"Can you repeat that?" 

I blinked once. Twice. Thrice. Did I hear it right? Did he just say the 'three words'?! Or was I just hearing things?! 

Tumayo ako at naglakad palapit sa kaniya sa may kama para marinig ko siya nang maayos. I stood in between his thighs and held on his shoulders. Nilagay niya ang kaniyang kamay sa baywang ko habang ang isa ay nakatungkod pa rin sa kama. His veins were already showing on that hand. 

"'Yong ano?" Sevi teased. 

"'Yong sinabi mo kanina. Did I hear it right?" Gulat pa rin akong nakatingin sa kaniya. 

"'Yong ano nga?"

"I love you!" I specified. 

"I love you too." Napangisi siya, naisahan ako! 

Inis ko siyang natulak sa balikat kaya bigla siyang bumagsak sa kama. Since he was holding my waist, I lost my balance and fell on top of him. My eyes widened when I realized our position. 

"Elyse?" I heard my brother's voice outside.

"Oh, shit!" Agad akong tumayo at nataranta.

I was walking around my room, looking for a place to hide Sevi. Nagmamadali kong binuksan ang walk-in closet ko at hinatak si Sevi papasok roon. Naguguluhan pa siya sa 'kin pero sumunod naman siya.

"Sino 'yon?" nagtatakang tanong niya.

"It's my brother! Hide!" Tinulak ko siya papasok at sinara ang pinto. 

Saktong-sakto, bumukas ang pinto ko kaya tumalikod ako at yumuko sa may side table, acting like I was doing something. I looked back at my brother, acting like I was shocked that he was here. Parang hindi ko siya narinig kanina. 

"Kuya!" I gave him an awkward smile. "Nandito ka pala! What brings you here?"

"Are you okay?" His brows furrowed when he saw me sweating. "Your mom informed me that you're going to be left alone in the house, so I'm staying here until tomorrow. I'll leave around five A.M., though. I need to go to school." 

"What?!" Nanlaki ang mata ko. 

"I'll just study in the living room. I'll call you when dinner's ready." Then he closed the door. 

I waited for a bit more before following him downstairs. Sumilip ako sa hagdanan at nakita siyang naglapag ng mga makakapal na libro sa coffee table ng living room na katabi ng pinto kung saan dapat lalabas si Sevi! I can't sneak him out now! God, mukhang hindi pa matutulog si Kuya ah?! Ang dami niyang readings! 

Dahan-dahan akong bumaba at sinubukang buksan ang back door pero gumawa 'yon ng ingay kaya napalingon sa 'kin si Kuya. Fuck naman! Why did it make a damn sound?! 

"Where are you going?" tanong ni Kuya. 

"Ah, I'm looking for my phone." Sinara ko kaagad ang back door at ngumiti sa kaniya.

"Yeah, you're holding it, though." He looked at my hand.

"Oh!" Tinaas ko ang kamay ko at tiningnan ang hawak kong phone. "Right! Ha-ha! Silly me!" 

Kumunot ang noo niya sa pagtataka kung bakit ganito ang inaakto ko, pero umiling na lang siya at ibinalik ang atensyon sa pagbabasa. I muttered a curse before running upstairs. Pagkabukas ko ng kwarto ko, sinara ko kaagad at ni-lock bago binuksan ang walk-in closet. 

"We have a big problem," I nervously told him.

I caught him looking at the big shelf where I put my bag collection. Naka-sort 'yon by color. Minsan naman, by brand. Depende sa mood. Katabi ng shelf na 'yon ay puro shoes naman. I had more bags than shoes so medyo mas maliit ang shelf ng sapatos. 

"I'm... thinking of selling some of my bags so I can donate the money to Sam. 'Di ba may charity work kayo?" I bit my finger. 

Gulat na napatingin sa 'kin si Sevi bago binalik ang tingin sa shelf. May limang empty space doon dahil binenta ni Mommy noong bumili ako ng bago. 

"Sigurado ka ba?" tanong niya sa 'kin.

"Well, uh, yeah. Mabubulok lang 'yan dito kung hindi ko naman ginagamit." I looked at the ones placed at the very bottom of the shelf. Those were the old ones. "I'll give you the money before my flight." 

"Ano na 'yong big problem natin?" Umupo siya sa maliit na couch sa loob ng walk-in closet. 

"I think... Uhm... You're staying here until midnight." I gave him an awkward smile.

"Ano?!" His brows furrowed. "Bakit?" 

"My... My brother's downstairs. Nag-aaral siya sa living room so I can't sneak you out. He'll leave around five naman! We can wake up at five and then wait for him to leave so you can go before my parents arrive," mabilis na pagpapaliwanag ko. "Lunch time pa naman ang flight nila Mommy pabalik!" 

"Wala akong damit, oy!" Napakamot si Sevi sa ulo niya. 

"I'll take care of it!" I felt so bad. Pumunta siya rito, not expecting that he will be forced to stay in the whole night. "But... isn't that great?!" 

"Ano'ng great doon?" Mukhang problemado pa siya. 

"We'll be spending our first night together!" I tried to look at the brighter side. 

"Oo nga. Ano'ng great doon?" He covered his face in frustration. 

"Why?" I pouted. "Don't you want to sleep with me?" 

"Hindi naman, pero..." He looked at me for a moment and sighed when he saw my sad face. "Okay. Okay, sige. Panalo ka na." 

Tumalon ako sa tuwa at lumabas na ng walk-in closet para tawagan si Kuya Roel. I asked him to buy things for Sevi, like clothes and some essentials. I also asked him to put it in a paper bag para madaling itago kay Kuya. I'll just say na I bought them for myself. 

"Elyse, pwedeng pakuha rin ng reviewer ko kamo sa bahay?" singit ni Sevi. "May finals pa 'ko bukas." 

"Oh, okay." Tinawagan ko ulit si Kuya Roel. 

"Ma," rinig kong sagot ni Sevi sa tawag. "Hindi ako makakauwi ngayon eh. May ano... May review kami para sa finals bukas. Pakisabi kay Steven bago ka umalis, may kukuha ng reviewer ko diyan. Paki-abot na lang 'yong backpack kong black." 

Oh no, he had finals tomorrow. Ngumuso ako at umupo sa kama ko, hinihintay siyang matapos makipag-usap sa Mama niya. Okay, Elyse. Later, huwag mo siyang guguluhin dahil mag-aaral siya. I did this to him so I should stay quiet, or else he will fail. 

Lumabas siya ng walk-in closet at umupo sa couch. Tumabi ako sa kaniya at hinawakan ang kamay niya.

"I'm sorry."I  pouted. "I didn't know-"

"Okay lang." He laughed and kissed my forehead. 

"Are you sure it's okay? Promise, mamaya, hindi kita guguluhin. You can study. I can stay inside my closet all day so you can study in peace." I felt like tearing up because of guilt. 

He smiled and held my face to give my cheek a soft kiss. His hand went from my cheek down to the side of my neck, holding me in place. I thought he would kiss me on the lips. I even closed my eyes because his face was so near mine. 

"ML lang ako," paalam niya.

Napasimangot ako at inirapan siya. Kinuha ko na lang ang phone ko at inabala ang sarili ko sa social media habang abala siya sa page-ML niya. May kausap pa siya sa earphones niya. 

"Amp! Mid nga 'di ba? Ano'ng ginagawa mo dyan?" Sevi looked so frustrated. "Put-"

"Language." I rolled my eyes. 

"Bobo naman noong isang kakampi. Sino ba 'yon? Hoy, Luna, pakisabi nga bobo siya. Mukhang hindi niya alam, eh. Luh, gago, kill steal. Dati ka sigurong papansin." 

Lumingon ako sa kaniya habang nakaupo ako sa vanity chair ko, practicing my makeup. Ang ingay ni Sevi. Umirap ako at pinagpatuloy ang pagme-makeup sa sarili ko. Nang matapos ako, saktong natapos na rin si Sevi sa laro niya. 

"Hey you, come here." Sinenyasan ko si Sevi na umupo sa vanity chair ko.

"Huh? Bakit?" Pinatay niya ang phone niya at sumunod sa 'kin. 

Binuksan ko ulit ang ilaw ng vanity mirror at nilapag ang mga makeup ko sa harapan niya. Tiningnan niya 'yon, nagtataka. Kinuha niya pa ang isang brush at sinubok sa pisngi niya para malaman kung anong feeling. 

"I'll practice on you." Hinarap ko siya sa 'kin at kinuha ang cleanser. 

"Practice ng ano?" He did not have any clue. 

"Makeup! I'm trying a new look."

He was about to protest but I already wiped the cotton pad on his face. Napapikit siya at naka-kunot ang noo habang pinupunasan ko ang mukha niya. I giggled and made him wear my pink hairband na may ribbon sa taas. 

"Kasya ba 'yan sa 'kin?" nagtatakang tanong niya. 

"Just wear it!" 

Nang isuot niya, tinawanan ko ang itsura niya. I took a picture of him wearing that so I could put it on my home screen. He looked so cute and innocent. 

"Pwe, ano ba 'yan," reklamo niya habang dinadampian ko ng blender ang taas ng lips niya. "Hoy, 'wag mong diinan sa mata ko!" 

"I'm sorry." Tumatawa pa rin ako habang inaayos ang foundation sa kaniya. I had a darker shade with me so 'yon ang ginamit ko sa kanya. "There, there. Concealer na lang. Wait." 

Kukuhain ko na sana ang concealer kaso tumawag si Kuya Roel. Dali-dali akong bumaba at kinuha ang paper bag mula sa kaniya. Lumingon si Kuya saglit pero binalik din ang mata sa pagbabasa. I smiled and ran upstairs again. 

I saw Sevi looking at himself in the mirror. Sinara ko ang pinto at ni-lock 'yon bago nag-alcohol. 

"Game na." Kinuha ko ang concealer at pinaharap ulit siya sa 'kin. "Look up."

He pursed his lips and looked up. I was smiling the whole time! Tahimik lang siya at sinusunod lahat ng sinasabi ko. Nakakatawa siyang tingnan. 

Tumawa ako at kinuha ang brush ko. I decided to give him a 'fall' look. Habang nilalagyan ko siya ng eyeshadow, nakapikit lang siya at naghihintay. 

"Baka makatulog ako rito ah," reklamo niya ulit. "Inaantok na 'ko, babe." He sighed. 

"Kaunti na lang! Just wait!" 

"Kanina pa 'yong 'kaunti' na 'yan ah." 

Kinuha ko na ang eyeliner at nilagyan siya ng wing. I messed it up a little so I had to re-do it. Halatang naiinip na siya pero sinusubukan pa ring habaan ang pasensya niya. 

"Look up," I told him, holding my pencil eyeliner. 

Tumingin naman siya sa taas kaya nilagyan ko siya ng eyeliner sa baba ng eyes niya.

"Hoy, ano ba 'yan, nakakaiyak naman 'yan. Sibuyas ba 'yan? Puta, ang sakit sa mata." Napapikit siya ulit, hindi pa nga ako tapos! 

"Babe, sige na, dali na. Malapit na matapos, please," pagmamakaawa ko. "Look up." 

He sighed heavily but still looked up even though he was tearing up a bit. Tinapos ko na lang agad para hindi na siya maluha. Kinuha ko ang pangkilay ko at hinawakan ang baba niya para makita siya nang maayos. 

"Aahitin mo ba kilay ko? 'Wag naman." Natakot siya bigla. 

"No, silly!" I giggled while I was brushing his thick eyebrows. "I like your brows!" maarteng sabi ko.

"Omg, thanks! It's organic," he mocked my voice. 

"Bwisit ka." I laughed. "You're so epal." 

Pagkatapos sa kilay niya, I started putting contour on his face. I asked him to do the fish face and laughed when he really did it. 

"Pinagtitripan mo lang ata ako, eh." Nagtampo na siya.

"No kaya." 

I stayed quiet while I was brushing on his sharp jawline. Nakatagilid nang kaunti ang mukha niya para makita ko ang jawline niya. It could probably cut my finger or something. 

"Ano 'yan?" tanong niya nang kumuha ako ng highlighter stick. 

"Highlighter." Nilapag ko saglit sa table para maghanap ng brush.

Kinuha niya ang highlighter at humarap sa salamin, smiling. My brows furrowed and looked back at him. 

"Hey guys, welcome back to my channel," he mocked. 

"What the hell..." I shook my head. 

"So for today's video, I'll be using this highlighter on the shade..." He flipped the stick so he could see the shade. 

Inagaw ko ang highlighter sa kaniya at pinaharap siya sa 'kin para malagay ko sa mukha niya. 

I did my final touch and sprayed on his face without warning, which made him sneeze. Kinuha ko ang phone ko so I could take a picture of him and his look. 

"Done! Do you like it?" Hinarap ko siya sa salamin, tuwang-tuwa. 

"Ganda ko naman," he pointed at his face in the mirror. "Liligawan ko 'to." 

"Don't. I'll get jealous." 

After taking pictures, I helped him take the makeup off using a makeup remover. Binura ko na rin 'yong sa akin. 

Nakaupo na siya sa sahig at nakalapag ang mga reviewer sa coffee table ko. Nag-aaral na siya kaya nanahimik na lang ako sa kama, scrolling through my feed. I was so bored again but I couldn't do anything since nag-aaral si Sevi. 

Lumabas na lang muna ako ng kwarto at bumaba para kumuha ng snacks for us. My brother was still studying in the living room. He massaged his head in frustration. Poor him. 

Kumuha ako ng water, chocolates, chips, and juice. Bago ako umakyat, nilapag ko muna ang glass of water sa table ni Kuya, pati ang ilang chocolates. He looked at me and gave me a small smile. 

"Study well, Attorney," I smiled before going upstairs. 

Sinara ko ang pinto at ni-lock ulit bago ilapag ang mga kinuha kong pagkain sa may side table. Baka kasi matapon sa reviewers ni Sevi. I didn't want to stress him out. 

"Take a break, Engineer." Umupo ako sa couch. 

Sinara niya ang notebook niya at umupo sa tabi ko para magpahinga. I opened a chocolate bar for him and also offered him water. Kinuha niya naman 'yon at kumain habang nakasandal sa couch. 

"Is it hard?" I curiously looked at his reviewers. When I saw the numbers, I immediately placed them back on the table. "Damn, never mind." 

"Sakto lang," sagot niya naman. 

I looked at some of his sketches. He was really good at it. I can't even draw a damn sheep! I also can't make a perfect circle without using a bottle cap as a guide. 

"Mad respect, bro. I would probably fail that program." I laughed. 

He went back to studying after eating kaya nagsuot na lang ako ng earpods at nanood ng Netflix so I wouldn't disturb him. Gabi na nang tawagin ako ni Kuya para sa dinner so iniwan ko muna si Sevi para bumaba. 

"I'll eat in my room na lang, Kuya. You can continue studying. Hindi mo 'ko kailangang samahan sa table," I told him. 

"Sure ka?" His brows furrowed.

"Yeah, no worries!" I casually said. 

Dali-dali akong kumuha ng tray at nilagay ang plato ko roon. Diet ako so 'yong karamihan sa kinuha ko ay mapupunta kay Sevi. I smiled at my brother before walking upstairs. Good thing he didn't ask about the amount of food I placed on my tray. 

"Dinner." Nilapag ko ang tray sa coffee table pagkatapos i-lock ulit ang pinto. 

"Malapit na 'ko matapos. Wait lang." Tumawad pa siya. 

I waited for him to finish studying and silently celebrated when he closed his notebook and fixed his things. Yey, tapos na siya! We can finally have time together! 

After eating together, I went downstairs again to put the tray back. Busy pa rin si Kuya at wala yata talaga siyang balak matulog. He even got himself a coffee. 

Pagkaakyat ko, tinitingnan na ni Sevi ang laman ng malaking paper bag. Kumuha ako ng extra towel sa cabinet ko at inabot sa kaniya so he could take a shower. 

"Ikaw na muna," sabi niya sa 'kin. 

"Okay." Kinuha ko ang towel ko at 'yong bathrobe bago ako pumasok ng bathroom. 

I showered for twenty minutes and also brushed my teeth. I made sure everything was clean before I stepped outside in my bathrobe. Sevi looked at me for a second and stood up. Walang pasabi niya 'kong nilagpasan at pumasok na sa banyo para maligo.

I pouted and sat on my vanity chair to blow-dry my hair. Napatigil lang ako nang matapos na mag-shower si Sevi at lumabas siyang may towel sa balikat. He was already wearing a pair of black Adidas sweatpants and a white shirt that was perfect for his body. Basa pa ang buhok niya pinapatuyo 'yon niya gamit ang towel. 

"You want me to blow-dry your hair?" I offered. 

Tumango na lang siya at umupo sa vanity chair. Tumayo ako sa likod niya at pinatuyo ang buhok niya gamit ang blower. His hair was so soft! 

"Hindi ka pa ba magbibihis?" He looked at me through the mirror. 

"After this," sagot ko. 

"Ako na rito. Magbihis ka na," he urged me. 

Sumimangot ako at tinalikuran na siya para pumasok sa walk-in closet ko. I decided to wear a black camisole and pink dolphin shorts. Pagkalabas ko, nakaupo na si Sevi sa sofa at nage-ML na naman. He glanced at me for a second and smiled when he saw me. 

I rolled my eyes and fixed the comforter on my bed. Binaba ko 'yon at inayos din ang mga unan bago ako umupo. 

"Play that game here." I tapped the space on the bed. "Beside me." 

Dahil distracted siya, sumunod agad siya. Umupo siya sa kabilang side ng kama at sumandal sa headboard, still on his phone. 

I sighed heavily and made sure he would hear it. Napalingon siya sa 'kin at napaawang ang labi. I sighed again while looking at the wall. He immediately turned his phone off as soon as he finished the game and looked at me. 

"Hindi na." He gave me an apologetic smile. 

"Let's sleep. Nag-alarm na 'ko." Humiga ako sa kama at humarap sa kaniya.

Humiga rin siya pero nakatingin lang siya sa kisame, malalim ang iniisip. He looked really nervous and uncomfortable. Umupo na lang tuloy ako sa kama at humarap sa kaniya. 

"Kala ko matutulog na?" He raised a brow. 

"I'm not sleepy yet." I bit my lower lip. "I need a kiss." 

"Lord," he whispered. 

I leaned over and gave him a peck. Wala siyang reaction. Tiningnan niya lang ako at umayos ng upo para isandal ang likod sa headboard. I crawled towards him and straddled his hips again. He looked away like he was in pain. 

"Why can't you look at me?"

"Eli, hindi nakakatuwa." He sighed. 

"What?" Kumunot ang noo ko. "I just want a kiss!" 

He faced me and gave me a short kiss before letting me go, but it wasn't enough for me. I went closer and closed my eyes to kiss him. I put both of my hands on his shoulders and sucked on his lower lip. 

He groaned and put his hand on the back of my head to deepen the kiss. His other hand traveled to my waist, pulling me closer to him. I opened my mouth and welcomed his tongue inside. He tasted every corner of me before sucking on my lip again. 

I stopped when I felt something on his sweatpants. He sighed and looked up, closing his eyes in frustration. 

"Uhm..." I was about to touch it, but he caught my hand. 

"Tulog na tayo," seryosong sabi niya. 

"You're..." I bit my finger and looked down at his crotch. "You're..." 

"Hard," he finished my sentence. 

"Yeah!" I looked at him with parted lips. I was so shocked! Who knew I could... do that?! I never thought about it! "What do we do with that?"

"Ano?" Kumunot ang noo niya. "Wala. Matulog ka na." 

Instead of sleeping, I leaned again and gave him a kiss. He was so unresponsive at first, but when I pushed my tongue inside him, he gave in. He held the back of my head and angled his face so he could kiss me harder. 

His hand went from my waist down to caress my thigh. I stopped kissing him for a few seconds to breathe. He waited and looked down at our position before I kissed him again. I sighed through the kiss when his hand went from my waist up to my chest. I felt something foreign because of his touch! 

Inalis niya kaagad ang kamay niya at binaba sa bewang ko so the foreign feeling faded immediately. I stopped kissing him and looked down at my chest. I was so conscious. Maybe he stopped touching my chest because it was... not... large? 

"Bakit?" he asked. 

"Uhm, wala." I felt embarrassed. 

His brows furrowed while he was staring at me, trying to figure out why I suddenly stopped. My face heated in embarrassment. Oh my gosh. 

"Bakit?" He was not convinced. "Ayaw mo ba? I'm sorry-"

"No!" tanggi ko kaagad. "I'm just..." 

"Ano?" He licked his lower lip and raised his brow. 

"My... b-boobs... are..." 

Nakatingin lang siya sa 'kin, naguguluhan sa gusto kong sabihin. After a moment, his lips parted and a smile slowly formed his lips. Sumimangot ako nang marinig siyang tumawa. Ano'ng nakakatawa?! 

"Hindi naman sa ganoon, Elyse!" He was still laughing. 

"Ewan ko sa 'yo! Don't laugh!" I covered his mouth. 

He stopped laughing but there was still humor in his eyes. Nang tanggalin ko ang kamay ko sa labi niya, hinatak niya 'ko para yakapin. Sinandal ko ang ulo ko sa balikat niya at binaon ang mukha ko sa leeg niya, inhaling his manly scent. 

"Stop!" Inis na reklamo ko nang marinig kong tumawa ulit siya.

"Wala naman akong pakialam doon, Eli." 

"Liar," I whispered. 

"Oo nga. Promise." He still tried to convince me. "Hindi mo naman kailangan ng ganoon. Hindi naman big deal kaya... Matulog na lang tayo." He lightly pushed me.

Tumango ako at bumalik na sa pagkakahiga. I hugged him and put my head on the side of his chest before I fell asleep. My alarm went off at exactly five in the morning kaya sabay kaming nagising. He was still sleepy when he fixed his things.

Dahan-dahan akong lumabas ng kwarto at bumaba ng hagdan. Nakita ko si Kuya na nag-aayos na ng gamit niya. Nang lumabas siya, sumilip ako sa bintana. Pinanood ko siyang mag-drive paalis. 

I waited ten minutes more just to see if he will come back but he did not, so umakyat na 'ko at hinatak si Sevi pababa ng hagdan. I opened the back door just to be safe. Hindi ko na pwedeng gisingin si Kuya Roel dahil baka isumbong niya na 'ko kay Daddy so hinatid ko na lang si Sevi hanggang sa gate. May tricycle naman malapit. 

"Bye." I waved at him before going back inside. 

It was peaceful the whole week until term break. Flight na namin bukas kaya I decided to pay a visit to Sevi's house so I could give my gifts. He told me that we'll go after his last exam, so naghintay ako sa labas ng building nila. I was just there, holding a paper bag. I was wearing a simple shirt and leggings. 

Napatayo ako nang makitang may naglalabasan nang mga estudyante sa building. I crossed the road and waited near the entrance, looking around. The engineering students were talking about the exam. Wala akong maintindihan. They were forming circles, discussing the answers, and debating. 

"Sevi!" I called when I saw him with two of his block mates. They were discussing something too but stopped when he looked at me. 

He smiled and tapped his block mate's shoulder before walking towards me in his engineering uniform. I gave him a tight hug and congratulated him on finishing the exams.

"Ano ba 'yan! Jowa agad! Turo mo muna sa 'min 'yong last number, master!" tawag ng blockmate niya. 

"Hindi ko rin alam 'yon! Hinulaan ko lang!" Sevi laughed. 

"Puta, bagsak na naman ata ako, ah!" reklamo nung isa. 

"'Wag gano'n! Graduating, eh!" Sevi laughed at his block mate before looking at me again. "Tara na." 

Umakbay siya sa 'kin at lumabas kami ng campus para mag-abang ng jeep. I never tried riding a jeepney but of course I did not tell him that. Pagkasakay namin, umupo ako sa tabi niya at hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. 

"Init," sabi niya habang pinupunasan ang pawis niya gamit ang panyo. 

Kinuha ko rin ang panyo ko at pinunasan ang pawis ko sa noo. I took my hair tie out so I could put my hair on a ponytail. It was so hot that I was sweating so hard. It was around one P.M. pa naman. 

"How much?" bulong ko sa kaniya.

"'Wag na, ako na." He laughed and looked for his wallet inside his bag. 

Kumuha siya ng bente at pinaabot sa nasa tabi ko. I did not understand what he said, but I think he told the driver the location and also informed him that we were students. For the... discount? 

Umusog ako palapit kay Sevi nang ilagay ng lalaki sa tabi ko ang kamay niya sa side ng upuan, touching my thigh a little. Sevi looked at me when he noticed that I was pushing him. 

"Bakit?" tanong niya, nakakunot ang noo at nagtataka. 

"Nothing..." I looked away, not wanting to talk. Maybe I was just... imagining it. 

My brows furrowed when I felt the guy's hand brushing my thigh again. Umusog ulit ako hanggang sa masiksik na si Sevi sa dulo ng jeep, near the door. He looked at me again before looking down at my thigh. His brows furrowed, and sighed heavily. 

"Palit nga tayo," he told me when the jeepney stopped. 

Tumango ako at umusog sa pwesto niya. Siya naman ang umupo sa pwesto ko. I saw him staring at the guy beside me earlier. He looked seriously mad. 

"Putangina ka, wala kang magawa?" My eyes widened when Sevi suddenly talked to the guy. 

"Hey..." I grabbed his arm. 

Oh my god, ganito ba everyday sa jeep? I literally had no idea! Normal ba 'to? 'Yong away? 

The guy suddenly stood up to leave the jeep, feeling guilty. I gasped when Sevi grabbed him on the sleeve of his shirt and pulled him back. 

"Hey, stop na," I tried to tell Sevi. 

"Ano, tatakas ka? Gago ka pala eh." Sevi's jaw moved aggressively. He was so mad! 

"Sorry po, sorry po." The guy wanted to cry.

"Anong sorry? Putangina mo, sasapakin kita." 

Oh my god. Everyone was already looking. Some were already calling the police! When the jeepney stopped again, Sevi literally dragged the guy down the jeep kaya sumunod ako. He went inside a police station and pushed the guy inside. 

Wow, what a great experience in that jeepney. I did not want any trouble anymore, but I thought it was just right to report the guy. He might do it to other women, so I went through the process before the police let us go. 

"I'm okay," I assured Sevi while we were walking. 

"Hay, badtrip talaga mga lalaki." He sighed, shaking his head. "Okay ka lang ba talaga?"

"I'm okay, don't worry." I held his arm. 

Lumagpas ata kami dahil doon kaya naglakad kami papunta sa street nila, and then tumawid kami ng overpass. I was just following him until we stopped in front of their house. It was not big, but it wasn't small either. Just the right size for their family. 

"Hoy, saan ka galing?" tanong niya sa teenager na papasok pa lang ng gate. 

"Sa school!" The guy answered, panicking a little. He was wearing a high school uniform. He was tall, too! Nice genes. 

"Cutting ka na naman, Steven. Isusumbong kita kay Mama," turo ni Sevi sa kaniya.

"Hindi ako cutting, Kuya! May meeting 'yong teachers!" pagdadahilan ng kapatid niya. 

Inaya ako ni Sevi papasok kaya sumunod ako sa kaniya. I took my shoes off and he gave me a pair of slippers that I could use inside. I saw Sofia watching cartoons in the living room. 'Yong Mama niya, nasa kusina. 

"Ma, si Elyse, nandito," paalam niya.

"Elyse! Nako jusko, pasensya ka na. Hindi pa 'ko tapos magluto!" She wiped her hands using the towel. 

"Magmano ka," Sevi whispered to me.

"Oh, right!" I panicked. "Good noon po." 

Nagmano ako at inakbayan ako ni Sevi para dalhin ulit sa living room. I guess walang work ang Mommy niya today because my dad was out of town with his friends. Break niya rin siguro 'yong days na wala kami dahil sa Japan trip. I hoped so. That would be good for her. 

"'Yong... Uh... Papa mo?" I curiously asked. 

Napatingin si Steven sa 'kin saglit pero umiwas din nang tingnan siya ni Sevi. 

"Wala. Hiwalay na sila," maikling sagot niya. "Hindi ko na alam kung saan napunta." 

"Oh, I'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't know." 

"Engineer din si Papa," singit ni Steven. 

"Hoy, tinanong ka ba? Gawin mo assignment mo," pambabara ni Sevi. 

"Kaya siya nag-engineering!" sigaw ulit ni Steven at tumakbo bago pa siya mahuli ni Sevi. 

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:)