Chapter 19

. ₊ ⊹ . ₊˖ . ₊

They say over time, you would understand situations better. You would know why you had to be hurt. You would be grateful that you were delayed and got redirected into your current path. You'll understand that losing people isn't that bad at all. It didn't make sense before, but now I knew better.

"Your books are all best sellers," sabi sa akin ni Mineth. She adjusted her eyeglasses then peered over my face. "But then, it's all becoming redundant. Parang may pattern ka na."

Umirap ako sa kan'ya habang binabato sa cart ang mga pagkain namin para sa bahay. We were in S&R, trying to avoid junk intake by going over the salads and fruits section. Kumuha ng pomelo si Mineth at binato na rin sa loob ng cart.

"It's my writing style," I told her as I went over the salad section. Kumuha ako ng Maki Mango Salad at nilapag ito sa cart. "It's also the reason why it sells. People conform with familiarity, people sometimes read to feel something, anything, and most of the time, pain is the thing that is easy to move readers."

Mineth grimaced upon hearing my litany. Agad siyang umiling at nagpamulsa. Bahagya siyang napaisip dahil sa sinabi ko.

Mineth and I graduated at the same time. Medyo delayed lang si Ruby pero naka-graduate pa rin naman. As much as we want to be together, mas madalas siyang busy dahil isa siyang ganap na corporate slave (her words, not mine). Isa siyang administrative assistant, at mukhang masaya naman siya roon.

Pareho naman kami ng pinasukan na publishing house ni Mineth. Although, our jobs are a bit different. I work as one of their writers while Mineth became one of the head editors. She was promoted as soon as she was regularized because she was good at her job.

Ako naman ay naging isa sa mga writers na inaalagaan ng publishing company namin, ang Likha Publishing Incorporated. I wasn't their best selling author, but I never had a book that didn't sell on the market. Kahit paano ay may naga-abang ng mga libro ko mula sa kanila kaya naman hindi rin nila ako binibitawan. The fees are nice. . .and the contracts are not predatory as well. Pero hindi lang pagiging writer ang trabaho ko, I had to take some part time work as well because it's not like I have a book every month that hits the shelves.

"Pain? Eh, palagi mo lang naman pinapatay yung mga characters mo sa dulo," Mineth retorted while frowning.

"Well, it's my story," I shrugged off. "It's my right to create scenarios that I think would resonate with the readers."

Hindi ko naman pinapatay ang characters ko. . .for the  shock value. I am not that evil. Yet, maybe because I relied on its emotional weight on the readers, lalo na kung paboritong character nila. O baka kasi alam ko. . .lahat naman tayo ay mamamatay din sa huli. I just didn't want them to suffer further from this world.

Napabuntonghinga si Mineth. "At least, make it more emotional. Make the readers relate to the characters. Hindi p'wedeng halos palitan mo na si Kamatayan sa pagpili kung sino ang susunod na kukunin papuntang heaven. Hindi ka na author n'on, sundo na tawag sa 'yo, 'te."

"Hindi ako si tocrescent," I retorted. "That's her style. I am as good as her."

"Hindi ko naman sinabing gayahin mo si tocrescent!" she fired back. "Pero totoo rin. . .magaling din talaga siya."

The best selling author from Likha, or the one that manages to put food on the tables of the employees is tocrescent. An anonymous author, na kahit mga social media n'ya ay hindi masyadong active. Isa 'yon sa mga kinakamangha namin, she was just. . .good at her craft.

She managed to sell 500,000 copies of each book that she had written. Partida ay sa Pilipinas pa lang 'yon. She did it effortlessly, na kahit Marketing Team ng Likha ay hindi nahihirapan ibenta ang mga libro n'ya. She currently holds the 1# best selling author title from our publisher.

Ako ay maswerte na kung nasa top ten. But I don't mind the titles anymore. Noon siguro, nung nagsisimula pa lang ako. It was like an achievement. Pero ngayon, minsan pakiramdam ko ay marketing strategy na lang siya.

"Pero dalawa pa lang ang libro n'ya, ano? At hindi pa romance?" sabi ko nang mapunta kami sa meat section. Mas mura kasi ang karne sa S&R, pero bultuhan mo nga lang itong bibilhin.

"Oo." Tumango si Mineth habang sinisilip kung ano ang pinakamura sa mga manok. "Yung pangatlo yata n'ya ay romance na, pero di pa siya nagpapasa ng manuscript."

"Ikaw magiging editor n'ya 'di ba? Kasi nag-resign na si Sir Dale?"

"Yes!" kumpirma ni Mineth. "Excited nga ako dahil sabi ni Sir Dale. it's an experience to read tocrescent's work. Lalo na hindi rin daw ito mahirap i-edit. Paborito ng mga editors si tocrescent."

"Pero sino ang hawak mo ngayon? May ineedit ka 'di ba? Imposibleng sa akin dahil wala pa akong bagong manuscript na pinapasa," I told her while she was scanning the frozen chickens. 

"Yung bagong papasikat?" she said then put two frozen chickens on the cart. "Si ivong_pearl4s."

Nabulunan ako sa sarili kong laway. Lumingon ako kay Mineth at nagkasalubong ang aking mga kilay. Mineth looked at me with equal confusion.

"Seryoso yung username n'ya?" Umawang ang labi ko.

"Oh, c'mon! She's young," sabi ni Mineth. "College student pa lang yata. Hayaan mo siyang magkamali sa buhay, okay?"

Bahagya kaming natawa. We have nothing against her username. . .it's just a bit tiresome to pronounce because of the underscore and number but if that makes her happy, I don't really mind at all. Saka, lahat naman siguro ng tao ay may phase na nilalagyan ng numero at underscore ang mga username nila eh.

"Are there any big projects? Na pini-pitch sa inyo?" tanong ko kay Mineth.

Mineth barely shrugged. "Wala pa naman. . .oh, mayroon pala."

"Ano 'yon?"

"Naghahanap ng script writer si Kiran," mahinang balita ni Mineth sa akin at tumingin pa sa akin, tila tinatansya ako.

Bahagya akong natahimik. It's been years since. . .we've talked. Hindi na rin kami nagkakasalubong ng landas dahil tila ba iniiwasan n'ya ako. Hindi ko naman siya masisisi. What I did. . . and even what I didn't do definitely left a searing pain inside his chest. I was a living proof that pain was inevitable; kahit pa galing ito sa taong binigyan ka ng kasiyahan noon, masakit pa rin.

"That's nice. . ." I gulped down the bile on my throat. "Katatapos lang n'ya parangalan, ano? Best documentary?"

I've heard about his success story, kalat ito sa batch namin dahil mabilis ang pag-angat ni Kiran sa takilya. He was renowned because of his cinematography, maraming mga cinephile ang nabingwit ni Kiran dahil sa kan'yang mga dokumentaryo. It was rare for a director to be praised for documentaries, kadalasan ay mga reporters o ang mismong kwento ang napapansin. Yet, Kiran managed to do it with ease.

"He only does documentaries for now," sabi ni Mineth sa akin, na tila ba hindi ko pa ito alam. "Pero mukhang ito ang magiging first featured film n'ya at gusto yatang habulin para sa MMFF kaya naghahanap ng writers sa atin."

"Then why don't they hire seasoned ones? Hindi ba mas mapapadali sila roon? At bakit dito sila naghahanap?" puna ko kay Mineth.

Bakit sa Likha pa? They could scout over some known entertainment companies since I know screenwriters and scriptwriters can be found there. Halos mga nasa editorial at mga published authors talaga ang nandito sa Likha.

"Alam mo namang maarte si Kiran," halakhak ni Mineth. "He sure is a pain in the ass but the higher ups are bending to him because once his film gets out, madadamay ang sales ng book version nung pelikula."

"Magkakaroon ng book version?" My lips parted upon hearing that from Mineth.

Tumango si Mineth. "Yup? They're planning on milking Kiran's success. Hindi mo ba nakikita sa feed mo si Kiran? He's practically everywhere! Sikat ang pangalan n'ya ngayon."

My stomach twisted into knots. Ang totoo n'yan ay iniiwasan ko siyang makita. I unfollowed him and even made sure that our paths won't cross. Ewan ko, dahil siguro sa hiya? Dahil siguro alam ko sa sarili ko na mali rin ako at tama siya. . .pinasok ko ang mundo n'ya para lang guluhin ang binubuo n'yang kapayapaan.

"That's good," I exhaled then looked at her. "I'm happy for him. Really."

Mineth wrinkled her nose. "Oh c'mon! Hanggang ngayon ay hindi namin alam bakit kayo nag-break up. Based sa mga kwento mo, ikaw ang may kasalanan."

I almost glared at her and Mineth only laughed at my reaction. Tingnan mo ang isang ito, mukhang natutuwa pa dahil alam ko naman na kasalanan ko rin. I was young back then. . .and a coward.

"Hindi sa gano'n," tanggi ko sa paratang n'ya. "Everything was just too much for us."

I wanted to fight for him but that time it felt like going against the inevitable tide of a tsunami. Iisa lang ang direksyon namin noon, at hindi pa maganda yung patutunguhan.

Ngumiti si Mineth. "Sayang! Akala ko pa naman ay may inaanak na ako sa ganitong edad."

"With this economy? I doubt," I shrugged off my shoulder. "Ang hirap mag-anak ngayon, parang kahit bata ay may bills na agad. Nakaka-relate na nga ako sa matatanda na yung kwento ay bentsingko lang ang candy noon, limang piso kada apat na piraso na ang mga candy ngayon!"

I sighed then shook my head. Bahagya akong natigilan bago lumingon kay Mineth. I bit my bottom lip.

"Sino raw ang. . .gustong writer ni Kiran?" mahinang sambit ko.

Ngumisi siya. "Bakit? Selos ka? Gusto mo ba ikaw?"

"Hindi ah!"

"Hindi ah—ko nagkakamali?" Mineth teased briefly before chuckling. "It's his privilege to pick his writer for his first film; alagang-alaga yata siya ng production studio n'ya eh. He's a money maker, for sure."

"Alam ko. . .kaya nga curious ako kung sino ang writer na gusto n'ya?"

Mineth glanced at me. "Si tocrescent."

Oh.

I tried to smile but it ultimately didn't change my feelings at all.

My heart contorted in. . .a mixture of emotions that I don't want to define. I shouldn't be sad over someone else's success. At kung ako si Kiran, I'd probably pick tocrescent too because she's already well-known.

Totoo naman ang sabi nila. . .you should have a name first before you dream of making it to the screen. Ito rin ang rason kung bakit ang unang script na sinulat ko ay hindi ako yung kinilalang writer.

Hindi ako kilala.

Hindi ako sikat.

Wala pa akong napapatunayan.

It's all in the past now. I don't want to dwell on it because like sands on my hand, it is hard to grasp. Iniiwasan ko na lang din maging topic ito dahil alam ko, kahit ilang dekada pa ang lumipas, the hurt still feels like a fresh bruise.

"Okay naman kayo ni. . .Kiran 'di ba? Was it a mutual decision to end the relationship?" usisa ni Mineth.

We went to the counter as I slowly nodded my head. No'ng sinabi n'ya ang mga salitang alam kong alam n'yang masasaktan din ako, I knew I hurt him painstakingly. Umalis siya noon nang hindi na ako hinayaan pang magpaliwanag. Maybe because in his head, I already ruined the faith he had for me.

"Yes," I sighed. "We're okay."

We have never spoken after that day, is what I meant but I supposed I don't have to explain it to Mineth.

I decided to not contact Nanay and Tatay for a while.  Si Tonton na lang ang madalas kong nakakausap at pinapadalhan ng pera na kadalasan ay sinasauli n'ya o di n'ya tinatanggap. The old Nacia would have cried if she knew that I was neglecting contact with my parents. . .but it's hard to form connections with people who are so keen on cutting you off. Ni hindi nga nila ako naaalala na batiin ako sa kaarawan ko. Dinadaan pa nila kay Tonton yung mga bilin at bati nila.

We paid for our bill and went home. Nakatira kami sa iisang condo unit ngayon. We had to share bills and amenities because our paycheck doesn't leave a lot for us to spend if it will all go to our living expenses. Okay lang naman kay Mineth 'yon dahil magkaibigan kami. It's not hard to split the bill because both of us are responsible when it comes to it.

Kinabukasan ay maaga akong ginising ni Mineth dahil may general meeting daw sa Likha. My eyebrows drew together as soon as she unveiled me from my own blanket.

"Ano ba 'yon?" I yawned.

"Maligo ka na," she hissed, then pointed towards the bathroom. "Bilis! Mal-late tayo!"

"Bakit ba kailangan kasama ako?"

"Free lunch daw," she tried to bait me.

Umangat ang kilay ko sa kan'ya. "Bakit ngayon mo lang ako ginising? Heto na, maga-ayos na!"

It only took half an hour for me to get ready. Nagsuot lang ako ng simpling blue polo na nakabukas ang mga butones, I wore a white inner tank top and partnered the look with denim pants. Tote bag lang din ang ginamit ko dahil wala naman talaga akong gagawin doon. Makikikain lang.

"Bakit daw may pakain? Birthday ba ni Ma'am Gina?" tanong ko habang namumungay pa rin ang mga mata. I was still sleepy despite taking a cold shower.

"Hindi ah," sagot ni Mineth habang nasa byahe kami. "Pupunta yata roon si Kiran. Kaya may free food."

Nanglaki ang mga mata ko. My enthusiasm for free food disappeared into thin air. Biglang gusto kong bumaba ng LRT kahit sa maling station pa! Kakain na lang ako ng street foods sa Quiapo! O kaya tiisin ko na lang itong gutom ko kung sakali!

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi agad?!" I hissed at her. Sinubukan kong taasan ang boses ko pero mahinhin pa rin ito.

"Hindi ka nagtanong?!" she shot back.

Goodness gracious, tumatanda na yata talaga ako dahil mabilis na akong mapikon kay Mineth. I miss having Ruby around, she can handle her well. After all, best friend n'ya si Mineth kaya naman nagkakaintindihan silang dalawa.

I exhaled, trying to calm myself before arriving at the place. I enumerated and listed down things that I could do while Kiran's around me.

One, play dead.

Two, magpanggap na nagka-amnesia.

Three, magpakilala bilang kambal ni Athanacia.

Napapamura ako sa isip ko habang naghahanap ng mga rason kapag nagkita kaming dalawa. I doubt that he has forgiven me already. Alam ko na masakit ang ginawa ko. . .at ng pamilya ko sa kan'ya. The fathomless darkness of his eyes still haunts me until this day. I don't want to invalidate his pain. It's the least that I can do.

Nakarating kami roon saktong 12 p.m. at agad naman akong nagpanggap na busy matapos mapunan ang attendance form. Mineth furrowed her eyebrows but didn't mind my initial disappearance from her side. Alam ko kasi na siya ang lalapitan talaga, she's a good editor so she's known here.

"Is that Cio?" Mineth went towards me and I glanced at her. I looked at the direction her lips pointed.

Pagkalingon ko pa lang ay umawang na ang labi ko. It was a girl who had long black hair, her eyes were sharp and had a glint of coldness. Her slender frame perfectly fit her graphic tank top and black baggy cargo pants. She looked like she was straight out of an anime. Her lips were shaded in mellow rose. Mukha siyang naliligaw pero parang ayaw naman n'yang magtanong.

"She's pretty," I gasped in awe. "Bata rin ba siya tulad ni ibong perlas na may number four sa username?"

Mineth chuckled and shook her head. "I don't think so. She looks young but no one here knows how old she is."

Sinipat ko muli si Cio na mukhang hindi alam kung sino ang una n'yang lalapitan. She looked like a lost lamb. Lalapitan ko sana siya upang magpakilala pero naunang lumapit sa kan'ya ang isang pamilyar na mukha sa akin.

Halos mapasinghap ako nang makita ko siya. His frame was much more bulk now! Almost as if he had a sleeper build beneath all his clothes.

It was Kiran Conjuanco, sporting shorter hair than the last time that I remember. His androgynous features are perfectly placed on his well-proportioned face. His eyes were still serene and captivating. He always blends soft and sharpness well. I looked at his body. . .and well I guess he goes to the gym now because his shoulders are much more defined and broader.

Cio laughed upon seeing Kiran who looked like he was ranting. Napatingin ako sa labi n'ya, I almost gulped upon thinking how much I miss his lips on mine. Hindi nawala ang pagiging masungit ng kan'yang presensya.

"Cute nila 'no?" Mineth mumbled.

"Oo. . ." I trailed off.

"Girlfriend daw ni Kiran si tocrescent," sabi ni Mineth.

I'd lie if I'd say that it didn't pinch my heart to hear the truth. Pero gaya ng mga nakalipas na sakit, this won't stay, I know, I'm sure of it.

Kiran didn't see me, or if he did, he completely ignored me. It was like being punched in the gut but I deserved it. I wrecked his heart. I crushed his soul. I deserved nothing but pain from him.

"Nacia?" Inalog ako ni Mineth. "You okay?"

"Yes. . ." napapaos kong sambit. "Okay lang ako."

Mineth shrugged. "Hilig pala talaga ni gago sa mga writers eh. Writer pa rin ang tipo hanggang ngayon."

"Writer, pero hindi na ako," mapaklang biro ko pero sinabayan ito ng tawa.

Mineth glanced at me with pity but I waved my hand. I don't need it; naiintindihan ko naman si Kiran.

Mahal ko pa rin si Kiran. . .kahit alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi na ako si Nacia noon, na ibang tao at ibang panahon na ito. Imbis na mabago ko ang mundo. . .binago ako ng mundo.

Naglibot pa kami ni Mineth dahil bagong renovate ang building. I was trying my best not to bump into him but life works playfully.

In a happenstance, Kiran's eyes found mine when our paths crossed. Bahagya siyang nagtaas ng kilay sa akin, his lips parted upon seeing me.

"Ah, hello. . ." I nervously said.

"Excuse me," malamig n'yang saad at nilampasan ako.

Nakita ko na bumalik siya sa tabi ni tocrescent. The girl's eyes looked at me, kahit tuloy ay ako napaiwas ng tingin dahil alam ko, pinaguusapan nila ako. The girl was obviously eyeing me.

Pagkauwi na pagkauwi ay hindi ako mapakali. I plugged in my phone to charge it and went to my laptop to search for tocrescent. Alam ko na sa iisang platform lang kami naglalabas ng webnovel. Agad akong napanguso. Why am I stalking her?

Kita ko sa kan'yang profile na ang tanging nandoon lang ay yung dalawang storya na naka-published sa Likha. Ang  Kafkaesque life in Manila at Theater of Stringless Puppets. Both of them were contemporary fiction, pero mabenta sa mga mambabasa ngayon.

I stalked some of her accounts but she was almost inactive. Bumabati lang siya tuwing birthday n'ya, Pasko, at New Year. It was almost as if even without marketing her new books, she could sell them just because she was that talented.

cio @tocrescent
happy holidays! :) pasensya na, ngayon ko lang naalala ang password ko. i hope everyone doesn't let the wintry (on a tropical country, nonetheless) emotions stay. may you find shelter in a cozy place.

Napasinghap ako. She's a formidable force. Lalong namalagi ang inaalagaan kong sama ng loob sa aking dibdib. She's pretty and talented. . .of course, Kiran would like her. Imposibleng hindi n'ya girlfriend 'yon. Maganda eh, ang tanga naman ni Kiran kung di nya jojowain 'yon.

Sana nga tanga si Kiran.

I almost slammed my face on the table. Who am I kidding?! Siya nga ang gustong maging writer! Malamang sa malamang, kaya sa Likha kumuha si Kiran ng writer dahil alam n'yang nandoon si tocrescent! Tuso rin siya, manang-mana sa ama!

I huffed then closed all the tabs. Ayoko na masyadong isipin. Pakialam ko ba kung may bago? At kung maganda at sobrang talentado? Edi buntisin na n'ya si Cio, nang limang beses! 'Yon naman ang pangarap n'ya hindi ba?

I thought I could move forward past it.  Kaso, tinawagan ako ni Mineth at may ino-offer na gig sa akin. I wanted to distract myself from these destructive thoughts and by working myself to the bone, I think I'd be able to forget that Kiran probably has a girlfriend.

Ano bang inaasahan ko? Na ako pa rin? Asa pa ako. He definitely hates me after what happened.

"Tuturuan kong mag-script writing si tocrescent?" Napamulagat ako nang isiwalat sa akin ni Mineth ang gig.

"Yup," she confirmed while slowly nodding her head. "Collab daw kayong dalawa sabi ni Madam Gina. She asked me if there was a writer who wrote a script before and I recommended you. Sayang din kasi yung ibabayad sa 'yo kung di mo kukunin, and besides. . .don't you miss writing a script?"

Para akong malalagutan ng hininga sa sinabi ni Mineth. If I was being rational, this was a good opportunity. Pero dahil hindi ako rational pagdating kay Kiran, halos manginig ako nang mabalitaan ko na script n'ya ang pinaguusapan.

I never have. . .told them about what happened to Sir Pablo Bello. Isa pa, sumikat nang husto ang Script of Us. Ang alam ko ay pinalitan lang nila ang mga pangalan ng bida roon, at isang love team pa ang gumanap kaya naman halos lahat ng sinehan noon ay nagaagawan para maipalabas ng pelikula. I was mum about it. It was part of our contract, kaya kahit gustuhin ko man angkinin 'yon, alam kong wala akong laban.

I sighed, troubled by the possibility of working with Kiran. "Sana naman malaki bayad d'yan ano?"

Tumawa si Mineth. "Siguro naman! Isa ito sa mga malalaking projects nila eh. Kaya nga ikaw agad ang sinabihan ko para naman malibre mo ako kapag nabayaran ka na."

"Parang kahit libreng tuli, di ko maibibigay sa 'yo."

"Loka ka, anong tutuliin sa akin?!"

We both laughed in unison as we went towards the headquarters of Likha. Likha Publishing Inc. has its own building, naghahalong brown at beige pagdating sa kulay ng buong interior nito. It has a modern touch but most of the furniture is made of wood. Ang mga pader ay may mga librong naka-display. Sometimes, nilalagay ni Mineth sa harapan ang mga libro ko para raw ito ang unang titigan ng mga papasok sa Likha.

"Maghintay na lang muna ako rito," I told Mineth while browsing some books at the shelves. "Sabihan mo lang ako kapag kumpleto na ang mga kakausapin para sa project na ito."

Mineth gave a thumbs up and went to the conference room. Ako naman ay nagpatuloy sa pagbabasa ng mga libro. I was trying to reach the high shelf but I had to tiptoe since it was too high for me.

"Ito ba?" Someone, whose hands had tattoos on their fingers, reached for the book for me.

Agad ko siyang nilingon upang pasalamatan pero umawang ang labi ko. He was reading the front cover of the book.

His hair was in a buzz cut, singkit ang mga mata, katamtanan ang kulay ng balat, his frame was both lean and strong. Sa puting longsleeve polo shirt n'ya ay hapit ang kan'yang pangangatawan.

"T-thank you," my voice squeaked as soon as I saw him.

His face had defined brows, a chiseled jaw, and expressive eyes. Agad siyang naningkit nang makita ang pagyuko ko dahil sa hiya. Ang gwapo n'ya. . .bukod kay Kiran, ngayon na lang ulit ako nagwapuhan.

Baka artista siya? Will he be the one who will star in Kiran's film? Di ba may gano'n naman? Nauuna minsan ang casting bago pa man ang paggawa ng script. Mukha kasi siyang artista, ang ganda ng katawan at ang kinis ng mukha. 

Inabot n'ya sa akin yung libro at lalo akong tinubuan ng hiya nang mabasa kung anong title nito. Kantunan 101. Geez! Sa dami ng p'wedeng tingnan ay napunta pa ako sa magazine na pang-lalaki!

"P-para sa boyfriend ko," I stuttered and looked away.

"I didn't ask," masungit n'yang sagot.

"S-sorry," I managed to say.

His brows shot up. Bahagya siyang umiwas ng tingin.

"Do you work here?" tanong n'ya sa akin, not minding my flushed face. "I think I'm lost. . .nag-renovate ba sila?"

I nodded immediately and stood straight. "Yes! Kaya nilipat yung ibang rooms. Saan ka ba papunta? Baka alam ko."

"Conference," tipid n'yang saad. His brows deepened the frown. "Kaya ko na hanapin."

"Hindi," I shook my head. "I insist. Samahan na kita."

Papunta na rin naman ako ng conference eh. Sasamahan ko na lang din siya. Sabay kaming bumagtas ng daan patungo sa conference room.

"Ah, fan ka rin ba ni tocrescent?" I asked in a small voice, trying to create a small talk.

Bahagya siyang natigilan at unti-unting bumagal ang kan'yang paglalakad, he was moving faster than me because his legs were long.

"Ah," he mumbled.

"Ang galing n'ya no?" puri ko kay tocrescent, because even if I was jealous, alam ko naman na magaling talaga siya. "Her narrations are poetic. Minsan nga iniisip ko, kahit kaya ang pag-ungol n'ya ay patula?"

Nasamid siya nang wala sa oras.

He covered his cough using the back of his palm. I widened my eyes and immediately went to his rescue. Pinukpok ko ang likod n'ya upang mas makaubo siya.

"Cio! Nand'yan ka na pala!" Someone called out. "Naligaw ka ba? Sorry! Sabi ko naman kasi sa 'yo magbasa ka rin ng mga text!"

Umangat ang tingin ko rito at umarko ang kilay dahil wala pa naman yung babaeng nakita ko noon. I haven't encountered her yet, kaya sino itong tinatawag ni Alejandro?

Papunta si Alejandro sa direksyon namin. He's part of the staff here and he's really nice. Malaki ang ngiti n'ya nang makita ako at si. . .

Namutla ako nang unti-unting rumihistro sa akin ang katotohanan. I looked at the guy beside me and he was glaring at me. Patay na.

Cio's lips hovered towards my earlobe and whispered. "If you badly wanted to hear me moan, you could have just asked."