Chapter 40 #jttwbs

And will continue to age with us. Alam ko.

Mapurol ang pagtatangka ko dahil sa kahit anong subok, hindi nito mahiwa-hiwa ang masidhing titigan namin ni Fern. It's like a sin to avert my eyes from his tempting gaze.

He was across with folded arms. Hindi kasi katulad kanina na naging isa ang balat at pawis namin, may mesa nang nakapagitan ngayon.

"Sigurado kang—"

"Hindi ko nga sinadya, Fern," I chimed in too quickly.

His eyebrow twitched upwards as he supressed a smirk.

Kailan ba siya hihinto? Inasar niya kasi ako kanina noong natapos at habang mabilis na naghugas na kami. Sinadya ko raw hindi isarado nang maigi ang banyo. Hindi talaga, 'no!

I was filled with embarrassment which may be the case why I failed to guarantee that the door was thrusted into its frame like how he wholly thrusted in me moments ago.

Nandilat ako sa biglang naalala. Holy shit. Saan nanggaling 'yon?

Pinarinig niya talaga ang malalim na paghinga. "Alright, then. Pero hindi 'yon kasama sa balak ko ngayong araw, ah? Ikaw lang 'tong nangdadakma d'yan bigla..."

Napaubo-ubo ako. "W-Wow, ha?"

Tuwang-tuwa naman siyang napahalakhak. "Oo na, hindi mo sadya lahat ng nagawa mo."

I jerked my chin heavenwards. "'Di ba? Kanina ko pa sinasabi sa'yo."

"Pero 'yung mga ginawa ko sa'yo, sinadya ko."

The scorching sensation that was still fresh in between my thighs hitched up to my head. Hindi ko na lang ipinahalata. I just wrinkled my nose and picked up my utensils.

"Don't let the grace wait, Fern."

Gutom na talaga ako saka may kasama na ring pagkahapo. Kasi naman...

"We already did make it wait, though," he commented, picking up his own utensils. May ngising aso siya nang sumalok ng ulam na niluto ko.

Tahimik na lang akong bumuga ng hangin dahil natakasan na sa wakas ang mabigat na titigan namin ni Fern. Kaso hindi naman ako nakatakas sa alaala.

I looked down on my plate to realize that I wore his trace on my wrists like bracelets. Red in color, and inked... temporarily on my skin but forevermore to my entire being.

He pinned me hard on the mattress as he unleashed his beast. Kaya siguro nakamarka talaga. Duda nga ako na sa palapulsuhan lang mayroon. I didn't check my full bod.

And he's not done wrapping himself on me. Suot ko ang t-shirt niyang umabot sa hita kong halos natakpan ang boxer shorts na syempre ay kanya rin. So I still sensed his touch by means of his fabric even if he was across the table. The feeling made my skin prickle.

Kasi wala naman akong dinala na extra clothes. I can't just wear my utterly soaked panties again after... everything. Malay ko ba kasi na mangyayari 'yon. Hindi ko naman naiisip 'yon, e.

"'Yung Daddy mo kanina."

"Hm?"

Bumuka ang bibig ni Fern ngunit sumara rin agad. Nagtaka tuloy ako at napatigil sa pagkayod ng kubyertos. I watched him lean against the backrest, inclining his head. Napasailalim ako sa masusi niyang klase ng tingin.

Binitiwan niya ang fork at nagtago sa ilalim ng mesa ang kamay. The other one still held the spoon, slowly sliding it back and forth against the side of his finger while thinking deeply.

"I... don't know anything."

Bumagal ang pagnguya ko habang nagpapalitan kami ng tingin. Lumunok ako at binasa ang ibabang labi.

"Mommy and Ingrid didn't tell you anything?"

Iniling niya ang ulo. Parang bata dahil nakausli rin ang nguso na mukhang hindi niya naman namalayan.

"Sabi ni Tita Nea, naglayas ka. Pero bakit?" Then even the fluorescent weren't enough to maintain the light on his face. "You came here with Zarkiel..."

Napasinghap ako ng hangin at ibinaba ang mga kubyertos. I intertwined my fingers to each other in front of my chest on the table to completely offer him my attention.

"To set the record straight, hindi rin ako nakikipaghiwalay sa'yo noong araw na 'yon. Magpapaalam lang sana ako na luluwas ako."

No matter how subtle it was, I witnessed his eyebrows shift in surprise.

"Yeah, well..." Ikinibot ko sa gilid ang ulo. "Kasama ni Kiel. He was my only choice. He has a condo that I can use."

His lips pressed into each other that they looked flat. May halatang diin din sa linya ng panga niya kaya bumagsak ang mga balikat ko.

He rose from the backrest as if offended. "Did you..." tunog hindi siya makapaniwala habang nag-aalburoto ang mga kilay. "Did you hear yourself? He was your only choice?"

"Wala kang bahay rito sa Manila."

Natahimik siya dahil tama naman ako.

Pero hindi talaga nagpatalo nang taas-noo na ibinuka ulit ang bibig. "Sige, magpapagawa ako. Pagkatapos ng inn ni Papa."

I arched an eyebrow at his sudden goal set by impulsiveness. Napatitig lang ako sa kawalan ng masabi. Seryoso ba siya? Bakit tunog ang biglaan naman?

"Kay Paredes lang talaga, ah? Ba't kay Ashtine?" tanong niya nang hindi ako nakasagot sa pagkamangha.

"Hindi kami close ni Ashtine, Fern, alam mo 'yon. I don't even know where she resides here. At kung iniisip mong nagsama kami ni Kiel? Hindi. Okay? Mag-isa akong tumira sa condo."

He wasn't able to fire back in an instant. Sa huli, nagpaubaya naman siya sa mga punto kong hindi niya malabanan. Kalmado na ulit siyang napasandal sa upuan.

"Edi bakit ka nga naglayas?"

"Hindi ako naglayas. Pinalayas ako."

As if a hollow block from above plunged on his head, but it was what ruptured instead of him since he stayed composed. Hindi siya nakaimik. Pero alam kong sa loob-loob, namayagpag ang gulat niya sa sinabi ko.

"Please." I took back my utensils and had them work again. "I'd like to discuss this before we sleep. Kumain na muna tayo kasi gutom at pagod na ako. Gusto ko na ring makapagpahinga."

His face was still dusky when he understandingly nodded his head without any words and we resumed eating. But I was under the impression that the subject lingered in his head, even if he was already on the move to stuffing my cooking into his mouth.

His mouth that expressed praises afterwards, exactly how Tita Julie and June commended my beef steak.

Kahit din noong binanggit niyang kailangan niya na munang umuwi at asikasuhin ang umpisa ng pagpapagawa ng inn ni Tito Nando kasama ang katulong na si Ford.

Saka isa pa, kailangan niya na rin daw kasing sumampa ulit sa barko.

He asked me if I wanted to fly back to our hometown with him. Pumayag naman ako. Pumayag ako dahil... may gagawin pa ako na hindi ko natapos.

I went there last time with a purpose but when Fern was beginning to inflict a crack, I left without ticking off any on my short list. Maybe it's not too late to accomplish my list all the way.

Ang totoo niyan, alam ko talagang nasa Metro Manila ang mga Veraño na hindi kami kailanman binisita sa Palawan. Ever since, I kind of had an inkling that they don't like Mommy and it's the usual conflict with the in-laws.

Now, that big question I grew up with? Answered.

June and I do groceries in Landmark before and I happened to come across my Tita, Daddy's sister, twice or thrice without her eyes even darting to me. Kaya naramdaman ko na rin talagang makikita ko si Daddy roon.

Nangyari nga. Nagulat lang talaga ako dahil hindi ko inasahan na noong araw na iyon na ang paghaharap namin. I still surpassed that stage, though.

"Nandito pala si Ford?" nabigla kong ulit nang banggitin niyang makasasabay namin ito sa flight. "Talaga ba?"

"S'yempre." Napangisi si Fern. "Hadya is here."

Humugis balantok ang isang kilay ko. Kumibit balikat si Fern at inubos na namin ang mga nasa hapag.

To carry out what I swore, both of us laid ourselves on the same single bed where we previously claimed each other's flesh, moisture, and willful heartbeats.

Ipinaunawa ko sa kanya mula noong nagkalabuan kami hanggang sa naging kaklase ko si June nang umulit ako ng taon dito sa Maynila. I had to retake some of my courses because the school didn't credit some units and no longer allow a fourth year transfer student.

Sumunod din si Kiel noon at lumuwas kaya kaming tatlo talaga ang naging malapit hanggang sa nakilala rin ako ni Tita Julie. A disagreement couldn't roll off my tongue when she invited me to move in with her and June.

And that was my rebirth. As a new member of their small family—my new family.

I was already dead tired that my conclusion were gibberish. It didn't help that Fern's breathing turned into a soft lullaby, siphoning more of my remaining strength, while my head was on his bare chest.

Sa lantang paglalaro niya sa mga hibla ng buhok ko habang nakikinig, alam kong nasimot na rin ang enerhiya niya kaya paniguradonh sabay lang kaming nagpatalo sa aming mga talukap.

He just preceded the sun when he woke up the next rise of it to grab clothes for me in our house. Mabagal akong naligo sa banyo niya dahil kasama ng tubig bumalot sa kabuohan ko ang mga nangyari kagabi.

I only aim to cleanse my body just literally from the dirt that stuck on me but not from the memory of our first night.

"Aba naman, kumikintab ang balat natin, ah?" Si Tita Julie pagkaalis ni Fern na hinatid lang ako. "Glowy skin yarn?"

Halata agad na may pinupunto si Tita. Iiwas sana ako ng tingin ngunit baka mas mabuko ako. Ngumiti na lamang ako nang maliit.

"Effective skin care lang, Tita."

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Tita. "Ako pa talaga'ng inuto! Hoy, inaraw-araw ko 'yan dati kaya hindi mo 'ko maloloko. Saka nagpunta rito at kinuha ka ng damit, ano. H'wag nga ako!"

Napanguso ako.

"Mag-ingat kung wala pa sa plano," said Tita, serving me her sermon for breakfast. "Isipin mo rin ang trabaho mo. Naka-maternal dress na inaasikaso ang mga tao sa ere?! Imposible 'yon! Safe ba? Kung walang ginamit, sa labas ba?"

I vividly harked back to when Fern fountained it into the pond which was my lower abdomen. Nabalik lang ako sa ulirat nang tampalin ni Tita sa noo.

"Hoy!"

"Uh, sa labas po!" I blurted out and my cheeks flushed.

Natahimik si Tita ngunit naniningkit pa rin ang mga mata.

"Tita, sige na... May flight na ako in six hours. Magre-rest na ako."

"Hmm... Masabihan nga si Fern na mag-ingat. Dalawa naman kayong gumagawa kaya hindi lang dapat ikaw ang sinasabihan."

"T-Tita?!"

"Aba! This is the only time na makikialam ako at para sa'yo naman kaya..." Kumibit balikat siya at iniwan ako sa may dulo ng hagdanan. "Ka-stress naman at babae rin mga anak ko..." bulong-bulong nito sa sarili.

And stopping her from doing that would be hopeless, so I just spent the time in accepting this another predicament.

Pagkatapos kong asikasuhin ang schedule ko ng upcoming flights at kitain saglit si Ate Chett sa Maginhawa sa Quezon City, nakalipad na rin kami nina Fern at Ford pabalik sa Puerto Princesa.

Frensha had a deep frown when Ford jumped towards her for a tight hug. Halos sakalin niya ang bunso, mukhang hindi bibitiwan kaya nakiyakap na lang din si Fern sa kanila. Both men squeezed out a choke from their youngest.

Nakangiti namang napailing si Tito Nando sa kanila bago tumango at ngumiti sa akin.

I returned the smile and noted that he could still stun even at his possible age. Nakita ko rin naman dati sa picture frames nila si Tita Emma. Hindi kaduda-duda na maganda at guwapo ang mga naging bunga.

Pagkatapos magpaligsahan ni Ford at Fern kung sino ang mas na-miss ni Frensha sa kanila, napatingin sa akin ang huli. Iniwan niya ang mga nakatatandang kapatid upang ikulong ako sa yakap na sinuklian ko rin.

"Hello, Ate! Long time no see!" she exclaimed giddily. "Tama nga ang sabi ni Ate Rikit sa'kin. Ang ganda-ganda mo!"

"Binobola ka lang niyan, Ate," singit ni Ford. "Sabihin mo na kasi, Sha, ako mas miss mo kaysa kay Kuya! May pasalubong pa naman ako sa'yo!"

"Eh sa mas miss ko nga si Kuya?!"

"Sinungaling!"

Since I would be staying here only for three days, I would stay under one roof with the Velicarias instead. Sa kama ni Fern sa kuwarto nito.

It was the same house from before. Nag-iba lang ang pintura at ayos ng mga muwebles. Kapansin-pansin din ang pagdagdag ng mga gamit lalo na ang displays. Si Frensha siguro ang nasa likod ng kaunting pagbabago.

Kinabukasan, naghihiwa ako sa kitchen counter ng watermelon na binili ni Fern nang may brasong kumulong sa baywang ko. I halted slicing the fruit and lowered my gaze to those arms that always exhibited his veins.

To be cuddled while sitting upright is one thing but while standing upright, that's another. But both are best things in the world. Lalo na kung si Fern Velicaria ang magpaparamdam nito sa akin.

"Intrams week ng school. Ini-invite tayo ni Visa na bumisita habang nandito... Gusto mo?" he asked, pressing the words into my neck as he kissed me there.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paghihiwa habang napaisip saglit.

"Hm. Okay lang naman. Sabi rin nila no'ng reunion, gumanda na ang school. Let me see it, then."

He barked out a tiny laughter. Sinundan ng sunod-sunod na maliliit na halik sa leeg ko bago siya nagsalita muli.

"You talked to Keno and Marion? Pareho kayo ng dahilan kaya sasama."

"To see is to believe."

He settled in a gentle chuckle.

Fern and I readied ourselves for our visit in our alma mater as planned after taming our grumbling tummies with our lunch meal. Luto ko dahil ibinida ni Fern sa pamilya niya ang specialty ko.

Frensha found out about our errand and decided to tag along with us. Kinailangan ding ikandado ang bahay dahil dadalhin ni Ford si Tito Nando sa lupa kung saan sila magpapatayo ng maliit na inn.

Kaya magkakasabay na kaming umalis. Gamit ang sasakyan ni Fern, d-in-rop off namin sina Ford dahil nadaanan naman ang pakay nila ni Tito Nando.

"Kuya, just text me kung uuwi na! Sama lang ako sa friends ko!" si Frensha na nangunang pumasok sa school gate.

"Sus. Friends ba talaga?" Fern responded, sounding suspicious.

"Ihhh! H'wag ka nga!"

Humahagikhik na nagkalahating-takbo si Frensha. Hiniwa niya pa sa gitna ang grupo ng mga estudyanteng nakasuot ng volleyball jersey uniforms.

Nasa gym na kami, wala pa ring pakialam si Fern kung mabali ang leeg niya kalilingon sa kapatid. Grabe naman kasi 'yon si Frensha? Hindi na namin siya nakita pagkalagpas sa grupo ng volleyball players! Parang magic!

Naputol siguro ang panay lingon ni Fern nang dambahin siya nina Keno at Marion na biglanb sumulpot. Sa likod nila si Caelan na sinusubukang paikutin ang bola sa ibabaw ng hintuturo.

"Eri! Bumalik ka!" Marion exclaimed as he surrounded my shoulder with his squishy arm. "Sayang, hindi maka-absent sa work si Shai. Pero... updated naman kami kaya no worries."

Bumunghalit ako ng tawa dahil sa mapanuksong pagsayaw ng mga kilay nito. Ginulo naman ni Keno ang tuktok ng buhok ko nang lumipad sa harapan namin ang bola na hinagis ni Caelan bago ako nginitian.

"Spalding? Ng school? 'Yung gamit natin dati?" si Fern nang saluhin ang bola. Tinitigan niya ito habang dinamdam sa ibabaw ng mga palad.

"Hindi, 'tol. Bago 'yan. Grabe ka naman, tagal na nung high school tayo... Malamang wala na bola na 'yon."

"Ah. Malay ko ba." Fern chuckled. "Oh, ano na'ng laro?"

"Sabay raw volleyball saka basketball. High school."

Umakbay si Keno kay Fern at tumuro sa isang sulok ng court. "Fern, tingnan mo kapatid ni San Pedro."

Sinundan ko rin ang dulo ng hintuturo ni Keno. There were high schoolers sporting their basketball jersey uniforms in designated team colors at the courtside having their warm ups. I gasped upon spotting the guy he was referring to.

"'Tang ina, mas matangkad na ata sa'kin," si Keno ulit. "Angry Bird lang bag niyan dati, e!"

My lips were still agape. Kilala ko rin 'yon! Bulinggit lang dati 'yon!

Natigil ang pagkamangha ko kasalo sila nang may lumapit din sa akin saglit, hinanap ang mga wala naman dito tulad nina Kuya Drith at Xenos. Naging belo nila ang dismaya nang iwanan ako dahil halos takluban nito ang buong mukha nila.

"Teacher Caelan! Teacher Caelan!"

All of us snapped our heads to the horde of children bouncing their way towards us. Nangunguna sa kanila ang batang lalaki na mas bilog pa sa bolang hawak ni Fern ang mga pisngi.

"Slow down, Giant!" Caelan's voice burst with worry as he met them halfway.

"Good afternoon, Teacher Caelan!" they greeted in unison.

Sa huli, nagpasama si Caelan kay Keno at Marion na ihatid sa advisory classroom niya ang mga bata habang naghihintay ng mga sundo nito.

Naiwan kami ni Fern upang humanap ng puwesto sa unahan dahil magsisimula na ang laro. Of course, we were just going to save seats for our friends.

The sun still had its full energy at 1 p.m. that it still managed to sear my skin with the help of its infuriated rays. Pero nakapokus ako sa pagtanaw sa buong court na talagang gumanda nga habang tinatawid iyon katabi ni Fern.

I took a second look when I noticed that Fern was staring at me and the small grin pasted on his lips was a puzzle to me. Ibinaba ko ang tingin sa katawan niyang patalikod kung maglakad kasabay ko dahil nakaharap sa akin.

"Alright. Napansin din," aniya na nagpaangat muli ng mga mata ko.

That molded one of my eyebrows into an arch. Suwabe niya lang namang inilipat-lipat sa magkabilang kamay ang bolang iniwan nina Caelan.

"Fern. Fern Velicaria. You?"

And with the loud whistle that boomed at the court, accompanied by the screech of the soles of every gaming shoes, and add in the beats in my chest humming over the familiarization it sensed... everything dawned on me.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko ngunit nangingiti na. "Eri," sagot ko.

"Eri? That sounds like a nickname."

I bit back a smile that strongly attempted to break free. "Erisette."

"First name lang?" Suminghap siya dahil lumawak rin ang hindi mapigilang ngiti. "Ang damot naman..."

Tumigil ako sa paglalakad at saglit munang kinagat ang ibabang labi. Nawalan lang ito ng silbi nang nanatili pa rin ang hindi maamong ngiti.

"What's next?" tanong ko. It was true that I couldn't remember the exact lines but I just also wanted to tease him.

Pabiro siyang napasimangot. "Tss..."

I chuckled but Fern didn't share it with me. Unti-unting kumalma ang ngiti niya habang ako ang tudlaan ng malalim niyang paninitig, walang pakialam kung naghahanda na ang mga manlalaro malapit sa amin.

Before, I hated being looked at but if they were eyes owned by him, I'd love to be stared at. However long as he please.

I'be done so much for myself and had myself as the only reason I acknowledged. Pero hindi ko itatangging dahil rin sa kanya, mas naniwala ako na... wala nga Siyang anak na hindi maganda.

Pero... ang mayroon? Mayroon Siyang mga anak na hindi pa nakakikita ng angkin nilang ganda. The kind of beauty that's already there since the beginning of beginning. Patiently waiting to be seen by the holder of it.

All throughout that he was beside me, even when it's just the wind that reminds his memory, he proved to me that not only for him but also for this entire world? I am just the ticket.

That I am definitely just the ticket—a phrase that meant exactly what is wanted and needed. That's why I existed the way I am anyway, because the world wanted me and needed me for exactly who I am when I appeared into it.

"Fern..."

I purred like a kitten when his teeth tugged on my erected peak. He let it go only to hungrily dip down and devoured my entire breast once again, ensuring that the whole of it is dampened by his carnal thirst.

Pinaarko ang likod ko ng mabagal ngunit may riin na hagod niya sa kabila kong dibdib. I set my hand over his large hand that was squeezing that bosom. I cupped the back of his head with my other hand while he was electrifying me with the tip of his tongue playing around my other peak.

"Mmm," narinig ko siya nang ang kabila naman ang tikman at ang kabila ang hagurin.

Nabigla na lang din ako!

Basta dumaan si Ma'am Ruez habang nanonood kami ng laro kanina. Fern offered her his monoblock seat after exchange of regards with us and her 'Eric', resulting in me sitting on his thighs instead, and later on his... boner tent.

And then here we were in his bed, back in their house even if the game wasn't done. Both naked and alone together... because Tito Nando and Ford's still out, and he didn't text Frensha.

I held both sides of his face as if guiding his head while he was trailing kisses on the valley of my chest, up to my neck, and to my awaiting lips. Madali niyang naipasok ang dila sa labi kong nakaawang dulot ng nagbabagang pakiramdam.

Napahinto lang ako sa paghalik pabalik nang biglang naramdaman ang palad niyang kumapa sa akin sa ibaba. I felt embarrassed with how wet I was down there then I shyly continued to kiss him again. Natigil lamang ulit nang naramdamang may nakatutok na.

Fern stopped kissing me too. Nanatili siya sa ibabaw ko nang nagtitigan kami. He grinned lopsidedly with drunken gaze before I witnessed how he bit his bottom lip. He leaned down to press a kiss on my forehead.

I closed my eyes and moaned as he swiftly lead his hard member in me. Narinig ko rin siyang napaungol kasunod ko.

Naramdaman ko siyang umahon habang nakapikit ako. Mas ibinuka niya ang isang hita ko bago nag-umpisang kumilos sa paraang nais niya. I just gripped on the pillow under my head while I let him... and savored every second of this.

Halos bumaon ang mga daliri ng lalaki sa baywang ko sa higpit ng kapit ng isang kamay niya habang umuulos sa akin. Parang hindi siya makuntento! Dahil ba sa malapit na siyang sumampa ulit sa barko?!

Pero ako rin. Because even if the friction between my withering bud and the material of the condom wasn't likable for me, it didn't balk me from pulling his hair off his gorgeous head.

Kalagitnaan ay napasambit siya ng mura at hinugot ang sarili. Sa kabila ng mabilis na paghinga, nagawa kong iungol ang reklamo dahil ramdam na ramdam ko ang puwang na iniwan niya sa loob ko.

Nanigas lang ako saglit sa gulat nang dakpin niya ang ankle ko at hilahin ako sa dulo ng kama. Hindi pa ako lubos nakauunawa, pinunan niya na ulit ang puwang na naramdaman ko kanina. I moaned louder this time!

"Fuck, Eri," hinihingal niyang saad sa gitna ng ginagawa.

He plunged deeper and flexed more inside this time around. Hindi ko na sigurado kung pawis niya ba ang nakikita kong kumikinang o mga bituwin na!

Every time he forwarded, I sunk into the mattress and my toes curled just a few inches above the bedding that I almost experience cramps on my feet. Every time he withdrew, my breathing would labor in the desire to welcome him back inside.

Kaya naman hindi ko na ipinagtaka ang pagyanig ng katawan ko makalipas ang masarap na sandali.

"Holy shit, Fern," I slurred the words that I also didn't comprehend them as the hot stream tickled me in between.

Ilang labas-masok pa, huminto siya nang nakaabot na rin. He was breathing heavily as he finished. Nakapikit na muli ako ngunit naramdaman ko ang katawan niyang pumlakda sa tabi ko.

My breathing's still uneven when his voice barged in the atmosphere. "Let's do it again," he rasped really seductively, and a sound that I surely couldn't resist.

Napadilat ako. "H-Huh?"

Narinig ko ang mahina niyang tawa. "Baka sasampa na ako next month. Masanay ka na."

Nagtaas ako ng isang kilay sa sinabi niyang huli.

"Mag-aasawa ka ng seaman kaya masanay ka nang mapagod nang sobra kada uwi ko. Kada uwi ko na pagkatapos lagi ng ilang buwan."

"Mag-aasawa..." inulit ko, may kaunting panunukso.

"Oo, bakit?" tunog nag-aamok na niyang balik.

I chuckled and shook my head instead, with my eyelids serenely colliding again and fingertips tracing the trenches that completed the appearance of his sizzling and currently moist abs. I know the latter even with my eyes closed.

Isiniksik niya naman ang mukha sa pawisan kong leeg at niyakap ako nang mahigpit. "Kasi hinding-hindi ko na ulit palulubugin 'to," aniya, kulob ng balat ko ang boses.

Napangiti ako habang nakapikit. Naramdaman ko ang halik niya sa noo ko at ang pag-alis sa kama. A moment later, I heard another packet being torn, which was the causation of my exhausted limbs coming back to life that instant.

Naramdaman ko siyang bumalik sa kama na sinundan ng mahinang bulong ngunit maingay na pangako. And hearing that made me soar high, higher than the sky, than I ever did.

"Hinding-hindi na, Erisette."