Mr. and Ms.

Perfect

Hey! This is Serena Velarde speaking, and welcome to my world.

Shopping bags, money and boys. Diyan ako nabubuhay. I am the prettiest girl in
school, the smartest at siyempre, I�m one of the richest in the campus. Some call
me perfect. I have loads of friends pero walang boyfriend.
I am a nice girl, pero I�m a spoiled brat. I admit that, though I hate it.
I like a guy, he is my very close family friend, Tristan Cruz. Ang cute cute niya,
sobra! He is the only one who understands me, lahat na ata ng tungkol sakin e alam
niya.
Everything was perfect! I was living in a princess life and everyone looks up on
me.
When suddenly, Mr. Perfect enters my life.
He is Lawrence Montealegre. A transferee which is certainly a type of guy na hindi
mo maiiiwasang hindi tingnan.
He gained high popularity in his first in school at definitely, naging crush ng
lahat.. Except sakin.
I HATE HIM.
He is smarter than me, dammit. Imposible �to. I cannot accept defeat! Since he
came, lahat ng taong sumusunod sakin, nawala!
He�s not actually a nice guy, he rejected almost everyone na nag confess sakanya. I
feel really irritated, kasi he looks at me like I was someone he can easily step
on.
I will definitely, absolutely, make him kneel down in front of me!

Main Characters:

Serena Velarde � The Perfect girl. Spoiled pero nice. Owns a company which
publishes magazines.
Lawrence Montealegre � The Perfect guy. Calm and cool. Can be very mean sometimes,
but he is actually nice in his own way. The owner of the rival company of the
Velarde�s.
Andrew Montealegre -� The Perfect guy�s stepbrother. Almost pefect too pero
irresponsible and playboy. Mabait, pero makulit. He�s especially nice to Serena.
Tristan Cruz � Serena�s first love. Sweet, kind and gentle. Treats only Serena as
his sister, but initially develops feelings for her.
Priscilla Miguel - Lawrence's EX. Comes back from States and wants to get back with
him.
Other Characters:
Ana Isip � A maid in the Montealegre household. May pagkabopols, pero she�s really
a good girl.
Cathy Sta. Maria � Serena�s BFF. Develops feelings for Lawrence�s so she started
hating Serena when something happened.

?Prologue?

�I.. I think I like him.. Pero he doesn�t like me, Serena. What should I do?�

Another consulting from a girl from our University. Well, dito ako sikat. Being
some kind of love guru. Ewan ko ba, maybe because they think I have experiences in
love and all.. But they are certainly wrong.

I never had a boyfriend, and never will unless it is the guy called T. Yep,
Tristan. You�ll know him one day, but I do not let you to FALL for him. He�s mine..
If you understood that, then we�ll be good friends.

Cathy poked me.

Oh right, Cathy is a close friend of mine. Yep, she�s one of my group. Actually,
marami akong friends, but only her and and her is the one I REALLY trust.

�Who�s the guy?�

�He�s Lawrence.��

Napangiwi ako.

�Hay nako girl, Lawrence? Come on. Pangalan pa lang e. He doesn�t deserve you. Find
someone else.� I said.
�But Lawrence is a really perfect guy. I met him sa USA. He�s too good to be true
and he is the one I really like. Please Serena, teach me ways. If I�m only you,
sigurado he�ll like me back.�
�Aww.� I said.

I twirled my hair with my finger.

�That�s too bad. Nanggaling na rin sayo, you�re not me.. And do not compare me to
you. You should make him like you in your own way, and to tell you.. I do not use
ways to make a guy like me. I�m just being me. That�s the only way I can tell you.
Be yourself.� I told her and showed her my smile.

�Well, thanks Serena.�

�You�re welcome.� I told her.

Nagstay muna kami ni Cathy sa may cafeteria.

�I don�t know kung mabait ka ba o hindi sa statements mo.� Cathy told me sabay
tawa.
�Cathy, I only told her what I think. Besides, yun naman ang totoo. I don�t flirt,
but I like boys. Well, only boy-watching and all.�

After hearing only a piece of small talk, I�ll give you my intro.

I�m Serena Velarde, yep. I�m a third year college student in business management,
and I�m the prettiest girl in school at ang tatakbo bilang cum laude sa fourth
year.. I don�t boast ha, nagsasabi lang ako ng katotohanan.

My family owns a company which publishes magazine. Well, my family is my only

father so we most probably get the all the money. My mom died when she delivered
me, but don�t pity me. Alam ko na masaya ang Mommy ko para samin ng Dad ko.�

I�m spoiled. I love to shop and shop and shop. I love to boy-watch, but there will
only be one person for me.

Tristan. Tristan Cruz.

The Cruz�s Family is a close family friend. VERY close. I grew up with Tristan and
I�m certain that he knows everything about me. Kaya nga siya ang gusto ko. Their
family owns a lot of resorts around the Philippines.

I�m not sure if he likes me.. That�s what I feel. But I�m willing to do everything
for him.

EVERYTHING.

But what if someone arrived and changed my world?

NAAAAH. Too impossible.

So are you ready to jam with me?

? 1 ?

�Cathy, let�s go shop today.� I asked her habang nagkaklase through texting.
�Let�s talk about that later.. I�m having a hard time here in my class,� She
replied.

I pouted. How boring.

I looked around our classroom. Wala bang pwedeng pagtripan?

�Ms. Velarde, please, lend me your ears.� My prof called me.

I raised my eyebrow.
�I�m listening.� I said.�
�But you were turning your head everywhere. I assume you are looking for anything.�
�I am not looking for anything. If you really wanna know if I am listening to your
discussion, I can summarize what you were saying awhile ago. If you will let me.�

Everyone looked at me.

I smirked. This is how I am to pakielameras. Kasi naman, pinag iinitan ako lagi
nitong prof na �to. Hindi ko naman inaano.�
I think she�s envious of me.�

�Forget it. Let�s continue.�

I think you know now. I�m the smartest in my batch. So I guess there�s no doubt
that some call me PERFECT.

Some certainly dislike me, but a lot admire me. I don�t really care how many fan
clubs I�ve got. I don�t also care on whatever I do or say as long as wala akong
natatapakang tao.

I am nice, right?

--

I was driving my car back home as I talk to Tristan through phone.

�Tristan, come on. Samahan mo na ako mag shopping.�

�Cathy�s there. Yayain mo siya. I�ve got something important to do.�
�More important than me?� I asked na parang babytalk. I know Tristan, once I used
this talk..

�..Alright. Fine. Wait for me in front of Gateway.�

..He�ll definitely won�t reject me.

�I love you Tris.� I said.

�Yeah. Yeah. Bye.�

He put his phone down. I felt a little disappointed. That�s how he is. Kahit anong
sabihin ko, he responses to it. Except for when I say �I love you�.

I don�t understand. Every guy I meet immediately gets attracted to me and like me.
Pero bakit si Tristan hindi? Bakit siya pa yung hindi? Kung sino pa yung gusto ko..
Sakanya pa hindi tumalab ang charms ko.
Napailing ako.�

�Well, maybe that�s just life.�

Meanwhile, in the other side of the world.. [ xD ]

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I just arrived home from USA. I�ve discovered that my Father is sick and no one
would manage our company. My step brother, Andrew, is too irresponsible to take
care of that. My Uncle is also abroad and I�m certain that he absolutely doesn�t
care.�

I�m 20, and in third year in college. I was studying in Harvard, pero ngayung
nandito na ako sa Pinas, I guess I need to transfer.

�Sheena, get the papers ready for my transferring.� I told my Father�s secretary.��

I�m sitting at the office of my Father at naglilibot ang mga mata ko.

�Sir are you sure that you can manage a company while studying?� Sheena asked.

Matipid akong ngumiti.

�I can do whatever my Father has done. In his young age, he did the same things.
I�m confident that I can too.� I replied.
�Alright, Sir.�
�Anyway, get the car ready. I�m visiting Dad.�

Sheena left, and then my stepbro entered.

My playboy-irresponsible-free rider step-bro. He�s my Dad�s. My Mom died early.

Well, he�s actually the same age as me, mas bata lang ng buwan.�

I don�t really dislike him. Only the fact that he only wants to have fun and no
work.

�Hey, Lawrence. Long time no see.� He greeted me.

�Hey Drew. Oo nga, long time. But you still look like before.� I said.

He chuckled.

�Naman.� He gave me a high five. �You goin� to visit Dad?�

I nodded.

�Sama ka?� I asked.

�Sure. Pero pagkatapos, we�re going to Timog.�

I frowned.

�Timog?� I repeated.
�Oo. We�re going to party!�

Umiling ako.
�Alam mo ang sagot ko sa mga ganyan, Andrew. Wala akong panahon diyan. Kailangan
kong mag asikaso ng maraming bagay.�
�Come on, Lawrence. Kakauwi mo lang yan na agad ang iniisip mo? Let�s celebrate!�
�Ano namang icecelebrate natin? Malayo pa ang birthday ko.� I replied.

Napakamot siya ng ulo.

�It�s not birthday. We�re just going to chill, okay? Tara na..� He persuaded.

Napailing ako.

�Oo na, sige na. But this is only this once. Only.. This once,�
�Alright men.�

I wonder if I actually did the right thing.

SERENA�s POV:

Tristan and I are eating at the food court of Gateway. We just finished my shopping
time and nanuod din kami ng sine.

�Siguro naman, those clothes are enough for the year.�

�A year? No way.� I said sabay subo ng pizza. �These clothes will only last a
couple of months.�

Napailing siya.

�Oh how I wish hindi ako ang yayain mong chaperone in the next two months.��

I giggled.
�You know that is only you.� I said.
�O, may dumi ka sa mukha mo.�

Pinunasan niya yung labi ko. Napatitig ako sakanya and my world stopped. Dammit.
I�m falling for him even more.

�There.�

I was flushed red, I knew that. This is why I like Tristan so much. He�s so sweet
and gentle. ;�>

I took a paper bag from my shopping bags. Yung Lacoste then I handed it to Tristan.

�Here, para sayo.�

�Ha? Sakin? You don�t need to buy me stuffs.�

I smiled.

�Alam ko kaya mo ring bilhin yan, pero if it�s given by a girl like me, it�s
different huh.� Napailing siya. �Sige na, I especially bought that for you.. Sige
ka, pag di mo tinanggap yan, magtatampo ako sayo.�
He gave a sigh.
�Ano pa nga ba, matatanggihan ba kita?�� He said then took the paperbag. �Thanks,
brat.�

I frowned. �Don�t call me brat. Spoiled ako, pero hindi brat.� I said.

Napangiti siya. �Oo na po, sorry ho.�

�Then.. To make it up to me, sama ka? Punta tayong Timog mamayang gabi?� I asked
him.
Napakamot siya ng leeg.
�You know that I don�t like parties.�
�You will, trust me. Tara na. It�s Friday night.�

I pulled his sleeve.

�Tara na.. Please?� I pleaded. �Chige na. Chige na Tristan..�

He gave another sigh again.

�Ano bang magagawa ko? Haaayy. Pasalamat ka malakas ka sakin.� He said then patted
my head.�
�Then shall we use my car? Or yours?� I asked.
�Mine. I�ll pick you up at 7. Don�t wear clothes with more flesh than cloth.�

Natawa ako.

�I�m not a hammer girl.� I said.

Alam niyo yung hammer girl? Yep yep. It�s pokpok. Haha.

Tristan certainly likes me noh?

--

I arrived home.

�Isn�t there anyway to solve this? Please�� It was Dad talking, but I accidentally
interrupted. Hindi ko naman sinasadya.

�I�m home, Dad-- Oh..� I uttered. May kausap kasi siya. Mukhang serious matters
ata.
I kissed my Dad on cheeks.�

�Sige Dad.� I said and left, gotta go and prepare myself!�

--

The music was so loud when we entered a club. Wee! It�s party time!

Now playing: Pokerface � Lady G.

I was holding Tristan�s hand tight.

�Don�t let go.� He told me, he was in front of me so he definitely leads the way.
�Yes, Sir!� I said.

Naglakad nga kami papasok and we reached a perfect spot for us. We sat down.

�Ang daming tao!� Tristan yelled.�

Right, it�s a yelling conversation. Ang lakas ng tugtugan and ang daming tao.
Yesss! It�s really party time!

�Let�s dance!� I asked him.

�Teka.. I�ll just go to the men�s room! Don�t do anything stupid okay?!�
�Yes boss!��

He stood up and left. Nag ikot ikot ang mga mata ko. Makikijoin na nga ako.
I left my seat and walked to the dance floor. I started to dance along with the
people when suddenly, I bumped a guy. He was holding a drink and then yep, natapon
sakanya.

�Oh gosh! I�m so sorry!� I said.

? 2� ?

I looked up to him, matangkad kasi siya.. And I was immediately attracted to him.
He�s so handsome!

�S-Sorry..!�
�How idiotic.� He suddenly said.

Malakas ang tugtog, but I heard him. Loud and clear. Naningkit agad ang mga mata
ko.

�Excuse me?�
�Why dance in a crowded place and don�t even look around and consider other things?
�

Ang sungit naman nitong lalaking �to.

�That�s why I�m saying sorry.. I did not mean it!�

�Tsk. How pebble-minded.� He made an evil glance at me then left.

I cannot take such insult.

I pulled his sleeve, napaharap siya sa akin na parang nagulat.

�What the-?�
�What a bastard you are!� I said and punched his face.

Ha ha! I damaged his face. Kala niya ha, anyway, kaya ko naman siyang ipaopera ng
ilang libong beses hangga�t gusto niya.

He fell down, and the crowd gave us space. The music continued, pero samin
nagkagulo.

�Don�t dare insult me you loser!� I said and crossed my arms.

He stood up.

�Sino ka ba?!� He asked me na parang nadismaya.

�Ako? Ako si Serena Velarde! Don�t forget that name o gusto mo pang ipatatak ko sa
ulo mo yun?!�

I took a calling card from my bag and threw it to him.

�Call me kung gusto mong ipaopera kita or kung magkano ang presyo ng nadamage sa
mukha mo-!�

Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind.

�Serena, ano nanaman �to?�� It was Tristan. He blocked me.

�We�re really sorry, Mister. Please do not sue her or anything. She�s only a young
girl.�
�Anong young girl?! I�m 19!�
�Shut up.� He told me.

I pouted. Arrgh. Why is he apologizing?!

�It�s.. Okay.� The rude guy said, he took a glance on me. �Andrew, let�s go.� He
said and left with a guy.

Everyone continued partying expect for me and Tristan. He pulled me out of the
club.

�That�s so ridiculous. Why did you do that?�

�He insulted me! Dapat lang yun sakanya. Malaman niya kung sinong kinakalaban niya.
Tsk. Angas kasi masyado.�
�Don�t be so reckless! Paano kung idemanda ka niya? Come on, Serena. Consider some
things before doing such stuffs! Paano kung kumalat �to sa media? Remember your
status!�

Parang nagising ako sa katotohanan. He�s right. Really.. RIGHT.

�S-Sorry.. Sorry, Tris.�

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I was driving the car as Andrew laughs at me.

�Ahaha! Ayus! First day na first day mo sa Pinas may nakaaway ka agad, and she�s
damn hot.�
�Hot? Tsk. Nawalan ka na talaga ng taste.�

Serena Velarde.. Right. That name is so familiar.

I called Sheena.

�Sheena.. The company which publishes the rival magazine.. Is the Velarde�s?�
�Yes Sir.�

It was on loudspeaker, kaya nagulat si Andrew.

�You mean-?� Andrew was indeed surprised.

�The daughter of the owner.. Is?� I asked.
�Serena, Sir. Serena Velarde.�

Napangiti ako.

�Good, bye.� I put the phone down.

�Oh my God.. It�s that Serena of that company?� Andrew asked.

I took a glance of him.

�Bakit, may alam ka ba?� I asked.
�Hell yeah. Kahit na hindi ako madalas manuod ng TV.. I know that she is that rich
girl. Wow. Kaya pala familiar siya and her name too.�
�No, I do not mean that.� I said.

Then I started humming.

�Then what else do you mean?� He asked.

I just showed him a grin.

�You�ll know. Soon.�

--

SERENA�s POV:

I told Cathy what happened and she burst out laughing. Nakawebcam kami nun and tawa
siya nang tawa.

�Well, you�re really careless. Kailangan mo talaga ng chaperone.�

�Tsk. E nakakainis kasi. You know who I am, Cathy.. And a Serena Velarde won�t ever
take such an insult from a guy like him. Gwapo lang naman siya.. Tsk.� I said.
�Hmph. Alright then, bye muna. Ako ay matutulog na. Baboo!�� She said.
�Bye!� I replied and we both signed out.�

Binaba ko na yung laptop ko and I lied down on my bed then rolled over.

�Kahit na nagalit sakin si Tristan.. I know that it only means that he cares about
me..�

--

I parked my car on the parking lot, siyempre. I went down and eyes were looking at
me again. Well, sanay nanaman ako, I don�t like it, nor do I dislike it. Ewan ko,
wala na rin naman akong pakielam.

I went down the car and Alice and my other sisters rushed.
�Oh my God, Serena, you won�t believe this!� Alice exclaimed.
�What is it?� I asked, anu naman kayang problema nito?

�A VERY cool and handsome guy transferred to school! He�s from States and he�s
certainly your type of guy! Bagay kayo!�

I frowned. Bagay kami? Arrgh. Totally not possible. It�s only Tristan who suits me.

�Quit it. Pumasok na tayo sa first class.�

�Pero Serena��
�Tara na.� I said and went ahead of them. Wala akong oras sa mga ganyang bagay.
Tsk.

--

�Morning Prof.�� We greeted our Professor.

�Alright, class. We�ll have a new classmate for business management. Come in.�

The guy entered. Wala naman akong pakielam and I was just playing with my pen. But
when I saw the guy, I dropped my pen.
Everybody murmured, especially the girls.

He�s the guy from the club!

�B-Bakit siya nandito..?�

Kinalabit ako ni Cathy. �Sh*t, Serena.. He�s so handsome..!��

�N-No.. No way.� I whispered to myself.

This is impossible!
�I�m Lawrence Montealegre. I came from States. That�s all.� He glanced at me.
Napalunok ako ng laway. How can he actually afford studying in this university?!�

�So, Serena.� Prof called me.

�Y-Yes Sir?��
He is looking at me! Ampf. It feels so awkward talaga!

�He takes the same subjects as you are, please assist him.�
�Y-Y-Yes.. Sir..� I uttered.

THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE.

--

I was hanging out with Cathy in the Cafeteria.�

Naaasar ako. Lahat ng marinig kong chismisan ay tungkol dun sa Lawrence na yun.�

�I think I like him.. Waah.. Serena. I think I�m in love!� Cathy exclaimed.
�Pati ba naman ikaw?!� I asked.
�Bakit? Don�t you like that guy?�

Umiling ako.

�Not in my whole life.��

Hindi ko pa nakakalimutan yung pang iinsultong ginawa niya sakin sa club.

�Well, that�s fine. At least hindi kita magiging karibal.� Cathy said at natulala
ulit. I can�t believe this. Anu bang meron sa lalaking yun maliban sa mukha niya?!

--

Our teacher was explaining that time. Umupo yung Lawrence sa likod. Buti naman,
hindi ko siya makikita.

�Alright, so can someone explain to me the statement on page 16?� Prof asked.
I raised my hand. It�s a piece of cake.

�Oh yes, Mr. Montealegre.� Nagulat ako, so I looked back. He also raised his hand.
He stood up with his hands on his pockets. Everyone was surprised. Can he actually
explain that? We�ve been discussing that page since yesterday, imposibleng
naintindihan niya agad yun?

He opened his mouth and explained the whole contents of page 16.

Napanganga ako.

This is certainly.. Certainly.. IMPOSSIBLE!!

--

I got the paper on my hand crumpled. He�s getting on my nerves!

�Aww, Serena. I�ve got a news.� Cathy mumbled.
�Ano?�
�Lawrence had three girls who confessed to him today.�
�And?�
�He rejected all of them!��

She stood up and danced in front of me. Napailing ulit ako.

�Nasisiraan ka na ba? Don�t tell me you�d actually try to confess to him kasi wala
pa siyang nagiging girlfriend?�
�Oo naman!� She yelled and smiled.
�Wala yun, Sis. I doubt he�s a gay. He rejected girls? Baka naman lalaki kasi ang
gusto niya.� I muttered.

Cathy frowned.

�Don�t say that! You should just support me instead!��

�Tsk. No way.� I said and stood up.
�Pupunta muna akong Ladies� room.� I left Cathy na naghahallucinate pa rin. I cant
accept everything that�s happening.�

He�s good in class. Oo. He�s been praised continuously but or Professors and oo,
pinagkakaguluhan siya sa classrooms. Si Cathy na nga lang ang natira sa tabi ko.
Arrgh. I hate it! Bakit ba kasi siya pa sa lahat ng tao sa mundo?!

�Serena.. Velarde.�
�Yep?� I looked back, and was irritated sa nakita ko.

�It�s nice to see you here. After punching me, hindi na kita nakalimutan.� He
mumbled.

I raised my eyebrow.

�I�m pleasured to be a part of your memory.� I replied at tinalikuran ko siya.

�I just want to confirm. Are you the daughter of Jose Velarde?� He asked me.

How did he know? Well. Maybe kasi madami na ring appearances ang Papa ko.
�Yeah, and so?�

Napailing siya.

�Wala. Please enjoy your life. Live your life to the fullest start from this
time.�� He said at tinalikuran ako bigla.

Nagulat ako. What?

What does he mean? I.. Must enjoy my life? Excuse me?!�

I stomped my feet.
He pisses me off!

? 3 ?

It was P.E. Class. Naglalakad kami ni Cathy papunta dun sa gym. And duh, I hate it.
Cathy speaks too much about that Lawrence. Yep, it�s his fifth day in school.. And
he�s certainly a record breaker. According to some of my buddies, he rejected 20
girls. RIGHT. 20 girls. Aba, pihikan ata �tong lalaking ito.. O baka bading nga?

EWW.
Well, I don�t care. What I only care about is, nawawala ang atensyon ng lahat
sakin! Arrgh.�

Wala naman talaga sakin kung mawala yung popularity ko, but I won�t lose to that
guy. Kahit sino, basta wag lang siya!

We heard everybody was cheering inside the gym.

�What�s up?� I asked.

�Oh dang! It�s Lawrence!� Cathy exclaimed at tumakbo sa grupo ng mga kababaihan.
Naningkit ulit yung mga mata ko.�
Ano ba kasing meron diyan sa lalaking yan?!

They were playing basketball, I watched too, at oo. He�s good in playing
basketball. Tsk. Matangkad kasi siya.. Oo na.
Tsk. Ang yabang. Baka hindi niya alam ako rin ang nagdala ng team naming last year
sa basketball.. At siyempre halos sa lahat ng sports. Tsk.�
�Cathy, tara na. Dito tayo sa kabilang side ng court.�
�Ee.. Mamaya na..�
�Cathy!�

AMPF! Ayaw talaga sumunod! Pati ba naman si Cathy?! Arrgh. Bahala na nga sila!
I dribbled the ball to the other side of the court. Yep, I went there and practiced
my shooting.

I�m alone, oo. Lahat kasi sila nandun.. And I feel so disappointed.

Suddenly, a ball was thrown to the ring at nashoot.

Napalingon ako.

It was HIM. The guy I hateeee!

�Alone?�

Everyone went to us. Dun naman nagsitilian yung mga tao.

I gave a sigh. Ignore him.

I just continued my shooting.

I threw the ball to the ring, masho-shoot na e. But suddenly, he also threw the
ball at pumasok yung kanya.. Yung aking hindi.
Nagtilian sila.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

�Ugly.� He whispered.

I gave him a deadly glare, and he smirked.

AAAAHH! I wanna punch him straight to the face again!!

--

It was a boring class again. Boring kasi kaklase ko siya in this class. I hate it.
Bakit ba kasi puro major subjects din ang kinukuha niya?!
I was playing again with my pen. Nag aannounce na yung prof naming tungkol dun sa
thesis na gagawin.

�Velarde.. Asuncion.. Montealegre..� I dropped the pen I was holding. My eyes grew
huge.
WAIT � Montealegre?!

I looked back, at nakita ko siyang tumingin din sakin.�

Blank expressions kaming dalawa. TSK.�
Bakit ba kasama ko pa sa grupo yung.. Yung feeling na yun?!
DUH! He�s the last person I�d like to be grouped with!

I raised my hand to catch my prof�s attention.

�Sir..! Sir..!� I called.�

�Yes, Ms. Velarde?�
�May I change my group?� I asked.

He frowned.

�I don�t see any reason for you to change.�

�Pero Sir��
�..Hernandez..�

He continued calling students.�

You know what? Naalala ko. Isa pala tong Prof na �to sa mga binabara ko during
recitations. Yung recitation namin nagiging debate.. Well, no wonder he refused my
request. Pero duh, ayoko talaga!

--

Our Prof gave us time to talk about the thesis. We formed a circle at sakto,
kaharap ko siya.�

I want to puke.
There was silence. Walang nag uumpisa, after a few minutes, Lawrence opened his big
mouth.

�Mag partner partner na lang tayo. Doing it like that would make it faster.� He
said.
�Siguro nga.. Kaso andami na nating ginagawa e..� Reklamo nung isang kasama namin.

B-I-N-G-O!

�Yeah, it would give pressure to everyone. Bakit kaya hindi na lang ikaw ang
gumawa? Tutal, �you� are so great.� Yep, I saw �you� in a weird way. Tsk. Para
maemphasize na hindi ako serious na great siya.
�Then I�ll take all the praises?� He asked.
�Sanay ka naman e.� Sagot ko.
�Fine. Then we�ll take the grades and we won�t include you in our group.��

I bit my lower lip. Gusto kong sumapak ng tao.

He suddenly grinned.

�Kidding.� He uttered.�

Our groupmates awkwardly laughed, naramdam siguro nila na nagkakainitian na kami.

Pfft. Bahala na nga sila!
Everyone chose their partners, siyempre. Yung mga close close. One guy asked me to
be his partner, but I rejected. He seems to be a free rider e. Ayoko nga sa ganun.
Everyone has their own, and finally�

�Then you and I would be partners.�� L told me.

L. Yep. Lawrence. My world was destroyed. Parang yung nangyari sa movie ng 2012.
NO WAY.
�Ah, ano, pwede��

I looked at the guy who asked me kanina.. Nag uusap na sila nung partner niya.

OH EM GEE. Nagkamali ako nang ginawa!

I took a deep breath and I looked at him.�

�FINE.�

--

�Arrgh! I hate him!� I yelled sabay kain ng chocolate.

I�m currently with Tristan. Sa kuwarto niya. I told him everything, and he just
laughed at me.�

�Bakit ba nagagalit ka? Dapat nga matuwa ka. At least, may kapartner kang
reliable.�
�Ayoko nga sakanya! Duh! He�s the one in the club! Yung sinapak ko!�

He looked surprised.

�T-Talaga?!�
�Oo.. Kainis noh. What a small world.� I said and I rolled over his bed.
�Ayoko naaa.. Tris. I hate him so much.�

He chuckled.

�Bakit ba tawa ka nang tawa diyan? Kainis �to. I went here to tell you everything..
Para naman tulungan mo �ko. Pati kasi si Cathy nabulag na sa lalaking yun.� I
pouted.
�Gwapo naman nga kasi.�
�Tsk.�
�Bakit ka ba kasi naiinis? You should befriend him. Dun ka naman magaling dib a.
That�s what you want right? To be friends with everyone.�

I frowned.

�Kelan ko sinabi yun?�

He smiled.

�When we�re still kids.. Remember?�

Napakamot ako ng ulo sabay subo ng isa pang Ferrero.�

�I take all that back. Everyone would do, except that guy.� I said. I crumpled the
wrapper of that chocolate.�

�Ano bang mga ginawa sayu?�

�Madami! Arrgh. He ignores me. Kala mo kung sino.. He�s better in some aspects..
Oo, inaadmit ko, but I will definitely make him kneel down on front of me like
anybody else!� I yelled and gave an evil laugh.

Then I saw Tristan, talking to someone through phone.

�Tris?� He looked back at me. �Oh sorry�Sige, bye.� He put the phone down.
It�s weird. Tristan has been talking to someone frequently. Especially habang nag
uusap kaming dalawa.
�So in short, naiinsecure ka?� He asked me.

I frowned.

�Insecure? Ako?� I gave him a look na parang hindi makapaniwala.

�Yeah. Nakahanap ka na kasi ng katapat mo.�

I rolled my eyes.
�Nah. Hindi rin.� I said and I rolled over his bed again.
�Oo kaya. Come on, Serena. It�s because you grew up with� the attention and love of
people focused only to you. E ngayon, meron nang isang katulad mo. Mr. Perfect,
kumabaga.. Hindi ka sanay.�

I sat upright and I pouted again.

�Kainis naman..� I mumbled.

Suddenly, I received a call. I frowned. Yep, I gave my number to Lawrence kahit

SOBRANG labag sa kalooban ko.�

�Yeah?� I answered.
�Come here. Sa bahay ko. Let�s talk about the thesis.�

I raised my eyebrow.

�DUHH. Ayoko nga. Sa bahay mo? No way.�

�Pumunta ka na. I don�t have time to do this thesis. Ngayun lang, kaya pwede ba?�

I glanced at Tristan. He showed me a thumb up. Napailing ako.

�FIINNNEE.�

--

I parked my car sa address na binigay niya sakin, at nagulat ako. The house is
HUGE. Magkasing laki kami halos ng bahay! Ano kayag klaseng family business meron
sila?

Pagawaan ng kape? Ng shampoo? Factories?

O pagawaan ng mga maaangas na tao?

TSK.
I pressed the doorbell.�

�Sino ho sila?�� A person from inside asked me.

�I�m here to see Lawrence Montealegre. I�m Serena.� I answered.

The gate opened.

I went back to my car and drove papasok sa kanilang bahay. Naglibut yung mga mata
ko. Grabe, ang ganda naman dito.
Parang villa.�

I stopped in front of the mismong house. It�s really huge!

Lawrence came.
�Andito ka na pala.�
�Oo.� I said.

I crossed my arms.

�Follow me.�

--

�Wait right inside that room.� He opened the door for me.
�Fine.�

I went into the room. Nagulat ako. There are framed awards.�

I looked around the room. It�s like a study room. Naglakad ako sa loob and my eyes
roamed around. Ang daming figurines, and I looked around and saw a framed picture.
It was him. Lawrence, tapos yung pamilya niya ata. In fairness, cute yung bro niya.

Then finally, a saw a pile of documents.

And I was surprised.

THEY ARE THE OWNER OF OUR RIVAL COMPANY?

�The rival.. Company..� I muttered.

�You�re right.�

Napalingon ako.
He grinned at me.

Wth? He�s my rival..

And our companies our also rivals?

FATE nga naman!! >.<

? 4 ?

Napaupo ako sa kama ko. How come? Kaya pala gwapo siya. Kaya pala mayaman siya.
Kaya pala matalino rin siya.

He�s exactly like his father who is my father�s rival.

What a coincidence.

Napailing ako. But then, this is a really great reason to hate him more. I�ll crush
him. Hmph. Ignoring me and even calling me ugly. Tsk.�

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I was looking at some documents in my room. Biglang pumasok sa loob si Andrew with
his irritating look, well, the party look.�

�I�m not coming.� I said.

He chuckled.

�Oo na, hindi naman kita yayayain.�

He sat on the sofa.

�Ana said a girl came here. She�s pretty daw. Hmm.. Ikaw ah. May chicks ka na pala
di ka nagsheshare.�

I frowned.

�First, hindi ko siya chicks, second, she only came here for the thesis project.�
�And who is she?�

I looked at him.

�The girl from the club, Serena.��

He was surprised.

�The girl who punched you?!�

�Yeah. She�s in the same University as I am in, same class too.�
�Whoa. Fate.�

I grinned at him.
�Yeah, but soon.. She�ll be �just� a girl.�

Napakamot ng ulo si Andrew and gave me a �hindi-ko-magets� look.

I grinned at him again.

�Basta. I�ll get back at her.. VERY soon.�

SERENA�s POV:

I woke up. OMG. What a really bad dream. Geez, napaniginipan ko na kumakain ako ng
pang poor na food. Yuck.
Sa lahat ng mapapaniginipan ko yung imposible pa talaga.

Well, sabi nga nila, kabaliktaran ang mangyayari pag nakapanaginip ka ng ganun.

I went out of my room and bumped into Dad. He was sweating and pale.

�Hey Dad, anong problema?�

He really looks like a radish because of his paleness, but he smiled at me.
�Wala, overworked lang. Matulog ka na.�
�I just had a bad dream. Ayoko munang matulog. Baka matuloy e.� I said and gave him
a bear hug. �Pahinga ka muna.�

Umiling siya and pushed me gently.

�Hindi pwede.. Anak.��

�Magpahinga ka na po. Pagod ka na.�
�Don�t worry about me. Sige, I�m off.� Dad patted my head and passed me head.

I�m worried about Dad. He looks like parang maya-maya e mahihimatay na siya. Dad
has heart problems, kaya pag masyado siyang napressure or anything, it may result
to heart attack.

And if that happens, I won�t be able to take that. I will die too.

Then suddenly, something popped into my head. Kung ayaw magpahinga ni Daddy, I will
do something that he won�t be able to resist!

--
�AAAAHHH!� I yelled in pain.
Our maids entered my room, in panic din.

�Ma�am, ano pong problema?!�

�Masakitang tiyan ko! Sobraaaa!� I yelled again.

Nagkakagulo ang lahat, then Daddy entered.�

�Serena! Anong problema?!�

�Daddy.. Ang sakit ng tiyan ko.. Hindi ko na ata kaya!!��

He was also panicking habang tumitingin sa relo niya. DON�T GO TO WORK.

�A-Anak, kailangan ko nang umalis. I�ll call our family doctor��

�Wag Dadddd..! Wag ka nang pumasok!�
�Anak, hindi pwede.. The.. The investors��
�ARAAAYYY ko!!� I yelled and rolled over my bed, hawak pa rin ang tummy ko.

My father was really panicking. Ahaha. Ngayun hindi na siya papasok sa trabaho.
Yehey.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I was waiting for the call of the investors. In any time, they will reject or
accept the offer. I was playing darts when Sheena entered.

�Yes, Sheena?�� I asked then looked at her.

�Sir, the offer was accepted.� Sheena told me.

I was a bit surprised. What happened? Jose Velarde did not attend the meeting?

�The president of the other company did not attend the meeting because her daughter
had a stomach ache.�
I smirked. �Stomach ache?�
�Yes, Sir.� Therefore, the investors chose us.�

I felt a little awkward with the news. I was happy because it will be a benefit for
the company, pero sa mga naririnig ko ngayung balita, they are near bankruptcy and
this is their only chance.. And because of a simple stomach ache, they let it go?

Napailing ako.

I�ll really get back at her this time. I grinned to myself.

�Salamat, Sheena.�
�Yes, Sir.� Sheena replied and left the room.

Geez. I did not know it would be that fast.�

I�ll make you pay for the punch you gave me, pero hindi ko inakalang sa ganitong
paraan. Well, it�s not my fault.

SERENA�s POV:

I opened my eyes. Daddy did not go, pero nung nakita ko siya, he was so pale. So
pale na kinabahan ko.

�D-Dad..�
He looked at me, dry na ang labi niya.

�A-Are you okay?� Dad asked me.

�O-opo..� I replied. �You.. Dad.. Ayus ka lang po ba?�

He was trembling. Now, I got nervous even more.

�Anak.. May sasabihin ako sayo.. Sana.. Sana wag kang magugulat.. And please, don�t
hate Daddy.�
I nodded. �I�ll never hate Daddy.. A-Ano po ba yun?�
�Anak.. Today is the meeting I appointed with the investors..�

Napayuko siya.

��But I was not able to attend the meeting.. And I.. I lost them..�
�P-Pero Dad, madami pa namang iba di ba? Come on, Dad. They�re not the last
investors.�
�They are anak.�

I was surprised. I did not know how to react. The last investors? What does this
mean?�

�We.. We.. Are near.. Bankruptcy..?� I uttered.

Dad looked me with painful eyes. Hindi ako makapaniwala.

All of this.. Is my fault.

Daddy�s secretary entered.

�Sir, the investors moved to the rival company; the Montealegre�s.�

A deeper wound was cut through me. Nanlalamig na ako. What will happen to us?
Dad started crying.

�A-Anak.. Sorry.. I�m.. I�m such a failure..�

Tears started falling from my eyes too. I hugged Dad,

�H-Hindi po.. Hindi po..! Wala ho kayong kasalanan.. This is all my fault! This
is.. This is all my fault..��

His secretary walked to us and handed a letter.

�I�m resigning Sir. Please take care of yourself.� He said and walked out.

I can�t believe it. He knew and he just resigned like that? What kind of person was
he?!

�S-Si.. Si Tristan.. He�ll help us!� Dad held my hand.

�Tristan�s family isn�t also doing well. We cannot burden them.. Masyado nang
mababa ang ekonomiya ng bansa.. And.. And we can�t do anything at all..�

Ganun na lang ba.. Talaga? One day I was a rich girl.. And the next day, everything
was gone.

Anong gagawin ko?

--

I locked myself up in the room. My tears are still falling.�

Nag ikot ang mga mata ko. This means.. Everything here.. Would be gone in a blink
of an eye?
Lahat ng ipinundar ng Daddy ko.. Mawawala na lang pala.

My chest hurts. It hurts so much.

Ang tanga ko. Nagpanggap ako para hindi umalis ang Daddy ko, and because of that
thing.. We�ll lose everything.
A knock was heard from outside.

A maid entered.

�Ma�am! Si Sir ho, nagkaheart attack!�

Napatayo ako.
�DAD!�

--

Dad had a heart attack because of a call.

The house would be taken by the bank tomorrow, and we have no place to go.�
Right now, nakatulala ako. Feeling ko mababaliw ako.

Dad is right here in the hospital, at wala kaming pambayad.�

I was looking at him, hoping he�d wake up.
I hope everything here is only a dream. Only a dream. I pinched myself. It hurt.
It�s all real.

I need to find a job, but I�m only 19 and I haven�t graduated yet. Sinong tatanggap
sakin?

The doctor entered.

�Doc.. He�d wake up.. Right? Magigising pa siya di ba?�

�It�s not only a heart attack, Ms. Velarde. It�s also stroke. Himala pa na
nakasurvive siya.�

I was terrified.�
�It�s hard to say, but right now.. He�s comatose.�

A teardrop fell from my eye again.

COMATOSE?

What am I gonna do..?

Suddenly, I received a call.

�L-Lawrence?�
�Come here at my house. I have a really generous offer for you.�

Offer?

? 5 ?

I knocked on his door. Siguro alam na niya. Alam na niya ang lahat, and he�s here
to laugh at me. Pero anong magagawa ko? I am mean to him. Yeah, I know that. Wala
akong ginawa kundi mag sungit sakanya, that�s because we�re in the same level.�
Pero ngayon� I �m nothing compared to him.

�Come in.�

I entered the room.�

�What is it you need?� I asked him, still teary-eyed.

�First of all, I�d say sorry about your Dad.�
�How did you know?�

I asked him. He opened the TV.�

The news had my father in headlines.

This is why I hate being in public knowledge.

He turned it off.

�Alam mo na rin siguro na nabankrupt na kami. What are you waiting for? Laugh at
me. I deserve it right? After all� I�ve been so mean to you.�
�I�m here to offer you something.�

I raised my eyebrows.

�And what is it?� I asked him.

He looked at me straight in the eye.

�Be my private maid. � No, it�s actually, all-around-private-maid.�

I felt insulted. �What? Maid?� I pointed to myself. �Ako? Magiging maid mo? Are you
serious?�
�Yeah. Actually, I� Will be buying your company.�

I got shocked. Isn�t it enough?!

�Bakit? What�s up with you? Hindi mo na maibabangon pa ang kumpanya namin!�

�We�ll make it as a sister company.��

Napailing ako.

�The truth is, my Dad wanted to merge with your company, but it�s your Father�s
fault that you had the bankrupt �cause he rejected it. Mapride.�
�Tama na! Okay?! Wag mo nang ipamukha sakin ang totoo--!�
�Well, It�s also yours. Hindi ko inakala na mapupunta samin yung investors ng ganun
ganun na lang. Sayang.�

I clenched my fists.
I can�t stop myself anymore and I tried to punch him in the face again, but he
caught my fist.

�I don�t let one thing get done to me again.�� He said and let go of me.

�Choose. You�d accept my offer, and I�ll pay all your hospital bills and all.
You�ll live here.�
�Ayoko. I�d make a way to make a living.� I said.
�Like what?�
�I�ll sell all my clothes. They worth a lot. Makakaraos din kami. Salamat sa pag
offer mo.� I turned my back.
He suddenly called me.

�I�ll buy your clothes and everything you�d want to sell. Twice the price.�

I looked back at him. �No thanks.� I said and walked out of the house. DUH! Ako?!
Magpapaalila sa taong ayaw ko? Certainly, impossible.

While I was walking, may nabunggo ako.

�Sorry.� I said.
�Hey.. You.. Serena Velarde?�

Napatingala ako.

�And who are you?� I asked.

�I�m Andrew. Lawrence�s bro.�

Naningkit ako. Ang kapatid niya? Sus. Siguradong pareho sila ng ugali.

�Ah. Ge, goodbye.� I said and left him. I have no time to communicate with psycho.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

Andrew entered my room, and made a noise in an instant.

�Nakasalubong ko si Serena, what is she doing here again?� Andrew asked. �Is she
borrowing money? After all, the new have scattered all around the Philippines.�

Umiling ako.

�No. It�s the opposite. She�s so just like her father. Masyado siyang matigas.�
�Oh.. Pero in fairness, she�s really pretty. Aahh.. I�d like to make her my
girlfriend.�
�Get rid of that thought.� I said. �I�d have something planned to do about her.�

Andrew just shrugged his shoulders.

I know she�ll come back. She, who lives in a princess life.�

She�ll come back.

--

SERENA�s POV:

I packed all my stuffs and rushed to Tristan�s condo the next day. The people from
the bank came and the media too. Tumakas lang ako, kasi yoko ng mga interviews. I
have more problems to solve, and I think about quitting school too. I�ll look for a
job.

Alam ko, magiging mahirap para sakin. Nasanay ako na ako ang pinagsisilbihan.
Nasanay ako na bumibili ako monthly ng clothes.�

And absolutely, wala na yun lahat sakin.

�Tris? Tris?� The door opened.

�S-Serena? What are you doing here?� He looked surprised. �And all your stuffs��
�I need a place to stay, kaya��

Suddenly, a girl from inside went to us. Nagulat ako.

Sobrang gulat. This is the first time I saw this girl.. And bakit siya nasa loob ng
kwarto ni Tristan?�

I was the only one allowed to come here.

�Who is she?� The girl asked Tristan sabay kapit sa braso niya.

My chest hurts.

�Who am I�What is this Tris?� I asked him. Please tell me she�s not your
girlfriend. PLEASE.
�Look, Serena... I wanted to tell you this before.. Pero hindi ko lang masabi, kasi
hindi naman ako manhid at alam ko��
�Just tell me who she is!�

I yelled, and a teardrop fell from my eye again.

The girl went in front of him.

�I�m his girlfriend. We�ve been going out for three months.��

Pain strike through me.�

�S-Sorry.. Sorry sa abala!� I said and carried my stuffs.�

�Serena--!� Tristan called me, pero hindi na ako lumingon pa.

I rushed to the elevator.�

Ano pa bang sakit ang dapat kong tanggapin?

I was hoping that it would be Tristan to come to my rescue.. Pero isa rin pala siya
sa mga mananakit sakin.�

He�s going out with her for three months and I did not know?�

I was hoping that he had liked me back.. Pero mali pala ako.�

Everything. Everything is gone.

Wala nang natira sakin kundi itong sakit na nararamdaman ko.

Where would I go now? Saan ako kukuha ng pambayad sa ospital? San ako titira? Paano
ako mabubuhay?

And one person came into my mind, pero umiling ako.

No, I can�t accept his offer. Definitely can�t.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

�Sheena, how is the buying of the Velarde�s company?� I asked.

�You just need to get papers signed, Sir, and everything�s okay.�

I nodded. �Salamat.��

Sheena went out of my study room. I started scanning the documents when suddenly,
there was a phone call.

�Hello?�
�Sir, there is this girl in front of the gate.�
Napangiti ako.

�Let her in.� I said.

�She�s not pressing the doorbell, Sir. Nakatayo lang siya run.�

Napailing ako and I frowned.

�Should I send her away?�

�No, no. Let her be. I�ll talk to her. Sige.� I said then I put the phone down.

SERENA�s POV:

Nakatayo ako sa harapan ng gate. How strange. I was here the other day at nandito
nanaman ako.

I promised myself na hinding hindi ako papayag sa inooffer niya sakin, pero bakit
nga ba ako nandito?

It�s my shoes� fault. Dinala ako rito, kainis.

Suddenly, I heard a honk of a car. There was a car coming! I immediately took my
bag and went to the side as the gate opened. The car went out of the gate and
stopped in front of me.

The window opened.

�I did not think it would be that fast.� Lawrence said.

Stop thinking about pride, Serena. STOP IT.

�I.. I just didn�t have anywhere else to go.� I replied.
�Did you have lunch?� He asked.
�You know, I don�t have time to think about lunch. Just tell me what I should do
about your offer.�

He looked at me like asking �Why?�

I took a deep breath and stared at him.

�Right. I�m accepting the offer.�

--

We went into a restaurant. Oo na, gutom talaga ako, kaya ang sarap ng kain ko
ngayon. But of course, there is still manners. I grew up in a rich family kaya
siyempre, I should still keep my values.

Everyone in the restaurant is looking at us. Whispering, murmuring� And it bothers

me.

�Just tell me what I need to do.�

�Alright then.�

He placed a folder in front of me.

�You�d be my secretary at home, and a maid, too. You�d not do housework because I
know you really want to maintain your skin.�

Panu naman niya nalaman yun?

�Simple chores would be done by you. Well, think about that stuffs later. Then at
school��
�I�m quitting.. Schooling.� I said.

Umiling siya.

�Just like I said right? I would take care all of your expenses. Don�t need to
worry about that.��
I frowned. �Then what am I gonna do if we�re at school?�
�Just act like you�re my girlfriend. That�s all.�
�WHAT?�
�I don�t mean flirting and all. Just follow me around and do what I say. Don�t be
so exaggerated.�

It was a relief. Suddenly, Cathy went into my mind.

She likes Lawrence.

�I can do anything, except for the school thing.. Everybody knows that I hate you.�
I said.

He grinned at me.

�Then do something about that. Kaya mo yan. Only your riches had disappeared, not
your attitude and such.��

Umiling ako.
�It�s not because I�m embarrassed to do it. Hindi ako mapride na tao.. It�s about
my friend. She likes you.. A lot, at ayoko namang��
�Even if this happened or not, I�ll not like her. Just drop that problem. Maliit
lang yan��
�You don�t understand.�

I stopped eating at napayuko ako.

�Cathy is the only friend I have left. Everything I have is gone. Even.. Even the
only person I trust.. Wala na siya��
�If your friend is a real friend, she�ll understand, yet, don�t tell her about the
deal. I�m sure that she really doesn�t like me at all. She only wants to have what
I have too.�

I raised my eyebrow.

�Wala ka talagang alam kundi mang look down ng tao, noh?� I asked him at napailing
ako.

�Then about publicity.. I guess it�d work if you just say that you got everything
fine by settling with me. Just say that you�re going to get married with me.�

I dropped my spoon at nabilaukan ako.

�WHAT?�
�You�re gonna live in the house right? Kaya ganun talaga. We will not get married,
wag kang mag alala. Once I�m done with the things I need from you, we�ll get
separated. I�ll return your company back to you and everything would return to
normal.�

Everything? Ibabalik niya?�

�Then.. How long..-?�
�Maybe a year.�

I took a deep breath. What an offer. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit niya �to
pinagagawa sakin, but..

�It�s a deal, okay?�

I looked at him straight.

�Alright then. Deal.�

? 6 ?

I was riding in Lawrence�s car. Nag iisip kung tama ba itong naging desisyon ko. We
signed a contract, kaya alam kong wala nang atrasan �to.�

Suddenly, my phone rang. I took it from my pocket and looked at the caller.
Napakagat ako sa labi ko. Tristan is calling. Sasagutin ko pa ba? I did not reply
any of his messages that are saying sorry, tawag pa kaya?

�If you don�t want to answer the phone, reject it.�

�T-Teka.. Kasi���
�Sino ba yan?�

He glanced at me, umiling lang ako.

�A person that once a part of my life.� I said and turned my phone off.�

Sorry, Tristan. I don�t really know how to talk to you right now. Masyadong masakit
yung nagawa mo sakin, and even though sobrang mahal kita, I�m too hurt that I can
keep up with this.

--

We arrived at his house. The maids went to us.

�Good afternoon Sir.�

�This is my new private maid. She�s Serena.� He introduced me.

Tsk. Talagang private maid ah. I looked at all the maids around, at yung kumadrona.
She smiled at me, well, mukhang mabait.

One maid caught my eye. She looks young.�

�Come, Serena. I�ll show you to your room.� Tumango lang ako at sumunod sakanya.
Naglibot yung mga mata ko.
Our house is just like this. It�s huge. Punu ng mga eke k all around.

He opened the door of the room just beside his and I went in.
It�s a really simple room for me. Kahit na malaki siya, siguro mga apat na CR ko sa
bahay yung laki ng room na �to.

�Aren�t there any bigger rooms?� I asked.

He raised his eyebrow.

�What are you here?� He asked me.

Arrgh. Parang ngayon pa lang gusto ko na mag backout ah.

�I know how your status was, pero sa estado mo ngayun, you should learn to be
contented.� He said and grinned at me.
�Tsk. Basta give me just a new room! Yung mas malaki naman..� I whispered.

He gave a sigh and crossed his arms.

�Since you�re new here, I�ll give you my rules.�

�Rules?�
�Respect privacy. Don�t come to my room if I did not call you, and most especially,
you should remove your �spoiled brat� attitude. If you want, you can read the
manual.� He said and closed the door.
�I�m not a brat!!� I yelled and umupo na ako while pouting. How annoying. I can�t
believe it.

Then suddenly, I felt lonely.

�I really need to keep up with this. This is for Dad... This is all for Dad.�

--

�SERENA!� I was called. I rushed out of the room at pumunta sa room niya.

�Yes, SIR?� I emphasized �Sir�.

�Give me a coffee.�
�Pati ba naman yun ako pa rin ang gagawa?� I asked.
�Any complaints?�

Napailing ako.
�Is that all?� I asked.

Hindi kasi ako sanay, tsaka nakakaasar. Pati simpleng bagay.. Inuutos pa.

I remember the times when I was still at our mansion. I was also like this. Siguro
ganito rin ang nararamdaman ng mga katulong naming pag inuutusan ko sila.

Nakakainis pala.

I went out of his room and was surprised when I bumped again into someone.

�S-Serena?� Napatingala ako.

�Sino ka?�
�You�ve forgotten? It�s me, Andrew.� He said.

Napakamot ako ng ulo. Oh right. His stepbro.

�Ah.. Ah oo nga pala. Sorry.� I said.

�What are you doing here?� He asked me.

Aba, hindi pala niya alam ang pinag gagagawa ni Lawrence.

�I�m here as his personal/private maid.� I replied. �Excuse.�

I said then passed by him.

Gotta make a coffee.

LAWRENCE�s POV:
I was again looking at some papers for the company when Andre entered.

�Ano namaman-?�
�You hired the perfect princess as your maid?!� He suddenly exclaimed.
�Kung yun lang ang kailangan mong malaman, oo. Umalis ka na kung wala na.�
�What happened? Paano?� He asked me.

Hay, ang kulit.

�You don�t actually watch television nor read the papers, do you?� I passed the
newspaper to him; he was silenced as he read the paper then looked at me.

�We�re scheduled to take an interview later.�

�You took her as a maid kasi wala na siyang pera? How can you actually take
advantage of her?� He asked me. �Is this the way you want to get back at her?�
�I never did plan to get back at her. I just need her to do something for me. It
just happened that fate is going to my side.� I said and looked at him too.

He threw the papers to the table.

�She�s a princess, Lawrence, and you know too much na hindi niya kayang gumawa ng
housework or anything else besides spend money.��

I stopped reading the documents and stared at him.

�Wala na akong dapat pang ieksplina sayo. Basta magpapanggap siyang girlfriend ko
as soon as we went out of the gate of this house and she�ll be my private maid
while we�re inside here.�

I looked at my laptop and started doing my thing.

�If you don�t need anything else, please leave. I�m busy.�

I saw him shook his head.

�I can�t believe you, Lawrence.� He uttered and left in disgust.

I leaned back on my seat and closed my eyes.

I knew what Andrew meant, and I considered about those things too, pero wala. I
just need her to do a simple thing for me. I don�t really intend for these things
to happen.

SERENA�s POV:

I placed the cup of coffee on his table.

�Anything else, Sir?� I asked. It�s my first time to make a coffee, pero sana okay
lang siya.

He just ignored me and took a sip on the cup, pero naibuga niya.

�A-Ano ba �to?! Ang tamis!� He complained.

�Ha? Hindi kaya.�
�How many teaspoons of sugar did you put?�
�Ah.. Tatlo?� Well, I love sweet things kaya ganun.

He glared at me.
�Gusto mo ba ako maging diabetic?!� He yelled. Kaaasar na �to ah.
�Excuse me, Sir. You did not give me any instructions.�

We looked at each other, eye-to-eye.

�It�s your job to ask me.�

�It wasn�t written in the manual.��

I saw with his expression na nagpipigil na lang siya. Ako rin, bakit ba?

�Arrgh. Sige, umalis ka na nga.� He told me.

�If you need anything, just call me.� I muttered and grinned at him para asarin
siya.

Hanggang ngayun, sadyang mainit pa rin ang dugo ko sakanya. Tsk. The hell I care
kung magalit siya, buti nga yun e. At least now, nakapirma na kami sa kontrata kaya
wala siyang magagawa kahit asarin ko siya.

I was walking along the hallway, san kaya pwedeng maglibot dito? Parang hotel yung
bahay, kulang na lang elevator.�
I reached the balcony on the second floor, at siyempre, pumunta ako run.

�It feels great up here.� I whispered to myself.

Napatingin ako sa taas.�

I miss my room. I miss my house. I miss my closet. I miss my stufftoys. I miss

Dad.. And I miss..

�Tristan..� I uttered again.

�Who�s Tristan?�

Napailingon ako. It was my great �Sir�.

�O Sir, bakit kayo napadpad dito.. Busy kayo ah.�

�Bakit? Kasi bahay ko �to.�

AMPF.

�Who�s Tristan?� He asked me once again.

I gave a sigh.

�He�s my� First love.� I answered.�

�Oh. Then why didn�t you go to him instead of going here?�

I got a hold on my chest.

�Because.. He doesn�t like me.� I replied then glanced at him and smiled. Medyo
naiiyak ako, pero napigilan ko naman siyempre.

�I� Understand.� HE suddenly said na medyo ikinagulat ko rin siyempre. His tone
became low.

�Just a simple statement that �he doesn�t like you� .. is really enough to change
your whole world, right?�

I frowned in confusion, what�s up with what he said?�

�Have you been.. Broken-hearted-?�

A lady suddenly came. She looks not too old, but she looks so professional.

�Yes, Sheena?�
�The reporters are coming.�

I looked at Lawrence.

�Reporters?� I repeated. Lawrence looked at me and grinned.

�We�re announcing the country about the news.�

Nanlaki yung mga mata ko.

�W-WHAT? NOW?!��

He nodded.
�Don�t worry, pag natapos na ang kontrata at hindi natuloy ang kasal, everything
will be okay. We�ll just say that we don�t like each other anymore and tapos na.�

Napailing ako.

�Is love that too easy for you?� I asked him. Nainis kasi ako. It�s just like we�ll
pretend we like each other and the next day, wala na. Parang wala talagang �love�
para sakanya. I know, I want to stop loving Tristan, but it doesn�t mean that I�ll
not love anyone else na.

�Then what do you want? Do you want me to marry you for real?� He asked me sabay
taas ng kilay.

�O-Of course not! Fine! Bring out all those reporters!�

--

Lawrence and I were sitting on the couch, nanginginig ako sa kaba. Paano kung
magkamali ako ng sagot? Will Cathy be watching?.. And Tristan too..

Tsk. Forget about Tristan.�

A reporter sat on the sofa in front of us and signaled the camera man that the
interview would start.

�So, Ms. Serena, how is your Father now?� She asked.

Napakagat ako sa labi ko, but I smiled.�
�Actually, I can�t really say if he�s okay.. He had stroke and heart attack at the
same time. The doctor said that it was only a miracle that he is still alive.� I
uttered.
�Then� How is your life now? Your company is bankrupt and for what we know, Mr.
Montealegre bought it.�
�Ah.. Ano..� I glanced at� Lawrence.

He gave sigh and looked at the reporter.

�It�s true that I bought their company, but it is not because I want to bring her
down.�

He suddenly put his hand on my shoulder, na medyo nailang ako, pero I did not move.

�I� I am dating Serena for a month.� He told the reporter na parang nagulat din.
Medyo napilitan na lang din ako ngumiti.
�For a month?�
�Yes. We�ve met in a club. It was a very interesting meeting. Right, Serena?� He
asked then looked at me. Naalala ko tuloy nung sinapak ko siya. Interesting pala
yun.�

�Ah.. Oo.. Oo nga�� I mumbled.

�But then, kung ganun, may tanung ang bayan.. will you be marrying in the future?�

Eto na.

�Actually, starting today, Serena is living with me.�

�Then.. You two-?�

He nodded.

�Uh-huh. We�re getting married.��

AYUN NA.

I am now officially bound to be with Lawrence.

The guy I hate the most.

? 7 ?

�Serena, Serena!� Someone was calling my name, and I was still sleeping that time.

�Shut up.� I said.

�Excuse me?� Napadilat ako and I sat upright na medyo nahilo ako.

It was maid from the household and she was raising her eyebrows.�

�Who are you?� I asked.

�I�m Dina, and I�m working here for five years.�
�And?� I asked.
�It�s time for you to wake up, dating princess.� She said.

Aba, antipatika �to ah.

�It�s only 5 in the morning. Our school will open at 8.�

�Pero hindi ka nandito para maging estudyante. You�re here as a maid.� She said and
threw me a dress.

�Dress up on your uniform.� She said and went out of my room.

Sabi ni Lawrence hindi daw ako gagawa ng gawing bahay?! Arrgh.

Arrgh. I really hate that guy.

--

�A-Anong gagawin ko?�

�Wipe out all the dust on the furnitures.� Dina-monyo told me. Aba, kala mo naman
boss �to. Tsk. How dare she treat me like her?�

�HA?� I asked.
�Hindi mo ba narinig?� Gawin mo na lang. Bawal ang tatamad tamad dito.�� She said
at nag walkout ulit.
Gusto kong manapak ng tao ah. Maghintay ka lang. Sa oras makaalis ako sa bahay na
�to na may kumpanya�t bahay na ulit, hindi kita makakalimutan.

�Pasensya ka na kay Dina.� A maid told me too. Siya yung parang batang maid na
nakita ko kahapon.

�May gusto kasi siya kay Sir Lawrence kaya ikaw ang pinag iinitan niya.�
�Pfft. Anyway, what are you called?� I asked her.

Parang nagtataka siyang tumingin sakin.

�Ah� I mean, anong pangalan mo?� I asked.

�Ah..! Pangalan! Ako si Ana. 16 lang ako.� She said.

I see. She doesn�t understand English.

�Ah, okay. Sige, tara na�t mag trabaho na tayo, baka awayin nanaman tayo ni Dina-
monyo.� I said.

She chuckled at tumango siya. She�s cute, kasi I feel sorry for her kasi hindi siya
nakakaintindi ng English. Maybe she hasn�t gone to school.

--

�Bakit ba ang tumal tumal mo?�� Dina started taking out her anger on me again.
Kanina pa siya ah. Simula nung mag punas ako ng furnitures, mag vacuum at ngayon,
nag didilig ng halaman.

My hands are reddish na. AAH! I hate this. Hindi naman ako makapagreklamo!

�Bilisan mo nga.�

Bwisit! Naasar na talaga ako. I threw the hose to the ground at hinarap ko siya.

�What�s up with you?! Kung matumal ako, e di ikaw ang gumawa!� I yelled at her.�
She raised her eyebrows na parang lalaban pa. Makakatikim �to sakin ng straight e.

�Sumasagot ka pa-?!�
�Oo, hindi naman ikaw nagpapakain sakin para awayin mo ko ah?! Besides, pare pareho
lang tayo dito!� I yelled back.

Ana came between us.

�Tama na, wag na kayong mag away. Tama na Dina..� She uttered.
�Manahimik ka, wala ka namang alam!� She said and pushed Ana.

Dun ako hindi nakapag timpi.

�How dare you talk to her that way-?!�

�GGOOOOODDDD MORNINGGG!��

We looked to the left where we hear the voice. It was Andrew.

�Ahh.. Princess, why are you doing household chores?� He asked while looking at
me.�

I glanced at Dina, she was a bit red.

�The Princess is only tasked to do simple jobs, and not all these.�
He uttered and went to me. He suddenly took my hand, nagulat ako, pero hindi na ako
pumalag. I think he�s helping me to embarrass Dina.

�Oww, look at your hand. Halatang hindi sanay. Let�s go.� He said and pulled me
away. I took a last glance at Dina and me was glaring at me like she�ll explode.
Buti nga sakanya.�

How dare she treat me like she is my master? Hmph.

--

I took my hand away from Andrew as soon as we reached the hallway.

He just grinned at me, and I grinned back.

�Are you okay? Alam ko hindi ka sanay sa mga gawaing bahay.� He asked me.
�Yeah, it�s true. Masakit ang likod ko ngayon.� I complained.� �Anyway, thanks for
saving me back there. I was about to kick her na e.� I said.

He chuckled. �I thought so. Ayokong magkasakitan pa kayo kaya humarang na ako.

Pagpasensyahan mo na si Dina, she likes Lawrence kasi.�

Tumango ako.

�Yeah, I know..� I mumbled.

We looked at each other and smiled. He�s nice. Really. I guess he�s different from
his irritable brother.

�What�s going on here?�

We looked back. There was Lawrence. I guess he just woke up.�

�Oh.� Yun lang nasabi ko.

He took a silent glance at Andrew then looked at me.

�Prepare yourself, we�re going to school.�

Napatingin ako sa relo ko.

OH SHOOT.

�A-Ah.. Sige! Sige!� I looked at Andrew ulit. �Salamat ulit!��

I said and rushed away. Hindi pa ako nakakaligo!

LAWRENCE�s POV:

�Andrew, what�s with her �thank you�?�

�She just got bullied by Dina.� He told me with serious expression. �Hayy,
Lawrence. You should have considered some things before deciding. Anyway, I�ll go
to school with you.���
�When have you started planning to go again?�

He showed his broad smile again.

�There is a limit of days na makakapag absent ako.� He said and went on his way.

Anyway, bakit nga ba gumagawa ng trabaho yung babaeng yun?

SERENA�s POV:

�Get in the car.� Lawrence told me.

�Ha?�
�Anong �ha�? Get in the car. We�re going to school.�

He threw his bag to me.

�Carry this for me.��

WHAT? He went into the car. I can�t believe it.

Pati ba naman simpleng bagay pinapagawa niya sakin?!

--

He was only looking outside at no talking. Amboring naman nito kasama. Tsk.�

�Hey� Lawrence. What is it you want me to do?� I asked.

�What?�
�You keep saying that there is only a simple thing you want me to do for you, pero
hindi ko pa alam yun. I�m sure na it�s not just making your coffee or anything like
that.�

He did not response, nangalumbaba lang siya.

�Nice talking-�
�You�ll know within this month. Wag kang atat.�
�Well.. Is it about a girl?� I kid. �No way noh? You don�t like girls.� I uttered
na natatawa. He stared at me like I�m gonna melt.�

�So you mean to say that I�m gay?�

Napakagat ako sa labi ko.

�Well.. You don�t actually accept any confessions from girls.. So� I think��
�Tsk. I don�t accept confessions �cause I don�t like them. I don�t play with girls
like Andrew.� He said.
�Andrew is a playboy??� I asked.

He nodded.

�Yeah, so kung ako sayo, wag ka maniniwala sa kabaitan niya.�

�Haler, it�s not like I�ll get hook up on him. There�s still Tristan in my heart.��
I explained.

Then the car suddenly stopped. Nasa school na kami. I took a deep breath. This is
it.

We both went out of the car, and the students are all looking at us. Nagbubulungan.
Hindi ako makagalaw, Lawrence held my shoulder and looked at me like saying �Tara
na�.�

My eyes looked around, and there, I saw Cathy.

�C-Cath..� I uttered. She was teary eyed, napailing siya and she ran away.

�Cathy-!� I was about to run after her, but Lawrence held me tighter.
�Let�s go in.�

--

It was really uncomfortable hanggang makarating kami sa classroom. My classmates

were like sorry for me about our company and so on, pero si Cathy ang inaalala ko.�
Lumingon ako, she was sitting with a group of girls with her. Yung friends naming
dalawa, and she is staring at me.�

Anong gagawin ko?

Cathy is the only one left for me, and I won�t take it if something happens between
me and her.

Parang ngayun pa lang tuloy gusto ko na mag backout sa usapan namin ni Lawrence e.

--

�Cathy!� I called to her, but she did not stop walking at inignore niya ako. I ran
after her.

�Cathy-!� I managed to pull her arm.

�Ano ba?!� She yelled at me.

Nagulat ako with her reaction, she was glaring at me.

�I�ve seen the interview. I can�t believe you�re like that.. Sabi mo hindi mo siya
gusto, yun pala, patalikod ka palang umaatake! How dare you, Serena?! Hindi ko
inakala na magiging traydor ka!�
�I.. I had no choice��
�Serena.�

Napalingon kami ni Cathy, it was Lawrence. He walked and stayed beside me and
stared at Cathy.

�So she�s your friend.�� He muttered. �For your info, Serena is not a traitor. You�
Don�t own me. So whether she develops a relationship with me or not, it doesn�t
concern you anymore.� Lawrence said.
�A-Ano?� Cathy asked, na parang naiiyak.
�C-Cathy..� Nanginginig ang mga labi ko nung sinabi ko yun.
�Even if you like me or even if I don�t have a relationship with Serena, it�s not
like I�ll like you back. So stop dreaming and quit being mean to your friend.�

Napatingin ako kay Lawrence, he�s being to straight!

�I� I can�t believe this�� She said and ran away.

�Cath-!�

Lawrence pulled me back.

�It�s good that I came before you told her the deal. No one must know so��
�Bakit mo ginawa yun?!�� I can�t stop myself.
�What?�
�Why did you make her cry?! Bakit mo sinabi yun?! I�m trying to make up with her!�
�I just saved you from too much humiliation from your so-called friend, tapos
ganyan pa igaganti mo?!��

I pushed him away.

�Hindi ko sinabing tulungan mo ako!� I screamed and I ran away.�

And now, I�ve lost the only thing that is left.

? 8 ?

I was crying habang nakaupo sa mga benches sa labas ng building. Anong gagawin ko?
Paano ako mapapatawad ni Cathy?
My phone suddenly rang and I answered it.

�Serena.�
�T-Tristan-?�
�Yes, please don�t hang up, please.�

I was silenced. Hindi ako nakaimik agad and I just waited for him to talk.

�Actually Serena.. Napanuod ko na yung interview niyo.. I was just worried��

�I�m fine. So stop calling me. Go back to your girlfriend��
�Sorry, Serena.�

He suddenly said, natahimik ulit ako.

�Please forgive me for not telling you at all. I know about your feelings for me�
Kaya hindi ko masabi sayo, kasi ayokong masaktan ka��
�So that�s why you lied to me? Geez, Tristan. I�d prefer it if you just told me the
truth!�
�Sorry na, Serena. Please. I promise that I�d make it up to you, meet up with me.
Sige na.�

Napakagat ako sa labi ko.

Well, I need a shoulder to lie on today anyway. Bad trip din ako kay Lawrence.

�Fine.. Same place..?� I asked.

�Yea, if you want to. Shall I pick you up?�

Tumango ako. �Yeah.�

--

Umupo ako sa kama ko sabay bunting hininga. Lawrence and I are enemies today. Hindi
talaga kami nag usao dun sa kotse.
It is his fault. Hmph. It�s his fault na lalong lumaki yung galit sakin ni Cathy�

Alright, time to dress up now.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I was pissed off with hat girl�s reaction. She was blaming me because her friend
got mad at her? Loko pala yun e. Kung alam ko lang na magiging ganun siya, e di
sana� Tsk. Bakit nga ba ako naaasar pa? Bahala siya sa buhay niya diyan.

My phone suddenly rang.

�Hello-?�
�Lawrence.�

Tumigil ang mundo ko as soon as I heard HER voice.�

�P-Priscilla��
�Lawrence, I�m glad you still know me.�

My door suddenly opened, Serena came in.

�I�m going out� Pasensya na muna kung do ko magagawa ang mga ipapautos mo��
I put my finger on my mouth, saying quiet.
She looked a bit confused.

�Who�s that Lawrence?� Priscilla asked.

�It�s� My girlfriend.�
�G-Girlfriend?�

This is my real purpose why I wanted Serena to do a thing for me.

I want to revenge on my EX. Priscilla.

She cheated on me back on States. That�s why I went back here in the Philippines.
She is my first girlfriend for 3 years, and she�s the only one I loved this much.

Take note, LOVED. I do have feelings for her. But I am not the type of person to
forgive and forget just like that.

The first time I saw Serena, I just knew that she�s the one perfect for me. I know
na she�s the only one who can match up with Priscilla. They�re the same, pretty,
rich, spoiled and all.

I actually want to argue with Serena always because of that fact too.

�..To be exact, my fianc�e. So, I�m hanging up, I need to finish some documents.
Bye.�
�Lawrence��

I ended the call and looked back at Serena.

�Who was that?� She asked.

�She�s none of your concern.� Akala niya makakalimutan ko agad yung pang aaway niya
sakin kanina sa school ah.

Inisnaban niya ako.

�I�m going out today. I�ll meet with someone.� She said. �Is it okay?��

I nodded.

�Oo.. Go. Sige. Tsupi.� I muttered and looked back at my laptop.�

�Hmph.� She walked out of the room. I took a last glimpse of her. San naman kaya
pupunta yun? Well, I don�t really care.

SERENA�s POV:

What�s up with that guy? Biglang sumungit. Tsk. I was swinging my arms in circles
habang palabas ako nung bahay.
I saw Andrew riding on his motorbike.

�Hey, Princess. San ka punta?�

�I�m meeting someone� Ikaw?�
�Wala, I�ll just be going for a roadtrip.�
I smirked. �You mean you�re going to your girlfriend?�
Napangiti siyang natatawa.

�You heard that from Lawrence?�

�Uh-huh.� Umiling iling ako habang nakatingin sakanya. �If I were you, I�d look
already for somebody to be with for real.� I told him. �Sige, ciao.�

I started walking, but he went to me, still riding his motorbike.

�Gusto mo sumabay?�
�No thanks, I shall be picked up by Tristan.�
�Tristan?� He asked. �Tristan Cruz?��

Medyo nagulat ako. Kilala niya pala. I just looked at him blankly, hoping he�d know
that my answer is yes.

�Yea. He is my former girlfriend�s boyfriend.�

My eyes grew huge as I heard that. What a small world.�

�What?�
�When I broke up with her, she said she�ll find someone better than me, and after a
week, she already has her boyfriend.��
�And� Does she really like Tristan?�

He shrugged his shoulders.

�Dunno. When I met her, last week, she said she wants me back.�

I knew that my eyes went dull.�

So she�s playing with Tris huh.

I took my phone and called Tris. I told her that I�m coming with a friend.

�What�s that for?� Andrew asked.�

�Come with me. Let�s meet him. Let�s tell him the truth.� I said while pulling his
sleeve. He frowned.

�What? Bakit pa-?�

�She�s getting fooled by that girl! I can�t let that happen!�

We stared at each other�s eyes. I hope he sees my sincerity.�

�Fine.� He uttered.
�Thanks.�
I sat behind him.

�Go.�
--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

�Serena.� I called� Dang. Wala nga pala siya ngayon.�

Sheena knocked on the door. Well, why I know it�s Sheena?

It�s simple. Only her knocks on my door.

�Come in.�
She went inside and handed me a paper.

�Sir, you have an appointment with Mr. Chua on his favorite restaurant today.
You�ve got things to discuss with him about the upcoming modeling show.�
�I see. Call him and say I�d come today.�
�Yes Sir.�

She then left. Aah. Sheena is such a robot huh.

--

SERENA�s POV:

Andrew and I arrived at Starbucks. Nakaupo kaming dalawa and I�m really excited to
tell Tristan the truth.

�Hey, calm down. Calm down.� He uttered na parang natatawa.�

Nangunguyakoy kasi ako that time.

�Kasi naman e. What�s taking him so long?� I whispered to myself. I definitely

can�t wait to tell him the truth. I can�t afford my Tristan to get hurt.�
�Well, would you like to eat muna?��

Umiling ako.�

�Wag na tayo umalis pa rito. Baka dumating na siya��

Then my phone rang.

I immediately answered it.

�Hello? Tris?�
�Hey, Serena. I�m sorry� Something urgent came up. Pasensya na. Hindi ako
makakapunta.�
�W-What..?��

Oh damn. Bakit ngayun pa yang urgent thing na yan sumulpot?!

�Sige, bye.� He said in a rush and put the phone down in an instant.�

�Ano? He�s not coming?� Andrew asked.

I bit my lower lip and he looked at me like waiting for an answer.
I stared to his eyes and alam ko na nalaman niya na yung sagot. Umiling iling siya.

�So what now?� He asked.

�Let�s go home na lang.� I replied and stood up. Nawala na ako sa mood.�

He stood up and followed me and as soon as we arrived on the door, nagulat kami sa
nakita namin. It was Lawrence. How can he be here?

�What are you two doing here?� He asked us.

Nagtinginan kami ni Andrew.

�Ahh.. We would actually meet with someone today. Kaso hindi siya sumipot.� Andrew
explained.
�Ahh. Okay.� He just said and passed by us. Snobbish.
�So, wanna go for a joyride?�

--
Hindi muna kami umuwi. Nag ikot ikot kami around Manila at kung san san pa. We
stopped in a park kung san napakaraming bata.

�So that Tristan is your childhood buddy?� He asked.

I nodded.

�He�s the only pne I�ve fallen for� Kaya nga nung nalaman ko na may iba na siya, I
cried all night. �Cause he just considers me as his sister.�

I drank my sago and gulaman.

�It�s my first time to drink in streets.� I mumbled. �Hindi nap ala masama para sa
P5 na inumin.�
�Ahaha. Anyway, how are you now? Okay lang ba sayo yung kasunduan niyo ni Lawrence?
�

I shook my head.

�Ayoko nga e. I�m not used to do household chores and stuffs. Maarte na kung
maarte, pero ganun talaga ako.. Anyway, si Lawrence ba ganun talaga kasungit yun?�
I asked.
Natawa siya, tapos medyo napangiwi.

�Hindi naman. He�s cool kaya siya ganun, but he�s not really mean. Makikilala mo
siya pag nagkasama pa kayo ng mas matagal. Well, maybe because of his breakup with
Priscilla kaya medyo tumubo ang sungay niya. Well, kung ako rin naman.. Lokohin ka
ba naman ng taong pinakamamahal mo dib a.�
�Priscilla?� I repeated.
�Uh-huh. Lawrence�s ex back in States. I haven�t met her. Sa chat lang kami
nakakapag usap. She�s pretty and intellectual. You really match up with her.�

Napatingin ako sa taas. Thoughts came rushing to my mind. Ang daming pumapasok sa
utak ko.

�Then�--�
�Nope. You�re wrong.�
�Wala pa nga ako sinasabi e.�
�You think that Lawrence�s hangs out with you because you�re like her right?�

Tumango ako. Galing ni Andrew ah.

�I guess it�s because she�s coming kaya he needs you.�

�She�s� coming?�
�Yep. Here in Pinas.�
�Panu mu nalaman yun?�

Natawa siya ulit. Tawa ng tawa to.

�I went and take a look at his chat history.��
�Ikaw talaga.��

At nagkatawanan kaming dalawa.

So that�s why he speaks like that.
He�s also been broken hearted.
--
Andrew and I had a fun day. He�s a nice guy. Compared to Lawrence. Well, I gotta go
and finish some of my homeworks. I started walking and stopped in front of
Lawrence�s office. I pushed the door and took a peek.
�Come in, Serena.�

Nge.

I went inside his office silently.

�What is it you need? Kung ikwekwento mo lang yung ginawa niyo ni Andrew, keep that
yourself. I�m not interested.�
AMPF. Ang sungit.

�Nope. It�s not that� Ah.. Ano� Paano ko ba sasabihin �to?�

He looked at me absent-mindedly. Ano ba namang klaseng tao to. Parang walang buhay.

�Well� I�d want to say I��

�Ano nga-?�
�I�m sorry for acting strange in school! Instead of saying �thanks� I actually
yelled at you�! Pasensya na!�
�B-Bakit ka sumisigaw diyan?�
�DUH. Wag mo na nga pansinin yun� Basta. Sorry. Yun lang.� I said and went on my
way.

Ayun. Di malinis na ulit ang konsensya ko. Tapos.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

What�s up with her? Suddenly apologizing. How weird.

Pero napangiti ako at ewan ko kung bakit.

Then suddenly, a chat box popped out on my laptop desktop.

It was Priscilla�s message.

She�s coming back.

? 9 ?

SERENA�s POV:

We�re in school and everything is still the same. I lost my friends. Cathy,
everything except for my good grades.�
I�m following Lawrence around like a dog. At naaasar ako.

�Get me water.� He told me.

�Can�t you go and get your own?� I asked.

He glared at me.

�Sino bang master dito? Ikaw o ako?�

�Only a dog has its master.. And I�m not a dog.� I gave him an evil glare.
�Who says you�re not? Remember, I�m so better than you. Kaya gawin mo na ang
inuutos ko. Go.�

Nampotchang buhay �to.

I stood up from my seat and went to get him some water.

He�s so bossy.�

Pag gising niya, I�ll make bed for him. Carry his bag� ETC! Damn it. How dare he
make a Serena Velarde do stuffs for him. I�m sure he had guts to do so.

AAAARRRGGGHHH!

I gave him the water he asked.

�Wala bang thank you?� I asked him.

�Inutusan kita. Hindi ka nagkusa. So there�s no need to say those words.� He said.
�I can�t believe it. Hindi ko masisisisi ang babae kung iiwan ka niya.�

He then looked at me coldly.

�Where did you hear that?� He asked.

I gulped. Ampf. Wrong statement.

�A-Ang alin..?�
�You know about Priscilla?� He asked.
�W-Well��

Napangiwi ako. Sumimangot siya.

�You heard it from Andrew huh.�

�O-Oo.. Pero wag kang magalit sakanya. I just wanted to know��
�You know what you need to put to your knowledge? Don�t try to know anything about
me. You�re just my private maid. So don�t try knowing anything about my personal
life.� He said in a high tone and walked away.

Pasensyosa akong tao, but not my PRIDE.

�Ano naman kung malaman ko?� I yelled to him, and he stopped walking and turned
around. �It�s not like I�m still a different person from you since I�m living here�
Besides, I know that you took me here with you� because you want to compare me to
Priscilla once she gets back� Or you want to get back with her or something like
that..��
�Do you really want to know the thing?�

He walked back to me and stared at me.

�Yeah, you�re right. I�ll just use you.�

Medyo nanliit ako run, but I still stared at him eye-to-eye.

�So don�t fall in love with me. No, don�t even like or trust me.�
He stated and walked away. I was left na nababanas.

�DUH! It�s not like I�ll fall in love with someone like you!�

YUCK. Ako? Maiinlove sa tipo niya? I still want to LIVE.

--

I went into his office kasi tinawag niya ako e.

�Ano ba naman? Ang bagal bagal mo.�
�Pasensya naman. I�m still asking Ana to teach me how to use the vacuum cleaner.
Muntikan ko na kasi masira e.�

Inirapan ba naman ako.

He�s been like this for three consecutive days. Napakasungit at irritable. Akala mo
kung inano ko siya. Pasalamat talaga siya mabait pa ako.�
Well, like I said. I�m spoiled pero hindi brat.

�Tsk. I�m assigning Sheena to the main office.�

�S-So� You mean��
�Yeah. You�ll be my secretary.�

Napanganga ako.

�WHAT? KELAN??�
�Today. Sige na, umalis ka na.�
�P-P-Pero� I�m not suitable to be your Secretary. I mean it. I�m clumsy and I don�t
qualify��
�Wag ka nang umapila pa.�

Natahimik na lang ako. Ampf naman. Paano ko naman pagsasabayin ang pagiging
Secretary ko sa pag aaral ko? Ampf naman.
Chill. Serena, isang taon na lang naman. Malapit nang matapos ang school year ng
pagiging third year. Mag fofourth year ka na and then after that, poof! Balik sa
normal na buhay ka na.

I went out of his room at nakasalubong ko naman si Andrew na mukhang problemado.�

�O, Andrew. What�s the problem?�

He suddenly raised his head then looked at me from head-to-toe.

�Andrew?�

He suddenly pulled my wrist.

�Come on!�
�A-AH-?!�

--

We arrived in a boutique. It�s an expensive one and I�ve been here before. This is
one of my favorite boutiques.

�Anong ginagawa natin dito??� I asked.

�Pick a dress.��
�HA?�
�Just pick one. Sige na.�

I still looked at him in confusion, so he took a lot for me.

�Try all these out.�
�What�s up ba? Anong meron?�

He looked at me with puppy eyes.

�Please help me out.�

�Oo naman� To pay you back for last time, tutulungan kita kung anu man yun, pero
ano nga bang kailangan mo?�

He gave a sigh.

�My former girlfriend won�t let go of me. She says she�s pregnant��
�ANO?! Nakabuntis ka-?!�
He covered my mouth. Nashock kasi talaga ako.
He let go of me when I�ve calmed down.

�Hindi noh� Wala namang nangyari saming dalawa e..� He pouted at mukhang problemado
nga talaga siya.
�O yun pala e. E bakit sinasabi niyang ikaw ang ama?� I asked.
�E-Ewan ko� Wala na akong naisip na iba� Please pretend that you are my girlfriend!
Sige na!�

He held my hands and pleaded.

�P-Pero kasi� Di ba nagkainterview na kami ni Lawrence and��

AS I looked to my right, I saw a wig, then I looked back to Andrew.

�Alright. I�ve thought of something.�

LAWRENCE�s POV:

�Serena!! Serena!!� I yelled, pero wala pa rin. Ano nanaman kayang problema nun?

I went out and knocked on her room.

�Oi, ano ba?�

Dina passed.

�Dina,�
�Yes sir?�
�Asan si Serena?�
Sinimangutan niya ako, but like I care.
�She went out with Sir Andrew.�
�WHAT? � S-Sige. You can go now.��
Dina left me.

Naaasar na ako. Those two, kung may gusto man silang dalawa sa isa�t isa and they
keep going out, pwede naman nilang sabihin sakin.
Damn it. Paano kung may makakita sa kanilang dalawa? Anong lalabas na image ko?

Darn it.�

That girl. Saying that she still likes that Tristan but goes out with Andrew. Tsk.

SERENA�s POV:

I had my disguise. I wore my shades and stuff. May curly hair pa nga ako. Wow,
bagay pala sakin. I�ll try going to salon to change my hairstyle.

�Ready ka na?� He asked me.

�Anong ako? Baka ikaw.� Natawa kaming dalawa. We are standing in front of a bar.�

�Come on, she�s waiting.�� We went into the bar. This is my first time here, pero
mukhang okay naman siya.

We looked around. The music was loud, may combo kasi, pero nagkakaintindihan pa
naman kami di katulad nung nasa Timog. The place where I met Lawrence..

�There she is.� He uttered and coughed.�

I held his hand.�
�Chill, Andrew.� I smiled at him and pulled him with me.�

The girl saw us immediately, and mukhang nakahigop na siya ng suka nang makita niya
ako. Well, wala na akong pakielam dun.

�Hey, Andrew. Who�s this?� She asked in a taray-voice.

I smiled at her as soon as we sat down on the long seat.

�Hey, I�m Ina Castillo. I�m Andrew�s girlfriend.� I introduced myself. Nice name
huh.�
�Well, I�m Trina. I�m HIS girlfriend too.� She said.
�Wow. What a coincidence. I�m his girlfriend, you�re his girlfriend, we�re all
connected. What fun could that bring?� I uttered and giggled. Hope she doesn�t get
pissed, but she glared me.

�I�m the mother of his child.� She said. �So step off.�
�Trina��

I stopped Andrew from getting in the way. I hate girls like her.

�Wala naman daw nangyari sa inyu kaya paano mangyayari yun?� I asked her, still
smiling.
�What?�
�In fact, I, too, is the mother of his child.�

Nanlaki yung mata ni Andrew. Well, ayus lang naman kahit mag imbento ako. I�m using
a different name.

�Are you making fun of me?!� She yelled.�

�Nope. Bakit ko naman gagawin yun? Trust me. This is all coincidence.�
�WTF. You bit��

She took the glass of juice on the table and I knew she was gonna pour it all over
to me, pero nagulat kami sa pumigil sakanya.

�L-Lawrence��
�Who are you-?!� Trina screamed at him to his face. People are now looking at us.
Emabarrasing situation. Help!

Lawrence looked at me with eyes like raging fire. Kinabahan ako. He suddenly let go
of Trina and pulled me.

�L-Lawrence-!�

--

�Let go-! Ano ba-?!��

�What�s up with you?!� He let go of me, nasa tapat kami ng sasakyan niya sa labas
ng bar.

�Is that how low kind of girl you are? Saying that you�re pregnant and Andrew is
the Father?! Are you messing with our agreement-?!�
�DUH! I�m in disguise!�

He took my wig and threw it to the ground. Nagulat naman ako and my hair went down.
�Sa tingin mo ba kung convincing yag disguise mo, di kita makikilala agad? Come on,
Serena! Don�t be so reckless!�
�S-Sorry! Sorry naman!�
�Ang tanga tanga mo�!� He yelled to my face and went into his car.

Nasaktan ako. Sobra. I�ve never been called �tanga� in my whole life.

I�ve had enough.

All of his insults and the way he looks down on me.
Hindi ko na kaya pang saluhin lahat ng yun. I will make him take back all his words
to me!

Starting today, I will absolutely make him fall for me!

? 10 ?

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I lied down on my bed that night. Alam ko, nasobrahan ako run. I don�t understand
at all. Since the day I received Priscilla�s message, naging highblood na ako.�
Ewan ko ba. I�m certain that I still have feelings towards her� Pero ayoko nang
makipagbalikan pa sakanya.�

I wanted to apologize to Serena, pero I�m not the type of guy to say �sorry�.�
UGH. Whatever. I�d just make it up with her.

--
She was especially jolly that morning, which I found strange. I was entering my car
when she took my bag from me.

�I�ll carry it for you.�� She said and went inside.

OKAY. WEIRD. So, does this mean that she likes being called an idiot?

--

�Hey, what would you like for lunch?� She asked me habang naglalakad papasok sa
next subject.�

�A-Anything��
�I�ll buy it for you.� She said.
�Wait, you haven�t received your pay right� Kaya paano yun-?�
�I�ll do something about it.� She smiled again and left.

Pfft. Kinikilabutan ako ah. What�s wrong with her?

--

Sa bahay naman, she knocked on my door bringing a cup of coffee.

�I did not ask for one.� I said.

�It�s okay.� She put it on my table and smiled again.

�Mukha kang tanga.� I said.

�Nga e.� She replied.

WHAT?

�Ang panget mo today. Baliw ka.� I added, but she still smiles.

I took a deep breath and looked at her.

�Okay, that�s it. You�re acting too weird. May sakit ka ba? Do you want to get a
checkup?� I asked.
Umiling siya.
�Is it wrong to do my job?� She asked me. �This is my job right. To serve you with
all my heart.�

She giggled.
�HUHHHHH?�
�Sige, just call me if you need me.� She said and went out of the room.

Geez. Kinakabahan ako. Baka natanggalan na siya ng isang tornilyo. Napailing ulit
ako. Whatever.

SERENA�s POV:

Tactics, pipz. Tactics. Once he sees me so nice to him, he�d fall for me!
Absolutely! Tumango tango ako.
Actually, I�m getting goosebumps as I start being nice to him. WEW. This is so
unlike me huh.

�Hello Serena.�
�O, Ana.�

Ana was there and she was smiling at me.

�Mabait ka na ata kay Sir.� She uttered. �Naiinis tuloy si Dina. Baka mapag initan
ka.�
�Ahh.. Wala naman akong pakielam sakanya.� I said and smiled. �Sige, I�m off!�

--

�Serena.� He called me, napalingon ako. I was out for a bath na kasi that time.
�Tomorrow, come with me to the office. I�ll introduce you to the management.�

Tumango ako.

�Okay.� I said and was about to leave when he called me back. Lumingon ulit ako.
�Ano pa hong kailangan niyo?�

He was silenced in a while, then looked at me again.

�Wala. Forget it. Go on.��

WEIRDO.

�Okaaayy.�

--

The next day, walang pasok sa school. Medyo wala na rin kasi kaming gagawin because
it will be clearance days. Puro clearance na lang ang aatupagin.

We arrived in his office. Ang laki pala nung kumpanya nila. Naglalakad kami sa
building and people are looking at us. Aah. Ambilis naman kasi niya maglakad.

�Wait lang naman.� I complained.

�Walk faster. I won�t wait for you.��

I forced a smile again. �I understand.�

Pero deep inside my heart, I want to punch him. One day, this guy will get a
beating from me. Mag antay ka lang.�

Pumasok kami sa isang room and I figured out that it was his own private office.

�Wow.. Isn�t the the Director�s room?� I asked.

�Oo.�
�So� You are the Director?� I asked.

He nodded and he sat down on his office chair.

�Yeah.�

Medyo naamaze ako run ah. Even if I�m smart, I�ve never been able to do things in
the office. It was always my Dad kaya wala rin akong experience. Lawrence is really
too� Better than me.
NO, NO. Experience lang ang ahead siya sayo!

�Amazed? Don�t be.�

�Y-Yeah� Naamaze ako.� HECK NO.

He gave me a strange look and shook his head.

�Do you want to go and model in a show?� He suddenly asked me.

�Ha? Ako?� I asked.

He nodded.

�Some of the people I talked to said that you�ll fit to be one. I was against it,
pero sabi nila you�d fit to be the main model to wear the latest trend.�

I was pleased to hear that, except for his statement that he was against it.�

�Pero kung ayaw mo, okay lang.�

�Wait�Ano� Anong makukuha ko-?�
�P50, 000 worth of gift certificate.�

I pouted. �Ang liit naman.� I mumbled.

He raised his eyebrow. �For a worker like you, it�s already a huge amount. You can
alreadybuy new clothes with that.�

NEW CLOTHES? Calculate. Calculate.�

�Alright! I agree!� I said. �Count me in!��

He nodded.
�Sabi na e.�

I sat down on his couch at nag muni muni. Ito lang pala ang ginagawa ng isang
secretary.
I noticed him glancing at me.

�Bakit? May kailangan ka ba?�

�H-Ha? Wala. Wala ah..� He replied and looked back to his laptop.

Well, it�s been weird for him to look at me then say he didn�t. Tapos tatawagin
ako, wala naman palang sasabihin.�

LAWRENCE�s POV:
�Hey, do you want to eat-?� When I looked at her, she was already asleep on the
couch. Medyo mahirap yung posisyon niya ah. Paano naman kaya siya nakatulog ng
ganun ang porma niya?

Napailing ako.

I stood up and went to her, I helped her lie down on the couch.

�Ayan, sleep well.� I told her, but when I was about to leave, she held my hand,
napalinga ako pabalik.

�Tristan� Tristan�� She talks in her sleep huh.

Really, this princess-like girl is so much ordinary is she�s asleep.

I sighed and pulled my hand back.�

I wonder what kind of person that Tristan is. I�ve never seen him, but I guess he
must be a good person for this girl to like him so much.

--

SERENA�s POV:

I gently opened my eyes. Hmm?

�Lawrence�?� I stood up. Nakahiga ako sa couch? Paano nangyari yun? I thought for a
moment. Lawrence helped me?
�Lawrence? Are you there-?�

The door opened and there he came.

�Ah, gising ka na pala.� He walked to me.

�You helped me lie down-?�

He nodded. �Well, mukhang nahihirapan ka kasi. Here, eat some.�

He gave me a hamburger. Napatingin ako sa burger, wala naman sigurong lason �to di
ba?
WEIRD. Kelan pa siya naging� Caring?�

CARING? DUH. Baka nag good mood lang siya. I started eating the burger.
�Wala kang kakainin?� I asked.

�Ah... Well� I was full. Since the burger shop is near this building at may ginawa
na rin naman ako sa baba� I just bought some for you.�

WEW. Surprising.

�T-Talaga?�
�A-Anong talaga? Kitang may kinakain ka na e� Kung nauuhaw ka� Get drinks
downstairs.� He said and focused in his laptop ulit.

I looked at the burger I was eating, at napangiti ako.

He became� A little nice?

�And also, Serena.�

�Yes?�
�Let�s have a drink later.�
�Drink?� I paused for a moment. �Sure.�
--

We went into a bar near the company. Really, ang dami kong napupuntahan ah.

�Why are we here?� I asked him.

�To relax for a while.�
He looked to the bartender.
�Give me vodka and a fruit cocktail to this girl.� He told the bartender.
�Bakit fruit cocktail lang sakin?� I complained.
He looked at me from head-to-toe.

�You�re still a young girl.�

�What young girl? Are you kidding? I�m 19.�
Arrgh. To tell you the truth, I hate being called a young girl.�
�And so? Bata ka pa rin.�

I raised my eyebrows and crossed my arms as soon as the bartender put the drinks on
the table.
�And so din? Isang taon lang ang agwat mo sakin.� I told him and drank the vodka,
straight.

�Hey! What are you doing?� He took the glass from me.
�I�m drinking too.� I said and looked at the bartender.

�Give me a drink. Vodka din.�

�No, don�t.� Lawrence stopped me.
�Hey, don�t stop me.� I told him.�
�I doubt you can handle yourself when you are drunk.� He said.

It�s true. This is my first time drinking, pero as I have observed from people
around, mukhang madali lang naman.

�Then I challenge you, let�s have a drinking contest!�

? 11 ?

Umiling siya.
�No way.� He said. �It will be a pain in the ass kung malasing ka.�
�Why are you always looking down on me?� I asked him. I pointed to him at dinuro
duro ko nga.
�Basta, I�m drinking.�

The bartender handed me a glass of vodka again, and I drank it, straight.

�Serena.� He called me.

I ignored hima and asked the bartender to give me some again.�

He handed me three glasses and I drank the two, straight. But when I was gonna
drink the third, I suddenly felt weird.
Parang nagiging dalawa si Lawrence sa mga mata ko.

What�s this�?

�Serena�? Serena�?�

LAWRENCE�s POV:

This girl. Ang kulit kasi, she slowly closed her eyes.
I took a deep breath. Bahala siya diyan. She challenges me tapos ilang inom pa lang
parang nahihilo na.

�Hey� The last time�� I uttered.

I gained enough courage for this.

�Sorry kung nasabihan kita ng tanga. I didn�t actually mean it.�� I whispered to
her and I stared blankly at the Vodka glass I just ordered.

I looked at her, and she was oddly looking at me.

And then I realized� She�s drunk.

�Serena?�
�Hey� Mr� Perfect.� She uttered. �You� Know what? *hiccups I� I dislike you so
much���

Eto na yun e.

�Yeah, yeah, I know.�� I replied. �Tara na, let�s go back.� I said and I was about
to leave, but he held my shirt and pulled me back.

�I.. *hiccups � I�m not done.�

�Tama na. Lasing ka na.� I took a cash from my wallet and gave it to the bartender.
�Let�s go��
�Why are you� Always so mean to me?� She suddenly asked.

Natigilan ako.
�I.. *hiccups� I wanted to think you�re a nice guy� *hiccups� Pero lagi mo naman
ako inaaway��

I gave a sigh.

�It�s� It�s because you�re like Priscilla.� I stated.

�I.. I loved that girl so much� Pero niloko niya ako. It�s weird that I wanted to
take you into my house kahit na pareho kayo� But this is the only way to show her
that I can live even without her.��

I looked back at her. She was looking at me, then she slowly closed her eyes and
leaned into me.�

�Hey, Hey? Serena-?�

She yawned.�
She�s asleep na pala.

Really, this girl is so weird, but it�s good she did not�

�PWEEHHHH�!!�

� Vomit.

DAMN IT.

I�m soaked with her puke all over!!!�

�Serena! Are you okay?!� I asked her.

�Sir take her home.�� The bartender told me. Tumango ako. �Yeah, sige.�
I left my seat and gently held this girl. Hayy. Iinom inom kasi. Hindi naman pala
marunong.�

�Serena, can you walk?� I asked her habang hindi pa kami naglalakad. Umungol lang
siya. I guess that is a �no�.�
I helped her walk, pero ambigat niya at bumalentong siya.�

�Aissh. Kung alam ko lang��� I guess there�s no other choice.�

Binuhat ko sya, yung parang pang bagong kasal. Well, hindi naman siya ganun kabigat
�cause she has the perfect appearances; physical ha.

�Haay.. Serena.�

--

I pushed her into the car.� Napahiga siya. Pumasok ako and I helped her sit, kasi
hindi naman ako makakaupo. She leaned on the window, still asleep. I removed my
coat. Takte, bago pa naman �to. I threw it outside, to the trash can, and I asked
the driver to move.

Sininghot ko yung sarili ko. Darn it. Amoy suka ako. Umiling iling ako.

Then suddenly, she leaned onto me. Nagulat ako. She was still fast asleep.
Nung naamoy ko siya, napasimangot ulit ako.

�Ayy nako��
�Tristan� Tristan�� She uttered again. �� Bakit mo ko iniwan� Kung kelan kailangang
kailangang kita�? Sobrang� Sobrang sakit�� She mumbled again in her sleep.

Natahimik ako saglit, then as I looked at her. A teardrop fell from her eye.
I don�t know, but my hand wiped her tears away.

I can feel her pain too. I think the two of us experienced the same things in love
too.
�Ayoko na� Tristan��� She muttered again. She yawned and suddenly hugged me.

My eyes grew huge, but I calmed myself. I tried to push her gently away, pero ayaw
niyang bumitaw.

�Tris..�
�S-Serena, I�m Lawrence. Let go.� I told her, pero ayaw pa rin niyang bumitaw.

Oh darn.�
--

Finally, she let go when we arrived in the house. I carried her out.
Sinalubong naman kami ni Andrew.

�What�s up?�Serena?� He asked. �Anong nangyari?��

�She�s drunk.�� I said.
�Do you need help?� He asked.

Umiling ako.�

I passed by him and went directly to Serena�s room. I put her down.

�Ana! Ana!� I called.

Dumating naman agad si Ana. �Yes Sir�Serena!�
�Prepare the hot tub.�
�Y-Yes Sir!� She immediately left.

Naupo ako sa upuan niya sa tapat ng study table.

I stared at her.�
She suffers in a princess syndrome� But she�sactually a nice girl. Hindi rin siya
brat like Priscilla. Actually, to tell you the truth, I don�t know why I fel for
her. She is the most sought after girl in school. Siguro yun nga?

HHAAAYY EWAAAN.
Ana came.

�Ready na po Sir.� I stood up.

�Take care of her.�

--

SERENA�s POV:

Arrgh. My head is aching. Ano ba �to? First time ko lang nakaramdam ng sobrang
sakit ng ulo� I looked around. Nasa kuwarto na ako. What happened? Ang natatandaan
ko nasa bar kami ni Lawrence� Tapos chinallenge ko siya� Tapos wala na.

I looked at myself. I had a change of clothes.

�Gising ka nap ala.� Ana entered my room.�

�A-Anong oras na�?� I asked.�

�9ng umaga.��

My eyes grew huge at halos mapatayo na ako sa kama.

�Shoot! Hindi ako nakapasok sa trabaho��

�Ayus lang, Serena.�
�Hindi! Baka pagalitan ako ni Lawrence!��

Umiling siya at ngumiti. Ito talagang babaeng ito parang napakainosente.

�Hindi, si Sir Lawrence nga nagsabi na wag kang gisingin e. Magpahinga ka na lang
daw. Saglit ah, iaakyat ko ang almusal mo.�

She went out.

�W-Wait-!� But she has already left.

Napaisip ako saglit.

Talaga? Si Lawrence? Hindi ako pinapunta sa opisina niiya bilang secretary?
WEEHHHH?
Napakagat ako sa labi ko.

�Ano kayang nagawa ko during my lasing mode-? Wait, ano kayang nagawa ko sakanya?!�

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:
�So the sales have increased by 5%...� One of the board of director was explaining,
but my mind was flying off somewhere.

I wonder how that girl is doing. Sana magpahinga lang siya run sa bahay. It would
be better kung wala siyang gagawin ngayon. Aahh.. I remember the first time I
drank. Nalasing din ako and kinabukasan, I wanna die dahil sa sobrang sakit ng ulo.

�Hey, Director.��

Nagising ako when Mr. Ortega called me.

�Y-Yes?�
�Your fianc�e, has she agreed about the modeling show?� He asked.

Tumango ako.

�But I still don�t think she�s really fitted.. To be in the show �cause she�s
inexperienced and��
�No, she will fit. Absolutely.� Mr. Ortega said.
�Yeah, even if she falls on stage, she�s fine I guess.��
Tumango yung iba.

�She�s dazzling and all. She has all what we need.�

All of them nodded and agreed. I shrugged my shoulders.�

�A-Alright.�

--

SERENA�s POV:

�Ana, I�ll just go visit my Dad. Please tell that tp Lawrence.� I told Ana.
Dumating naman si Dina.
�San ka nanaman pupunta?� She asked me. Ampf naman.
�Wala ka na run.� I said at tinalikuran ko siya. Nakakainis talaga �tong babaeng
�to. Well, whatever.

I haven�t seen Dad for a week. Wala pa rin balita sakanya at kung kelan siya
magigising. I�m still worried, but as long as Lawrence helps me with my expenses, I
guess wala na naman akong proproblemahin pa.

--

�Dad�� I touched my father�s forehead. �Please wake up soon.. May titirhan na tayo.
Wag ka po mag alala� I�ll do something about it. I promise you. Lahat gagawin ko
para matupad lang yung contract naming ni Lawrence. Para guminhawa na ulit tayo.�

I smiled and wiped the tears that were slowly forming on my eyes.
Then suddenly, my phone rang.�

�Hello?�

It was Tristan.

�S-Serena� Please meet with me today.� His voice was like trembling.
�T-Tristan? Anong problema?� I asked.�
�I� I was cheated.�
Time stopped.�

Tristan discovered?

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I arrived home. Inabot ko yung coat k okay Dina, but I stopped walking.

�Is Serena home?�

�Ho?� She asked.
�Forget it.�

I left her and walked to the house. Papasok na sana ako sa room ko, but I went to
hers, well that is only out of curiosity. Baka mamaya sumuka nanaman siya e.

But she wasn�t there.

�Serena?�

I went out and saw Ana in the way.

�Where�s Serena?� I asked.
�Ay Sir bumisita ho sa tatay niya.� She said.

I looked at my watch. It�s already 8 in the night.

�Anong oras siya umalis?�� I asked.

�Mga alas dos po.�

Alas dos? Kanina pa siya umalis pero hindi pa siya bumabalik? Tss. That girl� Baka
naligaw nay un o kung anu pa.

�Tell Mang Gabo to prepare the car.�

? 12 ?

SERENA�s POV:

Tristan told me what happened. He saw the girl with someone else.
The girl he loved instead of me.
Nakaupo kami ngayon sa isang videoke room. Sa musicmatch. Kaming dalawa lang and
he�s really drinking.

�Tris, tama na.� I told him. Baka magaya siya sakin. Ayoko naman ng ganun. Masama
palang uminom.

�Serena.. Sobrang sakit� Sobra� Sobra�� He told me.�

As I looked at him, I saw myself the day he left me too. Yung araw na nalaman kong
may iba na siya.

He looked at me, teary-eyed.

�Sorry� Serena. Pasensya na �cause I chose her over you.. Hindi kita dapat
sinaktan.�

Medyo naiiyak na rin ako. I don�t want to see Tristan in such a situation like
this. Ayokong maramdaman niya yung naramdaman ko noon.

The feeling of you lost the only thing that is only worth fighting for.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I entered her Dad�s room. Oo na, I was a �little� worried na baka nakatulog na
siya.

�Serena��
She is not there either. AHH. Baka nag CR.

AFTER 10 minutes.

Alright. That�s it. Gumala nanaman siya. Nakakaasar na ha.

I gave her a leave because she�s like sick and she went out using her father as an
excuse.

She�s really crossing the line of my patience.

I dialed Andrew�s number.

�Hey, Drew.�
�Yes?�
�Are you with Serena?� I asked.

Nagdalawang isip siya saglit. �Bakit?�

�Just answer me.� Dami pang tanong.
�N-No. Why?�

I put the phone down. I�m sick of this.�

I went down to the nurses� station.

�Did Serena Velarde visit today?� I asked the nurse. She checked a handbook and
nodded.�
�But she left at 5.�

5 pa pala siya umalis. Naniningkit na ang mga mata ko.

I dialed her number.
She immediately answered.

�H-Hello? Lawrence!�
�ANO? ASAN KA?� I asked.
�N-Nasa musicmatch ako��
Nasa music match pala hah? I ended the call immediately.

Kailangan bang maging chauffeur ako?!�

SERENA�s POV:

Ano ba yun, binagsakan ako ng phone. How dare him! Well, wala akong panahon
sakanya. Right now, I�m obviously worried about Tristan. I try to stop him from
drinking, pero masyado siyang matibay.�

�Tristan, tama na. Tama na.� I said sabay kuha nung can of beer mula sakanya, but
he took it away from me.

�Don�t stop me Serena; this is the only way to forget her. The only way�� He said
at lumagok ulit.
As I looked at him, lalo akong nagagalit sa sarili ko. I shouldn�t have given him
up to such a girl. I should have proven him that I�m worth of his love.
Ang tanga ko.�

I patted his head.

�Stop this, Tristan. Hindi naman masosolve ng alak ang problema eh.��
�Pero anong gagawin ko�? Tagos sa kaluluwa ko �tong sakit na nararamdaman ko. She
is the one and only girl I�ve liked this much.��

And now, as I saw him cry like a girl, I hugged him tight.�

�I�ll sing a song for you, Tris.�

I picked a song from the songbook and entered it.�

[Realize � Colbie Calliat]

I started to sing the song. This is the song I loved so much when I was with him.
Well, the lyrics really match up the reality.

Tristan doesn�t like me and even if I want to tell him that he�s the only one for
me, he would never realize that I�m the only one for him too.
He stopped crying and looked at me, my tears fell down too� Kasi I can really feel
how it hurts to be betrayed by the one you love� And I was hoping that he�ll not
feel the same way, pero it happened.�

�Serena..,� I heard him whisper my name.

I continued singing, and when the song was about to end, he stood up and walked to
me.

�T-Tristan-?�
�Serena��

He suddenly hugged me tight. Gulat na gulat ako. What�s up with Tris?!�

�T-Tristan.. B-Bakit-?�
�Ewan� I just felt like� Hugging you. I miss you so much.,. And I�m really sorry��
�Ssh. Tama na, Tris. Napatawad na kita��

The song ended and I pushed him gently.

�Let�s start over?� I asked him.

He smiled, finally, and nodded.

�I love you, Serena.�

I was surprised. Before, I was the only one to tell him those words� And now,
finally.. I�m hearing it from him.

�Tris��

I guess he suddenly felt awkward and stepped backwards. Even though it was dark,
alam ko na namula siya. Could it be-?

�I� I mean� I love you, bestfriend. Dib a..?�

HHAY, Serena. Ano bang pinagpapantasya mo? You and him have always been friends.
ALWAYS.
I smiled back.

�Yeah, I love you too.�

Then suddenly, the door opened. Nagulat naman ako sa taong nakatayo sa may pintuan.
�L-Lawrence�� I mumbled, napatingin si Tristan sakanya na parang medyo nagulat na
rin kasi nga nakainom.
Lawrence was looking-like disappointed.

Well, kasi nga pinagpapahinga niyia ako and I escaped�Pero teka, ano naman? Sus.�

�H-Hey!� I greeted. He entered the room and looked around, then to me.

�Let�s go home.� He said.

�A-Ay, teka. Tristan� Whoa!� Tristan, finally was like drunk na. Nagpapagewang na
nga siya. I helped him stand up.

�Tristan? Ayus ka lang?�

�Tristan?� Lawrence repeated then looked at him. �He�s the guy called Tristan?��

Tumango ako.

Napailing siya, ewan ko kung bakit.

�Ah� I see. So, tara na.� He told me again.

�Then what are we going to do with him?� I asked.
�Leave him there.�

I raised my eyebrow and glared at him once more.

�DUH! He�s drunk! We can�t leave him here..!�
�E anong gusto mo? I had enough problems with you, Serena. Wag mo nang gatungan pa,
pwede?��

I pouted. �Basta, we�ll not leave him here! Let�s take him back to his condo!� I
sounded like I command. Harhar.�
�WHAT?�

--

We were inside the car.�

Lawrence------Tristan, Ako�

Yan yung postion naming sa kotse. Nagtataka kayo kung bakit sobrang layo kay
Lawrence? Kasi, galit siya. Ewan ko diyan, he�s so rude.

Tristan was leaning on me, lasing na lasing siya.

�Tris� Okay ka lang?� I asked him. Umungol lang siya. �Tris��

LAWRENCE�s POV:

What the? Damn it. Know what? Napilitan lang akong bitbitin yang lalaking yan dito.
Tsk. Sabi niya kasi hindi raw siya uuwi without him. It�s not like I have a choice
at all.
Damn it. I took glances at them. I remember last night. She also looks like that
guy too. Lasing na lasing.

I looked at her, and I was a bit surprised.�

Her eyes� While looking at him� Says that she loves him so much.

I don�t understand, but those gentle eyes staring at �Tristan�. It�s like I�m
having a feeling� Like I also wanted to be looked at with those eyes �

DAMN. WRONG. Umiling iling ako. Nababaliw ka na Lawrence. Siguro napagod ka lang
today kakahanap sakanya.�

I took a glance at her again, and she was still staring at him.
Napatingin ako kay Tristan.

What does he really have to be liked so much?

SERENA�s POV:

I laid him down on his bed. It�s good na may key ako ng bahay niya.�
I touched his forehead, he�s hot. Dahil siguro sa sobrang lasing na siya.

�Now what?� Lawrence asked me with his irritating voice.

I looked at him with my angry eyes.

�Oo na, tara na.��

I stared walking away, pero sumulyap ulit ako kay Tristan bago tuluyang lumabas ng
condo niya.

We went into the elevator. Hindi pa rin maalis sa isip ko si Tristan, baka mamaya
mainitan siya masyado.

�Lawrence.�
�Ano?�
�I think I need to go back.� I told him.

He frowned.

�ANO?!� He yelled.
�E� E kasi�� I tried to look for a reason, pero nakita ko na napipikon na talaga
siya.
�We�re not going back. Absolutely not.� He said.
�E di ako na lang�! I�d just sleep here. Ayus lang yun, I�ll take care of him.��

Lalong kumunot yung noo ni Lawrence.

�What kind of girl is gonna sleep in a condo with only a guy with her? Ano ba?
Paano kung may makakita sayo na galing ka dito? Lalo na ang media. Buti sana kung
tumutulong ka sa pagcocover, e hindi naman.�
�Pero��
�I said enough.� Then the elevator door opened.

Kainis naman!

Nag aalala talaga ako kay Tristan e. Baka masukahan niya yung sarili niya.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

Ewan ko ba, but I�m certainly getting pissed off with her excuses and such.
Nakikita ko ring naiinis siya sakin, but she definitely have more explanation to
do.
Bumaba siya ng kotse na nagdadabog. Aba, lalaban pa. I went out and followed her.
She went into her room at pumasok din ako.

�L-Lawrence��
�I let you have a leave on work today kasi akala ko, magpapahinga ka. Yun pala,
makikipagkita ka pala sa lalaki mo nanaman.� I told him.

She immediately reacted at pinamengawan ako.

�I visited my Father!�
�Yeah, and you left the hospital early and met up with your Tristan again!� I
yelled at her back.�
�T-Tristan� Tristan needed me kaya ko siya pinuntahan!� She explained.
�Oh yeah. So pagtinawagan ka punta ka naman agad? Nakalimutan mo na ba kung ano ka
rito? Paano kung may makaalam ng totoo? Paano kung makita na may kasama kang iba?
Scandal nanaman �to!�

I saw her clench her fists, and I prepared myself na baka atakihin niya ako with
her fist again, but I suddenly heard her sob.

�I� I just wanted to comfort him� That�s all�� She said, habang sumisinghot
singhot. Oh damn. She�s crying.

�Hey��
�I just want to prove him� That I�m still here� For him� So sorry� For loving him
so much��

And at that point, I felt really envious. I don�t know, but I actually think that
Tristan is really a lucky guy.
Right now, a girl is crying because he�s in pain.This girl is also feeling the pain
he has right now.�

SERENA�s POV:

Anu ba naman �to? I�m crying right now in front of this guy na kinamumuhian kong
talaga. I have shown my weak side. Kasi naman e.�
Then suddenly, I was greatly surprised.

�Sorry�� Lawrence said softly. His voice were like the voice of an angel to my
ears. Napatingala ako and then bigla niya akong niyakap.

I don�t know, pero parang nakuryente ang katawan ko as soon as I was locked into
his arms, hindi ako nagpumiglas, and my tears continued flowing down� But my heart
was thumping really fast.

�L-Lawrence��
�Sorry. I was just envious. Envious that a guy like him deserves to be liked by
such a girl.�

He was envious?

He gently pushed me away and I know that he was flushed red, ako rin e. Parang
kamatis na nga yung mukha ko.�
�Sige, go to sleep.� He said and left my room silently.

I was left standing in shock.

Bakit ganun? All about Tristan was erased the moment he hugged me.�
. . . . ?

NAH. Baka sadyang ganun lang talaga.

Haay ewan. What�s up with him suddenly hugging a girl?

I put my palms on my chest, bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko. He was envious of
Tristan because I like Tristan? WHOA.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I looked outside through the mirror, I was feeling mixed emotions.

Yeah, I admit. Nainggit talaga ako.
Bakit? Because Priscilla was never like her. Serena is too sweet� And I can feel
her sincerity that she really loves Tristan.

I got my fists and clenched.

Ang hindi ko maintindihan ay kung bakit ko nga ba siya niyakap?

Arrgh. Lawrence talaga o�

? 13 ?

SERENA�s POV:

The next day, parang bumalik sa dati. He was still the bossy Lawrence.�

We arrived in school, ayun, nauna ako sa room and I was bringing his stuffs. As I
stepped into the room, silence occurred.
Eyes are looking at me. Well, hindi pa rin ako sanay. Oo, sanay ako dati na
pinagtitinginan, but of course, alam ko na dahil yun sa may �Lawrence� na dumating,
dahil yun sa appeal ko.

I sat down quietly, lumingon ako, Cathy was silently staring at me.

She�s still mad at me. I still feel bothered and lonely. Bakit ganun siya? Hindi
niya ako maintindihan? Well, alam ko na hindi ko pa rin sinasabi sakanya yung
rason, pero dapat inalam naman niya kung anu yun di ba?
Haay, bahala na. This week is our last week. Clearance days na tomorrow, at ang
alam ko, wala nanaman kaming gagawin ngayon. Bale, tambay mode.

Haay, I wonder how is Tristan. I hope he�s doing fine.

--

�Serena!�

Dang. Tinatawag nanaman ako.

I went inside his room and he handed me a piece of paper.

�What is this for?� I asked.

�Go to that store for tomorrow�s modeling show. They�ll give you the clothes you�ll
wear.�
�Dito kukunin yung main item?� I asked.

Tumango siya.

�And the salon next to it is where you�ll go for your hairdress and make up. The
building next to that place is where the fashion show shall be held.�
Wow, napaka prepared.

�T-Teka, hindi ka ba sasama sakin?� I asked.

�I need to do more important things than being your company.��

Napasimangot ako.�

�I�ll have someone to pick you up tomorrow.� He said.

�I�ll accompany her.�

Napalingon kami, there was Andrew. He waved his hand on me and walked to us.

�I will go with you tomorrow.� He said and I was delighted. Buti pa �tong si
Andrew, napakfriendly, compared dito sa masungit na �to.
Lawrence looked at us na parang sinusuri kami.

�Nah. Hindi pwede.�

�Why not?� Andrew asked.
�Baka hindi pa kayo dumiretso sa show. Baka mag punta nanaman kayo kung saan,
delikado pa.�

�Hindi noh!� I squealed. Napakadumi mag isip. I know na medyo nag gala gala kami ni
Andrew noon, pero meron namang reasons for that. Tsk.�
�We�ll get into the show in time, promise!� I said with matching raising my hand,
Andrew did it too.
�Sige na.� Andrew and I pleaded. Sa tingin ko kasi, mas mage enjoy ako kung si
Andrew ang kasama ko kesa sa iba pang hindi ko naman kilala.

Lawrence gave his forced sigh. �Whatever. Basta pag pumalpak kayung dalawa, I�ll
make you pay.�

Tumango kami.

�Yes, bosssss!� We both said and gave a high five to each other.

--

�Come on.� Andrew was already riding on his motorbike.

�Hindi ba pwedeng mag kotse na lang?� I asked.

Natawa siya.

�Bakit naman?�
�Actually when we rode on your motorbike last time� Medyo kinakabahan ako.Alam ko
kasi prone sa accident yung mga sumasakay sa motor.� I said.
�Nah. Don�t worry. When you are riding with me, you�ll be safe. Promise.�

Napangiwi ako.

�Kasi�� I shrugged my shoulders. �Ewan ko ba, kinakabahan ako e.�

�Don�t be.�

Then he gave a trust-worth smile. Hay nako, ano pa nga ba.

�Alright, alright.� I jumped on.

�Hold on tight.�

A held on his jacket and we went on.�

--

�I�m Serena Velarde, I believe we made reservations here.� I told the receptionist
of the salon, she was glancing at Andrew, si Andrew naman pangiti ngiti. Playboy
talaga.

A lady came and asked me to come with her.

�Are you coming?� I asked Andrew na nakikipag ngitian pa rin dun sa girl.

He looked at me then he nodded.

�Siyempre.� He smiled again at the girl at naglakad papasok kasama ko.
�Akala ko poporma ka pa e.� I whispered.
�Nah. Hindi ko siya type?�

I gave him an �unbelievable� look.

�Pero nakipag ngitian ka? Nice.� He grinned at me again. Hay, nakakaloko talaga
ngumiti �to.
�Well, she seemed like very attracted on me, I can�t just ignore a fan of mine.�

And he passed by me. Napatigil ako saglit at napailing.

�Nacute-an lang sayo fan na agad? Hay nako naman..�

--

I was already having my make-up whe Andrew left to pick up the clothes I�ll wear.
Wew. I don�t realy wear too much make-up before, DUH. I�m not a kikay and I believe
that natural beauty attracts guys most.�

�I�ll put pink blush-on.� The lady said.

�Ahh.. Pwede bang wag na?� I asked.

She grinned at me.

�Hindi po pwede. Sabi po ni Sir Lawrence, we must make you the prettiest girl in
the show. You�re very pretty Ma�am, kaya siguro kaw yung napili ni Sir para sa puso
niya.�

I awkwardly smile. Kung alam niyo lang.

Hours had passed, unti-unti ko na ring nakikita yung results. Andrew was waiting
outside and the lady handed me the clothes I shall wear.

�E-Eto?� I asked.
�Yes, Ma�am.�

Wow, it�s pretty. Very. Ngayun ko lang nakita �tong style na �to ng damit. Sayang,
di sana dati ko pa �to nabili. Nung mayaman pa kami.

--

�I�m ready.�

I went out at nakikipag usap pala si Andrew to the receptionist, haay. Kunwari pang
hindi niya raw gusto.�

�Hey, Andrew.� I called him again, hindi pa rin ako pinapansin.

�Damn it, Andrew!�
�Serena��
He took a look on me na parang nashock.�
I raised my eyebrow kasi napapansin kong parang nakanganga na siya.
�Hey, Andrew. Ayus ka lang?� I asked him once again, he slowly shook his head at
natawa.

�Anung nakakatawa?� I asked him in confusion, I looked at myself, do I look funny?

�Wala. Wala. Natawa lang ako sa sarili ko. Don�t feel insecured.�

He stood up and walked to me. Nginitian ako again.

�You�re truly, very pretty.�

I don�t know, but it felt really nice. Kahit na marami nang nakapag sabi sakin nun
dati, his way of saying it made me smile.

�T-Thanks.�
�Come on.� He said and led the way.

Andrew is really good in sweet talk. Kaya siguro marami talagang nagkakagusto
sakanya.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I looked at my watch, nag simula na yung show at marami nang models ang nakarampa.
I�m not so sure if Andrew and Serena are already inside. Lagot sakin yung dalawang
yung pag hindi sila dumating.

I was looking at the models, magaganda sila, but nothing compared to Serena. I
know, I�ve called her ugly and insulted her before too, pero sa loob ko, I really
think she�s gorgeous.�
A lot of reportes have been bugging me about Serena, naaasar na nga ako e.

5 minutes had passed, asan nab a sila? Ni text wala!

Hindi na ako mapakali. It would be Serena�s turn. I dialed Andrew�s number.

�Hey, Andrew. Asan na kayo?�

�We�re here backstage.�
�Alright, I�m coming��
�Don�t.�

Natigilan ako.

�Bakit?� I asked.
�Watch out for Serena back there.�

Lalo akong naconfuse.

�Ha? Bakit?�
�Just trust me; she�s the most dazzling person you�ll ever see.�
�And now� For the main clothing of this show, designed by the famous designer��

I slowly put the phone down, it will be Serena.

I was waiting for her to come out; the people are waiting too� And finally..
�Ms. Serena Velarde!�

My eyes were focused to the place where she�ll come out.. And then I saw her
walking through the stage with her poise.
She has the face of an angel.

? 14 ?

SERENA�s POV:

[Bago rumampa]

I was sweating. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko, nangangatog din ang mga tuhod ko.
First time ko �to. Do this for P50, 000. Do this for P50, 000.

�Chill, Serena.� Andrew gave me water. Ininum ko nang straight. O damn. Hindi ko na
ata kaya �to.
�Naku Andrew, pwede ba mag backout?�
�Ikaw, kung gusto mong mapatay ka ni Lawrence.�

Whoa. No thanks.

�Ayuko na talaga..!�
�Ayan na, you�re next. Inhale, exhale.�

I did as I was told and gave the glass of water to Andrew.

�Wish me luck.� I whispered.

��.Serena Velarde!�

I took a deep breath and walked out on stage. It was really bright. Madaming tao,
pero hindi ako nagpahalata na namangha ako. I slowly walked in stage like a model.

Like how Dad taught me to walk straight before.

Napangiti ako as I remembered Dad.�

I�m doing this for Dad. RIGHT. I�m certainly doing this for Dad only.

I was walking with my chin up and proper posture. I was looking around and smiling,
but then suddenly, as I reached the edge of the stage, pronto!

Everything was ruined!

Due to my high heels, I fell on stage! Napapikit ako and I really felt that I fell
on someone. Hindi ako makadilat. Nakakahiya!

�Hey� You may get off me now.�� This irritation voice�

Napadilat ako.

�L-Lawrence!� His face and mine are really close, damn it. I immediately went away.

�S-Sorry!� I said.

He didn�t react; instead he pulled me together with him.

�She�s adorable and sweet. She may be suffering from princess syndrome sometimes
but she�s really nice. She may be clumsy, but that�s what is cute about her.�

I got red, at napatingin ako sakanya. What�s up with him suddenly saying such
things?
Suddenly, camera lights suddenly flashed on us. Whoa. What�s up with all these
cameras?!

�L-Lawrence.. Masyadong� Maliwanag�� I complained.

I saw him make a simple grin.

�Come on.�

He held my hand and pulled me away with him and we ran through the crowd, nagulat
ako.
�Hey! Paano yung show--?�
�It�s over!�

Tapos na? Hala.

But despite my confusion, I just followed him to wherever he�ll go to.

--

We went to the rooftop, it was already dark that time, nakasandal ako sa handles
tapos siya rin. Ewan ko kung nakit niya ako dinala dito, but it�s really nice up
here.
�Hey, bakit tayo nagpunta dito?�
�Didn�t you say it was bright down there?� He said. �That�s why I brought you up in
the rooftop. Yet there are only stars and the moon to lit the place up, I�m sure
there�s still light. Right?�

Napangiti ako.

�Wow, rhyming words.� I teased him. Medyo natawa rin siya.

�Nah, it is really because I feel very peaceful up here. Don�t you think so?�
He asked me then looked up.

�Yeah.�

Lumalakas ang simoy ng hangin, natahimik kaming dalawa, until he suddenly spoken
up.
�� Today, you really look nice.� He suddenly said.

Napatingin ako sakanya.

�I know na alam mo na yun, but then, I�d like to tell you you�re beautiful.�

I don�t know, pero alam ko namula ako run and I can�t speak. Come on, Serena.
You�re used to be talked to like that.
I wanted to thank him, pero hindi ko nagawa.

�Shocked?� He asked me.

Tumango ako pero hindi pa rin ako tumitingin sakanya.

�Well, you should be. I was only kidding after all.�

�A-Ano?�
�Nah�I mean. I was kidding when I said before you�re ugly.��

Phew. I thought that all he said just now is a joke.. Well, I�d feel disappointed.

�Here�s your gift certificate.� He handed me a certificate worth P50, 000.

�You can buy your clothes tomorrow. I�m giving you a day off.�

I was delighted. �R-Really?!��

�Oo� Alam ko na isang buwan ka na ring nakatira samin, and I know, that you�re used
to changing clothes monthly.�

Napangiti ako.
�O-Oo� E��
�Then ask someone to accompany you. Baka mawala ka pa tomorrow.�
�I have my own car�Ahh.. Wala na nga pala�� I felt a bit sad after realizing that I
already lost it too, but I did not let it spoil the mood.

�Then Lawrence� Are you free tomorrow?� I asked.

He looked a bit surprise.

�You�re my secretary right? You should now about my sched.�

Natawa ako. Nga pala.

�Then you�re free. Won�t you come with me instead?��
�Ha? Why not Andrew?� He asked.

I smiled.

�Lagi nanaman siya ang kasama ko, and I think he�s going out tomorrow with the
receptionist in the salon.� I said.
�E si� Tristan?�

I smiled again.

�Nah. Tristan� I want to give him space to think about stuffs and such.�

He was silenced. �I� I�m boring, you know. Kaya it won�t be fun to be with me.�

I giggled. �Do you think I don�t know you? Alam ko na bahay, school at office ka
lang. Baka nga napiitan ka langd ati pumuntabg Timog e. Nung una tayong nagkita.�

Napangiwi siya.

�Come on, it�ll be fun.�

�Ano bang gagawin natin?� He asked.

�We�ll shop and watch movies and eat. I�ll pay, wag kang mag alala!��
�Tss. Baka nga para sa damit mo lang yung 50k e.��

I pouted. �I also have my salary from you, right?� I asked. �Tara na, siyempre
titipirin ko yun para may panggastos din ako� Kaya baka cheap lang mabili ko, pero
sana, ayus lang yun.��

He stared at me for awhile.

�Bakit-?�
�Alright� Since you insist. Pero wag mo akong sisisihin kung mabore ka.�
�Yes, Sir!�

--
�You�re driving?� I asked him kasi wala si Mang Gabo the next day.
�It will be a long day, right? Ayoko namang abalahin pa si Mang Gabo for today.�
He opened the door for me.

�Come in.�

Tumango ako.

�O-Okay..� I said at pumasok na sa loob. He went in afterwards. I wore the

seatbelt.

�Let�s go!�

--

We arrived in Glorietta. Wee! Tagal ko ring hindi nakapunta dito. We started

walking inside, and though maraming tao ang nakatingin samin, I don�t really care.
I pulled his sleeve.

�Wag ka nga masyado lumayo, baka mawala ka, sinu maghahatid satin pauwi?��
�Oo na.. So, san tayo?�

LAWRENCE�s POV:

As we entered the mall, people started looking at us. Dang, hindi ako sanay sa
maraming tao, although sa parties, sanay ako, I mean yung sa mga social parties,
sanay ako� Sa mga malls hindi e.

She leads the way and we entered in a boutique.�

She chooses clothes habang ako nakatingin lang sakanya. She seemed enjoying. She
then handed me a pair of shades.

�Wear this.�
�HUH?� I asked.
�Come on, it�ll suit you.�

She put it on for me.

�See? Pogi mo na lalo.�

I removed it.

�I don�t wear shades.� I told her.

�Ngayun, magsusuot ka na.�

She said and left me, nagpunta naman sa clothes section. Ito talagang babaeng �to.
I followed her around. She handed me a polo.

�Try this on. Dali.�

I gave a sigh.

�I thought it will be your shopping day and not mine?�

�Uh-huh. I know.� She smiled. �But to think about it, almost all the clothes you
were are for office purposes or the uniform of our school. Yun lang. I want to see
you wear casual clothes.�
�It won�t suit me.� I told her.
�It will. Tsaka bakit mo pa ako tinatanggihan? This is my way to thank you. Though
alam ko na mas mahal pa yung coat and tie mo kesa dito, I still want to give you
something in return.�

Umiling ako.

�You don�t need to give anything for me in return.� I told her.�

�Eeee. This is my own will, wag ka nga umangal.�

She said sabay inirapan ako nad proceeded to the next batch of clothes. Ito talaga
babaeng ito�

--

We finished shopping, at sa totoo lang, mas marami pa yung binili niya para sakin
kesa sa binili niya para sa sarili niya. Well� I�m really grateful, pero ewan ko,
hindi ko masabi e.

�Wanna eat?� I asked her.

�Eat na agad?�
�We�ve been going shopping for 3 hours. Di ka pa nagugutom?� I asked her.
�Medyo, tara! Dun tayo sa Kenny R.�

She pulled me with her again, mahilig talagang manghatak ito. � ��

Kumain kami nang marami, and I was about to pay for the meal, pero she stopped me.

�Ako na, di ba? It�s my treat today.�

�Hey, you will have nothing left kung ikaw ang magbabayad pati nito, you still want
to watch movies right? I�ll pay for the meal�
�Pero��
�It�s my thank you for buying stuffs for me.�

I finally told her and she shut up, alam ko napangiti siya saglit at tumango siya.

SERENA�s POV:

We chose a horror movie. I�m not really used to watching stuffs like this,
matatakutin ako e, pero kung si Lawrence ang kasama ko, a cold guy, hindi siguro
ako matatakot.

We bought popcorns and drinks at dun kami sa taas umupo.�

�Are you sure you�d want to watch a thing like this?� He asked me.
�O-Oo naman. Bakit, natatakot ka?�
�Tsk. Of course not, but it�ll be troublesome if you suddenly grab onto me.�

I reddened.

�Hell no. Hindi ako kakapit sayo kahit anong takot ko��

Tssk. I won�t. Really, won�t!

? 15� ?

Nangangatog na ako. The film are about� zombies, the caricatures I hate the most!
Napapapikit ako, oh darn. Aatakihin na ata ako sa puso.

�WAAHH!� I yelled together with the people, napatingin ako kay Lawrence. He was
looking at me na parang nagpipigil sa tawa.
�AARGH!�

Damn it. Ayoko na, mamamatay na ako sa sobrang takot.�

AYOKOOO NAAAA!

�WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH~!� I yelled once again and at that point, hindi ko na

napigilan ang sarili ko and I grabbed him and hugged him tight.

�WAAHHH!!!� I yelled again.

�S-Serena--?�
�P-Please� Just this time� Wag ka na umangal muna��I said na nangingig yung boses.

And then, he suddenly held my shoulder and hugged me tighter.

�Alright, stay there.�

Ba-thump. Ba-thump. Ba-thump.

Why am I suddenly feeling like this?! Oh dang, oo na, tiis na muna�

--

We went out of the movie house, kabado pa rin akong ewan, I can�t believe myself.
I�m still red even after the film and I did not understand the movie.

�So� You want to go home now?� He asked me. Tumango ako. �T-Tara na��

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I stopped the car, nakarating na kami sa bahay e.

�Serena��

She was fast asleep.�

I tried to wake her up, pero ayaw, nilakasan ko nga, and then she accidentally
leaned on me.

She�s still asleep. Tulog mantika.

I slowly looked at her face. Her eyes, her nose, then to her lips � Oh� damn. I�m
not feeling this. Stop it, Lawrence.

Kinakabahan ako, ewan ko kung bakit. Please wake up already, habang napipigilan ko
pa ang sarili ko. Wake up�

�You� What� Do I really� Mean to you?�

She talked again in her sleep.

Maybe, it�s probab;y still Tristan.

Then suddenly her phone rang.

It was on her hand, pero hindi pa rin siya nagigising kaya kinuha ko.
It was Tristan. The guy� This girl likes.

I answered the call, nakasandal pa rin sakin si Serena that time.

�Hello?�
�H-Hello?�

He replied na parang nagtataka.

�W-Who�s this?� He asked.

�It�s Lawrence. Lawrence Montealegre.�
�Oh� Serena�s� Fiance?�
�Yeah.�

It was silence.

�May I speak with her?�

�I�d like to give her the phone, but she�s asleep right now. Just call back
tomorrow. Bye.� And I ended the call.

Disturbance.

�Serena, wake up already.�

Wala pa rin.

�SERENAAA!� I yelled on her ear, bigla siyang nagising at napatayo, tumama tuloy
yung ulo niya sa ilong ko.

�Aray-!�
�L-Lawrence!� She exclaimed sabay lingon sa paligid, ako naman, hawak ko yung ilong
ko.

�Ang sakit��
�A-Ay, sorry!�
�Tss. Baba na, nandito na tayo.� I told her at bumaba na rin ako.

SERENA�s POV:

Haay, buti na lang nagising ako. Why would I dream of Lawrence?!�

Binatukan ko yung sarili ko. ARUUYY!
Ampf naman! Ang weird ko talaga. It was a scene at the rooftop where we met last
night.�

I was standing at the edge of the rooftop and he�s in the opposite edge toom and I
asked him, �What do I mean to you?� .. Wew. WEIRD. Siguro dahil lang sa kasama ko
siya ngayun, anyway, bakita parang bigla siyang nawala sa mood?
Tss. Whatever.

--

It was the start of sembreak the next day. Wew. I went to Lawrence�s office with
Him. Nakakatamad nga e. Puro kasi siya utos. Feel na feel niya maging acting�
Boss ko. DUUHHH. Kuhanin mo �to. Kuhanin mo yun. Astigen. Tsk. Pasalamat siya
Mabaet ako.

�Get the papers on from Katrina.�

�Yes Sirrrr.� I said in a irritating tone.
�May reklamo?� He asked.

I smiled, fake.

�Wala hooo SIIIRRRRR.�

Inirapan ko tapos lumabas na ako from his office. Tsk. Makikita mo.� Trust me,
magsisisisi ka inaalila mo �ko.
I took the papers from Katrina and handed it to him.

�Heto na po, Sir.�

�Quit calling me Sir. We�re in the office, kunwari tinutulungan mo lang ako as my
fianc�e.� He told me.
�Ay sorry po.� I said and sat down.

�Wala ka na ipapagawa?� I asked.

�Bakit, gusto mo dagdagan ko?� He asked me.
�Tss, Joke lang po.�
�Yeah, you�re free now.�

Then the door suddenly opened.

�Hiya! Guys.� It was Andrew. Great! May makakausap na rin akong matino.�
�What brought you here?� Lawrence asked.
�Wala lang, wala kasi akong magawa ngayun e. Pwede ko bang hiramin muna si Serena?�
He asked.

Yahhooo!

�Oo naman! It�s my free time��

�Who told you?� Lawrence suddenly asked. Kaasar �to ah. Kakasabi niya lang di ba?
�I-Ikaw.�
�I was kidding.��

Ampuge ah. When I finally had my break, bigla namang binawi. Arrgh!

�Aww. Then I�m going off. Bibili ako ng food, and I�ll give you some, �kay?� Andrew
said.
�I�ll go with you!� I said then looked at Lawrence.

�Dali na, Lawrence, we�ll go back as soon as possible. Sige na��.� I put my hands
on his table and stared at him eye to eye with puppy eyes.�

�W-What are you doing? Get away.�

He gently pushed me away and his nose got red and his cheeks too. Weird.

�Tara na Serena.� Andrew pulled me away.

�Pero hindi pa siya pumapayag��
�His last words meant �okay�.�

Then we went out of the room.�

LAWRENCE�s POV:

Oh dang. What was that feeling? Quit it, Lawrence. You�re being foolish.�

Honestly, I�ve been bothered by myself this past few days. I�m acting weird.
REALLY, weird.�
Napailing ako. I�m getting insanely bothered.

After a while, they arrived bringing a box of pizza, ice cream and some soft
drinks.

�Here we are.� Serena said and put the box on my table.

�Serena, Drew, this is not an eating place. This is office. Eat somewhere else.� I
told them and gave them a cold look.
�How mean. We brought this huge chocolate flavor because Andrew said it�s your
favorite. Malakas ka raw kumain pag ito e.� She told me.�

Damn it, I glared at Andrew, he looked on the other side to avoid my eyes. This
kid.

�That isn�t true. I dislike ice creams.� I replied.�

She frowned.

�WEEHHH. Stop lying��

�I dislike them!�

SERENA�s POV:

I was a bit surprised when he yelled like that. Ang sungit. Kung ayaw niya di wag,
dib a? DUUHHH. As if namang pinipilit ko siya.�

�P-Pasensya naman! You don�t need to yell like that.�

Parang nagulat din siya sarili niya, Andrew tapped my back.

�May nakalimutan tayong bilhin, Serena.� Andrew said then winked at me.�
I got the sign.

--

�Priscilla is the one who introduced him the ice cream stuff.� We went into the
rooftop of the building and he began telling me the story.

�Talaga?� I asked.

He nodded.

�Every time they see each other, they eat ice cream. Kaya ayun, now that they had
broken up with each other, parang he started to hate the whole world.� Andrew said
then looked at me.

�Pasensya na kung nasigawan ka. You just can�t blame him, can you?��

I gave a sigh. I understand.

�Oo, I actually did not hate him because of that instantly, naisip ko rin namang
may rason.� I answered. �Hey Andrew, you�re actually a nice guy huh. Parang you
know much about Lawrence.�

He chuckled. �Hindi naman, it�s just that we grew up together though we are only
stepbrothers. Now that you�ve spent times with him, what do you think about him
now?� He asked me.

�Hmmm..� I thought for a moment.

�Anu nga ba?� I asked myself. �Well, he�s mean, serious� And that makes him
awfully, cool. Minsan mabait naman, kaso biglang magagalit� To summarize that all��

I smiled. �He�s mysterious yet, I know he�s somehow a good guy.�

Andrew smiled back at me.

�Wow, that�s a lot to say, pero marami ka pang malalaman. Trust me. You have just
spent only about two months pero marami ka nang naexperience with us.�

Tumango ako.

�Yeah, yeah. I think so too.� I replied. �Let�s go back.� I said.

Tumango na rin siya and we went on our way.

--

We stopped at the door of the office, but we heard an unusual voice inside. A girl.

�Lawrence, why are you being so cold?� � She said.

Natigilan ako. Who could it be inside? I gently pushed the door and took a peek as
well as Andrew.

I saw a really, pretty girl. REALLY. She could match up to me.

�Who� Is she�?� I asked.

�She�s Priscilla.�� Andrew said in a serious tone, I looked back at him.
�Priscilla?�

He nodded.

�Yeah. The only girl Lawrence has fallen for.�

? 16 ?

I was surprised. The only girl�?

�She� She is the only one�?� I asked.

He nodded.

�Uh-huh.�

�Why did you go back?� It was Lawrence. He said it with cold tone. Alam ko, na he
is a really cold person, pero mas malamig yung boses niya as he talks to Priscilla.

�W-Why?�It�s because of you. Gusto kitang makita ulit. I miss you so much.�

Silence.

��And?�

I was surprised with what he said. Is this how much he hates the girl?

�Come on, Lawrence, Let�s get back together. Let�s go back to US. Alam ko na
mahirap para sayo ang patawarin ako but I can�t live without you. Please,
Lawrence.�

She started crying, I wanted to go inside and stop Lawrence from maltreating her,
but Andrew held me.

�Don�t go.�
�But she is��
�Hey, don�t forget how Lawrence was hurt because of her.�

I was startled.

�I still love you� And I know that you still love me, so let�s not make it hard for
the two of us.�
�No, I don�t.� Lawrence said. �There is another girl I like. Don�t you watch the
news?�
�Lawrence?�
�I like Serena. I like her more than I do to you. You�re easy to forget, Priscilla.
So don�t expect me to go back together with you.��
I reddened, and bigla akong kinabahan na ewan. My heart thumped really fast. Come
on now, bakit ako natuwa sa sinabi niya?
Don�t be so weird, Serenaaaaa!

�Then� Then where is she?� She asked.

Suddenly, Andrew pushed me.

�Go.� He whispered.

I stepped in, at nakita ako nila Lawrence.

�There she is.��

I awkwardly smiled. �H-Hi?�

Priscilla stared at me for awhile, then looked at Lawrence.

�What�s this? You replaced me with her?� Priscilla asked.
�Yeah.� Lawrence answered then he stood up and walked to me.

Inakbayan niya ako and then looked at Priscilla.

�She�s way better than you, isn�t she?� He added.

Umiling iling si Priscilla. �I can�t believe it.� She said then walked backwards.�

�I�m gonna get you back, Lawrence! Definitely!� She said and ran, but Lawrence
called her.

�Priscilla, don�t forget to attend the wedding.�

I heard her cry even more and ran out of the room. As soon as there was no trace of
her, I pushed Lawrence.

�How can you hurt her feelings so much?� I asked him. �You made her cry!�
�Just sit and shut up.� He said then went back on his seat.

Feeling ko sasabog na ako sa inis.

�I don�t know how much she has hurt you, but she had enough pain. Hindi mo na sana
dinagdagan pa!��

Lawrence suddenly stood up and glared at me.

�Don�t tell me what to do. Don�t forget what you are in here. I am paying you to do
stuffs for me, pero wala ata sa kontrata ang maging guro kita. � He said and left
the room. Natigilan ako, I was partly hurt. Siyempre, ikaw ba naman sabihan nun e.�
Andrew tapped my back.

�Forgive him. He was just tensed and all. Hindi niya kasi ineexpect ang sudden
arrival ni Priscilla.�
�I don�t understand, Andrew. Parang mahal niya pa rin naman si Priscilla e. Di ba?�

Andrew shrugged his shoulders.

�That may be� Pro hindi naman ibig sabihin nun na porket she wants him back and he
likes her, babalik na agad siya kay Priscilla. Lawrence� Is not a person to forgive
and forget. Once he gets hurt, it�s a bit impossible to take him back from whatever
he was. He is really strong in physical and all, but he�s weak and fragile.�

I sat down on the chair in front of Andrew.

�It seems like you know a lot talaga�� I muttered.

�Yeah, haha. Kaya nga ayokong mainlove kasi baka matulad ako kay Lawrence.� He
chuckled.

I bit my lower lip.

�I don�t understand. Ano ba talagang nangyari?�

He just grinned at me.

�It will be best to just ask him.� Andrew told me.

�Will he tell me?� I asked. Natawa siya.
�I guess not, but you�d lose nothing of you try.�

I took a deep breath. I don�t know I really went overboard, pero sana mapatawad
niya ako at sabihin niya sakin whatever that is.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

As soon as Andrew and Serena left me, dumating na agad siya. Priscilla came into my
office with the same look when I left her, but her eyes were filled with
loneliness, but I did not let myself get hooked on it.

I can�t forget the day I saw her kissing a friend of mine from the University. It
was the night of the school�s party. Sinabi kong uuwi na ako, but I did not because
I forgot something� And I caught them kissing.

Sickening huh.�

Aaaahhh. I forgot too. I yelled and told Serena some mean stuffs. I did not mean
any of those, uminit lang ang ulo.
But �sorry� isn�t also in my vocabulary too. Tss. Bahala na.

SERENA�s POV:

Nakasakay kami sa car. I wanted to ask him, pero hindi ko magawa. He was like angry
and all. I was only taking glances of him when he suddenly looked back at me. Oops,
buti nakaiwas agad ako.

He looked out to the window once again and I started looking at him again.

Ampf naman oh. Paano ko ba siya tatanungin?

�What do you need?� He asked me.

Oh dang.

�H-Ha? � I asked.
�You�ve been looking at me. Ano? Anong kailangan mo?�

I bit my lower lip.

�I� Just want to say sorry� For telling you unnecessary stuffs and all��
�You�re forgiven.�

I was surprised.

�H-Ha?�� I asked.
�No, mali. You�ll be forgiven once you come with me to the party. Tomorrow.�

I frowned.

�Party?� I asked.
�Yeah. It will be Priscilla�s party. Come and be my date. Pretend to be my fianc�e
and you�ll be forgiven.�

I gave a sigh.

�A-Are you sure you want to do this?� I asked.

He looked at me with eyes in state of confusion.

�I� I just think that you� Like her��

The car stopped.

�We�re here.�
AMPF.

He went down the car and left me. Anu ba naman �tong buhay na �to o. Anu ba
talagang gagawin ko?

--

Nakahiga ako sa kama habang nakikipagusap kay Tristan through phone.

�R-Really? Pupunta ka rin bukas?� I asked him.

�Yep. Do you miss me?� He asked.�

Napangiti ako.

�Siyempre, namimiss kita. It�s been three days since we last saw each other.
Kamusta ka na?... Have you moved on?� I asked him with worry-tone.
�Yeah. It�s all thanks to you. I thought already that I was wrong to like a girl
like her�Know, mali pa nga eh. I did not actually like her because I have someone
else that I like..�

Natigilan ako.

��Ahh. How weird noh? I looked around too much that I forgot that there is somebody
for me.�
�Tris--?�
My door opened and there came Lawrence.

�It�s dinner time.�� He called me.�

Aww!
�S-Sige, Tris, I�m going! Bye! Kaen ka na rin hah?� I said then ended the call. I
was curious about what he�ll say, kaso dumating naman si Lawrence. I stood up from
bed.

�Anong pagkaen?� I asked.

�It�s pork steak.� He said. �Were you talking to Tristan just now?��

I nodded.

�Yep. He�s coming to the party tomorrow. Anyway, I haven�t introduced you to him
right? I�ll do��
�You don�t need to tell me full details of what your plans are.� He turned his back
on me. �Come down, fast.��

He went out of my room.

I raised my eyebrows.

�How mean!!�

--

Andrew, Lawrence and I came into a salon again.

�Bakit ba kailangan pang mag pasalon? Parang nung isang araw lang galing ako rito�
Andito nanaman ako.� I complained.
�This is a special day. Go in. We�ll pick up your dress.� Lawrence told me.
�Ikaw nanaman ang pipili?� I asked.
�I know what�s best for you. Go.�

He said and pushed me in. I shook my head in disgust. Araw na araw na pafacial?
Ampfness. I feel really insulted with this. Pangit ba ako para magpafacial every
now and then?!

--

I wore the dress he told me to. It looks good on me, yeah, pero bakita nga kaya
grabeng paghahanda �to for the party? Tsk.

�How is it?� I asked.

�You look good as usual.� Andrew praised me. I smiled at him.�
�Thanks.�� I said then looked at Lawrence.

�And you? Comment?� I asked him. He stared at me for awhile.

�No comment. Tara na.� He held my hand � I dunno. But I felt weird when he touched
me, pero hindi ko na hinatak pabalik pa yung kamay ko, ewan ko rin kung bakit, but
I know I reddened in embarrassment. Arrgh.

I looked back and saw Andrew looking at us.

�Andrew-?�

He was like surprised, but he smiled at me.

�I-I�m coming.�

--

The party was in a really big hotel. It is the hotel where I spent my debut last
year. The same place too. Maraming tao, pasosyalan talaga. Well, I can say na I
really match up with them since there is Lawrence.

Andrew entered first, maghahanap ata ng chicks.�

�Anong gagawin natin?� I asked.

He raised his hand.

�Hold my hand.�� He told me.
�Ha?� I asked.
�I have held your hand a while ago to show you how it�s like, so now, hold my hand.
Tight; and never let go.�

I blushed a bit, what�s up with that?

I slowly put my hands over his, and as our fingers interwined, my heart skipped a
beat. Ewan ko kung bakit ganito� Pero it is really, weird.

We entered the hall at nakisalamuha sa iba. Businessmen, politicians� Everyone.

They are all in here. Is this really how rich Priscilla�s family is?

�Miguel family is famous for cruise ships.�� Lawrence whispered.

�Oh�� I muttered.�

I was looking around, nandito na kaya si Tristan?

�Who are you looking for?� Lawrence asked me.

�Si Tris. Pupunta kasi siya rito e.� I replied.�

I saw him walking to us. I waved at him, but then, Lawrence�s grip got tighter.
Napatingin ako sakanya.

�Lawrence-?�

? 17 ?

Tristan tapped my shoulder.

�Hey, Serena.��

I was delighted and I forgot about Lawrence.

�Hey Tris! Buti nakapunta ka.�� I said.

�Siyempre.� He replied then looked at me, to Lawrence, to our hands. Oh damn. I
tried to pull my hand away, but Lawrence did not let go.

�Hi.� Lawrence greeted Tristan, without smiling.

�Hi.� Tristan greeted back.

Silence. Lawrence pinched my palm.

Oh right.

�Umm, Tristan, this is Lawrence� My� Uh� Fiance.�� I introduced. �And Lawrence,
this is Tris, my best friend.�
They gave each other smiles, pero matipid lang.
�It�s good to finally meet you while you�re awake.� Lawrence said. �There are many
instances that I�ve seen you, but I haven�t properly introduced myself.��
�Yeah. � I called you once, Serena. But Lawrence answered it instead.�

I frowned.

�Kelan yun?� I asked.

�Last night? I guess?�

I looked at Lawrence.
�Why didn�t you tell me?��
�Nakalimutan ko.�

I pouted. Nakalimutan� I never thought that a person like him would actually forget
a simple thing. Baka nga yung mathematicians sa mundo e memorize niya, eto pa kaya
na simple lang. Tss.

�Lawrence.�

Napalingon kaming tatlo, there was Priscilla. All eyes were on the four of us.�

�Heyy.�Priscilla.� Andrew came too.

Kaya there is five of us.

�Priscilla.� Lawrence muttered.

She walked and hugged Lawrence.

�I thought you won�t come�� I was startled for a while. Hindi ako nakaimik, pero
Lawrence pushed her away.

�You don�t need to do that thing in front of so many people.� Lawrence told her. I
saw in her expression that she was disappointed.�

�S-Sorry. Anyway, do you want to eat? I�ll get you food.��

�No. No thanks, we just ate. We just came here to show you that I�m not affected
anymore.�

Lawrence! Ano nanaman �to?

Kung ako ang nasa posisyon ni Priscilla, masasaktan ako nang sobra. I want to tell
Lawrence to stop, kaso baka naman mabuking kami.

�S-So, Serena, Lawrence� And--?�

�Tristan.�
�Oh, Tristan. Let�s get something to eat.� Good job, Andrew. Good job.

We walked away from Priscilla, I mad a last glance of her, and she was looking
awful. I feel pity of her.�

�So, how are you, Serena?�

Actually, magkahawak kamay pa rin kami ni Lawrence habang kumakain. Ewan ko ah,
pero OA na ito.�

�I�m fine� Ikaw?� I asked him.

�Ayus lang ako. Nakita na kita e.�
I reddened. Lawrence coughed.

�O, ayus ka lang?�I asked him and handed him a glass of water.�
�Oo.� He replied sabay inom.

I tried to eat the pork, pero natanggal sa tinidor ko. Ampf. Ayaw kasi bumitaw ni
Lawrence e. It slipped through my dress. Nice. Mag aamoy baboy ako!

�Ay!� I exclaimed. I tooma tissude at pinunasan ko.

�Ay ano ba yan, Serena.� Lawrence took some too at tinulungan akong mag punas sa
damit.

�Kasi naman, if it�s eating time, we use both hands, diba?� Tristan suddenly said.

Lawrence stopped and looked at him.

�Yeah. We know that.� Lawrence replied, pero alam ko na medyo naasar siya run. Kasi
naman ee.

�No, it�s okay� Ayus lang sakin.� I said. �Clumsy naman kasi talaga ako.�� I
reasoned out.

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I got a little irritated with that Tristan. Tsk. What right does he have to tell me
what to do? Tss. He�s just a best friend and I�m the fianc� � Well, alam ko, hindi
naman totoo� Pero sa mata niya, he must think that way. Besides, only Serena likes
him. It is definitely unrequited love like what Serena told me before.

I drank the red wine.

�Were you irritated?� Andrew suddenly came. Nga pala, I left Serena to talk with
Tristan. Kahit na mainit ang dugo ko run, they left me no choice.

�Nah. Bakit naman ako magagalit?� I asked.

�I said, irritated, not mad.� He said sabay tawa.

Umiling ako. �Tss. What�s the difference between that?... And why would I get
irritated over that small thing?� I asked him.
�Well, he really said STUFF na medyo kahit ako e kaiinisan ko.� Andrew said. �I
thought that Serena is the only one who likes the guy� Hindi pala unrequited love
yun after all.�

Napatingin ako kay Andrew.

�What do you mean?�

He looked back at me at natawa.

�Curious?� He asked.
�Tsk. NAHHH. Kung ayaw mong sabihin, e di wag.�
�Ha ha. Baka kasi masaktan ka.��

I frowned. He showed me his irritating smile again.

�Bakit naman ako masasaktan? Me� Towards Serena� We�re not like what you think at
all. We�re like� Friends. In a way..� I told Andrew and took a sip from my wine
glass.

�E di bakit ka nairritate sa sinabi nung Tristan?�

�Maangas kasi� He doesn�t have the right to tell me what to do. Tss.�
�Or is it because you have feelings towards Serena?�
�W-What-?�

Good timing.

�Lawrence!� Serena came with Tristan. Tss. Nasira nanaman ang mood ko. She walked
to me with a smile and reached my hand. I don�t know, but I felt a bit surprised,
pero hindi ako nagpahalata.

Wew. What again is this awkward feeling?

--

SERENA�s POV:

Lawrence and I were still holding hands kahit na nasa balcony kami nung hotel.
There was silence between me and him. Ayokong awayin siya, kasi sa tingin ko
sobrang sakit talaga ng nangyari sakanya to the point na ginaganun niya si
Priscilla.�

�Uh� Lawrence�� I uttered and took a glance at him, wala siyang reaction.

�I know na wala akong right para makielam sa buhay mo� Kasi kontrata lang naman
tayo� but then, we have been together for two months, kaya medyo nag aaalala ako
sayo e��
�Get it straight to the point.�� He said.

I gave a sigh and looked at him.

�What actually happened between you and Priscilla?�� I asked.

Napayuko siya. Aww.

�Kung ayaw mong sabihin, ayus lang��

�She cheated behind my back.�
�Ha?��

He took a deep breath and let go of my hand.

�It was the night of the school�s party. She invited me out though I don�t really
attend parties and all, but because she�s special to me� I went with her. After a
few hours, I forgot about something and decided to go home.�
�And?�
�But I forgot to give her something too��
�Makakalimutin ka palang tao.�

He gave me a glare.

�Ahem. Continue.� Ha ha. Lakas trip nanaman ako.

��And I returned, and I found her. Kissing a friend of mine.�

I was a bit surprised. Kasi sa tono niya, parang nasaktan nga talaga siya. I was
not able to response, kasi alam kong may idadagdag pa siya run.
�Sobrang sakit yung naramdaman ko. I rushed to the both of them, at siyempre,
nasuntok ko. Wala akong nagawa para pigilan yung galit ko. The next day, she
apologized, but I did not accept her back. I�m not a forgiving person and I am� A
person with pride.�
�But don�t you love her?� I asked him.

He was silenced.

�As a person who loves� You should overlook things. Siguro nga, nasaktan ka niya,
but isn�t a sincere apology enough for you to accept her back? Naiintindihan ko
yung pakiramdam na niloko ka.� Parang gumuho na rin ang mundo ko nung nalaman ko na
may iba si Tristan, and yet, kahit na ganun kasakit yung nangyari sakin� I still
accepted him back. Kasi alam ko na kailangan niya ako� And because I love him. I
love him so much na� Na kahit na hindi niya ako gusto� Na kahit na sobrang sakit
na��

A teardrop fell from my eye.�

�Nagagawa ko pa ring ngumiti sa harap niya...�

I wiped my tears away. Ano ba naman �to o.

�Pasensya ka na umiiyak pa ako. Naaalala ko lang kasi yung reality.�

But then, he suddenly hugged me. I was VERY surprised. VERY talaga.
�L-Lawrence�?�
�Why didn�t I meet you first?��

I was startled na ewan. What does he mean? Oh come on. Hindi ako manghuhula!

�A-Anong sinasabi mo?�

�It�s a waste� If I had met you first before anyone did��

He gently pushed me away.

�Maybe it was you whom I fell in love with.�

My heart started beating faster and faster. Alright, this is becoming too weird.
Bakit niya sinabi yun at bakit naman ganito ang reaction ko?!

Silence occurred, and then he suddenly chuckled.

�Forget it. Imposible namang mangyari yun. Wala namang time machine na
makakapagpabalik satin� And even though there is, it�s impossible for me to fall in
love with a girl like you. Spoiled, reklamador, lakwatsera��

Tinubuan ako ng mga sungay. How insulting!!

�How mean of you! Pasensya ka na po ah! Ganun kasi talaga akoooo!��

�I�ll say this just once, you�re cute though you�re like that.�

Natigilan nanaman ako, and I became red.�

�Why are you making fun of me?!�

Oh dang. Kahit na alam kong hindi naman totoo yung sinabi niya, I still want to
think it�s real�

Ang weird ko talaga!

? 18 ?

We�re back to the party. Lawrence started socializing with his peer. Ako naman,
andito lang sa tabi tabi. Ayoko sa mga ganitong parties, I want the wild ones.
Halata naman di ba? Feeling ko kasi pang mga geeks ang mga ganitong parties.

�Hey Serena.�� Andrew approached me. Tristan also disappeared.

�Hey, Andrew.�� I greeted back.

�How are you?� He asked.
�I�m bored. VERY, bored.� I told him.

He chuckled.

�Me either. Wanna sneak out?�

I was surprised.�
�Sneak out?��
�Uh-huh. Let�s change clothes and go somewhere fun.��

I thought for a moment.

�Pero baka magalit si Lawrence.� I answered,

He chuckled.

�Why would he? Tss. He just brought you here to make Pris jealous right? It�s done.
Tara na.�
�He�ll get mad, alam ko.� I said.
�Bakit naman? How do you say so?� He asked. �Dahil ba sa he likes you at baka mag
worry siya pag bigla ka nawala?�

I reddened.

�What nonsense!�� I exclaimed.

Natawa siya.�
�Tama ba ako?�
�Anu bang pinagsasasabi mo diyan? DUUH. Lawrence doesn�t like me. He still likes
that Priscilla. It�s still her.�
�Does it hurt?�

I reddened even more at nahampas ko siya.

�Andrew! I like Tristan� At imposible para sakin ang magkagusto sakanya. Stop
making fun of me.� I pouted pero namumula ako.
Tumatawa pa rin siya.
�I�ve watched this kind of things on TV. Sa bandang huli, kayo rin ni Lawrence.
Trust me.�
�Hindi nakakatawa.�
�Hindi ako nagjojoke. Tara, alis tayo. Now na. Tapos pag nag worry siya, gusto ka
niya. Come on.�

I shook my head.

�Ayoko nga. I don�t wanna know stuffs like that.�

�Wee. Siguro ayaw mo lang malaman ang totoo.�
I bit my lower lip. I guess what he thinks right. Ayoko lang. Pag hindi siya nag
worry, that would mean that he doesn�t like me.

OUCH.

And when he did, it will mean he likes me?

I blushed at napailing. DUHH. Like that would even happen.

Why is Andrew making me think over stuffs like these??

--

Ano ba? Sasama ako? Andrew gave me time to think kung sasama ba ako. Baka raw kasi
mag bago ang isip ko. Maaga pa naman kasi. It�s only 6 and pwede pang mag party sa
Timog.�

�Hay nako naman��

Suddenly, somebody held my hand.

�Lawrence�Oh, Tris.�

Ngek. Why would I expect that it will be Lawrence?�

I pulled my hand away.

�Now what? I can�t touch you anymore?� He asked.

Napangiwi ako.

�It�s not like that, but I�m engaged. It will not loo good, di ba?�

WEW. Did I just say that to TRISTAN? TO TRISTAN?!

Napayuko siya na medyo nadisappoint ata.

�C-Come on Tris, wag ka magtatampo ah.�

He did not reply.

�Dali na, Tris. Aren�t you happy for me? You�re acting like that since then. Parang
hindi mo gusto si Lawrence.�
�Didn�t you tell me before you don�t like him and all?� He suddenly asked.

Napangiwi ako tapos natawa.

�E-Ewan. Ha ha. Ganun ata talaga. The more you hate the more you love kumbaga.�

He looked at me straight in the eye.

�Was it easy for you to forget me?�

World stopped. Emergency! Hindi ako makasagot, namutla ata ako kasi natuyo bigla
yung labi ko.�
But then suddenly, umiling iling siya and patted my head.

�Forget it. Natatanga lang ako. I feel stupid and all. Dami kasing nangyari. Tapos
ngayun my little sister is getting taken by somebody else.�

I felt relieved. Anu ka bang babae ka? Little sister nga, kinabahan ka agad.�
I laughed too kaso medyo awkward. Kabado kasi e.�
�Kaw talaga Tristan.��

WHEWWW. Bakit ba ang wiwirdo ng mga tao ngayun?

--

I was out of the hall again. Nasa terrace ulit ako. Wala na magawa sa loob. Maybe I
should have left na agad with Andrew. Kaso baka nga magalit si Lawrence.

I looked up to the stars.

Lawrence is really busy huh. He has forgotten that he has come with me and Andrew.
How can I actually think that he likes me? Hmph.�
He�s mean as ever at wala na atang pakielam yun minsan sa mundo. Well, to be
honest, he actually makes my heart beat � BUT I DO NOT LIKE HIM.

How about Andrew?

He�s very nice to me. Parang best friend. Wew. Not him. Pero somehow, he�s cute and
nice � Teka, parang nasabi ko na yung nice. Basta, hay ewan.

There�s still Tristan for me � Wew. Not also Tristan. Wala na nga siya di ba?
Kakasabi lang niya kanina na little sister lang ang turing niya sakin.

I guess it�s time to say goodbye to him. I should stop liking him from now on to
avoid more heartbreaks.�

Alright.

BABYE, Tristan.

I closed my eyes.

�BABYE NAAAAAA!!�
�Nung ginagawa mo?�

Napalingon ako.

�L-Lawrence!��

He walked to me with his serious face again. Pokerface.

�H-Hey.�
�Kanina pa kita hinahanap, nandito ka lang pala.�
�Ah� Actually, I am moving around.�
�Yeah, too much.� He frowned and leaned on the handles.

Silence.

�Have you talked to Priscilla?� I asked him.

Hindi siya sumagot.

�Hey, have you talked to her?�

�Talk about what?�
�Stuffs. You know. Magkamustahan man lang kayo or something like that. Friendly
things..��

He stared at me seriously.
�We�re not friends.� He said.

I gave a sigh.

�Why is that? Hindi mo na ba talaga siya mapapatawad?�� I asked. �Ah� I mean, gaya
nga nung sinabi ko di ba? If you truly love someone� Forgiveness is not a hard
thing to give her.�

He leered at me.

�Do you actually think I still like her?��

I was a bit surprised.

�B-Bakit? Hindi na ba?�

Napatingala siya. �Maybe I still do.�

�Then why not give her a chance?�

Umiling siya. �Ako� Isa akong matapat na tao. I loved her very much� And because I
was too honest for my feelings for her, I was fragile� At dahil niloko niya ako, I
was broken into too many pieces. At dahil sobrang dami ng pieces na yun, it was
difficult to return it all back to where it belongs. Every piece of me has its own
names; and one of it was lost. And that one is trust.� He looked at me.�

�You know how important trust is in a relationship. Right?� He asked.

I paused for a moment of silence. His words were really deep but really
meaningful.�

I nodded. �Tama ka.�

He smiled. �It�s good you understand.�

�But� Won�t it hurt you? Being separated from her even if you still like her?�
�I�ve been immune to the pain she�ll cause me.�

Napangiwi ako.

�Pero kahit na� Though you hate her, di mo pa rin maaalis yung fact na mahal mo
siya, di ba?�

Tumango siya. �I get your point, but I don�t really want to get back with her right
now. There may be a possibility, but not now.�

�Bakit? Is it because you are confused or anything?� I asked.

�Well, maybe. Confused about so many things.� He looked at me. �Well, you are also
one of the things I�m thinking about.�

Ewan ko, but I blushed. What? He also thinks about me?

Silence occurred. Things uddenly wnt into my mind; Andrew�s words, my feelings, his
words � Argh! My head�s gonna explode because of curiosity!�

�Hey, Lawrence��
�Yeah?�

I looked at him.
�Will you actually like me?�
. . . .�

OH SH*T! Did I just ask that?! I reddened and I panicked. He was like surprised
too. Namula yung ilong niya.

�S-Serena--?�
�Ahahahahahaha! Ano ka ba?! Joke time lang� Joke time!�� I started acting like a
fool. OH gosh. I feel stupid! But this is the way to cover things up!

�Joke lang yun. Wag mo seryosohin!��

He suddenly burst out laughing.

�Oo naman! Alam ko. Ayus ah. Sabi ko na nga ba nangtritrip ka lang e. Suddenly
asking such an impossible thing.�

Impossible thing..
Impossible�

RIGHT. Impossible. But why am I suddenly feeling disappointed?!�

OH GOSH.

--

I was staring nowhere habang naglalakad pababa ng building. Hindi ko na alam kung
san ako papunta. The word �impossible� still kept repeating on my mind. Oh come
one, bakit ba ako apektado nang sobra?

�Hey, Serena.�

I saw Andrew on his bike.

�D-Drew��
�Ready to sneak out and party?�

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I sat down on a seat near the windows. I�m still bothered with her question.�

Will I like her?

WAAHH. I can�t believe myself getting crazy over such a thing. Alam ko, I laughed
and all. Pero I was really bothered with that. It was weird that she asked me that
so suddenly, but it was weirder when I actually reacted like this.�

I got goosebumps. Come on, Lawrence. Keep calm.�

. . . . . .
OH DAMN! I gotta talk to that girl!

I stood up and looked around.

But where is she?

? 19 ?

SERENA�s POV:
I got off Andrew�s bike. I was still spacing out, alam ko.�

�Hey, Serena. You okay?� He asked.

�H-Ha?� I suddenly woke up from my spaced-out world tapos napatingin ako sa
paligid.

�A-Asan na tayo?� I asked. Natawa siya.

�Nasa discohouse po tayo. Are you with me, Serena? Ano bang problema? Do you want
to return back to Lawrence?�
�W-What Lawrence� The party, not Lawrence.� I replied and I knew I blushed.�

He chuckled which pissed me off.

�Why do guys keep on laughing and cannot explain what�s funny and all?� I pouted.�

He grinned at me.

�Basta. It�s a way to say things secretly. Every time a guy chuckled, stares at you
and holds you, it means something. Hindi naman niya gagawin yun kung wala lang.��
Andrew explained to me.

Stares? Hmm.

Lawrence does. Then he means something? At yung paghawak niya sakin� May meaning
din?

I reddened. Oh gosh. This is so unreasonable. Umiling iling ako, tapos natawa ulit
si Andrew.�
I frowned.

�You chuckle means something?� I asked.

�Uh-huh.�
�And what�s that?�

He grinned.

�You look cute when you are confused.�

He told me and walked away. I was startled. What�s that about?
Why do guys keep calling me �cute�?!

I know� I�ve been told beautiful a lot of times, kaya nga sanay na ako and that
meant nothing to me, pero bakit sa simpleng �cute� e nagkakaganito pa ako?!
Arrgh. It�s obvious. Andrew is also making fun of me. DEFINITELY.

--

We were sitting inside, umiinom ako ng cocktail and he is drinking his beer. Ayoko
nang uminom ng alak. DUHH. Especially not with Andrew. Baka mamaya ano ba mangyari
gaya nung dati. ARRGH. I�m hating myself pag naaalala ko yan.

[I�ve got a feeling � Black Eyed Peas]

�Hey, Serena. Wanna dance?�� He asked me. I shook my head.

I also have the memory kung san pag sayaw ko, I bumped Lawrence.

Naman. Bakit ba lahat e may memory ako kasama si Lawrence?! I shook my head. I�m
going crazy. Kakaiba na talaga �to.
�Nah. Wag na. Delikado.� I replied sabay iling.
�Are you worried that the same thing will happen?�
�What same thing?� I asked.�

He grinned at me again.

�The first time you met with Lawrence. Right? Nabunggo mo siya.��
Napangiwi ako. �WEEELLL...�

He took my hand and he stood up, pulling me.

�Tara na. We snuck out to party right?��
�Oo��
�And to test if Lawrence likes you.�

I nodded.
Suddenly, my phone rang.�

It was Lawrence.

�Don�t answer it.� He told me and took the phone.

�Pero baka magalit siya.�
�Then that�s better. If he gets mad, he likes you.�

I blushed
�That will be meaaaan!�
�O baka ayaw mo lang malaman ang totoo?��

I looked to the left.

�Hindi rin��
�Then don�t answer his calls.�

I took a deep breath and stared at him.

�Fine. I�ll prove you that he doesn�t.�

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I dialed her number again. She�s not picking up. I frowned. Her phone�s ringing but
she�s not picking up.�

DAMN THAT GIRL. Suddenly disappearing without the permission of her employer. Pfft.

�Lawrence.� Napalinga ako. It was Priscilla. �May we talk?�

�Are any things you still want to talk about? I believe you no longer want to get
embarrassed by me.�
She bit her lip, and smiled at me.

�Yeah, but how will I get you back if I will surrender because of embarrassment?�

I got serious. She�s serious, which I don�t like at all.

I admit, I still don�t know if I still have feelings for her, yet, I know� Na she�s
not completely nothing to me.

--
�It�s a good thing I finally got the chance to talk to you; na hindi mo kasama si
Serena.� She said.

Nasa gilid kami ng hall. It was quiet and dark, talagang yung ambiance ay for
serious matters ba.

�Ahh... It�s just that I can�t leave her alone, she�s my fianc�e right?��
�Can�t she handle� Herself?� She asked.

I nodded.

�Though she looks sophisticated, she�s immature. Kaya, oo.�

I looked at her.

�You�re too different from her, right?�

�H-Ha?�

I gave her a smirk.

�Alam ko, you wanted to check kung pareho kayo. Para malaman mo kung panakip butas
lang siya para sakin.�
She got teary-eyed.�

�Lawrence�� She uttered.

�I�m sorry, Priscilla. I can assure you, that you don�t mean nothing to me, but
definitely, you�re not the one in my heart.�
�Bakit� Bakit ambilis? Bakit ambilis mo akong napalitan�? Pero ako, ikaw pa rin ang
laman ng puso ko��
�Kung ako nga, you shouldn�t have cheated behind my back right?�
�I� I was drunk! Hindi ko sinasadya!�

I can�t help myself but glalre at her.

�Stop explaining things. I had heard all of that.�

�Pero bakit hindi mo ako mapatawad? Lawrence, I promise you, I�ll be a better
girlfriend! Please��
�I�m sorry, Priscilla, but my trust for you is gone. I�m sorry.�

I turned my back and walked away. Alam ko, hindi pa rin siya titigil, but I don�t
really have the time to discuss things with her. I need to find Serena.�

San ba kasi nagsuot yung babaeng yun?!

Nagpalinga linga ako and I saw Tristan. Maybe he knows where she went.

I was about to go to him, but I stopped.�

What if he doesn�t? Then he�ll wonder why I�m looking for Serena? Then he�ll also
look for her?

Tss. Disturbance.
But then, I saw him walking to me, with that irritating look on his face. Bakit ba
niya nagustuhan �tong lalaking ito? I�m more handsome than him. He seems
intellectual, pero halata namang MAS ako.
She said he�s a good guy too, pero mukhang hindi naman.�

�Where�s Serena?� He asked me.

�I don�t know. Why?�
�I just didn�t see her in a while.� He replied.
�Then� Did you try calling her?�� I asked.
He took his phone and called her. If she doesn�t pick up, then that would be
strange � But if she did, that will be stranger. She�s avoiding me, yun ang
mangyayari.

And why would she actually avoid me? She�s the one who asked me about such a thing.

Will you like me?

Oh damn. It�s getting into my head once again. Well, could it be that she likes me?

Oh no. Not that. We had a deal that neither of us shall fall in love with each
other� And I know, I can keep up with that. I definitely can. DEFINITELY.

�Hey, Serena.�

She picked up? HUH?

�You�re where? � Ahh.. Yu want me to get you?��

I grabbed the phone from Tristan.

�Hey-!�
�Hello, Serena Velarde� Bumalik ka dito ngayon na kung ayaw mong��

And the call ended up busy. Wth?!

I gave his phone back.

�Where�s she?� I asked.

�She told me not to tell you.�

I frowned.

�What?�
�I don�t know, but I guess you took the hint when she hung up as soon as she heard
your voice.�

Lalong nag init yung dugo ko.

�Are you trying to piss me off? Tsk. Fine, if youo don�t want to tell me, then I�ll
go look for her myself.�

I turned my back to him and started walking, but I stopped because he called me.

�Lawrence.�

I looked back.
�What?�
�I think you�ve heard about me. From Serena.�

I paused for a moment.

�Yeah. She said you�re her first love and blah blah, and you hurt her cause you
treat her only as a sister.�

He grinned.

�I thought so, but then� I�m taking all that back.�

I was surprised.
He inserted his hands into his pockets.

�I know that it�ll be unfair since you are already her fianc�e, but I won�t give
her up. Now that I discovered how much she means to me.�
�You have hurt her, at ngayun, gusto mo siyang ibalik sayo? Stop being so selfish��
�Alam ko na hindi pa rin ako nakakalimutan ni Serena, and as long as she still
likes me � I�m sorry if I say this � I�ll get her back.�

I don�t know but I suddenly got furious. This is strange, but I�m really getting
angry over those words.
He�ll get her back? Bullsh*t.

--

SERENA�s POV:

WAHH. Naupo ulit ako. Nakakakonsensya nama. I actually ended the call! Oh dang.��
�Easy, Serena.�

Umiling ako.

�Baka magalit siya sakin. Ayoko namang magalit sakin si Lawrence dahil lang sa
tinetest natin siya� Ayaw mo rin namang magalit siya dib a?� I asked Andrew.

Natawa nanaman siya.

�Arrgh. Andrew naman, stop answering me with your chuckles. Wala akong maintindihan
diyan e.�
�Easy ka lang kasi. He�ll come here in no time and for sure, dala na niya ang sagot
sa tanong natin.�
�How would he know na nandito tayo?�
�This discohouse is the only dischohouse he knows��
�Serena!�
Napalingon kami ni Andrew.

It�s Lawrence; and he absolutely brings the answer.

? 20 ?

He walked to me and Andrew, he�s calm.

�Serena, Andrew, why didn�t you ask for my permission?�

I was startled, surprised� And somehow, disappointed.

He�s calm, this means� He doesn�t like me. I took a glance on Andrew, he was
surprised too. He must be expecting too.

�S-Sorry� Sorry Lawrence��

I spaced out and started walking away from them.�

I suddenly wanted to go home. I feel stupid� And awful.

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

Arrgh. Isa lang ang discohouse na alam ko, and that�s where I first met Serena.
Siguro, dun na muna ako pupunta.�

Oh sh*t. I still feel angry. Bakit ba ako nagkakaganito?! That guy is getting on my
nerves! Suddenly saying he wants Serena back?! Is he crazy?! Tsk.

WAIT A MINUTE �

I stepped on the brake of my car.

What�s going on with me?

I�m getting mad over something like that?

. . . . .�

OH NO. Not that. IT�s impossible. Imposibleng magalit ako dahil sa gusto ko siya!
It�s just that� The contract would be void. Oo, tama. Kung biglang sisingit si
Tristan, everything will be destroyed!
Come on, Lawrence. Calm down. Right. Calm down. Everything is okay.�

You don�t like Serena at all.

Tama.

I parked my car in front of the discohouse. I saw Andrew�s motorbike. That punk.

SERENA�s POV:

I have now the answer to the question. He doesn�t like me.

I shook my head in disgrace for myself. What am I being lonely for?! Bakit ba ako
nadisappoint ng sobra?!

DUUHHH. Ano ka ba naman Serena?! Stop being so foolish!

I took a call fom Tristan that time. Nga pala, nasa kuwarto na ako nun. At
nababaliw ako.

�H-Hey Tristan.� I greeted him kahit na nababaliw pa rin ako sa sarili ko.
�Serena! Thank God at nacontact kita. Hindi ka na bumalik sa party. I was worried.
Why didn�t you call back?�
�Oh, sorry, Tris. I was busy and all. Pasensya na kung nag alala ka. Anyway, are
you home yet?��
�Nah. I was about to now. Akala ko kasi babalik ka pa rito e.� I thought we can
still hang out longer.�

Napangiwi ako.

�Ahaha. Hindi rin naman pwede. Lawrence won�t let me.�

WEW. Kinareer pa. Parang tunay. Ampf.

He was silenced in a moment, but I can hear his breathing.

�Tris?�
��Serena, I need to tell you something. Please meet with me tomorrow.�
He sounded like he was nervous and all.

�Can�t you tell it to me now?� I asked.

�No. It will be better if we talk in person.�

I thought for a moment. May trabaho ata ako bukas e.

�I�m not so sure��
�I�ll pick you up tomorrow.�
�Ha? Pero Tris��
�Tulog ka na, pagod ka pa e. Sige, good night.�
�Tris��
�I love you, Serena.�

I was startled after that line. Whoa. That felt so real.

�I� I love you� Din��

And the call ended.

Oh gosh. I�m so thrilled. But wait, bakit ganito? Parang thrilled ako pero��

I put my hands on my chest.

It�s not beating like it used to. Oh God, am I dead?! My heart is not beating fast.
This is weird. VERY, VERY weird!

I need to ask permission from Lawrence!

--

�Lawrence��
�Ay tanga.� Nauntog siya sa ref. Nagulat ata. Natawa ako. He stood up and closed
the refrigerator.

�W-Why are you still awake?� He asked me.

Napakamot ako ng ulo.

�A-Ano� Pwede ba akong umabsent bukas?� I asked. He frowned agad.

�Bakit nanaman?�
�Nung nanaman� Ngayun nga lang e.�
�San ka nga pupunta?�
�I�ll meet up with someone.�
�Someone?�

He turned his back on me kasi kumukulo na yung iniit niyang tubig.

�Yeah.�
�Tristan?� He asked me in a firm voice.

�O-Oo��
�No.�
�Eh?! Bakit naman?!�

He faced me again.

�Do you need a reason why?�

�O-Oo naman. GInagawa ko naman kasi yung trabaho ko nang maayos tapos� ISang araw
na pagliban lang di pa pwede? Naman Lawrence o.�
�Why would you meet? If you can give me three valid reasons, I�ll let you off.�

I pouted and crossed my arms.

�Hey, diba nasa kontrata natin ang walang pakielamanan ng private lives? Wag mo
kong tanungin tungkol jan.�
�Well, if, it doesn�t concern WORK, Miss.�

Ampf. Pati ba naman sa ganitong usapan, talo pa rin ako.

�Dali na. Please let me take a leave for a day. Please..!�

�Bakit nga muna magkikita pa kayo?�
�E-Ewan ko��
�Is it a date?�

I shrugged my shoulders and I know that I blushed.

�S-Siguro? Ewan! Basta.� I replied to him.

�E di pwede ako sumama?�
�HA?!�
�Di ba hindi naman date yun? E di pwede nga ako.�

I raised my eyebrows.

�Alright. You�re definitely acting weird. Why would you want to come?�
�To observe.�
�Why would you want to observe?�

He looked at me seriously.

�Bakit bawal? Di ba hindi naman date yun.� He told me.

I glared at him.

�E bakit ba kasi?! I need to talk to him about things!�

�What things?�
�Hindi ko pa alam! Mag uusap pa lang kaya kami!�� I yelled at him. Naaasar na ako.
�Just please let me!�
�NO.�

--

In the end, hindi pa rin siya pumayag. Bwisit. Bakit kaya ayaw niya?!

Malamang, para asarin ako!

I stomped my feet habang pabalik sa kuwarto ko, when I saw Dina, scolding Ana
again.

�Hey, what�re you doing?� I asked her.

�Wala ka nang pakielam dun.�

Aba, wala ako sa mood para magtimpi.

�Napakamaldita mo ah. Inaano ka ba ni Ana?!� I yelled at her. Buwisit. Sakanya ko

ilalabas ang galit ko.
�Serena, wag na��
�Sumusobra na �to e! Porket matagal ka na dito kung tratuhin mo ang mga tao kala mo
ikaw nagpapakain! Get a life, you��

Suddenly, someone patted my head and covered my mouth.

�Princess, calm down.�

Napatingala kami.
�A-Andrew.�

He grinned at me.

--

�Kainis kasi e!� I complained. �Isang araw lang naman hindi pa ako mapagbigyan! Yan
talagang kapatid mo!��

I pouted.�
Nasa loob kami ng kuwarto ko nun, nialabas ko lahat ng galit ko.
Andrew just smiled at me.

�It�s because he likes you.�

I reddened, pero naasar ako.

�Stop teasing me! We already know what�s the truth, and he doesn�t, so stop telling
me that, that is the reason!� Nasigawan ko tuloy.

Lalo siyang natawa.

�E bakit galit ka?� He asked me. �Disappointed ka ba sa nalaman natin kanina?��

I gulped, tapos hindi ako nakasagot.

�Disappointed ka nga noh? Aminin.��

�Tama na nga Andrew, ang kulit mo. Oo na.� I answered him pero hindi ko siya
tinitingnan.
�Ha ha. Kahit na ganun pa man yung naging resulta, I still doubt he doesn�t have
feelings for you.� He told me.

I gave a sigh.

�Stop giving yourself false hopes.� I told him.

�Sus, baka ikaw din ahh. Maybe you also feel the same.�

I blushed again.

�No way. Definitely not. Stop making fun of me again! Ikaw talaga.�
�Gusto mo malaman kung gusto mo na siya?� He asked me.

I paused for a moment, tapos tiningnan ko siya.

�O sige, pano?�

He stood up and walked to me.

�It is when your heart��

He took my hand and put it on his chest.

��Beats like this when you�re in front of the person you like.�

Nagulat ako. His heart was beating really fast. WHOA.

�Kinakabahan ka?� I asked him.

He looked startled, tapos natawa. He slowly stepped backwards.
�Nope. I just taught you how to know if you already like someone. Ikaw talaga.�
�AAHHH. Ganun pala.�

Napatingin ako sa ceiling.

Ganun ba nararamdaman ko pag kasama ko si Lawrence?
HMM. Calculate. Calculate.

HAY EWAN~!

Anyhow, Andrew was really weird a moment ago. Hmm.�

�It is when your heart beats like this when you�re in front of the person you
like.�

He said. But he�s in front of me.

HMM. Calculate. Calculate.

AHAHA! Stop being so foolish, Serena. One guy as your problem is enough, wag mu na
dagdagan pa!

Anyway, paano nga ba ako makakatakas bukas kay Lawrence?!

? 21 ?

I lied down on my bed. Amp. Bakit ba kasi ayaw niya akong payagan? Ang ayus ayos ng
pagpapaalam ko e. Pinapahirapan pa ako. Buwisit talaga.

I closed my eyes.

At pumasok nanaman sa isip ko yung nangyari kanina.

I was still disappointed. WAAH. Bakit ba hindi maalisa sa utak ko itong

disappointment?
Nakakainis ang sarili ko. Anu naman kung mali kami ni Andrew?�
Nakakabanas. Paulit ulit na �tong tanong na �to sa utak ko, parang sirang plaka na
nga e.

Bigla ako napadilat.

Di kaya� Gusto ko na siya?!

My eyes grew huge at napahawak ako sa dibdib ko. It�s really thumping fast. WHOA.
Sabi sakin ni Andrew pag nakikita mo lang yung gusto mo ah, e bakit ganito?
Naiiisip ko lang si Lawrence ganito agad?!

�ARRGH! Tama na nga! Pagod lang �to!�

--

Today, I have my �escape� mission. O ha, parang Charlie�s Angels. I peeked out from
my room. Lawrence is still here. Ampf. Anung oras ba kasi siya aalis?
I looked at my watch. Baka malate ako kung hindi pa ako aalis ngayun.

�What are you doing?� Napatingala ako.

�Andrew!� I said and I scoffed. �Nakakagulat ka naman!�

�Ikaw nga nakakagulat e. You look silly peeking like that.�
�E kasi� hindi ako makakatakas kay Lawrence.� I pouted. �I need to see Tristan. I
badly need to.�
�Bakit nga ba?�

I shrugged my shoulders.
�E-Ewan ko� It just felt like na kailangan ko talaga. Parang may dapat akong
malaman� Hay, ewan.�

He grinned at me.

�Want a help?� He asked.

�Nah. Kaya ko �to. Ako pa.�

I smiled back at him. He patted my head.�

�I�m just in my room, call me if you need help.�

I nodded and he left me.

I tip-toed as I walk pass Lawrence�s room.�

But suddenly, I bumped someone.

�Aray ko naman.�
�What are you doing?� He asked me. HE asked me.

Napatingin ako sa taas.

�L-Lawrence.�

Oh darn. Nasa labas pala siya, hindi ko alam, kala ko nasa loob siya ng kuwarto
niya!

�Ehehe�� I made a fake laugh. �Naglalaru kasi kami ni Andrew� Ng hide-and-seek�� I

said.
He smirked.

�Maglalaru lang kayo nakabihis ka pa ng ganyan?�

�O-Oo� It�s a sossy hide-and-seek type of game kasi. Bakit ba, kanya kanyang trip
yan..� I reasoned out.

�S-Sige, magtatago na ako.� I said at paalis n asana, but he pulled my collar kaya
napabalik ako.

�M-May kailangan ka pa?�

�Today�s work day, you idiot. Prepare my stuffs and we�re going to office.� He
ordered me.

I took a glance on my watch.�

OH DAMN. After 30 minutes, Tristan�s coming� At ako, nandito pa.�

�What are you waiting for? Every minute is important in life.� Ang sungit talaga.
�Opo. Oo na.�

I gave him a glare and I walked back to this office. Tss. Anong gagawin ko?!

I took my phone habang kinukuha ko yung mga gamit ni Lawrence sa study room niya.

�H-Hello? Tris?� It�s good he answered.�

�Hey, Serena.�
�Tris, can�t we� Move the date of our meeting? You see� Medyo busy ako ngayun e� I
don�t think I�ll be able to��

I dropped a folder from his stuffs. Ampf.

I knelt down and took it, but then, something was dropped.�
And I was surprised as I see what it was.

A picture of Priscilla and Lawrence. I was frozen like an ice.

�Hey! Serena? Serena? Are you still there?�

Nagising ako sa katotohanan and I talked to Tristan again, but I wasn�t letting go
of the picture.�

�Y-Yes. Forget what I said awhile ago� I�m going� Sige�� I ended the call.

I dropped my phone down and I stared at the picture. Lawrence and Priscilla were
linking arms and were smiling widely. It was like� They love each other very much.
Their smiling faces� I feel... Weird again.

My chest hurts. I don�t know why.

�Give me that.�

The picture was taken by Lawrence. He was frowning.

�Lawrence��
�Why are you looking at this with that face of yours? � Arrgh. Disturbing. I
already threw this out��
�Hey� Lawrence��
�Hmm?�
�If you don�t like her anymore� Can you like me�?�

He looked surprised.

�S-Serena?�

OH GOSH.

Napatayo ako.

�W-Wala! Wala� Nevermind. Gutom lang �to. Hindi pa kasi ako nakakakain e�� I said.�
Ano bang nangyayari sakin?! Bakit ko biglang tinanung yun?!

�A-Ah� Okay.��

Then he suddenly ripped up the picture. �Trash.� Then he walked out.

I don�t know� But when he did it like that, I had a good feeling.
It was like, �it was great�

�He doesn�t like her anymore�.

--

Hindi ako mapakali sa inuupuan ko sa harap niya. Oh gosh. I need to go na talaga.

Really need to! Ampf. Anung oras na?! 20 minutes na akong late!
I�m taking glances of him.�
�W-Wala ka na bang ipapagawa sakin?�

Umiling siya. �Wala na.�

�Sure ka?� I assumed.
�Oo.�
�WEH?�

He looked at me with his serious face again.

�Gusto mo bigyan kita ng gagawin? Shut up.�

I pouted. Nakakaasar.�

I stood up, hindi na ako makapagtitimpi pa.

�I�m going to meet up with Tristan since I have nothing else to do. See you.� I
said at naglakad palabas.

�Once you step out of that door, there�ll be a deduction from your pay.�

I looked back at him.

�Karumpot na nga lang sweldo ko babawasan mo pa?� I gave him a glare again.
�Yeah. You�re free with food and shelter naman dib a?�

I sighed.

�Bahala ka. I�m going.�

I said and walked out. I heard him calling me, pero hindi ako lumingon pa.
Tristan�s waiting!! I can�t just sit there and wait for that weirdo to ask me what
to do.

Besides� If I stay there longer� I might ask him weird stuffs again. Oh gosh. So
embarrassing. Palagi na lang akong nakakapagtanung ng mga weird things!

Una, yung �Will you like me?� sunod eto, �If you don�t like her anymore� Can you
like me�?�
I reddened in embarrassment.

Nakakahiya talaga!

LAWRENCE�s POV:

�Serena! Serena! Bumalik ka rito, isa!�

But she did not return. That girl has nerves to disobey her employer. ARRGH. Bakit
ba kasi kailangan pa nilang mag meet? Tss.�
Baka naman magtapat na si Tristan?

. . . ?

Oh no. That can�t be. He can�t take her away from me! Not Serena, not her!

�ARRGHH. I�m getting insane.�

Then suddenly, her question entered my mind. My chest suddenly went heavy, at sa
paglingon ko sa salamin, I saw myself; deep red.
Napapikit ako. This is impossible. Nababaliw na ata ako.
�AHHH. I need to go get back to work.�

SERENA�s POV:

I arrived at the place. Nagpalinga linga ako at napatingin sa relo. It�s almost an
hour. Sana nandito pa si Tristan. Suddenly, someone tapped my back. Napalingon ako.

�Tristan!�

He was wearing� The last clothes I gave him. Nung araw na pinamili ko bago rin kami
nagpunta sa Timog, and at that night, I met Lawrence. Wew.

I gazed at him, he was looking� KEWL.

�H-Hey, Tris! Sorry I�m late! Pasensya na!� I told him, but he grinned at me then
suddenly handed a box of chocolates to me.

�T-Tris?�
�Isn�t it our friendship anniversary day today?��

I was delighted, pero medyo nahiya ako sa sarili ko. I forgot kasi.

�Y-Yeah! Pasensya na wala akong mabibigay sayo� Kasi alam mo naman��

�Just coming today is fine.�
�E nalate naman ako.� I pouted.

He grabbed my shoulder and looked at me in the eyes.

�I told you, just being here is enough.� He smiled.

Napangiti na rin ako, but it was weird.
My heart isn�t beating like crazy now� Unlike before�

�Want to go watch movie?� He asked me.

I nodded.

�S-S-Sige�� I agreed, then he held my hand and pulled me together with him.�

But why is it like this? Talagang parang friendship lang yung feeling ko� Hindi
kaya�

My feelings for him are gone?

--

We watched a romantic comedy film, kaso hindi ko masyadong naintindihan dahil ng ra

rumble yung mga bagay sa utak ko. Lawrence was in my mind too, unfortunately, hindi
ko alam kung bakit siya nasali.

�Do you want to grab some snacks?�

�H-Ha? O-Okay. Sige.�

He bought us a box of pizza and some drinks. Sa foodcourt kami tumambay saglit.

�Serena, are you okay?� He suddenly asked.

�H-Ha? What do you mean? Of course I am.� I answered, pero hindi talaga. I find
myself extremely weird. Bakit nga ba nababother ako?!

�I don�t think you are. It�s your favorite flavor of pizz and you�re not eating.�
Parang nagulat ako sa sarili ko. He�s right too. Hindi ako kumakain! Himalaaa!

�A-Ah? Ano kasi� Nabusog ako sa pop corn na kinain ko.� I reasoned out.
He was silenced for a moment, then he looked at me like he was wondering if I�m
telling the truth.�
He gave a sigh.

�Did Lawrence do something to you?� He asked me.

�H-Ha? Yun? Wala.� I said then gave a bite on the pizza para wala na siyang masabi
pa.

He stared at me.

�Is he nice to you?�

I nodded. �Uh-huh. VERY.� Sa kabaliktaran.

�Well� Can he make you happy?��
�Yes.� Sa kabaliktaran ulit. Di nga makapag joke yun e.

He looked disappointed.

��Much better than I can do for you?�

Nagulat ako at nabulunan as he said those.

�Ah� Iba ka naman sakanya. We�re friends. E siya� Hindi.�

Napangiwi siya, then he suddenly held my hand, tight.

�There is also another thing why I asked you out today.�

I got confused. �What is it?�

He looked at me seriously.

�Will you want to change our �friendship day� to a couple�s anniversary?�

? 22 ?

�W-What?� That�s the only thing that came out from my mouth. I cannot reply at all.
It was like, my mouth was frozen at naparalisa ang buong katawan ko.�

Did I hear it right?

�Yes, Serena. Alam ko, hindi ka makapaniwala� Pero, totoo. Since the day I lost you
because you went to Lawrence�s side, I realized how important you are to me. That
every single day without you� is very boring and it is killing me. That whenever I
see you with Lawrence, or hear that you�re with him� It hurts me a lot.�

He held my hand tighter.

�I love you. Very much. Not as a sister, but I love you as a woman.�

Time stopped. EMERGENCY. My heart is gonna explode!�

After many years of waiting for him� After many years of hoping na mapansin niya
ako.

It finally came.
I finally heard the words I�m longing for him to say.

�S-Serena� I know, na you�re engaged with Lawrence, pero I doubt na� Na hindi mo na
rin ako mahal. Kahit na katiting� Kaya sana, pag isipan mo���

. . . .�

What�s going on? Instead na sumaya ako� It feels weird na kinakabahan ako. It
doesn�t make sense at all.

--

I was spacing out at as I walked. I did not let Tristan take me home, at alam ko,
na it�s unusual for me to go and take a taxi, but it left me no choice.

Nakatulala ako, nag iisip.

Tristan likes me?

Since when? Paano? I touched my chest, it�s still beating fast.

Should I give him an answer?

Ahh, the answer will be � But then, Lawrence�s image went into my mind.. And I knew
I reddened. OH GOSH.
How about my contract with Lawrence?! Baka makulong pa ako pag hindi ko sinunod
yun�

Or am I really thinking about the contract�? Or� Being separated from Lawrence?

The car suddenly stopped. �Ma�am pasensya na ho. Nasiraan ho tayo.�

�H-Hindi po ba pwedeng maayos?� I asked. I looked outside. Malapit lapit na pala,
kaso magmmahal pa kung kukuha pa ako ng isa pang taxi. Oh darn. Ngayun lang ako
namoblema sa pera.

�Sige, Manong, tatawagan ko na lang yung isang kaibigan ko para sunduin ako.�
I took my phone out, but unfortunately, it was lowbat. NICE TIMING.
�Ma�am, kukuhaan na lang kita ng isa pang taxi.�
�No, no. Forget it. Maglalakad na lang ako.� I took my money and gave it to the man
at lumabas na ako mula run sa taxi niya.

Bwisit naman.

I started walking home, nakahigh heels pala ako. ARRGH. Forget it. Kaya ko �to. I
still need to think about stuffs. I have no time to think about this.

Tumingin lang ako nang diretso. Though my feet are walking straight, my mind was
off the path.

�A-Anong gagawin ko�? Tristan� Likes me now�� I whispered to midair. Naguguluhan pa

rin ako. My feelings for Tristan� Hindi ko alam kung nandito pa rin sila.�

I admit na dati, isang tanong lang sakin� I�ll say �yes�. Pero ngayun,
nagdadalawang isip na ako�

Sa di malamang dahilan. This is so weird. Bakit ba pumapasok sa isip ko si Lawrence

tuwing iniisip ko �to?
I shook my head at napatigil ako.
�Arrgh! You�re so foolish!�

I looked down to my feet, nice. Mga ilang minuto pa lang akong naglalakad, parang
nagkasugat na ako.
Bakit ba kasi hindi asphalt yung sahig dito?! How annoying! Lubak lubak na ewan.
Tss. Layu pa nung subdivision nung bahay nila Lawrence e.�

I bent my back a little and I checked my feet. It�s still okay, but I don�t think
it will last until I reach back home. ARRGH! Buhay nga naman!

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I was in the car that time, nakadungaw sa bintana. That girl hasn�t made any call
for me. How irritating. Anung oras na, hindi pa siya tumatawag. Ganun ba talaga
kaenjoyable ang date nila? Tsk. It�s like she�s showing that the date�Ahem, the
time we went to hang out was boring.

I crossed my arms at napapikit ako saglit. This is so annoying. Naaasar na talaga

ako.

I looked our again and saw a girl bending down, parang si Serena� But Serena can�t
be here. She�s still hanging out with that Tristan.

. . .�

Oh whatever! I grabbed my phone and pressed speed dial 1.

It said that she was out of reach. Nakakaasar na ah. Ayaw talaga niya ng
disturbance?�

That girl, will receive a good gift from me when she returns!

--

�D-Dina?� I uttered. It was dinner time, at hindi ko pa nakikita ni anino ng

babaeng yun.�

�Yes sir??�

I cleared my throat, Andrew looked at me too.

�Is� Serena home yet�?� I asked. Sumimangot si Dina.

�No, Sir.�
That girl..

�Eh? Where is Serena anyway?� He asked. I shrugged my shoulders and continued

eating. Kahit na asar na asar na ako.

�OHHH. She�s with Tristan.� Andrew guessed. �Kaya pala bad mood ka.�

I glared at him. �Bakit naman ako magiging bad mood dahil dun? Marami lang akong
iniisip tungkol sa trabaho.� I reasoned out.
He leered at me.�

�Talaga? I don�t think so. You are worrying about them, aren�t you?�
�Shut up. Of course not. Why would I? It�s not like she means anything to me.�
�Tss. Ikaw talaga Lawrence, it�s obvious that you have feelings for her.�

I scoffed.
�Excuse me? Tigil tigilan mo nga ako.� I stood up �cause I was finished. �Baka ikaw
pa nga diyan e.� I started walking away, but I stopped after I heard what he said.

�And what if I do?�

I was startled. Hindi ako agad nakakakibo, but I still had presence of mind. Act
like I don�t care.

�The hell I care.�

Then I walked out from the dining hall.

What�s up with him? He says that what if he does? Tsk. Anu nga ba naman sakin?
She�s only someone I�m using to get revenge on Priscilla. That�s all� She doesn�t
mean anything, to me.

--

I went into my closet after taking a bath. I saw the clothes she gave me during
�MY� shopping day.

I was silenced. Hindi ko pa �to nasusuot� Masubukan ka.

I wore the clothes she gave me, and it suited me after all. She has good taste. I
looked at the clock.

It�s past 8. Where is she?�

I looked outside the window too, and it was raining.

I hurried out and saw Ana. �Andiyan na ba si Serena?� I asked.

�Ay wala pa ho Sir.� I frowned. A;right, that�s it. I�m setting a curfew for her
starting tomorrow.

I returned back to my room and grabbed my phone. That guy, he must return her home
during this time!

�Hello-?� He picked up.

�Where�s Serena? Bring her home. Right now.� I ordered him.
�I�m not with her since 6. She�s not home yet-?�
�WHAT?� I exclaimed.�

�Bakit? Wala pa��

�Wala! Forget it! Sige.� And I ended the call.

He�s not with her?! E san naman kaya nagpunta yun?! Oh darn. I was in panic, I
admit. Dumungaw ako sa bintana, and it was raining. VERY hard.
Tsk. Whatever!

I rushed out of the house.

SERENA�s POV:

Good timing. I�m now drenched wet while taking shelter under a tree. Wee. Ang malas
ko talaga. Isang oras na akong nakatayo dito, may sugat ang paa ko at naguguluhan
pa rin ang isip ko.�

The wind blew hard. OH DARN. Ang lamig� Sobra.

It has been 1 hour na umuulan. Ang tibay ko noh? Well, para sa oras na naguguluhan
ako, I certainly don�t have the time to think about myself. Puro Tristan-Lawrence
lang ang nasa utak ko.

Umiling iling ako.

It�s already 8: 30. Siguradong magagalit sakin si Lawrence.

I sneezed. Anu ba �to� Ngayun pa ako sinipon.�
Maybe nobody cares kung nasan man ako ngayun� Tss. Nga naman. Sino pa bang mag
aaalala sakin? Maliban kay Tristan� Tapos si Dad, na nasa ospital pa rin ngayun.

Wala na.

I don�t know about Andrew� But certainly not, Lawrence.

Baka nga pacool cool lang yun ngayun e.�

I sneezed again. Tss. Bakit ko nga iniisip �to? Arrgh. Sasabog na ang utak ko. I
sneezed again. Oh damn. I guess I�ll have colds and a fever.�

I closed my eyes as it only started to drizzle.

�SERENA!�� Someone was calling me from afar, but I was too exhausted to open my
eyes.

�Serena!� I suddenly recognized the voice � Napamulat ako at napatingin sa kaliwa.

He was wearing a very familiar clothing and was standing under an umbrella, running
towards me.

�Lawrence��

He was running out of breath as he reached me.

�L-Lawrence�� I mumbled.
�You idiot.� He whispered.

Then he suddenly grabbed my shoulder and�

� He hugged me.

Time stopped, and it seemed like it was a total darkness and only me and Lawrence
were there.
My heat continued beating fast. I was also trembling.

�I was so worried. San ka ba nagpunta?� He asked me gently with his gentle voice.�

�Let�s go home.�

He gently pushed me away. There was no voice that could come out from my mouth. He�
pulled me closer to him and we walked together�

Under the rain.

? 23 ?

I was lying down on his bed, right. HIS. He brought me to his room. Nilalamig ako
nang sobra and my head was starting to ache.�
I started to sneeze again. Oh gosh.

�Why did you get yourself soaked so much?� He asked me while taking out some stuffs
na hindi ko malaman kung ano.

�I� I didn�t have an umbrella� The taxi I was riding in had problems� Kaya bumaba
ako��
�Why didn�t you call me? I would have picked you up if I knew.��
I blushed. Oh darn.

�A-Ano� My phone was lowbat� Kaya� Ayun�� I sneezed again.

He went to me holding a medical kit. He sat on the bed too and removed the blanket.

�Before I put this on you, go grab clothes and change.�

I was feeling weak. �Masama na ang pakiramdam ko�� I replied and started sneezing
again.

�Alright. Take a bath in my bathroom, I�ll go get your clothes.� He stood uo and
walked out of the room.

Whoa. He actually cares?

This somehow� Makes me happy�

--

I was done taking a bath. My head is seriously aching and my sneezing won�t stop.
Tsk. This is seriously irritating. Matagal na akong hindi nagkakasakit. Bakit
ngayun pa? AARGH. Seriously, I�m so foolish.

I wore what clothes he gave me and I went out of the bathroom. He was still sitting
on the bed.

�Thanks for lending me your bathroom.� Though I can use my own. �S-So� I�m just
gonna drink medicine. I�m fine.�
�Sit.�

He told me so suddenly, kaya nagulat ako. �H-Ha?�

�Umupo ka. Sa kama.�
�W-Why?�

He took the medkit and showed it to me.

�You got wounds on your feet. Right?�

I paused for a moment. �Y-Yeah��
�Then sit and shut up.� As he said that, parang sinabi niya na wala na akong
magagawa. That is so ANNOYING. Bwisit.

I sat down kahit na labag sa loob ko. He took my foot and put some alcohol in it.

�A-Aray. Mahapdi ah.� He used some cotton buds.�

�Why did you walk that far kahit na nakaheels ka?�

�E� Alangang mag paa ako� Tsaka wala na akong choice. Wala na akong pera��
�Pwede kang magpahatid dito dib a? Tapos dito na lang din bayaran.�

ANG ANGA ko. Hindi ko naisip yun ah.

�E-Ehehe�� I�m so stupid!! �A-Aray. Masakit�� Pwedeng dahan dahanin��
�Hindi ko alam kung matalino ka bang talaga o tatanga tanga rin.�
Inirapan ko nga. Tss.

�Sorry po ha.� I said na naiinis. Tsk.

�Why� Didn�t Tristan take you home anyway? What happened� In your date?�

I reddened as I remembered what happened. Tsk. Talaga namang buhay na ito.

�W-Wala� Wala naman.�

�Really?�
�O-Oo.. � Aray!� He pressed my wound.�

�Your employer is asking you to tell me the truth. Why didn�t he take you home?�

Napangiwi ako, tapos napatingin sakanya.

�Actually� Ano� Kasi��

�Ano?�
�I� I asked him not to��
�And why�s that?�
�Wala lang.�

He pressed it again.

�A-Aray ko naman!�
�ANO NGA?�
I took a deep breath.

�Ma-Maiilang kasi ako��

He stopped. �Maiilang? At bakit?�

�Kasi� Ano�� I glanced at him. He frowned and acted like he was gonna press my
wound again.

�W-Wag!�
�E ano nga?�
�He said he likes me!�

I finally said it. Finally.

I glanced at him, waiting for his reaction. He was silenced for a bit, then let go
of my foot.

�Do it yourself.�

He stood up from bed.

�T-Teka-!�
�May gagawin pa pala ako. You may leave once you�re done.� He coldly said and
walked out of the room.

BWISIT. Di man lang tinapos! Tsk. I thought he was being nice too. Hindi pala. KJ
talaga yung lalaking yun.
Bakit ganun ang reaksyon niya�? Hindi kaya� He likes me too?

I blushed.�
Napakadreamer ko naman!

I was about to stand up from the bed, kaso sumabit yung� blouse ko. Bad trip�
Ngayun pa �to nagkaganito. How annoying. I pulled my blouse at sakto, napunit ang
blouse ko at nakagat ko pa labi ko. Nagkasugat ata!

BADTRIP! Ang sakit�Naman o.

I stood up and slowly walked out of his room.

�S-Serena?�

Napalingon ako. It was Andrew. Parang nagulat siya.

�You have arrived��

�Ah oo.. Kanina.�
��And you went out from Lawrence�s room� With that look.�
�With this look-?�

I looked at myself.

OH GOSH.

�I never thought that Lawrence would be a sadist.�

�IT�S NOT WHAT YOU THINK IT IS!�

--

I explained everything to Andrew, except for Tristan�s confession.

�And that�s what happened.� I ended it. Nasa living room na kami nun. After hearing
it all, he was silenced for a bit, then he smiled.

�What happened during your meeting with that guy?� He asked.

Napangiwi ako.

�Actually� He confessed to me kaya medyo nagulo yung mundo ko.� I said. �Ewan ko ba
Andrew� I�m confused. Sobra.�

Napahawak ako sa ulo ko. �Sumasakit pa ulo ko. Kainis��

�Why� Are you confused? Do you� Like Lawrence?�

I scoffed.�
�N-No way�! That�s impossible� I�m just torn between the contract and Tristan. Not
with Lawrence��
He grinned at me. �You sure?�

I nodded. �N-Naman� Tulungan mo na lang akong mag isip okay?�

�Then� I�ll ask you� Is it still Tristan?�

Napagiwi ako.

�H-Hindi ko rin alam�� I replied. �Hay Andrew, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko.�

He then patted my head. �Examine your feelings first, princess. Then you�ll know
who you like the most.�
As I looked at him, parang namesmerize ako. Wee.
�Wow, Andrew. You looked so mature after you said that.� I gave him a thumb�s up.

�Good job. Continue that way and you�ll be a cool guy.�

�You mean I�ll be like Lawrence? Heck no.�
At nagkatawanan kaming dalawa.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I sat on the stairs on the front porch. I took a deep breath at napatingala. The
rain hasn�t stopped.

My mind went empty. This is just so weird.

Tristan confessed to Serena� And it was obvious� That he�ll be going to accept his
confession since� She likes him very much.

My chest suddenly hurt.

�Oh boy� This is impossible��

Serena� Might be going to his side again. Especially when they become a couple and
he discovers that everything was only a contract. She�s gonna leave the house, and
if she ever marries Tristan, there will be no problem since Tristan�s family has
recovered from a crisis and is already functionaing well again.

I asked her to sign a contract because I want to get revenge to Priscilla. It was
meant for me to just use her.

But things are not going well as it is supposed to.

I�m not supposed� To feel this towards her.

SERENA�s POV:

Tomorrow, I�m visiting Dad, pero ewan ko lang kung mabibisita ko siya. Ang sakit
kasi ng ulo ko. Kaasar naman.

I lied down on my bed and covered myself with blankets.

What am I to do with Tristan?

I definitely can�t accept his love.�

Especially when I�m so unsure�

--

ARRRGGHHH!! ANG SAKEEETT!!

I touched my forehead. I�m hot. I definitely have a fever. Oh dang. This is the
worst. It feels somehow like before. Yung nalasing din ako.

�Serena, ayus ka lang?� There was Ana.

�H-Hindi� Ang sakit ng ulo ko�� I complained.
�Tatawagin ko si Sir, saglit lang.�

Ana rushed out of the room.

I was feeling dizzy. I hate this feeling. Hate this feeling� So much�
Napapikit ako, and all I can hear were voices.

�Serena, are you okay?� It was Lawrence, I did not reply and I put myself to sleep.

I can still hear voices but it wasn�t clear.�

�I�m staying here.� � Lawrence? Napamulat ako.

�L-Lawrence�?�
�Now that you look awful like this, I can�t go to work.� He told me while staring
at me, like� Worried.

Napangiti ako, kahit masakit ang ulo ko.

�S-Salamat�� Then I closed my eyes.

Before, there was always Tristan watching over me. Whenever I was sick, he�ll
always be there to take care of me. Whenever I had problems in school, he�ll help
me out� Whenever I lose something, he�d recover it for me.

That�s why I fell in love with him.

But he had hurt me.

Is it okay to let go?

Now� That it is weird that I have this growing feelings� For Lawrence.
But now� Tristan� Likes me.

What am I to do�?

�Don�t cry.� Somebody whispered. He wiped my tears away. I slowly opened my eyes
again.

�Lawrence��
�Stop worrying yourself too much. I�d take care of you.�

I slowly chuckled to myself.

Can I actually like this person�?

? 24 ?

�Eat this.� He told me.

My body was feeling very heavy. PArang may nakapatong na isang dosenang barbell sa
katawan ko. Umiling ako.

�Ayokong kumain�� I mumbled sabay taklob ng kumot sa mukha ko.

�Eat. Panu kagagaling niyan kugn ayaw mong kumain? Kumain ka na para makainom ka na
ng gamot.�

I did not reply at nagpauloy sa� aking nap, but then, he suddenly pulled my
blanket.

�Wag mo akong asarin, Serena. EAT.�

He glared at me.
�Ganyan ka ba mag alaga ng may sakit? Sama mo�� I muttered.
�I don�t like stubborn patients.�

Inisnaban ko siya.

�Then take Tristan here. He knows how I want to be treated.��

My eyes grew huge after I said that. Oh gosh, why am I speaking like this out of
the blue?

�Ah� I mean� He�� He put the soup on the table and stood up.
�Fine. Just wait there.� Then he left.

I panicked, he�ll not take him here for real, right?! Oh gosh. I�m not ready to
face him yet. Ayoko!
I was trembling. Asan na ba siya-?

�Chill, he�ll not call him here.� Napalingon ako sa kanan.

�Andrew!� He was smiling at me and he walked towards me.

He sat down on the bed and touched my forehead.

�Mainit ka pa ah.�
�A-Ano� You mean�?�
�He�ll not call him here. He would not even tell him you�re sick.�

I was confused.�

�And� Why wouldn�t he?� I asked.

�So he won�t care. Tristan will surely go here and take care of you once he
discovers it. Tapos sinabi mo pa na si Tristan lang ang nakakaalam kung paano ka
maaalagaan.�

Napangiwi ako. �Hindi ko naman sinasadya e��

�For a person who likes you, it is not an excuse. You should be careful on whatever
you say to avoid getting people hurt.� He told me seriously.

I reddened.
�It�s not like Lawrence likes me�� I uttered.
�It�s not only Lawrence. There are a lot of people around you, princess.�

. . .?

I gave a sigh.

�I understand, Andrew. Salamat sa paalala, though I disagree about Lawrence having

feelings towards me.� I said. �Anyway, sinong nagluto nito?� I asked.
�It�s Lawrence.�
�So� He knows how to cook.�
�Yeah. Priscilla did teach him a lot of things.�

My chest hurt. OH GOSH.

�A-Ah� Ganun ba� E di� E di he had took care of her� When she was sick�?�

Andrew shrugged his shoulders.

�Dunno.� He leered at me. �Do you want me to ask him?�

I blushed. �No! Bakit pa?! �To talaga� I was just� Curious�� I whispered.
He chuckled.

�Yan ka nanaman. You�re chuckling again. Bakit ba� Nung nakakatawa?�

�Wala. Wala. Magpahinga ka na lang.�

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I kicked the rock on the ground. Nasa front porch ako nun. I feel really pissed
off. Hindi naman niya kailangang ipamukha sakin na hindi ako marunong mag alaga.

Well� When I took care of Priscilla when she had an accident, I wasn�t really like
this. It feelis like I�m more� More heated up and worried right now.

I sat on the stairs and rubbed my forehead.

�Ahh� Why do her words affect me so much�?�

Oh dang.

�She finished eating.� Napatingala ako. Si Andrew naman.

�A-Ah� I thought she doesn�t like it?� I asked.
�Of course not� Serena is not the type to reject food. Though she�s sometimes on a
diet.�

He tapped my back.

�Her fever is getting higher. Take care of her.�

�Didn�t she say she�d prefer Tristan?�

He chuckled. Eto nanaman �tong tawa niyang walang tigil.

�Please stop chuckling. You irritate my ears.�

He chuckled louder.

�Stop being so shy. Puntahan mo na si Serena. It�s obvious already.�

Naningkit yung mga mata ko. Why does he have to remind me?

�Tigilan mo nga ako.�

--

SERENA�s POV:

I was under the sheets of my blankets. Kainis. He�s not returning after all. Yun na
lang yun? I thought he�ll take care of me. He�s so half-hearted. Tss.

My head is still aching.

Kainis naman o.

Maybe nung si Priscilla yung maysakit� Todo alaga siya. With matching spoon-feeding
pa. Tsk.
Kainis naman o.

Bakit nga ba ako naaasar!?

�ARRGH-!��
�Serena?�
Napalingon ako. There was Lawrence, he seemed surprised kasi nga pasigaw na ako
nung pumasok siya.

�Y-You�re okay already?�

�A-Ah� Ano��

He walked to me and touched my forehead.�

�Good thing you�re fever�s gone down. Magpahinga ka pa.�

He took the bowl of soup which I just finished and walked slowly away. Parang
walang nangyari ah.

I want to ask.

I want to ask him!

I need to� To stop this overflowing feelings�

�LAWRENCE!�

Napalingon siya na parang nagulat.

�Yeah?�
�When� When Priscilla� Was sick� You� You took care of her�?�

Silence occurred, then he looked at me.

�Yeah. But I� Care for you� More than I do� To her.�

My heart skipped a beat, I guess. He slowly turned his back. Then walked away.

I touched my chest. Sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko.

This is so weird. He said that he� Cares for me� More?!�

DI NGA?!

I took my pillow and covered my face with it.

I think my fever will get high because of this tension!!

My phone rang, I grabbed it and answered it.

�HELLO?!� I accidentally yelled. GRABE na �to.

�Serena?�
�T-Tristan!��

Oh gosh, nasigawan ko siya. Kasi naman e. Sobrang ewan ng nararamdaman ko ngayun!

�B-Bakit napatawag ka�?�

�I was worried. Tinawagan kasi ako ni Lawrence kanina� Tinatanung niya kung nasan
ka na raw. Kaya yun, akala ko kung san ka na napunta. I should have dropped you
off.��
�A-Ah! H-Hindi, ayus lang.�

I�m feeling weird talking to him like this.�

�Alright then, good night.� He said.

�Good-�
�I love you.�
I was startled. Hindi ako nakasagot. It seemed like time stopped.�
TRISTAN� What does he still mean to me?

�Hey� Serena?�

What am I gonna answer?! I�m still� Confused.

�I� I love you. Yeah. Sige, goodnight.�

Then I put the phone down.

As I said that, I feel hurt. Parang may naloko akong ewan. I grunted.
Ano ba talaga?!

?!

I looked to the side.

�Lawrence��

He was looking at me with strange eyes, then he smiled.

�Sorry� For eavesdropping�� He said then waved at me then left.

�Lawrence..!�

I wanted to follow him, but my body was too heavy to move.

Why is it so painful?

It hurts me to tell �I love you� to Tristan� And it also hurts me to see Lawrence�
Look at me that way.

--

I slowly opened my eyes. I looked at the clock, it�s 3 am. Grabe, ang tagal ko na
palang nandito sa kama. Tsk. Nagpalinga linga ako, I was still feeling dizzy, but
there was no way for me to stay in bed. Besides, pabigat na ata ako.

�L-L-Lawrence�� He was sleeping with his head on my bed.�

It was weird, but it felt like I wanted to touch him.

I slowly caressed his hair.�

--

I woke up again, medyo maayus na rin ako. Lawrence was no longer there.�

�Lawrence-? � Andrew! Ikaw pala.� Andrew waved at me.�

�Lawrence is taking a bath. Don�t worry.� He told me.
�B-Bakit naman ako mag woworry? This guy�� Tsssk.

The door opened and there was Lawrence.

�You�re okay?� He asked me. I nodded.

�Alright then, I�m going to work. See �ya.�

I should at least thank him while he�s awake, right?

�Lawrence!�

He looked back.

�Salamat!�

Then there was silence. Napayuko siya saglit, then he looked at me.

�Don�t thank me. You were absent for a lot of times from office, you�re salary
would be deducted.�
�EH?�
�Sige, don�t do unnecessary things that will make me worry. Bye.�

He said then walked out.

Make him worry�?

He was� Seriously worried�?

�Hey� You�re deep red.� Napalingon ako kay Andrew.

�H-Ha? Hindi ha.� I said and got off from bed.

�Thanks for watching over me during his absence. Salamat.� I giggled and rushed to
the bathroom. Oh gosh. I�m going crazy.�

Bakit nanaman ganito ako magreact?!

Anyway� The thing I was thinking about last time�

Tristan isn�t the one I like anymore?

? 25 ?

�Give me a cup of coffee.� He told me. I immediately went out of the room and made
him a coffee.

�Here.� I gave it to him without complaints. He glanced at me, I smiled at him.

Why I�m doing this? To return the favor of him taking care of me. Tsaka� Kasi� Ewan
ko ba.

I wonder if there�s anything I can do for him.

I sat on the couch near him and just took glances of him. Walang mangyayari kung
gaganito lang ako. I need to do something.

�Ano bang kailangan mo?� He suddenly asked. Nagulat ako.

�H-Ha? Kailangan ko?� I asked.

He looked at me seriously.

�Do you need money? Or you�re hungry?� He leered at me. �Or you want to go to
Tristan right now?�

I scoffed.

�Why would I want to go to Tristan?�

Not now, tss. I am not even ready to give him and answer yet. ARRGH. I don�t have
time to think about that.

�Because whenever you act weird, it just means you want to meet with your first
love.�
I reddened.� �Hindi ah! Ang dumi mo naman magi sip. TSK.�
�Anong marumi dun? E yun naman talaga ang dahilan kaya mo ko kinukulit ngayun di
ba? Sige na. Puntahan mo na siya. GGOOO.�

I raised my eyebrows.

�Hindi nga e!� I yelled at him at napatayo ako.

�Sus. Stop lying� I know. You�re gonna go to him now and tell him �I love you�.�
I got embarrassed. Hindi pa pala niya nakakalimutan.

�We�re friends! Kaya pwede kaming magsabihan nun!�

�Now that he has confessed to you, you are no longer friends like before. You may
still be in the friendship state, but definitely, hindi na katulad ng dati.�
�E-Eh bakit ba?!�
�You�re engaged to me, Ms. Serena. Though it is only by papers, you are not
supposed to act so flirty.�

ARGH! That�s it!

�Tsk! Bahala ka kung anung gusto mong isipin! I�m going for a break!� I told him
and walked out of his office. Tsk. I really despise that guy. Bakit ko pa ba inisip
kung paano ako makakabayad sakanya? Hindi ko naman sinabing alagaan niya ako. He
was first to get concerned on me.

Umiling iling ako. Kainis.

�Serena.�
Nababadtrip talaga ako sa lalaking yun. Tsk. It was like pinapalabas niya na puro
ako Tristan.

Pero siguro nga? DATI? Well, that�s the word. DATI. I don�t know, pero kasi� Hay,
ewan.

�Serena!�
�ANO?�

But unexpectedly, paglingon ko, it was Andrew. Whoa. I wonder why Andrew is here
again?

�O, ikaw pala� Bakit nandito ka?� I asked him.

�Ah.. Because we own this company.�

NGE. Napatawa ako.

�Alam ko, pero yung real reason nga?�
He chuckled.� �Di� I�m looking for something to do in this office e.�

Nagulat ako.

�WEEHHH.�

Natawa ulit siya.

�I�m kidding. Ako? Magtratrabaho? Ahaha. Hindi rin.� He said.

�Oo, alam ko. Magpapamisa ako pag nangyari yun.�

Then we laughed again.

�Anyway, bakit parang bad trip ka paglabas mo sa office ni Lawrence?�

Nawala ang pagiging good mood ko. I did not reply and I just showed him my
reaction. He pinched my cheeks.

�Ang cute naman.��

�Aray.�

He let go of me.
�So, what�s the story?�

--

We went to the rooftop, as usual, dun kami nagkwentuhan.

�I just wanted to make it up to him, kaso iniisip niya, tungkol nanaman kay
Tristan� Kainis.�
�Kasi naman, since before, you really love that guy. Dib a? So hindi mo maaalis
kahit kanino ang isipin yun� Kahit ako.�

I pouted. �Trust me, it�s not because of him. It�s because of Lawrence. I want to
give him something in return though� Hindi siya nanghihingi.�

Andrew thought for a moment.

�Oh right, his 21st birthday is coming.� He said.

�21 na siya?�
�Yep. It�s this week.�
�THIS WEEK?!� I exclaimed. �Whoa! Para namang makakapagplano ako agad nun!� I
yelled.
�Tss. That�s easy. Di tanungin mo siya kung anung gusto niya.�

Umiling ako.

�It must be a surprise, Andrew. Ikaw talaga.� I said. �Pero how come he never said
anything about having his birthday?� I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders.

�Maybe he hate birthdays?�

I pouted.

�And why�s that?�

�Ewan.�
�Tsk. Hindi yun. Who would hate birthdays? Ako bahala! He�d be weird if he does
hate it.�

Napakibit balikat siya.

�You�ll help me right? Right, Andrew?�

He paused for a moment of silence and looked at me. �Well, kung gusto mo e.�
�Hell yeah. I knew I can count on you.� I smiled at him.

--

I returned to his office, kahit na nabubuwisit pa rin ako sakanya.

I kept glancing on him. Ano ba pwedeng ibigay ko rito?
He has everything he needs. He can surely buy anything din. DUHH. Siya nagpapasahod
sakin e. Anung mabibigay ko sakanya? Aissh.�

"Bakit ka nanaman natingin?" He suddenly asked me. Kainis. Why is he such a keen
observer?!
"H-Hindi noh."
"Kanina ka pa. Spit it out. Whatever you want to say to me." He told me and he
stared at me na parang galit. Kinakabahan tuloy ako lalo. Ano? Tatanungin ko ba?

"Well... This week... It's... Ahh..."

"What? Your birthday?"
"H-Ha?! Hindi ah. Nex t month pa yun... -- H-Hindi! Hindi yun. Alam mo na naman
e.." I uttered.
"I don't have time to have guess who's or guess what's.." He said at tumutok ulit
sa laptop niya. Kaya ako nababadtrip e. Kainis talaga siya.

Umiling ako.
"Wala. Forget it." I said. Bahala nga siya. Pag ako nainis di ko siya reregaluhan
ng kung anu man e.
I glanced at him.

But can I actually do that to him? NAH. Parang hindi. Hay ewan.

I sat down again and looked at my fingernails. Ano kayang pwede kong ibigay
sakanya? I scanned my cellphone's contacts afterwards. HMM. I stopped as I reached
Cathy's name. I wonder how she is now. Well, she keeps posting in facebook and all,
but she's not chatting with me. Anyway, bahala na.
Then next, I stopped at Tristan's name. Tristan.

Yeah. Tristan's a guy. If Andrew doesn't think of anything, baka si Tristan meron.

I decided to call him.

"Hello? Tris?" I muttered. I saw Lawrence look at me. Oops, the celebrant's here. I
stood up and walked farther.

"S-Serena! It's good you called." His voice was like thrilled or anything. I wasn't
actually feeling anything at all, until I remembered my current situation with him.

"T-Tris."
"Bakit ka napatawag?"
"Uh... Ah.. Ano, mangangamusta lang." I said tapos natawa ako.�
"Ah! Ayus lang ako... Ikaw?"
"Ayus lang din naman..."

Napangiwi ako.

"Well... Tristan... I called to ask... If you know anything that can make a guy
happy...? Uh. It's about presents... Or surprises... For birthdays? Parang ganun?"
He did not response in an instant, but I can hear his breathing.

"Tristan?"
"For whom?"
"Ha? For whom--?"
"Para kanino... Kaya mo ako tinatanung?"

I gulped. Ano kayang sasabihin ko?

"Umm... Para sa isang kaibigan..."
"What's his name?"
I paused for a moment. Bahala na nga!

"L-Lawrence."

He sighed. "Well... I don't know."

"That's what I expected." I whispered to myself. "What can I acutally do that makes
you happy then, Tris?"
"Just being there for me... Makes me happy."

I reddened, alam ko yun.

"Tris--"

BEEP. Lowbat. Maganda yan!

"ARRGH! Nalowbat!" I exclaimed.
"Bakit? Nabitin ba ang pag uusap niyo ng Tristan mo?"

Napalingon ako sa lingon, he was unusually glaring at me.

"Pakielam mo?" I asked.

"Tsk. Wala. Umuwi ka na nga lang."
"B-Bakit?"
"Basta."

--

LAWRENCE'S POV:

I paused for a moment kasi napagod na ako sa kakatitig sa laptop ko. I stood up and
walked to the window and looked around.
I already asked Serena to go home, and it feels weird na nagsisisi ako na pinauwi
ko siya. Ewan ko ba sa sarili ko.
I'm awfully weird.

My 21st birthday is near. Alam ko na yun yung tinutukoy kanina ni Serena, but I did
not tell her that I know kasi baka mag alala pa siyang gumawa ng bagay na hindi
naman talaga niya ginagawa.

I received a chat from Priscilla.

Priscill.Miguel: Lawrence, your birthday's near.. Let's spend it together... Like
before.
I was startled for a minute, like before. Right.
Naupo ako ulit sa harap ng computer ko.
Lawrence.Montealegre: Sorry, Priscilla, but I have a plan with Serena.
Priscilla.Miguel: Can't you cancel it out even just this once? I really want to be
with you even just now. I love you Lawrence. Please think about it.
Lawrence.Montealegre: Nothing is to be thought about. I proposed to Serena because
I love her.
I paused for a moment as I finished typing.
I love her? Oh damn.
Priscilla.Miguel: I'll be waiting for you at Max's at your birthday. Please show
up. I'll not leave the place till you come.

Priscilla.Miguel has signed off.

WHAT? I wanted to tell her to stop, kaso nawala na siya. That girl... Why can't she
just leave me alone? Siya ang naunang nanakit... But still, she's not giving me up.
She's not leaving the place 'till I came? Oh dang. Anong gagawin ko? I know, hindi
ko na talaga siya gusto... Gaya ng dati, but when she does it like this... Wala
akong magagawa.�

--

SERENA's POV:

I have decided! I'll just cook for him. Tama! Cook a dinner for him.
Kahit na hindi ako marunong. Ampf.

Bakit ko naisip yun? Because of Ana. Yee. It's been so long since I've talked to
her and it's good na nakapag suggest siya ng maganda.

"Pero paano ako makakapagluto? Hala. Hindi naman ako marunong e."
"Tuturuan kita, Serena." She said. "Tuturuan kitang gumawa ng cake at iba pa."

I giggled.

"Wow! Salamat ha!" I exclaimed.�

"It's a good thing you've come up with something."

Andrew arrived in the balcony too.

"Andrew!"
"Wow, you're cooking huh." He said.�
I nodded at nagpaalam na para umalis si Ana.

"Yhup. Kahit na hindi ako marunong." I said. Natawa siya.

"Well, how can a princess actually cook. Dapat iba na lang inisip mo."

Umiling ako.

"Alam ko, it will be my first time. And it will be special 'cause it will be for
Lawrence...--"

I reddened after I realized what I said.

"A-Ah! Hindi yun ang ibig kong sabihin..." I said. "Ah, ano kasi..--"
"It's alright." He said in a firm voice. Napatingin ako sakanya. First time seeing
his expression so seriosuly. "It just got me envy."

I was silenced, he got envy?

"Andrew?"

He suddenly changed his expression to the happy one.

"Ahaha! Got you."

I sighed for relief. Ewan ko kung bakit relief.. But it felt nice na joke lang yung
sinabi niya.
"Ahaha. Kaw talaga. Kulit mo." I said.
"Basta ha." He told me.
"Basta ano?"
"I'll be the one to taste it first." He said then pressed my nose.

I smiled at him.

"Naman! Of course it will be Andrew!"

Alright then! I'll try my hardest to cook something for Lawrence!

? 26 ?

"Hey... Lawrence." I knocked on his office's door.�

"Serena. Why are you here?"

Tomorrow will be his birthday, tamang tama. It will be my day-off din.

"Ah... Bukas... Uuwi ka ba nang maaga?" I asked him. He looked wondering.

"Why are you asking?"
"Pwede ba pakisagot na lang?" I asked him.

He continued working.

"I guess. Wala naman akong appointments for tomorrow night, and matatapos ko na rin
'to."

I felt wonderful. "That's a good thing."

"Bakit? Ano bang meron?"

Umiling ako. "Wala... Anyway, Priscilla... How about her..-?"

"She invited me out, but I'm not going." He told me with his serious voice again.
"B-Bakit naman?" I was just curious. That's all. Wag kayong mag-isip ng kung ano.
"I have no reason left to go out with her again." He looked at me. "Are there any
stuffs you still need to know?"

I just grinned. "Wala na... Salamat." I said and waved goodbye at him... Then I
left. Yun o. Hindi naman pala siya aalis bukas... E di maganda.
Alright then, gotta research at net kung ano ang magandang iluto.

--

LAWRENCE's POV:

Yeah. I've decided not to show up after all. I'll be giving false hopes to
Priscilla if I come. And that's not what I wanted.
I am sure, that not all my feelings are gone for her, but I'm also sure that she is
not the one I like now. Though I don't know who it is... Arrgh. Bakit ba si Serena
ang pumapasok sa isip ko whenever I think about these things?

I leaned on my office chair and looked at the door where I last saw her.

I wonder... After Priscilla gives up on me... I wonder if she's leaving. Well, the
contract becomes expired after her father wakes up and Priscilla leaves me.

Of course she will leave. I'd return their company to them, now that it is growing
again. Everything will be back to normal. We'll say that we broke up in public and
I'll change schools. Nah, probably not.�

I wonder how we will be. Magpapansinan pa rin kaya kami like this? Will it be like
we are staring over?

I suddenly had my chest hurting. Bakit ganito?

I shook my head in disbelief to myself. Maybe I'm just tired. Tama na nga ang
kakaisip.
Matagal tagal pa naman yung bago mangyari e.
SERENA's POV:

Ana and I started cooking around 4 in the afternoon. We're baking cake and we'll be
cooking spaghetti. Andrew recommended it to me. Well, he knows a lot about Lawrence
after all.

I was mixing the ingredients for the cake and Ana was doing the preparation for the
sauce. Ako pa rin angn magtitimpla nung sa sauce, but of course, I need her as a
guide. Ayoko namang pakainin si Lawrence ng masamang pagkain.

I paused for a moment.

I wonder how he'll react if he returns home. Sana naman makaappreciate yung
lalaking yun.
I continued mixing the ingredients.

After some minutes, Andrew came.

"Smells good. Where's Ana?" He asked.

"Ahh... She went to buy some stuffs."
"E pano mo malalaman gagawin mo kung wala siya?"

I giggled. "She already taught me how. I'm an easy-learner." I said with

confidence.
"Tss." He chuckled with me. "Then how is everything here?"
"It's okay. I had just put the cake inside the oven." I said. "Malapit na ring
matapos 'tong sauce na ginagawa ko. Then next, I'll get some ice cream-- Oh no. Not
ice cream."

I remembered Priscilla's ice cream influence.

I can't let him remember about her tonight.

"Not ice cream?" He uttered.

"Y-Yeah. I don't think it'll be fine to add it uo to the menu. Gagawa na lang ako
ng salad..." I said.
He grinned.

"You remembered Priscilla?" I was startled. Tapos umling.

"Hindi ah."
"Stop acting that way... It's obvious."
"What obvious?"
"That you have feelings for Lawrence."

I blushed tapos binilisan ko yung ginagawa ko.

"H-Heck no. It was on the contract not to fall in love wuth each other, and as an
intellectual woman who signed the contract, hindi ko magagawang labagin yun." I
said.
"Tss. Stop denying it. You already like him, Serena." He said.
"Hindi nga. Wag ka makulit." I said.

How can I actually like him? Hindi rin. Maybe I am being weird as I thought about
this, pero hindi talaga. Hinding hindi.

--

I put balloons on the table of the balcony. I asked Andrew to help me out.
Actually, it will not be a dinner date if you're wondering. Everyone working in
this household is invited.
It's already 6, maya-maya uuwi na si Lawrence and it will be surely fun for us!

Andrew and I were leaning on the handles and were staring a the big starry sky.

"Are you excited?" He asked me.

Tumango ako. "This is the first time I prepared something by myself. Siyempre, I've
been using money for gifts and such... Before." I said na parang nahihiya.�
"Yeah. But isn't it much easier like that?"

I smiled at him.

"Well yeah. But I think it's better like this. I think that if I see people who
eats the food I cook... And their faces were really grateful... Sa tingin ko mas
masaya ako ng ganun."

I giggled again. "Honestly, I like my present self than before."

He looked at me silently.
"Me too. I liek my usual self." He said.

Napangiwi ako. "Usual self? E ganun ka pa rin naman ah."

He pinched my cheeks.
"Of course not. I've changed. I've stopped going out with girls evry now and then."

My eyes grew huge.

"WEEEHHH."
"Oo nga..."
"E bakit lagi ka pa ring nasa labas?"

He sighed. "I was going for parties, oo. Pero hindi na ako nambababae. Tsaka lagi
aman akong nandito ah. Di ba?"

Tumango ako.
"Yeah. Then what caused you to be like that?" I asked, then I leered at him. "You
like someone, don't you?"

He stared at me seriously.

"Do you want to know who it is?"

I don't know, but I felt weird.

"N-No. Wag na. Next time na."

He chuckled again.�

I blushed and all, bakit ganito yung feeling ko? Parang... Parang ayokong malamn
kung sino man yun.

It was like...�

The looks in his eyes mademe feel tension all over.

LAWRENCE's POV:

It's 6. I have to go home. Feeling ko kasi may naghihintay sakin sa bahay. I rode
on my car and put my seatbelt on.
Then I sarted the engine.

Priscilla... I wonder if she's still there. Well, it's not like I care at all.

--

I parked my car in front of the house. I went down, and I was a little bit startled
as I saw Serena and Andrew laughing at the balcony.�

It didn't give me a pleasant feeling.

My phone rang, I answered it but my eyes were still on them.

"Hello?"
"Lawrence..."
"Priscilla."

I leaned on my car's door.

"I'm at Max's. I hope you can come tonight..." She gently said.�

I looked at Serena and Andrew again, and my mind built up a decision.

"Please wait for me."

SERENA's POV:

I looked at my watch, it's already 8. Anong nangyari sakanya? I was playing with
the balloons, and I am getting bored.

"Anong nangyari kay Lawrence...?" I asked myself. "The food is getting colder..."
"I tried calling him, but he's not picking up." Andrew said.

I felt sad and disappointed. Then he's not coming...?

"It's alright... Maybe he's in the middle of driving... I'll still wait for him." I
told Andrew.

He's coming. Kahit na hindi niya alam na nag prepare ako, he said that he's
returning on time. Kaya aantayin ko siya. I won't lose hope! Aba, nag hirap kaya
akong magluto.

But where's he?

? 27 ?

LAWRENCE's POV:

We were sitting together and were waiting for our orders.

"It's good you decided to come..." She said.
"Well, I just didn't like the atmosphere at home."

I got irritated as I remembered those two. Oh darn.

"O-Oh... I was hoping that you're finally giving me a chance..."

I saw that disappointed look on her face.

"Priscilla... How many times do I have to tell you how I feel now? Ayokong saktan
ka pa nang paulit ulit."
"Then just tell me, Lawrence... Are there... Even a bit... Are there still feelings
left for me?"

I was silenced, napatingin ako sa pinggan.

"Pris, you know that if you loved a person, there will still be traces of her
right? .. The scar you left with me... Is the proof that I had feelings for you...
Yet, I can't assure you, that there is."
She grabbed my hand. Nilalamig siya. This isn't like her at all.

"Please don't say that Lawrence... Like what I've said before, I'm willing to wait.
Hangga't hindi pa kayo kinakasal ni Serena."
"You'll just get hurt, Prisciila, and I don't want to see you like that. I've
forgiven you, oo. Pero iba na ang mahal ko."
Finally, her tears started falling, and I wiped it for her. Suddenly, the waiter
came. She tried to stop crying as he put the food on table. I just looked at her.�

SERENA's POV:

I looked at my watch. It's 11.�

I can't believe it. I'm still waiting here for nothing. He said he's coming home.
Pero hindi siya dumadating.

Alam ko, na hindi niya alam na ginawa ko 'to, but I only hoped that he bothered to
call.

I'm getting sleepy, gusto ko pa siyang antayin... But I'm losing hope.

A teardrop fell from my eye. Why am I crying?

"Don't cry, Serena." It was Andrew. Inakbayan niya ako and rubbed my shoulders.
"I... I don't know. I don't usually cry over something like this. Tingin mo ba
mababaw ako..?"
"No. You have the right to cry... Naghirap ka para gawin 'to, and yet..."

His phone suddenly rang.

"Hello?.... Ha? WHAT? You're with Priscilla?"

I had chest pains.

"W-Wala... Wala. Sige." Then he ended the call. He gave me a sign that he was
showing sympathy.
"Serena... Let's... Let's just eat together, okay-?"
I can't hold back and I hugged him.

"Please let me stay like this one bit. I don't why I'm having sharp chest pains." I
whispered and I continued crying. This is so weird. Why do I feel like this? It's
like... I... I'm jealous..

He went to spend his birthday with Priscilla... Then that means that he still likes
her, right? It just feels so weird na ganito ang nararamdaman ko.

"Please don't cry." He told me.

"Ayokong umiyak, Andrew... Pero sobrang sakit. Please don't ask me kung bakit ako
nasasaktan dahil kahit ako.. Hindi ko alam..."

He patted my head.

"Alright. I'll lend you my chest."

I hugged him tighter. His heartbeat... Was fast too.

LAWRENCE's POV:

I returned home around 12. I removed my coat then walked through the house.

"You're home." Napalingon ako sa balcony. There tables and chairs and food. Nagulat
ako, there was Andrew with his angry look on his eyes.
"What's up in here?"
"You ask me what's up? .." He said in an angry voice then he walked towards me.
"Serena... Knew it was your birthday today, so she prepared all of these. Kahit na
hindi siya marunong magluto, she cooked all of these for you. And ikaw... You just
wasted all of her efforts because you had a date with Priscilla!" He yelled at me.

I was silenced. All of these?!

"I didn't know--"
"You're such a bastard." He told me then gave me a glare. "Don't make me hate you,
bro... And don't make princess cry again." He said then he walked away.

I was a bit disappointed on myself.�

How can I waste all her efforts?

I walked to the table at tinanggal ko yung nakatakip sa pagkaen. She cooked all of
these for me?�

I took a bite.�
It tastes good.

Now I feel really shameful.

--

I opened her door.

"Serena? Are you asleep?" She was covering her blankets on her face. I sat down on
her bed and opened her lampshade.

"Serena, please talk to me. I'm sorry na hindi ako dumating. Hindi ko naman alam
e." There was no response. "Serena?"

I removed her blankets.

"SERENA?!"

SERENA's POV:

It's true. I snuck out of the house and went to the bar where I drank with Lawrence
before. I can't keep this up. Gusto kong makalimot. Hindi ako makatulog so I snuck
out.

"Give me a drink." I told the bartender and he handed me one.�

"Ma'am, di ba po ikaw yung kasama ni Sir Lawrence?"

I glared at him. "Don't talk to me about him."

"E... Kaso Ma'am dati... Nasuka ka po e. Sa tingin ko po hindi mo kayang uminom."
"Wag mo kong pakielaman." I told him and drank the vodka straight.
"Give me another one."
"Ma'am, wag niyo pong--"
I glared at him. "Basta bigyan mo 'ko!!"
Alam ko na bukas, isang masakit na ulo ang sasalubong sakin, but I don't have
anything else to do to ease the pain I'm having.

I continued drinking to the point that I was feeling dizzy again.

And I did not know what I was doing.

I can only see blurry images and the sound of the loud music playing.�

It felt like I was doing something so tiring, but I don't know how to stop. It felt
like I wasn't the one controlling myself.

"Serena!" I can hear his voice. Lawrence's voice?

AHH. Too impossible. Lawrence won't be looking out for me. He only wants to be with
Priscilla.

LAWRENCE's POV:

I received a call from the bartender in the bar. It's good that I'm a costumer in
that bar. Dun pala nagpunta yung babaeng yun. Arrgh. What is she doing now?
She doesn't know how to drink.

I parked my car in front and rushed into the bar. The music was so loud. It was
like there's a party in here.

I looked around.�

"Serena?!"

I rushed to the bartender. "Where's she?" He pointed to the stage.

She was there, dancing all her way. People were cheering for her. Oh, this girl!!

I ran to her, pushing away all the people blocking my way.

"Serena!" I called her, she seemed surprised, but did not pay attention continued
dancing like and idiot. She's really drunk.

I went up stage and grabbed her arm.

"Let's go--"
"Lawrence? *hiccups* Ikaw ba yan?" She asked me, then she pulled her arm then gave
a laugh. "Imposible... *hiccups*... Si Lawrence...? D-Darating dito?" She laughed
again.

"Tara na." I pulled her away from the crowd 'cause everyone was watching.

--

I pushed her to the car and I went in the driver's seat.

"S-Sino ka ba? *hiccups*"

"Si Lawrence 'to, idiot." Tumawa ulit siya.
"Wag ka nga... Magimbento..." She said and then she poked me with her finger. "Si
Lawrence... Hindi yun darating... Para sakin..."�

She leaned on the seat and closed her eyes. "All... He thinks about... Is his
ex..."�
She opened her eyes and looked at me. "Sinungaling... Siya... Sabi niya... Hindi na
niya... *hiccups* gusto si... Priscilla... Pero.. Pero..."

Umiling siya and poked my nose. "Hayy *hiccups* ewan.. Kalimutan na lang natin..."
She said then gave a laugh.

Did I hurt her this much? I just looked at her silently, then she started talking
again.

"Isn't it weird...?... Ang sama ng ugali niya... *hiccups*... I hate him so much...
He's... Better than me... He... Is mean... And yet..." A teardrop fell from her
eyes. "...He's the only one... Who can... Can make me happy... In a different
way..."

He gave a chuckle again.

Her words... They are giving me a different feeling. It was like... I... I want to
hug her tight and say I'm sorry.�
I'm really unforgivable.

"Ahh... I don't... Know... What to do..." She gave me a smile. "I think... I've
gotten... Myself... Deeply falling for him..."�

I was startled.�

"Sabi mo... Ikaw si Lawrence... Di ba...?" She leaned on me closer at napaatras

ako, hitting my car's window with my head. Masakit yun di ba?

"...Can you... Kiss me...?"

I gulped.

"Marami... Nagsabi... *hiccups* na maganda ako... And... *hiccups* I'm perfect..."

Her tears continued falling, but still, her smiles were still there.
"But yet... Wala naman talagang... Nagmahal sakin... Ng totoo... Ahaha... I haven't
even had my first kiss... Yet... Not even... With Tristan... *hiccups*"

She went back and sat properly.�

She continued having her hiccups and she had closed her eyes.

I paused for a moment, and got my fists, clenched.

I looked at my hands, and looked at her.

Then I..

Kissed her.

She smelled strange, amoy alak siya, pero hindi ko na yun ininda pa. All I knew
was...

There were feelings as I kissed her.

I slowly pulled myself back, and I saw her with open eyes.

"Serena..."

She looked at me like surprised, and she slowly closed her eyes.

HUHHHHHH?!
SERENA's POV:

AHHHH!!! Saket ng ulo ko!!!!

I woke up from my sleep at napaupo ako.

"Aray ko naman..." I looked around the place where I was.�

MY ROOM?

HUH? Anong nangyari kagabe?

I got flashbacks in mind.

I was... Dancing on stage. Yun lang ang naalala ko. Nakakahiya! ARRGH! And also--

A scene from the car.

I... Was kissing Lawrence.

I blushed at napahawak ako sa chest ko.�

What am I thinking?! I'm just imagining things! Naman o! Ganito ba talaga pag may
hangover?!

Napahawak ako sa labi ko. It really felt like... It was true..

--

I went down for breakfast. Sapo pa rin ang ulo ko.

"Where were you last night?" Nakasalubong ko si Andrew on the way to the dining
hall.
"Ah... I... I went to... The bar..." I answered. He leered at me. "Why did you go
alone?"
"Ah... S-Sorry--"

Lawrence passed by us. Napatingin ako sakanya, and my heart beat fast. Why am I
feeling like this?!

"Eat up." He said then sat down for breakfast.

Napalingon kami sakanya ni Andrew.

"Lawrence..." I muttered.�
He looked at me. I reddened as I made eye cotnact with him.

Bakit ba ako nakakaramdam ng ganito?!

"Y-You... Ah... You brought... Me... Home?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. It was annoying to come there actually." He said.�

Kaasar yun ah.�

"But then... I gotta make it up to you right?" He said.�
"Make it up-?"
"Will you... Cook for me again?"

I suddenly felt energized as he said those, and I smiled at him. Why it it like
this? It feels like I don't have the strength to reject him.
I smiled at him.

"Yeah!"

I rushed to the dining table though I felt..

Andrew was just silently watching behind me.

? 28 ?

I was lying down on my bed. One month and a half had passed. Malapit na rin
magpasukan. I will soon be a fourth year student and soon, I'll graduate too.
Then I'll get married to Lawrence.

OOPS. How foolish I am. Everything was just a contract right. Me and him... We're
just complete strangers to each other, oh no. Not that. We're enemies, actually.
Since he came to my life, he has became an enemy.

Napailing ako.

Why does it feel like what I tell myself now hurts me?

I sat down. I think I'll visit Dad today.

--

"Lawrence, I'm going to visit Dad today." I told him. He was busy with paper work
so I don't think he heard me.

"S-Sige. Bye." I said at aalis na dapat ako, but he called me back.

"Serena."
Napalingon ako.

"Do you want me to accompany you?"�

I was a bit surprised.

"You're busy with paper work..."� I told him.

"No, it's okay. Wait for me, matatapos na ako."

Napangiti ako. "Okay."

--

We were riding in the car.

"What have you eaten today?" I asked him, he glanced at me.

"Bakit natanong?" He asked.
"E... Kasi... It's weird that you're offering me a ride. It's just so unlike you."
"What, you want me to drop you off here now?"

Inisnaban ko nga.
"Sunget."

He chuckled.

"Joke lang. Basta. I just thought that it's not bad to eat dinners sometimes
outside."
"Dinner?"
He nodded.

"It's been ages since we've been gone to a restaurant."�

Napangiwi ako. "T-Talaga? You're asking me out for a dinner?"

"Yeah. But it will be your money to be paid."
"NGEE."
"I kid. I don't let women pay for bills."

I smiled at him.

"I know. I know."

--

"He's been responding well to the medications we've been giving him. Only a few
more weeks or days, there is a possibility that he'd wake up."

I was glad.�

"S-Salamat po, Doc." I thanked the Doctor and he said goodbye and left.

I faced Lawrence.

"Isn't it wonderful, Lawrence? Dad's finally waking up!"

He smiled at me.

"Yeah. It's great."�

As I looked at him, he doesn't look happy at all.

"Hey? Aren't you happy?" I asked.

"I am. In fact, I'm just envious of your Dad. My Dad has been in the hospital for a
year, and he's still the same."

I tapped his shoulder.�

"Everything will be okay."

He grinned at me.

--

Lawrence and I entered the resaturant, much to my surprise, I bumped someone I

never thought I'll see again during break.
"Cathy...!" I exclaimed. She looked a bit surprised, and disappointed, somehow?

"S-Serena..." A guy appeared behind him. A classmate of ours on one subject

before.�

Wait a minute...

--

We joined one table. Ayun, I guess she is not angry anymore since she invited us.
The guy she's with is Joseph, and yep, they are now a couple. Na ikinagulat ko.
Unexpected e. They were like complete strangers to each other and now, sila na?
"So... How are you guys? How did it come up like this?" I asked.
"Well... We met in a bar. I spilled something on him, then we recognized each other
and there."

Napangisi ako. It was like almost the same for me and Lawrence.�

"And you... Guys? Still going strong?" She asked me.

Napasulyap ako kay Lawrence.

"You can say that..." I uttered, but then, he suddenly held my hand.
"What you cant say that?" He said. "We're still okay. The marriage is really sure."

Napasulyap ulit ako sakanya.

I smiled at Cathy and pressed his hand. Don't say those things, I knew he knew what
I meant, pero nginitian niya lang ako. Nice one.

--

Cathy and her boyfriend left after a few minutes, may dadaanan pa raw sila. It
feels so nice na she has finally forgiven me.
"Tuwang tuwa ka?" Lawrence told me.
"Well... Masaya lang ako... Kasi... Basta." I said.

He ordered dinner for us. Hindi kasi kami nakakakain masyado kasi puro kwentuhan
ang ginawa e.

"Nga pala, why did you say those things? Ikaw talaga. Imposible naman yun e." I
told him. "Remember, lahat ay kontrata lang di ba?" I asked him.

He looked at me seriously.

"I... I just..."
"What? You've fallen for me?" I teased him.

He chuckled na parang hindi makapaniwala.

"Are you really asking me that question? Because I think it reflects on you."

I blushed. "What do you mean?!"

Tumawa lang siya ulit.

"Wala. Basta, I just said that to give her no doubts."

I pouted. "Ano nga ba ang ibig mong sabihin ha?" I asked him.
He grinned. "You seriously don't remember anything about the night you got drunk?"
I frowned.

"Wala...? Bakit... Ano bang nangyari?" I asked.

"Wala... Talaga...?" He asked again which got me even more curious.
"W-A-L-A. Bakit? Ano ba yun?" I asked again.

Umilign siya. "Forget it. I guess it will be better if you don't remember anything
you said."

I pulled his sleeve. "Anu yun? Sabihin mo sakin. Dali!" I ordered him.
"NAH. Forget it."

I pulled his collar, and his face went closer to mine, na hindi ko na ininda pa
kasi curious nga ako. But then, he pushed me away.
"W-Wag ka nga!"
"O, bat namumula ka? You fine?"

He looked to the left.

"Y-Yeah..."

The orders came and I started eating. Whew. Sarap.

He wasn't eating, kaya sinita ko siya.

"Bat ayaw mo kumain? Eat up. Baka sabihin ng mga tao pinagdadamutan kita..."
"Tsk. Hindi yan."

I continued eating, tapos napatingin ako sakanya.

"Lawrence."
"Yeah?"
"Hindi ko lang sinasabi sayo... Pero... I'm really glad you invited me out..."�

AMP. Kakahiya naman nitong sinasabi ko. He looked at me strangely.

"W-What? Sinabi ko lang naman..."
"Serena... To admit it--"

Then his phone rang in all of a sudden. Nice timing.

He looked irritated. Ako rin e.

"Wait, I need pick up this call." He said and answered the phone. Nagpatuloy lang
ako sa pagkain, after a while. he stood up from his seat.

"T-Teka, san ka pupunta?" I asked him.

"Sorry, Serena, but I need to meet up with soneone."
"P-Pero hindi ka pa kumakain...!"
"Sorry. I need to go. Here." He gave me his credit card. "Eat all you want, I gotta
go."

He said and started walking away.

"L-Lawrence!"

He looked back.

"Is it... Priscilla?" I asked him.

He was silenced for a bit, then he nodded and left.

My chest hurts. Again, he's still gonna meet up with Priscilla... Always leaving me
behind.�
I stopped eating and looked around. I look stupid here. I'm eating alone with
nobody.
I took my phone and scanned my contacts.

I need to find a companion.

My chest hurts so bad.

Maiiyak na ata ako.

Because of this unknown reason, nasasaktan nanaman ako.

I stopped at 'Andrew'.
Nah. Not him. I've been disturbing him enough. He has his own things to do.
Suddenly, I received a call.

Tristan.

--

"Serena!" Napalingon ako, and there he came.

It's been a week since I last saw him. I kinda missed him... But not like before.
Yung parang mamamatay ako sa sobrang pagkamiss sakanya. I dunno. I feel guilty
'cause I know I just called him to prevent myself from feeling lonely.

Kasi iniwan nanaman ako ni Lawrence.

Napailing ako.

He reached me and sat in front of me.

"It's good you finally answered my call." Napangiwi ako.�

"Sorry... I've been busy this past few days. Sorry." I replied to him.

Silence occured.

I gave a sigh.

"Actually, Tristan... I've been thinking about what you told me. You said... You
like me... Di ba?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Are you certain... That it's me...?" I asked. "It's me who you like...?"
"Do you doubt me, Serena?" He asked.

I shrugged my shoulders and rolled my eyes.

"Because for all we know... You only treated me as your sister... It came from
you... Too..." I said.
"That was a long ago, Serena. I admit. Nagkamali ako sa sinabi ko na yun lang ang
turing ko sayo. I was just lying to myself... Kasi inisip ko na masisisra lang ang
relasyon natin kung aamin ako sayo. Condsidering that I have girlfriend."
"Whom you truly love." I added.

Umiling siya.

"I was wrong. Akala ko siya ang mahal ko..."

He held my hand. "Yun pala ikaw."

I felt weird and pulled my hand away from him.

"W-What? Is it because you don't like me anymore... Serena?"�

LAWRENCE's POV:

I met up with Priscilla in her hotel room. Yep. She has been an investor for my
company to I have absolutely no choice.
"Please sit."
"No, thanks. I'm leaving at once naman e. Since you said that what we'll talk about
is only brief, then let's settle it now." I said.
Napangiwi siya and gave me the look of disappointment.

"Alright."
"Then what is it about?"
"Well... It is said that we are going for a business trip... To Cebu." She said.

I nodded.

"Yeah. Alam ko yan. That's a next week, before school classes start." I said.
"And?"
"May I... Come with you?" She asked.
"With me?" I asked. "You can come with your guards. You don't need me." I said.

She pulled my sleeve and moved closer towards me.

"Please bring me with you."

"I... Am coming with Serena. So I doubt that you'll like the atmosphere." I warned
her.�
She nodded.

"I understand."

SERENA's POV:

I shook my head.
"H-Hindi ko alam, Tristan." I replied. "Pero tatapatin kita... Hindi na ako
sigurado kung ikaw pa rin... Sorry."

Napayuko ako. Ayokong saktan si Tristan.

"Is it because of Lawrence..?" He asked.

"W-Well--"
"You... Are only in a contract with him, right?" Nagulat ako. Paano naman niya
nalaman? Nanlaki yung mga mata ko.

"T-Tristan... Paano mo nalaman...?"�

"I hired and investigator to look through some things. I found it weird that you
suddenly decided to get married with a guy you just met and the one you told me you
hate. It was also weird that after your bankruptcy, you ran into him."

I got a little mad. "Why did you investigate behind my back? Kung may gusto kang
malaman, you can simply ask me..!"
"If I asked you, will you tell me the truth?"

Natigilan ako.

"T-Tristan..."
"I don't like it... That you're with him. You don't want to be with me kasi
natatakot kang malabag yung kontrata niyo, di ba?"
"H-Hindi yun e--"
"If you like, I can buy your company back and give it to you. I'd pay for yout
father's expenses and I can help you settle the contract. We'd cancel it out."
"Tristan, alam ko na gusto mo akong tulungan, pero masaya naman ako kung nasan na
ako ngayon e."

He looked at me seriously na parang walang narinig.

"Please move in with me."

? 29 ?�

I was startled and had my head was frozen. WHOA. He wants me to move in to his
condo unit?!
�W-W-Wait� Tris, what are you saying?� I asked him na hindi pa rin makapaniwala.
�Are you kidding�?�
�No. I�m serious. I want to live with you. I�ll take care of you. I can you�re your
Dad to States. Aalagaan kita na dapat nararananasan mo naming talaga. I�m sure that
Lawrence isn�t nice to you, kasi you�re only bound by a contract. You don�t have to
force yourself to live with him. As early as next week, everything will be already
okay. Probably by now, my lawyer is doing his job.�

Napailing ako.

�H-Hindi pwede, Tris�� I muttered.

�Ha? Bakit?�
�E-Ewan ko� Basta hindi ako pwedeng umalis kela Lawrence ng ganun ganun na lang..!�
�Of course you can� Wag kang matakot sakanya.�
�Hindi ako natatakot sakanya�� I said.
�E di bakit�?�

I, myself� Don�t know too. Bakit nga ba ganito ang nararamdaman ko?
It feels so weird.� Parang ayokong umalis kela Lawrence�

�I� I don�t know.�

�Alam ko na it is so suddenl for me to ask you about this, but please� Think about
it. This for the best. Ayokong naaalila ka lang� You are not like this. You are not
raised by your parents to be someone being ordered around.�

Napatingin ako sakanya.

�T-Tristan��

--

I was walking to the house. Nasa garden na ako and I�m on my way.

I was spacing out.�

Ano nanaman �tong problemang napasok ko? Nababaliw na ako sa kakaisip!�

Tristan wants me to live with him. He said he can take our properties back.� He can
help my father get better.
Pero bakit ganun? Inspite of all his offers, I� I still don�t have the guts to say
that I certainly agree and willing to go and live with him.

Napailing ako.

Pero bakit nga ba hindi?! This is a really good offer! Kung titira ako kasama si
Tristan, e di� E di magiging masaya ako. I can live again in luxury. I can go back
again to how I was before.

Pero� How about Lawrence?

Oh come on. Lawrence is only an acquaintance. We both benefit from each other and
that�s what just matters to him.�

He left me for Priscilla. Yun ang nakatatak sa utak ko. He doesn�t care about me at
all. All he care about is just himself. He�s unfair. He�s selfish. Hmph. He�s a
liar. Sabi niya wala na siyang nararamdaman pa para kay Priscilla, but still� He�s
going after. Isang utot ni Priscilla punta siya.

�Arrgh. I hate that guy.�

�Who is it you hate?�

Napatingin ako sa kaliwa. There was Andrew, riding on his motorbike.

�Andrew!�

Napatigil ako. He stopped his engine too.

�Bakit nagsasalita ka mag isa?� He asked.

Medyo namula ako sa hiya.

�W-Well� Uh�� Hindi ko naman masabi kay Andrew ngayun. For sure, he�ll tell me
again that I like Lawrence.

�Lawrence?� He asked.�
�Ha?�
�The guy you hate.�

Napakagat ako sa labi ko.

�I see. Something happened? Wait�Akala ko kakain kayo sa labas?�

I shrugged my shoulders and we started walking.

�Wala e.. Iniwan niya ako. You know� Business stuffs.�

Umiling siya.

�How unmanly. A man shouldn�t leave a woman alone.�

�Tss. Nga e. Buti ka pa, Andrew. You know how to take care of women.�

He chuckled.�
�Kaya siguro nabigighani mo ang lahat ng gusto mong babae.�
�Ahaha. Not at all. There�s one who I can�t call mine.�
�She doesn�t like you?� I asked.
�Well I haven�t asked, pero ayoko. I think her heart already belongs to someone.�
�AWW. I know how you feel. Masakit noh? Ayus lang yan.� I tapped his shoulders.

He grinned.

�Yeah. As long as I can stay by her side, kahit na masakit� It�s okay.�

Napangiti rin ako.

�Ang drama.� I laughed. �Anyway, who is it? Someone I know?��

Natawa siya.
�Yeah. You�re close. VERY close.�

I pouted. �You�re kidding right? I don�t have a girl close to me right now� Baka
lalaki yan ah.�

We laughed again.
�Oo nga. Baka lalaki nga.�

I poked him.
�Uy wag, sayang ka.�� And we continued laughing.

�Bakit ngayun ka lang?� Napatingin kami. Oops. We have reached the house pala.

�Lawrence.� I uttered.
�I�ve been calling you, hindi ka sumasagot. I returned to the restaurant too, pero
wala ka na.� He told me.
�Y-You returned�?� I asked him.
�O-Oo� Around 8��

Napangiwi ako.

�I just left at that time. We just thought��

�WE?� He repeated.

Uh-oh.

BAKIT BA?

�Yeah. I met with Tristan.�

�WHAT?� Andrew and Lawrence exclaimed at the same time.

Medyo nagulat ako at nagkatinginan sila. Lawrence scoffed.

�W-Why did you meet?�

I raised my eyebrow.

�Kasi iniwan mo �ko.�

�I needed to meet up with Priscilla. It�s about business. Wala naman kaming
ginawa��
�Sinabi ko bang kailangan ko ng explanation? Tsk. Do what you want. Wala na ako
run. Kaya don�t dare to mingle with my business too.�

Kabanas ka. Kakarating ko lang susungitan mo �ko? BABOO.

Inirapan ko siya and I went on my way. Kala niya ah.

�HEY YOU��
Hindi ko na siya nilingon pa. Bahala siya diyan. Tss. I can�t give him time. I need
to plan on stuffs and what to do.

--

The next day, he was taking glances of me, which don�t bother me at all. Bahala
siya diyan. Mamatay siya sa intriga.

�Ahem, ahem.� He scoffed. Hindi ko siya pinansin.

�Ahem! Ahem!�

Dedma pa rin ako.

Mukhang naasar siya and he drank his glass of water.

�Serena, pack your stuffs.� He said. Napatingin ako sakanya. Bakit? Papalayasin
niya ako?! Dahil ayokong sabihin sakanya?!

�W-Why?� I asked.
�We�re going to Cebu.�
I got confused.

�What? E may aaasikasuhin pa ako for school.� I told him.

�You don�t need to worry about that. Somebody will do it for us.�
�Why are you going there?� Andrew suddenly asked.
�It�s a business trip. A lot of companies are coming to discuss matters.�
�And bakit naman ako pupunta run?� I asked.

He raised his eyebrow.

�Because you�re my secretary.�

Pahiya ako run ah. Inirapan ko siya.

�Fine.� I just replied.

Napalingon ako kay Andrew, parang nag iisip siyang ewan e.

�Huy, kain.� I whispered to him. He grinned at me na parang nag iisip pa rin siya
then he continued eating.

�Anyway, Priscilla�s� Going with us.�

Nabulunan ako. I grabbed my glass of water and drank it.

�A-ANO?� I exclaimed.
�Bakit?� He asked.
�W-Wala naman� Kaso� Wala lang.�
�Yeah. The more the merrier, right?� Napataas ang kilay ko. Aba, ayus �to ah.
�And why is she coming with us?�
�Well, she�s taking the same flight. We�re picking her up at her house and we�re
going altogether to the airport.�

I secretly made face. Kaasar. Why is she coming with us? Hindi niya ba kayang
pumunta mag-isa? Tss.

--

I was playing on facebook when a ym chat appeared.

Tristan.Cruz: Hey, Serena.

Di agad ako nakasagot. Nag isip isip muna ako saglit. Handa na ba akong sagutin
siya?

BUZZ!

Oh gosh. He�s waiting! He�s waiting!

I wanted to press anything from the keyboard, pero parang wala naman akong lakas ng
loob.

Tristan.Cruz: It sims ly ur busy. Its olryt.

I calmed down a bit.

Tristan.Cruz: I jus wntd 2 tel u dat I�m also going 2 Cebu. Wud u want 2 go 2gedr?

Ting! A light bulb suddenly popped on my head. I immediately typed on my keyboard.

Serena.Velarde: Sori 4 l8 epz, wud u wnt 2 go 2 d airport wth me?
--

I was ready and packing my stuffs. Bukas na kami aalis. Tristan is coming with us.
Wee. Akala ni Lawrence ah.�
If he thinks he can defeat me in this, nagkakamali siya. Asaran pala ang trip niya
ah.

Somebody knocked on my door.

�Come in.�

Andrew entered in my room with a grin.

�Hey.�
�Hey, Drew.�

He sat down beside me.

�Excited?� He asked.
�A little. Marami siguro kasing mangyayari run.� I said.
�Why�s that?� He asked.

Nginitian ko siya.

�If he�s bringin Priscilla, I�m bringing Tristan.�

�ANO?�

Nagulat ako sa reaksyon niya.

�Bakit? Bakit nagulat ka?� I asked.

Umiling siya. �W-Wala naman��

Silence occurred.

�Well� Serena� Pwede ba akong magtanong?� He asked.

Natawa ako. �Nagtatanung ka na nga e.��

�Tristan� Do you still have feelings for him?�

I scoffed.

�B-Bakit mo naman natanung yan out of the blue?�

�Well, I�m just curious� Come on. We�re buddies, right?�

I nodded awkwardly, and then my eye rolled.

�Dunno� Drew. Pero ang alam ko, parang nawala na rin siya during my stay here.�
�Kasi may gusto ka nang iba?� He asked.

Namula nanaman ako.

�Ikaw talaga. Kung anu-anong tinatanong mo.� I told him. �Basta, it�s really
awkward� Especially when he has asked me to live with him.�
�ANO?�

Oops. Nadulas.

�T-TALAGA?!� He exclaimed.
�SSH. Wag ka maingay diyan, Baka marinig ka��
�So you�re leaving?�

Napalingon kami.

�Lawrence!�

? 30 ?

Nabitawan ko yung blouse na ilalagay ko sana sa maleta.

�W-Why are youlistening to others� conversation�?� I asked him na medyo nangangatog

ang boses ko.
He was like furious about it.

�I�m asking you, are you gonna leave with him?�

Napakagat ako sa labi ko.

�H-Hindi� Siyempre�. May kontrata pa tayo e�� I replied. �I can�t just leave like
that��

He looked down and then looked at me.

�Ready your stuffs, we�re leaving after an hour.�

Tumango ako, then he left.

�Yan talagang si Lawrence mahilig makichismis.� I muttered to Andrew. �Dib a?�

�I guess I�ll be going to Cebu too.� He suddenly said.
�Huh? Di pwede di ba? Hindi ka naman nag tratrabaho e sa company e.�

He grinned at me.

�I am also the son of the owner of the company. So there�s a reserved position for
me.�

--

Lawrence was already driving to Priscilla�s place. Tss. Nasa driver�s seat ako and
Andrew is in the back seat.

�Your position in the company is only a manager of a department.� Lawrence said.

�ANO? Bakit naman?� He asked.

Natawa ako.

�You are not taking your studies seriously and besides, you have no experience at
all.�
He pouted. �Hoy, Lawrence. Matalino ako, alam mo yan, sadyang tamad lang ako.�
�Yun nga. Tamad ka. Kaya nga sakin inentrust ni Papa ang company.�
�Tss. Come on. Can�t you give me a higher position?�
�No. Unless you�ve proven something to me, I won�t give you a higher position.�

I heard him whisper something against Lawrence kaya natawa ako.

�Ayaw mo? E di just give me Serena as a secretary.�

Napalingon ako sakanya and he winked at me.

�I�ll be sure to take care of her.�

�A manager doesn�t need a secretary.�

Natawa ulit ako.

�Naman e!�

He parked the car.

We saw Priscilla with her luggage, she waved at us. Napayuko ako.
Why am I feeling disturbed like this?�

Napangiwi ako as Lawrence went down the car to fetch Priscilla.

�Does it hurt?� Andrew suddenly asked me.

�A-Anong hurt ka jan? It doesn�t you idiot. Wala naman akong pakielam��

Napatingin ako ulit sa labas, and they were talking to each other. Arrgh. Tagal
naman.

I took my phone and dialed Tristan�s number.

�Hello?�
�Hey, Serena. I�m waiting here outside the house. Are you coming?�
�Yeah. Just wait for us.�

I said goodbye and put the phone down.

�We� Are gonna pick Tristan up too?� Andrew asked.

�Oo. Kasya naman tayo dito dib a?�

Lawrence and Priscilla entered the car. Sa back seat na upo si Priscilla but it was
obvious na ditto ang gusto niya, well, sorry siya.

�Hi, Serena.�� She greeted.

I just smiled at her.

�Lawrence, daanan natin si Tristan.� I said.

He frowned.

�Bakit?�
�He�s also going to Cebu. Daanan natin siya.� I gave him a good stare which just
means I�m teasing him.

�He can take care of himself.� He told me.

�Let�s just tag him along. The more the merrier dib a?� I said and I chuckled.

He glared at me.

�Tsk.�

--

We were sitting on the seats, waiting for the plane.

Tristan sat beside me.
�Have you� Decided yet�?� He asked me.

I gulped. Eto nanaman ho kami. Damn. Kinakabahan ako ah.�

�Tris� I have thought about your proposal since you asked me before, and I don�t
think I can��
�After this trip, I�m going abroad.�

Natigilan ako.

�No. Mali pala� Before the trip ends, aalis na ako. I can only stay for two days in
Cebu� And I�m flying to L.A.�

Napatingin ako sakanya. He was bowing his head.

�B-Bakit� Ka pa aalis?�
�My parents want me to take Master�s degree abroad� So if you are coming with me�
We�re also bringing your father with us.�

He looked at me.
�What�? Do you want to� Come with me?�

Nanginginig ang mga labi ko. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko sa tanong niya.
Tristan has been the only person whom I loved so much. He was also the first person
to make me feel warm. Though he had hurt me, hindi ibig sabihin nun na nakalimutan
ko na ang lahat tungkol sakanya.
He�s one of the persons important to me, at ayokong mawala siya.

�Tristan, wag ka na lang umalis� Please.� I said and I held his hands.

�Just stay here� Don�t leave.�

�Does this mean� You don�t wanna come with me?�

I gulped again, and a teardrop fell from my eyes.�

�You� Have been a really important person to me, at ayokong mawala ka sa tabi ko. I
know, it�s unfair� Pero kasi� Tristan� I don�t know� If I can come with you��

Napapikit siya.

�Sorry Tris. Please let me think about it�� I pleaded to him. �For two days� I�ll
give you an answer� I promise��

Teardrops continued falling from my eyes, but he wiped it away.

�Don�t cry. Baka sabihin ni Lawrence pinaiyak kita� Baka lalo siyang magalit
sakin.�

I forced a grin to him.

�Please wait for my answer��

--

Nasa business class kami, and my head is still messed up.

I was choosing a movie from the tv screen in front of me, pero parang puro na lang
yung problema ko ang pumapasok sa isip ko.

How can I live without Tristan? My whole life� There has been a Tristan who comes
to take care of me. A Tristan who is always there when I need him. My first love
and my best friend.

Ayokong mawala siya� But I� I certainly� Need him.

But I, too� Don�t want to go� With him to abroad and leave Lawrence and Andrew.
Alam ko, weird. Kahit ako hindi ko alam kung bakit ang hirap para sakin ang iwan
silang dalawa.

Especially Lawrence. There�s no way I�m leaving him.�

Napailing ako.�

�Aissh! Bakit ba ganito?�

A steward approached me.

�Do you want a drink, Ma�am?� He asked.

�Yeah. Give me a glass of juice.� I said and closed my eyes again.

I hate myself.

I�m being unfair.

Pag iniwan ko si Tristan� Masasaktan siyia ng sobra, but if I left Lawrence, will
he be hurt?

I shook my head.

Hindi rin. How could that be? There�s Priscilla by his side. So he doesn�t need me.
My chest hurts. Bakit ko ba laging nararamdaman �to?

�Serena!� I heard Andrew called me.

Napalingon ako sa likod.

�Panuorin mo yung third film sa list! Maganda!� He yelled.

�Ssh. Ingay mo.� I mouthed tapos naupo ulit. Kulit talaga ni Andrew.

Pag umalis kaya ako, si Andrew kaya� Will he be lonely too?

Well, I�m sure, mamimiss ko ang pagiging tropa naming dalawa.

Napailing ako.

Anu ba talaga?!

--

I put my bag on my bed and sat down. Sabay bunting hininga.�

Is this the worst thing I�ll experience?

YEAH. I�m staying in one huge room with Priscilla. She silently dropped his bag on
the floor and lied down on bed.

What an atmosphere in this room. I opened my bag and took out my clothes. I gotta
change. Pagod na ako.

�How long have you known Lawrence?� She suddenly asked.

Natigilan ako.

�H-Ha?�
�When did you meet him? Paano? Saan?�
�W-Well� It was in a club��

She looked at me.

�A club? He doesn�t go to clubs. He�s not a party-man.�

�Ewan ko. But that�s where I met him��
�And then?�
�Then he enrolled to school. We met again� And that�s it.��
�That�s it? What happened next?�

I sighed.

�Look, if you want to know� Just ask him�� I told her. �I�m tired about stuffs. I
gotta take a rest.�

Ayokong makipag plastikan sakanya. It�s obvious that I don�t like her and I hate
being interrogated by her too.
Bakit pa ba niya gustong malaman e ayaw na rin naman sakanya ni Lawrence�

�I need to know these things to make sure about something.�

�Something like what?� I asked.

She stared at me, tinitigan ko rin siya.

�I don�t believe that you too seriously love each other.�

I gulped again.

�And why�s that?� I asked her, kinakabahan ako, pero hindi ko pinapakita siyempre.

�Lawrence is so much in love with me. He has given me everything I wanted, alam ko,
na mahirap sakanya ang patawarin ako, but certainly� He� He hasn�t forgotten me
that easily.�

Natahimik ako.

�I�m not giving him up easily, and I am just concerned about you about this
matter.�
�H-Ha?�
�I�m only concerned that you� Are not just being used by Lawrence to forget me.�

Her words struck me hard. Parang bumaon sa puso ko yung mga sinabi niya. She�s
hoping that I�m not just being used?
What could that mean?

�See you. I�m taking a bath first.�

She said then walked out of the room.

Sumisikip ang dibdib ko.

I�m being used?

Bakit ako nasasaktan? It was the real purpose right? I�m just being used to chase
Priscilla away.�
Tama. TAMA.

Napapikit ako.

But why am I being hurt like this?

? 31 ?

�Tomorrow will be the discussion with the other companies.� Lawrence said during
lunch time.

Whew. I can�t believe he can manage to talk about stuffs like this naturally
especially in this kind of atmosphere.

Priscilla-Me-Him-Tristan.
Excluding Andrew. We all belong to a weird love square.�

�Then what are we going to do tonight?� Andrew asked.

�Dunno. Let�s get into our own businesses.� He replied.

�Serena, let�s go roam around the place.� Tristan asked me.

Napatingin ako sa kanilang lahat, I saw Andrew�s strange expression. I saw

Lawrence�s irritated one and Priscilla�s i-don�t-care look. I looked back at him.

�O-Okay. Let�s go.�

Lawrence stared at me; I ignored him and continued eating.

--

Tristan and I rented bicycles, at kahit mainit, we went on our way and drove around
the place.�
We stopped by a souvenir shop. There were lots of thing there. Bumili kami ng
keychains with our names in it.�

Like before, there were lots of people staring at us. Ganito na talaga ang
nakagawian.

�Try this.�

He put a hat on me.

�Ayus �to ah.� I looked at myself through the mirror. It looks fine.�
�Do you like it?� He asked.
�Pwede na. Here.� I gave him a hat too.

We both looked at ourselves through the mirror.

�Let�s buy it?� He asked.

�Sure!�

I took out my phone from the bag and I pulled him closer.

�Say cheese!�

Then next was we stopped in an ice cream shop.�

We both liked the cheese flavor so we parked the bicycles and bought some. Naglakad
lakad naman muna kami.

We looked at a lot of gift shops and souvenir shops.

Then finally, I saw a ring. A couple�s ring. Gawa siya native stuff I guess. I
looked at it closer.

Will this ring get accepted by Lawrence?

No malice okay? I�d just like to give him one.

I looked for Tristan, he was busy searching for stuffs. Good. I paid for the ring
and put it into my bag.�

Ayokong malaman niya.

Masasaktan lang siya.

I looked at him again while he was looking for some stuffs to buy.

Tristan is a really nice guy. He�ll surely meet the right girl for her.

And that girl�s not me.

I realized it after this time. Ngayung kasama ko siya.

All I see through him is Lawrence.

I touched my chest; it�s beating fast again� Because I thought of Lawrence.

Alam ko.

I admit.

I think I�ve fallen for him.

And it�s so difficult for me kasi ayokong saktan si Tristan. Si Tristan na minsan
na ring nagging pinakaimportanteng tao para sa akin.

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

Nakadungaw lang ako sa may bintana ng kuwarto. I was wondering kung san sila
pumunta. Anung ginagawa nila� Kumain na ba sila? Anung oras nila balak umuwi?�

I clenched my fists.

�Tsk. Bakit ba kasi kailangan pa dito rin mag stay nung lalaking yun?� I asked
myself.
�Is it okay� If she really leaves us?��

Napatalikod ako.

There was Andrew.

�What?�
�Serena had feelings for Tristan, and we aren�t sure if she still has� Kaya there
is a possibility na she will go with him. Will it be okay?�
I paused for a moment, and then I looked at him.
�If she wants to go, then it�s okay. I�d just trash the contract.�
�Are you sure that�s how you really feel?�

I looked back to the glass window.

�O-Oo naman� Teka, ikaw� Bat ka naman sumama rito? And even applying for a job
huh.�

He chuckled again and went beside me, leaning on the wall.

�I came because that guy�s here too.�

Napalingon ako kay Andrew. He sounds weird.

�And� Why�s that? Anu naman� Kung nandito siya?�� I asked.

�I wanted to make sure that Serena will not leave with him.�
�Andrew-?�
�If you are not admitting anything� Then I will.�

He looked at me eye-to-eye.

�I like Serena.�

I was startled, and iba yung naramdaman ko.

�Andrew?�
�I don�t know when it started, but I really started caring about her so much, and I
knew, that I have fallen for her.�

Napalunok ako.

�But of course, I�ll not pursue my feelings. I� I don�t want to add up to her
problems.�

He grinned at me.

�Just staying as her friend is fine.�

He pointed to me.

�Ikaw. Umamin ka na.�

Napayuko ako.
�Don�t let others steal her away� And never hurt her.� He use his fingers to make a
gun and pointed it to me.

�Because I�ll steal her away if you do.�

Then acted like the gun has sent out the ammo. BANG!
Hindi ako nakasagot.

Andrew also likes Serena.

And� I do, too?

--

We are actually staying in a beach club in Cebu, kaya malapit sa dagat. Tristan and
I walked along the seashore.

�Natatandaan mo pa.. Serena?�

�Yeah?� I asked sabay tingin sakanya.

�When your Dad took us in a Boracay when we were 10.�

Napatawa ako.

�Yeah. It was horrible on the boat. Takot na takot ako nun e.� I said sabay tawa.

I paused for a moment after I recalled the whole story about the trip.

�You cried and cried �till no voice came out from you.� He continued.
�Yeah� But I stopped crying when you hugged me tight, Tris.� I muttered. �Maybe if
it wasn�t you� I won�t stop crying.��

He chuckled.

�Ahaha. Tsaka nung kumain tayo sa isang restaurant. You didn�t like squids, pero
yung ang favorite ng Daddy mo.�

Natawa ulit ako.

�Yeah. I ate one and I vomited. Oh gosh, nakakahiya yun ah.�

We laughed together.

�One thing too� Nalunod ka pa nga nun sa dagat e.� He added.

�Yeah. But it was you who saved my life. Grabe, napakasignificant mo pala sa buhay
ko, Tris.�

He grinned.

�Ang tagal na pala nating magkasama noh.� He said. �I wonder if you�d want to stay
with me forever.�

Natigilan ako, and I stopped walking. He stopped too, but he was steps ahead of me.

�For me� I�d want you to stay with me forever. Ayokong mawala ka sakin.�

My heart started beating fast and I cannot say a thing.

�T-Tristan��
�Whenever you�re scared, I can protect you. Whenever you got drowned, I�ll always
save you. Whenever you get sick, I�d take care of you.� He added.

He looked back at me.

�Serena, mahal na mahal kita.�

After he said that, the waves of the sea got higher and the wind blew harder.

As I heard his words, no words can express how much it made me feel happy, but at
the same time, it made me feel lonely too.

Kung sinabi niya lang �to noon pa� Siguro� Siguro hindi ako magdadalawang isip ng
ganito. Sana� �Oo� agad ang sagot ko.

But everything has changed.�

And I need to tell him my answer!

�Sorry� Tristan!� I yelled.
I looked at him.

�Everything� Has changed. Hindi na ako ang dating �Serena� na kilala mo. Yung
�Serena� na laging� Kailangan ng tulong mo. Yung �Serena� na� Mahina. Yung �Serena�
na walang alam gawin kundi mahalin ka lang��

My fingers were trembling, and I can�t believe what I was saying, but I gotta say
what the things in my mind are.

��I had learned to� Do things by my own� I� Also� Learned� To� To forget my love
for you��

Napatingin ako sakanya, he was only looking at me.

�I� Learned� To love just� Lawrence��

I finally said it. I� Finally� Admitted to myself that I love Lawrence.

I started crying as he was taking footsteps toward me.

�S-Sorry� Sorry!� My voice was shaking and I was sobbing.

Then he grabbed me, and then he hugged me tight.

�Don�t cry, Serena. Wag kang umiyak.�
�Sorry, sorry, Tristan�! A-Ayokong saktan ka�� I sobbed. �K-Kaso��
�Don�t cry. I promised myself that I�ll never make you cry. You just told me how
you felt, and I understand. I was expecting for that answer too.�

He gently pushed me away.

�I knew that because when you came seeking for my help, you learned that I had a
girlfriend and I hurt you� Then you ran to Lawrence�s side.� He forced a smile to
me. �When you needed me, it was him who offered a help.�

He patted my head.

�You really have grown that you can make your own decisions.�

He let go of me and took a sigh.

�AAHH. It�s been surely a long day. Go back and take a rest..� He said and grinned
at me.
I knew what he meant. He needs space.

I wiped my tears away and nodded.

�O-Okay� Tristan�� I mumbled at tinalikuran ko siya.

As I took steps away from him, I knew that it was goodbye.

I loved you but, goodbye, Tristan.

? 32 ?

I was still crying as I walk back to the town house. Sobrang sakit nitong
nararamdaman ko. I never thought that I�ll hurt him so much. He� Whom I loved so
much.

�Serena?� Napatingala ako. There was Andrew, he looked surprised and he walked
towards me.

�Bat ka umiiyak? Did something happen?�� He asked.

�Andrew� Wala na� I� I did something terrible to Tristan. Nasaktan ko siya.�

I continued crying.�

�Ssh..� He whispered to my ear as he pulled me closer and he lent me his chest.

�I�ll lend you my chest for a while. Cry it all out.�
�A-Andrew kasi� Pupunta na siyang abroad� A-Ayokong umalis siya� P-Pero ayoko ring
iwan� Kayo� Ni Lawrence��

He patted my head.

�Don�t feel guilty. You only told him how you really feel. I�m sure he
understands.�

I gently pulled back and he was smiling at me.

�Are� Are you sure?� I asked him.

He nodded.

�Of course.�

I wiped my tears away.

�S-Salamat, Andrew. For always being so nice to me.�

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I was still up my room and I saw Serena crying as she returned to the town house, I
got worried, pero nung pababa na ako, I saw Andrew approaching her.
Napatigil ako.

I remembered what he told me.

He likes Serena.

I got my clenched fists and just looked at them.

He was comforting her, and somehow, it made me feel curious� And jealous. Ewan ko,
but seeing them like this, gives me an unpleasant feeling.

�Lawrence.�

I turned back, there was Priscilla.

�Priscilla��

He walked towards me and saw also Andrew and Serena.

�Aww. So your brother also likes your fianc�e.�

I scoffed. �Of course not. Andrew isn�t a stick-to-one type of guy, and you know
that. He, too, knows what are mine and what are his.�
�Stop it, Lawrence. Just let them go. You can always have me right at your side.�

She touched my cheeks, but I pushed her gently away.

�Stop, Priscilla. Stop pushing yourself. You should know when to give up. Stop
acting like this while I�m being nice.�
She frowned.
�What does she have that I don�t? I�m much more sophisticated than her and I assure
you, my company can help yours��
�I don�t need a help for my company. It�s functioning well.�

I started walking away from him.

�It�s getting late, prepare already for the bonfire later.�

--

SERENA�s POV:

I lied down on my bed and sighed. Namamaga pa ang mga mata ko. I haven�t seen
Tristan since a while ago.
I wonder how he is now.

Andrew is really such a nice guy. He became so much mature than before.

The door opened and my �roommate� entered.

�Lawrence is calling for you. The bonfire will be lighted.� She coldly said.
�Y-Yeah. I�m coming.�

She sat on her bed and took out a two-piece swimsuit.�

�Andrew and you share a different feeling toward one another.�

Napaupo ako.

�H-Ha?�
�We saw you being comforted by him. You look awfully compatible.�
�H-Hey. That�s not it.� I told her. �We�re just friends.�
�It doesn�t seem like it.�

She looked at me with cold eyes.

�Don�t be such a flirt.��

Napakagat ako sa labi ko, which signals that one of my horns has shown up.

�I�m not a flirt.�

�You are. You are flirting with that guy while you are Lawrence�s fianc�e.�

I gave a smirk.

�Is it me who you are talking about� Or yourself? Who was the girl who kissed a
random guy because she was drunk while she is also Lawrence�s girlfriend?�

Umasim ang timpla ng mukha niya.

�And also� Who is the girl who i trying hard to get him back even though she�s
already being pushed away?�

I stood up from bed.

�I�m using the bathroom first.� I smiled at her and went on my way.
Oh gosh. I can�t believe I actually fought with her.

--

I was looking at the couple�s ring I bought from the souvenir store. Mabibigay ko
pa kaya �to?
I was walking down papunta run sa seashore, nagpapalinga linga ako, then I saw
Tristan sitting on the sand. So he�s still here after all.

Napakagat labi ko, then I decided to approach him.

�T-Tristan��
�H-Hey.� He looked back and smiled at me. It was obvious that he has cried.
Nagiguilty nanaman ako.

�W-What are you doing here? Don�t you want to eat marshmallows in front of the
bonfire?�
�I� Just wanted to check on how you are doing��

He grinned at me.

�I�m just fine. Get going and have fun.��

As I looked at his smiling face, I recalled everything we went through together,

and somehow, it made me feel happy that he�s not mad at me.
I nodded.

�Y-Yes.�

--

I was staring in front of the bonfire, when Lawrence suddenly sat beside me.
�L-Lawrence.�

Oh gosh. Naaalala ko nanaman yung sinabi k okay Tristan. It�s so awkward.

�How� Are you now�?� He asked me.
�H-Ha? Anung ibig mong sabihin?�
�Don�t act stupid.� He said. Kaaasar yun ah. �I saw you crying in front of the
house. What happened between you and Tristan?�
I sighed. �A-Ah� Yun ba� I rejected his proposal�� I muttered.
�Proposal?�
�He said� He�s bringing me to L.A. too� P-Pero ayoko�� I replied.
�And why�s� That?� He asked me like he was curious.

I got nervous. Anong sasabihin ko?

�A-Ah� Well� Kasi maiiwan ko� Kayo? T-Tsaka! Dib a� May kontrata tayo� �To talaga�
Baka medamanda pa ako.�
�Actually, I�ll set the contract as expired if you�d want to.�

I gulped.

�You� Will just let me off like that�?�

He grinned at me.�

�No. Of course I�d follow you there and take you back here.�

I reddened, napayuko.
�W-What are you suddenly blabbering about�?�
�Well, I�d return your company back to you right? Ayoko na nang pabigat sa kumpanya
namin.� ENGK. Isang malaking disappointment.

He suddenly laughed.�

�I�m kidding. You know that I�ll look for you, di ba.�
�At bakit naman?� I asked back.
�Because I need to.�

I reddened and gave out a sigh.�

�A-Alright� Here.� I took out the couple�s ring from my pocket and handed it to
him.

�Alam ko, not your style, but at least appreciate.�� I pouted while saying those.
�Well, baduy.�

Sabi na e.

�Tsk. Pasensya ah.��

�I kid.�

He wore it.

�Sakto ah. Paano mo nalaman yung sukat?�

I bit my lower lip.

�Secret.�

Well, it was because� Of the time when he held my hand during the party. Parang
nasukat ko na sa yun that time e.

�Wag mo iwawala yan ah. Yan na nga lang yung kunwa-kunwarian nating engagement ring
e.�
�Tss. Yeah.�

Natahimik ako.
�Yeah. Hanggang engagement ring lang naman tayo e..� I said.
I don�t know, but I suddenly wanted to talk about that thing. The contract, and
all.

�Hanggang engagement ring?� He asked.

I nodded.

�Yeah. We�ll never get married� Right?� I asked then I looked at him, tumingin din
siya sakin. We were exchanging looks from our eyes when suddenly, Priscilla came
and ruined the mood.

�Lawrence! Let�s eat barbecue!� She said. Napatingin kami sakanya. Bad trip.
�Priscilla, can�t we do that later?� Lawrence asked.

It made me happy. Belat.

�Pero lalamig na yun.� She walked to Lawrence and pulled him up. TSSSKK. Kaasar!

�S-Sige na nga.� Lawrence looked back to me. �Do you want me to get one for you?�
Umiling ako. WALA AKONG GANA. �Nah. Wag na. Baka kulang pa yun sa inyo.� I replied.
�Tara na Lawrence!� And like a flirt, she pulled Lawrence with him. Oh darn. She
irritates me!
Bakit ba napakapapansin niya? At tsaka marami naman siyang pwedeng landiin diyan,
si Lawrence pa. Kapal ng mukha, grabe.�

The next person to sit beside me, was Andrew.

�Jealous?� He suddenly blurted. Namula ako.

�S-Shut up.� I muttered. Kainis �to, nang aasar pa.
�Ahaha. Masakit noh?� He said. �Ako rin e. Alam ko yang nararamdaman mo, kaya open
up to me.�

Inirapan ko nga. �Pfft. Di ka naman ata serious diyan sa babaeng gusto mo e. Hindi
ka na nga umaalis pa ng bahay. Hindi ka na nagpupunta kung san san.�
�E bakit pa ako aalis ng bahay kung nandun naman siya, dib a?�

I was startled. WHOA. Namula ako.�

�T-That�s weird��
�Ahaha. It�s true.�

I reddened even more.

�Hindi nakakatuwa.�

He suddenly laughed.

�Ganun ba, akala ko nakakatuwa.� I scoffed. So he was kidding after all. What a
relief.
This guy is really cute whenever he kids around. Like a child. Yeah. No wonder
girls easily fall for him. He�s great to hangout with. Kwela. Thoughtful. Well,
he�s almost somehow perfect kung masipag din siya at matalino gaya ng kapatid niya.
Napailing ako.

Yeah. Yung kapatid niya na minamahal ko ngayon sa di malamang dahilan Tss.

I was staring at the ring habang suot ko, Andrew took my finger and examined it.

�What�s this?� He asked.

�Lawrence and I�s forever-engagement-ring.� I replied.
�What does that mean?�

I shrugged my shoulders and grinned. �Walang kadugtong.� I said. �Alright, Andrew.

Aaminin ko sayo because you�re someone I know I can trust.�

I took a deep breath.

�I like him� So much�� I uttered, and I saw with my peripheral view that he looked
really surprised.�

��But then� Me and him� We are just bound by a contract. So it�s impossible for him
and me.�

I nodded and grinned at him. �Imposible kaming dalawa.�

�Even though you are only bound by a contract, you already love him so much� And I
really do think he does too.� He said.
I reddened.
�Ikaw talaga. Hindi nuh. He only treats me� Like� Ah? Secretary?�
�Don�t act foolish, Serena.� He stared at me seriously. �You know how he feels for
you� Ayaw mo lang aminin din.�

I sighed. �K-Kahit na. Imposible. We told each other that we can�t fall in love
with one another��

He suddenly grabbed my hand, na ikinagulat ko.

�A-Andrew� B-Bakit�?�
�The two of us� We�re not limited by anything, right?� He asked me, napatango naman
ako.

�Then� If you really think that way�

�Would you consider me if I told you I like you?�

? 33 ?

I was startled. Hindi ako nakaimik this time. We were looking at each other eye-to-
eye and this time� His expression is so different from the other time he made his
fake confessions to me.

This time, parang totoo.

�O-Okay� This is another joke ha. Nice, nag iimprove ka na sa acting mo. Dapat mag
artista ka e.�

He held my hand tighter.

�I ain�t kidding.�

Hindi ako nakasagot.

�A-Andrew naman��
�You two.� Napalingon kami ni Andrew, we saw Lawrence so I immediately pulled my
hand back.�

�L-Lawrence��
�Don�t you wanna eat some barbecue?�

Good timing.

I immediately stood up.

�S-Sure! We�re coming.� I replied. �A-Andrew� Tara.� I said without looking at him
and went on my way to Lawrence.

My heart is beating fast. He said �he�s not kidding� .� Oh gosh.�

I�m really red and confused. I never thought that Andrew feels that way towards me.
How am I going to act in front of him now?!
It will obviously be awkward�

I hope he just did not confess to me.

How will our friendship turn out now?

--
I was chewing pork in my mouth habang nakatingin sa naglalandiang Lawrence at
Priscilla. Oh damn it. Napaflirt talaga ng babaeng �to. I took a bottle of
softdrinks sabay bukas nito.

Nakakainis naman.

Lawrence then came approaching.

�Why are you glaring?�

�Huh?�

Naiwan si Priscilla in front of the bonfire.

�I�m not glaring.�

�I saw you. You�re glaring.�

I frowned.

�Of course not. Why would I?� I asked. �Like I care about you and Priscilla
flirting here.�
�Then that�s why. You jealous?�

I reddened sabay irap. �Kapal mo.�

He grinned.

�Then where�s Andrew?�

ANDREW? .. Oh dang. Naalala ko nanaman. I became flushed red, baka Makita niya ako
kaya tumalikod ako.

�O, bat mo ko tinalikuran?� He asked.

�W-Wala.�
�I just said the name �Andrew� and you�re like that.��
�Hindi noh..� I said, still turning my back to him.

He suddenly grabbed my shoulder and forced me to face him.

�Serena!�
�A-Ano ba?!�

He looked indeed surprised as he saw my face. �You�re flushed red� What happened-?�
�LAWRENCE!�

Napalingon kami kay Priscilla.

�B-Bumalik ka na sa ex mo� Dali.� I said and ran away.

�Serena-!�
�I�m going back to the room, don�t bother me!� I said at tuluyan na ngang umalis.

I can�t tell him. I absolutely can�t!

--

The next morning, I was surprised with a note I saw on Tristan�s bed.

He disappeared. All his things aren�t here anymore. I was frozen like an ice and my
mouth can�t utter a word.
The note said:

� � � � � �
Hey, Serena. Alam ko, habang binabasa mo �to, alam mo na, na wala na ako, and I�m
sorry for not saying goodbye. I�m going now to L.A. this morning. I knew that I
told you that I�ll stay longer, but not is not a possibility now that you and I
aren�t like how we used to before� At alam ko, na habang nakikita mo �ko,
masasaktan ka lang, and I too. I�ll get hurt even though you did not mean it.
I don�t know when will I be returning, but then, I promise you that I will never
forget that a person like you has been a part of my life. I�m setting you free now
because I know that you�ve grown up and you don�t need me anymore because someone
has already replaced my place. I�m expecting that Lawrence will never hurt you like
how I did to you before.�

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � I
love you very much, Serena.�

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
�Take care of yourself.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
� � � � � Tristan

Tears started falling from my eyes.

It hurts so much. �Bakit� Bakit kailangan mo pang umalis, Tristan� Bakit�?�

I continued crying and I knew somebody came inside the room.
He sat beside me.

�So he did not say goodbye to you after all?�

It was Lawrence.
�W-What� *sobs* do you mean-?�
�I woke up when he was about to leave.�

I pulled his collar. I�m angry�

�Why didn�t you wake me up?!� I yelled at him. �Bakit hindi mo sinabing aalis na
siya?! B-Bakit-?�
�He told me not to.�
�Even if so, dapat ginising mo ako! I� I haven�t said goodbye to him��
I continued crying.

�You�re so selfish��

He suddenly pulled my hand and hugged me tight.

�Ssh. Stop crying.� He whispered.

Though my head was leaning on his chest, I still protested weakly. I dislike it.�

I certainly dislike it when he does these things.�

Kahit na kasi anong galit ko sakanya�It fades away with just one hug like this.

�S-Si Tristan� He� He left me behind��

�Ssh. I�m right here. You don�t need to worry� I�ll take care of you��

His words� Just filled my heart with strange feeling like that.
--

Matamlay ako, oo alam ko yun. Nakaupo ako sa mga bato that morning as everyone
inside prepares for the meeting with the other companies.
Nakatingin lang ako sa dagat and listen to the chirping of the birds.

It feels so weird. Tristan and I have never been separated since we were kids. He
and I have been like siblings. Oo, minahal ko talaga siya, but I can say that my
feelings for him were just a mistake. Minahal ko siya kasi lagi ko siyang kasama,
all I can see is his good sides so I easily fell for him. Because my mother wasn�t
there for me, and he comes instead, I fell for him.

And because of that, it is so difficult for me na tanggapin� Na wala na siya. Ang

taong nagpasaya sakin ng sobra sobra.

I wiped the forming tears on my eyes. Tama na nga.

I have to move on.
I have to be happy for him.�

�Are you okay?� Napatingala ako, oh gosh. It was Andrew.

Napayuko naman ako at tumingin ulit sa dagat.

�Y-Yeah� It still hurts, but I�m fine��

He sat down beside me.

�Have you eaten?� He asked me. Tumango lang ako. Oh darn. Hindi ko na siya
matingnan gaya ng dati.

Silence occurred. Hindi na ako makapagsalita. I don�t want it to be like this. I

want us to be the same.

�A-Andrew��
�You don�t need to feel sorry for me, Serena.�
�H-Ha?�

Napalingon ako sa kanya and he was grinning.

�Alam ko ang nararamdaman mo para kay Lawrence, and now that I�ve confessed to you,
you feel sorry for me, right?�
�H-Hindi ganun� Medyo� Naninibago lang ako��
�Ahaha. Wag.� He said and made a chuckle.

Medyo nagulat ako. Andrew is acting� Like before?

�I�m the only one who likes you. From the start, I knew it was unrequited. So don�t
feel sorry for me. I want to stay as your friend.�

He showed me his palm.

�Still friends?�

I looked at his palms and to him. Andrew is still smiling in front of me.

Hindi ako makapaniwala. I told him so many times how much I love Lawrence� And I
was hurting him pala all this time.
And now, he�s asking me to be his friend again.
Napangiti ako.

Andrew is certainly a good guy.

I shook hands with him and I smiled. �Yeah. Friends.�

We let go of each others� hand and stared at the sea together.

�Are you not coming to the meeting?�� I asked.
�Well, I am. Nabigyan na kasi ako ng position di ba.� He answered. �And you?�

Umiling ako. �Nah. I don�t think I�m needed.�

�You�re needed.�
�As what?�
�As Lawrence�s inspiration.�

I reddened. He really returned to normal. The funny Andrew.

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

�Let�s go Lawrence, the board is waiting.� Priscilla called me.

Tumango ako.

She looked at my hand.

�Whoa, what a cheap-looking ring of yours. Parang hindi naman ata yan ang style
mo.�
�This is from Serena, so don�t insult it.�

She smirked.

�Tsk. Just remove it okay? You look like an idiot.�

�Pero��

She grabbed my hand and took it out.

�Priscilla-!�
She threw it to my table.

�Let�s go.�

She pulled me away, tss. This girl. Hindi ko lang siya matanggihan kasi pag binawi
nila ang investments nila, malaki ang malulugi ng kumpanya.. Oh dang..

--

We left Serena in the town house and proceeded to the meeting place. I wonder how
she�s doing. She was really lonely a while ago� I hate to see her like that.

We were walking when Andrew suddenly tapped my back.

�O, Andrew.�
�I� Told Serena how I was feeling.�

Natigilan ako, and I scoffed.

�A-And?�
�Anung and?�
�What� Was her reply?�

He grinned.

�I wasn�t asking for a reply, kasi alam ko nanaman ang isasagot niya.� He said then
stared at me.

�Never hurt her, Lawrence. Obviously, I�m giving her up because I know that I can
make her smile� But I cannot make her happy like how you can do.�
I was startled.

�W-What?�
�I�m letting her go, but then� Promise me that you�ll never make her cry.�

He grinned again.

�Because if you do, I�m not holding back, kahit na importante ka rin sakin kasi
magkapatid tayo� But I assure you, I� I�m keeping my word.�

He walked away ahead from me.

I was still disturbed. He�s� He�s taking her from me� If� If I made her cry?

How many times have I made her lonely and cry?

I sighed.�

No. Even if that happens�

I�ll not let her go.

--

SERENA�s POV:

I was lying down on my bed as I stared at the ring I bought. I wonder if he�s
really keeping it for real.
Sana inaalagaan niya nga.

I stood up from bed and went on my way around the townhouse. Haay. Walang magawa.

I stopped in front of Lawrence�s room. Nag isip isip saglit.

Hay, bahala na. I�m just peeking.

I barged in into the room. Nag ikot ang mga mata ko. There are only documents.
Napaka work-a-holic naman.�

I was still looking around and I saw the ring I gave him. I was trembling, at
nakaramdam ako ng sobrang kalungkutan.

�So� He doesn�t like it� After all�� I bit my lower lip, sumasakit ang dibdib ko.

What do I really mean to him?

? 34 ?

Napaupo ako, kagat kagat ang labi at sakit na nararamdaman ko. If he doesn�t feel
like wearing it, why did he take it? He�s so rude. Hindi ba niya napapansin na
mahal ko na siya?
Kaya sana naman� Maging sensitive siya� Kasi nasasaktan na talaga ako.

Napangiwi ako and I put the ring into my pocket. I guess I�ll just take it back.�

I stood up from his bed and walked out of his room.

--

It was boring all day kasi wala sila. Hindi ko alam kung anung oras sila makakauwi
e. It�s past 5. Malapit na mag dinner. Will I eat dinner alone then?
I went to the living room of the town house, and there I found a classical piano.

I remembered the time my Dad taught me how to play. Marunong ako, oo, pero I admit
na hindi ako magaliing tumugtog.

I sat in front of it and pressed a key. It sounds well. Maalikabok yung piano pero
it sounds pretty well.

I started playing the piano. Chopin�s piece.�

Then just then, I pressed the wrong key. Pumanget. Aissh.

�You played it wrongly.� Napalinga ako. There was Lawrence.

Uh-oh. Napatingin ako sa piano. I remembered the feeling I just had a while ago.�
It still hurts.

�H-Hindi naman ako magaling mag piano.�

�Well, seems like you�ve played before.�

Tumango ako.

�Yeah� I had played before� But I did not pursue it. It�s just not my talent.� I
paused for a moment and stood up.

�W-Where are Andrew and Priscilla?� I asked.

�They are out for a dinner with the board of directors.�
�E.. E bakit ikaw?�

He scratched his head and looked onto other directions.

�I� I was just worried that you�ll be lonely here if you�re alone�� Napangiti ako
nang palihim. Aissh. I�m easily to please talaga, dang.

He looked at me and walked heading towards me.

�Upo.�
�H-HA?�

He held my shoulder at pinaupo niya ulit ako.

�Lawrence-?�
�Usog.�
�Ha?�
�Usog.�

He pushed me at umupo siya tabi ko. I reddened as soon as our skins touched. Oh
dang. Body contact.

�B-Bakit-?�
He folded his long sleeve and pressed a key.

�Mukhang hindi na ganun kaganda ang tunog nito ah.�

I frowned. �Nu ka. It is still good.�

Umiling siya. �Bingi ka ba? It�s not as great as before. Before� When I used to
play this.�

He started playing the piece I was playing too a while ago.

And he�s good.

Napatingin ako sakanya, he was really in a concentration, na parang wala ako ditto
sa tabi niya.

Again, he is still much better than me in this stuff.

Napatitig ako sakanya, and my heart started beating faster. His expression and the
way he plays� Makes me fall in love with him more.

�And there.� He finished the piece, napatingin lang ako sakanya.

�How long have you been playing?� I asked. �You�re� Great.�
�I�ve been playing since I was a kid.�

He looked at me too.

�Did I fascinate you that much?�

I reddened.

�H-Hindi rin...�

There was silence, and then we got a chance to look at each others� eyes. I gulped.
It feels like I�m in a movie. In a scene like this, staring at each others� eyes
and waiting for the guy to kiss the girl.

Lawrence and I? Magkikiss nga ba kami-?

�Hey!� Napalinga kami.

WRONG TIMING!

�A-Andrew!� I muttered. Darn it.�

Napatayo kami ni Lawrence.

�B-Bakit nandito ka na?� Lawrence asked.

�I left Priscilla in the restaurant. Kaya na niya yun� And� What�s going on here?�

We both reddened, Andrew looked at me, napangiwi siya in a second then he grinned.
�I see.�
�A-Andrew��

He smiled. �Yes?�

I sighed for relief.

Really� Andrew is still as nice as ever. But as I looked into his eyes, I can see�
That he is lonely, at nakokosensya ako. Andrew hasn�t done anything to feel like
this. He doesn�t deserve to be hurt because of me, pero wala akong magawa. Si
Lawrence pa rin kasi ang laman nitong pesteng puso ko� Pero ayokong saktan si
Andrew.

Oh damn.

I shouldn�t have been a good friend to Andrew� E di sana hindi ganito.�

�Then I�m� Going in.� Lawrence said at umalis. Weird.

�Lawrence��� I muttered.
�He knows.� Andrew suddenly blurted out.

Napatingin ako sakanya.

�W-What do you mean he knows?�

He grinned.

�I told him how I feel about you.� He said.�

Nagulat ako, then I reddened. �W-What did he say�?�

Umiling siya. �He did not talk much.� I felt a bit disappointed kaya medyo
napangiwi ako.�
�G-Ganun ba��
�But I warned him.�

I looked at him.

�Ha?�
�I told him that if he hurts you, I�ll take care of you instead.�

I reddened. �A-Andrew naman���

He looked at me seriously.

�I�m serious, Serena. I�m supporting you right now kahit masakit kasi alam kong mas
sasaya ka sakanya� But if I feel disappointed about that, then I�ll do something
about instead.�

He grinned at me.

It was like he�s showing me a taunt. I bowed down, then looked back to smile.

�Right� Pero alam kong hinding hindi ako sasaktan ni Lawrence.�

He sighed and showed me his smile again. �I hope so.�

Andrew said so. He�ll take care of me if Lawrence hurts me� Pero ayokong isipin na
darating ang time na masasaktan nga ako. Ayokong isipin na may gagawin si Lawrence
para saktan ako.

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I closed my door and leaned on the door. Dang. Andrew was looking at us like hurt.
Ayokong makitang nagkakaganun si Andrew. Kahit hindi kami blood-related� He has
been a good brother to me.�

I just want to know why we have to fall in love with the same girl.
--WAIT. Fall in love with the same girl?!
I reddened at napahawak ako sa necktie ko. I�m weird.

REALLY.

Napapikit ako, and Serena�s images were coming into my head.�

My heart is still beating faster. Dang, parang ambaduy naman.

Napadilat ako.

My eyes are seeking her face. My ears want to hear her voice. Right now, all the
things are spilling out of my mind and only her comes in and stays.

OH DANG.

I really love her�

I clenched my fists. I need to tell her. I need to tell her!

But as soon as I touched the knob, I was paralyzed.

How will she react? Will she� Tell me the answer I want to hear?
I stepped backwards slowly.�

She might still be lonely about Tristan�s departure� So� It will confuse her � And
Andrew too.�

ANDREW LIKES HER TOO.

Though he says that he�s ready to let go, his feelings are the same as mine� At
ayokong maging malungkot ang kaisa isang kapatid ko.

Napaupo ako sa kama ko.

What should I do�?

--

I was at the balcony of the house. Nagpapahangin. Nag iisip kung anong gagawin.
HHAAYYY. Wala nang pag-asa �to. Ang gulo ng buhay ko.

�Lawrence.�� Napalinga ako.

�Priscilla.�

She was back home. She looks tired.�

�You look tired. Get a rest.� I told her, she smiled at me then walked towards me.
�I�m fine.��

Tumango ako. Nakitingin din siya sa mga ulap.

�Hey, Lawrence.�
�Yeah?�
�Please get back with me.�

Napatingin ako sakanya.

�Are you drunk?� I asked.�

�No. Nakainom lang, but I know what I�m saying. Please get back with me.�
�Priscilla, take a rest.�
She grabbed my shirt.

�I�m begging you, please. I want to be with you. Come back to me�� She started
crying.
�Priscilla, we�ve talked about that before. Tama na. Enough is enough. I�ll take
you to your room.�

She continued crying then she grunted.

�I� I don�t understand�� She mumbled. �Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ang bilis
mong nalimutan ako at ipagpalit ako sa isang gaya niya! Anung meron siya na wala
ako?!�
�Tama na! Wag mung ikumpara ang sarili mo sakanya, Priscilla. I did not like her
because she resembles you��
�Pero hindi ko matanggap! I love you so much, Lawrence, at ayokong mawala ka!�

She suddenly grabbed my collar and pulled me. She kissed me. I struggled, at
natigilan ako sa nakita ko.

There were Andrew and Serena.

I pushed Priscilla.

�S-Serena��
--

SERENA�s POV:

I was sitting in front of the piano again. I reddened as soon as I remembered what
happened.�
MUNTIKAN NA! Aissh. Sayang. ��

Napukpok ko yung sarili ko. Lumalandi ako. Tsk. Pero nanghihinayang talaga ako.
It�s a waste.
Dang. Kinikilig nanaman ako.

�Serena.� Napalingon ako. Sh*t, si Andrew.

�D-Drew.�
�Andyan ka nanaman ah. Sorry ha. Naistorbo ko ata kayo kanina.�

He walked towards me.�

�H-Hindi naman sa ganun..� I muttered.�

�Then what is it?� He asked.

Umiling ako.

�W-Wala naman��� Tumayo na ako.

Forget it.�
�Let�s watch stars, Andrew.� I asked him.�
�Nasa mood ka?�

I nodded. Medyo masaya kasi ako kasi kahit papano, may signs na. Yee.
I pulled Andrew to the balcony of the house but then, napatigil ako. Ang buong
mundo ko� Parang tumigil at nawala ako sa sarili ko.

Andrew suddenly grabbed my shoulder and covered my eyes.

�Don�t look.� He said in a firm voice.

Tears suddenly went coming out.�

�S-Serena�� Lawrence.

I�m having heartbreak.

I just saw him and her kissing.

? 35 ?

Andrew removed his hand from my face. My tears just keep coming out. Lawrence was
worriedly looking at us. Si Priscilla, parang kampanteng nakainom na ewan.

�S-Sorry.. Sorry kung� Nakaistorbo kami�� I muttered habang sumisinghot. I wiped my

face. �Ano ba �to� Bakit ba ako naiiyak� Kakapuwing naman� Dito�� I panicked, kasi
obvious na nagsisinungaling na ako.

�A-Andrew, I�m going first.� I said and rushed away.�

Sobrang sakit ng nararamdaman ko. Parang katulad nung naramdaman ko nung nasaktan
ako ni Tristan � No. Mas grabe pa ngayon. I don�t know why� But my heart�s being
torn apart more than how it is supposed to. Hindi dapat ganito kasakit. Hindi dapat
ganito.

I was rushing away while I was crying. Bakit ganon?! When everything is getting
better� It�ll be just suddenly torn apart into pieces!

LAWRENCE�s POV:

�Serena!�� I called out, but Priscilla pulled my hand. �Let go of me--!�

Si Andrew naman sa harapan ko, hinawakan yung kwelyo ko tsaka ako sinuntok. It
hurt, alam ko. Pero mas masakit para sakin yung nakita ko. I made her cry.

I made the girl I love cry.

�Sabi ko sayo� Sabi ko sayo wag mong papaiyakin si Serena di ba?!� Andrew yelled at
me.

At this time, I have no right to talk back. Andrew and I had the deal, pero ang
kapalit nang nagawa ko� Parang hindi ko kayang ibigay. He was glaring at me with
eyes like fire.

�I warned you� Lawrence� Now, I�m not holding back.� He said and let go of me and
then ran after Serena.

Napaupo ako. What am I to do now? The girl I love is gonna be taken away� Ang sama
ko. Ang sama sama ko!

Priscilla went to me.

�Lawrence� I told you, right, just let her go��

�Priscilla. Please leave the town house.�� I stared at her. �Now.�

SERENA�s POV:

I continued out of the house and I suddenly stumbled and fell down on my knees.�
Masakit, oo. Pero mas masakit �tong nararamdaman ko.
Parang sinasaksak ako nang paulit ulit.

�Serena!� I heard Andrew�s voice. He�s right in front of me and he knelt down tp
help me up. �Are you okay?! Are you hurt?!�

I looked at with teary eyes.

�Hurt? � It�s more like I�m dying�� I continued sobbing habang tumatayo ako. �Bakit
ganun� Lahat ng taong minamahal ko� Sinasaktan ako� Don�t I deserve to be loved�?�

But then, he suddenly hugged me tight.

�Andrew-?�
�You do. You do deserve to be loved�� He pushed me gently and stared me in the eye.

�Fall in love with me!�

I was startled. Hindi ako nakakakibo.� Andrew was really serious.�

�P-Pero� Pero��
�I held back my feelings because I know na hindi kita mapapasaya kasi siya ang
mahal mo� Pero kung makikita ko lang din na masasaktan ka dahil sakanya, then it�s
enough reason to take you from him. I can�t take it� Seeing you so hurt��

He hugged me tight again. �Mahal na mahal kita, Serena. Fall in love with me and
I�ll make you happy��

Will it be the right thing to do? To fall in love with Andrew?

--

We went home the next day. It was still an awkward moment for us, especially pag
sabay sabay kaming nagkita kita.
Naiilang ako kay Andrew. Nasasaktan naman ako pag nakikita ko si Lawrence.

Humilata ako sa kama ko and threw my bag onto the floor. It�s past 6. Gabi na pala.
Hay, kapagod.

�Dang.. Anung gagawin ko?� I asked myself.�

I sighed. I guess I�ll just visit Dad.

I took my shoulder bag tapos tumingin sa salamin. I look fine enough. I was about
to open the door when it opened suddenly.�

I reddened, it was Lawrence.

�W-Why are you here?� I asked him. He looked awkward too.�

�I received a call from the hospital. Your Dad has woken up.�

My eyes widened. �W-What?! Really?!�

He nodded.
�Ah� S-Salamat. Sige, I gotta go.�

I passed by him, but he held my hand. I felt electrified. I pulled my hand away.
�W-What is it?� He felt a little sad I guess, hinatak ko kasi yung kamay ko e.
Sorry naman� I�m still feeling hurt about what I saw.

�I�ll take you to the hospital.�

I shook my head. No way. Me and him in one car, alone?! Definitely not.

�A-Ayoko� No, I mean, no thanks. You have busy schedule, besides, you need to take
a rest. Classes will start soon.� I reasoned out.
�It�s okay with me.�
�Pero��
�I insist.�

And at that point, hindi na ako nakasagot. Baka sabihin niya ayaw ko� Oo, ayaw ko.
Pero ayokong saktan naman siya�
Ah. I�m such a weirdo.

--

I sat into the car and wore the seatbelt. I�m nervous. Oh gosh.

�Have you eaten?�

�I�m not hungry.� Wala akong time para kumain kasama ka, and I definitely don�t
have the guts to do so.

�I asked if have you eaten, I did not ask if you�re hungry or not.�

TSK.
�E di I haven�t. Isn�t it already understood?� Pagtataray ko sabay dungaw sa labas
as he started the car.
�A-Anyway� Priscilla� Where did she go� Last night? She was suddenly gone.� I
asked.

He did not answer immediately. �Kung ayaw mo sabihin di wag.� I muttered into
midair.
�I asked her to leave.� He said.

Napatingin ako sakanya.

�B-Bakit naman?� I asked.

�Kasi may nasasaktan e.�

I blushed.

�E-Excuse me?!�
�O bat ka nag react� Ikaw ba?�

Damn it. Nahuli ako!

�H-Hinde� Sabi ko lang excuse me� Masama ba?� I scoffed sabay dungaw ulit sa
bintana.

�How about you� Kamusta ka na?� He asked.

�S-Siyempre ayus lang�� I answered.
�Yeah. Of course. Andrew�s there.�

I raised my eyebrows.

�Oo talaga. He�s there for me.� I answered tapos I leaned on the window.

�Don�t talk to me anymore. I�m going to sleep.� I said at pinikit na nga yung mga
mata ko.�
I don�t want to talk anymore. Lalo na kung wala naming patutunguhan pa.
I was closing my eyes, but still, I was awake. Kunwari lang para hindi na niya ako
kausapin pa.

�Serena.� He uttered.
Hindi ako nagpakita ng any response.

�Serena, you�re asleep?� He asked.

Wala pa rin. Kunwari tulog.

I heard him sigh, then�

�I�m sorry.� He said.

Nagulat ako, pero kunwari tulog pa rin. I wanted to talk, pero gusto ko pang
marinig ang mga sasabihin niya.

��Alam ko na nakita mo kami kagabi kaya ka naiyak, and I knew it hurt a lot. Ayoko
mang pangunahan ka, pero� Sa nakikita ko, you�ve grown feelings for me.�

He paused.

��I, too. I knew it was a part of the deal that neither of us may fall in love, but
then, we�ve done it.�

The car stopped, my heart started beating fast.

�Sorry kasi nasaktan kita. Gusto kong malaman mo na wala na kami ni Priscilla.
There hasn�t been any hope for us since you came.�

OH DAAANNGGG. Gusto ko nang sumabat!

�I�ll admit it. I think I like you too.�

I was about to open my eyes but he still continued. ��Pero hindi pwede.�
Natigilan ako.

Then suddenly, he scoffed, clearing his throat then tinapik niya ko.

�Wake up. We�re here.� He said.

Binuksan ko na yung mga mata ko, kunwari kagigising lang.

�Ambilis naman�� I mumbled. Dang.

�Wala kasing traffic�� He went out first.

Naiwan ako sa loob na natulala.

Bakit hindi pwede?!�

Napailing ako. Whatever.

--

�Dad!�� I yelled. Sabay takbo sa Daddy ko. Naluha ako sa sobrang saya, he smiled at
me as I hugged him tight.

�Serena� Sorry� Sorry sa lahat nang naiwan kong problema sayo��

�D-Dad� Don�t feel sorry about it� I-I�m okay�� I answered.
�Kamusta ka na?� He asked me.

Naupo ako sa silya sa tabi ng kama niya, Lawrence was left outside. He said he�s
giving us time daw.

�I�m okay� I�m okay. We�re starting classes this Monday�� I answered. �Ikaw Dad?
Are you feeling fine? Wala bang masakit sayo-?�

He nodded sabay himas sa buhok ko.

�Wag kang mag alala sakin Serena. I�m worrying about you. San ka kumuha ng pambayad
sa ganito kamahal na ospital? San ka nakatira ngayon? Are you with Tristan?�

Napatungo ako. This it it. I gotta tell the truth.

�Tristan� Has left for abroad, Dad.� I said.�

�Ha? Bakit? Sinong kasama mo ngayon-?�
�When you were sent here in the hospital� There�s one guy who offered me a job. He
said that he�ll help us in managing the company once again� And he�ll pay for you
expenses.. Kaya nandito ka��
�At� At anong kapalit?�
��I pretended as his girlfriend and I�m also his secretary.�

Dad was a bit surprised, but he calmed down.

�Then who is he? I want to meet him.�
I nodded. Saglit po.�

I stood up and rushed out, Lawrence isn�t there. HUH?

I returned back.

�W-Wala po siya e� Umalis po ata�� I told Dad.

�It�s okay. There�s another time.�

San kaya nagpunta yun?

Pagbalik ko sa parking lot, there he was, drinking a can of beer.

�Hey, why are you drinking?� I asked.

�Wala naman.� He said.�

I looked down, there were a lot of cans, about 5? Ganun ba ako katagal sa loob.

�Okay, you�ve drank a lot.� I said.�

�Hindi pa� Konti pa lang yan para makalimot.� He said.

Napailing ako.

�Give me the keys and I�ll drive.� I said sabay lakad papunta sakanya, with my
palms in front of him, asking for the keys.

�No.� He replied. Okay, may tama na talaga siya.

�I said give it to me Lawrence.�
�No�� He muttered. Amoy alak. Haist.
�Amin na�� I tried to snatch it away, but he held it up. Hindi pa naman ako ganun
katangkad. I jumped.

�A-Amin na sabi e-!�

And then because I was wearing heels, ayun, tumabingi yung paa ko then I fell out
of balance, and now, I was over him.

�A-Aray naman�� He uttered na parang nagising dahil s pagkakaumpog.

�A-Aray�� I mumbled na hindi natuloy kasi pag dilat ko, I was face to face with
him!
I blushed tapos he tried to stand, kaya nagkauntugan kaming dalawa.
Nakaupo na ako sa sahig at siya rin, sapo ang noo.

�Aray ko naman�� He complained again.

I stood up immediately.

�Sabi ko kasi akin na yung susi e!� I took it from him and hurried inside. Sobrang
bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. I wore my seatbelt, hirap nga ako e, �cause I was
trembling.�
He went inside din na may bukol sa noo. Sumandal siya sa upuan.�

�W-Wear your seatbelt�� I told him, but he was already asleep.

Hay bahala na nga.

--

I stopped the car nung nakarating na kami sa bahay. Kinalabit ko siya.

�Huy, gising.� I told him. Ayaw, kinalabit ko siya, ayaw talaga. Kabanas ah.
Niyugyog ko siya, but then napasandal siya sakin.

BA-THUMP mode.

OH GOSH.

�L-L-Lawrence�� I muttered. �G-Gumsing ka� P-Please��

Then I took a glance of him. He�s really sleeping.�
It�s already past 9.�

Napangiti ako.

Then I closed my eyes.

? 36 ?

LAWRENCE�s POV:

Ang liwanag, dang. Bumukas ata yung itim na kurtina ko ah. Napamulat ako.

HUH? Where am I-?

SERENA?
Nasa loob kami ng kotse. Ang sakit ng ulo ko. Serena�s arms were wrapped around me
and she was sleeping talaga.

My heart is beating faster.

I was trembling.� B-Bakit nga ba nandito kami? I tried to recall, but I can�t
remember anything. Ang alam ko, sa sobrang pag iisip ko, I wanted to drink beer, at
naparami ata.
AAHH. TANGAAAA.

I glanced at Serena. She still looks beautiful even if she�s asleep.

Her long eyelashes, rosy cheeks, red lips� It makes me fall in love even more.
Which is a feeling I don�t want to pursue.
Andrew will get hurt. Ayoko naming maging malungkot yung kapatid ko, para lang
sumaya ako.
This is the first time I saw Andrew this serious about a girl, and because of that,
I don�t know if I can fail him.

�L-Lawrence�� She mumbled. Whoa. She just talked about me in her sleep?
Napangiti ako. It was like when she still loves Tristan. She talks about him in her
sleep.
Ngayun, it was me. But then, how can I be happy if I know that Andrew� Will be
there.

�H-Hmm?� Oh she�s waking up!

I closed my eyes. It will be awkward when she sees me!

�L-Lawrence?� Kinutkot niya yung mga mata niya, and when she found out that she was
clinging all over me, she reddened and moved away, I wanted to laugh, pero
pinigilan ko,siyempre baka Makita niya ako.

�Oh gosh. Dito na pala kami nakatulog�� Binatukan niya sarili niya. �Tanga ko
talaga� Bababa na lang kami sa kotse e��

She looked at me, nakasilip kasi ako.

SERENA�s POV:

I stared at him. He looks strange.

�Uy, gising.�� I said.�

Biglang dumilat, nagulat ako.

�Ano?�� He asked.
�G-Gising ka na pala�� I uttered.
�Yeah.�

I reddened.

Hindi kaya nakita niya ako kanina in an awkward position?! Oh dang. Kahihiyan
nanaman!

�T-Tara na. Kumain na tayo�� I said sabay baba ng kotse.

�Teka, Teka Serena��

Pagbaba namin, Andrew was there. He was staring at us, I gulped tapos napatingin
ako kay Lawrence.

�A-Andrew��
�The car� Was here since last night�� He muttered. �T-The two fo you� Slept there?�
He asked.
Hindi ako makasagot. �A-Andrew, it�s not what you think it is�� I tried to explain,
but then he looked at me at napatigil ako.

Tumango siya. �I see.� He sighed. �You don�t need to explain, Serena. I understand.
You like him, I like you, and of course, if you like a person, you�d do something
about it.��
�A-Andrew, hindi naman ganun��
�Serena, you don�t need to explain.� He said once again na parang nadisappoint
talaga. Lalo akong nakokonsensya.

He turned his back on us and he walked away.

�A-Andrew��
He left, hays. Kasalanan �to ni Lawrence!

�Ikaw kasi e!� I yelled at him.

�Anong ako?� He asked.

I glared at him.�

�Kung di ka natulog e di sana nakapasok tayo sa loob?!� I yelled. �Ayan, galit na

si Andrew!�

He cleared his throat.�

�Excuse me? When did it become my fault? Gusto mo rin ata e. Di mo nga ako ginising
diyan.��
I reddened.
�E.. E mahimbing talaga e! Anung magagawa ko? Tsk. Nililipat mo pa sa akin yung
kasalanan mo.� I said.

Sinimangutan niya ako.

�Alam mo bago mo ako awayin, mag hilamos ka. Ang dami mong panis na laway.� He
mumbled and he passed by me.

DANG! Kahiya!

�A-Ano?! Panis na laway-?!�

�Mag toothbrush ka na rin.�

I reddened in embarrassment even more habang papasok siya sa bahay.

�LAAAAWWWWRRRREEENNNCCCCEEEE!!!�

--

I reddened in embarrassment habang humilata ako sa kama. Nakakahiya talaga. Yun

talaga.
Huminga ako sa kamay ko tapos chineck yung hininga ko. Ayus naman siya.
Kinabahan ako nung sinabi niyang mabaho e. Adik talaga yun. Haayy.

My heart is certainly beating fast. Nakakakilig na nakakahiya na nakakaewan.

We slept inside his car. Sinisi ko siya, oo, but in fact�

I�m happy.

Naptakip ako sa mukha ko. DANGGGG.

Kinikilig nanaman ako. It�s really annoying!
Bahala na nga.

--

The next day, it was the first day of class.�

Maaaga ako nagising. Yess. I�m now starting as a senior. Malapit nang matapos ang
paghihirap ko.

�Are you ready to go?� Lawrence asked me habang nag aayus ako.
I nodded.�
�Oo naman. Teka, si Andrew?� I asked. Hindi kasi siya sumabay samin mag breakfast
e.
He shrugged his shoulders.
�Mukha ba akong lost and found?�
Napasimangot ako. Maaga pa. Maaga pa.

I went inside the car at nagsuot ng seatbelt.�

Asan na kaya si Andrew?

--

Ayun, first day agad, busy na ang lahat with stuffs. Ako naman petiks lang.
Nakakatamad magpakabusy sa first day. DUUHHH.�
I was playing with my pencil. It�s not really the same as before at all. Wala na si
Cathy. She�s in different class as mine, naghahabol kasi siya sa ilang subjects
kasi bagsak siya run sa iba e.
Lawrence was still behind me. Ahh. It feels really weird. Parang nung unang pasok
din ni Lawrence sa school.

The Professor entered, yung class adviser namin. MASUNGIT to.

�Alright class, we just had a recent entry of a new student in class, he�s a
sibling of our student here.�

Talaga?
�Lawrence.� The Professor stated. I was startled.�

WHAT? � I mean, is he kidding? The only sibling of Lawrence is�

�Mr. Montealegre.� The new student stepped in class.�

Napatayo ako sa gulat.

�A-Andrew?!� Everyone looked at me, even Andrew. He gave me simple grin.

Nahiya ako saglit, napalingon ako kay Lawrence, he was indeed surprised too.

�Ms. Velarde, maaari ka nang maupo.� Umupo na nga ako kahit nahihiya at nagulat
din.
I was staring at Andrew. He looks serious. Anung pumasok sa utak niya at gusto na
niyang pasukin �tong subjects namin? Ang alam ko puro minor lang ang kinukuha niya
e.

�I�m Andrew Montealegere, Lawrence�s stepbro. I recently decided to take up this

subject. Please befriend me.�

The girls in our class started murmuring sa likod. Nagtataka pa rin ako. Ayaw na
nga pumasok ni Andrew sa school e, tapos itetake up niya �tong subject?
I was still staring at him with confusion in my mind, he looked at me, then he
smiled.

--

BREAK TIME ENTERS.�

I was walking along the hall. Nakasalubong ko yung ibang teachers. Greetings dito,
greetings doon. It was like sikat pa rin naman ako sa mata nila, but definitely, it
has to be Lawrence. Hay. Wala nanaman sakin yun e. I already have feelings for
Lawrence at hindi na yung hatred.

I entered the cafeteria; at nagulat ako nung may tumawag sakin.

�Princess.� Napalinga ako sa kaliwa. Andrew!

I rushed to him at naupo ako sa harap niya.
�What a surprise�� I muttered. �Bakit hindi mo sinabing sineseryoso mo nap ala
�tong studies mo?�
�Well, I was really planning to repeat college again and again.�
�Ayaw mo grumaduate?�

Natawa siya.

�Hmm, yeah.�

Napailing ako.

�It certainly sounds like you.�

�But I�ve changed my point of view.��

Napatingin ako sakanya.

�And why�s that?�
�I want to graduate with you, Serena. Kahit na alam kong medyo mahirap ang gagawin
ko at magagahol ako sa oras, ayokong sirain na �tong pag aaral ko. So I�m taking it
much seriously than before.�

Napangiti ako.

�Buti naman at nakapag isip ka nang matinong bagay para sa sarili mo.�
�I�m not doing this only for myself. I�m also doing this for you.� He said.

Nagtaka naman si ako, pero nung medyo nakagets na, napangiti lang ako. �T-That�s
nice...� I uttered.
He became serious and held my hand.

�Andrew��
�I�m serious, Serena. Didn�t I tell you� I want you to fall in love with me, and
I�ll make you happy?�

I pulled my hand away.

�Wag dito, Andrew. Alam ng lahat na ikakasal kami ni Lawrence.�

�Pero hindi naman yun totoo dib a? It was only a contract.�

Sumikip yung dibdib ko. �T-That�s true, pero kahit na.�

�Kung hindi niyo pa titigilan ni Lawrence ang lahat ng �to, lalo lang kayong
mahihirapan maghiwalay pag nagkataon.�

Napatitig ako sakanya.

�We don�t need to rush things.� I replied.
�Pero gising na ang Papa mo, once he gets discharged sa hospital, you�re free and
everything about you will return to normal. Your luxury� And everything. You�re
free to go, and I hope� You�ll give me a chance if that happens.�

My heart started beating faster.

Ayokong saktan si Andrew, and I don�t want to give him false hopes too.

I now know that Lawrence likes me.

If after the contract becomes void, pwede pa rin naman kami dib a?
Pero habang tinitingnan ko si Andrew, parang hindi ko kayang saktan siya.

He has been someone truly important to my life.

ANONG GAGAWIN KO?

? 37 ?

I decided to visit Dad in our vacant day, wew. I knocked on Lawrence�s door, there
was no response.
I peeked through the door, tulog siya. Napagod ata.�

Alright, babalik naman ako kaagad e.

I walked palabas ng bahay nang makasalubong ko si Andrew, awkward scene.

Nga pala, what happened after that? Ayun. Wala. Umiwas na lang muna ako. Alam ko,
this way, masasaktan ko rin si Andrew, but he left me no choice. I can�t do
anything.

His studies? He�s good. He�s an easy-learner, at napaka participative sa klase.

Ewan ko, but he seems intellectual, pero bakit ganun siya dati, parang hindi halata
sakanya tuloy.

�Serena�� He called habang pinupunasan yung motorbike niya.

�A-Andrew�� I scoffed.�

�San ka pupunta?� He asked me.

�A-Ah� Bibisathin ko lang si Dad.. Sige.� I said habang nagmamadaling umalis.�

Medyo nakalyo na ako nang marinig ko yung tunog ng makina ng motor.

Napatigil ako, there was Andrew, wearing his helmet.

�Jump on.�
�W-Wag na, mag tataxi na lang ako, nakakahiya naman, kakalinis mo lang niyan e�� I
said sabay tawa at walkout, pero sumunod pa rin siya.

�Come on, I insist. Ayus lang, I�ll take you wherever you go.� He said.
�Pero Andrew��

He looked at me with puppy eyes.

�Have you started to hate me?�

I reddened sabay iling. �O-Of course not!�

�E di sakay.�

I sighed for grief. I lost.�

I took the helmet and jump behind him.

�Hold tight.�

He warned. Tumango ako, and he sped away.

I held on his shoulders, I got nervous at medyo naiilang pa rin.�

I stared at his back. He is someone really idealistic. Oo, playboy siya, pero sa
nakikita ko, pag nagmahal pala ang playboy� Sobra sobra.

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:
Napamulat yung mga mata ko. Ang init sobra, namatay na ata yung aircon.
Napaunat ako sabay kamot, napahikab tapos tumayo na ako.

I went to the bathroom, went for toothbrush tapos naghilamos.

I went outside my room, naglakad, tapos tumigil sa tapat ng kuwarto ni Serena.

Dang, again, a weird feeling.

I knocked.

�Serena? Are you awake? Let�s go� Eat breakfast.�

Walang sumasagot.
I opened her door, wala na siya?

HUH?

I walked downstairs at kinausap ko si Ana.

�Where�s� Serena?� I asked.

�Pumunta po siya� Sa ospital e.�
�A-Ah. E si Andrew?� I asked.
�Kasama po ni Serena.�

I felt something weird, na alam ko kung ano. Jealousy, and dang. I hate this
feeling.

I don�t wanna feel this way. Ayokong magalit kay Andrew. Hindi niya kasalanang
magkagusto rink ay Serena� Pero hindi ko mapigilan. I went to my office after
eating breakfast, na parang tulalang ewan.

�Arrgh� Ano ba �to� Why did he fall in love with the same girl?�

SERENA�s POV:

�Hey Dad.� I greeted.

Andrew and I entered the room.�

�Hey Serena� Is he the guy you�re talking about?� Dad asked.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Andrew.

�N-No, Pa. Hindi siya, pero kapatid siya nun. He�s Andrew.�
�Nice to meet you Sir.�

Nakipagkamay si Andrew.

�Umupo na kayong dalawa.�

Naupo nga kami. Tinititigan ni Daddy si Andrew, kaya medyo nagtaka kaming dalawa.

�B-Bakit po Sir?� He asked.

�You look familiar.� Dad uttered.
�A-Ah. Baka nagkita na kasi kayo noon.� I said.

I took out the fruits I brought.

�Here Dad, kain ka na. Malapit ka na ring madischarge dito sa ospital.� I took out
the knife at nagsimulang magbalat. I noticed Dad still looking at Andrew. Bakit
kaya?

--

�Do you want to hangout? O gusto mo nang umuwi?� Andrew asked while he was driving
the motorbike.
I shrugged my shoulders.

�Ikaw?�
�There�s this movie I�d like to watch, accompany me?��

Napakagat labi ko. Well, I haven�t watched a movie for awhile.

�O sige��

--

The movie was great. Great stunts, nag enjoy kaming dalawa.
�Astig yun ah.� I said.
�Siyempre, ako namili e. Gutom ka na?�

I looked at my watch. Medyo late na nga at di pa kami nakain. Mahaba kasi yung film
e.

�Ano?� He asked.
�Sige na nga. Gutom na rin ako. Yellowcab tayo.�
�Aba, siya pa namili.�
Natawa kaming dalawa. Pinakamalapit naman kasi yung yellowcab kung nasan man kami
ngayon.

He parked the motorbike and we proceeded to the restaurant.�

Umupo kami malapit dun sa may bintana. He left to give the order and he returned
afterwards.

�Malakas na talaga ang Daddy mo ah.� He said.

�Yeah. It�s so great.� I replied.
�How does it feel like na malapit ka nang kumawala samin?� He asked.

Nagtaka ako at napakagat sa labi.

�What do you mean?� I asked.

�Priscilla is planning to leave the country. She has given up Lawrence.� He told
me.

Medyo natuwa ako, kahit alam kong pangit yung ganun.

�A-Ah�� Yun lang ang lumabas mula sa bibig ko.

He looked at me.

�Ngayong malapit nang matapos ang sa inyo ni Lawrence, are you finally giving me a
chance?�

I took a deep breath. Hindi ko pa rin alam ang isasagot ko kay Andrew. Ayoko kasing
paasahin siya. Lalo na kung di naman ako sigurado sa nararamdaman ko.

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I just finished taking a shower, napatingin ako sa orasan, it�s already 8:45 pm, I
leaned on the wall to hear if somebody is already in Serena�s room. Pero wala.
She�s still not home.

Where did they really go?

Napaupo ako sa kama with clenched fists.

I don�t want to do something really unnecessary because I was jealous, pero kung
palaging ganito, I may not be able to hold back anymore.

SERENA�s POV:

I jumped from Andrew�s motorbike.

�Go in first, tumawag kasi yung isang tropa ko, birthday nga pala niya.� Andrew
said. Ngumiti lang ako.
�It�s okay, ingat ka.� I said. �Thanks for the day.�
He stared at me for awhile.

�B-Bakit?� I asked.��
�Come closer.�

I was wondering, but I walked towards him.

�Bakit-?�

Then he suddenly leaned and kissed me.

On the forehead.�

My heart beats fast.

�A-Andrew��
�Have a good night.� He grinned and sped away. Napahawak lang ako sa noo ko.
Andrew.. Is just too sweet.

And he�s so admirable, that�s why, I don�t dessrve such an innocent love from him.

Napaupo ako porch, I sighed. I leaned my head on my bent knees.

�Ano ba �to��

�How was it?� Napatingala ako. It was Lawrence. It was Lawrence with a very weird
look on his face.

�Lawrence-!�
�How was your day with him?� He asked me once again.
�W-Well� It was cool?�

He gulped, napansin ko, tapos he inserted his hands into his pockets.

�You�re discussing future together weren�t you?��

�H-Ha?�
�After the news scattered about our separation, you�re planning to run to him,
aren�t you?�
He stared at me with eyes like raging fire, na ikinainis ko. Loko �to ah.

�Why should I tell you things like that?� I asked him with my voice raising. I
stood up and glared at him.

�I�m a nobody to you so why should you care on whatever I do?�� I asked him. �Wag
mo kong tanungin ng mga bagay na parang nagpapakitang may pakielam ka sakin kasi
wala naman dib a? Or was it just out of your curiosity?�
I smirked.�
�Well, whatever it is, wala na akong magagawa pa.� I said and walked away with
heavy footsteps,
But then he suddenly grabbed my arm kaya napalingon ulit ako sakanya.

�A-Ano ba Lawrence?!�
�Don�t act dumb.�
�Ano?!�

He stared at me.

�You know how I really feel about you, don�t you?� He asked me.

Namula ako, at napayuko.

�I-I don�t�--�
�Then I�ll show you.�

He pulled me closer.
And our lips met.

This feels not the first, but I dislike this time very much. It was like it was out
of anger and such, at ayoko nito!

�Stop it!�

I pushed him.

�What�s wrong with you Lawrence?!� I yelled at him. Naiiyak ako.

Oo, gusto ko siya. But I dislike his actions right now.�

�I can�t believe you!� I screamed at him and ran inside the house.

I don�t want him to be that way��

Though my heart says�

It likes what was done.

? 38 ?

�ARRGH!� I grunted sabay higa. I hate him! I hate him!

How dare he� He kiss me?!

I blushed tapos tinakpan ko yung mukha ko with a pillow. Dang� Pero bakit natutuwa
ako? Watta flirty me.�

Napatili ako. OO na Lawrence alam ko nang mahal mo �ko!

Pero sana sinabi mo na lang, tae naman o. Nasigawan tuloy kita.

�WWAAHHH!� I yelled once again. Stop it! Ang gulo gulo ng utak ko! Paano si
Andrew?! Anong gagawin ko sakanya?!

Napatayo ako. Oh gosssshhhh.

�WATTA MESS!�
I yelled and lied down on my bed again.
LAWRENCE�s POV:

What� Am I doing?
I just harassed her. OH damn. I�m pretty sure she�s gonna hate me now.�
I sat again sabay yakap sa ulo ko. Lawrence you�re so good at everything. Pero
bakit pagkuha lang ng taong mahal mo hindi mo magawa?
Napatingala ko.

I just realized.
How important she is to me.
Na hindi ko pala kayang mawala siya sakin.

Even if I will hurt Andrew� For me, Serena, is just my life. If she�s gone, then my
life�s gone forever.

Therefore, I�ll give everything I�ve got to give a fair competition to Andrew.

�Lawrence.� Napatayo ako. There he is.

�What are you doing here and where�s Serena?� He asked.

I walked towards him.

�I want to tell you something.� I started.

He looked at me firmly.

�I also love Serena.� I said. He was still serious. �And because of that, I�m not
losing to you. Noong una, ayokong labanan ka, dahil kapatid kita. But then I�ve
thought that I don�t wanna lose Serena without giving a fight.�

He grinned.

�It�s good you thought about that thing, Lawrence.�� He punched me lightly on my
chest.�

�Because I�m not losing to you too.�

SERENA�s POV:

Dinamonyo [ Namiss ko to ] Was knocking on my door. Dang, ayaw tumigil.

�Gumising ka, Serena. Kumain ka na raw sabi ni Sir Lawrence! Hmph.� Talang may hmph
pa. Tsk. Si Lawrence? Pfft.
Ayokong Makita yung lalaking yun. I can�t face him after what happened last night,
kahit na ba siya ang may kasalanan nung kagabi, I don�t have the guts! Baka mamaya
kung anu pang kabalbalan ang magawa ko e.

Pero tekaaaa---

Hindi kaya pagtawanan ako nun? And besides, wasn�t my real aim is to get him fall
for me?!

TAMA! Because of him, maraming nawala sakin, at dahil sa sobrang inis ko sakanya
noon, I swore I�ll make him fall for me.

PERO AKO NAMAN ANG NAUNAG NAGMAHAL.�

�ARRGH! Kabwisit!�
Tumayo na ako.�

�Fine! Haharapin ko siya!�

I walked straight to the door with determination�

The door opened and it hit my head.

I fell on the ground. Ang sakit sa pwet!

�A-Aray ko��
�Okay ka lang?�

Napadilat ako at napatingala. LAWRENCE~!

�M-Mukha ba akong okay?!� I yelled kunwari galit lang ako sakanya, but seriously,
what happened last night went into my head.

�Ang sakit naman�--�

�Here.� He showed me his hand. �Grab my hand and I�ll help you up.�

Napatingin lang ako sakanya.

BATHUMP. BATHUMP.
�W-Wag na, kaya ko naman tumayo�� I said, pero hindi niya inalis yung kamay niya sa
harap ko.
�Wag ka ngang pakipot. Dali.�

I raised my eyebrow.
�Tsk. Hindi ako pakipot!� I yelled and I stood up, kahit masakit pwet ko. Bwisit.

Pagtayo ko, medyo sumakit yung paa ko, aah. I also hurt it a bit.

�Okay ka lang?�
�Oo! Bat nandito ka ba?� I said.
�Ang kalat naman sa kwarto mo. Mamaya madulas dulas ka diyan.�
�Pakielam mo ba? Bat ka nga nandito?�
Ayus �tong lalaking �to ah. Acting like nothing happened last night. PFFT. What a
loser.

�It was bothering na hindi ka kumain sa umaga. Ang takaw takaw mo pa naman sa
tinapay at itlog na may kasamang kanin at mainit na gatas.�

Napalunok ako. Nakakagutom.

�May manok pa sa baba. Ano, kakain ka ba?�

�Oo��
�Ay sorry, mukhang naistorbo pala kita sa pagtulog mo. Sige, uubusin na lang namin
yung pagkain. Goodbye.� He turned his back at nagsimulang maglakad. I gulped.

�Bye bye. Masarap pa nman yung pagkain.�

OH DAAAANNGGGG.

As soon as he stepped in front of the door, napalunok ulit ako. Badtrip naman o!

�Teka lang Lawrence�� I grabbed his arm, napaharap siya sakin. Distance of the
faces >> 4 inches.

BATHUMP.
�W-Waah-!� Napasigaw ako and pronto, may natapakan akong ewan.

�W-Whoa!�
�Serena!�

I thought I was gonna fall again, another pain on the butt yun, pero pagdilat ko.

I was right on his arms.

My head was leaning on his chest, and I can hear his heartbeat. It was so loud.

�A-Are you okay?�

And then I realized.

IT WAS AWKWARD!!

I pushed him.

�Aray ko!� He yelled.

�B-Bakit mo ko niyakap diyan-?!�
�Hindi kita niyakap noh, hinatak lang kita� And it was you who hugged me.�

I reddened.

�Ang kapal!�
�Totoo naman ah. You suddenly pulled me and because your room is seriously dirty,
nadulas ka nga ata, so I pulled you��
�I get it!� I said habang namumula. Tinalikuran ko siya.

It�s so embarrassing!

�Why are you turning your back on me?� He asked with a really, masculine voice. Oh
dang. Ang puso ko.

�Pakielam mo, mauna ka na.� I said.

�You�re face is red, isn�t it?�

Lalong bumilis yung tibok ng puso ko.

�H-Hindi kaya.�
�Humarap ka nga.�

I was trembling. I can�t let him see my face like this. It�s so embarrassing!

Then he suddenly touched my shoulder.

�What are you doing inside one room?� Nanlaki yung mga mata ko sabay harap sa
likod.

�Andrew�!� I uttered.

He glanced at Lawrence then looked at me.

�Have you eaten?� He asked.

�Hindi pa�� I answered.

Ngumiti siya.
�Tara, sabay tayo.�

Napatingin ako kay Lawrence, tapos kay Andrew.

�O-Okay.� I said then passed by Lawrence.

AHH. Great thing I escaped such an embarrassing situation.

I gave a sigh paglabas namin ng kuwarto.

�Phew.�
�What�s wrong? Ano bang nangyari sa loob?�

I reddened sabay tawa nang mahina.

�W-Wala.� I replied.
�Kumain na lang tayo��

Oh dang. Don�t forget that you�re talking to Andrew. Serena talagaaa!

--

I just finished a homework for our subject, at sa tingin ko, hindi yun papasa sa
taste ng Prof ko.
Terror pa naman yun, napailing ako.

Bakit ba kasi puro si L yung laman ng utak ko?!

�GRR! Get out of my mind!!�

I stood up from sitting in front of the study table and decided to went out of the
room. Naglakad lakad ako.
Nakasalubong ko sila Dina, tsk. She�s still as mean as ever. Hindi na nga rin niya
ako inuutusan, ewan ko lang.

I wonder where Lawrence is..

TSK.

Anyway, I�d like to get some fresh air.

I went out of the house tapos wala kasi akong magawa kaya naglakad lakad ako. I
don�t know where my feet brought me, pero sa likod nung bahay, may nakita akong
parang mini playground. It looks somehow familiar..?
So there was something like this huh.

I sat on the swing. Medyo kinakalawang na �to ah. Tumayo ulit ako tapos pumunta dun
sa monkey bar.�
Ang taas naman. Grabe. I jumped and reached it.

�Aha-!�
�Huy. Anong ginagawa mo?�

I was surprised.
�Whoa!�

Nakabitaw ako at bumagsak sa lupa.

Puro kamalasan naman �tong araw na �to o�

�A-Aray naman�� Lawrence ran to me.
�Okay ka lang?�

Napadilat ako.

Weird. It feels familiar.�

�Anchakeett.�
�Tanga mo naman.� He uttered.
�Loko ka pala e! Why do you always come in surprise?!�

He showed me his hand again.�

Another familiar feeling.

�Grab my hand this time. I�ll help you up.�

Napatingin ako sakanya.

Aissh.�
I held his hand and he pulled me up.�
Ang sakit ng tuhod ko. DANNG. Nagkagalos ang pinakaiingatan kong legs! Tsk.

He pushed me to the swing.

�Paano ka napdpad dito?� He asked.

�I was just looking forward for some fresh air. Nakita ko lang naman �to kaya ako
napunta dito.�

He knelt in front of me then tore a cloth from his shirt.

�H-Huy, anong ginagawa mo-?�

�Shurt up.�

I reddened again as he wrapped the cloth on my small wound.�

This feels familiar� AGAIN.

�Sorry� Nga pala.� He suddenly said.

�H-Ha?�
�About last night.�

Napatigil ako, sabay tingin sakanya. Siya naman, nakayuko lang. Nakatingin sa lupa.

�I didn�t want to do it� I just can�t� Hold back, you know?�

I reddened tapos napatango lang ako.

He stood up and sat on the swing next to me. The wind blew hard.�

�How about Andrew? Andrew� Likes you too.� He said.

Napakagat labi ako. Actually, yan yung prinoproblema ko.

�Y-Yeah.�
�Then how do you feel about him now?� He asked.
�E-Ewan?� I said. �Basta, Lawrence. I think you know� How I feel about you.� Dang.
Confession mode.

��But I don�t know if you and I� Just those feelings for each other� Is enough.�
I stated. �We too, we�re bound with just a contract. That�s not the only problem
too� Your father and mine, I�m not sure if they�re in good terms too.� I said.
He sighed.

�Tsk. What�s with the gloomy atmosphere you�re bringing here?�

�Lawrence-?�

There was only silence after my words.

Oo nga naman. Bakit ba ganun yung mga nasabi ko?

Tanga tanga ko!

�Doesn�t this scenery seem like something had happened before?�

�H-Ha?�

He chuckled.

�You�re certainly a forgetful person.� He said.

�I don�t understand�?�
�It was the beer company President�s birthday. Remember?�

I was still confused.

�How disappointing.� He said.

�HAAAA? Pakilinaw naman!�

He stared at me.

�That�s where we first met.�

First� Met?

? 39 ?

Nagbuhul hubol yung laman ng utak ko. HUH?

�First met?� I asked again.

Natawa siya.
�Maybe you can�t remember kasi matagal na nga yung talaga.� He uttered.
�E ano nga kasi yun, malay mo maalala ko.�

He grinned.

�The birthday happened when I was 10. Siguro, 9 ka pa lang nun. It was on a
clubhouse, with a pool and playground.�
I looked around. �Just like this playground?� I asked.
�Yeah. Just like this. Actually, I asked Dad to make this playground look exactly
similar with that playground before.�
�And why�s that?�

He shrugged his shoulders.

�Don�t know. Maybe it had something to do with an idiotic girl I met?�

? ? ? ?

Tumawa ulit siya.

�You�re still the same.�

�Bakit ba kasi hindi mo pa diretsuhin?� I asked, nakakainis kasi, pinapatagal pa.�
�Excited ka.�
Sinimangutan ko nga.

�Joke lang.� He cleared his throat.

�It was that night when I met you, haha. Nakalimutan mo na siguro, pero ako hindi
pa. You fell from a monkey bar ang got scratches all over your skin.�

He looked at me.

�Pero wala naming nagpeklat di ba?�

I nodded.

�Wala nga?��
�I wrapped my handkerchief on your knees and we sat on the swings. Just like this.�

My heart skipped a beat. Why do his words struck me really hard? Parang totoo nga
yung mga sinabi niya, which I�m not so sure.
Nagpalinga linga ako.

Yun ba ang dahilan kaya� Kaya everything around here�

�Did we� Become good� Friends?� I asked.

�Yeah. For that night.�
�W-Why only for that night?� I asked.

He started swinging.

�I went abroad the next day.�� He said.

I felt strange deep in my chest. Parang may panghihinayang� So we were about to

become good friends after all.

�Not that too, that night, a guy came to pick you up to play.�
�And that must be-?�
�Yeah. Tristan.�

Well, I can remember that part when Tristan came.

�And my Dad came too that time nad took me away.� He said.

Tapos tumingin siya sakin.

�Wasn�t everything feels weird? Like everything was because of a twist of fate. We
might have become friends if ever I did not leave the country. Siguro, none of
these will happen.� He grinned. �And then after all those things, we met again
accidentally.�

I reddened tapos napatango.

�Maybe it�s fate.� I suddenly uttered. Whoa. Weird.

I heard him chuckle.

�Yeah. Fate.�

I took a glance at him, and he was looking at me too.

I was feeling tension all over my body, but I can�t let him notice.
�How about� Priscilla?� I asked. Actually, I haven�t heard from her since we went
to Cebu.

He gave a sigh.

�I asked her to leave that night� And as soon as we went back to Manila, she was
already packing her things.�
�W-Why?� Kunwari di alam.
�Priscilla� Is someone I truly loved. She� my first love and I was ready to give
everything for her, and yet, she cheated on me. I know, na kung mahal mo ang isang
tao, you�ll be willing to forgive and forget, but in case of Priscilla, I thought
that forgiving her wasn�t just enough, and at that time, Dad was hospitalized. It
was like, something was urging me to go back here in the Philippines.�

He looked at me one more time.

�And at the night I arrived, I met you in the club.�

We both felt the breeze. Hinawi ko yung buhok ko mula sa mukha ko.

�I knew it from the first time I met you that you were familiar. The girl who is
the daughter of my Dad�s rival is right in front of me. It took time for me to
figure out that you were the same girl I met right in the playground.�

I still kept listening to him.�

�Then after you punched me, I just wanted to get back to you. Your image was just
in my mind since that night. The next days, I discovered about your company. Oo, I
took advantage of what happened to take you into my home. It was surely double on
purpose.�

Napakamot siya ng ulo.

�What?�
�Alam ko, sa sarili ko, na gusto ko nang talagang hiwalayan si Priscilla since the
time I took you in. It wasn�t because of you� At first.�
�At� First?�

He smirked.

�Yeah. At first.�

I was blushing, tapos para hindi naman niya ako mahalata, I started swinging.

Kinikilig ako, grabe. Tae naman o, nakakahiya.

Napapikit ako saglet. � Teka, isn�t this a good chance too?

I stopped the swing.

RiGHT! Since the mood is so great, I need not to let this chance pass!

�Lawrence!� I called him sabay tingin sakanya. I gulped,dang. Alam ko sure ako e,
I�m blushing, pero I have no choice anymore.

�Yeah?�
�Actually, I��
�Andrew.�
HUH?

Napatingin ako sa harap ko. Andrew was standing there, looking at me and Lawrence.
He smiled weakly.

�I got a call from the hospital.� He said.

�R-Really?� I asked sabay napatayo.

�Yeah, your Dad may be already discharged from the hospital.�

I was suddenly excited, napatingin kay Lawrence.

�Lawrence, my Dad� He�s already fine!� I exclaimed.

He smiled weakly.

Then I remembered what this just meant.

I�ll be moving out from this house.

And probably� From their lives?

�L-Lawrence��
�I�ll take you to the hospital.� He offered.

Tumango ako.

�I�ll go too.�� Andrew said. Tumango na lang ulit ako.

Despite of knowing about my Dad�s situation, I� I still feel� Lonely.

We were already inside the car, sa likod na lang ako umupo at silang magkapatid sa
harap.
Napadungaw ako sa bintana.

I�m finally returning to my normal life. The life of luxury and success. Eto na,
dib a? The thing I was longing for again.

Pero bakit ganito? Ang lungkot ko.�

Have I gone this far on loving him?

Phew.

Suddenly, he received a call, he was talking to the person through phone like it
was something important, then he put it down.�
�Sorry, Serena, Andrew. I gotta do something for the office. Andrew, drive her to
the hospital.� He took out his seatbelt. �I�m taking the other car.� He looked at
me and Andrew.

�Take care. Bring your Dad to the house, I got Dina to prepare a room for him.� He
said and left.

�Lawrence�� I uttered.
�Transfer here.� Andrew said.

Tumango ako.

--

�How is your relationship with Lawrence?� Andrew suddenly asked. I gulped. He

opened this topic once again. A topic I don�t want to talk about especially with
him.

�Serena.� He uttered.
�Y-Yeah-?�
�I suppose that you two� Have confessed to each other.� He said.
Napalunok ulit ako ng laway.

�Y-Yeah.�

He sighed silently and he chuckled.

�Finally.�
�Andrew�� I uttered.
�What?�

Napakamot ako ng ulo and I took glances of him.

�A-Are you� Okay?� I asked.�

�No.� He said.

Napangiwi ako lalo.

�� But I will be fine.� He suddenly said. �Basta makita ko lang na masaya ka sa

tabi niya, I promise that I will be just fine. If nothing happens again which will
hurt you, I will be fine. I will be watching over you, but I�m not gonna make you
like me again, but if you ever need me.� He looked at me as the car stopped.

�� I promise that I�ll be right there.�

I was happy with everything he said, but I was lonely too. I am hurting the person
who has feelings for me and is ready to be always there.
Kaso kung papaasahin ko lang siya, it will hurt him more.

Bumaba kami ng sasakyan and I rushed to my Dad�s room.�

�Dad!� I screamed sabay takbo para yakapin siya.

�Serena���

I hugged him tight. I miss him so much. He pushed me gently.

�Andrew, you�re here too.� He said.

�Yes, Sir. I was told to bring you home.�

Tumango ako.

�I�ll introduce you to the person who helped me when I was down.� I said.�
He smiled.

�That will surely be great.�

--

Hinatid ko si Daddy dun sa kwarto na pinahanda ni Lawrence. I�m now feeling that I
will be starting anew with my Dad.
I walked in front of the house and stared at it.

�Aalis na ako rito� I hope, everything will still be the same. It was� Nice. The
time I spent here in this house. I will miss Dina, kahit na masungit siya sakin. I
will miss Ana very much. I�ll miss Andrew� And of course, I�ll miss the one I�m
working for.�

Hindi ko napigilan.

I started crying hard. I wiped my tears away. Nalulungkot ako nang sobra.
Then suddenly, someone patted my head from behind.

Napalingon ako.

�Lawrence...!�
�Bakit ka umiiyak?�

Napasinghot ako tapos napaiyak ulit.

He leaned my head on his chest.

�Mamimiss mo ako noh?�

I punched him, pero mahina lang.

�Aray ko naman.�
�Bakit ganyan ka�?� I asked sabay tulak sakanya.
�Parang� Ang dali dali lang sayo. Like you absolutely don�t care.�

I was still crying, pero pinunasan ko yung mga luha ko.

�We will already call off the wedding, won�t we?� I asked. �� Pero ang dali dali
sayo��

He was only looking at me.

�� I think you already know, I love you, Lawrence, but it seems like you don�t care
at all.�

Aalis na sana ako, when he grabbed my arm at napaharap ako sakanya.

�I love you too.�

I reddened, napayuko.

�Stop kidding me...�

�I do.� He smiled.

Then he suddenly leaned onto me.

And kissed me.

It was just so sweet, kaya napapikit ako, then he suddenly pushed me away gently
and our foreheads were still connected.
�I�ll ask you too� Why do we need to call it off?�

Napangiti ako, at alam ko, na I reddened, but I did not look away.

�Lawrence��

Then we heard footsteps; Napalingon kami sa may pintuan, and there was my Dad.

�Dad!� I called, I held Lawrence�s arm and pulled him towards Dad.

�Dad, this is Lawrence. Lawrence Montealegre. The guy who helped me out when I was
alone.�
But as I saw Dad�s expression, I had a really..

�Different feeling.

? 40 ?

�Lawrence� Lawrence Montealegre?� He repeated. Nagtaka ako, pero tumango ako.

�Opo��
�He�s the guy who helped you out? Siya?� He pointed to Lawrence.

Napatingin ako kay Lawrence, he was a bit surprised too.

�D-Dad, bakit po?�

Umiling siya, then he suddenly pulled me away from Lawrence.

�Pack your things, aalis na tayo.� He said. Napabitaw ako Lawrence.

�Sir, I don�t understand, wala naman ho akong nagawang masama sa anak niyo.�
�Tama siya Dad! Bakit nagkakaganyan ka?� I asked and pulled me arm away.

�You�re acting strange. Lawrence helped us out, pero bakit nagagalit ka?�
�Kung alam ko lang na ang mga Montealegre lang pala ang tutulong satin, mas
pipiliin ko pang mamatay.�
�Dad!� I yelled, hindi ko napigilan. Hindi ko maintindihan. Alam ko na rivals sila
in business, pero it�s not right for my Father to talk like this!

�Pack your things, Serena!�

�Wala� Wala tayong pupuntahan!� I said.
�Sir, please stay here and let�s talk��
�I don�t want to negotiate to any of you.� Dad replied. �Tara na, Serena. Mas
mabuti pang tumira tayo sa kalsada kesa ganito.�
�Sir, I haven�t done anything at all��
�Ikaw wala, pero ang tatay mo, meron!�

And at that point, I was so surprised. What can that actually mean?

--

Dad brought us to a small house he bought in case for an emergency like this. It
was seriously dirty. Wala kasing caretaker. It is somewhere here in Manila.
Naguguluhan pa rin ako habang nag aayos ako ng damit. Ayoko namang tanungin si Dad
kasi� Feeling ko galit na galit siya. Baka atakahin pa siya.

Pero nalulungkot ako.

Bakit hindi pwede?

�You must never meet that guy ever again.�

Napatigil ako, tapos napalingon.

�Pero Dad, mahal ko siya, at hindi ko matatanggap ang gusto niyong ipagawa sakin
hangga�t hindi ko nalalaman ang dahilan�!�
Bigla niyang hinampas yung lamesa nang malakas, nagulat ako, natakot, kasi I can
see that Dad is getting more angry at baka hindi kayanin ng puso niya.

Naiyak na ako.

Bakit ganito? When everything is finally okay� There is another twist of fate.
Can�t just fate even once, stay still?!
�Daddy, wag ka naman ganito� Mahal na mahal ko siya� Sobra��
�No. There�s still Tristan, bakit hindi na lang siya? Kahit sino pwede, basta wag
ang mga Montealegre! Pati yung Andrew na yan.� Whether it�s Andrew or Lawrence, you
may never be with any of them.�
�Pero bakit nga po?! Hindi ko yan matatanggap Dad, this is the first time your
daughter has fallen in love, can�t you just make me feel like you really care?!�

Napatayo ako sabay takbo sa maliit kong kuwarto.

I lied down on the bed with my face on the pillow.

I continued crying and sobbing.

It�s just so weird. Bakit ganito?!

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

�Where did Serena and her Father go?� Andrew asked as he barged into my room.
Nakaupo ako sa kama nun. Litong lito.

�I don�t know.�
�What you don�t know?! Their company hasn�t been turned over to them already,
right?!�
�Hindi pa. Hindi ko alam Andrew, pero galit ang Daddy ni Serena sa mga
Montealegre.�

Andrew got confused too.

�W-Why? Anong problema?�

�Hindi ko alam� Hindi ko alam!� I said. �He mentioned something about Dad�s doing.
Hindi ko maintindihan. Kung it�s about business, he will not be so mad like that.
Pagkatapos ng lahat ng nagawa natin para kay Serena, I did not expect that he�ll be
so mad. Ayoko nang ganito� When finally, things are turning better��

--

I sat on my office chair, still confused and sad over the circumstances.
What wrong has my Father done?
Bakit nadadamay kami ngayon?

I stood up and looked at my Father�s books. Maybe something useful will be found
here, and then suddenly, Dina barged into the room.

�Sir!�
�Dina-?�
�There was a call from the Asian hospital.�

A call?

--

�Dad?� I uttered. Kasama ko si Andrew. We reached Dad�s room, and he was awake, but
as I can see, he still finds it difficult in breathing.
It�s a good thing that finally� Dad has woken up. I want to hear answers.

�L-Lawrence� A-Andrew��
�Dad, are you okay?� I asked.

Tumango siya. Marahan yun, naupo rin siya.

As I stared at Dad, it just felt like, hindi pala kami magkamukha?

�Dad, the doctor said that you may go home by Friday. Are you ready?�
He nodded.

�How�s� The sales?�

I smiled weakly. �Everything�s okay at work, don�t worry.� I replied.
�Geoff came.� He said.�

Geoff is his secretary.

�Y-Yeah?�
�You� Bought the rival company and helped out the daughter?�

I gulped, napatingin si Andrew sakin, pero matapang akong sumagot.

�Opo.�

I saw Dad�s reaction, and it was way different from Serena�s Dad�s, pero alam ko,
na he strongly objects.

�Dad, right now, I admit.�� I said. �I love his daughter.�

Napayuko ako.
�But you can�t.� Dad suddenly said.

I raised my head. �Pero bakit? Hindi ko� Maintindihan!� I started yelling.

Andrew patted my shoulder.

�Calm down, you can�t yell at Dad.�

�Pero alam ko, Andrew. Na nagtataka ka, so there�s no point for this to take so
long!�

Suddenly, a nurse entered.

�Sir, visiting hour is over.�

DAMN.�
�Lawrence, tara na.� Andrew said.�
Napatayo ako at napatingin kay Dad.

�Dad, please take care of yourself� And I wish� That you�ll give answers to my
questions.�

--

SERENA's POV:

I had a few savings and my Dad too, kaya nakakakain pa kami sa ngayon. Some of his
friends are helping him too. I�ve been absent for a day. I want to see Lawrence and
talk to him, but I can�t. Ayaw akong palabasin.

I got my cellphone confiscated.

My head�s all messed up.

Ayokong sagutin si Dad, pero sa ginagawa niya, he�ll make me hate him.
Pagkatapos ng lahat ng ginawa ni Lawrence para sakanya, pagkatapos ng lahat ng
yun.�

Napapikit ako, but still, the tears won�t stop.

I miss Lawrence. I miss him so much.�

Ano kayang ginagawa niya ngayon? Is he feeling the same as I do?

I hope he is doing something for me, �cause I won�t last a day like this again.
A day without him feels like a decade.

My room�s door opened.

�Aalis ako, don�t leave the house, Serena. Babalik ako agad.�
�S-San ka pupunta?�
�Basta. Wag kang aalis ng bahay.�

Hindi ako nakasagot. Ito na ang chance ko. This is the only way.�

�Promise me, Serena.�

�D-Dad.�
�You�ll not leave the house, right?� He asked me.

Hindi ako makatingin.

�Serena.�
�O-Opo�� I replied, kahit na sobrang labag sa loob ko.�
�Good.� He said and left my room.

�ARRGH!�

Nasabunutan ko yung sarili ko.

Kabadtrip.
After a few minutes, I knew Dad had left. Hindi ko alam yung gagawin ko.
It was just so strange na hindi ko maalis yung pagkakatingin ko sa orasan.

Things are going to my mind. Andito lang ang susi sakin, I can go now.

Pero how about the promise I made with Dad?

Then I suddenly heard the ring tone I have.

HUH?

I stood up and followed to where I�m hearing the sound. It was in Dad�s room.
I entered and went to the cabinet. It wasn�t there, then I went on the bed, and
looked under the sheets.

Andun nga!

Lawrence is calling!

Nagdalawang isip ako. Paano� Paano kung-? Hay, bahala na.

�Hello?�
�Serena.�
�L-Lawrence��
Silence.

�How are you?� He asked.

�Not fine.� I said. �Alam mo na ba ang rason?�
�Not yet, but will you let me in?�

Nagulat ako, I rushed out to the door and opened it.

He�s here.

He hugged me tight, niyakap ko rin siya.

�I missed you. I was so worried�� He whispered.

�Lawrence� Ayoko nang ganito��
�Hindi ko rin kaya� Ng ganito��

He pushed me gently.

�Anong gagawin natin?� I asked him.

Napayuko siya, then he looked at me.

�There�s only one way.�

�What is it?� I asked.

He stared at me.

�Lawrence?�
�Do you love me?� He asked.

Natigilan ako, but I answered. �Yes.�

�Then� Run away with me.�

I was startled. Napalakad ako patalikod.

�R-Run away? Are you serious?�

�There�s no other way. Ayokong mawala ka sakin, and I believe that you do too.�

He held my hand, and I was electrified.

I looked down� Gusto kong makasama si Lawrence.

Pero paano ang Daddy ko?

I love Dad so much, but this is the first time� I fell in love so much.
And it feels like I want to risk more, �cause being without Lawrence.

It�s like that I�m already dead too.

I looked at him.

�Alright, I�m coming with you.�

? 41 ?

I hurriedly packed my stuffs with Lawrence. I made up my mind, but my conscience

bugs me. Paano ko �to magagawa kay Daddy? I love him so much�

I looked at Lawrence.
But I love this person too, and I know that without him, I�ll simply die.

Natigilan ako.

�S-Serena.�
There was silence, napatigil kami sa pag aayos.

�H-Have you� Changed your mind?�

I looked at him, sabay iling.

�Hindi.� I grinned. �I�m willing to take all the risks.�

He smiled back at me, the kissed my forehead sabay yakap.

�I�ll do everything to make you happy.�

--

NARRATOR:

Serena�s father entered the room of Lawrence�s Dad. He was wide awake.

�Lorenzo.�� Lawrence�s Dad uttered.

Naglakad ng tahimik ang tatay ni Serena.�

�It�s been a long time wince we�ve met.� He said. ��I never thought na magkikita pa
tayo.�
�Me either. But here you are.��
Serena�s Dad sat down on the seat.

�Is it about the children?�� Lawrence�s did.

Serena�s nodded.

�You know that I really disagree on whatever relationship they have, and I think
you don�t have the guts to actually let them too.�

Serena�s looked at Lawrence�s.

�Anyone is fine, as long as he is not a �Montealegre�. You should cooperate with me
from now.� He said firmly. �You should know why we can�t let them be together.�

--

SERENA�s POV:

We were only on the trip, trip to Cebu. In their townhouse.

He was holding my hand tight. Malamig yung mga kamay niya, and so as mine.

I never thought that I�ll actually betray Dad.

The Father I love so much. Iniwan ko siyang mag-isa.�

Napapikit ako and tears started falling.�

�D-Dad� Sorry��
�Ssh. Ssh. Wag kang mag-alala. I�ll send people to take car of your Dad� I�ll also
send the papers to legally return your company to him. He�ll be just fine��
�But� He�ll hate me.� Ayokong magalit sakin ang Daddy ko��

He let me lean my head on his chest and patted it.

�Don�t cry, please. Kung makikita rin kitang malungkot sa tabi ko, I think it�ll be
better if I take you home.�

I looked at him and I shook my head as I wiped my tears.

�No. I�ve decided.� Hinimas ko yung mukha niya kasi nakikita ko na nalulungkot din
siya.

�You know, Serena, we can always go back if you want. I don�t want to force you one
something you�ll regret. Gusto kong sumaya ka, and if it is being by your Father�s
side then I�m willing to give you back.�

Umiling ako ulit.

�Don�t say something like that. I am not on this trip with you willingly. Hindi mo
ako pinilit. Wag kang magsalita na parang ikaw lang ang gumawa ng kasalanan��

Ngumiti ako nang bahagya.

�I love you Lawrence, and I�m ready to live with you the rest of my life��

--

We reached the town house; we hurried to the beach like we have no problems at all.
We had agreed that everything in Manila will be just there.
We�ll start over again.

We played with the sea, kainis nga e, nabasa talaga ako, but I found it fun �cause
he�s expression says that he�s really enjoying.
The sun is already setting at that time.�

We sat on the sand, holding hands and I was leaning on his shoulder. It was like a
moment I�d never want to end.

Will it always stay like this?

I looked at him as the wind blew gently.

�Let�s go abroad, Serena.� Lawrence offered.

�Abroad?�
�Yeah. Let�s travel around the world. I�ll take you, wherever you want� As long as
you can forget all of the painful things.�

I smiled.

�Sure. I�ll go.�

We stared at each other, and then on a blink of an eye, we kissed.

--

LAWRENCE�s POV:

I�m in my room at that night; I just finished taking a bath. I wonder how Serena�s
doing.�

Wala kasing mawawala para sakin. For me, just Serena, is enough.
But her, she values her Father very much.
I don�t want Serena to end up getting hurt more and more because of my doing.
Anyway, I wonder how everything is doing.

I looked at my phone. There were a lot of missed calls.

28 missed calls from Andrew, and 44 from the person I sent to Serena�s Dad.

What�s going on?

I called Andrew back.

�Andrew! Anong problema? Bakit andami mong tawag?�

�San kayo?�
�Why?�
�San kayo?!� He yelled.

Alam ko, galit sakin si Andrew, because he feels the same towards Serena, pero ano
bang magagawa ko?
�We�re here in of our townhouses. Alam ko, galit ka, but there�s nothing I can do.
We can�t live without��
�Go back, now!� He yelled.
�A-Ano? Bakit?�

I started becoming nervous, Andrew wouldn�t just seem angry like that.

�Serena�s Dad had a heart attack after knowing that she eloped with you!�
�W-WHAT?�

My heart seemed to stop beating.

�He�s in a critical condition. Are you sure you want this to happen? This is
enough. Iuwi mo na siya.�

Then suddenly, my door opened and Serena went in.

�Lawrence? Who are you talking to? Bakit namumutla ka�?�

AS I looked at her, I started to tremble and I dropped my phone.

She walked towards me.

�Uy, anung problema? Anong nangyari�?�

Then I hugged her tight. I�m feeling guilty. Nagagalit ako sa sarili ko. Dahil
sakin, baka� Baka mamatay ang Daddy niya!

�Lawrence! Ano bang problema-?�

�Sorry� Sorry Serena��
�W-What? Ano� Anong ibig mong sabihin...�

I gently pushed her away.

�Your Dad� Just had a heart attack��

SERENA�s POV:

After I heard those words, nangatog ang tuhod ko. Napaluhod ako and tears kept
coming out.
I didn�t know what to say.

�D-Dad� Dad! Sorry!� I sobbed, Lawrence hugged me tight.

�Let�s go� Serena.�
�L-Lawrence?�

--

We rushed to the hospital, it was around 3 am in the morning.

�Andrew!� I called. Napatayo si Andrew.

�Asan si Daddy?! Asan siya?!�

�He�s.. He�s right now in the emergency room��

Napaupo ako.
I continued crying, and I felt like there was a warm hand who patted my head.

�Lawrence�� I uttered.
�I�ll leave you too.� Andrew said and walked away.

Umiiyak pa rin ako nang sobra.

Hinding hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko kapag may nangyaring masama kay Daddy.

�A-Anong gagawin ko�?� I asked.

�I guess it�ll just end to this��

Natigilan ako at napatingin sakanya.

�Lawrence-?�
�I think that I�ve done enough��

Napayuko siya.

��Enough to hurt you so much.�

�H-Hindi mo naman �to kasalanan��
�It�s my entire fault. If I wasn�t selfish at all., siguro, siguro hindi �to
mangayayari sa Daddy mo. I only wanted myself to be happy� I did not consider about
your feelings or anybody else�s��

I held his hand.

�Wag kang magsalita nang ganyan, Lawrence� Wala kang ginawang masama�!�
�It was all because of me!� He said.

I was silenced. Tears fall even more.

�Now I think� It�s the time to give up. The two of us, may never be together.�
�Why do you think like that-?�
�From the very start that we�ve met, things aren�t going as it is supposed to if
we�re for each other. Kaya wala na. It�s all useless. Whatever we do, there�ll be
always something to stop us. �

He wiped my tears away.

�I guess it�s time to accept things�� He kissed my forehead.

�Iiwan mo rin� Ako?� I asked.

Napatayo siya.

�L-Lawrence� You��
He started walking away.

��You�re also leaving me� Afterall��

But he did not turn back; he continued walking away from me.
And that from that time onwards,� I knew that he just wanted to disappear� From my
life.

--

�Dad�� I uttered.
Dad slowly opened his eyes.�

�Dad!�
�S-Serena��

Napaiyak nanaman ako.

�Sorry� Sorry� Nagkamali ako, Daddy. Hindi kita dapat iniwan� I�m sorry that I
broke my promise� Sorry!�

He slowly patted my head.

�Don�t� Cry��
�Sorry� Dad. I promise that I�ll never meet him again. I�m very sorry��

I SAID THINGS WHICH I CANNOT REALLY HANDLE AT ALL.

� I promise Dad��

THINGS� THAT WILL SURELY KILL ME.

�Sorry��

Goodbye once again, Lawrence.

? 42 ?

It has been a week. Oo, Lawrence transferred to another to school. Hindi ko alam
kung paano pa siya nakalipat nang school now that we�re already in fourth year, but
I feel lonely and happy at the same time. Lonely kasi hindi ko na siguro siya
makikita ulit, and happy kasi dahil nga sa hindi ko na siya makikita, siguro�
Siguro�

Matututunan ko ring kalimutan siya.

I sat on the bed.

�Ano Dad, are you feeling better?�

He nodded.

He held my hand.�

�I�m going to get discharged tomorrow.�

I nodded. �Opo.�
�We need to meet some people.�
�Sino ho?�
�Don�t ask anymore, basta, prepare yourself.�

I don�t know, but because Dad said not to ask anymore, hindi na ako magtatanong.�

I don�t know. Maybe I was already traumatized. Ayoko nang kwestyunin pa ang lahat.
I�m scared to death when I discovered that Dad had a heart attack, at ayoko nang
maulit pa yun dahil baka next time�

He might leave me for real.

--

I was scanning my contacts. Arrgh. We need to finish some stuff for school. I�m
definitely excited to just graduate.�
I will just concentrate on whatever we may be starting. Nga pala, the company is
still not returned to us so we�re still here in this little house.

I have no more any communication with Lawrence. I deleted his number and in my
facebook, friendster, and other social networking stuff.

Masakit, hanggang ngayon, I�m still crying every night, regretting almost about
everything I�ve done. Why I fell for him, bakit ako sumuko, and such.

And then I regret why I regretted.

Kasi kung hindi ko yun ginawa, malamang� I�m not with my Father anymore.

I sat and brushed my hair.

Ano ba, Serena. You�re pretty enough to find another guy.�

Yeah, another guy to be with, but not another guy to have feelings for the rest of
your life.

--

�Serena, gising.�� I heard Dad call. Napamulat ako ng mga mata.

�D-Dad?� I asked. Nakatulog pala ako sa ospital. Buti na lang at walang pasok
ngayon. Today is the day my Dad goes home.

I helped him enter the taxi and there we go.

�Mama, dun lang tayo sa gerry�s grill.�

�Huh? Hindi ka ba muna magbibihis?� I asked him. �Ayaw mong magpahinga?�
�Wag na, anak. We gotta meet them.�
�Them?�

I looked at myself.

Siguro naman okay na �tong suot ko.

Jeans + t-shirt + flip flops = Serena

HMM.

Okay na!

--
We entered a restaurant just near the hospital.

�Who are we meeting?� I asked, pero hindi sumagot si Daddy.

Napalunok ako. I have a bad feeling.

�Dad, saglit lang po��

Dad held my wrist and pulled me with him. From afar, I can already see him.

HIM that I�m already trying to forget for this past few weeks.

I wanted to stop.

�D-Dad, wait, saglit lang�� I saw him look on my way, he looked surprised too. �D-
Daddy! Wait!�
�Wag kang makulit.�

Then we reached their table. I hid behind Dad, ayokong makita si Lawrence. I looked
at myself. Why now when I�m dressed so� So simple and such?!
I can�t face Lawrence! Not with this look!

�Serena.� I heard his voice calling me. Wala na si Daddy sa harapan ko, and of
course, wala na pala akong tinataguan.
I stood up na parang walang nangyari, but I�m definitely embarrassed. DANGGG.

�Y-Yes?�
�Umupo ka�� His voice was shivering and cold, I gulped, sabay upo.

It�s a table with me and Dad, and him and his Dad.

It�s the first time I saw his Dad in person. They don�t look alike though.

�Let�s make it short.� His dad had spoken.

He took out a file of documents and placed it on the table.

�These papers state that we formally hand your company back to you, all you need is
to sign it.�

I was surprised, napatingin ako kay Lawrence, he looked at me.

I was frozen. Napayuko.

My heart is beating fast again, and it feels like because I missed him so much.
Napatingin siya sakin.
Ganun din kaya siya, I wonder?

�Then after signing this?� Dad asked.

�We WILL never meet again.� His father asked.

Napatingin ulit ako kay Lawrence. NEVER? What�s that suppose to mean?

�Dad, ano nanaman �to?� I asked.

�Oh right, we�re not just here for that.�

I was startled.

�We�re here to tell you the reason why you two can�t be together.�
�What?� Lawrence asked.

Ako rin, I was thrilled, but with Dad�s tone, I felt scared. The reason for �this�
and �that�. What will be those things?

�You two cannot be lovers and all, but there�s one relationship you may enter.� Dad
said.
�At� Ano yun?� I asked.

�Siblings.�

Para akong kinapos sa hininga at that moment. SIBLINGS?

�What a joke.� Lawrence gritted his teeth.

�It�s step-siblings.�

I started trembling. Hindi ko alam.

What are they saying?!

�Let�s make it brief.� Dad said. �Before you were even born, Serena, your mom had a
relationship with this man.��

Napakagat ako sa labi ko, Lawrence�s father was startled.

�We were already married at that time and for that fact, that child� Was a
bastard.�

He looked at Lawrence.

�And that child is you, Lawrence Montealegre.�

�You�re kidding, right, Dad? Mom died when I was born, he can�t be saying those
things. Wag kayong magsinungaling!� Lawrence screamed.

I was also scared of what I was hearing.�

LAWRENCE. LAWRENCE.�

Is my brother? How come?!

�She didn�t pass away� She sent you to me. To take care of you.�
�And how about Andrew?! Wag niyo kaming lokohin! We already had enough feelings
involved here to get hurt!� Lawrence said.
�Lawrence-!��

He looked at me, kaya napatigil ako.�

�I-Ikaw� P-Payag ka ba na ganito? Are you� Are you believing� On whatever they
say�?� He asked me.

I paused for a moment, and then I looked at Dad.

Dad just went out of the hospital.

�A-Ano? You� You actually think that you and I� We�re siblings?�
�Andrew is only adopted, Lawrence.� Lawrence�s Dad said.

When they were yelling at each other, I actually, felt like everything��

Was only just a dream�

--
After a year, I graduated as a Magna cum laude. Yeah, yeah I know. Great thing huh.
Pero siguro, kung nandito siya, siguro wala akong award na gaya nito.

Yeah.

Siya.

After that day, the company and all the things we really own were returned to us.
Oo, malago na ulit yung business naming because of his help. The media were
disturbed because of the sudden decisions, but he took care of it. Sa ngayun,
peaceful na talaga kame.

But not in my mind.�

All this time, I focused myself on studying to forget. Oo, I forgot things. SOME of
it. Pero siyempre, bago ako matulog, ganun pa rin e. He still enters my mind. His
status, what he�s doing� And then the memories.
And everytime it enters my mind, I regret.

I regret na hindi ko siya pinaglaban.

Every night, I becomes like that. What I think is all the same.�

Masakit sa loob, kasi kahit na marami akong suitors, wala pa ring nangyayari. Wala
pa ring pumapalit sakanya.
About Andrew, he transferred to Lawrence�s school too.

I miss his naughtiness sometimes, siyempre. He�s been a good friend of mine kahit
papano.

ARRGH. Is it seriously over between us?

YEAH, of course.
Oo, hindi alam ng media ang tungkol sa past ng pamilya namin. Siguro, forever nang
magiging lihim ang bagay na yun.

OO. TAMA.

--
At the gate.
�Good morning Ma�am.�

At the lobby.
�Good Morning Ma�am.�

At the elevator.
�Good morning Ma�am.�

EVERY WHERE in this big building, they are greeting me with honorifics, I just
greet back with the smile.

Well, I�ve been working in our company for a month, and everything is going okay as
the President of this company.
Shocking huh? Pero wala namang nagreklamo sa board for my capabilities. I�m sure of
myself that I can run this company.

�Ma�am, somebody�s looking for you.�

�His name?� I asked through phone, but then suddenly, the door opened up.

�Hey, Princess.�
Napatingala ako.

�A-ANDREW?!�

? 43 ?

Napatayo ako, sabay kutkot ng mga mata.

�A-Andrewwwwww?!� I screamed.
�Oo, ako nga.� He answered sabay tawa.

�S-Sige, iwan mo na kami.� I told my secretary and then I cleared my throat.

She closed the door.

�Wow, you got a huge office here��

�B-Bakit ka nandito? How did you find me?�

He grinned.

�Easy lang.� He sat down. �You�re pretty popular now, tinatanong pa ba yan.�

Natahimik ako, tapos napaupo.

�So� How are you?� He asked.

I looked at him. Nagbago na ang itsura niya after a year. He looks so mature with
his new mature-hairdo and his eyeglasses.�
�I�m� I�m fine.� I replied.

Napayuko ako, I played with my fingers. Napapikit.

�If you want to ask about Lawrence, he�s been busy nowadays.�
Napatingin ako sakanya. �Like I�d want� To ask.�

He chuckled. �Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago.�

�Ikaw rin. Tawa ka pa rin lagi kahit walang nakakatawa.�

Nagkatinginan kaming ulit dalawa, sabay tawa. How I miss this moment.

�Bakit ka pala� Napadaan?� I asked.

�I just wanted to check on how you�re doing, besides, I want to give you this
invitation.�

He handed me an invitation card. �For a party?� I asked.

�Yep.� He said.

I flipped it open, �Teka, para lang �to sa mga readers niyo and the media.�
�Ayus lang.�
�But we�re your rival company�� I uttered.

He grinned ULIT.

�It doesn�t matter. Basta pumunta ka, you�re needed. Definitely.�

�Matagal pa pala �to e� Then I�ll try��
�Don�t try, please come.�

I sighed.
�Fine, I�ll clear my schedule.� I told Andrew.

�So ano, busy ka ba?� He asked.

�Oo e.� I answered.�
�Pwede ka ba munang umalis? Kahit ngayun gabi lang. Hang out naman tayo. It�s been
a year, hindi mo ba ako namiss?�

I scoffed.

�Namiss kita, siyempre.� Napangiwi ako, �Pero alam mo naman ang totoong sitwasyon�
Di ba? You are a Montealegre.�
�Pfft.�

He patted my head.

�Stop worrying over those things. It�ll soon be over.�

Napatingin ako sakanya, confused. �Over?�
Tumayo na siya, still wearing the same expression on his face.

�Basta, mamaya ah. Sa Gerry�s Grill. Same time.�

Tumango ako.

�Sige.�

--

I�m not so sure kung tama ba �tong gagawin ko. Baka magalit kasi si Daddy, pero
siguro, matanda na rin ako para magdesisyon para sa sarili ko.

I was driving my car and I parked it down the lot. Wee.

I went down and locked it all up, naglakad ako papasok, but before I entered the
gate, I saw a familiar car. It�s the same as Lawrence�s.

Napangiti ako, sabay napailing.

�Silly. Paano naman �to mapupunta dito?�

--

I entered the restaurant. Wala pa siya. I sat near the window, nilapitan na ako ng
waiter, pero huminde ako. Medyo makulit e. Type ata ako.

�No, mamaya na��

�Sabi niya mamaya na.�

Nanlaki yung mga mata ko. I gulped, and the next thing I know, HE is already
sitting in front of me.

HE whom I�ve been trying to forget for a year. I started to tremble, tapos
napayuko.

�Surprised?� He asked.
�B-Bakit ka nandito? Asan si Andrew�?�
�Isn�t it obvious? He set this for us.�

Hindi pa rin ako makatingin, this is just so awkward, how I wish I can just
disappear!
�A-Ah. Sige, aalis na lang ako. I forgot that I gotta finish some files for
office.�
�You said you cleared your schedule.�

I gulped again. Dang. ANDREW~! I�ll kill you.

�O-Oo nga, pero I did that to meet Andrew, pero kung wala naman pala siya, ano pang
purpose ko dito?� I grabbed my bag and I tried to leave.

�Why can�t you look at me?�

I was startled.
�I� I don�t have any reason to do so���
�Or are you scared to fall for me once again, SIS?�

Napakagat ako sa labi ko. What will I say?!

I gave a sigh, and faced him. I looked at his face, and OO.
My feelings are once again, overflowing. It�s been so long since I saw him. His
face, his eyes� All the memories are coming back� Pero kailangan ko �tong labanan!

�Why would I fall for a step-sibling? Stop kidding me��

�Then stay.� He said.

I was frozen, ginigipit niya ako. GRR.

�Sabi ko, may gagawin pa ako di ba?�

�Then I�ll do those things for you.�
�Hindi mo ba naiintidihan? Paano kung may makakakita satin dito? Nobody knows the
truth about� US! Kaya magtataka pa yung media kung bakit nagkikita pa tayo��
�Hindi ka naman artista para intindihin pa ng media ang mga ginagawa e.�

Naningkit yung mga mata ko. AMPPP.

I gave a big sigh sabay upo sa harap niya.

�There. Relax.�
�Relaxed ako.�� I said.

He called on the waiter.

�What is it you like?� He asked.

�Bahala ka.�

Kainis. This is just so weird.

Pagkaalis nung waiter, kinausap agad niya ako.

�So ano? How�s work?�

�Fine.�
�Any problems?�
�None.�

Natawa siya bigla.

�You have a funny expression.�

I reddened, oo, tapos napayuko pa nga ako e.

�Ano nanaman sinasabi mo?�
�Seriously, you find it weird to be with me now?�
Napatingin ako sakanya.

�Tinatanung mo ba talaga yan?�

He nodded.
�Oo.�
�Tsk.�

I stared at him.

�Kung nakalimutan mo na ang lahat lahat� Ako hindi pa. Well, I was in the progress,
tapos bigla kang nagpaktia ngayon. Tsk.�
�Hindi ko pa naman nakakalimutan lahat e.�

He grinned.

�I just want to see how you�ll do as a SISTER.�

�Are you kidding me?� I asked. �Wala akong balak maging kapatid mong talaga.
Knowing that same blood is flowing over our veins is enough. Ayoko na.�
�Why not?� He asked.

ARRGH! Nakakaasar!

Tears started coming out from my eyes, and at that moment, he became serious.
�Bat ka umiiyak?�
�You don�t understand.� I said. �Hanggang ngayon� Masakit pa rin para sakin ang
lahat. Hindi ko pa rin makalimutan ang sakit na naramdaman ko noon� At kung madali
lang para sayo ang tanggapin� Na magkapatid nga tayo.�

I stood up from my seat.

�Then just find someone else to talk to, because I�m dying already inside.�
�It�s not easy for me.�

Natigilan ako.

�But isn�t this the only way to spend time together?�

I gulped.
�Lawrence��

--

CRAP.
Napahiga ako sa kama ko.

Dami naming napag usapan habang kumakain, but it�s all bout PURE business na lang.
He said that he�s going to find someone to help me launch our magazine�s party.
Parang yung sa kanila.

Pero oo, umalis na ako pagkatapos kumain, without saying a word. It�s so
embarrassing.

Finding time to spend together?

My heart started to race. Dang. So it means that he still wants to be with me?

I covered my face with my pillow.

Bakit ba kinikilig ako?
ANO �TO, HIGHSCHOOL?

Pfft! Namaaaann eeee!

--

�Ma�am, may tao pong naghahanap sa inyo.� My secretary said.

�Sino raw?�
�He said he�s someone who�ll help you launch a party.��

I was delighted.

�Let him enter.�

Kaso, nagulat ako sa pumasok.

�L-Lawrence?�
�Yo.�
�A-Anong ginagawa mo rito?� I asked.
�Sabi ko dib a magpapadala ako nang tutulong sayo?� He asked.

Napatango ako.
�O-Oo nga��

My eyes grew huge.�

�Wag mong sabihin��

And he grinned.

--

We went to a glass house, eto raw kasi yung best na pag la-launchan ng party.
�Kung ito ang the best, e di dito rn yung party mo?� I asked.

Umiling siya.

�Hindi ah. I�m not that type of person.�

�Pfft.�

Nag ikot ikot kaming dalawa. Tapos na kasi kaming itour nung parang caretaker. Yung
manager.

�Ayus ba?� He asked.

I nodded.�

I was looking at a painting. Medyo mataas, hindi pantay. Gusto ko sanag ayusin,
kaso hindi ko naman abot. AMMPPP.

�A-Ah.. Ano ba �to��

�Ako na.�

And then suddenly, Lawrence, from behind� Inayus niya. Our skins touched, time
stopped.�

My heart is racing. I closed my eyes and I was tensioned.

�Hey.�
Napadilat ako.�

��Tapos na.�

Napalingon ako sakanya. Nakangiti siya sakin.

�A-Ano?� I asked.
�Ano?� He asked, nakangiti pa rin.
�B-Bakit ka nakangiti diyan� You look like an idiot.�
�Seeing your expression right now makes me like an idiot.�

Namula ako lalo.

�You�re deep red.�

He patted my head.

�Cute.�

He said and walked away.

Napakagat ako sa mga labi ko.

GRRRRR!
He�s obviously making fun of me!

--

My stomach growled. Dang. Gustom na ako.

�Hungry?� He asked.
�Ano naman sayo?� I asked.

He smiled. �I have food.�

--

And there. He brought a huge picnic set with packed lunch. Sa compartment ng
sasakyan niya.
�Ano �to, planado?� I asked him, very much wondering.
�You can say that.�

Nilatag niya yung blanket sa damuhan sa labas ng glass house, then put the food,
and sat down.

�Upo na.�
�HUH? What�s this?� I asked.
�Bonding.�

Napangiwi ako and I scoffed in disgust.

�Bonding?� I repeated. �Tigilan mo �ko.�

�Wag ka nang maraming satsat. Kain na.�

Umiling ako. �Ayoko, hindi na ako gutom.�

Then my stomach growled.

He laughed. �Stop being so stubborn.�

DANG. Nakakahiya!
Umupo na ako, pero hindi ako humaharap sakanya.

He handed me a wrapped sandwich.

�Picnic talaga huh.� I took it from him and started eating.

�How does it taste like?� He asked.

Umiling ako. �Ganun pa rin naman��
But it was seriously� DELICIOUS. Dang.

�Here.� He handed me drinks. �O, teka.�

Then he suddenly went closer and wiped something from my mouth.

Ba-thump.�

He leaned back, and he grinned.

�A-Anong nakakatawa?�
�Don�t get too nervous. I did that as a brother.�

I cleared my throat. �I wasn�t nervous at all, and why should I be? Don�t be so
full of yourself just because you know that I� I still feel the same towards you.�

Then I just noticed, that he was staring at me.

�W-What? Bakit ganyan ka kung makatingin?� I asked him.

Then suddenly, in a blink of an eye.

He leaned closer to me, and he...

Kissed me.

It felt nice � But for only a few seconds, I remembered the fact.
The fact� That he�s my brother.

I pushed him away.�

�Ano ba?!�� I panicked, at napatayo ako.

�I� I�m leaving.� I said and I grabbed my bag and started walking away.

�Come to the party.� He suddenly said. Natigilan ako. �Come to the party with your
Dad. I�ll be waiting.�

Napakagat ako sa labi ko, and I walked away.

I didn�t hate it.�

When our lips touched, I was tempted to kiss back.

But knowing that he�s my step brother, it gave me goose bumps� And it made me want
to cry.

--

It was night of that party, nakaharap ako sa salamin.

�ARRGH!� Handa na nga ang lahat ng gagamitin ko e. Pero� Pero nagdadalawang isip
ako.

How can I face him after that?!

Ginulo ko yung buhok ko sabay hilata sa kama.
I�m so disturbed!!

My phone suddenly rang, at oo, sinagot ko na.

�Hello?�
�Hey, princess.�

Napaupo ako.

�You idiot, Andrew!�

�Whoaaaa.� I heard him chuckled over phone. �You didn�t like what I set up?�
�HELL NO! Ikaw talaga!�
�By the way you�re talking, it tells me that you are getting messed up once again.
High school?�

I gritted my teeth. Ang kulit talaga nitong lalaking ito.

�Don�t tease me. Alam mong kinakalimutan ko na yang kapatid mo� But then you�re
helping me get another sickness, thanks.�

He laughed again.

�Kung nakikita kita ngayon, it will make me want to tease you more.�
�ARRGH! Andrew naman e!�
�I�m kidding. Come on, pumunta ka sa party. It will be the most memorable event of
your lfie.�

I raised my eyebrow.

�What a joke.�
�O sige, antayin kita. Bye.� Then he hung up.
Nice.

NICE ~~~!!!!!

--

And then it left me no choice. I�m now standing in front of a hotel with my Father.
He was pretty serious though. OH GOSH naman.

�Let�s go and observe how these people will be doing.� And he went ahead first.
I can say that I haven�t hated Dad� Pero� pero I think he has changed, an I
definitely dislike it.

As I entered the hotel, a lot of personalities were there. A lot of celebrities and
such. I greeted others, oo, pero asan na ang hinahanap ko.

Nakutusan ko yung sarili ko.

Why will I be searching for him?!

I walked and walked. Greeted people, drank wine and such� But I can�t see his
shadow at all.
Napakagat labi ako.

What�s up with me�?�

Napahawak ako sa mga labi ko.

Why do I� Miss him?

�Everyone!� Napalingon ako from where I hear the voice.�

LAWRENCE!
He was on stage, wearing a tuxedo with a wireless microphone.

�I know� That all of you are here to see� The launching of my newest magazine.�
I slowly walked towards to where he is, and I knew, he took a glance of me.

Lawrence�

�But then, I also have another purpose for arranging this party.�

He looked at me, carrying his microphone, he walked down the stage��

�L-Lawrence, anong ginagawa mo-?�
�Serena� Velarde, of the Velarde�s group of companies��

He took out a small box.

�Please marry me.�

Everyone was shocked. Hindi ko maintidihan ang mga nangyayari. The media started
taking pictures and all, I was panicking.

�L-Lawrence� Anong sinasabi mo-?�

�It was all a lie.�
�HA?�
�It wasn�t me. Hindi ako� Hindi ako ang stepbrother mo, but it was Andrew.�
�Mr. Montealegre, what are you doing to��

He looked at my Dad who was rushing.

�Sir, I want� To marry your daughter.�

Natahimik si Daddy, kahit ako.�

�For a year that I was gone, I was� Doing and investigation about everything. It
was all weird, that you and I� Hindi tayo pwede. Andrew looks exactly like my
Father, and I� don�t resemble him with anything.�

He faced the media and the reporters.

�It�s all through, people. I� Lawrence Montealegre, was an adopted child, but isn�t
it a good thing.�

He looked at me.

�I can be with the girl I love so much.�

Hindi ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko, but I wanted to hug him.

But then suddenly, my Father held my wrist.

I stared at him, napayuko, and I pushed his hand away.

�Sorry Dad� But I realized that I can�t give him up.�

Then I jumped to hug him, I wasn�t hearing anything at all, but all I knew,
Is that everything between us was perfect after all.

I kissed him, for seconds, and he pushed me gently.

�I haven�t heard your answer yet.�

Napangiti ako.

�YES. Hindi pa ba halata?�

We smiled at each other, and we kissed once again.

I guess it�s all happy ending. Right?

? End of Mr. and Ms. Perfect ?