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I made a second account named @thorn_heartu here in Wattpad because I couldn't log in this account (thorned_heartu) in another phone or in any gadget. Just in case that the Wattpad App on my Mom's phone ( where my account is logged in) would be deleted, then I would probably be publishing all my stories in my second account.

...

Ingat

I blinked as I watched him ran upstairs with the pillow covering his ripped stomach. I could still hear his footsteps hurrying from where I am standing.

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa sofa saka naupo doon kahit walang nag-utos sa akin na maupo. Alam ko kasi na kung nandito lang si Sim at kung hindi lang siya tumakbo edi sana pinaupo na niya ako ngayon.

I wonder why he ran anyways? It's not like I would bite him.

"Oh, nasaan si Sim?" tanong sa akin ng kakarating lang na kasam-bahay na kumausap sa akin kanina.

Nginitian ko siya. "Uhm... he ran upstairs. I don't know why? Siguro ay magbibihis lang siya."

I saw her lips contorted for a smirk. She shook her head a bit as she chuckle d softly. "Sus! Mukhang nagbibinata na nga ang batang iyon. Marunong nang mahiya kapag may dalaga."

Napahagikhik ako sa sinabi niya. I looked at my intertwined hands sitting on my lap as I chortled. I could feel my cheeks reddening.

Hindi naman ito ang unang beses na tinawag akong 'dalaga'. Pero kahit paulit-ulit ko na itong naririnig talagang naninibago pa rin ako. I may be a woman, but I just feel something else whenever I would hear someone describing me as a lady. I don't know... it's just that... it sounds cringe.

"Magbibihis lang po siguro," I said.

She nodded. "Mukha nga. Oh, siya. Hintayin mo na lang siya rito. Dadating rin iyon."

Tumango ako. "Okay po."

She walked towards the door probably towards the kitchen. I bit my lower lip as I look at the running television in front of me. Hindi ako mapakali habang hinihintay si Simour. This is my very first time to visit a guy and I am very nervous.

Habang hinihintay siya ay luminga-linga ako sa paligid saka tintingnan ang mga litratong nakasabit sa pader o kaya ay nakapatong sa mga cabinets. I couldn't seem to stop myself from smiling. Nakikita ko kasi ang mga baby pictures ni Simour. And he's so cute.

Hindi ko napigilang tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo ko sa sofa. I went near the cabinet where his baby picture is standing. Pinulot ko ang picture frame tsaka sinuring mabuti ang picture niya.

He's topless on the photo, I bet that he's just four or five years old. Sa likod niya ay isang malawak na swimming pool. Sa balikat niya ay isang puting towel. May umaagos pa na tubig sa makapal niyang buhok at sa matangos niyang ilong. At naka-peace sign siya sa picture. Mas lalong nagpa-cute sa kanya ang pagiging chubby niya.

I smiled. Akmang isasauli ko na ang picture frame sa ibabaw ng cabinet nang may bumulong bigla sa tenga ko.

"Gwapo ko, ano?"

I shrieked a bit as I faced the person. My eyes widened when I saw Simour looking at me with teasing eyes. Nakabihis na siya ng maayos na damit pero kumikinang naman ang gold niyang hikaw na nasa kaliwang tenga.

I immediately placed back the picture frame on the cabinet and faced him. "Don't do that again," I said.

He raised his brows at me. "Ang alin?"

"That thing! You know, manggugulat!" I rolled my eyes at him.

He chuckled. "So, anong ginagawa mo rito, Miss Pres?"

Ngayon ko lang naalala ang pakay ko. Kung hindi siya nagtanong ay baka nakauwi ako sa amin nang hindi nagagawa ang tunay kong pakay.

"Well, uhm... I want to—"

He signaled me to stop talking. "Maupo ka muna. Ang ganda-ganda mo tapos tatayo ka lang," aniya.

He held the small of my back and pushed me slowly towards the sofa. Giniya niya ako paupo saka matamis akong nginitian. He stood in front of me.

"Anong gusto mo? Tea, coffee or me?" he smirked.

I rolled my eyes. "Juice."

Nawala ang ngisi niya saka mabilis siyang sumimangot. "At bakit ayaw mong piliin ang 'me'? Masarap naman ako, ah. In fact, mas masarap ako kaysa sa juice o kaya sa tea at coffee."

I blinked. "You're so childish, Simour! Ibibigay ko na lang sayo ang gusto kong ibigay. Aalis na rin naman ako later since my Dad wouldn't like it if I'd be late at home—"

"Wait!" he stopped me from talking. "Kukuha lang ako ng juice. Anong gusto mong flavor?"

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata. Parang kanina lang ay nagtatatakbo siya paalis tapos ngayon heto siya at parang ayaw yata akong paalisin. What's with him? Ang hirap talagang intindihin ng mga lalaki.

"Uhm... well, I want a mango flavor," I answered.

He nodded. "Sige, hintayin mo 'ko rito."

He then walked towards the kitchen. Nakapamulsa pa siya saka chill na naglakad papasok. I couldn't help but chuckled as I watched him. Who would have thought that a bad boy like him have a thoughtful side, right?

Kinuha ko mula sa bag ko ang wristwatch na binili ko para sa kanya. I smiled as I look at the gray velvet box. Palipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa box at sa pinto ng kusina.

"Aba, aba! Bago iyan, Sim, ha?"

Napalingon ako sa bungad ng kusina. Naglalakad palabas si Sim at ang kasam-bahay nila. May ngisi sa mukha ang kasam-bahay samantalang si Sim ay nakasimangot.

Si Sim ang may bitbit ng snacks na tiyak akong hinanda niya para sa akin. Samantalang ang kasam-bahay niya ay nakasunod lang sa kanya at inaasar siya.

"'Nay, nagpapaka-hospitable lang ako!" wika ni Sim.

"Weh? Hindi nga?" panunukso ng kasam-bahay.

Umirap si Sim. I chuckled as I watched him look so pissed with his nanny.

Nakasimangot na nilapag niya ang tray sa harap ko. He then sat next to me as he glared at his nanny.

"Doon ka na nga po sa kusina, Nanay! Nang-aasar ka, eh!" asik ni Sim at parang batang ngumuso habang inis na tinitigan ang nanny niya.

Tumawa ang nanny niya. "Siya, siya. Sa kusina na ako at baka ma-high-blood ka pa sa tindi ng inis mo sa akin."

Before his nanny left, she looked at me and winked. I chuckled and just watched her left.

"Huwag kang maniniwala sa mga sinasabi no'n, hindi iyon totoo," ani Sim sa akin.

I faced him. "Wala naman siyang sinasabi sa akin, ah. You're just being defensive!"

Umirap siya. "Edi, wow!"

I chuckled. "So, uhm... I want to give you this."

Nilahad ko sa kanya ang gray velvet box na naglalaman ng rolex watch. I held it with both of my hands as I showed it to him.

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa hawak ko. His frowning lips suddenly lifted for a small timid smile. He protruded his lips as he glanced at me.

"Para sa akin iyan?" tanong niya na tila ba nanunudyo.

I nodded and smiled wide. "Yep! I want to say thank you to you personally for saving my life. I already said my gratitude to your  friends and since expelled ka kaya ako na ang pumunta rito sa house mo to say thank you." I stared at his eyes. "I know that I couldn't repay you for what you've done. This small gift couldn't pay you enough. But don't worry, I'll be very good to you from now on."

His lips protruded once more as he stared back at me. Bigla akong nailang sa klase ng titig niya sa akin. Hindi ko napigilang mag-iwas ng tingin saka tumingin na lang sa maliit na box na hawak ko. I could feel my cheeks heating.

"Alam mo, Miss Pres, kahit sino naman gagawin iyon, eh. Alam kong kahit marami-raming tao ang sakim, pero may natitira pa rin naman siguro na gaya ko. Alam kong gago ako, Miss Pres. Pero hindi ganoon kagago na hahayaan kang masaktan," he sighed.

He pouted his lips and accepted the box. His lips immediately tugged for a wide smile which he instantly covered by biting his lower lip. He then checked and open the gray velvet box. Kinuha niya mula sa loob ang rolex watch saka sinuri ito habang nakakagat-labi.

"Ganda, ah. Ang pogi!" puri niya.

I smiled. "Thank you. So, do you like it?"

He glanced at me as he smiled mysteriously. "Yep. Ang ganda. Suot mo nga sa akin."

Nilahad niyang muli sa akin ang box. Agad ko naman itong tinanggap. I placed the box on my thigh as I held his wrist. Isinuot ko sa kanya ang rolex watch at hindi nga ako nagkamali. Bagay na bagay sa kanya. It looks so good on his wrist.

"There you go," wika ko. "It looks good on you," I said with full honesty.

He smiled. "I know right."

I bit my lower lip. Kinuha ko ang baso na nasa mesa sa harap namin. Naglalaman ito ng mango juice. I sipped on it and then glanced at him who's staring at me.

"So, uhm... Can we be friends?" I asked and smiled.

His smile suddenly faded. Nawala rin ang ngiti ko sa gulat. Napakurap ako saka may pagtatakang tiningnan siya.

"Uhm... D-Did I said something wrong?" I asked.

"Anong 'friends'?" Kunot-noong tanong niya. Wala na ang ngiti niya at pansin na pansin ang pagsimangot niya.

"Friends! I want to be friends with you! I mean... I know that I looked weird asking an uhm... asshole like you to be my friend—sorry for the word. But you know, I am having a hard time differentiating real friends from fake ones. Pero kayo, ikaw? Alam na alam mo! If I could be friends with you, then I am safe from people who only want nothing but fool me and take advantage of me!"

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. Humalukipkip siya. "Talaga lang, ha?"

I nodded and smiled. "Yeah."

"Ayoko nga!"

I blinked. My smile faded. I felt my heart tugged painfully.

"A-Ayaw mo?" I almost have my voice broken.

Umiling siya. "Ayoko."

"W-Why not? Is it because I was rude to you before?"

Umiling siya. He smirked and leaned towards me. "Ayoko. Dahil higit pa doon ang gusto ko mula sayo."

Kumurap ako. I am not dumb. I know what he meant to say. But of course I would not allow him.

I chuckled nervously. "Oh? Is that so? Uhm... that's good! So... uhm... iyon lang ang gusto ko sanang pag-usapan natin. I-I'm leaving."

Akmang tatayo na ako nang hapitin niya ang palapulsuhan ko at ang bewang ko. He pulled me towards his body making me sat on his lap.

I shrieked and tried to escape from his grip but he's way stronger that I am.

"S-Simour?! Let me go! You're being an asshole again! You shouldn't be! We're friends na diba?!"

Hinahampas ko ang braso niyang nakayakap sa maliit kong bewang pero parang wala lang sa kanya ang mga hampas ko dahil kampante niya na lang na iniyakap sa akin ang mga braso niya.

"Friends?" he asked. "Hindi nga tayo friends, Miss Pres. It's a big no, no, no to me."

"Why not?! I am being friendly here, Simour! Tapos ikaw naman itong nagpapaka-asshole! Bitawan mo nga ako! Someone might see us! Gosh! That would be embarrassing!"

Halos maiyak ako sa kakahampas sa kanya pero mukhang wala talagang pakialam ang kumag.

He chuckled. I felt his hot breath on my neck making my eyes widened and my cheeks reddened.

"Actually, walang tao dito sa loob ngayon, Miss Pres. Tayo lang. Inutusan ko kasi na lumabas sina Nanay," aniya.

My eyes widened even more. Parang pakiramdam ko ay lulugwa na ang mga mata ko.

"Oh my gosh! No! Bitawan mo ako! Mas lalong dapat mo akong bitawan! You probably would be more dangerous!"

Mas lalo siyang tumawa. "Ang sakit mong magsalita, ah. Porque gago ako ay gagawan na kita ng masama? Tsk. Oh, ito na. Bibitawan ka na."

Nang maramdamang nawala na sa bewang ko ang mga braso niya ay mabilis akong tumakbo palayo. Hinihingal ako at halos yakapin ko na ang sarili.

I glared at the asshole who's just smirking at me and sitting comfortably on his sofa. He's like a king waiting for his food to be served and I'm his food.

Gosh, Primm! Ang dumi mo mag-isip!

"I'm going home na! You're such an asshole!" asik ko saka inirapan siya.

Ngumisi siya sa akin. Then he gave me a flying kiss and a charming wink. And I hate myself for blushing with his actions.

"Are we going to the church today, Dad?" I asked my Dad while we're on a breakfast.

"Yes, honey. Didn't your Mom told you?" aniya.

Umiling ako. "Nope. Maybe she forgot about it since she got pretty busy."

He nodded. "Yeah, maybe. Where's your Mom anyway?" Kumunot ang noo niya. "I've been looking for her since I woke up and she weren't inside our bedroom."

I shrugged.

Mom is always a busy woman. Though, she makes sure that everything's all perfect, hindi naman niya kami nakakalimutan ni Daddy. Sinisiguro niya rin na may oras siya sa amin. And that's what made me a lucky daughter.

"Probably inside her office," sagot ko.

May sarili silang opisina dito sa bahay. May mga araw kasi na hindi sila nakakapasok sa workplace nila kaya dito na lang nila ginagawa sa bahay ang mga nais nilang gawin.

He nodded. "Yeah, maybe. Hindi ko kasi natingnan ang opisina niya kanina. Go on and eat your food so we'll call your Mom after this. We're going to the church."

I nodded. "Yes, Daddy."

Nagpatuloy kami sa pagkain ni Dad. Kahit madalas ay sabay kami nina Mommy na kumakain, may mga araw rin na hindi kami nagkakasabay, gaya nito. It's either one of us is busy, o kaya ay lahat kami ay talagang busy.

Kapag ganito ang nangyayari, agad-agad naman kaming bumabawi sa isa't isa. We'll treat each other outside and of course enjoy the day.

After I and my Dad ate our breakfast, I went to my room and decided to take a shower. Si Dad naman ay pumunta sa opisina ni Mom at dinalhan ito ng breakfast.

My Dad has always been a sweet guy. Hindi niya hinahayaang magutom kami ni Mom. It always worry him whenever we don't have the time to eat.

Nang matapos akong mag-shower at magbihis, bumaba ako sa living room at doon sila hinintay. Ilang minuto lang ay bumaba naman agad sila.

"Mom, bakit napaka-busy mo today? What made you busy po?" tanong ko sa kanya nang palapit na sila ni Dad sa sofa na kinauupuan ko.

She smiled at me, "Well, you know me. I am a busy woman. Alam kong ma-pera ang Daddy mo but I don't want to depend on him, the reason why I am doing this. Also, I want to give you things that you want which came from my own sweat and blood." Her eyes then roamed around my body. "I see, you're very ready. You're dressed well, honey."

I smiled proudly. "Of course! We never had the chance to go to the church last Sunday dahil lahat tayo naging busy, kaya sobrang excited ko po ngayon because we will be able to go."

She nodded. "Alright. Let's get going then."

Pumalakpak ako. "Let's go!"

"Be careful, honey," wika ni Daddy.

Agad kaming nakarating sa simbahan ng wala sa oras. Malayo-layo man sa bahay namin ang simbahan pero masyado kaming naaliw sa pag-uusap sa isa't isa kaya hindi na namin namalayang nakarating na pala kami.

Pinagbuksan kami ng pinto ni Daddy. He's always as gentleman as he could be.

"Thank you, Sir," ngisi ko.

He chuckled and kisses my forehead. "Such a pretty lady we have here."

"Tsk. Flatterer," ngisi ko.

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko. "Go on. Mauna ka na sa simbahan. May pupuntahan lang kami ng Mommy mo."

"Where?" tanong ko.

Tinuro niya ang isang stool ng fishball. "Bibili kami ng fishball. Na-miss na namin kumain, eh."

Ngumuso ako. "How about me, Dad?!"

He chuckled. "Of course, bibilhan ka namin. Pero mauna ka na sa loob. It's not safe here outside."

I nodded. "Sige po. But make sure to buy a lot, ha?"

He nodded and smiled. "Roger that, honey."

"Let's go, Seleno," wika ni Mommy kay Dad saka nauna nang naglakad patungo sa fishball stool.

I couldn't help but smile as I saw my Dad reached for my Mom's waist and caressed it up and down. I even saw him stare lovingly at my Mom for a second before he walked with her towards the stool.

Whenever I see the sweetness and the genuineness of my parent's relationship, I couldn't help but believe that true love and happy ever after do exist. And my parents are the great example.

Malawak ang ngiting naglakad na ako paakyat sa hagdanan ng simbahan. I was about to enter the door of the church when someone bumped on me, almost making me fall hard.

"Oh my gosh!" bulalas ko.

"Oops! Sorry, pretty miss! Hindi kita napansin diyan sa kinatatayuan mo, eh!"

Napasinghap ako nang makilala ang lalaking bumangga sa akin. I creased my forehead and glared at him. "What are you doing here, Cladville?"

Ngumisi siya sa akin, "Magsisimba."

I scoffed. "Really, huh? I didn't know that a demon like you could enter a church?"

Suminghap siya saka sinapo ang dibdib. "Ang sakit mo naman magsalita, pretty miss. Pasalamat ka maganda ka, eh."

I rolled my eyes. "Why are you in a hurry? Binangga mo pa talaga ako."

Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "Oo nga pala! Buti pinaalala mo! Kailangan ko nang umalis! Bye!"

Nagmamadali siyang tumakbo papasok ng simbahan kaya kunot-noo ko na lang siyang sinundan ng tingin.

He's such an asshole.

"Nagmamadali iyon dahil natatakot pagalitan ni Father Vicente." I heard Evan's voice behind me.

Agad ko siyang nilingon, only to see him with his brother, Eros in a white long sleeve polo.

"So, nagsisimba ka rin pala, Evs?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

Mahina siyang natawa. "Syempre naman, ano! Anong akala mo sa akin, demonyo?"

Mahina akong natawa sa sinabi niya. "So, bakit natatakot si Clad na pagalitan ni Father Vicente?"

He smirked, "Hindi mo pala alam? Akala ko ba madalas kang nagsisimba, ba't hindi mo alam na sakristan ang gagong iyon?"

Napasinghap ako sa sinabi niya. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko saka napaawang ang mga labi. My eyes went straight to the altar where Clad is standing together with Father Vicente.

"Oh my gosh! Seriously?!" singhap ko.

Tumawa si Evans. "Oo. Siya, papasok na kami. Baka pati kami pagalitan, eh."

"Sakristan ka rin?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Mahinang natawa si Evans. "Hindi halata dahil masyado akong gwapo para maging isang sakristan. Una na ako. Bye."

Napakurap ako habang sinusundan siya ng tingin. Then my eyes landed on Eros who looked so bored.

"Don't tell me sakristan ka rin?" wika ko.

"I am not. Hindi ako kasing-plastik ng dalawang iyon," blanko niyang sabi sabay pasok sa simbahan.

Naiiling na lang na sumunod ako sa kanya. Sumabay ako sa lakad niya saka kinakausap siya.

"I didn't know you go to church, Eros," I joked.

He glanced at me sideways and raised his brows a bit. "I didn't know you're this talkative, Primmly."

I giggled. "I am just kidding. Masyado ka kasing serious. Why not gayahin mo ang Kuya mo at ang friends mo? Chill-chill ka naman diyan."

"They're not my friends and don't compare me to them. Iba ako sa kanila," aniya.

I pursed my lips. "Oops, sorry—ouch!"

Biglang may bumangga sa aming dalawa ni Eros. Sabay kaming napalingon sa may gawa at sabay na nagsalubong ang mga kilay namin nang makilala ito.

"What the fuck?!" asik ni Eros na kinanlaki ng mga mata ko.

"Oh my gosh!" Mabilis kong tinakpan ang bibig niya. "We're inside the church, Eros! Your mouth!"

Kunot-noong bumaling ang mga mata niya sa akin. He was about to reach for my hands when the man who bumped us did it first. Tinanggal nito ang kamay kong nasa bibig ni Eros.

"Nasa simbahan tayo. Bawal landian," inis niyang sabi sa amin.

"We aren't!" sagot ko.

He gave me a death glare. "Talaga lang, ah?"

"Nasa simbahan tayo tapos namamangga ka," wika ni Eros. "Anong problema mo, Sim?"

Simour looked at Eros. "Haharang-harang ka, eh."

I started to panic. I could feel the tension between them and now I am worried.

I nervously cleared my throat. "Uhm... You know, you don't have to yell at each other... or something. You can talk it out—"

Nilingon ako ni Simour at kunot-noong namaywang sa harapan ko. "Ba't magkasama kayo nito?" tanong niya sabay turo kay Eros na blanko ang tingin.

"Uh... because we're talking—"

"Bakit hindi 'talking' ang nakikita ko, ha?" sikmat niya.

I shrugged. "I don't know about you. Not my problem anymore—"

"Pwes, problema ito para sa akin!" aniya na para ba'ng sobrang stress niya sa buhay. "Halika nga."

Hinawakan niya ang palapulsuhan ko saka hinila ako.

"Where are you taking me, Simour?"

"Uupo tayo. Doon sa malayo sa kumag na iyon."

I creased my forehead. "Why do you look so mad at Eros? He's a good guy. Tsaka, brother siya ni Evans. You should be friends with him."

He glared at me. I looked away innocently. Hindi siya nagsalita saka hinila lang ako patungo sa pinakahuling upuan sa simbahan. We then have a seat. I calmly looked at the altar while he's frowning.

I didn't talk. Hinihintay ko na siya ang unang magsalita. He looks livid so I don't want to talk. My words might piss him more.

"Wala ka ba'ng napapansin sa akin?" kalmado ngunit may inis na tanong niya.

It was my sign to look at him. I roamed my eyes on him. Then I blinked.

"Uh... Unfortunately, no."

Napapikit siya ng mariin. He then breathed in exaggeration and then glared at me.

Tinuro niya ang buhok niya. "New haircut ako, oh. New haircut. Gwapo ko, diba?"

My eyes then landed on his hair. Napangiti ako nang mapansin na bagong gupit nga siya. Gumwapo siya ng kaunti.

"Oh my gosh! Oo nga! New haircut ka! In fairness, ha?! You're handsome on it!"

Akala ko ay ngingiti siya sa sinabi ko pero mas lalo lang siyang sumimangot. "Sinasabi mo ba na pangit ako sa buhok ko dati, Primmly Athena?"

Napasinghap ako. My eyes widened a bit. "No! Of course not!" Halos mabali ang leeg ko sa lakas ng pag-iling. "It's just that... mas gwapo ka sa buhok mo ngayon."

He rolled his eyes at me and just focused in front. The frown on his face didn't change a bit.

"Sim? Bakit nandiyan ka?" a woman asked him.

My eyes widened to see that it's his Mom. He looks exactly like her.

Palipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa aming dalawa ni Simour. I don't want to look rude so I gave off a soft smile.

"Uhm... Hello po." I stood up and reached for her right hand. "Mano po."

She didn't talk and just stared at us both. Nailang ako kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin. Nakinig na lang ako sa kanilang dalawa.

"Mas gusto ko na dito umupo, eh," sagot ni Simour.

"Okay. Ikaw ang bahala," his Mom said and then left.

I glanced at Simour and I noticed that he's frown is no longer pasted on his face. Napakunot ang noo ko sa pagtataka. Ang simangot niya ay napalitan ng maliit niyang ngiti. Hindi ko na lang masyadong pinansin dahil nagsimula na sa seremonya si Father Vicente.

I noticed that Simour's smile didn't fade the whole ceremony. It was there. I could also feel him glancing at me from time to time that makes wonder.

Nang matapos ang seremonya ay hinawakan niyang muli ang palapulsuhan ko saka sabay kaming tumayo. Nagtataka man ay sumunod ako sa kanya.

"Where are we going?"

"Ihahatid kita sa bahay ninyo," aniya habang malawak ang ngiti.

I blinked. "You don't have to. Thank you but—"

"Hindi, ihahatid na kita. Gusto kong masiguro na safe ka sa pag-uwi mo sa bahay—"

"And why, boy? Do I look like a dangerous man that will cause harm to my unica hija?" My Dad's voice suddenly thundered behind us.

Sabay kaming napalingon kay Dad. I smiled and went to him as I gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"Dad, I didn't saw you enter the church," wika ko.

"You're too busy talking to this young man, honey. That's why," aniya habang sa kay Simour nakatingin.

Simour smiled at my Dad. But I am not quite sure if it was a smile since he looks constipated.

"Uh... hindi naman po sa ganoon, Sir. Akala ko po kasi mag-isa lang si Primm na pumunta dito sa simbahan," aniya.

My Dad raised his brows. "Talaga lang, ha?"

Simour nodded and smiled constipatedly. "Opo."

"Good," Dad said. "We'll get going since I know that my daughter is now tired. I must bring her home to make sure that she's safe and out of harm."

Simour chuckled nervously. "Uh... Opo, Sir. I-Ingat po—"

"Ikaw ang mag-ingat, Villegas. Marami akong snipers sa paligid."

I saw Simour froze. He then glanced at me and smiled faintly. "A-Aalis na ako, Primm. I-Ingat."

Saka siya tumakbo ulit papasok ng simbahan sabay napa-sign-of-cross.

...

©️thorned_heartu