*****

“Tanga ka ba?” Clyne suddenly stood up. Even though expected na ang reaction niya na ’yon, I was still shock.

“Ha?” naguguluhang sambit ni Dwayne. Dahil sa takot ko, agad akong humarang sa kanila since mukhang they're gonna punch each other na.

“Babe, relax...” I'm trying to calm my boyfriend down. His gaze looks like a knife who was willing to stab Dwayne in front of us. “H-he's...” I took a deep breath. “He's just confessing. . . and I'm going to say naman na I'm not available na.”

I noticed Dwayne's startled expression. He didn't appear prepared for what he heard.

Fuck. Bakit ngayon pa.

I slowly face my boyfriend.

“Babe, relax,” I touched his back and massages it to mollify his anger. “Relax, okay?”

Umirap siya at tumango sa akin. I smiled at him modestly to relax him more. I bit my lower lip when he just rolled his eyes.

Okay, that's normal, Cadence, right?

Dahan-dahan akong humarap sa dating iniibig. He is still shock. His bright brown eyes were still trembling. His rosy lips were parted.

“I'm sorry about his behavior, Dwayne,” I apologized with a smile. “I... already have a boyfriend.”

Sumingkit ang mga mata niya. Tinitignan niya ako nang matagal bago tumango at ngumiti.

“Mayroon ka na?” he chuckled with a pain tone. My heart pumps abnormally again. I don't know what to react.

“Sorry, late na pala,” he swallowed hard causing his adams apple to move. “Sure, I'm happy for you, thank you, Cadence.”

I felt a hurt in my heart when he nodded. I avoided him for over five months in order to accept that he doesn't like me, but now he's in front of me confessing that he likes me.

“Hey, you're here,” napalingon ako nang makita si Ethan, ang pinsan niyang masungit. “You're flirting again?”

Umiling si Dwayne at tumawa.

“Gago, p're, bakit ako lalandi? Trauma na ako kay Gillian.”

My mouth formed an o when his cousin chuckled. For the first time, nakita ko siyang ngumiti. He have a model-like-teeth. Complete ito, malinis at maganda ang lineup.

“Guess what? I already have my card. P'wede na akong mag transfer kila Quezhia,” Ethan said with a smile on his face. He looks very happy.

“Seryoso ka talaga sa gagawin mo?” si Dwayne. Tumango si Ethan at inaya na umupo si Dwayne tabi niya. Sa likod lang ng table namin.

“Corny mo ma-in love, babe,” umiling-iling si Dwayne sa pinsan niya. “Kaya mo talagang ulitin ang senior high mo para lang sa babae?”

I got curious. I bit my lips and focus on them. Inilapit ko pa ang tainga ko para lang marinig sila nang maayos.

“Babae pa nga. Lang? She already have all, tapos babae lang? Bobo,” kumunot ang noo nito.

Niyakap ni Dwayne ang sarili niya. “Oo na, huwag mo na ako kakainin, kuya Ethan.”

Huminga ako nang malalim at humiga na sa higaan ako. Kanina pa kami nakauwi at ngayon ay nakatitig ako sa kisame namin. I always do it kapag nag-iisip-isip ko.

What the fuck just happened?

Simula nung umuwi kami hindi na ako kinausap ni Clyne. It's normal for him to be mad. Iniintindi ko na lang.

Tatlong katok sa apartment ko ang nagpakunot sa noo ko. Malaki ito at good for family. Three bedrooms and may comfort room lahat tapos naka aircon pa. Nandito na lahat.

I quickly got up from my bed and quickly went to the living room. My eyes widened as I opened the door and saw Mami Helen. I yelled and held her swiftly.

“Ano’ng ginagawa niyo rito, Mami Helen?” ngiti ko sa kaniya at dali-dali siyang pinapasok sa loob. May dala-dala siyang maleta kaya lalo akong napangiti.

“Ahh, kasi ang Daddy mo, anak, pinapunta ako rito. Ako lang naman daw ang close ng baby Cadence ko, eh, kaya ako ang pinili niyang magbabantay sa iyo.”

I assisted her with her belongings. We took her things to the other room and placed it there. Lucky us, tatlo ang kuwarto rito. Mukha p'wede pang tumira sila Kaidon at Khryza here.

“Mami, so possible na rito tumira si Yzabella?” tanong ko habang pinapanood siyang magluto ng dinner. Nasa sariling bahay pa sila Kaidon at Khryza para i-pack lahat ng mga gamit nila. I also told them na here na sila tumira para magkakasama kami and they all agreed.

“Gusto mo ba, ’nak?” she paused stirring the soup then she wiped her hand on her apron, and rapidly approached me with a smile on her face. “Gusto mo bang kasama natin si Ysabella?”

I quickly nodded and I gave her a hug. “Yes po, Mami.”

Ngumiti siya nang marahan at tinapik ang likod ko. “Sige, bukas na bukas, dito na natin papatirahin si Yzabella.”

I was smiling while watching a k-drama in the living room. I can't imagine being with Yzabella again. Kaidon and I used to play with her together every summer and she had a crush on Kaidon pa back then. I miss her.

From Clyne:

Nasan ka?

Napangiti ako nang biglang nag chat ang boyfriend ko. Finally, kinausap na niya ako.

To Clyne:

I'm here at my new apartment. Fixing my things.

From Clyne:

Send loc, usap tayo

I yelled with joy and immediately send my location. Yes, he's right. We need to talk. Kanina pa siya galit.

I ran to my bathroom to take a shower because I was overjoyed. I chose his favorite dress from my closet, and I applied some simple make-up.

“Sa’n ka pupunta, ’nak? Bihis na bihis, ah?” ngumisi si Mami Helen sabay tingin sa akin from head to toe.

I smiled at her. “Wala po, dito lang po. Pupunta po kasi boyfriend ko, Mami.”

She paused.

“May boyfriend ka na? Alam ba ni Daddy mo ito?”

I shook my head. “Hindi po, Mami. Please, sa atin-atin lang ’to. He will be mad if nakarating sa kaniya.” I pouted.

I came to her and hugged her tightly. I trust her. Konting pa-cute lang at lambing. Secret secured na ’to.

“O, siya, sige. Basta alam niyo limitation niyo, ha? Sakto pupunta siya rito at para makilala ko naman.”

Pumalakpak ako sa tuwa. I don't know what to do if wala siya.

A moment later, I heard a tricycle stop outside. When I walked out of the apartment, my smile nearly reached the sky. I saw Clyne walking towards me with a serious face. He still looked mad at me.

“Hey, babe. Are you still mad?” I asked him and held his hand to let him in. “I’ll stay here, baka hanggang college na.”

He just stared at me and walk inside instead. Hindi niya ako pinansin. “Oh, kumusta? Aalis ka na sa banda niyo?”

His eyes were bloodshot. He's literally mad. I don't know what to respond. I still want that band. Tagal ko nang hindi nakakakanta.

I took a deep breath.

“If that's what you want then I'll leave,” I gave him the purest smile.

“Buti naman.” Umupo siya sa sofa kaya tumabi ako sa kaniya.

I smiled when I heard someone come down from the kitchen. Mami Helen smiled at us. I immediately stood up to introduced Clyne as my boyfriend.

I quickly approached Mami Helen, holding Clyne's hand and smiling. I held his hand to demonstrate how in love we are but my smile vanished when he abruptly let go of my hand.

“Hi, Mami Helen, this is Clyne. My boyfriend,” I breathed deeply while inaugurating him. “And, Clyne, this is Mani Helen.”

Mami Helen smiled and trying to hold my boyfriend's hand. But my brow furrowed when he suddenly just nodded and did not respond to Mama Helen's smile and hand.

I saw the disappoinment in her eyes. I just gave her a nod as an apologize to his behavior.

“Okay na ’yong pagkain, tara kain na ba tayo mga anak?” nahihiyang ngiti ni Mami.

We quickly faced each other at the table, and Mami Helen quickly organized the food. We sat side by side despite the fact that the table can seat eight people.

Napapangiti ako habang inilalagay ni Mami ang ulam namin. Even though lagi ito ang inihahanda niyang food sa akin mula noon, hinahanap-hanap ko pa rin. In short, napaka galing niya magluto.

“Ilan buwan na pala kayo, mga anak?” Umupo na si Mami Helen at nagsimula na kaming kumain.

I looked at Clyden who was busy eating na walang interesadong tumungon sa tanong.

I smiled, “Isang buwan po, Mami Helen.”

She nodded and smiled as she took a bite of the food she had prepared. Kahit siya napapangiti sa sarap ng luto niya. Looking at her makes me wonder about many things in life. What if she is my real mother? What if I'm just adopted? What if the father I recognize is not my father and Mami Helen is actually my real mother? I don't think I can do it without her. I can't handle it. Hindi ko kaya kapag wala siya. Sana siya na lang.

After a short bunch, mabilis niligpit ni Mami Helen ’yong mga pinagkainan namin. Gusto kong mag sorry for her since the atmosphere is very awkward lalo na't kapag she's asking Clyne some random question, hindi sumasagot ang boyfriend ko.

“Nasa’n room mo?” he stood up and wiped the excess food from his mouth using a napkin. “Tambay muna.”

“Uh, sa sala muna us?” I suggested. He frowned. “I haven't clean my room yet, eh? Magulo pa?” I explained for him to understand my point.

“Ano naman?” the tone of his voice sounds careless. I forced a smile then I pointed my room. Seryoso siyang tumango at tumayo sabay mahigpit na hawak sa wrist ko papuntang room ko.

He recklessly open the door and pull me harder inside. My lips parted when he aggressively closed it like a ferocious animal.

“Naligo ka na?” dahan-dahan siyang umupo sa bagong bukas na foam mattress. He removed his shirt revealing his masculine body and swivel it like a fan using his right hand. “Init. Open mo AC.”

I bowed my head gesturing him that I will. To avoid making him angry, I quickly went to the air conditioner, turned the switch to the highest setting, and set it to high cool.

“So, this is your room? Malaki rin, ah? Magkano bili ng Dad mo?” he asked and I thanked God for making him ask that because I can no longer deal with the uncomfortable atmosphere.

“Uh, hindi ko alam kay Dad, babe? Maybe malaki rin since the house is huge? Never naman niyang sinasabi plano niya sa akin,” I sat besides him.

“Drama mo,” he chuckled. “Cuddle na lang tayo?”

I was about to say something pa sana but he immediately clung on my body and since he was heavier than me, we fell. Using his hands he faced his me right in front of his face.

My heart beats abnormally while gazing to his serious eye.

“Alam mo humalik?” si Clyne.

Umiling ako.

Nagulat ako nang hinawakan niya ang beywang ko at mabilis na hinila ito papalapit sa kaniya. “I will teach you, then?”

I was about to move away from him after we almost collided, but he pulled me harder, causing me to feel his hard shaft.

“Si Mami Helen, nasa sala, babe,” I reminded him. We can't do it here besides I'm too young for it!

“Hindi naman niya malalaman kung walang magsasabi o hindi ka mag-iingay.” Umiling-iling siya habang naka ngisi. “Maingay ka ba?”

My heart pumps faster. “Babe...”

“Ayaw mo? Gusto mo siguro kay Kleor, ’no?” Itinulak niya ako dahilan para mapatigil ako.

“Babe, we're still young to do that. Saka wala akong gusto kay kuya Kleor,” I explained it as soft as I can para hindi siya lalong magalit.

“Cuddle lang naman, eh.” Inirapan niya ako sabay hila ulit sa akin papalapit sa kaniya. “Gagawin natin o iiwan kita?”

I frozed.

“Babe...”

Madilim siyang tumingin sa akin. “Iiwan kita tapos isusumbong ko sa Daddy mo na may nangyari sa atin?”

Napakagat ako sa labi ko. As mush as possible na I'm trying to save myself; my first kiss for my soon to be husband, wala akong magagawa? Maybe siya nga? Baka siya talaga? I trust him naman but I'm scared.

Tumango ako at dahan-dahang lumapit sa kaniya. “Gusto rin pala, e. Pabebe lang.”bulong niya sabay yakap sa akin.

I closed my eyes when he kissed me. I don't know what to do. I have no idea?

“Ibukas mo labi mo,” he commanded.

I didn't do it. Hinayaan ko lang siyang halikan ako. His hands crawled through my body pero nung nainis siya, hinawakan niya ang bibig ko, forcing me to open my mouth.

He put his tongue inside me and explore every part if my mouth. “Hubad,” he whispered.

“Babe,” I stopped.

“Hubad na, may dinala akong condom...” he smirked. “Baka gusto mo ako pa maghubad sa ’yo?”

He was about to remove my t-shirt but we stopped when someone knock the door.

“Fuck you, Cadence! Buksan mo ito! Tabi tayo, bigat ng gamit ko, oh?” si Khryza.

The both of us panicked and he immediately put his shirt and fix ourselves. Lumapit ako sa pinto at dahan-dahang binuksan ito.

“Wow, heavenly Father, pray for us!” gulat na sigaw ni Khryza nang makita kaming dalawa ni Clyne sa kuwarto. Nandito na pala silang dalawa ni Kaidon.

“I’ve been calling you kanina pa then hindu mo ako sinasagot? How dare you!” she said dramatically and she pointed her index finger to me. “How dare you, too!” she was about to slap Kaidon face but lucky si Kai since nahawakan pa niya agad ang kamay ng babae.

“Hoy, Kai! I'm just joking, galit ka agad.” Yinakap ni Khryza ang sarili. “Alam mo ba, ’te. Pangit ka bonding si Kaidon sa byahe, laging galit. Badtrip nanaman, oh.”

Natawa ako. At least they didn't notice? Did they? Mukhang na-save nanaman ako ng Diyos dahil kay Khryza, dahil sa kadaldalan niya, naiba topic.

“Bakit badtrip si Daddy Kaidon?” I asked and laugh while forgetting what happened earlier.

“Ni-cancel kasi ni Quezhia friend request niya,” tawa ng babae kaya tinignan ko lang ang lalaking wala sa mood. Natawa ako nang mukha siyang nanghihina na ewan.

“Babe, una na ako,” bulong sa akin ni Clyne. I smiled at him and gave him a kiss sa left cheek niya.

“Sure, hatid ka na namin, babe,” yakap ko sa kaniya sabay hawak sa kamay niya. Tumingin ako sa mga kaibigan ko, giving them a signal na samahan ako. I chuckled when the both of them just rolled their eyes.

Saktong pagkalabas namin ay may tricycle sa harap. Agad naming pinasakay si Clyne at inabutan ko siya ng one hundred for his fare. I even hugged him for the second time bago siya sumakay.

“Hoy, gaga ka, Cadence, may nangyari na sex sa in'yo, ’no?” Khryza, getting mad now. Maybe, kanina pa niya gusto sabihin ang tanong na ’yan but hinintay niya muna makaalis si Clyne.

“Wala,” I tell her the truth. Muntikan na but lucky me, dumating sila. “Cuddle lang.”

“Weh? true ba?” I nodded like a good child. Huminga siya nang malalim. “Dapat lang! Check ko pekpek mo mamaya!”

And there, her other personality changed again.

“Ano na? Tabi-tabi na tayong tatlo sa iisang kuwarto!” tuwang-tuwa na sabi ni Khryza.

Tumango-tango ako as a respond.

“Hindi na, kayong dalawa na, apat naman room. Sa isa na ako,” sumingit si Kaidon.

“Gaga, tabi-tabi na tayo. Walang malisya,” si Khryza.

“No, I respect the both of you. Sa kabila na ako.” umiling-iling ang lalaki.

“Ulo mo! Wala ngang malisya! As if naman ise-sexualize ka namin, hindi ka naman namin gusto!” natawa ako kaya nakipag-apir pa sa akin si Khryza. In the end tawa kami nang tawa.

“Hindi na, sa kabila na.” Pumasok na si Kaidon sa loob at hindi kami pinansin.

“Sus! Jajakol ka lang, e. Para hindi namin makita!” Sumunod si Khryza sa kaniya para asarin lalo. I laugh at them while watching them fighting. I took a deep breath and can stop myself to smile. I'm lucky to have them both.

I was about to enter the house but I stop when I heard a motorcycle parked in front of our apartment.

My body turn into a stone when I saw a familiar face... What the hell is Dwayne doing here?

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

hi, gorjas/gengengs! sorry for late update! i miss you all!