Mike's POV

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko nang makita si Joanna na nanggaling sa ladies' CR.

Nakasimangot ito na agad nawala nang mapansing sa kanya ako nakatingin. Tapos ngumiti na pumunta sa direksyon namin ni Gelo. Ibabalik ko sana ang ngiti n'ya pero nakita ko si Juno na lumabas sa pinanggalingan n'ya.

Nakaismid ang asawa ni Rob na nakatingin kay Joanna. At inangat ang phone n'ya pasenyas sa akin, saka ngumisi.

Lumingon si Joanna para alamin kung sino ang tinaasan ko ng kilay at tinanguan mula sa likod n'ya. At tila namutla ito nang malamang si Juno yun.

Tila walang pakialam na nag-eyeroll pa. Talagang ipinakita sa amin.

"What happened?" tanong ko kay Joanna paglapit.

"W-wala," parang namutla ito.

"Jun won't react that way and you went out grimacing. So tell me."

Bago pa s'ya makasagot, si Kennie naman ang lumabas sa pinanggalingan nila. Doon din nakatingin si Joanna. Napasimangot uli ito lalo't dumako ang mata sa amin ni Kennie tapos ay halatang nagdalawang-isip kung lalapitan si Gelo na kasama ko. Sa halip ay nilapitan si Madel na karga ang magdadalawang buwang anak.

Doon ito naupo sa mesa ng mga Kho, kasama ang mga anak at kapatid ni Aris.

"What did you do?" mahina pero seryoso kong tanong kay Joanna.

"Bakit ako?"

"Then why so defensive?"

"Pinagbibintangan mo agad ako eh."

Napatingin sa amin sina Daddy. Medyo tumaas kasi ang boses ni Joanna. She noticed so she mellowed down.

I cleared my throat, "Excuse us."

I offered my hand to Joanna which she took then we headed out of the resto.

"What's going on, Jo?" I asked when we were near the parking lot. "You're not your usual self since the start of the party."

"Why don't you ask yourself, Mike? Ako dapat ang magtanong sa iyo," sarkastiko n'yang sagot.

I sighed. I don't want her acting up like this especially in front of my family... my Mom. She's losing her opportunity over Kennie.

"What happened in the ladies' washroom?"

Inulit ko na lang ang tanong. Yun naman talaga ang gusto kong malaman.

"Wala nga."

"Alright. I'll ask Juno. She won't lie. In fact, she's brutally honest."

Na-tense ang mukha ni Joanna.

"I... uhm... I had a word fight with Kennie," finally she said.

"Fight?" tumaas ang kilay ko. "No, not Roqueña. Not her character."

"So ipinagtatanggol mo?"

"No, I'm just saying I know her character. Like if I ask her about what happened back there, she won't say a word to incriminate you, too."

"People change, Mike. And it seems na masyado naman yatang santa ang tingin mo sa kanya. At ako ang masama."

"Wala akong sinasabing ganyan."

"Yun ang pinapalabas mo!" tumaas uli ang boses n'ya.

"Don't raise your voice on me. Not here, Joanna," I hissed holding her tight on the arm.

"Bakit hindi? Kanina pa ako mukhang tanga sa party na ito, Mike. "

"How's that? You've been occupied the whole time kahit alam ng staff mo ang dapat gawin para i-cover ang video and photo coverage ng party. KC's team is there to manage the event. Hindi ko malaman kung bakit di ka mapakali kakaikot at kakapunta sa mga staff mo. Ikaw ang nagpilit na ikaw ang personal sa exclusive shots ni Gelo. Hindi ko malaman kung bakit dahil di naman kailangan. I just want you beside me."

"I wasn't occupied enough to notice you still have a thing for that nun wannabee, Mike! Even your friends know it. And they may not be mean to me but it was obvious that they are still rooting for you and that woman!"

"What are you talking about, Joanna?!" asar kong sabi.

"See? You don't even know because you're in denial. You've been in denial ever since!"

"I'm not!"

"Yes, you are! Ang sabi mo ipakikilala mo na ako sa pamilya mo at mga kaibigan mo. I thought you'll introduce me to them that we are official. Pero ano'ngsinabi mo sa kanila, ha? We're dating? My God! So meaning, yung heart to heart talk natin, di pa pala tayo official nun?!"

"Why, did I say we are?"

"So, ako lang pala ang nag-assume? Well, when I came here and saw that ex-nun, I wasn't surprise at all, Engr. Montecillo! Ginagamit mo lang ako para patunayan sa kanya at mga nakakaalam tungkol sa inyo na kunwari naka-move on ka na!"

"I'm over her!"

"Talaga lang huh? Patunayan mo!"

With that, she walked out on me, pabalik sa resto. Napahawak na lang ako sa noo at marahang pinisil ang sentido ko.

Damn!

I've already convince myself that I'm so done with Roqueña. But ... but ...

Shit!

I just feel retaliation when Chito called me last night informing me about the group of men who serenaded her last night. Wala talaga akong plano na pumunta kaming mag-ama doon. Gaya nang wala akong plano na ipaalam pa sa kanya na nasa akin na si Gelo nang mismong kaarawan ng bata. Naalarama lang ako nang itawag ni Chito na papunta s'ya sa bayan ng mga Garcia. And worst, nagkita sila ni Belmonte.

Putang-ina, eh nag-date pa!

Tapos, isa pa si Rika. Parang inirereto si Ken kay Roqueña. Hindi ko malaman kung ano naman ang pumasok sa utak ng babaeng yun na pumayag na mahawak-hawakan s'ya nang kung sinong kakikilala lang. Pati yata halik, okay lang!

Tangna, ganun na ba s'ya ka-bored sa buhay n'ya? Kaya ba s'ya lumabas sa simbahan?

Gago, gusto ngang bumalik sa iyo, di ba?

Bulong ng utak ko.

No way!

Oh, eh anong ipinapuputok ng butse mo?

Hindi nga kasi ganun ang pagkakakilala ko kay Roqueña. Hindi yun sanay sa crowd lalo at mga lalaki.

Eh yung staff mo sa bahay n'ya?

Iba yun. Para kaming pamilya sa loob ng bahay nila.

Kami? Kasama ka?

"Fuck!" napamura tuloy ako nang may kalakasan.

Naasar ako sa di ko malamang dahilan.

Tang ina kasi talaga!

Asar na gustong pumutok na talaga, sa kabila nang pilit kong ipakitang wala kaming problema ni Joanna, dahil nung mag-uuwian na kami,

"Why don't you stay at our house for the night, Kennie?" si Mommy. "It's almost eight in the evening. Ano'ng oras ka makakauwi."

Saglit na napatingin sa akin ang babae.

"Ano po kasi, Tita, ma-traffic na bukas dahil Lunes. Huhugos po ang mga bibyahe kahit maagang-maaga."

"Ipapahatid naman kita kay Michael."

"Hindi na po. May pasok s'ya sa opisina."

"We have drivers."

"Kailangan pong ihatid si Gelo sa school, Tita. Tsaka, kung may extra kayo, mahihirapan s'ya sa byahe pauwi. Okay lang po talaga ako."

"Ipahatid ka na lang ngayong gabi. Para kumportable ka."

"Huwag na po. Ayos lang po talaga ako."

I'm getting irritated that she keeps rejecting my mother's offer. I dunno if she was still doing this because I told her to keep distance for Joanna to get close to my mother. Parang gusto ko nang bawiin ang sinabi ko.

Una, para nang nakikiusap si Mommy sa kanya.

Pangalawa, it's my mother who's distancing herself to Joanna. She keeps on bugging Roqueña instead.

Third, I know Gelo wanted to be with her often, but because of what I said...

"Tita, don't worry," singit ni Ken. "Ako po ang maghahatid kay Kennie ngayong gabi sa Bataan."

What the fuck?! Kakikilala pa lang nila kanina ah!

Pero di ko yun maisatinig.

Joanna is there with us going out of the resto. I promised that I'll drop her at her condo dahil sumabay lang ang babae sa service van ng photo studio n'ya papunta rito. Kami ni Gelo ang maghahatid sa kanya. I told her that para tumigil na ito sa tahimik na pagmamarakulyo na lalong nakakapagpairita kay Mommy ... at pati kay Dad.

Yeah, Dad approached me discreetly pagbalik ko sa resto after my talk with Joanna.

"Son, I'm not sure if you notice but your girl has been acting up mula pa kanina. Lumala pagkagaling n'yo sa labas. She raised her voice to one of the photographers. At dahil sa pasimpleng pagdadabog n'ya, muntik tamaan ng tripod sina Thunder at Sophia na nakikipaghabulan sa mga anak ng mga kaibigan mo. Muntik na s'ya kay Juno at Sarah. Talk to her, please."

So, I had to do something to pacify her. Or else, baka mag-away na talaga kami kahit sa harap ng pamilya at mga kaibigan ko. Sa lahat nang ayaw ko, may masasaktang bata.

I'll just try to understand. Una, this is the first time that she covered a children's party. Joanna is one of KC's contacts for weddings and corporate events. Iba sa birthday parties. In fact, Reid told me earlier that he remembers Joanna as the one who did the pre-nup photo shoot for him and Andie. He did not say bad about her but I never saw Joanna in the Schulz-dela Cruz nuptial, not even in any of their corporate events of SchulzAS. KC just couldn't say anything because I told her that Joanna will take care of my son's photo and video as her gift.

Second, the presence of Roqueña.

Third, because of the second reason, she witnessed the treatment of my family and friends to Gelo's aunt despite that she left me before to be a nun. Joanna can feel the difference. My friends are civil to her but warm on Roqueña when they bid farewell a few minutes ago.

Bakit hindi mo isama yung pang-apat at pinaka-importante? Na ikaw mismo ang pinakamabigat na dahilan kaya nagkakaganyan si Joanna. That you are in denial but most of your actions can't hide it.

I shove off the thought.

No way!

"Mama, kelan mo po ako uli dadalawin? Pwede po next Saturday? Wala po akong school noon."

"Sige. Pipilitin kong matapos yung pinapagawa ni Ms. Andie para dalawa ang dahilan ko lumuwas."

"Tawag ka po gabi-gabi kay Lola Mommy ha? Para mag-uusap tayo."

"Sige."

Humalik na si Gelo sa tiyahin at nagyakap sila. Magalang na nagpaalam si Roqueña sa mga magulang ko matapos n'yang humalik sa pisngi ni Mommy at magmano kay Daddy.

Kaya nagpakatimpi-timpi ako na hindi mag-react nang hawakan ni Ken sa siko ang babae at alalayang makasakay sa shotgun ng kotse n'ya.

I fought off not to smirk when Roqueña made her final wave to Gelo and my parents without looking at me. Then I saw Rika's friend did the same,and Gelo,

"Ba-bye, Ma. Tito Ken , ingatan mop po Mama ko ha?"

"Of course, birthday boy!"

Joanna cleared her throat so I looked at her.

"Let's go?" I asked.

Isang pekeng ngiti ang pinakita n'ya. Siguro dahil nakatingin si Mommy at Daddy sa amin.

"Yeah, sure," then I turned to Gelo who was still watching the car where his aunt was in. "Hey, angel!"

"Po?"

"Come, hatid natin si Tita Joanna mo."

I saw something in his eyes but before I could decipher it he already stepped towards me to take my hand.

"Michael, huwag mo na isama si Gelo. He needs to rest," singit ni Mommy. "He's been travelling since last night til the morning, then this party in the afternoon."

"Okay lang po, Lola."

"No, baby. Your eyes are droopy now."

"Mommy," angal ko. "Gelo can rest in the car."

"Ganun naman pala eh bakit hindi na lang sa bahay."

"Lola, I can still travel. Wag ka na po magalit. Nagbilin po si Mama na susundin ko lagi si Papa."

"And how about me?" Mom glared. "What did your Mom say about me?"

"Dapat daw po mahal kita, Lola," then he smiled sweetly at my mother.

Sabay kaming napangiti ni Dad.

"That's it?"

My boy just shrugged his shoulder then, "Pati po si Lolo."

Mahinang natawa si Mommy, "Makukurot ko sa singit yang si Roqueña pagbalik. Tinuturuan kang mambola."

She kissed my son then said, "Make sure you come back home before ten. May pasok bukas."

"Uhm, Gelo," singit ni Joanna. "Okay lang naman kung di ka na sumama. Tama naman ang lola mo."

"Okay lang po. Gusto ko rin po talaga sumama."

"Talaga?" ngumiti si Joanna.

I did, too. I thought he was hesitating earlier.

"Opo. May itatanong po kasi sana ako sa inyo."

"Why not ask her now?" I injected.

Nag-alangan si Gelo dahil tumingin muna kina Mommy. That made my mother curious.

"What is it, apo? Is there a problem?"

"No, Lola. I'm just confused."

"About what?" nagtanong na rin si Dad.

Tumingin si Gel okay Joanna, "Ayaw mo po ba akong maging masaya, Tita Joanna?"

"Ha? Who told you that?" may pigil na inis na tanong ng babae.

"What is this, angel?" I asked.

Suddenly, I remembered what Joanna told me at the parking that people change. I got suspicious about Kennie. Baka may sinabi ito sa bata.

"W-wag na lang po, Papa. Nagagalit ka po eh."

"No, angel. I'm not. I just want to know what's bothering you. Common tell me," I squatted in front of him.

"Uhm... kasi po ano eh..."

"Go on," I encouraged him because he started fidgeting.

"B-bakit n'yo po sinabi kay Mama ko na layuan kami at sa Bataan na lang s'ya? Mama ko po s'ya kahit hindi ako galing sa kanya. Hindi ko s'ya ipagpapalit kahit kanino. S'ya lang ang Mama ko," may kumislap sa mata ng anak ko.

Pigil na luha.

"Oh my God! Michael, what's this?!" Mom gasped.

"T-teka ..." natarantang sabi ni Joanna sabay, "Sinisiraan ba ako ni--"

Suddenly I felt mad! Maybe, Joanna was right. People change. Just like how Roqueña changed her mind on our wedding and again to leave the convent. Or maybe, she didn't leave voluntarily. She was expelled.

" Joanna, stop. I will talk to my son," saka tiningnan ng seyoso ang anak ko at hinawakan sa mga palad. "Michael Angelo, sinabi ba sa iyo yan ni Roqueña kanina?"

"P-papa..."

"Tell me! Don't you dare cover for your aunt!" naiirita kong sabi.

"Michael, bata yan!" saway ni Dad.

"H-hindi po, Papa. Hindi po ako kinausap ni Mama. I asked her but she kept on telling me to study well. Na huwag po kayong gagalitin."

My eyes narrowed. I wanted to believe my son. I can feel that he's telling the truth but where the hell is he getting this idea?

"K-kay Tita Dyosa, Papa. Narinig ko po kanina kinukwento n'ya kina Tita Sarah bago sila umuwi. Sabi pa n'ya kahit iparinig n'ya pa kina Tita Rika yung... yung nasa phone n'ya."

I slowly turned my head to Joanna. Her face was pale.

"M-mike, wala akong intensyong--"

I stood up then patted my son on the head. "Go home with Lola."

Si Daddy ang mabilis na kumarga sa anak ko.

"We'll go on ahead, 'My... 'Dy."

I didn't wait for my parents to answer. I held Joanna's elbow and guided her out. I don't care if she was not able to bid farewell to my parents.

I'm mad now!

Very mad!

Joanna felt it so she herself didn't dare talk until I parked in front of her condo building.

"M-mike..."

"Come. Ihahatid kita sa itaas. Dun tayo mag-usap."

Wala pa rin kaming kibuan but I was surprised that right after we got in her unit and she closed the door, she immediately clung to my neck and kissed me hard.

Di agad ako nakagalaw. I was stunned. This is the first time she got really aggressive especially that her hand went down between my legs and pressed my manhood even I still have my jeans own.

For a man with previous active sexual life before, I couldn't help but felt the flick in that big nerve there. Despite my bad mood, my hand automatically wrapped around her waist to press her more to me. I kissed her back with double intensity. I even heard a thud.

Napalakas yata ang pagkakasandal ko sa kanya sa dingding habang naghahalikan kami at nagmamadaling alisin ang pagkakabutones ng mga polo naming suot.

I immediately cupped her breast kahit may suot pa s'yang brassiere. Just like her hand roaming around my chest then to my back, inserting both hands inside my pants to knead my butt cheeks.

I heard a moan. Not even sure if it was me or Joanna. Maybe both of us.

It's been quite a while. Since that fire at Enrico Apartelle.

Suddenly, Gelo's teary eyes earlier flashed in my mind. Roqueña's voice who repeatedly declined my mother's offer to stay at our house for the night. And Ken's car driving away with my sweet little Ke--

My eyes flew opened. I wasn't here for sex.

I am here to confront Joanna.

I stopped kissing her then dropped my arms on my sides.

"M-mike... wh-what's wrong?" she whispered.

I looked at her intently. I didn't say anything. I saw how fear slowly crawled on her face... then anger.

"So... this is it?!" she asked in a raised tone, not covering herself. "Ang una at huling pagtuntong mo sa loob ng bahay ko?!"

That's the truth. Hanggang sa reception lang ako sa dalawang beses na inihinatid ko s'ya pauwi. Madalas kasi ay nagkikita na lang kami sa labas dahil may sarili itong kotse. Nawaglit sa isip ko na kahit galit ako ay may excitement sa galaw n'ya kanina nang sabihin kong dito kami mag-uusap.

I sighed.

"I'm sorry, Joanna."

"Sorry?! Pinaasa mo ako!"

Masakit sa pandinig dahil totoo. Gaya nangg pagpapaasa ko kay Estrel noon. Ang pagkakaiba lang, sa una ay para protektahan si Roqueña. Pero ang ngayon ay para itulak s'ya palayo.

"You were at fault, too. But the bigger part is mine. That's why I apologize."

"Ako? Bakit ako?! Walang akong ginawa kundi ang unawain ang sitwasyon mo!"

Umiling ako, "You did it for yourself. For a selfish act. You do not really accepted the fact that I'm a single dad. Hindi na nga ako sigurado kung mahal mo ako, pero sigurado akong hindi mo mahal ang anak ko."

"W-what?"

"You knew from the start how my boy adores his mother."

"And you still adore her just like the rest of your friends and family kaya kayo nagagalit sa akin ngayon!" sumbat n'ya. "You are just making excuses to break up with me!"

"There's nothing to break. Walang tayo," malumanay kong sabi.

Bumaling ang mukha ko sa sampal n'ya, "You bastard! Just like your son and his mother!"

I could have accepted that she's cursed me, but my boy and...

Umalsa ang galit sa ulo ko. Dinaklot ko sa balikat si Joanna.

"You can throw all the filthy words you know at me, Joanna," mabigat kong sabi. "But not them!"

"Fuck you!"

"Yeah, I'm all fucked up! You knew that from the start. So you should know what you were getting in to. I thought you are the best candidate I got now to marry," nanlaki ang mata n'ya sa gulat. "Yes, Joanna, I already considered. I was lucky that I gave in to your caprices to cover Gelo's birthday today. Just looking back to what happened at the party, it may be subtle but the signs were there. You are not going to be a good family woman. Because you do not like children."

"M-mike..."

" It was not me who noticed it first because I tried not to pay attention to it. But you never mingled with kids. The smiles you gave them weren't warm. Dahil kailangan lang sa trabaho mo. Your lips maybe smiling but your eyes were irritated. There were times that you were grimacing when you thought no one was looking. You weren't careful with your actions even you knew there were children around. Muntik masaktan si Thunder at Sophia."

"I was mad then! You should understand!"

"No, I can't. Adults should think about the children no matter what the situation is. Children, compared to us, are powerless. But to me, they are the source of their parents energy and life. A responsible adult must not make excuses when it comes to the welfare of the young."

Her eyes are already filled with tears but I just looked at her as I button back my clothes.

"M-mike... I'm sorry..."

"I... I know... and I'm sorry, too."

Tumalikod na ako. Humabol si Joanna.

"Mike, mahal kita!"

Yumakap s'ya nang mahigpit sa likod ko bago ko pa mabuksan ang pinto palabas.

"I know, but not that much. You will get by. Mababaw lang ang nararamdaman mo. Mas lamang sa iyo na makakatulong ako at impluwensya ko para mapaangat ka."

"Hindi totoo yan! Mahal kita!"

"Joanna, let go."

"Ayoko! Magpapakamatay ako, Mike!"

Marahas akong napabuga ng hangin saka humarap uli kay Joanna. Hilam na s'ya ng luha pero nagkaroon ng kinang ng pag-asa sa mukha n'ya.

I have to kill that hope, because there's nothing to expect.

"You know what, Joanna, you made my decision stronger to leave you. The first woman who said that to me was the reason Roqueña ran away. That's why you just pissed me off more. And by the way, she's still alive and from the last I know, she's about to marry someone else. But the damage she had done is still not fixed."

"Gagawin ko, Mike! That I promise you! Ikaw ang pumatay sa akin!"

"Tsk! Your bruised ego which you can't handle is the one that will kill you, not me. And don't dare come close to my son and hurt him. Because if that happens, yes, I will kill you personally. Talu-talo tayo. Wala sa akin ang salitang pinagsamahan. "

Nawalang parang bula ang lahat nang nararamdman ko sa babae kahit dinig ko pa rin ang hagulgol n'ya paglabas ko.

Hindi agad ako nakaalis pagsakay sa kotse ko. Mariin kong naihilamos ang palad sa mukha.

Damn!

I can't understand it but I felt relieved at the same time, why do I still feel heavy in my chest?

I took my phone out and called Mom.

"'My, pauwi na ako. Si Gelo?"

"Ayaw pa matulog. Pinagsabihan ko na nga. Pero nagmamatigas. Hihintayin ka raw."

"Why? Let me talk to him."

"Just go home now. He said he wanted to say sorry to you personally. He felt guilty na nag-away kayo ni... uhm.. ng kasama mo."

Tumikhim ako, "He doesn't have to worry. That's the last time he'll hear from her."

"Oh... I see. Well and good. So, how about Kennie?"

Tss, si Mommy talaga, "Mom, don't start plea--"

I wasn't able to finish what I was about to say. Dial tone na ang narinig ko.

Napakamot na lang ako sa ulo. Tinawagan ko si Gerry. Siya ang karelyebo ni Chito kahapon sa pagbabantay kay Kennie. Weekly ang palitan nila.

"NLEX pa lang sila, Mike," abiso nito.

"Kaskasero ba?"

"Hindi naman. Sakto lang."

"Sige, i-text mo na lang kung nakarating na kayo."

Di ko na pinatagal ang usapan. Naka-bluetooth lang ito sa suot na helmet.

Totoo ang sinabi ni Mommy. Hinihintay ako ni Gelo makauwi.

Halata na mabigat ang loob nito sa nangyari.

"Hey, angel. No need to feel bad about it," pang-aalo ko. "Hindi ako galit."

"Sabi ni Lola...nakipaghiwalay ka na kay Tita Joanna."

Si Mommy talaga!

"That's true. And I want to thank you for asking her that question. I've got to know something she was hiding from me."

"Papa... baka... baka malungkot ka uli. Ayaw ko... ayaw din ni Mama na malungkot ka."

I smiled at him.

He really took upon himself to obey what Roqueña says.

And... I'm happy to hear what he said.

"Don't worry, I won't be, angel," haplos ko s'ya sa ulo habang nakaunan sa braso ko.

"Pa...?" tingala n'ya sa akin.

Naroon ako sa kuwarto n'ya. Ewan ko, pero partikular ngayong gabi, gusto kong katabi ang anak ko. Yakap.

Para kasing naaamoy ko pa sa kanya ang cologne na gamit nang kinikilala n'yang ina.

"Oh?"

"Kapag... kapag malungkot ka, can you not show it to Mama?"

"Uhm... okay. Why?"

"Kasi, kahit di n'ya sabihin, alam ko nag-aalala s'ya sa iyo."

Di ako nakakibo agad. Umayos s'ya ng puwesto patalikod sa akin.

"Gelo..."

"Po?"

"Ano ba sa palagay mo kung bakit bumalik si ... ang mama mo?"

"Di naman po n'ya sinabi sa akin."

"Ano nga sa palagay mo?"

"Hhmm... kasi nami-miss n'ya ako... tsaka ikaw."

Malapad akong napangti, Hinalikan ko na s'ya sa ulo.

"Goodnight, angel. I love you."

"Goodnight, Pa. Mahal po kita. Mag-pray ka po bago matulog ha? Tapos na po kami ni Lolo at Lola."

"Uhm, okay."

Yeah, nakakahiya mang aminin, my son started the prayer habit in the house. Kahit bago kami kumain. Even my parents, and my siblings got embarrassed when Gelo told us that we should pray before eating. Yun ang panahon na lumuwas dito ang mga kapatid ko kasama ang mga pamilya nila para i-welcome ang anak ko.

Even Uncle Monching and some oldies made a sheepish smile hearing my son say that when we paid a visit to some relatives so that they'd meet my boy. Paano, nakailang subo na ang tiyuhin kong governor sa pagkain.

I remember him say.

"Your boy was raised well by his aunt."

I smiled at the thought. I slept with a light feeling thinking of what I will do the next day.

Maaga akong bumangon. Agad akong naligo at nagbihis.

"Ang aga mo ah. Alas-kuwatro pa lang," puna ng mayordoma namin. "Gigisingin ko pa lang yung kusinera."

"Magkakape lang ho ako tsaka sandwich."

Agad kong inubos ang inihanda n'ya tapos nagbilin.

"Pakisabi kina Dad, umalis na ako."

I checked my phone before I got in my car.

Past ten in the evening nag-text si Gerry. Di ko na napansin dahil inilagay ko sa silent ang phone ko pagpasok sa kuwarto ni Gelo. At nakatulog na rin ako.

Hindi ko na nagawang buksan at basahin pa ang buong text message. Dahil natadtad ng text messages at missed call ang phone ko galing kay Joanna. Naisama ko ang message ni Gerry sa mga binura ko, kasabay sa pag-block ko sa number ng babae.

Magaan ang loob kong nagmaneho... sa direksyon ng NLEX.

Makakarating ako doon bago mag-agahan si Kennie. O baka hindi pa nga ito gising.

Sosorpresahin ko s'ya.

At mag-uusap na kami.

Lamang, malapit na ako sa bahay ng mga Dayrit, ako ang nasorpesa.

May kotse sa loob ng garahe. Nanliit ang mga mata ko.

Kotse ng kaibigan ni Rika!

Tang ina! Dito yan natulog?! At saan?!

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Don't forget to comment or vote!

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Hello, mga chichi!

Sa isang obvious na nakikita n'yo, lumampas sa target ko na 50 chapters lang ang YHSMD.

Alam n'yo naman ang sakit ko, hirap ako magpaikli ng mga stories at chapters ko! LOLZ!