"Congratulations! I am so proud of you guys!" 

I was holding a bouquet of roses for Via. Yanna was also holding one for Kierra and Sevi for Luna. On the other hand, he was holding a bottle of wine for Arkin, his guy best friend. Today was their high school graduation, and I was just watching there the whole time, smiling. I felt like a big sister watching my younger siblings reach another milestone in their lives. 

"Bakit ako walang flowers?" reklamo ni Arkin. "Favoritism!" 

"Choosy ka pa. Hindi ka naman yummy." Inabutan siya ni Sevi ng bottle of wine. 

"Bawal sa 'kin 'to!"

"Para kina Tito at Tita 'yan kasi naghirap silang palakihin ka at tiisin mga kagaguhan mo sa school." Tumawa si Sevi pero natigilan din 'yon dahil binatukan siya ni Arkin. Akala ko mahuhulog ang ulo niya sa lakas noon. "Aray ko! Gago ka!" 

I laughed at them before giving Via a warm embrace. She reached for the bouquet in my hands happily. Inamoy niya pa bago kinalabit si Arkin para ipakita 'yong flowers. Yanna also gave Kierra a hug, inalog-alog niya pa at tumawa sila. Sevi playfully pulled Luna's ponytail backward, earning a punch in the face. He laughed before giving her the flowers. 

I was standing there, smiling. Nakikita ko lang ang ngiti nila, masaya na 'ko. My heart felt so full already. 

"Kumusta sa Areneyow, Sam?" Sevi teased while we were all eating lunch for their graduation party. Nagkasundo sila na dinner na lang kasama ang families. Ang lunch, time for friends. Time for us. 

"I'm still adjusting. Ang hirap, super! But all of my block mates are so nice! I already made so many friends noong ORSEM pa lang, so I'm doing well, I guess." I shrugged and giggled. 

"FEU, kumusta?" Via asked Yanna. 

"FEU pa rin." Yanna shrugged. "Okay lang. Kasundo ko naman 'yong mga ka-dorm ko so GG lang. Nag-aaral naman ako nang mabuti." 

"Ulol, nakikita kita sa bilyaran." Sevi pointed at her, glaring. 

"O? Congrats pala, may mata ka," Yanna sarcastically answered. 

"So tuloy na kayo sa UST? Kayong tatlo, right?" I asked Luna, Kierra, and Via. 

"Archi lang malakas!" Luna happily answered with her fist up. "Excited na 'ko maghanap ng pogi! Hoy, sana may pogi, 'no? Thomasian talaga mga type ko." 

"Aray ko, puta!" Sevi suddenly glared at Arkin before reaching for his leg below the table. I bit my lower lip to stifle a laugh. 

"How about you, Arkin? Your plans?" I asked like a mother. 

"Sus, UP 'yan," Kierra said while laughing. 

"UP Diliman." Arkin smirked at me before sipping on his glass. 

"Boo! Yabang." Binato siya ni Via ng crumpled tissue. 

Pinagpatuloy ko ang pagkain ko habang nagbabangayan sila sa lamesa. I couldn't help but smile, watching them fight each other. I had a hard time moving to Ateneo and leaving them. Hindi ako sanay na wala sila pero kinakaya ko naman ngayon. I made a lot of friends to fill up the empty space inside me. I just finished my first year in college, but I was still adjusting to the environment. It was really hard. 

"Uuwi ka na?" Yanna, my best friend, asked when I went outside. 

Kami na lang ang natitira dahil sinundo na sila Luna. Yanna leaned on the glass wall, holding a cigarette in between her fingers. I stared at it before shaking my head and scratching my nose a bit. 

"That's not healthy, babe," I told her. 

"Sorry." Inupos niya kaagad ang dulo bago tinapon sa basurahan. Then, she gave me an apologetic smile. Yanna had been going through a lot these days, and I understood why she had to look for other ways to cope. 

"If you need someone to talk to, just give me a call." I tapped her shoulder before leaving. "Love you!" 

"Me also!" She yelled, teasing me before I got inside the car. I playfully rolled my eyes and closed the door. 

I went home to the mansion before dinner. Nakatira na 'ko mag-isa sa condo ko sa Katipunan but my parents texted me that they wanted to talk about something so pinasundo nila 'ko sa driver. 

"Here we go again," I whispered to myself when the car stopped in front of the house. 

I thanked the driver before getting off the car. Lumapit kaagad ang helpers para kuhanin ang bag ko at shoes ko, tsaka para tulungan akong tanggalin ang jacket na suot ko. I just gave them a smile. 

"No need. I can fix my stuff," I told them. 

I stopped walking towards the dining room when two unfamiliar men in black walked passed by me. Sinundan ko sila ng tingin hanggang sa makalabas sila sa main door. I bit my lower lip and looked down at the floor, shaking my head. So they were still doing that... business. 

"Mom, Dad," I greeted, not looking at them before I took my seat. The whole family was already seated. Kumakain na sila kahit wala pa ako. Okay lang naman. It wasn't a big deal. 

"Your sister's also here," Dad said.

I took my seat beside my half-sister, who was three years younger than me. Anak siya ni Daddy sa labas. When her mom died, she started living with us. My mom, who was a retired actress, didn't care... or maybe she did a little bit. Maybe she was mad... and she was just trying hard not to show it. Maybe she felt offended, but how would I know? I can't read her. 

Maybe she didn't feel anger because she loved my Dad but because she felt insulted. For my whole life, I had never seen my parents show affection to each other. Maybe because they just married for convenience. 

"Hi, Naomi." I gave her a sweet smile. 

She just raised a brow at me before rolling her eyes. My smile faded, and I just pursed my lips, looking down at my plate. 

I really didn't get why she was treating me like a different person. I was always nice to her. Although Dad had her outside marriage, why would I be mad? She was just a kid too. She didn't ask to be born. She became part of the family ever since she moved here. 

I understood that she probably always felt so out of place. I actually moved to my condo so she could live peacefully in the mansion. I didn't want her to become uncomfortable with my presence. Another reason was maybe because I just... really wanted to leave. 

"You texted me that you want to talk about something. What is it, Dad?" I asked him while eating. 

"Remember when I told you that you're going to marry the son of my best friend? The owner of Ramirez Medical?" he opened it up. 

I bit my lower lip, refusing to look at him, but I still nodded. That was the reason why they allowed me to take Bachelor of Arts in Communication and not Political Science. The condo unit was also part of our deal. I thought they would immediately forget about it, but I was wrong. 

"He's graduating already from UP Manila. BS Biology. Cum laude, Maui," Dad continued talking. 

"And?" I looked at him, expecting him to say more when he stopped. 

"He's the real deal. Maybe it's already time for the both of you to meet. He's already graduating, and you're at the right age to get a boyfriend. We're attending his graduation party." Dad talked with finality. "Just think of it as your engagement day." 

I didn't talk after that. I just finished my food and then went upstairs to my bedroom. I sat on the bed, holding my phone, thinking if I should tell Yanna, but I didn't want to add up to her problems. I sighed and called Sevi instead. 

[Yo! What's up, Atenean?] he teased. 

"I'm getting engaged," I told him. 

[Ha?! Hatdog?! Ano nainom mo?!] He was panicking. 

"I'm getting engaged," I repeated, biting my lower lip to stop my tears from falling. "To a random stranger, Sev. I'm scared. Do not tell anyone about this." 

[Wait, okay ka lang ba?] He sounded concerned now. 

"I have no choice. I already agreed to this before I went to college. I just... I just haven't realized that it's real, you know?" I sighed heavily. "I'm scared. What if..."

[What if pangit siya, gago! Hala!] 

Umurong ang luha ko at inis na napairap na lang sa pinagsasasabi niya. That wasn't my concern! Well, pwede ring kasama siya sa concerns ko pero hindi 'yon ang priority ko! I was just hoping that it would be a good guy. 

[Isipin mo 'yon, pare? Ikakasal ka tapos ang pangit niya, masama ugali, matalino nga at mayaman pero dugyot! Hindi marunong maglagay ng maruming damit sa laundry, nagkalat ang medyas sa sahig, tapos may mga alagang ipis!] He started scaring me more!

"Now I'm starting to think about those things. Hindi naman kasama mga 'yan sa concerns ko kanina." I massaged my head. 

[Ganito na lang! Tingnan mo muna kung bet mo 'yon tapos kung hindi, sabihin mo sa magulang mo, itatanan kamo kita kaya bawal matuloy ang kasal! Ha-ha! Itatakas kita! I got you! Gamitin mo na 'ko! Ganyan naman kayo!] 

"Wow, thank you for that heartwarming plan." I rolled my eyes. "Well... That still made me laugh, so thank you." 

I had never hated June that much. Umaga pa lang, pumasok na ang helpers sa kwarto ko para ilapag ang susuotin ko mamaya. I sighed heavily after taking a shower, looking at the designer dress on my bed. May make-up artist pang hinire si Mommy. 

"You need to look beautiful. You need to stand out in that crowd," Mom told me. "Remember, Maui. Grace, poise, luxury, and charm. You have those. You should have no fear." 

I did not talk. I just stared at myself in the mirror. My short brown hair was braided in a half ponytail, leaving some bangs in front. I was wearing a red sequin bodycon dress ending inches above my knees. A thin strap was holding it, and my cleavage was exposed. I wore a white pair of heels and also a white fur shawl on my shoulders before leaving the room. 

"How about Naomi?" I asked Mom when I noticed that she was not around. 

"She's not going, of course. Have you ever seen your dad introducing that child to his friends?"

"But we just can't leave her-"

"We can," my mom cut me off. "Let's just go, Maureen." 

I looked at the door of her bedroom with concern in my eyes before leaving the house. I entered the white limousine with my mom, looking outside the window the whole time. My heart was beating so fast. I actually tried to search for his face last night, but there was nothing on the internet. Ang nakalagay lang tatlo silang magkakapatid. All boys. Maybe private silang mga tao. 

"You're going to start wearing a ring today. You should be excited."

I looked at my mom with my lips parted. "We're not married yet. Why should I wear a ring?" I tried so hard to tone down my voice. 

"To show the visitors that you and the heir of Ramirez Medical are engaged. They should start talking about it. Para rin may mapakita ka sa mga lalaking lalapit sa 'yo. You are not allowed to fall in love with other guys. That will just complicate things since you won't end up with them in the future." 

I was not allowed to fall in love... That was painful. I felt like my freedom was just easily taken away from me. I started plotting plans in my head while we were on our way to the party. I heard it was a very formal one. A party for the powerful and rich. 

"Be elegant. You are Samantha Vera," my mom reminded me before we entered the large mansion. 

My dad was already there, waiting for us outside the door. He put his hand on my mom's waist before we went inside. There were a lot of visitors in formal attire. I could see some politicians, businessmen and women, and doctors. A lot of them. 

"Senator Stephen Vera, wow! You're late!" A man playfully tapped my dad on the shoulder. 

"Couldn't you wait for ten minutes, Cristopher?" My dad let out a laugh. I guess they were close. "Congratulations! Your son did so well!" 

"He's the only son I could trust." Cristopher, the old man about the same age as my dad, also laughed. "Oh, is this Samantha?" 

"Yes." My dad put his hand around my shoulders to pull me beside him. I gave Cristopher a sweet smile. "This is Cristopher Ramirez. My best friend. The owner of Ramirez Medical. Cris, this is my daughter, Samantha Maureen Vera." 

"Hello, Sir. I've heard a lot of good things about you." I shook his hand, smiling. 

"Wow, I really hope so. Wait a minute, I'll just call my son. He was around here a few seconds ago." He looked around the crowd before he lifted a hand. "Cy, get over here!" 

I tried so hard to remain smiling, but my lips started to shake out of nervousness when I realized that the man he was going to introduce would be my fiancé. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang lalaking naglalakad palapit. He was wearing a white dress shirt with a black necktie and a pair of black slacks. He was holding a wine glass in his other hand while the other was busy loosening up his tie. 

"This is Clyden, my son," Cristopher proudly introduced.

My lips parted while I was staring at him, trying to look closely at his features. He was taller than me. His hair was pushed back with wax, but some strands were falling on his forehead. Perfect jaw, nose, and lips. Thick brows and mysterious eyes. He was attractive... so I got more uncomfortable. He looked dangerous to me! He was too perfect on the outside that it looked so unbelievable. 

"Senator," he greeted my dad, shaking his hand before his gaze turned to me. He looked at me from head to toe with his brows furrowed, which offended me to the core! "Samantha, right?" 

"Yes. How shall I call you?" I was trying so hard to act kind. I didn't like the way he surveyed me from head to toe with his judging look. 

"I don't know. Babe?" he sarcastically answered. "Since we're getting married, right? Would you excuse me, please?" 

My lips parted in shock when he suddenly left the conversation to greet some of his friends who arrived. His dad did not even realize how sarcastic his son sounded! I also excused myself to drink some wine. I wanted to calm myself so badly. 

I talked to some people I knew. Some were my schoolmates, so familiar sila sa 'kin. I was talking to Carlo and Pierce when Clyden suddenly stood beside me like a statue. He didn't even do anything, but Carlo and Pierce suddenly left with apologetic smiles plastered on their faces. I glared at Clyden beside me. 

"What is your problem?" I asked. 

"Usap tayo," he said before walking away, gesturing for me to follow him. 

I rolled my eyes before following him outside. He was just walking in front of me with his hands inside his pocket until we reached the poolside. He stood beside the pool with his back against me. I walked towards him, still holding my glass of wine. 

"Anak ng corrupt na politician." 

Kumunot kaagad ang noo ko at tumingin sa kanya, gulat. Why would he say that in front of me?! Ganyan ba siya ka-rude?! Sabi na nga ba! He was too perfect on the outside kaya may baho siyang tinatago on the inside! 

"I'm very vocal on being against your father. Hindi tayo magkakasundo," seryosong sabi niya. 

"I am not my dad." I gritted my teeth. "And don't worry. Ayaw ko rin sa 'yo. You're an asshole who is so full of himself. Why? Because you graduated as a cum laude in UP?" 

"Paano mo nasabing mayabang ako? Kilala mo ba 'ko?" Tinaasan niya 'ko ng kilay. 

"Paano mo nasabing hindi tayo magkakasundo? Kilala mo ba 'ko?" I fired back. 

"Bakit? Kailangan ba kitang kilalanin?" 

"Same with you, asshole." 

We stared at each other's eyes with the same intensity, like we were trying to see who would give up first. I was always nice to other people, but there was something with him that I just couldn't ignore! He was getting on my nerves by just standing there. 

"We can't marry each other," I finally said. 

"Talaga." He sarcastically laughed. "Ano ba kasi munang naisip mo at pumayag ka rito, ha?" 

"I made a deal. My college program, condo unit, car, marami," I answered. "Why are you blaming me? Pumayag ka rin!" 

"I can't disappoint." He shrugged. "I am the best son among the three." 

"Lame," I whispered, rolling my eyes. 

"Lame? Coming from someone who asked for a car and a condo unit in exchange for her freedom to marry." He shook his head, smirking. 

"You don't know my struggles." I glared at him. 

"And you know mine?" He raised a brow. 

I looked away from him and just stared at our reflection in the pool. He was looking away from me, obviously thinking about the whole engagement thing. I was never this judgmental. I had never treated people like how I treated him, so I felt so guilty about it. Maybe I was trying to project my frustrations to him. 

I looked at him to apologize. "Hey-" 

"Let's just act like we're on good terms," he cut me off. "Let's pretend that we will develop real feelings, fall in love, and get attached, so we could fool them that we have a deep connection until someone makes a mistake. Appeal to their emotions. Let's say you cheated on me." 

"Me?!" reklamo ko kaagad. "I could never cheat! How dare you!" 

"Ako rin, 'no." Inismiran niya 'ko. "Ah, basta. Iisip na lang ako ng paraan. You know, the more we resist, the more they will push that engagement bullshit because that's how they are. Let's just act like we really like each other for now, and we're getting along. Would that hurt?" 

"Okay, then. This may be the last time we will see each other. Besides, we don't have a reason to do so. I just want to remind you that no one should know about this except, of course, the people at this party. I hope this won't spread." 

"Tara na sa loob." Tinalikuran niya 'ko, mukhang walang pakialam sa sinabi ko! 

I drank the remaining wine in my glass and fixed my shawl before following him. He suddenly stopped walking in front of the sliding door, so I almost bumped into his back. 

"What?" My brows furrowed. 

He suddenly offered his hand. I stared at it with so much confusion until he got impatient and intertwined our hands together. He pulled me with him inside the house again. 

"Oh." My mom looked so shocked when she saw our hands. "Where did you guys go?" 

"We had a talk, Mom." I gave her a fake smile. 

"I see! Wait, where's your ring?" 

I looked at Clyden, lowkey asking him about the ring. He looked at me with his brows furrowed, looking confused, too, until his dad tapped his shoulder. He looked away from me to smile at his dad. 

"Oh! Mukhang nagkakamabutihan kayo, ah!" His dad laughed. "I almost forgot, Cy! Check the box I put on your side table. Go check it with Samantha." 

"Yeah, sure." 

Clyden pulled me again upstairs. When we reached the last step of the stairs, he let go of my hand and wiped the sweat on his dress shirt, glaring at me. 

"Excuse me?! It was your hand sweating! Not mine!" I defended myself. 

"Oh, talaga? First time mo nga 'ata may maka-holding hands kaya paano mo malalaman?" he asked while walking towards his room. 

"Ang kapal ng mukha mo." 

He opened the door, leaving it open so I could enter inside. I carefully stepped inside and watched him sit on the side of his bed, holding the small box from his side table. As soon as he opened it, he looked so annoyed. 

"What is it?" I asked. 

"Singsing." He messed up his hair in frustration, closing his eyes. 

"This is so unfair! Why should I be the only one wearing a ring?!" Sumandal ako sa pader, standing meters away from him. 

"Dalawa 'to." He showed the box to me. "Corny." 

"Ugh! Let's just wear it and remove it after!" 

I walked towards him and got the box out of his hand to look at the silver rings. I could easily tell which was his, the one with the thicker band and a square of diamond attached to it. Unlike mine, nakalubog 'yong diamond sa singsing niya. 

"Akin na." He calmly got the box out of my hand again to get the ring. He looked at me like he was waiting for me to do something. 

"What?" I asked him, confused. 

"Kamay mo, akin na." 

I bit my lower lip and looked around, feeling a little awkward. I still offered him my hand. He held it softly before putting the ring on my finger. I stared at him while he was doing that. He was pursing his lips and looking so serious, like it was a real engagement. 

"Huwag kang kiligin. I-suot mo na 'yong sa 'kin." He ruined my moment. 

Inis kong kinuha ang singsing sa box at kinuha ang kamay niya para isuot doon. He was looking away while I was sliding the ring on his finger. His hands felt soft on mine. Binitawan ko kaagad 'yon nang masuot sa kanya. 

"There. We're done. Susuotin lang natin 'to kapag kaharap ang parents, okay?" I cleared that out. 

"Bakit? May crush ka?" He stood up, putting his hands inside his pocket. 

"Marami," I proudly said. "And it's none of your business anymore." 

Nauna na 'kong bumaba ulit sa dining at sumunod naman siya sa 'kin. Our parents looked so happy when they saw us wearing the rings. It felt so weird for me. I can't wait to take it off! 

"Hey, you're still awake," sabi ko nang makita si Naomi sa sofa pagkauwi. Nauna na 'ko kina Mommy. They were still talking to some politicians. 

"How's the party?" She raised a brow. 

"It's... It's a party." I shrugged. "Have you eaten already? I'm sorry we had to leave you here-" 

"I don't need your sorry." She shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't pity me." 

I pursed my lips and nodded before taking my shoes off. Kinuha ko 'yon sa sahig bago naglakad paakyat ng kwarto. 

"Ate, did Naomi eat?" I asked a helper. 

"Yes, Ma'am." 

"Oh, that's good. Thank you." 

I went inside my room to take a shower. While my facemask was on, I sat on the couch and called Sevi to tell him about what happened today. Ang sabi niya tawagan ko siya pagkauwi ko. 

[Ano? Pangit ba?] Sevi asked, laughing. 

"Uhm, no," I told him the truth. "Mabango rin siya. He's also not dugyot. I went to his room, and it was clean."

[Kwarto kaagad?! Lakas mo naman, Sam!] 

"No!" I denied it so quickly. "I just ended up there to get my ring! Anyway, ayaw niya rin ikasal sa 'kin so we're just coming up with a plan. I don't know when we'll meet again. For now, I'll just focus on my studies." 

[Mabait ba?] 

"No!" mabilis na sagot ko. "No, he's not! He's so rude and sarcastic! Nakakainis siya! He's an asshole!" 

[Ah, mukhang butas sa pwet?] 

I rolled my eyes because of what he said. I talked to him for a few more minutes before I ended the call to take off my mask. After that, I went to sleep. The next day, I woke up so early to go for a morning jog. I tied my hair in a ponytail before running around the village. 

Tumigil ako nang makita ko rin si Naomi na nagdya-jogging. I never knew she liked exercising. Nang mapadaan siya sa harapan ko ay hindi niya 'ko pinansin. She even accidentally bumped on my shoulder. 

"It's okay!" I yelled to assure her that it was fine, though she did not even look back and apologize. Maybe she didn't mean to do that. 

I ran for another lap until I saw my sister again. She was about to cross the road with her earphones in when I noticed a car approaching. I ran so fast and pushed her back, causing us to fall to the side of the road. 

"What the fuck is your problem?!" She yelled at me. "Why did you push me?! Do you really hate me that much?!" 

Napangiwi ako nang umupo at nakitang butas na ang leggings ko. My knee was bleeding from the scrape. Naomi glanced at me for a second before leaving. I sighed heavily, wiping my sweat. 

I failed to tell her that there was a car. I didn't mean to push her and hurt her shoulder. I saw her holding it when she walked away. 

Tumayo ako at naglakad pauwi. I stopped in front of the house when I noticed a man holding a cute dog on the leash. Nakaupo siya sa gutter at mukhang may hinihintay. Nag-iba ang itsura ko nang lingunin niya 'ko. 

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked Clyden. 

He stood up and pulled the dog with him. "Summer, sit," he commanded before letting go of the leash. The Golden Retriever sat there, watching him like a good girl. 

"What?" I asked when I noticed him looking at my knee. "What are you doing here in front of my house? Akala ko hindi na tayo magkikita?" 

"Yeah, you left this and my parents told me to give it back to you in person." Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at nilagay ang bracelet ko roon. 

"Oh, I took it off when I went to the bathroom. How did you know it was mine?" My brows furrowed. 

"Kasi Vera ang naka-engrave? Assuming." 

Right! Binaliktad ko ang bracelet at nakita ang apelyido ko roon. He was right. I almost forgot about it. 

"I think you should be leaving now," I told him when he still didn't move. Akala ko ibabalik niya lang? Dapat umalis na siya, right? 

"Gamutin ko muna 'yong tuhod mo," he said before going inside the gate. "Summer, let's go." 

Sumimangot ako at sumunod sa kanya papasok. He greeted my mom at the garden before he went inside, asking the helper for the first-aid kit. Inis akong umupo sa couch, nagtataka kung bakit ba nangingialam pa siya! Hindi pa naman siya doctor! 

"I am not your patient," I told him after changing inside the bathroom. Nagpalit ako ng shorts at umupo sa sofa. 

"Yeah, because you are my fiancée," he answered back before kneeling in front of me. 

I pursed my lips and looked away while he was wiping my knee with a clean cloth. He was quiet and serious, so it was so awkward. When he finished treating my wound, he stood up and fixed the kit. I bit the insides of my cheek, watching his every move. 

"Let's not see each other anymore unless may date na for our wedding," I told him. 

"Unless may date tayo." He chuckled. 

"Be serious!" 

"Yeah, fine." He nodded and rolled his eyes, mukhang walang pakialam. "I'll see you soon. And by the way, Samantha..." 

"What?" 

He looked at my hand and shook his head. "You can date other people. I won't mind." 

"Yes, of course. I don't need your permission." Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "But if this will help you sleep at night, you can also date other-"

"I don't date," he cut me off. "I don't have time for that." 

________________________________________________________________________________

:)