Hinatid ako ni Hans pauwi nang araw na iyon matapos naming ubusin ang maghapon sa paghahalikan at paglalandian. Nakatulog rin naman kami, iyon ang unang beses na natulog kaming magkayakap at pakiramdam ko'y iyon rin ang pinakapayang tulog na naranasan ko. Kahit masakit ang buong katawan ko sa ginawa namin, I felt well-rested.

The news of me dating Hans spread like wildfire through the school after my eighteenth birthday. Everyone saw how I only had eyes for him that night, how I entertained just him while ignoring the other guests. The whispers started almost immediately, but I couldn't care less. It felt liberating, almost exhilarating, to finally be open about my relationship with Hans.

Walking through the hallways, I noticed the curious glances, the hushed conversations that abruptly stopped when I passed by. Ang usap-usapan kasi ay nagkagusto ako sa trabahador while everyone expected me to fall in love with someone within my league, iyong anak ng gobernador o ano pa. Eh, ano naman kung trabahador si Hans? Masipag siya at masigasig! Higit na importante sa lahat ay masarap! Kaya kahit ano pa ang sabihin nila, it didn't matter. Their opinions didn't affect me because, for the first time in my life, I felt truly alive.

The biggest opposition came from home. My dad's disapproval hung over me like a dark cloud. He couldn't hide his disappointment, and it hurt more than I wanted to admit. Lagi kong iniiwasan ang mga usapang tungkol kay Hans dahil ayaw kong magalit kay Daddy at alam ko na kung ipagpapatuloy niya ang pakikialam sa relasyon namin ay hindi malabong mangyaring lumayo nga ang loob ko sa kaniya. It was hard to live with him like this. But Hans was worth it. Every bit of tension, every uncomfortable dinner conversation, every sideways glance from my father—it was all worth it just to be with him. Hans made me feel cherished and understood in a way no one else ever had. Kaya kahit pa anong sabihin nila ay hindi ko iiwan si Hansen.

Even Kourtney tried to talk to me about it. Ilang beses niya akong sinubukang tawagan, hindi ko sinasagot. Alam ko ang opinyon niya tungkol kay Hans. Ayaw kong magalit sa kaniya kaya mabuting huwag na lang kaming mag-usap. Hanggang sa makabalik siyang muli sa California ay hindi ko siya binigyan ng pagkakataon na makausap ako. Kung anuman ang opinyon niya tungkol kay Hans ay sarilinin niya na lang dahil hindi ako interesado.

The days that followed were a mix of bliss and tension. Every moment with Hans was a treasure. We spent hours talking, laughing, just being together. The outside world faded away when I was with him, leaving only the two of us in our own little bubble of happiness. He was my escape, my sanctuary. At iyon ang hindi maintindihan ng mga tao sa paligid ko.

Despite the negativity that followed us, I had never been happier.

"Nagmamadali ka na naman," nakangiting tukso sa akin ni Lulli nang makita ang mabilis at basta ko na lang na pagsuksok ng mga gamit ko sa bag. "Nasa gate na ba ang sundo mo?"

"Ano pa nga ba? Friday ngayon!" Humagikgik naman si Therese.

Mabuti pa silang dalawa, suportado lang kung saan ako masaya. Tumayo na ako, uunahan na silang umalis. "Yes! Kaya bye na! See you on Monday!"

"Ingat kayo!" Pahabol na sigaw ng dalawa.

I rushed down the stairs, nearly running toward the gate. My heart leapt when I saw Hans waiting outside, a bag slung over his shoulder. He had two classes at the community college today, and another class at SDL-Air around seven. That gave us less than three hours to spend together. At hindi ko sasayangin iyon!

Without hesitation, I ran to him, throwing my arms around him in a tight hug. I didn't care about the curious stares from my schoolmates; all that mattered was that I was with Hans.

"Pogi mo," I murmured into his chest.

"Hm," mahina siyang natawa, kissing the top of my head. He took my books from me and carried them. "Saan mo gustong kumain?"

"Doon na lang ulit sa kinainan natin last time," sagot ko. The Café Mariano downtown served the best food at an affordable price. Syempre, ayos na ako doon mas mura.

Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at pinagsiklop iyon sa kaniya habang naglalakad kami patawid sa paradahan ng tricycle. Tulad ng lagi naming ginagawa, pinauna niya akong makapasok tapos ay siya naman.

"Marami kang ginawa ngayon?" Tanong niya nang magsimula na iyong umandar.

Tumango naman ako, gusto kong ikwento sa kaniya iyon ng buo pero mamaya na lang dahil maingay pa sa sasakyan. Humilig na lang ako sa kaniya, imbes magsalita ay hinaplos ko ang kaniyang pisngi, umusog ng kaunti para mahalikan siya. I felt him smiled before kissing me back. Being with Hans felt like a breath of fresh air. Walang halong biro. Lahat ng pagod at pangamba ko ay nawawala kapag magkasama na kaming dalawa.

Nagulat pa ako nang pasyahin niyang huwag na kaming mag-dine in sa Café Mariano. He ordered our food to go tapos ay nilakad na lang namin ang daan papunta sa park, ayos rin naman na doon kami para maiba naman.

We walked until we found a secluded spot by the benches under a large tree. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze, creating a serene and peaceful ambiance. We sat down comfortably, leaning on each other as we unpacked our food.

"Masarap 'to," sabi ko habang tinutulungan siyang ilabas ang mga pagkain mula sa bag.

"Alam kong paborito mo 'tong pancake," he replied with a smile. "Kaya dalawa ang binili ko. Ito lang ang mga syrup nila na available, puwede na siguro ito?"

"Thank you," malambing kong sabi bago siya patakan ng magaan na halik sa mga labi.

"Sorry, ito pa lang kaya kong bilhin sa'yo," mahina siyang natawa. "Sa susunod 'yung kagaya na ng almusal mo sa villa. Lahat ng syrup meron, mamimili ka na lang. Pang mayaman kasi 'yun, mahal. Pero pagsisikapan ko, pagsisikapan natin."

Para akong natutunaw sa mga sinabi niyang iyon kasi alam kong gagawin niya, ginagawa niya na. Kaya nga halos hindi na 'yan nagpapahinga sa sobrang pagsusumikap.

"Gagawin ko ang lahat para balang araw maibigay ko rin sa'yo lahat ng gusto mo. Lahat ng kayang ibigay ng daddy mo at ng buong pamilya mo..."

If only he knew, siya lang ang gusto ko. Material things never mattered to me, mas lalo ngayon. Masaya na akong ayos kaming dalawa.

"I will give you everything, Caice. Lahat ng kaya ko, kaunti o marami basta kaya kong ibigay sa'yo, ibibigay ko ng walang pagdadalawang isip."

Gusto kong manlambot sa mga sinasabi niya.

"Huwag mo lang akong iiwan, Hans. Kahit wala ng kahit ano, just don't leave me..."

Nakangiting inabot niya ako para yakapin at halikan sa sentido. Sobrang simple lang naman ng gusto ko para sa amin, eh. Maybe it would've been easier for us if I weren't a De Salvo.

We ate our food, sharing stories about our day. I told him about my classes, the teasing from Lulli and Therese, and the general buzz of the school. Hans listened attentively, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Ang ganda mo, sobra." Nakangiting puna niya sa akin.

"Girlfriend mo na ako, Hans. Hindi mo na ako kailangang bolahin!" Kinuhaan ko ng food ang bowl na hawak niya para tikman ang inorder niya, beef ata iyon. Agad niyang inilayo, akala ko pagdadamutan ako pero siya na mismo ang nagsubo nu'n sa akin. "Ikaw? How was your day?"

He sighed, leaning back and looking up at the tree's canopy. "Busy sa classes. Madaming trabaho pero kinaya naman. Nakakapagod pero ayos lang kasi andito ka naman ngayon."

"Dapat matulog ka ng maaga mamaya," I said, my tone serious. "You'll be home around eleven in the evening, and there's no need to check on me. You should sleep as soon as you get home."

Hans frowned slightly. "Gusto kitang i-text kahit man lang goodnight."

"Tulog na rin ako nu'n! Hindi na kailangan! Kung gusto mo ngayon mo na ako i-text ng goodnight para nabasa ko pa!"

Ngumisi siya bago ako hilahin palapit at muling halikan, wala naman masyadong dumadaan doon sa puwesto namin kaya ginantihan ko rin ang mga halik niya.

"Matulog ka rin ng maaga. Tapusin mo agad lahat ng gawain mo." Sabi niya sa akin bago haplusin ang aking tagiliran.

I felt a little naughty, a playful grin spreading across my face. Leaning closer to Hans, I whispered in his ear, "I miss you... down there."

Hans shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. "Hindi puwede dito, Caice. Park 'to, ano ka ba?"

I pouted, giving him my best puppy-dog eyes. "Just feel me, maybe?" I suggested, my voice soft and enticing. I placed my bag on my lap as a cover, slowly pulling my skirt up, totally ditching the rest of our food behind.

Hans swallowed hard, clearly tempted. His eyes darted around the park, ensuring no one was watching. "Mapilit ka talaga, eh," he muttered, but his hand was already moving under the bag, fingers brushing against my thigh.

I shivered at his touch, leaning closer. "Angat mo pa... Please po?"

He exhaled sharply, his hand moving higher, sliding under my skirt. His fingers found the heat between my thighs, and I bit my lip to stifle a moan. "Ang hirap mo talagang tanggihan lalo kapag nagpapa-cute ka,"

My breath hitched as his fingers explored, sending waves of pleasure through me. "Hans...," I breathed, my hand gripping his arm.

"Quiet, love," he warned, his eyes dark with need. "Ikaw ang may gusto dito kaya hinaan mo ang boses mo..."

I nodded, biting down on my lip harder to keep quiet. Hans's fingers moved expertly, teasing and caressing, driving me wild with need. My heart pounded in my chest, the thrill of our risky situation adding to the intensity.

Simula nang gawin namin ito ni Hans ay palagi ko nang hinahanap hanap. Hindi naman siya nagkulang sa akin, tuwing may pagkakataon ay ipinararamdam niya sa akin ang ganito.

"God, I missed you so much," I whispered, my voice trembling.

Hans's hand stilled for a moment, his eyes locking with mine. "I missed you too," he replied softly, before resuming his movements, more intense this time.

My body responded eagerly, hips lifting slightly to meet his touch. I clutched the bag tightly, trying to keep it steady as my body trembled. "Hans... I'm close," I gasped, barely able to contain the rising pleasure.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. "Fuck... Let go, baby. Just for me."

His words were my undoing. I bit down on my lip, stifling a cry as waves of ecstasy crashed over me. My body shook, and I clung to Hans, riding out the pleasure.

As I came down from the high, Hans gently withdrew his hand, smoothing my skirt back down. "Ayos ka pa?" he asked, concern mingling with the lingering heat in his eyes.

I nodded, a satisfied smile spreading across my face. But before I could say anything, I watched in stunned fascination as Hans brought his finger to his lips and licked it clean, a smirk playing on his face.

"Damn," he murmured, his voice husky. "You taste better than anything I've ever had."

My eyes widened in shock and embarrassment, but also with a strange thrill. My boyfriend was the hottest man I knew!

The next few days felt like a suffocating haze, the initial thrill of openly dating Hans overshadowed by the increasing scrutiny from my father. He had taken to monitoring my every move, making sure I was home immediately after classes. Hindi naman siya ganito sa akin noon, hindi siya mahigpit. But now, it was as if he had enlisted the entire household to keep tabs on me. The staff were instructed to report my comings and goings, and any deviation from my usual schedule would be met with stern questions and disapproving looks.

Nakakasakal! Each day felt like a test of endurance. My freedom was slowly being chipped away, and I found myself constantly looking over my shoulder, half-expecting my father to appear and drag me back home.

Dinner time had become particularly unbearable. My father, true to his meticulous nature, would ask me about every single detail of my day. Parang sadyang may inaalam. The questions were relentless, probing, and designed to catch me off guard. I felt like I was on trial, each meal a courtroom where my father was the stern judge, and I was the defendant with no advocate.

Kahit si Mommy ay wala nang magawa sa pang-uusisa niya. Pinipigilan kong magalit pero unti-unti kasi nila akong sinasakal! Ang hirap hindi mainis. Ano bang akala nila? Mapipigilan ng ganito ang pakikipagrelasyon ko kay Hans? Ganoon ba kababaw ang tingin nila sa akin? Sa amin?

"How was school today?" Simpleng tanong ni Dad sa gitna ng hapag isang beses na naghahapunan kaming tatlo.

I poked at my food, feeling the weight of his gaze. "It was fine, Dad," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"Fine?" He echoed, raising an eyebrow. "What did you do? Who were you with?"

Ganyan na ang palagi niyang inaalam. Kulang na lang ay lagyan niya ako ng hidden camera sa damit para mas makasiguro siya sa bawat galaw ko, eh. Nakakapagod!

I took a deep breath, summoning the patience to answer. "I had classes, then I worked on a group project with Lulli and Therese."

"And after that?" He pressed, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Alam kong hinihintay niyang mabanggit ko si Hans. Hindi ko iyon gagawin. I knew my father and the things he could do. Ayaw ko siyang galitin sa puntong wala na siyang pagpipilian kundi ang balingan si Hans. He could ruin Hans in a snap, gustuhin niya lang.

I felt a lump form in my throat, the pressure mounting. "I came straight home,"

"Nakipagkita ka bang muli sa Hans na iyon?" Nananantya niyang tanong.

I hesitated, knowing that honesty would only fuel his disapproval. "No, I didn't see him today,"

I lied. Nagkita kami ni Hans kanina. Dinaanan niya ako saglit sa school, hindi naman Biyernes pero gusto ko lang siyang makita at nasabi ko iyon habang magka-text kami kaya agad niya akong pinuntahan bago magsimula ang klase niya.

My father's gaze lingered on me as if he could see through the falsehood. "You know, Caice, you have a bright future ahead of you. Don't let yourself be distracted by things that don't matter."

Hans does matter!

Gusto kong isigaw iyon sa kanila ngunit pinili ko na lang manahimik. They wouldn't understand dahil buo naman na ang isip nila sa pagtutol sa aming dalawa. Ano pang sense?

"He's important to me, Dad," malumanay kong sabi, patuloy lang sa ginagawa kong pagkain kahit halos hindi ko naman na iyon malasahan.

"You're too young to understand what's truly important," tahimik niyang sabi.

Binalingan ko si Mommy, hindi halos ito makatingin sa akin. Mom knew na tuwing Biyernes ay nakikipagkita pa rin ako kay Hans, hindi niya ako sinusumbong kay Dad kaya alam kong hindi totoong hindi niya gusto si Hans para sa akin. Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan ay bakit hinahayaan niyang ganituhin ako ni Daddy! I had always been a good daughter to them, lahat ng gusto nila simula bata ako ay sinusunod ko. Hindi ako nakikipag-away o nagpapasaway. Pero bakit hindi nila ako kayang pagbigyan ngayon? And it wasn't like we were doing something wrong! Hindi ko naman pinapabayaan ang pag-aaral ko. Hindi rin masamang impluwensya sa akin si Hans. If anything, he kept inspiring me. Kapag kasama ko siya ay wala akong ibang gusto kundi pantayan ang dedikasyon niya sa lahat ng bagay. I wanted everything he was working hard for.

I felt trapped, a bird in a gilded cage, my wings clipped by my father's overbearing control.

Nang sumunod na Biyernes ay hindi na ako nagpasundo kay Hans sa school. Hindi ko pa nasasabi sa kaniya na tutol si Dad sa relasyon namin pero may palagay akong kuha naman rin ni Hans ang mensahe kung ang pagbabasehan ay ang pakikitungo sa kaniya ni Daddy nu'ng birthday ko. Kaya sa halip ay nagkasundo na lang kaming magkita sa isang fast food chain sa San Jose.

Bumaba ako ng tricycle matapos magbayad. Ayaw kong madamay si Mang Dante dahil alam kong kung papakiusapan ko siya ay pagtatakpan niya ako oras na tanungin siya ni Dad. I didn't want him to lie for me.

I stood outside the fast food chain and took a moment to look around. Despite living here my entire life, I had never set foot in this place. It felt foreign and oddly exhilarating. Before entering, I slipped off my Cartier watch and heirloom ring, tucking them safely into my skirt pocket. The only jewelry left on me was the bracelet Hans had given me and the necklace with the garnet pendant.

I pushed open the door and stepped inside, immediately spotting Hans sitting at a corner table. He looked so effortlessly handsome, even in this simple setting. He wore a plain white t-shirt that hugged his torso perfectly, showing off his lean muscles. His jeans were worn and slightly faded, napangiti ako dahil sanay na sanay akong ganoon ang ayos niya. His hair was slightly tousled, as if he'd run his fingers through it multiple times, and his eyes sparkled with a warmth that made my heart skip a beat. Sabihin na nilang trabahador ang boyfriend ko, sobrang guwapo naman! Tyler Durden would pale in comparison to Hans.

"Hi," bati ko sa kaniya nang makalapit.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin, kumunot ang noo at nagulat na naroon na ako.

"Hindi ko nakita ang sasakyan niyo, ah," binalingan niya pa ang mabatong garahe na natatanaw mula sa kinaroroonan namin.

Hm, 'yun pala ang sinisipat niya kanina pa kaya doon siya nakabaling at hindi sa entrance. Hinihintay niya akong dumating sakay ng SUV.

"Nag-tricycle ako," kaswal kong sabi bago naupo sa upuang katapat ng kaniya.

"Mag-isa?" Kumunot lalo ang kaniyang noo.

Iniwasan ko na siya ng tingin at inabot na lang ang maliit na papel na nagsisilbing menu. Alangan kasing isama ko pa si Mang Dante sa tricycle, driver ko nga siya. If hindi naman ako gagamit ng SUV, walang sense kung sasama pa siya.

"Caice, sana tinawagan mo na lang ako. Sinundo sana kita."

Sinadya kong hindi siya tawagan dahil bukod pa sa pakikialam ni Dad sa bawat galaw ko ay alam kong abalang-abala si Hans ngayon. Lahat ng trabaho na puwede niyang kunin kanila Uncle Exodus at Uncle Roy ay gagawin niya, pumapasok pa siya sa talyer, tapos sa gabi naman ay nag-aaral. Hindi ko gustong ubusin niya sa akin ang lahat ng libreng oras niya, kung ako nga ang masusunod ay pagpapahingahin ko na lang siya ngayon. Kaso, siya ang may gustong magkita kami.

"Burger ang sa'kin, Hans," sabi ko sa kaniya. Napangiwi pa nga ako nang ma-compute sa isip ko ang puwedeng magastos niya sa lunch na ito. Sayang! Isang araw niya sa talyer ay magagastos lang sa isang kainan. "Tapos diet coke na lang,"

"Hindi ka naman mabubusog 'dun," he sighed. Hans knew what I was doing, tuwing lalabas naman kami ay ganito ako, pipiliin kung saan siya mas makakatipid. Oo, siya. Dahil siya lang naman ang gumagastos sa amin.

Alam kong gusto niya akong pagalitan kaya lang ito na lang ang oras naming dalawa, uubusin pa ba namin sa pagtatalo?

"Ako na ang bahalang umorder ng kakainin mo."

Akala ko ay magtataas siya ng kamay pero tumayo siya. Oh, right. Sa counter oorder. Hindi na ako nagreklamo at tinanguan na lamang siya.

Ilang sandali pa ay bumalik si Hansen dala ang isang tray na puno ng pagkain. Inilagay niya sa harapan ko ang rice meal, may snack pa and dessert.

Sinilip ko ang sa kaniya, he ordered a burger. Iyon lang. Ni wala siyang coke!

"Bakit 'yan lang ang kakainin mo?"

"Hindi ako masyadong gutom," he smiled.

Alam kong hindi iyon ang dahilan.

Biglang pumasok sa aking isipan ang sinabi ni Hans last time. He said he would give me everything he could, hangga't kaya niya. Kaunti o marami. Lahat ng kaya niyang ibibigay, ibibigay niya.

"Hindi ko mauubos 'to. Alam mong mahina akong kumain." I pouted, standing up. Lumipat ako sa tabi niya kaya umusog siya. "Hati tayo, gusto ko rin 'yung burger, eh."

For a moment, we simply looked at each other, letting the world around us fade into the background. Sabay pa kaming napangiti. In the chaos of our lives, these small, quiet moments of intimacy felt like an anchor, grounding us in what truly mattered. Us.