Mga hikbi ni Sue ang nanaig sa kwarto. I don't know if I was wrong for barging in or if I have executed my right for doing so. Ang hilingin na sana'y nagkamali ako ng rinig ay huli na. From how my sister's moist eyes shied away and Wilmer's anger, a surefire sight that I heard him all right.

I don't have to ask the questions. Paliwanag ang kailangan ko mula sa dalawa. My mind treaded back to highschool trying to trace some proof regarding with these two. Ganon sila kagaling maglihim na ni-walang nakakaalam sa kung anong namagitan sa kanila?

For being the favored victim of the truth that loves to elude is beyond me. Kung sino man itong mga karugtong ng daloy ng dugo ko ay doon pa ako nito pinagtataguan. Maybe I have not cared enough and just got satisfied with the truth I know when it was not even all there is to it.

Dean's arms slithered along my slim waist. Kaagad sumunod ang mainit niyang hininga nang bumulong sa akin, "Ruth, let them talk in private first."

I fought the shivers it brought to my skin and brave my way into his stare. His green slits are deliberate and cautious while mine's already with an accusation.

Before I could voice it out, he beat me into speaking. "Let them sort this out then you talk to them after."

I stared at him longer than necessary. How could he let other people have their matters be fixed when he wouldn't even allow to settle ours? Us talking and his enmity for me seemed to be just another relic in the sand dunes but it's indisputable that we're halfway of a loose end.

Sa muli kong pagbaling sa dalawa ay hindi na sila makatingin sa akin. Wilmer's glaring on the floor while setting his muscled arms akimbo. Si Sue na sumisinghot pa rin ay nakahalukiphip at tila ba naghihintay silang mapag-isa. I begin to understand their need for privacy the second I saw their reactions.

Binitawan ko ang doorknob at naramdaman ang pagdulas ng kamay ni Dean sa aking baywang nang tumalikod ako at bumaba ng hagdan. I heard him shut the door and he was quickly to get hot on my heels.

"You look mad," aniya habang nakasunod. The loud pounding of his footfalls declared how near he was from me.

Umikot ako upang maharap siya. Mukha pa siyang nagulat at agad na huminto.

"You knew."

Hindi iyon tanong ngunit simple siyang umiling.

I lifted my chin higher. "How come? He's your bestfriend."

Nag-angat siya ng kilay. The way he recoiled with that slight surprise in his face was as though my statement had delivered a baby of ridiculous proportions. If not because of this serious entirety I would've laughed at him.

"And how come to you, too. She's your sister," ganti niya at halos matawa.

Uminit ang pisngi ko kasabay ng aking pag-iwas dahil sa hiya. Right. Nagsasalita na naman ang iritasyon ko para sa akin at pinapangunahan ang aking lohiko. As I let my emotions overtake, I want my rationality to stay close behind until it finishes on top of the line.

Huminga ako nang malalim at binagsak ang sarili sa sofa. Mabilis akong hinagkan ng pagod at plano ko na sanang magpahinga. But to rest was just the expectation while I was on my way here. To confront all of these is the reality.

Tiningala ko ang kuwarto kung saan ko iniwan ang dalawa. I heard murmurs and slight raise of voices but I couldn't make out their words. Muntik na akong sumugod nang makarinig ng pagbagsak ng gamit. Nagtama ang paningin namin ni Dean na nakatayo pa rin sa harap ko.

I couldn't read what's beneath the serious entirety of his eyes. They lured me to step into those green pools with a brown center just to take a swim in his infinite thoughts but drowning as of now is not my priority. The present and my rationality became my lifeguards.

"Did you tell Wilmer about my mother?"

Hindi ko alam ang kuta ng aking tanong. Nagsanib ang kagustuhan kong may mapagusapan at masungkit ang katotohanan mula sa kanya. Consecutive discoveries just got me all fried that I don't want to be kept in the dark anymore.

"I never told anyone," he silently said. The serious rasp scratches my hair shafts. "Your secrets are mine and I'm planning to keep them up to my grave."

The wilderness in my chest started to rumble. Sinabi lang naman niya na nilihim niya ito tulad ng gusto ko at totoo iyon para sa akin ngunit bakit isang pangako ang turing ko rito? Not all promises are true. But are all truth...promises?

To whoever Wilmer had gotten that fact, Sue must have something to do with it now that I've uncovered their connection. Hindi ko lubos maisip kung paano sila nangyari. Pwede ko pang maintindihan kung bakit sila naglihim pero ang kung paano ay iyon ang gusto kong malaman.

This led me back to the blame game where I was the only sole player. Being a negligent older sister and I who's nothing short of a façade of strong when in the inside and the other half of me, is a hiding little girl fearful of being left behind.

The case with my blood mother is still a standing moot point in waiting which I have half a mind to settle. As with my sister and Dean, both are being served but it's already certain on which was the matter of concern.

"Si Theone?" tanong ko nang may maalala.

Agaran ang gitli sa noo ni Dean. Lumapit siya at tinabihan ako sa sofa. Hindi ako gumalaw nang lumubog ang espasyo sa tabi ko sa kanyang pag-upo. God, he's such a heavy man! Mas malaki ang katawan ng mga kasama niya ngunit siya yata ang pinakamabigat.

"Why are you asking for him? Siyempre, pinaalis ko na."

Marahas ko siyang nilingon. "Hinatid ako nung tao. At least I have to thank him."

"I already did that for you."

Binagsak niya ang likod sa sofa at dumekwatro. Sumunod ang pag-krus ng braso niya sa kanyang dibdib. Providing he's still topless, I saw his chest protruded altogether with the rise of his cursive tattoo that I could hardly decipher.

Matagal ang pagtitig ko sa alon at hubog ng kanyang braso at sa bumabakas na mga ugat rito. The blatant veins in his forearms made me imagine how expert his hands are not just in plucking guitars but among other things that I should not be thinking right now.

Tumikhim ako at ginrupo ang sarili bago nag-angat sa kanya. He's looking at me weirdly.

"You did? H-how?" mukhang matapang kong tanong para isipn niyang hindi ko siya pinantasiya. But I think he already caught me as I saw that smirk crawling. Damn!

"My fist did the job for me."

"Dean," banta ako.

Umirap siya. Ayaw niya talagang nagpapaliwanag. In his curt and cryptic answers, he wants to be understood rightaway.

"Nagpasalamat, Ruth. Paano ba magpasalamat?" Tila sarkastiko ang kanyang tono. "Is there a grand gesture? Ang alam ko lang ay kung paano magpatawad at humingi ng tawad."

Humigpit ang sikmura ko sa pahayag niya. Agad pumasok sa isip ko ang paraan niya ng panghihingi niya ng tawad. Are we in the same boat with that?

"Nag-sorry ka sa kanya? You punched him."

"Hindi. But I thanked him." Tamad niya akong nilingon sa nakaangat niyang kilay. "Happy?"

No, I'm not. But I'm satisfied enough.

"Si Arrow?" tanong ko muli.

Ang narinig kong pamilyar na boses ng babae kanina ay interview ni Jillian sa isang showbiz section ng panggabing balita. I am reminded by the media downstairs at the condo's entrance. Tinunghayan ko sa mukha ni Dean kung may alam siya ukol rito. I couldn't know if Marcus knew since he's in Cebu.

"With Skylar. Nasa Music room."

"May media sa baba," diretsa kong sabi. "What they saw in the mall surely has reached them."

He doesn't seem bothered as he turned to me. Ang salubong niyang kilay ay hindi ko alam ang ibig sabihin.

"You're worried." He simply stated. And he sounded so relaxed at that!

"Of course I'm worried!" Samantalang ako'y halos maghisterikal.

"For what? Let them know about us."

Natigil ako'y napaawang ang bibig. How could he say something like that given our situation? Hindi porke't nagpapansinan kami ay maayos na ang lahat. We are all cases of an unfinished business here.

"Paano magkakaroon ng tayo? Our issue is still up in the air for you don't want me to start talking about it. You don't want to listen. So what is there for us to have an 'us', Dean?" diin ko.

His nature colored eyes were violently wiped out by the hurricane that's claimed his rude being. The sharp stare reminded me of the lines and bolt of lightning. Hinila niya ang sarili at marahas nilapit ang kanyang mukha. He's up for a challenge, his jaw indicated as it clenched.

Tinukod niya ang isang kamay sa backrest ng sofa at mas tinakot pa ako sa paglapit ng kanyang mukha. If he's expecting me to cower in fear then he'd be monumentally disappointed. Totoo naman kasi ang sinabi ko kaya hindi ko iyon aatrasan.

"You kissed me. You set your territory on me." His tone has a warning edge. Halos hindi bumubuka ang bibig na tila pinipigilan pang magpatakas ng mga salita ng karahasan.

"That's for Jillian's lesson and for the music video," as calm as a drizzle, I replied.

That irritation just got promoted into anger. Hindi ko pa rin magawang matakot. I found myself in a weird place asking myself why I even find him more attractive when angry. Na sa halip matakot ay iba ang gusto kong gawin sa kanya. Gusto ko pa siyang galitin at iba pa.

Goddammit! A Eureka moment for me! I think I know what that capital H Erika was talking about! Dahil ba malapit na ang period ko? Shit.

"I don't entertain meaningless kisses, Ruthzielle. My lips don't allow that." His whisper was razor-edge his rapid hot breaths scratches my face. "Tangina umasa ako sa halik na iyon!"

A door opened at the tail end of Dean's hysterics. Sabay kaming lumingon sa taas at natunghayan ang unang paglabas ni Sue kasunod si Wilmer. From here, I could see my sister's eyes are puffy and red ngunit wala nang lungkot dito salungat sa nakita ko kanina. Wilmer's face is the same cold and wicked. He looks at peace, though.

Sinundan namin ang tahimik nilang pagbaba. It was like being in the court room where those two are the persons of interest. I am the judge while Dean's the lawyer. Kung iba lanag ang kalagayan namin ngayon ay pinagtawanan ko an ang imahinasyon ko.

Nilingon ko si Dean na hindi pa pinakawalan ng kanyang galit sa naging usapan namin. Meeting brows, thin lips are closed tightly, at tila kinikimkim niya ang kanyang sigaw sa mabilis na paghinga at gumagalaw niyang ugat at braso habang nakahalukiphip pa rin ito.

I wasn't sure how to leave that conversation without encouraging an argument. Kaya naman isang gantimpala ang paglabas ng dalawa na ngayo'y nakaupo na sa Cleopatra sofa sa harap namin.

"So? Can you tell us how did this all happen?" Hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa.

I still don't want to believe they happened. I can't with Wilmer! This is like a fantasy story from the book that came out to life! Si Wilmer, Sue? Arrow's father? Goodness Gracious!

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Bumuntong hininga si Dean sa tabi ko sabay tinukod ang mga braso sa hita na tila interesado rin sa maririnig. Nagsalikop ang mga kamay niya sa gitna ng mga tuhod.

"D'you wanna know how come did we have a kid or how did we happen?" panimula ni Wilmer. "I'm sure you don't want me to answer the first one, Ruth." He smirked.

Muntik ko na siyang lapitan para lang masapak! Humawak si Sue sa braso niya upang pigilan at ganon si Dean na sa hita ko naman kumapit. I tried to ignore how the heat of his hand burned the fabric of my leggings but goddamn it!

Nang makitang doon ako nakatingin ay mabilis ring inalis ni Sue ang kamay niya na parang napaso ng apoy ngunit mas mabilis si Wilmer na dakpin ito at pinagsalikop ang mga kamay nila sa kanyang hita.

Umawang ang bibig ko. I am wearing unbelievability like a costume. They made peace rightaway in my room for what? An estimated fifteen minute conversation? Dean should attend to Wilmer's class and have himself be taught with this lesson about matter discussion for fifteen minutes real quick!

"Will," banta ni Dean. Binalingan siya ng kaibigan at nagkibit.

Ilap pa rin ang mga mata ng kapatid ko at hindi kayang bungguin ang aking paningin. She knew very well that this discovery is a tourist for me that has a plan to be an immigrant.

"Sue,"sambit ko.

Agad niyang nakuha ang gusto kong mangyari nang magsalita siya.

"Ayaw mo kasi akong payagan noon kaya..." Yumuko siya't naiilang na kinagat ang labi.

"Kaya palihim kayong nagkikita?" dugtong ko.

Tumango ito at mas nagsusumiksik pa sa inuupuan niya. Wilmer released her hand only to reconnect it on her waist and pulled her closer to him.

Umiiling akong nag-iwas ng tingin at hindi sadyang umikot kay Dean. Tutok na tutok rin ito sa dalawa. Sa salikop niyang mga kamay, pinaglalaruan ng mga hinlalaki nito ang kanyang labi. His head slowly went up and down as he played while he seems to be in deep contemplation.

"You didn't tell me, Will," he said, yet he appeared unaffected.

Inadjust ni Wilmer ang sarili sa sofa na hindi bumibitaw sa kapatid ko.

"I trust you, man. But I don't think you can keep this secret, not especially for her." Sabay baling sa akin na tila kasalanan ko pa.

Dean turned to me and nodded. "Point taken."

Nakikita ko ang kanaisan niyang ngumiti, sayang-saya sa sinabi ng kaibigan.

I fell silent for a while as I convene my questions and everything that I want to find out. Was there a secret communication? In which I'm sure they've already mastered. If so, then Wilmer could have gotten a clue about Arrow. I would give credits to his dislike of me for keeping me from the details about them.

If we're in a reality show, baka nanguna na kami sa ratings. Teen mom seven years ago has finally reunited with the baby daddy. The Ice Prince of The Metaphoricals. Malaking balita rin 'to para sa banda. Given Wilmer's spot as the bass player, pumapangalawa siya kay Dean sa fame status at baka papantay pa nga kapag sumabog ang balita sa madla.

"Do you want to ask too on where did we make it?" Wilmer cut in to my thoughts. "In our house, Ruth. Ask Sky, but I highly doubt she'd heard us. We played a very loud music that time."

Matalim ko siyang tinitigan sa nag-iinit kong mukha. How could this man hated me all the while setting his sights on my sister was never in my list of expected realities.

"She was fifteen that time, Wilmer..." Hindi ko alam ang idudugtong. As long as shock streams in my blood, my thoughts would go into a total clusterfuck.

"I know..." tahimik nitong sabi, tila ba ay ngayon niya lang ito napagtanto at gusto niyang pagsisihan.

Noon ko pa ito gustong gawin sa araw na nalaman ko ang sa pagbubuntis ni Sue. Probably, like what other mothers would have done, I would confront the guy, the father of my sister's child. Ngunit wala nang magagawa ang sisihan dahil lumalaki na rin naman ang bata. Arrow is a blessing. His existence indemnifies the holes done by our family's predicament. It made our father happy. Sue has changed for the better to maturity. So I won't treat this like I want them to regret what they've done.

"But you hate me to the depths, tapos inanakan mo ang kapatid ko. Ano 'to Wilmer, gaguhan?" Nanginig ang boses ko. Humigpit ang kamay ni Dean sa aking hita.

"Ate..."

"I was in love with her throughout highschool. I loathed those boys sniffing around her kaya inangkin ko na!"

"Oh my God..." Nasapo ko ang noo ko.

Being also at seventeen, I wasn't to judge and get angry at Wilmer with the how's and why's. What would that make me when I even had been in the same route as him and so as with our age? Iba nga lang ang paraan niya. I don't know if that's immaturity on his part o labis lang talagang nararamdaman niya para sa kapatid ko na binalewala na ang mga edad nila. And the consequences of Sue's early pregnancy.

But in Wilmer's defense, Arrow became one of the best parts of our family.

"Will, stop it," banta muli ni Dean.

"What? I just told her the truth."

"But you're stressing her!"

"Tss...as if you haven't stressed her enough."

Dahil hindi ako mahila ay si Dean na ang umusog at binilanggo ng braso ang baywang ko. Tila ba ay pambawi sa kung ano mang binintang ni Wilmer. It was a gesture of assurence yet I stayed still as a huge rock so he moved closer. Binanggit ko na bang topless pa rin siya at hindi pa nagbibihis?

" How many times?" tanong ko nang makalma.

I caught a flicker in Wilmer's cold eyes. The ghost of smirk gave rise to a variety of meanings.

"Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang beses namin iyon ginawa. What do you expect?" Tinagilid niya ang ulo at mukhang nanunuya.

Mabilis kong hinubad ang sapatos ko at tinapon sa kanya. Dean was quick to catch my hand to stop me but I was faster when my shoe catapulted to Wilmer's chest! Hard.

Mabilis niyang sinapo ang kanyang dibdb na parang inaatake na sa puso. He stared at me in horror.

"Ate Ruth!"

"Wilmer naman!"

"Hindi iyan ang ibig kong sabihin!" bulalas ko. "Ilang beses kayong nagkikita ng palihim noon? This is serious, Wilmer! Stop messing around!"

"I don't know! And I'm not messing around!" halos sigaw niya. His tone reflected on his semi-angry eyes. Sinasapo pa rin niya ang dibdib niya. " We always meet of course. We're around the same school."

"Who knew about you two?"

Katulad ni Dean ay mabilis siyang nababagot kapag inuusisa. Inirapan niya muna ako.

"No one, but Cash caught us one time at the back of the freshmen building. There were no rumors so..." He shrugged, he sounded calmer now. "I think he never told anyone."

"Caught you two what? Doing it? At the back of—"

"Kumain lang kami ng lunch! Ate naman..." si Sue at pulang-pula ang pisngi na kumapit sa braso ng katabi.

"Well you can't blame me, Sue. You were sexually active at the age of fifteen when I have not even tried second or third base while you have already bagged a homerun? Hiyang hiya naman ako sa 'yo."

Feeling Dean's shoulder shaking made me turn to him. Tahimik nga itong tumatawa at namumula ang tenga at leeg, pigil na pigil ang tuwa. I tore my vexed stare at him when I heard Wilmer and found him grinning like a kid that caught the cookie jar. Si Sue sa tabi niya aya tinatakpan ang ngisi sa likod ng kanyang kamay.

My eyes stopped at the three one by one.

"What's funny?" Para akong tanga n hindi alam ang pinagtatawanan nila. Is it because of the subject of my hysterics? "Siyempre ako ang mas matanda pero siya ang unang nakasubok?"

Pinakawalan ni Dean ang pagpipigil at binulabog ang mga muwebles ng condo sa pagsabog ng tawa niya. He clapped his hands then covered his red as a beet face. His shoulders shaking could beat the Mercalli intensity scale. It's like he wants to declare his laugh to the world!

Tinulak ko siya sa braso."Stop it. Walang nakakatawa!"

He didn't stop. Pinalala ko lang yata sa pagsaway ko. Wherever in my statement that bloomed his entertainent, I don't care. Malay ko ba sa nilalaman ng isip niyan. His eyes are as green as his mind, I tell you.

"So ikaw si Kean?" baling ko muli kay Wilmer na nahuli kong kabulungan ang kapatid ko.

Tumuwid siya ng upo at pormal na tumango. "Wilmer Kean Rivero. Yeah, that's my name."

Yeah, and I was mind fucked. Sinuyod ko pa ang buong sophomore corridor para sa Kean na 'to noon. Si Wilmer lang pala! These guys should work as spies. They could make great money from it. Ang lakas maka-ninja kung makapaglihim ng relasyon!

"Were you in a relationship with another woman or women aside from my sister?" I interrogated. "Sa galing niyong magtago ay baka may lihim ka ring nakarelasyon, Wilmer."

Wilmer recoiled.Muling sinapo ang dibdb sa gulat naman ngayon "Bakit ako lang ang tinatanong mo?"

"Basta ako wala," agap ni Sue at kinalas ang kamay sa braso ng katabi. Pormal nitong nilagay ang mga kamay sa kandungan at taas noong umiwas kay Wilmer.

Sa naging tanong ko ay napagtanto rin yata niya na dapat pagdudahan iyon. Sabay nilang nilingon ang isa't isa at nang magtama ang paningin ay mabilis ring nag-iwasan.

Oh great. It was like I shook their faith, trust and love to each other. Maybe in my first life, I was Cupid's nemesis and now I am to perpetuate the legacy of being his adversary.

"You're my witness, ate Ruth. Ilap na ako sa mga manliligaw. A teen mom like me, I highly doubt a guy would take up the responsibility of an available woman with a six year old kid."

Binalingan ko si Wilmer. "Ngayon alam mo na kung bakit ikaw lang ang tinanong ko."

He sighed. May pagsuko sa mukha niya kaakibat ang pag intindi na ngayon ko lang natunghayan sa isang malamig na Wilmer nang hinuli ang paningin ng kapatid ko.

"Wala. Never..." I heard his heartfelt whisper on the last word.

Kita ko ang pagnguso ni Sue at ang pamumula ng mukha nito. I've never seen her go weak just by being beside a man.

Secretly, my stomache flipped and my chest warmed from the smallest things I noticed about them. Siguro ay nababaguhan ako. I knew my sister was capable of relationships but not with a man as cold and naughty as Wilmer. Akala ko nga noon ay hampaslupang fuckboy lang ang Kean na 'to.

I probably have underestimated my sister too much. Wilmer may have the attitude but...from what I heard him say, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt to be a great father to Arrow.

"I'll second to that." Dean slightly raised his hand.

Muli siyang sumandal sa sofa at mukhang nababagot na. Nandito lang naman yata siya upang mangusisa na parang nanonood ng tv dahil walang magawa. He could have went in the Music room and teach my nephew guitar and piano.

Wala na akong maisip itanong. We're not here to find a solution, anyway. Only cleaning the dust of the past and polish it into a new set of beginning.

"So anong plano niyo? And please don't make it as reckless as making a baby at fifteen."

"I'm gonna marry her."

Pinagpasalamat kong wala akong kinakain ngayon. I would have choked myself to death! Si Dean na parang papatulog na sa sofa ay napabalikwas at tumuwid ng upo.

"Come again?" Even that shock made its way to his voice.

"Marry her? You're shitting me!" I could have laughed but I can't!

I wished I heard him wrong. What I heard right was the pounding of blood in my ears. Animo'y huminto hindi lang ang paligid kung 'di ang takbo ng mga parte ng sistema ko. Except my heart trying to beat madly for its survival.

"May anak na kami, ate..." mahinang sabi ng aking kapatid kasabay ang maamo niyang pagyuko.

Matabang ang aking tawa. Unbelievability doesn't cover it.

"Magpapakasal kayo dahil may anak na kayo? Iyon lang? Aba'y kawawa ang pamangkin ko kung ganon, Sue. I thought you've learned but I guess not just yet. You don't marry each other just because you both made a kid alone!"

"I love your sister..." Sheer determination set on Wilmer's face and tone. His eyes cold and ready for a kill.

As if in default, my head tilted to the side. Duda ko siyang pinanliitan ng mata. "Say that again?"

"I will, but not for you."

Wala sa sariling naglalaro ang dila ko sa itaas na parte ng aking ngipin nang may napagtanto. My blood in heat and my pulses are pounding. Damn it.

"Kung hindi mo nalaman na may anak pala kayo, sasabihin mo pa kaya iyan, Wilmer? Na pakakasalan mo ang kapatid ko? Seven years, huh? And you said you love her. Pero hindi mo naman binalikan sa Cebu at pinuntahan sa bahay. Ni pabango mo roon wala akong naamoy."

Nanuyo agad ang lalamunan ko pagkatapos kong ilahad ang aking akusasyon. From his no-show not a glimpse of a shadow absence in my sister's life is an indication, then yes, my theory is right.

"You can't fool us with that declaration. Kung mahal mo talaga ang kapatid ko ay sana noon pa ay gusto mo nang pakasalan. Hindi ngayong nalaman mong may anak kayo, " dagdag ko, trying to emphasize my point.

Wilmer remained stoic and unperturbed. Nanantiya ang kanyang pagtitig na tila nilalangoy nang mabuti ang daloy ng aking isipan at hindi aahon hangga't walang nauungkat.

"Hindi porke't hindi natuloy ang kasal niyo ni Dean ay ayaw mo na ring makasal ang kapatid mo. Don't be so bitter about us, Ruthzielle."

Suminghap ako sa ganti niyang paratang. How could he think I was bitter when all I want is the best for my sister?

Hinihingal ako sa inis na umakyat na sa dulo ng aking galit. Dean's hand holding mine might have help but this time, my anger is in world domination.

"Believe me, I've thought about going back to the city to see her. I had no idea that she was pregnant with my kid when she broke up with me. Have you seen me entertain other girls, Ruth? I even avoided you like you're a walking cancer 'cause I hate girls but your sister. If that's not enough of an indication for you then...don't go to our wedding. I won't invite you, anyway."

"Hindi iyan ang sagot na kailangan ko!" mariin kong utas. "And most especially I'm not bitter! Mas lalong hindi ko kayo papayagang makasal kung iyan lang din naman ang iniisip mo tungkol sa akin!"

"Hindi rin naman ako papayag na pigilan mo kami. And you judged me first. Ano bang alam mo sa nararamdaman ko sa kapatid mo? Words and actions, fine they're not enough for you but it's not to you on whom I'm gonna prove a lifetime with that but to your sister!"

Sa galit ko ay hindi ko matagpi nang maayos ang aking mga katwiran. I want him to see my point that they can't marry because one, they have a kid and that's it.

Two, just because he claimed his love for her they'd already result it into a shotgun marriage.

Lastly, seven years and he did nothing but keep his hands full with the band and among other stuff. Saan ang oras niya para sa kapatid ko kung ganon? And with this newfound information for him? Ngayon pa niya gagawin ang sana'y ginawa niya noon? Goodness gracious!

Yes, in his defense he was kept in the dark regarding my sister's pregnancy pero sana man lang ay binisita niya ito o kinamusta man lang. O nagparamdaman. Even with their break up, if he really loves her, then he would make a way to see her. Kahit sulyap lang sa malayo.

We breathe the same dust in the same country so there was no reason for him not to do those!

"Bakit hindi sapat sa 'yo na gusto ko ngang pakasalan si Sue hindi dahil sa may anak kami? I love her, alright? Why don't you just accept it?"

"Because that's not enough!" sigaw ko.

Dean pulled me on my waist from my attempt to give another hit on Wilmer. Kita ko ang halos paglapit sa akin ni Sue but she was torn between the sister and the lover. I saw her panic and prediction on where this is leading us.

"Hah! Katulad ng hindi pagiging sapat ng pagmamahal ng kaibigan ko sa 'yo kaya hindi mo sinipot sa kasal niyo?"

What?

The evil lurking in Wilmer's smirk is frightening. Sa halip na manaig ang takot ay galit pa rin talaga ako.

"See? That's what I'm trying to say. As long as you two can't be settled, you won't allow your sister to marry me. The always bitter and envious, Ruthzielle.." panunuya niya.

"Wilmer, stop it." Dean's cold warning started to distribute fear.

Suminghap si Sue sa pagtayo ni Wilmer na nagsimula nang humakbang sa aming direksyon. His steps are measured and as menacing as his brooding eyes.

Dean stood up too as if trying to stop his friend from doing something drastic which bidded fair to be a possibility.

"Wilmer..." ani Dean at may kaba sa boses nito.

Wilmer ignored him. His sharp cold slicing on me. Huminto siya nang tumayo na rin ako at sinangga ng tapang ang takot na subok niyang ginagawad sa akin.

"You tell me that's not enough, then I tell you something, too. You claimed that you love my friend but you kisssed another boytoy—"

"You kissed me, motherfucker!" sigaw ko at humakbang na upang sugurin siya. Muli akong pinigilan ni Dean sa humihigpit niyang hawak sa aking baywang.

Hindi niya ako binitawan habang dinuduro ko na ang kaibigan niyang nanatiling kalmado at malamig.

"You kissed me to ruin us so you can save the band!" I shouted. Naiiyak ako sa galit ko nang maalala ang ginawa niya!

"You were committed to another man while you thought he was in Spain!"

"Wilmer!"

Tumigil ako sa pagpumiglas. Ang yakap ni Dean sa akin ay unti-unting kumakalas.

"Anong sinabi mo?" Nanginig ang boses ko.

I ignored Dean trying to stop me at something ngunit nabibingi na ako sa kalabog ng puso kong umaalingawngaw ang tibok sa aking tenga.

"You were happy, in a relationship, and rumor has it you dated him for two months already. But Dean came back...with a ring for you, Ruthzielle. Three months after...he came back with a ring for you. To ask you again in marriage that you're trying to run away from just because you're young and love wasn't enough."

"Son of a bitch! Wilmer, goddammit! Stop!"

Nilapitan na nito ang kaibigan but Sue was quick to stop him before he could punch his friend. Namumula at hingal na hingal ito sa galit o kung anuman.

Namanhid ang mga tuhod ko. My arms went numb, too. Hindi ako makagalaw sa paggupo ng lamig sa akin.

"Maybe...your love wasn't enough for him." Wilmer carried on. "Imagine? Tatlong buwan lang nawala ang kaibigan ko at may kapalit na siya? Did you really love him, Ruth? His love could move mountains for you...but hell!! Anong natunghayan niya sa pagbalik niya?"

Dean cursed sharply and loudly. Tanging mga mata ko na lang ang kaya kong igalaw na nakatutok sa namumuti na niyang kamao.

"The ring Dean had was ready to be put yet again on your finger, Miss Seventeen. But then seeing you, and your lips touched by another man's lips...happy,content..."

Taunt laced around Wilmer's tone that reminded me of villains that feigned pity on their victim's destruction.

"Shit...Stop it..." Dean's voice was strained and tortured.

Umulan ng luha sa aking pisngi nang tinanaw lahat ng sinabi niya. Humihikbi kong nilingon si Dean na unti-unting tinagpo ang aking tingin. I found his bloodshot eyes that almost couldn't look back at mine. All the blame and pain...summarized in those tortured hazel green eyes.

Infront of me was an intense man that was set to rule the world with his passion. But at this moment, all I see is surrender and downfall.