The night was cold while I was waiting for Lachie's messages. Alam kong abala siya sa mga oras na ito at naghihintay lang din ako sa kanya. I'm sitting on the balcony and just finished the conversation with Hope. They are all okay in Italy, and Mom and Dad miss me so bad. I'll be back in Italy in four weeks. And whenever I think of Lach I feel sad.

Lachie to Me:

[Sorry, Love. Ngayon lang din natapos.] Flying kiss emoticon niya.

Me to Lachie:

[It's okay. I was talking to my twin-sister Faith and my parents at home. How was your day?]

Lachie to Me:

[Tiring... But I'm okay now. Smiling now. I miss you.] Heart emoticon niya.

Me to Lachie:

[I miss you too... Kailan ba ang balik ninyo?]

Lachie to Me:

[Next week na. Malapit na kitang mayakap ulit... I love you.]

Me to Lachie:

[I love you too, Lach, and I miss you too.] flying kiss ko.

With the same routine for three days ay nasanay na ako sa ganito. The other boys were here most of the time. Mababait naman ang ibang mga kaibigan nila na nandito at nakikipagbiruan sa amin ni Bria at Ava. Anton is showing all his care all the time with me. Alam naman niya na boyfriend ko si Lachie, kaya medyo dumidistansya rin siya.

But what surprise me is someone's giving me flowers secretly. It's happening for the past three days. Walang palya ang bulaklak niya at halos ito pa ang bumabati sa umaga ko. At first, I thought it was from Lachie. But thinking about his financial status I know he can't spend too much money lavishly for dozens and dozens of roses each day. Masyadong mahal ito.

"Sino ba kasi ang secret admirer mo?" si Bria.

Nagkibit balikat na ako. "I don't know. Wala naman kasing sulat man lang o note."

"Probably from someone that you know," singit ni Maya na nasa gilid lang din. Abala siya sa ginagawa niyang project.

"Ate Maya, all Tadeo's friends and Riley knows that Faith boyfriend is Lachie. Hindi naman siguro sila baliw para padalhan ng bulaklak at chocolates si Faith araw-araw, at ang mamahal pa? I mean money is not an issue, but you know..." Kibit balikat ni Bria kay Maya.

"There's probably someone that knows you, Faith?"

Kumunot na ang noo ko at namilog lang din.

"OMG! Don't tell me?" Sabay takip ni Ava sa bibig niya.

Ang akala ko kasi hindi siya nakikinig sa amin dahil abala siya sa ginagawa niya sa laptop. E, nakikinig naman pala.

"Who?" si Bria sa kanya.

"It's Russel! Look?" Sabay turo niya sa desktop sa harap.

She's on her social media account and they happen to be friends. Russel posted a dozen of flowers with a caption. 'I admire and adore you every day. And with the same roses and designs, we looked at it. Sabay pa kaming lahat na napatingin nito.

"No way!" si Bria.

"Oh my god! You've got Russel and he's so hard and so persistent. Kilala ko siya. Good luck!" mahinang tawa ni Maya.

Like Maya I think they are at the same age. Natulala na ako. Lahat ng mga bulaklak na pinapadala niya ay nasa opisina ni Tita Amber. I don't like to see it kaya roon ko na nilagay. And Tita actually loves it.

"I will comment. Will I?" si Ava sa akin.

"Well, just ask. It's nice to know. Para naman sigurado tayo," tugon ni Bria.

Tumayo na si Maya at tumalikod na. Tinitigan niya lang ako at ngumiti na. She's always like that. Maybe because were seventeen and she's twenty-two. She started stabilizing her line of work in the same company that they own. Ano pa nga bang bago?

"Sa kanya nga!" si Ava.

"He said. He will be coming tomorrow night. He's asking Mom's permission. What the-" takip bibig ni Bria.

"So what? I can't entertain I will tell him that I have already a boyfriend."

"Well, good luck to that. Iba nga naman 'pag si Mommy na," talikod ni Ava.

THE next day was tiring for me. Medyo masama ang pakiramdam ko at parang nahihilo ako. Kaya madalas ang pahinga ko sa hapon dahil inaantok ako. Ava was right with what Tita Amber told me that Russell will be coming to see me. Mas mabuti na rin siguro na harapin ko siya at ng masabi ko na hindi na ako pwede ligawan pa.

When the night comes, he came along with his mother. They've cooked pre-meals and sweets. Parang fiesta sa bahay sa dami ng dala nilang goodies at minatamis. I've found out that their family owned a bakeshops and bakery pastries. Sikat pa ito rito at may limang branches na sila. They've also expanded in Makati and Manila, with a total of eleven branches. Kaya ang daming pagkain ngayon sa harap ng mesa.

I love sweets, especially chocolate crinkles. At nang makalabas ako ng balkonahe ay nag usap kaming dalawa. I'm so thankful for all roses and chocolates but I can't accept his heart.

"It's okay. Hindi pa nga ako nagsisimula, basted na," pilit na tawa niya.

"I'm sorry..."

"Who's the lucky guy?"

"Ahm, it's Lachie..."

"Lachie Henderson?" kunot-noo niya, at tumango na ako.

"He's known for being a playboy but I guess he can be faithful just for you, Faith. I hope he is..." lawak na ngiti niya.

"Yeah... Mabait naman siya and so far, wala pa namang issue," mahinang tawa ko.

"Then, that's too bad. I really like you a lot, but that's okay... I'll see you in four months in Italy. Babalik kasi ako roon at tatapusin ko lang ang huling dalawang term sa pag-aaral."

"Talaga? That's great! Then I will see you then," lawak na ngiti ko sa kanya.

The night ended with so much chatting and picture taking. Everyone was happy and Bria never stop talking in front of Russel. Panay lang din ang download ni Ava sa social media niya. I know she find Russel weird, but I guess it's just his personality. Masyado kasi siyang iba at hindi halos makasabay sa mga lalaking kaibigan nina Tadeo at Riley.

And before I shut my eyes for bed Lachie message me. It was late already, at sa mga oras na ito ay hindi na siya madalas nag se-send ng mensahi sa akin, dahil alam niyang tulog na ako.

[Are you still awake?]

[Oo, how's the play?]

[Tired... Why the hell Russel's there?]

Napaupo ako. Halatang galit ang mensahi niya sa akin.

[They've visited Tita Amber. Kaya nandito sila kanina.]

[Iyon lang ba? Wala ka bang tinatago sa akin?]

[Wala na... Bakit?]

Hindi na siya nag reply kaya nag send ulit ako ng mensahi sa kanya.

[He sends flowers for the past four days, every day. I didn't tell you because it's not important. I told him that I have you as my boyfriend and that he should stop. Iyon lang at wala ng iba.]

Twenty minutes has passed and still he haven't message me back. Kaya nagtipa na naman ako ng mensahi sa kanya.

[Love, are you there? Tulog ka na ba? Sorry na...] sad emoticon ko.

[Hindi ako makakatulog nito e.] mensahi ko ulit.

[Hindi ito magiging issue, Faith kung sinabi mo lang ng maaga. I'm so mad right now. He's showing off to everyone on his social media!] angry emoticon niya.

Kinabahan na ako at tiningnan ang oras. Alas dose y medya na ng gabi. Tulog na si Bria sa tabi ko. I have no social media where Russel is my friend, dahil wala ako nito. Iba kasi ang ginagamit ko.

[Lach... Let's talk about it tomorrow. Pagod na ako at matulog ka na rin. May tugtog pa kayo bukas 'di ba? Look, I'm sorry but I am being honest with you. Wala talaga. He's just a friend at ikaw naman ang mahal ko 'di ba? Iyon lang naman ang mahalaga.]

Huling mensahi ko sa kanya.

.

C.M. LOUDEN