"Enrique, long time no see, pare!" Masiglang bati ni Ivo pagkatapos ng ilang segundo.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kaniya. Just when were they close?

Ivo yanked me up. Nagsamaan pa kami ng tingin dahil ramdam ko na ang pang-aatat nito sa akin.

"Uhm, hinatid ko lang si Avery. Wala akong ginawa sa kaniya, promise!" Paliwanag kaagad ni Ivo nang hindi man lang siya binati pabalik ni Enrique.

I scoffed. "What are you explaining for? He's not my boyfriend!"

"Gagi, huwag mong ginagalit ang mga musang, Avery..." bulong sa akin ni Ivo.

"Musang?" Kumunot ang noo ko, sabay tingin kay Enrique. "You're a Scout Ranger?"

"Ang galing, diba? Napanuod ko si Enrique sa TV—"

"Lasing na lasing ka," lumapit sa akin si Enrique at mas lalong sumimangot nang maamoy niya ako. "Just how much did you drink, Avery?"

"Okay, nice talking..." rinig ko si Ivo sa tabi ko. "Alis na siguro ako. Enrique, ikaw na bahala sa kaibigan ko, ah! Alam kong sundalo ka pero makikipagsuntukan pa rin ako sa'yo kapag may ginawa kang masama kay Avery!"

"Shut up, Ivo!"

Ivo waved goodbye, happy to get rid of me. Ako naman, naiinis na dahil hindi mawala ang hilo mula sa ininom na alak. Mas lalo lang akong nairita nang hindi sumunod si Enrique kay Ivo.

"Ba't narito ka? Kay Ivo lang ako nagd-drunk call, ah?"

"You texted me." Seryoso nitong wika. "Ang sabi mo, lasing ka. Ni hindi mo man lang sinabi kung nasaan ka."

"Huh?" Kumunot ang noo ko at kinuha ang cellphone ko. Halos hindi ko na ito mabasa dahil hilong-hilo na ako. After a few minutes of fumbling my phone, I finally realized that he was right... I texted him! I texted and called him a bunch of times earlier! Silang dalawa ni Ivo!

Enrique went to me. He caught me when I tripped on the door. I pushed his chest away and frowned at him.

"Ano?" I raised my brow at him.

"You didn't wait for me...."

"Pinagsasabi mo?"

"I didn't forget, okay? I also went to the cemetery today."

"Oh..." my shoulders slumped. "I see."

Kinuha ni Enrique ang susi mula sa akin at siya na mismo ang nagbukas ng pinto ko. I stumbled inside, dropping my bag on the floor and heading straight to the couch. Ibinagsak ko ang katawan doon at ipinikit ang mga mata.

"You need to change, Avery."

"I know, so get the hell out of here."

"You're just going to sleep when I go."

I chuckled. He got me. I don't feel like doing anything when my whole world is spinning right now. Ngayon pa lang, alam ko nang pagsisisihan ko ang lahat ng mga ginawa ko simula nang tumapak ako sa loob ng lintek na bar na yun. I shouldn't drink without my friends! That was so un-Avery of me.

"Get up, Avery."

I let out a moan when I felt him tugging on my arms. Tinatamad akong tumayo at bumuntong-hininga.

"You reek." He commented.

Imbes na ma-conscious ay natawa lang ako. "Have you ever gotten drunk? This is what a drunk woman smells like." I slurred.

"Where's your bathroom?"

Itinuro ko ang nakasaradong pinto ng banyo. Inakay naman ako ni Enrique patungo doon at in-on ang ilaw.

"Brush your teeth. I'll look for some clothes..." he instructed.

I mimicked his voice while trying to find my damn toothbrush inside the bathroom! Napaka-bossy talaga kahit kailan! At what's with the intimidating look earlier? Ivo would surely avoid me for life after this! Baka sa susunod ay hindi na ako sunduin nun kapag naisipan kong uminom nang mag-isa.

"Avery."

Napapitlag ako nang marinig ang boses ni Enrique. Shocks! Nakaidlip pa ata ako habang nagto-toothbrush! I quickly resumed brushing my teeth in fear that he'll scold me again. He lingered in the doorway until I was done. Saka niya inabot sa akin ang mga damit na nakita niya sa kwarto ko.

"Did you get my... underwear too?" I murmured.

Tumango lang siya. Uminit ang mga pisngi ko habang tinatanggap ang damit mula sa kaniya. I quickly locked my door and changed into a pair of sweatpants and white shirt that he found. Mas lalo akong namula nang magka-match pa ang lace bra at panty na kinuha niya! My God! I don't wear lace underwear in my house! Hindi ba niya nakita ang isang drawer kung nasaan ang mga pambahay na underwear ko?!

"Shit..." I cursed when I realized that he'd just seen my delicates and all! This is all so embarrassing...

Nagtagal ako sa loob ng banyo, hinihiling na sana umuwi na siya pagkalabas ko. Napamura ulit ako nang makita siyang naghihintay sa sala. I took a deep breath. Medyo nahimashimasan na ako pero nahihilo pa rin ako. I could still smell the remnants of alcohol in my breath even after a lengthy brushing of my teeth earlier.

"Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?" Nagtungo ako sa couch at naupo. I lifted my gaze at him.

"Uuwi na."

I nodded. "Salamat sa tulong mo kanina. Pero sa susunod, pwede bang huwag mong pagsamaan ng tingin ang mga kaibigan ko? Parang maiihi na si Ivo kanina, eh."

"Then you should've called me instead."

"Huh?"

"Call me." He said sternly. "Next time you're drunk... just call me."

Umirap ako sa ere. "Hindi ka naman palaging narito! Paano kapag tinawagan kita tapos nasa bundok ka pala?"

Natahimik si Enrique. I chuckled humorlessly.

"Don't act as if you're going to stick around this time. May limit lang ang oras mo dito, diba? Aalis ka rin ulit."

"Avery..."

"Don't do this to me..." I shook my head as a lump formed in my throat. "Paaasahin mo lang ako. Ayoko nun. Aalis ka rin ulit, eh. Okay na ako sa mga nagdaang taon na wala ka kaya... huwag nalang."

"I'm sorry."

"Ayos lang, basta huwag mo nang gagawin ulit." I smiled at him. "Hindi naman ako kasing-tatag gaya ng iniisip mo."

Enrique didn't say another word. Ipinikit ko na ang mga mata ko sa sobrang antok at pagod. Before finally dozing off to sleep, i heard the door shut.

From: Ivo
BAWAL KA NANG TUMAWAG SA AKIN MULA NGAYON

From: Ivo
MAHAL KO PA ANG BUHAY KO, UTANG NA LOOB AVERY

From: Ivo
Huwag na muna tayong magkita habang buhay pa si Enrique, okay?

Kumunot ang noo ko habang binabasa ang libo-libong text ni Ivo sa akin kagabi. I tried to recall what happened, my phone beeped again.

From: Tatay ni Chuchay
I left some aspirin in the table. You should take it.

From: Tatay ni Chuchay
And I'm sorry about your friend. Forward his number to me and I'll apologize for how I acted last night.

Unti-unti ko nang naalala ang nangyari kagabi. I rubbed my temples, cursing myself over and over again. Bigla akong naawa kay Ivo! Ang sama naman kasi talagang makatingin ni Enrique, akala mo papatay ng tao!

I sighed and apologized to my friend. Hindi niya naman ako responsibilidad pero kinuha niya pa rin ako sa bar kagabi. Kay Enrique naman... hindi na ako nag-reply. I feel guilty for what I said last night but I want to commit to it.

Kung gagawin niya na naman ang ginawa niya sa akin noon, malamang mahuhulog na naman ako sa kaniya! Walang kwenta ang ilang taon kong pagmo-move on kung magpapadala lang ako kay Enrique ngayong narito siya. Ilang beses ko pa bang kailang ipaalala sa sarili ko na naka-leave lang siya at babalik na naman siya sa serbisyo pagkatapos ng maikling panahon?

I just have to endure him... until he leaves again. I vowed to myself that I won't be shattered into pieces when he's gone. Baka hindi ko na makaya kung pagdadaanan ko na naman lahat ng pinagdaanan ko sa kaniya noon.

"Good afternoon, Ma'am!"

"Good afternoon, po," bati ko sa foreman. Enrique lifted his gaze when he heard my voice. Kita ko ang pagpupunas nito sa kamay bago lumapit sa amin.

"Avery—"

"Salamat sa gamot," tipid akong ngumiti sa kaniya at kaagad na pumasok sa gate. He watched me like a hawk as I fumbled through my bag to look for my keys. "At kagabi na rin."

Hindi ko na hinintay na makasagot si Enrique. Dali-dali akong umakyat sa unit ko at isinarado ang pinto. My heart is beating wildly but at least... I got rid of him for today. If I continue doing this, eventually he'll pick up and leave me alone. I thought about dating men and showing it to his face but it sounded so cruel for both of them. Besides, I'm not in the mood to date guys right now. Now when he's still here.

Ilang araw akong paiwas-iwas kay Enrique. Every time he tries to talk to me, I would cut him off or dash the other way. Hindi ko alam kung nagtatanga-tangahan lang siya pero hindi pa rin ako tinatantanan ng lalaki! Ilang ulit ko ba 'tong kailangang itaboy para lang mapagtanto niyang ayaw ko na siyang makita o makausap?

"Avery..."

"Brandon!"

Gulat na gulat ako nang makauwi mula sa trabaho at nadatnan si Brandon na lasing na lasing sa tapat ng boarding house. It's already dark and most of the workers are having dinner in the bunk house. Nasa tapat lang naman sila pero natakot pa rin ako nang mag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Brandon at halos hindi ko na makilala ang talim ng titig niya.

Something's really off about him today...

"Why didn't you say yes?" He slurred.

"You're drunk," sumimangot ako at nagpalinga-linga. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"My friends are still talking behind my back," he chuckled humorlessly. "Ito raw ang unang beses na tinanggihan ako ng isang babae. This is so humiliating..."

"Brandon..."

"So, why?" He took a step forward and started caressing my cheeks. Tumindig ang mga balahibo ko sa katawan pero ayokong ipakita sa kaniya na natatakot ako kaya pumirme lang ako at nakipagtitigan sa lalaki. "Are you fucking someone behind my back? Hmm?"

"Get the hell out of here!" Galit kong sigaw at umatras mula sa kaniya. Brandon caught my arm and twisted it. I shrieked in pain. Saka pa nagsilabasan ang mga workers nang marinig ang boses ko.

"Ma'am?"

"Umalis ka na, Brandon..." my voice was shaky with tears as I tried to get away from him.

"Sir, umalis na ho kayo! Sinasaktan niyo ho si Ma'am!"

They all hurried towards me. Pumagitna ang kumpol nila sa aming dalawa ni Brandon kaya tuluyan na itong bumitaw sa akin. He laughed and pointed at me.

"Which one of them are you fucking, Avery?"

"Lasing ata 'tong gago na 'to...."

"Bangasan ko 'to, eh!"

I blinked back my tears and looked away. I've never imagined he would get so violent after a rejection. Aaminin kong kasalanan ko rin naman pero ayokong magpakasal sa lalaking hindi ko naman mahal! We would be living the rest of our lives in misery...

"Umalis ka na." I said firmly. "Kapag bumalik ka pa dito, ipapa-demanda na talaga kita."

He chuckled and stumbled away. I was shaking, so I pressed my fingers tightly and shut my eyes. Iminulat ko lang ang mga mata ko nang kinausap ako ng mga construction workers.

"Sino yun, Ma'am? Ang bastos, ah? Gusto mo ipa-blotter na po natin?"

I shook my head weakly. "A-Ako na ang bahala. Salamat nga pala..."

"Gagong yun! Sarap suntukin, eh."

I gave them a weak smile and went straight to my unit. I tried to sleep but even in my bed, I was cowering in fear. I was so afraid that he'd show up again. Halos hindi ko na siya makilala sa inaakto niya kanina....

Mas lalo lang akong nawala sa mood dahil sa nangyari sa amin ni Brandon. I have no idea if Enrique already knows about it because the construction workers were talking about it the next morning. Tuloy pa rin ako sa hindi pagpansin sa kaniya, determinado na kalimutan na siya at ang lahat ng nangyari.

Pero ang hirap, lalo pa't binabalik-balikan ako ng nakaraan ko...

"Nandito ba si Enrique?"

I stared at the drag's face. She was so beautiful. Pati ang mga construction workers ay napapatingin sa kaniya. She had a sweet smile on her face. I've only seen her twice, both in a dim-lit stage but now that she's under the sun, I could appreciate her beauty even more.

I swallowed hard. "May binili lang, babalik din yun."

She smiled widely and let out a sigh of relief. "Hay, nahanap ko rin..."

Hindi na ako nagsalita. It was my day off and instead of going to the coffee shop to work, I got engrossed with talking to the foreman about the progress of the building. Kanina pa kami nag-uusap nang biglang lumapit ang babae sa amin.

"Ah, ako nga pala si Irina."

Even her name is fucking beautiful.

Ngumiti lang ako at tinanggap ang kamay niya. "Avery."

She pointed to the bench nearby. "Ayos lang ba kung hintayin ko siya dito?"

"Oo naman."

Umakyat na ako bago pa makabalik si Enrique. I don't want to see the two of them together. I didn't know that he's keeping in touch with her after the Ring Hop Ceremony. Pero base sa reaksyon ng babae ay matagal na niya itong hinahanap! Maybe she got infatuated with him and looked for Enrique after his graduation? Who knows!

I started working in my room but I was too distracted! I got up and paced around. Ilang minuto na ang lumilipas. Nakabalik na ba yun?

I bit my lower lip and slowly stepped out. Iginala ko ang paningin sa baba. I immediately spotted the two of them, talking under the tree outside. They stepped away for a bit of privacy. Irina is beaming and talking animatedly to him. Enrique is his usual self, serious and composed. Mayamaya pa ay bigla nalang siyang niyakap ng babae.

My chest tightened. Tumalikod kaagad ako dahil ayoko nang makita kung niyakap ba niya pabalik si Irina o ano. I went inside my room and went back to work, even if the image of them lingered in my mind for a long while.

Kinabukasan, maaga akong nagising para makapag-jogging. Hindi na ako nagulat nang makita si Enrique sa baba. He was never late to work. In fact, he's always an hour early. He was just sitting on the bench outside when he saw me. Kaagad itong tumayo at nilapitan ako.

"Avery..."

I pointed to my earbuds. Enrique ran his gaze across my body. Naka-running shorts lang ako at puting athletic top. I smiled politely at him and walked on the other direction but he still grabbed my arm. Iritado akong tumingin sa kaniya.

"Ano?! Kitang magj-jogging ako, eh."

"Let's talk....please." Napapaos ang boses nitong wika.

I yanked my earbuds off and stared at him. "What?"

"You're avoiding me again." He lowered his head.

"Yes, and?" Namaywang ako. "We've already talked about this. I don't want to get involved with you again knowing that you're just going to leave!"

"It's not the same as before—"

"How so?" Panghahamon ko sa kaniya. "You can't say that. I am so done with long-distance relationships, Enrique. It's so draining! Kahit pa sinabi ko noon na iintindihin kita, na maghihintay ako parati....nasasaktan pa rin ako! Do you know how hard is it for me to face all those problems alone? Ayoko nang bumalik dun!"

I heard him sigh.

"For once, just take no for an answer, okay? We are done. I could try being friends with you if that's what you want—"

"I don't want to be friends, Avery!" He hissed, glaring at me. Kahit na hindi tumataas ang boses niya ay kitang-kita pa rin ang galit sa mukha niya.

I smirked. "Really? Your actions are saying otherwise. Why the hell would you bring your girl here in the workplace, huh? Para ipamukha sa akin na talagang tapos na tayo?"

"Are you talking about Irina?"

"She's the drag you rented that night for your Ring Hop Ceremony. Akala ko dun na kayo nagtatapos dalawa. Mukhang hindi naman..." I shrugged. "I still have the mini PMA ring, if you want to give it to her, then just tell me!"

"Irina is just a friend!"

I scowled at him. "I don't think so.... She was obviously looking for you."

"I haven't talked to her after the ceremony, okay? Hinanap niya lang ako para bayaran ang utang niya—"

"Utang? Nagpapautang ka na pala?" I laughed humorlessly because this is so fucking ironic! "Then you really must have feelings for her—"

Enrique stepped forward and looked me in the eyes. Nag-aapoy na sa galit ang mga mata niya dahil sa mga pinagsasabi ko! I lifted my chin defiantly, not ready to back down.

"Irina is just a friend," he repeated, this time, in a calmer tone.

"Sinong friend ba ang magpupunta rito sa La Union para lang hanapin ka—"

The words died in my mouth when Enrique grabbed both of my shoulders to kiss me! Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sobrang gulat. I gritted my teeth in so much anger as his nails dug into my skin. When he saw how flushed I was, he backed away for a bit.

"You're so damn loud, Avery..." he whispered hoarsely. "And you're not even listening to me..."

Tulala lang akong napatingin sa kaniya, hindi makapaniwalang ginawa niya yun. Enrique is still holding me, without so much force this time. Tumitig siya nang mariin sa akin.

"I don't have any feelings for her..." Enrique stared at my lips, red and tingling from the kiss. "I never had any feelings for any other woman but you. Until now, Avery... it has always been you."

Before I could even stop myself, I slapped him.