In Between The Lines

Kabanata III

Meeting

Sabado at linggo, hindi nag day off si Mama. Nasa ospital siya, nagtatrabaho pa rin.

Hindi ako iniimikan ni Mama kinabukasan. Pinagluto niya ako ng almusal pati ang baon ko sa school ay hinanda na rin niya. Ngunit hindi ko na siya naabutan pa. Maaga siyang umalis at hindi man lang niya ako ginising para sabihan ako na aalis na siya kagaya ng ginagawa niya noon.

No hugs or kisses from her...

Pumasok pa rin ako sa school. Maaga rin kasi hindi ko na kayang magtagal pa sa bahay na magisa.

Nauna akong umuwi dahil hindi na naman ako nagpupunta sa mansyon ng mga Navarro. Tapos na ang trabaho ko sa kanila. Nakakapanibago na datnan ko ang bahay na walang Mama na naghihintay sa akin.

Naglinis na lang muna ako. Hinugasan ko ang mga pinagkainan na naiwan ko kaninang umaga. Nagwalis ako ng sahig sa sala, sa aking kwarto pati ni Mama. Nagpunas na rin ako ng mga bintana. Ngayon naman ay ang aming harapan ang inatupag ko. Winawalis ko ang mga tuyong dahon nang dumating na siya. Sinulyapan niya lamang ako at diretso nang pumasok sa loob ng bahay.

Sumunod namang pumarada ang itim na sasakyan ni Tita Lyra. Nagmamadali itong lumabas at gusto ring pumasok sa loob ng bahay.

"Ang Mama mo?" Tanong niya sa akin.

"Nasa loob na po. Kadarating lang po."

"Hindi ka pa rin ba iniimikan?"

"Hindi pa rin po,"

"Sige, ako na ang bahala sa kanya. Pumasok ka na sa kwarto mo pagtapos mo dito." Sambit niya at nagdiretso na sa loob ng bahay.

Konti lang din naman ang mga dahon na nawalis ko kaya dinampot ko na iyon gamit ang dustpan. Pumasok na rin ako sa loob ng bahay nang matapos ako sa paglilinis sa harapan. Naabutan ko silang nagsasagutan sa kusina at unti unti nang lumalakas ang kanilang mga boses.

"Anong masama sa ginawa ni Lauren? Gusto kang tulungan ng bata!" Si Tita Lyra.

"Walang masama doon! Wala naman akong sinabi na hindi maganda ang ginawa niya!" Sagot naman ni Mama sa mataas na boses din.

"Then accept the money she's giving you! She earned that for you, Lara! She wants to help you!"

"No! I will not accept that! She can do whatever she wants with that money but I will not accept it!"

"She wants you to have it! That's what she wants to do with that money!"

Their heated argument with money reached my bedroom. I couldn't close my door completely since I wanted to hear them. My ears are burning from their shouting but I could not care.

"Hindi mo ba nakikita kung bakit ginagawa niya ito para sayo?" Huminahom na si Tita Lyra.

"She wants to help you because she loves you. She loves you so much that she's willing to sell her paintings that she adored. She sold the painting she did with you even if it has a sentimental value. All that because she doesn't want to see you struggling."

Napuno ng luha ang aking mga mata at naglalandas sila sa aking pisngi habang nakikinig ako sa sinasabi ni Tita Lyra. She's right. I don't want to see Mama struggling and crying anymore. Kung pwede lang na ilipat na lang sa akin ang paghihirap niyang ito ay matagal ko nang nagawa. I am a strong one, for sure. I know that I can handle it.

"It hurts me, ate! Nasasaktan akong isipin na pinoproblema niya ang hindi naman niya dapat isipin. I want her to be a kid. Ayokong pasanin niya ang mundong hindi pa naman nababagay sa kakayahan niya." Humihikbi si Mama. Umiiyak na naman siya.

"Because she loves you, Lara..."

Paulit ulit ko iyong naririnig mula kay Tita Lyra na parang iyon ang sagot sa pagaaway nilang ito. Parang gusto siyang isiksik iyon sa utak ni Mama.

"But she's just a kid... Kids her age should only think about themselves. Think about school, homeworks, and making friends. Not to deal with a loan her stupid father made!"

Yes, he's a stupid father. Mama is like this because of him. Nahihirapan siya dahil sa kanya. How dare he?

"Nasaktan ka, oo. There are a lot of things going on right now with your life. But you do not have to dismiss her care for you... You do not have to limit yourself to accept her love..."

"Anak mo siya, Lara... no doubt! Minana niya ang pagmamahal mo." Narinig ko ang malambing na halakhak nilang magkapatid sa gitna ng iyakan.

"Accept her love, okay? There's nothing wrong with that."

If I could turn back the time from where she's happy, I will do that. But I don't want her to meet my father again. His betrayal would always happen kahit anong gawin ni Mama. But that would mean that I will not be her daughter. And that's fine.

As long as she's smiling genuinely... that's fine.

As long as she feels love... that's fine.

But in this life, I will be hers. Hers and only. And I will make the most of it.

Six years of a roller coaster ride. I completed grade ten. The divorce of my parents is finally done. And now, I finally graduated from Senior High School. I stayed at the top section every year with Marco, Wilder and Oliver. They've become my closest friends.

"Congratulations to us!" Isabella cheered. She's the classmate I had in elementary school. Behind her is Oliver. They're always together. I don't know the real score between them. But they seem happy.

"Congratulations!" Everly, the newest addition to our group.

The cousins, Bethany and Monica greeted and hugged the whole group. Wilder is behind Bethany, pinching her sides softly to get her attention.

"Congratulations, Lauren." Chloe said. Ahh! Marco's girlfriend.

"Thank you, Chloe. Congrats to you too." We hugged and kissed both our cheeks.

I noticed Marco's hands on Chloe's waist all the time while greeting our whole group. All he could look at is her. Na parang mabaling lang ng isang segundo sa iba ang paningin niya sa girlfriend ay mawawala ito. Napairap na lang ako sa kawalan. They are new in this relationship so that's understandable.

Chloe is very demure. The most quiet and innocent. I couldn't help but smile when I think of how he captured Marco's attention. They are very much opposite. Marco is athletic, active. The doberman type. Well, opposites attract. Right?

Tapos na ang aming graduation ceremony at binigyan kaming mga students ng pagkakataon para makihalubilo sa iba pang students. My mom is outside this gymnasium with other parents, waiting for us. I can't wait to give her the biggest and tightest hug ever. Hindi ito mangyayari kundi dahil sa kanya. This celebration should be for her too.

"Let's celebrate! Let's go to the bar!" Everly suggested.

"Bar? Pwede na ba tayong pumasok doon?" Seryosong tanong naman ni Chloe.

"Yes baby. We're all eighteen, we're legal age to enter a bar. Gusto mo ba?" Sinagot naman ni Marco ang tanong ng girlfriend.

"Naku, wag na sa bar. Maingay at mainit dun. Maraming tao. Doon na lang tayo sa bahay ni Isabella." Suhestiyon naman ni Bethany.

Hindi pa kami nakakapasok sa bar pero alam na namin ang set up. Sa mga naririnig namin. Ngayon na gusto naming subukan ay hindi naman matuloy. Because we know that bars will be fully booked with people because of this occasion. Mabuti nang ipagpaliban na lang muna.

"Oo nga, that's a great idea. Magpapaluto ako sa chef ng pulutan." Sambit naman ni Monica.

"Sagot ko na ang alak. Marco, Oliver, ambagan nyo ako." Sabi ni Wilder.

"Ay! Hindi pala ako pwede. May plano kasi kami ni Mama ngayong gabi." Nagbago naman agad ang isip ni Bethany at nagmadali nang umalis sa aming grupo palabas ng gymnasium.

I don't really know the whole story of what happened between Bethany and Wilder. Pero napapansin ko ang pag iwas niya kay Wilder. In all possible chances. Kagaya ngayon, hindi na nga siya nakapag paalam sa amin ng maayos. Gustong sundan ni Wilder pero agad siyang pinigilan ni Oliver at Marco.

Natuloy pa rin ang aming party sa bahay ni Isabella. Mom was eager for me to go since she wants me to experience this before college. Isabella reserved her garden for us. Her help arranged the lights, sounds and table for us.

"Best night ever!"

All were having fun, nakisali na rin ako. Kaonting inom lang kasi hindi ko naman gusto ang lasa ng alak.

Some moments we were dancing and laughing. Mabuti na lamang at malayo ang mga kapitbahay nina Isabella at hindi naman sila nagrereklamo. We only have until twelve midnight. At okay na rin naman yun.

Nagpatawag na rin si Marco ng driver dahil hindi na rin niya kayang magdrive. Ihahatid pa si Chloe and it will be better kung hindi nakainom ang driver. He offered na ihahatid na rin niya ako sa bahay and I did not hesitate na rin. I feel dizzy with too much alcohol and dancing that I could not even open my eyes fully.

"You will drive for us?" I heard Marco asked some tall man in front of me. Nasisiguro kong hindi ito ang driver niya.

"Oo, iwan mo na dito ang sasakyan mo. I brought my car." The man said.

"Okay, fine. Ihatid muna natin si Lauren. She's half asleep now." No I am not!

Pinilit kong umupo ng maayos. Nakaubob kasi ako sa lamesa. Hindi pa rin maibuka ng maayos ang aking mga mata. Hinihila na rin ako ng antok.

Hindi naman marami ang nainom ko. Alam ko at bilang ko iyon. Since this is my first time at mataas din talaga ang alcohol level ng alak kaya bagsak agad ako.

I can smell that someone is approaching me. I heard him sigh and moments after, I'm in the air.

"How many did she drink?" Pagalit na tanong ng lalaking bumubuhat sa akin ngayon.

"Only one small bottle of beer, sir." Sagot ko habang nakapikit ang mga mata.

Konti na lang hihimlay na ako. Konti na lang sasandal na ako sa matigas niyang dibdib at matutulog. I feel so relaxed while he's holding me. Kaya dinadala ako ng antok.

Then all of the sudden...

"Hmm, cake..."

I am dreaming of eating a chocolate cake!

Nararamdaman ko na lumalakad na siya. Naririnig ko na tumahimik na ang paligid at patay na rin ang maingay na musika. My friends are all quiet. They must have all been drunk like me.

I heard him chuckle. "Ngayon mo pa naisipang kumain ng cake? I'm sorry pero wala akong dala eh."

I can still feel my head spinning when I wake up. Pinagluto rin ako ni Mama ng instant noodles para mainitan ang tiyan ko. Sinabi niya na sina Marco ang naghatid sa akin dito at dahil tulog na ako ay pinadiretso na ako sa aking kwarto. Nakapambahay na rin akong damit at si mama ang nagpalit niyon.

Weeks after graduation, some of my friends left town or abroad to take a quick vacation. We didn't leave Batangas but we visited my lolo and the palm plantation. Isang linggo lang kami doon at umuwi rin agad dahil kailangan kong mag asikaso ng mga papeles sa university na gusto kong pasukan.

"Are you sure, Lauren hija? You don't need to get a scholarship. We can help you with the finances." Tita Lecia said.

Nandito ang magkakapatid sa bahay namin para mag tanghalian. Mama is in the kitchen and cooking. She doesn't want any help from us kaya narito kami sa sala at nakaupo sa sofa.

"Malaking tulong po ang scholarship, Tita. Tatanggapin ko rin naman po ang tulong niyo at hindi na rin naman po nagagalit si Mama sa ganitong bagay. Pero ayoko naman pong iasa na lang lahat sa inyo."

"That's not a problem for us! You are our precious niece, of course, we are willing to give everything you need." Tita Lyra held my hands.

The university that I want doesn't have a strict scholarship program for students. Any status can apply as long as you pass their requirements. For we all know, scholarship requires good and above average academic grades. Good moral or clean history from the previous schools that they've been to. And I'm sure I have those. Kaya kailangan ko na silang asikasuhin sa mga susunod na araw.

"Okay lang po, Tita. Gusto ko rin naman pong gawin ito para makatulong kay Mama."

She still doesn't want me to work yet. Kaya scholarship ang kukunin ko. I agree with her reason this time. College is a hard phase and needs a lot of focus and time to pass a semester. Gusto niya na makapagpokus ako sa pag aaral. Ayaw ko na rin na magaway pa kami kaya susundin ko na lang ang gusto niya.

A car parked outside the gate of our house. It was Marco. Lumabas siya ng sasakyan at nagdiretso sa pagpasok sa gate. Pinagbuksan ko siya ng pinto at agad naman siyang pumasok. Nagmano muna siya kay Mama sa kusina at pati kina Tita Lyra at Tita Lecia. He turned to me after and smiled. Handing me a small white envelope.

"Mama said I can invite some of my friends. Oliver and Wilder are coming too." He said.

It's an invitation for his parent's marriage anniversary. As the invitation stated. And it's not just a party... a formal attire party!

"Si Oliver at Wilder lang? How about Isabella and Chloe? The cousins, Monica and Bethany? Everly?"

"They're not here. Chloe is in Manila. Hindi siya makakauwi."

Oh right.

But it's a formal party. What am I gonna wear?

The event will be in five days.

"O-okay. Pupunta ako." Bahala na. Maghahanap pa ako ng damit.

"Good." He kissed my hair. "We'll see you there."

Nagpaalam na siya kina Mama at umalis na rin. Napatingin naman si Tita Lyra sa invitation sa kamay ko at inagaw na iyon sa akin.

"He's kind of cute," Tita Lecia said.

Oh please!

"Tita! He's got a girlfriend. At magkaibigan lang po kami." Paliwanag ko.

"Ay sayang..." sabat naman ni Tita Lyra.

I don't want to be linked with Marco. We're really just friends. He treats me more like a sister, that's all. Nothing more. And I don't see myself liking him romantically.

Agad akong naghanap ng pwede kong suotin sa pormal na party ng pamilyang Gomez. Hindi naman kami mahilig magpunta sa mga ganitong event ni Mama. Unless it's lolo, mahilig din iyon magpaparty lalo na kapag nakukumpleto ang kanyang mga anak sa kanilang bahay.

Hinagilap ko ang dusty blue na maxi dress na sinusuot ko tuwing guest kami ng kasalan. Pasok naman ito sa tema ng party na pormal, conservative at elegant. A-line ang design ng dress na ito na hanggang sakong ang haba at bell shaped ang manggas. Matuturing pa ring conservative kahit na scooped neckline, hindi pinapakita ang cleavage. Pwede na ito. Hindi na rin ako mag aaksaya pa ng panahon para bumili ng bagong damit gayong kukulangin ako sa oras.

"Hindi anak. Ikaw na lang ang pumunta. May trabaho ako ng araw na iyan." Hindi ko mapilit si Mama na samahan ako. Sabi naman ni Marco ay pwede akong magsama pa ng isa.

"Pero Mama, ayoko pong mag isa akong pupunta doon."

"Nandun ang mga kaibigan mo. Hindi ka magisa, Lauren."

Pero mas magiging komportable ako kung sasama si Mama. She can communicate with those people. Nanggaling siya sa ganoong estado at nasisiguro kong madali siyang makikibagay. Ako... I don't want to talk to other older people.

Ano naman ang sasabihin ko?

Kinagabihan pa lamang ay hinanda ko na ang lahat ng gagamitin ko para sa pagaayos. My dress was properly ironed by Mama at pinahiram niya rin ako ng kanyang three inch stilettos. Nakakahiya naman kung hindi ko paghahandaan ito. I got formally invited, that means that I have to present myself properly.

Pinilit kong kumpletuhin ang walong oras na tulog. Naligo agad ako pagkatapos kumain ng tanghalian. I will still have three hours to prepare. Ang sabi sa invitation ay alas sinco ng hapon sisimulan ang party, hanggang alas dose ng madaling araw. Ang haba naman ng selebrasyong iyon. Kung sabagay, rich people don't just do parties because they want to. It is also a business. Kaya nasisiguro ko na dadaluhan din iyon ng malalaki at maimpluwensyang negosyante na kilala ang pamilyang Gomez.

Why do I have to prepare so much? Guest lang naman ako. Ewan ko nga din!

It's been a long time since I met Tita Isadora and her children. I'm pretty sure that they will be there since they are Marco's relatives.

"Mama, kaunti lang po ang ilagay niyo. Agaw pansin pa ako nito."

She's doing my makeup as of the moment.

"You will face not just ordinary people there, anak. I don't want you to look pale!"

See? She knows about events like this. At habang inaayusan niya ako ay pinapangaralan niya ako sa mga dapat at hindi ko dapat gawin mamaya.

"Okay na po ang sheer and light. Simple lang. Hindi naman na po ako maputla." Sagot ko.

Gutso pang dagdagan ni Mama ang kulay sa aking mukha. I want it simple and light, iyong parang wala kang nilagay. I look at myself in the vanity mirror in front of me. Nasa likod ko si Mama na inoobserbahan din ang aking mukha.

My eyebrows were done perfectly. It has a subtle arch and not too dark. She puts a warm nude eyeshadow on my eyelids. Halos kakulay pa rin ng aking balat kaya hindi iyon halata. Unless you look closely at my face. My cheeks were rosy and my lips were pouty and glossy. A light and simple yet elegant looking.

"Let's do something with your hair," Mama is brushing my long black hair.

"Huwag na po. Okay na po ang nakalugay lang."

My hair has a natural curl at the ends. Kaya kahit hindi ko na ayusin ay nagmumukhang sinadya ang kulot nito.

"Let me just fix these curls na lang. They are messy!"

At iyon nga ang ginawa niya.

I can see that she's enjoying this. Natutuwa at masyado siyang nalilibang habang inaayusan ako. She always likes to do my hair and my face. Kahit walang okasyon.

I am her living barbie doll... as she said.

Sinundo ako ng sasakyan nina Marco. I am late, oh my gosh! Hindi namin namalayan ni Mama ang oras at masyado siyang nalibang sa pagaayos sa akin. Ang sabi niya hindi siya makakasama kasi may trabaho siya sa araw na ito. But it turns out it's her day off! Ayaw niya lang talaga ako samahan. Hay Mama...

Pagkarating namin sa gate pa lang ng mansyon ng mga Gomez ay nakanganga na ako. As I remembered from the Navarro's house, it is two times bigger. But they have the same style. Spanish with contemporary inspired exterior. And the driveway... kasya pa ang apat na bahay sa haba nito.

The driver told me that the party is at the garden, sa likod ng mansyon. Maraming sasakyan ang nakaparada sa labas ng bahay at umabot pa iyon sa mahabang driveway nila. I can hear mellow and harmonious music and some voices. Sinidlan naman ako ng kaba pagbaba ko pa lang sa sasakyan.

I don't think I can enter the party alone...

Ako

Hey, I'm outside your house. Can you come pick me? Nakakahiya kasi maglakad magisa.

I sent a text to Marco. Sana lang mabasa niya. If not then it's okay. I just need to internalize before finally entering.

More visitors are coming by the passing minutes. At mas dumadami ang sasakyan na halos mapuno na ang buong driveway. Standing near the big vase of monstera deliciosa, almost hiding myself just so people would not notice me.

My phone beeped after almost fifteen minutes.

Marco

Alright. Stay there. I'll pick you up.

Hay! Mabuti naman.

Parang nabunutan ng tinik ang aking puso nang nakita ko na siyang naglalakad palapit sa akin. Chloe is so lucky having this kind of handsome man. He looks strikingly dashing in his black tux and white long sleeve polo underneath. His hair was done and combed perfectly just like in movies and it suits his face.

"Kanina ka pa ba? The driver didn't inform me that you've arrived. Or I must have been busy, hindi ko na namalayan." He said.

"Kadarating ko lang. I'm sorry kung naabala kita. Nahihiya lang talaga ako."

Inayos ko muna ang aking damit at ang regalong dala para ibigay ko mamaya sa mag asawang Gomez. Marco tucked my hand to his arm para alalayan akong maglakad.

"Our friends are already here. Hindi ka na mahihiya kasi you will be with them the whole time. I'll be with you too."

We arrived at the garden full of people. Nagkukulay kahel na ang langit na nakakadagdag ng estetika ng lugar. The whole place is decorated with drapes and warm lights and flowers. May mga nakaunipormeng puti ang lumilibot na may dalang tray ng wine, champagne at iba pang inumin. May buffet area din at ang nakaagaw agad ng aking attention ay ang kanilang desert table.

Iginiya ako ni Marco palapit sa kanyang mga magulang na nasa gitna at tumatanggap ng mga regalo mula sa mga bisitang kumakausap sa kanila.

"Your dress looks exquisite, Tita." A girl in a muted green long gown that hugs her figure well spoke. She also gave Marco's mother a swift kiss on both of her cheeks.

"Thank you, Dorothy. Yours looks good on you too." Komento naman ng magandang ginang.

After their exchange of compliments, the girl left together with her family to find their assigned table.

Then it's my turn. My heart was beating so fast and I could feel my legs shaking underneath my dress. I memorized my words carefully so that I would not make any mistakes in front of so many people. I have a gift on my hand, ready to give it to the beautiful couple in front.

"Mama, Papa, this is Lauren. She's a friend of mine and my classmate." Marco introduced me as soon as we approached them.

"Hija! Welcome to the party. I hope you will enjoy it." Madame Gomez greeted with a smile on her face. Without a trace of any wrinkles and blemishes on her face. She looked young and glowing.

"Good evening, Lauren." The patriarch said. He looked so much like Marco, the old version. His physique remained masculine and in the right places. Parang hindi tumatanda.

"G-good evening, Ma'am and Sir. Happy anniversary." I stuttered. Oh my goodness.

I extended my arms to give them my gift. Malugod namang tinanggap ng ginang ito. Tiningnan niya muna ako bago marahang sinisira ang wrapper. It revealed a medium sized canvas and my latest painting.

Her eyes widened a fraction and curved her lips upward. She showed the whole canvas to her husband with excitement. Mr. Gomez then places his hand to her wife's waist and meets her eyes with equal happiness.

"Mama loves everything about art. She surely appreciates your gift." Marco whispered.

"This is so beautiful, hija. You have impressed me with this!" Mrs. Gomez said then she turned to her husband. "Martin, we must put this painting in our office!"

"Yes, Thalia. We will. I will have the staff take care of this."

"Thank you so much, Lauren. I truly love this painting. Look son! This is so gorgeous." She showed the canvas in front of us.

That was my last and the latest work I've done last week. Ibebenta ko sana ang painting na iyan kay Tita Lyra ngunit naisipan kong ibigay na lamang ito sa mag asawa bilang regalo. Tamang tama sa selebrasyong ito.

It is a silhouette painting of a man carrying a woman in his arms while facing the majestic and bright moon. The dark grass that adds the softness of the art, the birch tree with yellow to orange leaves beside the couple and the midnight blue sky that stretched its horizon with stars twinkling above. The woman's face was so close that their lips almost touched.

"How did you have this? Did you paint this yourself?" She asked when she saw my small initials at the very bottom of the canvas. It was almost unnoticeable when you don't really give so much attention to it.

"I'm sure she did, Ma. She's a painter." Si Marco and sumagot na bahagyang dinampi ang kanyang siko sa aking braso upang mabawi ang aking atensyon.

"You did?" Manghang tugon ng ginang.

"Ah, yes p-po. Nagpipinta po ako minsan kapag may oras ako." Wala na ang kaba ko nang makita kong tila nagustuhan naman ng mag asawa ang aking regalo.

Thalia Gomez loves my painting. It was not polished well at hindi ko pinaglalaanan ng mahabang panahon iyon ngunit nagustuhan niya pa rin. I don't want to come empty handed kaya minabuti kong ibigay iyon sa kanila.

I saw our table. Wilder and Oliver are already there standing while observing their surroundings. With a glass flute on their hand, gradually sipping the wine. We were about to go there when I saw Tita Isadora rushing her steps to come to me.

"Lauren! It's so good to see you again!" She enveloped me with her porcelain arms.

"Hi Tita. It's so good to see you din po." Bati ko nang bitawan na niya ako.

Kadarating niya lang nang makita ko siyang papasok din ng hardin. Behind her is her complete family.

"Oh! My amigas love your work in my garden. Palagi silang pumupunta sa bahay just to have a look of it. I once held a party after you finished that but I was told that you did not come." Lumungkot ang kanyang ekspresyon sa huling pangungusap na sinabi.

"Pasensya na po, Tita kung hindi ako nakarating noon. I was told about the party po nagging busy lang po kasi ako that time."

"I heard, yes. Gusto pa naman sana kita ipakilala sa mga friends ko. By the way, do you remember my children?"

"This is Adelina..." she clung her arm to the girl beside her.

"Archie..." she referred to the man with glasses.

I remember them, of course. Adelina smiled at me and my god, she grew up well and beautifully. Kuya Archie remained the same over the years. Light aura, soft features.

"This is my husband. He loves your work too!"

"And oh! You haven't met my second son. This is Gus."

Hinila ni Tita Isadora ang braso ng kanyang anak upang mapunta ito sa harapan ko. He towered over me kahit sa suot kong three inch heels. Pumantay lamang ako sa kanyang baba kaya nakatingala pa rin ako para makita ang kanyang mukha.

And my goodness. I have never seen a man this gorgeous.

Kung si Kuya Archie ay may soft features, ang lalaking ito ay kabaligtaran. His eyes were striking and dark... mysteriously dark. They are round but not fully almond shaped. It looks like old Spanish eyes, like those of royals. And they are on me. All on me.

"Hi. We finally met."

His lips curve into a smirk. Those red thin lips that caught my attention. I wonder how soft it is. I almost wanted to touch and feel it. My eyes traveled up to his perfectly chiseled jaw.

My description almost resembled a fictional man in books that came alive and stood tall in front of me.

"Ano nga ulit ang sinabi mo sa pangalan niya?" Nakuha ni Marco ang atensyon ko.

"Huh?" I innocently said without breaking a stare to this man.

"Tunog gasolina?" Binulong iyon sa akin ni Marco na nagpabaling ng aking mukha sa kanya.

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata sa takot na marinig iyon ng kahit sino man sa kanila. I never said that! Gusto ko iyong isigaw sa kanya.

"You don't like it? Well, perhaps you would like my second name." The man named Gus said.

His baritone voice made me face him again. Like music to my ears.

"Huh?"

Lauren, ano ba? Nawawala ka sa sarili mo ng dahil sa isang lalaki? Use your words!

"My second name is Ivan. It's Augustus Ivan in full. You can call me Ivan instead." He said.