Billboard

After my outburst, he brought me inside his car to calm down. Tahimik lamang kami roon, pinapahupa ko ang pag-iyak ko na medyo kumalma naman na. Siya naman ay mataman lang nanunuod sa akin habang hinihintay ako.

Sometimes he will wipe my tears away, pero nang mapansin niyang mas naiiyak ako tuwing ginagawa niya iyon ay tinigilan niya rin. I prefer to calm myself down as well.

Habang kumakalma, nag-iisip din ako.

It dawned to me why I bursted just like that.

It is because of my insecurities that were eating me up ever since my feelings started. Hindi ko lang sila napapansin pero naroroon sila. At hindi ako sanay na nandyan sila dahil buong buhay ko ay wala naman talaga akong kinailangan patunayan.

I was lucky enough to have everything easy. I admit that. And... I appreciate it. Pero dahil din doon, hindi ko alam kung paano ko tatanggapin ang mga bagay na wala na sa kamay ko. That for some situation, things will not favor me.

And because I want this so much, hindi ko rin matanggap na... this doesn't favor me at all.

Ito pa talaga.

That one single thing I want, ito pa ang hindi pabor sa akin.

"Tob," panimula ko.

I felt him shifted.

"Aren't you scared?" Lakas loob kong tanong.

Nakatingin ako sa labas kung saan mumunting sasakyan din ang kaharap namin. I was just more comfortable to look outside than to look at him. I might not be able to say what's on my mind, maiisip ko nalang na bumigay dahil nasa harapan ko na siya.

"Scared of what?" Marahan niyang tanong, nananantya.

"Of... this."

Huminga ako ng malalim at malungkot na ngumiti, hindi pa rin siya tinitignan.

"Ako, takot na takot." Pag-amin ko.

"At sa buong buhay ko, I was never scared like this. Maybe because... I never wanted anything so bad, except this too. Do you know why I left?"

Nilingon ko siya at kita ko ang pag-aalala sa kanya. There was no hint of fear, only worry.

"Because my fear had just materialized in front of me. Noong makita kita na may kausap na babae, and not just some girl... but a Chinese, I assumed. I also realized that this has been eating me up ever since."

Naramdaman ko ang pagkapahiya sa puso ko.

Umiling ako. "Na kahit ano naman mangyari, hindi talaga pwede kasi... hindi naman ako Chinese. That maybe every other Chinese girl out there, pwede sayo, pero ako... I can never change my roots, Tob. If Willow ever gets out of this, I mean both of you, there will still be other girls out there, much more deserving of you. Not just by their success, wealth or what they may contribute to your businesses, pero dahil Chinese rin sila."

Sa dami ng beses namin na pag-uusap, parang ngayon lang ako naging totoo talaga. Totoo sa kanya at totoo sa sarili ko.

And I never thought truth could hurt like this, especially when said out loud.

"Pwede natin sabihin na hindi muna natin iisipin, how I would love that too. But the reality will always dawn to me because I am not to play, my feelings are sacred for me, I choose my battles, at lagi kong naiisip, bakit pa? Kung alam ko naman na sa dulo, talo pa rin?"

I saw his lips parted.

Yes, Tob. I may be immature most of the time, but... I have thought of this a hundred times more I could count.

"Your family, Willow's family and my family would get involved. Willow's family will push through no matter what and Willow won't even have a say. I know. I've seen it. My family won't just stand and watch me get hurt but I can only imagine them getting hurt too because of me. At ang pamilya mo Tob? I may not know them... but I know you know better than anyone else, kung anong magagawa nila. I always see that in your eyes..."

"... yes, you're prepared for this, pero nakikita ko rin ang mga babanggain kung sakali. Handa ba talaga tayo sa ganito?"

Nanlambot ang mga mata niya at muli lamang akong inabot.

He pulled my nape for an embrace. He settled his right hand behind my nape and his left hand behind my back. Parang may nawalang nakadagan sa akin. Na kahit ano pa man bigat ng usapan, ang masabi lang sa kanya ang matagal ko ng bitbit ay ang kailangan ko sa ngayon.

It got really heavy for me, I had to tell him now.

"I am sorry..." he croaked.

My chin settled on his shoulder.

"... hindi ko alam na ganito na ang mga iniisip mo."

"I have thought about this a lot, Tob." Pag-amin ko.

My soft weak voice surely reflected my fears.

Flashbacks of my tired nights resurfaced. Iyong ulit-ulit kong pinag aaralan ang lahat. Tinitignan ko ang bawat anggulo dahil baka pwedeng masingitan. I always think that there might could be some loop hole around this pero... lagi akong nabibigo. Even how closely I look, wala.

I will always end up thinking about them. Willow's family, my family, Tob's family, Willow, even Gabriel... and of course Tob. Masyadong maraming maaapektuhan, magkakasakitan, and I always wonder, worth it ba ang lahat ng 'to para lang sa nararamdaman ko?

He nodded indulgently. "I am sorry, I was too selfish. Naisip ko lang ang mga kaya kong gawin. My thoughts were filled with ways on how to win this that I forgot to think how you may see this."

Mas kumalma ako sa bawat katagang lumalabas sa bibig niya.

"That girl was just a friend. Yes, she is a Chinese. But... just a friend and that will remain that way. Nagkamustahan lang kami dahil matagal ng hindi nag kikita."

Mapait akong napapikit. I hate how relieved I was.

"And for all the Chinese girls out there you're talking about. I don't know how I would show or explain to you that you don't have to worry. Dahil kung alam mo lang kung ano itong nararamdaman ko talaga, hindi ka na mangangamba pa." Ang himig sa boses niya ay nag sasabing 'kung alam mo lang...'

"Ikaw ang gusto ko." Isang diretsong bagsak niya.

Nangatog ang binti ko sa narinig. Mabuti nalang ay nakaupo ako. Dumagungdong ang puso ko at nanikip ng husto.

He let go of me but reached for my hands instead. He wiped the remaining tears on my cheeks. He looked at me carefully and patiently.

"Ikaw lang ang nasa isip ko, Avery. That sometimes it hurts that you're thinking about so many people, pero ako hindi mo man lang naisip na sa dami nila, sa kabila ay ako."

My eyes widened a bit from his confession.

"Hindi ko 'to sinasabi para manumbat. I am saying this because I want us to hear each other. But I get it know, I got so selfish, I didn't think about the consequences because I was just so eager to win this for us. While you... you were thinking for everyone."

Kita ko ang pag hihirap sa kanya. He is really trying to be patient for this. Sa pagkakakilala ko sa kanya, he is definitely not the patient type. But I can see now, that he is really ahead of me.

He's trying to deal with this maturely yet I always ruin it for us.

Umiling ako. "I was thinking about you too, Tob. Dahil alam ko kapag nasaktan ang pamilya mo, masasaktan ka rin. And if all this happens, when everyone's hurting already, masasaktan ka rin. Nasa gitna kayo ni Willow. And... I... both... both of you are important to me. I can't risk it."

He nodded again, trying to understand what I was saying.

"Masasaktan ako, oo. Pero tuwing naiisip ko na ang dulo ay ikaw, I won't mind. As long as it's you... please,"

This time I groaned and chuckled a bit. Inabot ko siya at siya naman ang niyakap ko.

I enveloped my arms around his neck and hugged him like how I wanted to hug him back all those times he embraced me.

"My big baby boy..." panunuya ko habang yakap siya.

"Bakit ikaw pa kasi ang nagustuhan ko, hay. I couldn't even get to enjoy the first phase of liking someone! Intense agad! Pagsubok. Hindi pwedeng kilig-kilig muna!"

I ranted my thoughts for the past days, but also to make him laugh because I, myself, find my thoughts funny.

He buried his face on my neck. He sniffed me and I felt his shoulder relaxed.

Napangiti ako nang yakapin niya ako pabalik, his arms encircling my waist. There's something about our hug that warmed my heart this time. He always hugs me but right now is different. Maybe because... we're both so open? Or maybe because I am hugging him back too? I don't know. But I like it.

"I am sorry," he croaked again.

"I am sorry too..." bulong ko.

"We'll make this work okay?"

"P-paano?" Lakas loob kong tanong.

"I can't let Willow face this now, Tob. She... she needs time. May isang taon pa kami bago mag graduate, mahihirapan siya, I can't imagine what her parents will do. Hindi niya pa kayang humindi ngayon, this will hurt her now." and Gabriel too.

He nodded, as if he can see it now and he agrees.

"Let's solidify our relationship first, baby. No matter how hard we fight, kung tayo pa lang ay madali ng mabuwag, walang saysay ang lahat. Let's do this while we buy ourselves some time. Let's focus on 'we' first? Can we do that? Hmm?" His voice could really be so persuasive.

Gusto ko nalang um-oo sa lahat ng sinasabi niya. Magpakaalipin at sumangayon.

Tumango ako. "O-okay..."

He sighed as if my affirmation was just all he needed.

"Pero patuloy mo pa rin naman ako liligawan hindi ba?" I asked shamelessly!

Kumalas siya sa akin at tinignan ako na para bang may nakakatawa sa sinabi ko!

Umiwas ako ng tingin pero binalik niya ang tingin ko sa kanya gamit ang kamay niyang iginiya ang pisngi ko paharap sa kanya uli.

"Will you let me court you now?" Seryoso niyang tanong.

My brows furrowed and I pouted.

Hindi pa pala siya nanliligaw?

I saw him quite nervous. He swallowed hard.

Talaga, Tob? After all that I said tonight? After you saw me cried hard because of you? Ay kakabahan ka pa rin ng ganyan?

I guess we both really have to solidify our relationship, huh? Not just from my end.

"Hindi ka pa pala nanliligaw sa lagay na 'to? All your texts, visits, eats, and hugs? You're not courting me yet?"

A shy but slightly playful smirk made its way on his lips.

"Well... not yet. You always say no. That's just my way to persuade you."

My jaw fell! I looked at him bewilderedly!

"You cunning big boy!"

He smiled sheepishly! How can a man in his calibre exudes such playful aura!

"Well, then... y-yes." I tried to say it strong but I still fell short.

"Pwede mo na akong ligawan." I tried harder.

He smiled even more, very satisfied. My heart swelled, satisfied too.

"T-thank you..." he said so relieved.

Oh this man...

"I am sorry, Tob. For being difficult and immature. I shouldn't have left you there. I just got really scared. This is all new to me. I don't know what to do."

Again, he nodded, accepting all my words.

Hindi ko kinakaya ang pagpapalugod niya sa lahat ng bagay na sinasabi at nagagawa ko.

"I know it looks so bad and immature... I am sorry." Pag aamin ko.

"Naiintindihan ko, Avery. You have no idea how immature I was too before. Lalo na noong hindi mo pa ako kilala. Whenever I will learn about boys surrounding you or making moves on you, nag tatampo ako, walang palya. Pero wala naman akong magagawa dahil hindi mo ako kilala. I will get so mad and irritated. But I will settle for my daydreaming of you..."

He wetted his lower lip, slightly getting shy...

"... nananaginip na sinusuyo mo ako..." pag aamin din niya.

"Really?!" Gulat kong tanong.

Napatakip ako ng bibig para pigilan ang pag tawa pero nang makitang natatawa rin siya dahil sa inamin ay natawa na lang din ako!

"Maturity doesn't always come with age, Avery. Ako mismo alam kong hindi pa ako mature. But I want to learn with you. Mas gusto ko tong gawin na kasama ka."

"I... I want to do this too, with you..." tango ko.

He looked even more than satisfied now.

"Let's enjoy the first phase of courtship, shall we? So you won't miss anything..." pag papalugod niya pa.

"C-can we really do that?" Manghang tanong ko.

He chuckled, amused of something, before he pulled me slightly, placing a light feathery kiss on my forehead.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa halik na iyon! Tila lahat ng pangamba ko ay nag laho, tanging ang halik lang niya roon ang nanatili. I even counted inside my head... one... two... three... before he pulled away!

"We will do that." Napapaos niyang sabi habang bumababa ang tingin sa aking labi.

Ako rin ay bumagsak ang tingin papunta sa kanyang labi. Napalunok ako bago muli binalik ang tingin sa kanyang mata. I saw his jaw hardened. He closed his eyes painfully and chuckled.

Naalala ko ang ni-crochet kong phone lace din sana para sa kanya.

"I have a gift for you... pero aayusin ko pa..."

Binuksan ko ang bag ko at kinuha roon ang simpleng crochet na ginawa ko.

Nanginginig ang kamay ay inabot ko iyon sa kanya.

"Hindi pa siya tapos kasi hindi kompleto iyong mga materials ko kanina, pero phone lace ito..." nahihiya kong sabi.

I could only imagine the various luxury gifts he receives!

Hmm pero... cute naman ito... at walang okasyon kaya siguro ay ayos lang kahit simple?

"I... I love it..." manghang mangha niyang sabi.

Napaismid ako. Hindi ko alam kung umaakto ba siya eh napaka simple ng regalo ko, alam ko iyon!

"Aysus..." bulong ko.

"I want to use it now."

"Eh... wala pang tali."

"Tomorrow?"

"Huh? Desisyon! Hindi mo ako empleyado no. I'll give it to you once I have time to finish it. Pinakita ko lang." I imposed harder!

Instead of fighting, he ended up chuckling! Talaga naman, mukha ba akong katawa-tawa parati sa itsura niya?!

"Okay... I can't wait."

Inabot niya ang dulong parte ng crochet na iyon habang ako ay nakahawak sa kabilang dulo.

"My heart is for you, Avery."

Can I fall even harder? Yes.

I smiled taking it all in. His words, assurances, look of relief and satisfaction and even his look of restraint. I took it all in. Embracing it.

I will learn with him, to deserve him better and to place my feelings for him in a better place.

Maswerte ako na siya ang unang tao na nagustuhan ko. I can't imagine having all these feelings for somebody else. He handles me perfectly. This is really for him. I hope it lasts. But who am I to wish that? I could only hope.

I want what we have, aalagaan ko ito at po-protektahan. And if one day, babawiin na siya sa akin at hindi na maluluguran pa itong nararamdaman ko, I will bleed happily.

Because even though my feelings are not worth it to let others get hurt, he... is... worth it for me.

Sayang ang buhay na ito kung hindi ko siya mamahalin.

I just hope I'll survive this. Whatever the outcome is.

He pulled me again for a hug.

"My big boy is a hugger," bulong ko bahagyang natatawa.

I thought he will sulk but he only laughed with me. He hugged me tighter and buried his face again, on my neck, like it is his favorite.

I closed my eyes and hugged him back. Savoring it. Enjoying the butterflies sending fluttering feelings inside me.

The following days were blissful. Tahimik, payapa at masaya. Bawat araw ay napapalitan ang pagod ko ng hindi malugurang pahinga. Hindi ko alam saan ko nakukuha ang pagpapahinga sa kabila ng busy schedule sa pamilya, trabaho at pagkakaroon pa ng love life.

Love life... that sounded so weird...

Napapailing nalang ako madalas tuwing nakahiga na ako, pagod na pagod ang katawan pero pag nakita kong tumatawag na siya ay nawawala na ang pagod ko.

He seriously, just like how we first met, fulfilled everything he told me, na para bang inaral niya ang lahat at sinisigurado niyang hindi siya papalya. Kahit na kakaiba ang sitwasyon namin, I didn't feel anything lacking o baka dahil... ga'non ko lang din talaga siya kagusto?

We were a secret but it didn't hurt me. Although it was my choice and not his, hindi ko pa rin naramdaman na may kakaiba. Hindi niya ako binigyan ng pagkakataon na makapag isip ng masama at walang pagkakataon para mag duda.

We mostly spent our dates in his office but I love it! I like watching the sunsets over his office, I'll fall asleep and then he will wake me up for dinner.

We'll talk about everything. Every single thing. Kahit iyong mga bagay na hindi ko man nasasabi sa iba na hindi ko alam na maganda palang sabihin... nasasabi ko sa kanya. My thoughts about... not having anything that I like... which sometimes confuses me or doubts me, na baka may mas nararapat pala akong gawin pero hindi ko nagagawa dahil akala ko nasa akin na ang lahat, I was able to tell him that.

I remember telling him "my privilege in this life is both my strength and my weakness," and sometimes I feel ungrateful for thinking like that.

And he told me... "we'll find what you like along the way, I will help you, we will discover it together," and that made me dream that finally, maybe... there's a chance for me to find what's for me.

And of course! Hindi nawawala ang pag-aasaran namin, hindi na rin siguro iyon mawawala pa? Gusto ko siyang inaasar, at nasisigurado kong ga'non din siya. Hay naku. We always end up having petty arguments that thankfully... at the end... matatawanan namin.

Imagine, noong minsan, pinag awayan namin ay iyong naging manliligaw ko na nag bigay ng wallet sa akin. Nalaman niyang tinanggap ko iyon! Aba... pilit niya akong inaaya mag mall! Para raw bilhan ako ng wallet?!

Sometimes he can really outdo my pettiness!

Pero ayos lang. I am enjoying every bit of this with him!

"Are you ready?" Tanong ni daddy sa akin habang tinutulungan si Kuya Archer na isakay ang ilang gamit ko sa sasakyan ni Anton.

Babalik kaming La Union nina Anton ngayon, overnight lang dahil katatapos lang ng graduation pero kailangan na namin mag handa agad para sa pasukan.

Tobias went to our graduation, he watched... even though a lot assumed it was for Willow. Hindi ko na alam ang mararamdaman pa roon dahil masyado akong masaya noong araw na iyon. Agad siyang nag pakita sa akin na hindi ko na naisip pa ang sinasabi ng iba.

I got my latin honors, Magna Cum Laude, my parents were proud of me, my brother assisted me all through out the program, Tob was there watching me, all my friends were happy, we all made it and graduated, walang nakasira ng araw ko.

Pero hindi talaga siya nakapunta sa party dahil gaya ng sabi ko, pang pamilya lang talaga iyon. Ibang klaseng pag suyo ang ginawa ko para lang hindi siya pumunta sa bahay namin! Gusto pa humirit na sa labas lang daw siya!

He can't be serious! Puno ng CCTV ang labas ng bahay namin!

I promised him that after my trip with my friends, we will have a date! In public! Pumayag na ako kahit delikado! I know he doesn't care but still! Pero dahil doon lang siya natahimik ay pinabayaan ko na.

Hindi naman siguro ga'non karami ang may pakielam kung sino man ang kasama niya hindi ba? Hindi naman siya artista. Unless you read the business section of the news, it is safe to say, no one will care about it?

"Yes dad, see you tomorrow!" Masigla kong yakap kay daddy.

"Pinapatanong ng mommy mo kung nadala mo raw ba lahat ng inimpake niya kahapon?"

I groaned. "Yes dad, overnight lang po kami, si mommy talaga..."

"Alam mo naman ang mommy mo. OA yun."

I pouted and gave him a peck on the cheeks.

"I love you, daddy!"

"Enjoy kayo." Isang halik din ang binigay niya sa aking noo.

Sunod kong tinignan si kuya na mataman nakatingin sa akin.

What's his problem, huh?

Lumapit si daddy kay Anton at kinausap siya, marahil ay para sa safety namin.

"Anong tinitingin-tingin mo kuya?"

He sighed. "Call me when you need anything," matabang niyang sabi.

Napangiti ako. "Okay! Don't be so grumpy."

"Anton. I am watching you." Banta naman niya sa kaibigan ko!

"Kuya!"

Napalingon ako kay Anton na gulat na gulat. Hindi ko pa pala nakwento na pinag dudahan siya ni Kuya dahil sa one hundred million stunt na iyon.

"What? Aba malay ko ba kung siya iyong nag pa billboard sa'yo sa Edsa?"

"H-huh?"

Billboard?

"Anong billboard?!" Gulat kong tanong.

Ngumisi si Kuya. "Just check it out later. Subukan lang ng Anton na 'yan. Isasabit ko siya sa billboard mismo, Avery. I'll find it out."

Tumalikod na siya at nakapamulsang pumasok sa bahay namin! Walang ka-alam alam si daddy at pinag buksan na ako ng pintuan para makasakay sa sasakyan ni Anton.

I said my goodbyes again and waved till we moved away from our house.

Tsaka ko pa lang nilingon si Anton.

"Anong billboard?" Tanong ko.

"You'll see. Madadaanan natin. Sa unang stop over nalang pala natin me-meet si Koa. Nag pahatid siya roon. Willow is with Gabriel." Imporma niya.

"Anton." Banta ko pero hindi niya iyon pinansin!

Truth to be told, nang makadaan kami sa edsa ay halos malaglag ang panga ko! Sa gitna ng sunod-sunod na billboard ng mga nag lalakihang artista ay ako!

It was my fucking graduation picture with 'Congratulations, Magna Cum Laude'?!

Anton laughed silently beside me!

"What the actual..." gulat na gulat akong madaanan iyon!

Nakakahiya! Bakit naman may ga'non?! At sa tabi pa ng mga artista?! Shame on me!

Hindi na kailangan mag isip kung sino pa iyon! Isa lang ang taong nasisigurado kong kayang mag sayang ng pera para sa ga'non! Humanda talaga siya sa akin!

I grabbed my phone and ignored the non-stop notifications from people who knew me! May iilan akong napindot at ang daming nag post sa instagram story nila 'non! Tagging me, with my username! Hindi man lang ni-hide?! Now more people will know!

Hindi ko na maisara ang bibig ko sa gulat! Tawang tawa lalo ang katabi ko! Halos i-block ko lahat ng nag ta-tag sa akin!

"Anton!" Gigil ko!

Agad kong pinindot ang numero ni Tob at tinawagan siya! But the cunning commanding big brute didn't answer! I tried numerous times pero wala! At alam kong sinasadya niya iyon!

I texted him fast!

Me:

What the hell was that, Tob?! Nakakahiya! Talagang graduation picture ko pa! At... bakit doon! Ang laki pa! No! Actually bakit may ga'non pa?! Take that down! Or else! Talagang basted ka! Hmph!

"Easy, Ave... baka masira ang cellphone mo. I pity the screen." Seryoso at may himig na panunuya ni Anton!

I glared at him. "Isa ka pa. Tigilan mo ako, Antonio!"

He bit his lower lip. "Ang sinasabi ko lang, might as well kill him in person, 'wag mo na idamay pa ang cellphone."

"At paano ko naman gagawin iyon 'eh—"

Before I could finish my sentence, when we reached the gas station kung saan namin susunduin si Koa, ay natigilan na ako dahil may mas ikagugulat pa pala ako kaysa sa billboard na iyon!

There, parked beside Gabriel's car was... the man I yearned to hug! Hindi ko siya nayakap noong mismong graduation ko dahil kasama ko ang pamilya ko, we didn't get to celebrate yet... at naging abala ako sa pag e-entertain sa mga Madrigal at Zobel na... wala pa talaga akong panahon na maramdaman siya!

But he's here! In front of me!

Tumigil ang sasakyan ni Anton sa hindi kalayuan.

I can't wait to go out! Kaya nang marinig ko ang pag pindot ni Anton para ma-unlock ang mga pinto ng sasakyan ay agad akong lumabas at hindi pinansin ang pag tawag ni Anton sa akin.

Mula sa pagkakahilig sa hood ng kanyang sasakyan ay napatuwid siya ng tayo nang makita akong halos takbuhin ang distansya namin.

Tinaas niya ang kanyang cellphone, may pinapakita sa akin but I couldn't care less!

Almost half running, I crossed our distance and threw myself for a hug towards him! Maagap niyang binuksan ang bisig niya para sa akin, he caught me for an equal embrace, slightly lifting me up from the ground.

"I hate you for that billboard!" Daing ko.

I buried my face on his neck, inhaling his scent!

"But I missed you!" Tunong reklamo ko pa rin!

He let out a bark of laughter and took me all in. He buried his face on mine too!

"I miss you too, baby." He chuckled again.

Pati pag tawa niya, namiss ko!

My heart hurts! But... because of happiness!

"Can I come?" Tanong niya.

"You will?!" Gulat na gulat kong tanong.

I pulled away and he carefully placed me back on the ground. Ang kamay niya ay nanatili pa rin sa aking baywang. Ang dalawang kamay ko naman ay nakapatong sa kanyang magkabilang balikat.

Seeing him right now, in front of me, gave me so much more of what I deserve to feel!

He was wearing a black muscle tee showing his should be forsaken biceps! And navy blue board shorts! Parang kahit humindi ako ay mukhang sasama naman talaga siya!

He smirked and laughed again! He quickly pointed at my friends behind me...

"They told me... if you agree... I could come."

Nakaramdam ako ng mabilis na pagkapahiya!

Dahan-dahan akong lumingon, hinahanda ang sarili ko sa itsura ng mga kaibigan ko.

Gabriel was leaning on the hood of his car, smirking. Willow was smiling profusely! Koa was... looking so surprised! While Anton was talking to him, parang pinapaliwanag ang nangyayari.

Mabilis kong binalik ang tingin kay Tob.

"Uh... okay... you can come..." kalmado na ngayon.

Nag taas siya ng kilay. "You're not excited anymore? Kanina lang..."

Great! Aasarin na naman niya ako!

Tinago ko ang mukha ko sa kanyang dibdib! Nag-iinit na ang mukha! Wala na! Nakita na ng lahat! At talagang ako pa ang nag bato sa sarili ko sa kanya!

No one had seen me this way, ever! Pero ngayon, ako pa mismo ang nag bulgar sa sarili ko!

He chuckled and caressed my hair behind.

"Anton, I'll get her bags. Sa akin na siya sasakay." Nagawa niya pang sabihin!

"Will that be okay, Avery? Baka magalit ka naman sa akin kapag pinaubaya kita basta-basta? I don't like to be called a traitor again." Mapang-asar na tanong ni Anton.

I hid myself more and cussed silently inside my head.

Lagot ka sa akin, Anton!

"I'll get inside the car now..." bulong ko.

"Okay, wait for me, I'll get your bags." Natatawa niya pa ring sabi!