"I was not expecting this!" George gaped at the picture that was flashed on Avi's phone screen, the same picture of the unforeseen trio that includes her very own father. "Tito Ali hangs out with celebrities? Is that why he's always busy?"

Avi scoffed, snatching her phone from Gi's hand. "Kitang kita mo naman na bata pa si daddy sa photo na 'to, ganon rin si Valeria at Nari. Matagal na 'to. Ang gusto ko lang malaman ngayon why is my dad involved with them at bakit never niyang nabanggit once na he knew these two."

The photos she saw kept her thinking about what her dad did during the days she wasn't born yet. Business man na ba talaga ito simula palang and his clients were big and influential people? Alastair Castillo, or as people call him Alas or Ali, her father, runs a food franchise business, a reason why he's always gone is because he branches out most of the time. Busy man ang daddy niya noon pa man pero nagagawa pa nitong umuwi para makasama siya, he would always make time for her. But now that he's apparently working with her Tita Reg, he's busier than ever. Sa loob yata ng isang buwan dalawang beses niya nalang itong makita.

"Tinanong mo na ba siya tungkol diyan? Surely may sagot siya sa'yo tungkol diyan."

"Paano ko siya tatanungin e hindi nga umuuwi ng bahay e," ngumuso sya. "Kahit pa i-text or tawagan ko siya di rin naman siya makakasagot agad, always on dnd ang phone niya e. The only thing that I have to do is wait for dad to come home then I'll bombard him with my questions."

Frustrated yet again, Avi chewed the straw of the milk tea that she and Gi brought from outside the campus.

"Oh, what's on your mind?" Gi notices the shift in her which is why she asked.

"Iniisip ko na naman si daddy at si Tita Reg." There was no point to keep it as a secret, Gi and her come from a very long way, they practically knew each other's darkest information so why bother?

"Nag-away na naman ba kayo ni tita about diyan?" Gi took a bite from her sandwich, hissing as she got her tongue burnt from the hotness of it. "Nyeta, nakalimutan kong bagong luto pala."

Avi chuckles quietly. "Di naman totally nag-away pero napagsabihan na naman ako na maglagay naman daw ako ng trust sa aking father dear. She can't blame me for thinking that way, babae 'yun at lalaki ang daddy ko, they could be doing something else."

George squints her eyes as her other brow lifts, a smug smile forming on her lips as she never broke eye contact with Avi.

"At bakit gan'yan ka makatingin sakin? Anong iniisip mo?"

Setting her sandwich down, George faked a cough. "Naiisip mo rin ba na baka best friends lang talaga sila? That's very reasonable considering na tita doesn't even give a fuck."

"Okay, I get your point pero something about your expression tells me something else."

Gi pressed her lips together, blinking her eyes for a few times before she responds again. "Naisip ko rin na... Baka lesbian ang tita mo."

Hearing those words caused a burst of pink coloured liquid droplets splattering in the air. Kasabay noon ay ang pag-ubo ni Avi at pag-abot ni Gi ng tissue sa kanya.

"Sorry, Avi! Pero grabe ka naman kung magulat."

"Nagulat ako kasi never na pumasok sa isip ko 'yan," she was still choking on air as she said those words.

"Possible naman 'yun? I mean, it was never mentioned if she had a husband or anything. Malay mo lesbian nga siya tapos she's looking for her one true love."

Avi finally regained her composure, pinunasan niya ang bibig niya at ang kaunting tapon sa lamesa nila. A laugh broke out of her throat at Gi's words.

"Bagay na bagay ka talaga maging writer sa mga naiisip mo, alam mo 'yun?"

"Sabi nga rin ni mommy may talent daw ako pero anong magagawa niya? I'm more into photography e."

"Have you considered writing ba?"

Gi shrugged. "I tried pero it's not really for me. I get my ideas blocked so easily."

Avi simply nodded in response. Ininom niya muli ang milk tea niya sabay consider sa mga sinabi ni George. Her Tita Reg being a lesbian? That doesn't sound quite right even if she does not know her personally.

"Hi, Avi! Hi, George! Sorry kung abala ako sa lunch time niyo pero pinapatawag ka kasi ni Mr. Torres sa office niya." A classmate of them approached their table, mostly facing Avi.

Mr. Torres was their adviser in journalism club, their mentor and the one who handles the said club. It was unusual to have her called by Mr. Torres, madalas kasi kung may ipapatawag ito ay madalas si Bianca o kaya naman 'yung president ng club nila. Now she wonders why was she being called all of a sudden.

"Bakit daw?" Tinanong niya na rin baka kasi alam ng kaklase niya kung tungkol saan ito.

Her classmate gave her a shrug. "Hindi ko rin alam e, nakita niya lang naman ako sa hallway ng faculty kanina at sinabihan ako kung makikita kita sabihan daw kita na pumunta sa office niya."

"Okay, thank you." She smiled at her classmate then watched her leave the cafeteria.

"Weird, bakit pinapatawag ka ni Ms. Torres?" Even Gi was curious as to why.

"Hindi ko rin alam." She was bothered, something doesn't feel right about her being called. "Ubusin muna natin 'to tsaka na ako aakyat sa office ni Sir."

"Sasamahan kita, pero syempre sa labas lang ako." George gave her a wink and Avi smiles in appreciation. Knowing that her best friend would be there has already calmed some of her nerves down.

Sana lang talaga hindi seryoso ang dahilan kung bakit siya ipinatawag.

⊱ ──── {.⋅ ۵♡۵ ⋅.} ──── ⊰

"Wish me luck!" Avi crossed both of her fingers together with George who did the same thing in support of her.

Humarap na siya sa pintuan ng office ni Mr. Torres at huminga ng malalim. Kumatok siya ng tatlong beses at binigyan ng huling tingin si George bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob. Mr. Torres' office smelled like an antique store when you enter and with that smell is the view of paintings, framed newspapers, photos of the former journalism club members, and the awards that they have gathered throughout the years.

Avi looked at the table where the middle aged teacher was seated, his hair was showing some signs of grayness, on his forehead was three visible three lines from always creasing his forehead whenever he's in a debate or an argument or whether he was stressed. He sat on his chair, in front of him was a table filled with his paperwork and his metal plaque that has his name engraved. Mr. Almario Torres.

"Good afternoon po, Mr. Torres." Avi greeted, her voice shaking due to the nervousness she didn't know she had.

Mr. Torres lifted his gaze up, he held on the frame of his glasses to steady them so that he could see clearly. "Ah! Ms. Castillo, indulge yourself with a seat." He gestured towards the two chairs available in front of his desk.

Agad namang umupo si Avi doon at ramdam na niya agad ang tensyon sa buong kwarto. Mr. Torres set the paper he was holding aside, clasping both of his hands with his elbows propped on his desk.

"Before anything else, good afternoon rin sa'yo Ms. Castillo," the teacher cleared his throat. "Also, I read your latest story about how the student schedule says about the lack of sleep. That was really a good one."

Avi didn't know what to do so she just smiled. "Thank you po pero pwede po bang sabihin niyo nalang kung bakit po ninyo ako pinatawag, Sir? Sobrang nakakakaba na kasi, parang sasabog 'yung puso ko anytime at alam ko rin na hindi good news kung bakit niyo ako pinatawag dito."

A sigh left Mr. Torres' lips. Avi was right all along, this was bad news. The teacher bent over to his left side, pulling out a drawer from his small table, taking out a piece of paper and handing it over to Avi.

Kinuha ni Avi ang papel at parang lumabas ang kaluluwa niya mula sa kanyang katawan. "Petition for me to leave the club? Bakit naman po?"

"Ah hija, clarify ko lang na hindi ako ang gumawa niyan. Ipinasa sa akin 'yan ng president kaninang umaga at nagulat rin ako nang makita ko 'yan,"

Avi looks at the paper that she held in her hands. Sobrang daming pirma ng mga tao na kasali sa club nila, kilala niya ang iba, ang iba naman hindi. The president of the club hasn't signed the said petition and so does her best friend. Wala naman siyang alam tungkol dito. With her eyes never leaving the paper, one name had caught her entire attention. "Bianca Ramos."

"According to what Sanya told me, some club members who signed that petition wants you to leave the club. Ang sabi kasi nila you're not contributing enough."

"Sir, alam ko pong hindi ako ganoon kagaling at ang mga ginagawa ko ay hindi para sa headlines pero I've contributed enough. Alam ni Sanya at ni George 'yun. Alam mo rin po 'yun, Sir. You're always seeing me, ikaw pa nga mismo ang nagsabi sa akin na baka hindi na ako umuuwi ng bahay e."

Mr. Torres slightly nods his head. "Kaya nga kita pinatawag dito because of that exact matter. I can see your efforts, Avi. Even if you're in the brink of failing you won't allow yourself to. That petition isn't official not until it is passed for approval, what you're holding is just a meaningless piece of paper."

"So... What are you saying Mr. Torres?"

"You're very talented, Avi. I know you'll go places with your positivity and your attitude," his lips slowly breaks a smile. "Kaya I'll be giving you a chance to prove yourself to these people. Create your own story, there are no rules to follow through. Gawin mo ang gusto mong gawin. Follow where your heart and mind leads you to."

⊱ ──── {.⋅ ۵♡۵ ⋅.} ──── ⊰

"TWO MONTHS?!" George says aloud as they walk in the open hall. Pabalik na sila sa floor kung saan ang klase nila ngayon and she was just enlightened by what Avi and Mr. Torres' conversation is about.

"Oo, two months daw ang ibibigay niyang palugit sa akin," Avi felt like she was deflating. Every step she did, it felt like she was stepping on a sharp object that was the reason she was losing out of air. "Tapos gawin ko daw ang own story ko according to him. Hindi pa ba own stories ang nilalagay ko sa paper? Ano 'yun, copy pasted?"

"I think what he meant was an original. Yung tipong hindi pa nababasa or kaya naman familiar ang iba."

"Alam ko 'yung sinasabi niya, Gi. Pero how can I do that? It's not like a story will just be under my nose when I need it." Frustration was now coursing through her veins that caused her to kick a tiny rock which flew throughout the open soccer field. "Kasalanan ni Bianca 'to e! Tahimik na kasi 'yung buhay ko pero pilit niyang ginugulo."

"Kasalanan ko ang alin?" Speaking of the darn devil bitch. Bianca appeared in their view, suot nito ang uniform at ang vest for her community service, she was holding two trash bags in her hands while her brows were furrowed.

"Oh wow," George snorted, quickly taking her camera to snap a photo of Bianca who shrieked because of the flash.

"I-delete mo 'yan!" The girl yelled, putting the trash bags down and tried to snatch George's camera.

"Bakit ko naman gagawin 'yun? Bawiin mo muna 'yung petition na ginawa mo kay Avi tapos tsaka ko lang ide-delete 'to," Gi stucked her tongue out like a provoking child.

Bianca snorts as she lips formed a smirk. "Are you accusing me of doing that petition?"

"Sino pa bang gagawa ng petition na 'yun? Ikaw lang naman." Avi formed her hands into a fist, digging her nails through her skin. She needs to control her anger otherwise masasapak niya ang babaeng nasa harapan niya. "You're the only one who is very vocal about me being kicked out of the club, hindi ba?"

"Hindi ako ang gumawa non, assuming ka masyado. Also, don't you realize that people at the club are enough of you? Nakakapagod nga naman kasing panoorin kang pumalpak ng paulit-ulit, para kang excess baggage na pilit binubuhat ng buong club. Pasalamat ka pa nga na nakapag-stay ka ng four years e. Oras mo na talaga 'to para magpaalam at humanap ng bagong direksyon sa buhay mo. Stick your nose into something you're good at and not at something you're trying to be good at," the girl rolled her eyes before bending down to pick up the trash bags that she held. "Good luck with another failed story, Avi! Can't wait to see you go."

"Aba talaga naman—" George attempted to pull Bianca's hair but before she could, Avi held her wrist, pinning it down to her side.

They both stood their, fuming, as they watched the lonely bitch carrying her trash bags. Bianca was having a hard time to carry the two bags that she was too filthy to hold, a reason why she wore gloves because the trash was really nasty smelling. Avi and George looked at each other in sync, and with that look, natawa sila pareho dahil iisa ang iniisip nila. Bianca looked pathetic, she was alone, without a friend. No wonder she's always grumpy.

"Sana hinayaan mo nalang ako sabunutan siya. Sobra na kasi ang bibig niyang babaeng 'yan." Gi breathed out through her nose.

"Gaga ka, kapag sinabunutan mo 'yan edi two weeks community service ka rin. Imbes na papanoorin mo siya tutulungan mo pa. Gusto mo ba 'yun?"

"Hindi, syempre, kaya ako ay nagpapasalamat sa'yo ng sobra."

"Baliw," Avi rolled her eyes with a chuckle. Napatigil siya nang maalala niya ang problemang kailangan niya pang harapan. "Ah shit, tinatawanan ko si Bianca pero she was right. I'm in for another story to fail."

Avi jumped a little as she felt George grabbing her by the shoulders. Mahina siyang inalog nito. "Hindi ka papalpak, okay? Sabi mo nga we all have our own time to shine. Eto na 'yung sa'yo! Mapapatunayan mo na rin na magaling ka talaga. Huwag kang nega."

George was right, Avi thought. This was her time to prove everyone that she wasn't a failure, that she was meant to a journalist.

"It's my time to shine."

⊱ ──── {.⋅ ۵♡۵ ⋅.} ──── ⊰

The week passed in a blur, today was Saturday and it only means that it was finally rest day for the students. Avi sat on the sofa chair while holding a remote in hand, shuffling through the channels to find anything interesting to watch. She decided to give herself a week off of her journal work. If she wants herself to be productive then she'll definitely need a week's rest. Isang linggo pa lang naman ang nababawas, but then again, two months will be over in a blink. Kailangan niya rin talagang mag-worry.

Avi continued on to shuffle the channels as she tries to find some interesting show to watch. Medyo bored siya dahil siya lang ang nasa bahay kasama ang dalawa nilang kasambahay, her mom wasn't around dahil may importanteng meeting ito kasama ang mga suppliers, her dad, wasn't also around. George would likely be with her on a Saturday, ang kaso lang may biglaang family trip ito, gusto nga sana siyang isama ni George but she declined, gusto niya lang munang pumirmi sa bahay.

"Avi, pwede bang lagyan mo muna ng sinulid 'to?" Manang Lydia who sat beside her requested. Nahihirapan kasi itong ilusot ang sinulid sa karayom, tinatahi niya kasi ang punda ng unan na kasama ng sofa.

"Okay," Avi stopped shuffling through the channels at saktong tumigil ito sa isang channel kung saan ang palabas ay ang bagong interview ni Valeria.

"Ay nako! Ang idol ko! Pwede bang diyan nalang?" Manang Lydia looked very ecstatic as she sees her idol on the screen.

Tumawa lang si Avi at tumango habang inilusot niya ang sinulid sa karayom na ibinigay niya uli kay Manang Lydia. She took the bowl of popcorn that was on the coffee table in front of her then she let her back fall on the soft sofa.

The screen shows Valeria Valentin seated in a beige sofa very comfortably, she was laughing because the host said something funny na hindi naabutan nina Avi kung ano. Even if the woman was already 46 years old she looks younger for her age.

"Last question before we end our interview with you." The host smiles at Valeria before he sets his eyes back on the card he holds where his questions are. "It is very much known that you were involved in too many relationships back then pero you never chose to settle down, may we ask why?"

Valeria chuckles then she flips her hair to let it fall on her back. "Alam naman siguro ng mga tao na may trauma ako in terms of settling down, kasi diba when Johnny and I were in a relationship we chose to live together and living with him got me physically abused. I had trauma with that kaya I never chose to settle and if I did want to settle... Wala na 'yung taong gusto kong makasama."

The crowd from the interview reacted, chanting in ooh's and ahh's, clearly piqued with her answer.

"Wait lang, nagulat ako ha kasi hindi ko expected na sasabihin mo 'yan, kasi diba whenever you're asked about your love life you usually don't answer." The host was still in awe.

"I don't usually answer because I'm not sure if I'm with the right person to share. Being here has made me a little more brave lang," Valeria laughs, looking at the camera for a second then back at the host.

"Last na talaga 'to kasi wala na tayong time. Nabanggit mo kanina na wala na 'yung taong gusto mong makasama and as far as we know, none of your exes are dead yet. Is this someone we don't know about?"

Valeria was still smiling although it was very evident that her smile does not reach her eyes.

"Kilala niyo siya. Pero matagal nang nag-quit sa showbiz, isipin niyo nalang kung sino, that's all I have to say."

"Okay guys, Valeria gave us a clue. Enough na siguro 'yan para malaman natin kung sino ang tinutukoy niya." The host laughed as she said his words of appreciation for Valeria, then thanking his sponsors and shouting out some people.

Manang Lydia started to laugh which caused Avi's head to turn towards the lady. Umiiling ang matanda habang ang mga mata niya at nakatutok sa pundang tinatahi.

"Kunyari pa 'to si Valeria, si Nari ang tinutukoy niya e."

Avi lifted an eyebrow, her full attention has been taken by the words that Manang Lydia has uttered.

"Paano niyo naman nasabi na si Nari ang tinutukoy ni Valeria?" Also coming from your own mouth pa talaga, Manang?

"Si Nari lang naman ang wala na sa showbiz e, karamihan sa mga naging boyfriend niya mga artista pa rin," Manang Lydia bit the thread that she used to sew the broken pillowcase, she fluffled the pillow before returning it to the sofa. "Naniniwala talaga akong mag-nobya silang dalawa. Kasi kung mag-kaibigan nga lang sila dapat hindi sobrang apektado ni Valeria. Iba ang pagmamahal ng kaibigan, at iba rin ang pagmamahal na mahal mo talaga. Kahit hindi ko siya kilala, nakikita ko ang pagmamahal niya."

Avi remained quiet as she popped a popcorn in her mouth. Manang Lydias's words does make sense to her. Her thinking was interrupted at the sound of a car engine, her head perked up to check the window near the door where their garage can be seen.

"Ang aga naman umuwi ni mommy, sabi pa naman niya baka gabihin daw siya," Avi tried to see but the window was being covered by a curtain and she was too lazy to stand up.

"Alam mo naman ang mommy mo, laging nagmamadaling umuwi para sa'yo." Manang Lydia stood up from being seated, she then walked over to the door to greet her employer.

A sad smile formed on Avi's lips after hearing those words. "Tama, buti pa si mommy gumagawa talaga ng oras para sa akin." She quietly said to herself, setting the bowl of popcorn down on the coffee table.

Manang Lydia opens the door and shock had claimed her expression once she caught a glimpse of the person who arrived.

"Sir Ali! Hindi naman po kayo nagsabi na uuwi kayo, hindi pa po ako nakakapagluto."

Agad na tumayo si Avi mula sa pagkakaupo niya. She wanted to confirm if her dad was really here, and she was never betrayed. Her dad stood in the middle of the foyer wearing a blue polo shirt and denim pants with a belt for security. A smile broke on her dad's lips the moment their eyes met.

"Dad." Avi could not understand herself, she was supposed to be happy that her dad is here, but her gut was telling her not to be. "You're home..."

"Hi Avi, how are you?" Ali went to his daughter, capturing her into a hug and giving the crown of her head a kiss.

"I'm okay, how about you?"

"I'm okay too," Ali smiles, turning to face Manang Lydia. "Okay lang kung wala kayong nahandang pagkain, hindi naman ako magtatagal. Pumunta lang ako dito kasi may kukunin ako sa opisina. Aalis rin naman ako agad."

"Ay ako na po ang kukuha, Sir. Dito nalang po kayo maghintay kasama si Avi, ano po ba 'yun?"

"Yung red envelope lang sa drawer ko Manang, salamat po." Ali gave Manang Lydia a smile, watching her walk away to head into his and Veronica's home office. He was left with Avi who was glaring at him, seeing the look of his daughter made him gulp. "Bakit naman gan'yan ka tumingin anak?"

"Nagtatanong ka pa talaga?" Avi scoffs as she rolls her eyes. "Bihira ka na nga lang umuwi dito tapos ngayong umuwi ka sasaglit ka lang tapos aalis ka uli?"

"Avi, we talked about this diba? May trabaho ako—"

"Si mommy rin may trabaho pero nagagawa niya kong bigyan ng oras. Pareho lang naman kayong busy ah, bakit ikaw di mo magawa?" Avi was very annoyed and she had to show the obvious. She hates comparison but she has no choice but to do this to her very own father.

"Bumabawi naman ako sa'yo kapag may oras ako diba? Alam kong naiinis ka at nagagalit ka kasi lagi akong wala pero your mom and I have different jobs. Mine requires too much time unlike hers." Ali was mad,  but he was trying to control his temper. Ayaw niyang magbitaw ng salita o di kaya magtaas manlang ng boses kasi alam niyang mas masasaktan ang anak niya. "I promise you, this is just temporarily. Your Tita Reg just needs me now—"

Avi gritted her teeth hard and if it were only possible her gums and teeth would probably bleed. "I need you too dad! Hindi mo ba naiisip na kailangan ka ng anak mo? Alam mo ba na I'm currently having problems? Syempre hindi, kasi wala ka naman dito!" She threw her hands up in the air, her voice sounding louder.

"Avrielle," Ali tried to reach her but instead she dodged her dad's hands away.

Her annoyance was just the start. Avi felt a fire flick inside her. Her mind was no longer thinking, it was too cloudy that all she could see was her bursting rage. Avrielle had enough of this bullshit. Hindi na siya makapag-isip ng maayos, all she wanted was to explode right in front of her dad and give him a peace of her mind.

"I'm so sick of you always doing this!" Balling her hands into a fist, gritting her teeth even harder and giving her dad a look as sharp as a knife's edge, Avi has finally exploded. She could not control herself anymore. "Naiisip mo rin bang may pamilya ka everytime you go to Tita Reg? Yung totoo dad? Kabit mo ba siya or it's the other way around?!"

"Hindi ko siya kabit at hindi niya ako kabit, friends lang kami Avi. Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa'yo 'yan."

"You can't blame me for thinking that way! Palagi kayong magkasama tapos you're barely even home. What would one think? Ni ayaw mo ngang ipakilala sa akin 'yung tita ko who spoils me a lot. Hindi ko na alam kung ano pang iisipin ko."

"Alam kong naguguluhan ka Avi, but I assure you when the time comes I will tell you everything. Ginagawa ko 'to para sa'yo."

"Ang gusto ko lang gawin mo, mag-stay ka naman dito. I'm so tired of always waiting for you to be home!" She screamed unintentionally and it echoed through the vast room na siguro pati kapitbahay nila ay naririnig na siya ngayon. "Ang hirap mong kausapin, you can't be contacted through phone, it's either you're busy, ang dami mo laging rason!" Avi started to rant at her father. Lahat ng sama ng loob niya dito ay unti-unti niyang inilalabas.

Ali remained standing as her hears his daughter's rants. It was the right thing to do. Kailangan niyang makinig sa saloobin ni Avi to understand her better and not invalidate her feelings kahit pa masakit na ang sinasabi nito sa kanya. Even though Avrielle was mad, she still manages to be respectful because she was still talking to her own father.

"Sawang-sawa na ko, pagod na pagod na kong maging pulubi para sa oras at atensyon mo!" Avrielle felt her chest lifting a ton of weight with the words she just dropped. Parang nabunutan siya ng tinik sa malaki ngunit may natitira pa ring konti.

She stared at her dad whose eyes looked glistening. Now she felt guilty, nasaktan niya ba ito sa mga sinabi niya? Should she say sorry? Her thinking went interrupted once she heard the sound of hard plastic dropping. Looking at her right side, she sees Manang Lydia standing like a statue, hands lifted midway with her mouth gaped open as she stares forward. Nahulog niya pala ang envelope na pinapakuha ng daddy niya.

Although there was something wrong about Manang Lydia's expression, she was shocked, but too much shocked like she saw a ghost. Avi became worried, the woman must've witness their arguing earlier. Opening her mouth, the girl attempted to say something but she stopped as she peripheral vision catches a figure of a person. An unexpected visitor?

Slowly turning her head, she saw her dad now looking at the doorway with a worried look, she brushed the glance away from her dad towards their doorway where a woman was leaning against the doorway.

She wore a white long sleeved dress with a slight v-neck opening on the chest and she partnered it with a black belt on her waist. A small black sling bag was lazily hanging on she shoulder and she wore a large black brimmed hat that was obstructing a part of her face but despite that she was still seeable, her hair was brown with balayage highlights and it was tied in a low bun using a black ribbon. The woman was quiet, rather observing them for a moment then red luscious lips broke into a smile. The next thing she did was to remove her hat so that they could all see her face clearly.

Avi felt like she was dreaming. Could it really be?

"So... this is my niece now?" The woman utters in a smooth silky and gentle voice that sounded sweet. She plants a gaze on Avi, her hazel eyes twinkling against the light of the room.

Avi couldn't stay distracted anymore. Did she heard that right? "Teka lang, niece?" She looked at her dad who hesitatingly nodded at her question.

"Holy fuck!" Was what Avi wanted to say. Hindi pwede. Hindi talaga pwede na ang babaeng 'to ang tita niya? There is no fucking way.

"Tita Reg?" Her voice was small, unsure if she even said the right words.

Tumawa ang babae ng mahina at tumango and at that exact moment Avi felt her blood run cold. This has got to be a joke. It can't be.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Avi." The woman mustered the sweetest smile she could.

"Jusko." Manang Lydia breathes shakily as she returned to her sanity. "Totoo ba 'tong naririnig ko? Tita mo si Valeria Valentin?"

No. That can't be right. It was too impossible. Hindi niya Tita ang isang Valeria Valentin.