"So, hindi ka bumisita kahapon?" Ulit niyang tanong kaya bigla kong naalala ang nangyari kahapon."Pupuntahan ko mamaya!"Ayokong sabihin sa kaniya na pumunta ako kahapon at hindi lang natuloy dahil nakita ko si Rafus na may kasamang babae kasi alam kongng kukutyain ako ni Crezst. Minsan kasi ay epal siya sa love life ko.Hindi ko naman ida-down ang sarili ko kaya masasabi kong pareho kaming maganda pero sa magkaibang aspeto lang."Akala ko talaga pumunta ka kahapon! Ikaw pa naman iyong tipo na go na go pagdating kay Rafus." Aniya at nakakunot ang noo na parang hindi makapaniwala."Akala ko ba ang sabi mo exam first and landi later? Bakit pakiramdam ko, ikaw pa ang tumutulak sa akin para harutin si Rafus, Crezst?"Napakamot siya ng ulo at parang nawiwirduhan sa akin. "Bahala ka na nga sa buhay-harot mo, Slaine!"Natapos ang araw na hindi ko nakikita si Rafus. Okay lang naman dahil ayoko pa siyang makita dahil maaalala ko

"Ris, thank you for coming here with me—"I couldn't let him finish because I've been itching to ask this question ever since, "Why did you leave with saying goodbye to me?"My voice was almost a whisper, and my vision was getting blurry, but I held myself back and averted my eyes from his.I felt his intense stare at me. When I looked back, I saw guilt cross his eyes. I smiled bitterly and grabbed my water bottle."It's okay, you don't need to answer it. You're entitled to that.""I didn't know I'll stay long in Manila, Ris." He uttered after a long silence. He reached for my hand, yet I was quick to put my hand below the table. "Believe me, Ris. I was about to go back here in Antique to study, but I was left with no choice. Mama's sick and confined to the hospital for months. Our business is also at stake so I have to cooperate with my brother.""At least you should have told me you're leaving after that day!"I saw ho

"Hindi ka na sana nag-abala pa, Paris." Marahan kong sabi at bumuntong-hininga.He sweetly smiled at me and then pulled over the car in front of our house, "It's okay, Ris. In fact, I like doing this.""I don't want to get a link with you," I frankly said in monotone.I saw how his Adam's apple moved. He lifted his head a bit to meet my gaze. His look became serious, "Why, Ris?"I cleared my throat and looked away. "Do... I need a reason?"Natahimik siya at nagsimulang namuo ang tensiyon sa loob ng kotse. He tilted his head and licked his lips, "Is this because of what happened back in El Paso?""What? No! That is not the reason—""I already resolved the issues between me and Reun. I already apologized to her about my rude behavior—""Paris, tama na..." mahina kong bulong habang nakahawak sa kamay niya. "Ayoko ng ganito.""What do you mean, Ris?""This..." I uttered after heaving a deep breath.

Kapapasok ko pa lang sa convenience store nang mahagip ng mata ko ang pamilyar na hubog ng katawan. Nagtagal ang pagtitig ko sa kaniya at siguro ay naramdaman niya iyon dahil pagbaling niya sa akin.His expression remained blank, but his intense stare made my knees wobbled. Hindi man lang ba siya nagulat nang makita ako? Grabe na talaga 'to.Imbes na dumiretso sa kaniya ay nagtungo agad ako sa staff room para kunin ang vest at tumulong kay Ate Reive. Sulyap ang tanging nagawa ko kay Rafus. He's preoccupied with the book he's reading, but I was alarmed when he stood up, and I couldn't draw near him because I was busy here on the counter.I wanted to call his name, but it's already too late because he already exited the store. Maybe I'll just text him later if I'm not busy anymore."Miss!" When the girl called my attention."Sorry po, miss." Napabalik ako sa reyalidad at mabilis na kumilos. Tinanggap ko ang bayad niya at magalang na inabot

"I care so much... so much for you, and I don't want you to suffer. Wala akong pakialam kung nadawit ang pangalan namin, ang mahalaga ay ikaw. Ayokong umiba ang tingin ng tao sa'yo dahil dito at hindi ko na mapipigilan ang sarili ko kapag pinasalitaan ka pa nila uli, Ris."I took a step back and stared sharply at him as if throwing daggers. He keeps on reaching my arms, but every time he moves forward, I take a step backward."Why are you doing this to me?! Why?" I sounded desperate. "Fine, if you want to help, then help! But please... spare me! You kept on saying those words even though I've already cleared it between us! You kept on making my mind in turmoil and my feelings confused! Sinabi ko naman sa'yo, 'di ba? Pagkakaibigan nalang ang kaya kong ibigay, na hindi na kita gusto! Why are you doing this, huh? Why? Please respect me, Paris. I don't want to have a connection with you and with your family anymore, and I can't—"Hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko dahil sa pagkabigla. Sumu