V- Backstory (Part 2)

Kinabukasan ay sinundo nga siya ni Cool pagkatapos ng klase niya. He even brought an eye-catching car plus the fact that he is an eye catcher himself. Dinala siya ni Cool sa isang restaurant, giniya sa upuan kung saan nakaupo ang isang babaeng ubod ng ganda. She was sitting beside a one year old or younger kid. Halos madurog ang puso niya sa isiping asawa ni Cool ang babae at anak nila ang bata. The kid looked like a young Cool.

Hinawakan siya ni Cool sa braso at giniya sa mesa. Tumayo ang babae sa kinauupuan at sinalubong si Cool ng halik sa pisngi at mahigpit na yakap.

"Kanina ka pa hinihintay ng anak mo," wika ng babae. That confirmed her suspicion. Now she's wondering why she's here.

Ngumiti sa kanya ang babae at siya naman ang hinalikan at niyakap. "Wow! My brother really spotted a very pretty woman. Ako nga pala si Sweet Vander."

Brother? She's his sister? Ngumiti siya ng matamis at nagpakilala na rin kay Sweet. Pagkatapos ay tinanaw niya si Cool na kinuha ang bata mula sa kiddie seat at kinarga iyon at lumapit sa kanya.

"This is my son, Cooler," wika niya. She swallowed hard upon hearing him saying son. Luminga-linga siya sa paligid at naghanap ng ang babae na tutungo sa mesa nila at ipapakilala ang sarili na nanay ni Cooler. "Cooler, this is your future Mom."

"Cool!" saway niya sa lalaki at tumawa naman si Sweet. She didn't think of becoming a mom at young age!

"Hindi mo pa yata nasasabi kay Ivy na may anak ka, Kuya," wika ni Sweet at hinarap siya. "Don't worry, no one will step in to say that Cool and Cooler is hers. Cooler's mom isn't in love with him. They're just compatible in bed and—"

"Stop corrupting her, Sweet. She's just seventeen," wika ni Cool at niyaya siyang maupo.

They spent the rest of the afternoon knowing each other. She knew more about Cool, his sister and his son. Nang magpaalam na si Sweet ay mas lalo pa nilang nakilala ang isa't isa until she found herself in relationship with him.

They keep going strong for months. He's the sweetest guy and he loves to pull surprises! Crazy surprises! Nang unang buwan nila ay dinala siya ni Cool sa isang romantic na lugar. Nagkalat ang petals sa sahig at may tila kampana roon. He asked her to pull the rope at iyon din ang ginawa niya. Inaasahan niyang may malalaglag na mga petals doon o 'di kaya ay banner na may nakasulat na 'I love you' ngunit kumulo lamang ang dugo niya nang mapagtantong tubig lang iyon at agad siyang nabasa. Halos mamatay naman sa kakatawa si Cool sa tabi habang tinitingnan siya. Her anger immediately vanished because after she was frozen with the sudden splash of cold water, Cool joined her and gave her a warm hug and long passionate kiss. She also told her the words that she's longing to hear.

Marami pang mga surpresa si Cool sa kanya na minsan ay dahilan kung bakit niya nais ipadala sa mental hospital ang kasintahan. Minsan na siyang tinulak sa pool na may pating at halos mamatay na siya sa kakasigaw but Cool dived too and that's when she realized that the shark wasn't actually in the pool but in a big aquarium beneath the transparent flooring of the pool in Cool's vacation house. Pinahabol din siya ng kasintahan sa alaga nitong doberman, tinulak ng biglaan nang minsan silang mag-sky diving at kung anu-ano pang mga kabaliwan nito sa buhay. At the end of the day, she always end up loving him more for his crazy attitude.

Their relationship wasn't perfect. They quarrel at times at may pagkakataong nais na niyang sumuko dahil mas matanda pa siya mag-isip kaysa sa kasintahan. She also hated the fact that he is too jealous. Nang sinundo siya nito minsan at nakitang may kausap na lalaki ay binugbog nito ang lalaki at halos mamatay na. Cool has an anger management issue. Kapag nagagalit ito ay halos hindi na niya kilala ang kasintahan.

"I'm sorry, love." Nakayukong wika ni Cool sa kanya nang ginamot niya ang mga pasa nito. Ito na ang pangatlong beses na may binugbog ito dahil lamang kinakausap niya ang isang lalaki.

She has a big problem right now. Natatakot siya na baka ano na naman ang mangyari sa kaklase niya. Ang una nitong binugbog ay patay na. He was assassinated. Dati ay inisip niyang nasangkot lamang sa gulo ang kaibigan ngunit nang mamatay rin ang pangalawang lalaki na binugbog ng nobyo ay nagduda na siya. Now the third guy is in danger.

"Cool, magtapat ka nga sa akin. Ikaw ba ang pumatay kina Raffy at Logan?" tanong niya.

"Love, wala akong kilalang Raffy at Logan," pag-iwas ng kasintahan at bahagyang napangiwi nang diniinan niya ang paglapat ng bulak sa sugat nito.

"Maging tapat ka nga sa akin, Cool," she let out a heavy sigh. "Raffy and Logan are the guys you beat up months ago."

"Ah, the assface and that pig."

"Cool!"

"I would have killed them already nang araw pa lang na tiningnan ka pa lang nila."

"Cool, hindi maganda ang biro mo!"

His eyes met hers. "Love, bakit ba tinatanong mo iyan? Are you saying I'm a murderer?"

"No—"

"But you're implying it." Nag-iwas ng tingin ang nobyo niya at tinalikuran siya. She hugged him on the back.

"You know you have anger management issues. Wala ka sa sarili mo kapag galit ka."

Humarap sa kanya ang nobyo at iniangat ang mukha niya. "Trust me, love, I didn't kill them. And yes, I know I have issues, that's why I'm working hard on my anger management sessions, right?" When he kissed her on the lips ay nakalimutan na niya ang galit dito.

His kisses become deeper at nang binitawan siya nito ay halos malagutan na siya ng hininga. He sucked her lower lip again like he was dying and her lips is his lifeline.

"Ang tanda mo na," she teased when he finally let go of her lips. They've been together for several months yet they never made it. Cool didn't go as far as kissing her lips and neck to tease her. He respected her so much and she didn't even restrict him. It was his own discretion. Ayon sa kanya, Ivy is too young for it. He loved him so much that he wants her to maintain her chastity until the day they get married. Isa iyon sa dahilan kung bakit mas minahal pa niya ang kasintahan.

"You love this old man."

She laughed so hard at naramdaman niya ang baba ng nobyo sa balikat. "Why didn't I meet you when I was seventeen?"

Bahagya niyang tinapik ang nobyo sa balikat. "Ano ka ba! I'm too young by then."

"I will still love you even if you're still young," he said sincerely.

"You're really a pedo!"

Cool is the sweetest and most transparent guy that she ever known. Or so she thought.

Nakahilata siya sa kanyang silid at naglilipat ng channel sa TV nang madako sa flash news ang paglilipat niya. Tungkol iyon sa isang bust operation na nangyari sa isa sa mga warehouse na pag-aari ng mga Vander. Ayon pa sa imbestigasyon, isang malaking sindikato ang Vander at kung anu-ano pang balita na hindi na niya inalam kung ano pa dahil agad niyang pinatay ang TV at tinawagan ang kasintahan ngunit hindi ito sumasagot.

Pinuntahan niya ito sa condo ngunit wala roon ang kasintahan. Kahit pasado hatinggabi na ay hinintay pa rin niya ito sa labas ng building. Kahit bumuhos ang ulan ay wala siyang pakialam. Nanatili siyang nakatayo sa labas kahit na basang-basa na siya.

Dalawang kotse ang huminto sa tapat ng building at unang lumabas ang dalawang lalaking may dalang armas. Binuksan nila ang pinto ng isa pang kotse at lumabas doon ang kanyang kasintahan.

"Hanapin n'yo ang ahas na iyon and kill him immediately," utos nito sa dalawang lalaki bago naglakad papunta sa entrance ng building.

Kakaagad na sinalubong niya ito at natigilan ito nang makita siyang basang-basa sa ulan.

Nagulat si Cool nang makita siya. "Love..."

Nagdilim ang anyo ng kanyang nobyo at hinila siya papasok sa building. Tahimik na hinawakan nito ang kanyang kamay habang lulan sila ng elevator. Her hands were shaking but she can feel the warmth coming from Cool's tight grip on her.

Nang makapasok sila sa loob ng condo ay agad kumuha ng tuwalya si Cool at iniabot iyon sa kanya pero nanatili siyang nakatayo roon.

"Love..." His voice was pleading but she didn't move. Naramdaman na lamang niyang lumapit sa kanya si Cool at pinunasan ang kanyang ulo at mukha. "Magkakasakit ka niyan..." He wiped her face ngunit nabasa pa rin iyon ng luha niya na kanina pa pala tumutulo. She can't believe what she heard and saw. "Why are you crying?"

Hindi pa rin siya sumagot. She heard him sighed heavily bago siya hinila ng nobyo sa kwarto at kumuha ito ng damit at inilapag iyon sa kama. "I have a set of new underwear, you don't mind wearing male underwears right? Suotin mo rin itong T-shirt ko dahil baka magkasakit ka. Just call me kung tapos ka ng magbihis."

Lumabas ng silid si Cool at isinara ang pinto samantalang nanatiling nakatayo roon si Ivy. She can't stop herself from crying at limang minuto na ang lumipas ay nakatayo pa rin siya roon at hindi gumagalaw. Cool knocked on the door.

"Tapos ka na ba, love?"

She didn't answer at ni hindi man lamang nilingon ang pinto. Ilang sandali lamang ay narinig niya ang pagbukas ng pinto at pumasok roon si Cool.

"Love, please..."

But she just stared at him, with tears in her eyes. He sighed heavily before he reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it upward. He picked up the shirt on the bed at sinubukang isuot iyon sa kanya pero inihagis niya iyon sa sahig.

"Love, kailangan mong magbihis..." She saw how he dodge seeing her upper body which was only covered by a piece cloth.

He pulled the waistband of her pants but she reached for his nape and kissed him hungrily. Nagulat ito sa ginawa niya but when she deepened the kiss, he began to respond. Tinulak niya si Cool sa kama at pumatong dito. She continued kissing him while her tears continue to flow down her cheeks. Hinawakan siya ni Cool sa balikat at bahagya siyang inilayo.

"Love... Please... Don't..."

Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi nito at sa halip ay nagpatuloy sa paghalik. Cool responded again but for the second time, he pulled her. "If you keep doing this, I swear you will regret it."

He brushed the back of his palm on her cheeks to wipe away her tears. Tinabig niya ang kamay ng kasintahan at muli itong siniil ng halik. She felt his hands slide down on her bare back, caressing her and giving her warmth that she was yearning the most.

"This will be my last warning, Iverone Fuentes. Separate yourself from me before I lost all self-control I have right now." He looked at her with fire burning in his eyes but when she met his gazes, the blaze spread throughout his body, burning every control that was left in him. She was atop of him, and with one quick move, he flipped over, making him on top of her.

"I warned you, love," he said, before he started kissing her and worshipped every part of her body.

***

"Love..."

Naramdaman ni Ivy ang mainit na hininga ng kasintahan sa batok niya. Nakahiga siya at nakatalikod dito. Kaagad na niyakap ni Cool ang braso sa baywang niya. She can feel the most luxurious fabric on her bare skin.

They made out... a while ago. Kahit na natagpuan niya ang sarili na ibinalewala ang lahat ng paniniwala niya, wala siyang nararamdamang panghihinayang. She always believe that rational thinking would always say no to pre-marital sex but even if she defies her own rational mind, she doesn't regret. Not even a little. She vaguely remember the past moments where all she could hear is her own whimpers in pleasure and moans.

"Love, let's get married."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa sinabi ng kasintahan. Hinarap niya ito at hinaplos ang mukha. Marrying him means seeing this face every morning and she loved the thought of it. Muling nalaglag ang mga luha niya. Cool reached for her cheeks and wiped the tears.

"I presume these are tears of joy. I love you, Iverone Fuentes. I love you so much that I never thought that I am capable of loving someone this much."

Mas lalo lamang nalaglag ang mg luha niya. Bumangon siya mula sa pagkakahiga at hinila ang kumot upang takpan ang kahubaran niya.

"Sino ka ba talaga, Cool Vander?"

"Love..."

"I know about the mafia." It was just a speculation. Hindi lahat ng nasa balita ay totoo. Maaaring naglalaro lamang ng baril-barilan ang dalawang lalaki kanina. Lame, she knows.

Umupo rin si Cool sa kama. His expression tells her that he isn't surprise about it. "I see."

"Ikaw ba ang pumatay kina Raffy at Logan?" tanong niya. Naitanong na niya iyon dati but he gave her the same answer.

"Wala akong kilalang Raffy at Logan."

"Cool, hindi na ito nakakatuwa! I cannot imagine my boyfriend killing my friends!" Hindi na niya napigilan ang paglabas ng hikbi sa labi niya.

"You really see me as a murderer, love. I told you I didn't kill them. I asked a reaper to do so..."

Mas lalo lamang naguluhan si Ivy. "A r-reaper? Hindi ko maintindihan, Cool. No, ayaw kong intindihin! Anong pagkakaiba ng pagpatay sa pag-utos na ipapatay?"

He stared at her at hindi sinagot ang kanyang tanong. "Marry me," wika ni Cool at tiningnan siya ng diretso. He looked at her with the same flames burning in his eyes a while ago.

"Hindi ko kayang magising sa umaga na makita ang mukha ng lalaking mahal ko na gumagawa ng ilegal, nagpapapatay ng kung sinu-sino... I cannot..." Her own words felt like daggers stabbing not only to him but as well as to herself. Mas masakit pa yata ang nararamdaman niya ngayon dahil sa mga sinasabi niya. "Gusto kong maging alagad ng batas. My dad's a part of the police, samantalang ikaw..."

"Dalawa lamang ang uri ng tao sa mundo, Iverone. Those who do good and bad things. Sa huli ay walang pulis at alagad ng batas dahil kahit ang alagad ng batas ay gumagawa rin ng kabutihan at kasamaan," sagot ni Cool.

"Scratch that! Kung ganyan ang mindset mo, I really can't marry you! Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon, Cool, ay tamang sundin ang pag-ibig! You have to follow your heart, yes, but you cannot just ignore the fact that you have a brain!"

"Don't make me choose, love..." He said with a pleading tone. Parehas silang nahihirapan. They're total opposite. She's ice while he's fire. He's black and she's white.

Pinunasan niya ang sariling luha. "I'm not asking you to choose, Cool. I'm doing what's right. Mahal kita, walang duda pero dahil mahal kita, hindi kita kukonsintihin sa mga bagay na ginagawa mo na hindi mabuti. You're way too old to know what's wrong and right. I will never ask you to follow me on the good side at hindi ko rin kikwestyunin ang pagmamahal mo sa akin. It was beyond what I asked for. I was happy."

"Bullshit, Ivy! Bullshit!" Bigla na lamang nitong sinuntok ang headboard ng kama. There was a cracking sound, probably from the wood and his knuckles. Bumakat ang kamao niya sa matigas na kahoy at naging kulay violet naman ang kamao nito. He was shaking right now, with great rage in his eyes. He lost it. He lost it and he's very angry right now that she didn't know if he is still the Cool Vander that she knew.

Pero napansin niyang pinipigilan nito ang galit na kapag hindi pinigilan ay natatakot siya kung ano ang maaari nitong gawin. Nagulat na lamang siya nang paulit-ulit na sinuntok ni Cool ang kahoy na sinuntok niya kanina hanggang sa tuluyan iyong nasira at ngayon ay dumudugo na ang kamao nito pero patuloy pa rin sa pagsuntok.

"Fxck it! Fxck it! Bullshit!" Paulit-ulit itong napamura at umiyak. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na nakita niyang umiyak ang lalaki. He looked like a lost kid crying so hard at patuloy lamang sa sa pagmumura at pagsuntok kahit na nagkandasugat na ang kamay nito.

Ivy threw herself to him. Umiiyak siya habang niyayakap ang nobyo na wala pa ring tigil sa pag-iyak at pagsuntok sa kahoy. He was too strong that she cannot stop him. Naaawa na siya sa kamao nito kaya iniharang niya ang katawan sa kahoy at napahinto si Cool sa pagsuntok.

Niyakap siya ng mahigpit ni Cool at humagulgol ito sa leeg niya. He kept on saying 'don't leave me, love.' hanggang sa kumalma ito at ilang saglit lamang ay nakatulog na silang dalawa.

Naunang nagising si Ivy kaya agad siyang nagbihis at ginamot ang sugat sa kamay ng nobyo. His knuckles were swollen at habang ginagamot niya ito ay bigla itong nagising.

"Love..."

"Ipagamot mo ang sugat mo sa ospital," wika niya at tumayo ngunit hinawakan siya ni Cool.

"Don't leave me, love... Please?"

"I made my mind, Cool. You hurt me more than I deserve, how can you be so cruel?"

"Love..."

"I really love you, Cool. But we have to use our rational mind. Mahal na mahal din kita at hindi lamang ikaw ang nasasaktan sa desisyon kong ito. It hurts me thrice as much as it hurts you!" She leaned for a kiss on his lips before she stood up and walked out of the door, leaving him, but they felt the same. They're wrecked and totally shattered.

After three years...

"Ae-ae look at Mommy!"

Tinitigan ni Ivy ang dalawang taong gulang na anak. He looked exactly like his father and that thought made her feel nostalgic. She remembered the name that they thought before. May anak siya na Cooler kaya gusto niyang tawaging Coolest ang magiging unang anak nila, be it a boy or a girl.

Nang manganak siya ay hindi niya pinangalanang Coolest ang anak. She named him Gray Ivan Fuentes, instead of Coolest Vander. Naisip niyang mas lalo lamang siyang masasaktan kapag sinunod niya sa ama ang pangalan ng bata. But who is she kidding? She named him Gray because of Cool. She always finds him so damn attractive in his gray shirt and that she always fell in love with him.

Mahinang katok ang nagpagising sa diwa niyang naglalakbay kay Cool. Tumayo siya at inilapag sa loob ng malaking crib ang bata at binuksan ang pinto. Pagbukas niya ay nakita niya ang nakangiting kaibigan na si Arvie Silvan. He smiled at her at kaagad na nilapitan ang bata sa crib.

"Hello, big boy! Hindi ka ba nagpapa-stress sa Mommy mo?" he asked and the kid replied with a giggle.

"Ae-ae really likes you, Arvie," wika niya.

"Of course, you like Tito, right Ae-ae? Gusto mo nga akong maging Daddy, 'di ba? Si Mommy mo lang talaga ang ayaw," he said and the kid giggled again. Malawak na ngumiti si Arvie sa bata bago bumaling sa kanya. "I have news about the Vanders—"

"Arvie, please." She lived somewhere far to forget him tapos sasabihin ni Arvie na may balita ito? Alam ni Arvie ang tunay na nangyari sa kanya. He's a friend and a confidante.

"No, you need to hear this. Cool Vander is totally devastated when you left him. Ilang linggo pagkatapos mong nawala, in-ambush ang sasakyan ng kapatid niya, at may kasama siyang dalawang bata—"

"Dalawang bata? Isa lang ang anak ni Sweet. Ibig mong sabihin ay kasama niya si Cooler?" Sa ilang buwan na naging sila ni Cool ay naging malapit sila ni Sweet at ng anak nitong si Ryu. Cooler is also close to her.

"No, she's pregnant."

"Jesus!" Bulalas niya.

"Nakaligtas ang panganay niya but Sweet and the baby in her tummy died..." Hindi na niya narinig ang ibang sinabi ni Arvie dahil iniisip niya si Cool. He must be so sad right now. Kumusta na kaya siya? Is he doing well in his anger management sessions these past years? Napakaraming tanong sa isipan niya.

"Gusto mo ba siyang puntahan?" tanong ni Arvie.

"No!"

"Mahal mo siya. Ivy-"

"Arvie, it isn't true that love is the answer to everything," wika niya at pinulot ang kanyang bag. Lumapit siya sa bata at hinalikan ito. "I'll be off to school, Ae-ae. Be good to Tito Arvie, alright? We will visit Lolo and Lola over the weekend! Bye, baby!"

"Buti pa si Ae-ae may kiss, how about me?" Tinuro pa nito ang naka-pout na labi.

"Ae-ae, gusto yata ng sapak ng tito mo." wika niya sa bata.

Si Arvie naman ang kumausap sa batang walang kaide-ideya sa mga pinagsasabi nila. "Ae-ae, 'yang mommy mo talaga, hindi mabiro-biro!"

Agad siyang nagpasalamat at pumasok sa bagong eskwelahan na pinapapasukan niya. She's a proud single mom despite her young age. Gray Ivan is a fruit of love, a love that once so strong and forever she will treasure and will never be forgotten.

Mabilis na lumipas ang panahon and she learned to love Arvie Silvan. He was an answered prayer. Arvie Silvan is a nice guy. A small-time business man, well for now but he will surely make it big soon given his skills and intelligence. He is handsome, one with a good boy vibe, responsible and loving. He is everything. He was always been there, supporting them. He loves her son like it's his own and he was never jealous of the memory of Cool. He knew all along that Cool Vander always occupy a special space in her heart. They got married and Ivy love him, he can feel it at ngayon ay namumuhay sila ng masaya bilang isang pamilya.

"Mommy, kahapon hinalo namin ni Mikmik ang yellow and blue paint para ilagay sa upuan ng tutor niya, naging kulay green 'yong paint," kwento ng pitong taong gulay na batang si Ae-ae.

"Ganito kasi 'yan, anak, if you mix the primary color, you can produce secondary color. Halimbawa, 'yong yellow and blue, those are primary colors, kapag hinalo mo iyon, you will produce a color green," paliwanag niya sa bata. Palabas na sila ng mall. Kakagaling lamang nila sa skating range at ngayon ay nasa parking lot na sila.

"Wow! Really, Mommy? Sasabihin ko kay Mikmik na magmi-mix pa kami ng ibang paint na ilalagay namin sa chair ng tutor niya!"

Tumawa lang si Arvie sa sinabi ng bata samantalang sinaway naman ito ng ina. "Ae-ae, that's bad! Don't do that!"

"Mixing paints?"

"No. Ang paglagay niyon sa chair ng tutor," wika niya at ngumiti lamang ng malawak ang bata. Mas lalo lamang natawa si Arvie.

"Ang talino mo talaga, big boy! Kiss mo nga si Daddy!" wika ni Arvie at agad naman na tumalima ang bata. "Mommy, kiss mo rin si Daddy."

Natawa siya sa asawa at anak. She gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Love..."

Napahinto siya sa kanyang kinatatayuan at nilingon ang pinanggalingan ng boses. It's been eight years since she last saw him. He looks manlier now, still having every charm that she's hooked to eight years ago until now.

"Hon, sa kotse muna kami ni Ae-ae?" nakangiting tanong ni Arvie sa kanya.

"Hon..." She held his husband with shaking hands.

He took a step forward and kissed her on the forehead. "It's okay, Hon. I trust you." He give her an assuring smile before he left with Ae-ae.

Hinarap niya ang lalaking hindi niya nakita ng ilang taon. He looks the same, except for something. Ah, he looked cold and stiff.

"It's been eight years, love..."

Ngumiti siya ng pilit. How can this guy make her feel butterflies in her stomach the same way he did eight years ago? "K-kumusta ka na?"

"Can I lie?"

She shook her head. "Please don't."

Tumango-tango si Cool. "I'm not fine. I lost the woman I love eight years ago. She brought my child with her. Then I lost my sister and she brought my niece with her." Puno ng hinanakit ang boses nito.

"Alam mo ang tungkol kay Ae-ae?" nanlalaki ang mga mata na tanong niya.

"He looks like me, how couldn't I say he's not mine?" Ngumiti siya. "Your husband is a good man. Siya ang lumapit sa akin at sinabi ang lahat. I'm happy that he's the one you married and my son carries his name. I'm really happy about it."

"Cool..."

"Thank you for making me a part of your life, love. Ikaw lang ang una at huling babae na mamahalin ko-"

"Cool, please don't be like this."

"Don't worry about me love. I overcome my anger management issues, thanks to you. I'm happy to see you happy. Maybe this is what love is all about, being happy for seeing someone you love happy with someone else."

She felt a tear fell down from her eye. Lumapit sa kanya si Cool at pinunasan ang luha niya. "Huwag kang umiyak. Why do I always make you cry? I'm so cruel I'm sorry, love, I'm sorry. Stop crying now, baka isipin ng mga tao na pinapaiyak kita."

"You did!"

He laughed and his laughter sounded like music to her ears, like always.

"Can I spend time with my son soon? Not now, saka na kapag hindi magulo ang sitwasyon."

"Yes, you can. Bakit ko naman ipagdadamot si Ae-ae sa 'yo? He's your son."

Cool flashed a sexy smile. It was always the smile he used before. He seemed like he didn't age. "Naghirap akong gawin ang anak ko. You're so energetic that night. Tatlong beses sa isang gabi—"

"Cool!"

He laughed again. "Don't blush, love. Siya nga pala, I have something for you." Iniabot nito sa kanya ang malaking kaheta na kasinglaki ng isang chalkbox. "Open it."

Nang buksan niya iyon ay napasigaw siya nang nag-spray sa mukha niya ang whip cream. Tawa naman nang tawa si Cool sa harapan niya. He never changed at all!

"Ano ba Cool!? You still pull crazy pranks!"

He refrain from laughing. "Open the upper lid of the box, love." Sinunod niya ang sinabi nito. It was about a Europe Tour for her and Arvie, all expenses will be shouldered by him.

"Cool..." She was too surprised that she didn't remove the whip cream on her face.

"That's my wedding gift and I won't take no for an answer."

Just then, he crossed the little distance between them and he pulled her on the waist and crashed his lips on hers. It was long, sweet and passionate. Then his kisses went up to her nose and cheeks. Saka lamang siya nakapagsalita nang bitawan siya nito.

"Why did you kiss me?!" She's a married woman for goodness's sake!

"I didn't. I removed the whip cream on your face," he said with a wide smile. "See you soon, love."

Tumalikod na ito at naiwan siyang hindi makapaniwala sa nangyari. Same old Cool. Always the same.

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