Naging abala ako sa mga sumunod na araw. Hindi lang sa pag-aaral kundi na rin sa paghahanda sa nalalapit kong debut. Each moment was meticulously planned, from choosing the final details of the floral arrangements—lavender and silver accents to match the amethyst theme—to confirming the menu and the evening's entertainment. Gusto kasi ni Mommy ay maayos ang lahat, napaghandaan ng husto.

Yet, no matter how absorbed I became in these tasks, the memory of that night—the way the universe seemed to pause, just for us, when Ridge came to my rescue—lingered in the back of my mind. Kinabukasan matapos ang gabing iyon ay naroon nga sa tapat ng building ang sasakyan ko katulad ng siyang sinabi niya. Hindi ko na siya muli pang nakita o nakausap kaya hindi ko sigurado kung pupunta nga siya sa birthday ko pero hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa. Pupunta ang mga kapatid niya, kinumpirma na iyon ni Reina sa akin. Kaya sana... Sana siya rin.

After that night ay mas lalong namahay sa aking isipan si Ridge. I found myself going over every detail of our interaction, analyzing his words, his actions, even the look in his eyes. Pilit na pinapaniwala ang sarili na gusto niya rin ako... na totoong gusto niya nga ako.

"Ang ganda mo!" Bulalas ni Reina nang lumabas ako mula sa fitting room. The giant skirt of my gown fanning out elegantly around me, doon siya hustong nakatingin.

She reached out, her fingers grazing the fabric with a sort of reverence as she admired the design. Mas lumapit pa siya para lalong usisain ang detalye.

"Mine's going to be red next month," magkasunod lang ang birth month namin ni Reina, si Aouie naman ay January.

I checked myself in the mirror, the reflection showing a girl transformed by layers of delicate fabric and meticulous design. Smiling at my own image, I felt a surge of confidence. "It does look amazing!"

"I told you!" Reina quickly snapped a photo with her phone. Nang balingan ko ay mas lalo siyang ngumisi. "Don't worry, I'm not going to post it. Isi-send ko lang kay Reeve!"

Napaikot ang aking mga mata at inabala na lamang ang sarili sa pagtitig sa detalye ng aking suot. Nasanay na lang ako kay Reina na ganyan, palagi niya akong kinukuhaan ng picture, tapos she would send it to Reeve. Nakakahiya na nga minsan dahil nasisiguro kong hindi naman ito humihingi ng picture ko.

"Hindi ka pa rin ba talaga nagbo-boyfriend, o tumatanggap man lang ng manliligaw? Because my brother is really cute, and he doesn't have a girlfriend either."

I laughed, rolling my eyes at her persistent matchmaking attempts. Well, halos apat na taon na nga rin simula nang makipag-break ako sa una at huling boyfriend ko na si Gavin. Ni hindi ko halos namalayan ang paglipas ng panahon dahil abala ako sa pag-aaral habang lihim na hinahangaan si Ridge sa malayo. And Reina had been trying to set me up with the wrong brother for years. Mabait si Reeve, cute rin katulad ng madalas na sinasabi ni Reina. But still, her targets were misplaced. Doon sana sa isa niyang kuya.

"Come on, you and Reeve would be perfect together," umaasang dugtong niya sa sinabi. Ilang beses ko na nga ba iyong narinig kay Reina? Sa dami ay hindi ko na mabilang.

"We're just friends, Reina. I really don't know where you get the idea that there's something more between us." Medyo natatawa kong sabi. Nasa ganoong usapan kami nang bumalik si Mommy sa silid, she had to step out for a call when I was changing.

Mom's face lit up with a radiant smile as she took in my appearance. Lalo akong umayos ng tayo at bahagya pang umikot para masilip niya ang likurang detalye nito. "Oh, Thysie, you look absolutely beautiful!"

"I look like you," napangiti ako dahil totoo naman iyon. Mas masungit lang siyang tignan kaysa sa akin dahil hindi naman siya masyadong pala ngiti, but I really do looked like her.

"Kuhanan ko po kayo ng picture, Tita V!" Si Reina na nakangisi, hinanda na nito ang phone at umanggulo na sa harapan namin ni Mommy.

"You can send it to Dad," natatawang sabi ko sa kaniya kahit pa alam kong iyon naman talaga ang gagawin niya.

"He will be so sorry he missed this," she agreed, moving closer to me. We positioned ourselves in front of the elegant mirror in the fitting room, the reflection capturing the striking resemblance between us. Our similar features were even more pronounced when we were side by side like this.

Reina expertly adjusted her phone to get the best angle, ensuring the opulent backdrop of the boutique added to the glamour of the shot.

"Okay, smile!" she directed, and we both turned our brightest smiles towards the camera.

The camera clicked a few times as Reina took several photos, moving slightly between each one to capture different angles. Agad nitong ipinakita ang mga kuha kay Mommy.

"Send me those, please. I'll forward them to your Tito Kier right away. He's at a conference in Europe, but he shouldn't miss this," sabi niya kay Reina.

"Sure, Tita." Reina responded, already tapping away on her phone to share the photos.

Magkakamukha lang halos ang sumunod pang mga araw. Sobrang boring dahil hindi ko na naman nakita si Ridge sa mga panahong iyon. Hindi ko ba alam, pero mukhang kailangan ko pa ata talagang hilingin na magtagpo ang mga landas namin para mangyari iyon.

It felt almost as if the universe, having briefly teased me with the possibility of something more, had decided to retract its offer, leaving me to ponder what could have been. This lack of encounters with Ridge turned what I had once thought of as serendipity into something akin to its reverse—a frustrating absence where coincidence refused to manifest, and paths that once crossed seemed now to run stubbornly parallel. Kaunti na lang ay iisipin ko nang sa magkaibang dimensyon kami nakatira ni Ridge. Lalo tuloy akong naghahangad at nanabik sa muli naming pagkikita.

"Sinasadya mo rin sigurong hindi magpakita, noh?" Parang tanga na kinakausap ko na naman ang cellphone ko kung saan nakabalandra ang picture ni Ridge. It was a habit now, talking to him through the pixels as if he could hear me, as if he was just shy of answering back. "Gusto mo 'yung hinahanap-hanap kita..."

My voice trailed off into a soft chuckle, acknowledging the absurdity of my one-sided conversation. Balang-araw, Ridge... Balang-araw ay sasagot ka rin sa'kin. Hindi puwedeng hindi. Hindi puwedeng hanggang dito na lang tayo. Hindi puwedeng hanggang ganito na lang ako sa'yo.

I sighed dreamily, turning to my side on the bed, the phone clutched in my hand as I continued to gaze into the digital eyes that seemed to hold depths beyond the glass screen. Kung sana ay natititigan ko rin siya ng ganito sa personal, kaya lang nakakatakot kasi si Ridge kapag malapitan. Hindi nakakatakot in a way na iniisip kong sasaktan niya ako, it was just... he was so intimidating.

"I really hope to see you tomorrow at my birthday," bulong ko, umaasa na kung mas hihinaan ko pa ang aking tinig ay baka sakaling magkatotoo nga ang hiling kong iyon. "It would mean so much if you could come. Maybe you'll finally see... maybe you'll feel something too."

Tuwing kukuwestyunin ko ang aking sarili sa kung paano ko nagustuhan si Ridge ay babalik lang rin sa akin ang tanong imbes na makakuha ng sagot. What was there not to like about him? He was, by all accounts, near perfection—successful, handsome, composed. His image on my phone screen, which I looked to once more, only reaffirmed the high regard in which I held him.

Yet, the reality of our age difference occasionally cast a shadow over my daydreams. Syempre, alam ko na bata ako kumpara sa kaniya. Best friend ko nga ang bunso niyang kapatid, eh. He was nine years my senior—an entire phase of life ahead of where I stood. But tomorrow, I'd be stepping into a new chapter. Turning eighteen wouldn't just mark a birthday. It would symbolically close the gap that age had placed between us. Legally, ethically, the numbers would shift from barriers to mere details. Napangiti ako. Nababaliw na ata talaga ako dahil nakaramdam ako ng kaunting tagumpay sa munting kaalaman na iyon. Puwede na akong lumandi bukas. Puwede ko nang landiin si Ridge nang hindi siya mapapahamak.

If Ridge came to the party, if he stepped through those doors and into the celebration, it would be an opportunity. Not just to see him or speak to him, but to show him who I was, beyond the girl he had rescued one evening. It would be my chance to be seen as an equal, as someone worthy of his attention not despite the years between us, but irrespective of them.

Lying there, I plotted half in earnest, half in fantasy, about how I could captivate him. I imagined conversations we might have, tahimik at seryoso si Ridge kaya dapat marami akong baon na pag-uusapan dahil sigurado na ako ang magdadala. Naisip ko rin na dapat may saysay ang mga sasabihin ko. Ridge didn't strike me as someone who enjoyed small talks. Baka pa ma-turn off siya sa akin kapag kinuwentuhan ko siya ng tungkol sa reality show na pinapanuod namin nina Reina. Ang alam ko ay mahilig siya sa science, pero ako naman ang walang hilig doon. Kung iyon ang gagamitin kong panimula ng usapan ay baka mapahiya lang ako lalo kapag wala na akong maidugtong kung sakaling hahaba pa. Huwag na iyon.

Hm.

Talagang pinaglalaanan ko ng oras ang bagay na ito ngayon pa lang, huh? Ni hindi pa nga ako sigurado kung dadalo siya bukas. Pero syempre, mabuti na rin 'yung alam ko ang gagawin at sasabihin ko bukas kung magkakaharap man kami.

Architecture.

Napangiti ako. That was our common denominator. Tama. Magpapanggap na lang akong nahihirapan ako sa course ko at magtatanong ng kung anu-ano sa kaniya bukas. But I really had to be careful na huwag naman mag mukhang bobo dahil baka naman mas lalo niya akong ayawan. Gagalingan ko na lang ang arte ko bukas. Kaya dapat talaga pumunta siya!

I really couldn't stop thinking of how I might look through his eyes tomorrow evening, and how, perhaps, he might begin to see me not as his sister's best friend but as a young woman, poised and coming into her own. Maganda ako bukas. Magandang-maganda.

The idea of trying to make him like me wasn't about manipulation—it was about opportunity. It was about presenting myself in a way that could make him notice, make him reconsider whatever notions he had of me.

And if he didn't come? Well, that would be an answer in its own right. It would be a disappointment, certainly, but not a defeat. Marami pang pagkakataon para maisagawa ang lahat ng plano ko... pero sana lang talaga ay bukas na iyon.

Nakatulugan ko na ang lahat ng kaisipang iyon.

"Happy birthday, Sloane." Mahinang bulong ni Daddy habang isinasayaw niya ako sa gitna ng bulwagan. The room shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, each light reflecting off the amethyst-themed decorations that adorned the walls and table settings. Purple drapes and silver accents lent an air of regal elegance to the luxury hotel venue, perfectly capturing the essence of the night.

Lahat ay maganda. Lahat ay umaayon sa plano ni Mommy, pero hindi sa plano ko. Kanina pa nagsimula ang programa at naisayaw na ako ng lahat ng bahagi ng eighteen roses ko, si Dad na ang nagsasayaw sa akin ngayon. At kahit anong lingon ang gawin ko ay hindi ko matanaw miski anino ni Ridge. Wala siya. Hindi siya pumunta. Hindi na marahil talaga siya pupunta. Baka busy? Syempre, sino ba naman ako para paglaanan niya pa ng oras? Marami talaga siguro siyang ginagawa.

"Thank you, Dad," mahinang tugon ko kay Daddy, pilit na ngumiti para hindi niya mahalata na medyo sad ako. Baka isipin pa ay hindi ako natutuwa sa party na inihanda nila ni Mommy para sa akin. Eh, hindi naman iyon ang dahilan.

"You look so much like your mother tonight," he said gently, causing my heart to swell.

Napangisi ako dahil alam ko naman iyon. Alam ng lahat iyon. "I know."

It was true. While my siblings, Ate Via and Kuya Kelso, inherited more of his features, all I seemed to have taken from him was his stubbornness. But tonight, I felt the connection to my mother stronger than ever, her elegance and grace seemingly woven into the fabric of my gown and into the very air around me. Lalo nang masulyapan ko si Mommy katabi ni Kuya Kelso, nakangiting pinapanuod kami ni Daddy. I knew I would look exactly like her years from now, kung mapupunta rin ako sa tamang tao na magmamahal at mag-aalaga sa akin. Si Ridge 'yun. Itinataga ko na sa bato. Kung hindi lang rin siya ay hindi na lang ako mag-aasawa.

Nasa ganoong pag-iisip ako nang iikot ako ni Daddy kasabay ng tugtog. I gasped when I saw him. Si Ridge. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata at tinitigan siyang maiigi upang siguraduhin na hindi ako pinaglalaruan ng sarili kong imahinasyon dahil wala na akong ibang ginawa kundi ang isipin siya. But no. He couldn't just be a figment of my imagination.

He was there, standing tall and striking by the far corner of the room. His dark eyes were fixed on me. Hindi ko magawang bitiwan ang kaniyang tingin sa takot na baka mawala siya kung gagawin ko nga.

Kinikilig ako. Kung kanina ay pilit lang ang mga ngiti ko, ngayon ay hindi na ako maawat pa sa pag ngisi. He was here! Dressed impeccably in a sleek, dark suit that highlighted his strong, lean frame, a subtle silver tie complementing the night's theme. The sight of him took my breath away. He came.

Napansin marahil ni Daddy ang mga ngiti kong hindi ko naman itinago. He followed my gaze and frowned slightly. "I didn't know Ridge Santa de Leones was invited,"

"I invited all the Santa de Leoneses." It was a broad statement, but technically true. Narito naman talaga ang mga kapatid ni Ridge, at syempre, hindi ko lang gusto na usisain pa ako ni Daddy kaya ganoon ang naging sagot ko.

He nodded slowly, sandali akong niyuko ng tingin pero wala na rin namang sinabi pa tungkol sa bagay na iyon. We danced for a few more moments until the song neared its end. As the final notes played, he gently guided me toward Trent, my best friend and the chosen escort for the remainder of the evening.

"Thank you, Tito," magalang nitong sabi kay Daddy bilang pagbati tapos ay binalingan ako. "Ready to take on the night?"

"Absolutely," humigpit ang kapit ko sa kamay ni Trent dahil sa kakaibang excitement at kilig na nararamdaman ko sa kaalamang narito si Ridge.

Trent raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. Kilalang-kilala ako ng isang 'to kaya kaunting pagbabago lang sa kilos ko ay alam niya na ang ibig sabihin. And of course, hindi rin puwedeng sasarilinin niya lang iyon. "You seem unusually happy... I think I might know why."

There was no use in trying to hide anything from Trent. Alam niya rin naman na gusto ko si Ridge. Hindi dahil sinabi ko, kundi dahil ganoon niya ako kakilala. Nahuli niya ako. Kaya wala na akong ibang nagawa pa kundi sabihin sa kaniya ang totoo. I spilled every detail of my hopeful and often heart-wrenching crush on Ridge.

Iginiya niya ako sa center stage, where my seat was positioned for the best view of the evening's events. Medyo yumuko siya para bumulong. "You're of legal age now, Thysie. But you still have to be careful—about men... and I mean men, not boys. At 'yung crush mong mas matanda sa'tin, he's a lot more than just a man. Hindi kita pipigilan na gustuhin ang kahit sinong gusto mo, pero sana ingatan mo ang puso mo... isa lang 'yan. Ingatan mo ang sarili mo, isa ka lang."

Trent's words were a reminder of the complexities that could lie ahead, especially with someone as profoundly established and seemingly out of reach as Ridge. Alam ko naman kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin. At alam ko rin na nag-aalala siya sa akin.

"Thanks, Trent," I replied softly, feeling grateful for his protective instincts. He kissed my cheek lightly, nakangiti pa rin kaming pareho.

"Happy birthday, Thysie. Enjoy your night," iyon lamang at tuluyan niya na akong iniwan sa stage upang muling humalo sa crowd kung saan naroon rin ang iba pa naming mga kaibigan. Nahuli kong tumabi agad siya kay Reina na nakangiting pumapalakpak sa akin.

Left alone on the stage, I took a moment to survey the room, my gaze inevitably drawn to Ridge. Naroon pa rin siya sa kung saan ko siya nakita kanina, may hawak na baso ng whiskey at napapaligiran na rin ng iba pang mga bisita, mostly businessmen who were no doubt discussing ventures and investments with him. Despite the attention he was receiving, his dark, brooding eyes were fixed on me. Sa akin lang na parang ako lang ang nakikita niya. Ano ba naman ito si Ridge? Alam ba niya na kapag patuloy siyang ganyan at mas lalo lang akong nahuhulog at umaasa? Yeah, I had a strong feeling my plans would succeed. Sa akin rin ang bagsak ng lalaking ito.

Nagpatuloy ang programa, ganoon rin ang titigan namin ni Ridge. He wasn't smiling, nakatingin lamang siya sa akin. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung ano ang maaaring tumatakbo sa kaniyang isipan. But I was really hoping for the best.

I held his gaze, trying to convey with my eyes everything I felt, everything I hoped for from this night. It was a bold, silent invitation, a plea for him to join me, to bridge the gap between us. Sana lang talaga ay naiintindihan niya rin ang gusto kong ipahiwatig.

Nakita kong nilapitan ni Kuya Kelso si Ridge upang batiin, iyon ang naging dahilan kung bakit inalis niya ang kaniyang tingin sa akin. I sighed. Si Kuya naman! Forcing myself to refocus, I turned my attention back to the vibrant celebration unfolding around me. The program was a beautifully orchestrated sequence of speeches, performances, and multimedia presentations that highlighted different chapters of my life. Nakitawa at nakipalakpak ako sa iba't ibang mga mensahe nila para sa akin. It was really beautiful and touching.

After the formal part of the evening concluded, the celebration transformed into a more relaxed setting. Tuloy ang tugtugan at sayawan. Ang iba naman ay nagkakainan na. I mingled and danced with a parade of guests, each interaction pulling me further into the festive spirit. Despite the fun, part of my mind was always scanning the crowd, looking for Ridge. Nawala na kasi siya sa paningin ko. Hindi ko na namalayan kung saan nagpunta.

Naipit na rin kasi ako sa mga bisita na gustong bumati at makipagsayaw sa akin. Eventually, I managed to excuse myself from the dance floor and slipped away under the pretext of needing a brief respite. Mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko habang sinusuyod pa rin ng tingin ang sarili, baka naman umuwi na si Ridge kaya hindi ko na siya makita. Huwag naman sana! Ni hindi pa kami nakakapag-usap ngayong gabi. Hindi pa nga niya ako nababati tapos uuwi na siya? Ang korni naman niya kung ganoon. Pero... Matanda na si Ridge, eh. Baka bored na siya sa ganito. Baka nga umuwi na.

Lumabas ako sa malawak na balkonahe ng venue kung saan may iilang mga bisita na naroon. It was quieter here, more secluded. May magandang view pa dahil nakatanaw ito sa magarbong amenities ng hotel.

Natigilan ako nang makita nga siya roon. He was standing alone, gazing out over the deck at the expansive view below. Ngayon na nasa harapan ko na siya ay bigla naman akong sinalakay ng kakaibang kaba. Oh, God.

Gathering my courage, and the skirt of my gown, I called out softly, "Ridge."

He turned at the sound of my voice, and I felt a rush of nerves as his gaze settled on me. With one hand still casually resting on the railing and the other tucked in his trouser pocket, he presented a figure of nonchalant elegance. Sandaling gumapang ang kaniyang mga mata sa kabuoan ng anyo ko, bigla tuloy akong tinamaan ng hiya. I silently hoped my look conveyed the sophisticated yet approachable vibe I had aimed for. Sana ay hindi ako magmukhang bata na nagpipilit tumanda sa paningin niya.

Mas lumapit pa ako sa kaniyang kinatatayuan. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The conversations I had rehearsed so many times in my head evaporated into the night air, leaving me momentarily speechless. Ano na, Amethyst? Akala ko ba ay gagawa ka ng paraan magustuhan lang niya? Bakit natatahimik ka na naman?

I swallowed hard, finally breaking the silence. "Thank you for coming tonight, Ridge. It means a lot to me that you're here."

He nodded slowly, kahit anong subok ko ay wala pa rin akong mabasang ekspresyon sa kaniyang mga mata. "It's a beautiful party. Happy birthday, Amethyst."

I smiled, reveling in the sound of my name on his lips. Masyadong pormal ang tungo niya sa akin kaya ngumisi ako at nagbiro. Feeling close na. Mapapang-asawa ko rin naman siya, eh. Sisiguraduhin ko iyon.

"I assume you didn't bring me a present?"

He stood straighter, pulling his hand from his pocket.

"My invitation came late... I wasn't part of the original plan," he replied, his voice flat but with a hint of jest that I chose to interpret as playful.

Understanding his dry humor, my grin widened. Rinig pa rin mula sa kinaroroonan namin ang tugtog na nanggagaling sa party sa loob. Tiningala ko siya ng tingin, I took a step closer and let the skirt of my gown fall to gather gracefully at my feet. "Isayaw mo na lang ako kung ganoon."

Ridge paused, his face unreadable for a moment before he responded—not with words, but with a subtle shift in his stance. I took that as my cue, placing my hands on his shoulders and gently pulling myself closer to him, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"You're really tall," I complained lightly, a mock frown on my face as I stood on my tiptoes.

Nahuli ko ang saglit na pag-angat ng sulok ng kaniyang mga labi bago muling pumormal ang kaniyang anyo. He then bent slightly to accommodate our height difference, cautiously placing his hands on my waist. Parang tumigil ang mundo ko sa simpleng hawak na iyon. It sent a thrill through me. I couldn't move for a second, but I knew I had to.

To dispel the growing tension and to avoid standing there in overwhelming silence, I started a conversation I practiced so many times in my head last night. Dammit. Galingan mo naman self! Huwag mong ipahiya ang sarili mo, Amethyst Sloane.

"Alam mo ba, Ridge... I've been studying a lot about modern architecture. Particularly the integration of sustainable practices into new designs," share ko lang sa future husband ko. Bakit? Masama ba 'yun? Hindi.

He adjusted his stance, making it easier for us to maintain a comfortable dance posture. "That's a crucial aspect of contemporary architecture. Are you looking into any specific methods or materials?"

"Yes, actually," nagustuhan ko ang tugon niya pero hindi ko masyadong ipinahalata. "I've been reading about the use of recycled materials and green roofs. Nakuha nito ang interes ko. It seems like a fascinating way to not only design functional spaces but also promote environmental sustainability."

Environmental sustainability. Alam kong iyon ang mas lalong makakakuha ng atensyon niya dahil tungkol doon ang mga isinusulong niyang programa. Of course, I knew what RHR Constructions is all about. Inaral ko iyon nang aralin ko si Ridge. At hindi naman ako nagpapanggap o nagsisinungaling, ah. Pinalad lang talaga na interesado ako sa isa sa mga ginagawa niya.

Ridge nodded, his hands steady on my waist as we slowly swayed to the music that now seemed to envelop us. "Sustainability isn't just a trend. It's becoming a necessity."

The conversation shifted seamlessly from theoretical discussions to some of his real-world experiences, which he shared with measured enthusiasm. As we talked, I couldn't help but feel drawn to the depth of his knowledge and his passion for his work, which shone through even in his subdued manner.

Habang sumasayaw ay hindi ko na napigilan pang dumiskarte. "I'm really enjoying my course. Medyo nahihirapan nga lang ako sa ibang topics. Siguro... puwede mo kong tulungan na mas maintindihan ang mga inaaral ko."

Ridge raised an eyebrow, a look of suspicion flickering across his face as he peered down at me. Wala namang sinasabi pa pero pakiramdam ko ay nahuhusgahan niya na agad ang simpleng diskarte kong iyon. Oo nga pala. Genius siya.

"I'm not trying to score a date, I promise. It's just these concepts on bioclimatic design and the use of adaptive materials—I'm really struggling with them." Galingan mo pa ang drama!

Huminto na kami sa pagsayaw pero hindi pa rin naghiwalay, nanatili lamang na nakatingin sa isa't isa. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mga maaaring tumatakbo sa kaniyang isipan. Ah, bahala na talaga! What's the worst that could happen?

"Your mom is a renowned architect, and your dad and siblings are engineers. You've got all the help you need." Simpleng paalala niya na siyang nagpaikot sa aking mga mata.

"True, but I don't live with my parents anymore..." I smirked slightly, trying a different tactic. I then heaved a theatrical sigh. "But if you're busy and can't help, I totally understand. I'll just figure it out on my own. Siguro naman kung paulit-ulit kong babasahin ay makukuha ko rin iyon. Ako na lang. Kaya ko na."

Ridge shook his head, the corners of his mouth twitching in what almost resembled a smile.

"You're such a bad actor," he commented dryly.

Sasagot sana ako upang ipaglaban ang sarili ko nang nalipat ang kaniyang tingin sa aking likuran. He then leaned closer and flatly said.

"Your boyfriend is looking for you."

Huh? I turned to look over my shoulder and saw Trent stepping out onto the balcony. Dahan-dahan niya akong binitawan tapos ay tumuwid ng tayo. Ano ba naman 'to si Trent? Panira! Agad akong nahanap ng kaniyang mga mata. From the corner of my mouth, I discreetly shooed Trent away, hoping he'd get the hint without making a scene. Mukha namang nakuha nga nito iyon dahil hindi na ito nagpatuloy pa sa paglapit. Trent shook his head slightly, may lihim na pagbabanta at paalala ang ipinukol na tingin sa akin bago tumalikod at bumalik sa loob. Nang mawala ito ay doon ko lang muling hinarap si Ridge.

"Si Trent lang iyon... Hindi ko siya boyfriend. He's... well, he's like a brother to me." Kumibit ang aking mga balikat at mas nagpasikat pa. "Hindi ako nagbo-boyfriend kasi gusto ko talagang mag-focus sa pag-aaral. Pero ewan... siguro ngayong college naman na ko ay puwede ko nang pagsabayin."

A ghost of a smile appeared on Ridge's face, a fleeting expression that suggested he was amusingly aware of the undercurrents of my confession. Hindi pa rin ako nahiya kasi nasabi ko na. Hindi ko na babawiin pa ang simpleng pahaging ko na iyon.

"I think you should focus more on your studies, especially since there are topics you're struggling with." Patuya niyang paalala sa akin sa drama ko kanina na hindi niya naman kinagat. Nakakainis. Hindi madaling makuha si Ridge. Pakipot siya!

I was about to argue, to tell him that I could handle both academics and maybe a bit more of a personal life when I was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of Reina and Aouie's laughter nearing the balcony. The moment was breaking, and I felt a rush of disappointment.

Ridge glanced towards the sound, then back at me. "You should head back to your party,"

Hay. Tapos na. Ito ang highlight ng gabi ko kaya nakakalungkot na matatapos na agad. I sighed, a part of me reluctant to leave the bubble we had created.

"When will I see you again?" Matapang kong tanong. Wala namang problema sa akin kung ipagdadasal ko na lang ulit ang muli naming pagkikita, pero kasi baka abutin na naman ng taon! Aba. Kung tumatanda ako ay mas lalong si Ridge. Mamaya ay bigla na lang siyang mag-asawa. Eh, 'di paano na ko?

He took a step back, the distance between us growing as he answered.

"Next time." His voice was non-committal, but his eyes held a warmth that hadn't been there at the start of our conversation. I would take that as a progress.

Just then, Reina's voice called out to me, pulling my attention away.

"Amethyst! What are you doing out here?" she asked as she stepped onto the balcony with Aouie in tow. "Kanina ka pa namin hinahanap sa loob! Wala pa kayong picture ni Reeve!"

I turned to face them, forcing a smile, making sure to block their view of Ridge so they wouldn't start asking questions I wasn't ready to answer. Hindi naman sa kailangan kong itago sa kanila ang pagkakagusto ko kay Ridge, pero mas mabuti nang hindi nila alam. Ayaw kong usisain pa nila ako ng husto.

"Just needed to breathe a bit," palusot ko.

They nodded, seemingly satisfied with my explanation, and quickly dragged me back towards the liveliness of the party.

Papasok na kami nang may maalala akong nakalimutan kong hingin kay Ridge. Ang number niya! Idiot! Pagkakataon ko na iyon, eh. I could've easily get it from Reina, sure. Pero ayaw ko ngang mausisa ng husto. Gosh! Sana hiningi ko na iyon kanina. Wala pa naman siyang socials. Kainis naman!

Nilingon kong muli ang balkonahe kahit pa hila-hila na ako ng dalawa. Wala na si Ridge doon. Hindi ko na alam kung nasan na siya pero wala na. Sayang!

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