Kasalukuyan na kaming naglalakad papunta sa parking lot ni Ville. Hawak niya ang kamay ko at nauunang naglakad sa akin para matabunan ang mukha ko. Hindi naman ako masyadong mahahalata dahil sa suot ko.

I am wearing a black face mask, purple baseball cap, and a sunglass. Takip na takip ang mukha ko kaya di mahahalatang ako ito.

Same with Ville. He's also wearing a black baseball cap, black face mask and a sunglass.

Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang igalugad ang tingin sa kanya. He looked mysterious with his black t-shirt covered by a gray leather jacket paired with a blue ripped jeans and a white nike shoes.

He looked like an oppa. But I still prefer Chris Evans though.

Pagdating pa lang namin sa lobby ay tanaw na namin ang mga tao sa labas lalong lalo na ang mga paparazzi. Some were even holding banners with I and Ville's name and picture with a heart in between. God!

I don't know if they saw us because they weren't that wild. They were trying to approach the guards though but some other uniformed people were stopping them. Hindi ko alam ang tungkol sa mga police dahil hindi naman ako nag-hire. Siguro si Ville ang nag-hire sa kanila.

I went closer Ville's back and whispered. "Did you hire those policemen?"

He glanced at me and gripped my hand tight as he pulled me closer to him. Inakbayan niya ako para mas lalong takpan ang mukha ko.

"Yes. I hired them. Why the heck did you not hire a motherfucking bodyguard, Nik?!" He said on my ear with a mad voice. I rolled my eyes beneath the shades so of course I know he wouldn't see it.

"I didn't know that this issue would happen, okay? Wag mo akong masisi-sisi dyan dahil kasalanan mo naman ito! Kung di mo lang sana ako hinalika--"

He covered my mouth with his hand and said. "Okay, okay. I know. Wag mo nang ulit-ulitin, Ms. Biktima. Basta ba wag mo akong ipa-Tulfo ayos lang sa akin na lait-laitin mo ang gwapo kong pagkatao." Bulong niya.

Hindi ba matigil ang kayabangan ng hinayupak na ito? Jusko! I scoffed.

"Pwede bang itigil mo naman iyang kayaba--"

"Shhh. Wag kang maingay baka marinig ka ng mga fans mo...o baka haters mo ang mga yan, para hindi tayo ma-trap okay. Kung gusto mong hindi tayo madisgrasya ng mga paparazzi, manahimik ka." Pagpuputol niya sa sasabihin ko.

I rolled my eyes. Ede wow sa kanya!

Nang tuluyang makarating kami sa sasakyan niya ay agad niya akong pinapasok sa passenger seat. Agad na rin siyang pumasok sa driver seat at naupo. Pinasibad na rin niya ang sasakyan at wala nang sinabi dahil nagmamadali kami at ayaw naming kapusin sa oras kung sakaling makilala kami ng mga paparazzi.

"Sigurado ka bang hindi makikilala ng mga tao itong sasakyang dala mo?" I asked.

"Yep. Kay Evans itong sasakyan na ito. Yung mga sasakyan ko kasi naggamit ko na lahat saka na-post ko na sa instagram ko kaya baka makilala yun ng mga taga-hanga ko. Alam mo naman, gwapo akong lalaki, eh talagang di yan maiiwasan." Pagdadaldal niya. Humalukipkip ako at umirap.

"Tinanong lang kita kung hindi ba makikilala itong sasakyang ito, hindi ko tinanong kung gwapo ka ba o hindi," I rolled my eyes at him and leaned my back on the seat.

"Uh, yeah I know. Pero, kahit naman hindi mo tanungin, kitang-kita naman sa panlabas diba?" He said. Bumuntong hininga na lang ako at isinandal ang ulo sa bintana.

"Inaantok ako wag kang maingay," saad ko at saka ipinikit ang mga mata.

Gusto ko paggising ko nasa coffee shop na kami dahil gustong-gusto ko nang makita si Nivia. And I am excited to meet her fiancee...Emilio J-Jacinto. That's...kind of his name. But whatever.

"Naaalala ko, hindi pa pala kita masyadong kilala. Magpakilala ka muna sa akin." Biglang sabi ng gagong si Ville. Malapit na akong makatulog, eh!

"Ano bang gusto mong malaman?" I asked boredly, still closed eyes.

"Hmm, gaya ng favorite color mo," sagot niya. Really?!

"Pink," sagot ko.

"Pink?! Masyado namang pambabae 'yang pink. Pink talaga?! Ano ka bata?! 10 years old?! Naglalaro ng barbie?!" Pabulyaw niyang tanong sa akin.

Hayop to, ah! Iminulat ko ang mga mata ko saka nilingon siya at sinamaan ng tingin.

"Ano bang pakialam mo?! Tinanong mo ako kung ano ang favorite color ko, diba?? Ede, pink!" Bulyaw ko pabalik saka ngumuso. He glanced at me and chuckled.

"Oo na. Sige, sunod na tanong. Mga allergies mo?"

"Wala akong allergies."

"Okay, what about favorite food."

Napaisip ako. Lahat naman yatang pagkain kinakain ko, eh. "Lahat gusto ko."

"Okay. Your age."

"26 years old."

"Birthday."

"June 1."

"Mother and Father's name."

"Aurora Soletelle and Noel Soletelle."

"First crush?"

"I don't remember." Nilingon niya ako.

"Hindi mo maalala? Seryoso? Akala ko ba kayong mga babae mabilis makaalala sa mga bagay-bagay lalo na kapag mga first times ninyo." Usisa niya.

Napanguso ako.

Naaalala ko naman kasi, first love ko rin yun, eh. Though, I ain't sure if it was really love but that's what I felt and think.

"Seryoso ako. Hindi naman lahat ng babae maalalahanin, eh. Yung iba nakakalimot rin. Yung iba nga pinipigilan sila ng utak nila na makaalala, eh. Tsaka yung iba dyan kahit hindi naman babae parang babae maki-tsismis. Alam mo 'yun?" saad ko saka umirap.

"Sino naman yung hindi babae pero parang babae maki-tsismis?" Takang tanong niya. I scoffed.

"Hindi mo kilala?" Kunyare hindi ako naaasar sa kanya.

"Hindi. Sino ba?" Kunot-noong tanong niya. I smirked.

"Kakatanong niya lang ngayon," sagot ko saka muling ipinikit ang mga mata ko. "Gisingin mo ko kapag nakarating na tayo dahil inaantok na ako."

I heard him whispered, "Ako tsismoso? Sinasabi niya bang tsismoso ako? Hindi naman ako tsismoso, ah. Nagtatanong lang naman, ah. Sino kaya first crush nito? Ayaw sabihin, di siguro kinrassback." Bulong niya.

Hindi ko na lamang pinansin. Bahala siyang mabaliw dyan.

I was awaken by an air on my ear. Someone's blowing on my ear and it tickles. Agad kong iminulat ang mga mata ko at sinamaan ng tingin ang salarin. Bakit ba laging masama ang gising ko dahil sa hayop na ito?!

"Hindi ba pwedeng gisingin mo ako ng maayos?" Inis kong tanong. He smiled at me.

"Hindi ka magising kung gigisingin ka ng maayos, eh. Kaya wag kang magreklamo diyan at tumayo ka na dahil nandito na tayo. Nakikita ko na sila mula dito sa labas kaya sigurado akong kanina pa sila naghihintay," sabi niya. I immediately looked outside on the coffee shop and yes Nivia and her fiancee are waiting.

Agad kong tinanggal ang seatbelt ko saka lalabas na sana nang pigilan ako ni Ville. I looked at him confused. Kinuha niya ang face mask at cap ko mula sa dashboard saka isinuot sa akin. Hindi ko naalalang tinanggal ko ito kanina.

"Tinanggal ko kanina habang tulog ka dahil mukha kang hindi makahinga," Ville answered my question. I just nodded, I have no time for quarrels.

Nang maayos na ako ay binuksan ko na ang pinto. Tumungo na ako sa entrance ng Winter's nang maramdaman kong hinawakan ni Ville ang likod ko. Hindi ko na lamang siya pinansin kahit naramdaman ko ang biglaang pagtibok ng puso ko. Well, alangan namang hindi tumibok ang puso ko diba? That would be horrible.

Nang makapasok ako ay agad na tumayo si Nivia para salubungin ako. She hugged me tight and I did the same. Sobrang namiss ko siya lalo na't sobrang tagal na simula nang huli kaming magkita. I felt like tearing up. I wanna meet her with her fiancee in a good situation and not between an issue. And now because of me she's involved. And I goddamned hate it. The idea of people bashing her, saying hurting words would pain me. I don't want that.

"I missed you, Nik." she whispered as she caressed my back.

"I missed you more. Can we have a sleepover together? Please? I really want to. I missed you so much," I whispered. She chuckled.

"Of course. But for now, let's talk about the issue first okay?" saad niya kaya tumango ako.

Humiwalay kami mula sa pagkakayakap. She smiled at me and caressed my face.

"Aw. Look at you. You're being a crybaby again." She said sweetly. I laughed.

"I don't know. I just feel like tearing up," I chuckled. She laughed.

"Okay, okay now, ladies. Maybe...we could..." Ville motioned the chairs. "You know...sit."

"Tama, umupo muna tayo," Nivia said. "But first, Nik. I want to introduce you my fiancee."

She pulled the man smiling beside her towards her side.

"Jacinto Hamilton. Ino, this is my dear sister, Irah." Pakilala niya. I smiled at Jacinto...it's not Emilio afterall. He's handsome...he has a rugged look.

"Hi, it's so nice meeting you," I smiled and offered my hand for a handshake. He smiled back and accepted it.

"Same to you, Irah. I'm glad meeting one of my fiancee's family," he answered.

I nodded and smiled.

Nakaka-starstruck naman kasi ang ngiti ni Jacinto.

Kung ano ang kinabaho ng pangalan niya ay ang kinabango ng itsura niya.

Hanggang sa napansin kong nakatitig sila sa akin, kaya bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Then I realised that I still haven't introduce Ville to them.

"Oh, this is Cladville Rios Lareho. And he's my fiancee," I said and emphasized the word fiancee. They smiled like they understand.

"It's nice meeting you, man," Jacinto said and give Ville a handshake.

"Oh, Clad! You grew up really well. Oh, I missed you!" Niv blurted but in a tiny voice and hugged Ville excitedly. "I actually really wanted to hug you since lately but I guess di mo ako maalala so ngayon na lang!" saad niyang muli nang humiwalay siya. Ville smiled at her.

"Uh, yeah. Matagal na rin simula nang hindi tayo nagkita. I guess it was back in college, right? Sobrang tagal na rin pala, look now I'm 32 years old. It's not that I'm old but I was just 24 back then." Daldal ng lalaki.

Jacinto suddenly cleared his throat so we all looked at him. Ville then let go of Niv's waist and smiled awkwardly.

"I am not doing anything, man. I just hugged your fiancee and she's all yours besides I have..." He glanced at me and then hurriedly pulled me near him, then kissed my cheek and looked back at the couple. "...Nikki. I have Nikki, my fiancee, so I'm not a threat."

I felt my cheeks burn. Specially when my sister looked at me and raised her brow at me. May pang-aakusa ang mga tingin niya and I swear hindi ko gusto 'yun because it made me feel uncomfortable.

"Uhm, we should sit," I said. Nauna na akong umupo saka sumunod naman sila. Katabi ko si Ville habang sina Jacinto at Niv ay nasa harap naman namin nakaupo. In front of me is Niv and across Ville is Ino.

"Nag-order na ako para mas madali tayong matapos. Dahil gaya ng sabi mo nagmamadali ka," Niv said. Agad akong tumango. I sipped on my coffee. "So, what is it that you wanted to talk, Nik? Is it about the issue?" agad na tanong ni Nivia. I nodded.

"Yes. Kumakalat na ang issue, not just here in the Philippines but overseas as well. Tsaka, dahil sa issue maraming nagtatagpi-tagpi ng mga sitwasyon at rason kung bakit kamo ibinunyag namin ni Ville ang relasyon namin. May ibang umaayon lang..." I paused and sighed. "Pero may ibang nambabash. I don't want you to get involve. So, I just want you to keep safe and please wag na lang muna kayong lumabas-labas, Niv. Baka dumugin kayo ng mga paparazzi."

"Sige. As long as you'll be fine. You'll be fine with this, right?" saad niya at tumango ako.

"Oo naman. I and Ville can handle this. Kami ang nagsimula ng gulong ito kami rin ang tatapos. So for now, kailangan muna naming isecure ang mga taong malalapit sa amin dahil nasisiguro kong hindi kayo titigilan." Paliwanag ko. She nodded and looked at Ville.

"So, Clad. I perfectly know that you doesn't have a relationship with my sister, so why did you kissed her in the middle of the crowd?" Nivia asked Ville with a teasing tone. Clad shrugged.

"If I would tell you why, someone would punch me straight in the face," sagot niya.

"Why? Who?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Nivia.

Nivia glanced at me and I pursed my lips toward Ino. She glanced at Ino with confusion.

"What's with Ino?" She asked. I sighed. Paano ba ipapaliwanag sa kanya yun?

"Magseselos si Ino, saka magagalit siya kung sasabihin ni Ville ang totoong rason," sagot ko. I glanced at Ino. Naiintindihan niya kaya?

"What's the reason then?" Biglang tanong ni Ino na nagpaigtad sa akin. Naiintindihan niya ba?!

"Uh, Ino understands Tagalog. Pilipina ang nanay niya." Sinagot ni Nivia ang katanungan sa isip ko.

I nodded. "Just don't mind him tsaka wag mo na ring sabihin ang rason, Clad. As long as you're both fine, then it's good with me."

"So, ngayong nasabi ko na ang nais ko. I think we should get our way home. Kailangan nating maging mas maingat. And Niv kung lalabas ka magpasama ka kay Ino. At kung maaari wag ka na lang munang lumabas." Nag-aalalang saad ko.

"Pwede ko namang utusan ang mga kaibigan kong police na bantayan muna kayo hanggang sa mamatay ang issue. Mas mabuti iyon para walang makalapit sa inyo. But, that is if you would agree." Sabad ni Ville.

"I agree. I maybe can protect Via but I couldn't protect her if there're lot of paparazzi around her. We need some bodyguards." Singit ni Ino. I nodded.

"Okay. Then this is settled. So, what now?" Nivia asked.

"It's time to go home," I said. They nodded in unison.

Binayaran ng mga lalake ang bill saka sabay na kaming lumabas at tumungo sa parking lot. Agad na akong nagpaalam sa kanilang dalawa gayundin sila.

Nang dumating ako sa condo ko ay agad na ring nagpaalam sa akin si Ville. Inihatid niya lamang ako tapos agad na rin siyang umalis. Ang sabi'y marami siyang gagawin at aasikasuhing kaso at saka kakausapin na rin niya ang mga kaibigan niyang pulis para kina Nivia at Ino.

Agad na akong nagbihis para makapagrelax. Hindi naman sa masyadong akong stress ngayong araw. Pero, gusto ko lang magpahinga tapos kumain ng kumain dahil nakakamiss kumain ng tsitsirya.

"Or what if...lumabas ako tapos kumain ng street foods," I smirked with my thought.

Tumayo ako saka kinuha sa kwarto ang sling bag ko kung saan nakalagay ang wallet at cellphone ko. I wear my face mask and cap. Handa na sana akong lumabas nang biglang nag-ring ang cellphone ko.

Agad ko itong binuksan at binasa ang caller ID. It's Ville. Where did he get my number? Bakit naka-save ito.

"Hello---"

"Fuck! Nikki?! Nikki?! Nik?!--"

"Yes, it's me! What the fuck is wrong with you?! Why the heck are you yelli--"

"Some fucking paparazzi just hit my head with a baseball bat and it's fucking bleeding! And it hurts! And--oh fuck! Binabato nila ako ng itlog! Fuck--"

"Wait! I'm coming! Where are you? Where are you?!" I panicked and dropped my bag. Agad akong dali-daling lumabas sa condo ko kahit di ko alam kung saan ako tutungo.

"I'm at the parking lot--fuck! Evans' goddamned car is fucking broken--"

"I'm coming!" I shouted over the phone. I hurriedly called the others when I was on the elevator. They said they're coming.

Nang bumukas ang elevator ay agad akong lumabas at tumakbo patungo ng parking lot. Nang makarating ako roon, everything was in chaos. Evans' car is wreck. At pinagkukumpulan ng mga tao si Ville.

Dali-dali akong lumapit roon at sumingit sa mga taong nambabato sa kanya. I shouted them to stop. But I guess they didn't heard me.

"Stop! Stop hurting him! Tama na! Stop!" I shouted as I reached him and protected him as I hugged him.

"Sinira mo ang relasyon ni Irah at ni Luis!"

"Akala mo naman malinis kang abogado!"

"Tinuhog mo ang magkapatid!"

They were shouting wild. They kept shooting us with eggs and tomatoes.

It hurts. But I guess I'm fine.

Si Ville lang ang hindi dahil dumudugo ang ulo niya. I'm getting worried.

I hugged him tight and he noticed me. He then hugged me and protected me with his arms.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" He hissed in a whisper.

"Hindi ko rin alam," I chuckled in the middle of my worries.

He chuckled as well and hugged me tight instead, covering his body. "They're all coming to save us," I whispered, referring to the others. I felt him nodded.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas ay hindi ko na naramdaman ang mga sigawan at batuhan. I looked over Ville's shoulder and saw my friends stopping them. Evans went to us. Pinaghiwalay niya kami ni Ville pero ayawng humiwalay ni Ville.

"Come on, Clad! Don't be so clingy in the middle of the chaos. Humiwalay ka na gago!" saad ni Evans. Agad namang humiwalay si Ville. Dumudugo ang noo niya.

"Bilisan natin! Dalhin natin siya sa hospital!" Sigaw ko. They nodded in unison.

Agad kaming pumasok sa kotse ni Evans. Ville is breathing hard. I looked at him with worry. Agad kong isinandal ang ulo niyang duguan sa balikat ko. I felt him snaked his arms on my waist.

"It feels good here. But I think I just broke my head into two." He whispered and motioned his both hands, separating it.

I chuckled and shook my head.

He's still stupid.

—

Thorn:

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