"Miss Montanez? Any updates with Mr. Escarra?"

Napaigtad ako sa gulat nang makarinig ng boses. I was spacing out in my desk, inside my office, when a shadow fell over me. It revealed the slim figure of our EIC, staring at me with strict eyes.

"He's the only one who hasn't been contacted yet. What's going on?"

I swallowed hard. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin! Siya nalang ang kulang sa roster namin tapos kasama ko pa natulog kagabi! I got so distracted that I didn't even got the chance to persuade him again.

"I'm on it, Ma'am," magalang kong wika sa kaniya.

"Please, hurry. We have a deadline to catch, Miss Montanez."

Nang makaaalis na siya sa opisina, nagpakawala ako ng malalim na buntong-hininga. Pinangako ko sa sarili kanina habang awkward kaming mag-aagahan na hinding-hindi na ako magpapakita ulit sa kaniya sa matinding kahihiyan tapos ngayon, kailangan ko ulit siyang makita.

Gusto ko nalang lunurin ang sarili ko sa dagat. If I can't handle him like a professional, what made me think that I deserve this position at Social Synergy?

Grunting, I pulled my drawer to retouch my makeup inside the office and stood. Kinuha ko ang nakasabit na coat sa likuran at isinuot ito saka lumabas, dala-dala ang bag.

"Going out, Miss Montanez?" tanong sa akin ni Kaye. I just smiled at her.

Dali-dali akong bumaba at pinatunog ang sasakyan. I set up my phone for directions bound to Manila. Alam ko naman na ang daan, pero natatakot pa rin akong maligaw lalo na ngayong ako lang mag-isa ang magda-drive.

Dumaan muna ako sa apartment ko para kuhanin ang gusto kong ibigay sa kaniya mamaya. Pagkatapos, nagsimula na akong mag-drive patungong Manila.

It was an exhausting drive for a beginner like me. I think I stopped twice to get some coffee in the middle of the day to fuel myself. Nang sa wakas ay makarating na ako sa Manila, doon pa ako naligaw kakahanap sa kompanya ni Ivo.

When at last I found it – a tall building erected proudly in the heart of the city, as if to claim its place as the leading developer in Asia – I let out a tired sigh. Lumabas ako sa kotse at ibinigay sa lumapit na valet ang susi ng kotse ko. Tinitigan ko ang matayog na building. There should be at least 60 floors in it and Ivo... is on top of it all?

Napailing ako. Ang layo na talaga ng narating niya. Sinong mag-aakala na ang ang CEO ng kompanyang ito ay mahilig kumain ng kwek-kwek, Betamax, isaw, at kikiam? People would kill for his high school photos. Girls would swoon at the sight of him gracing our magazine's cover in his board shorts, surfing. This could be big. I need this story.

Pumasok ako sa lobby ng kompanya. There's a different entrance for visitors and guests. Binigyan ako ng gate pass ng guard at hinalughog nang husto ang bag ko bago ako pinapasok. Minata pa niya ako nang makitang mga ulam at kanin ang laman ng mga tupperware na dala ko. I smiled at him and went to the receptionist.

"Hi, I'm looking for Ivo—" I cleared my throat. "For Primitivo Escarra."

"Name, please?"

"Sereia Montanez." Nag-aalangan kong wika. I looked around, getting conscious. I was wearing a pair of muted gray slacks and a white tank top inside my oversized gray coat. The only jewelry I wore is a simple chain choker necklace to complete the look. Pero yung nararamdaman ko noong una akong dinala ni Ivo sa mundo niyang ibang-iba sa akin, nararamdaman ko pa rin ngayon.

"Do you have any appointments with the CEO?"

"Uh... no." I admitted.

"Sorry, Miss Montanez. I'm afraid I can't cater you. Mr. Escarra has back-to-back meetings today and a conference to attend later this evening. I can't disclose all of his schedule but best believe me when I say it's full and he's unavailable."

"Pwede ba akong maghintay sa kaniya?" sinulyapan ko ang orasan. Alas dyes pasado naman na.

"Miss Montanez, as I've said, he's very busy. Even if you wait, there's a possibility that he might not see you any time of this day." Pigil ang iritasyon niya sa pagsagot sa akin.

"Pwede mo ba siyang tawagan?"

Umiling siya, halatang naiirita na sa akin. "I can't do that either."

I swallowed the disappointment brimming in my mouth. Of course, Ivo is not someone I can easily see nowadays. Hindi na ako yung teenager na basta nalang pupunta sa bahay niya para makausap siya. He owns a goddamn company. It was so unprofessional of me not to set an appointment of him ahead of time. Malungkot kong binalingan ang pagkaing dala ko.

"Come with me."

Nagulat ako nang magsalita ulit ang receptionist at umalis sa upuan niya. Nag-aalangan ko siyang sinundan dahil ang sama na ng tingin sa akin ng security guard. She stepped inside the worker's elevator and pressed a button. Tahimik lang siya habang nakatayo kaya sinilip ko ang pangalan niya sa kulay gold niyang name tag. Laura.

Nang makarating kami sa 60th floor, pumasok si Laura sa lobby gamit ang ID niya. May isa pa ding receptionist doon at maliit na lobby na punong-puno ng mga tao. She gestured to the small crowd.

"These are the people who are hoping to talk to Mr. Escarra after his meeting..." she smirked at me. "Are you sure you're going to wait?"

"Uh... yes." I shrugged. "Ano nga ulit oras matatapos ang meeting? 11:30 am?"

Tumango siya at lumapit sa kasama niyang receptionist. May ibinulong siya dito. Ako naman, nagpalinga-linga. Wala na akong maupuan dito. I don't know these people but they're all jittery and anxious. Some are even from media if I'm not mistaken. I'm not wearing my company ID so no one knows where I'm from. In-adjust ko ang hawak kong paper bag na may lamang pagkain at alanganing ngumiti sa mga taong napapatingin sa akin.

"We will have to clear out this area after lunch. If Mr. Escarra doesn't talk to you by then, I'm afraid you have to leave."

Tumango ako at nagpasalamat kay Laura. Pwede niya naman akong itaboy sa ground lobby pa lang, pero binigyan niya ako ng pagkakataon at dinala dito. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko rin alam kung makakausap ko ba talaga si Ivo dahil mukhang mga desperado rin ang mga tao rito gaya ko.

Nagkunwari nalang akong nagce-cellphone para patayin ang oras habang naghihintay ako kay Ivo. Sumasakit ang paa ko dahil naka-heels ako kaya ininda ko nalang. I've gotten used to the culture in Manhattan and I don't expect anyone to give up their seats for me. I am a woman, but I'm still capable of standing like everyone else.

Sobrang bagal ng takbo ng oras kapag may hinihintay ka o bored ka. Wala naman akong in-install ng games sa phone ko para aliwin ang sarili ko. All I did is read the latest magazine issues of our competitors to study what's new, what should be up, and what things shouldn't land on the paper.

"Mr. Escarra!"

Biglang nagkagulo ang mga tao nang bumukas ang pinto at lumabas si Ivo. May kasama siyang bodyguard na naka-all black at malaki ang katawan. He doesn't even spare as much as a glance here as people desperately flock to him. May kausap siya sa cellphone at mabilis na naglalakad. Nag-panic kaagad ako.

I bit my lower lip and joined the crowd, trying to get to him. Nalulunod ang tawag ko sa mga boses nila kaya irita akong sumingit para makalapit sa kaniya.

"Ivo!"

He stopped walking, stunned. Nasa tainga niya pa rin ang cellphone niya nang lingunin niya ako. Someone grabbed my shoulder and I almost fell. Ivo cursed and gave his phone to his bodyguard. Dali-dali siyang lumapit sa akin.

"Raya! Anong ginagawa mo dito?" tanong niya sa akin habang tinutulungan ako. I handed him the paper bag because it's weighing me down and got into my feet, embarrassed.

"Gusto kitang makausap," bulong ko sa kaniya dahil nakatingin na ang mga tao sa amin.

Ivo nodded and held my arm. The people protested when he took me. Kesyo kanina pa daw sila naghihintay at bago lang ako o may koneksyon akong ginamit para makausap siya. Ivo told me to stay with the bodyguard and went to them.

"See that girl?" turo niya sa receptionist. "Please make an official appointment with her. I promise I will try my best to cater all of you but right now is not a good time."

"How about her? She just got here!" reklamo ng isa sabay turo sa akin. Nanlaki tuloy ang mga mata ko.

Ivo turned to me. "Oh, her? She's not here for business..." he gave them a lazy smile. "She's here for me."

Tumalikod na si Ivo habang nag-iingay ulit yung mga taong nagrereklamo. Mabilis silang dalawa na naglalakad kaya halos hindi ako makahabol. Napalingon tuloy sa akin ang bodyguard at bahagyang binagalan ang paglalakad niya. I smiled apologetically at him and stepped with them in the elevator.

When the doors closed, we were finally given the privacy to be alone together. I took a deep breath.

"Business pa rin ang pinunta ko dito, Ivo. Tungkol 'to sa magazine." Diretso kong wika sa kaniya.

"Talaga? Hindi tungkol sa halik?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at muntik ko na siyang hampasin dahil sa sinabi niya! Pinigilan ko lang ang sarili ko dahil baka i-wrestle ako ng bodyguard niya kapag sinapak o hinampas ko siya. Ang tanging nagawa ko lang ay samaan siya ng tingin.

"We still want you." I said instead.

"How about you? Do you still want me?"

Napaawang ang bibig ko. The bodyguard cleared his throat and drifted as far away as possible. Mukhang walang pakialam si Ivo na naririnig niya kung anong sinasabi niya sa akin!

"Ivo..." I said calmly. "Please. Nakasalalay ang trabaho ko dito."

He scratched the back of his neck when the elevator made a sound. Bumukas ang pinto.

"Join me for lunch."

"Huh?" napatingin ako sa paper bag na hawak ko. "Eh dinalhan kita—" I stopped, embarrassed.

"Anong dinala mo?"

Itinago ko kaagad sa likod ko ang paperbag at umiling. He must've made a reservation in an expensive restaurant for lunch and I'm giving him this? Nakakahiya! Bakit ba hindi ko matanim sa isipan ko na ibang Ivo na ang kaharap ko ngayon? Nakakainis!

Ivo swiftly grabbed the paper bag out of my hands. Before I could even protest, he was shuffling through the contents. Napangiti siya.

"Pinagluto mo ako ng adobo?"

"Tira-tira ko lan yan sa agahan ko." I lied.

He chuckled. "Salamat sa tira-tira mo, ah?"

Siya na mismo ang nagdala ng paper bag habang naglalakad kami patungo sa parking lot. Ang bodyguard niya ang nag-drive sa kotse niya habang may kausap ulit si Ivo sa cellphone niya. Ako naman, pinaglalaruan lang ang mga kamay ko sa hita. Nang matapos siya sa tawag, binalingan niya ako.

"We have company for lunch. Do you mind?"

Umiling ako. Bakit naman ako mag-iinarte eh ako naman 'tong may kailangan sa kaniya? Buti nga kinausap niya pa ako gayong wala naman akong appointment.

Just as I expected, we entered an expensive Italian restaurant. Akala ko iiwan ni Ivo ang paper bag sa kotse pero bitbit pa rin niya ito hanggang sa makapasok kami. Nakakahiya dahil yung paperbag na pinaglagyan ko ng tupperware, galing pa sa vitamins na iniinom ko. Ni-reuse ko lang dahil wala naman akong ibang mapaglagyan ng niluto ko kanina.

We entered a VIP room with long table and eight chairs on it. All seven chairs are occupied except one. Nagsitayuan ang mga naroon nang makitang pumasok si Ivo.

"Sorry, I'm late." Aniya sabay lapag sa paper bag doon sa table. Napatingin siya sa upuan. "Just a sec."

Lumabas si Ivo sa VIP room kaya nagkatinginan kami ng mga lalaking naroon. I smiled awkwardly despite their condescending looks. Na-OP ako bigla at gusto ko nalang umalis kaso biglang pumasok si Ivo, may bitbit na isang upuan. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at kaagad siyang tinulungan.

"Sana tumawag ka nalang ng magdadala." I hissed through gritted teeth.

"Huwag na tayong mag-abala ng ibang tao, upuan lang naman, eh." He said and placed the chair next to him. Hindi naman maitago ang gulat sa mukha ng mga lalaking nakatingin sa amin. It must be their first time seeing this side of Ivo.

He pulled the chair for me to sit before occupying his. Pumasok naman ang waiter at isa-isa kaming binigyan ng menu.

"I'm not going to order anything. I packed for lunch." Ivo said, tapping the paper bag. Gusto ko nalang maglaho sa mundong ibabaw dahil napatingin ulit silang lahat sa paper bag. Wala namang pakialam si Ivo sa mga tingin nila at binalingan ako. "Ikaw? Anong gusto mo?"

I swallowed hard and turned to the menu again. Pinili ko yung pinakamura. Nakakahiya naman sa lalaki. Dinala na nga niya ako dito na walang abiso sa mga ka-meeting niya.

After the waiter got our order, they started their meeting. It was an informal meeting. Nagkunwari nalang akong walang naririnig habang nag-uusap sila tungkol sa sales, mga projects na gagawin, mga competitors, at ang current situation ng market. Ivo listened and gave his opinion. When the food was served, he took out the tupperware one by one. Napatingin ulit sa kaniya ang mga ka-meeting niya.

"Atsara ba 'to?" tanong sa akin ni Ivo habang binubuksan ang mga dinala ko. I bit my lower lip. Ang yaman-yaman tingnan ng mga pagkain namin tapos si Ivo na CEO, kumakain mula sa tupperware. May Doraemon design pa ang isa dahil naubusan na ako ng mapaglalagyan. He didn't seem to mind while the gentlemen at the table are trying their best not to look horrified.

Kinuha ko ang kutsara at sinimulang kumain. I chewed slowly, while Ivo talked to them as usual and eating from the tupperware. One of the waiters offered to transfer it to a serving plate but he refused.

"Ang dami niyo nang huhugasan, huwag na. Ayos na 'to," ani Ivo at pinabalik na siya.

Patingin-tingin ang mga ka-meeting niya pero wala namang isa na naglakas-loob na sitahin si Ivo. For one, he's doing nothing wrong. They may just be weirded out to see a business tycoon eating a homemade lunch in an expensive restaurant.

I remained silent most of the time, listening to them talk about their business. Ivo asked me thrice if I'm okay, and thrice I nodded and assured him that I am perfectly fine. Pagkatapos ng meeting, nag-paalam na sila at umalis. Ivo and I remained seated at the table.

"Ano nga ulit yung proposal mo? Magazine interview?" Ivo asked while wiping his mouth with the table napkin.

I nodded. "I told you, we're trying to interview the top 10 eligible bachelors in the Philippines."

He let out a small laugh. "Ba't ako nasali?"

I almost rolled my eyes at him. Is he too busy with work that he's not aware of how far he had come? He's no longer the boy that casually eats street foods after our high school classes. Heck, he even has a bodyguard!

"It's just an interview, Ivo. You're allowed to skip questions you are uncomfortable with, or to filter what you want to say." Sabi ko nalang.

Ivo tapped his finger against the table, leaning closer to have a look at my face.

"And then?"

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, pero sobrang lakas na ng kabog ng puso ko. Bakit naman ang lapit ng mukha nito sa akin?!

"And then?"

Ivo let out a lazy, boyish smile. "I still don't know what it's in it for me."

I almost scoffed. "Ano, gusto mo pa ng talent fee? Honorarium?"

He laughed. "Business is business, Raya."

"Fine, I'll talk to the accounting department if they could give me a budget—"

"No, I'm not talking about money."

Natigilan ako at napatingin sa kaniya. "Eh ano?"

My eyes widened when I realized something. Napaawang ang bibig ko habang nakatingin kay Ivo.

"You pervert—"

"Grabe ka makapagbintang, Raya!" he quickly cut me off with the tips of his ears burning red. "Hindi naman ganun ang ibig kong sabihin!"

"Eh kung ayaw mo ng pera, anong gusto mo?!" Singhal ko sa kaniya.

Napanguso siya saka nag-iwas ng tingin. "Homemade lunch. 30 days. Take it or leave it."

Mas lalo pa akong nagulat sa sinabi niya. Ano raw? Homemade lunch? Gusto niyang ipagluto ko siya ng isang buwan? Aba!

"Ginagawa mo akong kasambahay, ah?" sarkastiko kong komento sa kaniya.

He shrugged. "I'm going to share my private life to the world. I think it's fair enough..."

Tumango ako. "Yeah, fair enough."

Nginisihan ako ni Ivo. "So, payag ka?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Duh! Do I have a choice?"

I agreed to his silly deal just so I can drag him to our studio for an interview. Ang dami niyang dapat i-cancel dahil naka-schedule na pala ang mga meetings niya. Paniguradong sumasakit na ang ulo ng sekretarya niya ngayon.

Four days later, Ivo arrived at our company 15 minutes earlier. Ang alam ko, nasa dressing room siya for a retouch. Yung beauty editor naman namin na si Kaye, kinakabahan dahil siya ang mag-i-interview kay Ivo kaya naman hinila ko siya sa tabi para kausapin.

"Hindi ka dapat kabahan sa taong yun, just be yourself, okay?" sabi ko sa kaniya.

"Paano mo nasabi, Ma'am? Kilala niyo po ba si Sir Primitivo?"

Kaagad akong umiling at nag-iwas ng tingin. "I-I talked to him to get this interview, remember?"

"Ay, oo nga pala." She laughed nervously. "Kumusta? Hindi po ba suplado?"

"Hindi naman..."

"Kinakabahan pa rin ako. Sobrang private niyang tao, eh!"

"I told him he can skip questions that he's not comfortable with."

Kaye nodded. I gave her last-minute advices while conducting the interview. Hindi ko na hinintay si Ivo na lumabas ng dressing room. I went to the technical room so I can listen and watch the interview later on. A few minutes later, Ivo arrived at the studio, wearing a navy-blue blazer and a white shirt underneath. Sa parehong kulay ang suot niyang slacks. He doesn't have any indication of his wealth except for a Rolex sitting on his wrist. For him, wealth is silent.

"Wow, he's even more dashing in personal, Miss Montanez." Komento ng EIC namin na katabi ko ngayon.

I crossed my arms over my breasts and flicked my gaze to him. Soundproof glass lang ang pagitan naming dalawa. Sakto namang paglingon niya dito kaya nagkasalubong ang mga mata namin. He happily waved at me like a child kaya napalingon halos lahat ng tao sa akin, pati cameraman.

Napaubo ako at kaagad na tumalikod dahil sa hiya, lalo na kay Kaye na gulat ring napatingin sa akin. Our EIC raised her brow, but said nothing and signaled for the technician to start the run-through.

Pagkatapos ng run-through, the film began rolling. We decided not to live-stream the video so we can still cut some clips if there are questions that Ivo is not comfortable answering. Iyon kasi ang pangako ko sa kaniya.

"Thank you so much for joining us today, Mr. Primitivo Escarra... we, at Social Synergy, has been looking forward to this day. Can I call you Primitivo, or do you have any special nicknames?"

Tumaas lang ang kilay ni Ivo sa sinabi ni Kaye. Through the glass, I glared at him. Kaagad naman siyang ngumiti nang makitang ang sama na ng tingin ko at itinaas ang mic sa bibig niya.

"Primitivo is fine. Thanks, really. I appreciate it."

"So, this is your first time being interviewed about your life?"

"Yes, apparently."

"I'm sure our readers are giddy to know about your life outside the business, Primitivo. Your accomplishments are publicized for anyone to see, but there is little to no information about your private life. Why don't we get started with your childhood?"

"My childhood?"

Kaye smiled. "How were you as a child, Primitivo?"

Ivo is silent for a moment. He crossed his legs and began talking.

"I'm an only child. It's pretty much boring, really. Every summer, my family would come to La Union. My parents were too busy to take me to the beach so I'd go there by myself. That's when I started taking interest in surfing."

"So, you're into surfing?"

Ivo nodded. "Yes. It's my only hobby."

"Are you just surfing for fun, or are you actually a pro?"

"I was a pro during my teenage years, entered a few Sea Games competition. But right now, I'm just doing it for fun."

"Who would've known that an intimidating business tycoon like you is a pro surfer, right?" Kaye laughed with such demureness. Ivo just smiled in return.

"Moving on, our readers are really curious about you so we tried to dig up some facts. You may debunk or confirm some of the facts we've gathered about you."

"Sure."

"You like La Union."

"Wrong. I love La Union." He smiled. I can see him starting to relax.

"Really? Why so?"

"I told you, our family visits La Union every summer."

"Yes, but there's Baler, General Luna, Gubat, Calicoan Island, and many more... why does it have to be La Union?"

Ivo leaned back on his chair, lazily playing with his mic while he's trying to think what to answer.

"Can I tell you a story?"

"Sure, go on."

"When I was a kid, I'll often trek through the woods and into the beach near our house in La Union. It was one of our properties there, so no one really came by. I was always alone, sitting on the sand and watching the waves come and go, wondering when I'll get the courage to get up and surf. One day, there's this little girl..." Ivo chuckled at the memory. "She went to the beach, ignoring the large No Trespassing sign..."

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. My legs are starting to wobble so I pulled a chair to sit down while still wearing the headset. I can still hear him talk.

"I'm supposed to shoo her away, but she didn't even notice me. She just picked up a random stone, scratched a line on a bigger stone, and then sat on the sand as if she's waiting for someone."

My throat went dry as he continued the story. Sobrang lakas na ng tibok ng puso ko.

"She was like that for a month, scratching another line on the stone, counting the days, and waiting for someone... until one day, she never came back."

"You never asked for her name, Primitivo?" Kaye teased.

Umiling si Ivo. "No. I only learned her name few years later... in high school."

"I'm not going to ask for her name, but she seemed really special to you... is she?"

Tumango si Ivo. "Yes."

"Please tell us that the two of you got together!" parang teenager na kinikilig si Kaye habang pinipiga si Ivo tungkol sa babaeng iyon. "We're happy to exclude you from the list if you're secretly engaged or married to this girl by now."

Ivo let out a sad laugh. "I wish. We never got together, Kaye."

"What? Why?" she moaned.

"Wrong timing. There were things she needed to do and I can't interrupt her in that important time of her life. I had to let her go so she can chase her dreams after sacrificing for her family for so long..."

A single tear fell from my eyes. Kaagad ko yung pinalis bago pa mapansin ng EIC namin.

"You really loved her, huh?"

"I loved her... I still do..." he flicked his gaze over our side. Tumitig lang din ako sa kaniya.

"Is this what they call a TOTGA?" Kaye laughed to lighten the mood.

Ivo shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

Kaagad ko ng tinanggal ang headset at umalis sa technical room. I can't bear to listen to what he has to say. Sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko. I went to the dressing room and found no one there. Napahinga ako nang maluwag. I limped my way to a chair and sat there, my heart beating so fast.

Mahal niya pa ako? Hanggang ngayon?

Pakiramdam ko sasabog na ata ang puso ko sa mga nalaman. Napatalon ako sa gulat nang biglang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa nito si Ivo. He stared at me in silence, shutting the door behind him.

"Ikaw yun...?" halos bulong ko sa kaniya. I saw the sign, of course. I saw him as a child. But I didn't care. My heart broke for the first time when I was a little girl and I didn't know what to do about it. "Bakit hindi mo sinabi?"

Ivo shrugged. "Bakit? Hindi ka ba aalis kung sinabi kong ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit ako lumipat sa La Union?"

My lips trembled as I stared at him. "Hindi ko alam..."

I heard him sigh.

"Alam mo ba kung anong iniisip ko sa mga panahong nasa Amerika ka?"

Umiling ako.

"Sinunod ko lahat ng gusto ng mga magulang ko, pinalago ko ang negosyo na hindi nagpapakasal sa isang Cojuangco. Nahihiya ako sa iyo... sa mga sinabi ko. You were so determined to chase your dreams while everything was handed to me in a silver platter. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko kinuha ang kapal ng mukha para umamin sa iyo gayong walang-wala ako kumpara sa iyo..."

"Ivo..."

"I worked on myself, Raya... I worked on myself so that I'll deserve you when the time comes. Ang palagi kong sinasabi sa sarili ko, sana kung pwede na, pwede pa..." he ran a hand through his hair, defeated. "But your chase is still not over, right?"

Uminit ang sulok ng mga mata ko sa sinabi niya.

"I can leave you alone, if you want. I don't want to make things harder for the two of us. But before I leave, I want to ask a question."

Isinandal ko ang likuran sa vanity table dahil sobrang nanghihina na ako sa mga sinasabi niya. I weakly nodded.

"Pwede na ba? Pwede pa ba? Sampung taon na, Raya..."

Napaawang ang bibig ko habang nakatingin sa kaniya. I never saw him look as vulnerable as this. My heart is about to explode from my chest when I pulled away from the vanity and quickly walked towards him. Nagulat si Ivo sa biglaan kong paglapit.

I stared at his eyes while my other hand cupped his cheek. Unti-unti nang kumakalma ang puso ko.

"Gusto mong malaman? Bakit hindi natin subukan, Ivo?"

-

#HanmariamDWTWChap35