"Marissaaaaa", I snapped out of reverie when I turned to look at that annoying face.

"What do you want, B?" I asked and prepared to stand up and leave but he held my arm. I met his eyes which was then pooled with unshed tears.

"P-please, don't leave." Benedict pleaded. "I can't live without you."

"Tell that to the marines after you cheated with my sister.", I heaved a deep breath and nudged him off.

It took me a lot of courage not to cry. I was all over the fact that I was being betrayed and the audacity that he wants to take me back is just too much to bear.

All I could hear was the sound of my heels on the coffee shop's sleek floor. I was waiting for Katie, my bestfriend, hoping I could give her a proper goodbye but it looked like he came instead.

"M, sorry. But Ben begged so I had to give him that. Take care in Alaska. Love you.", then came Katie's text message.

I puffed on my bangs and took deep breaths. With my luggage on my hand and my red Belladonna backpack, I had to find the strength to pull it together.

Gladly, I was able to spot on a taxi as I stepped out of La Diva Cafe.

"Sa airport po, Ku-," I was taken aback when I saw who it was. "Since when did you start driving a taxi?" I gaped when I saw who he was.

"You're welcome, Rissa.", his throaty voice reminded me of the guy I used to have a big crush back then. He began maneuvering the vehicle out of the coffee shop and into the main road. He turned up the volume when the song shifted to "All I Have to Give" by Backstreet Boys.

Nostalgia hits hard, that's a fact.

"So, I heard you're engaged.", Rico Eugenio, the High School heartthrob commented as we paved the road to the airport.

"Well. Newsflash: Were. We broke up." I answered with conviction. Our eyes met at the rearview mirror when dead air fills the atmosphere.

"Uh, I'm sorry to hear that." He said apologetically. I heaved a sigh and looked out the window.

The then-sunny skies became dark and thunders began filling up the clouds.

"-In other news, flight schedules from all airlines have been canceled due to heavy rainfall in Metro Manila-", as if on cue, rain poured hard over the taxi's roof and there goes my heart to start anew.

"Ano plano mo? Mukhang postponed na lakad mo.", Rico remarked and slowed down the car. Road became slippery and traffic is seen from afar.

"Pwede mo ba akong dalhin malayo sa mga taong ayaw kong makita?" I asked, the gloomy weather started taking its toll on me.

"As you wish, Rissa." He smiled and made a U-Turn.

After a few hours, I was welcomed with nature and petrichor. A modern-like designed cabin was in front of me.

Just as the rain temporarily stopped, so are we. The parking lot was spacious enough to fit three cars. It was indeed far away from the city as trees and a cool nature breeze were the only things present in the area.

As we went inside, Rico led the way with the luggage in his hand. He smiled toothily and I blushed.

"Welcome to my humble abode.", My eyes widened with his words.
They traveled from the picture frames on the walls and the woody cabin interior gave off the cozy vibe. True enough, his accomplishments were posted there.

My eyes ran to the high ceiling with its aesthetically designed lightings. I smiled when I saw a carpeted area where book nook was stated in Japanese language.

"Must be nice to have your own place.", I strike a conversation and sat on a reclining chair with a book by Colleen Hoover.

"Had to save up for it. Coffee?" Rico smiled and held up a mug. I gladly accepted it and mumbled my thanks.

He sat across from me on a love seat and I placed the book on top of the coffee table to enjoy my coffee. I gazed outside and rain poured again.

"It's nice to see you again, Rissa." He said and I met his eyes. It was genuine and comfortable.

"Likewise, Rico." I smiled and took a sip of my coffee. I shied away and my stare dropped on the photos of our High School days.

Me sitting between him and Alfred with our lengthy grin while holding out a bunch of Cheese Rings. Another photo is a stolen shot of me while pouting because of a gooey paint poured on me. One shot shows how me and Clara squealed in fear when he came in between us during the School Fair.
Another was at the Marriage Booth: I was frowning while he was grinning happily.

"Hala sya! Nandito pa tong mga to?" I laughed boisterously. I had to place the mug over the coffee table because I realized how silly I looked way back then.

It took us a couple of minutes to recall all our childhood memories and soon, we found ourselves seated beside each other and rummaging over his photo albums.

"Achoo!" I sneezed and he roared. "Pesteng ulan yan! Sinipon na tuloy ako!" I complained and he generously handed me a table napkin. "Tha-choo!"

"Uhugin ka pa rin pala, Rissa." He teased and I had to slapped him on his shoulder while I blew my nose.

"Iyakin ka pa rin pala, Iko." I snapped back pointing to his photo where Adam was grinning triumphantly and he was giving him the evil eye after a school competition.

"Hoy! Ako naman kasi dapat panalo dyan! Luto lang nila yon!" He protested and I shook my head.
I must have shaken it for too long that I felt dizzy.

"Oh-f..." I moaned and before I knew it, I blacked out.

Morning came and I found myself in one of the rooms, entangled with a comforter and the chirpy sounds of the birds awoke me.

"Pambihira ka, Rissa! Inapoy ka agad ng lagnat!" Rico bellowed with a bowl of porridge as he went inside the room. I automatically pulled the comforter up on me. "I'm innocent, don't worry. Pinalitan lang kita ng damit. Hindi ko na binuksan maleta mo baka may ahas kaya damit ko nalang pinalit ko sayo."

I frowned at him. "Oh, wag mo akong batuhin ng unan. Matapon pa to. Kumain ka na tas uminom ka ng Biogesic ha. Labas lang ako."
He placed the bowl on the side table and went out in a flash.

I giggled and peeked inside the comforter, true enough, I was wearing a loose white shirt and a black jogging pants. It must have been hard for him to change my clothes as I have gained weight recently.

I touched my neck and yes, I have a fever. I picked up the thermometer and waited for five minutes before checking it.

38.4°C, it read.

I slowly sat up straight and winced when I felt the heaviness of my head. I took deep breaths and began eating the porridge he made for me.

Then, I heard a knock when I was at the last piece of chicken. I looked up and saw him.

"May I?" I nodded and walked towards me. As he came closer, my heart thudded against my chest.
Who could have thought he's this manly up and grew so much taller than me? "Hey, Ri. Okay ka lang?" He asked and touched my head. "Mainit ka pa rin. Eto, inom ka ng gamot. Tapos ka na dito?" I nodded absentmindedly and he retrieved the tray with porridge. "Uminom ka muna ha bago ka matulog ule."

There, on top of his side table, was the Biogesic and a note saying, 'Ang cute mo matulog, Uhog. :P"

I frowned at his message then took the tablet before drinking water. I was about to lay back when I realized what his message was. My face grew hot and shit. I found myself grinning with delight.

Parang lalo akong nilagnat?

It took me a while to process things until I fell asleep.

I woke up to the sound of the guitar strumming at the sofa. I walked towards the veranda and saw his broad shoulders bent to the guitar strings.

From the second floor, I began admiring him. His tousled hair any woman would love to curl her fingers with, his broad shoulders any woman would love to lean on, and his sultry lips which any woman would love to get drowned with.

I shook my head when I realized what I have been thinking. Then, a thunder snapped me out of reality, making me shriek.

"Oh, Jeez! Rissa!" Rico exclaimed in surprise and ran to where I was. "Okay ka lang? May masakit pa sayo?" He was holding my arms and I met his worried eyes.

"O-okay lang ako. Just startled." I said, embarrasingly.

"Mukang hindi titigil ang ulan." He commented and led me downstairs where he was tuning with his guitar.

"Looks like, you'll be stuck with me.", I added apologetically.

"I don't mind having you around, Ri." He smiled.

There goes his killer smile. I swear, wala pang tatlong buwan ako nakipagbreak and I might just break the 3-month rule.

Our conversation shifted to music, to books, to his family and then to the topic, I have been avoiding ever since.

"My boyfriend cheated to me with my bestfriend." I said blandly.

"Mahal mo pa?" He asked and I shook my head.

"Nope. It seemed like I was just waiting for him. Them. To admit it. Like I was waiting for an excuse to break up." I said truthfully. Then came the tears, I wasn't expecting. "Matagal ko ng alam. But I remained silent. It was a blessing in disguise when I bumped into them at the mall. It was unbelievable. My very pregnant bestfriend and my cheating boyfriend..kaya pala hindi nagpopropose. May binuntis na pala."

Then, I lost it. Rico was silent as I cried my heartache out. I must have emptied the paper napkins as a tissue roll was pulled out from his pantry.

"Sorry. I ruined the mood." I said. He chuckled.

"Wala yun. I asked and I hit your heart. It was acceptable." He said understandingly.

"So, ikaw naman magkwento. Any woman special in your life?" I asked and sipped on a cup of coffee.

"Her name is Rissa. And I have been loving her from afar and for years now." I gaped at his speech. "Yes, Rissa. Those carnations during your debut. Those bullying days I did to you. Those prank messages and calls until college. And even the message requests and follows on your social media accounts, those were all because I am and will always be here for you. It sounds creepy I know but I promise, I never intercepted with your ex bastard boyfriend. I even told him to leave your bestie. Siraulo lang talaga sya. Sana saken ka na lang nya binigay hindi yung ginago ka nya."

"I love you, Rissa. I hope my love language didn't creep the hell out of you." He said sheepishly.

End