"SOMEONE DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE AN EXTRA MILE, that's why we're getting nowhere."

Pabalik-balik si Renante sa sinabi ni Stacey habang nag-aalmusal sila. That was already a few hours ago. Right now, he was in front of his laptop, inside the room he uses in Stacey's bungalow home.

Pagkatapos nila mag-almusal, nagpaalam ang dalaga na aalis. She said she needed to shop for some clothes. Gusto nitong maging kaaya-aya sa paningin ni Pierre Gallardo kapag nagkita sila. Hindi na niya kinontra pa ang dalaga dahil baka may idagdag na naman sa pagpaparinig nitong hindi siya marunong mag-take ng extra mile.

Geez. Renante knows how to take an extra mile. He went all the way from Manila to Rizal for her. He climbed that killer mountain there. He went through dangers untold for her.

In fact, he shouldn't be working on Sundays. Pero heto at nasa harap siya ng laptop. Hindi naman nagrereklamo si Renante o anuman. Kapag start-up talaga ng isang negosyo, inaasahan na niya ang ganito. Na kulang pa ang bente-kwatro oras at ang Monday to Friday para matapos ang mga ta-trabahuin.

Renante did everyone's job during the weekends. He reviews the financial reports and double checks the HR-related files. Aside from that, he was closely monitoring the progress of their production. Tsinetsek din niya ang sales nila gamit ang online shop ng VVatch.

At kung may matitira pa siyang oras, pakalat-kalat siya sa internet. Sa mga social media sites. Tumitingin-tingin siya ng mga trending na disenyo ng relo. Kumukuha siya ng inspirasyon mula sa mga sumisikat sa pop culture. Then, he would relay his ideas to Paige. And if Paige comes up with a creative design for that idea, that's when a design is born.

Nasa kalagitnaan si Renante nang pagtse-tsek sa online shop nang matigilan.

He remembered Stacey and suddenly felt guilty.

He should be making time for her, not waiting for his schedules to clear up so he can have time with her. Sure, they went to a dinner last night. Pero iba pa rin iyong quality time na silang dalawa lang ang magkasama.

Isinara ni Renante ang laptop. Ang paalam ng dalaga, pupunta ito sa isang mall. Alam niya ang mall na iyon dahil iyon ang pinakamalapit sa tinitirahan nila ngayon. He freshened up and got dressed.

A few minutes later, the house and gate were locked. Lulan na si Renante ng kanyang itim na sasakyan, papunta sa mall.

.

.

SAMANTALA, marami nang nakasampay na naka-hanger na damit sa kaliwang braso ni Stacey.

She held her smartphone on her right hand, listening to Kylie during their phone call.

"Sige na naman, Kylie. Hindi mo na nga ako sinipot kagabi sa Sondra's, eh," pangungulit niya sa kaibigan.

Piccollo and I just pulled an all-night last night. Through video-chat, actually. He bugged me about designing a photo he can post online, something na pang-ads. That he's looking for drivers para sa logistics business na gagawin niya. Sumakit ang ulo ko kaka-debate sa kanya, kaya, Stace, I really... can't.

She took in a deep breath. Very carefully. Ayaw niyang marinig ni Kylie ang pagbuntonghininga niya at ma-guilty pa ito na hindi siya sinamahan.

"I see," ngiti niya dahil gumaan kahit paano ang pakiramdam niya nang malamang rasonable ang hindi pagsipot sa kanya ni Kylie kagabi. "Sige na. Magbawi ka na ng tulog mo riyan."

I am really sorry, Stace.

Pinasigla niya ang tinig. "Look, it's okay."

Later tonight? Let's meet?

Hindi niya malaman kung papayag o hindi. Kilala niya si Kylie. Nagyaya itong makipagkita mamayang gabi para makabawi sa kanya. At the same time, Stacey didn't find that necessary. Nauunawaan naman niya ito, eh. Hindi na nito kailangang bumawi o anuman.

Gusto ko rin kasi malaman kung kumusta ka na. Kung ano ang mga pinag-usapan niya ni Sondra kagabi.

Stacey lowered her gaze. Hindi niya ini-specify kay Sondra kung ano ang problema niya. Pero hindi na niya iyon ipapaalam pa kay Kylie.

"Sure," sagot niya sa kaibigan.

Pagkatapos nila mag-set ng oras at meeting place, nagpatuloy si Stacey sa pagsha-shopping.

She tried on some clothes and bought ones she liked. She picked five items and was still walking past different clothing shops, searching for something she might like to buy. Ayaw niya kasing magtagal sa mall masyado. Hindi na siya tulad noong teenager pa sila na kayang mag-ikot sa mall maghapon. Now, in her thirties, Stacey's legs easily give up after three hours of non-stop walking around a place.

Sinong mag-aakala na saktong bago niya malagpasan ang isang jewelry store, mapapahinto siya dahil sa pagsulpot palabas mula rito ng isang babae?

The woman immediately turned her head to her upon recognition.

"Stacey!"

Napamulagat siya. Hindi niya malaman kung ngingiti. Hinahagilap pa niya ang sariling ngiti habang sumasagot sa ginang.

"Hi. T-Tita," alanganin niyang bati. Nang makabati, at saka lang siya nakangiti.

Luz granted her a sweet, composed smile. She was an image of tranquility as always, donning a white dress. But this time, her dress has short ruffled sleeves and a low round cut that beautifully showed off her collar and upper chest where a pearl necklace rested. May bitbit na rin itong tatlong maliliit na shopping bags mula sa iba't ibang jewelry shops.

"Hi." Tuluyan na itong humarap sa kanya. "How are you, hija? You..." her eyes scanned her face, "seemed to be feeling better now."

Lalong pumaling ang kanyang ngiti. Nakaramdam siya ng hiya pero hindi naman makayuko si Stacey para itago ang sariling mukha.

"S-Strange, right? Shopping has healing properties," she chuckled awkwardly.

Mahinang tumawa ang ginang.

"With a philosophy like that, we'll get along very well," ngiti nito.

Alam ni Stacey na iyon ang pinakatotoong ngiti ng ginang. Kasi, mas umumbok sa pagkakangiti na iyon ang mga pisngi nito.

"Look," Luz gently held her arm and positioned beside her, "why don't we shop together? Where is your next stop?"

Hindi siya agad nakasagot, bigla kasing nagsalita ang ginang.

"Oh, si Renante? Kasama mo ba?" lingon nito sa paligid habang nakahawak pa rin sa kanyang braso.

"Hindi po. Nasa bahay siya. Busy sa work."

Dahil mas matangkad siya, halos tingalain siya ni Luz ngayong magkatabi na sila.

"Nasa bahay na, trabaho pa rin?"

She nodded and smiled. Nagsimula na rin siyang maglakad kaya sinabayan na siya ni Luz.

"Oh, he's just like his father," nangingiting iling ni Luz. Bumitaw na rin ito mula sa pagkakahawak sa kanyang braso.

Deretso ang kanyang tingin sa harap.

"Well, nauunawaan ko naman po. Nasa start-up stage pa rin ang VVatch. Talagang malakas kumain sa oras ang start-up stage ng isang business."

"Still, he needs to find some time to relax. He'll definitely burn-out kung puro trabaho siya at wala man lang break."

Stacey gently lowered her head. All of a sudden, pressure and regret gnawed her. It was supposed to be her who reminds Renante to relax and take breaks. Lalo na at magkasama sila sa iisang bahay. Inaalagaan niya dapat si Renante.

"I don't think he'll listen if I tell him that," pagak niyang tawa.

"He should, because he loves you, right?" sulyap sa kanya ni Luz.

Hindi naman siya makalingon sa ginang. Hindi rin niya alam kung ano ang isasagot sa sinabi nito.

He should also think of marrying me too, right? Because he loves me, right?

"Stace?" pukaw sa kanya ng ginang.

Medyo nagulat pa siya nang marinig ang boses nito. Mabilis niya itong nilingon.

"Where are we heading to?" malumanay nitong ngiti sa kanya.

"Pwede po ba tayong mag-resto? Or café?"

"What place do you have in mind, hija?" anito bago ibinalik ang tingin sa paglalakad.

"There's this homey café in this mall, Eden's."

Luz beamed at her. "That's a very nice place, hija. I love their chowder soup!"

Napangiti siya. "What I always order there is their pasta."

"Maybe, I should try that too." Umiwas na ito ng tingin. "I don't mind eating extra today. I'm quite famished, lalo na at ang tagal ko nang naglalakad-lakad dito."

"Wala po ba kayong kasama?"

"Ah, wala." Nasa harapan lang ang tingin ng ginang. "Alam mo, hija, laging busy sa trabaho si Ronaldo. Ang mga anak ko naman, lagi nang busy simula nang mag-high school. Kaya, sanay na ako mag-shopping nang walang kasa-kasama. Sometimes, I bring one of my maids with me. But I get conscious, so most of the time, I am alone."

She wanted to ask Luz about shopping with her friends, pero nahiya siyang gawin iyon.

Nang marating ang Eden's, malaya na silang nakapagkwentuhan ng ginang. She told him about the jewelry sets she bought today. She asked him what she shopped for. Nahiya si Stacey noong una pero sa kalagitnaan ng pagtatanghalian nila, naging komportable na rin siya sa presensya ni Luz.

"By the way," baba ng ginang sa ininumang tall glass ng tubig, "about last night—"

Kinabahan si Stacey.

"—I want to be honest with you, hija. But I noticed something in your eyes, in the way you looked."

Napalunok siya. She covered up her tension with a gentle smile.

"Is it my dress?" Napailing siya, natatawa. "I know, it's too sparkly for the occasion—"

"It's not about the dress. I even love it. It looks splendid on you," magaan nitong ngiti. "It's your eyes. They are kind of... puffy, you know? At natagalan ka sa banyo. Is it nausea?"

Her mouth almost dropped open. Buti naagapan ni Stacey ng sara.

"Nausea?" she echoed in disbelief.

"Are you pregnant already?" umaasang ngiti nito sa kanya.

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata niya sa pasabog nitong tanong.

"Mom," someone chimed in, standing beside their table.

Nag-angat ng tingin ang ginang, ipinukol ito sa lalaki sa kanyang likuran.

"Oh, Anak!" masayang singhap nito. "Come on, join us! Are you here to pick up Stacey for lunch?"

Nanatiling nakapako si Stacey sa kanyang posisyon. Lalong nagwala ang kanyang dibdib nang marinig ang boses ni Renante. His voice always sent these chills all over her sistem. Her heart was pounding to the power his low voice has over her sanity.

"I figured, she'll be having lunch by this time. Kaya inisa-isa ko ang mga resto rito," paliwanag ni Renante at sumilip ito sa kanyang mukha nang hindi yumuyuko. "I've been calling you since I got in here. You're not answering, Boo."

"Sorry. Naka-silent ang cellphone ko," angat niya ng tingin sa binata.

Stacey had to hold her breath. The mere sight of Renante captivated her as if she saw him for the very first time. He was clad in his navy blue button-down shirt, brown leather shoes, and black pants— a perfect match for her navy blue wrap dress and white high-heels.

Renante took off his blue-tinted aviator sunglasses and motioned to sit beside her. That's why Stacey scooted to the left to provide him space. Nakaupo sila ni Luz sa magkatapat na leather seats na mahahaba, kaya naman kahit tabihan siya ni Renante, kakasya silang dalawa.

As soon as his shoulder touched hers, Stacey got a wiff of his cool scent— a wave of eucalyptic chill relaxed her whole system. So relaxed she could hug his arm and sleep against his shoulder.

But Stacey managed to control it.

"We're still eating. Pwede mo pa kaming sabayan," masayang wika ni Luz sa anak. At napansin ni Stacey na mas sumigla ang ginang simula nang dumating si Renante.

"Yeah, sure," Renante answered before quickly glancing at her. He pulled a smug little grin at the corner of his lips. A grin that did not reach his eyes. "So, what is this pregnant-thing I just heard?"

Nag-init ang buo niyang mukha. Mahinang natawa naman si Luz.

"Oh, it's about last night, Anak. Stacey wasn't feeling well, right? And I just noticed that her eyes were puffy too," paliwanag ni Luz.

"Look," usog niya palayo kay Renante para makaharap ng pagkakaupo rito. "I am not pregnant, okay?"

Renante was already looking at the menu book.

"You better be," he murmured lowly with a smile contrasted by the dark pools in his shadowed eyes.

Stacey didn't like that look in his eyes.

Of course, because we always use protection. And it was only this Friday when we fucked without protection. I can't be pregnant...

And I can't get pregnant...

She lowered her eyes while slowly facing back to the table.

I can't when you don't even want to marry me.