"It's Sunday. Where are you going?" 

I pouted and tried to reach for Sevi with my arms. I was preparing coffee in the morning, and then I saw him fully-dressed, ready to leave the unit. He went to my side to use the toaster. 

"May emergency meeting lang." he kissed my forehead. 

"It's supposed to be babe day." I glared at him. Sunday na nga lang kami magkakasama buong araw tapos aalis pa siya. 

He was about to talk but his phone suddenly rang. Sinagot niya 'yon kasabay ng pagkuha niya sa bread. Nilapag niya 'yon sa plato at tumalikod sa 'kin. 

"Bianca," he greeted. "Oo, papunta na 'ko. Ito na, nagmamadali na." 

He took a bite on his bread and went to me to give me a soft kiss before leaving the unit. I pouted when the door closed. Naiwan na naman akong mag-isa rito! Mas nagiging busy lang siya bawat araw, but I understood that. 

He was always with that woman. I sighed heavily, trying to stop my jealousy. It was pointless. I shouldn't feel jealous. He was already living with me, for heaven's sake. What could even go wrong? 

Naghanap na lang ako ng kaka-abalahan after eating breakfast. I started cleaning the whole unit and organizing all our stuff. After that, I went to the gym and went back up again. After taking a shower, I took a nap. I was so tired. 

"Baby." I heard Sevi's voice. 

I opened my eyes and looked at him before looking at the time. It was already dinnertime, and I failed to cook something for us! Oh my gosh, I also forgot to eat lunch. Umupo ako sa kama at inayos ang mukha at buhok ko. 

"Kumain ka ba?" he asked. He was still wearing his work outfit. 

"No, I forgot." I sighed. 

"You forgot?" His brows furrowed. "Paano mo nakakalimutan 'yong pagkain? Pwede ba 'yon? Kailangan mo 'yon, ah." 

"I fell asleep." I rolled my eyes and went off the bed. "I'll cook dinner."

"Huwag na. Mukhang pagod ka. Ako na magluluto." He kissed my cheek and went out of the room, taking his shirt off. 

The next day, hindi ako nagising sa four A.M. niyang alarm kaya pagkagising ko ay wala na siya. He went to work early. Napailing ako at nag-ayos na ng sarili dahil baka ma-late pa, though dederetso ako sa hotel ngayon at hindi sa office dahil may kailangan akong i-check. 

I wore a simple pair of white slacks and a brown blouse partnered with heels. I tied my long black hair in a ponytail and put a little amount of makeup on. I also wore my shades and brought my umbrella because I had to walk to the hotel. Sobrang init! Ang kaunti na ng puno rito. Puro building na ang tinatayo. 

"Good morning, Elyse." I was surprised to see Austin in the lobby. He was also checking some files. 

"What are you doing here?" I stopped walking for a moment. 

"May parating na V.I.P guest. I was sent here to welcome him." He smiled. "I guess you're on your way to the V.I.P room? Doon din ang punta ko."

I rolled my eyes and continued walking. Sinundan niya 'ko hanggang sa elevator. Pagkarating namin sa floor, the hotel staff was already preparing the room. I went inside to check everything. I didn't know why Austin was following me around. So annoying. 

"Kayo pa rin ng boyfriend mo?" he suddenly asked.

"We're at work. I will only answer work-related questions," I said without looking at him. 

"Come on, Miss Ledezma. It's not even a hard question," pagpupumilit niya. 

When I still refused to answer him, he suddenly held my wrist and pulled me closer to him. My eyes widened and immediately pushed him to keep distance between us. 

"What the hell is wrong with you?" My brows furrowed. 

"I think I like you." He smiled. What the hell...

"I did not ask, and I have a boyfriend." Binawi ko ang palapulsuhan ko at dali-daling lumabas ng hotel room na 'yon. 

Hinabol niya 'ko hanggang sa elevator. I stepped sideways so I wouldn't be standing so close to him. Good thing he did not go near me again, or else I would have punched him in the face. 

"Ilang years na kayo ulit?" he asked again. So many questions!

"Going five," I answered, still looking in front. 

"You're stable and he has a job. Why isn't he marrying you yet?" 

"We're still adjusting." I pursed my lips. Ano ba ang pakialam niya?

"Yeah, men's excuses..." He laughed meaningfully. My brows furrowed when I looked at him. "I just find it weird. Maybe he doesn't see you as a lifetime partner. That's all. I mean, if he's already sure with you, then why won't he propose?" 

I was about to say something, but the elevator opened, so I just stepped out and walked away. I wouldn't want to waste my energy arguing with that man. Naglakad na lang ako paalis at pumunta sa restaurant. After checking everything, I went back to the company and settled in my office. 

After the lunch break, I went to the board room for a meeting. I was too early, so I had the time to text Sevi.

To: Sevi

Lunch? Did you eat na? 

He replied in an instant. 

From: Sevi

yup bb. ikaw ba? huwag mong sabihing nakalimutan mo na naman. grr 

To: Sevi

I did na hehe

From: Sevi

i miss you 

Hindi na 'ko nakapag-reply dahil dumating na sina Daddy. Everyone in the room stood up to welcome his presence. I looked at Sevi's mom in a worry when I noticed that she looked pale. She looked like she cried earlier. She still gave me a small smile when she saw me staring. 

The meeting went fast because they already asked for updates. After that, I went back to my office and worked on another report. Around six P.M., umuwi na 'ko sa unit. I showered and then cooked something for dinner. 

Nakatapos na 'ko ng isang movie sa Netflix, wala pa rin si Sevi. 

To: Sevi

Hey are you coming home late? I cooked dinner 

But he did not reply. I sighed heavily and clicked another movie. Hindi muna ako kakain para may kasabay siya mamaya. 

I turned the television off when I heard the sound of the key outside the door. I shifted in my seat when I saw Sevi looking extra tired and serious. He was talking to someone on the phone, so I refused to talk or even make a sound. He looked mad. 

"Ma naman, hindi naman kakasya 'yong sweldo ko kung ganito." Sevi massaged his head. 

I bit my lower lip and looked away, still listening to their conversation. Umusog ako nang umupo si Sevi sa tabi ko, problemado pa rin. Pinatong niya ang dalawang siko sa magkabilang binti habang ang isang kamay ay nakasapo sa noo. 

"Ano b'ang ginawa mo? Bakit ka nasisante?" Sevi was trying to calm himself. 

What? She was fired? Kaya ba siya umiyak kanina?

"Ma..." Sevi sighed heavily. "Humanap ka na kaagad ng trabaho. Hindi talaga kaya ng sweldo ko kung ako pa magbabayad ng tuition ni Steven, pati 'yong mga bayarin diyan sa bahay. Marami rin akong binabayaran dito, oh. Pinapag-aral ko pa si Sofia. Baka naman pwedeng humanap ka muna ng pagkakakitaan mo. Medyo tagilid pa kikitain namin sa project. Alam mo namang hindi pa 'ko professional." 

Tumayo na 'ko at naglakad papuntang kusina para maghanda ng pagkain. I didn't want to eavesdrop anymore. Their conversation sounded painful. I just wanted Sevi to feel okay. Pagod na nga siya, mas mapapagod pa siya ngayon.

I heated the food and placed it on the table. I pursed my lips and watched how stressed Sevi was. He probably wanted so bad to throw the phone or mutter a curse, but he couldn't. When Sevi ended the call, he leaned on the couch and covered his face with his hands, panting.

"Babe," I said in a small voice. "Let's... eat first." 

He looked at me and nodded without saying anything. Umupo siya sa tapat ko, nakatulala pa rin kaya ako na ang naglagay ng pagkain sa plato niya. He gave me a small smile and I gave it back. Tahimik lang kaming dalawa habang kumakain. He couldn't talk. He was too occupied with something else. 

Pagkatapos kumain, tumayo na 'ko at ako na ang naghugas. He went to the shower and stayed there for thirty minutes. I sat on the bed, waiting for him to finish. 

"Hey," I greeted him when he entered the room wearing a white shirt and a pair of sweat shorts. "Come here." 

He sat beside me and sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, Eli. Ang dami ko lang iniisip." 

"I know..." I held his hand and squeezed it a little. "I can... cover the bills this month, don't worry. If you need financial help, I can also find a way to earn more money-"

"Eli, huwag na." He shook his head. "Problema ko 'to." 

"Your problem is also my problem, okay?" I assured him. 

He became busier after that. Sunday na lang ang pahinga niya pero minsan, umaalis pa rin siya. I stopped waiting for him anymore because hewould go home so late, usually tuwing tulog na 'ko and then the next morning, he would go early. Halos hindi na kami nagkikita during weekdays. 

Like what I said, ako na ang nagbayad ng bills for this month, and for the next month, and the next month again. Ako na rin ang nagbayad ng groceries. He didn't have time for it anymore. He was barely living. Hindi na nga niya natatandaan ang mga bills. 

I had to stay up for work tonight so naabutan ko ang pag-uwi niya. I stood up and went out of the study room to see him. I scrunched my nose when I smelled the alcohol on him. 

"Did you drink?" I crossed my arms over my chest. 

"Shit, sorry." He almost fell. 

"It's your birthday today," I reminded him. 

"Yeah." He laughed and sat on the couch. "Ang ganda ng regalo sa 'kin ng nanay ko. Putangina." He sarcastically laughed again. 

"What?" My brows furrowed. I leaned on the wall, far away from him. I didn't want the smell of alcohol. 

"Bata." He shook his head, laughing like crazy. 

"What?!" My eyes widened.

"Bata," he repeated. "Putangina talaga!" He suddenly yelled. 

"Hey, calm down..." I tried to process the situation.

"Putangina, paano?" He looked at me, tears started to form at the corner of his eyes. "Paano? Paano?! Pagod na pagod na 'ko, putangina!" 

I bit my lower lip and looked away. I didn't know what to say. It was so painful for me to see him like this. Sobrang stressed at pagod na niya. I understood that. 

"Hiyang-hiya na 'ko, Eli." He covered his face in frustration. "Hiyang-hiya na 'ko sa 'yo. I'm sorry." 

"Hey, you shouldn't feel ashamed..." I tried to comfort him. "Okay lang sa 'kin-"

"Unti-unti nang nauubos 'yong... bag mo... 'yong mga damit mo... 'yong mga gamit mo. Akala mo ba hindi ko napapansin 'yon?" His tears started to fall. 

Natahimik ako. I was paying for everything, including the unit. Hindi pa buo ang bayad namin dito kaya hinuhulog-hulugan ko, and then may bills pa, maintenance fee monthly, and then groceries. My salary wasn't enough so I had to sell some of my stuff. I didn't want to ask my parents for help. Problema namin 'to eh. 

"There are more important things than my stuff." I swallowed hard. "And it's this relationship. Us. I can't let you deal with your problems alone. I wanted to help-" 

"Hindi ko gusto ng tulong kung ganiyan lang din ang mangyayari sa 'yo!" 

"Then what the fuck do you want me to do?!" I yelled. "Watch you destroy yourself slowly?! Can you pay for the bills?! Kaya mo bang isama sa listahan ng babayaran mo 'yong unit na 'to, ha?! Kaya mo?!" 

"Oo na, tangina, wala na 'kong pera. Okay na?" he shot back. 

"That was not what I meant!" I defended. 

"Pero totoo naman, 'di ba?!" He stood up and got his bag. "Tapos may nabuntis pa! Wala siyang trabaho kaya ako na lang inaasahan ng lahat! Tangina!" 

Tears started falling down my cheeks when his knees became weak, and just let himself fall to the floor, crying.

"Napapagod din naman ako..." He covered his face. 

"I know." I nodded and went to him to give him a hug. "I know."

"Napaka-selfish..." He cried on my neck. 

It was so painful for me. He said that he didn't want help, but I really didn't want to see him kill himself slowly, so I worked harder to earn more money. Nago-overtime na 'ko para sa kaniya kaya halos sabay na kaming umuuwi sa unit. 

I answered my phone when I saw my brother calling. Hindi naman siya madalas tumatawag. He became busy din eh. 

"Yes, Kuya?" bungad ko. 

[Are you at work?] 

"Yes, but I can leave now. May pino-photocopy lang ako." I leaned against the machine. "Why?" 

[We're going somewhere. I'll be there in fifteen minutes.]

"What?! O-okay!" 

Minadali ko na tuloy 'yong pagpapa-photocopy ko at bumaba na. My brother was driving Neil's van again. Alam ko na kung saan kami pupunta! 

"We're going to pick up Ate Helen and Ate Ericka?" I concluded.

"Secret." Kuya Neil laughed. 

I rolled my eyes and just looked outside the window. I was right! Huminto kami sa tapat ng Arrivals area at bumaba kaagad sila Kuya. Bumaba rin ako at lumingon sa paligid para hanapin sila. 

"Ate Helen!" I waved when I saw them.

The excitement on my face was replaced with shock when I saw another friend. I smiled wider and gave Hiro a hug. 

"What the heck, you're back!" I hit him on his arm. 

"For good." He laughed.

I had dinner with them, and we talked a lot about work. I forgot to bring up that I was already living with my boyfriend. I really didn't have to. They didn't ask about it. Ang sabi ko lang, kailangan ko nang umuwi dahil may naghihintay na sa 'kin. 

"Sus, may boyfriend na!" pang-aasar ni Ate Ericka. "Pakilala mo sa 'min 'yan ah!"

"Of course. He's too busy lang, but I'll ask him!" I smiled before leaving. 

And I was back to my usual routine. It continued after weeks and weeks and weeks. I celebrated my birthday with Sevi. Good thing he went home early that night, or else it would result in a really big fight. 

My body got used to hard work na, but I would still feel so tired at night. Saturday, maaga akong umalis para bisitahin si Sevi sa site nila. I even prepared food for him. Halos hindi na siya kumakain eh. 

"Hi, si Engineer Camero?" I asked a construction worker. 

"Naroon po," he pointed at the left side. 

I stopped walking when I saw him with the other engineer, 'yong kasama niya mag-lunch. Bianca, if I remembered it correctly. They were talking about something while eating. Kumakain na pala siya, nagdala pa 'ko ng food. 

"Uy." Sevi smiled when he saw me. 

Tinago ko sa likod ko ang dala kong food at ngumiti sa kaniya bago naglakad palapit. Bianca gave me a smile. Hindi ko alam kung ako lang 'yon pero parang nang-aasar ang ngiti niya. I got annoyed quickly.  

"Hindi mo sinabing pupunta ka." Sevi put his hand on my waist and kissed my forehead. 

"Yeah, I was planning to surprise you. Uhm, kumakain ka na pala. I thought hindi pa,." I gave him a small smile. 

"Yes, dinalhan ko siya ng extra food. Hindi siya masyadong kumakain eh. I got worried," Bianca said, smiling. 

I bit my lower lip and nodded. I commuted all the way here. Sayang ang effort ko, but it was fine. 

"Oh, pagkain ba 'yan?" Sevi pointed at the paper bag I was holding.

"Oh, yeah. Lunch ko kanina. Ubos na 'yan." Tupperware na lang natira," I lied. "Anyway, I'll go na. Matagal pa yata kayo." 

Sevi shook his head. "Hindi naman-" 

"Magagalit si Sir kapag umalis kami rito kaagad. Mukhang matatagalan pa nga kami. Hindi pa tapos 'yong ginagawa roon eh," Bianca pointed at the back of the mansion. 

"Ah, oo nga." Sinilip din ni Sevi. "Sasabihan na naman kaming makupad, amp." 

"Okay. I'll go na." I smiled at them. "Good luck and take care." 

I kissed Sevi on the cheek before walking away. I rode a tricycle and then booked a grab on my way back to the unit. I sighed heavily after placing the paper bag on the table. Nilagay ko na lang sa ref ang pagkaing hinanda ko para pwede pa mamaya. I felt lonely. Parang gusto kong maging engineer bigla. Mas madalas pa nilang nakakasama si Sevi kaysa sa 'kin. 

I didn't want to be clingy. I just kept it all inside. Tinulog ko na lang 'yon at kinabukasan, kinalimutan ko na lang. When I woke up, I felt Sevi's arm around my waist. He was here! I smiled and looked back at him. He was sleeping so peacefully. 

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at lumabas para magluto ng breakfast. I placed it on the table afterwards and sakto, nagising siya. Lumabas siya ng kwarto at niyakap ako patalikod habang hawak ko ang plato. 

"I'm sorry," he said. 

"For?" I raised a brow. 

"Having not enough time."

I nodded and smiled at him. "It's okay." 

"Date tayo ngayong araw." 

I can't believe I would be so happy to hear that. After breakfast, naligo kaagad ako at nag-ayos. I sat on the bed while Sevi was braiding my hair. I giggled when I saw him looking so serious. 

"Ang hirap naman." Sumimangot siya. 

"Math is harder than that. Kaya mo 'yan." I rolled my eyes. 

Hindi masyadong maayos pero okay na. I smiled when I saw my hair in the mirror. Sevi was putting on his white short-sleeved polo now. When he saw me watching him, he leaned in to give me a soft kiss. I smiled through the kiss and pushed him lightly so he could get ready. 

Sumakay kami sa BMW niya, or ni Luna technically. I didn't know where we were headed to. Palagi naman niyang hindi sinasabi. I just anticipated it more. 

Nasa parking pa lang kami at hindi pa nakakaalis, nakatanggap na siya ng tawag. He looked at me apologetically and I gave him a nod so he could answer it. Napapikit ako nang mariin. I knew what will happen next. 

"Bianca," he answered. "Sunday ngayon. Hindi ba pwedeng bukas na lang 'ya- Ha?! Nabagsakan?! Pucha! Bakit?!" 

I bit my lower lip and sighed heavily. Dahan-dahan kong kinuha ang bag ko at binuksan ang pinto para makalabas na ng sasakyan. 

"Wait lang. Eli!" 

I started walking away from the car. I felt like I was going to burst. I felt so many different emotions inside me, and I really didn't want to acknowledge them, so I just kept on walking. 

"Eli, wait..." Sevi grabbed my arm lightly. 

Tinanggal ko ang hawak niya at naglakad na lang ulit. I stopped again when he held my wrist this time and pulled me so I could face him.

"Babe-"

"What?!" I was so mad. I was so frustrated. "What now, Sevi?!" I yelled so loudly. I felt everything. The emotions. They were heightened. 

"I'm sorry, kailangan kong pumunta sa-" 

"Then go!" I gestured using my hand. "Just go! Bakit nandito ka pa?!" I lightly pushed his chest. 

"I'm sorry. Babawi ako-"

"Narinig ko na 'yan," I cut him off. "You never did! You never fucking did, Sevi! Nagmumukha na lang akong tanga, eh!" 

"Elyse naman." He couldn't let go of my wrist. 

"I'll go back to my dad's house for a bit. I just... want to rest." I massaged my head. "Mas mabuti pa buhay ko noong doon ako nakatira. I never felt this tired before." 

"Pagod din naman ako..." Binitawan niya 'ko. "Napapagod din naman ako, ah? Pero tinitiis ko lahat para sa pamilya ko at saka para sa 'yo. Para sa 'tin. Hindi pa ba sapat 'yon?" 

"Sevi, overtime ako sa work, uuwi ako para maglinis ng unit, magluto, at maghintay sa 'yo kahit hindi ka naman dumadating. I would sleep hoping that you will be there the next day but you weren't. Sunday. Sunday na lang day-off nating dalawa pero wala pa rin? You still can't give me time?" I sounded so desperate. 

"Alam mo namang marami akong ginagawa, 'di ba? Hindi mo ba naiintindihan 'yon?" he calmly asked.

"Ako rin!" I yelled. "I work overtime, so I could have money to pay for our damn bills because you can't! Ang sabi natin salitan tayo but you just... You... You let me pay for everything!"

"Hindi ko sinabing bayaran mo," he shot back. "Tuwing tinatanong kita kung magkano, sinasabi mong bayad mo na! Huwag mo namang ibalik sa 'kin 'yon! Kaya ko namang bayaran, hindi mo lang talaga ako hinahayaan!" 

"Because I wanted to help! You needed help-"

"Kung tulong 'yon, hindi mo sana binabalik sa 'kin ngayon!" 

I bit my lower lip and stared into his eyes, trying to stop the tears from falling down. I sighed heavily, giving up the argument. It was tiring. Ayaw ko nang makipag-away. I just wanted out. I wanted to rest.

"Let's... take a break. We need to take a break," I said before walking away. 

"Elyse, please, huwag naman..." He tried to stop me. 

"We need it. You need it." Tears started falling from my eyes. "We're so tired." 

"Babalik ka naman... 'di ba?" He was trying to stop the tears from falling. 

"Of course." I nodded. "You can take this time to go home to your family. You need them." 

He looked away and slowly nodded, nakatulala sa malayo. I sighed and gave him a soft kiss before leaving. 

I went back to our unit, crying while packing my things. I packed clothes that were good for one week. I wasn't moving out. I just wanted to take a break. I wanted to clear my head off. Pakiramdam ko, pareho na kaming hindi nakakapag-isip nang maayos dahil sa pagod at pressure, but I still loved him. I will never stop loving him. 

"Mommy!" I cried and hugged her when I saw her waiting for me outside the house. 

"Shh..." She hugged me back and caressed my hair. "It's okay, baby." 

She looked thinner now and paler. I didn't want to see that. The doctor said she was doing better, but I couldn't see it. I felt more lonely seeing her like that. 

"You had a fight?" she asked. 

I nodded, still crying. 

"It's okay. It will pass. Your love is greater than that," she whispered to me. "It's better than that. When you're tired, you can always rest... but not too long. Fix it before it crumbles down." 

"I just want a break." 

I went to my room after that. It was so comforting to lay down on my bed, looking back at the memories I had here. I wanted to become a teenager again. I did not sign up for this. Nakakapagod. 

I looked at my phone when it beeped. 

From: Sevi

I love you.

I sighed and placed it back on the desk. My mom called the company and informed them that I will be working from home for a week. Sevi would text me every day, giving me updates about his life. I would always smile after reading it. 

From: Sevi

bebe, kasama ko si avi :) kakain lang kami 

I would usually not reply so he would know that I was still not ready to talk to him. A week of rest made me feel sane. I still worked from home pero hindi masyadong nakakapagod. I would swim during the afternoon or jog around. 

From: Sevi

i met hiro hahaha 

I raised a brow. I stopped myself from asking further questions. I didn't want to break the streak. Ang tagal kong hindi nag-reply sa kaniya. Baka magselos siya kapag nag-reply ako kaagad dahil lang nabasa ko ang pangalan ni Hiro.

From: Sevi

piloto na pala siya hahaha kaso parang galit siya sa 'kin :( 

From: Sevi

may party si sam sa bgc kung gusto mo pumunta ito location huhu miss na kita pls :( 

I rolled my eyes and continued jogging. After that, I took a shower. Pinag-isipan ko tuloy kung pupunta ba 'ko o hindi. I really really missed him. I wanted to see him. 

"Mom, I'll go to BGC lang," paalam ko after getting ready. 

"Take care!" 

I was wearing a short black dress that was perfect for my body. I tied my hair in a high ponytail and wore my diamond earrings and YSL heels. Nagpahatid na lang ako kay Kuya Roel papunta sa club. It was already kind of late.

When I arrived, si Sam agad ang nakita ko. Her eyes widened when she saw me. "Omg, Eli! Hello!" She gave me a hug. "Oh no, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" 

"What?" My brows furrowed.

"Wait, I thought you guys have... broken up?" she whispered the last two words. 

"No, we just... had a fight." I laughed. "Where is he?" 

"Oh, really ba?! Sayang, kakauwi lang nina Yanna and Kierra. Nakapag-hang out sana tayo! Anyway, Sevi's with Arkin. Hatid na kita." She held my wrist. 

Pagkapasok ko pa lang, amoy ko na ang alak. Sam invited so many people. I could see a lot of familiar faces including the women I hated before. Giselle, the model, was also there. Si Clea rin. Arkin's little loveteam. 'Yong artista. 

I stopped walking when I saw my brother. What the hell! Napalingon din si Sam sa 'kin at napahinto sa tapat ng table nila Kuya. He was with Hiro, Ate Helen, and Ate Ericka. They were talking about something. 

"Ericka, she's fucking single. That was her friend!" Hiro said, frustrated. 

"Eli!" Ate Helen stood up to greet me. 

"Sam, you can go. I'll just stay here for a bit," I told her. She smiled at me before walking away. "I didn't know you guys are here!"

"Why are YOU here?" My brother raised a brow.

"I'm looking for my boyfriend," I proudly answered.

"Your boyfriend's here?" Ate Ericka asked. 

I looked around to find him. He was so easy to locate because he was with Arkin. When you see a flock of people taking pictures, that would definitely be Arkin. I smiled when I saw Sevi leaning on the railings, holding a glass of whiskey. He looked serious.

"Yeah, there he is!" I pointed at Sevi. 

"Where?" Ate Helen tried to find him. 

"The one in black polo," I told them.

"Oh, that man..." Ate Ericka nodded and suddenly stopped. "THAT MAN?!" 

"Yeah, why?" I looked at her, confused. 

"Hiro! The engineer is her boyfriend!" Ate Ericka pointed at Sevi.

Muntik nang masamid si Hiro sa iniinom niya. I got more confused. Ano bang nangyayari? 

"Wait, siya ba 'yong sinasabi mo Ericka?" My brother asked, and then he laughed so hard. "What the fuck, you were talking about that guy?!" 

"What is happening?" I asked again. 

"Oh my gosh, pinagseselosan mo 'yong... boyfriend ni Elyse?" Ate Helen asked Hiro. 

"I didn't know!" he defended himself. 

"What? Pinagseselosan? Why?" Why can't they just answer me?! 

They did not answer. They just kept on laughing. Napailing na lang ako at tinalikuran sila para pumunta sa side ni Sevi. He looked lonely and bored. I stopped inches away from him and slowly hugged him from the back. 

"The fuck, may girlfriend ak- Elyse!" His eyes widened when he saw me. He panicked for a bit. 

"Hi..." I gave him a small smile. "You're taken? Aw, that's sad. I was about to ask you to... come home sa condo ko." 

"Single ako. Tara." He placed his hand on my shoulder and smirked. 

"Ah, single ka na?" I raised a brow. "Did we break up, ha? Did we?!" 

"Taken," he corrected. "Mali lang pagkakarinig mo." 

I rolled my eyes and got the glass of whiskey out of his hand so I could drink it. Nilagok ko 'yon at binalik sa kaniya, nanghahamon ang tingin. He smiled at me and gave me a tight hug. I hugged him back and sighed. 

"I'm sorry," I whispered. 

"Okay lang." He hugged me tighter. "I'm sorry. I'll do better. I'll be better. Huwag ka nang umalis ulit."

"It's okay..." I smiled when he let me go. 

"Uwi na tayo..." He held my chin and gave me a soft kiss. "Uwi ka na sa 'kin."  

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:)