Every Saturday Night

Chaper 01

#ESN01: His smile

Freya Kassandra Floresca

~•~

Nakakalungkot isipin na gusto ko nalang mamatay ngayon.

But of course, I wouldn't totally do that. I may hate my life right now but who knows about the future?

What if it gets better?

Maybe I'll survive... I'm hoping for it. Iyon na lang ang pinanghahawakan ko upang hindi ko tuluyan na tapusin ang buhay ko. Umaasa na baka sa susunod na mga araw; magiging maayos na ako. And whenever suicide’s surfing in my mind, I try my best to let it just be a thoughts and watch it fade and pass. 

Things will get better sooner, or later.

Kung hindi ko tutulungan ang sarili ko na bumangon at magpatuloy, wala talaga akong mararating.

A long heavy sigh escaped from my lips as I started to reach for my makeup to make myself look more attractive in order to earn money.

I wear makeup to get paid, that's part of my job. I have to look more appealing to perform attractively. All for those old rich business men.

Gross.

Pagkatapos kong ayusan ang mukha ay kailangan ko pang magbihis ng manipis. Yung tipo ng damit na kaunting hila mo lang ay mapupunit mo na. Tangina, 'di ba? Tangina talaga.

"Ang tagal, Freya Kassandra!" My door created a loud noise from a hard slam as I heard my sister's loud groan. I automatically flinched at that.

My sister showed up in front of me, eyes darkening.

She blinked her eyes at my miserable state, tila napansin na hindi ako makapag-kilay ng maayos. Paano ba kasi 'to? Ang swerte talaga ng mga babaeng may natural na magandang kilay.

"Kailan ka pa ba matututo?!" She madly marched towards me like she was about to hit my face. But because I already added foundation and eye makeup, my sister didn't bother to mess up my face even more.

Pwersahan nitong kinuha sa kamay ko ang pang kilay na hawak ko at siya ang nagpatuloy sa pag aayos ng kilay kong maganda naman ang linya, ngunit hindi gaanong makapal.

"Yung kaibigan mong si Veronica Biann panay ang lagay ng makeup sa mukha, panay ang arte sa katawan. Bakit hindi mo tularan?" Inis na tanong niya, matapos gawin ang trabaho niya sa aking kilay.

Kaya ko rin naman.

Paniguradong madali lang naman pag aralan ang pag mamakeup na 'yan! Pero kung gagawin ko'y para sa sarili ko iyon. Hindi para sa atensyon ng mga lalaki kagaya ng ginagawa ko ngayon, kagaya ng iniutos niya.

Hindi ako sumagot. Hindi ako nagsasalita. Wala akong mapapala kung sasagutin ko pa siya, so I just pursed my lips.

Veronica Biann Ambrosio... I wish I was just like her: confident about who she is, confident about her flaws, and she's not ashamed about her scars. An admirably young lady in school, a very kind friend. My best friend.

"Sorry, ate," biglang sabi ko.

I wasn't really about to utter a word, but she kept on staring at me intensely. Sa bawat tingin palang niya'y pinaparamdam na niya sa 'kin na kapag hindi ako nag sorry ay nakahanda na ang palad niya para sampalin ako.

"Bilisan mo na d'yan at malilintikan ka na sa 'kin." Inis na lumabas ng kwarto si ate matapos niyang ipaalala sa 'kin na mag bihis na ‘ko dahil kailangan na namin umalis. Sinuot ko ang inihanda niyang damit para sa 'kin, para sa trabaho ko ngayong Sabado ng gabi.

I don’t want to describe what I’m about to wear. All I can say is it’s indecent and I don’t want to go into details about it. I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror after I wore it because I look like... a damned princess.

I have the looks. Pero never kong nagustuhan na titigan ang sarili sa salamin dahil naaasiwa lang ako. I couldn’t even recognize myself anymore.

I also find it sad and disappointing to look at myself every day in front of this wide mirror in my room, because all I can see in my own appearance is the broken soul of myself, the sadness in my eyes, and how I look so miserable for almost every day of my life— yet people around me never noticed. That's how expert I am about putting a wide smile on my face even though my real emotion was the total opposite of my smile.

"Freya! Bilisan mo naman! Kailangan na natin umalis!" sigaw ni ate mula sa labas ng kwartong ko.

“Opo, ate.” Nang makalabas ako ng kwarto'y wala na si ate rito sa bahay, kaya tiyak na nasa kotse na siya. Nagmadali na akong pumunta ro’n dahil kung magtatagal pa 'ko rito sa loob, paniguradong pagsasalitaan na 'ko ng kung ano anong masasakit na salita ng sarili kong kapatid.

I remember one Saturday night, natagalan ako sa pag aayos. At nang mainis si ate sa kabagalan ko kumilos, sinabihan niya 'kong walang silbi at nagawa pa akong sabunutan dahilan kung bakit mas natagalan ako sa pag aayos. She’s been doing this for almost a year now, mostly every Saturday night.

I don't really know what happened to her, to us. We were both happy when we were younger. We used to play happily when we were still kids. We used to love and take care of each other. But then everything started to be ruined when my mom died 2 years ago because of me. The blame is on me. I'm welcoming the blame for almost every day of my life.

That's how I live; taking all the blame.

I entered the car and I immediately apologized for taking too long to finish preparing.

"Kamusta last week sa club? Did Mr. Lim liked you? Binayaran ka ba?" She asked when she started driving.

Umiling naman ako bilang sagot.

"How about Mr. Sarmiego?" Tanong niyang muli at umiling lang ulit ako.

She's talking about the richest businessmen at the club.

And I automatically saw the annoyance on her face. "Wala ka talagang kwenta, walang silbi. Bakit ba nabuhay ka pa? Hindi mo manlang magamit sa maayos na paraan ‘yang talento mo sa pagsasayaw.” God. I wanted to tell her I don’t want to use my talent in this job, but I wouldn’t risk a fight.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto'y nakarating na kami sa club X, isang malaking club sa Sed City (Sedleah City) na karamihan eh mga businessman ang dumadayo. Matatanda.

She threw me a side glance and rolled her eyes.

"Go ahead. Galingan mo naman, hindi na tayo kumikita. Gamitin mo kalandian mo rito tutal do’n ka naman magaling, 'di ba? Sa kalandian." Kinurot pa niya ang aking tagiliran na may halong gigil sa inis.

Tahimik nalang akong bumaba ng sasakyan at hindi siya sinagot.

Sigurado ba siya sa sinabi niya? Wala nga akong ex-boyfriend, ni hindi ko pa nararanasan lumandi. Even the idea of “kiss” disgusts me, imagining my lips being touched by someone’s lips? I don’t think I’d like that feeling. Nasabi pa niyang sa kalandian ako magaling?

Bahala siya.

Everyone turned their attention to me the moment I entered the club as I let them see my fierce emotions. I confidently walked closer to the stage, a mini stage for strippers like myself.

Pinilit kong magpakita ng isang kaakit-akit na ngisi nang magsimula ng tumunog ang musika ng sobrang lakas.

I began dancing... a seductive kind of dance. My heart quickly felt clenched watching these people having fun at my performance. Naramdaman ko na ang mainit na pagpatak ng luha sa aking mata kaya mabilis kong pinigilan ang sarili na umiyak. 

This is not my personality.

This is not what I desire.

Higit pa rito ang pangarap ko bilang mahusay na mananayaw.

I have nothing against strippers like me, it's their lives. I don't want to judge them, but this is really not my desire as a dancer. Hindi ito ang aking kagustuhan. Hindi ko gustong gamitin ang aking talento para rito.

Subalit wala akong ibang magawa kundi sanayin nalang ang ganitong gawain tuwing Sabado ng gabi. Matagal ko ng ginagawa 'to, dapat masanay na 'ko. Kasi kung palagi kong iiyakan at dadamdamin, ako lang din yung malulugi. Wala naman akong ibang choice.

Hindi ako pwedeng magreklamo, parusa ito para sa sarili ko.

Parusang tinatanggap ko dahil sinisisi ko rin ang sarili ko sa pagkamatay ng sarili kong ina. Kasalanan ko lahat, alam ko 'yon... but do I really need to suffer like this?

Kung sasayaw lang dito tuwing Sabado ng gabi, sige, wala akong problema't hindi ko dadamdamin. Pero ang saktan at maliitin ako ng sarili kong kapatid? Yung halos araw-araw niyang pinaparamdam sa 'kin na hindi ko deserve mabuhay sa mundong ‘to? Hindi ko lubos matanggap ‘yon na sa pagkakamaling nagawa ko noon na hindi ko naman sinadya at ginusto, karapat-dapat ko bang parusan araw-araw?

Sa kalagitnaan ng musika, hinanda ko na ang sarili ko sa pag twe-twerk. I don't really do this thing. Weird, but yes, I'm a stripper who doesn't twerk. Ngayon ko lang gagawin ‘to, utos ni ate para raw tumaas ang bayad sa 'kin ng matatandang ‘to.

I don't really know why my sister's becoming a greedy person when in fact our father who's in abroad never failed to sustain our needs.

Mariin muna akong pumikit at bumuntong hininga. Nang imulat ko ang aking mga mata ay nakita ko agad ang mga tao na halatang nag aabang sa susunod na gagawin ko.

Nakakadiri. Nakakaasiwa. Nakakasuka.

“Matatapos din ang gabing ‘to, Freya,” I said in my mind.

I positioned myself, but I wasn't able to begin at the exact timing.

Someone caught my attention.

Napatingin ako sa isang lalaki na malalim ang titig sa 'kin ngayon. Kitang kita ko rin kung paano nagtatangis ang panga niya habang pinapanood niya 'ko.

I don't know him, but the way he stares at me caught me off guard. He's simply standing in front of me, at the center. Among these old men in suits, this one's only wearing a black leather jacket with a white sando inside. He looks much younger than those men around him.

He caught my attention because of his intense stare at me. Madilim ang paligid pero ramdam na ramdam ko ang malalim niyang tingin sa 'kin, bawat titig niya'y nagbigay ng daloy ng kuryente sa sistema ko.

God. Why am I feeling this way towards a stranger?

I just blinked and I tried doing what I was supposed to do, but fortunately, that guy suddenly came up here on the stage without any warning.

Marami ang sumigaw ng kanya kanyang angal nang umakyat siya rito pero hindi niya 'yon pinansin.

He quickly removed his black leather jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders.

A life saviour, indeed.

"Holy f**k," the guy murmured firmly with his baritone voice.

His brows furrowed as he looked at me. I couldn't see his face clearly because it's dark here, but that didn't stop me from staring at his face.

Every time the disco lights turn into his face, I feel a little bit of excitement to see his face in the light. He's just so... effortlessly attractive in the dark, ano pa kaya sa liwanag? 'Di ko naiwasang mapaisip.

"Let me take you out of this place. I won't harm you, okay? Trust me." He gently caressed my cheek with his thumb.

“Okay,” wala sa sariling sagot ko. He quickly pulled me away from that disgusting stage the moment I unconsciously nodded at his words.

Noong una ay may pumigil pa sa kanya ngunit hindi siya nagpapigil.

Everything happened so quickly.

Everyone was shocked when this guy managed to pull me away from that stage despite being blocked by some security guards. May iba pang nagalit at nadismaya habang nanatiling nakaawang ang labi ko kasabay ng pag kunot ng noo ko habang bitbit ako ng lalaking 'to.

Ang higpit ng pagkakahawak niya sa aking palapulsuhan, halatang ayaw akong bitawan.

I also felt happy that he pulled me away from that stage because I didn't have the moment to continue twerking disgustingly. That could be a disgusting experience to twerk in front of these old rich men. Gabi gabi akong babangungutin kung sakali.

"Saan mo ba 'ko dadalhin?" Naguguluhang tanong ko sa lalaking kapit na kapit sa kamay ko.

He threw me a side glance. "I'll get you out of here."

We were almost at the exit door of the club, but a few security guards blocked our way again. "Sir, you can't get her out—"

"Silvestre," this guy uttered, showing them his I.D.

The moment he showed them his I.D, they immediately let us go. My lips parted at that. Hindi ko alam kung anong klase ng I.D, o kung sino ba siya para hayaan siyang ilabas ako. Sino ba siya?

"My father owned this club before. but he sold it to a scumbag who made this club dirty," aniya na parang nabasa niya ang isip kong nagtatanong.

He looks young compared to those old men inside of this club. He doesn't look like an old man who's rich and willing to save me for himself, but physical appearance doesn't define a person.

He may look the same age as me, he may look harmless but dangerous, he may look like he's just helping me to get out of here, I still don't know what his real intentions are. Hindi ko siya dapat pagkatiwalaan.

Huminto kami sa parking lot, sa katabi ng isang malaking motorsiklo.

"Tangina," he murmured, finally letting go of my hand as he made me stand up in front of him. Padabog pero maingat niya akong iniharap sa kanya.

Umawang ang labi ko. Agad ko ring tinikom kasi kanina pa umaawang ang labi ko! Naguguluhan ako. Hindi ko kasi masiguro kung kilala ko ba siya o hindi. He seems familiar, but I can't figure it out.

"Tangina talaga, ano sa tingin mo ang ginagawa mo?" Iritadong tanong niya, panay ang pagkunot-noo niya.

Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay. Ba't parang masyado siyang apektado eh hindi naman kami magkakilala?

"Are you aware what kind of job you're doing?" His jaw tightened.

I kept my mouth shut as I continued staring at him blankly. Gusto kong magsalita, gusto kong tanungin kung sino siya, but he looks so effortlessly attractive! I wasn't even aware that I'm giving him a mesmerizing stare, but he kept on giving me a confused look.

"Who are you?" I finally asked because I realized I'd be the one who's gonna seem the creep if I continued staring at him without saying any words.

"Zephyr," simpleng pakilala niya. Pinagpatuloy ko lang ang pagtitig sa mukha niya, gano’n din naman siya sa 'kin.

My lips parted again when I realized the reason why he seems familiar. Kahawig niya pala kasi si Joash, isa sa mga kaibigan ko.

Pero pakiramdam ko talaga may iba pang dahilan kung bakit siya pamilyar.

He cupped his head and said, "Kung kailangan mo ng trabaho pwede naman kitang tulungan, basta 'wag dito. You shouldn't working here. Ang bata mo pa," sabi niya.

Silence.

I wasn't able to utter a word because I can't find the right words to say. Para kaming tanga dito sa parking lot, nakatayo at magkaharap. Ang dilim na ng paligid pero panay palitan kami ng tingin na para bang ang linaw linaw ng paligid para magtagpo ang aming mga mata.

I saw him grab a cigarette from his pocket so suddenly. The reason why I rolled my eyes at him. Ayoko sa taong naninigarilyo.

Tahimik niyang sinindihan ang sigarilyo.

Napasinghap ako. "Hindi mo rin dapat ginagawa 'yan. Hindi ba't maraming nagkakasakit dahil sa paggamit ng sigarilyong 'yan?" 

He chuckled at my answer.

"Cigarettes are my comfort zone. What about you? Is this your kind of comfort zone?" aniya, nakatingin siya sa mga mata ko na parang inis na inis sa trabaho ko. As if namang ginusto ko 'to.

Siguro'y bago lang siya sa club na 'to? Kasi kung madalas siya dito edi sana noon pa niya ako napapansin dito. Atsaka bihira talaga ang mga binata dito, panay matatanda kasi ang dumadayo dito. At sigurado akong ka-edad ko lang siya. I'm not really that great of guessing age, but I can really tell that he's just my age, or maybe a year older.

Tinitigan ko siya ng malalim at sinuri ko ang bawat detalye ng mukha niya. He's literally handsome, it's bothering me because he looks really young and familiar. Imposible namang kapatid 'to ni Joash dahil walang kapatid ang isang 'yon. Besides, they don't totally look alike. Just a little. Hawig lang talaga. Tipong kapag nakita mo silang magkasama, iisipin mo agad na magkamag-anak sila.

Pero mas nakakatakot ang awra ng isang 'to.

And I hate to admit that he looks hot & attractive using a cigarette. He's literally bad for my health for having this impact on me.

I sighed heavily and tried my best to avoid his gaze. 'Di ko na siya kayang titigan, I don't want him to assume that I just experienced love at first sight with him… sobrang weird. 

"No, but this is none of your business. Babalik na 'ko sa loob, baka mawalan pa 'ko ng trabaho dahil sa 'yo." I took a step back because I literally have to go back inside, otherwise I'll receive physical abuse from my sister later at home.

Ngunit muli niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko ng sobrang higpit habang hawak pa rin ang sigarilyo niya sa kanang kamay niya.

“Ba’t babalik ka pa sa loob?” He frowned. “You’re not even happy nor comfortable about your job.”

"Bitawan mo 'ko," sabi ko nalang dahil ayokong pag usapan.

“Ayoko.”

Tiningnan ko siya ng masama ngunit hinila pa niya 'ko papalapit sa kanya. Nakayakap ang isang kamay niya sa bewang ko. Our chest almost touched because he kept pulling me closer to him. 

"Alisin mo nga 'yang sigarilyo. Ayoko sa taong naninigarilyo sa harap ko.” I couldn't stop frowning at him because of that, but he only shrugged. 

"Itigil mo nga 'yan, nahahagip ko. Ayoko sa amoy ng usok ng sigarilyo," seryosong sabi ko pero hindi pa rin niya inaalis ang sigarilyong kanina pa umuusok sa mukha ko.

Nagawa pa nga niyang tumawa ng mahina. He seems very amused with every word I say. Parang ewan.

Mukha siyang tanga. Pero gwapo. Pero mukha pa ring tanga. Kasi naman, tinatarayan ko na tuwang tuwa pa… ganito rin ang mga kaibigan ko sa ‘kin, eh. Natatawa lang sila kapag tinatarayan ko sila. Ako kasi yung madalas mahinahon na tao sa aming magkakaibigan. Hindi raw bagay sa ‘kin ang magtaray, eh ano namang gagawin ko kapag naiinis na talaga ako? Hindi ko sila matarayan kasi natatawa lang sila sa ‘kin! Pati ba naman ang Zephyr na ‘to.

"Bibitawan mo 'yang sigarilyo mong 'yan, o ako ang bibitawan mo?" nanghahamon na tanong ko kahit hindi ko alam kung ba’t pinapapili ko pa siya.

Pero hindi niya ako sinagot. Pinagpatuloy niya ang paninigarilyo sa harap ko habang nakayakap ang isang braso niya sa bewang ko’t titig na titig siya sa ‘kin.

I was about to grab his hand away from my waist and take a step back from him, but my stupid eyes suddenly began staring at his lips when he waas blowing his cigarette. Immune ba siya sa sigarilyo, o hindi naman? Yung labi niya kasi… ang pula pula. Hindi halatang labi iyon ng isang taong mahilig manigarilyo. 

I blinked when I watched him licked his lower lips.

"Don't stare at my lips like that… I might not be able to control myself not to kiss you,” he said in a mere husky whisper. Hinawi pa niya ang buhok ko at bumaba ang tingin niya sa labi ko.

"Kiss?” I gulped. “You… want to kiss me?” God, why am I even asking this question? 

The side of his lips rose from a smile. “Only if you’ll give me the permission to kiss your lustrous lips… can I?”

Bigla akong nawalan ng isasagot. Ba’t hindi ako makasagot? Freya Kassandra, ‘di ba sabi mo ayaw mo sa idea ng kiss? It brings me a creepy feeling whenever I imagine myself kissing someone, but why am I hesitating to say no?

“W-why…” do you want to kiss me? I wanted to ask, but I realized it’s stupid. I should just tell him no! “Okay— you can— I mean, n-no, I don’t want— I think… you should. Yes, you should.”

“You mean to tell that I should kiss you?”

“Of course.” The hell, Freya Kassandra?!

I should've not said that! But what could I do?! It's just so freaking hard to control my emotions in front of him. Yung tipong biglang parang gusto ko nalang lumuhod sa harap niya dahil sa nakakapangtunaw niyang tingin. Leche. The last time I checked, hindi naman ako ganito kaharot! I wasn’t even interested in having a crush on someone. I wasn’t even interested in the idea of two person, kissing. Why am I acting differently right now?

"I'm... scared," he replied in a really low voice, “because I may not be able to stop once I kiss you, Kassandra."

“It’s impossible for a person not to stop kissing someone—” Bigla akong natauhan kasabay ng bahagyang pag awang ng labi ko. “You know my name? How—” I wasn’t able to continue my words because his lips quickly reached mine… he carefully let our lips touch.

My eyes widened not because of the kiss, but because I heard him say my name! I didn't even introduce myself to him, so why does he know my name?

I know I should take a step back, or push him away instead. And ask how the f**k he knew my name. Pero para akong tangang kusang pumikit at sumabay sa bawat pag galaw ng labi niya kahit hindi naman ako marunong humalik.

I heard him groan lightly in the middle of our kiss. "Freya, you have to push me away... I wouldn't be able to f*****g stop kissing you," he breathlessly uttered. Posible ba talaga ang sinasabi niya? May tao bang kakayaning hindi tumigil sa pakikipaghalikan? Parang ang labo naman...

I don't know why, but instead of pushing him away, I even tiptoed, held the back of his head, and pulled him closer for the kiss to get deeper.

Hindi ko alam kung paano humalik. Hindi ako marunong humalik. This is my first kiss yet I seem to be an expert kissing him. Ano ba 'tong nangyayari sa 'kin? Para akong nagayuma ng titig niya kanina.

I felt him hold my waist tighter as he tried to put his tongue inside of my lips. I automatically opened my eyes and pushed him away because of that.

Para kasi akong nakoryente nang maramdaman ko ang dila niya! Again, what the hell is happening to me?

"I'm sorry," I mumbled.

His lips parted as he began chuckling amusingly. "Hindi ba't ako dapat yung nag sosorry?"

I blinked my eyes twice and took a step back.

"Say sorry then!" 

He chuckled again while tousling his own hair.

"Do I have to apologize? Parang nag enjoy ka naman—"

"Hoy! Hindi kaya!" Bakit ba ako sumisigaw?!

Humakbang siya papalapit sa 'kin pero agad akong humakbang paatras. "Huwag ka ng lalapit sa 'kin."

"Okay, sorry.” He sighed. “Just give me your address now. Ihahatid na kita—"

"Hindi na kailangan. I don't trust you enough." Iwas tingin ko.

He nodded at me. "Okay, I understand. But I don't want you to go inside again. Hindi kita ihahatid pero sasamahan kitang mag transit para masiguro kong safe ka. And if you also don't like the idea, just call some of your friends to pick you up here."

Mukha naman siyang mabait. But I still chose the latter. I called one of my friends, Joash Mancenido. He quickly answered my call and told me he'd arrived in 5 minutes. Tahimik lang kaming nag intay ni Zephyr. Bigla kaming hindi nag usap at hindi nagkikibuan na para bang hindi kami naghalikan kanina.

"Freya!" Joash called me, parking in front of me as he quickly opened his car window. "Gabi na, ano pang ginagawa mo sa lugar na 'to?"

Bumaba siya ng kotse niya at nilapitan ako. Halata ang pag aalala sa mata niya.

He doesn't know I work here. None of my friends know. I would never let them know.

I swallowed and smiled slyly. "Naligaw lang ako bigla... may hinahanap lang akong tindahan kanina tapos napadpad ako rito."

"What are you saying—" Zephyr was so quick to react, but I secretly pinched his back and that made him shut his mouth.

Napatingin si Joash sa kanya. Ngayon niya lang napansin na may kasama ako.

"Zephyr?" Joash almost yelled. Magkakilala sila?

Naiinip na tumango si Zephyr sa kanya. "Ihatid mo na siya pauwi, she doesn't trust me that much to let me drive her home. Bukas nalang tayo mag usap, basta ihatid mo na siya pauwi."

Tahimik na tumango si Joash sa kanya, mukha siyang naguguluhan kung bakit magkasama kami ng Zephyr na 'to habang ako naman ay halatang naguguluhan kung bakit magkakilala sila.

Magkahawig sila. Wala namang kapatid si Joash. Pinsan kaya?

Pinagbuksan na 'ko ni Joash ng pinto ng sasakyan niya, pero 'di muna ako sumakay.

"Sakay ka na sa loob, may sasabihin lang ako kay... Zephyr," nag aalinlangan na saad ko kay Joash.

Kumunot ang noo niya pero hinayaan niya nalang ako. Pumasok na siya sa loob at agad kong hinila papalayo si Zephyr.

"Hey," I said when we're finally a meter away from Joash's car.

"What? Umuwi ka na, gabing gabi na," he replied.

I took a deep breath and gave him a pleasing stare.

"Please don't tell him anything about my work here. Don't ask me why. Just please... respect my decision."

"Okay," he responded quickly, without any hesitation from his voice.

"Promise?" Dagdag ko pa para makasiguro.

He smiled. "Promise."

Napangiti rin ako sa kanya. "Thank you!"

Tinalikuran ko na siya at binalak ko ng pumasok sa kotse ni Joash, pero muli kong nilingon si Zephyr sa 'di kalayuan na nakatingin pa rin sa 'kin, tila inaantay na pumasok na 'ko sa kotse.

Matamis akong ngumiti sa kanya at kumaway. "Bye! Next time ko na ibabalik 'tong jacket mo kapag nagkita ulit tayo!"

He shook his head. "That's yours now." Then he smiled again, something that made my heart feel warm.

His smile... made me smile genuinely for the first time after 2 years.

~•~