"Bakit? Ayaw ko. Ano'ng gagawin natin doon?" 

Ngumuso ako nang tanggihan niya 'ko. I knew it! Kaya hindi ko masabi kasi iba ang iisipin niya, pero naiilang talaga ako sa living room dahil may mga nakatingin. I mean, we can just go to my room and play a video game or whatever! 

"Don't you want to see my room? This is the only chance." I tried to convince him more. "My dad will come home na next week. Hindi ka na makakapunta rito." 

"Ano b'ang mayroon sa kwarto mo?" Kumunot ang noo niya.

"Wala! I just want to show you!"  

He sighed and looked away, frustrated. He pursed his lips and stared at the floor, thinking about something. Ang lalim ng iniisip niya at hindi ko mabasa. After a while, he sighed again and nodded. 

"Saglit lang ah." He made sure of that. 

"Yeah." Tuwang-tuwa akong tumayo at hinawakan ang kamay niya para hatakin din siya patayo. "This way!" 

Hinatak ko siya paakyat sa hagdan. Ang bagal niya pang maglakad kaya nahirapan akong hatakin siya. We went through the hallway until we stopped in front of a white door. Binitawan ko ang kamay niya at binuksan ang pinto, showing him my room. 

He looked from the outside, refusing to go in. 

"Come in!" I opened the door wider and stepped sideways to give him space. 

"Huwag na. Nakita ko na." He bit his lower lip and shook his head. 

"Come on! Please?" I held his hand and convinced him using my eyes. "Please? You'll look so awkward out there!"

"Mas awkward pa ata sa 'kin ang pumasok diyan." Sevi laughed. 

"Bakit ba ayaw mo? You're probably thinking of something!" Pinagsingkitan ko siya ng mata.

"Hindi ah," tanggi niya kaagad.

Because he wanted to prove a point, he stepped inside and looked around, crossing his arms over his chest. I smiled and closed the door just to give us privacy. Kinuha ko ang light remote ko at pinakita sa kaniya. 

"Look! This one's amazing!" I changed the color of the room to purple. 

My room was pastel in color. Mainly pink and white kaya maliwanag siyang tingnan. I had a queen-size bed at the center with so many stuffed toys placed above the blanket. Sa tabi no'n ay side table and a cute lamp. May sofa rin ako na color grey so I told Sevi that he can sit there. Umupo naman siya, hindi nagsasalita. 

Binalik ko na ang ilaw sa white at umupo sa kama ko. We were so far from each other! Halatang ayaw niya 'kong lapitan! 

Tumayo na lang ako at naglakad palapit sa kaniya. I saw how his eyes panicked a bit when he saw me walking towards him. Umusog siya sa sofa nang maupo ako sa tabi niya. I placed the remote at the side of the couch and looked at him. 

"Are you breathing?" I was worried. "Is it hot?" 

"Hindi naman." Sevi put the back of his hand on his forehead, wiping the sweat. 

"Then why are you sweating? I think it's hot." Tumayo ako at kinuha ang remote ng aircon para buksan. 

Sevi looked tall in my small couch. Hindi ako sanay na may matangkad na lalaki sa loob ng kwarto ko. Si Ida pa lang ang friend na pinapasok ko sa room ko, kaya seeing Sevi here inside was so unusual. 

"Are you still sad about the game?" Umupo ulit ako sa tabi niya. 

I placed my leg on the couch and faced him. He couldn't look at me! Naiinis ako! Hinawakan ko tuloy ang mukha niya at hinarap sa 'kin para makita ko siya. 

"Answer my question," inis na sabi ko. 

"Ah, anong game?" Parang wala siya sa sarili niya! 

"The game!" I repeated. "'Yong kanina! Gosh, are you okay?" 

"Ah..." He nodded. "Ngayon ko na nga lang ulit naalala eh. Wala... Malungkot pa rin, siyempre. Pero ganoon talaga eh. Wala na 'kong magagawa ro'n." 

"It must be hard to leave." I felt sad for him. "It's okay. You were a great captain." 

"Sana nga." He laughed and looked away. 

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at niyakap siya pagilid. I placed my head on his shoulder to give him comfort. Instead of relaxing, he stiffened because of my hug. Ngumuso ako at sinandal ang baba ko sa balikat niya para tingnan siya. 

"Can you look at me, please?" I asked him. 

Sevi inhaled a large amount of breath to calm himself. Then, he pursed his lips and looked up, getting more frustrated. 

"Tara na." Tumayo siya at hinawakan ang kamay ko para hatakin ako patayo rin ng sofa. "Uuwi na 'ko. Late na." 

"Too early!" Ngumuso ako at hindi nagpahatak sa kaniya patayo ng sofa. Nanatili akong nakaupo roon. "Just stay here for a few minutes!" 

"Eli," he warned. "Sabi mo saglit lang tayo rito." 

I pouted and pulled him back to his seat. He sighed heavily before sitting down, letting go of my hand. Nilagay niya na lang ang braso niya sa sandalan ng sofa. His other hand was playing with his lips while he was staring at the wall, obviously ignoring me.

Sumimangot ako at kinuha na lang ang phone ko para mag-scroll sa Facebook. My eyes widened when I saw a video of two people kissing. I immediately turned my phone off and placed it on the side. 

"Ano?" Tanong ni Sevi nang makitang mataranta ako. 

"Nothing." I looked away, feeling awkward now. 

Natahimik tuloy ako, thinking about Ate Mae's words last time, isama na rin sila Ate Raya, 'yong tungkol sa kissing! My face heated, just thinking about it! I was so curious. What does it feel like kaya? 

"Sevi..." I looked at him.

Seryoso siyang tumingin sa 'kin at tinaasan ako ng isang kilay. Hindi ko alam bakit ang tahimik at seryoso niya ngayon. 

"Have you tried kissing?" I curiously asked.

He looked away in an instant like I said something so controversial. He shifted on his seat uncomfortably, hindi malaman ang gagawin. So, was that a yes or a no? Bakit hindi niya sinasagot? 

"Oo," bulong niya na parang ayaw niyang marinig ko. 

"What? Who?!" I felt jealous now. 

"Wala, kung sinu-sino lang," mabilis na sagot niya.

"Kung sinu-sino?!" Napatayo na 'ko sa inis. 

"Hindi!" bawi niya.

I crossed my arms over my chest while glaring at him. Kung sinu-sino, huh?! For me, kisses were special pa naman! Tapos ang sagot niya sa kung sinu-sino lang? So kapag kiniss niya 'ko, kung sinu-sino lang din ako? 

"'Di ba sabi ko... May mga nakalandian ako ngayong college, tapos explore-explore... Siyempre, may mga... kiss din, ganoon," naiilang na sabi niya. 

"Ako, wala pa 'kong first kiss!" sabi ko sa kaniya. 

Nanlaki ang mata ni Sevi at umiwas ng tingin sa 'kin, nailang sa sinabi ko.

"Uh, okay." He nodded. "Hindi ko alam kung dapat ko bang malaman 'yon pero sige." 

Nakakainis naman siya kausap. Napansin niya yatang nagtatampo na 'ko kaya pinilit niyang hawakan ang kamay ko para hatakin ako palapit. Nakatayo na 'ko sa gitna ng binti niya ngayon habang tinatawanan niya 'ko. 

"Bakit ka nagagalit?" He asked, smiling. "Sabihin mo sa 'kin." 

"I wanted to talk about it seriously!" 

Tumango siya at sumeryoso na para hindi na 'ko mainis. I sat beside him as he pulled me closer to him so we could face each other. Sobrang lapit na niya sa akin. Naaamoy ko na ang pabango niya. 

"Sige na. Maayos na 'kong makikipag-usap," he urged me to talk. 

"Okay, uhm." I couldn't talk now! Masyado siyang malapit sa 'kin tapos nakatitig pa siya. "When are we allowed to kiss?" 

"Bakit gusto mong malaman 'yong tungkol sa kiss?" Kumunot ang noo niya. 

"I'm curious?" I tilted my head a little to the side and blinked. "Why? You don't want it? Should I just find another guy to fill in my curiosity?" I wondered.

"Ah, sige," sarkastikong sabi niya. 

"I'm kidding!" bawi ko kaagad. 

He pushed me lightly so I would distance myself from him but I didn't budge. Nanatili ako sa harapan niya, tumatawa pa kaya naasar siya lalo. He looked so serious now and... mad. 

"Do you want to kiss now?" I asked him. 

His jaw moved when he looked at me, trying to contain his emotions inside. Tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay, ayaw sagutin ang tanong ko. 

"Kiss?" I repeated. "I don't know how to do it, though."

"Nakakailang naman 'yong tanong mo." His brows furrowed. 

"I'm honest! Don't you want honesty?!" reklamo ko sa kanya. 

Umusog pa 'ko palapit sa kaniya at humawak sa balikat niya para hindi ako tumaob palikod. He stared at my face for a moment before nodding. Parang sumusuko na siya. 

"I'll try," determinadong sabi ko.

Tumango lang siya at tiningnan ako, hinihintay na halikan ko siya. My heart skipped a beat when I leaned and stopped inches away from his lips. His lips looked so kissable! How could someone have that healthy color? 

I parted my lips a little before giving him a light kiss. His eyes closed a little when he looked down at me. 

Umayos ako ng upo at tumingin sa kaniya, nahihiya na sa ginawa ko. My god, so that was the feeling! Parang may malambot na ewan! I just placed my lips on top of his. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba 'yon! 

Seryoso lang na nakatingin sa 'kin si Sevi, hindi nagsasalita. 

"Was that okay?" I asked him. 

"Okay na 'yon." Tumango siya. 

"I'll do it again!" 

Hindi naman siya nag reklamo kaya lumapit ulit ako para mahalikan siya. He did not respond to my deep kiss, basta hinayaan niya lang ako. Humawak ako sa pisngi niya at tinagalan nang kaunti ang halik bago siya binitawan ulit. 

"How do I taste like?" I curiously asked. 

"Ewan..." Sevi chuckled. "Paano ko malalaman?"

I sighed in embarrassment. Dahan-dahan akong tumango sa kaniya at aayos na sana ng upo pero hinatak niya ang baywang ko palapit at nilagay ang isang kamay sa pisngi ko. He angled his face before giving me a soft kiss. 

I automatically closed my eyes when he moved his lips a little and kissed me again before letting me go. 

Pakiramdam ko, pulang-pula na ang pisngi ko nang tingnan niya 'ko. Dali-dali akong umayos ng tayo at kinuha ang phone ko, handa nang ihatid siya sa baba. Oh my god, I wanted that kind of kiss!

"T-tara... Uhm... Papahatid na kita kay Kuya Roel." Hindi ako makapagsalita nang maayos!

Bumaba na kaming dalawa at dumeretso sa labas. Mabuti na lang at wala pa rin si Mommy, kung hindi, lagot ako! I knew the helpers would say nothing. Hindi naman sila nangingialam. I can just say na naglaro kami ng arcade ni Sevi sa taas. 

"Bye," paalam ni Sevi nang huminto na 'yong kotse sa harapan ng steps. 

"Uhm, bye..." I waved my hand a little. "I'll... see you."

"Magreply ka," pagpapaalala niya sa 'kin bago sumakay sa kotse. 

Nang mawala siya sa paningin ko, tumakbo kaagad ako paakyat sa kwarto at sinara ang pinto. Tumalon-talon ako at impit na sumigaw sa sobrang kilig. I hugged the pillow tightly and touched my lips with my finger. Oh my god, he kissed me! We kissed! I got my first kiss! 

Tinawagan ko agad si Ida para ibalita sa kaniya. 

[Yes, hello? What's the tea?] bungad niya. 

"Ida, guess what!" I was so excited. 

[You had sex?]

"No!" agad na tanggi ko. "But I got my first kiss!" 

[Oh my gosh!] Narinig kong kumalampag ang sahig ni Ida. [Omg, nabitawan ko 'yong phone! Anyway, how was it?! Masarap ba?! Omg! Anong feeling?!] 

I told Ida how it made me feel, hoping that it would lessen my kilig or whatever, pero mukhang mas lumala lang! I was smiling the whole time she was giving me advice on what to do next. I couldn't help but take down notes inside my head. 

Anyway, since bumalik na si Daddy the next week, nagkikita na lang kami ni Sevi twice a week kapag wala akong class. Naging busy na siya because of finals and ako rin, naging busy sa studies ko. 

"We're going to Japan for Christmas. Sayang, I couldn't celebrate it with you," I pouted. 

"Video call. May video call naman." Sevi pinched my cheek and smiled. 

Nasa mall kami ngayon. I asked him to come with me so he can help me pick gifts for his family and also for my family. I wanted to buy them gifts, too. Medyo walang sense nga lang since pera pa rin ni Daddy ang gagamitin ko. I laughed at that. 

"Mas maganda siguro kung may meaning 'yong regalo mo. Hindi lang basta designer bag," Sevi suggested while I was looking for bags. 

"What do you mean? This is for me." I glared at him.

I was just looking. Wala naman akong plans na bumili. The last time I bought a new one, my mom sold two old bags of mine. Napagkasunduan nila ni Daddy na one new bag equated to two old bags na ibebenta. Well, I think I could deal with that. 

"What are your plans for Christmas?" I asked him. 

"May charity work kami nina Sam," sagot niya naman. "Pwede kang mag-donate kung gusto mo. Si Sam may pakana nito eh."

"Samantha Vera?" I asked just to make sure because I only knew one Sam who would do something like that. 

"Oo, kilala mo?" gulat na tanong niya sa 'kin. "Ay, oo nga. Siyempre kilala mo rin. Si Sam 'yon eh. Lahat ata kilala no'n." 

I mean, hindi naman kami gano'n ka-close but she was one of the very few people na hindi ko hate. She was actually nice and she was never boring. Noong nakausap ko siya once sa isang gathering, hindi ako na-bored sa topics niya. 

"Ihahatid namin si Hiro tomorrow sa airport," I informed him. 

"Ako rin, may pupuntahan ako bukas pagkatapos ng exam," sambit niya sa 'kin. 

"Where?" My brows furrowed. Hindi niya pa sinasabi sa 'kin 'yon ah. 

"Nueva Ecija. May susunduin lang din kami nina Luna," pagpapaliwanag niya. 

Tumango ako at naglakad na palabas ng store. Pumunta kami sa department store so I could buy Sofia a gift and also sa brother niya na si Steven. I never met him. Hindi pa 'ko nagpupunta sa bahay nila, pero plano ko bago ako umalis papuntang Japan, bibisitahin ko muna 'yong family niya para ibigay 'yong gifts. 

"You think Sofia would like this?" Pinakita ko ang doll kay Sevi. 

"Hindi mo naman kailangan bilhan 'yon ng ganiyan kamahal. Ibabato lang din niya 'yan." Sevi laughed. "Masisira pa. Sayang." 

"Just answer!" inis na sabi ko. "Ano bang tinitingnan mo diyan? Those are for newborn babies!" 

I caught him looking at baby clothes while I was here busy looking for dolls. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagtitingin siya ng mga pang-sanggol na damit. Hindi naman na sanggol si Sofia! 

"Uhm, hindi 'yan kasya kay Sofia," turo ko sa tinitingnan niyang pink na onesie. 

"Hindi para kay Sofia." He laughed and held my waist. "Manganganak na 'yong kaibigan ko eh." 

"Ito muna." Tinaas ko ang dalawang doll. "Pili ka muna kung ano'ng mas maganda." 

"Ito." Sevi pointed at my face. 

Namula tuloy ang pisngi ko! Tinalikuran ko siya at kinuha na lang 'yong dalawa dahil hindi ako makapili. Gosh, my heart was beating so fast. Pinapakilig niya ako.

Sevi bought two sets of clothes for his friend's baby and I bought two dolls for Sofia. Damit na lang din ang binili ko sa brother niya and then perfume sa mom niya para madali. I hoped they will like it. Sa Japan ko na lang bibilhan si Kuya at saka sina Mommy. 

"Mom, Dad, I'm home," I announced as soon as I entered the house. 

"You really can't do something right, for fuck's sake!" 

My eyes widened when I heard my dad's angry yell. Binitawan ko kaagad ang paper bags na dala ko at tumakbo paakyat ng study room where I heard the sound. I tried to open it, but it was locked. 

"Oh my god." I felt like tearing up when I heard a broken glass inside. 

"I am still your father! I am paying for your fucking law school tuition! You don't have the right to raise your fucking voice at me!" 

"You are obliged to support your child. Don't throw that shit against me." I heard my brother's voice. 

I covered my mouth when I heard a loud noise. It was almost like hitting somebody. I knocked on the door repeatedly, asking them to open up. 

"Dad? Open the door!" I was hitting it with my fist. "Open the door! Now!" 

I stepped backward when my brother opened the door and looked at me with bloodshot eyes. Namumula ang pisngi niya at may sugat sa labi. My lips parted, wanting to talk, but I couldn't find the right words to say. 

"Just go to your room, Elyse," seryosong sabi ni Kuya. 

Nilagpasan ko siya at pumasok sa loob. I saw my dad holding onto his table, breathing heavily. Hawak niya ang golf club niya sa isang kamay at mukhang galit. May basag din na vase sa gilid. 

"Why are you hurting him?!" I yelled so loud my voice echoed inside the room.

"Elyse..." Shan grabbed my arm and tried to pull me outside. 

"Don't hurt him!" I cried. 

"Please, let's just go." Shan was already begging me. 

Nagpahatak ako sa kaniya palabas. Binuksan niya ang balcony at lumabas kami roon para magpahangin. Umiiyak pa rin ako habang nakasandal si Kuya roon, facing the other side. His jaw aggressively moved as he was trying to calm himself. 

"I'm fine," he whispered. 

"You're not fine!" Pinunasan ko ang luha ko. "Why do you guys always fight, for fuck's sake?! When will this end?"

"Listen, Eli." He sighed and held both of my hands. "As long as he's treating you right, you don't have to worry, but the moment he does something else that could hurt you or your mom, just tell me. I'll get you out of that fucking house. Do you hear me?"

"What are you saying?" I sobbed. 

"Sumunod ka na lang, okay? If that happens before I can even get a job after law school, don't worry. I'll find a way to keep you away from that old man." He looked so mad. 

"He's our dad," I reminded him. "You should not say bad things about him..." 

"He's your dad," he corrected. "I don't consider him as my family anymore." 

I couldn't understand him! Hindi ko alam kung saan ba talaga niya hinuhugot ang galit niya. I felt like I just knew the surface but he just wouldn't let me dig deeper on the ground. Tumango na lang ako at inihatid na niya 'ko sa kwarto bago umalis. 

Gumising ako nang madaling-araw para ihatid si Hiro sa airport. My brother picked me up using Neil's van. Lahat sila ay nasa loob na except Hiro. 'Yong iba, hindi makakasama sa paghatid dahil galing sa malayo. 

Dumaan kami sa condo ni Hiro at sinundo siya sa lobby. Neil and Arman helped him with his luggage. Hiro looked so stressed when he opened the shotgun seat and sat beside my brother. 

"What the fuck happened to your face?" Hiro's brows furrowed. 

"Old man." Shan rolled his eyes.

"Dude, he's so fucked up." Hiro shook his head. 

"Uhm, excuse me, you're talking about my dad." Sumingit ako sa gitna nilang dalawa. 

"Yeah, your dad's fucked up." Hiro laughed at what I said. 

"Annoying ka." Sumimangot ako at bumalik na sa kinauupuan ko. 

"Did you find her?" Ate Helen asked.

"No..." Hiro gave her a small smile. "I guess that's it. She doesn't really want to be found." 

"Who?" nagtatakang tanong ko kay Ate Ericka. "Sino'ng hinahanap n'yo?" 

"Wala, bebe." She laughed. "It's nothing." 

Kinuha ko ang phone ko at binasa ang text ni Sevi. 

From: Sevi

bb nasa byahe na kami 

I typed my reply.

To: Sevi

Me also! Update me mwa 

It was another devastating moment to see Hiro go, but it hurt less now since wala na 'kong hidden feelings for him. He hugged my brother and whispered something to him before getting his bags. 

"I'll see you soon." He gave us a small smile. 

"Take care, okay?" Ate Helen was crying. "Don't forget to eat your meals on time!" 

"Take care..." He waved his hand for the last time before going inside the airport. 

Pagkauwi, natulog ako ulit since Sunday naman at walang class. I woke up around lunch time so I went down to eat my lunch. Napatingin ako sa post-it-note na iniwan ni Mommy sa may plate ng food. 

'Emergency travel to Singapore. 

I'm with your dad. Will be back tomorrow.

-Mom' 

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa tuwa. Binilisan ko ang kain ko at tinext si Sevi. Around eleven nang itext niya 'ko na nakabalik na silang Manila pero tulog ako kaya ngayon ko lang nabasa. 

To: Sevi

Come over!! My parents left!!

From: Sevi

Huh

Sumimangot agad ako. Nakakainis naman siya! One month na siyang hindi pumupunta sa bahay. Last na 'yong sa first kiss namin eh! Maybe we can move a little forward this time? I giggled. 

To: Sevi

Pls it's our monthsary today. We'll just play a videogame 

From: Sevi

weh scam 'yan eh

Inis akong nag-type ulit. 

To: Sevi

I want to talk about something. 

From: Sevi

okay nakakakaba ka naman 

Naligo kaagad ako at nag-ayos ng sarili. Nagsuot ako ng black shorts and a grey tank top. Nagpabango rin ako at naglagay ng lip tint para mas maayos akong tingnan. Umupo ako sa couch, calling Ida. 

[Yes?] sagot niya kaagad. [What's our problem?]

"Sevi's coming over!" excited na sabi ko. 

[Omg!] Narinig kong sinara niya ang pinto, mukhang pumasok sa kwarto niya. [Remember what I said!] 

"I'm so nervous." Kinagat ko ang daliri ko. "Should I guide his hand upwards?" 

[What?!] Ida laughed so hard. [Huwag muna! Take it slow, ano ka ba! You're not running out of time!]

"Okay. Take it slow," bulong ko. "We haven't even... said our I love you's yet." 

[Omg, true ba?] Ida laughed. [Why don't you talk about it?] 

"We will! Kaya pinapunta ko siya rit- Omg!" Napatayo ako nang marinig ang doorbell. "He's here na! Laters!" 

Binaba ko ang tawag at tumakbo pababa ng hagdan para pagbuksan si Sevi. He was just wearing a white shirt and a pair of black sweat shorts but he looked so attractive. Gumilid ako para makapasok siya. He even double-checked if my parents were inside. 

"Ano'ng pag-uusapan natin?" tanong niya kaagad. 

"Let's talk inside my room."  I smiled at him. 

"Sabi na eh! Budol 'to!" Umakto siyang aalis na. 

"Hey! I'm serious kasi! We need to talk about it, but I want it to be private!" Hinawakan ko ang braso niya para pigilan siya. He was obviously just being playful. 

"Ano nga 'yon? Kinakabahan ako." He held his chest. "Makikipag-break ka na ba? 'Wag naman oh." 

"Of course not!" Binatukan ko kaagad siya. "Just follow me!" 

Umakyat ako sa hagdanan at pinasunod siya hanggang sa loob ng kwarto ko. Pagkapasok niya, sinara ko na ulit ang pinto at umupo sa kama ko. 

"Sit here." Tinapik ko ang space sa tabi ko. 

"Dito na lang ako," umupo siya sa sofa. 

"I said, sit here!" sigaw ko. 

Napatayo kaagad siya at tumatawang umupo sa tabi ko. He even checked how soft the mattress was, mukhang namangha pa.  

"Ano'ng pag-uusapan natin?" tanong niya ulit. Mukhang kanina pa siya naba-bother at kinakabahan dahil doon.

"Give me a kiss first." I pouted my lips playfully. 

"Awit." He laughed at me. 

"Bahala ka, hindi ko sasabihin 'yong problema ko." I crossed my arms over my chest. 

He smiled before holding my face and giving me a soft kiss. Like what Ida said, I put my arms around his neck to deepen our kiss. Nagulat siya sa ginawa ko. 

I moved closer and straddled his hips. Umatras siya sa kama at tinungkod ang isang kamay niya sa likod para suportahan ang bigat niya habang ang isang kamay ay nasa baywang ko. I kissed him again but he put his hand on my shoulder, lightly pushing me away.

"Ano'ng pag-uusapan?" he asked. 

I was breathing heavily, nakalimutan na kung ano ba talaga ang pag-uusapan namin. Napatingin ulit ako sa kaniya nang maalala. 

"We... Uh... haven't said the three words yet." I bit my lower lip, getting embarrassed that I had to open it up. 

"Three words?" Kumunot ang noo niya. "Anong three words? Resorts World Manila?" He laughed. 

"Ewan ko sa 'yo!" Umayos na 'ko ng tayo at umupo na lang sa sofa, nagtatampo na sa kaniya. 

"Ano nga?" naguguluhang tanong niya. "Three words? Uhm... Go to hell?" 

"Sebastian!" inis na sabi ko. "Bwisit naman eh!" 

Tumawa ulit siya, halatang pinagtitripan ako. I rolled my eyes and looked down, getting more embarrassed now. I played with my hands and stared at the floor. 

"Elyse," he called. 

"What?!" I glared at him. 

"I love you." He smiled. 

_______________________________________________________________________________

:)