Ayder stood up the moment she went inside the restaurant. He was in his plain gray shirt, jeans and white shoes.

"Please have a seat," sambit nito nang makalapit siya. They sat across each other.

All her nervousness flew when she saw the suitcase beside Ayder. Baka ibibigay lang nito kaya nakipagkita.

"Your suitcase," he said with a serious tone. Ngumiti siya ng tipid at tumango. Nakalimutan niya iyong kunin noon sa kotse nito dahil sa halik. Kumurap siya para tanggalin ang kalakip na damdamin ng ala-alang iyon.

"Pinabalik ko kaso wala raw nakakakilala sa iyo doon sa address mo na nasa file ng VLF," he told her. It wasn't her real address. Biglang umakyat ang kaba sa dibdib niya pero pinilit niyang kumalma. Her mind wandered.

"Bago lang kasi ako doon at lumipat rin ako sa maliit na condo pagkatapos kong magresign," alibi niya.

Ayder stared at her. She felt like he's gauging her sincerity. Nakahinga siya nang maluwag nang marahan itong tumango.

"Oh, I see," he replied. Hindi na siya nagsalita pa. They were both silent until the waiter came to take their order. She was starving but she didn't have the appetite. Ayder took the liberty to order their food.

"So, how's the life of a manager?" he ask breaking the silence.

Kinabahan pa siya na baka ang tinutukoy nito ay ang trabaho niya sa carshop pero naalala niyang iyon nga pala ang ibinigay niyang rason noon kaya siya nag-resign.

"Maayos naman. A little stressful but manageable," she answered vaguely. Ayder nodded and smiled.

"Alright, do you want to unwind after dinner bago kita ihatid sa inyo?" tanong nito. She suddenly felt nervous.

"Naku, huwag mo na akong ihatid, Kaya ko na. Nakakahiya kasi dati kitang boss," pagtanggi niya.

"No, I insist," he answered. Hindi na siya nakasagot pa. Masyado na kasing halata kung tatanggi pa siya.

Hindi siya masyadong nakakain. Iniisip niya kasi kung saan magpapahatid. Ayaw naman niyang tumuloy sa condo ng kahit na sinong kaibigan niya. They are all in first class condo units, even her cousins. The thought of her cousins gave her an idea. Shane is a real estate broker.

Nagpaalam siyang pupunta ng washroom pagkatapos nilang kumain. Naisip niyang tumakas na lang pero nakusensya siya.

She immediately called Shane hoping that she's in the country.

"Hey! I haven't heard from you in a while. Your phone number is always out of reach," bungad ng pinsan niya pag-angat ng tawag. She inhaled deeply. She doesn't have so much time to explain or make an alibi.

"I need a small condo unit ready for occupancy now," saad niya rito.

"Wait, what for?" Shane asked. She can even imagine her raising an eyebrow.

"Saka na ako magkukuwento, okay?" tugon naman niya. Tinawanan siya ng pinsan at kinantiyawan. She even suspected her having kinky affairs. Hindi na lamang niya pinansin.

Sinabihan siya nitong imi-message na lang sa kanya ang address kapag natawagan niya ang in-charge ng condo tower.

"You owe me gazillion of explanation for this," Shane told her before ending the call.

It took few minutes before Shane sent her a message. Okay na raw, magpakilala lang siya sa front desk at ibibigay na sa kanya ang keycard. Saka lang siya nakahinga nang maluwag.

Kulang na lang mapatalon siya sa gulat nang mabungaran si Ayder pagbukas niya ng pintuan ng washroom.

"I came to check on you. Ang tagal mo kasi. Are you okay?" sunod-sunod nitong saad.

"Y-yes," she replied.

"Was your stomach upset? Sorry kung pinilit pa kitang kumain kahit na hindi ka na umorder," he said sincerely. Worry was written on his face.

She pursed her lips to hide the small smile curving on her lips. She silently scolded herself. Bakit parang kinilig siya?

"Ayos lang ako, medyo sumama lang talaga ang tiyan ko," pag-ayon niya.

"I think we should just hang out next time. Ihahatid na lang kita sa inyo para makapagpahinga ka," saad ng binata.

Next time?

So he has plans on seeing her again?

She shook her head. Bakit iyon pa napansin niya? Maybe it's just his polite way of saying he no longer wants to hang out with her tonight.

Mabuti na lang pala natawagan niya agad ang pinsan niya at nagawan agad nito ng paraan na may mauuwian siyang condo.

"Let's go?" anyaya nito bago nagpatiunang naglakad. Sumunod naman siya. His car had an automatic open button, but he still opened the door for her.

There was an awkward silence when he got inside.

"Nasaan na 'yong suitcase ko?" tanong niya rito para mawala ang pagkaasiwa. Ayder glanced at her and smiled.

"Nasa compartment na, inilagay kanina no'ng hindi kita mahintay," sagot nito. Tumango naman siya.

Pasimple niyang tiningnan ang phone niya nang tanungin nito kung saan ang condo niya. He input the address on his car's device and the road map popped on its screen.

The place was surprisingly near the area. Wala pa yatang 20 minutes nakarating na sila.

She was a bit nervous when they were infront of the building. Akala niya ida-drop off lang siya pero nagtanong si Ayder sa guwardiya at itinuro naman nito ang car park.

Hiningan siya ng ID ng guwardiya at tiningnan ang listahan sa logbook bago sila pinapasok sa building. Nakahinga siya nang maluwag dahil nasa dulo ng listahan ang pangalan niya. Nagtatakang tingin ang ipinukol sa kanya ni Ayder nang sulyapan niya habang papasok sila.

"Bago 'yong guard, hindi ako kilala," she said curtly. Tumango naman ito.

"Salamat sa paghatid," she said facing him. Nasa tapat na sila ng lounge area sa lobby ng building.

"Ako na ang mag-aakyat niyan," turo niya sa hila-hila nitong suitcase.

"Nope. Ihatid na kita sa unit mo para masigurong okay ka. You look pale the moment you entered the restaurant," sagot nito. She was speechless. Talaga bang namumutla siya o dahil lang sa nerbiyos niya?

"If you are stressed with your new work, you can always come back at VLF," malumanay nitong dagdag. She can't help but smile. This man is really kind. Nagsisisi siyang pinag-isipan niya ito ng masama nang hindi kinilala muna.

"Salamat," tugon niya. Ayder nodded with a sincere smile.

"Okay lang ba kung antayin mo ako rito saglit? Kukunin ko lang 'yong keycard ko sa safety deposit box," sambit niya rito. It almost came out as a whisper. It may be because of her guilt. Tumango naman ito. She went to the front desk. Sinulyapan niya si Ayder nang ibinibigay na ng receptionist ang keycard niya. He was busy on his phone. Nakatingin ito sa ibang direksyon.

She was staring at him when he looked at her direction. Her heart skipped a beat. Napalunok pa siya para pigilan ang sariling nararamdaman.

She slightly nodded to signal him that they're good to go. Nakuha naman nito dahil nagmadali nang lumapit hila-hila ang suitcase niya.

She felt like his movements slowed down as he walked closer. He had that air and confidence as he stepped forward, but still looked humble.

Tahimik sila habang nasa loob ng elevator at kahit noong papunta na sa unit.

"Ayos ka na ba?" tanong nito nang mabuksan na niya ang unit. She stood at the doorway and faced him. She was unable to speak so she just nodded. Iniabot nito ang suitcase nang dumapo ang tingin niya roon.

"If you need anything, call me up, okay? Lalo na't mag-isa ka lang," muli nitong saad.

"Oo, salamat ulit," sagot niya. She doesn't know what to feel about his kindness. Nagpaalam na ito nang wala na siyang masabi.

She felt guilty for lying. She felt like crying. Pumasok siya sa loob ng unit at naupo sa couch. She tried to console herself. Nagawa lang naman niyang magpanggap sa pag-aakalang niloko nito ang kapatid niya at ngayong nakita niya na mabait pala ito, hindi naman niya itinuloy ang plano. The only problem was that how to escape from this situation now. Aaminin ba niya o hindi na lang siya magpapakita rito? She inhaled deeply and decided to settle for the latter.

Napaigtad siya nang biglang tumunog ang smartphone niya. It was Ayder calling. Huminga siya nang malalim bago sinagot ang tawag.

"I'm outside your unit. May ibibigay lang ako," bungad nito sa linya. She immediately stood up and headed towards the door. He was really there holding a paper bag.

"These are apples and instant soup. You'll just have to pour hot water and it's good to go." Iniabot nito ang paper bag. She wasn't able to say a word.

"There is a small pack of medicines inside for stomach cramps and anti-motility, baka kailanganin mo," dagdag nito.

Pakiramdam niya ay nahaplos ang puso niya. However, a part of it ached for lying to such a kind-hearted man.

"I'm sorry," she said almost choking.

"For what?" Ayder's forehead creased. Kinabahan siya nang makitang sumeryoso ang mukha nito.

"Nakaabala pa kasi ako sa 'yo," sambit niya.

She felt disappointed. She was there. She was about to crack the truth, but she got scared.

"The truth is, I don't really do these things randomly," seryoso nitong saad. Kakabahan na sana siya kung hindi lang ito ngumiti ng sinsero.

"Ewan ko ba pero magaan ang loob ko sa 'yo," dagdag nito. She was way out of words.

"...or whatever you may call it," he said with a smile. Tumango na lamang siya. It sounds ironic. Nagsisinungaling siya rito pero kabaliktaran naman ang nararamdaman nito.

"Alis na ako para makapagpahinga ka," paalam nito nang hindi siya magsalita. She nodded and said her thanks. She thought it was the end of it when he turned away, but he faced her again.

"I hope you'll be fine tomorrow, so we can hang out," he said smiling. She wasn't able to respond because he briskly walked towards the elevator until he disappeared from her sight.