Ralph's POV

"Tsk! Huwag kang malikot. Baka mabitawan kita."

"Ibaba mo na ako!"

"Stop it, Laila. May itatanong rin ako sa iyo. But in private. Pabalik na si Elsa. Isa!"

She stopped squirming and stayed still despite her tensed body wrapped in my arms. I don't want to raise my voice on her because obviously, she's not use to it. But I'm tired with the current workload I had at the office today. Laila's stubbornness is adding to my headache tonight. My only consolation for the day is that at least, she listens to me.

I was about to turn around carrying her when my phone rang.

"Kumapit ka sa leeg ko. I just need to answer this call."

"Ibaba mo na lang ako."

"Dalawa, Laila!"

Kailangan ko nga lang magpakita pa ng pwersa. Although it unexplanably breaks my heart to see her defiance and hurt feelings against me, it can't be helped. I need her safe and secured. Kahit ako na ang lumabas na kontra-bida.

Relief and light feeling came over me when she put her arms around my shoulders and neck. She even rested her chin on my shoulder. It was a sign of silent defiance by moving her gaze away from mine.

I secretly smiled as I sat her on my left leg na itinuntong ko sa sofa so I can let go of her legs and get my phone in my pocket.

Parang ...nakakawala ng pagod?

Tukso ng utak ko.

Nah! I just feel fulfilment that I get to achieve what I want to happen. Nakakawala ng frustration.

She's my biggest frustration now.

And why is that? There are big cases at the firm that are -

Aw, common!

Tulak ko sa isang pangungulit ng utak kong yun.

That's different. Inaral ko ang pasikut-sikot ng batas para resolbahan ang mga kaso sa firm. My clients listen to my advice or at least we negotiate on what needs to be done.

But this woman?

Wala sa inaral ko sa law school ang maia-apply ko sa isang ito.

Then why the hell do you bother yourself too much on her when she's not even your client?

Because the father is! I have to protect any surrounding factors that may affect the decision of my client to fight the case. Kaya nga kahit si Gina ay tinutulungan ko. Baka ito ang lapitan ng mga Santiago at alukin ng pera ganyang may pangangailan sa pamilya ang babae. The bestfriend has or may influence Laila, one-way or another. Not that I don't trust Gina but I'm just thinking ahead. We just don't know.

Natigil ako sa pakikipagtalo sa sarili nang sa wakas ay makuha ko na ang phone bulsa ng coat ko matapos ang ilang pag-ring niyon.

Hindi ko na tiningnan kung sino. Ringtone pa lang, alam ko na.

"Yes...?"

"Si Atty. Navarro, dumating. Alone. No visible tail."

Umigting ang panga ko. Umalsa ang dugo sa ulo. Huminga ako nang malalim para kalmahin ang sarili. And it actually helped because I smelled Laila's feminine scent from between hair and jaw. It kind'a eased my nerves.

I couldn't help but to inhale deeply again to inhale her scent some more before I answered,

"Hayaan mo lang. Inform Elsa," then pocketed my phone back.

"S-sino yun?"

"Security detail ko sa labas."

"May bodyguard ka rin?"

"Of course. My profession requires it. I have three."

"Ha?"

"They just follow me around from a distance. But sometimes, they drive for me. Depende."

I scooped my arms back under her knees, "Let's go."

I straightened up and turned. Napatingin ako sa framed picture na kinuha ko kanina sa kuwarto ni Laila, kasabay ng medicine kit.

Oh shit!

Why did I not put it facing down?

Nagmamadali kasi akong lapitan siya dahil baka maglakad na naman. Basta ko na lang inilapag sa livingroom cabinet. Nakaharap pa man din sa pinto!

Nainis ako sa sarili. But who'd expect that asshole would come tonight?

Anyway, why the hell would he?!

And my irritation got fueled as I heard the door open.

"Laila, may bisita ka," si Elsa.

Then Laila's body got tensed especially when,

"Lai...?"

Who the fuck does he think he is calling her that way still?

No, I'm not paranoid or whatever. But I'm a man. I now that tone he used!

Di na nga ako nakapagpigil.

"What are you doing here at this hour, Atty. Navarro? This is professionally unethical!"

Kitang-kita ko ang pagpapalit sa ekspresyon ng lalaki. Mula sa pagtataka, marahil kung bakit halata ang ginagawang renovation sa bahay, hanggang na unti-unting pagkalat ng galit sa mukha niya.

He got the damn nerve to feel that?!

Laila froze. I'm sure she didn't breathe for a few seconds.

Shit!

By instinct, hinigpitan ko ang pagkakarga ko sa kanya. I don't know but maybe not to give her an opportunity to turn her head to his direction. I just wanted her chin stay on my shoulder, like her arms around my neck.

"Why are you carrying her?" he answered in a very low tone.

"Why do I have to answer your question?" I shot back.

"Then I have no reason answering yours as well."

"Oh yes, you do. I represent her father against you and your clients. And that makes your presence here UNETHICAL!"

"What I'm seeing now is also unethical, Atty. Marquez."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Pagak akong tumawa. "I don't think so. I live here."

"What?!"

Muntik akong mapaigtad dahil kinurot ni Laila ang likod ko.

"Ibaba mo na ako," bulong niya.

"No!" I whispered back. "Stay put."

Then I looked at Atty. Navarro again, "Get out, unless you want me to report this to the board of discipline."

"I'll report you as well for... for inappropriately touching your client's daughter."

Natawa uli ako.

"What's inappropriate with this? I'm just carrying her."

"To where? Her room?"

I just shrugged.

"If I didn't come, what's next, huh?"

I felt Laila got tensed again. Then she tried to push her body away from me. Hinigpitan ko pang lalo ang kapit sa kanya letting her know not to move nor say anything, then said to Atty. Navarro,

"Did it not hit your shallow mind why I live here and why she's in my arms now, Attorney?"

Muntik akong mapangiwi dahil kinurot na naman ako ni Laila. Mas madiin at pino.

Nangigigil na ang babae pero hindi makapiyok.

"No, it did not. Because of that picture," sabay turo sa livingroom cabinet.

Shit! Shit!

Di ko na napigilan ang pabaling ni Laila sa ex niya tapos ay sa akin naman.

"A-ano'ng picture?" ang tanong niya.

"Your favorite picture of us, right after I proposed to you," ang sagot ng lalaki.

Hindi man nakakakita, buong pag-aakusa akong binalingan ni Laila. Walang salitang lumabas sa bibig niya pero naroon ang mga tanong sa mukha niya.

"So I guess you're wrong about me being shallow," Atty. Navarro said with a smirked.

"You're still shallow. I was about to throw it away but she accidentally hurt herself. Of course, I'd prioritize Laila over a petty picture, unlike you."

"You think I'd easily believe what you're insinuating about your relationship with Lai?" sarkastikong balik nito sa akin.

"Pakibaba na ako, please," sabi ni Laila.

Pinagbigyan ko na ang babae pero hindi ko pinakawalan ang bewang niya at kinabig pa rin sa tabi ko.

"I'll get you to your room, sweetheart," sabi ko sa babae. Sinadya ko yung iparinig sa kaharap namin at kay Elsa na nakatayo lang sa likod ni Atty. Navarro. "You might bump into something again."

She didn't answer back but instead she turned to him, "J-justin, umalis ka na. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ka naririto at wala na akong planong alamin. Matapos ang lahat, pati ang huli kong pakiusap sa iyo para kay Tatay, may mukha ka pa ring tumuntong dito."

"L-lai... I... I just want to tell you something."

With the way he said those words, I felt something off from all directions. And most of it is at my disadvantage.

"That's pretty much four years late, Attorney," sabat ko na. "But why didn't you bring your wife along so she'd also hear what you want to say?"

Naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng kapit ni Laila sa braso ko. At Ang pinipigil niyang panginginig.

May panibago at kakaibang galit ang umuusbong sa kaloob-looban ko sa nagiging reaksiyon ngayon ng babae hatid ng lalaking ito sa harapan namin. Lalo pa't nabasag na ang tinig ni Laila nang muling magsalita.

"M-maawa ka na naman s-sa a-akin... sa a-amin ni Tatay, Justin. H-hindi naman na kita ginulo n-noong... n-noong i-iwan mo a-ako. At h-hindi ko a-alam na... na ang M-marquez ang... ang t-tutugon sa paghingi namin ng tulong na t-tinanggihan mo. In fact, i-ikaw pa ang... ang..."

Di na natapos nito natapos ang sasabihin. Napahagulgol na at di man niya siguro intensyon ay sa akin siya napayakap.

And I hugged her back... protectively!

"L-lai..." ang tanging nasabi ng lalaki.

Halos mangiwi ako sa pinaghalong pagkahabag kay Laila, at galit kay Atty. Navarro nang putulin ko ang sasbihin pa ng lalaki.

"Get out now! Or else, I'll charge you for trespassing, and will report this to the board of discipline."

"Hindi mo magagawa," he challenged.

"You know me, so watch."

"Huwag mong sirain ang pagkakakilala ko sa iyo, Atty. Marquez. Alam mo ang ibig kong sabihin."

Saglit akong natigilan.

"Elsa, lead him out," I told Laila's bodyguard disguised as househelp.

"Sir, halika na," hinawakan ito nang mahigpit ni Elsa sa punong-braso.

Navarro now realized what Elsa's role is.

Pauyam itong ngumisi, "Using money for protection huh?" ang sabi bago tumalikod.

In situations like this, I can't help my bad habit of making sure I got to say the last words.

"At least my money and my influence. Unlike you."

He looked back at me with anger but I'm sure I saw in his expression that my words bruised his ego. So I added more salt to his injury.

"You cannot and will never get to my level, Atty. Navarro."

He smirked with disgust, "Without your money, I could have easily beat you in the ladder."

"That's our difference. I was born with it. And you? You needed to permanently attach yourself to someone like me to become my wannabe. You can never be me because I'd never destroy somebody else's life just to get on top easily, Navarro. You're nothing but a piece of shit!"

"T-tama na," mahinang sabi ni Laila sa pagitan ng pag-iyak.

I looked at Elsa then she noded.

"Sir..."

"Don't touch me!" piksi ng lalaki at tumalikod na.

Laila and I were left in the cluttered livingroom as she cried in my embrace. But as soon as we heard him drove off, I got surprised that Laila pushed me back.

"H-hey-"

Then her palm hit my left cheek!

I didn't expect that despite knowing she was not one hundred percent blind. She could still see silhouettes but still I was literally aghast.

"Napakawalanghiya mo!" she shouted in between sobs.

"What the-" napahawak ako sa pisngi. "What was that for?!"

"Ano'ng gusto mong palabasin sa harap ni Justin?"

"U-uhm... nothing?"

"Ano'ng wala?! Kahit sino, iisipin na may relasyon tayo!"

"Wala naman akong sinabing ganun. And even in court-"

"Wala tayo sa korte!"

Yeah, it was a lame argument but I have better one.

"Navarro didn't believe me anyway," I shrugged.

"Hindi lang yun. Pinahiya mo siya! Ganyan ba talaga kayong mayayaman, huh?!"

"Wait a minute, sweetheart," I said getting furious again.

This time, it was directed to this woman.

"How ungrateful can you get, Laila? I was only trying to salvage the very little pride you have, if there's even remaining. Gusto kong ipamukha sa ex mo na kaya mo ring makakuha nang mas higit pa sa ipinagpalit n'ya sa iyo sa kabila nang pagiging bulag mo!" I said as I held on to her shoulders tight but trying my best not to brake her bones there.

Pinilit niyang tabigin ang kamay ko pero ano nag magagawa niya sa laki ko?

"Bitawan mo 'ko! Wala akong hiningi sa iyong ganyan!"

"Yeah, you did not. Because you're reamining pride is misplaced somewhere. Sa akin ka pa nagmalaki when your ex-fiance can't shake me even a bit," I retorted behind clenched teeth.

"Hindi ako nagmamalaki sa 'yo! Ikaw ang pinagsisiksikan ang sarili mo sa 'min kasi nakakita ka ng pagkakataon makaganti ke Justin at sa mga Santiago!"

"Hindi ba't ikaw ang nagsabi na ito na ang pagkakataon kong makaganti? Sino sa atin ang totoong manggagamit ganyang hindi lang ang pagtulong ko sa tatay mo ang meron kundi ang makabawi ka rin sa pagtataksil sa iyo ni Navarro, ha?!"

"Oo, sinabi ko yun kasi gusto kong matalo mo si Justin dahil gustung-gusto niyang makatapat ka at manalo siya. Pero wala akong sinabing pati ako eh igigitna mo sa giyera ninyo!"

"News flash, sweatheart! You invited yourself in this! Oh no, let me rephrase that. You made yourself as the bait so I'd go inside your trap! So what are you whining about now, huh? Is it because you didn't expect that you had lured a beast? A big one in fact?"

She couldn't say anything to counter me. And just like any animal caught in a net, she started struggling to get away from my grasps, with her sobbing increased.

"Huwag mo akong hawakan! Huwag mo akong hawakan!" she was almost shouting while pushing me away from her.

"Stop it, Laila! Matutumba ka!"

"Lumayo ka sa 'ken! Lumayo kayong lahat sa 'ken! Patahimikin n'yo ang buhay ko!"

She's becoming hysterical as she tries to shove my hands from reaching out to her.

I got alarmed. And felt guilty to what I've done now. I saw how my words affected her emotionally. I should have not castigated her for being unreasonable.

At muntik na nga siyang matumba patalikod. Mabuti at nahagip ko ang isang braso niya.

I immediately grabbed and hugged her tight. I started rubbing her back as she cry while clobbering her fists on my back.

I just continued cooing her and saying, "I'm sorry, sweetheart... I'm so sorry, Lai..."

Maybe she got tired, or she realized I won't let go of her until she calms down, that she stopped hitting me. But her was crying with bellowing. Her hands just clutching the cloth of my coat's back.

Ni hindi niya nga yata narinig ang pagbukas ng pinto. Agad kong sinenyasan si Elsa na sa labas lang muna.

Laila and I stayed in the middle of the livingroom like that.

I am now drowning with guilt and worry.

Gasgas na ang lalamunan ni Laila. Mabuti at unti-unti nang humina ang pag-iyak niya, hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang sumubsob sa dibdib ako sa tahimik na pagluha. At ang mga braso niya ay yumakap na sa likod ko.

Saka ko pakabig na giniya si Laila patungo sa kuwarto niya, "Come, you should rest. I'll tuck you in."

Hindi ito umangal. Basta humihikbi lang na sumunod sa bawat hakbang ko. Siguro ay napagod. Physically at emotionally.

Kaya wala rin akong ibang sinabi pa. At sinigurado kong itinaob ang picture nila ni Navarro pagdaan namin sa tapat niyon.

"A-ayos na 'ko," ang halos pabulong na sabi pagkabukas ko sa pinto ng kuwarto niya. "S-sige na."

"I said I'll tuck you to your bed," I said softly but made sure she gets that it was with finality.

"Mag-ano... maglilinis pa ako ng katawan... t-tsaka uhm..." she fidgeted while holding the door.

"No. You're clean enough. And your clothes are comfy enough. I'll watch over you until you sleep," I insisted as I pushed the door fully open.

I just want to make sure that she won't spend hours thinking of what happened. About our heated argument, the words I said that made her cry despite my intention was not really to hurt her but to wake her up. And most importantly, I don't want her to stay up late thinking of that asshole Navarro.

"Eh... uhm...k-kasi..." tanggi n'ya pa rin na humakbang papaloob, na nakaunat ang mga kamay para kapain ang pinto.

I let out a sigh as I also stepped inside, with my hand still on her elbow pulling her in.

"Laila, I'm only getting out of your room if I'm convinced you're already sound asleep. Unless you want to clean up and change clothes while I'm here, sure, go ahead," sabi ko na binitawan na siya.

Kahit namamaga ang mga mata at ilong niya dala ng pag-iyak, hindi naitago niyon ang pagkalat nang pagod na pagrerebelde sa mukha niya. Maybe she doesn't have enough energy for another round of word fight with me so she kept silent as she stepped towards her bed.

Nahirapan kaya ni Mang Ben sa katigasan ng ulo ni Laila noong nakakakita pa ito?

I slowly shook my head at the thought but smiled as Laila laid on the bed with her back on me.

Halatang inis pa rin dahil hindi man lang binuksan ang electric fan niya kaya ako na ang gumawa nun. Agad niyang inayos ang may kaluwagang laylayan ng walking shorts niya na umangat dahil sa hangin.

But my quick eyes did not miss it.

Nice legs, huh?

Napangisi ako.

At bigla ring...

Oh for fuck's sake! What am I thinking?

Rob and old man Centeno entrusted her to me!

Malalaki at mabibilis na hakbang na lumapit ako at agad na kinuha ang kumot na nakatupi sa paanan niya.

Nagulat nga ito at babangon sana uli.

"Lay still," I mildly ordered her as I covered her with it.

Gusto kong matawa kasi para siyang tuod na di gumalaw sa pagkakahiga nang kumutan ko hanggang balikat.

"Here," inabot ko ang isang unan na maaari niyang yakapin.

Kinuha niya yun at kinipit.

Ang swerte talaga ng mga unan!

Natawa ako sa isip.

Then there was total silence in the room, and me standing beside her bed like a stupid statue watching her back. I'm battling with myself if I should sit on her bed to wait for her to sleep. Kaya lang, siguradong di mapapakali ang babae.

So I looked around.

There's a monobloc chair with arm rests tucked under a desk. I think this is what she uses to study since the braille books are sitting on top of it.

Doon ako naupo matapos iharap yun sa kama. Hinubad ko ang coat ko at isinampay sa sandalan ng upuan. I loosen my necktie then took out my phone. I put it in silent, then started reading messages from there.

But just after a few minutes,

"Bakit mo pinakialaman ang gamit ko?"

Napaangat ako ng tingin mula sa cellphone ko. She hasn't changed position. Still lying on the bed, her back on me.

"Huh? I'm just sitting here."

"Y-yung picture."

"Oh, that," I cleared my throat thinking fast what to say.

"Bakit mo inilabas? Kaninang inaaway mo ako, sabi mo, di mo gagalawin ang kuwarto ko."

Napakamot ako sa ulo. Ako pa talaga ang nang-away?

Tss. Women!

"You don't have to keep that picture. You're no longer together," I flatly said.

"Kahit na. Akin yun. Nasa kuwarto ko. Isa pa, obviously, di ko naman nakikita."

"It's not about what your eyes can see, Laila. It's what's keeping you holding on to that picture."

So there. Nasabi ko na. Better to tell her the truth than let her continue believing a lie.

Well, at least most of it. I didn't tell her that I initially got really irriated seeing their pic together in her room when I came in looking for the med kit earlier.

She didn't answer. But I heard her sniff.

She was silently crying.

"Laila, matulog ka na. I'm sorry kung may nasabi na naman akong hindi mo gusto o nasaktan ka," I said as I fold my long sleeves up to my elbow.

"Napakasakit mo magsalita. Hindi mo kasi naiintindihan ang nararamdaman ko," himutok niya.

"Because I don't believe in love."

Saglit itong natigilan tapos, "So, hindi ka mahal ng mga magulang mo?"

I was kind'a hurt with that because I remembered my mother. But she was no parent to me so I took her off from the question. Only my Dad and my grandparents.

"I'm not referring to that. I mean, love between man and woman."

"Ano'ng tingin mo sa mga magulang mo?" patuloy niya na di pa rin humaharap sa akin.

"They are the reason I don't. That kind of love makes people weak."

"Kaya pala ang ampalaya mo."

Saglit akong napaisip sa ibig niyang sabihin. Then I remembered hearing that from Juno before.

"I'm not. Look's like I'm not the one in this room," I calmly defended myself.

"HindI ako bitter," malamya niyang sagot. "Masaya magmahal."

"Are you happy now? And when was the last time you were happy about that love you are talking about?"

That made her shut up. And I kept my silence as well. I went back to my phone. Hanggang makaramdam na ako ng antok.

Tiningnan ko uli si Laila dahil nagpalit ng puwesto. Nakapikit naman. Pero gusto kong makasiguro na talagang tulog na. Nanatili ako pagbabantay sa kanya.

I lazily sat on the chair with my head leaning on the backrest. Pumikit ao para ipahinga ang mga mata.

Oh God! I'm so tired.

I fell asleep I dunno for how long.

Naalimpungatan ako dahil may magaan na mga palad ang kumakapa sa mukha ko, pababa sa braso, sa hita. Hindi ako gumalaw o dumilat. Hinayaan ko si Laila. Gusto kong malaman kung ano ang gagawin niya.

I got surprised when she started taking off my leather shoes then my socks. Tapos ay humakbang palayo. Bahagyang akong dumilat.

Walang ingay siyang may kinuha sa isang drawer. It was a shawl. She returned and covered it on my chest. Then she left the room. Based on the sound, she went to the bathroom.

I checked my watch.

Damn! It's almost two in the morning! Kaya pala medyo malamig na. Lalo at iniwan niyang bukas ang mga bintana.

Ang sakit ng katawan ko dahil sa pagkakatulog nang nakaupo. At parang binibiyak ang ulo sa hilo at sakit.

Nang bumalik at mahiga si Laila, naghintay ako nang ilang minuto.

"A-anong ginagawa mo?" gulat niyang tanong.

Pinigilan ko siyang bumangon.

"I need to lay down. I'm not feeling well," halos paungol kong sagot hawak ang noo ko.

"Bakit di ka dun sa kuwarto ni Tatay? Di ba dun ang pwesto mo?"

"The bed's not there anymore. Remember, I put most of your stuff away? Bukas pa dadating yung kama ko. I'm even in my office shirt and slacks, so what's wrong?"

"Tsk!" was all she said then turned her back on me.

I just kept on massaging my forehead with one hand. Iniiwasan ko lang na masagi siya sa pagkakahiga ko. Di ko na pinansin nung tumayo siya uli pagkaraan nang ilang minuto. I just want to rest some more. I'd rather sleep even for a few hours than driving back home or sa condo. Kaya nga kaninang nagbanyo si Laila, nag-text ako sa mayordoma namin na magpahatid dito sa isang driver namin ng damit ko mamayang bago mag-alas siete ng umaga.

"Huy," mahina niyang tawag.

"Hmmm...?"

"Tumayo ka d'yan. Inumin mo 'to."

Saka lang ako dumilat, "Ano 'yan?"

"Advil, para sa sakit ng ulo."

"How sure are you? Di mo naman kita."

"Iniiwan ko yan tsaka inuming tubig sa study table ko. Para kapag masakit ang ulo ko tuwing napupuyat ako."

"You're staying up late for what? Thinking about that jerk Navarro?" naasar na naman tuloy ako.

"Kapag napuyat, si Justin agad ang iniisip? Pwedeng pinagpupuyatan ko lang yung braille kasi gusto kong matuto nang mabilis?" inis niya ring sagot.

Napahiya man, mas natuwa ako sa narinig.

Bumangon ako at kinuha yung gamot at tumbler sa kamay niya.

"Ilapag mo na lang sa gilid ng kama yung tumbler," ang bilin niya.

Nauna na siyang mahiga uli. As usual, patalikod sa akin.

Di ko alam kung anong oras ako nagising uli. Ang tulog na mukha ni Laila ang nadilatan ko. Magkaharap na kami. Ako, nakayakap sa bewang niya. Although she wasn't hugging me back, nakaunan naman sa braso ko.

I dunno why is that but it felt light for me. I wasn't expecting it. Or maybe it's just new to me waking up in the morning beside a woman. Because when I sleep with one, I make sure to leave the room at most an hour after we're done with the 'thing'.

That's one of my rules after having a steamy night with a woman, because women get more assuming if you stay until morning. Reason, that my second rule is I don't bring women in any of my condos. Or any private property of the Marquez. Either their place or at a hotel, that's it.

I didn't move when Laila's eyes started opening. She won't see me awake anyway. I just want to know how she would react once she realized us like this.

At ayun nga. Medyo nagulat ito pero saglit lang.

What I didn't anticipate was when she stared at my face as if she was trying to see me. Then see stopped at my eyes. And I got conscious because it felt like she was staring right through my soul.

There, I got to finally get a good look at her without the frowning. Just her fresh face from sleep.

Kahit na parang basag na holen ang kintab ng mga mata niya, at may kaunting muta, she's really beautiful in her own especial way.

Then my chest started getting heavy because it pounded. Just like the first time I saw her picture in Navarro's cubicle when he was still working as one of Marquez' junior associates.

The difference is, before it was just very light. Now, it fast and heavy. I almost couldn't breathe.

And my breathing literally stopped for some seconds when she lifted her hand. Then she touched my face. It stayed longer on my cheek.

What she whispered next almost made my mind explode for whatever reason I couldn't fathom.

"B-bakit ba kayo naging magkapareho? Sana ... hindi na lang..." she said in a broken voice.

Then she kept her warm palm on my cheek, as a drop of tear rolled from the side of her eyes.

Yun ang tumapos sa pagpapanggap ko na tulog. Hinawakan ko ang palad niya sa pisngi ko at pinigilan siyang alisin yun doon.

"We're not the same, Lai... never we will be. Like I said last night, he is just a wannabe. And I am me."

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