R18. Please read at your own discretion.

********

"Love, take a rest."

I stood behind him. Kakatapos ko lang din ng mga gawain ko. I bent down to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Gahala looked up at me and smiled. His eyes, earlier so tired from reading, became calm after looking at my face.

"Massage?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Kung mahirap 1st year, mas mahirap second year. Ayoko na ata. Hirap ng LEGMA," he said with a frown while closing his eyes, feeling my massage on his head.

I rolled my eyes at him, "Ikaw lang yung nagrereklamong halos flat uno naman yung grades sa mga subjects."

He chuckled and lazily opened his eyes again to stare at me. He hummed, "It's because of you. I wanted to study hard so our future will be okay and we won't suffer financially. I wanted to give you a comfortable life when we're already married."

I stopped what I was doing and straddled him in the swivel chair. I dipped my head down to give him a quick kiss. I laughed a little when his ears turned red after I pulled away.

"What the hell. Ilang taon na tayo at nagawa na natin lahat-lahat pero kinikilig ka pa rin sa akin!" I teased, though I liked it.

He snorted, "Wala akong magagawa! Natural lang na reaksiyon iyon ng puso ko!"

"Hmm," I hummed with a smile while getting comfortable in his lap.

He inhaled a sharp air when I sat in a wrong place. "Huwag kang galaw nang galaw, nasasagi mo alaga ko diyan."

I hissed because of his blunt words, and he just laughed. I slapped him on the shoulder and rolled my eyes.

"Sabi sa 'yong huwag kang galaw nang galaw e, 'yan tuloy tumayo," he complained, holding my waist to help me sit properly.

I blushed when I saw a tent in his center. I realized I had been staring too long when he laughed.

He held my chin and raised it, causing my gaze to meet his eyes. I pouted when he smiled and flicked my forehead.

"Huwag mong tingnan, unting-unti ng kumakalma e."

"You know what? I think you have a sexual desire disorder." Sambit ko gamit ang panlalait na boses.

Lagi ba namang nagtitimpi kahit hindi ko naman siya tinitipid!

His lips parted a little because of what I'd said. He looked so hurt, but I couldn't take him seriously.

"Yung bibig mo, Amara, ha!" he immediately complained. "Anong sexual desire disorder ka diyan?! Nanginginig ka nga kapag binibilisan ko e!"

My lips parted at his words. Siya naman ngayon ang natawa nang piningot ko sa gilid!

"Sorry na, bebe. Akuchi akuchi na," he teased, poking my side. I jumped a little because of it.

He flushed when I unexpectedly pressed his center. "Ah, tangina." Ungol niya na parang mura.

"Sorry! It's your fault naman!" Paninisi ko while adjusting my position.

"Inis ka na naman sa akin." Sayang-sayang sambit niya.

I just rolled my eyes at him, smiling when he kissed my cheek lightly several times. It made my heart flutter and it was just adorable.

"Hindi ka na inis?" he softly asked, his left hand playing with my legs.

"Hindi naman ako inis."

"Sige nga. Kung hindi ka inis, kiss mo 'ko," uto niya at nginuso ang labi.

I bent down to kiss him lightly. He smiled after that and hugged me tightly. "I love youuu," he swayed me from side to side. "Should we date?"

"Where? You're too busy though," I pointed out, looking at his table where those thick books were lying.

"I can make time," he assured me. "Should we go for a late-night drive while listening to the stereo? Or we can also stop at a nearby drive-in movie. What do you think?"

"Dito na lang tayo sa condo," I answered. Tinatamad akong lumabas, saka pwede naman kaming mag-Netflix dito.

His brows shot up, "Are you suggesting something or what?"

Namula kaagad ako saka siya hinampas sa balikat, "Hindi 'no! Ugh, Gahala naman!"

He pursed his lips and tried to hide a smile, "Anong iniisip mo Amara? Wala akong sinabing iba."

Napabusangot ako nang baliktarin niya ang sitwasyon. Manipulator. He chuckled and dipped his head down to kiss me.

My body heated when his lips traveled from my cheeks down to my neck. He stopped for a while after sucking my sensitive part. "Do you want to do it now?" he asked.

Inis ko siyang tiningnan. "Oo! Bakit? Ayaw mo?"

My god. Nakakahiya naman 'to. Para akong uhaw na uhaw!

I bit my lip to suppress my moan when he slipped his hand inside my clothes and cupped my breast. It was easy for him since I wasn't wearing a bra whenever I was in his condo.

"Syempre gusto. Hindi mo ba ramdam alaga ko? Tayong-tayo o." Tawa niya habang pinipisil yung nipples ko.

Yung bibig niya talaga! Hindi na siya nahihiya sa mga pinagsasabi niya!

"Are you done with your lesson plan?" he asked while his other hand was slipping into my dolphin shorts. I felt his fingers playing with the hem of my panty.

I nodded briefly while anticipating more. "Kanina pa."

"Okay," He replied and kissed me again. We ended up making out in his swivel chair.

"Ah shit." He breathed when I grind in his boner. Wala na akong pantaas na damit at gano'n din siya.

"Why?" I growled in disapproval when he pushed me off away from him. Napaalis tuloy ako sa pag-upo sa kaniya.

"Galit ka kaagad," Tawa niya. "Ipapahubad ko lang naman 'yang shorts mo."

My whole body reddened at automatic na hinampas ko siya sa balikat dahil sa kahihiyan. Natawa lang ang gago sa akin.

"Hubad na Amara," he teased with a playful smile plastered at his lips. "Please leave the panties on ha. I want to take that off personally."

Ugh. Tangina niya talaga. Akala mo talaga huhubarin niya e!

I rolled my eyes and did what he ordered. I looked at him when he opened his zipper and freed the hard thing that's been poking me since earlier.

"Halika na dito," tawa-tawa niyang sambit saka ako hinila papaupo ulit sa kaniya.

Namula ako nang masagi ko 'yon. He put my panty aside and positioned his protected length in my entrance.

I slapped him on the shoulders, "Kita mo! Sabi mo huhubarin mo pero hinawi mo lang pagilid! Ang tamad!"

Ngumuso siya, "I dunno alright? But having your panties on is way more arousing."

Umirap ako. "Manyak."

I lifted myself slightly and his length slowly entered me. I couldn't help but savor the feeling as he stretched me inside.

"Uhm, Gahala," I moaned in his ear.

"Sarap ko talaga," tawa niya lalo na no'ng piningot ko siya. "Focus ka na lang Amara. Ano gusto mong speed? 1, 2 or 3?"

"Are you an electric fan or what?" Kunot noo kong tanong.

He laughed so hard. "Sige, 2 lang tayo, ayokong manginig ka." Decide niyang mag-isa!

Sinabunutan ko siya because of irritation and also because of the pleasure when he hold me in my waist and guided me to move. I bite my lower lip as he kisses my jaws down to my neck.

I just rode him slowly until he moved too to meet my movements.

"Seriously Gahala?" I groaned when he stopped thrusting inside me when his phone beeped. Inabot niya pa talaga 'yon sa ibabaw ng study table niya habang natatawa.

His brows furrowed after reading kaya mas nabadtrip ako. Kinuha ko iyon at aawayin sana siya nang makitang kay Yacey na naman galing pero gumalaw na siya ulit.

"Uhm, ang daya," I protested and he just chuckled, enjoying my reaction.

He distracted and kissed me as I felt his other hand getting his phone away from me. This fucker is so talented. He's doing me while using his phone. He's reading something and at the same time thrusting inside.

It beeped again and I looked at him while panting, asking what is it.

"Why?" I asked when he cursed.

"New sets of activities to do," he pouted and tossed his phone to his bed before holding me at my waist again to control my pace.

"Finish me first," I told him.

"Hmm okay," he laughingly whispered in my ears before kissing me in the cheeks. I kissed him on the lips but moans are slipping from our mouths. "Bibilisan ko ha. I hope hindi ka manginig. "

"Fuck!" I hissed when his movement became fast pero inabot ko pa talaga ang buhok niya para sabunutan siya at doon ilabas lahat ng inis ko dahil sa pangiirita niya sa akin. He lowered his head and buried his face in my neck as he started ramming me harder.

"Shit," sabay naming mura when we reached it together. I gripped his hair tighter and my toes curled as I savor it.

He gave me sloppy thrusts until my grip on his hair loosened. I lifted myself a little and he pulled out. He let his other hand run through his hair while the other one is touching his thing hanggang sa wala ng lumabas.

I clicked my tongue. That's so hot.

Tumayo din siya saka may kinuhang tissue at alcohol sa gilid.

"Nagready na ako," yabang niya na parang alam niyang mangyayari na talaga 'to.

I glared at him and slapped him in the arms. Napangiti din kaagad ako when he lovingly buried his head in my neck and felt him nuzzling there. "Don't slap me like that love, it makes me want to do it again."

"You still have activities to do," I reminded him, not minding that we're still dirty.

He groaned there, "Fuck activities. Bakit nga ulit ako maglalaw?"

"Oo nga, bakit ka maglalaw?" I asked.

He shrugged and helped me get cleaned. "My biological Dad is an attorney. Daddy's boy ako noon," he shared and smiled a little. "We promised to fight in court someday."

"You're still holding onto that promise?"

"Yeah," he answered. "Not to make him proud but to show him how much I've grown without him by my side."

Hindi ako nagtanong tungkol sa Papa niya noon kasi sariwa pa sa kaniya but it's good that he's sharing comfortably about it to me now.

"That's the only reason why you took law?"

"Hindi. Kapag law kasi kinuha mo parang ang talino pakinggan e," he laughed at his joke which made me frown.

He chuckled a little and playfully pouted at me. "Of course, baby, I want to ascertain the truth, seek justice, and help the victims. It's a cliché answer but it's my dream." He smiled genuinely at me with determination in his eyes. "Cool kaya. I feel like a hero without a cape."

I smiled and nodded. "I'll watch you reach that, Prosecutor."

"Well, I wanted to watch you as you reached it again, love," he whispered sensually in my ears. Piningot ko lang siya sa gilid bilang pahiwatig na hindi ako payag.

"Hindi ba kinasuhan ng Mama mo ang Papa mo?" I asked after niya akong pasuotan ng bagong underwear saka shorts. I know, pwede 'yon kapag nahuling nagcheat yung professional lawyer e.

He shook his head and gently ran his fingers through my hair. "Mom knows how much my father likes his profession so she didn't."

Wow, his mom stayed kind even though she was cheated on. If I were in her position, siguro hindi ko kaya. We are just humans, we want the person who hurt us to feel the same pain we are feeling so that they can understand how badly it destroyed us.

"Should I make you some coffee? Alam kong magpupuyat ka na naman," I asked as he began reading again.

He smiled. "Yeah, thank you."

Tinimplahan ko siya habang busy siya sa pag-aaral. Ang bilis ng mga mata niya habang nagbabasa.

Napangiti ako ng kaunti kasi ang gwapo niyang tingnan kapag seryoso at may suot na glasses.

"I have a  practice tomorrow with my classmates," bungad niya sa akin nang ilapag ko ang kape sa kaniyang harapan. "I already told you about that, right?" remind niya sa akin.

Tumango ako. Pangwhole class kasi yung binigay sa kanilang tasks ng instructor nila. Hindi lang talaga ako mapakali sa katotohanang kaklase niya si Yacey. Meaning no'n araw-araw silang nagkikita.

I looked down at him when he grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "I know what you're thinking based in your expression. Halika dito," malumanay na sambit niya at hinila ako paupo sa kaniyang kandungan.

"Gusto mo bang malaman kung gaano ako kaloyal sa 'yo?"

I raised my brows, "Sige nga. Gaano?"

"Ipapaukit ko pangalan mo sa pagkalalaki ko," seryosong sagot niya.

Napahalakhak ako sa narinig, "Gago. Sakit naman no'n!"

He laughed slightly too after seeing me laughing, "Para hindi ka na maghinala!"

I chuckled and said with a wide smile, "Oo na. Para kang tanga. "

"Gusto mo magsuot pa ako ng underwear kung saan nakaprint mukha mo e," he teased.

I rolled my eyes playfully but I eventually smiled. "Dami mong alam."

Tinitigan niya ako ng medyo matagal. Naging payapa at tumahimik ang lahat nang magaan niyang idinampi ang kaniyang labi sa aking noo. Naramdaman kong pang ngumiti siya doon. "Sobrang mahal na mahal kita," bulong niya sa malamyos na boses. "Hindi ko magagawang saktan ka."

I gave him a genuine smile, "I know."

We studied together after that while flirting a little. This low-key date with Gahala is something I'll never get tired of.

"Ewan ko sa 'yo Gahala ha," Pikon akong sumulyap sa kaniya.

"Ayoko na ngang umalis," reklamo niya sa akin na parang bata. Masama pa ang loob niya dahil ako pa ang nagpack ng mga libro niya. "Puntahan na lang kita mamaya sa campus niyo."

Hindi ko lang siya pinakinggan at naglagay pa ng pagkain sa loob ng bag niya kung sakalaing gutumin siya at mga kaibigan niya mamaya. I felt like I'm sending my 5 year old kid in a school.

"Babee," reklamo niya nang isara ko na ang bag niya. Kulang na lang pumadyak-padyak siya doon.

I frowned and crossed my arms. I turned in his direction and raised my brows which made him puckered his lips. I rolled my eyes. Napakaarte naman.

"You said malaking puntos yung task na 'yon diba? So you wanted to supervise to make sure na maganda ang kakalabasan since mali ng isa, mahihila grades mo. So why now? Gusto mo bang bumagsak?"

"Hindi. Pero gusto ko lang na sumama sa 'yo," ngiting aso niya. "Alam ko naman ang part ko. For sure, makakahabol ako if I missed one practice and besides, they're big enough naman para malaman ang gagawin nila. Saka pangit nilang kasama e. Wala akong malandi."

"Si Yacey, landiin mo," sarkastiko kong sambit.

"Babe, ako? Papatol do'n?! No way!" arte niya kinumpas pa nga ang kamay kaya natawa ako.

Inirapan ko siya. "Alis na. Malapit ng magsimula ang first subject mo," pantaboy ko.

Napabusangot na lang siya sa akin at tumango na parang inapi ko. Labag na labag sa loob amp. May binubulong-bulong pa siya habang tinutulungan kong magsuot ng bag.

"Bye," supladong sambit niya habang nakakunot pa ang noo kaya natawa ako. "Love you," galit niyang usal ulit tapos hinalikan ako sa pisngi kahit bad trip siya.

Tiningnan ko lang siyang wala sa mood na umalis habang sumisipa sipa sa daan na parang bata.

"Love you!" I shouted back and smiled.

He cursed and turned his head on me just to pucker his lips. He's probably cursing himself now because he's so marupok. I even saw him forcing himself not to smile.

What an idiot boyfriend.

"Baby naman. Ang daya," reklamo niya.

I laughed when he came back smiling and kissed me in the lips before hugging me tightly. "I love you," mas malambing na sabi niya na ngayon saka dalawang ulit akong hinalikan sa pisngi. " Alis na ako mahal."

Tumango lang ako habang nakangiti matapos niyang kumalas sa yakap. Parang away pang umalis at kinukit pa ako kaya pinagtabuyan ko na. Late na kaya siya!

I know I was the one who sent him away, but I felt discomfort. Simula nang malaman kong magkaklase sila ni Yacey, medyo hindi na ako mapakali tuwing pumapasok siya. Pakiramdam ko hinahayaan ko lang siyang mapalapit sa babae.

Kumakalma lang ako sa tuwing pumapasok sa isip ko na he never broke my trust and that he's worth believing.

From: M@HaLqO3
Done with our class mahall. Magprapraktis na kami 😗 Aral pong mabuti. Alam kong miss mo ako pero huwag mo akong isipin sa class niyo. Baka madistract ka at ayaw ko non HAHAHAAHAHAAH Mahal na mahal pa din po kita tapos hindi ko kinausap si Yucky hehehe love youu so muchhh ❤️

I rolled my eyes when I saw his nickname on my phone. Si Gahala yung nagpalit. I know he's childish sometimes pero hindi ko alam na gano'n kalalim. I tried changing it but he glared at me, clearly not agreeing with it. What a mature guy.

To: M@HaLqO3
Okay. Make sure to take a break from studying and eat some healthy foods!

I'm forcing myself not to flood him with questions because I know he's busy. Alam ko rin na kapag nakita niya, he's going to leave his classmates and come to where I am right now just to reassure me.

At ayoko no'n. Pakiramdam ko nagiging pabigat na ako at sinasayang ko oras niya.

I feel like I wasn't asking for assurance anymore. I feel like I'm already being insecure.

From: M@HaLqO3
S3Gehh,,, p03 m4hAL....😍😍😍 K4k@en n4 pO333hh aKoo❤❤❤,,, LoV33 y0UUU p0333 😘😘😘

I groan in irritation after seeing his text. Alam niyang naiinis ako kapag 'yon ang typing niya kasi nahihirapan akong basahin, pero sinasadya lang talaga niya minsan para inisin ako. Naiimagine ko siyang tawa-tawa ngayon dahil sa kalokohan niya.

I wanted to curse myself sometimes since I still considered it gwapo typing because he's the one who's doing it.

Nawala yung busangot ko nang biglang mag-ring ang phone ko kasi tumawag siya. Natatawa na siya sa kabilang linya nang sagutin ko.

"You don't have class today, my love?" he lovingly asked, for sure nilalambing ako dahil sa ginawa niya.

I rolled my eyes. "No, but we'll be doing our group project later. " I answered and nodded at Xenia when she asked me if I wanted some coffee from Starbucks.

"Hmm. The one you told me last night?" he asked. "With one of your groupmate na pabigat?"

"Yeah," I chuckled.

"Gahala, kain ka na."

Natahimik ako ng makarinig ng pamilyar na boses. I shifted in my place uncomfortably.

"Teka lang Yacey. Una ka na do'n," pangtataboy ni Gahala.

"Hintayin na kita." I grip my phone tightly when I heard that. I can imagine her smiling at my man while using her flirty voice.

"Mauna ka na, Yacey. Kausap ko pa girlfriend ko," Gahala told her in a stern voice.

"Baby?" he asked for me after that, and he was breathing heavily for the past few seconds I didn't answer him.

"Yeah?" I asked after I calmed myself down. "You don't need to explain," I told him immediately. I just knew he was already ready to open his mouth to explain and assure me. "I know she's there with you. I trust you. Go now and eat. Say hi to your friends for me."

"Okay," he answered, and I could imagine him smiling at the other line. "I love you."

"I love you too," I replied and ended the call after.

Hindi ako mapakali habang gumagawa kami ng group project. I kept thinking about it. I sighed and grabbed my phone. I opened Facebook and searched for Yacey's name.

I immediately found her account since marami kaming mutuals. I couldn't help but stalk her. I gritted my teeth when I saw her post with Gahala. Nakapublic pa!

Natutulog yung boyfriend ko sa mesa niya habang bukas pa ang libro na para bang nakatulugan yung pagbabasa. Tapos siya nakapeace sign pa sa camera.

Yacey Anne Peñuela
Fighting Future Prosecutor!

I can't help but look at the comment section. Mas tumindi ang selos ko nang makitang tinutukso sila ng mga kaklase nila but I appreciate it when I saw Gahala's comment.

Gahaldon Jammes Silva: Yacey, I already told you to take this photo down. I don't like it. Please respect my girlfriend.

—Vincent Emblar: Gahaldon, pakipot talaga 'tong manok ko! Ganda kaya ni Yacey! Ikaw pa maarte. Palitan mo na girlfriend mo pre, swerte ka na kay Yacey o

Cinare pa talaga ni Yacey yung comment na 'yon as if she appreciates the support.

—Theros Sayes: Vicente Pangit na nga ng mukha mo, pati ba naman mindset mo pangit din? May girlfriend yung tao tapos tinutulak niyo sa iba. Palitan mo na 'yang utak mong nasa stage 2 pa lang ng cognitive development

—Herold Aquiño: Two time mo na lang Gahala pare para tiba-tiba HAHAHHAHAHAAHHAA iba kasi kapag pogi. Kung ako sa 'yo, gagamitin ko talaga mukha ko

—Yule Zamora: Herold future lawyer yan? Pero mababaw logic?

—Herold Aquiño: Yule problems natin bro? Parang joke lang e

Napaback na ako kasi nag-aaway lang naman sila. Hindi na nagreply sa kanila si Gahala do'n.

I scrolled more in her profile and I can't helped but feel discomfort after seeing more pictures of her and Gahala. May mga kasama silang iba minsan katulad si Theros at Yule pero mas madalas siyang nakatabi sa boyfriend ko. Madami din siyang stolen ni Gahala which irritated me the most.

I can't deny that she's pretty and sexy too. Kaya nga naging muse namin noon. Madami ding nagkakacrush sa kaniya kasi ang puti niya. Her hair is wavy and her lashes are long. She can seduce every man she wants. Her smiles look so beautiful too. I can't help but compare myself to her for a second.

I scrolled up at pinigilan ko ang pangangati ng kamay kong tingnan ang myday niya.

Isang minuto ata akong nakatingin sa profile niya, pinag-iisipan ang gagawin. I cursed myself in annoyance before pressing it. Mas hindi ata ako mapapakali kung hindi ko makita.

I grip my phone tightly nang makita ko. Kasama naman niya ang mga kaklase nila kaya walang problema. My man looked so focused with whatever they're doing and busy instructing his classmates of what to do. Katabi niya nga lang sa upuan yung boyfriend ko.

Bakit kaya hindi siya magfocus sa pag-aaral? Hindi yung puro landi yung inaatupag niya.

Napapairap na lang ako saka naglog out kasi iniinis ko lang sarili ko. I opened my messages and typed a texted for Gahala.

To: M@HaLqO3
Still not done with the practice? Imy.

"Amara,"

I bit my lower lip and made my expression serious when one of my groupmates called me. I put my phone down, but after a minute, I couldn't help but grab it back when it beeped.

From: M@HaLqO3
Sorry for the late reply love. Busy ako kanina but not anymore. Already done with the practice.

From: M@HaLqO3
Imytoo. I'm on my way now pasundo sa 'yo ;)

"Amara, ano ba? Mag-aambag ka pa dito o hindi?"

I pursed my lips when one of my groupmate irritatedly called me. I hide my phone and turned serious. "Sorry, nasaan na tayo?"

Kinunutan lang nila ako ng noo at bumalik na sa pagdidiscuss ng plano. Medyo matagal pa bago kami natapos.

Yung phone ko kaagad ang chineck ko pagkatapos para tingnan kung may sinabi pa si Gahala.

From: M@HaLqO3
Already here. Hug and kiss me when you see me ;)

I smiled when I read his text. My worries about earlier flew away. Dali dali akong umalis at nagpaalam sa kagrupo ko after.

He's already at our parking lot nang bumaba ako. Nakasandal siya sa sasakyan niya at nakangiti nang nakatingin sa akin. Hindi ko mapigilang pansinin ang mga babae kong schoolmates na napapatingin sa kaniya.

Dinapa niya ang kamay para sa isang yakap.
Dali dali naman akong naglakad papalapit sa kaniya saka pumaloob ako at hinigpitan niya kaagad.

"Hi," bati niya kaagad. I felt him kissing my head. Ah, this feels so much like home. "I miss you," Nanggigigil na sambit niya.

I chuckled and he loosened the hug. I smiled at him and tiptoed to kiss him. We laughed a little when a passing group of guys faked a cough.

"Pupunta ka ba sa birthday ni Kala sa susunod na week?" tanong ko habang nagdradrive na siya papuntang condo.

"Yeah, I already cleared that day," he took a glimpse at me and smiled. He reached for my hand using his free hand and held it. My heart fluttered when he kissed it softly.

"Have a date with me this Wednesday night?" biglang aya niya.

"You're not busy?"

"I am but resting is essential too, right?" he gave me a lopsided smile.

"It's not resting for you, it's dating," I corrected him. "And maybe lovemaking."

He laughed while his eyes were focused ahead. "Love, that's my kind of rest. Kahit napapagod ako sa kama," he teased.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah. Whatever."

Medyo pagod na kami noong makarating sa condo niya. Nauna akong maglinis ng katawan habang nagluluto siya ng dinner.

Nakatowel lang ako nang lumabas. I was busy looking for his shirt that I can wear as my nightwear when his phone beeped.

Hindi ko sana papakialam kung hindi ko lang nakita ang pangalan.

Yucky:
Hey! Thank you for teaching me earlier!😍❤

Yucky:
Are you finally homee? If not, take caree

My brows furrowed after I saw it and typed a reply. I know who it is. Ang harsh ni Gahala sa nickname ni Yacey.

Gahaldon:
He's busy with his girlfriend right now.

Napanguso ako at hindi sinend 'yon. It sounds so immature. Huwag na lang. Mas mabuting h'wag na lang pansinin. Baka mas lumaki saka mas lumala.

Ayaw ko lang talaga sa kaniya. Kahit sinong girlfriend magiging uncomfortable kung may ganitong klasing babaeng umaaligid sa boyfriend nila. Yung kahit alam niyang commited na yung lalaki, lalandiin pa din.

I flinched when I felt something kissing my shoulders. Malapit ko pang mabitawan ang cellphone ni Gahala but thank God, I held it tightly. I turned to Gahala and his left brow was already raised, which made me pout. Bakit ba?! Nagseselos lang ako!

"Bakit hindi mo sinend?" he asked.

So nabasa niya?! Namula ata ako. Ugh nakakahiya naman.

"Wala, hayaan mo na."

He rolled his eyes and took the cellphone from me. He pressed the send button and then threw his phone like it was nothing.

I smiled and hugged him, resting my chin on his bare chest. "I love you."

"Grabe naman 'yon. Surprise attack!" he laugh at his karupuakn and bent down to kiss my lips lightly before brushing his nose against mine. "Hmm. So what are we going to do now?"

"Watch some movies? Play some chess?" I suggested.

"Wala ba 'yung halikan sa choices?" he asked jokingly.

I rolled my eyes and playfully slapped his arm. "We can multitask," I said, which made him grin. We chuckled before kissing each other.

I was enjoying my days with Gahala, but it was always disrupted whenever Yacey butted in, parang inaaraw-araw niya ata. Sobrang nakakairita na.

Just like today. We were supposed to have a date as Gahala had planned, but then he said may gagawin pa daw siya.

"Bakit? Why are you coming home late?" I asked Gahala on the other line. "Bakit nga, Gahala?" mariing kong itinanong nang hindi siya sumasagot. Kinakabahan ako sa kaniya dahil wala siyang maisagot.

Bumuntong-hininga siya. "I'm still stuck here, helping my classmate... including Yacey." Mahinang sagot niya, kinakabahan sa akin. "It's just that... nahihirapan sila sa group project and asking me if I can help them how to do it. I'm sorry."

Napatahimik ako. "Ahh. " Nasabi ko lang. Hindi ko alam kung magpapasalamat ako dahil mabait siya o ano.

"Is it fine?" he asked carefully.

Do I have a choice? Mukha akong masama at immature kung sasabihin kong hindi. "It's fine," I whispered, kahit pakiramdam ko pinapamigay ko siya sa iba.

"Are you sure?" he asked with concern.

I wanted to ask him kung wala bang ibang pwedeng tumulong sa kanila at bakit siya pa? Napakamatulungin naman niya. Gusto ko ipaalala sa kaniya na kasama niya si Yacey at gusto siya ng babae.

Na kahit wala siyang ginagawang masama, hindi ko mapigilang hindi makaramdam ng masama. Hindi ko mapigilang isipin kung gaano ba 'yon kahalaga sa kaniya to exert so much effort into it even though he's not required to do it.

"What if I'm not?" tanong ko sa kaniya. Medyo nasaktan ako ng mapatahimik siya sa kabila. "It's fine, love. Umuwi ka lang sa akin mamaya ha," mahinahong sambit ko.

"I will, love. I love you."

I smiled. "I love you too and I trust you. Don't break it."

He chuckled. "I won't."

Napabuntong hininga ako saka binaba ang linya.

Hindi ako mapakali habang naghihintay sa kaniya. I kept texting him but he still hasn't replied. Well, he did. After more than 30 minutes.

To: Loml
Is everything fine?

From: Loml
Yeah. I'll call you later. I promise.

I was waiting for his call that he promised, but it didn't come.

I just knew that the discomfort and uneasiness I felt were not nothing at all. I should've listened to my instinct.

When I thought everything was in the right place, my biggest downfall came.

It all started there. He began to change since that day.