By 5:30 pm, tadtad na ng texts at missed calls yung cellphone ko. All of them were from my mom. Hinahanap na ako. Bakit daw hindi ako makita ng driver ko, nasaan ako, sino ang kasama ko, at marami pang sermon na pwedeng mag-last for more than 2 hours kung personal niyang sasabihin sa akin. William was already driving para maihatid ako sa amin but he insisted na dumaan muna sa isang cake shop para raw may dala naman siya kahit papaano kapag nagpakilala siya sa parents ko. I told him it wasn't necessary kaso ayaw naman niyang magpatalo so I just let him be.

Noong papasok na kami sa subdivision where I live, para akong kinabahan bigla. I was so sure that my mom would throw a fit kapag nalaman niyang nag-cut na nga ako ng classes tapos biglang pag-uwi ko, may boyfriend na ako at sa condo pa nito ako nanggaling. She would say na hindi ganito ang attitude ng matinong babae and all I could do is to shut up and makinig sa sermon niya.

"Hey, it will be okay. I promise." William reassured me as he held my left hand with his right hand. He even gave it a little squeeze para kumalma ako but it did not help at all. Grabe pa rin yung kaba sa puso ko.

When we reached the gate of our house, bumusina si William at lumabas yung guard namin to check kung sino ang nasa kotse. William opened the window on my side para makasilip ako roon. Noong nakita ako ni Kuya Kiko, tumakbo na siya para mapagbuksan kami ng gate.

William parked directly in front of our main door. If we were in normal circumstances, malamang ay nadagukan ko na siya dahil sa lakas ng loob niya. Only my dad parks in front of our main door but usually, one of our drivers moves the car to the garage pa rin afterwards. But now, wala namang maglilipat ng sasakyan nitong si William. My god. Ewan ko na rin talaga sa takbo ng utak nitong lalaking 'to.

"Aisleen, relax." William said and he pinched me on my left cheek before he got out of the car para mapagbuksan din ako ng pinto. Inalalayan niya akong makalabas then he got the cake from the back seat. After locking the car, he immediately held my hand then we entered my house already.

"Where on earth have you been? Bakit hindi ka nagpapaalam ha? Do you know how many times I've called you? My god, Aisleen! Kailan ka pa natutong sumuway sa akin ha?" Dire-diretsong litanya ni Mommy habang palabas siya mula sa dining area. But when she saw William beside me, bigla siyang tumigil and her facial expressions changed in an instant.

"Pinag-alala mo kami ng daddy mo. You could have texted me na gagabihin ka. And who's this young guy beside you?" If I could describe how my mom looks right now, the perfect word for it would be plastic. Her smile screams plasticity. For sure, she is racking her brain right now to remember if she has met William somewhere before. If not, sa malamang ay palalayasin niya na agad 'to.

"Wait, hijo. You're the son of Emil Tiongson, right?"

"Yes po, Tita. I'm glad you still remember me po." William answered at binigyan niya ng tipid na ngiti si Mommy. When my mom confirmed her hunch, tuluyan na siyang lumapit sa amin.

"Tita, this is for you po pala." William said as he raised the cake box from his hand. Agad namang inutusan ni Mommy si Manang Elsie na kunin iyon mula kay William.

"I'm sorry for not informing you that I was with Aisleen the whole afternoon and for coming here unannounced." Mom waved her hands like it was no big deal. Para pa ngang tuwang tuwa pa siya noong sinabi ni William na kami ang magkasama buong maghapon.

"No worries, hijo. I know your parents very well and I'm sure that you won't do anything to harm my unica hija. But what brings you here though? I didn't know you were close to Aisleen." Tanong ni Mommy. At that moment, grabe na yung kaba ko. I didn't know if anong klaseng introduction ba ang gagawin nitong si William. My mom would probably flip kapag nagpakilala 'tong si William bilang boyfriend ko. If it's the good or bad kind, I'm not so sure.

"I just wanted to inform you formally that I'm Aisleen's boyfriend po."

"What?!" Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Mommy pagkarinig na pagkarinig niya sa sinabi ni William. But she immediately composed herself and smiled like it was no big deal. Oh, God. Ang plastic talaga niya!

"T-that's great news! Why don't you join us for dinner, hijo? Aisleen's dad would love to get to know you as well." Yaya niya kay William at agad namang pumayag ito sa alok ni Mommy. Sumunod na kami sa kanya papunta sa dining area and Dad was already waiting for us there. Nakaupo lang siya roon at tahimik na naghihintay.

Napalunok ako sa kaba. If Dad is scary in general, he is even scarier when he's quiet like this. Hindi mo malaman kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isipan niya. Wala ka ring mababasang kahit na anong emosyon sa mukha niya and God knows kung ano ang susunod niyang sasabihin o gagawin. He might suddenly explode and we don't have any idea at all.

"Dad, the son of Emil Tiongson is here." Panimula ni Mommy kaya napalingon sa amin si Daddy. Lalo akong kinabahan nang tiningnan kami nang maigi ni Daddy. He was like scrutinizing us at that very moment. He could be wondering what on earth is Emil Tiongson's son doing at our house or why was William standing too close to me. Either way, kinakabahan pa rin talaga ako.

"Sit down and don't keep the food waiting." Dad said with authority. Nagmadali na kaming pumunta sa mga pwesto namin. William pulled the seat for me while Mommy asked Manang Elsie to bring another set of plates and utensils for William. Noong nakaupo na kaming lahat, tahimik kaming nagsimulang kumain.

We were like that for a couple of minutes. The only sound that can be heard were the ones coming from our utensils. Ni paghinga at pag-nguya namin, hindi ko na yata marinig. I was wondering if I should break the ice pero buti na lang at nauna ang pagiging plastic ni Mommy.

"Dad, did you know that this young guy is Aisleen's boyfriend?" Mommy said na nagpatigil sa pagkain ni Daddy. He then turned to us and I swear, I could almost imagine him yelling at me. Reprimanding me or even scrutinizing me. Wala sa plano ang magkaroon ako ng boyfriend habang nag-aaral. Dad wanted me to finish my degree without any distractions so that I could start working immediately at our company. But here I was, coming home with a guy and even introducing him as my boyfriend.

"Your dad has been our good friend for many years already. We were even joking that we would be arranging your marriage even if you were just little kids." Natatawang sabi ni Mommy pero wala ni isa sa amin ang natawa sa sinabi niya. She then cleared her throat probably because napahiya siya. Nang makabawi sa nangyari, nagsimula na naman siyang magsalita.

"So, hijo, how long have you been together with Aisleen?" William looked at me and then he held my hand nasa ilalim ng mesa. I raised a brow at him at nginitian niya lang ako. Being with him for the past few hours, I already know what kind of smile that is. Ngiti 'yon ng hindi gagawa ng matino.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Wag naman sanang gumawa ng kalokohan 'to dito!

I was silently praying na mag-behave 'tong si William sa tabi ko. But just like my hunch, may kalokohan nga talaga siyang gagawin!

"Kanina niya lang po ako sinagot." Sabi ni William and he smiled sweetly. Unexpectedly, his hand left mine and it was now drawing circles on my thigh.

Shit talaga 'tong lalaking 'to!

Was he planning to kill me with whatever he's doing or does he want to get killed by my dad right now? Pasimple kong tinabig yung kamay ni William at bumalik ako sa pagkain ko ng red velvet cake na dala namin kanina. Habang nasa bibig ko yung kutsarita, binalik na naman ni William yung kamay niya sa hita ko. Gumagapang ito pababa at pataas. Kinikilabutan na ako sa ginagawa niya but I was trying my best to keep a straight face. Mahirap na kapag nahuli kami! Ang kaso, nabilaukan na ako nung biglang pisilin ni William yung hita ko.

"Aisleen, are you okay?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Mommy. Agad namang inabot sa akin ni William yung baso ng tubig. I drank the contents in one go. Nung nahimasmasan ako, sinamaan ko agad ng tingin 'tong katabi ko. He was trying his best to suppress the forming smirk on his face. Bwisit talaga!

"Like what I was saying po, kanina niya lang po ako sinagot pero matagal tagal ko na rin pong sinusuyo 'tong si Aisleen. Hindi pa niya nga po ako pinapansin noon." He said na para bang wala siyang ginagawang kalokohan kanina lang and then he chuckled lowly.

Halata sa mukha ni Mommy ang gulat dahil sa sinabi ni William. I haven't told her anything about this before. But of course, how would I tell her? Ni hindi ko nga alam na may gusto pala sa akin 'tong si William dati pa! Kanina ko lang din naman nalaman ah?

"But I'm very thankful po that she finally gave me this chance. I'm sorry po if I haven't got the chance to formally ask for your permission if I could court your daughter." William said with a smile. Nanatiling nakatingin sa amin si Daddy. Hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita o nagre-react man lang sa sinabi ni William. But when we were done with our dinner, bigla niyang pinasunod si William sa office niya.

Since I was left alone with my mom, wala akong choice kung hindi kausapin siya. I knew she was just going to fish for details sa relationship namin ni William. I mean, who wouldn't? Halos school at bahay lang naman ang pinupuntahan ko then I would come home with the son of one of the richest businessmen in the country. I would be surprised too if I were in her position. Mapapaisip kung paano napikot ng isang katulad ko ang katulad ni William.

"Why didn't you tell me about this beforehand? My god, Aisleen! Pasalamat ka at galing sa matinong pamilya 'yang boyfriend mo. If not, makakatikim ka talaga sa akin!" Pagbabanta ni Mommy at dali-dali siyang umalis sa tabi ko. She then went up to their room to rest. Or probably to call her amigas para ipagyabang na nabingwit ko ang anak ni Mr. Tiongson. I'm easily choosing the second option. Gano'n naman si Mommy e—mahilig magyabang sa mga kakilala niya.

Ever since I was young, I always had to make sure na may pwedeng ipagyabang si Mommy sa mga amiga niya. Kailangan ako lagi ang nasa top. Kailangan ako lagi ang pinapadala sa mga contests sa school. Ako yung may maraming talents. Ako yung kailangang mag-stand out. Kumbaga, kahit sa malayo o kahit marinig lang ng iba yung pangalan ko, alam nila na ako yung anak ni Mommy.

Honestly, it was tiring and suffocating. I didn't know how I managed to be like that for the past years. The hell. I've been doing that my whole life! I needed to please her every single time pero madalas, hindi pa rin sapat. Just like now. Isang William Tiongson na nga ang pinakilala ko bilang boyfriend ko, parang may mali pa rin akong nagawa.

Napabalik ako sa katinunan nang marinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto ng office ni Daddy. I immediately looked at their direction at napansin ko agad na pumutok yung labi ni William. Shit. Sinuntok siya ni Daddy?!

"Dad! Anong nangyari?" Sigaw ko at halos patakbo akong lumapit sa kanila. I checked William's face agad to see if may iba pa bang pasa sa mukha niya. Nang masiguro kong wala nang iba, pinakuha ko na agad kay Manang Elsie yung first aid kit namin.

"Hindi lang 'yan ang makukuha niyang boyfriend mo kapag gumawa 'yan ng kalokohan. Pagkatapos mong gamutin 'yang sugat niyan, pauwiin mo na. Huwag na kayong magpagabi." Dad said tapos dire-diretso na siyang naglakad papunta sa kwarto nila para magpahinga.

"What happened ba kasi? Bakit ka sinuntok ni Daddy?" I asked William while I was tending to his bruised lips. Wala naman talaga dapat malisya 'tong ginagawa ko but now that we were this close to each other, I can't help but be affected by his presence. Amoy na amoy ko siya at ramdam na ramdam ko ang hininga niya pati na rin ang pagtitig niya sa akin. I cleared my throat tapos kinuha ko na yung band aid sa first aid kit.

"Ano na? Di ka sasagot?" Pagtataray ko sa kanya na sinabayan pa ng pagtaas ng kilay ko. Pero imbis na sagutin niya ang tanong ko, kinurot niya lang ako sa pisngi at tumawa na siya na para bang may sinabi akong joke.

"William!" Sita ko sa kanya at lalo lang lumaki ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. Napatingin ako roon. Why do I feel like kissing those lips now? 'Di ba sabi naman noon, kapag kiniss yung sugat ay gagaling agad? Would that work if I kiss him at this very moment?

I mentally slapped my face dahil sa kung anu-anong naiisip ko. I wouldn't dare to do something scandalous inside our own house. Baka mamaya, hindi lang isang suntok ang makuha ni William from Daddy. Baka nga mapalayas pa kami bigla rito once he finds out kung naka-ilang kiss at himas na agad si William sa akin even if we were just a new couple.

Dahil sa inis ko sa hindi pagsagot ni William sa tanong ko, diniinan ko yung bulak sa sugat niya. Napangiwi naman siya dahil doon. I secretly smiled to myself. Nakaganti rin sa bwisit na 'to. Didiinan ko pa nga sana ulit bago ko ikabit yung band aid but he held my hand agad. Ang sama ng tingin niya sa akin.

"Problema mo?"

"Ikaw." Diretso niyang sagot.

"Anong ako? You're the one who's not answering my questions kaya!" Pagrereklamo ko sa kanya.

"Simula nang mahalikan kita kanina, gusto ko na laging halikan 'yang labi mo. Tell me, drugs ka ba kaya na-adik na agad ako sa'yo?" Napanganga ako sa sinabi ni William. Because of that, tinulak ko siya palayo at binato ko sa kanya yung band aid.

"Ang corny mo! Bahala ka na nga sa buhay mo!" Sigaw ko sa kanya sabay takbo paakyat sa kwarto ko. When I finally closed the door, napahawak ako sa dibdib ko. Corny naman talaga yung sinabi niya pero bakit ganito ang epekto sa puso ko?

***

Heya guys!

Finally, here's chapter 3! Sabay sabay pa rin po ang updates namin nina PrincessThirteen00 at Imcrazyyouknow for the series. Thank you sa patuloy na suportang ibinibigay niyo sa amin.

Request lang po sana. Please, please, let me know your thoughts about the chapter. I love reading comments po so don't hold back. Mag-comment lang po kayo nang mag-comment.

Na-fa-fall na rin ba kayo kay William o naiinis na kayo sa kalokohang ginagawa niya? Let me know! Hahaha.

Thank you po ulit!

xxRaice