"Si Kuya, nasaan na?"

Nanatili pa 'ko sa labas saglit bago ako pumasok ulit sa loob. Dad was already cutting the cake and sine-serve na ng waiters sa bawat table. I looked around to find my brother but I was mortified when I saw Sevi talking to my dad! 

"Wala, I think they already left-"

Umalis agad ako, dala-dala si Fraida para pasimpleng lumapit so I could hear their conversation. Sevi was holding a wine glass while his other hand was placed inside his pocket. He was nodding to my dad! Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila.

"Shh," sabi ko kay Ida nang makalapit kami. "Pretend that we're talking."

"We are talking!" She was so confused. 

I faked my laugh and hit her lightly with my hand to pretend we were talking about something else. Her brows furrowed and suddenly put the back of her hand on my forehead.

"Okay ka lang ba?" nagtatakang tanong niya. "Wala ka namang sakit." 

"My gosh, Ida! Just pretend!" I whispered. 

Lumapit pa 'ko sa dalawa at tumalikod para hindi mahalatang nakikinig ako. Marami namang nag-uusap na businessmen sa paligid kaya hindi nila 'ko mapapansin. 

"Sayang ang basketball career mo," my dad said. 

"Okay lang 'yon, Sir. Engineering talaga ang gusto ko." Sevi laughed. 

"That's nice. Maybe I can hire you to build one of our resorts in the future? I see a bright future ahead of you, kid." 

Umatras pa 'ko para mas marinig ko.

"Salamat po, Si-"

Naramdaman kong may nabunggo ako sa pag-atras ko. Dali-dali kong inayos ang sarili ko at humarap sa kanilang dalawa. They were already staring at me, nagtataka kung bakit bigla na lang akong umaatras sa gitna nila!

"Oh, sorry, I was..." I tried to think of an excuse. "Ida pushed me!" 

"Huh?!" reklamo ni Ida.

"Sevi, this is Elyse." My dad looked embarrassed dahil sa ginawa ko. "My daughter. The youngest in the family." 

Sevi's lips slowly formed a smile. Inalok niya ang kamay niya sa 'kin at umaktong hindi kami magkakilala. 

"Sebastian Vincent Camero," he introduced himself. 

"Amora Elyse Ledezma." I faked a smile and held his hand.

Sevi's mouth formed a small 'o,' shocked by the mention of my full name. He didn't know, huh. 

"I already met him sa debut ko, Dad. Remember?" I faced my dad after the little handshake. 

"Right!" He laughed. 

"Yeah, I did not invite him. You invited him." I glared at Sevi, who was still smiling, probably enjoying the conversation. 

"He's the son of my secretary. Graduating na sa UST. Engineering, right? And he's doing well. You should be inspired by him." Umakbay pa siya kay Sevi.

Sevi smirked at me. What the hell! This... mayabang man! 

"I actually offered him a scholarship pero full scholar na pala siya ng UST." Tinapik ni Daddy ang balikat ni Sevi.

"Wow," I sarcastically said. 

Sevi smirked more. "Ako lang 'to, Elyse." 

"Kung wala pang kukuha sa 'yo after ng boards, pwede kang mag-apply sa kumpanya namin. We would probably need engineers to consult with about the projects," offer ni Daddy. 

"Ah, kinukuha na po ako ng Valeria company." Sevi gave a humble smile. "But thank you for that offer, Sir. I'll keep that in mind." 

What? Hindi pa nga siya graduate at hindi pa nagte-take ng boards, may kumpanya na siyang pagtatrabahuhan? Valeria? The surname was familiar. 

"Sevi's graduating without a girlfriend. Be like him, Elyse. Hindi ka pa pwedeng magka-boyfriend. That's just a distraction," dad reminded me.

Nasamid bigla si Sevi sa iniinom niyang wine. 

"U-uh..." I awkwardly smiled. "Of course, Dad." 

"The future of our company is in your hands. Remember that. Wala akong aasahan sa kuya mo. Ikaw na lang ang natitira," he said in a stern voice. "Hindi ba, Sev?" 

"Opo..." Sevi nodded. "Tama po 'yon. Distraction lang."

Sevi excused himself to go to the restroom. Tinalikuran ko na rin si Daddy dahil may kausap na siyang iba, pero hinatak niya 'ko sa braso para maipakilala. Sumimangot ako at hinarap ang dalawang kausap niya.

"Elyse, this is Mr. Ramirez," he introduced. "He owns Ramirez Medical." 

"Hello, Sir." I faked a smile and offered my hand. 

Ngumiti siya sa 'kin at tinanggap 'yon.

"I heard your son's already engaged. Congratulations." My dad smiled. 

"Would you excuse me," I excused myself to exit the conversation. Wala naman na 'kong pakialam doon eh! Hindi ko 'yon kilala!

Hinatak ko na si Fraida sa braso para makalabas na ng venue. Wala na ang mga kaibigan ko kaya gusto ko na lang din umuwi. Pagkalabas namin sa tapat ng hotel, I already texted Kuya Roel to pick me up. Si Ida, susunduin ng sariling driver. 

"Wala bang tricycle dito, anak? Masyado namang mahal ang grab ngayon." Napalingon ako sa babaeng nagsalita.

I saw Sevi's mom holding Sofia with her other hand. Si Sevi, nakatayo sa tabi niya at nagii-scroll sa phone. 

"Okay na 'yon, Ma. Walang dadaan na tricyle dito." Sevi scratched his head a little, getting frustrated. 

Dahil nakatingin ako, napalingon din sa 'kin ang Mama ni Sevi at ngumiti nang mapagtanto kung sino ako. Naglakad ako palapit sa kanila to greet her. I didn't want to be rude. 

"Saan po kayo?" I asked. 

"Huwag na," Sevi rejected immediately. 

"No, I can ask my driver to drop you off," I insisted. 

"Huwag na nga-"

"Anak naman! Hayaan mo na! Makakatipid din tayo oh. Nagmamagandang-loob na nga ang anak ni Sir Ledezma." Siniko siya ng Mama niya. "Maraming salamat Elyse, ha." 

She smiled at me. Napailing si Sevi at bumuntong-hininga, halatang ayaw magpahatid. Pumayag 'yong Mama niya kaya wala rin siyang magagawa. 

Nang huminto sa tapat ng stairs ang kotse, bumaba ako agad at sinabihan si Kuya Roel na ihatid sila Sevi sa bahay nila. Nanguna nang sumakay ang Mama niya sa shotgun seat at pinabantayan si Sofia kay Sevi. 

Sa backseat, nasa gitna namin ni Sevi si Sofia. Sevi was quiet. Nakatingin lang siya sa labas habang ang Mama niya, tina-type ang address nila sa Waze. 

"Kuya." Sofia tugged on his sleeves. "Games." 

Nilabas ni Sevi ang phone niya at umiling. "Lowbat na 'ko, Sof." 

Nilabas ko ang phone ko at inabot sa bata. Sevi looked at me again with apologetic eyes, probably thinking that the kid was a bother for me, pati na rin ang paghatid sa kanila. 

"What do you want to play?" I made her look for games sa App store dahil wala naman akong dina-download na games sa phone ko. 

Napabalik lang ang tingin ko sa phone nang ituro ni Sofia 'yong dress up game. Dinownload ko kaagad 'yon and opened it for her. She immediately figured it out herself. 

"Where's your brother?" I curiously asked. 

"May camping sila sa school," maikling sagot niya. 

Hindi na 'ko nagtanong pagkatapos noon hanggang sa makarating kami sa isang street sa Manila. Sevi's mom insisted na roon na lang sila i-drop off at maglalakad na lang papunta sa bahay nila since maraming nakaharang na tricyle at kotse sa gilid ng daan. Mahihirapan daw ang sasakyan na makaalis.

"Sofia, ibalik mo na 'yong phone. Nandito na tayo," sabi ni Sevi sa kapatid. 

The kid pouted and gave me back my phone. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at kinuha 'yon mula sa kamay niya kahit halatang ayaw niyang ibigay. Kung hindi ko lang kailangan 'yon, eh di sana binigay ko na, hindi ba? 

Binuksan na ni Sevi ang pinto at bumaba na sila. Before closing the door, he lowered himself so I can see him. 

"Thank you." He smiled. "Babawi ako." 

"Oh, come on." I rolled my eyes. He didn't have to.

"Good night, crush." He laughed and closed the door.

Nag-init ang mukha ko dahil sa sinabi niya! Napahawak tuloy ako sa pisngi ko, dinarama 'yon. Why the hell would he say that?! Nakakahiya kay Kuya Roel at narinig pa niya! 

"Kuya Roel, he's not my boyfriend, so you don't need to tell my dad about him," I defended myself immediately.

"Wala naman po akong sinasabi, Ma'am." He laughed.

"Okay, good. You can report my whereabouts and the people I am with. Just don't name them, please?" I asked a favor again.

"Hindi naman po niya hinihingi ang mga pangalan, Ma'am." 

Phew! Buti na lang! Dad knew I had other friends so hindi siguro big deal sa kaniya kapag sinasabi na may kasama akong lalaki. I could be with anyone! I could be with Wayne, basketball player namin, or Jon, ka-squad ko. It could be anyone! 

I was so tired when I got home kaya pagkatapos mag-shower at skincare, nakatulog na 'ko kaagad. Kinabukasan, it was Sunday. Instead of going to the gym, I decided to walk Jewel, my dog. Exercise na rin 'yon. 

Lumabas ako ng village wearing a white v-neck shirt and pink dolphin shorts. Hawak-hawak ko ang pink na leash ni Jewel. She was small so mabagal lang ang lakad ko papunta sa malapit na park sa loob ng village. The village was big. Madalas tuwing Sunday morning, marami ngang aso na wino-walk. They called the park a dog park every Sunday. 

Umupo ako saglit sa bench ng park at pinainom si Jewel ng water. Pagkatapos, nilabas ko ang phone ko dahil nag-vibrate.

sevirous: hindi ka mag gygym ngayon?

I laughed. 

elydezma: I'm walking my dog. 

sevirous: mahilig ka sa aso?

elydezma: Well, yes. Why? 

sevirous: woof!

I bit my lower lip and laughed a little. Ang ko-corny talaga ng banat nito. I typed again on my phone, letting Jewel go so she can run around with other dogs. 

elydezma: Are you with Arkin? 

sevirous: hindi may schedule siya

"Excuse me, is that your dog?" 

Binaba ko agad ang phone ko at tumingin sa lalaking lumapit sa 'kin. Sinundan ko ang tinuturo niya at nakita ko si Jewel, hinahabol na 'yong batang tumatakbo. Akala ata ay nakikipaglaro! I immediately stood up to catch her. 

"Jewel!" I yelled. 

I grabbed her by the collar and put her leash back on her. Binuhat ko siya at pinagalitan habang naglalakad pabalik sa bench. 

"Thanks," I told the guy with a Chow Chow, a Golden retriever, and a Siberian husky. "They're so cute!" 

Lumuhod agad ako para i-pet sa ulo 'yong mga aso pero tumahol si Jewel. Sumimangot ako at umayos ng tayo. Napakaselosa naman! 

"Name?" I asked. 

"My name's Cy." 

"I'm asking for the names of the dogs." I rolled my eyes at him. 

"Oh." He nodded. "Summer, Maple, Hail." Tinuro niya isa-isa ang mga aso. 

Kumaway lang ako sa mga aso at hindi nagawang hawakan dahil tinatahulan ni Jewel. Umalis na rin ako pagkatapos noon para bumalik sa bahay. Nagugutom na 'ko eh. 

I showered after eating. Humiga ako sa sofa at tiningnan ang IG story ni Sevi. He was with Luna, pero kasama niya rin si Kierra. It was a mirror shot. Binaba ko na ang phone ko para manood na lang ng series.

"Elyse." Napatingin ako kay Mommy nang umupo siya sa tabi ko. "I need to talk to you about something." 

"Yes, Mommy?" Kinabahan ako bigla at umayos ng upo. 

"Your dad is going to transfer a large number of his shares to you in the future." She held my hand. "Walang matitira sa Kuya mo. I think that's unfair." 

"What do you mean, Mommy?" naguguluhang tanong ko.

"I'm planning to transfer my shares to your brother. Hindi ganoon kalaki katulad sa 'yo but at least he'll have some. Is that okay with you?" She gave me a sincere smile. 

"M-mom..." I gasped. 

I didn't know what to say! 

"Is it too much?" Her smile faded. 

"No, Mom. That's... That's so nice of you," I said with much admiration. "Of course, it's fine with me." 

"Are you sure?" She sighed. 

My mom had the softest heart in the family, and also the weakest. She was very considerate. Ang tanging mali niya lang noon ay pumatol siya kay Daddy, not knowing na may asawa na. Naiintindihan ko si Kuya kung galit siya kay Mommy, but I wanted him to know that my mom was doing everything for them to be okay. 

"Yes. You can do that." I nodded. 

Alam kong hindi interesado si Kuya sa kumpanya. He refused to take business and just proceeded with law. He was more interested in his late mom's businesses and properties too.

I rested for a few days because of Undas break. I did not go anywhere dahil busy sila Daddy. Wala na silang pahinga for work kaya naiiwan ako mag-isa sa bahay. 

sevirous: hoy amora elyse

Napatigil ako sa pagkain ng popcorn nang mag-message siya. Umirap ako bago nag-type ng reply. 

elydezma: What now

sevirous: punta ako sementeryo 

elydezma: Okay? 

sevirous: bibisitahin ko 'yong namatay nating convo 

It was so corny but I still laughed! Napatingin tuloy sa 'kin ang isang helper namin na nagva-vacuum ng rug. Tinikom ko ang bibig ko para pigilan ang sariling tumawa. 

elydezma: What do you want ba epal mo I'm watching Netflix 

sevirous: balik mo panyo ko oy 

I smiled by myself and remembered his handkerchief. Pinalabhan ko pa 'yon dahil ginamit ko pamunas ng pawis last time. Swerte niya. May bakas na ng pawis ko ang panyo niya. Gosh.

elydezma: Okay. I'll just shower.

Tumayo ako kaagad at tumakbo papasok ng kwarto para mag-shower. I stayed in the shower for twenty minutes. Pagkalabas, matagal ko ring pinag-isipan ang susuotin ko habang nakaharap sa salamin. 

"I want a manicure," bulong ko. 

In the end, nagsuot na lang ako ng ripped jeans, yellow tube top na pinatungan ko ng brown Chanel jacket, and then YSL heels. Naka-ponytail ang buhok ko at naglagay din ng kaunting makeup. 

I sprayed perfume on my wrists and neck before getting my yellow sling bag. Nagpahatid ako kay Kuya Roel sa mall na sinabi ko kay Sevi. I didn't know kung paano siya pupunta roon pero pumayag pa rin naman siya. 

I checked if I had his handkerchief inside my bag. Nalagay ko naman. 

"Papasok pa po ba ako, Ma'am?" Kuya Roel teased. 

"Uhm... Y-you can wait in the car, Kuya, or uhm... You can roam around. Here. Use my card." I gave him my card para kapag nagutom siya, pwede siyang kumain. "Si Ida po kikitain ko."

"Sige, Ma'am." He nodded, still smiling.

Hindi ko na dinepensahan ang sarili ko at bumaba na ng kotse, wearing my shades. Naglakad ako papunta sa milk tea place na pinag-usapan namin ni Sevi. Nakita ko na siya kaagad doon, nakaupo mag-isa at naglalaro sa phone.

"What's that?" tanong ko pagkahatak ng upuan sa harapan niya para roon umupo.

"Games." He did not even look at me. He was so busy playing. 

Tinanggal ko ang shades ko at nilabas ang wallet ko para umorder. Wala pa siyang milk tea na hawak kaya siguradong hindi pa siya umo-order.

"What's yours?" I asked. 

He did not answer. Ang bilis ng galaw ng daliri niya kakapindot sa phone niya at mukhang hindi pa 'ko narinig.

"What's yours?" I asked again, louder this time. 

"Pucha..." He looked so frustrated. 

Inis kong kinuha ang cellphone niya at pinatay 'yon. He looked at me with wide eyes and parted lips na parang pinatay ko ang anak niya sa harapan niya. 

"I said, what the fuck is your order?" I hissed. 

"Kung ano sa 'yo, Eli." He reached for his phone again. 

Irita kong binalik sa kaniya ang phone niya bago tumayo at nag-order. Ako pa talaga ang pinapila niya, ha! Siya ang nauna rito, dapat siya na ang nag-order. Oh, right! He was too busy with that fucking game kasi! 

Inis na inis ako habang nago-order. Nang makuha ko ang milk tea, bumalik na 'ko sa table at padabog na nilapag 'yong sa kaniya sa harapan niya. Padabog din akong umupo at tinitigan siya nang masama. 

Wala siyang pakialam. He was still playing.

"I thought hindi mo gusto when people use their phone while eating?" I arched a brow. 

"We're not eating," he reasoned out. 

Agad nag-init ang ulo ko! Pakiramdam ko, umakyat lahat ng dugo sa ulo ko. Kumukulo pa. 

Hindi na 'ko nagsalita after that. Nilabas ko na lang ang panyo niya at binato sa pagmumukha niya kaya napatigil siya sa paglalaro. 

"Uy." He laughed at my face. "Malapit na matapos. Wait lang." 

Irita kong kinuha ang milk tea ko at tumayo na para umuwi. Hindi pa 'ko nakakalakad paalis, hinawakan na niya ang kamay ko para hatakin pabalik. 

"What? Tapos ka na?" Mas lalong tumaas ang kilay ko nang lingunin siya.

He turned off his phone and gave me an apologetic smile. 

"Hindi na," he calmly said. "Pinatay ko na 'yong phone ko oh." 

I shouldn't be drinking milk tea right now, pero dahil nagke-crave raw siya, pumayag ako! Ugh! 'Yong diet ko, nawawala na. Lagot ako kay coach. 

"What are you getting out of that?" Inis akong umupo ulit sa harapan niya. 

"Achievement." He smirked. 

Okay, then. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita and sipped on my milk tea quietly. I stared at him for a moment and realized that he was wearing a navy blue sweater today, black shorts, black sneakers, and black watch. 

"I'm getting a manicure after this," I informed him. 

"Manicure tayo?" He smiled, excited to involve himself in the narrative. 

Ang sabi ko, ako lang! Bakit biglang kasama siya? 

"Yeah, sumama ka kung gusto mo." I shrugged. 

"Sasama talaga ako!" He was so energetic. 

Nang makalahati ang milk tea, tumayo na kami para maglakad-lakad. He was walking slow so I could keep up with him. He looked a little different with a sweater. He should wear sweaters more often, kung hindi mainit. 

"Nood ka game namin," sabi niya bigla habang naglalakad. "Semi-finals." 

"When?" Semi-finals na pala. Ang bilis! 

"Wednesday, FEU. Sunday, UP. Ikaw bahala. Kung saan ka available. Basta nood ka."

"Inuutusan mo ba 'ko?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. 

"Hindi naman. Sinasabi ko lang." He laughed. "Manonood din ako ng cheerdance para suportahan ka."

"Ako talaga? Hindi 'yong Salinggawi?" natatawang sabi ko. 

"Shh, baka may makarinig." He looked around, nervous. 

What a traitor! 

"Alam ko namang mananalo kami kaya nga ikaw ang susuportahan ko kasi kailangan mo." Malakas siyang tumawa, tuwang-tuwa sa pang-iinsulto niya.

"Ah, talaga? I hope you lose in basketball." Umirap ako. 

"Hindi 'yan. Nandito ako eh," pagyayabang niya. 

My gosh, nagyayabang na siya sa 'kin ngayon ha!

"Okay, hindi na 'ko manonood. Sure ka na palang mananalo kayo eh." I shrugged.

"Hala..." He covered his mouth dramatically. "Hindi ako sure. Walang sure. Uy, hintayin mo 'ko, crush!" 

Hinabol niya 'ko kaagad nang binilisan ko ang lakad ko. Tumawa ako at pumasok na sa loob ng nail salon. Puro babae sa loob pero hindi naman siya puno. The lady in the counter welcomed us with a smile. 

Sevi caught the women's attention while still drinking his milk tea when he went inside. He smiled back at the lady, and I saw how her cheeks blushed from that! Napaiwas pa siya ng tingin. 

"Ikaw lang po, Ma'am?" She asked me after I pointed at the kind of service that I want. 

"Pati siya." Hinatak ko si Sevi sa braso. 

"Upo na po kayo, Ma'am and Sir." 

Sumunod sa 'kin si Sevi papasok sa loob. Umupo ako sa comfortable couch at sa tabi ko naman si Sevi. He was looking around like an innocent kid, namamangha dahil ngayon lang nakapasok sa ganito. 

Nakita kong nag-unahan pa 'yong dalawang babae kung sino ang magse-serve kay Sevi. Napairap tuloy ako at sumandal na lang hanggang sa may pumunta nang babae sa 'kin. 

"I can watch sa Sunday. May training kami sa Wednesday." Lumingon ako kay Sevi. 

"Ikukuha kita ng ticket." Sevi nodded. "Wear a tiger shirt." 

"Huh?" My brows furrowed. "I'll wear maroon, duh." 

"Wag kasi!" reklamo niya.

I laughed at him when he started acting like a kid. Akala mo naman inagawan siya ng candy. 

"Ganito na lang. Kapag nagsuot ka ng tiger shirt sa game, magsusuot ako ng green sa cheerdance. Deal?" 

He was so impulsive. Nakita kong pinagsisihan niya kaagad ang sinabi niya kaya napangisi ako. He would never!

"You'll wear green?" I repeated. 

"Hindi, wag na pala-"

"No, sinabi mo na eh," I cut him off. "Deal! Deal!" 

"No deal. No deal," he countered. 

Masama ko siyang tiningnan at hindi inalis ang titig hangga't hindi siya pumapayag. Napabuntong-hininga siya at napailing. 

"Hindi ba pwedeng... yellow green suot ko?" He tried to negotiate. 

I giggled at his offer. What the hell! 

"Ano ka, mangga?" I laughed again. 

"Sige. Ito, final na. Yellow pants at green shirt," pagbibiro niya.

Natawa ako ulit dahil naisip ang itsura niya. Yellow pants! Mukha siyang tanga sa isipan ko. Paniguradong pagtatawanan din siya ng iba kapag ganoon nga ang sinuot niya. He also laughed when I laughed.

"Ang cute n'yo po, Ma'am and Sir," sabi bigla ng babaeng naglilinis ng kuko ko. "Ang saya-saya n'yo po ng boyfriend mo." 

Napatigil tuloy ako sa pagtawa ko! 

"He's not my boyf-"

"Salamat, Ate. Tuwang-tuwa talaga sa 'kin girlfriend ko, 'no?" Sevi sighed. "Benta talaga ng jokes ko. Bentang-benta rin kay Mama." 

The lady giggled, mukhang naintindihan ang reference. Ako, hindi! I pouted and rolled my eyes. Sila na ang masaya ngayon. 

Sevi took a stolen selfie of us and posted it on his IG story. Binato ko kaagad siya ng box ng tissue sa gilid nang makita 'yon. 

"Ang pangit ko roon!" reklamo ko. 

"Hindi naman, ah." He showed me the photo again. "Ang cute mo nga eh. Para kang baby sealion." 

"You little fuck-"

"Ate, nagmumura, oh," pagsusumbong niya.

Walang ginawa si Sevi kung hindi inisin ako buong manicure session. Imbis tuloy na ma-relax ako, mas na-stress ako! My gosh. Next time, hindi ko na siya isasama! Whenever I was with him, my blood pressure would go up. 

Pagkalabas namin sa nail salon, I felt like my age doubled. Sinamaan ko kaagad ng tingin si Sevi. 

"You're stressing me out. We really can't be in the same room for hours." Inismiran ko siya. 

"Bakit naman tayo kukuha ng kwarto?" He raised his brows, not getting what I said.

"H-huh?!" Hinampas ko siya bigla. It sounded so wrong! 

Naglakad na 'ko ulit at sumunod naman siya sa 'kin. Nang mapadaan sa cinema, I pointed at the 'Coming Soon' poster. I really wanted to watch that movie. Hindi pa nga lang siya showing. 

"That's a good movie," I told him.

"Hindi pa nga showing?" naguguluhang sabi niya. 

"The trailer was good!"

He suddenly looked at me and crossed his arms over his chest. He licked his lower lip and tilted his head to the side, figuring out something. 

"Inaaya mo ba 'ko manood ng sine?" He bit his lower lip to hide a smile. Ang kapal ng mukha!

"W-what?!" I panicked. "I'm just saying na it's a good mo-"

"Grabe, Elyse!" He dramatically covered his mouth. "Bakit hindi mo na lang sinabi nang deretso? Sevi, nood tayo ng sine, o kaya Sev, date tayo sa cinema. Papayag naman ako!"

"Alam mo, kadiri ka!" Inis ko siyang tinalikuran at naglakad paalis.

I suddenly stopped when I saw a familiar face. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at hindi kaagad nakagalaw.

"Kuya!" gulat na sabi ko nang mapatingin siya sa 'kin. 

Kumunot agad ang noo niya, nagtataka kung bakit ako nandito sa mall. Napalingon ako kay Sevi na may kausap sa phone. Buti na lang! 

"Elyse..." Gulat din siya. "Bakit ka nandito?" 

"Uhm, I was just... Uhm... Shopping! Boring kasi sa bahay eh! I also had a manicure. Look!" Pinakita ko pa ang kuko ko sa kaniya. 

"Oh..." Tumango siya at tumingin sa paligid. 

"Ikaw? What are you doing here?" It was my turn to ask. 

"Huh?" He couldn't even answer! 

Mas lalong sumingkit ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. I mean, pareho kaming malayo sa mall na 'to so bakit namin dadayuhin 'to, right? I thought busy siya sa readings niya? 

"Wala, I'm looking for a specific book," he answered without looking at me. "I'll go now." 

Kumaway ako sa kaniya nang maglakad na siya sa ibang direksyon. Saktong-sakto lumapit sa 'kin si Sevi kung kailan wala na si Kuya. 

"Sino 'yon?" nagtatakang tanong niya. 

"Sino'ng kausap mo sa phone?" I asked back. 

"Wala, si Ke lang." He smiled. "Bakit? Nagseselos ka?" 

Umiling ako bilang depensa. Tumawa lang ulit siya at sumunod na sa 'kin sa paglalakad. Wala na 'kong mapuntahan and Kuya Roel has my card so I can't go shopping. I stopped walking and looked at Sevi who suddenly stopped walking, too. 

"Bakit?" nagtatakang tanong niya. 

"The movie," I remembered. 

"Anong movie? Yong tinuro mo kanina?" Tumango ako sa kaniya. "O, anong mayroon?" 

I bit my lower lip and looked away, finding the right words to say. Gosh, why can't I just say it? 

"Ano?" pangungulit niya.

"Let's watch that." I looked at him, waiting for his reaction. I was not used to this! 

He stared at me for a moment before letting out an amused smile. He put his tongue on the insides of his cheek, trying to hide the smile. 

"Date?" he asked. 

"Whatever you call it." Nagkibit-balikat ako at tinalikuran na siya sa hiya. I could feel my cheeks blushing!

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:)