"Aidan, are you sure about this?" Muli ko siyang binalingan.

Ang buong atensyon niya ay nasa daan habang abala ito sa pag-mamaneho. "Why? Is there a problem if I'm sending my fiancé back home?"

Fiancé. What's with the word that my heart automatically kicked my chest making my head spin wild.

"You sure you're not hungry? You don't want anything?"

Umiling ako. Kanina pa nito iyon tinatanong sakin, kanina ko parin dito sinasabing wala naman akong kahit na anong gusto.

Muli ako ng napabaling sa kamay nitong may bahid parin ng pintura, maging ang suot nitong puting pang-itaas ay ganoon rin.

"So, why are you painting? You're bothered again?" I asked.

Nanatili akong nakatingin sakanya, his eyes were still on the road and I watched his lips twitch as his eyes blinked rapidly.

"That's just some art project I need to submit for school." He said.

"Liar!" Sinimangutan ko ito.

Doon niya ako saglit na binalingan at kinunutan ng noo bago muling ibalik sa daan ang mga mata. "Paris-"

"A person will ordinarily blink about five to six times a minute, or once every ten or twelve seconds," I said. "For some instance, when a person is lying, he may blink five or six times in rapid succession."

Hindi makapaniwalang binalingan ako nito, nakasimangot parin ako. Bago pa siya makapag-salita ay tinuloy ko ang aking sinasabi.

"Exceptions to the usual blink rate mostly have to do with production of dopamine in the body. For example, a person with Parkinson's disease will have a noticeably slower blink rate than what is usual, while a person with schizophrenia will blink more rapidly than normal." My eyes turned in an angry squint. "So, tell me Aidan? It's either you're lying or you're schizophrenic!"

"Now you're being judgmental..." he bit his lower lip as if suppressing a laughter.

"Well science can justify my judgements!"

"Hey, easy..." umabot ang isang kamay nito saking kamay, he held my hand and brought it to his lips giving the back of it a gentle brush. "Will you calm down? Ang sungit sungit mo."

"Because you're lying." Inirapan ko na naman ito bago bawiin ang aking kamay. "I hate liars, Aidan. That's just a simple matter alright, but soon we'll be husband and wife. I don't want a liar for a husband."

Naramdaman kong natigilan ito. Then his eyes started darting back and forth before he cleared his throat.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I like it."

"Like what?"

"You, referring to us as husband and wife." Muli itong tumikhim, it's my time now to freeze in my seat. "Okay, sorry about the small lie I've told you. I'm just trying to reason out. I don't want you to know that yes, I am bothered."

"Why don't you want me to know that you're bothered?" I asked. "Don't you trust me?"

"I do!" Maagap nitong sagot.

"Our brain decides if we should trust someone in only thirty three milliseconds." I mindlessly muttered. "If you do trust me, then why don't you want me to know?"

Nakita ko kung paano ito humugot ng napakalalim na paghinga, iisipin ko sanang naiinis na siya sakin at nagiging makulit na ko ngunit hindi ko maaaring maipagkamali ang kaaliwang sumasayaw sakanyang mga mata.

"Trust is very important in a relationship, and what we're about to have now isn't just a simple relationship, Aidan." I blew an air. "There's a single molecule controls our trust, it's called Oxytocin. You know that warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you just feel good about someone? The more we feel connected to someone, the more Oxytocin we have pumping in our body. That's how we really build trust. So, if you're starting me with your little lie I think that wont help getting us connected."

I heard him groaned. He stopped the car to face me, he has a stupid smile in his face.

"What?" I said, half-annoyed.

"You've already lectured me science, there's only one reason why I don't want you to know that I was bothered." His smiles turned to grins. "You think too much. I just don't wanna stress you, you're pregnant. Baka pati si baby ay ma-stress."

Okay, I'll buy that excuse. I cocked him a brow. "Saan ka naman bothered?"

Nilingon ako nitong muli, tila tinatantya kung magsasabi ba siya sakin ng kaniyang sagot.

I pointed him a finger. "The Oxytocin, remember."

Isang halakhak ang pinakawalan nito bago naiiling na muling binuhay ang makina ng sasakyan. "Your dad wants me dead, I don't know how I'll be able to get near you when you're always well surrounded. I'm bothered and frustrated, about you. About us and our baby."

Napangiti naman ako saking narinig. He's not lying. I know he isn't. "Okay, I'm contented with your answer."

"How about you? Bakit ka malungkot kanina nang puntahan mo ko?" He asked.

"Kasi si Lolo Brad, he compared me with Romee. Kung sana daw naging katulad ako ni Romee, I wont be my family's disgrace-"

"Hold it." He cuts me off. "You're not a disgrace, Paris... you're so precious."

"Really?" I don't know why, but hearing those words from Aidan just made my heart leap in delight.

"Really..." Binalingan nito ang wrist watch niya. "Next time, wag ka ng lalabas ng ganitong oras. Delikado na, para sayo at para kay baby."

Inihinto nito ang sasakyan, napatingin ako sa harapan at bahagyang nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang makita sa tapat ng gate namin si daddy, behind him is mom. They're both in their sleeping wear.

"Oh my God, Aidan I'm sorry!" I bit my lower lip. I can sense trouble, good thing mom is there.

Aidan sighed and killed the engine of his car. He hand me his phone. "Put your number there, I don't think I'll still be able to ask for it once we get off this car."

"Okay." In my fidgeting fingers I registered my number in his phone and gave it back to him.

Tinanggap nito iyon matapos ay isinuot ang hood ng aking sweater saking ulo. Then he went out of the car iyon din ang ginawa ko.

Saglit lamang akong binalingan ng tingin ni daddy, tutok na kaagad ang mga mata nito kay Aidan.

"I'm sorry, dad. I sneaked out. I went to Aidan." Pag-amin ko.

"Get inside, Amanda. Go with your mom." Sabi nito.

"But..." I looked at Aidan, tinanguan ako nito. He even gave me a reassuring smile and mouthed goodnight. Napangiti naman ako bago lumapit kay mommy.

"Red, don't be too hard on him. It's Paris who sneaked out, she wasn't kidnapped." Mom smiled at me before she turned to dad who's still looking at Aidan. "And remember, I used to sneak out a lot just to see you back in the days."

"Chiara, get inside." Dad said.

"Okay..." sagot ni mommy sa naaliw na tono bago akayin papasok sa kabahayan. "Goodnight, Aidan."

Halos mabali pa ang leeg ko kakasulyap kanila Aidan at daddy hanggang sa makapasok na kami ni mommy sa loob ng bahay at mawala na ang mga ito sa paningin ko.

"Mom, will Aidan be safe?" I asked.

"Nag-usap na kami ng daddy mo, he may be everything but he honor his words." She said, nagulat ako nang pamewangan ako nito. "At ikaw naman, Paris Amanda. Ano namang pumasok sa kukote mo at lalabas ka ng bahay ng ganoong oras? Hindi mo ba pwedeng ipagpabukas ang pag-punta mo kay Aidan ha?"

"Mom, I'm sorry." Napalabi ako.

"Whatever!" She rolled her eyes. "Ayaw ko ng mauulit pa ito, Paris. You can't just go out of this house without informing anyone. Lalo pa sa kalagayan mo. You're worrying us and it's not good."

"Sorry..." ulit ko.

"Sige na, umakyat ka na sa silid mo at mag-pahinga. May pasok ka pa bukas, puyat ka. Mamaya yang baby mo may eyebags, lagot ka sakin."

Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi nito, I embraced her and kissed her cheek goodnight. When I lay in bed that night, I felt relief. And I've slept well.

Matapos kong maligo at makapaghanda sa pag-pasok ay nakatanggap ako ng tawag mula sa isang unregistered number.

I've picked it up and was about to ask the caller who he is when he already revealed himself.

"Good morning, Paris. It's, Aidan."

My lips automatically curved in a smile. "Good morning."

"Hindi na ako nakatawag kagabi nang makauwi ako, it was a bit late and I'm thinking that you're already asleep."

"Oh, that!" Sukat doon ko lang naalala na naiwan nga pala siya kay daddy kagabi. "What happened? Are you okay? No broken bones?"

"Relax." He chuckled on the other line. "Your dad didn't get physical."

I sighed in relief. "Mabuti naman."

"You eat your breakfast and take your vitamins. Nag-paalam na ako sa daddy mo, I'll pick you up today and send you to school." Sabi niya. "Wag ka narin mag-handa ng lunch mo, I've packed a healthy lunch for us two."

I froze for a minute bago pa ako makaapuhap ng sasabihin ay nakapagpaalam na ito at mabilis ng naputol ang tawag.

"God! Aidan!" I took a deep breath and shook my head.

Bumaba ako upang mag-almusal, nakasabay ko sa hapag sina mommy at daddy naroon din si Romee na abala sa pagkain ng avocado toast nito.

"I don't want what happened last night to happen again, Amanda." It was dad.

Mom smiled at me, si Romee naman ay nanatiling nasa kinakain ang atensyon. Tila ba walang naririnig.

"Yes, dad." Matipid kong sagot.

"Castañeda, told me that you agreed on his marriage proposal." He said.

"Yes, dad." Muli kong sagot.

I started eating the food in front of me.

"I hope you're not doing this just because you were pressured by people around you, Amanda." Sabi pa ni dad. "Don't let anyone affects your decision."

"This is what I want dad." Kusang lumabas iyon saking bibig.

Nakita ko naman na tumango lamang ito, doon ako binalingan ni Romee. She's beaming.

"So when's the wedding?" She asked. "I'll make your dress!"

"Napag-usapan na ba ninyo iyon ni Aidan, Paris?" Si mommy iyon.

"Actually, we still don't have any plans. I just said yes last night..." I said.

"Oh! So you should now start planning it." Romee smiled. "It's better if makasal kayo agad habang hindi pa visible ang tummy mo, so you could still wear the wedding gown you desire and have the wedding of your dreams! Isn't it just sweet, mom?"

"Pag-pasensyahan mo na ang kapatid mo, she's just excited for you." Mom let out a laughter.

"It's just too bad that sweetness isn't applicable for everyone." Romee's voice laced with bitterness.

Mula sa bungad ng komedor ay sumungaw ang isa sa aming unipormadong kasambahay.

"Ma'am, nasa labas na po ang sundo ni Miss Paris."

"Patuluyin mo, Edna-"

Agad akong tumayo saking upuan. "Mom, hindi na. Malelate narin po ako, we have to go."

I don't want any of them to start asking Aidan about the wedding plans and surely Romee wont miss the chance.

"Ganoon ba? Sige, mag-iingat kayo." Mom said.

Nag-paalam na ako sa mga ito, sa labas ay nakita ko si Aidan sa tapat ng itim nitong McLaren. I immediately smiled when I saw him, he's wearing a casual jeans and a black shirt.

"Good morning..." he greeted, opening the car door for me.

"Good morning."

We both slipped in the car, I turned to him. Bumaling din ito sakin, we stayed staring at each other with a stupid smile on our faces.

Sa kalagitnaan ng byahe ay hindi na ito marahil nakatiis at ito na mismo ang bumasag ng katahimikan.

"Why are you smiling?" He asked.

"I'm not..." I answered playfully. "I'm just exercising my zygomaticus and obricularis oculi muscle to make me feel better."

His hand reached my chin and pressed it a little. "Whatever you say, I like seeing your smile."

Lalo akong napangiti. "I should really be smiling, since laughing and smiling have been shown to increase endorphins, alter internal chemistry, and flat-out heal the human body. Besides using guided imagery, a mom who laughs, smiles, and just has more fun will program happy healthy molecules to flow through her body to improve the health and development of the unborn baby."

"Don't worry, I'll be responsible for your smiles." Sabi pa niya.

Nanghahamong tinignan ko siya. "And how will you do that, though?"

Inihinto na niya ang sasakyan sa tapat ng Med Health building. I unfastened my seatbelt, siya naman ay umabot sa bag na nasa likuran. He then gave me an apple.

"Let's start it from here, I guess?" He said.

Muli akong unti-unting napangiti, agad ko iyong tinanggap atsaka siya tinignan. He's looking at me too, smiling.

"See you at lunch..."

Tumango ako, then my eyes went down on his lips. "See you..."

"Hmm?" Bumalik sa mga mata niya ang aking tingin, he's giving me a quizzical yet mischievous look.

"Kiss me..." I requested, why? I don't know!

But it was too late to take back what I've said. Slowly, inexorably, he presses his lips on mine. It's soft and gentle and chaste and maybe there's no fireworks or sparks, but it's better than that. It's a wave of warmth that fills me up, spilling out from my heart and the warmth of Aidan's lips on mine. Rushing to every corner of my body, the cracks in between my toes, the crooks of my elbows, the tips of my ears. Every inch of me is saturated with something... something I couldn't explain.