Aris' POV

IT'S been months after our trip in Bohol, Andz and I have been more open talking about intimacy, though we haven't done the real thing yet. We are contented with hugging, kissing and at times making out. We are both in the same thought of doing it on the first night after we marry... Haaay! Ang tagal pa noon. Truth is, I was surprised that Andz is a passionate woman yet with a great sense of control and presence of mind. There were times when she would have to break us off while we were making out. She knows what she wants, and she is very transparent about it. I respect that and I respect her a lot. It's just that there were moments I can't take my hands off her. Tulad na nga lang nung sa Bohol. Kung di sya nagsabi na di pa sya ready, baka naituloy ko 'iyon' . . . well, after I made her come, itinuloy ko na lang sa banyo. I am young and healthy, needless to say with active hormones. Yet, because of Andz, I've been celebate for more than two years now. Simula nung sundan-sundan ko si Andz, I forgot about doing the thing with other girls.Nakuntento na ako sa pagsasarili. Haha! Ilang pinong kurot ang inabot ko kay Andz nung inamin ko na ilang beses ko rin syang pinagpantasyahan sa gabi noon, well kahit ngayon.

"Buti nga ikaw lang iniisip ko habang ... Ouch!"

"Ang bastos mo!Menor de edad lang ako noon!" Namumulang nyang bulalas. Nakaupo ako sa hood kotse ko at nakayakap sya paharap sa akin. Nagpapalipas kami ng oras sa may Baywalk after a dinner date at Dampa.

"Well...." Yup! Guilty as charged. "Ang sexy mo pa rin kahit noon, lakas pa ng appeal mo. Kaya nya naghintay ako mag-eighteen ka bago ako gumawa ng move. Pero matagal na pala akong buking nina Tito at Tita." Natawa pa ako.

Namula sya lalo at isiniksik ang mukha sa dibdib ko. Ang cute talaga nito kapag nahihiya.

Yes, I had some experiences. Actually , my first was when I was sixteen with an older college girl. I had some casual sex especially in my early college days, but I was discreet about it. I never did it with someone from St. Margaret. But things changed after I watched Andz did her audition. Sya lang lagi kong naiisip noon. Kahit ngayon.

I had flings but Andz is my first girlfriend.

Lately, medyo nabawasan na ang time na nakakasama ko sya. Pati na ang practice namin sa banda. Graduating na kasi kami nina Jeff at Mike. We have our OJT and more stuff to do. We still find time to jam at Falcon's... Pampatanggal stress.Yung once a  month gig namin sa mga bars, naging once in two months na lang. Kaya nga last summer, talagang sinagad namin ang weekends sa mga gig. Lucky for us, mabilis naka-adjust si Andz sa amin at kami sa kanya. We were really doing great compared before. Andz' friends have been more supportive than ever sa mga gigs at participation namin sa mga events sa school. Speaking of which, students' feedback on us with Andz as our new vocalist has been great.

Andz and her friends are now third year. Malamang kay Erol ko papatingin-tingin si Andz pag-graduate ko. He still has one more year sa St. Margaret. Mas bata kasi ito sa amin ng isang taon.

Malamang ganun din gagawin ni Jeff kay Rika. Part two namin ni Andz ang mga ito. Ayaw lang umamin. Haha!

Our relationship has been smooth sailing though may tampuhan pero laging petty lang and we get to patch up things before the night is over. Wala naman akong ipag-aalala masyado since Bong and Maddie are both staying abroad after last school year ended.

My cp rang. Andz is calling.

"Hon," she said when I picked up. Yup, that's her endearment to me now. Kalalaki kong tao pero kinilig ako nung first time nya akong tinawag ng ganun.

"Late na ako makakauwi sa bahay. May pinababago dun sa paper namin sa Management. We will fix it at Rika's place." Oo nga pala, midterms na next week.

"Ok. Let me know pag nakauwi ka na ha. I'll drop by kapag out ko." I looked at my watch. It's past four in the afternoon.

Nasa office ako ngayon ni Papa. Dito ko na kinuha ang OJT ko since ako rin naman ang magma-manage ng kumpanya namin when the time comes. May dalawa akong kapatid at ako ang bunso. But I am the only son. Yung panganay namin, eighteen pa lang pinagkasundo na. You know, Chinese, arranged marriage lalo na sa babae. Nagustuhan kasi si A-chi nung anak ng kaibigang Chinese ni Daddy. Parang laruang hiningi lang ang kapatid ko. Walang nagawa si A-chi kundi umiyak. Her married life is doing fine but I know that she'd be happier if she got married under the normal circumstance. My other sister ... I haven't heard from her for a long time. She eloped with her boyfriend after my parents told her about arranging her to marry a pure Chinese guy from Hongkong. I'm not sure if my parents looked for her. I was fourteen then, I didn't have the courage at that time to ask when I saw how mad my mom, especially my dad were upon learning what happened. Maybe that was the reason my parents never talked me out about doing arranged marriage. They knew about Andz and didn't say anything against us.

"Text me too, kapag pauwi ka na ha," sabi nya.

"You too, pag dating kina Rika. Drive safely. I love you!"

"I love you more, mwah!" I chuckled before we ended the call.

She's been driving her car now since I started my OJT. Iba-iba kasi ang oras ng uwi ko. Tapos may classes rin ako ng weekends. Madalas naman silang magkasama ni Juno papasok sa school. But in times like today na may lakad sya, I always ask her to let me know her whereabouts.

"Aris, iho, ikaw na muna ang bahala sa mag-iina ko kung hindi makakaabala sa oras mo." Naalala ko pang bilin sa akin ni Tito Ernie last month, nung makakuha uli sya ng bakasyon. "At ayokong magmartsa sa entablado si Andromeda ng may laman ang tyan." Namula ako sa pagiging straight forward nya. May pinagmanahan talaga sina Andz at Juno.

Kaya nga hangga't kaya ng oras ko, nagpupunta ako kina Andz kahit gabi na basta't alam kong may gising pa sa kanila. Anyways, Andz and I are calling each other every night naman, pumunta ako o hindi sa kanila.

Sobrang busy ko na naman talaga. I will be graduating in the next 3 months. Midterms na nga for the second sem next week. Buti na lang, we were able to spend time together and relax during the Christmas break. I surprised her with a two days - three nights stay sa Boracay kasama sina Andz, Juno at Tita Mina. That was my Christmas gift for her. Ayaw kasi noong una pumayag ni Andz. Gusto nya, sagot nya sina Juno at mama nya. Masyado raw magastos kaya sabi ko Christmas gift ko sa kanila at it was a promise I made last summer nung sa Bohol kami pumunta. She was very happy.

I smiled at the thought. I looked at the pen I'm using here at the office to sign documents with. This is Andz' Christmas gift to me. It is a Cross Collection fountain pen.

"Tanggi ka ng tanggi sa regalo kong trip to Boracay, e ang mahal din pala ng regalo mo sa akin," sabi ko nung buksan ko yung regalo nya.

"Galing yan sa ipon ko from our gigs," sabi nya. "Lagi mong gagamitin yan ha. Lalo na sa office para maaalala mo 'ko lagi at di ka manchi-chicks," biro nya.

"Sus, kahit wala yan lagi kita naiisip lalo sa gabi kapag – Aw!" kinurot na naman ako.

"Wag mo 'ko simulan! Manyak!" namumula lang nyang sikmat.

"Kapag magdadasal ako bago matulog para sa kalusugan mo. Ikaw ha? Siguro ... Aw! Aray naman!" natatawa kong ilag habang sunud-sunod nya akong pinagkukurot.

"ARISTOTLE!" Tumigil na ako at tinawag na ako ng Aristotle. Baka umiyak sa asar. Pasko pa naman! Haha!

I love you so much, Aris ko! - Andz mo . Ito ang nabasa kong naka-engrave sa fountain pen. " I love you, too, Princess.... so much more! Thank you sa gift. " I hugged her and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips.

Speaking of which, malapit na rin ang birthday ni Andz. Napatingin ako sa tattoo ko sa kaliwang pulsuhan ko at napangiti. Bahagya itong natatakpan ng rolex wrist watch ko. Kasunod na rin pala ang first anniversary namin. Ano kayang ireregalo ko kay Andz? Hindi kasi ito materyosa. She was more on the practical side yet emotional.

When I turned twenty-one last November, she booked a formal dinner date for us in a hotel kung saan merong tumutugtog ng piano at may isang singer on a low elevated platform. There, she handed me her gift. It was a collage of our pictures together ,when we were still friends then best friends then as couples. That formed a bigger picture of us. It was beautifully framed. Nasa kwarto ko nga iyon. Sabi nya, it will be a constant reminder that all those memories made us of what we are now. My heart was so full at that time. This is how she cherished us.

In the middle of our dinner, she excused herself. I thought she was going to the washroom. I was surprised to see her heading to the piano. The pianist and singer gave way for her, then one of the restaurant staff provided a mic for her on top of the piano.

Then she started to play the introduction of a very familiar song, it was just arranged differently . She made the introduction longer and on a higher note.

"I made this arrangement for you, Hon! Happy birthday and I love you, Aris ko!" she said still playing the piano, then she started singing.

Loving can hurt

Loving can hurt sometimes

But it's the only thing that I know

When it gets hard

You know it can get hard sometimes

It is the only thing that makes us feel alive

We keep this love in a photograph

We made these memories for ourselves

Where our eyes are never closing

Hearts are never broken

Times forever frozen still

She already caught the attention of the other diners there. I felt jealous at how the men in the hotel looked at her. She was stunning in her peach Greek inspired dress na knee length, showing her flawless shoulder and upper back since she had her hair in a messy bun.  She was a sight to behold singing while wonderfully playing her instrument.

So you can keep me

Inside the pocket

Of your ripped jeans

Holdin' me closer

'Til our eyes meet

You won't ever be alone

Wait for me to come home

She was already looking at me directly across the room. And the diners also turned their heads to me. Namula ako, siguro sa kilig or maybe to the emotion that Andz can bring out from me. Parang sasabog ang dibdib ko sa tuwa, pagmamahal...ewan ko.

Oh you can fit me

Inside the necklace you got when you were 16

Next to your heartbeat

Where I should be

Keep it deep within your soul

And if you hurt me

Well, that's OK, baby, only words bleed

Inside these pages you just hold me

And I won't ever let you go

When I'm away

I will remember how you kissed me

Under the lamppost

Back on 6th street

Hearing you whisper through the phone,

"Wait for me to come home."

Tumayo na rin ako nung malapit na matapos ang kanta at naglalakad papalit sa platform after she sang and locked my lips with her in front of everyone. I want to let them know that this woman sang that song for me and she is mine. I heard some 'Whoas' and claps. That was the time I let go of her lips and looked at her lovingly. Namumula na naman sya at itinago ang mukha sa balikat ko.Nahihiya na naman ang prinsesa ko.

"Thank you, princess! I love you more!" I whispered. Humarap ako sa mga diners. " Thank you!"

There were soft claps again.

"Ikaw talaga. Andaming tao," bulong nya sa akin.

I chuckled. "Just marking my territory. I don't like how the men in this room looked at you lalo na kanina."

On the way back to our table, some guests were praising her and greeting us.

" You were amazing, iha!" sabi nung isang may edad na lalaki.

"That's really sweet!" sabi naman ng isang middle age na babae.

That was the best birthday gift I got in my entire life!

I was in that state of reverie when my phone rang. It was my dad.

"Emmanuel, we will wait for you at home for dinner tonight. There's something we need to talk about."

"Alright," with that he ended the call. It sounded important. Sakto lang na late na makakauwi si Andz, ayos  lang kahit past dinner na ako pumunta sa kanila. Malamang kina Rika na rin yun kakain.

Andie's POV

"We're settled then," sabi ni Sarah.

Tumayo na ako. Namimitig ang isa kong paa mula sa pagkaka-Indian sit.

"Aaahhh!" napahiyaw ako. Kinalog ni Rika ang legs ko. Napansin pala ni Rika na manhid ang paa ko dahil dahan-dahan ko lang itong ginalaw. 

"Lukaret ka talaga!" Tumawa lang ito ng malakas.

"Sina Sam kaya, tapos na?" Si Sarah. Sa ibang grupo kasi ito napunta dahil tatluhan lang per group at major revision ang pinagagawa sa paper nila.

"Sana nga. Medyo pasaway kasi yung isa nyang ka-groupmate," sabi ni Rika. "Ako na magdadala nito bukas," tukoy nya sa tinapos namin paper project.

Binitbit ko na ang mga gamit ko. Past nine na pala. Kumain na naman kami ng dinner dito kina Rika kaya ok lang. Nag-text naman si Aris na sa kanila sya magdi-dinner as requested by his father. I texted him na magpahinga na lang at huwag nang pumunta sa bahay later.

Sabay na kaming lumabas ni Sarah. Kanina pang before nine dumating ang sundo nya. Ayaw daw kasi ng Kuya Rich nya na maghihintay pa si Sarah at lalong gabihin. Mas madalas na kasi sa Pilipinas ang kuya nya since ito na ang nagma-manage ng business nila Sarah most of the times. Nai-stress na raw kasi ng husto si Tita Alice at nakakaapekto na sa kalusugan nito. May dalawa pa raw kasi itong kapatid sa amang German na maasahang mag-asikaso ng kumpanya doon. Pero sa bahay nila sa Antipolo raw ito umuuwi dahil tahimik daw doon at sariwa ang hangin maliban pa sa nasa Ortigas lang ang main office ng kumpanya nina Sarah.

Nauna nang umabante sina Sarah pagkatapos kumaway sa akin. I texted Aris na paalis na ako kina Rika. After a minute or two, wala pa rin syang reply, which is not usual. So, re-sent my text message then started driving off. Nasa kalagitnaan na ako ng byahe pero wala pa ring reply from Aris. That's odd. Almost ten na eh.

Napahinto ako sa pag-iisip nang mapansin kong sinesenyasan ako ng flashlight ng isang enforcer. Tumingin ako sa rearview mirror. May kasunod ako pero nasa kabilang lane naman. I pulled over then open the passenger window partially. Binuksan ko rin ang ilaw sa loob ng kotse.

"Bakit po, Officer?" tanong ko.

"Ma'm, asan po lisensya nyo?" ang sabi.

"Huh? Teka, ano'ng violation ko?" Nagulat kong sabi.

"Bawal po kasi mag-right turn dyan sa naunang intersection, " itinuro pa nito ang nilampasan kong intersection just a few meters away.

"Wait, wait.... the last time I turned was left to this main road which was about 2 kilometers away," katwiran ko.

Bago pa nakasagot yung enforcer, may nag-menor na two-seater silver gray Porsche sa tabi ng kotse ko. It pulled over in front of my car. Napahinto kami sa pagtatalo nung enforcer nung may bumabang matangkad na lalaki at huminto sa tabi nung enforcer. Well, he was intimidating in his business suit. Di ko mabistahan ang mukha nya dahil ang tangkad nga at nasa loob ako ng kotse ko. Medyo malayo rin kami sa poste ng ilaw.

"Do we have a problem here?" Wow, ang pogi ng boses! At may accent! Natawa ako ng lihim sa sarili kong naisip.

"Ano po, Sir...kasi. She got violation," Nautal si Manong Enforcer, napasabak sya nang Inglisan. Gustong kong humalakhak. Digital ang karma.

"And that is...?" Foreigner ba ito? Dinungaw ko pero ang hirap. Nasa passenger side kasi sila.

"She left turn dyan...sa ano... there," itinuro ni Manong.

"Sabi mo kanina, right turn. Ano po ba talaga?" singit ko. Binuksan ko na ng buo ang car window ko.

"Kasunod ako ng sasakyang ito mula pa kinana. I assure you, di sya galing dyan," Sus, marunong palang mag-Tagalog! Hahaha! "I have a dashboard cam, you wanna check?"

"Ah, di na,Sir," sinilip ako nung enforcer. "Sige po, Ma'am. Pasensya na sa abala." At naglakad ito palayo sa amin. Sinundan ko ito ng tingin mula sa rearview mirror ko.

Napabuga ako ng hangin. Loko yun ah. Balak akong i-scam. Extortion lang, ganun?! Buti na lang, tinulungan ako ni ....

"Hi!"

"Ay, kamote!" nagulat ako kasi nakayuko na sya at naka-frame yung mukha nya sa car window ko. "Naku, sorry po. Nakalimutan na kita dyan." Pinigilan ko ang mapasinghap nang masalubong ng mata ko ang isang pares ng grey eyes. 

I heard him chuckled.

"It's fine. Good thing you did not open your window fully kanina at di ka bumaba, " his smile reached his amazing eyes. Amazing talaga, Andromeda? Saway ko sa sarili ko.

"Nah, good thing you were here to help me out. Thanks!" sabi ko. "Andie, by the way." I stretch out my hand.

"Reid here," pinasok nya ng bahagya ang kamay nya sa loob ng kotse ko to shake my hands.

"Thanks again."

"Anytime." Tumalikod na sya at sumakay sa kotse nya. Umabante na ako at naunang umandar. Bumisina ako ng isang mabilis pagtapat sa kanya at ganun din ang ginawa nya. Naksunod pa rin sya sa akin hanggang sa lumiko sa sumunod na intersection at ako nama'y dumiretso na.

When I got home, wala pa ring reply from Aris. I tried to call his number but it went directly to his voicemail. I left a message na nasa bahay na ako. I texted him as well.

This is the first time Aris did not reply to my message. Kinumbinsi ko ang sarili ko na baka nakatulog na. Nakatulugan ko ang pag-iisip.

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