All Over Again

© ayreezh

"Believe me..."

"I believe you."

I've read somewhere that the length of time

a person should be able to move on from a "break up"
is 1/3 of the time that the couple was together.
But what does "together" mean?

Is it the time when you start having feelings for the person?
Is it the time when you start just being with the person?

What if the person was forcefully taken away?

What if the person never cared?
Does science or society set up any rules for those kinds of situations?

When is it okay to care for someone again?

When is it okay to fall in love without the guilt?
When is it okay to be with someone again?
When is it okay to find solace in someone else?
When is it okay to be okay?

This is what happened after the Terminal.

This is the continuation of life.

?????? ?? ??????

Posters:

|1|2|3|4|

?????? ?? ??????

Trailer:

Gotta Be Somebody

?????? ?? ??????

::Prologue::
Dead & Gone
?.~*~..~*~.?

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ?
Oh great.. I'm lost..

I've been driving around the same neighborhood for about an hour now.. and I still can't figure out where I'm
supposed to turn.. Seeing this cemetery for about the nth time is already giving me the creeps.. It's like
seeing death over and over and over again..
and the number of cars parked on the side of the street.....

Someone's burial....

I knew I should have just taken a cab instead of renting this car.. -__-
It's been ten years since I last came home from the States..
I should've listened to my parents when they "offered" to pick me up..

*sigh* But who am I kidding? They're too busy to actually consider picking me up. It's just part of their
whole "good parents" facade.

I parked my rented car a few feet away from the cemetery's entrance -- just behind the last car that's
probably there for the burial.. I know I shouldn't crash some person's burial -- it's not like I'm actually
crashing the burial, I'm just parking with them..... But I don't want to drive around for another hour!

I took out the new phone I got just before my flight from LA, and dialed my parents' house number..
Technology today.. it does wonders -- allowing me to call whenever, wherever -- using a phone from another
part of the world.

two rings.. three.. four..

"Hello?"

Oh my gosh, she's home.. O_O

Ako: Mom? It's Jerwin.

Mom: Jerwin! Where are you?!? Kanina ka pa dapat nakarating dito sa bahay ah!
Ako: I know, but I'm lost. I think I'm somewhere near the neighborhood.. but I can't remember where to
turn..
Mom: Where are you? Ipapasundo na lang kita sa driver.
Ako: No, it's ok, mom.. Just tell me where to go. I'm at the.. cemetery..
Mom: The front entrance?

Napatingin ako dun sa entrance nung sementeryo.. Guards, a huge gate.. and a moderately sized board that
bears the name, "Garden of Lilies"..

Is that supposed to be associated with the term "heavenly garden"? -___-

Mom: Jerwin?
Ako: Yea.. I think I'm at the front entrance.
I took out a receipt from something I bought from the airport earlier, then started writing the directions my
mom was throwing at me..

After a few minutes of making sure I got it, I hang up.. I looked at the directions and frowned..
and here I thought I was near our house already.. Turns out I need to make at least 5 more rights and lefts..

Just when I'm about to pull out from the side of the street, people started pouring out of the cemetery's
gates.. The service must be finished.. Man.. I might as well wait until they all clear up -- I don't want the
problem of running someone over on my first day home..

People started to go into their own cars, while others stood on the corner street still talking -- or crying..
Most of the people look young.. Probably around the same age as me..

I wonder if they buried a teacher.. or a principal?

I was still looking at the rush of people when my eyes fell on a certain group -- well, more like on a certain
someone in that group.. They approached the parked cars, probably saying their "thanks for coming" kind of
thing.. The family? or.. uh, siblings? cousins? They all look too young to be parents.. unless they buried an
infant. -__- But then again, what's with the number of the teenagers scurrying around?

Anyway, I stared at the girl..

She, like most of everyone else, was wearing white.. Her hair was wind-blown.. and, although she was following
the girl and the boy, who were peering into cars' windows, she was just staring into space, frequently led to
the next car by another girl and a very.. uh.. feminine-looking guy..

I should just leave..

It would feel odd kung pati ako bigla nilang lapitan.. I shouldn't intrude on their grief..
O_O Wait, why are they walking towards me!??

Oh crap! They probably think I attended the burial too..

The group stopped right next to my car, and the guy and the girl (who, I notice now, must be siblings
considering how much alike they look) did their thing..

Girl 1: Thank you for coming.

Ako: I'm sorry for your lost.
Boy 1: Yes. Thank you.

These people look exhausted.

Their eyes are red -- probably from crying or lack of sleep or both.. Their shoulders are slumped, as if they
just want to go back and mourn again..
My gaze fell again on the girl I was staring at earlier.. She was standing behind the siblings now, still staring
into space.. She certainly emanates a different kind of aura from the other grief-stricken people.. But she
wasn't crying.. Her face wasn't tear-stricken nor her eyes show any trace of redness..

The two people on each of her side appear to be supporting her..

Although, I can't seem to understand why..
She couldn't be family since she's not the one peering or talking to people who attended the service.. She
doesn't resemble the siblings in any way.. She doesn't seem to be in grief..
Yet people glance at her with sympathy.. the two people beside her are holding her arms as if she'll break
into pieces if they let go...

Suddenly, the girl turned and met my gaze.. She stared as I stared back..

..and I froze..

No.. she doesn't look exhausted.. She doesn't look grief-stricken..

She looks deprived of life..

She.. She looks dead...

Just then, the girl and the boy, who talked to me earlier, turned to go to this lifeless girl..
No wonder they're all hovering around this being..

Girl 1: Let's go..

Girl 2: Halika na, best friend.. You've been through enough today..

I thought she wouldn't answer.. I mean really, come on, when someone is like that, nagsasalita pa ba un?
But... The lifeless girl can talk.. or mumble, at least..

Lifeless Girl: You're done?

Her voice was steady, barely a whisper, but it was steady..

It would have been a sweet, perfectly-toned voice... if it wasn't so stressed with pain..

Girl 1: Oo.. We're done, Venice..

They led her away to where they probably parked.. I followed them with my eyes for some time, then shook
my head.. Lots of bad things really happen in this world..

I pulled out of the side of the street and started to drive away..

But for some reason, I couldn't help but replay the expression on that girl's face..
May kung anong curse siguro ung sementeryo na un.. It plays tricks on your mind...

::Chapter 1::
Aquarius
?.~*~..~*~.?

about 2 years later...

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ?

"Today, something will come along your way that is bound to change your life.
Do not try to avoid the inevitable."

It's another one of those usual bland, early mornings before I go to work and my sister, Jeanette, would set
off for school.. And like always, the dining room is populated by just the two of us and the housekeeper, who
would set our breakfast on the table and then go back to the kitchen..

Don't bother asking where my parents are.. Maagang umaalis for who knows what, and then come back
whenever they feel like they should -- which could be days or weeks at a time..

Part of the whole morning ritual is Jean's weird habit of reading the horoscope section of the newspaper,
katulad ng ginagawa nya ngayon..

Ako: Horoscope mo today?

Jean: No, kuya.. This one's yours. Nabasa ko na ung akin, di ka ba nakikinig?
Ako: Not really.
Jean: Jeez.. But anyway.. Kuya! Something is bound to change your life daw!
Ako: That'd be nice.
Jean: You can at least pretend to be more excited, you know?

She folded the newspaper and set it next to her plate, still scanning the front page article as she finishes up
her pancakes. I don't usually mind what she reads, pero... -___-
seeing my picture on the front page, and knowing the article is something about me... it makes me feel uneasy
watching my sister read it..

Jean: Kuya.. (reading the article) Sabi dito, nag-multi-platinum nanaman daw ung CD mo.. It's safe to call you
the Prince of the Music Industry for decades raw.. (giggles) Prince.. heehee
Ako: What's so funny about that??
Jean: If only they know how "un-princely" you are.. I doubt they'd dub you that title..

Sabi na nga ba.. Kaya ayokong may naririnig tohng batang toh tungkol sa'kin eh.. Laging may pangontra... -___-

By the way, my name is Jerwin Santos. I'm 22 years old, and I've been working as a recording artist under a
major record label for about two years now -- and yes, I can say I've been successful so far.. My songs often
debut at the top -- which is good since it shows that people like hearing me sing (I guess).. I appear in TV
shows, commercials, billboards, gigs.. Name it, I've done it.

It's been a rollercoaster ride of fame for two years since I've come back from the States... Two years now..
Ako: If you're done eating, shouldn't you be leaving? You're going to be late.
Jean: Fine fine.. Seriously, kuya, learn to take a joke.. Masyado kang serious.. Panget ka na nga, mas lalo ka
pang papanget.. Abah--
Ako: Little brat. -___-

Tinawanan nya lang ako then went out of the dining room to look for the driver who'll take her to school.. I
finished my breakfast and then stood up as well.. I might as well get this day done and over with...

Something that will change my life, huh...

Won't that be interesting...

Logged ::Chapter 2::
The Day We Met
?.~*~..~*~.?

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ?

Ughhh.. Long day.. long day... -___-

I just finished taping a music video (finally wrapped that one up after weeks of hard labor).. And before that,
there was that meeting with the sponsors, a guest appearance for a talk show, and lunch with my manager,
discussing work again..

Man, it's just work, work, work -- all day, every day..

Even now..

Well.. at least this is the final task for today...

Last trip before going home: the music arena, which is to be the venue for my concert next week.. The
manager said they're supposed to be doing all the finishing touches sa set.. Pero syempre, dahil late na ko
natapos sa lahat, nag-uwian na ung mga crew nung dumating ako..

O__O

Or so I thought..

Some of the lights are still on.. and there, at the center of the stage, a girl wearing a school uniform is
standing, staring at the ceiling and at the production lights hanging up around the stage..

Ghost? Multo? -___- Should I run away now?

I probably should.......
Ano naman magiging laban ko sa multo!??[/i][/color]

-___-
For some reason, I realized kung anong iniisip ko -- at kung gano ka-ridiculous ung iniisip ko..
I mean come on, why would a student haunt this music hall? Shouldn't she be haunting school grounds?

So, even as my heart pounded twice as hard sa dibdib ko, I still cautiously started to walk towards the stage
to see what she is -- I mean, to see what she wants..

Ehto na.. konti na lang.. Ilang steps na lang, mahahawakan ko na ung stage--

Just then, the girl suddenly let out a huge sigh and then turned around, facing me.. O__O

>__<

o__o

>__<

O__O

Girl: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! <'OoO'>

Ako: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!! OoO

OoO

Ghost: Hoy! Bakit mas malakas ka pa sa'kin sumigaw?!?!?

Ako: Are you kidding me!??! You scared the hell out of me!!
Ghost: Anoh!??!?! Anong tingin mo sa'kin!?!? Multo!??!?

Oh.. so she's human. O___O

Ako: What are you doing here anyway?? Pano ka nakapasok?

Girl: (jumped off the stage) I have my connections. (tingin sa'kin) Sinoh ka ba?

O.O

Ako: You don't know who I am?

Girl: Tatanungin ko ba naman kung sinoh ka kung kilala kita?! Gunggong.
Ako: Aish.. You wanna die!??
Girl: Only if you die first.

What is wrong with this girl!??

Ako: (clears throat) Anyway, my name is---

Girl: Nevermind. I don't really care who you are.
Really.... -__-

I should calm down.. Wala akong mapapala kung makikipagtalo ako dito.. I don't know her.. And as long as she's
not a ghost, then I'm okay.
I should just check everything as fast as I can and then leave. Yea, that's right.. Good plan.

Girl: I used to dream of performing on this very stage....

The ghost girl turned her gaze back at the stage with a serene look plastered on her face -- a far cry from
the pasaway, carefree mask she was wearing just a few moments ago.. O_O

Ako: Eh? So you're a performer?

A back-up singer? or a dancer? Is she one of my crew? How come I've never seen her before? Is she new??

She let out a soft sigh, then umikot para tumingin uhlet sa'kin..
Ah! There's the carefree face again. O_O

Ang galing.. It's like she can switch her idiotic expression on and off in moments....

Girl: A performer, ha... (smiles) Yea.. I guess you can say that..

She took a quick glance at the stage again.. pero this time, it was like she was staring at something more
distant.. I wonder.... kung may nakikita na syang multo.. -___-

Girl: The stage used to be my life.... until my life was taken away on stage.. From then on, performing just
wasn't the same anymore..

"Life taken away"?? HER life?!??

Could she be a real ghost after all? T-T

Bago pa ko makapag-process, she suddenly jumped after checking the time on her watch.

Girl: Whoy! It's late! I gotta go! (biglang tingin sa'kin) Nice meeting you,-- uh.. what's your name again?? er,
nevermind! Bye!

I watched her run out of the hall.. Di man lang naghintay na mag-bye din ako, or mag-wave man lang.. And she
didn't even introduce herself! Psh.. Creepy ghost.
Weird.. Rude..

I looked back at the stage, and the girl's contemplative face flashed in my mind again...

And now that I think about it..

Have we met before??

She looks so familiar...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--- ?? ---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ?

"TAXIIIII!!!!"

And of course, dahil malayo pa lang, nakikita na ang beauty ko, tumigil naman ung tinatawag kong taxi..

I gave the driver my destination, and nung nalinaw na kung saan un, nilabas ko kagad ung cellphone ko -- ang
naghihingalo kong cellphone -- and tinawagan si Ate Marian..

"Hello?"

Ako: Ate! Haller!

Ate Marian: Oh, Venice.. Napatawag ka..
Ako: Makikipag-chikkahan sana ako kaya lang low batt na ko.. So anyway, straight to the point na lang..
Napuntahan ko na ung pinapapuntahan mo.. It looks like the crew is pretty much done with everything..
Ate Marian: Ay talaga? Nako, buti naman.. Di kaseh ako nakapunta today dahil sa meeting.. Pati ba ung mga
lights nakasabit na?
Ako: Yep, yep.. At least, I think everything is all set up.. Pupunta ka naman bukas di ba?
Ate Marian: Uhmmm.. Late afternoon pa siguro, after nung mga meeting at lunch dates..

Amazing na production assistant toh eh noh? Inuna pa ung lunch dates kesa dun sa concert project nung
company nila..

Ako: Oh well, you can check na lang tomorrow kung may na-miss ako.. alam mo naman ako, malay ko ba kung
anong ginagawa nyo dun sa stage na un.. Dami-dami mong alalay dyan, ako pa pinapunta mo para mag-check..
Ate Marian: Ehhhh, pagbigyan mo na ko, Venice.. Baka pag nag-utos ako sa mga minions ko, baka mahuli pa ko ni
bossing eh.. Lab mo naman ako di vah?
Ako: Che! Abusado! Anyway, I gotta go..
Ate Marian: Eh? Already? Ah.. Nandyan ka nanaman....
Ako: Syempre naman, ate.. Ma-mmiss ko ba naman ang pagpunta dito? hahaha And besides, anoh vah..
Mamamatay na nga cellpone kowh.. Kaya sige na.. bye bye, ate!
Ate Marian: *sigh* Okay.. Ingat ka.
I hang up the phone and looked out of the window..
Just one more place to go bago ako umuwi..

It didn't take long bago lumitaw ang white-washed walls nung cemetery.. Binaba ako nung taxi dun mismo sa
entrance, and after kong bayaran at mag-thank you kay manong, kinolekta ko na lahat ng gamit ko para
makababa na..

The guards waved as I passed their booth dun sa entrance.. Suki na ko dito na kahit sinong guard at kahit
anong shift pa yan, kilala na ko..

I continued to walk dun sa loob nung cemetery.. Even as the sun starts to set, ok lang din.. Sa tagal ko na ba
namang naglalakad dito, pati ung mga multo at bangkay, kilala na rin ko..

and just like any other day, I stopped in front of the well-kept grave.. I sat on the grass, and gently touched
the grave stone..

Ako: Sorry, I'm late.. Si Ate Mars kaseh eh, may pinadaanan pa.. But I'm here now... G...
::Chapter 3::
Just For One Night
?.~*~..~*~.?

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ?

Three hours.. She's three hours late...

After making sure that everything was going well in the concert venue, I drove straight to Seis, a bar-slash-
nightclub dyan sa Makati.. I was supposed to meet her here before she leaves early tomorrow morning for a
fashion show in Paris.. but...

Tatlong oras na kong nandito, and wala pa rin.. No text.. no call..

Maybe she's being held up at work again.......?

I looked through the one-way mirror nung window at the wall separating the VIP room from the rest of the
nightclub.. The chaos outside is brightly lit by the laser-disco lights..
Samantalang ako, nandito, mag-isa, halos maubos na ung pang-ilan ko na bang bote ng beer kakahintay..

We always meet up in this place.. Aside from the fact na it's close to impossible to spot us among the number
of heads that come in to party every night, Seis has one of the most private VIP rooms any nightclub can
offer.. We don't have to worry about our "meeting" being leaked to the press -- which is just the way she
wanted..

BEEP! BEEP!

Napatalon ako nung biglang nagtutunog at nag-vibrate ung cellphone kong nakapatong dun sa maliit na table in
front of me.. I reached for it, half knowing what the text message would say, and half hoping I'd be wrong..
"Jerwin, I'm sorry.. We just finished with the rehearsal and I'm so tired. I don't think I'd be able to meet
you up tonight. I'll see you when I get back? xx, Geena."

Well... I knew she was gonna ditch me again..

I should've known better than to hope otherwise..

*sigh* Wala na kong dahilan mag-stay dito.. Sayang lang oras ko.. I threw a few bills on the table then sinalpak
ung cellphone ko in my pocket.. but then, just as I stood up, the door to the VIP room suddenly swung open,
and a girl literally stumbled inside..O_O

I froze on the spot as she squinted her beady, drunk eyes at me, and then looked around the room..

Girl: What? Izn't thizz the bathroom? =___=

Ako: Uh, no.. The bathroom is on the other side of the building.. O_O
Girl: Eh? That's weird.. I was so sure na dito un.. Ikaw! (pointed a shaky finger at me) Take me to the
bathroommm!

O___O

*gulp*

Oh well.. I might as well walk her there since palabas na rin naman ako..
Oh gawd, I hope she doesn't throw up or anything..

Ako: O-okay...

I walked over to her carefully, watching her body as she sways dangerously from side to side..
and when I finally reached her, when her face was finally close enough to see in the poorly lit VIP room,
mahulog-hulog ang puso ko! O_O

Ako: You! Weren't you the girl from the music arena?!?!?!
Girl: (squints her eyes at me) Kuya.. Arena? Adik ka baaa? Nightclub toh! Bar! And the best bartenders and
margaritas in townnn!

She doesn't remember me..

Which is not a surprise considering how much her breath reeks of alcohol.. Psh, alcoholic. Is she trying to kill
herself?!?

Ako: Okay.. Wala ka bang kasama?

Girl: Nope! I'm alone! Alone! All aloooonnneeee!! So let's go to the bathroom-room! Oh-kie!

I offered her my hand kaseh nga baka biglang bumagsak habang naglalakad kame.. Nakakahiya naman.. And
that would attract a lot of attention..
She thrusts her hand in front of her, trying to take my hand -- only to fail.. -___- I can just imagine kung
ilang kamay ang talagang nakikita nya as she grabs halos each and every space na malapit sa kamay ko..

HAAAAAyyyyy...

After the third try, although it's amusing to watch her trying to figure out where my hand is, ako na ung
kumuha nung kamay nya para lang mapadali kami..

Girl: Ooohhh!!! Ahyun pala ung kamay moh! I waz starting to wonder kung bakit ang damiiii mong kamay! Kuya,
are yoouu humann?

Just then she looked up at my face again, and then swayed -- as in SWAYED -- left and right.. And before I
could even react, she passed out. collapsed. fainted. right there. with me.

Is this my unlucky night or something!!?!??

I caught her just a few inches before she hit the floor -- much to HER luck. And then, repositioned her so
that I can scoop her up without breaking my back.. Surprisingly, she's not that heavy to carry -- much to HER
luck again, dahil kung mabigat sya, I would've dragged her to the booth instead of carrying her.

I looked up at the door, still ajar from when she barged in, and noticed a few people starting to look.. Guys
who seem to have followed her drunken footsteps to this room.. Guys who are emitting an aura of doing
something not good. -___-

Well.. there goes the plan of just leaving her in this room..

I took a deep breath and pagkatapos kong magdasal sa lahat ng santo na naaalala ko, I walked briskly out of
the VIP room with the idiot ghost girl in my arms.. I ignored the looks and the whispers hanggang sa
makalabas ako nung building and dashed straight to my truck..

It took me at least half an hour to get my keys out, figure out how to open the passenger door with her still
in my arms, get her inside, make sure she doesn't fall over and hit her head on the dashboard (for the second
time.. hehe malay ko bang babagsak syang paharap.. and besides, it would've been just my luck if that impact
would wake her up), fasten her seatbelt, and finally, sitting myself in the driver seat.. T-T

After catching my breath, I reached out to the purse na naka-swung around her shoulder.. I looked through
her wallet searching for an ID..

I found one, an ID with her home address.......

A street name I've never seen before.. at ung barangay na I didn't even know existed.. -__-
How the hell am I supposed to bring her to a place na hindi ko naman alam kung saan?!? Nasa Luzon pa ba un!?!

Cellphone! That's right, I can call someone and tell them to pick her up..
Rummage through the purse again, found it!
It's off.. Who turns off their phones when they're in a bar?

I tried to turn it on..

Nothing..

Maybe I'm pressing too lightly.. Try it again..

The screen flashed an image of a battery dying out...

Low batt.. O.O

Something.. Something is definitely messing with my luck here...

I slumped on my seat, speechless.. I can't believe it.. I'm stuck with this drunk girl, not knowing where to
throw her out or who to call.. I should've just left her in that nightclub!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Kuya... O_O Is this what you had in mind when your horoscope said something will change your life??!"

I stared at my sister's shocked face as she absorbs the image of me in the doorway, carrying a disheveled
girl inside our house..

I know.. I got so hopeless that I ended up just taking the ghost girl back home with me..

Ako: Shut up. It's not what it looks like.

Jean: (stared at the girl) You're picking up drunk girls now? O_O
Ako: It's not like I wanted to! *sigh* Look, just close the door and help me lie her down or something.
Jean: Why? O_O Is she a guest?
Ako: Jean.. I'll tell you the whole story in a while, okay? Now, will you just help me get her settled in your
room? Coz it's tiring to just stand here, carrying her.

Sinarado ni Jean ung main door, but then she stopped to look at me nung sinabi kong sa kwarto nya dadalhin
ung bitbit ko..

Jean: Uh, she is NOT going in my room.

Ako: What?? Why not!?
Jean: One, I have a twin bed. We're not gonna fit kung magtatabi kami. Two, she smells like alcohol. Even if I
sponge her down, she'd still smell like some sort of drink.. Put her in YOUR room! Your bed is big enough and
you don't care for alcohol-smell....
Ako: WHAT?!? NO!
Jean: Why'd you bring her home then?!? We don't have a spare room! Unless you wanna put her in mom and
dad's room.....
Ako: Ugh, don't even go there.. Look.. She's a GIRL! It's only proper that she uses YOUR room since you're a
GIRL too!
Jean: No! You are not putting her in my room! Unless...

She smiled.... a cunning smile.. I hate it when she smiles like that... -___- It signals my defeat. T-T

Jean: You want me to tell mom that you refused a concert in the States last month..
Ako: You WOULDN'T! You know she'd freak out if she hears that!
Jean: Well, your room it is then!
Ako: Little brat.

Tumawa lang si Jean as she led the way papunta sa kwarto ko.. All the while rattling on about how we should
probably clean up the stranger and change her clothes.. It's a good thing my parents aren't home, or else..
They'd probably kill me for bringing home a drunk, passed out girl..

*sigh* Let's hope my bad luck stops here..

I slowly put down the unconscious girl sa kama ko and then turned to look at Jean, na naghahalungkat naman
sa closet ko..

Ako: What do you think are you doing?

Jean: She's borrowing one of your shirts.
Ako: WHAT?!? WHY!??
Jean: We can't just leave her with the same clothes on.. That's just icky. And besides, I bet she's been
wearing that uniform the whooleeee day...

Napatingin ako dun sa babaeng tulog sa kama ko.. What Jean said might be true.. I mean, surely, umaga ung
klase nya, then she went to the music hall in the afternoon.. afterwards, she left but didn't go home.. and
ngayon, ung uniform nya pa rin ang suot nya..

"This would do."

Bumalik ung tingin ko kay Jean na nag-pull out nung isa sa mga red shirts ko.. She examined the size, then nung
naisip nya sigurong it's good enough, she folded it and put it at the night table beside my bed..

Ako: Why can't she just borrow one of your clothes?

Jean: Duh. My clothes are too small for her.. Anyway, I'm gonna go get a face towel and a basin of water to
clean her up.. You should get a shower, kuya.. You look terrible..
Ako: Oh, thanks. -__-
Jean: heehee I'll change her clothes as well.. I'll be done by the time you get out of the shower.. THEN,
you'll tell me why she's here.

I watched as Jean left the room para kunin ung portable cleaning utensils nya.. Jean has always been this
responsible.. kahit na gulo ko ung nililinis nya.. Ha.. It's hard to believe she's just 12..

I looked at the unconscious girl on my bed again..

Well.. one night of sleeping next to a stranger can't possibly hurt..::Chapter 4::
Start of Something
?.~*~..~*~.?

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ?

yaaaawwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn... *stretch*

Man, that was the one of the best sleep I've had in a while! -__-
Now, time to roll out of bed and go to school--

o__o

?__?

Bakit iba ang kulay ng ceiling ng kwarto ko??

Bakit iba ang kulay ng kumot ko?
Bakit may humihilik sa tabi ko??
OoO

Dahan-dahan kong inukot ung mukha ko just to look kung anong nangyayari sa world.. *gulp* May hotdog pillow
sa side ko... pero.. pero.. ung tingin ko napalipad kagad dun sa humihilik-hilik na creature sa other side nung
hotdog pillow..O__O

Tao.. Bakit may ibang tao sa kama ko?!?!?

Napatingin akong bigla sa paligid.. Kelan pa naging light brown ang white walls ko!??!
Kelan pa ko nagkaron ng mahogany-looking na study table dun sa may kama!?!?
Kaninong kwarto toh?!?!?!?! O__O

I must be dreaming.......
that's it..

Pinikit ko uhlet ung mata ko para bumalik sa pagkakatulog ko.. dahil kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko talaga
kwarto ito.. at hindi ko talaga alam kung pano ako napunta dito..... at hindi ko rin ma-take ang boom-boom-pow
ng veins ng head ko.. at hindi ko rin alam kung kaninong ulo tohng nag-cconcert ng hilik sa tabi ko...

-____-

Siguro paggising ko, white na uhlet ang walls ko.. light blue na uhlet ang kumot ko.. at wala na tohng
skandalosong tulog na toh sa tabi ko...

-___-

-___-

>___<

>___<

O___O

Arghhh!!!! I can't take it anymore!

Bigla akong napaupo (whoa! the world is spinning.. O__O ), hinablot ung unan ko at hinampas with all my might
dun sa mukhang matutulog na nga lang, eh magsskandalo pa! At hindi pa ko natuwa sa pagkakahampas ko, diniin
ko pa talaga ung unan sa mukha nya, manahimik lang sya!

Ako: Ikaw! Eextra ka na nga lang sa panaginip ko, ayaw mo pa kong patulugin!!!

Sabi yata nung part of the brain ko na nag-ccontrol sa dreams, dapat pag may nag-ssuffocate syo, magigising
ka.. dahil ung taong sinusuffocate ko ngayon eh biglang nag-iba ang ingay at lumipad ung mga kamay nya dun sa
unan sa mukha nya..

Oh di vah, kahit tulog ako, may scientific sense pa rin ung dreams ko..

Nung na-realize ko na malamang eh either patay na sya or gising na sya, tinanggal ko na ung kamay ko, and sya
tinapon ung unan all the way duuunnn sa dulo nung kama..
Tapos bigla syang tumayo, gasping for breath, and then turned to glare at me..

Skandaloso: Are you trying to kill me!??!!?

Ako: Ang ingay mo kaseh eh!

Tinitigan kong mabuti si kuya.. Familiar ang face.. Hmmmm... Well, ang weird naman kung hindi familiar ang
face nya, tapos eextra sya sa dreams ko di ba? Pero.. san ko nga ba sya nakita?

O__O

WAH! Teka!

Ako: (biglang turo sa kanya) Ikaw ung guy dun sa concert hall! Anong ginagawa mo dito!??!?
Skandaloso: WHAT?!? AKO pa ang tinatanong mo kung anong ginagawa KO dito?!?!
Ako: Ahsush.. Iniisip mo ko kagabi bago ka matulog noh? Kaya siguro pati sa panaginip ko, nakiki-extra ka..
Skandaloso: What are you talking about?? Anong panaginip??

O.O

Ako: But.. this.. O_O

Isn't this a dream?

I reached out to his face, and with all the power na kaya ng muscles ng thumb at index finger ko, kinurot ko
ung pisngi nya.. ahihihihi

Skandaloso: AWWW!!!! AWWWW!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!!?

OoO
Tinulak nya palayo ung kamay ko, then went on with a whole paragraph of profanities as he rubbed his cheek
na namumula sa kurot ko..
Ako naman, wala.. natulala.. nawindang.. natanggalan ng soul..

Ako: It's not a dream.. Where am I??

Skandaloso: Ngayon mo lang na-realize?!? You're in my room.. Long story short, you were so drunk last night
that I had to take you with me.

OoO

Inuwi ako ni kuya sa bahay nya?!?!?!?!

Skandaloso: Stop looking dumb.. I didn't do anything.

Ako: Eh bahket tayo nasa iisang kama!??!?!
Skandaloso: Coz my sister didn't want some drunk stranger in her room..
Ako: Bakit di ka sa sahig natulog?!?
Skandaloso: Babaliw ka ba?!? It's my bed! You should be thankful I didn't make YOU sleep on the floor!
Ako: Ughh.. My head hurts.. T-T
Skandaloso: Serves you right.. After being so drunk last night, himala kung wala kang hang-over ngayon..

Tumayo na si kuya from the bed, and I realized na may damit naman pala sya.. Sando at shorts.. hindi naman
mukhang kabastos-bastos.. But still...

Ako: And sure kang walang nangyari..... rite?

Skandaloso: As if I'd waste my time picking up some random drunk girl, when I can just have anyone else out
there -- who's not drunk -- and have my way with her..

Ai.. arogante si kuya.. Malakas ang wind.. -__-

"JERWIN!?! JERWIN?!?!"

Wah! May sumisigaw!!!

Biglang nanlaki ung mata ni kuya, tapos dinaig pa si Road Runner sa bilis ng takbo papunta sa pinto.. kaya lang
nabunggo nya ung isang paa dun sa isang leg nung kama.. kaya imbis na mapadali, eh nagtatalon si kuya sa sakit
at sa panic.. Naaliw ako..

Kasoh lang, biglang tumigil ang puso ko nang bumukas wiiiddeeee open ang pinto nung kwarto.. at isang middle-
aged woman ang sumulpot sa doorway, holding a newspaper in her hands..

Skandaloso: M-MOM?!??!?!

OoO

"Mom"??!?!?
Right then and there, nagdasal ako na lamunin na ko nung kama.. tapos lamunin nung sahig ung kama.. at lamunin
ng lupa ung sahig..
Na-frozen si kuya dun sa gitna nung kwarto as his mom stared open-mouthed at me..

Dahan-dahan kong tinignan ung sarili ko, pasimpleng silip ba.. I'm wearing a shirt.. a boy's shirt.. probably HIS
shirt..
no shorts, no PJs.. although mahaba naman ung shirt para ma-cover ang dapat ma-cover.....
and I'm still wearing my underwear.. So, that's one more sign na WALA talagang kalokahang nangyari.......

But I don't think his mom realizes that.. She just looked at me and then at Jerwin.. and then back at me...

Ako: Uh.. hi?

________________________
To Be Continued.::Chapter 5::
Collide
?.~*~..~*~.?

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ?

Arrghhhh.. Anoh na bang nangyayari dun?!?! Anong pinag-uusapan nila!??!

I paced back and forth dun sa living room kung san tinapon kame ni Jerwin ng mga nanay namen -- na nag-
uusap naman dun sa dining room sa kabilang side nung bahay..

Ehwan ko ba talaga kung anong nangyayari sa world.. Bastah ang alam ko, kung anuman ung nangyayare, maya-
maya lang, pag wala nang witness, papatayin na ko ng nanay ko..

Haaayyyyy... I lived a full life. -__-

Everything happened so fast.. o siguro, kaya sya naging fast eh dahel sa sobrang panic attack ko, nag-blur
tuloy ang lahat.. Anyway, pagsulpot nung nanay ni Jerwin sa kwarto.. and upon seeing the ME with only her
son's shirt on.. nakahiga sa kama nung anak nya.. at ang anak nyang bagong gising rin....... -___- Nagpanic yata
si mother.. Kahit na may I compose sya nung facade nya, na kunwari eh calm sya, ung mata nya naman eh halos
mahulog hulog na sa kakatingin sa'min ni Jerwin...

Pinaligo nya lang si Jerwin, tapos pinaghilamos ako.. Pinakain kami ng very tensed at mabilisang almusal, and
then halos kaladkarin kaming dalawa ni Jerwin to her car, at dumiretso dito sa bahay para kausapin ang
mother ko..

At hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring news kung anong nangyayari sa discussion nila.. T-T

"Will you sit down? You're giving me a headache!"

Napatingin ako bigla kay Jerwin, na nakaupo dun sa isa sa mga sofa namen, nagbabasa nung newspaper na
inabot sa kanya nung nanay nya kanina.. Op corz, ako naman si ever curious, lumapit ako para maki-tsismis kung
anu bang tinitignan nya dun with all intent..

Ako: Hmmm anoh bang pinagkaka-serious serious mo dyan??

I walked dun sa likod nung inuupuan nya, then peered dun sa newspaper..
Hmmm.. -___-

OoO

Ako: WAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Bigla kong hinablot ung newspaper sa kamay nya at napatitig sa picture -- full-blown picture -- dun sa front
page -- FRONT PAGE!!!

Dun sa picture, although may pagkadilim, mukhang malaki ang megapixels nung camera dahel oh so clear ang
picture! Buhat ang unconscious na ako ng so serious na si Jerwin! Kitang-kita ung face ni Jerwin.... I guess the
only consolation eh naka-bury ung mukha ko sa chest ni Jerwin kaya hindi masyadong kita ung face ko..........

Although, kung nakikita mo ko so often, I'm sure, mapa-overtake ka lang ng 2nd time dun sa picture, ma-
rrealize mong ako, AKO talaga un!!!

What is this? T^T

Ako: Ako yan! Ikaw yan! Bahket mo ko buhat!??!?! Kelan toh?!? San toh?!?!?!?
Jerwin: It was from last night. Remember? You were so drunk, you passed out. I had to carry you out.
Ako: Why??! T-T
Jerwin: Eh anong gusto mong gawin ko?? Just leave you there and let those other guys prey on you? Though it
doesn't seem to be such a bad idea now.
Ako: (sarcastic) Oh. Thanks for the concern.

Binato ko ung newspaper sa kanya, which he barely caught.. hehe..

I can't believe this is happening.. at talagang picture picture pa!
Napaupo ako dun sa tabi ni Jerwin, and let out a huge sigh..

Ako: Anong newspaper ba yan!? And besides, why are they even plastering other people's lives on the paper?!?
At front page pa!
Jerwin: Coz people are always interested in celebrities' personal lives.
Ako: Celebrity? Sinong celebrity?

Napatingin sa'kin bigla si Jerwin with a big "ehhhh??" on his face.. Then he held up the newspaper and
pointed at the big bold letters of the title nung article:
"Pop Superstar Jerwin Santos: Carrying Mystery Lady"
o__o

O__O

*gulp*

Tinuro ko ung headline, then tinuro ko sya.. He nodded..

Tinuro ko uhlet ung headline, then tinuro ko uhlet sya.. He nodded again..

<'OoO'>

Ako: WAAHHH!!! What is this!?!?!? Celebrity ka!?! "Pop Superstar"!?!? Bahket hinde kita nakilala!??! Joke ba
toh?!?! Is this a prank!?!??!
Jerwin: I don't even know you, why would I play a prank on you? At kasalanan ko bang you're so dense, you
didn't recognize me?
Ako: Dense? -__-
Jerwin: Yep.
Ako: AKO?!? Dense?!!??
Jerwin: Would you rather I use the term "stupid" then?

OoO

"S-stupid"?!?

Pak!

Jerwin: Aw! What was that for?!?!?!?

Ako: Anong "stupid"?!? Sinong stupid ha!??!
Jerwin: Hey look! You don't even know me, binabatukan mo na ko!??
Ako: (smiles) Yeaa, baka sakaling magising yang brain cells mo. Di ba?
Jerwin: Why you--!
Ako: Oh anoh!? Magsabunutan tayo dito, ha?!?
Jerwin: Psshh.. Pasalamat ka, babae ka.
Ako: I know, I'm really thankful na maganda ako noh.

He rolled his eyes at me, at ako naman, bumalik sa pag-ppace ko dun sa harap nya.. Wala pa rin ang mga
magulang namen.. Abah! Hinde ako pumasok sa school dahil dito sa chuchu nila, tapos paghihintayin lang pala
nila ako?!

Ako: What's taking them so long??

Jerwin: I don't know. My mom is probably making some ridiculous deal with your mom.
Ako: Like?
Jerwin: (shrugs) How am I supposed to know? Eh magkasama tayo dito..
Ako: Namumuro ka na ha.. -__-
Jerwin: Yea well, see this?
Tinuro nya uhlet ung picture namen sa newspaper, then he looked at me like he was trying to explain
something very complex to a little kid.. Namumuro na tlaga... -___-

Jerwin: This is gonna cause some major scandal. I don't like any kind of scandal. It's stressful. It's annoying.
And it's all your fault.
Ako: At kasalanan ko pang nagpaka-hero effect ka dyan??
Jerwin: Yea! If you can't control your drink, then don't drink! Geez.

Nag-slump sya dun sa couch, finally putting the newspaper aside.. Mukha ngang stressed out si kuya.. Siguro
nga, may point sya......
Pero tama ba namang sa'kin ilagay lahat lahat lahat ng sisi?!?

Ako: Eh anong gusto mong gawin ko?! Hug gusto mo!?

Jerwin: (chuckles) You dare to touch me?

Ai.. kuya.. Porket may star power ka, kala mo di kita ma-ttouch dyan?!

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit kay kuya, papunta uhlet dun sa likod nung inuupuan nya.. All the while, he was
watching me with a curious expression.. Ako pa ang naisipan nyang i-dare.. As if naman di ko sya mahahawakan..
Anoh ba sya, ginto!?? Don't touch: Fragile?!?

Ako: Of course naman.. Bahket? Sobrang demure mo ba na mahihiya ka pag hinawakan kita?

I ran my finger slowly on his shoulder, smiling at his bewildered expression.. Oh di vah, enjoy~?

Ako: Stressed out ka di ba? Gusto mo, imasahe kita?

I slowly massaged his shoulders, slowly working my way papunta sa leeg nya..

Jerwin: W-What--- O__O

"AHEM."

Napatalon kaming dalawa nung may biglang sumulpot dun sa doorway nung living room.
As in 10 feet away ang talon ko from the couch; at buong dugo yata sa katawan nya ang nag-rush sa mukha ni
Jerwin.

Napaikot kaming bigla dun sa pinanggalingan nung "ahem".. at josko.. maaga yata talaga akong ma-mmurder ng
nanay ko.. T-T

Ako: M-M-Mom?!?!
Mom: Venice.. Sisilipin ko lang sana kayo, pero mukha namang ok na ok kayong dalawa..
Ako: A-anoh.... O__O
Mom: Sige lang, alagaan mong mabuti ung bisita naten ha.. (tingin kay Jerwin) See you later, Jerwin.
Aii nag-wink.. nag-wink ang nanay ko kay Jerwin... Napapaghalataan talaga kung san ko namana ang kalandian
ko.. O___O

She walked out of the room at bumalik dun sa meeting venue nila ng nanay ni Jerwin.. Napahawak ako sa dibdib
ko.. Masama, masama ang mga ganitong pangyayari sa puso.. My golay..

Jerwin: Geez!

Napalipat ung atensyon ko kay Jerwin, na hanggang ngayon eh namumula pa.. wahahaha
Lumapit uhlet ako sa kanya, pero this time, umupo na lang ako dun sa tabi nya.. Ahyan, wala nang malice yan..

Ako: Ahsush.. Kaw naman.. nahiya pa.. parang di ka pa nahuhuli na may nagmamasahe syo..
Jerwin: Shut up.

Halos 5 minutes pang nagtuloy-tuloy ung panunukso ko sa kanya.. Natigilan lang ako nung nakita naming pumasok
sa living room ung mga nanay namen.. Syempre, kaming dalawa naman, napatingin, nanahimik... Naghihintay ng
kung anong judgment..

Mom: We've decided.

Ako: Decided?

Nagtinginan kame ni Jerwin.. May na-miss ba kame kanina?

Jerwin: Decided what?

Mrs. Santos: You two are going to get married.

-__-

o__o

O__O

Jerwin at Ako: WHAT?!?!?!?!::Chapter 6::

Diamond Ring
?.~*~..~*~.?

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ?

There's got to be a mistake.. Siguro nga, may kung sinong nang-ttrip sa'kin.. If ever man! Anoh vah! Hindi pah
ba time para lumabas?!?! Aatakihin na ko sa puso dito!!!!

Jerwin: M-Marriage.. M-Mom.. What are you talking about?

Mrs. Santos: Well, if you think about it, marriage is the perfect solution for everything that's going on, di ba,
kumare?

K-Kumare?!? Kumare na ang tawag nya sa nanay ko?! Mag-kumare na sila?!?!

Jerwin: Solution for what? If this is about the bed-sharing that happened last night, kanina pa namen
sinasabi snyo, nothing happened!
Mrs. Santos: We may choose to believe that nothing happened, but the fact is, you two shared a bed.. a man
and a woman.. on the same bed the entire night.. Kahit anong sabihin nyo, what I saw and what my maternal
instict tells me.......

Ang old-fashioned.. -__- Old-fashioned na pervert ang utak ng mother ni Jerwin....

Ang contradicting...

Mom: And the pictures! Nako, iikot sigurado un sa internet, sa TV! Abah, Venice, magtatanong ang mga tao!
Baka may mga sumunod pa na ilabas.. Hindi ka matatahimik, anak.
Ako: Pero.. This is all so sudden! I'm only 21........ Mahaba pa ang future ko.. May mga pangarap pa ko sa life..
Ang mga places to go, mga things to see.. In other words, ayoko pa mag-asawa.. T-T
Mom: It's not like it's an instant marriage.. Hindi naman kami ganun ka-cruel, di ba kumare?

Ai.. hindi ba? T-T

Mrs. Santos: Exactly. How about a long engagement? Di ba? Just think of it as an arranged marriage.
Jerwin: But, mom--
Mrs. Santos: No "buts", Jerwin. You are doing this! Think of all the positive publicity you're gonna get the
moment we annouce the engagement..
Ako: Publicity? O_O

So publicity stunt lang ako!? Ganon?!?

Mom: Well, sabi ni Mrs. Santos, kung kilala ka ng mga tao, at kung madalas ka nilang nakikita, hindi sila
magiging ganon ka-curious syo.. So, they won't mob you as much... probably..

Naramdaman kong napasandal si Jerwin dun sa couch.. Syempre, napalipad ung tingin ko sa kanya.. bahket nag-
rrelax na toh?!? Nag-ggive up na si kuya?!?!?! Nababaliw ba sya?!?

Ako: (bulong kay Jerwin) What are you doing?!? Back me up here!
Jerwin: (bulong pabalik) But they seem so determined about this engagement thing.
Ako: You are killing me!
Jerwin: Oh, it'll be okay. Haven't you heard? (smiles) Parents know best.

Ang--!!! O__O

Ako: Eh kung sabunutan kaya kita dyan?!?!?

Jerwin: They'll probably think it's a show of affection.
Ako: Eh!?
Mrs. Santos: Well, now that's done and over with, let's go to the jewelry store.
Ako: J-Jewelry store?
Mom: Abah, syempre, we need to pick out your engagement ring!
Ako: B-but I have class to go to! And-- And.. Jerwin! Wala ka bang klase? Work? Whatever?!
Jerwin: Nope. I cleared out my entire morning schedule just for you, sweetheart.

"Sweetheart"?!! Ewww... -__-

Mom: Ok lang un, Venice.. We'll be done before noon, makakahabol ka pa sa dalawa mong klase..
Mrs. Santos: Bakit hindi ka na lang magshower na at magpalit ng uniform, para after naten kumuha ng ring, we
can just drop you off at your school?
Mom: Ai! Perfect plan, kumare!

Oh josko... T^T

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ako: I can't believe na nakikisali ka dito!

Jerwin: Oh relax.. It's just an engagement. We're lucky they didn't propose an immediate wedding.
Ako: But we're getting engaged! I don't even know you!
Jerwin: Oh. (tingin sa'kin) Jerwin Santos. 22 years old. I'm a recording artist. Nice to meet you.

Ipalamon ko kaya sa kanya lahat ng singsing dito sa harap namen.. Mabubuhay pa kaya sya? -__-

Anyway, Mrs. Santos and my mom dragged me and Jerwin to this really chic jewelry store para mag-pick out
ng engagement ring..... Well, actually, they're picking out the ring..
Props lang kame ni Jerwin, as we try to look like a couple para dun sa mga ogling na salesclerks and other
people around.. I can't believe he's this famous, and I didn't even recognize him....
Something's probably wrong with my eyes. -_-

"Uh, excuse me poh?"

Napatigil kaming dalawa nang may nag-approach na teenager sa'min, holding a camera, at naka-uniform pa..
High school uniform..
Iha, maaga pa para mawalan ng klaseh ah..

Jerwin: Yes?
Teenager: Pwede poh bang magpa-picture?
Jerwin: Sure.

Okay. Anoh ako? Kasama bah ko? I should probably step out of the way...

Teenager: Ate, pakuha naman nung picture oh!

Ay.. Inabot sa'kin ung camera..

Ako namang si mabait, kinuha ko naman.. Jerwin just shrugged at me as the bubbly little teenager ran to his
side -- kulang na lang eh mag-bounce bounce sa sobrang excitement.
Jerwin put his arm around the fan's shoulders and then pareho silang ngumiti dun sa camerang hawak ko..
Kuya naman, feel na feel ang pagiging star..

Ako: Okay.. Ready? 1.. 2... 3... Smile..

Flash!

Teenager: Ate, pwede isa pa?

Ako: Uh, sure..

Abusado kang bata ka ha..

I took one more picture.. and another.. and another..

Napapansin ko ngang medyo na-aawkward na si Jerwin, pero tuloy pa rin naman ung pag-smile nya dun sa bata..
Mabait na celebrity.. nyahahaha

Finally, nagsawa na rin ung bata, kinuha na ung camera sa'kin..

Teenager: Thank you, ate ha..

Ako: You're welcome..

Lumapit sya sa'kin ng konti tapos nag-signal na may ibubulong sya.. So syempre ako naman, as if by reflex na
pag "bulong" ibig sabihin eh "latest chikka", lumapit naman kagad ako..

Teenager: Ate, kaano-ano mo si Jerwin Santos?

Ako: Ha?!? Kaano-ano ko si Jerwin??! O_O

Napatingin ako bigla kay Jerwin, who's looking naman sa'min with an amused look on his face..
Napalakas yata ung exclamation ko.. Pati ung ibang taong nakapaligid sa'min eh nakatingin rin.. -__-

Ako: Ah, anoh...

Anoh naman sasabihin ko?! Fiancé? Josko, kakilabot! Hinde ko kaya~ T-T

Maya-maya, may naramdaman na lang ako bigla na braso na nag-wrap around sa shoulder ko, and then pulled me
close to him.. Syempre ako naman, napatingin kung sinoh bah tong bulgaran ang chansing sa'kin..
*gulp* Si Jerwin....

Jerwin: Ikaw siguro unang makakaalam nito, but this girl right here...

Oh my golay.. Ehto na.. Sasabihin nya.. Sasabihin nya talaga!

Jerwin: This is Venice, my fiancée.

OoO

Sinabi nya! Sinabi nya talaga! At nakangiti pa si kuya! Nakangiti pa talaga sya!
Ai josko ang puso ko! Ang dugo ko! Ang mukha ko!

Mag-ccommentary sana si teenager, kaya lang biglang may isa pang ate na biglang lumapit sa'min -- mukhang sa
sobrang shock ni ate, eh hinde nya na natiis na hinde lumapit..

Ate: Fiancée?!?
Jerwin: Yes. We're here to pick out an engagement ring. Our mothers are pretty much going crazy over the
rings right now.

He nodded his head over kung nasan ung mga nanay namen na busy pa rin sa pagpili nila ng engagement ring.
The Ring. -__-
Nagsimula na ang bulungan sa store.. Ahyan na, kumakalat na ang balita.. Ahyan naaaaaa!!!

Teenager: Eh di, ate. Pwede pa-picture uhlet? Tayong dalawa naman?

Ai! Picture!

Napatingin ako kay Jerwin who just smiled at me. Hindi ung smile na pang-encourage, instead, ung smile pa na
pang-asar.. Bubwit talaga.

Tapos kinuha nya ung camera uhlet nung high schooler, and lumapit naman sa'kin si high schooler.. Syempre,
feel na feel ko naman ang pagpapapicture, sige, nag-photo op kami nung bata -- kunwari di labag sa kalooban ko
ang mga nangyayari.

Pero unlike kay Jerwin, dalawang picture lang ung sa'min ni batang nagccutting ng klase..

Teenager: (kinuha ung camera kay Jerwin) Ok, kayo namang dalawa!

Lumapit sa'kin si Jerwin, and katulad nung ginawa nya kanina, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder again
and pulled me a little closer to him..

Ako: (bulong sa kanya) Talagang kailangan mong sabihin sa kanilang lahat noh?!
Jerwin: (bulong pabalik) But it's the truth. You are my fiancée. Now, smile.

The little high schooler took about 2 or 3 pictures namin ni Jerwin, hanggang finally, napagod na, nag-thank
you na sya at tinago na ung camera nya.. at ehto pa ang parting words nya:

Teenager: I can't wait na ipakita toh sa mga kaklase ko!

*Sigh* Wala na talaga akong takas...

After matapos ang impromptu pictorial, hinaltak na ko ni Jerwin papunta dun sa case na tinitignan nung mga
nanay namen.. Malamang kaseh ung mga tao dun sa paligid namen eh parang konting-konti na lang, eh susugurin
na kame ng tanong..

Jerwin: Are you done yet?

Mrs. Santos: Well, we narrowed it to three. Pinapakuha na lang namen dun sa saleslady ung last one.
Ako: Three?
Mom: Oo, anak.. Para madali kang makapili ng diamong ring mo..
Ako: Diamond?? O_O

Diamonds?! Bakit diamond? Di ba pwedeng pearl? sapphire? ruby? emerald? amethyst? o kung anoh mang may
kulay na bato dyan sa kalsada?!? Bakit kailangan diamond??

Mrs. Santos: But of course, diamonds are a girl's best friend di ba?
Mom: And engagement rings should be diamonds!

I gave a short laugh and then stepped back.. Bigyan ba naman ako ng diamond?
Siguro betrayal toh to all the females in the world, pero for some reason, hinde ko bff ang diamond.. Siguro
kaseh pag nakakakita ako ng diamond, parang naiisip ko kagad: pwet ng baso. wahahaha

*Sigh*

"You don't want a diamond ring?"

Napatalon akong bigla nung may bumulong sa tabi ko.. Josko naman tohng si Jerwin, may pagka-ninja!

Ako: Not really...

Tumingin-tingin ako dun sa kabilang case ng mga rings para pakalmahin ang nagulantang kong puso.. Sumunod
naman sa'kin si Jerwin as I browse through the expensive displays.. I know, hinde ako natutuwa sa
engagement.. pero sinong hinde maaaliw pag ganitong binibili ka ng mamahalin na singsing?

Whooaaaa... Wait...

Napatigil ako bigla dun sa isang case display, at halos idikit ko na ung mukha ko dun sa glass para lang
matitigan ung isang ring..

Jerwin: You know, those aren't really engagement rings...

Ako: But look how pretty that is...

It's a white-gold ring with a center heart-shaped, aquamarine stone and an outline of little diamond accents
around the heart.. It's so pretty~

Jerwin stepped beside me.. Nilapit nya rin ung mukha nya dun sa ring na tinitignan ko, nakikitingin din..
Jerwin: Do you want that ring?
Ako: Ha?!?

Ay nagising akong bigla dun sa lust ko for the ring! But it's so preeettttyyyy~ T-T
Sigh. Pero syempre, hinde naman kaya ng budget ko yan, so I might as well stop the dream. Haaayyyy.. Tumayo
na lang ako ng ayos and quickly looked somewhere else..
Tumayo na rin ng ayos si Jerwin, pero he's still looking at the ring..

Jerwin: I'm asking if you want that ring.

Ako: H-Hinde ah! I'm just saying it's pretty.. and besides, di ba nga, dapat diamond ang center stone ng
engagement ring.. haha Kaw talaga.. Hindi ka nakikinig.. hahahahaha Halika na nga dun sa mga nanay naten at
nang makalayas na tayo dito..

I immediately walked over pabalik dun sa mga nanay namen.. Si kuya talaga, shocking.. -__- Bigla ba naman
akong tanungin ng ganon.. Bahket, pag sinabe ko bang "oo!" bibilhin nya?!?
.....baka nga.... ayyyy asa!

Just in time nung na-reach ko ung nanay ko, the last of the picked-out rings was being laid out sa harap nila..
And my golay! Anoh ba namang pinagpipili ng mga nanay na toh?!?!
Gusto ba nila akong ma-hold up dyan sa tabi-tabi dahel sa singsing?!?

A saleslady proceeded to describe each ring to me.. parang naman hindi pa enough na nag-ssparkle sparkle sila
sa harap ko..

One is a three-stone ring.. three stone, as in three major diamonds with an outline of little diamonds pa! The
metal is white-gold.. Siguro pag nanuntok ako ng tao, diamond-knuckles ang dating ng singsing na toh...

Ung second naman, josko... ung white gold na band eh may nakadikit rin na maliliit na diamonds.. and ung center
diamond, complemented by "pave-set of diamonds" (ehwan ko ibig sabihin nun, bastah ahyun ung sabi nung
nagbebenta).. at nakausli ung center diamond.. O_O Ehto ung tipo na pag nanuntok ka, magkakaron ng butas
ung sinuntok mo..

and the third one.. Siguro ehto na ung pinaka-simple.. Although may diamonds pa rin ung white-gold band,
maliit lang naman ung center diamond.. The center diamond is round, wala nang kung anu-anong arte.. The
classic engagement ring.. Pag nanuntok, parang kagat lang ng lamok ung singsing..

Ako: I think I'll take the third one.

Mrs. Santos: Sigurado ka? Isn't it the simplest one?
Ako: Yea, that's why I like it.
Mom: Gusto mo, tumingin ka muna ng iba.. Ehto lang kaseh ung nakita namen na pwedeng bilhin kagad.. But we
can always go back....
Ako: No!! O_O I mean, it's fine. Di ba, Jerwin?

Umikot ako, tama naman na kakatigil lang ni Jerwin sa paglalakad papunta sa likod ko.. Anoh bang pinaggagawa
ng taong toh at ang bagal naman sumunod!?

Jerwin: What? Tapos na ba kayo?

Ako: (pointed at the ring I chose) I'm picking the third one.. What do you think?
Jerwin: If that's the one you want, then it's fine with me.
Ako: How helpful you are. -__- (tingin uhlet sa mga nanay namen) I'll take the third one.
Although nag-hhesitate ung dalawang atat maghanap ng singsing, they eventually agreed to take the ring na
pinili ko.. Takot lang nila, baka bigla akong mag-walk out dito..
The saleslady took the ring, put it in a box, and told us to wait.. blah blah blah..

Jerwin: How much is it?

Mrs. Santos: Oh honey, don't worry about it.
Jerwin: No, mom. I'll pay for it.

Ai shosyal.. Wa care kung ilang libo ang bayaran ni kuya..

Binayaran na ni Jerwin ung singsing, and, finally, we all walked out of the store pabalik sa parking lot para
makapasok na ko sa school.. at malamang eh makapag-vent out sa mga taong kailangang pag-vent out-an ko ng
mga nangyayari..

Pagpasok namen sa kotse, Jerwin squished beside me sa backseat and carelessly threw the plastic bag nung
singsing sa'kin.. Lokong toh, talagang wa care sa ilang thousand pesos na merchandise! Abah! Ingatan nya
naman! Pwede ko pang isangla toh!

Jerwin: Here, put it on.

Ako: Anoh? Di ka man lang luluhod?! Wala man lang, "Will you marry me?"
Jerwin: Babaliw ka ba? O_O
Ako: Wala ka talagang ka-romance romance dyan sa buto mo noh? Papayag-payag ka dito, tapos di mo rin pala
lulubus-lubusin..

I took out the small navy blue box from the bag and opened it.. Tinignan ko lang uhlet ung singsing sandali..
Half wanting to throw it out of the window, pero half knowing na, if I do that, malamang eh ipapahanap lang
sa'kin ng nanay ko o ni Jerwin ung singsing hanggang sa makita ko uhlet.. Mga engkanto.

I slid my new diamond engagement ring on the appropriate finger.... Weh, engagement ring.. kilabot... -___-

Sigh...

And then, as if by reflex, napahawak naman ako dun sa other ring na suot ko sa right hand ko.. Dun sa ring na I
always wear.. A silver wrap ring with pearls on both ends and little diamonds on the band.. A very special
ring...::Chapter 7::
Family Affair
?.~*~..~*~.?

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ?

Haayyy.. It's just one thing after another.. Is it "shock-Venice-out-of-her-mind" day today? -__-

I looked over at Jerwin, na tahimik na nag-ddrive sa tabi ko.. Parang kanina lang, akala ko matatahimik na ang
buhay ko kahit hanggang mamayang gabi na lang.. Pero hindeeee, kailangan talagang hanggang sa kadulu-duluhan
ng araw ko, maki-extra tohng taong toh.. T-T
Anyway, tulad ng napag-usapan kanina, after ng engagement ring shopping, binaba ako sa school ni Mrs. Santos
-- ay, TITA Merryl na raw pala ang itawag ko sa kanya.. So, naka-attend pa ko ng dalawang klase ko.. at
paglabas ko ng last class ko, nahagilap ko pa ang dalawa sa support systematics ko: ang long-time best friend
kong si Sheena, at ang malanding baklang breast friend ko na si Kenny..

Tumingin uhlet ako kay Jerwin, who's still silently driving.. Although hinde naman masyadong tensed ung
atmosphere....... tensed pa rin.. Haayyy.. I guess, I can't blame my friends for reacting the way they did nung
nakita nila si Jerwin...

----- ? flashback ? -----

Sheena: Anoh yan?? Nakaw mo??

Kenny: Pwet ng baso?

Nilapit nila ung mga mukha nila dun sa singsing ko as I tried to explain na it's the real thing -- real diamond
sya.. As in sparkly shimmering diamonds.. Pero syempre, knowing me at ang kawawang wallet ko, hindi naniwala
ung dalawa..

Ako: Anoh ba?!? Diamond ring nga yan.. At hinde nyo ba nakikita kung nasaang finger sya nakasuot!??
Sheena: Oh, anoh, you're engaged?

-___-

Brrrrr!!! Nakakakilabot talaga marinig ung term na "engaged"!! Ever!

Napansin yata nung dalawa ung sudden silence ko at bigla silang napatigil sa paglalakad, with their faces like
this ? OoO

Ako: *sigh* Yes, it's true.

Sheena: Oh my golay!!! Kelan pa?!? Saan?!? KANINO?!?!?
Kenny: Naunahan mo pa ko?!?!
Sheena: (tingin kay Kenny) Bakla, kahit sinoh naman, mauuna pa talaga syo noh.. Pero! AKO?!?! (biglang tingin
sa'kin) Naunahan mo pa AKO?!?!
Kenny: At sinoh naman yang lalakeng yan na bigla-bigla na lang nag-aappear!??!

We stepped out of the school gates just as I was summing up all my courage to blurt out Jerwin's name.. Pero
bago pa ko makasagot, biglang lumipad ung atensyon nung dalawa dun sa shiny, black expensive-looking pick-up
truck na naka-park sa may tabi.... at lalo pang nawala ang atensyon nila sa'kin nung nag-step out ang driver
nung mamahaling sasakyan..

I know.. may ADD ang mga kaibigan ko. Though I can't blame them for getting distracted.. Kahit na
natatakpan ng mala-langaw nyang sunglasses ung mukha ni kuya, pagtayo pa lang, nakakalaglag underwear na si
kuya driver.

"Venice, where have you been? Kanina pa ko naghihintay dito."

Ay! Kinakausap ako nung langaw?!?!?

Naramdaman kong bumalik sa'kin ung tingin nung dalawa, as I watch kuya driver walk towards me.. Sinoh ba
toh at feeling close? Kanina nya pa raw ako hinihintay.. -___-

Nung sobrang lapit na ni kuya, dun ko lang na-realize na malamang lang talaga, may kung sinong engkanto dyan
na gustong makita kung gano ako katagal bago atakihin ng panic attack.. O.O

Kenny: Sinoh yan?? O_O

Tumigil sa harap namen si Kuya, looking at me, and then at Kenny and Sheena.. He smiled, na parang nanunukso
na: "Sige naa~ Pakilala mo na ko~ "

Bubwit.

Ako: Uh, Sheena, Kenny... This is my.. m-my.. (T-T) fiancé... Jerwin..
Jerwin: Hi!

Ang mokong, hinde pa natuwa sa shocked expressions ng mga kaibigan ko, talagang tinanggal nya pa ung
sunglasses nya at dinazzle pa ng mukha nya ung dalawa!

Syempre, starstruck to the bone cells sina Sheena at Kenny, nag-hyperventilate nung nakita nilang si Jerwin
Santos -- THE Jerwin Santos -- ang nakatayo sa harap nila.

Hanggang sa nag-bye bye na kame ni Jerwin, tulala at hinde pa rin nakapag-construct ng buong sentence sina
Sheena at Kenny.. Feeling ko lang, bobombahin nila ng tawag ang telepono ko mamaya.. -___-

----- ? end of flashback ? -----

Haaayyyy...

Napatingin ako sa labas and dun ko lang na-realize (alam ko, may pagka-slow ako), hinde nag-ddrive si Jerwin
papunta sa bahay ko. O_O On the contrary, malayo kame sa kalsada papunta sa bahay ko...

Ako: San tayo pupunta?

Jerwin: We're going to my house.
Ako: WEH?!? AT BAHKET?!??!
Jerwin: But of course.. My fiancée should meet my manager and my sister.
Ako: Feel na feel mo talaga tohng gulo na toh noh?!?
Jerwin: Relax ka lang dyan.. Kung masyado kang stressed, you really won't see the irony and amusement of
this situation.

Hindi na ko nagsalita dahel natakot ako na pag nag-react pa ko, baka makapatay ako ng tao nang wala sa oras..
Abah! Hinde bagay ang beauty ko sa kulungan noh! At pano na lang ako mabubuhay kung papatayin ko si Jerwin
habang nag-ddrive?!? Hinde naman ako marunong mag-drive!

After ilang minutes, we eventually ended up in the house I woke up in that morning...
Kasumpa-sumpa dahel dito nagsimula ang lahat! T-T

Jerwin parked in front of the main door, and I saw a middle aged man immediatey running towards him.
Bumaba kaming dalawa ni Jerwin, and he gave the car keys to the man..
Ako: Sinoh un?
Jerwin: That's the family driver, Mang Ponce.. He's gonna put my truck in the back.. Now c'mon.. Let's go
inside..
Ako: Do I have to? Hintayin na lang kita dito.. T_T
Jerwin: Sira ka ba? Eh ikaw nga ang hinihintay ng mga tao..
Ako: But I don't want tooooo~ T-T

He suddenly grabbed my hand and practically dragged me papasok nung bahay.. At, trying hard not to scream
and yell, talagang with all my might, kinokontra ko ung paghila nya..

Jerwin: (hila sa'kin) Seriously! How can someone with your size have so much strength!??!
Ako: (hila pabalik) It's called adrenaline rush!
Jerwin: Well, tell your adrenaline to cut it out coz we have to go inside!
Ako: Ayokooooo~!!!

"Aren't you two a picture of energy?"

Sa pagkagulantang ko nung may biglang nag-appear sa doorway, napatigil ako bigla sa pag-oppose ko kay
Jerwin.. Syempre, nung nawala ung opposing pull, paghila ni Jerwin sa'kin -- and talagang hinila nya ko with
force! -- lumipad kaming dalawa!

Ako: Aw Aw Aw.. >__<

O.O

Jerwin fell on his rear, and I landed. right. on top. of him.

At parang daga na nahuli ng pusang naglalaro sa living room, lightning speed din ang pag-rolyo ko away from
Jerwin. =__=

PAK!

Jerwin: AW! What did you do that for?!?!?!

Ako: What in the world were you thinking?!?!
Jerwin: You were the one who suddenly stopped pulling!
Ako: Eh bahket ka pa nanghila?!?
Jerwin: How was I supposed to know you were gonna stop resisting!??!

"Hahahahahaha!! "

Oh geez.. I completely forgot about the girl standing dun sa doorway -- and she's now hysterically laughing at
us. -__-
Lalo tuloy akong napapahiya.. Anoh ba namang araw toh?!?

I slowly helped myself up, the same time na tumayo si Jerwin at pinagpag ung pantalon nya..
I couldn't resist lang naman, so, when he looked up to look at me, I stuck out my tongue.

Jerwin: Wha-!? What are you?!? Six?!?

Ako: BEHHH!!!
Jerwin: Aishh.. (turned to the young girl) Jean! When will you stop laughing!?
Jean: Hahahahaha!!! Sorry, kuya.. It's just... You two looked so ridiculous!

-__-

Ako: Who is she and why is she still laughing at me? -__-
Jean: Oh! Sorry..

The girl stopped laughing, pero malaki pa rin ung ngiti sa mukha nya.. She walked over to where me and Jerwin
were standing..

Jean: I'm your future sister-in-law, ate. My name is Jeanette.. But you can call me Jean.
Ako: Oh, hi, Jean.

"Sister-in-law"?!?!?

Jean immediately linked her arm around mine, and walked me papasok nung bahay nila.. Jerwin followed us
with an unmistakable amused look on his face..

We walked straight to the dining room where I saw Tita Merryl setting out what looks like expensive plates..
and on the counter, nakaupo ang isang middle-aged man, na aura pa lang, nakaka-intimidate na.. He seems busy
looking at his laptop, hanggang sa narinig nya nang pumasok kame..

Jean: Hey, dad, look! She's here!

"Dad"!?! Wait!!! Akala ko ba "manager and sister" ang makikilala ko tonight?!

The middle-aged man turned to look at us, and kahit anong gentle nung features nya, ai my golay, panakot pa
rin kaseh ang stern nung expression nya nung tinignan nya ko!

Ako: (b

Ako: (bulong kay Jerwin) I thought you said I was meeting your manager??!
Jerwin: Yea. Didn't you know?? My manager is my father.

I knew this can still get worse. T-T

Mr. Santos: I see. So you're the girl my wife decided to marry my son off.

Tita Merryl: Ay, anoh ka ba naman, Ray. Don't scare her off like that. Ngumiti ka naman..
Oo nga! Wag ka naman manakot!

Mr. Santos: I'm not scaring her off.

He looked at me up and down.. examining my every feature..

at hindi raw sya nananakot... T^T

Teka lang!!! If -- IF -- hinde ako magustuhan ni father, hinde ba ibig sabihin nun, ma-bbreak ang engagement
na itoh?!?

I looked at Mr. Santos again.. Mukha syang strict businessman, walang nonsense-nonsense.. He might actually

come to my advantage!

Jean: What do you think, dad? Doesn't Venice look perfect for kuya?

Manahimik kang bata ka.. Wag mong kontrahin ang dasal ko!

Mr. Santos: I see... So you've won over Jean..

Ako: Eh?

And then.. And then.. he SMILED!!! He actually smiled!

Na-feel kong biglang nag-crack ang light of hope ko!

Mr. Santos: I'm actually grateful to you.. After more pictures came out from that night, I can't think of any

better way to cover Jerwin's reputation from the harsh speculation of the media..

I knew it!!!
There it goes.. ang kaisa-isang ilaw ng pag-asa ko.. namatay dahel lang dun sa sinabi na un ni Mr. Santos.. T-T

Wait.. more pictures?!?

Ako: More pictures po?
Mr. Santos: You haven't seen them yet?

He faced the laptop towards me and Jerwin.. Kame naman, napatakbo to look kung anoh pa bang skandalo ang
lumabas naman ngayon.. and yep, there.. Pictures.. More pictures from the night before, this time, nasa
parking lot na..

Oo O

Ako: (pointed at one photo) What were you doing?!?!?

In one of the picture, from the angle nung camera, it looks like.... it looks like Jerwin and I were kissing..

Jerwin: Hey! It's not what it looks like, okay?!? This was probably when I was trying to open the door....

Although, it really does look like I'm kissing you... ha..

Ako: "Ha"?!? Anong "ha"?!? Do you understand what people will think when they see this?!

Jerwin: Yea, sure.. Jerwin Santos, kissing mystery lady.. or something like that.

Adik ba sya?!? Bakit ang calmado nya pa rin!?

Tita Merryl: Di ba, Ray? I told you they get along well.

Mr. Santos: Yes, I can see that.

Jean: (talon sa tabi ko) So, ate, are you going to sleep here again tonight?

O_O

Baliw ba lahat ng tao sa pamilyang toh?!?!

::Chapter 8::
My Boo
♫.~*~..~*~.♫
 (Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

9:10 AM..

-__-

Ang aga.. Ang aga ko talaga gumising.. Usually, ganitong oras, nagpapaka-hurricane pa lang ako sa kwarto ko sa
pagmamadali para lang hinde ako ma-late..
Pero look at me now.. All calm.. kumakain-kain lang ng almusal.. Nakatunganga dun sa TV na hinde ko naman
talaga makita dahel nasa kabilang kwarto sya.. Ginagawa lang ng nanay ko na radyo ang TV.. kaya di man namen
makita kung anong palabas, pang-boombox naman ang lakas ng volume..

Haayyy..

Sa sobrang windang ko yata kagabi, pag-uwi na pag-uwi ko, diretso collapse na ko sa kama..

Although, hinde naman ganon kasama ung dinner with Jerwin's family.. It was kinda.. nice, actually...

Jean seems to be ecstatic to have an "older sister".. and Mr. Santos or Tito Ray seems to be pleased na hinde
ako social-climber... and lalo pa syang na-amused nung narinig nyang hinde ko nakilala si Jerwin the first time I
met him.. Kasalanan ko ba!?!?

Haaayyyy.. french toast.. buti na lang masarap ka--

"VENICE! VENICE! VENICE! VENICE!!!!"

Wah! *cough* *cough*

Tubig! *cough*

Mom: Well.. Mukhang nandyan na ang mga suki ng telepono kagabi..

I tried to catch my breath, at the same time, trying to stop myself from further choking on the piece of
french toast na nag-dire-diretso sa lalamunan ko..

Ako: Ang aga naman!

Mom: Well, what did you expect? Tinulugan mo ung mga tawag nila kagabi? At alam mo naman si Kenny, pano na

lang matatahimik ang buhay nya kung wala syang sagap?

Maya-maya lang, ahyan na nga.. Lumipad na pabukas ang pinto ng bahay namen.. at tatlong mokong ang madapa-
dapang tumakbo papunta sa dining room kung san kani-kanina lang eh tahimik akong kumakain..

Anthony: Venice! Venice! Is it true!?!? (biglang tingin sa nanay ko) Good morning, Tita Mel! (tingin uhlet
sa'kin) Venice! Is it true!??!?

Meet Anthony.. ang epitome ng taong may Attention Deficit Disorder.. Ehwan ko ba dyan sa taong yan,

pero for the past two years, bigla syang naging overprotective.. daig pa si Double 07 sa pagbantay sa'kin..

Knowing what exactly he was talking about, I held up my left hand and showed him the diamond ring.. Mabilis
naman syang tumakbo at talagang nilapit ung kamay ko sa mata nya..

Anthony: Totoo nga! Why?!?! Buntis ka ba?!? Ni-rape ka ba?!?

Sheena: *gasp!* Buntis ka?!??
Kenny: Na-rape ka?!?!?! OoO
Ako: Mga gunggong! Mukha ba kong na-rape!??!
Anthony: Then why?!? Kelan pa!? Why!??! T-T

Biglang nalipat ung tingin nya sa tabi ko nung nagsimulang tumawa si mommy.. And syempre, dahil A.D.D nga ung

loko, 180-degrees bigla ang turn ng mood nya..

Anthony: Wow, tita! French toast? Penge?

Mom: Sige lang, upo na muna kayo.. At mag-ttoast pa ko ng tinapay..

Just then, biglang napunta ung atensyon ko sa TV nang narinig ko ang three magic words: "Jerwin Santos'
Fiancée?"
At wala nang hinga-hinga, sumugod ako kagad sa living room para tignan kung anong nangyayare.. Nilabas na ba
nina Tito Ray ung balita? Bakit di ko alam?!?

Sumunod sa living room sina Sheena, Kenny, Anton, at ung nanay ko.. narinig rin yata nila.. o baka nawindang sila
kaseh bigla akong lumipad.. Pero either way, nakatunganga na rin sila sa TV as new photos of Jerwin and I
linger dun sa screen..

Mom: Wow.. anak, tignan mo nga naman.. Ang bilis naman ng balita! Kahapon lang yan ah!
Sheena: Kahapon?!

That little high school brat! Anong kalokohan itoh!??!

The pictures from when Jerwin and I were at the jewelry shop continue to appear dun sa screen.. Ung 3
pictures naming dalawa -- for some reason hinde pinakita ung picture na kasama namen ung pasaway na high
schooler na un..

The morning show hosts relay their speculation about the photos naman..
Nag-sspread daw like wildfire ung mga pictures from one online site to another..

At in fairness, may pagka-hyper ang mga hosts na itoh..

Never did they expect raw na ikakasal na pala ang "Prince of the Music Industry".. Ni hinde nga raw nila alam
na may girlfriend toh..

Kung alam lang nila ang totoo.. tignan ko lang kung lalo silang hinde maloka.. -__-

They even went on to add ung quote sa isa sa mga blog na quote-unquote, si Jerwin daw mismo ang tumawag
sa'kin na "soon-to-be bride" nya.. Although di naman un ung exact words ni Jerwin.. pero.. close enough..

Morning Show Host: Now the main question is, sinoh ba itong mystery girl na ito?

Oh my golay.. they want to know who I am... T-T

Kenny: WAH!!! Breast friend! Sikat ka na!

Sheena: Nasa TV ang picture mo! Nasa TV!!!

Kenny: At gusto pa nilang malaman kung sinoh ka! WAH! Dadami ang stalker mo!
Ako: Che! Tigilan nyo nga ako!

*sigh* But it's probably true.. Lantaran ang mukha ko sa picture na un..
And being the unknown, the media will try to find out kung sinoh ung girl sa tabi ng "Prince" nila... Eventually,
they'll find me...

Later this afternoon...

This day is just horrible. HORRIBLE, I tell you!

This morning, pagtapak na pagtapak ko pa lang sa school grounds, may mga tao nang nagtitinginan,
nagbubulungan... And as the day progresses, lalo silang dumadami! Lalong kumakalat ang news.. Ehto na siguro
ang karma ko sa lahat ng beses na ako ang nagkakalat ng tsismis.. T^T
Lord, sorry na.. T-T

Ako: Haayyy... -__-

Kenny: Ai, depressed?
Sheena: Relax ka lang dyan, Venice.. Pauwi na tayo.. May 12 hours ka pa uhlet bago makakita ng mga

nagbubulungan tungkol syo..

Anthony: Anoh pa bang bago sa mga taong pinagbubulungan ka?

Ako: Haller?!? Ang pinagbubulungan kaya nila ngayon--

Sheena: eh ang lovey-dovey engagement mo sa isang superstar na walang nakakaalam na lovey-dovey mo?
Ako: I was gonna say something like, it's none of their business... -__-

Naglalakad palang kami malapit sa gate nang bigla na kaming hinarangan ni Manong Guard.. At ung mukha pa ni
manong!
Napatigil talaga kaming apat.. Wala pa naman kaming sinisira na classroom ah! O_O

Manong Guard: Nako, Venice.. Wala ka bang sundo ngayon?

Ako: Eh? bahket poh?

 Kelan ba ko nagkaron ng sundo?

Manong Guard: Kanina pa naghihintay ung mga reporters syo.. Nadagdagan na nga ng nadagdagan habang
tumatagal.. Baka matabunan ka habang naglalakad..

O_O

Kenny: Ahyan.. magsuot ba naman kaseh ng uniform sa pagpapa-picture.. Nasundan ka tuloy..

Anthony: Pano yan, Venice? Dito ka na lang matulog?

Sheena: Dalhan ka na lang namen ng sleeping bag..

Ako: Hinde kayo nakakatulong ha..

Nginitian ko si Manong Guard, then slowly, and very carefully, sumilip muna ako sa labas.. Mas marami ngang
tao than usual.. Although, parang lahat naman sila eh minding their own business.. Kung may paparazzi man,
parang bilang lang sa kamay ang nakikita ko..

So syempre, malakas ang loob ko na makakatakbo ako, ay sige! Nag-step out ako sa gate..
and then, wham!

Nagsimula silang lahat na magtutok sa'kin ng mga camera! As in more than kalahati pala sa mga taong nandun
eh may dalang camera!

20?!? 30?!?

At hinde pa sila natuwa sa flashing lights, nagtakbuhan pa sila papunta sa'kin with their tape recorders at

notebooks at sandamakmak na mga tanong!

Everywhere I look, flash.. At dinudumog nila ako!!!!

Just then, I felt somebody grab my arm and pulled me back papasok nung schoolgates..
Nakita ko na lang si Manong Guard na mabilis sinasarado uhlet ung gates..

Anthony: Venice?! Ok ka lang?!?

Sheena: Anoh namang kalokahan mo at lantaran kang lumabas?!?!?
Kenny: Nakakakita ka pa ba?!?
 I see dots... At dots talaga! Flashing dots.. sa dami nung camera flash sa harap ko, ang hirap mag-adjust ng
mata!

Pano ako uuwi?!?!?

Without thinking, nilabas ko ung cellphone ko.. and kahit na trembling ung kamay ko sa sobrang shock at panic,
na-manage ko naman maka-scroll down sa letter J sa phonebook ko..
It's ringing.. ringing..

Please answer....

"Hello?"

Ako: Jerwin!!

I felt all my panic go to another level nung sinagot ni Jerwin ung tawag ko.. I know! Abnormal.. Pero all of a
sudden, parang nag-ssink in lahat ng nangyayari, at nararamdaman ko nang nagsisimula ang hyperventilation ko..

Jerwin: Venice? What's wrong?!? You sound--

Ako: They're everywhere! I can't go out! They have these big cameras and-- and-- and-- Jerwin.. I can't go

out...
Jerwin: Crap.. They found you already!??

For some reason, naiiyak ako sa sobrang gulo ng emotions ko.. Di ko alam kung magpapaka-amazona ako sa mga
photographer sa labas, and yell at them to leave me alone.. o magpapaka-media's sweetheart, at hahayaan ko
silang kumuha ng pictures....

Parang mabubulag yata ako sa latter choice.. -__-

Jerwin: Listen, I'm in the middle of a meeting right now.. But.. Are your friends with you?
Ako: Y-Yea..
 Waaahhh mas pipiliin mo pa yang meeting mo kesa sa fiancée mong nag-ppanic attack?!

Jerwin: Let me talk to one of them..

I thrust the phone to Sheena, na nagkataon lang na pinakamalapit sa tabi ko..

She looked surprised but she took the phone and listened to whatever Jerwin was saying..
then after a few quick seconds, she handed me back the phone..

Sheena: Kausapin ka raw nya..

Ako: (took the phone) H-Hello?

Jerwin: Hey... I told her to stay with you for a while.. You'll be alright.. Okay? Just take a deep breath.. I'll
be there in 15 minutes..
Ako: Okay...

I hang up, and then did what he told me.. I took a number of deep breaths to calm my nerves down.. Naubos
ko na yata ung oxygen sa paligid ko.. I tried to block out ang kilig na si Sheena na pinagmamalaki kay Kenny na

nakausap nya si Jerwin Santos..

It's gonna be okay.. Jerwin's coming...

... Well, I don't know where that came from, but it'd better be alright when he arrives...

Umupo sa tabi ko sina Kenny, Sheena at Anton.. They try to figure out how to get me out of the school
grounds to the pick-up truck pagdating ni Jerwin.. Pati nga si Manong Guard, nakiki-plano.. Pero rejected
naman ung idea nya.. Magplano ba naman na mag-fire ng baril nya?!? O__O

Honestly, it felt like the longest 15 minutes ever!

At nung nag-ring uhlet ung cellphone ko, and when I saw it was Jerwin, halos magtatalon ako sa tuwa! -- hinde

dahil sya ang tumatawag noh! Dahil lang sa, at last, makakauwi na ko.. yata.

Ako: Hello?
Jerwin: I'm outside.. Run to the car as fast as you can, I'll meet you halfway.. Understand?
Ako: Okay..
 Nag-hang up na ko.. Josko, tatakbuhin ko ung sea of cameras.. @__@

Pumusisyon na sina Sheena at Kenny para makisabay sa pagtakbo.. At least, baka sakaling mahati ung atensyon
nung mga paparazzi.. Si Anton naman, tumabi na sa'kin.. Sya raw ung magiging quarterback na mag-ppart ng

red sea.... Di ko masyadong naintindihan, pero parang ganun..

Manong Guard: Ready na kayo?

We all nodded..

Manong Guard: Okay.. Ehto na.. 1... 2.. 3!!!

Takbo!

As soon as bumukas ung gate, nagtakbuhan kagad kami.. And tulad ng inaasahan namen, kahit papano, nahati
nga ung atensyon, as some tried to follow Sheena, and ung iba naman napatingin kay Kenny.. I looked straight
ahead.. and I ran as fast as I could.. I can see the black pick-up truck...

"Venice!"

Ako: Jerwin?

I scanned the crowd pushing all around me, and, finally, I saw him running towards me.. Lalong nagkagulo ang
mga photographers.. Ang lokong superstar naman kaseh, hinde man lang nag-suot nung langaw nyang sunglasses!

Pero adrenaline rush na itoh! I ran faster towards him.. Anthony tried to push the people out of my way.. until
at last, I was able to grab Jerwin's hand.

Jerwin: (smiles) Let's go.

He held my hand as tight as he can, as we fought our way pabalik dun sa sasakyan nya.. Parang lightning ang
bilis ng lahat..
As soon as napaggitnaan kami nung mga paparazzi, he immediately wrapped a protective arm around me as he
tried to shoulder our way out of the crowd of over-ecstatic photographers.
Everybody was yelling questions and calling him to look..

It felt like we went through a stampede hanggang sa we reached the pick-up truck at last..
Binuksan kagad ni Jerwin ung backseat door.. and halos, madapa-dapa naman ako sa pagsakay.. He slammed the
door behind me, then tumalon na rin sya sa driver's side.

And finally, we were driving away..

Ako: I think I'm gonna be sick.. -__-

I slumped dun sa backseat, na-lowbat bigla dahel naubusan na ng adrenaline rush.. Hopefully, nakatakas na rin
sina Anthony pauwi..

Jerwin: Just don't throw up in my car, and we're all good.

Ako: Pwede mo naman ipalinis eh..

I threw my book bag sa isang tabi, then crawled towards the passenger seat sa harap.. Alam mo ung
ginagawa nung mga bata na tatawid over from the backseat papunta sa harap? Oo, pinagsiksikan ko ang sarili

ko habang nag-ddrive si Jerwin..

Jerwin: What are you doing?!?

Ako: Lumilipat ng upuan.

After getting myself comfortable, I fastened my seatbelt and started taking deep breaths to completely
calm myself down..

Jerwin: Are you okay?

Ako: I was just mobbed! Do you think I'm okay?!?

Natahimik si Jerwin.. -__- It made me feel kinda bad for barking at him.. eh sya na nga naman itohng naging

escape car ko.. at naging shield ko from all the pushing and pulling kanina..
 Ako: Sorry..
Jerwin: Your life is going to change now.
Ako: *sigh* Pansin ko nga.. T-T I just don't understand.. Why are they following ME?!?! Eh ikaw ung
celebrity!!

Jerwin: After years of being mobbed, nakahanap na ko ng ways para makapagtago.. And besides, people
are always curious about the "unknown factor" -- which, in this case, is you. People will be more curious from
now on..
Ako: Eh?!
Jerwin: Well, they'd go into frenzy after that little incident of me showing up to save you from a herd of
hungry tabloid photographers.
Ako: I don't believe this... T-T

Jerwin drove for a few more minutes, and then he entered into a busy restaurant's parking lot..
Ngayon pa nya naisipang kumain?!? At sa lantaran na McDo pa! Gusto nya bang pareho kaming masagasaan ng
mga taong curious?!?

He parked in the far back, and then turned off the engine.. May balak yata talagang kumain si kuya!?!

Ako: Anong--?!
Jerwin: Listen..

Ay, teka.. serious mode ang aura.. O_O

Jerwin: We got ourselves in this situation.. and quite honestly, it's not really that bad..
Ako: Not that bad?!? We're engaged! (I held up my left hand) ENGAGED!
Jerwin: I know.. But at least our parents aren't rushing us into marriage.. You know, a lot of engagements
break up over time..

Ako: Are you saying...?

Jerwin: Yes.. Of course, hindi pa pwede ngayon, since we just "started".. But.... Venice, won't you spare me a
little part of your life?

O__O

>__<

O__O
 Jerwin: Be my fiancée.. We'll get through this together.. as partners..

Well.. that makes sense.. I mean, it's not like may takas pa ko..

Ako: (smiles) Partners sound nice..

Jerwin: So we're in this together?

Ako: Better than being in this alone.. So, yep! We're in this together.
Jerwin: Great! And Venice..

Really, he's not that bad naman pala eh..

Ako: Yea?
Jerwin: Don't worry... When the time comes, I'll let you go.

.....

I nodded.. kinda hesitant.. kaseh naman, ang lungkot naman.. Kakasimula pa nga lang ng engagement

namen.... nyahahaha

Jerwin: But for now -- No, from now on.. I'll take care of you.
::Chapter 9::
If You Can Dream
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

It's been two days since all the hype started.. At tulad ng sinabi ni Jerwin, the media (lalo na ung mga
tabloids!!!) just throws random things out there!
Nag-rrange na ang profession ko from mail-order bride, to a bar hostess, to a golddigger, at ang pinaka-
favorite ko, to a prostitute.. Oh di bah?!?! Alam kong malandi ako, pero hinde pa naman ako ganun ka-landi noh!
At porket graduating college student ako, akala ba nila ganun na ko ka-desperada makakuha ng pang-
tuition!?!? Mga ass-u-mers sila!

At ang pinaka-widespread na rumor na kumakalat, kaya lang ako papakasalan eh dahil sa pregnant ako.. eh mga
adik ba sila?!? Ahyon na lang ba ang dahilan ng mga tao ngayon para magpakasal?! And besides, mukha bang

malaki ang tyan ko!? Alam kong may bilbil ako, pero hinde naman sya condensed sa harap noh!

Oo, nakaka-high blood talaga.. Buti na lang at nag-truce na kami ni Jerwin... Hatid-sundo nya na ko from school
dahel baka masagasaan ako ng mga taong may galit o may kung anong amusement sa existence ko.. And at least,
kahit anong kalokahan ang nangyayari pag lumalabas man ako mag-isa o with my friendships, kahit anong rant

and rave ko, nakikinig sya..

But he'll never be able to calm me down like you did...

I sat on the freshly cut grass, just in front of the gravestone.. Matagal-tagal na rin since nakadaan ako dito..
Kaseh naman, ang hirap lumabas noh! Tignan mo, tulad ngayon, kaya lang ako nakalabas dahel tulog na ang halos

lahat ng tao sa Pilipinas! 11:00 na ng gabi.

Ako: But I'm here now.. and if you're watching me from wherever you are, you should know how crazy my life
is right now.. Imagine, halos buong bayan yata ang nag-ttry na mang-istalk sa'kin! Abah! Na-bbuild up na ang
muscles ko kakatakbo noh!

I ran a finger on the cold stone bearing Gerard's name.. his name.. and the date of his death..
Two years na ang nakakalipas, and I still can't get over the feeling na ang unfair that he never told me....
bastah na lang sya nag-poof out of my life..

Ako: Bubwit ka talaga, G.... If you were here, none of this would have happened.. You would've taken care of

me.. If you were here......

The next day, masakit man sa puso at sa ulo kong gumising ng maaga, anoh pang choice ko? Eh tinawagan ako ni
Mr. Santos at on the way na raw ung driver nila para sunduin ako.. -___-
 Sabado.. Sabado ngayon.. it's the only day of the week na pwede akong matulog hanggang hapon.... Why are
they taking this away from me?! WHYYY?!?

"Ma'am? Ok lang poh ba kayo?"

Eh? -___-

Ako: Ok lang naman poh, Mang Ponce.. Bakit poh?

Mang Ponce: Mukha ho kasi kayong pagod na pagod.. May sakit poh ba kayo?

Ako: Nako, wala poh.. late lang nakatulog kagabi. San poh ba tayo pupunta?
Mang Ponce: Ay, sabi poh ni sir, dalhin ko raw kayo dun sa venue nung concert ni Sir Jerwin.
Ako: Eh?? Bakit naman?
Mang Ponce: Hindi ko poh alam eh.

Mga bubwit na Santos yan.. Hindi dahel mga morning person sila, kailangan na nila gimbalain ang pagiging night
owl ko noh! Haaayyy..

After getting through a horrible traffic jam, nakarating na rin kami sa wakas dun sa music arena.. Binaba ako
ni Manong Ponce sa front entrance.. After he drove off to park the family van, nilabas ko kagad ung compact

mirror ko.. Abah! Syempre, dapat maganda ako for my fiancé..... Yak! wahahahaha

Well.. Di ko naman kasalanan na may eyebags ako.. at mukhang bloodshot ung mata ko.. Haaayyy.. Binalik ko ung
salamin ko sa bag ko, then walked papasok sa loob..

Seems like nag-ssoundcheck ang mga people.. I saw Jerwin on stage, nakikinig dun sa isang manong na siguro
eh part ng sound crew or production crew..... kung ano mang crew yan!

"Venice!"

Oh my golay! I completely forgot this girl works here!

Biglang nagising lahat ng cells ng katawan ko nang tinapon ni Ate Marian ung katawan nya sa'kin --- her way of

saying hello..
 Ako: Ate! Hello!

Ate Marian: Uyy, binibisita mo boylet mo?

Ako: Updated ka rin sa chikka? -__-

Ate Marian: Duh.. Besides sa almost every entertainment news, subukan mong maging kapatid si Anthony,

tignan ko lang kung hinde ka ma-shock sa mga tsismis na nalalaman nun.. So, visit the boyprend ba itoh?

Pinapunta ako dito! Bahket ko naman bibisitahin yan?!? Kabisi-bisita ba yan?!? Anoh yan, preso!?

"Venice, iha!"

Ehto pa ang isang hinde kabisi-bisita..

I slowly plastered a smile on my face as the elder Santos waved me over dun sa kinatatayuan nya sa harap
nung stage.. Kinuha kagad ni Ate Marian ung braso ko, and parang the all-loyal employee, brought me sa harap
ni Mr. Santos..

Tito Ray: Magkakilala kayo ni Marian?

Ako: Ah, opo.. We went to the same college together.. Mas matanda nga lang poh sya ng one... two?.. years..

Tito Ray: Well, what a small world! Anyway..

Nag-turn si Tito Ray towards dun sa taas nung stage and called Jerwin na busy-busyhan naman sa pagkaka-
popstar nya.. Upon seeing me, Jerwin's face lit up -- feel na feel talaga mag-act na "happy boyfriend seeing

pretty girlfriend"

May sinabi lang sya dun sa kausap nya, then he finally jumped off the stage papunta sa'min..

Upon reaching me, akbay kagad si kuya sa balikat ko and then flashed me his toothpaste-commercial smile..
-__- All-out performance talaga si kuya, tapod dinagdagan pa ng:

Jerwin: Hi, honey..

 "Honey"?!?!? "HONEY"?!?! Kakilabot!!!

Ako: Hello..

Napatingin ako kay Ate Marian.. na for some reason, eh abot kilay ang ngiti sa'kin.. Naniwala naman ang loka sa
mga kalokohan nitong si Jerwin... -___-

Tito Ray: Well, now that you're here.. We can talk about the announcement..

Ako: Announcement?

Jerwin: Dad thinks it's about time to tell the public about me and you.

I should have known.. -__- Di na dapat ako gumising nang araw na toh..

Tito Ray: Yes, you see.. I think this concert will be a perfect event.. We're just trying to figure out how to
squeeze in your appearance for a more dramatic effect.
Ako: Appearance?!?
Tito Ray: Don't you think it's a good idea?
Ate Marian: (thoughtfully) A duet would be nice...

Napatingin ako kay Ate Marian.. teka! teka! Bahket sya kumakampi sa kalaban?!?!?

Tito Ray: A duet? Venice can sing?

Ate Marian: Oh yes, sir! I attest to her talent. One of the most captivating voices I've ever heard.

OoO

Anong ginagawa nya?!? Alam nya ba ang ginagawa nya?!?

Tito Ray: I see... I'll trust you on that.. (napaisip) A duet would be good. Perhaps right before the final
number.. We wouldn't need too much choreography or things like that. Just a simple ballad, maybe?
 Ate Marian: Ay opo! I'll personally take care of the transition!

Ako: W-wa---
Jerwin: That's it then.

O_O

Kuya, pati ba naman ikaw?!?

Ako: But--

Before I can speak any further, biglang kinuha ni Jerwin ung arm ko, and led me away from the discussion,
papunta dun sa small table with drinks and snacks..

Ako: What are you doing?!? O__O

Jerwin: What? I'm thirsty.

I looked back at Mr. Santos and Ate Marian, and they're walking towards the production manager.. Gagawin

talaga nila!!! Tama ba naman un!??!

I grabbed Jerwin's arm, and slightly, firmly, desperately shook him.. wa care na ko kung umiinom sya.. at

lalong wa care ako nung nag-choke sya sa tubig..

Jerwin: What?! What?!?

Ako: Stop them!!! OoO

Jerwin: Geez, Venice.. Don't kill me over something like that..

Ako: Sira! Hinde ka pa mamamatay sa tubig!
Jerwin: People die from choking you know?
Ako: You're missing the point here!

Jerwin: Eh? I am?

Ako: Hello?!? They are making me sing on stage with you! on a major concert!

Jerwin: Uh-huh?
Ako: Me! On that stage!
Inubos ni Jerwin ung tubig nya and threw away the bottle, and finally, he looked at me.. To my surprise, he's

smiling..
He gently put his hand on top of me head, and nilapit ung mukha nya sa'kin.. O_O It took all of me not to

smack him right then and there.

Jerwin: Yes, I know. But, isn't it your dream to perform "on that stage"?

Nag-flash sa mind ko ung first time I met him.. Nung pinasilip ni Ate Marian ung current project nila, which
coincidentally was actually the stage for Jerwin's concert.. It was just a few minutes of short conversation..
and I didn't even recognize him..

But he... O_O He remembered?

Jerwin: If you dared to dream about something like that, then I'm sure, you have what it takes to perform
there, on that stage.

Tumalikod sya sa'kin and started to walk pabalik dun sa stage to finish whatever they were doing when I came
in..

Jerwin: I'll be done in a little bit.. Then we'll pick out a song for tomorrow, okay? Just relax.. I got you.

Well.. I guess I won't smack him after all..

::Chapter 10::
Laughter In The Rain
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Wow... People really do love him... O___O

After a night of tiring last minute rehearsal between Jerwin and moi, an early morning production meeting, an
afternoon of final rehearsals, ehto na.. ehto na talaga! The major concert that has been the most awaited

event of the year -- daw -- has finally arrived!

..kahit kakasimula pa lang ng year....

I carefully stepped dun sa hidden side nung stage to watch quietly as Jerwin finished up another high-
powered number -- which made the crowd go wild.. In fairness, kahit anong kontra ko kay kuya, di ko naman
ma-deny na all-out performer talaga sya..

Halos tatlong oras na syang nagkakanta at nagsasayaw dun, pero all smiles pa rin sya.. basang-basa man ung

mukha nya ng pawis (ewwww.. ).. The crowd loves him. It's really a magical feeling pag sumasabay pa sila
dun sa mga kanta nya..

"Miss Venice, it's time to go."

Oh my golay of golays... Ehto na.. T-T

The concert is down to its last two numbers.. Meaning, ehto na ung stint ng concert na ilalabas nila ako.. I
know the rehearsals went well from the time we started hanggang kaninang hapon.. Surprisingly, our voices
blended quite well..

Pero......... ilalabas na nila ako.. T-T

I let the crewmember lead me to the entrance point, as I listen to Jerwin's voice on stage, working up the
crowd again.. and then I heard the cue..

Jerwin: Ladies and gentlemen, here to sing one of my most favorite ballads of all time.. I'm sure, kilala nyo

rin sya.. Please welcome, Venice Zhao!

WAAAHHHHH Teka! hinde pa ko nakakahinga!!!

The gigantic stage prop divided in half right in front of me, and next thing I knew, lights were everywhere,
there are thousands of people in front of me -- going wild.. Jerwin stretched out his hand to me.. as if saying
it's alright, come on..

Okay Venice! Mas mapapahiya ka kung ngayon ka pa tatakbo, eh nakatingin na silang lahat syo.. Aja!

I took a deep breath and then plastered a bright smile on my face.. then I walked towards Jerwin as if I
belong right there on that stage with him.

--- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
--------------- ♥

The back of the stage opened, and it revealed the slender girl whose identity everybody could only speculate
about -- until now..

The big screen at the side of the stage started the slideshow of the pictures of me and Venice that were
leaked to the press.. and some others that were taken the night before and kaninang umaga lang for the
purpose of a "couple's slideshow" during this segment of the concert.. Para kunwari tagal na namen

magkasama, di ba?

Paglabas ni Venice, the audience went wild!

Ahyan na ang mga instincts nila na may masasagap silang balita dahel sa pagsulpot ni Venice..

I watch Venice as she takes in the sight in front of her. She looks pretty.. Beautiful, even.. The light blue
cocktail dress is hugging her body in all the right curves.. Her hair is styled to fall loosely around her
shoulders.. And her eyes! Her eyes are sparkling from either fear or excitement, who knows..

Was she this beautiful when I first met her?

I reached out my hand to her, and as if thankful for some sign of support, her face lit up with a smile and she
started to walk towards me.. All of a sudden, the anxiety disappeared, and a facade of belonging washed over
her whole body..

Ako: (to her) Well, you don't look too bad..

Venice: Ilang oras akong nagpaganda, tapos "you don't look too bad" lang masasabi mo?

I laughed as I slowly led her to the X mark on stage, where she's supposed to stand.. And then the music
started.. The cheers gradually decreased at the same time that the stage lights dimmed.. Natira na lang ung

spotlight na nakatutok pa rin sa'min ni Venice.. I guess this is Marian's idea of romantic..

{music: I Finally Found Someone}

Ako: (sings) I finally found someone
That knocks me off my feet
I finally found the one
That makes me feel complete

Venice: (sings) It started over coffee

We started out as friends
It's funny how from simple things
The best things begin...

The audience was captivated...

I know that reaction.. The first time I heard Venice sing, I was enchanted by her voice too.. She has this
certain way of making any song sound like she's singing it directly to you and only for you..

Ilang beses man kami nag-practice since last night with the same song, I never got tired of hearing her sing..
Kahit ngayon..

Ako: Did I keep you waiting?

Venice: I didn't mind
Ako: I apologize
Venice: Baby, that's fine
Ako: I would wait forever just to know
Together: You were mine..

Ako: You know, I love your hair

Venice: Are you sure it looks right?
Ako: I love what you wear
Venice: Isn't it too tight?
Ako: You're exceptional
Together: I can't wait for the rest of my life...

She went through the motions perfectly.. She sang the song perfectly. She herself was perfect.
By the time the last note has finally played, the audience is going wild again.. But I barely noticed coz all I
could do was hold her close to me and smile at her with pride..

Ako: You did wonderful.

Venice: (grins) I thought so too..

I waited for the crowd to hush down a bit, before I finally took Venice's hand and presented her to the
thousands of people gathered in the arena..

Ako: Ladies and gentlemen, I want all of you to meet my fiancée.. my future bride.. my soon-to-be wife..

I felt Venice's grasp tighten.. I loveeee how she freaks out whenever she hears those words..

Ako: Miss Venice Zhao!

And just like that.. Venice was welcomed with a warm, thunderous applause and whistles and cheers..
Just like that... the whole world will know she's my fiancée..

I gave my final bow to the audience and finally ran out of the stage to the closing music of the band and the
last bit of applause.. The concert has finally ended..

"Good job, Jerwin!"

"Good concert!"

"Congratulations, Mr. Santos!"

I waved to each and every crew member that greeted me backstage..

until I finally reached my dressing room..

"That wasn't too bad."

Linya ko un eh..

I closed the door behind me and looked at Venice who's quietly sitting on one of the plush couches.. She's
changed to her usual shirt and jeans attire..

Ako: What? You didn't like the dress? And I thought you actually looked human...
Venice: Alam mo bang sobrang itchy nung tela nun?! I changed as soon as I got off the stage! And what do you
mean I actually looked human?! Anong tingin mo sa'kin?! Dog?!?

I laughed to myself as I wiped my face with the face towel hanging on my seat.. Dog talaga?

Venice: Ay, oo nga pala.. Sabi ni Jean, sumabay na raw sya sa mga magulang mo pauwi..
Ako: Oh.. How about you? Bakit nandito ka pa?

Venice: Wellll... Ang original plan is ihahatid din ako ng mother mo pauwi.. kaya lang.... Paglabas ko ng
changing room, iniwan na nila ako.. T-T

Ako: Awwww.. that's too bad.. Mag-taxi ka na lang then..

Venice: Hala! Alam mo ba kung gano kalakas ang ulan sa labas?!?

Ako: Bakit? Matutunaw ka ba pag nabasa ka?

Venice: Anong tingin mo sa'kin?!? Witch?!?

Pikon talaga kahit kelan.. I got up from my chair and then threw the sweaty face towel aside..
Ako: I'll just take a quick shower.. I'll meet you up in the front door. At wag kang magpapakabasa, ok?

Mahirap nang biglang mawala ang fiancée ko.

--- ♥♥ ---

(Venice's POV)
--------------- ♥

Pumapatak ang ulan sa bubong ng.. arena..

Anoh bang tagalog ng "Arena"?

I watched the crew members cleaning up the stage props from afar.. and then tumingin uhlet ako dun sa
labas.. Ang lakas pa rin ng ulan..

"Yo! So you managed not to melt?"

-___-

Mukha ba kong Wicked Witch of the West at matutunaw ako pag naulanan?!!?

Ako: (viciously turned around) At talagang ikaw naman eh inenjoy ang shower mo?! Ang tagal mo--
Jerwin: Here.

O_O Hm?

Umbrella?

Jerwin: I was looking around for an extra umbrella so we won't get soaked. So are you ready?

Payong?
 I opened the door for him, while he fumbled to open the umbrella.. This rain is crazy!! Mahangin na nga,

uulanan pa ng ganito.. -___- Himala talaga na marami pa ring tao na pumunta dito amidst the weather..

Jerwin: Ok, got it. Let's run.

Jerwin suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me under the umbrella with him.. and then, takboooo!!!

Ako: Gano kalayo ka ba nagpark?!? Ang layo naman!

Jerwin: We just reached the parking lot!
Ako: Dapat ikaw na lang---

O__O

Shwoosh!

OoO

>__<

SPLASH!

ARAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!

Sa sobrang pagmamadali namen, para sana eh di kame masyadong mabasa, hinde ko napansin ang isang malaking
butas sa daanan ko.. At dahel magaling ang balance at coordination ko, yes.. nadapa ako, at full body down sa
isang malaking puddle ng tubig ang kinagbagsakan ko.

Napaatras tuloy bigla si Jerwin sa pagtakbo nya nung namalayan nyang bigla nawala ung hawak-hawak nyang
tao..

Jerwin: Venice! Are you ok?!?!

 Ikaw kaya ang lunurin ko sa tubig dyan sa parking lot?!

I pulled myself up and looked at the basang-basa na ako.. Well, there goes my chances of getting home dry..
-___-

Ako: Buo pa naman ako.. -__- (biglang tingin kay Jerwin) At hindi ako natutunaw!

Jerwin blinked about once or twice -- I don't know kung dahil ba ang lakas at ang laki ng mga raindrops... and
then.. ang kapal ng mukha, bigla ba namang humagakhak ng tawa!
Pinagtawanan pa ko, eh ako na nga tohng basang-basa na ng ulan?!?!

Ako: (stands up) Oh, so you think this is funny ha.. Tatawa tawa ka pa dyan..
Jerwin: Eh kaseh naman.. nakita mo nang malakas ang ulan, and there's a lot of puddles around, talagang nag-

swimming ka pa sa isa..

-__- Is he the devil?! Nadapa na nga ako't lahat?!?

I walked over behind him, at dahel busy sya sa kakatawa nya, ehwan ko lang kung napansin nya ko, o pinili nya
lang na hinde ako pansinin.. And thennnn.. with all my willpower and arm muscles, tinulak ko sya nang makapag-

swimming rin sya sa maputik na puddle.

Yes.. nanunulak ako..

Splash!

And down down down Jerwin fell, right in the middle of the puddle na pinagbagsakan ko.. And dahil malakas

ung hangin, ung payong na dala nya eh nag-fly fly fly away..

Ako: Not so funny now, ha?

 Jerwin slowly picked himself up, and then he very slowly turned and looked at me.. Nakakakilabot nga eh..
Akala ko sya ung biglang mag-mmelt.. O_O

Jerwin: You pushed me.

o__o

>__<

o__o

Ako: Yea.
Jerwin: You.. pushed me.

*gulp* Teka, may law bang nakasulat na bawal manulak ng mga artista?!? O___O

Ako: I'm sorry.. Ok ka lang ba? Hindi naman ganun kalakas ung tulak ko--

SPLASH!

O__O

>__<

Oh no he did-int!!! Yes he did!!!! OoO

Ang mokong!!! Nangolekta ng tubig nung puddle sa kamay nya, and he actually had the nerve to throw the
water at my face!!! Paliguan ba ko!??!?!

And then he got up and started running away, all the while laughing at perhaps my very surprised expression..
@__@

Ako: Jerwin Santos! Porket hinde ako nag-shower after the show, mabango naman ako!! Bahket mo ko
 pinapaliguan?!!?

I kicked a puddle of water towards him.. which he gladly responded with his own splash of water towards me..

And yes.. dun nagsimula ang late night pagtatampisaw namen sa malakas na ulan, sa maduming mga puddles ng
water, at sa paghahabulan sa halos empty na parking lot ng arena..

We didn't stop hanggang sa nahuli na kami ng mga pauwi nang mga stage workers.. nung pinagtitinginan lang
nila kame -- dry and safe under their umbrellas -- kame biglang na-conscious ni Jerwin and we silently trudged
towards his truck..

Jerwin: Geez.. Sana pala hinde na ko nag-shower kanina.. mababasa lang din pala ako ng ulan..
Ako: Hey you started it!

Jerwin: Ako ba ang nadapa?

Ako: Shut up.
Jerwin: I wish I brought some bath towels with me.. Mukhang magbabaha pa sa loob ng truck ko nito..

Ako: Oh I'll help you clean it tomorrow.

And finally, we pulled out of the parking lot, on to the night as he drove me back to my house.. Him, singing
along with the radio; Me trying to get water out of my hair -- and both of us still dripping wet from our little

playtime under the rain.

::Chapter 11::
Fever
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"SOOO... may tweet-tweet akong narinig kanina tungkol sa most awaited announcement kagabi ah.. "

I slowly looked up from my Psychology assigned reading, half-dreading kung sinong makikita ko, pero half-
knowing na si Sheena lang naman un..
The day after the major concert is a school day.. Himala nga na kahit anong late ko na natulog, nagising pa rin
ako nang maaga.. At lalo pang himala dahel after kong mag-ready, imbis na ung truck ni Jerwin ang nasa harap
ng bahay, ung family van nila at si Manong Ponce ang naghatid sa'kin sa school.. Tulog pa raw kaseh si Jerwin..

The whole day had been a buzz.. Papers are printing out Jerwin's public announcement of our "engagement"..

The little duet clip is played by various TV talk shows.. In other words, nawindang sila..

Just like Mr. Santos hoped they would be.. Jerwin's popularity is rising through the roof..

Anyway, back to the current time, nagtatago ako sa library to avoid the people who seem to suddenly "appear"
out of nowhere to ask for pictures o kaya naman makipagchikkahan -- kahit di ko naman sila kilala.. As usual,

kahit anong tago ko, nakita pa rin ako ni Sheena..

Ako: And anoh naman sinabi ng tweet-tweet mo?

Sheena: (sits next to me) Shosyal ka na..

Ako: Loka.
Sheena: (natawa) So anong reaction ni fafa Jerwin?

Biglang nag-flash sa utak ko ung events after the concert.. with all the rain and the puddles and the habulan....

ang landi.. And mukha naman masaya si Jerwin..

Sheena: Ay.. ay.. ang smile??! Anong meron?

Biglang napalipad ung kamay ko sa face ko to hide the blush na nag-ccreep papunta sa cheeks ko.. O_O Anoh

ba namang kalandian itoh?? Kung anu-ano kaseng iniisip!

Sheena: (pressed herself closer to me) Uyyyy...... may tinatago.. Anoh yan?? May happening ba kagabi? Ay,

can this be love?!?

Ako: Anong "love" ka dyan?!?! Sinoh naman ma-iinlove dun sa taong un noh?! Haller!? Ka-love-love ba un?!
Hahaha!

Sheena: Defensive much?

Napa-shrink ako sa upuan ko, my mind racing to find a neutral answer na walang kahit anong bahid ng chikka..

Just then biglang nagskandalo ung cellphone sa bulsa nung uniform ko.. And you know naman ang nangyayari pag

biglang may nag-vvibrate-vibrate sa pocket mo.. Napatalon akong bigla at madaliang inisda ng cellphone..

Si Jean?

Tumingin muna ako sa paligid to make sure na hinde malapit ung librarian, then I buried my face sa libro to
somehow muffle the sound..

Ako: Hello?

Jean: ATEEEEE!!!!!

O_O Ai josko! Sigawan ang cellphone!?!??!

Ako: Jean, anoh ba? Wag kang sumigaw..

Jean: Ay, sorry.. Bakit ka bumubulong?

Ako: Nasa library ako.. Bakit ka tumawag?
Jean: Ay, oo nga pala! Kaseh, ate, ganito yan eh.. May pupuntahan kami ni mommy mamaya after school na
social gathering.. Baka bukas na ng umaga kami makabalik.. Si dad naman, hay nako, lagi namang early morning
na kung umuwi un..
Ako: Uh-huh?
Jean: Ate, baka naman gusto mo dumaan sa bahay after ng school mo? Bantayan mo lang si kuya..

Ako: Bantayan?

Watchdog na ko ngayon??!

Jean: Oo, ate.. Ehwan ko ba dun.. Gumising kaninang umaga, masama ang pakiramdam.. Na-cancel tuloy ung mga
lakad nya today.. Ehhh walang mag-aalaga.. Baka pag-uwi namen, malamig na corpse na sya.. Eh di ba mabuti

nang nandun ka, at least matatawagan mo kame pag hinde na sya humihinga?
Ako: Iha, kapatid mo tohng pinag-uusapan naten di ba? -___-
Patayin ba?!?

Jean: Yes, ate. Relax ka lang, kaseh sabihin ko man un, I doubt naman na talagang ma-ddead si kuya.. Di ba
nga, matagal mamatay ang masamang damo? So dadaan ka mamaya ha! Papasundo kita kay Manong Ponce! Ok?

Byeeee!!!
Ako: What?! Wait--!

Binabaan ako.... -___-

Pano ka ba naman makakakontra sa bilis ng bibig nung batang un?!? Tumutungga yata ng isang litro ng kape sa
sobrang pagkahyper!

Sheena: Anoh un?

Ako: Kapatid ni Jerwin.. Apparently, magiging asong bantay ako mamaya.

After school, umuwi kagad ako.

Charing! Inuwi muna ako ni Manong Ponce para naman makapagbihis ako into something more comfortable than

my school uniform noh.. Kaya ahyun, naka-cotton shorts ako, at red t-shirt.. at flip-flops.. di vah.. casual na

casual..

Mom: Oh, san ka pupunta?

Ako: Sisilipin ung son-in-law mo kung humihinga pa.
Mom: Awww.. ang sweet nyo namang dalawa, nagsisilipan na kayo.. Napagod ba sya dahel dun sa concert kagabi?
Ako: (shrugs) Siguro.. And apparently, his family is too busy to take care of him just for one night.
Mom: Walang tao sa bahay nila?
Ako: Late na raw umuuwi si Tito Ray.. So until then, walang tao sa bahay nila kundi sya.. at ako.

Natahimik sandali si mommy, then she slowly walked up to me and grabbed my shoulders gently, but firmly.
O_O

Mom: Remember, Venice, I trust you.

Ako: Eh??
Mom: I know you're still somewhat of a teenager.. and I know may mga natural hormones na mahirap ma-
control.. But just remember, I trust you.

..
....

Ai my golay.. -___-

Ako: Anoh ba naman yang mga pinag-iisip mo, mommy?! Magpapaka-watchdog lang ako dun noh! Geez!

I wriggled out of her grasp and started to walk out of the house.. Pero dahel may pagka-stubborn ang nanay
ko, talagang hinabol nya pa ko hanggang sa pinto, at talagang pinahabulan pa ng isang nakakawindang na paalala:

Mom: I trust you, okay, Venice?!

Nanay ko talaga.. Pinasok-pasok ako sa ganitong sitwasyon, tapos magugulantang bigla..

Sumakay na ko dun sa family van ng mga Santos, and Manong Ponce drove me to the Santos' residence..
Pinapaliwanag nya na nakaalis na nga raw sina Tita Merryl at si Jean papuntang Subic for a social party
chuchu.. Si Tito Ray daw, late at night pa dadating dahil na rin sa work.. Ung housekeeper daw, nasa bahay,
pero hanggang 8:00 PM lang..

Di ko nga alam kung parang gusto nya ring sabihin na: "I trust you, Venice! I trust you!"

When we reached the house, totoo nga.. Wala nang tao.. Well si Aling Ligaya, ung housekeeper, nandun sa
kitchen, as usual.. Pero other than her, wala na nga talaga ung maingay na si Jean.. Binati ko lang si Aling Ligaya
sandali, para naman malaman nya bago sya magluto ng dinner na nandito ako at malamang eh dito ako

kakain..

Then I took the stairs up to Jerwin's room..

Ako: (gently katok sa door) Knock knock knock.. I'm coming in~
Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ung pinto.. It's dark.. nakasarado ung curtains nung bintana kaya hindi makapasok
ang afternoon sun.. at ni isang lampshade o ilaw, walang nakabukas..
I tiptoed over to the bed where I can hear ragged breathing, and then sinilip ko ung supposedly sleeping
Jerwin, who has his back turned from me..

Ganito ba sya huminga nung last time na natutulog sya?

Binuksan ko ung lampshade na nandun sa bedside table nya (let there be light!), and then umupo ako dun sa
kama and gently tugged the blanket off of his face..

I guess may pagka-light sleeper si kuya, kaseh bigla syang nagising.. @_@

Jerwin: What? Venice?

Ako: Hi.. Binibisita lang kita.. Ok ka lang ba?

Now na nakaharap sya sa'kin, I suddenly noticed how pale he looks, and well, ang lamig-lamig dun sa kwarto,

pinagpapawisan si kuya..?

Jerwin: Yea.. I'm okay.. Don't you have class?

Ako: I'm done for the day.
Jerwin: Oh. Sorry I couldn't pick you up..
Ako: Ai suz naman, ok lang un noh.. Teka nga..

Sa sobrang pagka-bother ko dahel sa unusual appearance nya, I cautiously reached out my hand, and then
hinawakan ko ung noo nya.....

O___O

Ako: Oh my gosh, Jerwin! You're burning up!

Jerwin: Weird.. I actually feel kinda cold.
Ai josko! Ang taas ng lagnat ni kuya!!!

Napatayo akong bigla.. di ko alam kung anong uunahin ko: kukuha ba muna ako ng face towel at tubig, o dapat ko
bang i-adjust ung room temperature, o--

Jerwin: (smiled weakly) Hey, don't panic.. Nobody dies from a slight fever..

-___-

Ako: Stupid... You never know when somebody could die.

I turned around and went out of the room.. Bumaba ako nung hagdan to ask Aling Ligaya for a face towel to
mop up Jerwin's sweat and another one to cool down his forehead.. at isa na ring maliit na basin ng tubig..

It seems like hinde pala ako asong bantay tonight, instant nurse pala..
::Chapter 12::
You Are My Sunshine
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Naalimpungatan ako after what seems to be the longest sleep I've ever, ever had.. It's dark outside, and the
only source of light in my room is the one lampshade at the other side of my bed.. I gazed at the digital alarm
clock on my nightstand: 11:36 PM.. So, from the time Venice woke me up for a soup dinner up to now, I've
been sleeping for about almost five hours..

I turned to my other side, and almost jumped (if only I wasn't feeling so weak) nung nakita ko si Venice.. She
pulled up the office chair from the corner of the room, and positioned it beside the bed.. I can't imagine how
she managed to sleep on such tight space.. @_@

I wonder how long she's been there...

Tumingin-tingin pa ko sa paligid ko.. There's a small basin of water on a small stool right beside the night
 table.. It was then that I felt the warm, moist towel sliding off of my forehead..
She's been taking care of me all this time...

Silly girl.. Dapat sa kama na lang din sya natulog..

I carefully sat myself up -- very much aware of the spots appearing right before my eyes.. -__- Pero at least,

I don't feel as hellish as I was feeling earlier.. I just managed to get my legs out of the bed when Venice
suddenly stirred and then glanced at me under droopy eyelids..

Ako: Hey...

Na-realize nya yata bigla na gumagalaw-galaw na ko, coz she suddenly perked up and before I knew it, she was
on her feet trying to make me lie down again.

Venice: Jerwin! What do you think are you doing?!?

Ako: Well, ililipat sana kita sa kama.. That chair doesn't look very comfortable.

Venice: Abno ka ba? As if naman kaya mo kong buhatin nang ganyan ang condition mo.. (tried to push me
gently back to bed) Pwede ba mahiga ka na uhlet?
Ako: Will you lie down with me, then?
Venice: O__O Sabi ng nanay ko, she trusts me raw.

*blink*

*blink*

Ako: Ha?

Venice abruptly stopped with her pushing, and her face suddenly turned a color of pale pink.. If I wasn't

kinda dizzy, and if I only knew what was going on, it would have seemed cute..
 Venice: N-Nothing! Anoh ba! Matulog ka na nga!
Ako: I'm not going back to sleep until you leave that chair and just accept my proposal of sleeping in this

same bed. It's not like we didn't do it before..

Venice: H-H-Hoy! It's not like I had a choice noh! O__O

Ako: Oh, don't tell me na ngayon ka pa nahiya.. It's almost midnight and you're still in my room, you

know?

Napatingin bigla sya dun sa orasan, and she groaned.. I guess she didn't mean to stay this late.. I creeped
to one side of the bed, and then pulled the covers off the other side to invite her in..

Ako: Now, c'mon, Miss Pure.. I'm not gonna do anything to you.

Venice looked at me first, and then at the empty side of the bed again.. She pouts her lips as if debating in

her mind and continued to stare at the warm~ inviting~ soft~ comfortable~ bed. Then she let out a huge
sigh, and finally climbed up..

Venice: Oh well.. It's not like you have the energy to do anything weird..

Yeaaa.. okay... As if I'll really do anything weird to her..

I shifted myself, and watched as Venice take the towel that slid off my forehead from the pillow.. Binabad
nya uhlet ung towel dun sa basin, squeezed out most of the water, then turned to put it back on my forehead.

Ako: Ehhhh.....

Venice: What?
Ako: Do I still need that?
Venice: Well, you have a fever, right?

Ako: But I don't feel so warm anymore. And it feels weird having something wet on my forehead while
I'm sleeping..

Venice: You weren't having any problem with it earlier..

Pinatong ni Venice ung kamay nya sa noo ko to feel my temperature.. She looked at me, tapos parang nag-pause
to think sandali.. She lowered her hand and frowned at me..

Venice: Are you sure?

Ako: Yea.. I think the fever went down.. I just need a good night's sleep, and I'll be back on my feet.

Venice just looked at me again, hesitating, but then she eventually turned and hang the towel on the side of

the basin.. Of course, patients have rights too.

Venice: Okay.. Lie down, and go to sleep then..

She carefully slid under the covers, and tried to make herself comfortable.. After she stopped squirming, I
laid down and closed my eyes too..

Venice: Jerwin?
Ako: Hm?

Venice: .... Uhmm.. Di ko na pinatay ung ilaw ha..

Ako: I don't mind.

.....

Venice: Jerwin?
Ako: Yea?

I heard her take a deep breath, kaya napabukas tuloy ung mata ko, curious to what's bothering her.. She was
playing with a loose thread nung kumot..

Venice: Anoh.. You said we're partners now, right?

Ako: Uh-huh?
Venice: And partners don't really keep secrets from each other, right?
Ako: Uh, sure..?
 She glanced at me quickly, and when she saw I was staring at her, she went back to staring at the thread..

Mas gusto nya pang tignan ung sinulid kesa sa'kin..

Ako: You can ask me anything, Venice.

Venice: (took a deep breath) Okay.. Georgina Schmitz. What is she to you?

I blinked in surprise, not just because of her question, but mostly because of the mention of the other girl's
name.. Georgina..

Ako: Why are you asking me this?

Venice: Well... Kaseh anoh...

She started to twirl the thread around her fingers faster..

Venice: Kenny mentioned before about constant rumors about you and Georgina Schmitz, ung model, I heard
she's really successful.. Anyway, sabi ni Kenny wala naman daw na-confirm kahit isa dun sa mga rumors tungkol
snyo.. just a few sightings na madalas kayong magkasama.. (took a deep breath) and then.. kanina, I was just
looking around in your room.. and.. anoh.. There's a picture on your desk of you and her.. and, well, you two
look.... close..

I see.. So it's because of that picture..

Venice: I didn't mean to pry! Promise! I'm just curious.. and, anoh, if people asks or if I see her.. I just want
to know kung anong sasabihin ko. *sigh* I'm sorry.. This is probably a bad time to ask such a question..

Tell me about it.. It's the middle of the night, my fever just went down.. and you're asking me a very
stressful question.

I shifted my gaze up the ceiling, thinking to myself.. I guess, she kinda needs to know.. I don't really know
how to answer though.. Geena and I.. I never really knew what we really were..

Ako: Geena was my very first friend here.

Venice: First friend?
Ako: Yea.. I spent almost all my whole life in the States, so I didn't really know any people when I arrived. I
 met her in a party my mom threw for me. She was.. the same as me back then.

Venice: Same as you?

Ako: Yea.. She was thrust in the fashion industry out of nowhere, and.. She was all alone.
Venice: Oh..

I caught myself to telling the whole story -- and I don't think I want that..I turned to face Venice who has
her face up to me, listening intently.. How can she be so curious about something that doesn't really concern

her?
I turned to my side to face her, and then smiled..

Ako: She's special to me. But we're just friends. Okay, my fiancée?

She jumped from the sound of my little endearment, and her face turned pink again.. Now that's cute.

Venice: "M-My fiancée" ka dyan! Geez, and akoh tong all serious sa pakikinig.. Hay nako..

Ako: (natawa) Has anyone ever told you how fun it is to tease you?

She suddenly froze and seems to blink in surprise.. Then she slowly lowered her gaze and moved a little bit

away from me.. What kind of reaction is that?

Venice: Yes, actually.. Someone has told me that before.

What's up with the solemn atmosphere?

Ako: Well, then, that means may nag-second the motion na.. How about you sing me to sleep now? You

don't want me to still be sick tomorrow, right?

Venice: (turned to me again) Sing you to sleep?? Anoh ka, baby??!

Ako: I can be your babe.

Venice: Kilabutan ka nga dyan sa pinagsasabi mo.. @__@
 I laughed again, and then for some effect, started to massage the side of my head..
Truth is, I just really like hearing her voice.. and maybe, the singing will wipe off the solemn look off her
face..

Ako: Don't you know that lullabies can bring relaxing sleep to someone? And since I'm sick, I need a relaxing
sleep right?

Venice: Suz naman.. Parang naman ang taas pa rin ng lagnat mo, noh?

Ako: A fever is still a fever. Sige naaa... And next time that you are not feeling well, I'll be the one to
sing you a lullabye, okay?

Venice: Hay nako, asa ka pa.. Hinde ako katulad mo na naulanan lang, inatake na ng lagnat noh..

Kokontra pa toh, pero she propped herself up naman.. Bibigay rin pala..
I turned towards her again and closed my eyes, just as she turned to face me as well..
Then, she started singing....

Venice: (sings) Di kita malilimutan..

Di kita pababayaan...

O___O

Napabukas ung mata ko, and I stared at her..

Venice: What?
Ako: May sakit lang ako, hindi pa ko patay.

She laughed and then she pulled herself up.. She propped the pillow behind her and then gently put a hand on
top of my head..

Venice: Okay, okay.. Just kidding.. Close your eyes, and go to sleep now.. I'll sing you something na matino..

I smiled inspite of myself and, just like she said, closed my eyes.. I was actually kinda feeling tired..
 Ako: Hey, Venice..
Venice: Yea?
Ako: Are you still gonna be here when I wake up?

Venice: Hm? Uh, siguro..?

Ako: *yawwnnn* I hope you are...

I felt her fingers gently twirling my hair.. and then the real lullabye started..

{song: You Are My Sunshine}

Venice: (sings) You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine
You make me happy,
when skies are gray
You never know, dear,
How much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away...

I never realized how pretty that song is, until now.. In less than five minutes, I felt myself drift off to
sleep..
::Chapter 13::
Fly Away
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Bzzztttt Bzzzzzzztttt

What? What? -___-

With eyes still closed, kinapa-kapa ko ung nightstand para hablutin ung cellphone kong malamang eh nag-
aalarm na kaya ganyan na lang kung makapag-vibrate....

Where is it?!?!
Kapa-kapa uhlet--

Whoopsss! o_o

Dahil sa sobrang kaka-reach out ko for my phone, I literally rolled out of bed and bumagsak sa sabig with
a BOOG!

Ako: Awww... -___-

Nahablot ko na rin sa wakas ung cellphone ko, and finally turned the alarm off.. Then, sumandal ako dun sa
kama, trying to wake myself up..

"Hey.. You're still here.."

I turned my head and saw Jerwin peering at me from the bed.. He looks a lot better now.. Thank God..

Ako: Yea, I'm still here.. Good morning, Sunshine.. -__-

Jerwin: (smiles) Good morning.. Nice to see you're not suffocating me with a pillow this time..

He rolled over and managed to barely miss me when he swung his legs out of the bed..
Pinanood ko lang sya as he stretches for a little bit.. Energetic na si kuya uhlet.. I yawned, feeling my brain

cells wake up one by one.. Yes, one by one..

Jerwin: Was that you who fell earlier?

Ako: Yea.. Di mo ba alam, the best na panggising ang mahulog sa kama..

Jerwin: So you do that everyday?

Ako: Do you think I fall off the bed every single day?!?

Jerwin: Well.. if it's you, I don't think I'd be surprised..

Ako: What's that supposed to mean?!??

He just laughed and picked up the basin of water dun sa stool na katabi nung nightstand.. Sumunod ako
palabas nung kwarto, combing my hair with my fingers, and trying to fix myself para kung sinoh man

makasalubong namen, kahit papano, mukha naman akong tao kahit bagong gising..

Just before we turned to go to the kitchen, we suddenly heard two voices talking.. Napatigil kaming bigla
kaseh, aside from Jerwin's mom's voice, nagulantang ako dun sa isa pang boses..
Ang nanay ko!!!

Ako: What's she doing here!??

Jerwin: My mom lives here...

Ako: I don't mean your mom, I meant my mom!
Jerwin: I don't know, let's go ask.

"Ay, oo, Merryl.. Kausap ko nga si Remy kagabi.. Nasabi kong gusto ko nang bumalik ng States, at sabi naman
nya, handa naman raw ung bahay na tutuluyan namen dun.."

I suddenly grabbed Jerwin, na muntik-muntikan nang matapon ung tubig na dala nya sa bigla kong paghaltak
pabalik sa katawan nya..

Jerwin: What are you doing?!?

Ako: Ssshhh!

I turned my ear towards the kitchen again.. Busy na tinatago si Jerwin with me dun sa likod nung wall
separating the formal dining room and the kitchen..

Tita Merryl: Aba, bakit hindi ka pa lumipad pabalik?

Mom: I would love to go back to the States..

She wants to go back to the States?

Ilang taon na ring nakatira and nagttrabaho si Mommy sa Amerika.. Ilang beses nya na rin akong pinipilit isama,

pero dahel mabait akong anak, I refused. Palusot ko na lang, gusto ko matapos muna ung schooling ko
chuchu.. Kaya sige, nandun si mommy, nandito ako sa Pinas.. Patawag-tawag na lang sya.. At sa sobrang tagal nya
na dun, nakilala nya si Tito Remy, matandang binata na nain-love kay mother.. at ahyan, parang silang teenager
na palovey-dovey.. nakakakilabot mang isipin..

It was about one and half year ago nung umuwi si mom at si Tito Remy dito sa Pinas.. Totoo lang, di ko rin alam
kung bahket sila biglang napadpad dito.. Pero ahyan na nga sila.. Nagkasundo naman kame ni Tito Remy.. A real
father figure, lalo na't di ko naman nakilala ang father ko.. After 6 months, he had to go back to the States
para kumayod na uhlet.. Naiwan si mommy..

And now.. She’s saying na she wants to go back there....

Mom: Pero, I'm worried about Venice. Nako, kumare, kung alam mo lang, nung una kong uwi two years ago,
lantutay yang batang yan!
Tita Merryl: Really? Venice?
Mom: Oo.. Alam kong loka-loka at daig nya pa ang may sugar rush na bata ngayon, pero dati, parang
pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa! Buti na nga lang at matino na uhlet sya ngayon..

"Parang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa".... Kung alam nya lang...

Mom: Kaya nga nagdadalawang isip tuloy ako bumalik ng States. Ayoko naman kaseh maiwan nanaman syang
mag-isa.. Pero, kumare, ang tagal na kong hinihintay ng boyfriend ko dun! Ay! Sana makilala mo si Remy

minsan!

Nalipat ung topic nung dalawang nanay sa boyprend ni mother.. Oh di vah? Ang landi! Feeling teenager

talaga si mother.. Kinikilig pa habang nag-kkwento tungkol sa fafa nya..

Jerwin: Wow.. alagang-alaga ka ng nanay mo ah..

Ako: Oh shut up.
Jerwin: Kaw naman.. Is that how you talk to your sunshine?
Ako: Anoh?!?
Jerwin: (sings) I am your sunshine
Your only sunshine--

Pak!

Jerwin: Kidding. -__-

I took a deep breath and then grabbed Jerwin para pumasok na dun sa kitchen kasama ko.. Kunwari bagong
dating lang kami, bagong gising, walang narinig, chuchu..

Ako: Mom!?? Anong ginagawa mo dito??

Mom: Ay nako, hinde ka na umuwi kagabi kaya I brought you a change of clothes para dito ka na manggaling

papasok ng school. (tingin kay Jerwin) Good morning, Jerwin~

Jerwin: Good morning po, tita. (looked at his mom) Good morning, mom. What time did you guys arrive?
Tita Merryl: Around 3 AM..
Ako: 3 AM? Then, where's Jean?
Tita Merryl: Ay, nakapasok na. Bakit?

Pumasok na?!?! Hinde man lang pinatulog?!?

Nakatingin sa'kin si Tita Merryl at si Jerwin, as if they're really wondering kung bakit ko hinahanap si Jean..
As if normal lang na pumasok na talaga sya, wala nang tulog-tulog.....
Kawawang bata...

Ako: Uh, just wondering lang poh.. Anoh, pwede poh ba makigamit ng bathroom?
Tita Merryl: Ay sure! Jerwin, give Venice a fresh bath towel, at pakita mo na rin kung nasan ung banyo..

Jerwin, who just finished pouring the water from the basin dun sa sink, looked at me and then frowned..

Jerwin: Can't you just use my towel?

Ako: Abno ka ba?!? Anoh pang virus makuha ko syo noh! (tingin kay Tita Merryl) No offense.
Jerwin: Hoy, buti nga pinapagamit ko ung tuwalya ko syo!

Ako: No, thanks. I'd rather use a fresh one.

Kinuha ko ung bag ng damit na dala ng nanay ko, smiled at the older ladies, and then stomped pabalik sa taas..
I heard Jerwin putting the basin sa sink, and then following me up the stairs..
We went in his room again, and he walked straight to the closet, looking for a bath towel..

Jerwin: Hey..
Ako: Yea?
Jerwin: I'll take you to school today.
Ako: Okay.
After that, he handed me the towel.. Then he walked me to the bathroom at the other side of the hallway,
opened the medicine cabinet, and gave me a new toothbrush..

Jerwin: You can use this one. Siguro, you should just put it with our toothbrushes since parang napapadalas na

ang overnight mo dito..

Ako: Che! It's not like I drop by and make plans to spend the night here noh!

He laughed at me again, and walked out of the bathroom to eat breakfast while I closed the door to start my
morning rituals..

I don't know how, and I'm not sure what he did, pero by some miracle, Jerwin managed to finish his shower,
get dressed, and all that in less than 20 minutes.. Oh the luck of being a man.. -___-

Kaya when we left the house, we even had time to drop off my mom sa bahay, and pagdating sa harap ng
school, I have enough time before my first class.
He parked on the curb again.. and I'm kinda thankful for the tinted windows, kaseh ganitong oras pala nag-

ppour in ang sandamakmak na students.. Maaga silang gumigising..

Ako: Okie.. Thanks for the ride..

Jerwin: Venice, wait.

My hand stopped dun sa door handle, and I turned to look at Jerwin.. Anoh nanaman kaya ang hirit ni kuya?

Jerwin: You know, I was just thinking about your mom going to the States and all that.. If it gets to the point
that she really wants to go and live her life.... You-- You can live with me.

-__-

>__<

O__O
Ako: ANOH?!? Live with you?!? May lagnat ka pa ba o naluto na yang mga brain cells mo kagabi?!?!
Jerwin: Anoh ba, seryoso ako. Didn't I tell you before? I'll take care of you..

Ako: Awww.. how sweet... Ulol. -__- At san mo naman ako papatulugin snyo ha?!? Geez..
Jerwin: (smiles) Well, if that's the only thing stopping you, then don't worry.. I'll find a way.

Tinitigan ko si Jerwin.. Ehwan ko ba kung seryoso toh, kulang sa tulog, na-over sa tulog, o talagang nag-
evaporate ung utak nya kagabi sa sobrang taas nung lagnat nya.. Tinotopak yatang bigla....

Ako: *sigh* Bahala ka.. I'm gonna go to my class now.. Ikaw, magtrabaho ka na..

Jerwin: Okay. I'll see you later.

Bumaba na ko nung pick-up truck ni Jerwin, somewhat oblivious of the stares ng mga nakakita sa'kin get out
of the shiny truck.. Anoh nga bang gagawin ko eh sa gusto na lumipad pabalik ng nanay ko sa States?

I can just tell her to go, pero I doubt na ganun-ganun lang un.. After nga naman ng mala-zombie kong aura two
years ago, eh good luck na lang kung iwanan nya ko uhlet mag-isa...

Haayyyy na koooo...
::Chapter 14::
One Moment In Time
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I stared at Kenny and Sheena who are busy sa pag-ppreach nila kay Anthony, na,who would've thought, eh may

pagkatorpe pala.. Di ko na maalala kung anong pinag-uusapan namen, bastah, bigla na lang nilang nahuli na
may unspoken infatuation pala itong si Anton sa isang girl na ayaw nya naman sabihin ang name..

Kaya ahyan, naulan tuloy sya ng "You should tell her!", "Maganda ba?", "Kilala ko ba?", at "Bakit ayaw mo
sabihin kung sinoh?!"

Kawawa naman..
Anthony: Ay nako! Tigilan nyo na nga ako!
Sheena: Eh sabihin mo na kaseh kung sinoh! At bakit ba ayaw mo pang ligawan?

Anthony suddenly blushed at napatingin dun sa sapatos nya.. At dahil dyan sa reaction na yan, naintriga na rin

ako.. Abah, ang loko! May pa-blush-blush pang nalalaman!

Ako: Avah, Anton! Kilala namen toh noh?!? Sino ang girl na itoh?!? Kailangan nang interviewhin!

Anthony: She's.. You know her quite well... already.

Nagkatinginan kami nina Kenny.. Sinoh ba ang kilala nameng tatlo na pwedeng maging prospect ni Anthony?

Kenny: As in, know KNOW?

Sheena: Gusto mo ligawan na namen para syo?

Anthony: NO!

Ay?!? Napaatras kaming bigla sa sudden outburst ng usually la-la-la na si Anthony.. O___O Bihira lang yan

magkaganyang may pinaninindigan.. Kaya nakakawindang pag lumalabas ang pagka-lalake nya..

Anthony: I mean, it's alright.. She doesn't have to know.

Ako: Oh ba't why?

Anthony: (smiles) Coz I know na kaibigan lang naman ang tingin nya sa'kin.. Nothing more, nothing less..

Lalo kaming nagkatinginan nina Sheena at Kenny.. Avah, pusong sawi pala itong case na toh.. O__O

That afternoon, like always, paglabas ko, nandun na si Jerwin sa pick-up nya, naghihintay.. at nababawasan na

rin ung mga paparazzi na umaasang makakuha ng stolen shot naming dalawa.. I jumped in the passenger
seat and gave Jerwin a quick smile as he pulls out of the curb..
Ako: Hey, Jerwin.
Jerwin: Yep?
Ako: Have you ever been in a situation na hindi mo masabi sa isang tao na may gusto ka sa kanya?

Napatingin bigla si Jerwin sa'kin, but then he immediately turned to his driving again.. And I swear, startled

na startled ang expression ni kuya.. O_O Weird.. Affected much?

Jerwin: Why are you asking? (smirks) May gusto ka na sa'kin noh? Okay lang naman kung gusto mong sabihin

eh.. I understand na it's inevitable na magkakagusto ka sa'kin..

Ako: Hoy. Umiral nanaman yang pagka-electric fan mo. -__-

Tumawa lang sya and he lowered the volume nung radio before glancing at me again to smile.. Parang adik..

Jerwin: So why are you asking?

Ako: Well, you know Anthony, ung friend ko? Sabi nya he likes this girl daw, pero hindi nya masabi kaseh
friend lang ung tingin sa kanya nung girl.
Jerwin: Who's the girl?
Ako: Ayaw nga sabihin eh..
Jerwin: Baka ikaw ung girl.

Ako: Tange. Mamamatay muna un bago nya ko pag-interesan noh.

Jerwin: Eh? Really? Ganon ka na lang ba ang level ng pagka-unlikable mo?

Ako: Hay nako. Nevermind na nga lang. Bahket ba ikaw pa ang tinatanong ko?

Jerwin: Coz I'm your sunshine, and I light up the truth.

Ako: Tignan mo lang kung may sense ung sinabi mo ha..

We moved to less serious subjects -- his hair, my hair, his snoring, my falling off the bed -- and eventually,
we finally reached my neighborhood. Lumiko sya dun sa street and I started to strap my book bag around me,
when I realize na nag-ppark sya sa side nung bahay namen..

Ako: What are you doing?

Jerwin: Parking.
Ako: Bababa ka?
Jerwin: Why, of course. Isn't it rude not to say hello to my mother-in-law?
Ako: Never stopped you before.

He smiled, and then talagang bumaba sya ng sasakyan. He went around to my side, and opened the door for
me.

Pa-gentleman effect?? Na-food poisoning kaya toh?

Nung bumababa na ko dahan-dahan, he suddenly leaned over -- pasimple lang naman -- and pretended to take
my bag, pero in reality, he was whispering something..

Jerwin: Be careful. There's about one or two tabloid reporters who followed us.
Ako: Whe?!? Nasaan!?!

He closed the door behind me, and just in time to answer my question, two men approached us, one carrying a
camera, and the other a notebook and a pen.

Kaya pala nagpaka-gentleman effect si kuya.. may audience pala...

Kuya Reporter: Sorry to intrude on your private time, Mr. Santos. But can we take one or two quick picture
for tomorrow's paper?
Jerwin: For what story?
Kuya Reporter: No story poh, sir. One page lay-out lang poh na nagpapakita sa mga celebrities in their
everyday lives.

That doesn't sound so bad.. or harmful. Nagkatinginan kami ni Jerwin, trying to think kung papayag ba dahel
it's nothing naman talaga.. or mag-rrefuse dahil nasa harap kami ng bahay ko..
In the end, I just shrugged at Jerwin.. bahala na sya.. Sya naman tohng professional pagdating sa mga ganyan..

Jerwin: (still looking at me) Well.. okay...

Mr. Reporter: Thank you poh, sir! I promise, walang skandalo o kahit anong nakadikit sa picture na toh!
Jerwin: Okay.. But can you make sure na walang makikitang significant sa background? I don't want other
reporters loitering around my fiancée's house..
Mr. Photographer: Yes sir.
Jerwin took off his langaw-sunglasses, and followed the photographer to the white wall dun sa side nung
bahay namen.. Pinaupo sya dun sa sidewalk, kunwari nag-rrelax.. Although I can't imagine sitting on the

sidewalk as part of his "everyday life"..

Mr. Reporter: Miss Venice, umupo na rin poh kayo.

Ako: Eh? Kasama ako?

Mr. Reporter: Opo.

Hinila ako nung photographer, tapos inupo na rin dun sa tabi ni Jerwin.. Sabi nya, mag-appear daw na nag-uusap
lang kame, kwentuhan ba.. Isip-isip ko lang, kwentuhan sa kalye? Di kaya madumog kami ng mga tao kung araw-

araw naming gawin toh?

After a while na mukha na siguro kaming natural, nag-stepback na ung photographer and took a picture. Just
pretend lang raw na wala ung camera, just act naturally.. Kung alam nya lang kung pano ang "act naturally"

sa'min ni Jerwin.. Ung mga tipong nagbabatukan ba...

Jerwin: Hey.. Come here, may bubulong ako syo.

Ako: Eh? Now na?
Jerwin: Yea.

He leaned forward na tipong may ibubulong talaga, and syempre, nag-lean forward din ako para makinig kung
anoh naman tohng topak nya at ngayon pa sya may ibubulong..

Mr. Photographer: Okay, last one!

Just then, Jerwin tilted my face up, and planted a soft kiss on the tip of my nose.... and the camera flashed.
O.O

Mr. Reporter: That was perfect! Thank you for your time, Mr. Santos, Ms. Venice.

I watched as the two reporters walked away, probably ecstatic to have such an "intimate" and "cute" moment
in their film. Tumayo na rin si Jerwin and started to dust off his jeans.. I stared at him, wide-eyed..
Jerwin: What?
Ako: What was that?

Jerwin: A kiss on the nose.

Ako: And you had to do that??!

Jerwin: (smiles) Don't you know what a kiss on the nose means?
Ako: May meaning pa ba un?!?

Jerwin laughed and helped me up to my feet, then he walked me papasok dun sa gate nung bahay namen.. kasi

dumadami na ung mga tao sa paligid.. Ako naman si shocked, sumunod na lang, still rambling what a kiss on
the nose means..

"Oh, Jerwin? Napadaan ka.."

I stopped my nagging and looked at my mom na picture perfect na housewife ang itsura: uncombed hair,

oversized t-shirt, and long shorts. Oh di vah, bahay na bahay..

Jerwin: Yes, tita.. I'm just here to say hello.

Ako: Oh ahyan, nakapag-hello ka na, sige na, uwi ka na.
Mom: Venice! Anoh ka ba? Hindi pa nga nakakapasok ng bahay si Jerwin eh.

I turned to look at Jerwin, na nginitian ako pa-innocent effect chuchu.. Natutuwa talaga si kuya sa pang-aasar
sa'kin... -___-

Pumasok kaming dalawa, my mom trying to un-puff her puffy short hair.. si Jerwin, nagtatanggal ng
mamahalin nyang rubber shoes.... O_O

Ako: Oh, tatanggalin mo pa ung sapatos mo?!?

Jerwin: What? Isn't it proper to remove my shoes before going inside?

Ako: Magtatagal ka ba dito?!?

Jerwin: Yes, sweetheart.

Eew. O_O
PAK!

Ako: Ouch! What??!

Napaikot ako sa nanay kong nakapamewang sa likod ko.. Tama ba namang batukan ako sa harap ng others?!?

Mom: Anoh ba't kakarating nyo pa lang, eh inaaway mo na si Jerwin?! Umakyat ka na nga at magbihis ka na!
Kakain na tayo sandali.

I heard na natawa si Jerwin sa likod ko.. He probably thinks it's amusing na binabatukan ako at pinapagalitan
pa ng nanay ko sa edad kong toh.. -___- Pahamak talaga.. I glared at him, and then stomped up the stairs para
nga magbihis na..

Lokong un.. Dadaan-daan dito para lang mang-trip!

--- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I watched as Venice stalked off to her room. Parang bata talaga..

Tita Mel: Oh, pumasok ka muna sa loob, Jerwin.. Nagluluto pa kaseh ako.. Mabilis na lang toh..
Ako: It's okay, tita. I'm not in a hurry.. Actually, I'm here to talk to you.

Tita Mel: Sa'kin?

Ako: Opo.. And I was hoping na makausap kayo habang wala pa poh si Venice..

Tita Mel looked at me all curious, but she led me to the kitchen anyways -- where it smells like beef steak

everywhere. Makikain na rin kaya ako mamaya?

Tita Mel: Oh, anoh ba toh? May ginawa ba si Venice?
Ako: Nako, wala poh.. It's just that.. I overheard you and my mom talking.. You want to go back to the States,
right?

Napatigil si Tita Mel sandali, looked at me, and then smiled.. Bumalik sya dun sa niluluto nya.. So I guess it's
not a big deal whether I heard or not.

Tita Mel: To be honest, yes, I do want to go back.. Alam mo, pumunta lang ako sa States para magtrabaho.
Pero dati, iniisip ko na, as soon as possible, gusto ko na sana umuwi dito and spend time with Venice.

Ako: Like now?

Tita Mel: Oo, siguro nga, like now.. Pero alam mo, Jerwin.. Tumanda na si Venice without me.. At minsan sa
buhay mo, dadating ung pagkakataon na ma-rrealize mo na ung isang lugar na dapat mong puntahan at ung lugar
na sasaya ka, eh dalawang magkaibang lugar pala.

Ako: So... Ung lugar na gusto nyong puntahan eh sa Amerika?

Tita Mel: Well.. not really..

Eh??

She blushed.. O__O I guess totoo ung sinabi ni Venice na may pagka-"young at heart" pa ang nanay nya..

Tita Mel: Nagkataon lang na nasa Amerika ung "person" na gusto kong puntahan.. and as much as I want him to
come here, hindi nya naman maiiwan ung trabaho at buhay nya dun.
Ako: So you're going to him instead?
Tita Mel: (smiles) I know it sounds somewhat selfish, lalo na't may anak ako..

Tinakpan ni Tita Mel ung niluluto nya, then walked over to where I was sitting.. She smiled at me gently,
cautiously pa nga.. as if telling me to listen carefully..

Tita Mel: Jerwin, alam kong hindi kayo magkakilala ng anak ko.. Siguro ngayon, dahel sa mga nangyayari, naging

magkaibigan na kayo -- pero magkaibigan lang.. Jerwin, maybe someday you'll find out ung mga reasons
namin ng nanay mo kung bakit namin kayo pinagsama.. Maybe you two will eventually break up, maybe you two
will work it out.
Where is this going?

Tita Mel: Pero Jerwin, I can tell you're an amazing guy. Dadating ang araw na may makikilala ka, may
mamahalin ka na, katulad ko, handa mong i-sacrifice ang lahat para dun sa taong un. It will happen for just one

moment in your life, so when you get it, don't let it go. Maybe you won't understand my reasons for now,
pero I hope someday, you'll think back on this instant and tell yourself, "Oh, so that's what she meant when
she said to give up everything for that one person."

I stared at her.. Ehto ba eh isa sa mga pamana ng older generation? It feels... odd.. coming from someone
else's mom..
But.. I smiled.. I guess she really, really, really wants to go back to her man...

Ako: Tita, when the time comes na kailangan mo na talagang umalis, don't worry about Venice.. I'll take her in.

Tita Mel: Take her in?

Ako: Yes, tita. I'll take care of her as if she's that person I'd be willing to sacrifice everything for. So,
do what you must, tita. Venice should be the least of your problems.
::Chapter 15::
Eccentric
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"Are you ready to go?"

Hm? -__-

Pinulot ko ung naka-slump kong ulo sa mesa and squinted at Jerwin who finally appeared before me..
Haayyyy kung alam nya lang, ready na ready na kong mag-go!

It was another ordinary day.. Sundo, klase, Pepsi, V-Cut.. Then after school, sinundo ako ni Jerwin, but
instead of taking me home, dumiretso kami dito sa music studio, may tatapusin lang raw sila sandali... eh di oo
naman ako, sandali lang raw eh....
...apparently, ang "sandali" pala sa kanila, eh ung mga tipong isa o dalawang oras.. Natapos ko na ung mga
homework ko, halos nakibasado ko na ung pattern nung wall.. at limang juicebox na ang naubos ko.. Low batt na
low batt na ang energy level ko.. nandun pa rin sila.. -__-

At ngayon... After 34879845 years.. Finally, tapos na sila!!! T^T

Jerwin: Are you ok?

Ako: Are we going home? -__-
Jerwin: Yea.

Ako: Great! Then I'm okay!

Jerwin: You are being weird.. again.

Pinulot nya ung book bag ko sa sahig.. Then, biinuksan nya ung pinto and stepped out.. Syempre, ako naman si
happy-happy, sunod kagad sa kanya --

POK

Aw >.<

Ako: Why'd you stop all of a sudden?? Geez.

I rubbed my nose na nabunggo dun sa likod nyang bigla-biglang tumitigil.. Si kuya naman.. Titigil lang, eh dun pa
mismo sa doorway.. bahket hinde sya dun sa hallway mismo mag-stop?!? at least sa hallway, maiikutan ko sya
noh!

Jerwin: We should hide. O_O

Ako: Eh??

"Jerwwwiiiinnnn!!!"

Jerwin: Oh no, it's too late! O__O We should run!

Anoh bang pinagsasabi nito?? At sinoh ba ung skandalosang tumatawag sa kanya??

I tried to peek over his shoulder -- pero syempre, dahil nabiyayaan ako ng height, wala akong makita.. Kaya
tinulak ko na lang sya pa-forward para makalabas na rin ako~

As soon as Jerwin stepped into the deserted hallway, isang girlaloo ang mabilis na lumipad at lumambitin sa
leeg ni kuya.. Na-shock ako. Sinoh naman kaya toh?? O__O

I closed the door behind me, and watched as Jerwin tried to disentangle the girl's arms from his neck..

In fairness, maganda si ate... in an edgy kind of way. She doesn't look like she's that much older than
Jerwin.. Probably 24 or 25.
Her hair is cut in a stylish bob... raven black with red streaks.. Heavy eyeliner, and red -- BRIGHT red
lipstick. O_O
at ang outfit ni ate! Purple corset-styled top, tight fitting jeans.. purple high-heeled shoes...... How can she
walk in those shoes?!?!

Jerwin: N-Nicole!?! What are you doing here?!?

Nicole: I just finished a photoshoot in the other building.. and then I heard na nandito ka with your girly, so I

decided to drop by!

Oh.. so galing photoshoot si ate.. model?

So that outfit... tinakbo nya? O_O

Nicole: And besides, I really, really, REALLY want to meet my adorable cousin-in-law!

O.O
Cousin-in-law?!?

Jerwin suddenly grabbed me and put a firm protective arm around my shoulders.. O_O Monster ba tohng si
ate na kailangan ko bigla ng protection??
Nicole: Oh, Jerwin, relax. I'm not gonna bite her. I heard a lot of good things about her from Jean.
She's interesting.
Jerwin: I don't trust you. -___-
Nicole: (biglang serious) Hey. Is that the way to talk to your "ate"?

I felt Jerwin tensed up.. Kinabahan si kuya.. Kaseh naman ang aura ni ate, biglang toxic!
Lumapit sa'kin si cousin-in-law, and Jerwin finally relaxed his protective stance and let the girl approach me..
He didn't step away though... as if he's waiting or expecting something freaky...

But c'mon.. what's to fear? How can someone so pretty be scary?

Nicole: Hi! I'm Nicole, Jerwin's cousin!

Ako: I'm Venice. It's nice to meet you.

Nicole: Oh the pleasure is mine. My, my.. Jean wasn't lying when she said how pretty you are.
Ako: Thank---

O.O

All of a sudden, Nicole grabbed ang boobs ko!

And she started squeezing -- as if feeling them! OoO

Nicole: You have a pretty nice body too.

Jerwin immediately pulled me behind him, and then glared at his cousin. I don't think I've ever been happier
to be pulled so roughly away. T-T

S-S-Scary... Cousin-in-law s-scary... T^T

Jerwin: NICOLE!!!

Nicole: What?? I was just seeing if they're real.

Ako: Y-Y-You could've just asked!!! T~T
Jerwin: What were you thinking?!?

Nicole: Hmmm, just wanted to see for myself. (napatingin kay Jerwin) Oh, my, my, Jerwin.. You're
blushing. Did you want to touch 'em too?

Jerwin's face flared up to a shade of red I never thought was possible. And I think, I'm having a heart
attack...... Hindi ko kaya ang powers ni cousin-in-law!!

Jerwin: Stop being such a perv! Why are you here anyway?!? Aren't you supposed to be in Greece or
somewhere not here!??!
Nicole: Yea, well.. I got tired of my boyfriend-of-the-week, so I left him in Greece. Work is so much more

interesting compared to his stories about the stock exchange..

She turned to look at me again, and kahit na nakangiti si ate, I could feel the hair at the back of neck all
stand up..

Nicole: Yo, Venice, let's hang out tonight! I'll pick you up at 9!
Jerwin: What!?!?
Nicole: What? You wanna come too?
Jerwin: I have things to finish up tonight

Nicole: Oh well, that's too bad. (tingin uhlet sa'kin) It's gonna be a girls' night out then!
Ako: I'm not sure I can go out tonight...

She looked at her watch and then frowned.. Aalis na ba sya? Aalis na ba? T-T

Nicole: I gotta go.. I'll call you later, Jerwin, for directions to her house. and Venice, I'll see you later!

Ciao!

Oo O

She just completely ignored what I said, didn't she? Completely ignored what I said!

Nicole pivoted on her heel, and before we knew it, she already turned the corner towards the main hall. I
turned to Jerwin, shocked, panicked, at scared for my own life.....

Ako: Am I going to be raped? T^T

Jerwin: (laughed) Of course not. Nicole is as straight as ruler, I doubt she'd rape you. Really, she's a cool
person.... just kinda eccentric. No one ever knows what she'll do next.
Ako: Should I go with her?

Jerwin: Well.. You wouldn't want to get on her bad side...

T-T

Jerwin laughed at the "it's the end of the world" expression on my face.. then he took my hand, and stirred
me towards the main hall so we can leave the building..

Jerwin: I have to do some work tonight.. But if I get out early, I'll try to catch up with you guys, okay?
Ako: But Nicole scary... Nicole scary... T-T
Jerwin: Oh, I know. I know..
::Chapter 16::
Panic At The Disco
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Ako: Aren't you done with work yet? T-T

Jerwin: Well, I think I'm halfway done... Are you still nervous about going out with Nicole?
Ako: You know I'm only doing this because you told me not to get on her bad side!

I stared at my reflection as I tried to put on my earrings, habang iniipit ung cellphone between my ear and my

shoulder.. Multitasking is the best! It's almost 9:00, and I can't believe I'm actually dressed up for this!

ding dong!

Ako: Oh my god, she's here. O_O

Jerwin: Okay, just relax.. You've gone clubbing before... Just don't drink too much, do you understand?
Ako: Define "too much".
I grabbed my clutch purse and ran palabas ng kwarto.. Hinde pa man ako nakakababa ng hagdan, naririnig ko na
si mommy na kinakausap si Nicole..

She's really here.. T^T

Ako: I gotta go, Jerwin..

Jerwin: Okay. And Venice?!? Don't get in trouble.
Ako: Do I look like a troublemaker?
Jerwin: Well.. I'm actually more concerned about the person you're with.... -___-
Ako: What's that supposed to mean!?? O.O

Jerwin: Oh nothing! Have fun! Bye!

Ako: What?!? Jerwin?! Jerwin?!? Hello?!?

Binabaan ako.. Bubwit na un....

I walked over sa main hall kung san.... nag-ppicturan ang nanay ko at si Nicole... O__O

Ako: Uh... hello?

Nicole: Oh Venice! Hi! Hold on, one last shot.

At one last shot talaga.. pati ang nanay ko, nakiki-pose dun sa camerang hawak nya.. O_O

Nagpapaka-teeny bop nanaman si mother...

Ako: What's going on?

Mom: Ay nako, anak! Di mo naman sinabi na si Nicole Suarez pala ang kasama mo lumabas ngayon! (tingin

kay Nicole) I'm a big fan of your mom's work!

Nicole: Yep, my mom designs the hippest clothes around..

Model na anak... Fashion Designer na nanay..

Baka ung tatay ang mananahi.
Kamustah naman ang familya... O_O

Ako: Anyyywaaayy.. Let's go, Nicole..

Hinila ko na si Nicole palabas ng bahay, bago pa man makahirit uhlet ang nanay ko ng isa pang photoshoot..

Hindi man halata, may pagka-vain din yang si mother.. Dyan ko namana ang pagiging adik sa camera eh..

Nicole: Bye, tita!!

I followed Nicole papunta dun sa black Toyota car nya.. All the while na nag-ffasten ako ng seatbelt, ay! isang
nobena ang tumatakbo sa utak ko.

Nicole: Your mom is so much fun!

Ako: Ah ha ha.. Hey.. Are you sure we're not gonna wait for Jerwin?

Nicole: Oh it's alright.. I'll be enough to fend off unwanted guys.

Ha.. ha.. ha.. T-T

"Daaannnnn~ One more shot of Vodka please.."

T-T Oh my golay.. This is like babysitting a drunk 24-year-old girl!! I can barely dance on the dance floor with
her getting hit on by almost each and every crazy guy in the club! We've been here for about an hour and a

half.. And ever since dumating kame, sa bar kagad dumiretso si Nicole.. Kaya hello alcohol.

I have a new appreciation for Sheena, Kenny, and Anthony for all those times na sila ang nanghaltak sa'kin
paalis sa dance floor tuwing may pasimpleng nananching.. at all those times na rin na pinipigilan nila ako tuwing

nagiging best friends kame ng mga bartenders..

I followed Nicole to the bar again.. She seems pretty popular in this club.. Not that I should be surprised..
It's a high-end nightclub.. Only the most elite and the richest crowd goes here.. She's one of them.. Life of
the party..

Ako: Nicole, are you sure you should get another drink? You're drunk already..
Nicole: Oh shush. I'm not drunk.. This is how I normally am..

You mean, you're normally loud, and giggly, and flirty, and hyper?

I ordered myself a virgin piña colada -- dahel mukhang mahirap na kung pareho pa kameng malasing.. Nicole,
meanwhile, is very much in love with her little shot glass.. -__-

Nicole: You know, Venice, I'm soooooo glad Jerwin ended up with you instead of that slut Geena.
Ako: Eh? Geena?

She drinks from her glass again, and then poked the ice with the little stirrer.. Tinutunaw pa yata ung yelo
para madagdagan ung iniinom nya.

Nicole: Oh yea! I work with her often for magazine spreads or this and that.. I'm telling you, if I am not such
a professional, I would have punched her face every time I see her.

Ha.. professional ha..

Nicole: Well, it was also a problem that Jerwin was so protective of his little whore.

Ako: "His little whore"?

First friend is his little whore? anoh??

Nicole: (drinks from her glass again) Oh, what chu ma call that then, when she sleeps with him and they're

not even together? Friends with benefits? It's the same thing.. Jerwin was so obsessed with her, it's
crazy!
Ako: They -- sleep together? You mean, like..... O__O Uh... doing naughty things?

Nicole: (natawa) Oh you can say it, you know? I'm not little miss innocent.. and yes, that's what they
do.. or at least, that's what they used to do.. Maybe not anymore.. I mean, you're waaayyyy better than the
beeeyaaattccchhh.
Astounded from everything na narinig ko, napatayo akong bigla; maybe to drag Nicole out of the club and
make her tell me everything, or maybe to get rid of the nauseating feeling na nag-rrise up from my stomach..

Pero dahil sa pagka-careless ko, I accidentally knocked over my drink.. Ung katabi ko tuloy na babae, nagtitili
nung natapunan ng piña colada ung dress nya.. For some reason, ung baso pa ang una kong pinagbalingan ng

atensyon.. and then, tsaka ko lang kinuha ung towel na patakbong inabot sa'kin nung bartender..

I started to frantically wipe off the stain from her dress.. Parang bigla tuloy akong nahila pabalik sa here and
now.

Ako: I-I'm so sorry!

Girl: What were you doing?!? Ugh! How clumsy can you get?!?! And I just bought this dress too!

She grabbed the towel from my hand and sya na mismo ung nagtatanggal ung mantsa.. Though it's not getting
her anywhere either..

Ako: I'm really sorry.. I was.. I was just..

I was just anoh? Shocked? Irritated? SHOCKED?

Jerwin lied to me... and I know it's weird, considering ung foundation at history ng relationship namen... but
somehow, it kinda... hurts..

The girl suddenly faced me, and her hand stopped moving.. Lumapit sya sa mukha ko, as if trying to see me

better.. What's her problem?

Girl: You're that girl Jerwin Santos is currently dating, aren't you?

Ako: Uh, actually, it's fiancé.. We're done with the whole dating thing...
Girl: Ha.. Pathetic. Anoh naman kaya ang iniisip nun at pumatol sya syo?
Ay, may galit si ate!? Ang bitter!

Girl: But then again, a no-talent guy like him needs all the publicity he can get. I'm not surprised he's
stooped down this low para lang lokohin ang mga taong nag-ssupport sa kanya.. He just used his family's
influence kaya naabot nya whatever it is na naabot nya.. He's such a third-rate---

SLAP!

Oo O

Oh my golay, I just slapped a stranger!

And ung stranger pa na tinapunan ko na ng piña colada ung bago nyang dress!

Girl: OoO How dare you?!!

Oh well, lubus-lubusin na naten ang pang-aaway..

Ako: Don't talk about him that way! Jerwin is a talented performer and people love him because of the music
he makes! Anong karapatan mo mang-degrade sa taong di mo naman kilala, ha?!? At sinoh ka ba?!?
Girl: You don't know who I am?!?

Nicole, na kanina lang eh nanononood lang sa likod ko, suddenly stepped forward at gumitna sa'min nung girl na
namumula na sa galit.... or dahil ba sinampal ko sya? O_O Oh no.. ganun ba kalakas ung pagkakasampal ko?!?

Nicole: Hiya, Angel.. Don't blame Venice for not recognizing you, she's not really a TV person. And really,
you deserved that slap.
"Angel"? They know each other?

Angel: Your family really has a way of recruiting crazy people, huh?
Nicole: Hey, listen.. I know you just got dumped by your cheap-ass boyfriend and movie offers aren't as
great as they were back then.. I know you're really pitiable right now.. But you better watch your mouth,
because I'm not gonna let you off talking crap about my family.
Angel: Oh, should I be worried? What are you gonna do? Call the Mafia on me? Ask your grandfather to
cancel my shows? See if I care! Ganyan naman ang pamilya mo eh. They take what they want, and when they
don't need it anymore, they throw it away. Mga manggagamit!
Nicole: Okay, that does it.
Ako: Wait, Nicole, what are you--?!?

PUNCH!

<'OoO'>

She punched her!!! She punched her right on the nose!!! SHE. PUNCHED. HER!!!!

Oh my gawd her nose is bleeding!!!

Ako: W-We should go.. We should really go. O__O

Nicole: I guess so. Nasira na ang mood ko.

Kakatalikod pa lang namen nang biglang nag-scream si very very angry girl sa likod namen.. and she ran towards

Nicole and grabbed Nicole by the hair!

Next thing I knew they were going at it full force! Nagsasabunutan, nagsasampalan, nagsisipaan.. Kulang na
lang ung mud, may mud wrestling na.

This is insane!!!

Dumating na rin sa wakas ung security to break up the fight.. Saludo ako sa mga security na gumitna sa

wrestling match nung dalawa. Two of them pulled Angel and Nicole apart, and two more were trying to
disperse the crowd that gathered..

Pero full of adrenaline and alcohol ung systems nung dalawa! Hawak na nga sila nung dalawang mala-bundok na
security, talagang nagpupumiglas pa!

Nicole: Let go of me!!! That girl needs another foot up her humongous butt!
Ako: Nicole! Tama na! Let's go!

Nicole: I am not going anywhere until I beat the pulp out of her!

Oh for crying out loud!

Angel: Then come here! Let go of me, you big baboon!

Ako: Let's just go.. T-T
Nicole: No!!!

-____-

Nicole: Heehee.. You know, Venice..

Ako: Yea? -__-

Nicole: I didn't really plan for this to happen..

Ako: Oh I understand.. Who would plan to end up here, right? -__-
Nicole: Are you mad at me?
Ako: Too tired to be angry, really..

Nicole: Oh that's good. Promise, Venice, I didn't expect us to end the night in a jail cell.
Ako: And yet, here we are... T-T
Nicole: Well, you were the one who started it anyways..
Ako: Hey, you were the one who punched her.
Nicole: You slapped her first.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Nicole... and then we suddenly burst out laughing -- napatingin tuloy ung dalawa pang

manong na nakakulong kasama namen.. Na-conscious kaming bigla, nanahimik kame..

 Ako: Now that I think about it.. Kawawa naman pala si ate.. Natapunan na nga ung dress nya, nasampal na,

nasuntok pa..

Nicole: I know! How can someone be so unlucky?

Nagkatinginan uhlet kame nung pareho naming naalala kung nasan kame: Detention jail cell dito sa police
station..
We both let out a huge sigh..
Who would've thought na mag-sspend ako ng oras sa kulungan?!

Nasan na ba ung magppyansa sa'min? T_T

::Chapter 17::
No One Is There
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Police Station! Police Station!

I hastily parked my truck in front of the two-story building, with its crumbling yellow paint and faded
"District 9 Police Station" sign.. Sa dinami-dami naman ng station na pagtatapunan, dito pa sila talaga
pinatapon sa mukha ring patapon na presinto -- no offense.. I hope no one's lurking in the shadows armed with
a camera or anything like that.

I ran up the filthy stairs, taking two at a time, until I reached the inside of the station .. I walked up to the
policeman stationed at the desk and gave him a small smile..

Ako: Hi... Uh, I'm here to bail out two ladies that were picked up from a club earlier?
Policeman: Oh! Mr. Santos? Uh, sandali lang poh..

He went through some papers, discussed the offense charged to my cousin and my fiancée, and then finally,
he took the bail money.. I walked to the jail cell and saw Venice talking to one of the detention prisoners, and
Nicole listening intently.. O_O
Venice: Really?!? Nakulong ka kaseh nagskandalo ka sa harap ng bahay ng ex mo??
Prisoner 1: Oo.. Disturbing the peace daw.
Venice: But they do that in the movies all the time! Pano na lang ang romance?!?

-___-
"Romance"?

Ako: Uh, ahem.

Napatingin silang lahat sa'kin, and Nicole immediately flew over and grabbed the bars separating us..

Nicole: Cousinnn!!!
Ako: Hello, Ate.. So what happened to the promise of not getting in trouble tonight?

Nicole: Well, yea.. about that... Venice slapped her first.

Venice: Hey!
Ako: Venice? O_O

Nicole: Yup.. So technically, it was her who got us in trouble.

Venice: Oh, so now it's my fault?

Ako: *sigh* Nevermind. Just come on and get out.

Binuksan ni Mr. Policeman ung jail cell and the two girls bounced out.. It's good to see they're okay after

spending one or two hours in jail.. And nakapag-bonding pa sila nung preso.
I quickly approached Venice just to make sure she's not traumatized by everything that happened.. Nakaka-

traumatize talaga minsan ang pinsan ko..

She doesn't look shaken, but... what's up with that glance she's giving me?

Ako: Are you okay?

Venice: Yea.
Ako: Are you hurt anywhere?
Venice: No.

She's still not looking at me... Venice has always, always looked into my eyes when we talk.. It's one of the
reasons I'm so fascinated with her.. She's not intimidated by the fact that there's about a thousand people
out there who are screaming my name.. To her, I'm just Jerwin.. just the boy she suddenly found herself
engaged with..

Nicole: Yo, Jerwin! Can you drop me off at the club? I left my car there.
Ako: Are you sober enough to drive?
Nicole: Are you kidding me? After two hours in there and about two cups of coffee that Mr. Policeman gave
me? Yea, I'm sober.

Ako: Well, let's go then..

I followed the two of them out of the police station.. It's amusing how Venice won over Nicole that easily..
and under these circumstances.... Odd..
Nicole helped herself in the backseat, and I was just about to go the driver's side when I noticed Venice still
standing on the sidewalk..

Ako: What are you doing? Get in.

Venice: Uhmmm.. I think... Mag-jjeep na lang ako.. or taxi..
Ako: Are you crazy? It's past midnight. Cmon, I'll just drop off Nicole to her car, and then I'll take you
home.

I moved to take her hand, but to my surprise, she jumped and pulled away. Confused, I stared at her, not
knowing what to say or what to ask.

Venice: I.. I can go home by myself.

She went pass me and said good bye to Nicole, who was watching us from the truck's window.
After that, without even looking back, dumiretso na sya dun sa may kalye and hailed a cab.. Syempre, ako
naman, sumakay na sa kotse ko.

Nicole: Why did Venice leave by herself?

Ako: I don't know.
Nicole: Did you two have a fight?
Ako: Not that I know of.
Nicole: Well.. That's weird.
Ako: I know. Tell me about it.
If last night was weird, the next day was even weirder. Halos atakihin si Manager sa sobrang galit dahel sa
mga escapades kagabi ni Nicole -- who, by the way, eh hawak nya rin as a talent. Lalo pa syang na-high blood
when he found out na kasama ni Nicole si Venice. Instant pyesta raw sa media, sabi ni Manager. And as usual,

ako nanaman ang nasisi.. Bakit ko raw iniwan ung dalawa unaccompanied?

Mukha ba kong babysitter?

Anyway, he wanted to meet with the two as soon as possible. Preferably after class ni Venice... Kaya ehto
ako.. running at least 10 minutes late dahel sa'kin nabaling ung long version nung sermon.. It doesn't even help
na Venice has been acting weird the whole day.

I picked her up that morning and she barely talked to me. Kung may itatanong ako, ang sagot nya puro one-
syllable lang. Even now na I'm running late, tahimik lang ung cellphone ko... Usually, one minute lang akong na-
late, bobombahin nya na ng tawag ang cellphone ko -- not that I ever answer her calls unless I know I'll be
more than 15 minutes late.

I parked my truck in the usual spot, and then turned off the engine. I hope she gets out soon. Manager hates
waiting--

knock knock

I almost jumped out of my skin nung biglang may nag-tap sa bintana sa side ko. Kaka-park ko lang at may
umaatake na kagad!

Nung medyo napakalma ko na ung puso ko, I peered dun sa window knowing na, even though I can see the other
person, the other person won't be able to see me. It's a safety issue. hahaha

Isn't that Venice's friend?

I rolled down the window, and yep, there she is, Sheena, if I remember right, standing next to Anthony.........
huh..

Ako: Hi. Where's Venice?

Sheena: That's what we're here for. What are you doing here?
Anthony: Venice left school right after her last class. We thought na maaga mo sya susunduin.
Ako: She left? Already? Where did she go?

Nagtinginan silang dalawa, obviously unsure kung anong nangyayari.. So I don't think Venice mentioned the

little escapade to the jail the night before.

Sheena: Well, I doubt she'd go home so early..... and I'm pretty sure she's broke so she won't go

shopping..
Anthony: She might end up in a bar later on.. but.. right now...

Nagtinginan uhlet sila. Anoh ba?? Psychic ba silang dalawa at nag-uusap sila through looks?!?

Ako: Right now..?

Sheena: Well, we're not really sure. But she's been quiet the whole day, which is totally unusual kaseh

palengkera un eh.. Anyway, baka may nag-bbother sa isip nya.. And if that's true, she should be
in that place right now...

I know this place. It's kinda near my house.... I pass it almost every single day...
But.. why would she be here?

After giving me directions, Sheena and Anthony refused to say anything anymore.

This cemetery....

I asked the guards for directions towards the Sheen burial plot.. I walked to the west, just like they said.
Sabi nila I wouldn't miss it daw, it's right by a big oak tree.

Ok.. I see the oak tree.. and a few feet to the right, there she is.. Venice.
She has her back turned to me so I don't think she realized that I was there. And she seems to be pretty
engrossed with whatever she's doing. She's barely moving, just staring down at the piece of marble in front
of her.
 I slowly walked over to her, careful not to make any noise.

Venice: I said whatever happens, I'll just go with the flow. Even when this absurd engagement came up, I
thought it's okay, it'll be over soon. I was doing okay. I had school to keep me busy.. and I came to visit you
every day.. So, who cares if life wanted to toy with me by thrusting me in some bizarre situation with a guy I
don't even know?? But... after what I heard... What am I going to do now, G?

I froze. Somehow, I suddenly feel like I'm intruding on a private, intimate conversation..... even when there's
nobody else there.
::Chapter 18::
The Past, The Love, The Memories
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Life sucks. Guys suck. Being the other woman sucks.

It's not even like I asked for this. Talagang mahal lang ako ng tadhana kaya napadpad ang buhay ko sa
ganito.....
NOT that I should complain, dahil nagpa-"padpad" din naman ako... -__-

Dapat kumontra ako! Magkamatayan na muna bago ko sinurrender ang daliri ko! Pero hindeeeee~
Dahil feel na feel ko ang pagiging feather in the wind, wa care kung san ako madala o kung anong mangyari,
ahyan.. o ano ako ngayon? Extra sa buhay ng may buhay..

Sigh... Anoh ba naman talaga tohng pinasok ko? -__-

Mag-mamarathon pa sana uhlet ako ng isa pang speech ng reklamo nang may narinig akong nag-rustle sa likod
ko. Syempre, napalingon naman ako para lang manigurado na hinde pa tumatayo ung mga bangkay sa likod ko.

O__O

I froze when I saw the person standing behind me... Hinde, hinde sya bangkay, pero kasing surprising pa rin
kung bangkay ung nakita ko.

Ako: Jerwin? What are you doing here?

Nakatalikod si kuya.. Mukhang naghahandang tumakas.. Kaya lang, may natapakan yata syang patay na dahon o
kumontra ung mga damo sa kanya, kaya ahyan, narinig ko ung pagtakas nya.

He slowly turned to face me. He looked at the gravestone for a few seconds, and then flashed me a
discomfited smile.

Jerwin: Uh.. Well, Sheena told me you might be here.. So.. Uh..

He kept glancing at the gravestone.. Si kuya naman, mamatay na sa curiosity, ayaw pa magtanong..

Ako: You don't have to wait for me. I can go home by myself. I won't get mobbed.
Jerwin: Well, about that.. The Manager kinda wants to talk to you and Nicole.
Ako: About last night? O_O
Jerwin: Yea. He was mad when he heard what happened.. But I don't think he'd be as pissed off as he was

this morning...
Ako: (whispers) I wonder if he'll break off the engagement...

Jerwin: If he'll what?

Ako: Eh?? Nothing! Sige na, give me one more minute.

Binalik ko ung tingin ko dun sa cold and hard na gravestone -- it's soooo unlike G na warm and... soft? heehee

Well, I gotta go now, G.. I don't know when I'll be back. But I'll try to return as soon as possible, okay?

I slowly stood up -- Josko, ang likod ko. Ang hirap ng tumatanda -- and glanced one last time at the
tombstone bearing Gerard's name.

See you later, G. I love you...

Ako: Okay. Let's go.

Dinaanan ko si Jerwin na nakatingin pa rin dun sa gravestone, probably trying to read kung anong nakalagay..

Ayaw pa kaseh lumapit.. Pero he reluctantly followed me after a while, anyway.

I waved to the guards dun sa booth nila and then jumped at the passenger seat nung truck ni Jerwin. Jerwin
drove us to Tito Ray's office building.

Jerwin: Uhmm.. so pinapansin mo na ba ko ngayon?

Ako: Eh? Bahket?

Jerwin: You've been ignoring me since last night.

Eh kaseh naman.. Nakakapangilabot pag tinitignan kita tapos maririnig ko ung sinabi ni Nicole. Parang ganito--

Tumingin ako kay Jerwin and Brrrrrr.. Ang fanget ng visual image.. si Jerwin.... shirtless.... sweaty......
breathless.... dark room..... at...

AIIIII JOSKOOOO!!!!!

Napatingin sa'kin si Jerwin sandali nung hinde ako sumagot.. Hinahabol ko muna kaseh ung puso ko.. Masama
ang mga ganitong na-iimagine!

Jerwin: See? You're ignoring me again.

Ako: I'm not ignoring you. Can we just talk about something else?

Something-- Anything! Matanggal lang ang nakakapangilabot na shirtless, sweaty, breathless na picture ni
Jerwin sa utak ko!

Jerwin: Okay... So.. Sinong binibisita mo dun sa cementeryo?

At talagang un pa ung topic na napili nya..

Ako: Someone special.

Jerwin: How special?
Ako: Like, boyfriend-kind-of-special. He was -- is -- very special to me.

Jerwin turned to me in surprise. Then as quickly as he turned, bumalik rin kagad ung atensyon nya sa road.

Jerwin: Oh. Sorry.

Ako: Sorry?
Jerwin: I didn't mean to pry.

Ako: Oh no. It's okay. I like talking about G.

Jerwin: G?
Ako: Gerard. I call him G.

I silently laughed nung naalala kong bigla ung weirdness ever nung utak ni Gerard kaya I ended up calling him
G, and he started calling me V..

V.... No one has called me that in a while..

Jerwin: How long has it been since he.. uh.. well, passed away?
Ako: Two years and one month..
Jerwin: Oh. And you still visit him?
Ako: I try to come at least every single day.
Jerwin: Tagal nyo siguro nagsama for you to be hang up on him like that...
Ako: Nah. We didn't even get to celebrate an anniversary.

Jerwin glanced at me again with that surprised look on his face. Anoh naman ngayon kung hinde kami
nagkasama ng ganon katagal? It doesn't mean I loved him any less.
Ka-surprise-surprise ba na binisita ko si G hanggang ngayon?!

Jerwin: So, what did you like best about him?

Ako: Best? Hmmmmm... Anoh nga ba? Ang dami eh! He was an amazing guy. He made me laugh. He tried
to take care of me. He.. He loved me very much...
Jerwin: How did you know it was love?
Ako: Anoh bah.. Love is love. You can't explain things like that. You just feel it right here. (turo sa left
side ng dibdib ko) If it's love, the heart will know it.

Tahimik lang si Jerwin. His eyes fixed on the road. Masyadong maka-concentrate sa pagmamaneho..

Ako: Haven't you felt something like that before? Like... oh I don't know.. with Geena?

I saw him clench his jaw. I think I hit a sore spot.

Jerwin: Geena?
Ako: Yea.
Jerwin: There is nothing between Geena and me.

Ako: Are you sure?

Jerwin: Yea.. Geena and I are just friends. That's all she ever wanted for us to be..

Ako: How about you? Friends lang ba talaga ang gusto mo?
Jerwin: It doesn't matter what I want.

Ai.. ang sad. O_O

Nasa one-sided love si Kuya...
::Chapter 19::
Sprung
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥
Ako: You know... Now that I think about it... Siguro, uuwi na lang ako. O__O

Jerwin: Uh, nah.

Jerwin parked the truck sa usual parking spot nya.. I stared at the building in front of us.. Parang bigla syang
naging haunted building -- dapat katakutan, dapat iwasan. T-T

Jerwin turned off the engine and then hopped off the truck. I still didn't move.
Nung umikot sya papunta sa side ko, I locked the doors from the inside.

Hinde ako baba dito. H.I.N.D.E.

Jerwin: Venice?! Let's go!

He started knocking on the window, careful na hinde masyadong rough sa uber-loved nyang truck.. Pero
sinisigawan naman ako.. wahahaha kala nya ba tatalab sa'kin yang sigaw-sigaw na yan?!?

Ako: NOO!! Ayoko!

I saw him take out his keys. Pumosisyon naman kagad ako, na as soon as he pressed the unlock button, binaba

ko uhlet ung lock.

Jerwin: Will you stop doing that?!?

Ako: Will you stop forcing me to go?!?

He pressed the unlock button again, and this time, I wasn't fast enough, kaya nabuksan nya ung pinto. I

almost landed on my face nung biglang nawala ung bintana sa harap ko. Good thing Jerwin caught me.

Ako: I don't wanna go. T-T I slapped somebody.

Jerwin: At least you didn't punch her. And you don't have any scratches or bruises...
Ako: Nicole was bruised?!? O_O
Jerwin: Her arms and legs. Now, can we go?
He grabbed my arm and tried to pull me out of the truck.

Jerwin: Do you mind letting go?!?

Mas lalo akong kumapit dun sa side nung truck. Jerwin tried to pry off my fingers.. Itsura na lang namen..

"Uh.. You two look.. happy."

Napatingin ako sa likod ni Jerwin, and si Jerwin naman, taking advantage of the distraction, hinaltak ako and
offff I went out of the truck. He immediately slammed the door and locked it.

Ang sanctuary ko.. T-T

I turned to glare at the newcomer na nang-distract sa'kin -- only to find Nicole standing there -- being her
usual fashionable self. -__-

Nicole: Venice! You were called too?

Ako: Yea. Ikaw din?
Nicole: Yea. T-T

She suddenly grabbed my hands and looked into my eyes.

Nicole: We'll get scolded together. Stick with me, and I'll stick with you. T-T
Ako: We shall be punished together. T-T
Jerwin: Kung ayaw nyong madagdagan ang sermon snyo, maybe we should start going now.
Ako: Should we start praying, Nicole?
Nicole: If we manage to get out of this unscathed, I assure you, I'll offer novenas to.... some saints.

Jerwin: Oh for crying out loud.

Sinundan na namin ni Nicole si Jerwin papasok nung building.

Somehow, medyo na-ccomfort akong nandito si Nicole. At least, mahahati ang sermon ni Tito Ray.

We stopped in front of Mr. Santos' office as the secretary announced we're here.
Ako: Alam mo.. It's not too late to run
Nicole: He'll hunt us down. Trust me. I've tried.

Pinapasok kami nung secretary, and nagtago kagad kami ni Nicole sa likod ni Jerwin -- just in case biglang may

flying na kung ano na aimed at either one of us.

Mr. Santos was sitting in his big, comfy chair when we walked in. When he saw us, he immediately pointed to
the two chairs in front of his desk. Nicole and I dragged ourselves paupo, while Jerwin sat on the couch at
the other side of the room.

Mr. Santos: What took you so long?

Jerwin: Traffic.
Nicole: A LOT of traffic.
Mr. Santos: Very well. Nicole.

Ehto na. Magsisimula na ang sermon. T-T

Nicole: Yes, tito? -__-

Mr. Santos: You know why you're here. I know my sister is very lenient in raising you, but to abuse that
freedom and end up in jail?!? Did it occur to you how embarrassing this is for the entire family?!?
Nicole: It will never happen again.
Mr. Santos: At naisip mo man lang ba kung anong impact nito sa career mo if ever the press decided to run
the story?!? It's a good thing I was able to pull a few strings and prevented them from publishing anything!
How irresponsible can you get?!?

Wow that's harsh.. O_O

Mr. Santos: At dinamay mo pa si Venice--!

Venice: Hold on, tito! Don't be so harsh on Nicole. I started the whole thing. I slapped Angel first!
Nicole: Venice!
Venice: The fight wouldn't have happened if I didn't make Angel angry in the first place. So please, don't
be so harsh on Nicole. Yell at me.
Nicole: Wait, tito. Venice was just defending Jerwin.

Jerwin: What? Me?

Nicole: Angel was being a stupid b-- I mean, Angel was drunk and saying mean things. Venice just acted like
any other fiancée would have.

Mr. Santos stared at us. His face looks thoughtful, which I think suits him better than the angry expression

he had earlier.
I don't know what else to say. Ayoko naman mapahamak si Nicole, pero takot rin naman akong mapahamak. T-
T

Ako: Are you.. breaking off the engagement because of what happened?
Jerwin: What?!

Napatayo bigla si Jerwin dun sa inuupuan nya and napatakbo palapit sa'min. Nicole looked at Tito Ray
anxiously.

Mr. Santos: And why would you think that?

Venice: Kaseh poh.. Your family is highly respected. Kung ako nga poh na hinde naman talaga kasama sa

pamilya nyo eh nag-ccause na ng ganitong kahihiyan..... Then.. maybe..

Jerwin put his hand gently on my shoulder. I stopped talking and looked at him. He's staring at his father-
slash-manager.

Jerwin: Nothing happened. Can't we just let this one go?

Nicole: Venice didn't do anything wrong, tito. Please don't break off the engagement.

Napatingin sa'ming tatlo si Tito Ray.. and then he sighed.

Mr. Santos: Nicole.. It's not like Venice is engaged to you.

He smiled. Ai, he smiled!

The tensed atmosphere lifted.

Mr. Santos: I'm not breaking off the engagement between you and my son, Venice. And I think you and
Nicole have both realized your mistakes.

Nicole: Does that mean we're off the hook?

Mr. Santos: Make sure it doesn't happen again.

Nicole: Yes, sir!

Nalunod ako sa yakap ni Nicole. I was so shaken by everything na hinayaan ko na lang si Nicole na i-suffocate

ako.
Tito Ray looked at Jerwin and gave him a smile.

Mr. Santos: I didn't expect you to stand up for her.

Jerwin: (shrugs) Yea, well.. Where else would my amusement come from?
Mr. Santos: Oh by the way, Venice.

I untangled myself from Nicole's grasp and turned to face Tito Ray again.

Mr. Santos: Can you tell your mom that I found cheap tickets for her?

Ako: Tickets?
Mr. Santos: Yes. The tickets for her flight to the US. She wanted to leave as soon as possible, so it was
somewhat difficult to find inexpensive tickets. She asked me for help.
Ako: I... Uh... O_O

She's leaving?

"You didn't know."

I sank in the passenger seat of Jerwin's truck. After the final exchanges, pinauwi na kami ni Tito Ray.
Lutang na lutang ako na hinde ko na maalala kung anoh pa nangyari after sinabi ni Tito na may tickets na raw
ang nanay ko papunta sa US..

Hinayaan ko na lang si Jerwin na i-lead ako pabalik dun sa truck nya.

Ako: That wasn't a question.
Jerwin: Your face said it all. Your mom didn't tell you she's going back?
Ako: I guess... She never had the chance.. Madalas naman na wala ako sa bahay.

Jerwin pulled out of the parking lot as I fastened my seatbelt. I can't believe my mom didn't tell me.

Jerwin: Hmm.. But you used to live by yourself, right?

Ako: Yea.
Jerwin: So anong pinoproblema mo? If you've done it before, you can do it again.
Ako: But I don't wanna live by myself again.
Jerwin: Ayaw na ayaw?
Ako: Sobrang ayaw na ayaw.

Jerwin: Then you won't mind living with me?

Ako: Shut up.
Jerwin: What? I thought sobrang ayaw na ayaw mong mag-live dun sa bahay by yourself?
Ako: Yea-ha! But I'm not squeezing myself in your parents' house noh!
Jerwin: That's why I said live with me
Ako: Anoh? What are you talking about? Hay nako! Manahimik ka nga muna dyan. I need to think.

Jerwin: Okayyy...

My mom is going back to the States. She probably expects me to live in the house again.. alone.. all
aloooneee..
I don't really want to be alone again in that big, empty house..

But.. who am I to hinder my mom's wishes?

Arrrgggghh!!!

::Chapter 20::
Invitation To The Blues
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"MMMOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!"
 I slammed the door behind me, binagsak ung book bag ko sa sahig, at tumakbo papunta sa kusina.. sa living
room.. sa dining room.. and finally, I ran up the stairs papunta sa kwarto ng mother ko.

And there she is, nasa harap ng computer, nag-cchat....

Ako: MOM!!!

Mom: Ai, Venice! Anoh ba!? Indoor voice!

I slowly walked over to her and sinilip kung sinoh naman kaya ang ka-chat ng nanay ko.. annnddd I should have

known.. Sinoh pa nga ba?

Ako: Oh.. Si Tito Remy?

I waved dun sa webcam, and Tito Remy waved back.

Mom: Hello raw. Kamustah raw ang engagement?

Ako: Very well, thank you. -__-

Sira ung mic, kaya hanggang type lang dun sa YM window sina mommy. I know, ang old-fashioned, pero bahket

ba? Eh masaya na sila dun eh.

Umupo ako dun sa kama and watched as my mom eagerly talks to her boyfriend (buti pa nanay ko, may
boyprend. nyahaha)
She looks so happy just talking to him.....

Ako: Hey, mom.

Mom: Oh?
Ako: Tito Ray booked you a flight two weeks from now.

Napatigil sa pag-ttype si mommy. Either guilt-trip sya dahil di nya sinabi sa'kin na lilipad na pala sya.. or
natulala sya sa tuwa.
 Ako: He got you a ticket. Tawagan mo na lang raw sya.

I stood up and kunwari pinagpag ung uniform ko. Then I started to walk papunta sa pinto. Drama-drama

yan. I know my mom would call me back.

Mom: Venice.

Oh di vah?!

Mom: Gumaganda ka yata.

Anak ng tipaklong! Anong kinalaman nun sa usapan namen?!?!

Although, totoo naman. wahahaha

Ako: I know na noh.

Mom: Ai, oo nga pala.
Ako: Hm?
Mom: You know you can always come with me to the States.
Ako: *sigh* Mom.. Graduating na ko. I can't just leave. Maybe someday.
Mom: Well... I can wait....
Ako: Mother dear, anoh vah.. Halos dalawang taon ka nang naghihintay. Sige ka, baka mapagod na yang si

Tito Remy kakahintay syo, biglang mag-evaporate yan.

Mom: Hoy, anong tingin mo sa'min?! Teenagers?! Yakang-yaka namen ang LDR noh.

LDR? -___- Na-oover na yata ang pagtambay nina Sheena dito sa bahay.. Pati nanay ko, naiimpluwensyahan na.

Ako: I'll be alright. I don't mind living here by myself. I've done it before, I can do it again.

Liar.
 Mom: Well, I'm sure you'll be very well taken care of.

Ako: Yea yea.. Pero alam mo, parents don't normally just leave their kids, noh!
Mom: Anong "kid"?! Iha, baka nakakalimutan mo, 21 ka na! Abah, ung iba ngang kaedad mo na anak nung mga
kapitbahay eh either may anak na o may asawa na!
Ako: Care ko naman?!? Eh di good for them! And besides--

Tinaas ko ung left hand kong kumikinang-kinang.

Ako: I'm engaged.

Mom: Sapilitan pa.

Ako: At least engaged noh.

Kahit for a certain period of time lang.

Ako: Mag-usap na nga uhlet kayo nyang si Tito Remy. Magbibihis na ko.

I walked out of the room and diretso sa kwarto kong makalat. Puno ng drafts ng thesis kachuvahan.. I can't
wait to graduate.

Bzzzzzttttt Bzzzzzttttt

Inisda ko ung cellphone ko dun sa bulsa nung uniform ko.

Jerwin's calling. Bakit kaya?

I fell on my bed at the same time na sinagot ko ung cellphone.

Ako: Haller, Sunshine?

Jerwin: Sunshine?

Ako: Di ba, you are my sunshine. My only sunshine. So, bakit ka napatawag, sunshine?
Jerwin: I just wanted to check up on you.. kung ok ka lang after your talk with your mom.
Ako: Let's see.. My mom is leaving in two weeks. I'll be living by myself again. I have two papers due on

Monday. Oh I'm okay.

Jerwin: I guess, I don't need to cheer you up then.

 Ako: At pano mo naman binabalak na i-cheer up ako?
Jerwin: Welllll... I have a photo shoot in Batangas this weekend. I'll be going to the beach.

Ako: That's good.

Mang-inggit ba?!? Anong ka-cheer-up-cheer up dun?!?

Jerwin: If you're not doing anything... Just bring your schoolwork, come with me.

O_O
Napaupo akong bigla. Tama ba ung narinig ko?

Ako: Whe?! Di nga?! Sasama mo ko?!

Jerwin: Ayaw mo? It's okay if you don't want to.. I just thought you might need a little cheering up--
Ako: WHAAA!! Sasama ako! I need cheering up! Sasama ako!

Natawa si Jerwin dun sa kabilang line. Napa-desperate sabit yata ung sound ko.

Jerwin: Okay then. I'll pick you up tomorrow at noon. We'll be there for three days kaya make sure you
pack enough clothes.

Ako: Ang saya saya! Sasama mo talaga ako sa beach? Three days tayo dun?

Jerwin: Yep. Maybe I'll even get a free day during the weekend. I'll take you out on a date.
Ako: Neknek mo. Anong date ka dyan?!?
Jerwin: But, honey, hindi ba normal lang na I take my fiancée out on a date?

Ako: Awwww Sunshine..... Kilabutan ka nga. Ulul.

I hang up on Jerwin's laughter. Adik un, saya-saya ko at pupunta ako sa beach, tapos hihiritan pa ko ng date
kachuchuhan nya.

ahihihihihihi

I jumped off the bed and kinadladkad ung malaking maleta ko out of my closet. I better start packing now.
 Oh what to bring~ what to wear~ what to bring~

Tayo na sa beach

Tayo nang magswimming~

::Chapter 21::
La Villa
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

This is one of those rare days in my life:

maaga akong gumising at nasa good mood pa ko paggising ko.

My bags are packed, my hair is dry, and it's almost time to go to the beaaccchhh. Pa-bounce-bounce pa ko
as I drag my luggage pababa nung hagdan.

"GOOD MORNING, VENICE!!!!!"

O___O

My "bouncing" suddenly came to a halt.

Duuuunnn sa may living room, feeling at home, kumakain ng pandesal, at alive na alive, ay ang best prend ko at
si Anton.
Nung napansin nila ako, sila pa tong may ganang magpatalbog-talbog papunta sa'kin.. O_O

Ako: Anong ginagawa nyo dito?!? and what are those?!?

Minata ko ung mga duffel bags na naka-parada dun sa sahig sa may pinto.

Naglayas sila. Please let it be na naglayas sila. T_T

Sheena: Aww c'mon! Syempre, eh di ung mga damit namen para sa Batangas escapade naten!
Ako: N-Naten?!?!
Anthony: Oo. Sabi nga ng nanay mo, pumunta kami dito as early as possible, binigyan nya pa kame pandesal

with coco jam oh..

Napalipad ung tingin ko sa nanay ko na tamang-tama naman lumabas ng kusina, may bitbit na isang pinggan ng
pandesal. Nung napansin nyang nandun na ko AT nakatitig ako sa kanya, avah ang loka, biglang ngumit at nag-
retreat pabalik ng kusina!

"KNOCK KNOCK??"

Oh crap. This just keeps on getting better and better. -__-

I walked over to the door para pagbuksan ang kumakatok na Jerwin. He smiled when he saw me, but then
biglang naging "whoaaaa what's going on?" ung mukha nya nung sumulpot sina Sheena at si Anton sa likod ko.

Sheena: Jerwin~

Anthony: We're going to the beach!

Jerwin: Uh.. ha.. ha..

Sigh..

Pinapasok ko si Jerwin as Sheena and Anthony continued to gush about going to the beach -- mga sabik sa

buhangin. Nginitian ko na lang si kuya as we follow the two papunta dun sa living room..

Jerwin: Uhmm.. Can I ask what's going on?

Ako: Apparently, my mom decided to invite some people. Sorry. T_T

Jerwin: Well.. I guess it's okay...

Ako: I can tell them na hinde sila pwedeng sumama..?

Jerwin: (natawa) But.. they look so happy. I think I'm gonna feel a tad of guilt kung di ko pa sila isama.

Anthony suddenly jumped in front of Jerwin and gave him a HUGGGGEEE hug. O_O Natulala tuloy ako kaseh
hinde naman sila close.
Anthony: I love the beach! and I love you, man!

After that, binitawan nya si Jerwin and sumunod kay Sheena papunta sa kitchen para manghingi pa uhlet ng
pandesal.

Jerwin: Uh.. Anthony.. is he.. uh.. you know.. Kenny.. @_@

Ako: Eh?!? Wahahahahaha No. Anton is as straight as a ruler.

Jerwin: Oh. Good. Well, we should get going.

Ako: Okie. Lemme just call Anton para tulungan kang magbitbit ng mga bag papunta sa truck mo.

Jerwin: Tulungan?

I absentmindedly glanced at my heavy-looking luggage, kaya napasunod naman ung tingin ni Jerwin.

Jerwin: I did mention we're only gonna be staying for three days, right? O_O
Ako: Yea.
Jerwin: Bakit parang pang-isang linggo na yang inimpake mo? O_O
Ako: Buhatin mo na lang, ok? -__-

--- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Venice: Are we there yet?

Sheena: I'm sleepy.
Anthony: Sleepy?!? Kanina ka pa nga tulog. Nanigas na ung balikat ko, ginawa mong unan!
Sheena: Anong klaseng unan ka naman ba?!? Nagising din ako ng paulit-ulit, ang galaw-galaw mo kaseh!
Venice: Are we there yet?

I can't believe I'm spending the entire weekend with these three. -__- We've been on the road for at least
an hour, and, somehow, hinde man lang nag-deplete ung energy nung tatlo. Madaldal pa rin sila.
Ako: We're almost there.
Venice: Kanina mo pa sinasabi yan eh.
Ako: This time I mean it.

I turned in one corner, and the cemented road has become a narrow, dusty path. Pero di na nakapagreklamo

ung tatlo, coz soon enough, we were able to actually see the ocean! The Three Stooges were happy.

I drove a few more minutes and finally, we reached the villa that the management rented for me, the
manager &amp; his family, and the other crew members. There were two vans in the parking lot already. The
shoot doesn't start til tomorrow, but I guess everyone wants to soak up some sun before getting to work.

I parked my truck in between two of the familiar vans. Tapos, dinaig pa nung tatlo si Flash sa sobrang bilis

nung pagbaba nila.

Venice: Dun ba tayo titira?? Dun ba?!?

She's pointing at the three-story white-washed building. It's a pretty nice-looking villa.. it's surrounded by
coconut trees.. the front is facing the beach.. it has a Balcony.. Terrace.. Dalawang bahay kubo sa likod..
Jacuzzi..

Ako: Yep. We'll be staying there.

Binuksan ko ung harang nung likod nung truck ko.. Anthony and Sheena followed me para tumulong ibaba ung
mga bags at ung maleta ni Venice. I handed Anthony his bag, and then slid the other one to Sheena.

Anthony: Here, Shee, I'll take that for you.

Sheena: Talaga? Bahhh ang gentleman naman~

Anthony: Oo naman. Baka mapagod ka pa pagbuhat nyan.

Ha....

I watch silently as Anthony and Sheena starts walking papunta dun sa villa.. Dala na nga ni Anton lahat ng
bags, inaalalayan nya pa si Sheena..

Venice: Huy! Anoh pang tinitingin-tingin mo dyan?! Let's go!

Ako: (still looking at the two) That was pretty obvious.

Venice: Eh?

Napatingin ako kay Venice. Di man lang nila napansin... Babae talaga..
I took my own duffel bag, and then slid Venice's luggage bag out of the truck. Venice bounces with
excitement beside me as she starts listing kung anong pwedeng gawin at kung san pwedeng pumunta.. Ganyan
sya ka-free gumalaw kaseh ako ang may dala nitong mala-10 ton nyang gamit.

We stopped in front of the villa where Anthony and Sheena were already joined by Mr. Gordon, ung
production manager.

Mr. Gordon: Jerwin! I'm so glad you finally made it!

Ako: Yea. It's nice to finally be here. Tagal ko na rin poh hinde nakapunta dito.

Venice carefully stepped beside me and then coiled her arms around my right arm. Nag-practice yata kagabi

maging believable fiancée..

Ako: I hope you don't mind. I brought my fiancée and a couple of her friends with me.
Mr. Gordon: Oh no no, I don't mind.

He smiled at Venice and extended his hand. Venice smiled back and took his hand and shoot it.

Mr. Gordon: Abah, mas maganda ka pala sa personal, Ms. Venice.

Venice: Ay! Thank you poh, sir!

Di man lang nagpaka-demure..

Mr. Gordon: (tingin uhlet sa'kin) I don't mind the extra company, pero we might have some problems with
the rooms.. Sakto lang kaseh ang kwarto dito sa villa para sa'kin at sa pamilya ko.. dun sa mga crew members..
at para syo, Jerwin.
Venice: Eh? O_O
Mr. Gordon: We can give you the other side of the villa, two rooms un.. The crewmembers can somehow
squish themselves in the middle part of the villa, mas malaki naman kaseh un.. (napatingin sya kay Sheena at
Anthony) Dun sa side nyo, ung isang kwarto, may dalawang single bed, at ung isang kwarto naman, may queen-
size na kama.

Sheena: Ay! Anton and I can take the room with the single bed chuchu! Di ba, Veniiiceee?

If looks could kill, Sheena would probably be dead by now.

Jerwin: Well, I guess that's that. Venice and I don't really mind sharing one bed, di ba?

Venice: Eh?!?!? I mean, uh, sure, sweetie.

Yep, if looks could kill, nag-ddecompose na ko.

Mr. Gordon: Okay then. I'll let the other people know. (tingin kay Venice) I'll see you again later. Mag-
BBQ kame para sa lunch, come and join us.

After that, bumalik na si Mr. Gordon dun sa side nila nung villa..
Anthony and I turned para pulutin na ung mga bags at nang makalarga na rin kame sa kwarto namen.

Venice: Why do I have to share a room with you?!?

Jerwin: Because I'm your fiancé.
Venice: Bahket hinde na lang ganito? Uh.. Sheena and I will take the room na may queen size bed, tapos, kayo

ni Anton dun sa kabila.

Pinauna ko nang pinapasok sa loob si Sheena tsaka si Anton, then I paused sa may pinto para kausapin si
Venice.

Venice: What?
Ako: Are you really gonna rob Anthony of his dream?
Venice: Dream? Na anoh? Matulog sa twin-size bed?!?

Ako: Of getting to sleep with Sheena in the same room.

Venice looked at me confused. Umakyat ako nung hagdan, half-pulling, half-carrying Venice's luggage. Venice
just followed me, her lips pursed together -- probably trying to figure out what I just meant.

Pumasok kami dun sa magiging kwarto namen. It's not too bad. Yea, may queen-sized bed.. It's kinda
cramped, but at least, it's clean. May aircon naman, so I don't think we'll die from heat.

Venice: Sunshine.

Napatingin ako kay Venice na nakaupo dun sa kama.

Venice: I don't get it. Anthony's a perv?

Ha! I knew she was still pondering about that.

Ako: Oh, c'mon.. Don't tell me you haven't noticed it yet?

Venice: Na?

Ignorante ba o insenstive?

Ako: Na Anthony likes Sheena!

::Chapter 22::
Hawak Kamay
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥
Hmmmmmmmmmmm...

-___-

HMMMMMMMMMMMMM...

Jerwin: Keep staring at him like that and I'll start getting jealous.

O___O

Napabalikwas akong bigla. Napalipat ung titig ko na kanina lang eh naka-focus kina Anton at Sheena dun sa
kabilang side nung table, papunta kay Jerwin na may kung anong pang-asar na ngiti sa mukha nya. Kung di lang
masyadong brutal, pinakilala ko na ung plato sa mukha nya.

Ako: At feeling mo naman may care ako kung magselos ka?

Jerwin: Feeling mo naman magseselos talaga ako?

Ako: Ahsus, nahiya ka pang aminin.

Ilang oras na kaming nasa villa.. Nagluto si Anton at si Jerwin ng lunch, habang tinatambak namen ni Sheena
ung mga gamit dun sa mga closet sa mga kwarto namen.

Ngayon, dahil sa sinabi ni Jerwin tungkol kay Anton, hindi tuloy ako matahimik tuwing nakikita kong magkadikit

si Anthony at si Sheena. Bakit nga ba hinde ko napansin dati un? Obvious na obvious nga naman na iba ang
aura ni mokong pag inaasar sya ni Sheena..

Nang napansin kong nawiwindang na ang brain ko, tumayo na ko para hugasan ung pinggan ko.. Sumunod naman si
Jerwin sa'kin..

Jerwin: Bothered ka?

Ako: Yea. Should I tell Sheena na type sya ni Anton?

Jerwin: Eh? Why would you do that?

Ako: What should I do then?
Jerwin: Hayaan mo lang sila. Let Anthony handle his own affairs.
Ako: Haayy.. I wish nandito si Kenny. I'm sure, if ever, wala pang 5 minutes, alam na ng buong bayan ang
issue. (tingin kay Jerwin) Akin na nga yang plato mo at natutuwa akong maghugas ng pinggan pag stressed ako.
Jerwin: Wow... So pag nasa iisang bahay na tayo, dapat pala lagi kang stressed para lagi ka naghuhugas ng

pinggan.
Ako: Oh shut up.

Kinuha ko ung plato nya as he laughed. Tinungga nya lang ung natitirang tubig dun sa baso nya then nilagay nya
na rin un sa sink.

Jerwin: I'm just gonna go take a shower and then I'll go out, okay?

Ako: Eh? San ka pupunta?

Jerwin: Hmm.. We passed by a small town earlier, not so far from here. It was right at the foot of a
mountain. I might go hiking.

Ako: Hiking? Sama ako.

Jerwin: You?

Ako: Yea-ha! Ayoko naman maiwan dito.. Baka maistorbo ko pa ung pantasya ni Anton.
Jerwin: Do what you want. But hindi kita hahabulin pag may nanghabol na tutubi syo ok??

--- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

The sun is just about to set. I'm walking through a dense forest. It's the perfect time for insects to be out

and crawling. It's wonderful.

I knelt in front of a tree's huge trunk, and focused my camera on a beetle peacefully chilling on the wood.
It's been a while since I was last able to venture into a wild setting with overgrown tree branches almost
covering the sky, grass growing everywhere, unknown animal sounds piercing the silence, all kinds of odd-
looking bugs fluttering their wings in the air...

"Why are you taking a picture of a cockroach?"

Oh. Yea. And Venice.

Ako: It's not a cockroach. It's a beetle.

Venice: Yea, yea.. Cockroach, beetle... Same creepy family.

I took the picture and then stood up to glance at Venice. She's sitting on a fallen tree trunk. She looks very
comfortable in her gray cotton sweat pants, red shirt, and dirty white sneakers. Ilang oras na rin kaming

naglalakad kaya ung ponytail nyang buhok eh medyo magulo na. Ilang beses na sigurong nasabit. Oh well,

at least she's not freaking out every single time na may lumilipad na kung ano na malapit sa kanya.

She suddenly points at something beside her.

Venice: Ai look! Ang colorful nung insect! Picturan mo! Baka rare species!
Ako: Venice. It's a butterfly.
Venice: What? Hinde ba pwede maging rare ang butterfly?!?

Ako: Haaayy.. Why are you here again?

Venice: Coz I was bored, and you wanted to go to this mountain instead of the beach. AND --

She held out the map I gave to her before we left.

Venice: I am the way, the truth, and your lifeline. Without me, you shall lose your way.
Ako: Well, way, truth, and lifeline, get your butt off that tree and let's go back to town. It's almost dark.

Venice: Yes, sir!

She jumped off and pinagpag ung sweatpants nya, and then studied the map. I swung my camera around my
neck and waited for her to figure out where we're going.
After a while, she pointed east.

Venice: Okay! This way!

Ako: Are you sure? Didn't we come from the other way?
Venice: But the map said na may shortcut daw dito.
Ako: Okay. You have the map..

Sumugod na kami dun sa direction na sabi nya eh shortcut daw. I grabbed her hand to make sure she won't
fall down or trip over something again. Going up the mountain with Venice made me realize that some people
who are ridiculously clumsy do exist. Aba, ang laki-laki na nga nung bato or a bulging tree root, pwedeng-

pwedeng iwasan, talagang ipag-aacrobatic pa ni Venice ang pagkadapa..

That's why this time, I made sure I hold her hand.

5... 10.. 15 minutes later..

Venice and I walked through an unfamiliar path. She held the map in one hand, and held my hand in the
other. I didn't really mind holding her hand, but...

Ako: Are you sure we're going the right way?

Venice: Of course! Shortcut nga raw!

Ako: You keep on saying that but....

I feel like we're getting further away from where we parked.

30.. 35 minutes..

I helped Venice over a big moss rock boulder.. She gently pulled me toward the "right way".. I frantically
dragged her away to escape a couple of snakes.. We saw a few weird birds' nests.. thought we're gonna run
into lions or tigers..

We'd pause for a while.. Venice would look at the map, then she'd grab my hand again.. or Venice would stop
and start moving forward, lost in her own thoughts, and I would gently take her hand in mine..

40.. 45.. 50 minutes..

Even though I was fascinated by all the wild creatures we had encountered, I am getting exhausted and
thirsty, and the sky is almost completely dark by now.
Venice suddenly slowed in her tracks.. I can hear cars.. people.. civilization.. I fished in my pockets for my
keys so we can jump into my truck as soon as we're out of the wildlife environment..

Venice: Now I'm sure.

Ako: That we're here?

We exited from the trees, and we both froze.

O___O

Venice: Now, I'm sure that we really are lost.

We ended up in a town, alright.. A smaller town.. A different town.

::Chapter 23::
Strangers Like Me
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Venice: Ha... That's so weird..

Tumingin sya dun sa hawak nyang map.. I just stared at the place we ended up in....
It's a somewhat small town, the epitome of rural living. There are no tall buildings.. There are no cemented
roads.. The "roads" are almost enveloped by the darkness.. The houses are small and made of mostly wood..
There's a stray GOAT over there.. I don't understand how the artificial sources of light in the houses are
sufficient enough for a whole family to see in the dark.. Well, at least may kuryente sila.. I guess growing up
in a brightly-lit city.. I'm just not used to this kind of sight... It's so.. so.. provincial.....

Venice: I wonder where we are...

Ako: This is like Venice in Wonderland.. We entered some sort of hole in the ground, and we ended up in
another world.... O__O

Venice: Eh??
Ako: Honestly, I've never read the story. But I'm thinking it'd be something like this....
Venice: That's nice.. But.. right now... Ihavesomethingreallyimportanttotellyou.

Anoh raw?

Her face is just a few inches away from mine.. Her eyes shine with intensity. Seryosong-seryoso ung mukha

nya.

Ako: Uh.. Are you going to apologize for getting us lost?

Venice: Why would I do that? This is much more important. Listen very carefully dahil matagal ko nang
kinikimkim toh..

I nodded. I wonder what's going on.. My paparazzi ba? It doesn't look like may susulpot na paparazzi dito..
Terorista? May nakita ba syang may baril?!? O_O
Oh crap, maybe we should make a run for it.

Venice: Jerwin...
Ako: Y-yea?
Venice: Naiihi na ko.

...

......

......

-___-

Ako: Can't you hold it in?

Venice: What do you think have I been doing the past few hours?!?!

O___O
Oh. Crap.

Ako: Well.. Uh.. O__O

Napatingin kagad ako sa paligid. May portable comfort room ba dito!?? Restaurant?!? Hotel?!? Gasolinahan?!?

Ako: Uh.. Dun! Sa likod nung puno na un! Dun na lang!

Venice started doing the wee-wee dance.. and I admit, kahit na medyo napapanic ako, I find it amusing na

nagtatalon sya, alternating between her two feet..

Venice: Adik ka ba?!? I'm not peeing behind a tree!

Ako: Ngayon ka pa umarte!

I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards dun sa pinakamalapit na bahay.. I know this is gonna sound really
rude, not to mention embarrassing, pero anoh pa bang magagawa namen?!?

I knocked on the door a couple of times, and a young kid -- about 6 or 7 -- opened it. He looked at me -- well,
actually, it was more of a stare than a look... Then his face went like this → OoO

"Jose! Sino ba iyang nasa pinto?"

An elder man appeared behind the boy. Upon seeing me and Venice, he immediately ran over to the door and
hid the little boy behind him. I know.. strangers who appear out of nowhere, looking like they just came
tumbling out of the woods (which we kinda did... ), and one of them vigorously squirming..... yea, we don't look

very reliable.

Ako: We're sooo sorry to intrude.. Pero, my girlfriend here, kailangan nya poh kasi mag-CR...
Jose: Tay.. Di ga si Jerwin Santos ya-an?

The father squinted at me, and after a while, realization clouded his face. Oh ang mga advantages ng kilala
ka ng halos lahat ng tao. He immediately ushered us papasok sa bahay nya, and the little boy, whose name
is Jose, showed Venice to the bathroom.
The father, who introduced himself as Manong Ben, led me to the small dining room. His wife, Aling Marie,
was just finishing up cooking their dinner.

Manong Ben: Nako, di ko naman akalain na artista pala ung kumakatok sa pinto!
Aling Marie: Bakit naman ho kayo napadpad dito sa baryo namen, Mis-terr Santos?
Ako: Jerwin na lang poh.. Eh, umakyat poh kase kami nung bundok. Binigay ko poh ung mapa kay Venice, ung
girlfriend ko poh.. Uhmm.. We ended up here..
Manong Ben: Iho, hindi ga naituro sa iyo, wag mong hahayaan na babae ang maghawak ng mapa? Aba'y,

mawawala nga talaga kayo nyan!

Aling Marie: At nagsalita naman ang taong laging nawawala..

Napangiti ako sa sagutan nila.

Aling Marie put a glass of water in front of me, at halos tinungga ko un.. Naalala ko bigla kung gano na ko ka-

uhaw.. Inutusan ni Aling Marie ung asawa nya na kumuha pa ng malunggay dun daw sa puno sa likod ng
bahay nila. Sumunod naman si Manong.. at naiwan kami ni Aling Marie sa kusina-slash-dining room..

I took the opportunity to look around. It really is a small house.. Katabi na mismo nung dining table ung stove
at ref.. Tapos from where I was sitting, kitang-kita na rin ung maliit na TV in what seems to be the living
room.. Dun sa isang side nung living room, may pinto, siguro un ung banyo kaseh dun pumasok si Venice.. May
dalawang pinto dun sa kabilang side nung bahay.. Un siguro ung mga bedrooms.. Everything was a few steps
away from everything else.

After a while, Venice emerged from the bathroom, looking relieved and finally at ease..
She smiled at Jose, who's busy doing something dun sa living room.. Venice walked over to the dining room,
and stood behind where I was sitting. Aling Marie greeted her.

Aling Marie: Okay ka na?

Venice: Opo. Maraming salamat poh.

Pumasok na rin maya-maya si Manong Ben, dala-dala ung ilang branches ng malunggay na pinakuha sa kanya.. He
gave those to his wife, and then he sat in front of me.. I felt Venice gently squeeze my shoulder.

Ako: Anoh, Manong Ben, may jeep poh ba dito na pwede naming sakyan papunta sa La Plaiya?
Manong Ben: Ah, dun ga kayo nakatuloy? Aba'y may jeep papunta dun! Kaya nga lang, gabi na. Bukas na ulit
bbyahe ang mga jeep.
Venice: Eh tricycle poh?

Aling Marie: Ay naku, iha, kalayo ng La Plaiya para sa tricycle.

Nagtinginan kami ni Venice. I think nag-ssink in na sa utak nya ung situation dahil nakita kong medyo nag-
aalala na rin ung mukha nya..

Manong Ben: Aba'y kung gusto ninyo, eh bakit di muna kayo dito magpalipas ng gabi? Dito na rin kayo kumain

ng hapunan! Masarap mag-tinola ang misis ko!

Aling Marie: Oo nga! Wala naman kayong ibang tutuluyan na malapit dito. Mabuti nang dito na kayo matulog,
at bukas, gumising na lang kayo ng maaga para makasakay kayo dun sa unang byahe ng jeep papunta ng La
Plaiya.
Venice: Nako, sigurado poh ba kayo? Ayaw naman poh naming maka-istorbo.
Manong Ben: Ay, ano gang istorbo? Hindi naman araw-araw na may nawawalang artista at sa bahay pa namen

kumatok!

Ako: Uh, haha.. kung ganun poh, makikigulo poh muna kami ngayong gabi.

Venice: Maraming salamat poh.

The dinner was.. fun. The husband and wife were constantly bantering with each other. Manong Ben was
poking fun at Venice because she got us really lost. Venice would defend herself with ridiculous excuses

(really.. I think hearing voices is a sign of some psychological defect. ). Jose stared at me pretty much
the entire time -- until Venice started teasing him about it.

Venice has a knack for making strangers feel oddly at ease.

After dinner, Venice volunteered to wash the dishes. Jose went back to doing his homework. Aling Marie
took out a bottle of something from the refrigerator, grabbed a couple of small cups, and set it in front of
me and Manong Ben.

Aling Marie: Ito, oh, makatulong man lang na mag-init ung katawan mo. May pagka-lamig dito tuwing gabi eh.

Ako: Anoh poh toh?

Manong Ben: Lambanog! Nabili ng kumpare ko at binigay sa'kin nung makailan laang.
He poured some in his glass, then a little bit in mine. It smells of... coconut? I took a sip......

WHOA!!! Talk about having a high content of alcohol! O__O

Nararamdaman kong gumuguhit sa lalamunan ko...

Manong Ben: Oh ano? Nagustuhan mo ga?

Ako: WHOA. Grabeh!

Nagtawanan silang mag-asawa. Venice watches me with an amused look on her face.

Aling Marie: Oh, Venice, ikaw? Gusto mo ga ng kaunti?

Ako: Oh no! Wag nyo poh bigyan yan! At baka hindi na kayo makatulog sa sobrang gulo nyan paglasing. Pati
mga kapitbahay nyo, masskandalo pa.
Venice: Shut up. Hindi ako ganun kaskandalosa noh.

Ako: Akala mo lang un.

Venice: Che! (tingin kay Aling Marie) Pero wag na poh.. Nagbabawas na ko sa pag-inom
Ako: Good for you.

I drank again from my glass. It's really strong, pero parang nakakaadik inumin.

Aling Marie: Doon na lamang kayo sa kwarto ni Jose matulog. Mas malinis naman yong kwarto na yon kesa sa
kwarto naming mag-asawa.
Manong Ben: Di ga masyadong maliit ung kwarto na un? Aba'y magkakasya ga silang dalawa doon?
Ako: No, it's okay. Ayos lang poh kung magkatabi kaming matulog ni Venice.
Venice: Oh shoot.

She almost dropped a plate.

Nagtinginan si Manong Ben tsaka si Aling Marie.

Ako: Don't worry. Wala poh kaming gagawin na kalokohan. Promise.

Venice almost dropped another plate.
Biglang natawa si Manong Ben nung napansin nya yata na I could barely contain mylaughter dahel sa mga

reaksyon ni Venice.

Manong Ben: Hahahaha Sige na nga. Hayaan mo na silang dalawa, Marie. Aba'y sa altar rin naman ang tuloy

ng dalawang yaan eh. Di ga nga, Jerwin?

Aling Marie shook her head, smiling, and then she went on to prepare our sleeping quarters. Venice finished
up washing the dishes and was drying her hands already.

Ako: Sa altar nga naman poh. Kaya ngayon pa lang siguro, dapat nang pagpraktisan na masanay sa mga

hilik ni Venice.
Venice: Hoy, at sinoh naman kaya sa'ting dalawa ang humihilik!?

Ako: Defensive?
Manong Ben: Hahahahaha naku, tama nga naman na mag-praktis! Ayan ngang si Marie, daig pa ang lindol kung

makahilik eh!

Ako: Sana naman ay hindi maging ganon si Venice!

Venice laughed good-naturedly as she walked papunta sa likod ko.

Ako: Kailangan ko ang tulog ko-oowww!! AW!

Venice: Kailangan mo ang tulog mo-oh-oh aw?

Lumipad ung kamay ko sa likod nung left shoulder ko na kinurot nang pagkaaaa-lakas-lakas ni Venice.
Panggigilan ba ko?!?

Ako: Geezus! Are you trying to pinch my skin off?!?

Venice: Oh, it didn't work?

Tumawa na ng tumawa si Manong Ben. I rubbed the spot where it hurts like hell dahel sa pamatay na kurot ni
Venice. Sadista talaga. -__-
"Anoh...."

Napatingin kami dun sa kabilang side nung table.. Nandun si Jose, nakatayo, holding a notebook.
Mahiyaing bata. Parang nung nasa edad yata ako na ganyan, dinaig ko pa ung mga unggoy dun sa zoo sa ka-
hyperan.

Jose: May assignment po ako sa English.. Eh, hindi ko naman maintindihan....

Manong Ben: Nako, anak, ako pa ang tinanong mo sa English na yan.

Venice knelt down in front of Jose and smiled at him. I watch with fascination as the sadistic amazon turns
to a more civilized picture of a caring woman.

Venice: Gusto mo, ako na lang ang magturo syo?

Jose: Nakakahiya naman po. Bisita ho kayo eh.
Venice: Wahsush, sa'kin ka pa nahiya.

Ako: Oo nga.. Eh wala rin namang hiya yan.

Venice: (tingin sa kin) Jerwin, namumuro ko na ha.. Isa pa, ilalambitin na kita sa labas.
Ako: See, Manong Ben? Amazona talaga!
Venice: Che!

She went to the living room with Jose. I think they're talking about verb agreement or something along
those lines.. She's patiently teaching him tricks kung pano nya malalaman kung plural or singular ung subject..
and she's trying to teach him kung pano malalaman kung ano ung subject. Patiently teaching the little kid...

Manong Ben: Magiging magaling na ina yaang batang yan.

Ako: Huh....

Manong Ben: Ka-swerte mo naman, iho. Maganda na nga, mabait pa. Rumami sana ang lahi nyo!

I laughed, but I couldn't take my eyes off Venice.

She's going to be a good mother, huh... I wonder if she's going to be a good wife too..
::Chapter 24::
Goodnight Goodnight
♫.~*~..~*~.♫
 (Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I laid on the bed, silently counting the number of times na nag-tturn si Jerwin. He's trying to find a
comfortable position. Nakakaasar na kaseh kanina pa sya nag-ttwist and turn, pero, at the same time, I guess
I kinda understand.

The bed is made from bamboo. It's a little bit smaller than a queen-sized bed. The mattress is not the
softest, most comfortable mattress in the world. You can almost feel the hardness of the bamboo beneath it.
It's kinda cold; may mga butas dun sa bintana -- we can even hear the wind whistling through the holes..
We're sharing a blanket that's too small to be shared.. The pillows are almost flat. It also doesn't help na
the room is really cramped. It's everything a rich kid like him has never imagined he would find himself into.

After he turned to his side one more time, umikot na rin ako, and I found myself face to face with him. He
has his eyes shut closed, pero halata naman na pinipilit nya lang na isarado ung mata nya. Siguro iniisip nya

baka sakaling makatulog rin sya kung pipikit nya ung mata nya..

Ako: Jerwin...

He opened one eye.

Jerwin: Hm?
Ako: Di ka makatulog?

This time, both eyes opened and even in the darkness, I could almost see him looking at me.

Jerwin: *sigh* Yea.. It sucks coz I'm exhausted and we have to wake up early tomorrow...
Ako: Relax.. Well, I know, medyo nahihirapan kang mag-relax kaseh kamustah naman.. Di ka naman sanay na

matulog sa ganito katigas na kama.. But, just stop thinking about tomorrow, ok?
Jerwin: Easy for you to say. Mr. Gordon almost had a panic attack when I called him and said we'd be
spending the night somewhere else. I better make sure that I'm not late for the photoshoot daw.
Ako: Well, why didn't you ask him to come and pick us up then?
Jerwin: You crazy? And let him know we got lost.....

Ang pride mo kuya.. Di mo naman kasalanan na nawala tayo..

Ako: Okay.. Well, just don't worry about it. Sabi naman ni Aling Marie, gigisingin nya tayo around 7 AM, di ba?
That's good enough.
Jerwin: *sigh* I know.
Ako: You know, you really interacted well with those people.
Jerwin: Hm?
Ako: Sina Manong Ben.. May sarili ka rin namang kaartehan sa buhay, lam mo? Pero tonight.. You talked with
Manong Ben na parang ka-level mo sya.. Tapos, di ka pa nagreklamo nung binigyan tayo ni Aling Marie na pamalit
na damit, although di mo alam kung anong detergent ung ginamit panglaba.. I mean, tinikman mo pa ung
lambanog. Samantalang nung dinalhan kita nung minsan ng kwek-kwek, halos mamatay ka na sa intensity ng

pagtanggi mo.

He rolled over and looked at the ceiling. Nahiya?

Ako: Tapos, you listened patiently dun sa mga drunk rantings ni Manong Ben tungkol sa economy, sa hirap ng
buhay, at chuva-chuva.
Jerwin: Weren't you tutoring Jose during that time?
Ako: Kasalanan ko bang may tenga ako?

Natawa si Jerwin, then he shifted his position and faced me again.

Jerwin: You know, it'd be really cool to stay here for a few more days. Kung pwede lang, I would really want
to know how their lives work.. They can barely live through every day with the little pay Manong Ben gets
from the farm. Tapos, pinag-aaral pa nila si Jose. I just realized how blessed I am to be born into the
"luckier" level of society.

Natulala ako. Si Jerwin ba itong kausap ko? O_O Bahket parang ang profound ng pinagsasabi ni kuya? Nalasing
kaya sya dun sa kakapiranggot na lambanog na ininom nya?
Nagiging profound sya pag lasing? O___O

Jerwin: What? Why are you looking at me like that?

Ako: Wala lang. Ang profound ng mga pinagsasabi mo eh. Gusto mo nang maging philanthropist?
Jerwin: Hmmmm... That doesn't sound so bad.

Ako: Really?
Jerwin: Venice, maybe I can help families like this one. I can put aside some of the money I make, and then
donate them to charities.. or.. or.. maybe help poor kids get to school.

Ay, nagiging santo si kuya.. O__O At na-eexcite sya sa idea nyang maging santo.

Who would've thought na may "good side" din pala tohng taong toh...

Ako: That'd be nice... Pero, for now, how about you get some sleep.. Baka mabugbog pa ko ni Mr. Gordon pag
umappear ka sa photoshoot na may mala-backpack na eyebags. Ok?
Jerwin: But.. you don't think it's a good idea?
Ako: Adik ka ba? I think it's the best idea you've ever had!
Jerwin: What's that supposed to mean? -___-

I smiled at him, and brushed a stray strand of his hair to the side. He looked kinda taken aback by the
sudden show of gentleness.. nyahahaha

Ako: Just get some sleep, ok? If you still want to talk about that thing tomorrow, I'll listen.
Jerwin: Okay...

He shut his eyes. I stared at him for a few moments.. How come people always look so vulnerable and peaceful

when they're sleeping? Kaya maraming pinapatay habang tulog eh..

I rolled over on my side and closed my eyes too. I felt Jerwin shift.. I ignored it. Baka trip nya lang humarap
dun sa kabilang side.

Then I felt him shift his position again.. and again.. and again.

Pano ka ba naman matutulog ng ganito?!?

Umikot ako and found myself looking at his back. Naka-sleeveless na shirt lang sya -- pahiram ni Manong Ben
-- and it was a little loose kaya medyo naka-expose ung muscles dun sa arms nya and.. parang ang strong-
looking nung likod nya.

I wriggled my hand out of the blanket, and lightly traced shapes on the part just below his shoulders.. then I
slowly eased myself palapit dun sa likod nya para ipatong ung ulo ko dun sa likod nya..
Jerwin: What are you doing?

I stopped.

Ako: O___O Uh.. Nag-cchant ng spell para makatulog ka na.

What kind of excuse is that, Venice!?!?

He turned around and faced me. Napabalik kagad ako dun sa dati kong pwesto, sabay smile.

Jerwin: Chant? What are you, a witch?

Ako: Bahket ba? You'll never know unless you tried noh.
Jerwin: So, is that why you're drawing weird shapes on my back?
Ako: Yea~ Hay nako, never mind na nga lang.

I turned over to the other side to hide my face from him. My golay, buti na lang at may pagka-madilim, kung
hinde, kamustah naman ang pula ng face ko. Anoh ba naman tohng pinaggagawa ko?!?

Jerwin: If you really wanna help me go to sleep... How about a song?

Ako: Anoh?!?

Jerwin: Not too loud though.. I think the walls are kinda thin.

Hay. -__-

Umikot uhlet ako and faced him. Mas mabuti nang rebound toh, kundi, baka asarin nya pa ko hanggang bukas
tungkol sa pag-cchant ko.

Ako: (sings softly) Rock-a-bye, baby--

Jerwin: Anoh naman yan?
Ako: Sabi mo, kantahan kita?!? Rereklamo ka pa dyan.
Jerwin: Sing the other one.

Ako: Anong "other one"? May iba pa bang rock-a-bye baby?

Jerwin: No. Sing "You Are My Sunshine"

At may special request pa pala talaga.. -___-

Ako: (sings softly again) You are my sunshine

My only sunshine
You make me happy, when skies are gray
You'll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away..

Pagdating ng second verse, I stopped singing.

Jerwin was already snoring lightly.

--- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

-___-

Dammmnnn.. it's cold.

I tried to open my eyes from my slumber, and realized na kaya pala malamig, eh dahil nakahilata ako sa kama
without a blanket. I pulled myself up and looked at Venice. Angkinin ba naman ung kumot??

And really, konting ikot nya na lang, mahuhulog na sya sa kama.. Her legs are all over the place.. And is her
mouth partly open? O_O

How can a lady sleep like that?

*yaawwwwwwnnnn* I wonder what time it is.. It looks like it's still pretty dark outside..
I tried to pull the blanket off of Venice para naman may protection din ako from the cold.. Then I scooped
her up gently and inusog sya dun sa gitna nung kama.

I slid back down the bed facing her. She looks like an angel deep in her sleep. I took her arm, and then gently
pulled her closer to me.

Her weight shifted and she sleepily turned towards me. I felt her wrap an arm around my waist. She buried
her face on my chest, and I buried my face in her hair.
And I went back to my sleep.
::Chapter 25::
Past The Point of No Return
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Ako: Hey, look! Birds!

Tumingala ako dun sa langit where a flock of big birds (malalaking ibon, hinde ung Big Bird na yellow) are
flying.
I'm riding on the backseat of a bicycle. I have my arms around Jerwin, who is pedaling the bike through a
narrow path in what seems to be a forest.

We went pass a few more trees and finally, lumabas kami sa isang grassland. It's a pretty nice day. The sun

is out. The sky is clear. The birds are singing.... There's someone standing on the side of the path...

Ako: Who's that?

I tried to squint para makita kung sinoh ung taong nakatayo dun sa side.. He's getting nearer now.. Parang

gusto kong batukan si Jerwin and tell him to pedal faster, pero baka lalo kaming bumagal..

Just a few feet away now.. I don't know why I'm so focused on this person.. I can see him more clearly now..
He's wearing faded jeans, a red shirt, khaki jacket, and hair ruffled by the wind.
And then... dinaanan na namin sya.. This guy.. This very familiar guy.. He smiled at me as we pass. He even
waved to me..

G... Gerard...

The bike is still moving but I jumped off. Syempre, dahil hindi naman ako si catwoman, pagtalon ko, I tripped
and landed on my face. Buti na lang dun ako sa damo rumolyo..

I rolled over and found myself staring at the sky. I couldn't move.. I could hear Jerwin running to me... at
least, I think it was Jerwin...

How come G isn't running towards me?

-___-

Annnddddd I'm awake. Darn. I knew it was a dream.

I slowly opened my eyes para gumising sa isa nanamang araw sa mundong ibabaw---

O___O

Ako: WAH!!!

SHOVE -- BOOG!

Why am I hugging Jerwin?!?!?

Oh my golay, hinulog ko sya sa kama. O_O

Napatalon tuloy akong bigla dun sa kabilang side and sinilip si Jerwin na nakahilata sa sahig -- with a very

rewarding startled look on his face.

Ako: Hi. Good morning.

Jerwin: Anong good morning ka dyan?!? You just pushed me off the bed, didn't you?!?
Ako: *gasp* Sunshine! I will never do such a horrible thing.
Jerwin: Wag ka nang pakainosente dyan. Di bagay.

He picked himself up and plopped himself back on the bed. Kokontra sana ako sa sinabi nya.. Parang sya
inosente rin ah.. yakapin nya ba naman ako habang tulog ako! Kaya lang..... baka anoh pang isipin ni kuya pag
sinabi kong magkayakap kami nung nagising ako... baka ako pala ung nangyakap.. pwedeng sya.. pwedeng ako...
Ohhh, magkasuyo buong gabi~

BRRRRR... yak. Sinasabi ko pa lang sa sarili ko, kinikilabutan na ko. -___-

Jerwin: What time is it?

Inisda ko ung cellphone kong nandun sa sahig sa other side nung kama.

Ako: 6:38 AM. Tatayo na tayo?

I watched as Jerwin sat up and started stretching. Tatayo na yata talaga si kuya... Ang aga-aga-aga-aga pah..
T-T
I wanna go back to sleep... I wanna see G again---

Ako: Okie! Tumayo na tayo!

I jumped off the bed din, and was about to open the door nang may naalala akong bigla.. I looked at Jerwin
who had just finished grabbing his phone and swinging his camera around his neck.

Ako: Gising na kaya sila?

Jerwin: (shrugs) We can check..
Ako: Wouldn't it be rude kung bastah-bastah na lang tayo aalis? And besides, di naman naten alam kung san
sasakay ng jeep.
Jerwin: That's why I said we can go check if they're awake.

I opened the door, and fortunately for us, nandun na si Aling Marie, nagpprito ng itlog, pakanta-kanta pa.
Aling Marie: Ay! Gising na kayo! Aba'y ka-aga pa! Bakit di muna kayo matulog ng konti pa?
Ako: Ok lang poh, di na poh kame makatulog eh.
Jerwin: (bulong) Hinulog kaseh ako sa kama nung isang tao dyan.

I glared at him. Dumiretso kagad ako sa banyo para maghilamos man lang at para na rin mag-weewee.. I
can hear Jerwin talking to Aling Marie, maya-maya, narinig ko na rin si Manong Ben.. I used the towel na
binigay ni Aling Marie the night before to dry myself up.
Mamaya na lang sa villa ako talagang maliligo.

I stepped out of the bathroom, and yup, ahyun nga si Manong Ben, may bitbit na kung anong bote ng gatas.

Inaalok si Jerwin..

Ako: Anoh poh yan?

Manong Ben: Presh cow's milk, iha. Gusto mo?
Ako: Fresh? As in, galing sa dodo ng cow? O_O
Aling Marie: Ay, uo! May alaga kami diyan sa likod. Naisip namin na baka gusto nyo ng gatas para sa almusal,
eh pinakuha ko na itong si Ben.

*gulp* In other words, especially for us pa talaga.. O___O

Fresh milk.. galing sa dodo ng cow.......

Jerwin: I guess.. I'll try some.. You wanna share a glass muna, Venice?

Sharing is good. Sharing means I won't have to finish a whole glass of galing sa dodo ng cow. Sharing
is very good.

Ako: Okay..

Manong Ben poured us some of the fresh milk dun sa glass na nasa harap ni Jerwin. After he filled the glass,
nagkatinginan kami ni Jerwin..

Ako: Well... go ahead.

Jerwin: Ladies first.
I looked at him and then at the glass.. I'm willing to try anything, pero... this is just too icky... T-T

Na-sense yata ni Jerwin ang hesitation ko, at dahil pinapanood kami ni Manong Ben, he took the liberty to take
the glass..

Jerwin: I'll try it first then.

Hindi lang pala overnight ang pagiging santo ni kuya.

He drank from the glass, at aba.. natuwa yata.. O_O Ang daming ininom.

Jerwin: Wow, it's actually pretty good.

He gave me the glass, all smiles pa. Di ko tuloy alam kung sarcastic ba sya o anoh. At ehto ang isa sa mga
dahilan kung bakit first round pa lang ng "Fear Factor", kicked out na kagad ako. Takot ako sa mga unknown
things.

Jerwin: Really, it's good. Try it.

*gulp*

Jerwin: Believe me.

Napatingin ako kay kuya... Mukha namang honest ang mukha nya.. Mukha namang nagustuhan nya talaga.. At
paniwalaan ko pa raw sya..
Kung nagsisinungaling man sya, I guess it's okay. I'll just bury him in the sand and pretend to forget kung san

ko sya nilibing.

I took the glass.

Well.. Here goes.

I took a sip... and.. heeeyyyyyy... it really is good.
Tinuloy ko na ung pag-inom.

Jerwin: Well?
Ako: Uyyy... Masarap nga. It's warm and mas lasang gatas kesa dun sa ibang pasteurized na milk.

Jerwin: Galing sa dodo ng cow.

Tumawa si Manong Ben na nakaupo dun sa sofa, pinapanood kami..

Manong Ben: Mga batang ito.. Gatas lang eh pinagkakaguluhan nyo na.
Aling Marie: Ay naku, kumain na nga kayo at nang maabutan nyo pa ung jeep na wala pang masyadong sakay.

Naglagay sya ng tig-isa na plato ng itlog at pandesal sa harap naming dalawa ni Jerwin.. Lumipat na rin si
Manong Ben dun sa dining table para makikain.

Ako: Oo nga poh pala. Last day na poh namin bukas. Kung gusto nyo poh, pumunta kayo sa La Plaiya, nandun
poh kami sa may beach nakatuloy.. Baka poh gusto nyong dumaan.

Manong Ben: Ay iha, gusto man namen eh, marami pang gagawin eh. Kailangan magtrabaho.
Ako: Ah.. Ganon pa ba...
Jerwin: Kayo poh, Aling Marie? Baka poh si Jose, gustong pumunta?
Aling Marie: Nako, iho, magtitinda pa kame sa palengke bukas.

Nagtinginan kami ni Jerwin. Parang ang awkward bigla.... Here are people na sumasabak sa araw-araw na
trabaho.. Samantalang kame... -___-

Nilipat ni Manong Ben ung topic dun sa jeep.. Agahan daw namen kaseh madaling mapuno ung jeep pag tanghali
na.. baka hapunin kami kakahintay. Ahyan, nagmadali na nga tuloy kami..
Pagkatapos na pagkatapos kumain, lalarga na kame.

We changed back into our own clothes na sinampay ni Aling Marie sa sampayan kagabi para matuyo ng pawis..

Then we checked kung anoh pa ung mga nakakalimutan namin -- not like we really brought anything with us.
Lumabas na si Jerwin with Manong Ben.. Ako naman, naiwan muna sa loob para tulungan sa paghuhugas ng
pinggan si Aling Marie.

Ako: Aling Marie.. Thank you poh talaga at pinatuloy nyo kami kagabi.

Aling Marie: Ay naku! Wala yun, ano ga? Hindi naman kami madalas nakakatanggap ng bisita eh, kaya
masaya na rin kami at dito kayo napadaan.

I gave Aling Marie a quick hug, and then lumakad na kami palabas. At aba... nakita na lang namen.. si Manong
Ben.. nagpapaka-model dun sa harap ng bahay nila, si Jerwin pa ang photographer.

Aling Marie: Ano namang ginagawa mo diyan??

Jerwin: Aling Marie, kayo rin poh! Tabi kayo, ppicturan ko kayo!

Hinila ni Manong Ben si Aling Marie sa tabi nya, at lumakad naman ako papunta kay Jerwin.. Avah, naaliw ung

mag-asawa at pinipicturan sila.. Todo pose!

Maya-maya, biglang lumabas ang bagong gising na si Jose.. Ang walang kamuwang-muwang na bata, bigla na lang

pinulot ni Manong Ben, at sinabihan na mag-smile sa camera. Smile naman ung bata! Sige, family

picture!

Ako: Jerwin..
Jerwin: Hm?
Ako: Give me the camera and go stand with them.

Jerwin did as I instructed, and I took a couple of shots of the family with Jerwin Santos. Then Jerwin took
the camera from me, and took a couple of shots of me and the family.

Then, finally, lumayas na raw kame.

Jose: Aalis na kayo, ate?

Ako: Yea. May trabaho pa kasi tohng kuya mo eh.

Aling Marie: Naku, mag-iingat kayo ha. At wag na ulit kayong maliligaw!
Jerwin: Don't worry. Hindi ko na poh hahayaan si Venice ang mag-lead ng way.
Ako: Shut up.

Nag-bye bye na kami kay Aling Marie at Jose, then sumunod kami kay Manong Ben papunta dun sa sakayan ng
jeep, which is hindi naman pala ganun kalayo sa bahay nila..

The jeep is there, at halos wala pang tao. Mukhang hindi namin kailangan maghintay or makipagsiksikan.
Lumapit si Manong Ben dun sa driver, kinausap nya sandali, then bumalik sa'min..

Manong Ben: Sya, hanggang dito na lamang ako. Hinabilin ko na duon sa driber na ibaba kayo sa La Plaiya.
Mag-ingat kayong dalawa.
Ako: Maraming salamat poh, Manong Ben.
Jerwin: Salamat poh sa pagkupkop sa'min kagabi.
Manong Ben: Nako'y, wag nyo nang alalahanin un, at natuwa naman kami kagabi.
Ako: Ay, oo nga poh pala..

Kinuha ko ung mapa dun sa bulsa ni Jerwin, and then fished for a pen dun pa uhlet sa kabila nyang bulsa -- I

know, parang akong magnanakaw -- and then I handed both to Manong Ben..

Ako: Paki sulat naman poh ng address nyo.. Pag napa-develop poh namin ung mga pictures, papadalhan poh
namen kayo ng kopya.
Manong Ben: Ay, sya nga? Oh sige!

He scribbled their address dun sa mapa and then gave it back to me. Sinalpak ko ulit map and ung pen pabalik
sa pocket ni Jerwin. We said our final farewell to Manong Ben and sumakay na kami nung jeep, which left as
soon as we got in.

Later, nagsimula na ang halos veinte minutos naming trip pabalik sa La Plaiya.

Jerwin: That was a nice little family they got there, don't you think so?

Ako: Hmmm... I guess.. Parang nakaka-bother lang kasi.. ang hirap ng buhay nila.
Jerwin: But they're happy. They're living a simple, quiet life.. they're all together.. They're.. happy..

Well.. that's true.. Simple, quiet life ha...

Ako: I hope we'll see them again..

Inayos ni Jerwin ung baseball cap nya na nag-pprevent "daw" sa mga tao na makilala sya.. and then he
shrugged.

Jerwin: We can visit them.

Ha! With his schedule??!

Ako: Sana nga..

Jerwin took my hand and gave it a soft squeeze. I just smiled at him and put my head on his shoulder. I
guess, somehow, this little out-of-the-norm experience has been good for us.
::Chapter 26::
Should've Been A Model
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Sigh. This is great. Just astoundingly great. -___-

I watch as Mr. Gordon stalks back and forth in front of me. He's yelling at his phone na parang wala na syang

chance magalit pa bukas.

We're 15 minutes behind schedule. If I knew this was gonna happen, Venice and I would have stayed a bit
longer dun sa bahay nina Manong Ben.

It was a fifteen-minute jeepney ride from the small, unknown town to the other little town where I left my
truck. Tapos, about 5 minutes pabalik ng villa. The photoshoot was gonna start in 10 minutes. I quickly
parked the truck, ran upstairs, and jumped in the shower.

Paglabas ko ng villa, all fresh and ready to be prepped up, nag-aabang na si Mr. Gordon para sa'kin. The
crewmembers were carrying the photoshoot equipments papunta sa beach. Mr. Gordon didn't say anything
naman kaseh, somehow, I'm still on time.
If there's one thing na kinasikatan ni Mr. Gordon, besides sa amazing ability nya sa mga advertising
photography nya, ahyun eh ung pagiging extremely punctual nya. If he said the shoot will start at this time,
the shoot should definitely start at that time. Kung wala pa ung model, malamang manghahaltak na lang sya ng
kung sinong ka-picture-picture dyan sa tabi-tabi.

That's what he's probably gonna do now. We're supposed to shoot a Guess Swimsuit ad with two

models.... pero.. missing one pa kame -- ung important one pa.

"Yo! Jerwin!"

I turned around and saw Venice walking towards my special chair -- the one with "Jerwin Santos" taped on

the back.
It looks like she just got out of the shower (and siguro, tulog pa rin sina Anthony at Sheena kaseh hinde pa
umaaligid ung dalawa sa kanya). She's wearing a black see-through tunic over a red one-piece swimsuit. Her
hair is still damp, and she's treading barefoot on the sand.

Venice: I thought you'd be starting the shoot by now. What's going on?
Ako: Uhmm.. Seems like my partner won't make it.

Venice: Eh?
Ako: May appointment daw kaseh kanina, na-late yata ng labas.. Ahyan, paalis pa lang ng Manila..
Venice: Ahhhh..

I glanced at her and noticed na nakatitig pala sya sa'kin.. Ung titig pa na parang nag-iisip ng malalim..

Bakit? Dahil ba ngayon nya lang ako nakita na naka swimming trunks?

Ako: What are you looking at?

Venice: Lam mo, Sunshine.. Nakaka-distract sana ang mga biceps-triceps-abs mo dyan.. Kaya lang...

She ran a finger on my arm, tapos hinarap sa'kin ung daliri nya..

Venice: Dinaig mo pa ang hito sa sobrang dulas mo.

Ako: It's oil. It's supposed to make me look good on pictures.

Venice: Magmumukha kang maganda sa picture kung parang kang hito?

Ako: Why are you here? -__-
Venice: (smiles) Manonood sana ako ng shooting nyo, pero parang wala naman nangyayare.. sooo..

She briskly turned around, may pa-sway-sway pa ng hips nya..

Venice: I'll just come back pag may kung anong compromise na kayo.. Maglalandi muna ako somewhere, ok

dah-ling?

Papaka-catwalk pa sya kung maglakad, feeling may runway dun sa buhangin -- tapos biglang natalisod.
wahahahaha

Venice: Aray ko!

wahahahaha

Compromise....

Ako: Hey, Venice! Hold on!

She stopped and turned to face me -- namumula -- probably because she knows I saw her trip..

Venice: I'm ok! Wala kang nakita!

Ako: Ok, I saw nothing.

I jumped up from my seat, and strode to where she was standing. She's a perfect height.. She's got a good
body frame.. *grins*

I grabbed her hand and pulled her papunta dun sa sumisigaw na Mr. Gordon. Binabaan nya na ung kausap nyang

model, wag na raw mag-bother na pumunta dito.

Venice: (bulong) Anong ginagawa naten? O_O

I paused and then umikot para tumingin sa kanya. I grabbed her by the shoulders para hindi mag-wander ung
mga mata nya kung saan-saan.

Ako: Venice.. Do you trust me?

Venice: Eh?!?
Ako: Well? Do you trust me?
Venice: *gulp* I do.. but you don't look very trustworthy right now. O_O

Ako: Oh well.. as long as you generally trust me... Now, just follow me and don't say a word.

I wanted to laugh so hard nung nanlaki ung mata nya -- pure terror. Pero, I'm kinda short on time, so I
gotta do this first.
Hinila ko sya papunta kay Mr. Gordon na nag-uutos na dun sa mga staff kung pano papaganahin ung concept
using just one model (which is just impossible kung ako lang ang model), or maghanap na sila ng ma-bbribe
nilang mag-model right here, right now.

Nanlalamig ung kamay ni Venice na hawak ko.

Ako: Sir?
Mr. Gordon: We'll be done in a minute, Jerwin.
Ako: Uh, yea.. May I suggest something?

They all stopped and looked at me. Sa ganitong mga pangyayari, they're open to ideas -- any kind of idea.

Nanigas na ung hawak kong kamay.

Ako: I think Venice can take over the female model's place.

Venice: An--?!?

Pinisil ko ung kamay ni Venice.

Ako: What do you think?

Mr. Gordon: Nag-mmodel ba sya?
Ako: She'll be a natural.
Venice: Eh?!? O__O
Ako: Just tell her what you want her to do.
Venice: Wha?! OoO

Mr. Gordon finally turned his full attention sa'min, tinitignan si Venice from head to foot. Inikutan nya pa si
Venice, parang ineexamine thoroughly.

Mr. Gordon: She has a proportioned body. Tamang-tama naman ung height nya.. Maganda ang kutis..
Ngumiti ka nga, iha.

Venice smiled. Medyo pilit, pero okay na rin.

Mr. Gordon: Okay, she'll do! Bea! Nasan ka na ba?! Bea! Ihanap mo ng swimsuit size si Venice dun sa mga
kahon sa villa! Paayusan mo na rin! I want something natural and yet sexy. Bilisan nyo! Go Go GO!!

Bago tangayin si Venice nung mga assistants, pinisil pa nya ng isang bone-cracking na pisil ung kamay ko. O_O

Venice: Make sure to remind to kill you after all this.

Ako: Ah.. ha.. ha.. ha.. Yes, darling.

One little Two little Three little Indians..

Four little Five little Six little--

"Hallloooo!!!!"

Napatigil ako sa pagbibilang ko ng mga Indians (in the form of big fluffy clouds sa sky) nang may dalawang
tumalon sa tabi nung artist chair ko.. And lo and behold, gising na si Tweedledee at si Tweedledum, also known
as Sheena and Anthony.

Ako: Good morning, guys.

Sheena: San kayo galing kagabi ni Venice~?
Ako: Dyan lang.. Nothing happened, don't worry.

Sheena: Ay, walang nangyari? Anoh ba naman un? Ang boring naman.

She wanted something to happen? -__-

Anthony: San si Venice?

I filled them in with what's happening.. Naaliw sila sa mga sinasabi ko..
Just then, dumating na -- SA WAKAS -- ung dalawang assistants, may mga bitbit na high heeled shoes.. And
sa likod nila.....

O.O

Venice is all suit up for the shoot.. They put her in a halter bikini with leopard prints and black and gold
accents. Gold dangling earrings hang from her ears. Her hair is in natural waves, and she's trying to walk in
the black high-heeled shoes they made her wear. She looks like a model.

Sheena: Ay, best friend! Ang landi~ May cleavage ka!

Venice: I know! (turo sa chest nya) Parang lumaki ang future ko!

-___-

Ako: Uh, ahem.

Venice: What?! You've never seen a cleavage before?!

Oh where was the Venice from earlier na papatayin ako dahil pinasok ko sya dito?

Ako: I think you're bipolar

Venice: Anoh?!?
Mr. Gordon: Kids! Kids! Kids! Mamaya na kayo maglambingan! Let's get going! We're already behind
schedule! And you look wonderful, Venice.

Sheena: Oh, more like, fab-u-lous! ah-mazing! sexay~

I walked in front of the camera -- finally, magsisimula na rin kame, with all the oil na pinahid sa katawan ko,
na-pprito na yata ako sa ilalim nung araw kakahintay. Venice stood next to me habang ina-adjust nung mga tao
ung lighting, ung camera, at kung anu-ano pa.

Venice: You know... Now that I'm standing here...

Ako: Yea?
Venice: Sunshine, I don't think I can do this. T-T

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Oh, so that's why her eyes look different. Makapal na nga ung eyeliner, pinuruhan
pa ng mascara ung eyelashes nya. It looks pretty though.. just different.

Ako: You know, you're the one who's really the "star" of this ad.

Venice: Eh?

Ako: Well, more girls shop in Guess, guys rarely go in unless they're with a girlfriend. So, dito sa ad na
toh.. I'm just here because I'm hot and I'm famous.
Venice: In other words, props ka lang. -__-

Ako: You can put it that way, though I like my terminology better.. Anyway, all the focus is going to be
on you and how you model the swimwear. Look good, and you make the swimwear look good.
Venice: Great. Now I'm even more scared.
Ako: You can do this. Just pretend this is a scene in a play... Mr. Gordon is the director, the camera is the
audience..

Venice: And the whole world is a stage..

Ako: Exactly.

She let out a huge sigh. Ehto naman, ilang tao lang ba ang makikita nila ang sarili nila na nag-mmodel out of
nowhere para sa isang ad na ipapaskil sa mga billboard kung saan-saan?

Tapos sya, kulang na lang eh tumakbo pasakay ng bus at umuwi na ng Manila.

Ako: Venice, look at me.

Tumingin naman sya.

Ako: I know you can do this.. Just... Believe me.

She looked straight into my eyes. I tried to look as confident as I can, because I really think she can do
this. And if not, they can always reject the photo and just do another shoot. I was gonna tell her this, but
then, Venice smile and nodded.

Venice: I believe you.

Ako: Good.
Venice: But really, how can you stand this oil-thing on your body? It feels icky. -__-

Ako: Well, isipin mo na lang, pareho na tayong hito ngayon.

After that, the photoshoot started. It was hard work coz, let's face it, Venice is an amateur. But her
pictures turned out better than most amateurs I've worked with.

She listened to directions, she suggested things that might make the photos better, she would try to do
whatever it is that Mr. Gordon asked of her: seductive, fun, flirty, aggressive, spaced out... She would
constantly ask me for my opinion on her pose or her expression..

She was surprisingly very professional.. kahit na alam kong she'd rather be on the water than doing all this..
She actually did pretty well..

In the end, Mr. Gordon was happy with the results.

Mr. Gordon: We might actually have the perfect picture in this pile. And with the two of you in the ad!
This will be huge! People will love this! Have you ever thought of modeling, Venice?
Venice: Eh? -__- Hinde poh.. After this, I don't think I ever will..

Bagsak na sya dun sa chair na reserved para sa'kin. Low batt na yata.

Mr. Gordon: That's a shame. Jerwin is right. You're a natural.

Venice: Thank you poh.
I think, nasa autopilot na sya ngayon.. She already has her eyes closed as she fans herself. Pagod na

talaga.

Mr. Gordon smiled at me nung na-realize nyang out there na ung brain ni Venice. He turned to the staff to
tell them to wrap up. We're finally done.

Ako: Wanna go back to the villa?

Venice: Yea. But these heels are killing me. I don't think I can walk anymore... -__-
Ako: You want a piggyback ride?
Venice: Anoh ba yan? Ang cheap naman. Di ba pwedeng carry me in your arms na lang?? Paka-prince
charming effect man lang.
Ako: Hey, it's easier to carry things on my back. Buti nga di kita kinaladkad eh. I'm tired too.
Venice: You do this all the time. You should be used to it by now. Damot. -___-

I turned around and knelt down so she can put herself on my back. She wrapped her arms loosely around my
neck, and I supported her legs so she won't fall off.

"Jerwin! Venice! Smile!"

I felt Venice perk up, and I looked at the photographer, who took a candid shot of Venice and me.

"Great shot!"

After that, Venice rested her head on my shoulder. She's drained. I started walking back to the villa.

Ako: You did a good job.

Venice: Really?
Ako: Yep.
Venice: I'm glad. I tried my best para di ka naman mapahiya.
Ako: (smiles) Thanks.

We quietly went back to the villa, and I gently put Venice on our bed. She held up her leg, and smiled. Di ko
alam kung pagod ba o tamad, pero sige na... Tinanggal ko na ung sapatos nya..

She went under the blankets. I turned the airconditioner a little bit higher and I went to bed as well.
::Chapter 27::
Starry Starry Night
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I should get up. Isang araw na lang kaming nandito, dapat lang na maglublob man lang ako bago kami lumayas...

I opened my eyes nung nag-sink ung thought na un.. I immediately looked at the clock.. 5:45... I've been
sleeping for two hours and 45 minutes.

Kakatayo ko pa lang nang biglang bumukas ung pinto at sumilip ang ulo ni Jerwin..

Jerwin: Hey, you're awake.

Ako: *yaawwwnnn* Yea. -__- Akala ko humiga ka rin kanina?
Jerwin: I woke up 30 minutes ago. Anyway, we're having a bonfire later. We gotta shop for a few things to
BBQ and panggawa raw ng s'mores, sabi ni Mr. Gordon. C'mon, get dressed!

Get dressed?

Napasilip ako sa suot ko. O___O

My golay. I'm still wearing the swimsuit. No wonder ganito na lang ang pagkapulupot ko sa kumot. Malameg ang
aircon. Malamang kailangan ko rin ibalik toh noh?

Ako: Give me five minutes. Mag-sshower lang ako.

Later..
May nakita kaming maliit na store just less than 10 minutes away from the villa. Di naman sya kalakihan, pero
parang may mabibili naman kame.. I took a basket and handed it to Jerwin. Hinde ako magpapakahirap

magdala ng mabigat noh.

Jerwin: Hey, look, Venice..

Ehto nanaman kame.. -__-

Jerwin: They're selling chicken feet! Why are they selling chicken feet?? Can we get some chicken

feet??

I don't think Jerwin has ever gone grocery shopping before. Abah, dinaig pa ang six-year-old sa pagka-
amused sa halos lahat ng "abnormal" na bagay eh!

Ako: No. We don't need it.

Jerwin: But it's chicken feet!
Ako: Uh-huh. And we. Don't. Need. It.

Ilang beses na yang exchange na yan.. Anoh kayang iniisip ni Mr. Gordon at ehto pang si Jerwin ang pinag-
shopping nya? Pano na lang kung hinde ako sumama? Eh di inuwian sila nitong unggoy na toh ng natto (mukha
raw kasing dikit-dikit na tadpoles), dried shrimp (dahil mukha raw madaling kainin), tuyo (hindi ba raw na-BBQ
un?), at ang chicken feet (simply because it's chicken feet).... -___-

Jerwin: Venice..
Ako: Hm?
Jerwin: Tignan mo oh...

Tumingin ako dun sa tinitignan nya.. May pusa na natutulog dun sa ibabaw nung isang lamesa..

Ako: Oh? Pusa.. Anoh?

Jerwin: Can we buy that?

Aray.. sumasakit yata ang ulo ko. T-T

Ako: At bakit naman? Anong gagawin mo sa pusa?

Jerwin: Hindi ba gawa ang siopao sa pusa?

Hindi ko na-carry.. May kung anong sparkle ung eyes nya na parang nagsasabi na gusto nya talagang bilhin ung
pusa para gawing siopao.. T^T
Napatitig na lang ako sa kanya... If ever man, curiosity will really kill the cat.

Pak!

Jerwin: Aw! Okay, fine... We're not buying the cat. -_- We don't need it.

Josko, Lord... T-T Ang reasoning skills ni kuya... T^T

Ako: Just carry the basket, okay? And don't--

Tumigil sya dun sa kinukuha nyang isang tali ng kangkong..

Ako: -- DON'T put anything in the basket.

Binalik nya ung kangkong na hawak nya..

Ako: Now, let's go and get the marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers.. Maloloka na ko syo pag
nagtagal pa tayo.

Sumunod naman si Jerwin sa'kin.. He's still darting looks from one thing to another, pero at least, hinde na
sya naglalagay ng kung anu-ano dun sa maliit na basket namen..

..or so I thought..
Pagpunta namin dun sa starstruck na cashier, at nung nilalabas ko na ung mga binibili namen, dun ko lang na-
realize na ang daming unnecessary items ang pinuslit nung mokong.

Ako: (sa cashier) Ah.. hahaha sorry ha, ung iba dito hindi naman namin kailangan..

Binibigay ko sa kanya ung mga kailangan lang namen, and then binabalik ko ung mga puslit dun sa basket..

Jerwin: What?? We're not buying the natto??

Ako: I told you, we don't need it.

Jerwin: But... I wanna see what we can do with tadpole-looking ingredients..

Pak!

Ako: You don't experiment with food!

Napahawak sya dun sa noo nyang hinampas ko nung pinuslit nyang pechay.

Jerwin: Okay. T_T Why are you so abusive of me today?

Natatawa na sa'min si Ms. Cashier. Pasimple pa sya sa pagtago nya.. Obvious naman..

Jerwin paid for our purchases -- kahit na wala ung mga mala-alien nyang gustong-gustong bilhin..

Much much later...

Mayaman sa stars ang sky ngayong gabi. Everybody is busy sa pag-BBQ or sa tsismisan nila habang nag-iinit
nung marshmallows para sa s'mores nila..
Ako naman, mag-isang nakaupo dun sa a few feet away from the fire, nag-sstargazing.. Ang alam ko, may kung
anong belief, na pag namatay raw ang isang tao, napapasok sya sa exclusive club ng stars in the nightsky.

I touched the silver ring na nandun sa ring finger nung right hand ko.. I wonder if G is an honorary member of
the stars now..

"Yo!"

Na-distract ako from my chain of thought nang tumabi sa'kin si Jerwin, carrying a plate of fresh s'mores..
He carefully plopped himself down on the sand and handed me the plate.

Chocolate & marshmallow sandwiched between graham crackers.. what more can a girl ask for?

Ako: Thank you.

Jerwin: You know, you should go and heat your own marshmallow.

Ako: Eh bahket ba? Nandyan ka naman.

Jerwin: Geez... I can just imagine the horror of being married to you..

Ako: Aww.. aren't you glad we'll break up eventually?

Jerwin: Tell me about it. I feel sorry for the guy who'll be your husband-slash-slave.
Ako: At sinoh naman may sabi na magpapakasal ako?

Jerwin took one of the s'mores dun sa plate and casually looked at me.

Jerwin: Anoh, magmamadre ka?

Ako: Hala.. tingin mo, tatanggapin ako dun?

Jerwin: (kagat sa s'more nya) That's what I thought. Wala ka pang 24 hours, ma-rrebuke ka na.

Salbahe. -__-

Jerwin: So, bakit di ka magpapakasal?

Ako: Hmp! Magpapakasal lang ako sa kung sinong makakapag-arrange sa stars ng: "Marry Me."
Jerwin: Ohhh.. How are they gonna do that?

Ako: Bah, malay ko. Bastah, ma-spell nya un sa nightsky, kasal na kame.

Jerwin: (smiles) You're gonna end up as an old maid.

Bago ako makasagot, bigla nang tumalon sa tabi namin sina Anton tsaka si Sheena.. May sariling mga bitbit na
mga plato nila..

Sheena: Hello, young lovers! Long time no see!

Ako: Haller...

Napatingin ako sa plato nya.. BBQ... Mukhang bagong luto.. -__- Mukhang masarap....

Ako: Sunshine....
Jerwin: Anong "sunshine" ka nanaman dyan?? Kakakuha ko lang ng s'mores mo ah!

Ako: Kuha mo rin ako ng BBQ~ Sige naaa~

Jerwin: Eh kung tumayo ka kaya to get it yourself?
Ako: Yabang nito. Sige na, nandun lang naman eh.

Sheena: Anton, ako rin.. Pakuha rin ng isa pang stick.

Anthony: Hala.. Nandun lang tayo kanina eh! bakit kaseh isa lang kinuha mo?!
Sheena: Eh gusto ko muna tikman eh..

Ako & Sheena: Pleaassseeee..

Nagtinginan si Anthony tsaka si Jerwin.. and then, dahil hinde nila na-take ang aming charm, tumayo na sila

para kumuha ng BBQ -- with matching one paragraph of reklamo pa yan..

Ahihihi.. Sarap utusan ni kuya.. sunod ng sunod..

Nung wala na sila, biglang umusog sa tabi ko si Sheena.

Sheena: Uy, best prend, you're smiling~

Ako: Eh bahket??! Masama ba ngumiti eh sa naaliw ako.

Biglang ngumiti si Sheena -- ung sincere smile talaga na hinde nang-aasar.. Tinignan nya ko sa mata, which
usually means na may kasunod na best friend moment itoh..

Sheena: I just haven't seen you smile like that in a while. Jerwin's doing a good job.
Huh...

I looked at Jerwin na nanghihingi ng BBQ kay Mrs. Gordon.. Naglolokohan pa sila ni Anton -- nag-pplot yata ng

kung anong revenge..

So I guess, what Sheena means is... I look genuinely happy..

It's been two years since I felt something like that..

"V..."

O__O

I froze. I thought I heard Gerard's voice.. but, that's impossible, isn't it? I looked around, nonetheless.. as
if naman may makikita talaga ako.. There's no one else here who would have called me by that nickname.. No
one..

Ako: Shee... I feel like I'm cheating..

Sheena: Cheating? Kanino?

Ako: Parang akong nagtataksil kay G...
Sheena: Best prend.. pano ka naman magtataksil? Eh wala na nga ung pinagtataksilan mo. No offense. But
I'm sure Gerard would have wanted you to be happy.

I looked at her and then back at Jerwin na naglalakad na pabalik sa'min.. Deep inside, I know she's right..

Jerwin: O, BBQ.. This is the last time I'm getting up to get you something.

I forced a smile as I took the plate. Jerwin's been a pain, but he's a nice guy... He makes me laugh and
smile.. That should be good..

I gazed up at the stars.. those little speckles of light in the vast, black sky..

Why do I suddenly feel guilty?

 ::Chapter 28::
Talk To Me
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

The next day started a little busier than we all would have wanted, pero anong magagawa namen.. Eh last day
na namen toh, balik sa real world nanaman kami bukas.

Mr. Gordon and I discussed a few other projects for the following month. Venice stayed in our room, trying
to finish a paper due the next day. Anthony and Sheena are preparing our things for our trip back home
later.

Nung natapos kami ni Mr. Gordon, the duffel bags are already by the door, at nasa beach na sina Sheena at si
Anthony. Susunod na sana ako nung naalala kong nasa kwarto pa yata si Venice -- nagpapaka-dakilang
estudyante.. So I decided to see if she needs anything or kung patapos na sya..

I slowly opened the door and peeked inside.. Venice is sitting on the bed with the laptop on her lap. Titig na
titig sya dun sa screen.. Dinidibdib talaga ang pag-aaral..

Ako: Hey, Venice...

She looked up.

-__-

?__?

O__O

She's crying?!? Why is she crying?!?

Napatakbo akong bigla sa tabi nya. Anong iniiyakan nya?!?

Ako: What's wrong? Na-sstressed ka na ba sa ginagawa mo?

Venice: *sniff* Kasi.... Kasi...

Inikot nya ung laptop para iharap sa'kin. Lumipat ung tingin ko dun sa screen.... sa screen na supposedly eh MS
Word..... hindi YouTube.

Ako: Aren't you supposed to be doing homework? -__-

Venice: *sniff* I finished kanina. Sunshine, look mo oh..

Tinuro nya ung video. The title says "Because I'm A Girl -- Kiss".. What am I looking at here? -__-

Venice: They were so happy together.. Tapos.. Nabulag ung girl, Sunshine.. Tapos sobrang na-guilty ung guy..
He finally decided to give her his eyes.. tapos tapos.. *sniff*Ang miserable nilang dalawa.. Tapos nakita nung
girl ulit ung guy after some time.. Na-realize nya ung nangyari.. kung kaninong mata ung na-donate sa kanya...

Sunshine.. ang sad nung story..

And this is coming from someone whose boyfriend died..

I looked at the video.. It's a total chick flick..

Ako: Bakit ka umiiyak?

Venice: Kasi nga ang sad! Ikaw ba, Sunshine, pag ako ba nabulag, ibibigay mo rin sa'kin ung mata mo?
Ako: Adik ka ba? -__-
Venice: Eh pag na-amputate ung legs ko, i-ddonate mo ba ung legs mo para sa'kin?
Ako: I'm pretty sure that's not how things work.

Pak!

Ako: AW! What?!?

Venice: Wala ka man lang i-ssacrifice na body part para sa'kin?!?

Ako: I love my body parts. Maghanap ka na lang sa Body Parts Bank or whatever.
Venice: Ang damot mo.

Ako: It's just... weird. Hinihingi mo na kagad ung mga body parts ko.. I'm still alive, you know?
Sinarado nya ung laptop and put it back dun sa bag.. Then she went to her luggage and pulled out a swimsuit,
then dire-diretso lang sya na lumabas.. Dinedma na ko.. O__O

Later...

Ako: Are you still ignoring me?

I followed Venice out to the beach. She hasn't spoken a single word since we went out of the villa. Kahit
nung nahihirapan syang maglagay ng sunblock sa likod nya, di pa rin ako pinansin.. Sheena eventually came and
helped her put sunblock on her back.

Now, she's quietly lying on the beach blanket, her eyes covered by sunglasses.. STILL not saying anything..

Sheena: What's going on?

Ako: She's ignoring me coz I won't give her my leg.

Anthony: Nanghihingi na si Venice ng binti ngayon?

Ako: Honestly, I don't understand it either...

Gumapang ako sa tabi ni Venice, oblivious to the stifled laughter na nanggagaling kina Sheena and Anton dun sa
katabing beach blanket..

Ako: Venice?? Huy... I'll buy you a mechanical leg if you want -- I mean not that I have to.. but just in case..

Silence.. Pinatong ko ung ulo ko dun sa shoulder nya.... She's breathing slowly.. deeply.. and it was then I
realized what's going on. I carefully slid the sunglasses off her face.. and yep.. her eyes are shut.

She's sleeping.

Nagtawanan bigla sina Sheena at si Anthony. I'm guessing they realized this sooner -- way sooner -- than I
did. I stood up and started stretching. Then I walked away.

--- ♥♥ ---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Ako: Sunshine, why are you avoiding me ba??!

Sinundan ko si Jerwin papunta dun sa truck nya.. Tinilapon nya ung mga bags dun sa likod nung truck, and then
went back inside the villa to pick up more things. Sunod uhlet ako.

Jerwin: I'm not avoiding you.

Tuloy-tuloy sya dun sa pag-lload nya nung mga gamit namen sa truck.

Ako: Eh bakit kanina mo pa ko hindi matignan?? May ginawa kang kalokohan noh! Ung lifeguard?!? Nilandi mo
ung lifeguard?! Sunshine naman, pwede mo na maging nanay un eh!

FINALLY, he stopped moving. Pero instead of looking at me or voicing out his usual retorts, napatingin sya
kina Sheena and Anthony na nakaupo dun sa living room. Kumaway ung dalawa sa'min -- and nagsimula nanaman
si Jerwin sa kaloka nyang paggalaw-galaw. -___-
Eh syempre, nagsimula nanaman ako sa pagsunod-sunod ko.

Jerwin: Why are you following me, anyway?

Ako: Eh kaseh, kanina ka pa lakad ng lakad. Di ko naman ma-getz kung bahket di mo ko tinitignan. Avah--

BUMP!

Aw.

Kung kelan dire-diretso ang lakad ko, tsaka naman sya titigil. Eh talaga namang magkakakilala ung noo ko at
ung likod nya.

Jerwin: Venice... Just.. Uhmm.. Next time..

Ako: Uh-huh??
Jerwin: If you're mad or if I offended you in some way, just tell me, ok?

Nag-flashback sa utak ko ung conversation namin kanina..

"I'm still alive, you know?".. He said that and parang nagulantang ako.. It gives me a weird feeling pag
nakakarinig ako ng mga ganyang ka-simple na sentence na nag-bborder sa topic ng life and death.. Kaya di na
ko nagsalita, kaseh di ko lam isasagot ko..

Tinulog ko na lang.

Jerwin: It feels... It doesn't feel right when you're not talking to me..

-___-

Anoh bang pinagsasabi nitong si kuya? Na-sobrahan ba sya sa araw? sa buhangin? napasok ba ng alimango ung
utak nya?

Di ko naman sya dinedma.. Bilang lang naman ung beses na may sinabi sya sa'kin nung palabas kami sa villa..
Bakit nya naman naisip na hinde ko sya kinakausap?

Jerwin: Ok?

Napangiti na lang ako, kahit no idea ako kung anong dinadrama nya sa buhay nya.

Ako: Okay.

Jerwin: Great. Now, c'mon. Let's go home..

::Chapter 29::
Celebration
♫.~*~..~*~.♫
 (Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

We left Batangas right after lunch -- para raw busog kame at hinde na kami patigil-tigil sa kung saan saan

para lang bumili ng mangunguya. Magaling rin ang logic nyang si Jerwin paminsan-minsan eh.

We dropped off Sheena and Anthony sa mga bahay-bahay nila, and finally, binaba na rin ako ni Jerwin sa
bahay ko.. 1:35 PM ako na kami nakarating sa bahay.. Hindi na bumaba si Jerwin this time.. Gusto nya na rin
daw kaseh umuwi, makanakaw man lang ng konti pang tulog.. Hello na lang daw kay mommy..

I dragged my suitcase papasok.. at pagbukas na pagbukas ko ng pinto, sumalubong kagad ang nanay ko..

"Venice, nandito ka na?"

Ako: Yep.. Hello, mother.

Mom: Kamustah ang beach? Bakit parang di ka naman umitim?

Ako: Next time, mom, pag nag-beach ako, I'll make sure I'll turn golden brown.

Mom: Golden Brown? Anoh ka, itlog? Ay oo nga pala, kanina pa tumatawag si Nicole.

Napatigil akong bigla.. O_O Si cousin-in-law tumatawag? Bahket?! May balak nanaman syang ikulong kaming
dalawa?!?!

Ako: Bakit daw?

Mom: Tatawag na lang daw uhlet sya mamaya.
Ako: Well, I'm going to take a nap.. So, good luck na lang sa kanya.

Umakyat ng ko ng hagdan papunta sa kwarto ko -- pahirapan pang kaladkarin ung maleta.. When I finally
reached my room, iniwan ko na ung pagkabigat-bigat na maleta sa may pinto at nag-collapse sa kama ko..

Bahala na si Nicole sa buhay nya.. Na-low batt na ko sa pagbilad sa araw, sa traffic, at sa pagsaway kay Sheena
at Anton.. No energy na para magpaka-paranoid pa dahel sa tumatawag sa'kin ang troublemaker nyang sarili..

Now, off to dreamland..

A couple of hours later...

"Venice! Venice! Venice!!!!! Why is it so hard to wake you up?!?"

-_____-

Sinoh ba tohng istorbo sa beauty sleep ko?!?

I felt somebody bounce up and down my bed. Feel na feel ang panggising sa'kin.. -___- Tumilapon sana sya sa
sahig.
Finally, dahel nahihilo na ko kakatalon nya, I opened one eye para sabihing lumayas sya dahil natutulog ako---

O___O

Oo O

Napaupo akong bigla. Is this a dream? a nightmare?!

Ako: Nicole!?! What are you doing here?!?

Nicole: Your mom let me in. I was calling your cellphone, but you're not answering.. So I called your house

phone, your mom said you're sleeping.. I took the initiative to drop by and wake you up.
Ako: Oh bat why? T-T

Nicole: Are you awake now?

Gising na ko. Gising na gising. T^T

Tumayo bigla si Nicole, and grabbed a black dress bag na nakasabit dun sa hook sa likod nung door ko. Bitbit
nya? Dahel I don't remember owning a dress bag... at solid black pa..

Ako: Oh.... Is that a dead person? Did you kill somebody, Nicole? -__-
Nicole: (natawa) Of course not. If I'm gonna kill somebody, I'd just burn the corpse. I won't chop it

all up and put it in a perfectly good dress bag.

Parang pinag-isipan nya na talaga dati un.. -___-

Binuksan nya ung zipper nung bag and nilabas ang isang ivory-colored cocktail dress. It has a black pleated
sash just below the bust na natatali sa likod, and black halter straps na tinatali rin sa likod. It also has a
trimming of black lace dun sa edges nung skirt.
It's cute. Simple, but cute.

Ako: What's that?

Nicole: This is one my mother's latest creations. It's not even released to the market yet.

Ako: You're giving it to me?

Nicole: Of course! My mom tailored this one especially for you.. It fits me, so I think it should fit you

too.
Ako: Especially for me? T^T

An expensive, signature-branded cocktail dress made especially for me....

There must be a catch. -__-

Nicole: Yep! You're wearing this tonight!

I knew IT!

Ako: Tonight? What's going on tonight?

Nicole: Oh, you don't have to know.

Don't have to know?!? Eh ako tohng kinikidnap mo?!?

Nicole: Just go take a shower..

Sinabit nya uhlet ung dress sa likod ng door.

Nicole: Your mom was cooking something that smells really good when I arrived, so I'll be downstairs while

you shower. Holler at me when you're out.. I'll come back here and create a masterpiece out of you. Ciao!

After saying all that, lumabas na ng kwarto ko si Nicole. I stared open-mouthed at her, and then at the door,
and thennn at the dress.

What's going on?!?

Nag-dive ung kamay ko sa ilalim nung unan and grabbed my phone. I dialled Jerwin's number para mag-demand

ng information.. mag-demand na iuwi nya na ung pinsan nya (pero iwan na ung dress )..... at kung pwede lang
noh, mag-demand na sagutin nya ung phone. -_-

Anak ng tokwa. Di nanaman sinasagot ang tawag ko. rawr.

One of these days, may gagawin akong ringtone sa cellphone nun -- a ringtone he won't be able to ignore.

bam.

I looked at the dress again. Sigh. Let's get this done and over with. T^T

--- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I looked at my watch. 6:24 PM.. Jean woke me up from my nap to stand here in this hotel's entrance waiting
for who knows what. And I'm wearing an ivory-colored tux. Who wears a tux para lang maghintay sa pinto?
-___-

Sigh. Jean and my parents went inside the hotel already. Ang bilin lang sa'kin, tumayo lang ako dito sa pinto
and wait. Wait for what? I'll know daw.
Well, I've been waiting here for almost 15 minutes.. and I don't even know what to do kapag dumating na ung
hinihintay ko. People are looking at me (a couple of passerbys asked for a photo op).. Some would whisper
amongst themselves.. Nakaka-paranoid na. -__-

Iikot na sana ako para hanapin ung magaling kong pamilyang nang-iwan, when a car stopped in front of the main

door. Nicole's car. Nicole.....

May family reunion ba today na nakalimutan ko? O__O Crap.

Nicole got out of the car, and threw her keys to the waiting valet. She immediately saw me (I'm sure dahel
nag-sstand out naman ako sa lahat ng tao sa paligid ko -__- ) and ran to give me a hug.

Nicole: Cousin! Hello! My, my, you look nice.

Ako: You don't look too shabby yourself.

Nicole always looks good. Well, I guess that's why she became a model. Right now, she's wearing a body-
fitting, short dark blue dress with crystals beaded on the shoulder straps. Her hair is straightened to
perfection with a small silver clip on one side.

She looks so prim and proper -- it's just not right.

Ako: Ok. What's the occasion? Is Grams coming?

Nicole just laughed, and then turned to look behind her. I just realized that her car is still there, and
someone else is stepping out.

Ako: Venice... @__@

I took a deep breath and completely forgot to exhale.

Nicole: I'll go inside first. Take care of my masterpiece? Hasta luego, primo!
Halos di ko na napansin na naglakad papasok nung hotel si Nicole. I was too preoccupied watching Venice as
she cautiously walks toward me.

She's wearing an ivory-colored dress that falls just above her knees.. Her hair is in loose curls, cascading a
few inches past her shoulders. Her make-up is soft and flawless --everything about her looks flawless.

She looks breathtakingly beautiful.

Ako: You look....... Wow..

Venice: (smiles) Wow is good. Wow is a compliment... right?

Ako: Yes!!! *ahem* I mean.. yes..

Venice: So what's the occasion?

I blinked. Nagising uhlet bigla lahat nung maliliit na neurons sa utak ko, and they're all screaming, "Stop
ogling at her!"
I complied to their command.

Ako: Nicole didn't tell you?

Venice: Nope. She just appeared out of nowhere sa kwarto ko.. made me take a shower.. ate pretty much
half ng merienda ko.. and then tada!

She took a quick spin -- as quick as her peep-toe, high-heeled shoes would allow her -- and allowed me to see
every inch of her regal form.

Venice: Naging instant Barbie nya ko.

Ako: At least you're not blond. No one would know you just became my cousin's Barbie. Well, anyway,

truth be told.. I don't know what going on either...

Napatingin ako sa paligid.. Anoh na mangyayari ngayon??

Just then, one of the hotel employees seemed to have noticed my looking around, kaseh lumapit sya sa'min.

Hotel Emp: Good evening poh, Mr. Jerwin, Ms. Venice. Please follow me to the banquet hall.

Venice: Banquet hall? Anong meron?

The employee didn't answer, so I just shrugged. Somehow, everything here feels like it's been planned.

Ako: Well, señorita, shall we go?

I offered her my arm, and she reluctantly took it. We followed the hotel employee papunta dun sa "banquet
hall" daw..

Venice: We just got back, and may kung anong mystery na kagad na bumubulaga sa'kin. T-T
Ako: It'll be okay. I'll be here.

Venice looked up at me, trying to ponder what I just said. Mukhang on the verge of panic na sya sa mga

nangyayari.. Fear of the unknown, eh? Siguro kung di ko lang hawak ung kamay nya, kanina pa kumaripas ng

takbo toh.

Venice: Okay.. Just.. Whatever might be waiting for us in there.. Don't leave me alone, okay?
Ako: Okay.
Venice: Promise?
Ako: I promise.

Our guide stopped in front a double-door room.. The doors are closed and there's not one sound coming from
inside. Venice and I glanced at each other. She's starting look more and more anxious.

Venice: You think we'll be murdered in there? ...... Oh my god, I hope they're not setting us up for an
impromptu marriage ceremony. O.O
Ako: Of course they're not!

Right?!? O__O

Hotel Emp: Well, here you go.

I felt Venice clutch my arm tighter. Our guide knocked on the door three times.. I was kinda waiting for him

to say, "Open Sesame!" -- but, well, one can hope.

We just stood there for a few seconds wondering what going on.. Should we run while we still have a chance?

All of a sudden, the doors burst wide open -- revealing a crowd lauding in front of us.

"SURPRIISEEEEE!!!!"

::Chapter 30::
The Other Woman
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

It's a party. It's a rich-people, business-socializing party.

It's not an impromptu marriage ceremony, but somehow, I still feel like I should run away.

The room they rented is HUGE! Not that I should be surprised... Ang daming tao eh.. People, na sabi ni
Jerwin, are important to his career: sponsors, composers, producers, directors, marketing agents, musicians,
artists.. every kind of important people in the entertainment industry, nandito... There are even a couple of
newspaper photographers and writers walking around..

Why? Because it's Jerwin Santos' Surprise Engagement Party.

Apparently, being invited to a Santos' social event is like being invited sa Malacañang...

"So, are you surprised?? "

I turned to look at Nicole na nakaupo sa other side ko (syempre, si Jerwin ung nakaupo dun sa kabila).. She

looks ecstatic to be able to keep something like this a secret.

Ako: Oh yes. I'm very, VERY surprised.

Jerwin and I already made the quick greetings to most of the people present nung pumasok kami. Napapagod
na nga ako about halfway through the introductions and hand-shaking and salutations.. Buti na lang, maupo na
raw kami kaseh magsisimula nang i-serve ung dinner.
And by "serve ng dinner", hinde sya buffet. Talagang appetizer, soup, salad, main course, dessert ang dating
nya -- formal dinner ba..

Nasa main course na kami ngayon.. At sa totoo lang.. no wonder payat ang mayayaman, abah, eh sinoh ba naman
mabubusog sa kakapiranggot na entree na toh?!?

I looked around the table.. Kausap ni Nicole si Jean.. Kausap ni Jerwin si Dustin (a long-time family friend na
kaedad lang nya)..
Wala man lang nag-rereklamo sa kanila, kaya tahimik ko na ring kinain ung nasa harap ko.. T-T

Jean: Ate Venice, have you talked to Grams yet?

Ako: Grams?

Jean: Yup, si lola! Ang tagal-tagal nya nang tinatanong kung kelan ka nya makikilala..
Nicole: She's the one sitting between my mom and Tito Ray over there..

Sinundan ko ung tingin ni Nicole dun sa kabilang table.. There is a pleasant, old woman na nakaupo at kausap si
Tita Lina (mom ni Nicole, aka designer ng dress na suot ko).

Ako: Ung kausap ng mom mo?

Nicole: Yep, that's Grams.

Grams looks good even for her age, which I assume is pretty old, considering ung mga edad ng mga apo nya.

Halatang maganda sya nung bata.. She looks approachable though. Hindi ung mga tipong panakot na lola..

Jerwin: I'll bring you to her after we eat if you want.

Ako: That'd be nice.

Jean: By the way, how come may isa pang vacant seat dito sa table natin?
Dustin: I invited someone.
Nicole: And?
Dustin: She's on her way.

Jean: Ooohhh.. "She"?? May girlfriend ka na, kuya?

Dustin: Oh she's just a friend. Though.. (tumingin kay Jerwin) I hope you remember her, Jerwin.

Jerwin: Oh? I know her?

They started talking about taking a vacation sa summer, maybe sa Boracay daw.. or bakit hindi na lang daw sa
Bahamas.. or Italy.. or Florida.. Oh di vah.. ang usapan nila.. parang isang sakayan lang ng bus ang mga

pupuntahan..

Nakikinig lang ako.. Nilalasap ang bawat subo ko ng maliit na steak.. They try to include me sa conversation,
syempre, sasagot ako.. pero.. nakaka-OP kaseh.. I've never been to New York or Greece or Rome or Mexico..

Ang pinakamalayo ko na ngang napuntahan eh Subic -- partida, field trip namen nung 3rd year high school.

We finished the main course, and kinukuha na nung mga waiter ung mga plates. I took my glass of water, and
started to drink slowly nang biglang humirit si Nicole..

Nicole: Oh, by the way, Venice, when are you going to give me a nephew?

NAGTULOOOOYYY-TULOOOYYYY sa wind pipe ko ung tubig.

In other words, I started choking -- big time.
Jerwin started striking my back -- ung ginagawa ng mga tao pag may nag-cchoke. -__-*cough*

Jerwin: Nicole!
Nicole: What? I'm just asking!

Jean: Kuya, you're blushing!

Nicole: *gasp* You two! Don't tell me you've been trying to--
Jerwin: NICK!

Nicole: Kidding.

Nag-rrecede na ung mga ubo ko, and I'm starting to feel myself being able to breathe again. Jerwin is still
gently hitting my back, while glaring at his cousin and his sister.

"What a fun table we have here..."

PAK
Ako: Aw! What the hell?

Napalakas ung palo ni Jerwin sa likod ko, and then he froze. Actually, I noticed the WHOLE table froze. I
looked at all of them.. They're staring at the person who spoke behind me.

The color drained from Jerwin's face.

I slowly turned para tignan kung sinoh ba ung nakapagpatulala sa kanilang lahat..

O.O

Oh.. That's why..

I could almost feel my heart stopping when I saw the girl standing lusciously behind me.

Jerwin: Geena....
::Chapter 31::
Song For Someone
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Well.. this is awkward...

Our once cheerful little table ay biglang napaligiran ng oh-so-tensed na atmosphere. -__-

Nicole: What the heeeyyyllll are you doing here?!?

Geena: Why, I'm here for Jerwin's engagement party. And hello to you too, Nicole.
Jean: Who invited you?!?!?
Dustin: I did.

Dustin stood up and led Geena to the empty chair na nandun sa gitna nya tsaka ni Jean. I bet... kung hindi lang
nakakalat ang mga paparazzis around, and siguro kaseh baka madumihan ung mga dresses nila, pinaghahampas
na sana nina Nicole at Jean si Dustin ng silya. Ang toxic ng tingin! O_O

I glanced at Jerwin, and I felt a tiny prick in my chest. He's staring wide-eyed at Geena.

Geena: So.. You're Venice?

*gulp*

Ako: Y-Yes. Hello.

Geena: I've never seen you before. What agency or station do you work for? Or are you a recording artist
too?
Jean: Venice is not in the industry.
Nicole: She's a student.

Geena: A student?

Bakit parang tunog sa'kin ng conversation nila eh: student = alien? -___-

All of a sudden, Jerwin threw his napkin on the table and pushed back his chair.

Ako: Where are you going?

Jerwin: You're done eating, right? C'mon, let's go to Grams' table.

But... But.. may dessert pa... At chocolate cake ung nilalabas nila... T^T

Pinatong ko na rin ung napkin ko dun sa table, and slowly stood up. Sinundan ko si Jerwin papunta dun sa table
ng mga elders -- a couple of tables away from ours.

Jerwin and I stopped behind the old woman, who immediately turned to look at the both of us.

Jerwin: Grams.
Grams: Jerwin. Oh, so you finally bring your fiancée here.
*gulp*

Ngayon na natitigan ko si lola.. may pagka-intimidating pala sya.. O___O

Her face, kahit na mukha na syang 70? 80?, is a portrait of sophisticated beauty. Ang ganda siguro ni lola
nung bata sya.. Regal beauty..

at may kung anong aura pa sya na nag-ddemand ng full attention.. She's wearing a maroon dress.. with
diamond earrings hanging from her ears, and diamond necklace around her neck.. mayaman din sa rings ang

hands ni lola..

Jerwin: You have always said better late than never. Anyway, Grams, this is Venice.. Venice, this is the
"head" of the Santos family, Mrs. Gretchen Santos.
Venice: Good evening poh.
Grams: Good evening. Come here, sit down, let's talk.

Eh?!? Kailangan pa ba yan? T^T

I sat down on the empty chair na inuupuan kanina ni Tito Ray -- he's on the other table talking to some other
business people.

Grams: So, tell me, Venice, what do your parents do?

Ako: My mom was working as a nurse in the US.
Grams: "Was"?
Ako: She's been staying here for about a year and a half now.. but she's flying back to the US next week.
Grams: And your father?
Ako: He died when I was young.
Grams: I see.

I feel like I'm being interrogated. Kulang na lang, ung maliit na spotlight..

Grams: And how about you? What do you do for a living?

Jerwin: Grams, Venice is focusing on her studies.
Grams: Oh, is she now? Then, have you modeled before? Did some acting?

Ako: I.. uh.. Wala poh akong ganong experience....

Grams: Hmm.. (sips from her teacup) A Santos engaged to a nobody.. I never thought I'd see this day
come..
Tita Merryl: Suegra, Venice has an incredible voice.
Grams: Hm? Does she now?

Oo O

Napatingin ako bigla kay Jerwin, nanlalaki ang mga mata sa na-ffeel kong mangyayari. O__O I know this
feeling of terror. I knew this was coming!

Ako: HMMM?!?!? O.O

Jerwin just shrugged -- at daig pa ang clown sa laki ng ngiti nya! @_@ Kung di lang ako napapaligiran ng
angkan nya, sinalpak ko na ung uneaten cake dun sa mesa sa face nya -- tignan ko lang kung maka-bungisngis pa
sya.

Meanwhile, Grams motioned for the host to come over, syempre sunod naman si Mr. Host.

Grams: My grandson and his fiancée will be singing a song for everybody.

Oh my golay. I knew it!

Jerwin: Okay, Grams. Listen, and be amazed.

"Okay"?!?!?

Jerwin pulled me from my seat, and almost dragged me papunta dun sa band dun sa sulok na nag-pplay ng kung
anong soothing music.... mga gunggong.. kung gusto nyong mag-soothe ng soul, bigyan nyo ng vodka! vodka lang
ang katapat nyan men!

Ako: Why are we doing this?!?

Jerwin: So people won't have any more complaints about you being a "nobody".
Ako: Who cares about their complaints?! What about my complaints?!

Jerwin: You have any?

Ako: DUh! I'm being pushed into the spotlight again! And I don't like this spotlight! At isa pa, wala naman
tayong na-practice na kahit anoh!

Jerwin: Hmmm we were able to rehearse "Lucky"....

Ako: Adik ka ba? @__@ That was supposed to be for your concert, uh, I dunno, 5000 years ago!

Ang announcement of my existence... Kung alam ko lang..

Ako: And besides, you rejected that song, di ba?! Sabi mo, it doesn't "fit" us!

Jerwin: That was then, this is now.

Eh?!?!

He went to the band and borrowed the guitar. I looked over dun sa dancefloor, may dalawang staff na
naglalagay na ng tatlong mic stands sa gitna.. Then, Jerwin stepped beside me -- may hawak na syang gitara..

Ako: Anoh yan?? Nag-gigitara ka?

Jerwin: Of course. Let's go?

Ako: Why do you always do this to me? T-T

Jerwin: Coz I know you shine best when you're singing.

Ako: What?!?

He took my hand and pulled my hand papunta dun sa gitna nung dance floor. He fixed one of the mic stands
para dun sa guitar, then adjusted the other one for him.. Masakit man sa loob ko, inayos ko na rin ung mic
stand ko.. Eh anoh pa nga bang magagawa ko? Eh halos lahat ng people naka-tingin na sa'min. T-T

Jerwin then nodded to the host to signal we're ready. As if naman... T^T

Mr. Host: Ladies and gentlemen, to show their gratitude for this wonderful surprise, Mr. Jerwin Santos and
his fiancée, Venice Zhao, has decided to serenade you with one of their favorite songs. Please give them a

warm round of applause.

Favorite song?!? Anong kalokohan yan?!?

Before I knew it, Jerwin started plucking the strings of his guitar. He looked at me, and I can almost hear

him say, "Aja!" hahaha

{song: Lucky}
Jerwin: (sings) Do you hear me? I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying..

Ako: Boy I hear you in my dreams

I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard..

This isn't so bad...

I looked at the people around us.. They seem happy, enjoying the song, I guess. Even Grams looks pleased.

I glanced back at Jerwin, and almost choked on my words..

He's glancing around the room.. or at least, that's what he's trying to make it look like.. but.. I'm not blind..
lalo na't ganito pa sya kalapit sa'kin..

I looked at the table in front of us.. ung table na upuan namin..

I put a smile on my face, kaseh syempre, masaya ung kanta, dapat masaya ang face.... This will be on
tomorrow's newspaper, I'm sure...

Jerwin: (sings) And so I'm sailing through the sea

To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair..

Ako: Though the breezes through trees

Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning 'round
You hold me right here, right now...

I saw Jerwin glance at me real quick -- he even smiled.

I smiled back... then it was gone.. He turned away again.. His attention back to her again..
Everybody has this look of admiration.. na parang kinikilig.. na parang we're this really talented, promising
couple..
I bet they just can't see.. they just don't notice..
Jerwin might be singing with me.. but.. he's singing the song for someone else..
::Chapter 32::
I Choose You
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"See? That wasn't so bad."

Napatingin ako kay Jerwin. Balik na pala sa'kin ung atensyon nya.. We just finished our little impromptu
show, and people are giving us a deafening applause. I guess they liked it. wahahaha

Nag-bow kami sa audience a couple of times.. Someone took the guitar from Jerwin, and after waving to the
audience one more time, Jerwin and I walked back sa table ni Lola..

Jerwin: Well, Grams? What did you think?

Umupo na uhlet ako dun sa upuan sa tabi ni Grams.. Grams beamed at me. Natuwa yata si lola..

Grams: You have potential. Okay. I'll accept you into the family.

Ako: Ehh?!?
Grams: Hijita, ladies don't answer like that. Merryl?
Tita Merryl: Yes, suegra?
Grams: You see hijita often, yes? You should correct her way of talking.
Tita Merryl: Not so often, suegra, but I will point out her mistakes whenever we meet.

What the quack is this??

Pinagtutulungan nanaman nila ako..
Tumingin ako kay Grams.. She looks very pleased... but still scary.. -__- Pag kumontra siguro ako, baka ipaluto
nya ko sa malaking kawali... I sighed in defeat..
Grams: Next time I see her, I want her to be able to answer properly, and--

She swatted my back with her fan.

Grams: Proper posture. Don't hunch, hijita.

I immediately straightened my back. Na-interrogate na nga ako't lahat, ngayon, posture ko naman ang topic?!?

Jerwin: Okay, Grams, we'll be going back to our table now.

Grams: Very well. Oh, hijita?
Ako: *gulp* Yes, ma'am?

Grams: Call me Grams. I'll see you soon.

Ai, lola.. kahit wag na uhlet tayo magkita. T_T

I stood up -- making sure na straight ang vertebrae ko -- and walked next to Jerwin. Jerwin slightly bowed
his head to his grandmother. Lumipat ung tingin sa'kin ni Grams. I started to feel myself panic. Straight ba

ang posture ko? Masama yata pag sinabi kong "Ok, Grams! Vavush!"

She's still staring at me like a queen waiting for one of her subjects to do something. What am I supposed to
do?! Baka mapuna nanaman ako..

Grams: Hijita?

Sa sobrang panic ko -- I curtsied! CURTSIED!

C-U-R-T-S-I-E-D!!! CURTSIED!!

ndhvaerjlkajicf!!!!! Who curtsies in this day and age!?!??!?! <'OoO'>

Nung na-realize ko ung ginawa ko, I immediately grabbed Jerwin's hand and dragged him away. I can feel my
face heating up! Lahat na yata ng dugo ko, lumipad sa mukha ko!
And it's not helping na mamatay na sa kakatawa tohng kinakaladkad ko!

Jerwin: HAHAHAHAHAHA What was that?!?!

Ako: Shut up! I panicked, okay?!?

Jerwin: So you curtsied?

We were just a few feet away from our table when I turned to glare at him. There are people walking around
us, pero busy sila sa pag-uusap at pagpunta dun sa dance floor para magsayaw.. I don't think they notice na
Jerwin is laughing like a maniac, and I'm just about to show him my mad ninja skills.

Naturingan pa namang "fiancé" ko. -__- Napahiya na nga ako, pinagtatawanan pa ko!?

Ako: Mabulunan ka sana.

Jerwin: But.. HAHAHAHAHA you curtsied

Ako: Will you stop laughing already?!?! O gusto mong makita sa front page ng mga dyaryo bukas ang
pagngudngod ko ng mukha mo sa sahig!?!

Jerwin glance at my expression and then cleared his throat. Finally, tumigil na sya sa kakatawa. Pero ang laki
pa rin naman ng ngiti nya. -__-

Ako: Haayy.. I can't believe I did that! You're grandma probably thinks I'm stupid.

Jerwin: You kidding me? She loved you!

Ako: -__- Weh!?
Jerwin: She called you "hijita"..
Ako: What does that mean?

Jerwin: It's Spanish for "little girl".. "little dear" or something like that.. It's a term of endearment.
AND! She even wants to see you soon!
Ako: Haayyy.. Probably to make sure I keep my posture straight... and I don't reply with "eh?!" T_T

Jerwin threw his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer so that he can whisper something without
anyone else having to hear it.
Jerwin: You'll be alright.. Grams isn't that cold-hearted.. My cousins and I absolutely love... her...

Napatingin ako when Jerwin's voice trailed by the end of his sentence. His arm slowly dropped back to his
side. Sinundan ko ung tinitignan nya.... and I should have known.. Geena..

It's either Geena or the big bowl of punch na katabi ni Geena...

Ako: You should go.

Jerwin: (napatingin sa'kin) Huh?

Ako: You want to talk to her, right? I'll go bother Nicole or Jean... or both.

Jerwin smiled and gave me a quick pat on the head.

Jerwin: I'll come back soon.

--- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I grabbed a small cup from the buffet table and walked over to where the punch bowl is.. where Geena is
quietly sipping from her own cup.

Ako: How was Paris?

She glanced up at me, and smiled.

Geena: Same old, same old. How about you? I was just gone for a month, and when I came back, you're
engaged already.
Ako: Hmm.. yea...
Geena: And to someone who's not Santos material at that. She's not an actress, not a singer, not a model, not
a business tycoon.... NOT the ideal heiress to the Santos dynasty, may I say. I'm surprised your parents
allowed you date her.

Ako: (chuckled) Everything is mom's idea, after all.

Geena: Your mom's idea?

Ako: Oh, ha? Nothing..

Geena peered at me under her heavy eyelashes.. Yea, I know.. Nadulas lang ako.. But I guess, she chose to
just let it go.

Geena: And you? What attracted you to her?

Sumandal ako dun sa dingding, and I turned my eyes to watch Venice. She's talking to Mr. Lopez, one of the
big bosses in a TV network I often work with.. Nicole is sitting beside her, parang may kung anong ino-offer si

Mr. Lopez kay Venice.. I can tell by Nicole's excited exclamations, and Venice's horrified reactions. She's

so easy to read.

Ako: Venice... She.. She's completely unexplainable. You think she's a good girl, but when you get to know her,
she's actually everything.. She's crazy.. She's funny.. She's honest.. She's caring.. She's impatient..

Naalala kong bigla ung pag-curtsy nya kay Grams kanina, and in spite of myself, I started chuckling.

Ako: And you'll never know what she's gonna do next.

Geena: You sound pretty fond of her.

I blinked and reverted my attention back to Geena. She's staring at me sharply. I know that look.. She uses it
when she's not happy about something.

Geena: This is a set-up, isn't it?

Ako: What?
Geena: Dustin told me that this girl just appeared out of nowhere. Is she pregnant?
Ako: What?!? No!
Geena: So what...
She stepped closer to me and ran her hand over my arm.

Geena: Are you using her to make me jealous? Isn't this a bit too much? Being engaged and all... Everything
just to get to me?

I sighed. I gently stopped her hand from traveling anywhere else, and even more gently, I pushed it away.

Ako: Geena.. You'll always be special to me..

She smiled.

Ako: But..

I looked at Venice, who just then, turned to look at me too. She smiled, and I smiled back. She turned away
to pay more attention to whatever Nicole was blabbering.. Kunwari seryoso ung pakikinig nya, pero halata

namang konti na lang, kakaripas na sya ng takbo.. Fame scares her, I don't know why.

Ako: I'm lucky.

Geena: Lucky?
Ako: Yea. I feel lucky I didn't end up with you.. Instead, I found her.

I met Geena's astonished gaze. I can tell she didn't expect me to say that. I never thought I'd say
something like that either..
But now that it's out there, it somehow feels "right".. Wala nang bawian.

Ako: I have to go--

Geena: Jerwin--

She suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me back. She's holding on quite tightly.

Geena: Why are you leaving me? Is it because I didn't want us to be official? I'll change that! I'll make us
official! You and me.. Just leave that.... that.... that nobody!

I pried her fingers off my arm.. She didn't try to hold on. She just let me make her let go..

Ako: I would have given anything to hear you say that before.. But it's different now..

I met her eyes.. those intense brown eyes..

Ako: I'm engaged now. Geena, anytime you'll need me, you know you can always give me a call. I'll always be
here for you... as a friend..

I let go of Geena's hand, and gave her a small smile. I looked back at the table and found that Venice left her

spot. I wonder where she went...

I turned my back on Geena and walked away to look for Venice.

I never thought I'd turn my back on Geena....

but then again, I never thought I'd be engaged to a "nobody" either.

::Chapter 33::
Hiram
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I found a comfortable-looking loveseat dun sa labas nung dance hall.. I'm so glad. T^T nyahaha Pinatong ko
ung mga tumitibok-tibok kong legs dun sa upuan and bent down to massage my calves..

Buti na lang nakatakas ako unnoticed.. Naaliw kaseh si Nicole dun sa kinukwento nung kung sinoh mang manong
un, at si Jean naman, kausap si Grams..
I took the opportunity to sneak out of the party, and ehto na nga.. buti na lang may loveseat sa labas nung
banquet hall..

Ang taas-taas naman kaseh ng heels! Masaket sa paa! Ehto ung mga tipo ng shoes na dapat lagi kang may
katabi para mag-sway ka man side to side, may hahawak syo.. Ahyun lang naman ang papel ni Jerwin kaya ako

tumatabi sa kanya..
Jerwin...

It was really awkward seeing him and Geena together.. Lalo na nung nakahawak si Geena sa arm nya.. They
were looking so intently at each other.. I wonder kung anong pinag-uusapan nila..... Haayyyy.. I feel like the
other woman..

Ako: Kabet. Isa akong KABET!

"Oh here you are."

O.O

*cough!*
*cough!!*

I'm choking on my own oxygen. O.O

Ehto naman kasing si Jerwin, kung kelan nag-eemote ako sa pagiging kabet ko, tsaka naman sya lumabas ng
pinto! Eh kamustah nga naman ang airways ko!? Nagulat tuloy!

Jerwin: What are you doing??

I took a few deep breaths.. Bumabalik na ang abilities ng lungs kong huminga.. *inhale* *exhale* *inhale*
Lumapit sa'kin si Jerwin..

PAK!

Hinampas ko ung tyan-slash-abs nya -- nakatayo kaseh si kuya, hindi ko tuloy mabatukan..

Jerwin: Aray! What?!?

Ako: Adik ka! Bakit ka ba nanggugulat!?
Jerwin: Kasalanan ko bang magugulatin ka?!?

Tinaas nya ung mga paa ko, and sat down dun sa inuupuan kanina ng aking tired legs.. He placed my legs on his

lap naman, kaya di na ko nag-reklamo..

Ako: Bakit ka ba nandito?

Jerwin: Kaseh bigla kang nawala dun sa loob.

Ako: *gasp*

I poked his arm.

Ako: Na-miss mo na kagad ako? Uyyyy, iba na yan..

Jerwin: You crazy? I was just worried na baka tumakbo ka na pauwi.. Anoh na lang ang sasabihin ko sa
mga tao pag bigla kang nag-poof?
Ako: You know, you could have just said, "Yes, of course, Venice. I can't stand being away from you."
Jerwin: That's just creepy. -__- And besides, bakit ba nakataas ang paa mo sa silya?
Ako: Eh sa nag-rerebolusyon na sila eh! Masakit kaya sa paa ung heels na yan!
Jerwin: Is that why you went out? Para lang mataas mo ung paa mo?

Ako: Well.. I was kinda avoiding talking to other people..

Jerwin started to massage my calves gently. He's doing such a good job na lalo ko na tuloy ayaw tumayo.

Jerwin: Why are you avoiding them?

Ako: Kaseh naman.. They'd ask me questions like, "Where did you two meet?", "What did you do for your
first date?".. and "When's the wedding?" Ay josko! It's a miracle na hinde nga ako kumaripas ng
takbo. *sigh* Kaya ehto, lumabas na lang muna ako.. Baka makahalata na sila pag every time na tinatanong nila
ako ng ganon, iniiba ko ung topic!
Jerwin: You can just tell them we met at the music hall. It's the truth.

Ako: Uh-huh.. and I didn't know who you were.. and incidentally, you somehow ended up bringing me to

your house the same night coz I was wasted. Good story.
Jerwin: Well, you didn't have to tell them about the latter part. Geez.
Ako: And how do I answer questions about our "first date"? We haven't even had a single date!

Jerwin: Ohhhh.. Is this your way of asking me to go on a date with you?

Ako: Laseng ka ba? -__- Bakit naman kita yayayain?? Ka-date-date ka ba!?

Jerwin: Ahsuz, nagpakipot ka pa.. All you have to say is, "Jerwin, will you go out with me?"
Ako: Ewww.. Kilabutan ka nga. O_O

Napalingon kaming bigla nang bumukas ung pinto nung dance hall namin.. Halos tinapon pa nga ni Jerwin ung mga
paa ko dun sa sahig. Salbahe. Tapos sasabihin nyang i-ddate ko raw sya?!?

"Oh my gosh, Jerwin, there you are!"

It's Nicole. Parang haggard si ate.. Kanina pa nya siguro hina-hunting si Jerwin.

Jerwin: Yo, cousin!

Nicole: Don't "yo, cousin" me! Mr. Perez has been looking for you! Get your butt inside!

Ako: Mr. Perez?

Jerwin: He's a topnotch music producer. He probably wants to talk about a new album or something.

Tumayo na si Jerwin (waahhh ang massage ko!! T^T ) and straightened his tux, then he turned to look at me.

Jerwin: Let's go.

Ako: I'll stay here muna..
Jerwin: You sure?

Ako: Don't worry. Hindi ako kakaripas ng takbo pauwi.

Jerwin: With those heels, ha! Good luck na lang kung makatakbo ka.
Nicole: Jerwin.
Jerwin: Okay, okay! I'm coming.

Pumasok na uhlet si Nicole sa loob -- kinakaladkad ung pinsan nyang wanted. ;P Kakataas ko pa lang uhlet nung
paa ko dun sa upuan, nang bigla nanamang bumukas ung door. Eh di syempre, lumipad nanaman ang feet ko
pababa sa floor.
Anak ng tokwa! Bakit ba hinde na lang sila manahimik sa loob?!?

"Venice."
O_O

Oh crap. Pumasok na pala dapat ako.

Geena closed the door behind her and walked over to where I was sitting.

Geena: Mind if I join you?

Ako: Uh, no..?

Umupo si ate sa tabi ko.. I fought the urge to shrink dun sa opposite side nung couch. We were both looking
at the wall in front of us.. Bakit naman sa dinami-dami ng taong lalabas, ehto pa? T-T

Geena: I don't think I've properly introduced myself. My name is Georgina.

Ako: Oh, I know.
Geena: Well, of course you do. I've graced billboards, magazine covers, and advertisements in more times
than I can count.

Confidence ba itoh o arrogance? -__-

Geena: But, tell me.

Bigla syang tumingin sa'kin. Halos mapatalon ako sa takot. O_O

Geena: Have you ever heard about me from Jerwin?

Ako: Uh.. He mentioned you once.. or twice..
Geena: I see. Then you must have a very vague knowledge of our relationship. Talking about relationships
isn't Jerwin's forte.

Ako: Relationship?

Ung "friends with benefits" thing nyo? Ay nako, ate, si Nicole ang nag-tsismis sa'kin nun. At hindi "vague" ang

pagkaka-kwento ni cousin-in-law.
Geena: Jerwin and I have this special bond. We were sort-of going out, you see.. But I was focusing on my
career. Having a boyfriend would have been a distraction.
Ako: Oh...

Di ko getz... -___-

Geena: Jerwin courted me. He asked me to be his girlfriend so many times, it was... shall I say, impressive?
I turned him down repeatedly. But, he didn't date other girls; he didn't look at other girls. He only had eyes
for me.

I see.. Martyr si kuya... o baka near-sighted.

Geena: I acknowledged this fact. He wanted me, and I wanted him. But I didn't want to commit, because,
like I said, I don't want to be bothered by a relationship. That's why....

Tumingin ako kay Geena.. She's staring at me.. Her eyes are practically burning through me.. Dangerous ang
toxicity level ng stare ni ate. O_O

Geena: We settled for something more than friends, but less than a relationship. We were lovers. We had
secret meetings, careful so our activities wouldn't leak to the press. We had private, sensual nights in hotels
out of town, out of the country. Do you understand what I'm saying?
Ako: You were sleeping with each other.

Napa-blink si Geena, and my hand flew to my mouth. I totally did not plan to say that out loud, at ganun pa
ka-straight. O_O

I mean, I know she's trying to tell me na may mga kalokohan sila ni Jerwin (at naughty-naughty na kalokohan
pa), and I already know naman ang mga perverted actions nila bago nya pa sinabi sa'kin.... pero naman, brain!
Di mo man lang inisip na umarte na kunwari in denial ka! o kaya contemplative! o surprised man lang! Ahyan, si
ate tuloy ang nagulat.

Geena: You knew everything?

Ako: Well.. kinda...
Geena: And still.. you're marrying him..
BOINK

Ate, hinde kasal. Engaged lang. Wag mo naman sabihin na ikakasal na kame..

Napangiti na lang ako.. Di ko alam kung pano pa ko hihirit eh..

Geena: How much did Mrs. Santos pay you?

Ako: Eh?!?!

Ay, wag raw pala ganon ang sagot, sabi ni Grams.

Ako: Excuse me?

Geena: Mrs. Santos arranged this, didn't she? Jerwin had a little slip of the tongue earlier.. An arranged
marriage.. It's the only logical explanation for everything.
Ako: Ay! Anoh ba?!?-- -___- Nagtatagalog ka ba?
Geena: I understand it.

Ako: Buti naman. Wag ka na nga masyadong serious dyan, ate. Alam mo, Jerwin and I, masaya naman
kame eh. S-Siguro nga, arranged lang ng mga nanay namen toh..

Mga loka-lokang nanay.. -__-

Ako: But we're making the most out of it. If it works out, then great. If not, then, oh well, di vaahhh?

Tumayo akong bigla. Thiz iz it! Time to escape!

Ako: Ai, pumasok na nga tayo. Baka hinahanap na tayo sa loob. Nauuhaw na rin ako.. Nandun ka sa may

punchbowl kanina di ba? Masarap ba ung punch? Ai, matikman na nga lang!

Mabilis akong naglakad papunta dun sa pinto.. Ayoko nang patagalin pa ang alone moments ko with Geena.
Nakaka-stress sa heart at sa brain!

Kakahawak ko pa lang dun sa door handle, nang biglang tumayo si Geena. Ako naman si stupid, tumingin pa
talaga. Eh sabi na ngang time to escape, titingin ka pa!

Geena: Venice.

Pumasok ka na! Pumasok ka na lang! Dedmahin mo!

Venice: Yes?

Anoh pa ang silbi ng brain kung hinde ka rin naman makikinig? -__-

Geena: I'll be leaving now. I'll see you around, though.

Ako: Ah.. ha..ha.. Okay..

She stepped towards me.. Na-frozen na ko dun sa harap nung pinto.. unable to move sakali man maisipian nyang
sampalin ako or whatever..
But Geena stopped just a foot away from me.. Nakaka-intimidate ang aura ni ate.. nakakataas ng balahibo..
O_O

Geena: And by the way, I know Jerwin. The only reason he agreed to this engagement is because I wasn't
around. He needed a spare tire to keep him entertained. I just loaned him to you.

So anoh ako? Spare tire na clown?! Entertainer nya?!

At kelan pa nahihiram ang lalake?!? Anoh yan, may library card ba yan?!

Geena: So don't get too comfortable with him.. Coz I'm here now. And I'm taking him back.

*gulp*

After saying that, Geena sashayed off pass me to the main lobby. I followed her with my eyes hanggang sa
mawala na sya dun sa corner.. It was only then na na-realize kong I was holding my breath.
Whooohh!

Ako: (bulong sa sarili ko) Baahhh.. ang taray....

"Veni--"

BAM!

Bumukas bigla ung pinto, at syempre, ako tohng nakatayo dun mismo sa harap, pagbukas nya, diretso kagad sa
mukha ko.

X__X

Kanina pa namumuro tohng si Jerwin.

Jerwin: Oh my god! Are you okay?!?

PAK!

Jerwin: Aw!

Binatukan ko nga sya.. Ung isang kamay ko, naka-cover sa ilong ko. Masakit pala pag bumubukas sa mukha mo
ang pinto. T^T

Ako: Bakit ba di ka muna kumakatok?!?

Jerwin: Coz I was already inside! It's usually the people outside the room who knocks! Bakit ka kaseh dyan
nakatayo?!

Napatingin sya sa mukha ko.. Suddenly, his eyes got wide. @_@

Ako: What?
Jerwin: Your nose is bleeding! O_O
Ako: WHAT?!?!? WHERE?!?!? WHAT?!?!

Ang make-up ko! Ang dress ko! Ang nose ko!

Jerwin: pft. BWAHAHAHAHA Just kidding! Just kidding! You should've seen your face!

PAK!

Ako: Let's go inside.

Jerwin: Yes, ma'am. T-T

I opened the door and walked in, followed by Jerwin, na nakahawak sa ulo nyang binatukan ko. Oh di vah,

tahimik na sya ngayon.. Parang batang nasigawan..

Geena's face flashed in my mind.. I glimpsed at Jerwin, who suddenly perked up and dragged me to the dance
floor. The DJ just started spinning "Something Stupid" by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman.

Jerwin: I love this song! Let's dance!

Oh di ba.. Bi-polar..

He spun me in his arms.. and we spent most of the night in the dance floor.. dancing.. laughing.. picking on the

oldies' sense of style.. It suddenly felt like we really were celebrating our engagement..

How can someone not get "too comfortable" with him?

::Chapter 34::
Prince Charming
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"WHAAA?? Really?!? Sumulpot sya?!?"

I trudged slowly sa tabi ni Kenny -- low batt na ang energy level ko, kaya sapilitan pa yang paglalakad na yan.

Sheena and Anthony are walking behind us... pasimpleng landi yang si Anton eh.

Sa totoo lang, amazingly lutang ang utak ko the whole day. Siguro dahil ang aga-aga namen nakauwi kagabi
from the party -- umaga na. -___-
Kaya today, sa sobrang pagod ng brain ko, halos wala akong maalala sa mga lectures, classes, kahit lunchtime,
di ko maalala ang kinain ko. Extreme case of floating above the atmosphere itoh.

After ng mga last classes namen, sabay-sabay na kaming naglalakad papunta dun sa school gates.. Kinuwento
ko sa kanila ung sudden appearance ni Geena sa so-called "Engagement Party" namin ni Jerwin (minus the "I'll

take him back" speech bago umalis si girlaloo. ).

Sheena: Di ba na-llink kay Jerwin un dati? Eh di nag-pyesta ang mga fafarazzis?

Ako: Hmmm... di naman.. Konti lang naman kaseh ung mga umaaligid na camera...

Kenny: So anoh? Anong verdict natin kay ex?

Ex? Ayaw magpaka-ex ni ex.. at hindi ko rin naman alam kung ex na talaga sya.. baka ex-ex-an lang.

Pero syempre, dahil ayokong mabomba ng mga delikadong tanong, di ko sasabihin un.

Ako: Breast friend, maganda naman ako di ba?

Kenny: Gusto mo bang sumagot ako ng "oo"?

Ako: Bahket?! May iba pa bang sagot dun?!

Kenny: Ay! Oo nga noh! Sige, breastie, oo! Maganda ka! Patok sa masa ang beauty naten! Mga dyosa
tayo!
Ako: Friend! Kung dyosa tayo, eh anoh na lang sya?!? 5 times pa ang ganda ni ate! Breast friend, tinalbugan
tayo!

Kenny: *gasp* Bounced?!

Ako: Bounced na bounced. T-T
Sheena: Ang gulo nyo mag-usap.
Kenny: Che! Wag kang magulo dyan. Usapan toh ng mga dyosa.
Sheena: *gasp* You mean, hinde ako dyosa? O_O Ang sakit naman!

Kenny: Ay! Dramahan ba ako!??!

Lumabas kami ng schoolgates na, as usual, debate nanaman ang ginagawa nung dalawa. Bakit raw hinde
dyosa si Sheena?

Di vah, ganda ng topic?

Tumingin ako sa paligid para hanapin ang Sunshine kong driver.. pero instead na ung black pick-up truck ang
nakita ko, ung silver na family van ng mga Santos ang naka-park.

Oh Lord, anoh nanamang event itoh? T-T

Bumukas ung pinto nung van, at lumipad si Jean na diretso kagad sa usual greeting nya sa'kin: Flying Hug, with
matching lambitin sa leeg ko. Naka-uniform pa ang bata.. galing pa yata sa school nila..

Ako: Jean??! Anong ginagawa mo dito?

Jean: May meeting si kuya with some producers. Sabi nya sunduin daw kita. Punta ka sa bahay!

Sheena: Sinoh yan?

Napatingin si Jean dun sa mga people sa likod ko -- ngayon nya lang yata na-realize na may kasama pala ako.

Then, all of a sudden, napansin kong natulala ang bata.

Jean: (bulong) Prince Charming....

Eh!?

Tama ba ung rinig ko?? It couldn't be, right? Sinoh naman ang tatawagin nya nun? Si Anton? Eh mas
appropriate kung sinabi nya: "Frog Prince".... at wag na natin simulan kung bakit hinde pwedeng maging si Kenny
un..

Sinoh pa bang tao sa likod ko?

Jean untangled her arms from around my neck and sprung papunta sa mga kaibigan ko -- all-smiles pa ang loka.
O_O

Jean: Prince Charming!

Kenny: Ay! Where?

Oh di vah, ang vakla, "where" kagad ang reaction.

Jean: You!

Biglang niyakap ni Jean si Kenny -- and halos mahulog-hulog ang puso ko. O.O Na-shock din sina Sheena at si
Anton.. Pero wala pa yatang 1 minute, na-realize ni Anthony ang nangyayari, avah, humagalpak ng tawa ang
mokong!

Kenny: Uh, excuseeeee me! (tingin sa'kin) Sinoh ba tohng bubwit na toh at bakit sya nakalambitin sa'kin?!
Jean: Oh..

Tinanggal ni Jean ung arms nya and stared giddily at Kenny. Hinde ko kinakaya ang powers ni sister-in-law!
Hinde ako makapagsalita!

Jean: My name is Jeanette. You can call me Jean. I know we just met, but, Prince Charming.. I love you
already.
Kenny: Ay! Bruhilda ka!

Anthony: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I love you daw, Kenny!

Hinila ko bigla si Jean sa tabi ko -- far away from Kenny na parang konti na lang eh ilalambitin na sya
patiwarik. O_O

Ako: J-Jean! Anoh ka ba?! Wag mo ngang pag-tripan ung kaibigan ko. O_O

Jean: Ate naman, mukha ba kong nang-ttrip? This is love at first sight!
Brrr.... Kakilabot pakinggan.

Kenny: Hoy! Anong love at first sight ka dyan?!? Hinde tayo compatible, sister! At hinde ako Prince
Charming! Ako. Si. Cinderella.
Jean: It's okay, Prince Charming. I accept you for whatever you are.. or kahit sinoh pa gusto mong

maging.
Kenny: Uh, ew.
Ako: My golay. Tama na nga yan.

Tumingin ako kay Anthony na halos mangiyak-ngiyak na sa sobrang kakatawa.

Ako: Hoy, Anton, may balak ka bang mabulunan kakatawa dyan?!

Anthony: But-- wahahaha si Kenny raw... wahahahaha

Di na yata nakatiis ang mind ni Sheena.. dahil alam nyang wrong.. ang girl na magkagusto kay Kenny... Mali
talaga. O_O
Lumapit sya kay Jean..

Sheena: Jean, right? I'm Sheena, friend ako ni Kenny tsaka ni Venice. Alam mo, I understand naman na
gwapo si Kenny..
Kenny: Maganda. Maganda ako.
Sheena: And as long as hinde sya magsalita.. hinde sya gumalaw...

Tumingin kaming tatlo kay Kenny.

Sheena: At siguro, basta hinde na rin sya huminga.. mapapagkamalan talaga syang fafable. Boy na boy, di ba?
Kenny: Hoy, alalay ng dyosa, may patutunguhan ba yang sinasabi mo?!
Sheena: Manahimik ka nga dyan, Kenny. Anyway.. (balik tingin kay Jean) Kaya lang, Jean, wag mong sayangin
ang puso mo kay Kenny.. dahil kahit anong pilit mo.. kahit anong ganda mo.. kahit anong gayuma pa ang ipainom
mo dyan.. the only way na magkakasundo kayo, eh kung mag-eexchange kayo ng mga tips sa paglalandi ng mga
fafa.
Jean: Manang.

O_O
Oo O

Sheena: M-M-Manang?!?! M-Mukha ba kong "Manang"?!?! "Ate"! "Ate" ang dapat na tinatawag mo sa'kin!
Ako: Ah hahaha.. Syempre naman, Shee, "ate" lang dapat.. Batang-bata ka pa eh..

Pasensya na, medyo sensitive si Sheena sa edad nya. -__-

Hinila ko si Jean patago sa likod ko.. Namumuro na sya eh.. Avah, hinde ko na kaya kung dalawa na ang
maglalambitin sa kanya patiwarik. Anoh na lang sasabihin ko sa kuya nya? "Sorry, pero di nakaya ng powers ko
ang combined forces ni Sheena at ni Kenny"?

Ako: Sige ha, alis na kami.. May gagawin pa yata kame eh.... Bye!

Kinaladkad ko si Jean pabalik sa family van nila -- laking pasasalamat ko na lang kaseh nagpakaladkad sya. T-T
Pero ang bata talaga.. ayaw paawat.. Papasok na nga lang ng van, may last hirit pa.

Jean: (balik tingin kina Sheena at Kenny) Bye, Prince Charming! Manang!

T^T

I'm sure... Bagyo ng tawag at text ng mga reklamo ang matatanggap ko mamaya.. T-T

Dumating kami sa bahay nina Jean.. Di ko na natanong kung bakit kailangan akong pumunta dun eh pwede naman

akong ibaba sa sarili kong bahay di ba?

Tuloy-tuloy ang dakdak nung bata tungkol kay Kenny, hinde na ko nakasingit hanggang sa nakarating na kami
dito. T-T

Pumasok kami sa loob, sabay diretso sa kitchen kaseh gutom na raw si Jean (dapat lang.. pagkatapos ba naman
nung energy outpour nya kanina, sinong di magugutom dun?)

Ako: Hello, Aling Ligaya.

Jean: Hi, Happy! Merienda time!
Aling Ligaya: Ay, uu. Sige, sandali lang.

Naupo kami ni Jean dun sa counter habang nag-pprepare si Aling Ligaya ng kakainin namin.

Jean: Oo nga pala, ate.. Malapit na Valentines day.. Anong regalo mo?

Ako: Regalo? Para sa Valentines? Di ba dapat ako ang binibigyan nya ng regalo?

Jean: Anoh bah.. Syempre, dapat may gawin ka ring special for him. Di ba dapat give and take ang
relationships?

Eh.. Relationship-kuno lang naman kame..

Ako: Eh anong bibigay ko? Di ba pwedeng hug na lang?

Jean: Ate naman, you're so cheap. How about a custom-made photo album nyong dalawa?
Ako: I won't have time to do something like that.
Jean: Hmm.. an ipod?
Ako: Doesn't he have one already?
Jean: He has the old version. Get him the latest one.
Ako: But I'm broke. T-T
Jean: Anoh ba yan?

Umikot si Aling Ligaya and then put two plates ng grilled cheese sandwiches sa harap namen.

Aling Ligaya: Aba'y bakit hindi mo na lang ipagluto ng Valentine dinner?

Jean: Hey, that's a good idea!

Ako: Uh huh.. Last time na nagluto ako, muntik nang masunog ung bahay namen.
Jean: Ate.. What can you do? O.O

Aling Ligaya: (natawa) Mag-aasawa ka, hindi ka marunong magluto?

Ako: Aling Ligaya naman.. Kasalanan ko bang hinde kame nagkakasundo ng stove? -___-

Aling Ligaya: Ay, bata ka.. Dumaan ka dito tuwing hapon, at tuturuan kitang magluto.

Ako: Weh?!? Talaga?!?

Aling Ligaya: Syempre.. Alam mo bang magaan ang loob ko dyan kay Sir Jerwin.. Pano na lang ako matatahimik

kung ang napangasawa nya eh puro prito ang ipakin sa kanya?

Ako: Truth is... Kahit prito, Aling Ligaya, takot ako.

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa ni Jean.. tapos sabay na sabay pa silang nagtawanan.. Ibang klase talaga ang bait
ng mga tao ngayong araw na itoh.. -___-

Oh well.. but at least, may magtuturo na sa'kin magluto.

::Chapter 35::
Kiss
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I surveyed the last room the building's owner is showing me.. It's spacious.. clean.. I can lie down and roll all
over the floor, and it would probably take me 5 minutes before I run into a wall -- and the walls are thick
enough so people from the other side wouldn't even hear anything.

Very nice.

Ako: This is good. I'll take it.

--- ♥♥ ---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"Aiya! Why are you so mean to me??"

O_O

Ako: Ako?!? Ako pa ang mean?! Sabi ko naman syo, Kenny is gay! As in, GAY! Member ng
federasyon! Honorary member!
Jean tried to reach for my cellphone one more time; I immediately stretched my arm out of her reach. Halos
30 minutes na kaming ganyan.. Hinihingi kasi ni Jean ung number ni Kenny -- para raw masimulan na ang fairy

tale romance nila.

Neknek nya! As if naman papatahimikin ako nung bakla kung binigay ko ung number nya sa isang girl na

stalker.

Jean: ATEEEEE!!! Sige naaaaa!!!

Ako: No! And besides! If ever man macho nga si Kenny, nababaliw ka ba?!? Ang laki-laki ng age gap nyo noh!
Child abuse un!
Jean: It's not child abuse kung consenting naman ung child!

Eh? Ganun ba un?

Jean tried to reach for my phone again.. and iwas nanaman ung kamay ko sa kamay nya..

"Uh.. What are you guys doing?"

Napaikot kaming dalawa, and saw Jerwin coming in from the main door. Sa wakas! Umuwi na rin toh!

Jean: Kuya!! Ate Venice won't give me Kenny's phone number!

Jerwin: Kenny? Bakit mo naman hinihingi?

Jean: Because I love him.

Jerwin: Love? -___- Love, as in, "I love my phone"?

Jean: Kuya.. No, love as in I'm in love with him.

Natulala si Jerwin. See?!? See?!? Kahit si kuya nya nawindang!

Biglang tumingin sa'kin si Jerwin..

Jerwin: Jean.... uh.. how should I say this? But, you see, Kenny.. You're not exactly his type..
Jean: hm? What's his type then?
Ako: People with muscles.. cropped short hair.. dimples, preferably.. At least 6 feet tall.. And the person
should have a Y chromosome.
Jean: I have chromosomes!

Ako: But you don't have a Y chromosome.

Jean: Why are you so mean to me?
Ako: I'm not mean.
Jerwin: *sigh* Tama na yan. Venice, are you ready to go home?
Ako: Oh yes.

Tumayo ako and gathered my things from the coffee table.. Gumagawa kaseh kami ng homework kanina ni
Jean bago nagsimula ang cellphone war.

Nung napasok ko na lahat ng gamit ko sa bag ko, I walked over to Jerwin..

Jean: Ate, drop by again tomorrow, ok?

Ako: I'll try.

Jean: Bye-bye, ate.. And tell Kenny I said hi.

Ako: -___- Okay fine.

Jean gave me a quick hug, and then lumabas na kami ni Jerwin to go to his truck. I jumped in the passenger
seat, as usual..
Jerwin pulled out of their driveway, palabas dun sa street..

Ako: Sunshine?
Jerwin: Hm?
Ako: Anong regalo mo sa'kin sa Valentines day?

Jerwin swerved off the road nung narinig nya ung tanong ko. O_O Buti na lang wala pa kami sa highway! My
golay!

Ako: Anoh ba yan?!? Ayusin mo naman ang pag-ddrive mo!

Jerwin: Eh anoh ba naman kaseng klaseng tanong yan?!?
Ako: Bahket!? I'm your fiancée, I have the right to ask for gifts.

Jerwin: Abah..... Talagang sineseryoso mo yang pagiging future Mrs. Jerwin Santos ha.
Ako: Oo na.. Kaya honey, anong regalo mo sa'kin sa Valentines day?

Jerwin: Hmmm.. pwede ba ung tig-pipiso na lang na candy? Recession ngayon eh.
Ako: Ang cheap mo naman.

Jerwin: Buti nga may regalo pa eh! Bakit ikaw? Anong regalo mo sa birthday ko?

Ako: Birthday mo?

Jerwin: What? You didn't know?

Ako: Ang alin?

Jerwin: Ang galing mo rin na fiancée noh.. Birthday ng future husband mo, hindi mo alam.
Ako: Eh bahket, ikaw?! Alam mo ba kung kelan birthday ko?!?

Natahimik si Jerwin.. Nag-iisip yata. Sa 365 days in a year, sige, manghula ka ng date.

Sa totoo lang, alam ko naman na two days after ng V-day ang birthday nya, pero dahil dapat hindi ko alam,

kunwari innocent ako. Pano ko nalaman?

May director kasi na lumapit sa'kin nung party.. May surprise segment daw sila for Jerwin dun sa Sunday show
-- the weekend before Jerwin's birthday, na nagkataon lang din naman na Valentines day pala. They want me

to take part. Shosyal.

Pero di alam ni Jerwin un. bwahahaha

Jerwin: Oh well. Nevermind.

Nevermind?!? Di man lang nya tatanungin kung kelan birthday ko?!?

Ako: Hmpf. Fine~

Nakauwi kami ng bahay, and as usual, dahil nakasanayan nya na yata, bumaba si Jerwin para mag-hello kay
mother dear ko.
Hindi na rin ako kumokontra, kaseh binabatukan ako ng nanay ko pag inaaway ko si Jerwin. Minsan nga, feeling
ko, mas favored nya si Jerwin kesa sa'kin.. *sniff* T-T

Yak. Drama.

I ran upstairs to change out of my uniform. Nagmamadali ako kaseh every time na iniiwan ko ang nanay ko at
si Jerwin mag-isa, may kung anong out-of-this-world twinkle na sa mata ang mother ko pagbalik ko.

Ang weird.

Parang ngayon.. I ran down the stairs, at nakita ko na nag-uusap sina mother at si Jerwin sa dining room..
Excited nanaman ang gestures ni mom..

Mom: Ay talaga?! Kelan ko makikita?

Jerwin: If you want, we can go tomorrow. I'll pick you up.
Mom: Mamimili na rin ba tayo?
Jerwin: Sure. Tomorrow's my day off, so I have plenty of time.

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Jerwin.

Ako: What's going on?

Mom: Ay, Venice! Secret!

Ako: -___- Secret? bakit?

Jerwin: Coz this is something between your mom and I. It's an exclusive club.
Ako: Psh. Feel at home na feel at home ka ha.
Jerwin: My fiancée's home is my home, right?
Ako: Home-home ka dyan?!?

Jerwin: Oh don't look at me like that.

Ako: Oh, like what?

like I'm shooting daggers at you with my eyes?

like I wish you'd burst into flames right now?

Jerwin: Like you really, really wanna kiss me.

Oo O

Ako: A-A-A-Ano?!?!?!?!?

Mom: Oh my, have you two kissed already?

Ako: Mom!!!!
Jerwin: Hindi pa poh, tita.

Mom: Ahhh I see.

Jerwin: But we'll get there soon.

Mom: Oh! That's good! That's good! Kwento nyo kagad sa'kin ha!

<'O.O'>

I felt my face burn up. Binenta nanaman ako ng nanay ko! Kulang na lang yata eh paskilan ako ng "50% OFF"
na sign!

My mom went back in the kitchen para silipin ung niluluto nya. Jerwin turned to grin at me.

Jerwin: So would you like to kiss me now?

PAK!

Binatukan ko sya and then I hastily stood up. I turned to stalk out of the dining room habang naririnig kong
tumatawa si Jerwin. Dapat pala sinipa ko na lang sya kesa sa binatukan. rawr.

Ako: Halikan mo yang sarili mo!

::Chapter 36::
Brewing Up A Storm
♫.~*~..~*~.♫
 (Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Oh jeep~ Jeep~ Jeep~ Jeep~

I missed you.

The next morning, as usual, dumating si Jerwin sa bahay, pero this time, hinde ako ang sinusundo nya -- ung
nanay ko.

Buti pa ung nanay ko, nakakuha na ng date kasama fiancé ko.

Not that I have any complaints. Mabuti nga un! Tagal-tagal ko nang di nakakasakay ng jeep. Avah, nakaka-
miss makipagsiksikan noh!

Ako: Bayad pohhhhhh~

All smiles at talagang cheery-cheery pa ang pagkaka-abot ko nung bayad ko..

Tinaasan tuloy ako ng kilay nung batang katabi ko. Na parang ang weird-weird ko.

Ako: Anong tingin-tingin mo dyan?!?

The kid quickly turned away.

Tinignan ako ng masama nung katabi nyang manang.

I know. Minsan talaga, lumalabas ang pagka-"Lucifer's underling" ko.

I turned by face dun sa bintana.. feeling amazing kahit na nalulunod na ko sa hangin. Buti na lang malambot
ang hair ko. Magulo man sya, maganda pa rin ako. wahahaha

Hayyy.. I have a feeling.. that today's gonna be a good day.

Today's gonna be a good, good day.

 --- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

"Oh Jerwin! How about this?!? Or maybe that one over there looks better??!"

-___-

I watch Tita Mel walk through the aisles bounce from one display to another. Ang feeling ko, nandito lang ako
para ipag-drive si tita... at parang bodyguard na rin na sunod ng sunod.. hanggang sunod lang. Syempre, ako rin
ang magbabayad ng kung anoh man ang bibilhin nya.

So, ako ay: driver, bodyguard, and credit card.

I knew there was a reason I hate shopping.

I looked around the store and the handful of people walking around. They all look like newlywed couples or
just really old couples. Sigh...

Tumingin ako sa relo ko. Venice should be in school by now.

Tita Mel: Jerwin! Tignan mo toh! This will be perfect for Venice!
Ako: Ah! Okay. Should we get it then?
Tita Mel: Hmmm... Let's look around first.

T-T Oh for crying out loud...

Gano katagal pa ba kami mag-iikot?? Can't we just buy something?

"Jerwin?"
Hm?

Napaikot ako sa likod ko nung narinig ko ung boses na tumawag sa'kin. And I was completely shocked to find
myself face to face with Geena.

Ako: Geena! What are you doing here?

Geena: I'm looking for something for my bedroom. What are you doing here?

Napatingin akong bigla kay Tita Mel na busy sa pag-eexamine nung table lamp. Geena followed my gaze.

Geena: Who is she?

Ako: Venice's mom.
Geena: Oh.

Geena stared at Tita Mel. I couldn't really read her expression, and I have no idea what's going on in her
mind right now. It's disconcerting, really.
Suddenly, she smiled and took my hand in hers.

Geena: That's nice. You're accompanying her mom while she's in school, right?
Ako: Actually---
Geena: Your birthday is coming up. Do you want to go with me to Boracay?
Ako: Sorry. I can't.
Geena: Would you like to take your fiancée?

I took a deep breath. That's poison right there laced in her voice.

Ako: I'd be busy with work the coming months. I'm releasing an album soon.

Geena immediately perked up after hearing that. She squeezed my hand and flashed the smile that has
enchanted her male fans for years.. the smile that has enchanted me the first time I saw it.

"Jerwin?"
I pulled my hand out of Geena's grasp. I think I'm sweating. Whoo!
I jammed my hands in my pockets.

Ako: Tita Mel.

Tita Mel walked over to where I was, and threw glances at me and Geena.
Geena flashed her a quick smile before turning to look at me. She winked and then strutted away.

Lalo yata akong pinagpapawisan. -__-

Tita Mel: Who was that?

Ako: Geena. She's a close friend of mine.
Tita Mel: I see.

Well.. This is kinda awkward..

I wiped my forehead with my arm..

Ako: Uhmm so.. Are you ready to buy things now?

Tita Mel: Ay oo! Nakoo, halika! I have to show you something! I'm sure you'll like it!
Ako: Of course... -.-

I let Tita Mel drag me to the display that caught her eyes just before she approached me and Geena earlier.
Sigh. With the way things are going, I'm sure I'd be with tita the whole day.

--- ♣♣ ---

(Geena's POV)

I watch silently as Venice's mom took Jerwin's hand and led him further down the aisle. I can't believe he's
actually socializing with these people. Commoners.

That little minx, Venice, has Jerwin wrapped around her little finger. She even got him to shop with her
mom. Jerwin hated dealing with parents. He hated dealing with his own parents -- what more other people's.

And yet.. he's still here.. pretending to pay attention.. pretending he gives a damn to whatever the old lady is
pointing at.

Venice might actually be a worthy foe.

I need to start moving.

::Chapter 37::
Panic Attack
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"I Will Always Love You"..

ay ang taray!! Magpapaka-Whitney Houston ako!

..but then again..... maybe not... ka-love-love ba ung si Jerwin?! at "always" pa!

"2 Become 1"....

Tapos mini-dress at kasing high na platform shoes nung Spice Girls ang isusuot ko.. Di kaya ako batukan ni

Jerwin?

.. at.. hmmm parang napaka-R-rated naman nung kantang un.. baka lalo pa kame ma-tsismis..@_@

-___-

Anak ng tokwa. Ang hirap naman pumili ng kanta!

I buried my face dun sa sinusulatan ko na notebook. I've been sitting here sa school cafeteria for almost an
hour now, nag-iisip ng "appropriate" song para dun sa surprise birthday segment na dedicated to Jerwin sa
Sunday TV show.
Ung broadcasting network kasi na nag-hhandle ng mga publicity at mga once-in-a-while TV guesting ni Jerwin,
trip na trip maging special ung segment na un..

If I know.. kaya lang naman nila ako gusto pakantahin dahil mag-aattract ng viewers kapag nag-appear ang
"mysterious, unknown fiancé" sa show nila.

Ako: Bakit ba hindi pwedeng simpleng "Happy Birthday" na lang ang kantahin ko?!?!

"Anong 'Happy Birthday'?"

Napatingin ako sa harap ko, just in time to see Sheena na binaba ung bag nya sa lamesa, and then sat down
across from me.

Ako: I'm trying to choose a song to sing for Jerwin's birthday..

Sheena: Awwwwwwww... Special rendition ba itoh?

Ako: Anong kinikilig-kilig mo dyan? It's not like I want to do this.. Napasubo lang ako dahil sa kakadakdak
ni Nicole..

Ang mga consequences ng mga nag-sspace out at oo na lang ng oo.. -___-

Sheena: Anong napili mo?

Ako: Di ko pa nga alam.. Gusto ko kasi ung tama.. alam mo un? Ung parang.. uhmm.. talagang especially for him
talaga ung song..

Yak.. ang cheesy!

Sheena: Ai! May suggestion ako!

Ako: Anoh?
Sheena: "Come On Over"

Ako: Huh?
Sheena: (sings) All I want is you, come over here baby
All I want is you, you know you make me go crazy
All I want is you, now baby don't be shy
You better cross the line
I'm gonna love you right
'Cause--
Ako: Adik ka ba? Anoh ba yang pinagkakanta mo?
Sheena: Bakit?? Para naman ma-get na ni Fafa J ang message mo.
Ako: Anong message??

Sheena: Message!

She leaned in towards me.. lumapit din naman ako para makinig sa kung anong ibubulong nya.

Sheena: "Jerwin, you better cross the line.. Landiin mo na ko.... All. Night. Long."

PAK!

Ako: ANOH BA YANG PINAGSASABI MO?!?!

Sheena: Aray naman! Joke-Joke lang noh! Kailangan bang batukan ako?!?
Ako: Yea-ha! Nang magising yang mga brain cells mo! =__=

Sheena: Ahsus.. Pa-blush-blush ka naman..

Ako: At ikaw?? Nasaan ung personal bodyguard mo -- aka Anthony?

Sheena: Huh? Si Anton?

*blink*
*blink*

Ai.. oblivious pa rin siya sa feelings ni guy.. O__O

Saksakan na nga ng pag-aalaga si Anton, unnoticed pa rin the efforts!

Ang manhid ng best friend ko. -__-

Ako: Anoh ba yan.. Di ba lagi kayo magkasama?

Sheena: Avah, malay ko dun.. Sya tohng bigla-biglang sumusulpot.

Ako: Oy, Shee, di ba crush mo si Anton dati?

Sheena: H-Hoy! Wag kang maingay! Anoh ka vah?!

Ako: Defensive much? Crush mo pa rin ba ngayon?

Sheena: Hinde noh! Anoh ka ba?! Ahyun ung mga panahon na hindi ko pa sya kilala. In other words, ung mga
panahon na cute pa sya!
Ako: Di na sya cute ngayon?
Sheena: Cute pa rin naman... Pero syempre, nakilala ko na sya.. and nung nakilala ko na sya nang todo-todo..
nalaman ko na rin na makulit sya.. pasaway.. ma-kontra.. tamad.. matakaw.. takot sa ipis..

Ako: Takot sya sa ipis?

Sheena: (natawa) Ay oo! Naglalakad kami nung minsan sa may snyo, nang biglang may flying ipis na lumipad

papunta sa kanya! Ay nakita mo sana kung pano sya kumaripas ng takbo!

Pasimple kong sinarado ung notebook ko, all the while listening intently sa mga kwento ni Sheena.
Napapangiti na lang ako sa mga kwento nya..

Uyyyy... mga moments~ nyahahaha

"I'm kinda caught up at work. I don't think I'll be able to pick you up... unless you wanna wait for me. "

Neknek mo. Malay ko ba kung anong oras ka pa matatapos dyan!

Ahyan ang tinext ni Jerwin sa'kin nung uwian ko na.. at ahyan din ang reaction ko nung nabasa ko ung text na
un.

Kaya nakasakay nanaman ako ng jeep pag-uwi..

Hindi naman ako nadumog or what-so-ever.. I should probably tell Jerwin to stop picking me up since safe

naman ako sa jeep.

Although... nung naglalakad na ko sa kalye namen, napansin ko na mas maraming nag-hhello sa'kin.. Samantalang

dati, deadma ang beauty ko.. Pero sige, ok lang un.. bastah walang nanunugod..

I stopped in front of my house gate.. Bubuksan ko na sana nang bigla akong napatigil at napatakbo dun sa side
nung gate.
@_@ What!? What?! What!?

May nakasabit na wooden sign sa gate.. at in BIG, RED letters nakasulat ang:
"HOUSE FOR SALE"

Oo O

Napasugod ako bigla sa loob!

Ako: MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM! MOM!!!!!!!

<'OoO'>

Wha?!?! Wha?!?

Lalong nanlaki ang mata ko nung pumasok ako ng bahay. There are boxes everywhere! At ung mga furniture,
may mga taklob na!!

..at mga maleta ko ba ung naka-park dun sa may hagdan?!?!?!?!

Narinig kong tumatakbo ang nanay ko upstairs, and in a few moments, tinalon nya na ung last two steps nung
hagdan.

Mom: ANOH?!? MAY SUNOG BA?!?! ANONG NANGYAYARI?!?!

Ako: (turo sa left) What??! (turo sa right) What?!? (turo sa harap) What is going on!?!?

Mom: Ai josko naman, Venice! Akala ko naman kung anong nangyayari!

Ako: EHHH?!?!

Mom: Hindi mo ba nakita ung sign sa labas? I'm selling the house.
Ako: WHY?!?!
Mom: Abah.. syempre.. aalis na ko in three days. Sino na lang titira dito?
Ako: Uh, hello?!?!? (turo sa sarili) Pano ako?! Patitirahin mo ko sa kahon??! Patutulugin sa ilalim ng tulay?!
Papaliguin sa Pasig River?!? Pano ako magsusuklay nang walang salamin?!?

Mom: Ay anoh ka ba naman? Huminga ka nga muna! Nag-hhyperventilate ka na oh!

Ako: MOM!!!
Oo nga.. Panic attack yata itoh!
Pinaypayan ko ung sarili ko, dahil parang tumataas ang blood pressure ko. Biglang uminit at, in fairness, naaaliw
sa paghinga ng oxygen ang lungs ko. @.@

Mom: Hay, Venice.. Hahayaan pa ba naman kitang tumira dito mag-isa? Abah! Hindi na noh! Mas gugustuhin ko
pang isama ka kesa---

Ako: WHAT?!?!
Mom: Well, it's supposed to be a surprise, but--

Na-block out nung brain ko ung mga sinasabi ni mother. Na-focus na lang dun sa idea na: Isasama ako ni
mother sa States.

That's not fair.... I don't want to leave.. I can't leave..

Lalo yatang tumataas ang blood pressure ko.. I need to get some air.

Mom: .... And that's why I'm selling the house.

Ako: I can't believe this.

I stormed out of the house bago pa man makahabol si mommy..

I'm feeling a little light-headed, but I continued running.. just running.. and this feeling in my chest.. I don't
know how to explain it except..

..it was complete panic.

::Chapter 38::
Run To Me
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Man.. That girl is really troublesome.

I jumped out of my truck. Kinawayan ko ung mga guards dun sa booth, and then went straight to my
destination.
It was about an hour ago when I got out of a meeting with the manager and some of the album staff people.
When I checked my phone, there was a voicemail from Tita Mel. Pumunta raw ako sa kanila as soon as
possible dahil nawawala si Venice.

Syempre, nataranta din ako nung narinig ko un. I drove as fast as I could to their house.. Tita Mel ran up to
me as soon as I opened the gate.
Venice rushed out of the house daw -- five hours ago. Tinatawagan, hindi sumasagot.. Tinawagan na ni Tita
Mel sina Sheena, Anton, at si Kenny, hindi raw kasama nung tatlo si Venice. Nag-aalala na si Tita.

All this because the house is being sold?

I tried calling Venice, pero kahit ako, dinedeadma. I called Sheena.. She told me to try searching in the
cemetery. I thought that'd be reasonable, so here I am.

And just like Sheena said, ahyun nga si Venice, nagmumukmok nanaman sa harap nung libingan ni Gerard.
I walked up to her, but she didn't seem to notice me.

Ako: Venice. Let's go--

I paused when she turned to look at me.

She has those eyes... blank.. expressionless.. lifeless..

I've seen those eyes before..

Ako: Are you... okay?

Venice: I'm not leaving. I can't leave. I promised G.. I promised I'd live my life here. I can't leave him
behind, Jerwin! I can't!

What... is she talking about?

I held my place, even though the intensity in her whole aura makes me want to step back. I feel like it's one
of those times when I shouldn't move.. One move and it will cause a shift in the whole galaxy.

Exaggeration, but it feels that way.

Venice: I'm scared. Jerwin... My life is here. I don't know what will happen to me if I leave.. I don't know

how I'll survive.. Just thinking about it... Just thinking about it makes me feel so alone..

She's obviously freaking out.

I sat down beside her. I didn't meet her eyes, dahil just looking at those eyes.. I remember now.. Two years
ago.. They were the same eyes.. Frozen and lifeless..

Ako: Gerard is this important to you?

She nodded.

Ako: What are you worried about?

Venice: Weren't you listening?? I told you, I can't leave this place! I don't want to go to the States!

Ako: States?
Venice: You mean, you didn't know? My mom wants to take me with her!

Ako: Whoa! Hold on, hold on.. Back up a little. Kelan sinabi ng mom mo toh?

Venice: This afternoon.. Binebenta nya na nga ung bahay. Tapos balot na lahat ng gamit namin...

-____-

Ako: Did you really hear your mom say she's taking you to the States?

Venice: Eh what else could she have meant?

Uh.. I have a feeling she's misunderstanding something here...

Venice's usual dumb self.

Ako: Let's go.

Venice: Go? I don't think I wanna go back yet.
Ako: Nope. I think you'd wanna go to where I'm taking you. Maybe it will shed some light on this whole
thing.

Venice: Huh?

I got up and brushed the grass off my jeans. I offered my hand to Venice...

Ako: I'll make everything okay.

Venice looked at my outstretched hand, and then at me.. She looks confused.. I like her confused face better
than the "lifeless" mask she was wearing moments ago..

I would give anything to keep that mask off her face.

I'll take care of her. I will make everything okay.

Ako: Believe me..

She forced a smile on her lips, and finally, took my hand.

Venice: I believe you.

I pulled her to her feet. Pinagpag nya ung palda nya, and then turned to look at the tombstone... probably
saying her "See you later" words..

After a few minutes, she faced me.. Her face looks like it's back to normal.. The panic.. the fear.. the
loneliness.. all gone from her eyes..

Venice: Let's go.

Ako: Go on ahead. I'll be right behind you.

Venice: Ohh-kay?

She whirled around to leave. I can tell she's curious kung bakit ako nagpaiwan, pero di naman sya nangulit..
She just walked away..
I watched her hanggang sa malayo-layo na ung nalalakad nya..
It just occurred to me.. She's been here for five hours..
Talking to this.. stone.. because she's afraid to be alone?

I looked at the tombstone sa paahan ko..

Gerard Sheen... He died just a few days before Christmas..
That's harsh.

But to still be able to affect Venice to this extent.. two years after..

Ako: Gerard.. If you've been watching Venice from wherever you're floating, I'm sure you know who I am..

I stared at the stone.. with so much magnitude na parang talagang pinaparinig ko ung sinasabi ko dun sa
lalaking hindi ko naman nakilala kahit kailan..

Ako: Venice might have ran to you this time, Gerard.. But next time she feels alone.... Next time.. I'll make
sure she runs to me.

::Chapter 39::
Be With Me
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Sumasabay sa pagkanta si Jerwin dun sa music sa radio.. Usually, naaliw ako pag naririnig kong kumakanta si

Jerwin habang nagdrrive.. Feeling ko may singing-driver ako.

Pero dahil nababagabag ang kaluluwa ko ngayon, masyado akong absent-minded para i-mind ung pagkanta nya..
Pinapanood ko ang ung mga nag-sswoosh by dun sa bintana as we drive through the late night streets.

Bigla lang akong natauhan nang nakita kong nag-swoosh din ung kalye papunta sa bahay ko. @_@
Ako: Sunshine.. lumagpas ka na.
Jerwin: No, I didn't.
Ako: Anong "no I didn't"? Eh ahyun na nga ung kalye pauwi oh! O_O
Jerwin: Who said anything about going to your house?

Ako: Eh san tayo pupunta?

He suddenly turned to glance at me, and then he winked. He winked at me. O_O

Jerwin: It's a surprise.

Ay si kuya! Pa-cute!

Dahil mukhang nasa good mood si kuya, pinagbigyan ko na.. Baka ma-offend, itapon akong bigla sa ilog..

We drove for about 20 more minutes, until finally, nag-park na si Jerwin dun sa curb. I looked around. It's
dark and quiet... and di ko alam kung anong ginagawa namin dito.

Jerwin: C'mon. Let's go.

He jumped out of the truck, and sumunod naman ako. Tinignan ko ung building na nasa harap namin.. Light
blue gate.. white walls.. decent-looking yard..

It's a house.

Ako: May binibisita tayo?? Nang ganitong oras??

Jerwin just laughed. Anoh naman kaya katawa-tawa sa tanong ko? -.-
Jerwin: Just follow me.

He grabbed my hand and naglakad kami papunta dun sa gate. He punched some numbers dun sa numeric
keypad na nakadikit sa poste nung gate. Siguro.. close friend nya ung nakatira dun kaya alam nya pati ung
security code nung gate... -__-

The gate opened and we walked in. Madilim. Isang porch light na nandun sa may front door ang automatic na

nag-turn on. Naglagay pa ng ilaw, ung pinto lang pala ang iilawan.

Jerwin led me sa narrow path papunta sa door. When we got there, he let go of my hand and fished
something out of his pocket.

Susi. May susi pa si kuya nung pinto.

Pinasok nya ung susi, but before opening the door, he turned around and looked at me.

Jerwin: Close your eyes.

Ako: Eh?!
Jerwin: I told you, it's a surprise. Now, close your eyes.
Ako: Psh. Ang drama naman nito. Buksan mo na lang kaya.
Jerwin: Do you really want to ruin this for me?

Ay ma-drama. Anoh bang nakain nito ngayong araw na toh at sagad-sagad ang topak?!?

Ako: Fine.

I shut my eyes closed.

Jerwin: You sure wala ka nang nakikita?

Ako: Yes, I'm sure. Can we just get this done and over with? Some kind of malamig ang wind noh.

Narinig ko na medyo nag-rattle ung keys.... and then silence.

-__-

>__<

What's going on na?!

Hintay pa uhlet ako sandali..

Wala pa ring nangyayari.. Anoh vah?! May kung anong surprise party ba sa loob?!?

*gasp!*

Or could it be na binebenta nya ko sa friend nya?!?!

ABAH! I need to know...

..kung gwapo ba ung pinagbebentahan nya sa'kin! nyahahaha

I cracked open one eye.. isaaang maliit na silip--

Bigla akong napamulat WIDE OPEN nang nakita ko ang nasa harap ko!

Ako: W-W-W-W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!

Jerwin's face was just inches away from mine!

I stumbled backwards sa sobrang gulat -- buti na lang nahawakan ako ni Jerwin sa braso; otherwise, bumagsak
na ko dun sa damo.

Jerwin: Be careful!

Ako: Eh kaseh naman!!! Anoh bang ginagawa mo?!?

Binitawan ako bigla ni Jerwin nung napansin nyang bumalik na ang sense of balance ko. Then, he focused his
eyes somewhere else... And is his face flaming red or what?!?! O__O

Jerwin: I-- I was just checking kung wala ka na talagang nakikita! Don't get the wrong idea!
Ako: Ch-Ch-Checking?!? Nandito na ung mukha mo! Dito! Dito!

Nilagay ko ung kamay ko a few inches from my face para bigyan ng emphasis ung distance ("distance" pa ba
ang tawag kung hinde naman distant ung layo nya?!?!) na sinasabi ko.

Jerwin: Oh relax. It's not like I was gonna kiss you.

Ako: *gasp* You were gonna kiss me, weren't you?!?! O.O
Jerwin: W-What?!?
Ako: Then anong ginagawa nung face mo dito?!? dito?!? dito oh!!!

I held up my hand again dun sa kung gano kalayo ung face nya kanina.

Jerwin: I told you! Tinitignan ko lang kung nakapikit talaga ung mata mo. Anyway, can we get back to what we
were doing!?

Ako: You want to get back to kissing me?!?!

Jerwin: I told you, I wasn't gonna kiss you!
Ako: Eh "get back" to what?!?
Jerwin: To closing your eyes! The surprise isn't gonna wait forever, you know?!?

Ako: Oh.. hahaha

Ahyan.. Kaseh naman.. Relax ka lang, Venice..

Ako: Ayoko na. Baka pag sinarado ko nanaman ung mata ko, baka ma-rape mo na ko noh.

Jerwin: Ha. Akala mo naman, rape material ka?

Ako: What's that supposed to mean? -__-
Jerwin: Aish. Fine. Suit yourself.

He turned his back tapos, and finally, binuksan nya na ung door. Ako naman si curious, silip kagad sa loob kung

anong meron. Madilim.. Walang party?

Ako: And...?

Pumasok si Jerwin sa loob. He turned on the lights. Wala talagang tao.

Oooohhh...

The place is huge.. and pretty.. kahit walang laman.

Wait. Bakit sya pasok ng pasok?!

Jerwin: Anoh pang tinatayo mo dyan? Pumasok ka na.

Ako: Aren't we trespassing?? Di ba tayo makukulong nito!??

Jerwin: Geez..

He stepped out again and stood beside me, staring at the inside of the house.

Jerwin: Don't you get it yet? This is the surprise.

Ako: Huh?
Jerwin: Your mom doesn't want you to live alone anymore. And since I'm your very responsible and sensible
fiancé, I promised her I'd take care of you.
Ako: Uh-huh.... -___-
Jerwin: Ayoko ka na rin naman tumira dun sa bahay na yun mag-isa.. That house is in plain view of the public.
Walang security dun sa neighborhood. Pano na lang kung may biglang mang-stalk syo?
Ako: Bakit naman may mang-iistalk sa'kin? O__O

Jerwin: Are you forgetting who your fiancé is?

Ako: Iba rin ang hangin mo ngayon noh? So anong ginagawa natin dito?

Jerwin: *sigh* Really..... You'll be living here from now!

O____O

Napatingin ako bigla dun sa bahay sa harap ko.

Ako?!? Ditoh?!?!
House?!? Bahay?!?

Ako: You bought me a house!?!?

Jerwin: No. I'm just renting the house.
Ako: You rented me a house?!!?
Jerwin: I rented us a house.

"Us"!??

Ako: Dito ka rin titira?!?

Jerwin: Abah syempre! Ang tagal-tagal ko nang tinitignan tong bahay na toh noh. Sabit ka lang.
Ako: But what would your fans think?? And your parents?
Jerwin: My parents are okay with it. And the fans? I don't think they'd mind. We're engaged,

anyways.
Ako: But.. O__O Di ba nga, statistically, mas malaki ang possibility na mag-eend sa divorce ang mga couples
na nag-co-cohabitate bago magpakasal?

Jerwin: (chuckles) Ahh.. so you're worried about what would happen when we get married?
Ako: I didn't say we're getting married! Nagtatanong lang ako noh.

Anoh ba naman yang pinagtatanong mo, Venice? Mapapahamak ka nyan eh.

Ako: *gulp* We... We wouldn't be sleeping in the same bed... right?

Jerwin: Of course not! This house has two bedrooms. Unless.. you want to sleep in the same bed. I'm sure

we can work something out.

Ako: Ulol! Di na noh!

Pumasok ako dun sa loob ng bahay para mag-explore -- at takasan na rin ang smirk sa mukha ni Jerwin.

It's a charming house. Spacious and may homey na aura.. I started walking around the place, kasunod si
Jerwin na sinasabi ung plano nyang gawin dun sa mga kwarto na nilalakaran namin..

Jerwin: It's a nice house, right? Your mom went wild when she saw this place.
Ako: My mom knows?!?
Jerwin: Yep. She even picked out the furniture.... Took her time choosing everything too..*sigh*

Ay.. parang nag-rreminisce ng masakit na past si kuya..

Ako: Nasan na ung mga furniture?

Jerwin: They'll deliver most of it tomorrow.
Ako: Oh.. okay.. So.. My mom wasn't really planning on taking me to the States, was she?

Jerwin: Nope. She's leaving you here. With me.

I wonder if that was a good idea. -___-

Nakaikot na kami sa first floor. The kitchen is fully equipped. The living room is vast. The dining room is
pretty big too. There's a patio in the back (sabi ni Jerwin, maglalagay raw sya ng swing chair dun). The
backyard isn't that large, pero maraming flowers (alagaan ko raw mabuti -- ginawa akong gardener. -__- )
There's a half bathroom dun sa may hallway, and across from that is a closet para sa mga jacket or
something.

Ako: What's upstairs?

Jerwin: The bedrooms. One full bathroom. A storage closet. Wanna go see?

I nodded. The more we roamed in the place, the more na nag-bbuilt up ung excitement ko. I'll be living
here.

Ako: Sunshine.. When are you planning to move in?

Jerwin: As soon as possible. Maybe the day after tomorrow.. Hmmm.. What do you think?

The day after tomorrow... ahyun ung araw bago umalis si mom. That'd be reasonable.

Ako: Sounds good.

I looked around the room, which is to be my bedroom. Look at the size of this thing! And a walk-in
closet!
Jerwin: So... you're really moving in with me?

Ako: Yea-ha!

I was feeling ecstatic then...

I never imagined the mess that single move can create.
::Chapter 40::
Start The Fire
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Jerwin: Well.. here we are.

Jerwin parked his truck sa tapat nung gate nung bahay ko. I was so ecstatic about the new house na halos

kaladkarin na ko ni Jerwin palabas.. He promised me I can go back tomorrow to order the movers around.

Ako: So.. what time dadating ung mga furnitures? And are you sure na pwedeng-pwede ko silang utus-utusan

kung san at pano nila aayusin ung rooms?

Jerwin: Oo nga.. Just make sure the house looks presentable.

Ako: I shall do my best.

Jerwin: And by the way, I have to be in the studio pretty much the whole day tomorrow.. Do you want me to
ask Mang Ponce kung pwede ka nyang i-drive around?

Ako: Naaaahhhh. Mag-jjeep na lang ako.

Jerwin: That's good. At least, di ko na kailangan bayaran ung gas nung van.
Ako: Kuripot. -__-
Jerwin: Yea, yea. I'll see you sometime tomorrow then.
Ako: Okie. Good night!

I jumped out of the truck and nag-glide papasok nung gate. I heard the truck drive away as I opened the
main door--

"VENICEEEE!!!"
O_O

And kakabukas ko pa lang ng pinto, lumipad na kagad ang nanay ko papunta sa'kin (which wasn't very easy to
do, considering lahat ng kalat sa sahig).

Ako: Aloha, motherr.

Mom: San ka ba galing? Kanina pa kita hinahanap? T^T
Ako: I'm sorry for the wa-poise na exit kanina. Di na mauulit.
Mom: Kasi naman! Assuming ka naman masyado! San ka ba galing!??
Ako: Jerwin brought me to the house -- our house.

Mom: Ay! Nakita mo na?? Ang ganda di ba?!

And just like that, all was forgiven. My mom led me up to my room para ilabas lahat ng excitement nya

dun sa bahay. In fairness, dinaig pa ang level ng excitement ko.. parang sya ang lilipat ah..

The next day.. Maaga akong nakalabas from school dahil may kung anong family emergency ung prof ko sa last
class.

So here we are.. Nag-wwindow shopping ni best friend sa tabi-tabi.. kahit pareho kaming walang pera.

Sheena: He bought you a house?!?!?!?

Ako: No. He rented a house for him -- sabit lang ako.

Sheena: BUT YOU'RE MOVING IN TOGETHER!!!

Ako: SSSSHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

I immediately clamped a hand over Sheena's mouth, tapos biglang flash ng smile sa mga tao sa paligid namin.

Kunwari delusional si Sheena.. wala silang narinig!

I dragged Sheena out of the store, and nung all clear na, tsaka ko lang tinanggal ung kamay ko from her
mouth.
Ako: Wag ka ngang maingay! Pano na lang kung may makarinig!??!

Sheena: Eh kaseh naman si fafa J! Na-sshock ako! Pero... anong itsura nung bahay? Mansion ba?

Ako: Loka. Hinde.. I'm going there later, gusto mo sumama?

Sheena: Ay! Really? Anong gagawin natin dun?

Ako: Magpapaka-interior designer.

Sheena: AYYYY!! Sali ako!

Tumingin ako sa relo ko. Jerwin should still be in the recording studio.. and I still have two hours bago ako
expected dun sa bahay..

Ako: It's still too early... You wanna go to the recording studio with me?

Sheena: Eh? Anong gagawin natin dun?

Ako: Hmmm.. manggugulo tayo sa kung anong ni-rrecord ni Jerwin.. Pero syempre, para di masyadong

halata, magdala tayo ng merienda.

Sheena: *gasp* Tingin mo, papakantahin nila ako dun? O_O
Ako: Adik ka ba? -___- Dadaan lang tayo.
Sheena: Panira ka ng pantasya, lam mo un? -__- Anong merienda dadalhin naten?

Napaisip ako... Anoh nga ba? Hmmm...

Ako: May tindahan ng banana-Q at sago at gulaman sa may harap nung building.. Dun na lang tayo bumili.

After ng byahe at pangungulit dun sa tindera ng banana cue, pumasok na kami ni Sheena sa all-important
building.. Ang hirap kasama ni Sheena! Gustong pasukin lahat ng kwarto -- baka raw makita namin si fafa Piolo
nya. -__- Ang hirap pa naman kaladkarin sa tamang direction ng mga may adrenaline rush.. Kaya ahyan, naligaw
pa tuloy kame.. Naaliw si Sheena dahil halos naikot na yata namin ung building kakahanap nung recording
studio.

Kaseh naman! Walang directory at "You Are Here" tohng building na toh noh!
Nung ready na kong mag-give up, we finally asked a wandering security guard, at naituro na rin kami sa wakas
sa tamang daan. -__-
Buti naman dahel napapagod na ko sa pagkatok sa door #1, #2, #3, and so on.

Note to self: Wag nang isama si Sheena dito next time.

Kumatok ako dun sa door na tinuro nung guard -- all the while nagdadasal na sana nga, this is it na!

The door opened and sumilip ang mukha ni Kuya Pao.

Isa sa mga nag-mmix ng music ni Jerwin si Kuya Pao.. Nakilala ko nung minsang dumaan ako dito.

Kuya Pao: Oh Venice! Bumibisita ka?

Ako: Nanggugulo lang, kuya. Busy ba?
Kuya Pao: Di naman. Pasok ka.. or kayo?

Napatingin sya kay Sheena.

Ako: Ay, best friend ko poh, si Sheena. Sheena, si Kuya Pao.

Sheena: Hell-oh, kuya~

Ay.. tama bang lumandi?

Ngumiti lang si Sheena, and nung tumalikod na si kuya para papasukin kami, hinampas ko kagad si best friend.

Ako: Mag-behave ka nga!

Sheena: Bakit ba?! Eh ang cute ni kuya eh!

I gave her one last warning glance bago kami pumasok sa loob. Nasa loob si Kuya Pao at si Kuya Trey (isa sa
mga composers). Buti na lang.. Mukhang kasya ung binili kong banana cue..
Nasa loob ng recording booth si Jerwin. He looked up and waved nung nakita nyang dumating ako.
Kuya Trey: Baahhhh.. Anoh yang dala mo? May share ba kami dyan?

Ako: Syempre naman, kuya. Bribe itoh para sa lahat ng trabaho nyo sa bagong album ni Jerwin.

Kuya Trey: Woohoo! Banana cue!

He bent down tapos nagsalita dun sa mic sa harap nya.

Kuya Trey: Jerwin, may dalang merienda ung asawa mo! Labas ka muna dyan!

Sheena: (bulong) Pffft. Asawa ka na raw.

Ako: Shut up. -__-

Nilagay ko ung bag ng banana cue dun sa maliit na table, tapos pinatong na rin ni Sheena ung tatlong malalaking
baso ng sago't gulaman (parang sakto lang sa kanila ung tatlo.. wala pala kaming inumin ni Sheena). Nag-dive

kagad ang mga kuya para makikain. Gutom yata sila...

Lumabas si Jerwin ng booth and dumiretso kagad sa'kin.

Jerwin: Ahhh!! Food! (silip sa banana-Q) Where'd you get it? It looks different from how Aling Ligaya

makes it..

Ako: This is fresh from the streets. With extra flavor. Try it.

I took one stick tapos nilapit sa reluctant na bibig ni Jerwin.. Masyadong malandi.. Ayaw ng mga food na galing

sa street..

Ako: It's okay. Promise, walang Hepa toh or kahit anoh.

Kokontra pa sana si Jerwin, pero pinanglakihan ko na sya ng mata. Kumagat ka na dahil kung hinde, isasalpak ko
toh sa bunganga mo. *_*

Jerwin: Okay. Fine.

He leaned forward and took a small bite --

All of a sudden, the door opened.
While still holding the stick to Jerwin's mouth, I turned my head para tignan kung sinoh ung dumating... and
what I saw made me suddenly shove the banana in Jerwin's mouth -- which I only realized kasi he started

choking.

Buti na lang, mabilis si Sheena. She immediately offered him one of the cups ng sago at gulaman nung nag-

uubo si Jerwin..

Jerwin: What the hell are you doing!??

I flashed an apologetic smile, then turned again to the new arrival, na nakatayo dun sa may pinto ng studio.
Jerwin followed where I was looking at, and I think, biglang naging understandable ung pag-shove ko nung
saging sa bibig nya.

Jerwin: Geena. What are you doing here? O__O

I felt Sheena nudge me vigorously, before she leaned over to whisper something. Tumaas nanaman ang

tsismis radar ng loka..

Sheena: (bulong) That's her?!? Oh Em Gee! She's hot!

I shot her a warning look. Geena walked over to where out little group was standing.. May dala rin syang paper
bag.. Dinadalhan nya rin ng merienda si Jerwin...?

Geena: I was in the building, and I heard you're here too.. I thought you might be hungry by now.. So I
brought your favorite croissant.

"Favorite"? Jerwin likes croissants?

She handed Jerwin the bag, then eyed the banana-Q dun sa mesa.. and I swear, she scoffed at me.... or am I
imagining the little glint of mockery in her eyes?

Jerwin: Uh.. thanks.

I looked around the room. Oblivious sa awkward atmosphere ung dalawang kuya -- masyado silang busy sa mga
saging nila. Si Sheena naman, nanonood lang. Jerwin accepted Geena's bag and placed it on the table.

Nakaka-choke ang atmosphere!

Ako: Uh, I think we should go now.

Sheena: Whe?! Aalis na tayo?!?!
Ako: YES
Sheena: But we just got here. T-T
Jerwin: Yea.. you just got here.
Ako: Pupunta pa ko sa bahay, di ba? Dadating ung mga furniture......this... afternoon...

Napatingin ako kay Geena.. Does she know? Does she know Jerwin and I are moving in together?

Is she gonna kill me? T^T

Jerwin: Oh. Right.

Ako: So.. Okay.. Uh, Kuya Trey, Kuya Pao! Alis na poh kami!
Kuya Pao: Ha? Oh sige! Salamat uhlet sa merienda!
Ako: Sige poh!

I glanced back at Jerwin, and gave him a quick nod. I grabbed Sheena's arm and dragged her out of the
room.. Before completely shutting the door, narinig ko pang may pahabol si Jerwin..

Jerwin: Hey, this banana-Q actually tastes good! Wag nyo kong uubusan, pag-uuntugin ko kayong dalawa!

Napangiti ako kahit papano.. At least.. natuwa sya sa banana-Q ko. I kinda felt better kahit nung lumakad
na kami paalis ni Sheena..

Sheena: Bakit natin iniiwan si kabet dun!?!? Baka ahasin nya si Fafa J!!!
Ako: Ssshhh!!! Relax ka lang ok?!? Let's just go.
Kung alam lang ni Sheena.... Hindi naman si Geena ang extra sa love story eh..
Ako ang kabet.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

The recording session lasted a few more hours after Venice left. For some reason, Geena decided to stay
hanggang sa katapusan. She never visited me, much less, stay throughout one of my recording sessions
before..

I walked her to her car, just because I'm a nice gentleman.. I thought I'd be able to leave without being
interrogated, but I guess not...

Geena: So.. what's this talk about furniture arriving today?

Ako: I rented a house.. Venice is in charge of putting the rooms in order.
Geena: Oh? You gave her that much power over your property?
Ako: Uh.. well...

I don't think there's any way of avoiding this...

Ako: She'll be staying in the same house anyway...

I looked down at my shoes and counted to ten before lifting my head up to face her again -- which I kinda
wish I didn't. Her face clearly shows she's flabbergasted by what I just revealed.

Geena: You're moving in.. with her?!

Ako: Yea.

A bunch of words ran through my mind to try to explain... but I also thought, what's there to explain?
Isn't it normal for couples these days to co-habitate? Especially when they're in the "engaged" stage?
I better run.

Ako: Look.. Uh.. She's waiting for me right now.. So.. uhmm.. I'll go ahead, okay? See you around--
Geena: Jerwin!

I froze. Crap. I told you I should run.

Geena: This Friday.. Dustin and I arranged a birthday party for you.

Ako: What?
Geena: We reserved a banquet hall in the Manila Hotel. At 8 PM. You should come... and I guess, Venice
too.. Wait, no. Actually, I demand for Venice to come.
Ako: This Friday? I'm sorry, but--

Geena: I won't take "no" for an answer. Won't you come? For old times' sake? Okay! I'll see you there!

Before I can respond, she was already in her car -- slamming the door with brute force too. She just waved a
quick bye, and then sped out of the parking lot just like that.

I didn't even get to tell her that this Friday, Venice's mom is flying back to the States.
::Chapter 41::
Slip of the Tongue
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Ako: It looks.... okay naman.. di ba?

Sheena and I stood by the main door and stared at our finish "design".. We spent hours and hours moving
furniture around -- well, di naman exactly "kami" ung nag-move, Jerwin hired some strong arms to carry the

furniture around, taga-utos lang ako at second opinion naman si Sheena.

Sheena: Yea.. I like it. It looks comfy, pero spacious..

Strong Arm #1: Tapos na poh ba tayo?

Napatingin kami ni Sheena dun sa anim na lalaki na nakaupo sa labas. Kawawa naman sina kuya, na-overwork sa

kakabuhat.

Bakit vah.. Binigyan ko naman sila ng malamig na tubig.

Ako: Ay, opo. Tapos na poh tayo.. Uhmm.. Pano poh ba ang bayaran?
Strong Arm #1: Wag nyo na poh isipin un. Inasikaso na poh ni Mr. Santos ung bayad.

Ay buti naman dahil wala akong ipangbabayad snyo.

Nagtayuan na sila, and nilakad namin ni Sheena ung anim na tagabuhat sa mga trucks nila.. We thanked them
one last time and then watched as they disappeared down the road.

Sheena: Well.. Tara na. Uwi na tayo.

Ako: I have to wait for Jerwin. May usapan kami na dito mag-mmeet eh.. You wanna stay a little bit longer?

Sheena: Haaayyyy na ko.. Gustuhin ko man, baka makaistorbo-- Wait. Kasama nya kaya si Geena?
Ako: I doubt it. -__-

Sheena: Oh well. I'm going home then.

Ako: What!? Kung kasama nya pala si Geena, mag-sstay ka?!?!

Sheena: Syempre! 1st hand tsismis un! Pero dahil wala naman akong masasagap, lalayas na lang ako!

She hailed a tricycle na tamang-tama naman na dumadaan.

Sheena: I'll see you tomorrow!

I waved goodbye na lang.. Nasanay na ko sa ka-"baitan" ng best friend ko eh.. After mawala nung tricycle,
pumasok na uhlet ako sa loob nung bahay.. I walked around the house to survey what we've accomplished..

The living room looks cozy.. Pwedeng-pwede nang manood ng TV dito buong araw, at masaya ka pa rin..
The dining room is kinda lacking some ornaments.. pero the medium-sized round table? PRETTY! and matching
pa ung four chairs.. Maybe we can buy some paintings to put on the walls para di masyadong bare..

Aakyat sana ako sa second floor nang narinig kong bumukas ung gate sa labas. Sumilip kagad ako sa bintana,

and I saw Jerwin's truck na pumapasok dun sa driveway. I immediately opened the door para hintayin
sya..

Yakk.. anoh ba yan.. Parang akong housewife na i-wwelcome ung husband nya.. Ew. O.O

Sinarado ko uhlet ung pinto, tapos naupo na lang dun sa new couch. Maya-maya, pumasok na si Jerwin.

Jerwin: Why'd you close the door?

Ako: Malamig eh.

Jerwin looked at me all weird. Kaseh nga naman.. di naman talaga ganun kalamig sa labas. Eh bakit ba!?
I quickly stood up para di na sya makasabat uhlet..

Ako: So?? Anong rating mo sa interior designing skills ko?

Jerwin looked around the room.. From his expression, mukha namang satisfied sya sa nakikita nya. Avah,

dapat lang noh! Ang hirap-hirap kaya mag-arrange!

Jerwin: Heyy.. Not bad. I like it. Did you do the bedrooms too?
Ako: Yea! Naawa nga ako dun sa mga movers.. Kaseh bago pa nila maakyat ung mga kama tsaka ung vanity

table ko.. ung study table mo.. Grabeh..

Jerwin: Well.. That's what I paid them to do.

Umakyat kami sa second floor and went straight dun sa kwarto nya. I'm particularly proud of what I did to

his room.. heeheehee..

I grabbed the doorknob and then flashed a big smile at Jerwin.

1.. 2.. 3!!

I pushed open the door -- complete with the "ta-da!" sound pa!

And then I looked at Jerwin para lasapin ang reaction nya..

Ako: So? What do you think?

He cautiously stepped inside.. Looking at the walls.. at his bed.. at his study table..

Jerwin: Are you sure this isn't your room? O_O

Ako: Duh! I specifically made everything here for you!

I glanced around my handy work.. I'm so proud.. nyahahaha

Habang umiikot ang tingin ni Jerwin around the room,

sinimulan ko naman ung paliwanag ko as to why his room looks like this.

Dahil nagutom kami ni Sheena kanina, dumaan muna kami sa store para bumili ng makakain.. Dahil sa mga

Valentine designs na nakalagay, pumasok bigla sa magaling kong brain ang concept ng room nya..

Malapit na ang Valentines.. Kaya kailangan, mapagmahal ang kwarto nya.. Binili ko lahat ng parapernalias.

Main Parapernalia #1: Red na Cartolina.

And habang naghihintay dun sa mga movers, I cut out all sizes of hearts: small hearts, medium hearts, big

hearts, VERYYY BIGG hearts..

And then I taped them all over the walls tapos nag-lagay pa ko ng tatlo dun sa kama nya!

Oh! Oh! And his bed!

Main Parapernalia #2: Hearty-Heart Bedsheet

I saw this bedsheet on sale.. It was so cute and it was just screaming: "TAKE MEEE" It's pink na may

design na hearts. Happy Valentines talaga.. Kaya binili ko rin.

And then his study table. Wala akong makita na notebook na may hearts dun sa sari-sari store eh.. kaya nag-

settle na lang ako sa ballpen.. Fluffy Ballpen.

Main Parapernalia #3: Red & Pink Fluffy Ballpen

Ehto ung mga ballpen na may fluff feather ball sa other end... soft to the touch! Nilagay ko sa penholder

nya ung dalawang fluffy ballpen.. Ang cute cute talaga nila.. Match na match sa concept ko.

Jerwin: Are you mad at me or something?

Ako: Di naman.. *gasp* Y-You don't like the room? T_T

He quickly looked at me -- and I immediately pulled my "oh-so-hurt" expression.

Jerwin: No! I mean! It's not that I don't like it.. It's.. It's very.... heart-y...

Di ko na nakaya! Si kuya! Trying hard not to hurt my feelings, pero ung face naman nya: absolute

dread!

Tumawa na ko nang tumawa.. Jerwin just looked at me as if I've gone crazy.

Jerwin: Do you mind explaining what's going on?

Ako: Sunshine naman kaseh! Seryosong-seryoso ka sa pag-consider nitong kwarto mo!

Syempre naman, ung furniture lang ang inayos ko.. Tingin mo ba papatulugin talaga kita with all these hearts

around? hahahaha

Jerwin: You little--! Akala ko pa naman seryoso ka sa mga pinaglalagay mong "design" dito!

Ako: Wahahahahaha Sunshine! You're so funny! I love you! --- O__O

Napatigil akong bigla sa pagtawa nung narinig ko ung sinabi ko.
WTQuack?!? Where the hell did that come from?!?

Jerwin blinked twice.. I tried to open my mouth para maghanap ng pangontra sa sinabi ko... but I can't think
of any. I can feel my face burning up.

All of a sudden, Jerwin smirked.

Jerwin: Oh, so is that why you put hearts all over the room? Coz you love me?
Ako: Che! Hinde noh! It was a joke! A. Joke. I'll help you take them out right now--

Jerwin: No. Leave them. We can put them down tomorrow.

Tumingin sya sa relo nya.

Jerwin: Come on. I'll take you home.

He turned around and left the room. Naiwan lang ako sandali to take deep breaths, to try to regain
composure.. dahil hindi ako maka-recover sa ka-stupidan na un!

I haven't said I love you in years! At-- At!! Kay Jerwin pa! Kay Jerwin pa talaga! T__T

Lumakad ako papunta dun sa wall katabi ng pinto, and I started hitting my head -- di naman masyadong

malakas dahil ayoko rin naman masaktan.

Ako: You're (hit) so (hit) stupid. (hit hit hit hit)

"Am I interrupting something?"

I slowly turned my head dun sa door. Nakasilip si Jerwin -- with an amused look on his face.
Strike two naaa!

Ako: No. *sigh* Let's just go.

I followed Jerwin down the stairs.. still mentally hitting myself. Napansin yata ni Jerwin na kulang na lang eh
pagulungin ko ung sarili ko, coz he suddenly turned to me and then said,

Jerwin: Venice, it's okay.

Ako: Huh?

Jerwin: I think it's completely healthy for engaged couples to say "I love you" to each other. I will

forever remember your courage in saying it first.

Oo O

He laughed out loud bago nya ni-lock ung main door behind us and jumped in his truck.. I was dumbfounded.
O_O

Ako: W-W-What?!? YAH!!! JERWIN! ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?!?!

::Chapter 42::
Stuck Inside
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

The next day, after school, instead of Jerwin picking me up, or ang starting to become a ritual of taking the
jeep home, sinundo ako ni Manong Ponce.

Today is D-Day: The Moving Day... and today rin ang flight ni mother. Although mamaya pang 11 PM ang
airplane nya..

Sinundo ako ni Manong Ponce from school, and from there, pumunta kami sa bahay para naman sunduin si
mother at ang mga last-minute gamit ko..
As soon as I stepped inside the house, napatingin kagad ako sa paligid.. Lahat ng furnitures namin, either na-
donate na sa kung saang shelter or nahingi na ng mga kapitbahay.. Malinis na ung mga sahig at bintana..

I suddenly feel sad leaving this home.. T-T

Mom: Hoy. Anong tinatayo-tayo mo dyan?

Ako: Bakit ba? Illegal na bang mag-emote ngayon??
Mom: Sira. Tulungan mo na nga lang ako dito.

Panira naman ng moment. -__-

Pero dahil masunurin akong anak, kinuha ko na ung mga maleta na kaya kong dalhin.. Inisa-isa namin ung mga
gamit and tinambak dun sa van... until finally, wala na.. wala na talagang laman ung bahay..... waahhhh!!! ToT

Ni-lock na namin ung gate, and pumasok na sa van..

I looked back at the house na siguro eh never ko na uhlet mapapasok... Bahala na ang real estate agent syo..
T-T

Mom: Manong Ponce, mag-right ka dyan...

Eh??

Ako: San tayo pupunta?

Mom: Ay, sa mga Tita Laura mo muna ako tatambay hanggang mamayang gabi..
Ako: EH?! At bakit?!?
Mom: Eh kasi naman, anak.. Matagal nanaman bago kami magkita ulit.. Gusto ko nang lubus-lubusin.. And sya na
rin daw maghahatid sa'kin sa airport.
Ako: Eh pano ako?!? Ako ang anak mo, di mo man lang i-sspend ang final hours mo with me!?
Mom: Hoy. Anong "final hours"?!? Mamatay na ba ko ha?!?

Ako: You know what I mean.. And besides, we're not even related to Tita Laura, tapos i-bburden pa natin
sya sa paghatid syo??

Mom: Anoh ba? Tight kami ng tita mo noh.. TIGHT!

-___-
"TIGHT" raw sila.. TIGHT! Ai josko! Ang mga teenage slang na ginagamit ng nanay ko! O_O

Ako: But what about me?!

Mom: Eh ayusin mo na lang ung bahay nyo ni Jerwin.. Magkita na lang tayo sa airport. And besides, ikaw,

pwedeng-pwede ka naman lumipad sa US kahit kelan.. ikaw lang tohng may ayaw eh.. Kaya pagbigyan mo na

kami ni Tita Laura mo, ok?

Ako: Fine....

Hinayaan kong ituro ni mom kay Manong Ponce ung daan papunta sa bahay ni Tita Laura.. Anoh pa nga bang
magagawa ko, eh sa ehto ang gusto ng nanay ko?
Pinagpalit ako sa "tight-ness" nila? Tama ba un!?

When we reached Tita Laura's house, tinulungan na namin si mommy na ibaba lahat ng gamit nya.. Pati ung
asawa ni Tita, lumabas na para maki-haul ng mga maleta at boxes..

Nung napasok na lahat, nag-bye bye na ko kay mom para naman pumunta dun sa bahay namin ni Jerwin.... Oh
well..

The house was dead quiet nung pumasok kami ni Manong Ponce. Pero, syempre, what did I expect nga naman?

Eh nasa work pa si Jerwin..

Mabilisan naming inakyat sa kwarto ko ung mga gamit ko, kaseh malapit na mag-uwian si Jean, which means,
malapit na rin manundo si Manong Ponce..

After half an hour ng pag-akyat, nag-bye bye na rin si Manong Ponce.. Siguraduhin ko raw na naka-lock ung
pinto.. and then he left.

At naiwan na kong mag-isa sa bahay....

Ang tahimik... amazingly tahimik... -___-

Okay! Let's get busy!

Sinimulan ko na ung paglabas nung mga gamit ko..

Clothes and shoes.. sa walk-in closet
Kalandian things.. sa vanity table
School props.. sa study table

My last picture with Gerard... sa night stand..

I smiled as I surveyed what I've accomplished.. Oh di vah? Eh di organized na! I wonder kung ilang araw

bago magkagulo ang lahat?

5:00 na.. Jerwin should be coming home soon.

Tinambak ko ung mga empty luggages sa sulok nung closet, and then I took my phone to call Jerwin..

..pero as usual, hindi nanaman sya sumasagot. -__- Talaga naman! Gagawan ko nga ng paraan ung taong un para
pag tumawag ako, wala syang choice kung hindi sagutin!

I went downstairs para magluto ng dinner namin.. Oh yes, may fruition na ang mga afternoon cooking lessons

ko with Aling Ligaya.. Nakakapagluto na ko ng mga simpleng dishes! Wahaha be proud!

Jerwin made sure na may fully loaded ang aming ref today.. Kaya it wasn't hard to look for meat at
ingredients.. I turned on the TV para di ako mabingi sa katahimikan.. and I started cooking..

Sabi ni Aling Ligaya, dapat raw, tama lang ang lahat.. wag masyadong maasim, pero wag rin masyadong walang

lasa..
Ganyan ang sikreto ng sinigang.. nyahaha

After a while, natapos na ko sa cooking project ko.. As soon as pinatay ko ung stove, biglang nag-ring ang
cellphone kong nakapatong sa counter.

Si Jerwin. Sa wakas.

Ako: Halllerrr?!?
Jerwin: Hey.. Pauwi na ko. Naligo ka na ba?

-____-
Ako: Anoh naman tingin mo sa'kin!? Mabango pa ko noh! At di man ako maligo, mabango pa rin ako!

Jerwin: Oh??
Ako: Bakit ikaw, naligo ka na ba?
Jerwin: Mabango din ako!
Ako: Ang labo mong kausap.. High ka ba? -___-
Jerwin: Ay bastah.. I'll be home in an hour.
Ako: Okay.

......

Jerwin: Bye?

Ako: Anoh? Wala man lang, "I love you, honey" dyan?
Jerwin: Ahh.. Just because you admitted to loving me doesn't mean I have to say it back.

Oo O

I felt my blood rush up to my head.. and I'm so glad na nasa telepono lang si Jerwin, dahil kung hinde, nakooo
lalo akong mapapahiya sa kung gano ka-pula ang mukha ko ngayon!

Tama bang i-bring up ung--- ung-- ung MISTAKE na un!?!?!?

Ako: Che! Umuwi ka na nga! =__=

Jerwin: Ohh, now you sound like a wife---

I didn't let him finish. Binabaan ko na sya, sabay tapon nung cellphone sa kabilang ibayo nung couch.

Josko.

It's almost 6:40.. He's right, though.. Dapat nga maligo na ko.. nyahaha
I turned off the TV and stood up from the couch.. Naglalakad na ko papunta sa stairs nang napatingin ako dun
sa door kaharap nung 1/2 bathroom..

Anoh nga ba tohng pinto na toh??

Syempre, dahil ako ang type ng tao na kailangan na mabilisang curiosity satisfaction, binuksan ko ung pinto..

Ako: Ahhh.. closet? coat closet??

It doesn't look that big para maging storage closet..

Kumbaga sa sizes ng lata ng sardinas, sya ung small can ng Ligo Sardines..

Ako: I wonder kung kasya ako dito...

I stepped inside the cramped closet to try it out..

Ako: Waahhh kasya nga ako!

Nag-rotate pa ko 360-degrees.. Ganito pala ang feeling ng mga sardinas ng Ligo..

I wonder if I can close the door..

I reached for the doorknob and shut the closet door..

Madilim..... Pero waaahhh... kasya pa rin ako!

I'm so slim.. nyahahaha

Ako: I am now a sardine. bam!

Tumingin-tingin ako sa paligid ko (baka sakaling may makita akong kapwa sardinas)..

Ako: Aish.. Anoh ba tohng ginagawa ko? Maliligo pa nga pala ako..

I turned the doorknob to get out--

Ako: Eh?! O_O

The doorknob WON'T turn!

Ako: W-What is this?!?! O.O

I tried to rattle it to see kung may na-stuck bang kung ano dun sa loob.. Nung wa-epek ang pag-rattle, I tried
pushing the door..

Ako: Uh. O_O

It won't budge....
Napaupo ako in surprise.
I'm stuck. Sa loob ng closet. Dahil gusto kong maging sardinas.

And isang oras pa bago umuwi si Jerwin.......

Ako: WAAAHHHHH!!!!!

::Chapter 43::
Let's Go Party
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥
After what felt like 100 hours of being stuck in rush hour traffic, nakarating na rin ako sa bahay. Binaba ko
ung mga maleta ko sa may hagdan, and then gently closed the door behind me..

That's weird..

I looked around.. Bakit tahimik? Where's Venice?

Pumasok ako sa loob nung bahay, umikot-ikot..
Did she go somewhere with her mom? She didn't even leave a message?

I walked to the kitchen and found a pot on the stove..

Aba.. What's this?

Tinanggal ko ung takip and saw normal-looking food.. Sinigang?

Ako: Ha.. I wonder if her mom made this.. Otherwise..... Venice doesn't cook, right? Is this edible? -___-

It looks edible...

Kinuha ko ung sandok na nakapatong dun sa counter..

I was just about to dip it in the pot nang may narinig akong biglang kumalabog sa may hallway. @__@
I paused to listen, pero nawala na uhlet ung ingay..

Ako: I must be imagining things... -__-

Babalik na sana ako sa pagsandok nung ulam, nang may kumalabog ulit. This time, I froze. I'm not imagining it.

"May inuwi si nanay, si nanay, sa bahay...

Sinabit nya, sinabit nya, sa tabi ng bahay..
Awhoooo~~"
O___O

I cautiously walked over to where the muffled song is coming from.. I can feel my heart beating hard against
my chest..

Is it a ghost? I hate ghosts.. not that I've ever seen one.....

Wouldn't it be more realistic to think it might be an intruder?

What the hell? We just moved in and may magnanakaw na kagad?!?

"May inuwi si nanay, si nanay, sa bahay~

Sinabit nya, sinabi nya, sa tabi ng bahay..."

It's coming from the closet...

May kung anong kumaluskos sa loob.. @_@

Maybe it's a mouse.. a singing mouse?

God, I hope it's a mouse.

I took a deep breath -- and then biglang bukas nung closet door.
Tingin kagad ako sa loob while holding the sandok up for defense.

But... there's nothing inside......

All of a sudden....

GRAB!

@.@
Ako: (screams) aaAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Something-- Something grabbed my leg!

Nagkadapa-dapa ako sa paglayo sa kung ano man ung nasa loob nung closet!

Ako: W-Wha?!? W-Who's in there?!?!?!

Someone slowly crawled out of the closet.. I'm not exactly sure if it's a "someone".. Kamukha ni Cousin It..
Where the face is supposed to be, puro buhok ang nandun.. and why is she crawling on the floor!?!

Venice: Argh..... Sunshine... It's me.... -_____-

Ako: Venice?!?!
Venice: Yea... argh.. -__-

She crawled out of the closet and then collapsed on the floor, groaning.. I can still feel my heart beating
twice its normal rate!
I waved the sandok sa kanya..

Ako: What were you doing inside?!? Aish! Are you trying to give me a heart attack!??!
Venice: (groans) Na-lock ako sa loob.. I couldn't move around, kaya naupo na lang ako.. Argh.. I can't even
feel my legs anymoreeeeee... T^T
Ako: Pano ka naman na-lock sa loob?!?
Venice: I tried to be a sardine..

-___-

I blinked in surprise.. and confusion..

Did I hear that right or na-apektuhan na ba ng panic attack ko ang pangrinig ko?!?

Isn't a "sardine" a fish?

Ako: What?

She pulled herself up from the wooden floor, tapos sumandal dun sa wall..

She started massaging her legs.. Naputol yata talaga ung daloy ng dugo sa legs nya..

Venice: Sardinas.. The closet reminded me of a Ligo Sardines can..

I really heard her right..... -__-

Hindi ko talaga yata maaabot kahit kailan ang ka-abnormalan ng utak ng taong toh.. Saan ba nanggagaling ang
mga thoughts na pumapasok sa isip nya?!?

Nararamdaman ko nang bumabalik sa normal ang naalog kong brain.. Medyo bumabalik na rin sa normal ung
heartbeat ko..

Ako: How stupid are you?!?

Tinuro ko uhlet ung sandok sa kanya..

Ako: What are you gonna do kung hindi kagad ako nakauwi?!
Venice: I'll cryyyy. T-T And bakit ba kanina mo pa winawagayway yang sandok sa'kin? Kukuha ka lang ng
weapon, sandok pa ang kinuha mo..
Ako: Eh ano pang makukuha ko?! You took me by surprise!

Napatingin ako sa relo.. Aish.. It's already 6..

Tumayo ako from where I staggered earlier, and binalik ung sandok sa kitchen counter.. tapos, lumakad ako
dun sa may hagdan, where I left the things I was carrying when I came in. Kinuha ko ung isang paper bag, and
then bumalik kung nasan si Venice.

Ako: Maligo ka na, and go change in this.

Venice: Eh?? Anoh yan??

Ako: We're going to a party.
Venice: Party?!? Jerwin, I have to be at the airport by 9:30!
Ako: We'll leave before your mom's flight... And really... mag-ayos ka ha.. Ayokong dalhin si Cousin It sa
party na un..
Venice: Cousin It??
Ako: The hair guy -- or thing.. Adams Family.. Hello?

She stared at me confused.

Ako: Nevermind.

Umakyat na ko ng hagdan to get ready for the party..

I heard Venice drag herself up the stairs kasunod ko... mumbling in every step..

--- ♥♥ ---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Ako: Are we late? Whose party is this anyway? Are we late?

Jerwin: Aish.. Be quiet.

I tried to smooth the red cocktail dress Jerwin bought for me as we hurriedly walk towards the hotel
entrance..

I didn't know Jerwin would have such a good sense of style.. nyahaha Sabi nya, he bought the dress
especially for tonight..

In other words, impromptu buying..

But the dress is gorgeous! It's a cute, satin tube dress that falls mid-thigh.. It has a poufy, bubble skirt
with pull-ups, and a purple satin sash around the waist..

It fits perfectly pa!

Ako: Heeyyy.. How do I look?

Jerwin: For the tenth time, you look fine.
Ako: Tumingin ka naman muna!
I didn't have much time to get ready after that little incident with the closet.. -___- Kaya, I just
straightened my hair, put on light make-up, grabbed the first matching silver jewelry I could find, and then
slipped in my black, high-heeled pumps..

and still, somehow, nauna pa rin sa'kin si Jerwin.. -__-

Nakaligo na sya, nakapag-gel ng buhok, nakapag-cologne pa.. But then again, kaseh naman, pants and red polo

lang ang kailangan nyang alalahanin..

We finally stopped in front of a banquet hall's doors.. Ehto nanaman kami sa mga fancy hotel parties.. -__-

Jerwin: Let's go.

He grabbed my hand and then he opened the door.

I immediately scanned the place. The crowd, this time, doesn't look old.. They actually look like they're
around my age..

and OMG isn't that Papa Piolo!? O.O

As soon as pumasok kami ni Jerwin, nalipat ung atensyon ng lahat ng tao sa'min.. and then, all of a sudden,
they burst into hoots and applause..

People: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Oh.. It's a birthday party... or advance birthday party..

Jerwin acknowledged the crowd with smiles and waves and nods.. Nung medyo na-disperse na ung attenstion,
lumapit ako kay Jerwin para bumulong..

Ako: It's your birthday? Who threw the party?

Pero bago pa man makasagot si Jerwin, I saw a flash of gold walking up to us.. and biglang nanikip ang dibdib
ko..
Isang tao lang ang kilala kong mukhang dyosang bumaba sa lupa..
It's Geena.

Geena: You're late. I was starting to think I threw the party for nothing.

Then, to my surprise, she suddenly turned to me and smiled.. She SMILED at ME! O_O

Geena: It's so nice that you can come, Venice.

Ako: Uh.. yes.. O_O

Geena: Oh, well, I'll see you guys later.. The refreshments and the food are over there. Help yourself.

And with that, she walked away -- swinging her hips from side to side.. As usual, she's so pretty....

I hit Jerwin's arm.

Jerwin: Aw! What?!?

Ako: You brought me to Geena's party?!?
Jerwin: It's my party.. Didn't you hear them greet me happy birthday?..... although.. yea.. Geena threw it for
me...

Aish!

PAK!

Jerwin: Hey, it's free food!

PAK!

Jerwin: We'll leave as soon as we can.. -__-

::Chapter 44::
Lady In Red
♫.~*~..~*~.♫
 (Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Why am I here..... -__-

Tumingin-tingin ako sa mga mukha ng mga girlaloos na nakapaligid sa'kin.. They're all famed faces... VJ..
Actresses.. Supermodel... At ang pinakamasakit pa, katapat ko mismo si Geena.. -___-

I have no idea how it came to this... Jerwin and I were looking at the finger food laid out dun sa table when
Dustin came by and "took" Jerwin.. Hindi na bumalik si kuya.. Naaliw yata dun sa little huddle nilang mga lalaki

sa likod..

At dahil sa sobrang swerte ko, sa dinami-dami ng mga taong pwedeng kumausap sa'kin, si Geena -- SI GEENA
-- pa ang talagang dumating.. Dinala nya ko dun sa table nya at ng mga superstar nyang friends.. *sigh* Bakit
nga ba ko sumama?

Ang favorite subject pa nila: Ako.

I wanna cry. T^T

Krystal: You're so lucky, Venice.. Jerwin is really a great guy.

Honey: Not to mention, hot! I mean, have you seen his abs!??

Ako: Ha? Oh.. yea.. *gulp* His abs...

Nag-flash bigla sa utak ko picture nung "abs" nya nung nag-photoshoot kami sa beach.. Whoo! *sweat*

Farrah: So tell me, does he serenade you with his songs? (biglang tingin kay Geena)Doesn't he used to do
that for you, Geena?

Napatingin ako bigla sa kaharap ko, who's calmly stirring the martini in front of her. Geena looked up and met
my eyes, then she smiled.. I'm really starting to hate that stupid smirk of hers.. -__-

Geena: Oh yes.. like a private concert..

Krystal: Awww.. that's so sweet.. And you two weren't even dating!

Farrah: (chuckles) But you two were together often, right?

Honey: Oh yea, especially at night..

I forced a smile on my face as they all started laughing.. Ang mga bruha! Di man lang ba sila nahiya na sa
mukha ko pa talaga nila pinagkakalandakan ang kalandian ng ka-tribo nila?!?!

Farrah: By the way, Venice, I saw Mr. Gordon last week.. He mentioned you did a photoshoot with him and
Jerwin?
Honey: Oh? I thought you... don't do those things?
Ako: Uhmm.. yea.. It was kind of sudden..
Geena: So are you planning on entering the modeling world now?
Ako: Eh?? No.. I mean, I've never really thought about it like that..
Farrah: Maybe you should. Surprisingly, Mr. Gordon was really pleased with your work..(looked around the

table) And we all know Mr. Gordon and his high standards..
Geena: Oh my god! I know! Once, we went to Greece to do a photoshoot.. I swear, he was ready to kill the

amateur model I was working with.. I can't blame him though.. I have no idea how that amateur could
even call himself a "model".

The started blabbing about their "experiences" with co-workers, bosses, staff.. Syempre, na-out of place
ako.. Anong laban ko sa "promotional posters", "Greece pictorial", "company advertisements", at mga ka-
chuchuhan nila??

Isa lamang akong hamak na dyosa ng kagandahan.. nyahaha

I looked over kung san nakatayo si Jerwin with his friends.. He looks so at ease.. They're probably talking
about "showbiz stuff" too.. mga bagay na di ako makaka-relate..

Nag-ssink in talaga.. This is his world..

I just can't fit in...

Krystal: Oh, you're looking at your fiancé. How cute.

Napabalik ung tingin ko sa kanila.. and they're all looking at me as if may bitbit akong supeeerrr cute na

puppy.. -___- Ung mga tipong sapilitan na pa-awwwww...

Anoh kaya un?

Ako: Huh? Oh..

Farrah: Don't worry about him.. He's in good company.
Ako: Of course.

Ininom ko ung iced tea sa harap ko.. For some reason, kahit anong daldal nila, feel na feel ko pa rin ang
pressure.. Dahil ba alam kong plastic ang mga ngiti nila... at kanina ko pa nahahalata na they've been trying to
make me feel as uncomfortable as possible? Some party hostess.. -___-

Farrah: You know, it's really cool that you managed to snag one of the hottest bachelors in the business
considering that.. well.. no offense, but, you're a nobody.

Oh.. Is it time for diretsuhang paninira na?

Geena: What are you girls talking about? She's not a nobody.

I looked up in surprise.. Pinagtatanggol ako?

Geena: I heard she's famous..... in her school.

The other girls snickered at Geena's remark.

Pfftt. I knew it. Mahuhulog na ang langit at lahat, kontra pa rin sa buhay ko ang babaeng toh!

-___-

I want to get out of here...

"Excuse me, girls."

Napalingon akong bigla at the sound of that voice. Halos mapatalon pa ko sa tuwa.. Jerwin finally came..

Di ko napigilan ung ngiti ko nung humarap ako sa kanya.. I must have looked reallyhappy kasi napangiti rin si

Jerwin nung tumingin sya sa'kin..

Geena: Oh, hello, Jerwin. Are you here to join our little party?

Sige lang.... Ngumiti ka pa nang ganyan, baka sakaling maglabasan na ang mga langgam.. -__-

Jerwin: Actually, no. I'm here to borrow my fiancée, if you girls don't mind.

Napa-blink ang mga fake eyelashes nung mga Mean Girls. Bwahahahahaha

What?! Ha?! What!? Kala nyo makiki-upo sya para makipag-flirting fest snyo?!? Chaka nyo!

Jerwin offered me his hand, which I very gladly took. I flashed a smile at the girls, and then hinayaan ko nang
i-lead ako ni Jerwin away from the table -- and the awestruck girls (plus one death glare from

a certain someone ).

Ako: You're done talking with your boys?

Jerwin: Ha.. Kinda.. Nakakabanas na silang kausap eh.

Ako: Bakit?
Jerwin: Well, they're all gushing about how pretty you are tonight, and how I should introduce them to you..
Sunud-sunod pa nga ang paalam kung pwede ka raw isayaw.. Psh. They're acting like fanboys..
Ako: Ooohhh.. Is that why you escaped and came to me?
Jerwin: Yea.. That, and I saw you looking extremely uncomfortable around those girls. I thought you might

need a little saving.

Ako: So nagpapaka-Superman ka?

Jerwin: Hey, at least I didn't think na maging sardinas noh!
Ako: -_____- Shut up.

We walked to the center of the dancefloor, squeezing ourselves through the other couples who are already
there.

Jerwin: And, besides, don't you think it's time to dance with the birthday boy?

He twirled me around once before pulling me close to him for a slow dance.. He gently put my arms on his
shoulders, then placed his hands on my waist.

Ako: Are you doing this to make your friends-slash-my fanboys jealous?

Jerwin: (laughs) That's a good idea.

Ako: Hmm.. May potential suitor ba ko dun sa mga fanboys na un?

Jerwin: Hey. That's harsh. -____- How can you look for a suitor while you're engaged to the hottest singer
in the country -- AKA me? And you're saying it while dancing with me too!

Ako: (natawa) Ahsush.. Dramahan ba ko?

Jerwin: I'm not..

Ako: Nasa good mood ka yata? Kanina ka pa nakangiti ah.. Lasing ka na ba?
Jerwin: What?!? Of course not! I only had one shot..
Ako: Eh anong nginingiti-ngiti mo?

Jerwin's smile got wider as he pulled me even closer to him..

So close na it must be sinful to have other people see us like this..

Jerwin: Coz you're wonderful.

Anoh raw?

I tried to step back a little para tignan ung mukha nya,

pero Jerwin stopped me and held me tighter.
Jerwin: Don't ruin the moment, Venice..

Ako: Moment??
Jerwin: Just dance with me.. Let this be our time.

I don't get it, pero tumahimik na ko.. I relaxed in his arms and pinatong ung face ko on his chest, letting him
sway me in tune with the music..

Somehow, being like this in his arms makes me feel like all the hell I've been through since I stepped in this
party never happened..
Now, it feels like it's just me and him..

I took in the subtle smell of his cologne..

I can even feel the steady beating of his heart..
and then when the song came to its chorus,
I hear him softly singing in my ear..

Jerwin: (sings) The lady in red is dancing with me

There's nobody here, it's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget
The way you look tonight..

When the song finished, halos ayokong bitawan ung sabit ko kay Jerwin.. I know, ang manyak.. wahahaha
But I had to let go dahil Jerwin let go. T-T

He took my hand and led me out of the dancefloor.. One dance lang.. T^T

Jerwin: We should go.

Ako: Huh?

We're going?!?! Sayaw pa tayoooo~ ToT

Jerwin: It's 9:15.. We gotta catch up with your mom, right?

Oh.. my mom. @_@ Dang.. I completely forgot.

Ako: 9:15 na ba? Ha.. I didn't even realize na ganun na pala ka-late..
Jerwin: Yep.. Uhmm.. Mag-CCR lang ako, ok? I'll be back and then we'll leave.

He gave me a pat on the head and then off he went palabas nung banquet hall. I went to the mini-bar and
smiled at the server who handed me a punch.

I sat down on the empty table in front nung mini-bar, sipping my drink. Aliw aliw pa ko sa panonood sa mga
people nang may lumakad na dalawang guys dun sa bar.. I would have ignored them, pero right after they
ordered their drinks, narinig ko kagad ung pangalan ko.

Guy 1: Man, I was hoping to dance with Venice.. but Jerwin got really possessive. He told me to back off,
and then he went himself and took her. Psh.

Guy 2: (laughs) Dude, if you were after my fiancée, I'd be all up your case too, you manwhore.

Guy 1: Hey! But seriously, man, I was really surprised the Santos clan let Jerwin end up with a
commoner. She hasn't done any sort of showbiz work..
Guys 2: What's so bad about that?

Oo nga! Anong masama dun?!?

Guy 1: C'mon, don't pretend you don't know.. Jerwin's family is like the entertainment industry's
monarchy. Look at the people in this room! Only the most successful of celebrities and business heirs and
heiresses are here. Don't tell me you actually think Venice will survive this world without any experience
under her belt?
Guy 2: Hey, at least she's hot.

Guy 1: Ha! You're right!

The two of them laughed.. completely unaware na ako ung babaeng nakatalikod sa kanila.. Binaba ko ung baso
ko on the table, lahat ng kaaliwan ko kanina biglang nag-evaporate..

Ganun na lang ba ako kaliit sa mga taong toh?

I looked around again.. Totoo naman.. lahat ng tao dito prominent figures.. They all accomplished so much in
the short time they've been living..

Sigh...

Just in time, I saw Jerwin come back inside. He immediately scanned the room looking for me, kaya napataas
tuloy ung kamay ko and waved, trying to catch his attention.

He saw me and smiled. Habang naglalakad sya papunta sa'kin, dinaig nya pa ang kandidato sa dami ng mga
kinawayan and kinamusta..

People must really think he's amazing....

And he's mine..

Napangiti ako nung naisip ko un.. Maybe it won't be true forever, pero at least for now, it's real. He's mine.

When he finally got to where I was, he immediately gently tapped my head.

Jerwin: Sardines, let's go.

Natulala ako.. Tama ba ung rinig kong tinawag nya sa'kin?!?

Ako: "S-S-Sardines"?!?

Jerwin: Di ba pangarap mo un?

Ako: What?!

Jerwin: Don't worry. I won't tell other people the reason I'm calling you that.

O_O
Ako: Eh?! So you're planning to actually call me that?!?!?

He bent down para malapit ung mukha nya sa mukha ko.. Akala nya naman mag-bback down ako kahit na ganun
sya kalapit.. Neknek nya.. Masyadong napuno ang brain ko nung pagtawag nya sa'kin ng sardinas, wala nang
brain cells na available para magprocess pa ng hiya noh!

Jerwin: You call me "Sunshine", don't you? See? Now we're fair.

O.o Anong fair dun?!?

At least ako cute ung tawag ko sa kanya!!
Eh sya?!?!? Tama bang gawin akong isda?!?

Before I can counterattack, Jerwin immediately grabbed my hand and started dragging me around the room
to say goodbye to the guests.. People were trying to stop him from leaving, pero Jerwin just laughed at their
attempts.

I tried looking for Geena, pero I didn't find her in the room.

Hanggang sa paglabas namin, I still didn't catch a glimpse of the girl... which is good. nyaha.

We stopped sa entrance nung hotel..

Jerwin: Wait here, I'll get the truck.

Ako: Okay.

--- ♥♥ ---

(Geena's POV)
---------------- ♥
I watch the two of them walk out of the hotel. Jerwin whispered something to Venice, and then he strode
away to the parking lot. Venice stood there, her arms wrapped around herself...in that red dress she claimed
Jerwin bought for her.

It's sickening.

"Geena.. What are you doing here?"

I didn't have to turn to know who it was. Lately, it's always been Dustin who looks for me..

Me: Look at them, Dustin.. Acting like the perfect couple..

He stood next to me and watched the scene outside. Jerwin finally pulled up his truck, and then hurriedly got
out to open the door for his "fiancée".. Venice smiled at him before getting inside..
The perfect couple..

Dustin: Let's go back inside, Geena.

Me: I talked to Jerwin earlier.

Jerwin ran to the driver's side, and the "oh-so-happy" couple finally drove away.

Me: I tried to make him meet me for his birthday.. just like how we did it the past year.. Him.. Me.. alone
somewhere.. And do you know what he told me? He said he's spending his birthday with that nobody!

I turned to Dustin, fuming with anger.

Me: He chose her over me! And then he walked away! He's playing me!
Dustin: Geena..
Me: But I'll make him see... If making Venice realize her place didn't work, then I'll make sure to destroy
her. I'll ruin her! I'll break her! I don't care if I get my hands dirty.. I will get Jerwin back.
::Chapter 45::
Simple Plan
♫.~*~..~*~.♫
 (Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

The next day, maaga-aga akong gumising.. Maaga na ung 10:00 AM, lalo na kung Sabado di ba? Habang
nasa kung anong music session si Jerwin, pumunta naman ako sa ABS para sa rehearsal for tomorrow's semi-
surprise birthday segment ni Jerwin..

Everybody was really friendly, and masaya sila dahil pumayag ako na mag-appear sa show... Syempre, sabay
tukso na kaya lang ako lalabas eh dahil, bukod sa birthday segment ni Jerwin un, happy valentines day na

rin..

Tinuro lang sa'kin kung kailan ako lalabas, kung pano ako iikot dun sa upuan ni Jerwin, kung san ako tatayo..
And syempre, dalawang beses na rin na practice nung song with the band..

Natapos kami three hours later.. -__-

I'm hungry. famished. starving. T-T

After saying goodbye and thank you, nagmamadali na kong tumakbo paalis.. Di ako sure kung anong oras uuwi si

Jerwin.. pero baka pwede pa kong makatambay sa bahay and watch some cooking shows..

I turned in one corner and halos marinig ko ung SCREEECCHH sa sobrang bigla nang pagtigil ko.. Gano kaliit
naman ba ang mundo?!? At sa dinami-dami ng taong makikita ko, talaga ehtong bruhilda pang toh!??!

Maybe if I tiptoe back.. slowly.. baka di nya ko mapansin....

"Oh. Venice??"

NOOOOO!!!!!

I slowly looked up, sabay plaster ng surprised smile sa face..

Ako: Geena.. I didn't even see you.. Hello...
Geena: I didn't expect to find you here.. Jerwin is filming something?
Ako: Uh.. no.. I went to this rehearsal thing for Jerwin's birthday tomorrow..
Geena: Oh.. the annual birthday show segment.. You're making an appearance?
Ako: Yea.. They kinda asked me to..

Tumingin ako sa relo ko.. I know, hindi naman talaga ako nagmamadali.. pero hindi naman talaga alam ni Geena

un.. bwahaha

Ako: Uhmm.. ano.. I need to go now. It's nice seeing you.

Not.

Ako: I'll see you around.

I gave her a slight nod, and then, tumingin ako dun sa kasama nyang girl, and nodded a little bit din to excuse
myself..

Nung una, casually lakad lang ako.. Para naman may poise.. Hanggang dun sa corner palabas ng building..
After making sure na hindi na nila ako nakikita,
I made a run for it. O__O
Just being around that girl...
ay my golay! Daig pa ang pure taba ng baboy sa pagpapasikip ng dibdib ko. Hay nako.

---♥♥---

(Geena's POV)
---------------- ♥

"Sya ba un?"
I watch as Venice briskly disappears around the corner, and then I looked at my companion, Artie. Artie is a
successful newspaper gossip columnist. Her career has always been helpful to me when I need to get a few

things done.

She's also one of the very few people who knew about my real relationship with Jerwin Santos. Of course,
she didn't disclose the details because I told her not to.

Me: Yea. That's her.

Artie: Hmm.. She's pretty in a way..

I smiled when I heard her that. I came up with the perfect plan to take that little nobody down. Of course
she has to be pretty for everything to work.

Oh and this plan is perfect.. It's going to hurt her.. It will be epic.

Me: I want you to help build her career. Write good things about her, make sponsors, directors, composers
or whoever notice her.

Artie: What?? Career? I thought she's not doing the whole showbiz thing??

Me: Oh, who can resist the spotlight? The little show tomorrow will suck her into the business without
her even knowing it.
Artie: Okay okay.. But.. Uh, if you're trying to get her out of the picture, why are you helping her?
Me: Artie, haven't you heard? The higher you fly, the harder you'll crash. Her life is gonna get so messed
up, she'll run away and never come back.

Artie: Hay nako.. That sounds so mean.. Are you sure Jerwin is worth all of this trouble ha?

I glanced at my little friend. The extremities of her ignorance still escapes me, but then again, her being
ignorant makes it so much easier for me to manipulate her.

Me: Of course. Jerwin belongs to me. And soon, he'll realize that too.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥
I finished early from my meeting with the composers. Usually, ganitong oras, nag-vvocal practice ako or
dance practice.. But since magsisimula na ang lahat ng new albums activities soon, I might as well get as much
rest as possible.

Dumating ako sa bahay, only to find it empty. Venice did say na may lakad sya.. Naaliw yata sa lakwatsa nya.

I threw my car keys on the table and then collapsed on the couch. I turned on the TV since there's nothing
else better to do. It wasn't even ten minutes later when I heard the front door open and then gently close..

Maya-maya lang, naglalakad na si Venice papasok.

Ako: Yo, Sardines!

She just stood there.. eerily quiet. Usually, she's all hyper and ready maki-gulo.. And pag naririnig nyang
tinatawag ko syang "sardines", laging ready na ung pangontra nya..

So... Why does she look so blank right now?

Ako: Uh... Are you ok?

She let out a heavy sigh. ?__?

Then, lumakad sya to where I'm sitting, and sat down beside me.. Hindi pa natuwa, talagang umusog pa sya at
sumiksik sa tabi ko.

Umiral nanaman ang pagnanasa nyang maging sardinas? -__-

I looked at her, but she's just staring at the TV.. So.. uhmm.. what am I supposed to do? I decided to just

let her be for a while.. Baka time of the month? Di ba nagiging moody raw ang mga babae pag ganung

panahon na?
She started to squirm a little bit, at talagang kinakarir nya na ang pagsiksik sa tabi ko. I finally gave up. I
grabbed the remote, turned the TV off, and then turned to face her.

Ako: Okay. Just tell me what happened.

She pouts her lips and started tracing shapes on the couch.

Ako: Just talk, will you?! You're creeping me out.

Venice: *sigh* Sumakay ako ng FX pauwi.. Punong-puno ng pasahero..

Ako: Uh-huh?
Venice: I had my huge purse on my lap... clutched close to me..
Ako: Na-hold up ka?!?
Venice: No. -__-

Ako: Eh ano?
Venice: Ano... ~__~ All of a sudden... may naramdaman akong gumagalaw.. I thought may daga sa bag ko.. I
felt something na gumagalaw dito oh..

She pointed at her tummy..

Venice: But then I realized.. kung daga un, di ba dapat nag-ssqueak squeak sya? Tsaka, dapat maliit lang ung
movements nya....
Ako: Okay?
Venice: So I looked.. *gulp* Medyo tinaas ko ung bag ko.. and-- and-- *sniff* Sunshine.. the guy sitting next

to me... He had his hand hand on ME..

Ako: WHAT?!?!?!

I bolted up from the couch and towered over the startled Venice. Nararamdaman kong umaakyat lahat ng
dugo sa ulo ko.
Ako: Minanyak ka?!?!?

Venice reluctantly nodded her head.

I'm gonna f*cking kill that guy!

Ako: What did you do?!? Did you punch the hell out of him?!?
Venice: Tinignan ko lang sya nang masama, and then, hinampas ko ung bag ko sa kanya.. O__O
Ako: Why didn't you beat the hell out of him?!? ARGH! Do you remember his face?! I'm gonna bring you to
a sketch artist right now!
Venice: Eh?!? W-Why? O_O

Ako: I'm going to hunt that bastard down! I'm gonna broadcast his face all over the news! When I find
him, I'm gonna kill him! I'm gonna f----
Venice: WHOAAA!! Sunshine! Relax ka lang! O_O Mas hot ka pa sa'kin ah!

May kung anong amused expression na sa mukha nya si Venice as she watches me pace back and forth dun sa
living room.
Seriously, how can she tell me to relax in a time like this?!?!

Ako: Let's go to the police station right now.

Venice: Eh?!? Abno ka ba? I don't even remember the dude's face. O_O Hindi ako nakakaalala ng mga
panget.
Ako: Then, we'll track him down!
Venice: Oh for crying out loud.. -__- Alam mo ba kung gano karaming FX meron sa Pinas?!?

Ako: I don't care! That little--!! How dare he touch my girl?!?!

Venice blinked in surprise.. and for a few moments, there was some sort of shocked silence in the room.
Napatigil rin ako nung narinig ko ung sinabi ko.. Ako nga ba nagsabi nun? O.O

Then.. Just leave it to Venice to ruin the moment. -__- She started laughing and laughing and laughing.

Ako: Nababaliw ka na ba?

Venice: Aish.. Sunshine.. Ang corny kaseh eh!

She stopped laughing after a while, pero nakangiti pa rin sya as she looked at the dumbfounded me.

Venice: Is this it?

Ako: Is this what?

Venice: Is this when you're going to say you've fallen in love with me? bwahahahaha
Ako: What?!? You're nuts!

Venice: Ahsusss.. Thiz iz it na noh! Namumula ka na!

I walked out on her peals of laughter. Sya na nga tohng na-manyak, sya pa tohng may lakas ng loob
magpakabaliw sa kakatawa..

Psh.. Ibang klase talaga ang utak..

I grabbed my keys from where I threw them, and then went back to the living room. Venice was just
finishing her laugh parade.

Ako: Let's go.

Venice: Huh? Where are we going?

Ako: I won't let you ride any sort of public transportation again -- unless you wear 2 layers of armor.
Venice: Ang exagge mo. -__-
Ako: Better safe than sorry. Now, let's go.

Venice: San nga tayo pupunta?

I grabbed her hand and pulled her up to her feet.

She looks confused, pero sumunod naman sya palabas ng bahay.

Ako: I'm teaching you how to drive.

::Chapter 46::
Precious Moments
 ♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"Okay. Let's go."

For the 100th time since lumabas kami, tinaasan ko nanaman sya ng kilay.. Sure na kaya talaga sya sa ginagawa
nya?
He'll let me drive his oh-so-precious truck?

Pero sige lang~ Go Go Go!

Jerwin let me watch as he took his Ford truck out of the driveway.. Kasama pa ung mga lectures kung anong
tatapakan.. kung anong pwedeng pindutin.. kung alin ung speedometer.. kung pano i-adjust ung mga mirrors..

Nung naayos nya na ung posisyon ng truck sa labas ng bahay namin, pinababa nya ko, and then nagpalit kami ng

upuan.. Ang taas ng confidence sa'kin ni kuya~ Hinayaan nya kong maupo sa driver's seat! wahahaha

Jerwin: Okay.. Step on the brake, and then put the car on drive.

Ok.

Jerwin: Now take your foot off the brake, and step on the gas very slowly

Very.. slowly.. stepp---

Vroom!!

Jerwin: BRAKEEEE!!! O.O

Screech!

Kung di kami naka-seatbelt, siguro lumipad na kami sa windshield ngayon..

Jerwin: Ang sabi ko, "slowly"! Step on the pedals slowly!

Ako: Eh kaseh naman!
Jerwin: Geez.. Umatras ka ulit.

I put the truck in reverse (just like how he showed it to me) and then, as sloowwwly as I can, umatras ako--

BOOM!

Oo O

Ako: Oh sshhht. <'O.O'>

My foot immediately stepped on the brake, and my hands flew to my mouth (napamura pa tuloy nang wala sa

oras ).
May naatrasan ako.. May bumunggo sa'kin.... May BUMUNGGO sa'kin!!!
Nasaktan ko ang oh-so-precious truck! Jerwin is going to kill me.

Napatingin kagad ako kay Jerwin.. Isang libong excuse kagad ang tumakbo sa utak ko!

"Sunshine, may aso yatang nag-suicide!"

"Ubos na ung gas...?"

"Hinimatay ung truck mo, Sunshine..."

Nanlalaki ung mata ni Jerwin.. Na-shock talaga sya! O_O
He opened his mouth na parang magsisimula na syang mag-freak out.. Then he paused and really stared at my
burning face -- and to my surprise, he just shook his head and laughed to himself.

Jerwin: I-shift mo sa 'park' ung kambyo, and step out.

Sumunod kagad ako.. Halos madapa-dapa pa sa pagmamadali -- wag lang akong masigawan..

With all the feminine gentleness na kaya ko, dahan-dahan kong sinarado ung pinto as I nervously wait for
Jerwin to finish inspecting the back of his truck.

Kamustah na kaya ung nag-suicide na aso? -__-

Jerwin: Well.. wala namang gasgas.. Lucky for you, the garbage can didn't leave any mark.

Ahhh di pala suicidal na aso ang natamaan ko..

Jerwin: Why are your eyes so big?

*gulp*

Jerwin: Your face is red too. Are you okay?

I nodded. O.o
Inikutan nya ko ng isang beses, examining.. and then finally, he laughed again.

Jerwin: You're scared! Akala mo papagalitan kita noh?

Ako: Hindi ba?

Jerwin: Well, I was going to.. But when I heard you curse, then cover your mouth.. and namula ka pa!

He stepped closer to me and pinched my cheek.

Jerwin: Ang cuuuttte mo! Now, give me the keys.

O_o

I handed him the keys, and watched him jump inside the truck. I rubbed the cheek na pinisil nya. Tama bang
panggigilan ako?

-__-

Kung di ko lang nabunggo ung truck mo..... Psh.

Jerwin: Anoh pang tinatayo-tayo mo dyan? Get inside.

Ako: What? Tapos na ang driving lessons natin?
Jerwin: No. We're driving over to my parents' house.

Ako: Bakit?
Jerwin: My mom has an old car we rarely use. At least un, kahit ibunggo mo, I don't think anyone would mind.

And thus.. the torture continues. -__-

"Ate Veniceeeee!!!"
As soon as Jerwin dropped me off the front, sumalubong kagad sa'kin si Jean. As usual, hyper nanaman

sya.

Jean: Anong ginagawa nyo dito? Kamustah ung bagong bahay? (biglang silip sa liko ko) Kasama nyo ba si

Prince Charming ko?

Ako: Jean, ilang beses ko bang sasabihin syo, never magiging "Prince" si Kenny. -__- "Princess", mas posible
pa kung princess.

Jean: I don't care. Anyway, okay na ba ung performance mo bukas?

Ako: It's not a performance. Guest appearance lang sya. I went to the rehearsal kanina, seems like
everything's going to be okay.

Jean: Eh ang Valentine dinner? Okay na ba?

Ako: Well.. anoh... Magaling na teacher si Aling Ligaya sa pagluluto eh.. So, magiging ok naman siguro..

Natahimik kaming bigla nang nakita namin si Jerwin naglalakad palapit. Keep the secret from the receiver..

nyahaha
He gave Jean a playful hug before walking with us papasok ng bahay.

Jerwin: Where's mom and dad?

Jean: Tinatanong pa ba un, kuya? As usual, they're at work. Why did you suddenly drop by nga pala?
May naiwan ka pang mga gamit?
Jerwin: Yea.. I need to get a few more things, and I'm borrowing mom's old car.

Jean: Hm? Why?

Ako: Dahil ayaw nya nang ipahamak ulit ung mahal nyang truck.
Jerwin: I'm teaching your ate how to drive.

Jean: Ohhhh! Ate, that's good! Para next time, maglakwatsa na lang tayong dalawa without Mang Ponce!

Ako: Di ka ba makalabas nang wala si Mang Ponce?

Jean: Mom doesn't like me taking public transportation.

Napatingin ako kay Jerwin. May pinagmanahan naman pala tohng taong toh. Maarte.

Jerwin took the car keys. Nagpaalam na si Jean. Gagawa pa raw sya ng homework. Tawagin na lang namin sya
pagbalik namin.. And since mag-isa lang si Jean sa bahay, I told Aling Ligaya na dun na kami kakain ng dinner.
Kaya yata hyper si Jean pag nakikita ako, sabik sa tao.

Jerwin drove the old car hanggang sa labas nung gate nila.

Luma na nga ung kotse. Hindi naman sa kalawang, pero parang kasing edad ko na yata..

Jerwin put me in the driver's seat again. Deserted ung street nung bahay nila -- syempre, anoh pa nga ba ang

expected ko, eh high breed ang mga tao sa neighborhood na toh.. Walang mga taong kalye.

Jerwin: Okay.. Just drive straight. And remember! Slowly lang ang pagtapak sa gas.

I nodded. I shifted to 'drive'.. and ahyan na! umaandar na kami.. Step on the pedal slowwwllyyy

VRoom!

Napahawak bigla si Jerwin dun sa handle.

Jerwin: Dahan-dahannn!!!

Ako: Sorry poh.

Jerwin: Ipatong mo kasi ung paa mo sa sahig, then slowly step on the gas..

Sunod naman ako sa instructions.. Both hands gripping the wheel tightly..

I can do this! Just drive straight!

....
20 minutes later....
Jerwin has started gripping the door handle with both hands.

Jerwin: HOW CAN YOU KEEP ON SWERVING IN A STRAIGHT ROAD?!?!? GANO BA KAHIRAP MAG-
DRIVE NG DIRETSO?!?!?
Ako: Eh ung kotse ang ayaw dumiretso eh!!

Jerwin: (screams) AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! STOP THE CAR!!! I'M GETTING OFF!! STOP THE
CAAAAARRRRRR!!!!
Ako: Hey! Mas diretso na ung pag-ddrive ko ngayon kesa kanina noh! *gasp* Oh no! Suicidal na askal ba
un? O.o

Jerwin: Aish! Are you driving with your eyes closed!?!? WAH! Stop the car!!! I DON'T WANNA DIE

YET!! Let me outtt~~ ToT

::Chapter 47::
Trick for Treat
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

The next day: Happy Valentines~!

Hindi ko alam kung anong multo ang sumanib sa'kin, sobrang aga kong nagising nung umaga.. Kaya halos

dalawang oras pa bago kami lumarga papunta sa shooting nung show, all set na ko.
Dahan-dahan pa nga ung pag-plantsa ko ng buhok ko dahil alam kong maaga pa... Nagpalit ako ng outfit nang
ilang beses.. Completely flawless ang pagkaka-apply ng medyo subtle na make-up..

*sigh* Hanggang sa naubusan na ko ng gagawin at ang haba pa rin ng oras.. -__- Nakaupo na lang ako sa living
room, nakatunganga sa TV na hindi naman bukas.

Hindi ako sanay nang hindi ako nagmamadali.. Lagi akong late kaya lagi akong nagmamadali.. Kahit anong gawin
ko, late pa rin ako.. Sa klase, late. Sa pagpasa ng projects, late pa rin.. Sa mga lakwatsa, na-lalate pa rin.

Kakaiba pala ang feeling ng maagang natatapos. Nakakabato!

At ang tagal tagal tagal tagal pa ni Jerwin!
Inabot na nga ako ng syam-syam bago sya magising kanina..
Kinaladkad ko na rin pababa nung kama nya -- joke. Sinipa ko sya, hanggang sa nahulog sya sa sahig. Oh, eh di

gising kagad!

Pero, ang tagal nya pa rin!

Ilang dust particles na ang nagpalipad-lipad sa paligid ko, wala pa rin sya.

Inikot ko ung ulo ko paharap sa hagdan, dahil tinatamad akong tumayo at umakyat para katukin sya.

Ako: (sigaw) JERWIN!! HALIKA NAA!!

...

-___-

Ako: JERWIN SANTOSSSSS!!!!

...

Wala pa ring sagot.

Anak ng tutubi.. Sapilitan kong tinayo ung sarili ko from the couch, and trudged up the stairs para magsimula
ng skandalo sa kwarto nya.

Ako: Knock~ Knock~

I cautiously opened the door to his room, sabay tingin sa paligid..

Wala pa rin sa loob si Jerwin.. -_-

I walked around, sabay upo sa kama nyang hindi nanaman inayos pagkagising.
Naliligo pa rin si kuya... Nalamon na yata nung shower.
I hate waiting. I really hate waiting. -.-

I collapsed on the bed, burying my face in the pillow, and started the rain of complaints.. I made sure na ung
mga sounds are muffled by the pillow dahil may tendency akong mag-scream pagkatapos ng total rants ko..

Ayoko naman magkagulo ang mga kapitbahay..

All of a sudden, habang nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pang-aaway dun sa unan, narinig kong bumukas ung pinto.
Napaupo akong bigla, diretso tingin sa bagong pasok na si Jerwin.

O__O

Jerwin casually strolled in, pakanta-kanta pa, pasayaw-sayaw.. O__O

Talagan pinandigan nya ang pagiging FRESH out of the shower.. *gulp* Kinukuskos nya ung isa nyang hawak na
tuwalya sa dripping wet hair nya -- rough love para lang matuyo ang buhok....
and.. he's not wearing anything but another towel wrapped around his hips -- a very loose towel.

@_@

Finally, he turned around, and dun nya lang na-realize na nakaupo ako sa kama nya.. Staring at him..

He dropped the towel he was using on his hair, and biglang lumipad ung mga kamay nya dun sa towel sa lower
portion of his body para higpitan ung pagkakatali -- and para na rin takpaannn ang dapat takpaaannn (for the

sake of both our eyes and pride. bow)

Jerwin: V-Venice!?!?!!

Nung narinig ko ung nag-ppanic nyang boses, dun lang ako medyo natauhan.. Hindi pala ako pwede mag-stay sa

kwarto nya..

I slowly stood up from his bed, keeping my calm kahit na gusto ko nang humagakhak ng tawa.
Ako: Uhmm I should probably wait downstairs.

I walked past him para lumabas.. Pero bago ko tuluyang isarado ung pinto, tinamaan ako ng isang mala-topak na

kalokohan na kinaaliwan naman ng malalandi kong brain cells..

Lumingon ulit ako at the still wide-eyed Jerwin, sabay ngiti..

Ako: Sunshine~
Jerwin: @___@

I made a quick flirty glance at his half-naked body, making sure na pinapakita ang pagiging pleased with the
muscles and the lack of cloth,

and then I winked at him.

His mouth dropped open.

I stepped out of the room, and gently closed the door behind me.

I think I heard him drop on the floor.

An hour later...

Ako: Sunshine!!! Hindi mo pa rin ba ko kakausapin?!?

Jerwin and I finally left the house to go to the studio para dun sa TV show na may guest birthday appearance
si Jerwin (and ang still secret surprise pagsulpot ko later).
Ever since bumaba sya ng hagdan, ang katangi-tanging salita lang na sinabi sa'kin ni Sunshine is: "Let's go."

After nun, hindi na sya nagsalita.. at hindi nya ko tinitignan!

Nakarating na kami't lahat sa dressing room nya, dinedeadma pa rin ako.. I know I should feel awkward
(maybe a little bit guilty?) after that little thing kanina, pero anoh bang magagawa ko? High ako from

nervousness at lack of sleep.. Girls just wanna have fun!

Ako: Valentines na Valentines, dinedeadma mo ko.. Tama ba naman un? Di ba dapat binibigyan mo ko ng
chocolates? flowers?

...

-___- Silence...

Ako: Okay, fine... Sorry na about what happened earlier.

Umupo ako dun sa chair na katabi nya.

Ako: I just couldn't resist. You're hot!

THAT made him look at me -- finally! nyahaha

Jerwin: When did you become such a pervert?

Ako: Ay kinakausap mo na ko! WAHAHAHA And I'm not a perv.. Naaliw lang ako dahil hindi araw-

araw nangyayari ang makita kitang naglalakad nang tuwalya lang ang suot mo.

Jerwin: Ssh!

Napatingin kaming dalawa dun sa hairstylist na nasa kwarto.

She looks astounded nung narinig nya ung sinabi ko.. I'm starting to love this day. wahaha

Ako: Wala poh akong nakita, ate. Promise.

Jerwin: Aish. Ate Li, can you leave us alone for a minute? I just need to get Venice's brain back in its place.

Ate Li: Oh sige.. Just hurry up, malapit na magsimula ung shooting.
As soon as the hairstylist stepped out of the room, umikot kagad paharap sa'kin si Jerwin.

Jerwin: Don't ever talk about that incident again, understand?

Ako: But it's funny.. You should have seen your face! And you were even singing and dancing.. If I know, nag-

cconcert ka sa banyo noh!

Jerwin: Why were you in my room anyway?!?

Ako: Eh ang tagal mo kasi eh.. Kanina pa ko naghihintay..

Jerwin: Sinoh ba naman kasing may sabing sumama ka dito?
Ako: Eh vahket ba!? Gusto kong makita si fafa Piolo!
Jerwin: Piolo isn't even here.
Ako: Eh di maghahanap ako ng ibang fafa-hin. It's a free country.
Jerwin: I think you're forgetting something.

He pointed at my left hand.

Jerwin: That diamond ring on your finger means you're engaged to me.

Ako: Gusto mo, hubarin ko muna?

Jerwin: You wanna die?

Ako: Uuuyyy.. Possessive ka na ha..

Jerwin: Of course. I need to take good care of what's mine.

Ay? Nakiki-ride na si kuya.. Nasa good mood na sya?

Ako: Anoh ako, pet? Kailangan ng "good care"?

Jerwin: Tender, loving care...

He suddenly got up from his chair, and tumayo sa harap ko.. At ang nakakawindang pa, he bent over and nilapit
nya ung mukha nya sa mukha ko. O__O
Ako naman si shocked, hindi nakagalaw.

Ako: B-Bakit ka lumalapit ng ganyan? Uh, personal space please?! O_O

Jerwin: Personal space? You think that still applies here? You already saw me naked.
Ako: HALF! HALF-naked! O.O

He moved closer to me again..

Nag-aalarm na ang all kinds of panic alarm sa brain ko, pero hinde talaga ako makagalaw.. I just stared at his
face, fearing.... err.. okay.. half-fearing what he's gonna do.. half-anticipating if he has the guts to do it.

Jerwin: Hmm.. naked, half-naked.. It's still the same.. I should get something back, right? To make us
even?
Ako: *gulp* B-But I've seen you in your swimming trunks before.. That can still be considered half-
naked... O.O
Jerwin: Nope. That's different. Swimming trunks is different from a towel. And I don't keep myself in
shape para lang basta-basta masilipan.
Ako: W-What are you saying?

Jerwin: I need to charge a viewing fee, of course.

Ako: Wala akong pera.

Jerwin: Who says I'm gonna ask for money?
Ako: Uh.. What do you want then?

Josko poh.. 200 miles a minute na ang tibok ng puso ko.

Pinagpapawisan na rin ang likod ko.. Parang kanina lang, ako ang nang-ttrip dito ah! O.O

Jerwin placed his hands on the chair's armrests, totally imprisoning me in that small little space. His face is
so close to mine, na I can feel his breath on my skin.

Jerwin: How about a kiss?

Ako: EHHH?!?!

Ahyan na! Nagputukan na ang mga veins ng puso ko!

I can feel my face burning in a way na may lumalabas na yata na steam sa tenga ko.

Jerwin started to inch his face even closer, and all I could do was close my eyes shut.

>___<
What to do?! What to do?! What to do?!!?!?!

5 seconds..

6..

7..

8..

Pagdating ng 10 at wala pa rin ung "kiss", I cracked one eye open na. It can't possibly take him that long
to...do it right?

>_o

o_o

I knew it. -___-

Nakatayo si Jerwin far from me, resting his back on the dressing table in front.. He's watching me with a
teasing grin on his face.
I fell for the little jerk's trick. -__-

Jerwin: Ha! I've never seen anyone turn that shade of red before.
Ako: You--!!! You lizard! What the hell was that for!?!? You almost gave me a heart attack!

Jerwin: Oh? Are you disappointed na hindi ko tinuloy?

O_O

Ako: N-No! Bakit naman ako ma-ddisappoint!? Kung tinuloy mo un, I would've smacked your face right then
and there!
Jerwin: But you should have seen your face! You looked adorable kahit na may tiny bit of pagka-

ridiculous.
Ako: W-What?!

Jerwin: And with this, we're even now, my dear.

Ako: Dear-dear-in mo yang mukha mo!

Tumawa lang si Jerwin amidst my panic scoldings. After checking himself one last time at the huge mirror, he
walked past me papunta sa pinto..

Jerwin: Well, the show is going to start in a minute, so I have to go.

Binuksan nya na nang konti ung door, pero bago pa sya completely lumabas, he turned to face me again..

Jerwin: And, Venice? If you want a kiss, all you have to do is ask..

Oo O

I grabbed the small pillow behind me and threw it with all my might papunta kay Jerwin!

Ako: Shut UP!

He gracefully dodged the bullet, and went out of the room laughing. I slumped in the chair, trying to make my
heart go back to its normal beating rate.

Ako: Lokong un... Maloloka pa ko nang wala sa oras.

::Chapter 48::
A Song For You
♫.~*~..~*~.♫
 (Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

The show has been going on for almost an hour now. I've performed, I co-hosted.. Naalala ko na kung bakit
hindi ako pumirma ng kontrata to host a noontime show. Parang ang tagal ng oras..

And I haven't seen Venice since we started.

Ano na kaya nangyari dun??

"Jerwin! Get on stage!"

Stage? What?

Napatingin ako kay direk.. I'm not supposed to go up til later.. What's he talkin' about?

Direk: Jerwin!
Ako: Yea?!?

Before I knew it, I was being dragged on stage by two of the hosts, and the camera was already focused on
us. We're on air.

WTH?

Tumingin kagad ako dun teleprompter para tignan kung may sasabihin ba ko or what.. pero wala naman akong
linya na lumalabas.

Carlo: And now, ehto na ang special segment para sa current prince of songs.

Special segment?

Mark: Mukhang confused na confused ka, Jerwin ha..

Ako: Ay, obvious na obvious ba? What's going on?

The two sat me down on the stool at the center of the stage.. and dun na nag-sink in sa'kin ung nangyayari..
Is it that time na ba?

Carlo: Syempre, kailangan nating i-celebrate ang araw mo, bro!

Ako: Ahh.. Valentines day na ba ang araw ko ngayon?

Mark: (natawa) Pwede rin.. Anoh ba, alam mo namang weekend show tayo.. next time, sabihin mo sa birthday

mo tumapat naman sya sa weekend.

Hayyy.. Sabi ko na nga ba..

Ang walang kamatayang celebration ng birthday ko..
I wonder what they have in store for me this time..

I looked around the studio, not paying attention dun sa mga sinasabi nung dalawang hosts.. Venice still isn't
here. Where could she have gone? Di naman siguro sya na-kidnap, right?

Carlo: Let's listen to the heartfelt greetings ng mga taong malapit sa puso ni Jerwin!

Napatingin lang ulit ako dun sa dalawa nung naramdaman ko ung kamay ni Carlo sa balikat ko.. They're looking
at the screen, so I guess it's the "recorded birthday greetings" part na..

"Kuyaaa~! "

And of course.. si Jean ang magsisimula ng greetings..

I listened to the usual birthday greetings from the usual people.. Si Nicole.. Dustin.. Jean.. a few co-workers..

and syempre, mawawala pa ba ang pangaral ni manager..

Nung natapos ung message ni manager, akala ko tapos na.. Lagi kasing si manager ang huling message.. But to
my surprise, may isa pang recorded message na lumabas.
"Jerwin. "

It's Venice.

-___-

Kaya pala sumama ung babaeng un.. Gusto nyang makita sarili nya sa screen noh!

The audience got restless nung nakita nila ung tao sa screen. They still can't get enough of seeing her..

Natural na tsismoso na yata talaga ang mga tao..

"Happy Birthday and Happy Valentines! Uhmm.." Lumipat ung focus ng mata nya dun sa kung sinoh man ung
may hawak nung camera. "Wala na bang take-two toh?"

Oh wow.. She WOULD ask that..

Nagtawanan ung mga tao.. but I could barely hear them.. I was focusing on the video.. It's weird that they

didn't edit that out.. Natuwa yata si direk..

"Uhmm.. I know na hindi tayo masyadong nag-uusap tungkol sa mga ganitong "sweet" na bagay.. Kaya lubus-
lubusin mo na ang pakikinig dito ok?!"

I felt Carlo slap my back, napatingin tuloy ako sa kanya. Tumatawa silang dalawa ni Mark.. Pano nga namang
hinde, eh saan ka pa ba nakakita ng "heartfelt" na message tapos biglang ganun-ganun ang hirit? Venice

talaga..

"Ano.. I just wanna say how proud I am of you. You're a wonderful person to your family, friends and even to
strangers. The longer I watch you and the longer we've been together.... It's been great."

Oh.. seryoso na sya ngayon..

"Hmm I don't really know what to say.. kasi naman si direk, bigla-bigla lang sumusulpot tapos sasabihin na lang

na i-record ko toh--" Napatingin ulit dun sa kung saan (I'm guessing eh kung san nakatayo si direk ). "So, I
guess I'll just sing you a song.. Alam ko naman how much you love hearing me sing.."

Hala.. Kelan ko sinabi un?!?

I mean, it's true.. Pero.. kelan ko sinabi un?!?

"Kaya makinig kang mabuti ha! I chose this song especially for you. "

The music started and the people erupted in a round of applause.

Kakanta si Venice dun sa video??

Carlo and Mark suddenly left the stage, and then narinig kong gumalaw ung stage set sa likod ko. I turned
around to look..
It was moving to the side... revealing Venice..

She's wearing a different outfit from the one she wore when we came.. The blue dress looks good on her.
Her hair has been loosely curled.. and she has make-up on.

More importantly, she's holding a mic.

She's going to sing live.

Venice: (sings) I pinch myself

Sometimes to make sure I'm not in a dream
That's how it seems

I close my eyes and breathe in the sweetest moments I've ever known
It feels like home

And here I am
I want to be your everything
There you are
Turning winter into spring...
She walked towards me, and I couldn't help but smile at her.
I know how she feels about singing in front of the camera.. I know she doesn't want to perform in front of
an audience anymore.. But here she is.. Singing a song just for me.

She looks nervous. I reached out my hand to her, which she gladly took. I smiled at her to tell her she's
doing great.. and then, there it is.. that transformation.. Her voice even becomes more spectacular when
she's confident.

The song wasn't that long.. Syempre, pinutol na nila para di makasakop ng masyadong mahabang oras.. But it
was alright.

When Venice finished, she gave my hand a quick squeeze.

She lowered the mic bago sya nagsalita ulit..

Venice: Advance happy birthday, Sunshine..

Suddenly, I didn't care about the audience or the cameras.. I took her face in my hands, and then I leaned
in..
The sudden noise in the studio somewhat woke me up from what I was about to do, pero wala nang tigil-tigil..

I landed a soft peck at the tip of Venice's nose. -- much to the delight of everybody watching.

Ako: You're the best.

Venice looked startled at first, but then she met my eyes and she smiled. She's not freaking out..

Carlo: Yihheeeee! Tama bang mang-inggit sa harap ng mga singles dito?!?

Mark: Oo nga!
Ako: Anong "singles"?!? May mga girlfriend kayo ah!

I wrapped an arm around Venice as the other two proceeded with their script. Finally, nung commercial break
na, Venice and I went back to the dressing room.

Venice: Maannn.. I thought I was going to die~ T-T

Ako: Yea right.. You little sneak.. I didn't know you were gonna perform today!

Venice: Duh. Kaya nga surprise eh..

I closed the door behind me, and then walked over to where Venice was standing, checking her reflection in
the mirror.

She looked at me nung nakita nyang nakatayo na ko sa tabi nya.

Venice: What?

I smiled at her and then pulled her in my arms. She was surprised by the gesture, but she didn't push me
away.

Venice: Errr... should I be hugging you back? Iiyak ka ba?

Ako: (chuckles) No. I just want to thank you.

Venice: Kailangan talaga may hug pa?

Ako: I've always thought it'd be nice to have someone sing a song especially for me.. I never had anyone sing
for me.. I never thought it would happen.
Venice: Sunshine..
Ako: So.. Thank you for the song. You're amazing.

..

....

Venice: Ang cheesy mo naman.. Parang kanina lang pinag-ttripan mo ko ah.. Mood swings ba itoh? Time of the
month?

-___-
*sigh*

I let her go, sabay tingin sa kanya.

Ako: You--! You really know how to ruin a moment!

Venice: Pssh.. Moment-moment ka dyan.. Ahsssuuuusss.. Na-touch ka sa song ko noh! You loovvveeee me na

noh? Uuuyyyyy..
Ako: Wala na! Ayoko na! Hinde na ko magpapaka-sweet syo ever again!
Venice: Wah.. Tampo na? Sunshine.. Time of the month mo ba talaga? O_O
Ako: Aish.. Ehwan ko syo!
::Chapter 49::
Turning Point
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

After mag-wrap up nung show, Venice and I walked to the main lobby -- making sure na wala nang umaaligid-
aligid na fans.
I still have to go to the music studio to do a quick revision of a song. Pero, si Venice, gusto nang umuwi..

Ako: It won't take long.. Bakit di mo na lang ako hintayin?

Venice: Uwi na ko. May gagawin pa ko eh..
Ako: Okay.. Well, hahatid na kita.
Venice: Eh?! At bakit naman??
Ako: Pano kung may mangmanyak nanaman syo?!?!
Venice: -__- Sunshine.. I don't think things like that would happen everyday..
Ako: Kahit na ba!
Venice: Okay.. Then.. I'll make sure to beat him up.. after I remember his face, para pag pumunta tayo sa

sketch artist, I can describe him clearly -- at nang ma-hunting mo sya afterwards. Okay?

-_____-

Kailangan talagang ipaalala ang pag-ooverreact ko last time noh?

Ako: *sigh* Fine.. Pero mag-taxi ka.
Venice: Taxi? Simula dito hanggang sa bahay? O_O
Ako: Yea.. why not?
Venice: Hello? (turo sa sarili) Broke.
Ako: I'll give you money. Pumayag ka na. This is the only compromise I'm willing to make.

Tinitigan ako sandali ni Venice in disbelief. I don't know what she's thinking, pero siguro, na-realize nya na

wala nang patutunguhan kung makikipagtalo pa sya.

Venice: Fine.. -__- May "compromise-compromise" ka pang nalalaman dyan..

Ako: Syempre.. Isn't that how relationships work, my dear Sardines?

Venice: Oh shut up. -__-

Lumakad kami palabas ng building para mag-abang ng taxi. It didn't take long since mayaman naman sa
dumadaan na taxi ung lugar na toh.

When a cab finally stopped in front of us, I gave the destination to the driver. Pumayag naman si kuya na
ihatid si Venice.. I handed Venice a few cash, tapos I opened the back door for her.

Ako: Call me when you get home.

Akala ko papasok na si Venice sa loob, but to my surprise, she jumped in front of me and threw her arms
around my neck. O_O
Natulala tuloy ako sa gulat.

Venice: Uwi ka kagad, Sunshine, ha..

After that unexpected display of affection -- or.. uh.. display of randomness? -- tumalon na sya sa loob nung
taxi. I closed the door after her, and then waved as they drove away.

I stood there smiling sheepishly. Parang kaming bagong kasal..

-___-

Aish.. Anoh ba naman tohng pinag-iisip ko?!?

The recording took three hours to do. I know.. ang tagal.. Hindi pa full song ung ni-record namin, small part

lang nung isang track.. but what can I do? I'm a perfectionist.
I've been toying with idea of tweaking a few lines and verses, and this is the only day I can try it out.

In the end, mas nagustuhan ko ung second version. I just need to wait for the producers to hear the new
sample.

Bumaba na ko to the main lobby, all set to go home, nang nakita ko ung desk ni Ate Cha, ung receptionist. Puno
ng flower baskets.. Roses of all colors..
For Valentines day, I guess.

Lumapit ako dun sa receptionist, checking out the merchandise na naka-display.

Ako: Ate Cha, kinarir mo na yata ang pagbebenta? Parang nung isang araw lang, puto ang binebenta mo ah.
Ate Cha: Abah syempre naman! Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, lahat na dapat ng negosyo, sabakin mo!

Ako: Magkano naman tohng mga toh, ate?

Ate Cha: Murang-mura lang. Tignan mo.. Anoh bang favorite color ni Venice? Lahat ng kulay meron ako!

Oo nga.. Napansin ko nga..

May red, pink, white, yellow, blue, violet.. Artificially dyed syempre ung iba.. Akala ko nga may makikita na

kong rainbow-colored, pero hindi yata ganun ka-dali mag-dye ng rose na iba-iba ang kulay..

Ako: Sige, ate.. Balik trabaho ka muna.. Pag may napili ako, tatawagin na lang kita.
Sumunod naman si Ate Cha, bumalik nga sya dun sa mga papeles na inaayos nya.

Busy-busyhan pa ko sa pagtingin-tingin nang may biglang tumayo sa tabi ko.. Syempre, napatingin ako.. Sa laki

ba naman nung sahig, kailangan talaga, dumikit sya sa'kin..

But then, again, joke lang pala.

Ako: Oh, Dustin.. Naligaw ka yata ng building?

Dustin: Yea.. Geena called me earlier, asked me to bring her some food.
Ako: Oh..

Tumingin sya dun sa mga tinitignan kong bulaklak.

Dustin: You're getting flowers? For Geena?

Ako: What? No.
Dustin: ... For Venice?
Ako: Of course.

He suddenly grabbed my arm. I was taken by surprise dahil hindi naman violent person si Dustin. He's one of
the most laidback person I know. Kaya nung halos madapa-dapa ako sa paghila nya sa'kin papunta sa sulok nung

building, natulala talaga ako sa kanya. What did I do?

Ako: Bro, ok ka lang?

Dustin: Why are you doing this?!

Ako: Doing what? Buying flowers? Masyado bang corny? Isn't that what people do for Valentines?
Dustin: Why are you giving it to Venice?!? What about Geena?!?

Ako: It's different now. Dustin, I'm engaged to Venice.

Dustin: I know the truth about that engagement, Jerwin. You didn't choose to be engaged to that girl!

Sumandal ako dun sa dingding sa likod ko. I feel like I'm being interrogated. Man. -__-
Ilang tao pa ba ang nakakaalam tungkol sa simula ng engagement na toh? Do they also know na seryoso naman
ung commitment namin ni Venice?
Ako: You're right. I didn't choose to be engaged.
Dustin: Then why are you being like this? You're practically ignoring Geena! While.. while, with Venice..
Ako: Considering the way this all started, I guess it is absurd how things are going right now.. But, man, I'm
completely happy with Venice. I can't even imagine myself with anyone else..

Tumingin ako sa kanya.

Ako: At first, I thought I can use Venice for entertainment habang wala si Geena. Or maybe, pwede na ring
gamitin para pagselosin si Geena..
Dustin: It's absolutely working--
Ako: Kaya lang.. The more time I spend with Venice, the more I enjoy being in her presence. Bro, I would
wake up every morning with a smile on my face because I know I'll get to see her later on. Is that weird?

Nagkamot ako ng ulo sa mga pinagsasabi ko. This is the first time I said those things out loud. Ang corny

palang pakinggan.

Dustin: You're in love with her?

Ako: Huh?? O_O

Nanlaki ung mga mata ko dun sa simpleng tanong na un. I guess I've been too busy with things that I never
really got to thinking about this issue.
Venice and I.. We're comfortable with each other. Ang layo na ng narating namin since the first time we
met. Maliit na ang possibility na magpapatayan kami...

I doubt na magpapatayan kami.

Ako: Would it be too cliché if I say that.. I think I'm falling for her already?
Dustin: J....

Ako: I know, I know. It's weird.. I'm falling for my fiancée. But what can I do? She's... She's amazing,

man..

Dustin ran his hand through his hair.. I can tell he's feeling frustrated or something. He never messes with

his hair unless he's hearing something that baffles him.

I, on the other hand, feel like a high school boy gushing on about his crush. What the hell..

Dustin: And Geena? What are you going to do about Geena?

Ako: Geena and I are friends. We've always been friends.
Dustin: She doesn't think so.

Ako: What?
Dustin: Geena wants you back -- and I don't mean, she wants her "friend" back.
Ako: What are you talking about? Geena was the one who clearly told me she didn't want a relationship. She
would flirt with other guys openly, while she was seeing me on the side -- away from people's eyes.

I met Dustin's gaze.

Ako: You know everything about it, D.. I would have proudly declared her mine, but she didn't want me to..
wouldn't even give me a chance.
Dustin: So, you moved on? Just like that?
Ako: I didn't expect this to happen, either. But, I found my rightful place.. and I'm happy with where I am
right now. C'mon, man, di mo man lang ba ko susuportahan?

"Support for what?"

Napaikot kaming bigla ni Dustin nang may sumulpot out of nowhere sa tabi namin. And as if hindi pa sapat ung
tension na bigay ni Dustin, talagang Power of Two pa ang pinadala sa'kin.. -__-

Ako: Oh.. Geena.. Hi.

Geena: Hi! What are you two doing hiding in the corner?
Dustin: Nothing. Jerwin is just asking me about my opinion on those flowers over there.
Geena: Ohh!! I---
Dustin: He's giving them to Venice.

Geena's mouth dropped open in surprise, pero syempre, trained international model, she quickly hid her
distaste with a smile.

Geena: Oh.. Venice.. Hmm Well, why don't you get her flowers from the floral shop at the mall? They have
gorgeous bouquets. Remember? You bought me one last year.
Man... -__-

Ako: Yea....
Geena: I'll go with you.

What?!?

Dustin: But Geena, don't we have somewhere else to go to?

Geena: Oh, but Jerwin needs me more. I'm helping a friend pick flowers for his girlfriend. It's their first
Valentines day. He shouldn't disappoint.

Ako: Uh..
Geena: And.. Jerwin, I hope you remember that you still owe me dinner.

Ako: Oh.. yea.. Of course..

Geena: Great! Then, let's go get dinner first, then we'll go to the floral shop.

I thought Dustin just brought her food??! Kakain nanaman sya?!?

Ako: Can't we just do the dinner thing some other time? I kinda have something planned for tonight.. and
Venice is expecting me home early..

Geena: I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you eat dinner with a friend, right? Comeonnnn!!! Just for a couple

of hours~!

Nagkatinginan kami ni Dustin. One side of me wants to seriously decline the invitation.. But the other side

knows how Geena gets really persistent when she wants to do something.

Maannnnnnn.... -__-

Ako: *sigh* Okay, okay.. But just for a couple of hours.

::Chapter 50::
End of the Night
 ♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Hmmm... Let's see.. -___-

I stared at the recipe in front of me.. I'm pretty sure it's not that hard to cook beef steak.. I tried it once
before... kasama si Aling Ligaya.. pero what's the difference kung mag-isa na lang ako ngayon? Kaya ko toh!
*__*

Tumingin ako dun sa bowl sa harap ko, then dun sa mga ingredients na nilabas ko as soon as I got home..

Kalamansi, check.. Soy sauce, check.. Garlic.. Ground pepper.. Oil.. Onion.. parang may kulang pa... -__-

Oh yea! The beef! Hello..

Kinuha ko ung beef from the other side of the counter, and tinabi sa other ingredients. Yan, kumpleto na

sila.

Let's get this party started!

I rolled up my sleeves and started working on the... thing na ipang-mmarinate ko. Don't ask kung alam ko ba
ung ginagawa ko.. Bastah sabi nung recipe ganun daw, susunod na lang ako.

I'm sure matutuwa si Jerwin pag-uwi nya.. Lalo na since favorite nya ang bistek.

Sana lang di ko masunog ung bahay bago sya umuwi.

 ---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I looked around the restaurant. It's packed. Valentines people going on dates... I wonder why Geena chose
this restaurant.. Sa dinami-dami naman ng mas private na pwedeng puntahan, dito pa talaga sa maraming tao...

Speaking of Geena, nasan na ba sya? She left in the middle of eating para sagutin ung cellphone nya.. Simula
nung dumating kami, kanina pa sya may ka-text..

-___- This is awkward. Si Dustin kaseh eh! Halos maglabas na nga ako ng laser sa mata sa kakatitig sa kanya
para sumama sya, in the end, wala.. He still bailed out on me.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

I looked up and saw Geena bouncing back to her chair.

Ako: It's okay. No worries.

She looked around the place, as if looking for something.. Waiter? Is she expecting to see someone?

Pero that's impossible. Sino or ano naman ang hahanapin nya?

Ako: Are you okay?

Napabalik ung tingin nya sa'kin..

Geena: Oh yea.. I'm just.. This restaurant is really packed. I didn't expect it to be this crowded.
Ako: Oh yea.. (took a bite of my food) I guess, people want to celebrate Valentines..
Geena: Oh!
Ako: What?
Geena: You have something stuck on your cheek.
Ako: Oh really? Where?

I tried to wipe off whatever it is, pero parang unsuccessful yata ako. Geena leaned in towards me and
reached for my face.

Geena: Here, let me do it.

She wiped the spot tenderly.. Something she's never done before. This is really getting awkward.

Ako: Thanks.

Tumingin ako sa relo ko. I can't believe we've only been here for an hour.. Why does it feel like it's been far,
far longer than that? T-T I wanna get out of here...

Geena: Hmmm I think I'm craving for something sweet. Do you want some dessert, Jerwin?
Ako: Huh? Dessert?
Geena: Yea.. you know.. cake.. ice cream.. sweet things..
Ako: Oh.. I know what you mean.. Uh, sure.. I guess..

Haayyyyy.. -___-

Finally, after two hours in the restaurant, we finally left. I checked my watch again. 9:00 PM.. WTH? It's
already this late?!?

Geena: Sorry.. I didn't mean to keep you for so long.

Ako: It's okay. It can't be helped.

Damn the waiter who took forever bringing us the desserts and the check!!!! Haayyy..
Ako: I just need to make a phone call.. I'll be back.

I left Geena in front of the flower shop across the restaurant, while I went to one corner to use my phone.
Napatingin ako sa screen.. 6 missed calls... all from Venice. Hindi ko siguro narinig ung phone since medyo
maingay sa restaurant. She must be furious by now..

This night sucks.

I dialed another number and waited for someone to pick up.

"Good evening! Calliope Music Hall. How may I help you?"

Ako: Hello. This is Jerwin Santos........ Uhmm, yea, about that.. Something came up. I don't think I'll be able
to come in tonight. Do you think I can reschedule? ........... Yea, I'll still pay for tonight....... I don't care if I
need to pay extra to reserve the place for another night.

I listened to the person in the other line talk. The place won't be available til Tuesday. The 16th.. my
birthday.. Hindi na Valentine gift un if ever.. But better late than never.. right?

Maannnn... -___-

Ako: *sigh* That's alright then. I'll take Tuesday night........ Yes.. Thank you.

I hang up and jammed the phone back in my pocket. I want to wring someone's neck. How can things get out
of hand one after another?!?

I'll just get Venice the flowers and then speed back home. That should work for now..

I saw Geena already looking at the display in the flower shop. I walked over to where she was..

Ako: Did you find one?

Geena: Hmm.. it seems like most of their merchandise are already gone. They only have these things...
Can this night get any worse?!?

I looked around the store.. They have a few bouquets left.. They're nothing special.. But at least they're not
wilted yet.. -__- I grabbed the prettiest one I can find.

Ako: How about this one?

The roses still look alive.. Bright red roses with a few Angel's Breath around the edges.. They're pretty.

Geena: I guess.. It looks good. Let me smell them.

I handed her the bouquet, and watched expectantly as she took a sniff. I don't really get the point of
smelling flowers. But I guess, girls do it all the time when they receive a bouquet or something...

Ako: Well?
Geena: I think they smell nice. Smell it.

Ako: Uh... *sigh* Yea, sure..

I bent down while she holds the flowers and I smelled the roses. They stink. I mean, they don't stink.. I
just never liked the smell of roses. -__-

I looked up to speak to Geena, but to my surprise, I found her face just inches away from mine.
I completely froze, trying not to jump 10 feet away and act like a moron.

I counted to 5 before slowly taking a step back..

Ako: I think I'll just take this one.

I took the bouquet from her and almost ran to the cashier.
Damn, I hope no one saw that. With people's probing minds these days, who knows what kind of speculations
they'll make....

---♥♥---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Where is he??

He must have gotten caught up with work.. What else could it be? Dahan-dahan kong pinatong ung cellphone
ko sa mesa, after another unsuccessful attempt of calling him.

I swear, kukunin ko talaga ung cellphone nun and make a ringtone na mawawalan sya ng choice kundi sagutin.
-__-

I blew out the candles na sinindihan ko para sa dinner namin.. Then I stood up and put the bottle of wine back

to the cupboard. Yes, ganyan ako ka-shosyal.. Naisip ko lang na hindi yata masarap ang bistek at orange

juice together, kaya wine na lang..

Lumalamig na ung rice at ung specially made kong beef steak..

Nabubusog na rin ako sa kakapapak ng kung anu-anong supposedly eh pampalipas gutom lang.. -__-

Where is he?

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Traffic was horrible. It was almost 11 PM nung nakarating ako sa bahay. I hurriedly got out of the truck, the
bouquet of roses in one hand, and the keys on the other.
I slowly opened the door, kinda expecting a good cold stare from Venice... I walked inside cautiously,
nagdadasal sa mga santo in every step I take..

I heard the TV kaya dumiretso ako sa living room -- ready to take the "Where have you been-I told you to
come home early!" lecture... But instead.. I found her sprawled on the couch... sleeping.

Oh man... She must've waited for hours..

I turned to the dining room para ipatong ung mga bulaklak, and that was when I saw it. The dining table had
two candles in the center.. Two wine glasses were also out..
There were a plate of beef steak and a bowl of rice also laid out..

This is probably the reason she told me to come home early... She wanted to eat dinner with me..
She cooked a special dinner for me..

Great.. I can just die from too much guilt now. -__-

Pinatong ko ung bouquet on the table and then walked back to the living room. I stared at Venice's sleeping
face for a while.. She must be tired..

Pinatay ko ung TV.. Then, I bent down on the couch and scooped her up in my arms. Inayos ko ng konti ung
pagkakabuhat ko sa kanya para di ko sya mabitawan.. I guess I rattled a little bit too much coz her eyes
fluttered open..

Venice: Sunshine.. You're finally home. -__-

Ako: Yes.. I'm sorry..
Venice: *yaaawwwwnnnn* It's okay.. Kumain ka.. na ba? I cooked........

She didn't even get to finish her sentence. She nuzzled her face on my chest and then fell asleep again.

Talking while half-asleep.. one of her talents.

Binuhat ko sya papunta sa kwarto nya and gently laid her on her bed. Now that I think about it, dapat pala
tinanggal ko muna ung kumot para mas madali ang buhay namin di ba?

Sige, next time..

I tucked her in, making sure she's all covered up, and then I walked back to the dining room and got the
flowers. I put the flowers on her nightstand, attaching a small post-it note where she can easily see it.

After doing that, I walked out of the room, gently closing the door behind me.. I stood outside her room for
a few moments, fighting the urge to wake her up and drag her somewhere nice so I can make it up to her..

Pero syempre, di ko gagawin un. Saan naman kami pupunta?

Napatingin ulit ako dun sa niluto ni Venice..

I'm not really hungry, but...

How can anyone say 'no' to beef steak?

::Chapter 51::
Picture To Burn
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I woke up the next day nung naramdaman kong nasusunog na ang balat ko sa matinding sikat ng araw. -__- I
hate waking up in the mornings... pero anong magagawa ko? It's Monday. Kailangan magpaka-estudyante.. -.-

Umikot ako ng kama para gumulong sana pababa nang nakita ko ang mapupulang bulaklak sa nightstand ko. O_O

Of course, napatayo akong bigla -- gising na gising.

It's a bouquet of red roses.. one dozen red roses for moi?

May post-it note na nakadikit dun sa plastic..

"Sorry for coming home so late. I'll make it up to you."

Avaaaahhh.. May ganun-ganun pang nalalaman ang mokong...

Pero naaliw naman ako.. nyahahaha

Nilapit ko ung mukha ko dun sa bulaklak and took a quick sniff...

.......

-__-

Abnormal ba ko o talagang masakit sa ilong ung amoy?

Hay nako, magpasalamat ka na nga lang at binilihan ka pa ng bulaklak noh..

I took the bouquet to the kitchen at naghanap ng vase na paglalagyan. Nakailang ikot na ko when I noticed

ung plato dun sa dining table na may cover.. at isa pang post-it note..

"It was delicious. Thank you for the meal."

Avahhh.. Umaarriba si kuya..

Hee hee hee~ Natuwa si kuya sa beef steak ko. Halos kalahati pa ung nakain nya.. Touched naman ako..

I finally found a vase duuunnnn sa pinakataas nung isang cupboard. I arranged the roses the best I can, tapos
nilagay ko ung vase dun sa coffee table sa living room.

Bumalik na ko ng kwarto ko to get ready for school.

Ehto lang yata ang kaisa-isang Monday na nagising ako in a good mood.

Two hours later, I'm all dressed and pretty, all set to go to school -- pero tulog pa rin si Jerwin. Hindi ba sya

ang morning person sa'ming dalawa? Bakit tulog pa rin sya? Wala ba syang trabaho?? Pano kami mabubuhay
kung hindi sya kakayod?

Ano na lang ipapakain namin sa mga anak namen?

YAK! wahahahaha

I tiptoed to his room.. Nagdadasal na sana, kung nainitan sya kagabi, at naisipan nyang mag-shed ng mga dapat
eh naka-cover sa katawan nya.... nawa'y may kumot sya ngayon. -__-

I slowly opened the door and peeked inside. Jerwin is sprawled on the bed -- snoring, as usual -- wearing a
loose sando shirt, and at least, he's covered with his blanket (Thank God).

Tulog na tulog si kuya.. I looked around the room for a while. Mukhang basta-basta na lang tumalon sa kama
after nya mag-shower.. Iniwan lang sa sahig ung suot nya kahapon---

Oohh.. cellphone..

As quietly as I'm capable of doing, I tiptoed to the nightstand right next to his bed, and then dahan-dahan
kinuha ang cellphone. When I got what I want, I tiptoed ulit palabas ng kwarto.

Nung nasa safety na ko ng sarili kong kwarto, I bounced on my bed, Jerwin's phone in hand.

@__@

Hm. Stalker. Kelan toh?!?

I stared at the wallpaper nung phone ni Sunshine. It's my picture. MY picture. Stolen shot? Siguro, since I
wasn't looking at the camera. Was this during his birthday party? -___-

Lokong un.. Nagiging stalker ko na. wahahaha

Ay, anyway, back to the task at hand.. Nagpipindot ulit ako sa cellphone nya and went dun sa settings para sa
ringtone.

Five minutes kong pinaghirapan ung ringtone ko. I'm sure next time na tumawag ako sa kanya, isang ring

pa lang, sasagutin nya na! bwahahahaha

I tiptoed back to his room and put the cellphone back in its place. Wala yatang balak gumising si Jerwin.
Tinapat ko ung kamay ko sa harap ng ilong nya.

Oh, okay. Humihinga pa pala. Buti naman.

Ako: Hoy, Sunshine, papasok na ko.

No answer.

Ako: Tulog ka ng tulog dyan... Parang wala kang trabaho ah!

Still no answer. Hay nako, makalayas na nga. Ma-llate pa ko. At anong idadahilan ko? "Teacher,
kinakausap ko po ung tulog."
Avah, baka batukan ako ng teacher ko!

I skipped out of the house -- yes, "skipped", bakit ba?! eh sa masaya ako. Kakalabas ko pa lang ng gate
nang nakita kong may nakasaksak nang bundle ng newspaper sa mailbox namin.

Bampira ba ang mga nagdedeliver ng mga dyaryo!?? Bakit ba kahit anong aga ng gising ko, hindi ko pa rin sila
naaabutan?!?
I tugged the bundle out of the box para itapon sana papasok ng gate. Pero nung natanggal ko na ung bundle,

may nahulog na brown envelope. I bent down to pick it up, pero ung dyaryo naman ang nahulog.

Anak ng tinapa. May butas ba ang kamay ko?!?

And that was when I saw it.

I think 5 seconds akong natulala before I decided to pick up the newspaper. Maybe my eyes are deceiving
me... Ang aga pa kaseh eh, baka hindi pa sila gising.

But no... Totoo ung nakita ko.. I stared hard at the front page of the Entertainment Section of the
newspaper. Shocked, speechless....

I unfolded the newspaper and almost collapsed at the full-blown picture on the front page. It was Jerwin and
Geena.. having a seemingly intimate dinner together.

I felt myself trembling as I stared at the picture. Geena is gently touching Jerwin's face. And Jerwin...
Jerwin looking down bashfully.

Parang high schooler in front of his ultimate crush...

Napatingin kagad ako sa paligid. I can't let people see me like this, baka ako pa ang sumunod sa front page
bukas. Fortunately, except for a couple of cars parked on the street, the street is deserted.

I immediately ran back inside the house. As soon as I shut the main door behind me, I dropped everything
else I was holding, all except for that section of the paper.

Dun ko lang nabasa ung malaking headline sa taas nung picture: "Jerwin and Georgina: Valentine Fling?"

He wouldn't...
I can feel the heat rising up to my face. My vision is getting blurry. I don't know whether it's from shock or
anger... or jealousy?

I scanned the article, but I couldn't really grasp everything I was reading. Only a few of the most important
phrases registered in my already overloaded brain:
"Jerwin Santos and Georgina Schmitz were seen frolicking together in a high-end shopping mall yesterday."

Valentine's Day...

"The two seem to be in a date" ... "They dined in a restaurant famous among couples" ... "He bought a bouquet
of flowers for the model."

But.. he bought flowers for me too...

And then finally, I knew it was coming, but it still hit me pretty hard when I saw it: "People can't help but
wonder: where could Jerwin's fiancée be?"

.....

No way....

I finally lost all will to remain standing. I dropped on my knees, staring in disbelief at the empty space in
front of me. Buti na lang nakasandal ako sa pinto sa likod ko, otherwise I would have fallen flat on my back.

I know Jerwin can be stupid sometimes, but... this level of stupidity is just absurd. He's still young. The
lump of flesh in that skull of his shouldn't be shrinking so fast!

My gaze shifted to the brown envelope that came with the newspaper. I was startled to find my name
written on it.
What got me even more confused, "Venice" lang ang nakalagay. Walang return address, walang stamp. Kahit
nga ung address ko, wala. I wonder how it managed to get in the right mailbox...

I stared at the envelope, feeling a sense of apprehension kahit na wala pa kong ginagawa. But I chose to look
anyway. I slowly opened the envelope and took out the contents.

..and I started to wish I left it alone.

Pictures. Jerwin and Geena's pictures. The first one was the same picture on the newspaper, with Geena
touching Jerwin's face. The second one was the two of them laughing in the restaurant. The third, Geena
gently caressing Jerwin's arm..

I can feel my chest tightening as I went through the pictures one after another. I should probably stop, but
I couldn't. I looked at each and every one of the eight pictures.

Until finally, I reached the last one. As if intentionally, talagang pinahuli ung picture na un. It was designed
to be the finale.
Pagkatapos ng asin at paminta na pinaligo sa puso ko, ehtong picture na toh ang sili.

I stared at the last picture, finally feeling the numbness spreading all over my body. I was so numb that I
didn't even care when the pictures all fell from my hands and scattered on the floor around me.

That picture....
It was Jerwin and Geena.. with their faces only inches apart.
::Chapter 52::
Hide and Seek
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

-____-

I think I overslept. Considering how quiet the house is, Venice might have left for school already. I grabbed
my phone from my nightstand to check the time.

-____-
Oh.. hey.. it's not that bad.. I have time..

I wanted to go back to sleep, pero baka mamayang gabi na ko magising. I didn't know na masarap pala matulog

pagkatapos mong kumain ng kumain.

I jumped out of bed and started my morning rituals. I took a shower, shaved, cut my chin from shaving, tried
to punch in the bulge appearing on my stomach (I need to start hitting the gym).. Whoever said being a man
is easy?

I grabbed a white shirt and a pair of faded jeans from my closet. Today is the album jacket's photoshoot.
So, since iibahin lang rin naman nila ung damit ko, eh I might as well wear something comfortable on my way

there, right?

I stepped out of my room, ready to leave. Pagbaba ko ng hagdan, I noticed the bouquet of flowers arranged

in a vase dun sa living room. I couldn't help but smile. Venice must've loved it..

I was grabbing my keys from the keyholder when my phone started ringing in my pocket. I fished it out and

looked at the caller ID. To my surprise, it's Sheena. Sheena never calls me.

Ako: Hello?

Sheena: JERWIN SANTOS!!!!!!!!

O___O

WTF?!?

I cringed in pain as Sheena yelled full blast from the other line. Aish... I can also hear Anthony talking in the
background, as if pleading for Sheena to calm down.

Anthony: Sheena! Wag mong sigawan! Relax ka muna!

Sheena: Manahimik ka dyan, Anton! HOY! JERWIN!

Anthony: Sheenaaaa--
*gulp* I think I heard something breaking. I'm not sure if it's Anthony's neck or my eardrums. O_O

Sheena sounds furious at ME. It's enough to make my hair stand in fear. I would have hang up, pero mas
natatakot ako. Baka bigla akong sugurin. Ayoko pang mamatay.

Mas mabuti nang saluhin ng tenga ko lahat ng galit nya.

Kung anumang dahilan nyang magalit. O_O Mabuti nang bingi kesa patay di ba?

Sheena: JERWIN SANTOS!

Ako: Yes, ma'am?!? O_O

Sheena: Anong "yes-yes, ma'am" ka dyan!??!? What were you thinking, ha!?? ha?!? ANOH?!?!
Ako: I don't know! I can't think! You're scaring me! O.O
Sheena: You little punk! How could you do that to Venice!?! At talagang ibinalandra mo pa sa buong madla!!

Ako: Uh... Huh?

Sheena: Anong "huh"!??! Don't tell me you haven't seen the papers yet!? Anak ng tokwa!! I can't believe na
nilabas mo ung impaktang malandi na un! On Valentines day pa!

..

....

.......

Oh my god..

I suddenly hang up on Sheena -- wala na kong pakielam kung sugurin nya ko. I ran out of the house towards
the mailbox, only to find it empty. That's weird. The newspapers should be delivered early in the morning....

I ran back inside. I frantically checked the kitchen counters, the dining table, the coffee table, even the
bathroom, but there's still no sign of today's newspaper.
Maybe they didn't deliver it today...?

Napatingin ako bigla sa hagdan. There are only the bedrooms and one more bathroom upstairs. Venice..
Could she....

Oh damn.

I ran up the stairs and barged in Venice's room. The room is empty. Her school uniform is laid out on the

bed. Doesn't she have class today?

Then, my gaze fell on her study table; particularly, on the stack of papers scattered on her table.

There's the bundle of newspaper I was looking for. I slowly walked over to the desk. The object of
Sheena's fury immediately caught my eyes. Who would miss this full-blown picture?

I scanned the article, feeling my own rage mounting at every word I read. How can they publish stupid

speculations like this?!?! What "date"?!?

Napatingin ako dun sa brown envelope na katabi nung mga dyaryo. The envelope had been opened and a few
edges of the contents are sticking out. Curious, binaba ko ung hawak kong dyaryo, and grabbed the envelope
to have a look.

Aish... What the hell are these pictures!?!?

If I didn't know what really happened, it would seem like I really was out on a date. Lalong kumulo ang dugo
ko nung nakita ko ung last picture. Were our faces that close?!?

Aishtt..

If Venice saw this.....

Napatingin ulit ako dun sa uniform sa kama... Then, a sense of dread started to creep in my system as I sort
of realized what happened.
I immediately took out my phone and called Sheena back.

Sheena: You hang up on me tapos ngayon tatawag-tawag ka!?!?

Ako: Sheena!

Sheena: Eh? Oh?

She must have sensed the sudden urgency in my voice cause she quickly piped down, and she sounds an itsy
bitsy bit calmer than she was earlier.

Ako: Where's Venice?

Sheena: What do you mean where's Venice? Wala ba sya dyan snyo? Kanina pa namin hinahanap dito sa
school, pero we couldn't find her. So we assumed na nag-stay sya sa bahay nyo.

Crap.

I heard some noise from the other line as Sheena tries to fend off someone from grabbing the phone. But it
seemed like she failed dahil ung susunod na boses na narinig ko is si Kenny na.

Kenny: JERWIN SANTOS! Pag may nangyari kay Venice, nakoooo!!!! Kahit na mahal na mahal ka ng buong
puso't kaluluwa ko, I swear, babalatan kita ng buhay at pupulbusin at ikakalat sa Pasig River!

I think I'm starting to understand kung bakit sadista si Venice.. -__-

Ako: Don't worry. I'll look for her. I'll call you back.

Biglang nag-180 degree turn ang boses ni Kenny, as lumabas nanaman ang natural personality nya.

Kenny: Oh okay~ ♥ Call me, okay, Fafa J?

Sheena: Bruha! Lumandi ka nanaman! Akin na nga yan!

I heard Sheena grabbing the phone again.

Sheena: Jerwin..

She sounds worried. Why wouldn't she be worried? Her best friend's fiancé was caught cheating, and now,
her best friend is missing in action.

Jerwin, you idiot!

Ako: I'll look for her. Don't worry.

After that, I hang up and called another number. There's a thousand of excuses running through my mind,
pero parang walang papasa. Kahit anong tingin ko, I'm really the one to blame. I'm sure the manager will kill
me. T-T

"Good morning! Ray Santos' office. How may I help you?"

Man.. I'm really dead.

Ako: This is Jerwin.

As soon as the secretary found out na ako ung tumatawag, I was immediately transferred to the manager's
direct line.
Pangalawang ring pa lang nung telepono, the manager's voice already boomed on the other line.

Manager: JERWIN! You--!

Ako: Yes I know. I have a lot of explaining to do. But I'm in a hurry right now. I just called because... Can
you clear all my schedule for today?
Manager: What?!? Alam mo ba yang sinasabi mo?! You have an album jacket photoshoot. Do you have any
idea how hard it is to reschedule that kind of thing?!?
Ako: Yes I know. But.... -___- I really need this day off.
Manager: Give me a reason -- and this better be a good one.
Ako: .... Venice saw the pictures. And I don't mean just that one picture on the paper.
Manager: What??
Ako: Someone sent the whole package to our house. I don't know who. I don't know what's going on.. But
Venice's friends called earlier. They said Venice didn't go to school.

Ahyan na, nagtuloy-tuloy na ang labas ng mga katotohanan. I didn't even bother to cover up my mistake -- like
I normally would.

This is annoying as hell.

There was silence on the other line as the manager ponders on what to do. I don't know why I'm still waiting
for his decision. I'd still go even if he doesn't give me the permission to look for Venice.

Manager: *sigh* Okay. I'll try my best to reschedule the photoshoot for a later but still reasonable date.
Ako: Thank you.
Manager: Jerwin. This is your mess. Find Venice and make sure you fix it.

He hang up after that. Ehwan ko kung paalala ba un as a father or as a manager... But.. Oh well. It's the only
non-work related advice I've heard from him in a long while.
Of course I'll fix everything.

I ran out of the house and jumped in my truck. I know exactly where to go. I just hope Venice is really
there.
::Chapter 53::
Trump Card
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Geena's POV)
---------------- ♥

"What are we doing here?"

I looked innocently at Dustin and flashed him a small smile. I didn't really need to him to come with me in this
so-called mission of mine, but he insisted to tag along. Oh well, as long as he doesn't do anything stupid, then
he can do whatever he wants. Besides, making him drive saves me from wasting gas.

Me: I'm here to inquire about some classes

Dustin: You're going back to school?
Me: Maybe.
Dustin: But.. why here?

He looked around the ordinary-looking college campus as we strode towards the Admission Office, ignoring
the whispers and the stares the other students are giving us. I know very well what they're whispering
about. I saw that newspaper article too -- after I directly dropped off a little gift for Venice at her

house.

Me: I heard a lot of interesting things about this school.

Dustin just looked at me all weird, but he didn't say anything. We finally reached the office; but of course,
since I didn't call prior to my arrival, I had to wait before a counselor can accommodate me. I have no
problem with that.

Dustin and I sat down in the waiting lounge, where a few other students are also waiting. Dustin grabbed a
magazine, while I tried my best to look as approachable as possible. If I want my plan to work, then I should
drop to these people's level right?
After a few moments, someone finally had the guts to come to me.

"Excuse me..."

Two female students stand in front of me. What luck I have... Girls tend to be more talkative than guys.
This will be easy.

Me: Yes?
Girl 1: You're Georgina Schmitz, right?
Me: I am.

The other girl suddenly nudged her companion with an "I told you so" look. Sigh.. College girls.

Girl 2: Are you enrolling in this school?

Me: I'm thinking about it. Do you think I should?
Girl 1: Well.. Uh.. It's a good school.. If you don't really mind being around Venice---

Dustin: Venice?
Me: Oh, yea! Venice goes here, doesn't she?
I shot Dustin a look. Yes, this is Venice's school. So what? Did he really think I was going back to school

when my portfolio is still cramped with fashion shows and photoshoots? Yea right..

Girl 2: Yes, Venice goes here. Although.. this is her last semester.
Me: Are you acquainted with her?
Girl 1: We're not exactly close friends. She's a year ahead of us. But everyone in this school knows her.
She's been the topic of conversations, especially after that thing that happened two years go.. and well, of
course, getting engaged to one of the hottest celebrities right now.
Me: What "thing" happened two years ago?

The two girls looked at each other. This is where the good part begins. Who would've thought it'd be this
soon? I didn't even need to manipulate these girls!

Girl 1: Uh well.. Her relationship with Gerard Sheen. Everyone knows about it. People still mention it to
this day once in a while.
Me: Oh, she had a boyfriend?
Dustin: Geena, I think we should go.

I turned to Dustin in annoyance. Why is he being such a pain today?

Me: What, why? I still need to wait for the counselor. If you have to go, it's okay. I can just get a cab to
take me to work later.

That shut him up. Really, he should learn to just stay quiet and not bother my gathering of information here.
I turned back to the two girls and motioned for them to sit next to me. The two were reluctant at first, but
who can refuse my offer?

Me: So.. Venice had a boyfriend?

Girl 1: Yea.. I can still remember the hype it created when people first found out. No one expected Venice
to have a real boyfriend.
Me: Why?
Girl 2: Venice wasn't the type of person to settle down. We were really surprised when she and Gerard

hooked up. But people eventually warmed up to the two of them. They looked really happy together.
Me: And.. where is this Gerard guy now?
They looked at each other again. This time, they look a little fidgety as well. I'm so glad I came.

Girl 1: Gerard died. About two years ago.

Girl 2: Yea.. When Gerard passed away, Venice wasn't the same girl anymore. She wasn't as sociable as she
used to. It was like she died along with him.
Me: She must have really liked him then?
Girl 1: They were in love. The two of them.. Seeing them together.. Just the way they looked at each other,
it was like they share the most wonderful secret in the world.

What??
That's pathetic.

Girl 1: That's why almost every student in this school was happy when Venice and Jerwin Santos got
together. We really had no idea..
Girl 2: But, whatever. It's just nice seeing Venice smiling and laughing again. She walks around campus with
the same aura she used to have when Gerard was still alive. She looks really happy.
Girl 1: So...

They suddenly leaned towards me. The nervous glimmer was gone from their eyes. Instead, they're looking
at me intently, as if they're willing lasers to shoot out of their eyes.

Girl 1: I think it's about time Venice receives her happy every after.

Oh I see.. So this is they're real intentions..

Protect your own, ha..

Little girls trying to beat me in my own game. Who do they think they are?
I looked at the girls mockingly. I have what I need, I don't need to play nice anymore.

Me: My, my.. I didn't know happy ever afters still exist in this world. Isn't that such a pre-historic idea?
Dustin: That's enough. Let's go.

Dustin suddenly stood up and grabbed me by the hand. This guy.. What is wrong with him!? He nodded a
quick farewell to the two little witches, and then hurriedly pulled me out of the office.
Me: Aw! Dustin! What the heck are you doing!?!

He ignored my complaints and continued to drag me through the hallways. All the while, his hand was tightly

clasped on my wrist. He's really bent on getting me out of here.

It was only when we reached his car that he decided to let go of my hand.

Me: What has gotten into you!?

Dustin: Me?!? What has gotten into you?!? You were going to start a fight with those girlsl!

Me: I wasn't going to "fight". I was merely responding to their stupidity.

I slammed the car door as I jumped in the passenger's seat. Dustin was shaking his head in disbelief over
what I said. I really don't know what's gotten into him.. He used to be so much more supportive than this.

Dustin: Why are you being like this?

Me: Like what? I'm being resourceful. I can't go to battle without knowing about the enemy.
Dustin: Don't tell me you're actually going to use Venice's own heartbreak against her?!
Me: Oh, of course not. Do I look that heartless to you?

Dustin looked at me with suspicion, before returning his attention to the car.

Dustin: I don't even know what you consider "heartless" anymore.

I chose to ignore that. He probably woke up on the wrong side of the bed. He'll come around later on.
Dustin drove in silence as I ponder on my newly acquired knowledge.
I can't help but play a small smile on my lips.
Gerard...

His story will be my trump card.

::Chapter 54::
Truth Be Told
♫.~*~..~*~.♫
 (Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I halted the truck to a screech in front of the cemetery. I didn't even bother to check kung diretso ba ung
pagkaka-park ko, I just jumped out and made my way towards the booth where the security guards were
happily playing cards.
I know I can just walk inside and look for Venice, but for some reason, this time, I decided to ask first.

"Excuse me.."

Both of them looked up. The older guy wheeled his chair towards the door, where I was standing.

Guard 1: Sir Jerwin, ano po un?

Ako: Uhmm.. Venice.. you know the girl who frequently comes here..
Guard 1: Ahhh opo.. Bakit po?
Ako: Nandito po ba sya ngayon?

Nagtinginan silang dalawa as they try to think kung nakita ba nilang pumasok si Venice. I wonder if they would
have noticed her walking in kung sobrang focused sila dun sa card game nila..

Guard 2: Kaninang umaga pa po ako nandito. Hindi naman po sya dumaan.

Ako: Really? O_O
Guard 2: Opo. Wala pa nga po bumibisita ngayong araw na 'to.

That's weird...

I thanked the two guards and then walked back to my truck.

I was feeling torn. Half of me was somewhat happy that Venice didn't run to Gerard again. But half of me is
starting to panic cause I don't know where she is.

I took out my phone and tried calling Venice's number for the fifth time since I left the house. And just like
the last four times, she didn't pick up.

Where else could she be?

 ---♥♥---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Late that afternoon..

The whole day went by surprisingly fast. I was kinda expecting it to drag along like those other gloomy,
annoying days... But it didn't. -__-

After somewhat recovering from the shock of seeing the article and the pictures, I trudged back to my
bedroom. Tinambak ko dun sa study table ko ung mga dyaryo at pictures, tapos I slumped on the chair. I just
needed to think for a while..... ang mahirap lang, walang pumapasok sa utak ko.

I was sure people will make a big deal out of this. I didn't want to deal with their curious and pitying glances.

That was when I decided I'd rather ditch school and magliwaliw na lang to clear my mind.

I changed out of my uniform and put on casual clothes, which I later on, I decided wasn't a good idea. As
soon as tumapak ako sa mall, nagsimula na ang mga tinginan ng mga tao. -___-

Blessing in disguise siguro na nakilala nila ako. Dahil, just to get out of the possibility of getting mobbed,
pumunta ako sa stores na hindi ko naman usually pinupuntahan *cough*expensive stores *cough*, and bought

me a whole ensemble of outrageously expensive outfit.

I got a black and white striped corset-inspired blouse, tight-fitting jeans, black mid-high boots, and a black
Peter Grimm cadet hat, which I tilted to cover my face.
All purchases were covered by a credit card given by Jerwin -- for emergency purposes only.

Bakit, di ba emergency toh?!

When i walked out of the store, people were still looking at me. But this time, tumitingin sila dahil, alam ko,

maganda ako. bwahaha

Buong araw akong nagpalaboy-laboy. I went from one mall to another. Nanood pa ko ng sine. When I got
hungry, I ate in one of those fancy restaurants na never kong kinainan before.
Before I knew it, halos 4:00 na. I finally checked my phone. I had four messages from Sheena, three from
Anton and Kenny, and about a gazillion from Jerwin.
Apparently, kanina pa ko hinahanap nung mokong. Chuchu nya. Akala nya ba basta-basta na lang ako uuwi?

Pero dahil naubusan ako ng pupuntahan, at sumasakit na rin ang paa ko, I ended up leaving the malls. Ehto ako
ngayon, nakatayo sa harap ng rusty gate ng bahay ni Sheena. She should really tell her parents to re-paint

their gate.

Dahil feel at home naman ako sa bahay nila, I helped myself na papasok. Yes, ganyan kami ka-close. Dire-

diretso pa ko sa loob. Nag-hi sa mommy nya (na nagulat nung nakita ako ), then I took the stairs up to
Sheena's room.

Pagbukas ko nung kwarto, nakita ko si Sheena nakahilata sa kama nya. Mukhang nalantang gulay. She
suddenly bolted up when she saw me.

Sheena: Anak ng! Venice!!!!

Dinaig pa ni best prend ang bilis ni Flash sa pagtakbo sa'kin at pagkaladkad sa'kin paupo sa kama nya.

Sheena: Saan ka ba nanggaling!?!?! Alam mo bang mamatay-matay na si Jerwin kakahanap syo?!?!?!

Ako: Weh? Talaga?
Sheena: Oo noh! Kawawa naman si Fafa J.
Ako: Hoy.. Kung sya, kawawa, eh pano naman ako? Sya na nga tohng nakipag-date sa iba nung Valentines
Day. -__-

Sheena: Ay! Oo nga! Alam mo, susugurin na namin talaga yang Georgina na yan eh!

Ako: "Namin"?
Sheena: Ako tsaka si Kenny. Abah! Ang lakas ng loob kumapit sa punong may nakakapit na!

Mukha ba kong tarsier na nakakapit sa puno? -__-

Ako: Mga bruha. Manugod ba.. Dagdag gulo lang un noh.

Sheena: Eh sya tohng nang-aagaw eh!

Those words... parang malamig na tubig na pinaligo sa mukha ko.

Si Geena? Nag-aagaw? Eh sya naman talaga ang original, di ba?
If I think about it like this.. Then, isn't only right na sya ang kasama ni Jerwin nung Valentines?

Sheena: Huy. Natutulala ka dyan.

Ako: Sheena. Can you keep a secret?
Sheena: It depends. Anong klaseng sikreto ba itoh? Ung mga tipong pag nalantad ay gyera? or---
Ako: Anoh vah.. Seryoso toh. Promise you won't tell anyone. Not Anthony, not Kenny. Noone.

I think na-sense na ni Sheena ang seriousness ko, dahil biglang lumabas ang "Uh-oh I hope I won't have to
visit you in jail" expression sa mukha nya.
She sat down next to me..

Sheena: What's going on?

This is gonna go against the contract. I know I'm not supposed to tell anybody about the real situation. Pero
I really, really need to rant. Isa lamang akong tao na minsan eh kailangan din ng advice noh!

So, I started the story of how Jerwin and I met. I told Sheena how we got "engaged", and how we're
deliberately just playing the role of a perfect couple.

Sheena's eyes were literally like this --> O_O as she listens to the facts.
When I got to the part of how Geena and Jerwin used to secretly kind of date, akala ko mahuhulog na talaga

ung mga mata nya.

I told her everything -- as in everything -- that has anything to do with Jerwin and our so-called
relationship. I didn't leave anything out .

Ako: And that is how it goes.

Sheena: Wow...
Ako: I know, right? -__-

Sheena: You and your lucky drunkass self!

....

What?!?!?

Ako: Lucky?!?! Anong lucky?!?! Nakinig ka ba?!? I've been in a continuous loop of "unlucky-ness" ever since I
met Jerwin!
Sheena: Pero, best friend! Tignan mo naman.. Nalasing ka lang at lahat, na-engage ka na kagad sa isa sa

pinaka-fafable na fafa! Di ba lucky un?!?

Ako: Eh kung batukan kaya kita?!?

Sheena: Hay nako, best friend.. Anoh bang inaalala mo? Si Geena? Ung past quote-unquote relationship

nila ni Jerwin? Ay suz! Bulag ka ba?!?

Ako: .... I think so, dahil hindi ko alam kung bakit sa dami-dami ng rational na tao sa mundo, ikaw pa ang best

friend ko.

Sheena: I know. I'm charming. Anyway, dahil halata namang hindi gumagana ang utak mo, ako na ang
magsasabi syo ng obvious.

Ako: Obvious na...?

Sheena: Na Geena is the past. Ibig sabihin, tapos na un. Nakaraan na. End. Finito. Closed case na.

Anoh bang pinagsasabi ng babaeng toh? High ba sya?

Ako: Your point?

Sheena: Iba talaga ang level ng ka-stupidan mo minsan, Venice.

Ako: Ganyan talaga, nahawa na ko syo eh.

Ako pa ang tinawag na stupid?!?

Sinoh kaya sa'min ang nagpapakamanhid sa mga sobrang straightforward na "actions of love" ng isang

tao dyan sa tabi nya?!? *ahem* Anthony. wahahaha

Sheena: Hay nako. Ang sinasabi ko lang naman, best friend -- at ito ay sa point of view ng taong nakaka-

witness sa mga interactions nyo at mga nakakawindang nyong sagutan.

Ako: Uh-huh?
Sheena: Kahit na anoh pang nangyari sa kanila ni Geena sa past, past na un. Undeniably, ikaw na ngayon ang
present. At kung bibigyan mo pa ng pagkakataon, malamang, ikaw na rin ang magiging future.

o__O

Ang corny.

Sheena: Di vah!? Ang sweet! At lahat ng yan, dahil lang sa isang gabi ng kalokahan mong

magpakalasing! Best friend, this is FATE!

Ako: Fate-fate ka dyan. Sabihin mo dyan sa fate na yan, sa lahat ng ayoko, eh ung pinapasakit ang ulo ko.

.. Though I wonder..
Totoo kaya ung sinasabi nya?
::Chapter 55::
Coming Home
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"Dito na lang poh muna, manong."

Tumigil ung taxi sa tabi nung gate ng broadcasting building. Hindi kaseh nagpapapasok ng taxi ung mga
guards. Kailangan ko tuloy maglakad. Mga manhid! Di ba nilang masakit na ang mga paa ko?!?!

Ako: Paki hintay na lang poh ako.

Manong Driver: Sige po. Mag-ppark po muna ako dito.
Ako: Thank you.

Tumalon ako palabas nung taxi. Kinawayan ko ung mga guards. Nakilala naman nila ako, alam na rin naman
siguro nilang si Jerwin ang hanap ko, kaya pinapasok na nila ako nang wala nang hingi-hingi pa ng ID chuchu.

I left Sheena's house after much persuasion from mi best prend na it's time to talk and face Jerwin na raw.
Baka raw may dahilan ang katangahan ni Jerwin. Pakinggan ko raw. Eh anoh pang magagawa ko?

Pinagtulakan nya na ko palabas ng bahay nya. Alangan namang magskandalo pa ko..

Tumawag ako ng taxi and told the driver to bring me to this building. I assumed na may schedule si Jerwin
today para sa album nya. He can't just cancel that, right? So.. siguro nandito sya?

Pero pagkapasok na pagkapasok ko, sinalubong kagad ako nung receptionist.

Receptionist: Venice? Anong ginagawa mo dito?

Ako: Ahh.. hello po. Hinahanap ko poh sana si Jerwin...

Receptionist: Ay nako, Venice.. May photoshoot sya dapat today, kaya lang pina-cancel nya.
Ako: Eh?! Bakit raw?!
Receptionist: Di ko alam. Ung manager nya ang tumawag eh.. Personal reasons daw.

Lumapit sya sa'kin bigla, na parang naninigurado na walang makakarinig sa mga sasabihin nya..

Receptionist: Dahil ba dun sa balita dun sa dyaryo? Kaya ba hindi sya sumipot tapos hindi mo pa alam kung
nasan sya?

Ate.. may pagka-tsismosa ka rin noh.. -___-

Ako: Ahhh hindi naman siguro.. Baka may kailangan lang syang gawin...

Tulad ng pagpa-ikot-ikot sa buong Manila kakahanap sa'kin...?

Receptionist: Ganun? Alam mo, Venice, nung nakita ko ung balita na un, hinde ako makapaniwalang magagawa ni
Jerwin un.
Ako: Oh?

Receptionist: Oo! Kasi pag nakikita ko kayong dalawa, ang cute-cute nyong tignan! Para kayong tuko.
Ako: Ahhh.. -__-

Langya. Kanina tarsier, ngayon naman tuko. Ayoko na ngang kumapit kay Jerwin! Kung ano-ano nang hayop ang
na-ccompare sa'kin!

Receptionist: Gusto mo ba syang tawagan?

Ako: Gusto ko sanang i-surprise eh..

Naalala ko ung ginawa ko sa cellphone nya...

Parang ang awkward yata kung tatawagan ko sya ngayon. -__-

Ako: Anyway, thank you na lang poh.. Alis na ko, naghihintay ung taxi sa labas.
Receptionist: Sya, oh sige. Mag-ingat ka.

I walked out of the building, feeling kinda guilty na Jerwin canceled his photoshoot for me. -__- Minsan lang
talaga, I really wish na hindi ako bumibili ng hiya, para hindi rin ako masyadong affected much.

I absentmindedly waved at the guards, pero hindi pa man ako completely nakaka-step out from the compound,
tatlong camera at tatlong mic na kagad ang bigla-biglang sumulpot and shoved right in front of my face. O_O

Reporters. Can this day get any worse? -__-

Ako: Uh.. excuse me..

Pero syempre, deadma sila sa personal space ko dahil nakasalalay ang evening entertainment news nila dito.
-__- Anak ng tipaklong. Gusto na yata nilang ipakain ung mga mic sa'kin eh!

Reporter 1: Just a few questions lang po, Miss Venice!

Reporter 2: Pinuntahan nyo po ba si Jerwin Santos kaya kayo nandito?

Ahyan na.. Nagsisimula na ang mga tanong nila. O_O

Ako: No comment. Please, excuse me...

I tried to squeeze myself out of their great wall of pushing bodies, pero talagang mataas ang adrenaline rush
ng mga reporters na itoh! Ayaw matinag!
Fortunately, ehto na ang mga security guards to the rescue! Mukhang nakahalata yata na na-haharass na ko
dito.. They tried to push the reporters away from me, samantalang ako naman, nagmamadaling lumakad
pabalik sa taxi.

Reporter 3: Miss Venice! Isang comment lang about Jerwin Santos cheating on you!

O_O

I know I shouldn't say anything. I know I'm not in the place to talk.
Pero promise, Tito Ray, isang hirit lang, okay na ko.

I stopped in my tracks, and turned to face the cameras again.

Ako: I'll just say one thing---

Lalong nagkagulo ung tatlo! Mga sabik sa tsismis! O_O

Ako: Please, hinay-hinay lang poh. I'm not a celebrity, hindi ako sanay sa mga ganitong dinudumog.

I tried to give them a small smile. Nung medyo kalmado na sila, the guards loosened up a bit. Lumapit ung

tatlong reporters sa'kin. At least this time, hindi na sila mga mukhang bulldozer na sasagasaan ako.

Reporter 1: Sorry po, Miss Venice. We didn't mean to scare you like that.
Ako: (chuckles) Thank you. Now, regarding to my opinion about that article...

Bumalik nanaman sa mga mata nila ung mga nakakatakot na pagkasabik sa balita. O___O I guess I really can't
ask them to calm down.. -__-

I gathered up all my determination and courage. I have to be careful of what I'll say. I know everything
that comes out of my mouth right now will be analyzed. It can make or break Jerwin's career and reputation.

Ako: Don't talk about Jerwin having an affair as if it's a fact. Jerwin did not -- and he will never -- cheat on
me. He's not that kind of person.

Avaahh... Kapani-paniwala the sound of the voice ah...

Reporter 1: Then what can you say about the newspaper article and the picture?
Reporter 2: Before Jerwin introduced you as his girlfriend, there were speculations that he and Georgina
were dating. Are these speculations true?

*gulp* Okay... So what do I say now? -__-'

Okay lang yan, Venice. All the world is a stage! Gumawa ka ng sarili mong script!

Yea.. Easy for you to say.. Eh tatlong camera ba naman ang nakatutok sa'kin, sa tingin mo may left-over
braincells pa kong ready magpaka-scriptwriter!??

Ako: Uhmm.. kasi.. alam nyo kung anong problema sa mga pictures at ung panandalian lang na sightings? Those
things can't tell you the whole story.

Whoy! Mukhang may left-over braincells pa nga ako! Good script! Good script!

Ako: I'm a graduating college student. Do you know the amount of schoolwork graduating students have to
do? Essays.. Reports.. Journals.. I have all these things to worry about. Nagkataon lang na nung Valentines
Day, I was extremely busy.

That wasn't a complete lie. Busy naman talaga ako nung V-day.. di nga lang sa schoolwork.

Ako: Georgina Schmitz is one of Jerwin's closest friends. So, I don't see anything wrong with having a
friendly get-together. I go out with my guy friends too.
Reporter 3: Hindi ba big deal na nakita silang dalawa na magkasama during Valentines Day?

Ako: I'm not a big celebrator of Valentines Day. To me, February 14 is just another day of the year. I
mean, of course I still like getting flowers and chocolates -- but what do you expect? I'm a girl. Kung pwede

lang, araw-arawin sana ni Jerwin ang pagbigay ng mga bulaklak sa'kin.

The reporters laughed at this little remark. Akala ba nila nagbibiro ako? Gusto ko talaga ng flowers araw-

araw noh!

Reporter 1: Speaking of flowers, it was also rumored that they were spotted in a floral shop. Jerwin was
seen buying flowers for Georgina.

Ahhh.. At least ito, hindi ko na kailangan mag-isip pa ng palusot. Bawas kasalanan~

Ako: This is an example of how the newspaper reporter didn't see the whole story. About those
rumored flowers... Jerwin actually gave them to me.
Reporter 2: Oh! So you received them?

Ako: Yes. A dozen of beautiful red roses.

The reporters seem to be pleased with what they're hearing. Ok na ko. I've said all I had to say. Lalayas na
ko. Hindi na kaya ng brain ko kung ma-prolong pa ang stress.

Ako: This whole "date" thing was really just blown out of proportion. It was just two friends eating dinner
together. It's not a big deal to me.

Liar.

Ako: ..So it shouldn't be a big deal to anyone else. I hope I managed to clear up some issues. Thank you.

I gave a quick nod of goodbye, bago umikot to escape their "one last question, Miss Venice!". Talagang
pinagkahabol-habol pa nila ako, buti na lang pinigilan na uhlet sila nung mga guards. Ang sarap pala ng feeling
ng may bodyguard. nyahaha

I immediately jumped inside the waiting cab, which, as soon as I shut the door, drove away.

Manong Driver: Nako, ma'am, dinumog pa kayo nung mga reporters. Akala ko matatabunan kayo, bigla-bigla
silang sumugod eh.

Ako: Ha.. Oo nga poh eh..

Manong Driver: San na po tayo ngayon?

Ay.. Saan nga ba? I don't know where Jerwin might be..

Pero... -__- I'm just really exhausted from everything na nangyari nitong araw na toh. I just feel like
crawling somewhere and hibernate for a week.

Ako: I think... Uuwi na lang ako.

I gave the house address to the driver. After making sure na alam ni manong kung san ung bahay, I slumped
in the backseat, watching the blur of passing cars and buildings.

I took out my phone. Jerwin left me a couple more messages. I would have answered kung narinig ko lang ung

phone ko.

So, instead, I just decided to finally break my silence and send him a text message.

"I'm on my way home."

Will you be waiting for me?

Pero syempre, hindi ko itatanong un.

::Chapter 56::
What Should I Do
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

As soon as I got Venice's text that she's coming home, nagmadali kagad ako umuwi. I was driving around the
city, hoping to check the nightclubs and bars -- then I realized, masyado pa palang maaga para magbukas ung

mga un... It was a good thing she finally texted me when she did, dahil I was already on the verge of
having a panic attack.

I hastily parked the truck in the driveway. Madapa-dapa pa ko sa pagtakbo papasok ng bahay.

"Venice!!"

I frantically ran around the dead quiet house. There's nobody here.

Okay, Jerwin. Relax ka lang. Sabi nya pauwi na sya.. She should be here any minute.

I decided to patiently wait in the living room. Patiently..... hanggang sa tuluyan na kong nabato sa paghihintay,
and I just had to start pacing back and forth.

What's taking her so long?!

Is she messing with my mind here?!?
Doesn't she know how worried people are because of her?!?
Why didn't she at least tell somebody where she's going?!

Those are the kind of things running through my mind as I grow more and more frustrated. Then I froze.

I heard the front door opening.

I practically ran para tignan kung sino ung dumating. If it turns out na magnanakaw ung pumasok, I swear I'd
beat the pulp out of him! Nanadya ba sya?!? Ngayon pa sya magnanakaw kung kailan may hinihintay ako!?!?

Fortunately, it wasn't a thief.

I watch the woman reluctantly come in. If I didn't see her face before she turned around to close the door,
I could have sworn it was a stranger. I've never seen Venice look so... stylish before.

She finally turned around and almost jumped when she saw me.

I felt a whole range of emotions rushing in my system. Amusement, frustration, relief, anger.... I can't even
start explaining the reasons those emotions suddenly appeared.

I opened my mouth to tell her how relieved I am to see her safe, pero, to my suprise, iba ang lumabas sa bibig
ko. O_O

Ako: Where the hell have you been?!?

Aish! Why are you yelling at her, you idiot?!?!

Venice just stared at me for a few seconds, then she shrugged and walked past me. I clenched my jaw, trying
to calm my nerves. Ayoko ng gulo.
I took a deep breath and followed her inside the house. When I was somewhat calmer, I tried again.

Ako: I've been looking everywhere for you.

Venice: I'm sorry.

She's not looking at me. Why isn't she looking at me? Is it because of the pictures? The news? Why isn't she
looking at me??

Nagsimula nanaman ang marathon ng panic attack ko. I wanted to start explaining about the pictures, but I
don't want her to think na nagiging defensive ako. I just want to talk to her, make sure everything's okay.
But, heck, I don't know what to say!

Ako: You could have told me where you were going. Kahit sina Sheena hindi alam kung nasan ka. I even
canceled a photoshoot just to look for you!

I can almost feel my heart pumping double time habang nag-vvent out ako. It's like, even though I want to
stop, my mouth continues talking. All the built-up energy from the past few hours just continuously poured
out of my mouth.

Ako: I was calling your phone, but you never answered! Do you know---

Venice suddenly whipped around to face me. Napatigil ako sa pagsalita nung nakita ko ung mukha nya. Her
eyes are blazing fires of fury, and although she's speaking calmly, her voice is dripped with acid.
Venice: Ahh.. So it's okay for you to go out and not tell me, but it's not okay when I do it?
Ako: What--
Venice: At pag ako ang tumatawag, okay lang na hindi mo sagutin ung phone. Pero pag ikaw ang tumatawag, I
should immediately answer? Ganun ba un?
Ako: I didn't say---
Venice: Ohh so you're gonna deny it now?!?

What just happened here? O_O

Venice: I'm sorry I made you miss your very important photoshoot, and I'm sorry you have to drive all over
the place. In my defense, I didn't ask you to look for me.
Ako: Hey! Did you really think I'm just gonna sit quietly after knowing that you saw that stupid article?!?
Venice: Who knows?!? Jerwin, listen here, cause this will be the one and only time I'm gonna say this.
Ako: Say what?
Venice: I understand na this "thing" between us is nothing but some stupid parental agreement. It may be
just a source of entertainment -- a game -- for you. Pero--
Ako: Hold on!
Venice: No! You listen!

She stepped towards me. I can almost feel her anger burning my skin. I've never seen Venice this mad
before... Honestly, it scares me.

Venice: If you want to go on a date with Geena, then at least, do it somewhere na walang makakakita snyo!
Because, in case you've forgotten..

She held up her left hand to my face.

Venice: You are engaged to me. At least, that's what people think. I can't cover for you all the time.

I couldn't speak after she said all that. Venice just looked at me for a few more seconds before she finally
turned around and pushed past me.

Ako: Venice!
Venice: I'm going to bed! Don't talk to me!
And with that, she was gone. I could only hear her bedroom door slamming from upstairs.

"Jerwin Santos, you dumbass!"

-___-

Ako: Yes, I am

Nicole: ARGGHHHH!!! I can't believe I'm related to you!

Wow.. How many times have I said THAT before?

It's been a couple of hours since Venice walked out on me. I've been dying to talk to her and clear things up,
but.. she said she was going to bed and not to talk to her. I don't want to wake her up. What if she wakes up
at the wrong side of the bed and we start fighting again?

Did we really just have our first fight? O_O

Nicole bombarded my phone with calls an hour ago. I was intentionally ignoring the calls, pero ung huli nyang
voicemail, nag-threaten na sya na pag hindi ko sinagot ung telepono, pupunta sya dito sa bahay. -__- Knowing
Nicole, I'm sure she would follow through with the threat kapag hindi ko pa sya kinausap. Nicole in this house
is definitely the last thing I need right now.

So I finally decided to answer her call, and anoh pa nga bang inaasahan ko? Of course, my cousin loves to
overreact. -__-

Nicole: Did you patch things up with Venice now?

Ako: I'm going to..
Nicole: What!? What?!? WHAT?!?! She's finally home and you haven't done anything AT ALL?!?!

Hmmm.. I probably shouldn't tell her that Venice and I ended up bickering as soon as she got home...
Nicole: Boy, where is your brain?!?!
Ako: I shall do something about it now. -__-
Nicole: Hell yea you will! Seriously! What were you thinking?!?! And with all people, you have to be spotted out

with that witch!

I clamped my mouth shut. Nicole hates Geena's guts, though I can't figure out why. Based on my experience,
when Nicole starts dissing, it is best not to say anything -- unless you want to be clobbered next.

Ako: Sige na, Nic, I'm hanging up noww~

Nicole: Fine. I'll see you tomorrow. Make sure you two are back to your sweet usual selves by then!

Sweet, usual selves? Has she seen us together? Kailan pa kami naging "sweet"? -___-

Nicole finally hang up. I think my eardrum just declared malfunction after those few minutes of listening to
Nicole's exaggerated screams and threats of bodyslamming me next time we see each other.

Napatingin uhlet ako sa orasan. I wonder if Venice is really sleeping....

I got up from the couch and made my way upstairs. I paused in front of her door. It's quiet inside. Maybe she
really is sleeping...

Ako: Venice?

Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ung pinto and peeked inside. Yep, there she is.
She's sprawled on her bed. She's clutching a pillow close to her as she sleeps soundly. Pagod siguro...

I walked inside and sat on the bed, careful not to wake her up. She looks so peaceful, it'd be a shame to
disturb such heavenly peace.

Ako: Venice...

I gently brushed stray strands of her hair away from her face. She didn't stir.

Ako: The photoshoot was important... but it's not as important as you.. and I really wish you wouldn't think
I'd pick Geena over you dahil that's simply not true.
I took a deep breath. Bakit ba mas madaling kausap ang tulog?
Mabuti na rin un. Nakakapag-vent out ako dahil hindi ako nakakontra kanina.

Ako: Those things you said a while back... Nung sinabi mong I'm with you only for entertainment, that was
unfair. I mean, siguro nung una, I admit, you amused me kaya pumayag ako sa engagement na toh.. But, you
know things change. Now, just being with you makes me genuinely happy.

Man.. when did I learn to sprout cheesy things like this?!? =__=

Ako: And.. You said this thing between us is just an agreement between our parents. In a way, maybe that's
true. Maybe you think I don't have the right to meddle with your business.. But, Venice, anong magagawa ko?
Aish!

I furiously scratched my head. Ayoko nang ganitong mga bagay na mahirap isipin. I hate complicated things.
Naghahalo-halo na lahat ng iniisip ko. Ang sakit sa ulo!

Ako: Venice, what am I supposed to do?? I can't help but worry about you.

We started out on the wrong foot. Maybe things would have been a lot easier if we met under different
circumstances. I wonder if we still would have gotten together if she didn't stumble in front of me that one
night. Natawa ako nung naalala ko ung gabing un.. To think, ang layo na nang narating namin since then..

I softly ran my hand over Venice's hair, watching her sleeping face intently. She's beautiful. I wonder why I
never saw that before. A fragile beauty..
And I was stupid enough to bring nothing but headache to her.

What can I say to make you forgive my stupidity? Siguro dapat sinigaw-sigawan mo ko at the top of your
lungs.. You should've cursed at me.. You should wake up and start hitting me hanggang sa mapagod ka.

Just don't hate me.

I let out a sigh. Wala naman akong mapapala kung itutuloy ko pa ang pagkausap sa tulog noh?
Ako: I'll make it up to you, Sardines.

After that, I stood up and silently sneaked out of the room again.
She's had a long day. I should just let her rest.

--- ♥♥ ---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

As soon as narinig kong sumarado ung pinto, I immediately opened my eyes. I thought mamatay ako sa atake
sa puso nung biglang nagpaka-mellow si kuya sa tabi ko. My golay. O_O

When I heard him call my name from outside the door, for some reason, natulala ako. Kung papasok sya, baka
mag-away nanaman kami bigla. Ayaw ko na makipag-away. Let there be peace on earth. Kaya hindi na lang ako
sumagot.

Kaya lang si kuya! Biglang binuksan ung pinto! Abah! Syempre na-panic ako!
Ang unang pumasok sa utak ko: "Tulog! Tulog ka!" OoO

Sumunod naman si body, kaya ahyun.. Kunwari tulog nga ako. Kunwari lang.

Kung alam lang ni Jerwin kung gano ko ka-gustong silipin kung anong expression nya sa mukha..

Haayyyy...

I sat up on the bed and threw the pillow aside.

Psh. Jerwin na un.. Ang dami pang sinabi.. All he had to say was "I'm sorry", mahirap ba un?!?

Pero napangiti ako nung naalala ko ung ka-cornihan ng mga lines nya.. Yak! wahahaha

Pano na lang ako mag-ccontinue ng anger act ko pagkatapos akong hiritan ng mga ganon?
::Chapter 57::
Rushing Back
♫.~*~..~*~.♫
 (Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Nagising ako kinabukasan nang halos mamilipit na ko sa gutom. Dahil sa mga drama kagabi, hindi nga pala ako
nakakain ng hapunan. No wonder nag-wewelga na ang mga alaga ko sa tyan. -____-

I rolled out of bed and halos gumapang papunta sa pinto ko. Then I stopped.
Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ung pinto.... Pasimpleng tingin-tingin sa labas..

Tahimik... Tulog pa kaya si Jerwin?

Napatingin ako dun sa relo sa likod ko. 11:30 na.

May trabaho ba sya ngayon?

Di ba birthday nya?

I tiptoed to his room and pressed my ear dun sa pinto. Walang nahilik.
I opened it slowly, and peered inside. Walang tao.
Wala talaga sya. San nanaman kaya pumunta un??

I went downstairs para tignan kung baka sakaling nakahilata sya dun sa living room.. or sa patio sa labas. Kung
anumang trip nya sa buhay..

I checked the living room, the patio, the bathroom, the dining room. Wala.
Finally, I stumbled in the kitchen. Dun ko nakita ung plate na may cover, nakapatong sa counter. There's a
stick-it note.

"Sardines,
I had to go and have lunch with my family. I wanted you to come, pero tulog na tulog ka. I felt bad waking
you up.
Anyway, I cooked you some scrambled eggs and may tinapay pa dyan. Don't forget to eat since you didn't eat
last night.
I'll be back as soon as possible. I hope you're not mad anymore. See you later. -- Jerwin"

-_____-

Tama bang sardinas ang itawag sa'kin?!? Sa ganda kong toh, anong mukhang sardinas, ha?!?
Binasa ko uhlet ung note, tapos sinilip ko ung scrambled eggs na sinasabi nya.. Dapat pala inaaway nang mas

madalas tohng taong toh... Nagiging sweet pag feeling guilty eh.

I raced up the stairs papunta sa kwarto ko, and hinalughog ung buong kama para sa cellphone ko. Tawagan
natin para mabawasan naman ang stress ni kuya kakaisip kung nagpaplano ba kong sagasaan sya ng truck o

lalagyan ko ba ng thumbtacks ung kama nya.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

This must have been one of the most awkward lunch I've had in a while.
It's an annual thing. Every time someone in the family celebrates a birthday, most of the Santos clan gather
in a fine restaurant for lunch. Not everyone is able to make it all the time though.
Sometimes, one of my parents won't be able to make it. Sometimes, I won't be able to make it. Sometimes,
Nicole and her parents won't be there. Grandmother has her own business most of the time.
With the line of work we ventured into, this family is always too busy for little gatherings like this.

But... today is different. Everyone's here. -___-

Nicole is looking at me as if she's going to start biting my head off in a minute.

Jean is trying to kick my leg under the table, constantly nagging me about Venice.
My parents are looking like they'd wring my neck as soon as we finish dessert.
My aunt and my uncle are shooting me questioning glances.

I don't think I've ever wished so hard for the floor to swallow me whole.

Suddenly, Grams cleared her throat. The tensed atmosphere broke and everyone turned to look at the old
woman sitting at the end of the table.

Grams: Did someone die? Why is everyone so quiet?

Nicole: I'm ready to kill somebody right now.
Tita Lina: Nicole.
Nicole mumbled something to her mom, then she went back to murdering the poor chicken on her plate.

Grams: *sigh* Since everybody seems to be preoccupied with the issue, why don't we talk about it right
now?

Napatingin akong bigla kay Grams. She can't possibly mean to put me in the spotlight right here, right now.
O___O

Ako: Grams...
Grams: Where is Venice, Jerwin?

Oh. Her eyes are ready to drill holes on my forehead. O_O I'm in trouble, aren't I?

Ako: She's at home. She's a little bit exhausted from yesterday so I decided not to wake her up.
Jean: Exhausted? From what, kuya?
Nicole: Coz Venice saw the article and got really upset. She ran away from home.

I shot Nicole a look. I don't know why she's so pissed. Bakit ba sobrang affected sya sa mga nangyayari?!
Nagkasama lang silang dalawa sa kulungan, close na kagad sila?!?

Dad: Why did you go out with Georgina Schmitz, Jerwin?

Ako: It was just a friendly dinner. People just blew it out of proportion.
Jean: Oh! That's what Ate Venice said too!

Ako: You talked to Venice?

Jean: No. You didn't see the interview?

Ako: What interview?

Nicole: The interview where she covered up for your dumb--

She suddenly looked at Grams.

Nicole: -- self.
Jean: It was all over the news last night, kuya.
Mom: We didn't expect her to speak out either. But she did good. At least hindi na lalong kakalat tohng
scandalo na toh.
So she covered up for my mess... Lalong lumalaki ang kasalanan ko. -__- I knew I'd be all over the news that I
just didn't want to watch TV last night. How was I supposed to know Venice did that for me?

This birthday sucks.

Grams: Jerwin, are you having an affair with this Georgina?

Ako: What?! No! We're just friends, and I wouldn't dare cheat on Venice...

Jean: Oohhh kuya~ Is it because you loovvveeee her na~?

Ako: S-S-Shut up!

Nicole: WAH! You're blushing! Ai, Grams! My little cousin is in la la love!

What's this?!? 360-degree mood change nanaman?! Nicole really needs to get her brain checked up by a
therapist.

And why are they ganging up on me anyway?!

Ako: Tigilan nyo nga ako. Mainit lang dito noh kaya ako pinagpapawisan noh..

Nicole: Uh-huh... Excuses.

Grams: Hijita, stop teasing your cousin.

Nicole: Sorry. My little cousin is just too cutteeeee!

Ako: Grams just told you to stop it!

Nicole just laughed at me. She focused her attention back on her plate. This time, at least, she's not
murdering the chicken anymore. She's actually eating it now. Lucky chicken.

Dad: So, Jerwin, are you absolutely positive na walang namamagitan snyo ni Georgina?
Ako: Yes.
Mom: And you'll never cheat on Venice?
Ako: Yes.
Grams: And this scandal was just blown out of proportion?
Ako: Yes.
Jean: And that you love her already?
Ako: Yes--- Hey!

Nagtawanan sina Nicole tsaka si Jean. If Nicole wasn't sitting all the way at the other side, pinag-untog ko
na silang dalawa!
All of a sudden...

Sunshine? Oh, Sunshiiineee~

WTF?!?! Venice?!?

The table got quiet nang narinig din nila ung boses ni Venice.
I looked around the restaurant searching for her.

Sunshine! It's me! Answer your phone!

Phone?!!? OoO

I frantically jammed my hand in my pocket. Halos mabitaw-bitawan ko pa ung cellphone sa sobrang

pagmamadali kong makuha sya.

Sunshine!! Anak ng---

Ako: Excuse me.

I jumped out of my seat and practically ran out of the restaurant. I could hear Nicole and Jean cracking up
again.

What the hell was Venice thinking changing my ringtone to something like that?!?!

Ako: Hello?!?!?!

Venice: Hurray! You answered your phone!

Ako: How can I NOT answer my phone!?!?

Venice: Oh, so my personalized ringtone worked?

Ako: You were practically yelling "Sunshine"!!!!
Venice started laughing on the other line. I was about to yell at her again, when I realized something:
She's laughing. That means she's not angry anymore, right?

Ako: Sardines... you're not mad anymore?

Venice: Hmmm.. I heard it's bad for someone's health to remain angry for a long time.

I couldn't help but smile. Kung may makakakita siguro sa'kin ngayon, mapapagkamalan akong baliw sa laki ng

ngiti sa mukha ko. Bahala sila sa buhay nila.

My birthday is just improving more and more by the minute.

Ako: Does that mean I'm forgiven?

Venice: You will be.. in one condition.
Ako: Consider it done.

She paused for a while, as if looking for the right words or calming her nerves down. Who knows? But then,
finally, she whispered something. I barely caught it, but I'm glad I did dahil as soon as the words were out
of her mouth, she hang up.

I waltzed back inside the restaurant. All eyes were on me since there's probably this ridiculous grin still
plastered on my face.

Ako: Grams, I hope you don't mind, but I have to go now.

Jean: Eh?! We haven't even had dessert yet!
Ako: I know. But I still have a few things to do, and I have to -- or rather, I want to go home as early as
possible.

Nicole: Ooohh~ Coming home to the missus eh?

Ako: I'm gonna ignore that just because I'm in a good mood now.

Nicole: *sigh* It must be so nice to be in love.

Grams: Hijita...

Nicole clammed her lips at the sound of Grams' warning voice. Grams then looked at me and smiled.
Grams: Go ahead and go home, hijo. Patch things up with your fiancée. Tell hijita I'll visit her some
time.
Ako: Thanks, Grams.

I gave a quick hug to everybody in the table -- even my parents, whom I've always felt awkward hugging.

They actually looked surprised. When I reach Nicole, she practically jumped in my arms. And this is the

same girl who was on the verge of killing me just a while ago..

I gave Grams a quick kiss on the forehead and then I ran out of the restaurant.
I just need to drop by somewhere real quick and then I'll go home.

"Umuwi ka kagad ha..."

Those were Venice's last words before she hung up. Of course..
If she said so, uuwi talaga ako kagad.

I did promise I'll make it up to her.

::Chapter 58::
Birthday Cake
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

After two hours of driving from one place to another, nakauwi na rin ako sa wakas. I jumped out of the truck
and walked over to the gate para isarado.
Kinakantahan ko pa ung sarili ko ng "Happy Birthday" habang nagsasarado ng gate. Naglalakad na ko papunta

sa pinto nang bigla kong narinig na may malakas na alarm na nagsskandalo. I froze from shock.

And then I realized the alarm is coming from inside. It's the smoke alarm.

"VENICE?!?!?"

Sunog?!? May sunog?!?

I hastily jammed the key to unlock the door, and then I just barged inside. The house seems fire-free,
although there is smoke everywhere.

Ako: Venice?!!

Where is she?! Did she lose consciousness?!

Ako: Venice!?

I ran from one room to another. Hanggang sa finally, I burst into the kitchen, where all the smoke is coming
from.

Ako: Venice...

I finally found her. She's sitting on the floor in front of the oven, staring, just staring at whatever is inside
the appliance. I don't think she's even aware that all smoke detectors in the house are alarming.

I opened the windows para palabasin ung usok. I'm just relieved to see that she's fine and there's no fire or

anything... although the house is probably going to smell like smoke for one or two days.

Venice: Sunshine...

I knelt down next to her on the floor. Tinignan ko kung anoh ung tinitignan nya... I'm not even sure kung anoh
ung itim na bilog na nilagay nya sa loob nung oven. -___-

Ako: Are you okay? What happened here?

She suddenly turned to me, and I was caught in surprise to see tears brimming in her eyes. Konti na lang,
iiyak na. O___O

Venice: I wanted to bake a cake for you. I did everything fine. I followed the recipe to a T. T^T
I looked at the black object inside the oven again. So.... Cake pala un.

Venice: Tapos nung nilagay ko na sa oven, I went out to the patio to get some sun. *sniff* I didn't mean to
fall asleep. Nagising na lang ako nung nag-aalarm na ung buong bahay and smoke was coming out of the
oveennnn~ ToT

Ohh.

She tried to bake a cake for my birthday. No one's ever baked a cake for my birthday. And kahit na

pumalpak, it's the thought that counts.

I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling. I should probably be aggravated that she almost caused a fire, in
which she could have been seriously hurt, but....
looking at her right now... with her messy ponytail, her Winnie the Pooh apron, her face stained with soot..

Sinong hindi matatawa?

But I need to keep a straight face. Baka bigla ngang umiyak pag nakita nyang upset na nga sya, natatawa pa

ko. Pano na lang kung ako ang isunod nyang ipasok dun sa oven?

Ako: It's okay. Don't cry, Sardines.

She stared at me, those tears dangerously brimming in her eyes.

She looks like a little kid. It's ridiculously cute.

I gently took her in my arms and gave her a hug -- simply because I can't stop myself from laughing

anymore. While she has her face buried on my shoulder, tumawa na ko ng tumawa as silently as

possible.

I took a deep breath, trying to control myself.

Ako: Why don't you go wash up? I'll clean up the mess here. Then, lumabas na lang tayo, okay?
She pulled away from me, wiping her tears away as she did so. Di nya alam na kumalat din ung itim sa mukha

nya.. Should I tell her?

Hmmm..... nope. hahahaha

Mukha syang taong grasa.

Venice: Where are we going?

I looked at the clock. It's still too early....

Ako: We can go shopping?

Venice: Shopping? Are you sure?
Ako: Yea, why not?

I pulled her up to her feet.

Venice: Okay. I'll go wash up then.

She turned around and was just about to leave the room nang umikot ulit sya para tumingin sa'kin.

Venice: I think this is the proper time to tell you this... Yesterday, I spent about 1000 pesos on clothes.

And I used your card. Thank you for taking me shopping again today, Sunshine!

Oo O

As soon as she finished her little confession, she immediately ran up the stairs.

A... A thousand pesos?!?!?

Ako: (sigaw) YAH!!! Did you buy the entire store?!?!?!

Of course, she'll choose to ignore me. -___-

Aish.. that girl... -____-

I started to turn off the smoke detectors.

When everything is quiet, I walked back in the kitchen and tumingin sa paligid ko. The smoke is starting to
clear up, though the house still smells like something's burning. The oven looks like it's gonna need some
major cleaning (We're probably gonna need to buy a new one -__-). Even the counters near the oven are
stained..

How can one person create this much chaos?

Naalala ko ulit ung itsura ni Venice when I walked in... Ridiculously cute.

I picked up the black object inside the oven -- only to have it crumble into pieces. How long was she asleep
for the cake to be burnt to this degree?!?

This does not resemble a cake in any way AT ALL.

That girl...
::Chapter 59::
Moments Like This
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Jerwin and I spent the whole day outside. Naglalandian. nyahahahaha joke! Anoh bah, demure ako noh...

walang kokontra!

Just like he said, he took me shopping. The funny thing is, hindi nagbalot ng mukha nya si kuya. Usually, pag
ganitong lumalabas kami at pupunta sa malls or sa kahit saan na maraming tao, kinakarir nya ang pagiging

celebrity-undercover nya. Complete sa headgear, shades, minsan nga may scarf pa...
I know. Mainit sa Pilipinas.

Anyway, this time, hindi ko alam kung nananadya ba sya o ano, pero he stepped out of the truck without his
usual paraphernalias. Na-shock nga ako eh.. Lutang yata ang utak nya.

As soon as we stepped inside the mall, pinagtitinginan na tuloy kami. May iba pa nga na pasimpleng kumukuha
ng pictures, pasimpleng sumusunod-sunod. Nakaka-bother, pero sabi ni Jerwin, just pretend lang raw na hindi
ko nakikita ung mga taong un. -___- Adik ba sya??! Eh may mata ako, pano kong hindi makikita?!?

Pinasok namin halos lahat ng stores na may mga damit, sapatos, purses, jewelries... Ang bait nga ni birthday

boy. Hindi nagrereklamo, kahit na dumadami na ung mga bitbit nya. hahaha

Don't get me wrong. Hindi lang ako ang nag-shopping. Pumunta rin naman kami sa mga stores ng mga lalaki.
We bought Jerwin a few shirts, a pair of new shoes, and a couple of new hats. At dahil mabait ako, I got him
a bright pink shirt that says, "Out of my mind. Be back in five minutes."

Yes, it's bright pink. Yes, Jerwin really almost went out of his mind sa sobrang pagtanggi. And yes, I still

bought him the shirt.

Nung napagod kami, we went up to the 4th floor para lang umupo. He bought us something to drink habang

nagpapahinga. When he got back, I think may apat na babae ang sumusunod-sunod sa kanya. Mga
engkantong toh... Lumayo kayo sa Sunshine ko! RAWR!

Jerwin: What are you glaring at?

Ako: Eh? O_O

He looked behind him para tignan kung anoh ba ung tinitignan ko. Parang hindi nya yata napansin ung apat na
nakabuntot sa kanya, dahil pagbalik ng tingin nya sa'kin, clueless pa rin si kuya.

Ako: Talaga bang hindi mo nakikita ang mga people na sumusunod-sunod syo?? @_@ Sunshine, may problema
ba yang mga mata mo?!
He sat down on the chair next to me. Seryosong-seryoso sya dun sa pag-sstir nya nung straw nung

watermelon shake nya. Mukhang abnormal.

Jerwin: I see them. Pero sa tagal ba naman na sinusundan ako nga mga tao, I got used to it. Eventually, I
learned to ignore them.
Ako: Maannnn... I don't think I'll ever get used to people following me to this degree. -__-
Jerwin: That's probably because you don't want people giving you this much attention.

Ako: Duh. I don't want people invading my privacy noh.

"JERWIN SANTOS!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!"

Napatingin kaming dalawa dun sa dalawang lalaki na dumadaan sa likod namin. Kailangan talaga nilang isigaw ung
pangalan ni Jerwin para lang mangbati noh?

Jerwin: Ah! THANK YOU!!

The two guys waved at him tapos umalis na sila. Akala ko magtatalon pa sa kilig ung dalawa, pero mukhang

hindi naman. hahaha

I quietly sipped my melon shake, watching Jerwin as he constantly runs his hand through his hair.

This little liar. Obviously, the stares and the people are making him uncomfortable. Abah, kung itutuloy
nya yang ginagawa nya sa buhok nya, baka makalbo na sya nyan!

Ako: You wanna leave soon?

Jerwin: Bakit? Are you done shopping?
Ako: Yea.

He looked at his watch.

Jerwin: Hmmm... okay. Ilang oras na rin pala tayong nandito. You wanna go now?
Ako: Eh?!? Now na??!

Jerwin: Why not?

Ako: I'm too lazy to get up and start walking again. Can't you just carry me on your back? T__T
Jerwin: . . . I can ask them if I can drive the truck inside... Then I'll pick you up right here..
Ako: WHAT?!?
Jerwin: They usually do car shows in this floor. There must be a way those cars managed to get inside,
right?

Tumingin-tingin sa paligid si kuya. O_O Seryoso yata sa pag-consider na dito nya ko susunduin -- gamit ung
truck nya. Avah, nababaliw ba sya?!?

Ako: Hoy, Jerwin Santos, adik ka ba?!? Ipapasok mo ung truck mo dito?! Anoh ka, special?!?

Jerwin: I AM Jerwin Santos.

I mimicked his answer.

Ako: "I AM Jerwin Santos"..

Tapos biglang pitik sa noo nya.

Ako: Ulol! Bibigyan mo pa ng problema ung management ng mall! Gusto mo bang ma-ban tayo dito?!?
Jerwin: Dork! I was just kidding! Bakit kailangan mo pa kong pitikin?!?
Ako: Eh gunggong ka pala eh! Seryosong-seryoso ung mukha mo, akala ko naman talagang gagawin mo!

He's holding his forehead and wincing in pain. Ang exagge... parang naman ganun ka-lakas ung pagkakapitik
ko........... hindi naman, di ba?

Ako: Masakit ba? O_O

Jerwin: Hindi!
Ako: Eh bakit hawak mo pa yang noo mo?!? Tanggalin mo nga ung kamay mo!
Jerwin: Ayoko nga! Bakit ba?!
Ako: Eh kung hindi naman pala masakit, bakit ayaw mong tanggalin!?
Jerwin: Eh sa gusto kong hawakan ang noo ko eh! It's a free country!
Ako: Aish!

Hinablot kong bigla ung kamay nya, trying to peel it off his forehead. Pero malakas si kuya, talagang feel na
feel nya ang pagtakip.
Jerwin: Stop it!
Ako: You stop it!
Jerwin: Are you trying to rape me?!?
Ako: What the hell are you talking about?!? Anoh naman ang ka-rape-rape sa noo mo?!?
Jerwin: Why are you all over me then?!?
Ako: Let me see your forehead!
Jerwin: Bakit ba?!? Araw-araw mo nang nakikita ang noo ko!
Ako: Anak ng tinapa! Patingin mo na kaseh!
Jerwin: Haven't you heard that curiosity killed the cat?!?
Ako: Mukha ba kong pusa?!?
Jerwin: AHHH!! Ang kulit mo!

I finally managed to pry his hand off his forehead! Bibigay rin pala, papahirapan pa ko! O____O Hm??

There's a small red spot... yep, dun sa pinitik ko, may small red spot.

Oo O

I suddenly grabbed his face and hinila sya palapit sa'kin para mas makita ko ung noo nya. I stared in horror at
that tiny spot.

Ako: WAAHHH!! Napalakas ba ung pitik ko?!? It hurt, didn't it?!? WAH I'm sorry, Sunshine!OoO
Jerwin: It didn't hurt. W-Will you stop crushing my face!?
Ako: But it's red! It's red!
Jerwin: Stop panicking!
Ako: But it's red!!!

"Aww.. Ang sweet nyo namang dalawa."

O.O

An old couple walked past us, smiling and nodding as they watch the little scene between Jerwin and me.
Napatingin kaming dalawa ni Jerwin. Kahit na hawak ko ung mukha nya, Jerwin managed to crane his neck and
look at the old couple.

Dun ko na-realize na amazingly close pala ang mukha ko sa mukha ni Jerwin -- at hawak ko pa with both hands
ang face nya! I literally jumped and halos mahulog ako sa upuan ko sa sobrang pagmamadali kong makalayo.
Jerwin gave an awkward smile to the old couple. As soon as malayo na sila, he suddenly slumped on the table.

Jerwin: That was embarrassing.

Ako: Wha---

And it was then that I realized...

there's at least ten people surrounding us -- all armed with their cameras and phones. O__O

I slumped on the table right next to Jerwin's head.

::Chapter 60::
Trapped
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

After that little incident, Jerwin and I waited for a bit. Baka sakaling magsialisan rin ung mga tao.. Then we
can peacefully leave. Pero iba ung nangyari. Instead na mabawasan, nagsimula pang dumami ung mga tao. O__O
Ung kaninang sampu, naging 15.. tapos dumami pa sila nang dumami. They were all watching us.. taking pictures..
recording videos..

I was getting so anxious na naubos ko yata ung iniinom kong shake in one sip. I suggest never to try that dahil
it causes brain freeze. Promise. =___=

Jerwin: I think we better leave.

Jerwin started grabbing all our shopping bags. I looked at the number of people around us. I bit my lip in
worry. How are we supposed to get through all that?! Kayang-kaya kaming pisatin ng mga taong yan eh! O_O

Jerwin: You ready?

I nodded reluctantly. He carried all the bags in one hand (much to my amazement ), and then he wrapped a
protective arm around my shoulder.
Jerwin: Just keep your head down.

We tried to walk past the increasing number of spectators. Jerwin tries to shield me from all the shoving and

pushing, pero what can he do kung napapaligiran kami ng mga kalaban?

People aren't making it any easier for us to get through. Some are trying to take pictures. Some are blocking
Jerwin's way. Some are shoving pens and notebooks in every direction. Jerwin had to repeatedly say, "It's my
private time. I'm sorry." Hindi yata ma-gets ng people na ang ibig nyang sabihin is: private time = no work
related activities (ie autographs, photo ops, fans) Good luck na lang... -__-

We were halfway through when I suddenly felt someone grabbing one of my arms. It stings, like something
grazing my skin. Before I knew it, I was pulled out of Jerwin's arm and thrown into a sea of strangers. OoO
Everywhere I look I see these unknown faces. I can feel some touching my hair, my arms, my shoulders.. I can
feel panic rising up in my system.

"Venice! Take a picture with me!"

"Venice! Hindi ka ba talaga naapektuhan nung lumabas si Jerwin tsaka si Georgina?!?"

Venice! Venice! Venice!

All around me, I can hear my name and these questions... Close ba kami at ganon na lang sila kung makatawag
at kung makapagtanong!??

I frantically looked around, hoping to see kung nasan na ba si Jerwin.

Kahit ung tuktok man lang ng ulo nya...
Pero wala talaga akong makita.

Why are these people pushing too much?!?

I need to get out of here.

Sunshine!! NASAN KA NA?!?

Ako: Please let me through...

I tried to push my way out, pero anoh pa nga bang inaasahan ko? Anoh naman ang laban ng sexy kong katawan
sa sandamakmak na katawan sa paligid ko?

Feeling desperate, I finally called out to Jerwin. Nawa'y marinig nya ko.. Dahil kung hindi, feeling ko lang, iiyak
na ko dito. T^T

Ako: Jerwin!?!!

"Nag-ddate ba kayo lagi ni Jerwin dito?"

"Can I have an autograph?"

"Anong birthday gift mo kay Jerwin?"

People are pushing against me even harder now. I feel like I'm suffocating sa sobrang panic at takot. I'm
getting pushed from one place to another, from one person's face to another.

Make them stop!

Ako: JERWIN!!!

I suddenly felt someone wrap an arm around me and hurriedly stirred me away from the mob. When I looked
up, I almost cried. It was Jerwin.
His jaw is clenched tightly as he forcefully pushed his way out of the cluster of people.

Nung medyo nakalabas na kami, dun lang nagdatingan ung mga security. Apat na security guards ung humarang
kagad dun sa mga tao. Jerwin and I nodded a quick thank you, tapos nagmadali na kaming umalis.
All the while na mabilis kaming naglalakad pabalik sa parking, Jerwin was tightly holding my hand. And I'm
thankful for that.
Dahil kung hindi, I'm afraid I'm gonna burst out in tears.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

We finally reached the truck. I threw the shopping bags in the back, and then I jumped in the driver's seat.
That mob was rough. What annoyed me even more was that someone actually dared to grab Venice and throw
her back in the middle of all those people -- just to delay time?!? WTF?!?

Pinatong ko ung ulo ko sa steering wheel, trying to cool off my head. If I could, I would have yelled at all
those people to leave me and Venice alone. Is it so wrong that we want to spend some time together doing
normal activities? Is that so wrong?!?

"Sunshine...?"

I turned my head and saw Venice looking worriedly at me.

Venice: Are you okay?

Are you kidding me??

Ikaw na nga tohng muntik nang malibing ng buhay, ikaw pa ang nagtatanong kung okay ako?

Sometimes, she's too kind for her own good.

I know she was scared half to death when we got separated. When I found her in the middle of the crowd,
she looked like she was about to cry. She looked pale with fright. Di ba nakita nung mga tao na mahihimatay
na sa takot si Venice?!

She's not a celebrity. Why would they do that to her?

Ako: I'm okay. How about you? May masakit ba syo?
Venice: You mean, bukod sa paa ko?

Napaupo akong bigla. Did somebody accidentally step on her foot?! or maybe kicked her leg?!? What if more
than one person stepped on her feet?!

Ako: Where??! Which one?!?

Halos mag-dive ako dun sa sahig ng truck para lang makuha ung paa nya, pero bago pa ko makapangisda, she
already grabbed my shirt and pulled me straight up. I stared at her wide-eyed, confused, anxious, and
panicky. @.@

Venice: WAHAHAHAHA Relax ka lang, Sunshine! I'm not injured or anything. Masakit ang paa ko,

dahil baka nakakalimutan mo, ilang oras tayong nagpaikot-ikot sa mall noh!

I can only stare at her as she laughs like crazy dun sa tabi ko. Parang ayaw mag-register sa utak ko kung
bakit sya tumatawa.... @_@ Pero seeing that she's okay, I guess, medyo nabawasan ung init ng ulo ko. Medyo
nag-calm down ung puso ko. Medyo nagsisimula nang gumana ulit ung utak ko.

This crazy girl..

Ako: Hoy. Nababaliw ka na ba??! Do you know how worried I was na bigla kang nawala?!?
Venice: Abah, kasalanan ko ba, eh sa may humaltak sa'kin?!?
Ako: You should have punched him straight in the face!
Venice: Gunggong! Hindi mo ba nakita ung dami ng tao kanina?!? Sa tingin mo ba, malalaman ko pa kung sino
ung humaltak sa'kin!? At anong tingin mo sa'kin, boxingera?!
Ako: Ay.. Hindi ba amazona ka? O_O
Venice: Eh kung tadyakan kaya kita dyan?!?!?

I started laughing. I-ddeny pa, eh talaga namang violent person sya.

I looked at my watch again. We better go.

I turned on the engine and started to drive away. Venice, as usual, leaned in to the radio para maghanap ng
station na nag-pplay ng kantang alam nya. It's sort of like a habit now. Every time na aandar na kami, she
always spends at least five minutes jumping from one radio station to another. It used to be irritating as

hell, pero I got used to it -- and I learned it's better not argue with her.

We're driving sa highway. It's a good thing na hindi pa nag-bbuild up ang traffic.
Napasilip ako kay Venice when I noticed na she's absentmindedly running her hand on her left arm. Nung
tumigil kami sa stoplight, I turned to completely look at her to see why she's so preoccupied with that arm.

I noticed three red lines on her milky white skin. Scratches.

Ako: Where did you get those?!?

Venice suddenly snapped out of her dazed state and tried to cover her arm, but it's too late. I already saw
the injury.
Three red claw marks from her elbow to her wrist. Someone must have had really long nails to make those
scratches on her skin!

Venice: It's nothing, really.

I clenched my jaw as I looked at her. If I ever see that person who left marks on Venice's arm, he's dead.

The light turned green so I had to turn back to driving. I can see Venice going back to gently caressing her
arm. She's probably trying to soothe the stinging pain.

Ako: Give it to me.

Venice: Eh??

I reached over to her arm and started to lightly run my hand on the scratches. I don't know if it really eases
the pain, but if it does, then I might as well do it for her. Venice didn't argue. Hinayaan nya lang ako.

Ako: I guess, next time, I shouldn't step out without some sort of disguise, huh..
Venice: Why?
Ako: Coz things like this happen when people go crazy
Venice: Hmmm.. That's too bad kung magpapaka-celebrity undercover ka na lang lagi.
Ako: Bakit?
Venice: It's a free country. Dapat nakakapagliwaliw ka nang hindi na kailangan magtago. Doesn't walking
around without a disguise give you a sense of freedom?

I guess freedom comes with a price.

I'd rather give up that feeling of liberty than to have people mobbing Venice when we're together. She
shouldn't go through anything like that.

Ako: That tiny bit of freedom is nothing compared to your safety. I don't want you to experience something
like that ever again.

Venice: Yeah.. It was scary. I never knew people can actually be so.... brutal.
Ako: Yea...

Venice: But it's okay.

Ako: Okay?

Venice: If it's part of being with you, then it's okay. Coz I like being with you.

I threw a glance at Venice. She's smiling brightly at me, as if she doesn't know the impact of her words to
me. Ni hindi ko nga rin alam kung bakit, but just hearing her say that she likes being with me, it's enough to

make my heart swell up with happiness. Man. Anong ka-cornihan nanaman ito?

Venice: Oh! Sunshine! O_O

She jumped from her seat, frantically looking around. We've been on the road for 30 minutes, and parang

ngayon lang sya natauhan. Yep, inabot sya ng 30 minutes bago nya na-iprocess na hindi ito ang daan pauwi.

Venice: Nasan na tayo?!? San tayo pupunta?

Ako: It's a secret.

Venice: Secret-secret ka pang nalalaman.. Baka naman kung anong kababalaghan nanaman ang plano mo!
Ako: Anong kababalaghan?!? When did I ever do anything weird?!
Venice: Gusto mo ba talagang isa-isahin ko pa? -__- Ah, don't change the subject! Where are we going?!?
Ako: Relax ka lang dyan.

I took her hand and held it firmly.

Ako: I can assure you, it will be a moment to remember.
::Chapter 61::
Two Less Lonely People
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Ako: Pag ako nadapa, wag mo nang asahan na mabubuhay ka pa

Jerwin: Pag ikaw nadapa, I'll catch you. So stop complaining.

I mumbled a few more complaints under my breath. This is just getting more absurd by the minute. -___-

Jerwin and I arrived in the music hall where he had his latest concert some time ago -- yep, the one where I

was officially "introduced" to the public as the soon-to-be Mrs. Jerwin Santos.

Iniisip ko na manonood kami ng concert, but... I looked around the parking lot, besides three other cars, the
lot is empty. So it's either maaga kaming dumating, too late na kami dumating (that's impossible dahil 8:45
PM pa lang), or walang bumili ng ticket nung kung sinoman ang mag-cconcert. Kawawa naman.

Pero sabi ni Jerwin, everything's okay raw. So I followed him pababa nung truck. Nung pumasok kami sa main
hall, biglang sinabi ni Jerwin na isarado ko raw ung mga mata ko dahil "surprise ito, at ganito ang ginagawa sa

mga romatic movies" . Anak ng tokwa. Papahirapan pa ko para lang sa drama nya?!?
Nung hindi ako sumunod, he took the initiative to just cover my eyes with his huge hands. At kahit anong
palag ko, talagang feel na feel ni kuya na takpan ang vision ko.

Kaya since then, pinalakad nya ko nang wala akong nakikita. Parang ang layo na nga ng nilalakad namin eh! Ilang
beses na kong muntik mabunggo, muntik madapa... Pero ayaw nya talagang tanggalin ung takip ko sa mata.
Bubwit.

Finally, after what felt like forever, sinabi ni Jerwin na almost there na raw kami.

Jerwin: Malapit na tayo. Dahan-dahan ka lang dyan, may hagdan.

Ako: Papaakyatin mo ko ng hagdan?!?!
Jerwin: Oh relax. Hindi naman mahaba ung hagdan noh. Ingat-ingat lang sa mga steps...
Ako: Wag mo kong bibitawan, ta-tumbling-an kita!

Jerwin: Yea, yea..

I went up five steps, then after that, I realized na nasa flat surface na ulit ako. Sobrang ikli naman nung

hagdan na un. Jerwin led me about ten more steps, then he told me to stop.

Jerwin: We're here.

He carefully took off his hands from my face. I had to squint my eyes para ma-adjust ung eyesight ko.

Hmmm.. It's dark.

May dapat ba kong makita? Nakapikit pa ba ko??!

Suddenly, the lights turned on. Well, actually, it's more like the stage lights turned on, the rest of the music
hall is still dark. Na-realize kong bigla na ang pinasukan pala namin ni Jerwin is ung backstage door, kaya pala
may hagdan. We're standing on the stage. May mga scattered rose petals dun sa floor.
Bilang lang sa isang kamay ung mga ilaw na nakabukas dun sa sides ng stage. Limited lang tuloy ang nakikita
ko. There are tiny twinkling lights above us. They look like stars. *__*
Tapos, dun sa likod nung stage, may mga stage props na nakalambitin. Huge cut-outs ng mga buildings.

The whole stage looks like a romantic, city night scene from a musical. It's beautiful.

Just when I thought I've seen it all, biglang may nag-turn on na spotlight. The bright light revealed an
intimate table for two at the center of the stage.
As soon as the table was revealed, mellow music filled the hall.

I was left speechless. May magandang results pala ang pamimilit kay Jerwin na manood ng mga cheesy

romantic comedy movies.

Jerwin: I know it's not much, but... this is the best I can come up with.
Ako: It's beautiful...

Jerwin: Not as beautiful as you.

YAK! Anu ba un?!?!

Napatingin ako kay Jerwin. Talagang nakangiti pa sya. In fairness, naapektuhan na yata ng romantic

atmosphere ang brain cells ni kuya. Lumalabas nanaman ang pagka-corny nya.

He took my hand and led me to the table. Kinarir nya na talaga ang pa-good shot nya, he even pulled out the
chair for me bago sya umupo sa sarili nyang upuan.

Jerwin: I was supposed to take you here for Valentines, kaya lang... Well, you know what happened..
Ako: Oh.

I don't think I've ever had the feeling of wanting to strangle Geena before. Pero ngayon, ahhh!! I can't
believe she made me miss all this! This could have been our Valentine dinner!

Jerwin: Uhmm.. so although it's late, I hope you like it.

Ako: (smiles) I love it.

Jerwin smiled back at me, then he straightened up and signaled at something or someone from behind me.

Nagulat ako nung may biglang lumabas na server, pushing a tray of food. Talagang planado ni kuya lahat. O_O

I watch in awe as the server laid out the food in front of us. Lalo akong namangha dahil, instead sa usual na

formal dinner, sinigang at kanin ang nasa plato namin. SINIGANG!!! Lumalangoy-langoy pa nga ung kanin sa

sobrang dami nung sabaw sa pinggan ko.

Jerwin: I was gonna order some formal dining, pero baka hindi ka mabusog sa ganun eh. Kaya I thought it's
better na lang kung favorite food mo ung ipalabas ko.

Ako: Ohhh, talagang inalam mo pa ang favorite ulam ko.

Pinanood ko ung server as he filled our glasses with cold water. Naglagay pa sya ng patis dun sa maliit na bowl
sa gitna ng table. Yes, patis.
Sinoh ba namang hindi matatawa sa ganitong setting!??

Ako: I prefer this over formal dinner. San ka pa makakakita ng romantic dinner for two, tapos sinigang

ang kakainin?

Jerwin: Right?!?

The server finally left, and Jerwin and I were left alone to eat.

Ako: I can't believe you rented the entire music hall. Hindi ba mahal toh?

Jerwin: No, it's okay. I wanted this place especially for our first date.

Oo O

*cough* *cough* *cough*

WAH! I'm choking! *cough*

Jerwin: Are you okay?!? Ngumuya ka kasi muna bago ka lumunok!

I took the glass of water he was handing me, and halos tinungga ko ung buong baso. Ako pa ang sinisi nya?!?
Eh sya tohng nangbibigla!
Batuhan ba naman ako ng "first date" chuchu nya!

Ako: F-F-First date?!?!?

Jerwin: Yea. It IS the first time we have an official date, right?

*blink*
*blink*

Jerwin: I mean, we've been engaged for a while.. So I thought it'd be good to finally take you out.
*blink*
*blink*

Jerwin: Oh for crying out loud! Will you just say something?!?
Ako: Uh....

There are at least a hundred things running through my mind right now. I know what he's saying makes
sense, pero parang nag-panic alarm ang brain ko nung na-process nyang "we're on a date".

Ako: And... why did you choose this place then? Kung magsisinigang lang tayo, eh di sana, sa turo-turo na lang
tayo kumain.
Jerwin: But this place is special.

Ako: Special?

Jerwin: Yea, don't you remember? This is where we first met.

Ako: Ohhhh!!! Yea! You screamed like a little girl!

Jerwin: I DID NOT!

Ako: wahahaha Yea right.

Jerwin: What?!? I did NOT scream like a little girl, that was you!

Ako: Sira! Dinaig mo pa nga ako!

Jerwin: Eh siguro kaseh mukha kang multong nakatayo sa stage. Tapos nung bigla kang sumigaw, syempre,
napasigaw rin ako. But I did not scream like a little girl.
Ako: Anong multo?!? Eh ikaw tohng bigla-biglang sumusulpot!
Jerwin: It was my concert! May karapatan akong sumulpot!

The dinner went on like that. The both of us reminiscing about the past.
We laughed about the insane turn of events that brought us together.
Me being drunk and passing out on him -- of all people.
Our mothers, being the crazy moms that they are, engaging us to one another.
The many times I tried to kill him with my psychic powers.
The many times he wishes he can dump me in the Pasig River.

See? We lived happy lives.

I can't believe it's only been two months. It feels like I've known him for years.

We were having so much fun talking na hindi namin na-realize na ubos na pala ung kinakain namin. Jerwin
signaled for the server again, and obediently, the server came out. He took the empty dishes out and
wheeled them back inside.

After a few minutes, he came out with dessert. Banana foster over vanilla ice cream. It's heaven. T^T

Ako: Isn't he gonna bring out a cake?

Jerwin: For what? You don't like the ice cream? Masarap naman ah.

Ako: It's heavenly, what are you talking about? I meant, a birthday cake for you.
Jerwin: I told you this was planned for Valentines day. The menu was already fixed. Besides, I don't mind
not having a cake.
Ako: I wish I didn't burn the cake earlier. T_T

Jerwin: (chuckles) You can make me one next year.

Ako: Next year? You think we'll still be together next year?

Tumigil ung spoon ni Jerwin dun sa ice cream nya. He looked up at me. I can't place the expression on his
face. He doesn't look surprised. He doesn't look mad. There's just something grave about his expression.

Jerwin: Why would you say that?

Ako: Errr... well, we did talk about breaking up eventually.... right? I mean, it's not like you're doing this
engagement thing because you want to.... right?
Jerwin: So you want to break up before my birthday next year?
Ako: Uh... I haven't really thought about it...

Whoo! Pinagpapawisan yata akong bigla!

Jerwin just looked at me for one more second, then he went back to digging in his ice cream. I think I just
ruined the mood here. He looks upset. -____-

I reached over to the other side of the table and held his other hand. He looked at me in surprise.

Ako: How about we just focus on the present for now and worry about the future some other time?

He nodded and then finally, he smiled back at me.

Jerwin: Yea. I'd like that.

A new song just started playing. Jerwin stood up, and as I watch him in wonder, he walked to my side and
bowed down while offering his hand to me. Renaissance style. haha

Jerwin: Would you like to dance with me?

Ako: I would love to dance with you.

I put the napkin on the seat and took his hand. He led me to an ample space on the stage and twirled me
around once before catching me and putting his hand on my waist. I put my hand on his shoulder, while the
other one remains in his other hand.

The song "Two Less Lonely People In The World" continues to play around us.
I can't help but think how appropriate the song is right now.
Coz being in each other's arms like this, it certainly feels the both of us can finally stop being alone and

lonely.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I don't think I've ever spent this much attention to a girl I'm dancing with. I'm so aware of her presence
that I'm afraid I'm going to start tripping over my own feet. When did a girl ever make me this nervous?

We swayed in time with the music. I felt Venice resting her head on my shoulder. I pulled her gently closer
to me. I can smell the subtle smell of her shampoo in her hair. I can almost feel her heartbeat. This must
be what heaven feels like; good music in the background and an amazing girl in your arms.

Ako: This is the start...

Venice: Start of what?

She didn't stir or anything as she waits for my answer. Buti na lang, dahil I didn't really mean to say it out
loud. Now I need to come up with a safe response.

But what am I supposed to say?

This is the start...

of me not wanting to let you go.
of me unable to imagine my life without you.
of me just wanting to be with you.
of me wanting to protect you.

I planted a light kiss at the top of her head -- one she'd probably wouldn't even feel, but that's okay. This
amazing girl.... who knows how she'll react when I tell her those things? What if she runs away? No one
really knows...

So should I also consider saying

that it's the start of me being afraid to lose you?

Psh. Who am I kidding?

I know exactly how that sentence ends.

This is the start

of me falling in love with you...

Two less lonely people in the world

And it's gonna be fine
Out of all the people in the world
I just can't believe you're mine
In my life where everything was wrong
Something finally went right
Now there's two less lonely people
In the world tonight...

I can't believe I'm finally accepting this reality in my mind.

I should have seen this coming. Watching Venice, getting to know every little thing about her...

How can I not fall for her?

Venice: Sunshine? Start of what?

I hugged her closer to me.

Ako: The start of the inevitable..

::Chapter 62::
Sleep Well
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"Really?!? Ginawa nya un?!?"

Classes just ended. Nagmamadali na sana akong umuwi para makaiwas sa mga probing questions nina Sheena
about "their favorite star's birthday", pero dahil mahal talaga ako ng tadhana, paglabas na paglabas ko sa
huling klase ko, ahyun ung tatlo, nag-aabang na sa'kin. -___-

Anoh pa bang choice ko kung hindi ikwento sa kanila ang mga events of last night?

Sheena: Ang sweet naman ni fafa J!

Kenny: Oo nga! Kahit na sinigang lang ang pinakain nya syo, bawing-bawi naman sa pag-rent nya ng entire

venue! Shosyal!
Sheena: May mga ganun pa palang lalake...

Bigla syang tumingin kay Anthony, then let out a huge sigh. o_O

Anthony: Hala?!? Anong ginagawa ko syo dyan?!

Sheena: Ahyun nga ang problema syo. Wala kang ginagawa. -___-
Anthony: What's that supposed to mean?!?
Hay nako tohng dalawang toh. Ang sarap pag-untugin.
Isang pakipot at isang torpe.
Anoh na lang ang mangyayari sa mga buhay nila nyan?!?

Kenny: Kayong dalawa! Ang landi nyo! Maghalikan na nga kayo!

Sheena: Hoy, bakla, excuse me lang noh! Kahit halikan ko yang palaka na yan, never pa rin magiging prinsipe
yan noh!
Anthony: Yabang nito... Kala mo dyan! If I know, patay na patay ka naman sa'kin!
Sheena: Eh kung patayin na kaya kita ngayon?!
Ako: Ay tama na nga kayong dalawa! Bahket ba sobra kayong mag-away lately?!

Kenny: Mga pakipot pa kaseh.

Sheena: Isa na lang, vakla, bibingo ka na.

Ipagtatanggol ko sana si Kenny kaya lang ayoko rin namang masabunutan ni Sheena. At isa pa, na-distract
ako. When we stepped out of the gate, ang una ko kagad napansin ay ung mga pasimpleng nakatagong
photographers. -___-
Mukha ba kong bulag na akala nila hindi ko sila mapapansin?!

Kenny: Bakit may mga paparazzi dito?

Sheena: May bagong chikka ba?
Ako: Not that I know of.

Nagmadali kami sa paglalakad namin, just in case na biglang sumugod ung mga cameras. Mabuti nang safe kesa
madumog, di ba?

But I still don't understand kung bakit sinusundan pa rin ako ng mga un.. I already said my piece about the
issue nung Valentines... Pero may lumalabas pa rin na tsismis na on the verge of break-up raw kami ni Jerwin,
or better yet, sinugod ko si Geena at nagsimula ng WWIII. O_O

Oh di vah, amazing?

Mabilis nakatawag si Sheena ng jeep. Halos magkandarapa pa kami sa pagsakay. As soon as all four of us

were inside, nag-drive na kagad si manong driver. Napansin nya rin yata na may umaaligid-aligid.

Kenny: Graveh ha.. Palpak ang sense ng pagtatago nila.

Ako: Napansin mo rin?

Sheena: Anthony? Anong nangyari syo?

Napatingin kaming lahat kay Anton, na nakaupo dun sa dulo, mukhang nalantang gulay. o_O

Anthony: They were taking pictures.

Ako: Uh-huh?
Anthony: Na-realize ko ngayon lang...

Bigla syang tumingin sa'min, and nagulantang namin kaming tatlo dahil mukhang nag-ppanic talaga sya. O_O
May utang ba toh sa mafia?!?

Sheena: Anong na-realize mo??

Anthony: Hindi pala ako nakapagsuklay! T^T

@___@

Sheena: Pigilan nyo ko! Ihuhulog ko talaga toh palabas ng jeep!

--- ♥♥ ---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I'm so tired. -___-

We did the rescheduled album photoshoot today. As usual, that took most of the day to do. What made it
worse was that I had to do a lot of moving shots -- which meant running, twirling, and jumping repeatedly.
Ang sakit tuloy ng katawan ko. -___- But I couldn't complain dahil may kasalanan na nga ako dun sa crew nung

bigla kong pinalipat ung araw ng shoot.

Good thing mabait sila. They understood. Actually, they were even telling me that I should get more
rest.

I guess halatang-halata na puyat ako. -__-

Although Venice and I managed to get home by midnight last night, hindi naman ako kagad nakatulog. I spent
hours and hours walking around my room, worrying about the new album, turning in my bed, and even peeking
at Venice's sleeping figure bago ako nakatulog.

In the end, I only had three hours of sleep.

Halos nag-ssway na nga yata ako side to side sa sobrang antok.
Maybe that's why the shoot wrapped up earlier than expected. -____- Crap.
I hope they managed to take good pictures.

I dragged myself papasok nung bahay. I hastily threw the keys on the counter, tapos naglakad papunta sa
living room. I collapsed on the couch. I can just sleep right here...... -____-

Kakapikit ko pa lang ng mata ko nang narinig ko ung main door na nagsarado. That's probably Venice. She gets
out of school around this time, right?
Maybe I should've picked her up. But I haven't been thinking straight this whole day---

"AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

O_O

WTF?!?

I bolted up from the couch and ran towards the door as fast as my hurting muscles would let me. I
completely forgot about my exhaustion.

Ako: What?!? What?!?

Venice: Oh, Sunshine. Hello.

@___@

Ako: Anong "hello"?!? Why were you screaming?!?

Venice: Ah, wala lang un. Vent out lang.

Ako: Vent out? About what?

Venice: Haaayyyy nako!

She trudged upstairs and I followed behind her. I would've went straight to my room and just throw myself
on my bed, pero parang ine-expect yata ni Venice na sumunod ako sa kanya at makinig sa kung anumang
reklamo nya sa buhay.

Better safe than sorry.

She went in her room, throwing her book bag on one corner. I crawled on her bed as she then went to the
vanity table to take off her jewelries. Inayos ko pa talaga ung unan just so I can lay down comfortably. I
don't think a bed has ever felt this heavenly before. I can go to sleep right now~

Venice: Sunshine.

Or maybe sleep after listening to Venice's rants. -__-

Venice: Would you believe na may mga reporters nanaman kanina sa labas ng school?!?
Ako: For what?
Venice: Dahil pa rin siguro dun sa incident nung Valentines.
Ako: Oh.
Venice: Pinapalaki pa talaga nila ung issue.

After taking her all jewelries off, she then went inside her walk-in closet. I just followed her with my eyes
until she disappeared inside. Dahil nasa kabilang side ung closet, I can't see inside. Naghahanap siguro ng

pangbahay na susuotin... Anoh pa bang pwede nyang gawin dun sa loob di ba?

Venice: Isa pang sobrang nakaka-frustrate, yang si Sheena at si Anton!

Ako: What about them?
Venice: You know.. Ung "thing" between them.
Ako: Oh, so they're still not going out?

Venice: Psh. Pano naman mangyayari un, eh kinarir na nilang dalawa ang pagiging denial king and queen.

She stepped out of the closet wearing a loose shirt and cotton shorts.
Talagang dun sya nagbihis, ni hindi man lang sinarado ung pinto.. di man lang nag-alala na baka bigla akong
sumilip----
NOT that sisilip talaga ako! O_O Sinasabi ko lang na BAKA sumilip ako -- kahit hindi ko naman talaga balak
gawin dahil alam kong nagbibihis sya sa loob.......
Ah basta! I'm not a pervert!

She suddenly stopped and stared at me. For some reason, she looks puzzled.

Ako: What?
Venice: Dude. You look like a corpse. O_O

Ako: I've been up since 5:30 this morning. I had a long day. Anyway, tama bang tawagin mong "bangkay"
ang husband-to-be mo?!?

Venice: Sabi ko mukha lang, hindi ko sinabing bangkay ka.

She jumped on the bed. I winced when the bed bounced. Ang sarap na ng higa ko, bigla ba namang talunan
ung kama.... Naalog tuloy ung mga nag-rrelax kong muscles.

Venice: Anoh pang ginagawa mo today? Bakit daig mo pa ang 90-year-old kung makahilata ka dyan?
Ako: I did a photoshoot. I was short on sleep and did a shoot full of running, jumping, and all sorts of high-
energy action. -___- You can't blame me for being tired.
Venice: Kawawa ka naman, Sunshine.

She suddenly started running her finger over my arm. I looked at her confused. What is she doing?

Venice: Gusto mo ng masahe~?

Ako: Yea.

Venice: Eh?!?

She suddenly jerked her hand away and looked at me in shock. I know she was just messing with me, and
normally, I would have rejected her offer, pero right now, a massage sounds really good.

Ako: What?
Venice: Di nga?!?
Ako: Sardines, masakit talaga ang katawan ko. A massage actually sounds wonderful right now.

She blinked at me in confusion. Tignan mo tohng taong toh...

Last time she threatened me with a massage, I dared her to touch me because I honestly thought she
wouldn't dare. But what did she do? Binigyan nya kagad ako ng masahe. Tapos ngayong seryoso ako na
talagang gusto kong magpamasahe, na-mental breakdown naman sya.

Baliktad ba talaga ginawa ang utak ng babaeng toh?!

Ako: C'mon... You can just use that lotion over there at your nightstand kung ayaw mong kunin ung oil sa
kwarto ko.
Venice: You have massage oil in your room? o_O
Ako: Well... yea? I take it with me tuwing may concert or a show. My muscles tend to tighten when I'm
stressed. There's always a physical trainer in the backroom to massage my legs or back to prevent cramping.
Venice: Ah.

...

I turned to look at her again. Wala. Hindi yata talaga gagalaw tohng taong toh. -___-

I slowly rolled out of her bed.

Ako: Okay, fine. If you don't want to give me a massage, I'll just go to a spa or something---
Venice: What?!?!? O_O

Nagulat ako nang bigla syang tumalon pababa nung kama. Talagang hinarangan nya pa ung daanan ko. O_O

Ako: I said I'll just go to a spa to get a massage

Venice: At bakit naman?!? Fine! Dumapa ka dun sa kama, mamasahihin kita!

Ha.. Sudden change of heart. Nabuhayan ng loob at mukhang determined na sya ngayon na bigyan ako ng
masahe. Amusing~

Ako: Di na, wag na. Napipilitan ka lang yata eh.

Venice: Hindi nga, sige na. Bumalik ka dun sa kama, I'll massage your back. I give good massages. Promise.
Di mo na kailangan magpahawak-- I mean, magpamasahe pa dun sa mga masseuse na nasa spa noh!
Ako: Hmmm... but---
Venice: Anong "but" ka pa dyan?!?

Tinulak nya ko pabalik nung kama. Tohng babaeng toh... Kung makasugod..

Di nya ba alam na kayang-kaya ko sya ibato sa balikat ko at itali sa kama?

Yang liit nyang yan...

Venice: Bakit kailangan mo pa pumunta dun, eh nag-ooffer na nga akong masahihin kita??! And besides, ako
ang fiancée mo! .... -____-

She stopped talking. Parang nag-iisip yata ng kasunod na argument na related sa pagiging fiancé at sa

pagmamasahe. Ung argument ba na hindi sya mapapahiya..

Ako: Sardines, okay okay, I get it. Ikaw na nga ang magmasahe sa'kin.

Venice: Good.

Ako: Nagseselos ka lang dun sa mga masseuse, ayaw mo pang sabihin.

Venice: OoO A-A-Anong nagseselos?!? Nababaliw ka ba?!? Bakit naman ako magseselos ha?!?

Ako: Yea-yea..

I started taking off my shirt--

Venice: H-H-HOYYYY!!!!! Bakit ka naghuhubad?!?!?!?!?!?

Ako: What? Eh pano mo lalagyan ng oil-- or lotion ung likod ko kung may T-shirt ako?
Venice: Eh b-bakit kailangan pa ng lotion?!? O.O
Ako: Coz that's how they do it.
Venice: Eh bakit ka naghuhubad?!??! O.O
Ako: I just answered that question!
Her face is flaming red. I haven't even completely taken off my shirt yet, mukha na syang

hihimatayin.

Ako: I can just go to the spa--

Venice: NO!! Fine! Take off your shirt! Pero shirt lang!

Ako: (chuckles) Shirt lang naman talaga. What else were you expecting me to take off?
Venice: S-Shut up!

I finally slid the shirt off my head. I turned to look at her and almost burst out laughing nung nakita ko sya.

She has her eyes shut closed.. and is she praying under her breath?!

Crazy.

I jumped on the bed again. Ready na sa masahe ko. Nakadapa na ko, may yakap na kong unan...

Ako: When you're done thanking all the angels and saints for the opportunity to touch my back, you can

start the massage.

Bumukas bigla ung mata nya. Akala ko ibabato nya sa'kin ung buong nightstand. Tama bang tignan ako ng

ganun kasama?

Venice: Sinong nagpapasalamat ha?!?

After grabbing the bottle of lotion from her nightstand, she jumped on the bed as well. I closed my eyes to

relax. I can hear her taking deep breaths sa tabi ko.

Pero di na ko nag-comment. Baka bigla akong i-suffocate ng unan habang nakahilata ako dito sa kama eh.

After a few moments, she sat on my lower back. Pinindot-pindot nya pa ung likod ko. I heard her
pumping lotion on her hands, and then she finally started rubbing my shoulders.
Ahhhhh~

I can almost feel my muscles rejoicing.

A massage after a long day of work.
I can definitely get used to this. ^_^

--- ♥♥ ---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I can feel my heart beating four times its normal beating rate.
I don't think it's healthy.
Aish.. Anoh ba naman tohng napasok ko?!?

I can't help but stare at Jerwin's bare wide back. Nanginginig-nginig pa ung kamay ko as I massage his tight
muscles.
This is definitely not good for the health.

Halos atakihin na nga ako sa puso kanina nung nakita kong tatanggalin nya ung T-shirt nya. Eh anoh pa ngayon
na hinahawakan ko na ung katawan under that shirt?! Ay josko!

Buti na lang nakasubsob ung mukha nya dun sa unan.. Otherwise, nakakahiya ever ang kapulahan ng mukha ko!

Jerwin: Sardines..
Ako: *gulp* Hm?
Jerwin: Stressed ka rin, di ba?

O__O

Kung balak mong mag-propose na i-massage ang likod ko, ay hinde na! Hinde na talaga!
Ako: B-Bakit?
Jerwin: I'm just thinking... Later tonight.. I know it's a school night and all.. But, do you want to invite your
friends for a quick night out?

Ako: Really?
Jerwin: Yea. If they're not busy.. I want to spend some time with your friends too...

Ha... Fascinated ako. Gustong makipag-bonding moments ni kuya.

Ako: Okay.
Jerwin: Great.

After that, tumahimik na uhlet sya, except for the occasional moans pag may minamasahe akong sensitive

spot. Kawawa naman si kuya. Mukhang talagang pinag-acrobatic nila kanina...

Ilang minutes later, napansin kong iba na ung paghinga nya. I carefully got off him tapos sumilip sa mukha
nya. Tulog na sya.
Kawawa naman tohng taong toh.

Lalo yatang na-sstressed dahil nag-wwrap up na ung new album nya.

Sige lang, Sunshine, pagbutihin mo ang trabaho nang may makain tayo, ha?

wahihi.. Pero mabuti na rin na nakakapagpahinga sya.

I slowly crawled out of bed, careful na hindi sya magising. I somehow managed to cover him up with the other

side of the blanket. Mukha syang sushi. Buti nang sushi kesa naman lamigin ung likod nya. Huhubad-hubad

pa kasing nalalaman.

I grabbed my school bag and dragged it with me palabas ng kwarto. I'll do my homework habang umiidlip sya.

Pero in fairness, ngayon ko lang na-notice na ang laki pala ng likod nya.. Parang hindi ko kase masyadong
natitigan nung last time na nasa beach kami. But now, ahyan sya, parang isda na binebenta sa palengke.
Parang ang sarap hawak-hawakan ng malapad nyang likod~ *__*

O__O

Aish. Kelan pa ko naging manyak?!

Tsk tsk. I better get out of here.

Ako: Sleep well, Sunshine~

And with that, I gently closed the door behind me.

::Chapter 63::
In The Club
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

tiptoe tiptoe tiptoe

Hmmm... tulog pa rin?

Binalik ko sa sulok ng kwarto ko ung schoolbag ko pagkatapos kong silipin si Jerwin na nagpapaka-Sleeping

Beauty pa rin sa kama ko. Ang sarap ng tulog... Kainggit.. Samantalang ako, ilang oras nakatutok sa mga

homework at libro ko. In fairness, I feel like a real student! I mean, I AM a real student, pero iba pa rin

ang feeling pag kinarir ang pag-aaral.

Tinignan ko ulit si Jerwin. Wala na yatang balak gumising. o_O

Umupo ako dun sa kama, katabi nung naghihilik na tao, tapos pinindot-pindot ung pisngi nya.
Ako: Sunshine.. Gising na.. Baka hindi ka na makatulog mamayang gabi.. Gising na... Huy~

-___-

Tama bang deadmahin ang pagiging good samaritan ko dito??

At humihilik pa habang dinedeadma ang beauty ko?!?

Tinakpan ko nga ung ilong nya.

And in 1.. 2.. 3.. 4.. 5 seconds!

Tada! Nag-papanic na bumukas ang mga mata ni Sunshine! bwahahahaha

Jerwin: What in the world are you doing?!?!

Ako: Yehey~! Tulog mantika, gumising ka na dyan. Apat na oras ka nang tulog.
Jerwin: Aish.. Ganyan ba ang nanggigising?! Are you trying to kill me!?
Ako: Hoy, ginising kita by normal means, hinde ka tumayo!
Jerwin: Talaga lang?!

Well.... Isang beses na subok. bwahaha

Ako: I did my best... but I guess my best wasn't good enough.

Jerwin: -__- What?
Ako: Ay nako! Tumayo ka na nga dyan! Tulog ka ng tulog, baka hindi ka na makatulog mamaya!

Jerwin: Ah, so nag-aalala ka pala sa'kin?

Ako: Don't flatter yourself. Geez.

Tumayo na ko and went inside my walk-in closet. Lokong un.. Bagong gising na nga't lahat, ang gwapo pa rin.

nyahahaha jowk! Tama ba namang ngitian ako nang may kung anong bahid ng pang-aasar?!

Jerwin: Oh yea, did you call Sheena and them already?

Ako: Yea.. Sabi ko paggising mo, aalis tayo.
Narinig ko syang bumaba ng kama. Sana naman binibihisan nya na ang mga abs at likod nya noh..? Kundi.. baka
hawak-hawakan ko nanaman ang oh-so-wide-and-muscular nyang likod, eh baka makulong ako bigla ng sexual

harassment.

Jerwin: Okay. Let me just take a shower real quick. Tell them we'll pick them up in an hour.
Ako: San ba tayo pupunta?
Jerwin: Basta.

Sumilip sya sa loob nung walk-in closet ko -- and for some reason, nung unang silip nya, parang nakapikit pa ung

dalawang mata nya. After a few moments lang, tsaka nya binuksan ung isang mata nya. Nung parang na-
realize nyang the coast is clear, tsaka nya ko tinignan.

Topak nanaman nito?

Jerwin: Uh, and make sure na kasama sina Anthony and si Sheena.

Ako: Eh?

Jerwin: Just trust me.

After that, lumabas na sya ng kwarto ko. o_O Ang weird....

Posible bang gising na ang isang tao, pero ung utak nya eh naiwan sa kama?

An hour later, nagtipon-tipon sina Sheena, Anton, at Kenny sa bahay ni Sheena. Dun na namin sila sinundo.
Jerwin drove to a high-class nightclub -- iba pa dun sa very memorable na club na pinuntahan namin ni

Nicole.
This club looks more chic.. Mukhang mas tighter a security.. Mas mahal ang cover fee... -___- Buti na lang si
Jerwin ang nagbayad para sa'ming lahat. May advantages talaga minsan ang may fafa na may makapal na

wallet.

Pumasok kami sa loob. Malakas na techno music kagad ang sumalubong sa'min. And kahit na school night,
punong-puno ng tao ung club. Na-papanic nga si Kenny kasi ang dami raw masusungkit na papa. (Nawa'y
hindi kami masipa palabas -__-)
Umakyat kami sa 2nd floor, kung nasaan ung VIP section nila. All around, may mga artista at kung sinu-sino
pang celebrities ang nakakalat. @__@ Nakaka-starstruck. Kailangan hawakan nang maigi si Kenny, baka
biglang may ma-rape nang wala sa oras.

Jerwin would stop once in a while para mag-hello sa mga ka-close nya, tapos onward na ulit kami papunta sa
table namin.

"COUSIN IN LAWWWW!!! "

Oh crap. I know that voice. O___O

It's not very hard to find her, lalo na at nagtinginan rin ang mga people sa direction nya. At ang pag-wave ng
kamay! Matatanggal na yata ang buto nya sa sobrang excited ng kaway nya! O.O

Ako: What is Nicole doing here?!?

Jerwin: I invited her. Relax. She won't cause any trouble...... I hope.
Ako: "I hope"?!??

Kenny: Oh my vegetables! Si Nicole Suarez ba yan?!?!

Ako: Yea.. bakit?

Kenny: (squeals) I can just go to heaven right now!

Anthony: Aba, Ken, lalake ka na?

Kenny: Che! Wag kang magulo dyan. Idol ko yan~ Kung hindi mo alam, isa si Nicole Suarez sa mga top
models ng country. And kung anu-anong world-renowed companies ang kumuha sa kanya para mag-model ng

mga products nila. She's a goddess.

Ako: Eh!??

Napatingin ako kay Jerwin to confirm. I know na model si Nic, pero di ko alam na ganun sya ka-big!

Ako: EH?!?!
Jerwin: Yep. She's really successful. With her attitude, it's still a puzzle to the whole family kung pano nya

na-mmaintain ung mga clients nya.

Anthony: Ahhh... She's hot. *__*

Sheena: Ohh.. Hot pala ha..

Anthony: What?!? What?!? Masama bang umappreciate ng maganda?!?
Sheena: Oo na nga eh.

Anthony: Bakit affected ka? Gusto mo na ko noh?

Sheena: Gustong ihulog sa balcony. Mabuhay ka pa kaya?

Hayy.. umariba nanaman tohng dalawa.

Lumapit kami dun sa table na kinuha ni Nicole for all of us. For some reason, pag nakikita ko si Nicole, ang
naaalala ko eh ung babaeng nagbagsak sa'ming dalawa sa detention center.. nakakulong.. naghihintay ng piansa...
-_____-

Hindi ko tuloy makita ang sophisticated, world-class model na sinasabi ng ibang tao.

Inintroduce ko ang mga friendships ko kay Nicole. Ngayon ko lang yata nakitang nag-starry starry eyes si

Kenny sa isang babae.

Nicole: Oh.. So you're Kenny.

Kenny: Yes~

Nicole: Jean mentioned you to me some time ago. She said you're her prince charming.

Biglang umikot ung tingin sa'kin ni Kenny. Nawala ang mga stars sa mata ng bakla. Napalitan ng kutsilyo at

daggers. Scary~

Kenny: Wag mong ipapakita sa'kin ung batang un. Ilalambitin ko patiwarik un. -__-

Ako: Yes, ma'am.

Jerwin: Have you guys eaten yet?
Sheena: Ay, konti lang.
Nicole: Oh let's order some food then.
Ako: Real food?

Jerwin: Yep. That's one reason I like going here. They serve real entrees to VIP guests.
Kenny: Wah shosyal~
We took our seats. Hinati namin ung ilang menus na nakapatong na dun sa table. Reading the list, talagang

pagkain nga.. Hindi ung pinapapak-papak lang.. Ay, I love this club na rin!

Magkatabi si Nicole at si Kenny sa right ko... Naaaliw ako dahil mukhang nag-click ung dalawa. I won't be
surprised kung someday, silang dalawa na ang nasa detention cell dahil sa kung anong kalokohan na ginawa nila.
-___-

"Hi! Are we too late?"

Napaikot kaming lahat -- at halos mabato ko ung menung hawak ko sa mukha ni Jerwin. @_@
Anak ng tinapa at dilis! Pati ba naman tohng dalawang toh inimbitahan nya?!?
Okay na sana si Dustin eh... pero si Geena?!? SI GEENA?!?
Gusto nya bang magka-gyera dito?!?

Nicole: Dustin! Uh, why do you have a witch behind you?

I nudged Nicole under the table. Ehto na, nagsisimula na ang starting shots ng war.

Nicole: Aw! what?

Dustin: Magkasama kasi kami kanina when I got your call. She wanted to come. I hope you don't mind...

Oh. Si Dustin lang pala talaga ang invited...

Geena: Of course they don't mind, right Jerwin?

Kenny: Ay, girlie, actually I do mind. Tanungin mo rin kami.

Biglang napatingin si Nicole kay Kenny.

Nicole: Oh my gosh! I like you!

Kenny: Ay! I like you too~!

Oh my gosh, they're both gonna kill Geena! OoO

I shot a warning glance dun sa dalawang potential murderers. They gave an innocent smile. -__- As if naman
maniniwala akong inosente sila...

Dustin: Uhmm.. if you want, we can just get another table....

Sumulyap-sulyap ako kay Jerwin. Mukhang ang straight ng mukha nya.. -___- Wala syang balak maging
hospitable!? I wiped my hands on the fitted jeans I was wearing. Hindi naman pawis ung kamay ko, pero
parang feeling ko pinagpapawisan dahil sa sobrang tension.

Ay anak ng tinapa talaga!

Ako: You guys can sit here.

Jerwin: Venice?
Nicole & Kenny: Nooo~ O__O

I looked at Nicole and Kenny.

Ako: You two, behave.

Naramdaman kong biglang hinawakan ni Jerwin ung kamay ko under the table. Tumingin tuloy ako sa kanya.
Don't tell me... Affected much pa rin ba sya na nasa iisang table sila ni Geena?

Geena and Dustin took seats at the other end of the table. Dustin looks awkward, while Geena, as usual, looks

like her usual arrogant self.

Kenny and Nicole both look as if they're about to start throwing things.
Sheena looks worried, Anthony looks confused (kelan ba hindi naging confused tohng taong toh? -__-).

Jerwin leaned over to me para bumulong.

Jerwin: Are you sure this is okay?

Ako: Na-bbother ka ba?
Jerwin: Not at all. They're my friends. I just want to make sure na okay lang talaga syo na dito sila
nakaupo...
Ako: If you're okay with it, then I'm okay too.
Kenny: Hoy kayong dalawa dyan! Anoh bang pinagbubulungan nyo? I-share naman!

Umayos kami bigla ng upo ni Jerwin. Tama ba namang itapat bigla sa'min ang spotlight?!

Ako: Wala. Umorder na nga kayo.

Kenny: Hay nako, oorder sana talaga ako kaya lang parang na-ruin ang appetite ko---

Pinanglakihan ko ng mata ung bakla. Wag sya magkakalat dito! Baka talagang itilapon kami palabas! Pano na
lang ang dinner ko?!?

Kenny: --buuttiiiii na lang bumalik sya at nagugutom na ulit ako. Kaya let's eat!

Napapansin kong panay ang tinginan nung dalawang opposing teams sa isa't isa. Titingin sina Kenny at Nicole
tapos babalik sa menu.. Titingin naman si Geena sa kanila, tapos sa'min ni Jerwin, tapos titingin rin sya dun sa
menu.

T_____T

Kung walang himalang mangyayari, I'm pretty sure, this is gonna be a long nite.

---♥♥---

(Geena's POV)
---------------- ♥

Me: Why are they sitting so close to each other?

Dustin: Coz that's how couples usually are.
Me: They're NOT a couple.

Dustin let out a soft sigh. He pushed the menu to my hands, as if trying to divert my attention away from the
so-called "couple" on the other side of the table.
This is not what I planned. Jerwin is supposed to be glancing at me. Venice is supposed to look hopeless.
Why does it seem like the both of them don't even care that I'm here?!

Dustin: Geena, you should really give it up. I took you here to have fun.
Me: I'm planning to have fun -- with Jerwin next to me.
Dustin: Can't you see it yet? It's not gonna work. Jerwin's attention is entirely focused on Venice.
Me: You don't know that. They're just pretending because there's a lot of people in here.
Dustin: Geena, look at them.

I followed his gaze. Jerwin and Venice are sharing a menu. He whispered something in Venice's ear. Venice
smiled and nodded. He then points at something on the menu, which she checks out... I suddenly noticed that
their other hands are tucked under the table. They maneuver the menu without moving those hidden hands.

Could it be they're holding hands?

No. That's impossible. Jerwin can be affectionate, but he's not showy.

Dustin: Look how natural they seem together. Are you telling me that they're still pretending?

I suddenly stood up. All eyes switched over to me.

Me: I forgot... I have something to attend to. Sorry to leave so quickly.

Nicole: Oh, we don't mind.

Of course you don't, you little wench.

Me: Let's go, Dustin.

Dustin: Uh.. It's okay, I'll stay.

I suddenly turned to him in surprise. I can't believe this. He's actually choosing to stay with these lowlife
people over me!?

Me: What are you talking about? I drove us here. How are you supposed to get home?
Jerwin: He can squish in my truck.
Dustin: Or I can get a cab.
Jerwin: We'll figure something out.
Dustin: Yea. Don't worry about me, Geena.

He's really staying?!? What in the world is he trying to do!?

Me: Fine. I'll be going then.

I shot one last glance at Dustin before grabbing my purse and stomping away.
Passing by Venice and Jerwin's side, I couldn't help but see how Jerwin has casually draped his arm on the
back of Venice's chair.... He didn't even spare me one glance.

Look how natural they seem together huh...

Don't make me laugh.

I'll deal with her tomorrow.

And when we're done, she won't be able to look at Jerwin in the same way again.
::Chapter 64::
Be My Girl
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

The night is young and people are happily partying. What more can you ask for? I keep my eyes focused
on the dancefloor below us. Dustin, Sheena, Venice, Kenny, and Nicole are in the middle of the rowdy crowd

downstairs. I told Dustin to make sure no one will touch Venice. I trust him.

Anthony and I stayed in the VIP lounge, drinking and watching over the little group. Bonding moment daw sabi
ni Venice.

Anthony: Should you be drinking? Di ba mag-ddrive ka pa mamaya?

Ako: This is my last one.
Anthony: Oh..

This guy... Ehwan ko ba naman kung anong klaseng utak meron toh, pero tama si Venice. Obvious na
obvious naman na may kung anong interest sya kay Sheena, ayaw pang gumawa ng move.

Kanina pa ko dito sa harap nya, ni isang minuto man lang, hindi nya ko tinignan. Nakatitig lang sya kay Sheena,
nagbabantay.. Tatalon na nga yata kanina sa balcony nung nakita nyang may lumapit kay Sheena para

sumayaw. Buti na lang nahaltak kagad ni Dustin kaya umalis ung lalake. Natahimik ulit si Anton.

Ako: I don't understand you.

Anthony: Huh?
Ako: Bakit hindi mo pa ligawan si Sheena?

Anthony: PFFFTTTT!!!!!

Aish.. O_O
He almost sprayed whatever he's drinking on me! It's a good thing I was able to dodge! Aish..

Ako: You didn't have to react like that.

He wiped his chin and looked at me -- finally. Posible naman palang matanggal ung mata nya kay Sheena

eh..

Anthony: Anoh ba naman kasi yang sinasabi mo, bro?!? Wag kang magpapasabog ng mga ganyan, lalo na pag
umiinom ako. @_@
Ako: I'm just curious. Pati kasi si Venice na-sstress snyong dalawa.
Anthony: Si Sheena?! Liligawan ko?! Ha! W-We're just friends!
Ako: Oh? But you know...

I made him look back on the dancing floor again.

Ako: She seems to be a nice girl. Looks very pretty too..

Anthony: Of course. Of course.

Parang napapabilis ang pagtungga nya nung iniinom nya ah.

Ako: I'm sure a lot of guys are vying for her attention.
Anthony: Uh-huh.
Ako: Tulad na lang ni Dustin.

Anthony: Dustin? Ano si Dustin?

Ako: Well, he was telling me how cute Sheena is. If you're not careful, baka maagaw pa syo si Sheena...

In reality, wala naman talagang sinasabi si Dustin tungkol kay Sheena. Pero di naman alam ni Anton un.
hehe

Ako: Hmm.. maybe that's why he's dancing with her. Baka gagawa na sya ng move....
Anthony: He's dancing with Venice too!
Ako: Bro, Dustin and I are close friends. Do you really think he'll hit on my girl?

Tinungga nya nanaman ung bote nya. Pumapasok na yata sa utak nya lahat ng sinasabi ko.

Ako: Off-limits si Venice sa kanya. He wouldn't betray me like that.

Anthony: Eh di gagawin ko na lang din syang close friend! Kung close kayo at close kami, eh di lahat na tayo
close! Off-limits na ang lahat!

@_@

Anong klaseng reasoning ba meron tohng magkakabarkadang toh!?!?

Ako: Dude, you're killing me here!

Anthony: Gusto mo ng CPR?

Ako: No thank you. -___-

I finished my last bottle. Anthony begins his 3rd or 4th. He continues to watch Sheena with a thoughtful
expression on his face.

Heh.. I guess I was able to influence him after all.

I stood up and took off my jacket.

Anthony: San ka pupunta?

Ako: San pa ba? I'm gonna go bump and grind with my fiancée.
Anthony: Oh, yea. You probably should.

I know. Kanina ko pa nga napapansin ung mga umaaligid-aligid sa likod ni Venice. Nahihirapan na yatang

magtaboy si Dustin.

Maybe next time we go clubbing, I'll make sure Venice wears an oversized shirt, loose jeans, and sneakers. I
have to do something about that pretty face of hers too. -___- Hmmm.. yea. That's a good idea.

Ako: Bumaba ka na rin mamaya, Anton.

---♥♥---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

It was already quarter to two nang maisipan naming umalis. I-deny man namin at gustuhin man naming
magtagal pa, cannot be talaga. May mga pasok pa kami bukas at may mga work pa sina Nic, Jerwin, at Dustin.
Boohoo. -__-

Oh well. It's okay. We were able to dance for at least a couple of hours...

*gulp* Medyo nagugulantang pa rin ako pag naaalala ko how close Jerwin was nung nagsasayaw kami. He was
dancing behind me, his hands wrapped around my waist possessively.. I could feel his heavy breathing malapit
sa mukha ko. +__+

Whooh!! Hotness overload!

Kenny: Hoy, bakla.. Bahket nag-bblush-blush ka dyan??

PAK!

Kenny: Ouch! What chu make batok-batok me for?!?

Ako: Manahimik ka dyan. Mainit lang sa loob noh!
Sheena: Pero nasa parking lot na tayo---

Tinignan ko nang masama si best friend.

Sheena: --but I guess matagal-tagal mag-adjust ang katawan sa temperature?

We're all piling up in the parking lot. Kami nina Kenny, Shee, at Anton nakasunod kay Driver Jerwin. Tapos si
Dustin, napag-usapan na ihahatid na lang ni Nicole.

We stopped in front of Nicole's car. Nakipagpalitan ng number si Nicole kay Kenny (bffs na yata sila @_@).

Maya-maya, sumabit na sya sa leeg ng pinsan nya. Ganyan na lang yata ang pagmamahalan between Jerwin and

Nicole. Cousin love~ ♥ wahahaha Kahit na parang one-sided lang.. Dahil as soon as lumambitin si Nicole,
pilit kagad na tinatanggal ni Jerwin ung braso from his neck.

Jerwin: What is wrong with you?!?

Nicole: Aren't you gonna miss me~?

Jerwin: Magkikita pa tayo bukas or the day after that!
Nicole: Why are you so mean to your ate?
Jerwin: Because my "ate" doesn't act like one!

Dustin: Nicole.. Stop harassing Jerwin. Let's go.

Nicole: Fine...

Binitawan na ni Nicole si Jerwin, who immediately ran to my side. Akala nya naman mapagtatanggol ko sya if

ever biglang talunin nanaman sya ng pinsan nya. Neknek nya.

Nicole moved on to me and gave me a quick hug.

Nicole: Cousin-in-law, let's hang out again soon.

Ako: Of course.

Nicole: And and and.. I'm still waiting for a little baby cousin.

Jerwin: NICOLE!!!
@.@

Kenny: Ay, can I be the godmother?

Sheena: Che! I'll be the godmother! Di ba, best friend?

Ako: W-W-What are you guys talking about?!? We're not even married yet! @o@

Nicole: Weeeh!! You're so cute when you're embarrassed!

She gave a quick peck on my cheek before jumping inside her car to start the engine. I just stood there
frozen. My brain is not capable of handling too many events in a span of five minutes. @_@

I felt Jerwin wiping something on my cheek. Probably lipstick.

Jerwin: Sardines? Buhay ka pa ba?

I nodded.

Dustin: Oh well, we'll be going now. It's nice meeting all of you.

To my surprise, Dustin gave me a hug. Dustin... Ang ever-so-loyal minion ni Geena -- niyakap ako! @_@

Am I drunk? Bakit parang ang daming nangyayari!??

Dustin: Let's get together again sometime. I can see why Jerwin chose you.
Ako: Uh.. yea.. yea.. O_O

He let me go and then turned to Sheena.

Dustin: Hey, Sheena, nice meeting you. Let's hang out again. Give me a call.
Sheena: O-of course. =__=

O_O
Nagising akong bigla from my dazed state. Oh is this true!?? Nag-bblush si Sheena?!? Could it be na na-
apektuhan ng killer smile ni Dustin ang brain ni best friend?!?

Napatingin akong bigla kay Anthony. Nanlalaki rin ang mata ni Anton.

Jerwin: This is gonna be epic.

Ako: What?

Napatingin ako kay Jerwin na may kung anong ngiti sa mukha nya as he watches the little exchange between
the trio.

Ako: What did you do!??

Jerwin: I got rid of one of your stressors.

Ako: Eh?

Dustin jumped inside Nicole's car. Maya-maya lang, they drove away.
Naglakad na kaming lahat papunta naman sa truck ni Jerwin.
Sheena and Kenny are walking in the front. Nakasunod si Anthony dun sa dalawa. Kami naman ni Jerwin,
nanonood lang sa likod.

Jerwin: Watch this.

Biglang tinawag ni Jerwin si Sheena.

Jerwin: Sheena! What do you think of Dustin?

Oo O

What is he doing?!?!
Sheena: Eh?!?! B-Bakit?!?

Jerwin: Hmm just wondering. He's a nice guy, right?

Sheena: Uh.. I guess so..

Kenny started teasing Sheena kaya nawala sa'min ung atensyon. As soon as hindi na sila nakatingin, I nudged
Jerwin's side.

Ako: What in the world are you doing!?

Jerwin: Basta. Trust me.

Bigla nya kong hinila para sumabay kay Anthony. Wala naman akong nagawa kundi manood dahil hindi ko alam
kung anong kalokohan nanaman ang pumasok sa utak ng taong toh!

Jerwin: Anton. I told you so. Make your move now.

Anthony: But...

Jerwin: What are so worried about? Baka maagawan ka talagang bigla nyan..

Ohhh... Ohhhh... I see..

Ako: Oo nga, Anton. Pano na lang kung talagang ligawan ni Dustin si Sheena?

Anthony: He wouldn't!

Jerwin: You never know...

Umabot na kami dun sa truck. Jerwin walked over to the driver's side, samantalang ako, pinauna sina Sheena
at Kenny para sumakay dun sa likod.
Napatingin ako in surprise nung nakita kong tumigil si Anthony dun sa harap ng truck.

Ako: Anton, what are you doing? Get in.

Napatigil rin tuloy si Sheena sa pagsakay nya. She looked back in confusion.
Sheena: Nahihilo ka na ba? Ang dami mo kasing ininom eh..

All of a sudden...

Anthony fell on his knees. My mouth dropped open. I heard Jerwin chuckle on the other side of the
vehicle. Halos madapa-dapa sa paglabas uhlet si Kenny.
And Sheena's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets.

Sheena: Anton--? O.O

Biglang inistretch out ni Anthony ung mga kamay nya, sabay sigaw:

Anthony: SHEENA!!! WILL YOU BE MY GIRLFRIEND!!?!?!

::Chapter 65::
Invited
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

The next day...

"I'm so tired..." -__-

Naglalakad kami ni Kenny palabas ng school grounds. The four of us decided to eat lunch sa nearby KFC, pero
parang nagbabago na yata ang isip ko. I just want to sit down and space out for the whole hour and a half na
break ko. -___- I can tell na ganun din si Kenny. Unusually quiet ang bakla...

Unlike itong dalawang toh sa harap namin...

Kanina pa naglalandian sina Sheena at si Anthony.. After what happened last night, parang biglang naging
makulay ang buhay nung dalawa. =__=

I leaned towards Kenny para bumulong, just in case na marinig ako at mag-all out denial nanaman si best friend
and ang newfound semi-boylet nya.

Ako: Hindi pa sila, di ba?

Kenny: Di ba sabi ni Sheena, magtrabaho raw muna si Anton?
Ako: Di ba ibig sabihin nun manligaw muna?
Kenny: Oo yata.
Ako: Eh bahket parang kagabi pa sila nilalanggam?
Kenny: Ay I know! Katabi ko silang dalawa kagabi sa likod pauwi noh.. Alam mo bang kulang na lang eh kumuha
ako ng insecticide para patayin ang mga langgam sa sobrang lagkit ng tinginan nila?!?
Ako: Nakakapatay ng langgam ang insecticide?

Kenny: . . . Hindi ba?

Sabi naman snyo, pareho kaming lutang. -__- Parang hindi na take ng katawan ko ang mag-clubbing sa gabi
tapos pumasok nang maaga the next day...
Samantalang dati....

Oh well.

We stepped out of the school gates at liliko na sana papunta dun sa sakayan ng jeep, nang may biglang
tumawag sa'kin. Napalingon kaming lahat dun sa kotse na naka-park sa may tabi.

Sheena: Sinoh yan?

Ako: I dunno.

Lumakad kami palapit dun sa kotse. And then BAM!

Nawindang ang lahat ng brain cells ko nang nakilala ko kung sinoh ung nakasilip sa bintana. O_O Kahit na may
suot syang mala-bubuyog na sunglasses, panong hindi mo makikilala ung ganda nyang yan?!

Kenny: Should we run? Baka sagasaan pa tayo nyan!

Ako: Hindi naman siguro.. Maraming witnesses! @_@

Binitawan ko ung hawak ko kay Kenny.

Ako: Tignan ko lang kung anong gusto nya.. Dito lang kayo.
Anthony: Sure ka? Ayaw mo kaming isama?
Ako: Di na. -__-
..baka kung anong unwelcomed paragraph pa ang biglang lumabas dyan sa bibig nung isang bakla dyan na parang

nagbabalak nang magpasabog ng isang certain car.

I walked over to the car trying to calm my nerves down in every step I take. Tumigil ako dun sa tapat nung
bintana. Geena lowered the window completely.

Ako: Geena... What are you doing here?

Geena: I was waiting for you. I heard you have your lunchbreak around this time, so I dropped by. Do you

want to join me for lunch?

@__@

Is it the end of the world?!?

Ako: Uh, actually, I'm already going somewhere with my friends...

Geena: Oh I see.

Tumingin sya sandali sa likod ko then looked back at me smiling.

Bakit kaya parang nagiging mabait toh?

Geena: Well, I really want to talk to you. Dustin was telling me how I should try to get to know you better.
Maybe he's right..

Oh? Oh? O_O

Geena: How about after school? Are you free then?

Ako: Uh..
Geena: We don't have to bond immediately, of course. Maybe.. just talk over coffee?

Anong kababalaghan ba itoh? Is she giving up on Jerwin?

Na-impluwensyahan na kaya sya ni Dustin?
Bati na kami?

Ako: I guess.. that's... okay?

Geena: Oh great! There's a Starbucks around the corner, do you want to meet up there?
Ako: Uh---

Should I go? Or should I not go?

I was about to answer nang biglang...

MAHAL?? MAHAALL??

What the H?!? O_O

Mahal, si Jerwin toh~

Sagutin mo naman ung phone~

Inisda ko kagad ung purse ko. Anong kalokohan itoh??!?

I grabbed the phone na muntik pang mahulog sa sobrang panginginig nung kamay ko.

MAHAAAALLLLL~

I looked at the caller ID. OoO Si Jerwin nga!

Napatingin ako kay Geena. I can't see kung anong reaksyon nya behind those huge sunglasses. I don't think
my mind can even wrap on the thought na baka may kung anong negative reaction nga si girl.

Ako: Starbucks? Okay! I'll be there! I gotta go! See you later!

Tumakbo kagad ako palayo, sabay sagot nung phone.

Ako: Anak ng tinapa! What did you do to my ringtone?!?!

Jerwin: Hello to you too, Sardines.
Ako: Anong "hello-hello" ka dyan?!? Narinig mo ba ung nilagay mo?!?! Narinig mo ba kung gano ka-corny!??!
NARINIG MO BAAAA?!?!?!?

Jerwin: Oh.. would you prefer na "Sardines" ang sumigaw every time na tumawag ako syo?

Err..

I stalked pass my friends na automatically followed me papunta sa aming destination kanina. I guess nasanay
na sila na kapag kausap ko si Jerwin sa cellphone, nawiwindang ang utak ko. Kaya sumunod na lang sila without
asking or kahit anoh..

Jerwin: And besides, pinalitan mo rin naman ung ringtone ko ah!

Ako: That's different! Ako lang ang may karapatan magpalit ng ringtone! At bakit ka nga pala tumatawag?!?
Hindi ba dapat nagttrabaho ka?!?

Jerwin: Sheena texted me. Tawagan raw kita. May nangyayari ba?

Tinignan ko nang masama si Sheena. Nung nakita nyang tinitignan ko sya, she immediately flashed me an

innocent smile. Bruhang toh.

Ako: Wala. Sige na, bumalik ka na sa trabaho mo.

Jerwin: Okay. I'll see you later pag-uwi ko then.
Ako: Yea yea..
Jerwin: Sardines..
Ako: Hm?
Jerwin: Umuwi ka kagad ha?

Napaisip akong bigla. Hindi naman siguro kami magtatagal ni Geena noh?
I mean, cmon.. sinoh ba naman ang magtatagal kasama nung babaeng un? -__-

Ako: I'll be home as soon as I can.

Jerwin: Okay. Bye..
Ako: Byeee..... Ay! Sunshine?
Jerwin: Yeah?

I know.. this is going to be embarrassing.. at siguro isang malaking hammer sa aking pride pero.. walang

magulo! In reality, naaliw ako sa ringtone. Mahal daw eh..

Ako: Pwede, magpa-ring ka ulit isang beses pa?

::Chapter 66::
The Meeting
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

My last class ended a few minutes late, kaya syempre late na rin ako nakalabas. Buong hapon na ko hindi
mapakali. A small voice inside my head says na it's a bad idea to meet up with Geena. At isa pa, ang lakas ng
ulan sa labas. 4:30 pa lang, pero madilim-dilim na dahil sa rainclouds at todo bagsak ng ulan. I wonder kung
may bagyo ngayon? It seems like it. -__-

Tumawag ako ng tricycle kahit na walking distance lang sana ung Starbucks. Pero dahil ayoko naman mag-show
up na mukha akong nag-swimming with all my clothes on, mag-sacrifice na ng ilang barya para sa tricycle.

When I got there, I noticed na medyo konti lang ung mga tao. I looked around searching for Geena. I saw
her sitting in one corner. Kahit na natatakpan ng hoodie nya ung mukha nya, at kahit na intense ung tingin nya
dun sa laptop sa harap nya, parang she still stands out. Ganun ba talaga pag celebrity?

I slowly walked over to her table. She immediately looked up nung tumigil ako sa harap nya.

Ako: Sorry I'm late. Kanina ka pa?

Geena: Oh it's okay. I kept myself busy. Did you order your coffee yet?
Ako: Ah, hindi pa. I'll be right back.

I went to the counter para umorder ng kape ko. I stole glances at her. Mukha namang normal pa ang lahat.

Ano kayang pinapanood nya dun sa laptop? Parang sobra maka-concentrate sa palabas eh. Anime?

After getting my cup, I went back to the table and sat across from her.

Geena: You know this is really amusing.

Ako: Hmm?
Geena: I really wanted to know more about you, so I asked around -- I hope you don't mind.

Ako: Ahh...

"Asked around"??

Ako: And.. And what did you find out?

Geena: Well, I found out that you're really famous in your school. You used to star in almost every musical
production?
Ako: Oh, yea.. That was a long time ago. I don't do those things anymore.
Geena: Yes, I heard.

Uminom ulit ako dun sa kape ko. Parang kinakabahan na yata ako... Gusto ko nang tunggain ung kape kung hindi
lang sya mainit.

Geena: But you know.. after hearing your story, I realized something.

Ako: Realized what?

At anong story?

Geena: You.. When you fell in love, it just radiated throughout your entire being. Hmm.. Something like the
two of you would look at each other, and suddenly everything seems perfect?

Anoh bang pinagsasabi nito?

Ako: That's.. nice..

Geena: It must be really magical, huh, Venice?
Ako: I guess?

I wonder kung pinaparinggan nya pa rin ako tungkol kay Jerwin?

Geena: So no matter what the two of you do, people can just immediately tell that the two of you are in love.
She suddenly cleared away the table, putting her cup on the other side. Tapos, inikot nya ung laptop para
humarap sa'kin.

Geena: Just like this...

Binaba ko ung cup ko sa table para mag-focus dun sa kung anuman ung hinarap nya sa'kin. I squinted at the
screen... and then I realized what I'm watching.

My heart started to pound hard on my chest.

I felt the need to tear my eyes away from the screen pero my body won't listen.
I just sat there staring at the video, frozen in my seat.

It's the last musical I did for the school.

The Christmas special Ate Marian herself directed and wrote.
That's me delivering my lines...

...and that's Gerard getting ready for his final song.

Gerard... G...

Geena: His name is Gerard, right? People kept mentioning him when I asked about you. I got curious so I
looked him up. I stumbled on this video. This must be what it's like to love, huh? I can totally feel
something whenever the two of you look at each other.

My hand flew to my mouth. I can hear Geena talking in front of me, pero parang hindi na nag-rregister ung
sinasabi nya... I just stared at the screen..

I've never watched a recorded video of that play.

It's been two years, hasn't it?
Two years since I last saw Gerard's face.. since I last heard his voice..
But here he is right now in front of me... singing.. dancing.. alive...

Geena: From what I heard, he's really in love with you. But... they also said he's sick? Some sort of heart
problem? Is that why you looked for someone else?
Ako: N-No...
Geena: Hmm.. I didn't get to hear the last part of the story. Is he still in the hospital, Venice?
I wanted to reply, but my mind has fully zoned in on the video now.
It's the final scene.

In just a few minutes, the curtain will come down.

In just a few minutes, he'll finally whisper that he loves me.
In just a few minutes, Gerard will suddenly collapse.
In just a few minutes, he'll be gone forever.

Geena: So, Venice, when you met Jerwin, was it that easy to forget about Gerard?
Ako: W-What?
Geena: When was the last time you visited him, Venice?
Ako: I... I...

When was the last time I visited him?

The video is showing the curtain call now. As if by some horrible twist of fate, the camera was zoomed in on
Gerard and me.

How could I miss that he was unusually pale? Or that beads of sweat were profusely appearing on his
forehead?

But I did notice those things.. I just didn't know.. I didn't know..
I can remember it all now. It's coming to me like a wave of unwanted memories.
His shaking body.. His cold hands..

Here.. This is it..

Gerard leaned towards me as the curtain is coming down.

The curtain has completely covered the stage now. The camera didn't see the final seconds.. the final words..
But I remember it all..

I suddenly stood up, accidentally knocking down my cup of coffee. But I didn't care. I have to leave. NOW.

Ako: I.. I have to go.

I hastily turned around to leave, only to hit something hard behind me.

Dustin: Whoa, Venice? Are you okay?

Inikutan ko ung nabunggo ko and ran out of the cafe. I think I can hear someone calling after me, but I may
be wrong. Soon enough, I felt the rain hitting me, somewhat blurring my vision.

I called the first taxi na dumaan sa'kin and frantically gave the driver my destination.

Yes, I remember it all. I can almost see it as if it's happening right in front of me.
The way his hand slipped from mine..
The way he collapsed..
The way his eyes closed..
The way he muttered those final words..

His final words...

"I love you, V..."

---♥♥---

(Dustin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I watch in shock as Venice jumped in a cab. What was that? I just got here and she already left? And in
such a state too...
I went back to Geena's table and sat down on the chair Venice was sitting on earlier. A waitress is picking up
the broken pieces of the cup that fell earlier.

Me: That was weird...

Then, all of a sudden, napatingin ako dun sa laptop sa harap ko.

It's a streaming video from some site.
The video already finished playing, but the title immediately caught my eyes:
"Venice Zhao & Gerard Sheen: Forever Remembered"

Gerard? Why does that name sound so familiar?

I looked up at Geena, and I saw a satisfied smirk on her face. And then it hit me.
Gerard. Gerard was the name of that guy Venice dated.

Me: Geena! What did you do?!?

Geena: I didn't do anything. I just reminded her what it feels like to lose someone -- just like the way I lost
Jerwin.
Me: You didn't lose Jerwin. God, Geena, how can you use this tragedy against her?!?
Geena: Use what?! I just asked her when was the last time she saw Gerard.
Me: You know Gerard is dead!
Geena: But she doesn't know I know.

What is wrong with this woman? When did she become so cruel?

Geena: Don't look at me like that, Dustin. It's her fault! She made Jerwin leave me.
Dustin: No. You made Jerwin leave you.

I got up from the table and hurriedly took out my phone. I ran out of the cafe to my car. Maybe I can still
follow the cab Venice jumped in earlier.

The other line kept ringing. I hope Jerwin is wrapping up with his schedule today. Well, actually, I just hope
he answers his phone. It doesn't matter whether he's done or not. I'm sure he'll storm out of there
anyways..

"Hello?"

Me: Jerwin. We have trouble.

::Chapter 67::
What About Me
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥
The truck skid to a stop in front of the cemetery. I didn't even bother to check kung direcho ung
pagkakatigil ko.. as long as hindi ako mahagip nung mga dumadaan na sasakyan, then I'm fine.

I opened the door and jumped out of the truck, silently cursing the heavy downpour of rain. Sa dinami-dami
naman ng araw.... Aish...

Tumakbo ako papasok nung entrance. I'm not even sure kung nandito nga si Venice, pero... from what Dustin
told me.. this is the first place that popped in my mind na pupuntahan nya.

I can barely see dahil sa sobrang lakas ng ulan. But after a while, I immediately recognized the shadow of a
figure hunched over a particular gravestone. She's really here...

I slowed down until I was just a few steps away from her.
She has her back on me so I couldn't really tell whether she noticed that I came..

Ako: Sardines...

How long has she been here? Her hair and her whole body is already soaking wet.

I took one more step towards her.

{background music?}

Venice: You know.. now that I think about it.. I really suck at following through with resolutions.
Ako: What?
Venice: Tuwing New Year, I'll make a resolution na I'll start studying harder... or that I should go on a diet...
or nung na-realize kong nagiging pabigat ako sa mga tao sa paligid ko, I told myself I'll make sure not to make
them go through that again.. I'll be better...

Her voice sounds shaky. She's been crying or she's been holding it all in too long.

Ako: Sardines..
Venice: I don't need anyone to take care of me.. It's alright.. I'll be okay by myself..

She slowly turned around to look at me.

It was then that I realized: I've seen her before.

Images from two years ago flashed in my mind.

In this same place..
The burial..
The crying people..
That certain girl..
The girl whose life seems to have been snatched away from her..

It was Venice.

Venice: But really.. I always end up breaking those resolutions anyway.. I don't study any harder than I used
to.. I still eat a lot most of the time..

She smiled bitterly.

Venice: And now, here I am again.. in the same hopeless state I was in years ago.... I thought I was moving
on... Kahit na hindi ko na ulit sya makakausap.. Kahit na hindi ko na ulit sya makakasama... I'll be okay...

Her hands are tightly balled on her lap. She seems to be staring at them intently, but I don't think she can
really see anything..

She's lost in her own whirlpool of thoughts.

Venice: Bu.t.. When I saw his face again... When I heard his voice... I couldn't lie to myself anymore!!
Ako: Venice...
Venice: Even though I tried to deny na naaalala ko pa rin sya... Kahit na I pretended I forgot how his voice
sounded like... It was all a lie!

She started crying. Even in this heavy rain, I can almost see her tears.. and it hurts.

Venice: I can still see his face every time I close my eyes! I can still hear his voice sa tuwing mag-isa ako! I
thought I'll be okay by myself.. but.... but... I really hate being alone!

She finally broke down.

She buried her face in her hands as she let out all the vent up pain from the past two years..
Venice: I miss you... I miss you, Gerard!!

She cried harder.. She cried as if her whole life depended on it..
I couldn't help it anymore..

Ako: Venice...

I knelt down in front of her and put my hands on her shoulders.

She shakes violently as she sheds tears for the love forcefully taken away from her..

Isn't she supposed to be mine?

Ako: Venice..

She looked up at me, as if finally realizing that I was there. I gazed at her gently, playing a small hopeful and
pained smile on my face.

There's so many questions running through my mind.

What am I to you?
Can't you forget him for me?
Won't I be able to take his place?
All those things we went through together, don't they matter?
Can't you see that I love you too?

But in the end,

the question that escaped my lips was:

Ako: Am I... not good enough?

Her eyes grew wide in surprise upon hearing what I said. Hindi pa rin ba nya napansin? After everything I've
done, hindi pa rin ba sapat?

I tightened my grip on her shoulders, hoping, praying she'll finally see me..
Maybe she'll finally... see me..
Ako: Am I not good enough?
::Chapter 68::
Heart to Heart
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

"I wish I was able to do more..."

I was finally able to persuade Venice to leave the cemetery. But as soon as we got in the truck, she told me
to take her here.. in Marian and Anthony's apartment..

..and as I later on found out, Gerard's old apartment as well.

Marian and Anthony scrambled all over the place when Venice and I showed up in their doorstep drenched
with rain. Anthony lent me a dry shirt, while Marian took Venice to help her change out of her wet clothes. I
never saw Venice again after they closed the door. She never went out of that room again... Gerard's former
room..

The atmosphere in the living room is heavy. I told them bits and pieces of what happened. I guess just the
words "Gerard", "breakdown", and "cemetery" were enough for them to understand what's going on.

Marian: Don't worry about it, Jerwin. Wala ka nanaman magagawa..

Anthony: She'll probably stay here for a few days, bro.. Siguro mabuti pang umuwi ka na, magpahinga..

A few days ha... So last time this happened.. was it also just a few days na nagkaganito si Venice?

Ako: Okay...

We all stood up. I thanked them for the dry clothes, then nilakad na nila ako sa pinto. Marian handed me an
umbrella para raw hindi na ko lalong mabasa.

Ako: I'll drop by again tomorrow to bring her some clothes... Paki alagaan na lang muna sya..
Marian: Of course
Anthony: Ingat sa pag-ddrive, bro.

I looked at the door behind them, the one Venice disappeared to earlier.
She's not even gonna see me off?

Ako: Sige... alis na ko.. Thank you ulit..

Instead of driving back to our own house, I found myself going to my parents' place. I don't usually run to
my parents when something frustrating or bad happens... But.. I guess any place is better than the silence
that will greet me kung umuwi ako sa bahay.

I parked the truck in front of the main door. I handed the keys to Manong Ponce na halatang gulat na gulat
na makita ako. I think I walked past Aling Ligaya.. She asked me something pero hindi ko naman masyadong
naintindihan. I just trudged up the stairs to my room.

I opened the door and looked around my old room. Some of my things are still here. When I moved to the
other house, I thought I'd leave my bed and a few clothes behind just in case bigla akong sipain ni Venice
palabas.. or i-lock ako sa labas ng bahay for who knows what reason..

I never would have thought na babalik ako dito under a whole different league of circumstances.

I sat on the edge of my bed and stared at the darkness in front of me. I didn't bother turning on the lights
since the darkness helps me think more clearly.
I should take care of Geena. She doesn't have the right to do that. What was she thinking anyway?
Tomorrow.. I should probably go back home early tomorrow to grab some things for Venice. I'll drop it off
before I go to work. What time does the meeting start again tomorrow? Is it around lunch time?
And Dustin.. Dustin said Venice left her bag in the cafe so he took it with him. I should meet up with him to
get that too..

"Jerwin?"

I heard the door open. I suddenly feel completely drained of energy that I didn't even bother to look
around. Alam ko namang si mom lang ung pumasok... Probably to nag me about the way I ran out of the
meeting with producers earlier...
Ako: I'll make sure to catch up with work tomorrow. Don't worry about it.
Mom: That's not why I'm here.

Really? If it's not for work, then why else would she be talking to me?

Mom: Jean and Aling Ligaya saw you come in a while ago.

Jean? I didn't even see her..

Mom: They're worried. Sabi nila you look miserable daw. Jean is freaking out downstairs dahil hindi mo
kasama si Venice. Nag-away ba kayo?
Ako: Nag-away..?

Hindi naman... It would have been better kung nag-away nga kame.. Coz then, at least, I know na magbabati
rin kami in an hour or so. But with this situation? How do you deal with this?

Ako: Mom.. did you know that Venice had a boyfriend?

Mom: Hmmm I think her mom mentioned it before... But.. didn't he pass away a long time ago?
Ako: Tell me, mom, how do I compete with memories?
Mom: What are you talking about?
Ako: His name was Gerard. He used to go to the same school as Venice. He starred in a school play with
Venice. He used to live in an apartment in a small neighborhood. I heard he really loved Venice and was ready
to do anything for her. They were probably inseparable by human means.

I grabbed a handful of the blanket in my hands. I'm afraid that without any support, I'm gonna start
trashing this place. That'd be a shame dahil balak kong dito matulog.

Ako: It's been two years since he passed away, but Venice still never fails to visit his grave. I thought I'll
be able to take his place, but that was just a foolish thought, wasn't it?

I finally buried my face in my hands. This is probably the first time in many years that I allowed my mom to
see me this vulnerable.. It's out of character. But right now, I don't even care.

Ako: What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do, mom? She's still in love with him...
I suddenly felt her sitting next to me. I turned around in surprise. I thought she'd run out of the room
screaming for dear life.. or maybe say something like I should pull myself together..
I didn't expect her to sympathize.. much more, be a "mom".

Mom: Jerwin, alam mo ba kung bakit namin kayo pinagsamang dalawa ni Venice?
Ako: Coz you and her mom are both clinically insane?

Mom: You mean, "geniuses" right? Hay nako, anyway, so Mel and I were talking, right? and we both
came to the same conclusion.
Ako: Which is?
Mom: You and Venice were the same. Not in the same situations, but the two of you.. you were both lonely.

Did I hear her right? I mean, I understand Venice being lonely and all, but me? Why would I be lonely? My
career was going great. My parents were constantly nagging about doing better. I was too busy to have real
friends. People were intimidated by my name. Geena never genuinely cared about me..

Who am I kidding? My life sucked.

Mom: Looking at your career, you really achieved a lot in a short amount of time. But that didn't really
matter, did it? I could see how you yearn for companionship. Hindi ba un ang dahilan kung bakit ganon na lang
ang pagkakapit mo kay Georgina no matter how many times she messed up?

She even knows about Geena?!? @_@

Mom: That's why.. when I saw you with Venice..... -___- even though it was a scandalous first meeting...

I thought to myself, "Ah this might be fate". And I was right! This is probably what they call "a
mother's instinct".

Ako: Didn't you just say it was fate? Anyway, what about Venice? Why did Tita Mel agree to give her
daughter to a total stranger?

Mom: Oh we're not "total" strangers. She said she was a fan when I was still an active actress. A

fan and an idol isn't such a bad combination, di ba?

But an idol you see only onscreen... That's still... considered a stranger, isn't it? -__-
Mom: Anyway, Mel told me na kahit na Venice seems like the cheerful person she once was, for some reason,
Venice's smile never reached her eyes. As a mother, of course, she was really worried. Venice wouldn't talk
to her about what happened.
Ako: I see...
Mom: Mel was actually reluctant to do this whole engagement thing at first. Pero nung nakita nya kayong
dalawa ni Venice dun sa living room...

Oh. +__+ That time.... Remembering it now... I thought I was going to die of a heart attack.

Mom: She came back to me with this huge smile on her face. Sabi nya, there might be something there daw.

Ano bang ginagawa nyo nun?

Ako: What?!? N-Nothing. O_O

Mom: So the engagement was decided. You look a whole lot better, and Venice looks genuinely happier.

You two are perfect for each other.

Ako: You really think she's happy?

Mom: Of course! I'm a good judge of character, Jerwin. Venice smiles from her heart when she's with you.
But well.. she's still young..
Ako: What's that got to do with things?

Mom: Being young is usually synonymous to being stupid.

Ako: Mom!

Mom: Oh, trust me, dear. I went through that whole stupid stage thing myself. Venice just isn't
thinking straight right now. Hindi nya pa na-rrealize na she's moving on well. Just give it time.

She finally stood up and looked around the dark room. I guess I should have turned on some lights.. It's
kinda weird talking to my mother in the dark like this. -__-

Mom: Don't beat yourself too hard, Jerwin. So what if you're competing with old memories? Just make new
ones. Gerard is Gerard, and you're you. Sooner or later, Venice will realize this too.

She ruffled my hair -- the same way she does back when I was five. I know I should probably get pissed
because she's treating me like a kid here, but isn't that how mothers are like? They'll treat their children
as kids even if their children are already way above 50 years old.
In a sense, it's a comforting thought.
Mom: Go take a shower. Last time na nabasa ka ng ulan, nagkasakit ka. How are you going to take care of

Venice kung pati ikaw may sakit?

Ako: Okay.
Mom: Then, bumaba ka pagkatapos mo. Your father should be home soon. It's been a while since we had a
family dinner. Oh, and you should probably talk to your sister too. I'm thiiiss close to giving her little
bouncing self a tranquilizer. -__-

I watch her as she walks toward the door, heavily complaining on why I didn't turn on the lights. I guess she

was seeing shadows and stuff. She flicked the switch on just before she stepped out of my room.

This is perhaps the first time in my life that I had a heart-to-heart conversation with my mom...

It's kinda... nice.

::Chapter 69::
Fix You
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

The next day...

"Your voice sounds husky... Okay ka lang ba?"

I looked at the music director who's watching me anxiously from the other side of the mirror. This is the
fourth time I'm recording the same part of the song. He's probably getting frustrated. I'm getting
frustrated too. It usually doesn't take me this long to hit the notes or to get the rhythm.

Ako: Sorry, kuya. I'll try again.

Kuya Troy: Jerwin, alam kong stressed out ka dahil malapit nang mag-wrap up ung album. If you want to take
a break, it's okay.
Ako: No. Let's finish this as soon as possible.
Kuya Troy: *sigh* Okay, if that's what you want. Try singing the first line again.

I nodded and concentrated on the music streaming out of the headphones. It's just a tiny portion of the
song... This shouldn't take long. I'll be out of this recording booth in a little bit.
Three hours later, I was finally out. -___- Not exactly the amount of time I expected, but at least we didn't
stay more than that.

It's already 5:00 PM. I'm running late -- again. Seriously, this day, no matter what I do, I can't seem to
catch up with time. I woke up late, got to work late, got out of work late, and now driving to Marian's
apartment still late. Aish. Dahil na-late ako sa paggising, wala sa mga plano ko ang natuloy. I wasn't able to
drop by Marian's apartment to bring Venice her clothes. I wasn't able to meet up with Dustin to get Venice's
bag. Ahhh~ Kung nakatulog lang sana ako nang maaga kagabi!!

Kamusta na kaya si Venice?

Rush hour traffic was horrible. Ehto ung mga tipo ng panahon na I really wish may mag-imbento na ng lumilipad
na kotse. Baka sakaling mabawasan ang traffic!
I got to the apartment after an hour and a half. Geez..

I grabbed the bag of clothes sitting on the passenger's seat and walked towards the apartment door. I rang
the doorbell, and wala pang limang minuto, bumukas na kagad ung pinto.

Marian: Oh, Jerwin, you're here too.

Ako: Yea, hello. I brought Venice some clothes.

"too"? Who else is here?

Marian took the bag I was carrying and set it on the table. Pumasok kami sa loob and dun ko nakita ang
madlang people. Everybody was cramped up in the living room. Sheena, Kenny, Anthony... O_O

..Dustin and Jean?!?!

Dustin: Hey, Jerwin.

Ako: Anong "hey"?? Anong ginagawa nyo dito?

Dustin: I figured you're gonna be busy so I took the liberty to deliver Venice's bag to her.
Ako: How did you know she was here?
Dustin: Well, I figured she'd be at school.. So I went there nung uwian na.. I ran into Anthony. He told me
Venice is staying here for a few days.
Tinuro ko si Jean na nakaupo sa tabi nya.

Ako: And you?! What are you doing here?!

Jean: I was worried about Ate Venice.
Sheena: Nag-text sa'kin si Jean. Sinabi ko sa kanya na pupunta kami dito kaya ahyan, sumama sya.
Ako: Who drove you here?
Dustin: We picked her up from your house.

Jean: *sigh* Kuya.. Why is Ate Venice locking herself in that room?

Nagtinginan kaming lahat. If we tell her, will she be able to understand? Jean has never had a loved one pass
away before..

Jean: I want to go shopping with her again.. and I want to play with her..
Ako: Jean.. She's just going through a rough time right now.
Jean: Hindi ba lagi nyang sinasabi na pag depressed daw, ang pinakamabuting gamot is mag-shopping?

Venice will say that, won't she?

Sheena: I guess this is one of those things na hindi magagamot ng retail therapy.

Jean: I don't understand.. I want my clumsy sister-in-law back..

Bigla syang tumingin kay Kenny.

Jean: Prince Charming, hug me.

Kenny: Ay! Bruha! Wag mo kong chansingan!
Jean: But, Prince, isn't it your job to comfort the princess?
Kenny: Excuse me noh! Kung prinsesa ka, reyna ako!

Jean: Why do you keep on pushing me away? Alam ko namang gusto mo na rin ako.
Kenny: Sheena.

Sheena: Oh?
Kenny: Pigilan mo ko. Ilalambitin ko na yang batang yan. +__+

Sheena: Ay, tumigil ka nga.

This is like a recipe for disaster. Putting Kenny and Jean in the same room....

I turned to Marian, who's standing next to me with an amused look at her face. Naaliw yata sa kapatid ko.

Ako: How's Venice?

Marian: Well.. she didn't go to school today. It's lucky na Saturday bukas. If ever, isang araw lang ng school
ang mamimiss nya. Hopefully, she'll be back by Monday. Malapit na ang finals... She can't afford to miss
classes.
Ako: I see... Kumain naman ba sya?
Marian: A little.. Ayaw nyang kumain ng kahit anong mabigay sa tyan. Wala raw syang gana.
Ako: That's not good..
Marian: Oh, at least she's eating. Last time, we practically had to shove the food in her mouth. -__- There's
something else that worries me though..
Ako: Hm?
Marian: I kept checking up on her last night. She was constantly moving. I mean, maybe that's good? At least
she's not staring into space or things like that... but, she barely had any sleep. It won't be good for her kung
hindi sya matutulog tuwing gabi.

Tumingin ako dun sa pinto nung kwarto kung nasan si Venice. What is that girl thinking?!? Hindi ba isa ang
matulog sa mga favorite hobbies nya?!?

Ako: Is it okay if I go inside?

Marian: Yea sure.. But she might still be resting right now.. Last time na pumasok kami, she was lying on the
bed.
Ako: Okay..

I left the living room and silently went inside the bedroom. The room is dark, except for a tiny lamp at the
side of the bed. Just like Marian said, Venice is on the bed, lying on her side with her back to me.

Ha.. So she's playing the sleeping card ha...

---♥♥---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥
I heard the door creak open. I don't know kung sino nanaman un. Nasilip na ko nina Sheena and Kenny.. pati si
Dustin at si Jean dumating na rin. They all left after seeing me on the bed. Akala nila tulog ako.. Truth is, I'm
just pretending I'm sleeping. I feel so tired that I'm not even the mood to talk to anyone.

But this time.. this time is different. The person didn't leave. I heard the door close and muffled footsteps
walking towards me. I stiffened up a little bit nung umupo sya sa kama.

"I've watched you sleep numerous times. Do you really think you can fool me to think na natutulog ka ngayon?"

O_O

It's Jerwin.

He finally came...

Not that I've been waiting for him all this time! O_O
Uh, maybe it's just that I know he's coming sooner or later.. I was expecting him to show up anytime soon..
That's all.

But, really, I have my back turned to him. How did he know na hindi ako tulog?

I slowly turned to my other side para humarap sa kanya. I almost didn't recognize him. He looks like he's
aged 10 years overnight. Did he get sick again from the rain?

Ako: I just feel really tired...

Jerwin: Marian said you stayed up all night.
Ako: Yea.. But it's not like I wanted to.
Jerwin: No?

It's the truth. I tried my best to go to sleep dahil maaga pa ang pasok ko sa school the next day. But no
matter what I did, I couldn't fall asleep. All these thoughts and memories kept on seeping in my brain. I
couldn't keep my eyes closed. The bed isn't as comfortable as I remember it to be either.
I was too aware that I'm not in my own room. Sleeping was just impossible.
In the end, I was too tired to go to school or do anything today. I just continued to lay on the bed.. imagining
this room the way it was two years ago with Gerard walking to and fro.. I constantly played with the ring on
my right hand as I stare into space.. the silver ring.. the final memento from the invisible man walking around
the room.

Ako: I couldn't sleep last night.

Jerwin: Why?
Ako: I don't know. Makatulog man ako, I'll wake up after 10 or 15 minutes.

Jerwin started to stroke my hair. I don't know why -- it's such a small act, and he probably doesn't even
realize what he's doing -- but, that tiny gesture is really comforting to the heart.

Jerwin: Do you want me to sing to you?

Ako: Huh?
Jerwin: Didn't I say it last time? Pag ikaw naman ang nagkasakit, ako naman ang kakanta syo.
Ako: Wala naman akong sakit.

Jerwin: You don't want a song then?

Ako: No-- I mean, yes.. uhh.. =__=
Jerwin: Ano ba talaga?

I cuddled closer to him and closed my eyes.

Ako: Please sing me a song, Sunshine...

Jerwin: Silly girl...

I felt him shift to a more comfortable sitting position. He didn't stop stroking my hair -- I was glad.
After a few seconds, the lullaby started...

Jerwin: You are my sunshine

My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You never know, dear,
how much I love you...
His voice sounds a bit different than usual. I guess he really did get a little bit sick from the rain yesterday.
Fortunately, it doesn't sound bad. A singer is always a singer no matter what he sings in whatever condition
he's in. Jerwin's voice is soothing and gentle. It almost feels like I'm being cradled to sleep...

I can feel the fatigue and the lethargy creeping in just before the song ended.
Jerwin leaned over to me a little bit, speaking in a soft voice.

Jerwin: Sardines, I have to go now since I still have to take Jean home..

I wanted to hold him back for a few more minutes, but I couldn't even open my eyes anymore.

Ako: Now?
Jerwin: Yeah..

I didn't answer. He didn't move. For just a few moments, he just sat there stroking my hair.

Jerwin: Sardines... I know it's not my place to say this.. maybe you don't even want to hear it right now.. but..

His hand stopped caressing my hair. I finally cracked my eyes open to look at him. Trust me, I was finally
feeling extremely sleepy, opening my eyes was really hard to do.

Nakatingin sa'kin si Jerwin. There isn't any sign of the desperation and hopelessness na nakita ko back then
in the cemetery. Right now, he's just looking at me with so much warmth... like he knows something I don't,
and he's trusting that knowledge.

Jerwin: Venice, when you're ready... Just come back home, okay? I'll be waiting for you.

My heart just skipped a beat.. or at least, I think it did.6

I wish my brain is still functioning. I think it already fell asleep.
Nothing seems to be registering in my mind.

Ako: Sunshine...
Jerwin: Hmmm?
Ako: Before you go.. Can you sing me one last song?
I closed my eyes again. If I wasn't so exhausted, I would have given him a hug. I wonder if he'd like

that..? *yaawwnnnnn* Maybe I'll find out next time...

But for now, I just really want to get that sleep. Why am I thinking of giving him a hug anyways?

Jerwin: You're becoming spoiled.

Ako: I know.

I heard him chuckle. Magrereklamo pa, alam ko namang gagawin nya rin kung anong gusto ko.

Jerwin: (sings) When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse.

And the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you...

I don't think I even heard the 2nd half of the song.

I don't think he finished the song either. When he realized that I was already about 95% asleep, he stopped
singing.

It was good enough. I drifted to sleep no problem..

..but not before I felt something light touch my forehead.

My fiancé has given me a good night kiss.
::Chapter 70::
Hurry Home
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥
Nothing beats a cold shower after waking up. Kahit na ung mga tipong tanghali ka na gumising, at lahat ng

mga tao sa mundo ay gumagalaw-galaw na.. Ikaw, slow motion pa rin sa pag-sshower. Amazing~

After stepping out of the bathroom, bumalik ako dun sa dating kwarto ni Gerard. Nilagay ni Ate Marian ung
dinalang bag ni Jerwin dun sa may sulok ng kwarto. It's a good thing Jerwin brought me some clothes.

Mababawasan ang mga kailangan kong labahan at ibalik kay Ate Mars.

Sinalpak ko ung maduduming damit dun sa bag. Nilagay ko naman sila sa plastic bag para hindi mahalo dun sa
malinis na damit. Mahirap maglaba noh!

"Venice?"

I looked up and saw Ate Marian peeking from the door. She looks confused as she watches me pack up.

Ako: Good morning, ate.

That made her even more befuddled. Pagkatapos ba naman ng gloomy episode ko, mangbati ba naman ako

with all smiles and happiness. Baka bigla ko pa syang kantahan ng "What A Wonderful World"..

Tipong moodswings ng mga nasa mental hospital, di ba?

Ate Marian: Uh, good morning. Mukhang may lakad ka ah...?

Napatingin ako sa damit ko. I'm wearing a loose white shirt, cropped jeans, and flat gladiator sandals. I have

my hair loosely tied in a side ponytail. Feel na feel ko ang comfort.

Ako: I'm going home, ate.

Ate Marian: Eh?!

Ako: Yep. Thanks for taking me in kahit sandali lang, ate.
I stood up and swung the backpack over my shoulder. Tumingin ulit ako sa paligid.. half-making sure na wala na
kong nakakalimutan; the other half, probably because I know I won't spend a lonesome time in this room ever
again.
I don't have a reason to hold on to any memory this room might give me.
Gerard isn't coming back.

Ate Marian: Sure ka na ba? B-Bakit naman parang biglaan?

She's probably thinking of that time in the past.. Ilang buwan akong hindi umalis sa kwarto na toh. It was the
only place where Gerard's scent still lingered.
No one tried to take me out. No one dared to approach me and tell me I was not alone.

It's different now.

Ako: Ate, I don't have a reason to stay here.

Ate Marian: You don't?

Ako: I have someone waiting for me back home.

She looked surprised for a minute, pero as soon as she realized what I meant, ngumiti kagad sya -- ngiting

konti na lang eh aabot na sa hairline nya. She threw her arms around my neck sa sobrang tuwa. Ang
kanyang signature show of affection -- kailangang magmakaawa na bitawan dahil konti na lang, suffocation na
ang mangyayari.

Ganun sya kasaya...

After that, halos ipagtulakan nya na ko palabas ng apartment nila. O_O

Tama ba namang halos sipain na ko paalis?!? What are prends por kung papalayasin nya pala ako nang ganito?!
Ibang klase talaga magmahal si ate!

Ate Marian: Ingat sa byahe!

Ako: Bye-bye, ate. Paki sabi na lang kay Anton na umalis na ko paggising nya.
"Dito na lang poh, manong."

The taxi rolled into a stop in front of cemetery's entrance. Inabot ko sa driver ung bayad, then jumped out
of the cab. I walked inside, adjusting the bag as I go along. Mabigat sya, in fairness ha. -__-
I stopped by the little storage building a few feet away from the entrance to talk to the caretaker. After
exchanging a few words, I went along my way.

I know I should have rushed home and told Jerwin, "Nandito na ko. Hindi na kita iiwan.."
......

~__~ yak! wahahaha

Pero this stop is important for me. I have to do this before anything else.

I finally reached my destination. I stand in front of the very familiar gravestone. Ilang taon kong tinitigan,
hinawak-hawakan, at kinausap tohng batong toh. It feels weird knowing na matagal-tagal na bago ko ulit
makikita toh... Who knows when I'll be back? Sa araw ng patay? Sa death anniversary nya?
Those days are months away... I used to never let a whole week pass by without dropping by.

Ako: But you know it's different now, right?

I sat on the grass and took out the trowel I borrowed from the caretaker. I dug a tiny hole sa tabi nung
gravestone. When I decided that it's deep enough, I rummaged through my bag and took out a tiny box.

Ako: I'm sorry I have to do this. This is the best thing I can come up with..

I stared at the box. Nakakapanghinayang naman.. -___-

One last peek~

I opened the box and looked at the ring inside. The silver ring Gerard gave me two years ago... well, actually,
he didn't give it to me -- he left it. Anthony discovered the ring hidden in Gerard's drawers a few days after
Gerard passed away. Hmm.. I remember the letter that came along with it too..

I've always wondered if he would have given the ring to me kung umabot lang sana sya nung Pasko...
*sigh* I closed the lid again. There are things I'll never know.

Ako: Maybe... I was holding on to you so much because I never really got to say goodbye. It all happened so
suddenly.. Ni hindi ko nga inaasahan.. Bigla ka na lang nag-poof!

I put the box in the hole na hinukay ko, then I started filling the hole up with dirt.. covering the box.. burying
the ring..

Ako: This will be my closure now, G. I'm letting you go and I'm moving on. It's a couple of years late, but...

you're happy for me, right?

I completely covered the hole. I took an artificial flower (kupit from Ate Marian's vase )and stuck the

flower on the freshly covered soil. X marks the spot.

Ako: Jerwin is a great guy. He really cares about me... I'm sure, boboto ka rin sa kanya. When he and I
end up together...

*gulp* "When"...? Hindi "if"?

My face is definitely burning up. =___= I know, parang akong tanga. Nag-bblush sa sarili kong thoughts.

Adik.
I just can't believe I'm considering it... I am actually considering a future with Jerwin. Weird...

Ako: I don't think it'd be bad... it probably won't be bad at all...

The breeze feels really good today. It's very refreshing. I wish I can stay longer and enjoy the breeze, but
I didn't come here to do that.

Ako: I wonder... sana naman hindi ka nagmumukmok dyan sa langit. Kung gusto mo, maghanap ka na rin ng
girlfriend dyan. Pero sisiguraduhin mong mas maganda sa'kin ha.. Avah, nasa langit ka na nga at lahat, tumaas
naman sana ang standards ng mga pagpipilian mo. Ang sagwa namang isipin kung panget na anghel ang girlfriend
mo.

-___-

I finally stood up and swung the bag on my shoulder. I looked around one last time -- parang naghihintay na

biglang may sumulpot na multo at magbigay sa'kin ng thumbs-up sign. Di ba ganun ung madalas nangyayari

sa movies?

Pero, syempre, there's nothing here except the grass, the stones, and the wind.

Despite the solitude, I smiled. It's time to go.

Ako: Goodbye, Gerard.

I turned around and took my first step away from Gerard's shadow.
This time, unlike the previous times I've been here, I walked away and I didn't look back.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Maybe... it was a wrong idea to come home after all. -___-

Just as I expected, the house is dead quiet without Venice. Walang TV na nagsskandalo pagkapasok na
pagkapasok ko -- tipong maririnig hanggang sa kapitbahay. Walang kumakanta-kanta -- kala mo may kung anong
major concert sa bahay. Walang bigla-biglang sumisigaw dahil nasusunog na ung niluluto nya...

I should have stayed another night at my parents' house. -___-

But, what if she comes home? I know it's hopeless thinking na baka sakaling umuwi nga sya, pero I did tell her
I'll be waiting for her. Pano kung umuwi sya tapos wala ako?
Minadali ko pa lahat ng trabaho ko para lang makauwi kagad.. para lang maghintay sa wala?
*sigh* I'm really going crazy.

I turned on a couple of lights, then I trudged to the living room. I'm hungry. =___= I should start cooking or
heating up something.... maybe after a nap?

I just plopped myself down on the couch when I suddenly heard the front door open. Napaupo tuloy akong
bigla. O_O Who could that be?!?

I heard something shuffling in the hallway. I can feel the anticipation and the anxiety build up inside me. Did
my parents decide to drop by? Could it be one of family members checking up on me?

Pano naman sila nagkaron ng susi?

Then.. Could it be... Venice?

May himala nga ba talaga sa mundo??

I slowly stood up... just in time, the person walked in and carefully placed her bag on the table.
She looked at the kitchen first, then she turned around. That was when she saw me...

She's here.. She's really here...

or nag-hhallucinate na ba ko sa sobrang gutom?

I took one step forward.

Ako: Venice...

She looked at me confused, probably because I have a really stupid bewildered expression on my face right
now. But then, she smiled... There's something different with the way she smiles. I don't know what it is.
Somehow, it just looks brighter.. more genuine.. more beautiful.

And I don't think I'm hallucinating.

Venice: Sunshine... I'm home.

That broke the ice. I ran up to her and immediately enveloped her in a tight hug.
I don't care if I'm squishing her. Let me squish her for a few more minutes. If any of her bones break, I'll
rush her to the hospital.

She's really here. She came home.

It took a few slashes to the heart, a river of tears, and whirlpool of worries..
but she came back.. to me.

And for some reason, it feels like she'll never leave again.

Ako: Welcome back, Sardines.

::Chapter 71::
Three Little Words
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I randomly surf through the TV channels, not really minding kung anong palabas. My attention is solely
focused on Domestic Jerwin in the kitchen. Seeing him in an apron at naghuhugas ng pinggan... nasaniban na
yata ng kung anong engkanto si kuya. -___-

Jerwin: You know you're gonna break the TV if you continue to switch channels like that.

Ay~ Nakahalata~

I threw the remote sa kabilang side nung couch. Mahal ang TV. Bawal sirain.

I continued watching Jerwin as he puts away the clean dishes. Feel na feel nya talaga ang housechores
tonight. Pagkatapos naming kumain ng hapunan kanina, talagang all-out volunteer syang linisin ung lamesa,
maghugas ng plato, at ilagay sa ref ang konting tira.
Maupo lang daw ako at mag-relax.

Pano ako mag-rrelax eh kinakarir nya ang pagiging housewife!?

Ako: Sunshine. You sure you're okay?

Jerwin: Yea.
Ako: Wala ka namang nabasag na pinggan?
Jerwin: Uh.. muntik na..
Ako: Won't your mom kill me for making you wash the dishes?
Jerwin: We won't tell her.

This spoiled little rich brat...

I see him drying his hands on the apron. Naglagay pa sya ng lotion. Akala ko ako lang ang may karapatang
magmalandi pagkatapos maghugas ng pinggan.. Malandi rin pala tohng si Jerwin. Ayaw maging rough ang

hands~

He turned off the lights ng kusina at nung dining room, tapos pumunta na sya sa living room.
He plopped down next to me. For a few moments, he just stared at the TV. Feeling ko may gustong sabihin si
kuya, pero either nahihiya sya or hindi nya alam kung pano sasabihin.

Ako: You wanna talk?

Jerwin: Huh? What?
Ako: (shrugs) Just asking.

Tinuro ko ung noo nya.

Ako: Usually pag lumalabas yang mga wrinkles mo sa noo, it only means na may kung ano kang iniisip. Serious
much?
Jerwin: What wrinkles?!? Namamalikmata ka lang!

He averted his gaze. Hay nako. Sige fine, kung ayaw pag-usapan, wag pilitin.
In denial pa sa worry wrinkles nya..

I stood up from the couch and stretched.

Ako: Oh well. I'm getting sleepy. Matulog na tayo?

Jerwin: What?!? Now?!

Ako: Why not?

Jerwin: Wala lang.... Dito ka muna..

Okay. First, naging domestic housewife (houseband?) sya. Tapos ngayon, uber naman sa pagka-clingy. May
nakain bang kung anong damo tohng taong toh?!?

Jerwin: Just watch TV with me sandali. Pag nakatulog ka, I'll carry you to your room.
Ako: Whoa.. Talaga? O_O
Jerwin: Yea.

Ako: Bridal style ba itoh?!

Jerwin: You're not my bride yet. I'll just carry you -- fireman-style.

Ako: Wala ka talagang ka-romance romance noh?

Jerwin: Hey. It's better than dragging you up the stairs.

Ako: Sadista. -___-

He just laughed at me. I plopped down on the seat next to him again. Nakapatong ung braso nya dun sa

sandalan nung couch. I took the liberty na sumiksik sa kanya and use his arm as my pillow. Mukha namang
he doesn't mind dahil tumuloy lang sya sa paglipat sa mga channel nung TV.

Eventually, he settled on HBO. Re-run ng Pirates of the Caribbean. Si fafa Jack Sparrow.. "But why is the

rum gone?"

We watch the movie in silence. I shift positions once in a while dahil nag-ccramp na ung legs ko, but I still use
Jerwin's arm as a pillow.

Ako: Posible pa kayang magpaka-pirate sa panahon ngayon?

Jerwin: Huh?
Ako: Imagine, ang saya sigurong magpaka-lost at sea. Tapos maghahanap ng treasure chests sa kung saan-
saan. Tapos magkakaron ako ng Wanted poster. Ay shosyal~! Iisipin ng mga tao, ang ganda ko masyado para
maging pirate.

Jerwin: What are you saying?

Ako: Pero.. dapat siguro may doctor sa crew ko. Dahil feeling ko lang magiging seasick ako. -__- Ay. Teka..
Kailangan ko pala muna mag-imbento ng gamot pangontra seasickness! Ugh.. Living on a ship is probably gonna

be tough... Oy, Sunshine, sasamahan mo pa rin naman ako kahit na sa bangka tayo titira, di ba?
Jerwin: Sure. If you want to live in a ship, I'll live in a ship. If you want to live under a bridge, I'll live
under a bridge. Kung gusto mong magpaka-squatter sa Hollywood sign, I'll even build us the house.
Ako: Oooh.. at kahit na magpaka-pirate ako, sasama ka pa rin?
Jerwin: If you're gonna be a pirate, then I'll be a pirate too.

Jerwin saying, "But why is the rum gone?!?" wahahahahaha epic!

I looked up at Jerwin, flashing a bright smile. Naaaliw ako sa mga thoughts ko. Iba talaga ang level ng
imagination pag inaantok na!
Magiging pirates kami ni in our next lives~ wahahaha

Ako: Sunshine, you're the best!

Nagulat ako when Jerwin suddenly cupped my face with both his hands. O_O
His hands feel warm against my skin.
Pero ang mas kinagulantang ko eh ung sinabi nya.

I think naapektuhan na yata ng antok ko ang ability to hear ko. I mean.... really...
He wouldn't say something like that... right?

Ako: W-Wha? O.O

Jerwin: I love you. This must be one of the most random times to blurt it out but... I love you, Venice.

*blink*

*blink*

He must be drunk (from the orange juice kanina?), or sleepy, or maybe he's high.
It's either one of those things.. or maybe I'm dreaming?
Shouldn't I be dreaming about pirates since ahyun ang pinapanood namin?!?

Jerwin suddenly smiled. He pats my head as if trying to calm my nerves down.

As if that's gonna help. -___- Konting-konti na lang, tatalon na ang puso ko.

Jerwin: You don't have to say anything. I just felt the need to say it. I'm not asking you to say it back.

*blink*

*blink*

Jerwin: I can wait until you realize it for yourself.

I suddenly snapped out of my daze.

Ako: Eh? Realize what?

Sumandal ulit sya dun sa couch and focused his eyes on the TV. A small smile is playing on his lips. Tinotopak
nanaman yata talaga sya. Anong realize-realize pinagsasabi nya?!?

Ako: Hoyyyy, realize what?

Jerwin: Secret.

Ako: You're annoying.

Jerwin: Oh. Is that how you talk to someone who just told you he loves you?

I feel my blood rushing to my face. Talagang-- Talagang may pagka-arogante sya noh?!? Wala man lang hiya-
hiya sa system nya!

Sumandal ulit ako. Mukmok time. -__- Pero mabuti na sigurong magmukmok kuno.
Really... how do you respond to something straightforward like that?

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Two hours later... I can barely feel my arm anymore.

Ehtong si Venice... Sabi nya inaantok na sya kanina..
But around the time she falls asleep, so does my left arm.
Nakatapos pa ng isang movie!

I peered at her sleeping face. She looks so beautiful.. calm..

Ahhhh~ My muscles are going numb.. -____- But how can you disturb a sleeping angel?

Oh well. Time to keep my end of the bargain.

I slowly pulled my arm out. So she wants me to carry her bridal-style ha?

Hindi ba dapat gising ung bride pag binubuhat sya?

I turned off the TV and then I knelt down in front of Venice. I carefully gathered her in my arms, making
sure I don't wake her up. I carried her up the stairs. Maka-ilang beses na muntik tumama ung ulo nya sa

dingding.

I gently kicked her bedroom door open. After much trouble getting her bedsheets out of the way, I finally
laid her down on her bed.

Man, parang exercise ko na tohng for a whole week!

I collapsed on the floor next to her bed. Ang hirap pala magtanggal ng kumot ng kama habang may buhat-
buhat ka. Geez. Na-strain na yata ang lahat ng leg, arm, at back muscles ko.
Mahirap ang tumatanda... -___-
I look at Venice who's deeply asleep in her bed. I reached out my hand to gently caress her face.

Ako: "I love you", huh...

I haven't told anyone that since.... what? 2nd grade? when my mom bought me the new Street Fighter action
figure?
What possessed me to say that to her now?
Pwedeng-pwede akong ma-basted kanina.... -___-

Maybe I was? She didn't really say anything, did she? She just blinked at me in astonishment.

Venice and her moments of naivete..

She's so fascinating. Looking at her face earlier, I almost couldn't believe she really came home to me.
Something welled up inside me... ung tipong pag walang ginawa, sasabog.

I wanted to tell her I was happy -- but that sounded like an understatement. Joyous? Exuberantly glad?
I wish had better words to explain the rush of emotions, but maybe...
Those three little words summed it all up perfectly.
"I love you."

Ako: You're really something, Venice. Nagiging corny ako dahil syo.

I stood up and tucked Venice in. After making sure she's all comfy, I bent down and gave her soft peck on
the forehead.

Ako: Good night, Sardines.. I love you.

::Chapter 72::
Confrontation
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

The next night, after a hard day's worth of work, Dustin and I met up in a nearby club for a few drinks. I
invited him to celebrate dahil halos tapos na ung album ko and Venice and I are doing well again. He, on the

other hand, accepted the invite dahil na-sstress nanaman sya sa trabaho.
Oh well. Kahit anong reason pa namen, it's good to catch up with a few beers in hand. We haven't done this in
a while.

For some reason, napunta ang usapang trabaho namin sa usapang Venice.
Dustin is a really close friend, kaya siguro.... ganun na lang kadali madulas sa mga pinagsasabi ko. I even told
him I finally confessed.

Dustin: No way, man! You told her?!??

Ako: Yea.
Dustin: What did she say?
Ako: Nothing.
Dustin: Na-basted ka?
Ako: I don't think so. It doesn't seem like na-basted ako.. -__-
Dustin: Dude, call her right now and tell her to come here! Bakit ba kasi hindi mo sinama?!?
Ako: I asked her to come, but she said she has to study. Finals na raw kasi nila.
Dustin: How am I supposed to interrogate her then?

Ako: Why would you do that?

Dustin: Why not? Pano natin malalaman kung mahal ka rin nya?

Nagtinginan kaming dalawa -- tapos sabay na sabay kaming biglang tumungga nung mga beer sa harap namin.

Ako: Dude, we sound like a couple of girls talking about their boyfriends.
Dustin: We should be talking about work, or sports, or cars. Ikaw kaseh eh!
Ako: Hala! Ikaw ang namilit eh!

Tumungga ulit kami. Hindi man kasi halata sa itsura nya, talaga namang may pagkachismoso tohng si Dustin.
Kaya siguro sila nagkakasundo ni Nicole. Pareho silang may mga kung anong "curiosity" sa mga buhay ng mga tao

sa paligid nila.

"Jerwin! Dustin!"

I turned around -- and almost choked sa nakita ko. O_O I frantically turned to Dustin, na nanlalaki rin ang
mga mata. I guess he didn't invite her...?
Dustin: I swear I didn't invite her!
Ako: How did she find us!?
Dustin: How am I supposed to--- +__+ Oh. I think I might have mentioned something about meeting you here
tonight....

Ako: You..

It's too late to do anything now. Geena is here. We can't possibly bolt up and start running. That's just...
-___- bakit nga ba hindi?
Ah.. coz the bar is packed and mahirap tumakbo?

I let out a huge sigh. Oh well, since she's here, I might as well talk to her.

Geena bounced on the stool next to me. As usual, she looks all prepped up.

Geena: Hi! What are you two doing here? I didn't get a call.
Ako: That's because we didn't call you, Geena.

Dustin looked at Geena and then me. Tapos na-realize nya yatang may bombang sasabog. He downed his final
bottle and then stood up.

Dustin: Uh, I'm just gonna go..... to the washroom.

Before I can stop, he turned around and left the table. Iniwanan talaga ako. Wala man lang suporta?!?

Geena took one of the bottles on the table and opened it for herself.

Geena: My, my.. Isn't this like the old times? You and I alone together... drinking...
Ako: Yea.. Old times..
Geena: I heard you and Venice are having a rough time right now. Is that why you're sulking in this cheap
bar?

I gripped my bottle as I watch her drink. How can she say something like that when she was the main reason
things went downhill anyways?!?
Geena: Really, Jerwin, how long are you gonna play with that commoner? She's not even worth all this
trouble. How about.. tonight.. we do a little something at my place... just you and I..

She suddenly leaned closer towards me. I didn't budge. I won't let her have the satisfaction of thinking she
still has the same effect on me. Even when she started to run her fingers on my arm, I pretended I don't
feel anything. I finished my beer in one gulp, then I subtly pulled my arm our of her reach.

I should leave. I'm afraid that if I stay here any longer, I'm gonna grab her by the neck and fling her across
the room.

Jerwin: Geena, how many times do I have to tell you? I'm already engaged. The thing between us... It won't
happen again.

Geena: Stop being all noble, Jerwin. I know you.

Jerwin: Then you should know that I'm serious when I say this: Stop messing with me and Venice.

She froze on her seat. The smile on her face disappeared in a matter of seconds.
I took out my wallet and grabbed a few bills to pay for my share.

Geena: Are you insane?!? You're choosing that bimbo over me?!?!
Ako: She's not a "bimbo".
Geena: She's just an attention-seeking whore! Why else would she stay with you?! She doesn't love you!
Not when she's still hang up on that dead boyfriend of hers!

I whirled around to face her so fast I thought my neck would break.

Did I just hear her right? Did she really just say that?

Ako: You knew Gerard was dead?

Geena: Of course! That's what makes her so stupid--

That did it. I grabbed her arm. She flinched in pain and looked at me in shock.
I don't care what she thinks or what she says. From behind her, I saw Dustin scurrying towards us. He must
be thinking that I'm really gonna hurt Geena. Well, he's right. I'm an inch closer to actually hitting this girl.

I don't hit girls, but this is just too much!

Ako: You knew Gerard was dead and you still used that against Venice?!? Are you out of your mind?!? What is
wrong with you?!?
Geena: Me?!? What is wrong with YOU!??! Why are you choosing her over me?!? I knew you before you got
famous! I'm the one who's in the same social circle as you are! THAT GIRL IS A NOBODY!
Ako: At least "that girl" is not covered head to toe with issues!
Geena: She's foolishly mourning her dead boyfriend for years! She even drove you to this drinking escapade!
Ako: I came here to celebrate for my album! Stop acting like you know everything, Georgina! You don't!

A few of the tables around us are starting to notice the outburst. I roughly let go of her arm. A scandal is
the last thing I need right now.
Dustin finally reached us, but he chose to stand behind Geena for now.
Geena looks beyond furious and bewildered.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. At this rate, if I start yelling, I'm sure Geena will start
yelling too. For the sake of both our careers, I have to avoid that.

Ako: Just stop, Geena. I'll never come back to you. And just so you know, Venice is at home, and we're doing
fine-- actually, we're doing great.
Geena: No.. You can't be... That's impossible!
Ako: Move on with your life, Geena. I've already found the place I belong to. You should find yours too.
Geena: She's manipulating you!
Ako: No, she's not.

I nodded my goodbye to Dustin. I was about to turn to leave when Geena suddenly grabbed my arm. I looked
at her hand, and then I looked at her. She reluctantly let go.

Geena: Are you falling for her?

Ako: . . . I think I already love her.

With that, I turned around to leave. I saw Dustin approach Geena, probably to escort her out as well. I was
only able to take a few steps when, all of a sudden, I heard bottles crashing on the floor. I looked back
surprised. Geena has swiped all the bottles off the table in her anger. Dustin is barely stopping her from
turning the table over.

Geena: IT'S JUST AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE!!! IT'S ALL FAKE!!! YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY MAKE ME
BELIEVE WHAT YOU JUST SAID!! JERWIN!!
I stared at her in alarm. The whole bar's attention is already diverted to us. At this rate, everything that
happens will surely leak to the public. O_O
My mind completely went blank. I don't know how to react, what to do.

Dustin: Stop it, Geena! Let's just go.

Geena: NO!!! NOT UNTIL HE TELLS ME THE TRUTH!!

Nagkatinginan kami ni Dustin. How are we gonna clean up this mess?!?

Nagpuputukan na yata ang mga blood vessels ko sa ulo as I try to come up with effective ways to cover up for
what Geena screamed for the entire bar to hear.

Dustin: You should leave.

Ako: I...
Dustin: I got this.

I looked at the rampaging girl in his arms. Nagbubulungan na ung mga tao sa paligid namin. I can see some
people taking out their camera phones.
Dustin is right. If I don't leave, this will only get worse.
I briskly turned around and quickly walked out of the place.
Dustin will take care of it. He always does.

But those people... There are too many witnesses..

What will they say?

I hastily parked the truck in the driveway. It was a 30-minute drive from the bar to the house. In that
length of time, my mind almost went crazy thinking of the scandals that little incident will create. Should I
push back the album's release? What kind of damage control am I gonna do? People will talk. The manager will
undoubtedly behead me... even though it's not my fault, he will BEHEAD me!

I dragged myself out of the truck and to the door. I feel like I lost all my energy.
The euphoria I felt from the new album's nearing completion just vanished into thin air.

I silently walked inside the house and was surprised to see Venice on the dining table, hunched over
something. She seems to be concentrating really hard on something. I don't think she heard me come in.
I walked over to her and saw a bunch of textbooks and notes all over the table. Kinakarir nya talaga ang pag-

aaral. Mukhang scholar ah.

I looked over her head para tignan kung ano kayang subject ang binabasa nya..
and then...

-____-

What the--? Isn't that Vogue magazine?!?

I looked at the top of her head in disbelief. Akala ko kung anong galing na estudyante, "latest hair ideas" pala
ang binabasa! Talagang sobra pa ang pag-cconcentrate nya!

Ang galing talaga ng taong toh. I laughed to myself.

I stepped closer to her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders from behind. Napatalon sya sa gulat. She
turned around and was obviously startled to see me.

Venice: Sunshine! O.O

She tried to cover the magazine with another textbook. Mag-aattempt pang lumusot.

Ako: Too late. I already saw what you're reading. Galing mong mag-aral ha.
Venice: S-Study break ko toh noh!

Ako: Yea, yea. If you say so.

I rested my chin on top of her head as she tries to organize the mess of schoolwork on the table.

Venice: Alam mo, hindi patungan ang ulo ko noh.

Ako: But your hair smells good. Sabi ko syo eh, mag-shampoo ka nang madalas para laging ganito kabango ang

buhok mo.
Venice: Hoy, tingin mo sa'kin?! Nag-sshampoo ako every other day noh!
Ako: Oh? Hindi ba once a week ka lang kung maligo?
Venice: Huy! Anoh ka?!?
I laughed again as she tries to wiggle out of my arms para siguro batukan ako.
Nung na-realize nyang wala syang takas, she just went back to cleaning up. Pero tuloy-tuloy pa rin naman ang

reklamo nya under her breath.

And of course, I chose to ignore her complaints. I still kept my arms around her and my chin on top of her
head.
I try not to press down too much though para hindi sya mabigatan.

Just being like this, talking, teasing, annoying her... I feel a whole lot better now. Amazing talaga ang talent ni

Venice in cheering up people.

Ako: Sardines?
Venice: Hm?
Ako: Thank you.

Venice: Ha? Para saan?

Ako: For being weird.

Venice: Nakikipatong ka lang ng ulo, kung anu-ano pang sinasabi mo! Maligo ka na nga! Amoy beer ka! Di ka man
lang nagdala!

Eh?!? Binitawan ko syang bigla, sabay amoy sa sarili ko. How can I smell like beer eh konti lang ang ininom
ko---
Oh. -__-

Oo nga. Amoy beer nga ako.

Pero bakit sya nagrereklamong hindi ko sya dinalhan?!?

First of all, hindi pwedeng umorder ng beer to go.
Second, sya ang ayaw umalis kanina noh!

Ako: Sinasama kita eh!

Venice: Nag-aaral nga ako!
Ako: Eh bakit ka iinom kung nag-aaral ka?!?
Venice: Dahil na-sstress na ko! Sunshine, na-pprito na ang mga brain cells ko! Konti na nga lang sila, nag-
eevaporate pa isa-isa!

Ako: Talaga lang ha.. Pero magazine naman ung binabasa mo kanina.
Venice: Shut up. You stink. -__-
Ano kayang kinalaman nun sa pinag-uusapan namen?
I laughed again before turning around to go upstairs. Makaligo na nga. Baka biglang mag-decide si Venice na

para sa susunod nyang "study break", kuskusin ako hanggang sa mawala ang amoy ng beer sa katawan ko.

Mahirap na. Baka gawin akong labahin nyan.

Venice: Hey, Sunshine?

I stopped in my tracks and turned around again. Nakatingin sa'kin si Venice with a worried look on her face.

Venice: Hmm.. What's up with the hug? Okay ka lang ba?

I smiled at her. So nakahalata pala sya na bothered ako?

Well, it's all okay now.

Ako: What? I can't hug my fiancée, whom I loooveeee so much?

Venice: Why do I even bother talking to you? -___-

Ako: Coz you looooveeee talking to me~

Venice: Shut up! You're drunk!

I started laughing again, lalo na nung binato nya sa'kin ung magazine nya.
I was barely able to dodge her flying bullet. Parang kanina lang, pinagkatago-tago nya pa ung magazine na un.

Ipapalipad nya rin pala sa'kin.

Sumilip muna ako pabalik sa kanya bago ako tuluyang umakyat ng hagdan.

Ako: Sardines, you're the best!

Venice: Shut up! I know!
::Chapter 73::
Sudden Realization
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥
"VENICE! VENICE! VENICE! VENICE! WAAAIIIITTTTTT!!!!!"

I whirled around -- at muntik nang madapa. Masama pala ang bigla-biglang tumitigil pag nagmamadali kang

naglalakad.

School was just let out. Nagmamadali akong lumabas dahil may date-- err.. get-togetherkami ni Jerwin. But..
He should still be in a meeting. Last time I texted him, which was five minutes ago, they're still discussing pa
raw some strategies to promote the new album.

So, ehwan ko rin ba kung bakit ako nagmamadali. Siguro kasi iba talaga ang pagkaprito ng utak ko today.
Dahil magsisimula na ang finals, nilubos-lubos ng mga professors ang pagpapahirap sa mga estudyante. I've
been running from one class to another turning in papers, projects, at kung anu-ano pang pakulo ng mga

teacher na yan. Makarma sana sila.

Mataas pa rin yata adrenaline rush ko kaya feel na feel ko ang pag-rush ko.

Anyway, back to the main event, lumalakad ako palabas ng campus nang may biglang tumawag sa'kin. When I
turned around, nakita kong humahabol sa'kin ang three stooges ng buhay ko, aka sina Kenny, Sheena, at si

Anton na forever na yatang bubuntot kay Shee.

Nung tumigil lang sila sa harap ko napansin ang mga unusual aura nila. May kung anong bewildered expression sa
mukha ni Kenny. Sheena looks anxious. Anton looks more confused than usual.

Anong meron?

Kenny: VENICE! VENICEEEE!!!!

Ako: Ay vakla, anoh vah?!? Nasa harap mo na ko! Wag kang sumigaw!
Kenny: PERO PERO PERO!!
Sheena: Ay, anoh bah yan?!? Huminga ka nga muna! Nag-hhyperventilate ka na!

Pinanood ko si Sheena as she teaches Kenny how to breathe. Naloloka ako.

Anong nangyayari?

Nung medyo kalmado na si bakla, tumingin ulit sya sa'kin.

Kenny: NagtextangpinsankosabinyanabasanyarawnahinditalagakayoengagednifafaJ (deep breath) ARRANGED
LANG DAW ANG LAHAT!

O.O

Oh. No. So it finally came out.

It's been three days.

Three days since Jerwin told me about the event in the bar...
Three days since Jerwin said I should be ready for anything that might happen..
Three days na ang lumipas at akala ko never nang lalabas ang balita...

Wala ba talagang himala sa world?!?

Nagtinginan kami ni Sheena. No wonder she looks worried. Hindi nga naman sya pwede basta-basta magsalita
kahit na may alam sya. Anong sasabihin nya?

Anong sasabihin ko?

Kenny: Totooba Totooba Totooba Totooba?!?!?

Anthony: Now that I think about it, parang hindi nga naman sakto sa timeline ng buhay mo ang engagement
nyo. Papaalam mo naman sa'min kung nagkaron ka ng boyfriend.. pero hinde, malaman na lang namin, engaged na
kayo. *gasp* Arranged marriage ba talaga toh?!?!? O_O

I looked at Sheena. She just shrugged. In other words, it's up to me raw.

Should I tell the truth? Should I lie?
Di ba parang mas mahirap kung magsisinungaling ako? Pano kung magkabistuhan na nga talaga?
Nag-papanic ung dalawa.

Ako: Relax nga lang kayong dalawa dyan. I'll tell you everything -- basta wag nyong ipagsasabi kahit kanino.

Madaldal si Kenny, pero marunong naman sya magtago ng mga sobrang BIG na secrets. Si Anton.. may

pagkachismoso, pero takot nya lang pag tsinismis nya ko.

We started walking out of the campus para mabawasan ang mga tenga na makakarinig ng whole story. I told
them everything.
Kung pano ako napulot ni Jerwin..
Kung pano kami pinagkasundo ng mga loka naming nanay..
As in lahat-lahat.

When I finished, napatigil ung dalawa dun sa gitna ng kalsada with astonished looks on their faces.

Ako: I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys before. Ang bilin kasi sa'kin wag ipaalam sa kahit sino...

Don't be maaaddddd~ T^T

Kenny: I can't believe it...

Ako: Ken--
Kenny: Nalasing ka lang, may fafa ka na?!? Anak ng balyena! San ba yang club na pinuntahan mo!?
Magpapakalasing din ako!

Anthony: Sheena, lasingin rin kaya kita? Baka sagutin mo na ko~

Sheena: Anoh?!? Gusto mo bang mamatay nang maaga ha?!?!

Sadya bang abnormal ang mga kaibigan ko? Magkakapareho silang lahat!
Sa haba-haba ng storya ko, sa pagkalasing ko pa rin na-focus ang atensyon nila!

Haayyy.. Buti na rin siguro un.

Kenny: Venice~ Sabihin mo sa mommy mo, i-matchmake nya rin ako. Gusto ko rin ng fafa~
Ako: Loka. Di ba may Jean ka na?

Kenny: Ew. Hindi kami compatible noh. Gusto ko ung a la Jerwin Santos~

*gasp* Jerwin!

Napatingin ako bigla sa relo ko. Oh my golay, may 15 minutes na lang ako para makapunta dun!
Ako: WAH! I have to go!
Sheena: San ka pupunta?
Ako: Dadaanan ko si Jerwin. Kakain kami sa labas tonight eh.
Anthony: Bakit hindi sya ang sumundo syo?
Ako: Kasi nauna akong lumabas -- at dapat on the way na ko ngayon!

Kenny: Anong okasyon? Sama kame!

Ako: N-Next time na lang.. Anoh.. kasi anoh.. uh.. two.. two months na kasi since na-engaged kami...

Nagwala ung tatlo. -__- Kulang na lang confetti, pwede na silang magparty.

Sheena: Monthsary ba today ha!? Monthsary?!

Kenny: Kelan ka pa naging ganyan ka-cheesy??!

Ako: Mga bruha! Masama bang kumain sa labas at mag-celebrate?!?

Sheena: Uy, celebrate daw~

Ako: Che! Lalayas na nga ako!

Kenny: Sabihin mo kay fafa J, miss ko na sya~

Ako: Maghanap ka ng sariling boylet mo noh!

Anthony: Woohhh! Possessive na!

Iniwan ko ung tatlong mokong dun. Tama ba namang sa gitna pa talaga ng kalsada manukso??! Hindi ba nila
nakita ang dami ng people na tumitingin sa'min?!?

Tumawag ako ng taxi -- thankfully, mukhang nagkalat sila sa kalsada today.

I have about 10 minutes bago ako maging officially late.

Mukhang sermon nanaman ang aabutin ko kay Sunshine... ang walang kamatayang "be punctual" sermon nya.

Hay.

---♥♥---

(Geena's POV)
---------------- ♥
"Geena! Please, just let it go!"

I ignored Dustin's pleas and continued on my way inside the building. What is he talking about?! How can I
just "let it go"?!
Jerwin was just drunk last night, that's why he was sprouting nonsense.
He should be sober now. I'll demand the truth from him today, and he'll tell me that it was a mistake.. that
he still wants me.

I stopped in front of the receptionist's desk. I was about to ask for Jerwin's whereabouts when I caught
sight of a figure running through the main door.
I can't believe it. This commoner... She doesn't have the right to walk in here!

I stalked pass Dustin and headed to the little runt. She was obviously surprised when she bumped into me.

Me: What are you doing here?!?

Venice: Uh.. I'm meeting Jerwin. Actually, I'm already running kind of late, so--
Me: You--! You're blackmailing him, aren't you?!? Why else is he staying with the likes of you?!?
Venice: Why is he staying with me...? =__=

She looked down as if she remembered something embarrassing. I was about to grill her some more when, all
of a sudden, I was blinded by flashing lights. I took a step back in surprise. Before I knew it, we were
surrounded by cameras, mics, and fired up reporters. I saw Dustin pushed to the side.

"Miss Venice! Is it true na pre-arranged ang engagement nyo ni Jerwin Santos?!?"

"Is it true that you're pregnant?!"

"Miss Venice! What can you say about the allegations that you're using Jerwin Santos for your own
benefit??"

"Miss Georgina! What is your relationship with Jerwin Santos?!"

Me: Please, stop pushing.

There's about ten or so reporters around us. Probably.. the event from a few nights ago has finally leaked to
the press. I can't believe they've been lurking in this building. They were probably waiting for Jerwin.
Just their luck, they spotted Venice and me instead.

I immediately put on a poker face. Years of experience taught me that it's better not to give out anything
with your words nor your expressions. The reporters will either admit defeat for now or just leave you alone
altogether.

Venice, on the other hand, looks panicked. She's trying hard not to show she's scared, but I can see it in her
eyes.

I can't blame her though. The reporters are extremely rough. They're pushing and shoving their cameras and
mics right at us. These people.. they don't even care if we get hurt or not.

Who am I kidding?
With news like this, how can they remain calm? It's the scoop of the year!

Venice: Ouch!

One of the cameras scraped her arm. I can see a red gash appearing.
The cameraman didn't even apologize or even flinch.
This indifference... It made me nervous.
I'm sure they'll trample us if we don't get out of here.
But everywhere I turn, there's a camera flashing or a mic being shoved in my face.
I stepped even further back to avoid getting hit.

Venice is obviously trying to find a way out too.

Then.. all of a sudden, I saw someone grab her hand. The person pulled her to him and immediately wrapped a
protective arm around her.
I froze in my spot as I watch them -- him.

Jerwin.

Seeing the new person appear, the reporters quickly shifted their attention from me and Venice to the star
couple. Jerwin shoulders their way out of the crazed mob of reporters. All the while, he didn't take his arm
off Venice.
He's taking all the damage for her...

The security guards finally appeared and fended off the paparazzi. When they got free from the obstacle,
Jerwin instantly led his fiancé out of the building.
I stayed rooted on the ground until they disappeared from my sight.
I felt Dustin take my hand and steered me out of the scene.

He took me to the parking lot back to his car. I sat in the passenger's seat feeling dazed as he drove us out
of there.

Dustin: Are you okay?

Me: Dustin..
Dustin: Yea?
Me: Is Jerwin.. happy?
Dustin: What?

He looked at me for a second. I guess he realized I'm completely serious.

We've been friends for years. He should know when I just want a clear-cut answer.

Dustin: Yes. He said he's never been happier.

Me: I see.
Dustin: Why are you asking this now?
Me: Back there... He came.

I stared right in front of me as tears started falling from my eyes.

I didn't wipe them away. I couldn't. Things are finally sinking in.

Me: But he didn't even glance at me.

::Chapter 74::
Little Moments
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I know I should be shocked out of my skeletal system right now.....

pero pag ganito ba naman ang driver mo, tignan ko lang kung may oras ka pang matulala. @_@

We turned into another corner again. I gripped my hands on the seatbelt so tight na halos mamuti na ung
knuckles ko. I think konting ikot pa nung steering wheel, mag-ooverturn na ung truck.
Lasing ba tohng si Jerwin?!? Nag-inuman ba sila dun sa meeting kanina?!?

Ako: May hinahabol ba tayo? May hinahabol ba tayo?!?! OoO

I saw Jerwin clench his jaw -- a clear sign na pinipigilan nya ang sarili nyang magsisigaw ng isang nobela ng
profanity. Kailangan yatang mag-anger management ni Sunshine... Masama yata sa dugo kung lagi syang na-
hhigh blood.

We swerved into the other lane -- nabusinahan pa nung kotseng siningitan namin. Road rage itoh~ T_T

Lord, tinatapos Nyo na ba ang buhay ko? I've lived a full life, kaya sige, okay lang... Pero kung maaksidente
naman po kami, sana hindi magasgasan ung mukha ko.

Ako: Gusto ko po maging maganda sa pink kong kabaong.

Napatingin sa'kin si Jerwin. Dun nya lang yata napansin na namumuti na ung buto-buto ko sa takot sa sobrang
galing nyang mag-drive. He finally slowed down. Napabuntong hininga ako sa sobrang relief. I loosened my grip
on the seatbelt. Mabubuhay pa yata ako.

Jerwin: What are you talking about?

Ako: Eh?

Napalakas pala ang final sentence ng dasal ko. Kasi naman, may nakita akong truck sa harap namen! My golay!
Truck un!
Buti na lang at naisipan ni Jerwin na bumagal at magpaka-normal na driver... T^T

Ako: Wala.
Jerwin: Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.
Ako: I really wish you wouldn't drive like that pag galit ka.
Jerwin: Sorry.
Ako: Pano na lang pag nag-away tayo in the future??! Avah! Eh kung ma-aksidente ka?! Ma-bbyuda ako nang
maaga! At pano ung mga anak naten??!? Mawawalan sila ng tatay! Mahirap lumaki nang walang tatay ha!

Tumingin ako kay Jerwin para sana ituloy ung sermon-slash-drama ko. Pero nung nakita ko ung amused
expression sa mukha nya, napatigil ako.
Ako: What?
Jerwin: Naririnig mo ba yang sinasabi mo?
Ako: Bakit, hindi ba? Mag-ppropose-propose ka, hindi mo pala ako papakasalan?! Anoh pa't nag-propose ka

under a starry starry night at sinabihan ako ng, "You.. complete me"~?
Jerwin: When did I do that?!? Nanaginip ka ba?!?
Ako: Anoh ba? Bakit ba kumokontra ka sa pag-ddaydream ko?
Jerwin: Ang corny naman kasi ng "daydream" mo.

Ako: Ang killjoy mo.

He seems to be in a better mood now. Konting tukso lang dyan kay Sunshine, mag-iiba na kagad ang aura

nya eh. Ganyan talaga pag simpleton. nyahahaha

I gently touched my arm -- ung ginasgasan nung cameraman kanina. Napansin pala ni Jerwin ung galaw ko. Akala
ko busy-busyhan sya sa kalsada.

Jerwin: Does it hurt?

Ako: Konti. It's okay.

Tumingin ako sa labas nung bintana para umiwas sa mga possible questions nya. Sa totoo lang, masakit talaga.
Nagsugat kasi ung gasgas kaya mahapdi. Bubwit na cameraman yan. Mahulog sana ung camera nya at mahulog sa
paa nya. -__-

After a few seconds, na-realize kong parang familiar na ung mga streets na dinadaanan namin. Ehto ung daan

pauwi. May malapit bang restaurant sa bahay?

Ako: Saang restaurant ba tayo pupunta?

Jerwin: We're not going to a restaurant.
Ako: Eh?!? Why not?
Jerwin: *sigh* I'm guessing na nagkakagulo ang mga reporters ngayon. We won't have a quiet dinner..... unless
you and I both wear masks.

He sounds disappointed. He was really looking forward to this dinner. The past two nights, wala syang ginawa
kundi magtatalon sa paligid ko at ipaalala na wag raw akong gagawa ng plano for tonight... Mag-aral na raw ako
at gawin ko na lahat ng homework ko dahil lalabas raw kami...

Tapos di lang pala kami matutuloy. Kawawa naman si kuya. Sa bahay lang pala ang bagsak namin.

We went on driving for a few more minutes hanggang sa makarating na kami sa neighborhood namin. Ilang ikot
pa and Jerwin parked the truck sa harap ng isang sari-sari store. I looked at him questioningly as he silently
jumped out of the truck.

Mag-pa-Pancit Canton na lang yata kami. O_O

Not that I'm complaining, masarap naman ang Pancit Canton eh. Lalo na ung calamansi.

After a few minutes, he came back with a small plastic bag. He took out his purchases. Nanlaki ang mata ko
nung nakita ko ung dala nya. OoO
Ung bulak, carry ko pa...
Pero ung anti-septic, hindi na!

Ako: A-Ano yan?!

Jerwin: Para dyan sa braso mo.

I KNEW IT!!! <'OoO'>

Nilayo ko kagad ung injured arm ko! Mahapdi na nga, lalagyan nya pa ng ganon! Gusto nya bang magwala ako
dito?!?

Ako: Ayoko. I refuse!

Jerwin: Anong "I refuse" ka dyan? Baka ma-infect yan pag di natin nilinis.
Ako: Hinde! Hindi yan ma-iinfect! Masipag ang mga white blood cells ko!

He turned off the truck's engine. May balak yata mag-stay dito hangga't hindi ako pumapayag sa gusto nya.
He twisted the cap off nung bote ng antiseptic, tapos naglagay sya ng ilang patak sa bulak. Kung pwede lang,
tinanggal ko na ung braso ko at tinapon palabas para lang hindi nya mailagay yang magic potion nya. T^T

Jerwin: Give me your arm.

I gave him my uninjured arm. Nagkapilipit pa ko sa pag-ikot, pero ok lang. Baka sakaling di nya
mapansin....

Jerwin: Sardines, I'm not blind. -__- Give me your other arm.

Humarap ako sa kanya. I put on my "please have mercy on me" look. Jerwin just rolled his eyes. Tama ba
naman un?!? Hindi man lang ba sya naawa sa'kin?!

Jerwin: We don't know kung san naka-store at kung san-san galing ung camera na humagip syo. We better
disinfect that scratch as soon as possible.
Ako: But.. But.. Hindi ba kasama sa civil rights ko ang freedom to refuse medication? T^T
Jerwin: *sigh* We can do this all night.

He really looks determined. Reluctantly, pinaubaya ko ung braso ko sa kanya.

Ayoko naman buong gabi dito noh. Hindi nakakatuwa matulog sa sasakyan.

Jerwin: I'll be gentle, I promise.

I just bit my lip. Hinahawakan nya pa lang ung braso ko, ni hindi pa nga lumalapit ung bulak, nangingiyak na ko. I
know, mukha akong sira. -__-

Jerwin: Here I come... It won't hurt--

Kaboom! As soon as nilagay nya ung bulak dun sa gasgas sa braso ko, my other hand immediately went into
action!

Ako: IT HURTS!!! You said you'll be gentle?!?!?

Jerwin: Ouch! Ouch! Stop hitting me!
Ako: Sunshine!! ToT Dahan-dahan lang!!! Sunshine!!!

Kahit na binubugbog na sya nung isang kamay ko at nagkaka-epilepsy ung hawak nyang braso ko para lang
makataas, he ignored me and applied the treatment. Talagang mabilis pa ung pagpahid nya kaya feel na feel ko
ang hapdi.

My arm feels like it's burning. After ikalat ni Jerwin ung gamot dun sa buong sugat, he gently blew on the
wound para mabawasan ung hapdi.
Too late. Naluluha na ko~ T^T I stopped hitting him. Na-drain na yata ang energy ko. Learned helplessness.
Kahit anong bugbog ko sa kanya, hindi nya binitawan ung braso ko.

After a while, the pain receded and he stopped blowing.

Jerwin: See? It wasn't that bad.

Ako: Sagasaan kaya kita ngayon tapos buhusan ko ng antiseptic ung mga sugat mo. Tignan ko lang kung ngingiti-
ngiti ka pa dyan. T_T
Jerwin: Oh c'mon.. Pag sinagasaan mo ko, pano ka na lang? Baka maaga kang ma-byuda... Pano na lang ang mga

anak natin? Mahirap lumaki nang walang tatay, di ba?

Ako: Ulol! Hindi pa tayo kasal!

Geez. I can't believe na talagang uulit-ulitin nya pa un.

Nakakahiya palang pakinggan. -__-

Napatingin ako sa labas para itago ung pula ng mukha ko. Dun ko lang na-realize: may mga taong nagkumpol-
kumpol dun sa may sidewalk. Nakatitig silang lahat dun sa truck namin.. parang may hinihintay.

Ako: What are they looking at?

Jerwin: They probably think I'm raping you or something. You were screaming pretty loud.

Oo O

I turned to him in horror. He's calmly putting away the cotton and the bottle of anti-septic dun sa plastic
bag. How can he be calm in this situation!?!?

PAK!

Binatukan ko nga. Nag-papanic ako dito, tapos sya pa-easy-easy lang dyan?!?

Jerwin: Ouch! What?!

Ako: Shouldn't we be escaping by now?!? Pano kung tumawag ng pulis ung mga taong un?!?
Jerwin: We'll tell them we're engaged.
Ako: How is that gonna help!??
Jerwin: Ummm.. We can tell them that we're young adults? We have needs.

Oo O

Ako: You--!!!!

I continued hitting him. Baka sakaling magising ung mga brain cells nya! Anong "we have needs"?!? Naririnig

nya ba ang sarili nya?!?

Jerwin: S-Stop! I was just kidding! How am I supposed to drive kung hinahampas mo ko?!?

I slumped in my seat. Oo nga naman. Kailangan makatakas kagad kami bago pa dumating sina Manong Policeman.
Baka mag-celebrate pa kami ng monthsary sa kulungan. +_+

"Fishball! Squidball!"

Napatingin ulit ako sa labas. May tindero ng fishball....

Hmmmm...

Ako: Sunshine, stop!

Jerwin was just about to pull out of the sidewalk nung sumigaw ako. Napatapak tuloy syang bigla sa brake. He
turned to me bewildered.

Jerwin: What?!

Ako: Wait lang. May bibilhin lang ako.

I quickly jumped out of the truck. Kinawayan ko pa muna ung mga spectators namin. Nung nakita nilang
napansin kong nakiki-tsismis sila, they immediately scurried in different directions.

Tumakbo ako dun sa sari-sari store.

Ako: Ate! Pabiliii~!

::Chapter 75::
Worth Every Minute
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

After buying the things I needed from the sari-sari store, pinag-drive ko si Jerwin sa sinehan. Nung una akala
nya, manonood kami ng sine. Pero nung sinabi kong wag syang baba at hintayin nya lang ako, na-confused si

kuya. I ran inside the theater and asked for two black plastic 3D glasses. Tinanggal ko ung... uh.. salamin

ba ang tawag dun kahit hindi naman talaga sya "salamin"? Basta. Ang kailangan ko lang naman eh ung rims

nya.

Nung nakuha ko na ung kailangan ko, I went back to where Jerwin was waiting.
He looked at me all weird nung nakita nya ung dala ako. He didn't say anything though.

I told him to drive papunta sa dating neighborhood kung san ako nakatira -- ung malapit sa dating bahay namin
ni mommy (kamusta na kaya ung mga bagong nakatira dun?). Sunod naman sya. When we got there, he parked
the truck sa tapat nung basketball court. Nilabas ko lahat ng mga binili ko and inabot kay Jerwin ung para sa
kanya, which is a red and white na sumbrero.

Jerwin: What's this? Why are we here?

Ako: Basta, suotin mo na lang, okay?

I took out a dark blue bandana from my sari-sari store purchases. I rolled it once, tapos tinali ko sa ulo ko.

Tada! Headband bandana!

Jerwin: What are we doing? Are we kidnapping somebody?

He threw the cap on his head. Ehtong si kuya, puro tanong, pero sunod naman nang sunod. I handed him
the 3D glasses, which he reluctantly took.

Ako: Di ba gusto mong kumain sa labas?

Jerwin: Uh...?

Ako: Papakainin kita sa labas! Ngayon, unless gusto mong madumog ng mga tao, suotin mo na yang mga
binibigay ko syo, ok?
Jerwin: I feel like we're out to mug someone... -___-

Ako: No. We are out on a mission. Like ninjas.

Jerwin: Ninjas?
Ako: Maki-ride ka na lang.

Sinuot nya ung 3D glasses nya. Natatakpan nung sumbrero nya ung mukha nya, and with the glasses, you can
barely recognize him. Unless may lumapit sa kanya at tumitig ng bonggang-bongga, hindi na sya makikilala.

Tinignan ko ung sarili ko sa salamin. I look gangstah~ nyahahaha

With the glasses, I look like a dork -- kaya hindi ko na lang sinuot. I don't think people will mind me
anyway. If they recognize me, I doubt na pagkakaguluhan nila ako.

Bumaba na kami ni Jerwin. He keeps on adjusting the fake glasses and pulling down his cap. He looks

nervous. I can't blame him though. Never in his life siguro sya lumabas ng ganito para lang tumambay.
Actually, never in his life siguro sya tumapak sa mga ganitong eskinita kung san nagkalat ang mga pawisin at
mga hindi pa naliligo na mga tao.

He keeps on looking around habang naglalakad kami. Parang syang batang first time sa zoo.

Pasilip-silip dun sa mga half-naked na naglalaro ng basketball...

Tumitingin-tingin sa mga batang kalye na naghahabulan kahit lumulubog na ang araw...
Napapatitig sa mga askal na palaboy-laboy...
Pinanood ang mga tatay na gabi-gabi na lang kung mag-inuman dun sa may tindahan...

Ang hirap maging sheltered na mayaman. Ignorante.

Jerwin: Uh.. so.. may restaurant dito?
Ako: Restaurant? Mukha bang may restaurant dito?
Jerwin: No.
Ako: Oh, alam mo naman pala eh.

Napatingin sya sa'kin.

Jerwin: Where are we going then?

Ako: Bibinyagan ka.

Jerwin: Huh?

I pulled him to walk faster. Nandun pa sa kabilang dulo ng kalye ang destination namin. Naaaliw naman ako

dahil nagpapahila si kuya kahit na panay ang tingin nya sa paligid. Explorer mode yata sya ngayon.

After ilang minuto, nakita ko na ung lugar. Hinila ko lalo sya para magmadali.

Ako: Tada! Here we are! Street food heaven!

Lalong natulala si Jerwin. He looked from one push-cart to another.

Street food heaven talaga tohng lugar na toh lalo na pag ganitong oras. Halos lahat ng street food na pangarap
ko, naglalabasan pag ganitong oras at nag-ggather sila dito.

Oh di vah~ Heaven~

Jerwin: We're eating here?

Ako: Yep.
Jerwin: Mabubusog ba tayo nyan?
Ako: Bahala na! Basta, kumain na tayo!

Hinila ko sya papunta dun sa push-cart ni Manong Fishball.

Ako: Kuya! Sampung piso nga poh!

Binigyan kami ni manong ng dalawang stick. Jerwin glanced at me in confusion. Nagtataka siguro kung bakit

stick lang ang binigay sa'min.

Ako: Sige na, Sunshine, tumusok ka na.

Jerwin: Tumusok?

Pinakita ko sa kanya ung ibig kong sabihin. May kawali sa harap ni manong tindero.. Dun sa kawali, may
nilulutong fishball at squidball. Bahala ka na tumusok ng gusto mo.

Tumusok ako ng tatlo.

Ako: See? Ganito lang.

Jerwin nodded. Sinubukan nyang tumusok rin, pero ehwan ko ba naman dito. Kulang talaga sa practice.
Kahit anong pilit nya, nag-bbounce pa rin ung fishball palayo sa stick nya.

Ako: Di ganyan. Ganito oh..

Kinuha ko ung kamay nya. I guided his hand kung pano nya successfully matutusok ung fishball. Pagkatusok nya
sa isa, may maliit na alambre dun sa side nung kawali, ipasok nya ung stick nya dun para umusog ung fishball.
Tapos, kuha ulit sya.

Parang akong nagtuturo mangisda.

Nung nakakuha na sya ng tatlo, tinuro ko sa kanya ung mga sauce na nasa bote.
Sumawsaw na ko dun sa sweet n sour. Tumingin si Jerwin sa'kin, tapos dun sa bote, tapos sa'kin ulit.

Jerwin: Is this sanitary?

Ako: Ay anak ng tinapa.. May street food bang "sanitary"? Sumawsaw ka na lang! Pag hindi kinaya ng sikmura
mo, ako pa ang magdadala syo sa ospital.
Nag-hehesitate pa sya nung una, pero eventually, sumawsaw din sya sa sweet n sour. Tinitigan nya ung mga

fishball nya... Naghahanap pa yata ng tissue o plato kaseh tumutlo ung sauce.

Ako: Oh, dahan-dahan sa pagkagat, mainit.

He nodded. He bit a small part of the fishball. Pinanood ko ung reaksyon nya.
Tatakbo na ba? Hihimatayin? Iiyak??

Ako: Well?
Jerwin: Mhmm.. Mainit nga.

Ako: Di ba? Bagong luto kasi eh noh?

He chomped on his fishball again while looking around.

Ako: Sarap?
Jerwin: Yeah. Let's try the next one. What's that orange thing?

Binayaran namin si Manong Fishball tapos lumipat dun sa susunod na stall.

For at least 40 minutes, dun lang kami sa area na un -- kumakain, palipat-lipat sa mga push-cart... Nilubos-

lubos ko talaga ang introduction ko ng street food kay Jerwin.

Tinuro ko ang pinagkaiba ng kwek-kwek sa tucneneng.

Ang proben ay parte ng manok -- kahit hindi ko alam kung anong parte.
Masarap man kainin ang pure taba ng baboy, masama sa health ito dahil talagang maninikip ang dibdib mo.
Ang scrambol ay mas masarap kung mas maraming gatas.
Ang sago at gulaman ay magaling kapag nauuhaw ka na -- pero siguraduhin mo lang na hindi ka mabubulunan sa
gulaman.
Ang "black box-like things" na un ay tinatawag na "betamax" at favorite food ng mga bampira dahil dugo un ng
manok at baboy. (pareho naming di take kainin)
Kapag uhaw na uhaw ka na, pumunta sa malapit na tindahan at bumili ng isang maliit na bote ng Coke o Royal --
and yes, nilalagay nila sa maliit na clear plastic bag kaya siguraduhin mong walang butas ung bag.

Ang huling stop namin eh ung isaw stand. Sa totoo lang, ang pinunta ko lang dun eh ung barbecue.
Jerwin: What are those?
Ako: Isaw. Intestines ng baboy.
Jerwin: Masarap?
Ako: Errr.. di ko alam. Totoo lang, di ko kaya kainin.
Jerwin: Oh.... I'll take one then.

Ako: Eh?!?
Jerwin: What?

Kinarir na talaga ni kuya ang pagka-explorer nya! O_O Feel na feel ang pag-discover ng new things. Wala na
kong nagawa nung inabutan sya ni manong ng isang stick ng isaw. Talagang napatitig na lang ako... @_@

Jerwin: Hey, it's good!

At nasarapan pa...

Jerwin: Sardines, you should try this!

Ako: Eh, di na. Masaya na ko sa barbecue ko.

Jerwin: But it's really good.

Ako: Oo na.. I believe you.

Nung naglalakad kami pabalik sa truck para umuwi, tatlong stick na ng isaw ang hawak ni Jerwin. Iba ang
powers ni kuya. Nagustuhan talaga ung isaw.

When we reached the truck, napansin kong panay pa rin ang tingin ni Jerwin dun sa mga nag-babasketball.

Ako: You know.. We're not really in a hurry. Do you want to watch first?

Jerwin: Really?!?!?

Ako: Uh.. yea.

Hindi naman masyadong obvious na tuwang-tuwa sya, noh?

Pumasok kami dun sa basketball court. Connected ung court na un sa public elementary school sa tabi nya kaya
madalas, dito naglalaro ung mga tambay. Wala mang bubong, may ilaw, upuan, at fence naman. hahaha Malinis-
linis pa.

Swerte lang namin dahil walang masyadong tao ngayon gabi. Mahirap na.. Baka biglang may mapatitig kay
Jerwin at ma-realize kung sino sya. Pano na lang ang buhay namen if ever.

Jerwin: Who's the referee?

Ako: Referee? Anong referee?

Jerwin: Well.. aren't they playing a game?

Ako: Sunshine, katuwaan lang yang larong yan. Kung may foul eh di foul.. pero usually, defense at offense lang
ang ginagawa nila. Wala nang free throw-free throw.
Jerwin: I see...

Tahimik ulit syang nanood habang kinakain ung mga isaw nya. Ilang minuto lang yata ang tinagal nung isaw.

Tapos ung Royal naman, isang higop lang. Pero wala namang reklamo si kuya. Busy sa panonood nya nung
basketball.

I'm not really a sportsfan. Mas gusto ko pang panoorin ung mga reaksyon ni Jerwin. nyahahaha Pinapanood
nya talaga ung laro.. Pag nagkakalokohan ung mga players, napapangiti rin sya.. Si kuya.. Sabik yata sa mga

ganyang mala-bastos at nakakalokong kulitan.

Jerwin: Oh, he's leaving.

Napatingin ako dun sa tinitignan nya. May isang player nga na aalis na -- pinatawag na yata ng nanay. Yan,
one player short na tuloy ung isang team. Siguro mag-uuwian na rin sila---

"Uy, bro! Kanina ka pa dyan! Gusto mo maglaro?"

Oo O

Oh my golay, they're talking to Jerwin!

Pagkaalis nung isang player, lumapit ung isang team sa'min. As soon as Jerwin heard the invitation, napatingin
kagad sya sa'kin -- and I swear, nakakita yata ako ng stars sa mata nya. O_O

Ako: *sigh* Fine. Go ahead, I'll wait.

Jerwin: I'll be back soon!

Tumayo kagad sya tapos tinanggal ung fake glasses nya. Napalipad ung kamay ko sa braso nya.

Ako: What are you doing?!?

Jerwin: Relax. I'm keeping my cap on.
Ako: But--

Jerwin: If they find out who I am, we'll run.

Wala na kong nagawa. Kinuha ko ung fake glasses nya and bumalik sa upuan ko. He ran towards his

"teammates" and I think pinakilala nya pa ang sarili nya as "Jay".

Hay nako.. Kung hindi ka lang sabik sa playmates, hinila na kita pauwi.

They started the game again. In fairness, may hidden talent pala tohng si Sunshine. Parang shooting machine

sa mga two- at three-pointer shots. Lumalabas nanaman ang pagka-competitive side.

But most importantly, he looks like he's actually having fun.

Napangiti ako. See? Isn't this a good way to celebrate kesa dun sa high-class na restaurant na pupuntahan

sana namin?

Halos kalahating oras na sila naglalaro. Gusto ko na ngang magpaka-cheerleader at magpaka-"Go Sunshine! Go

Sunshine!" dun sa stands... kaya lang wala akong pom-poms eh.

All of a sudden, someone's arm brushed near Jerwin's face. Nahagip ung sumbrero nya and nahulog sa sahig
ung sumbrero. I immediately shot up to my feet.

Crap.
Nakita ko si Jerwin na napatigil sa posisyon nya. Nung na-realize nya ung nangyari, he quickly went and put the
cap back on -- but it was too late. Nakita na sya nung mga kalaro nya.

Napatakbo kagad ako sa kanya.

"Jerwin?!? Jerwin Santos?!?"

"Tol, si Jerwin Santos ba yan?!"

When I reached him, nagtipon-tipon na ung mga kalaro nya sa isang likod ni Jerwin, nagbubulungan sa sobrang
gulat. I took Jerwin's hand, which was lying flatly on his side.

Ako: We better go..

Jerwin: Yea...

"Uy! Ayan ba ung girlfriend raw nya? Ung Venice?"

"Sila nga un?!?"

"Tol, nakalaro natin si Jerwin Santos!"

You idiots. Kung magbubulungan lang rin naman kayo eh siguraduhin nyo nang hindi namin maririnig.

Jerwin stopped in front of them and gave a weak smile.

Jerwin: Thanks for letting me play. Alis na ko... Salamat ulit.

He sounds really disappointed. He must've wanted to stay and continue playing. It's not everyday na
nakakalabas at nakakapaglaro sya nang ganito...
Pero anong magagawa namin? Baka pag nag-stay pa kami, madumog pa sya. Pano kami tatakas? Walang guardya
dito.

We were about to leave the court nang biglang may humabol na player.

Player 1: Jay!

Napaikot kaming dalawa.

Player 1: Pag hindi ka ulit busy at napadpad ka ulit dito, maglaro ulit tayo!
Player 2: Oo nga! Wag kang mag-alala, i-lolock pa namin ung court para walang manggugulo!
Player 1: Di rin namin pagsasabi na nandito ka! Kaya bumalik ka ulit! Tayo naman ang teammates next time!

I felt Jerwin's arm twitch. Pagkatapos nyang marinig un, napangiti kagad sya. He held up his other hand and
waved at the guys.

Jerwin: Yes, sure!

Player 2: Dalin mo ulit si Venice! Ang ganda ng girlprend mo!
Player 1: Gunggong! Wag kang maingay!

Ay, maganda raw ako~ nyahahahaha

I waved at them too. After that, sumakay na kami ni Jerwin sa sasakyan para makauwi na. Tinanggal nya ung
sumbrero nya and threw it in the backseat. Pawis na pawis sya pero talagang nakangiti pa rin sya hanggang
ngayon...
Nako.. Na-bakla na yata dun sa mga kalaro nya.
Pano na lang ako? Mahirap magkaron ng boyfriend na iba ang preference. O_O

Ako: You look happy.

Jerwin: Yea. I haven't played basketball in years. At ehtong basketball na toh pa, walang pressure to win. It
was great.

Ung basketball ba? O ung mga taong nakalaro mo na hindi nagtitili kahit na nalaman nila kung sino ka?
Ako: So when will you come back?
Jerwin: I won't be coming back.
Ako: Eh?! Why not?

He pulled out of the sidewalk and started to drive. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya dahil di ko getz. Kung nag-
enjoy sya, bakit hindi sya babalik? Di ba ang normal na tao, pag nag-enjoy, bumabalik-balik?

Jerwin: Gustuhin ko mang bumalik, it'll be safer for both you and me if we stay away. I had fun tonight, and
that's good enough.
Ako: But still...
Jerwin: Venice, do you honestly believe na walang makakaalam na pumunta ako dyan? At least one of them
will mention it to someone, who'll mention it to someone else. Magpapasa-pasa ung balita. Next thing I know,
may mga camera na.. nasa news na. I don't want that.
Ako: You're right... -__-

Man.. Not having any privacy sucks. -___- Kawawa naman si Sunshine. No wonder ignorante sya sa world.

Jerwin: But tonight was great. Di ba?

Ako: Yep.

Kung nag-enjoy naman sya, kahit ngayong gabi lang, eh mabuti na rin. Memories of life~ wiihhh~ hahahaha

Naputol ang pangungulit ko sa sarili ko when Jerwin suddenly reached over to my side and held my hand. I
looked up at him pero sa kalsada na sya nakatingin. Yet, kahit na hindi sya nakaharap sa'kin, I can see
satisfaction in his features.

Jerwin: Thank you for tonight, Sardines.

I smiled as I playfully intertwined my fingers with his.

Ehto ang celebration namin for our 2nd monthsary. Cheap man, pero worth it naman ang every minute.

Ako: You're welcome, Sunshine.

 ::Chapter 76::
Sparks
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Oh you've got to be kidding me.

Natulala ako sa labas ng bintana nung taxi. May halos 15 na cameras and reporters ang nagkalat sa harap ng
school gates. I don't think they're here dahil finals na at malapit nang maglabasan ang mga new graduates --

ang future ng ating bansa!

Haayyyyy... Good morning to me. -___-

Ako: Manong, sa tingin nyo, makakalagpas kaya ako nang hindi nila napapasin?
Manong Driver: Ay nako, ma'am, parang imposible. Eh ung ako nga, malayo pa lang, nakilala ko na kayo, sila pa
kaya?

I knew it... T^T Gyera talaga ang sasabakin bago ako makapasok.
Nag-ayos pa man din ako ng buhok dahil dalawang final exams ang kukunin ko today! Sabi nga nila, connected
ang ganda mo sa ability mong kumuha ng test. Aba, kung nag-aalala ka kung gano na kaya kagulo ang buhok mo,

eh di hindi nakapag-concentrate sa exam, di ba?

Tumingin ulit ako sa labas nung bintana. Buti na lang mabait si Manong Driver, tinigil na nya ung metro kahit
halos limang minuto na kong nakaupo dito.

Manong Driver: Ay, alam ko na!

Napatingin akong bigla kay manong. May stroke of a genius ba sya!? Sasagasaan nya na ung mga nakakalat na
reporters? Papaliparin ung taxi over the gate? Sisigaw ng "DARNA!" or "Superman" ba dapat?

Manong Driver: Hintay lang kayo dyan, ma'am, ha. Wag kayong magpapakita. Kukunin ko lang ung gwardya.
Ako: Ahhh~ Sige po, manong! Salamat po!
Pinanood ko syang tumalon palabas nung taxi. Pasimple pa sya sa paglakad-lakad nya papunta dun sa gate nung
school. *sniff* Ang bait ni manong. T^T

Kinalkal ko ung bag ko para iwanan ung bayad dun sa front seat -- idagdag na rin ang malaking tip dahil santo si
manong -- SANTO.

Maya-maya lang, nakita ko nang bumabalik si Manong Driver. Kasama na nya si Manong Guard. Medyo
nakahalata yata ung ibang reporters. Nag-iba bigla ang titig nila dun sa dalawang naglalakad.

Tumigil si Manong Guard sa harap ng bintana ko. Binuksan ko ng konti kasi may inaabot sya sa'kin. Sumbrero?
-__-

Manong Guard: Miss, sorry, mag-isa lang akong naka-duty ngayong umaga eh. Pero suotin nyo ho ung sumbrero
para hindi kayo masyadong makunan.
Ako: Uh.. okay.. Salamat po. Pasensya na sa abala.

Sinuot ko nga ung sumbrero, tapos kinuha ko na rin ung bag ko. Before opening the door, I took a couple of
deep breaths. Parang feeling ko, criminal ako na lalabas sa kulungan under suspicious circumstances. In other
words, hindi ako natutuwa sa "feeling" ko.

Ako: Okay, I'm ready.

Kahit hindi pa naman talaga.

I opened the door and stepped out. As soon as tumapak ako sa labas, tumabi kagad sa'kin si Manong Guard!
Pati si Manong Driver, naki-eksena rin! Buti na lang talaga, malaking tip ang iniwan ko kay manong. T^T

Nagtulakan na ung mga reporters nung napansin nila ako. Samu't saring tanong ang binato sa'kin. Syempre,
mawawala ba naman ang favoriiitteeee kong question, "Miss Venice! Buntis ka ba?!"

Ay anak ng tipaklong. Eh kung ilantad ko kaya sa kanila ang tyan ko nang makita nilang walang kung anong
lumalaki sa loob!?!?

All-out war na talaga itoh. Mahirap na nga na dalawa lang ang nag-eescort sa'kin, ung dalawa pang un, mas
focused dun sa mga reporters. Tinatamaan pa rin tuloy ako ng kung anu-anong mic at camera.
I want Jerwin to escort me next time. T^T

At least si Sunshine, willing mabugbog. nyahahaha

Ako: Please let me through! I'm gonna be late for my exam!

Pero syempre, kung nakikinig sila sa ganyang usapan, magiging ganito ba naman kahirap ang buhay ko?

Finally, nakarating na rin kami sa gate! Ang usual na 3 minutes papasok, naging 10 minutes! Nagusot pa ang
uniform ko! At ang hair ko! Ilang beses nahila kung saan-saan! Dapat na siguro akong magpagupit.... -___-

Sinarado kagad ni Manong Guard ung gate. I collapsed on the bench na nandun sa may booth ng mga guards.
Na-drain ang energy ko....
Ang aga-aga ha!

Tumingin ako kay Manong Driver.

Ako: Nako, manong, sorry. Pati kayo nadamay pa.

Manong Driver: Ay, okay lang ho un. Sinakay ko na rin naman kayo't lahat, lulubus-lubusin ko na ang

pagtulong.

Ako: Swerte ko na lang at kayo ang nasakyan ko. Iniwan ko na po ung bayad dun sa loob ng taxi. Kung
anuman po ung sobra, snyo na lang po.
Manong Driver: Ah, sige po. Salamat po. At good luck sa mga test nyo.
Ako: Thank you po.

Lumabas na ulit si manong para bumalik na sa taxi nya. Ako naman, pag hindi pa tumayo, talagang ma-llate na ko
sa exam ko. I stood up and tried to smoothe out my uniform. Nung medyo acceptable na ung itsura nya,
tumingin ako kay Manong Guard.

Ako: Sige po, manong, papasok na po ako. Salamat po sa escort.

Manong Guard: Walang anuman. I-rreport ko na lang sa principal ung nangyari. Baka sakaling may magawa sila
para mamayang pag-uwi mo.
Ako: Sige po. Salamat po uhlet.
Umikot na ko para pumunta sa building ko. I tried to ignore the whispers and stares, pero the more I pretend
to be oblivious, the more I notice them.

Good morning talaga. -__-

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I came home late that afternoon feeling irritated. I left the manager's office after a very heated discussion
about the current scandal and Venice. I even saw the footage nung mga reporters na nag-aabang sa labas ng
school ni Venice.
They showed a short clip of when she arrived. She was almost trampled on by those reporters. Kung wala
siguro ung guard and the other old guy, baka napisat na sya.
Tapos nung pag-uwi nya naman, may mga pulis na! Pero kahit anong barricade ang gawin nila, dahil maliit lang
naman ung space, naiipit pa rin si Venice. There was even this one shot na close-up nung mukha ni Venice. She
looked really upset and scared.

The manager is right. She's not safe anymore.

More importantly, she won't be able to go back to her old life.
Nope. Not after this scandal.

But still... How can he suggest an escape route like that?

There's gotta be another way to get rid of this problem.... right?

I went inside the house and was surprised to see Venice on the couch -- staring into space. O_O I wonder if
it's because of what's happening...

Ako: Aren't you supposed to be studying?

Venice: *sigh* Yea.
Ako: And?
Venice: I finished earlier. Now I'm bored.

Ako: Anong ginagawa mo dyan?

Venice: Nagbibilang ng dust particles.
Huh? o_O

Venice: Gusto mong maki-upo? Makibilang ka rin sa'kin. Pero dapat magaling ang mata mo kasi palubog na ang
araw. Mahirap na silang makita.

This is one of the most absurd ideas I've ever heard. Pero ehwan ko ba naman sa sarili ko, nakinig naman ako
at umupo nga sa tabi nya.
I squinted my eyes at the ray of sun na pumapasok through the glass door.
Yep, ahyun ung mga alikabok....

Am I supposed to count all of them?

Venice: Sunshine.
Ako: Hm?
Venice: There was a bunch of reporters outside school today. I think they stayed there for hours just
waiting for me.
Ako: That's what they do.
Venice: But... I don't understand. I'm not a celebrity.

Napatigil ako bigla sa pagbibilang ko, and turned to face her. She looks frustrated. I'm used to the constant
stalking, but I forgot na iba nga pala si Venice. She doesn't want her life to be broadcasted for the entire
nation to see.

Ako: I know it's hard right now, but I promise, it'll get better soon.
Venice: Really?

Truth is, I don't really know. Gano katagal magiging curious ang mga tao?
Gano katagal bago mawala ang interest ng media?
This issue hasn't even reached its peak yet.

Ako: I'll take care of you. Believe me.

She finally flashed a quick smile. She nodded as if assuring herself na totoo lahat ng sinasabi ko.
Venice: I believe you.

I smiled. I don't think I managed to cheer her up that much.

Then I remembered something. Since tapos na naman syang mag-aral... at wala naman syang mapapala kung
magbibilang sya ng mga dust particles nya..
Mas mabuti na kung isama ko sya.

Ako: Hey, you know, I finished the new CD the other day.
Venice: Oh?
Ako: Yea, I'm actually going to the studio later to listen to the final product. Gusto mong sumama?
Venice: Really?!? Kahit hindi pa sya na-rrelease!?!?

Ako: Of course. It's only right na ang fiancée ko ang unang makarinig, di ba?
::Chapter 77::
So Long So Long
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"Will you stop crying already?!?"

"I'm not crying!"

Pero sa totoo lang, talaga namang maluluha na ko dito.

Nakakahiya na nga kaseh pinagtitinginan kami nung mga taong nakakasalubong namin.

We just finished listeninig to Jerwin's final track list. Nakaka-touch ung mga kanta. Sabi nya, unlike the
previous album, most of the songs daw sa new album na toh, sya mismo ang sumulat. Kaya talagang dugo nya
ang tumagaktak para lang ma-release ung album na un.

Lahat nung songs maganda. May sweet and mellow. May R&B-ish na feel. May headbanging rock. Meron din
alternative. Kumpleto sa rekados kaya na-enjoy ko talaga.

Pero ang pinaka-favorite kong kanta from the album is ung track #2.
Ironically, ahyun ung kaisa-isang song sa album na revival lang.
Never Gonna Be Alone.
So, bakit ko sya naging favorite?
Kasi sabi ni Sunshine, nilagay nya raw ung kantang un dun
especially for me.

Wahsuuuusshhhhh... San ka pa?!?

May song na dedicated for me sa album nya~ wahahahaha

Ang haba ng hair ko~

Pero, don't get me wrong, hindi un ang dahilan kung bakit ako umiiyak.

Kasi naman. After naming makinig sa album, syempre, lalabas na kami nung studio.
Ehto ako tohng si tanga, hindi ko rin maintindihan kung anong nangyari.
Pagbukas ko nung pinto, napalakas yata ung hila ko, dumireto sa mukha ko ung pinto! BAM!

Hanggang ngayon, namumula pa rin ung noo at ilong ko.

Si Jerwin, hindi maintindihan kung tatawa ba o magagalit sa sobrang kagalingan ko. -___-

Ako: Sunshine, mapula pa rin ba?

Jerwin: Konti na lang. Ay, ehwan ko ba naman syo! Anong klaseng tao ka ba?! Pati pinto, sinasalubong mo ng
mukha mo!
Ako: Eh malay ko bang didiretso sya! T.T

We just turned around the corner para makalabas ng building, when all of a sudden, I ran into someone.
Seriously. Anoh bang meron sa mga solid barriers at sa mukha ko today?!?

My hands quickly flew to my face. Hinila ako ni Jerwin sa likod nya -- kung kelan naman nabunggo na ko't lahat.
-__-

"Oh. Small world."

O_O

Napatingin ako bigla dun sa binunggo ko, at tignan mo nga naman ang lupeeettt talaga ng tadhana. Sa dinami-
dami ng pwedeng bungguin, ung bruha pa ang hinarap sa'kin!
Jerwin: Geena. What are you doing here?

Naramdaman kong humigpit ung hawak ni Jerwin sa kamay ko. So I guess hindi pala nya ko hinila dahil
bubunggo ako (kahit too late na), hinila nya pala ako dahil sa nabunggo ko.

Geena: I'm here for a photoshoot.

Jerwin: This late?
Geena: Well, I'm trying to finish everything tonight since I'll be leaving tomorrow. I don't want to be sued
for a breach of contract if I just leave without finishing my projects, you know?
Ako: You're leaving? Where are you going?
Geena: I'm going to Paris. I'll probably stay there for a while to work and to get my college degree.

Ohhhhh... Shosyal.
Sa Eiffel Tower pa sya magpapaka-estudyante.

Jerwin: That's good. You're moving on.

Geena: Yes. I'm giving up on you, Jerwin. So, when time comes, don't go running after me and ask me to take

you back.

Ay. "Giving up on you" daw, tapos biglang ganon ang banat! O.O

Jerwin: I won't.
Geena: Good. Anyway, I have to go now.

Nagulat ako nang bigla syang tumingin sa'kin. For the first time since I met her, she actually looked at me
straight in the eyes at walang bahid ng malisya ang ngiti nya.
And for the first time since I met her, I didn't feel intimidated.

Geena: Good luck with everything, Venice.

Ako: Thanks. Good luck to you too.

She then turned to Jerwin. Nawindang ako nang bigla syang nag-reach out to gently touch his face. I gritted
my teeth trying to calm myself down. Pagbigyan na, last moment nya na toh. Take a deep breath...
Inhale....

Exhale....

Geena: Goodbye, Jerwin.

She pulled back her hand.....

Okay na sana eh. Pero talaga namang hihirit pa!
She suddenly tiptoed and landed a quick kiss on Jerwin's cheek! @.@

Inhale! Exhale! Inhale! Exhale! Inhale! Exhale!

After that, she turned around, flinging her luscious locks sa mga shocked expressions namin ni Jerwin. I
stared at her in bewilderment hanggang sa sumakay sya ng elevator.

A b!tch all the way to the end.

Napatingin ako kay Jerwin. Mukhang iniwan na ng kaluluwa nya ung taong toh.

Ako: Anoh? Tititig ka na lang dyan!?

He suddenly snapped back to reality and turned to me.

Jerwin: I totally did not see that coming! If I did, I would have stopped her!
Ako: Yea yea. Wipe that lipstick mark on your cheek. Baka kung ano pang isipin ng mga tao.

He frantically rubbed the cheek na hinalikan nung bruhildang un. I pulled my hand out of his grasp and stalked
away. Syempre, sunod naman sya.

Jerwin: Are you mad?!? Are you mad at me?!?! Why are you mad?!?
Ako: Nakoooo hinde. Bakit naman ako magagalit, di ba?!?
Jerwin: Why are you walking so fast then?!?
Ako: Maybe because you're walking too slow!
Parang kaming timang naghahabulan dun sa hallway.
Alam ko namang hindi nya naman talaga kasalanan, pero ehwan ko ba!
Na-bbwiset pa rin ako!

Jerwin: Venice!

I ignored him.

Jerwin: Sardinessss!!!

Magsskandalo pa!

Jerwin: MAHAAALLLLL!!!!
::Chapter 78::
Tik Tok
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

The next day, para maiwasan raw ang pagdumog sa'kin, Jerwin insisted na ihatid ako for school.
Little did I know na may usapan na pala sila nung principal. Instead of stopping in front of the gates,
dumiretso sya sa pag-ddrive. Akala ko nga sasagasaan nya ung mga reporters na nakatambay dun sa may gate,
pero di naman pala. Pinapasok nung guard ung sasakyan ni Jerwin hanggang sa loob.

Na-amaze ako. Planado na pala lahat ni kuya.

Jerwin: I'll pick you up later, okay?

Ako: Wag na. May pupuntahan pa kami nina Sheena.
Jerwin: But, Venice--

I turned to glare at him. Sa totoo lang, di pa rin kami nagbabati from the event last night with Geena. Parang
Cold War sa bahay dahil todo iwas ako kay Jerwin. Ni hindi ko nga rin alam kung bahket, pero parang
nakakahiya naman kung bigla-bigla na lang akong mag-give in pagkatapos ng effort kong magpaka-maldita sa

kanya.
Jerwin: *sigh* Okay. Just be careful. Call me if you need me.

I jumped out of the truck. I watched him slowly back out para lumabas na uhlet. Haaayyy.. Anoh ba naman
tohng ginagawa ko? Kawawa naman si Sunshine... Inaaway ko nang walang dahilan.... -___- I wonder kung mood
swings toh.. Time of the month na ba?

"Bakla!!"

I turned around and saw the Three Stooges approaching me. Di ko mapigilan ngumiti. Holding hands while

walking sina Anton at si Sheena oh~ Anoh yaaannn~ wahahahaha

Kenny: Shosyal ang mga paparazzi sa labas! Pang-Britney Spears ang taray!
Ako: Anong taray ka dyan?!? Pinapasakit nila ang ulo ko!

We started walking papunta sa library. May study session kami today para sa mga huling exams namin.

Mapasok man lang namin ang library kahit ngayon lang na last day na ng klase.
All the while na naglalakad kami, I couldn't help but notice na dumadami lalo ang mga nagbubulungan at mga
tumititig nang masama. Kung hindi lang ako reformed person, dinukot ko na ung mga mata nila!

Kenny: Hay nako. Kagatin na sana ng langgam ung dalawa sa likod naten.

Sumilip ako dun sa "dalawa sa likod namin", and true enough, kagatin na nga sana sila ng mga langgam.
Nakaakbay si Anthony kay Sheena. Ang mga ngiti pa nung dalawa habang nag-uusap! Ay my golay! Kelan pa
naging ganito ka-corny ang best friend ko!?!?

Ako: Langya! Anoh ba yan?!? Kayo na ba?!?

Biglang tumutok ung ngiti nung dalawa sa'kin -- and I swear, kabulag!
Isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito!
Kenny: Ay malandi! Kayo na!?!? Kelan pa?!?!

Sheena: Kagabi lang.

Ako: Ay! Ay! Ay! Hindi nga!?!? Hindi nga?!?

Buti na lang at wala pa kami sa library dahil, sa lakas ng tilian naming tatlo, baka nasipa na kami nung

librarian! Ang taray ng dalawa! Kaya pala iba na lang ang aura nila!

Ako: Pano naging kayo?! Umepekto na ba talaga ang gayuma ni Anton?!?

Anthony: Anong gayuma? Pure charm yan! Charm!

Kenny: Charm-charmin mo mukha mo! Ay! Hindi ko kinaya! Sila na talaga!

Ang ingay namin hanggang sa makarating kami sa library. Wala pa ngang balak tumahimik si Kenny kung di lang

sya binato ng pamatay na tingin nung librarian. Napatahimik tuloy kaming apat.

Ako: Kaya ba kayo biglang nagyaya na magshopping mamaya?

Sheena: Syempre noh! Celebratory shopping itoh!

Ako: Ay, I love your celebrations, best friend!

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Man..... Doing nothing is boring. -__- I flipped through the channels one after another. Anoh pang sense ng
cable kung sa dinami-dami ng channels, wala pa ring mapanood?

Since the album is already done, ang kailangan ko na lang gawin is maghintay for the release. I'm gonna do
some pre-release promotions, but that won't start til next month.
I'm so booooreeeeeeedddddddddd.

Should I clean the house?

But everything looks clean already.

Should I go do some grocery shopping?

We did that just last week.

Maybe I should get a dog.

... I can't buy a dog out of impulse.

I was about to roll out of the couch to crawl around the house when my phone started ringing.
I checked the caller ID and groaned. It's the manager.
I really don't want to talk to him.

Ehhh but what choice do I have? -__-

If I'm lucky, maybe he'll give me something to do.

Ako: Hello?
Manager: Jerwin.
Ako: Yea?
Manager: Have you talked to Venice yet?

Oh, it's this again.

Ako: No.
Manager: Jerwin--
Ako: I know. I know. I'm still thinking about it, okay? When I'm absolutely certain that it will be good for
her, then I'll talk to her.
Manager: Don't think too long. I'm looking at some tabloid reports, and I can tell you now, if we don't do
something soon, this is gonna get ugly.
Ako: Okay.

I hang up and stared at the phone for a few seconds before flinging it to the other side of the couch. Stupid
tabloids and their insane speculations.

::Chapter 79::
Cry Baby Cry
♫.~*~..~*~.♫
 (Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

That afternoon, pagkatapos ng mga pamatay naming mga exams, we went straight to the mall. Pagalingan pa ng

paglusot pass the mob of reporters outside school grounds.

This is like a tradition. Every year, pagkatapos ng isang taon, diretso sa mall para mag-celebrate. Although,
this time, bittersweet sya. Graduating na kaming lahat. Ehto na ang last time na mag-cecelebrate kami na
tapos na ang school year... Ilang araw na lang, graduation ceremony na...

Pero okay lang!

Toast to the future itoh! Para sa pagpasok namin sa society at sa kawindang-windang na official relationship
nina Anton at Sheena!

Ako: Naiinis ako.

Sheena: Bakit?
Ako: Kahit anong tingin ko sa mga stores, wala akong magustuhan. -__-
Kenny: Ang sakit sa heart na mag-mall nang walang nabibili noh?
Ako: Oo nga.

After halos dalawang oras ng pag-iikot, nag-settle na kaming apat sa Jollibee for merienda. Buti pa si Sheena,
may nabili na. Si Anton, wag na yan. Taga-bitbit lang yan. Pero kami ni Kenny?!? Bahket walang nakaw atensyon
sa'min?!

Buti na lang masarap ang Jobee~ At least man lang sa merienda, nakabawi kami ng bakla.

"Haayyyy.. Mga tao nga naman ngayon. Gagawin ang lahat para lang sumikat. Kulang talaga sa pansin. Buong
Pilipinas pa ang lolokohin. Kukupit pa ng superstar! Ambisyosa! Engagement for publicity stunt ang drama!"

Napatigil ako bigla sa pag-murder sa palabok ko. Nanahimik ung buong table namin. I didn't look up kahit na
nakikita ko sa blindspot ko ung babaeng nagsasalita. Ang bruha, talagang dito pa sa sulok namin dumaan para
lang magparinig.

"Magkano kaya ang binayad sa kanya noh? Pulot siguro sa kung saang eskinita un! hahahaha"

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Hindi maganda kung gumawa ako ng skandalo dito---
Pero I guess, hindi ganon ang naisip ni Kenny. Dahil ang bakla, hindi pa man ako nakaka-exhale, bigla nang
tumalon sa upuan nya! @.@

Kenny: Hoy babaeng kabayo! Kung magpaparinig ka na lang din naman, eh lumapit-lapit ka na dito noh!

Ingungungod ko yang mahaba mong nguso sa sahig!

Pasimple kong hinila si Kenny para umupo uhlet. Tinitignan na kami nung mga nakapalibot na lamesa. Ung
babaeng kabayo, tumigil rin sa paglalakad at nakatingin kay Kenny.

Ako: Ken--
Kenny: Ay, wag mo kong aawatin! Sinoh ba sya sa tingin nya?!? Kilala ka ba nya!? Insecuradorang kabayo sya!

Mukha kasing aso ung boyprend nya!

Napatingin ako dun sa kabayo at aso... Ngayon ko lang na-realize na magkasama pala sila. Buhat-buhat nga
naman nung aso ung tray nila ng pagkain...

Asong Boyprend: Hoy, bakla! Ingat-ingatan mo yang sinasabi mo kung ayaw mong--
Anthony: Kung ayaw nyang ma-ano ha?!?

Bumilis na ang tibok ng puso ko. Pati si Anthony ngayon tumayo na rin at humarap kay Asong Boyprend!

Asong Boyprend: Oh anoh?! Boyprend ka nitong baklang toh?!?

Anthony: Hinde! Boyprend ako ng kabarkada ng baklang toh! Kung sasapakin mo toh, parang pinatulan mo na rin
ung girlfriend ko! Kaya wag kang magulo dyan!
Asong Boyprend: Sapakan ba ang gusto mo ha?!? Ngayon na ha?!?
Kenny: Hay nako, Anton, wag mong patulan yan. Baka may galis yan, mahawa ka pa.
Kabayong Girlprend: Hoy, watch your mouth!
Kenny: Ay naiinggit ka? Oh sige, kung sya may galis, ikaw may fleas! Yan, masaya ka na?!?

Napatayo na ko sa sobrang panic at pagpigil kay Kenny. Si Sheena rin nakakapit sa braso ni Anthony. Wag
naman sila mag-away dito... Masikip na nga, marami pang tao.

Pero in fairness.. panalo ang mga insults ng bakla! Kung hindi lang ako masyadong concerned, naaliw na ko sa

bangayan nila!
Ako: Tama na. Halika na, umalis na tayo.

Tinignan ako ni Kenny. Magrereklamo pa sana sya, pero nakita nya sigurong desperado na kong alisin sila sa gulo
kaya nagpaawat na sya. Sumusunod na ung tatlo sa'kin palabas, hindi ko na nga tinignan sa mata ung kabayo
nung dinaanan ko sya, pero ehwan ko ba naman sa babaeng un, gusto na yata talagang malibing nang buhay.

Kabayong Girlprend: Pwede ka na rin palang best actress. Nagpaawa effect ka rin ba kay Jerwin Santos kaya
ka pinulot sa kung saang eskinita? Kaya siguro di ka mabitawan ni Jerwin Santos, noh? Naaawa syo. Parang kang

muchacha!

Kenny: Ay! Lumapit ka nga dito at nang makilala ng panget mong mukha ang maduming sahig!

Biglang nakawala si Kenny sa hawak ko, at talagang sinugod nya ung kabayo!
Before I realized what was happening, hinagip na kagad ni Kenny ung buhok nung kabayo at hinila nya palikod

to the the highest power! Napaupo talaga ung babae sa sahig!

Syempre, nung nakita ni Asong Boyprend ung nangyayari, susugurin nya na si Kenny! Pero humarang kagad si
Anthony! At bago pa man masipa nung aso si Ken, nasuntok na sya ni Anthony!

Lumipad si Aso papunta sa'kin!

Buti na lang, nahila ako ni Sheena patabi!

Pero di man ako tinamaan nung katawan, lumipad naman ung contents ng tray na hawak ni Aso. I didn't even see
it happen, pero naramdaman ko na lang na may tumama sa mukha ko, and nahulog sa uniform ko. Pagtingin ko sa
blouse ko, stained with Pepsi na ung puti kong uniform. Pati ung buhok ko, nabasa rin!
Josko, malagkit itoh!

Sheena: Venice! Okay ka lang?!

I shut my eyes dahil nangdidilim talaga ang paningin ko. Kung may full moon lang, siguro nag-transform na ko sa

werewolf at pinagpipisat tohng kabayo at aso na toh!

Ako: I SAID STOP IT!

Tumigil ung riot. Tumingin silang lahat sa'kin. I walked over to where Kenny is and grabbed him by the collar.
Hinila ko sya palayo dun sa kabayo. Tapos nun, lumakad naman ako kay Anthony and pulled him away from the
dog.

Takot lang nilang kumontra sa'kin pag ganitong mainit na ang ulo ko.

Kabayong Girlprend: Pssh. Bagay syo--

Ako: Hoy, kabayo.

She clammed her mouth shut.

Ako: Just because you hear things on TV or on the radio o kung anumang appliances meron sa bundok mo, it
doesn't mean na totoo un! Gamitin mo yang kakapiranggot mong utak ha?! Panget ka na nga, hindi ka pa nag-

iisip! Anoh na lang mangyayare sa buhay mo nyan?!?

Tumingin naman ako dun sa boyprend nyang aso na natulala sa'kin.

Ako: At ikaw naman! Kung nakikita mo nang tinotopak ng katangahan ung syota mo, eh pigilan mo na! Makaiwas

man lang kayong dalawa sa kahihiyan! Ano pa't kasama ka nya kung saan-saan!?? Hay nako! Pinapaiinit nyo
ang ulo ko!

I turned around to leave. Ung mga taong nagtipon-tipon para manood, biglang nahati para bigyan ako ng daan.
Buti naman dahil kung paharang-harang sila, baka sila pa ang sunod kong masigawan!

Sumunod kagad sa'kin ung tatlo. They tried to keep up with my angry pace.

Kenny: Ay ang taray. Natameme ung dalawa isang tingin lang ni Venice. Buhay pa pala ang malditang

queenbee~
Sheena: Kenny.
Kenny: What? Sinasabi ko lang. Tagal ko nang hindi nakitang nang-away si Venice eh.

Sheena just shook her head. After nyang mag-give up kay Ken, sa'kin naman sya tumingin.
Sheena: Okay ka lang ba? Gusto mo bang bumili muna ng T-shirt at magpalit--
Ako: No. I just wanna go home.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I was organizing Venice's magazines alphabetically when I heard the main door squeak open then close. I
waited for a few seconds for Venice to walk in, pero nung walang dumating, I got confused. I stood up and
walked to the main hall.

I saw Venice standing just in front of the door, looking at the floor or something.

Ako: What are you--

Then I noticed it.

The stain on her uniform...
The deadpan expression on her face...
May kung anong malagkit pa sa dulo nung buhok nya..

Ako: What happened?!?! Who did this to you!?!?

She didn't answer. She just stood there.

What am I doing? Why would I even ask those questions when I already know the answer?

The manager warned me about it. This scandal will make people who don't know Venice doubt her... hate her
even.

Some people will go out their way to show that hatred.

I walked over to her and, very gently, I wrapped my arms around her.
Ako: It's okay. You can cry now.

And with that, Venice dropped her things on the floor. She threw her arms around my waist and tightly held
on.

Then she started crying... bawling her pretty eyes out.

Even though it hurt, at that moment,

I knew what I'm supposed to do.
::Chapter 79::
Cry Baby Cry
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

That afternoon, pagkatapos ng mga pamatay naming mga exams, we went straight to the mall. Pagalingan pa ng

paglusot pass the mob of reporters outside school grounds.

This is like a tradition. Every year, pagkatapos ng isang taon, diretso sa mall para mag-celebrate. Although,
this time, bittersweet sya. Graduating na kaming lahat. Ehto na ang last time na mag-cecelebrate kami na
tapos na ang school year... Ilang araw na lang, graduation ceremony na...

Pero okay lang!

Toast to the future itoh! Para sa pagpasok namin sa society at sa kawindang-windang na official relationship
nina Anton at Sheena!

Ako: Naiinis ako.

Sheena: Bakit?
Ako: Kahit anong tingin ko sa mga stores, wala akong magustuhan. -__-
Kenny: Ang sakit sa heart na mag-mall nang walang nabibili noh?
Ako: Oo nga.

After halos dalawang oras ng pag-iikot, nag-settle na kaming apat sa Jollibee for merienda. Buti pa si Sheena,
may nabili na. Si Anton, wag na yan. Taga-bitbit lang yan. Pero kami ni Kenny?!? Bahket walang nakaw atensyon
sa'min?!

Buti na lang masarap ang Jobee~ At least man lang sa merienda, nakabawi kami ng bakla.
"Haayyyy.. Mga tao nga naman ngayon. Gagawin ang lahat para lang sumikat. Kulang talaga sa pansin. Buong
Pilipinas pa ang lolokohin. Kukupit pa ng superstar! Ambisyosa! Engagement for publicity stunt ang drama!"

Napatigil ako bigla sa pag-murder sa palabok ko. Nanahimik ung buong table namin. I didn't look up kahit na
nakikita ko sa blindspot ko ung babaeng nagsasalita. Ang bruha, talagang dito pa sa sulok namin dumaan para
lang magparinig.

"Magkano kaya ang binayad sa kanya noh? Pulot siguro sa kung saang eskinita un! hahahaha"

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Hindi maganda kung gumawa ako ng skandalo dito---

Pero I guess, hindi ganon ang naisip ni Kenny. Dahil ang bakla, hindi pa man ako nakaka-exhale, bigla nang
tumalon sa upuan nya! @.@

Kenny: Hoy babaeng kabayo! Kung magpaparinig ka na lang din naman, eh lumapit-lapit ka na dito noh!

Ingungungod ko yang mahaba mong nguso sa sahig!

Pasimple kong hinila si Kenny para umupo uhlet. Tinitignan na kami nung mga nakapalibot na lamesa. Ung
babaeng kabayo, tumigil rin sa paglalakad at nakatingin kay Kenny.

Ako: Ken--
Kenny: Ay, wag mo kong aawatin! Sinoh ba sya sa tingin nya?!? Kilala ka ba nya!? Insecuradorang kabayo sya!

Mukha kasing aso ung boyprend nya!

Napatingin ako dun sa kabayo at aso... Ngayon ko lang na-realize na magkasama pala sila. Buhat-buhat nga
naman nung aso ung tray nila ng pagkain...

Asong Boyprend: Hoy, bakla! Ingat-ingatan mo yang sinasabi mo kung ayaw mong--
Anthony: Kung ayaw nyang ma-ano ha?!?

Bumilis na ang tibok ng puso ko. Pati si Anthony ngayon tumayo na rin at humarap kay Asong Boyprend!

Asong Boyprend: Oh anoh?! Boyprend ka nitong baklang toh?!?

Anthony: Hinde! Boyprend ako ng kabarkada ng baklang toh! Kung sasapakin mo toh, parang pinatulan mo na rin
ung girlfriend ko! Kaya wag kang magulo dyan!
Asong Boyprend: Sapakan ba ang gusto mo ha?!? Ngayon na ha?!?
Kenny: Hay nako, Anton, wag mong patulan yan. Baka may galis yan, mahawa ka pa.
Kabayong Girlprend: Hoy, watch your mouth!
Kenny: Ay naiinggit ka? Oh sige, kung sya may galis, ikaw may fleas! Yan, masaya ka na?!?

Napatayo na ko sa sobrang panic at pagpigil kay Kenny. Si Sheena rin nakakapit sa braso ni Anthony. Wag
naman sila mag-away dito... Masikip na nga, marami pang tao.

Pero in fairness.. panalo ang mga insults ng bakla! Kung hindi lang ako masyadong concerned, naaliw na ko sa

bangayan nila!

Ako: Tama na. Halika na, umalis na tayo.

Tinignan ako ni Kenny. Magrereklamo pa sana sya, pero nakita nya sigurong desperado na kong alisin sila sa gulo
kaya nagpaawat na sya. Sumusunod na ung tatlo sa'kin palabas, hindi ko na nga tinignan sa mata ung kabayo
nung dinaanan ko sya, pero ehwan ko ba naman sa babaeng un, gusto na yata talagang malibing nang buhay.

Kabayong Girlprend: Pwede ka na rin palang best actress. Nagpaawa effect ka rin ba kay Jerwin Santos kaya
ka pinulot sa kung saang eskinita? Kaya siguro di ka mabitawan ni Jerwin Santos, noh? Naaawa syo. Parang kang

muchacha!

Kenny: Ay! Lumapit ka nga dito at nang makilala ng panget mong mukha ang maduming sahig!

Biglang nakawala si Kenny sa hawak ko, at talagang sinugod nya ung kabayo!
Before I realized what was happening, hinagip na kagad ni Kenny ung buhok nung kabayo at hinila nya palikod

to the the highest power! Napaupo talaga ung babae sa sahig!

Syempre, nung nakita ni Asong Boyprend ung nangyayari, susugurin nya na si Kenny! Pero humarang kagad si
Anthony! At bago pa man masipa nung aso si Ken, nasuntok na sya ni Anthony!

Lumipad si Aso papunta sa'kin!

Buti na lang, nahila ako ni Sheena patabi!

Pero di man ako tinamaan nung katawan, lumipad naman ung contents ng tray na hawak ni Aso. I didn't even see
it happen, pero naramdaman ko na lang na may tumama sa mukha ko, and nahulog sa uniform ko. Pagtingin ko sa
blouse ko, stained with Pepsi na ung puti kong uniform. Pati ung buhok ko, nabasa rin!
Josko, malagkit itoh!

Sheena: Venice! Okay ka lang?!

I shut my eyes dahil nangdidilim talaga ang paningin ko. Kung may full moon lang, siguro nag-transform na ko sa

werewolf at pinagpipisat tohng kabayo at aso na toh!

Ako: I SAID STOP IT!

Tumigil ung riot. Tumingin silang lahat sa'kin. I walked over to where Kenny is and grabbed him by the collar.
Hinila ko sya palayo dun sa kabayo. Tapos nun, lumakad naman ako kay Anthony and pulled him away from the
dog.

Takot lang nilang kumontra sa'kin pag ganitong mainit na ang ulo ko.

Kabayong Girlprend: Pssh. Bagay syo--

Ako: Hoy, kabayo.

She clammed her mouth shut.

Ako: Just because you hear things on TV or on the radio o kung anumang appliances meron sa bundok mo, it
doesn't mean na totoo un! Gamitin mo yang kakapiranggot mong utak ha?! Panget ka na nga, hindi ka pa nag-

iisip! Anoh na lang mangyayare sa buhay mo nyan?!?

Tumingin naman ako dun sa boyprend nyang aso na natulala sa'kin.

Ako: At ikaw naman! Kung nakikita mo nang tinotopak ng katangahan ung syota mo, eh pigilan mo na! Makaiwas

man lang kayong dalawa sa kahihiyan! Ano pa't kasama ka nya kung saan-saan!?? Hay nako! Pinapaiinit nyo
ang ulo ko!

I turned around to leave. Ung mga taong nagtipon-tipon para manood, biglang nahati para bigyan ako ng daan.
Buti naman dahil kung paharang-harang sila, baka sila pa ang sunod kong masigawan!

Sumunod kagad sa'kin ung tatlo. They tried to keep up with my angry pace.

Kenny: Ay ang taray. Natameme ung dalawa isang tingin lang ni Venice. Buhay pa pala ang malditang

queenbee~
Sheena: Kenny.
Kenny: What? Sinasabi ko lang. Tagal ko nang hindi nakitang nang-away si Venice eh.

Sheena just shook her head. After nyang mag-give up kay Ken, sa'kin naman sya tumingin.

Sheena: Okay ka lang ba? Gusto mo bang bumili muna ng T-shirt at magpalit--
Ako: No. I just wanna go home.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I was organizing Venice's magazines alphabetically when I heard the main door squeak open then close. I
waited for a few seconds for Venice to walk in, pero nung walang dumating, I got confused. I stood up and
walked to the main hall.

I saw Venice standing just in front of the door, looking at the floor or something.

Ako: What are you--

Then I noticed it.

The stain on her uniform...
The deadpan expression on her face...
May kung anong malagkit pa sa dulo nung buhok nya..

Ako: What happened?!?! Who did this to you!?!?

She didn't answer. She just stood there.
What am I doing? Why would I even ask those questions when I already know the answer?

The manager warned me about it. This scandal will make people who don't know Venice doubt her... hate her
even.

Some people will go out their way to show that hatred.

I walked over to her and, very gently, I wrapped my arms around her.

Ako: It's okay. You can cry now.

And with that, Venice dropped her things on the floor. She threw her arms around my waist and tightly held
on.

Then she started crying... bawling her pretty eyes out.

Even though it hurt, at that moment,

I knew what I'm supposed to do.
::Chapter 80::
The First or The Last
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I mindlessly flipped through the TV channels -- making sure to skip lahat ng palabas na may kinalaman sa
showbiz news. I eventually realized na pag ganitong oras pala, pag nilipatan mo ang lahat ng news channel, wala
na palang matitirang panoorin. Annoyed, I turned off the TV.

Napatingin ako sa paligid ko. It's weird. Parang kanina ko pa hindi na-ffeel si Jerwin.

After nung drama sa pinto kanina, he sent me upstairs to shower. Pumayag naman ako dahil nanlalagkit na ung
buhok at balat ko. A warm shower sounded necessary and nice. When I finished, I found the house empty. I
saw a note on the refrigerator na lumabas daw sya to get us dinner. I guess pareho kaming wala sa mood
magluto.
He came back half an hour later with a large box of pizza. Hindi ko alam kung naisip nya ba na dadalawa lang
kaming kakain o talagang gutom lang sya kaya feel nyang mag-large. Pero sige na, kung san ka masaya,

suportahan ta ka.
We barely spoke during dinner. Now that I think about it, we barely spoke since I got home.
Weird~ O_O

Okay. Time na para mambulabog.

I was about to stand up when Jerwin suddenly appeared out of nowhere papasok naman nung living room.

Napangiti ako. Ang galing ng timing.

Jerwin: We need to talk.

Ako: Okay...?

And just like that, the smile faded away. Niyakap ko ung throw pillow na nasa tabi ko since akala ko uupo sya.
Akala ko lang pala.
He remained standing there a few feet away from me. He looks troubled.

Ako: What's going on?

Jewin: Venice... Things are crazy right now.
Ako: Yea. Tell me about it. -__-
Jerwin: I can't be with you all the time, and obviously, I can't imprison you in this house. Hindi ko alam kung
kelan mawawala ung scandal. I'm not even sure kung matatahimik ulit ang buhay mo kahit na malipat na ang
atensyon ng mga tao sa ibang bagay.

He's starting to look really frustrated and uncomfortable. I can see he's trying his best not to look at me.

What's going on?

Ako: What are you trying to say?

Jerwin: The manager proposed a plan. I tried to come up with another way, but in the end, I have to admit his
plan is still the best way to keep you safe.
Ako: Ano bang sinasabi mo? You're starting to scare me.

And I really am getting scared. Is it a woman's intuition? Is it his apparent anguish?

I don't know, but I really feel that something horrible is gonna come out of this "talk". I don't like it.

Jerwin: Venice... I... You...

He took a deep breath as he struggles to find the words.

Then finally, just when he found his resolve, he looked at me.

Jerwin: You have to leave.

...

Ako: What?
Jerwin: My parents talked to your mom already. We'll cover your airfare. You just need to buy the tickets....

I must have heard him wrong, right?

It was just a few days ago when he said he loves me...
He can't just suddenly decide to make me leave, right?

...

Why is he making me leave?

This must be a cruel joke.

Tumingin ako sa kanya and realized na may kung anoh pa pala syang sinasabi.
I can only pick out bits and pieces of whatever he's saying. Hindi kinaya ng brain ko ang shock nung sinabi nya.

Why is he still blabbering?!?

I threw the pillow at him. It hit him straight in the face.

That shut him up.

Ako: Stop messing with me. It's not funny.

Jerwin: I'm not messing with you, Venice.
Ako: You want me to go to the US?!?
Jerwin: . . . There's nowhere else you can go.

Talagang seryoso sya!

Ako: So things aren't working for us right now, why do I have leave!?!

I struggled to find some arguments, pero hindi ko talaga ma-gets kung bakit kailangan ko umalis... kung bakit
nya sinasabing umalis ako.

Ako: Why do I... have to leave?!? Things will get better soon!
Jerwin: Venice, it's for your own good. Ung nangyari kanina... things like that will happen again and again
everywhere you go as long people recognize you. You don't want that. Hell, I don't want that!

I stood up and stalked to where he's standing. Nilapit ko ung mukha ko sa kanya para wala syang choice kung
hindi tignan ako sa mata.

Ako: Look at me and tell me you don't want me here. Look at me and tell me you want me to leave.

He clenched his jaw. I feel my chest tightening as his eyes met mine.
Medyo umasa pa ko na sasabihin nyang he's just joking... or na he takes it all back... that he wants me...

Jerwin: I'm sorry, Venice.. You have to go.

It feels like something grabbed my heart and squeezed it hard -- really hard.
I took a step back keeping my eyes on his face. I can feel my blood starting to boil. Is this what betrayal
feels like?
Ako: Fine.
Jerwin: Just call my mom pag nakahanap ka na ng plane tickets. They'll buy it for you.

I stared at him in disbelief. So it's been planned out? He's just gonna push me away? Lalong tumataas ang
attitude meter ko, na nung nagsalita ako, I couldn't help the sarcasm that seeped through.

Ako: Is it that easy to let me go? Is it because I'm being a huge burden to you now?
Jerwin: Venice, it's not like that---
Ako: Okay. I understand. If that's what you want, sige. Pupunta ako sa States.

He kept his silence. I can feel tears burning my eyes already.

I feel extremely pissed off, betrayed, frustrated, desperate....

Ako: Just so you know... I don't do long distance relationships.

Jerwin: . . . Me neither.

There goes the heart squeezing again. The tears finally decided to fall.
Ehwan ko ba naman. Tears always fall at the most inconvenient times.

Ako: Are you serious?!?! You do understand what will happen to us when I leave, right?!? There won't even be
an "us" anymore!
Jerwin: We'll break up. I know. But isn't this what we originally planned?

I took another step back. Of course.... totoo naman eh.. Ahyun naman talaga ung original plan namin.. We'll
agree to the engagement, then eventually break up. I should have expected that this is going to happen
sooner or later, right?
So... why does it feel like this?

I gently wiped my tears away, para man lang maka-save ng kahit konting dignity.
But they're stubborn. They just kept falling anyway.

Jerwin: It's late. Go to sleep, Venice.

He turned around to leave. That's it. Just like that and the conversation is over...
The anger somehow disappeared nung na-realize ko na if I mess up tonight, this hour, this minute, it'll really
be over.

Ako: Jerwin... What am I going to do?

He paused, but he didn't face me. Maybe that's better. He won't see me make a fool of myself.

Ako: I love you.

He whirled around to look at me, but my sight is so blurry from the tears that I couldn't see his expression.
Lalo pa nung lumabas na ung three little words na un. I just realized how true they are, and it hurts na sa
ganitong situation pa sila lumabas. Maybe he doesn't even care anymore...

Jerwin: W-What?
Ako: I love you. *sniff* If it hurts this much, then I think I love you.

It felt like forever before Jerwin finally stepped closer to me.

I furiously wiped my tears away. Ayoko syang tignan. I think I'm afraid of how he's gonna react to what I
said. San ka pa ba nakakita ng tinaboy na nga't lahat, mag-ii love you pa?
Epitome ng ka-martyran.

Jerwin: You idiot.

He slowly wrapped his arms around me. In contrast to the meaning of his whispered words, he's trying to
provide me comfort now.

Jerwin: Sa dinami-dami ng panahon na mong pagsabihan nyan, why do you have to say it now? . . . Do you have
any idea how hard it was for me to tell you to go?
Ako: Then stop telling me to leave. I want to stay.
Jerwin: Venice. I have to push you to leave.
Ako: Why?!?!
Jerwin: . . . Because I love you too.
He tenderly tilted my face up. Before I could grasp what he was doing, his lips gently crushed onto mine. The
kiss was somehow familiar yet different.
It was unhurried.. soft.. sweet..
His lips are firm and soft -- if that even makes any sense.
I can almost feel all his affection in this kiss.

I don't want to let go.

I wrapped my arms around his neck as I respond to his bold approach.

I want to savor this moment.
This could either be our last first kiss...
or our first and last kiss.

::Chapter 81::
Ticket To Ride
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"He said WHAT?!?! You're going WHERE!??!"

I flashed an apologetic smile sa mga tao sa paligid namin. At the same time, I clamped a firm hand over
Sheena's mouth. Skandalosa talaga. -___-

We just finished our graduation practice. Dahil gutom na kami, we decided na kumain sa KFC. It's weird.
Ngayon lang yata ako lumabas na natakluban ng sumbrero ang mukha ko buong oras na naglalakad kami sa labas.
Pero mas mabuti na un kesa naman madumog nanaman.

Anyway, habang nakain kami ng lunch, I finally told them ang main event sa near future ko. As expected, hindi
sila naaliw.

Ako: Hush, Sheena. Anu ka ba?

Kenny: Eh bahket?!? Bahket?! Bahket ka aalis?!?

Tinanggal ko ung kamay ko sa mukha ni Sheena to let her breathe. She continued to glare at me.
Ako: Like I said, gusto nila akong ilayo sa gulo. Besides, ganito naman talaga ang original plan ni mother. As
soon as maka-graduate ako, susunod na ko sa kanya sa States. I guess ngayon, nagkataon lang na si Jerwin
mismo ang nagpapadala sa'kin.
Sheena: Eh bahket ka nga nya pinapadala?!? Anoh ba yan?! LDR?!

Parang may tumusok sa puso ko nung sinabi nya un. I lowered my head, pasimpleng iwas sa mga inquisitive
stares nila.

Ako: No. We both agreed na hindi kami bagay sa ganyang long distance chuchu na yan.
Sheena: *gasp* You mean.... Pag umalis ka, mag-bbreak kayo?!? O_O

I nodded.

Kenny: Ay kung hindi naman pala kayo dalawa't kalahating tanga!

Ako: Gee. Thanks. -___-
Kenny: Alam mo, Venice, kung hindi lang kita friend, sinabunutan na kita. Ngayon pa kayo mag-bbreak?!
Ako: I don't wanna deal with another long distance relationship. Based from experience, mahirap noh. Lalo na
pag hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari sa kanya.
Sheena: Anoh ba! Iba naman ang sitwasyon nyo ni Jerwin sa sitwasyon nyo ni Gerard dati!

Sheena suddenly clamped a hand over her own mouth. Nadulas yata. Ehwan ko ba naman sa kanila kung bakit
hanggang ngayon, feeling nila taboo ang name ni Gerard sa'kin.

Ako: It's okay. I'm not gonna bawl my eyes out dahil lang binanggit mo ung name nya noh.

Nagkatinginan silang tatlo. Naaliw talaga ako pag ganyang naiilang sila. Ang out of character!

Ako: Relax nga lang kayo. Hindi ko naman sinabi na forever na ko sa States. I'll come back someday.
Sheena: Kailan?
Ako: I don't know. Months? Years from now?
Kenny: Ah basta! Naiinis pa rin ako! Pano na lang ang ambisyon kong magpaka-bride's maid sa kasal nyo ni Fafa
J kung aalis ka?!?
Ako: Magpaka-bride's maid ka sa kasal nina Sheena.
Kenny: Chuchu. Walang mga fafable na artista sa kasal nyan!
Sheena: Anak ng tipaklong! Bakit kasal ko na kagad ang pinag-uusapan naten?! Ni hindi pa nga nag-ppropose si
Anton!

Anthony: Gusto mo mag-propose na ko ngayon?

Sheena: Che! Wag kang maingay, walang kumakausap syo.

Hindi ko pa rin talaga ma-gets ang relasyon ng dalawang toh. Daig pa nila ang mag-asawang 50 years nang kasal

kung magbarahan eh. Pero sige lang. Basta masaya silang dalawa. Mukha naman masaya silang dalawa.

Kenny: Ay ay ay.. Alam ko na, vakla!

Ako: Ang alin?

Kenny: Para makabawi ka! Pagdating mo dun, ihanap mo kagad ako ng fafa ha~ Gusto ko ung blond at may blue

eyes.

Sheena: Ay gusto ko yan!

Anthony: Sheena!

At balik nanaman sa dati ang mga utak nila. Inubos ko na ung kinakain ko habang nag-dedebate sina Anton at si
Sheena kung bakit mas hamak na gwapo raw sya kesa sa blue eyes. Syempre, si Kenny ang referee, always --
kahit na parang ang lumalabas eh Anthony vs. Sheena & Kenny.

I smiled. I'll miss this.

Napatingin ako sa relo ko. Ang bilis naman ng oras. Haayyy. Tumingin ulit ako dun sa tatlo. Finally, tinaas ko na
ung kamay ko para tumigil sila sa kakadakdak nila.

Ako: I gotta go.

Sheena: Already?
Ako: Yep. May usapan pa kami ng mommy ni Jerwin eh.
Anthony: Oh sige. Teka, itatawag na kita ng taxi.

I watched as Anthony walked out of the restaurant. Napatingin ulit ako kay Sheena and Kenny. Nanahimik na
sila tungkol sa blue eyes, sa wakas. Ehwan ko ba naman. Anoh bang meron sa blue eyes?
Maya-maya, bumalik na si Anton. I hugged the three of them bago ako lumakad palabas. Nung pumasok ako sa
taxi, naramdaman ko nanamang nag-plummet ang mood ko. I'm going to meet with Jerwin's mom para bumili ng
plane ticket. I wonder... gano katagal pa kaya ako dito?

I went home that night feeling worse than I did in the afternoon. Nag-usap na pala si tita at si mom. Gusto
nilang hanapin ung ticket na makakalipad ako as soon as possible. Sino ba naman ako para kumontra? -__-
Nakaka-depressed lang isipin kung gano ka-"soon" ung flight ko.

Dahan-dahan kong sinarado ung main door. I looked around and noticed na tahimik ang buong bahay. That's
weird. Nasa driveway ung truck, so that means nandito si Jerwin.

Ako: Sunshine?

Sumilip ako sa kusina, sa living room, sa dining room... wala. I went upstairs and sumilip sa kwarto nya. Wala rin.

Nakinig ako sa banyo, walang tao sa loob. o_O Nakulong kaya sya dun sa closet sa baba? I was about to go
back downstairs para i-check kung na-lock na rin ung sarili nya sa aking sardines closet, nang may narinig ako
ingay sa kwarto ko.

Curious, I went to check it out.

Ako: What are you doing?

Nakita ko si Jerwin na may hinihilang maleta from my closet towards the door. He almost jumped nung narinig
nya ung boses ko.

Jerwin: Oh Sardines. Hello.

I looked at the luggage bag questioningly. Anoh yan? Pinag-impake nya na ko? Di makapaghintay na palayasin
ako?

Ako: Uh. Gamit ko ba yan?

Jerwin: Hmm... Yep.

I took a deep breath. Alam kong pinag-usapan na namin toh at lahat, pero I still can't help but feel bitter.

Pinag-impake nya pa ko. Parang atat na atat na syang paalisin ako noh? I chose to ignore the issue muna.
Mahirap na. Dahil masama ang araw ko, very prone ang attitude meter kong tumaas. Ayoko mang-away. Ayoko
mang-away. -__-

Ako: I met up with your mom kanina. I got the plane ticket.
Jerwin: I see.
Ako: The flight's on--
Jerwin: Venice.

Napatingin ako sa kanya nung tinawag nya ung pangalan ko with a hint of warning in his voice. Iniwan nya ung
hinihila nyang maleta and plopped himself on my bed. He stared at the floor while I waited for him to speak.
Ang awkward ng atmosphere.

Jerwin: You know... I agreed that you have to leave, but that doesn't mean I want you to. Just... Don't tell me
when you're leaving.
Ako: Why not?
Jerwin: If you do, I'm afraid I won't be able to let you go.

I rolled my eyes. Bumalik ung sinabi ni Kenny kanina tungkol sa'min ni Jerwin. Kinarir na talaga naming dalawa
ang pagka-stupid.
I walked over to the bed and sat down next to him. Cautiously, pinatong ko ung ulo ko sa balikat nya.

Ako: Hindi ko na sasagutin yang sinabi mo, since alam ko na ang isasagot mo. Okay. I'll keep the date to
myself.

He nodded. I felt his hand gently stroking my hair. I don't know how long we stayed like that, just enjoying
each other's presence kahit na hindi kami nag-uusap. It was comfortable.
Jerwin: You should take a shower.
Ako: Huh?

He finally pulled away and looked at me. He has a small smile on his lips. Ung ngiti na, after seeing it so many
times, na-realize kong sinusuot nya lang pag may kung anong mischief sa utak nya.

Jerwin: Go take a shower. Ilalagay ko ung maleta sa truck, then wait for your downstairs.

Ako: Bakit mo ilalagay sa truck ung maleta?

Jerwin: We're going on a roadtrip, mahal.

He leaned in and landed a light kiss on the tip of my nose. Bago ako maka-recover, he already stood up and
grabbed the luggage bag na iniwan nya sa sahig. He walked out of my room whistling.

Then, nag-sink in na ung sinabi nya sa'kin.

Ako: Roadtrip?? Anong roadtrip??

Tumakbo ako sa pinto ko, sabay pahabol na sigaw sa'kanya.

Ako: At sinong may sabing tawagin mo kong "mahal"?!?

I heard him laugh habang bumababa sya sa hagdan.

Jerwin: Just go shower. Mahal.

I narrowed my eyes at the direction he disappeared to. Ka-cornihan.

I smiled to myself and bounced papunta sa closet ko. I gaped at the sight of my once-organized closet. Tama
bang halungkatin ang mga damit ko tapos hindi man lang inayos pabalik? +_+

Haayyy...

I grabbed a pair of black sweatpants, a red tee, and my underwear. I bounced papunta sa bathroom to take a
shower.

Roadtrip daw. I wonder where we're going.

::Chapter 82::
The Promise
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Ako: Oohhh follow that car next!

Jerwin: Which one?
Ako: Ung red! Ung reeeedddd!!!! Err.. nevermind. -__-

Pinanood ko ung red car na mag-bye-bye sa dinaanan naming exit. Oh well. Next victim na lang.

For hours now, nagpapaikot-ikot kami ni Jerwin sa kung saan-saang kalsada. Apparently, magaling magplano si

Jerwin. Magyayaya mag-roadtrip, wala palang destination. Kaya ang kinatapusan, namili na lang kami ng mga

kotse sa kalsada at sumunod sa mga chosen cars hanggang sa makahanap ng susunod na susundan. I know.
Ang galing namen.

Sumandal ako sa upuan ko. Malapit nang lumubog ang araw, wala pa rin kaming nararating. Enjoy nga ang pag-
ddrive, pero hindi naman kami pwedeng matulog sa kalsada noh. At isa pa, nagugutom na ko. -__-

Ako: Sunshine, nasan na tayo?

Jerwin: Honestly, I have no idea.
Ako: Makakauwi pa ba tayo?
Jerwin: Gusto mo nang umuwi?
Ako: Nagugutom na ko. -.- Feeedddd meeeee!!!
Jerwin: Maybe we'll turn sa susunod na exit.

It didn't take that long. Maya-maya lang, may kung anong exit nang sumulpot. Tulad ng plano, lumiko nga kami.
Tumingin kagad ako sa paligid. Uh... I wonder if this is a good idea. Lumiliit na ung kalsada. Dumadami ang mga
puno. Walang buildings kundi maliliit na bahay.

Anong probinsya ba itoh?

Ako: Where are we going?
Jerwin: We can look for a restaurant somewhere.

Restaurant?

Tumingin ulit ako sa paligid. Anong restaurant naman kaya ang makikita namen dito? Eh puro bahay, sari-sari
store, gasolinahan, at maliit vulcanizing shop ang nakikita ko.

Oh hey, ahyun, kainan!

Ako: Sunshine, dun oh. Mag-park ka dito sa side.

Jerwin: Why?
Ako: Dahel gusto ko nang kumain!

Siguro natakot sya na baka sya na ang kagatin ko, or maybe trip nya lang maging mabait sa'kin ngayon. Either
way, nag-park nga sya sa tabi nung kalsada, kung san may isa pang kotse na naka-park. After nyang patayin ung
makina, hinalungkat ko ung compartment nya. Nakita ko ung sumbrero nya and tossed it to him.

Ako: Here. Wear this and let's go.

Jerwin: May isaw ba dito?

Ako: Ngayon ka pa naghanap ng isaw?

Jerwin: Wala dito?

Ako: Haayyy.. We'll go see.

Bumaba kami nung sasakyan. Jerwin took my hand as I led him dun sa maliit na turo-turo. I can smell the
sinigang~ Haayyy heaven. T^T

Nginitian ko ung manang na nasa likod nung hilera ng mga tinda nya. Tinignan namin ni Jerwin ung mga ulam.
Mukhang mainit pa.

Ako: Manang, isang order nga poh ng sinigang at kanin. Tsaka isang bote ng tubig.(tumingin kay Jerwin) Anong
gusto mo, Sunshine?
Jerwin: Uh.. Ung beef steak poh.. tsaka kanin. At paki-dalawa na poh nung bote ng tubig.
After bayaran ni Jerwin ung pagkain namin, umupo kami dun sa isang sulok nung maliit na kainan -- ung
pinakamalapit sa electric fan dahil napansin kong medyo pinagpapawisan na ung kasama ko. Ang hirap ng walang

aircon noh?

Jerwin: Wow. This is all really cheap.

Ako: The wonders ng turo-turo.
Jerwin: Alam mo, Sardines, I think you're the cheapest girlfriend I've ever had.

Ako: Nice to know.

We ate in silence. Dahil pag gutom, galit-galit muna. It's not until ubos na ang bawat butil ng kanin sa mga
plato namin nang tumayo kami para bumalik na sa aming roadtrip.

Ako: So.. san tayo?

Jerwin pulled out of the roadside pabalik sa pagddrive sa kalsada.

Jerwin: I'm thinking.... just follow this road right here...?

Ako: As long as makakauwi tayo eh, why not? I still have a graduation to attend to, you know?
Jerwin: Yeah, yeah. Nasa compartment ung GPS. We'll manage.

We drove around for at least an hour more, singing with the radio or teasing each other or wondering where
in the world we are. Madilim na. We have to look for a place to spend the night. I'm sure hindi papayag si

Jerwin na matulog sa truck.. Takot nya lang mapapak ng lamok.

Kumokonti na ang mga bahay sa paligid namin. Feeling ko lang, walang hotel dito. Ngayon lang nag-ssink in: hindi
pala masyadong matalino na hindi kame nag-plano noh?

Jerwin: Kunin mo ung GPS. Search mo kung saan may malapit na lodgings.

Sinunod ko naman ung instructions nya. May dalawang lumabas sa search na malapit sa iniikutan namin ngayon. I
looked at the map -- and napataas ang kilay ko.

Ako: Alam mo bang malapit na tayo sa beach?

Jerwin: Beach?
Ako: Uh-huh. Tignan mo.

Hinarap ko sa kanya ung GPS, and yep, ung map na may malaking tubig sa side ng lupa. Ibig sabihin, may beach,
di vah?

Binalik sa'kin ni Jerwin ung GPS as he returned his eyes back on the road.

Jerwin: May malapit ba na pwedeng tulugan dyan sa beach na yan?

Ako: Yeah. You wanna go?
Jerwin: Let's hope na may spare room sila.

I think, kinarir na namin ni Jerwin ang pagka-swerte ng gabing toh. Una, hindi kami napadpad sa middle of
nowhere kahit na sumunod-sunod lang kami sa mga sasakyan. Pangalawa, walang nakakilala sa'min habang
nagliliwaliw kami. Pangatlo, nakahanap kami ng matutulugan.

Nakuha namin ung pinakahuling spare room na meron ung hotel -- swerte talaga. Maliit lang ung motel, simple,

and affordable. Ung kwarto na nakuha namin -- as if naman may choice pa kami -- eh parang panandalian
lang talaga. May maliit na ref sa sulok, may lamesa at upuan, may mga drawers na lalagyan ng damit, may
queen-sized bed, at maliit na banyo. Malinis naman, at may aircon, so hindi ko kailangan mag-alala na baka
paggising ko bukas, tunaw na si Jerwin.

Jerwin: This isn't too bad.

Binaba nya ang kaisa-isang maletang bitbit namin sa tabi nung mga drawer. Sinarado ko ung pinto while he
inspected the little room.

Ako: Yeah.. Pang-overnight talaga.

Jerwin: And we're close to the beach. They should renovate this place. Mas kikita sila from tourists.
Ako: Bakit sa'kin mo sinasabi?
Jerwin: I'm just saying.

He plopped himself on the bed.

Jerwin: Mauna ka na sa shower. Ipapahinga ko muna mga mata ko.
Ako: You brought clothes?

Jerwin: Of course. Ano sa tingin mo laman ng maleta na yan? Bato?

Ako: Ha. Ha. -__-

Jerwin lazily watched me from the bed. Si kuya, napagod kaka-drive. Binuksan ko ung maleta and nakita na
pinagsama nya pala dun sa maliit na space na un ung mga damit namin. Sa bagay, hindi nga naman ganon kadami
ang kailangan namen. Parang two-days worth ng damit ang dinala nya.

Hinalungkat ko ung mga gamit. Kumpleto. May toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, sabon, suklay... at... dark red
na boxers. Dark red SILK na boxers. Before I knew it, I was fingering the material. Nung na-realize ko ang
ginagawa ko (at naisip ko kung saang parte ng katawan ni Jerwin sinusuot ang boxers), I quickly withdrew my
hand. Umiinit yata ang mukha ko. ~__~

Hinalungkat ko uhlet ung maleta. Parang akong timang dito, namumula eh anoh naman ngayon kung boxers nya
un. It's not like first time kong makakita ng boxers. Geez.

I grabbed a cotton shirt and a pair of shorts. Tapos kinalkal ko uhlet para maghanap ng underwear. I found
one... then I found the other two he packed. Napataas ang kilay ko. Sa dinami-dami ng underwear sa drawer
ko, ehto talagang tatlo ang pinili nyang dalhin? May boyshort underwear naman ako.. May cotton.. May mga
demure na underwear, pero ang kinuha nya talaga ung lacy underwear ko noh? At red, black, and white pa!

I turned to look at Jerwin. Nung nakita kong nakatingin din sya sa'kin, I glared at him and held up a black
panty.

Ako: Pervert. -__-

Jerwin: What?? They're pretty....
Ako: . . . Pervert. -__-

Jerwin: Geez, relax. It's not like I'm gonna see you wearing them!

Suddenly, he propped himself up on his arms. May kung anong nakakalokang sparkle sa mata nya.

Jerwin: ...unless, of course, you want me to see you wearing them.

Ako: *gasp!* Pervert!!

I can still hear him laughing hanggang sa pagbagsak ko nung pinto nung banyo.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Much, much later the same night, Venice and I decided to sneak out of our room and walk along the shore.
Halos hatinggabi na kaya wala nang tao sa labas. It's not like they'll see us anyway. Wala namang poste ng ilaw
sa beach. Unless lumapit sila sa'min, hindi nila makikita mga mukha namin.

After a few minutes of just walking along the shore, we sat down on the sand para panoorin ung tubig tsaka
ung buwan. Sabi ni Venice, may pagka-romantic raw ung setting, kaya lubus-lubusin namin. Maybe she's right. I
mean, it's not everyday na nakakaupo kami on the sand, watching the sea, with no sound or noise except the
waves. The night sky is dotted with stars, and the moon is shining bright.

Ang cliche man, it's hard not to appreciate the scenery.

Venice is sitting in front of me, with her back resting on my chest as she silently watches the waters.

This is perfection.

Venice: Sunshine?
Ako: Hm?
Venice: Sa tingin mo... ano na kaya mangyayari sa'tin five years from now?
Ako: Five years from now? Hmmm... I don't know. Why?
Venice: Wala lang. Naisip ko lang... I wonder if... we would have found someone else by then...

"Someone else"... Why would I want "someone else"?

I wrapped my arms tighter around her waist.

Ako: I...

hope not.

Ako: ...don't know.

There was a short silence after that. It wasn't awkward. It wasn't angry. It was just.... sad. Naalala namin
bigla na bilang na nga pala ang mga araw "namin".

Venice: Jerwin. I know we've talked about na... pag-alis ko.. it'll be over between us.
Ako: Uh-huh...
Venice: I'm just thinking... I mean, I'm not going make you promise anything. I know things happen, you know?
Pero... when that time comes... Kahit anong mangyari, I really, really hope we'd remain friends.

Umikot sya para tignan ako.

Venice: Don't forget about me.

There was a silent plea in her voice. Na parang inaasahan nya na as soon as wala na sya, I'd actually forget
everything. Out of sight, out of mind, ganon?
How do people do that?

I don't want to forget.

I don't want to be with someone else.
And I don't want her to be with someone else.

I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her tenderly. When we broke off, I stared deep into her eyes.
Bilang na ang mga araw namin, but it doesn't mean everything has to end... right?

Ako: Venice... I'll let you go for now, but I promise, I'll come for you. I'll come for you. So... if you can...
don't wrap your arms around someone else. Don't give your lips to someone else. I'll come for you, so... don't
give your heart to someone else... okay?
 ::Chapter 83::
The Day After
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

The next morning...

I can't believe I'm doing this.

It's ten in the morning. The sky is clear. There's a refreshing breeze outside. The sea looks inviting... and
anong ginagawa ko?

Nakatitig sa iba't ibang brands ng tampons at napkin, trying to figure out kung anong pinagkaiba nilang lahat.

I nervously looked around the small store. It's a good thing na maaga-aga pa at wala pang masyadong tao,
otherwise... This is just plain embarrassing. I sighed. I can't believe I let Venice talk me into doing this. I
mean, she kicked me out of the bed while I was in the middle of a good dream I can't even remember now,
then she practically chased me out of the room para lang maghanap ng store to buy her urgent feminine
needs.

Ako naman tohng ignorante, akala ko pag pumunta ako sa store, all I have to do is grab a pack of feminine
pads, and then I'll be out. Pano ko ba naman malalaman na may "wings", "panty liner", "ultra-thin", at "regular"
pa pala akong dapat pag-isipan? Tapos, may katabi pang "tampons" ung mga tinitignan ko.. The next time na
maubusan or makalimutan ni Venice ang mga dapat nyang dalhin, I swear, I won't let her kick me out of the
room without a fight.

Yeah right. Who am I kidding?

Finally deciding na this is way out of my league, lumapit na ko dun sa manang na tinititigan ako simula nung
tumambay ako sa harap ng shelf ng mga feminine needs. It's a good thing I'm wearing dark sunglasses and a
baseball cap. I don't think na makikilala ako ni manang.

Ako: Uh.. Excuse me poh.. Pero kailangan ko po ng tulong.

The old lady shot me an amused smile. Sabi na nga ba at pinapanood ako ni manang na titigan ung mga napkin
at tampon eh.

Manang: Oh sige, hijo. Anoh bang kailangan mo?

Lumakad kami papunta dun sa shelf na halos twenty minutes na sa harap ko. I gave her an apologetic smile
nung tumingin sya sa'kin after nung tanong nya.

Ako: Ang sabi lang po kasi ng girlfriend ko, bumili raw ako ng napkin. Uh, hindi ko naman alam na ganito pala

karami ang... choices na pagpipilian ko. Ano na lang po ba ang i-rrecommend nyo?

The older woman snickered under her breath. Parang the longer I stay here, the more na I wish I dragged
Venice out of the room with me. -__-

Manang: Mas mabuti na siguro kung kunin mo ung may wings.. Madalas, ayun ang binibili ng mga babae. Mas
ligtas na hindi matagusan--- O mas gusto ba ng girlfriend mo ang tampon?

Ako: Anoh ho ba pinagkaiba?

Manang: Hay naku, hijo, dapat alam mo tong mga toh!
Ako: Sorry. -__-

Binuksan ni Manang ung isang box ng tampons. Kumuha sya ng isa at hinarap sa'kin. I looked at the thing
in confusion. Pano nakakatigil ng menstruation yan?

Manang: Ito ang tampon. Kung ikukumpara mo ba sa napkin, eh mas maliit ang chansa na matagusan ang babae
pag ito ang gamit. Ayun nga lang, eh dapat sisiguraduhin nyang magpalit pagkatapos ng ilang oras.

Ako: Ahh.... Uh.. Pano ho ginagamit yan?

Natawa si manang. -__- Kasalanan ko bang hindi ko alam? Eh hindi naman ako nagamit nyan! Masama bang
maging curious?!

Manang: Pano pa ba sa tingin mo? Eh di pinapasok.

Oo O

Ako: P-Pinapasok?!?! H-Hindi po ba masakit un!?? Safe po ba un?!

Dito na talagang humalaghak ng tawa si manang. I think I can feel the blood draining from face as I stared in
horror at the.. the thing na hawak nya. How can someone invent such a thing?

Ako: I-- I think I'll just get the normal sanitary napkins.

I grabbed one pack of "Whisper with Wings" before practically running towards the register.

Ako: At least these are safe... normal... wouldn't hurt... -.-

Tinawanan lang ulit ako ni manang as she takes the cash from my hand.

---♥♥---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

"I am never doing that again!"

I watched in amusement as Jerwin dropped the plastic bag on the bed, sabay tilapon sa sarili nya facedown sa
unan.

Ako: Anong nangyari syo?

Jerwin: Next time na magpapabili ka ng.... kailangan mo, it's either you're coming with me or I'm not going at
all!

I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing. Si kuya naman, masyadong melodramatic. Parang walang kapatid
na babae~ Sa bagay, I doubt na inuutusan syang mamili ng mga personal gamit ni Jean. Masyadong
sheltered ang buhay.

Pano na lang pala kung sa susunod, bra at panty naman ang ipabili ko sa kanya?

Baka himatayin na sya!

Kinuha ko ung plastic bag and then walked towards the washroom.

Ako: Yeah, yeah. Thank you, Sunshine. Mag-ayos ka na para makalayas na tayo.
Jerwin: You're not even sorry for putting me through that torture, are you? -__-

Ako: Dagdag mo na lang sa life's experiences mo.

Jerwin: I hate you. ~_~

Tinawanan ko lang sya. Anoh ba naman ang mag-undergo sya ng mga embarrassing na situations once in a

while?

Ako: I love you too.

He mumbled something, pero hindi ko na narinig dahil he completely buried his face na talaga sa unan. Siguro
dapat maawa ako sa itsura nyang mukhang tinali sya sa labas ng Megamall sa harap ng maraming tao in nothing

but his boxers... Too bad. I'm enjoying this way too much to feel sorry for him.

After a quick shower, a quick clean up of the room, and a quick drop off of the luggage back sa truck, Jerwin

and I finally were able to make ikot-ikot. As usual, naka-undercover get-up nanaman si Jerwin, with his
cap and brand name sunglasses. After ten minutes (and threats to beat his head), pumayag na syang tanggalin

ung sunglasses nya. At least, mukha na syang normal na palaboy -- fafable na palaboy, pero palaboy pa rin.

Dumadami na ang mga tao sa paligid. It's a small town, pero hindi naman totally out of civilization.

Probinsyang-probinsya. I wonder where we are.

Kumakain kami ng pandesal fresh from the small bakery na nadaanan namin habang naglalakad. Ahyan na ang

breakfast namen.

Jerwin: What should we do now?

Ako: Abah, ehwan. Ikaw ang nagyaya na magliwaliw, sabit lang ako.

Hinati nya ung last pandesal as he looks around. Binigay nya sa'kin ung kalahati, while he nibbled on the other
half.

Jerwin: Well.. I don't think may makikita tayong souvenir shop dito.
Ako: Yep. Palagay ko rin.
Jerwin: Should we just head back to Manila?
Ako: Ikaw bahala.

Uminom sya dun sa bitbit naming water bottle, still looking around. Ayaw pa yata umuwi ni kuya. After nyang
tunggain ung tubig, binigay nya sa'kin ung bote. Inubos ko na ung natitirang kalahati. Just then, may nakita
syang kung ano. Bigla nya kong nginitian sabay hila patakbo sa kung ano man ung nakita nya. o.o

Jerwin: That's it!

Ako: Ha?!

Nung nakita ko ung shop na tinatakbuhan namen, nanlaki bigla mga mata ko. He must be kidding me! O.O

Ako: Sunshine! We can't do that!

Jerwin: Why not? It'll be fun!

Ako: But I don't know how to ride a bike!

Napatigil bigla si Jerwin. Dahan-dahan syang umikot para tignan ako. May malaking question mark pa sa

mukha nya.

Jerwin: How can you not know how to ride a bike?

Ako: Ehwan ko! Kasalanan ko bang hindi ako nabiyayaan ng sense of balance?!?
Jerwin: So... ayaw mong mag-bike?
Ako: Gustuhin ko man, hindi nga ako marunong. And I doubt na meron silang malaking bike na may training

wheels.

Jerwin: Oh well. You can ride with me then.

Bago pa man ako makasagot, nakalakad na kagad si Jerwin papunta dun sa manong na nagbabantay nung maliit
na rentahan. Haayyy... Syempre, hindi ko nanaman sya mapipigilan. Kung gusto nya mag-bike, okie fine~ Baka

biglang maglupasay pag pinigilan ko.

Lumapit ulit ako sa kanya nung nakita kong may binibigay nang bike si manong. Ung bike na may passenger seat

sa likod. Ibig sabihin, sakay ako.

Jerwin: Sardines, let's go.

Nginitian ko si manong. Tapos, tumalon ako sa likod ni Jerwin, sabay yakap sa likod nya habang nag-pedal sya

paalis. Weehhh~ libreng chansing! wahahahaha

Halos isang oras din kami nagpaikot-ikot sa mga kalsada. May nadaanan kaming simbahan, kung san tumigil si
Jerwin sandali para pumasok.. Inikutan din namin ung barangay hall.. After ilang ikot pa, nakita na ulit namin
ung bakery na pinagbilhan namin ng pandesal. Nung napagod na si Jerwin, tsaka kami bumalik dun sa rentahan
ng bike.

Binayaran ni Jerwin si Manong. Checking the time, na-realize naming dalawa na oras na para bumalik ng
Manila. Otherwise, baka gabihin kami sa daan. Sumakay na ulit kami sa truck ni Jerwin, and in no time at all,
nasa highway nanaman kami.. Kumakain ng take out from McDo as lunch.. Nakikinig sa GPS kung pano kami
makakauwi nang hindi naliligaw.

Patapos na ang no-destination na road trip namin... -___-

I don't wanna go home yet~ T^T

Ako: Ayoko pa umuwi.

Jerwin: No? Sardines, graduation mo na tomorrow. Don't you have things to prepare?

I flinched at the reminder. Hindi dahil sa graduation ko, pero dahil, unconsciously, pinaalala nyang kailangan
ko na nga pala mag-ayos ng mga gamit.
Sucks. -__-

Halos 7 PM -- yes, 7:00 ng gabi -- na nang nakauwi kami ni Jerwin sa bahay. Hindi dahil sa traffic. Hindi dahil
sa nawala kami. Naaliw lang si Jerwin sa mga paikot-ikot ng kalsada. Tinigilan na yata namin halos lahat ng
maliliit at hindi masyadong maliit na baryo, city na dinaanan namin. Pati ung mga sidestreet na tinadahan ng
kung anu-anong makakain, talagang hindi pwedeng hindi tigilan.

Kaya good luck naman.. Pagdating namin sa bahay, daig ko pa ang isdang naka-hilata sa palengke nang tinilapon
ko ang sarili ko sa sofa.

Kasunod kong pumasok si Jerwin, hila-hila ang maleta namen at nagbukas ng mga ilaw habang lumalakad sya
papunta sa living room.

Jerwin: You okay?

Ako: I'm tired. -__-

Jerwin: Why? Hindi naman ikaw ang nag-drive.

Ako: Dahil nakakapagod pigilan kang bilhin lahat ng mga nakita mong "amusing to the eyes"! Anong balak mong
gawin sa voodoo doll na binebenta syo nung manang na galing pa yata sa Shake, Rattle, and Roll?!
Jerwin: I just wanted to know kung totoong may mangyayari pag tinusok ko ung manika. You never know, a
certain producer might be asking for the pain.
Ako: Argh~ -___- You're hopeless!

He flopped down on the couch next to me. Naglagay sya ng unan sa likod ng ulo nya para mas maging

comfortable ung sandal nya. Feeling ko lang, napagod rin si kuya. I saw him close his eyes. Para siguro
ipahinga kahit sandali ung mga mata nya. Inggit ako, sinarado ko rin ung mga mata ko. Five minutes lang.. Then
I'll take a shower and crawl in my bed. Five minutes...

...

.....

DING! DONG!
+___+

DING!! DONG!!

Ugh..

Jerwin: Sardines, may nag-ddoorbell.. -__-

Ako: Nanaginip ka lang. -__-

Pareho kaming hindi gumalaw sa pagkakahiga namin. Baka sakaling pag tinuloy lang namin ang pag-deny, baka
mawala nga ung ingay.

Pero syempre, hindi ganon tumakbo ang mundo.

DING! DONG!

Ako: Argh! Sinoh ba yang storbo na yan?!?

I rolled out of the couch hanggang sa nakatayo na ko, trying to rub sleep out of my eyes.

Ako: Sunshine! Tumayo ka na dyan!

Jerwin: Why? -.-
Ako: Kung gigising ako, gigising ka rin!
Jerwin: Whyyyyy?
Ako: Coz I said so!
Jerwin: Is this how it's going to be when we get married? -.-

Tinaasan ko lang sya ng kilay as he pries himself off the couch. Hindi nya yata napansin ung sinabi nya dahil
tuloy-tuloy lang sya sa pagsunod sa'kin papunta sa nagsskandalo na pinto. Married daw. Ha...

DING! DONG!

Jerwin: Yeah yeah. We're coming. ~_~

He mumbled something under his breath as unlocks the door. Considering na nabuksan nung tao sa labas ung
gate at pumasok na hanggang sa pinto, sure kami ni Jerwin na kakilala namin ang nambubulabog. Kung

magnanakaw un, hindi naman siguro sya mag-ddoorbell noh? Kung sinuman sya, good luck na lang. Jerwin
doesn't look very happy na nagising sya. heehee

DING! DONG!

Jerwin: Yea?!?!

Napatigil kaming dalawa pagbukas nung pinto at nakita namin kung sinong nakatayo sa labas. O.O

Ako: Sunshine... I think I'm more tired than I realized. Nag-hhallucinate yata ako.
Jerwin: No. I don't think so. I see her too.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa, sabay tingin ulit dun sa tao sa labas. Finally, nag-sink in na na totoo talaga itoh!

Hindi sya hallucination!

Ako: MOM!
::Chapter 84::
Talk About It
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

If there's one reason I can come up with on why Tita Mel is here, it would be dahil graduation ni Venice. She
wouldn't dare miss her only child's college graduation, right? So, the fact na nag-appear sya out of nowhere
doesn't trouble me. The question kung kailan sya babalik ng States ang nakaka-bother. Isasama nya na ba si
Venice pabalik?

I casually sat on the couch habang nag-uusap ung magnanay sa kabilang couch. After getting over the initial
shock, pinapasok namin si Tita Mel and gave her a glass of juice.

Venice: Kailan ka pa dumating?

Tita Mel: Kaninang umaga lang.
Venice: Sana sinabi mo na dadating ka. Nasundo ka sana namin.

Tita Mel: Anong klaseng surprise naman un kung sasabihin ko rin lang naman pala syo? And don't worry
about it. Sina Tita Merryl mo ang sumundo sa'kin. They dropped me off sa hotel kanina.

Ako: My mom?
Tita Mel: Yes, your mom. Sila na nag-asikaso ng plane tickets namin, binayaran ko na lang. So alam nyang
dadating ako.

That's the confirmation right there. Sinusundo nya na nga si Venice.

My face must have mirrored my frustration dahil tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Tita Mel. Sumandal ulit ako sa
upuan, trying to mask any unwanted expression.

Tita Mel: Venice. Bakit di ka muna umakyat at magpalit ng damit?

Venice: What? What's wrong with my clothes?

Napatingin din ako sa damit ni Venice. Dahil natulog kami as soon as we got back, hindi pa kami nakakapagpalit
ng damit. Venice is still wearing a pair of denim jeans and a fitted shirt. Not exactly the picture of homey

clothes.

Tita Mel: Wala. Pero mas comportable kung hindi maong ang suot mo, noh? Ako ang nahihirapan syo eh.
Kaya sige na, akyat na.

She stole a quick glance at me, which Venice didn't fail to notice. Tinignan ako ni Venice, then tumingin sya sa
nanay nya.

Venice: Bakit feeling ko pinapaalis mo lang ako para ma-interrogate mo si Jerwin? -_-

Tita Mel: Anong interrogate? Bakit ko naman gagawin un?

Venice: Uh-huh.

I gave a nonchalant shrug nung tumingin ulit sya sa’kin. Siguro nakaramdam na wala na syang magagawa,
tumayo si Venice and dragged herself out of the room paakyat sa kwarto nya.

That left me and her mom alone in the living room. Parang kinabahan yata akong bigla.
Nung sure na kaming nakaakyat na si Venice, humarap kagad sa’kin si Tita Mel. Wala nang paligoy-ligoy pa,
diretso tanong kagad si tita.
Tita Mel: Anong balak mong gawin?
Ako: Saan po?
Tita Mel: Aalis na si Venice. Hindi mob a pipigilan?
Ako: Wala naman po akong karapatan pigilan sya sa pag-alis.
Tita Mel: You’re her fiancé.
Ako: For now.
Tita Mel: So ganon na lang? Hahayaan mo lang syang umalis?

I sighed.

Ako: Tita… Naaalala nyo ba nung sinabi nyo sa’kin na someday, may mamahalin ako, na i-ssacrifice ko ang lahat
para lang sa taong un? Ang sabi nyo pa, pag nakita ko na ung ganong relasyon, wag kong papakawalan.
Tita Mel: Sinasabi mo bang hindi si Venice ung taong un?
Ako: Oh no. I’m positive that Venice is the one for me. I’ll give up everything and anything for her.

Tita Mel: Jerwin. Lasing ka ba? Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo?

Natawa ako sa confused expression ni Tita Mel. Ayaw pa kasi muna akong patapusin eh.

Ako: I asked Venice to wait for me. I promised her that I’ll come for her, so if she can, I hope she waits for
me.
Tita Mel: Anong sabi nya?
Ako: She… didn’t say anything.

Tita Mel: Iba talaga ang topak ng batang yan kung minsan.
Ako: No, it’s okay. I understand her fears. I don’t do long distance relationships either. Hindi naman
naming alam kung anong mangyayari, so… mabuti na kung free syang gawin ang gusto nyang gawin.
Tita Mel: Who cares kung anong gusto nyang gawin?!? -__- Gusto ko ikaw ang maging son-in-law ko. Itatali
ko sya sa bahay hanggang dumating ka.

O_O

No wonder nagkasundo sila ng mother ko. Iba pareho ang takbo ng isip nila. Tama ba namang isipin na
ikulong ang anak nya?

Tita Mel: So, anong kinalaman nito sa advice ko syo?

Ako: I’m just saying. Venice is worth everything I have to give. I’m not giving her up unless she wants me
to.
Tita Mel: Haaayyyy hindi ko naman talaga kayo maintindihang dalawa. Bakit hindi na lang kaya kayo
magpakasal? Mag-Vegas tayo, para wala nang plano-plano!
Ako: Tita naman. O_O If Venice and I are ever gonna get married, I’ll make sure to do everything right.
Tita Mel: Sinasabi mo lang yan. Tignan ko lang ang tapang mo pag dumating ang araw na kailangan nyo nang

mag-decide ng flowers, center piece, motif, at kung anu-ano pa.

Okay. So eloping doesn’t sound too bad after all.

“Tapos na naman siguro kayong mag-usap noh?”

Napatingin ako sa likod. Bumalik na si Venice, wearing shorts and… T-shirt ko ba yang suot nya? Anak ng…
Ilang linggo ko nang hinahanap ung T-shirt na yan, kinuha nya pala!

Ako: Nice shirt.

Venice: I know. I found it in your closet~

Ako: When are you planning to give it back?
Venice: Who says I’m giving it back?
Ako: But… it’s too big for you. And I like that shirt. T^T
Venice: I like it too.

Lumakad sya sa’kin and patted the top of my head. Ginawa akong aso. -__-

Venice: I’ll buy you another one. Don’t cry.

Ako: I’m not crying.

Napansin kong todo ang panonood ni Tita Mel sa’ming dalawa as Venice continued to treat me like a child na
ninakawan ng laruan (which is somewhat true dahil ninakaw nya naman talaga ung T-shirt ko). When Venice
finally gave me a peck on the forehead, dun na napangiti si Tita Mel.

Tita Mel: Naghalikan na ba kayong dalawa?

Venice: Mom!
Ako: Opo.
Venice: Jerwin!
Tita Mel: Ooohh did you like it?
Venice: MOOOMMM!

Jerwin: I definitely did.

Tita Mel: Ikaw, Venice?

She crossed her arms over her chest. Namumula ung mukha nya either from embarrassment or dahil naiinis

na sya.

Venice: No comment. -__-

Ako: I’m sure she liked it too.

Venice: Sunshine, gusto mo ba talagang mamatay nang maaga?

Tita Mel: Pano mo naman nalaman na nagustuhan nya rin?

I looked back at Venice. Kung nakakamatay ang tingin, sampung beses na kong namatay. But then again,

kalian ba naman ako napigilan ng galit nya?

Ako: Coz every time I finally break off the kiss, mukhang konti na lang, tatalunin nya na ko. Parang gusto

akong lamunin.
Venice: What?!? Kailan nangyari un ha?!?

Tumawa lang si Tita Mel. After Venice finally calmed down, and nag-promise na rin sya na hindi nya ko
sasakalin, nagpaalam na si tita. Babalik na raw sya sa hotel dahil inaantok na sya, maaga pa ang graduation ni
Venice bukas.

Ako: Hold on. Let me just grab my keys. Ihahatid ko na kayo.

Tita Mel: Ay wag na, mag-ttaxi na lang ako. Magpahinga na rin kayong dalawa.
Ako: Are you sure, tita?
Tita Mel: Oo. Sige na.

Tumawag ng taxi si Venice. We waited sa labas hanggang dumating ung taxi. Nung nakasakay na si tita, tsaka
lang kami pumasok ni Venice pabalik sa loob ng bahay. I was about to go upstairs nang biglang hinawakan ni
Venice ung kamay ko. I stopped and looked at her.
Venice: Is that how I really look like pagkatapos kitang halikan? :|
Ako: Sardines, I was just kidding. Unless, gusto mo talaga akong rape-in every time na hinahalikan kita. If

yes, then you don’t have to stop yourself, you know?

Venice: Ha. Ha. Funny. -__- *sigh* I just don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I don’t kiss you because…
you know. I mean… I like kissing you… I like you kissing me. It makes me feel special.. and loved. I was
hoping na you feel the same.

She looked down on the floor. I put my hands on her face and made her look at me.

Ako: Of course I do. You’re the best thing that ever happened in my life. And every time I look at you
after we kiss, you smile at me as if I’m the best thing that happened in yours.

Venice: (smiles) Good. You know exactly how I feel then.

::Chapter 85::
Emotions
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

“Argh! What is wrong with your hair?!”

I sighed for the hundredth time since sinubukan ni Sheena na pa-“bonggahin” ang buhok ko. Sa totoo lang,
dahil kanina nya pa hinihila ang buhok ko in all directions, nagiging numb na ung scalp ko. Hindi pa rin nya

magawa ang gusto nyang gawin dahil pagkatapos ng successful na pagkulot, ayaw nang sumunod ng buhok ko.

Ako: Can’t you just tie it all up? -__- Napapagod na ang hair ko oh.
Sheena: Eh kung nakikisama ba naman sila, eh di hindi sana sila napapagod!
Kenny: Anoh bang pinagkakaguluhan nyo dyang dalawa? Kanina pa kayo ha!
Ako: Si Sheena kaseh! Tinotorture ang ulo ko!
Kenny: Hay nako, lumayas ka na nga dyan. Ma-llate tayo sa ginagawa nyo eh!

Tinulak ni Kenny si Sheena patabi, and just like that, ibang kamay naman ang naghihila sa buhok ko. -__-

Maaga kami gumising – well, actually, maaga silang nanggising. 6:30 AM pa lang, nambubulabog na sina Kenny at

Anthony sa bahay namin. Pati si Jerwin, nawindang. After nila akong i-harass na magmadali maligo at
magbihis, kinaladkad na nila ako palabas – not without isang matinding yakap muna sa nagmumuni-muni na
Jerwin Santos mula kay Kenny.

Pumunta kaming lahat sa bahay ni Sheena para dun magpaganda. Okay, ako, si Sheena, at si Kenny,

magpapaganda. Si Anthony, sabit lang.

Kenny: Ganito lang yan oh.. Itali sa side.. Kumuha ng konting kaguluhan sa kabilang side.. and… tada! Dyosa!

Tinignan ko sa salamin ang finished product ng bakla. Inayos nya ung buhok ko para maging side ponytail, tapos
hinayaan nya ung loose strands na i-frame ung mukha ko. Oh di vah~ Kung anong tagal ni Sheena, ganun kabilis

si Kenny.

Sheena: Haayyy.. Sige na nga. Okay na. Anyway, best friend, nasan si Jerwin?
Ako: Hmm may gagawin raw sya today eh.
Sheena: Di sya aattend ng graduation natin?
Ako: Probably not. You know naman ang schedule nun.

Anthony: Babawi rin un. Pwede na ba tayo umalis? Halika naaa~

Kinolekta namin ung mga gamit naming and then we all piled up sa van nina Sheena. Dakilang driver namin

ngayon ang father ni Sheena. Nasa kalagitnaan na kami ng highway nang biglang sumalpak ang mukha ni
Kenny sa bintana!

Kenny: Ay! Ay! Ay! Ang taray!!! Venice!!!

Napalingon kaming lahat bigla sa pinagkaka-panican nung bakla. And my golay, halos mahulog-hulog ang puso ko
sa nakita ko. Dun sa kalagitnaan ng highway, isang malaking summer billboard ang nakabalandra. At sa gitna ng
napakalaking billboard ay ang mukha ko! OoO Okay, mukha ko at ni Jerwin.. pero nandun pa rin ang mukha ko!

Yep. Ahyun ang impromptu swimsuit modeling gig ko nung pumunta kami ni Jerwin sa beach.

Sheena: Waaahh best friend, nilabas na nila ang advertisement! Ang ganda mo!

Anthony: Parang natural na model ah!

Ako: Syempre.
Kenny: Ilang oras Phinotoshop yan.

Ako: Gusto mo bang mamatay nang maaga, bakla?

Pero, syempre, dahil mahal na mahal ako ng mga loka, tuloy-tuloy lang sila sa mga commentaries nila tungkol sa

mga "enhanced features" ko. Mga bruhang toh... Parang naman ganon na lang ka-over the top ang ginawa sa
picture ko. Okay, so naging perfect shape ang katawan ko... At parang nag-gglow ang skin ko (siguro dahil
pinaliguan nila ako ng body oil nung photo shoot na un)... At daig ko pa ang model ng shampoo sa ganda at shiny
ng hair ko...

Pero kasalanan ko bang sadyang maganda lang talaga ako? wahahahaha

Nung nakarating na kami sa graduation venue, sinalubong kagad kami ni mommy at ni Tita Merryl -- much to my

surprise. In fairness, di ko akalain na aattend ang byenan ko. weehhh~

Aattend rin daw sana si Jean at si Tito Ray, kaya lang busy sa school at sa work. Oh di vah, family affair if

ever!

After ng panandaliang chikkahan, tinawag na ang mga estudents para makapagsimula na. Kinaladkad ako ni
Sheena at ni Kenny papunta sa likod para makapagsimula na ng march.

The ceremony went by pretty fast. Siguro dahil absentminded simula nung umupo ako hanggang sa mga
speech-speech chuchu. Or siguro dahil madaldal ung katabi ko, at hindi ko namalayan na lumipad na pala ang
oras. Anyway, before I know it, turn ko nang umakyat ng stage. Syempre, kasabay kong umakyat si mother

para sabitan ako ng medal. Parang elementary eh, noh? Walang magulo, kanya-kanyang trip lang yan.

Pagkatapos nyang isabit ung medal, humarap na kami dun sa photographer sa harap para sa picture. Lumapit
sa'kin si mommy ng konti para bumulong:

Mom: Tinatawag ka ni Jerwin.

Ako: Jerwin?

Tumuro sya sa may likod nung photographer, and sure enough, ahyun nga si Sunshine. May bitbit na sariling
camera at may malaking proud na ngiti sa mukha. Nung nakita nyang nakatingin ako na'ko sa kanya, he
immediately snapped a photo, and then waved. Lumaki lalo ung ngiti ko.

Halos kaladkarin ko si mommy pababa ng stage para lang magmadali sya.

Ako: Kailan sya dumating?

Mommy: Kani-kanina lang.

Nung nakababa na kami sa wakas, sinalubong kagad ako ng isang mahigpit na yakap ng Sunshine ko. Syempre,
ako rin, yakap din kagad.

Ako: I thought you said may gagawin ka today!

Jerwin: Yeah. I got these for you.

Inabutan nya ko ng isang bouquet ng red roses.

Jerwin: And I made sure to pick up your graduation gift.

Ako: Gift? For me?

Jerwin: Yep. But I'm not giving it to you yet. Sige na, bumalik ka na sa upuan mo. I'll see you after the
ceremony.

He gave me a peck on the cheek, then he slipped through the crowd para bumalik sa kung san man nakaupo
sina mommy at si Tita Merryl. Lumakad na rin ako papunta sa assigned seat ko, pero hindi bago madaanan si
Sheena, na nakaupo a few rows in front of ng row ko.

Sheena: Oy. Nakita ko un. Nakarating si fafa J, ha~

Ako: I know.

Tumuloy ako papunta sa upuan ko, holding the bouquet and my diploma close to me. Kahit hanggang sa pag-upo

ko, feel na feel ko ang ngiti sa mukha ko. This is the life, you knooowww~ Ni hindi ko napansin ang mga
tingin ng ilang mga people sa paligid.
 ---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

Venice's graduation finished in no time at all -- or siguro dahil late ako, kaya hindi ko masyadong nadama ang
haba nya. Dahil isa si Venice sa mga last students na tinawag, nakahabol pa ko, and I still saw her march on
stage to accept her diploma. I think it's one of those moments na I can never be more proud of her.

After ng official end ng ceremony, nag-picture-picture muna si Venice kasama ng mga kaibigan nya. For some

reason, naging official photographer ako. I think na-aamuse si Venice sa mukha ng mga kaibigan nya pag
nakikita nila kung sino ako. Syempre, kung masaya si Venice na i-shock ang mga inosenteng tao, sino ba naman

ako para pigilan pa sya?

Pagkatapos ng sandamakmak ng pictures, at mas marami pang pictures kasama ung barkada nya, sa wakas,
pumayag na rin sya na umalis na. Niyaya namin sina Sheena, Anton, at si Kenny na mag-late lunch, pero may mga
plano rin yata ung mga pamilya nila. Ang tagal bago natapos ang mga goodbyes nila sa isa't-isa. I didn't have
the heart to pry her away lalo na nung umiyak na sya. Hanggang sa kotse, nagpapahid si Venice ng mga luha nya.
I still don't know kung tears of joy ba un dahil she finally graduated, o tears of sadness dahil hindi nya alam
kung kailan nya ulit makikita ung mga kaibigan nya.

I lightly fingered the small box in my pocket. I wonder how she'll react once I give the gift to her...

Venice: Henyo, henyo ang kung sinoman nakaimbento ng waterproof na mascara.

Ako: Are you feeling better now?

Venice: Yeah. I can't cry the whole afternoon, di ba? San nga pala tayo pupunta?
Ako: I made reservations in a restaurant.

Tumingin sya sa sasakyan na nakasunod sa'min. Dun nakasakay ung mga nanay namin.

Venice: Alam ba nina mommy kung san tayo pupunta?

Ako: Yeah. My mom knows where it is.

Dinaanan namin ung newly put up na billboard ng Guess. Napapangiti pa rin ako pag nakikita ko ung
advertisement na un ng swimsuit. It's not because the ad turned out really good, but it's more because of the
memories na nangyari nung weekend ng photoshoot. Kahit anong tagal na, natatawa at napapangiti pa rin ako
pag naaalala ko un.
Venice: What do you think of the billboard?
Ako: It's good.

Venice: I know. Ang ganda ko!

Ako: (chuckles) Yeah, but I think I like the real you better.

Venice: Oh? Kahit na may bilbil ako, at ung billboard me eh slim and sexy?
Ako: Kahit na.
Venice: Kahit na minsan halos magkabuhol-buhol na ang buhok ko sa sobrang hangin, samantalang ung billboard
me eh parang kahit may twister na, masunurin pa rin ang hair nya?
Ako: Tutulungan pa kitang mag-suklay.
Venice: Kahit na hindi nag-gglow ang balat ko na parang may kung anong luminescent na ilaw sa balat ko?

I stole a glance at her, and then smiled.

Ako: You look luminous enough for me.

Venice: Weehhhh~ Kaya mahal kita eh! Pinapalaki mo ang ulo ko~

I laughed again. She leaned forward para maghanap ng ibang station sa radio while I continued driving---

"--All for show nga ba? Jerwin Santos, umattend sa graduation ng fiancée nyang si Venice Zhao..."

Natahimik kaming bigla. Venice froze sa upuan nya.

"Pagkatapos ng mga balitang publicity stunt lang ang relasyon ng dalawa, marami ang naghihinala na
palabas lamang ang ka-sweetan ng dalawa habang nasa graduation--"

Venice: Ha. Ang bilis ng balita ah.

She immediately switched the radio to another station. May titigilan sandali, tapos iibahin nya nanaman ung
station.

"--Lumabas ang isang billboard advertisement kung saan kasama ni Jerwin Santos na nag-model ng
mamahaling brand ng swimsuit ang fiancée nyang si Venice Zhao. May mga nagsaabi na ginamit raw ni
Venice si Jerwin para makapasok sa showbiz--"

I finally turned off the radio. There was a couple seconds of silence before Venice snapped back to reality.

Venice: Wow. That was lame.

Ako: Don't let them bother you. They don't know anything.

She sighed before sya umikot para humarap sa bintana.

Venice: Yeah. I know.

Since then, her mood totally pummeled down. She was spacing out during lunch. She barely talked to her
mom nung bumalik na sa hotel ung mom nya. She barely talked nung nag-drive na kami pauwi. Dahil lang sa
ilang mga tao na kung anu-anong ina-aassume tungkol sa kanya. Nakakainis.

Nung nakarating na kami sa bahay, Venice immediately went upstairs to take a shower. I went to the living
room and grabbed my phone. I don't know how to fix the problem, but I know I have to do something. I
called the manager's phone and told him what I wanted him to do. There was a long, pondering silence after I
spoke.

Manager: Are you sure about this?

Ako: Yes. This is getting out of hand. Venice doesn't deserve this. I want to set the record straight.

---♥♥---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Later that night...

I think halos dalawang oras na'kong nakahiga sa kama. Kahit anong pilit kong matulog, ayaw talagang matulog
ng utak ko. Muntik na nga akong mahulog sa kama sa kaka-paikot-ikot ko.
After ng another failed attempt na bumagsak sa dream world, I sat up in frustration. Kapag inuntog ko ba
ang ulo ko sa dingding (oo, alam kong masakit), makakatulog ba ko?

Tumingin ako sa kwarto ko. Halos wala nang laman. Ung mga maleta ko na lang.. at isang bag.
Parang kailan lang, naaalala ko pa nung lumipat kami dito. Ngayon, naka-impake nanaman ako.
Bubwit na mga assumers kaseh yan! Anoh bang problema nila sa buhay?!

Haayyyy...

I swung my legs out of the bed, and as quietly as I could, I walked out of my room papunta sa kwarto ni
Jerwin. Siguro tulog na sya. I mean, halos hatinggabi na, so malamang, di ba?
Pero, just in case na hinde, I softly knocked on the door and then binuksan ko ng konti ung pinto.
Madilim na ang kwarto nya.

Ako: Jerwin?

I waited for a few seconds, pero walang sumagot. Nung iikot na sana ako pabalik sa kwarto ko, may narinig ako
biglang gumalaw sa kama. Not long after that, sumagot sya in barely audible voice. I would have missed it
kung hindi lang ever ang katahimikan sa house.

Jerwin: Yea?

Pumasok ako sa kwarto nya, making sure to close the door behind me. I stood sa tabi nung kama nya as he
looked at me. Dun ko lang na-realize, anoh nga bang ginagawa ko dito? Parang akong timang, lakad kasi ng

lakad.

Ako: Uh... I know it's late... and... anoh... I know this may sound really random...

He pulled himself up para makita nya ko nang mas maayos. I took a deep breath, then I quietly asked him the
one reason I can think of kung bakit ako pumunta sa kwarto nya in the middle of the night.

Ako: Can I sleep here?

He looked at my face as if he's searching for something. Akala ko, he's gonna start teasing me, which would
make me go back to my own room, and try to sleep again by myself. But to my surprise, he extended his hand
and smiled at me.
Jerwin: Sure.
::Chapter 86::
Promise
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I turned to my side para sana yakapin ung katabi ko. Pero instead of the warm, lean body na ineexpect ko,
bumagsak ang kamay ko sa lumalamig at malambot na kumot. Confused, I opened my eyes. And, yep, wala na

nga ang taong supposedly eh katabi ko. May narinig akong umiikot-ikot sa kwarto. Assuming na ung
umiikot at ung hinahanap ko eh iisa, I turned to my side para mas makakita nang maayos. There he is. -__- Si

Jerwin na nagsusuot ng sapatos… at mukhang may pupuntahan.

Tumingin ako sa orasan.. It’s 10:30 in the morning.

Argh.. Anong normal na tao ba ang gumigising nang ganito kaaga?

Ako: Sunshine?

Napatigil sya sa ginagawa nya nung na-realize nyang gumagalaw-galaw na pala ako.

Jerwin: Oh. I didn’t mean to wake you.

Ako: It’s okay. May pupuntahan ka?
Jerwin: Yea. I have to go to my manager's office. Tapos, may interview ako late in the afternoon.
Ako: I see.
Jerwin: I’ll be back soon.

I flinched sa sinabi nya. I stared at him as he finished putting on his shoes. He grabbed his phone and his
wallet from the table then turned around to face me. Nung nakita kong lumalakad na sya palapit sa’kin, I
quickly plastered a smile on my face.

Jerwin: Don’t forget to eat lunch.

Ako: Of course.
Jerwin: Bye.
He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead before he straightened up again. Kakabukas nya lang nang pinto when
I felt the need to call him again. He paused and turned to look at me. I opened my mouth to tell him kung
anong mangyayari mamaya… But then, I remembered he didn’t want to know. So instead, I just smiled at him
again.

Ako: I love you.

He gave me a quizzical look, pero nawala rin kagad as his expression changed to something warmer.

Jerwin: I love you too.

After saying that, he finally left. Narinig ko ung truck na nag-start. Maya-maya, bumukas na ung gate, and he
was gone. I collapsed on the bed again and pulled the sheets closer to me. Amoy Jerwin pa rin...

Haayyy...

I stayed in that position for a few more minutes, memorizing his scent... Finally, I forced myself to get out of
bed. I still have things to do.

Mataas na ang araw nung lumabas ako. Syempre, dahil hapon na. Kasalanan ko bang matagal ang process

ng pagligo, pagbihis, pagpapaganda, pagkain at pag-space out ko?

Anyway, sinundo ako nina mommy at ni Tita Merryl from the house, kasama si Manong Ponce na driver at taga-
bitbit ng mga gamit. Pag-alis namin, I asked them na idaan muna ako dito, kahit five minutes lang. So, ehto
ako ngayon… Naka-luhod sa very familiar na damuhan, sa harap ng very familiar na gravestone habang
naghihintay sa labas ng very familiar na sementeryo ang mga matatandang kasama ko.

Ako: G… Last time ko na yata makakadaan dito… Unless, of course, bumalik ako after ten years. Anyway, I’ll
make sure na makakadaan ako sa totoong libingan mo sa States. Maybe I’ll even say hello to your parents. I
wonder if they’ll recognize me… Bahala na.

I lightly traced the engravings on the smooth stone. I felt a sense of déjà vu nung ginawa ko un. Ilang beses
kaya ako umupo dito dati doing the very same thing? Ilang taon, ilang buwan, ilang araw akong kumapit sa bato
na toh na wala naman talagang koneksyon kay Gerard kundi ung pangalan nyang naka-engrave?

It’s weird. Parang ang tagal na… Ang dami nang nangyari…

Ako: Continue to watch over me, okay? At kung hindi rin naman masyadong pabigat, paki bantayan na rin si
Jerwin. Pag nakita mong may ginagawang kalokohan, may permission kang pasukin ang mga panaginip nya at

ipahabol sya sa monsters.

Napangiti ako sa picture. Ang cute naman~ Si Jerwin at si Gerard in one place… Ung isa hinahabol ng

monster, ung isa, tumatawang parang sadista. I’m sure, kung buhay lang si G, magkakasundo sila ni Jerwin.
Kahit na madalas magtatalo sila dahil pareho silang matigas ang ulo, I’m sure they’ll be fast friends.

Pero mabuti na rin sigurong ganito. Pano na lang ang puso ko kung sabay silang nasa buhay ko? Ay shosyal!

Mamangka sa dalawang ilog~ Ang ganda ko!

I smiled one last time as I finally stood up and brushed the blades of grass off of my jeans.

Ako: Well, this is good-bye. I’m leaving now, G.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

I watched in nervous anticipation as the talk show hosts wrap up the interview with the current guest. After
the talk with the manager on what I can say without giving away too much private information, I finally found
myself waiting in the dressing room of the weekend Celebrity Talk Show. The whole show is live, so there’s
absolutely no place for mistakes.

“Jerwin?”

Napaikot ako when I heard my name. I quickly came face to face with a very baffled-looking Nicole.

Ako: Nic, what are you doing here?

Nicole: I had a meeting with some sponsors. What are you doing here?
Ako: Interview.

Nicole: Interview? Now? But… What about Venice’s flight?

Ako: Venice’s flight?

Nicole: Yeah. Isn’t she leaving today in…

She looked at her watch.

Nicole: …about an hour?

I froze on the spot. Did I just hear her right? Venice is leaving today?
Nicole scrutinized the horrified expression I’m probably wearing right now. I can almost see the gears in her
head turning, hanggang finally, na-realize nya na ang nangyayari. She glowered at me as she repeatedly
slapped me on the arm.

Nicole: You idiot! You didn’t know---

“Jerwin? It’s your cue!”

I snapped out of my daze nung naramdaman kong may humihila na sa’kin palayo from Nicole’s abuse, papunta sa
stage. Ni hindi ko na rin napansin na Nicole is throwing daggers at me with her eyes as I was dragged away. I
was numb. Nung nagpalakpakan lang ung audience ako nagising. Nakaupo na pala ako sa harap nung host.

Ako: Uh.. Good afternoon po.

Kuya Boy looked at me with concern in his eyes. Napansin nya yatang wala ako sa tamang utak… at medyo
namumutla yata ako. It feels like it. I don’t think tama ang pagdaloy ng dugo sa katawan ko ngayon. But no
one needs to know that.

I gave the host a small smile to assure him I’m fine. After all, nandito na rin naman ako, I’ll do what I came
here to do.

Kuya Boy: Jerwin, unang-una, maraming salamat sa tiwala at sa pagkakataon na ito.

I gave him a faint smile.

Kuya Boy: Wala nang ligoy-ligoy pa, ang relasyon nyo ni Venice, totoo bang arranged lang ang lahat?
Ako: Ang “relasyon” namin?

I stifled a snort.

Ako: I admit, the engagement was arranged.

A rushed murmur resonated from the people in the studio.

Ako: Pero ang “relasyon” namin? Our relationship is very much real.
Kuya Boy: Anong ibig mong sabihin?
Ako: We started out under unconventional circumstances. Ang totoo pa nga po nyan, nung binalita sa’min ng
mga magulang namin na we’re getting engaged, ako pa ang medyo okay sa balita. Venice was on the verge of
strangling me to death for agreeing with the arrangements.
Kuya Boy: So, contrary sa mga balita, hindi si Venice ang lumapit syo?

I bit my tongue to keep from laughing. Technically, si Venice nga ang lumapit sa’kin, but I don’t think that

counts… Lalo na dahil lasing sya nun at hindi nya na alam ang ginagawa nya when she stumbled upon me.

Ako: Venice had nothing to do with the decision to get engaged… or any other decision that came afterward.

That… did not sound right. -__- Ganun na lang ba ka-strict ang pagpapatakbo ng mga magulang ko sa relasyon
namin na hindi ko napansin na natangay na lang ng daloy si Venice? She didn’t even get a say on anything… Not
the start of the engagement… Not the end of it.

Damn.

Kuya Boy: Jerwin? Jerwin?

I snapped out of my reverie. Binalik ko ung atensyon ko kay kuya. May sinasabi na pala sya, ni di ko na
narinig. Napansin nya rin yata, dahil thankfully, he repeated his question. Sigh. I don't think I'm doing too
well with this live interview thing. -_-

Kuya Boy: Nalilito ang marami. Ibig sabihin ba nito ay napilitan lang si Venice na pumasok sa relasyon nyo?
Nagpanggap lang ba sya na masaya kayo?
Ako: What? No! Of course not.
That’s ridiculous. We’re happy! . . . or rather, we were happy.

Ako: Just because the relationship started out wrong does not mean it continued to be wrong. What Venice
and I had was real, probably more real than some other relationships that started with the normal na ligawan.

Nag-ssignal na si direk na malapit nang mag-commercial break. I better wrap up. I turned to the camera,
much to the surprise of the staff and crew.

Ako: On behalf of my family and Venice, I apologize to everyone kung naramdaman nyong niloko namin kayo or
kung inakala nyo na publicity stunt lang toh. Please do not hate Venice.

I took another deep breath. There’s a sudden stillness in the studio as I talk to the people and lay out all I
have to say.

Ako: The main reason I came here today is to tell the truth. And the truth is, during the short time that
the Venice and I spent together, I can sincerely tell all of you that I had come to love that woman, and that
she had come to love me as well. It’s not a lie. We were not pretending. What we had was real, and I really
hope all of you would understand and finally let go of the doubts someday.

I lowered my eyes, and then slowly looked back kay Kuya Boy. He was looking at me intently, with a hint of
pity in his eyes. I wonder if I look as pathetic as I feel right now?

Kuya Boy: Napansin ko lang habang nagsasalita ka, past tense ang mga sinasabi mo. May nag-iba ba ngayong
nilabas mo na ang totoo?

Napatingin ako bigla kay Nicole, na nakatayo sa gilid nung stage. Mukhang kalmado na sya. She actually looks
like she’s sympathizing with me. I guess I wouldn’t have to worry about being murdered after the interview.
She bit her lip, and then reluctantly, she gave me a nod of encouragement.

Ako: As of today, Venice and I no longer together.

I closed my eyes as I hear astonished whispers went around the studio. That confession hurt more than I
thought.
Kuya Boy: Pagkatapos ng lahat ng sinabi mo, bakit ngayon pa kayo naghiwalay?
Ako: The rumors, the harsh criticisms, the assumptions… Venice does not deserve any of those. It was
decided that she’ll be better off away from here. As we speak, nasa airport na po sya... boarding her flight
to the States.
Kuya Boy: Jerwin, kung bibigyan ka ng pagkakataon na mag-iwan ng mensahe para kay Venice, anong sasabihin
mo?

I turned to the camera again... Anong sasabihin ko kung, sa kung anong himala, eh naririnig nya ko ngayon?

”Don’t go”?

“You still never told me if you were going to wait for me”?

But then again, I already promised that I’d come for her no matter what, so…

Ako: Venice. I’ll fulfill my promise, so please, wait for me.

I stumbled inside the dark house after shutting the front door behind me. I would have called for Venice,
ran around the house looking for her… but what’s the point? The stillness already confirms the truth: she’s
gone.

I trudged upstairs, but instead of going to my room, I walked inside hers – or at least, it used to be hers.
I turned on the light and looked around. Wala na ung mga kalat nya sa study table. Hindi na natatabunan ng
make-up at accessories ung vanity table nya. Wala nang one or two shirts na nakakalat sa sahig. The room is
clean. Empty.

Except for the small box and the piece of paper sitting on her bed.

Lumakad ako palapit sa kama. I slowly took the small box. Nanikip ang dibdib ko nung na-recognize ko kung
ano ung box na un.

It was a ring's box... The diamond ring's box. I opened it -- kahit na alam ko na kung anong nasa loob -- pero
seeing the diamond ring... It just made things more real, you know? We're no longer engaged. She left me
the ring. She's really gone.

I closed the box and reached for the paper na pinapatungan kani-kanina lang nung box. I unfolded it and read
the small message. I read it again... and again.. and again.

Nung nag-sink in na sa utak ko ung binasa ko, I couldn't help but smile.
The message is simple.. but it is exactly what I wanted to hear (or read, whatever).

"Sunshine,

I'll wait for you.

♥ Sardines."
::Chapter 87::
Time After Time
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

There is something very familiar about this guy’s face. It’s getting annoying na I can’t place what’s so
familiar about him. Kahit nung sumabit na si Jean sa braso nya para ipakilala ung ka-“date” nya (Meet Patrick
daw), I still can’t stop glaring at him. I don’t really care if it’s making the guy uncomfortable. Tama lang un.
Anong iniisip nya? Gagawin kong madali ang buhay nya, eh malakas ang loob nyang ilabas ang kapatid ko?!

Who cares kung 16 na si Jean at pinayagan na sya ng mga magulang naming makipag-“date”? It is my brotherly
right to make the guy’s life miserable. Especially since mukhang pretty boy tohng lalaking toh… Wait a
minute…

I stared at the guy’s face again, and then it hit me. I knew there’s something familiar about him! Well, not
entirely familiar, pero nandun na rin ung resemblance.

He looks like Kenny!

Damn. And I thought Jean finally got over that little crush.

Ako: Dude.

Napatingin sa’kin si Jean tsaka ung ka-“date” nya.

Ako: Are you gay?

Jean: Kuya!
Ako: What? I’m just making sure. He looks a lot like your previous “Prince Charming”, or nakalimutan mo na
ba?

Jean: Shut up.

Patrick: Prince Charming?
Jean: Don’t mind him. Na-overwork na utak nyan, hindi na gumagana.

She turned to glare at me while still talking to the amused boy next to her.

Jean: Bitter lang sya kasi ilang taon na syang walang girlfriend. Pakipot pa kasi. If I were you, matagal na
kong lumipad sa States---

Ako: Jeanette.
Jean: What? Sasabihin mo nanaman na busy ka? Na hindi pa kasi tapos ung kontrata mo? Hay nako! Ehwan

ko syo!
Ako: You know? I liked you better when you were young and annoying. At least, no'n, may pagka-cute pa ung
pagka-annoying mo. Now, you’re just plain annoying.
Jean: Sabi mo lang un. Alis na nga kami.
Ako: Make sure you come home before eleven – and I mean, eleven in the evening, Jean, not eleven the next
day. Maghihintay syo si Aling Ligaya.

Jean: Okay na, kuya. Masyado kang uptight. Relax ka lang dyan. If I know, kinakabahan ka na, wala pang
nangyayari.
Ako: Like I said earlier, you’re annoying. -__-

Tumawa lang sya, and then walked up to me and gave me a hug.

Jean: See you soon, kuya.

After nun, hinila nya na palabas si Patrick bago pa man makapag-paalam nang ayos ung tao. Jean talaga,

lumaking may pagka-dominatrix. I stood by the front door and watched the car disappear, hanggang sa
sumarado na ulit ung gate. I walked back to the room na ginawa kong personal working space ko. It’s where I
write songs for other artists, where I review tracks and albums I might feel like producing, where I check on
talents with potential, and where I finalize the financial and material donations na pupunta sa mga maliliit na
baryo na kailangan ng konting tulong sa araw-araw nilang buhay. Yep, nagpapaka-philanthropist ako. One of
my earliest projects was the small town na pinagkawalaan namin ni Venice years and years ago.

Napatingin ako sa kalendaryo na nakapaskil sa may tabi ko. It’s been months since the last time I talked to
Venice; years since the last time I saw her. We’ve both been busy with work and other things. If things go
the way I plan, then it won’t be long ‘til our lives return to the way it should be.
 ---♥♥---

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

“What?!? He wouldn’t go out with that walking stick! Nasa kinder pa yata yan nung nag-hhigh school na kami!”

I know it's not healthy na sigawan ang TV, pero pag bad trip ka, at lalo pang nakaka-bad trip ang pinapanood
mo, anoh pa bang care mo kung hindi makakasagot ung sinisigawan mo?

I stabbed my spoon sa bowl ng ice cream na kinakain ko as I glared at the screen. Siguro, bad idea na
nagpakabit ako ng TFC, pero pano na lang ako sasagap ng tsismis tungkol kay Jerwin kung wala akong Filipino
channel, di vah?
But then again, kung ang mga tsismis eh ganitong nakaka-high blood and mostly di naman totoo, eh ano pang
silbi ng panonood ko?

I blame Jerwin. -__-

Three years, four months, and two weeks.

Kung tinuloy-tuloy ko ang pag-ccross ng mga araw sa kalendaryo, siguro makakasigurado ako na ganyan
na exactly katagal since lumipad ako dito sa States. Pero dahil tumigil ako sa pag-eekis ng mga araw nung
umabot ako sa one year and two months, in denial akong ganyan na talaga katagal.

All I know is... Three years... Three years na kong naghihintay.

Ang hirap pala.

Of course, it's not like we didn't keep in contact. We talk once a month. Chat online once in a while pag may
oras (which is very rare considering timezones and work schedules). Okay, so I haven't actually seen him in
the flesh since three years ago, it's alright. I can manage somehow. As long as I get to talk to him...... He
knows that.

So why in the world bigla syang nag-disappear!??

For three months now, walang email, walang tawag, walang YM, walang kahit ano! Zilch! Nada! Nasagasaan ba
sya ng truck?!? (I hope not. -_-)
Napatingin ulit ako sa TV, na iba na ngayon ang tsinitsismis.

May nakita na kaya syang iba?

Aba! Sabihin nya man lang sa'kin nang mapa-ambush ko sya! Tatlong taon akong pinaghintay, tapos sasama
lang pala sya kung anong walking stick?! Abno ba sya?!

Haayyy. -___-

I turned off the TV and pried my butt out of the couch. I might as well go out and... do something bago ako
ma-loka dito. Ehto ang isa sa mga disadvantages ng nakatira sa isang apartment, all alone. Walang makausap
na pang-distract man lang. Ever since I moved out of my mom's house two years ago, I found out na ang
creepy pala pag kinakausap mo ang dingding -- nagmumukha kang sira.

So, tinigil ko na un. Instead, pag kailangan ko na ng distraction, I walk outside, kahit isang block lang, at kahit
anong oras pa. Good thing safe ang neighborhood na napaglipatan ko.

I grabbed my keys from the counter and then quietly locked the door behind me. It's already 10:30 PM, so
most of the other residents sa building, either tulog na or getting ready na matulog. I went down the stairs,
and then stepped out of the building. Malapit na mag-autumn, so medyo malamig na ang hangin pag gabi. I
guess this is one of the reasons kaya halos wala nang tao sa labas. May mga dumadaan na sasakyan once in a
while, pero walang naglalakad.

I tugged my coat closer to me and started my walk. Iniisip kong maglakad hanggang sa Walgreens two blocks
away para bumili ng gatas... pero ang weird naman, di ba? Lumabas ako nang ganito ka-late ng gabi para lang

bumili ng gatas. But oh well.. May kung anong law ba na nagsasabing bawal bumili ng gatas at eleven in the
evening?

Tumigil ako sa kabilang street nung Walgreens para hintayin ung pedestrian light na mag-green. Ehwan ko ba
kung bakit ako sumusunod sa traffic rules, wala namang kotse. May pulis kayang nakatago kung saan?

Huhulihin nya ba ko pag nag-jaywalking ako?

Only one way to find out. bwahahahaha

I looked to the right and looked to the left para siguraduhing walang sasagasa sa'kin. Mahirap na. Masakit
ang mamatay. Nung nakita kong the coast is clear, I was about to step out of the sidewalk nang napansin kong
may nakatayo sa kabilang side nung street. Normally, I wouldn't mind, pero this time, nakatitig sa'kin ung guy
-- which of course, freaked me out. O.O

I stood on the spot and squinted para makita ko nang mabuti ung mukha nya -- then I froze.

Oh my gawd. I'm hallucinating. Natulog na talaga dapat ako!

Suddenly, the other guy smiled and casually waved at me. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko as tears
threatened to spill out of unblinking eyes. I ran towards him -- thankful na walang sasakyan dahil late ko nang
na-realize na i-check bago tumawid. He jogged towards me to meet me halfway. When he's finally close
enough, I flung my arms around him.

Ako: Oh my god. You're here! You're here! What are you doing here?!?

Natawa sya ng konti as he gave me a quick hug before pulling away to look at me.

Jerwin: Anoh pa ba? I'm fulfilling my promise. I've come for you.
::Chapter 88.1::
Destiny Fulfilled
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

“Kelan ka pa dumating? Sinong kasama mo? How did you know where I was? Nasan mga gamit mo? Pano ka
nakarating dito?”

Jerwin chuckled softly as I barreled him with questions. I know, halata bang na-excite ako? Walang magulo!

Moment ko itowh!

I stared at him as we walk back to my place. He looks better in person kesa pag nakikita ko sya sa TV. Of
course, mas amazing naman talaga dahil nakikita ko sya habang kinakausap nya ko – nahahawakan ko pa!

Sensory overload! Ganun pa rin itsura nya. It’s been three years, pero parang walang nagbago. If ever,
nag-mature lang nang konti ang mukha nya. May kung anong wisdom na from life experiences sa mga mata nya.
But the boyish good looks, the teasing grin, the affectionate glances… Nandun pa rin.
It’s like nothing changed. Parang ang sarap nya pa ring rape-in! wahahahaha charing!

Jerwin: Slow down. Isa-isa lang ang tanong.

Ako: Okay. Start from the beginning.

Jerwin: I just got here this afternoon. I’m staying in a Comfort Inn not far from here. After dropping off
my things, I took a cab and was about to go to your place nung nakita kitang naglalakad. Tinigil ako nung taxi
sa may kanto. I’ve been following you for five minutes, naghahanap ng tatawiran, nung nakita mo ko.

Ako: Awwww… You’re stalking me already, kakarating mo lang.

Jerwin: I’m not stalking you.

Ako: Okay lang un, Sunshine. Alam ko namang di mo na mapigilan ang sarili mo. Tagal mo ba namang di nakita

tohng ganda kong toh.

Jerwin: True.

Ay. Ang bilis um-agree. I likes!

fc

He suddenly stopped walking and pulled me in for a hug. Syempre, ako namang si malandi, nagpa-hug naman.

Sigh…

Jerwin: I missed you.

Ako: I know.
Jerwin: Na-miss mo ba ko?
Ako: We-ell… Tatlong buwan ka ring hindi nagparamdam… -__-
Jerwin: So... dun sa tatlong buwan na un, may nagbago ba?
Ako: Sinadya mo bang hindi magparamdam?
Jerwin: I wanted to give you a sense of freedom bago ako pumunta dito, just in case… I don’t want you to
feel obligated to still wait for me. I wanted you to have the opportunity to find out if you want something --
someone else.
Ako: Hmmm.. I did go out with this guy a month ago.

Naramdaman kong biglang nag-tense ung hawak nya sa’kin. Si kuya talaga… Magpapaka-martyr, tapos pag
hinarap mo ung kinda, like-a na gusto nyang mangyari, biglang aatakihin sa puso. Haaayyy, mga tao nga naman.
Jerwin: And?
Ako: We went out once, that’s it. I realized na hindi pala ako natutuwa sa kanya.. and the main reason na
pumayag lang akong lumabas kasama sya is nabbwiset ako syo dahil hindi ka nagpaparamdam...

Ang gwapo mo!

He laughed again. Binitawan nya na ko, pero hawak nya pa rin ung kamay ko as we started walking sa
apartment building kung san ako nakatira.

Jerwin: Hey, may trabaho ka ba bukas?

Ako: Nope. Off ako ng weekends.
Jerwin: Good. Tomorrow, we can grab lunch, tapos ipasyal mo ko. As for tonight, I guess we can stay up

late…
Ako: Di ka ba pagod?
Jerwin: Well, a little… (smiles) But I figured I don’t really have to go back to my motel room tonight…
Maybe just a quick nap?

Ako: Makikitulog ka?

As soon as I opened the door to my apartment and stepped inside, dumiretso kagad si Jerwin sa living room.
He plopped himself on the couch – parang isda na bagong huli.

Jerwin: What? You don’t want to spend every minute, every hour with me now that I’m here?

Ako: Ang feeling mo rin, noh?

Pinanood ko sya as he tried to make himself comfortable sa aking beloved plush couch. Nung napansin nyang
hindi ko sya nilalapitan, he craned his neck to look at me.

Jerwin: Come here, Sardines. Tagal ko nang hindi naririnig ang “You Are My Sunshine”.

As soon as nakatulog at nakapagpahinga na nang konti si Jerwin, quality T-I-M-E kagad ang banat
namin. Saturday, nagliwaliw kami sa Chicago, kung san mangiyak-ngiyak ako nung pinilit nya kong umakyat sa
Willis Tower at pumasok dun sa glass thingy overlooking the city. Matamaan sana ng kidlat ang kung sinuman
nakaisip gawing tourist attraction ang pagkataas-taas na building na un. Hindi pa natuwa, talagang nilagyan pa
ng glass encase sa pinakataas na floor, sticking out of the building, na pag nag-step ka sa loob, makikita mo
talaga ang TAAS ng tower under your feet. Kung anong tuwa ni Jerwin, ganon naman ang lakas ng temptation

kong umiyak at suntukin ung ngiti sa mukha nya. Bumalik kami sa ground floor, at halos halikan ko na ang
semento sa sobrang tuwa. T^T We then went to Millennium Park, tapos sumakay ng subway papunta sa
Chinatown. Over all, it was a good day.

Nung Sunday naman, binisita namin sina Mommy at ang kanyang boylet sa bahay nila. Imagine na lang ang

excitement ng mother ko nang nakilala nya kung sino ung nakasakay sa kotse ko. Halos ayaw nya na nga
kami paalisin. Kung wala siguro akong trabaho kinabukasan, baka kinulong nya na kami sa bahay nila.

Monday, I grudgingly spent 8 hours at work. I usually don’t mind working in the nursing home -- promise, may

pagka-exciting ang buhay dun lalo na pag maraming mga may dementia na umaaligid-aligid. When I got out,
I drove to Jerwin’s motel to pick him up for an early dinner. He just woke up nung dumating ako -- jet lag

raw. Kawawa naman.

We went to a nearby restaurant. Kinuwento sa’kin ni Jerwin lahat ng mga pinaggagawa nya the past three
months. Apparently, busy-busyhan si kuya sa pagiging santo. Kinuwento nya rin ang so-called date ni Jean the
day ng flight nya. That date was about four or five days ago, hindi pa rin nawawala ang kagustuhan nyang i-

harass ung lalaki for dating his “baby sister”. Psh. Overprotective na kuya.

I was driving him back nang pumasok sa isip ko ang isang ideya. Syempre, ako naman si impulsive, wala nang
isip-isip pa, tinanong ko kagad sya.

Ako: Why don’t you check out of the motel and just stay with me?

He looked at me wide-eyed. Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay. Anong nakakagulantang sa tanong na un? Avah, kung
iisipin, makakatipid pa sya. It’s not like we’ve never shared a roof before.

Ako: What? Ngayon ka pa magpapaka-demure? Nasan ang demure-ness mo nung binahay mo ko years ago?
Jerwin: Excuse me, hindi kita “binahay”. That just sounds… wrong. -__- We were engaged, and you needed a
place--

Ako: Yeah, yeah. Same thing.

I didn’t miss the fact na “were” ang ginamit nya. "We were engaged" raw. Haaayyy.. Pero un naman talaga ang
usapan, di ba? As soon as I leave, wala nang engagement. But now that he’s here… Well, wala akong balak na
biglang maglupasay at magsisigaw ng: “Jerwin! Marry me! Take me now!” Josko.
Although pag wala pa syang ginawa soon para i-semento ang-- kung anumang relasyon namen -- baka nga
maglupasay na ko sa sobrang frustration.

Jerwin: No, it wasn’t. We didn’t even share a bed.. except that last night... but, you know what I mean.
Ako: Ahsusssss… If I know, every night, pinapangarap mong nasa kama mo ko noh. Wag kang mag-alala, may

mga gabi na pinapangarap rin kita.

Jerwin: What?!?

I laughed at the startled expression on his face. I know, many years in the States corrupted my mind. Tame

pa nga yang comment na yan.

Ako: So? Are you gonna move in with me again? Ikaw naman ang binabahay ko ngayon – although, sa

apartment tayo, pero you get the idea.

Jerwin: Haayyy.. okay. I’ll check out tomorrow. You’ll pick me up after work?
Ako: Yup.

That was how Jerwin found himself in my apartment. It worked for me. He cooks me breakfast and dinner.

Minsan, hatid-sundo nya rin ako -- hurray for international driving license. Nagliliwaliw kami paminsan-
minsan tuwing gabi. Nood ng sine or kain sa labas… or mag-bar or kahit anong magpag-tripan.

Next thing I know, three weeks na syang nandito. When I asked him kung kailan sya babalik ng Pinas, he just

shrugged. Indefinite leave of absence daw sya from work. Shosyal.

One weekend, he took me out for a “date”. Hindi ko alam kung bakit biglang “date” na ang tawag sa mga
lakwatsa namin. I wanted to ask him kung ano ba kami, dahil for sure, hindi kami friends… pero, we’re not
exactly in a romantic relationship yet… yata?

Iba ang pag-fuss ni Jerwin nung gabi na un. I watched him rummage through my closet, naghahanap ng
susuotin ko. Finally, he pulled out a dark red cocktail dress. I looked at the dress questioningly, tapos sa
kanya.

Ako: San tayo pupunta at kailangan naka-dress up ako?

Jerwin: Secret.
Ako: I’m not gonna wear that thing unless you tell me why. Alam mo ba kung gano kalamig sa labas?
Totoo naman. With winter approaching, manginginig ako kung susuotin ko ung nilabas nya. It’s a fitted,
sleeveless dress with a plunging neckline to showcase a bit of cleavage. The hem falls to my knees. I bought
that dress nung minsang napag-tripan kung magpaka-landi kaya ahyun – malandi rin ung damit.

Jerwin: Wear a coat… and a scarf if you want. It’s gonna be warm sa pupuntahan natin anyway.

Nilagay nya ung dress sa kama, then took my hand, and practically threw me in the bathroom para mag-
shower.

Jerwin: Fifteen minutes.

After saying that, he closed the door. I stared at the piece of wood in front of me. Hindi ko alam kung ma-
cconfuse ba ko sa actions ng mokong, o mapipikon dahil tinapon nya ko sa banyo. At naloloko ba sya? Ilang
linggo na syang nandito, feeling nya enough na ang fifteen minutes para makaligo?!? Anong gusto nya,
magwisik-wisik na lang ako?!

Sighing, I turned on the shower para maligo. I didn’t bother locking the door. Tignan ko lang ang tapang nya
kung bigla syang pumasok. Nabbwisit ako dahil I don’t what he’s so worked up for. Gusto ko na nga sanang
ihampas ung lamp sa ulo nya, just to make him stop pacing all over the place and mumbling to himself.

Hayy. Bahala sya sa buhay nya. I’ll take a shower, just like he ordered me to do, pero I doubt I’d be done by
fifteen minutes. If I know, baka lalo syang mabaliw pag one minute late ako sa intended nyang time. I

likes.

I was right. I finished my shower twenty more minutes after ng 15 minutes nya. When I opened the door, I
found him standing outside with an impatient look on his face.

Ako: What?
(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

I’ll give it to Jerwin, I didn’t expect him to take me here. Nung pinagsuot nya ko ng dress, at nung nakita ko
sya naka-dress shirt and slacks, akala ko sa mamahaling restaurant kami pupunta. Feel na feel ko pa naman
ang high heels ko. Instead, he drove to Clearwater, a live stage theater 20 minutes away from my
apartment.

Ako: You made me dress up para manood ng kung anong small play na pwede namang panoorin nang naka-jeans
at t-shirt?
Jerwin: Of course not.

Ako: What are we doing here then?

Jerwin: Sumunod ka na lang.

He locked the car. He took my hand and led me towards the theater's door. Napatingin ako sa paligid.

Ako: I don't think it's open...

Jerwin: Of course it is. It's a Saturday.

Well, not everything is open on Saturdays.... I think. Besides, kung bukas sya, bakit walang tao sa paligid?

I would have told him that, pero bago ako makapagsalita, he pulled the door open and stepped inside. Okay, so
bukas nga sya. Still, wala pa rin akong nakikitang tao.

Jerwin: Close your eyes.

Ako: What?
Jerwin: Close your eyes, or you'll ruin the surprise.
Ako: I hate surprises.

Pero sinarado ko naman mga mata ko.

Jerwin: Of course you do.

After making sure na wala na kong nakikita, he took my hand again and led me to.... wherever we're going.
Parang nagkakaron ako ng deja vu... -___-

Ako: Are we there yet?

Jerwin: Almost. Watch out, may limang steps ng hagdan in front of you.

I carefully trudged up the mini-stairs, grumbling under my breath on how I should have worn sneakers instead
of high heels kung paglalakarin nya pala ako without my beloved eyesight. -__-

Jerwin: Okay, stop here.... and open your eyes.

I took a deep breath, and then, very slowly, afraid na baka maliwanag sa loob, I opened my eyes........ and gaped
at the sight in front of me. O_O

Ako: What? How? When? What? O.O

It's a relatively small theater. We're standing on one side of the stage, with the rest of the theater so dark
na hindi ko man lang makita ung mga seats. May apat na spotlights na nakatutok sa stage -- or particularly,
dun sa nakalagay sa stage. There are cut-outs of buildings in the background. A small table for two is
situated in the middle of the stage. Maya-maya, may soft melody na ng mga violins ang nag-float sa
background.

I turned to Jerwin, wide-eyed. This definitely looks somewhat familiar.

Ako: How...?
Jerwin: I ran into the theater manager when I dropped by the last week.
Ako: And pinayagan ka nyang gawin lahat toh?!?
Jerwin: He's a big supporter of romance... and with a few bucks added to his bank account, he was more than

willing to rent me the theater for the night.

Hinila nya ulit ung kamay ko papunta sa table namin. I stared at the table, half-expecting na nananaginip ako
at mawawala na sya any minute now. But it stayed there.

Ako: Why here?

Jerwin: Well, the original plan was to take you back to the music hall where we had our first date[1]. Pero,

matagal ang flight, at masyadong malayo ang Pilipinas. So I settled for somewhere closer. I tried to
make things as similar as possible. You like?
Ako: Very.
Nanlalaki pa rin yata ang mata ko. I blinked twice para hindi mahulog ang mga eyeballs ko. Panira yata ng
moment if ever biglang tumalbog sa table ang mata ko. Eewwww. -__-

As soon as we sat down, may lumabas na waiter. He smiled, and then put a plate of something in front of me
and another one in front of Jerwin. After filling out glasses with champagne, he walked away.

Jerwin: Mag-rrequest sana ako ng sinigang, pero wala silang Filipino cook, and I didn't have time na magluto.
I hope okay lang syo ang breaded chicken and mashed potatoes?
Ako: We can always eat at home pag nagutom tayo ulit.

We ate in companionable silence, may paminsan-minsan na small talk, with the soft music playing in the
background. I wonder what Jerwin is thinking. Ano kayang ibig sabihin nito bigla-bigla nya ko nilalabas -- at

ganito pa ka-chuva ang event ni kuya! Are we going to try the boyfriend-girlfriend thing now? I know, ang
abnormal... Engaged muna kami, tapos break, tapos tsaka kami nag-bf-gf. Talagang kinarir namin ang pag-mess

up sa normal cycle noh?

Patapos na ung dessert namin when Jerwin suddenly leaned over and took my hand. I looked up in confusion.
Bakit nya iniistorbo ang very much enjoyable na relasyon namin ng brownie fudge ko?

Jerwin: Venice. Look to the side.

Tumingin ako dun sa mga "buildings" na nakasabit sa tabi ko.

Jerwin: No, not that side, the other side.

Tumingin ako sa kabilang side ko -- where it's completely dark. Anoh? May multo ba dito na dapat

lumabas?

Ako: What---?

Suddenly, I saw it. Hundreds (maybe thousands?) of tiny lights glimmering in the darkness. They look like
stars. Nag-mukhang starry, starry night ung theater. I was completely awed.
Ako: Stars. @.@
Jerwin: Yep. Kung titignan mong mabuti, baka may makita ka pang constellation.
Ako: Really?!

Ako namang si naive, naniwala nga, at talagang tinutok ko ung mata ko para maghanap ng kahit isa man lang na
constellation. I don't know how they would do it. I mean, the lights are coming from the stage lights above...
May kung anong papel siguro na nilagay para maging maliit ung stream ng lights... So.. pano kaya nila gagawin
ang Orion? Or ang Big Dipper?

All of a sudden, a few other "stars" appeared in addition to the already starry theater. These new stars are
brighter than the rest, kaya nag-ppop out sila. Ang weird pa kasi napansin kong magkakalapit sila....

magkakatabi... nasa gitna ng "sky"... at may letter "R" na na-shape ung isang group..

I squinted and leaned even closer para panoorin ung mga new "stars". As one letter and another and another
took form, I felt my heart start beating faster. At kahit anong gusto ko, hindi ko matanggal ung mga mata ko.

Finally, the words were finished. I stared at the finished phrase. I rubbed my eyes, baka namamalit-mata
lang ako. Pero nung tumingin ulit ako, ganun pa rin ung nakita ko. Ganun pa rin ung message.

"Marry Me."

I turned to Jerwin in bewilderment. He was watching me the entire time. There's a mask of nervousness,
excitement, fear, and hope on his face.

Jerwin: Venice, maybe it's expected na magsimula tayo sa boyfriend-girlfriend na relasyon. But, I don't see
the point of doing that. I'm not here to take a step back; I'm here to make a step forward. We were
engaged, and I wouldn't dream of denying it happened. It gave me the chance to meet, to know, to
understand, and to love everything that you are. Now, I'm asking you to give us another chance.. to start all
over again. This time, because you want to. This time, without outside pressure, without reservations.
Because after all these years, I still love you. I loved who you were, I love the woman you’ve become, and I’m
certain I will love the woman you will be in the years to come.

I opened my mouth to speak, pero walang lumabas. I turned to the message again, and then to him. I still
couldn't form a coherent thought, much less a sentence. Is he really doing this?
He stood up from his seat, and I swear, maluha-luha ako nang bigla syang lumuhod sa harap ko. He took out a
small velvet box from his pocket, and I could almost feel my heart jump out of my chest. He opened the box
and I gaped at the gorgeous ring inside.

It wasn't the engagement ring I had last time. Instead of a diamond, the ring has a heart-shaped aquamarine
stone surrounded by diamond accents. The silver band is plain. It's beautiful, and I really, really hope he's
giving it to me.

Jerwin: I've had this for years. I don't know if you still remember it. It's the first ring you looked at that
day we went with our moms to get an engagement ring.[2] It took time to track, but I was able to find it. I've
had it even before you left. I figured, if I was gonna be engaged to you, then I'll make sure you have a ring
that you liked and that I bought, not because I have to, but because I am choosing to commit to you. I'm
making that choice now.

He took a deep breath as he looked straight in my eyes.

Jerwin: Will you make me the luckiest man on earth and spend the rest of your life with me?

Oh my god...

Jerwin: Sardines, will you marry me?

Hindi ko na napigilan. Nagtuloy-tuloy na ang luha ko as I flung myself and gave him a bone-crushing hug.

Ako: Yes! Yes! Of course, I'll marry you!

He gave a small, relieved chuckle as he hugged me back. After a few moments, he pulled back and took my
left hand. He was grinning as he slipped the ring on my finger. I stared at the ring in utter joy before
wrapping my arms around his neck again.

Jerwin: If I knew you're going to be this happy, I would've proposed weeks ago.
He affectionately wiped my tears away. Tumawa lang ako. I looked at the "stars" again.

Ako: At talagang may ganito ka pang nalalaman ha...

Jerwin: Well.. I do remember you telling me one time na papakasalan mo kahit sino na makakapag-arrange ng
stars sa message na yan. I figured, if you say no, I can always blackmail you or guilt-trip you in following

through with your words.[3] Good thing it didn't have to come to that, noh?
::Chapter 89::
Strength For The Journey
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Eight months later…

I stared at my reflection for about the hundredth time today, and for the hundredth time din since this

morning, isa lang ang pumasok sa isip ko: Anak ng tinapa, ang ganda ko!

Walang magulo, araw ko toh! Okay, so technically, araw rin ni Jerwin, pero never ko pang naririnig ang phrase
na “This is the groom’s day”, kaya wag kumontra.

Eight months. Eight months naming pinaghandaan ang “The Big Day”. Eight months ng mga clueless na tingin
sa mga centerpieces, pagpili ng motif, paghanap ng reception hall at simbahan, sending out invitations,
pakikinig kung bakit mas appropriate ang roses kesa sa lilies, pagsusukat ng mga gowns, making sure na hindi
ako magiging “too big” for the gown, pagiging negotiator between Sheena (Maid of Honor) vs. Nicole & Jean
(very vocal na bride’s maids) tungkol sa style ng gowns nila, at pagbugbog kay Jerwin dahil iniwan nya ko sa

mga mala-monster na kamay ng mga nanay namin.

Kung hindi ko lang mahal ung mokong, malamang tinakbuhan ko na sya from the day na bumulaga ang mga nanay
namin sa pintuan ng apartment ko six months ago. Samahan pa ng mga pagtatalo nina Sheena, Nicole, at Jean,
ang constant na pagkapit ni Anthony (dahil dalaga na raw ung alaga nya… wth. -__-) sa leeg ko, at ang
paglalandi ni Kenny sa mga nagliparan na pinsan ni Jerwin.

I knew dapat kinidnap ko na lang si Jerwin at nag-Vegas na lang kami! Wala nang hassle, Elvis-look-a-like pa
ang magkakasal sa’min!

Haayyy. Pero syempre, hindi pumayag si kuya. I deserve a “memorable wedding” daw. Chuchu nya. Ayaw nya
lang masakal ng nanay nya.

After months of suffering, dumating na rin ang araw. For the past ten minutes since dumating kami sa
simbahan, nakailang beses na kong tumakbo dito sa restroom. Walang awat ang action ng bladder ko sa
sobrang nerbyos ko. It’s a miracle na hindi kami nagkakasalubong ni Jerwin. Ang last na bulong sa’kin ni

Anton, hindi rin raw mapakali si Jerwin, at panay rin ang tawag ni nature sa kanya.
I really don’t understand why we’re nervous though. It’s not like may isang tatakbo sa’min, or may ex na

biglang susulpot para magpaka-kontrabida (Nasa Paris pa rin si Geena, di ba? I hope. )

Sandali na lang, magsisimula na. I checked myself out one last time. Di ko napigilan ung ngiti ko as I looked at
my wedding dress. It’s not the traditional all-white gown our mothers wanted. I chose a satin pearl white
Princess-styled wedding gown. The bodice is accented with crystal beading sequins and rhinestones. It’s very
pretty. What makes is scandalous to my mother’s and mother-in-law’s eyes… ung bust and ung train nung gown

color red. As in dark red.

I have elbow-length fingerless gauntlet glove with red embroidery dun sa little triangle, intricately going
around my wrist. I refused to wear a veil. Ayokong biglang sumabit at kung ano pang mangyaring panira ng
araw. Kaya naka-French twist na lang ang hair ko, with a few loose ringlets falling around my lightly made-up
face. I adjusted a couple of the small red flowers beautifully stuck on my hair, bago ako tuluyang umikot para
lumabas na sa aking hideout.

“Finally! Akala ko kailangan na kita kaladkarin palabas!”

I almost jumped nung muntik ko nang ma-run over si Sheena. I smiled at the tiny bump beneath her red
dress. Nagpakasal sila ni Anton last year, and finally, mukhang papalakihin na nila ang family nila. I can’t help
but envy the natural glow emanating from my best friend. I wonder kung mag-gglow rin ako ng ganon once I
get pregnant with Jerwin’s child?

O_O

Oh my God. I’m getting married.

Sheena suddenly grabbed my hand and practically dragged me papunta sa waiting entrance. Dun ko lang na-
realize na nagsimula na pala talaga ang procession.
Sheena: I-mmeet ka ng mom mo at ni Tito Rem sa dulo para ibigay ka. Ehwan ko ba naman kung bakit ka
pumayag na maglakad ng isa sa aisle. God knows kung hindi ako hawak ni dad nung naglalakad ako sa aisle,

malamang wala pa ko sa kalahati, bumigay na ang tuhod ko.

Oh my God. I’m really getting married.

Sheena: Okay, time ko na maglakad. See you later! Wag kang iiyak! Wag mong i-test kung waterproof ba
talaga ang mascara mo. Panira sa pictures!

And with that, she bounced past the double doors, sa waiting arms ng isa sa mga pinsan ni Jerwin, who’s
standing as his best man.

I froze on the spot. Sa tinagal-tagal ng panahon, ngayon pa talaga nag-sink in na ikakasal na ko. I’m gonna
spend every waking moment, sleeping moment, annoyed moment, drunk moment, at kung anu-ano pang moment
with the person waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

And doesn’t that sound amazing? You’ll spend every moment of the rest of your life with the love of your
life.

I know it’s not normal, pero I quickly tuned in to the small voice na kumakausap sa’kin. I think I’m about to
hyperventilate, at kung hindi tumigil ang puso ko sa pag-mamarathon nya, I’m gonna need a paper bag to
breathe.

You love Jerwin. You’re ready. You can do this. Just walk inside, and when you see him, everything will fall
to its place. You won’t want to be anywhere else.

Okay. That sounds right. I can do this. Just walk.

I heard the music change para sa entrance na ng bride. I gulped as I peeked inside. I saw people stand up
para hintayin akong pumasok. Even Gerard’s parents are here. I sent them an invitation out of courtesy since
medyo naging close rin naman kami ng mom nya simula two years ago na binisita ko ung actual na libingan ni G.
They liked me and treated me like the daughter they would have had, kaya more than happy silang umattend
ng kasal ko.
I noticed some people craning their necks para silipin ako. I realized na kanina pa pala ako nakatayo sa may
side ng pinto – unseen by the people inside. I should move. I should go inside.

Damn it. Bakit nga ba pumayag akong maglakad mag-isa?!? What I would give to have some strength to make
my legs move… T^T

Deep breaths. You’ve been waiting your entire life for this. You deserve it.

I took one shaky step.. then another.. and another. Finally, nasa doorway na ko. People smiled when they saw
me. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. My eyes immediately flew sa harap nung simbahan, where
Jerwin was standing, waiting patiently, with an awestruck smile on his face.

Napangiti rin ako ng konti, kahit medyo nag-bblush na ko dahil sa mga matang nakatutok sa’kin. Now I know
kung san nanggaling ang term na “blushing bride.”

Okay. Time to do this. Just walk. I just need to walk… Nawa’y hindi bumigay ang tuhod ko.

I need to be strong. Be steady.

Be happy, V.

I was about to take a step forward when I suddenly felt a gentle push behind me. o_O
It wasn’t hard na mapapasubsob ako, pero it was enough to make me really take a step.

Napatingin ako sa likod ko in confusion. The area is a closed space, and there’s absolutely no one else there.
I turned my head back sa nilalakaran ko.

Weird.

After deciding na baka imagination ko lang un, I finally looked up again and met with Jerwin’s eyes. There’s so
much pride, hope, joy, and affection in his gaze, na kung hindi lang ako naka-heels at naka-gown, baka tinakbo
ko na ung aisle at dinemand kay father na ikasal nya na kami – now na.

I finally reached him, and as Tito Remy gave me to Jerwin, I couldn’t help but feel a burst of belonging in my
heart. Di ko alam kung pano i-explain, pero I just knew right then and there, that this is how it’s supposed to
be, and this is how it’s always going to be.

Jerwin smiled lovingly at me and I smiled back.

This is where the rest of our lives start.

::Epilogue::
Life Goes On
♫.~*~..~*~.♫

(Venice's POV)
---------------- ♥

Nine Months Later…

This is horrible. Kahit anong pilit kong paliitin or ipitin or kausapin, my very pregnant stomach still looks...well,
very pregnant. -___-

Ngayon pa kasi naisipan ng mga bubwit na reporters dumaan! Bakit hindi pa sila maghintay ng ilang araw!?? At
least by then, baka sakaling naluwa ko na ung melon sa tyan ko. If the morning sickness, the cramps, the mood
swings aren’t enough, ngayon, ma-pipicturan pa ko na mukhang balyena. ARGH!!!

Ako: Why are these reporters coming here again?

Jerwin looked up from where he was tying his shoes. I can immediately see his eyes calculating kung may
hidden meaning ba ko sa sinabi ko. Seriously, porket moody ako, hindi ibig sabihin na lahat ng sasabihin ko,

may kung anong hidden agenda noh.

Jerwin: They’re doing a feature piece. People kind of got excited when news leaked out that we still ended
up together after everything that happened. They’re curious.
Ako: So curious na lumipad pa sila dito sa States?
Jerwin: Yep. They’re also wondering about the small music school I founded. I think one of the students
went to the Philippines. She got pretty famous. She called me a week ago. May offers na raw sa kanya to
record songs. She wants me to write a song for her.

I stared at the mirror again. Sinubuksan ko uhlet na i-re-arrange ung sash para ma-cover ung tyan ko. It’s
hopeless.

Ako: I look like an inflated beach ball. If you roll me down the stairs, I’ll probably bounce. -_-
Jerwin finished putting on his shoes. Nung narinig nya ung sinabi ko, he slowly stood up and walked behind
me. He looked at my reflection as he snaked his arms around my waist to cover my bulging stomach.

Jerwin: Sardines, you’re 9 months pregnant. You have every right to look like a beach ball.
Ako: So you do think I’m huge!?!?
Jerwin: What?!? No! Ang ibig kong sabihin, people won’t care if -- if -- you look rounder than usual. There’s
a life growing inside you. It’s a magical thing. And besides, I think I’m really liking this pregnant look on

you.
Ako: Oh, do you now?

He tenderly ran his hand over my tummy. There’s a soft glow of wonder sa mata nya. It never fails to amaze

me na parang hindi sya makapaniwala na there’s this little person inside na he helped create.

Jerwin: Yep. So, please don’t call our baby a beach ball again. You might hurt his feelings.
Ako: “His”?

He nodded vehemently.

Jerwin: Mabuti nang merong kuya ang anak nating babae.

I shook my head in amusement as I twirled around to face him. I have a feeling na, if ever magkaron nga kami
ng anak na babae, Jerwin’s the type of father that will dote on her. I can even see him chasing away guys.
Daddy’s girl ang anak namin, if ever. Pag lalaki naman, he’ll teach him all the trades. I’m gonna have to worry
about our little boy breaking hearts left and right.

I can’t wait to see Jerwin as a father.

I was patiently watching the interview go on. Malapit na yata sila matapos. Ang tagal. -__- We took the
pictures earlier, kaya ngayon nakatunganga na lang ako as they ask Jerwin questions.

Oh well. I stood up to get something to drink nang biglang--

Ako: Ugh.
Napahigpit bigla ung hawak ko sa upuan as another contraction hit me -- this time, a LOT more painful than
the previous ones. When the pain subsided, I stood still for a minute… I wonder if I’m in labor?

If I am, then that’s just great. All I wanted to do is sleep, ngayon, kailangan ko pang manganak muna bago ako
makatulog.

This is not my day.

Hindi napansin nung mga lalaki ung nangyari, so I had to hobble palapit sa kanila nang konti.

Ako: Jerwin?
Jerwin: Yes, Venice?
Ako: The beach ball is coming.

Napatingin sa’kin si Jerwin with a confused look.

Jerwin: What beach… beach ball? Beach ball?!?!

Napatayo bigla sya nung na-realize nya ung sinasabi ko. I would have laughed at the clueless expressions sa
mga mukha ng mga bisita namin, pero, just then, another contraction hit me again. This one was even worse
than the one before -- and I don’t normally curse -- pero as I clutched my stomach, I think I let out a whole
sentence of expletives.

Ako: Are you just gonna stand there or am I gonna have to drive myself to the hospital?

That snapped the four very shocked men out of their reveries. Next thing I know, tumakbo na si Jerwin
sa’kin, yelling at one of the guys to grab the bag near the front door.

Between the four men, they managed to get me to the car. One of the guys stayed with us, while the other
two jumped in their own cars para sumunod sa’min sa ospital. Jerwin quickly looked around to see if we’re
forgetting anything.

Jerwin: Okay. Wife, check. Baby, check. Baby bag, check. Venice’s bag, check. Cellphone, check.

He backed out of the garage and tore through the streets, not caring too much about the speed limit.
Dahilan nya, kung hulihin man kami ng pulis, eh di tumulong ung pulis na magpaanak sa’kin. Susuntukin ko na
sana sya, kung hindi lang ako pinigilan ni Kuya Ralph.

---♥♥---

(Jerwin's POV)
---------------- ♥

"I don't care what you do! Smoke it out! Pull it out! Crack me open! Just get this thing out of me!!!"

Venice's screams reached all time high the past few hours. Mas lalo na ring tumitindi ung sakit ng
contractions nya. Umiksi na rin ung time between each contraction. I suppressed a groan as she was hit with
another stab of pain. I can barely feel my hand anymore sa sobrang lakas ng hawak nya. At hindi pa sya
nagsisimula sa actual na labor.

I looked at the doctor na tinitignan kung ready na ba si Venice. I almost sent a prayer na please, for the
safety of everyone in the 2 mile radius, let's start giving Venice what she wants.

Doctor: Well, it seems like everything's in place.

I felt my legs tensed up. This is it. It's happening na. I gripped Venice's hand with my own as we watched
the doctor position herself to help deliver the baby.
I gave her hand a quick kiss, hoping na kahit papano, it'll give her some sort of comfort..... coz Lord knows I'm
about to go crazy with anxiety and excitement.

Doctor: Okay, Venice, I want you to start pushing with everything you got. One… Two… Three... Push!

Lalong humigpit ung hawak ni Venice sa kamay ko. I think some of my bones broke.. Her face turned red with
the effort. I bit my lip, trying to keep myself quiet, just in case ma-distract ko sya.

She stopped to take a breath. The doctor urged her to push again. She screamed in frustration and pain.
Then she'll pause again. After a few moments, the doctor will tell her she has to push na ulit. The cycle went
on for what felt like forever. I stood there, whispering encouraging words to Venice when her hands started
to shake. I wiped away her tears and the perspiration out of her face. I kept my firm hold on her hand.
Finally, she slumped back on the bed. Next thing I know, strong cries of a newborn filled the delivery room.
Napatingin kaming dalawa dun sa doktor na may hawak na... very.. bloody baby. The baby’s cries were echoing
all throughout the room. Parang napikon yata na inistorbo sya sa warm and comfortable na cocoon nya sa loob

ni Venice.

Doctor: Congratulations, it's a boy!

Ako: A boy?

I saw the doctor hand the baby to one of the nurses to get him cleaned up. Him. My boy. Both of us were
happily dazed hanggang sa may lumapit nang isang nurse.

Nurse: Do you want to see your son?

Ako: Of course.

I took the small bundle in my arms. He looks so... tiny... and wrinkly. He has his mom's pale skin. A soft
nestle of curls on top of his head. This is my baby -- my son. The life Venice and I created. He's...
wonderful.

Ako: Hey, baby. It's me, your dad. You don't look like a beach ball at all.

I heard Venice snort right behind me. I slowly turned around para makita rin ni Venice ung anak nya.

Ako: And this is your mom. She threatened to never have sex with daddy again on our way here. Tell her na
gusto mo ng little brother or sister soon.
Venice: Jerwin!

I chuckled as I sat down next to her on the bed. We barely noticed the doctor and the nurses leave the
room to give us some privacy. We were too engrossed on this bundle of miracle in my arms.

Venice: He's beautiful. What are we gonna name him?

We paused for a while and watched our baby fall asleep.

Ako: How about… Michael?

Venice: Michael?

Ako: Yeah! After Michael Jackson! Baka maging legend din ung anak natin someday.

Venice: Uh… no. He doesn’t look like a “Michael”.

Ako: Albert?
Venice: Einstein?
Ako: Galileo?
Venice: What?!?

She glared at me. Toh naman, di mabiro. Buti nga hindi “Policarpio” ang sinunod kong i-suggest eh.

Natahimik kami. Venice finally settled back on her pillows to make herself comfortable. Umurong ako nang
konti para nakikita nya pa rin ung baby sa bago nyang posisyon. I was looking at the baby when I suddenly
remembered something Jean told me nung binalita naming buntis si Venice.

Ako: Raymer.
Venice: Huh?
Ako: We can name him Raymer. You know, after my father and your stepfather. “Ray” is my dad’s nickname,
then, “Remy” spelled backwards is “ymer”. He’s named after special people in both our lives. What do you
think?
Venice: Raymer… I like it. Pero, di ba magrereklamo mga nanay naten?
Ako: When we have our daughter, we’ll name her after them.
Venice: “When” ha… Sigurado kang magkaka-babae tayo?
Ako: Well, I won’t stop until we get a daughter.
Venice: Anong you won’t stop?

Ako: Na akitin ka?

Venice: Psh. Kilabutan ka nga.

I smiled at her. Tama na nga ang pang-aasar, baka nga hindi na ko bigyan ng anak nito.

Ako: So, it’s official? We’re naming him Raymer?

Venice: Yeah. I like it.
Ako: Good. Coz I know what I want his second name to be.

Nilipat ko ung tingin k okay Venice, who’s looking back at me expectantly. I took a deep breath. I’ve been
thinking about the name for a few months now. I think it’s perfect, pero Venice would have to agree first. I
wonder if she’ll smack me… Well… uh.. I have to prevent violence in front of my child.
Ako: You want to hold him now?
Venice: Huh? Oh, yeah. Okay.

Dahan-dahan kong nilipat si Raymer sa waiting arms ni Venice. Oh, ahyan, hitting two birds with one stone.
First, Venice finally got to hold her son -- and she looks really happy as she coos to him. Second, she won’t be

able to hit me if ever man na isipin nyang nababaliw ako.

Ako: Okay, so, as a second name, iniisip ko… How about… Gerard?

She paused, parang nag-iisip kung tama ba ung rinig nya or anoh. Then, very slowly, tumingin sya sa’kin.

Ako: I mean, since we’re naming the kid after special people anyways, I think Gerard deserves the
recognition, right?

Tinaasan nya ko ng kilay. That usually means she’s listening, but she has no idea what I’m trying to say. So, at
least, hindi pa rejected ang proposal ko.

Ako: Gerard is special to you, right?

Venice: Well, yeah…? I mean, he was my first love… Na-ggets mo ba kung gano ka-awkward sabihin un sa

harap ng asawa ko?

Ako: I’m not jealous. Besides, that just helps my point. He’s one of the main people who molded the
person you are – including your flaws and everything. If it weren’t for him, you’d probably be a very different
person, Venice, and I would never have found you as intriguing. At isa pa, kung hindi rin dahil sa kanya, baka

hindi ka rin nagpakalasing nung gabing nagkakilala tayo.

Venice: You really want to name your son after him?
Ako: Yes. It’s the least I can do. I would have wanted to meet the guy and thank him for making you the
most loving, most amazing, most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.

Venice: Sige lang, bolahin mo pa ko.

I was about to respond nang biglang may kumatok sa pinto. I yelled for the person to come in. The door
opened and pumasok sa loob sina Kuya Ralph, kasunod ung dalawang buntot nya. Hindi pa rin pala talaga sila
umuwi.

Kuya Ralph: Hi. Sabi ng nurse, okay na raw na bumisita kami. We just wanted to make sure na okay lang ung
mag-nanay.
Ako: What? What about me? Di nyo ko kakamustahin?
Kuya Greg: Bakit, ikaw ba ang nanganak?
Venice: Oo nga. Manahimik ka dyan.
Ako: Why are you so mean?

Venice: Yeah, yeah. Kuya, gusto nyong makita ang anak ko?
Ako: “Naten”. Anak naten.

Lumapit ung tatlo para tignan si Raymer. Syempre, they immediately started with the compliments. Lalaki

raw na heartthrob ung bata.

Kuya Vince: Uh, kung okay lang, pwede bang makakuha ng picture ng anak nyo for the feature piece? I mean,
kung gusto nyo lang naman na i-release na sa publiko na lalake ang anak nyo.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Venice. She shrugged, as usual, basta business, ako nanaman ang mag-decide. Usually, I
don’t mind, dahil ibig sabihin she trusts me, pero this time, parang ang bigat ng responsibility. This is our
child we’re talking about. Kakapanganak nya pa lang, i-eexpose na namin sya?

Ako: Uh, I think we’ll withhold any photos of our son for now. He’s too young.

Kuya Vince: Okay. We understand. No pressure.

Kuya Ralph: Is it okay na i-publish namin kahit ung pangalan man lang?
Venice: I don’t mind. People will know soon enough anyways.
Ako: Are you sure?

Venice: Yep.

Nilabas kagad ni Kuya Greg ung notebook nya, tapos excitedly tumingin sa’kin.

Ako: This is our son, Raymer Santos.

Kuya Greg: “Raymer”?

I spelled the name for him. Venice explained the reason kung bakit un ung pangalan nung baby. They thought
it was clever. I think kailangan kong ibili si Jean ng regalo for coming up with a clever name.

Kuya Greg: Is that it? May second name ba sya?

Nagkatinginan ulit kami ni Venice. I would have told them yes, pero the decision is still Venice’s. I smiled at
her, telling her na sya na ang bahala. It took a few more seconds bago sya ngumiti pabalik sa’kin.

Ako: Yeah, he has a second name.

Kuya Greg: Oh, what is it?

I gently ran my fingers through Venice’s hair. Tumingin si Venice kay Rayver, and with a tender smile on her
face, she answered,

Venice: Gerard. Raymer Gerard.

The three journalists stayed for a few more minutes before they bid their goodbyes. Maya-maya, may
dumating na rin na nurse to take Raymer to the nursery. Venice settled on the bed, feeling exhausted. I
pulled a chair next to her bed, assuring her na paggising nya, nandun pa rin ako.

Venice: Sunshine?
Ako: Hm?
Venice: Thank you.
Ako: For what?
Venice: For showing me, na kahit anong mangyari, life goes on, and most of the time, it only gets better. So,
thank you.
Ako: You’re welcome.

She yawned and then closed her eyes para matulog. I pulled the sheet up to her, and kissed her forehead.
She gave me a small smile kahit na ayaw nang bumukas ng mata nya sa sobrang antok.

Venice: I love you, Sunshine.

Ako: I love you too, Sardines.

I settled back on my seat, and for about the thousandth time and most certainly not the last, I started to

sing “You Are My Sunshine” hanggang sa makatulog na ang asawa ko.

→→→→→→♥♥←←←←←←
The End