"Pa, bili lang po ako ng gift para sa kaibigan ko!" Pag-papaalam ko kay Papa habang tumatakbo pababa ng hagdanan. Last night, siya lang yung umuwi, busy raw kasi si Mama.

I feel kind of bitter dahil hindi nanaman natuloy ang family day namin, but that's okay. Dapat sanay na ako sa ganito. Buong buhay ko nalang naca-cancel yung mga plano when it came to the both of them.

And since na-cancel nanaman, gumawa na ako ng sarili kong plano!

"Aalis ka na ba, anak?" Tanong ni Papa nang makita akong nagmamadali but I was really just looking for something to eat.

"Hindi pa, Pa. Gusto ko lang pong kumain." I chuckled and he did too.

"Do you mind dropping off something at the hospital? Pinang-luto ko nanay mo." Napangiti ako dahil sa sinabi niya, ang sweet naman ng aking tatay! Sa kanya siguro ako nag-mana.

"O ako Pa, hindi mo pinangluto?" I grinned pero nawala rin naman ang ngiti ko dahil sa sagot niya,

"Hindi. Malaki ka na, kaya mo na yan."

Nag-mana nga ako sa kanya.

Kumuha nalang ako ng cereals sa pantry namin habang naka-simangot, making my father chuckle.

Nilagay na niya sa mga containers yung mga niluto niyang pagkain. Mukhang masarap lahat, siguro makikikain nalang ako sa office ni Mama mamaya, if she lets me.

After eating my cereal, kinuha ko na yung paperbag kung saan nilagay ni papa yung pagkain at naglakad na ako papunta sa kanto.

I felt a vibration from my phone kaya kinuha ko yun mula sa pocket ko. A smile played on my lips when I saw Yohan's name on my screen.

'Hi, morning :)' message niya, at nag-reply rin ako ng good morning siyempre. He asked me why I was up so early in the morning at tinanong ko rin siya pabalik.

I told him na may pupuntahan ako ngayon at yun din ang naging dahilan niya, 'meetup?' I invited him jokingly at natawa ako nang mag-react siya ng like sa message ko.

'so clingy hahahaha. i would love to pero busy ako :(( next time?'

Napabuntong hininga ako, kahapon ko palang siya kasama pero namimiss ko na siya! I replied okay with sad faces at binaba ko na yung phone ko nang makitang may dyip na paparating.

Pumasok ako at agad na akong nag-bigay ng bayad ko, ako palang naman yung nakasakay kaya kinailangan ko pang mag-slide sa pinakaharap.

Soon, people started to get in and after fifteen minutes, bumaba na ako para sumakay ng tricycle papunta sa ospital.

Our hospital was... Kindof big? A lot of people trusted our hospital at marami na ring doktor ang nagki-clinic dito at siyempre, dito na rin nagta-trabaho mga tito't tita ko, unless they had a clinic of their own.

As I walked to the entrance, agad akong nakilala nung guards sa harap. I gave them a smile and greeted them a good morning, tinanong ko rin kung lumabas ba si mama at sabi nila hindi raw sila sigurado.

I gave them my thanks and headed straight for her office pero hindi ko naman inakalang ang dami na niyang pasyente, it was still so early in the morning!

I knocked on the door at binuksan ko yun, only to find her secretary writing information about a patient. I looked at the list of the patients and sighed, sampo pa.

Gusto ko sanang iwan nalang yung pagkain and go, pero inantay ko nalang si Mama sa labas ng room.

Nanuod nalang ako ng animé habang naghihintay, malamig naman, so I didn't mind too much. Thank God I decided to wear sweats and a hoodie today, ganito lang naman talaga ako lumalabas when I'm just running errands.

"Riley?" Rinig kong tawag ng isang pamilyar na boses kaya napalingon ako kung saan nanggagaling iyon. A fake smile made its way to my face nang makita si tita ko pala 'yun! Magkatabi lang kasi sila ng kwarto ni mama, dapat sinuot ko na yung hood ng hoodie ko!

I stood up at nagmano ako sa kanya. "Hello po," I greeted.

"Are you waiting for your mother?" Tanong niya sa akin and I nodded my head, pinakita ko na rin ang paper bag na dala-dala ko.

"Hay nako, ang busy busy talaga ni Reneé, nami-miss mo na siguro siya sa bahay," she said, sighing, pero alam ko naman ang gusto niyang iparating.

Laging ini-issue si mama dahil lagi raw siyang nagtatrabaho. Tapos kahit daw hindi doktor ang napangasawa niya, my mother always seems to be my grandparents' favorite.

They would hate on her when she's working too much, and they would also hate on her when she's working less. So saan lulugar si mama?! Hay nako!

Ang toxic lang nilang magka-kapatid! if ever I had a sibling, gusto ko nalang maging supportive sa mga achievements nila, pero kina tita, ang hirap-hirap sa kanilang gawin yun.

Moments like these would help me realize the struggles that my mother had, kaya iniintindi ko nalang siya.

But then she would remind me that loving her... Loving her wasn't easy.

"Why are you here?" Walang emosyon na tanong sa akin ni mama. When her last patient came out, agad-agad na akong nagpaalam kay tita. Ayaw ko na sa presensya niya!

But I felt like my mother didn't want my presence as well. While she talked, nag-aayos lang siya ng mga papeles, ni hindi man lang niya ako nilingon noong pumasok ako.

I forced myself to smile at itinaas ko ang pagkain na hinanda ni papa. "I went here to give you this!" Masaya kong saad as I set it down on her table. Inilabas ko ang mga yun sa paperbag at pinakita sa kanya ang mga iyon.

I was expecting a million responses from her; I expected her to be surprised, to be happy. I expected her to thank me, kahit ngiti lang.

Pero... I should've expected for none of those to happen.

She scoffed, "Dapat iniwan mo nalang kay Bea. Why did you wait, may nagawa ka nanaman bang mali? Did you fail any of your exams? May kailangan ka nanaman ba?"

I pursed my lips and shook my head no, "Gusto ko lang naman pong makita kayo."

For the first time since I came here, she finally looked my direction. "Ah, sige."

"Hindi po ba kayo uuwi?" Tanong ko, feeling a bit hopeful that she would, kahit ilang oras lang. Nung umiling siya, hindi na ako masyadong na-dismaya, some part of me already prepared myself to be disappointed.

Tumango nalang ako and suddenly, I didn't know what else to say.

"Nagva-volleyball ka pa ba?" Tanong niya, making me smile a little. She was curious about me!

Tumango ako bago ko siya sinagot, "Opo, may intrams na nga po niyan kaya napapadalas na po paglalaro ko. Oh yea, captain na rin po pala ako ng team!" Pag-kwento ko sa kanya and she only nodded her head. Why did I even expect her to congratulate me?

"I hope this isn't getting in the way of your studies, kamusta ang grades mo?" I watched her as she put the containers away, binalik niya ang mga yun sa paper bag at itinabi lang niya sa baba ng desk.

Maybe she isn't hungry yet.

"Ayos lang naman po mga grades ko, Ma. Volleyball isn't a distraction at all."

"I hope I don't regret transferring you into that school. Hay nako, magaling naman sa academics yung dati mong school bakit mo pa kasi kailangang sundan yung best friend mo na yun?"

"But-" I sighed. I bit my lip dahil kung sinagot ko siya, magagalit nanaman siya sa akin. Paulit-ulit nalang niyang sinasabi yon, she keeps thinking that Mon influenced me to transfer when it was the other way around!

Miss Bea knocked on the door kaya napalingon kami sa kanya, I sighed, already knowing what she was going to say. Na-confirm ko rin yun when she gave me an apologetic smile.

"I guess... I'll go now."

Binigyan ko ng matipid na ngiti si Mama bago ako tumalikod para maglakad paalis, "Go straight home, Riley." Narinig kong saad niya.

I pursed my lips at tumango nalang ako, even though I knew na may pupuntahan pa ako.

Hindi ko na napigilang bumuntong hininga nang makalabas ako sa kwarto, I felt like I was suffocating in there.

Lagi ko nalang tinataasan ang expectations ko tuwing kakausapin ko si mama, when will I learn?

I lazily walked towards the exit of the hospital at natigilan ako nang makita ko si Yohan, pushing... His mother's wheelchair.

His mother was wearing a hospital gown at naka-dextrose na rin siya. It looks like she's been here for days.

They were going towards the direction I came from so we crossed paths. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko, magtatago ba ako??

Why did I want to hide in the first place?!

We met eyes at nanlaki ang mata niya. He didn't expect to see me here and I didn't know how to react, but my feet took me to him.

"Hey..." I smiled.

Nang marinig ako, napalingon sa akin ang nanay niya. "Oh, ikaw pala yan, hija!"

I gave her a warm smile. Now that we were closer, nakita ko na kung gaano siya kaputla. I tried masking my expression, but I couldn't help but look at Yohan with worry.

Nang makita na niya ang ekspresyon ng mukha ko, agad akong umiwas ng tingin, making him sigh.

Pity.

From the years of going to this hospital, nalaman ko na yun ang emosyon na pinaka-ayaw ng tao. It's something so genuine, but for the one receiving it. It feels... like mockery. It makes you feel so small.

Napataas ang tingin ko kay Yohan nang hawakan niya bigla ang kamay ko. Hindi ko siya matitigan sa mata, I knew he didn't want me to know. I know he wasn't ready for me to know.

Would it have been better kung hindi ko nalang siya pinansin?

He squeezed my hand to give me reassurance, binigyan niya rin ako ng tipid na ngiti, telling me that it's alright.

"Ma, kilala niyo naman po si Riley." Nginitian niya ang nanay niya at napatingin si tita sa magkahawak naming kamay.

From the look on her face, parang nagkaka-ideya na rin siya but it seemed like she didn't want to assume.

"Nililigawan ko na po siya," tuloy ni Yohan, making her grin widely.

"Hay nako, buti naman!" Masayang saad ng nanay niya, she looked so happy for the both of us. Kinuha ng nanay niya ang isa kong kamay kaya bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko.

"Hija, balita ko kay Yohan, naging captain ka raw nung... Ano ba yon anak? Yung volleyball?" Yohan nodded as he grinned, he looked so proud. "Aba'y ang galing mo naman!" His mother exclaimed.

"She said she wanted to see you play-" Hindi natuloy ang sasabihin ni Yohan dahil agad siyang pinutol ng nanay niya, making him shake his head in amusement.

"Oo! Gusto kong nanunuod ng mga gano'n sa TV namin. Yohan! Diba marunong ka sa camera camera? Kuhanan mo naman siya tapos ipa-burn natin dun sa CD!"

I grinned, "Ay tita! Pwede naman po kayong manood sa school namin!" I enthusiastically said at napawi nang konti ang ngiti niya.

"Sa kalagayan kong ito, baka sa susunod na taon pa ako ulit makakanuod ng laro, hija."

I clicked my tongue at umiling-iling ako, "Hay nako, tita! Dapat po magpalakas pa kayo para po ganahan akong maglaro! Ang daming energy pa naman ang binibigay sa akin nung sinigang niyo."

She laughed, "Sige, hija, susubukan ko, susubukan ko talaga!"

Nilingon ko si Yohan at bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko dahil sa pagkakatitig niya sa akin. I didn't know what it meant but it looked so... Genuine.

I intertwined my hand with his at napagdesisyunan kong samahan muna siya sa ospital. We walked back to his mother's room at napangiti ako nang makitang naroon sina Kael at Paul.

"Hi ate!" Bati sa akin ng mga bata, mukhang busy siya sa kanina sa panonood ng TV. Ngayong bumalik na si Tita sa kwarto, bumaba na silang dalawa mula sa kama. Pinagpag pag-pag pa nila iyon bago nila siya pinahiga.

Yohan cleared his throat, "Uh.. Paul. Bantayan mo muna si Tita-mama. Kakausapin ko lang sa labas si ate Riley niyo."

Tumango ang dalawang bata at bahagya akong natawa nang bigyan ako ng mapang-asar na ngiti ni Kael. Batang ito talaga!

Tulad ng sabi ni Yohan, lumabas na kami ng kwarto at umupo roon sa mga benches. I sighed as the air got filled with uncomfortable silence, none of us knew how to start.

"So.."

"So.."

I smiled and he did as well.

"You don't have to tell me anything kung ayaw mo pa. At pasensya na rin... I didn't mean to ano, see you? I guess?"

"It's fine, Riley, we didn't expect to see each other here- pero bakit ka nga ba nandito?" Napakunot ang noo niya at napangiti ako nang ilagay niya ang kamay niya sa noo ko, "May sakit ka ba?"

I took off his hand from my forehead at umiling ako, making him let out a sigh of relief. "Binisita ko lang nanay ko."

Nanlaki muli ang kanyang mata, "She's here??"

I nodded my head, lagi naman siyang nandito, alam na niya yun! Napabuntong hininga ako, "She's busy though, kaya umalis nalang ako kaagad."

"May pupuntahan ka pa ba?"

I hummed before nodding my head, as much as I wanted to stay, bakit pa kasi magbe-birthday si tanda?? "I'll buy Kyle a gift. Antayin ko lang mag-bukas yung mall."

He couldn't come with me dahil babantayin daw niya si Tita and I understood naman. Naglakad-lakad kami sa ospital as we waited for the time. Sadly, hindi ko nanaman nadala yung letter! Hay!

"I don't want to leave!" I pouted nang mabasa ko ang orasan, the mall was probably open by now.

He chuckled and gently nudged me, "Shoo, alis na." I glared at him at napangiti naman ako nang yakapin niya akong mahigpit.

"Babalik ako." I grinned at tinaasan niya ako ng kilay, making me giggle. "Miss na kita, wait for me, okay??"

He sighed before nodding his head at kumalas na ako sa yakap naming dalawa. I ran to the exit, not wanting to waste any time. "Be careful!"

After buying Kyle's windbreaker, bumalik ulit ako sa ospital and spent the rest of my day there. Nakipaglaro ako kina Paul, nagdala kasi sila ng mga Uno at Jenga.

Yohan and I kept losing pero okay lang naman sa amin, basta masaya yung dalawa!

Hinintay muna naming makadating ang tito ni Yohan bago kami umuwing apat. Parang mag-asawa tuloy kami na may dalawang anak!

Kumain muna kami sa labas before dropping the kids sa bahay nila, si Yohan naman, he insisted on going with me pero dinahilan ko na walang kasama yung dalawa.

Sinamahan nalang tuloy nila akong mag-abang ng dyip. "Next time nalang kayo mag-date, kuya!" Paul said, grinning and I gave him a thumbs up.

"Omsim."

Yohan pouted, making me chuckle. "Who's the clingy one now?" I teased at natawa ako nang inirapan niya ako.

Before going, I gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Send me your live location." Sabi niya sa akin kaya sinend ko sa kanya bago ako sumakay.

On the way home, siya lang talaga ang iniisip ko, and I couldn't help but remember his mother and his family.

They were struggling so much right now and all I wanted to do was to be there for them. Kung pwede nga lang, nakitulog na ako sa kanila eh!

Nang makapasok ako ng bahay, the light inside the kitchen was on kaya tumuloy ako roon and set down my bags dun sa counter.

"Hi Pa." Hinalikan ko siya sa pisngi to greet him. He was cooking again pero nakakain na ako so I informed him.

"Who were you with?" Tanong niya, and I didn't know what to answer.

I cleared my throat, "Yung... manliligaw ko po." Sagot ko, ayaw ko naman siyang i-deny. Nilingon ako ni Papa, malaki ang mga mata.

"You were on a date??"

"Hindi, Pa! May kasama po kami." Pag-tanggi ko kaagad, kung kahapon lang niya ako tinanong, yari na ako!

He slowly nodded his head but he still looked suspicious of me, "Nagkita lang po kami sa ospital, promise po!"

Bumuntong hininga siya dahil wala na siyang magawa, nangyari na eh! "Okay, okay. Nagustohan ba ng nanay mo yung pagkain?"

Binigyan ko siya ng maliit na ngiti, "Hmm... Siguro, pa," hindi siguradong sagot ko, I wasn't even sure if she ate it.

I reminded my father of the party I was going to attend tomorrow before going upstairs to take a shower. Nang makaligo na ako, I messaged Yohan that I was home at napangiti ako when he gave me a call.

Pinag-usapan namin yung susuotin namin bukas, ngayon lang ako na-inform na may theme pala na susundan! After planning out our outfits, nagpaalam na kami sa isa't isa and he chuckled when he saw me starting to write my letter for him.

When I was done with the letter, nilagay ko na yun sa gym bag ko before going to bed.

'GOOD MORNING STUDENTS! Next week will be the start of your intramurals. As announced by the student council yesterday, this week will be used for training and practice for each teams..'

Humiyaw ang mga kaklase ko nang marinig ang announcement ni Yohan, walang lessons buong linggo!

Justin asked us to fall in line outside dahil daw bababa kami sa may quadrangle. Doon kami idi-divide sa mga teams namin at doon din daw sasabihin ang training areas katapos ng morning assembly.

"Didiretso ka ba sa party ni Kyle after this, Riles?" Tanong ni Mon mula sa likod ko.

Tumango ako bilang sagot, dala-dala ko na kasi yung damit ko, it was inside my gym bag already.

She gave me a thumbs up, grinning, baka didiretso na rin kasi siya. "Iwan nalang natin sa sasakyan yung bags natin mamaya! Kuya Jerry will pick me up naman."

Hindi ko na siya nasagot dahil dumating na yung advisor namin, she gestured a 'let's go' before leading us to the quad where most of the students were.

We were lined up according to our teams kaya hindi na kami nahirapang maghanapan. The yellow team was at the very front and since I was an athlete, kinailangan kong tabihan ang kapwa kong volleyball players.

Napangiti ako nang makitang si Yohan nanaman ang magle-lead. Makikita ko nanaman siyang sumayaw ng exercise!

Pagkatapos nung assembly, binigyan kami ng fifteen minutes para makapunta dun sa training areas namin. And of course, I used this opportunity para malagay yung letters ko sa locker niya!

Kinuha ko na yung mga letters mula sa bag ko para hindi na ako mag-aksaya ng oras, and I had a grin on my face as I ran up the stair-

"Ay puke!"

My eyes widened when I saw Yohan already waiting for me by the stairway, nakangisi pa siya na parang inaasahan na niya akong dumaan!

His smirk turned into a proud grin as he crossed his arms, "Caught you."

"Panira ka naman ng surprise!" I pouted at sinamaan ko siya ng tingin nang tumawa siya, kaasar!

Inilahad niya yung kamay niya kaya wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ibigay sa kanya lahat nung letters.

He looked so happy as he looked through them! Natatawa-tawa pa siya dun sa design ng mga envelope, hindi man daw niya kamukha yung dinrawing kong lalaki! Piling!

"Ay baka para sa kabit ko yan," I joked, making him playfully roll his eyes at me.

"I missed these so much," he said as he opened one, making my eyes widen.

"'Wag mong basahin with me!"

Napakunot ang noo niya, "Bakit naman?"

"Nahihiya ako!"

He laughed before telling me to go train, babasahin muna raw niya roon yung letters ko, hehe!

The day went by as usual, wala namang masyadong nangyari. Nung lunch pinuntahan ko si Mon sa may canteen dahil dun sila nagpa-practice.

Kumain na rin kami doon before going back to training. When she heard me sighing for the second time, napakunot ang noo niya, "What's wrong?"

"Magpapalit na kami ng training area!" I frowned, making her laugh.

"Saan kayo?"

"Hindi ko pa alam, tanungin ko muna si coach niyan," I sighed again before getting up. Tumayo na rin siya at niligpit na namin ang pinagkainan namin.

They were going to move places din kaya nauna siyang umalis. Ako naman, pinuntahan ko pa si coach before going back to get my things at the quad.

"Riley!" I heard a familiar voice call on me, and a smile made its way to my lips when I saw that it was Gio.

"Huy!" I gave him a fistbump to greet him. Sila naman ngayon ang magpa-practice sa quadrangle at kami naman, dun sa may football field. Hays, ang init!

Kinuha ko na yung gamit ko dun sa bench dahil lilipat na kami, "You're going to Kyle's party, right?" Tanong niya and I nodded my head.

"Ikaw?" Tanong ko pabalik, but I didn't even had to ask. Ang dami kasing inimbita ni Kyle! I'm sure he'll be there too.

"Oo, family friend kasi siya. Lilipat na kayo?"

Tinanguan ko siya ulit at bahagya siyang natawa nang makita ang mukha, was it so obvious that I didn't want to go?

Tirik na tirik pa naman ang araw ngayon, buti nalang I brought sunscreen with me.

May kinuha siya sandali sa bag niya at bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko nang may ipatong siya sa aking ulo; yung cap niya. "Here, for whenever you need it."

Tinanggal ko yun mula sa ulo ko before giving him a smile, "Thank you, ah! Balik ko mamaya. Hay nako, amoy araw niyan akong pupunta kina Kyle!" I joked, making him chuckle.

Nang makita ko ang mga ka-team ko, I said goodbye to Gio and ran after them.

"Ate Riley, akala ko bang si Kuya Yohan lang?" Tinaasan ako ng kilay nung isa, making me furrow my eyebrows.

"Siya lang naman talaga!"

They chuckled, "Close po kayo nung Captain ng yellow?"

"Ah, si Gio? Oo, nakilala ko kasi last year nung laban," I explained, and they nodded their heads. "Friends yata kami, ewan!" I laughed, siguro naman more than acquaintances na kami. Ilang beses na kaming nag-usap!

Bago kami nag-train, sinabihan ko muna silang mag-lagay ng sunscreen, kapalan na rin nila.

May patag na lugar sa tabi ng football field kaya dun kami nag-train, ang hirap naman siguro kung dun kami sa damo!

May mga nagpa-practice din na ibang teams dito. Yung captain namin, si ate Drea, napunta sa green. When she saw me, she gave me a wave hello as she grinned. Hay, ang ganda ganda talaga niya!

I would wear Gio's cap whenever we would take breaks, ang laking sagabal kasi sa paglalaro, pero yung ulo ko ang init-init na.

Muntikan ko nang hampasin yung nasa likod ko when I felt them taking the cap from me, napatigil nalang ang kamay ko nang makitang si Yohan yun.

Sinuot niya yung cap, grinning. "Hi."

My teammates gave me teasing looks, pero inirapan ko lang sila, making them laugh. They decided to give me privacy by sitting down dun sa shade ng puno.

Since masakit na rin sa balat, I lead Yohan to another tree para lang makapag-usap kami nang maayos.

Yohan took the cap off and looked at the design, may maliit na teddy bear na naka-sew dun sa harap. "Ganda neto, ah."

I smiled as I reapplied sunscreen on my arms, ayaw kong magkaroon ng sunburn. "Ah, kay Gio-"

"I know. Hiramin ko muna."

I pouted and tried to take it from him pero pilit niya iyong nilalayo, "Gagamitin ko, ang init!"

He took out a white adidas cap, nakasabit yun dun sa bag niya. "Use this instead." He smiled at napangiti na rin ako, it matches my outfit!

Kinuha ko sa kanya yun at agad kong sinuot. "Have you put sunscreen on your face?" Tanong niya at umiling ako,

"May salamin ka?" Natawa ako nang panlakihan niya ako ng mata, telling me to use his eyes as a mirror, "Tanga."

Kinuha niya sa kamay ko yung sunscreen and he flipped his cap around, "Here, I'll help you."

Nilagyan niya ng sunscreen yung mukha ko, tumatawa pa siya, making me give him a suspicious look.

"Hindi mo man niyan kinalat nang maayos, eh!" Inis kong saad, making him laugh even harder. Kapang-asar!

Kinalat ko yun gamit ang sariling kamay but he pushed them away at inayos na niya ang paglalagay, "Bakit ka pala nandito?"

I giggled because he looked so focused on putting sunscreen on my face! "Gusto lang kitang makita, bawal?" sagot niya, making a grin play on my lips.

When he was done, he wiped the excess sunscreen sa arms niya before getting something from his bag, "And here, hindi ka nanaman kasi nagdala ng bote."

He handed me his flask at nanlaki ang mata ko dahil mukhang puno pa yun ng tubig!

"Malamig pa yan, ah. Just how you like it." He grinned and turned my cap back around para maayos na.

I hugged the flask at natawa siya dahil siguro mukhang ang saya-saya ko. "Hindi na talaga ako magdadala ng tubig araw-araw," I sighed at lalo akong napangiti when he patted my head.

"Oh yea, next week. I-interviewhin kita, I'll also need your picture."

My eyes widened, "Ha? Bakit?" Naguguluhan kong tanong, "Para saan?"

"For the school paper. You're the captain, so... Naalala ko rin yung sinabi mo dun sa letter mo. Well, this is it."

Hindi ko mapigilang tumili! He'll be writing about me dun sa school paper tapos malalagay rin doon yung mukha ko!

Sabi niya sa akin pipicture-an daw niya ako habang naglalaro next week, hala edi ang haggard ko naman nun!

But I trusted him, he knew how to take photos of me naman, never akong na-disappoint!

After talking for a bit, nag-train na kami ulit. Nanatili siya sa puno at nanuod saglit before going somewhere else, baka to train or something.

Binalikan din naman niya ako bago kami matapos mag-practice, tapos na siya nun maligo pero hindi pa siya nakakabihis para sa party.

He waited for me to finish showering at nakisabay na kaming dalawa kay Mon. Nakisabay rin ang iba naming kaibigan at napagdesisyunan naming lahat na dun nalang mag-bihis sa venue, Kyle said there were rooms reserved for us.

May dala rin namang make-up si Daphne, as always. May oras din naman kami para mag-handa!

Magkaiba yung kwarto ng babae at lalaki kaya hindi kami masyadong natagalan sa pagbibihis. The guys were asked to wear gray tapos yung mga babae naman, dusty pink daw.

Mon went with a fairy mini dress that had flower embroidery on it. Mukha siyang princess, tapos nakatali pa yung buhok niya with a pink ribbon!

Daphne wore a pink suit and a white lace bralette, she slayed by the way! Gusto ko pang magpa-apak sa kanya because her heels- tapos yung white headband- ugh, ang ganda!

Si Jasmine naman, naka silk corset dress and it had a slit, showing off her legs- "Ahh! Shet ka, ang ganda mo!" Jasmine squealed nang makita niya akong lumabas sa banyo.

I was wearing a v-neck and sleeveless na jumpsuit, siyempre it's a party kaya ilabas ang pagka-hubadera!

Daphne offered to do my hair, gusto raw niya i-style yung bangs ko! She straightened my hair- and my fringe- bago niya ako nilagyan ng make-up. Ginupit-gupitan niya pa yung bangs ko para raw 'maangas'.

My eyes widened when I saw her holding eyeliner, "Huy, ako na!"

She clicked her tongue at pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata, making me let out a sigh of defeat. I let her do whatever she wanted with my face, at nang ipa-ikot niya yung upuan- Oh my gosh, sino 'to??

She made my eyes look so fierce, and I looked... snatched ba yun? Basta ganon!

Satisfied na satisfied ako sa ginawa niya, in fairness! When they were all done doing their makeup and hair, nag picture-picture kami sa loob ng room. May kama pa naman sa kwarto kaya pinag-tripan nila ako roon.

"Look more seductive!" Nakakunot-noong utos sa akin ni Jasmine, determinado talaga siyang kuhanan ako ng magandang litrato!

Pinatay pa nila yung ilaw so that they could use flash, nung hindi naman sila na-satisfy roon, inutusan nila si Mon na sindihan yung flash ng phone niya so they could move the light around.

"Ayan, ayan, ganyan! Grabe ka na, Riley! Please choke me, mommy!" Pag-suporta sa akin ni Daphne habang nagpo-pose pose ako, making me laugh. "Ang hot, non, isa pa!"

Nang ma-satisfy sila, sinend na sa akin ni Jasmine yung mga pictures. "Pa-edit mo kay Yohan." She winked, making me bite back a smile. My girls are the best!

Natigilan kami sa pagkukuha ng litrato nang may kumatok sa pinto, "Guys, party's starting soon." Narinig naman ang boses ni Justin sa kabilang side ng pinto.

Jasmine unlocked the door and opened it wide para makapasok ang kung sino man. Justin and Theo were the first ones to go in at natawa ako dahil mukhang inlove na inlove si Theo kay Mon. And she didn't even notice him staring at her!

"Aba, ganda natin ngayon, ah!"

Napalingon ako sa pinto to see the birthday boy going inside with... Yohan.

A grin made its way to my face nang makita ko siyang naka-suit. He was wearing gray, of course, pero sa loob, naka-pink siya na dress shirt.

Naka-ayos pa yung buhok niya, only a few strands of his hair fell to his face at mukhang intentional pa yun.

"Hoy, ako yung may birthday!" Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Kyle, kapapansin! Siya lang yung naiiba sa amin, he was wearing white, tapos blue yung panloob.

I felt my heart beating faster dahil nararamdaman ko ang titig sa akin ni Yohan, ang intense! Yung pisngi ko rin nag-iinit na para bang may lagnat ako.

"Ganda mo palagi," He whispered to my ear nang makalapit na siya sa akin, sending shivers running down my spine.

I bit my lip and managed to look back at him, "Pogi mo rin palagi," sabi ko pabalik, making him chuckle. I wrapped my arm around his at lumabas na kami ng kwarto.

"Let me take pictures of you later?"

"Sure! I took some already kanina with the girls, gusto mong makita??"

Pumili na kaming lahat ng table at nang makaupo kami, he asked me to send him the photos. He wanted edit them daw.

Natigilan siya sa pagso-scroll, nang mabuksan na niya ang mga photos, he looked so stunned! I chuckled before kissing him on the cheek, buti nalang transfer proof yung lipstick ni Daph!

His cheeks turned a light shade of red habang ine-edit niya yung mga pictures ko! Ang cute, gago gusto kong umiyak. It was my first time seeing him so flushed like thi-

"Hi, Riley!" Tumalikod ako at napangiti nang makita si Gio, nandito na pala siya! Tumayo ako at nakipagbeso-beso sa kanya, since there was a vacant seat in between Justin and I, dun na siya umupo.

"Dito muna ako, ah. Wala pa kasi tropa ko, wala akong makausap!" He chuckled at tinanguan ko siya, I didn't mind naman.

Nag-hi si Gio sa katabi ko ngunit tinanguan lang siya ni Yohan at hindi na niya siya pinansin. Sungit ah!

I looked around at nakitang dumadami na ang mga tao, may nagse-set up pa na banda doon sa may stage.

"Pota." I heard Daphne curse nang lumabas yung vocalist ng banda. Siguro ito yung "best friend" niya! Hmm... may itsura. Mukhang magpe-perform sila mamaya, that's nice.

There was a table dun sa ibaba ng stage and I grew curious nang makitang may nilalagay sila roon na mga sapa-sapatos, branded t-shirts, and different kinds of stuff.

"Para saan yung mga yun?" Tanong ko kay Yohan and he finally looked up from his phone.

Nilingon niya ang tinuturo ko, "Ah, they're prizes. May pa games si Kyle mamaya." My eyes widened, tanginang prizes yan!

"I want the shoes," excited kong saad, making him chuckle.

"Huy, ako rin!" Sabi ni Gio, kaya pinagplanuhan naming sumali dun sa mga laro. May nakita akong volleyball shoes sa mga prizes!

While waiting for the program to start, kumanta muna ng iilang kanta yung banda at kinanta nila yung Happy birthday bilang last song.

Yung pinsan ni Kyle yung nag-emcee dun sa birthday niya at napuno ng tawa yung buong venue. I realized that most of his guests were our age. Mga pinsan at mga kaibigan lang niya yung mga nandito!

"Okay, let's start this night with a little game, bago yung inuman!"

Unang game was guessing some facts about Kyle. Since nasa table namin yung best friends niya, sila palagi yung nabibigyan ng prize!

"Okay, next question! What is Kyle's full name? Kasali yung middle name!"

Kaagad nag-taas ng kamay si Yohan but sighed nang maunahan siya ni Daphne. Nakakadalawa na siya!

"Kyle Abraham Richardson Prado!" Proud na sagot ni Daphne and she squealed nang sabihan siya ng tama.

Naglakad siya sa prize table ulit, but this time, she chose the Kate Spade bag na gusto ni Jasmine. Madaya, nagta-tandem yung dalawa!

Yohan tried to answer the next question- Kyle's shoe size- pero naunahan siya ulit, but this time it was Mon, binulong ni Theo sa kanya yung sagot!

"10!"

Mukhang wala na kaming pag-asa ni Yohan so we tried to win the next game instead; bring me.

Iba yung version ng bring me nila, instead of bringing a thing, people were asked to bring a person. Parehong makakakuha ng prize yung dinala at yung nagdala!

"Tara tandem." Pag-aya ni Gio sa akin and I agreed, makakarinig naman siguro kami ng question na maa-apply sa amin, kung wala edi kung ano nalang!

When asked to bring someone pretty, kaagad tinakbo ni Jasmine si Mon, sayang! Nakaharang kasi yung crush ko, chariz, hehe.

"Okay... Ito, bet na bet ko 'to. Pag may dinala kayo, dapat gagawin niyo ah! Bring me... Someone that you'd do a love shot with!"

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang kunin ni Gio ang kamay ko, I got up from my seat pero napa-buntong hininga siya nang maunahan kaming dalawa. Even though I was sad, I felt relieved, ayaw kong makipag-love shot sa kanya 'no!

I looked at Yohan and saw him eyeing Gio, nakataas pa yung isang kilay niya! I held his hand and gave it a squeeze, "Para sa sapatos lang," bulong ko sa kanya, making him roll his eyes at me.

He intertwined his hand with mine pero hindi na niya ako pinansin, mukhang wala na sa mood.

"Magla-love shot kayong dalawa, ah!" Natatawang sabi nung emcee kina Theo at Justin. Justin looked so happy dahil sa bagong damit niya, si Theo naman mukhang nandidiri.

Pero hindi ko magawang matawa! Joke joke lang naman yun, eh. Hay.. Nag-tampo na tuloy.

I poked his leg pero kahit lingon hindi niya ginawa, napanguso tuloy ako. Hindi ko na pinansin yung bring me bring me, kinulit ko nalang si Yohan. Nakakatakot pa naman siyang magalit!

"Bring me the person that you're most attracted to, or someone you have feelings for."

Kinalbit ko ulit si Yohan at napakagat ako ng labi nang hilain niya ako patayo, he dragged me to the stage and all I could hear were the cheers of my friends.

"Ay, ay, ay! Si Yohan pala 'to! Grabeng mga bata 'to, ang tatangkad," sabi nung pinsan ni Kyle when she recognized Yohan.

"Pero loverboy ka na pala! Kayo na ba?" She nudged him, making Yohan grin.

Tinapat nung emcee yung mic sa bibig ni Yohan so he could answer, and he did not disappoint!

"Soon," sagot niya kaya nagkaguluhan yung table namin. I bit my lip to suppress a smile at masaya niya akong dinala dun sa table ng prizes,

I picked the volleyball shoes that I wanted, buti nalang may size ko pa! Si Yohan naman, hindi siya sure sa kung anong kukunin niya.

While he was picking, nilapitan ko siya. He was probably still upset, "I'm sorry." Kahit na kinakabahan ako, I still wanted to say sorry to him, 'no! I was expecting him to roll his eyes at me or sungitan man lang ako, pero hindi yun nangyari.

He held my hand before giving me a smile, "Pasensya na, nagselos lang ako," pag-amin niya and something inside me wanted to so badly tease him.

Nang makita niya ang tingin na binibigay ko sa kanya, inirapan niya ako, making me giggle.

Sa huli, pinapili nalang niya ako ng bagay raw sa kanya. May nakita akong puting dress shirt na may stripes na pattern, at sa bawat stripes, iba na yung material na ginamit. I imagined him wearing it at lumaki ang ngiti ko, pogi!

Nang makuha ko na yun, we headed back to the table. All of my friends had teasing looks on their faces, si Mon naman nakangiti nalang dahil siya ang unang nakaalam.

Pagkatapos ng mga laro, guests were allowed to eat food na! Since table number one kami, kami yung unang kumuha.

Wala naman akong hindi gusto sa mga hinanda kaya kumuha ako sa lahat. I pouted dahil wala na akong kamay para sa coffee jelly! Nang makita ako ni Yohan, he chuckled bago siya kumuha ng dalawa, one for me!

I gave him a smile at naglakad na kami papunta sa mga upuan namin.

Kyle's party was pretty chill. After kumain, pinicturan ako ni Yohan sa labas. Ayaw ko pa nga nung una dahil baka ang haggard ko na, pero sabi niya maganda naman daw ako, hehe!

When we came back to the party, nagsisi-inuman na ang lahat. At dahil hindi naman ako puwedeng uminom, hindi ko masyadong na-enjoy. But that was fine! Kausap ko naman ang crush ko!

As he edited my photos, nakapatong lang ang ulo ko sa balikat niya. Ang ganda ganda ko sa mga kuha niya! In most of the pictures, I looked fierce, pero may mga shots siyang kinuha nung tumatawa ako.

"Can you not... post the bedroom photos?" He asked at napangiti ako nang makitang namumula ang pisngi niya.

Niliitan ko siya ng mata, "Bakit naman hinde?"

"Okay lang naman kung gusto mong i-post," pag-depensa niya sa sarili, "But I just want a photo for me to keep." He showed me his lockscreen at nakita kong ako yun! It was the photo of me laughing!

I grinned at pinisil ko ang pisngi niya, ang cute cute! I couldn't help but give him a kiss on the cheeks, nakakagigil!

"Okay, you can keep those, but can I post some??"

He smiled and nodded his head, "Okay." He sent me the edited photos at tinulungan na rin niya ako sa pagpili. Siya pa yung unang nag-heart and pinost niya rin sa story niya!

After a few hours of having fun with our friends, it was time to go home. Sumabay na kaming dalawa ni Yohan kay Mon. Bumaba siya sa ospital kaya pinigilan kong malungkot, I guess hindi pa rin nadi-discharge yung nanay niya.

Nang makauwi na ako sa bahay, I took a shower at chineck ko na yung post ko sa instagram. It was getting a lot of love, nagsi-comment comment pa yung mga kaibigan ko! Yung iba dino-dogshow lang ako!

I scrolled through my feed and a smile played on my lips nang makita ang mukha ni Yohan. He posted the photo of him dun sa photography account niya, which was odd dahil hindi naman niya pinapakita ang mukha niya roon.

Nevertheless, sinend ko yung post sa kanya and messaged him! 'Hi crush, cute mo po hehe.'

Tinignan ko ulit yung picture and admired him some more. He was looking to the side and he looked... happy? contented? In love..? Parang may tinitignan siya!

I posted it on my story before looking at the caption. It read:

'The Look of Adoration, Love, or the start of it?

The only photo of mine I'll ever post here. Thank you @kyleprado for this shot, happy birthday.'

I decided to message him again at napangiti ako nang makitang may reply na siya, 'read the caption :)'

'I did. Ano tinitignan mooo? pagkain? HAHAHHAHHA' Ganun yung mukha ko tuwing nakakakita ako ng gusto ko, eh!

'Close. I was looking at you.'