The uncalled-for occurrences in Uno's life seemed to pass fast. It has been over two weeks since Seri and Dos broke up. Over two weeks since he shared dinner with his family, Dos and her father. Over two weeks since he endured another longing for Dos' presence because she spent time with her father, who was staying for only a jiffy of a time in the country, his apple cider business in Spain as the core reason he couldn't lengthen his stay. And over two weeks since Sebastian, the father of Dos, had asked for a man-to-man talk with him.

"I was fifteen years deprived of fathering my daughter," Sebastian banished the silence veiling them as they both sat front by front at two of the sun loungers by the pool area of the Iglesias' residence. "Her mom ditched me out of their life by divorcing me. And well, I wouldn't blame her. I couldn't provide much because I'm not that of a pocket-loaded man. Then her mom found a man by far better than I am. They wedded. Had kids. Forgetting I exist, and that I still am Dos' father and still do have the right to father her."

Uno, having no words to supply, bowed his head as he threw his watery gaze to the glass of ice-cold Cranberry juice he has on hand like it could tranquilize the twirls of distasteful emotions he felt with his companion's line.

"When I had, if not at best, bettered myself, I tried to take her under my custody. I wasn't blessed with it as money would always punch a huge fight, mostly in the justice system. Her mom and loaded stepfather won her custody still," Dos' father went on.

He couldn't feel anything but pain as he stared at the older man's chocolate eyes flooded with tears and hands tightly clasped under his chin.

"And when she aged fifteen, that was the only time when I was finally able to see her. Her step-sister, whom she tells everything, had bridged a connection between us by emailing my business address. 'Cause during those times, my business was flooring the apple cider industry, and my contacts were everywhere." He pasted a watery smile. "After many years, boy, I've seen, hugged, and kissed my little girl. But that happiness was too quick to run away from me when I learned from her sister that her father knew about our secret meetings. She then was home-schooled. The last news I knew, she was brought here for a reason unbeknownst to me, and your parents told her mother that they're willing to parent her. I was at a shortage for words back then, as I was willing to take my child, yet there they are, almost dumping her like an orphan, asking somebody else to do what I certainly would die for."

"Tito...." He was clueless about what to do when Sebastian turned to look away and blinked tears.

Sebastian took a beleaguered breath as he looked up and blew some air. It consumed him some time to garner back his saneness-shocking Uno when he spoke a few moments after the stillness between them.

"If it weren't for Seri, I wouldn't know where my daughter is." He leveled gazes with Uno. "She could've been my best pick for my daughter had they not broken up for some jerk my daughter had fallen for." He scrunched his nose. "Do you know who that jerk is?"

So suddenly, Uno had difficulty breathing. He emptied his glass of juice in one chug, resulting in him--coughing it all out.

"Hey, are you okay?!" Sebastian rushed beside him to pat him on the back. "Who told you to drink them all in a single shot?"

"I-I'm okay, T-Tito. Just...just trying to catch some...some air..."

After a short while, he felt better. His companion returned to his seat.

"Sorry about that, Tito...." he shyly mumbled.

"Shrug it off." He motioned a dismissive gesture. "Anyway, my drama aside, the very purpose of this talk is for me to ask not-so-big of a few favors from you, Uno." He crossed his legs. "Since my daughter would be under your roof again the soonest we arrive back from our two weeks vacation, I would love it if you wouldn't keep your eyes off her."

Basic, he thought as his cheeks flared.

"I would love it even more--though she'd surely go against this--if you'd stick your nose over her business."

You didn't have to ask, Tito. He inwardly giggled, which came to a halt when he heard his final favor.

"Lastly, this might be too much, but I wouldn't be any thankful if you'd bridge a way for my daughter and her ex-girlfriend's comeback. I think Seri's the best for my daughter."

"What?! Are you crazy?!" he unwittingly said, handing the other a confused look. "Why would I even do that?!"

"Because--"

"I don't want to hear any of your explanations because no, I wouldn't do your last favor!" He hastily stood from his seat.

"Why are you--"

"If you have nothing more to say--"

"I don't know where you're coming from, but please calm down, young man, will you?" Sebastian draped an arm over Uno's shoulder and guided him to sit back. "What's with that horrific reaction? It couldn't be because you're jealous, yes? For when I talked alarmed to your parents as they told me Samara's living with you, their son, they told me there was no need for me to worry because you're a woman by heart. So what's so wrong?"

"Bwisit! That I would never do! Pinaubaya na nga sa 'kin, eh! I won't miss this chance ever!" He shook his head to banish the conversation he had with Sebastian and scrambled to his feet to open the door for whoever it was who rang his doorbell.

"In fairness, ang chaka mo," Yari said the instant Uno swung the door open. He was wearing his casual clothes of oversized plain black shirt, black shorts, and black leather slip-on.

"What brought you here?" Uno walked his way back to the living room, his best friend following.

"Babalik ka rin pala rito sa dati mong unit, sayang naman 'yong pinambili mo n'ong unit sa tabi ni Seri."

"Additional property. Walang sayang." He sat on the couch. "So why are you here?"

Yari naughtily wiggled his brows at him. "Babalik na si merlat dito 'di ba?" He squealed. "Taray ng ganap niyo, bakla! Ang lakas maka paubaya ni Moira! Pero in fairness naman kay Seri, ha? Ang bait. Hindi ka na pinahirapan."

He narrowed his eyes into slits. "And? What does all that have to do with you?"

"Teka nga!" His best friend flipped an imaginary crowning glory. "What's with your attitude? I thought everything was running smoothly? Keti--"

"Wala." He pouted.

"Wiz ka pretty, dzai. 'Wag mo 'kong artehan. Bakit nga?"

"Look who's talking! Kulot salot!"

"Asset ko 'tong curly hair ko, 'no! Maraming nahuhumaling dito!"

"Kasi akala nila bulbol!"

"Tangina mo, ha?!"

"Shut your fucking mouth!" he angrily retorted, not in the mood to exchange some witticisms. "I'm not in the mood, okay?!"

"Wiz naman tayo aabot sa asaran kung sinasabi mo na sa 'kin agad kung bakit ka ganyan, eh! Imbyerns!" Yari forcefully reclined his back on the couch with arms folded.

"It's because of her father's favor." He pouted again.

"Oh, ano'ng meron?"

"He wants me to bridge a way for Dos and Seri's comeback."

His best friend cracked up.

"This isn't funny at all, Melchizedek! Ayoko na nga! Humanap ka ng kausap mo! Umalis ka na rin sa pamamahay ko!"

Yari cracked up even harder.

"At the count of three, Melchizedek Yari Marquina--"

"Ok. Ok. Ok. I'll stop." He stifled a laugh by biting his lower lip.

Uno shut his mouth, waiting for his best friend to calm his itching throat.

A minute later, Yari's all sobered up. "Bakla, that's not even a problem," he said.

Uno turned to look at him. "Give logical reasoning for that."

"Because you won't do it anyway, duh! Unless you're not serious about how you feel for her 'di ba, like infatuation? If so, then I wouldn't be surprised why her father's favor beats you that much. Alanganin ka pa ba kay Dos?"

"I have never been this batshit crazy over someone."

"So sure ka na?"

Yari gigglingly tossed his glance somewhere behind Uno's back. Uno didn't bother to look.

"The eff?! Of course, I am! Kahit ulit-ulitin mo pa tanong mo!"

"Betchi mo na talaga si Dos?"

"I just said so!"

"Tunay?"

"Yes! For pete's sake!"

Yari then pointed his pursing lips behind Uno before squealing like some lunatic.

Uno, being curious, turned around only for his mouth to come ajar at the sight of Dos with two luggage beside her.

"Some news, Uno, eh?" Dos smirked.