Taming Sun in the Heir's Heart

Chapter 3

After that encounter, we became closer that like right now, he's sitting here on my favorite spot.

"Oh, so you like pancakes, kuya?" I teased.

Kinakabahan at bahagyang may paru-paro sa tiyan, matatag pa rin ang paninindigan kong gawing kaswal ang pakikipag usap sakaniya. Hindi magpapahalatang may kaonting pagkagusto...

"Drop the kuya please. Malapit lang ang edad natin." Masama ang titig sa akin ngunit may tinatagong ngiti sa labi.

Four years lamang ang tanda nito sa'kin pero dahil na rin siguro sa k-12 na hindi inabot ang batch niya, matagal na siyang nagtatrabaho habang ako ay nag-aaral pa rin.

"Really? You're way older kaya! Do you know I'm friends with your brother? He's a bit older than me—"

Nalaman ko lang kahapon na magkapatid sila after stalking Calder's f*******: feeds.

"Which one?" He asked, getting alarmed.

"Azim Calder." Mas lalong nandilim ang paningin niya, "Why?"

"Don't get too close to him."

"He is a friend. What the hell are you saying?" Natatawa na ako ngayon.

"Kailan mo pa siya naging kaibigan?" Seryosong tanong nito.

"Last year pa? Bakit ba?"

Mariing pumikit ito kaya nagkaroon ako ng chance para titigan ang mahaba at makapal nitong pilik-mata, ang matangos nitong ilong, at ang labing bagay na bagay sa kaniya. Bahagya akong napatalon sa gulat nang magtama ang mata namin.

The silver chain on his neck sparkled as he shook his head lightly.

"Don't get too close to him, please?" He put his arm behind me, resting it on the backrest of my chair.

"Kaibigan ko nga 'yon! Nakilala ko siya sa Backlor kasama mga kaibigan niya."

"You mean Caleb and the rest?" I nodded, "Those are my friends too!"

"Weh?!" Gulat ako, "Ba't 'di ka namin nakakasama sa Backlor?!"

"I sometimes go there... sometimes." He looked at me and look away.

"Ah. Maraming babae doon e. High class pa." I smirked. Hule pero 'di kulong. Mataman niya akong tinitigan.

"Don't worry! I don't judge!" I laughed it off but something hit my heart.

Sa dami kong kaibigang lalaki ay nasanay na ako sa gano'n. Hindi siguro talaga maiiwasan ang gano'n. Pero hindi naman ibig sabihin ng gano'n ay hindi na nila kayang magseryoso.

"But don't get close to him. He'll just play you." Magkadugtong ang kilay na sabi nito sa akin.

"And you won't?"

"I won't." He answered directly, umiling pa ng bahagya.

"Sa ilang encounter namin ay hindi naman niya ako na-disrespect. He was a normal guy. All of them actually." I talked, "Madalas sila sa table namin tuwing ayaw nila mang welcome ng babae."

"Yes but I'm nicer."

"I'm not sure with that." Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin. Lukot na lukot na ang gwapong mukha nito.

"Cal's face is so angelic. With dimples and smiley face. Sociable pa at palabiro. He's fun to with actually. While you..." bahagya akong napatigil at napatingin sa lalaking kaharap.

"What am I?" He's at his limits. But I won't step back.

"You seem serious. Looking like a playboy. Ngingiti lang tuwing may chix? There's mayabang aura in you na kahit hindi ka magflex ng kahit na ano ay malalamang mayaman ka. Your dominant respectable and intimidaring aura. A lion like going around its kingdom guarding its prey."

"Which one do you prefer then?"

"Huh?" Naguguluhang tanong ko.

"Do you like angelic looking guy or a serious one?"

"Generally ba?" He slightly nodded.

I stared at him. Mahirap pakisamahan ang kagaya niya. Dominant looking guy. Respectable and intimidating aura.

"Angelic face, I guess."

Kumunot ang noo niya at nagiwas ng tingin. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip nito kahit na paminsan-minsan ang paglingon sa akin. Nagtuloy-tuloy pa ang usapan hanggang kailangan ko nang umuwi.

"I don't know your number though." Sa mahinang boses niyang sabi. Isang gabi ng Saturday.

"Why do you need it?"

"I don't know..." he sighed, "I followed you on i********:, twitter and t****k. I also sent a friend request on your sss yesterday but I guess you haven't noticed it yet."

He's not looking at me, just playing with his frappe.

Niligpit niya ang pinagkainan namin at isinarado na ang notebook kung saan niya ako tinuruan ng math. Bagong problem at related na sa structural ngunit nakakagulat na alam niya pa rin.

"I'll check later. Hindi na kasi ako nagtitingin ng gano'n. Madalas ay fan kasi." I explained. He nodded slowly.

Kumuha siya ng tissue at pinunasan ang paligid ng table bago nilapag ang mouse pad at mouse ko doon. He's doing everything while I'm just sitting here.

"I'm not a fan." He stated. "Drink water first before your sweets."

"Yeah. Stalker nga lang." Kunot na naman ang kaniyang noo, "Ang grumpy mo today."

Inignora ang sinabi ko at kinuha na lamang ang baso para magsalin ng tubig doon.

"Nope. Sa bahay na lang ang water. Fruit tea muna." Akmang aabutin ko ang fruit tea ng itinapat niya sa mukha ko ang baso.

Hawak niya ang baso sa gitna habang naka suporta naman ang kamay ko sa ilalim nito.

Masama ang tingin ko sakaniya habang umiinom ng tubig at umiling lamang siya bago itinapat na sa akin ang leche flan at fruit tea matapos ito.

The next days went fast... tingin ko. O, sadyang inaabangan ko na talaga ang TThS ko kaya sa tingin ko'y mabilis umiikot ang mundo.

Parang nasanay na ako sa ganitong routine. Nauna akong naupo sa aking table kaya naman nakapag order na ako ng meryenda nang maupo siya sa tabi ko.

"May I ask why are you always here? Aside from the reason that one of your hotel is located near here." I asked curiously while he's holding my left earphone and putting it on his left ear, "Your main office is in Makati, Right?"

"First question, I have a friend who is a professor in your school but also, I am always visiting our branch here." He leabed backwards, "And for your last question, yes. It's in makati."

"A friend? Babae? Baka kilala ko?"

"Lalaki. Adrian Shan Santos. Do you know him?"

"Prof ko siya dati. Ngayon hindi pa. Friend lang talaga? Bakit hindi ko siya nakikitang kasama mo?"

"After class siya pumupunta. Around 10pm so na sundo ka na. We go to my hotel to play basketba—"

"Nagba-basketball 'yon?" Gulat kong tanong, "Akala ko, pang aasar lang ang alam niyang gawin."

"He is an Architect, Francy." He reminded me.

I got distracted for the way he called me. Halos makalimutan ko na nga ang sinabi niya kaya nag isip muna ako ng saglit bago nag salita.

Francy. He called me by my name again. Butterflies playing and flying around my tummy, giving me chills and electrifying feeling.

"Y-yup. I w-was just surprise that he can do other things aside his passion and talent for archi and arts." Pagdaldal ko, "Lagi akong inaasar noon dahil mas malaki pa daw ang T-square kesa sa'kin."

Matagal siya tumitig muna sa akin, pinagmamasdan ang mukha ko bago siya humalakhak. Ngayon na sa tabi ko na siyang nakaupo ay mas nagkaroon pa kami ng pagkakataong titigan ang isa't isa.

Parang naghuhuramentado ang mga uod at paru-paro sa tiyan ko. Kaba na alam ko kung ano ang dahilan.

This guy is giving me the kilig I never thought I could ever experienced. His straightforwardness including his powerful aura, made me feel wonders I couldn't explain.

"W-what?" I blinked twice. Not getting used of the closeness and the long time staring.

"What's wrong with your height? You look so pretty, Francy." He whispered hoarsely, looking at my eyes deeply.

Iniwas ko ang tingin ko at hinawakan ang straw ng akin inumin sa nanginginig na kamay at sumipsip doon upang maitago ang kung anong nararamdaman.

"Are you okay?" He asked, getting amused.

Ngumuso ako at kinunot ang noo dahil sa nagbabadyang pagngiti. Bawal kiligin pag walang label!

"Namumula ka, Francy." Saglit siyang tumawa kaya napalingon ako sakaniya. He is smiling, ear to ear.

"Stop calling me by my name." I hissed.

"What should I call you then?" Still teasing me. Ramdam ko na ang kaliwa niyang braso na nakapahinga sa bandang balikat ko, nakapatong sa back rest.

He leaned closer to whisper. I saw how people are watching but he doesn't care.

"Should I start calling you 'baby' now?" With his whispering deep sexy voice, my sank and beats faster.

"W-whatever, Damon." Laban ko pa rin kahit gusto nang tumiklop at sumuko na puso ko.

My eyes traced every inch of his face and landed on his kissable lips... I blinked a lot to put me back to my senses. Huy! Gising!

"Ah, your voice saying my name sounds heaven for me." He dramaticaly acted like an arrow hit his heart with a smile on his face. He touched his left chest with his right hand.

I crinckled my nose to make him see how it made me feel.

"Corny mo, Damon." Irap ko kahit gustong-gusto nang ngumiti.

I licked my lower lip and bit it lightly, automatically, I changed my aura.

Bawal ngumiti. Bawal kiligin. Pag na-fall ka talo ka! Kapag ikaw nasaktan na naman, hindi na nila kasalanan! Ikaw na may kasalanan kasi tanga ka!

"We should take our order now. We are too intimate." Tawa niya nang hindi ko na siya nililingon.

Pilit kong fino-focus ang sarili sa kanta na nasa earphones kahit na ang hina lang naman nito.

"They'll think I'm teasing when in fact, I am." He laughed again.

I raised an eyebrow, still not looking at him.

"Pikon, Francy, pikon." Still laughing at me.

Kunot-noo ko siyang nilingon. Nang makitang nakangiti ito ay hindi ko na mapigilan ang pagtawa. Nakakahawa.

His stoic and intimidating face is now shouting his gentleness and naughty side. An unfamiliar side of him.

Sa ilang beses ko siyang nakikita dito na nakatingin sa akin at minsan ay may inaasikaso sa laptop ay ang madalas na pinagmamasdan ko siya bilang isang seryosong tao, respetado at puro trabaho. Ibang-iba sa nakikita ko ngayon.

He seems happy and carefree.

Ngunit hindi pa rin nawawaksi sa isipan ko ang mga balitang naririnig. He doesn't stick to one girl. He never dated. He only had flings. And he only had s****l interaction with girls. There are possibilities, you know. That he will do the same thing to me. It just happened I was picky and I hated his gaze for the first time we met. My past experiences in this field made me overthink about him.

Kung ang mga kilalang 'goodboy' and 'one-woman-only-man' could cheat and break someone's heart, what more to a guy who is professional in that field? My smile fade away.

But he said, he won't play me... He said.

"Let's eat?" He said while placing in front, "This time, we will be eating ramen—"

Hindi pa siya natatapos ay pinulot ko na ang chopsticks at nagumpisa nang haluin ang noodles. Nang makaupo na siya at ginagawa na rin ang ginawa ko, nagumpisa na ako.

"So you like ramen, huh." He chuckled.

Tango lamang ang naisagot ko at nagpatuloy. If he only know how much I love ramen.

"Slowly or you'll choke on your food." He whispered.

Napatigil ako sa pagkain nang sinikop niya ang aking buhok na nagkalat, ang iba'y tumatabing sa mukha. Tinanggal niya ang scrunchie sa palapulsuhan ko at itinali iyon sa buhok ko.

"Eat slowly please. Wala kang kaagaw." I felt a warm hand caressing my heart. Making me feel safe and secured.

He picked up a tissue on the table, he tried to wipe the side of my lips. I took the tissue and wiped it my self.

"Don't mind me. Kumain ka rin." I said while looking at his untouched food.

Tango lang ang naging sagot nito saka nag umpisa na rin kumain pero ang mga mata ay nasa akin. Nagsalin na rin ito ng tubig sa baso ko at sa kaniya.

"It's spicy." He exclaimed, drinking his smoothie. He looked at me, "Na aanghangan ka?"

"Yeah. But it's bearable so..." nagpatuloy ulit sa pagkain.

Napansin kong hindi na naman nito ginagalaw ang pagkain niya kaya napalingon ako.

"Hmmm?" I hummed asking what's his problem.

"I was warned by my mom not to fall in love with a woman who's good at eating spicy foods." saad niya habang pinag mamasdan pa rin ako.

"Uhuh. Ano naman ngayon? You're not inlove with me naman." I raised a brow.

"Well... I hope so."

We talked a lot on that Thursday night. Most of it were random. One topic to another, not totally connected bit because of our teasing, we made it magically connect.

"For your attendance for today. The question is, kung pagkain ka, ano ka at bakit?" Our Prof's 'pakulo' for todays class, "State you last name then what food and why."

I went inside the school the next without my wallet. I forgot where I put it or where I lost it. Wala naman importante roon dahil kakaunting cash lang naman iyon at mga papel. Ngunit ang mga picture ko roon at ang wallet na iyon ay mahalaga sa akin kaya gusto ko iyong makuha ulit.

"Balik ka sa Lerepos mamaya, sis. Sumaglit ka lang, icheck mo kung naiwan do'n. Sayang 3k ha." bulong ni Nica sa tabi ko.

Ang mga kaklase ay nagiingay na naman para sa reklamo at pag iisip ng magandang entry.

"Aguas, hotdog." Ani Angelo, "Para tender na, juicy pa."

"Corpuz, Jollibee." Ani Chris na animoy matinong tao, "Sa Jollibee, bida ang sarap."

"Saya!" Pagtatama naming lahat.

Nagtawanan ang mga kablock lalo na ang mga lalaki, gulat na kay Chris pa nang galing ito.

"Cruz, Mega Sardines po," Nica giggled, "Mega sa sariwa, Mega sa serep!"

Nagtawanan ang mga kababaihan sa malanding pag sabi nito. Ginagawa kaming pampagana at katatawanan ng mga ito.

"Ignacio, chooks to go." Hindi pa ko nagsasalita, tumatawa at nagiingay na sila, inuunahan na ako. Hindi ko na naituloy dahil nagkagulo na. "Huy teka! Nawala na yung joke ko!"

Inaawat na sila ng prof dahil sa ingay at baka marinig sa hallway.

"Lopez, clover chips ser." ani Andrei at umubo pa kunwari, "Ehem... Lover ng clover, may clover finger! Simut sa sarap!"

At gayang-gaya ang commercial nito dahil pinakita pa nito ang hinlalaki at hintuturo.

"Ako sir! Santos, Cobra energy drink," mayabang ipinilit ilabas ang biceps ni Ralph.

"Angat ang lakas," mula sa ilong nito ay pinadausdos nito ang kamay hanggang sa tiyan, "at sarap."

"Padugyot ng padugyot tayo, ah!" Saad ng prof namin na tuwang tuwa sa nang yayare. Pressure naman ang abot sa mga susunod pa.

"Tan, ako cheez whiz lang e," Ani Erick na seryosong pa ang paghawi ng buhok, gwapong-gwapo sa sarili, "Thick to spread, big on taste! Milkier, creamier!"

Isang mensahe sa IG ang nagpop sa aking lockscreen. Pasimple ko iyong binasa. Kanina pa pala itong mensahe 2 hrs ago.

@Damon.Delborja: Hi, your wallet's with me when is your out?

Ba't nasa kaniya? Takang tanong ko sa sarili ko na ipinagkibit ko lamang ng akin balikat.

@FrancI8: maya pang 3pm, okay lang ba padala rito sa school? I can't go to Lerepos na.

"Ventura ser, KFC," nagtawanan na agad dahil kay Louis. Itinapat nito ang daliri sa bibig upang patahimikin kami, "KFC. Finger... Lickin'... Good..."

Nagsigawan kami lahat at ang iba'y mahihimatay na sa kakatawa dahil sa pa-ungol niyong pag bigkas ng mga kataga.

"Ang dugyot mo, Louis!"

"Nasusuka ako!"

"Hot mo, fafa Louis!"

@Damon.Delborja: I'll be outside of your school's gate. Is that okay with you?

@FrancI8: Yes please! Thank you! I owe you!

Parang natanggal ang tinik sa lalamunan na ibabalik ito sa akin nang buo.

@Damon.Delborja: You owe me a date tonight then. Get yourself ready, Francy

What? WHAT? WHAT DATE? DATE??? OMG!!

Walang humpay ang tawanan at kantiyawan hanggang sa magumpisa ang klase at matapos ito. Laging buhay ang klase namin dahil sa mga pakulong ito ng prof.

Habang ako naman ay abala na sa pag aayos ng gamit para sa pag alis papuntang labas ng gate upang mag antay.

"I'll gey going na. May kukunin lang, kayo na magsabay lumabas." Paalam ko sa kanila at mabilis nang lumabas.

@Damon.Delborja: I'm outside. Am I right on time or am I too early?

Dali-dali akong lumabas, maraming nakakasalubong na kababaihang nakalingon sa gate na iyon. Ang iba ay tumambay pa kaya nahirapan akong lumabas.

Galit ang guard nang makalagpas ako dahil sa mga nakakilala sa naka suot ng kaniyang wayferer glasses at ang button down dress shirt nito na hapit sa katawan.

"Di ba ayan yung captain ball ng UP dati?" Marites one.

"Sinong sinusundo? Shet sana all!" Marites two.

At marami pang bulungan.

Nang makatapat ako sakaniya ay ayun naman ang pag angat nito ng tingin galing sa cellphone nito may tinititigan. Sa taas ng brigthness ng phone dahil siguro sa taas din ng araw, nakita ko na mga pictures ko sa IG ang tinitignan.

"You messaged me on IG, am I sort of a kabet?" panimula ko nang dahil sa trend na nakikita sa t****k.

"I messaged you on messenger first. I think its sleeping on your message request right now?" He smirked when I gripped my phone tighter.

"And you're stalking my IG account."

"Stalking is different from admiring." He flashed a breath taking smile, "I'm just admiring you on your posts and captions."

"Wallet?" I handed my palm to him.

"Later. Wala ka ng class 'di ba?" Hindi pa ako nakakasagot ay iminuwestra na nito ang pinto ng army green jeep wrangler nito. "Get inside."

"This is kidnapping." Nakapameywang na ako ngayon, hindi pinapansin ang mga nakakarinig o nakakakita.

"Mamaya pa 'yon. Scamming muna. Sasama ka or no wallets and pics for you?" He smirked without amusement, "I think the people here are very... important."

Tinutukoy ang iba't ibang mukha ng mga naging ex fling ko. Malamang ay hindi naman niya alam iyon.

"Yeah, whatever." Inirapan ko siya kahit hindi ko naman kita kung naka tingin ba ang mga mata sa akin.

Nagumpisa na ako lumakad palapit sa passenger's seat. He pulled open the door for me, I said my thanks. I saw the people looking at us in awe and shock.

" I feel like I'm in a fictional book or something."

"What do you mean?" He asked, hindi pa naisasara ang pinto.

The doors are tinted and my door's side is still open, nakadukwang ang ulo niya sa loob at mukha kami ritong gumagawa ng milagro. I saw people taking pictures simula pa kanina that's why I pushed him out slightly.

"Where are we going, by the way?" I said as the car roared to life.

"Hotel."

"H-huh? A-anong gagawin?" I said, slightly nervous.

Napatingin siya sa gawi ko sandali at natawa.

"To eat, of course. We are eating in that same cafe for weeks now." He explained, "I have my own hotel and restaurant. Maybe we can eat there? What do you think?"

"Ngayon mo lang ako tinanong sa opinyon ko gayon nandito na tayo sa hotel niyo." Inirapan ko naman siya.

"Ooh, my spicy hot Francy! Masama ang timpla!" Teasing me again.

We went inside to park. Sa parkinh lot palang ay marami nang yumuyuko at bumabati tuwing dumadaan siya. He is politely talking to gheir employees. And with my observations, sa tingin ko naman ay matagal nang ganito ang pakikitungo niya sa mga empleyado.

I smiled inwardly. That is why a lot of people likes him and his love for his passion.

"What do you like to order?" He asked when we take a sit to one of the VIP table on the balcony area.

"Anything you recommend."

That made him confused so I asked why.

"I have lots of recommendations but that will take a lot of time to prepare. Maybe the other foods are on some other time?"

May next time pa? Weh? Bakit?

"Okay." I simply said, not minding my overthinkerbell self. "Are you preparing the food them?"

"All the time, no. But if I have time, and there are special occasion, yes.

."So you're not cooking?"

"Just helping them out. Trying to supervise since I don't want disappoint my date today."

"I think, you're so good at flirting. Ilang beses mo na ito ginawa?" Naka taas ang kilay kong tanong.

"I never done this before unless it is for business purposes." aniya sa matigas na ang ingles at seryoso, "And please, don't think about that right now. You're ruining the mood."

I laughed at that. "Okay po. Hindi na po." I teased which he didn't like.

"I love the ambiance of your hotel." I leaned backwards until my back reached the back rest of my tiffany chair.

Inikot niya rin ang paningin sa paligid.

"By the way," he suddenly said, "We dine in a VIP table since there are lot of people who can recognize you who's acquainted with me."

"We cannot focus on our talk if there are people interrupting us," He explained, "It's not because you're some sort of a kabit or something."

Walang hiyang napahalakhak ako nang maalala ang sinabi kanina tungkol sa pag private message niya sa akin sa IG na ginaya niya.

He just smirked at me and looked away.

"You overthink too much, it's not healthy."

"Yeah, I think so too. Di ko lang mapigilan," I said sadly.

Three waiters and two waitresses lined up infront of us holding our ordered foods.

"Is this their usual job or it is just for today's show?" I asked to the man sitting beside me.

"It's their usual job. Don't be too full of yourself, I didn't prepared for you a lot." He said whispering.

Hindi ko na napigilian ay kinurot ko siya sa kaniyang tricepts kaya humupa ang aming kulitan.

"Mapanakit ka." Aniya na natatawa habang hinihimas ang braso nitong kinurot ko.

"Magtigil ka na please. Some people are looking at us." I said roaming my eyes around the restaurant.

He did the same thing. He nodded as if he understood and concluded something.

"Are you uncomfortable? Do you want to go inside my office? We can just eat inside—"

"Wait. No, I'm just saying..." I paused to think about it if I should say it, "Ang clingy natin sa isa't isa. They might misunderstood."

"There's nothing if they misunderstood—"

"Mawawalan ka na ng fling, 'no! They'll think you're taken."

"Yeah right." Sagot niya na lang at iminuwestra na lang ang pagkain.

While eating, he kept on looking at me. Inilipat niya ang upuan na dapat ay nasa harap ko upang makatabi ako. Sometimes wipping my lips with tissue, refilling my water, and many more while I'm busy eating.

"How's your day?" He suddenly asked, "I forgot to ask you."

He has been asking me this for the weeks we became close. I'm doing the same thing, of course, after answering his question.

"Very normal. Except for the fact that I almost lost my wallet." I rolled my eyes, "Akala ko talaga nalaglag ko somewhere."

"You left it on the back of you chair. I was about to go when the waiter gave me your wallet," he stated, "Why were there a lot of picture inside? Mostly guys?"

I laughed inwardly.

"Ah! 'Yung iba roon nanligaw sa akin, 'yung iba nagplano pero hindi tinuloy, at 'yung first three pictures ay 'yung almost pero hindi rin natuloy." I said casually.

Kumunot ang noo niya.

"So I will be familiarozed to the people whom I should not befriend!" Sagot ko agad kahit wala pa itong naitatanong.

"Sila Ralph may gawa niyan, my guy friends, they're very protective since the day my brother and brother-in-law asked them to guard me for them." I explained, "Dahil wala nga akong masyadong kilala at kinakaibigan ko lahat, ayun, some kind of doing that to be close to me and do what they're planning to."

Hindi ito sumagot at nanatiling nakakatitig sa akin. Binitawan ko ang kubyertos na hawak at ginawan ng paraan na makausap siya ng maayos.

"Do you know I almost got kidnapped or raped or something? I'm not really sure kasi nagawan agad ng paraan."

"What?" Malalim ang boses nito at parang galit na nakakatitig sa akin.

"A guy 'friend'. He's one of my t****k friends who tried to get close to me. Sabi niya sama raw ako sakaniya papuntang Marikina kasi kasama niya iba naming t****k friends doon." I inhaled, "so sumama naman ako dahil uto-uto ako at he seems nice, I swear. Very green flag siya."

"He knew I don't commute a lot and I can easily get lost in the middle of the road. But he didn't know, I'm familiar to Marikina City. Kaya nung napansin ko na wrong way, I called Ralph immediately. Before that nagsabi na rin ako sa gc namin na punta kong Marikina, wag na nila akong antayin." I said.

"But to my surprise it was Rob, my artist friend, whom I called pala. He called Ralph immediately to find me."

Naalala ko ang gabing iyon. Kung gaano ako katakot pero kailagan kong umarte na parang wala lang. Sa nginig ng kamay ko ay Roby instead of Ralph ang mapindot ko.

"U-uy, Rob. P-pasabi naman kay Ralph, wag na 'ko antayin kasi nandito na ako sa Marikina. Pasabi na din na naiihi ako."

"Ha? Gago! Ba't kasama 'yon! Dugyot nito nasa shoot pa 'ko e!"

"Sabihin mo na nga lang gets niya 'yon." I nervously laughed and prayed he really said.

"It's some kind of a code. Naiihi is an emergency situation for us everytime we travel together kaya ayun naging emergency code na rin iyon sa amin." I explained, "After no'n 'yung guy na iyon ay ibinaba ako sa matalahib na somewhere."

"I think he's not suppose to stop there but because I mentioned Ralph's name, he got triggered. Many people are shipping me to Ralph so yeah..."

"He's a psycho."

"And a drug addict." I added, "He pushed me out of the car and told me a lot of things I can't remember clearly. Puro galit na kesyo mas ginusto ko raw si Ralph kaysa sa kaniya na nagpakabait para sa akin and so on."

"I made sure he won't touch me for real, And he's not holding any harmful objects to kill me." I smiled to assure him because I can that he's on his edge now.

"May pilay na kasi ang wrist ko kaya hindi ako nakalaban agad, but I know how to. Agad din namang nakasunod si Rob sa kung nasaan kami kaya nabugbog agad. Then he was followed by Ralph and Louis after a couple of minutes."

"Naisumbong na namin sa polisya at napakulong na rin naman namin. It was silenced because Rob's name was included. Mahirap na ma-issue pa siya so we just decided to keep it lie low." I sighed, "I have the recorded audio of that incident as a proof kaya mabilis naipakulong, plus may kapit pa kami sa loob."

"How is he right now? Still in jail?" Ngayon ko lang napansin na hindi na rin pala ito kumakain.

"Attempted kidnapping, raping and murdering because there were guns inside the car, and using of illegal drugs after being positive to drug test. I'm not sure. But the last time we know, he was tortured by my VJMP cousin's friends inside the jail after hearing the news." I said, "Agad pinalipat ng binabantayang jail ang pinsan ko dahil baka madawit sa ginawa ng mga nasa kulungan."

"Don't get me wrong. He wasn't friends with because illegal things. He was friends with them because he's helping them to pass the letter they wrote for their family kaya gano'n na lang ang utang na loob ng mga 'yon sakaniya." Mahabang buga ng hangin at kibit balikat ang huling galaw ko.

"He deserve the torture."

"He was under drugs, he doesn't know what he was doing."

"And that's illegal." He leaned on the bacrest of his chair, "Give me his name, I'll check."

"No thanks.Ayos naman na! Though, I still have the trauma, but, I'm okay and I can live with it. And I had regular check ups with my psych doctor."

I smiled to ease his worriness. I tried to eat again to make him see that I'm okay. He was just looking at me, still leaning back.

"Kain ka na. Malamig na."

"How can you be okay after telling me the story?" He hissed, "I'm not, even a bit, happy with your story."

"I don't know. But, I feel better." I smiled again, "Never ko na inisip na maikukwento ko iyon sa kung kanino dahil hirap na akong magtiwala pagkatapos lokohin ng iba't-ibang lalaki sa iba't-ibang paraan."

"But I don't generalize men, dahil habang ginagago ako ng isang lalaki, ibang lalaki naman ang nagligtas sa akin." Remembering how Rob and Ralph helped me that day, and how our Friends became proyective over me after it.

"We're not all the same."

"I know." I smiled cheeckily now truthfully, "I also never thought I could ever trust other men asude from my friends and family."

"So, thank you. And I hope you are not the same as them."

"I was raise right by my parents and I have a 9 year old sister. I play with girls but hurting them is far from that."

"But did you plan on using me?" I said straightly without blinking after he uttered those words.

"Hindi kailanman sumagi sa isip ko 'yan simula ng makita kita." His soulful eyes, serious face and deep steady voice said I should believe him.

But, I still doubt.

After that, we had a casual and another fun conversation again, leaving that dark experience I had. Mainit na kamay ang humaplos sa aking puso nang maalala ang mga mata nitong nag aalala sa akin. Na kung siguro'y kilala ko na siya ay baka siya ang takbuhan ko no'ng panahong iyon at gagawin niya ang lahat para makulong ang may sala.

I don't trust him fully but I know, he is far from these men.