"Aisleen, are you done? We're going to be late already!" mommy shouted for the nth time. Can't blame her though. Kanina pa naman nga kasi ako rito sa kwarto ko. Today's my graduation at hindi na ako matapos-tapos sa pag-aayos ng sarili ko.

Yes, after all of the numerous hurdles and requirements, I finally managed to finish my degree. I ended up graduating a sem later than usual though but that's totally fine naman with me since I don't get to see the ugly people who tried to bully me before.

"Saglit na lang po, mommy. I'm almost done!" sagot ko. I thought tatahimik na si mommy after that but nope. She just had to go and shout again.

"You've said that since almost an hour ago! My goodness, Aisleen! Anong ayos ba 'yang ginagawa mo? I should have been the one to prepare you if I knew you would take this long!" litanya ni mommy and instead of answering her, I just shook my head and quietly laughed inside my room. For sure, if mommy was here, baka napagalitan lang ako lalo.

I applied my lipstick and looked at myself in the mirror. Pang-anim na shade na 'to na sinubukan ko today. I looked very closely at my reflection to check if bagay na ba talaga 'tong shade na 'to. When I was finally satisfied and tried if it's really smudge proof, tumayo na ako at binuksan ko na ang pinto ng kwarto ko.

"Finally!" mommy exclaimed at nagdere-deretso na siya papunta sa living room. I silently followed her downstairs and I was kind of disappointed when I didn't see Gian there. I was expecting him to be here pa naman na since he promised me that he will be here for my graduation. Nasaan na naman kaya 'tong bwisit na 'to?

"Ma, where's Gian po?" I asked her which caused her to stop on her tracks. She then turned to face me with her left eyebrow arched. Wait. Did I ask the wrong question ba?

"Didn't he tell you?"

"Tell me what po?" naguguluhang tanong ko. May pakulo na naman ba sila na hindi ko alam?

"Never mind. Let's go," mommy said which made me more curious. Gustuhin ko mang magtanong pa further, hindi ko naman na magawa. Mommy walked straight towards our car since daddy was there kanina pa. Ako na lang talaga ang hinihintay.

Where on earth are you?

Akala ko ba pupunta ka? :(

I sent Gian a message pero malapit na kami sa school, hindi pa rin siya nag-re-reply. I was growing more anxious by the minute. He's not usually like this naman. Madalas, sumasagot agad siya sa mga messages ko.

Since hindi talaga sumasagot si Gian, I decided to contact Jillian instead. Kaso kapareho lang naman pala siya ng kuya niya. Hindi rin siya sumagot sa messages ko. I wanted to call them na sana kaso mom was giving me the looks. Halatang hindi siya natutuwa sa ikinikilos ko ngayon. Reluctantly, I kept my phone inside the pocket of my custom-made dress.

Naging tahimik lang kami nina mommy hanggang sa makarating kami sa school. A lot of people were looking at us. Can't blame them though, my parents look great and even if they wear the simplest clothes out there, their aura screams respect and power.

Some were taking our pictures which we didn't mind at all. Nasanay na rin naman kami sa ganoon. We just kept on walking hanggang sa makarating na kami sa auditorium. When we arrived there, halos walang tao sa loob. It was just our dean, Jillian and Gian. Teka. Akala ko ba—

"Mommy?" I looked at mommy dahil gulong-gulo talaga ako sa nangyayari. She simply smiled at me at laking gulat ko nang lumapit sa akin si daddy at hawakan niya ang mga kamay ko.

"The school doesn't really have a graduation ceremony for irregular students but I managed to pull some strings to create one for you. Kahit simple lang, I wanted you to experience this right now. Your mom and I felt like after all that you've been through, you deserve to have this. That's why it's just us in here," daddy explained and I felt like crying already. I didn't expect them to prepare all of this just for me. Ayos lang naman sa akin na hintayin yung totoong graduation ko e. But for them to actually think of this makes my heart swell. Sobrang na-touch ako sa ginawa nila.

I immediately hugged daddy while still trying my best not to cry. I felt dad wrap his arms around me and he gently tapped my back.

"You did well, Aisleen. I'm so so proud of you," daddy whispered and when I heard that, I just lost it. Tuluyan nang tumulo ang mga luhang kanina ko pa pinipigilan.

"Daddy..."

"Hush now. Your dean is waiting," daddy said then I tried to compose myself. He then wiped my tears away using his own handkerchief. Nang kumalma na ako, lumapit na kami kay dean na agad iniabot sa akin ang diploma ko. We then took some pictures and once we were done, we stayed in the auditorium for a while.

I was leaning against daddy's shoulder nang lumapit si Gian sa akin, a bouquet of roses in his hand. Tiningnan ko lang siya and waited for him to talk.

"Aisleen..."

"Ano?" pagtataray ko sa kanya. Kinurot ako ni mommy sa tagiliran ko dahil doon. Sinamaan ko naman ng tingin si mommy at pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata. Minsan talaga, pakiramdam ko, mas gusto na niyang maging anak si Gian e. Grabe na siya kung kumampi sa bwisit na lalaking 'to.

Iniabot ni Gian yung bulaklak sa akin which I reluctantly received. Sure, I appreciate the effort pero I'm really not a fan of flowers naman kasi. Kapag nalanta, wala nang use 'tong bulaklak. Feeling ko talaga, sayang lang sa pera.

"Congratulations, ate!" pagbati sa akin ni Jillian and I just smiled at her in reply. Nagtatampo pa rin ako sa kanilang dalawa.

"Uhh, tito, if you don't mind po, can I take Aisleen out later this evening? I promise to bring her back in one piece by tomorrow," Gian asked at napataas ang kilay ko dahil doon. Saan naman ako balak dalhin nito?

"Kahit next month mo pa ibalik, okay lang, hijo," mommy said na siyang ikinalaki ng mga mata ko. Ipinamimigay na ba ako ng sariling nanay ko?

"Mommy!" sigaw ko in an attempt to let her know na kontra ako sa pinagsasasabi niya. But as expected, hindi naman ako mananalo kay mommy. Kulang na nga lang ay ipagtulakan na niya ako kay Gian. Kung hindi nga lang siguro kami kakain ng lunch today to celebrate my graduation, baka pinasama na talaga niya ako kay Gian.

As expected, pumayag si daddy sa pagpapaalam ni Gian. Pumayag naman na raw kasi si mommy kaya wala ring use para kumontra siya. Kay Gian na rin ako pinasabay nina mommy. They took Jillian with them para raw makapag-usap kami nang maayos ni Gian. And honestly, it didn't happen at all. Hindi ko rin naman kinausap si Gian all throughout the ride papunta sa restaurant.

Nang makarating kami sa restaurant, tahimik na nag-park si Gian. Palabas na sana ako ng sasakyan when he suddenly held my face and kissed me on my lips. Magagalit pa sana ako dahil sa ginawa niya but when he pulled me in for a hug and I felt his warmth all over my body, parang natunaw na rin yung tampong kanina ko pa kinikimkim sa sarili ko.

"I'm so proud of you, babe. You finally made it," Gian said and he just kept on hugging me tightly. Kung hindi pa kumatok si Jillian sa bintana, parang wala pa ngang balak si Gian na humiwalay sa akin.

"Panira talaga ng timing kahit na kailan," naiiling na sabi ni Gian. I just kept on looking at him at nang mapansin niya ang paninitig ko sa kanya, he simple smiled at me and gave me a peck on my lips.

"Tara na?" pagyaya niya. I simply nodded my head at agad siyang bumaba ng sasakyan para pagbuksan din ako ng pinto.

***

After naming mag-lunch, Gian, Jillian and I bonded at home. Nag-stay lang kami sa entertainment room namin and we watched movies and played games. By 7 pm, Gian pulled me up and told me to change my clothes at may pupuntahan daw kaming party. He also asked me to pack some clothes and some of my essentials dahil baka sa bahay na lang daw nila kami tutuloy since mas malapit yung venue roon.

"How about Jillian?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"She'll be staying here. Tita asked her to stay for the weekend," kalmado niyang sagot na para bang napagplanuhan na nilang lahat 'to. I simply nodded at him and packed my stuff. Pero no'ng nagbibihis na ako ng party-appropriate clothes, bigla akong napatigil when a realization hit me. E di kaming dalawa lang ni Gian sa bahay nila?

'As if naman virgin ka pa. Demure ka teh?,' my subsconscious said, as if mocking me. Agad akong napailing dahil doon. I then focused on choosing my outfit at nang ma-satisfy na ako sa suot ko, lumabas na ako ng walk-in closet ko.

Gian was lying comfortably on my bed nang lumabas ako. When he saw me come out of my walk-in closet, he looked at me from head to toe. Na-conscious naman tuloy ako bigla dahil doon.

"May mali ba sa suot ko?" kinakabahan kong tanong sa kanya.

"Wag na lang kaya tayong umalis? Baka mapa-away ako bigla niyan e," sagot ni Gian na siyang ikinatawa ko. Nagsisimula na namang maging possessive'tong kumag na 'to.

"Baliw. Tara na nga!" pagyaya ko sa kanya and he reluctantly got up from my bed. Nang makalapit siya sa akin, he immediately got the bag from my hand and he held my other hand with his. Hay nako. I feel like we'll have a very long night.

***

The bar was already packed by the time Gian and I arrived. I saw some familiar faces but they just simply nodded or smiled at me. Since it's been a while simula nang huli akong magpunta sa ganitong lugar, I can't help but get nervous. Memories of the past were starting to haunt me. Gian must have noticed that something was wrong with me so he immediately snaked his arm on my waist.

"Are you okay?" tanong niya sa akin and somehow, his simple gesture calmed me down.

"Medyo kinabahan lang," I answered him truthfully.

"Don't worry. I won't leave your side, okay?" Gian tried to reassure me with a smile. I smiled back at him and I tried to shake the negative thoughts away. Gian's right. Nandito lang naman siya and never naman niya akong pinabayaan. I can do this. I can enjoy the night with him. I can finally be free from the past. And so with a renewed spirit, we walked straight to the bar and I drank the very first shot that I had in a couple of months.

Habang lumalalim ang gabi, parami na rin nang parami ang naiinom ko. At the back of my mind, I had Gian with me and I have the right to party. I just graduated and dad formally offered me a position in the company. Aside from that, natanggap din ako sa MBA program that I applied for a few weeks back. Gian has been promoted at work, too. There are too many reasons to celebrate and I had no reason to hold back. But little by little, tinatamaan na rin ako ng kalasingan.

"I'll just go to the restroom," pagpapaalam ko kay Gian after drinking another glass of margarita. Akmang tatayo na sana si Gian para alalayan ako but I immediately waved him off.

"I can manage," I told him then I jumped down from my seat. I was so sure that I can do this on my own kaya nang bigla akong gumewang dahil sa biglang pagkahilo, agad akong hinawakan ni Gian sa baywang ko and shit. I suddenly felt so hot.

"K-kaya ko!" nauutal kong sabi sa kanya. I heard him click his tongue and for some reason, I suddenly found that sexy as well. Oh, shit. What the hell is wrong with me?

"That's it. Sasamahan na talaga kita," Gian said and I had no choice but to follow him. Habang naglalakad kami papuntang restroom, I was holding my breath. Para akong mababaliw sa nararamdaman ko. When we reached the door, agad-agad akong pumasok at sinampal-sampal ko ang sarili ko para bumalik ako sa katinuan.

"Damn it, Aisleen. Come to your senses!" I told myself as I took deep breaths. Nang sa tingin ko ay tumino na ang pag-iisip ko, I finally did my business. After which, lumabas na ako ng restroom but the fuck. When I saw Gian leaning against the wall with his arms crossed against his chest, parang gusto ko na lang bumalik ulit sa loob ng CR. This is so wrong! Damn it!

Gian must have seen the distraught on my face kaya bigla siyang umayos ng tayo at lumapit agad sa akin. Hahawakan pa lang niya sa ako when I held up my hand to stop him from doing so.

"I'm okay! A little bit tipsy but I'm okay," I told him and then I saw him shake his head. Oh, God. Ano kayang iniisip niya ngayon? Na-turn off na kaya siya sa akin dahil sa pinaggagawa ko ngayon?

"That's it. We're going home," Gian said at kahit na wala akong balak magpahawak sa kanya, hinablot na lang niya 'yong kamay ko at dumeretso na kami sa sasakyan niya.

All throughout the ride, hindi ko magawang tingnan si Gian. Pakiramdam ko kasi, nagkakasala ako sa simpleng pagtingin ko sa kanya. A lot of thoughts were running inside my mind and they are not decent at all. Jusmiyo! So to save myself from further humiliation, tumingin na lang ako sa labas ng bintana.

When we finally came to a stop, bumaba agad si Gian sa sasakyan. Kinuha niya 'yong gamit ko sa backseat then he opened the door of the passenger's seat for me. Akala ko okay na ako but I felt the heat from Gian's hand when he helped me out of the car, shit na malagkit. I suddenly felt like I was at a loss.

"Okay ka lang ba talaga? Tita's going to kill me if she finds out na nalasing ka habang magkasama tayong dalawa." Halata sa boses ni Gian ang pag-aalala. He was doing his best to take care of me while here I was, giving all of his actions double meanings. This is wrong on so many levels but I don't even know how to stop.

"Babe, I'm fine. No need to worry," I told Gian and I'm not sure if I'm convincing him or myself. Dere-deretso kami ni Gian papuntang kwarto and we he finally shut the door, napalunok na lang ako ng laway ko.

"Babe..." Gian called me out which I suddenly find so sexy right now. Nang hawakan niya ulit ako sa baywang ko, para akong napaso bigla. I flinched at the sudden contact and I'm wearing a crop top for crying out loud!

"I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay, okay?" I said a little too loud and I slightly pushed Gian away from me. Nakita kong nagsalubong ang kilay niya dahil doon. Akmang lalapit pa lang sana ulit siya sa akin pero tumalikod na ako sa kanya.

I need to take a bath. Right. I need to get the alcohol off my system. Maglalakad na sana ako papuntang banyo when I felt Gian hug from behind. God damn it.

"Why are you making this difficult for me?" I can't help but ask him. Gian must have been more confused because of that kaya inihirap niya ako sa kanya. He then held my face to make me meet his eyes.

"Babe, are you really sure that you're okay?" tanong niya sa akin but I couldn't process anything anymore. All that I could notice was the way his lips moved with every word. Parang gusto ko siyang halikan bigla.

And so I did.

I tiptoed and pressed my lips against his. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Gian dahil sa gulat but before he could push me away, I wrapped my arms around his neck and tried to deepen the kiss that I was giving him. Akala ko hindi na sasagutin ni Gian ang mga halik ko but I immediately smiled when I felt him kiss me back. Ipinalibot na rin niya ang braso niya sa katawan ko.

As the kiss that we were sharing gets deeper and deeper, painit na rin nang painit ang pakiramdam ko. When Gian pulled away from the kiss to allow us to catch our breaths, I took that as an opportunity to remove the cropped shirt that I was wearing.

"H-huy! Ano 'yang ginagawa mo?" natatarantang tanong ni Gian sa akin.

"Ang init-init! Hindi ka ba naiinitan ha?" sagot ko sa kanya. I was about to hug him and pull him in for another kiss nang bigla niya akong itulak papasok ng banyo.

"Ano ba? Bakit di mo ako tinutulak? Sa kama dapat tayo!" naiirita kong sigaw sa kanya.

Nang makapasok kami sa banyo, I turned to face him. Hindi magawang tumingin ni Gian nang deretso sa akin. Hinawakan ko siya sa magkabilang pisngi but his eyes were still not looking at me. Sa sobrang pagka-irita ko, binuksan ko ang zipper ng palda ko at hinayaan kong bumagsak 'yon sa sahig. Tinanggal ko rin ang pagkakahawak ni Gian sa balikat ko then I turned around, unclasped my bra and then threw it back at him.

"Tangina," narinig kong mura ni Gian. I thought he was going to follow me but when I heard the door close and felt that I was alone, tumuloy na lang ako sa shower at tumambay sa ilalim niyon. I guess I really need to wash the dirty thoughts away.

Nang matapos ako sa pag-shower, I encountered another problem. Wala nga pala akong dalang towel at damit dito sa banyo. Sisigaw pa lang sana ako to call on Gian—which I doubt na papasok dito sa loob—when I found my things na nakapatong sa ibabaw ng counter. Agad akong nagbihis at nag-ayos and when I saw Gian sitting on the edge of the bed, I ran towards him and I hugged him tighter than I ever hugged him before.

"H-hey," bati ni Gian sa akin na parang nagulat pa sa ginawa ko.

"I love you," deretso ko namang sabi sa kanya. He then turned to face me para siguro ma-check kung matino na ba ako but I just sweetly smiled at him.

"I love you for always being there for me. I love you for taking care of me. I love you for loving me unconditionally. I love you for choosing me. I love you for taking a risk with me and I love you for respecting me. Most importantly, I love you for sacrificing a lot just to let me see. Gian, I may not be the perfect girl that many people think I am to be but I know that with you, I would always be happy. I love you for being you and thank you for loving me, too," I sincerely told Gian. He then smiled and returned the hug that I was giving him. And when I felt him slip another ring on my finger, I just knew that I found my forever in him.

The End

***

Ops! Bago magreklamo, alam kong bitin. Hindi na ako makikipagtalo. Kahit ako nabitin e. Hahaha. Pero ayaw ko naman nang pahabain pa yung story just for the sake of making it long. Ang ending pa rin naman niyan, kahit anong ending ang ibigay ko, may magsasabi pa rin na bitin. True story, bro. So ayan. Let the two have the peaceful ending that they deserve. Oki?

Thank you for reading this story until the end! I know may inconsistencies and errors pa rin siya but thank you for giving this a chance.

Thank you, thank you!

xxRaice