From blowing my nose to Vitto's fragrant handkerchief, my attention was caught by the bottled water he placed in front of me.

"T- Thanks. P- Please open it for me." I hiccuped. Narinig ko ang pagpalatak niya bago abutin ang tubig at alisin ang takip no'n. I managed to mumble a small thanks before taking few gulps. It somehow eased the tightening of my throat. It's the first time I've felt grateful to be at the botanical garden, and more specifically in the lab where we just finished lunch a little over an hour ago. There was only one other person who had the courage to offer assistance when I was pitifully sobbing in the school park, and he happened to be the nerdy guy sitting next to me.

Actually, he didn't really offer to help me. Pagkatapos akong patayuin mula sa pagkakaupo sa damuhan kanina ay wala sa sariling sinundan ko na lang siya hanggang sa makarating nga kami ulit dito sa lab ng botanical garden. Mamayang alas dos pa ang klase ko pero mukhang hindi ko kayang pumasok ng namamaga ang mga mata ko.

I sobbed again remembering Giro's last words. He said they already had a relationship before we even broke up? How dare he cheat on me?! And to that woman? Dahil maldita ako? Dahil hindi na niya matagalan ang ugali ko?

"He's so unfair!" Malakas kong pag- iyak. "I loved him with all of my heart but he still cheated on me!" Humarap ako kay nerdy guy na impassive lang na nakatingin sa akin, "Tell me, pangit ba ako? Kapalit- palit ba ako? Then why?!" Panggagaya ko sa famous line ni Liza Soberano sa movie na The Ex and Whys. I got no reaction from him and it made me even more depressed.

"Bakit gano'n?" I sobbed harder. "Life's so unfair!"

Lalo pa akong naiyak ng maalala ko 'yong last na vacation naming ni Giro sa South Korea right after naming mapanood 'yong The Ex and Whys. Pinilit ko pa talagang pumunta kami ni Giro sa Namsan Tower para sa famous na love locks nila kaya paniwalang- paniwala ako na hindi na kami maghihiwalay kasi I really thought na locked na between the two of us ang destiny namin but I was so wrong. Pati pala si tadhana, paasa!

"I won't be surprised if you ended up dehydrated." Nerdy guy dispassionately said making me sobbed more. Anong klaseng tao ito? Walang kasimpa- simpatya sa katawan!

"T- That's not the p- proper way to c- comfort someone, you know." Inis na sabi ko sa kanya sa pagitan ng mga paghikbi.

"And who said that I'm comforting you?" He muttered, amused.

"Then why are you here with me?" I asked with raised eyebrow.

"Simply because this is my zone." Matigas niyang sabi at ilang segundo rin akong nakipagtitigan sa kanya. Pero wala akong sapat na lakas ngayon para magmatapang kaya't una akong umiwas ng tingin.

"E 'di zone mo." Walang lakas kong bulong, "Kung maka- zone naman, akala mo wild animal."

"What?"

"Ang sabi ko kung ginawan mo na sana ako ng anti- love potion hindi sana ako umiiyak ngayon." Ismid ko sa kanya.

"The fact that your ex cheated on you won't be changed by the anti-love potion you keep bothering me about." He bluntly retorted and I threw daggers at him.

"Wow huh? Hindi masakit." Sarkastiko kong saad.

"I'm just telling the truth." Umiwas ang tingin na aniya.

"Kung ayaw mo talaga akong bigyan ng potion, tell me the formula na lang so I myself will do it." Hindi pa rin sumusukong sabi ko. My sobs had toned down and I can speak more clearly now.

Nakakunot ang noong tumingin siya sa akin, "How can you involve those poor plants in your scheme?" He asked, incredulous. "And why do you even waste your tears with that cheater guy? Besides, it's immature to deal with cheaters through cheating."

"Then what should I do?" I asked like we're already close. Malay mo naman effective siya mag- advise.

"Be a better you." He said, straight- faced.

"Duh! I'm the best na kaya!" I rolled my eyes at him but he just gave me a deadpanned look. Inis na inabot ko ulit ang bottled water at ng hindi ko iyon mabuksan ay nakasimangot ko iyong inabot sa kanya. He irritably tsked as he grasped it and twisted the lid for me. Yamot na inabot niya iyon sa akin.

"Salamat!" Nakairap na sabi ko sabay kuha ng bote sa kanya. "Bakit ba ang sungit mo?" Inis kong tanong sa kanya pagkatapos uminom.

"Sa tingin mo ba kasi may sense ka kausap?" Pikon na tanong niya.

"Hello! 'Di mas walang sense kausap 'yang mga halamang binubulung- bulungan mo ng kung ano- ano na as if naman naririnig ka at sasagot sa'yo!"

"Dang it!" Inis niyang bulong sa hangin saka tumayo sa kinauupuan.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Tumalon ako pababa sa high stool. Ayaw ko ngang maiwan sa creepy na lab na 'to!

Yamot siyang lumingon sa akin. "Stop nagging me about nonsense things, woman. You can't expect me to give any potion to you because—"

"Fine!" I cut him off sulkily as I stomped my foot at the floor like a kid. "Kung hindi mo ibibigay ngayon 'di bukas na lang. Samahan mo muna ako here. Natatakot ako mag- isa." Pag- amin ko sa kanya na para bang napakadali lang sabihin no'n. Knowing myself, hinding- hindi ako aamin ng kahinaan sa harap ng ibang tao lalo na sa hindi ko naman kaibigan but it was so easy to spill the things I shouldn't spit out in front this nerdy guy with an attitude problem.

Amused na napatingin siya sa akin kapagkuway tila aburidong isinuklay ang kamay sa buhok dahilan upang mahawi ang mga hibla ng buhok na tumatakip sa kanyang mga mata. At namilog talaga ang mga mata ko ng makita ang buong mukha niya sa pinakaunang pagkakataon. Wow. As in wow talaga— walang pinagbago. Nerd pa rin tingnan.

"Dali na, balik ka na dito." I even patted the high stool he just vacated. He puffed a breath in exasperation and marched back to his seat with heavy steps. Padabog siyang naupo sa high stool at nakangiti namang naupo ako ulit.

"What do you really want?" Yamot niyang tanong sa akin.

"I'm really craving for a Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Muffins and Carrot Apple blend smoothie right now. "I grinned giddily and it was weird that I was feeling better at every passing minute. Nerdy guy tiredly smacked his palm on his forehead as he heaved a very deep breath. "Is it okay if I call you Vitto?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"You naturally call persons with their birth names." He answered blandly.

"Vitto then." I beamed.

Hindi makapaniwalang napatingin siya sa akin, "Are you, woman, even for real? Are you having psychotic issues?" Tila nagdududang aniya.

"Excuse me! I'm not crazy!"

"That's rich coming from someone who just finished crying hysterically then starts nagging like a child after as if nothing happened." He murmured straight- faced.

"Okay, you choose." Umayos ako ng upo at humarap sa kanya, "I'll continue crying or you'll give me the formula?"

"Neither." Mabilis niyang sagot at wala pa ring emosyon ang mukha.

"Damot!" I poutily sulked.

"Wala ka bang klase?" Tanong niya na tila ba atat na paalisin na ako.

"Ayokong pumasok." Patamad kong sagot. Iniisip ko pa lang ang namamagang mga mata ko lalo na ang subject ko mamaya na Math ay nawawalan na ako lalo ng energy. Medyo na- drained na nga ang beauty ko ay magi- drained ba ang right hemisphere ng brain ko dahil sa pagco- compute?

"Hindi na ako magtataka kung abutin ka ng sampung taon sa college." He muttered lazily. Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Grabe ka! Bawiin mo 'yon! Knock on wood!" Mabilis kong kinatok ang mesang kaharap ko.

"Tsk! Engot." He muttered underneath his breath earning a glare from me.

"Narinig ko 'yon." Irap ko sa kanya.

"'Di mabuti." Irap niya rin, "sinadya ko 'yon."

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

The door creaked open hailing my cousin Heaven who wasn't really surprised seeing me in his room.

"Dito ako matutulog." Inunahan ko na siya bago pa man makapagsalita. I was busy flipping random channels on his 85 inch QLED TV while slouching on his couch.

"Good. I'm sleeping on the sofa again." He sarcastically groaned as he walked towards his king- sized bed and lazily threw his bag there and I just rolled my eyes on his remark. He casually discarded his shirt and moved towards his closet to pick a plain gray sweatshirt which he immediately put on. I'm used with Heaven doing that. We grew up together. Kaya nga sanay na ako kahit maghubad pa 'yan ng damit sa harap ko.I was basically raised by his parents since my dad was always busy with his business. And if I say always, I mean all the time. Pumasok siya sa loob ng maluwang niyang bathroom at paglabas niya ay nakasuot na siya ng jogger pants.

"Kakampohan na ng mga multo 'yong kwarto mo kasi wala namang natutulog doon." Aniya sa akin habang yamot na pinupulot sa carpeted na sahig ang mga pinagbalatan ko ng chichirya. I rolled my eyes at him again. Kahit ano pang sabihin niya dito pa rin ako matutulog. Maraming rooms dito sa mansion nila pero mas gusto kong natutulog dito sa room niya since 'dyan sa may balcony niya ang may pinakamagandang view kapag gabi. Isa pa, kahit madalas na may sumpong at sutil ang pinsan kong 'to ay matyaga pa rin niyang iniintindi ang mga drama ko sa buhay.

I finally settled with MNET when I saw my favorite KPOP group performing. It was Don't Wanna Cry by Seventeen and I don't need to read the subtitles to understand the song. Parang nanandya lang, kasi I don't wanna cry again.

Naupo si Heaven sa tabi ko, hindi nagsasalita. Kapag ganyan siya, alam kong hinihintay niya lang na mag- open up ako sa kanya. Dahil doon ay parang maiiyak na naman tuloy ako.

Inabot nito ang wireless phone na nasa tabletop sa tabi, "Ya, pakiakyat naman po dito sa kwarto ko 'yong binili kong carrot cake. Pakisamahan na rin po ng carrot shake, salamat."

Sa narinig ay tuluyan ng tumulo ang luha ko. Sa sobrang high- tech ng Helix U ay nakikihigh- tech na rin pati na ang tsismis kaya sigurado akong alam na ngayon ni Heaven ang nangyari kanina. And he knew me so well for buying my favorite food now that I'm so broken.

"Sa Café Uno mo 'yon binili?" I hiccuped. For me, Café Uno serves the most delicious cakes and pastries.

"Opo, mahal na prinsesa." He sarcastically replied. "Nararamdaman ko kasi kaninang nandito sa kwarto ko 'yang isipiritu mo kaya kahit out of way dumaan ako sa Ortigas para sa carrot cake mo." He supplied mordantly making the corner of my lips tugged in a smile. Nandito kasi sa Corinthian Gardens ang mansion nila. "Maswerte ka kasi may napakabait kang pinsan." Mayabang pang sabi niya.

"Mas maswerte ka kasi may napakaganda kang pinsan." Hindi papatalong sabi ko.

He groaned, "Sakit sa ulo kamo." Bulong niya.

Inis ko siyang inirapan.

"Bubugbugin ko na ba?" Kapagkuwa'y seryosong sabi niya pero ang mga mata ay nasa TV screen. Prente itong nakadekwatro , ang isang siko ay nakatukod sa itaas na bahagi ng sandalan ng sofa upang suportahan ang bigat ng ulo. He may look cool and uncaring, but I knew him better than that. "Para naman may silbi 'tong biceps at six packs ko." Mayabang na nag- flex pa siya ng biceps.

My shoulders shook as I started to snicker until it turned into laughter. I threw my head down as I felt the painful scorching of my throat and burning of the sides of my eyes 'til the laughter was slowly turning into sobs, and sobs into a loud cry.

"H- He's so u-unfair, Ven-ven!" Hagulgol ko ng iyak, "I still couldn't believe that he cheated on me!"

"'Wag ka ng ngumawa dyan. Sasagasaan ko na lang siya bukas." Heaven said cooly and I thew him a deadly glare.

"'Pag sinaktan mo siya magagalit ako sa'yo!" Madiing sabi ko sa pagitan ng paghikbi.

"Okay lang, lagi ka namang galit sa akin e." He shrugged and I sobbed louder.

"I hate you!" I screamed at her.

"It's that man that you should hate, Oreo." Nagtatagis ang mga bagang na diin niya. His face was already serious, no traces of humor anymore. Nakatingin siya sa akin at matatalim ang mga mata niya pero alam kong hindi para sa akin iyon.

I swallowed. "B- But I r- really love him." I sobbed.

"Love, my ass!" He hissed in gritted teeth, "Will you look at yourself in the mirror, Oreo. You completely look like a mess. Akala ko ba dyosa ka? E bat ang pangit mo ngayon?" Nang-iinis na aniya.

Sa narinig ay hindi makapaniwalang nasapo ng aking mga palad aking mga psingi, "Really? Oh my gosh! Kailangan ko na bang magpa- facial?"

"Alam mo, ang kailangan mong gawin mag- move on." Sermon pa ng magaling kong pinsan. "You don't deserve that kind of man, Oreo. If he really did love you like what he said, he should've ended your relationship sooner before settling down with another girl. Hindi gawain ng matinong lalaki ang ginawa niya sa'yo."

"Hindi niya kasalanan. Ginayuma lang siya ng ugly girl na 'yon." Pagtatanggol ko kay Giro pero tinitigan lang ako ni Heaven ng masama.

"And will you stop with that gayuma thingy, Oreo."Yamot na saway niya sa akin, "Huwag kang nagpapaniwala kina L at Ceyx lalo na kay Kali. Masisira ang kinabukasan mo sa pagpapaniwala mo sa mga baliw na 'yon."

"What are you saying that? They're your friends."

"Exactly." Madiin na aniya, "They're my friends that's why I know them better than you. Kaya nga get over with that freakin' gayuma and fix your grade in Math!" He huffed impatiently.

Ngumuso ako. Nakakainis. Mas gusto ko pang inaasar na lang ako ng Heaven na 'to kaysa naman hinihigpitan ako. Magsasalita pa sana ako ng dumating si Yaya Saling dala- dala ang tray na may lamang carrot cake at tall glasses ng carrot shake.

Agad na nagtubig ang mga bagang ko sa nakita. Pinunasan ko ang mga luha at parang batang excited na hinintay ang pagkain. I was about to pick one facial tissue from the box when that Vitto guy's stern face suddenly flashed at the back of my mind. Jeez! Pati ba naman dito ay apektado ako sa masungit na nerdy guy na iyon?

"Ven- ven, one clean handkerchief, please." I asked Heaven sweetly and he eyed me with disbelief.

"What am I? You're freakin' personal assistant? And why do you need a freakin' hanky when there's a box of tissue in front you?"

I rolled my eyes at him, "Duh, Ven- ven! I'm only trying to be environmentally friendly here, cousin. A little support, please?" I said in satirized sweetness.

"God! You're such a handful!" He tsked crossly as he lifted up his heavy body from the setee. Mabibigat ang mga hakbang na nagtungo siya sa closet upang kuhanan ako ng panyo. Natatawa na lamang si yaya Saling sa amin. Sanay na rin naman ito sa lagi naming pagbabangayang magpinsan. Nang masigurong wala na kaming kailangan ay lumabas na rin si Yaya saka namang pagbalik ng nakasimangot kong pinsan mula sa napakaluwang niyang closet. Designer kasi si Mommy Heleia, ang napaka- pretty na mommy ni Heaven, kaya't linggo- linggong nadadagdagan ang closet niya.

I reached for my carrot shake and took a sipped on it. I closed my eyes as I savor the sweetness of my shake. Wala na talagang tatalo sa isang matamis na carrot shake para sa isang napakagandang babaeng may sugatang puso.

"Here!" Padabog na inabot niya sa akin ang panyo at ibinagsak na lamang ang katawan sa sofa kaya lumundo ito at dahil doon ay nasamid ako sa iniinom. Inis na inilapag ko sa coffee table ang glass ng shake ko at hinampas sa balikat ang balahura kong pinsan!

"Tch!" Inis na palatak niya habang hinihimas ang parte ng balikat niyang hinampas ko. As if naman talagang nasaktan siya e ang firm kaya ng muscle niya! 'Tong palad ko pa nga ang nasaktan.

"My precious palm."Hinipan- hipan ko ang palad.

"Buti na lang talaga lalaki si Healia," Sabi niya, he's pertaining to his 17- year old senior high school brother who's more gwapo than him, and yes the pronunciation of the cute name is Hil-ya. At naiinis talaga siya sa akin tuwing ipinapamukha ko iyon sa kanya. "I couldn't take another Oreo in my life." He supplied and I threw daggers at him.

"Syempre no! I'm the only Oreo in the world because I'm so one of a kind. And I don't want to hear it from someone who courts a ballerina na super pabebe!"

"Shey is not pabebe. She's mahinhin." Pagtatama niya.

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes, "Ayoko pa rin sa kanya. At 'wag na 'wag mong susubukang ibigay sa kanya ang surname na Jeon dahil itatakwil talaga kita!" Pagbabanta ko pa na ikinalukot pang lalo ng mukha niya. I so hate that ballerina girl talaga kasi she's super pabebe e if I know tinatago lang naman niya 'yong kaartehan niya sa pagpapanggap niyang prim and proper.

"Naku talaga, Ven- ven huh?" I continued to rant, "Stop making me so gigil kung ayaw mong—" Hindi ko na naituloy pa ang sasabihin ng walang sabi- sabing isinubo niya sa akin ang malaking slice ng cake. Ugh! The nerve! Pinanlakihan ko na lang siya ng mata kasi hindi naman ako makapagsalita. Grabe, nakakawala ng poise!

"Ang dami mong sinasabi, Oreo," Patamad na aniya, "Mas hindi yata matatahimik ang buhay ko ngayong single ka." Napapalatak na sabi pa niya. Binato ko siya ng masamang tingin, nginuya ang cake sa mouth ko at sumimsim ng shake. I wiped the sides of my lips with his handkerchief.

"That's why I need that anti- gayuma potion para bumalik na sa akin si Giro ko."

Heaven threw me a bored look and snatched the handkerchief from my hand to wipe an icing smudge below my lips. Pagkatapos no'n ay ibinato niya patakip sa mukha ko ang panyo. Ugh!!! Kaya siguro hindi pa siya sinasagot ng pabebeng ballerina girl na iyon dahil wala siyang kaasu- asukal sa katawan! Well, sisiguruhin kong itatago ko lahat ng asukal sa mundo 'wag lang siyang sagutin ng pabebeng yon!

"You monkey jerk!" I irritably shrieked at him but he just nonchalantly rubbed his right ear with his index finger.

"Tell me, why are you so after that Giro guy?" He asked seriously.

I beamed with his question. I giddily faced him as I sat in lotus position. "Hmm, kasi he's so gwapo like a prince and he's very smart, too. He's the SSC Vice president and everybody loves him—"

"A little opposition here." Heaven raised his right hand and I raised one brow at him, "Scratch that everybody because I seriously don't love your ex, Oreo, damn it."

"Stop being a killjoy!" Inis na ismid ko sa pinsan.

"Yeah, yeah." He lazily waved his hand dismissively, "You don't have to tell me about it." He said in a bored tone.

I huffed at him and crossed my arms against my chest, "'Yon nga, he's smart, and gwapo."

"Ang babaw naman." He tsked.

"Hindi lang 'yon noh!" Agap ko, "He's also rich like us, super nice at tsaka he knows how to deal with people. He's a very sweet person."

"Sure, he's so sweet to be hitting with another girl while you're still his girlfriend." He remarked sarcastically and it struck me hard making me dumbfounded. "Even Kalidasa who was once a womanizer didn't have two girlfriends at the same time. And this is your Mr. Prim and Proper ex-boyfriend we're talking about who always tell you what you should and shouldn't do." He said in a calm yet hard tone and I felt like I was going to cry again. "Do you know the story about the girl who loves eating sweets?" He suddenly asked snapping me out from my painful reverie. Inirapan ko siya.

"Stop crafting stories now, Ven- ven. I'm old enough to know that you're making me an uto- uto again." I muttered. Heaven chuckled lightly as he faced me, pressing his left elbow against the top part of the back of the sofa to prop his head on his folded hand.

"This girl loves eating sweets so much she ended up having a toothache." Pagpapatuloy pa rin ng pinsan ko na mukhang aliw na aliw naman sa pagkwekwento.

"Anong nangyari sa girl?" Tanong ko, trying to sound uninterested.

"She decided to change her diet. She started eating ampalaya and became healthier. No more toothaches for her and she lives happily ever after. The end."

"Niloloko mo ba 'ko?" Naiinis na tanong ko sa kanya. The jerk only wiggled his brows while grinning widely. Ugh! He's so super sira- ulo talaga! Hinarap ko na lang ang carrot cake ko para iyon ang pagkaabalahan kaysa makinig sa mga kwento ng pinsan kong bunga ng walang kwenta niyang imagination.

I heard Heaven heaved a deep breath so I looked at him with one brow twitched.

"You're so slow that metaphors would die on your hands, Oreo." Tila frustrated na aniya na ikinakunot ng noo ko. He let out a frustrated breath and turned away to fork his carrot cake. "Why do you love sweets so much? Once in a while, why don't you try to look for an ampalaya in your world full of sweets?"

My jaw dropped with Heaven's statement. Duh! bakit naman ako maghahanap pa ng ampalaya kung nandyan na nga 'yong paborito kong carrots? 'Tong si Heaven talaga, minsan engot. Napapiling na lang ako habang pinapanood ang slow kong pinsan.