“Every dead-end street
Led you straight to me
Now you're all I need
I'm so thankful for
All of the girls you loved before
But I love you more”
—Taylor Swift

*****

He stared at me, surprised. I don't know how to react. Ang peaceful ng mukha niya ngayon. Nagsisimula nanamang tumibok ang puso ko.

I noticed him carefully dismounting from the tricycle. He gave me a look as though he was urging me to sit down at his place earlier.

Nakita ko ang dahan-dahan paggalaw ng adams apple niya. He's waiting... na umupo ako.

Umiling ako sa sarili ko at dali-daling umupo. Tumango ako sa kaniya nang naayos ko na ang upo ko. I noticed him take a big breath and seat down next to me.

Medyo mabilis ang byahe since malapit lang pala. We didn't talk. Ang awkward ng atmosphere. Minsan natatawa ako kapag napapapikit si Dwayne tuwing dadaan kami sa mga bumps na gawa sa gulong.

“Tig-bente kayo,” the driver parked his trycicle.

Mabilis na bumaba ang dalawa. They about to pay the fare but I stopped them. Mabilis akong tumakbo papalapit sa kanila.

“No, ako na, thanks pala sa pag help, I appreciate it,” ngumiti ako sa kanila at binigay ang one hundred pesos kay kuya.

Babaryahan na sana ako ni kuya mo driver but I stopped him.

“Keep the change po,” ngumiti ako kay kuya.

I bit my lower lip and slowly faced Dwayne.

“I already paid your fare, too. It's already okay...”

Nagsimula na akong naglakad at hindi na siya pinansin. Ni hindi ko hinintay ang sasabihin niya. Quezhia and April thanked me, kaya I smiled at them before leaving.

Naramdaman kong sumunod sila sa akin. Sabay-sabay kaming pumasok sa loob.

“Ang expensive mo, mare,” bulong ng April ang pangalan. “Gusto mo maging best friend tayo?”

Nakita kong siniko siya ng kaibigan niya. Quezhia smiled at me modestly.

“Saan kayo?” I asked them.

“NBS lang, bibili ng libro si April, sige, thank you, ah? I'm sorry sa behavior ng kaibigan ko,” she gave me an apologetic smile and then she tapped my shoulder lightly.

We nooded at each other and they walked in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, I remained in my current position.

Quezhia... siya ba ang crush ni Kaidon? She's so pretty pala kung siya nga. Nakaka-star-struck siya, she's looks like unreal. I can't explain her beauty.

When my phone rang, I grabbed it right away. I instantly opened it and took the call.

“Hello?” sagot ko sa tawag ni Kaidon. I came to a halt when Dwayne suddenly passed in front of me. My pupils dilated when he walked to where the two pretty girls went.

“Hello, Cadence... nasa National Books Store ako ngayon. I'm buying some notebook for this semester, samahan mo ako,” he said calmly. Tunog hindi nakaka-offend.

“Ahh, okay, sure...” pinatay ko na ang call.

Naglakad ako at hinanap ang NBS. The mall is huge so medyo naligaw pa ako ng konti. Nakita ko siyang nakatayo sa glass door ng shop kaya napangiti na ako.

My lips parted when I saw his outfit. He was wearing black oversized t-shirt partnered with untucked ripped jeans. And his shoes... the latest air jordan na black and white. Parang same sila ng outfit ni Dwayne pero mas maangas siyang tignan.

Napatingin ako sa salamin. Inayos ko ang sarili ko. Suot-suot ko ngayon ang thin strap crop top na white and I partnered it with dark blue maong skirt. White shoes lang din ang suot ko ngayon.

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa kaniya. He smiled at me when he saw me. Mabilis siyang tumakbo papalapit sa akin.

“Uyy, Cadence, sorry, ah?” he approached me. I gave him a real smile and whispered, 'I'm okay,' without a sound.

Saktong pagkapasok namin sa loob ay nakita ko sila Dwayne at pinsan niya. My eyes widened nang makita kong nag-uusap si Ethan, ’yong crush ni Khryza at si Quezhia na crush ni Kaidon. I can see in that man eyes na hulog siya sa babaeng kaharap niya. Like, who wouldn't?

“Sure ka? Last copy na ’to sa store,” I heard Quezhia's voice.

“No, take it,” Ethan replied. Umiling na lang ako at natawa sa sarili.  Kleor and I walked to the aisle, hinahanap namin ang school supplies area. Lucky us, hindi namin sila nadaanan at hindi nila kami nakita.

Habang busy na namimili si Kleor, dahan-dahan akong lumapit kila Dwayne. Nag-uusap siya ngayon ng pinsan niya. Isang book shelf lang ang pagitan namin pero I know na he wouldn't see me here kaya confident ako naki-chismis sa dalawa.

“Ikaw p're, binata ka na, ah?” boses ni Dwayne. Sumilip ako. They're looking at Quezhia, sa maganda. “Ikaw, huh, pinagnanasahan mo si Quezhia.”

I made a disgust face. Seriously? Pinagnanasahan nila ang babae? For what?

“Who’s Quezhia?” tanong ni Ethan. He sounded like he didn't know how to pronounce the girl name.

“Iyon, ’yong maganda,” Dwayne pointed his index finger at Quezhia.

Oh, to be called maganda by Dwayne...

I suddenly felt jealous. I hope I'm beautiful, too. Ewan ko, ang hirap pakawalanan ni Dwayne even though hindi pa naging kami. He's my first love, though.

“You know her?” interesadong tanong ng lalaking mukhang nangangain ng tao. I just shook my head and walked away. Wala naman akong mapapala.

“Oo, siya nga ’yong crush ko nga—” I stopped. Hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin niya. I thought he already have a girlfriend? Tapos may crush siya? Walking redflag, huh?

Umiling na lang ako sa self ko. Hindi na ako nakinig sa kanila. After nabayaran ang mga binili namin ni Kleor, pumunta kami sa Chowking since ’yon lang ang pinaka kakaunting tao, but unlucky me, I saw Dwayne and his cousin already lined up sa counter. I took a deep breath and took a glance to Kleor.

“Kung ano ang sa ’yo, iyon na rin ang akin, I'll going to reserve a sit for us for a minute.”

Tumango siya kaya inilibot ko ang mga mata ko para tumingin ng perfect spot for us to eat. My lips began to tremble not because there's no table left but because there are just two tables left, and of course, we will automatically be seated next to them.

What a bad day for a lovely woman like me, huh?

Wala na akong magawa kundi umupo na lang. Hindi naman kami tatagal ng limang oras dito, kakain lang kami. The table are designed for two or a couple so halatang para sa amin ’to.

I bowed when Dwayne walked through the remaining table. He wasn't surprised to see me so my self-confidence is back.

Cadence, si Dwayne lang ’yan. It's just his presence, just ignore it.

Walang imik siyang umupo sa table nila. Tahimik lang ako at inilabas ang phone ko. Nasa family reunion si Kaidon habang nasa church si Khryza. They don't have an idea na nandito ako sa Santiago kaya siguro may sarili silang buhay ngayon, kasi if alam nila, matic, sasama sila. Ayoko naman ’yon. My day would be worst, if ever.

I scrolled down sa Instagram ko. Mabilis kong tinignan si Dwayne kaya nung nakita kong nakatitig siya sa akin ay ibinalik ko ang mga mata ko sa cellphone ko.

Fuck.

He's staring at me? For what? Nagagandahan siya sa akin? Sampalin ko siya, eh.

I stopped when Gillian post welcomed my screen. It was her and a another boy, they're kissing.

To kiss by someone you really love. Flexin' my boyfriend.

Napa-ngiwi ako sa nakita. I tapped her profile and stalked her. Iba na ang bio niya at hindi na si Dwayne. I don't know how to react, magiging masaya ba ako or hindi?

I quickly close my phone nang dumating si Kleor kasama ang number ng food namin.

“They will just call us once the food was already settled.”

Tumango ako sa kaniya sabay ngiti.

“So, what is our plan? Or plans?” I asked him, pertaining to the band.

He gave me a bewildered look. “Plans for?”

Natawa ako.

“The band,” I let out a soft laugh. “Ano gusto mo? Our relationship?” I joked.

Tumawa siya.

“I already have a girlfriend,” he smiled as a apologize. My forehead frowned when I heard Dwayne chuckled. Nakatingin siya sa amin na parang nakikinig.

Is he an idiot?

Bigla siyang tumikhim at umiwas nang tingin nung our eyes met.

“Saka you're too young, I don't want to be in jail,” ginulo niya ang buhok ko. “You are too young for love. Just love them from afar muna. Once you felt something strange or you are already serious about your feelings towards to that person— that is the time to confess.”

Napanganga ako. He's totally random, but his words make sense.

“Don't ruin people life when you are unsure and not yet persistent to win their heart.”

What a mindful man... kaso may GF... talo nanaman kami ni Khryza nito! Tapos that Quezhia girl already caught Ethan and Dwayne's attention while this man is dealing with someone.

What a cruel world. Paano naman kami?

“Anyway, back to topic... saan ka mag-aaral this year? Graduating kayo, ah?”

Tumango ako sa tanong niya. Napaisip ako since graduating na ako this year at senior high na ako next year. “I don't know, yet?” I shrugged. “Baka here na lang? UC?”

I always wanted to leave my jail. My father's house of course. It's so hard when I don't feel home to my own house. Feels like I'm just a prisoner in a house they called mansion with full of elegant things... hindi nila alam, naiipit ako. I have no power, even freedom. I needed to act like these or that. Everything have a limitations. Kung bawal, bawal talaga... p'wede ko namang hindi siya sundin minsan but nakakatakot ako... I'm just still a grade 10 student who's just in love with a man na hindi mapapasa akin.

“Regarding sa mga songs pala—” he stopped. “You can sing a Filipino songs?”

Natawa ako at tumango. Kunwari hindi nag emote sa utak ko. “Why?”

He scoffed. “More on Tagalog songs tayo, Cadence.”

Puro kami practice nang practice nung nakaraan taon. Mostly nakakapunta pa kami sa labas ng Isabela para lang maka-perform. Habang tumatagal ako sa banda namin lalo kong nakukuha ang freedom na gusto ko. I even pronounce Filipino language fluently, hindi tulad ng dati. Mahigit isang taon ko rin kinalimutan si Dwayne para sa sarili ko.

Napatigil kaming apat nang bigla kaming hinarang ng guard sa gate ng University of Carig.

“Ano’ng gagawin niyo?” he asked.

Napatingin kaming apat sa isa't isa, looks like we didn't know what to answer. Si Kaidon, Khryza at Clyne na boyfriend ko.

“Uyy, Cadence!” I heard Kleor's voice. Tumingin ako sa kung saan nanggaling ang boses. Gulat akong napatingin sa kaniya.

“Hey, hello! It's been a while!” I scratched my head. Isang buwan na kaming hindi nagkikita. He became busy this time since irregular siya ngayon. He need to focus on his studies daw muna kaya tumigil ang banda namin.

“Ano’ng ginagawa mo rito sa College?” lumabas ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya.

Magkaiba gate ng College at Senior High?

Well, graduated na ako ngayon as grade 10. Ni hindi ko nga aakalain na Dad will allow me to study here, eh. Ang malala pa, binilhan niya ako ng house rito sa Santiago para malapit lang daw ako kuno sa school.

“Wait, samahan ko kayo... malapit lang rin dito sa Senior High.” Lumabas si Kleor kaya napatingin kaming apat sa isa't isa.

“I'm tired, let's enroll tomorrow,” maarte sabi ni Kaidon kaya tumingin ng masama sa kaniya si Khryza.

“Ay, ate ko, huwag ako. Ganda-ganda ng outfits ko ngayon tapos sasayangin mo, no way!” si Khryza. I laughed at her reaction. She was wearing pink neck cowl top partnered with blue jeans which makes her more matured. It suits her very well since she have a snow white skin.

As we were walking, Clyne suddenly grabbed my hand, leading me to look at him.

“Why, babe?” I asked him. Nakakunot ngayon ang noo niya. Clyne and I became couple last month. I met him from Omegle, lucky me, taga Santiago siya kaya we started seeing each other a couple of day and after that we became official.

“Bakit si Kleor kasama natin?” galit niyang sabi, umigting ang panga niya. “Mamaya mag sumbong ’yan sa Daddy mo paghiwalayin tayo.”

I looked at him with a weird expression. Medyo secret nga lang ang relationship namin since I know my Dad. He will never approve it even though hindi niya ako tinuturing anak.

“Relax, he will never do that,” I gave him assurance. Tama naman, Kleor is a good guy, nagustuhan ko nga rin siya habang nasa band but malas ako since he have already a girlfriend at minor pa ako.

Pagkarating namin sa gate ay biglang tumigil na si Kleor, sinamahan niya lang kami.

“Cadence, maiiwan ko na kayo, papa-print pa ako.” Lumapit siya sa akin at ginulo ang buhok ko. “See you soon, kakanta ka ulit next month...”

Ngumiti ako at nakipag-beso sa kaniya. That's normal for me since he treats me as his little sister.

“Ano ’yon?” nakakunot noong sabi ni Clyne nang nakaalis na si Kleor.

“A friendly beso?” I put my tongue inside my cheek. Nakaramdam ako ng mali because of how he looked at me. “Sorry...” I apologized immediately.

“Para kang pokpok.”

Hindi na niya ako hinintay at naglakad na siya papasok ng campus. Kaidon looked at me with concern. He seems to have heard what my boyfriend said.

I smiled at him na parang wala lang sa akin. Umiling siya at lumapit sa akin para sabayan ako maglakad. Ni hindi siya nagsalita or something. Pagkapunta namin sa loob ay agad kaming nag pa enroll.

I was still humiliated by a teacher we met since she encouraged me to dye my hair black because the color of my hair draws attention. Para tuloy akong kawawang bata na nag-iisip kung kailan ako magpapa-itim ng buhok.

“Sayang gagi. Papakulay pa sana ako ng red. Bawal pala sa school na ito,” tumawa-tawa si Khryza.

Pagkatapos namin maayos ang lahat, nag stay muna kami sa cafeteria. Maayos at maganda ang cafeteria nila rito. Puro salamin lahat.

“What do you want?” tinanong ko ang nagtatampo kong boyfriend. Tumingin lang siya sa akin at hindi ako pinansin. “Nagseselos ka ba sa kaniya?”

“Hindi ba halata?” he laughed, sarcastically. “Layuan mo ’yon, ikaw lalayuan ko.”

I just signed. Lumapit na lang ako sa mga kaibigan kong busy na bumibili. I bit my lower lip habang iniisip ang possible na gusto ni Clyne. Simula nung tumagal kami ng linggo, he became like that. Lagi na lang siya galit at gusto niya siya ang nasusunod.

“Isa nga po big 250 na mango flavor.” Itinuro ko ang favorite drink ko. “Saka coke mismo and two pair of chocolate waffle.”

Sabay-sabay kaming bumalik sa table nang makuha na namin ang binili namin. Maingat kong ibinigay ang pagkain sa table ni Clyne at lucky me, kinuha niya ito.

“Ano, lalayuan mo na?” he said while his attention focused on his phone. Naglalaro ng Mobile Legends.

“But... kuya Kleor is my bandmate...”

He stopped. He immediately close his phone and look at me with so much anger on his face.

“Passion o ako?” he uttered with a bit high volume.

“Sa passion ako,” Khryza replied, sarcastically. Mukhang nairita na sila. Alam kong narinig nila since ang sama ng tingin nilang dalawa ni Kaidon sa boyfriend ko.

“You don't have to make me choose betwe—”

“Ano?” he cutted me off. His voice were like thunder.

I breathe heavily and started to stare at my lowheel sandals. Dress lang ang suot ko ngayon since medyo unexpected dahil dumating na silang nakabihis na sa bahay.

“Ikaw...”

I saw how my friends rolled their eyes at me as disbelief. They were always reminding me na hiwalayan ko si Clyne. Gusto ko man but I don't know why I can't.

“Uyy, Cadence...” nagulat ako nang marinig ang boses ng lalaking hindi ko aakalain na nandito.

My lips parted when I saw Dwayne's smiling at me. Mukha siyang pastor sa suot niya. White polo and black slocks matching black shoes.

“B-buti nakita ulit kita,” his eyes were trembling. “Cadence...”

He took a deep breath. “Na-miss kita.”

I gave him a puzzled look. My heart started to beat abnormally. “Cadence, alam mo... g-gusto kita...”

My heart beat doubled. Reminding me, who really owns it and he's right in front of me. It's been a months but... still you... Dwayne...

*****
The Way He Loved Me
#UnconditionalLoveSeries
-kyahhhgorgeous

I'm sorry sa very long update! Huwag kayong mainis sa akin sa mga unexpected scene huhu. I'm just making it realistic but I'm not promoting or romantizing some of inappropriate behavior of my characters!

Love you!