It was the first time that a chaste kiss on the cheek left him stuttering and his heart fluttering. Pero parang wala lang iyon kay Ken nang kindatan siya nito. Ganito kaya ang naramdaman no'ng mga babaeng nilandi niya pero hindi sineryoso?

Hindi bumitiw si Ken sa mahigpit nitong pagkakahawak sa kamay niya hanggang makaabot sila sa labas ng hotel. Feeling her fingertips trace his palm as they slipped away made Sage's heart drop a little. Gusto man niyang higpitan ang kapit para hindi tuluyang bumitiw ang dalaga, alam niyang hindi 'yon ang tamang gawin.

She didn't say anything and just kept on walking until she realized that she didn't know where to go. "So, pa'no pala tayo pupunta doon? Train? Bus? Sports car?"

"Para sa'n 'yon, Ken?" tanong ni Sage.

"'Yong?" sagot ni Ken, nagpapatay malisya.

"Really? You're gonna pretend that that was normal?"

"'Di ka talaga makiki-ride lang nang basta 'no?" she replied smugly. "I just helped you out."

By getting my hopes up? Sage stared at her with furrowed brows.

"So hindi mo talaga alam 'yong kumakalat na tsismis tungkol sa 'yo?" she asked, looking genuinely surprised.

Sage shook his head. "Ano ba kasi 'yon?"

"Your employees are convinced that you're gay."

Sage burst out laughing. "No, they don't," he said in between chuckles. He stopped a few seconds later when he noticed that Ken wasn't laughing with him. "Wait, seriously? Pa'no mo nasabi?"

* * *

Ken exhaled. Naawa siya nang kaunti sa lalaking walang kamalay-malay na siya ang favorite topic ng tsimis sa hotel niya. "The bellhop told me. 'Di mo ba napansin na tutok na tutok sa'yo 'yong staff do'n sa lobby no'ng nakita nilang may kausap kang babae?"

Napanganga ang binata. "Do you know why they think I'm gay?"

"Never daw kasi silang nakakita ng girlfriend mo tapos iniiwasan mo pa 'yong mga pumoporma sa 'yo and..." she paused. Napaisip si Ken kung dapat niya pang banggitin ang nangyari sa kasal ni Lily.

"And?" Sage waited for an answer.

"The end. 'Yon na 'yon," sagot ni Ken. "So pa'no ba tayo pupunta doon sa watchmaker?"

Sage eyed her suspiciously, but she smiled innocently at him and he didn't ask any more questions. He took out a blue smart card from his wallet and gave it to her. "My car is at the shop. Hiramin mo na lang 'tong extra kong EZ-Link. Mag-train na lang tayo, maganda naman 'yong MRT dito." He then grabbed her hand and continued walking towards the train station.

"What are you doing?!" Ken pulled her hand away from his grip.

"Akala ko ba friends tayo?" Sage said, smirking.

"Oo pero—"

"Many of my employees pass here and use the train station closest to the hotel. 'Di ba tutulungan mo 'kong maging straight sa mga mata nila?" he asked in a playful tone.

She knew that she wasn't winning this argument anymore so she just nodded and reached for his hand again, placing her fingers in between his. "Sige na, sige na. Bilisan na lang natin," Ken said, sounding irritated but secretly enjoying the feeling of his hot palm on hers.

They finally let go of each other's hands when they reached the platform. Ken held in her sigh. Bakit ba hindi na lang sila maglakad hanggang sa sunod na train station at doon sumakay para mas matagal pa silang magkahawak?

Medyo maraming tao sa loob ng carriage kaya nakatayo lang silang dalawa sa gilid. Ken was leaning on the unutilized door while Sage stood in front of her. Hindi maitatangging awkward pa rin sila pero nagsalita si Sage dahil madaldal ito as a person. "So, how have you been? You still working at Lily's?"

Natanggap kong mahal kita no'ng araw na umalis ka. I even tried to rebound kahit 'di naman naging tayo. But I couldn't get over you so I was just pathetic as fuck. My brother convinced our parents to reverse their decision to disown me and with that, I offered to marry into Ryuji's family so my brother wouldn't have to. Ayos lang na hindi ko siya mahal. I've accepted the fact that I'm not for you so I might as well be useful to my family. Pero nagpakita kang leche ka. After four years. Proclaiming that you love me.

Ken had to bite her lip to keep herself from spilling her thoughts. "Okay lang," she finally said. "No, I don't work at Lily's anymore."

Sage looked at her expectantly, probably waiting for her to elaborate. But she didn't. "I see. So what do you do then?"

Ken was too embarrassed to tell him that she was unemployed and that all her needs were being provided by her well-off parents. His previous unemployment status was one of the things she fiercely criticized about him. How the tables have turned. She was spared from answering when the train stopped at a station and the influx of passengers pushed Sage's body to her.

Her head was against his chest and she felt his hand rest on her back. Napapikit si Ken nang malanghap niya ang pamilyar na amoy na aftershave ni Sage. She wanted to sniff him all over. She blushed at the thought of burying her nose at the crook of his neck where she could drown in his fragrance.

* * *

Sage was worried that with her head against his chest, Ken would hear how fast heart was beating. Kung napansin man iyon ni Ken, hindi ito umimik at hindi rin lumayo. At sa mga sandaling iyon, isa lang ang naging hiling ni Sage—na hindi na makarating ang tren sa Bugis Station kung saan nila kailangang bumaba.

It was cramped but Sage was thankful that he could hold her like this, one last time. Nostalgia hit him when he inhaled the scent of her shampoo. Creepy ba kung bibilhin niya rin 'yong shampoo brand na iyon? He will surely miss its scent.

"Bugis Station. Please mind the gap." The train came to a halt and the doors started to open.

He silently sighed as Ken let go of their semi-embrace.

* * *

The fatigue he felt earlier that day got stronger as they walked through the hot crowded streets of Kampong Glam. Pagkagising pa lang niya no'ng umagang iyon, hindi na maganda ang pakiramdam ni Sage. Alam niyang lalagnatin siya. But when Ken asked him about the watch, he didn't dare pass up the opportunity to spend time with her. So he endured the headache and muscle weakness.

Pangatlong beses na sila dumaan sa tapat ng isang shop na nagbebenta ng mga makukulay na bisikleta nang magreklamo si Ken. "We're lost, aren't we? 'Yong totoo, may patutunguhan ba tayo?"

"Hindi, alam ko kung sa'n 'yon. We just need to turn right here," sagot ni Sage, ayaw amining nawawala sila.

Ken was losing her patience. "Kanina pa tayo naglalakad. Nangtitrip ka lang 'ata eh. Meron ba talagang watch shop dito?"

Sage sighed. "Tell me, Ken, bakit ko gagawin 'yon?"

"'Cause that's what you do. Lagi kang humahanap ng pagkakataon para isahan ako or mang-asar," sagot ni Ken.

"Hmm, parang ikaw 'yong gano'n sa 'kin," sagot ni Sage na may kasamang pagngisi. "Maybe, I did that a lot before pero ngayon, wala akong reason para gawin 'yon."

"Eh 'di bakit wala pa rin tayo do'n sa shop? Bakit kanina pa tayo paikot-ikot sa area na 'to? Ilang beses na kaya natin nadaanan 'yang bike store. Alam mo ba talaga kung saan 'yong sinasabi mo?"

Sage was certain that the place existed. He has been there before but he didn't remember its exact location. Pero wala siyang balak aminin kay Ken na hindi niya mahanap ang shop. "Kaunting lakad na lang, promise," he said, faking confidence.

"I swear, if you're just making this up—"

"'Yon!" Sage exclaimed, interrupting Ken's threat and grinning as he gestured towards the facade of an old shop with a large display window featuring various timepieces. "See, we're here. Sabi sa'yo, alam ko eh. High blood ka naman kasi agad, kawawa siguro fiancé mo." Palitan ko na lang siya kung sukuan ka niya.

"It's not like I'm annoyed with everyone. It's just you, ikaw lang ang nakaka-high blood," she replied.

"So special ako?"

"Special child." The girl rolled her eyes as she pushed the shop's glass front door. Tumunog 'yong chimes.

A plump man with graying hair looked up from his tinkering. "Welcome to my humble shop. How may I help you?" he said from behind the glass counter, smiling at Ken.

"Hi, Uncle!" masiglang bati ni Sage mula sa likod ni Ken. "Remember me?"

"Ah Sage! Of course, I remember," the old man replied, nodding. "Your papa and grandpa like them?"

"Very much! They wear those watches everyday. You're the best, Uncle." Sage beamed.

"No need to flatter Uncle. You get discount, whatever you buy," he replied, chortling. "What you need today lah?"

"Actually, I'm not buying today but my friend is. This is Kendra," he said. "Ken, this is the very talented Mr. Chen."

"Nice to meet you, sir," Ken said, shaking the old man's calloused hand.

"What you need, Miss Kendra ah? Are you buying for you? Here, lah, newest watches for ladies," the watchmaker said, pointing to a group of bejewelled wristwatches inside the glass display.

"It's not for me," sagot ni Ken. Mabagal ang pagsasalita nito na parang nag-aalangan sa sasabihin. Her eyes darted quickly from Sage to Mr. Chen. "I plan to give a dress watch to my fiancé as a wedding gift. Please recommend something."

Sage felt his chest tighten. "I just remembered. My mom is looking for a grandfather clock for her redecorated library. I'll just be looking over there while you find the perfect watch," he said to Ken before wandering off to the other side of the shop. Lying so I can walk away. How did I become so pathetic?

Nagkunwaring tumitingin ng mga orasan si Sage pero maya't maya siyang nagnanakaw ng tingin sa direksyon ni Ken. She looked so focused at examining the variety of watches presented by Mr. Chen. Sage couldn't help but be jealous of the effort she's exerting in choosing a gift for another man.

Nakatulala si Sage sa tapat ng isang antique na grandfather clock nang tawagin siya ni Ken. "Sage? Okay lang bang isukat mo 'to?" she asked. "I just want to see kung bagay sa business suit."

"Yeah, sure," he replied with a lukewarm smile. Lumapit siya sa counter at pinalitan ang suot niyang relos ng relos na napili ni Ken. He looked at the roman numerals against the ivory dial and the silver bezel. The black leather strap felt comfortable on his left wrist. The watch was simple and elegant. Ganda ng taste ni Ken, parang siya.

"So, okay ba?" he asked, slightly raising his arm so they could take a better look.

Ken nodded in approval but Mr. Chen tried a bit to hard to sell it. "Looks perfect on you lah! You buy one also!"

Umiling si Sage at agad na tinanggal ang relos. "I don't think Kendra would find it amusing if I was twinning watches with her fiancé. I'll get one for myself on another day."

"Okay, okay, next time ah?" sagot ni Mr. Chen habang tumatango. Lumingon ang matanda kay Ken. "Can engrave on watch for your fiance. You want lah?"

Ken seemed to be caught off-guard by the watchmaker's suggestion. "I—uh, okay."

"Write down your message here and Uncle will engrave for you," sagot ni Mr. Chen habang nag-aabot ng papel at ballpen kay Ken.

"I just need to call my assistant. Labas lang ako, Ken," Sage lied, not wanting to see whatever sweet message she was going to write.

He walked out of the shop and stood still on the sidewalk, massaging his temples. With nothing to distract him, his sore muscles and headache became more bothersome.

* * *

Pagkalabas ni Ken ng shop, nakita niya si Sage na nakasandal sa pader, nakakunot ang noo at hawak ang mga sentido. Mabilis siyang naglakad palapit sa lalaki. "Uy, okay ka lang? May masakit ba sa 'yo?"

Tumingala si Sage at nakita ni Ken ang pamumutla nito. She raised her arm to feel his temperature with the back of her hand but he quickly stepped back before she could touch him. "Okay lang ako," he said with a forced cheerfulness. "Nasa'n na 'yong binili mo?"

"Ah, ipapadala na lang daw sa 'kin ni Mr. Chen 'pag tapos na 'yong engraving. Sure kang okay ka lang?" nag-aalangang tanong niya habang magkasalubong na mga kilay.

"Okay lang ako, promise," Sage said. "May iba ka pa bang bibilhin?"

Ken eyed him suspiciously, not at all convinced that he was fine. "Wala na. Ikaw ba?"

"Nah, I don't need to shop. Balik na tayo sa hotel," he replied.

* * *

Buti na lang, hindi puno ang tren kaya nakaupo silang dalawa. Ken was worried about Sage's health. Magkatapat sila ng upuan kaya kitang-kita niya ang pamumutla ng binata at ang matamlay nitong mga mata.

Maliban sa kalagayan ni Sage, nag-aalangan din siya sa nilagay niyang mensahe sa relos na balak niyang ibigay kay Ryuji. It wasn't really appropriate with the type of relationship they had. If it weren't for her parents' insistence, she wouldn't even get her fiancé anything.

The pair was only two blocks away from the hotel when it started raining. Mabilis ang pagdilim ng kalangitan at ilang segundo lang umambon bago tuluyang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan.

Dahil wala silang payong, mabilis na nagtanggal ng coat si Sage at tinalukbong iyon sa ulo ni Ken. Hinila nito ang kaliwang kamay ng dalaga at mabilis silang tumakbo papunta sa hotel. Hinihingal silang pumasok sa lobby pero magkahawak pa rin ang mga kamay nila.

Ken was about to let go but she noticed that almost everyone's eyes were on them, including the staff. Who could blame them? 'Di nila araw-araw makikitang mukhang basang sisiw ang gwapong baklang CEO na may ka-holding hands na chicks.

Hinigpitan ni Ken ang pagkahawak sa kamay ng binata kaya napatingin sa kanya si Sage. "See, everyone's staring 'cause they think you're gay," she whispered to him with a smirk.

Mabilis na inilapit ni Sage ang mukha nito kay Ken but he stopped when their lips were mere inches apart. "Should we give them a show?" he asked, returning the smirk and even adding a wink.