"You chose engineering because of your dad?" 

Nakaupo kami sa may terrace ng bahay nila habang hinihintay ang food. He didn't want to stay inside because his brother kept on talking about their dad. It was actually funny. Ang bully niyang Kuya sa kapatid niya but I guess that was just how their sibling relationship worked. 

"Oo. Sinasama niya 'ko sa site dati." Sevi shrugged like it was not a big deal for him. "Role model ko siya, gano'n, pero wala eh. Naghiwalay sila." 

"The reason? If you don't mind." I bit my lower lip. 

"Hindi raw sila... compatible." Sevi sarcastically laughed. "Ilang taon silang nagkasama. May tatlo silang anak, tapos saka lang nila mare-realize na hindi sila compatible? Parang tanga." 

"But did they end on good terms?" tanong ko ulit. 

"Oo 'ata." Sevi looked away. "Tinulungan pa siya ni Mama mag-impake eh. Hinatid ko pa sa bus station tatay ko tapos tinulungan ko pa siya sa mga bagahe niya. Kakapasa ko lang ng USTET no'n eh. Hindi tuloy ako nakapag-celebrate."

"Where is he now?" 

"Probinsya. Hindi ko alam. O baka nasa Cebu. Wala naman siyang sinabi sa 'kin." He shrugged. "Kapag kami nagkita sa site, hi na lang siguro." He laughed like it didn't affect him, but it sure did. 

"You're not mad?" maingat na tanong ko. I didn't want him to get sensitive about the topic. 

"Nakakagalit lang na... Kaya niyang iwan mga anak niya nang ganoon. Hindi ako nagagalit para sa 'kin kasi kaya ko ang sarili ko. Wala akong tuition at ga-graduate na 'ko pero si Steven, magka-college 'yan. Si Sofia, malapit na mag-aral. Hindi naman kaya ni Mama mag-isa. Ang daming binabayaran eh. Buti na lang ga-graduate na 'ko. Ako na ang magpapaaral sa dalawa kung pwede. Kapag kaya ko na." 

Wow, pakiramdam ko, mas nakikilala ko pa siya kapag nagsasalita siya tungkol sa pamilya niya. He was the firstborn. Panganay siya, that was why he felt like he had a responsibility to his whole family since he was the person next to his dad, aside from his mom. Because his dad left, he was forced to carry the responsibilities. 

Well, at least he had a nice relationship with his dad, right? It reminded me of my brother, Shan. Kahit hindi sila in good terms ni Daddy, pakiramdam niya pa rin na responsibilidad niya 'ko at si Mommy kapag may nangyaring masama sa 'min just like what he said last time. Ganoon ba talaga kapag panganay? 

"Gustong-gusto ko na grumaduate tapos makapasa kaagad ng boards. Para sa iba, hindi na nila iniisip 'yong ganito, 'yong kung saan sila kukuha ng pera pagkatapos mag-aral o kung paano nila iba-budget 'yong sweldo nila kasi marami pa silang kailangang suportahan na kapatid... pero ako, mahalaga sa akin 'yong oras. Gusto ko nang makatulong kay Mama kaagad," sabi niya sa akin.

Natamaan ako roon. My life after graduation was not a problem because we had our own company. Doon talaga ako magtatrabaho. It was already set. Money was also not a problem because my parents always supported me, my needs, and even my wants. Kapag nagtrabaho na ako, I would only think of my own expenses. Wala nang iba. 

I was insensitive before. Other people had it differently, and all I cared about was my excessive spending. I also won't listen to my parents' lectures about money. Good thing I was starting to realize a lot of things. I wanted to do something to help. 

"Kuya, kakain na raw." Lumabas si Steven na naka-sando na lang at tinanggal na ang polo na uniform. "Girlfriend mo ba siya?"

"'De, girlfriend noong kapitbahay," pambabara ulit ni Sevi. "Dinala ko rito." 

"Ulol, Kuya!" Inismiran siya ng kapatid niya.

"Ma, nagmumura!" sumbong ni Sevi. "Bastos ng bunganga oh! Ma, si Ben, nagmumura!"  

"Steven, ano ba 'yan! Umupo na kayo rito!" I heard his mom's voice inside the house. 

Sevi and I went inside to eat lunch with his family. His mom was looking at me in awe, like she adored me so much. I just gave her a smile while I was eating. 

"Sorry, ha. Napapatingin ako sa 'yo. Hindi kasi ako sanay na may girlfriend si Sevi." His mom laughed so loudly, teasing her son.

"Ma, ang epal." Sevi rolled his eyes. 

"Ngayon ka lang kasi nagdala ng girlfriend. I mean, maraming babae pero ito lang ang pinakilala mo bilang girl-"

"Ma!" Sevi stopped eating.

"M-maraming... babae?" I stuttered. 

Mabilis akong tumingin kay Sevi to glare at him. He shook his head and tried to deny it, but he couldn't talk. Mas sumingkit lang mga ang mata ko sa kaniya. Maraming babae, huh?! Then give me a damn list! I will text him those names every night so it would haunt him!

"Si Ate Luna," singit ni Steven habang kumakain. 

"Ikaw, manahimik ka. Sasandukin kita," pagbabanta ni Sevi sa kaniya. "Hindi lang si Luna."

"Oo, Elyse. Sina Kierra rin... Sina Sam, Via, Yanna, Arkin. Pumupunta sila rito para kumain dahil madalas nagtitipid. Malapit lang kasi 'to sa school kaya ganoon." Mama niya na ang nagpaliwanag para sa kaniya. 

"Ah... Okay po." I slowly nodded. 

I was quiet while we were eating lunch. I felt so shy around his family. Baka kung ano ang masabi ko. Nang matapos, kinuha ko ang paper bag ko para ibigay ang gifts ko for them. His mom was so happy upon receiving the designer perfume I got her. I just thought that giving perfume as a gift was the safest. 

"Thank you, Elyse." His mom loved it. 

"Advanced Merry Christmas po," I greeted shyly. 

"Thank you, Ate," tuwang-tuwang sabi rin ni Steven. 

Sofia was busy playing with the dolls, but Sevi forced her to thank me. She giggled and gave me a cute hug. Nagpaalam ang Mama ni Sevi na mamamalengke kaya naiwan kami sa bahay nila. It was so awkward. His brother kept on looking at me like I was a different species. 

"Tulog na si Sof." Bumaba si Sevi sa living room pagkatapos buhatin si Sofia sa kwarto. "Ikaw? Tapos mo na ba 'yan?" 

"Hindi ko nga gets." Sumimangot si Steven habang hawak ang ball pen. 

"Patingin nga." Kinuha ni Sevi ang notebook at kumunot ang noo nang makita ang problem doon. "Ang dali nyan. Calculus. Basic lang 'yan. Hindi ka kasi nakikinig. Puro ka cutting." Binatukan pa niya ang kapatid niya.

"Hindi nga 'ko nag-cutting!" I felt like Steven wanted to bang his head against the wall. He looked so frustrated. 

"Elyse, wait lang ah." Lumingon sa 'kin si Sevi bago binalik ang tingin sa kapatid niya. "Makinig kang siraulo ka." 

I was smiling the whole time he was trying to teach his brother. Nakikinig naman sa kaniya si Steven pero paminsan-minsan, nagzo-zone out bigla kaya pinipitik ni Sevi ang noo. I giggled. They looked so adorable. 

"Oh, paano mo nakuha 'yan? Ano, binulong sa 'yo ng santo?" Sevi's brows furrowed. 

"Hindi! Kasi 'di ba one-fourth tapos naka-square." Steven pointed at his notebook. 

"Oh, ano'ng square noon?" Tumaas ang kilay ni Sevi. "Square, hindi square root!" 

Napakamot lalo ng ulo si Steven. "Hindi na 'ko mag e-engineer! Ayaw ko na ng math!" 

"Oo, tama. Mag-ML ka na lang tutal mas pinagtutuonan mo 'yon ng pansin," pinagalitan na naman siya ni Sevi. "Ano nga rank mo? Ah, grandmaster pa rin. Hindi ka na umusad. Partida, nagka-cutting ka pa para mag-ML ah."  

"Napakayabang mo!" 

When they finished with their little tutoring session, Steven went upstairs to take a shower, so I was left again with Sevi in the living room. Isa-isa niyang binuksan ang butones ng uniform niyang white polo at hinubad 'yon dahil sa init. He was left in his white shirt. 

"Kiss." Ngumuso ako.

"Huh? Dito?" Conscious na lumingon si Sevi sa paligid. 

"Isa lang," I whispered. 

Sevi sighed before giving me a soft kiss. Humiwalay na rin siya pagkatapos at tumingin sa paligid. He looked so nervous. 

"Kuya!" Bumaba si Steven. 

"Puta!" Nagulat si Sevi at napahawak sa dibdib niya.

"Luh." Steven laughed. "Pahiram ako ng laptop ah! May gagawin akong project." 

Sevi sighed and went upstairs to find the laptop. He also gestured for me to follow him kaya tumayo rin ako at umakyat. There were four rooms upstairs at kita kaagad siya pagkaakyat. Sevi opened the brown door and went inside. Si Steven, naghintay lang sa labas. 

"Is this your room?" I asked before going inside. 

"Oo," sagot niya naman habang may kinukuha sa cabinet. 

I walked inside and looked around. It was not small, but it wasn't that big either. It was the perfect size for a double bed. May itim na cabinet sa may gilid and then may bola ng basketball sa sahig. He also had a grey bean bag on the floor and a full-length mirror on the other side of the wall. May trophies din na naka-display sa shelf. Nandoon din 'yong books niya and some other school stuff.

I was expecting to see laundry all over the floor, but his room really looked clean. I was probably just stereotyping inside my head. 

Inabot ni Sevi ang laptop sa kapatid. Sinara na ni Sevi ang pinto at lumingon sa 'kin pagkaalis ni Steven. I smiled and sat on his bed like it was mine. It was soft, too! Mukhang mas mahaba ang kama niya kaysa sa 'kin dahil mas matangkad siya. 

"Are these your works?" Tumayo ako ulit at inabot ang mga papel sa shelf niya.

"Hindi ko alam. Basta papel." Sevi laughed and sat down on the bed. 

Inisa-isa kong tingnan ang papers. May mga sketches and then scratch papers, drawings, exams. Napatigil ako nang tingnan ang scores niya sa quizzes and major exams. 

"Wow, you score well." Pinakita ko sa kanya ang exams. Nagre-range 'yon from pasang-awa scores to almost perfect scores. Hindi ko na rin alam sa kanya kung paano 'yon. 

"Basta pasado! Okay na 'yon." Kinuha niya ang mga papel, nahihiya na. 

I sat beside him on the bed kaya umusog siya para malayo sa 'kin. He was treating me like I had a disease! Sumimangot ako at hinawakan ang kamay niya para hatakin siya ulit palapit sa 'kin. 

I reached for his face and leaned so I could give him a kiss. He wasn't responding at first, but when I went closer to him and touched his chest, he started kissing back. He held the side of my neck and angled my face so he could kiss me better. He pushed his tongue inside me, and I sucked on it. I wasn't sure if I was doing it right, but I couldn't think properly when he was kissing me. 

He stopped kissing me and stood up. Napatingin ako sa kaniya nang masama, disappointed by his sudden move. 

"La-lock ko lang." He walked towards the door. 

I also stood up and followed him. Pagka-lock niya, gulat siyang lumingon sa 'kin dahil nasa harapan na niya 'ko. I tiptoed and put my arm around his neck so I could kiss him again. He encircled his arms on my waist and kissed me back. 

I held on to him tightly when his hand went up to my chest and massaged my mound through my clothing. I moaned on his mouth until his kisses covered the sounds. He sucked on my lip and pushed his tongue again inside me while touching my chest. 

Pinagbaliktad niya ang posisyon namin at sinandal niya 'ko sa pinto while his hand was still on my chest. I bit my lower lip when he started kissing my neck. I held on to his hair and looked up to give him more access. His hand went inside my shirt and touched my chest through my brassier which surprised me. 

"D-do I take my shirt off?" I asked. 

He stopped and stared at me for a moment before laughing. Gosh, I ruined the mood, didn't I?! I sighed heavily when he suddenly let go of me and sat down again on his bed. 

"Ako dapat magtatanggal pero... Ewan ko. Kung gusto mo." He still answered properly, pero tumatawa! 

"I hate you." Hiyang-hiya akong humiga sa kama niya at tinakpan ang mukha ko. 

"Bakit? Okay lang 'yon." He held my hand but I could still hear his laugh behind his comforting words. "Nakakatawa lang pero at least nagtatanong, 'no?"

"So epal! Stop it, okay?!" I rolled my eyes. 

We went downstairs after that because we heard his mom's call outside the gate. Sevi opened the door for her and acted like nothing happened inside his bedroom. Kinailangan ko na ring umuwi dahil hinihintay na 'ko ni Kuya Roel sa dulo ng street. 

"Ingat ka sa flight mo bukas." Sevi kissed my forehead. "Chat ka." 

Tumango ako bago pumasok ng kotse. Kuya Roel said nothing even though he probably saw Sevi's kiss on my forehead. Hindi na lang din ako nag-explain. I would sound defensive! Tsaka, what would I say?! Na we were just... friends?! Ang dami ko nang lies. I would probably go to hell. 

Our whole stay in Japan was nice, but it was kind of boring for me because most of the time, my parents would just leave me inside the hotel to attend a business meeting! Hindi ko na alam kung vacation ba talaga ang pinunta nila rito! But at least Dad would give me money so I could roam around, provided that my location was turned on so they could track me. 

I had been to Japan many times, so I already knew where to go. I went to Ginza to shop for gifts. I bought my mom a bracelet and my dad a watch. After that, I went to Muji and bought my brother some school stuff he would need for studying. 

I just didn't know what to get for Sevi. Ang hirap niyang regaluhan! Alam kong ayaw niya ng mga mahal na bagay kaya pinag-isipan kong mabuti. 

The next morning, it was already Christmas, so I messaged Sevi a greeting right after taking a shower. Umalis ako nang maaga para magpunta sa nearest temple. I wished good health for my family and Sevi's family. 

I bought a 'Success' Omamori for Sevi. It was a pocket-sized lucky charm with a special symbol made specifically to wish for the good success of someone. He could tie it somewhere or treat it as a keychain. 

sevirous: jwu happy birthday love 

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mabasa ang message niya. 

sevirous: MERRY CHRISTMAS PALA 

sevirous: SORRY KAKAGISING KO LANG HAHAHAHA 

elydezma: Eat breakfast. Mukhang namamatay na ang brain cells mo. 

sevirous: okay bebi 

I wanted to go home so bad na but my parents extended until January. I was so bored na. Good thing my mom went skiing with me while my dad wasn't around. Sobrang lamig sa labas kaya pumasok muna kami ni Mommy para magkape. She rubbed her hands together and put two hands around the cup for warmth. 

"You're not allowed to get tired," I reminded her. 

"I'm fine, Eli." My mom gave me a sweet smile. 

I waited for the coffee to cool down before I sipped on it. My mom was seated beside me, still trying to warm her hands. 

"You're happy, right?" she suddenly asked. 

My brows furrowed when I looked back at her. Why would she suddenly ask that? When she mentioned being happy, I immediately thought about Sevi. 

"Yes, Mom." I nodded. "I am very happy." 

"That's good. I just want you to be happy..." She held my hand.

"I also want you to be happy too," I said, getting sad now. 

"Never depend on a man. Be a woman of your own." She squeezed my hand and gave me a smile. "So you won't have to lose anything." 

I knew that. I grew up thinking that in the future, the company will fall into my hands. Paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Daddy 'yon ever since Shan started treating him in a cold manner. I was my dad's favorite. I could tell that. 

"You have a strong personality. Stick with it. I know you will become successful. More successful than me," my mom told me. 

"Mommy, I don't think I can live without you," I suddenly said. "So... Be strong and healthy, okay? You should watch me become successful!" 

She just gave me a smile and kissed my forehead. "I'm also hoping, my love..." 

We finally went back to the Philippines a week after New Year. We arrived around midnight, so I just rested until the next day. I woke up around noon and went downstairs to eat my lunch. Nag-ayos na 'ko pagkatapos kumain dahil pupunta ako kina Sevi. I missed him so bad. 

"I'll text you, Kuya," sabi ko kay Kuya Roel bago bumaba ng kotse. 

Naglakad ako sa initan papunta sa tapat ng bahay nila Sevi. I got lost! I was so bad with directions. Mabuti na lang, nakita ko si Steven na naglalakad kaya sinundan ko siya hanggang sa makarating sa tapat ng bahay nila.

"Steven," I called.

"Hala." Napalingon siya sa 'kin at humawak sa dibdib niya dahil sa gulat. 

"Hi." I laughed because of his reaction. "Is your brother inside?" 

I didn't tell Sevi because I wanted to surprise him. I was just hoping that he was here para hindi naman masayang ang punta ko! Kung wala siya rito, magagalit ako dahil hindi naman siya nag-message na aalis pala siya today. We always updated each other. 

"Opo, Ate. Pasok po kayo." Phew. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. 

I went inside and saw no one in the living room. Probably pumasok na sa office ang Mom ni Sevi and si Sofia naman... Baka tulog sa taas? Mukhang kagagaling lang ni Steven sa basketball kasi may hawak pang bola at ice tubig. 

"Kuya!" sigaw niya sa hagdan. 

"Ano?!" I heard Sevi's voice upstairs. 

"Girlfriend ko, nandito!" Steven teased. "Gusto ka raw niya makilala!" 

"Ano, gago, susumbong kita kay Mama!" 

Narinig kong may bumukas na pinto. Sevi was probably on the way down. I started hearing footsteps, mukhang nagmamadali pa. 

"Dalian mo, Kuya!" 

"Girlfriend-girlfriend, bata ka pa may- Woy!" Sevi's eyes widened when he saw me downstairs. Muntik pa siyang mahulog sa hagdan. 

My mouth formed an 'o' when I saw him wearing nothing but black shorts. I raised my brows at him and smirked. Mukhang kaliligo niya lang dahil basa pa ang buhok at may towel sa balikat. 

"Hi..." I smiled. 

Dali-daling bumaba si Sevi sa hagdan at niyakap ako nang mahigpit. Steven suddenly went upstairs with a disgusted face. Natawa tuloy ako.

"I've missed you," Sevi whispered to me. 

"Missed you, baby!" I hugged him tighter. 

"Kailan ka pa nakauwi? Sabi mo next week pa!" Binitawan niya 'ko at sinamaan ng tingin. "Scam ka talaga! Liar! Liar!" 

"Uhm, duh? Kaya nga surprise eh! You're getting dumber every day!" I rolled my eyes and sat on the couch. 

"Date tayo. Bihis lang ako." Umakyat na siya ng kwarto niya. 

Date! Good thing I was wearing a yellow off-shoulder dress with floral designs, white sandals, and a white sling bag. Just perfect for a chill date. Saan naman kaya kami pupunta nito? Anyway, I texted Kuya Roel so he could pick us up. He was just around the corner naman. 

Sevi went downstairs wearing a white polo shirt na short-sleeved and a pair of maong pants. He also fixed his hair a bit. He looked so fresh and clean. Ah, I missed him a lot! 

"Saan tayo?" I asked him. "Kuya Roel will pick us up," I informed him. 

"Sige. Bulong ko na lang sa kaniya." 

It made me more excited tuloy. I was really looking forward to it kaya panay ang tingin ko sa labas ng kotse, trying to figure out if the road was familiar but since I was so bad with directions, I really couldn't tell the location. 

We stopped in front of an unfamiliar place. Bumaba si Sevi at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto bago kami pumasok sa loob. It was a bowling center! May restaurant sa gilid and may billiard tables din sa kabilang side, separated by a glass wall. Wala masyadong tao.

"Ano'ng size ng paa mo?" tanong sa 'kin ni Sevi habang nasa counter.

"7," sagot ko at sumandal sa counter. 

The bowling area was glowing! It was a little dark din. Napatigil ako sa pagtingin sa paligid nang kalabitin ako ni Sevi at binigay sa 'kin ang bowling shoes. Umupo ako at lumuhod siya sa harapan ko para tulungan akong ilagay 'yon. 

"This is so spontaneous." I laughed. "Nagbihis ka lang, alam mo na kung saan tayo pupunta?" 

"May listahan ako," seryosong sabi niya habang inaayos ang sintas ko. 

"What?" My brows furrowed.

"Listahan..." He got his phone out of his pocket and showed me the Notes app. 

'Good places to date with Amora Elyse' 

Oh my gosh, he really had a list! I went through all of it and imagined our dates. It would be so fun to spend time with him in these places. Kinikilig na kaagad ako. How thoughtful.

"'Yan lang ginagawa ko habang wala ka." He laughed. "Ang boring eh... tapos miss na kita." 

"Can we add a staycation here?" I chuckled. "I know a good hotel." 

"Sige, pero pagkatapos mo na grumaduate." He smiled, teasing me. 

"Damot!" I pouted. "Okay, then! Staycation right after my graduation, ah?" 

After putting our shoes on, kumuha ako ng bola. Every color, iba ang weight kaya pinili ko 'yong pinakamagaan. Sevi could carry the heavy ones. Nakakainggit. 

"First time?" he asked me.

"Yes." I nodded. "How about you?"

"First time din," he said before walking backwards. Bumwelo pa siya bago niya pinagulong ang bola. 

My lips parted when he got a damn strike! 

"What the hell, you liar! Hindi mo 'to first time!" Hinampas ko siya. 

Tinawanan niya lang ako. I rolled my eyes at him and held the ball on one hand. Bumwelo rin ako bago ko pinagulong pero gumilid siya at na-shoot sa may parang kanal! Nakakainis lalo dahil tinawanan ako ni Sevi. Ang yabang! 

"Nice try." He smirked, nang-aasar. 

I tried again and hit three pins down. Tuwang-tuwa akong tumalon at tinulak si Sevi. The side of his lips rose and got another ball. It was his turn na. 

He hit nine pins down! Sa sumunod na bola, natumba niya pa 'yong isa. Ngumisi siya at pinagpagan kunwari ang sleeves ng damit niya para magyabang sa 'kin. I made a face and got another ball.

"Omg!" I jumped in excitement when I got a strike. 

"Tsamba!" Sevi shook his head. 

Kumuha ulit ako ng bola at pinagulong. I figured it out now! Ginaya ko lang ang ginawa ko kanina at natumba 'yong eight pins! 

"Ha!" I made a split on the floor like I was doing a stunt and flipped my hair. "Loser!" 

"Puta, nag-split." Sevi laughed so loudly. 

Tumatawa akong tumayo at binelatan siya. Kapag ako nanalo rito, I will do a damn back flip. I can do that. 

"Yabang mo, oy. Sinu-swerte ka lang." Umiling si Sevi at kumuha ng bola. 

Sevi got so competitive after that! Tinatrato niya na 'ko na parang kalaban niya sa basketball tuwing UAAP. Gosh! Wala siyang awa! I got competitive too because he was so serious about the game! 

"Oh, talo ka." He smirked when we checked our scores. "May dare ka!" 

"What?! Sinong may sabi?! We didn't agree on that!" reklamo ko. 

"Panalo ako kaya dapat may kapalit!" Gosh, he was so competitive. Athlete nga siya. 

"What? Do you want a damn trophy? A medal?" I rolled my eyes. "Oh! By the way, sige! I'll give you something!" 

Naalala ko bigla ang regalo ko sa kaniya. Kinuha ko ang bag ko at hinalungkat ang maliit na red box doon. He looked like he was anticipating for it. Hindi ko pa man naaabot sa kaniya ay nilahad na niya ang kaniyang dalawang kamay like a puppy asking for treats. 

"Ano 'to?" he asked after opening the box. 

Hindi niya alam kung ano 'yon pero tuwang-tuwa na siya. 

"It's a lucky charm for success," I explained briefly. "Because of that, you will become successful!"

"Wow!" He exaggerated his reaction. "Thank you. Kailangan ko 'to. Malapit na 'ko mag-boards." 

"Oh, right. When are you going to take it?" Naalala kong graduating na pala siya. 

"November. Magre-review pa 'ko after graduation." 

He put the lucky charm inside his wallet and gave me back the box because it was too big. After playing another round, we decided to eat at the restaurant. The whole day was so fun. Nakakainis lang na kailangan kong umuwi. I wanted to spend the night with him. Kapag naka-graduate na 'ko at may work na, I would ask him to live with me. We can live together! 

The next week, he became busy kaya hindi kami nagkikita. Hindi ko alam kung anong pinagkakaabalahan niya. Naging abala rin ako dahil sinasamahan ko si Mommy sa hospital for her check-ups. 

"Steven," I called his brother when I stopped in front of their house. I was hoping to see Sevi today. "Where's your Kuya?" 

"Uh..." Lumingon siya sa loob ng bahay nila at tiningnan ako ulit. "Hindi pa po siya umuuwi simula kahapon eh." 

"What?!" My brows furrowed. 

He did not tell me that! I mean, he called yesterday to check on me, but he didn't tell me that he wasn't home! Nainis tuloy ako. He didn't tell me about not going home. It wasn't like he needed to ask me, but I would like it if he would inform me about those kinds of things. 

"Saan daw siya nagpunta?" I fished for more information. 

"Hindi ko po alam pero may kausap siyang babae sa phone tapos bigla na lang po siyang nagmamadaling umalis." Napakamot si Steven sa ulo niya. "May pupuntahan daw po ssiya... 'Yong babae po... 'yong pupuntahan." 

"Sinong babae?!" Kumukulo na ang dugo ko!

"Hindi ko po alam, Ate! Huwag kang magalit sa 'kin! Sinasabi ko lang ang totoo!" Steven was so defensive. 

Nagpasalamat ako sa kaniya at galit na bumalik sa kotse. I asked Kuya Roel to go to the hospital where I will meet my mom. Habang nasa kotse, tinawagan ko si Sevi. Mabuti naman at sumagot siya! 

"Where the hell are you?" bungad ko. 

[Babe!] gulat na sabi niya. 

"Babe? Babe your face! Where are you?! I went to your house, but you weren't there!" Naiinis na 'ko! 

[Galing ka sa bahay?] He still didn't answer my question. 

"Yes nga! Answer my question. Where are you?" 

[May emergency kasi kaya umalis ako. Kita tayo mamaya.]

"What emergency?" Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. Did he get in trouble?!

[Sevi...] I heard a woman's voice. [Sino ba 'yan? Hayaan mo na siya. Bumalik ka na rito.]

My jaw dropped. 

[Wait lang, Eli. Ano ba, ang ingay pucha-] He ended the call. 

My heart was beating so fast I could have a heart attack! What the hell! I had to open the window so I could get fresh air. I tried to calm myself but I just couldn't! What the fuck was that?! Was he cheating on me?! 

Ang daming pumapasok sa utak ko! Sevi was calling again, but I ignored him. Ayaw kong makipag-usap habang galit ako! Gosh, baka kung anong masabi ko sa kaniya! Magugulat si Kuya Roel sa dami ng murang lalabas sa bibig ko! 

When the car stopped in front of the hospital's lobby, dere-deretso lang akong pumasok at sumakay sa elevator. Pumunta ako sa pinakalikod at pinakagilid nang may pumasok na mga doctor. 

My eyes widened when I saw Sevi. Hindi niya 'ko napansin at nakatayo lang doon. What the hell! 

I will catch you, dumbass! 

I should be getting off at second floor but I wanted to follow him. Nang bumaba siya sa fifth floor ay bumaba rin ako at nagtago muna sa pader para tingnan kung saan siya pupunta. 

"I swear to God, I will punch this guy so hard he won't see the sunrise the next day," I whispered to myself. 

He went inside a room. Nang isara niya 'yon, sumunod ako at dinikit ang tenga ko sa pinto. I could hear a woman inside. May pinag-uusapan sila pero hindi ko maintindihan. 

Kinuha ko ang phone ko at tinawagan si Sevi. 

[Eli!] sagot agad niya. 

I waited outside the door until it opened. 

"Oh, shit!" Nanlaki ang mata ni Sevi nang makita akong naghihintay sa tapat ng pintuan niya. He held his chest out of shock, hawak pa ang phone sa tainga. 

I was glaring at him, hindi inaalis ang tingin sa kaniya kahit binaba ko na ang phone ko at pinatay ang tawag. Gulat pa rin siyang nakatingin sa 'kin.

"Who are you with?" seryosong tanong ko. 

"Kaibigan ko. Si Ya-"

Tinulak ko siya pagilid at tuloy-tuloy na naglakad papasok ng hospital room, ready to catch him cheating. 

"Who the hell is this woma-"

My eyes widened when I saw a familiar face. I covered my mouth in shock and stepped backward. 

"Oh..." The woman laughed when she saw me. 

"Hay..." Sevi sighed heavily. "Ito na nga. Yanna, si Elyse. Elyse, si Yanna." 

I looked around the room but there was no one but us. Matagal kong tiningnan si Yanna. She was also looking at me with an amused look. Parang tuwang-tuwa pa siya. 

My eyes widened when I noticed her tummy. Mabilis akong napalingon kay Sevi. 

"What the fuck?!" I glared at Sevi. "Did you... get her pregnant?!" 

________________________________________________________________________________

:)