Hindi pa tapos ang midterms ni Amelie pero nakapagplano na ako para sa date namin. I want to take her somewhere peaceful. Overview ng city lights o 'di kaya ay sa mga famous nature tourist spots. I just want to give her all the best.

"You're taking a lot, kuya! Hindi natin 'yan mauubos." Keeno groaned.

I looked over to my cart. Maraming pagkain. Picked accordingly to Amelie's likeness.

"And we don't like too much sweets, remember?" Krono muttered.

"It's not for you." I hissed and continued picking sweet treats.

"Are those for Amelie?"

I glared at Keeno. Halata na kung para kanino ang mga ito.

Nilagay ko sa mini fridge ng kwarto ko lahat ng pinamiling chocolate at ang iba ay nilagay sa ilalim ng drawer. I know my brothers don't eat sweets too much but there could be instances where they'll enter my room and rummage stuffs. I don't wanna risk it.

I spent my remaining time reading for our upcoming exams. Buong araw na hinintay ko ang message ni Amelie. I told her to focus on her review and then we could talk at night. Masakit sa damdamin pero mas mabuti na iyon kaysa bumagsak siya ng dahil sa akin.

When four o' clock in the afternoon striked, I changed my clothes and drove off to Amelie's school. I parked far from her school's entrance. Sa susunod na taon, magt-transfer ako rito. Para sabay na kami kahit hindi kami pareho ng class schedule.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas ay nakita ko si Amelie na palabas kasama ang mga kaibigan niya. They were laughing about something and God knows how much I want to know what it was. Ang ibang nadadaanan ay napapatingin sa gawi nila. And they weren't minding the attention.

Amelie waved goodbye to her friends and entered their car. A minute later, I received a message from Amelie telling me that she's on her way home. God, love, I know.

Ako:

How many subs are you going to take tomorrow?

Amelie:

Last two. Ikaw?

Ako:

I have four. Two in the morning, two in the afternoon. I'll probably reach home around nine or ten. Depende kung anong oras matatapos.

I started the engine and maneuvered the car while waiting for her reply. Nang tumunog ay agad kong tinignan.

Amelie:

You should focus, then. Nasa bahay ka?

Ako:

No, baby. I was in your school. Catching a glance of your angelic face.

Amelie:

What? Why didn't you tell me. Sana nakita kita ;(

Humalakhak ako. Ang cute. Sarap halikan ng paulit-ulit para hindi na magtampo.

Amelie:

You're so unfair. Tell me next time.

Ako:

I'm sorry. I just miss you. I'm on my way home.

Amelie:

Mag-iingat ka. Stop texting me while you're driving.

Ako:

Yes, ma'am.

I found Mom cooking in the kitchen when I reached home. Dad's nowhere to be found. He's probably at work.

"Saan ka galing?" Mom asked.

"Sa school ni Amelie, mommy."

Nag-angat ito ng tingin sa akin. Pinahinaan ang apoy sa niluluto at ibinalik ang tingin sa akin.

"Kailan ko ba makikita itong si Amelie, Kithian?"

"Kapag sinagot na ako, mommy. Kayo ang unang makakaalam. You'll definitely love her."

They'll definitely get along well. Amelie is sweet just like her. She loves gentle things too. Kaya nararapat lang na tratuhin ng tama.

"Binata na talaga ang panganay ko. I'll look forward to it, okay?" Mom smiled.

"Of course, mommy."

"Bumaba ka para sa dinner mamaya," paalala nito.

Umakyat na ako sa kwarto at binigyan ng mensahe si Amelie. She didn't reply yet so I made myself busy by answering practice problems. Hinihila na ako ng higaan at cellphone ko kahit na walang reply si Amelie. I brushed that thought off of my mind and trued on focusing on my notes. Mariin akong napapikit nang makaramdam ng antok.

Oh, Lord, gusto mo talagang pinapahirapan ako e. Alam mong miss na miss ko ang disipolo mo.

Tumayo na ako at nag-inat. I left my phone in my room and decided to answer the problems in my room's balcony. Saktong naupo ako ay nakita ko ang unti-unting pagpapakita ng mga bituin. I suddenly wondered if Amelie is looking at them right now. Syempre hindi, nag-aaral iyon e.

"Ano 'to?" I whispered to myself.

Kinuha ko ang papel na nakaipit sa libro ko.

"Tang–" hindi ko na naituloy ang dapat ay sasabihin ko sana.

Binangkal recipe ang nakalagay sa papel. Sulat kamay ni Keeno kaya alam kong siya ang may gawa nito.

I managed to answer almost all of the practice problems. Nang bumalik ako sa loob ay wala pa ring reply si Amelie. Baka nagpapahinga saglit. Sasabak na naman 'yon sa matinding bakbakan bukas.

I stared at my phone and opened my social media accounts to stalk Amelie. May mga bago siyang status updates. Mostly shared posts. Karamihan ay verse at ang iba ay pictures niya. Almost all her pictures are candid photos of her. Ganda palagi. Kahit ano sigurong isuot babagay sa kaniya.

Na view ko naman na ang story niya pero binalik-balikan ko pa rin.

"Eat a lot of rice, Kithian. Alam kong maaga ka na naman bukas sa school at hindi ka na naman kakain. I'll pack food for you so you can eat it anytime you want." Si mommy.

"Ako, mommy?" singit ni Keeno.

"I'll pack food for the three of you. May pasok ka ba bukas, Krono?"

"Wala, mommy. Sa saturday isang subject lang. Sa linggo walang klase si Kuya Kit pero maaga 'yan sa simbahan. Perfect attendance lagi sa kumbento. Sumo-sobra ka na, kuya."

"Gumaya ka kung gusto mo," pabalang kong sagot.

I finally got a reply from her after dinner. Tumulong pala saglit sa simbahan kaya hindi nakapag-reply. Nag-aral naman pagdating sa bahay kaya hindi agad naka-reply. Kinikilig ako. Sumo-sobra na nga talaga ako. Ano naman?

Ako:

Are you busy? Can I call?

Amelie:

Hindi naman. Sige.

Tinawagan ko agad ang numero niya.

"Hi. Sorry hindi kita nareplyan agad," salubong niya sa akin.

"Hm?" the only response I said.

"Sabi ko sorry kasi hindi kita nareplyan agad."

I let out a soft chuckle. Walang problema, boss.

"You're forgiven. Done eating your dinner?" I asked.

"Yup! Nakapag-half bath na rin. Ikaw?"

"Kakatapos lang. Date tayo sa sunday? After ng misa. I know a place and it's a surprise."

"Sige. Anong isusuot ko?"

She can wear anything she wants though. It would be fine. Ako naman ang kasama niya. I can guarantee that she's safe with me.

"Wear anything you want as long as you're comfortable."

"Paano kung sexy?"

Humalakhak ako. Walang problema.

"As long as you're comfortable with it, it's fine with me."

"Talaga?" Nahihimigan ko ang tuwa sa kaniyang boses.

"Of course, baby."

"Are you going to take pictures of me? I need to know so I can make myself pretty."

Damn. Ganda na nga kahit hindi nag-aayos, paano pa kaya kapag ganiyan? E di mas lalo akong matutulala nito.

"Gusto mo talagang natutulala ako sa 'yo 'no?" I teased.

"Hindi ah!" she defensively answered.

"Whatever you say, princess."