M A X E N E

It's been a while since I woke up beside him in his bedroom.

Nakapulupot ang braso niya sa bewang ko. Nilingon ko siya at nakitang hindi pa siya gising.

Dahan-dahan akong umikot at hinarap siya, akala ko pa magigising siya agad kasi bigla siyang umungol. Umayos siya ng higa at inayos ko ang buhok niya.

Mahimbing pa siyang natutulog. Pagmamasdan ko muna ang natutulog niyang mukha.

Natatawa akong maalala kung saan kami nagsimula: arranged kami dahil na rin sa demand ni mom sa akin dati, boyfriend-girlfriend for show pa nga kami noong una dahil alam ni Travis kung gaano ako kabantay-sarado kay mom.

Nagawa naman din namin makumbinsi si mom na nag-wowork ang arrangement namin, kaya naglie-low din ang pagbabantay niya sa akin. Kaya lang kasabay ng panahon na iyon, ay yung takot ko na tuluyang mahulog kay Travis lalo na at noong panahon na iyon ay bumalik din naman si Monique sa buhay niya.

Akala ko pa dati ay maluwag na ang pagbabantay sa akin ni mom kaya naglakas loob akong tumakas. Nasa isip ko pa noon, mas mabuti na lang na magkabalikan kami ni Kenzo kaysa sa tuluyan akong mahulog kay Travis.

Kung sino pa talaga ang nagsabi na 'no feelings involved' siya pa itong unang nahulog.

Yep, I'm literally talking to myself.

The irony.

Nasa isip ko pa noon, imposibleng magkaroon ng kami ni Travis.

But no matter how much I turn my back on him, my feelings for him is what pulls me back to him.

It's true that if Kenzo took me on that day, I'll be forever lying to myself that my heart starts to beat for someone else.

And that someone else is this person sleeping right next to me.

I can't help but smile at his sleeping face.

I fell first without the assurance of him catching me.

Ilang beses man kaming nagkagulo sa kanya-kanya naming issues, pero sadyang parehas din matigas ang ulo namin para bumitaw kami sa isa't-isa.

The day he declared his feelings for me was the day that I swore to myself that I'll give him my everything, that I'll give him the love that he deserves.

That his feelings are valid without a doubt. That he is more than enough for me.

Now that I am here, he won't be alone anymore.

Napilitan kaming mag-live in kahit panandalian lang dahil nga tumakas ako, kahit pa noong mga panahon na iyon, boyfriend ko na si Travis. Pero hindi rin naman iyon nagtagal matapos niyang magpropose sa akin at naging official na kami.

I look at my ring and back at him, I'll never let him go.

Mag-iisang taon na nang ma-arrange ako sa kanya, pero may biglang katanungan sa utak ko, kailan nga ba ulit naging kami?

Hindi ata kami nagkaroon ng specific date dahil nga pabigla-bigla kami, minsan maayos kami, minsan hindi. Ika nga ni Cyriel dati, the first year of being new in a relationship is a trial and error.

I sighed.

I just don't have any idea 'when' and it suddenly bothers me, to think that I am his first girlfriend. I should have at least planned something for us since we became a couple, right?

I'm being too careless. I should be ashamed of myself. I wasn't like this back when Kenzo was my boyfriend.

Anong klaseng girlfriend ba naman ako kay Travis. Hay.

I want to do something special for him. I want to make it up with him. I don't want him to think that I am neglecting him. I want to secure his feelings.

He's more than enough for me.

Ngayon na pinagmamasdan ko pa rin ang natutulog niyang mukha, hindi ko alam kung bakit may parte sa akin na gusto kong pagmasdan ng malapitan ang mukha niya.

I just want to touch every inch of his face.

Umayos ako at hinarap siya ng mas malapitan.

He really looks like his biological mother.

Ang ganda ng hubog ng kilay ng taong 'to, kaya minsan kilay pa lang alam mo na kung galit ba siya o nagtitimpi eh. Napaka-intimidating niyang pagmasdan kung hindi mo siya kilala. Snob kung baga. Tapos ang talas pa ng mga mata niya, nakuha niya ang mga mata niya sa tatay niya. Magkaiba sila ng mata ng kapatid niya, halos bilugan kasi ang mata ng utol niya, though parehas sila ng ilong.

Cute.

I poked his cheeks and heard him grunted.

I bit my lip as my eyes found his full yet thin lips. I caressed his face. I know to myself that I want to kiss those lips and I did. I brushed his chin with my thumb and uttered, "I love you." And I kissed him again.

Slowly, I see him opening his eyes and a smile forms on his face.

I kissed his chest without breaking eye contact. "Good morning Mine." I greeted him.

He blinks fixing my hair and kisses my temple.

"Good morning Mine." Boses bagong gising.

His voice fills me with comfort and my heart is so happy to hear just the sound of his voice. He pulls me closer as he inhales my scent. "I miss this." He said soothingly brushing his thumb on my shoulder.

Binalikan ko siya ng tingin at tinaasan siya ng kilay. "Sus, ang ano? Ang session?" I hissed rolling my eyes at him and I hear him chuckled.

"Bonus na lang iyon syempre." He stated, may bonus pa siyang nalalaman. Ang dami niyang alam! "Pero alam mo ba kung ano ang pinakagusto ko?"

"Ano naman?"

"Ang gumising sa umaga na ikaw ang katabi ko." He said as he cups my face looking at me adoringly.

Ang aga-aga nabanat na naman siya ng ganyan. Kainis naman oh!

Tumungo ako dahil hindi ko alam kung saan ko itatago ang mukha ko, hindi ko inaasahang babanat siya ng ganun, kaya sigurado ako, nakuha na naman niya ang reaksyon na gusto niyang makita sa akin kasi natawa siya sa naging epekto niya sa akin.

Napakapilyo talaga kahit kailan!

Huminga siya ng malalim at kinalma ang sarili niya. Muli ko siyang tinignan sa mata niya.

"Galit ka pa ba sa akin?" Nahihiya kong tanong sa kanya.

He just blinks, looking at me.

Masama pa ba ang loob niya sa akin?

He adjusted himself to face me better.

"No." He answered, but I can see that ray of insecurity in his eyes. "Though, I'm still trying to keep up." He admitted kissing my hand and putting it to his chest.

"I hope that you'll let me make up with you." I tell him with a small smile.

He tilted his head beside looking at me cautiously, "Aba dapat lang." There's this humor in his voice as he continuously flirts with me while licking and biting his lower lip.

His eyes dared me kiss him and without thinking twice, I did.

I kissed him and let the mood flow naturally between us. His lips kept devouring mine and I just let him.

Bumabawi nga ako sa kanya, hindi ba? Pero yung tanong sa utak ko kasi...

"Hey," I gasp for air, "Have you ever wondered kung kailan naging tayo?" I asked in between our kisses.

He chuckled, "That's random." He says between his kisses, "Bakit mo naman naisip bigla yan?" He continued kissing me.

"Kasi hindi ko alam kung kailan ang monthsary natin." I kissed him again, "I wanted to do something special for you." I cut the kiss and cups his face.

He shakes his head and takes my lips again, "Hindi ko iniisip iyon, basta kasama kita, masaya na ako." Simple minded as ever.

But for some reason this fact worries me.

I pushed him with a small force, "Pero kasi, first girlfriend mo ako." I puffed my face, "Napaka-careless ko para makalimutan kung kailan naging tayo." I admitted.

"Kailangan ba talaga ng date?" Pilyo niyang tanong na nakatingin pa rin sa labi ko.

He reaches for my face as he brushes his thumb on my lips. His eyes are seducing me as he bites his lips again. Based on his body language, he just wants my lips on his at this moment.

But I just want to know the answer to my question...

"Oo naman, para we keep track kung kailan tayo nagsimula, ganon naman sa relationships." Sagot ko sa kanya.

What we have way more different than what he has with Monique. It's true he loved her from afar, he loved her one sidedly. What we have is mutual, certain and tangible.

Kaya lahat ng ipinagkakait niya sa sarili niyang maramdaman dati, ngayon pwede na niyang maramdaman dahil mayroong 'kami.' Yung mga naisip niya kagabi tungkol sa amin, ayokong isipin niya ulit iyon.

I know I have to redo things that will secure his feelings starting with these simple little things between us.

He laid back to bed, closing his eyes.

Bigla na naman siyang na nahimik.

I hit him playfully.

"Uy, anong iniisip mo?" Ayokong bigla-bigla siyang na nanahimik.

He looks at me with a smile as if he's amused seeing how this matter frustrates me.

Halata sa mukha niya na may alam siya. Tingnan mo 'tong lalaking 'to, nakakainis!

"Basta." He keeps that information to himself putting his hands behind his head.

"Tingnan mo 'to, hindi nga kasi ako aware." He says nothing but smiled at me, "Mas lalo tuloy akong na-guilty." Pag-amin ko.

I hear him chuckled, "It's fine Max, the date didn't really matter."

Tumalikod ako sa kanya at napabuntong hininga. "It is about us. So that matters to me." I say almost in a whisper. "Masyado na akong naging careless sa atin. Who would have thought that I'm such a bad girlfriend to you." I uttered embarrassingly.

He hugs me from behind laughing at me. I feel his lips on my shoulder, to my neck and to my ear. "32809." He whispered random numbers as he nibbled my ear caressing my shoulders.

"Ano naman iyon?" Tingnan mo ito dinidistract ako.

"That's the date." He started, "Hinding-hindi ko malilimutan ang araw na iyon dahil derecho akong sumunod sa iyo noon sa Japan." He lock his hands with mine and chuckled. "Tumabi ako sayo noon, tapos amoy sake ka pa. Tapos miski sa panaginip mo minumura mo ako, eh hindi naman kita masisi, ang gulo ko rin kasi noong mga panahon na iyon eh."

He embraces me tightly as I take a look at his face.

"I will never forget that day." He kisses my temple, "Because that day: it was all or nothing for me." He pauses looking into my eyes filled with warmth as he caresses my face. "Doon ko napagtanto kung gaano ka kahalaga sa akin. Doon ko napagtanto na sobra na kitang minamahal Maxene." Dagdag niya at napaluha na naman ako. "You're more than enough for me."

"Travis..."

He wipes my tears away, "I love you, Mine. Always."

"Naman eh!" Nahihiyang sambit ko, "Pinapaiyak mo na naman ako."

He chuckled, "Ganti ko na lang din yan sa ginawa mo sa akin kagabi." He said while wiping my tears away. "Pinaiyak mo rin naman ako."

I know it's just a made up excuse but then I know I just have to say it, "I'm really sorry for hurting you." I paused, "I didn't really mean it, I'm in fact careless about it."

He gives me a small smile, "Nakabawi ka naman na sa akin eh, sobra pa." Pilyo na natatawa niyang banat.

Alam kong sa mga mata niya, hindi iyon ang gusto niyang sabihin pero dahil sa nakikita niya akong emosyonal, mas pinili na lang niyang ibahin ang mood sa pagitan naming dalawa.

"I just wanted to secure your feelings." I admitted bashfully. Alam kong nagpaka-impulsive na naman ako sa ginawa ko kagabi para lang hindi niya isipin sa sarili niya na hindi siya sapat sa akin, "Kung nagsisisi ka sa nangyari kagabi-"

He shuts me with a kiss. "Last night is special. It's like our honeymoon." He uttered softly with a smile as his eyes looked at me with certainty, "And I don't regret it." He pauses, "I love making love with you, Mine." He kisses me again, "But then we should be responsible for our actions." He cups my face, "Do you understand me?" His eyes were sincere.

Kahit may pag-aalinlangan siya kagabi, nakumbinsi ko pa rin siya dahil gusto kong patunayan ang sarili ko sa kanya...

That I am willing to do everything for him. Everything.

Kita naman sa kanya na siya yung taong may paninindigan, kaya lahat ng ginagawa niya talaga namang pinag-iisipan niya muna gawin, maliban na lang kung sobra siyang galit, doon talaga namang hindi siya papapigil.

Pero tulad nga ng sinabi niya kagabi, inaayos niya ang sarili niya para sa akin. Para mas maging karapat dapat para sa akin.

That like me, he'll do everything for me.

Sa totoo lang mas nakakapag-isip si Travis ng maayos kung isasantabi niya ang emosyon niya, hindi siya tulad ko na inaasa lang ang lahat sa nararamdan ko. Hindi siya tulad ko na padalos dalos.

I nodded at him like a child as he took me in his arms again.

"You have to tell me everything from now on." He says as I hear his heartbeat, "No more secrets Maxene, please."

I nodded even if I am guilty of something that I can't talk about at the moment with him.

I want to open up the topic, but I just don't know how to say the right words.

I gaze up to him as a firm line forms on my lips.

"Pero balik tayo sa monthsary natin." I just have to open this topic before he notices my uncertainties. "Hindi manlang kasi natin na-cecelebrate yung monthsary natin."

I see him laughing at me again.

"Yung dapat may flowers and chocolates or minsan mag-dadate tayo sa labas--"

"You're so cute." He teases by pinching my nose.

"Travis naman eh..."

"We do celebrate it," He cuts me, "You're just not aware of it." He blinks again with a soft smile on his face. "Try to remember." He said as sudden highlights from the past months came into my mind.

Especially every 28th of the month.

I look at him in disbelief.

"Ang daya mo talaga Travis, bakit mo kasi sinosolo?" Hinampas ko siya ulit, "Bakit kasi hindi ko alam!" Hindi ko alam kung sa kanya ba ako naiinis o sa fact na hindi ako aware. Basta nakakainis!

"Well, hindi ko pa alam kung aware ka noong araw na sinet-up mo yung pagkikita namin ni Laurenz. But that's also the 28th day of the month."

Napalunok ako. Naghahalo-halo ang emosyon ko. Naalala ko na naman yung araw na iyon.

Muli niya na naman akong tinawanan, "I'm sure that you're aware that your birthday is the 28th too..." He pauses, "Nagpropose ako noon sayo."

I am now looking at him with awe as he locks his hand with mine.

"So you see, we've been celebrating our monthsary ever since." He tilted his head beside, "If that's really your concern."

I hit him again. Weakly.

I bit my lip. "Hindi talaga ako aware." I uttered in defeat, "I can't help to feel bad, tapos 28th din kahapon, pero binadtrip kita."

"You're so adorable." He said looking at me with adoration.

I cupped his face as he kissed the ring on my finger three times.

My heart is filled with warmth as I smile at him, greeting him, "Happy sixth, Mine." I say almost in a whisper, "Kasi kung bibilangin, six months na tayo, hindi ba?" I brushes my thumb to his face. "Another six months to one year, yey!" I teased playfully.

I see how his lips forms a smile biting his lips. Halatang pinipigilan niyang kiligin.

"How about let's go somewhere?" I said out of the blue, "Ang tagal na rin kasi noong huling beses tayong nag-date."

His eyes softens tilting his head beside, "Sounds like a plan."

"I love you so much Mine." I rub my nose against his.

He says nothing but pulls me for a deep and sweet kiss. That kiss alone is enough for me to feel every emotion that he has in his heart.

"Always." He uttered as we cut the kiss.

Pinauna ko na siyang maligo, sabi niya pa huwag na ako magluto ng agahan dahil sa labas na lang daw kami kakain.

Yung mga nakakalat na gamit niya kagabi, inayos ko at nilabhan ko saglit sa laundry room.

Nilinisan yung baso na gamit niya kagabi noong uminom siya ng alak at tinapon yung abo ng galing sa yosi niya sa basurahan.

"I'm sorry." Nagulat ako nang makita ko siyang tinitingnan pala ako mula sa gilid ng bar table niya.

I shake my head with a smile, "Nilabhan ko na rin yung damit mo, mabilis lang naman iyon since may dryer naman. Titiklupin mo na lang iyon at ilalagay sa cabinet mo."

"Sana pinabayaan mo na lang na ako ang mag-ayos ng kalat ko." Nahihiya niyang sambit at nilapitan ako.

"I didn't know that you smoke." I tilted my head beside and looked away. "Ano pang vices mo?"

"I stopped smoking a long time ago."

"Eh bakit--" I look back at him.

"That's just me," He gulps, hiding his chagrin, "Keeping my demons at bay from last night."

"I'm so sorry." I embraced him, kung kailangan ko lambingin siya ng buong araw na ito, gagawin ko. "I love you so much, Mine." Hindi ako magsasawang sabihin iyon sa kanya.

I listen to his heartbeat playing a familiar melody.

"We have a long day today Maxene." He pushes me kissing my temple, "Maligo ka na, aalis rin tayo agad." He reminded.

I sighed.

"Lalabhan ko na muna yung damit ko, kasi wala akong baong damit." I said sheepishly. Agad kasi akong dumarecho dito sa penthouse niya.

"Go take a bath Maxene." He says with little authority. Sumunod na lang ako para hindi siya ma-badtrip. Babawi ka nga Maxene, hindi ba? Behave ka muna.

Hindi rin biro ang naging kasalanan ko sa kanya. Masyado akong naging careless sa amin. Una sa lahat hindi ako aware na March naging kami. Though I am aware na after namin umuwi ng Japan naging kami na, pero hindi ko naalala yung date. Kainis, ulyanin na ata ako.

Tapos kahapon, monthsary pala namin, pero binadtrip ko siya. Ang sama ko talagang girlfriend.

Tapos halos inipon niya lahat sa dibdib niya yung sama ng loob niya sa akin dahil lang sa ayaw niya akong masaktan; na imbis na sumabog siya, mas pinili na lang niyang kimkimin lahat iyon.

Mukhang nagkamali ata ng advice sa akin ni Pierre. Kasi lahat ng inadvice niya sa akin, kabaligtaran ang naging epekto kay Travis.

Akala ko pa kung mas luluwagan ko ang oras namin sa isa't-isa makakapag focus siya sa school at makakabawi na rin siya sa mga kaibigan niya dahil ayoko naman na sa akin niya lang paikutin ang mundo niya.

Ayoko rin naman na makita niyang masyado akong nagiging clingy sa kanya, kahit na minsan may parte sa akin na sabik na sabik na kasama siya.

Pero may times din na hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko na parang nagmamaktol sa harapan niya. Dinaig ko pa minsan ang isip-bata.

Tapos malalaman ko mula kay Pierre na aside kay Monique, may mga iba pang babae na nagkakagusto kay Travis, hindi niya lang pinapansin, kahit na nagpapapansin sila sa kanya.

I don't know but just by the thought of it, I can't help to feel a little insecure, lalo na at may mga mas matured na babae kaysa sa akin na nag-aaral ng college tulad niya.

Like him, I wanted to be the person who is deserving for him. Kaya pinipilit ko ring magbago para maging kapantay niya.

Yet I am aware that I am still far behind from him.

Come on, ni hindi pa ako nag-cocollege. Hindi ko alam pero ang liit ng tingin ko sa sarili ko sa fact na iyon. Iba kasi ang pakiramdam kapag nakapagtapos ka ng college.

Sabihin man ng iba na artista ako or model, pero paano kapag tumanda na ako?

Paano nga kapag pumangit na ako, hindi naman habang-buhay maganda ako, hindi rin naman habang-buhay kukunin ako ng talent agent para magkaroon ng projects at kung anu-ano pa man.

Darating din ang araw na malalaos rin ako at magiging ordinaryong tao na lang sa mata ng ibang tao.

While I still have my youth, I'll seize this moment, so that when the right time comes I can stand next to him in the future.

I want a future with him and I'll do whatever it takes, even if we have these little sacrifices along the way.

Or as what I thought.

I was wrong at some point when he said those words: 'Hindi kita maabot Maxene.'

Dahil sa nagawa ko sa kanya, muli kong narinig ang mga salitang akala ko hinding-hindi ko maririnig sa kanya.

Because once upon a time, Kenzo also said those words to me... Which triggers his insecurities... Which triggers his uncertainties in our relationship... Which led us to conflicts... which led to our break up...

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng matinding takot. Alam ko sa sarili ko na ayoko ng marinig iyon. Ayoko ng maulit yung dati.

Kailangan kong bumawi kay Travis hanggang maaga pa.

Pagkalabas ko ng banyo, nakita ko siyang nakaupo sa kama at nakangiti akong binati.

"Nailagay ko na yung nilabhan mo sa cabinet." Sambit niya kahit hindi ko naman tinatanong.

That suddenly made me smile at him.

"Eh yung damit ko pala?" Tanong ko, "Wala kasi akong pamalit." He handed me a paper bag with a smile on his face. "Ano ito?"

"A little something from me." He says, "Hindi naman pwede na laging ikaw lang ang may regalo. Lalo na at monthsary natin." Taas kilay niya pang dagdag. Binuksan ko yung paper bag at tiningnan siya, halatang hinihintay niya ang reaksyon ko.

Kinuha ko mula sa loob ng paper bag ang isang casual short sleeve v-neck floral print baby blue dress na below the knee level. At talaga namang alam niya ang height ko para sumakto sa panlasa niya itong damit na ito.

"Thank you for this." I bashfully told him and he handed me another paper bag. "Ang dami naman." This time he said nothing but smirked playfully. I opened the paper bag and I couldn't help but show an awkward face. I see him amused by my reaction.

"Wear that too, okay?" Napakapilyo nga naman! Bakit pati pair ng underwear binilhan niya ako?

"Hindi ito kasya sa akin."

He clicks his tongue, "Pumasok ka sa banyo at suotin mo, gusto kong makita."

"Hindi nga ito kasya sa akin." Pangungulit ko.

He said nothing but his eyes demanded me to obey him so I did.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero bigla akong na-conscious sa sarili ko.

Buti na lang at maluwag yung dress na binigay niya sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong nakaramdam ng hiya sa kanya, to think wala na naman ako halos itago sa kanya.

Hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko, pakiramdam ko ang pangit, pangit ko na.

I went out of the bathroom and saw him pleased. He signals me to approach him and I did.

"Kasya, hindi ba?" He raises an eyebrow with pride. Fine, I'll give this to him.

"Though hindi ko manlang nakita yung itsura ng underwear mo." He said with a regretful tone. Tingnan mo ito, ang harot na naman.

"It fits. Don't worry." I roll my eyes at him. Hindi ko mapigilan magmaldita na naman sa harapan niya.

Tumayo siya sa harapan ko at hindi ko inaasahang tatanggalin niya yung tatlong butones ng damit ko. Biglag umakyat ang lahat ng dugo sa mukha ko.

Nang balikan ko siya ng tingin, nakangisi na siya sa akin ng nakakaloko at tinignan ang dibdib ko na tinatakpan lamang ng bra ko. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kuryente nang bigla niyang kinapa yung kabuuan ng bra ko. Anong trip nitong ungas na ito?

His face is filled with pride. "I was right then," He uttered, tilting his head beside, his whole face is amused and pleased, "It is cup-"

Bago pa niya sabihin, tinakpan ko na ang bunganga niya, "Kainis ka Hayes!" Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata. "Oo na, kasya na, masaya ka na? Masaya ka na? Ha?"

Tinawanan na naman niya ako sa utak niya at ibinalik sa ayos ang damit ko. "I'm actually complimenting you, you know?"

Ibinalik man niya sa ayos ang damit ko, pero patay malisya pa rin siyang nakahawak sa dibdib ko na para bang tinitimbang niya ito gamit ng kamay niya.

"Hindi mo ba bibitawan yan?"

"They look healthy and full." Inosenteng sagot ng gagong 'to. "Hindi ba mabigat?"

Pilyo, pilyo, pliyo. Napakapilyo talaga nito ni Hayes! Siraulo!

I hissed pushing him away from me.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever, you had your fun. Happy?" Sambit ko na pinipigilang mapikon.

"Inis ka?" He teased. "Akala ko ba babawi ka sa akin?" He chuckled, "To think that I'm just getting started."

"Eh kasi naman..." hindi ko na naman maiwasang magmaktol, hindi naman niya kailangan timbangin, nakaka-conscious. Tapos kung anu-ano pa ang sinasabi niya.

Pakiramdam ko pinagtitripan niya ako.

Tapos idagdag pa yung fact na, "Bakit mo alam? Bakit alam mo ang size ko?" Hindi ko alam pero naiinis ako. "Pinapakialaman mo yung gamit ko noh?"

"Pwede bang secret ko na lang iyon?" There's this ray of amusement in his eyes. "Anyway, bagay naman, hindi ba?" He held my hand, "Ikot ka nga."

Para akong uto-utong sumunod sa utos niya dahil lang nginitian niya ako. Ano ba namang trip nito ni Hayes?

"Pinagtitripan mo ako." I puffed my cheeks as he pulls me close to him.

"You're so cute." He holds my waist and squishes me, "Aba, baby fats ba ito?"

Napalunok ako sa sinabi niya.

He's this observant. Naconscious na naman ako at hinampas siya, "Oo, mataba na nga ako, takaw ko kasi eh, pangit ko na, sabi sayo pangit ako eh." Sunod-sunod kong lait sa sarili ko.

Halata naman sa mukha niya na ikinakatuwa niya ang naging reaksyon ko.

"Mahal pa naman rin kita." Sambit niya na may lambing.

"Sus, yung utol mo nga kung sabihin na biik yung kaibigan ko, wagas. For all I know gusto mo lang din ako asarin, so ano itatawag mo sa akin? Wild Boar? Elephant? Walrus?" I clicked my tongue. "Ano pang matatabang hayop ang itatawag mo sa akin?"

"Mine pa rin." Sagot niya na dahilan kung bakit napakagat labi na naman ako at binigyan niya ako ng maaliwalas na ngiti.

I hissed and saw him smile at me.

"Enough na nga." Hindi ko alam kung maiinis ba ako o matutuwa sa banat niya pero dahil good mood siya, pababayaan ko na lang siyang asarin ako.

Sana lang talaga maayos ko ang moods ko.

He lock his hands with mine, "Let's go, malayo-layo rin ang pupuntahan natin."

Bigla naman akong na-excite, "Saan ba tayo pupunta?"

"Basta."

Ano na naman ang pakulo nito ni Hayes?