❝Let's begin at the end.❞

— ❁ —

        HIS PILLOWS never felt softer against his right cheek. Lee's eyes never fluttered open and immediately wandered around his apartment, expecting company. Hindi rin siya morning person. Dahil madalas na madaling-araw ang gigs niya, madalas ding hapon na ang gising niya.

        Sumulyap siya sa katabing si Laurie. Banayad ang paghinga nito, taliwas sa kakapusan noong gabi. She looked so ethereal but he really shouldn't be surprised anymore.

        Lee knew he was supposed to feel a lot of things. Even so, he couldn't bring himself to be mad. Narinig naman niya ang mga sinabi ni Laurie kay Theo.

        Besides, love herself came knocking on his door. He could turn her away and risk not meeting her again but he didn't. Wala sa dalawang iyon ang pinili niya. Wala naman kasi siyang ibang alam na gawin kun'di salubungin si Laurie.

        Maingat niyang dinampi ang mga labi sa tuktok ng ulo nito.

        Kaagad iyong pinagsisihan ni Lee. Pagdikit kasi ng mga labi niya kay Laurie, naghurumintado ang kalooblooban niya. Afraid of waking her up, he calmed down by listening to her soft snoring. Sinabayan niyon ang pagpitik ng wall clock. Pinagmasdan niya ang mga kamay ng orasan.

        Napalunok si Lee nang makitang umaandar ang mga iyon. In his eyes, happy tears began forming again. He just felt so relieved to see the clock moving; to know that time hasn't stopped.

        Time was moving and Laurie was still very much there.

        The vibration of his phone interrupted his musings. Napasulyap siyang muli kay Laurie. Dahan-dahan niyang binawi ang brasong hinihigaan nito at saka, bumangon.

        He closed the door softly before answering the call.

        "Thank God, you answered!" bulalas ni Charlotte. "May nakakita raw sa 'yo sa ospital kagabi? Anong ginagawa mo do'n? Did something happen? Akala ko ba, umuwi ka?"

        Napakamot siya sa batok. "Okay lang ako." Napatingin siya roon sa stilettos ni Laurie. Nakatumba ang isa sa ibabaw ng orange niyang doormat. "More than okay pa nga, e."

        "You're not answering my question, Lee. What happened last night?"

        "Nadulas lang 'yong bike. Gasgas lang naman nakuha ko, malayo sa bituka."

        "Are you sure? We can get you proper treatment if needed." Charlotte sighed. "Alam mo naman 'yon, 'di ba? We cover your insurance. Wala kang dahilan para magpakakuripot sa sarili mo."

        "No need na, manager." Bumuga siya ng hangin. "Okay naman na 'ko. Gasgas lang talaga."

        "We're talking about your health here."

        Pumalatak siya. "'Di naman ako nagbibiro, ha-ha. Dumaan lang ako kasi nagpa-check ako, baka may fracture."

        "Baka may fracture? So, mayro'n ba o wala?"

        "Wala, ayos nga lang ako," pag-uulit niya. "Anyway, 'di na kita tinawagan kasi wala namang problema. Umuwi din naman ako after kong madikitan ng band-aid."

        Muling nagpakawala ng buntonghininga si Charlotte. "And Laurie? What happened with Laurie? I saw you talking last night."

        "A, ha-ha." Binuksan niya nang kaunti ang pinto. Upon confirming that his voice didn't wake Laurie up, he shut the door again. "Actually, nandito siya sa bahay."

        "How on Earth did she end up there? Oh, my God, Lee. Nagha-hallucinate ka na naman ba? Sinabi ko naman sa 'yo, 'di ba, kung ayaw na talaga, 'wag mo nang ipilit. You just have to move o—"

        "Charlotte," pagputol niya sa litanya nito. "Siya pumunta dito." Mariin niyang nakagat ang pang-ibabang labi, nangingiti. "Kakagaling ko lang sa ospital. Patulog na nga 'ko, e, tapos. . . ayon."

        Tatlong beses itong pumalatak sa kabilang linya. "Are you 100 percent sure na hindi ka nananaginip?"

        Lee scrunched his nose. "Bakit ko naman lolokohin sarili ko?"

        "I'm sorry, okay?" Walang bakas ng sinseridad doon. Tumawa pa nga ito pagkatapos. "I'm just making sure you're not imagining things. Nadulas bike mo, 'di ba?"

        "Manager, kung mang-aasar ka lang, ibababa ko na 'to," nakasimangot niyang banta.

        Humalakhak si Charlotte, parang nawalang bigla ang tampo sa kanya. "But in all seriousness, what happened? Pumunta siya d'yan, and then, what?"

        "And then, kausap kita?" patanong niyang sabi. "Hinayaan ko siyang matulog, e. Para kasing pagod na pagod."

        "Babalikan ka na ba?"

        Nakahalukipkip siyang humilig sa pintuan. "Actually, 'di pa kami nakakapag-usap."

        "Masokista ka talaga, 'no?" Bumulanghit ito ng tawa. Mayamaya, huminga ito nang malalim. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Tumawag lang ako para masigurong okay ka."

        "Okay lang ako, pramis," sagot ni Lee sa mababang boses. "Uh, dadaan nga pala ako d'yan sa office next week."

        "What about?"

        "Binigyan mo 'ko ng ultimatum, 'di ba?"

        "Aba, pinuntahan ka lang, bigla kang naging decisive?"

        The comment annoyed and relieved him. Nakikipagbiruan kasi si Charlotte. Nangingialam na rin ulit. Her silence in the past few weeks definitely weighed on him more than he expected. Nakadagdag din sa pangangamba niya iyong kinuwento ni Sandro.

        He cleared his throat. "Basta 'yon. Dadaan ako next week, 'ha?" nakangiti niyang sabi na parang nakikita siya ni Charlotte. "Saka baka mag-book ka bigla ng appointment sa derma, okay naman mukha ko. Nagkasugat lang ako sa siko kasi pinangtukod ko pero okay ako."

        "Sure," Charlotte hummed. "I guess see you na lang next week?"

       "Mm-hmm." Lee exasperatedly sighed. "Morning."

        Muli siyang pumasok sa unit. He tiptoed towards the bed and took his wallet. Pagbuklat niya niyon, nalukot ang noo niya. Nakalabas kasi iyong laminated picture nila ni Laurie.

        "Shit," bulong ni Lee.

        He glanced at Laurie who was still fast asleep. Tiningnan niya ang likod ng picture. She must have seen the engagement ring he bought before they broke up. Sighing, he turned to the wall clock. He probably has enough time to make her breakfast.

—

        BREAKFAST WAS the last thing on Laurie's mind. Nagising kasi siya nang may hangover. Bumungad din ang sinag ng araw pagmulat niya, hindi tulad sa unit niyang laging sarado ang blinds. The sunlight made her squint.

        "Fuck," she muttered while massaging her temples.

        Agad siyang tinubuan ng kaba nang mapagtantong wala si Lee sa tabi niya.

        While fighting the urge to cry, Laurie left Malie a bunch of messages, asking whether Lee dropped by the café. Nang hindi makuntento, mismong si Lee ang tinawagan niya. Maraming beses siyang lumunok.

        He wasn't picking up.

        Laurie slowly curled into a ball, the phone still on her ear.

        Ganoon din naman ang ipinaranas niya kay Lee noon. He stayed outside her house, pleading for her to talk to him. Alam niyang alam nito na gising siya pero hindi siya nagpatinag.

        Instead of meeting him downstairs, she just locked herself in her room and cried.

        What she did was unforgivable. Kung nagkapalit siguro sila ng posisyon, baka gumanti siya. Pero dahil hindi naman sila nagkapalit at siya ang nakapanakit, ang tanging magagawa niya ay ang magluksa.

        Nagitla siya nang biglang bumukas ang pinto.

        "Lau?"

        As soon as she heard Lee's footsteps, she wiped her cheeks with a pillow. She cursed upon realizing that her tears darkened the color of the pillowcase. Itinalikod na lang niya ang unan.

        "Goodmorning, gising ka na pala," Lee greeted her. Kaagad nitong napansin ang mga nangangatog niyang tuhod sa ilalim ng kumot. "Anong problema?"

        Laurie felt her heart burn. Siya na naman ang inaalala ni Lee. "I'm fine," sagot niya, sabay kamot ng ilong.

        "May masakit ba sa 'yo?"

        Her tears began falling. She tried to hide her face but of course, Lee noticed. Pinabayaan niya ang paghaplos ng hinlalaki nito sa ibaba ng mata niya. "No, okay lang ako."

        Lee smiled softly. Mukhang nakuha na nito ang dahilan ng pag-iyak niya, hindi pa man niya sinasabi. "Bumili lang ako ng kanin sa kabilang kanto kasi 'di pa 'ko nakakapag-grocery."

        Sa sinabi nitong iyon, saka lang din niya napansin ang mesa sa 'di kalayuan. It was already set for breakfast. Laurie sniffled. Napayuko siya sa hiya. Hindi na naman kasi niya pinagkatiwalaan si Lee. He didn't seem to mind.

        He even responded with a small smile. "Tingin mo ba, papakawalan pa kita pagkatapos no'ng kagabi?" Maingat nitong ikinulong ang mga pisngi niya. "Kain muna tayo, 'ha? Namumutla ka na, e."

        Nilunok ni Laurie ang mga nagbabadyang hikbi at luha. Ipinusod niya ang maikling buhok at saka, sumunod kay Lee.

        Seeing him up close against the afternoon sunlight just felt like she was about to be pulled back into wherever reality was. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala. Lalo niyang idiniin ang pagkurot sa sarili sa ilalim ng mesa.

        Still, Lee remained sitting in front of her. He was real.

        "What's that?" kunot-noo niyang tanong habang nakatitig sa braso nito.

        Inalis nito ang pagkakapatong ng mga siko sa ibabaw ng mesa. "Alin?"

        Inilahad ni Laurie ang kanang kamay, hinihingi ang kay Lee. "No need to hide them."

        Nag-aalangan itong sumunod. His arm was covered in bruises and band-aid.

        "Kailan 'to?" Nang hindi ito sumagot, maingat niyang inikot ang braso nito. Dahan-dahan niyang inalis iyong band-aid nito sa siko. He winced in pain. "Did something happen last night?"

        Lee pretended to be deep in thought. "Hmm, ikaw?" She poked the band-aid on his elbow. "Aray naman, Lau," nakangiwi nitong sabi, sabay bawi ng braso. "Nadulas lang 'yong bike kagabi, 'yon lang."

        Bumuga siya ng hangin. "If nothing bad happened, why were you hiding your arm?"

        Lee smiled meekly. "Kasi baka sisihin mo sarili mo."

        That shut Laurie up for a few seconds. Nang hindi makayanan ang okasyunal nitong pagsulyap at pagngiti, nagsimula siyang kumain.

        "Natahimik ka d'yan, e, okay lang ako," pabulong nitong sabi bago tumayo. Mayamaya, bumalik ito, bitbit ang isang pitsel. He filled their glasses. "Wala kang kasalanan, 'ha? Saka sinagot naman no'ng driver ng van 'yong sa ospital."

        Natigilan siya sa pagnguya ng kapirasong karne. "There was a van involved?"

        "Malayo sa bituka. Tingnan mo, o." He showed her his arm again. "Check mo pa."

        Laurie continued eating. Si Lee naman, uminom ng tubig.

        It was deafening, those minutes of waiting on who will be the one to ask first.

        "Okay." Nilapag ni Laurie ang mga kubyertos sa pinggan nang matapos kumain. "What do you want to know?"

        Napamaang si Lee. Hindi yata nito inasahang siya ang babasag sa kanina pa nila iniingatang katahimikan. "Sigurado ka na bang gusto mo nang pag-usapan natin?"

        "Yes." Sumimsim siya ng tubig. "I know that you heard me and Theo, pero 'di ko alam kung hanggang saan 'yong narinig mo."

        He nodded in understanding. "Okay, simulan natin sa five years ago? Five na, 'di ba?"

        "Let's begin at the end." Laurie breathed in deeply. Walang imik siyang naghanap ng lakas ng loob. Nagdesisyon siyang tumingin sa mga mata ni Lee. In them, she found her calm. "You know how I've always been curious about my mother, right? Nalaman ko sa tita ko na nasa Madrid siya, so I planned to go to Madrid."

        "Ginamit mo 'yong ipon mo?"

        "Yes," mabilis niyang sagot. "At the time, I thought it was a smart decision. Si Tita kasi mismo nag-offer. She even accompanied me to a travel agency, tapos ayon, scam pala. I don't think she was in on it but I'm not entirely sure."

        Pumangalumbaba ito. "Nagdesisyon ka bang umalis bago tayo—"

        "My flight was already booked when I broke up with you. I was scheduled to leave on the night of our gradball," she said, nodding.

        "Pero—" Lalong nalukot ang noo ni Lee. "—bukas 'yong ilaw sa kuwarto mo no'n, saka sabi nila Chloe, after grad ka umalis."

        "I was going to leave that night, kaso may kaibigan si Dad na nakakita sa 'kin sa airport. Nag-away kami. Stefan even had to fly home." Laurie smiled sadly. "And yes, I was there when you were outside our house."

        "Lau." Ibinaba ni Lee ang hawak na baso.

        "Anyway, after all the fighting, I insisted on being independent. I met Malie. Sa kanya ako nakitira temporarily. Dad helped with the lease. Our relationship deteriorated more after that. Sa kanya kasi ako nagbabayad no'n tapos parang wala siyang tiwala sa 'kin. Halos araw-araw siyang nasa café para punahin 'yong mga pinaggagawa namin ni Mal."

        "Bakit 'di mo man lang ako kin-ontact? P'wede ka namang bumalik sa 'kin."

        "I wanted to, okay? No'ng gabing 'yon na nasa labas ka ng bahay, I wanted to go to you, pero hindi ko ginawa kasi sabi ko—" Malakas siyang suminghap. "—anong mangyayari pagkatapos? I already hurt you. You don't deserve to be my backup plan."

        Ilang beses na lumunok si Lee. "Ba—bakit ka natakot na bumalik? Bakit ka natatakot na bumalik?"

        Huminga nang malalim si Laurie. "You didn't deserve my half-assed feelings." She placed her chin on her hand, sniffling. "Ang laki-laki ng atraso ko sa 'yo, Lee."

        "Alam mo namang maiintindihan kita, 'di ba?" he asked softly. "Sana sinabi mo na lang sa 'kin. Baka tinulungan pa kitang mag-empake papuntang Madrid."

        Mataman niya itong tinitigan. "I honestly don't know why you even helped the café."

        "Wala ka talagang idea?" hindi makapaniwala nitong tanong.

        "I would have disappeared the minute I knew who the owner was."

        Natigilan siya nang mapansin ang ekspresyon ni Lee. Hindi niya mawari kung natatawa ba ito o naiinis. His forehead was crumpled but his lips seemed to be twitching into a smile. After seconds of staring, he sighed exasperatedly.

        Handa na yata itong ibigay ang sagot sa palaisipang binitiwan niya.

        Lumawak ang ngiti nito.

        "Mahal pa rin kita, Lau," sinserong pag-amin ni Lee. To Laurie's surprise, he didn't seem to be hurt after admitting that. He looked at peace. Parang napakatagal nitong kinimkim at ibinaon ang mga salitang iyon. "Mahal pa rin kita," pag-uulit nito nang may pinalidad.

        To say that Laurie felt tempted to say it back was an understatement. Ramdam niya ang pagsulpot ng kakaibang init sa tiyan at mga pisngi nang marinig iyon mula kay Lee. Her eyes began burning, too.

        "'Wag kang ma-pressure, 'ha?" he reminded her jokingly. "'Di mo kailangang sabihin pabalik ngayon. Gusto ko lang sabihin kasi sabi mo, hindi mo alam kung bakit 'di pa rin kita matiis."

        "But I hurt you," she mumbled slowly in disbelief. Nagpungas siya ng mga mata. "And I know it's not enough but I'm sorry."

        Mahinang natawa si Lee. "Alam mo bang kagabi, hanggang sa makatulog ka, sorry ka pa rin nang sorry?" Napangiti ito nang umiling siya. "Kagabi pa kita pinatawad, Lau. Awat na sa sorry."

        "Lee." It just didn't feel right – him handing his forgiveness on a silver platter. "I broke up with you without saying why. One apology shouldn't be enough. Dapat nga, lumuhod pa 'ko sa harapan mo para tanggapin mo 'ko ulit."

        Pinaningkitan siya nito ng mata. "Adik ka na rin ba sa K-Drama tulad ni Malie?"

        "I'm not joking, okay?" Her forehead crumpled when he smiled. "'Wag mo 'kong ngitian nang gan'yan."

        "Hay." Kaswal nitong inabot ang kamay niya sa ibabaw ng mesa. "'Di mo kailangang bumawi sa 'kin pero kung do'n ka matatahimik, 'di naman kita pipigilan. Just please, 'wag kang lumuhod sa harap ko."

        "What if I want to?"

        Umiling si Lee. "Gusto mo ba 'kong masaktan ulit?"

        "No but—" She pursed her lips. "—kailangan kong pagbayaran 'yong mga nagawa ko sa 'yo."

        Malalim ang pinakawalan nitong buntonghininga. "Laurie—" Hinigpitan nito ang pagkakahawak sa kanya. "—'di naman kita sinisingil. In the first place, wala naman akong balak na singilin ka. Ito lang naman gusto ko." Grinning, he kissed the back of her hand. "Just you, us. 'Yon lang."

        Laurie bit her lip harshly. He was just achingly nice and forgiving.

        "Okay," she said, feeling defeated.

        "Hindi ko naman dine-deny na nasaktan mo 'ko. Natanggap ko lang kasi alam kong 'di mo naman sinasadya. Nagkamali ka lang naman ng desisyon, e. Hindi naman p'wedeng buong buhay mong dalhin 'yon nang mag-isa." Lee gave her a small smile. "You're not alone anymore, Lau. Nandito na 'ko ulit, o."

        "Are you saying you still want me in your life after everything? Sure ka?"

        Her tear ducts finally reached their limit when he nodded, smiling. Habang kumakain sila, hindi nito pinakawalan ang kamay niya. Nang magreklamo siyang hindi siya makakain nang maayos, sinubukan siya nitong subuan at painumin ng tubig. That made Laurie sigh but she let him. She missed being taken care of by him anyway.

        It seemed like he missed taking care of her, too.

—

        TO THEIR surprise, Laurie had to park a few blocks away from Cafuné. Napakarami raw kasing tao ayon kay Malie. Napilitan tuloy itong magbukas kahit na Linggo. Gusto sanang ihatid ni Lee si Laurie kaso ayaw naman nitong ipahawak ang manibela ng kotse.

        In the end, they compromised. Ito ang nag-drive pero sumama siya hanggang sa café. Kinarga na lang niya iyong bisikleta niya sa trunk. He, then, messaged Junnie to pick him up near the café by 6 PM.

        "Kaya naman daw nila Cheska, 'di ba?" Lee asked while unlocking his bike. Medyo malapit na raw kasi si Junnie. "Calm down, Lau. Nando'n din naman si Theo."

        "That rich boy?" Laurie crossed her arms. "Halos wala ngang social skills 'yon."

        "Parang 'di ka rich girl, a," pabulong niyang sabi.

        Lee smiled apologetically afterward. Paglingon niya kasi kay Laurie, sumimangot ito. He chuckled at her expression. Isinuot niya sa kaliwang braso ang lock ng bike.

        Occasionally, he would glance in Laurie's direction. Wala kasi sa pagitan nila iyong bisikleta. Tuloy, paminsan-minsang tumatama ang kaliwa niyang kamay kay Laurie. He was preoccupied with the ring inside his pocket when she held his hand.

        Surprised, he accidentally let go of his bike. Muntik tuloy iyong tumumba. Muntik din siyang mapamura.

        "Is your mind somewhere else?" Laurie asked. "Sabi mo, papaayos mo 'yan, tapos ngayon, parang gusto mo nang matuluyan."

        Lee clicked his tongue. "Ikaw, e."

        "What did I do now?"

        "Nambibigla ka, e."

        Lalo niyang hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay ni Laurie. He wasn't really being romantic. He was cold. Isang manipis na white shirt lang kasi ang suot niya. Hindi iyon sapat na panangga sa hangin ng Disyembre. Laurie, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind the cold. Maliit pa nga itong nakangiti habang humahakbang.

        "I can hear you thinking. Just spit it out," he heard her say.

        That made Lee chuckle but he also felt something in him stir. Kabisado nga pala siya ni Laurie. From his habit of ruffling his hair to his milliseconds of silence, she has him memorized.

        The blinking Christmas lights that graced her face were no help at all. Lalong kuminang si Laurie sa paningin niya dahil sa mga iyon.

        Tuloy, natukso siyang kunin ang singsing sa bulsa niya.

        Walang imik niyang pinisil ang kamay ni Laurie. Pagkatapos, saglit niya itong pinaunang maglakad. Nang huminto siya sa paghakbang ay gumaya ito. Her brows furrowed. "Why?"

        Lee bit the inside of his cheek. He, then, swallowed the question he has been dying to ask for years. "Itatanong ko lang sana kung anong plano mo for Christmas?"

        "Mal and I will open the café, pero half-day lang. Mag-eexchange gift din kami. P'wede kang pumunta pero hindi 'yon party, 'ha? I might cook but I don't know."

        "Gusto ko sana pero may gig na kasi 'kong naka-book. Subukan ko na lang dumaan, okay lang ba?"

        "Sure," simpleng sagot ni Laurie.

        Malakas siyang pumalatak. "Grabe, 'di mo man lang ako pipiliting pumunta?"

        "You just said you have a gig." Natatawa nitong tinulak ang kaliwa niyang balikat. "Bakit naman kita pipilitin?"

        Smiling, he shrugged. "Kasi Pasko 'yon so dapat. . . magkasama tayo?"

        "Ikaw mismo nagsabing may gig ka," umiiling na sabi ni Laurie. Sumulyap ito sa café na ilang metro na lang ang layo. "Okay, is there anything else you'd like to say? Tatakbo na 'ko papasok. Malie needs help."

        Mariing lumunok si Lee. Inapakan niya ang kickstand ng bisikleta. Pagkatapos, hinintay niyang tumahimik ang paligid. Sunod-sunod kasi ang pagdaan ng mga motor sa kalsada.

        Everything was far too noisy and busy for him to ask about the thing he's been dwelling on since that morning.

        Lee fished out his wallet, showing her the rounded diamond silver ring. "Kaya ka ba pumunta sa 'kin kagabi?"

        Dahan-dahang tumango si Laurie. "But that's not the only reason why," she confessed.

        "Sa totoo lang, before graduation ko pa 'to binili. Binalak ko ring pumunta ng Madrid." He reached for her right hand and glanced at her for permission. When she smiled, he inserted the ring into her finger. "Uunahan na kita: 'di ako nagpu-propose. Binibigay ko lang as an early Christmas gift."

        "You've always been like this." Laurie let him intertwine their fingers. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that in a bad way."

        "Gets kita. Narinig naman kita no'ng nag-uusap kayo ni Theo." Sinulyapan niya iyong singsing. "Sorry sa sobra-sobrang pagbibigay, 'ha? Last na 'to, pramis."

        "It's not your fault. Ako 'tong hindi marunong mag-appreciate. I should be the one to apologize."

        "Ano ngang sabi ko kanina?" natatawa niyang tanong. Palapit niyang hinila si Laurie pagkatapos. "Sabi ko, 'di ba, awat na sa pagso-sorry?"

        "Sorry," naiiling nitong sabi.

        "Sorry rin." Malambot siyang ngumiti sa ginawang pagsuway sa sarili. "Ibibigay ko na lang kung anong kaya mong tanggapin."

        "You're compromising for my sake again." Bumuga ito ng hangin. Sinubukan din nitong lumayo nang kaunti. "I don't want you to change, Lee. Ako 'tong may atraso sa 'yo, tapos ikaw 'tong nagreregalo."

        Chuckling, he held her chin. "Hindi naman ako magbabago para sa 'yo, Lau. No'ng nag-away tayo, na-realize kong tama ka na ginawa kitang distraction. 'Wag kang mag-alala, 'di na mauulit 'yon."

        Laurie slowly broke into a smile. "But are you sure you're okay? Ayaw mo bang magpasuyo?"

        Mabilis siyang umiling. "Para saan pa?"

        She chuckled softly. Lee didn't feel offended, though. He was being honest. She was just being honest with her reaction, too. She waited for a few seconds. Hinintay siyang bawiin ang sinabi. Nang mapagtantong wala siyang balak, ngumiti nang maliit si Laurie.

        Magaan nitong tinapik ang kaliwa niyang pisngi. "Don't you think we should properly know each other again? Wala naman tayong deadline na hinahabol, 'di ba?"

        Gumanti ng ngiti si Lee. Pagkatapos, hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Laurie sa pisngi niya. He nodded, breathing in the December air.

        Laurie was right. There was no reason to rush things. This second time around, they were given the chance to do better. Binigyan sila ng isa pang ulit para gamitin at sanayin ang mga natutuhan nila nang magkahiwalay.

        For now, that's all that matters.

        "Are you crying?"

        Lee blinked. Kasunod niyon, naramdaman niya ang mga luha sa magkabilang pisngi.

        Lumabo rin iyong imahe ni Laurie pero kitang-kita niya ang pagguhit ng pag-aalala sa noo nito. Panicking, she wiped the tears on his face. She pulled him closer. Walang sabi siya nitong niyakap.

        "Did I say something wrong again?" Her question made him swallow hard. Nagtuloy-tuloy ang mga luha niya hanggang sa maramdaman niya ang kanan nitong kamay – na tumatapik at humahaplos sa likod niya.

        "Happy tears ulit 'to, Lau," he told her, laughing and crying softly. "'Di ko lang in-expect na aaga pala Pasko ko."

        He felt her breathe shakily against his nape. "I'm sorry for making you cry again."

        Before breaking the hug, Lee sniffed. "Awat na nga sabi," saway niya habang nagpupungas. Sumulyap siya sa Cafuné. "Pasok ka na, baka umiiyak na si Malie sa loob. Okay na 'ko, Lau." Holding her shoulders, he gently pushed her. "Sige na. You go ahead."

        Laurie had no choice but to walk. Lee was left alone, weeping. He really wasn't lying about being happy, though. Nakahalukipkip niyang pinanuod ang papalayong si Laurie. To his surprise, she stopped in her tracks after a few seconds.

        Nakakunot ang noo nito, nag-aalala. Nakatawang itinaas ni Lee ang hinlalaki. He, then, mouthed: "sige na".

        In response, Laurie smiled goodbye. Sinadya nitong bagalan ang lakad na ikinangiting lalo ni Lee. He found himself sighing. Nanatili ring malawak ang ngiti niya. The cold wind blew a few strands of his hair away from his face but the warm feeling in his chest remained.

        It was the first time he watched Laurie leave, knowing she would be back.#