Rob's POV

Mabilis na bumaba si Jun sa motor nya at pinaghiwalay kami ni Sorriente.

"Ano ba kayo?!" Singhal nito na pumagitna sa amin. "Para kayong tanga!"

"He started it!" Duro sa akin ni Caloy.

Tiningnan ako ni Juno ng masama.

Tang ina lang! Talagang kakampihan nya ang sinungaling na ito?! I mean, sinungaling dahil kini-claim nito na sya si Mr. Cookie.

Okay, fine! I did start it! Sobrang badtrip ko lang talaga. Ilang araw na akong nagtitimpi mula nung magsimula itong pumapel kay Juno at nasa US ako.

Hindi lang ako makapalag dahil nangako ako kay Jun na bibigyan ko sya ng space.

Lalo na nung i-report sa akin ni Jack ang tungkol sa video na pinasa ni Caloy kay Dianne.

Yes, I had Juno under surveillance after I promised that space. I did not want to be kept in the dark while I was away.

It's Carlito Sorriente we're talking about here. A threat!

He already got Juno back in his car. Though, according to the video call recording Jack provided, Juno and Caloy had some sort of reunion with their group in Palawan.

Yet, I wasn't really comfortable about it. The way the guys from Palawan talked, there was a silent hope in them na magkakaayos ang dalawa. Just worried that Caloy would make Juno cry again.

And when I watched the video like four times, mukhang galing sa pag-iyak si Juno. Nag-usap nga daw kasi sila ng asshole na yun.

Medyo nakahinga lang ako ng maluwag nung itanggi ni Jun na sila na, bagaman kinumpirma naman ni gago.

Negative times positive is still negative. I held on to that. Walang sila. Nag-a-assume lang ang gago. I wonder why.

Hindi ako nakatulog ng maayos ng ilang gabi kakaisip kung ano ang pinag-usapan nila nung gabing yun.

Sabi ni Jack, they went somewhere south of Metro Manila. A seaside cliff.

Kating-kati na akong umuwi sa Pilipinas nung araw na kumalat ang balita na nagpakilala na si Mr. Cookie.

Tapos he was flaunting himself as Mr. Cookie the next days by bringing flowers and cookies to Juno, both in Charleston and RC.

But I started doubting him as Mr. Cookie when I learned about that scandalous video. Reason I dug deeper into the Quimbo family.

At muntik na nga akong umuwi when that asshole made his presence known attending the semis basketball game ng Tri-U invitational league.

He's really out now in the open courting Juno. Though some were still wondering about me, his name is becoming more attached to my girl, because people believed him as Mr. Cookie. Malaking hatak yun para sa kanya.

No, I won't let it! He ain't getting my girl!

YES! MY GIRL!

TANGNA! MAGKAMATAYAN NA KAMI! DI KO BASTA ISUSUKO SI JUN!

Ngayong sigurado na ako na hindi sya si Mr. Cookie, parang alam ko na kung sino.

I was just puzzled why Juno was not saying anything to contradict the claim.

I knew she is aware of it. The cookie itself speaks of it.

Marahas na bumuga ng hangin si Jun, "Pwede wag sa trabaho ko?"

Napatiim ang bagang ko. "Why, Jun?"

"Ano'ng 'why'?" she asked back.

"Why were you riding on this pretense that he's Mr. Cookie? Alam mong hindi!"

Gumuhit ang pigil na kirot sa mukha nya. May kumislap sa mata nya. Timping luha?

Naguluhan ako. Kahit si Caloy, nakita ko'ng napaisip sa reaksyon ni Jun.

What the fuck is going on?!

"Kaunti na lang...kayong dalawa..." nanginig ang boses nya. "Magbibigti na 'ko sa harap nyo."

Natigilan ako sa sinabi nya. Napansin ko rin na pati si Caloy. Kasi seryoso at tila depress ang pagkakasabi ni Jun.

Inayos na nito ang helmet sa pagkaka-lock kay Augie.

Hindi kami nakakibo pareho ni Caloy. Nung nagkatinginan kami, nagkaroon kami ng tahimik na pagkakasundo.

Not a good time to stress Jun or else she'd go ballistic. Worse, baka totohanin na nito ang banta.

"Give me that!" Caloy hissed, snatching the cookie box from my hand.

Tumikhim ito nung maglalakd na si Jun papasok sa RC, "Jun..."

Lumingon ito. Tila pagod ang ekspresyon sa mukha.

Inabot ni Caloy ang bulaklak, "For you. Uhm... I have to go early. May laban kami."

Tumango si Jun kasabay ng paglamlam ng mata. Not good!

"Sige, salamat," simple nyang sabi at nagpahabol. "Ahm, Caloy... pakigasgasan ang stat nya, please."

"I will," he smiled sweetly at her.

Sarap burahin ng mukha ng gago.

"Ingat. Break a leg."

He beamed. There is something about that simple request and cheer.

Not good!

"Thanks, babe! Una na 'ko. Bye!"

Babe my ass!

Di naman ito nagtangkang lumapit kay Juno.

My agent, who was following Juno, said the same. He'd only wave like a stupid teenage boy na nagpapa-cute! Katulad ngayon.

Yuck!

I couldn't help but smirked when Caloy honked once before maneuvering out of the parking area.

Both Juno and I watched him leave.

Tapos tahimik kaming nagkatinginan nung di na tanaw ang kotse nito.

Sya ang di nakatagal. Tumingin sa sneakers nya at awkward na sumipa-sipa sa lupa matapos itago sa likod nya yung bigay ni Caloy.

May ilang Segundo kaming ganun. Yung ilang papasok sa RC, napapatingin na nga sa amin.

Di ako nakatiis. Hinila ko si Juno papunta sa kabilang gilid ng RC. Nagulat man, napasunod na lang ito.

"Rob...? Ano'ng—"

Nung wala nang makakakita sa amin, I hugged her. Tight!

"I miss you, Jun...so damn much!" padaing kong bulong.

Her tensed body started to relax. But she wasn't hugging back.

Her hands were occupied by the flowers and cookie box. So, I snaked my hands down to them and took those away from her grasped.

I dropped the gifts on the ground.

Napamata sa akin si Jun. Looking at me with accusation.

But I didn't care.

"Hug me, please," marahan kong pakiusap nung yakapin ko uli sya.

I felt her sigh and her arms slowly wrapped around my back.

"Musta ka na?" Mahina at malumanay nyang tanong.

Di ako sumagot. Sapat na sa akin na marinig kong kinamusta nya ako.

Mas gusto kong ikulong lang sya sa bisig ko at langhapin ang amoy nya. Miss na miss ko ang lahat sa kanya.

Lalo kong ibinaon ang mukha ko sa leeg nya.

"Maw...?"

Napangiti ako.

Maw...

"Eto, miss kita. Sobra."

"Tinagalog mo lang sinabi mo kanina."

I chuckled. "I get lost for words when you're wrapped in my arms, babe."

Natahimik sya.

"Please... no 'babe' calling, Rob."

I let go of the hug and looked at her in the eyes. Umiwas sya ng tingin.

"Why? Is it exclusive to him now?" Parang di ko kayang huminga habang hinihintay ko ang sagot nya.

"Hindi. Pareho lang ang sinabi ko sa kanya."

"Why then?"

Huminga sya ng malalim tapos tumingin sa balikat ko, "Pag tinawag nya akong ganun, naalala kita... ganun din kapag tinawag mo 'kong ganun. Naalala ko sya."

"But he still keeps on calling you that. I heard him."

"Nakakapagod magsaway," nagkibit sya ng balikat. "Baka ma-late na 'ko."

Nung akma nyang dadamputin ang nilaglag kong bulaklak at cookie box, "Jun, please... don't."

"They're mine, Rob. Tinanggap ko ang mga ito. Kung sakaling may ibigay ka sa akin na tinanggap ko tapos hilingin sa akin ni Caloy na itapon ko, iuuwi ko pa rin. Marunong akong mag-appreciate ng matinong effort. In the first place, I am not officially attached to any of you."

Hindi ako nakakibo. May punto sya. Masakit na punto. Mahirap lunukin kasi mapait. Mapait na katotohanan.

I should have asked her before to make us official. The moment we first did it.

I was so fucking confident that I can keep her... since I had her first.

That was normally the case. You get a virgin and they get clingy. Kaya nga iwas na iwas ako dati.

She was the only exception I made.

But I forgot.

She's Juno dela Cruz. She's different from the rest.

Juno ticks like a bomb. She's the only one who controls the detonator. Thus, making her unpredictable.

I'll try my best to become her bomb expert. So, I'd try to understand how she thinks...so I can control her.

Hinayaan ko nang kunin nya ang mga bigay ni Caloy, kahit mabigat sa pakiramdam ko.

And in those seconds, she just made me feel I have no right to kiss her anymore like before.

I had this awkward feeling to wrap my arm around her shoulder as I escorted her to the employees' entrance sa likod ng RC.

Tinanguan ako nung mga staff na nakatambay sa likod na nagyoyosi o simpleng nagkukwentuhan dun.

Tsaka ako bumalik sa harap para pumasok sa main door ng bar.

"Musta kayo dito?" simple kong tanong kina Eric.

"Ayos lang, boss," sagot nito. Tapos tumikhim, "Andito lagi yung Caloy tuwing may pasok si Jun. Walang palya. Sya na mismo nag-aabot ng bulaklak at cookies. Tulad kaninang inabutan nyo."

Tumango lang ako. Alam kong nakita nya ang hamagan namin sa parking lot kanina bago dumating si Jun.

Pinahinto ko kasi itong mag-report muna sa akin. Baka magtanong si Juno sa mga ito. Gusto kong isipin nito na talagang binibigyan ko sya ng space. So I had my info gathering at secret.

Sa bartender counter ako naupo uli.

Kapansin-pansin ang pagkailang ng mga kasama ni Juno sa akin. Alam kong kalat na rin sa kanila ang balita na hindi talaga kami ni Juno. Na palabas lang ang lahat. Hindi nila siguro malaman kung paano ako ia-approach o kakausapin. Dati kasi hayagan nila kaming tinutukso. Kaso, dahil sa nangyari, at ang broadcasted na panliligaw ni Caloy slash 'Mr. Cookie' sa pagkakaalam nila, eto na nga.

Tsk!

I stayed and watched Jun do her job.

Medyo napapangiwi na lang ako kapag may nakikita akong mga guests nila, lalo na yung mga lalaki, na sinusundan ito ng tingin.

Naalala ko na naman habang pinanonood ko ang FB live feed ng isa sa mga kaibigan ni Paul nung lumaban si Juno ng Best Muse.

I was absolutely sure she was going to bag the title.

Even my brother who got to watch the video said so. Naabutan ako nitong pinapanood yun sa back porch ng bahay nila sa Washington D.C. around five in the morning. I took out my laptop that time. I want to watch her compete sa mas malaking screen sana sa theatre room. But I want the ambiance at the back porch. There were trees and fog. It reminded me of the east woods sa resort ni Reid sa El Nido.

"Hey, you're early," bati nito. "Ano yang pinapanood mo ... wait! I know that emblem!"

"Yeah, that's Charleston U's," sabi ko.

Sa PMMA kasi ito nag-aral.

"Ano'ng meron?"

"Yung yearly tri-U invitational na basketball league."

Tumaas saglit ang kilay nito, "You're not a basketball fan, bro."

"Just..." Shit! Nahihiya ako!

Mayabang kasi ako sa mga ito na hindi ako maghahabol sa babae gaya ng ginawa ko kay Tamara. Napanindigan ko iyun ng mga nakaraang taon. Pero eto ako ngayon, stalking a girl. Mas malala pa nung kay Tamara.

"Is your girl there?"

Napatingin ako dito.

Nagkabit ito ng balikat na may pigil na panunukso sa labi, "Mom and dad... you know."

"What did they tell you, Kuya Bert?" Junior ito ni Dad. "Wait... si Kuya Rams?"

"Of course, the whole family knows. Si Mommy pa! Sobrang excited nga. She told us how your girl beat up some guys to defend you."

Napakamot na lang ako sa ulo. "Tsk!" 

Nakakahiya!

"She told us. You asked her to cook for you and your girl twice. Juno, right?"

"Ssshh!" saway ko. "It's starting."

It was the introduction of the teams and their muses.

Nakita ko na natatawa si Kuya Bert, "Ano ba yan? Talagang naka-heels ng ganun kataas? Where's your girl?"

"They're just about to call the Charleston team," sabi ko.

Napasimangot ako nung makita ko si Jun. Suot nito ang jersey jacket ng Charleston Thunderstorm. Halos di ko makita ng suot nitong short.

Ibabalibag ko talaga ang laptop ko kung naka-bikini lang itong si Juno!

"Petite huh?"

"Uhuh."

Halata ang malaking height difference nya sa muse ng kalabang universities.

"But... I like her legs, li'l bro. Creamy and flawless."

"Stop ogling or I'll break your nose," I hissed.

Tumawa ito, "Hey, chill! I'm always loyal to my wife. I just appreciate what beautiful is."

Di na ako kumibo.

"She's still in her jacket. Is that all she got? Yung mga kalaban nya, bigay na bigay na, di pa man contest proper."

"Kuya, ang ingay mo!" Naiinis ko nang sabi. "Mabuti nga kung ganyan na lang sya. She's actually scaring me now. All covered and that. She always has a lot under her sleeves."

"Really?" Naupo na talaga ito sa tabi ko."Now, I'm curious."

And I was right. Pareho kaming napatanga ni Kuya matapos sumigaw ni Troy ng ilabas ang alas.

"Tang ina!" Napamura ako.

"Whoa! Fuck!" Humalakhak si Kuya Bert. "I like her, dude! I like her!"

"Shut up!" Asar na asar kong sabi. "Wag ka na nga dito. Isusumbong na kita sa asawa mo eh!"

"Damn! I mean, I like her for you, asshole! I was actually looking at your facial reaction after she took her jacket off. It was fucking epic! Even Tamara couldn't make you do that face!" Tawa ito ng tawa.

Oo, talagang mapapamura ang kahit na sinong lalaki na makakanood nung hubarin ni Jun ang jacket nya. Lalo na nung rumampa ito.

I felt Pikachu is waking up! Damn that woman and her costume!

Kaunti na lang eh guguho ang gym sa ingay ng mga nanonood sa kanya.

Grabe ang cheer nina Troy kay Jun. May mga banner at placards pa.

"Are those her fans? Is she a celebrity?"

"No. Those are her friends."

Di ko sinasabi sa kanila ang involvement nito sa drag racing community. I respect her secret.

Pareho kaming natawa ni Kuya at napapalakpak pa nung ipakilala ni Juno ang sarili.

"Damn, Rob! Give her the ring! I tell you!"

That's a good idea, pero sabay ring nakaramdam ako ng lungkot.

Nawaglit lang uli yun nung tapusin ni Jun ang pagpapakilala sa pagbabanta sa mga players ng Charleston at mga kalabang koponan.

"She's indeed crazy! Tama pala yung kwento mo kina Mommy!" sabi pa ni Kuya nung damputin ni Juno ang jacket nya na tila nang-aakit pa rin eh tapos na yung contest.

Tsk!

I felt relieved that Juno put her jacket on when she received the award as the best muse until I guess the remaining of the game.

"Are you not going to message her?"

"Later. Baka di nya rin masagot ang phone nya," palusot ko na lang.

Gustung-gusto ko syang tawagan actually. But I already promised. I'll give her the two weeks as space.

Badtrip lang na kinabukasan, kumalat ang balita na nagpakilala na si Mr. Cookie... at si Caloy daw.

And he has been very visible in the scene every day after that. Parang ito pa nga ang unofficial escort ni Juno nung dumating ang semis game last week.

Base iyun sa mga social media ng drag racing community at pati ng tatlong universities na kasali sa invitational league.

Kung hindi lang talaga ako nakapangako kay Juno, at tapos na yung pina-iimbestigahan ni Kuya sa akin na kaso ng isang kaibigan nya, uuwi na talaga ako ng Pilipinas.

Medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag nung after ng break ni Juno, sa bartending sya ilagay. Maliban sa iwas na sa paglapit sa mga table ng mga guests, ayan at nasa harap ko lang sya habang nagmi-mix ng drinks o naghahanda ng mga beer na order.

"Wag mo nga ako titigan," saway nito na nakairap. "Naiilang ako."

"Tss. We did more than staring, babe," sabi ko.

Kita ko ang pamumula nito dahil mas maliwanag sa bartender's counter.

"Pak yu!"

"Don't worry. Later, we will," kaswal kong sabi tapos tinungga ko yung bote ng Budweiser.

Sinamaan na ako ng tingin pero mas mapula na ang mukha nito.

"Tado ka, Rob!" She hissed. "Ang bibig mo! Susungalngalin kita ng bote ng tequila!"

Natawa ako.

This is one of the things I missed about her. The smart mouthing.

We had some time to chat in between her preparing drinks. Light talk, like my stay in the US and her school.

We even touched on her Best Muse award.

"Talaga? Napanood mo?" I saw sparkle in her eyes sa saglit nyang pagtingin sa akin habang naghahanda ng inumin.

"Of course! I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Pa'no? Umuwi ka ba ng Pinas ng patago?" Pabiro nyang sabi.

"No, FB live."

"Aahh...E bakit parang nakangiwi ka?" Silip nya saglit sa mukha ko.

I tapped my fingers on the counter habang nakapangalumbaba, "Your costume."

"Bakit? Ayos naman ah. Ako pumili ng design nun. I made sure na sexy pero di bastusin. Yung ilalabas lang ang dapat ilabas."

Lalo akong napangiwi, "Well, it was more than ok."

"Meaning?"

"It was teasingly sexy. Lalong nakakaakit."

Sya naman ang ngumiwi. "Yung nga ang point kaya ganun pinagawa ko. Kasi yun ang objective nung competition. Maging attractive. Kahit ayoko sa ganung klaseng competition pero kapag naka-oo na 'ko, I make sure that I excel. Mediocrity in competitions is equivalent to losing."

Napasimangot na 'ko, "Can you just do that kung ako lang ang nakatingin?"

Inirapan ako nito. "Tigilan mo 'ko, Agoncillo."

Di na ako kumontra. May punto sya. That attitude made her to her spot in the drag racing community and that basketball muse contest. Count her black belt in Krav Maga and other discipline. I heard that she's also doing good in Kendo.

Mabuti at wala si Peralta. Bawas sa kabwisitan.

At nasagot ang tanong na iyon nang mabanggit ko ito kay Jun nung papunta na kami sa parking after ng duty nya.

"Good that Peralta isn't here tonight."

"May laban yun ngayon."

A bad thought just entered my head but before I could ask, may sasakyang mabilis na pumarada sa tapat namin.

We had to cover our eyes dahil nasilaw kami sa headlight nun.

I heard its door open. Who ever this asshole driver is, he's an idiot for not turning his light off before getting out of his damn car.

"You're still here," I heard him say.

I immediately recognized the voice. Asshole nga.

"So what?" sagot ko pabalik.

I saw his silhouette come towards us. To Juno in particular.

At tila nakasanayan ko na, inakbayan ko agad ito.

I felt her shoulders stiffen, and Caloy's sharp eyes on me.

Yet I kept where my hands are. Hinapit ko pa nga si Juno sa akin.

Narinig ko pa ang bahagya nyang pagsinghap.

Pagsinghap na parang karayom sa puso ko.

Tang ina!

The signs are there!

Not so good!

"It's done! He got his first lost. I won," sabi ni Caloy na nakatingin na ngayon ng diretso kay Juno habang nakangiti.

Her tensed lips broke into a smile, "Salamat."

Tiningnan ako saglit ni Caloy tapos binalik ang mata kay Juno, "Alis na 'ko. Babalik ako sa tropa para sa celeb party. I just came to tell you personally."

Tumango si Jun, "Ok, ingat."

I saw how his eyes sparkle at those two words.

Tumalikod na ito.

Nung wala na uli ang kotse nito sa paningin namin, "What was that, Jun?"

Tumikhim ito bago sumagot, "Nakalaban nya sa karera si Louie."

Yun lang. Alam ko na ang ibig sabihin.

I felt like I just lost one of my battle rounds with Caloy.

So yun pala ang ibig sabihin kanina ni Jun na gasgasan ang stat. She asked Caloy to do it for her.

Fuck!

"W-why?" I stuttered. Damn!

Binitawan ko na ang balikat nya nung makalapit kami kay Augie.

"Ano'ng 'why'?" Takang lingon nya sa akin nung inaayos na nya ang helmet.

"Why did you ask him that?"

"Para mabawasan ang kayabangan nung animales na yun. Akala mo kung sino. Pulpol naman magmaneho."

"Why not ask me?"

Napatingin ito sa akin na parang natangahan sa tanong ko, "Nasa drag racing scene ka ba, Rob?"

Oo nga. Ang tanga ng tanong ko.

But, "I can. If you ask me to, I'll do it."

"Akala ko ba ayaw mo sa ganun? Di ba kinontra mo nga ako dati nung sabihin kong lalaban ako dati sa Olongapo?"

Sumakay na sya sa motor, "Isa pa, nasa side ka ng batas. Kontra iyon sa purpose ng kumpanya mo at personal mong prinsipyo. Hindi, Rob. Hindi ako hihiling ng isang bagay sa iyo na sisira ng respeto mo sa sarili."

I don't know if she was trying to console me or what but it didn't help. I felt down that moment.

Nahalata nya siguro. She cupped my face with her palm, "Maw, don't feel bad about it. Karera yun. Objective ng bawat driver ang manalo."

"I know. But you just gave him more inspiration to win. And more reason to hope. And reason for me to feel bad about it."

"You're wrong. You're just misguided, Rob," sabi nya. "Gusto mo mag-late dinner sa duplex?"

That made me smile,"Of course."

Sumunod ako sa kanya. Kahit ang sakit sa mata nung bulaklak na nakikita ko sa backpack nya. Nakasuksok yun sa bag nya. Labas pa nga yung dulo sa zipper. I bet the cookies are in her bag, too.

May dala pala itong pagkain galing a RC.

I helped clearing the table as she washed the dishes after we ate.

Then, nakita ko na itinabi nito yung cookies sa isang transparent cookie jar.

May apat pang laman yun pero inilalim nya yung natanggap nya ngayon.

"You really eat those?"

Tumango sya.

"They're not that tasty as what the real Mr. Cookie bakes," I said matter-of-factly.

Nagkibit ito ng balikat, "Sayang. Laman tyan din. Isa pa, he spent a lot of effort. Walang alam sa pagluluto si Caloy. Nakakahiyang itapon. Tinanggap ko nga di ba?"

"Bakit di mo ipamigay?"

"Tapos pipintasan ng pagbibigyan ko?" Umiling si Juno. "No way!"

"If I bake or cook something for you—"

"Kakainin ko, Rob," sansala nya. Nagkaroon ng pigil na iritasyon sa mukha nito. "Don't make it a competition between you two, or a test for me. Tiniruan kami ng mga magulang naming magpahalaga sa pagkain. At sa effort na nilaan ng nagluto para ihanda ang pagkain sa amin. Basta tinanggap namin, kahit anong lasa nyan, kakainin namin ni Ate Andie. O kahit binili at binigay lang. Ang importante, naalala kami. Marunong kaming mag-appreciate. Tandaan mo yan, Rob. Naiinsulto ako sa mga sinasabi mo."

That made me really shut my mouth. Napahiya ako sa sarili ko.

"Matutulog na 'ko. Ikaw?" sabi nya.

Nag-alangan ako bigla. Yung inipon kong kumpiyansa, biglang nabawasan.

"Pwedeng makitulog?"

Di sya kumibo. Basta umakyat na lang.

Nagtalo tuloy ang loob ko nung mag-isa na lang ako sa sala.

Pero, eto na. I need to grab all the chance I have.

And they said, silence means yes.

Pag-akyat ko, nasalubong ko pa si Juno na papalabas sa banyo sa second floor. Katatapos lang nitong mag-shower.

As usual, nakamalaking tshirt na manipis at may balot na tuwalya sa ulo.

"May extra towel ba sa loob?" tanong ko, nakaturo sa banyo.

Walang kibo nitong inalis ang tuwalya sa ulo nya at inabot sa akin tapos dumiretso sa kuwarto nya.

Lihim akong napangiti then I took a quick shower.

Pagpasok ko sa kuwarto nya, nagbo-blower ito ng buhok.

"Andun yung damit mo," turo nya sa isang solo chest drawer. "Itinupi ko na. Ang sakit sa mata nung bag mong pakalat-kalat sa kuwarto ko."

My heart was screaming with joy when she said that.

This is something Caloy won't have and I won't allow to have.

A place in her room and on her bed. This is my ace.

But I try not to show it. Gusto kong iparamdam kay Jun na natural na namin itong set up.

"How about my bag?"

"Bakit, mag-eempake ka na?"

"Hell, no!" bigla kong nasabi. "What's wrong with my question?"

Umirap ito tapos may itinurong cabinet. "Sa ibaba nyan. Lalagyan ng mga bags ko yan."

"Alright."

That's good. We're sharing our stuff in one cabinet.

Well, at least the bag. Yung damit ko kasi, nakahiwalay.

"Tss."

Narinig kong sabi nya nung alisin ko ang towel sa bewang ko at magsuot ng boxers.

Nangingiti tuloy ako.

"Jun...?" tawag ko dito nung nakahiga na kami.

"Hhmm...?"

"Harap ka naman dito. Dalawang linggo mo nang yakap yang stuffed toy  pikachu na yan eh. Eto naman ako, buhay na pikachu mo," tukso ko dito.

Di kasi ako makuntento nung kakaamoy lang sa batok nito at nakayakap ako sa bewang nya.

"Agoncillo, yang kaanuhan mo ha?" mahina nitong singhal.

I chuckled, "Sige na," kulit ko pa.

"Tsk!" Inis na palatak nito pero humarap naman.

Inakap ko agad sa dibdib ko. Di na ito nagreklamo na umunan sa braso ko.

"Jun...?"

"Hhmm?"

"May itatanong sana ako. Kaya lang baka magalit ka."

"Ano yun?"

"Promise first you won't get mad."

"Sige. Ano 'yun?"

Tumikhim ako, "Bakit... bakit di mo itinama ang totoo tungkol kay Mr. Cookie?"

Hindi sya nakaimik agad. And her silence scared me.

And her answer really did send fear to my heart.

"Hindi na kakayanin ni Caloy sa pangalawang pagkakataon na ganunin uli sya ni D... ni Anne."

"Anne? Yung ex nya? Ano'ng –"

"Oo, yung ex nya si Mr. Cookie. Hindi ko rin alam. Pareho kaming nagulat ni Caloy."

Doon nya kinuwento ang totoong nangyari. Na pati sina Paul at Troy, ang alam eh si Caloy nga si Mr. Cookie.

She told me everything without any emotion, not because she doesn't feel anything about it... but because she is already drained.

Na tila inubos na nang sitwasyong ang kakayahan nyang makaramdam.

Kaya pala naghatid ng kilabot sa akin, ganun din kay Caloy ang simpleng banta nito kanina na kaunti na lang ay magbibigti ito sa harap namin.

Parang piniga ang puso ko. 

She lied for him. And the way I see it, she is hurting, too! But just hiding it.

Fucking Sorriente!

But...why do I see it differently on Caloy's side?

Parang... hindi eh! Parang gusto nya talaga si Juno.

Mali. Hindi parang. Gusto nya talaga.

Nakita ko sa mga mata nya kung paano nya tingnan si Jun. He loves my girl.

That's why he sent that sex video to his ex so she won't talk.

That's why he took the place of Mr. Cookie, and he's making good use of it.

He had more reason for the public to accept him despite what he did to Juno in the past.

But Juno is thinking otherwise. She thought she is making a sacrifice to protect Caloy for another big blow on his ego and pride.

And she doesn't know anything about Caloy blackmailing Anne.

That was why Juno is confused. She doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know what would the end game be. 

She isn't the type who'd want to be an option. She also finds it unfair to pick the option. And I am the fucking option.

She thought we are on the same boat. The second choice.

She said it herself earlier. She doesn't like mediocrity as it equates to losing. And being an option is same as being a mediocre.

This is an opportunity for me. Another ace for me. I cannot let anyone know my observation and what information I have.

She is not an option for me. She's the only one. She's my choice. And I will make myself become the choice. Her choice.

And fucking Sorriente won't even become an option.

I will make her forget him for good!

I already have a space in her heart. I know it. I just need to occupy the whole of her heart and kick Sorriente out.

"Jun...?"

"Hhmm?"

"Sunday bukas. Magsisimba ba kayo ni Andie at Hope?"

"Hindi lumalabas si Ate sa condo. Ihahatid lang ni Singkit si Hopia kina Ate Sarah. Sa hapon, bonding kami mag-tiya."

"Pwedeng akin na lang muna time mo bukas? Simba tayo."

Di ito kumibo. Parang nag-iisip kung papayag.

"Sige na. Two weeks akong nawala. I ahm... I guess, I deserve some of your time since I kept my promise to give you space."

Huminga sya ng malalim, "Sige. Itatawag ko na lang kay Ate na di ko mapupuntahan si Hopia bukas."

YES!

"Jun...?"

"Oh?"

"Na-miss kita. Sobra."

"Sinabi mo na kanina sa RC yan. Sa English at Tagalog," simpleng pambabara nito.

I cupped her face she she can look into my eyes.

"Hindi mo ba ako na-miss?"

Ngumuso-nguso ito.

"N-na-miss din," Nagkibit-balikat ito. "Di ko nga pinalitan yung pundang gamit mo lagi dito."

"Bakit?"

Umiwas ng tingin.

In the dim light, I saw her blush a little.

"Jun?"

"Hhmm?"

"Bakit nga?"

Natawa ito ng parang nahihiya, "Wala lang. Ano kasi, nakadikit amoy mo dyan. Pampatulog ko kapag magulo utak ko."

That did it.

I scooped her nape and kissed her hard.

She stiffened.

It felt like she isn't familiar with my kiss anymore.

Fuck! It hurt, but I set it aside.

I touched and kissed her in every part I knew she'd be on fire.

I didn't stop until I made her respond like how she did before.

I almost cried in happiness when I became successful.

The sweetest sounds I heard in my life as of tonight were her moans, and her crying my name in passion and ecstasy as I make her reach climax multiple times.

We did it twice that evening. I poured all my seeds inside her.

I will make it a home court advantage like in basketball.

Home court in the sense that her womb will become my baby's home.

I will make her pregnant and ask Andie to tell Juno to marry me.

Juno won't say no to her sister.

Call it a shotgun wedding, I don't care anymore.

If she is telling me their parents' teachings and legacy, we also have ours.

No Agoncillo baby will ever be born illegitimate!

===============

Don't forget to comment and vote!