TWENTY   “YOU KNOW, I’m really surprise that Azren brought a girl home after several months. Si Alex lang kasi ang dinala niyang babae dito. But after they broke up, he barely go home here.” Meteor awkwardly smiled at his mother.   They just got out from the house and just roaming around the castle-like mansion for five minutes. Ngayon lang ito nagsalita nang makarating sila sa garden sa likod ng mala-palasyong bahay. Hindi alam ni Meteor ang sasabihin sa ni-kwento ng ina ni Azren.   She had never encountered situations like this before. Tita Natalie is a mother to her and she feels comfortable near Josh’s Mom. Magkaibang magkaiba ang pakiramdam niya na kinakausap siya ni Sancha Herrera. She feels suffocated and uncomfortable. Sa paraan kasi ng paggalaw nito ay ramdam ni Meteor na sobrang layo ng estado nila ni Azren sa buhay.   But she remained calm and convinced herself that she’ll get through this

TWENTY-TWO   FROM LOOKING at his laptop, Azren’s gazes went to Meteor’s. She walked slowly to him, hesitating to talk to Azren. Bahagya pang nakayuko ang babae, tila nag-iisip kung itutuloy ba niya ang pakikipag-usap sa binata.   Napansin ni Azren na suot nito ang dress na suot niya nuong pumunta sila dito sa bahay ng mga magulang. Is she going out? Azren leaned on the sofa and crossed his arms.  Meteor doesn’t seem to notice that Azren was watching her hesitate.   Bahagyang umiling si Meteor na ikinangiti ni Azren. This woman is actually not bad. She’s easy to be with, she understands everything he says, he also admits that she is cute, damn. Where did that word come from? She’s a good actress, too... After what happened at the garden, Azren didn’t know what to say that time. Her acting is great! Muntik na siyang maniwala na totoo ang mga nangyayari. He must reward this woman for her great acting.

TWENTY-FOUR   METEOR TUCKED THE strands of hair behind her ears while feeling heavy inside. She was trying to ease the guilt and hesitation to call ‘him’. It just felt wrong. So wrong. Meteor sighed as if her problems would vanish with breathing out, but no. It’s been months! And she has the audacity to call him again after being MIA?   She clenched her phone and shut her eyes close. “Bahala na si Batman.” She dialed his number and every ring she hears makes her heartbeat reckless. Nakailang lunok na si Meteor, nakailang buntonghinininga, nakailang kamot sa batok; trying to find the courage. She just wants someone to talk to.   “Hello?” his morning voice filled Meteor’s eardrums. She felt a tingling feeling on her stomach when she heard his voice again. She missed him so much. She missed Josh so much. Meteor felt like crying. She didn’t know what she was crying for. Is it because of her crashing ego? Or because she badly

TWENTY-SIX GUSTONG MAIYAK ni Meteor sa mga narinig. She had never heard Riu talk like that. Nuong una’y gusto niyang bumangon at sigawan si Riu sa pagiging mataray pero bigla namang umatras iyon. Her sister really cared for her. Nagpalit ng puwesto si Meteor sa paghiga. Ayaw niyang makita ng kapatid o ni Azren na umiiyak siya. Her senses woke up when Azren carried her to the bed. Hindi naman siya tulog mantika. Konting ingay nga lang ay paniguradong magigising na siya. Pero nahihiya kasi siyang gumising kanina at makita niya ang sariling buhat ni Azren. Pasimple niyang pinunasan ang luha bago huminga ng malalim. Hindi niya alam kung ilang oras siyang natutulog. Simula siguro nung umalis si Josh dahil may emergency daw itong dadaluhan hanggang sa dumating si Azren. “May facebook ka ba? Instagram? Twitter? Any socmed accounts?” narinig nanaman niyang tanong ni Riu.