UNKNOWN NUMBER:
hi
si Yohan 'to :)

Simula nang ibigay ko sa kanya yung number ko, naghahanap na palagi ako ng palusot para lang ma-message siya. Kaso lagi namang si Kyle naiisip ko kaya ayaw ko naman ng gano'n!

May number nga niya ako, hindi naman kami gaanong nag-uusap.

I don't think this is just a mere crush anymore. Atleast I don't want it to be. Wow ang dali ko namang kausap. Pero gustong-gusto ko na siya.

I've been seeing him around a lot. Tapos bibigyan niya ako ng ngiti tuwing makikita niya ako, minsan he would even say hi.

He never fails to make my heart beat faster, kahit magkasabay lang kaming bumili ng pagkain tuwing recess, o kaya naman kahit na tumabi lang siya sa akin kapag tinatawag siya ni Kyle.

He would often joke around with me too.

Oo nangyayari na 'yon!

I finally existed in his world. Minsan, nahihirapan na ako sa pagsusulat ng letters ko sa kanya, pero hindi naman ibig sabihin no'n na titigilan ko na! Hindi ko nalang siguro ire-reveal sarili ko. Saka nalang. Hindi naman niya malalaman kung sino ako eh.

I also kind of told him to stop looking for me on my last letter at parang... tinutupad naman niya iyon.

I told him na masaya na akong napapasaya ko siya, which was true. Okay na okay na ako roon.

I didn't want to think too much of what happened nung hinatid niya ako. Iisipin ko nalang na mabait nalang talaga siya because..

Parang may something sa kanila ni ate Julienne. He also treats me the he treats everyone. Mabait siya sa lahat, friendly.

"Who are you glaring at??" Tanong sa akin ni Mon. Grabe naman 'to! Hindi naman glare, hindi ba pwedeng intense lang yung tingin ko sa kanila??

"Oh, Kuya Yohan." She chuckled nang makita na niya ang tinititigan ko, hindi lang yun si Yohan! He was sitting next to Ate Julienne tapos she was laughing at the things he was saying.

I admit, they looked good together. Pero ayaw ko silang tinitignan, masakit sa puso, bhie! "Strong mo naman." Said Jasmine with a frown on her face. "Ano, gusto mo pa?" Naga-alalang tanong niya and I pursed my lips.

"Oo naman!" Masayang sagot ko, making them shake their heads at me.

Dumating na ang mga lalaki kaya tumahimik na kami, ang girls talk ay girls talk lang!

"Riley, I heard they made you captain sa yellow team." Bungad sa akin ni Theo, mukhang na-kwento na sa kanya ng bestfriend ko. "Congrats!"

"Thank you!"

The intramurals were getting closer at kinalat ang mga varsity sa apat na teams, nagkaroon tuloy ako ng chance para maging captain!

I was feeling good about my team this year, ka-team ko si Mon pati si-

"Hey." Biglang tumabi sa akin si Yohan na ikinagulat ko.

"Pre." Pag-bati ni Kyle sa kanya. They were both in the Yellow team at si Yohan ang leader! Shucks, parang panalo na kami. Charot!

From time to time, I'd notice Yohan staring at me with an expression na hindi ko ma-gets. Lumiliit pa ng konti ang mata niya habang pinagmamasdan niya ako.

"D-do you need anything?" Nauutal na tanong ko dahil hindi ko talaga kaya yung titig niya. Hindi man lang siya umiwas ng tingin when I caught him, he just gave me a warm smile at umiling siya.

Biglang tumili si Mon kaya napalingon kaming lahat sa kanya. Yung baso niya nasa bibig niya pa and it looked like she was scrolling through her feed.

"Nag-break na!" Masayang pag-balita niya, ang sama naman!

"Yung crush mo dati tapos yung girlfriend niyang bruhilda!" Tuloy niya kaya lumiwanag ang mata ko.

She rarely showed her excitement, pero 'pag may tsismis ang galing talaga nito eh!

Naramdaman ko ulit ang titig ni Yohan sa akin nang marinig niya yun pero hindi ko nalang siya pinansin, titigan niya yung ex niya roon!

I instantly knew who she was talking about and I looked at whose feed she was going through. Pinagde-delete na nung guy yung photos nila nung jowa niya.

"Kanino mo ba nalaman? Baka gusto lang niyang mag-delete."

"Balita ni Tino sa akin! The girl cheated on him!" Masayang pagpapaliwanag niya.

Tino was our friend from our old school. Graduating na siya so he didn't see the sense of transferring, pero kung ako lang sa kanya, matagal na akong umalis doon, I didn't know how he survived there.

Pero kung siya ang nagbalita, siguro totoo naman! Oh my gosh!

Ang supportive naman ng mga kaibigan ko sa pagla-landi ko. Pero may nararamdaman akong kakaiba ngayong may ibang option ako.

Ano 'to? Magiging loyal ba ako sa isa kahit na wala kaming pag-asa?? It's not hard to be loyal kung pangit naman ng ugali ng mga naging crush ko dati.

Siya lang yata naging matino??

"Hoy, hoy. Sino yan??" Tanong ni Daphne, looking so invested in the tsismis.

"He's the guy I told you about!" Pag-kwento ni Mon sa kanila. "Yung unang na-date ni Riley sa-."

Daphne cut her off. "Ah! Si Ramen boy!"

I rolled my eyes at the nickname they created for the guy. Porket nag-ramen lang kami noon yun na ang naging tawag nila sa kanya.

Jasmine squinted her eyes a bit, trying to remember the details of 'Ramen boy'. "Ano na kasi nangyari dun?" Tanong niya. "Oh wait, didn't you just see him sa mall?! Yung may kasamang babae na ang sama ng tingin?"

"Yes, pero pass na ako dun 'no! One time kilig lang pinaranas niya, hays..."

They all arched their brows at me, yung mga lalake may sariling mga mundo naman. Pero totoo kasi!

"Mamahaling ramen na nga binili sa'yo, tapos hindi pa kayo nun!"

"Oo nga, kaso beh the next week nalaman ko may jowa na pala siya." Like what the hell, tapos yung jowa niya kung makatingin sa akin parang aagawin ko jowa niya.

Iyong iyo na!

"I heard from our coach. Captain ka?" Pag-simula ng conversation ni Yohan sa akin kaya napalingon ako sa kanya. Nakita ko ang nakakahawa niyang ngiti, bringing a small one to my face.

"Ah.. oo." Matipid kong sagot dahil bigla ko nanamang naalala si Ate Julienne. When I looked at her, she was staring at him talking to me kaya napaiwas ako kaagad ng tingin.

Naiinis ako pero alam mo yun? Wala naman akong karapatang mainis nor magselos. Tapos kahit na ayaw kong kiligin, ngiti palang niya kumakabog na ang puso ko!

Alam ko naman na iba na ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya. Kampante pa rin naman ako dahil hindi pa nagpo-post si Yohan about any relationship he has with a girl.

Pero kung nangyari na iyon, alangan masasaktan ako.

"Well, congrats! Magkakaroon ka na ng experience for next year." Napakunot ang noo ko, confused with what he meant.

"When you become captain." Sunod niya.

"Naniniwala ka pa rin na magiging captain ako??" I chuckled. Medyo gumaling na ang paa ng captain namin ngayon so she started participating in practices again.

And although she was still a little rough at court, ayaw naman naming agawin sa kanya ang puwesto. She earned it.

He shrugged. "I've seen you play. Galing mo kaya." Pag-compliment niya sa akin.

"You watch me play?" I teasingly asked, making him playfully roll his eyes.

Late na rin siyang nakakauwi eh. Halos sabay lang kami palagi kaya siguro napagmamasdan niya ang mga naglalaro sa court.

"You're not difficult to notice, Riley. You shine brighter than the others."

"Ano pala'ng gusto mo, pre?" Tanong ni Kyle sa kanya, cutting off the excitement I felt when he said those words. Panira naman 'tong Tanda na ito!

"BYE, RILEY!"

"INGAT BEH!" The girls shouted from inside the shower room and I gave them a wave goodbye as I walked away.

Kakatapos lang ng practice namin so I was feeling tired pero nasa campus pa si Mon kaya hihintayin ko na siya.

I made my way towards the main building of the school. May mga estudyante pang nakaupo sa may front entrance ng building so I waved at some of the people I knew.

"Miss, bawal nang umakyat." Pag-suway ng guard sa akin kaya napataas ang kilay ko. Ang alam ko nasa AVR pa sina Mon!

"Ah.. Pupunta po akong AVR.." I explained, hoping he would get it. "Magpe-painting painting ko ako roon." Pagsisinungaling ko.

"Ay, oo nga pala! Sige Miss."

I let out a sigh of relief when he walked away from me at tuluyan na akong umakyat ng hagdanan. I've only been inside the AVR once kaya hindi ko pa kabisado ang daan, but nakita ko rin naman after a while.

I knocked on the door before opening it, napatingin tuloy sina Mon sa akin. Nang makitang ako lang iyon, they continued what they were doing.

"Hi," bati ni Mon sa akin, careful not to move her mouth.

Ini-is-sketch pa siya nung nagha-handle sa team banner namin, siya raw yung ilalagay roon. Wow, shala!

She was the muse of our team kaya pagod na pagod siya these days because of cheerdancing and then cheering.

Someone gave me their chair and so I thanked them before sitting down and watching my bestfriend get drawn, vinideo-han ko pa siya at nilagay ko iyon sa close friends story ko, tagging her.

Hindi pa nila alam kung anong pose ang gusto nilang i-drawing so they drew her side profile din just in case. Pina-ikot na yata nila yung buong ulo at katawan niya para lang makuha lahat ng angles niya kaya natatawa ako.

May biglang sumandal sa kinauupuan ko kaya napalingon ako sa taas. "Hi." Nakangiting saad ni Yohan as he looked down on me, his dimples showing.

"Hello!" Masayang pag-bati ko sa kanya, already knowing that he would soon show up. Siyempre pumunta talaga ako rito because I knew he'd be here.

When Mon noticed the two of us, she pursed her lips. Pinipigilan niyang tumawa pero halatang gusto niyang mang-asar.

"Buti nandito ka pa?" Tanong ni Yohan sa akin. He pulled a chair and placed it right beside mine.

"Hinihintay ko siya." Sagot ko as I pointed at Mon, making him nod his head before looking at the time. Mukhang dumidilim na sa labas kaya napa-buntong hininga ako.

Sasabay nalang siguro ako kay Mon, kahit sa sakayan lang. Ang dilim na, ayaw ko namang mag-lakad mag-isa 'no.

Sigurado naman akong hindi uuwi sina papa ngayon kaya kampante ako, they were both busy with work. Buti nga may oras pa silang i-inform ako eh.

"Sabay na tayong umuwi." Pag-aya ni Yohan sa akin and I stifled a smile. Si Mon naman masayang nakikinig sa aming dalawa. "Magkalapit naman bahay nating dalawa." Pag-tuloy niya.

"Please keep a straight face like before." Utos kay Mon nung nagdo-drawing, mukhang gusto na ring umuwi, kaya inalis niya kaagad ang ngiti niya. But it was so obvious na kinikilig siya para sa amin.

"Anong oras ba uwi mo?" Tanong ko kay Yohan. Baka mag-hintay pa kasi siya rito nang matagal. Bakit hindi nalang kaya nila pinictur-an si Mon?? Ano siya, Mona Lisa?

Ay wait, ang witty ko roon... Hays ako lang 'to.

"Uhh... Kanina pa dapat." Sagot niya kaya napakunot ang noo ko.

"O bakit hindi ka pa umuuwi?"

He scratched the back of his head and even though it was a little dark inside the room, makikita mo pa rin ang pamumula ng tainga niya.

"I was waiting for someone- Kanina pa pala natapos yung training niyo, 'no? I thought you already went home." Mabilis niyang iniba ang topic pero naroon pa rin naman ang atensyon ko.

"Waiting for someone... Ate Julienne?" Panghu-hula ko. Nandito pa rin ba siya? In that case, hindi na ako sasabay sa kanyang umuwi. Baka maging third-wheel pa ako sa date ng crush ko. Aray, that's hurt!

"Huh? Why would I wait for her?" Nagtatakang tanong niya and he tilted his head a bit. Aba ewan ko ba!

"I don't know, she's the only one I could think of."

"Well, umuwi na siya. So who do you think I'm waiting for?" He asked with an amused expression.

"Ako na ba yan? Char!" Matapang na pag-sagot ko sa kanya kaya bahagya siyang natawa and the grin stayed on his face. "Si Mon ba? Bait mo naman!"

"Ano?" Tinaas ko ang kilay ko because he suddenly scrunched his nose disapprovingly.

"Wala. Manhid." Saad niya kaya napaawang ang labi ako. Anong manhid?! Tinawanan niya ang reaksyon ko but he didn't expand on what he said, naputol pa ang conversation namin dahil natapos na yung portrait ni Mon.

"Let's go." Pag-aya niya sa aming dalawa so we followed her.

"Wala yung bebe mo?"

"Wala pa naman akong bebe." Nakangising sagot niya, making me roll my eyes at her. Bagal naman ng Theo na 'to.

Hinatid namin si Mon dun sa sasakyan nila bago kami naglakad papuntang kanto.

"Do you guys wa-" she was about to offer to give us a ride pero pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata, agad naman niya yun na-gets, hehe.

Nakangiti ako habang naglalakad kami merely because of his presence, pangalawang beses naming mag-sabay umuwi!

"So my birthday's coming up." He blurted out, starting a conversation.

I pursed my lips to stifle a smile.

Alam ko, duh!

"Hala, totoo?? Kailan?" Pakunwaring pagtataka ko as I widened my eyes.

He looked at the expression on my face before bursting out laughing, ano'ng nakakatawa??

Masyado ka na yatang masaya sa akin. Ano ako, clown?

I pouted. "Nagtatanong lang naman ako! What's so funny??"

Tinigil niya ang pagtawa niya but there's still an amused glint in his eyes, maloko rin siyang nakangiti, parang nanga-asar!

"It's just funny when you know things." Saad niya kaya napakunot ang noo ko. Anong knowing things?? Nag-joke ba ako? May inside joke ba na kailangan kong alamin??

Anong knowing things?!

I rolled my eyes and just gave up. "Kailan na birthday mo?" Pag-ulit ko sa tanong ko and it looks like he wanted to laugh again.

"You already know when it is."

"H-ha?? Hindi ko man!" I said, sounding so defensive. Paano naman niya nalaman na alam ko??

Nalaman ko lang naman kasi dahil kay Kyle, isang candy isang information daw about kay Yohan. Ayon, binilhan ko siya ng isang tindahan. Char! Pero buti nalang hindi ako nilalaglag ni Tanda.

Wait, nilaglag ba niya ako?!

"Bakit, magpapa-party ka??"

He pursed his lips and shrugged, parang hindi pa nakakapag-decide. "Hindi pa ako sure, I might just treat my friends out."

My eyes lit up in excitement. "Uy, kasali ba ako riyan?"

"Hindi."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin kaya natawa siya sa akin. "Kay, e' di 'wag. Wala ka nang gift."

"Joke lang. Sama ka, I want you there." He grinned at napakagat nalang ako sa labi ko dahil sa kilig.

"Ano bang ipapakain mo sa akin?"

He smirked. "Hmm... Anything but Ramen." Huh?

"Bakit, ayaw mo ba yun?"

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "Bakit, favorite mo ba yun?" Tanong niya pabalik.

"Hindi naman! Pero ikaw naman magbe-birthday eh kaya goods naman kung kahit ano!"

I was about to cross the road dahil doon dumadaan ang mga dyip papunta sa bahay namin, but instead of following me, he held on my wrist to stop me.

"Tara isaw." Pag-aya niya bigla sa akin, making a smile play on my lips. "My treat."

Agad akong tumango because, duh! Siya na naga-aya aarte pa ba ako?? Hindi rin naman uuwi sina mama so...

"Sino ba naman ako para tumanggi sa biyaya??"

We took the jeep papunta sa bayan kung saan maraming mga pagkainan at siyempre, may mga inuman na ring nagbu-bukas.

Since it was getting dark, bumukas na ang mga ilaw at lumiwanag na ang paligid.

"Nakapunta ka na ba rito?" Tanong niya sa akin and I shook my head, smiling as I stared at the fairy lights that hung above the road.

"Nadadaanan ko lang. I've always wanted to go pero... Alam mo naman." I chuckled, and he did too.

My parents never allowed to go out to places like these. Well, I guess may first time sa lahat, and I was glad to be having this first time with him.

Feeling ko napaka-rebel ko na. Is this my bad daughter era? Charot.

We went around trying everything out: kwek-kwek, fishball, isaw... May playground pa roon kaya nakilaro kami sa mga bata katapos naming kumain.

I shrieked when I felt a small hand on my back. Ako na yung taya! I ran after the kid who tagged me, kaya ko naman siyang habulin eh, kaya binabagalan ko nalang para may thrill.

I saw Yohan laughing too much as I ran after one of the kids kaya siya nalang ang hinabol ko. Lumaki ang mga mata niya nang makitang siya na ang next target.

"Takbo!" He told the other kids who giggled as they ran away from me. I was determined to catch him kaya binilisan ko pa lalo ang pagtakbo ko.

Tumatawa kaming dalawa habang naghahabulan, he was faster than me! I jumped and laughed when I managed to pin him to the ground.

Mukhang nagulat siya dahil sa akin because he stopped laughing from under me, making me chuckle before tapping his cheeks lightly. "Taya."

I got off of him at tumakbo na ako papaalis, but when I looked back, he still looked shocked by what happened.

Sumigaw ang mga bata dahil sila ang tinarget niya. We probably looked like fools playing with the kids, but this has been the most fun I've had in a while.

Hingal na hingal na kami nang makabalik kami sa bench kung nasaan ang gamit namin, buti nalang ay wala namang nawala.

I chuckled before sitting down, breathing heavily. Parang nag-training ako ulit! "Water?" He said as he offered me his bottle.

I smiled and gladly took it from him. "Hindi ka nagdadala ng tubig, 'no?" Pansin niya, making me smile.

Ininuman ko muna iyon bago ako sumagot, careful to not let my lips touch the lid. "Nakakalimutan ko minsan. Pero nadadala ko naman!" Tumango siya and looked at me in amusement.

"Mon says she bought a bigger bottle just so you could drink out of it too kung wala ka." I looked at him confusedly. Ha? Hindi kaya!

"Although, sa tingin ko bumili lang talaga siya para kay Theo." Sabi niya at bahagya siyang natawa. Yun ang totoo! Chariz.

Siyempre, I appreciate my bestfriend's efforts for me.

Simula nang sumali ako sa volleyball, she's been nothing but supportive. Pati extra shirt pinangdadala na niya ako! I told her that I wouldn't need it, nagdadala naman ako palagi, but she insisted on it.

Ugh, she's the best!

"Hindi ka pa ba niyan hinahanap?" He asked. Tinignan ko ang relo ko and saw that it was already eight in the evening. Napabuntong hininga ako before giving him a small smile.

"No one's looking for me."

Napakunot ang noo niya dahil sa sinabi ko, making me chuckle. "Tara kain. Hindi naman pwedeng tusok lang yung dinner natin." I said, changing the topic dahil ayaw kong pag-usapan iyon.

He hummed, thinking. "Do you want anything specific tonight?" Tanong niya sa akin when he couldn't think of anything.

"Ikaw." Agad kong sagot na ikinagulat niya.

Tinawanan ko ang mukha niya because he looked so shocked by what I said. "Joke lang naman! Ikaw ba, what do you want to eat?"

"Ha-ha. Katawa ka." He sarcastically laughed as he rolled his eyes, making me grin. "But I'm fine with anything."

I frowned and let out a sigh. "Gusto ko sana ng lutong-bahay. Miss ko na yung sinigang ng nanay mo." Sabi ko, medyo nagpaparinig. Baka naman.

He gave me a shy smile. "Do you want to eat at our house then?"

My eyes slightly widened dahil hindi ko namang inakalang sasabihin niya yun! "H-ha?"

Namula ang pisngi niya and he looked away. "Wala. Let's just find a place." He tried standing up but I stopped him by holding his wrist.

"Hindi! Tara!" Masaya kong pag-aya.

"Sure ka?"

"Oo naman!"

I was craving for adventure. Tsaka hindi naman yun masyadong malayo sa bahay namin!

He was hesitant pero tumayo pa rin naman siya at kinuha niya ang bag ko. Tumayo na rin ako ang happily skipped ahead of him.

Excited na ako!

My breath hitched when he suddenly held my hand to try to stop me. "Wait lang." Sabi niya kaya napalingon ako sa kanya.

He was holding up the disposable camera and pointing it to me, agad ko tuloy tinakpan ang mukha ko.

I glared at him as he laughed. "Ang haggard ko na!" Sana nag-picture siya nung hindi pa ganito ang mukha ko; my hair was all messed up and ang dumi na ng t-shirt ko.

I saw him smile as he looked at me with the viewer. "You're still beautiful, Riley."

Napaawang ang labi ko as my hands slowly went down, and that's the time when he pressed the button to take a picture.

His smile widened when he was finished. And instead of keeping his camera inside his bag, hinawakan niya iyon habang naglalakad so that he could take pictures on the way.

"Why do you like taking pictures?" Tanong ko sa kanya as I scrolled through the photos in his instagram feed. May separate account siya for his photography and he has built up quite a following.

From his feed, nakita kong gusto niyang pinipicturan ang mga tao: old people, people who were working, little kids running, street vendors... And each of the photos would have the lives of those people. Love stories, struggles...

Ang ganda ng ginagawa niya.

He chuckled before swiping my phone up para mapunta sa homescreen. Sinandal niya yung baba niya sa kanyang tuhod as he smiled. "My father loved photography." Pag-kwento niya sa akin sa masayang ala-ala.

"Natatandaan ko noon, yung buong bahay punong-puno ng mga litrato namin. He was always the one who took the pictures.... But he never got to be in them."

"It sounds cliché, but photos could hold a lot of memories. And I find it sad how I never got to keep any of his. Kaya ngayon, ayaw kong malimutan lahat ng masasayang ala-ala."

"Oh, yung ngayon. Gusto mong matandaan yun?" Pang-asar ko sa kanya just to lighten the mood a bit.

"You're a happy memory, Riley. Siyempre ayaw kitang malimutan." Grabe naman ito sa memory! We were still at the present pero yung future na yung inaalala niya!

Pero in-fairness, kinilig ako.

We probably looked weird, taking photos at the jeep. He even showed his feed to the other passengers at tinanong niya kung pwede raw ba niya ilagay ang mga litrato sa instagram niya.

They looked so happy as they stared at his work, and so did he.

Tulad ng sinabi niya, puno nga mga litrato ang bahay nila. Well, hindi naman puno, pero there were shelves that were filled with photos.

I looked around and instantly smiled at the warmth their house has brought me. Their house wasn't small as it housed his family and his uncle's family.

Sa ibaba, nandoon yung living room, and I'm assuming nasa taas ang mga kwarto nila.

"Kuya Yohan!" Said a man's voice from up the stairs, tumatakbo siya habang bumababa ng hagdanan at mukhang may gustong i-sumbong.

"Natapunan ng tubig ni Kael yung plate ko!"

"Hindi ko sinasadya!" Exclaimed a little man's voice habang hinahabol niya yung mas nakakatandang lalake. I'm assuming siya si Kael.

"Paanong hindi niya matatapon takbo-takbo siya sa kwarto ko!" Galit na saad niya as he glared at the little boy, parang gustong hampasin.

"Bakit mo kasi nilagay sa tabi ng plate mo?!"

"Itigil niyo muna nga yan." Mahinahong pag-suway ni Yohan, mukhang naiinis, kaya natahimik ang dalawa. When they looked at him, that's when they noticed that they had a guest.

Kumaway ako sa kanila and they looked at me with surprised faces. "Hi.."

"H-hello po." Nahihiya silang kumaway pabalik sa akin, yung maliit naman, masayang nakangiti.

"Um, Riley this is Kael and Paul, yung mga pinsan ko. Guys, si Riley." Pagpapakilala niya.

"Girlfriend mo, Kuya?" Tanong ni Kael habang malokong nakangiti, nairapan tuloy siya ni Yohan. A smile instantly made its way to my face. Soon, bebe, soon!

"When is your plate due?" Tanong ko sa bata dahil mukhang inis na inis talaga siya. Kawawa naman! Pwede ko naman siyang gawan ngayon na, nae-enjoy ko naman dati yung drafting.

Siyempre joke lang, pero keri naman siguro! Naaawa ako eh, na-feel ko na yun. Pagawa ko kaya kay Jasmine? Magaling daw siyang gumawa ng drafting noon eh.

"Next week pa po, ate." Sagot niya sa akin kaya napakunot ang noo ko. "Pero gusto ko po kasing alagaan si tit-"

"O, Yohan, anak!" Yohan's mom kissed him on the cheek nang makita niya ito, ngunit nagulat siya nang bigla akong mag-mano.

"A-ano.."

"Ma, si Riley po."

Malaki pa rin ang mata ng nanay niya. Hindi niya siguro inakalang sa bahay nila ulit niya ako makikita, ha! Surprise, mommy.

Naalis naman kaagad ang pagka-gulat niya at lumaki ang mga mata ko nang bigla niya akong yakapin. "Bata ka, anong ginagawa mo rito?" Tanong niya sa akin as she grinned.

She remembers me! Hays, laki talaga ng impact ko.

Kumalas siya sa yakap, still smiling. "Pasensya na kung nagulat kita. Unang beses kasi ni Yohan mag-dala ng babae rito!" Pag-kwento niya sa akin and a grin started playing on my lips.

I looked at Yohan teasingly at linakihan niya ako ng mata, nanghahamon. Pati si Julienne hindi niya pa nadadala? Luh, scam yata si tita, eh!

"Mommy Tita, hindi pa raw po niya jowa." Pagpapaliwanag ni Kael.

"Ay... Hindi pa ba?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Tita and Yohan shook his head. Yes tita, hindi pa.

"She missed your sinigang, so I invited her here." Yohan explained and Tita clapped her hands.

"Tamang-tama! May sinigang na hipon kami rito, ana-" She started coughing violently and she had to turn away from us, making my eyes widen in worry.

Tinignan ko si Yohan at naga-alala rin siya, he tried to touch his mother pero umiwas ito sa kanya.

"I'm okay." She smiled and coughed a little more ngunit hinahaplos niya pa rin ang kanyang dibdib. She cleared her throat before leading us to the kitchen. "Halina kayo."

"Is she... really alright?" Nag-aalalang tanong ko kay Yohan who had a sad look to his face. When he noticed me staring at me, bahagya siyang ngumiti.

"Oo... Don't worry."

"Oh, anak. Kain lang nang kain!" His mother looked so happy when she noticed I was enjoying what she cooked.

Yohan snorted nang makita niya akong nagbabalat ng hipon. "Why are you using utensils?" Tanong niya at napansin kong lahat sila ay ginagamit lamang ang kamay, mukhang mas madali ngang mag-himay, but I didn't know how to use my hands while eating.

Kinuha niya ang hipon mula sa akin and started to take off the shells for me. "Akin yung ulo!" Nakasimangot na saad ko dahil inaagaw niya yun sa akin.

Tinabi ko ang kustara't tinidor and tried it myself. Hindi naman sa maarte ako o ano, nangangati lang talaga mga daliri ko tuwing humahawak ako ng hipon, or baka kumakain. Hindi ko rin sure.

He chuckled as he saw me trying to eat with my hand. Pinakita niya pa sa akin kung paano yun gawin nang maayos.

"Tulak niyo po gamit yung hinlalaki!" Pag-sali ni Kael sa pagtuturo sa akin, making Yohan's mom chuckle.

I tried doing what they did, bakit hindi ko matabingi ang kamay ko nang gano'n! Mukha tuloy akong batang kumakain, my hand looked so messy!

Sinubukan ko pa rin namang gawin eh, bumagal nga lang ang pagkain ko.

I clapped my hands when I finished eating at nakisali na rin si Kael sa akin. "Yay, natapos din si ate!" Paul joked, making me pout.

"Salamat po sa pagkain!" I told Yohan's mom with a smile on my face. Agad akong tumayo nang simulan niyang iligpit ang pinagkainan namin.

"Ako na ho riyan!"

"Ay, 'wag na, anak! Bisita ka rito!" Pagtanggi niya kaagad.

"Ay tita, sige na po. Kayo na po yung nag-luto." Pagpu-pumilit ko kaya napabuntong hininga nalang siya at ngumiti.

"Oo, sige na."

I smiled triumphantly and I saw Yohan looking at me with the look from before, hindi ko talaga maintindihan.

The kids helped us with gathering the plates at nilagay nila iyon sa lababo. Yohan helped me with washing; ako nag-banlaw, siya nag-sabon, at ako ulit ang nag-banlaw.

While we washed our plates, I asked him about his family.

"Si Kael at si Paul, magkaiba yung mga nanay nila. Paul's mom died when he was young, tapos si Kael naman um, iniwan."

I pursed my lips as I heard their story. "Kaya ayon, si Mama na ang tumayong nanay sa kanilang dalawa, yung kapatid naman ni Mama, siya ang tumayong tatay namin."

"Are you guys happy?" Tanong ko, but I didn't think I would need to hear the answer, alam ko na eh.

"Oo naman, ate!" Masiglang sagot ni Paul mula sa likuran namin, he was making his plate again. Si Kael naman sinusubukan niyang tulungan ang kapatid, feeling guilty.

"Hindi naman po nagkulang sa amin sina Tita at si Papa, tapos nandyan pa po si Kuya."

I slowly nodded my head, feeling happy for them.

Pagkatapos kong magbanlaw, I washed my hands because they were starting to itch already. Sinasabi ko na nga ba.

Napatigil si Yohan sa pagpapatuyo nang makitang kinakati ko ang daliri ko.

"Allergic ka yata, eh." He clicked his tongue as he examined my hand. Mild lang naman! Super duper mild, ganon.

"Dapat hindi mo na kinain yung hipon, I could've cooked you something different."

"I'm not that allergic. Hindi pa lumulobo mukha ko rito, I'm still okay." I chuckled, making him roll his eyes.

As I went to get my things, tinignan ko muna ang mga litrato nila. Wala nga rito ang tatay niya.

There were photos of him as a kid at lagi silang masaya sa mga litrato na iyon, always laughing, and always smiling. Pati tuloy ako napangiti.

"Kailan 'to?" Tanong ko habang tinitignan ang litrato niya. His smile never changed from when he was a kid, hanggang ngayon, ganito pa rin siya kasaya.

I envied him for that.

"Hmm... I was three?" Pag-hula niya before taking the frame. "Here."

Inalis niya yung litrato mula sa frame nito and on the back was someone's handwriting.

'Ang kasiyahan ko. Maligayang kaarawan, anak!'

It read and I found myself smiling. "Do all of the photos have these?" I asked as I took the photo from him. Kulay dilaw na ang likuran nito, seeing as it was taken 15 years ago, almost 16.

"Only the ones he took." Sagot niya before showing me another one.

Binalik ko na ang litrato at humanap pa ng iba. By the end of it, nakita ko na ang lahat ng nakasulat sa likod.

'Ang dagat at ang mahal ko sa buhay.'

'O, Ligaya.'

'Magandang Tanawin'

"Ganito ka rin ba ka-sweet sa mga naging jowa mo?" I chuckled as I read the words of his father to his mom.

"Huy, si Julienne palang ex ko 'no." He raised his eyebrows at me. "At oo kaya, ang sweet ko nun. Lover boy!"

Ay ganon? Edi wow.

"O bakit hindi mo pa siya nadala rito?" Tinaas ko rin ang kilay ko at napa-kamot siya sa ulo niya. Lamang pa rin ako, bleh. Chariz!

"Wala, hindi lang pumasok sa isip ko." He shrugged, obviously lying.

"You didn't think about introducing her to your mom?"

"She just... Didn't like these things." Pag-explain niya sa akin pero agad naman niyang pinalitan ang topic kaya hindi ko na siya kinulit pa.

"I'll send you the photos tomorrow. Tara?"

I wanted to stay. But sadly, kailangan ko nang umuwi.

I looked at our family portrait as I went up the stairs. Yung lang ang tanging litratong nakasabit sa buong bahay namin, yung ibang puro painting na na mamahalin.

I chuckled bitterly as I remembered the things he said. 'Photos could hold a lot of memories'.

I guess there isn't that much memories to document.

Our stoic and expressionless faces... Tingin ko na-capture ng photographer kung paano ba talaga ang pamilya namin, at yun lang siguro ang tatatak sa memorya ko.

My mood with Yohan disappeared as soon as I entered this house. Kailan kaya sasaya ang lugar na ito?

After a night of having fun, and then coming back here? What a disappointment.

I wrote him my letter before going to sleep and somehow, I found my solace.

"WHERE WERE YOU last night?!" Bungad sa akin ni Mama nang makababa ako. Mukhang kagagaling lang niya mula trabaho. Si Papa naman, paalis palang at nakatakip siya sa mukha niya, getting frustrated.

"I was... sleeping?" Pilosopo kong pag-sagot, pero totoo naman ah! After kong kumain sa labas kasama ang mga ka-team ko, umuwi na ako at natulog kaagad. Buong araw kaming nag-practice!

"Sabi ni manang late ka na raw umuwi??" Paga-akusa niya sa akin and I saw manang looking down, not wanting to make eye contact with me.

"I just ate with my friends, it's not a big deal."

"At hindi mo man lang sinabi sa aki-"

"Renée. She texted me, nakalimutan ko lang sabihin sa iyo." Sabi ng tatay ko, lying just to save me from her wrath.

I gave him a small smile at binalik niya iyon sa akin.

Mom let out a sigh before massaging the bridge of her nose. "Napapadalas na ang alis mo." She said, disregarding what my father had told her. "If that volleyball of yours affects your grades, Riley-"

"It never has Mom, don't worry. Alis na po ako, baka ma-late pa."

Hindi ko na inantay ang pag-bati niya, hindi ko na rin hinintay na i-hatid ako ni Papa. I walked towards the guardhouse at nag-abang na ako ng dyip.

Mas naunang pumasok si Yohan sa akin ngayon, I saw him walking towards his classroom and my eyes widened. Hindi ko siya napang-sulat ng letter!

Pagod na pagod kasi ako these past few days, tapos kung may oras naman ako, sinusulatan ko nga siya pero konti lang ang nalalagay ko roon.

Mamaya ko nalang siya ipagsu-sulat.

Pero ugh, this is frustrating. Puro siguro sama ng loob maibubungad ko sa letter na 'yon, umagang umaga ba naman.

I sighed and walked towards our building. Nahalata kaagad nina Riley na wala ako sa mood so they stared at me with sympathetic faces.

"You heard, huh?" Asked Mon, nakasimangot nanaman.

Napakunot ang noo ko. "Huh? Heard what?"

"Ay, hindi pa ba. Eh bakit ang bad trip mo?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Jasmine sa akin.

"Wala, si Mama umuwi." Sagot ko sa kanila and they immediately understood, alam kasi nilang late ako umuwi kagabi.

"Bakit ba kasi hindi ka nagpa-paalam?" Tanong ni Mon sa akin, her eyebrows arched.

"I didn't think they would know." Paliwanag ko, making her sigh. I guess I shouldn't have trusted Manang so much. Hindi ko naman siya masisisi, nakakatakot kaya si mama.

Hindi ko na tinanong pa kung ano yung sinasabi nila kanina, baka lalo pa akong ma-badtrip kapag nalaman ko.

At siyempre, na-badtrip nga ako.

"Huy, sila na raw ulit nina Yohan at Julienne?"

"Comeback na raw??"

"Nag-date palang sila kagabi! Bumisita raw si Julienne dun sa bahay nina Yohan."

"Saya pa ni Yohan dun sa story ni Julienne, oh my gosh, bagay!"

I tried not to hear them, pero lahat sila yun ang pinag-uusapan. They were the it couple again.

Buong araw, iniwasan ko si Yohan. He tried to talk to me a couple of times but I would just excuse myself from the table or walk away.

Nasasaktan lang ako tuwing nakikita ko silang dalawa.

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad ko when I saw the both of them at the end of the hallway, laughing at hinahaplos pa ni Julienne ang braso niya.

Napatigil din si Mon sa paglalakad when they noticed the both of them and our eyes widened when Yohan noticed the both of us.

"Beh may naiwan ako sa canteen." Sabi ko kay Mon, wanting to head back.

"U-uhm. Sige, una na ako sa room." Pagpapaalam niya sa akin and I nodded my head. "Run, bitch." She whispered because Yohan was already making his way towards us.

I nodded my head at naglakad na ako pabalik, away from him.

Sinubukan siyang kausapin ni Mon pero sabi lang niya sa kanya ay "Wait lang."

I heard him sigh. "Riley, sandali." He tried matching my pace pero lalo ko lang binilisan ang paglalakad, bakit ba niya ako sinusundan??

"Riley." Tawag niya ulit sa akin ngunit hindi ko siya pinansin. Sinubukan pa niyang hawakan ang palapulsuhan ko pero inalis ko ang kamay niya.

"Raya."