Their first monthsary was not quite what Celine expected. Instead of going to dinner or watching a movie, they redecorated his condo. Then, they went out to buy groceries. Kelvin told her that they're going to cook their dinner. Para raw tipid, because he knows how frugal she could be.

Matutuwa na sana siya kung hindi lang sa mamahaling grocery store sila pumunta. Kakaunti lang ang namimili roon at halos lahat ng tinda, imported. Para na silang mag-asawa kung umasta. Kelvin's left hand is on the push cart's handle. The other one's on her waist. Nakahawak ang dalawa niyang kamay sa handle. Hindi siya makakuha ng kahit ano mula sa shelves dahil hindi naman niya alam kung ano ang lulutuin. Saka mamahalin ang mga nandoon.

"Pwede namang sa hypermarket na lang tayo mamili," she told him.

"But it's too crowded there." He stopped and picked a large bottle of Nutella from the shelf. "I'll make you Nutella fudge brownies," he said with a smile.

"Mahal 'yan!"

She attempted to return the jar pero inilayo nito iyon sa kanya.

"Mas mahal kita so stop complaining."

That shut her up. He kept on piling expensive things on the cart pero hindi na lamang siya umimik. Nang magbabayad na sila, hindi man lang ito kumurap nang makita kung magkano ang lahat ng nabili nila. He simply gave the lady at the counter his card to pay for all the stuff.

--

She knew that he could turn heads wherever he goes. It was evident when they got out of the store. People, especially women, would look at him and sigh dreamily and then they would frown when their gazes land on her, as if she's the flaw to his perfection. It made her feel insecure again.

Dahil sa lalim ng iniisip niya, hindi niya namalayang napatigil na pala siya. Napatunghay na lamang siya when Kelvin tugged at her hand.

"Hey, why did you stop?"

Her gaze dropped to their intertwined hands. Kumalas siya sa pagkakahawak nito.

"Tulungan na kita." Itinuro niya ang mga dala nito. May hawak itong isang malaking paper bag tapos may bitbit pang isang malaking plastic. Siya naman ay isang maliit na plastic lamang ang bitbit sa isang kamay.

"Kaya ko na," sabi nito sa kanya. Kinuha nitong muli ang kamay niya. She pulled away again. "What's wrong?" he asked, frowning.

Umiling siya. "Wala."

Inilayo niya ang kamay nang akmang aabutin nito iyon.

"Celine..."

She forced a smile. "Tulungan na kasi kitang magdala."

"But I want to hold your hand."

"Huwag na kasi."

"Bakit ba? May problema ba?"

Tumabi siya dahil nakahaharang na sila sa daan. He then followed.

"Pinagtitinginan kasi tayo," sabi niya rito.

"So?"

"Hindi kasi tayo bagay. Mukha akong katulong mo."

Napamaang ito sa kanya. "Who told you that?"

"Wala. Naisip ko lang. Feeling ko gano'n ang iniisip nila kaya ang sama nilang makatingin sa 'kin."

"Sino?"

"Sila."

She motioned at no one in particular.

Napabuntong-hininga si Kelvin.

"They're probably just jealous."

"Kasi naman, hindi kapani-paniwalang pinatulan mo 'ko."

Mukhang nainis ito bigla sa sinabi niya. "Will you stop that? Stop thinking that you don't deserve me kasi nakakainsulto. Here I am, thinking that I'm so lucky to have you and yet you think so lowly of yourself."

She bit her lip. "Sorry."

He tilted her chin up. "I don't want to hear this from you ever again, okay? Promise me, Celine."

"Susubukan ko."

His face turned grim.

"Oo na. Sige na," she told him.

Agad itong ngumiti at saka yumuko para halikan siya sa pisngi. Saka nito kinuha ang kamay niya. They continued walking hand in hand and she tried her best to ignore the stares. Ikinapit pa niya ang kanang kamay sa braso nito, which made him beam.

"That's more like it," he said.

--

Agad na nagluto si Kelvin pagkabalik nila sa condo, but she made sure to taste the food para masiguradong may lasa iyon. Then, they set the table together and lighted candles. Candlelit dinner daw.

Pagkatapos kumain, magkatulong silang nagligpit ng pinagkainan at pinaglutuan, because he won't let her do the dishes alone. Saka sila nag-movie marathon.

She insisted on watching an animated movie so Kelvin made her agree na manunuod din sila ng horror. She found out why a little while later. Sinamantala nito ang pagiging matatakutin niya. In the end, wala silang naintindihan sa pangalawang movie dahil panay ang takip niya ng mata and he seems like he's more interested in kissing her hair.

It was a fun night though. And yes, they did sleep together. Literally. Magkatabi silang natulog pero wala namang nangyari. He's actually willing to wait until she's ready. Gusto lang talaga nitong kayakap siya pagtulog.

She wanted to sulk, because he's so sure about their future and she isn't. Alam niyang magagalit na naman ito kapag in-open niya iyong mga insecurities niya sa buhay. Na hindi sila bagay. Na hindi rin sila magtatagal. He'll be hurt because he's so sure about her.

So she simply listened to him talk about his future plans for the two of them until she drifted to sleep.

--

The next day was pretty much the same. Normal. Or at least, Kelvin tried to make it seem normal. Pilit siya nitong sinasanay na masanay sa ganoon. But she knows that being with him will take a lot of getting used to.

Inihatid siya nito bandang alas syete ng gabi para raw makapagpahinga pa siya bago pumasok. Before she could enter the house, he gave her a five-minute embrace first. It was awkward, considering they were outside, on the side of the road, with all the people passing by and giving them weird looks.

But Kelvin didn't care.

"First and last monthsary natin na nandito ka," he told her.

--

"Aalis ka na ba talaga?" Janelle asked her. Nasa condo sila ni Kelvin, sila-silang magkakaibigan, nagsi-celebrate ng birthday niya kahit dalawang araw pa bago ang mismong kaarawan niya. Isang linggo na lamang at babalik na siya sa Chicago. At halos araw-araw, may nagtatanong sa kanya kung talagang tutuloy pa ba siya.

"Hindi ko sigurado."

"Huwag na lang kasi. Malulungkot 'yan." Janelle pointed at Kelvin, who's busy entertaining their friends in the living room. Nang makita nitong nakatingin sila ay kumaway ito at nag-flying kiss sa kanya. Nabatukan ito ni Jake dahil sa kakornihan nito.

"Okay naman sa kanyang umalis ako, e."

"Sinasabi nya lang 'yon. No'ng unang alis mo, ilang buwan 'yang depressed. Hindi ka ba naaawa? Iiwanan mo na naman sya."

"Ja." She gave her friend a stern look. "Huwag mo nga akong kinukunsensya."

"E bakit ba kasi aalis ka pa? Ang ganda-ganda na ng buhay mo rito."

Bumuntong-hininga siya. "Gusto ko lang magising sa katotohanan."

"Ha?"

"Para kasing hindi totoo 'to," pag-amin niya. "Natatakot akong baka magising ako isang araw na hindi pala totoo 'tong mga nangyayari."

"Gaga. Sasampalin na lang kita para matauhan ka, you like?"

"Saka gusto kong magpayaman," dagdag niya, ignoring her friend's remark.

"Bakit? Mayaman naman na ang boyfriend mo."

"'Yon nga, e. Mayaman sya."

"Jusko, Celine! Hanggang ngayon ba naman, issue pa rin sa 'yo 'yan? Wala syang pakialam kung mas mahirap ka pa sa daga!"

"Pero ako, meron."

"Yang pride na 'yan ang sisira sa inyo. Seryoso."

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. Siguro nga pride iyon, pero hindi niya maatim na maging pabigat. Bakit ba kasi naging mayaman pa ito? Parang ang hirap-hirap tuloy nitong pantayan. Hindi na nga sila bagay physically, hindi pa sila bagay kahit sa mga estado nila sa buhay.

Ayaw niyang dumating ang panahon na maging sagutin pa nito ang buong angkan niya kapag nagkataon.

"Hey, how are you guys doing?" Biglang sumulpot si Kelvin mula sa kung saan at umakbay sa kanya. He looked at her and smiled. "Can I steal the celebrant now?"

"Mamaya na. nag-uusap pa kami," Janelle told him.

"About?"

"Sa 'yo. Kaya do'n ka na."

His grin widened. "Really? What about me?"

"Basta. Do'n ka na!"

"You'll tell me later, right?" he asked her. Tumango na lamang siya. She'll have to make a believable story for later. "Great!"

He kissed her cheek, but he didn't go away.

"Alis na nga!" pagtataboy dito ni Janelle.

"Makapagpaalis ka naman. Condo mo 'to?" taas-kilay nitong tanong sa kaibigan.

"Do'n ka na muna," sabi niya rito. Kelvin pouted. "Sige na. Susunod ako agad."

"Promise?"

She nodded. He kissed her again, on the lips this time. Then he went back to the living room. Nang makaalis ito, bumaling siyang muli kay Janelle na salubong na salubong ang kilay.

"Bakit?" tanong niya.

"Parang ayaw ka nang pakawalan, e."

"Hindi naman."

"Hindi raw. Hindi mo ba napapansin na parang simula noong maging kayo, dikit na dikit sya sa 'yo? Kung pwede nga lang itali nya ang sarili nya sa 'yo, gagawin nya, e."

"Ini-exaggerate mo lang, e."

Janelle shook her head. "Desperado na kasi 'yan. Biruin mo, after maging kayo, aalis ka rin agad. He's trying to cherish every moment, kasi alam nyang kapag nasa Chicago ka na, mag-iiba na naman kayo. Either magbabago sya o magbabago ka."

"Depende rin sa tao 'yon."

"Naaapektuhan ng sitwasyon ang tao," Janelle argued. "Just because he waited for you for two years doesn't mean that he'll do it again. Ayaw ka lang nyang pigilan dahil ayaw nyang maging selfish. Pero sa totoo lang, ikaw talaga ang selfish, e. He's giving you everything and all you have to do is take it. Malaking bagay na 'yon sa kanya. Masaya na sya sa gano'n. Huwag mong isiping kailangan mong tumbasan ang lahat ng 'yon kasi hindi naman sya humihingi ng kapalit. Just love him back, Celine. It'll be enough for him."

--

Kelvin's been dreading the last week of March since Celine came back. Sobrang iksi lang ng four months. Ni hindi pa masyadong nagsi-sink in sa kanya na sila ng dalawa, aalis na kaagad ito. He's not ready for it yet. Ayaw pa niya.

It's a good thing that Jace provided a great distraction.

His friend's still in denial, but he knew he was right. Nahuli niya ito minsang sinusundan ng tingin si MJ. But when he confronted Jace, ayaw nitong umamin. So he set up a plan to make him confess.

Nalaman niyang may nanliligaw kay MJ na empleyado mula sa katabing building. He doesn't want to ruin anyone's happiness, pero gusto rin niyang magkaroon ng tyansa ang kaibigan niya kahit umamin man lang. At kung wala talaga, then Jace will simply ignore it.

So, one night, he told MJ that they'll be meeting a client for a dinner meeting. He told MJ to go ahead dahil pupuntahan muna niya si Celine. It's a valid excuse anyway, because he really plans on seeing Celine that night. Magdi-dinner silang dalawa and then he'll give her his farewell give: stuffed koala bear.

MJ went to the place right after work. Nang wala na ito sa office, si Jace naman ang kinausap niya. Sinabi niyang sasagutin na nito ang manliligaw nito.

At first, Jace didn't react. Pero nang paalis na siya, bigla siya nitong hinabol at tinanong kung saang lugar pupunta si MJ. He readily told him where and had no chance to tease his friend dahil mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong nakaalis ito ng opisina.

He went to Celine's place with a huge smile on his face.

--

During their last weekend, Janelle invited Celine and Kelvin to her house to visit their godchild. Celine was more than excited. The koala bear that Kelvin gave her was cute and all, pero iba pa rin ang baby na may matabang pisngi. And Janelle's kid has really chubby cheeks.

Kelvin brought all sorts of presents for the baby before they head there. Regalo raw nilang dalawa.

Nang dumating sila sa bahay, nasa may pintuan na si Janelle, kalong-kalong si baby Martin. Tuwang-tuwa si Janelle nang may makitang may mga dala silang regalo para sa bata. Ibinaba nito si Martin sa manipis na baby mattress na may nakapatong na mga kumot at unan at pinabantayan sa kanilang dalawa habang abala naman ang mag-asawa sa paghahanda ng mamimeryenda.

Walang babysitter sina Janelle. Tuwing weekdays, nandoon ang nanay ni Marlon, kahalinhinan ang nanay ni Janelle, sa pagbabantay sa bata. But on weekends, they're on their own.

Martin crawled towards her, so she picked him up and made him stand on her lap. Tapos ay nilaro-laro naman ni Kelvin ang pisngi ng bata.

"Ang cute-cute nya," kumento niya.

Kelvin nodded, smiling. "Sana kasing-cute nya 'yong magiging baby natin."

Janelle overheard what he said. "For sure, cute din ang magiging baby nyo!" sabi nito mula sa kusina. "Basta kontrata ko na ha! Kapag baby girl 'yong inyo, reserved for Martin na!"

Kelvin laughed. "Sure!"

She frowned at Kelvin.

"What?"

She made Martin sit on her lap and gave him a toy to play with. "Wala," sagot niya kay Kelvin.

"Are you against arranged marriages?"

Umiling siya. That's not why she was frowning, but she didn't say anything.

"You're good at this," he told her. Lumapit ito at hinayaang kapitan ni Martin ang kamay nito. "I wish the next baby you'll hold is ours."

That made her blush. "Mauuna 'yong isa pang baby ni Ja," sabi na lamang niya.

"E di 'yong pangatlo."

"Tigilan mo nga ako."

He leaned closer and whispered, "How many babies do you want, Mrs. Aragonza?"

She didn't need to tell him how much she loved the sound of that. Her face said it all.

--

Naputol ang pakikipaglaro ni Celine kay Martin nang kunin ito sa kanya ni Marlon. Kelvin followed them outside, kung saan isinasalo ng dalawa ang bata sa ere. Inilayo niya si Janelle sa bintana dahil baka duguin ito kapag nakita ang pinaggagagawa ng dalawang lalaki sa bata.

It's not as dangerous as it sounds, but she knows how women, especially pregnant women, would react.

So she helped Janelle instead. Naglinis ito ng closet at inilagay sa kahon ang mga hindi na kailangan. Ibibigay na raw nito sa mga pinsan nito.

"Baka may gusto ka? Kumuha ka na lang," sabi nito sa kanya.

She made a face. "Ano'ng kukunin ko? Halter top? Cropped top? Tube dress?"

"Bakit? Desente pa rin naman, a!"

"Desente nga kaso parang 70% ng katawan ko ang kita."

"OA nito. Hindi naman!"

She was about to argue when they heard the baby cry from below. Dali-dali siyang bumaba dahil akala niya'y nalaglag na ang bata. Sinalubong siya ni Kelvin na hawak-hawak si Martin.

"I think he's hungry."

"Teka lang, kukuha ako ng gatas."

Kumuha si Janelle ng gatas sa fridge saka iyon iniinit ng bahagya. She said that it was her milk. Minsan kasi ay nilalabasan ito ng gatas kahit hindi naman gutom si Martin, kaya itinatabi na lamang nito iyon sandali hanggang sa magutom ang anak.

Kelvin took the bottle from Janelle and sat on the couch to feed Martin. Marlon turned the TV on to watch sports. Siya naman ay hinila si Janelle pabalik sa kusina.

"Bakit?" kunot-noo nitong tanong. "Naiiyak ka ba?"

She smiled. Nanlalabo na nga ang paningin niya dahil sa luha. There's this unexplainable feeling she felt earlier. It's not pain. It's something lighter, like flutters in her stomach.

"Celine, ano'ng problema mo?"

"Wala," sabi niya sabay iling. "Masaya lang ako."

"Ha? Tears of joy?" Tumuro ito sa mukha niya at bahagyang natawa. "Baliw ka rin, e. Bakit ka ba nagkakaganyan?"

She exhaled, and then looked back at Kelvin. Janelle followed her gaze.

"Alam ko na kung ano ang mas gusto ko kesa sa Chicago," she said, smiling.