THE DARK BROCOLLI HAIR. The fair skin. The big bright youthful smile. Eyes of deep shade of gray. Everything about Piccollo Hawthorne, physically, screamed foreigner blood.

But his heart? His values?

Very Filipino.

He had a strong sense of family. Kaya kahit nakabalik na ng US, pumunta na naman ito sa Pilipinas para ipakita ang suporta sa grand opening ng Sondra's. Piccollo always brought an optimistic air anywhere he goes. He was always ready with a smile. Kahit mga problema , kaya nitong tawanan. Ang mga atraso? Madali nitong kalimutan.

Pero hindi ganoon si Stacey.

Natutuwa siyang makita si Piccollo. Masaya siya na mukhang nasa mabuting kalagayan ang lalaki. Damn. He seemed to be having a lot going on very well in his life these days.

But she was horrified.

Hindi niya alam kung paano pakikitunguhan ang lalaki.

"I knew it's you," malapad na ngiti ni Piccollo Hawthorne sa kanya.

Paling ang ngiti niya rito. "Hi, Piccollo."

She had no right to ask why he's here. He's Sondra's cousin, for Pete's sake!

Bakit nga ba hindi man lang niya naisip na makikita rito si Piccollo? Had he really been out of her mind for so long she almost forgot his existence?

Piccollo gave her a quick scan. "You look great."

He was complimenting Stacey her hair tied in a low bun; her tight white pants; and her brown front knot crop top that has a sweetheart neckline and short puffed sleeves.

Lumipat ang tingin ng binata kay Renante.

"Hi," nabawasan ang sigla sa ngiti ni Piccollo.

Namilog ang mga mata ni Stacey nang maramdaman ang kamay ni Renante sa kanyang balakang. He gave her a little nudge, closer to the side of his body. She was almost cradled beneath his arm at their closeness.

"I am happy you both made it here," patuloy nito. "This means, you and Sonny are already cool, right?"

"Sort of," she admitted. Hindi naman kasi sigurado si Stacey kung talaga bang okay na ang lahat.

Even if Sondra was genuine about wanting her back as her friend, their past was hard to get over from for Stacey. Lalo na sa parte niya.

Dahil siya ang nagkaroon ng atraso kay Sondra.

She hadn't been a genuine friend to her.

She had done bad things, said hurtful things to her.

"What about us?" he smiled meaningfully.

Stacey was more aware of Renante. She had seen his dark side before- when he wasn't in love with her yet. She didn't want that unleashed once more just because of a jealousy over her and Piccollo.

"What with us?" maingat niyang tanong.

"Well.." Piccollo slightly hesitated. His eyes never strayed again at Renante's direction. "Do I still have to stay away from you? Or is it safe now for us to talk?"

"Wala nang nagi-stalk sa akin," magaan niyang ngiti rito.

"And hopefully," Renante began taking charge, "hindi ka pumalit sa nangungulit kay Stacey."

Piccollo scanned her before he confidently stood up to Renante.

"I don't do the stalking shit, don't worry. I have nothing to hide. No reason to lurk around when I can be as close as this to Stace."

Nanatiling kalmado si Renante, pero nanuot kay Stacey ang lamig ng pakikitungo nito kay Piccollo.

"You should have known. Na kami na ni Stacey."

"I know," lumapad ang ngisi ni Piccollo rito. "But three years in and I don't see any ring on her finger."

"Required bang may singsing bago mo respetuhin ang relasyon ng may relasyon?" Renante was smirking, but his eyes were steely. His voice was icy- hard and cold.

Piccollo released a hearty chuckle.

"Take it easy man. I am just kidding around. I know my boundaries, a'ight?" he stepped back, wearing an open-mouthed smile. Piccollo glanced at her with eyes awaiting for her approval. Pero maging siya, hindi malaman kung ano ang ire-react. Ayaw niyang makapagsabi pa ng kahit ano na pwedeng simulan ng hindi pagkakaintindihan ng dalawang lalaki.

Piccollo spoke, "I came here pretty late, so... I gotta show up to Sonny now. Catch you later!" Paglipat ni Piccollo ng tingin kay Renante, binigyan nito ang kanyang nobyo ng isang pababang tango bago sila iwanan.

Both of them spun around just to follow Piccollo with their eyes.

"Sonny!" masiglang singit nito sa mga nakapalipot sa pinsan nito. Sonny beamed upon seeing her cousin.

"You know there's no need for you to be jealous, right?" hawak niya sa kamay ni Renante.

Nanatili kay Piccollo ang mga mata nito.

"Then, you shouldn't have talked to him in the first place."

"I feel like I have to. Mukha lang siyang masaya, pero nasaktan din siya nung nalaman niyang ikaw ang mahal ko."

Napatingin sa kanya si Renante kung kailan pinapanood na niya si Piccollo. Masayang nakikipagkumustahan na si Piccollo kina Sondra.

"We don't feel the same for each other, pero hindi naman siguro ibig sabihin no'n, hindi ko na siya pakikitunguhan ng maayos, 'di ba?"

"That might give him false hopes."

Stacey turned to him, meeting his serious gaze.

Inangat ni Renante ang magkahawak nilang mga kamay at inanggulo iyon. Without breaking their eye contact, Renante kissed her knuckles.

"Hey," he smiled now. "Let's pick our orders now, shall we?"

Nginitian niya ito. Kahit may bahid pa rin ng kaseryosohan sa mukha nito, kahit papaano umaliwalas na rin si Renante.

Magkatabi sila habang iniisa-isa ang mga display ng pasties. They used the tongs and trays for some of their chosen treats. Then, they started lining up on the queue at the counter.

Pinili nila ang table na katabi ng glass wall. Pinagkasya nilang dalawa ang mga sarili sa leather seat na may mataas na sandalan. Naiwang bakante ang kapares niyon sa kabila ng mesa.

They eyed on the delicacies on their table. Hinihintay na lang nila dalhin sa kanilang mesa ang Chocolate Mint Shake para kay Renante at Strawberry Cheesecake milkshake naman na para kay Stacey. Kasabay din ng mga iyon dadalhin ang tig-isang slice ng red velvet cake at ang in-order ni Renante na dalawang cup ng Happy Cupcake.

Inuna nilang kainin ang crossaints, ilang piraso ng pink macaroons na may hugis bulaklak na icing filling.

"This is already a lot. We should have tried some of the savory stuff," lingon ni Stacey kay Renante sa kalagitnaan ngpagkain nila.

"We will. Pero makakaya ba natin lahatin ang mga pagkain dito?" magaang tawa nito sa kanya.

Stacey watched him. There was this kind of glow in him as he finished his chocolate filled bavarian donut.

He must be really proud of Sonny...

Ngumiti si Stacey at dinampot ang natitirang piraso ng macaroon.

I am happy for her as well. Hindi ko lang alam kung bakit... bakit kailangan ko pa magselos.

She stole a glance at him.

Now, I understand what he felt... when Piccollo approached us earlier. An understanding smile dawned on her. I shouldn't have told him not to be jealous or something. Hindi ko na lang sana pinansin.

Kumain na siya.

Siyang dating ng kanilang milkshakes, cakes, at cupcakes. Inuna ni Stacey ang Strawberry Cheesecake milkshake niya. It was served in a big, transparent glass dessert goblet. The white whipped cream twirled on top of the cold drink lined in the middle of each thick swirl with pink syrup. Sa ilalim niyon ay ang durog na yelo na hinaluan ng gatas at strawberry. There were a hints of strawberry strips and cheesecake bits.

As she sipped from the thick retractable straw, the refreshing sweetness came over her. It was the creaminess was light and delightful. The sweetness blended thinly and naturally. She liked it a lot.

Tahimik na sinisim mula sa sariling retractable straw ni Renante ang sarili nitong dessert goblet ng Chocolate Mint.

Gumalaw ang mata nito para i-check siya. Nang makitang nakatingin siya, inangat nito ang ulo.

"It's good."

"Lasang natural, 'no? 'Yong tamis niya natural ang lasa. You just know it, kapag artificial sweetener ang ginamit eh."

His smile showed agreement.

"What about this one?" dampot ni Stacey sa may kalakihang cupcake.

"The infamous Happy Cupcake," nangingising dikit sa kanya ni Renante.

Both of them ogled at the vanilla cupcake placed in an orange paper cup. Mas malaki ng kaunti ang lapad niyon sa kanyang palad. May puting swirled frosting sa taas na binudburan ng pink heart-shaped sprinkles kasama ang mas maliliit na sprinkles na iba't iba ang kulay- mistulang rainbow.

Naalala ni Stacey iyon. Noong high school sila, maging nung gabi bago ang debut ni Sondra, nakwento na nito sa kanilang magkakaibigan ang tungkol sa cupcake.

Pigil ni Stacey ang matawa. "What is this? An ode to her childhood?"

"You can say that." Renante looked at her lovingly. Lalo pa ngayong magkadikit ang mga balikat nila... maliit na lang ang distansya sa kanilang pagitan.

Stacey was still eyeing the cupcake. Inikot-ikot ng kaunti para matingnan ang bawat anggulo ng kanyang hawak.

"So, if I made a wish and ate this, matutupad ba?"

"Only one way to find out," Renante grinned at her.

Hindi na napigilan ni Stacey ang matawa.

"My goodness. I can't believe idadamay na tayong lahat ni Sondra sa Happy Cupcake something na 'to."

Lumayo saglit si Renante para kunin ang sarili nitong cupcake.

"Together," anyaya nito.

Stacey held the cupcake with both hands now. She was hesitant to make any wishes because what the hell. Who believes that a cupcake made by Sondra can make wishes come true? This is insane. This is only a nod to her friend's childhood fantasy of being a fairy princess. That and nothing more.

But maybe, Renante treasured that time. He knew her at that age for being childhood friends.

She watched him even close his eyes as he made his wish. Nang dumilat ito, dali-dali siyang pumikit.

Ngumiti.

Sana magyaya na ng kasal si Renante.

Minulat niya ang mga mata at nilingon ang nobyo. Nakatingin na ito sa kanya nang malingunan. He gave her a smile.

"Let's eat," anito at tinaggal ang buong paper cup. He gave the cupcake a big bite.

Damn, he almost gobbled it up, hurrying to eat it all.

Tinanggal ni Stacey ang parte ng paper cup na nakaharap sa direksyon niya. She took little bites. Then she realized how Renante could eat the cupcake so fast. It was soft and airy, chiffon-like in texture. Smooth.

The icing was synonymous to a whipped cream. The sprinkles were sweet but carried no particular flavor.

Stacey found it strange that the Happy Cupcake was only a dash of sweetness, milk and vanilla.

She gave the remaining half of her cupcake a stare when realization dawned on her.

Is happiness this... simple?

Umiinom na ulit ng milkshake si Renante. He busied himself with forking the tip of his slice of red velvet cake.

"Parang hindi ka talaga kumain para makarami ka ng order dito," panlalaki niya ng mga mata rito.

Nginitian lang siya nito. He remained poised in his seat, no one would actually suspect he was eating a lot.

"Well, this is how I support my friends' businesses," kalmado nitong sagot.

Right. Kahit negosyo ko, masaya mo pang binibida sa parents mo... You really are very supportive to the people you care about.

She was already melting as she stared at him. Nagulat siya nang ibalik ng boses ni Renante sa reyalidad.

"Hey, finish your cupcake. Baka hindi matupad ang wish mo," magaan nitong tawa.

Nangingiting tinapos niya ang pagkain ng cupcake. Siyang upo ng kung sino sa upuan sa kabila ng kanilang mesa.

"Hi!" angat ni Kylie sa bitbit nitong Canon Eos R.

"Kylie!" mulagat niya.

"Pwede kayo picture-an? This is for Sondra's!"

"Sure," dikit agad ni Renante sa kanya. "Pero kung gagamitin for marketing ang picture namin, she should pay us big!"

Natawa ito at si Kylie.

Renante waved a hand. "Nah. I'm jist kidding."

Umusog lalo si Stacey padikit kay Renante dahil hinawakan na siya nito sa bewang.

"Pick up your goblets. Isama natin sa picture."

They did what they were told.

Stacey held her goblet on her chest level and pretended she was about to sip from the straw while smiling. Si Renante naman, naka-anggulo ng upo paharap sa kanya. Dinikit bito ang sariling baso ng milkshake sa kanyang baso. Kapwa nakatingin na sila sa camera pero nang i-click iyon ni Kylie, ang nakunan nito ay nakatingin sa kanya nang may ngiti si Renante.

"This is great!" Pakita ni Kylie ng litrato nila.

"Hindi nakatingin si Re-" turo niya pero inalis na agad ni Kylie ang screen ng camera sa harap nila.

"That's okay na no!" Kylie looked at the picture again. Her smile softened. "Ang sweet niyo kaya tingnan."

Nagkatinginan sila ni Renante.

"Thank you pala kasi nakapunta kayo," balik ng tingin ni Kylie sa kanilang dalawa. "Hindi ko kayo nakita nung ribbon cutting kaya nalungkot ako kanina, but now-" she winced as if shooing away the tears forming in her eyes. Kylie concealed how touched she felt by a little laugh. "Enjoy lang kayo rito. And-" lumingon ito at natanaw ang palapit na si Sondra. "Oh, my. Palapit na dito si Sonny-"

"Hi," hinto ni Sonny sa tapat ng mesa nila. Namilog ang mga mata nito nang makita ang mga nakahain doon. Lalo na ang mga tapos na nila kainin. "Whoa, that's a lot."

"Supportive itong kasama ko, eh," magaan niyang parinig kay Renante, may kaunting tawa. "Malapit na nga akong magselos na naman."

To her shock, Sondra worried. Stacey just wanted to crack a little joke here!

"Stace..." lambing sa kanya ni Renante. Pumulupot na naman ang braso nito sa kanyang bewang.

She reassuringly tapped him on his chest.

"Come on, I am just joking!"

Ngumiti na roon si Sondra, pero may pag-aalangan pa rin. She clasped her hands right below her chest.

"I am glad nakapunta kayo," anito.

"Thank you. We are also glad we came here. Lahat ng in-order namin, we liked it." Nilingon siya ni Renante. "Right, Stace?"

She eagerly nodded. "That's true. I just can't believe you have to serve that Happy Cupcake here. Like, really? Hindi ka na talaga naka-move on sa Happy Cupcake, Sonny?"

Sonny laughed. "What can I say? What I really want in this bake shop is to not just serve what people wants, but to also share to people some of my most cherished memories through sweets."

Naalala niya ang realization nung kumain ng Happy Cupcake.

"So... about the Happy Cupcake. Why is it so simple? There's only cream and vanilla and sprinkles. What does that have to say about happiness in general?"

"What do you mean?" Sondra was pleasantly curious.

"I mean, I am sure, the ingredients have to represent something about happiness since it's a Happy Cupcake. You know?"

"Oh." Sondra's eyes shifted. Para bang naghahagilap siya ng maisasagot sa kanyang tanong. "To be honest, it's the most accessible thing in the house when I first made that cupcake. Kaya ganyan lang siya kasimple."

"You mean to say...?"

"Gawa talaga ang Happy Cupcake sa kung ano lang ang meron ako nung time na 'yon," masaya nitong ngiti.

Stacey didn't know what to feel. Sa pagkakasabi kasi ni Sondra, parang wala naman talaga itong in-attach na espesyal na metaphor o pakahulugan sa pagkakagawa ng cupcake sa pinangalan dito.

"I see. I love it anyway."

Mas nagliwanag ang mukha nito. "Thank you!"

Kinagabihan, pagod na napaupo si Stacey sa sofa. Tumabi sa kanya si Renante na nahuling pumasok ng bahay. Ito kasi ang nag-lock ng gate.

Awtomatikong sumandal si Stacey sa balikat ng lalaki. Renante turned his head and pressed his lips on her hair, on the top of her head.

"Tired?" he murmured against her hair.

Napapikit siya.

"Not really," buntong-hininga niya. "Sobrang traffic lang kasi. 'Yong andar ng kotse."

"Sorry about the way I drive. I'd rather move than get a headache from the car honking behind us."

Ngumiti siya. Pero kahit sa ngiti niya, kita pa rin ang pagod.

"Alam ko naman, no. No need to explain."

Renante held her hand. He kissed its back before gently moving away. Napipilitang tumuwid si Stacey ng upo. Naguluhan nang tumayo si Renante.

"Where are you going?"

He smiled, but from that smile, Stacey could see that he's tired too.

"I'll just get freshened up," isa-isa ng isa nitong kamay sa butones ng suot na shirt. "You can join me if you want."

"I'll think about it," she smiled.

He playfully teased her. "Think fast. Baka tapos na ako maligo bago ka makapag-decide."

Of course, she wanted to join him. But she's really feeling physically tired from the trip. Baka kung saan mapadpad ang pagsabay niya sa lalaki maligo kaya magtitiis muna siya.

Sumandal siya sa sofa. Tumingala. Pumikit.

It had been minutes of peaceful silence when her cellphone rang from her bag.

Dinukot niya iyon, namumungay ang pagod na mga mata. Medyo nasilaw siya nang tumapat sa kanya ang nagliliwanag na screen.

Her caller must be still using his old sim card. The one he always uses when in the Philippines.

She saw Piccollo's name on her cellphone's screen.