Only You & Me

9

MALIK

A YEAR AGO

Jackie and I were en route to Cebu to assist her brother Macky and his fiancée Cherry in their wedding preparation. They were rushing because it was requested by Cherry's family as she was on the way. 

Jackie has already planned out everything, while I was there to accompany her and to do ocular visit to possibly branch out Gustoso. And-- of course, because I want to be with Jackie. I would miss her when we're apart, so I accompanied her since there wouldn't be a problem in Gustoso, thanks to our capable team that would be led by Ayer and Prince.

Alam din ng dalawang iyon ang nararamdaman ko para kay Jackie. Sabi nila halatang halata daw kasi ako. I couldn't contain what I feel for Jackie to the point that I would tell it to her in a joking manner, until she got used to me uttering my confession of love for her as some sort of humbug. It sometimes annoyed her, but my most favoritewould be when it made her blush.

I know that cute cherry flush of her face was out of embarrassment because of my 'foolishness'. Over the years, I would attempt to overstep boundaries, but would hesitate and back down. 

I'm a coward, that sometimes I just wanted to bang my head on the wall. 

Ngunit titiisin ko na lang itong nararamdaman ko para sa kaniya, dahil hindi ko din alamanong gagawin ko kapag lumagpas ako sa boundary na iyon. Isa pa'y hindi ko din alam paano maging mabuting lover. 

Ayokong pagpraktisan o gawin trial and error ang relasyon namin ni Jackie. Ayoko. Hindi ko lubos maisip kung anong kakahantungan ko kapag nasaktan ko si Jackie o kung masaktan niya ako. Baka umuwi na lang ako ng Brazil at doon maghasik ng kagaguhan sa sama ng loob, o para makalimutan ko lang yung happiness ko-- yung home ko.

"Now, you tell me... how?" pabulong kong sambit habang kausap ang sarili, bago bumaling sa natutulog na babae sa aking balikat.

"Sir, may I offer neck pillow?" the friendly stewardess said with a sweet smile. I accepted the neck pillow, and said thank you. Then, I carefully placed it on Jackie's shoulder. Ngunit nagising siya at naalimpungatan. Napatingin siya sa nakatayong stewardess sa aming harapan.

"Anong merun?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Neck pillow." Turo ko sa shoulder niya.

"Ah," sabi lang niya at pinaglipat lipat ang tingin sa akin at sa stewardess. "Thanks. We don't need anything else. " She smiled sweetly to the stewardess, and held my arm, almost too posessively, which I secretly liked.

"Ok," ani ng stewardess.

"Thank you." Segunda ko with a charming smile as I noticed the annoyed look on her face as she glared back at Jackie. 

"Pleasure is mine, Sir." Ngiti ng stewardess pabalik sa akin, habang naglalakad papalayo . Ako naman ay sinundan ito ng tingin. I was just checking if Jackie would react.

"Sundan mo na kasi," narinig kong sabi niya. I chuckled as I faced her.

"Ba't ko naman susundan?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Aba! Kulang na lang tanggalin mo yang bungo mo at pagulungin papunta sa kaniya." Mahina niyang pagtataray habang inaayos ang neck pillow sa balikat niya.

Inalis niya ang neck pillow at inamoy amoy bago binigay sa akin ito. 

"Amoy pabango ng babae. Siguro pabango niya. Para sa'yo yata yan eh!" Masungit niyang sambit at tinapik ang ilong. "Sus, ang lakas ng pabango! Nakakahilo!" Mahina niyang reklamo.

"Ayaw mo?" tanong ko habang pinagmamasdan ang reaksyon niya.

"Yoko! Sa'yo na." Irap niya at humarap sa may bintana kahit wala naman siyang nakikita dahil madilim sa labas.

"Magkakaroon ka ba?" tanong ko. "Diba after two weeks pa?"

Napaharap siya sa akin at nag-abrisyete.

"Tama bang tanungin mo ako niyan? Nakakahiya! May makarinig sa'yo!" Naiinis niyang sambit. "At saka bakit alam mo? Hindi mo kailangan alamin yon! Dapat wala kang alam sa ganun kasi..."

"Kasi ano? Lalake ako? Kung maka-stereotype ka naman." Sabat ko.

"Hindi yon nu! Ako nga hindi ko kini-keep track. Dinaig mo pa ako!" Sagot niya na bahagyang namumula.

I chuckled at her reaction. "I made sure to keep track because I have to stay clear or be out of sight, in case mag-dinosaur mode ka." I intended to poke her. 

She looks adorable when she's annoyed.

"Parati akong dinosaur mode kaya stay away. Keep off the grass!" Aniya.

Lalo akong napatawa. "Anong keep off the grass? Grass as in si Pempem ba ang tinutukoy mo?" tanong ko.

Namula siya. "Bakit? Yun ba ang ibig sabihin non?"

"Yun ang tingin ko sa sinabi mo."

"Eh ano pa bang mae-expect sa'yo? Parati ka naman green-minded. Parang 7-11. 24 hours."

"Tama, kaya alam mo na dapat ang sagot sa tanong mo kanina."

"Anong tanong?" nalito siya.

"Tungkol sa cycle mo. Kaya ko inaalam para alam ko kung kelan ka fertile o hinde."

Lalong namula si Jackie. I tried to be poker face. 

"Perv mo talaga!" Inirapan niya ako at bumaling ulit sa bintana.

Ako naman gusto ko siyang paharapin at kurutin ang pisngi niya. Para kasing bata itong si Jackie, lalo na pag nako-conscious. Halatang halata. At ang suwerte ko dahil ako lang ang nakaka-appreciate nun. Kasi walang ibang makaka-witness ng mga ganitong toyo ni Jackie kungdi ako lang.

***

After checking out at the airport ay hinila ko na ang aming mga luggage. Nauna akong lumabas ng airport dahil inaayos pa ni Jackie ang kaniyang bag sa loob at hinahanap ang kaniyang mobile phone.Si Jackie naman ay kausap ang kaniyang kapatid na si Macky. Narinig ko sa speakerphone na sinabi ng kaniyang Kuya na susunduin daw kami ng kapatid ng mapapangasawa nito na si Cherry.

Ako naman ay luminga muna sa paligid. Maraming nagaatabay ngunit may isa akong napansin na lalaki. Mestiso, matangkad at matikas ang pangagatawan at may pagka blonde to brown ang buhok. 

Pogi parang ako. Hehe!

He was on the phone and was looking at the direction of the exit. I suddenly felt territorial, and immediately searched for Jackie.

I saw her exiting the terminal and was going to my direction, but she was on the phone. Muli akong napatingin sa lalaki at nakatingin na siya kay Beshy ko! 

By instinct, sinalubong ko si Jackie, at inakbayan. I secretly hoped that he wasn't Cherry's sibling that I heard would pick us up. But if he would be that, I hope he's married with lots of kids--- para hindi magka-interes si Jackie sa kaniya.

Ang mga tipo pa naman ni Jackie ay  mestiso. Pasok siya sa criteria. Foder!

Kapag nagkakaroon pa naman ng crush si Jackie ay kinikilig siya at sa akin pa talaga sinasabi. Malupet!

Foder! Ouch! Dudurog ako, 'Tol!

"You're here? Where?" tanong ni Jackie at luminga linga.

"Jack!" Anito na palapit na sa amin.

Foder!

"Vincent?" sambit ni Jackie na tila nagningning ang mga mata at ngiting-ngiti. I wanted to cover her eyes, but it would just be rude. Ayaw pa naman ni Jackie ng rude. Okay lang sa kaniya ang green-minded, but not rude. Pero nung tiningnan ko sa dictionary, rude and green-minded had the same term in Filipino- bastos.

Foder! I watched as Jackie slowly put her phone down. She was about to walk towards the guy. Dahil naka-angkla ang kamay ko sa balikat niya, palihim ko siyang pinigilan maglakad papalapit. Napaatras siya at napatingin sa akin.

Umiling ako. "We're gonna get a cab." Sabi ko at hinarap siya sa akin. "Beshy, cab. Let's take a cab."

"Baket?"taka niyang tanon. "May sundo tayo. Sasalubungin ko na nga yung sundo na'ten." Paliwanag pa niya.

"Hell, no!" Di ko napigilan masabi, at hinapit siya sa akin.

"Huh?" napakunot noong tanong niya. "Eh pero sundo natin siya." Atras niya at nagpameywang. "Nung problema mo?"

"We're going to take a cab." Aya ko.

"Nu ka ba?" pigil niya sa akin. "Parating na siya! Umayos ka!" Banta pa niya sa akin.

Sumimangot ako.

Siya naman ay humarap na sa Vincent na yon.

Foder! Nag-shake hands sila! I wanted to reap their hands apart.

"Alright, Beshy! That's enough." I pulled Beshy back to me.

Napatingin sa akin si Vincent na may pagtataka.

Matalim ko naman siyang tiningnan.

"Vincent, " natutuwang sabi ni Jackie. "This is Malik Pontes."

'My boyfriend!' Say it, Beshy! B-O-Y-F-R-I-E-N-D!

"Hi," malamyang ibinigay sa akin ni Vincent ang kamay niya. 

"Hey, I'm Malik. Jackie's mine... my best friend." I shook his hand. Well, I gripped his hand so hard.

"Vincent, Jackie's childhood friend." He said, and returned the hard grip back to me.

This means war!

Napansin ni Jackie na hindi pa din kami bumibitaw ng kamay sa isa't isa.

"Okay, guys! Let's go! Where's your car?" tanong ni Jackie.

"It's over there. Is this your luggage?" tanong ni Vincent at tinuro ang Pink luggage ni Jackie.

"Yeah." Sagot naman ni Jackie.

Foder! Bakit ba binitawan ko ang bag ni Jackie. Ah, kasi nga, inakbayan ko siya kanina para pigilan lsiyang umapit sa unggoy na yon!

"Jackie, I'll take care of your bag." Sabi ko at inagaw ang handle ng bag kay Vincent.

Nagkibit balikat si Vincent at lumapit kay Jackie. Inalalayan niya sa siko si Jackie at tinungo ang sasakyan nitong BMW.

Pareho pa kami ng sasakyan!

I gritted my teeth as I tried to be poker face, as I followed them to the car.

Luminga si Jackie sa bandang likod ko para tingnan ako. "Ok lang, Beshy?" tanong niya.

Sumenyas ako sa siko niya na hawak ni Vincent.

Napakunot noo naman si Jackie. Hindi niya maintindihan ang sinesenyas ko na alisin niya ang siko niya sa pagkakahawak ni Vincent.

Nang makarating kami sa sasakyan ni Vincent ay agad nitong ina-unlock ang sasakyan. Binuksan niya ang pintuan para kay Jackie upang umupo sa harapan.

Tinungo naman ni Vincent ang driver's seat at binuksan ang compartment. Habang patungo siya don ay lumapit ak okay Jackie.

I bent a little to be eye level with her, and whispered. "Jackie, sa likod tayong dalawa."

"Ano ka ba? Gagawin nating driver si Vincent?" sagot niya. "Nu ba nangyayari sa'yo?"

"Is everything ok?" Vincent was still standing outside but bent to peek inside the car.

"No, no, nothing." Deny naman ni Jackie. "I just requested Malik to exchange seats with me... because I get dizzy when I'm in front."Sabi niya at bumaling sa akin para panlakihan ako ng mata.

Lumabas na siya sa passenger's seat sa harapan at naupo sa likod. Ako naman ay tinungo ang compartment para ilagay ang aming mga luggage sa likod, at sinara ito.

Pinagmasdan ko si Jackie na nakatingin din sa akin, at may pagbabanta sa mga mata niya. Kung laserbeam ang mga mata ni Jackie, natunaw na ako.

Pabagsak akong naupo sa passenger's seat at sinara ang pinto.

"Seat belt, Beshy." Paalala ni Jackie mula sa likod. Sumunod naman ako.

"Thanks, Jack. Till now you're still as sweet and maasikaso." Sabi naman ng unggoy na nakatingin sa salamin upang makita si Jackie sa likod habang nagsi-seat belt din.

Napatingin ako sa likod upang tingnan ang reaction ni Jackie. Ngiting ngiti siya kay Vincent, ngunit nang ako ang luminga sa likod, tinipid na ni Jackie ang ngiti at kunwari'y di niya napansin ang pagtitig ko ng matalim sa kaniya.

Tahimik na pinaandar ni Vincent ang sasakyan. It was so quiet, when he suddenly broke the silence.

"Addie and Inday did not fly with you?" tanong ni Vincent sa kaniya.

Muli akong luminga sa likod upang masaksihan ang pangngiti ni Jackie, at ang posibleng pagtataksil niya sa akin!

"They'll follow on Saturday. Addie has classes." Matipid na ngiti ni Jackie kay Vincent habang nakatingin din sa mirror.

Sumulyap si Jackie sa akin. Kinindatan ko siya.

Umirap naman sa akin si Jackie, at bumaling sa bintana, habang napasambit ng 'baliw!'.

Sumilip ako sa rear view mirror kung saan ko siya naaninag. She smiled as she gazed upon the window. She looked happy that she was home. I watched her charming smile. The kind of smile that I always see when she looks at me. I felt happy she didn't smile that way to Vincent.

I took my phone and composed a message.

"Love only me, Beshy... :( not your childhood best friend... " I sent her the text message and it made a sound which affirmed that she received it.

She replied, "Baliw! Childhood best friend ko siya. Ikaw ang forever beshy ko. Klaro? Happy?"

When I received her message, Vincent heard the beep, and he felt a bit restless. Somehow, I knew that he knew Jackie and I were conversing via sms.

I smirked and relaxed on my seat. 

***

PRESENT

Our conversation was halted by Shayla, my cousin and wife to Gerard Ponce. "Anong merun sa kanila?" tanong nito na ang tinutukoy ay ang nagu-usap na sina Gerard, Percival at Vincent.  "At anong merun sa mga ngitian ninyong dalawa?" she teased. 

Jackie held my hand. "Beshy," sambit niya. "I-check mo na kung ready na sila Prince sa catering. Pupuntahan lang namin ni Shay sila Gerard."

"Beshy?" nagulat ako dahil bumalik na naman sa Beshy ang tawagan namin. "Beshy talaga?" 

Nahihiya ba siyang ipaalam sa mga barkada namin na kami na? Napaisip ako.

Napakagat labi si Jackie. "Force of habit. Sorry na, please?" pakiusap niya. 

"Okay, Beshy." Tugon ko at ngumiti nang nakakaloko. 

Napangiti na rin siya ngunit namula ang kaniyang mukha. 

"Uy! What's up between the two of you? Yung mga tinginan niyong dalawa ang lagkit. Parang may umiikot na mga puso! Kayo na ba mga beshies?" hirit ni Shayla.

"Sasabihin na ba naten?" I asked her.

"Hala! Ang alin?" kinikilig si Shayla, tila ina-assume na nito ang sasabihin namin na tiyak kong ikakatuwa nito. 

"Later na, pag magkakasama na tayong lahat." Namumulang hiling ni Jackie.

"Sure, B2!" Tugon ko. Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ni Jackie, and muling ngumiti. "Thanks, B1."

"Ano yang B1 and B2 na tawagan niyo? Beshy 1 and Beshy 2?" muling makulit na tanong ng pinsan ko.

"Bananas in pajamas." Sagot ko at hinila si Jackie para akbayanan at halikan sa bandang ulo.

Shayla crossed her arms and smiled. It seemed she was trying to restrain from asking questions. And I was thankful to Shayla for that. I knew she was giving us some privacy.

"Okay, my two loves in the world. I will leave it for the mean time at that." She lovingly smiled to both of us. Bumaling siya kay Jackie. "Tara. Clue me in about that serious look on Ardy's face." Aya nito.

Napatingin sa akin si Jackie. "Samahan ko lang si Shayla ha?" paalam niya.

"Aba! May paalamanan? Humihingi ng permiso?" hirit ni Shayla.

Namula si Jackie habang nakatingin sa akin. 

Ako naman ay saglit na natahimik. Nagaalinlangan kasi akong pabalikin si Jackie doon kay Vincent. He clearly had the intention of making her stumble earlier. It was either he was making a move on Jackie, or he was just reckless and didn't mind whoever was passing by.

"Samahan mo na lang ako i-check yung set up naten. Baka kasi may ma-miss ako." Hirit ko.

"Pero paano sila Ardy, Pyke, at Vincent doon?" nagaalala niyang tanong. 

"Kilala mo yung mga Ponce men. Hindi gagawa ng gulo yon. Yung kapatid ni Ate Cherry mo, hindi ako sigurado."

"I don't think naman gagawa ng gulo si Vincent. " Malumanay na tugon ni Jackie. "Nakilala naman natin siya sa Cebu. He was a gentleman." She smiled at me.

I crossed my arms in front of both of them. Nagseselos ako. "Gentleman siya? Pinatid ka niya, meu amor." Paalala ko. "Bakit mo ba siya ipinagtatangol?" I expressed, trying not to show my emotion.

"Hindi ko siya ipinagtatanggol." Sagot niya habang pinagmamasdan ako. "Aksidente yon dahil hindi ako nakatingin sa dinadaanan ko kasi hinahanap ko ang B1 ko." Malambing niyang hirit. 

I couldn't stop smiling when I heard her say B1 niya ako. 

"Fine. Let's go back there together, again." I said and held her hand. She held Shayla's hand on her other side as we walked back together.

Pag balik namin sa puwesto nina Gerard, Percival, at Vincent ay nabatid kong nagpapaliwanag si Vincent na hindi daw niya napansin si Jackie dumaan kanina at aksidente lamang iyon.

He's lying, and I could sense it as much as Gerard and Percival did. Whatever his intention was, I have decided to let him go. 

"Pare," I said. "Ayos na yon. Hindi mo naman sinasadya, diba?" I said, trying to hide the threat in my voice.

"Yes, pare. Si Jackie pa." He smiled at Jackie, and then looked at Shayla, too. "I'm here to bid on the items that Kuya Macintosh unearthed." He explained to no one in particular.

"Oh, that's good, Mr. Castaneda!" Narinig ko ang boses ni Rori. Nasa tabi na pala ito ni Percival at naka-angkla sa asawa. "The program is about to start." Anito at pinauupo na kami sa aming mga puwesto. 

Tinungo namin ang aming mga table. Naupo kami sa tabi ng mga kapatid ko at ang kanilang mga asawa, ngunit ang mga mata ko ay sinusundan kung saan mauupo si Vincent. Umupo ito sa tabi ng isang pamilyar na babae na mukhang foreigner. 

Si Delia. I remember meeting here in Gustoso. She went there one day, and flirted with me. She was a beautiful woman, and I was single, so I reciprocated. 

Thud... thud... thud...

"Maliiiik!"  Delia moaned in pleasure against the wall. I lifted her and slid in and out of her fast and hard. "Oh my! Yes! Yes! Yes! Faster!" She continued to gasp and moan, while her arms were around my neck, and her legs were wrapped tight around my waist. "Maliiik, I'm coming!" Baling pa niya from left to right.

This is what I wanted when I stayed here in the Philippines. It was the freedom and independence to do anything I wanted, without my older brother Matteo and Papai constantly reminding me to take my life seriously.

"Maliik!" I shoved harder and she moaned louder, that it was almost disturbing. But I just continued to pump until I reached my release. Slowly, I let her down from me, and held on to the wall for support. She didn't let go of me. She wrapped her arms around me, and kissed me on my bare chest. "Maliiik, it feels so good to make love with you!" She uttered.

Making love? Naisip ko. With her? Hell, no! Tanggi ko sa isip ko ngunit tahimik lang ako at pinagmasdan ko lamang siya. Yes, I don't love her, but I like her, so I would pay respect to her if she thought that what we did was making love. But to me, what we did was damned hot f*ck, but that was just it. Nothing more. Para kasi sa akin, making love is a big word. It's as big as commitment. And I'm scared as hell of commitment! I couldn't imagine myself being committed and tied to some girl. I don't know, but I just enjoy being a bachelor! Masarap kaya ang bachelor! You're free! Walang obligasyon! Walang responsibilidad! Hindi ko kailangan umuwi ng maaga sa bahay. Walang masasaktan na damdamin! Walang mandidikta.

Don't get me wrong, but I've never been broken hearted. Yeah, I've had a lot of girl friends, but I've never been hurt even if ako yung iniiwan. Siguro kasi hindi ko rin naman sineryoso yun. Siguro din kasi I haven't found that one person who would make me smile like a stupid teenager kapag hinalikan niya ako. At eto pa! Kapag hinalikan niya ako at matamis ang lasa ng laway niya, yun ang sinyales ko na siya na nga ang mapapangasawa ko. Siya na ang babaeng hindi ko na papakawalan. Yep, that's my sign that kahit hindi pa ako ready mag-settle down, I'm going to pin her down, and not let her go.

"Let's make love again..." she purred which cut me out of my thoughts.

I looked down on her and saw her eager eyes. She bit her lip and I caught her look down on my length which was still thick. Bitin pa rin kasi ako, pero ayoko na sa kanya. At saka may iba akong iniisip. Si Jackie.

Napahilamos ako ng mukha, and tried to clear my thoughts. I don't want to associate Jackie with my sexcapades.

"Are you alright? Do you want to lie down first?" tanong ni Daria and deliberately pulled me to bed. Napahiga ako sa kama, with my feet still touching the floor. She immediately knelt down and started fellating me.

"Stop, Daria." I felt my length stiffen. Napatigil si Daria at mabilis itong tumayo. Itinukod ko ang mga siko ko sa kama habang pinapanood itong magbihis. "Is something wrong, Daria?" I asked.

"It's Delia!" Inis niyang sigaw sa akin. "If you can't remember my name, how will I believe we have something deeper than what we shared?" naiiyak nitong sabi.

"Whoa! Just a second, babe." I said as I stood up. I never liked women crying. It just reminded me of my mom, and how she would get mad at me when I would make fun of girls when I was a kid. I wasn't afraid of my mom, but I felt guilty when women cry kaya naman kapag may umiiyak na babae sa harapan ko ay hindi ako makatiis na hindi na lang sabihin sa kanila ang mga bagay na gusto nilang marinig... maliban na lang kung ang dine-demand sa akin ay commitment. 

"I'm sorry that I forgot your name... but..." nag-isip ako ng sasabihin para tumigil na ito sa pag-iyak. I gently tilted her head to face me. "But the way you sucked my d*ck was just mind blowing that I forgot even my own name!" I said. "What's my name, anyway, gatinha (my p***y cat)? Is it asshole or d*ckhead?" I asked as I acted serious. "See, I can't f*cking remember!" I teased her. "So don't be mad anymore, please?" suyo ko sa kanya and nuzzled my face on her neck, slightly brushing my lips on her skin. I was confident that I could get away with it.

"Stop it," she giggled, and so I stopped.

I waited for a few seconds and watched as her lips curved into a smile.

I had another round with her. Nakatulog si Dalia habang nakahilig sa akin, pero ako ay gising na gising pa rin. 

I was thinking of Jackie. 

"Do you know anyone named Jackie in Gustoso?" she asked.

"Yes, why?" I asked. 

"Well, there's a guy I met in Cebu, and he's into treasure hunting. He mentioned to me that he was going to Manila, and I said I was returning to Manila, too. He said he was going to meet Jackie in Gustoso because she might know a certain map. We went together in Gustoso and met you. I thought she was meeting that Jackie, but he left."

"Jackie? Jackie Alberto? The chef of Gustoso?" I felt alarmed. 

"I'm not sure. He suddenly disappeared that day when he said he was just going to park his car. So, anyway, I didn't bother because I met you. I think it was just a random Jackie." Kibit balikat ni Dalia.

***

PRESENT TIMES

Napatitig ako sa kanilang direction nang maramdaman ko na humawak sa aking kamay si Jackie at bumulong. 

"Type mo ba?" hirit niya.

"W-what?" nalito akong tanong. 

"Yung girl na tinitingnan mo? Familiar siya sa akin, Malik. Tingin ko dati mo siyang girlfriend." Bulong niya na may pagbabanta. 

Napatingin ako sa nakakabighaning mukha ni Jackie at nakalimutan ko na ang iniisip ko kanina. All my mind was focused on was her luscious lips that I've been wanting to kiss so many times already in my head. Now, I have the freedom to do so. I planted a small kiss on her lips which surprised her. 

"B2, você é tudo pra mim. Te amo! (B2, your are everything to me. I love you!)" I sincerely said. 

"Minumura mo ba ako dahil nahuli kitang tumitingin sa ibang babae?" 

Napatawa ako at umiling habang hindi ko maiwasang pagmasdan ang mukha ng babaeng matagal ko ng minimithi. Kinikilig ako, pero sumasakit din ang tiyan ko sa kaba dahil sa takot na inend na namin ng beshy ko ang 8 long years of friendship. 

"Silence means yes. Minumura mo nga ako!" Mahinahon na sabi ni Jackie. Pinapaandaran na naman niya ako ng mala-psychopath na manner ng pagsasalita niya. Yung parang kalma lang pero nakakatakot din.  "Pakyu ka din!" She sweetly and sarcastically said.

Napabungisngis ako. "Tagal!" Pabulong kong hamon at di ko namalayang napakagat labi ako. 

Napatingin siya sa akin at pinaningkitan ako ng mata. "Pagiisipan ko. Bigyan mo ako ng hanggang end of this event." She jokingly said. 

"Bebe, wag mo kong binibiro ng ganyan." I threatened and fixed and shifted on my seat.

Tinirkan niya ako ng mata. "Puwede na ba ako magkaroon ng karapatan magselos?" 

"Yes, bebe." I softly said. "You have the right to be and I allow you kahit noon pa. The moment I decided to come here to the Philippines... it was to follow you, because in my heart, you're mine. And I have already given myself as yours even before... I wasn't sure though if you wanted me--- that was my dilemma back then." I admitted, making sure it was just me and her who could hear our low conversation.

"B1, nakakatunaw panty yung sinabi mo. Pero mamaya lagot ka parin sa akin kasi naalala ko na kung sino yung tinitingnan mo na kasama ni Vincent sa table. Siya yung girl na binigyan mo ng flowers noon." She held my hand tightly. "Dito ka lang. Wag kang aalis sa saya ko. Mamaya mawala ka na namang bata ka."

"Dito lang ako, promise." I said and winked at her.