan ng unit ko at parehas naming nakita si Travis na at-home na pumasok sa condo ko.

Nakita ko naman kung paano itago ni Natasha yung bagay na iyon sa likuran niya.

"Oh, ang aga-aga, para kayong nakakita ng multo." Natatawang bati sa amin ni Travis at nilagay ang bag niya sa ibabaw ng shoe cabinet ko.

I smiled adoringly at him, hiding my anxiousness with his presence.

Agad niya akong nilapitan at binigyan ng isang mahigpit na yakap.

"Ang aga mo ah?" I greeted him, "Akala ko ba mamaya ka pa dadaan." I tried to sound casually as I give Natasha a worried look.

I bit my lip. I am openly asking her to turn a blind eye to this matter.

"I came as early as I could, glad that you woke up early." He pushes himself away from me with a smile, his hands cup my face and checks on me, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, I tell you don't worry." I told him smiling and noticed Natasha going back to her business.

"Namamaga ang mga mata mo, umiyak ka ba?" Travis asks again looking into my eyes.

Seeing him being this wary and observant makes me wonder how long could I keep this heavy secret in my heart.

"Pangit lang yung napanaginipan ko." I tell him casually.

He raises an eyebrow, "Eh akala ko ba ako ang mapapanaginipan mo?" His voice holds a familiar humor.

I force out a laugh and playfully hits him, "I did, but the following events changed, that's how dreams work." I puffed my face. "Kaya ayun."

"Mind telling me that dream of yours?" He says tilting his head beside still looking me in the eye. I can't help feeling uneasy about it. But I can't let him read me like this.

"Eh hindi ko rin naman maalala yung part na iyon." I answered festively attempting to move away from him but with his strength he pulls me to him hanggang sa mapaupo ako kasama niya sa sofa.

Binuksan niya yung TV para mukha kaming nanonood lang ng TV pero, sa totoo lang hinaharot na naman niya ako. He started nibbling my ear. "Ano ka ba." I hit him a little harder on his forearm. "Behave Hayes, may bantay ako, oh." Pabulong kong saway sa kanya. I tilted my head pertaining to Natasha.

"Funny, the last time I'm here you made it clear that she doesn't mind, so I'm sure we can ask her a favor and leave the room, right?" He faces me with a ghost smile and starts kissing my neck. Gusto kong humiwalay muna sa kanya ngayon pero ayoko naman mapansin niyang may mali sa akin.

"Mamamalengke po muna ako Miss Maxene." Sambit ni Natasha na malapit na sa pintuan ngayon.

"Nakaramdam ata siya," he chuckles playfully as I feel his breath next to my ear that sends shiver to my spine, I gulped, "Lucky me." He says with a soothing voice.

Mahigpit man ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin pero pilit akong bumitaw sa kanya at agad na nilapitan si Natasha bago niya isarado ang pintuan ng unit ko.

"Nat," Tinignan ko siya ng may pag-aalinlangan pero nginitian niya lang ako at inilagay niya ang hintuturo niya sa kanyang labi na parang nakuha naman niya ang ibig kong sabihin kanina. I smiled at her mouthing 'Thank you.'

"Babalik din po ako kaagad, may gusto po ba kayong ipabili?" Kaswal niyang tanong sa akin at nagulat naman ako nang hawakan ni Travis yung pintuan at binuksan pa ng mas malawak para makita kaming dalawa ni Natasha.

I smiled at him and casually faced Natasha, "Kung may spicy chicken sa Mcdo or sa Jollibee, iyon na lang muna."

Iyon ang naiisip kong alternative sa Buffalo wings since alam ko naman na hindi pa bukas ang store na iyon ng ganitong kaaga.

She just smiled giving me a nod.

"Ikaw, may gusto ka ba ipabili?" I asked him.

He smirks still attempting to read my thoughts.

Act natural Maxene.

"Dali na aba at naghihintay si Natasha," Inip kong sabi sa kanya, "Paimportante lang Hayes?" I mocked him and see him shaking his head, rolling his eyes at me.

"Wala." Matipid niyang sagot at binalikan ko si Natasha ng tingin at pumasok na ulit sa condo ko.

"Yun na lang muna Nat. Salamat." I smiled at her and saw her walking away from my unit.

I closed the door as I controlled my breathing before he could notice my uncertainties.

I approached him with a smile and he's now in the kitchen observing me carefully.

Dahil sa alam ko kung paano siya mag-isip, may mga bagay ako na kailangang iwasang sabihin bago pa niya ako mabasa ng tuluyan.

"Coffee?" Nakangiti ko sa kanyang sambit at tinaguhan niya lang ako.

Tahimik pa rin siyang pinagmamasdan ako habang ipagtitimpla ko siya ng kape. Pakiramdam ko naco-conscious na ako. Kahit nakatalikod ako sa kanya, alam kong tinitingnan niya ako.

Nang matapos na ako mag timpla, inabot ko sa kanya yung mug niya at hinalo sa harapan niya. Nakangiti man siya sa akin ngayon pero ang mga mata niya naman talaga pilit akong binabasa.

Yung ginamit kong panghalo sa kape niya ay ginamit ko rin sa kape ko.

Just for the sake of avoiding a possible confrontation, I have to divert his attention somewhere or something else. I slowly gaze up to him as I drink my coffee. He did the same, mirroring me as his eyes never left mine.

I smiled at him as I bun my hair. I see him gulped. I am on the right track.

Sinilip ko yung cookie jar na nasa likuran niya.

I approached him closer and saw him put his mug beside the counter. I bit my lip and I intended to pin him a little just for me to get my cookie jar.

I opened it, licking my lips and looking back at him. "Gusto mo?"

"You know that I don't like sweets." His voice is deep. His eyes are dilated.

I giggled. "I know you'd say that." I teased him by taking a bite of the cookies I baked.

I let some chunks fall on my top as I acted silly for being clumsy like a child in front of him.

Nakatatlong cookies din ako. 

"This is so good." I commented to myself grunting in pleasure of the sweetness of the chocolate chips inside my mouth.

I didn't expect that he'd grab my chin and take the remains of the cookie chunks from my collarbone using his mouth. He even licks the chocolate near my lip. I gulped as his eyes met mine again.

It seems like we're in our little competition again.

I raised him an eyebrow attempting to get another cookie, "Bawal magkalat."

The look on his eyes is telling me, 'eh bakit ang kalat mong kumain?'

I playfully look away, putting another cookie in my mouth as I slowly take it all in.

I licked the remains of the cookie crumbs in my finger as I saw the effect of what I did to him, his breathing changes.

I see how his lips form a playful smirk as if his whole face is up for the challenge.

I put another cookie in my mouth and this time he take a bite at the other end pulling me close to him. Halos wala na sa kalahati yung cookie at kinain niya iyon sa harapan ko.

Kumagat ako ulit ng panibago at sa sobrang liit ng agwat ng labi namin sa isa't-isa, halos maramdaman ko ang labi niya sa labi ko.

He playfully raises his eyebrow teasing me.

He is enjoying this.

Bago pa man niya ako mahalikan, kumuha ako ulit ng cookie at napailing naman siya. Mas nilakihan niya yung subo sa cookie at kung akala niya makukuha niya ang gusto niya, nagkakamali siya, buti na lang marami akong ginawang cookies!

Pero hindi rin naman nagtagal ang kumpetisyon namin dahil nalugi ako sa larong ito.

Una sa lahat, halos siya ang kumain ng cookies ko at halos puro cookie crumbs na yung damit ko.

Nakita ko naman kung paano siya ngumisi dahil may iilang chocolate chip cookie chunks na nasa dibdib ko, masama pa ata talagang nag-spaghetti strap ako na pantulog dahil nagpalit ako ng damit kagabi.

Napagtanto ko na lang ngayon na wala rin akong suot na bra.

Muli akong napalunok.

He tilted his head beside laughing at me inside his head. "No more cookie for you missy." He teased me like a child.

"Akala ko ba ayaw mo sa sweets?" I narrowed my eyes on him.

He smirks as he adjusts my face and takes the remaining crumbs on my chest with his mouth. I feel the warmth of his breath cleaning the cookies' remains in my skin. He pulls himself away from me after he finishes the challenge.

"I didn't notice that those were sweets," patay malisya niyang sagot. He ran his thumb on his lips and uttered, "I barely tasted it since all that I could taste was you..."

Biglang uminit ang mukha ko at nakita ko namang natawa siya sa naging epekto ng sinabi niya sa akin.

Seems like I successfully changed the mood between us and since we're at this point already, there's no turning back.

Mas mabuting ituloy ko na lang ito ngayon.

I put my hands on his neck and tiptoes to reach his lips.

I kissed him and the next thing I know; he is already kissing me back. He pulls me closer to him. Our kisses leave us almost breathless as the tension between us rises. I deepened the kiss but he held back and chuckled.

I cupped his face attempting to take his lips again but he removes my hands on his face as if he is resisting me.

"No." That one word seems to pinch something in my chest.

"Why?" I asked him.

He smiled weakly catching his breath, "Paano kung makabalik ulit yung bantay mo at mahuli tayo sa ganitong sitwasyon?" He grins, "Naughty."

I immediately walk towards my door and lock my front door without thinking straight. I just want his lips on mine. Now.

He playfully approaches me and he traces my face with his fingers as if he's amused with my reaction.

Is he teasing me?

"It's not yet the weekend," he says, almost flirting with me and unlocking the lock I did at my front door, "It's just a Tuesday Maxene." He reminded me as he licks and bites his lower lip.

He is teasing me!

Buwisit!

I looked at his lips as his eyes dared me to take it and I did. I tried to pull him close to me, but he is keeping me at bay.

"Travis." My voice almost sounds pleading as I attempt to grab his neck but before I could close the gap between us he stops me by holding my shoulders. "Naman eh." Nayayamot na ako.

He laughs at me in his head. He clicks his tongue waving his index finger right and left. "Behave." He muttered mischievously.

"Eh ano ba ang ginawa ko?" I asked as if I did something for him to piss me like this.

He raised an eyebrow, "May ginawa ka nga ba?" He clicks his tongue shaking his head.

Sa inaasta niya, para niya akong hinuhuli sa sarili kong bibig.

"Wala naman," I paused, "Pero bakit ganito mo ako asarin?" I asked him, yet instead he answers me, he just grins at me playfully. Sinubukan ko ulit siyang halikan pero sadyang nagpapakipot siya at sa inis ko tinulak ko na lang siya palayo sa akin ng tuluyan. "Fine, edi huwag." Inis at inip kong sabi sa kanya at umupo sa sofa.

Buti pa yung unan pwede kong yakapin, pero yung sarili kong fiance ayaw ata sa akin. I hear him take a deep sigh.

I'm not going to look at him, bahala siya diyan.

He sits beside me trying to woo me, pero hindi ako magpapatinag!

"Mine," he utters our endearment as if he is singing to me, "I'm sorry."

He takes my hand but I take it away from him and bury my face on the soft pillow figuring out how I should fix myself in front of him.

I'm acting like a brat.

With his strength he grabs my waist and gently embraces me from behind kissing my shoulder.

"Sorry na, please." He kissed my shoulder again. "I love you, Mine."

"Bahala ka diyan." Pagsusuplada ko. Hindi ko alam kung normal bang magtampo ako sa pang-aasar niya sa akin kanina o sadyang napakababaw ko lang para iyon ang isipin kong dahilan kung bakit ganito ako nagmamaktol ngayon.

He sighs again, "I can't really stay sullen at you." He admits almost in defeat.

Wait he's what...why?

"Yung dapat ako yung magtatampo, pero nagawa mong paikutin ang sitwasyon sa isang iglap lang." He sighs again, "Masama na ang epekto mo sa akin, Mine."

"Kung nakakasama na ako sayo, edi sa iba ka na lang." I said impulsively, "Doon ka kay Monique, baka doon mapabuti ka." I couldn't hide my sarcasm I couldn't even understand myself why I snapped like that.

He chuckled again, embracing me tightly.

"You know that's not what I meant, right?" He says with a soothing voice as he inhales my scent.

Alam ko naman, pero hindi ko mapigilan yung bibig ko.

"Tell me what to do, to make up with you, Mine." He whispers to my ear as I peek at him.

I see him smiling at me as he tucks my hair behind my ear.

"Anything?" I ask like a spoiled child.

He smirks and nods. "Anything."

I turn my head to face him, "I just wanted to kiss you, that's all," I look away feeling bashful, "Pero ilang beses mo ako itinulak palayo." I puffed my face, "Pakiramdam ko tuloy ang pangit ko kasi apat na beses mo ako tinulak kanina." I hide my face again using the pillow, "O baka ang dugyot kong tingnan kaya umiiwas ka sa akin." I uttered.

Muli ko siyang narinig na tumawa at inalis ang mukha ko sa unan. His warm hands are now cupping my face as his eyes stare at me. "You're so cute." He says teasing me again.

"Cute daw pero tinulak ako kanina." sambit ko na may pagtatampo pa rin sa boses ko.

His gentle lips gave me a light kiss and he smiled.

"That's one kiss." He says with pride, "Ilang kisses ba ang gusto ni Mine?"

"Wala, ayoko na." Sambit ko. Nakakainis ako, teka nga, eh bakit ba, siya nga nagpapakipot kanina, ako naman ngayon!

Muli niyang inilapit ang mukha niya sa akin at hinalikan ako ulit. "That's two kisses."

I look at him pouting and he sees it as an opportunity and kisses me again, "That's three."

He kissed me again until we lost count and let myself slowly respond to his kisses. His breathing accelerates as he holds himself back again to contain himself.

What makes him hold back? Here I am openly giving him my consent.

"Kiss lang ang sinabi mo, Mine." He says with a regretful smile, "I still want to hear what happened yesterday."

Of course he is. Darn it Maxene!

Akala ko nakatakas na ako doon.

He traces my face with his fingers and clicks his tongue, "Akala mo ba ganoon mo na lang mababago ang sitwasyon?"

In the end, he still got me cornered.

So all this time na akala ko nasa akin ang pabor, in the end nasa kanya pa rin pala.

The cunning side of Travis Joseph Hayes.

"I answered that last night," I tell him avoiding to sound defensive, "Nag hang-out lang kami ng co-models ko," I added as I looked at him, still assessing me, "They're all girls." I tell him.

"But still you should have told them to call me when you passed out." He says cautiously.

"Don't worry about that, Mine. I am really okay." I tell him as I see him shaking his head.

Umayos siya ng upo at tumungo.

"Maxene," he started as he grips both of his hands as if he is trying to extend his patience with me, "I thought we agreed that we should keep each other posted?" He took a deep breath and added, "From the start, that's just what I ask of you." His eyes are now serious, "Is it too much?"

"Pero okay lang naman ako Travis, hindi mo naman kailangan mag-alala, may kasama naman ako." I reasoned, "Hindi naman nila ako pinabayaan."

"The point is, wala ako doon." His voice starts to sound frustrated as if he is keeping this since last night. He avoided my gaze and looked away.

"Akala ko ba okay na tayo?" I asked him, "Last night we're okay."

He shakes his head and uttered, "I had a nightmare last night."

I look at him dumbfounded remembering what happened last time he had one.

At sa pagkakataong ito, wala ako sa tabi niya noong nangyari iyon.

He looks at me with a regretful smile. "In that dream you're in the hospital and your heart just stopped from beating."

"Travis." I blinked. I don't even know how to comfort him. I hold his hand.

"I just want that image out in my head." He muttered looking away. "I don't even want to imagine it." His other hand holds his forehead brushing his hair, his entire face looks scared and deprived.

He holds my hand tightly, looking at me, "Ayoko yung pakiramdam na wala akong magawa," he says as if he's requesting me a favor, "Kung pwede kong kunin ang sakit mo, kukunin ko, pero wala akong magawa Maxene." He tries to force out a smile, "Ang gusto ko lang malaman ang lahat ng nangyayari sayo, lahat ng nararamdaman mo, lahat."

"I know, I'm sorry." I close the gap between our foreheads as I feel him tracing my face.

"I get that you don't want me to worry," he pauses and I look at him, "But we're a team, right?" He reminded me and I nodded. "I want to be there for you all the time as much as possible," he pauses, "Pero dahil sa bagong set-up natin, hindi ito madali para sa ating dalawa." He brushes his hair again, he can't hide his dissatisfaction with our situation, "Sa totoo lang parang mas nahirapan ako simula nang maging official tayo."

"Bakit mo naman nasabi yan?" I couldn't hide my uncertainty from what he just said.

He looks at me, "Dahil hindi na madalas mag tugma ang oras natin." May pagtatampo sa boses niya na hindi niya maitago pero pinili niyang unawain ang sitwasyon namin.

He smiles and chuckled looking at our hands together, "But then, looking at the bright side," he kissed the ring in my hand, "The world already knew that you're mine." He locks our fingers together.

"Kaya konting tiis pa." He says as if he's convincing himself holding himself together.

"I'm sorry if you feel like this because of me." I tell him as he shakes his head.

"I just want every update I could get from you," he kisses my hand again, "For the sake of my peace of mind, please."

What is the difference of not telling and lying?

Alam ko naman na dapat kong ipaalam sa kanya ang pinagdadaanan ko ngayon, pero kasi alam ko na kapag nalaman niya, mas hindi niya ako lulubayan.

Knowing him, he would probably put me first before him and that's the last thing I wanted since he should be focusing on school, lalo na at isang taon na lang graduate na siya.

I wouldn't want to be in his way.

"Nahihilo ka ba ulit?" He started asking me questions again looking at me adoringly.

"No." Matipid kong sagot dahil hindi naman ako nahihilo ngayon.

"How are you feeling?"

I giggled.

"I'm okay, Mine." I tell him holding his hand gazing into his eyes with a smile on my face.

His other hand cups my face as he takes a deep breath and asks, "Nagpacheck up ka na ba ulit?"

I gulped, retaining my smile as I thought of how I'll answer his question.

Technically kagagaling ko lang sa hospital kahapon kasama si Edielyn, so, is that considered as a check-up?

"Travis I'm not sick." I had my voice convincing him. "I'm perfectly normal." As what the doctors said.

He looks into my eyes as if he is reading the thoughts in my head again. I didn't break eye contact to show him that I am not lying.

He sighs and breaks eye contact with me and kisses my forehead. "I believe you." He says looking at me adoringly.

"Why? Do you doubt me?"

"Honestly, I just want to convince myself." He cups my face, "Alam mo namang may pagkaparanoid ako." 

Natawa naman ako kasi aware siya na paranoid siya.

"If you say that you're fine, then I'll believe you." He caresses my face.

"You will be the first to know about my everything Travis." I told him and he smiled.

He met my eyes and uttered, "Okay."

He kissed my temple inhaling my scent again.

Pagkauwi ni Natasha agad kong kinain yung spicy chicken ng Mcdo. Nasaway na naman ako ni Travis na magdahan dahan sa kinakain ko dahil ayaw niyang mapasobra ako.

Mamaya daw kasi maulit yung nangyari noong isang araw sa akin.

Hindi rin siya nagtagal dahil may klase siya, bago siya umalis pinaalalahanan niya ako ng paulit ulit tungkol sa pakiusap niya sa akin na lahat ng magiging ganap sa akin ay dapat ipaalam ko sa kanya.

Kung ganoon lang kadali edi sana ginawa ko na.

Pero kasi ang isa pang dahilan kung bakit hindi ko masabi sa kanya ay dahil alam niya na ooperahan ako sa susunod na taon.

Inisip ko rin naman ito kagabi, kaya napuyat din ako.

Nag research ako sa mga possible risk sa pwedeng mangyari sa akin kung sakali man. Pero dahil sa hindi rin naman ako dapat umasa sa basic research lang, kailangan ko pa rin tanungin magtanong sa isang eksperto.

Pagkaalis ni Travis naligo na ako at nagbihis na rin.

Nang makapagpatuyo na ako ng buhok, hinarap ako ni Natasha na may pag-aalala sa mukha niya.

"Miss Maxene, saan po kayo pupunta?" She asks as friendly as she could be.

Hindi siya kailanman nagpakita sa akin ng ganitong concern, pero kahit na ngayon ko lang nakita ang side niya na ganito, ikinatuwa ko naman iyon.

"I have to check things with my doctor Natasha, don't worry I'll be back soon." 

"Gusto niyo po ba samahan ko kayo sa ospital Miss Maxene?"

"Don't worry. Sasamahan naman ako ng kaibigan ko eh," I paused with a smile, "If anything happens, I'll let you know."

Tinanguhan niya ako kahit na nag-aalala siya para sa akin.

Pagkalabas ko ng condo building nakita ko kaagad yung kaibigan ko na naghihintay sa akin.

Buti nga rin at nagkataon na nasa area din siya kahapon kaya natulungan niya kami si Edielyn sa pag-alalay sa akin noong nahimatay ako.

At since may klase si Edielyn, siya lang ang available ngayon; lalo na at mahaba ang vacant niya, may late afternoon classes pa siya mamaya, pero nagpresinta siyang samahan ako dahil isa rin siya sa nag-aalala sa kundisyon ko.

I approached him with a smile and greeted him.

"Kanina ka pa?" I asked him.

"Kararating ko lang." Sagot niya sa akin.

Buti pala hindi sila nag pang-abot.

"Let's go?" He said opening the passenger seat and I got in.

Hindi niya ako hinusgahan at pinabayaan niya lang akong manahimik kasama niya.

Lalo na at kahapon lang ay talaga namang inasikaso niya ako ng sobra kasama si Edielyn.

Siya rin ang nagkumbinsi na huwag muna ako umuwi dahil hindi ko talaga alam kung paano tatanggapin ang katotohanan na sumupresa sa akin.

Pinatambay din muna ako ni Edielyn sa condo saglit para na rin pakalmahin ako.

Nang nagdecide na ako umalis sa condo ni Edielyn, hindi ko man siya tawagan or itext, pero binalikan niya ako para personal akong ihatid pabalik sa condo ko.

Hindi naman niya kailangan gawin iyon para sa akin, pero dahil sa kaibigan niya ako, hindi niya daw mapigilan ang hindi mag-alala sa akin.

Nang makarating kami sa ospital sinabi ko sa kanya na kaya ko na mag-isa.

I had a talk with my doctor regarding my condition and we discussed the possibilities of what could happen to me if in case the worst of the worst could happen to me. I'm fully aware that my heart couldn't handle the pressure that my body will demand from me on the long run. 

My doctor made it clear, that I should prioritize my surgery because either way, my life will be at risk. Specially that I am this vulnerable. She gave me more time to think about the options given to me, buti nga may oras pa ako para magdecide sa kung ano ba ang dapat kong gawin.

Kahit na sa totoo lang gulong-gulo ako. Hindi ko naman masabi ito kay Travis ngayon.

"Angel." Tawag sa akin ng kaibigan ko, talaga nga namang hinihintay niya ako dito.

"Juice." He handed me a pack of apple juice. "You better eat something healthy from now on."

"Thanks though you don't need to bother." I tell him and see that familiar friendly smile on his face.

"So what did the doctor say?" He asks and I just tell him everything.

Today he became my confidant as he listened to my situation.

Matapos kong ikwento napabuntong hininga na lang ako. "I honestly don't know what to do."  I admitted.

"What if you tell him?" He suggested casually.

"Kilala mo naman siya," I shrugged, "As much as possible I don't want to hold him back from where he is now."

"Well tama ka rin naman diyan," Nakapamulsa siyang humarap sa akin, "Kung kailangan mo ng kausap at may mga bagay na hindi mo kaya sabihin sa kanya, nandito lang ako." He smiled at me. "You also have my number, right?"

"That's kind of you," I tell him, "Thank you for being understanding."

"No pressure," He says, "You need all the support you can get, nagkataon lang na sa ngayon, I'm your trusty friend."

Natawa naman ako sa banat niya. But honestly, I am glad that he's with me.

"I just want to go home para makapagpahinga na rin ako." I tell him and see him nod at me. We're walking towards his car now, "May pasok ka pa rin hindi ba?" 

"Ihahatid muna kita bago ako pumasok." He opens the door for me and I got in.

By the time we arrived back at my condo building, I get out of his car as he pulls the window down looking at me with that friendly smile.

"Thanks for today." I tell him. Mukha siyang approachable kung palagi siyang nakangiti.

"O siya, aalis na ako." He tells me.

"Ingat ka Azael." I tell him as he smiles hearing me call him that name.

Ako lang daw kasi ang may karapatang tawagin siya sa pangalan na iyon.

"Bye Angel." He says with a deep voice.

His car turns around and I wave him goodbye until I lose sight of him.

Nakakatuwa lang at matapos nung debut ko napalapit ako kay Pierre. Nakakainis man siya minsan, pero nagegets ko naman na siya kahit papaano.

Sumakay na ako ng elevator. Pagkarating ko sa floor ko, dumerecho na ako agad sa unit ko.

Nagulat na lang ako nang napansing nawala ko yung red bracelet namin ni Travis.

Hindi ko naman hinubad iyon. Suot ko naman iyon kaninang umaga hanggang sa umalis ako kanina.

Saan ko kaya nawala iyon?