Dad didn't like Hans. Nakuha ko na ang mensahe na nais niyang ipahatid kagabi sa naging pakikitungo niya sa boyfriend ko, pero wala akong pakialam. Mahal ko si Hans, isa pa, wala naman itong ipinapakitang hindi maganda sa akin o sa kung sinuman. Kaya hindi ko rin talaga maintindihan kung ano ang problema ni Daddy.

Pinigil ko ang pagsimangot sa hapag nang buksan niya ang usapan tungkol kay Hans at tahasang sabihin na hindi niya gusto ang pakikipagrelasyon ko rito. Bukod sa masyado pang maaga para makipagtalo ay hindi rin maganda na nag-aaway sa harap ng pagkain. Isa pa, bibihira na makumpleto kaming apat sa hapag, bukas ay aalis na ulit si Icen.

"Vince," marahang sita sa kaniya ni Mommy bago ako nito balingan ng nagpapaumanhing ngiti. "Kumain ka na, Caice."

Iyon na nga ang ginawa ko. I focused on the pancake Mom had put on my plate, sa gilid ay nakahilera ang iba't ibang syrup. Kumuha ako ng isa at nilagyan ang ibabaw ng pancake ko. Sandali kong inilipat ang tingin kanila Mommy at Icen. Mom was eating her breakfast but would glance on Dad from time to time. Si Icen naman ay tutok ng husto ang atensyon sa plato na para bang sobrang interesante ng kinakain nito. Alam kong paraan nito iyon para iwasan ang tensyon na ginawa ni Dad.

"Maraming oportunista ngayon, Caice. Mabuti nang maging maingat ka sa pagpili ng mga sasamahan mo." Hindi pa rin natigil si Dad. "Hindi ko gusto ang Hans na iyon."

I sighed deeply and turned to face Dad, feeling a surge of annoyance rising within me. Lahat ng pagpipigil na kanina ko pa pinagsusumikapan ay unti-unting kumakawala. Hindi ko hahayaang kung anu-ano na lang ang sabihin niya kay Hans. He didn't even know Hans!

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, my voice sharp. "Are you insulting Hans because he doesn't have as much money as we do? That's not fair, Dad. Hans is anything but an opportunist."

Dad's gaze remained stern and unwavering. "Caice, you're young. You don't see things the way we do. Madali kang maloloko kung hindi ka mag-iingat. At maraming manloloko sa panahon ngayon."

"Hans isn't one of them," I insisted, feeling hurt by his words.

Parang ako ang sinasabihan at ininsulto niya dahil ako naman ang nagtitiwala ng buong-buo kay Hans. It had been a while since I'd known him at ni minsan ay hindi niya ako pinahamak. Kaya ano itong pinoproblema ni Daddy?

"He works hard and earns his own living. He doesn't need our money or our name to define who he is." Kung iyon ang inaalala niya ay tatawanan ko na lang siya. "Walang pakialam si Hans kung De Salvo ako, Dad."

"Vince, Caice..." Tumikhim si Mommy, pasimpleng inaawat ang humahaba na naming pagtatalo. "Kailangan bang dito niyo pag-usapan iyan sa hapag?"

"Mom! Would you tell Dad to stop? Hindi masamang tao si Hans!" Binalingan ko si Mommy, naging mailap ang kaniyang mga mata.

Why did it feel like she knew something I didn't? She liked Hans! Kagabi! I saw it! She liked him!

Bigla akong nanghina. Parang nawalan ako ng kakampi. Mom was clearly taking Dad's side, sa hindi ko malamang kadahilanan. Ano? Dahil ba mahirap si Hans, ganoon?

"Vince," sinaway pa rin nito si Daddy, pasimpleng hinaplos ang braso bago ako balingan. "Ang sinasabi lang naman ng daddy mo, Caice, ay hindi masama kung mag-iingat ka sa mga pagkakatiwalaan mo. Gaano katagal mo na bang kilala si Hans? Gusto lang namin ng daddy mo na pag-isipan mong mabuti ang mga pasya mo. Totoong buhay mo 'yan, oo. Pero anak ka namin. We will always worry about you."

Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay inunahan na ako ni Dad.

"You could have chosen someone better, someone like Julian Lagdameo. He comes from a good family, has a stable future, and—"

"Julian? Seriously, Dad?" Hindi ko napigilang matawa sa sinasabi niya. Porke ayaw niya sa boyfriend ko ay may ihahayag siyang mas gusto niya para sa akin? "Just because he's rich and comes from a prominent family doesn't mean he's the right person for me. And it definitely doesn't mean he's better than Hans. Alam mo bang mas dapat mong pagdudahan ang mga Lagdameo kung sakaling kami ang nagkalapit? His father could use you for his campaign. Si Hans? Anong mapapala niya sa'yo? Sa atin?"

"Julian is a good match for you, Caice," Dad persisted, para bang walang narinig sa aking sinasabi. "Mas siya ang bagay sa'yo. He has the name, the connections, and the resources to provide you with a comfortable life. Your Hans... he's just not up to the mark."

Gusto kong panginigan ng laman sa lamig ng pagkakasabi niya noon. Bakit bigla niya akong pinagpipilitan kay Julian naman? Kailanman ay hindi ko naisip na magiging ganito ang reaksyon ni Dad. Hindi naman siya matapobre, lalong hindi siya mapangmaliit. Kaya nagugulat ako sa asta niya ngayon na para bang halos pandirihan niya ang ideya ng pakikipagrelasyon ko kay Hans.

My heart ached. "Hans may not have the same background as Julian, but he has something more important—integrity, kindness, and love. He treats me with respect and makes me feel valued. Isn't that what matters? Hindi ba iyon dapat ang mahalaga, Dad. Isa pa, ayaw ko kay Julian. Si Hans ang gusto ko. Si Hans lang! Mahal ko siya, Dad. Hindi naman ako magkakaganito sa inyo kung hindi, eh."

Dad's expression hardened. "Love is important, Caice, yes. But it's not everything. Practicality matters too. What happens when the initial excitement fades and you're left with someone who can't provide for you the way you're used to?"

"Money isn't everything, Dad!" I exclaimed, my frustration boiling over. "I'd rather be with someone who loves me for who I am than someone who sees me as a trophy or a means to an end."

Hindi ko talaga mapaniwalaan na pinaguusapan namin ang bagay na ito ngayon. Tapos si Mommy, walang kaimik-imik, hinahayaan niya lang si Dad na ganituhin ako.

"Dad, hayaan niyong si Caice ang magpasya. Buhay niya 'yan. Hindi dapat tayo ang mamimili kung sino ang nararapat sa kaniya." Sa wakas ay nagsalita si Icen, sinulyapan ako nito bago si Daddy. Kalmado ngunit mariin ang kaniyang tinig. "Huwag niyo ring agad husgahan si Hans bago niyo pa kilalanin. Give him a chance, you might like him."

"I'm just trying to protect your sister, Icen," Dad said firmly, dismissing him. Tapos ay muli niya akong nilingon. "You need to think about your future, not just your present feelings."

I felt a lump forming in my throat, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. The weight of Dad's words pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. Hans didn't deserve this judgment. He had done nothing wrong. He was kind, hardworking, and he genuinely loved me. It wasn't his fault he wasn't rich.

My vision blurred as tears threatened to spill over. I couldn't believe this was happening. "Dad, ayaw kong pagtalunan natin ang bagay na 'to. But I'm sorry. You can't make me cut ties with Hans!"

But Dad wasn't listening. His face was set in a grim expression as he looked at me. "If you don't stop seeing Hans, I will talk to the Lagdameos and arrange for you to be with Julian. That's final."

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ganoon na lang ang kagustuhan niyang tigilan ko ang pakikipagrelasyon ko kay Hans. Ano bang ginagawa namin na labis siyang naaapektuhan? Wala naman ah! I don't understand why the hate!

"Over my dead body you would do that to my sister," Icen interjected sharply, standing up from his seat. His eyes blazed with anger as he looked at Dad. "You can't just force her into something like that. This isn't the medieval times, Dad. Caice has the right to choose who she loves and who she wants to be with."

Kahit paano ay naiibsan ang bigat na aking nararamdaman sa kaalaman na sa pamilyang ito ay may kakampi pa rin ako. But at the same time, natatakot ako. Kasi aalis na si Icen. Kapag wala na siya, ako na lang. Though it didn't mean hindi ko ilalaban sa kanila si Hans.

Mom reached out, placing a gentle hand on Dad's arm. "Vince, let's not rush into this. We don't want to push our children away."

Dad's jaw clenched, and he looked down at the table, clearly struggling with his emotions. Finally, he exhaled a heavy sigh, nodding slightly.

"Let's just calm down and drop the subject for now," Mom said, hindi pa rin siya makatingin ng diretso sa akin. "Let's finish our breakfast."

I nodded mechanically, but the food on my plate had lost all appeal. My appetite was gone, replaced by a heavy knot of anxiety in my stomach. I couldn't bear to sit there any longer, feeling the weight of my father's disapproval.

"Excuse me," I murmured, standing up and pushing my chair back. "I'm not feeling well. I think I'll just go to my room."

Hindi ko na hinintay pa ang magiging sagot nila at mabilis na akong umalis ng komedor. Once in the safety of my room, I closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a shaky breath. The tears I had held back all morning finally spilled over, and I sank down to the floor, wrapping my arms around my knees.

The pain of my parents' disapproval cut deep. It wasn't just about Hans; it was about the fact that my father didn't trust my judgment, didn't believe in my ability to choose someone good for myself. It felt like a betrayal, and it hurt more than I could put into words.

After what felt like hours of crying and trying to process my emotions, I decided I needed to talk to Hans. He was the one person who could make me feel better, who could understand what I was going through. I grabbed my phone and sent him a text, my fingers trembling as I typed.

Hey, can we meet up today? I really need to see you.

Alam kong hindi Biyernes ngayon at maaari ko siyang maabala sa kung anuman ang ginagawa niya, kaya lang nanghihina talaga ako. Gusto ko siyang makita. Kailangan ko siyang makausap.

I waited, staring at the screen, hoping for a quick response. But minutes turned into an hour, and there was no reply. I texted again, my anxiety growing with each passing minute. Baka nga kasi busy siya. Well, palagi naman. Kahit anong araw ay nagttrabaho si Hans.

Hans? Are you there? Please, I need to talk to you.

Still nothing. I felt the panic rising in my chest. I couldn't just sit here and wait.

I stood up and started pacing the room, my thoughts racing. I clutched the garnet pendant of the necklace he had given me last night, its smooth surface a small comfort in my turmoil. I needed to see him, to hear his voice, to feel his reassuring presence.

Kung puntahan ko kaya siya sa tinutuluyan niya sa San Jose? I had never been there. Pero alam ko kung saan iyon. Hindi niya nga lang ako gustong papuntahin doon, hindi rin niya ako dinadala. Kilala ang talyer ng tiyo niya sa San Jose kaya madali ko lang iyon mapupuntahan, kahit pa hindi ako magpahatid kay Mang Dante. Marunong naman na akong mag-tricycle.

Without thinking, I grabbed my jacket and headed out of my room. I needed to find Hans. I couldn't calm down until I did. As I reached the front door, my mom called out from the living room.

"Saan ka pupunta, Caice?" Mahinahon niyang tanong.

Binalingan ko siya, nasasaktan pa rin ako dahil pakiramdam ko ay napagkaisahan ako kanina. At hindi ko siya kakampi. Unang beses iyon na iparamdam sa akin ni Mommy ang ganoon.

"Kay Hans," diresto kong sagot. "Pipigilan niyo po ba ako?"

Umiling siya, she sighed deeply. "Mag-iingat ka. Huwag kang masyadong magpagabi."

I knew there was something they weren't telling me. Halata naman sa kilos nilang dalawa ni Daddy. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung ano.

I nodded and quickly left the house, my mind set on finding Hans. I walked briskly, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached the main road, I flagged down a tricycle, feeling the urgency in every step.

"Sa talyer pong malapit sa San Jose Community College," sabi ko sa driver. Iyon lang daw kasi ang talyer sa lugar na iyon kaya dapat ay alam na iyon ng mga driver.

It was my first time riding alone, and I felt a mix of anxiety and determination. The tricycle roared to life, and I held on tightly as we navigated through the busy streets. I kept checking my phone, hoping for a reply from Hans, but there was still nothing. I just hoped he was at his uncle's talyer.

As we approached the talyer, I paid the driver and quickly got out, my heart pounding even harder. The familiar scent of grease and oil filled the air, and the sounds of clanging tools and engines being worked on surrounded me. I hesitated for a moment at the entrance, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

Magulo ang paligid, maraming nakakakalat pero ganoon naman talaga ang itsura ng talyer. I glanced around nervously, feeling out of place amidst the rough and rugged surroundings.

Several workers paused in their tasks to look at me, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright hostility. I could feel their eyes boring into me, making me feel even more uneasy. I tried to ignore their stares as I made my way deeper into the talyer. May mga naririnig pa akong nagbubulungan at inaaral ako ng tingin.

I wasn't wearing anything revealing. Naka-jacket pa nga ako!

My heart raced as I searched for Hans, my eyes scanning the rows of cars being worked on. And then I saw him, underneath one of the cars, his legs visible beneath the chassis. I knew it was him by the familiar sneakers he always wore.

Kahit paano ay gumaan ang loob ko sa kaalamang narito siya. Siya ang pinunta ko dito at kanina ko pa siya gustong makita. Naglakad ako papalapit sa kaniyang kinaroroonan para lamang agad na matigilan nang matantong hindi siya nag-iisa. Sa gilid ng sasakyan na tinatrabaho niya ay nakatayo ang isang babae, dressed in a scanty micro mini skirt and a revealing halter top.

Bigla akong nainis. Sino naman 'to? Bakit ba parang kahit saan na lang kami magpunta ay may babaeng panay na nakaaligid sa kaniya? Ito ba ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw akong papuntahin ni Hans dito?

"Hans, may naghahanap ata sa'yo." Sabi ng isang mekaniko na abala sa truck na inaayos nito.

Agad na pinagulong ni Hans ang hinihigaan mula sa ilalim ng sasakyan. Nagsalubong ang kaniyang mga kilay sa pagkakakita sa akin. Clearly, it wasn't the reaction I was expecting from him. Bakit parang galit siya na narito ako?

I tried to ignore the woman beside the car, her presence only adding to my unease. I could feel her eyes on me, assessing me with thinly veiled disdain.

"I wanted to see you," I blurted out, my voice coming out in a rush. "I've been trying to reach you, but you weren't replying to my messages. Now I know why, busy ka pala."

Hans's expression hardened slightly, and I felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. He didn't seem pleased to see me, and I couldn't help but wonder why.

Without a word, he turned to the woman beside the car, ignoring her questioning gaze. Parang natutuwa pa 'yung babae na iritado si Hans na nandito ako. Gusto ko tuloy pagsisihan ang agad kong pasya na puntahan siya ng walang pasabi.

"Pakituloy nga ito, Kiko," he instructed one of the guys from the shop, his tone firm.

Mabilis namang tumalima ang sinabihan niya. Ang kaninang mga lalaking nakatingin sa akin ay agad nang naging abala sa kani-kanilang gawain nang dikitan ako ni Hans. Tumahimik rin bahagya ang paligid, wala nang ibang maririnig kundi ang mga makinang ginagawa ng mga ito.

Grabbing my arm, Hans led me away from the talyer, his grip tight and urgent. I stumbled slightly as I struggled to keep pace with him, my heart pounding in my chest.

As we reached a small compound beside the talyer, Hans guided me through the hallways and doors with purposeful strides. Mahigpit ang kapit niya sa akin ngunit hindi sa paraang masasaktan ako.

Finally, we arrived at a door in the far left corner of the compound. Hans stopped abruptly, his expression impatient as he turned to face me. "Anong ginagawa mo dito, Caice?"

"Sinabi ko na sa'yo, gusto kitang makita. Nag-text ako, hindi ka naman nagreply kaya pumunta na ako dito."

Hans's expression softened slightly at my words, but there was still a hint of frustration in his eyes. "You shouldn't have come here, Caice,"

Bago pa ako makapagtanong ay bahagya niya akong tinalikuran upang isuksok ang susing hawak sa knob ng pintuan sa aming harapan, itinulak niya iyong pabukas at pinapasok ako.

I stepped into the small room, and my eyes quickly took in the simple furnishings. There was a mini fridge tucked in one corner, a cabinet against the wall, and a single bed neatly made up with a plain white sheet. In the corner, there was a door that I assumed led to the bathroom. It was modest. Dito ba siya nakatira?

My gaze landed on a small bedside table, where a framed photo of Hans and me from our day at the carnival sat prominently displayed. Dito nga siya nakatira! Ito ang silid niya, ang kama niya, ang mga gamit niya.

Hans closed the door behind us and headed toward the cabinet, his movements fluid and practiced. He reached inside and began rummaging through the contents, his back to me as he stripped off his shirt. I couldn't help but watch him, my heart fluttering at the sight of his bare skin.

"Hindi ka dapat basta pumupunta dito, Caice." He sounded frustrated, na hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit.

Ano bang problema ng mga tao ngayon at inaaway ako ng lahat?

Annoyed, nilabanan ko rin siya. "Bakit ka ba nagagalit na pumunta ako dito ng hindi mo alam? Sinabi ko naman na, 'di ba? Nag-text ako at hindi ka nag-reply! Ano bang kinakagalit mo? Kaya mo ba ako ayaw papuntahin dito ay dahil doon sa babaeng nakaaligid sa'yo sa talyer?"

Hans turned sharply at my accusation, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Si Minnie?"

I rolled my eyes, feeling a surge of irritation bubbling up inside me. "How the hell would I know who that is?" I snapped, my tone sharper than intended. "I'm talking about the woman in the micro mini skirt and halter top who was practically hanging off you sa talyer. Siya lang ang babae doon so baka iyon nga ang Minnie mo!"

Hans's expression shifted from confusion to realization, his features contorting with frustration. "Palagi dito si Minnie, Caice. Kasosyo ni Tiyo ang tatay niya sa negosyo."

Hindi sapat iyon para hindi na ako mairita kaya inirapan ko pa rin siya. Medyo kumalma ang anyo ni Hans, ako naman ang galit.

"Hindi ko gustong basta ka pupunta dito dahil delikado," malumanay niyang sabi. "Nakita mo ba sa labas? Puro lalaki ang naroon, Caice."

I twicthed my lips, hindi pa rin ako mapalagay.

"Maliligo lang ako, hintayin mo ako rito at ihahatid kita pauwi sa inyo."