HER
Naging magaan ang pagitan naming tatlo dahil nagsimula na ring magkwento si Xiantiko tungkol sa katangahan ng kaniyang kapatid, dahilan upang pumula ang pisngi ni Champagne. Nakangiti lamang ako habang tinititigan silang dalawa. They are so close with each other.
Ano kaya ang pakiramdam ang magkaroon ng kapatid? I guess, that's fun.
Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng pag-uusap nang bigla kong mamataan ang lalaking hindi ko inaasahang makita ngayon.
Why is he here?
Binigyan niya ako ng malawak na ngiti mula sa labas ng restaurant, dahilan upang bigla akong napatayo. Napatingin sa akin ang dalawa kaya't ngumiti na lamang ako at nagpaalam munang lumabas.
"Why are you here?" I asked when I reached his place.
Nandito kami ngayon sa labas, malayo sa restaurant. Tanging ilaw ng poste at ang buwan lamang ang nagsisilbi naming liwanag.
"May bibilhin lang sana ako, pero nakita kita kaya—"
"What I mean is, bakit ka napadpad dito? It's way far from the mall. Sinusundan mo ba ako?" I asked and raised my brow, pretending that I am suspecting him.
"Paano kung oo?" He asked back which made me smirk. 
"You're weird," I uttered and stared at his hazel eyes.
" Oh, edi alis na ako. Bye—"
"May sinabi ba akong p'wede ka nang umalis?" I frowned and gestured my hand, for him to stay. "Wait here," I commanded and started to maneuver my feet inside the restaurant. 
Nakita ko pa siyang walang kurap na sinusundan ako ng tingin, bago ako tuluyang nakapasok sa loob. Bigla kong naabutan ang dalawang mukhang balisa habang nakikipagtitigan sa kanilang telepono.
"Ahm, guys, is it okay with you kung mauuna na ako? There's just an emergency and they badly need me there," pagputol ko ng kaatahimikan. Napansin lang nila ako nang tuluyan akong nagsalita sa harap nila.
"No, no, it's okay. Paalis na rin kami, since our cousin is in bad condition right now. I guess, we all have an emergency," Champagne said and looked at his brother whose now holding his phone. 
He just nodded and stood up. They gave me a sympathetic look and worries are all over their faces. 
"We can drive you home—" I cutted him off using my genuine smile. Inayos ko muna ang aking sarili at huminga ng malalim.
"It's okay. I will just call my service," I said and gave them a reassuring smile. I patted Champagne's shoulder since it is her whose so worried right now. 
Malala nga siguro ang kondisyon ng kanilang pinsan.
"You sure, you'll be okay?" Tanong ulit ni Xiantiko at sinagot ko lang ng isang tango, bago nagkumahog umalis.
Hinintay ko munang mawala sila sa paningin ko, bago binayaran ang bill at lumabas patungo kay Kyler. Bigla akong napangiti nang makita ko siyang nakaupo sa gilid ng daan. He looks so cute with his position. I erased my smile when I reached him and held his hand.
"Let's go," I coldly uttered. 
Mabilis siyang napatayo at nagpatianod sa mabilis kong lakad, palayo sa lugar. Mabuti na lamang at hindi siya nagreklamo habang hila-hila ko, kahit alam kong medyo mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa kaniya. 
"Hindi mo ba itatanong kung bakit kita sinundan?" He asked all of the sudden. 
Bigla akong napahinto at tinapunan siya ng tingin. Good thing, wala na masyadong tao o sasakyan sa kinasasadlakan namin. kinunutan ko siya ng nuo. I parted my lips, waiting for him to explain.
"Kasi wala akong pagkain sa pad," he said and pouted. 
"Seriously? Are you nuts?" I asked and forced myself not to burst out. I gestured my hand on air and was about to say something. "Urr, nevermind." I rolled my eyes.
'Yun lang rason niya? Hindi naman sa may inaasahan pa akong sagot, pero bigla akong nainis dahil bakit naman niya—
"And I miss you, the main reason why i'm here in front of you." He scratched his nape.
My heart skipped a beat for what he just uttered, resulting for me to burn my face up. Alam kong namumula ako ngayon kaya iniyuko ko na lamang ang aking ulo, para hindi mapahiya.
"Wait, are you blushing?" He asked and forced me to face him by lifting my face using his finger. Nakatago pa rin ang aking mukha, dahilan upang marinig ko ang kaniyang halakhak.
"Seems like, my baby's blushing, ey." Mabilis ko siyang siniko at tumakbo palayo sa kaniya habang nakatago ang ngiti.
"Come on! 'Wag ka nang mahiya! Ako lang 'to, oh! Aeul! Wait!" Mas binilisan ko pa ang takbo ko nang maramdamang tumatakbo na rin siya. 
A glimpse of smile crept on my lips as I accelerated my speed. 
"Ah, gusto mo pala ng habulan, ah!" Iyon ang huli kong narinig bago mapansing ilang metro na lang ang distansya naming dalawa, kaya't mas binilisan ko pa ang aking takbo. I am too confident of my speed. I'm certain that he can't capture me that easy.
Bigla akong tumigil nang mapansing wala nang paa'ng sumusunod sa akin. I looked back, trying to sense him, but I failed. 
Where could he possibly be? I took a deep breath and roamed my eyes around. My eyes went wide when I realized that I am no longer familiar with the place. 
Isang eskinitang walang katao-tao ang bumungad sa akin. Wala akong naramdamang anumang kaba kahit ako lang mag-isa. All I need to do right now is to find that jerk. I really can't sense him.
"Huli ka!"
"Ahh—Fvck!" Muntik ko siyang masampal sa pagkakagulat nang lumabas siya mula sa likuran ko, at hinapit ako sa baywang. Mabuti na lamang at mabilis niya itong nailagan. 
Hindi naman ako mabilis magulat, pero totoong nagulat ako sa biglaan niyang paglitaw. Muntik pa akong matumba, mabuti na lamang at mabilis niya akong nasalo.
How come, hindi ko siya napansin? Did my senses already weakened?
Hindi ako makagalaw sa tindi ng kaniyang kapit, na halos hinihigit nito ang aking paghinga. 
My eyes landed on his lips while I am still on his grip. I felt like I was hypnotized by his stares even I barely see his face due to darkness. 
How come he's so handsome? 
Ilang segundo kaming nagkatitigan at tila walang balak baguhin ang aming posisyon, kung saan mahigpit niya akong hinahawakan sa baywang bilang suporta upang hindi ako tuluyang mahulog. 
Parang walang may gustong kumurap. Naahigpit ang kapit ko sa kaniya nang maramdaman ang dahan-dahang paglapit niya sa aking mukha. 
I didn't even flinched and waited for him to do whatever he want. I am no longer the anchor of my own body. I closed my eyes, ready to meet his lips when a sudden drops falls down.
Now, I hate rain. 
Mabilis ko siyang nabitawan dahil sa pagkabigla nang bumuhos ang ulan. I saw him chuckle which made me smile genuinely. 
Tumayo lamang kami sa gitna ng daan at walang balak sumilong sa gilid ng isang waiting shed. Mabilis akong napatingala sa langit habang nilaalasap ang bawat dampi ng ulan sa aking katawan. 
I smiled once more and motioned my hands on his side. He got confused, but smiled back when I tightly held his hand under the rain. 
Pareho na kaming nakatingala ngayon sa ilalim ng ulan. Ang sarap pala sa pakiramdam ang ganito. 
He instantly grabbed me for a hug. I just let him be and laid on his chest, while we are still in the middle of the rain. We are not talking or playing. We're just simply with each other's embrace while silently listening to the rhythm of the every drops of rain.
I widened my smile when I heard his heartbeat. The every beating of it is like music to my ears.
"Am I in love with this man?" I asked under my breath and smiled.
I'm asking the obvious.
"Khyler…" I said, not sure if he heard it.
"Yes?" I gasped after hearing his baritone voice.
Parang kinakain lamang ng ulan ang aming boses, pero nagagawa pa rin naming pakinggan ang isa't isa.
"I.." I stopped and took a deep breath.
"Hmm?" He caressed my wet hair and hugged my tightly
"I like y—" Hindi ko natapos ang gusto kong sabihin nang may biglang bumusina sa aming likuran dahilan upang muntik kaming mapatalon.
Mabilis kaming napabaling dito at napansing parang galit na sinisigawan kami ng driver kaya't tumawa na lamang kami at sabay na naglakad patungo sa gilid ng kalsada. Literal na nasa gitna kasi kami ng daan. Hindi namin marinig ang sigaw ng driver sa isang sasakyan, dahilan upang mas lalo kaming natawa at inalayan ito ng middle finger bago tumakbo.
HIndi namin alam kung nakita ba ito ng driver, dahil naging matulin na ang aming pagtakbo habang hawak ang isa't isa. This is the best moment I ever have. 
Malakas pa rin ang ulan, ngunit hindi kami dinalaw ng ginaw  dahil sa init na umuokupa sa aming magkahawak na kamay. 
We decided to enter our University to get my car. Iyon lang ang tanging paraan upang makauwi kami ng pad ng matiwasay.
We added some spice on our journey and decided to intrude the campus, even the park is just outside. This will be fun, for sure. Why not savouring the moment, right?
Hindi na masyadong malakas ang ulan nang dumating kami sa labas ng gate. Inayos muna namin ang posisyon ng kotse, bago sabay na inihakbang ang paa papasok.
"Ready?" Tanong niya.
"Game," I replied and smirked.
Mabilis naming inakyat ang gate at matiwasay na nakababa. Hindi namin inalintana ang basang basa naming katawan.
We ran to the field and played basketball even the floor's still wet. I guess, it's already 8pm and here we are, playing inside the campus. Mabuti na lamang at may nakastock na bola sa isang rack. 
Batid naming maraming CCTV rito, but we still chose to intrude and have fun. Para kaming mga batang uhaw sa kasiyahan. 
Our laughs are banging all over the place, shattered like thunder, mixed with our pulsates. This moment is like ecstacy and I want this to last long.
Napagpasyahan naming tumigil muna at humiga sa sahig ng field. Hindi alintana ang ginaw, nakangiti kaming nakatanaw sa langit kahit nakabalot ng ulap ang mga butuin. 
"So beautiful…" I murmured while staring at the sky with pure darkness.
Witnessing the nothingness in everything makes me feel so driven. It sounds weird, pero gumaganda sa paningin ko ang mga bagay na halos walang buhay.
"Sobrang ganda," turan niya, dahilan upang mapatingin ako sa kaniya. Biglang namula ang aking mukha nang makitang nakatitig siya sa akin. 
A smile crept on his lips, revealing his perfect jaw. 
"And you look so perfect when you're blushing," he added. 
I can't even utter a single word. I was mesmerized by his words, his eyes, his everything. 
I really am so in love.
Bigla kaming napatayo nang mapansin ang ilaw na palapit sa amin.We grinned at each other and held each other's hands.
We started running around the field to catch the guard's attention. That's the real purpose why we are here. 
"Hoy!" Sigaw nito, dahilan upang mas lalo kaming matawa at tumakbo palayo rito. 
Pansin naming hinahabol kami ng guard kaya't napagdesisyunan naming ikutin muna ang pasilyo bago lumabas. 
"Tigil! Lintik na mga bata!" Tawa lang kami ng tawa habang magkahawak-kamay pa ring tumatakbo, hanggang sa umakyat kami sa gate. Ilang metro lamang ang layo namin sa guwardya, pero nasisiguro naming makaakatakas kami rito.
We instantly enter my car and accelerated it while we still keeps on laughing. 
Halos mamatay-matay kami kakatawa hanggang sa marating namin ang pad ko. Hindi ko na pinag-aksayahan ng oras na ipark ang sasakyan, at mabilis na tinungo ang loob para makapagbihis. Medyo nakaramdam na rin ako ng ginaw, at sigurado akong ganoon din siya. 
—
"That was fun…" He spoke while we were in the midst of eating the sandwitch he made. 
"Indeed. Thank you," I said and laid on his chest. We are now watching a cartoon in my living room while making ourselves comfortable on the couch.
Biglang tumunog ang teleono ko. Siya na ang kumuha nito at inabot sa akin.
My face turned null when I recognized the caller.
"Yes, dad?" I responded.
"Where are you?" He asked. I just sighed and fixed my position. I am now sitting next to Khyler.
"Somewhere relaxing. Why?" I said in boredom.
"We're already home. Come here, ASAP." I smirked sarcastically our of nowhere.
They're home, huh. Bigla kong naramdaman ang mainit na kamay ni khyler na umuokupa sa aking katawan. He is now hugging me.
"Hmmkay," I replied. He then dropped the call, without even saying goodbye.
I sighed once more and stood up. I am no longer in my mood.
"Everything will be okay," Khyler said out of nowhere. I diverted my gaze to him and gave him a weak smile. 
"Hope so… I need to go. They're now home." He just nodded and smiled at me. 
Bumungad kaagad sa akin ang walang emosyong mukha ng ama ko nang marating ko ang kaniyang opisina. 
Hindi ko na siya hinintay pang alukin akong umupo at mabilis na isinalapak ang katawan sa upuan. 
"What is it?" I asked. I am so tired, and the last thing I want right now is being with my father. 
"How's Salvievista?" A sarcastic smirk appeared from my lips after hearing that question. As expected to my self-centered father.
"The pest's now eliminated," maikli kong sagot. 
"Good. So, I know you're already aware why you're here." He  stared at me, trying to figure me out.
"And my answer is, no. I will never," matapang kong sagot at nakipagtitigan sa kaniya sa mata.
He pressed his finger on his chair, trying to give me an intimidating aura. Oh no, hindi na ako nasisindak sa mga tingin niya.
"You have no choice—"
"I always have, FATHER. I always have a choice. I already helped you in Salvievista. I always follow your orders, everything to ought me to do, to be exact. And this time, I will say no. I will never marry that as-hole. Never," I said firmly and stood up, readying myself to go out. I heard him laugh with sarcasm made me hiss in disbelief. 
"So, it's true. My daughter changed…a lot. I guess, your NEW friends are a bad influence. Should I elimin—"
"Sorry to say this, but it's you who made me like this. How can you call yourself a father, if you haven't been a good father to me?" My face is now stolid. I was about to laugh when I didn't even saw his guilt. How ironic. He's not even affected by my words. What to expect from a father like him?
I diverted my gaze to the door and walked sternly without even looking back to his direction. I am so sick with this conversation.
—
Pigil hininga akong nakatitig sa kawalan habang hawak ang aking lapis. Umiikot ang aking utak sa mga bagay-bagay. Hinahayaan ko lang ang aking kamay na gumalaw habang ang mata ko'y nasa kawalan. 
Biglang nahagip ng aking mata ang isang drawer nang sinubukan kong hanapin ang pambura. Kumunot na lamang ang aking nuo nang makitang muli ang bracelet at flute. Kinuha ko ito at tiningnan ang pagkakaiba. 
Without noticing it, a smile appeared from my lips. Parang pinapagaan nito ang loob ko. 
Tinapunan ko ng tingin ang sketchpad na hawak kanina at lalong kumunot ang aking nuo nang makitang isang mukha ang ginuhit ko mula rito. 
"Khyler wearing a barong tagalog?" asked my mind and chuckled. I started rendering the piece. 
Well, it looks cute though, kaya't pinagpatuloy ko na lang habang may guhit ng ngiti sa aking labi. I never thought he looks more manly while wearing one. My phone vibrated so fished it from my bag and answered the call.
"I guess, you're not okay," bungad sa akin ng lalaking naging bwesit sa buhay ko noon.
"I'm okay now. Thanks." I smiled and stared at his portrait. 
"Oh? You should smile more often, it suits you so well." My expression changed and started roaming my eyes around.
"HAHAHA, hindi ako nakatingin sa'yo. Hinuhulaan ko lang ang reaksyon mo," dagdag niya, dahilan upang mapaakunot ako ng nuo. 
"What's up?" I asked, ignoring my weird gesture lately.
"Wala naman. Namiss lang kita." A smile crept on my lips but controlled myself not to make it wide. Hindi na ako nagsalitang muli, dahil wala naman akong masabi. 
Bigla akong napapikit habang pinapakinggan ang kaniyang boses. Dinalaw kami ng katahimikan, mabuti na lamang at nagsalita siyang muli.
"Maaari ba kitang kantahan?" 
"Hmm…" I mumbled and started laying on my bed.
"I know, you're tired. Matulog ka lang, kakantahan kita." My heart is now on its abnormal beating and I can no longer contain this.
Kusang pumikit ang aking mga mata habang nilalasap ang kaniyang boses. It's so manly and soothing to hear. 
Ilang minuto niya akong kinakantahan hanggang sa natangay na lamang ako ng kadiliman.
—
Gumising akong may magaang pakiramdam. Ibang iba sa nakasanayan kong senaryo sa tuwing gigising ako. As usual, maaga akong pumasok at bumungad kaagad sa akin si Champagne na may malawak na ngiti. 
I smiled back and grabbed her arm. Sabay kaming pumunta sa locker para kunin ang mga kailangan namin. 
Bumungad ulit sa akin ang sandamakmak na sulat mula sa mga hindi kilalang nilalang. Imbes na magalit, ngumiti na lamang ako at napagpasyahang babasahin ito isa-isa. Inilagay ko ang ilan sa bag bago tinungo ang aming silid. 
The class went smoothly, at hindi nawala ang kaunting daldalan namin ni Champagne, dahilan upang bigyan ako ng nalilitong tingin ng lahat.
Hindi na lang namin sila pinansin at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad patungo sa field para sa aming P.E subject. 
Muli akong napangiti nang maalala ang nangyari dito mismo sa field kagabi. Hindi ko na nagawang pakinggan ang prof namin at inilibot na lamang ang aking tingin sa buong paligid hanggang sa naglaro kami ng basketball at natapos ito nang walang kahirap-hirap.
"Ang galing mo talaga! Geez! Ano ba ang mga bagay na hindi mo kayang gawin, ha?" Pabirong tanong ni Champ. Nginitian ko lang siya at sinagot.
"Ang hindi matulog ng isang araw." Inikutan niya lamang ako ng mata at hinila papasok sa canteen.
"Ewan ko sa'yo, hmp—" She unable to continue her words when I bumped into someone. 
Hindi naman ako natumba, pero natapunan ng malamig na kape ang uniform ko. Mabilis akong dinaluhan ni Champagne at tinapunan ko kaagad ng tingin ang nakabangga.
"Ano ba 'yan! Hindi marunong tumingin sa dinadaana—Kyaaahh! Satachi!" Bigla akong narindi sa tili ni Champagne at mabilis nitong niyakap ang babaeng nakabangga sa akin.