"What am I gonna do with the highlighted content?"

From the papers I was reading, my eyes moved up to Wendell, waiting for my answer. Sandali kong sinulyapan ang hawak niyang stapled papers, specifically the contents highlighted in green. "Write it down somewhere so you can easily remember it,"

"Yeah right," mahina siyang natawa bago gawin ang sinabi ko.

"Exams are coming, we have to double time so that we can squeeze in so review."

Muli ko nang binalikan ang aking ginagawa, siya man ay naging abala na rin sa sariling gawain. Med School isn't as easy as it seem. It takes dedication and perseverance, hindi sapat iyong matalino ka lang. And in my case, I guess these will all be a lot easier if I get to see Aidan and Ricos at home every time my day ends. But sadly, it will never be like that.

"I don't wanna sound intruding but may I ask you something?" Wendell blurted out.

"You're already asking, Bakker." I said, with my eyes still on the papers.

I heard him chuckle shortly before clearing his throat to speak again. "I saw Icen De Salvo went inside your car yesterday, he actually caught me looking at him and gave me dagger."

My eyebrows lowered, and I turned to him. "You know Icen?"

"I know of him," he corrected. "Who wouldn't? He's been on every pages of newspapers, not that I'm a fan nor I'm being gay, might say almost every heads in town know the name."

Oh, right! My cousins, Icen and Oxygen, are being caught in the middle of an invisible competition about who's who than who. It all started a couple of years ago when Lolo Brad decided to finally retire, and since it was Uncle Exodus who followed him in the family tree, the responsibility was passed on to him, but Uncle Exodus didn't want it. So he's giving it to Oxygen, which Uncle Vince detested. He wanted to rule the empire he protected all his life, I understand him, it's not easy to accept defeat without an actual fight. He said that if it's not him, it should be Icen, since he's the first born De Salvo of our generation. Icen and Oxygen are pressured, or I don't really know about Oxygen. Everything seems so light for him, while Icen, on the other hand, doesn't want to disappoint his dad and is determined to live up to his expectations.

"He's my cousin," I said.

My ears caught a small yelp from Wendell, did I surprise him again?

"He is your cousin?" ulit pa niya.

"Mm," tumango ako; somehow, it made me smile when people don't know me but keep getting elbow reach. I was used to being liked by the crowd just because of the name I carried, society gives a huge deal about what clan you belong, and they feel like you're untouchable if you're from somewhere influential. While some wanted to be close to you because of perks. And having people like Wendell befriend you without knowing your social status gives me some genuine feelings. "His dad and my mom are siblings."

"Wow, fucking wow..." mahina niyang sabi kasabay ng bahagyang pag-iling. "Why didn't I realize that sooner? Paris Amanda SDL. Casta- just wow,"

Natawa rin ako. "Don't make it seems like a big deal, go on and continue what you're doing. We're chasing time."

"Well, Paris," hindi siya nakinig at mas na tinitigan pa ako. "I'm making it a big deal because this is a big deal,"

I shook my head and marked some words on the paper with the highlighter on my hand.

"I didn't know until now that I was sitting with an heiress," he still sounds astounded. "Can I sit with you, Miss Heiress?"

Muli akong natawa sa biro niya bago sumagot ng hindi siya binabalingan. "Well, Mister, you've been sitting with me for couple of hours now. Don't you think it's too late to ask permission?"

"I'll just take that as a yes," he chuckled softly. "By the way, do you have something to do after this?"

Kumunot na naman ang aking noo bago siya lingunin.

"Like some errands to run?" he paused, "shoot what am I saying, of course you have people to do things for you-"

"Ah! Hey," I cut him off. "Now I have to contest that, not because I am who I am doesn't mean I don't have things to do. I wasn't a princess, this ain't movies. I move to live."

"Alright, my bad," he said in defeat. "Didn't mean something harsh, anyway, as I was asking. Are you free after this?"

Of course, I didn't have much to do after class; I went home for dinner and to Skype with my husband every night. "Why?"

"I did tell you that my family lives in Netherlands right?" maingat niyang tanong, hindi ko iyon tinanguan, but yeah I remember him telling me things about himself. Wendell shares much, marahil ay para hindi rin mabagot sa mga ginagawa namin. "And that my closest friends lives in an apartment at Detroit and the other one is in Delaware, Max and Juno."

"I remember,"

"Paris, it's actually my birthday today..."

Now it was my turn to gasp; I held his arm near me with eyes wide open. "You serious?"

"I won't be kidding," tila naaliw siyang ngumiti. "If it's okay with you, can I ask you to join me for dinner? It isn't so good to eat turkey all by myself."

"Happy birthday, Wendell..." without even thinking, I nodded my head and smiled. "Sure, I'm free to join you."

I know what he might be feeling. I get it. It's sad to celebrate birthdays all by yourself. I'd been doing it all my life, not because I was away from home but because I was distant from people from home. And my birthday was never celebrated like a real celebration.

"Really?" he sounded happy.

Muli akong tumango. "Had I known it earlier, I might've get you a gift."

"Ah," iwinaksi niya ang kaniyang kamay bago masayang ngumiti. "It's not needed, your presence will be so much."

I shrugged and grinned. Mabilis naming tinapos ang aming ginagawa upang makapag-dinner na at makauwi rin kaagad, maaga rin kasi ang klase namin kinabukasan.

Wendell's tire is still in shop so we rode mine. Sa isang dining kami dinala ng daang itinuro ni Wendell. This is the first time I'll eat here, noon lumabas kasi kami ni Aidan nang bisitahin niya ko, he brought me to the finest diner in town, mukhang mas may alam pa siya sa mga lugar dito kaysa sakin, kaya naman ipinasya kong sa susunod na punta niya dito ako naman ang mag-dadala sakanya sa magandang kainan.

The restaurant was full. I looked around at the busy tables. An old couple eating side by side, one glass of wine each, studiously bent over their meals. A group of young women in their thirties collapsed with helpless giggles as a stern woman dining alone nearby looked on and frowned. Businessmen in their grey suits lighting up cigars. American tourists, trying to decipher the menu. A family and their teenage children. The noise level was high. The smoke level, too.

"I'm sorry," biglang sabi ni Wendell nang mapansin marahil ang pagmamasid ko sa paligid. "Is this the first time you'll dine in a place like this?"

May tinanguan siyang unipormadong lalaki na dumaan saming harapan, iilan ding crew ang nakasuklian niya ng ngiti. Sign that he's coming here a lot.

"I'm in love with their turkey here, but if you're not comfortable we can try the one on the next road-"

Mabilis akong umiling. "No, here is fine."

Nagpatiuna na akong mag-lakad patungo sa isang lamesa na inabandona nang dalawang magkasintahan, agad naman iyong inasikaso ng crew. Wendell is right. I haven't been to a place like this, but that doesn't mean I can't fit in. I can tolerate the noise and the smell of smoke if he likes the food here. It's his birthday, and he's the one who should decide.

Naupo si Wendell saking harapan, still a bit worried so I gave him a reassuring smile and started scanning the menu. He'll surely be ordering a plate of turkey, so I'm gonna order a different one.

A server went to us and took our order. Nang umalis ito'y saka ako binalingan ni Wendell, he seems at ease now.

"Let me guess, celebrating twenty eighth?" I chuckled.

"You're two years over, lady," he said.

"Oh," I nodded my head.

"How old is your son, Paris?"

Mentioning my son made me smile genuinely; oh, how I miss his cute, chubby cheeks. "Turning one, I hope I can be there to celebrate his birthday, though I'm always with them in spirit, being there physicaly is still a different thing."

Kumunot ang kaniyang noo bago marahang tumango. "Sorry if I ask, you married young. Was it an arrangement or because you're pregnant? I'm being nosy, I know, but I'm just curious.

Wendell meant no harm, I know. Wala rin namang masama sa naging tanong niya and I could easily answer that. "Well, no. I was pregnant very young and my husband is young, too. Our parents never pushed us for marriage, it was my, our own will."

"But you're too young..." There's a hint of disappointment in his voice that I didn't fail to notice.

Bago ako mag-salita ay dumating na ang aming order, I silence myself first and let the server do his thing. When it was all over, I smiled at Wendell, who was now holding the fork and the knife.

"We're both young but we have to step up the game, there's another life that will soon be depending on us. Aidan, my husband is just one wonderful person. Probably the most wonderful I have ever met, I will ever meet. He's everything. He makes himself responsible for my comfort and for my smile, how much more to our child. So, I've thought that marrying him isn't a bad thing. Best one actually and I'm enjoying being married to him, though we're apart, he always make sure that distance won't matter..." God, I can't help but talk about my husband! I should stop my mouth or we'll go on with this till dawn. "Sorry, I've said so much, let's eat..."

Sinimulan ko ng galawin ang pagkain na nasa aking harapan at ganoon na rin ang siyang ginawa niya.

"He sounds like a good man," he said in the middle of our meal.

"He is a good man," I stated with conviction.

Kung anu-ano pa ang napag-usapan namin ni Wendell habang kumakain bago muling naibalik sakin ang paksa. Wendell is right, the turkey here is fine. I should ask Icen sometimes to have dinner with me here.

"Can't believe your husband let you be miles away from him," he said. "If it was me who has his shoes, I won't be able to survive a day without your pretty face."

I was flattered, alright. He deserves my smile. "But you're not him,"

"Yeah, right."

"Aidan understand, he always understand" I smiled. "And I'm not surprise that he did. I'm a one big puzzle to him when he met me, but see, he solved me."

Binalingan ko si Wendell, he's smiling at me like I'm making his night. Well, if that is the case, I'm glad I am.

"He's the first person who made me feel I'm fun to be with," I sighed.

"Then I'll be the second one."

The dinner went well. I'm full and somehow happy. Wendell is a conversationalist; I enjoyed his company. It was already ten in the evening when I went home. After a quick bath, I opened my laptop and settled on my bed. I logged in to Skype, and a call from Aidan immediately came over.

"Hi," I smiled widely, seeing him. Lord, I miss him!

But Aidan didn't seem to be in the same boat. His lips curved in a lazy smile like he didn't really wanna give me one. "Been waiting for you," he informed.

"Sorry, I had dinner outside with a friend." I'm not sure if I should mention Wendell, but I'm afraid I might upset Aidan.

He sneered as he slouched; I know he might've got it. I don't have friends here. I don't have friends; Aidan is the only person I consider a friend. He's all in one.

"I'm sorry, you waited." I said in a small voice.

"You had date," he avoided my eyes, and his lips formed a firm line.

"Aidan, that wasn't a date!" maagap kong sabi.

"You had a dinner outside with a friend, I heard friend, Paris." He smartly said. "A friend never refer to more than one,"

"Alright," I sighed in defeat. "Wendell and I had dinner at a restaurant nearby, but I don't call it a date! It's his birthday, he doesn't have anyone to celebrate it with-"

"I don't care!" He snarled. "Do you think I'd give a fuck about him? I don't care if he's alone or with a party, dammit, mine is mine!"

I'd never seen Aidan this mad. I don't want him like this. He's always been sweet, and I want it to stay that way.

"Fuck," he muttered; I saw his chest rise and fall, controlling his emotions. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout. I'm just, I just don't like it. Paris, my mind can't stop running of thoughts about you having meal with another guy."

"Aidan, I'm sorry." Now I feel guilty about that one dinner I enjoyed.

"You can easily hurt me in every way, Paris. And I am hurt," he whispered. "I know this sounds pathetic, that's just a fucking dinner. But dammit, my head hurt just by thought of it."

My chest tightened; I could hardly breathe. I bit my lower lip and watched Aidan suffer from whatever he had in mind. I shook my head. This is bad. I don't wanna see Aidan this way again.

"Paris, hindi ko alam kung kaya kong tumagal ng malayo ka" he breathed. "Every second feels forever when you're this far."

"Aidan, wag ka ng magalit, please?" halos naiiyak kong pakiusap sa mahinang tinig.

"Damn, baby, don't cry. I'm sorry." malambing niyang sabi. "I'm not mad. I'm jealous, but I'm not mad. I can never be mad at you. I'm just frustrated. Can I just trade places with people who get to be with you in your every turn?"