Note: The song lyrics included in this chapter are NOT COPYRIGHTED.

---

I immediately pushed Dylan away from me when I heard Eli speaking behind us.

I looked at him and smiled. "He's just trying to tease me." Lumingon ako kay Dylan to signal him na sakyan 'yong excuse ko.

"Oo, bro. Alam mo naman ako, mahilig akong mang-inis, 'di ba?"

Eli just nodded his head which I think he believed our excuse --- well, I hope so. I don't like to bring this little problem into a huge one 'cause I don't want our relationship to decrepitate.

"Let's go," sambit ko bago lumapit kay Eli and hasp my arms on him.

Paalis na sana kami nang magsalita si Dylan. "Magi, 'yong milk tea ko."

Doon ko lang nalaman na hawak ko pa pala 'yong milk tea ni Dylan.

OMG, another embarrassing moment na naman.

I quickly handed him his milk tea before Eli and I started walking away from him. Nang makarating sa pwesto namin kanina, wala nang tao roon. 

What the hell? Where do they go?

"They're roaming around here," I heard Eli say. "Hindi na muna ko sumama sa kanila 'cause I've noticed you're not with Alec's company. So, I went to find you, only to see that---"

"How many times do I have to say that it was nothing? Iniisip mo bang may meaning 'yon? Are you out of your mind, Eli?

You know how much I hate Dylan --- No! You didn't know nga pala kasi masyadong preoccupied 'yang isip mo sa showbiz, right?"

I saw he clenched his fist. "You don't know everything, love. Please, 'wag mo nang i bring-up pa 'yon, huh?"

"Why not?" I smirked at him. "Ayaw mo bang sumbatan kita sa lahat ng pagkukulang mo sa akin? 

Girlfriend mo ako, Eli, pero bakit parang ako pa 'yong nanlilimos sa iyo para lang paglaanan mo ko ng oras at atensyon? If you think that I will just stand here without doing anything, mali ka.

Pinapalampas ko pa 'yong mga ganitong bagay kasi pilit kong iniintindi na kaya ka walang oras sa akin ay dahil sa career mo... which is totoo naman.

But have you think na sumosobra ka na? Ako na lang ba palagi ang iintindi sa iyo? How about me? Sana naiintindihan mo rin kung bakit nagkakaganito ako.

I miss the old you... wherein there's no one or nothing that cuts the ties that keeps binding us." My eyes are starting to get teary. "Akala ko wala nang puputol tapos dumating ito."

"That's why hindi ko tinanggap 'yong offer sa akin na maging ka-love team si Trisha... dahil ayoko nang dagdagan pa ang sakit na nararamdaman mo nang dahil sa akin."

"Edi salamat!" Bahagya akong natawa. "Ang laking bagay nga ng ginawa mo, bawing-bawi ka sa pagkukulang mo sa akin."

"Love... 'wag na nating pagtalunan ito, okay?" He moved closer to me before holding my hands. "I'm sorry if you feel this way, Magi. I thought you completely understood if I wasn't able to hang-out with you and do the things we usually do before. Hindi ko sinasadya kaya sana patawarin mo ko.

Alam mo namang ginagawa ko 'to para na rin sa future natin, 'di ba? This isn't my dream but our dream. All I want is to prolong your patience with me and I will make sure things will come back to normal."

I pulled back my hands that he was holding. "Now that we've discussed these things, pwede mo bang sabihin sa akin kung bakit itinago mo sa akin ang tungkol sa biglaang paired up niyo ni Trisha?"

This time, I want him to tell a lie. Mukhang tanga man ako na paniniwalaan kung magsisinungaling man siya, but if that is the only way to prevent myself from pain, then why not?

"Wala namang magbabago sa reaksyon mo kung sasabihin ko 'yon sa iyo o kusa mo na lang malalaman sa iba, 'di ba?"

I clenched my fist out of frustration. At some aspect, tama nga naman siya. Sa kanya ko man malaman o sa iba, mananatiling ganito ang reaksyon ko --- malamang magugulat at hirap 'yon paniwalaan.

"Kaya 'di mo na lang sinabi sa akin?" I chuckled while nodding my head. "Bakit ka pumayag?"

"Sa mundo ng showbiz, hindi ako pwedeng humindi. Alam mo 'yan---"

"Hindi, eh. Hindi ko alam, Eli. Kung sakaling noong una pa lang ay alam ko nang ganyan ang sistema sa showbiz, sa tingin mo ba susuportahan kita?

Hindi ako tanga para suportahan 'yong boyfriend ko na gagawa ng project movie kasama 'yong ex niya." I wiped my tears and faked my laugh. "Tiyaka kung bawal kang humindi, paano mo natanggihan 'yong offer sa iyo na maging ka love team mo si Trisha?"

"Dahil sinabi ko sa kanila ang katotohanang may girlfriend ako---"

"Bakit hindi mo ako pinangalanan?" I cut his words. "Kung totoong proud ka sa akin, sana inilantad mo na rin 'yong pangalan ko, 'di ba?"

"Love." Once again, he reached for my hand. "We don't have to rush things, okay? Darating din ang araw na maipakikilala na kita sa public nang tuluyan. 'Wag nating biglain ang mga viewers, okay?"

"Let me asked you one thing."

"What?" he asked.

"Mahal mo pa ba siya?" Ilag ang tingin ko sa kanya nang itanong 'yon. "Just... just be honest."

Right at this moment, I felt anxious about what Eli might answer me.

What if he says he still has feelings for Trisha? What if all of a sudden… he wants to break-up with me just to give their relationship a chance? What if he plumped Trisha over me?

"I already told you that Trisha and I were already done. We're just friends now, Magi, and whatever we did together is only all about business." He turned around to face me. "That's it so, can you please stop thinking so much?"

Lumapit ako sa kanya and gave him a warm hug while I'm pouting. I just can't help but to felt guilty sa lahat ng mga nasabi ko kanina. I think I was too harsh on him to the point na nakalimutan ko nang intindihin ang sitwasyon.

Yeah, he should also understand where I am coming from but things take time to work, right? Isipin niyo man na ang rupok ko para ako ang makaramdam ng guilt sa mga sinabi ko kay Eli, when in fact, wala namang mali sa sinabi ko, still I won't let my ego drives me.

Kung para kay Eli, handa akong apakan ang ego ko.

As we finish discussing those things, we head back to the parking lot dahil naroon na rin ang iba, preparing ourselves to go home. Hiwa-hiwalay kami ng sasakyan, while I was on Eli's car kung saan siya ang maghahatid sa akin pauwi.

Maybe it's a good idea that we should go home since I'm a little bit exhausted. Hindi naman ako sumakay sa mga rides kaya nagtataka ko kung bakit ako napagod.

Whatever.

While we were at the middle of the trip going home, bigla kong naalala 'yong girl na nakausap ko while using Eli's phone. I want an answer from that kaso I'm having a second thought na baka maging dahilan na naman 'to para mag-away kami.

But my mind keeps pushing me to ask him that question. Literally, I'm dying to know the answer but have this thought na baka isipin ni Eli na iniisip kong nambababae siya.

Well, hindi niya naman ako masisisi if ever na isipin ko 'yon, e. I just heard over the phone that the girl mumbled three important words which are 'I love you', following the words which she says, 'Thanks for today, Eli!'

Try to put your feet on my shoes, what'll be your reaction? Why, of all people, that woman handling Eli's phone? And why did she mumble those words if there's no relationship between them?

"Love, we're already here. Ihatid na ba kita sa loob ng bahay niyo? You seem not feeling well." I heard Eli's voice that's why I came back to my senses.

"N-No," I replied and unplugged the seatbelt. "Take care!"

Bumaba na ko nang tuluyan sa kotse niya at pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Hahanap na lang ulit ako ng tiyempo na itanong 'yon sa kanya. Maybe this isn't the perfect time for that.

For now, I have to lend all of my trust to Eli 'cause I know what he's doing is only for our future. Hindi ko na hahayaan pang pangunahan ako ng emosyon ko at may kung ano na naman akong masabi kay Eli na pagsisisihan ko rin naman sa dulo.

If lending my trust in him is the only key to stay this relationship stronger, then I'm willing to do it. Ewan ko na lang kung hanggang saan ako dadalhin ng katangahan ko.

---

"Hindi na talaga pumapasok si Eli, 'no?" I heard Delancy ask.

We're in our classroom while waiting for our professor to come in.

"Balita ko nag-hire na lang daw ng tutor --- or most likely to say, taga-gawa niya ng requirements --- kaysa ang pumasok na lang. Masyado raw abala ang pag-aaral sa career niya," Julia replied and looked at me. "Too focused na ang jowa mo sa career niya, 'di ka nag-aalala?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Hayaan na lang natin 'yong tao na gawin ang gusto niya. Kung 'yon ang pangarap niya at nagpapasaya sa kanya, 'wag niyo na lang pakialaman."

"Wala namang bago, eh. You're defending him once again. Sana lang hindi mo pagsisihan sa huli 'yan, Magi." She folded her arms while grinning at me. "Hindi unli ang katangahan kaya sana naman 'wag mong araw-arawin."

"Ya! Ang harsh mo naman kay Magi!"

I just laughed my ass out as I faced Julia. "Mararanasan mo ring maging tanga kapag nagmahal ka na ng seryoso." 

Bumalik ako sa pagkakaayos ng upo and averted my gaze on her. "Kapag talaga mahal na mahal mo 'yong isang tao, wala ka nang pakialam kung sabihan ka man ng iba na tanga o iba't ibang variations ng salitang 'yon.

Sabihan ka na nilang tanga pero para sa akin, normal lang naman ang magpakatanga sa taong mahal na mahal mo. 

Valedictorian ka man no'ng high school o gumraduate ka sa college with flying colors, hindi ka ligtas sa pagiging tanga when it comes to love." I faked a smile. "Kahit alam mong mali na 'yong ginagawa niya o inaabuso ka na niya, pero para sa iyo, tama lang 'yon.

Ang iba ay may maling nakikita sa kanya pero ikaw, dahil mahal mo siya, kahit mali 'yon ay titingnan mo pa ring tama siya."

"Salamat sa sinabi mo kasi dahil diyan, natakot na kong magmahal," I heard Delancy say while chuckling.

"Gusto kitang awayin, Magi, dahil sa mindset mong 'yan. Napakatangang mindset, sa totoo lang.

Nanggigigil ako pero kung aawayin kita, hindi ko naman mababago 'yan. Wala rin naman akong dapat ikatutol kasi halos lahat ng nakikita kong na-i-in love, e minsan nang napagdaanan ang pagiging tanga." 

I glanced at Julia when she said that only to see her face flashes a bright smile. "Hindi ako nakangiti, ah? Natatawa lang ako sa iyo kasi ang tanga mo talaga, promise."

I just rolled my eyes at her and chose to ignore her presence. Kung hindi lang masama ang manakit ng kaibigan, kanina pa tinamaan sa akin 'yon si Julia.

BUT, kidding aside.

My friends are too precious to me para lang saktan sila. I'm not the type of person that will punch my friends' face or kick their butts like what the others' did. Aside sa hindi ko gawain 'yon, I don't even know how to slap someone's face.

I'm going to learn it naman, but can I use Trisha's face to train myself to slap someone?

"Pero natuwa ako sa nabalitaan ko, huh?" sambit ni Julia. "Mabuti na lang at hindi tinanggap ni Eli ang makipag-love team sa ex niya. At buti na lang din, nagkaroon din siya ng lakas ng loob na sabihing may girlfriend na siya.

Sa haba-haba ng naging prusisyon, sa wakas, may nasabi na rin 'yang boyfriend mo na nagustuhan ko."

"Judgemental ka kasi agad. Tiwala lang tayo kay Eli kasi sure naman akong 'di niya sasaktan itong bespren natin!" Delancy said.

"Sana lang, huh?" uttered Julia.

We, in the class, suddenly interrupted when someone entered our classroom. Akala ko professor na namin 'yong pumasok pero si Dylan at Yuwi lang pala 'yon.

But why was Yuwi here? Hindi naman namin siya kaklase, or baka ---

"Dadalaw lang ako kasi wala kaming prof pa, eh. Nakakainip sa room namin tapos isinama naman ako ni Dylan dito," he explained even though we're not asking him.

"Hindi talaga kayo mapaghiwalay, 'no?" I heard Julia ask while her attention was on her phone.

"Pagsabihan mo kasi 'tong kapatid mo na huwag dikit ng dikit sa akin na parang linta."

"Ang pogi mo, ah?" natatawang sambit ni Delancy.

"Grabe 'to sa akin, 'no? Minamahal na nga, siya pa ang galit."

"Kung si Delancy na lang daw kasi ang mahalin mo---" Delancy cut my words as she cover her palm on my mouth.

Eww.

"May pagano'n ka pa, Delancy. Kilig yarn?" Julia teased her.

"Mamahalin ko naman si Delancy kapag naka move-on na ko sa nagbigay nito," Dylan said while showing us the bracelet he was wearing.

Aish, nakita ko na naman.

"Nakaka-curious naman, sino ba 'yong nagbigay sa iyo niyan?" Yuwi asked.

"First love niya na hanggang ngayon ay ayaw pa rin niyang kalimutan. Umaasa pa rin na makikita niya kahit sobrang tagal na no'ng huli silang nagkita." Julia gave Dylan a bored look. "Bata pa kayo no'ng huli kayong magkita kaya paano mo siya hahanapin? Malamang ang laki na ng pinagbago ng mukha no'n. Good luck na lang talaga sa iyo."

The story of his first love once again. Ang paghahanap ni Dylan sa first love niya na talagang kaabang-abang kung happy ba ang ending o tragedy.

Why do I care naman kung happy o tragic ang ending? What's important about me is to keep my relationship with Eli stronger. Hindi ko hahayaang sirain 'yon ni Trisha, or else I will let her taste her own medicine.

"Walang imposible sa mundo kung 'di ka susuko," I heard Dylan said before he poked Julia's forehead. "Palibhasa 'di mo pa nararanasang ma-in love kaya ka ganiyan."

"Alam mo, pareho lang kayo ni Magi!" Naagaw ang pansin ng ilan naming mga kaklase nang pagtaasan ng boses ni Julia si Dylan. "Pareho kayong tanga kaya magsama-sama kayo!" And then she walked out of the classroom.

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at nag-inarteng nasaktan ako sa sinabi niya. Talagang dinamay pa ako, e nananahimik na nga ko rito sa upuan ko.

"Maldita na nga, wala pang preno ang bibig. Hindi na talaga ko umaasa na magkakaroon pa ng development sa pag-uugali ang kapatid mong iyo," dinig kong sambit ni Yuwi.

"(2)"

"Two?" tanong ko kay Delancy.

"I second the motion," she said while laughing. "Ganiyan kasi magsabi ng 'I second the motion' sa chat, 'no?"

"Masyado nang nasakop ng social media ang utak mo, Delancy. Easy-han mo lang," Dylan said and tapped her shoulders before leaving the classroom.

Nakita ko pa kung paano kiligin si Delancy nang dahil lang doon.

"Bago ako umalis, may sasabihin lang ako," Yuwi uttered. "Alam niyo bang pangarap kong maging pusa?"

"Huh? Why?" I asked.

"Nalaman ko na ang pusa raw ay 17 hours kung matulog at 7 hours lang silang active. Gusto kong maging pusa para makatulog ako hangga't gusto ko.

Hindi ko kailangang mag-aral o magtrabaho. Gigising lang ako para kumain tapos matutulog ulit---"

"Restroom tayo, Magi."

"Come on." And we left Yuwi there habang nagkukwento kung bakit pangarap daw niyang maging pusa. Akala ko naman ay may makabuluhang dahilan kung bakit niya pangarap maging pusa --- but yeah, it's Yuwi's thing, e.

Ridiculous, right?

---

After our classes, nagulat ako nang makita si Eli sa labas ng gate ng campus and seems like he's waiting for me. Hindi naman ako nagkamali, he fetched me and we head straight to a mall.

"Why are we going to the mall? Ano'ng gagawin natin doon?" naguguluhan kong tanong as soon as I sit on the passenger's seat.

"I forgot to tell you na bukas ng gabi ang anniversary party ng SGN. I invited my friends at syempre ikaw. Hindi ka dapat mawala roon, love," he said while his attention was on the road.

Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko bang um-attend sa gano'ng event. Malamang, mga artista ang naroon and may mga guests.

I have no confidence pa na humarap sa mga ganoong tao as Eli's girlfriend --- or unless hindi pa ako ipapakilala ni Eli as her girlfriend --- kasi wala pa 'kong ipagmamalaki. I'm still an undergraduate student at kung ikukumpara ako sa mga makakatambal ni Eli --- lalo na kay Trisha --- e wala akong maibubuga.

"You're having second thoughts about attending, don't you?" I heard him ask.

I looked at him. "Nahihiya ako," I said. "Paano kung may matanggap akong feedback sa iba na hindi tayo bagay once na malaman nilang ako 'yong girlfriend mo? 'Yong kagaya mo na napaka gwapo at talented ay magkakaroon lang ng girlfriend na kagaya ko.

While I was thinking about that, nalulungkot ako. It's not impossible that they might compare me with Trisha, but what I'm afraid of is that... they're more in favor of Trisha as your girlfriend kaysa sa akin. Kasi si Trisha may narating na… ako wala pa."

"Don't say that, love. 'Wag mong i-compare ang sarili mo sa ibang tao 'cause that will not help you grow. You should appreciate what you have, not the others'." Tiningnan niya muna ko saglit bago ibinalik sa daan ang tingin. "Bakit mo naman sila papakinggan? Hindi counted ang opinyon nila sa relasyon natin, okay?

Whatever they say, ikaw lang ang babaeng mamahalin ko. So, stop comparing yourself, instead, learn to appreciate and love yourself."

"At kung hindi ka pa handa na makilala ka nila, hindi kita pipilitin. Kagaya ng sinabi ko sa iyo, hindi natin kailangang madaliin ang mga bagay. We will take it slowly... once you're ready na magpakilala sa public, then I'll introduce you to them as my woman."

I didn't bother to reply but managed to plant a smile on my face. Nagpapasalamat ako kasi hindi kagaya ng sa iba ang mindset ni Eli --- at sana hindi 'yon magbago.

Siguro nga ay hindi pa ito ang tamang oras para makilala ko ng mga tao. Hihintayin ko na lang na maging handa ang sarili ko bago ako magpakilala sa kanila.

However, things like comparing myself to others is quite hard to prevent. There are times na kusa ko na lang 'yon maiisip which led me to overthink too much. I questioned myself if sa katayuan ko ngayon, is it enough to proclaim that I deserved a guy like Eli in my life?

He's a few steps away becoming a superstar yet his girlfriend is still a college student na tila walang patutunguhan ang buhay kung di ang magbalat na lang ng patatas.

Compared to those female artists na pwedeng makatambal ni Eli, I think I have no other options left, but to raise both of my hands tanda ng pagsuko --- 'cause in this battle… they've defeated the potato.

---

An hour had passed before Eli satisfied himself sa mga damit na binili niya para sa akin. Ang dami ko ring sinukat na mga damit to let him choose, pero in the end, lahat din 'yon ay binili niya 'cause it all looks good at me… according to him.

Buong akala ko ay uuwi na kami… pero hindi, pumunta kami sa isang boutique at nakitang may isang babae roon. Nagulat ako when Eli approached that girl, while the girl just gives Eli a quick hug.

"Sino naman 'to?" bulong ko sa sarili.

"Let's go?"

"Susunod na lang ako. Ihahatid ko pa kasi 'tong girlfriend ko." I felt Eli's hand entwine around my waist. "She's my girlfriend, Magi."

I grin from ear to ear before I lend my right hand to offer her a handshake. "I'm Magi. Nice meeting you!"

Nakipag-handshake siya sa akin while smiling. "Nice meeting you. I'm Trisha."

My smile suddenly fades when she mentions her name. 

So, this woman is Trisha? 

Ano'ng mayroon at bakit ngayon pa nagbiro ang tadhana? I didn't even prepare myself to meet her, sana man lang sinabihan ako ni Eli.

"Anyway, mauuna na ko sa inyo. I have so many things to do. Mag-ingat kayong dalawa," she said as she waved her hands at us.

Ewan ko ba, biglang sumama ang pakiramdam ko nang dahil doon.

"I'm sorry kung 'di na kita nasabihan na balak kong pagkitain kayo ni Trisha. Kapag kasi sinabi ko sa iyo, malamang hindi ka papayag."

"Why did you do that?" I asked.

"I want you to meet her to stop those nonsense ideas swirling on your mind. Yeah, Trisha once became my girlfriend but... she's not like what you think na maninira ng relasyon ng iba just to win her love back."

"Let's see kung hindi nga siya gano'ng klase ng tao," I said at nauna nang maglakad papalabas ng mall.

I don't believe in words, but in action.

---

This is the day. Together with Julia and Delancy, we're heading now papunta sa isang five star hotel kung saan gaganapin ang anniversary party ng SGN.

I was a little bit anxious habang palapit na kami ng palapit doon. How I wish na ma-flat-an kami ng gulong para 'di na kami makatuloy.

"Your hands are trembling, Magi. Masama ba ang pakiramdam mo?" Delancy asked.

"No, I'm fine."

"Hanggang ngayon ba ay may doubt ka pa rin na once malaman ng mga tao roon na ikaw ang girlfriend ni Eli ay hindi ka nila magugustuhan?" Julia asked but I remained silent instead of answering her question. 

"Alam kong nahihirapan kang mag-adjust sa ganitong bagay at naikukumpara mo ang sarili mo sa ibang babae, pero utang na loob, ang isipin mo na lang ay mga positive things. Ano ba namang pakialam nila kung ikaw ang girlfriend ni Eli, 'di ba?"

"True. Tiyaka 'wag mong tingnan nang sobrang baba ang sarili mo, Magi. Kung maganda si Trisha, mas maganda ka kasi ikaw ang girlfriend ngayon ni Eli. Gano'n lang dapat ang isipin mo para 'di ka kabahan."

I forced a smile. "Kakayanin ko."

Hindi sana ko ganito na kulang ang confidence sa sarili kung sa una pa lang ay pinaglaanan ko muna ang sarili ko na mahalin at i-appreciate.

But things don't fall into place dahil mas inilaan ko ang pagmamahal ko kay Eli habang ang sarili ko ay napapabayaan ko na.

I forgot to love myself, to love my strengths and weaknesses --- kaya ngayon, I'm lacking self-confidence na humarap sa iba and can't help but to compare myself to others.

I hope I will be able to overcome this. Gusto kong makalabas sa comfort zone ko and try different things. Lately kasi ay napansin ko that my whole life only revolves to my grandmother and to Eli. Nawawalan na ko ng oras para sa sarili ko at 'yon ang gusto kong baguhin.

Few minutes had passed before we finally arrived at the hotel kung saan gaganapin ang party. Without hesitation, tinakbo naming tatlo ang elevator kahit na ang hahaba ng gown na suot namin, para lang makaabot.

We are aware kasi na 20 minutes na kaming late dahil hindi man natupad 'yong wish ko na ma-flat-an kami ng gulong, e na-traffic naman kami sa may simbahan malapit dito.

"Ang bagal namang tumaas ng elevator na 'to, mas mabagal pa sa pagong! Mas mabilis pa ata kung naghagdanan na lang tayo, e," I heard Julia complain.

Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin at inabala ang sarili na tingnan ang oras --- oh no, we're 30 minutes late. Papapasukin pa kaya kami roon?

Nasagot ang tanong ko when we finally arrived at the venue at naabutang nasa stage ang DWEIYAH --- including Eli --- habang nag-p-perform sila ng kanta.

I think it's their original composition na nabanggit ni Alec sa akin noon na pinaplano raw nilang i-release.

(HARRIS)

sunyeongan-ui geomsaeg
dangsin-e daehan nae salang-eun yeong-wonhabnida
neoe daehan i gieogdeul-i
naega dangsin-eul chaj-eun geoscheoleom uijiga jisogdoebnida

(DYLAN)

nan nae insaeng-eul sal-ass-eo nae yeop-e neo eobs-i
nae ma-eum-eun goeloum-eulo gadeug cha dangsin-i chajgileul wonhabnida.
uliga gyeolsog-eul hagie jeogjeolhan sigineun eonjeinga
wae chajgi himdeunji

(ISRAEL)

jagiya, jebal dangsin-ui salang-eul boyeojul su issseubnikka
bogosip-eo an-ajwoss-eumyeon hae

(DYLAN AND ISRAEL)

bulganeunghan il-i eobsneun geoscheoleom
naneun nae salm-i chwiyaghaji anhdago midneunda
jeogsi, geulae ol ttaekkaji gidaligo sip-eo
dangsin-ui pum-eulo naleul gamssajugileul gidalimyeo

(ELI AND HARRIS)

nae salang, dangsin-ui saejang-eseo sum-eo geuman
nan gidalil su eobs-eo dangsin-ui meosjin eolgul-eul bwa
dangsin-eun nae modeun hwansang-ui yeojaibnida
dangsin ioeui nugudo nae salm-ui hwangholgyeong-eul gajyeoobnida.

(Translation:)

Several years of searching
My love for you is everlasting
These memories of you
Will lasts as I found you

I lived my life without you on my side
My heart is full of agony, wanting you to find
When is the right time for us to bind
Why is it hard for you to find

Baby, could you please show your love
I want you to see, I want you to hug

Like there's nothing impossible
I believe my life isn't vulnerable
Right time, yeah I want to wait until the right comes
Waiting for you to envelope me by your embrace

My love, stop hiding from your cage
I can't wait but look at your gorgeous face
You're the woman in my every fantasy
No one but you brings my life ecstasy.

Nakakagulat na Korean ang kanta na kinanta nila, but at the same time, natutuwa ako dahil napanood ko na naman silang mag-perform. Si Yuwi na nag-g-gitara, si Warren na nag-d-drums at si Alec na nag-p-piano habang 'yong apat ang vocalist.

I missed DWEIYAH's jamming like this.

Habang abala ko na nakatulala sa harap ng stage, biglang may humatak sa kamay ko. Dinala ko nito sa isang bakanteng kwarto at iniharap sa kaniya --- si Trisha?

She's now wearing her evil smirk at me. Sabi na e, plastik 'to. Bait-baitan lang kapag nakaharap si Eli.

I raised my eyebrow. "What do you need?" As much as possible, ayokong ipakita sa babaeng 'to ang kahinaan ko, in that way, hindi niya ko maaabuso.

"Roamed around your gaze, Magi. Nasa dart room tayo," she said habang inilalakbay ko sa loob ang paningin.

"Kung gusto mo maglaro, ikaw na lang. Hindi ako interesado... lalo na kung ikaw lang naman ang makakalaro ko," I said and was about to walk away when she muttered a word that stopped me from stepping away.

"Gusto mo bang malaman ni Eli ang secret deal niyo ni Dylan?"

Agad ko siyang nilingon, only to looked at her face while poking fun at me. "W-What are you talking about? Baliw ka ba? Wala kaming deal ni Dylan---"

"He's pretending as your boyfriend, right?" She smirked once again na talagang ikinaiinit ng ulo ko. "Or baka totoo na 'yong relasyon niyo? What if malaman ni Eli ang about dito? Ano kayang mararamdaman niya?"

"Cut the nonsense, will you? Walang namamagitan sa amin ni Dylan. W-We're just friends!"

"Sa ngayon siguro... wala pa," she said. "Pero ang big deal dito, may itinatago ka kay Eli. You didn't tell him about that fake relationship you have with Dylan and also... about sa condition ng lola mo. Once Eli finds out about this, ano sa tingin mo ang mararamdaman niya?"

I clenched my fist before pushing her away from me. "Ano bang kailangan mo?!"

Ngumiti siya. "Talunin mo ko sa larong dart game."

"W-What?" I stuttered. Paano ko naman siya tatalunin sa isang larong hindi ko naman alam laruin? Nananadya ba siya?

"Yes or no lang ang sagot, Magi. Don't waste my precious time!"

"No---"

"Okay, I will let Eli know about that right away. Bye!"

She was about to walk outside the room nang pigilan ko siya. "Okay, fine! Let's do it."

"Okay!" she cheerfully said. "Doesn't mean you lose the game with me ay sasabihin ko na agad kay Eli ang lahat. Since pumayag ka naman, bibigyan kita ng consideration. I will just give you a dare if matalo ka."

"Ikaw ang bahala!" I said out of frustration. Nakakarindi siya!

We started the game immediately para matapos din agad. Trisha handed me three darts and kung ilan sa dart na 'yon ang tumama sa board ay 'yon ang magiging score.

Gano'n na lang ang ginawa niyang mechanics ng game kasi hindi raw ako marunong or 'di siya sure kung may isa man lang sa hawak ko ang tatama sa board.

Oh yeah, she's getting on my nerves.

Nauna siyang maglaro --- out of 3 ay mayroon siyang dalawa na napatama sa board. Now it's my time to play the game. Since hindi talaga ko marunong ay initsa ko na lang nang malakas, nagbabaka-sakaling may tumama --- kaso ni isa ay wala.

"You lost!" she merrily said. "Now… do the dare, or I'll expose your secret. You have to choose wisely, Magi. You lose the game with me so, you have to face the consequences."

I tried to hide my wrath with this woman and had to restrain myself from exploding as they were a multitude of people who could see the mess I would make just in case. I wasn't going to pay attention to her childish game kung wala lang sana siyang nalalaman.

"What's the dare?" I courageously asked.

I know I have no other option but to do what she wants. I'm just going to do it to end this stupidity.

"DWEIYAH's here and they have already finished entertaining the artists. What I want you to do is to---"

"Are you out of your mind?!"

Napangisi siya. "Do the trend, Magi. If it's true that you and Dylan are just friends, then why don't you give him a kiss? I want you to kiss your FRIEND, or prepare yourself for your secret to explode."

I could feel my fist was trembling as I stared at Trisha. The smirk on her lips was so elegant, which made me think she was planning something disastrous.

"Don't waste my time, Magi," aniya. "I think he's at the rooftop garden. Go and accomplished your mission before I lost my patience. Tandaan mo, maikli lang ang pasensya ko."

Napakuyom ako sa kamao. Wala na 'kong choice kundi ang gawin ito.

I took the elevator going to the rooftop garden. When I got there, I saw Dylan standing alone while scrutinizing the view from here. This is the perfect timing to perform my plan as there's no one around the place.

"Why are you here?" I asked as I walked closer to him.

Humarap siya sa 'kin. "Ang ingay sa event hall kaya naghanap ako ng tahimik na lugar… tapos nahanap ko 'to."

"Ahh." Huminga ako nang malalim. "May tanong ako."

"Hmm?"

"Have you ever been kissed by someone?" I asked courageously without giving him a gaze.

I could clearly see in my peripheral vision that he was laughing. "Why did you ask that? Do you have a plan --- "

I cut his words as I sealed his lips with a kiss. I could see his eyes widen, and so did I. It took me ten seconds before I walked away from him. Nothing has changed in his face, still... he's shocked.

"Sorry, kailangan ko lang gawin---"

Now he's turn to cut my words. He returns the favor, but this time, our kiss was passionate that lasts for about one-minute. Hindi ko maipaliwanag kung bakit ko nga ba sinagot ang halik niya — might be I carried away.

"What the hell?"

Dylan and I were just wandering away from each other when I felt someone standing between us. When I hear him talk, I'm sure it's him.

I unhurriedly glanced at his behavior. "It's not what you think, Eli. L-Let me explain," I spoke as I approached him but he just kept pushing me away from him.

"Everything's so clear... listening to your explanation is pointless."