Good Girl Gone Bad

(PUBLISHED)

beeyotch

1
 Copyright Information

This ebook was automatically created by FicLab

v1.0.63 on January 21st, 2022, based on content
retrieved from www.wattpad.com/story/218102.
The content in this book is copyrighted by beeyotch or
their authorised agent(s). All rights are reserved unless
explicitly stated otherwise. Please do not share or
republish this work without the express permission of
the copyright holder.
If you are the author or copyright holder, and would
like further information about this ebook, please read
the author FAQ at www.ficlab.com/author-faq.
This story was first published on April 11th, 2011, and
was last updated on December 24th, 2020.
FicLab ID: LfArMG6T/kyo93m7z/50400E5

2
 Table of Contents

Cover
Title Page
Copyright Information
Table of Contents
Summary
Beginning
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23

3
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57

4
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
EPILOGUE
Special Chapter No. 1
Special Chapter No. 2
Special Chapter No. 3

5
 Summary

title Good Girl Gone Bad (PUBLISHED)

author beeyotch
source https://www.wattpad.com/story/218102
published April 11th, 2011
updated December 24th, 2020
words 137,848
chapters 74
status Complete
rating Unknown
Bad, Complete, Damn, Epilogue, Girl, Gone, Good,
tags
Hire, Kisser, Sequel

Description:
(For Hire: A Damn Good Kisser Book 2) Meet the new Dana
Kathryn Ferrer. A little bit older and wiser, and a lot more
confident, Dana-or DK, as she now prefers to be called-is the life
of every party. Since he-who-must-not-be-named left her, DK has
reinvented herself. Gone is the girl who’s always pining for that
boy. These days, DK, who manages to catch the attention of any
boy she deems worth her time, gets to pick anyone she wants.
She’s completely over Cyriel Edrian Perez. But when she finds
out that Cyriel is coming back, her perfect little world goes
haywire. And when Andrei Louie Guzman starts courting her-a
romantic Filipino tradition he’s never bothered following for any
other girl-she still won’t give him the time of day.

6
Does DK simply want closure, or could it be that she’s not
completely over the boy who broke her heart?

7
 Beginning

Forewords:
Good Girl Gone Bad

I am a good girl..
I don’t start fights..
I just finish them..

SNS Accounts:
Twitter: beeyotchWP
Instagram: aryesaaaaa
Facebook Page: Beeyotch Stories
Youtube: Ariesa Domingo
Facebook Account: Eydee Aldea Sandoval

8
Patreon Account: beeyotch

9
 Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“Shut up, Sara. Hindi nga ako makakapunta sa

party mo or whatsoever. So cut the crap, will you?”
“Fine. Dyan ka na sumama sa so called” friends
“mo. Sila naman yung tumulong sa’yo nung iniwan
ka ni-—”
“Don’t you ever dare try to mention his name.”
“It’s been a year, Dana.”
“It’s DK. Dana is so dead.” I loathe my old name.
Everytime na maririnig ko yun, it brings back
memories. Old memories. Memories i want to bury.
“Dana, DK o kung ano man ang tinatawag sa’yo
ng mga” friends “mo, what i was trying to say is
move on. It’s been a year. No calls, no text, no e-
mail. Kinalimutan ka na niya.”
Yeah, right. Kinalimutan ko na nga siya, di ba?
Geez. Sino ba ang niloloko ko? How can i forget

10
that guy. That guy who gives me happiness but
constantly brings me down?
“This is going to nowhere. I better get going,
male late ako sa class ko.”
1 year, 365 days since he left me. Ni hindi niya
ako hinayaang mag explain. Hindi niya ako tinanong
kung totoo ba lahat ng sinabi nung kaibigan niyang
“hudas”. Paano ako makakapag move on kung puno
ng tanong yung isip ko? Maniniwala kaya siya pag
sinabi kong hindi ko alam yung mga nangyari, na
lasing lang ako? O baka iwan pa rin niya ako para
sumama sa babaeng yun.  Regret is such a cruel
thing.
To: Kimmy Btch, Nof Btch
Cafeteria. Meet u later.
Just so you know, nagshift na ako ng course.
From BS Accountancy to BA Fashion Designing.
My old folks weren’t disappointed with me or
whatever. My mom’s a designer kaya no wonder
gusto ko ding maging designer. And in the first
place, hindi ko naman gustong maging accountant, it
was ate Dannie’s dream, not mine.
I also changed my hairstyle and the way I dress
and i must say, i like my self better.

11
 “Ouch! Watch where-— Oh my god. What a nice
way to start my day.”
“Sorry, Dana..”
“Don’t bother say sorry. Wala ng magagawa eh,
what’s done is done. The only consolation you gave
me is that hindi tayo nagka anak. Ayokong manakit
ng damdamin ng bata pag sinabi kong si hudas ang
tatay niya.”
“And don’t bother explain your side coz‘ it
wouldn’t change a thing. Ang pinaka magagawa mo
na lang ay layuan ako. Nakakapagod ng pumunta sa
police station para humingi ng restraining order.”
I already lost count kung ilang beses na akong
nagrequest ng TRO. Lagi kasing nali lift dahil sa
tatay niya. Iba na talaga pag madaming connections.
Pumunta na ako sa cafeteria. I will meet my girls
there namelyKim Miranda  and  Nof Salvador. I’m
pretty aware about there reputation. Btches. Most
people would call them, rather us. But little do they
know that behind those “btches” are the guys who
broke their heart and made them feel that way.
Sabi ng mom ko, kung ano ang kaibigan ko,
ganun din ako. And i solely believe in that. Like
Kim and Nof, someone made me feel like a btch too.

12
We share the same past kaya alam namin yung
pakiramdam ng mawalan. maiwanan. masaktan.
Pinakilala nila ako sa bago kong buhay. Aral sa
umaga, bar hopping sa gabi. Not to mention bullying
sa hapon.
Funny to think na galit na galit ako sa babaeng
yun pero everytime na tumitingin ako sa salamin,
nakikita ko yung sarili niya sa’kin.  Heartless.
Pathetic. Whore. Slut. Btch.  Nung umalis yata siya
eh nilipat niya lahat ng traits niya sa’kin. 
“Btch!”  What a nice endearment, right? They
call me btch and I don’t really care. What’s the point
of denying kung alam naman ng lahat ng estudyante
dito sa St. Claire’s na i screw someone behind my
boyfriend.. rather ex-boyfriend’s back?
“So?” Sabi ni Kim with matching taas ng kilay.
Tss. I’m the queen btch. No one dare mess with me.
Kung di ko lang ’to tinuturing na kaibigan.
“Republiq tayo? Namimiss ko na yung dj dun
eh.” Spell hot? Yung dj sa republiq. Half Filipino,
half British= totally my target. I’ve been messing
with him since last week pero hindi pa rin niya ako
pinapansin. Gahd. Sa ganda at sexy kong ’to hindi
pa rin niya ako pinapansin. I wonder kung may mali
sa mata niya? Hahaha.

13
 “Sure! Namimiss ko na din si Margarita, si
Scotch, si Rhum, si Tequilla at yung mga hot guys.”
This is so Kim Miranda. Kung btch ako, siya whore.
Galing kasing America kaya liberated. Minsan nga
kinukwentuhan niya kami ni Nof tungkol sa
escapades niya. Geez. Hindi ko maimagine yung
mga lumalabas sa bibig niya.
“How ’bout you, Nof? Sama ka mamaya?”
“Pass muna ’ko. I have something to do. Sorry,
DK. I’ll make it up to you.” Here she goes again.
From the outside, she looks cold and distant, pero
pag nakilala mo si Nof, she’s fragile. Feeling ko ang
sama sama ko pag kasama ko siya. Haha. Hindi
naman kasi siya “btch” katulad ng iniisip ng mga tao
sa kanya eh, sadyang mahal niya lang talaga yung
lalaki kaya may nagawa siyang masama. And i
couldn’t blame her, love makes someone stupid. I
should know.
“You owe me uhm… One day with your credit
card.” She’s filthy rich naman eh. She wouldn’t
mind. Haha
“Fine. One day lang ha? Ihahanda ko na yung
excuse ko kay Dad. Haha.” See? She’s very nice.
Actually mabait naman talaga sila eh, hindi lang
makita ni Sara. Lagi niyang sinasabi na bad

14
influence daw sila sa’kin. Pero sa tingin ko it’s the
other way around. Ako yata ang nagb— b.i. sa
kanila eh. Haha.
“See you around, btches. Uwi na ko sa pad ko. 7
p.m. ha, Kim? 7, hindi 8 o 9?” Kahit laking U.S., na
adopt niya yung Filipino-time trait. Tss.
I went to the parking lot to get my beloved
porsche. This is my 2nd baby. Yung una yung
mercedes-benz na hindi ko na ginagamit because of-
— whatever. Nagpalit na din ako ng condo. Well,
yan ang advantage pag mayaman ang parents mo,
you can get everything you ask for.
I changed my clothes and oh boy, the party is so
on!

15
 Chapter 2

Chapter 2
Bump and Grind
This is life
“Btch, puntahan ko na yung target ko ha? Wish
me luck.” Then off i go. I didn’t bother wait for her
answer coz’ hello? Mapapansin pa ba niyang wala
ako eh busy siya sa *ehem* pakikipag “kiss all you
want” well, according to her term, dun na new found
boy toy niya.

“Long island tea for a hot DJ.” Then i  flash my

oh-so-famous smile. My god! Isang malaking
temptation sa mga babaeng katulad ko ang mga Half
Filipino, half British na lalaki.

“Thanks?” 

16
 “What? Why are you staring at me like that? Is
there something wrong with giving you a drink,
darling?” I do call people names.Darling  for hot
guys. Btch for my girl friends. And shithead for my
fans. Oh well, i can’t help it if i’m this famous.

“You’ve been hitting on me since-— i don’t

know, maybe last, last week?” The British accent. I
never knew that accent can be very
dangerous. Seducing. Haha

“I’m not hitting on you.” Then i went closer and i

stare at his blue eyes. “Do you wear contacts?” Then
i traced his jawline, his eyes, his nose.

“Are you seducing me?” Closer and closer and

closer.

“No, i’m not. I’m just being friendly.” Then i bit

my lips. “On the second thought, yes, i’m seducing
you.” Then i went for the kill and kissed him straight
on the lips.

17
 Passionate kiss is for boring couples so i French
kissed him instead. Well, if there’s such thing as
British kiss, i’d gladly do it with him.

“You, Whore!”

“Ouch! My head!” Pakiramdam ko natanggal ang

one fourth sa buhok ko. Ano bang problema ng
babaeng ’to?!

I won’t go down without a fight so i returned the

favor. I pulled her hair and then slapped her. Hard. I
need to put some sense in her small brain.

“What. Is. Your. Problem?!” I calmly said.

Ayokong gumawa ng eksena dito but too late,
everybody’s watching us in our “live show.”

“Slut! How dare you kiss MY fiancé?” Ooh.

Kaya naman pala hindi ako pinapansin eh, may

18
fiancé na pala. But because i hate happy couples, i
said something.

“What? Fiance? How could you be his fiancé

when in fact, he asked me to be his girl awhile ago?”
A little lie won’t hurt, right? Kung mahal niya talaga
yung lalaki, hindi siya maniniwala sa mga sasabihin
ko. Relationship needs trust in order to survive.

“You’re lying! You whore, slut, btch, relationship

wrecker! Hindi ka ba masaya sa buhay mo kaya
wala kang magawa kundi manira ng buhay ng may
buhay? Ano? Iniwan ka ba ng boyfriend mo kaya
gusto mong gumanti sa iba?”

That’s it. She went too far. I slapped her so hard

that my hand marked red on her skin. Serves her
right. I’m not fond of cat fights but this girl really
needs to learn her lesson.
I pulled her hair too hard that all she could do is
shout.
“You, as hole! Stop hitting my hair!”

19
 We stumbled on the floor while killing each
other. Gahd, no wonder i’ll have bruises after this
nonsense fight.

“Dana, my God!” Sara appeared out of nowhere.

Sinundan niya ba ako? How thoughtful of my
bestfriend. Kahit na hindi na kami ganung ka-close, i
still consider her as my ultimate bestfriend. No one
could ever take her place in my life.

“Ikaw, babae ka, ano bang problema mo?” Uh-

uh. Here comes Sara the nagger. I pity this woman.
Haha.

“You’re seriously asking what my problem is?”

Then she laughed. Is she mental?

“Wag mo kong English-in ha! Baka gusto mong

kasuhan kita ng assault that lead to grave
physicalinjury?” Kailan pa siya naging concern
about laws? And may ganun bang law?

20
 “I’ll let this one pass, but i’m telling you, layuan
mo ang fiance ko kung ayaw mong balikan kita!” 

Then i smirked, “Ooh, i’m scared! Hahaha.”

“Fck you!”
“You have hots for me? Sorry but i don’t do
girls.” Then she dragged her “fiance.” Poor her, ni
hindi man lang siya pinagtanggol ng fiance niya. If I
were her, i’ll think twice before marrying him.

“Tara na. Hahatid ka na namin ni Dave sa pad

mo.” Then she dragged me. Why are
peoplenowadays so fond of dragging people? 

“Seriously, kaya kong maglakad, Sara. So get

your hands off of me.” Then she removed her hands.
Aah, i can already feel the bruises. I need to buy
long-sleeved outfits.

21
 “Right. Ano ba ang pumasok sa isip mo at
nakipag away ka? Do you really need to stoop this
low to the point na mang-aagaw ka ng fiance ng may
fiance?”

“Alam mo, i was about to say thanks for saving

me.” Then i laughed. “But i won’t bother anymore.
Ni hindi mo man lang ako tinanong kung ano yung
nangyari. You don’t even trust me. Am i not that
trustworthy?”
A tear fell from my eye. I start reminiscing the
scenario that happened a year ago. No one bother
hear my explanation, no one cares about my side. It
felt like no one is trusting me.  It made me feel
worthless.
“I’m sorry. Nag aalala lang naman kasi ako sa’yo.
Hindi na kita kilala. Hindi na ikaw yung Dana na
bestfriend ko..”
“Right. Kung hindi mo na ako kilala, why bother
help me? Let’s just put it this way, kalimutan mo na
lang na magkakilala tayo. Wala namang nangyayari
eh, lagi lang tayong nag aaway. I think we’re better-
off as stranger to one another.”

22
 “’Yan ba ang gusto mo?” I nodded. “Well then,
thanks for being my friend. It’s fun while it lasted.”
Then she hugged me. “Good bye, Dana.”
I don’t know but the moment she left, i
started crying..

23
 Chapter 3

Chapter 3
“I shouldn’t have done that!”
Here I am, alone. Again. I’m used to being alone
since the day he left me. True enough, lagi akong
binibisita ni Sara dati to check if i’m still breathing
or not pero now, i feel forsaken.  Masakit mawalan
ng lalaki, pero mas masakit mawalan ng kaibigan..
You’ll never know the importance of someone
not until you know how it feels like not having him
at all in your life. Too cliche but fckn’ true. Ngayon
lang nagsi sink in sa’kin yung ginawa ko kagabi.
Too late para sabihin kong, “joke lang, wag mong
seryosohin.” I’m not Dana, well, i used to be her.
Carefree and innocent. I’m now DK and i can’t
afford to take back everything i said and say sorry.
Pride na lang ang natitira sa’kin. They already stole
my dignity and virginity, i can’t afford to lose my
pride. Not now.
Nof Btch calling..
“Hey. Where are you?”

24
 “I’ll ditch. Not feeling well.” My eyes are puffy
and my voice is hoarse, now tell me, should i go to
school and let people see me like this?
“But i’m afarid that you can’t. The class cards
will be distributed later and you should go here 
check it out.” Fudge. How could I forget about that?
“Can’t you just like get it for me? I’m not really
feeling well today, btch.”
“It’s mandatory that the owner should be the one
to get the card, remember?” Stupid rules. Now i
have to go to that school. Life sucks.
“Fine. I’ll be there. Wait for me, aright?” Then I
threw my clothes on. Since then, i’ve been wearing
my birthday suite when i’m sleeping. So, nobody
should ever see me while i’m asleep. Well, if you
know what I mean. Haha
After 30 mins., i finally arrive. As i get out of my
car, as usual, students are staring at me. Don’t they
know that staring is rude? Well, staring at me won’t
make them pretty. At all. 
“At long last, the queen btch is here.” Sarcastic,
huh?

25
 “Don’t act as if i made you wait for  thousands of
years, btch.”
“Well, whatever to both of you. We better doze
off, y’know?”
After that, we went and get our class cards. And
lucky me, i got an average of 1.75. Not bad, huh?
“What’s your grade, Kim Miranda?” I’m pretty
sure she failed this semester. Again. Haha. She’s
always flunking her class. No wonder she’ll fail.
“Fine. Go and brag about your grades, Ms.
Dean’s Lister.” Bitter? Haha. “Before i forgot,
what’s with your puffy eyes and hoarse voice? Don’t
tell me something happened last night?” Uh-oh. Do i
really need to answer that question? Of course. I
won’t give them the chance to conclude that i cried
the whole night.
“I was up all night and i was talking to-—” To
whom? Think. Think.
“To?” I was about to answer but Jamie appeared.
“Look who’s here. Jamie Henares, my little girl.”
“What do you want from me, DK?!” If you’re
asking who she is, well, she’s one of my favorite
girls.

26
 “I don’t want anything from you, sweetheart. I
just want to say i’ll miss you. Summer vacation is
finally on. If you miss me or anything, i’m just a text
away, aright?”
“I won’t miss you. Ever.” Pretty much like her
sister, huh?
“Aah, my little Jamie’s being a rebel.”
“Seriously, why do you hate me this much? I’ve
done nothing to you!” You’ve done nothing but
you’re sister ruined my life!
“Wanna know why?” I went closer to her and
grab her face
“Ouch! Let go of my face, you skunk!” I laughed.
They’re really siblings, they like to call me names.
“I hate you because you are her sister. Simple as
that.” I hate her. I hate her guts. I hate her family. I
hate everything about her!
“But i’m not her! She’d done nothing with you!
And you already ruined my life! Rick broke up with
me. You ruined my image. Nobody dares talk to me.
And my parents hate me. All because of you! Now,
aren’t you contented?” I never thought she

27
memorize all of the things i’ve done to her. Smart
kid.
“Well, i’m contented. For now. See you next sem,
little Jamie. Ate DK will miss you. Take care,
aright?” Then i kissed her forehead and let her go.
“When will you ever get tired of harrassing her?”
Nof is kind-hearted. And i’m stone-hearted. Well,
whatever.
“Don’t ever get tired, btch! Making fun of her
and humiliating her is pure fun! Her reaction is
priceless!” Yeah, right. Her teary-eyed face
everytime we play pranks on her is really priceless.
Haha.
“Aren’t you concerned about her? She might get
psychological trauma because of us..” 
“Well, as far as i’m concerned, she’s still alive
and kicking. Nothing’s wrong with her so let’s drop
this topic and i think i should go.”
“Yeah. Bye. See you around.” Then i went to my
mother. She told me that she’s going to discuss
something with me. Wonder what’s that all about?

28
 Chapter 4

Chapter 4
“Mom, what’s with the fuss?” I asked her with
my face talking like i’m-fckin’-bored.
“Drop the tone, honey. I’m your mom,
remember?” Yeah, right. She’s my mom for all I
care.
“You are my mom. Did i ever forget that?” 
“It feels like your not my baby Dana when you’re
speaking like that. You know, your tone and accent’s
kind of btchy?” I rolled my eyes at her. Is she really
my mom? She’s freakin’ weird.
“Fine. I’ll refrain from speaking in my btchy
tone. Happy?” Then she nodded and smiled a big
smile. When i say big, it is. She’s crazy, man.
“Before i forgot, may i see your class card,
honey?” I immediately give my class card. With a
grade of 1.75, i shouldn’t be ashamed, right? Haha. I
know i’m conceited. It can’t be helped.

29
 “What’s the verdict? Do i get to have DSLR?
New car? iPad? Or what? A trip to Europe would
do.” I said that with a big smile on my face. I
worked hard for it, i deserve a prize. Haha.
“Nah, you don’t need any of those material
things. I’m giving you something more essential..”
“Spill it, mom. I don’t like surprises.”
“You’ll be working here for summer. Isn’t that
wonderful?” She said what? Me? Working? Here?
Summer?
“You’re joking, right? You can’t be serious!”
How about beach? And partying all night? Summer
fling? Hot guys? This can’t be happening!
“I’m dead serious, honey. You’re a Fashion
Designing student, afterall. You should be happy
that i’m giving you the chance to have a taste of how
it’s like to be a designer.” I know that but.. my
summer flings..
“Can’t you just get someone except me to work
here for summer?” Say yes! I’m still hoping with my
fingers crossed behind me.
“The answer is no. You will be working here
whether you like it or not and my decision is final.

30
Now, go to Margo and she’ll be briefing you about
what you will do starting tomorrow.” The next thing
i knew, she’s gone and i’m here and talking to
Margo about my “summer job.” Lucky me, right?
“… Any questions or what?” I just smiled
because honestly, i wasn’t paying attention to
whatever she’s saying.
“None. I should go.”
Then i went to Kim’s place. This is my worst day.
I never had the chance to experience summer…
“Hey! Missed us?”
“Shut up, btch. Why are you here, Nof?” Kim’s
here, well, obviously because this is her house. I’m
here because i hate my mom. So, why is Nof here?
“Shouldn’t I be here? I’m just visiting her, duh?
You, whacha doin’ here?” Did i ever tell you that
Nof has this weird alter ego? Haha. One minute,
she’s soo kind, the other minute, she’s annoying the
hell out of you. Weird friends? I know.
“Visiting her, too. Duh?” 
“Whatever, DK. You never visit me unless you
are annoyed. Care to share?” They know me too
well. Well, whatever.

31
 “I’m having a summer job. I know, it sucks,
right?” I’m doing a mental counting. At the count of
five, Kim will start to laugh and tease me.
Five
Four
Three
Two
One
“Hahaha! Boo-hoo. Condolence. Condolence to
you summer flings. Haha!” See? She is really my
friend.
“Yeah. Go on and tease me, you whore.” 
“Cheer-up, summer job’s not that bad.” See?
Now she’s Noffie nice.
“As if.”
“Where will you be working?” 
“At my mom’s.”
“See? It’s not as bad as you think. Makakapag
bonding kayo ng mom mo..” Then her face went
gloomy. Her mom died when she was 7 or 8 kaya

32
siya nagkaron ng weird alter ego. Well, that’s only
my opinion.
“Wait, your mom’s company will be releasing
summer catalog or fashion show or whatever,
right?” What’s new about that Wedding catalog for
June, Christmas for December and the list goes on..
“So what?”
“Duh? Summer catalog or fashion show means
you get to work with hottest studs in town because
they will be modelling or doing a photoshoot for
your mom’s creation! Nakakainggit.” How come i
never realize that? Stupid me.
“I never thought you actually can think!”
“I hate you!” 
“See? Told you it’s not as bad as you think.”
Again, she’s right.
“Fine.”
After that, we watched pretty little liars and drool
over  Ezra Fitz. Man, if my Professor’s as hot as
him? I don’t mind dropping out. Haha.
Then we finally called it a night by going
home. Summer fling with hot models? Not bad.

33
 Chapter 5

Chapter 5

“Dana, get your butt up. We’ve got loads of work

to do!” Is she really my mother? She’s killing me,
for goodness’ sake! I’ve been working for 8 hours
straight with no break. 
“Nagugutom na ko..” There, I finally said it. I’m
no robot. I get tired and exhausted and not to
mention HUNGRY!
“But we got a deadline to meet. We will release
our summer collection next week and our magazine
next, next week. We can’t afford to take a break.”
There she goes again. Workaholic.
“With all due respect, Mrs. President of Ferrer’s
House of Fashion, i suggest that we all take a break.
A 15 mins. break wouldn’t hurt, right? Come on,
we’re all tired and hungry. And after that, we can
continue our work.” My mom’s got no favoritism.
She doesn’t give me special treatment. How was
that? I’m her daughter.. Goodness!

34
 “Fine. 15 mins. only then go back here.” Then
everybody went outside to eat. Well, they must
thank me for saving their butts. Haha.
“Dana, wait.” 
“What? The time is running. I should go, you
know?” 
“I’m sorry if i’m being hard on you. I just want to
be fair to everybody.” 
“Yeah, right. Professionalism. I get it.” I’m not
mad, okay? I’m just hungreeey.
Then i went to the nearest resto and eat. And after
being loaded, i went back to our “head quarters.”
We worked for 5 hours straight until we finally
packed up. I was arranging my stuffs when my
mother or should i say boss called me.
“Dana, you’re not yet going.” I was like what the
heck? I need to sleep.
“Whaat? Are you crazy? I need to go home and
take a bath and change my clothes and sleep!” I’m
getting hysterical. I know. But, can you blame me?
“We have a problem with the magazine..”

35
 “So? I’m no photographer and i’m not a model so
i can’t help you. So, can i go home now?” Sheez.
Why is she being hard on me?
“I know, i know. You know Ariza Domingo?” I
nodded. She’s insert name here’s crush. Boohoo. I’m
boycotting all her products. Haha. “She’s
supposedly the model of our clothing line but sadly,
she’s sick..” 
“So? Anong paki ko?” We’re not even close. Tss.
“The photographer saw you and he thinks that
you can replace Ariza..” Me? Replacement? I never
dreamt of being second best. I’m DK Ferrer.
“I’m rejecting your proposal. Can i go now?”
“Can you think about it, anak?” She’s using
reverse-psycology on me. She called me anak!
“As much as i want to, but i can’t. I love my life
and i have no intentions of entering the crazy world
of modelling. I like being low-profiled.” Seriously,
who on earth would love being followed by
annoying paparazzi and creepy stalkers?
As we we’re discussing our little problem, Mr. Sy
approached us and informed me about the benefits

36
that i will get if i grab this opportunity. As if? I’m
already rich. I don’t need money.
“Ms. Ferrer, this photo shoot costs P3Million
pesos. You will just smile and strike a pose and ta-
dah, instant money.” Not enough. As i’ve said, I’m
already rich. Money can’t buy me. Teehee. “You
will be famous and get to mingle with high-profiled
people including the hottest bachelors in town.”
What-the? Is he trying to bribe me with hot
bachelors? Haha. But not enough. “Not only here
but also in Asia, Europe, America…”
America..
America..
America..
He’s there. The guy who hurt me. The guy that I
love.  Is there a chance that he will see me in
magazines if I do this photo shoot and realize that he
still loves me and he misses me and he will go back
to me and say sorry for hurting me? Even 0.05%?
I don’t know why, I don’t know how. But i just
found myself doing the photoshoot..

37
 Chapter 6

Chapter 6
“Mom! You didn’t tell me that i’m going to work
with that British guy! I should’ve said no if i knew
this!” Remember the guy at the club? The one with a
war freak fiance? The hell on earth. He’s a model
and i am going to work with him. 
“So what? What’s the problem with Josh? He’s
good-looking and professional…”
“But i don’t want to work with him!” I cut her
off. I’m not being self centered brat or whatever,
okay? I just don’t want to work with him. I feel
creepy. Not to mention guilty.
“You will work with him whether you like it or
not and it’s final! Just go to Margo and have your
make up. Come on.”
I can’t just leave here, I signed a contract, for
goodness’ sake! I don’t wanna be sued for bridging
a contract. That would be stupid. I quote, “A
nineteen year old lady, sued by her very own mother
for being unprofessional.” Sounds real good, right?

38
 “Ms. Ferrer, the shoot will begin in five
minutes..” Okay, here it is. I need to put on my best
smile. 
I stare at the mirror and said, “You should see
this, Cy. You should see that i’m doing good on my
own. You should see that i’m better now. You should
regret what you did. You should!” 
I was walking when suddenly, somebody pinned
me on the wall.
“What the heck! What is your problem?!”
“You owe me bigtime. You ruined my
engagement.” He said that with his mouth on my
neck. Ok-ay. My knees are wobbling. This guy is
scaring me.
“What do you want?” Money? What? 
“I’ll tell you someday. For now, let’s get
working.” Then he flashed his deadly glare.
My God! What have i gotten myself into? I
should have never flirted with him..
“Smile. Good. Good.” Smile here. Smile there.
Smile everywhere. Being a model isn’t pure fun.
“Now Josh come closer and put your arms around
her waist.” Then he placed his arm around my waist.

39
We’re so close. I can feel the heat of his body. Darn
it. “Now Dana, look straight into Josh’s eyes.” He
sayin’ what? “Come on, just look at his eyes..” Fine.
Inhale. Exhale. I can do this. “Look at him with
love. Imagine that you’re in love with him..” As he
was instructing me, i’m imagining that i’m staring at
his eyes. That he’s with me. I know it’s crazy but
he’s the only guy i could think of when the word
love is being mentioned..
*click*
“Now, for the finale, let’s have a kiss from you
two.”
“What? Kiss? What are we doing? This is a
summer collection as far as i can remember. What
does a kiss have to do with this, Mr. Sy?!” Ok-ay. I
know that it’s pure blessing that i get to be kissed by
this gorgeous creature but then again, i feel creepy
all over my body. It’s a bit scary.
“The theme of this photo shoot is Summer Love,
Dana. And what’s with the fuss? It’s just a kiss. Is it
your first kiss?” Now he’s changing the topic. I was
the first to complain. My goodness!
“Of course not!”

40
 “Yeah. We already shared a kiss before, right,
darling?” Does he need to brag to everyone that he
already kissed me?
“So what? A kiss is just a kiss until you do it with
the one that you love.” After that, i pulled him and
kissed him. And after i heared the camera shots. I
pushed him. “And obviously, i don’t love you.” I
saw him smirked and then i left.
I went straight to my unit and sleep till morn. 
I woke up after my 18 hours sleep. No wonder i
feel energetic today. So i’m going shopping. Tralala.
I tried calling Nof because i will get her c-card.
She owe me that naman eh. But with my bad luck
these past few days, her phone can’t be reached.
Then i tried calling my mom, but then again, her
phone is off, too. What’s with my luck? Darn it.
So i went to FHF *Ferrer’s House of Fashion*
with a heavy heart. Hahaha. Natatamad kasi ako eh,
plus naaalala ko yung kiss namin ni Josh . Grabe
lang.
“Margo, where’s mom?” I asked her. I stared at
her face. She’s pretty but she looks so tired. My
mom. Her boss? No wonder.

41
 “She’s inside, Ms. Dana.” She’s too polite and i
like her, so i smiled at her. “You look so tired, why
don’t you take a day-off?” Don’t get me wrong. I’m
still a btch. She just look awful.
“I can’t.. I need to work for my family.
Mababawas sa sweldo ko pag umabsent ako. Wag na
lang..” Okay. That’s it. I went inside and talked to
my mom.
“Mom! I demand that Margo should have a day-
off or else----— i’ll kick your ass!” What the heck?
Hahaha.
“Kick my ass? The hell, Dana. She can’t. We
have loads of work to do.” 
“Lagi naman eh. Mukha na siyang zombie, can’t
you see? Pag namatay yun, magbabayad ka pa sa
pamilya niya kasi na overworked sya. Ikaw din…”
I’m pushing my luck. Say yes. Say yes.
“Fine. I’ll agree to your proposal..” I’m so
matalino talaga. I always get what i want. That’s me.
DK Ferrer.
“But you need to replace her today..” 
“You say what?”

42
 “I said you need to replace her. Nabibingi ka na
ba?” 
“But--—” I went here to ask for her credit card..
My shopping.. Dress. Heels. Kyaaaaa~
“No buts. Just take it or leave it.” Now i believe
that she’s really my mom. Like mother like daughter
pala talaga.
“Fine. You’re a manipulative mom! No wonder
you’re a business woman.”
“I’m proud that i am. Now go and tell Margo
your good news. And start working, baby girl.”
Then she smiled.
And when i’m about to leave.. 
“I’m so proud of you, anak.” And that line made
my day.

43
 Chapter 7

Chapter 7
“The hell, mom! This is the 100th page that i’ve
been encoding, for God’s love!”  I irritatingly said.
My hands, specifically my fingers, are fckin’ tired.
Imagine yourself typing those goddamned reports in
size 8, Arial. You could seriously consider suicide as
an option.
“Just drop the ranting and continue your work,
dear. It will do no better. Trust me, you don’t want to
see me pissed-off.” She hissed. She’s really a pain in
my ass. Really.
“Trust me too, mom, you won’t want to see me
cursing you.” 
“Yeah?”
“I’m dead serious. I do what i say.” 
“Trust me, you don’t want to live your life
without cars, credit card, condo unit…”  There she
goes again.. “I hate you! Blackmailer!”

44
 “Whatever. By the way, you’ll be doing Josh’s
make up. He’ll be having a photo  shoot later. Break
a leg!”  Then she ran-off. I was left there. Shocked.
With my mouth open. Slowly processing what my
mom said. After 10 secs. i muttered,  “What the
heck?!” Is Margo some kind of super woman?
Encoder and make up artist in one?!
45 mins. later ~
“Don’t move, will you?”  This Josh guy is
bringing out the beast in me! I’m doing his make up
and he keeps on moving. The heck.
“Stop dancing!”  He’s banging his head and
murmuring some strange words. “Can you freeze for
a moment? Just let me finish what i’m doing?” But
then again, i got no response. Good. Just good. 
I puched his face
“What is your problem?!”  Ikaw! Ikaw ang
problema ko! I badly want to shout it out but i don’t
want to catch attention so i just breath in and out and
tell him, “Just freeze. 10 mins. Okay?” 
Thank heaven, he followed what i said. Magpapa
misa na ba ako? Haha. Kidding. 

45
 After 20. mins, luckily, i finished his make up
without using brutal ways.  “You’re done. Just go.
Shoo away.”  And i shooed him away. You know?
Just like when you’re shooing dogs away? Get my
point? Oh well, nevermind.
“You’re not yet done, babe..”  And a sly smile
formed on his oh-so-kissable lips. 
“W— what are you doing?! Why are you taking
off your clothes?” I’m stammering. The heck. It’s
not my first time to see a guy naked. But there’s
something about him that makes me nervous..
“Why? You need to put foundation or oil or
whatever you call that in my abs. Don’t be a coward.
I know how much you want to touch my abs. Go
ahead. They don’t bite.”  Oh my God! Just oh my
God! 
“Ang kapal ng mukha mo!” Srsly. I mean it. He’s
reaching my boiling point. I’m used to bullying
people but not the other way around. He? Bullying
me? Fck this situation.
“What did you said?” 
“Hindi ka nga pala nakakaintindi ng tagalog.
Mabuti naman.” He seemed clueless so i’ll take this
opportunity to speak out. “Gwapo ka eh. Gwapong

46
gwapo. May abs ka. Oo. Gusto kong hawakan. Pero
tangna, ang yabang mo. Sarap mong patayin. Alam
mo yun? Pasalamat ka may British accent ka!”  It
feels good. Saying what’s on my mind.
“I know i’m that handsome. No need to remind
me. I told you, you can touch them if you want, i
won’t budge. And i’m only 22, too young to be
killed. Hahaha. And yes, i attract many girls with my
accent. Kudos with that”  My mouth hanged open.
He— he can understand tagalog?!  “You understand
what i said?”  Oh my goodness. This can’t be
happening. Mother earth, swallow me now! Now!
“I don’t speak tagalog but i can understand
tagalog. Better luck next time. I don’t speak French,
Nihonggo etc. Maybe try cursing me in that
languages.”  He winked.  “By the way, see you on
Thursday, babe.” Then he left.
Oh God. What’s with my luck?

47
 Chapter 8

Chapter 8
Today is Thursday. My most awaited day of the
week, or should i say dreaded?
I quote, “See you on Thursday, babe. Tss.” Shoot.
Josh is the primary reason why I hate this day. Ugh!
I got up and stare at the mirror, “I’m pretty, sexy
and hot. But why is that i’m not good enough for
him?”  Again, i cried. I breakdown everytime i
remember the night Andy took my virginity. 
I once read in a book that if your boyfriend loves
you, virginity should never be an issue.  But with
what i’ve been through? I must say that virginity is
indeed a big issue. 
Life is not a fairytale, it’s a reality. The veracity
of life that there are people who will love you and
there are those who will hate you. It’s up to you if
you’ll let them meddle with your affairs.
I took a bath and dressed up. Margo informed me
that there will be a victory party later at Area06,
Dave’s Club. If i saw Sara there, what would i do?

48
Sheez. Should I say, “Saraaa! Kyaaa~ I missed
you!” How i wish i could say that..
Time: 9 p.m.
Place: Area06
On word to describe the party: WILD
People dancing, getting wasted, making out. A
typical scene in a club.
“Hey. babe.” He kissed me. Smack though. “I’ve
been waiting for you. What took you so long?”
I pushed him, “Back off. You’re already drunk. I
won’t talk to you until you’re sober.” I walked past
him but he pulled me.  “No, i’m not. Come, drink
with me, babe.” He dragged me. Again.
“Two Hard. One for me, and one for this hot
lady.”  Then he winked. Ugh. Is he leading me on?
Well, obviously, it’s a yes! “Cheers! For the
successful release of the magazine!”
He finished his glass but mine is still
full.  “Having a change of heart? Not a party girl
anymore? Come on, don’t be a kill joy.”
“If i finish this glass, would you stop talking,
kissing, harrassing and bullying me? In short, would
you leave me alone?!”  He giggled.  “Yes, my babe.

49
But in one condition.”  I waited for his response. I
was thinking of a kiss or anything similar to that.
He’s a perv afterall.
“Mix this with your drink.”  He showed me a
tablet.  “Are you doing drugs?”  I asked him.  “Of
course not. It’s not a drug, it’s herbal.” To shut him
up, i did what he asked me to do. 
“That’s my girl. Stay there, i’ll be back after a
while.” He left. 
Minutes passed, my vision became  blurry, the
world started  swirling, i felt  hot. I removed my
cardigan. I went down and dance with some
unknown guys. I let them touch me. I don’t really
care.
“Dana.” Someone called me. 
“Dana, si Dave ’to.”
“Oh, Dave! What a small world, isn’t it?”
“Dude, kunin ko na. Kaibigan ko ’to. Lasing
eh.”  Then he dragged me.  “What’s with dragging
me? I can walk.” Then i started walking. Kailan pa
naging zigzag ang daan? I asked myself.
“Come on, let me help you. Lasing ka na. Tss.
Bakit ba kasi umalis si Cyriel eh, tignan mo

50
nangyari sa’yo. Ang bitter mo kasi..”
I pushed him.
“I’m not bitter, in fact, i’m better. Don’t dare
mention his name. I don’t like hearing loser’s
name.”
“In denial. Dito ka lang ha? Tatawagin ko lang si
Sara..” He’s about to go but i pulled his shirt. “Don’t
leave me..”  I went near him and caressed his
face.  “You know what? Between the three of you,
you’re the only one i didn’t get the chance to kiss.
Kung wala si Sara, ano kaya ang nangyari?”  He
avoided my gaze and removed my hands.  “Dana,
lasing ka na eh..”
“No, i’m not.”  I placed his arms in my
waist.  “How about you, hindi mo ba naiisip kung
paano ako humalik?”  I traced his jawline. Now i
know why Sara is in-love with this guy.
“No need to answer, i’ll show you how.”  Then i
kissed him. I kissed him passionately but he’s not
responding so i stopped. I’m about to speak when i
heard someone say..
“Oh my God!”

51
 I saw someone, particularly a girl, crying. I can’t
see her face clearly, so i can’t recognize her.
“Sara! It’s not what it looked like!” 
Sa-sara? Sht.
Slap. She slapped Dave. Great. Just great.
Another relationship ruined by none other than DK
Ferrer.
“I thought you were through playing with your
games. Hindi pa pala..” 
“You were wrong, i didn’t--—”
“Sara!” I muttered. She faced me. She’s angry. I
can feel it. “It’s not what you think it is..”
“Yeah? Why should i believe in you? Do i even
know you?”  Shoot. That hurts.  “Are we close? As
far as i’m concerned, we don’t know each other. So
don’t talk as if you know me, relationship-
wrecker!” Okay. That’s it. She hit a nerve.
“You know what? Don’t talk to me as if you
know me. You have no fcking idea what the sht i’ve
been through.”  I took a step forward. I’m crying.
Fck this.  “Relationship-wrecker? Oh my God.
Should i thank you for giving me a title? That’s so
nice of you. Clap-clap.”  I wiped my tears. I took

52
another step and leaned forward and whispered in
her ears,  “Pasalamat ka naging kaibigan mo ko,
nakakilala ka ng mayamang boyfriend. Kung hindi,
malamang kasama ka pa din ng ex mo sa
kangkungan. Mga pulubi.”  Serves her right. She
crossed the line.
I went out and lit a cigarrete. I only smoke at
times like this. 
“Mind if i join you?”  Josh sat beside me.  “You,
skunk. You drugged me!” Then he giggled again. “I
told you, it’s herbal.” I punched his arm. “Fine. I
drugged you. But it’s only mild. I don’t know you’re
a baby.” Then he laughed.
“I just had a fight with my bestfriend. Well,
technically my ex-bestfriend. All thanks to
you.” Sarcastic tone inserted.
“That’s fine. You don’t need that btch. All you
need is me..”
“Yeah. Whatever.”
“It’s still early. Let’s drink?”  He stood up and
motioned me to follow him. “I’ll pass. I don’t want
to go in there. Bad vibes.” I don’t want to see Sara’s
face. Ugh! I hate her!

53
 “Let’s go to another club then. Come on, it’s still
early. It’s only 11 p.m.”
“Fine.”  Then i went inside his car and drove to
another bar. Goodness. This will be a long night.

54
 Chapter 9

Chapter 9
“Underground night club?” I read the signage on
the door. 
“Are you kidding me? You’re bringing me in
there? That place is illegal!” I know i’m a btch but
not to the point that i’m doing illegal things. My
criminal record is clean,  at least i can be proud of
that.
“Ssh. Shut up. The real fun is in there.”  He
dragged me in. The place is wild. Much wilder than
Area06, i must say.  “What can you say?”  He
smirked at me.
“Wanna hear my opinion?”  He nodded.  “I think
you’re sick. You’re seriously freaking me out. First,
you’re doing drugs. Now, you’re bringing me in
some illegal places. What’s for next? You’re touring
me in your hide-out?”
Now he’s laughing real hard. “Sorry for laughing.
I can’t help it. Your assumptions are fcking
funny.”  Then he laughed again. Fine. I’m
overreacting. Can you blame me? Of course

55
not! “Shut up or i’ll leave you?!” I’m serious. I hate
the feeling of being laughed at. Am i a clown? The
heck.
“Fine. I’m sorry. I’ll stop.”  Then he hold my
hand. I raised a brow. “Hands-off.”  I said.  “No
malice involved. If you don’t want trouble, just shut
your mouth and let me hold your hand, okay?”
I stopped talking. Maybe he’s right. This place is
troublesome. The people are doing drugs. The others
are doing sex. Right, sex in a pub. 
“Tada! My private room.”  We entered a private
room on the second floor. The room was dark and
spacy and with bed!  “A bed? Are you bringing
prostitutes in here?”  Then he laughed. Again. Tell
me, is my question that funny?  “I really love how
your imagination works. It’s wild. And i like
it.” Then he kissed me. What’s new with that? 
We’re kissing when his hand started slipping
inside my dress, “Josh, stop!” 
“What? Stop spoiling the fun.”  Then he kissed
me again. His hand is in my bra, unhooking it.  “I
said stop!” There. He stopped. Thanks God.
“What again? Don’t act as if you’re an innocent
Virgin Dana. You’ll love what we’ll do. I

56
swear.”  Then he motioned to kiss me but i slapped
him. 
“You know what? Yes. I am no longer a virgin
but i do consider sex as a sacred thing. Now, if you
want to get laid, go and call a prostitute. Suite
yourself, a hole.” I stood up but he stopped me.
“Fine. No sex. Drinking session only. Happy?”
Then we started drinking. Unlike before, my
alcohol tolerance is not as low as before. I can drink
five bottles and i’m still normal. I think that’s the
effect of having bars as your second home. You get
immuned.
“Now, for the real fun..”  He took his coat and
showed me a small bottle. “What’s that?”
“It’s herbal.”  Herbal yourself. I’m not
stupid. “Shut up. What kind of drug?”
“I forgot. But it’s mild though. Want some?” For
the sake of Sara’s harsh words, “Yeah, sure.”
Then we started drinking. I lost count. While
drinking, we kissed. That’s normal. I think. I mean,
what’s wrong with kissing? I can kiss whoever i
want. It’s not like i’m doing sex with them. Like i

57
told Josh before, ’A kiss is just a kiss until you do it
with the one that you love.‘ So, no malice involve.
“I wanna go home.” I said. I need to go home, i
don’t want to sleep in here. “Just sleep here. I can’t
drive. I’m drunk.” He said with his eyes closed.
“Fine. I’ll go home alone.” I stood up and got my
things. I’m kinda dizzy but i really don’t want to
sleep here. You’ll know what i mean when you see
this place.
I went out, i can’t drive so i’m waiting for a cab. I
was about to go to a nearbly bench but my head is
spinning badly. Then i passed out

58
 Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Where am i?”  The first question i muttered the

moment i opened my eyes. I tried to sit down but i
can’t. What’s the matter with me?
“Don’t try to stand, Dana.”  I tried to sit again
but,  “Aargh!”  He tried to help me but,  “Don’t you
fckin’ dare touch me!”
“Sorry, i was just trying to help you.”
“I don’t need you. Ano ba kasi ang ginagawa mo
dito? Planning to rape me again? This time in a
hospital? Great. Just fcking great, Andrei
Guzman.” I smirked at him. I’m trying to sound cool
but truly, my head is aching. It’s killing me.
“I never did rape you, Dana. Kung makikinig ka
lang sana sa paliwanag ko..” 
“Shut up.”  I stopped him. I’m tired of hearing
explanations and i’m tired of forgiving those people
who hurt me. I realized that people don’t deserve

59
second chances.  What’s the point of forgiving if
there’s a second chance and then they’ll do the same
thing again and the cycle continues.  That’s pure
hypocrisy.
“Go out, will you?”  He’s just staring at me so i
tried to stand to open the door for him. “Aaargh! Fck
it! My arms!” 
He helped me stand up because i fell on the
floor, “Let go of me, jerk!”
“Kahit ngayon lang, kalimutan mo muna yung
pride mo. Aminin mo sa sarili mo na kailangan mo
ng tulong, hindi mo kaya ng nag iisa..”
“Pride na lang natira sa’kin. Kinuha mo na yung
dignidad ko, pati ba naman pride? Ganun ka na ba
ka selfish, ha?!”
“Hindi ko naman kinuha yung dignidad mo.
Ilang beses ko ba uulitin? Ilang beses ba ako hihingi
ng tawad bago mo ako patawarin? Ilang beses ba
ako mag eexplain bago mo ako pakinggan? Sabihin
mo kasi sawang sawa na ako sa pagsigaw mo
sa’kin. Nahihirapan na ako tuwing pinapaalis mo
ako. At nasasaktan ako kasi alam kong ako yung
dahilan kung bakit ka nagkakaganyan..” Then a tear

60
fell from his eyes then followed by another and
another. The next thing i know, he’s crying.
I just stare at him and let him cry. I don’t know. I
can’t move. I feel nothing. I-i can’t explain myself.
“Andy? Why are you crying?” My mom entered
and she saw him crying and me staring at him.
Great. Now, i’m the villain in my own story. Just
great.
“Nothing, auntie. I just remembered something. I
better go.”  She kissed mom on the cheeks then he
went outside.
“Now, what happened?” She’s serious.
“I slapped him. Contented? Now tell me, why the
fck am i here?”
“I can’t believe it. What have you done to my
daughter?”  She cried.  “Shut the drama, mom. I
won’t buy it. Why am i here?”
“First, you collapsed on the roadside and broke
your arm and luckily, Andy helped you. Ganun ka
ba magpasalamat? Sasampalin mo siya?”
“What? I collapsed? Why? When?”

61
 “Drug overdose, it’s been three days since you
collapsed. Alam kong may problema ka simula nung
nagbreak kaso ni Cyriel, pinabayaan kita pero hindi
ko naman alam na aabot ka sa ganito..”
“Drugs?”
“Drugs. Ecstasy. Overdose. It could’ve killed
you!”
Drugs? I’m doing drugs? Since when?
Josh! Oh my God! He drugged me!
“Tell me, who are you doing drugs with?”
“I-i don’t know..” Why the heck am i protecting
that maniac?
“Tell the truth or i’ll send you to a rehab?! I’m
dead serious!”
“Then send me. I don’t care. My life is a mess.” 
“You’re grounded. No car, condo, atm, credit
card, no everything!”
“Why don’t you just kill me? That would be
better, you know?”
“I don’t believe it! You’ll stay in our house or
help me God, i’ll disown you!”

62
 So, it’s official. Dana Kathryn Ferrer is broke. No
money, no car, no lover, no friends. Lucky me,
right?

63
 Chapter 11

Chapter 11
“Mom! Kinuha niyo na yung phone ko, pati ba
naman telephone?!” I protested. I was trying to dial
Kim’s number and invite them to come over our
house since i am grounded and God knows, this
silence is killing me!
“What? Cold treatment? How long will it last,
huh? I’ve been here for 1 week, mom! One fcking
week with no one to talk to. Do you have any idea
how hard it is?” I’d seriously go insane if this set up
continue. 
“Do you have the least idea how hard it is for me
to know that my only daughter is doing drugs? To
know that she’s troubled and that she didn’t think of
me as an option to help her? Do you know, Dana?
It’s killing me!”
“You don’t know anything. Don’t speak as if
you’re concerned. All you cared about is your
business. And dad? He’s not around. He’s always
not around. All work and no play makes your
daughter a bad girl. Remember that, MOM.”  She’s

64
speechless. She cried. Again. Then walked out. I
don’t know. Everytime i speak, someone cries.  Am i
that heartless? Is being honest a crime? I was just
trying to explain myself, but everytime i do,
someone is getting hurt. Maybe lying is a better
option.
3 days later
I was at the kitchen, pigging out for lasagna. I
want it eat it badly. I’m starving for foods lately. I
don’t know, maybe eating is my only consolation
here in our house. No internet, no phone, no
television. Eating is my only way of surviving.
“Yaya! Where are you?”  I was looking for my
yaya because i’m going to ask her to bake lasagna
for me. I’m really pigging out, and i’ve been gaining
weight. Damn it.
“Dana, anak, may bisita ka.” Yaya told me. I
immediately went outside. Hearing that i have a
visitor feels so good to my ears. For the first time,
someone came over. Alleluia for that.
As i go to our living room, “What the hell are you
doing here?” I raised a brow.
“Is that the proper way to greet your friend,
Dana?”  Mom scolded me as if i am some six year

65
old girl. Old school.
“That’s fine, auntie. Okay lang po.” He said. Tss.
Paawa effect. 
“No, Andrei. Sumosobra na yang bata na yan eh.
Hindi na marunong gumalang.” 
“Marunong akong gumalang, sa mga taong
kagalang galang nga lang. And you don’t belong to
my list.. And neither are you.” I glared at Andy. 
“The same goes. You, too, already lost my trust.
Including my respect.”  She told me as if i care?
Truth be told, your mother is the first villain in your
dream life. I should know.
“I’ll be going, Andrei. Talk to that lady. Try to
put some sense in her crooked mind.”
“Sige po, auntie.” Then she went away. 
“Come with me.”  I stood up and led him to my
room. I opened the door, “Come in and let’s get this
started.”
I went near him and kissed him. I kissed him like
the way he want it, slow but fierce. I placed his arms
on my waist while mine were on his neck. Then i
slipped my hand inside his shirt and  started pulling
it, signalling him to take it off. But he didn’t, so i did

66
it myself. I kissed his cheeks, down to his neck,
down to his collar bone while i took his shirt off. 
We kissed harder. Hard enough that the next thing
i know, I was on top of him, cathing my breath. 
I gape at his eyes and started removing my shirt
but,  “What do you think are you doing?”  He
asked.  “Getting naked?”  I sarcastically told him
while unhooking my bra.  “Stop it!”  He
shouted. “What? This is what you want, right? Sex.
I’m giving it to you. Just quit playing games with
me after this.”
“This is not what i want, Dana. Sex is sex. And i
don’t want it.”
“What is it that you want then?”
“You. I want you because i love you.”
“Oh shut up, i’m allergic to lies.”
“I-i better get going. I’ll just come over
tomorrow.”  He stood up and covered me with
blanket.  “Don’t do that again, alright? I respect
you.” He kissed me on my forehead. “By the way, i
brought lasagna. I just thought you don’t want baked
mac. I placed it on the table. See you tomorrow.”
Tell me, should i feel guilty?

67
 Chapter 12

Chapter 12
“Why are you here AGAIN?!” I asked for the nth
time. For the past 4 days, he’s here. Visiting me.
Bringin foods. Yada yada. Who do he think he is?
My suitor? Oh please!
“Just visiting you. I heard that you’re bored in
here so i asked auntie if i could bring you outside, on
my expense..” What the, what the, what the? He did
that?
“You did what?!” Ok-ay. He got me.
“I told her if i she could let you go outside even
for a day.. with me.”
“You know what? Your plan is great, minus the
fact that you’ll be my chaperone.”  I’m not mean.
You guys always think that i’m mean, heartless,
ruthless etc. But you know what? When you get to
experience all the things i’ve gone through? You’ll
know why the heck i’m acting like this.
“Fine. Then stay here. I’ll go.” He stood up.

68
 “Fine. I’ll go out with you, bastard.” Then i rolled
my eyes.
“Then it’s a date. Our very first date.” Did i hear
it right? Our very first date? 
“You said what?”
“I said that this will be our very first date, Dana. I
didn’t get the chance to ask you out before so i’m
doing this now.”
The heck? I can’t believe that this is happening.
Andrei Guzman, the guy that i loathe, will be my
first date? Jarred never asked me out on a date. That
jerk. Andy, well, he admitted that he didn’t date me
before. And *insert his name here*, well, we went to
an amusement park before because it’s my birthday
but never said that it’s a date. So, technically
speaking, Andy will be my first date? Oh God! This
can’t be happening!
“So? What’s the verdict? We’ll go or you’ll
stay?”
“Shut up, will you? Can’t you see that i’m
thinking?”
If i’ll say yes, that’ll make this guy happy. And i
don’t want that. But if i say no, this day will be

69
another fcking boring day. And i hate it.
“Fine. I’ll go with you but it’s not a date.”
“Then stay here. I’m asking you out on a date.”
“What’s the matter with you? Why suddenly ask
me out? Are you insane?”
“Your the first girl that i asked out on a date.. Just
please say yes..”
“Liar. I’m not the first.”
“But you are.”
“No, i’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Lynne?”
“We never went out for a real date. I was just 15
that time.”
“Sure. Continue lying, i’ll listen.” Then i smiled.
You know? Just smile when you don’t want to listen.
“But i’m not lying.”
Smile. Smile. My beautiful smile.

70
 “Fine. You’re not the first girl that asked out on a
date. That’s what you want to hear, right? Now, go
out with me, will you?”
“Sure. The pleasure is all YOURS.”
Then he drove and we hit the mall. Srsly, a mall?
Oh my God! I missed going here.
“This is a first. Thanks for bringing me here. I
missed hanging here.”  He gave me
something. “What’s this?”
“My credit card. Just go and shop, i’ll be waiting
here.”
“Are you serious? I might reach your credit limit,
you know?”
“Sky’s the limit. That card is unlimited. Thank
my dad for that.”
“Well then, i’ll better get going. See you after an
hour or two.”
So i shopped till i dropped. You know this
feeling? It’s heaven. The person who said that
money can’t buy happiness doesn’t know the
pleasure of shopping.

71
 I bought dresses, tops, shorts, pairs of shoes,
bags, accessories, name it, i bought it. Woo. This is
what i call life. No problem, just pleasure. I even
bought Galaxy Tab. Hahaha. I think i spent a
hundred thousand. We’ll see how his father will
react. 
“Grabe, buhay pa ba yung card ko?”
“Yes, i think. Hindi pa naman siya nagme
melt.” Then i smiled.
“Thanks to my dad, i made you smile.”
“Tama na nga pambobola mo. San na ba tayo
pupunta?”
“Uuwi na.”
“Okay.”
“Joke lang. May pupuntahan pa tayo.”
“Tatawa na ba ko?”
“Joke ba yun?”
“Whatever.” *insert rolling eyes here*
“Pikon naman nito. Tara na nga.”

72
 Then he drove this time to a hotel. What are we
doing in a hotel? Magche check in kami? Oh please.
Hindi pa rin siya nagbabago..
“What? Bakit ganyan kang makatingin?”
“I thought you already changed. Hindi pa pala..”
“Bakit ba? Ano na naman ang ginawa ko?”
“Bakit mo ako dinala sa hotel na ’to?”
Then he burst into laughter. As in burst. Kulang
na lang magpagulong gulong siya sa sahig para
makatawa. 
“What? Ano bang nakakatawa sa sinabi ko?”
“Sorry. Kasi naman, ang dumi dumi ng isip mo.
Hindi naman tayo magche check in eh, may
pupuntahan lang tayo. Tss. Nasosobrahan ka na yata
sa panonood ng porn movies eh.”
“How dare you! Hindi ako nanonood ng porn.
Wag mo akong itulad sa’yo.”
“Okay, sabi mo eh. Tara na nga.”
“Sino ba ang pupuntahan natin? Bakit kailangan
sa five star hotel pa?”
“Parents ko..”

73
“Ano?!”

74
 Chapter 13

Chapter 13
“Are you nuts? Ipapakilala mo ako sa parents
mo? You’ve got to be kidding, Guzman.”
“Do i look like i’m kidding? They are curious.
Lagi akong wala sa bahay, tinatanong nila kung ba
ako nagpupunta.”
“Then tell them that you’re going somewhere,
anywhere but not on my house!”  He’s insane! Oh
God! Help me.
“I told you, i already quit on lying. Why are you
scared, by the way? It’s not as if they’ll eat you
alive.” Then he chuckled. Now i know the feeling of
meeting your future parents-in-law. Not that i’m
saying that they’ll be my future folks. It’s creepy. No
joke.

“Shut up. I don’t want to go there. You should

kill me first.”

75
 “Well then, you gave me no choice.”  Then he
went near and carry me. You know? The bridal-
style? Eep. This is humiliating!
“Let go of me, a hole! I’m not going in there!
Aaagh!”  But he didn’t listen to me. I swear, you’ll
pay for this.
“Shut up, nakakahiya ka oh. Pinagtitinginan na
tayo.”
“The hell i care? I don’t even know them.”
“Then shut up for me. Baka isipin nila rapist ang
anak ng may ari ng hotel na ’to. Tss. That’ll be a big
news.”
He’s what? Oh God. Bakit ang yayaman nila? I
feel--— broke?
“Ikaw na. Self-centered, egoistic brat!”
“I’m not a brat. Ikaw lang naman ang
pinagsabihan ko. Ang ingay mo kasi.”
“Whatever. Kung alam ko lang, binili ko sana
lahat ng nakita ko kanina.”  Yeah. If i just knew.. I
should’ve bought that diamond necklace i saw. What
a pity.

76
 “There’s always a next time, don’t worry.
Behave. Malapit na tayo.” Then he stopped in front
of a first class restaurant. I’m not a fan of fancy
restos. I prefer fastfoods. Ang tagal kasi ng fine
dining, samantalang sa fastfoods, mabilis na, mura
pa. Talk about being practical.
“You must be Dana? The girl our son is
wooing?” My eyes went like this---— O.O
“Ma!”
“Oh, see? Louie must really like you. He’s
blushing..” Ok-aay. I’m lost. Since when did he start
wooing me? Tell me!
“Shut up. Ma, Pa, this is Dana, my---—”
“Friend! Yes. He is my friend. He must be
fooling when he told you that he’s courting me. You
know? Andy is a silly guy. He loves fooling
around…”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, madame..”
“Sayang naman. You two look good together. Am
i right, darling?” 

77
 “You’re right. What’s your full name, iha?”  A
man who looks really like Andy asked me. As in.
I’m pretty sure Andy will look like this when he
turns 40 or so.
“Dana Kathryn Ferrer, sir.”
“You’re too formal. Just call me tito Alberto.”
“Sounds good. Let’s order.” Then they asked me
what i want to eat, i just told them that i’ll have
whatever they have for me. Hoo. This is awkward.
“By the way, paano kayo nagkakilala ni
Louie?” This is hard. Paano ko sasabihin na nakilala
ko ang anak nila dahil iniwan ako ng boyfriend ko
dahil hindi ako marunong humalik? I’m sure they
will kick me out of this hotel in no time.
“Schoolmates. Right, Dana?”
“Yeah. Right. We met at St. Claire’s.”
“Then you must be from a good family. St.
Claire’s is an exclusive school. What’s the business
of your family, iha?”
“My dad is the businessman while my mom is a
fashion designer..”
“What line?”

78
 “Ferrer’s House of Fashion, madame.”
“Oh. That’s why your last name sounds familiar.
I’m a fan of your mother’s collection, tell her that.
And please do call me tita Louisa.”
“I would love to tell her that, tita Louisa.” Then i
smiled. His folks are nice. 
“Do you know Lynne, iha?”
“Mom!”  Andy shouted. As usual, he’s sensitive
whenever Lynne is being mentioned. I guess he
never really moved on.
“What? I’m just asking. Nothing’s wrong with
that, am in right?”
“Of course, tita.” Then i looked at Andy. “I know
Lynne. Andy loves telling stories about her. And
from what i’ve noticed, he’s still in love with her.
Right, Andy?” But he didn’t answer, he turned pale.
“Enough with Lynne. She’s already at peace.
Let’s not talk about her.”
“We better go. Baka hinahanap na si Dana sa
kanila.” Then he pulled me.
“Bye, tito and tita. Hope to see you soon.”

79
 “See you soon, iha.” Then we go. 
“Anong problema mo? Nag eenjoy pa ako dun
eh.”  Silence. He didn’t answer me.  “Bakit?
Natameme ka na naman. Nabanggit na naman kasi si
Lynne. Tss.” Then he did the unexpected. He kissed
me.
Seconds. Minutes. I really don’t know. All i know
is my heart went wild. Is it love or is it lust? Again, i
really don’t know.
“I love you, okay?” Then i pulled him and kissed
him again. I have no idea. Right now, i just want to
kiss him..
“Don’t take this wrong. I just love kissing you.
No more, no less..” Then we kissed again. And
again. And again. Mindless of the people staring at
us.

80
 Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“Birthday ni Dave. Wanna come?”  Andy asked

me. Like duh? I’m not yet insane to come with him.
I perfectly understand that i’m not
invited. Unwanted. Simple as that.
“Wanna die?”
“Why? Para namang wala kayong pinagsamahan
ni Dave.”
“Don’t act as if you don’t know anything. He
hates me. Sara hates me. They hate me. Yet you still
want me to come? Do you hate me, too?” Everybody
hates me. Even my mother does. I’m one heck of a
lucky girl, right?
“They don’t hate you. You’re already forgiven, if
that’s why you don’t want to come.”  How come?
The last time i checked, they abhor me. “You don’t
believe me?” I nodded. “Sht. Ang tigas talaga ng ulo
mo. Pumunta ka na kasi. Once a year lang

81
magbirthday yung tao, hindi ka pa pupunta. Matitiis
ba ng konsensya mo ’yun?”
“My conscience was burned months ago. Sorry to
say.”
“I’m counting one to five. Start dressing up or i’ll
be the one stripping off your clothes?”  He said
what? Pervert! Maniac!
“Five”
“You can’t be serious.” He smirked.
“Four”
“Sht.”
“Two”
“What the fck? Where’s number three?!”
“One”
O-kay. Breathe. What should i do? Should i call
911? There’s a perv beside me, for God’s sake!
“Stop right there.”  I gulped. Sht. I’m feeling
nuts.  “I’m serious, Andy.”  I can feel it, he’s fcking
serious. With that thought, my face went pale.

82
 I closed my eyes and waited for the next event. I
started counting inside my head. One. Two. Three.
Four. Five. I slowly peeked and saw Andy staring at
me. His eyes look sad? 
“Why?!”
“Haay. Mission failed. Akala mo gagawin ko
talaga?” I nodded. “I told you, i already changed.. I
changed for you..” Then he smiled. You know? The
so called painful smile. “Hindi ka pa rin nagtitiwala.
I respect you.”  Then he sighed.  “Pero hindi pa rin
ako susuko. I need to earn your trust. Even if it takes
a lifetime. I will. For you.”  Then he went near me
and kissed my forehead. “I’m just a text away if ever
you change your mind.”
Processing…
Processing…
I ran immediately towards Andy and
said,  “Available pa ba ang offer mo?”  I said that
with a big smile on my face. Sht. This is weird.
“Alam mo? Para kang kanta ni Katy Perry?”
“Like what? Ang layo ng sagot mo sa tanong ko.
Tss.”

83
 Bigla siyang nag ehem-ehem, “Kasi naman, ’You
change your mind, like a girl changes clothes.”  He
sang. Fck. Super natawa ako. Teary eyed na ako sa
katatawa.
“Don’t ever do that again. I might think that
you’re gay! Hahaha!”
Honestly speaking, i miss this. I miss him. I miss
the old me. I miss us.

84
 Chapter 15

Chapter 15
Should i wear a dress? Or tee and pants? Or short
shorts? Or skirt? O r what?
Fck it! I don’t know what to wear. I’m
considering things, y’know? If i wear sexy outfits,
Sara might think that i’m seducing Dave, which is
very incest! I never ever dreamt of being in a
romantic relationship with him. It’s -— ew. Point
taken,Dave is a nice guy, handsome, owns a thick
wallet (with thousands of cash), and everything you
would love about a guy, but then again, I only see
him as my older brother. No more, no less. So it was
really stupid of me that i kissed him. The memory
disgusts me big time.
“Fifteen minutes have already passed yet you are
still undecided?”  He sighed.  “Girls will always be
girls.”
“Shut up, Andy. I’m concentrating!”  Then i
examine my closet again, finding a perfect dress for
Dave’s birthday party.  “Oh sht. Ano’ng klaseng
party nga pala yun?”

85
 He scratched his head,  “Grabe, hanap ka ng
hanap ng isusuot mo, hindi mo pala alam kung
anong klaseng party ’yun.”
“Is it my fault that you didn’t inform me?”  Roll
eyes here. “Oo na, oo na. Ako na may kasalanan.”
“So, what is it?”
“Kahit ano isuot mo, hindi naman formal yun.
Besides, kahit ano naman isuot mo, maganda ka pa
rin.” 
“Bola mo mukha mo.”
“Buti alam mo.” The nerve!
“Layas nga! Magbibihis na ako. Shoo!” Then he
laughed, “Ang pikon mo talaga.” Then he dozed off.
I came up with a simple dress. Knee length, no
cleavage shown. I’m so conservative, well, just for
this night.
“So how do i look?” I turned around. 
“You look the same.”  Fine. I’m a bit
disappointed. Just a bit, alright? Fine. I am really
disappointed. I’m just a girl who wants to hear
compliments once in a while. Is saying, “You’re
lovely. Or you are stunning etc.” that hard? 

86
 I frowned. I frowned. I frowned. I’m
disappointed, in case you don’t know!
“You still look the same.. Beautiful as ever.”
He caught me.  “Ang cute mo talaga.”  He said
while pinching my cheek.  “Ano ba! Masisira yung
make up ko!”
“Ayaw mo nun? Natural blush on na kasi mapula
na yung pisngi mo?” Sarcastic. Bwiset!
“Fck you!”
“Ang bastos mo!”
“Aaargh! Don’t talk to me!”  He’s pissing
me!  “As you wished.” Then he acted like he’s
zipping his mouth. “
We went to his car and drove to the venue. Still,
he’s not talking.
Silence
Silence
Silence
“This silence is killing me! Just please say
something!”

87
 “Something..”
“Bakit ba ang pilosopo mo?!”  He then stopped
the car and parked.
“I’m just doing what you said. You said shut up, i
shut up. You said say something, i said something.
Now, what the hell is you’re problem?!”
“My problem is--—”  He kissed me. With one
kiss and everything went blurry. In my world, it’s
just me and him. Me and him and this kiss that
we’re sharing. This bittersweet story that we had.
My dark past and his broken promises.. With just a
kiss, my world collided.
“I’m sorry.”  He said after we kissed.  “I didn’t
mean to kiss you..”
“Just don’t say sorry for kissing me. It
sucks.” Actually, i hurts. Hearing someone say he’s
sorry for doing something that makes your heart
thump wild is just crazy. It fcking hurts.
He then nodded and we proceeded to the venue.
The venue’s not as wild as i magined it to be. It’s
chic? Just like gathering of friends. Y’know?
Drinking beers while sharing the story of your life.
That kind of setting.

88
 “Ayun pala si birthday boy. Tara!” Then he pulled
me. Sht. Kinakabahan ako. Alam mo yung feeling
na kakausapin ka ng crush mo? Ganun yun
pakiramdam. So old school.
“Tumanda ka na naman, pare.”  Then nag high
five sila.  “Ulol. Tatanda ka din.”  Then they
laughed. “Dana, long time no see.” Then he smiled
and hugged me and i didn’t hugged him back
because i saw a set of familiar eyes watching us..
“Sara!”  Andy called her. Nararamdaman kong
pinagpapawisan ako. Cold sweat forming on my
forehead. Kinakabahan talaga ako.
For like 10 seconds, i was just staring at her.
Waiting for her to slap me or humiliate me here. I
mean, i know i deserve it. At least i know. But then i
was shocked that insted of slapping me, she pulled
me in a hug and whispered, “Na miss kita.”
Hindi ko alam pero naiyak talaga ako. Alam ko
naman sa sarili ko na masakit yung mga nasabi ko sa
kanya. Pero kahit ganun, pinatawad niya pa din ako. 
“Wag ka ngang umiyak. Birthday kaya ’to, hindi
lamay.”  Then we burst into laughter. Gahd! How i
miss them!

89
 We went to the nearest couch and ordered punch.
No liquor for me. We just talked about things.
Nabalitaan pala nila yung pagd drug overdose ko,
and Andy told them the reason why i kissed Dave. 
“Aaminin ko, sobrang nainis ako nung nakita
kong hinalikan mo si Dave. Gusto kitang
sabunutan.”  Then she laughed.  “But nung nalaman
ko yung tungkol sa ginawa sa’yo nung Josh na yun?
Sa kanya ko gustong ibuhos yung frustrations ko
sa’yo at sa prof kong nagbigay ng singko
sakin.”  Then nagtawanan ulit kami. Kwentuhan
magdamag. Catching up with each one’s life. Parang
wala din akong namiss.
“So, see you around?”
“Definitely.”  I answered with a smile. We will
definitely hang out soon.

90
 Chapter 16

Chapter 16
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Nagtatanong ka na di ba?” I rolled my eyes.
We’re here in our house. As usual. Nothing’s
changed. Hello? I’m still grounded.
“Meron ka siguro no? Kanina mo pa ko
sinusungitan eh.” Yeah, right. Ikaw ba naman ang
ma stranded kasama ang isang lalaking
nagngangalang Andy Guzman sa bahay mo, tignan
ko lang kung hindi ka ma PMS.
“Shut up. What do you care about my monthly
cycle?”
“Nagtatanong lang naman. May good news pa
naman ako sa’yo.” That rings a bell. I love good
news. I really need good vibes. With all the issues in
my life? It’s a miracle i still have my sanity intact.
“Spill.”
“Naah. Pilitin mo muna ko.”

91
 “Then don’t. I won’t buy your pa cute effect.
You’re overrated.”
“Hindi naman kasi ako nagpapa cute. Nac cute-an
ka lang talaga sa’kin. Ang lakas talaga ng charm
ko.” Then he make this weird pogi sign. Grabe. Who
do he hang out with lately? He has this weird things
going on. Last time, he sang a line from Hot n’
Cold, now he’s doing this pogi sign. What’s for
next?
“Fine. You’re cute. Pang aso lang naman kasi ang
cute eh. Suite yourself. Sobrang cute mo, Andy. Ang
cute cute mo. Hari ka ng ka cute-an. Walang tatalo
sa pagka cute mo.” I said that while pinching his
cheek. I’m just returning the favor. He pinched my
cheeks yesterday!
“Hindi ka nakaka appreciate ng beauty.”
“I do. Sobrang naa-appreciate ko ang God-given
beauty ko.”
“Conceited.”
“Naah. I’m just being honest.”
“Whatever.”
“Wala ka lang kasing masabi. Loser ka talaga.”

92
 “Loser nga ako.. Talunan ako basta ikaw ang pag
uusapan. Ang lakas mo sa’kin eh. Hahaha.”
“Kakaiba ka din eh noh? Ikaw lang ang tumatawa
sa jokes mo. Tss.”
“Kill joy ka kasi. Ayaw mo pang tumawa, bahala
ka, sa iba lalabas yan.” Then he rolled his eyes. The
heck! Ako lang ang pwedeng gumanyan dito!
“The door is wide open. You can go now,” i told
him while smiling. Truth be told, konti na lang
masusura na ko talaga.
“Lifted na.”
“Lifted ang alin?”
“Hindi ka na grounded..”
“Ano naman—Ano?! Totoo ba yung sinasabi
mo? No joke? I’m a free man again?” No
exageration, I’m happy!
“Yeah. Yeah. Pasalamat ka mahal kita, kahit hindi
mo ako pinilit—” I cut whatever he’s saying because
i jumped unto him and whispered, “You have no
idea how happy i am..” And i did the unexpected, i
kissed him. No hatred involved, just pure happiness.

93
 ***
“Let’s party!” We’re here at Area19, Quezon Ave.
Gahd, i missed my night life. It’s been what? A
month since i last partied?
“Tama na nga yan, nakakailang shot ka na ah..”
“Shut up, Andy. I can manage myself. You know
what? Go there and find a girl. Flirt and have sex.
And have fun while i’m enjoying myself.” He’s
being a kill joy. I’m just celebrating my freedom,
right?
“Fine. I’ll go and have sex. Suite yourself.”

Andy’s Point of View

Badtrip talaga si Dana pag nalalasing, kung anu ano
lumalabas sa bibig. Hindi ko malaman kung seryoso
ba o nagloloko lang. Ang labo!
“Scotch, please.” Nung iniinom ko na yung order
ko, napansin kong may babae pala sa tabi ko. Grabe,
lahat na ba ng babae ngayon lasinggera?
“Isa pa nga!” Sabi niya sa bartender
“Kanina pa po kayo umiinom, baka hindi na po
kayo makauwi, ma’am.”

94
 “Shut up and give me my order, stupid guy!”
Nagkamot lang ng ulo yung bartender tsaka umalis.
Kinausap ko naman yung babae, “You shouldn’t
have done that. Tao din yun. He deserve to be
respected, you know?”
“Ano bang alam mo?”
“Madami.”
“Get a life, mister.”
“You should, too. Don’t waste your self. Ang
ganda mo pa naman.” She’s pretty, pero mas
maganda pa din si Dana syempre. Fair skinned, rosy
cheeks, slim, may dimples. A hot drunkard.
“Thanks.”
“I’m Andy, by the way. You are?”
“Jamie Henares.”
“Jamie Henares. Your name sounds familiar. Ano
nga pala problema mo? Why go to place like this?”
Tinanong ko, mukhang bata pa siya eh. 17?
“May nagpadala sa’kin ng video ng boyfriend ko
na may ginagawang milagro. Ang galing noh? Ang
saya saya ng buhay. Cheers!” Ininom niya yung beer
niya. Bottoms up. Expert na yata to eh.

95
 “Baka naman dati pa ’yun. Alam mo na, bago pa
kayo magkakilala. Kayo kasing mga babae nagc
conclude agad, hindi man lang kayo nagtatanong.”
“I’ve seen it with my two naked eyes. He’s
unfaithful! And worse, best friend ko pa yung napili
niyang isabay sa’kin. Ang saya ng buhay ko talaga.
Unfaithful boyfriend, Whore best friend, Btch bully,
Broken family, ano pa ba?”
“Think positive, wag kang aayaw.” Sabay ngiti at
inom ng scotch. Ang gulo nga talaga ng buhay niya.
Wala akong magagawa kundi makinig sa problema
niya.
“Jamie..” Biglang napalingon si Jamie, hindi na
ko lumingon. Hindi naman ako yung tinatawag eh.
Hehe
“What do you need?”
“What are you doing here? And when did you
start drinking?”
“You don’t care.” Sabay talikod. Eto na ba yung
boyfriend niya na loko loko? “
“I care because i am your boyfriend.”
“Break na tayo.”

96
 “What?! You can’t be serious, Jamie.”
“But i am serious. In fact, i already have a new
boyfriend. Andy, meet Tim, my a hole ex. Tim, meet
Andy, my boyfriend.” Ano daw?

Dana’s Point of View

Where the hell is that guy? There he is, flirting
with— Jamie? What the fuck?
“…Tim, meet Andy, my boyfriend.” I dropped my
bottle of beer.
“Dana, i can explain—” I didn’t let him redeem
himself. For what? To play with my feelings again?
To let him tell me that he loves me when in fact, he
belongs to someone else. And to make it worse, he
is Jamie’s boyfriend! Lagi na lang inaagaw ng
magkapatid na yun lahat sa’kin.
I immediately went out of the bar and find a cab
but luckily, walang dumadaan.
“Dana, wait!” Papalapit na si Andy so without
thinking, i cross the road—then somebody pulled
me and all went black.

97
 Chapter 17

Chapter 17
“You’ll wake up soon, won’t you?”  I stared at
Andy’s sleeping face. 
He has a wound on the side of his head..
A bruise on his left cheek..
His left hand is swollen..
All because of me..
Sino ba naman ako para protektahan niya?
Sino ba naman ako para  mahalin  niya ng sobra-
sobra?
“Dana..”  My thought was interrupted by
Dave, “Why?”
“Uhm-—”  He said while pointing something
using his lips.
“Huh?”
“Siya oh. Kilala mo o baka kilala ni Andy? Hindi
ko siya kilala eh..”

98
 I turned and saw,  “Jamie?”  Hindi niya yata ako
narinig dahil pumunta siya agad kay Andy. “Ano’ng
nangyari kay Andy?” she asked Dave, “Hit and run.”
Then she turned her eyes on me,  “Jinx. Wala
kang ibang alam gawin kundi manakit ng ibang
tao.” 
“Shut the fck up, Henares. You don’t know
anything.”
“I know something. That you are nothing but a
trashy person.”
“Girls, wag na kayong mag away, gising na si
Andy.” Lumingon kami, true enough, Andy’s finally
awake. “Puntahan ko lang sila Sara at Tita.” Then he
went out.
I was about to approach Andy pero naunahan ako
ni Jamie. Tell me, ngayon lang naman sila
nagkakilala ni Andy, pero kung maka react siya, as
if she know him very well. 
“Andy? How are you? May masakit ba?” 
“Sino ka? Nasan ako?” Andy asked.
“Ako si Jamie, at nandito ka sa ospital dahil
naaksidente ka..”

99
 “What? Kailan? Bakit wala akong
maalala?”  Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Andy. Gusto
kong lapitan si Andy pero hindi ko magawa.
Somehow, nakokonsensya talaga ako. Ako naman
talaga. Ako ang may kasalanan.  I’m the one to
blame..
“Kaano-ano kita? Bakit hindi kita kilala?”  I was
about to say hindi talaga sila magkakilala ni Jamie
pero-—
“I’m your girlfriend, Andy. Can’t you remember?
Jamie Henares? Your girlfriend?”
She said what?!
“Ano’ng sabi mo? Kailan pa?” I asked her. “Last
night, remember? You were there when i asked him
to be my boyfriend, right?”
“You, btch! Ang kapal ng mukha mo!” Then we
started yelling. We curse. We scream.
But..
“Aaaaah!” Andy started yelling as if he’s in pain.
I immediately called the doctor.
Minutes after..

100
 “How was my son, doc?” Tita asked, “He’s fine.
Good thing walang nadamage na organ sa kanya.
Just some cuts and minor fracture.”
“Thank God. Salamat, doc.” And when the doctor
left, pinuntahan nila si Andy. Asking questions like
this and that. Andun lang ako sa tabi, tahimik lang.
Guilty kasi ako..
After nila makausap si Andy, he said something
that surprised me..
“Ma, sino siya?”

101
 Chapter18

Chapter 18
“You’ve got to be kidding me, Andy.” I told him.
Of all people,bakit ako pa ang nakalimutan niya?
“Dave, kindly call the doctor para malaman natin
kung ano ang nangyari..” then nilapitan ako ni Tita,
“Stop crying hija, everything will be fine..”
Then the doctor came. He examined Andy, then
he said, “Maybe he’s suffering from Post-traumatic
amnesia.”
“But why, doc? I thought minor cuts and injuries
lang ang nakuha ni Andy..”
“Pwede din kasing nabagok ang ulo niya.
Afterall, car accident ang kinasangkutan niya.
Anything could happen. But then, Post-traumatic
amnesia is transient, meaning, sooner or later,
maaalala niya ulit ang mga nakalimutan niya.”
“Kailan ang sooner or later na yun?”  I finally
said. Kailan nga ba?

102
 “Only God knows.. But for the mean time, spend
some time with him, then maybe, mapabilis ang
recovery niya ng memories niyo..”
Puro maybe..
Maybe..
Maybe..
Walang kasiguraduhang maybe..
“Cheer up.”  Sara said then she hugged
me, “Maaalala ka ni Andy. Trust him, aright? Alam
mo namang patay na patay sa’yo yun eh..”  Then i
laughed. Tama. Kailangan kong magtiwala kay
Andy. Alam kong mahal niya ako..
“But may problema ako..”
“I know. Best friends tayo, remember?”  Then i
hugged her again, “Bakit ba ang malas ng mga taong
Henares ang last name sa buhay mo? Nung una si
Ynna, ngayon naman si Jamie. Tell me, may kapatid
pa ba sila?”  Then i laughed. Kahit kailan talaga,
napapatawa ako ni Sara.
“Baka nga may kapatid sila. Wala na silang
maaagaw sakin, na kay Ynna na si Cy, kay Jamie, si
Andy. Baka si Dave naman ang puntiryahin ng
Henares the Third na yun. Kabahan ka naaaa.” 

103
 “Subukan lang nila. Subukan talaga
nila.”  Sinasabi niya yun habang nakasingkit yung
mata niya tapos ki-nrumple niya yung fist niya.
Grabee, if i were Henares the Third, i’ll think thrice
bago ko sulutin si Dave, possessive ’tong bestfriend
ko eh. Hahaha.
“Buti naman natatawa ka na. Pag pumangit ka
lalo kang hindi maaalala ni Andy.”
“Lol. As if naman. Kahit pumangit ako, mas
maganda pa din ako sa Jamie na yan. Mukhang
anemic. Sobrang puti.”
“Ang bitter? Ganyan yung type ni Andy di ba?
Mga mestizang bangus? Kabahan ka na talaga..”
“Shoopee na nga. Umuwi ka na. Ako nang bahala
dito.”
“Ingatan mo si Andy sa bangus na yun. Hahaha.”
“Ihawin ko pa yun eh.”
“Gaga. Siya, alis na kami ni Dave. Bye.”  Then
umalis na sila Sara at Dave. Kami na lang ni Tita,
Tito, Jamie at Andy ang nasa room.
“What’s your name, hija?” Tita asked
Jamie,  “Jamie Henares po..”  She said timidly. I
smirked. Akala mo kung sinong mabait na tupa. 

104
 “Dana and Jamie, it would be better kung umuwi
na kayong dalawa. It’s been a very long day. Kami
na ang bahala dito kay Andy..”
“Sige po, Tita.”  Then i went and kissed her
cheeks.  “Pakisabi na lang po kay Andy i’ll come
back tomorrow.”
“Sure, matulog ka na..”
Then umalis na kami, nung nasa lounge na kami,
i pulled Jamie, “Ano ba? Stop harassing me!”
“You have no right to complain. Ano bang gusto
mong palabasin?”
“Ano bang problema mo?”
“I asked first so better answer me!”
“Why would i do so?”
“Because i said so.” Then i glared at her. Konti na
lang, masasabunutan ko na talaga ’tong bangus na
’to!
“Fine. I like Andy. I think that’s enough for him
to be my boyfriend, right?”  Wow. Just plain wow.
No wonder isa siyang Henares.

105
 “You have no idea what you’re talking about.
Andy’s mine. The moment he kissed me and told me
he love me, he’s been mine.”
“He’s no one’s property. Hindi mo siya pag
mamay-ari.”
“You really want war? I’ll give you war.”
“Bring it on, btch.” Then she left.
Dang! She’s pissing me off!

106
 Chapter 19

Chapter 19
“Tita, si Andy po?” I kissed her cheeks and sat on
the chair, “Hija, he’s not here.”
“Nasa’n po siya? Kila Dave?” I asked. Where on
earth could he be? Kakagaling lang niya sa
aksidente, he should be resting.
“No. Kasama niya si Jamie.. Kailan pa siya
naging girlfriend ni Andrei ? I mean, as far as i
remember, ikaw ang nililigawan ng anak ko. Well, at
least that’s what he said.” Then she laughed, “Ang
batang iyon talaga, ginamit ka pang front. Pwede
namang sabihin sa amin na girlfriend na pala niya
yung bunsong anak ng governor.”
I want to disagree pero anong magagawa ko? Ni
hindi nga ako maalala ni Andy. Paano ko pa
ipapaliwanag na nag iimbento lang ng kwento yung
bangus na ’yun?
“Uh-eh. Sige po, tita. I better go. Ngayon nga
pala ako mag eenroll. Sige po..”

107
 After that, pumunta ako sa school. Right, ngayon
ako mag eenroll. Time flies. Third year college na
ako. 
“The btch’s back.”  Then Kim and Nof
approached me.  “How’s life? We haven’t heard
anything from you for like a month. Anything you
wanna share?”
“That little Henares.”
“What about that dumb girl?” Then we sat on one
of the benches. Nandito kami sa C-Park, waiting for
our turn.
“You wouldn’t believe it but she stole my
boyfriend..”  My god, since when did Andy became
my boyfriend? Oh well.
“You say what? As in for real?”
“Do i look like kidding?” Then i rolled my eyes.
“I never thought she could do such thing.. She’s
interesting.” Then i threw a tissue on her
face, “That’s gross!”
“Gross your face. I need to get back at her. Hindi
niya ako pwedeng ganituhin. I’m DK Ferrer and
she’s no one.”

108
 “Yeah right. Ano’ng gagawin natin?”
“Nof, any plans? Alam kong ikaw ang magaling
sa mga revenge thingy na yan.”
“Ano ba yung buong nangyari?” And then i told
them the full story, minus the part na hindi ko talaga
boyfriend si Andy.
“She’s a real btch. No wonder kapatid niya talaga
si Ynna.”  The she laughed. Kim and Ynna were
friends way back then, so she knew her very well.
“What am i gonna do? I can’t afford to lose.” Not
now.
“Maybe you better start getting up because your
boyfrie-— i mean ex-boyfriend is coming together
with his new girlfriend.”  She said that while
stressing the word ex and new. She’s so nice for a
friend, right?
“What the eff?”  Then i stood up and went near
them.  “Ano’ng ginagawa niyo dito?”  I asked
them. “Hi, Dana.”
“Naaalala mo na ako?!”
“Not much. Medyo vague, but Jamie told me that
we’re best friends and ikaw ang naging tulay para

109
maging kami ni Jamie. Thank you for that.”  Then
Andy smiled.
Fck! Kailan pa kami naging best friend ni Andy
and my god! Kailan pa ako naging tulay para
maging sila?!
“Pardon? Ano’ng sinabi mo?”  I asked with my
eyes like this--— O.O
“He said that you two are bestfriends and that
you’re the reason why we’re together. Nakuha mo?
Now if you’ll excuse us.”  She tried to get pass
through me but i pulled her hand,  “Where do you
think you’re going?”
“Mag eenroll. Bawal ba?” She said in a sarcasic
tone.
“Magkaiba kayo ng department. Ako na lang ang
sasama sa kanya.”
“No, i don’t mind.”  I turned my back and
signaled Nof and Kim to come, “Nof and Kim, may
pupuntahan kayo ni Jamie di ba?” Then i crossed my
fingers and hoped na maiintindihan nila yung
ginagawa ko.
“Ano’ng si--—”  Kim said but Nof
interrupted, “Yeah right. Let’s go.” Then they pulled

110
Jamie. Good thing mabilis si Nof. Kim could be
slow at times. The hell.
“Now, let’s go?”  I smiled at Andy.  “Sure,”  then
he shrugged his shoulders.
Pumunta kami sa IEA (Institute of Engineering
and Accountancy) then inayos na namin yung mga
requirements. Graduating na nga pala si Andy, Dave
at Cy.. Nag aaral kaya siya sa America? Haay.
“Salamat, Dana. I don’t know what to do kung
hindi mo ako sinamahan.”
“Wala yun.” Then i smiled, “What are friends for,
right?”
“Sigurado ka bang friends lang tayo?”  I was
about to go but his question strucked me, “Wh-what
do you mean?”
“Wag mong masamain ha? Para kasing there’s
something special about you. Hindi ba kita ex-
girlfriend or something?” 
Fck. I thought…
“Nevermind na nga lang. I’m sure na hindi
naman magsisinungaling si Jamie sa akin eh. Why
would she, right?” She would, Andy! She would
because she’s desperate!

111
 “Good night, Dana. See you sa St.
Claire’s.” Then we parted ways.
Another school year will begin. I wonder what is
waiting for me..

112
 Chapter 20

Chapter 20
“Good morning, Andy!”  I told him habang nasa
bahay nila ako. He looked--— surprised?
“Good morning din. Bakit ka nga pala
nandito?” He asked. Mukhang gulung gulo siya kasi
nakakunot yung noo niya. Tss. Pasalamat nga siya
umeeffort pa ako na sabayan siyang pumasok.
“Sabi kasi ni Tita, ako ang magiging tour guide
mo sa school since may temporary amnesia ka
ngayon.”  Actually, i volunteered myself na maging
tour guide ni Andy. Hehe. Napag desisyunan ko na
kasi na ipaglalaban ko ’tong unggoy na ’to. Kahit
gag0 ’to, wag ka, pinapasaya ako nito. Tsaka isa pa,
hindi bagay ang unggoy at bangus. Hindi sila
pwedeng magkaron ng cross-breed. Mwahaha!
“Ah-okay? Pero kasi sabay kami ni Jamie tuwing
break time, okay lang ba na tatlo tayo? I mean, okay
lang naman siguro since close friends kayo di
ba?”  Utot mo. Mas pipiliin ko pang makipag best
friends sa aso kaysa sa bangus na ’yun.

113
 Ang dami kong side comment sa loob ng utak ko.
The hell.
“Oo naman.”  I  smiled. Sheeet. Ang plastik mo,
DK. :| Well, forever naman akong plastic eh. Hehe.
“So, tara na? Anong oras ba ang start ng class mo
ngayon?” Tanong niya habang kinukuha niya yung
bag ko.
“9 pa naman. Ikaw ba?”
“9 din. Eh 7 pa lang, san tayo?”
“Tambay na lang tayo sa lounge. Mag gala gala
tayo, okay lang sa’yo?”
“Oo naman. Teka, kumain ka na ba ng
breakfast?”
“Hindi pa nga eh. Hehe. Aayain mo ba
ako?” Tapos nagpuppy eyes. I know, ang ganda ko.
Lmao.
“Aray!”  Bigla niya kasing pinitik yung noo
ko. “Problema mo?”
“Wag ka ngang pa cute. Di kaya bagay
sa’yo.”  Sabi niya habang tumatawa. Loko ’to
ah.  “Ulol. Alam kong hindi talaga ako cute kasi
maganda ako. Aminin mo.”

114
 “Oo na, oo na. Tama nga si Jamie, ang vain mo.”
“Ano?!” Oo, alam kong maganda ako pero hindi
ako vain noh! Tsaka ano naman kung sabihin kong
maganda ako? Mahirap ideny ang obvious. Tss.
Yung bangus talaga na ’yun!
“Wala. Tara na, ang aga aga lukot na lukot na
yung mukha mo. Tss.”
Tapos pumunta na kami sa dining room nila tapos
kumain na kami. After nun, pumunta na kami sa St.
Claire’s at tumambay sa lounge. Hehe.
Pinagtitinginan kami ng mga tao.
“Bakit ba sila tingin ng tingin?” Tanong ni Andy.
Hindi ko naman masabi na kaya sila tingin ng tingin
kasi nagtataka sila kung bakit tayo magkasama kasi
alam nila na magkagalit tayo. As in magkagalit.
Nagfile pa nga ako ng TRO eh tapos biglang
magkasama tayo? Hindi malabong magtaka nga sila.
“Wala yun. Sikat ka kasi kaya sila tingin ng
tingin.”
“Ah. Kaya pala.”
Habang nagkkwentuhan kami, biglang nagring
yung phone ni Andy kaya umalis siya para sagutin.

115
Pagbalik niya, “Dana, pwede bang iwan na kita dito?
Nagpapasundo si Jamie eh..”
Processing..
Processing..
Processing..
Ang kapal ng babaeng yun ah! Ako nga hindi
nagpapasundo nung may something kami dati pero
siya? Oh my god!
“Ah-eh, sure.”  Fck. Ggo. Bwisit. Leshe. Read
between the lines, Andy. I don’t want you to go..
“See you later.” Then he left. 
Wow. Ang gandang simula ng taon. 
xXx
“What’s with the face?” Dumating si Kim at Nof.
I was about to answer but, “Ah. I see.”
“Huh?”
“There oh. PDA at its best.” Then i turned around
and saw Jamie and Andy.. kissing like there’s no
tomorrow.
“Sht.” I muttered to myself. 

116
 “Who’s up for clubbing? My treat.”
“Are you serious? Magccut ka?”
“Don’t be stupid, DK. It’s not like this is the end
of the world. If you really love that guy, fight for
him. Walang mangyayari kung maglalasing ka.”
“I’m not stupid. You know, the moment he
believed in the lie that Jamie’s his girlfriend, he
already lost me.. So yeah, who’s up?”
Right, nandito kami sa club ni Dave, my second
home.
We partied. We danced. We mingled. Ang daming
lalaki dito, ang daming pagpipilian. The choice is
mine. Either i’ll get bitter or i’ll be better. And
obviously, bitter ako. Tangina lang.
“Dana.”
“Dave! Si Sara?”
“Sa school. Ikaw? Bakit ka nandito?”
“Eh bakit ka din nandito?”
“May naiwan kasi ako sa office eh. Oh, bakit ka
nandito?”
“Si Andy kasi eh..”

117
 “Tsaka yung Jamie?” Pano niya nalaman?
“Ba’t ganyan ka makatingin? Tinanong kasi ako
ni tita tungkol kay Andy at Jamie, and obviously,
wala akong alam tungkol sa kanila. And besides,
nakita ko sila kanina sa lobby na nagmmake out..”
“I know.. I saw them.”
“Anong pakiramdam?”
“Masakit. Ano sa tingin mo? Masaya?”  Sorry.
Pilosopo talaga ako pag naiinis.
“Alam mo, para kayong tanga. Ganyan din kasi
yung sagot ni Andy dati nung tinanong ko siya dati
kung ano nararamdaman niya pag nakikita niya kayo
ni Cy eh.”
Tameme. Hindi ako maka react. Biglang
napatingin ako sa box sa counter, inabot ko and to
my surprise, “Kailan to pinadala?”
“Ah-eh, kahapon? Na delay kasi yung shipment,
dapat nung birthday ko pa yan eh..”
“Ah, okay.”
“Hindi ka ba magtatanong tungkol sa kanya?”

118
 “Why would i bother? Iniwan niya ako. Tapos na
kami. Good luck na lang sa kanila ni Ynna. Leshe.
Makaalis na nga. Nakaka badtrip na araw ’to!”
I, therefore, declare war against the Henares
sisters! Damn you both!

119
 Chapter 21

Chapter 21
After that very annoying conversation with Dave,
i decided to go home. Shet naman. Sirang-sira na
ang araw ko. 
1st reason: Naghahalikan si Jamie at Andy
2nd reason: Naghahalikan si Jamie at Andy
3rd reason: Naghahalikan si Jamie at Andy
4th reason: Naghahalikan si Jamie at Andy
5th reason: Naghahalikan si Jamie at Andy
6th reason: Naghahalikan si Jamie at Andy
9th reason: Naghahalikan si Jamie at Andy
10th reason: He’s still not..
Aah. Fck life. Nakakaburaot.
calling..
Sara G.
“Yo.”

120
 “Yo your face. Bwisit yang boyfriend mo.”
“Eh? Ano’ng ginawa sa’yo ni Dave?”
“Basta. I’ll spill later. Ano tapos ng class mo
ngayon?”
“2:30. Why?”
“Punta ko sa apartment mo. Geh. Bye.”
Then i hit end. Fu. 1 pm pa lang pero nagdrive na
ako papunta sa apartment ni Sara pero nagstop muna
ako sa 7 11, bumili ng beer. 
Since mayroon akong duplicate ng susi nila sa
bahay, pumasok na agad ako at sinimulan ko ng mag
inom.
After finishing my first bottle, nag ring yung
phone ko, “Hello?”
“DK, you wouldn’t believe me…”
Hindi ko maintindihan yung sinasabi niya cos
she’s speaking so fast, “Wait, can you speak
slowly?”
“Fine. I was saying na after you left, i
accidentally heard Nof and Dave talking..”
“So? What’s wrong with them talking?”

121
 “Just quit commenting and let me finish, alright?”
“Psh. Fine.”
“Where was i? Yeah, they were talking about
their past.”
“Past? As in they were together?”
“Yeah. And guess what? Si Dave yung mystery
guy na dahilan kung bakit nagkaganon si Nof.
Fudge. All along, nasa St. Claire’s lang din pala
yun.”
Buffering..
Buffering..
“Are you serious?” This can’t be. FU.
“Why would i joke about things like this? And
besides, i care about Nof. Know what? She’s here
with me in my unit. Knocked up. Kanina pa iyak ng
iyak. I want to ask her why but i can’t.”
“Sht.” I uttered under my breath. 
Si Dave na boyfriend ngayon ng best friend ko na
si Sara ay yung ex-boyfriend ni Nof na hanggang
ngayon hindi niya makalimutan?
Oh crap. How complicated life can be?

122
 “Yo.” Si Sara. Pinatay ko na agad yung phone.
“Oy, bakit ganyan kang makatingin? Nakakatakot
ka.”
“Eh, sorry. Mukha ka kasing multo eh.” Nice lie.
“Ggo. Ano nga pala yung sinabi sa’yo ni Dave?
Yung dahilan kung bakit ka badtrip?”
“Ah. Kasi ano eh.. Uhm.. Eh..”
“Ah okay.” Ha?
“Di mo na kailangang sabihin. Yung package ba?
Tss. Akala ko ba move on ka na? Eh para package
lang na galing sa kanya nagkakaganyan ka na.”
“Naka move on na nga ako.” Di ba?
“Fool yourself. Once and for all, sino ba talaga?
Si Andy o si Cyriel?”
Ang hirap naman ng tanong mo.
“Oy? Fine. Let me put it this way, what will you
choose? Your past or your present? Your past
symbolizing Cyriel, and your present symbolizing
Andy.”
“Do i really have to choose?”

123
 “Yes. Unless gusto mong may masaktan.”
“I don’t want to choose, okay?”
“Ang selfish mo.”
“Hindi naman masamang maging selfish
minsan.”
“Ewan ko sa’yo. Eh anong gagawin mo pag
bumalik si Cy? Come on, alam natin na sooner or
later, babalik siya. We don’t know the exact time,
but it’s inevitable. He’ll come back. And when that
time comes, what will you do?”
Oo nga noh..
“I’ll just cross the bridge when i get there.. Well,
if ever i will get there. Afterall, what assurance do
we have na babalik nga siya? Nandun ang family
niya, ano pa ba ang babalikan niya dito?”
“Hmm. Bahala ka, basta pag isipan mo kung sino
talaga ang gusto mo, okay?”
“Yeah.”
“By the way, kalat na sa campus na si Andy at
Jamie ah. Guess what? Instant celebrity na siya ah. I
guess she’s loving the spotlight.” Psh. 

124
 “Let her enjoy that. Sooner or later, Andy will
come around.”
“Naks naman. Sure na sure ka ah. Hahaha.”
“Of course. Sabi ng doctor, babalik din ang
memory ni Andy. And when that time comes, tapos
na din ang panaginip ng Henares na ’yan.”
“Pero pano pag nagkagusto si Andy sa Jamie na
yan?”
“…”
“Come on, hindi malabong mangyari, right?
Ano’ng gagawin mo pag nangyari yun? Don’t tell
me you’ll cross the bridge when you get there na
naman? I’m telling you, pag nangyari ’yun, wala ka
ng babalikan.”
“Fine! Ano ba ang gusto mong gawin ko?
Pumunta sa kanya at sabihin na ako yung mahal
niya? Ganun?”
“Oo. Ganun nga.”
“Cut it. Hinding hindi ko gagawin yan.”
“Bakit? Kasi pathetic pakinggan? Bakit? Kasi
ikaw si DK Ferrer? The ever famous DK Ferrer.
Once and for all, mag effort ka naman.”

125
 ASDFGHJKL!!! Naiinis na ako!
“Okay, fine. I’ll try.”
“Don’t try, do it.”
“I’ll try.”
“Psh. Bahala ka.”
I suddenly remembered the issue about Dave and
Nof. 
“Sara..”
“Yep?”
“Kilala mo ba mga ex ni Dave?”
“Huh? Ang random naman ng tanong mo.”
“Kanina pa love life ko pinag uusapan natin eh,
sa’yo naman.” Nice lie ^__^
“Uhm, alam ko nakaka 3 na siya. Yung 2 nasa
abroad na, tapos yung isa, nandito pa sa Pilipinas.
Bakit mo natanong?” Sht. Si Nof yung nandito pa sa
Pilipinas. Crap.
“Wala lang. Masamang magtanong?.. Yung ex
niya na nandito sa Pilipinas, nakwento niya sa’yo?”

126
 “Hindi eh. Teka, bakit ba interesado ka dun?
Don’t tell me, may gusto ka na sa boyfriend ko?”
Then binato niya ako ng unan.
“Luka-luka. Asa ka naman. Ang incest nun,
noh!”
“Eh bakit ka nga tanong ng tanong.”
“Eh basta, gusto ko lang maging chismosa
minsan. ^___^ Bibigyan kita ng situation ha?
Kunyari, biglang nagpakita ulit yung ex ni Dave
tapos nakikipagbalikan, anong gagawin mo?”
Biglang tumaas yung kilay niya, “Eh bakit ako
yung tinatanong mo? Ako ba may ex dun sa babaeng
yun?”
Bwisit. Ang pilosopo ng babaeng ’to =_=
“Ang gagawin ko..” bigla siyang nagseryoso,
“Bahala siya, kung san siya masaya, bahala siya sa
buhay niya.”
Tapos, nakatulog na siya, kanina pa kasi inom ng
inom.
Note to self: Ayusin ang issue with Andy.
Tanungin si Nof. Tanungin si Dave. Paslangin si
Jamie.

127
 Chapter 22

Chapter 22
“What the eff?” The first phrase that i uttered.
Wanna know why? Mayroon lang namang
amusement park sa loob ng campus. What the eff
talaga di ba? I hate amusement parks. 
“Eh? Earth to Dana? Sem-opener kaya ’to!”
Fudge. Oo nga pala. Yearly, mayroong sem-opener.
Last year, free concert. Sana concert na lang ulit or
anything, wag lang amusement parks. It brings back
memories. FU.
“Tss. Magccut na lang ako.”
“Ang KJ mo. Tara na.”
“San mo ba ko dadalhin?”
“Basta.” Tapos biglang may tinawag siyang
lalaki, then, “Sht. Ano ba?”
“Ssh. Shut it, aright? Masaya ’to. Promise.” Then
she smiled. A sly smile. 
As of the moment, dinadala ako ngayon ng isang
lalaking hindi ko kilala sa isang lugar na hindi ko

128
din alam. I know, i am one clueless person. 
“Hey, san mo ba ko dadalin?”
No use. Hindi ako pinansin. Bwisit.
After quite some time, “Marriage booth?!” The
heck? Eto ba ang plano ni Sara?!
Pumasok kami sa loob, “Oh sht.” Nandun din si
Andy. Si Sara, Dave, Nof, at Kim. Wow. Kumpleto
ang friends ko. 
“Father, simulan na ang kasal.” Sara said.
“What’s the matter with you?!”
“Shut up. Mahiya ka nga sa groom mo,
eskandalosang bride.” Tapos biglang natawa si
Andy. “Tinatawa-tawa mo?”
“Wala. Ano? Let’s get married na?” Then he
smiled. Oh geez. Bakit ang gwapo niya? =_=
“Nasan na yung girlfriend mo? Bakit hindi ka
dun magpakasal?” Well, nagtatanong lang. Pero
deep inside me, ang saya saya. Alleluia.
“Hindi ko din alam eh. Sabi ni Sara, alam naman
daw ni Jamie ’to. Game lang daw,” then tinignan ko

129
si Sara tapos nag wink siya, gaga talaga yun, “So,
ano? Shall we?”
“Fine. I’ll marry you.” Then nagsigawan yung
mga bwisit kong kaibigan. Mga bwisit. =_=
Since fake marriage lang naman ’to, sandali lang.
Konting vows lang, then, “You may now kiss the
bride.”
Buffering..
Buffering..
“Eh?!”
“Kiss. Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.” Sabi nung mga barkada
ko. Eep. Seryoso ba sila?
“Andy, wag na. Baka magalit pa si Jamie.” Liar. 
“Ah, eh, ano--—” Hindi na niya tinuloy yung
sinasabi niya kasi hinalikan na niya agad ako.
It’s no passionate nor french kiss.
Just a kiss.
But it rocked my world.
“Ayiiee.” Then he said, “I love you… 
bestfriend. “/wrist

130
 FU. Ano’ng sabi ko sa’yo, Dana? Wag mag
expect, hindi ba? Ano? Disappointed ka na naman?
“Oy. Ano? Reception na?” Sabi ni Sara.
“Shut up.” Then naalala ko, nandito nga din pala
sila Kim at Nof. 
Wait. Nof. Sara. Dave. Oh fck.
Kaya pala hindi nagsasalita si Dave at Nof. How
naive of me.
“Uhm. Sara and Dave, si Nof and Kim,
classmates ko sa BAFD. Nof and Kim, si Dave and
Sara, close friends ko.” Then nagshake hands sila.
Geez. Sana hindi mapansin ni Sara yung tension.
=_=
“Nice meeting you. Sara Gomez, and this is my
boyfriend, Dave Cruz ^___^” Then biglang namutla
si Nof, “Kim Miranda, and she’s Nof Salvador. Nice
meeting you, too. Sorry pero alis na kami. See you
around.” Buti na lang nakahalata si Kim. Sheez.
Kinabahan din ako dun ah.
“Cool friends, huh?” Sabi ni Sara.
“Yep. Ikaw lang naman kasi eh, jinudge mo agad
sila.”

131
 “Sorry naman. Pero bakit ganun yung si Nof?
Ang weird niyang makatingin?”
“Tss. OA ka lang.”
“Hindi kaya, grabe siyang makatingin talaga. If
looks could kill, patay na ko.”
“Bawasan mo na nga yung panonood mo ng
koreanovela, yang imagination mo tuloy,
lumalawak.   Dave, umalis na nga kayo niyang
paranoid mong girlfriend.” Thank me, Dave. I’m
saving you butt. Tss.
“Sige. See you around. Pare, ikaw na bahala kay
Dana.” Then they left. 
Biglang lumapit sa’kin si Andy, “So, Mrs.
Guzman, ano’ng gagawin natin sa honeymoon
natin?” He jokingly said.
“Honeymoon your ass. Masaya ka naman.”
“Tss. KJ. Bilis na, anong gagawin natin? My
treat.”
“Kain muna tayo, gutom na ko eh.”
Then pumunta kami sa isang booth dun. Cafe
siya actually, tapos naka cosplay yung mga waiters.
Ang cute lang eh ^___^.

132
 “Nasan na si Jamie?” I suddely asked. Don’t get
me wrong, masaya ako na wala siya pero nagtataka
lang ako kung bakit wala siya.
“Ewan.” Then he shrugged his shoulders.
Tumayo siya tapos hinatak ako, “Don’t think about
her, aright? For today, i’m all yours.” For today, how
about tomorrow? And the other days? Tss. feeling
ko talaga kabit ako. =_=
Sumakay kami ni Andy sa mga rides. Dang.
Nakakahilo. Akala mo naman ngayon lang
nakapunta ng amusement park ’tong lalaking
kasama ko. High na high eh. Pumunta din kami sa
photo booth. 
“1 pose.”
“Eh? Bakit isa lang?”
“Isa lang naman yung gusto kong pose sa picture
eh.” Magsasalita sana ako pero, he cupped my chin,
and kissed me on the lips.
He went out to get the picture but i was still there,
with my mouth hanging open.
“Tara na?” Then he smiled. Hinatak na lang niya
ako. 
Hindi pa din ako nakaka recover.

133
 Hinalikan niya ako.
Hinalikan niya ako?
Oh?!
“Hoy! Bakit mo ako hinalikan?!” Hinatak ko
siya, “Wag mo ng isipin yun. Isipin mo na lang,
freebie yun.” The he smiled.
Teka lang, parang familiar ’tong line na ’to sa’kin
ah?
Flashback..
Tss. Bakit mo ako hinalikan? Hindi ko pa naman
napipirmahan yung contract.
Yeah, i know.
Alam mo naman pala eh. Bakit mo pa ko
hinalikan?
Gusto kitang halikan with my own will and not
because of the contract.
You like me? 
Hahaha. Don’t think much. Isipin mo na lang,
freebie yun.  

134
 Bwisit. Aaagh. Damn those memories. DK, stop
reminiscing, okay? Walang mabuting maidudulot
’yan.
Then pumunta na kami sa Wheel of Fate. Tss.
Ang corny lang nung pangalan eh. FU.
“Sakay tayo?” Sabi biya sabay hila. Tell me,
tinatanong niya ba talaga ako? As if naman may
choice pa ako eh bigla na lang niya akong hinila.
The eff. =_=
Bumili siya ng dalawang ticket tapos sumakay na
kami, hinintay lang naming mapuno yung ferris
wheel tapos umandar na, sakto naman na nahinto
kami sa tuktok. Talk about coincidence. Tss.
“Wheel of Fate. Tingin mo dito talaga
nakadepende ang kapalaran natin?” Bigla niyang
tanong.
“Ang random mo naman.” Sabi ko, “I believe
that our decisions shape our future, and destiny only
takes place when we don’t know what to choose.”
Huminga siya ng malalim, “Sabagay, may point
ka. Eh maiba tayo tutal nasa wheel of fate tayo,
  ikaw? May gusto ka bang sabihin sa’kin?” Tapos
tumingin siya ng malalim, tinitigan niya ako for
about 10 seconds, “Wa-wala, ano naman sasabihin

135
ko sa’yo?” Sabi ko ng nauutal. Fudge. Feeling ko
high school student ako na first time makausap ang
crush niya =_=
“Sigurado ka?”
“Oo naman. Teka, ano ba ang dapat kong
sabihin?”
Tumingin siya sa labas, “Ayan na pala, bababa na
tayo. Sige, pupuntahan ko na si Jamie. See you
around.” Tapos umalis na siya.
Problema nun? Sabi niya, “For today, I’m all
yours.” Bwisit talaga yun. Paasa. BV.
Jamie’s Point of View
“Hello? Andy? Ngayon na? Sure. I’ll be there in
15 mins.” Then i hanged up. 
First of all, i’m Jamie Henares. And don’t judge
me because you don’t know what the hell i’ve been
through.
“Andy.” Then i went near him and kissed him. 
“Nakakaalala na ko.” He said. Oh my God. Why
now? Kung kailan nagugustuhan na kita..
“S-so, alam mo na?”

136
 “Yeah. But i’m willing to continue our fake
relationship.”
“But why?”
“Tinanong ko na si Dana kanina, i gave her the
chance na sabihin sa’kin kung ano ba talaga kami.
Kung ano ba talaga ako sa buhay niya, but hell,
hindi niya sinabi.” Then i stared into his eyes, and i
see pain. She’s one lucky btch. Andy really loves
her.
“I’m willing to compromise. Let’s continue this
relationship.” He said.
“Don’t you think you’re being selfish? Paano pag
na in love ako sa’yo? Anong mangyayari sa’kin?!” I
said, afterall, i’m starting to like him. Who
wouldn’t? Andy is an ideal guy, if not perfect.
“We’ll see.” Then he went near me and hugged
me. “Be my girlfriend, Jamie. Namimiss ko na yung
feeling ng may nag aalaga sa’kin, yung may
nagmamahal..”
“I will, Andy. I will love you and take care of
you.” Then i hugged him back, “Thanks for letting
me enter you life..”

137
 DK, i’m sorry but you already lost your chance.
I’m going to make sure that Andy will be mine.

138
 Chapter 23

Chapter 23
“Are you fcking serious?”
“Yaah. Hindi nga din kami makapaniwala eh.
And here’s the catch, hindi lang sila basta nagdate,
Andy actually treated her as if she’s his real
girfriend. Though hindi sila nag PDA or anything.”
I just want to scream. Bakit ba? Ano ba kasi
talaga ang kasalanan ko? Bakit hindi ako sumaya
saya?
“Maybe you’re just hallucinating or something?
Come on, Sara! You can’t be serious! Hindi
pwedeng ma in-love si Andy kay Jamie.. He just
can’t..”
“Tigilan mo yung pag iyak. I won’t tolerate you
again, Dana. This is reality. It’s either you have him
or you lose him. And you chose to lose him.”
I didn’t..
I don’t..
And i won’t..

139
 “Hi-hindi totoo yan! You know that i care about
Andy! Ayokong mawala siya!”
“Yeah, you care about him pero mas may
pakielam ka jan sa pride mo!”
“I didn’t..”
“What? You didn’t intend to lose him? Bullsht,
Dana! Sa lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay mo, puro
ibang tao ang sinisisi mo. For once, be responsible!
You lost Andy dahil ginusto mo. Lahat na ng chance
binigay ni Andy sa’yo para lang sabihin mo na
mahal mo siya, pero anong ginawa mo? You just
messed those chances. Ngayon, live with the
consequences.”
“But-—”
“Sht naman, Dana! Hindi lang ikaw ang may
karapatang sumaya, may karapatan ding sumaya si
Andy. At kung si Jamie yun, wala kang magagawa,
pinili mo yan eh. At hanggang hindi mo alam kung
ano ba talaga ang gusto mo, tigilan mo si Andy.
Maawa ka, nahihirapan din yung tao.”
“May amnesia lang siya.. He’ll come around, i
know. He’ll come around..”

140
 “Sige lang, ireason-out mo lang ang pagiging
duwag mo.”
“Tangina lang, Sara! Nahihirapan ako! Spare me
from all your words of wisdom!”
“Tangina mo din, Dana! I won’t spare you cos’ i
care for you! Sisigawan kita hangga’t magising ka sa
kagaguhang ginagawa mo!”
“Ggo na kung ggo pero hindi ko talaga kaya. I
want him all for myself!” Ako lang, walang kaagaw.
Ganun ba talaga kahirap yun?
“Can’t you get the whole point? Ganyan ka na ba
katanga? You want him all for yourself? Then good
kung yun lang, but the point is, hindi lang siya ang
gusto mo! May iba ka pang gusto! Gusto mo pa din
si Cyriel!”
“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” I placed my hands
on my ears. Ayokong marinig yung sinasabi niya.
“Ano? Iiyak ka na naman? Sige lang, iyak lang!
Know what? Minsan iniisip ko na kaya napunta si
Andy at Cyriel kay Jamie at Ynna kasi at least, alam
nila Ynna at Jamie ang gusto nila. At least sila, isang
lalaki lang ang gusto nila. Eh ikaw? Dalawa ang
gusto mo. Sabi nga nila, you can’t have the best of
both worlds. Ngayon, ano? Wala na. Wala ka ng

141
pipiliin. You ran out of choices. Don’t hate me,
sinasabi ko lang to dahil gusto kong gumising ka
na.”
“Just go. I want to be alone..”
“Mag isip ka, Dana. And i need to say something
to you, ayaw ko sanang sabihin kasi si Andy dapat
ang magsabi na’to pero sasabihin ko na, it’s been
five days since nakakaalala si Andy..”
“Ano?!”
“Yeah. Sige, alis na ko. Mag isip ka nga. Sinisira
mo buhay mo.”
Nakakaalala na si Andy? Five days ago? Si
Jamie? Don’t tell me..
Gusto na niya talaga si Jamie?
Oh God. Please don’t let him fall for her.

Andy’s Point of View

“Andy? Andy?”
“Ha?” Kasama ko si Jamie ngayon sa caf,
kumakain lang. “May sinasabi ka ba?”

142
 “I’ve been talking for like forever. Hindi ka man
lang nakikinig.” 
“Sorry. Spaced out lang, ano nga ulit yung
sinasabi mo?” Then i went near her and hugged her.
Sabi niya kasi sa’kin pag naiinis daw siya, yakapin
ko lang daw siya. I’m just doing what a good
boyfriend does.
“Wala. Akala ko ba you’ll try to love me? Bakit
parang hindi ka naman nag eeffort? Ano, Andy?
Aasa na lang ba ako?”
“I’m trying, alright? Hindi naman kasi ganun
kabilis ’yun.”
“I know, but--—” Si Dana.. “What now?
Pupuntahan mo na naman siya? Aklala ko ba gusto
mo na siyang kalimutan?!”
Gusto ko, pero, “Just wait. Babalik ako.” Then i
stood up and went near Dana.
Pero nung lumingon ako, nakita kong umiiyak si
Jamie kaya bumalik ako tapos niyakap ko siya,
“Trust me, alright? Babalik ako.” Then i kissed her
forehead.
—----------------------------—
Dana’s Point of view

143
 Dito ako ngayon sa caf, pupuntahan ko si Andy. I
want to talk to him. Badly. I feel like i’ll lose all my
senses kung hindi ko pa din siya makakausap.
Pero i saw Andy hugging Jamie. That lucky btch.
Ni minsan hindi ako nagawang yakapin ni Andy out
of nowhere. 
Then papunta na dito si Andy tapos bigla siyang
bumalik at niyakap si Jamie tapos he kissed her
forehead. Hi-hindi niya ginawa sakin yun kahit
minsan.. FU.
“Dana.” He said, ni hindi siya ngumiti. It’s like as
if we’re stranger to one another.
“Do you really love her?” Say no. Say no.
“What if i do love her? Ano naman sa’yo?” Then
he looked straight into my eyes, “Do you love me,
Andy?”
“Bakit mo ba iniiba yung usapan?! I’m asking
you. If i do love her, ano naman sa’yo? Come on!
Answer that damn question, Dana!”
“I— i don’t know, alright? Naguguluhan ako, for
God’s sake!” 
He sighed, “Then that settles this. Sasagutin ko
naman yung tanong mo, I still love you but I like

144
her.. And i’m planning to love her.” Then he left me.

145
 Chapter 24

Chapter 24
“Hey, don’t push yourself too hard, DK.
Magkakasakit ka niyan.” Kim told me. Since Andy
walked totally out of my life, I’ve been doing many
things. M-A-N-Y.
“Shut up. I know what I’m doing.” 
“Yeah. Three weeks pa lang since nagsimula ang
sem pero lahat ng projects sinisimulan mo na.”
Yeah. Ginagawa ko na lahat ng projects, kahit group
projects ako lang ang gumagawa mag isa. I need to
keep myself busy. It’s been two weeks since Andy
decided to forget me. 
“Dean’s lister, remember?” 
“Yeah. Makaalis na nga. Walang matinong
makausap dito. Ikaw parang robot kung
makapagtrabaho, si Nof missing in action. Just pure
crap. Buti na lang wala akong lovelife.” Then she
left.
Ano kaya ang nangyari kay Nof?

146
 Nof’s Point of View
“Got it, dad. 7 p.m. H20 Hotel. I’ll be there.” Ano
na naman kaya ang plano ni dad? Ilang beses na niya
akong minatch make sa kung kani-kaninong anak ng
business partners niya. Frustrated match-maker yata
ang dad ko. *sighs*
Nung makarating na ako sa meeting place namin,
nakita ko sa dad dun sa entrance. “Dad, bakit ganyan
ang suot mo? Sabi mo semi-formal?”
“Ayoko namang sumabit sa date ng princess ko.”
Ayan na naman siya. Kung kani-kanino ako sine set-
up.
“Date na naman? Dad naman! Ang kulit-kulit
niyo talaga.”
“Last na ’to, princess. For sure naman matutuwa
ka.”
“Better be sure na matutuwa ako. Lagi na lang
fail ang lalaking pinapakilala niyo sa’kin.” The last
time, isang manyak yung naka date ko. Dang. Inaya
ba naman akong mag check in sa hotel after ng first
meeting namin. How gross was that?!
“Remember Dave Cruz? Siya ang ka-date mo
ngayon.”

147
 “What?! Dad naman!!” Then he started to laugh.
“I thought you’re over him? It’s been a year or two,
princess. Kalimutan mo na ’yun. Start anew.”
“I already moved on, dad. Besides, may girlfriend
si Dave ngayon.” Sara Gomez. She’s pretty and
kind.
“Then good for him.” Then he sighed, “Nof, kaya
ko ’to ginagawa ay para maka move on ka na. Let go
of the things that’s hurting you or haunting you.
Start being friends again with him. Best friends kayo
bago naging kayo, sayang naman ang pinagsamahan
niyo kung masisira lang dahil hindi kayo nag work
bilang romantic partners.”
“Okay, okay. Papasok na ako.” Sana nga
magwork ’tong pinlano ni Dad. “Good luck,
princess.”
Breath in
Breath out
Si Dave lang ’yan!
“Uhm, hello?”
“Nof.” He smiled. No doubt, ang gwapo pa din
ng lalaking ’to. “Take a sit.”

148
 “How’s life?” Yeah. Ang boring ng tanong ko.
Wala kasi akong masabi. Ang awkward ng moment
eh. “Life’s good. Okay ang family business, okay
ang studies, okay ang love life.”
“Good for you. Everything’s doing fine.” I can
see it in his eyes, he’s happy. Buti pa siya naka let go
na talaga.
“No. Hindi pa ako okay hanggang hindi mo pa
ako napapatawad, Nof..” He just said my name pero
my hands started trembling, “Ano ka ba naman,
Dave. Okay na ’yun. Tapos na ’yun eh, kalimutan na
natin..”
“Hindi natin pwedeng kalimutan ’yun,” then he
stared into my eyes, “Parte ka ng buhay ko, Nof.
Hindi ko kayang kalimutan ’yun.”
“But you have to. Kinalimutan ko na yun,
kalimutan mo na din. That’s the least we can do.”
“You’re still my best friend..”
“Yeah, before you made me your girlfriend.” Ako
ang nakipag break sa kanya. Wala naman siyang
pakielam sa akin. Lagi siyang busy kesyo may
ganito ganyan. Ang dali lang naman kasi nun, high
school student ako, college siya. Yun ang lagi niyang
excuse.

149
 “Pinagsisisihan ko na ’yun. I’ve been a jerk.”
“A total jerk.”
“Fine. A total jerk. Pero I already paid for that.”
“Huh?”
“Nawalan ako ng best friend. That’s the price for
me being a jerk.” Seriously, ano ba, Dave?
“Alright, Dave. For the sake of us being friends
before and for the sake of me totally letting go of all
my hang ups, do you mind explaining why you did
those things to me?” Then he sighed, “Alright, but
don’t interrupt while i’m talking.”
“Remember nung birthday mo nung fourth year
ka na? Second year college ako nun and i planned to
surprise you since wala naman akong pasok nun.
Pumunta ako sa school mo at binilan kita ng favorite
cake mo.” Huh? Wala naman siyang binigay na cake
sa’kin nun ah?
“Nung papunta na ako sa room niyo, nakita kita
dun sa gilid. Sinundan kita and you started crying.
Lumapit ako para malaman kung bakit ka umiiyak.
Binubully ka pala nung mga classmates mo. Plano
ko sanang lumapit para pigilan sila pero nagulat ako
sa mga narinig ko..”

150
 Oh shoot, narinig ni Dave yun?!
Flashback 
“Ano, Nof Salvador? Loser ka talaga.”
“Oo nga. In love na in love ka pa din kay Dave
Cruz. Asa ka namang papatulan ka nun.” Sino ba
naman ako para patulan ni Dave? Heartthrob siya
nung dito pa siya nag aaral, sophomore ako, senior
siya. Maswerte na nga ako na naging best friends
kami eh..
“Yeah, right. Hanggang bestfriends ka lang, wag
ka ng umasa. Unrequited love.” Then nagtawanan
sila at nagsimula na akong umiyak.
End of flashback
“Nung una hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko.
Umalis ako at tinapon ko na yung cake. Gaano ba
ako katanga? In love sa’kin ang best friend ko, wala
man lang akong kaalam alam? Am i that dumb?
Pero hindi ko alam kung ano ang pumasok sa isip ko
at bumalik ako. May binigay akong singsing sa’yo,
remember?” Then i nodded
“Lagi ’yung nasa bulsa ko. I promised myself na
ibibigay ko ’yun sa babaeng gusto kong paksalan. I
had no choice but to give it to you and ask you to be

151
my girl. Hindi ko kasi kaya na saktan ka. You’re the
sister i never had..”
I didn’t notice that i started crying but i didn’t say
a word.
“I tried to love you. God knows i really tried.
Pero hanggang kapatid lang talaga ang turing ko
sa’yo.. Kaya naman nung malapit ng umabot ng one
month, sinabi ko na kailangan ko ng tapusin ’to.
Inisip ko na mang two time pero iisipin ng mga tao
na ayoko sa’yo, kaya naman i’ve been cold para
ikaw mismo ang makipagbreak sa akin, and in that
way, wala silang masasabi sa’yo, i will be the one to
blame..”
All this time, ako lang ang iniisip ni Dave..
“Stupid! Bakit ngayon mo lang ’to sinabi?!” Then
he laughed, “Ano’ng nakakatawa?!”
“Wala. Namiss ko lang kasi yung pagsigaw mo
sa’kin eh. Walang nakakasigaw ng ganyan sa’kin,
ikaw lang.”
“Nakakainis ka..” Then he went near me and
hugged me, “Pinilit ko ang dad mo na makipagdate
ka para makahanap ka ng lalaking para sa ’yo.
Lumayo din ako kasi gusto kong makalimutan mo
na ako. You know? Masyadong malakas ang charm

152
ko kaya baka ma in love ka ulit pag lumapit ako
sa’yo.”
“Ggo ka ah.” Then he pinched my cheeks, “Yan.
That’s more like the Nof i knew.”
“Payakap nga. Namiss kita eh.”
He spread his arms, “Yakap na. Namiss din kita
eh.” 
“Buti na lang okay na tayo. Nakakapagod ding
magtanim ng galit sa’yo eh.”
“I know. Friendship is better because relationship
complicates everything.” Tama. Mas mabuting
friends na lang kami. At least, friendship is forever.
Walang break up, walang cool off. 
“Oh.” I gave the ring back to him, “Since hindi
naman talaga para sa’kin yan, i’m giving it back to
you.”
“Ooh. Akala ko tinapon mo na ’to eh. I’m glad na
buhay pa pala ’to.”
“Actually, muntik ko ng itapon talaga pero
sayang kasi, diamonds eh. Hahaha. So, this calls for
a celebration. Bar tayo?”

153
 “Ooh. Umiinom na pala ang baby best friend ko.”
He said that in a sarcastic way.
“Yeah, right. Baka nga mas malakas pa akong
uminom sa’yo eh.”
“Ano? Palakasan uminom?”
“Bring it on, best friend.” Then we laughed.

Dana’s Point of View

“Huh? Ngayon sa bar ni Dave? Akala ko ba emo
ka ngayon?” Tss. Nag aaya si Nof mag bar ngayon.
Ano kaya nakain ng emo na ’yun?
“Oo na. Oo na. What?! Pati si Sara?” Ano kaya
binabalak ng babaeng ’to? “Dave? Anong? Bakit mo
kasama si Nof? Oo na, oo na. Pupunta na ako dyan.”
Then tinapos ko na yung gagawin ko at dinaanan ko
si Sara sa room niya.
“Yo. Punta daw tayo sa bar ni Dave ngayon.”
“Huh? Ano meron?”
“Malay ko sa baliw mong boyfriend.” At sa emo
kong kaibigan. Ano kaya meron sa dalawa na ’yun?

154
Malaman ko lang na may ginagawang kalokohan
yung mga yun!
“Tss. Sige na nga. Wait lang, ayusin ko lang
gamit ko.” Then inayos niya na yung gamit niya at
umalis na kami.
BAR
Nakita namin si Dave at Nof dun sa isang table sa
gilid, “Ayun pala sila, Dana. Magkaibigan pala
talaga sila?” Tanong ni Sara, “Ewan.” Then i
shrugged my shoulders, ayokong ako ang magsabi
sa kanya, problema na nila yun.
Lumapit kami sa kanila, “Ano’ng meron?”
“Wala lang, celebration lang.” Then tumingin ako
sa kanila. They are smiling like idiots. Seriously,
anong meron?
“Teka lang. Ano ba talaga?”
“Chill ka lang, DK.” Sabi ni Nof, “Inom muna
tayo para masaya.” Tapos umorder na kami ng
Tequila Sunrise.
“So? Mind explaining what’s happening?” Then
tahimik lang kami ni Sara na nakikinig sa kanila.
Habang nagkkwento sila, tinitignan ko yung reaction

155
ni Sara. Wala namang negative reaction, in fact
natatawa pa nga siya eh.
After ng pagkahaba haba nilang kwento,
“Hahaha! Grabe kayong dalawa. Sana dati pa kayo
nagbati para masaya na tayo.”
Ano daw? “What do you mean?”
“Honey babe, kung napapansin mo, paunti na
tayo ng paunti. Nung una, lima tayo, naging apat,
ngayon tatlo na lang tayo. Ikaw, ako, si Dana. Buti
na lang okay na kayo ni Nof, at least, lima na ulit
tayo.”
Bigla akong tumawa, “My God, Sara! Iba talaga
ang level of thinking mo! Hahaha. Kung ibang
babae yan, malamang nag hysterical na yan, pero
ikaw, nagagawa mo pang bumuo ng bagong
barkada. Iba ka talaga.”
“Malamang. Mas nagffocus kasi ako sa bright
side eh. Ano ba ang mangyayari kapag nag emote pa
ako? Wala naman di ba?”
“Oo nga. Nof, balita ko wala pa namang
namamatay sa paglulok ng pride, di ba?” Then
tumango si Nof.

156
 “Tama ka jan, Dave. Wala pa talagang
namamatay dun. Pride pride ka pa. Wala ka namang
mapapala dun, di ba Sara?” Then tumango din si
Sara.
“Ano ba ang gusto niyong palabasin na tatlo?”
“UMAMIN KA NA KASI KAY ANDY PARA
ANIM NA TAYO!!” Sabay sabay nilang sabi.
Pinagtutulungan nila ako =_=
“Bakit niyo ba ako sinisigawan? Tsaka okay na
tayo noh, Ako, si Sara, Nof, Kim, at ikaw Dave.
Okay na tayo noh.” Di ba? Wonder friends na kami,
right?
“Namimiss na namin si Andy. Come on, Dana.
Sasabihin mo lang naman na mahal mo si Andy. I-
Love-You. Three words, eight letters, say that and
he’s yours.”
“Ang dami mong alam =_=”
“Sabihin mo na sa kanya.”
“Oo nga.”
“Yeah.”
“Ang kulit niyo.”

157
 “Hindi ka namin titigilan hangga’t hindi mo
inaayos ang buhay mo.”
“Sara! Pinagtutulungan ako ng boyfriend mo at
best friend niya!!” Then bigla silang tumawa.
“HINDI KA NAMIN TITIGILAN!!”
“Okay! Kakausapin ko na siya bukas. Happy?!”
Then ngumiti sila, “HAPPY ^___^”

Andy’s Point of View

Thursday. May date kami ni Jamie. Ulit. Every
other day nagddate kami. Nakakasawa. Masyado
siyang clingy. Masyadong submissive. In short,
nakakasawa.
Jamie Henares
calling..
Here she goes again.. “I’ll be there, okay?” Then
binabaan ko siya. Paano ko naman siya
matututunang mahalin niyan kung sinasakal niya
ako?
Ayoko sa masyadong mabait na babae. Lahat na
lang ng sinasabi ko sinusunod niya. Nakakainis.

158
Gusto ko ng independent na babae. Gusto ko ako
ang sumusunod, hindi yung ako ang sinusunod.
Parang si Dana..
Dave Cruz
calling..
“What’s up?” Bakit kaya ’to napatawag?
“Seryoso ka? Si Dana gusto akong kausapin? Sige,
sige. Papunta na ako diyan.”
To: Jamie Henares
Sorry. Can’t come. May pinapagawa si Dad.
Sorry, Jamie. Kailangan kong puntahan si Dana..

159
 Chapter 25

Chapter 25
“Dana..” I can’t believe i’ll be doing this sht.
Inaamin ko, gusto ko si Andy. I like him. Bigtime.
But i’m not sure if this is love. After all the
complicated things i’ve been through, hindi ko na
alam ang pinagkaiba ng like sa love.
“Andy, can we talk?”
“Sure, sure.”
Tumingin ako sa paligid, “Privately?” Then he
nodded, “Yeah, let’s go somewhere private.” Then
we went to the rooftop of our college building.
“Okay na ba dito, Dana?”
“Yeah. So, i’ll be doing this really quick, Andy.”
Then he nodded, “Alright.”
“I like you, and i’m certain of that. Hindi ako
sigurado kung mahal ba kita o ano.” Then i sighed,
“Sht. I hate talking about love, it sends shiver down
to my spine.” Then he laughed, “I know you hate
talking about love the most. You’re embarrassed.

160
You want me to turn around para hindi mo makita
yung reaction ko?”
“Yeah. I think that would help.” Then he turned
around, “So, where was I? Yeah, i’m not that sure
kung love or like o kung anuman ang nararamdaman
ko para sa’yo. Pero naaalala ko na sinabi mo sa’kin
noon na magkapareho lang naman ang love at like,
di ba?” Then he nodded, “So i concluded na siguro
nga mahal kita kasi gusto kita? Oh God,
naguguluhan ka ba sa’kin?”
Then humarap siya, “I have three questions.
Gusto mo ba akong kasama?”
“Gustung-gusto..”
Ngumiti siya, “Ano’ng naramdaman mo nung
nalaman mong girlfriend ko si Jamie?”
“Honestly, i wanted to strangle her..” His smiled
turned bigger.
“Pag nawala ako, ano ang gagawin mo?”
It’s my turn to laugh, “Oh God! Don’t tell me
you’re expecting me na sasabihin ko na
magpapakamatay ako pag nawala ka? Hahaha. Asa
ka naman!” Then he laughed, “No, kung ’yun ang
sinagot mo, hindi ako maniniwala.”

161
 “Huh?”
“Because i know you, matalino ka. Independent.
Stubborn. Self-centered. Brat. Egoistic. But i love
you because of that. Because you can kick my ass
like no one else.”
It’s my turn to shut up. Then he came nearer and
hugged me, “Dana Kathryn Ferrer, hindi mo naman
kailangang sagutin yung huli kong tanong eh.”
“Huh?” Puro na lang huh ang nasasabi ko =_=
“Kasi hindi naman ako mawawala sa tabi mo. In
whatever you do, i’ll be two steps behind..”
Teka, lyrics sa kanta yun ah! “Che! Ang corny
mo. Tsaka wala kang originality.”
Then tumawa na naman siya. Bakit lalo siyang
gumagwapo pag tumatawa siya? =_= 
“So tayo na?”
“Asa ka boy. Gagawin mo pa akong kabit?”
Srsly, si Jamie legal tapos ako illegal? Over my dead
body.
“Makikipagbreak ako sa kanya tapos tayo na?”
“Nope.”

162
 “Ano?! I can’t read you, Dana.” 
“I have better plans, Andy.” Yeah. It’s payback
time, Little Jamie. “Ano naman ’yun?”
“Date her tonight, make her happy, and be a
gentleman kahit hindi.” Then i rolled my eyes.
“Tapos?”
“Break her heart. Make her understand that she’s
no one like me.” I wanna see her crying. She
decided to play with me, so this is the price she’s
going to pay.
“Don’t you think that’s a little too overboard?”
“Don’t tell me may gusto ka sa kanya?”
“No. Ikaw ang mahal ko, pero naaawa ako sa
kanya..”
“Andy, there’s a thin line between love and pity.
Are you sure that you love me?”
“Fine. Pasalamat ka mahal kita.” Then i went
near him and hugged him, “Last na ’to, Andy. After
this, we’ll start anew..”

163
 Jamie’s Point of View
From: Andy Guzman <3
Tonight. Sofitel. Wear something formal.
We have a date tonight! At last, inaya ako ni
Andy magdate. That’s a starter, right? Lagi na lang
ako ang nag iinitiate na magdate kami eh. At least,
siya na ang nag aaya ngayon. That’s probably a good
news.
“Mom, can i go out?”
“Let’s have breakfast first, darling.”
“But i have to go to the mall. Dun na lang ako
kakain, i think?”
“No. Let’s eat together like a family.” Like a
family? Ynna’s not even here. “Since when we
became a family, mom?”
“Jamie, stop acting like a brat!”
“I’m not a brat, mom. I’m just saying that we
can’t eat like a family because Ynna’s not even here.
Can you get what i’m saying?”
“Call her Ate Ynna, Jamie. For God’s sake, give
some respect to her.. Ate mo pa din siya..” I

164
shouldn’t respect her. She’s a btch for all i care.
“She never treated me like a sister, so why should
i respect her? Bigla bigla na lang siyang nawawala.
Malalaman ko na lang na nasa States siya kasama
ang isang lalaking Cyriel ang pangalan, and i don’t
even know who the hell that guy is! And guess
what? Sa katulong ko pa ’yun nalaman, mom! Mas
may alam pa yung mga katulong kaysa sa akin na
sarili niyang kapatid! Now tell me, should i respect
her?”
She’s speechless, “I gotta go.”
My life is a crap. Buti na lang nandyan si Andy.
I’d die kung iiwan niya ako..

Dana’s Point of View

“Everything’s settled?” I called Andy. Tonight’s
the night.
“Yeah. But you promised me that after this,
titigilan mo na si Jamie.”
“Yeah, sure. O siya, break a leg, lover boy.”

165
 Then the line went dead. I think this calls for a
celebration. Tatawagan ko nga sila Sara, i’m sure
she’ll be overwhelmed by this news.

Jamie’s Point of View

Nandito na ako sa Sofitel. Wala naman kasing
sinabing specific place si Andy kaya nandito muna
ako sa entrance.
Biglang may lumapit na lalaki, “Ms. Jamie
Henares?” Then i nodded, “Flowers for you,
madame.”
Tinanggap ko yung flowers tapos binasa ko yung
card, ang nakalagay:
To the prettiest lady i ever laid my eyes upon
—Andy
Si Andy talaga.. “This way madame..” Then he
led me to a private room. Pagbukas ko ng pinto,
nandun si Andy. Lumapit ako the i kissed him. I
really love this guy!
“Let’s eat?” He smiled, “Hindi ko kasi alam kung
ano ang gusto mong kainin eh, sorry.” Yeah. Wala

166
siyang alam tungkol sa akin. Ako lang ang may alam
tungkol sa kanya, but still, i know we can work
things out..
“That’s alright. It’s the thought that counts,
right?” Then he smiled. Tapos kumain na kami.
After namin kumain, tumayo si Andy at lumapit sa
akin, “Can i have this dance?”
“Sure, Mr. Guzman.” Then i stood up, and went
near him. Then music started playing,
See how she’s lookin in my eyes. Any guy would
kill for that. She’s a beautiful girl and she’s into me
but I’m too busy still looking back. Now I’m walking
her to the door tryin’ to kiss her goodnight.
Something inside just don’t feel right..
“Andy, b-bakit ganyan ’yung kanta?” 
“Jamie, i know you love me and i appreciate
that.”
My friends tell me I gotta give it up so I’ve been
trying to move on. But my hearts still caught and my
heads not clear of the pictures from before you were
gone. And I never wanna hurt no one. Tryin’ to
forget your name. Something inside just don’t feel
the same..

167
 “But i still love her and you know that. You’re
beautiful, Jamie. I’m sure makakahanap ka din ng
lalaking magmamahal sa’yo ng katulad ng
pagmamahal ko kay Dana..”
She’s not you. And I don’t know what to say. But
I’ll say it anyway. No matter what I do. I can’t
believe the lie. And I just can’t see it through. No,
she’s not you..
“Can’t you love me, Andy? Kahit konti lang?”
“I tried, Jamie.. I really tried. Pero si Dana talaga
ang gusto ko.. Kapag kasama kita, si Dana lang ang
naiisip ko. Kung kamusta na siya, kumain na kaya
siya, nagagalit na naman kaya siya, puro na lang
siya. Mababaliw na ako kapag hindi ko siyaa nakita,
Jamie. Naramdaman mo na ba ’yun?”
I didn’t know it would hurt this bad..
“Nararamdaman ko ’yun, Andy! Mahal kita!
Kapag hindi tayo magkasama lagi kong iniisip kung
kamusta ka na ba, kung kumain ka na, kung ano ang
iniisip mo! Kahit kapag magkasama tayo iniisip ko
kung si Dana ba yang laman ng isip mo. Alam mo
’yun? Nababaliw na ko. Nasasaktan na ako!”
Woke up in the middle of the night. Started
reaching for the phone. Had to take a breath and

168
remind myself that you said you needed time alone.
Didn’t know what I wanted then and I know I let you
down. Baby I know what I gotta do now..
“I’m sorry, Jamie..”
“Ginamit mo lang ako!”
“I’m sorry..”
“I hate you! 
She’s not you. And I don’t know what to say. But
I’ll say it anyway. No matter what I do. I can’t
believe the lie. And I just can’t see it through. No,
she’s not you..
“I’m really sorry.. I love Dana, and she’s not
you..” 

Andy’s Point of View

“I’m really sorry.. I love Dana, and she’s not
you..” 
That’s it. Aalis na ako. Hindi ko na kayang
makitang umiiyak si Jamie.

169
 “Sana makahanap ka ng lalaking para sa’yo,
Jamie. Good luck and good bye..”
Sana naman maging maayos na ang lahat. Ang
dami ng nangyari, ang dami nang nasaktan. I hope
it’s all worth it. Sorry talaga, Jamie.

Dana’s Point of View

“Andy? Nandito kami sa bar ni Dave. Uhuh.
Sure, sunod ka na lang dito. Bye.” As i have said,
nandito kami sa bar ni Dave. Celebration, baby. At
long last, napatumba na din namin si Jamie. 
“Si Andy? Akala ko ba hindi siya
makakarating?”
“I thought so. Eh tapos na pala yung date nila ni
Jamie eh.” I wonder kung ano kaya ang nangyari?
Excited na akong malaman ang details.
“What?! Pinayagan mong magdate si Andy at
Jamie? Seriously, what has gotten into you?” KIm
said. Oo nga pala, wala siya dito kahapon.
“Chill, alright? Andy and I, we’re good. Let’s just
say na farewell date yung nangyari. I’m being good

170
here, can’t you see? Pinapasaya ko muna si Little J
bago niya marealize na talo siya.”
“Grabe, Dana. Pinagawa mo yun kay Andy? Sa
ilang taon naming pagkakaibigan, hindi pa
nagpaiyak ng babae ’yan. Sabihin na nating player
siya, pero hindi siya nagpapaiyak. Para sa kanya,
minamahal dapat ang babae, hindi sinasaktan..” Pero
okay lang naman yun di ba? Binabalik ko lang
naman yung ginawa ni Jamie sa’kin.
“Shut up, Honey. Namumutla na si Dana oh.”
Biglang lumapit si Sara sa’kin, “It’ll be alright,
okay? Hindi na bata si Jamie. For sure nakadanas na
ng break up ’yan. She’ll know what to do.”
She’s right. I don’t need to feel guilty.
“Si Andy oh.”
He’s here. “Andy..”
He smiled, “Oh. Kumpleto pala tayo.”
“Yeah. Come on, ano ang nangyari? How was
Jamie?”
He sighed, “I don’t wanna talk about that. Sorry.
Let’s just drink.”

171
 Andy’s Point of View
“Guys, labas muna ako. May naiwan ako sa
sasakyan eh.” Lumabas muna ako ng bar. I need
some fresh air. I feel guilty and suffocated.
“Pare, i know you. Ano ba yung nangyari?” Si
Dave. Sinundan niya pala ako. “I don’t know, Dave.
Nagguilty ako. Iyak ng iyak si Jamie kanina.
Pakiramdam ko ang sama sama kong tao.” Kung
nakita niyo lang yung itsura niya, maaawa din kayo
sa kanya.
“Bakit mo nga ba ginawa ’yun, in the first place?
I know you, Andy. Wala sa bokabularyo mo ang
magpaiyak ng babae..”
“Si Dana kasi eh. Gusto niyang gawin ko yun
para maging kami. You know how much i love
Dana. Gagawin ko lahat makuha ko lang siya.”
“I know. Kahit nga kaibigan natin tinalo mo eh.” 
Yeah. Kaibigan ko inagawan ko. Nagsinungaling
pa ako.
“Ayoko ng pag usapan ’yun.”
“Alright. So, ano na plano mo ngayon?”

172
 “Liligawan ko si Dana. Tapos magiging kami.
Ayun.” ’Yun lang naman ang gusto ko eh.
“Pag naging kayo tapos dumating si Cy, ano
gagawin mo?”
“Sana lang dumating siya pag mahal na mahal na
ako ni Dana.” Yung mahal na mahal niya ako na ako
na yung pipiliin niya kapag pinapili siya sa amin ni
Cyriel..

Jamie’s Point of View

“Miss, ano’ng ginagawa mo dyan?! Wag kang
gagalaw! Mahuhulog ka!” 
“Sabihin mo sa kanila, wala silang kwentang
lahat! Sa magulang ko, puro sila Ynna, Ynna, Ynna!
Magsama-sama sila! Sabihin mo din kay Andy, kahit
ginago niya ako, mahal na mahal ko pa din siya,
alagaan sana siya ni Dana..”
“Missssss!!”

173
 Chapter 26

Chapter 26
Sara Gomez
calling..
“Why?” Ang aga— aga tumatawag na agad,
“Where the hell on earth are you?!”
“Chill. Ano bang problema mo? Ang aga aga pa
eh.”
“Seriously, Dana, pumunta ka na dito sa school.
Ngayon na!”
“Give me a good reason kung bakit ako pupunta
jan.” Inaantok pa kasi talaga ako. 7 a.m. pa lang, 10
pa ang start ng klase ko.
“Jamie Henares. I think that’s good enough. Now,
get up and go here. A-S-A-P!” Call ended.
Seriously, kung hindi mahalaga yung sasabihin niya,
magagalit talaga ako sa kanya!
The moment i went out of my car, napansin ko
agad yung mga reporter sa harap ng Admin.
building. Ano ba ang meron sa school namin

174
ngayon? Oh well. Paano ko malalaman eh ni hindi
nga ako nanonood ng balita o nagbabasa ng dyaryo.
“What?!” I asked them. Nakatingin kasi silang
lahat sa akin tapos lumapit sa akin si Sara at may
binigay sa akin na newspaper, “This explains why,
Dana..”
Manila Times
“Gov. Henares’ daughter, Jamie Henares, died of
committing suicde.”
“Oh God.” That’s the headline. As i read the
latter part of the report, “Si Andy?” Hindi sila lahat
sumagot.
“Fck it! Dave, nasan si Andy?!”
“Hindi ko alam. Kanina ko pa siya tinatawagan,
hindi ko siya ma contact.”
Sht. Ano kaya ang nangyari kay Andy? 
“Where do you think you’re going?” Sara asked
me, “Pupunta ako sa kanila. I can’t sit here and wait
for him to come. Nag-aalala ako, Sara! Baka kung
ano ang gawin nun!”
Baka sinisisi niya yung sarili niya..

175
 “Relax, Dana. It’s no use kung pupunta ka sa
bahay nila, tumawag na si Dave dun kanina at sinabi
ni Tita na umalis siya, alright?”
“Kahit na, Nof. Hindi ko kayang maghintay dito.
I’ll go nuts!”
“Shut up, Dana!” Kim shouted, “Wala namang
magagawa ’yang pag pa panic mo eh. What’s done
is done. Wala ng mangyayari.”
She’s right. Tapos na, wala ng rewind. Wala na si
Jamie. But si Andy.. Kailangan ako ni Andy
ngayon..
“Then tell me, what should i do? Relax? Kahit
nag aalala ako kung ano yung ginagawa ni Andy?
Kung baka sinisisi niya yung sarili niya sa nangyari
kay Jamie? Come on, tell me, Kim. Tell me!”
Tumahimik silang lahat. Ngayon lang ulit ako
sumigaw ng ganito. 
“DK, just breathe. Everything will be fine,
alright?” Nof said.
“I’m fine. I’m thinking about Andy.” 
“He’ll be fine. Trust me. Alam mo naman yung
nangyari kay Lynne di ba? He’d been through worst.
He can handle this one, Dana.” Dave assured me.

176
 Si Lynne..
Oh God! Baka nandun siya kay Lynne ngayon!
“San ka na naman pupunta?”
“Basta. I’ll just call you later.” Then off i go.
Andy, wait for me..

Andy’s Point of View

“Andrei, wake up!” 
“Mmm. Mom, ang aga-aga pa. I wanna sleep.”
Then i covered myself with my pillow.
“I’m serious, Andrei. Wake up!” Ano bang
problema ng mga tao ngayon? Gusto ko lang
namang matulog eh. Tss
“What now?” May binigay siyang dyaryo,
“Mamaya ko na lang babasahin yan, mom. Let me
sleep first.” Then i gave her back the newspaper.
“Andrei, i’m not fooling around. Read the
headline!”
“Alright, alright.” Umupo na ako sa kama ko
tapos binuksan ko yung dyaryo, “Gov. Hena--—

177
Sht.!”
Oh Sht!
“What now, Andrei? Ano’ng nangyari kay
Jamie?”
“Andrei? San ka pupunta? Andrei?!”
“Aalis ako, mom. I’ll explain later. Please. I need
to go.” Tapos umalis na ako. Tangina, Andy! Tignan
mo yung ginawa mo! Ang tanga tanga mo talaga!
Sumakay na ako sa sasakyan ko. Nagdrive ako.
Hindi ko alam kung san ako pupunta. Ang ggo ko
talaga!
Dave Cruz
calling..
I turned off my phone. Sorry, pare. Ayoko ng may
kausap ngayon.
Kanina pa ako nagddrive hanggang makarating
ako dito, “Lynne.. I need you..” Hindi ko alam
umiiyak na pala ako.
“Bakit nauulit na naman yung nangyari? Talaga
bang kailangan may mamatay para lang sumaya
ako?”

178
 Dana’s Point of View
“Bakit nauulit na naman yung nangyari? Talaga
bang kailangan may mamatay para lang sumaya
ako?”
Si Andy..
I went near him and hugged him from behind,
“Andy..”
Hindi pa din siya nagsasalita..
Tahimik lang siya pero alam kong umiiyak siya..
“I’m sorry. Wag ka ng umiyak, please! Andy
naman! Wag ka ng umiyak..”
“I’m sorry kung naging immature ako, kung
naging selfish ako, kung ginamit kita para saktan si
Jamie. Andy, please wag kang maguilty. Wag mong
sisihin yung sarili mo. Ako yung may kasalanan..”
Hindi pa din siya humaharap.
“Kausapin mo naman ako..”
“Andy..”
“I love you, Andy..”

179
 Humarap na siya.
“I love you, Dana. Pero sana wag mong sabihing
mahal mo ako dahil lang nagguilty ka.. Wag mo
naman akong paglaruan.”
Tapos tumayo na siya at umalis. Ano ba talaga,
Andy?!

Sara’s Point of View

“Ano na kaya ang nangyari sa dalawa na ’yun?”
Nandito kami sa caf ngayon. Hinihintay namin si
Dana at Andy. Buti na lang wala yung prof. ko
ngayon.
“Hindi ko alam. Ano ba talaga yung nangyari kay
Jamie?” 
“Sabi dun sa newspaper, tumalon daw ng
building. Rooftop. Cause of death: Internal
hemorrage tsaka fracture sa skull.”
“Tsk. Grabe naman pala. Ano’ng floor ba yung
tinalunan niya?” Tanong ni Kim.
“Rooftop nga di ba?” Sabi naman ni Nof. Ang
pilosopo talaga nito =___=

180
 “I know! What i mean is, gaano ba kataas yung
building?” Tapos inirapan niya si Nof. Parang bata
lang eh.
“38 floors yung building, bale pang 39 yung
rooftop.” Ang taas pala nun. No wonder, hindi siya
nakaligtas.
“Grabe! Kaya naman pala siya namatay eh. Ang
taas pala nung building na ’yun!”
“Guys, tignan nyo yung TV!” Sabi ni Nof, kaya
tumingin kami sa TV. May TV kasi sa caf eh.
“…ayon sa pagsisiyasat, nagpakamatay umano
ang anak ng gobernador dahil sa paghihiwalay nila
ng kasintahan. Hindi pa din matukoy kung ito nga
ba o mayroon pang ibang dahilan kung bakit ito
nagpakamatay..”
Sht. Paano pag kumalat na si Andy yung
boyfriend ni Jamie? Ano na ang mangyayari kay
Andy at Dana?
“Guys, alis na muna ako.” Sabi ni honeybabes.
“San ka pupunta?”
“Uuwi. Tawag ako ni mama eh. Tawagan na lang
kita. I love you.” Umalis na siya.

181
 Dave’s Point of View
From: Andy Guzman
Dito ko sa bahay niyo. Sa kwarto mo muna ko.
Kailangan ko ng umuwi. Baka kung ano na
gawin ng lalaking yun eh.
“Guys, alis na muna ako.”
“San ka pupunta?” Tanong ni Sara. Ayokong
magsinungaling pero kailangan eh. Sorry.
“Uuwi. Tawag ako ni mama eh. Tawagan na lang
kita. I love you.”
Nagdrive na ako papunta sa amin. After 20 mins.
nandun na ako.
Pagpasok ko sa kwarto nakita ko yung mga gamit
ni Andy nasa kama ko. Wala naman siya sa kwarto
kaya lumabas ako. Nandun siya sa mini bar.
Umiinom.
Inagaw ko yung baso niya, “Ang aga-aga pa eh.”
“Nagguilty ako.. Akin na nga yan.” Kinuha niya
ulit yung baso.

182
 “Alam mo, parang ganito din yung nangyari dati
sakin eh. Bakit lagi na lang may namamatay na
babaeng napalapit sa akin? Sa tingin mo ba malas
ako?”
Ayoko ng ganito si Andy eh. Nung namatay si
Lynne, hindi mo siya makakausap ng matino.
Nagsimula siyang maglasing tsaka manigarilyo.
Sana hindi maulit ’yun ngayon.
“Alam mong wala kang kasalanan, Andy..”
“Napanood ko sa TV, Dave! Nagpakamatay daw
siya dahil nakipagbreak yung boyfriend niya. Ako
yun, Dave! Ako!”
“Pero hindi mo naman talaga siya girlfriend, di
ba?”
“Kahit na. Tangina naman! Nagguilty talaga
ako!”
Sht. Ano ba ang sasabihin ko?
“Si Dana, Andy. Umayos ka kahit para kay
Dana.”
“…”
Hindi siya nagsalita, nagkita na kaya sila ni
Dana?

183
 “Tell me, sinisisi mo ba si Dana sa nangyari?”
Technically, si Dana ang pumilit kay Andy na
makipagbreak.
Huminga siya ng malalim, “Hindi. Hindi ko siya
sinisisi, hindi ko siya sisisihin dahil hindi ko siya
kayang sisihin.” Tapos uminom ulit siya, “Ako yung
may kasalanan eh. Kung hindi ako ggo, eh di sana
nung nakaalala na ulit ako, iniwan ko siya. Eh ang
ggo ko, pinagpatuloy ko pa din kahit alam ko na
yung totoo. Kung nagpakalalaki lang sana ako noon,
eh di hindi sana siya nagpakamatay ngayon. Tangina
talaga!”
“Ano’ng plano mo ngayon?”
“Ewan ko. Dito muna ako matutulog. Ayokong
umuwi sa’min eh. Pag tinanong ka ni Dana, sabihin
mo hindi mo alam, okay?” Tapos umalis na siya at
pumunta sa kwarto ko.
Hay, Dana. Ang swerte mo talaga at mahal na
mahal ka ni Andy.

Dana’s Point of View

calling..

184
 Andy Guzman
Andy naman eh! Sagutin mo nga yung tawag ko!
Aish. Cannot be reached na. Bwisit naman eh!
calling..
Dave Cruz
“Hello? Dave? Anjan ba si Andy?”
“Nandito nga siya. Pero wag kang pumunta.
Bukas na lang, okay? Ayaw niyang makipag usap
ngayon eh. Intindihin mo muna siya.”
“Sige, sige. Ikaw na muna ang bahala sa kanya.”
Call ended.
Aish. Ano ang gagawin ko ngayon?
Pumunta ako ng school ngayon. Pupuntahan ko
na lang sila Sara. Habang naglalakad ako,
pinagcchismisan ako ng mga babae.
“Di ba siya yung laging kasama ni Andrei? Baka
siya yung dahilan kaya nagbreak si Jamie at Andrei.
Tss. Grabe..”
“Kawawa naman si Jamie.. Grabe talaga si DK..”

185
 “Naaalala mo pa nung first year? Di ba inagawan
niya din si Ynna? Yung kapatid ni Jamie? Grabe,
ang laki ng galit niya sa mga Henares noh?”
Nakakainis! Pwede bang magchismisan sila eh
sana yung hindi ko naman naririnig?!
Huminto ako sa paglalakad, “Kung wala kayong
magawang matino, bakit hindi na lang din kayo
tumalon sa rooftop para magka thrill naman ang
boring niyong mga buhay?! Mga bwisit!” Tapos
umalis na ako..
“Dana!” Lumapit sila sa akin tapos niyakap ako,
“Ano? Okay ka lang ba?”
“Okay lang ako. Pwede bang sa unit ko muna
kayo matulog tatlo?”
“Sure. Sige. Hintayin lang natin si Kim,
matataapos na naman ang klase niya eh.”
Hinintay namin si Kim tapos pumunta na kami sa
unit ko. Haay.
“Guys, ano? Ako ba yung may kasalanan? Am i a
murderer?” I asked them. Pilit kong pinapasok sa
isip ko na wala akong kasalanan, pero kahit anong
gawin ko, deep inside, alam kong may kasalanan
ako.. I contributed to her death..

186
 “Wala kang kasalanan, alright? Wag mong sisihin
ang sarili mo..”
“Oo nga. Malay mo ba na marami palang
problema si Jamie.”
“Right. And she’s not that dumb naman siguro
para magpakamatay para lang kay Andy. That’s too
lame..”
Sana nga tama sila. Sana nga wala kaming
kasalanan ni Andy. Sana nga..
“But what will i do now? Ayaw akong kausapin
ni Andy. Iniiwasan niya ako.”
“Pano mo naman nalaman? Nagkita na ba kayo
ngayon?” Sara asked.
“Yeah. Kanina sa cemetery, sa puntod ni Lynne.”
“Lynne?” Sabay na tanong ni Kim at Nof.
“Lynne. Andy’s first girlfriend.” Mejo na shock
sila sa narinig nila. Akala kasi nila, ako ang unang
girlfriend ni Andy..
“She’s dead, right? But why?” Kinwento ko sa
kanila yung nangyari kay Lynne, from the start up to
now. As i was telling the story, napansin ko, ang

187
dami na pala naming napagdaanan ni Andy. 3 years
na kaming magkakilala. Ang tagal na din pala.
“Grabe. Tama nga si Dave, he’d been through
worst. Kakayanin ’to ni Andy, DK. Rest assured.”
Nof told me. Sana nga. Sana nga may assurance
ako. 
“Teka, teka. Alam mo ba kung nasan si Andy
ngayon?”
“Kila Dave..”
“What?!” Sigaw ni Sara, “Ang lalaking yun!
Hindi man lang sinabi sa’kin!!”
“Relax naman. Hindi naman siguro sinasadya ni
Dave na magtago sa’yo. Afterall, best friends din
sila ni Andy, Sara.”
“Tama si Nof. Si Andy ang nakiusap na wag
ipaalam sa atin na nandun siya. Wag ka ng magalit
kay Dave.”
“Fine, fine. Pero bukas na bukas, pupunta tayo
dun. Kailangan niyo ng mag usap. Wag niyo na
’tong patagalin. Ayusin na ang dapat ayusin.”
Pagkatapos naming magkwentuhan, natulog na
kami. Mag uusap tayo bukas, Andy!

188
 Chapter 27

Chapter 27
“Dana, wake up.”
“Mmm.”
“Hey!” Someone’s shaking me. Fck it =___=
“What?! Past 1 na ako nakatulog. Let me sleep,
guys.” I said then i went back to bed. Hindi ako
nakatulog kagabi because of Andy. I’m freakin’
worried. 
“Fine then. Kami na lang ang pupunta kila Dave.
Suit yourself.” Nof said then i heard the door being
closed.
I didn’t bother running after them. Susunod na
lang ako. 6 am pa lang naman eh. But i grabbed my
phone and texted Sara.
To: Sara Gomez
Be there before 8. Sorry.
Then i tried to sleep again..
“I hate you, DK!”

189
 Si Jamie.. I thought she’s dead?
“I hate you, DK!”
“I hate you, DK!”
She’s coming near me..
“I hate you, DK!”
She’s suffocating me! Someone help.. Andy..
“I hate you, DK!”
“Aaaagh!!” Napaupo ako sa kama. It’s just a
dream, Dana. Hindi totoo yun. Calm down.
Panaginip lang yun. Jamie’s dead. She’s gone..
Forever. At wala kang kasalanan. You’re innocent.
Hindi mo ginustong mamatay siya..
After that freaky nightmare, naligo na ako at
nagbihis. Before 8, nakila Dave na ako. I went inside
their house. Kilala na naman ako ng guards dito eh,
so no worry.
As i entered their house, pumunta agad ako sa
mini bar. I don’t know, it’s just that feeling ko,
nandun si Andy..
And there he is.. “Andy..” I went near him and
stared at his eyes pero hindi siya nakatingin sa akin.

190
His eyes are glued on the floor. But i can see the
dark circles around his eyes. He’s been up all night. 
“We should probably go.” Dave said.
“I think so, too.” Kim said. 
Then biglang lumapit sa akin si Sara, “Talk to
him, alright? He loves you, Dana. That’s one thing
we are all sure of.” Then she kissed my cheeks,
“Good luck. Malalampasan niyo din yan..”
Kami na lang ni Andy ang nandito.
“Andy, talk to me.”
No use, hindi pa din siya nagsasalita.
“Come on! Magsalita ka! Sisihin mo ako, magalit
ka sa akin! Curse me all you want! But don’t you
ever try not speak to me!” I shouted. Nahihirapan na
ako. Hindi ako sanay na hindi siya nagsasalita.
Sanay ako na lagi siyang may sinasabi sa akin. Mas
gusto ko pa na sisihin niya ako sa nangyari, that
would be better. Pero yung ganito na hindi niya ako
kinakausap? It sucks. It’s worst.
Hindi pa din siya nagsasalita, instead, tumayo
siya fom the stool and started walking away.

191
 “Bullsht!” Binato ko yung baso. I don’t care kung
maubos ko lahat ng wine glass nila dito! Naiinis na
ako!
Huminto siya sa paglalakad.
“Alam ko naman na ako yung may kasalanan eh.
Ang tanga tanga ko. Ang ggo ggo ko! Ang immature
ko para patulan siya. Alam ko, Andy. Alam ko.
Sabihin na nilang ako yung may kasalanan, ako
yung may mali. Wala naman akong pakielam eh.”
I paused, hindi ko mapigilan, naiiyak na ako.
Nanginginig na yung boses ko.
“Mahal kita eh. Alam mo yun? Alam mo yung
masakit? Yung sinabi mo na pinaglalaruan kita!
Tangina naman kasi! Minsan ko na nga lang sabihin
yun, hindi pa ako paniniwalaan. Alam mo kung gano
kasakit yun? Tagos, Andy. Tagos.”
Tapos tinuro ko yung puso ko.
“Sabi nila, nagpakamatay daw siya dahil iniwan
mo siya. Ako yung sinisisi nila. Tangina lang! Isa
lang naman yung kasalanan ko eh.. Yung inamin
kong mahal kita. Yun lang yung kasalanan ko, Andy.
Yun lang.”

192
 Pagkatapos, tumalikod na ako. Hindi ko na kaya,
hindi na ako makahinga..
Maglalakad na ako papalayo pero Andy hugged
me from behind, “I love you.”
Yun lang yung sinabi niya pero ang saya saya ng
pakiramdam ko..
“We’ll figure things out..”
“Hindi ka na galit sa akin?”
“Sino ba’ng nagsabing galit ako sa’yo?”
“You were not talking to me..”
“I was thinking.”
“Thinking about what?” This time, humarap na
ako sa kanya, with tears on my face.
Pinunasan niya yung luha ko habang sinasabing,
“Iniisip ko kung paano ako magrreact ng hindi mo
sisisihin yung sarili mo..”
Oh God.
“I love you that much, Dana. Ayokong
makaramdam ka ng guilt. I’ll take all the blame, wag
ka lang madamay dito.”

193
 Hindi ako makapagsalita.
“I’m sorry kung pinag alala kita.. I should’ve
have talked to you..”
All these time, ako na naman ang iniisip niya.
Tama nga sila Dave, ang swerte ko kay Andy..
“I-I don’t know what to say..”
Then he hugged me again, “It’s alright. Ako na
ang bahala..”
“Ano’ng balak mo?”
“I have no plans yet. I’ll let you know when i
have one.”
“What about us, Andy?” Kami ba? Hindi? What?
“Maybe.. I’ll stop courting you..”
Napaalis ako sa yakap, “You’ll what?!”
“I said i’ll stop courting you.” Is he serious?
“Ano? Bakit?!”
“I don’t want people blaming you pag nalaman
nilang ikaw ang nililigawan ko right after Jamie
died..”

194
 “But i can handle that..” I know i can. I’m used to
people judging me, right?
“Alam ko.”
“Alam mo naman pala eh. Bakit mo to
ginagawa?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Ano tayo ngayon? Friends with benefits?
Ganon?” 
He looked straight into my eyes, “I love you and
you have my heart. I think that’s more than enough.”
So there we are, FRIENDS. Ang dami nang
nangyari. Three years na nga, di ba? Ang dami na
naming pinagdaanan ni Andy eh. Pero sa dinami
dami nun, we’re not together as a couple. We’ve
been friends, friends with benefits, friends, enemies,
friends again, almost lovers, and now, back to being
friends. Kailan kaya magiging kami talaga? Yung
may committment talaga. Yung masasabi ko na
boyfriend ko siya at girlfriend niya ako.
“So, are we going to Jamie’s wake?” Kim asked,
first day kasi ng burial ni Jamie. I don’t know if we
should go or not.
“I don’t know..”

195
 Half of me says that we should go and at least
pay some respect, but the other half says not to go..
“Maybe tomorrow?” I said. Siguro naman bukas,
okay na ako.
“Then it’s settled. We’ll go tomorrow.” Dave
said.
“So, uuwi na kami. It’s been a long day.”
Then we said bye. Hinatid ni Dave si Sara, Kim,
at Nof. Kami na lang ni Andy ang naiwan dito.
“I think we should go first tomorrow.” Andy said.
“I think so, too.”
Kinabukasan, sinabi namin sa kanila na mauna na
kaming pupunta. Kailangan naming makausap yung
parents ni Jamie ng kaming dalawa lang ni Andy.
We should explain. We owe them an explanation.
That’s the least we can do..
Then we went to the place where Jamie’s burial
was taking place. 2nd day na ng lamay niya..
Natatakot akong lumabas ng sasakyan, pero
Andy held my hand, “All will be fine.” Then he
kissed my forehead.

196
 Papasok kami sa loob, ang daming tao. Mga
reporters, kaibigan ni Jamie, kapamilya niya, mga
kaibigan niya from St. Claire’s..
We went straight in front, kung san nandun ang
parents ni Jamie..
“Our deepest condolences, Mr. and Mrs.
Henares..” I said.
“I’m sorry for you loss.. And I was her boyfriend,
sir..” That’s what Andy said. Tinignan siya ng daddy
ni Jamie in the eyes tapos pinapunta kami sa private
room. Me, Andy, Jamie’s mom and dad.
“I’m very sorry, sir!” Andy said while bowing his
head. At nung tinaas niya yung ulo niya..
*Punch*
Jamie’s dad punched Andy kaya napasubsob siya
sa sahig.
“That’s for hurting my daughter, you a hole!
Kung hindi mo siya kayang mahalin, sana man lang
hindi mo siya pinaglaruan! Ggo ka!” He said.
“I’m sorry.” Andy said.
Naglakad na papalayo si Mr. Henares then he
went out. Nandito pa si Mrs. Henares. Nilapitan ko

197
si Andy, may cut siya sa lips, dumudugo.
Tinulungan ko siyang tumayo.
“Are you alright?”
“Okay lang ako..”
“I’m very sorry for my husband’s attitude.” Mrs.
Henares said, “He’s still in shock.. Alam niyo
namang bunso naming anak si Jamie..”
“We understand, ma’am.” I said.
“Pero para sa ikagagaan ng loob niyo, sasabihin
ko sa inyo ang nangyari nung gabing tumalon si
Jamie sa rooftop ayon sa witness..”
Nagsimula siyang ikwento yung mga sinabi ni
Jamie bago siya mamatay. Umiiyak siya habang
nagsasalita. It’s very painful, i know. Alam ko ang
pakiramdam ng mawalan. Nawalan ako ng kapatid
eh.
“Hindi lang si Andy ang dahilan.. Kasalanan din
namin ng asawa ko, masyado namin siyang
napabayaan kaya akala niya walang nagmamahal sa
kanya. Puro kami trabaho eh, akala naman namin
okay na naibibigay namin lahat ng kailangan niya.
But then, that was not enough, sinabi niya before she

198
jumped na hindi niya naramdaman na mahal namin
siya.”
All along, hindi pala masaya si Jamie. She was
unhappy all her life. Ang sama ko. It sucks to be me.
“Sinabi niya din na mahal na mahal niya si
Andy.. Hindi siya galit sa inyo.. Sana lang daw,
mahalin mo siya ng kagaya ng pagmamahal ng anak
ko sa kanya.. You’re one lucky guy, Andy. Mahal na
mahal ka ng anak ko. Even before her death, ikaw pa
din ang iniisip niya.”
And that’s it. I started crying. I’m very sorry,
Jamie. If i could only take back time.. Kung hindi ka
lang niya kapatid, maybe we’ll be good friends..
Tahimik lang kaming tatlo, patuloy na
tinatanggap yung mga pangyayari. Ang hirap din
kasi, masyadong mabilis..
*knock knock*
May pumasok na katulong, “Madam, nandyan na
po si Senorita Ynna kasama si Sir Cyriel..”
Oh God. Not now.

199
 Chapter 28

Chapter 28
Sara’s Point of View
“Yeah. On the way na kami. Uhuh. Sure, kita kita
na lang tayo dun. Yeah. Bye.” 
Dave’s looking at me, “Hey, don’t look at me like
that. Si Nof lang yung kausap ko, alright?”
“Why are you even explaining?” Then he
laughed. I really love Dave! I swear, “So, shall we
go?” Then he offered his arms.
“I think we shall go.”
Then we went to Jamie’s wake. Sabi ni Dana,
mas mauuna na daw silang pumunta kaya nagsabay
na lang kami nila Nof at Kim.
“Babe, mauna ka na, may hinahanap lang ako sa
purse ko.” Tapos pumasok na si Dave. Nasan na ba
yung phone ko?!
San ko ba nilagay yun? 

200
 Ah, nasa purse ko nga pala. Tss.
Napakamakakalimutin ko naman.
Habang naglalakad ako, hinahanap ko pa yung
phone ko sa purse but then, may nakabunggo ako
kaya nalaglag lahat ng laman ng purse ko.
Habang pinupulot ko yung mga nahulog, “Miss,
i’m sorry, hindi ako tumi--— Oh my God!”
Ynna’s back!
“It’s fine. No damage done.” Then she started
walking, “Nice seeing you again, Sara. I didn’t
expect na sa lamay pa ng kapatid ko tayo
magkikita..” Then she left.
With Jamie’s death and Ynna’s return,
Oh God. What can be more complicated than
this?!

Dave’s Point of View

“Babe, mauna ka na, may hinahanap lang ako sa
purse ko.” Tapos umalis na ako. Ang daming tao
dito. Nasan na ba si Andy at Dana?
calling…

201
 Andy Guzman
“Unavailable. Psh.” 
Habang naglalakad ako, nakita ko yung isa kong
kaibigan sa St. Claire’s, “Pare, nakita mo ba si Andy
sa loob?”
“Hindi ko nakita eh.”
“Sige. Salamat na lang.”
Nasan na ba yung lalaking yun?
Biglang may nagsalita sa likod ko, “I think i saw
him talking to Jamie and Ynna’s parents.”
Nung haharap na ako para magpasalamat,
“Cyriel?!”
“Surprised? I’ll take that as a welcome home. See
you around, pare.”
See you around? Ibig sabihin, he’ll be staying
here for good?
What can be more complicated than this?!

Nof’s Point of View

202
 “Ang bagal bagal mo kasing kumilos. Late na
tuloy tayo!” Pano ba naman kasi, ang tagal tagal
magbihis ni Kim! Nakakainis.
“FYI, hindi naman party ang pupuntahan natin
kaya bakit ka ba nagmamadali?!”
“FYI din, hindi nga party ang pupuntahan natin
pero kung maka outfit ka, parang party tong lamay
ni Jamie.” Tapos inirapan niya ako. The hell.
Spoiled brat alert. Psh.
Habang naglalakad kami, may narinig kaming
mga nagcchismisan. Haay. Hindi talaga nabubuhay
ang mga tga St. Claire’s ng walang chismis.
“Narinig niyo na ba? Bumalik na daw si Cyriel!”
“OMG!! I want to see him na!”
Cyriel? Sounds familiar. San ko nga ba narinig
yung pangalan na yun?
“Hey.” Naputol yung pag iisip ko kung sino ba
yung Cyriel na yun ng dumating si Dave at Sara. 
“What’s with the face? Pareho kayong
namumutla? Don’t tell me nakakita kayo ng multo?”
Then we laughed. Nakita kaya nila si Jamie?
Hahaha. Oops. Sorry, Jamie. Rest in peace.

203
 “Yeah. We saw ghosts.” Sara said.
“Ghosts from the past.”

Dana’s Point of View

“I should go now, Andy and Dana. My daughter
already arrived from New York.” Then Mrs. Henares
went out.
Hindi pa rin ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko.
Come on, Dana! Si Cyriel lang yun! What’s with
suddenly being so nervous?! He’s just a part of your
past! Ex mo lang siya. EX = TRASH. Pinaglumaan.
Pinagsawaan. So just get it over with.
“Let’s go.” Sabi ni Andy.
“Ano? Kakadating lang natin tapos gusto mo
umuwi na tayo agad?”
“Kaya lang naman tayo pumunta eh para
kausapin yung parents ni Jamie di ba? Nakausap na
natin sila so i think we should go now.”
“Maaga pa, Andy.”
Bigla siyang tumayo, “Bakit ba ayaw mong
umalis dito? Gusto mong makita si Cyriel?!”

204
Sinisigawan niya ako.
“Eh bakit mo ba ko sinisigawan?!”
“Hindi kita sinisigawan!”
“Eh anong tawag mo sa ginagawa mo?!”
Shoot. Nice. Very nice. Nag aaway na agad kami.
“Sige, lumabas ka na dun. Pumunta ka na sa
Cyriel mo.” Tapos bigla siyang tumalikod tsaka
naglakad paalis.
Hinabol ko siya tsaka hinawakan, “Ano ba kasing
problema mo ha, Andrei Guzman?!”
“Wala akong problema.” Tapos tinanggal niya
yung kamay ko sa braso niya, “Uuwi na ko.
Magpahatid ka na lang sa Cyriel mo.”
Oh My. Nagseselos ba siya?
“Are you jealous?” Tapos naglakad ako at
pumunta sa harap niya. Shet. Nagbblush siya. Ang
cute ^___^
“Ha? Bakit naman ako magseselos? Mas gwapo
naman ako dun. Tss.” Tapos tinalikuran niya ako.
Asus, nahihiya pang makita kong nagbblush siya.

205
 “Okay. Hindi ka naman pala nagseselos eh,
pupuntahan ko na si Cyriel dun.” Grabe, nasasabi ko
na talaga ang pangalang Cyriel!! Dati naiiyak ako
pag naririnig ko yun eh. I’m already one step ahead!
Way to go, Dana
Tapos naglakad na ako papalabas.
“Wag!” Sigaw ni Andy tapos nilapitan niya ako.
“Problema mo? Akala ko ba mas gwapo ka sa
kanya?” 
“Oo na. Alam ko namang mas gwapo siya sakin
eh!” Kailan pa nakaramdam ng insecurity tong
lalaking to? “Wala na kong pakielam dun. Pero
please, wag ka ng lumapit sa kanya..”
“Give me a good reason kung bakit ko gagawin
yun?”
“Kasi nagseselos ako.”
For real? Nagseselos at naiinsecure si Andy? Eh
ang ego maniac niya kaya!
“Why are you even jealous, mister?”
“Dahil ex mo siya.”
“Yun nga eh, ex ko siya. Past tense.”

206
 “Pero wala pang closure yung relationship niyo.
Technically speaking, kayo pa din..” Nakayuko siya
nung sinasabi niya yun. Pero totoo nga, walang
formal break up na nangyari. Parang poof, wala na
siya, wala na kami.
“Partly correct ka. Pero para sakin, wala na kami.
Ni hindi niya nga ako hinayaang magpaliwanag
eh..”
“But you still love him..”
“I love you, Andy. Yun na lang ang panghawakan
mo.” Then i kissed him.

St. Claire’s
It’s been five days since nailibing si Jamie.
Things are going as planned. 
“How long are we going to eat here, DK?!” Kim
complained. Wanna know where we are? Dito lang
naman sa old library.
“Honestly, i don’t know. Anyways, you’re all free
to go. I can handle.” I said to them.

207
 “Shut up. Alam mo namang hindi ka namin iiwan
eh. But Dana, hanggang kailan ka ba magtatago
dito? Hindi mo sila kayang pagtaguan habang
buhay.” Nof said.
“Nasa iisang school lang tayo. Ikaw, si Ynna, si
Cyriel, kami. We’re all studying here. It’s inevitable
that you will bump into each other sooner or later.”
You heard it right. Dito na ulit nag aaral si Ynna at
Cyriel. How happy can i get, right? My ex-boyfriend
and her hideous girlfriend right here in my school.
“That’s why i’m doing safety measures, my dear
best friend. And don’t you think it’s a nice idea to
eat here? Tignan mo, nagkakaron tayo ng bonding
moments.” I sarcastically said.
“Yeah right. I better go, magsisimula na ang klase
ko.” Then we decided to go. Magsisimula na din
pala ang class ko. Acads. Acads. Acads freak.
As i was walking, napadaan ako sa cafeteria. And
lo and behold, what a nice scene? Sinusubuan ni
Cyriel si Ynna. What a sweet couple, right?! 
Someone spoke behind me, “Jealous?”
“Of course not. Why would i when i have you all
for myself?” Then i kissed Andy.

208
 At the side of my eye, i saw Cyriel smirked at me
while we’re kissing.
I guess things change… And so is he…

209
 Chapter 29

Chapter 29
Andy Guzman
calling…
Ano na naman ba ang kailangan nito? Ang aga
aga pa eh. =___=
“What?! You better have a good reason for
waking me up this early.” I snared. The hell. 9 am pa
lang eh.
“Good morning, beautiful. 9 am na.”
“I know, right? Bakit ka nga tumawag.”
“Wala lang.” Then i heard him chuckle.
“The hell, Andy. Are you possessed?”
Kinikilabutan na ako kay Andy. Simula ng dumating
sila Cyriel, sobrang sweet. Define sweet? Flowers
every morning, chocolates every afternoon, teddy
bears every evening. Mabuti na lang at napilit ko
siya na itigil na yung pag hatid sundo sa akin. Kung
makikita niyo lang yung bahay namin, pwede na
akong magtayo ng flower shop at gift shop!

210
Pasalamat siya at natutuwa si mama at papa sa
kanya, not to mention na gusto siya ng maids dahil
sila ang kumakain ng chocolates na binibigay sa
akin. The hell talaga di ba?!
“Naah. In love lang.” See what i mean?
“Whatevs. Bye na nga. Ginising mo lang ako.”
And when i was about to end the call--— “Wait!”
“What?!”
“May gagawin ka ba ngayon?”
Ano nga ba ang gagawin ko ngayon? Ah, may
assignment kami sa Math102. Fashion design tapos
may higher math subjects kami. Kamusta naman
yun? =___=
“May assignment ako eh.”
“Ano’ng subject?”
“Math102”
“Ako na lang gagawa.”
“Seriously, Andy? Gusto mo bang bumagsak
ako?”

211
 “Ang sama mo =___= Fine, papagawa ko na lang
kay Dave. Sumama ka na sa akin?”
“Si Dave?”
“Yep. Na uno siya sa subject na yan eh.”
“Tss. Bakit pinapasa mo kay Dave? Palibasa
repeater ka sa subject na yun eh.” Then i laughed.
Unforgettable moment eh, si Andrei Guzman,
bumagsak?! Eh halimaw kaya yan sa Engineering
Sciences.
“Oo na. Wag mo ng ipaalala. Distracted kasi ako
nun eh. So, sasama ka na sa akin?”
“San ba tayo pupunta?”
“Ewan.” Tignan mo to, ang lakas mag aya tapos
wala naman palang plano.
“Ewan ko sa’yo.”
“Basta pupuntahan kita jan. Be ready before 11.
Bye. I love you!” Call ended.
Wow. Hindi PA siya nanliligaw niyan, ha? Pano
kaya pag nanliligaw na siya?!
Napilitan akong bumangon at maligo at
magbihis. Sana naman worth it ang mangyayari

212
ngayong araw. Supposedly, matutulog lang ako
dapat, pero dahil sa napakademanding na hindi ko
naman manliligaw na si Andy, nasira ang plano ko.
Quarter to 11 ng dumating si Andy. At
kasalukuyan akong nasa dining table kumakain
kasama si mama at papa.
“Nice timing, Andy. Alam na alam mo talaga pag
kumakain na kami.” Sarcastic kong sabi.
“Syempre. Approved naman ako kila Tito at Tita
eh. Pati sinasabi sakin nila Manang Lucing pag
kakain na kayo.” Tapos kinindatan niya yung mga
maids tapos lumapit siya at nagkiss kay mama pati
kay papa. Siya ang tunay na definition ng taong feel
at home.
“Oo naman, hijo. Ikaw lang naman ang
makapagpapatino dito kay Dana eh.” Yeah right. 
Tapos umupo na si Andy at kumain kasabay
namin.
“Kamusta ang thesis, hijo? Mukhang hindi ka
naman nahihirapan at lagi kang nandito sa bahay
namin.” Pabirong sabi ni papa. Pati papa ko nabili
na ni Andy =___=

213
 Tumawa si Andy, “Si Tito talaga. Nahihirapan
naman po ako pero syempre mas priority ko ang
anak niyo.”
“Pero mas unahin mo ang pag aaral mo at jan
nakasalalay ang future mo.”
“Pero si Dana po ang future ko..” 
O___o What the hell. He really said that in front
of my father!!
Bigla namang tumawa sina mama at papa, “Eto
talagang batang ito, puro biro.”
“Hindi po ako nagbibiro, si Dana lang ang
pumapasok sa isip ko pag future ko ang pinag
uusapan.”
Oh God. Kill me now. Nahihiya ako sa
pinagsasabi ni Andy.
“Kaya mo na bang buhayin ang anak ko?”
Seryosong tanong ni papa.
“Opo. Ayon sa family lawyer namin, kaya kong
mabuhay ng maayos buong buhay ko dahil sa
insurance ko, wala pa dun ang inheritance, wala pa
dun ang share ko sa company, wala pa dun ang
personal savings ko, at wala pa dun ang sweldo ko
in case na magtrabaho ako.”

214
 “Well then, kung mahal ka ng anak ko, i’m here
to support.”
What the hell?!
“Papa! Para namang pinamimigay niyo ako
niyan! Mama, gusto na akong ipakasal ni papa!
Wala ba kayong gagawin? Gusto niyo bang
magpakasal ang baby niyo?! At ikaw naman Andy!
Nababaliw ka na ba?!” Sunud— sunod kong sabi.
Biglang tumawa si Andy, “Grabe ka naman. Kaya
ko lang naman sinabi yun para mapakita kina Tito at
Tita na seryoso talaga ako sa’yo.”
“Whatever. Tara na nga at baka kung anu ano pa
ang masabi mo kila papa.” Tapos hinatak ko siya
patayo.
“Hindi pa ako tapos kumain eh.”
“Sa resto ka na lang kumain.”
“Tss. Sige po, alis na kami ng anak niyo. Hindi pa
nga ako sinasagot, under na agad.” Tumawa naman
sila papa tapos nagbbye na kami.
Pumunta muna kami sa coffee shop at baka
sakaling matauhan na si Andy sa mga pinagsasabi
niya.

215
 “Seriously, ano ba ang nangyayari sa’yo, Andrei
Louie Guzman? Masyado ka yatang sumasama kay
Sara lately kaya kung anu anong ka cheesy-han ang
nagagawa mo.”
“Ayaw mo ba?” Seryoso niyang sabi.
“Hindi naman sa-—”
“I’m trying my best.”
“I know.”
“Pero bakit parang hindi mo nakikita yung effort
ko? Lahat ng nakikita mo puro nakakainis.”
“Andy, Andy, Andy.. Hindi naman ikaw yun eh.
Hindi ka naman talaga mahilig magbigay ng flowers
at chocolates, at never kang nagbigay ng teddy
bears..”
“And?”
“And what i mean is that you don’t need to
pretend to be someone else para maipakita mo sa
akin na mahal mo ako. Just be the Andy i know. It’s
more than enough..”
“Dana..”
“Hmm?”

216
 “I love you.”
“I love-—”
“Naah. Hindi naman ako humihingi ng response
agad eh. Sabihin mo sa’kin yan kapag sigurado ka
na na ako ang mahal mo.” Then he smiled.
“Fine. Sinabi mo yan ha. Wag kang
magrereklamo kahihintay.”
“Grabe! Inaabuso mo na yung feelings ko.”
“Whaever. Ubusin mo na nga yang kape mo.”
After namin sa coffee shop, pumunta kami sa
mall specifically sa NBS.
“Ano ba yan. Date ba talaga to?” Reklamo ni
Andy.
“Tumahimik ka nga, may hinahanap ako eh.
Tsaka wala ka namang sinabing date to. So, hang out
lang to technically.” Tapos tinignan ko yung mga
bagong libro.
“Fine. Tsaka ano ba yang hinahanap mo? Nandito
naman ako, kung anu ano pa ang hinahanap.”
“Save it, Andy. I’ve had enough of your pick up
lines.”

217
 “Fine. Ano ba kasi yung hinahanap mo nga?
Baka matulungan kita.”
“13 reasons why i committed suicide.”
“Tss. Akala ko naman kung anong importante.”
“Shut up. Hindi naman kita pinapakailaman sa
porn mo sa laptop ah.”
Bigla siyang natahimik, “Pano mo nakita yun?!”
Tanong niya. Hahaha. Namumula si Andy. Parang
bata lang eh.
“Nakita ko. Nasa kaloob looban ng folders.”
“Papa— Baki— Ano?! Pano mo nabuksan yung
laptop ko? May passcode yun ah!”
“Binuksan ko. AndyDana yung code. Ano ba
yan. Ang dali daling hulaan eh.” Then i laughed.
Nakakatawa talaga ’to. Parang batang inagawan ng
lollipop.
“Kinikilig ka naman. Masyado ka ng nafflatter sa
feelings ko.”
“Yeah right. Hanapin mo na nga lang yung libro
ko.”

218
 Tapos tumahimik na kami. Pero hindi namin
nahanap yung libro kaya nag gala pa kami Sa Fully
Booked and luckily, nandun siya. (^___^)V
“Kain na tayo?”
“Yep. Gutom na ako eh.”
Then kumain nga kami tapos naglakad lakad lang
kami sa mall. Wala ako sa mood magshopping eh.
Tapos nakita ko sila.. sa rink.
“Gusto mo uwi na tayo?” Tanong ni Andy. Nakita
niya kasi na nakatingin ako eh.
“Ano ka ba, okay lang ako.”
“Sure ka?”
“Oo nga! Bakit ba kasi pinagpipilitan niyong
lahat na hindi ako okay?! Ako yung may alam kung
ano yung nararamdaman ko! And let me tell you,
i’ve moved on. So please, quit telling me that i’m
still in love with him kasi baka magising ka na lang
isang araw, in love na ulit ako sa kanya.”
Nakatingin lang sa akin si Andy.
“I-I’ll just go to the washroom.”

219
 Sorry, Andy. Sa’yo ko nabuhos yung galit ko.
Masyado lang siguro akong nadisappoint sa nakita
ko. Akala ko kasi sa akin lang yung rink eh. Okay
lang sa akin kahit dalhin niya si Ynna sa kung saan
saan, wag lang sa skating rink na yun. Tangina lang
kasi! Doon siya nagpropose sa akin eh. Alam mo
yung nakakagago? 
Cyriel, I-I really hate you for breaking my heart
and for continuously making me feel miserable!

Andy’s Point of View

SI Cyriel at Ynna yun ah.
“Sure ka?”
“Oo nga! Bakit ba kasi pinagpipilitan niyong
lahat na hindi ako okay?! Ako yung may alam kung
ano yung nararamdaman ko! And let me tell you,
i’ve moved on. So please, quit telling me that i’m
still in love with him kasi baka magising ka na lang
isang araw, in love na ulit ako sa kanya.”
I-I can’t speak..
“I-I’ll just go to the washroom.”

220
 Hindi ko na maintindihan. Gusto ko lang naman
siyang tulungan eh pero bakit lagi na lang siyang
nagagalit sa’kin? Ano ba yung ginagawa ko para
lagi siyang mainis sakin? Ano ba yung mali sa
akin?!
“Andy.” That voice.
“What?!”
“What? Lumapit lang naman ako dito dahil
nakita ko kayong nakatingin samin eh. Akala ko
may kailangan kayo sa’min.”
“Alam mo, mas maayos nung wala ka pa eh.
Bakit ka ba bumalik dito?!”
Hindi siya sumagot. He just shrugged his
shoulders.
“Bumalik na lang kayo sa pinanggalingan niyo.
Ako pa ang bibili ng ticket niyo. Business class pa.”
Tumawa lang siya. “Hindi ka pa din nagbabago,
Andy.”
“Same to you, Cyriel. Gago ka pa din.”
“I’m glad na kilala mo pa din ako. At dahil kilala
mo ako, siguro naman alam mo na i don’t intend to
share what’s mine.” Then he left.

221
 “Andy?”
“Dana.”
“Sorry sa kanina.” She said pero niyakap ko lang
siya.
“Hey, may problema ba?”
“I love you.”
Then i kissed her.
Cyriel, wala ka ng babalikan. Sisiguraduhin ko
yan.

Dana’s Point of View

“Hey, girlfriends! Good morning!” I said. Ang
saya saya ko ngayon. Ewan ko kung bakit.
“Ang saya saya natin ngayon ah. Care to share?”
Nof said. 
“Ewan ko. I’m just happy. Hindi naman siguro
kailangan ng reason para maging masaya di ba?”
“Tss. Abnormal ka talaga. Last week todo
simangot yang mukha mo dahil kay Ynna at Cyriel,
ngayon naman halos umabot na sa tenga yung ngiti

222
mo.” Sara said. Ang sungit nito. Nag away siguro
sila ni Dave. Hahaha!
“Whatever. Nag away siguro kayo ni Dave kaya
ang sungit mo. Smile, best friend. Magkakaayos din
kayo nun.” Tapos naghum ako.
“Wow. So, positive thinker ka na ngayon?” Nof
said.
“Maybe.” Then i smiled again. Ano ba yan. Oo
nga, mukha na akong abnormal kaka ngiti,
kasalanan to ni Andy! Nahawa na ako sa pagiging
Mr. Sunshine niya. =___=
“Fine. Masaya ako kasi ang dami ko lang
realizations kagabi.” I said tapos nakatingin pa din
silang lahat sa akin, “Una, dahil okay ang family ko.
Pangalawa, okay ang acads ko. At pangatlo,
kumpleto ang barkada.”
“Nice try, Dana. Ano nga? Spill.” Sara said. Ano
ba yan. Eto ang mahirap sa best friend eh, alam na
alam pag may tinatago ka.
“Fiiiine. Pumunta kasi kagabi si Andy sa amin-
—” Bigla namang kinilig si Kim. Minsan talaga
iniisip ko na may crush to kay Andy.
“Eeep! Ang sweet talaga ni Andy!!” Sigaw niya.

223
 “Lumalabas na naman yung pagiging fangirl mo
kay Andy, Kim.” Sabi ni Nof. Natawa lang kami ni
Sara. Aso’t pusa talaga tong dalawa.
“Gusto niyo ba talagang malaman o mag aaway
na lang kayo?” I said after naming tumawa.
Tumahimik na sila kaya pinagpatuloy ko na, “As i
was saying, pumunta si Andy sa bahay namin
kahapon. Tapos nagulat ako kasi nandun din yung
parents niya. Grabe! Akala ko tototohanin niya yung
sinabi niyang papakasalan niya ako. Muntik na
akong magpanic. Buti na lang magpapaalam lang
pala siya sa parents ko na manliligaw siya
officially.”
Hindi sila nagsasalita. Nakatulala lang sila.
“Girl friends, yoohoo?”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah! OMG! Ang sweet ni Andy!”
Kim said. The ultimate fangirl.
“Lucky girl. Seryoso talaga si Andy.” Nof said.
“Pag nag emote ka pa sa Cyriel na yan at hindi
mo sinagot si Andy, kakalimutan ko na best friend
kita!!” Sara said.
O-kay? So, pressured na ako, ganun?!

224
 “Grabe. Grabe lang. Lahat kayo nagsasabi na
kailangan kong sagutin si Andy.” Si mama, si papa,
ngayon pati sila?!
“Dana, Dana, Dana. Andy’s the perfect guy.
Mayaman, matalino, gwapo, mahal na mahal ka,
medyo manyak nga lang. Pero keri lang yun.” Wow.
Talagang keri lang yung pagiging manyak niya.
“Alam mo, nag usap na kami ni Andy at sabi
niya, mas gusto niya na sagutin ko siya pag sigurado
na ako na siya talaga yung mahal ko.”
“What?!” Reaction nilang lahat.
“What?! Grabe naman kayong maka react. Tsaka
okay na din yun. At least--—”
“Tell us, mahal mo pa ba yung gago mong ex?!”
Sabat ni Sara.
“O-of course not!!” I said.
“You’re stammering, Dana. So it’s confirmed,
you’re still in love with that stupid ex of yours..”
Wow. Lahat talaga sila siguradong sigurado na in
love pa din ako dun, eh ako nga sa sarili ko hindi ko
alam..

225
 “Stop it, Sara. Hindi na ako natutuwa.” I
seriously said.
“Sa tingin mo natutuwa din kami?!” Sara said.
“Look, Dana. Kaibigan ka namin pero kaibigan
din namin si Andy.. Kung mahal mo pa talaga yung
ex mo, hindi ba parang pinapaasa mo lang si Andy?”
Nof said.
“Ikaw, Kim, may sasabihin ka din ba?” I
sarcastically said.
“…”
I stood up, “Sara, Nof, Kim, para sa ikatatahimik
niyo, hindi ko pinapaasa si Andy. Alam niya yun.”
“Are you sure?” Kim said.
“Never been this sure.” 
“What if papunta dito yung ex mo na parang
gusto ka yatang kausapin?” Kim said.
“Asa naman. As if kakausapin ako ng--—”
I wasn’t able to finish what i was saying because,
“Let’s talk.”
Oh God. 

226
 Sara’s Point of View 
“Let’s talk.” Wow. Tinatanong ba talaga niya si
Dana o inuutusan? Grabe. Nawala lang siya,
yumabang na ng sobra. Iba talaga ang epekto ng
Amerika.
“Ang kapal talaga ng--—”
Hindi ko natapos yung sasabihin ko kasi, “Look,
Sara. Gusto ko lang kausapin si Dana. Don’t make
this a big issue.”
“Look, too, Cyriel. Mukha bang gusto kang
makausap ni Dana?!” I hissed. Nakatulala lang si
Dana. Kawawa naman ang best friend ko, apektado
pa din sa @#$%%^ niyang ex!
“It’s urgent. 5 mins lang to.” Tapos nilagpasan
niya ako at pinuntahan si Dana.
“Let’s talk.” Sabi lang niya tapos lumakad siya
at---—
“DANA!!” I shouted. “Bakit ka sumusunod sa
kanya?!!!”
“I-I can handle, Sara. Mag— uusap lang naman
daw kami eh..” She said tapos sinundan niya si

227
@#$%^&*
Oh My God!! Ano ba yung sinasabi niyang hindi
niya pinapaasa si Andy?! Joke ba yun?!
“Ang gwapo niya pala sa malapitan..” Sabi ni
Kim.
I smirked, “Yeah, right. Gwapong impakto. May
he rott in hell.”
Nakita kong pumunta sila sa CPark, ano kayang
pinag uusapan nila??

228
 Chapter 30

Chapter 30
“Ano ba yung sasabihin mo?” Tanong ko sa
kanya. Nandito kami sa CPark, buti na lang maaga
pa kaya walang pang masyadong tao. Baka kasi
kung ano na naman ang sabihin ng mga tao. Not that
i care, pero masayado nang madaming issue sa
buhay ko, ayoko ng dagdagan.
“Nothing in particular. Gusto lang kitang
makausap. Kamusta na?” Then he stared intently
into my eyes. I-I feel--— Shut up, Dana! For once,
use your brain!
“I’m good, i guess.”
“I can see. You look different.” Then he
examined me.
“Are you finished checking me out?” I
sarcastically said.
“Not yet.” Then he examined me again, “You
really look different now, Dan.” Then he paused.
Naaalala pa din pala niya yung tawag niya sa’kin..
“But then, you’re still the same.”

229
 I look different at the same time, I still look the
same? Mahilig pa din siya sa riddles niya.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Okay.”
“Yun lang ba? Aalis na ko, may gagawin pa kasi
ako eh.” I said. Sa totoo lang, naiilang kasi ako.
Nahihirapan na akong magmukhang normal sa harap
niya. Soon, I’ll lose my cool. And i won’t let that
happen. I won’t take the chance na magmukhang
tanga sa harapan niya.
Nung papatalikod na ako, “Wait.”
“What? Kung may sasabihin ka talaga sa’kin,
pakisabi na please. I’m a busy person.” Pero
nakatalikod pa din ako
“I would appreciate kung haharap ka.” Pero hindi
pa din ako humarap, i don’t to look at him. “Fine. As
you know, malapit na ang birthday ni Ynna--—”
Napaharap ako bigla, “Pardon?!”
“September 13.”
“Ano’ng pakielam ko?!” I shouted. Ano ba ang
nagawa ko at ayaw akong tantanan ng mga Henares
na yan?!

230
 “Ynna requested that--—”
I interrupted, “So messenger ka na niya
ngayon?!”
“Look, pwede bang patapusin mo muna ako?”
I didn’t answer so he continued talking, “Malapit
na ang birthday niya at gusto niyang ikaw ang
gumawa ng gown niya--—”
“Ano?!” I shouted. Loud. Wow. The nerve of that
Henares!! “Ang kapal din naman ng mukha mong
sabihin yan!!”
“Please be considerate, for once.”
“Damn you, Perez! Ako pa talaga ang kailangang
umintindi?!”
“Bakit mo ba ako sinisigawan?!”
“Paanong hindi kita sisigawan eh nakakagago ka
na eh!” My eyes started to water. Naiiyak ako sa
inis!
“Ano bang masama sa sinasabi ko? Fashion
design student ka tapos ayaw mong gumawa ng
damit?”
“Eh bakit ako?! Ang dami daming designer jan!”

231
 “Ikaw ang gusto niya eh.”
“Then tell her to fuck off. Wala akong pakielam
sa kanya.” Then i turned my back. That ass! Ang
kapal lang talaga ng mukha niyang sabihin sa’kin
yun!
“Ano ba ang gusto mo? Say your price.”
Napaharap ulit ako, “What?” Then i paused,
“Mukha bang nangangailangan ako ng pera?!”
“Then what do you want?”
Ano nga ba ang gusto ko?
“Say it.”
“Mag sorry ka sa’kin.”
“What?” He looked confused.
“You heard it right. Magsorry ka.”
“And why would i do so? Wala akong
kasalanan.” May kasalanan ka! Sa akin!
“Then so be it. Maghanap ka ng designer niyo.”
Tumalikod ako at naglakad.
“I’m sorry.” He said.

232
 Hindi ko kayang humarap. Damn this! Bakit ba
ako naiiyak?!
“O-ok.” I said. Then naglakad ako palayo.
Tangina naman, Dana! Stop crying! 
Cyriel, mahal mo ba talaga si Ynna para lunukin
mo yung pride mo at magsorry ka sa’kin.. Ta-talaga
bang wala na?

Ynna’s Point of View

“Mom, tapos na akong mag debut. I’m turning
20, for Christ’s sake! No need to throw a party.” My
god. Gustong maghanda ng parents ko. 
“I know. Pero we want the best for you, Ynna.
We’ll do everything for you.. Everything to make
you happy..” Then my mom hugged me.
“Okay lang ba talaga? Kakalibing lang ni Jamie,
mom..”
“I’m sure this will make your sister happy,
Ynna..” This i’m not sure of. Naging masama akong
kapatid kay Jamie. I treated her really bad. I’ve been
so immature kaya ko nagawa yun. If only i could
turn back time, gagawin ko lahat para maging

233
mabuting ate sa kanya. Pero it’s too late, wala na
siya..
“I hope so, mom. Sana maging masaya si Jamie..
Hey, stop crying, mom. Baka isipin ni Dad na
inaaway kita.” 
“You’re so mature now, Ynna. I must thank
Cyriel.”
“You really should, mom. He’s the best man i
could ever ask.”
“I know. He’s been very patient with you.” He
really is. And i’m really thankful that he stayed by
my side.
“Alam ba ng parents niya na hindi kayo nag aaral
habang nasa States kayo?” You heard it right. Hindi
kami nag aral sa States. 
“I don’t know, mom. Hindi ko pinapakailaman
ang tungkol sa family niya..”
“Alright. By the way, sinabi ko na kay Cyriel ang
tungkol sa party.”
“Eh?”
“Yup. Nakaplano na lahat. And guess kung sino
ang gagawa ng gown mo?” Then my mom smiled.

234
 “Rajo Laurel? Monique L.?”
“Nope. She’s your friend.”
“Sino?”
“Si Dana.”
“What?!”
“Yes, baby. Kinausap na ni Cyriel si Dana and
she already said yes.” Nag usap si Cyriel at Dana?
“Nasan si Cyriel?”
“I don’t know. Call him.”
Then i went out. Nag usap na sila. Hindi ako
kinakabahan, i trust Cyriel. Alam kong hindi niya
ako iiwan.. Hindi niya ako kayang iwanan.. That
thing i’m sure of.

Sara’s Point of View

“Kim, Nof, ang tagal ni Dana.” Kanina pa sila
umalis nung impakto na yun ah. Ano na kaya ang
nangyari?! Pag talaga nalaman ko na may ginawa
siya kay Dana, naku! Ilalaga ko yung impaktong
yun!!

235
 “Oo nga eh. Hanapin na kaya natin?” Sabi ni
Kim.
“Okay ka lang? Magsstart na kaya yung klase
mo, kami na lang ni Sara.” Sabi ni Nof. Baka mag
away na naman tong dalawang to. Tss.
“Eh di umabsent. Mas mahalaga naman si Dana
dun eh.”
“Asa naman. Ang sabihin mo, kahit umabsent o
pumasok ka, wala namang pinagkaiba kasi
bumabagsak ka din naman.” Grabe!! Foul na yun!
Hahaha!
“Whatever, Nof.”
“Shut up na nga. Tara na at hanapin na natin si
Dana.”
Nagpunta kami sa CPark pero wala siya dun. San
kaya nagpunta yun?
“Baka nasa Old lib?” Sabi ni Kim.
“Alam mo, minsan talaga gumagana yung utak
mo!” Sabi ni Nof. Grabe. Hindi matatapos ang araw
ng hindi niya iniinis si Kim. No wonder, magbest
friends sila.

236
 Then nagpunta nga kami sa library. Wala namang
tao eh.
“Wala namang tao eh. Baka umuwi na yun.”
Tapos naglakad na kami palabas pero, “Guys,
naririnig niyo ba yun?” Sabi ni Nof.
“Wala naman kaming naririnig ah. Guni guni mo
lang yun.”
“Meron nga. May umiiyak kaya.”
“21st Century na, hindi na uso ang multo. Tss.” 
“Tumahimik ka nga, Miranda.” Tapos naglakad si
Nof pabalik sa loob ng lib. No choice, sinundan na
namin siya baka kasi kung ano ang mangyari dito.
Lakad lakad lakad.
“Aha! Dito yung tunog--—” Lumapit siya tapos,
“Dana?!”
Napatakbo tuloy kami ni Kim.
Tama nga si Nof. Andun si Dana sa gilid ng shelf,
umiiyak. Mukhang wasted. @#$%^&* talaga yung
Cyriel na yun!!
“Anong nangyari sa’yo?!”

237
 Hindi pa din siya nagsasalita kaya, “Jan ka lang,
pupuntahan ko lang yung gunggong na yun!”
Tumayo na ako pero, “Wag, Sara..” Sabi ni Dana
pero sobrang hina ng boses niya. Medyo
nanginginig pa nga eh..
Umupo kami sa harap niya, “Bakit ka umiiyak?”
“Mababa yung grades ko sa exam eh..”
“…” Hindi kami nagsalita. Obvious naman na
nagsisinungaling siya.
“Ano ba ang lamang sa akin ni Ynna?”
“Mas bitch siya. Yun lang.”
“Ano pa?”
“Mas bobo siya sa’yo. Teka lang, naiinsecure ka
ba sa babaeng yun?!”
“Ka-kasi, kanina nung nag uusap kami ni Cy--
—” I interrupted her.
“Wag mo nga siyang tawaging Cy. Cyriel. Yun
ang pangalan niya. Wag ka ngang mag nickname
basis.”
“Cyriel. Tapos gusto niya ako yung gumawa ng
gown ni Ynna--—”

238
 “What?!” Sigaw naming tatlo. The nerve of that
guy! Sadista ba siya? Gustong gusto niyang
nakikitang nasasaktan si Dana ah!
“Tapos sabi ko ayoko..”
“Mabuti naman!”
“Pero--—”
“Don’t tell us na pumayag ka! Sasabunutan kita!”
The hell! Tanga’t kalahati talaga tong si Dana kung
pumayag siya!
“Sabi ko sa kanya, magsorry siya sa akin para
pumayag ako..”
“Tapos?”
“Nagsorry siya..” Tapos umiyak siya ulit. No.
Make that hagulgol.
“Eh bakit ka umiiyak? Papayag payag ka tapos
iiyak iyak ka jan. Sabi naman namin sa’yo, wag
kang makipag usap sa unggoy na yun. Nawawala
yung utak mo pag siya yung kausap mo eh. Parang
ikaw si Supergirl tapos siya yung kryptonite mo.
Dapat siyang iwasan.”
“Hindi naman yun yung iniiyak ko eh..”

239
 “Eh ano?!”
“Yung nagsorry siya sa akin..”
“Bakit?” Sabay ulit naming sabi. Baliw baliw
talaga to. Manghihingi siya ng sorry tapos iiyak
iyak.
“Eh kasi… Kilala ko si Cyriel… Hindi siya basta
basta humihingi ng sorry. Minsan kahit kasalanan
niya hindi siya magsosorry.”
“Tapos?”
“Can’t you see?! Mahal na mahal niya si Ynna to
the point na ibababa niya yung pride niya para sa
kanya!” She shouted.
“Eh ano bang pakielam mo dun?”
“…” Hindi siya sumagot.
“Hindi mo ba nakikita na ibinababa din ni Andy
yung pride niya para sa’yo? Hindi mo ba talaga
nakikita yun o nagbubulag bulagan ka lang? Puro
pride ni Cyriel ang nakikita mo eh.”
“…” Hindi pa din siya sumagot. I’ll take this
opportunity para lagyan ng sense ang utak ng
babaeng to.

240
 “Bakit nga ba iniiyakan mo yun? Kung tutuusin,
halos hindi nga naging kayo eh. Gano ba kayo
nagtagal? Isang araw? Ni hindi kayo nakapag
monthsary, ni hindi weeksary. Daysary lang, Dana!
Isang araw lang! Sinisira mo yung buhay mo para sa
isang araw na yan!” 
Umiiyak pa din talaga siya. Unggoy talaga yung
lalaking yun. Nakakainis! Argh!
Kinuha ko yung cellphone ko tapos tinawagan ko
si Dave, “Send mo sakin yung number nung unggoy
mong kaibigan.. Sige. Bye. Love you.”
Nung natanggap ko na, idadial ko na dapat yung
number niya pero pinigilan ako ni Dana..
“Wag.. Gagawin ko yung gown.”
“Ano?!” Hindi ko talaga siya maintindihan!
“I need this, Sara. For myself. Baka kung
sakaling makita kong mahal niya talaga si Ynna, i’ll
learn to let go.”
Hay, Dana. Ikaw lang ang masokistang kilala ko.
Gustung gusto mo talagang itorture ang sarili mo.

241
 Andy’s Point of View
“Nagkausap na kayo ni Cy, Andy?” Tanong
sa’kin ni Dave. Nandito kami sa bahay nila.
Tambayan na ng barkada dito eh.
“Yeah. Kahapon.”
“Anong pinag usapan niyo?”
“Old stuffs.”
“I see. Si Dana pa din.” Then he sighed. Saming
tatlo, si Dave ang pinaka mature. Hanggang
possible, ayaw niyang may nag aaway, lalo na kung
babae ang dahilan. Masyado daw mababaw.
“Look, Dave. From the start, alam niyang gusto
ko si Dana pero anong ginawa niya?”
“Tapos na yun, Andy. You already have Dana
now. Can you just both forget the past and start
again? Sayang yung friendship, pare. 7 years, Andy.
7 years.”
“Di mo naiintindihan, Dave. Sinabi niya sa’kin
na babawiin niya si Dana. That ass. Ang kapal lang
talaga ng mukha niya.” 
“But technically, they’re still together. May point
siya, Andy.” Alam ko. Kaya nga mas nahihirapan

242
ako eh.
“Wala akong pakielam. Besides, may Ynna na
siya. Magsama silang dalawa.”
“Yeah. Ynna Henares. Naniniwala ka ba na sila
talaga?”
I nodded, “Hindi sila nag aaral nung nasa States
sila, Dave. Ano sa tingin mo yung ginagawa nila
dun? Nagjjack and poy?”
Pero hindi pa din kumbinsido si Dave, “You
really think so? Ang alam ko kasi ayaw na ayaw
niya sa babaeng yun eh. Halos ayaw niya ngang
tignan dati eh.”
“Things change, Dave. Mas mabuti kung sila na
talaga.”
Sana sila na talaga. Sana talaga.

243
 Chapter 31

Chapter 31
Kaya mo ’to, Dana! Si Ynna lang yan. Tss. Ang
dakilang haliparot. Talagang pinanindigan na niya
yung tawag ko sa kanya.
“Baby, pwede ka namang magbackout,
magpapadala na lang ako ng designer dun. Marami
namang magagaling na designers sa FHF, you don’t
need to stress yourself..” Sabi sa’kin ni mom. Alam
niya kasi yung tungkol samin ni Cyriel, including
the thing with Ynna. Worried lang siya na baka hindi
ko kayanin pag nakita ko si Ynna.
“Mom, i can handle this. Besides, mas
magagaling ako sa mga designers mo noh.” Then i
forced a laugh. 
“You don’t need to brag about that, baby. Basta,
if ever you wanna change your mind, i’m just a call
away, alright?”
“Yup.” Then i went near her and gave her a peck,
“Alis na ko. Be back probably before lunch.”

244
 I drove to Forbes Village. Binigay ni Cyriel
through Dave yung location. Ayaw ko kasing ibigay
yung number ko sa kanya kaya sabi ko, lahat ng
kailangan niyang sabihin, padaanin na lang niya
through Dave. Immature? Not. Just being cautious.
It took me about 30 mins. bago makarating sa
mismong bahay nila. And what i you expect? The
bitch lives in a mansion. Literal mansion. The perks
of being a governor’s daughter nga naman.
After kong makipag usap sa maid nila through
telecom, pinagbuksan na nila ako ng gate and then i
parked my car. And soon enough, papasok na ako sa
bahay ng mga Henares. Mga Henares. The curse of
my life.
“Hija, sit down.” Mrs. Henares approached me.
Mrs. Henares pa din ang tawag ko sa kanya. I don’t
like to drop the formalities. Afterall, siya pa din ang
nanay ni Ynna at Jamie. I shouldn’t be too
comfortable around her.
“No, thanks, Mrs. Henares. Where’s Ynna?
Maybe we can already start with the fitting.” I
formally said.
“Drop the formalities, Dana. Just call me Tita.”
Then she smiled. If in any instances hindi siya ang

245
nanay nung dalawang yun, i would be glad to call
her Tita.
“No, i insist. Besides, i’m here as a professional
so i should act as one, right?” Then i gave her a
smile. 
Siguro nakuha na rin niya na i’m no mood to
socialize. Aish. Bad publicity to para sa business ng
mom ko. Pero come what may. Naiinis ako eh.
Umalis na siya tapos pagbalik niya, “Nasa room
niya sa Ynna. Second floor. 3rd room to the right.
I’m sure hindi ka maliligaw.” Then she left.
So, pinapaakyat niya ako?! For real?!!
Naglalakad ako ngayon papunta sa room ni Ynna.
Relax, Dana. As if naman papatayin ka niya. Baka
nga ikaw pa ang pumatay sa kanya eh. 
As soon na nandun ako sa harap ng kwarto niya,
tama nga yung nanay niya, hindi ako maliligaw.
Yung buong pinto niya ay painting ng sarili niya.
She was wearing pink floral dress and she looked so
happy, so innocent. Pero i know better, mukhang
lang siyang mabait. Mukha lang.
Hindi na ako kumatok kasi nakabukas naman
yung pinto niya. Pagpasok ko sa loob, nagulat ako.

246
Puro white kasi yung loob ng kwarto niya. I was
expecting na puro black eh. =___=
“Dana..” 
I took a step backward. Reflex.  Mukhang nagulat
siya sa ginawa ko.
She tried to smile, “Seems like i’ve been really
hard on you para ganyan ang maging reaction mo
sa’kin.” Then she bowed her head. Relax, Dana.
Wag kang magpapadala sa paawa effect niya.
Magaling lang siyang umarte.
“Glad you know.” Then i smirked.
“I-I’m sorry for everything.”
“Okay.” I coldy said.
“Seryoso ako.”
“Do i look like i’m kidding?” Then i gave her a
cold stare.
“I’m really sorry.” Then she took a step forward.
Magkaharap na kami.
“Not as sorry as i am. Sorry for myself for
meeting you.” Then i turned my back at her. Serves
her right.

247
 Bigla niyang hinawakan yung braso ko, “Look,
Dana. Kung may magagawa ako para mawala yung
galit mo, kahit mabawasan man lang, tell me.
Gagawin ko.”
Then i came to realize, isa lang naman ang gusto
kong gawin niya. Yung umalis. Lumayo. Iwan
sa’kin si Cyriel. Pero alam kong hindi niya gagawin
yun. Not in this goddamn lifetime.
“Tumayo ka lang jan and let me do my job.” I
said. 
Kinuha ko yung mga gagamitin ko para sa
pagsusukat. Medyo nanginginig pa yung kamay ko
habang ginagawa ko yun. Shet naman. Compose
yourself, Dana. Wag ka ngang paapekto sa haliparot
na yan! Goodness!
“About the design, what do you want?” I asked
her.
“It’s up to you. I trust your taste.”
“Tss.” Then i smirked, “Wag kang magtaka kung
all black ang isusuot mo sa party mo.” I mocked her.
Come on, Ynna. Don’t pretend to be all nice. I know
that you want to bitch with me. Show your true
color.

248
 “Black would be nice.” Then she smiled. Again.
Aargh! Nakakainis!
Then suddenly, her phone rang.
“Excuse me, i’ll just answer this.”
Then she left. Pumunta siya sa balcony niya.
Aish. Nakakainis naman. Curiousity killed the cat
talaga.
I roamed around her room hanggang sa
nakarating ako sa side table niya. And fck, it hurts.
No, it stings.
Wanna know what i saw?
Picture ni Ynna at Cyriel. Sa Disney Land.
Magkaakbay. Tumatawa. Masaya.
Oo na. Alam ko sasabihin niyo na naman sa akin
na maarte ako, paasa, malandi. Pero the hell! Wala
kayong alam sa nararamdaman ko. You don’t know
how it feels. You all have now fcking right to judge
me. Alam niyo ba kung gaano kahirap kumbinsihin
yung sarili mo na okay na, tapos na? Na ganyan
talaga ang buhay, may dumadating, may nawawala.
Shet lang! Kahit sabihin mo pa na naka destined
talaga na makita ako ni Cyriel sa kama kasama ang

249
bestfriend niya. Tangina naman! Ang saya naman ng
tadhana, ginawang mala telenobela ang buhay ko?!
Hindi ko namalayan, nagddrive na pala ako
papunta kila Sara..

Ynna’s Point of View

Cy
calling…
“Excuse me, i’ll just answer this.” Then i left
Dana and went to the balcony.
“Babe, where are you?” Yes. Babe is our
endearment. 
“Dito sa office ni Clarence. May pinapaayos lang
sakin about sa business. Ikaw? How was your day?
Pumunta na ba jan si Dana?” He asked. Without any
trace of-— i don’t know what to call it.
“She’s here.”
“I see. How’s she?”
“She’s cold. Alam ko naman na madami akong
nagawang masama sa kanya pero i already changed,

250
right?”
“Yes. Nagbago ka na.”
“But still, she’s so aloof.. I want to be friend with
everyobody..” 
“She’ll come around, alright? I know her, mabait
yan. Soon, magiging magkaibigan din kayo.”
With that, i smiled. He really knows how to make
me smile, “I know. I know you’ll make a way para
maging friends kami.”
“Of course. Anything for you, Ynna.” He said.
Cyriel, hindi ko talaga pinagsisisihan lahat ng
ginawa ko. With you by my side, it’s all worth it.
“Sige, may pag uusapan pa kami ni Dana eh.
Gotta go.”
“Bye. See you later.” Then i ended the call.
As i went back to my room, “Nasan na siya?”
Tinignan ko siya sa cr, sa walk in closet, where
could she be?
Hanggang sa naglakad ako papunta sa kama ko, i
noticed something broken..
Dana saw our picture.

251
 I’m sorry, Dana. I know you still love him. But i
need him. I need him more that you do.

Sara’s Point of View

*knock knock*
Aish. Sino ba to? Kay aga aga eh.
“Ano’ng--— Holy Crap! Dana, umagang umaga
may Tequila na dala?!” Sino ba naman ang hindi
magugulat? 11 a.m. pa lang nag aaya na ng
inuman?!
“I need someone to talk to.” Then she smiled.
“Haay. Nakakaloka ka talaga, Dana. Pasok na.”
Tapos hinila ko siya papasok at sinara yung pinto.
Umupo siya sa couch ko. 
“Spill.” I said.
“Inom muna tayo.”
“Tumigil ka nga. Ang aga aga pa eh.”
Bigla siyang tumawa, “Hindi nga? Tumatanggi
ka sa alak? Ikaw ba talaga si Sara?”

252
 “Yes. Ako si Sara. Best friend mo. Nandito para
pakinggan ang drama ng buhay mo. Besides, may
abstinence ako sa alcohol ngayon so please
cooperate.” Then i smiled. Haish. Nakakaloka pag
may ganito kang best friend. Mejo krung krung.
“Okay. Pero isang shot lang.”
Wala akong nagawa kaya pinabayaan ko na lang.
After couple of minutes, 
“..alam ko naman na wala akong karapatang
magalit eh. Ni magselos hindi nga eh.. Pero *iyak*
ang sakit sakit eh.. Alam mo yun? *iyak* ang tagal
kong hinintay na maging kami eh.. tapos.. wala!
Tanginaa!!”
Tapos umiyak siya ulit.
“..am i making any sense?”
Tapos tumawa siya.
“..alam ko naman na naiinis ka na sa’kin. Believe
me, naiinis din ako sa sarili ko. Inis na inis.. Kung
pwede lang bigyan ko ng amnesia yung sarili ko,
bibigyan ko..”
Tapos yumuko siya, pinunasan niya yung mukha
niya.

253
 “..on the second thought, i won’t. Hahaha.
Napaka indecisive ko ba? Hindi ko alam. Sara,
nahihirapan na ako.. Paano niyo ako iintindihin kung
mismong sarili ko hindi ko maintindihan.. It sucks to
be me.”
“..pero know what? Dati galit ako kay Andy kasi
siya yung may kasalanan eh.. Pero now, i can’t bring
myself to hate him.. Maybe he did that out of love.
He’s stupid for falling for me. So stupid..”
Uminom ulit siya, hindi ako nagsasalita.
Nakikinig lang ako. Alam ko namang hindi niya
kailangan ng magsesermon sa kanya, she already
had enough. Right now, she just need someone who
can listen to her..
“..alam mo dati, i dreamt of two guys fighting
over me. Para kasing ang saya saya ng feeling eh.
Pakiramdam mo ang ganda ganda mo, ang haba
haba ng buhok mo. Pero ngayon, i’d rather not. I
don’t like the feeling. Hahaha! Dream on, Dana!
Pinag aagawan? Dati yun, hindi ngayon. I had my
time.”
She mumble, “..siguro it’s time to forget.. Help
me, Sara..”
The next thing i know, tulog na siya.

254
 Dana, i’ll help you. We’ll help you. But first, you
need to help yourself.

Dana’s Point of View

September 13. Ynna’s Birthday.
News Flash: It’s been 2 weeks since nung Picture
frame incident sa bahay ni Ynna. And since then, i
promised myself that i’ll be better. I already stopped
myself from calling her names and guess what?
Hindi ko na naiisip si Cyriel. Well, yes, naiisip ko
siya paminsan minsan pero hindi ganun kadalas
kagaya ng dati. Nakatulong sa akin si Andy. Siya
yung lagi kong kasama. Hindi siya napapagod sa
akin. And before i know it, baka kami na..
“Princess, tara na po.” Then he flashed his smile.
“Princess your face. Corny mo po.”
“Eh di dutchess.”
“Tss. Oo na.”
Then i went inside his car. I’ll be seeing Cyriel
again, and this time, i’m with Andy. I know i can do
this!

255
 Chapter 32

Chapter 32
White dress with gold accents and flats. My outfit
for Ynna’s Party. 
You figured it right, i’ll be attending her party.
Let me clear things, guys. Yes, i’ll be there at her
party but that doesn’t mean na buddy buddy na
kami. Let’s just say na i’m trying my best to act
decent. I mean, if Cyriel really loves her, i should
learn to like her at least, afterall, barkada pa din
naman si Cyriel kahit hindi namin siya nakakasama.
Siguro kung dati may 70% feelings ako para kay
Cyriel, ngayon 30% na lang. Improving? Yes.
Thanks to Andy. And soon, sana maging 0% na
yung feelings na yan at mapalitan na ng 100%
friendship. Afterall, nakakamiss din si Cyriel. Wag
mag assume. I just want Cyriel back as a friend. I
miss the old times. Yung kumpleto kami. Pero sana
bumalik na siya, kahit pa sabihing kasama si Ynna,
sige na, much as i don’t like her, i’ll try. For the sake
of friendship.

256
 And another reason na pupunta ako ay dahil din
kay Andy. Gusto kong ipakita sa kanya na wala na
akong feelings kay Cyriel, na kaya ko na siyang
makita without fuss. Yung parang normal na lang,
no rushing of heart beat, no blushing, no malice.
Afterall, he deserves that.
“Naks. Ganda naman ng dutches lumevel up ka
na, Greek goddess na.” Tukso ni Andy. Thank God,
balik na siya sa normal na Andy. Meaning, no more
flowers, bears, and chocolates.
“Matagal na akong mukhang goddess, kaya nga
patay na patay ka sakin eh.” Then i rolled my eyes.
Hahaha. Ang sarap ng feeling na walang hassle.
“Yeah right. If i know, pinakulam mo lang ako.
Hindi na nga yata to normal eh, ikaw lang lagi yung
nasa isip ko. Haay, feeling ko talaga mambabarang
ka eh.” Tapos mukhang seryosong seryoso siya kaya
sinuntok ko siya sa braso.
“Kapal mo, kuya. Kung bastedin kaya kita?”
“Subukan mo lang..”
“Talaga..”
“Subukan mo lang.. Iiyak ako.” 

257
 Then that’s it, tumawa ako. “Hahaha! Ang epic
mo talaga. Para kang bata.” Tapos lumapit ako tsaka
niyakap siya. Wala lang, these past few days, lagi
kong niyayakap si Andy. Ang sarap kasi ng feeling
eh.
“Bata pala ha,” Then he kissed me. Smack lang.
“Kaya ba ’yong gawin ng bata?” Then he smiled.
I held his face to kiss him but, “Not so fast, Dana.
Be my girl first.”
“Aish. Ang pakipot naman nito.” Then i tried to
kiss him again. But not to my avail kasi umiwas ulit
siya.
“Sagutin mo muna ako bago mo makukuha ang
lips ko.” Then he flashed his oh-so-charming smile.
Natetempt ako lalo. =___=
“Andy naman eh, isang kiss lang.” Then
nagpaawa look ako.
Tapos kiniss niya ako. Smack ulit.
“Paasa ka naman eh. Yung matagal tagal naman.”
I demanded. Nakakainis kaya, parang tinatakam niya
lang ako sa smack niya. Aish.

258
 “Sinabi ko na di ba? Sagutin mo muna ko. Pag
ginawa mo na yun, you can kiss me all you want.”
Then he smiled seductively. Leshe ka, Andy!!
“Bwiset. Mag aabstinence na lang ako.” Tapos i
folded my arms then nagmaktol. Parang bata? I
know.
Bigla niya akong niyakap sa likod, “Touched
naman ako dun. Akala ko sasabihin mo maghahanap
ka ng ibang lalaki eh.” 
Humarap ako sa kanya then carressed his face,
“Kahit hindi kita boyfriend, loyal ako sa’yo. And
please lang, stop teasing me with your kisses. Alam
mong mahina ako jan.” =___=
Then he lauhged, “At dahil natuwa ako sa sagot
mo, may reward ako sa’yo..”
And when i was about to ask him about the
reward, he grabbed me by my waist and kissed me. 
ASDFGHJKL. I miss this feeling. 
Unconsciously, i wrapped my arms around his
shoulders as he carressed my back with his hands. I
opened my mouth so he can deepen his kiss. And as
he kissed me deeper, i grabbed his hair and pushed

259
his head towards me. Oh God. I can feel Andy’s
tongue thusting inside--—
“Ehem!” Sa sobrang gulat ko, naitulak ko si
Andy kaya napaupo siya sa sahig.
“Ah-eh, Dad! Kanina pa kayo jan?” Then i forced
a smile kasi medyo nauutal ako. Shet naman. Panira
ng moment si Dad. =___=
“Yes. Kanina pa.” Wow. Straight forward much?
Pwede namang sabihin niyang kakadating lang niya
di ba? Spare me from humiliation, Dad!
“Ah-eh-—”
Hindi ako nakapagsalita kasi, “Sir, alam ko
nakapangako ako na hindi ako gagawa ng kahit ano
na sisira sa tiwala niyo. Pero kasi, your daughter
seduced me.” =___=
Buffering..
Buferring..
Buffering..
What the eff?!
“Hoy! Ano’ng i seduced you? Kapal mo oy!!” I
shouted tapos pinagpapalo ko yung braso niya.

260
 That ass! Sabihin daw ba yun sa harap ng tatay
ko?! Sa H-A-R-A-P ng T-A-T-A-Y ko?!
“Hahaha!” Biglang tumawa si Dad, “Kayo
talagang dalawa, Dana, hija, kailan mo ba sasagutin
’tong batang to? Gustong gusto ko ng maging anak
to eh.”
Tapos lumapit si Dad at inakbayan si Andy. Sige
na, si Andy na ang lovable. Lahat na lang gusto siya.
=___=
“Eh di ampunin mo na lang.”
“Pwede din,” sagot ni Andy, “Pero magkakaroon
tayo ng incest.” Tapos tumawa siya tapos tumawa
din si Dad. Kfine. Talo ako. /wrist
“Fine. Dad, pupunta na kami sa party.”
“Sige, take care and enjoy, kids. Walang ,
monkey business.”
“Dad naman!” Then he laughed and i kissed my
dad.
Inside the car:
“Aray, aray!” Sigaw ni Andy. Pinaghahampas ko
siya.

261
 “Walangya ka! Lagi mo na lang akong
pinapahiya sa tatay ko!” Tapos pinagpapalo ko pa
din siya pero tawa lang siya ng tawa.
Nung napagod na ko, “Anong ngini ngiti ngiti mo
jan?!” I asked. Mukhang tanga kasi, nakangiti.
“Wala lang, ngayon lang kita nakitang masaya
ulit eh. Welcome back, Dana.” He said with a big
smile on his face.
“Glad to be back.” I, too, said with a smile. 
Ynna’s Party: 
“Smile!” I said. Nasa photo opt kasi kami
ngayon. Nyehe. Ang saya talagang magpapicture.
^___^
Sa bahay kasi nila ang venue, specifically sa
garden. White and Gold ang motif nung party. Greek
mythology.  And hindi ko tinotoo na black ang gown
niya, sumunod naman ako sa color code.
Professionalism, guys. I earned 75K for that din
naman. :)))
“Ayun pala sila Dave oh!” I said. Nauna na pala
sila sa venue. Yep, invited din sila. Actually, invited
yata lahat ng batchmates namin sa St. Claire’s. Oh
well. Rich kid naman eh.

262
 “Sexy ng mga girls ko ah.” I beamed. The hell.
Ang gaganda nila. I’m so proud of them. *Fake
tears*
“As if. Naku, umupo ka na nga dito.” Sara said.
“What’s with the smile? Ayie, siguro may ginawa
kayo sa sasakyan noh?” Kim asked?
Natahimik naman ako. Si Kim talaga oh,
napansin pa yun!
“Oo nga noh. May smudge pa ng lipstick si
Andy! Hahaha” Sabi ni Nof.
Medyo nagblush pa ako kasi totoo nga. Oh God.
Bakit hindi ko napansin yun??
Tapos nun, walang katapusang kwentuhan. Akala
mo isang taon kaming hindi nagkita eh noh?
Hahaha. Srsly, i love them. Hihihi. 
“Hoy. Spaced out ka na naman. Batukan kaya
kita?” Tignan mo ’to, ang brutal talaga. =___=
“I pity you, Dave.” Bigla namang kumunot yung
noo ni Sara, “Siguro isa kang battered boyfriend
noh? Ibreak mo na si Sara, i’ll support you.” I
sympathetically said. Seryoso yung mukha ko while
i was saying that.

263
 Biglang tumawa si Dave, “So glad to have you
back, Dana. Namiss ko yung mga banat mo.”
Nag sulk naman si Sara, “HoneyBabes, inaaway
niya ako. Hindi ka naman battered boyfriend di ba?”
“Kind of.” Sabi ni Dave kaya tumawa kaming
lahat. Ang saya lang namin noh? I know. We’re
awesome when we’re together.
After couple of minutes, nagsimula na yung
party. Syempre nagstart yung sa entrance ni Ynna.
No, let me rephrase that, sa GRAND entrance ni
Ynna.
“Ang ganda niya.” =___= Sabi ni KIm. 
Bigla siyang binatukan ni Nof, “Tumigil ka nga
jan. Wag mo ngang pagnasahan si Cyriel. Yung
ganda nga ni Dana, natalbugan eh, yung sa’yo pa
kaya?” Pagkasabi niya nun, tawanan kami. Medyo
nagtinginan yung ibang guests samin. Hahaha. Si
Kim kasi eh, deads na deads kay Cyriel. Cool naman
ako dun. Gwapo talaga eh, anong magagawa ko, di
ba? Haha.
“Ang payat niya ngayon noh?” Sabi ni Sara,
medyo tinignan ko ng mabuti si Ynna, oo nga, ang
payat niya ngayon.

264
 “Oo nga. Mas bagay sa kanya yung dati niyang
katawan, mukha siyang anorexic ngayon eh.”
Syempre pinag uusapan namin yun habang
naglalakad si Ynna sa grand staircase, at nung
naratiing niya yung dulo, what do you expect?
Syempre nandun si Cyriel, naghihintay.
“Bakit ka nakasimangot?!” Medyo iritadong
tanong ni Sara.
“Grabe ka naman,” Sabi ko, “Parang papatayin
mo naman ako sa tanong mo.
“Baka lang kasi naiinggit ka kay Ynna dahil
escort niya si Cyriel eh.”
“Naiinggit nga ako,” tapos tinaas ko yung kamay
ko kasi magsasalita na naman dapat si Sara, “Kasi
hindi ako nakapag debut..”
Kasi naman, si Cyriel yung kasama ko di ba?
Yung nasa amusement park kami with matching
couple shirts. Masaya naman ako nung mga panahon
na yun kaya lang, haaaay, gusto ko ding mag debut
=___=
Hindi ko na sasabihin yung mga nangyari sa
event proper kasi mabobore lang kayo. Dun na sa
speech ni Ynna.

265
 “First of all, i would like to thank all of you for
coming here. This party would not be possible if not
because of all of you.. To my parents.. Mom, you’re
the best. Words cannot express how thankful i am to
have you as my mother. God knows how much i
regret the times i’ve wasted because of my
insecurities. But now, i’ll do my best to make it up
to you. I love you, mom! Dad, you’re the world’s
greatest father.. Please continue to be a good and
loving husband to mom and a responsible governor.
I love you, dad!”
Tapos umiiyak na siya. Medyo naninibago talaga
ako sa kanya. Yan ba talaga ang nagagawa ng
America? Bumabait? Kung pumunta din kaya ako
dun??
“To my sister, Jamie, ate Ynna’s sorry.. I-i love
you..”
Tapos hagulgol na siya. Naiiyak din ako.
Masyado kasing sensitive yung topic eh, lahat ng tao
sa venue tumahimik..
“To Cyriel, thank you.. For always being there
and staying by my side.. For being strong for me..
I’m so sorry for all the things you sacrificed for me..
I-I love you..”

266
 Tapos tumingin ako kay Cyriel, ngumiti lang
siya. Di ba dapat mag i love you too din siya? Hay,
Dana! Mind your own business nga!!
Medyo humina yung boses niya, “To Dana, Dave,
Andy, Sara,” Nagulat kami. Kasama talaga kami?!
“..Sana tanggapin niyo ulit si Cy sa barkada
niyo.. He needs all of you.. Please..” Yun lang yung
sinabi niya tapos nag thank you siya at inannounce
na kakain na.
Tinignan namin si Cyriel pero tumalikod lang
siya. 
“Guys?” Tanong ni Dave.
“What?” Tanong ni Andy kay Dave.
“It’s about time na tanggapin natin siya ulit, don’t
you think?” Tanong ni Dave.
“Oo naman!” Sagot ni Kim. What do you expect?
Forever crush eh. =___=
“Ok lang..” Sabi ni Nof.
“Ah, eh, bahala kayo.” Sabi naman ni Sara. 
“Kung ano si Andy, ganun din ako.” Sabi ko. Di
ba nga i’ll consider Andy pag mga gantong

267
situations?
“So, Andy? What’s your decision?”
“Papayag ako.. Kung sasagutin na ako ni Dana.”
Oh-kay? Kailangan talaga may ganon?
“What?!” Tanong ko. Nakatingin kasi silang lahat
sa akin.
“Dana..” Sabi ni Dave, “Sasagutin mo din naman
siya di ba? Pwedeng ngayon na? Parang mas
pinaaga lang naman eh..”
Aish. Ang hirap tanggihan ni Dave. Ang cute
cute niya. =___=
“Fine!” Sabi ko.
“Yes!!” Sigaw ni Dave at Andy.
“Ikaw ang sinagot? Ikaw ang sinagot?” Mataray
na sabi ni Sara. Hahaha. Selos na naman si best
friend.
“Girlfriend na kita!!” Sabi ni Andy with
twinkling eyes.
“Opo, sir. Pwede tumahimik ka na? Nakatingin
silang lahat sa’tin oh.”

268
 So it’s been decided, welcome back to the gang,
Cyriel.

269
 Chapter 33

Chapter 33
“Baby, gising na.. Nanjan na si Andy sa baba..”
Inalis ko yung comforter sa mukha ko tapos,
“Sabihin mo mauna na siya kila Nof. Wala pa kong
tulog eh..” Tapos nagtaklob ulit ako.
Narinig kong umalis na si mom kaya natulog na
ulit ako. Sobrang puyat ko kasi after nung party ni
Ynna, dumiretso kami sa bar ni Dave. Nagyaya kasi
si Andy ng celebration dahil kami na daw tsaka si
Dave naman gustong magcelebrate dahil babalik na
si Cy sa grupo. Inaya ni Dave si Cy na sumama
samin pero tumanggi daw kasi sasamahan niya si
Ynna. Okay lang naman samin since valid yung
reason, birthday ng girlfriend niya. Syempre mas
priority yun. Tsaka okay naman yung pagkakasabi
niya, ’Next time, Dave. Sasamahan ko pa si Ynna
eh.’ Yun yung exact words na sinabi niya according
to Dave.
After couple of minutes, naramdaman kong may
umupo sa kama ko. 
“Dana ko.. Gising ka na..” 

270
 Hindi ko siya pinansin kasi inaantok pa talaga
ako =___=
“Dana ko..”
Dana ko talaga yung tawag niya sakin simula
kagabi. Inangkin na niya ako. Magkaka diabetes
yata ako sa lalaking to eh. Hahaha!
Kanina pa niya ako tinatawag kaya nagsalita na
ako, “2 hours. Let me sleep for 2 hours.”
Narinig ko siyang nag sigh tapos, “Pasalamat ka--
— Ayoko na ngang sabihin, lalaki na naman yung
ulo mo eh.”
Tignan mo to. Nababaliw na talaga =___=
“Dave? Yeah. Mamaya pa kami dadating. Oright.
Sige. Enjoy na kayo jan.” Kausap niya siguro si
Dave. 
Biglang may naramdaman akong nakahiga sa tabi
ko kaya napabangon ako ng wala sa oras!
“Andy!! Wag mo nga akong manyakin sa sarili
kong kwarto!”
Nagkamot naman siya ng batok, “Aish! Bakit ba
napakadumi ng utak mo? Matutulog lang din naman
ako eh.” Tapos tumayo siya at naglakad palabas.

271
 Dana naman! Bakit ang sama sama mo kay
Andy? Boyfriend mo na yun! You should at least
learn to trust him!
Kahit antok na antok pa ako, hinabol ko siya,
“Andy..”
“What?” Sagot niya habang nakatalikod.
“Sorry na..”
“Bakit ka nagsosorry? Wala ka namang kasalanan
eh.”
“Basta sorry na.. Tulog na tayo sa kwarto..”
“Dun na lang ako sa kotse matutulog. Gisingin
mo na lang ako pag aalis na tayo.” Tapos naglakad
na siya palabas.
Aish! First day na first day namin, LQ na agad.
Nakakainis naman.
Bumalik na ako sa kwarto pero hindi ako
makatulog. Nakokonsensya kasi ako eh. Tinawagan
ko na lang si Sara.
“Hello?”
“Sara..”

272
 “Bakit ganyan na naman yung boses mo? May
problema ka noh?” Tanong niya. 
“Eh kasi..” Hindi ko masabi, siguradong
papagalitan na naman ako ng babaeng to eh.
“Eh kasi?”
“Nag away kami ni Andy..”
“What?!” Sigaw niya, “Naku, Dana! For sure
ikaw ang may kasalanan!” Tignan mo to. Hindi pa
alam, ako na agad ang pinagbibintangan.
“Fine! Ako nga! Eh kasi naman, tinabihan niya
ako sa kama. Nagka nostalgia yata ako. Naalala ko
yung nangyari dati..”
Natahimik naman siya. 
“Hindi mo naman ako masisisi di ba? Natatakot
pa din kasi ako..”
“Hindi nga kita masisisi. Pero Dana, i think sapat
na lahat ng pinakita ni Andy para pagkatiwalaan mo
siya.. Gusto mo bang ipaalala ko lahat ng ginawa
niya para sa’yo?”
Natahimik ako. Tinamaan yata ako.

273
 “Una, kahit halos ipagtabuyan mo na siya, hindi
ka niya iniwan. Pangalawa, niligtas ka niya nung
dinrugs ka nung Briton na yun. Pangatlo--—”
Hindi ko na siya pinatapos kasi tumakbo na ako
palabas ng bahay.
Nakita kong nakahiga siya sa likod ng sasakyan
niya tapos hindi nakatuwid yung paa niya kasi nga
masakip lang dun. Kawawa naman ang boyfriend
ko..
Binuksan ko yung pinto nung sasakyan then i
went on top of him. 
“Dana?” Sabi niya, nagulat yata siya kasi nasa
taas niya ako.
Hindi ko siya pinagsalita kasi i kissed him.
“Sorry! Sorry kung ganito ako sa’yo.. Sorry kung
lagi na lang kita sinasaktan. Hindi ko naman
sinasadya eh.. Siguro sobrang insensitive lang talaga
ako kaya ko yun nagagawa. Sorry din kasi i speak
before i think. Sorry kung nakakasakit yung mga
nasasabi ko sa’yo.. Promise, Andy, i’ll be a good
girlfriend. So please patawarin mo na ako..” I said
while sobbing. I just realized how mean i was to
Andy. He had all the reasons to leave me pero hindi
niya ako iniwan. I am really lucky to have him.

274
 Pinunasan niya yung luha ko, “Baliw baliw ka
talaga.” He said while smiling.
“Hindi ka na galit sa’kin?”
“Hindi naman ako galit sa’yo eh. Always
remember, hindi ko kayang magalit sa’yo and don’t
ask me why kasi hindi ko rin alam kung bakit.” He
said while looking into my eyes. Matutunaw yata
ako =___=
“Thank you.. Promise magpapakabait na ako..” I
said while raising my hand.
“Hindi mo naman kailangang magbago eh. I love
you. I love everything about you. Mahal ko yung
pagiging masungit mo, yung pagiging abnormal mo,
yung pagiging pikon mo, yung pagiging baliw baliw
mo, yung pagiging lasinggera mo, yung pagiging
palaaway mo, yung pagiging magastos mo, yung
pagiging random mo. Mahal ko yun lahat kasi lahat
yung ay ikaw.”
Hindi ako makapagsalita kasi naiyak na lang
ako. 
“Andy.. Thank you.. Hindi ko alam yung
sasabihin ko kasi ang swerte swerte ko sa’yo. Hindi
ko alam kung ano yung nagawa ko nung past life ko
para maging deserving ako sa’yo. Maybe i saved

275
Jesus before kaya ganitong kaswerte ako ngayon..
I’ll do anything to make you happy..” I said while
continuously sobbing.
He wiped me tears, “Wag ka ng umiyak. And i
would really appreciate kung tatayo ka na..” He said
then i felt something hard.
Nagblush ako, “Sorry.” Yun na lang yung nasabi
ko. Kainis naman. Bakit nga ba ako pumatong sa
kanya? Bobo ko talaga =___=
“Ikaw talaga,” then he kissed my forehead,
“Maligo ka na ang baho mo na.”
“Ulol. Hindi ako mabaho no!”
“Tsaka magtoothbrush ka bago ka magspeech sa
harap ko.” He said while laughing. That ass!
“Ang kapal kapal mo!!”
Bigla niya akong niyakap, “Si loves naman, joke
lang. Alam mo namang kahit hindi ka
magtoothbrush hahalikan pa din kita.” Then he
kissed my neck. =___= Andy, ang aga aga pa,
inaakit mo na agad ako.
“Back off, loverboy. Maliligo lang ako.” I said
then i ran back inside. Mahirap na, natetempt din
ako.

276
 After some time, bumaba na din ako. Naka shorts
at tee lang ako. Gagala lang naman kila Nof eh.
Barbeque party lang daw. Maisipan talaga ng mga
kaibigan ko eh.
Pumasok na kami since pinagbilin na pala kami
ni Nof sa mga maids nila. Nasa entertainment room
daw sila. First time ko sa bahay nila Nof. As usual,
malaki. I mean, lahat naman ng bahay namin malaki
since lahat kami eh ano. Well, maliban na lang kay
Sara pero ehem, papakasalan naman ni Dave yung
luka lukang yun eh! Hahaha!
Pagbukas namin ng pinto, nakarinig agad kami
ng ingay. 
“Aish! Umalis ka na nga jan, Kim. Mukha kang
palakang sumasayaw.” Sabi ni Nof.
“Heh! Magboyfriend ka na nga ng tantanan mo
na ako!” Sabi ni Kim habang sumasayaw sa harap
ng xBox.
No offense pero.. Mukha nga siyang palaka.
Hahaha!
“xBox, pause!” Sigaw ni Andy. Biglang huminto
yung music kaya napatingin sila sa amin. Wow,
grand entrance much?

277
 “So kailangan grand entrance talaga ang
magboyfriend?” Tanong ni Kim.
“Bati na kayo?” Sabi ni Sara.
“Yep.” I smiled tapos tinaas ko yung magka
holding hands naming kamay ^___^
“Mabuti naman.” Sabi ni Dave, “Since nandito na
kayo, tara na sa garden nila.”
“Eh? Naglalaro pa kayo eh.” Sabi ko.
“Kanina pa kami naglalaro, pagod na kami.”
Grabe. Hindi ba tinatablan ng hang over yung mga
to?!
“Seriously, alam niyo ba yung salitang hang
over?” I asked. Hanep lang sa energy ang mga tao.
“Seriously, alam mo ba ang salitang aspirin?”
Gaya sa akin ni Kim. The hell. Ganyan ba akong
kaarteng magsalita?!
After nun, bumaba na kami tapos nagbarbeque
sila Andy at Dave habang kaming mga babae,
nagkwentuhan. And kwentuhan means chismisan.
“So, paano kayo nagbati?” Tanong ni Sara.
“Nag away agad kayo?!” Sigaw ni Kim.

278
 “Kailangan talaga sinisigaw?” Sabi ni Nof.
“Whatever. Nagsorry ako. Ako naman kasi yung
may mali eh..” I said.
“Mabuti naman. Babatukan talaga kita pag
nagbreak kayo.” Sabi ni Sara. Maka Andy to eh.
Mas kinakampihan niya si Andy kaysa sa akin na
best friend niya. =___=
After nun, pinag usapan naman namin sila Kim at
Nof. Pinipilit namin na magboyfriend na para hindi
na sila mag away. Hahaha!
“Hay nako, gusto ko na din ng boyfriend no. Pero
naghihintay lang ako.” Sabi ni Nof.
“Naghihintay. Sabihin mo walang nanliligaw
sa’yo!” Sabi ni Kim sabay tawa.
“Whatever. Eh ikaw ba? May nanliligaw ba
sa’yo?”
“Walang nanliligaw sakin kasi may boyfriend na
ako.” Sabi ni Kim habang nakangiti ng nakakaloko.
Nga nga na lang kami.
“What?! Kailan pa?!” Sabi naming tatlo.
“Chill lang. Last week lang.”

279
 “Grabe ka! Hindi mo man lang sinabi sa amin..”
Sabi namin habang kunwari nagtatampo.
“Eh kasi naman, hindi pa ako sure kung kamin
talaga kaya hindi ko muna sinabi.”
“Eh, kwento ka na.”
So ayun, habang nagpapakahirap magbarbeque si
Andy at Dave, kami ay nagpapakasaya. Haay, the
benefits of being a girl nga naman.
“Sino naman yung malas na lalaki?” Sabi ni Nof.
“His name is Clarence. And fyi, hindi siya
malas.” Sabi ni Kim sabay irap.
Clarence? Sounds familiar. San ko ba narinig
yun?
“Clarence?” Tanong ko.
“Clarence Perez. Yung family nila yung may ari
ng shopping malls?”
Sabi ko na nga ba eh. Familiar talaga yung name
niya.
“So, paano kayo nagkakilala?” Tanong ko. Wala
na akong balak sabihin yung alam ko. Bahala na

280
siyang malaman yun. For sure naman matutuwa siya
if ever na malaman niya eh.
“Di ba nga yung daddy ko may ari ng
architectural firm? Eh nagpapa design sila sa daddy
ko, tapos pumunta ako sa office ng dad ko kasi
nagka problema sa card ko. Sabi nung secretary niya
nasa meeting daw dun sa office ni Rence kaya
pumunta ako dun. Nung pagpunta ko dun, wala
naman sa desk niya yung secretary kaya diretso na
akong pumasok sa office ni Rence. Wala naman dun
yung daddy ko, instead, nakita kong nag aaway si
Clarence tsaka yung girlfriend niya, yung model na
si Ariza Domingo? Then ayun, pagpasok ko,
napatingin silang dalawa sa akin. Tapos nagsalita si
Ariza, siya ba? Tapos bigla siyang umiyak. Medyo
nagtataka pa nga ako sa nangyari kaya napatulala na
lang ako. Biglang lumapit sa akin si Rence tapos
hinalikan ako! Grabe. Hindi ako nakagalaw nun.
Tapos sabi niya kay Ariza, yes, she’s my new
girlfriend so if you’ll excuse us? Sabi ni Rence.
Tapos umalis si Ariza ng umiiyak habang nakatulala
pa din ako.”
Napatulala na lang kaming lahat. So ganon?
“Ang easy to get mo naman..” Sabi ni Nof.
“Whatevs. Inggit ka lang.”

281
 “So, ganun na lang yun? Kayo na?”
“Ewan ko. Kaya nga hindi ko masabi di ba? Pano
ba naman. after umalis ni Ariza, bumalik siya sa
upuan niya tapos nagsign ng kung anu ano tapos
hindi na ako pinansin. The hell lang di ba?!”
“Tapos?” Tanong namin. Grabe, ang intense lang
ng lovestory ng gaga na to! Hahaha!
“Ayun, after nun, hindi ko na siya tinigilan.
Sinabi niyang girlfriend niya ako eh, panindigan
niya! Hahaha! Kung makikita niyo lang yung mukha
niya, epic! Alam niyo, kamukha siya ni Cyriel. Isa
pa yun sa dahilan kaya ayaw ko siyang tigilan eh,
alam niyo namang crush ko si Cy. Pati magkaugali
sila. Parehong masungit.” Tapos kinilig na siya.
Haay, kung alam mo lang, Kim. Hindi lang siya
kamukha ng crush mo kasi kuya siya ng crush mo.
=___=
Tapos nun, kumain na kami ng barbeque tapos
walang katapusang asaran. Bigla kaming nagulat
kasi,
“Guys..” Nakita namin si Cy.
O.o
NR kaming lahat, buti na lang alerto si Dave.

282
 “Cyriel! Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Tanong ni
Dave. Tanong din namin yan..
“Galing ako sa inyo, sabi nandito daw kayo
lahat.” Sabi niya habang nakatingin sa akin?
“Bakit mo naman ako hinahanap?” Tanong ni
Dave.
Tumingin na siya kay Dave, mabuti naman!
“Gusto kasi ni Ynna na sumama kayo..”
“Hah?”
“Post birthday celebration sa Pansol. Aalis
mamaya. All expense paid. Presence niyo lang ang
kailangan.”
“Eh? Bakit biglaan?”
“Kagabi lang niya naisip eh.” So ganon? Impulse
lang niya?
“Bakit kailangan kasama kami? I mean, pare,
hindi naman kami close ng girlfriend mo eh.” Tama,
Dave! Yan din ang naiisip namin.
“…Puro kasi kaibigan ni Ynna yung kasama eh..
Naisip niya na baka ma out of place ako kaya
sumama daw kayo..” Sabi niya habang nakatingin
ulit sa akin?

283
 Lumapit si Andy sa akin tapos inakbayan ako.
Possessive much?
“Kung sasama kayo, text niyo na lang ako..”
Tapos tumalikod siya at umalis agad.
“Ano? Sasama ba tayo?” Tanong ni Dave,
“Holiday naman ng Monday eh.”
Sasama ba o sasama?

284
 Chapter 34

Chapter 34
“Whoa.” Yun na lang yung nasabi namin
pagdating namin sa location na sinabi sa amin ni
Cyriel.
“Corrupt kaya yung tatay ni Ynna?” Tanong ni
Sara.
“Huh?” Tanong naming lahat.
“Eh kasi, tignan mo naman, rest house lang to
pero shet, mansion. I wonder kung may ginagawa
ding under the table transactions yung tatay ni
Ynna.”
Bigla namang natawa si Nof, “Sara, alam mo,
kahit hindi governor ang daddy ni Ynna, mayaman
talaga sila. May ari sila ng iba’t ibang plantations sa
Davao at Bukidnon. Ang lolo at lola niya, maraming
investments sa iba’t ibang multi-national companies
kaya wag mo ng pagdudahan yung daddy niya.”
Tumango tango naman si Sara, “Okay. Pasok na
tayo sa loob.” Tignan mo tong babaeng ’to. May 360
degree shift of mood eh.

285
 Pagpasok namin sa mismong villa, wala si Cy o
Ynna, may isang lalaki lang na lumapit sa amin.
“You must be Cyriel’s friends?”
“You are?”
“Kill Henares, Ynna’s cousin. She’s already
asleep so i’ll be accompanying you to your rooms.”
Sabi niya sabay talikod. 
“Tss. Ang hangin niya.” Comment ni Nof.
“I agree.” Sabay naming sabi ni Sara.
“Hindi kaya. Ang pogi niya.” Sabi ni Kim sabay
twinkle ng mata.
“Magtigil ka nga. Akala ko ba may boyfriend ka
na?” Sabi ni Nof. Oo nga pala, ’boyfriend’ niya si
Clarence. Alam kaya ni Cy yun?
“Oo nga pala. Muntik ko ng makalimutan yung
busangot na lalaking yun.” Tawa naman kaming
lahat. Alam na naming lahat na si Clarence pala na
kapatid ni Cy ang tinutukoy ni Kim na boyfriend
niya. Siya na lang yata ang hindi nakakaalam. “At
dahil may boyfriend na ako, immatchmake ko na
lang kayo, Nof. Malay mo pag nagka love life ka,
mabawas bawasan na yung pang aapi mo sa’kin.”
O_o ---— Reaction ni Nof.

286
 “Bakit speechless ka? Ayieeee. Type mo si Kill
noh?!”
“H-hindi ah! Hinding— hindi kaya! Ang kapal
ng mukha mo!”
“Hahahaha! A strong negative is a positive. Type
mo nga siya.” Sabay takbo ni Kim. Tapos ayun,
naghabulan na sila.
“Isip bata talaga yung mga yun.” Sabi ni Andy.
“Okay lang yun, at least masaya sila.” Sabay
yakap ko sa kanya.
“Sabagay.” Tapos kiniss niya ako sa noo.
Umakyat na kami sa kanya kanyang room
assignments namin. Magkasama kaming apat na
babae sa isang room. Magkasama naman si Andy,
Dave, Cy, at Kill sa isang room. Kasama naman ni
Ynna yung dalawang pinsan niyang babae sa
kabilang room.
“Haaaaaay.” Sabay naming sabi pagkahiga sa
kama. “Nakakapagod yung byahe. Pero gusto kong
magswimming.”
“Bukas na, Dana. Tulog muna tayo.” 

287
 “Tulog na kayo. Swimming muna ako. Sayang
yung hype ko eh.”
“Sige. Akyat ka na lang pagkatapos mo.”
Tapos nun, kumuha na ako ng swimsuit ko.
Sumilip ako sa room ng boys pero tulog na si Andy
at Dave, si Kill naman, may kausap sa phone. Si
Cyriel siguro nasa room ni Ynna.
Bumaba na ako sa pool tapos nagswimming na
ako. Nakakatanggal talaga ng stress. Mga 20
minutes din akong continuous lumalangoy nung
umahon ako. Umupo ako sa edge ng pool.
“Sht. Nakalimutan kong kumuha ng towel. Pano
ako aakyat.” Sabi ko sa sarili ko. Ang lamig pa
naman kasi gabi na.
Bigla akong napalingon kasi may naglagay ng
towel sa akin, “Cy?”
Tinignan niya lang ako.
“S-salamat.”
Tumalikod na siya. Akala ko aalis na siya pero
nagulat ako kasi umupo lang siya sa swing. Tumayo
ako tapos, “Pwedeng tumabi?”
Nagshrug lang siya ng balikat.

288
 “Long time no talk, huh?”
Hindi siya sumasagot kaya tinanong ko siya,
“Hanggang ngayon tahimik ka pa din?”
Hindi siya sumagot kaya sabi ko, “Sige, akyat na
ako.”
Tumayo na ako pero hinawakan niya yung braso
ko, 
“Dito ka lang, Dana…”
I froze.
“Do you love Andy?”
“O-of course.”
“Do you still love me?”
“Huh?!”
Lumapit siya sakin, “Mahal mo pa ba ako?”
Tanong niya.
I can feel his breathe on my neck.
“C-cyriel.”
Bigla niya akong niyakap.
“I missed you.”

289
 “Joke ka ba?”
Lalo niyang hinigpitan yung yakap niya sa’kin.
I pushed him, “Alam mo ba kung ganong kahirap
bago ko natanggap na wala ka na?! Na wala na
tayo?! Tapos ngayon kung kailan maayos na, okay
na ako, babalik ka tapos sasabihin mo yan?!” 
I started to cry.
“Ang sama— sama mo..” I said while hitting
him.
“Bakit mo ba ako pinapahira--—”
I didn’t finish my sentence because he kissed me!
At first, pinipigilan ko siya. Fck. This is wrong.
May boyfriend ako, may girlfriend siya. Andy trusts
me. 
I tried to stop him pero in the end, i kissed him
back. I gave in.. 
He pinned me on the wall and kissed me. He
enveloped me inside his arms while i pulled his head
to deepen our kiss. We shared the kiss that has
haunted me for a year..

290
 We were both gasping for air. Magkadikit yung
noo namin habang nakatingin kami sa mata ng isa’t
isa. 
“You still love me.” He said with conviction.
“I love Andy..”
“But you love me.”
“You have Ynna.”
“But you love me.”
“Bakit mo ba to ginagawa?”
“Because you love me.”
“Fck you!”
Then he kissed me again.
“Dana, i’m doing this because you love me.”
What do you want from me, Cyriel?!
“You’re still mine, Dana. Still mine..”
Then he left me.
After that unfortunate event, iniwanan ko siya.
Hindi ko talaga maintindihan si Cyriel. Ano ba’ng
gusto niya? Hindi siya naman yung nang iwan sa

291
aming dalawa? Siya yung hindi nakinig sakin tapos
ngayon na okay na ako, na masaya na ako, eto na
naman siya.. 
“I saw what happened earlier.”
Napatingin ako sa nagsalita sa likod ko..
“Kill?”
“You’re Cyriel’s ex girlfriend, right?”
Bakit niya alam yun? Kinwento ba sa kanya ni
Cyriel? Close ba sila?
“I prefer to be called Dana and not Cyriel’s ex
girlfriend.” I said with sarcasm. Nakakainis. Yun ba
talaga ang identity ko? Ex girlfriend niya?!
He smirked, “You’re the same as my cousin. I
wonder why you didn’t get along very well.”
“Excuse me but being compared to your cousin is
a BIG insult.” I emphasized the word big. Aish.
Bakit ba nagiging bitch na naman ako? I’m a
changed woman, right? No hard feelings na dapat
eh. Bwisit naman kasi tong Cyriel na to!
“Whatever.” Then he stood up. Leche. Napapa
english ako sa lalaking to!

292
 Bago siya umalis, “You know, love is about
experiencing pain for other’s happiness or choosing
happiness above other’s pain. And in this case, you
must choose what’s best for everybody.” And with
that, he left me.
O-kay? He speaks in riddles. But then, he has a
point. I must choose what’s best for everybody. I’ll
stay with Andy.
After nung nangyari kagabi, pinilit kong iwasan
si Cyriel. Pag nakikita ko pa lang na
magkakasalubong kami, mag iiba na ako ng way.
Malaki naman ang villa kaya madali lang umiwas.
Pag kakain naman, bibilisan kong kumain tapos
didiretso na ako sa kwarto. In short, hindi ko din na
enjoy yung supposed to be ’vacation.’ Halos buong
second day namin sa Pansol, iwas Cyriel mode lang
ang ginawa ko. Salamat lang talaga at hindi
napansin nila Andy.
“Dana!” Sigaw ni Sara sa’kin.
“Wey?”
“Tara dito sa labas, may bonfire!”
“Sige, dito na lang ako. Tinatamad ako eh.”
Nakakainis naman. Gusto ko pa namang mag
bonfire ngayon eh. 

293
 “Aish, ang dami mong arte. Tara na. Uuwi na
tayo bukas eh, halos hindi lumalabas jan sa
kwarto.” 
Sumama na ako. Baka kasi mahalata niya na
umiiwas ako eh. Mahirap na, malakas pa naman
makaramdam tong babaeng to.
Paglabas namin, nandun na sila. Si Andy, Dave,
Kim, Nof, Sara, Kill, yung dalawang babaeng pinsan
na hindi ko alam ang pangalan, si Ynna.. at si
Cyriel. 
“Beb, dito!” Tawag sakin ni Andy.
Sobrang nagguilty ako kaya pumunta agad ako
dun at yumakap kay Andy. Saktong paglingon ko,
nakita ko si Cyriel na nakatingin sa amin.
“M-may smores ba?” Tanong ko kay Andy.
“Meron pero nasa loob pa, gusto mo kunin ko?”
“Hindi, ako na lang. Babalik din ako.” Tumayo
na ako tapos pumasok sa loob. Sht. Bakit ba
nagkakaroon ako ng ganitong reaction? Konting
tingin lang niya nagkakaganito na ako. Siguro
kailangan ko ng closure sa unfinished business
namin para matahimik na ako. 
Hindi ko kayang lokohin si Andy..

294
 He deserves to be loved.
Kinuha ko yung smores tapos bumalik na ako sa
bonfire. Nakita kong magkayakap si Cy at Ynna.
Pwede naman akong magselos di ba? Ex—
girlfriend pa rin naman ako kahit papano..
“Okay ka lang? Namumutla ka oh.” Tanong sakin
ni Nof.
“Okay lang noh. Kulang lang siguro sa araw.
Nasa kwarto lang kasi ako maghapon eh.” 
“Sabagay. Oo nga pala, naglalaro na kami ng
Shot or Dare.”
Shot or Dare? Di ba dapat Truth or Dare?
“Eh?” Tanong ko.
“Shot or Dare kasi nga hindi naman natin ka
close lahat ng tao dito kaya hindi kami comfortable
sa Truth. Kaya instead na Truth, Shot na lang.”
Paliwanag sakin ni Nof.
Naglaro na sila. Sila lang talaga actually. Hindi
ako nagpaparticipate kasi nabbother ako pag
nakikita kong ang sweet sweet ni Cyriel kay Ynna.
Tuwing tumatapat sakin yung bote, nagsshot lang
ako. KJ nga daw pero anong magagawa ko?

295
Nakakainis lang talaga. Bakit ba kasi ako naiinis?
Kainis!
“Cyriel!” Tumapat kay Cyriel yung bote.
“Shot or Dare?” Tanong nila sa kanya. Shot na
lang, please. Medyo lasing na yung mga tao, baka
kung ano ang ipagawa sa kanya.
“Dare.” Sagot niya.
“Dare? Kish mo si girlfriend mo.” Sabi ni Kim.
Lasing na halos kaming lahat pwera kay Cyriel,
Dave, at Kill. Si Andy din lasing na.
Hindi ko alam kung mabigat na lang talaga yung
mata ko dahil sa alak kaya napapikit ako o dahil
ayoko lang talaga makitang hinahalikan ni Cyriel si
Ynna.
“Oh. Tapos na ang kissing scene. Umakyat na
tayong lahat kasi balik Manila na tayo bukas.” Sabi
ni Dave. Tinulungan nila yung ibang babae na
umakyat pati si Andy. Nagvolunteer ako na ako na
yung mag aayos ng bonfire.
Hindi ko alam pero tumayo ako at hinanap ko
siya..
“Cyriel.. Tayo pa rin naman, di ba?”

296
 Epekto ba ng alak kaya ko nasabi yun? Pero
naisip ko lang..  If love is really about experiencing
pain for other’s happiness or choosing happiness
above other’s pain.. In this case, i’ll be selfish. I’ll
choose happiness. I’ll choose him.

297
 Chapter 35

Chapter 35
“Tayo pa di ba?” I asked him. Bahala na. Pag
sinabi niyang oo, then good. Pag sinabi niyang
hindi, sasabihin ko na lang na lasing ako to save my
goddamned pride. 
I silently waited for his answer. Damn it! Bakit ba
masyado akong apektado sa paghalik niya kay
Ynna? Ano’ng karapatan kong magselos gayong
hinahalikan ko din naman si Andy? Naaapektuhan
din kaya siya kapag nakikita niyang hinahalikan ko
si Andy?
“May girlfriend ako.” He said. Fck it. Ang sakit
pala talaga. Lalo na pag nanggaling mismo sa kanya.
“Then break up with her.”
“Then break up with him.”
Fck it! Ano ba ang gusto mo, Cyriel?!
“I will, hiwalayan mo muna si Ynna.” I said.
Sinabi ko lang yun para matahimik siya, truth be
told, hindi ko alam kung kaya ko bang gawin yung

298
sinasabi ko. Isipin ko lang na wala si Andy sa tabi
ko, hindi ko na alam yung gagawin ko..
He smirked, “Then deal with it, i am the one that
got away.”
Tumalikod na siya at nagsimulang maglakad with
one hand in his pocket. Damn it, Cyriel! How
arrogant can you get?!
“Tell me, ano ba ang gusto mo?!” I said with
conviction. I didn’t bother to shout kasi baka may
makarinig sa amin.
“Hiwalayan mo si Andy. Don’t make me say that
again.”
“G-give me time to think..” I uttered.
Hindi na siya sumagot, instead, tinalikuran niya
ako at nagsimulang maglakad ulit.
It’s been a week simula nung Pansol trip namin.
Isang linggo na din simula nung sumasama sa amin
si Cyriel. Isang linggo na akong naiinis.
“Don’t tell me, affected ka pa din?” Tanong ni
Sara.
“O-of course not!” Depensa ko naman, “Wala
kasi si Andy eh. Wag mo na akong pansinin.” I said.

299
 Lagi kasing wala si Andy. Graduating na kasi
siya kaya busy siya sa thesis niya pati defense.
Nagccram na siya ngayon kasi nga lagi siyang nasa
bahay namin dati kaya ngayon lang siya naghahabol
para sa final draft at defense ng thesis niya. Aish.
Nakakamiss din si Andy. Paano kaya pag
grumaduate na siya? Ngayong end ng first sem pa
naman yun.
“Speaking of Andy, graduating na ’yun di ba? If i
heard it right, si Cyriel ay delayed ng 2 sems?”
Tanong ni Sara. Oo nga noh, ngayon ko lang naalala.
“Oo yata. Narinig ko lang kay Dave yan eh.
Hindi yata sila nag aral sa States.” Sabi ko na lang.
Kung hindi sila nag aral dun, ano kaya ang ginawa
nila? Psh. 
“Tsk. Tsk.” 
“Oh? Ano na naman ineemote mo jan, Sara?”
“Eh kasi ggraduate na si Andy tapos maiiwan pa
dito si Cyriel. Baka mamaya may mangyaring
kakaiba na naman, Dana. Nag aalala lang ako.”
“Umayos ka nga. Kung anu ano iniisip mo.” Sabi
ko na lang. Pero sa totoo lang, kinakabahan ako.
Ngayon ngang hindi pa graduate si Andy, may
nangyayari na. Ano pa kaya kung graduate na siya?

300
 Pagkatapos naming mag usap ni Sara, binalik na
namin yung attention namin kay Dave. Nagpplano
kasi siya ng house party para sa aming magbbarkada
lang. Kung iniisip niyo kung bakit ako tinatanong ni
Sara kung affected ba ako, kasi naman, parang koala
na nakalambitin si Ynna kay Cyriel. Nako, kung
nandito lang si Andy, magpapaka tarsier din ako!
“Honeybabes, inuman na naman? Lagi na lang
tayong umiinom eh. Nakakasawa na.” Sabi ni Sara
kay Dave. Tama naman, nakakasawa ng uminom.
Pag lagi niyong ginagawa, nakakawala ng thrill.
“I agree, Sara. Wala na bang ibang pwedeng
gawin?” Sabi naman ni Nof.
“Kayo, isip kayo ng pwedeng gawin. Basta sa
bahay lang ang venue, ayoko na kasing lumabas.
Hassle eh.” Sabi naman ni Dave.
Nag isip kami ng mga pwedeng gawin sa loob ng
bahay. Syempre number 1 ang inuman pero rejected
na agad yun kasi nga sobrang nakakasawa na. Nag
suggest din sila ng swimming party pero rejected
dahil -ber month na. Ang lamig lamig na. Kung anu
ano ang suggestion pero nauwi din kami sa movie
marathon.

301
 “So, movie marathon it is. Ano ang papanoorin
natin?” Tanong ni Dave.
“A walk to remember!” Sagot ni Kim.
“Oh, please! Hindi tayo pupunta dun para mag
senti.” Pangontra agad ni Nof sa bestfriend niya.
Ang cute lang nila. Hahaha!
“Ikaw, Cyriel? May suggestion ka ba?” Tanong ni
Dave. Okay, napatigil sila sa paglalandian dahil sa
tanong ni Dave.
“Kayo na lang bahala.” Yun lang ang sinabi niya.
“Sige. Horror— Suspense na lang tayo sa Friday.
Pahiram ng external niyo ha, Cyriel?”
“Sure. Dadalin ko na lang.” 
“Uhm, Dana, sa tingin mo ba makakarating si
Andy sa Friday?” Tanong sa kin ni Dave. Medyo na
awkward-an ako kasi nakatingin din si Cyriel at
Ynna sa akin. Ang awkward.
“Di ako sure eh. Alam mo naman, busy sa thesis
niya. Ayokong istorbohin kasi baka ma delay pa.”
“Ayieeeee.” Sabi ni Nof, Kim, at Sara.

302
 “Naks naman, supportive girlfriend.” Sabi ni
Kim.
“Syempre, tanga na lang niya pagpinakawalan
niya pa si Andy.” Sabi ni Nof.
“Talaga naman. Ang laki na lang niyang tanga.”
Sabi ni Sara.
Forever Andy fans. Mukhang pag nag away kami
ni Andy, siya ang kakampihan nila. =___=
“Sino ba ang kaibigan niyo? Si Andy o ako?”
Sabi ko ng parang nagtatampo.
“Whatever.” Sagot nilang tatlo. Wow. Ako kasi
talaga yung kaibigan niyo, guys!
“So, it’s settled. Kita kita sa Friday, ha?” 
Tapos naghiwa hiwalay na kami papunta sa kanya
kanya naming klase. Nakita kong hinatid ni Cyriel si
Ynna dun sa room nila. Bakit ko kamo alam?
Magkka college kami, remember? Hindi pa naman
ako umaabot sa pagiging stalker nila. Not yet.
Natapos ang araw ko ng hindi ko nakakasalubong
ang dalawang yun. Haay, nakakamiss si Andy.
Walang nanggulo sa akin. Tawagan ko nga.
Beb

303
 calling…
“Andy?”

“Bakit ganyan boses mo? May sakit ka ba?”

( “Hindi pa ako natutulog eh..”)
“Matulog ka muna. Baka magkasakit ka..”
( “Ayoko. Gusto ko ng tapusin to para makasama
na kita. Halfway done na naman ako eh.”)
“Naks naman. Ang sipag talaga ah.”
( “Syempre naman. Para sa future natin eh.”)
“Para namang sure na sure kang papakasalan
kita? Hahaha.”
( “Alam ko lang.”)
“Whatever.”
( “Pero iniisip ko na wag munang ipasa ’to..”)
“Ha? Bakit?!”
( “Eh kasi mauuna akong grumaduate. Ayokong
malayo sa’yo..”) 

304
 Kinikilig ako. Kinikilig ako! : “>
“Tumigil ka nga, Andy. Grumaduate ka na. Tsaka
1 year na lang naman ako kasi 4 years lang naman
ang course ko. Tsaka baka magalit sila Tito at Tita sa
akin pag nalaman nilang naging 6 years ung
originally 5 years na course mo dahil sa akin.”
( “Aish. Naiinis kasi ako tuwing iniisip ko na
maiiwan pa si Cyriel jan eh.”)
“Don’t tell me nagseselos ka?”
Hala. Kinikilig ako lalo! Mukha na akong
tangang nakangiti dito!
( “Eh ex mo pa din kaya yung ggo na yun.. Tsaka
mahal mo pa yata yun eh..”)
“Andy!”
( “Oh”)
“Sino ba ang boyfriend ko?”

“Sino ba ang tinatawagan ko?”

305
 “Sino ba ang namimiss ko?”

“Sino ba ang pinakilala ko sa parents ko?”

“Sino ba ang sinasabihan ko ng mahal ko?”

“Ngayon, sa tingin mo dapat ka pa bang

magselos?”
( “…Hindi na. Salamat, Dana. Mahal na mahal na
mahal na mahal talaga kita! Sige, bbye na. Tatapusin
ko na ’tong thesis ko para makapunta na ulit ako sa
inyo. Salamat sa pagtawag. I love you!”)
“I love you, too.”
Tapos tinatapos ko na yung tawag.
“Yun pala ang gustong makipagbalikan. Eh ang
sweet niyo pala ni Andy eh.” Nagulat ako kasi
biglang nagsalita si Cyriel sa likod ko.
“Kanina ka pa jan?” Tanong ko habang
nakahawak sa dibdib ko.

306
 “Long enough para marinig ko yung i love you,
too mo.” Tapos nag smirk siya.
“Eh ano bang pakielam mo, the one that got
away?” Tanong ko tapos nagsmirk din ako.
“Wala naman.”
Naiinis na ako kaya iniwan ko na siya at
naglakad ako papunta sa parking lot. Sinusundan
ako ng mokong na ’to, nakakainis!
“Hoy! Bakit mo ba ako sinusundan?!” Tanong
ko.
“Asa ka pa. Ikaw ba may ari ng parking lot?”
“Bwisit!” Tapos tinalikuran ko na siya at
naglakad ulit papunta sa beloved baby ko.
ASDFHJKL!!! Bakit butas yung gulong ng baby
ko?!!!
“Need a lift?” Tanong niya habang nakangiti ng
nakakaasar. Oh Jesus, gusto niyo bang sinusubukan
ang pasensya ko?
“You,” lumapit ako sa kanya, “Tell me, binutas
mo ba yung gulong ko?” I calmly said pero halatang
naiinis na ako.

307
 Tinaas niya yung kamay niya, “Wala akong
alam.” Sabi niya. No need for further questioning,
binutas niya!
“You, hideous creature! Bwisit ka talaga sa buhay
ko!!” There, naiinis na ako kaya nagsisisgaw na ako
dun. Wala na akong pakielam kung may makakita
man at makarinig sa akin kasi nabbwisit na talaga
ako!
“Una, dinurog mo yung pride ko. Pangalawa, lagi
kayong nagppda sa harap ko. Ngayon naman,
dinamay mo pa yung sasakyan ko?! What’s for
next?!” Sigaw ko.
“What’s for next?” Naglakad siya papalapit sa
akin, “Babawiin kita kay Andy.” Bulong niya sa
akin.
Tinulak ko siya, “You wish!”
“We will see.”
“Asa ka pa! Bwisit ka!” Tapos pumunta ako sa
sasakyan niya at sinipa ko ng sinipa yung gulong
niya, “Aray!!” Tapos tumalon talon ako kasi ang
sakit. Ako pa yung nasaktan sa ginawa ko. Bwisit
talaga ’tong hayop na to!

308
 Lumapit siya sa akin tapos binuhat ako na parang
sako, “Ano ba?! Ibaba mo nga ako!!”
“Shut up, will you? Dadalin kita sa ospital.” Sabi
niya tapos pinasok niya ako sa backseat ng lambo
niya.
“Isusumbong kita kay Andy, bwisit ka!”
“Sumbong mo para magselos siya. That will
benefit me, the one that got away.”
“Wag mo nga akong tawagin na ganun.
Nakakbwisit ka talaga!”
“The one that got away, tumahimik ka na. O baka
naman gusto mong patahimikin kita?” Tapos
tinignan niya ako tapos bumaba yung tingin niya sa
lips ko. Manyak!
“Manyak ka! Napunta ka lang sa States naging
mayabang at manyak ka na! Ibalik mo na si Cyriel
na tahimik at hindi bastos!!”
Bigla siyang nagpreno kaya napa tilapon ako ng
konti sa unahan. Pag angat ko ng ulo ko, o_O
Nagulat ako kasi hinalikan na niya agad ako.
Nakabukas lang yung mata ko habang nakapikit
yung mata niya. 

309
 Hinalikan niya ako ng halos 10 seconds. Thank
God, walang movements. =___=
“There, hinalikan na kita. Satisfied? Pwede ka na
bang tumahimik?” Tapos bumaik na siya sa
pagddrive at hindi ako pinansin.
Humiga na lang ako sa likod at tahimik na
minumura si Cyriel sa isip ko. Walangya ka!!
Walangya ka!! Ang kapal kapal mong halikan ako
pagkatapos mo akong bastedin. Bwisit ka!
After couple of minutes, nakarating din kami sa
ospital. Binuksan niya yung pinto ng sasakyan at
binuhat ako. Hindi na ako nagreklamo kasi i
perfectly understand na hindi mahalaga ang opinyon
ko. Fine.
“Kaano ano niyo po ang pasyente?” Tanong nung
nurse sa amin.
“Boyfriend.” Sabi ni Cyriel.
“Ex boyfriend.”
“Na magiging boyfriend ulit.”
“Na magiging ex ulit.”
“Na magiging boyfriend ulit.”

310
 “Na magiging ex ulit.”
“Na magiging boyfriend ulit.”
“Na magiging ex ulit.”
Ganun lang yung paulit ulit na sinasabi namin
kaya nainis na yung nurse, “Ayan, it’s complicated
ang nilagay ko! Mga kabataan nga naman, ang sakit
sa ulo!” Tapos sinamahan niya kami papunta sa
doctor habang thank God, naka stretcher na ako.
Ayoko ng magpabuhat sa creature na ’to!
“Na sprain ka lang, hija. Lalagyan lang natin ng
bandage at konting pahinga lang okay ka na ulit.
Mabuti na lang at nadala ka agad ng boyfriend mo,
kung hindi ay baka lumala pa iyan..”
“Ay nako, hindi ko po ’to boyfriend, doc.” Sabi
ko sabay hand gestures pa.
“Ay, sayang naman. Bagay pa naman kayo. O
siya, maiwan ko na kayo at may ibang pasyente pa
akong aasikasuhin.”
Tapos umalis na yung doctora at naiwan kami ng
creature na ’to.
“Bakit mo ba pinagkakalat na boyfriend kita?!”
Nag shrug lang siya.

311
 “Creature ka talaga!!”
“Shut up, the one that got away.” Sabi niya ng
nakangiting nang aasar. Alam na alam niya talaga
kung paano pakuluin ang dugo ko.
“Magpapakasal na ako kay Andy para tigilan mo
na ako!”
“Sure. Dadalin kita sa Las Vegas bago pa
mangyari yun.”
“Asa ka pa.”
“Try me. Baka gusto mong mapalitan na yang
Ferrer ng Perez. Sabihin mo lang.”
“Hayop ka talaga!” Sabi ko sa kanya.
Lumapit siya sa akin tapos may binulong siya sa
tenga ko, “Lalo akong natturn on pag nagmumura
ka, the one that got away..”
Oh God. San niyo po ba dinala yung totoong
Cyriel?

312
 Chapter 36

Chapter 36
Smirk.
Yan ang unang bagay na nakita kong ginawa ni
Cyriel pagkapasok na pagkapasok ko sa
entertainment room.
“Keep it to yourself, Cyriel. Wala ako sa mood
makipagtalo.” I said in desperate tone.
“Wala naman akong ginagawa eh.” He said.
“Then good. And please continue doing so.” I
said then umupo na ako sa sofa.
Flashback
Nung gabing hinatid ako ni Cyriel, pinuntahan
ako ni Andy. 
“Napano ka?” Sabi ni Andy pagkakita niya sa paa
ko, “Okay ka na ba? Gusto mo dalhin kita sa
doctor?” He asked in his worried tone.
“No need. Kakagaling ko lang dun.” 

313
 “San mo ba nakuha yan? Kasi naman eh, wag ka
ng mag heels..” Sabi niya tapos umupo siya sa tabi
ko at hinilot yung sprained ankle ko, “Feeling
better?”
I nodded, “San mo natutunan yan?”
“Nagseminar ako.” 
Bigla naman akong natawa. Nawala lahat ng
stress na nakuha ko kay Cyriel kanina.
“Weh? Ikaw? Si Andrei Louie Guzman? Kumuha
ng seminar sa pagmamasahe? Hahahaha!” Then i
burst into laughter. Nakakatawa kasing iimagine.
“Tss. Masama ba?”
“Hindi naman,” tapos pinunasan niya yung luha
ko kasi naiyak na ako sa katatawa, “Pero bakit mo
ginawa yun?”
“Lagi kasing stressed sa trabaho si Mama at Papa
eh. Kaya naisipan kong mag aral ng ganun para
makatulong naman akong matanggal kahit konti
yung stress nila. Hindi ko pa kayang ihandle yung
business, that’s the least i can do.”
Dumbfounded.
How can someone be THIS thoughtful?

314
 “Aish. Feeling ko tuloy ang sama kong anak.”
Ginulo niya yung buhok ko, “Buti alam mo.”
Tapos tumawa siya, “Teka, san mo nga pala nakuha
yan?”
“Uhm,” nag iisip ako kung magsisinungaling ba
ako at sasabihin kong nadulas ako o sasabihin ko sa
kanya yung totoo at sasaktan ko siya? 
“Si Cyriel kasi eh.. Pero walang nangyari,
promise! Sinipa ko lang yung gulong niya kasi
inaasar niya ako kanina. Wag kang magalit, please?”
Huminga siya ng malalmin tapos, “Alright.
Walang nangyari?”
I nodded.
“I trust you.” Tapos tumayo siya at kinuha yung
cake sa center table na dinala niya for me.
“Teka, bakit ka nga pala nandito? Gumagawa ka
ng thesis di ba?” I asked while eating.
“Break time. Kailangan ko munang makita ang
girlfriend ko.” He said and smiled. Why the heck am
i so lucky?
“Bola. Tapusin mo yun agad ha?”

315
 “Oo naman. Konting revisions na lang, okay na
yun.”
“Teka, may gagawin ka ba sa Friday?”
“Meron. Bakit?” He asked 
May icing ng chocolate cake sa gilid ng bibig
niya pinunasan ko while saying, “Movie marathon
daw kila Dave eh. May gagawin ka pala, sayang.”
“Nandun ba si Cyriel?”
“Yata?”
“Pupunta ako.” He said.
“Akala ko may gagawin ka.”
“Icacancel ko na lang.”
“Wag na, Andy. I can handle. You trust me,
right?” Sabi ko sa kanya while holding his hand.
Huminga siya ng malalim, “Alright. Be a good
girlfriend, Dana.” Then he smiled.
“I’ll always be.” Then i smiled back.
Pagkatapos nun, nagkwentuhan lang kami.
Inabutan siya ni Mom at Dad kaya sumabay na siya
sa aming mag dinner. Buti na lang hindi na inusisa

316
ng parents ko kung san ko nakuha yung sprain.
Tapos umalis na siya after ng dinner.
Back to reality
“Ano bang problema mo?” He asked.
“Wala.” I said in return. Buti na lang wala pa si
Kim at Nof, sila Dave naman, nagmmicrowave ng
popcorn.
“Then why the hell are you ignoring me?”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko at hinarap ko si
Cyriel.
“For the record, let’s get things straight, Cyriel.
Unang una, hindi kita boyfriend para magdemand ka
ng attention ko. We’re not even friends, for God’s
sake! Pinakikisamahan kita kasi kaibigan ka ni
Dave, at may pinagsamahan naman tayo kahit
papano. Kaya please naman, please make it easy for
both of us. Set your limit.”
Naglakad na ako palabas ng pinto, 

317
 “And besides, ikaw naman na ang may sabi, may
girlfriend ka na. Learn to set your priorities.
Matanda ka na, Cyriel. Alam mo na kung ano ang
tama sa mali. And lastly, respeto na lang. Irespeto
mo naman ako. Hindi mo ako girlfriend para halik
halikan mo kung kailan mo gusto. Kung hindi mo na
ako kayang irespeto dahil sa nangyari dati, kahit
yung pinagsamahan niyo na lang ni Andy. Girlfriend
niya na ako, back off.”
Yun ang ginawa ko. Andy trusts me so much. 
Pumunta ako sa kusina.
“Dave, alis na ako.”
Napatingin sila sa akin tapos linapitan nila ako.
“Bakit ka naiiyak?” Tanong ni Sara habang
hawak niya yung mukha ko. Nangingilid na kasi
yung luha ko.
“W-wala..” 
Bigla niya akong niyakap, “Si Cyriel na naman
ba?”
Tumango ako habang yakap yakap ako ni Sara.
“Bakit ba kasi ayaw niya akong tigilan? Okay na
lahat eh..” I said while crying.

318
 “Gumawa naman ako ng effort para ipaliwanag
sa kanya di ba?” 
“We know, Dana. Huwag ka ng umiyak. You’ve
been shedding too much tears for him..” Sara said
while caressing my back.
“Ayoko na. Sawang sawa na ako sa laro niya.
Talo na ako, kaya sana naman tigilan na niya ako.”
Pagkatapos nun, umalis na ako pauwi sa amin.
Hindi ko na kaya. Naiinis na talaga ako.
Sara’s Point of View
Sawang sawa na akong nakikita si Dana na
umiiyak kaya pinuntahan ko na si Cyriel.
Kakausapin ko na siya bago pa mawala yung respeto
ko sa kanya.
“Sabihin mo nga sa’kin, ano ba talaga?” Tanong
ko sa kanya.
Nakaupo siya sa sofa mag isa.
“Ano?” Sagot niya sa akin.
“Why the hell are you toying with my
bestfriend’s feeling?!”
“I’m not.”

319
 “Then why the hell are you pursuing her now?!
May boyfriend na siya, Cyriel!” I almost shouted.
“I’m his boyfriend, Sara. Alam mo yan.” He said.
“Great. So, two timer ka na pala ngayon?” I said.
Note the sarcasm.
“Hindi. Dana’s my only girlfriend. Hindi kami
nagbreak.” 
“Then what about that btch?”
“She has a name, it’s Ynna. She’s not my
girlfriend.”
“Wow. So naghahalikan kayo for no reason?
Pumunta kayo sa States for no reason? Sinaktan ko
si Dana for no reason? Wow lang talaga ha!” I said.
“I have my reasons.” He said tapos tumayo na
siya.
“Well, i’d like to hear your reasons, Cyriel
Perez.”
Ynna’s Point of View
I’m here at Cyriel’s House. Ilang days din
kaming hindi nagkita so i decided to check up on
him.

320
 After almost an hour, narinig kong nagpark yung
sasakyan niya kaya pumunta ako sa front door para
salubungin siya.
“Are you drunk?” I asked him.
“Obviously, yes.” He said while walking past me.
“It’s about her again.” I stated. It’s a statement of
fact.
“Obviously again, yes.” Then he sat down on the
nearest stool.
“Are we going back again to this topic, Cy?” I
asked him.
Bigla niyang kinuha yung basong nakapatong sa
table at tinapon, “Damn it, Ynna! You know how
much i love her! And it kills me to see her with
Andy!”
I looked on the ground, avoiding his gaze.
“I love her to the point that i left her..” He said
then he burst into tears. 
I’m used to his tears. When we were still in the
States, makikita ko na lang siya hawak yung picture
ni Dana while crying. It hurts me. It kills me. Ako

321
yung kasama niya pero siya pa din yung iniisip
niya..
“Please just don’t say that again.” I said then
tumalikod ako. I always see him crying for her pero
this time, ayoko na siyang makita. It’s too much.
“You’re selfish.” He said.
“I know.”
Then he stood up and walked towards the stairs,
“I’m dying, Cyriel. Always remember the reason
why.” Then i left him.
Dave’s Point of View
“Andy.” Pumunta ako sa bahay nila Andy.
“Yo. Long time no see.” He said. 
“Alam na ni Sara.” I said.
“Ha?”
“She already knows the reason why.”
Biglang napatigil si Andy sa pagrrevise ng thesis
niya.
“Cyriel told her.”

322
 Bigla siyang ngumiti, “I guess wala talagang
sikretong hindi nabubunyag. One of these days,
malalaman na din ni Dana.”
Tumayo siya at umupo sa kama niya, “What will
you do by then?” I asked him.
“I honestly don’t know. I’ve done all that i can.”
He said.
“Hindi kaya mababaliwala lahat ng yun pag
nalaman niya?”
“I don’t know, Dave. I don’t know.”

323
 Chapter 37

Chapter 37
Sara’s Point of View
“..You must be kidding, Cy.”
Hindi siya sumagot.
“She’s that sick?”
Tumango lang siya.
“Oh God. I didn’t know..”
Tapos umiyak na ako. I feel horrible. All these
time, ang daming assumption na ginawa namin,
tapos, eto pala talaga?
“How’s she?” I asked.
“She’s fine. For now.”
“May paraan pa naman di ba?”
“I don’t know. Sabi ng mga doctors, mapapatagal
lang yung pagkalat ng virus pero hindi mawawala
yung sakit.”
“Oh God. I’m sorry..” 

324
 Yun na lang ang nasabi ko. Kung alam ko lang..
“Nasan siya?”
“Sa bahay nila.”
“Pwede ko ba siyang makausap?”
“I don’t know. I’ll ask her.”
Sht. Ynna, bakit ba kasi ang tanga tanga tanga
tanga mo at ginawa mo yun?!!!

Dana’s Point of View

September na! Kakatapos lang ng midterms.
Yeah, baby! It’s time to celebrate!
“Yo. Bar tayo.” 
Kasama ko sila Nof at Kim ngayon. Since
nagshift ako, hindi ko na classmate si Sara.
Nakakamiss din maging classmate yung bruhang
yun. Anyhow, masaya din naman kasama tong
dalawang to. Parang may reality show akong
pinapanood eh. Lakas makapag away eh. Ganon ang
tunay na magkaibigan. Hahaha!

325
 “Tara. Nakakastress yung FA107. Halos blangko
yung papel ko eh.” Reklamo ni Kim.
“Reality check, Kim. Ikaw lang ang may
blangkong papel sa buong room. And besides, kailan
ba napuno ang papel mo?” Tapos umarte na nag iisip
si Nof, “Never pa!”
See? Eto ang reality show. Entertainment at its
best. Popcorn na lang ang kulang. Hahaha!
“Whatever. Mayaman ako.” Tapos tinalikuran
niya si Nof at hinarap ako, “Bar tayo, DK! Gusto ko
ng Tonic ngayon.” 
“Sure. Basta ba treat mo eh.”
“Sure thing, DK. Ako pa, mayaman ako eh.”
Tapos hinatak na niya kaming dalawa ni Nof
papunta sa parking lot.
Habang nagddrive ako papunta sa bar, tinext ko si
Sara. Wag niyo akong gagayahin, masamang
magtext habang nagddrive. =___=
To: SaraBesty
Bar tayo sa South. See you in a bit. Libre ni Kim.
Punta ka. Sipain kita pag hindi. Loveyou.
Sent.

326
 Si Andy at Dave pa pala tinext ko din na
sumunod. Pero nandun na pala silang dalawa. =___=
Biglang nagreply si Sara
From: SaraBesty
Dito na ko. Daan ka daw muna sa bahay niyo
sabi ng mama mo.
Oh? Pinapapunta ako ni Mama sa bahay? Bakit
hindi ko alam? Hindi ba niya ako macontact? Baka
nga kasi walang signal sa loob ng exam room. So in
the end, nag U-turn ako papunta sa bahay. Tinext ko
na lang sila Nof at Kim na susunod na lang ako.

Sara’s Point of View

3rd Shot.
Nandito kami ngayon ni Andy sa bar sa South.
Pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng midterm exams ko,
tinext ko si Andy na magkita kami dun. 
“So, ginawa mo yun dahil mahal mo si Dana?!”
Inis na tanong ko.
“Oo..”

327
 “Ang selfish mo, Andy.”
“Alam ko.”
“Pati si Cyriel niloko mo. Kaibigan mo yun.
Kaibigan.” Sabi ko tapos ininom ko yung shot ko.
Tinext ko din si Dana kanina na pumunta muna sa
bahay nila pati sila Kim para hindi muna sila
pumunta dito. Mamaya na ako magpapaliwanag
kung bakit ko ginawa yun. Ang mahalaga,
magkausap kami ni Andy ngayon.
“Alam ko, Sara. Pero anong magagawa ko?
Mahal ko si Dana eh.” Sabi niya tapos uminom din
siya. Kasama namin si Dave pero nandun siya sa
counter. Kami lang dalawa ang magkausap.
“Yeah. And it sucks.”
“I know.”
“Ano’ng gagawin mo ngayon? Sooner or later,
malalaman din ni Dana yun. Hindi tanga si Dana.”
“Hindi ko alam.”
“Ang bobo mo.”
“Alam ko. Pero Sara, bakit hindi ka nagagalit
sa’kin? Ibang iba yung iniisip kong magiging

328
reaction mo pag nalaman mo. Iniisip ko, susuntukin
mo ko, mumu-—”
Bigla akong tumawa, “Sa totoo lang, gusto kong
gawin lahat yan, Andy. Ang sarap mong ihulog sa
dagat eh. Actually, kayong tatlo. Ikaw dahil ang
selfish mo, si Cyriel kasi masyado siyang mabait, si
Ynna kasi ang tanga niya.” Tapos tumigil ako para
uminom, “Pero wala namang mangyayari pag
nagalit ako. Naaawa lang ako kay Dana pag nalaman
niya yung totoong dahilan. Knowing her?
Siguradong sisisihin niya ang sarili niya..”
Biglang natahimik si Andy. Alam niya kasi na
totoo. Pag nalaman ni Dana kung ano ang sakit ni
Ynna, who knows? Baka kainin siya ng konsensya
niya. Nung una, si Jamie. Ngayon naman, si Ynna.
Bakit ba ang gulo ng buhay? Sumasabay pa ’tong si
Andy at Cyriel.
“Yun nga ang kinakatakot namin ni Cyriel eh.
Nung una pumayag lang naman kami kasi naaawa
kami kay Ynna.. Pero things got worse, at eto na ang
nangyari.”
“Ano ang nangyari?” 
Nagulat kami kasi nandun na si Dana sa harap
namin.

329
 “Aish! Para kang kabute!” Sabi ko.
“Kabute ka jan! Eh ikaw nga eh, hindi naman
pala ako hinahanap ni Mama! Sipain kaya kita
jan?!”
“Oh? Akala ko hinahanap ka niya.”
“Bwisit. At ikaw, Boyfriend! Bakit ka nandito?
Pinagtataksilan mo na ba ako with my best friend?!”
Sabi niya.
Biglang naubo si Andy, “Beb naman eh. Asa ka
pa. Si Sara? Alam mo namang ikaw lang ang mahal
ko eh.” Tapos niyakap niya si Dana. Sweet
boyfriend? Not. Sinungaling pa, pwede.
“Oo nga, Dana. Si Andy? Ew. Mas gusto ko si
Dave, loyal at HONEST.” Sabi ko while
emphasizing the word honest.
“Bakit? Hindi ka ba loyal at honest, Andy?”
Tanong ni Dana.
“H-honest ako. Ako pa.”
Haaaaaay, Dana. Kung alam mo lang.

Ynna’s Point of View

330
 “Cyriel, please talk to me.” I nodged him. It’s
been days pero hindi niya pa din ako kinakausap.
Simula nung gabing umuwi siya ng lasing dahil kay
Dana, hindi niya ako masyadong kinakausap. Lagi
na lang siyang nasa kwarto at nagmumukmok. Sure,
sanay na ako. Ako ang laging kasama pero si Dana
ang nasa isip. Sanay na sanay na ako. Dapat lang
akong masanay, i asked for it so i should live with it.
“I went to the doctor yesterday,” naramdaman
kong nakikinig na siya. Tuwing tungkol sa condition
ko ang pinag uusapan, nagseseryso siya, “He said na
nasa metastasis stage na ako. Then some technical
terms na hindi ko naman maintindihan. Dapat kasi
sinamahan mo ako, alam mo namang--—”
Bigla siyang tumayo tapos tinignan ako, “Date
tayo?” 
Ngumiti naman ako, “Sure.”

Cyriel’s Point of View

“I went to the doctor yesterday,” umayos ako para
pakinggan siya, “He said na nasa metastasis stage na
ako. Then some technical terms na hindi ko naman

331
maintindihan. Dapat kasi sinamahan mo ako, alam
mo namang--—”
Tumayo ako tapos tinanong ko siya, “Date
tayo?” 
Ngumiti naman siya, “Sure.”
Naligo muna ako tapos nagbihis. Ynna must be
happy. Yan ang tinatak ko sa isip ko. Masyado na
akong madaming sinayang para lang sa kanya.
Dapat maging masaya siya. Kahit siya na lang dahil
alam ko naman na hindi na ako magiging masaya
lalo na’t mas pinili ni Dana si Andy. Without Dana,
happiness is the word next to impossible.
Dinala ko si Ynna sa park para magpahangin.
Sabi ng doctor niya wala na daw pag asa.
Mapapabagal yung sakit pero hindi pa din
mawawala. Kahit eto na lang yung gawin ko, para at
least, kung malaman man ni Dana, mabawasan yung
guilt niya dahil during Ynna’s last days, she was
happy.

332
 Chapter 38

Chapter 38
“Bora o Galera?” 
Nag uusap kami ngayon nila Nof at Kim kung
saan kami pupunta sa sembreak. Malapit na kaya,
almost one month na lang ang pasukan. Mabuti ng
magplano ng maaga.
“Galera na lang,” sabi ni Kim, “May rest house
kami dun para libre na lang ang accomodation
natin.”
“Bora na lang, may rest house kami dun. Libre
accomodation pati pagkain.” Sabi naman ni Nof.
“Galera. Pati drinks libre ko.”
Oh-kay? Eto na naman sila. Nagpapayamanan. 
“Chill lang, girls. Wala namang competition dito,
alright?” I said tapos pumagitna ako sa dalawa.
“Hindi naman kami nag aaway eh, ganito lang
talaga kaming mag usap ni Nof,” paliwanang ni
Kim, “So, DK, Galera na tayo?” Then she smiled.

333
 “Fine. Galera it is.Teka lang, nakita niyo ba si
Sara?” Tinanong ko sila. Nung isang araw ko pa
hindi nakikita si Sara eh.
“Hindi eh. Pero kahapon nakita ko siya kasama si
Ynna sa mall.”
Ynna?
Sara?
Mall?
What?!
“Kim, are you serious? Nag malling silang
dalawa?!” I almost shouted. Si Sara, sinamahan si
Ynna sa mall? Is she nuts?!
“Yep. Si Sara yun. Ewan ko, gusto ko sana silang
lapitan kaya lang nagmamadali din ako.”
Ano’ng meron sa mga tao?
“Come to think of it, DK, nakita ko din sila the
other day. Hindi ko lang sinabi sa’yo kasi baka hindi
naman sila. For all i know, wala naman sa speaking
terms si Sara at Ynna kaya inisip ko na baka
nagkamali lang ako ng tingin. Pero sa sinasabi ni
Kim, baka nga sila yung nakita ko sa coffee shop
nung isang araw.”

334
 Wait lang. Nung una, nakita sila sa mall, ngayon
naman, sa coffee shop? Ano sa susunod? Sa salon
naman? Ano sila? Mag best friend?!!
“Dk, san ka pupunta?” Tanong ni Nof.
“Kay Sara? Sa bahay? Ewan. Naiinis ako.” I said
then i stormed out the room.
Haaaay. Akala ko pa naman magiging okay na
ang lahat kasi tapos na ang midterms, tinigilan na
ako ni Cy, thank God, at okay naman kami ni Andy.
Then this? Nagiging close si Sara at Ynna? May
conspiracy bang nangyayari? The hell!

Sara’s Point of View

“So? Ano na ang gusto mong gawin ngayon?” I
asked her. Kasama ko si Ynna ngayon. Actually, for
the past few days, siya ang kasama ko halos.
“Gusto mo sa bahay muna tayo? I’ll bake.” She
said. 
“Are you sure? Baka mapagod ka.”
She laughed, “Alam mo, Sara, para kang si Cy. I
know that in the end, i’m dying, so please stop

335
reminding me. Just let me live normally.”
“Pero-—”
“I already accepted it. I’m just living my life to
the fullest. I know i’m being selfish but i don’t give
a damn. Inagaw ko si Cy, i know. But i really love
him and it sucks.”
Tumahimik na lang ako. Simula ng nalaman ko
yung condition niya, i’ve been like Cy. I want to
make her happy. Siguro kagaya lang din ng reason ni
Cyriel. Para at least kapag nalaman ni Dana,
mababawasan ang guilt dahil Ynna’s happy. Ang
swerte mo, Dana, ang daming nagmamahal sa’yo.

Ynna’s Point of View

“Tara sa kitchen, i’ll teach you how to bake.”
Pumunta kami ni Sara sa kitchen. Pinaupo ko
muna siya tapos kumuha ako ng materials and
ingredients na gagamitin namin sa pagbbake. 
Ang selfish ko ba? Una, kinuha ko si Cyriel,
ngayon naman, si Sara. Sa tingin niyo siguro oo,
pero para sa akin, hindi pa. Kulang pa. Buong buhay
ko yung sinira, pati kapatid ko na wala namang

336
kinalaman sa gulo namin, dinamay niya. Now tell
me, ako pa rin ba ang masama? Masama bang
gustuhing sumaya despite the fact na alam mong
may sakit ka?
“Game na?” I asked Sara with a smile. I want her
to be my friend.
“Sure.”
Then we started baking. I honestly enjoy Sara’s
company. Isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit galit ako
kay Dana besides the fact na siya ang gusto ni Cyriel
ay si Sara. Being a governor’s daughter sure has its
perks, pero may disadvantages din. Friends. Hindi
ko alam kung totoo ba lahat ng kaibigan ko o kaya
lang nila ako kinakaibigan dahil sa influence ng
parents ko. Pero si Sara? She’s a good friend. I’ve
seen how she defended Dana nung mga panahon na
inaaway ko si Dana. That’s one reason kung bakit
naiiinggit ako kay Dana, she has Sara. And i’ve been
yearning for a friend for so long. At ngayon na
binigyan ako ng chance? I won’t waste it. Kahit na
alam ko na kaya niya lang ako sinasamahan ay dahil
naaawa siya sa akin, i’ll make the most out of this.
I’ll show her that i can be her friend. A better friend.
“There you go, may chocolate cake na tayo.” I
cheerfully said.

337
 “Wow. Ang dali lang palang gawin nun eh.” She
said while smiling.
“Oo naman, next time punta ka dito, gawa naman
tayo ng chiffon.”
Tapos nun, we talked about things. Getting to
know you things since ngayon lang naman talaga
kami naging ’friends.’
“Talaga? Binuhusan mo ng juice yung lalaking
nangbastos kay Jamie sa bar?!” Sara said with an
amused face.
“Oo. Akala niya yata hindi ko siya papatulan
porke’t anak siya ng business partner ng Dad ko.”
“I thought hindi kayo close ni Jamie?” 
“We’re not. We didn’t talk often pero kapatid ko
yun eh. Pag may nang away dun, nagagalit ako. Ako
lang ang pwedeng umaway sa kapatid ko.”
Bigla siyang natahimik tapos napangiti,
“Senorita, tawag po kayo ni Senora.”
“Punta muna ako kay Mom.” I said then she
nodded.

338
 Sara’s Point of View
“Talaga? Binuhusan mo ng juice yung lalaking
nangbastos kay Jamie sa bar?!” I said with an
amused face.
“Oo. Akala niya yata hindi ko siya papatulan
porke’t anak siya ng business partner ng Dad ko.”
“I thought hindi kayo close ni Jamie?” 
“We’re not. We didn’t talk often pero kapatid ko
yun eh. Pag may nang away dun, nagagalit ako. Ako
lang ang pwedeng umaway sa kapatid ko.”
Bigla akong natahimik tapos napangiti. I never
thought na may pakielam pala si Ynna kay Jamie.
Base sa mga naririnig ko kay Jamie dati, ang sama
samang kapatid ni Ynna. Pero ang totoo pala, hindi
lang expressive si Ynna sa nararamdaman niya.
Deep inside, mahal niya si Jamie. Buhusan ba
naman ng juice yung lalaking umaway kay Jamie,
risking the possibility na papagalitan siya ng Dad
dahil anak yun ng business partner niya. 
“Senorita, tawag po kayo ni Senora.”
“Punta muna ako kay Mama.” Sabi niya tapos
tumango na lang ako.

339
 Naghihintay ako kay Ynna kasi kakainin pa
namin yung chocolate cake. Bigla namang nagtext si
Dana.
From: DanaBesty
San ka?
To: DanaBesty
Ynna’s.
From: DanaBesty
Whatthehell?!
Hindi na ako nagreply kasi baka mag away lang
kami. Ipapaliwanag ko na lang sa kanya pag nagkita
kami. Besides, i’m doing this for her. Sana malaman
niya.

Cyriel’s Point of View

“That’s it for now. Babalik na lang ako para mag
conduct ng check up ulit.” Sabi ng doctor.
Kadadating ko lang dito sa Henares’ residence tapos
naabutan ko na nagppacheck up si Ynna. Weekly
check up. Minomonitor lang yung condition niya.

340
 “Cy..” Sabi ni Ynna tapos lumapit siya sa akin at
niyakap ako.
“Bakit?” I responded and hugged her back.
“Kain tayo ng chocolate cake? Nagbake kami ni
Sara!” 
Sara? Sara Gomez?
“Sino’ng Sara?”
“Si Sara Gomez..”
“Huh? Bakit siya nandito? Kailan pa kayo naging
close?”
“Simula nung sinabi niya sa akin na alam na niya
yung tungkol sa condition ko, naging mabait na siya
sa akin then boom, close na yata kami.”
“Aaaaah. Punta na tayo kay Sara.” I said.
Biglang nagsalita si Tita, “Usap muna tayo,
Ynna.”
Tumango na lang si Ynna tapos umuna na ako.
Pumunta na ako sa kusina tapos nakita kong
nakaupo dun si Sara.
“Hey.” I said.

341
 “Cyriel..” She said.
“Bakit mo ’to ginagawa?” I straight-forwardly
asked her.
“I don’t know. Feeling ko responsibility ko siya
eh. Somehow, i contributed sa nangyayari sa kanya.”
Napangiti na lang ako, “She won’t die right now,
Sara.”
“I know. Pero gusto ko siyang maging masaya
just like you. Pati para mabawasan din yung guilt ni
Dana.”
“Good to hear. Tara sa dining area. Dun na lang
natin hintayin si Ynna.”

Dana’s Point of View

“Beb, naiinis ako.” Sabi ko kay Andy sabay
patong ng ulo sa lamesa. Nandito kami ngayon sa
dining area ng bahay nila.
“Bakit naman?” He asked. Pinuntahan ko siya sa
bahay nila after akong itext ni Sara na nasa bahay
siya ni Ynna.
“Si Sara kasi eh, kasama niya si Ynna.” 

342
 Biglang tinigil ni Andy yung ginagawa niya,
“Since when?”
“Ewan ko. These past few days puro si Ynna ang
kasama niya. Naiinis na nga ako eh.”
Ako nga na best friend niya, hindi niya mabisita
sa condo ko, tapos yung Ynna na yun, napupuntahan
niya sa bahay? Kamusta naman talaga yun di ba?!
At take note, nagmalling silang dalawa! Eh kami
nga hindi pa nakakapagmalling since last month eh!
Aaaaah! Nakakainis talaga! Nababawasan na nga
yung Ynna-allergy ko eh, bumabalik na naman
tuloy!
“Baka naman may reason si Sara,” sabi ni Andy
tapos niyakap ako.
“Ano namang reason?”
“I don’t know. Beb, wag mo na nga silang
isipin,” tapos pinatong niya yung ulo niya sa leeg
ko, “Birthday na ni Dave sa 13, tapos by that time,
tapos na yung defense namin. Ano’ng gagawin
natin?”
Tapos na ang defense nila. =___= That means
ggraduate na sila. Nakakalungkot naman.

343
 “Gusto mo bang magcelebrate?” I asked him
habang nakastay pa din kami sa ganung pwesto. Ang
bango bango ng boyfriend ko. 
“Ewan. Ikaw?”
“Ayoko. Nalulungkot ako pag naiisip ko na
ggraduate ka na.” I honestly said to him.
Naramdaman kong hinigpitan niya yung yakap
niya sa’kin, “I love you. Kahit naman grumaduate
ako, hindi magbabago yun eh..”
“Eh kasi naman, magttrabaho ka na sa business
ng papa mo tapos madaming babaeng naka
corporate attire. Eh alam ko namang sobrang
nassexy-han ka sa mga babaeng naka corporate
attire. Tapos syempre magpapapansin yung mga
babaeng yun sa’yo tapos-—”
Hindi niya ako pinatapos kasi nagsalita siya,
“Tapos, hindi ko sila papansinin kasi mahal na
mahal ko ang girlfriend ko. End of the story.”
Napangiti na lang ako. Bwisit talaga ’to, alam na
alam kung pano ako papangitiin.

344
 Kakatapos lang ng klase ko nung nakita ko si
Sara kasama si Ynna sa caf.
“Sara, can we talk?” I said habang umiinom sila
ng mango slur.
“Sige. Wait lang, Ynna.” Sabi ni Sara sa kanya
tapos tumango lang siya.
Lumabas kami ni Sara sa caf tapos umupo kami
sa bench dun.
“Explain.”
“Explain what?” She asked.
“Why the hell are you with Ynna?!” I almost
shouted.
“Why not? Mabait naman siya ah!”
“Mabait? Saang parte?” Tapos tumawa ako.
“People change, Dana.”
“But she did not, does not, and will not.” I firmly
said.
“Ewan ko sa’yo, Dana. Open your mind. Lahat
na lang ng tao gumagawa ng mga bagay para sa’yo.
Learn to appreciate, at least.”

345
 “Really? Sino? Ikaw? Nakikipagclose sa kanya
para sa akin? Wow lang talaga ha!” I said. Note the
sarcasm.
“Bahala ka sa iisipin mo. I’m your friend, Dana. I
want the best for you. Sana maapreciate mo kahit
yung effort ko lang..” She said then left me.
Ginagawa niya para sa akin? Ano?

346
 Chapter 39

Chapter 39
Sara’s Point of View
“Honey Babes, ngiti naman jan. Birthday na
birthday ko eh.” 
Kausap ko ngayon si Dave dito sa gilid ng pool.
Nandito kami sa bahay nila since kumpleto na
naman dito. May bar, entertainment room,
swimming pool, etc. San ka pa? Wala naman yung
parents niya eh. Sabagay, kailan ba sila nagstay dito?
“Aish. Tigilan mo nga ako, Dave Cruz. Alam mo
namang madami akong problema eh..” Sabi ko na
lang para manahimik siya. Tss. Paano ko ba aayusin
yung sa kapatid ko? Pati si Ynna at Dana? Pati wala
pa kaya akong regalo kay Dave. Ang hirap naman
maging mahirap oh!
“Wala ka na ngang regalo, sinusungitan mo pa
ako..” Sabi ni Dave tapos niyakap niya ako from
behind. Kinikilig ako, shet!!
Kalma lang, Sara. Madami kang problema,
mamaya ka na kiligin.

347
 “Alam mo namang may financial problem ako
ngayon eh tapos yung kapa-—”
Hindi niya ako pinatapos kasi hinalikan niya
yung leeg ko. Fck it, Dave Cruz! Stop turning me
on. =___=
“Alam mo namang hindi ako materialistic eh..”
He said then he continued kissing my neck. Help
me, God!
“Dave naman eh..”
“Dave naman eh..” He mimicked me. 
“Gusto mo talaga ng birthday sex noh?” Sinabi
ko tapos bigla siyang natawa.
“Sara Gomez, Sara Gomez, iba ka talaga.” Tapos
tumawa siya ng tumawa.
“Bwisit ka! Eh di walang birthday sex! Manigas
ka jan!” I said tapos tumayo na ako pero hinila niya
ako paupo ulit.
“Wala talagang birthday sex na magaganap,
Honey Babes. Birthday love making, meron.” Then
he kissed me full on the lips.
I guess hindi ko na kailangan mag isip ng
ireregalo.

348
 Dana’s Point of View
September 13: Dave’s Birthday
Under normal circumstances, dapat masaya ako
ngayon, kasama ang barkada ko habang
nagccelebrate ng birthday ni Dave. Pero, isang
malaking pero, wala ako sa normal circumstances
dahil magkagalit kami ni Sara ngayon. 
You heard it right, magkagalit kami. Ibang iba sa
dating mga naging away namin. Dati, akala ko yung
pinakamalalang pinag awayan namin ay nung
hinalikan ko si Dave, which i really regret doing so,
but what the heck! I can’t believe na si Ynna
Henares ang pinag aawayan namin. Of all people,
my God!
“Beb, ngumiti ka naman jan. Birthday na
birthday ni Dave eh..” Sabi sakin ni Andy while
giving me my iced tea.
“Sorry,” i muttered, “Kasi naman!!”
Argh! I’m so pissed that i can’t even construct a
decent sentence! Kasi naman eh, nandito si Ynna sa
supposed to be ’private’ birthday party ni Dave.

349
Paano to naging private kung may isang unwanted
guest na nakapasok? The hell!
“Let it slide, for now. Let’s just enjoy the night,
alright?” Andy said as he kissed my forehead.
I nodded in response, “Fine. Wag lang siyang
haharang harang sa daan ko or i swear to-—”
“No swearing, Dana.” Andy warned me.
“Fine. No swearing. Teka nga, pupunta lang ako
sa powder room.” Then i stormed out from the bar
and headed straight to the powder room. 
As i entered, “Oh,” i said.
Nandito din pala si Skinny Btch. Yeah, i gave her
name. Suits her right. She’s too skinny and she’s a
btch.
“Long time no see, Dana.” She said while
smiling.
I smirked, “Since when did we become friends?”
I sarcastically answered.
“Since i came back?”
“Asa ka pa.”

350
 “Come on, Dana. For old times’ sake, can we at
least be decent to one another?” She pleaded.
“As long as i remembered, wala tayo nung so
called ’old times’ sake,’ Ynna.”
She smiled, “Fine then. Okay na naman sa’kin si
Cyriel and Sara. I don’t need you.”
This btch! Ginagalit niya ba talaga ako o ano?!
I took a step closer, “Ikaw, Ynna Henares, hindi
pa kita pinapatawad sa ginawa mong pang aagaw sa
boyfriend ko,” i said then i held her face. Tightly. 
“You’re hurting me,” she said habang hawak
hawak ko yung mukha niya.
“Sa’yo na si Cyriel, fine! Pero bakit pati si
Sara?!” I shouted.
Binitawan ko na yung mukha niya pero nagmarka
yung kamay ko. Suits her right.
“Dana Kathryn Ferrer, fine, inagaw ko si Cyriel. I
admit. Pero it’s been a year, haven’t you moved on
yet?” Then she smirked, the oh-so-famous-Ynna
Henares’ signature smirk, “But Sara? That’s a
different story. She befriended me, Dana. She.
Befriended. Me.”

351
 Don’t believe her, Dana. She’s lying. Sara would
never do that to me. Alam niya kung gaano ako
kagalit sa babaeng ’to. She would never do such
thing na alam niyang ikakagalit ko..
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not. Alam mo ba? Nasasakal na siya sa’yo,
Dana. All these time, puro ikaw ang iniintindi niya.
Puro issues sa buhay mo ang problema niya.”
“Stop.” I said.
“No, i won’t. Mabuti nang malaman mo ang
totoo,” then she came closer, “Naiinis na siya pero
hindi niya pinapakita kasi kaibigan ka niya. Ang
dami niyang problema, alam mo bang natanggal sa
scholarship yung kapatid niya kaya nammroblema
siya sa pera ngayon? Hindi di ba? Kasi selfish ka,
Dana. Ang selfish selfish mo. Gusto mo lahat ng
atensyon ng tao, na sa’yo. Hindi mo napapansin na
nahihirapan na sila. Kawawa naman sila na kaibigan
mo sila. Kawawa sila..”
“Stop it, Ynna!” I shouted. I tried my best to keep
calm but what the hell! I’m already crying. Could it
be na totoo ang sinasabi niya? I’m selfish?
“Truth hurts, Dana. Nahihirapan sila sa’yo.
Nasasakal. Who knows? Maybe next week, next

352
month, si Andy naman ang-—”
I didn’t let her finish because i slapped her.. then
she smiled at me?
“Dana? Ynna?”
I turned only to see Sara staring with her eyes
wide open.
“Sara, sabi naman sa’yo, hindi ako kayang
patawarin ni Dana!” She said then walked out.
Crying.
What the hell did just happen?!

Ynna’s Point of View

There’s really no point in trying to be friends
with her. If soulmates really do exist, then we’re
soulfighters. We were meant to fight against each
other.
As i was talking to her, i saw Sara walking
towards us. 
“Truth hurts, Dana. Nahihirapan sila sa’yo.
Nasasakal. Who knows? Maybe next week, next
month, si Andy naman ang-—”

353
 She didn’t let me finish because she slapped me.
Great. Just in time.
“Dana? Ynna?”
She turned only to see Sara staring with her eyes
wide open.
If i can’t be friends with Dana, then i’ll just steal
everything from her. Everything.
“Sara, sabi naman sa’yo, hindi ako kayang
patawarin ni Dana!” I said then walked out. Crying.
It’s showtime.

Sara’s Point of View

“Punta muna ako ng powder room.” Sabi ko kay
Dave tapos iniwan ko siya. Aish. Nagulo tuloy yung
damit ko. Ang likot likot talaga ng kamay ng
lalaking yun. =___=
Sa right side yung powder room o sa left?
Habang naglalakad ako, may narinig akong nag
uusap sa loob. Hindi ko makita kasi wala akong suot
na salamin or contacts ngayon kaya puro shadow

354
lang yung nakikita ko. Baka naman ibang bisita lang
ni Dave kaya pumasok ako agad.
Slap.
Pagkalapit na pagkalapit ko, nakita ko agad na
sinampal ni Dana si Ynna? Bakit?!
“Sara, sabi naman sa’yo, hindi ako kayang
patawarin ni Dana!” Sabi ni Ynna tapos lumabas
siya na umiiyak.
Hindi pa din ako makapagsalita. Sinampal ni
Dana si Ynna. Tumakbo si Ynna palabas. Umiiyak
si Dana sa harap ko. Ano ang gagawin ko?
“Dana, ano’ng-—” 
Hindi niya ako pinatapos, “Tell me, am i a burden
to you?” Tanong niya habang umiiyak siya. 
“Ano ba namang tanong yan? Of course not!”
“Then why didn’t you tell me na may financial
problems ka pala! I thought we’re friends!”
“Because,” bakit nga ba? Bakit ko nga ba hindi
sinabi sa kanya? 
“Because you don’t trust me. Simple as that.” 

355
 “Shut up, Dana. Hindi ko sinabi sa’yo because
you already have too much on your plate. Ayoko ng
makidagdag pa..”
Tumalikod siya tapos umiiyak ulit, “Then you
admitted, i am a burden.” Then she walked out.
Great, Sara! Akala ko ba ginagawa mo yun para
tulungan si Dana? Eh bakit parang iba ang
nangyayari?!

Dana’s Point of View

I am a burden. 
I went out to get some fresh air. I’ve been crying
tons. Baka hikain na ako nito. I headed straight to
Dave’s rooftop for some alone time.
“You’re all screwed up, Dana Kathryn Ferrer.
You’re a fcking extra baggage.” I whispered to
myself.
“Who told you that?”
“Holy Jesus,” I said while placing my hand on
my chest, “Why do you have to be appearing
everywhere, Cyriel?!”

356
 “Nauna ako dito,” he said then he sat with his
back leaning against the wall.
“Fine.” Then i got up and started walking.
“Are we really doing this, Dana?” He said then i
stopped, “This whole chasing thing, it tires me.
Kung ayaw mo na talaga sa’kin, then please let’s be
friends. I’m begging you, please consider me as a
friend..”
Am i a burden to Cyriel, too? Nahihirapan din ba
siya dahil sa akin?
“Am i a burden to you?” I blurted out.
He got up and stood in front of me, “A burden?”
Then he stopped thinking, “You’re not. I may be
doing things for you, but that doesn’t make you a
burden, Dana. I’m doing these things because i love
you, that’s different from being a burden..”
“What things?”
He placed his hands inside his pocket, “Things.
Things. Things i regret at times.”
“Then you do regret helping me.” I said.
He came close then pat my head, like the old
times, “Partially? I lost you because of those things..

357
But then i want you to be happy. I can sacrifice for
that. So please, stop thinking of yourself as a burden
because you’re not.. So, are we now friends?”
Cyriel Edrian Perez. 
I nodded, “Friends.”

Cyriel’s Point of View

“Am i a burden to you?” Dana suddenly asked.
I got up and stood in front of her, “A burden?”
Then i stopped to think, “You’re not. I may be doing
things for you, but that doesn’t make you a burden,
Dana. I’m doing these things because i love you,
that’s different from being a burden..”
“What things?”
I then placed my hands inside my pocket,
“Things. Things. Things i regret at times.”
Things i regret at night. Things i regret whenever
i see you and Andy together. Things i regret when i
am alone. 
“Then you do regret helping me.” She said.

358
 Do i regret helping her?
“Partially? I lost you because of those things..
But then i want you to be happy. I can sacrifice for
that. So please, stop thinking of yourself as a burden
because you’re not.. So, are we now friends?”
I lost her because of Ynna. But i never blame her
for that. It’s my own choice.
She nodded, “Friends.”
Friends. I think i can handle that.
I offered my hand, “Hello, I am Cyriel Edrian
Perez, you are?”
She took my hand and shook it, “Dana. Dana
Kathryn Ferrer.”
“Dana. A beautiful name for a beautiful lady. Do
you mind me asking why are you crying?”
“Naah. Just a petty fight with my best friend.”
“Nag away kayo ni Sara?!” I asked.
“We just met pero kilala mo agad ang best friend
ko? You must be a stalker.” She tried to crack a joke
but i didn’t laugh.
“Bakit kayo nag away?” I asked again.

359
 “Yung girlfriend mo kasi eh..” She said.
“Oh? Ano’ng ginawa mo sa kanya?”
“Shut up. I mean, si Ynna kasi!” She said with
full irritation.
“What did she do?”
“Ewan ko. Basta. Burden, burden, burden.”
Sinabi ni Ynna na pabigat si Dana?!

Ynna’s Point of View

“Let’s talk.”
Cyriel dragged me to the dark side of the garden.
This is about her. Again.
“What?!”
“Ano na naman ba ang pinagsasabi mo kay
Dana?!” He snared at me.
“The truth.” I replied.
“The truth? Eh di dapat sinabi mo sa kanya yung
totoong dahilan. Na may sakit ka. Na ginagawa
namin to kasi may sakit ka.” 

360
 1 year. Akala ko sa loob ng isang taon
matututunan din akong mahalin ni Cyriel kahit
papano. Hindi pa rin pala. Ginagawa pa rin niya to
dahil dun.
“At may sakit ako dahil sa kanya. Dahil sa
kanya!”
“Stop it, Ynna! Walang pumilit sa’yo na gawin
yun. It was your choice.”
“I did it because of her.”
“Because of your selfishness.”
“Because i love you.” I said, looking into his
eyes. Kailan mo ba ako makikita, Cyriel?
“You don’t love me. Love is not selfish, Ynna. If
you really do love me, sana hinayaan mo na lang
ako kasama si Dana dati..”
“I don’t care if i’m selfish as long as i have you.”
“You have me now, aren’t you contented?! Please
lang, spare her.” He said. Almost begging.
“I won’t. She killed my sister, she caused me this
fcking illness, she stole your heart! I won’t stop until
i destroy her!”

361
 He slapped me. For the first time, Cyriel slapped
me.
“Tigilan mo na ’to, Ynna. Parang awa mo na..”
He then kneeled in front of me. 
Damn you, Ferrer! What is it about you para
magpakababa ng ganito si Cyriel?!
“Hindi ako titigil, Cyriel. I’ll crush her until she
can’t show her face. Ipapaintindi ko sa kanya na siya
ang dahilan kung bakit ako mamamatay,
ipapamukha ko sa kanya na pinatay niya ang kapatid
ko! Worse comes to worst, sasabihin ko sa parents
ko na siya ang dahilan kung bakit sila mawawalan
ng dalawang anak! You have no idea what they can
do, Cyriel.”
He stood up, “Marry me then, Ynna. I’ll give you
my name. Just please, tigilan mo na siya..”

362
 Chapter 40

Chapter 40
Sara’s Point of View
“Are you out of your mind, Cyriel?!” 
Kasama ko ngayon si Cy sa labas ng bahay nila
Dave. Grabe. Hindi ko kinaya ang mga pangyayari
sa loob. Parang, ’shet, ano nangyari?’ Ang bilis eh,
bigla na lang, galit na galit na sa akin si Dana, tapos
bigla bigla na lang, engaged to be married na si
Cyriel kay Ynna!
“Siguro nga..” Sabi niya tapos tinakip niya yung
kamay niya sa mukha niya.
“Pero kasi naman, Cyriel! Hindi ba masyado na
’yung gagawin mo? Kasal na yun eh! Pang habang
buhay na ’yun! Ibang usapan na ’yun..” 
Huminga siya ng malalim, “What’s done is done,
Sara. Tapos na eh, nakapagpropose na ako.”
“Pwede mo pa namang bawiin, di ba? Sabihin mo
nabigla ka lang o kaya joke time lang!” Pamimilit ko
sa kanya. Hindi na ’to pwede. Oo, napatunayan ko

363
na na mahal na mahal talaga ni Cyriel si Dana, pero
’tong papakasalan niya si Ynna para kay Dana?
Sobra na ’to!
“Wag na..”
“Ha? Don’t tell me gusto mo na talagang
magpakasal sa kanya? In love ka ba kay Ynna?”
Tanong ko sa kanya. Baka naman kasi na develop na
din siya, mabait na naman si Ynna. Nagbago na siya.
“Alam mo naman na si Dana lang ang mahal ko
eh.”
“Eh bakit mo siya papakasalan?”
“Napag isipan ko na din ’to, kung hindi din
naman si Dana ang ihaharap ko sa altar, kahit sino
na lang siguro,” tapos bigla siyang natawa, “eh
nagkataong si Ynna. Bonus na siguro ’to,
natulungan ko na si Dana, napasaya ko pa si Ynna.
Iisipin ko na lang, nagccharity work ako.”
Bigla naman akong natawa sa charity work niya.
May pagka comedian din pala si Cyriel. Ngayon ko
lang napansin.
“Pero.. si Dana? Paano si Dana?” Tanong ko sa
kanya, baka sakaling magbago yung isip niya..
“The one that got away..” Mahina niyang sabi.

364
 “Huh?”
“Search mo yung lyrics,” tapos tumayo siya,
“Alis na ako, sabihin mo na lang kay Dave happy
birthday ulit.”

Dave’s Point of View

“Seryoso ka nga?!” Halos maibuga ko na sa
mukha ni Cyriel yung iniinom ko. Nandito siya sa
bahay ko. Kakatapos lang ng inuman kagabi sa
birthday ko, nag iinuman na naman kami ni Cyriel.
Anubayan.
“Oo nga. Ang kulet niyong dalawa ni Sara, bagay
talaga kayo.” Tapos ininom niya yung San Mig light.
“Tsk. Matindi na talaga sira ng ulo mo,” tapos
ininom ko din yung sakin, “Sino ba ang may sakit
talaga? Si Ynna o ikaw? Ang labo mo, pare.”
Bigla na lang siyang natawa, “Oo nga yata. May
sira na yata ako sa ulo.”
“Eh pano yan? Suko ka na kay Dana?”
“Ayoko pa pero.. Wala na, Dave. Mahal na niya si
Andy.” Sabi ni Cyriel tapos tumahimik siya. Ang

365
tagal ko ng kaibigan ’tong lalaking to, simula
pagkabata magkakasama na kaming tatlo. Ngayon
ko lang siya nakitang ganito, yung parang wala ng
buhay. Kahit siguro ano ang dumating sa kanya,
tatanggapin na lang niya ng hindi nag iisip. Malala
na ang kaibigan ko.
“Pano mo naman nasabi?”
“Wala lang, nararamdaman ko lang.”
“Eh baliw ka pala talaga eh! Wala naman palang
sinabi, nagcconclude ka agad. Si Dana yun, Cyriel.
Alam mo namang malakas ang sapak nun sa utak
kagaya ni Sara. Pag sinabi niyang gusto niya, hindi
talaga, pag hindi niya gusto, gusto niya talaga.
Magulo kaya ang isip nun.” Paliwanag ko sa kanya.
Hindi naman sa kinakampihan ko si Cyriel, kaibigan
ko din si Andy. Pero kasi, kung papakasalan lang din
ni Cyriel si Ynna, ipagtutulakan ko na lang siya kay
Dana. Panghabang buhay ang kasal kaya, wala pa
namang divorce sa Pilipinas. =___=
“Basta, hindi ko kayang ipaliwanag eh. Nung nag
usap kami kagabi.. parang wala na eh.”
“Sigurado ka? Eh ang tagal kang hinintay ni
Dana! Almost two years, pare! Sa tingin mo ganun
ganun ka na lang makakalimutan nun?”

366
 “Ewan. Teka, bakit mo ba ’to sinasabi? Lagot ka
kay Andy niyan.”
Tignan mo ’tong lalaking ’to! Magpapakasal na
sa babaeng hindi naman niya mahal at lahat, si Andy
pa ang naisip! Meron pa bang mas selfless sa kanya?
“Okay lang yan. What you don’t know won’t hurt
you.”
“Ulol.”
Tapos biglang nagring yung phone niya, “Hello?
Dito kila Dave.. Ngayon na? Sige.” Tapos binaba na
niya.
“Sino yun?”
“Si Ynna.”
“Bakit daw?”
“Nandun na daw yung gagawa ng wedding cake.”
Naibuga ko yung iniinom ko, “Bakit ang bilis
naman yata?!” 
Di ba kakapropose niya lang kahapon?!
“As soon as possible sabi ng parents niya. Eight
years, pare. Eight years lang. Kaya ko ’to.”

367
 Dana’s Point of View
It’s been 3 days simula nung birthday ni Dave.
Tatlong araw na din kaming hindi nag uusap ni Sara.
Actually, sinusubukan niya akong kausapin pero
hindi ko siya pinapansin. Magsama sila ng Ynna
niya!!
“Beb, spaced out ka na naman? Problema?”
I sighed, “Same old, same old..”
Niyakap niya ako, “Kausapin mo na kasi. Ikaw
din, baka maging forever ex best friend mo na
siya..”
Hinampas ko siya sa braso, “Don’t say such
things! Baka magkatotoo!” Tapos nag knock on
wood ako.
“Tignan mo ’to, pag nandiyan si Sara, todo
makaiwas, pag wala naman, namimiss. Ang gulo mo
talaga.”
“Mahal mo naman.” Tapos nag belat ako sa
kanya.
“Mahal na mahal na mahal,” tapos nagkiss kami.

368
 “DK!!” Naputol yung kiss namin dahil kay Kim.
Asar lang. =___=
“Why?!” Naiirita kong sabi. Yung kiss ko,
Andyyyy. 
“You won’t believe it!!” She said.
“Ano nga? Cliff hanger naman masyado eh.”
“Kasi---— Ano ba yan! Hindi ko masabi!!”
Tapos kinuha niya yung smoothie ko at ininom. Talk
about gross. Nainuman ko na yun eh. =___=
“Kalma lang, Kim. Ano ba yang balitang nasagap
mo na halos hindi ka na makapagsalita?” Ano nga
kasi yun? Na curious tuloy ako bigla bigla. Grabe
lang kasi maka react eh. News of the year ba ito?
“Okay, here it goes. Wag kang mabibigla ha?”
I nodded.
“Ikakasal na si Cyriel at Ynna!”
Ikakasal na si Cyriel at Ynna!
Ikakasal na si Cyriel at Ynna!
Ikakasal na si Cyriel at Ynna!
Ikakasal na si Cyriel at Ynna!

369
 Ikakasal na si Cyriel at Ynna!
Ikakasal na si Cyriel at Ynna!?!
Ano daw?!
“Are you nuts, Kim? Ano’ng ikakasal? Eh nag
aaral pa kaya tayo!” I said. Almost shouting actually.
Bigla kong naramdaman na tinanggal ni Andy
yung kamay niya sa kamay ko. Selosong boyfriend.
=___=
“Beb naman! Wag kang magselos, okay? Friends
kami ni Cyriel kaya natural mag alala ako.”
Paliwanag ko.
“Friends?”
“Yup. Friends. So quit being jealous, alright?”
Then he nodded.
“So now, Kim. Start explaining. Where the hell
on earth did you hear that news?!”
Huminga siya ng malalim, “Ganito kasi yun, di
ba alam niyo naman na boyfriend ko si Clarence
ngayon? Eh di pinuntahan ko siya sa bahay nila.
Hindi ko naman alam na kapatid niya si Cyriel! Mga

370
bwisit kayo, hindi niyo man lang sinabi sa akin!!”
Tapos pinalo palo niya kami ni Andy. Baliw talaga.
“Anyways, nagulat ako kasi nandun yung parents
nila. Eh kasi ang alam ko, hindi umuuwi ng Pilipinas
yun kasi sa States naka based yung main business
nila, so nagulat ako nung nandun sila. Tapos ayun,
pinakilala ako ni Clarence bilang katulong niya.
Hayop na yun!!” Tapos nagsisigaw siya. Mukang
timang lang. =___=
“Tapos yun nga, nalaman kong kaya sila umuwi
dito ay para sa kasal ni Ynna at Cyriel. What the
heck di ba? Hindi to joke time kasi umuwi ang
parents ni Cyriel!!”
Okay, Dana. Breathe in, breathe out..
AAAAAAAGH! Bakit ako naiinis?!!
“Beb, san ka pupunta?”
“Magsshopping.” Tapos umalis na ako agad.

Andy’s Point of View

calling..
Dave Cruz

371
 Tinawagan ko si Dave pagkatapos na pagkatapos
umalis ni Dana. Kailangan kong malaman kung
totoo ba yung sinasabi ni Kim.

“Seryoso ba? Papakasalan niya talaga yun?”

( “Oo eh. Ewan ko ba dun.”)
So, totoo pala talaga. Ano bang nakain ni
Cyriel?!
“Nasan ka ba? Puntahan kita.”
( “Nandito ako sa Meero’s.”)
Tapos binaba ko na yung tawag.
Alam ko niloko ko si Cyriel pero pakakasalan si
Ynna? Wala sa usapan namin yun! Kaibigan ko yun
eh, hindi ako papayag na sirain niya yung buhay
niya ng ganun ganun na lang. Hindi niya naman
mahal si Ynna kaya bakit niya papakasalan yun?
After 20 mins, nakarating na ako sa Meero’s.
Nandun si Dave sa gilid kaya pinuntahan ko na siya.
Umorder na din kami ng pagkain.
“Bakit niya daw ba gagawin yun?!” Naiinis na
tanong ko kay Dave. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi

372
maiinis?
“Alam mo naman yung dahilan, nagtatanong ka
pa. Seriously, Andy, kailan mo ba sasabihin kay
Dana?” Tanong sa akin ni Dave.
“Hindi ko alam. Ewan ko.” 
Natatakot ako. Natatakot ako na pag sinabi ko
kay Dana, iiwan niya ako.. Hindi ko alam ang
gagawin ko pag iniwan niya ulit ako. Kung dati
kinaya ko pa, ngayon hindi na. Mahal na mahal ko
na siya..
“So papayag ka na makasal yung kaibigan natin
dun sa babaeng yun dahil sa’yo?”
“Dave naman kasi, hindi naman yun ganun
kadali..”
Iniisip ko palang, natatakot na ako.
“Sasabihin mo din naman sa kanya yun
eventually, why delay, Andy? Kailan mo sasabihin?
Kapag kasal na si Cyriel sa babaeng yun? Seriously,
ganyan ka na ba ka selfish?”
“Pero.. si Dana lang ba talaga ang makakapigil?”
Hindi ba siya pipigilan ng magulang niya?
Papayag ba silang magpakasal ang anak nila sa

373
babaeng yun?!
“Si Dana lang. Sabi nga niya sa’kin, kung hindi
din daw si Dana ang papakasalan niya, kahit sino na
lang daw. Eh kahit siguro si Nof ang ipakasal ko dun
papayag yun eh.”
“Tangina naman.”
“Oo, Andy. Tangina talaga kaya sabihin mo na.
Maawa ka naman kay Cyriel. Papayag ka bang
makasal siya dun? Tangina! Konsensya naman!”
“Sasabihin ko na.. Sa Thursday. Wag lang bukas,
Dave. Susulitin ko lang bukas habang magkasama
pa kami..”

Ynna’s Point of View

“Danielle? Where the hell? Kanina pa ako dito sa
Meero’s!”
I’ll be meeting Danielle, our wedding planner,
here at Meero’s. Supposedly, kanina pa dapat siya
dito.
( “I’ll be late. Eat first. Sorry.”)

374
 I’m left with no option, kakain muna ako.
Pasalamat siya i’m in good mood. I’ll be meeting
Cyriel’s parents tonight. I have no plans of ruining
my day.
I ordered vegetable salad and fruit juice. I stood
up and walked towards the powder room nung
makita ko si Dave at Andy sa gilid ng restobar.
Ano’ng ginagawa nung dalawang yun dito?
I silently went near them to eavsdrop. 
“Si Dana lang. Sabi nga niya sa’kin, kung hindi
din daw si Dana ang papakasalan niya, kahit sino na
lang daw. Eh kahit siguro si Nof ang ipakasal ko dun
papayag yun eh.” Dave said.
I couldn’t care less. Ako ang papakasalan ni
Cyriel. Wala na akong pakielam sa iisipin nila.
“Tangina naman.”
“Oo, Andy. Tangina talaga kaya sabihin mo na.
Maawa ka naman kay Cyriel. Papayag ka bang
makasal siya dun? Tangina! Konsensya naman!”
“Sasabihin ko na.. Sa Thursday. Wag lang bukas,
Dave. Susulitin ko lang bukas habang magkasama
pa kami..”
What?! Sasabihin niya kay Dana sa Thursday?!

375
 I won’t let this happen!
calling..
Mom
( “Hija, may problema ba kay Danielle?”)
“No, mom. Can i ask for a favor?”
( “Of course. Anything for you. What is it?”)
“I want a civil wedding tomorrow, Wednesday,
mom.”
( “Civil wedding? I thought you want a church
wedding?”)
“Yes. But i want to be married tomorrow. Will
you arrange that for me?”)
( “Of course, Ynna. You know i’ll do anything..”)
Then the line went dead.
Dana, i’ll make sure na bago mo malaman, ako
na si Mrs. Cyriel Edrian Perez.

376
 Chapter 41

Chapter 41
Cyriel’s Point of View
“Mom? Dad?” What are they doing here? Akala
ko nasa States sila?
Lumapit si mom sa akin, “Cyriel, baby, why
didn’t you tell me that you’re already planning to get
married?”
“Who told you that?” I asked her. 
Tinignan ko si Clarence but he just shrugged his
shoulders.
“Your girlfriend called me and informed me
about the proposal you did few days ago.” Tss.
Hindi naman talaga masyadong excited si Ynna.
Umupo ako dun sa sofa, “Aah.”
“What’s with the lack of reaction, baby?”
“Nothing, mom. Stressed lang,” i answered.
“Well by the way, why didn’t you introduce her
to us when you were still in the States?”

377
 I just shrugged. Malay ko ba na aabot kaming
dalawa sa kasalan? I was originally planning just to
help her. I didn’t plan of giving her my name. The
thought of waking up every morning, seeing her face
is torture.
“Anyhow, we invited her to have dinner with us
tonight.”
“What?!” I suddenly blurted out. Palagi na nga
siyang nakabuntot sa’kin dahil sa wedding
preparations na yan, pati ba naman sa bahay namin,
makikita ko siya? Can’t i have a break?
“We need to see if she’s worthy of you, baby,” if
you just know how hideous she is, mom..
“Fine then.” I answered. Ano ba ang magagawa
ko? Sigurado naman akong hindi papayag ang
parents ko na hindi siya makilala. Besides, alam
kong masaya si dad dahil future investors ang
pamilya nila Ynna.
“Before i forgot,” biglang tinignan ni mom si
Clarence.
“Why?!” Iritadong sabi ni Clarence.
“Invite your girlfriend.”
“I don’t have a girlfriend, mom.”

378
 “Shut up, Clarence. Invite her tonight, makabawi
ka man lang sa ginawa mo sa kanya the other day.”
He smirked before answering, “Then invite her. I
don’t even know her number.”
Biglang niyakap ni mom si dad, feeling talaga
nila, teenager pa sila. (._.)
“Clarence! Hindi ka ba makikinig sa mommy
mo?!” Patay na. Sumigaw na si Dad.
“Alright. Geez,” then he mumbled something,
“hindi ko naman kasi talaga girlfriend yun. Bwisit,”
then he looked at me, “Hoy!”
“Ano?!” I answered back. Ganito talaga kami
mag usap.
“Sabihin mo nga dun sa babaeng yun pumunta
siya dito.”
“Eh kung ayoko?”
“Eh basagin ko kaya yung windshield ng
sasakyan mo?”
I smirked, “Gawin mo. May insurance yun. Tss.”
Kinuha ko yung cellphone ko tapos sinend ko sa
kanya yung number. Bahala na siya.

379
 Ynna’s Point of View
“Midnight blue and white it is,” Danielle said.
“Do you think it’s a good combination?” I asked
her. We’re still here in Meero’s, talking about
wedding stuffs. 
Even though i’m planning to have a civil
wedding tomorrow, the preparations for our church
wedding is still on going.
“Of course. It looks classy,” she agreed, “Well,
how about the entourage?”
Entourage? Hmm. I haven’t thought about that
yet.
“Who’ll be the bride’s maid?”
Sino nga kaya?
“Dana. Dana will be my bride’s maid.”
Then i smiled to myself.
“Good to hear na may bride’s maid ka na.”
“I know. Well, i need to go. I’ll be meeting my
future in laws tonight,” then i stood up and took my

380
purse with me.

Kim’s Point of View

“Hey, ever heard of the word smile? Geez, Dana,
you’re seriously scaring me!” I said to her. What the
hell lang naman kasi! Ang laki ng eye bags niya!
Eye baggage na nga ata!
“Sorry naman daw, Kim. Masamang magpuyat?”
She said then pinatong niya ulit yung ulo niya sa
lamesa. Pasalamat siya walang masyadong tao
ngayon sa caf. Walang makakakita sa emo moments
niya. Ew lang.
“Magpuyat your ass,” i told her, “If i know,
bothered ka lang kasi nalaman mo na ikakasal si
Cyriel kay Ynna!!”
“Where in the hell did you get that idea?!”
I laughed, “Defensive much? Seriously, DK, get a
grip of yourself. Past is past, move on na.”
“Moved on na nga eh. Past tense. Wag mong
idahilan na mahina ka sa English kaya hindi mo
maintindihan, Miranda.”

381
 Argh! Nakakainis! Porke ba mahina ako sa
academic, hindi na ako pwedeng maging rational at
magbigay ng advice? Lagi na lang akong tinetake
for granted dahil sa bwisit na reason na yan. Eh sa
mahina ako dun eh, anong magagawa ko? Psh.
“Whatever, DK. Word of advice lang ha,” Tapos
bigla siyang tumawa, “Hoy! Narinig ko yung tawa
mo!!”
“Sorry, hindi ako sanay makarinig ng ganyang
phrases mula sa’yo eh. Overwhelmed lang.”
“Bwisit! Anyways, if i were you, stop being so
bitchy about Cy and Ynna’s wed. He’s your ex,
remember? You broke up for a reason; because
something’s wrong. Minsan may mga
incompatibilities talaga na hindi maaayos, and in
your case, hindi kayo ang may problema. The
situation you’re both in ang problema. Fate na
mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan para hadlangan
kayo ni Cy, can’t you see? Just better stick with
Andy as for now. Kasi for me, kung kayo talaga ni
Cy, magiging kayo din in the end. Stop being non
conformist, DK. Just go with the flow, malay mo
naman, maging in laws pa tayo,” then i winked at
her. Well, talaga! Magiging Mrs. Clarence Perez ako
by hook or by crook!

382
 Tinaas niya bigla yung kilay niya at tinignan ako,
“Tapos ka ng mag monologue?”
“Ugh! Kainis ka talaga!! Ang haba kaya ng sinabi
ko!!”
She laughed, “Fine, fine. I’ll stop being bitchy,
but don’t expect me na magiging masaya for her!
My god! I seriously can’t! I wish all the worst for
her!”
“I get it. Never na yata kayong magkakasundo ni
Ynna.”
“Never talaga! Bwisit! Just hearing her name
makes me furious! Hindi ko pa nakakalimutan yung
frame up na ginawa niya sa’kin nung birthday ni
Dave!!” Then she went hysterical again. Oo nga
pala, yung nangyari nung birthday ni Dave. Kawawa
naman si DK, na set up siya nung witch na yun.
Aish, nahati tuloy ang barkada. Si Nof, sinasamahan
si Sara, ako naman, si DK. Bwisit talaga yang si
Ynna! Hindi lang lovelife ang sinisira, ngayon pati
pagkakaibigan na. Haaay, kung makakasal man sila
ni Cyriel, ayokong maging in law siya if ever na
pipikutin ko si Clarence. Life is so complicated. (._.)
“Hoy, nagriring yang phone mo,” DK said. Ano
ba yan, masyado na akong napapaisip, so not me.

383
 unregistered number
calling..
Sino to? Hmm. Baka prank caller na naman.
Bakit ba kasi tawag sila ng tawag? 
“Kanina pa kaya nagriring yan, sagutin mo na.
Baka importante,” sabi ni DK.
Aish. Sasagutin na nga.
“Who the hell are you?”
( “Slut, be here at 7 pm. Gusto makita ng parents
ko ang katulong ko. Pati yung payatot pupunta din,
wag kang feeling.”)
Slut? Aba’t ang kapal ng mukha na’to!!
“Excuse me? Baka wrong number ka!”
( “I’m not.”)
Wait, familiar tong boses na ’to ah!
“Boyfie?”
( “Stop calling me boyfie. Nakakadiri ka.”)
OMG!! Tinawagan ako ni Clarence!!

384
 “Wait, bakit hindi yung number mo ang gamit
mo?” I asked. May number niya kaya ako kahit wala
siyang number ko!!
( “Asa ka pang tatawagan kita gamit yun.”)
“Eh kanino tong gamit mo?”
( “Sa katulong. Katulong naman kita so okay lang
na number din ng katulong ang gamitin ko
pangtawag sa’yo.”)
“Aba---— UGH!! DK! Binabaan niya ako ng
phone!!” 
Tawa ng tawa si DK. 
“Hahaha! Epic talaga kayo! Love team of the
year!!”
“Ang sama mo! Inaapi na ako ng kapatid ng ex
mo, tinatawanan mo pa ako. Salamat talaga.”
Nagpahid siya ng luha, naiyak na siya katatawa,
“Sorry, kasi naman, nawawala ang problema ko
sa’yo. Anyways, bakit daw siya napatawag?”
Sasasabihin ko ba sa kanya? Oo na nga, ng
matigil na yung ilusyon niya kay Cyriel. =___=

385
 “Family dinner ata, kasama din si Ynna. Gustong
makilala ng parents nila yung girlfriend ng mga anak
nila.”
Bigla siyang natahimik, “Aah. Ganun ba.”
Tumayo siya, “Umuwi ka na kaya at magbihis? 5
na!” Tapos iniwan niya ako. Uh-oh, someone’s
jealous. (._.)

Nof’s Point of View

“Sara naman! Tumigil ka na nga kakaiyak.
Nakakabanas na.” I said. Haaay, hindi ko talaga
forte ang pag ccomfort. Kahit nga magkanda iyak
iyak na sa inis si Kim sa boyfriend niya hindi ko
kinocomfort eh. Pero nasan ako ngayon? Sa
apartment ni Sara, taga bigay ng tissue. =___=
“Nof naman eh! Best friend ka ng boyfriend ko
kaya best friend na din kita!! Icomfort mo naman
ako!” Sara said tapos umiyak na naman siya. Haay,
Ynna Henares. Kasalanan mo kung bakit ako
nandito ngayon eh.
“Whatever, Sara. Kausapin mo na lang si DK.
Bibigay din yun for sure.”

386
 “Hindi nga eh. Ilang araw ko na kaya siya
kunikulit pero wala pa din.”
“Then kulitin mo lalo. Bibigay din yun, wag ka
lang sumuko.”
“Haaaay. Bakit ba kasi may ganito pang issue?
Puro issue! Kabanas!” 
“Ikaw naman kasi, alam mo namang may hate
bone na katawan yang si DK pagdating kay Ynna,
sama ka pa din ng sama.” I explained. Bigla naman
siyang natahimik.
“I have my reasons, Nof.”
“Then tell her your reason. Malapit ng mag
sembreak, may outing pa kaya tayo sa Galera, mag
ayos na kayo, ples.”
Huminga siya ng malalim, “I can’t. It’s not my
story to tell.”
“Then magtiis ka na hindi ka niya pinapansin.
Ayaw pa kasing sabihin. Tss.”
Haaaaaaaay, sana lang talaga may alam ako sa
mga nangyayari. I feel like an idiot. Masyadong
clueless.

387
 Kim’s Point of View
Nandito na ako sa Perez estate. Kaka park ko
lang ng baby ko ng makita kong palabas din si Ynna
ng sasakyan niya. Talk about coincidences. (._.)
“Kim, i never thought i could see you here.”
I just smiled, wala akong time makipag usap sa
kanya. Mamaya ma brainwash niya din ako. Si Sara
nga na best friend ni DK, na brain wash niya! Ako
pa kaya na semi best friend pa lang? Oh noes! I
won’t let that happen!
“Why are you here, by the way?” She asked me
again, hindi ba siya marunong ng body language? 
“Clarence.” I answered. Please naman, Ynna.
Magets mo sana na ayaw kong makipag usap!!
“Ooh, so you’re with Cy’s brother pala.” Then
she smiled. Creepy lang.
Thank goodness nakita ko si Clarence sa loob!
Now i have reason para iwanan tong witch na ’to!!
“I have to go, i’ll just check on Clarence,” aalis
na sana ako pero hinawakan niya yung braso ko.
DK! Hindi ko sinasadya na malagyan ng skinny
bitch virus ang skin ko!!

388
 “We were friends before, right?”
“Were nga, Ynna. Past tense. Ibig sabihin, hindi
na ngayon.” I answered back. Nagagaya na ako sa
past tense statements ni DK.
“Kim, i understand na galit ka sa’kin dahil
kaibigan mo si Dana, but can’t you see? Nilalason
niya lang ang--—”
“Please lang, Ynna. Don’t talk behind Dana’s
back. She’s my friend. And please, don’t try na
magpaawa sa akin, hindi tatalab. I was your friend,
alam ko na yang mga spiel mo. Please lang, spare
me.”
Ngumiti siya, “Fine then. Let’s just pretend this
didn’t happen.”
“No need to tell me,” then i smiled. Ugh! 
Naglalakad na siya but, “Technically, magiging
kapatid ko na si Clarence, Kim. Do the math, be nice
to me.” Then she walked away. Bwisit! As if naman
papakinggan ka ng unggoy na yun kahit maging
Perez ka din!!
After my encounter with Ynna, nakita ko si
Clarence. Well, i won’t elaborate on this kasi maiinis
lang ako. Nung nasa dining room na kami, nakita ko

389
ulit yung parents nila. Thank God, alam na nila na
hindi ako katulong ngayon!!
“Well, as we all know, we gathered here tonight
para makilala ang partners ng anak ko,” tapos
tumingin si Tita sa amin ni Ynna. Ngiting ngiti
naman ang witch. Psh. Feeling masyado.
“Let’s eat first,” sabi ni tita. Haaay, bakit ba ang
galing ng talent ni witch? Para siyang may split
personality. Yung isa, akala mo anghel sa bait, yung
isa naman, bitch. Nakakainggit yung talent niya.
(._.)
Habang kumakain kami, biglang nagtanong si tita
kay Ynna, “So, hija, tell us about yourself.”
Tapos ngiting ngiti naman si witchy! Akala mo
ang bait bait habang nagsasalita. Sinabi niya kay tito
at tita na governor nga yung father niya then yung
iba nilang business. Show off! Natutuwa naman yata
ang parents nila kasi nga mayaman ang family ni
Ynna. Siyempre, investment din kaya siya! Eh
bakit? Mayaman din kaya si DK!! 
“I really approve my son’s taste,” biglang sabi ni
tito. ZOMG!! Don’t tell such things, tito! Isang
malaking kasinungalingan!

390
 “Salamat po, tito..” Sabi ni witchy na pa sweet.
Yuck. Pwedeng magsuka dito? As in like now?
Bigla namang may sumipa sa legs ko, “What the-
-—”
Hindi ko natuloy yung sinasabi ko kasi biglang
nagtinginan silang lahat sa akin. Bwisit. Muntik na
akong mag curse sa harap nila. (._.)
I then smiled, “Hehe, ano po yun, tito, tita?”
“Wala, hija.” Tapos balik ulit sila sa pagkausap
kay Ynna. Bwisit talaga tong unggoy na to! Kita ng
busy ako sa paglait kay Ynna sa utak ko eh!!
Anyways, nakikinig ako sa usapan nila.
Nakakabwisit makakita ng bitch na pinupuri sa
harap mo na akala mo isa siyang mabait na bata.
Seriously. Disturbing scene!
“So, bakit kayo nagmamadaling magpakasal ng
anak ko?” Tita asked. 
Nagsmile muna si witchy bago sumagot,
“Honestly, nabigla din ako, tita. Nagpropose bigla si
Cy.. and i just can’t say no.. I love him too much.”
Then nagblush siya. Pati ba naman pagbblush, kaya
niyang controlin?!
Nakita ko namang nagsmirk si Cyriel. Haha. 

391
 “Well then, wala na pala kaming magagawa.
Let’s just inform us kung ano ang kailangan naming
gawin for the wedding..”
“Of course, tita.”
“By the way, ikaw, Clarence? Wala ka pa bang
balak magpropose? Naunahan ka pa ni Cyriel!” Sabi
ni dad niya, nasamid naman ako bigla dun!
Tapos kami na yung pinag usapan nila. 

Dana’s Point of View

“Baby, hindi ka na naman kakain? Sabi ni yaya,
kagabi ka pa hindi kumakain ah..” Mom said as she
entered my room. Ang daldal talaga ni yaya. =___=
“I’m on a diet, mom.”
“You sure?”
“Yup. Tsaka may portfolio akong ginagawa kaya
hindi ako bumababa masyado.” I explained. Hindi
ako bitter sa kasal nila noh! In fact, naaawa ako kay
Cy kasi ikakasal siya sa skinny bitch na yun! Buti na
lang talaga at narinig ko na may wedding gown
designer na silang nakuha. Akala ko ako na naman

392
ang kukunin niya eh! Makikita niya talaga!
Lalagyan ko ng madaming pin sa loob yung damit
niya!
Tapos bumaba na si mom. Nag iwan naman siya
ng breakfast dito sa side table ko. Hmm, ano kayang
nangyari nung dinner ni Kim kagabi? Sabi ko
tawagan niya ako for details eh!
Habang nagddrawing ako para sa portfolio
project ko, nakita ko nakatayo si Andy sa gilid ng
pinto ko habang nakatingin sa akin, “Ang creepy
mo,” i said. Nakaka conscious kaya kung
makatingin siya sa akin.
“Sorry. Kinakabisado ko lang yung itsura mo,” he
said.
“Shut up, Andy. Para namang mamamatay na ako
niyan sa inaarte mo eh!”
Tapos lumapit siya sa akin at umupo sa gilid ng
bed ko, “Date tayo?” He suddenly asked.
Napatingin naman ako bigla, “Seriously? Impulse
date?”
Humiga siya sa kama ko, “Sige na, beb. Minsan
lang ako mag aya eh..”
“Pero kasi-—”

393
 “Please?”
Sasama ba ako? May project akong ginagawa eh!
Eto na yung hype ko para gumawa ng project eh.. 
“Please? I promise, hindi na kita kukulitin after
this.”
Haay, “Fine. Bihis lang ako.”
Nagbihis na ako tapos nagpaalam kami kay mom.
Syempre pinayagan kami, malakas si Andy sa kanila
eh. =___=
“San ba tayo pupunta?”
“Tagaytay..”
O_O
“Ano?!” I shouted. Hello, nasa Makati kaya
kami! Tapos traffic pa!
“Chill lang, beb. 2 hours drive lang naman.”
“Pano ako magcchill? Sabi mo ibabalik mo ako
ng hapon!”
“I will, okay?”
Tapos tumahimik na ako. Nagdrive na lang siya
ng nagdrive. Natulog na din ako kasi puyat pa ako.

394
Hinintay ko kaya yung tawag ni Kim kagabi!
Nung pag gising ko, wala na si Andy sa driver’s
seat. Tinignan ko yung oras sa phone ko, 11:30 na
pala. Lumabas ako sa sasakyan, buti na lang
malamig dito sa Tagaytay kahit magttanghali na.
Niyakap ko si Andy from behind, “Sorry sa
pagsigaw sigaw ko kanina ha? Puyat lang. Sorry,
beb.” Tapos hinigpitan ko yung yakap ko.
“Okay lang. Sanay na.” Tapos hinampas ko siya,
“Ang sama ng ugali nito!!”
“Sinasabi ko lang naman na sanay na ako sa
impulsive moments mo. Gutom ka na ba?”
I nodded, “Tara, kain na tayo.”
Tapos pumunta kami sa isang over looking resto
dito. Heavy lunch yung kinain namin.
“San na tayo?” I asked him. Busog na busog pa
din ako. Parang bibitayin na ako bukas sa dami ng
kinain ko. Grabeng maka order si Andy.
Hindi siya nagsalita pero hinawakan niya yung
kamay ko tapos naglakad lakad kami, “Hey, may
problema ka ba?” I asked him. Nakakapanibago kasi
siya eh. Something’s.. wrong?

395
 “Wala noh. Gusto lang kitang makasama
ngayon.”
“Sigurado ka?”
He nodded.
“Horse back riding tayo?” He asked, “Di ba hindi
ka masyadong nakakapunta dito sabi mo dati?”
I smiled, “Sure!”
Tapos sumakay na kami. Naaalala pa pala ni
Andy yung sinabi ko dati. Haaay. May mga naaalala
tuloy ako.
Sa magkahiwalay na kabayo kami sumakay ni
Andy. Pero magka holding hands yung isa naming
kamay habang nakasakay kami sa kabayo.
Ang sarap sa feeling. Sana ganito na lang palagi.
Tahimik. Ayoko na talaga ng casualties. Kung ang
pagpapakasal ni Cyriel kay Ynna ang magiging
paraan para matahimik ang buhay ko at last, then..
Sige na. Let them be together.
After naming mag horse back riding, naglakad
lakad kami papunta sa mga pine trees tapos umupo
kami sa ilalim nun.
“Dana..”

396
 “Hmm?” I answered habang nakasandal sa
balikat niya.
“Let’s stay like this.”
“Of course, Andy.” Then i smiled and gave him a
peck.
Hindi ko namalayan, nakatulog na pala ako.

Andy’s Point of View

“Dana..”
I stared at her face. Alam ko naman na hindi ko
na siya makikita ng ganitong kalapit pag sinabi ko
na sa kanya yung totoo..
“Hmm?” She answered habang nakasandal sa
balikat ko.
“Let’s stay like this.”
Like this. Ikaw, ako. Sana mapatawad mo pa
ako..
“Of course, Andy.” Then she smiled and gave me
a peck.

397
 Nakatulog na siya sa balikat ko. Habang
natutulog siya, tinititigan ko lang siya. Sana lang
talaga, naramdaman mo kung gano kita kamahal,
Dana.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
“Hmmm,” nagising na pala siya tapos nag inat
inat, “What the hell! Magdidilim na ah! Anong oras
na?!” 
“5:30,” i answered.
“Sabi mo ibabalik mo ako sa bahay before the
sun sets! Kainis ka talaga!!” Tapos pinaghahampas
niya ako. Hay, Andy. Kung hindi ka ba naman kasi
gago. Ayan tuloy, last time na tong hahampasin ako
ni Dana ng ganito. Mamimiss ko to.
“Sorry..”
Bigla naman siyang tumigil, “Okay lang, eto
naman, masyado kang serious.”
“Dana..”
“Hmm?”
“May sasabihin ako sa’yo..”
“What is it?”

398
 Eto na..
“About the truth..”
“Truth about what? Can’t relate, Andy.”
“Remember nung nagcelebrate tayo ng first day
niyo ni Cyriel?” Tapos bigla siyang naging seryoso.
“What about that?”
Hindi ako makapagsalita. Damn, Andy! Sabihin
mo na! Isipin mo si Cyriel! Ikakasal siya sa babaeng
yun pag naduwag ka ngayon!
“Fck it, Andy! Truth about what?!”
“I’ll tell you what happened. P-please don’t
interrupt.”
She nodded pero nakita kong nanginginig yung
kamay niya.
x X x Flashback x X x
“Andy, kanina ka pa umiinom jan ah? Bitter ka
ba?” Nandito nga pala ako sa bar ni Dave.
Celebration daw ng first day ni Cy at Dana.
“Hindi ah. May the best man win, Dave. Si Cy
eh, magagawa ko?” I said. As much as i love Dana,
anong magagawa ko? I messed my chance nung

399
pinagpalit ko siya kay Lynne, kaya dapat irespeto ko
na lang kung si Cyriel ang pipiliin niya. Besides, we
fought fair and square.
“Good to hear. Teka, puntahan ko lang si Sara.”
Tapos umalis na siya. Buti pa si Dave, may Sara, si
Cyriel, may Dana. Sana kasi talaga may isa pang
kaibigan si Dana. Eh di may kalandian din sana ako
ngayon. Nyeta lang talaga! Iinom na lang ’to!
Habang iniinom ko yung beer ko, “Heart
broken?”
Nung may nagsalita sa gilid ko, lumingon ako,
“Ikaw? Ano nga ulit pangalan mo?” I asked. Siya
yung impaktang babaeng muntik ng magparape ka
Dana ah!
“Ynna. Ynna Henares.” Tapos inoffer niya yung
kamay niya pero tinignan ko lang, “Well anyway,
i’m here to talk to you.”
“About what?” Teka lang, bakit nandito to?
Akala ko strictly for close friends lang ang party na
’to?!
“About Dana.”
“Miss whoever you are, tigilan mo na si Dana,
please. Sila na ni Cyriel, besides, kahit hindi sila,

400
hindi ka papatulan ng kaibigan ko. So please back
off.”
Tapos ininom ko na yung beer ko. Kahit kailan
talaga papansin ’tong babaeng ’to!
“I’m an HIV carrier.”
Nahulog ko yung bote ng beer na hawak ko,
“What?!”
Bigla siyang natawa. Nagjjoke ba tong babaeng
to?!
“Tigilan mo ako sa mga trip mo, Miss. Wala ako
sa mood.”
“I’m serious. I had my check up last week.”
She’s s-serious?!
“A-anong kinalaman ko jan?” I asked her, still in
shocked sa mga narinig ko. HIV yun! Not something
funny!
“Dana.”
“What about her?” I asked.
“She caused me this fcking virus!”
“Ano?!”

401
 “Because of her, i now have this goddamned
virus!”
“Teka lang, miss. Can you please explain why on
earth Dana caused you that— that— that virus?!”
Tapos kinwento niya sa akin na dahil kay Dana,
she had an affair with one of her professors who
happened to be a carrier as well. Nung una, sinabi ko
sa kanya na kasalanan niya yun. Walang kinalaman
si Dana. Totoo naman! May pumilt ba sa kanya na
makipagsex dun sa professor niya? Wala naman di
ba?!
But she answered this, “It’s her fault! I
discovered that she knew that that fcking Grei is an
HIV carrier but she didn’t tell me!”
Hindi ako nakasagot, magagawa ba ni Dana yun?
“You’re lying. Mabait si Dana, she won’t do such
things..”
“She already did, Andy.”
Kahit galit na galit siya dito sa babaeng ’to,
matitiis ba niya na mahawaan siya ng sakit na
ganun?
“What is your proof na alam nga niya?”

402
 Tapos may tinawagan niya yung isa naming ka
schoolmate at sinabi niya na nakausap niya si Dana
tungkol nga dun.
“Now, Andy, tell me, hindi pa din ba niya
kasalanan?”
Hindi. There must be a reason. 
“What do you want?”
“Simple lang, i want Cyriel.”
“You want what?! Pasensya na, Miss. Hindi ko
pinagbebenta ang kaibigan ko. Besides, may
girlfriend na siya..”
“Then make them break up. Come on, Andy.
You’re better than this. I know how much you love
Dana. I’ll have Cyriel and you’ll have Dana.”
“A-ayoko. I respect Dana’s decision. Masaya siya
kay Cyriel. I can’t ruin her happiness.”
Tumayo siya, “Then i’ll do things on my own.
Alam mo bang step daughter lang si Dana ng tatay
niya?” Wait, what?! Step daughter lang siya?!
“Alam mo ba kung ano ang nangyari sa
biological father ni Dana? AIDS, Andy. After
magkaroon ng affair ng nanay ni Dana sa tatay niya,

403
nagkaroon ng AIDS ang tatay niya dahil nagkaroon
’to ng one night stand sa isang prostitute. Lately lang
nalaman ni Dana lahat yan, knowing Dana, nasaktan
’to dahil never niyang nakita ang tatay niya at nung
nakita niya, wala na ito sa matinong condition dahil
sa pagkalat ng virus sa katawan. Kung nakita mo
lang yung reacton niya tuwing dinadalaw niya yung
tatay niya sa rehabilitation center.. Kaya naman
nung nalaman niya yung tungkol sa father niya,
naging supporter na siya ng AIDS patients. In fact,
may foundation pa nga silang tinutulungan ng nanay
niya.”
Tapos ininom niya yung beer sa counter.
“How do you think Dana will react pag nalaman
niya na she, herself, caused someone to suffer the
same as her father? I have a clue, Andy.. Kakainin
siya ng konsensya niya.”
Fck! Fck! Fck!
“What do you want?!” Napasigaw na ako. Buti
na lang wala pang masyadong tao dahil hindi pa
nagssimula yung party.
“Make them break up.”
Tapos sinabi na niya sa akin yung plano niya.
Nung nakita kong papunta siya ng CR ng medyo

404
lasing na, ginawa ko na yung inuutos sa akin ni
Ynna. I drugged her. Then the rest is history. Walang
alam si Cyriel sa mga nangyari. He knew about what
really happened the morning after that incident..

405
 Chapter 42

Chapter 42
Time: 2 pm
Cyriel’s Point of View
“Yung payatot nasa baba.”
Nandito ako sa kwarto at gumagawa ng plate ng
biglang pumasok si Clarence para sabihin yun. Aish.
Nandito na nga siya kagabi, hanggang ngayon
pupuntahan niya pa din ako?!
Bumaba na ako tapos nakita kong kausap niya si
mom. Pasalamat siya hindi alam ni mom ang sakit
niya, kung hindi, baka kahit lapitan ako hindi niya
magawa.
“Ano’ng kailangan mo?” I asked her.
“Don’t treat her like that, baby.” 
“Sorry, mom.”
“Alright, baby. Oo nga, hija, san ba kayo pupunta
ni Cyriel?”

406
 “We were supposed to meet the wedding planner
today during lunch but since 2 pm na, i decided na
pumunta na lang sa Manila Cathedral for church
reservations.”
Tapos lumapit siya sa akin at kumapit sa braso
ko. Sanayin mo na ang sarili mo, Cy. Magiging
asawa mo na yung babaeng yan. Magsanay ka na.
“The wedding planner should do that, right?”
Ngumiti naman siya, “Gusto ko po kasing
maging hands on sa preparations sa wedding namin.
I’ll marry only once so i should give my best.”
My mom smiled, “I really like you for my son. O
siya, you better go. Traffic pa naman ngayon. If you
don’t have any appointment tonight, have dinner
with us again.”
“Sure, auntie.”
“From now on, call me mom, hija.”
She blushed, pati ba naman pagbblush naccontrol
niya?
“Sure, mom.”

407
 Ynna’s Point of View
“October 19 it is. Thanks,” i said then i smiled.
As i have said, we went here at the Manila Cathedral
for church reservation. Even though we will have a
civil wedding later, tuloy pa din ang kasal namin sa
simbahan. Save the date. October 19.
“Babe, okay lang ba kung may pupuntahan pa
tayo?” I asked.
He just shrugged his shoulders, “May magagawa
ba ako?”
I smiled. I drove to the Makati Municipal Hall.
My mom and my private nurse is already waiting for
me.
I clung onto his arms and lead him to the Mayor’s
office. Nung nasa tapat na kami ng Mayor’s office,
he asked me, “What are we doing here?!”
“Let’s go inside first then i’ll tell you.”

Time: 3:30 pm
Sara’s Point of View

408
 “Honey Babe, kanina ka pa pabalik balik. Maupo
ka muna kaya?”
Kanina pa kasi ako pabalik balik dito. Di ako
mapakali. Parang may mangyayaring masama eh.
“Eh kasi naman, Honey Babe, kinakabahan ako.
Hindi ko din maintindihan eh.”
Hinila niya ako paupo, “Everything will be
alright, Sara. At this point, malamang sinasabi na ni
Andy yung totoo kay Dana.”
“Really?!” 
“Yes. Nakausap ko siya kagabi, he’ll confess
today. Relax ka lang.”
Sasabihin talaga ni Andy yun? Kinakabahan
ako!!

Cyriel’s Point of View

“Now, Ynna. Bakit tayo nandito? At bakit
nandito ang mama mo at nurse mo?” I asked her.
Sa totoo lang, parang alam ko na kung bakit kami
nandito. Pero gusto kong makasigurado.

409
 “We’ll get married today..”
Fck. Fck. Fck.
“Hindi mo ba kayang maghintay, Ynna? In less
than a month, i’ll be yours. Hindi mo ba kayang
ibalato sakin yung 1 buwan na yun?” I pleaded.
Isang buwan na nga lang yung natitira sa akin,
babawasan niya pa.
“What is one month, Cyriel? May balak ka bang
hindi ituloy ang kasal kaya ayaw mong pumayag?”
Sabi sa akin ng nanay ni Ynna. Sa totoo lang,
nakakatakot ang mama niya dahil napaka protective
nila kay Ynna.
“Hindi naman po sa--—”
“Then marry her. Make my daughter happy.” She
said, no, more like commanded.

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Andy’s Point of View
Nandito kami ngayon, walang nagsasalita. Eto na
yung kinatatakot mo, Andy. Yung hindi ka kausapin
ni Andy. Gago ka kasi! Tanggapin mo yan!

410
 “Dana..” 
Kanina ko pa siya sinusubukang kausapin pero
hindi niya ako pinapansin.
“Please naman, kausapin mo ako. Kahit mura
murahin mo na ako.. Just please, wag mo akong
hindi pansinin..”
Hindi pa din niya ako pinapansin. Tangina. Alam
ko naman na eto yung mangyayari, yung hindi niya
ako kakausapin ni titignan pag nalaman niya pero
tangina lang, hindi ko alam na ganito pala kasakit
yun.
“Did Cyriel know what you did?” She asked.
She’s calm pero alam ko, galit siya sa akin. Sa
ginawa namin.
flashback…
“Good job, Andrei.”
Tangina, Andy. Ano bang ginawa mo?! Ano bang
pumasok sa kokote mo at nagawa mo yun kay Dana
at Cyriel?! Nasan na yung sinasabi mong may the
best man win?! Tangina talaga! Tsaka bakit ba
nagpasulsol ka sa babaeng ’to. Wala ka bang tiwala
kay Dana?!!

411
 “Hey, why are you dragging me?!”
Ayoko na. Hinila ko tong babaeng to. Hindi ko
kayang magalit si Dana at Cyriel sa akin. Sasabihin
ko yung totoo. Ipapaliwanag ko sa kanila yung
totoong nangyari. Kung totoo man yung sinasabi
niya tungkol kay Dana, i’m sure she has her reasons.
Hindi si Dana yung tipo ng taong magpapahamak sa
iba. I know her. 
Pumunta ako kay Dave. Wala pa din siyang alam
sa mga nangyari, ang alam lang niya, nag away kami
ni Cyriel. Hindi niya alam na nakita kami ni Cyriel
ni Dana na magkatabi sa kama..
“Dave, si Cyriel?”
Tumingin muna siya sa akin na parang nagtataka
kung bakit kasama ko tong babaeng to.
“Uuwi na daw siya. Teka, ano bang nangyari?
Bakit ba kayo nag away?”
“Basta. Saka ko na lang sasabihin sa’yo.”
Pumunta kami sa condo ni Cyriel pero wala siya
dun kaya dumiretso na lang ako sa bahay nila.
Andy!! Kailan mo ba gagamitin ang utak mo?!
Nakita ko si Clarence kaya sa kanyan ko tinanong
kung nasan yung kapatid niya, “Si Cyriel?”

412
 “Tignan mo sa kwarto.”
Umakyat na kami sa kwarto niya. Nung nasa
harap na kami ng pinto, tangina, kinakabahan ako.
Sinubukan kong kumatok pero walang sumasagot
kaya pumasok na ako sa loob. Pagpasok ko,
napakagulo ng kwarto niya. Andy, kabahan ka na.
Alam mo kung paano magalit si Cyriel.
Nakita ko siya sa may gilid, dumudugo yung
kamay niya. Sinuntok niya pala yung salamin kaya
ganun..
“Cyriel..” I said. Tinignan niya ako pero hindi
siya nagsalita.
“Magpapaliwanag ako..”
Tinignan niya ako, “Ano? Ipapamukha mo pa
sakin kung gaano ka kagaling? Ggo ka talaga! Akala
ko ba irerespeto natin kung ano man ang desisyon ni
Dana? Gaano ba kahirap intindihin yun, Andy?!”
“H-hindi sa ganun..”
Binato niya yung baso sa gilid niya, “Please lang,
tigilan mo na ako. Baka mapatay lang kita.”
“Cyriel..”

413
 Bigla siyang tumayo tapos lumapit sa akin at
sinuntok ako ng sinuntok. 
“Gago ka talaga!” 
Sinuntok niya lang ako ng sinuntok. Hindi ako
lumaban. Alam ko naman na ako ang may
kasalanan. Tanggapin mo yan, Andy. Gago ka eh.
Nung mapagod na siya, binitiwan niya na ako
hanggang sa mapaupo ako sa sahig.
Pinunasan ko yung labi ko. Puro dugo.
Tinignan ko yung babaeng kasama ko.
Nakatingin lang siya sa amin. Mukhang natakot
siya. Ngayon niya lang yata nakita si Cyriel na galit.
Lagi kasing tahimik at kalmado si Cy. Bihira lang
magalit.
“Tapos ka na ba?” Tanong ko sa kanya, “Kung
tapos ka na, sana naman pakinggan mo na yung
sasabihin ko..”
Sinubukan kong tumayo kahit ang sakit pa din ng
katawan ko. Hirap din akong magsalita dahil sa
suntok niya sa akin..
“Pakinggan mo ako.. Hindi totoong may nangyari
sa amin ni Dana..”

414
 Napatingin siya sa akin.
“Wag mo akong lokohin, Andy. Wala akong
pakielam kung may nangyari sa inyo. Kahit pa may
nangyari sa inyo, tatanggapin ko pa din si Dana.”
Napatigil ako. Mahal niya talaga si Dana. Ang
gago ko lang talaga.
“Makinig ka muna. Walang nangyari.. Pinlano
niya lang lahat ng ’to,” tapos tinuro ko yung
babaeng kasama ko.
Tinignan siya ni Cy, “Magkasabwat na pala kayo
ngayon.” Tapos inismidan niya ako. Tangina. Eto
ang ayoko sa kanya, pag galit siya, hindi siya
nakikinig sa mga sinasabi ko.
“Tangina naman, Cyriel! Pwedeng makinig ka
muna?!” Sigaw ko sa kanya.
Tinignan niya lang ako.
“Sabihin mo sa kanya lahat ng nangyari..”
Tinignan lang ako nung babae.
“Hoy! Magsalita ka nga!”
Hindi pa din siya nagsasalita.

415
 Nilapitan ko siya tapos hinawakan ko yung
magkabila niyang balikat, “Tangina naman!
Magsalita ka!”
“I’m sorry, Andrei. Pero.. hindi ko talaga kayang
magsinungaling. Alam mo sa sarili mo na may
nangyari talaga sa inyo ni Dana. Please lang,
umamin ka na lang.. Wag mo na akong piliting
magsinungaling para sa’yo..”
Napaupo na lang ako sa mga sinabi niya.
Tangina. Bakit ba ako nagpaloko sa babaeng ’to?!
“Cyriel, please. Maniwala ka sa’kin. Kaibigan
mo ako, kilala mo ako..”
Tinignan ako ni Cyriel, “Kilala nga kita. Alam ko
yung kaya mong gawin. Please lang, tantanan mo na
ako, Andy. Baka hindi ko na mapigilan yung sarili
ko.”
Lumabas na ako sa kwarto niya.
Andy, ang bobo mo!!
present…
“Dana, sinabi ko sa kanya yung totoo. Sinubukan
ko naman.. Please, wag kang magalit sa akin..”

416
 Madilim na, pero kahit ganun, nakita kong
tumulo yung luha ni Dana. Pinaiyak mo na naman
siya, Andy. Ang galing mo lang talagang magmahal.
“Iuwi mo na ako.”
Tapos tinalikuran niya ako at pumasok sa
sasakyan ko.

Time: 8:00 pm
Dana’s Point of View
I went out of Andy’s car without looking at him.
Damn, Dana! Ang tanga mo! Bakit ba kasi
naniwala ka sa mga babaeng yun?!
flashback…
Nandito pa din ako sa cubicle. Bwisit talaga yung
haliparot na yun! Talaga bang gagawin niya yun
para lang bumagsak ako?!
“Like ew? May AIDS si Prof. Grei?”
“Don’t know, girl. I just heard it.”
Si Prof. Grei yung nagbagsak sa akin! Totoo bang
may AIDS siya? Sht! Baka mahawa si Ynna!

417
 Lumabas ako ng cubicle kahit namamaga na
yung mata ko sa kaiiyak para tanungin kung totoo
nga yung sinasabi nila. Pero nung paglabas ko, wala
na sila. Hahabulin ko sana sila para sabihin yun
pero,
Mama
calling…
calling… 
“Mama Hello? Ma, bakit po?”
Imbis na si mama ang sumagot, si papa ang
narinig ko.
“Walangya kang bata ka! Ano tong grade mo?
Singko? At major subject pa ang binagsak mo?
Talaga bang ginagalit mo ako?”
“Pa, magpapaliwanag po-—”
“Wag ka ng magsinungaling. Malandi kang bata
ka! Wala ka ng ginawa kundi maglandi! Bat hindi na
lang ikaw ang namatay!”
Pagkatapos binaba na niya. 
Bakit ba hindi niya ako tanungin kung ano talaga
yung dahilan? 18 years. Sa 18 taon ng buhay ko,

418
siya yung tinuring kong ama. Hindi niya ba ako
kilala para hindi niya malaman na ginawa ko na
lahat ng makakaya ko para maging proud siya
sakin? 
“Aaah. Nakakaawa ka naman. Sayang naman
yung pagka blooming mo kung iiyak ka lang.
Hahaha.”
  Si Ynna, siya ang may kagagawan ng lahat ng
’to.
“Once and for all, pagod na ako sa mga ginagawa
mo. Ano ba ang laro mo? Blackmail—
blackmailan?”
“Hindi pa ako napapagod eh.”
“Ano ba kasi ang nagawa ko?”
“Bobo ka ba o ano? Di ba sinabi ko na sa’yo?
Ibigay mo lang si Cyriel sakin, titigilan kita.”
  Si Cyriel, si Cyriel, kontrolado ko ba ang isip
niya? 
“Ilang beses ko ba sasabihin sa’yo? Hindi ko nga
kontrolado kung ano ang gagawin at iisipin niya!”
“Ang gusto ko lang naman, iwanan mo siya. Iyon
lang. Madali lang naman, di ba?”

419
 “Pag nilayuan ko ba siya, sigurado kang lalayuan
niya ako?”
“Hah, ang kapal din ng mukha mo noh? Eto lang
ang lilinawin ko, sumuko ka na hanggang may
natitira pa sa’yo, dahil pag ako nainis, lahat yan,
mawawala sa’yo!”
“Ynna naman kasi, hindi ko nga kayang sundin
yung gusto mo. Ang dami dami namang lalaki dyan
eh.. 
“Bakit? Madami din namang lalaki dyan ah, bakit
si Cyriel pa ang napili mo? Ha?! Ano?!”
“Alam mo, hindi ko na talaga alam ang gagawin
ko sa’yo. Lumaban ka naman ng patas, huwag mong
idamay ang grades ko!”
“Well then, I pity you. Hindi ako lumalaban ng
patas eh. Pipiliin mo kasi ang kakalabanin mo. Kahit
anong course, kahit anong school, kung hindi ka
susunod sa gusto ko, asahan mong hindi ka
makakatapos. I won’t be a governor’s daughter for
nothing. I could always pull some strings.”
Then she left. Balak ko pa naman sanang sabihin
sa kanya yung narinig ko. Pero, Ynna. Hindi ka
lumalaban ng patas. At matalino ka naman siguro,
alam mo na ang mga ginagawa mo.

420
 present…
Ang tanga tanga mo, Dana! Kung sinabi mo sa
kanya, eh di sana hindi nagka letse letse yang buhay
mo! Pero malay ko ba na hindi sila gumamit ng
protection? Ang tanga din niya! Bwisit!
Pagkaalis na pagkaalis ni Andy, kinuha ko yung
sasakyan ko at pumunta sa bahay nila Cyriel.
Tinignan ko yung bahay nila, ilang taon din nung
huli akong nakapunta dito..

421
 Chapter 43

Chapter 43
Time: 7 pm
Ynna’s Point of View
I hugged him,
My husband.
“Shall we come in?” I asked him with a big smile
plastered on my face.
It feels so good calling Cyriel my husband. Kahit
na alam kong napilitan lang siya kanina, i don’t care.
All i care is that now, he’s mine ’til i die. 
flashback…
“Then marry her. Make my daughter happy.” My
mom told Cyriel.
I know for a fact na takot si Cyriel sa parents ko.
Why? Because he knows what they can do. I
remember nung isang time na gustong umuwi ni Cy
sa Pilipinas, my mom went to the States and
threatened him na guguluhin niya ang buhay nung

422
babae niya pag ginawa niya ’yun. My mom didn’t
know and still do not know na si Dana yung
babaeng dahilan kung bakit hindi ako mahal—
mahalin ni Cy. Cyriel would never tell her that, and
he would never allow me to.
Hindi na sumagot si Cy, instead, pumunta siya sa
tabi ko.
“Let’s start now?” My mom asked the Mayor,
who happens to be a close friend of my father. Kaya
naman hindi ako natatakot; my mom’s here, the
mayor is on my side. I’ve got all that i need.
The process started. Cyriel would just nod. Ynna,
just calm down. Don’t you cry now. The end
justifies the means. Kahit napipilitan lang siya, in
the end, he’ll still be my husband. 
“We are gathered together here in the presence of
these witnesses to join this man and this woman in
matrimony, which is an honorable estate, and is not
to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but
reverently and discreetly. If
anyone can show just cause why this man and
this woman may not lawfully
be joined together, let them speak now or
hereafter remain silent. “

423
 We all remained silent. No one would dare speak.
Not even Cyriel..
“Ynna Henares, will you take this man to be your
wedded husband,
to live together in the estate of matrimony? Will
you love, honor and keep
her; in sickness and in health, and forsaking all
others, keep yourself only
unto her, as long as you both shall live? “
I smiled despite the fact that i was already about
to cry, “Of course, your Honor.”
Then the Mayor proceeded and this time, asked
Cyriel, “Cyriel Perez, will you take this woman to
be your wedded wife, to live together in the estate of
matrimony? Will you love, honor and keep her; in
sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep
yourself only unto her, as long as you both shall
live?”
Cyriel just stared at the floor.
A minute had passed, still, his eyes are glued on
the floor.

424
 The moment my mom realized what Cyriel is
doing, he went near him and whispered something.
I don’t know what she said to Cyriel.. I just saw
Cyriel saying I do to the Mayor after that.
“Now, by the authority vested in me by the
Republic of the Philippines, I pronounce you to be
husband and wife and extend to you my best wishes
for a successful and happy married life together.”
present…
“Shall we come in?”
We’re now here inside their house. His mom told
me to dine with them again. Cyriel told me awhile
ago not to tell anyone about our marriage. I just
nodded but deep inside, i was hurt. He’s ashamed of
me. Who wouldn’t?

Time: 8:30 pm
Dana’s Point of View
Dana naman! Thirty minutes ka nang nakatayo
dito! What to do?! Bakit ba naman kasi wala kang

425
number ni Cyriel?! Magkagalit pa kayo ni Sara,
which means pati si Dave, hindi ko din pinapansin!
Aish! Mukha na akong tanga dito, kinakausap
mag isa ang sarili.
Who to ask?
Who to ask?
Who to ask?
Kim! I’ll ask Kim.
calling..
Kim Miranda
( “What’s up?”)
“Uhm.. Can i ask for a favor?”
( “Sure. Wag lang acad related.”)
“Hindi naman eh. Uhm.. May number ka ba ni
ano.. Ni Cyriel?”
( “WHAT?! Why in the world are you asking for
his number, DK?!!”)
“Long story, Kim. I need his number badly..
Meron ka ba?”

426
 ( “Wala eh, but i have his brother’s number.”)
“Can you send it to me?”
( “Sure. Basta kwento mo sakin next time ha?”)
“I will. Thanks, Kim.”
After a minute of quiet deliberation, i dialled
Clarence’s Number.
Ilang rings na din pero hindi sumasagot. I was
about to end the call when someone spoke, “Who
are you?”
It gave me chills. Kaboses niya si Cyriel.
“I-i’m Dana, Cyriel’s friend.”
“Cyriel’s friend?”
Ex-girlfriend, to be exact.
“Uhm, yes. I was--—”
I wasn’t able to finish because i felt someone’s
watching me so i turned around. 
It turned out that Clarence was just behind me,
his back resting on his black mercedes.
“So, you’re the great Dana,” he said then he
looked at me from head to toe, “Not bad.”

427
 I raised my brow, “Excuse me?”
“Why are you looking for my brother?”
“I need to ask him about.. About something.”
He just shrugged his shoulders, “Do you think
that could wait?”
“Why?”
“His fiance is still inside the house.”
Napayuko na lang ako. Nyeta naman talaga! Si
Ynna na naman! Siya na naman! Palagi na lang siya!
Naiiyak na ako. Bwisit naman eh!
“On the second thought, let’s come in?” He asked
me. 
I just nodded while he wiped my tears, “Wag ka
ngang umiyak. Ayaw ni Cyriel ng iyaking babae.”
I now know why Kim is crazy about this guy.

Cyriel’s Point of View

“So, how’s the wedding preparations?”

428
 Nag uusap lang sila tungkol sa kasal. Hindi nila
alam, kasal na kami. Buhay naman oh! Bakit ba kasi
nagkaganito?! 
For the past hour, puro kasal kasal kasal. Hindi ba
nila napapansin na hindi ako masaya? Sabagay, ni
hindi nga nila kami nakitang lumaki ni Clarence eh,
malamang, hindi din nila alam kung kailan kami
masaya o malungkot. Tss.
Pinaglaruan ko na lang yung pagkain ko ng…
“Clarence, why--— And who’s that lady beside
you?”
“Ah. Mom, this is Dana, my friend.”
My mom smiled at them, “Join us, Dana?”
I stared at her. Stared. Alam ko naman na
hanggang doon na lang ako ngayon eh. Suit
yourself, Cyriel.
They joined us. Magkatabi si Clarence at si
Dana. 
Cyriel!! Tanga ka talaga!!
flashback…

429
 “Paano pag ikaw naman ang pinakilala ko sa
parents ko? Hindi ka ba kakabahan?”
“Weh? Ipapakilala mo ko? Hindi nga? Kailan?”
“Punta tayo ng U.S.?”
“Nasa States ba sila?”
“Obviously, yes.”
“Tss. Akala ko naman.”
“Don’t worry, pag dumating sila, ikaw ang una
kong sasabihan.”
“Talaga?”
“Oo naman.”
present…
Aish! Sabi ko, ipapakilala ko siya sa parents ko..
bilang girlfriend ko! Nyeta naman. Ano nangyari?
Pinakilala siya ni Clarence bilang kaibigan niya.
Nyeta talaga!! Alam naman ni mom na ang kaibigan
kay Clarence, iba ang meaning. Friends with
benefits. Nyeta, Cyriel!!
“So, hija, saan kayo nagkakilala ni Clarence?”

430
 My mom smiled at her. I think she likes Dana.
What’s not to like about her?
In my mind, mas maganda sana kung ganito, ’So,
hija, saan kayo nagkakilala ni Cyriel?’ That would
be better. But dream on, Cyriel. Wala na!
“Stop interrogating her, mom,” then he looked at
Dana, “Go upstairs, 5th room to the left. Wait for me
there.”
Tinignan lang siya ni Dana.
“Go now. Ako na ang bahala kay mom.”
“I’ll go now, auntie. Excuse me po.” Then she
went upstairs.
Fuck! Ano’ng gagawin niya sa kwarto ni
Clarence?!! Di ba may girlfriend pa siya?!

Ynna’s Point of View

“Who’s she, Clarence?” Mom asked Clarence
again. I can call her mom now. She’s now my mom,
technically.
“She’s a friend, mom. Ang kulit niyo naman eh.”

431
 “A friend? And why is she inside your room
then?”
“We’ll discuss about something.”
“Something?”
“Something important.”
Mom just nodded, “What’s her full name, by the
way?”
“Dana whatever, mom. Stop asking questions. I’ll
go now.”
Then he went upstairs also.
I looked to my left only to see Cyriel’s hands
trembling. He’s affected. Sino nga ba naman ang
hindi? Ang pinakamamahal mong babae, nasa loob
ng kwarto kasama ang kapatid mong playboy.
Mom suddenly spoke, “Hmm. Clarence’s taste is
really good. Ariza would still be the best for him but
too sad they’re not together. Kim’s good but i like
Dana better for him.”
Biglang tumalsik yung steak sa plato ni Cyriel.
“S-sorry,” he mumbled, “Mom, i think Ynna
better go. Pagod na ako. We need to rest.”

432
 Then he escorted me to the door. He didn’t even
say a single word. Hinatid lang niya ako at
tinalikuran. What a great way to start our married
life.

Cyriel’s Point of View

Pumunta na ako sa kwarto. 
“Aaaaah!” 
Peste. Naibato ko kung ano man yung bagay na
makita ko.
Clarence, malaman ko lang talaga na may ginawa
ka kay Dana, kakalimutan ko na kapatid kita!
“Aray!”
Napatingin ako sa sumigaw. Si Clarence pala.
“Ginagawa mo dito?!”
“Chill, bro. Naliligo pa si Dana eh.”
Napatayo ako tapos hinatak ko yung kwelyo niya,
“Gago ka ba?!”
Bigla naman siyang tumawa, “Hahaha! Shit,
Cyriel! Ganyan palang magselos ang little brother

433
ko!”
Binitiwan ko na siya, “Ano bang kailangan mo?!”
“Relax lang. Hindi ko gagawin yung only love
mo.”
Tinignan ko lang siya. Paano niya nalaman yun?
Hindi ko naman kinukwento si Dana sa kanya.
“Punta ka sa kwarto ko. Mag usap nga kayo.
Tss.”
Nauna siya tapos sumunod na lang ako.

Dana’s Point of View

5th room to the left. Found it. Pumasok na ako sa
loob at umupo sa couch.
Ang sakit sakit sakit. Akala ko dati, ako ang
ipapakilala niya sa parents niya. He promised me.
Pero ano ang nakita ko? Si Ynna. Si Ynna na lang
palagi.
“Hey,” Clarence threw tissue on my face, “Wipe
your face. Wag ka ngang umiyak.”

434
 He’s really sweet in his own ways. Swerte mo,
Kim.
“Thanks.”
“Geez, Dana. You’re way better than Payatot.
Wag ka na ngang umiyak.”
Natawa naman ako. Payatot, Skinny Bitch. I
think we’ll get along really well.
“I know. Thanks, Clarence,” then i smiled.
“No prob. Hintayin mo ako, may kukunin lang
ako,” then he went outside.
I just sat on the couch. Tinignan ko lang yung
kwarto niya, too clean for a guy. May pile of books,
coffee table, black and gray ang color ng--—
“You two better talk. Wag na wag kayong lalabas
ng hindi nag uusap. Nakuha mo ba, Cyriel?”
Cyriel just nodded.
“Good.”
Then Clarence closed the door.
Silence. Walang nagsasalita sa amin. Walang
gustong maunang magsalita. Ang dami dami kong

435
gustong sabihin pero walang lumalabas sa bibig
ko…
“Dana..”
Napatingin ako sa kanya. Kay Cyriel..
“I’m sorry..” He said.
Eto na naman, naluluha na naman ako. Letseng
sorry yan oh!
“Cyriel.. Hindi mo na ba ako mahal?”
“I love you, Dana. Ask me again tomorrow, i still
do.”
“Then why don’t you trust me?”
Bakit hindi ka naniwala sa akin? Bakit bigla ka
na lang umalis kasama siya? Bakit hindi mo alam na
hindi kita kayang lokohin? Bakit, Cyriel?
“I trust you..”
“Tangina naman, Cy. Please, once and for all,
sabihin mo sa akin. Why did you go? Bakit mo ako
iniwan? Bakit ni hindi mo man lang ako tinanong?
Bakit naniwala ka agad sa nakita mo? Hindi ka ba
naniwala na mahal kita? Na ikaw lang? Na hinding
hindi kita kayang ipagpalit sa iba? Cyriel naman!

436
Please lang oh, sabihin mo naman. Pagod na pagod
na akong magmukhang tanga! Lagi na lang akong
walang alam sa mga nangyayari..”
“Dana..”
“Stop calling my name! Start telling me what
really happened, Cy. Parang awa mo na..”
He took a deep breath, “Dana.. I never really
went to the States with her. I went there alone.
Sumunod lang siya sa akin..”
I silently listened to what he has to say..
“I went there to clear my mind. Magulo pa yung
isip ko. Kaibigan ko si Andy. Galit ako sa kanya
pero ayokong mag away kami kaya umalis muna
ako. I wanted to believe him nung sinabi niya na
walang nangyari pero hindi ko alam. Ang gulo gulo
lang talaga ng utak ko nung panahon na yun.”
I didn’t speak. I just listened..
“After two weeks, i was planning to go home but
something happened. Nung papunta na ako ng LAX,
biglang may humarang sa sasakyan ko tapos dinala
nila ako sa isang lugar. Hindi naman nila ako
sinaktan pero nagulat ako kung bakit nila ako dinala
dun.”

437
 Nakita kong nanginig yung kamay niya..
“May pinakita sila sa akin na video.. Video
footage mo.. N-na may nakatutok na baril sa likod
mo..”
Nagulat ako sa narinig ko. M-may tumutok ng
baril sa akin?
“Alam mo na siguro kung sino ang may gawa
nun.”
Si Ynna. Siya lang naman ang may kayang
gumawa nun sa akin eh.
“She’s obssessed, Dana. Pumayag ako sa magstay
sa States for a month para matigil na siya sa
ginagawa niya. But not until i learned about her--—”
“Illness,” i cut him off, “Yes, Cyriel. Alam kong
may sakit si Ynna. I’m sorry about what happened to
her pero.. Hindi naman yata sapat na dahilan yun
para gawin niya sa’kin ’to.. Hindi naman yata sapat
yun para kunin ka niya sa akin..”
He smiled, “Mahal kita, Dana. Hindi niya ako
makukuha sa’yo kahit kailan,” he looked at me,
“She’s sick. HIV. Alam mo ba kung paano niya
nakuha yun?”

438
 “She bargained sex for my grades,” I answered
him. Hindi ko naman kasi talaga kasalanan na hindi
siya nag iingat!
“No, Dana. She was raped.”

439
 Chapter 44

Chapter 44
Andy’s Point of View
Nandito ako ngayon sa bahay ni Dave. Ilang oras
pa lang na galit sa akin si Dana, nagkakaganito na
ako. Paano pa kaya pag hindi niya ako pinatawad?
Nakita ako ni Dave na papasok sa bahay nila
kaya sinalubong niya ako, “Kamusta?”
Nginitian ko lang siya, “Inom tayo?”
Mukhang naintindihan naman niya. Sabay na
halos kami lumaki kaya malamang alam niya na
yung dahilan kung bakit ako nagkakaganito, “Sige
ba. Sa garden tayo.”
Lumabas kami sa garden tapos nagpadala siya ng
beer sa katulong nila.
“Galit ba?”
“Hindi nagsasalita. Mas natatakot ako,” seryoso
kong sabi sa kanya. Totoo naman, mas gusto ko pa
kung sinipa o sinuntok niya ako. Pero hindi niya ako
kinakausap! Mas natatakot ako.

440
 Tumango tango lang siya, “Dave, ano’ng
gagawin ko? Natatakot ako.”
“Hindi ko alam.”
Hindi kami nag usap, uminom lang kami,
“Salamat nga pala,” sabi ni Dave.
Tinignan ko lang siya, “Para san?”
“Kay Cyriel. Salamat kasi kahit alam mong
magagalit si Dana sa’yo, ginawa mo pa din,” sabi
niya tapos nginitian ako. 
Binato ko siya nung can ng beer, “Ang bakla mo,
Dave.” Tapos tumawa ako. Sige lang, itawa mo lang
yan, Andy.
Tapos inismidan niya ako, “Buti naman tumawa
ka na. Nga pala, nasan si Dana?”
Natahimik naman ako, “Hinatid ko siya sa bahay
nila kanina.”
“Sa tingin mo ba kakausapin niya si Cyriel?”
“Malamang.”
“Eh ano nang balak mo?”
“Wala. Ayoko nang magplano baka masaktan
lang ako. Bahala na.”

441
 “Eh paano pag binalikan niya si Cy?”
“Ewan. Wag mo na nga akong tanungin. Leche
lang,” tapos uminom na ako ng beer.
“Suggestion lang, Andy. Kay Nof ka na lang,”
sabi ni Dave sabay buga ko ng iniinom ko.
“Tang,” nabulunan ako, “Nyeta naman, Dave.
Gago ka ba?!”
Biglang tumawa, “Hahaha! Grabe ka namang
magreact, Andy. Kaya nga suggestion eh.”
“Nyetang suggestion yan.”
“Bakit? Maganda naman si Nof ah!”
“Bakit? May sinabi ba akong pangit?”
“Eh bakit sobra ka namang magreact?”
Aish. Bakit ba ang kulet kulet ni Dave ngayon?
Ako pa tuloy ang napag tripan.
“Kadiri kasi. Please lang, Dave. Wag mo nga
akong ireto sa bestfriend mo. Tss.”
“Better be prepared. Feeling ko, iiwan ka na ni,”
binato ko ulit siya, “Aray naman. As i was saying,
pag nagkausap sila ni Cyriel, iiwan ka na ni Dana.
Being a good friend that i am, naghahanda lang ako

442
ng safety precautions. Afterall, ikaw pa din si Andrei
Louie Guzman.”
Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi ni Dave. Oo nga
pala, nakalimutan ko na, ako nga pala si Andrei
Louie Guzman. 
“Buti naman at ngumiti ka na, kailangan pala
binobola ka pa.”
“Lul.”
“Thanks,” sabi niya, “So ano? Iddedate mo na si
Nof?”
Binatukan ko siya, “Ang kulit mo.”
“Eh bakit ba? Pareho naman kayong single,” sabi
ni Dave.
“Lul! Hindi ako single! Girlfriend ko pa din si
Dana!”
“Fine. Eh di soon to be single.”
“Lul. Umayos ka nga. Si Sara pa ligawan ko eh.”
“Asa ka pa kay Honey Babes.”
Tapos nagtawanan na kami. Buti na lang may
kaibigan pa ako. Akala ko malulungkot lang ako
buong gabi eh.

443
 Dana’s Point of View
“No, Dana. She was raped.”
Fck.
Hindi ako makapag salita.
Rape?
“A-ano?”
Hindi siya nagsalita.
Tama ba yung narinig ko? Si Ynna? Na rape?!
“Ha. Haha. Hahaha!” I forced a laugh,
“Nagpapatawa ka ba, Cyriel? Of all people, kay
Ynna ka pa naniwala?”
“Dana..”
“What?!” I exclaimed, “So, yun na ang reason
mo? Ang babaw mo, Cyriel!”
He looked at me, “Hindi yun mababaw, Dana.
Buhay mo yung pinag uusapan. Sa tingin mo ba
kaya kong isugal yung buhay mo?” He said.
“Bakit? Sa tingin mo ba hindi mo ako pinatay
nung iniwan mo ako? It killed me, Cyriel. Only

444
worst.”
“I love you, Dana. Please believe me when i say i
do.”
“I love you, i love you, i love you! Bakit hindi ko
maramdaman yang sinasabi mong i love--—”
Hindi ko na natapos yung sasabihin ko because
he kissed me.
I was shocked. 
You shouldn’t do this, Dana! Don’t kiss him
back!!
I can’t control myself. My mind is telling me to
stop, but my body didn’t follow what my mind says.
I just found myself kissing him back with the same
intensity he was giving.
His hands trailed across my waist while my arms
snaked its way around his neck. Absentmindedly, i
tilted my head so that he could have more access. He
kissed me tenderly and nibbled my lower lip.
“Cyriel..” I whispered as soon as he parted his
lips from mine.
He looked down at me and said, “I love you,”
then again, he sealed my mouth with his.

445
 While kissing me, his hand started caressing my
back while the other one held my nape so he could
deepen the kiss. I, on the other hand, let my hand
roamed around his chest. His lips went down to my
neck, sucking, kissing, and nibbling all the way
down.
’Oh God,’ i said to myself.
He then stopped and started trailing my jawline
using his lips. I leaned my head back to help him get
all the way across. After marking my neck as his
territory, he went back to my lips and kissed me
fully. 
My hands made its way to the hem of his shirt
and i started pulling it up. ’You’re all fucked up,
Dana.’ But before i completely pulled his shirt up, i
felt something twitched between my legs. 
’Oh fudge.’
I stared at him, he stared at me.
“Do you love me?” I asked him.
“I love you,” after saying that, i pushed him to his
bed and kissed him.
’There’ll be no turning back now.’

446
 I am now on his top and kissing him passionately.
I pulled his shirt, signalling for him to remove it.
But instead of removing it, he stopped kissing me
and stood up.

Cyriel’s Point of View

“Do you love me?” She asked me
“I love you,” i answered her obvious question.
She then kissed me. 
Tumigil ka nga! May asawa ka na, maawa ka
naman kay Dana. She doesn’t deserve you. Ni hindi
mo nga siya maipagtanggol eh.
Hinihila niya yung damit ko pero tinigil ko yung
paghalik ko sa kanya.
Nakatingin lang sa akin si Dana, “This is wrong,
Dana.”
Tumayo siya sa kama tapos sinampal ako, “Nyeta
naman, Cyriel! This is wrong?! Ano na naman yang
drama mo?!”
“I-i-—”

447
 Fck. ’I am married.’ Hindi ko kayang sabihin!
“I what?! Ano? Maglalaro na naman tayo ng hula
hulaan?!”
“I am married.”
There. I said it.
She slapped me again then walked away.

Dana’s Point of View

I am married.
I ran from him and went outside his house.
He’s married?!
Married to--— Oh fck! I can’t imagine!
Muntik ko ng ibigay ang sarili ko sa lalaking may
asawa ng iba.
calling..
Kim Miranda
Oh God! Kung kailan kailangan ko ng kausap,
tsaka pa sila cannot be reached ni Nof!

448
 Naglalakad ako papunta sa sasakyan ko ng may
mabunggo ako, “So-— sht.”

“Chill ka lang, Honey Babes. Masyado kang

kabado eh,” sabi ni Dave habang yakap yakap ako.
Paano ba naman kasi! Kanina pa ako kinakabahan!!
Di ba nga ngayon balak sabihin ni Andy kay Dana
yung totoo? Kanina pa dapat yun pero anong oras
na?? 10 pm na!
“Sorry naman. Kinakabahan ako kay Dana.”
“Don’t be. Kahit ganun yun, matapang yun. Kaya
chill ka lang,” tapos may nag doorbell, “Oh, buksan
ko lang yung pinto ha? Baka yung delivery na yun.”
Tapos tumayo si Dave mula sa counch katabi ko.
Nandito kami ngayon sa apartment ko kasi kanina pa
ako natetensyon mula nung nagdate kami kaya
nagdecide si Dave na samahan muna ako.
“Sara!” Sigaw ni Dave mula doon sa pinto kaya
napatayo at napatakbo ako, “Bakit ka ba--—
Dana?!!”
Bigla akong napayakap kay Dana kasi umiiyak
siya. Kahit pa hindi niya ako pinansin for almost a
week, best friend ko pa din ’to. Nothing changed.

449
 “Pasok muna tayo sa loob,” tapos naglakad kami
habang yakap yakap ko pa din siya. Nung nakaupo
na kami sa couch, “Dave, kuha mo naman siya ng
tubig?” Tapos umalis na si Dave para kumuha ng
tubig.
Tinignan ko lang si Dana. Pulang pula na yung
mata niya. Kanina pa siguro siya umiiyak..
Bumalik na si Dave ng may dalang tubig, “Dana
oh..” Tapos binigay ko kay Dana yung tubig.
Tinignan ko lang si Dave na parang pinapaalis ko na
siya.
“Ah, eh, Dana, aalis na ako ha? May gagawin pa
nga pala ako,” tapos nagbye na din siya sa akin at
lumabas ng pinto.
“Wala na si Dave. Mind to explain what
happened?” Tanong ko sa kanya.
Kinuha niya ulit yung baso at uminom, “Alright.
First of all, sorry for being a bitch. I love you, Sara.
You know i really do. Kaya nasaktan lang ako nung
nalaman kong nagiging close ka kay Ynna.. Of all
people, why her?”
Huminga ako ng malalim, “She’s changed, Dana.
Mabait-—”

450
 “Fuck, Sara. She never changed. She’s still the
same Ynna you knew.”
“Alam ko namang galit ka sa kanya pero sana
bigyan mo siya ng chance para ipakita na nagbago
na siya.”
“I gave her the chance but she messed it up. She
messed with us. Hindi mo ba nakikita? She’s
scheming! She framed me up. I slapped her because
she provoked me pero ano yung pinakita niya? That
she was trying to befriend me? Bullshit, Sara!”
“Alright. I believe you, Dana. Ikaw ang best
friend ko. I’m sorry.”
Then we stared at each other for a minute then
smiled.
“We’re quits?” tanong ko sa kanya.
“Yeah. We’re even.”
Ganito lang talaga pag mag best friend. Kahit ano
pa yung pag awayan namin, at the end of the day,
best friend pa din kami. Nothing will change that
fact.
“Now, mind telling me what happened? Umiyak
ka eh,” i asked her. Though alam ko naman na

451
probably dahil ’to sa nalaman niya about dun sa
nangyari, mas gusto ko pa din na sa kanya.
“Ah, about that,” tumigil siya tapos tumngin siya
sa sahig at tinanong ako, “I know you know
something, Sara. Ano yung alam mo?”
Nag isip ako. Sasabihin ko ba?
“Okay. Pero don’t judge me. I did this for you,”
then she nodded.
“Sabi ni Cyriel, Ynna is sick with HIV then i
confirmed it with Ynna and she said that she’s sick
because of you. Hindi ko alam. That was too much
for me to handle.”
Dana nodded, “That was another version.”
Tumngin ako sa kanya with a puzzled face,
“What do you mean by that?”
“I just heard another version of her story. Hindi
ko alam kung eto na ba yung totoo. I need to
confirm it.”
“Ano yung version na alam mo?” I asked her.
Now, nalilito na talaga ako. Parang roller coaster
lang ang buhay ni Dana. Ang daming ups and
downs, twists and turns. Nakakapagod na.

452
 “She was raped,” she said without a fuss.
“What she was raped?!!” Sigaw ko.
“I don’t know. Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala
ako.”
“But in any case, sino naman daw?”
“Si Grei.”
“Grei?”
Sino si Grei? Hmm. Familiar yung pangalan niya.
San ko ba narinig-— “Fuck! Yung professor natin?!”
“Yeah. That maniac.”
“Pero paano, bakit? Ano?!”
Ngumiti lang si Dana, “I don’t know either. This
night’s too much. Si Andy, si Cyriel, si Ynna. They
all had their stories to share. Nakakalito. I don’t
know what to believe anymore.”
I hugged her. Naaawa ako kay Dana.
“Everything will be fine, Dana. Trust me.”
“I know. Ang layo na ng narating ko, ngayon pa
ba ako susuko?”
Then i smiled, “Yan ang bestfriend ko.”

453
 “Sige, uuwi na ako,” sabi niya tapos tumayo siya.
“Sleep over ka na lang dito?”
“Nope. It’s been a long night. Gusto ko na lang
umuwi,” tapos ngumiti siya.
“Alright. Text mo ko pag nakauwi ka na?”
“I will,” tapos lumabas na siya sa pinto.

Dana’s Point of View

“Alright. Text mo ko pag nakauwi ka na?”
“I will,” tapos lumabas na ako sa pinto.
Sumakay na ako ng sasakyan ko. I stopped at the
nearby store para bumili ng beer. Pagkatapos,
dumiretso na ako sa kwarto ko. Buti na lang tulog na
ang parents ko. Napapagod na akong sumagot sa
tanong. All i want to do for now is to rest.. and
think. Gusto kong mag isip.
Naupo ako sa balcony ako nagbukas ng beer
habang naaalala ko yung nangyari kanina..
flashback…
“So-— Tangina!”

454
 Of all people na makakabangga ko, bakit si Ynna
pa?!
“Sharp mouth, Dana.”
“Fuck off, Ynna. I can curse all i want.”
“Then go on. Hindi kita pipigilan,” she said then
she started walking pero hinawakan ko yung braso
niya.
“Wag mo akong tatalikuran pag nagsasalita ako.”
She faced me and smirked, “Ano bang problema
mo, Dana?”
“Ikaw. Ikaw ang problema ko.”
“The hell i care. Problemahin mo ako as long as
you want.”
“Nyeta naman, Ynna! Hanggang ngayon ba
maglalaro pa din tayo?” I asked her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’ve been scheming, Ynna! Lahat kami
niloko mo. You owe us the truth!” I screamed. I
don’t care kung marinig ako ng parents ni Cyriel.
What would change kung maririnig nila? Maaalis ba

455
yung katotohanan na kasal na si Cyriel sa babaeng
to? Hindi naman!
“I don’t owe you anything.”
“You owe me that. At least the truth.”
“And what would i get kung sabihin ko? Wala
naman so why would i bother?”
Hinga lang, Dana. You’ve been angry for long
enough. Wag na ngayon.
“Yun nga eh. Wala ka ng makukuha sa akin.
Nasa’yo na si Cyriel. Kasal na. Hindi ka pa ba
titigil?” I asked. Desperation is obvious.
She smiled, “So you know. Buti naman at sinabi
na ni Cyriel.”
I looked at her while she was smiling, “Yes, he
said. Masaya ka na?”
“Very happy.”
“Now, tell me the truth. Ynna, just that one.
Ibalato mo na sa’kin…”
She looked at me, “Bakit ba gustung gusto mong
malaman? What difference will it make? Walang

456
mababago kahit malaman mo yun, Dana! It’s all in
the past.”
I smiled at her, “Yeah. It’s all in the past. The past
that still haunts me. Para matahimik na ako, please
lang.. Tell me what really happened..”
She stared at me, “I was raped,” then she
laughed.
I didn’t answer. Eto na. Sana malaman ko na
yung totoo.
“Siguro masaya ka? Oo nga naman kasi. Karma
ko siguro to kasi ang sama sama ko sa’yo.”
“Bakit hindi mo nireport?” I asked her.
Tumawa siya, “Nagpapatawa ka ba? Gusto mo
bang masira ang daddy ko? He was planning to run
for governor again. Masisira siya pag nalaman ng
mga tao na her daughter bargained grades for sex
then she was raped because she backed off the last
minute,” then she laughed again.
Nakatulala lang ako. Naawa ako.
“Turned out that that bastard has AIDS! And
now? I share the same fate as his. Masaya ka na?”

457
 “O— oo. Masaya ako. We’re even,” i said. I
didn’t mean it. Hindi ako masaya… I feel guilty. I
just said those words dahil alam kong yun ang gusto
niyang marinig. Ayaw niyang kaawaan siya.
“We’re still not even. Hangga’t hindi ako
minamahal ni Cy, we will never be even, Dana.”
I smirked at her, “Huh. You were raped and all,
yet hindi ka pa din nagbabago. Wala ka man lang
bang remorse na nararamdaman sa katawan mo?”
“Nothing. I feel nothing but hatred towards you,”
then we stared at each other.
“The feeling is mutual. I hate you to death.” I
said.
“Hate me all you want but that won’t change the
fact that I’m Mrs. Cyriel Perez. Suck it up, Dana.”
“I know. Pero ako ang mahal niya, suck it up,
Ynna. And i will make sure na mamamatay kang
asawa lang sa papel,” then i left her.

458
 Chapter 45

Chapter 45
Tuesday. Last day of Class.
“DK! Where do you think you are going, huh?”
Kim asked me as i get my things.
“Gotta go somewhere,” i answered.
“Pero we already have our schedule! Bar
hopping, remember?!”
Shoot! I forgot. Magbbar hopping nga pala kami
ngayon. Celebration! Last day of class, baby.
Tomorrow, semestral break begins!
Just so you know, it’s been three days simula
nung nag usap kami ni Ynna. I really wanna
stranggle her that day! Pasalamat siya at sunud
sunod ang exams ko the following days!
“Sorry, Kim. Will make it up to you next time. I
just need to go somewhere,” then i went near them
and hugged them.
“Matagal ba yang gagawin mo? Sunod ka na lang
kaya?” Tanong ni Sara.

459
 “Don’t know. Maybe. I’ll just text you later,
alright?”
Then i went to my car.
Wanna know where i’m heading to? To a
hospital. I’m going to this hospital to clarify things
once and for all!
Pagpunta ko sa hospital somewhere in Quezon
City, i immediately went to the nurse station and
asked for his room assignment.
“Grei Benitez?” Then she scanned their records,
“Room 0739.”
“Thanks,” then i went to the elevator.
Pagpasok ko sa elevator, kinakabahan ako.
Naghalo halo na yung nararamdaman ko.
Kinakabahan dahil sa kung ano ang pwede kong
malaman, nagagalit dahil isa siya sa dahilan kung
bakit nagulo yung buhay ko.. at masaya, kasi sa
wakas, masasagot na din yung mga tanong ko..
Kung nagtataka kayo kung paano ko siya
nahanap, i hired a private investigator kasi
sinubukan ko ng magtanong sa administration office
ng school pero hindi sila nagbibigay ng private
information ng mga nagtatrabaho dun kahit resigned

460
na. Yes, matagal ng wala siya sa school namin.
Totoo pala yung kumalat na balita na may AIDS
siya dati. Ang tanga lang talaga ni Ynna!
Naglakad lakad ako sa hall way ng hospital
hanggang makarating ako sa harap ng pinto, “Room
0739,” the sign says.
Nakatayo lang ako sa harap ng pinto, gathering
all my courage para buksan yun..
“Kamag anak po kayo ng pasyente?” A nurse
came and asked me.
“No, i’m not,” i answered.
“Ah. Sayang naman po, akala ko sa wakas, may
dadalaw na sa kanya. Simula kasi nung na admit
siya dito 1 year ago, wala pang bumibisita sa
kanya,” sabi nung nurse habang nakangiti, “pero
kahit hindi kayo magkamag anak, mabuti na ding
may dumalaw sa kanya. Kawawa naman siya eh.
Sige, pasok ka na,” tapos binuksan niya yung pinto.
Biglang napatingin sa akin si Grei. Ayoko siyang
tawaging Professor kasi wala na talaga akong
natitirang respeto para sa kanya.
Tinignan ko siya, puro pasa yung braso niya at
ang payat niyang tignan. Ang putla ng kulay niya.

461
Parang yung tatay ko lang…
Pumasok ako sa kwarto at sinara yung pinto.
Nakatingin pa din siya sa akin. Siguro inaaalala niya
yung saan niya ako nakita dati.
“Dana Kathryn Ferrer,” i said to him, “Former
student. Yung ibinagsak mo for sex?” I sarcastically
said to him.
Natahimik siya. Alam kong naaalala na niya yung
mga ginawa niya.
Umupo ako sa couch sa gilid ng hospital bed.
Tinignan ko yung buong kwarto. Halatang walang
bumibisita. Ni walang pagkain o bulaklak man lang.
Wala ba talagang pamilya to?
“Kamusta?” I asked him.
He gave me a weak smile, “Karma, can’t you
see?”
I smiled at him, “Oo nga naman. Karma strikes
twice worse.”
“Alam ko, and i am sorry for that. Alam ko
namang malapit na akong mamatay kaya naman
sana patawarin mo ako, Dana. Nung mga panahon
na yun, bago ko pa lang nalaman na infected pala
ako. Hindi ako makapaniwala,” tapos tumawa siya,

462
“sa bagay, sino ba naman ang taong gugustuhing
magka AIDS? Nung mga panahon na yun, galit ako.
Galit ako sa mundo. Bakit ako pa? Ulila na ako,
walang asawa, tapos ako pa yung makakakuha nun?
Ang malas ko naman ata!”
Tahimik lang ako. Alam ko yung nararamdaman
niya. Yung biological father ko? Ganito din siya.
Alam kong masakit yung pinagdadaanan niya.
Maliban dun sa physical pain? Nandun din yung
emotional pain. Yung prejudice ng mga tao once na
malaman nila na may AIDS ka? Mas masakit yun..
“Tapos, lumapit sa akin si Ynna. Ibagsak daw
kita kapalit nun. Ako namang si gago, pumayag.
Alam mo kung ano yung nasa isip ko nung mga
panahon na yun? Paghihiganti. Inisip ko na hindi
lang dapat ako yung magdusa ng ganito kaya
pumayag ako. Isa pa, alam kong masama si Ynna
kaya pumayag ako. Masama siyang babae kaya
siguro dapat lang na mahawa siya sa’kin. Ang gago
ko talaga no? Imbes na ako na lang yung magdusa,
nandamay pa ako ng iba..”
Tapos yumuko siya. Siguro nahihiya siya sa mga
ginawa niya dati.
“Totoo bang nirape mo siya?” I asked him.

463
 Napatingin siya sa akin, mukhang nagulat sa
narinig niya.
“Did you rape her?” I repeated my question.
Tumango lang siya. Natigilan ako. So.. she was
saying the truth.
“Don’t worry, wala akong balak magreport. I
just.. want to know what really happened..”
Umayos siya ng upo, nakita ko yung pasa pati sa
upper body niya, “I was drunk that day. Narinig
kong pinag uusapan ako ng mga estudyante ng St.
Claire’s.. Diring diri sila sa akin. Alam mo kung
gaano kasakit yun? Ang sakit! Nakakagago! Kaya
nung pumasok si Ynna sa sasakyan ko, i drove
somewhere far. Hindi siya nakapalag dahil nilock ko
yung sasakyan. Muntik na nga kaming maaksidente
kasi gusto niyang bumaba eh.. Then she told me that
she’s backing out. But then, i was drunk.. and angry.
And i.. raped her..”
Natahimik ako. Hindi ko alam yung
mararamdaman ko. Guilty? Oo. Totoo nga yung
sinabi nila.. Magguilty ako once na malaman ko. At
eto na nga, guilt is eating me.
Nakatingin lang ako kay Grei. Hindi ako
makasagot. He raped her! Kahit gaano pa kasama si

464
Ynna, wala siyang karapatang gawin yun!
“Maybe you’re wondering kung bakit hindi ako
nakakulong?” He asked.
Hindi ako sumagot. Alam ko naman eh. Dahil sa
tatay niya. Ayaw niyang mapahiya yung tatay niya
kaya she kept it all to herself.
“She’s afraid. She’s afraid na ikakahiya siya ng
tatay niya pag kumalat yun. One day, she came to
my house saying na manahimik ako. She said that
she’ll go to the States at manahimik ako. That day,
pinagsisihan ko yung ginawa ko. Ang gago ko! Si
Ynna? She’s not that bad. Siguro yung nakikita ng
tao, lahat ng kasamaan niya, but deep inside, she’s
alone.. and jealous of you.”
Napatingin ako sa kanya. She’s jealous.. of me?
“You have the perfect life, Dana. You’re
intelligent, kind, you have your family and friends.
And Ynna? She has nothing. Yeah, she’s rich pero
wala yung attention ng magulang niya sa kanya pati
lahat ng kaibigan niya, pera lang ang habol. Do you
realize how lonely she is?”
“Bakit mo to sinasabi sa’kin?” I asked him.

465
 “I don’t know. I don’t know why i’m saying this.
Siguro para mapatawad mo siya? I don’t know. Ang
gusto ko lang iparating, live in the present and don’t
dwell in the past. Mahirap magregret kaya gawin mo
na lahat ng gusto mong gawin hanggang kaya mo.
Forgive and forget. Mas masaya mabuhay pag wala
kang pinoproblema,” then he smiled.
“I still don’t forgive you.”
“Alam ko. But i’m glad you came.. At least,
nabawasan na yung guilt ko kasi may nasabihan na
ako.”
Tumayo na ako, “Pagabi na, alis na ako.”
“Ingat ka. Be happy, Dana.”

Cyriel’s Point of View

“Aray!”
Binato ako ng unan ni Clarence. Nung isang araw
pa to ah!
“Ano bang problema mo?”
“Ikaw. Ang arte mo eh,” sabi niya sabay higa sa
kama ko, “sabihin mo na kasi sakin kung bakit

466
tumakbong umiiyak si Dana nung isang araw.”
Aish. Hanggang ngayong ba, yun pa din ang
itatanong niya?!
“Wag ka ngang chismoso.”
“Hindi ako chismoso, concerned brother lang,”
tapos tumabi siya sa akin, “ano na?”
“Fine! I told her that i was married. Masaya ka
na?”
Nagulat yata siya sa narinig niya kasi natulala
siya.
“What?! You’re getting married, and not married,
right?”
“Bingi ka na yata eh. I told you, i’m already
married.”
“Kanino? Kay Payatot?” 
Tumango na lang ako. Ayoko na nga kasing pag
usapan eh. Naiinis lang ako!
“Bakit? Tsaka wala ka namang suot na wedding
ring ah?” Sabi ni sakin sabay abot sa kamay ko.
“Bakit ko naman susuotin yun? Tss.” Sabi ko sa
kanya.

467
 “Gago ka talaga! Eh bakit ka nagpakasal?!”
“None of your business, KUYA!”
“Wag mo nga akong sigawan. Oo nga pala,
tumawag si Dave, bar niya daw kayo ngayon, di ka
daw ma contact eh.. Payong kapatid lang ha, uso na
ngayon ang kabit. Try mo,” sabay tayo at labas ng
pintuan.
“Gago talaga yun!”
Kabit? Si Dana?
—---------------------------—
Andy’s Point of View
“Nof, hindi ba pupunta si Dana?” Tanong ko kay
Nof.
Kanina pa kasi kami ni Kim, Sara, Dave, at Nof
sa bar pero wala pa din si Dana.. Kailangan ko na
siyang makausap. Tatlong araw na.. Hindi ko na
kaya..
“Ewan. Pero baka sumunod. Bakit? May
problema ba kayo?”
Oo nga pala, hindi pa alam ni Nof yung mga
nangyari, “Oo eh..”

468
 “Nako! Si DK talaga! Pagpasensyahan mo na
yun, medyo abnormal talaga eh,” tapos uminom siya
ng beer. Lasinggera talaga yung apat na babaeng ’to!
“Pero wag mo siyang susukuan, Andy, ha? Kaibigan
ko si DK, alam kong ikaw ang kailangan niya. Kahit
pa iniisip niya na si Cyriel ang mahal niya, alam ko,
ikaw ang mahal niya. Magulo ba? Hahaha!”
Nginitian ko siya, “Thanks, Nof. I need this.”
“Ulol. Drama mo! Hahaha! Anyways, basta wag
kang susuko. Kung si Kim at Sara, kay Cyriel, ako,
Team Andy all the way. Wag mo kong ipapahiya
ha?” Tapos tumawa kami ng sabay.
“Oo naman. Hindi kita ipapahiya.”
“Teka, paano na nga pala yan, tapos na yung
thesis mo ah. Eh di magttrabaho ka na?” 
Oo nga pala. Next sem, hindi na ako mag aaral. 
“Hindi pa, may board pa. Atat ka masyado,”
tapos ngumiti ako. Kahit nakangiti ako, nasasaktan
ako kasi malalayo na ako. Ngayon pa nga lang,
malayo na ako eh..
“Sus. Sure naman na papasa ka eh, san ka
magrereview?”

469
 “Sa labas lang ng St. Claire’s, may review center
naman dun eh.”
“Nakanaks naman! Ayaw talagang malayo eh!”
Ngumiti lang ulit ako, “Syempre, mahirap na.
Mahal ko eh.”
“Oo nga eh. Uy, ayun na pala si Dana sa entrance,
puntahan mo. Galingan mo!!”
Pumunta na ako sa entrance kung nasan si Dana.
“Can we talk?”

Dana’s Point of View

“Can we talk?”
Napatingin ako sa nagsalita, si Andy pala..
Tumango lang ako tapos nagpunta kami sa labas.
Dun sa tahimik na lugar.
“We’re still together, right?” Andy said.
Nabigla ako sa tanong niya. Oo nga, kami pa ba?
Naguguluhan ako. Ang daming nangyari, hindi ko
alam kung kami pa ba talaga o ano. Parang ang gulo
gulo na..

470
 “I— i don’t know, Andy.. I’m sorry..” I said to
him.
He gave me a weak smile, “We’re still together,
Dana. We’re not breaking up. Okay lang naman
sa’kin kahit si Cyriel eh, basta, stay by my side,
Dana. I love you.. I need you.. Kahit ako lang yung
nagmamahal, okay lang.. Please, wag mo kong
iwanan.. Hindi ko kaya..” Then he hugged me. He’s
crying. Andy’s crying.. because of me..
“Andy..”
“Dana.. please.. wag ngayon.. graduate na naman
ako.. you won’t see me often.. kahit girlfriend lang
kita sa label, okay lang.. basta alam kong akin ka..
pag kaya ko na, papakawalan naman kita eh.. wag
lang ngayon, Dana.. parang awa mo na.. hindi ko
kaya.. mahal na mahal kita..”
Hindi ako makasagot. Ngayon lang nagmakaawa
si Andy sa akin..

471
 Chapter 46

Chapter 46
“Andy…” I uttered his name. 
“Please, Dana..” He answered. No, more like
begged, “buong buhay ko, nakukuha ko lahat ng
gusto ko.. pero bakit yung taong mahal ko, hindi ko
makuha kuha?”
Humiwalay ako sa yakap niya, “Andy, ang unfair
naman kung ipagpapatuloy pa natin ’to..”
“Okay lang sa’kin, Dana. Mahal kita eh,
kailangan kong tiisin ’to. Wag mong isiping unfair
ka kasi ako ang may gusto nito.. ako yung mahina..
ako yung hindi kayang tumayo pag wala ka.. Dana,
iniisip ko pa lang na wala ka, hindi ko na alam yung
gagawin..”
“Andy..” 
Yun na lang yung nasabi ko. Naawa ako kay
Andy.. He looked so.. desperate. Fuck naman, Dana!
Alam mo kung gaano kasakit yung magmakaawa.
You should know kasi ginawa mo din yan.. Pero ano

472
yung ginagawa mo? Letting Andy feel the same?
How pathetic of me!
“Kung galit ka pa din sa’kin dahil sa nangyari
dati.. I’m sorry, Dana! Sorry kung naniwala agad
ako.. sorry kung hindi kita pinagkatiwalaan.. sorry
kung ginawa ko yun.. sorry sa lahat..”
Umiiyak na naman siya. Sige lang, Dana. Forte
mo na yata ang magpaiyak ng lalaki.
“Pero alam kahit ganun, wala akong
pinagsisisihan sa ginawa ko.. kung hindi nangyari
yun, wala na akong chance.. kahit magalit sa’kin si
Cyriel, wala na akong pakielam.. wala akong
kasalanan, minahal lang kita..”
I went near him and held his face, “hindi ako
galit. Wala nang magagawa kahit magalit ako. It’s
all in the past, Andy. Ang gusto ko lang sabihin,
ano’ng magiging kwenta ng relasyon natin kung
pareho nating alam na may mali? That our
relationship was built on lies? Sa tingin mo ba
magiging masaya tayo?”
He took a deep breath, “as long as you’re with
me, magiging masaya ako. I’ll be miserable without
you, Dana..”
“You’ll be more miserable with me, Andy.”

473
 “Wala akong paki kahit ano pang mangyari as
long as you’re  with me.”
“Andy naman..” i said. 
“Dana, please.. maawa ka naman.. mahal na
mahal lang kita.. wag mo naman akong ganituhin..”
“Andy kasi-—”
Hindi ko natapos yung sasabihin ko kasi Cyriel
was behind Andy!
Nagulat ako kaya napatingin din si Andy sa likod
niya. Buti na lang at madilim.. Ayokong makita ni
Cyriel na umiiyak si Andy because of me.. 
Tahimik lang kaming tatlo. Walang nagsasalita.
Nakatingin lang kami sa isa’t isa.

Kim’s Point of View

“Hey, best friend. Pupunta daw si Cyriel sabi ni
Boyfie. Have you seen him?” I asked her.
OMG! Tinawagan ako ni Cyriel! That’s a good
sign di ba??

474
 “Don’t know. Tignan mo na lang sa entrance. Oo
nga pala, baka makita mo din si Dana, pakitawag
naman?”
Oo nga, where the heck is DK?? Ang dami niya
nang atraso sa’kin ah!!
“Why? Hindi ba siya pumunta?? Ang daya talaga
nun!!”
“Nope, kausap siya ni Andy kanina. Pakitawag
naman, may itatanong lang ako. Please?”
“Fine. Sige, alis na ko.”
Pumunta na ako sa entrance. Hmm. Buti at
private yung bar ni Dave ngayon at walang
masyadong tao. Mamaya kasi sabihan na naman ako
ni Clarence ng slut!! Kasalanan ko bang maganda
ako at madaming nag ooffer na bilhan ako ng
drinks?? Kaasar!!
Pagbukas ko ng pinto, nakita ko si Cyriel, Andy
at DK na magkakaharap. Problema ng mga ’to?
Lumapit ako tapos kinalabit ko si DK, “Hey.”
“Hey,” she replied. Hmm. Something’s off, i just
can’t figure it out, “tawag ka ni Nof. May tatanong
daw?”

475
 Bigla naman siyang hindi mapakali, “ah, okay,
okay. Tara na sa loob?” Tapos bigla niya akong
hinatak. What the hell??

Dana’s Point of View

Shit! Buti na lang at dumating si Kim! Ang
awkward! Ngayon lang ulit kami nagkaharap tatlo
after all that happened. Matagal ko na ’tong gustong
mangyari eh.. pero bakit ganun yung naramdaman
ko? Nasaktan ako na natakot..
“Hey! Stop draggine me, DK!” Napatingin ako sa
gilid. Kasama ko nga pala si Kim.
“Sorry,” i said.
“It’s fine. But what the hell happened there??”
I took a deep breath, “i’ll tell you. Pero pwedeng
maupo muna tayo?”
Then pumunta kami sa pinaka gilid na table.
Kasama ko na silang tatlo. I think they deserve to
know the truth.
“Let’s start. Ano ba ang gusto niyong malaman?”
I asked them.

476
 “What the hell happened there?? And why the
hell is Andy crying??” Sabi ni Kim.
“What?! Umiiyak si Andy?” Sabi ni Nof.
“I was trying to.. break up with him..”
Biglang natahimik sila.
“What the fucking hell, DK?! I know you’re my
friend pero Andy’s my friend, too. He doesn’t
deserve this!” Nof said.
“I know.. and i’m sorry. But don’t you think it’ll
be more unfair kung ipagpapatuloy namin?”
Biglang nagsalita si Sara, “Dana’s right, Nof.
Kahit maging sila, anong sense? Their relationship
was build on lies. Mas mabuti nang maghiwalay
sila..”
Nagsalita din si Nof, “look, Sara. Alam ko
namang wala akong masyadong alam sa mga
pinagdaanan ni Cyriel at Dana. Hindi ko alam kung
bakit grabe kang magtiwala kay Cyriel. Pero
kaibigan ko si Andy and i know i’ve seen more than
enough. I’ve seen kung paano niya mahalin si DK,
kung paano niya kinalimutan yung pride niya, kung
paanong kaya niyang igive up lahat para kay DK..

477
He did all of these pero ano? What would he get in
return? A broken heart?”
Natahimik ako. I’m.. guilty. 
“I know all of that, Nof. Pero alam mo ba kung
bakit ganito ako kay Cyriel? I’ve seen kung paano
niya mahalin si Dana from the start, kung paano niya
handang tanggapin si Dana kahit hindi siya sigurado
kung may nangyari sa kanya at sa best friend niya,
kung paanong handa siyang lumayo para lang hindi
mapahamak si Dana at kung paanong magpapakasal
siya para lang matahimik si Dana. Now, bakit sa
tingin mo ganito ako kay Cyriel?”
Natahimik lang kaming lahat. Trying to digest
everything they said. I know, it’s my fault.. Dahil
sa’kin, nasisira ang barkada..
Biglang nagsalita si Kim, “whoah. Chill, guys. I
know that probably, ako yung pinakawalang alam sa
atin dito. And i won’t take sides kahit best friend ko
si Nof, alright?” then she took a shot, “okay,
pampalakas loob. Where was i? Aaaah. Okay, pero
based sa narinig ko, they both love DK.. Well, in
their own ways. Please, wag na lang tayong
magtalo.”

478
 “Tama si Kim, please, wag na kayong magtalo,
Sara and Nof. I’m breaking up with Andy and that’s
final. And for Cyriel? He’s with Ynna and that’s
final.”
“DK’s right. She needs some space. Kung
ipagpapatuloy nila ni Andy, it’s fucking useless.
Para kang nag invest sa kumpanyang alam mong
mabbankrupt na. And as for Cyriel, wala tayong
magagawa. He chose to be with Ynna. And don’t
you think it would be better pag wala silang
connection sa isa’t isa? They can grow as
individuals.”
Nagsalita si Nof, “fine. I get it. But not breaking
up, cool off. You heard it, DK? Cool off.”
Nagsalita naman si Sara, “fine then, Nof. And
please don’t give up on Cyriel, Dana. He loves you.”
Don’t give up on the both of them. What should i
do?!!

Andy’s Point of View

Umalis si Dana kasama si Kim. Kami lang ang
naiwan ni Cyriel. Tangina. Bakit sa lahat ng
makakakita sa akin umiyak, eto pa?!

479
 “Do you really need to cry para lang hindi ka
niya iwan?” Sabi niya. Gago pala to eh!
“Paki mo? At least, kaya kong sabihin sa kanya
na mahal ko siya. Kaya kong gawin lahat para wag
niya akong iwan. Eh ikaw?”
Umupo siya sa bench, “wag mo ng tanungin kung
ano ang kaya kong gawin para kay Dana. Matatalo
ka lang.”
I smirked, “oo nga pala. Kaya mong magpakasal
sa iba para kay Dana. Sorry, pare, hindi ako ganun.”
“Hindi ka talaga ganun kasi selfish ka.”
“Hindi ako selfish, tanga ka lang talaga.”
“Sorry kung tanga ako. Masyado lang kasi akong
tanga para isipin yung sarili ko. Masayado akong
tanga para mas gustuhin na makasama yung babaeng
mahal ko kaysa mamatay siya. Pasensya talaga,
Andy, kung tanga ako.”
Tumayo ako at sinuntok siya, “Tangina mo pala
eh! Ano bang problema mo?!!”
Pinunasan niya yung labi niya na sinuntok ko,
“Ikaw. Alam mo, okay na sa’kin na sa’yo si Dana
dati kasi alam kong aalagaan mo naman siya. Pero

480
ngayon? Nagdadalawang isip na ako na iwan siya sa
gago na kagaya mo!”

481
 Chapter 47

Chapter 47
Dana’s Point of View
“What do you want, Cyriel?!” i said to him.
He didn’t respond, instead, he kept on staring at
me.
“What?!” i angrily asked him, “pupunta punta ka
dito tapos wala ka namang sasabihin!”
He took a deep breath, “i’m sorry. Hindi ko alam
kung san ako magsisimula.. Ang dami kong gustong
sabihin,” then he laughed a little.
“I’ll give you a clue. Start with what the hell are
you doing here?!”
He stared at me. I noticed the dark circles around
his eyes, “i love you,” he said then he smiled and
took a deep breath.
I just looked at him. Bewildered. What the hell?!
“I love you, Dana. I love you,” then he smiled
again, “sorry if i’m being weird. Ang tagal ko na

482
kasing gustong sabihin sa’yo yan eh. I love you.
Halos isang taon kong tiniis na wag sabihin yan. I
love you, Dana. I love you.”
Hindi ako makapagsalita. Ano’ng nangyayari?!!
“What’s your problem, Cyriel?! 12 days na lang
bago ka ikasal then you’ll come here telling me that
you love me? What the hell is wrong with you?!”
He looked at the floor. Then he looked at me and
gave me a weak smile, “alam ko. Kaya nga sinasabi
ko hanggang kaya ko pa.. hanggang pwede pa..”
Lumapit ako sa kanya at sinampal ko siya, “Sht
naman, Cyriel! Ano bang gusto mong gawin ko?!
Magsaya kasi sinasabi mo sa’kin yan? Nahihirapan
na ako! Don’t you have a heart? Please spare me
from all these bullshit!”
He came near me and hugged me, “five minutes
lang, Dana. Five minutes lang.”
Hinayaan ko lang siyang yakapin ako. 
“Mahal na mahal kita, Dana.. Kung kaya ko lang
ibalik ang panahon, hindi ko na gagawin yun.. I
made the wrong choice.. nung iniwan kita.. isang
taon lang naman.. isang taon lang akong nawala..
nagtiwala ako sa kung ano’ng meron tayo.. i thought

483
that one year is not enough to destroy whatever we
had.. akala ko kahit umalis ako, pagbalik ko, ako pa
din.. pero mali ako.. kasi si Andy na..”
Tahimik lang akong nakikinig sa mga sinasabi
niya. He was crying. And i don’t have the slightest
idea what to do..
“Sana, Dana, ako pa din.. Sana tayo pa din..”
“Sana kaya ko din magpaka selfish gaya ni
Andy.. Pero ano pa ba ang silbi kahit magpaka
selfish ako? Hindi ka na naman sa’kin para
ipagdamot kita,” then he laughed.
I felt my eyes shed a tear. Ayokong umiyak. He
shouldn’t see me crying..
He then looked at me. Pinunasan niya yung luha
ko then kneeled.
Nabigla ako kung bakit siya lumuhod, “what are
you doing?!”
“Hindi kita kayang bitiwan, Dana. Pero may
mahal ka nang iba.. Please lang, pakawalan mo na
ako.. Itaboy mo na ako.. Hindi ko na kaya.. Iwanan
mo na ko.. Please say it, Dana.. Sabihin mong ayaw
mo na sa’kin.. sabihin mo na masaya ka na kay
Andy.. sabihin mong hindi mo na ako kailangan..

484
Kasi pag hindi mo ginawa, patuloy lang akong
aasa..”
Natahimik lang ako. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin
ko. Kaya ko bang sabihin yun? Kaya ko ba siyang
itaboy? Kaya ko ba siyang ibigay sa iba? Kaya ko
bang sabihin na hindi ko siya mahal?
“Please, Dana.. ayaw na kitang pahirapan.. just
tell me to stop.. papabayaan ko na kayo ni Andy
kahit masakit..”
“Don’t stop,” i said.
Nagulat din ako sa sinabi ko. Hindi ko alam kung
bakit ko yun nasabi..
He looked at me, “what did you say?”
“I said don’t stop.”
He stood up and went near me, “why? Why
shouldn’t i stop, Dana?”
“Don’t stop loving me, Cyriel.. Please fight for
me..” i said.
He hugged me, “i will, Dana. I will.”

485
 Andy’s Point of View
“Katext mo si Sara?”
“Oo, bakit?” Sagot ni Dave.
“Pakitanong naman kung kasama niya si Dana,
oh. Please, pare. Ilang araw ko ng kino contact,
hindi sumasagot eh,” pakiusap ko kay Dave.
Simula kasi nung nagkaharap kami sa bar, hindi
na niya ako kinakausap. Lahat ng call ko, nirereject
niya. Yung mga texts ko, hindi niya nirereplyan. Pag
pupuntahan ko naman sa bahay nila, laging wala
sabi ng maids nila. Alam ko naman na galit siya
sa’kin eh.. Pero ang sakit lang kasi na isipin na kahit
anong reach out at pagpapaliwanag ang gawin ko,
walang nangyayari..
“No offense, Andy, pero hindi mo ba naisip na
bigyan ng space si Dana? Alam mo naman na ilang
araw pa lang na alam ni Dana yung tungkol sa
nangyari dati eh.. Bigyan mo muna siya ng time para
mag isip. Baka masakal na yun sa’yo pag palagi
mong kinukulit,” sabi ni Dave.
“Alam ko naman eh. Pero ayoko siyang bigyan
ng space kasi.. natatakot ako. Natatakot ako, Dave.
Natatakot ako na pag binigyan ko siya ng space,
pumunta siya kay Cyriel..”

486
 Yung magkasama nga kami, may puwang na si
Cyriel sa puso niya, pano pa kaya pag lumayo ako?
Alam ko naman eh, ang selfish ko! Masisisi niyo ba
ako? Minsan na akong nawalan ng minamahal..
Ayoko ng maulit pa. Hindi ko na kakayanin..
“Okay, pare. I understand. Hay. Kaya ayoko ng
nag aaway sa babae eh, damay pati kaibigan. Tignan
mo, hati ang barkada ngayon,” sabi ni Dave.
“Sorry. Hindi ko naman gusto yun eh..” 
Binato ako ng unan ni Dave, “hindi naman kita
sinisisi eh. Tss. Labo ng buhay. Tara, ice hockey
tayo. Nakaka stress kayong tatlo nila Dana eh.”

Kim’s Point of View

“Boyfie!!” I called.
Hmm. Nandito ako sa bahay nila Clarence. Wala
lang, just checking up on him. Mamaya niloloko na
pala niya ako behind my back!!
Umakyat ako sa hagdan papunta sa second floor.
Wala namang tao sa first floor maliban sa maids.
Hmm, wala yung parents nila? Mabuti naman!!
Their mom is scaring the hell out of me!! I mean,

487
fine, they don’t think that i’m good enough for their
daughter because of that Ariza bitch Domingo!! But
what the heck, can’t they at least pretend that they
like me even a bit?! Hello? I am Kimberly Miranda,
the sole heiress of Miranda Architectural Firm. Does
that ring a bell? Tss!
I walked through the hallway. As i was standing
in front of Clarence’s room, almost ready to open the
door, i heard a conversation. I peeped and i saw
Cyriel and Clarence talking seriously. Hmm. That
triggered my curiousity. I mean, never kong
nakitang nag usap ng matino yung dalawang yun,
laging naggagaguhan or nag aasaran and now? They
are seriously talking for Christ’s sake!!
“Ano ngayon ang plano mo?” Boyfie asked him.
Cyriel took a sip of his rhum, “ewan. Kaya nga
kita kinausap eh. I need your opinion about this.”
Natahimik silang dalawa. 
“Ang hirap lusutan niyan, Cyriel. You two are
married. Legally.”
Huh? What are they talking about? Eh di ba sa
October 19 pa yung wedding nila ni Skinny Bitch??

488
 “Alam ko. Do you think you could pull some
strings? I’ll resort to blackmailing kung
kinakailangan. Please help me, Clarence. I badly
need your help,” Cyriel almost pleaded.
Fudge!! What the heck is going on?? I’m lost!!
“What if-—”
Cyriel cutted him, “I don’t need what ifs,
Clarence.”
“Tss. Nyeta naman, Cyriel. Ang hirap naman kasi
ng pinasok mo! Sino bang nagsabi na pakasalan mo
yung payatot na yan? Yan tuloy, ako ang
napeperwisyo!” 
Nagulat ako sa narinig ko kaya napapasok ako sa
kwarto ni Boyfie! Uh-oh, i’m dead! (._.)
“What the-— Kim?!” Boyfie shouted.
“Hi, boyfie,” i said and smiled a little. I’m
busted. =___=
Nakatingin sila sa aking dalawa. Tss. Magkapatid
nga sila, no wonder. 
“Sorry, alright? Hindi ko naman sinasadya eh..”
then nakatingin pa din sila sa akin, “fine.. I

489
intentionally listened to your conversation.. I’m
sorry.”
After saying sorry, tumingin ako sa kanila.
Umiiling si Clarence while si Cyriel, uminom ulit ng
rhum niya. I entered Boyfie’s room and sat on the
couch.
“What did you hear?” Rence asked me.
Nakakatakot si Boyfie pag seryoso!! Note to self:
wag na wag mo siyang gagalitin, Kim!!
“Uhm, about sa marriage thingy?”
Pagkatapos kong sabihin yun, tinignan ko si
Cyriel for a little confirmation kung tama nga ba
yung narinig ko pero hindi siya nagsasalita.
“Cyriel, can i ask you a question?”
He just nodded.
“Did i hear it right? You and Ynna are married? I
mean, as far as we know, sa 19 pa ang wedding di
ba?” I asked him. Ew. Saying that they are getting
married creeps me bigtime!!
He nodded again.
“But why?! How?!” I asked him. OMG!! Pano
nangyari yun?!!

490
 “Wag ka ngang sumigaw,” sabi ni Boyfie. Sorry
naman!! Nakakagulat kaya!!
“Pero kasi-—”
“What’s done is done, Kim. It’ll be better kung
tutulungan mo na lang kami ni Rence na mag isip,”
Cyriel said.
“Tss. As if naman may maitutulong yan..”
Clarence whispered. Ang kapal lang talaga!! Ganun
ba ako kabobo?!!
Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin. Mamaya sabihin
niya guilty ako kaya ako defensive!!
“Cyriel, why are you doing this? I thought you
already gave Dana up. What’s with doing this all of
a sudden?” I asked him. Tama naman yung tanong
ko di ba? All these time, he chose to love Dana from
afar, to love her discreetly. To sacrifice for her, and
now, he’s getting through all the trouble for this??
Ngumiti lang siya.
“Kasi natauhan na yang gago na yan. Tss,”
biglang singit ni Clarence. Epal talaga yung
boyfriend ko na yun!! Ayun na eh!! Sasagot na si
Cyriel eh!! Kainis!!
“Epal ka talaga,” bulong ko.

491
 “Tss. Sinasagot na nga yung tanong mo eh,”
tapos inirapan ako, “na realize niya kasi na mas
masarap maging selfish.”
“Ano’ng masarap maging selfish?!! Napaka bad
influence mo talaga kay Cyriel!!”
Nag smirk ang boyfriend ko, “ano mas gusto mo?
Maging selfless? Ipamigay yung mga taong mahal
mo? Yung mga bagay na gusto mo? We will live
only once, Kimberly Miranda. Better live without
any regrets. Yan lang ang narealize ng little bro ko.
Tsaka ayos na sila ni Dana kaya gustung gusto
niyang makawala kay Ynna. Baliw talaga. Papakasal
pakasal tapos ngayon hahanap ng butas para
makalusot. Tss.”
Ang lalim na yun ah!! Pero may point naman si
boyfie.. We only have one lives, so we better make
the most out of it. Kaya naman pipikutin ko na siya
bago pa ako maunahan ng sluts diya sa gilid!
Wahaha!!
“So, ano’ng plano niyo, Mario and Luigi?”
“Mario and Luigi? Pauso mo talaga,” sabi ni
Boyfie. Ang cute kaya nung Super Mario!! (._.)
“Bakit? Cute kaya!! Si Cyriel si Mario, ikaw si
Luigi. Tutulungan mo si Mario para makuha si

492
Princess dun sa monster. At si Andy yung monster.
Hahaha! Ako yung mushroon pero si Luigi lang
yung papalakihin ko,” tapos nagwink ako kay
Boyfie,   “wag mong sasabihin kay Andy na siya
yung monster. Baka batukan ako nun!!”
Pagkasabi ko nun, umiling iling na lang si
Clarence. Tss. Kill joy! Palibasa matanda na siya eh!
Hahaha!
“Ang weird niyong dalawa,” sabi ni Cyriel. Aba!!
Sino ang weird sa aming tatlo?? 
Nagsalita naman si boyfie, “dahil narinig mo na
yung plano namin, kasama ka na dito. Wag kang
mag iingay.”
Tinaas ko yung kamay ko, “roger that!! Yes!
Dati, neutral ako, pero ngayon, certified Team Cyriel
na ako! Hahaha!”
“Tss. Lukring talaga. Anyways, balik na nga tayo
sa pinag uusapan natin, Cyriel.”
Naupo na ulit ng maayos si Cyriel. This will be a
long night of planning. Ayos!

493
 Chapter 48

Chapter 48
Kim’s Point of View
“Nothing. They’re clean as white,” boyfie said as
he give Cyriel a folder.
Pinaimbestigahan ni boyfie yung mga Henares.
Kung may mga illegal ba silang ginagawa or so, but
it turned out na wala. Or baka naman magaling lang
silang magtago? Oh well.
Hmm. Nandito kami sa headquarters namin. Joke
lang!! Hahaha! Nandito kami sa condo ni Cyriel.
Ang linis ng condo niya!! Nakakainggit (._.)
Nalaman ko na hindi pa pala nakakapunta si DK
dito. Naunahan ko pa. Mwahaha! I’m so great!!
“Ano’ng gagawin natin?” I asked.
“I talked to one of our lawyers, sabi niya, marami
daw grounds for annulment. Sa lahat nung sinabi
niya, pinaka applicable yung pinilit ka lang
magpakasal,” my oh-so-yummy boyfie said.

494
 “Oo nga, brother— in— law!! Pinilit ka lang
naman talaga ni Skinny Bitch, di ba??”
Hihihi. Feel na feel ko na siyang tawagin na
brother— in— law.
“If we would do that, gano katagal bago ma annul
yung kasal?”
“A year or so?”
Natahimik si Cyriel. Haaay. Naaawa ako sa
brother— in— law ko, another year na naman.
Dalawang taon na yung nasasayang.. Kung wala
lang sanang nangyaring ganito, eh di sana dapat
magcecelebrate na sila ni Dana ng second
anniversary nila. Oh well, on the brighter side, kung
hindi sila nagkahiwalay, hindi kami magkakakilala
ni DK. Kung hindi kami nagkakilala, hindi ko
makikilala si boyfie!!
“Ang tagal naman nun,” Cyriel said.
“Baka mapababa natin hanggang 6 months? I
don’t know. Depende pa kung makikipagcooperate
si Payatot. But knowing her, sure as hell that she
won’t,” boyfie said.
Of course Skinny Bitch won’t cooperate!! Wala
sa bokabularyo nun ang salitang pagsuko. Baka

495
hanggang sa pagkamatay niya masama pa din ugali
nun eh. =___=
“6 months then, Rence,” Cyriel said as he stood
up.
“San ka pupunta?” I asked him.
“Kay Dana,” he said. Hmmm. Someone’s happy.
Kainggit!! Bakit si boyfie, walang sweet bone sa
katawan, samantalang ’tong kapatid niya, ang sweet
sweet kay DK!!
“Tss,” boyfie said. Inggit lang. Siguro may crush
’to kay DK!!
“Alis na ko. Wag niyong kalatan yung condo ko,”
he said then went out.
Nakatingin lang ako kay boyfie. Uh— oh. (._.)

Dana’s Point of View

“Kathryn, Cyriel’s downstairs,” mom said as she
barged into my room.
Napatayo ako bigla sa couch. What is he doing
here?? Gusto ba niyang mabuking kami?? Ang alam
ni mom, si Andy pa din ang boyfriend ko eh! Tss.

496
 “Kathryn,” she called.
“Hmm?” I answered, half praying that she won’t
push through the conversation.
“What’s the matter between you and Cyriel?”
“Uh, we’re friends, mom! Don’t be so nosy. Iisa
lang ang circle of friends namin kaya nagkikita pa
din kami minsan,” i said through my teeth. Ugh. I
hate lying to my parents!
“Fine. I’m just curious. Andy rarely goes here
tapos bigla kong makikita si Cyriel. I’m just
worried, Kathryn. Anyways, where’s Andy?”
“Uh, busy. Kaka grad lang eh. Board exam
thingy,” i said. That’s not exactly a lie, right? Totoo
namang magbboard siya eh.. Except lang sa busy
part kasi iniiwasan ko talaga siya..
“Say good luck to him for me,” she said, “Andy’s
a great guy, Kathryn.”
“Of course he is,” i said.
“Sige, bumaba ka na. And please do say
congratulations in advance to Cyriel for me. Their
wedding is the biggest news in the ellite circle these
days.”

497
 I just nodded. Ugh! No need to, mom. Kasal na
sila. That scheming bitch! Planado niya na talaga
lahat ng mangyayari!
I went downstairs and i saw Cyriel sitting.  Buti
na lang talaga at wala si Dad! Galit na galit pa din
siya kay Cyriel dahil sa ginawa niya sa’kin dati.
Hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin yung totoong
nangyari..
“Hey,” he said.
I smiled, “bakit ka nandito?”
“I missed you,” he said then held my hand.
Nagulat ako kaya nabawi ko yung kamay ko.
Nagulat naman siya.
“Sorry,” he said then gave me a weak smile.
“No, i’m sorry, Cy. It’s just that baka makita tayo
ni mom..”
“Sorry, i forgot,” he said.
“Okay lang. So, bakit ka nandito?”
“Kausap ko si Clarence kanina about sa
annulment. I thought you want to hear about it.”
“Sure. Wait lang, bihis lang ako,” i said.

498
 Umakyat ako sa taas pero pagpasok ko, nakita ko
si mom na nakaupo sa kama ko.
“What’s happening, Kathryn?”
“What, mom? Hindi kita maintindihan..”
She looked at me, “i know that you’re a bright
girl.. Ikakasal na siya, anak. Don’t make things even
more complicated.”
I smiled, “i know what i’m doing, mom. Trust
me.”
“I trust you, Kathryn. Don’t degrade yourself into
some low class woman..”

Andy’s Point of View

“Isa pa ngang beer,” sabi ko sa bartender.
“One martini, please,” sabi nung katabi ko.
Lumingon ako sa gilid ko kasi parang pamilyar
yung boses nung babae, “Nof, ikaw pala!”
“Yup, the one and only,” sabi niya sabay tawa,
“drinking alone?”
“Obviously,” sagot ko.

499
 “Ano’ng meron?”
“Pre celebration,” sabi ko.
“Of what?”
“Our break up.”
Binatukan naman niya ako, “ew, Andy. Ang emo
lang, please. Hindi bagay sa’yo.”
I laughed.
“Sorry naman.”
“Anyways, how’s DK?”
“Itanong mo kay Cyriel,” sagot ko. Tss. Tama
naman, di ba? Bakit sakin niya itatanong eh ni anino
nga ni Dana hindi ko makita!
“Napaka pessimist mo talaga,” she said as she
sipped her martini, “so suko ka na niyan?”
Napaisip ako. Susuko na nga ba ako? Eh ang
tanong, may isusuko ba ako? I didn’t have her from
the start.. Ipinipilit ko lang naman yung sarili ko sa
kanya di ba? Tangina! Ang sakit talaga pakinggan!
I just smirked at her and drink my beer.

500
 “Eh wala ka pala eh! Tss, akala ko pa naman
hindi mo ako ipapahiya. Tsk”
I just smiled at her, “eh talo eh. Walang
magagawa.”
Binaba niya yung iniinom niya, “really, Andy?
You’re giving up? My God!! This is so not you!!”
I laughed.
“What’s so funny about that, Guzman??”
“Wala lang. It just really amuse me why you’re
so hooked up with helping me with Dana,” i said as i
drunk my beer.
“Hmm, i honestly don’t know why. Maybe
because i see myself in you.. You know? The thing
with Dave? I know how fcuking hard it is to insist
yourself on someone,” she said.
“Aray naman. Lalo mo lang pinapamukha na
pinipilit ko lang yung sarili ko eh,” i said then
laughed.
“I didn’t mean it that way!!”
“Yeah, right.”
“Anyways, ano plano natin?” She asked.

501
 “Huh?”
“About you and DK, idiot!! You can’t lose!!”
I laughed. Ano ba ang tingin nila sa nangyayari
sa amin nila Cyriel at Dana? Laro? Pustahan? Tss.
Hindi ko talaga maintindihan si Nof, Kim, at Sara.
Weird.
“I don’t know, Salvador. Uminom ka na nga lang
jan. Ang ingay mo!!”
Buti naman tumahimik na siya.
“You know,” she said as she get another martini,
“i think that that’s a good idea.”
“Huh?”
“I mean, you, giving up on DK. I think that’s
great,” she said.
Ano’ng problema ng babaeng ’to? Kanina halos
sigawan na ako para hindi sumuko, ngayon naman
sasabihin niya na good idea yun?
“Alam mo ba yung kasabihan na ’you won’t
realize what you have until it’s gone’? I mean,
hypothetical lang naman, pero sa tingin ko kasi kaya
ka tine take for granted ni DK kasi you’re always
there for her. Parang ikaw yung comfort zone niya.

502
She knows that whatever happens, you’ll be there
for her.”
I answered, “but it’s the truth. Whatever happens,
i’m always here for her.”
Hinampas niya yung braso ko, “that’s exactly
your fault, Guzman!! Masyado mong binibigyan ng
assurance si DK na come heaven, come hell,
nandiyan ka pa din.”
I shrugged, “what can i do? Eh ganun talaga eh.”
Tapos nagsalita ng nagsalita si Nof. Non sense
naman yung pinagsasabi. Lasing na ata to eh. Tss.
Gawin daw ba kasing tubig yung martini? Umorder
pa ng tequila. Lasinggera talaga. =____=
“Last na ’to,” tapos tumayo siya mula sa stool at
lumapit sakin. Medyo gegewang gewang na kasi
siyang maglakad kaya muntik na siyang matumba,
buti na lang nasalo ko, “thanks,” sabi niya sa’kin
tapos tumayo na, “anyways, as i was saying, why
don’t you try me, Andy?”

Hinampas niya ako, “jerk! You’re not even close

to my type!! I mean, pagselosin mo si DK? Maybe
she’ll come to realize na ikaw ang mas gusto niya

503
pag na threaten siya na mawawala ka. Threatened
kasi siya kay Ynna kaya ganun na lang siya kay
Cyriel. Come to think of it, di ba ganung ganun din
siya sayo nung may issue kay Jamie?”
She said then she passed out. Binuhat ko siya
papunta sa sasakyan ko. Iniwanan ko na lang sa
parking lot yung sasakyan niya, balikan niya na lang
bukas.
Pagselosin si Dana? Paano pag hindi siya
nagselos? Matatanggap ko ba na hindi niya talaga
ako mahal? Tangina lang!
Tsaka papayag ba ako? Ayoko na eh.. Ayoko
nang maulit yung nangyari kay Jamie.. Masyadong
masakit eh..
“Dave..”
Napatingin ako kay Nof na nakihiga sa backseat.
Napa iling na lang ako. Tss. Hindi pa din pala
nakakamove on kay Dave. Sakin niya tuloy nabuhos
yung frustration niya sa nangyari sa kanila ni Dave.
Palibasa alam niyang hindi na mapaghihiwalay si
Sara at Dave eh. Tss.

504
 Chapter 49

Chapter 49
Nof’s Point of View
Fvck! Ang sakit ng ulo ko! =___=
Tinignan ko yung orasan ko, 9 a.m. na pala.
Bumaba ako sa papunta sa dining room kasi
magbbreakfast na ako.
“Manang, si dad?” I asked Manang, one of our
maids.
“Nauna na po siya, Senorita Nof. May meeting
daw po kasi,” she replied.
Haaay. What can i do? My dad’s a workaholic.
Most of the time, wala siya sa bahay. Ewan ko ba,
simula nung nag divorce sila ni mom nung nasa
States pa kami, naging ganyan na yan. Subsob sa
trabaho. Pero hindi ko naman siya masisisi kasi
mahal na mahal niya si mom. Kaya imbes na
maghanap ng bagong mommy ko, dinevote niya na
lang yung sarili niya sa trabaho.

505
 I didn’t bother eat breakfast, nakakawalang gana
kasi pag mag isa ka lang na kumakain kaya umakyat
na lang ako sa kwarto ko.
calling..
Kim Bitch
“Ang tagal mo namang sumagot. Tss,” i said.
( “Sorry naman, pwede? Anyway, why?”)
“Breakfast tayo. Where are you?”
( “Hala, i can’t. I’m with boyfie eh. Hehe. Minsan
lang ’to topaking makipagdate kaya i’m gonna make
the most out of this!!”)
“Fine. Ipagpalit mo na ako sa boyfie mo. Tss,
sige na,” then i hanged up the phone.
Hindi pwede si Kim. Hindi din pwede si Dana
kasi naiinis ako sa kanya. Hindi din pwede si Cyriel
kasi hindi naman kami close. Hindi din pwede si
Sara kasi naiinis din ako sa kanya. Mas lalong hindi
pwede si Dave! Umiiwas na ako.
calling..
Andy Guzman

506
 “Salamat naman at naisipan mong sumagot?” I
said to him. Ang tagal naman kasi bago siya
sumagot. Pangalawang tawag ko na kaya. Tss.
( “I just woke up. What’s up?”)
Tapos narinig ko pa siyang nag yawn. Nagising
ko pa yata siya. Tsk.
“Tamang— tama, kakagising mo lang kaya
malamang hindi ka pa nagbbreakfast. Kain tayo?” I
asked him in my sweetest tone. Say yes, Guzman!
You’re my last resort!
( “Psh. Kakagising ko lang eh. Si Kim?”)
“May date eh. And don’t ask me about Dana and
Sara. Duh? We’re obviously not in good terms
because of you, Guzman!! You owe me this kaya
samahan mo ako!!” I protested.
( “Fine. San ba?”)
“Sa Starbucks tayo!!” I cheerfully said. Haaay.
Namimiss ko na yung Oreo cheesecake nila eh.
=___=
( “Ginising mo ako para sa starbucks? Tss.”)
“Wag ka ng magulo. Bawal kang magreklamo.
Bye, Guzman!” Then i ended the line.

507
 Haaaaay. I’m stuck with Andy. Bakit ba kasi
ngayon pa naisipan nung Clarence na yun
makipagdate. Asar!

Andy’s Point of View

Tss. Ang sakit na nga ng hangover ko dahil sa
kagabi, mapipilitan pa akong lumabas ngayon para
lang uminom ng kape?? Ang labo talaga ng buhay.
Ang sakit pa ng ulo ko. Mamaya mabangga pa ako
sa daan dahil dito eh.
Nakarating na ako sa Starbucks tapos nakita ko si
Nof dun sa gilid. Tss.
Lumapit ako, “bakit hindi ka pa umoorder?”
“Good morning to you, too, Andy!”
“Psh,” sabi ko tapos umupo sa harap niya,
“pagkatapos nito uuwi na ko.”
Tinignan niya ako, “eh? Come on, Andy! Malling
tayo! For all i care, mag eemo moments ka lang
naman sa bahay niyo.”
Pakielam ba nitong babaeng to? Tss. Masama na
bang manahimik kasi nasasaktan? Tangina,

508
Guzman! Naririnig mo ba yung sarili mo?! Nasan na
yung babaerong Andy na walang pakielam sa
nararamdaman ng iba??
“Wala ka ng paki dun. Pasalamat ka nga
pinuntahan pa kita dito eh,” sabi ko sa kanya tapos
bumili na ako ng dalawang frappe at cheesecake.
Inirapan niya ako pagbalik ko, “tss. Emo much ka
talaga.”
Tapos nun, kumain na lang kami. Tsk. Bakit ba
lagi na lang si Nof ang kasama ko? Si Dana ang
girlfriend ko eh.. Aish!
Pagkatapos naming kumain, “hitch naman ako,
Andy.”
“Huh? Nasan yung sasakyan mo?”
“Wala. Nagpahatid lang ako sa driver namin dito
eh. Sige na?”

Nof’s Point of View

“Oo na, oo na,” Andy said, half annoyed.
“Yes!!” I said while jumping, “papayag ka din
pala eh. Tss.”

509
 “You’re annoying as hell, Nof,” he retorted.
“I always get that, Andy. Hahaha!”
After that, sumakay na ako sa sasakyan niya. Buti
na lang, 20 minutes away lang yung mall kung
hindi, baka ihinulog na lang ako ni Andy sa
highway. Ang sungit niya talaga! Hindi naman ako
naging ganyan kasungit nung nagbreak kami ni
Dave ah? Tss.
“Hintayin na lang kita sa carpark,” sabi ni Andy
pagkatapos niyang magpark ng sasakyan.
“KJ mo talaga, Guzman! Sumama ka na sa’kin.
Malapit ka ng magstart magreview ng board eh. I bet
hindi ka na makakagala madalas kaya sumama ka na
sakin. Please?” I said then batted my lashes.
Umarte naman si Andy na parang nasusuka.
Hinampas ko siya, “ang kapal mo!! Sa ganda
kong to, nasusuka ka??”
Tumawa lang siya tapos ginulo yung buhok ko at
inakbayan ako papasok ng mall.

Dana’s Point of View

510
 “Hey, Dana, Cy,” Sara said as she approach us.
“What’s up? I didn’t see you so often,” i said then
i hugged her.
She rolled her eyes, “as if naman makikita mo
ako, Dana. Eh palagi kayong magkasama ni Cyriel
eh,” Sara teased us. Namumula si Cyriel. How cute!
“Shut up, Sara. Namumula na si Cyriel oh.
Hahaha!” I laughed then i pinched his cheeks, “ang
cute cute talaga ng Cyriel ko,” i said.
We laughed at Cyriel’s reaction. He was blushing
like hell! Hahaha!
“Oh, tama na ang lambingan,” Sara said, “Dana,
samahan mo naman ako sa Mall, please?”
I said yes kaya nagpaalam na ako kay Cyriel na
aalis kami ni Sara. Afterall, palagi naman kaming
magkasama these past few days. It’s only what? 10
days before their wedding? Yeah, what the hell. Ano
pa ba ang pakielam ko kung matuloy man o hindi
yung church wedding na yun? Eh for all i know,
they are already legally binded!
But i trust Cyriel.. He won’t let me down..
Nakarating kami ng mall ng past 10. Kumain
muna kami ni Sara since hindi pa daw siya

511
nagbbreakfast.
“Hey,” she said, “ano’ng plano niyo ni Cyriel?”
I raised my brow, “what do you mean?”
“I mean about sa wedding, Dana! Seriously, 10
days na lang before that dreaded day! Wala ka man
lang bang planong ipaglaban si Cyriel?” She asked
hysterically.
I almost forgot. Hindi nga pala nila alam na kasal
na si Ynna at Cyriel kahit hindi pa matuloy yung
Church wedding na yan. Ayoko lang sabihin kasi
baka kumalat pa.. Anyways, gumagawa na naman
ng plano si Clarence at Cyriel para mapabilis ang
annullment procedure..
I shrugged, “bahala na..”
Napanganga si Sara, “really, Dana? Bahala na?
That’s all you got?”
I smiled, “trust me, Sara. Bahala na.”

Nof’s Point of View

“How about this one?” I asked Andy for the nth
time.

512
 “Too long,” he commented.
Binato ko siya ng hanger, “Guzman! Formal
party yung aattendan ko, hindi strip party! Ano bang
too long yang sinasabi mo??”
Kasi naman po, lahat ng sinusukat ko, sinasabi
niyang pangit, o kaya masyadong mahaba o
maluwag. Ang binibigay niya sakin yung mga
tipong sinusuot pag nagna night out. Wow. Anyareh
sa Andy na kilala ko??
He shrugged, “you’re asking for my opinion,
young lady. I’m just giving you what you’re asking
for,” sabi niya sabay balik basa dun sa magazine na
hawak niya.
“Tss,” i uttered tapos pumasok ulit ako sa
dressing room.
Binili ko na lang lahat ng sinukat ko. Nakakahiya
naman kung isusukat ko lang pero hindi ko bibilin.
Naunang lumabas si Andy ng shop habang
binibigay ko naman yung card ko dun sa attendant
ng shop. Pagkatapos kong masettle yung mga binili
ko, lumabas ako ng shop para hanapin si Andy.
Magpapatulong ako. 10 shopping bags kaya yung
dala ko!! Kamusta naman, di ba??

513
 Nakita ko siya dun sa gilid, nakasandal lang.
Mukhang artista lang eh. Haaay. Ang tanga talaga ni
DK! Inaayawan niya lang si Andy, samantalang ang
daming babaeng makikipagpatayan makuha lang
siya! Tss. Ano bang meron yung Cyriel na yun at
hindi niya makalimut kalimutan samantalang nanjan
naman si Andy na lagi siyang sinasamahan, handang
gawin lahat para sa kanya. Tss. Ang labo lang talaga
ni DK!
“Oy,” i said.
Tumingin siya sakin, “tapos ka na?”
Hindi ako nagsalita, instead, inabot ko sa kanya
yung mga paper bags na dala ko.
Tinignan niya ako sabay sabing, “ano gagawin ko
jan?”
“Titigan mo,” i said. Tinitigan nga ng gago!!
“Really, Andy? Nasan na ang chivalry? My god!!”
He rolled his eyes, “hindi ka naman kasi
mukhang kailangang tulungan. Tss. Kayang kaya mo
namang bitbitin to eh,” he said pero kinuha niya pa
din sa kamay ko yung mga dala ko.
I smirked, “dami mong alam, Guzman. Tutulong
din pala eh,” i teased him.

514
 Tinignan niya ako ng masama, “ihagis ko kaya
to?”
I pinched his cheeks, “eto naman, hindi mabiro.
Joke lang. Ang cute cute mo--—”
“Nof?! Andy?!”
Sabay kaming napatingin ni Andy kay Sara at
Dana.
What the heck??

Sara’s Point of View

“Besty, samahan mo naman ako. Bibili lang ako
ng dress, isasama ako ni Dave sa birthday ng lolo
niya eh,” i said.
Bigla naman akong tinukso ni Dana, “naks
naman! Improving! Meet the family na ba?”
Napangiti na lang ako. Thank God! Balik na sa
dati si Dana! Dati rati kasi, lagi na lang problema
yung nasa isip niya.. At least ngayon, nakukuha niya
ng magbiro.
“Shut up, Dana. Birthday lang yun,” sabi ko sa
kanya.

515
 Hindi pa din ako tinigilan ni Dana katutukso.
Haaay. Buti na lang talaga okay na siya! Natatakot
kasi ako na baka biglang bumigay yung utak niya sa
dami ng nangyayari sa buhay niya! Masayadong
magulo.. Sana maayos na..
Habang naglalakad kami, parang kakilala ko
yung dalawang taong magkausap sa gilid tapos nung
makalapit kami, “Nof?! Andy?!”
Nagulat ako! Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi
magugulat sa nakita namin?! Para silang nagddate!
(music starts playing..)
“D-Dana,” sabi ni Andy.
Nakatingin lang sa kanya si Dana.
“Ano’ng ginagawa niyo dito?” Sabi ko sa kanila.
Note the sarcasm. Oo, mas gusto ko si Cyriel para sa
bestfriend ko, but that doesn’t mean na payag akong
lokohin ni Andy si Dana behind her back! Sino ba
ang nagmakaawa na huwag siyang hiwalayan ni
Dana? Si Andy, di ba? Tapos ano yung makikita
naman ngayon?? Na nagddate sila ni Nof? Wow
naman!
“Sinamahan ko lang si Nof,” sagot ni Andy.

516
 “Ah. Kaya pala may pahawak hawak pa sa pisngi
noh, Andy?”
“It’s not-—”
Hindi na natapos ni Andy yung sasabihin niya
kasi nagsalita si Nof, “we’re on a date, Sara. Yun ba
yung gusto mong marinig?”
“Ano’ng--—”
“Shut up, Guzman. Don’t bother to explain
yourself. Si DK pwedeng makipagdate kay Cyriel,
tapos si Andy hindi?”
Napatigil na lang ako sa mga sinasabi ni Nof.
Seriously, nasan na yung babaeng mabait at
malambing na sinasabi sa akin ni Dave??
“What do you mean, Nof?” I asked her. Naiirita
na ako sa babaeng to!
“What i mean is, kung ayaw na talaga ni DK kay
Andy, fine! Willing naman akong saluhin si Andy,”
she said habang nakatingin kay Dana.

Dana’s Point of View

“D-Dana,” Andy said.

517
 He’s looking at me. Tinignan ko siya, mejo
pumayat siya tapos humaba na yung buhok niya..
Nilagay niya na din ulit yung stud sa right ear niya..
Parang yung dating Andy na kilala ko..
“Ano’ng ginagawa niyo dito?” Sara said.
Halata naman na naiinis na si Sara. I mean, alam
ko naman na from the very beginning, naiinis na
siya kay Nof. Siguro dahil sa closeness ni Nof at
Dave. Ano bang magagawa niya? Magbestfriend
eh.. Isama mo pa ngayon na ang kasama ni Nof ay si
Andy.. Mas maiinis siya, considering the fact na
protective si Sara pagdating sa mga taong sobrang
halaga sa kanya..
“Sinamahan ko lang si Nof,” Andy said while
intently looking at me.
Pinipilit kong huwag siyang tignan pero..
“Ah. Kaya pala may pahawak hawak pa sa pisngi
noh, Andy?”
“It’s not-—”
Hindi na natapos ni Andy yung sasabihin niya
kasi nagsalita si Nof, “we’re on a date, Sara. Yun ba
yung gusto mong marinig?”
Date??

518
 “Ano’ng--—”
“Shut up, Guzman. Don’t bother to explain
yourself. Si DK pwedeng makipagdate kay Cyriel,
tapos si Andy hindi?”
I was caught off guard. Tama yung sinasabi niya..
Pero..
“What do you mean, Nof?” Sara asked her.
“What i mean is, kung ayaw na talaga ni DK kay
Andy, fine! Willing naman akong saluhin si Andy,”
she said while looking at me.
Fvck, Dana! Tell them you’re fine with it!
But am i really fine with it?

Nof’s Point of View

Nandito kami sa loob ng sasakyan ni Andy. Hindi
kami nagpapansinan.
“Nyeta naman, Nof! Ano bang nagddate tayo?!!”
Sigaw ni Andy.
Huminga ako ng malalim, “ano bang pino
problema mo?! Pasalamat ka nga tinutulungan pa

519
kita eh!”
Sumigaw na din ako. Ano ba kasi ang gusto
niyang mangyari?! Maglungkut lungkutan
habambuhay??
Hinampas niya yung manibela, “tinutulungan?
Sinabi ko bang tulungan mo ako?! Langya naman,
Nof! Lalo mo lang pinagulo eh! Baka isipin ni Dana
niloloko ko siya!”
Tinignan ko siya sa maya, “tandaan mo to,
Andrei Guzman. Lokohin mo man o hindi si Dana,
walang magbabago, si Cyriel at si Cyriel pa din.
Alam mo kung bakit? Kasi nakakasawa ka, kasi
nakakasakal ka, kasi binibigay mo lahat kay Dana.
Subukan mo namang magtira sa sarili mo hanggang
kaya mo pa,” sabi ko tapos lumabas na ako sa
sasakyan niya.
Sana naman matauhan ka na, Andy.. Habang may
pag asa pa kayo ni Dana..

Andy’s Point of View

“No offense, pare, pero sa tingin ko, tama si
Nof,” sabi ni Dave sa akin.

520
 Lintik naman na babae yun! Hindi mawala sa isip
ko yung sinabi niya!
’tandaan mo to, Andrei Guzman. Lokohin mo man
o hindi si Dana, walang magbabago, si Cyriel at si
Cyriel pa din. Alam mo kung bakit? Kasi
nakakasawa ka, kasi nakakasakal ka, kasi binibigay
mo lahat kay Dana. Subukan mo namang magtira sa
sarili mo hanggang kaya mo pa.’
“Kasi Andy ano eh. Ganito na lang ang isipin mo,
yung ibang babae, gusto nila yung binibigay sa
kanila lahat. Pero si Dana? Iba siya, Andy. Alam mo
naman yun, di ba? Mas gusto niya yung bagay na
hindi niya nakukuha. Tignan mo na lang si Cyriel.
Gusto niya si Cyriel kasi madaming humahadlang sa
kanila eh..”
Nyeta namang buhay to oh! Si Dana lang naman
yung kaisa isang taong gusto ko, hindi ko pa
makuha.. Ano bang dapat kong gawin? Magpanggap
na hindi ko na siya mahal para magustuhan niya
ako? Para maisip niya na mas mahal niya ako?
Tangina! Nakakagago lang!
Huminga ako ng malalim, “Dave naman, ano’ng
gagawin ko? Ganito ko talaga kamahal si Dana.
Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko bang magpanggap na
hindi ko na siya gusto para lang.. Fvck! Tangina!”

521
Nasuntok ko yung lamesa, “pano kung hindi niya na
talaga ako gusto? Pano kung si Cyriel pala talaga?
Tangina, Dave! Hindi ko alam..”
“Kung ganun talaga.. tanggapin mo na lang,
Andy. Kung nagawa mo ngang kalimutan si Lynne,
magagawa mo din yun kay Dana..” sabi ni Dave
sabay tapik sa balikat ko.

Ynna’s Point of View

“Mom.. 5 days na lang pero hindi ko pa din siya
macontact..”
My mom went near me and embraced me, “it’s
alright, Baby. You’re already married, alright? Stop
crying..”
I hugged her and started crying, “pero mom.. Ang
sakit eh.. ang sakit sakit.. ang sakit isipin na kahit
anong gawin ko, hindi ako mamahalin ni Cyriel.. na
kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ako sapat para mahalin
niya.. na kahit anong gawin ko, si Dana pa din.. ang
sakit sakit.. para akong namamatay tuwing iniisip ko
na hindi siya sasaya sakin.. alam ko naman na
masama yung ginawa ko eh.. pero ano bang

522
magagawa ko? Tao lang din naman ako.. marunong
magmahal..”
She started caressing my back, “i know, Ynna, i
know..”
“Hindi ko na alam.. Lahat na ginawa ko.. Wala na
akong pride, wala na akong dignidad.. Lahat na
binigay ko pero kulang pa din.. Ang sakit sakit na..
Pakiramdam ko, mas malapit na akong mamatay
dahil sa nararamdaman ko.. Hindi ko na kaya,
mommy.. Nasasaktan na talaga ako.. Mahal na
mahal ko lang naman si Cyriel.. Ano bang masama
dun?”
She kissed my forehead, “don’t worry, baby..
Everything will be fine.. Trust me..”

523
 Chapter 50

Chapter 50
Dana’s Point of View
“Mom? Yes. Papunta na ako,” i said through the
phone. Pinapapunta kasi niya ako sa office niya,
“alright. See you in fifteen,” i said then i hung up.
Shet! Natetensyon na ako. 3 days before the
wedding! Bakit parang ako pa yung nakakaramdam
ng wedding jitters? Nyeta lang, Dana. Ikaw ang
ikakasal? Pero kasi.. kinakabahan ako para kay
Cyriel.. Kahit alam kong mahal niya ako, hindi pa
rin maalis sa isip ko yung kayang gawin ni Ynna..
She already did the worst, what more can i expect?
Pagdating ko sa office ni Mom, wow. Ang busy
ng mga tao. May ilalabas nga pala sila na collection
ngayon kaya hectic ang schedule nila. Kung dati si
Dad lang ang halos hindi na tumira sa bahay, ngayon
kahit si Mom ganun na din.
Lumapit ako sa secretary dun, “Margo, si mom?”
“Good morning, Ma’am Dana! Pasok po kayo sa
loob,” sabi niya sakin with full smile. Oo nga pala,

524
siya nga pala yung secretary ni mom na tinulungan
ko dati.
Pumasok na ako sa office ni mom, “Mom?”
Tumingin siya sa akin, busy kasi siya sa sketch na
ginagawa niya, “Kathryn, just sit for a while. I’ll just
finish this.”
Umupo muna ako sa couch niya while waiting.
Kinuha ko din yung phone ko.
Si Andy..

’Please. Hindi talaga kami nagddate ni Nof! Ikaw

lang ang mahal ko..’
’Dana naman..’
Puro ganito ang laman ng texts ni Andy.. Simula
nung makita namin sila ni Sara sa mall, lagi niyang
sinasabi na wala hindi sila nagddate ni Nof. Sinabi
ko naman sa kanya na si Cyriel ang mahal ko..

525
Siguro mas magiging ayos pa ang lahat kung totoo
nga yung sa kanila ni Nof.. Siguro..
Binura ko na lahat ng texts ni Andy.
Lagi mong tatandaan si Cyriel, Dana. Kaya mo
yan!

“Kathryn?”
Tumingin ako kay mom, “Yes?”
“Can i ask for a favor?”
“It depends,” i chuckled, “just kidding. Ano ba
yun, mom?”
She straightened her sit, “as you can see, the
whole office’s a mess. Malapit na kasing irelease
yung collection this quarter.”
“Then?”
“It seems that there’s a problem with one of our
botique. Can you go and check it out? I’m darn too
busy. Everybody in here is busy. I’m counting on
you, Kathryn.”

526
 God. Yun lang pala ang problema ni Mom. Akala
ko pa naman kung ano na.
“Alright,” i said.
Umalis na ako sa office ni mom right after that
coversation. I swear, hinding hindi ako magttrabaho
dun pagka graduate ko. Ang taas ng pressure. Mas
gusto ko pang gumawa ng sarili kong line.
Pumunta na ako sa botique namin sa isang mall
sa west. Hindi naman pala masyadong malala yung
problem, may nagreklamo lang na customer tungkol
dun sa isang customized dress na pinagawa niya.
Nakipag usap na lang ako dun sa babae. Is it our
fault that she gained 25 pounds kaya hindi magkasya
yung damit na last month niya pa pala pinagawa??
“Dana?”

Andy’s Point of View

’Please. Hindi talaga kami nagddate ni Nof! Ikaw

lang ang mahal ko..’

527
 ’Dana naman..’
Ilang beses ko na siyang tinatawagan at tinetext
pero hindi siya nagrereply. Gusto ko lang naman
sabihin sa kanya na wala talaga yung samin ni Nof
eh. Hindi ko talaga gusto si Nof, bilang kapatid pa
siguro, pwede. Pero wala na bukod dun. Wala talaga.
Hindi ko makita si Nof bilang girlfriend ko.
Binato ko yung cellphone ko. Nyeta naman,
Andy! Aish! Ang malas mo talaga sa babae kahit
kailan.
“Andrei?”
Napaupo ako ng maayos sa kama ko pagpasok ng
nanay ko.
Pinulot niya yung phone ko sa sahig, “ayaw mo
na ba sa phone mo, Andrei?” Sabi niya ng pabiro,
“may problema ka ba?”
Umiling lang ako. Wala naman akong balak na
isama pa sa gulo namin nila Cyriel ang mga
magulang namin. Malalaki na kami, kaya na namin
to.
“Are you sure?”
Tumango na lang ako.

528
 “Well then, samahan mo naman ako sa West
Mall. Balak kasing maginvest ng Daddy mo dun,
titignan lang natin kung ano ba ang lagay nung mall
na yun. At the same time, samahan mo naman akong
magshopping,” sabi niya.
“Ano pa nga ba?” Sabi ko ng pabiro. Matagal ko
nang hindi nakakasama ang mommy ko. Siguro
okay na din to para kahit pano, makalimutan ko
yung problema ko.
Pagdating namin sa Mall, nag ikot ikot lang kami.
Okay naman yung mall. Bakit kaya mag eexpand na
naman si Dad ng business? Halos hirap na hirap na
nga siyang imanage yung hotels eh, dadagdagan na
naman niya? Tss. Ang hirap talagang intindihin.
Bahala na nga. Si Kuya na ang bahala sa mga
business ni Dad. Kaya nga siya nag aaral pa sa
Amerika para dun eh. Good luck na lang talaga.
“Shopping time, baby,” sabi ni Mom na
masayang masaya.
Ang hirap intindihin ng babae. Bili ng bili ng
damit pero hindi naman ginagamit lahat. Minsan
kawawa din ang mga lalaki. Hirap na hirap
magtrabaho para lang mabili nung mga asawa nila
yung gusto nila. Pero kung mahal mo naman talaga

529
ang babae, walang halaga kahit gaano ka pa
nahihirapan, mapasaya mo lang siya.
“FHF na pala ’to, Andrei,” sabi ni mom.
Oo nga pala, kila Dana nga pala ’to.
“Dana?”
Napatingin ako kay mom nung sinabi niya yun.
Totoo nga. Nandun siya. Si Dana.
“Ah, eh, Tita,” sabi ni Dana sabay lapit kay mom.
“Good to see you again, Dana! I haven’t seen you
for a while. Nakakatampo ka..”

Dana’s Point of View

“Dana?”
Napatingin ako sa likod ko only to see Andy and
his mom behind me.
“Ah, eh, Tita,” i said.
“Good to see you again, Dana! I haven’t seen you
for a while. Nakakatampo ka..”
Fudge, Dana! What to do, what to do??

530
 “Sorry, Tita. Been busy these days. Tinutulungan
ko si Mom sa business niya eh,” i lied.
Nakatingin ako kay Andy.
Sorry, Andy. Ayaw kong saktan ka pero ayaw mo
din akong iwan.. Ano na lang ang gusto mong gawin
ko?

“That’s alright, dear. It’s good to hear na

tumutulong ka sa family business. Sana nga ay
masabihan mo tong si Andy na tumulong din at
huwag ipasa lahat sa kuya niya. Mabuti na lang
talaga at ikaw ang girlfriend niya. Di ba?”
Huminga ako ng malalim, “actually, Tita, coo--
—”
Lumapit sakin si Andy at hinawakan yung kamay
ko, “oo nga, mom. Mabuti na lang at si Dana ang
girlfriend ko,” he said then smiled at me.
Ano ba, Andy? Mas lalo mo lang ginagawang
komplikado ang sitwasyon natin..

531
 “That thing i’m sure of. O siya, titingin muna ako
ng mga bagong designs niyo, iha,” his mom said
then left us.

Andy’s Point of View

Hindi ko din alam kung bakit ko sinabi yun.
Natatakot ako. Natatakot ako.
“Why did you say that, Andy?”
Nakatingin lang ako kay Dana.
Wala na ba talaga tayong pag asa?

“Sorry, Dana. Hindi ko pa kayang sabihin,” i

said.
“Naiintindihan kita, Andy. Pero kasi.. mas
magiging komplikado pa yung lahat pag pinatagal
mo pa to.. Alam mo naman na simula pa lang, si
Cyriel na talaga..”
Yun na nga. Umaasa ako na sana kahit minsan,
mas naging lamang ako kay Cyriel, Dana..

532
 Ngumiti lang ako, “hindi ko alam, Dana. Wag mo
naman akong hiwalayan ng ganito.. Wag mo naman
sanang ipamukha na wala akong halaga, Dana.. Sana
naman ipakita mo sakin na nasasaktan ka sa
paghihiwalay natin. Kahit yun lang.”

Dana’s Point of View

“…sana naman ipakita mo sakin na nasasaktan ka
sa paghihiwalay natin. Kahit yun lang.”
Andy left after that.
Guilt stings inside me.
I didn’t mean to hurt you, Andy. It’s just that…

My thoughts were interrupted by Andy’s mom,

“is everything okay, Dana?”
I plastered a smile on my face, “of course, Tita.
Everything is fine.”

533
 She smiled at me, “good to hear that. I really like
you for my son, iha. After Lynne died, ikaw pa lang
ang babaeng nakapagpasaya sa anak ko. I really
wish na sana kayo ang magkatuluyan.”
I just smiled, not wanting to put their hopes even
higher.

Cyriel’s Point of View

“Pano ba yan, lil’ bro? May mga nakabantay na
guards sa labas ng bahay,” sabi ni Clarence.
Napatingin ako mula sa balcony. May mga itim
na kotse na naman sa labas ng gate namin.
“Tss,” napahawak na lang ako sa batok ko.
Umupo si Clarence sa kama ko, “mukhang
natunugan nila na tatakas ka eh. Hirap talagang
kalabanin ng mga Henares.”
Simula nung isang araw, may mga nakabantay na
na sasakyan sa gate namin. Kahit pag aalis ako, may
mga nakasunod na sasakyan sa akin. Kahit san ako
magpunta, may nakasunod sa akin.
“Tsk.”

534
 “Back up plan, Cy?” Tanong ni Clarence.
Hindi ako nakasagot. Baka kasi pag nagpumilit
akong tumakas, si Dana ang balingan nila.
“Wala ka?” sabi ni Clarence, “ako, meron. Gusto
mong marinig?”

The day after.

Dana’s Point of View
Dave Cruz
calling..
“Hello? Ano?! Sang ospital?!!”

535
 Chapter 51

Chapter 51
Cyriel’s Point of View
“..ganito yan ha? Ibubunggo natin yung sasakyan
mo sa puno tapos kunwari, malala yung tama mo.
Kuha mo ba?” sabi ni Clarence.
Tumango na lang ako. Tss. Akala ko naman kung
ano na yung plano niya.
“Pero shet naman! Ako ang papagalitan nito nila
mom eh. Tsk,” reklamo niya.
Ang daming reklamo pero siya naman ang
pasimuno. Baliw.
Pagkatapos nun, tinawagan niya na yung
binayaran niya na sasakay at magbubunggo nung
sasakyan ko. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha
yung tao na yun. Basta pera, kahit ano pinapatulan
ng mga tao eh. =___=
After 20 minutes, nakadikit na sa harap ng puno
yung sasakyan ko. Good job, kuya.

536
 “Oh? Sakay na at ng makatawag na ako ng
ambulansya,” sabi niya sabay tulak sa’kin papasok
ng sasakyan.
“Eto na nga,” sabi ko habang papunta dun sa
driver’s seat.
Sasakay na sana ako pero napansin kong may
bumubusina sa harap namin.
“Tangina, Cyriel! Walang preno yan! Tumabi
ka!!”

Andy’s Point of View

Nyeta! Bakit ako pa yung napaalis sa sarili kong
bahay?? Bakit ba kasi nandun si Nof?? Ang kulit ng
lahi ng babaeng yun eh!
Nasa autoshop yung sasakyan ko kaya kinuha ko
muna yung sasakyan ni kuya. Wala naman siya dito
eh.
Dumaan ako sa backdoor para hindi ako makita
ni Nof. Nyetang babae, nakakairita na din minsan
=___= Pasalamat siya bestfriend siya ni Dave.

537
 Nagdrive ako papunta sa hindi ko alam kung
saan. Basta makalayo sa bahay, okay na ako. Punta
muna siguro ako sa cementeryo. Puntahan ko muna
si Lynne. Tama.
Nag U-turn ako papunta sa cementeryo.
Pagkatapos kong makalagpas ng highway,
putangina!! Bakit wala akong brake??
Bumusina ako ng bumusina kasi may nakita
akong dalawang lalaki na nakatayo. Baka
masagasaan sila kaya bumusina ako. Hindi ko na
alam kung saan ako mababangga kung itutuloy ko
pa yung pagmamaneho ko kaya ibinangga ko na
lang din yung sasakyan ko sa puno.

Cyriel’s Point of View

Nakatulala lang kami ni Rence.
Kung kanina, nagpplano kami ng aksidente,
ngayon, nangyari na nga.
“Tangina!” Biglang sigaw ni Clarence, “tangina,
Cyriel! Si Andy ’to!”
Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya kaya hindi agad ako
nakagalaw.

538
 Si Andy?
Si Andy ang sakay ng sasakyan na halos mahati
na sa dalawa sa lakas ng pagkakabangga??
“Tangina, Cyriel! Tulungan mo ako dito!”
Nyeta, Cyriel! Gumalaw ka! Si Andy yan,
kaibigan mo!
Dali dali akong pumunta malapit sa driver’s seat.
Nakita ko dun si Andy, walang malay. May mga
galos siya sa mukha at braso pero mukhang wala
namang major injuries pero naipit yung kaliwang
paa niya sa loob ng sasakyan.
“Fuck,” sabi ni Clarence, “pumasok ka sa
passenger’s seat.”
“Ha?”
“Pumasok ka na, Cyriel! Nyeta, bilis!”
Pumasok na agad ako sa sasakyan gaya ng sabi ni
Clarence. Maayos naman yung kabilang parte nung
sasakyan kaya nakapasok pa din ako.
Hindi ko matignan si Andy.
Fuck.
Pumikit na lang ako.

539
 “Tumawag na ako ng ambulansya,” sabi ni
Clarence na medyo nangangatog yung boses, “alis
lang ako, pero dun lang ako sa malapit. Yung
seatbelt mo?”
Sinuot ko yung seatbelt ko.
“Ano’ng gagawin ko?”
Tinignan niya ako, “gaya nung plano.
Naaksidente kayo ni Andy. Punyeta! Ang tagal
naman ng ambulansya! Tangina! Si Andy!! Fuck!”
Pumikit na lang ulit ako, “sige na, ako nang
bahala dito.”
Pagkatapos ng ilang minuto, dumating na yung
ambulansya. Ako ang unang nilagay sa stretcher. Si
Andy naman, dahan dahan pang kinuha dahil
unconscious pa din siya at naipit yung paa niya sa
napiping side ng sasakyan.
Habang nasa loob ako ng ambulance, hindi ko
alam kung paano ko sasabihin kila Tita na
naaksidente si Andy kaya si Dave na lang ang
tinawagan ko.
Sinabi ko sa kanya na naaksidente kami pati na
kung saang ospital kami dadalhin.
Tangina, Andy. Umayos ka!

540
 Dana’s Point of View
“Are you kidding me?”
Pinipigilan ko yung sarili kong tumawa nung
mareceive ko yung package mula kay Ynna.
Tinignan ko yung laman ng box.
Gown.
Maid of honor’s gown to be exact.
What the fuck is her problem?!
Sa tingin niya ba talaga pupunta ako sa kasal
niya? Not in my wildest dreams! Not a fucking
chance in hell!
Kumuha ako ng gunting para gupitin sana yung
gown ng biglang magring yung phone ko.
Dave Cruz
calling…

“Hello? What?!! Saang ospital?!”

541
 Pagkatapos kong marinig yun, dali dali akong
pumunta sa ospital na sabi ni Dave.
Fuck! This can’t happen.. Hindi pa maayos ang
lahat.. Wag muna ngayon..
Pagdating ko sa ospital, pumunta agad ako sa
nurse’s station.
“Nasan si Cyriel Perez?” I asked her.
Tinignan nung nurse sa files nila yung name.
After what it felt like forever, “room 9102.”
“How about Andrei Guzman?” i asked.
Nagscan ulit siya ng files, “emergency room.”
Pumunta agad ako ng elevator at pinindot ang 9th
floor. I need to see Cyriel safe first then i’ll go to
Andy.

Cyriel’s Point of View

“San na si Andy?” I asked Rence.
“E.R.,” sabi niya.
“Bakit? May problema ba??” Tanong ko. Shet
naman, Andy! Wag ka ngayon mawala!

542
 Huminga siya ng malalim, “fracture daw yata or
dislocation. Don’t ask me further. I hate science.”
Fuck. Fuck. Andy! What the hell is your
problem?? Magpapakamatay ka dahil ano? Dahil
ako yung pinili ni Dana? Shit! You’re better than
this!
Tahimik kami ni Clarence na naghihintay ng
balita kay Andy ng bumukas ang pinto.
Lumapit agad sa akin si Dana at niyakap ako,
“Cyriel? Are you okay? Does it hurt?”
Hinawakan ko yung kamay niya at nginitian siya,
“i’m fine. Really.”
She looked at me, “really?”
“Really really,” i smiled again.
“But what happened? Bakit kayo magkasama ni
Andy na naaksidente?” She asked.
Hindi ako makapagsalita. I don’t know what to
say. I don’t want to lie in her face.
“Walang brake,” singit ni Clarence.
“Oh God! Thank God walang serious injuries,”
she said tapos niyakap niya ulit ako. I hugged her

543
back.
“Punta muna ako kay Andy,” sabi ni Clarence.
Tumango lang ako at tinignan si Dana, “aren’t
you gonna see him?”
She smiled, “maybe later. I need to be with you
first.”
I smiled and kissed her knuckles.

Dana’s Point of View

I almost run papunta sa kwarto niya. Sht, Cyriel
Perez! You better be okay!
Pagdating ko sa kwarto, binuksan ko agad yung
pinto at nakita ko si Cyriel na nakahiga sa hospital
bed, si Clarence naman, nakatayo lang malapit sa
window.
Lumapit agad ako sa kanya and hugged him,
“Cyriel? Are you okay? Does it hurt?”
He held my hand and smiled to assure me that
he’s fine, “i’m fine. Really.”
I looked at him, “really?”

544
 “Really really,” he smiled again.
“But what happened? Bakit kayo magkasama ni
Andy na naaksidente?” i asked.
I was half praying na wag niyang sabihin na it
was because of me. Hindi ko talaga mapapatawad
ang sarili ko pag nalaman kong naaksidente sila
dahil na naman sa akin! I don’t deserve it!
“Walang brake,” Clarence interrupted.
“Oh God! Thank God walang serious injuries,” i
said then hugged him.
“Punta muna ako kay Andy,” Clarence said then
went out the door.
“Aren’t you gonna see him?” Cyriel asked me.
I honestly want to go and see Andy right now.
But Cyriel needs me here. Ayokong iwanan siya
mag isa.
I smiled instead, “maybe later. I need to be with
you first.”
He smiled and kissed my knuckles.

545
 Ynna’s Point of View
“Good,” i said to Danielle. Naipadala niya na
daw kay Dana yung gown.
It’s our wedding tomorrow. I hope everything
will turn out fine. Since a few days ago,
pinapabantayan na ni mom si Cyriel. I was scared na
tatakbuhan niya ako so to give me assurance,
pinabantayan niya si Cyriel.
I rode in my car and drove to Cyriel’s home. I
need to check up on him. I don’t care if he’s with
Dana so long as he’s by my side.
Pagdating ko sa bahay nila, walang tao so i asked
one of their maids.
“Where’s Cy?”
“Ma’am Ynna, nasa ospital daw po,” she said.
“What?!!”
“Naaksidente daw po. Pinapadala nga po ni Sir
Clarence ang mga gamit ni Sir Cyriel eh,” she said
and showed me a duffel bag.
Kinuha ko yung bag and said, “i’ll take it from
here.”

546
 Andy’s Point of View
Fuck.
My head hurts.
Pagtingin ko sa paligid, bakit puro white? Where
am i?
“Andrei? Oh God! Thank God you’re finally
awake!” mom said.
Tinignan ko yung paligid ko, nandito si Nof?
Clarence? Dave? Sara? Kim? Ano ba ang nangyari?
With my head still dizzy, i asked them, “what
happened?”
My mom suddenly burst into tears, “may amnesia
ka na naman?”
I waved my hand and said, “no, mom. I just can’t
remember why i am here.”
“You got into an accident with Cyriel. Good thing
you two are safe,” she said.
With Cyriel? Kasama ko ba siya?
Shit!

547
 Nabangga ko ba siya?? Siya ba yung lalaki na
binubusinahan ko??
“Where is he??” I asked. Nyeta! Nasagasaan ko
nga ba si Cy??
“Calm down, Andrei. He’s just in the room
beside this, and he’s doing fine so no worries,” mom
said.
Pagkatapos kong marinig yun, natahimik na ako.
Nag alok si mom na bumili ng pagkain kaya naiwan
kami dito.
“Si Dana?” I asked them. Sa lahat ng tao na gusto
kong makita ngayon, si Dana yun..
Hindi sila makatingin sa’kin.
“Na kay Cyriel,” Dave said.
I smiled.
“Pero binisita na naman niya ako kanina nung
tulog ako, di ba?”
Lumapit sa’kin si Nof at niyakap ako, “stop
hurting yourself, Andy. Stop asking stupid
questions.”

548
 Hindi ka pa nasanay, Andy. Kailan ka ba naging
priority?

Ynna’s Point of View

Room 9102
I was about to open the door when i heared them
talking.
“I love you, Dana. More and more everyday.”
“I know.”
“Don’t give up on me.”
“Of course, Cyriel. I’ll never give up on you.
Never.”
I closed the door again and left the bag on the
floor instead and left.
I’m really good at torturing myself, aren’t i?

549
 Chapter 52

Chapter 52 
Andy’s Point of View
“You sure?” Tanong sa’kin ni Nof habang
sinusubukan kong tumayo.
Tumango na lang ako tsaka sinubukang igalaw
yung kaliwang paa ko. Inalalayan niya ako habang
nakahawak ako sa isa sa mga hawakan, “sht,” nasabi
ko na lang nung natumba ako.
Bigla bigla namang lumapit sa’kin sila Nof at
Dave nung napaupo ako, “pare, dahan dahan lang.
Wag mong biglain yung paa mo, baka lalong
mapatagal yung recovery mo eh.”
Ilang araw na ba mula nung maaksidente ako? 9
days? Ang bilis lang ng araw, ang dami na ding
nangyari. Hindi natuloy yung kasal ni Ynna at
Cyriel. Masaya ako para sa kanya kasi alam ko
naman na hindi niya mahal si Ynna kaya parang
nakakaloko lang kung matutuloy pa din yung kasal.
Pero para sa sarili ko? Nalulungkot ako.
Nalulungkot ako kasi alam ko sa sarili ko na sa mga
nangyayari, mas malabo na maging kami ulit ni

550
Dana.. Lalo na ngayon na hindi natuloy yung kasal.
Ewan ko, hindi ko na talaga maintindihan yung sarili
ko. T@ngina lang eh. 
Umiling ako, “pare naman, birthday ko na bukas
hindi pa din ako makalakad. Parang tanga lang,”
sabi ko sabay subok ulit na tumayo at maglakad.
Binatukan ako ni Nof, “para ka ngang tanga.
Magpumilit ka pa jan ng mas lalong tumagal ang
recovery mo. Tss.”
“Ilayo mo nga yang bestfriend mo, Dave.
Inaatake na naman ng pagka abnoy eh,” sabi ko kay
Nof.
Inirapan ako ni Nof. Pikon talaga yun. Pero kahit
ganyan yan, malaki yung utang na loob ko kasi isa
siya sa mga nagbantay sa’kin simula nung ma
confine ako dito. Kahit pa puro pang aasar at
pangbabara lang yung naririnog ko minsan sa kanya,
ayos lang. Hindi ko nga maintindihan kung bakit
iniisip nila Dave na may kung anuman sa’min ni
Nof kasi wala talaga. Para lang siyang kapatid eh.
Wala kasi akong kapatid na babae kaya siguro ganun
ako sa kanya, pwera na lang pag minsan kinukulit
niya ako tungkol kay Dana kasi naaasar talaga ako.
Pero bukod dun? Cool kami ni Nof. Balak ko ngang
ipakilala yung kapatid ko kay Nof eh. Malapit na

551
namang umuwi yata si Kuya Andrew eh, sa States
kasi siya nag aaral ng Business Administration since
siya yung papalit kay Dad. Tutal magbestfriend
naman sila ni Kim, boyfriend-in niya na din yung
kuya ko. Haha!
Ginulo ni Dave yung buhok ni Nof, “tara na nga.
Baka mas lalong hindi makalakad si Andy sa
pangungulit mo eh.”
Dinilaan ko siya.
“Mukhang tanga, Andy,” sabi niya sabay irap.
“Baboy,” sabi ko.
“Bwisit!!” Sabi niya sabay labas ng pinto.
Hahaha! Pikon kasi. Siya kasi yung kumakain ng
pagkain ko dito eh. Ang takaw lang eh.
Bago sundan ng Dave si Nof sa labas, lumapit
muna siya sakin tapos may inabot, “bigay niya.
Hindi pa din siya makapunta eh. Sorry, pare.”
Tumango na lang ako, “sige. Ingat kayo pauwi.”
“Punta kami bukas sa birthday mo.”
Lumabas na si Dave, naiwan na naman ako mag
isa. Sa buong 10 araw na pagsstay ko dito sa ospital,
isang beses pa lang ako dinalaw ni Dana. Ang

552
nakakainis pa dun, yun pa yung panahon na tulog
ako. Pero okay na din siguro yun kaysa wala. Konti
na lang naman eh.. Nararamdaman ko na malapit na
akong sumuko..
Tinignan ko yung bigay niya. Libro. Ngumiti na
lang ako. Kung anu ano yung binibigay niya, libro,
cds, dvds, pero sana magpakita siya sa’kin. Mas
gusto ko yun eh, lalo na na birthday ko bukas. Sa
totoo lang, hindi talaga ako mahilig mag wish pag
birthday ko pero susubukan kong humiling ngayon..
Sana malaman ko na yung dapat kong gawin.
Nahihirapan na din kasi ako..

Cyriel’s Point of View

“Senorito Cyriel, nandyan po ulit si Miss Ynna sa
baba,” sabi nung isa sa mga katulong namin.
Sumagot si Clarence, “sabihin mo namatay na at
byuda na siya. Tss.”
Binato ko siya ng unan, “g@go. Buhay na buhay
pa ko pinapatay mo na.”
Simula nung araw na naaksidente ako, laging
pumupunta si Ynna mula nung nasa ospital ako
hanggang ngayon na nasa bahay na ako. Naawa na

553
din ako sa kanya kasi kahit papano naging
magkaibigan na din kami ni Ynna nung nasa States
kami..
Lumapit sa’kin si Clarence, “sabihin mo nga
sa’kin. Ano ba talaga yung payatot na yun sa’yo?”
Tinulak ko siya, “kaibigan?”
Tumawa siya ng malakas, “t@ngina, Clarence!
Kaibigan? Sigurado ka? Hahaha!”
“Mabait naman kasi si Ynna eh.. Siguro
nagkamali lang siya ng taong minahal kaya siya
ganun. Mabait yun, Clarence. Sa loob ng halos isang
taon na magkasama kami, ni minsan hindi yun
magalit sa’kin. Kahit puro si Dana yung sinasabi ko,
tahimik lang siya tapos iiyak pag mag isa na lang
siya..”
Nagsalita siya, “sigurado kang kaibigan lang?”
“Para kang tanga,” sagot ko. Ano ba kasi yung
gusto niyang sabihin? May gusto ako kay Ynna?
Parang timang nga lang talaga!
“Eh kasi naman, dati pa kita kinukulit na sabihin
na lang natin kila mom at dad yung tungkol sa sakit
niya tapos ayaw mo namang pumayag. Minsan tuloy
napapaisip ako na may gusto ka na dun,” sabi niya.

554
 “Sasabihin ko ulit, mukha kang tanga. Kaibigan
lang, hanggang kaibigan lang ang kaya kong ibigay
sa kanya. Saka isa pa, mahirap na yung
pinagdadaanan ni Ynna. Wag na nating dagdagan.
Alam mo naman kung gano kahirap kapag nalaman
ng mga tao na may sakit ka na ganun..”
Ang alam ko, isa sa mga dahilan niya kaya ayaw
niyang bumalik dati sa Pilipinas ay dahil sa tatay
niya.. Alam niya na ikakahiya siya ng tatay niya pag
nalaman na may sakit siya, lalo na at tatakbo pa
yung tatay niya sa pagka Senador. Ayaw niyang
maging dahilan kung matatalo man ang tatay niya.
Kung hindi lang namatay yung kapatid niya, dun na
siya titira talaga at uuwi naman ako. Kung hindi lang
talaga namatay yung kapatid niya, eh di sana hindi
ganito kagulo yung mga bagay ngayon.
“Oo na. Tss. Bakit ba ang bait mo? Kapatid ba
talaga kita? Pambihira,” sabi niya sabay tayo,
“pasok na nga ako. Ang dami ko pa palang
aasikasuhin eh.”
Lumabas na siya ng kwarto habang naiwan
naman ako mag isa. Sana talaga maging maayos na
lahat. Nakakapagod na din kasi..

555
 Ynna’s point of view
I went to their house to try to see Cyriel. I had to
cancel the wedding last week. Everything has been
set, but still, Cyriel is way more important than the
wedding. I don’t care about the wedding as long as
Cyriel is safe and sound.
I was waiting and sitting on their couch when i
saw Clarence going out.I took the opportunity to
visit Cyriel. I haven’t got the chance to visit him
because he keeps on giving reasons.
I entered his room then he looked my way, “hey,”
i said.
He just stared at me.
I took the liberty and sat on the stool beside his
bed, “i cancelled the wedding,” i casually said. I
know from the bottom of my heart that that’s what
he wanted from the very start. He didn’t want to be
with me, i know, so when he proposed to me by
impulse, i grabbed the chance.
He sighed, “Ynna-—”
I cut him, “but it will still resume once you’re
fine. That’s fine with you, right?” I asked him.
“Ynna, just please-—”

556
 I interrupted again, “i will still wear the same
wedding gown, though. I love the texture and how it
hugged my body. I look great in that, Cy,” i said.
He grabbed me by the shoulders and looked into
my eye, “look, Ynna. We both know that it won’t
work. Please let me go,” he pleaded.
I shook my head, pretending not to hear a thing,
“how about Dana? Did she receive the gown i sent
her last week?”
He didn’t answer.
“Well, anyways, she will look great in that. She’s
my bride’s maid afterall,” i said while forcing a
smile on my face.
*BLAG*
I was shocked when he threw the vase across the
wall.
“C-cy,” i stuttered.
“Ynna, just please tigilan mo na ako.. I will help
you.. I’ll be there for you as a friend.. Sasamahan
kita sa lahat ng theraphy mo at check ups.. But
please do me a favor.. Tigilan mo na ako.. I love
Dana.. You perfectly know that..” he said.

557
 I stood up and started to walk to the door. I wiped
the tear that fell on my cheek.
“The annullment paper will arrive next week,” he
said.
I pretended not to hear anything and continued
walking.

Dana’s Point of View

’Sht.’
I threw another paper in the trash bin. I’ve been
trying my best to squeeze the creative juices of my
brain. I volunteered to help in the designs for the
new collection of FHF to divert my attention. Yeah, i
know i sound desperate. I just can’t help but feel
guilty.
The following day after the accident, i visited
Andy. Good thing he was asleep. I don’t know what
to do if he was awake. I don’t know how to explain
that i didn’t even take a glance at him yesterday,
even though Cyriel’s room is just next to his. I feel
fvcking guilty i don’t want to show my face to him.

558
 After i saw him, i feel even guiltier. He has
scratches and cast on his left leg. He looked terrible
unlike Cyriel. Fvck it, Dana! Andy’s the one who
was in the emergancy room and not Cyriel! But still,
i prioritized Cyriel so i really feel guilty..
flashback..

“Dana?” I turned to see Nof, “can we talk?”

I nodded, “sure.”

She went out first. I went near Andy and placed

the fruits i bought for him on the side table. I
caressed his face, ’get well soon, Andy.’

I went out to see Nof standing near the window

where you can see the view of the garden of the
hospital, “took you long enough, Dana.”

559
 I didn’t answer because of the tone of her voice.
She’s quite angry with me, and i can’t blame her. I
am upset with myself as well. Do you think it is easy
for me? Let me tell you that it’s not. Andy is my
friend and it hurts to see him being like that because
of me.. He didn’t deserve that.. I don’t deserve that
kind of love.. It’s just too much..

“Ano’ng balak mo kay Andy?”

“We’re done and you know it, Nof. Ilang beses ko

nang sinabi sa kanya,” i defended myself.

“Alam ko, but the point is, it’s not enough,

Dana,” she said. I felt myself stiffened. She never
call me Dana, she calls me DK, “tell him you mean
it. Don’t lead him on. You should’ve seen his face
yesterday. It’s priceless,” she said.

560
 “I’m sorry, okay,” i said.

She smiled at me, “wag mo sa’kin yang sabihin,

kay Andy. Pagka sorry mo, sabihin mo na din na
ayaw mo na, na wala na talaga. T@ngina, Dana.
Hindi na uso ang break it to me gently, wag kang
sadista! Sabihin mo ng isang bagsakan para tapos
na. Hindi yung nagmumukha siyang tanga.”

I smiled back at her, “i will. Believe me, i plan to

do that,” i said, “but tell me, do you like him?”

I honestly don’t know if she likes Andy because i

know that she still have feelings for Dave. But
judging from what she was doing these past few
days? Belive me, it’s not that hard to conclude that
she has special feeling for Andy.

561
 She laughed, “Hahaha! Fvck, DK! That was
hillarious. Andy and me? That is mindfvck.
Seriously, i don’t like him in a romantic way. Brother
figure pa siguro, oo. I mean, yeah, i said that i like
him before but that was just to test you. I realized
that you like what you can’t have so i did that. I
thought that maybe you’ll feel threatened and realize
that it’s Andy all along pero hindi ata eh. Ewan. Fail
yung plan.”

I don’t know what to feel. I really thought she

likes Andy..

“So, we’re good?” I asked her.

She hugged me, “naman! Just fix things between

you and Andy, DK. I just see myself in Andy, kaya
much as possible, ayokong maranasan niya yung

562
naranasan ko kay Dave dati. Being second best
sucks.”

I smiled at her, “i know, Nof. I’ll talk to him

soon.”

present..
“Argh!”
I stood up. This is it. I’ll talk to Andy to remove
all these excess baggage of guilty feelings inside me.
I went first to buy something for Andy. I’ve been
buying things for him since i didn’t have the guts to
visit him. After buying, i drove immediately to the
hosptal to see Andy.
I took a glance to check if Andy’s there, and he
is. He’s sitting on the edge of his bed, trying to
stand. I just watched him trying his best to stand and
being frustrated at the same time, and the mement he
stumbled, i impulsively went near him and helped
him to stand.

563
 “D-dana,” he uttered.
I forced a smile, “sorry. Took me long enough to
show my face,” i said as i was helping him to sit
 back on his bed,
“Wala yun, buti na lang nandito ka na. Kumain ka
na ba? May pagkain dito pero baka-—”
I interrupted him, “i’m still full. Anyways, i came
here to say something, Andy,” i said then took a
deep breath, “i’m sorry, Andy,” i said.
He smiled, “wala ’yun. Nabisita mo na naman
ako ngayon eh. Tsaka binibigyan mo naman ako
nung books and cds kaya okay na yun, wag ka nang
magsorry,” he said with a forced smile on his face.
I shook my head, “i’m really sorry about that one
but that’s not what i meant.. I’m very sorry about us,
Andy. I just can’t do this anymore..” i explained to
him. Alam ko naman na mahihirapan akong sabihin
sa kanya to pero when i am actually in the situation,
it’s just thrice harder. And it’s getting even harder
seeing that look on his face.
He forced a laugh and wipe the tear on his cheek,
“sorry. Naiiyak lang kasi talaga ako,” he said.

564
 I can’t stand to see him like this. He isn’ the same
Andy i knew.. Wala na yung Andy na carefree and
full of confidence.. I destroyed him.. I made him
who he is right now.. Weak.
“I’m sorry, Andy..” i said again. That’s all i got to
say. I am sorry. I am sorry for hurting him.
He’s still crying, “stop telling you are sorry,
Dana. Loving you is one of the greatest thing i ever
did,” he said.
No matter how hard i tried, i cannot stop my
tears. We are now both crying.
He smiled, “thank you for everything, Dana.”
I smiled back and hugged him.
“Thank you for this break up. Thank you for
showing me that you’re sad about this. Kahit totoo
man o hindi, thank you,” he said then kissed the side
of my head.

Andy’s Point of View

Pagkatapos umalis ni Dana, napatingin na lang
ako sa wall clock.

565
 October 29, 12:08 a.m.
“Happy Birthday, Andy. Happy birthday,” sabi ko
sa sarili ko.

Nof’s Point of View

I know that it’s wrong to listen to someone else’s
conversation. But i just can’t help it, i unconsciously
listened to Andy and Dana’s conversation. And i feel
fvcking horrible for Andy. 
The moment Dana left, i didn’t come in first. I
gave him first the time and space he needs. 
“Andy?” I said as i approached him. He wiped
his tears as if he can hide the fact that he’s been
crying since Dana walked out the door.
“Hey,” he said with a smile plastered on his face.
He made room for me and i sat on the side of his
bed, “apples?” I asked him.
He nodded. I gave him apples and he started
eating it but i can still see his lips trembling from his
effort to refrain from crying.

566
 “Idiot,” i said, “umiyak ka kung gusto mo. Don’t
hold it in.”
He smiled, “i’ll look gay if i cry,” he tried to joke.
’Yeah right. But you don’t mind crying in front of
DK,’ i said to myself.
I smirked, “dami mong alam. What happened
earlier? I think i saw DK coming out of this room?”
I said as if i didn’t eavesdrop.
“We broke up,” he casually said.
“Then?”
“We broke up. Wala na. Tapos na,” he replied.
I clapped my hands and said, “way to go,
Guzman. Akala ko pa naman magpapakamatay ka
pag nawala si DK. Seeing you still alive and
breathing is a good sign,” i said with sarcasm.
He smirked at me, “yeah right,” then he patted
my head, “take care of yourself, Nof. Wag ka ng
magselos kay Sara and Dave, wala ka ng magagawa.
They’re hooked with each other. Si Kim tignan mo
once in a while, gago pa naman si Clarence. Pati si
Dana, look after her for me,” he said.

567
 I looked at him in daze, “what the hell,
Guzman?? What was that? Your last testament??”
He chuckled, “baliw. I’ll be flying to States
tomorrow.”
“What?!!”
He spoke, “for recovery purposes? Pupuntahan
namin yung kuya ko dun, haven’t seen him for so
long. You should meet him,” then he winked at me,
“look, Nof. I’m doing this for my self, and for Dana
and Cy as well. I’ll be gone just for months. Dun na
din ako magrereview for the board exam and to
forget as well. Bestfriend ko si Cyriel kaya ayoko na
may sama kami ng loob, and as well as Dana.
Birthday gift ko na din sa sarili ko. New beginning
perhaps? Ewan ko.”
I hugged him, “babalik ka ha?”
He chuckled, “oo nga. Para ka talagang bata.”
I smacked his arms, “mas bata naman kasi talaga
ako sa’yo! Gurang ka na kasi,” i teased.
“Ipapakilala talaga kita sa kuya ko. Andrew
Guzman, remember that name, Nof,” he winked at
me.

568
 Chapter 53

Chapter 53
Dana’s Point of View
“Another glass of martini, please,” i asked for
another order.
After the talk i had with Andy, i went straight to
some random bar. I need to clear my mind. I had
plenty of drinks but i’m still sober. Fvck. Kaya nga
ako pumunta dito para makalimot tapos pati yun
hindi ko pa magawa?! I’m doomed. And messed up.
After i finished drinking, i called our driver to
drive me to my condo. I know myself  that i can still
drive but i won’t take the risk. I won’t take the risk
of dying because of some petty reason: driving
under the influence of alcohol. What a lame excuse.
After all that i have been through, i will just die
because of that pathetic reason? The heck!
When i got to the condo, i went to the convinient
store in our building first to buy something to drink.
Yeah, i know i’m a drunkard. I went straight to my
unit after that. I don’t want to go home because i’m
pretty sure mom will ask me hundreds of questions

569
and i absolutely have no patience for that as of now.
I will drink ’till i can barely think straight, ’till i
already lost track of time.
I can’t understand myself.. I did the right thing,
right? Tama naman na tinigil ko na, di ba? I don’t
want to continue things na alam ko naman na
walang patutunguhan.. I care for Andy. We’ve been
friends for almost three years..
I should’ve have done this before pero hindi ko
ginawa kasi natatakot ako.. Natatakot akong saktan
si Andy. Pero nung ginawa ko na kanina? Fvck! I
can’t even look at him.. Everytime i see him cry, it
hurts me. It kills me. I know Andy, hindi siya
umiiyak basta basta. Ako lang naman ang iniiyakan
niya. I should be proud but i can’t.. Why would i be
proud kung alam ko na sa tuwing umiiyak siya, ako
yung dahilan?!
I looked at the picture beside my bed, Cy and me,
smiling. 
“You’re worth the fight, right? Hindi mo ako
sasaktan, di ba Cy? Iniwan ko na si Andy.. Sinaktan
ko na siya.. Sana naman maging masaya na tayo..
Ang dami nang nasaktan eh..”

570
 Nof’s Point of View
“Nof?”
Ugh! Kainis talaga yang Guzman na yan! Aalis
na nga siya bukas tapos hindi pa niya sinasabi sa
kanila. Ano ba gusto niya? Ako pa magsabi?? Ano
ako? Spokesperson nya?? Kapal lang, please!
“Nof!!!”
“What?” Kainis naman ’tong si Kim, nag iisip
ako tapos bigla na lang akong itutulak.
She pouted, “kasi naman, ngayon na nga lang
tayo ulit magbobonding tapos spaced out ka pa.
Kainis.”
I rolled my eyes, “daming alam. Besides, ikaw
nga jan ang busy lagi jan sa Clarence mo tapos ako
pa sinisisi mo. Tss.”
“Eeeh! Boyfriend ko naman kasi yun eh. Hehe,”
tapos kumuha na ulit siya ng black pumps,
“anyways, ano ba kasi yung iniisip mo? Share
naman,” sabi niya habang tina try yung pumps.
Sasabihin ko ba kay Kim? Ugh! Kainis talaga!
Bakit ko ba kasi pino problema yun? As if naman
hindi babalik yun. Babalik daw siya di ba?? Tsaka
uso pa ba ang despedida? 

571
 “Ah-eh, aalis kasi si Andy bukas..”
Tumingin tingin pa din siya sa mga sapatos sa
rack, shoppaholic talaga ’to, “ooh. San naman
magpupunta yun? Bakasyon ba? Patapos na kaya
yung sembreak..”
“Sa States,” i said while fidgetting.
“Wow. 5 days na lang ah before-— right.
Graduate na nga pala siya. Figures. Pero akala ko ba
sa review center siya sa labas ng St. Claire’s
magrereview?”
“Change of plans. Sa States na niya itutuloy,” i
said.
“But why??!”
I shrugged, “ganun eh. Besides, break na sila ni
Dana.”
“What?!!” sabi niya with wide eyes, “for real??”
I shook my head, “pwedeng wag masyadong
obvious na masaya ka? Ang lungkot na nga ng tao
eh.. What a friend you are..”
She smiled sheepishly, “sorry naman! Daniel
shipper kasi ako!”

572
 Napailing na lang ako. Ayan na naman siya sa
Daniel at Dandy niya. Ano ba sila Dana, Andy, at
Cyriel, artista? Bakit gumawa pa siya ng couple
name? Weird bestfriend.
“So break na sila for real tapos aalis ngayon si
Andy sa States. Sana naman maayos na din yung sa
annulment para okay na ang lahat,” sabi niya ng
tuloy tuloy.
Annulment? Sino ang kinasal? Kinasal ba si
Andy at Dana?? 
“Annulment??”
Bigla namang naging uneasy si Kim, “ah-eh,”
sabi niya while shifting her weight from one foot to
the other.
“Kim?”
She inhaled, “ang daldal ko naman!! Ugh!”
“Spill,” i said.
“Fine. Pero don’t tell anybody ha?”
I nodded. Kinwento niya sakin yung about kay
Cyriel at Ynna. Wow. I never thought na kinasal na
pala sila. At kung kasal na pala sila, ibig sabihin
mistress si DK? Great. Never did i imagine na

573
papayag si DK sa ganung set up.. I look up to DK so
much and i’m disappointed. But who am i? She’s all
grown up, alam niya na ang ginagawa niya. Andy is
a great guy, sana lang worth it yung ginawa niyang
pagbitaw kay Andy.
“How’s the annulment process?” I asked Kim.
She shrugged, “wala akong alam. Si boyfie ang
umaasikaso eh. But by the looks of it, mejo malabo
since ayaw talagang makipag cooperate ni Ynna and
ayaw din ni Cyriel na ipasabi sa parents nila yung
sakit ni Ynna. Haay. Ang complicated ng buhay
nila..”
I smiled, “they chose that, Kim. Lahat ng
nangyayari, pinili mo. And since yun ang pinili nila,
they must live with the consequences.”
Tumaas yung kilay niya, “uhhm, basta don’t tell
Andy, ha? Baka kasi magbago pa yung isip niya pag
nalaman niya yung sa kasal ni Ynna at Cy..”
I smiled again, “don’t worry, ako ang huling tao
na magsasabi kay Andy niyan..”
“Huh?”
“It’s all up to Dana now, Kim. It’s her call. Hindi
ko sasabihin yun kay Andy because i don’t want him

574
to go around again chasing Dana,” i said.
She looked at me with curious eyes, “ikaw ha, do
you like Andy??”
I rolled my eyes, “pati ba naman ikaw?? Wala
nga akong gusto dun. Please lang, Kim. We’re
bestfriends and you know me, Andy’s not my type
of guy.”
“Fine, fine,” sabi niya.
After shopping, we called others and went to
Andy’s house para sa ’rushed’ send-off party kay
Andy. Ugh! Guzman talaga na yan oh!

Ynna’s Point of View

I watched the annulment paper being burned into
ashes.
“I’m sorry, Cy.. I just can’t let you go.. I’m
sorry..”
I went to the doctor yesterday for my check up.
The medicines aren’t working anymore, and the
virus in my blood just keeps on spreading in my

575
system. The painkillers don’t help me at all.. It
hurts..
“Señorita Ynna?” I turned around to the maid
who called me, “may naghahanap po sa inyo..”
“Sino daw?”
“Clarence Perez daw po..”
I smiled to myself, “sabihin mo bababa na ako..”
Ganun na ba ako ka ayaw makita ni Cyriel para
papuntahin niya pa yung kuya niya dito? Sabagay,
who would want to see me? I look so thin and pale..
and i have many bruises. I don’t look like Ynna
Henares anymore.. I am not Ynna Henares. The
Ynna i knew isn’t like this. The Ynna i knew is
confident and beautiful, and me? I already lost that. I
am a good for nothing, dying person.
I went down and saw Clarence standing near the
door, he turned around and saw me, “do you have a
minute?”
I nodded.
We went to the garden to talk. Good thing my
parents isn’t around. They are both busy for Dad’s
campaign for Senatorial elections.

576
 “What brings you here?” I straight-forwardly
asked. I don’t know Clarence that much. He won’t
talk to me and i don’t have the guts to talk to him
because of the smug look he always wears.
“Annulment,” he said.
I smiled at him, “i burned it.”
He smirked.
“Let’s stop fooling around, Clarence. I won’t sign
the annulment paper kahit ano pa ang gawin niyo.
Ang dami ko ng ginawa to get this far, sa tingin mo
basta basta ko na lang itatapon yung pinaghirapan
ko?”
He took a deep breath, “i don’t want to this but
you leave me with no choice..”
I can feel my palms getting sweaty. Clarence isn’t
like Cy.. When he wants something, he’ll get it by
hook or by crook.. whatever means he must use.
“Black propaganda for your father. Ayaw mo
naman siguro ng negative publicity para sa tatay
mo?”
I smiled at him, “you won’t do that.”
“What makes you think i can’t do that?”

577
 I said, “magagalit sa’yo si Cyriel pag ginawa mo
yun, Clarence. And believe me, you don’t want that.
You’re really not in good terms with Cyriel; lately
lang kayo naging close ulit. Lahat ng babaeng gusto
niyang ligawan sa’yo napupunta, well, Dana is the
only exception since Kim’s your girlfriend.”
He shook his head, “seems like i’ve
underestimated you, Henares. But like i’ve said, i
can do that.”
“You won’t. Cyriel won’t allow you,” i calmly
said.
He stood up, “we’ll see.”

Andy’s Point of View

Dadalin ko pa ba yung mga damit ko? Psh.
Bumili na lang kaya ako dun? Nyeta naman! Bakit
ba kasi bukas na agad yung alis ko?? Minsan talaga
hindi ko ginagamit yung utak ko eh. Tsaka
magdadala pa ba ako ng baggage eh ni hindi nga ako
makalakad ng maayos. Psh.
May kumatok sa pinto, “sir, nanjan po yung mga
kaibigan niyo sa baba.”

578
 Tumango na lang ako tsaka tinignan yung
maletang nakabukas sa kama ko.
’Tss. Bagong status, bagong buhay, bagong
graduate. Bibili na lang din ako ng damit dun para
bago. Sayang naman yung kinikita ng tatay ko kung
si kuya Andrew lang ang makikinabang.’
Bumaba ng dahan dahan ako sa first floor ng
makita ko si Dave, Sara, Kim, Nof, at si Cyriel?
Umakyat si Dave at tinulungan akong bumaba.
“Uh, bakit kayo nandito?”
Sa loob loob ko, nagdadasal ako na sana hindi
sinabi nung baboy na yun sa kanila na aalis ako. Tss.
Ayoko ng drama. Sawang sawa na ako. Tsaka
babalik naman ako bago mag April? May board
exam pa ako eh.
Tinignan ko si Nof, “despedida party?”
Bumuntong hininga ako, “seriously, wag na.
Parang tanga lang.”
Lumapit sa’kin si Dave, “talagang wala kang
balak sabihin samin na aalis ka?”
Napakamot na lang ako sa batok, “para kang
bakla, pare. States lang yun eh.”

579
 “Tss. States lang daw,” side comment ni Nof.
“Madaldal na baboy,” sabi ko.
“Para walang gulo, tutulungan ka na lang namin
mag empake?”
Bumuntong hininga na lang ako, “oo na.”
Nauna na sialng umakyat sa kwarto ko para
ayusin yung gamit ko. Alam na siguro ni Dave yung
mga kailangan kong dalin since palagi naman siyang
bumabyahe.
“Bakit ka aalis?” Biglang sabi ni Cyriel nung
makaalis na sila Dave.
“Bitter ako sa’yo eh,” sabi ko ng pabiro. Ayoko
na kasing mag away kami. Oo, mahal ko si Dana,
mahal na mahal, pero mahalaga din sa’kin yung
pagkakaibigan namin ni Cyriel. Nawala na sa’kin si
Dana, hindi na ko papayag na pati yung
pinagsamahan at pagsasamahan pa namin ay
mawala.
Biglang sumeryoso yung mukha niya, “kung
dahil ’to kay Dana, wag ka -—”
Hindi ko siya pinatuloy magsalita, “pare, suko na
ako kay Dana. Totoo na ’to.”

580
 “Pero bakit ka pa din aalis?”
“Uh, dun ako magrereview? Tsaka siguro
sasamahan ko na dun si kuya. Dun din kasi titira si
mama hanggang Christmas eh,” sabi ko sa kanya.
Pero parang hindi pa din siya naniniwala, “oo na.
Magmomove on ako dun. Pare naman, hindi ako
masokista. Sawang sawa na din akong saktan yung
sarili ko. Baka siguro dun makalimutan ko si Dana?
Hay ewan. Basta, dun muna ako.”
Seryoso pa din yung mukha niya, “galit ka
sa’kin?”
Umismid ako, “siguro?”
Sinabi ko na yung totoo. Siguro kahit naman
sabihin kong hindi, mahahalata niya din. Hindi na
kami gaya nung dati. Iba na talaga. Oo, ayos kaming
nag uusap ngayon pero mapapansin mo talaga na
may nagbago.
Tinuloy ko yung sinasabi ko, “pero sabi nga nila,
’time heals almost all wounds..’ Siguro kasama na
dun sa almost na yun yung pinagsamahan natin,”
ngumiti ako, “ang dami kong sinasabi. Akyat na
tayo?”
“Babalik ka?”

581
 Tumango ako, “oo nga. Para kayong bading,
kung namimiss niyo yung ka gwapuhan ko, dalawin
niyo ko dun. Para namang wala kayong pambili ng
ticket. Tss.”
Ngumiti siya, “hihintayin ka namin.”
“Malamang oo! Pag ako kinalimutan niyo.. saka
pare, alagaan mo si Dana, ha?”
Ngumiti siya, “oo naman.”
Tapos nun, tinulungan niya akong umakyat.
Nawala man si Dana, nandito pa naman si Cyriel
at mga kaibigan ko. Kaya ko ’to.

Nof’s Point of View

Nauna na kaming umakyat. Tss. Walang
kwentang host talaga yang si Guzman, pabayaan
daw ba kami sa kwarto niya??   Paano kung may
cleptomaniac pala sa’min? Eh di nawalan siya ng
gamit ng wala sa oras??
“OMG!! Who’s this hottie?”
Napatingin kami nila Sara kay Kim,
pinapakailaman niya kasi yung photoalbums ni

582
Andy.
Lumapit si Dave sa kanya, “uh, si Andrew, kuya
ni Andy.”
“Hmp. Sayang naman at may boyfriend na ako.
He’s a major hottie!!”
Nyeta naman. Nakaka curious yang Andrew
Guzman na yan!!
“Kaibigan ni Clarence yan, Kim. Wala kang pag
asa,” sabi ni Dave.
Dumila naman si Kim, “as if. Lahat ng lalaking
gusto ko, nakukuha ko. Proven and tested!!”
Nagpatuloy lang kami sa pag aayos ng gamit
niya. Dadalhin ba niya lahat ng gamit niya? Eh may
bahay naman yata sila dun. Besides, hindi niya din
kailangan ng damit. Bumili na lang siya dun.
“Uh, hindi ko ma contact si Dana..” sabi ni Sara.
Kanina pa namin siya tinatawagan since wala
siya sa bahay nila. Well, kung ako ang tatanungin,
mas gusto ko na nandito siya para makita niyang
aalis si Andy. Sadista ako, i know. Gusto kong
makitang nasasaktan si DK.. or at least makonsensya
man lang.

583
 I shrugged, “it’s fine. Maybe she doesn’t want to
be here anyways,” i said.
Sumama naman yung tingin ni Sara. 
Magsasalita sana ako nung dumating sila Andy,
“kain tayo? Umorder kami ng pizza,” sabi niya ng
nakangiti habang nakaakbay kay Cyriel para
makatayo since ayaw niyang gamitin yung clutch
niya.
Hinga, Nof. Kung si Cyriel at Andy
nagkakaintindihan, iintindihin ko na lang din si Sara
at DK.

584
 Chapter 54

Chapter 54
Dana’s Point of View
’Shit,’ i muttered to myself. My head hurts like
hell!
Where the hell am i?
Tumingin ako sa paligid ko only to find out na
nandito pala ako sa condo ko. Nice. It’s been a year
simula nung huli kong punta dito. I moved out
simula nung umalis si Cyriel papuntang States. I
went back home because i don’t think i can live
alone during those times. I was hurt, no, that’s a
shitty understatement, i was devastated. Devastated
beyond repair.
I originally thought na wala na akong pag asa. I
felt like a robot. I was doing the things i need to do.
I need to study for my parents, and i bully Jamie
because that’s the only way i found consolation for
what her sister did to me. Yeah, i’ve been a good girl
gone bad. I already accepted that. Sanay na ako eh.
What did i do for these to happen to me? Laging
kong tanong sa sarili ko dati. Ganun na ba kasamang

585
maging masaya? Ang gusto ko lang naman ay
sumaya pero parang ang hirap gawin. What the hell
is wrong with me para lagi na lang akong lokohin?
At first, si Jarred, then si Andy, tapos ngayon si
Cyriel din? God! Am i not that worthy to be loved or
is it that i am just too damn naive because i am
always being played at?
I smiled to myself after reminiscing, ’i’ve really
come too far.’
I arranged myself first then i went to the nearest
convinience store to buy aspirin then i went to a cafe
and ordered three shot espresso, just what i needed.
I sat there for quite some time. Medyo masama
pa din yung pakiramdam ko kaya nandun muna ako.
I don’t want to hear my mom’s sermon pag nakita
niya yung itsura ko. My eyes look blood shot. I look
like i cried the whole night. Yeah, i think i kinda did.
I feel horrible. Fcking horrible!
News flash: I just broke up with Andy during his
birthday. During his birthday. And i just realized it
after i said the word i can’t do this anymore.
Looks like i really lived up to my title, i really am
a bad girl.

586
 I checked my phone after drinking my coffee.
20 messages.
30 missed calls.
I immediately opened the messages. Most of it
came from Sara.
From: BestySara
Where are you, Dana???? Aalis na si Andy
ngayon papuntang States!! Hindi ka man lang ba
magpapakita??
’Fck, “i almost dropped my phone.
I immediately hailed a cab pagkatapos kong
mabasa yung mga texts nila. Damn, Dana! Bakit
naman kasi kagabi mo pa napiling uminom?? Of all
the dates, bakit October 29 pa?! Fck!
Pagdating ko sa kanila, nakita ko agad yung
guards nila. I went out and approached them, “uhm,
si Andy po?”
They knew me since i frequently came here for
almost everyday for more than a month.
Nakakatuwang isipin na tumagal din pala kami ni
Andy ng ganung katagal. Pero kung iisipin? Sandali

587
lang. A month? Not enough for all the things we’ve
been through. It felt like a year.
“Ay naku, ma’am Dana, nakaalis na po kagabi.
Dun po daw siya hanggang April. Ewan ko lang po
kung uuwi siya ng pasko..,” i didn’t respond. No, i
cannot speak.
“Ma’am Dana? Hindi niyo po ba alam?”
I just said thanks and went back inside the cab.
“District 5,” i said to the driver.
I cannot process what i just heared. Si Andy.
States. April. I-i just can’t.. I can’t even understand
myself!
When i arrived at District 5, i immediately
ordered absinthe. Fck. I just drank yesternight then
here i am again, drinking myslef to death early in the
morning.

Nof’s Point of View

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.
Nagstretching muna ako. Nakakapagod naman
kasi yung ginawa namin kagabi. Since birthday slash

588
despedida party ni Andy kagabi, nag movie
marathon kami at kumain ng pizza. Define pizza! 10
boxes para sa aming 6?? Hayop kasi yang Guzman
na yan, libre na niya daw hanggang April. Kuripot!
Birthday na birthday eh. Tss.
Nag ayos nga din kami ng gamit niya, at since
pilay naman siya (yeah, tinutukso namin siya ni Kim
ng pilay. Hahaha!) hindi na masyadong mabigat
yung hand carry niya. Ipapaship na lang yung iba
niyang gamit. Sus! Para naman kasing hindi na siya
babalik. Daming alam eh!!
After kong magbreakfast, lumabas na ako para
pumunta ng school. Enrollment again. Second
semester na. Next year, graduating na kami. Ang
bilis lang.
Sumakay na ako sa sasakyan ko since magkikita
na lang kami ni Kim dun sa St. Claire’s para parehas
ulit kami ng schedule. Si DK? Bahala siya. I don’t
care as of now. Honestly. Hindi pa din ako maka
move on sa nalaman ko na mas pinili niyang maging
kabit kaysa kay Andy. Pathetic choice. But then
again, who am i to judge eh ni hindi ko nga alam
kung ano ang pinagdaanan nila ni Cyriel. And i have
no intentions of knowing.  I support Andy at
kuntento na ako na yun ang alam ko.

589
 Papunta na sana ako ng St. Claire’s ng parang
makita ko si DK sa loob ng taxi tapos lumiko
papasok sa subdivision nila Andy. Seriously? Nasan
siya kagabi?? Halos hindi na maipinta yung mukha
ni Andy tapos may angst pa siyang pumunta sa
bahay nila. Psh.
Instead of going straight to St. Claire’s, i
followed here. District 5. Nice choice, DK. Looks
like we’re going to have a drunken talk.

Dana’s Point of View

“Where were you?” napatingin ako sa gilid ko
only to see Nof sitting on the stool beside me.
“Condo,” i replied shortly. I don’t want to argue
with her right now. I have too much on my plate.
Ynna, Cyriel, then Andy. I cannot handle another
issue with her. It’s just too much.
She sipped the martini she ordered, “hmm, i see.
Do you know the date yesterday?”
“October 29,” i answered.
“Then?”

590
 Good Lord, please help me help myself. She’s my
friend even if she’s bitching with me right now. I
don’t want to lose her. I cannot afford to lose
someone again.
I didn’t answer, “grabe, DK. You’ve been friends
for how long? 2 years? Tapos hindi mo man lang
alam na birthday niya kagabi. A simple happy
birthday would do,” she said.
I still didn’t respond.
“Sabagay, you must thought that a happy birthday
wouldn’t do so you opted for a better idea, breaking
up with him on his birthday. Epic,” she said.
I cannot contain myself anymore. She’s been
mocking me!!
I looked at her and slapped her, “Nof Salvador,
listen to me! You are not me. You have no fcking
idea how fcked up my life is. Ano ba talagang gusto
mo? Sabi mo makipagbreak na ako kay Andy, and i
did! Then ngayon pupunta ka dito and tell me na ang
sama sama kong tao? Give me a break, please! Tao
lang din ako. Hindi ba pwedeng dahilan yun??”
She looked at me as well then smiled, “i don’t
deserve that slap,” she said then she slapped me,
“we’re quits.”

591
 Buti na lang wala pang masyadong tao sa bar
kaya hindi kami nakakaagaw ng eksena.
“I told you to break up with him.. but not on his
birthday. October 28 or 30. I don’t fcking care. Bakit
29?? You’ve been toying around since when? Since
September? Halos isang buwan yun, Dana Kathryn
Ferrer! Sa loob ng 30 days na yun, talagang Octiber
29 pa yung napili mo? Come on, that’s bullsht! I
knew you’re a bitch but hell..”
I tried to hold back my tears, i don’t know why
i’m crying, “bakit ka ba nagagalit sa’kin? Kasalanan
ko ba? Sorry na! Hindi na ba pwedeng magsorry?
Look, Nof, tao lang din ako. Nagkakamali. My life
is so messed up. Sorry kung nakipagbreak ako sa
birthday niya, sorry kung hindi ko naalala na
birthday niya. Sorry!!”
She didn’t answer. Nakatingin lang siya sa’kin
while i was crying.
“What? Hindi mo ko sisigawan? Come on, shout
at me! Masama ako, di ba? Lagi ko lang sinasaktan
si Andy, di ba? Selfish ako, di ba? Fck! Oo na! Ako
na lahat yun!”
I got my things and stood up.
“Sorry,” she whispered.

592
 I looked back at her, “you thought i’m a bitch?
Well then, news flash: I’m a bitch. Sorry for that.”

Nof’s Point of View

“bakit ka ba nagagalit sa’kin? Kasalanan ko ba?

Sorry na! Hindi na ba pwedeng magsorry? Look,
Nof, tao lang din ako. Nagkakamali. My life is so
messed up. Sorry kung nakipagbreak ako sa
birthday niya, sorry kung hindi ko naalala na
birthday niya. Sorry!!”

I was left alone. Sht, Nof! You just ruined

everything! My stupid impulses!
I honestly don’t know what to say to DK. I was
just dumbfounded. I thought she didn’t care that’s
why i kind of hated her.. But heck!
I followed DK outside and saw her hail a cab.
She’s still crying.
’Stupid mouth!!!’

593
 Cyriel’s Point of View
“Ginagawa mo?”
Nandito ako sa office ni Clarence sa bahay. Yeah,
may office siya sa bahay. Workaholic di lang halata.
“Business stuffs, wag ka ngang magulo,” he said
then pinagpatuloy lang niya yung pagbabasa.
I sat on the chair adjacent to him. Kinuha ko
yung ilang files tapos sinubukan kong basahin. In
less than 2 years, tutulungan ko na din si Clarence
magmanage ng business namin. Good thing na siya
ang tagapagmana talaga. I don’t want to follow their
footsteps. I want to become an engineer, and Dana’s
husband. I have no intentions of being the next
CEO. But i still need to work there. Good thing ako
ang magiging head ng paggawa ng infrastructures
and some matters. I need to work for our future.
Though my trust fund would be enough, mas
maganda pa din na ensured ang future ni Dana with
me.
After scanning through some files, i saw
something.
“Ano ’to?” I scowled at him.

594
 “Ha?”
I crumpled the paper on my hands. Kumuha pa
siya ng private investigator para kay Ynna at sa
campaign ng tatay nito, “i thought we’re clear on
this, Clarence?!”
“Whoa, chill lang, Cyriel,” sabi niya sa’kin.
“Sabi ko na nga na wag mong pakielamanan si
Ynna. Just please don’t. Annulment lang ang
hinihingi ko, Clarence. Don’t intrude with other
things,” i said. No, i pleaded. I know my brother.
Gagawin niya pag gusto niya that is why ayokong
humingi ng tulong sa kanya nung una. He’ll destroy
Ynna. That is just his nature, lahat ng kumakalaban
sa kanya, natatalo.
He sighed, “you’re too good for your sake, lil
bro.”
“Alam ko,” i replied.
“Ayaw mong ipasabi na may sakit siya, di ba?”
I nodded.
“Kalimutan mo na din yung annulment,” sabi
niya sabay tayo at labas ng office.

595
 Clarence’s Point of View
Psh.
Lintek na payatot na yan. Tama nga siya sa sinabi
niya kay Cyriel. Nyeta!
Lumabas muna ako at baka magkasubukan pa
kami ni Cyriel. Mahirap na.
Nagsigarilyo muna ako. Occasional smoker lang
naman.
Tignan lang natin, Henares. Game on.

Andy’s Point of View

Jetlagged. Ang sakit sa ulo. Natulog muna ako
pagdating na pagdating ko sa Miami. Actually, sa
California talaga dapat ang punta ko dahil andun sila
kuya at mom pero nagpa change flight ako at dito
pumunta since may rest house naman kami dito.
Ang ganda ng view. Iba din ang time zone.
Kakapanibago. Pero it’s just what i needed. A new
start.
Binuksan ko yung laptop ko para sana
magreview. Kailangan kong magtop sa board exam!

596
I need to redeem myself!
Napatigil ako sa nakita ko. Picture nga pala
namin ni Dana yung desktop background ko.
I smiled to myself, “chicks talaga si Amanda
Seyfried.”
Oo, pinalitan ko na yung background. First step
to moving on? Acceptance.

597
 Chapter 55

Chapter 55
A week after.
Dana’s Point of View
Inhale. Exhale.
I’m here at Nof’s house. Agenda? To make
amends. I know i’ve been melodramatic last week.
Last week was.. hell. It probably could be
considered as one of the worst weeks of my life.
Seriously. It was just a week. Seven days but it
friggin’ felt like a month. 
Just as i was about to walk towards their gate, i
saw Nof. She went out to jog, apparently. 
“Uh, hi?” I sheepishly said. Come on, she
slapped me last week pero ako pa yung nahihiya sa
kanya! Something must be really wrong about me!
She seemed taken aback by my greeting because
her jaw almost fell, “uh, DK..”
I again took a deep breath, gathering all my guts,
“look, Nof. I’m here to say sorry,” i said, “it’s been a

598
week and..” i hesitated to continue. It’s hard to admit
that i kinda missed her, “i miss you. The whole cold
war really sucks. We belong to the same group but
we avoid each other.. so yeah.. can we just go back
to normal? I mean, it’s been a week. Long
excruciating week. Siguro naman, you already
forgave me for what i did? I already explained,
right?” I asked, taking my chances.
Smile slowly crossed her face, “thought you’d
never ask,” then she pulled me for a hug, “i was
about to go to your house. Really. Sorry, DK. Just
my stupid, impulsive self. Sorry,” she said.
I smiled, “i hope you don’t mind pero.. take a
bath, will you? Kaka jog mo lang eh.”
“Yeah right,” she rolled her eyes. 
We went inside her house. Apparently, may party
mamaya sa school. Sem starter stuffs. Remember
last sem? Yung carnival. Yeah. Jamie stuffs.. I can’t
believe it was just a sem. So many things had
happened in a very short span of time! Jamie died,
Ynna has HIV, Andy left.. and i became a mistress.
Yeah. It was damn hard to admit at first but i can’t
change the fact that i am just like that.  A mistress.
Never once in my life i thought i’ll become one. But

599
who can ever tell, right? Because here i am, a living
proof.
Since there’s a party, a date is kinda required. Not
required by the school but required by the society.
And since Cyriel is going with Ynna, i’ll go solo. I
was really upset at first. Really upset. But then, ano
bang magagawa ko kung maiinis ako? Wala naman
di ba? Will it change the fact na hindi ako ang
priority ni Cyriel? Hindi naman di ba? I’m already
19, turning 20 this December. I’m old enough to be
rational over things. 
“You ready?” tanong ni Nof after taking a bath.
I nodded, “Kila Kim daw tayo. She said her make
up artists will come this afternoon. Dun na lang din
daw tayo.”
She nodded, “okay. Kunin ko lang yung dress
ko.”
Umakyat ulit siya sa kwarto niya. I don’t know if
i’m just selfish or what pero i’m kind of happy na
single si Nof. I mean, yeah, i have Cyriel but he’s
not exclusive. In some ways, i feel lonely. Kim is
with Clarence and Sara is with Dave, good thing Nof
is single so i won’t feel left alone. 
“Ready to go?” I nodded then we drove to Kim’s.

600
 Andy’s Point of View
Boring.
Good thing about Miami? The beaches. Bad thing
about it? Pilay ako!! 
Nandito lang ako sa loob ng resthouse. Konti na
lang talaga, makakabisado ko na yung reviewer ko.
Isang linggo ko na talaga siyang binabasa. Nakaka
bwisit din pala. I still have five months to review
pero isang linggo pa lang, tinatamad na ako. Good to
go, Guzman. Magiging top notcher ka kasi talaga sa
lagay na ’yan!
Lumabas ako sa balcony. Apparently, over
looking sa beach yung resthouse namin. Magkano
kaya ang bili nila dito? Oh well, paki ko ba?
Hahaha!
“Chicks,” sabi ko. Eto talaga ang maganda sa
Miami, girls in bikinis.
Nakita ko na ba si Dana na naka bikini?
Erase. Erase.
Walang Dana ngayong bakasyon.

601
 Amanda Seyfried. Anne Curtis. Anne Hathaway.
Dana Ferr-—
Wala ka ng pag asa, Andy. (-_-)
Papasok na sana ako sa loob ng may tumama sa
akin, “sorry!” Narinig kong may sumigaw.
Napatingin ako. Ang lakas naman pumalo nun,
umabot pa dito.
Hinagis ko pabalik yung bola ng volleyball, “no
problem.”
Bumalik na lang ako sa sala tapos nanood ng
movies. Tangna. Ang boring talaga dito!! Wala man
lang ako makausap. Tch. Bumili kaya ako ng aso?
Tangna, malala na ko. Kahit aso papatulan ko na,
may makausap lang.
*door bell*
’Sht naman.’
Naglakad ako papunta sa pinto. Ang hirap pa din
maglakad. Hindi ko kasi ginagamit yung crutches
para mas mapadali yung recovery. Come on!
Kailangan ko ng makalakad! Second step to moving
on? Explore your choices. Araw araw na makakita
ng babaeng naka bikini? Tangna, dude! Kailangan
ko ng makalakad as soon as possible!!

602
 “Uhm, hello?” sabi nung babae sa harap ko.
Brunette.
Tinignan ko lang siya. Delikado. Kamukha na
naman ni Dana. Bakit parang lahat ng babae
nagiging kamukha ni Dana??
“Just want to say sorry for what happened-—”
hindi ko na siya pinatapos kasi pinagsaraduhan ko
siya ng pinto. Right on her face. I had enough.
Delikado yung mga ganung mukha. 
Bumalik na lang ako sa sala at kumuha ng ice
cream sa fridge. Kayo na lang ang kasama ko
habang hindi pa ako nakakalakad.. Tinignan ko din
yung supplies ko, kailangan ko na din mag grocery.
Langya! Hirap mabuhay mag isa.
Natapos yung buong araw na wala akong
ginagawa. Walangyang buhay ’to oh!! Naghahanap
ako ng katahimikan nung nasa Pilipinas ako pero
nung nandito ako, nakakagago yung katahimikan! 
Nagpadeliver na lang ako ng pizza nung gabi.
Tangna. Ang boring ng buhay ko. Ang boring ng
araw ko. Konti na ang, magiging boring na din ako.
—kinabukasan—

603
 “Morning,” sabi ko. Tumawag si mom sa phone,
“yeah. Ayos lang ako.. Hah?.. Yup, maggrocery ako
mamaya.. Alright.. Punta ko jan next week, okay na
siguro yung paa ko by that time?.. I’ll see.. Bye,
mom.”
Tumawag na naman siya. Paranoid mom. Ever
since nung sinabi ko sa kanya last week na break na
kami ni Dana (ang hirap pa ding sabihin) akala niya
suicidal ako. Para akong nasa suicidal watch.
Honestly, ganun pa ako naging ka dependent kay
Dana? Na sobrang hindi ko kakayanin na mawala
siya to the point na mag suicide ako?? Halos
lumipad siya papunta dito nung sinabi ko sa kanya.
Tch. Parang bata pa ako. 21 na kaya ako. (._.) Ang
tanda ko na. Hahaha!
Lumabas ako at sumakay sa sasakyan, “here goes
nothing.”
Nagagalaw ko naman yung paa ko kaya sa tingin
ko wala namang problema kung magddrive ako.
Kaysa naman sa mamatay ako sa gutom, magddrive
na lang ako papunta sa Wal-Mart. Tch.
Tangna!! Kaya ko pa lang magdrive! Hahaha!
Mukha akong tanga dito sa harap ng Wal-Mart.

604
 Pumasok ako sa loob at nagsimula ng
maggrocery. Siguro pang isang buwan na yung
bibilin ko. Ayoko ng naggrocery. Parang bading lang
eh. Psh.
Puro canned goods, junk foods, soda, frozen
pizza, beer lang yung binili ko. Ano’ng magagawa
ko? Living like a bachelor ako ngayon. Hindi ako
magluluto. Asa. Para san pa ang takeouts at
microwave? Haha! Iikot nga din ako mamaya para
kumuha ng menus ng mga may takeout para hassle
free na ako.
Nung papalabas na ako, “tanga!!” nasabi ko na
lang sa sarili ko.
Hayop talaga!! Pano ko pupulutin yung mga
canned goods na gumulong eh may cast pa yung paa
ko?? Mamaya ako pa yung gumulong jan eh!!
Langya talaga! Bakit ba kasi paper bags yung gamit
dito? Bwisit!!
Nilagay ko muna sa trunk ng sasakyan yung
ibang paper bags tapos dahan dahan akong naglakad
para pulutin yung mga canned goods.
“Looks like we meet again, Mr. Grumpy?”
napatingin ako sa nagsalita.

605
 ’Tangna,’ Nabitawan ko yung hawak ko.
Hanggang sa Miami ba naman, susundan ako ni
Dana??
Hindi ko na pinulot yung ibang nalaglag tangna
wag ng pansinin yun! Aalis na ko dito! Delikado na
naman ako!!

Kim’s Point of View

“Boyfie?” I asked boyfie. Hmp! Hindi na naman
niya ako pinapansin!!
He told me last week yung kay Cyriel. I honestly
can’t understand him!! He loves DK but he
proritizes Ynna. What’s the matter with him??
Naaawa na ako minsan kay DK. She still feels guilty
about sa biglaang pag alis ni Andy tapos hindi pa
sila in good terms ni Nof tapos biglang
maddisappoint siya na hindi siya sasamahan ni
Cyriel sa Sem starter? It really sucks to be her.
Really.
Niyakap ko si boyfie, “hindi mo na talaga
itutuloy yung sa annulment?”
He nodded, “bahala siya. Tss. Basta hindi muna
ngayon. Payatot talaga ’yun.”

606
 Naiinis pa rin pala siya kay Ynna. Hahaha! First
time kong makitang naiinis si boyfie. Lagi yang
composed eh, pero nung nakausap niya si Ynna, lagi
siyang agit. Ano kaya pinag usapan nilang dalawa?
He also told me na yung sakit ni Ynna yung
pinakamagandang gawing reason para mapabilis
yung annulment. Medyo mahina daw kasi na ground
yung pinilit lang siya. Eh since ayaw pumayag ni
Cyriel, nainis na lang si boyfie. I can totally
understand him naman. Nakaka frustrate kasi siya
talaga minsan. Nag give way na nga si Andy tapos
parang nasasayang lang..
I kissed him, “gotta go. Sem starter later,” i said
then went out of his office.
I went back to our house kasi nandun si DK. She
told me last time na makikipag ayos na siya kay
Nof, and Nof also told me na gusto na niyang
magsorry! Naghihintayan lang pala sila. Pero thank
God. It was friggin’ awkward last week!! Hindi sila
nagpapansinan and all!! It almost drove me insane!
Nandun na sila sa sofa nung pagdating ko, “ready
to play dress up game?”
“Hell yeah.”

607
 Ynna’s Point of View
“Do i look fine, mom?” I asked for the nth time.
“You look pretty, honey. Quit worrying, alright?”
She said.
I can’t help but feel worried. I know i don’t look
fine. The disease’s starting to make me look
horrible. The bruises on my arms were already very
visible so i opted to wear dress with cardigan on top
to cover those.
When the clock striked 7, i received a text.
From: Cyriel
Can’t pick you up. See you there.
What did i tell you, Ynna? Don’t get your hopes
up.

Dana’s Point of View

“We’re all set?” asked Kim.
We nodded. We look great. Really. 
“Let’s go?”

608
 We were about to enter in her car when i
remembered something, “fudge. I forgot my id.”
“What?! Of all things, DK..”
We have this no id, no entry policy in St. Claire’s.
You really can’t enter without your id. Swear.
“Daan muna tayo sa bahay niyo?” Nof offered.
I declined, “nope. You go there first. Susunod na
lang ako,” i said.
“You sure?”
I nodded, “yup. I’ll be the one in red.”
They went first to the party while i went home to
get my id. Nung malapit na ako sa gate namin, i saw
Cyriel. In tux. He looked.. amazing.
“What are you doing-—” he didn’t let me finish
because he hugged me.
“Sorry for disappointing you again and again,
Dana..” he whispered in my ears.
“What are you talking about?” i asked.
“Yung dito sa party. I’m sorry, Dan. I really want
to take you there pero Ynna begged me. I’m sorry..”
he said and kissed my temple.

609
 I looked into his eyes, “wala lang yun, Cy. I can
totally understand. She’s sick so she’s the priority.
Okay lang talaga.”
He shook his head, “you don’t understand, Dana.
She’s not my priority. Ikaw lang. It’s always you..
May sakit lang talaga siya kaya.. ganito. Look, i’m
really, really sorry.”
I smiled, “i already gave Andy up for us, Cy.
What made you think na susuko ako just because of
this party?”
I told him to reassure him that i’m fine, but
instead of seeing him smile, i saw a hint of sadness
on his face..

610
 Chapter 56

Chapter 56
Dana’s Point of View
Tch. Boring na Sem starter. Wala man lang hard
drinks or whatsoever. Really, St. Claire’s?? This is
all you got? Ano kami, high schoolers??
I went to the powder room first. Hindi ko pa din
nakikita sila Nof, probably because ang daming tao
dito sa venue. Tch. Crowded na talaga sa school. I
need to graduate already. Nakaka stress ang mga tao.
Really. If you know what i mean.
Papalabas na sana ako ng powder room ng makita
ko ang best friend ko, si Ynna. Please feel the
overflowing sarcasm, guys. Best friend, taong ka-
share mo sa halos lahat ng bagay. And since gustung
gusto ni Ynna na maki— share sa buhay ko, eh di
siya na ang best friend ko. Tch.
“Enjoying the party?” i asked.
She nodded. 

611
 “Walang nasty comebacks?? Come on! You’re
boring me,” i retorted.
“Sorry to bore you then, Dana. I’m just too happy
tonight,” she said.
“*smirk* Sure thing. Thank me though, mahilig
akong tumulong sa charity chases.”
She faced me, “stop the sarcasm, Dana. You can
never beat me at that,” she said and she started to
walk, “ang just so you know, aminin mo man o
hindi, ako pa din ang pipiliin ni Cyriel. First things
first, Dana. And i am the priority. Suck it up..
again.”
Fck! Fck! Fck!
Hingang malalim, Dana! Don’t be affected by
that btch! She’s not the priority, alright?! Kakasabi
lang sa’yo ni Cyriel kanina na ikaw ang pririty niya!
She just begged! She fckin’ begged Cyriel para
samahan siya dito. Yeah. It just happened na
masyadong mabait si Cy kaya ganito ang nangyari.
Tumingin ako sa salamin then i smiled, “i’m the
one he loves. She can’t compete. She never can.”
Lumabas ako sa powder room. I tried to find
Kim’s table. Shoot. It took me 10 long minutes bago

612
ko sila mahanap. Seriously, ang daming tao! I am
starting to feel suffocated!
“San ka galing?” Kim asked.
I told her that i went to the powder room. I didn’t
tell them about the little incident. I won’t let her ruin
my night. Tch. Skinny btch.
“What’s up? Bakit may mga tao sa taas?” i asked.
Para kasing nagkakagulo yung mga tao, girls
specifically. Kaya hindi din ako makadaan kanina
kasi parang may riot. Swear. 
“Human bidding, DK. It looks fun!!” Kim
squeeled.
Nof looked at her, “tawagan ko si Clarence eh.
Fun fun ka jan.”
Kim glared at her, “kill joy!!”
Nanuod lang kami ng human bidding.
Nakakatuwa pala ’yun! Hahaha! Parang constipated
yung mukha nung mga lalaki kasi well.. hindi
nabiyayaan ng face value yung mga babaeng
nagbbid sa kanila. Tapos eh ang pogi pa nung mga
lalaki! Varsity guys = hot guys. And ginrab naman
ng groupies nila yung chance na makadate sila for a
day. Wise girls. 

613
 Since medyo nabbore na ako sa panonood, nag
iPad muna ako. (Plus ayoko ding istressed out ang
sarili ko kay Ynna. Not worth it, please lang).
Nagfacebook muna ako. (-.-) 
Seriously??
Danna Robles: Alam mo bang tayong dalawa ang
AUBURN? Kasi, you’re the apple to my pie, you’re
the straw of my berry, you’re the smoke to my high
and you’re the one I wanna marry. In short, WE’RE
THE PERFECT TWO. ;))
Emione Herrera: Andy, hotdog ka ba?
Baket? Kasi may drago sa itaas…
Walang connection diba?
Sana meron tayo : “>
Rochelle Amatorio: ANDY… 
ang gwapo sa lahat ng view… pero isang VIEW
lang naman yung gusto ko mula sayo eh.
I-L-O-VIEW
Bianca Valdez: Ang BATA, konting iyak lang
napapasakanila na ang GUSTO nila. 
Sana bata na lang ako, 

614
 Para IYAKAN Lang kita, AKIN KA NA! :D
Iza Beato: Sana lumakas uli ang ulan at
hangin… 
——’Yung tipong tatangayin ka papunta sa akin.
Andy , Gusto mong malaman ang meaning ng
love?
Sige, mahalin mo lang ako. May meaning ka na,
may demonstration ka pa. 
Shaira Silos: para kang puzzle piece…
kase ndi ako mabubuo pag nawala ka sa buhay
ko.
Andy, Ihanda mo na ung Lawyer mo…
kinasuhan kc kita ng Theft…
NINAKAW MO kc ang PUSO KO
Anne Gabrielle Micu: Andy, sarap mong gawing
INSPERASYON!
pero mas bet kitang KARELASYON! : “>
Sai Larion: *kung pag’sasamahin ba ang salitang
IKAW at AKO…
‘ habang buhay magiging TAYO ???! :*

615
 Pauline Carla de Castro: Andy 
wala akong makita ngayon.
kundi IKAW..
Jane Flores: Alam mo andy… Ang tanga-tanga
mo talaga! Sobrang TANGA mo. As in…
Maglalakad ka na nga lang papunta sa Utak ko…
MAHUHULOG ka pa sa PUSO ko. :>
Sophia Coronel: Andy! Sobrang dami na ng
banat ngayong panahon na to noh?… Wala na nga
akong maisip…
Kundi IKAW!! 
Cathleen Lauriz: Hey i just love you and this is
crazy and thatz what i feel so call me maybe oppa
Aila Kathrina Agbayani: Hi kuya andy! salamat
sa pag-add! :D
Sana ako na lang si Dana,
Dahil gusto kong DANAsin ang pag-ibig mo 
Angel Arciaga: Ikaw ba yung PILIPINAS sa
MAKATANG MAKABAYAN?

616
 INIIBIG KASI KITA NG BUONG
KATAPATAN.
Dawn Gemarino Sidayon: andy ,
highway ka ba?
jay walker kasi ako eh,
handa akong tumawid sayo
kahit alam kong nakamamatay.. =]
Penelope Bugarin: Oy Baby Andy, alam ko
namang hindi ko na kailangan ng pick-up line eh.
Kase ’I love you’ ko pa lang, tulog ka na,
kinikilig ka pa.
Ainez Buhat: Andy, lapit na ng pasko noh?
Exchange gift tayo ahh..
Para..
akin ka, sayo ako.
Bernadette Abelgas: ’kapuso’ kaba ? =))))
Tinatanung kase ng Magulang ko kung pwede
kabng maging ’kapamilya
Cris Oriarte: Andy, alam mo ba,

617
 parang gusto ko na rin maging
Engineer like you!
Kasi…
I wanna be with you…
ENGINEER future.
Pedriluz Joy Love Gamas: sabi nila, what you see
is what you get.. ehh paano ba yan, nakita na kita..
soo akin ka na..?
Juliene Clare: Sa salitang UWI, tatanggalin ko
ang letter w, para matira…
U and I.
Sheanne Agosto: Ang pag-ibig ko sayo ay parang
MCDO SUNDAE…
cause , I can’t fight this feeling anymore : “)
Glorie Etnomlav: Sa Manila may MERALCO, Sa
Cagayan may CAGELCO at sa Pangasinan ay
PANELCO.. Ikaw ano ka naman? edi MAHALCO,
para may liwanag ang HEARTCO.
“Kung nagugutom ako, pwede ba kitang
puntahan? At sabihing,” Pakagat naman. Kahit sa
labi lang. “

618
 Reina Mae Sagario: Ang PAGMAMAHAL ko
sayo ay parang MOTILiTE.
PANGMATAGALAN 
Jem Mateo: Nung nakilala kita, dun ko nalaman
ang sagot sa tanong ng Nescafe…
“para kanino ka bumabangon?”
“Kung araw-araw ko ba namang makikita pag
mumukha mo…
Eh di sana…
Wala ng malungkot na araw ang dadaan sa buhay
ko at sa buhay mo lalo na kung maging tayo. “
Jessa Ann Regillo Pontines: Sana ako nlang si
GOKU at ikaw ang DRAGON BALLS .. Kasi lahat
gagawin ko mahanap ka lang at para mabuo ang
mundo ko 
Cathleen Lauriz: “Are you on Facebook? 
’BCoz 
I’d definitely 
click Like. “
Anne Loreyn Gibas: Si AGATHA kaba?

619
 kase, AGATHA crush on you ;)
Penelope Bugarin: Hi, Ikaw ba si Andrei Louie
“Andy” Guzman?
ANDREI-rito ka kasi sa puso ko LOUIEgi-lagi at
ANDY ka nawala sa isip ko. Walang binatbat si
Superman at Batman dahil ikaw lang ang superhero
ko GUZMAN
Karla Mae Aquino: Andy! Ang galing mo din
no? Di mo pa ko binabato…
tinamaan na ko sa yo.

Bakit puro pick up lines ng babae ang wall ni

Andy??
God! Hindi ba tinuruan ng proper decorum ng
magulang nila ang mga babae na ’to?? At sila pa
talaga ang nagpost sa wall ni Andy!! Pambihira!
Mahaharot na bata!! Si Andy naman, napunta lang
sa States, bumalik na naman ang kalandian! Tch. At
hindi ko hinanap ang wall ni Andy. At hindi din ako
defensive. Nakita ko lang siya sa news feed ko,
nagkataon. Wag assuming, guys.
*poke poke* “DK!”

620
 “What??” i glared at her. Nagbabasa pa ako ng
comments eh!
Pinoint out niya using her lips yung mga tao sa
paligid ko. O-kay? Bakit sila nakatingin sa ’kin??
Bawal na ba gumamit ng free wi-fi sa school??
“What did i do??” I asked with a hint of panic in
my voice.
“Tawag ka sa taas,” Nof said.
“Huh?” Ano daw? Bakit ako tawag sa taas?
“Human bidding, DK. It’s gonna be fun!!!” Kim
squeeled again.
O____________O “Come again? Human
bidding??”
Are they fckin’ kidding me?? Ako, ipapabid nila?
Ano ko, laruan?? Tsaka afford ba nila ako??
Photoshoot nga umaabot ng million ang range, date
pa kaya?!?!
Pinagtulakan ako ni Kim, “come on, DK. It’s
fun!! Go and make them want you!!”
No choice, pumunta ako sa stage. Puro sigawan
ng guys ang naririnig ko. Sikat ba ako sa school?

621
Never knew. Hindi ko naman kasi sila pinapansin.
Konti lang din friends ko. (-_-)
Nagsalita yung host, “Dana Kathryn Ferrer. 19
years old. BA Fashion Designing student,” sabi
niya. Binasa niya yung hawak niyang cue card. So
kasali pala talaga ako dito?! Sana pala hindi na lang
ako umattend. Puro kamalasan na gabi.
“You want to add something?” tanong nung host
sa akin.
“I am feisty,” bored kong sagot, “and i fckin’
bite.”
Sigawan naman yung mga lalaki. Seriously, girls
deprived ba ang mga lalaki sa St. Claire’s?? Tsaka
sinabi ko yung para magdalawang isip silang
magbid. Tss. Guys. I can never really decipher how
they use their minds.
Nagsimula na ang bidding. Hindi ako nakikinig
actually. Tss. One date, that’s all. Hindi naman
mahirap gawin yun lalo pa’t isa akong neglected
mistress. Ironic, huh? Hindi ba dapat mas
nabibigyan ng attention ang mistress? Ganun sa
movies di ba? Pero bakit ako yung neglected one?!!
“Ooh. 20, 000. Going up?” Host.

622
 “23, 000,” sabi nung isang guy.
O___________O 23, 000? For a date? Are they
nuts?!!
“Looks like Ms. Ferrer is one hell of a girl,”
comment nung host, “so, 23, 000. Going up?”
“50, 000,” sabi ni.. Cyriel? Boses ni Cyriel yun
ah!!
Tahimik lahat ng tao. Sino ba naman ang hindi
magugulat? 50, 000?? Alam kong mayaman lahat ng
tao dito but come on! 50, 000? Really??
I looked into his eyes.. and smiled. Same old
Cyriel. He always saves me.
The host shook his head in disbelief, “you really
are one feisty girl, Ms. Ferrer. You got all the boys
go wild.. So, 50, 000, going up?”
Tahimik lahat. Sino ba naman kasi ang idiot
enough to throw money for a date?? Only Cyriel.
But he loves me so that’s fine. 
“So it’s sett-—” hindi natapos magsalita yung
host kasi may humabol.
“100, 000?”

623
 *literal jawdrop*
I searched for the guy who spoke but i can’t see
him.
Sigawan naman yung mga tao. What the hell was
that?? A hundred bucks for a date?!?!
“Whoa. A hundred thousand. So, going up once
again?”
Tumingin ulit ako kay Cyriel. He looked
shocked.. and angry? I smiled to myself. Selos. Tch.
But then, napatingin ako sa katabi niya.. si Ynna.
And she looked.. hurt.
I saw Cyriel was about to speak. Tataasan pa ang
bid perhaps.
Lumapit ako sa host and whispered something,
“look. A hundred thousand is enough, i believe. Just
tell them the bidding’s over. I will go on a date with
whoever that creep is,” i said then bumaba ako ng
stage.
I don’t know what i just did. But i saw Ynna and..
i felt that i needed to do something. She looked
really pained that i almost felt her pain. Baliw na
yata ako.

624
 The night continued. Napasama din si Kim sa
bidding but she declined. Takot kay Clarence. (-_-)
Si Nof? Asa pa. No one dared to talk to her maliban
sa’min. If looks could kill, patay na sana lahat dito.
She really looks snob. Literally. Kaya if you don’t
know her, you won’t take the risk to talk to her.
The party officially started. Apparently, some
guys sneaked in some alcohol and mixed it with the
beverage. Kaya pala medyo mainit sa pakiramdam
kanina.
Pupunta sana ulit ako sa cr pero biglang may
humatak sa akin ang pushed me gently against the
wall.
“Cy, not now. I’m not feeling very well,” i said. I
know it’s Cy. I know if it’s him.
He hugged me, “bakit mo ginawa yun?”
I know that he’s pertaining to what happened
earlier.
“Doing you a favor. Ynna looked upset kaya ko
ginawa yun, Cy. It’s no big deal. I could date you
anytime if you want. Just tell me,” i said stating the
obvious.

625
 He sighed, “why do i feel like you’re drifting
away?” He silently asked.
“I’m not drifting away, Cy. You’re just not
holding me tight enough,” i said then kumalas ako
sa yakap niya.
I went to the garden. I feel.. relieved. Actually,
matagal ko ng gustong sabihin sa kanya yun.. I feel
lonely and neglected. I know he loves me pero sapat
ba yun? Sometimes, love is not enough. I want
attention. He loves me but i can’t feel it. Ano pa’t
sinasabi niyang mahal niya ako pero si Ynna ang
kasama niya??
I tried to reason it out at first.. He’s just too damn
kind, di ba? Pero the hell! Hindi naman ako ganun
ka tanga! No matter how hard i tried to ignore it,
still, a part of me thinks that he loves Ynna.
Somehow. Hindi naman niya gagawin yun kung
hindi, di ba? I used to remember someone who told
me that there’s a thin line between love and pity.
Nasan ka dun, Cy? Do you just pity her.. or do you
love her?
I already texted Kim and Nof and told them that
i’m going home. I don’t feel well at all. I’m not
angry at Cy.. I just wish that he’ll choose me. Kahit
minsan? Ang sakit din kasi ng lagi kang second

626
option.. Now i know what Andy felt.. And it
honestly sucks.
Just as i was about to get in my car..
“Long time no see, huh?”

Andy’s Point of View

“Hey!”
Ano ba naman ’tong babaeng ’to?? Hindi ba niya
masense na ayaw ko siyang kausap? O kahit makita
man lang?? Hindi pa ba obvious eh iniwan ko na nga
yung canned goods ko dun!! Ilang dollars din kaya
yun! Leche!
Naabutan niya ako kasi nga.. PILAY AKO!!
Leche! Ngayon talaga ako nagsisisi na napilay ako!!
“What’s your problem, mister? I was just trying
to be friendly here..” sabi niya na may pout pa. Tch.
Kadiri.
“I don’t need friends,” sabi ko.
“But it’s boring here if you don’t have friends!
I’m Glorie, by the way. You?” sabi niya sa’kin with

627
a smile. Tch. Kala mo model ng toothpaste kung
maka ngiti.
“I’m your nightmare.”
Tumawa naman siya. Baliw na babae! Bipolar!
“You really are Mr. Grumpy,” sabi niya, “here, let
me help you with that,” tapos pinulot niya isa isa
yung canned goods.
“Hey!!!”
Tch. Wais ’to, tol. Iniwan ko siya dun tapos
nagdrive na. Bahala siya sa buhay niya. Hindi ako
papakatanga para sa de lata! Hahaha!
Bumalik na ako ng bahay. As usual, boring. Sige
na. Bibili na ako ng aso. Baka bigla na lang akong
mabaliw dito eh!! Ano kaya’ng magandang breed??
Hmm. Nagsearch muna ako sa google..
Ano nga kaya?
Teacup kaya? Baka naman maapakan ko, maging
dog killer pa ako ng wala sa oras!
Afghan Hound? Naaah. Masyadong mabuhok.
Mahirap imaintain.

628
 Bulldog? Shet!! Baka hindi na ako makabalik sa
Pilipinas niyan!! Nanlalapa ba yun??
Akita na nga lang. Matino pa yung itsura.
Tama. Makapunta nga sa pet shop bukas. Tsaka
para makapag exercise na din ako sa hapon..
Ilalakad ko sa shore yung aso. Leche. Nauwi lang
ako sa aso. Ang gwapo ko pero.. sa aso lang ako
mauuwi???
Haay. Natulog muna ako. Pakiramdam ko tataba
ako dito eh. Tss. Sayang naman ang abs, biceps, at
pecs ko kung matutunaw lang dito. Ilang taon ko din
tong pinaghirapan sa gym! 
Pumunta ako sa balcony at dun natulog.
Tinatamad na akong umakyat. Lately timatamad na
talaga ako sa buhay ko.
After ilang hours siguro, nagising na din ako.
Gabi na. Nyeta! Punta muna ako ng kitchen para
mag microwave ng kung anumang pagkain. Hmmm.
Lasagna for tonight? Oo na lang.
Pagkatapos kong kumain, nanood muna ako ng
movie. Tch. Ang boring talaga!!!! Magpartime job
kaya ako?? Sige nga subukan ko. Kailangan ng
gumaling pilay ko talaga!

629
 Habang kumakain ako, may umistorbo na naman
sa katahimikan ko. Akala ko ba hindi uso ang
pakielamanan sa neighborhood sa States? Tch
Pagbukas na pagbukas ko ng pinto-—
O_____________O
Holy Sht!!!
“Skinny dipping?”
Anon’g problema ng babae na ’to???

630
 Chapter 57

Chapter 57
Dana’s Point of View
1 message received
From: Cy Perez
Let’s talk?
I sighed. I haven’t seen my friends since the sem
starter, i’m quite busy with my little job. Remember
that i volunteered myself to help mom for some
designs? That’s what keeps me busy this whole time.
Actually this is just my scapegoat, ayoko din muna
kasing makita si Cy. The last conversation we had
was.. a bit tacky. We’re drifting apart, obvious
naman di ba? I gave too much effort para intindihin
na may sakit si Ynna, pero kasi kahit anong
pagdiinan ang gawin ko sa utak ko, there’s still this
selfish part inside me na nagsasabi na gusto kong
ako lang. Is that too much to ask for? They’ve been
together for a year sa States! Silang dalawa lang, di
pa ba sapat yun? Eh ako? Gaano kami nagkasama?
Vaguely three months. 

631
 But.. i cannot really understand myself. I feel
frigging irritated pag naiisip ko na si Ynna ang
priority ni Cy pero pag nakikita ko si Ynna? Ako pa
mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan para sumama sa
kanya si Cy. Abnormal ko noh? I may be a bitch
pero may puso naman ako. At hindi ko maatim na
makiagaw pa kay Cy. She’s sick and i’m not. She
needs him and i need him as well but.. Hindi ko
kayang makiagaw. Hindi kaya ng konsensya ko. I
feel awful at the mere thought. I CANNOT
REALLY UNDERSTAND ANYTHING AT ALL.
Ynna got me under her sleeves as well.
I got my things and prepared to go to mom’s
office. Halos tapos ko na yung isang portfolio ng
designs, bahala na kung may magustuhan si mom.
Tutal, my only concern is to keep myself busy, and i
figure that i’m doing good so far.
After minutes of driving, nakarating na din ako. I
went to mom’s office and as usual, busy lahat ng tao.
If i heard it right, may fashion show yatang
ioorganize kaya busy lahat. Well, as if naman may
bago dun, di ba?
“Knock knock?” i said as i entered her office.
Wala si mom sa harap ng mesa niya. Wonder where
she is?

632
 I was about to go out when someone spoke
behind me, “hey, D.”
Stupid son of a prick!!
flashback (the sem starter night)
“Long time no see, huh?”
I turned back only to see.. “Josh?!” I almost
exclaimed!
He smirked, “what a way to greet your old friend,
Dana.”
“I don’t believe that you deserve a warm nice-to-
see-you-again act, jerk,” i retorted. What does he
want me to do? To feel all giddy and worked up kasi
nasa harap ko siya ngayon? Well dream on! The last
time i saw him was when he drugged me! Sa tingin
niya ano ang mararamdaman ko??
“Ooh, feisty,” he said.
Bwisit! Kapal ng mukha! Pasalamat siya hindi ko
siya pinakulong dati!
“Why are you here? Drug deal?” i asked. What
can i do? Drug addict na ang tingin ko sa kanya
simula ng ioverdose niya ako! Stupid prick!

633
 “Nah. Just lurking around. I’m planning to study
again,” he said and light up a cigar, “you want?”
“Asa. I don’t believe you. You’re a jerk since
birth kaya alam kong you’re up to something,” i
honestly said. After what he did to me? I couldn’t
trust him at all!
“Try to put your guards down, D. I’m completely
harmless,” he said tapos tinaas niya yung kamay
niya, “i even went to rehab for you.”
“What do you want??” i irritatedly asked. I don’t
want him near me. Nakakailang na nakakainis na
nakakagalit na ewan! Plus nagguilty pa din ako kasi
hindi natuloy yung engagement niya dahil sa akin..
“Paying back,” he smiled, “see you around, D.
I’m taking my masterals this sem,” tapos umalis na
siya. Leche. How messed up is my life?? 
present…
“Why are you here??” i asked. Sinusundan ba
ako ng  British na bwisit na ’to??
He raised his brow and gave me this are-you-
stupid look, “i’m a model, D.”
Right. He’s a model. Ang tanga ko talaga.

634
 “Oo nga pala,” i uttered to myself, “don’t call me
D, please. Creepy.”
He laughed, “but why? It’s cute, right?”
“It’s creepy, Josh. Plus i have a boyfriend and i’m
pretty sure he won’t like it,” i stated. 
He nodded, “right. Andrei Guzman? I asked your
mom about that.. and he’s not around. He’s in
America.”
I cursed at myself. Hindi ko pa nga pala nasasabi
kay mom na wala na kami ni Andy.. Natatakot kasi
ako sa sasabihin niya. She likes Andy bigtime! And
dad as well. Baka madisappoint sila na hindi na
kami ni Andy.. and i don’t think na matutuwa sila
pag nalaman nila na kabit ako. Sino ba nga naman
ang matutuwa di ba? Stupid me.
“So?”
He took a step forward, “so that means that i can
date you. A hundred thousand for a date. You are
really expensive, D,” he said then caressed my face.
“Fck off, Josh. You won’t get anything from me i
swear,” i hissed.
“Not so fast, D. We had a deal, remember? I paid
to date you so you must oblige.”

635
 Stupid human bidding! Sana pala pumayag na
ako na si Cy ang manalo eh di sana i don’t have to
deal with this.. addict!!
Good thing dumating si mom, “Kathryn? Oh,
you’re here as well, Josh. Anyways, what brings you
here, Kath?”
I gave her my portfolio, “there. Yan palang ang
nagagawa ko. I’ll just give you the others after i
finish.”
I gave her a quick peck and got out of that
building! Having Josh near me is suffocating.. and
creepy! He’s really creepy! He uses drugs, goes to
illegal night clubs, and who knows what else he can
do?? Plus i’m not sure what he wants.. baka galit pa
din siya sakin because of his engagement..
—St. Claire’s—
“Finally, nagpakita ka din!!” Kim said as i
approached their table.
“Sorry, busy days. Kamusta?”
“Same old,” Nof said. Wala si Sara. Nasan kaya
yun?
“Bakit kayo lang? Si Sara?” I asked.

636
 Kim shrugged, “ewan. Di ko din masyadong
nakikita eh. Oh well, baka busy. Alam mo naman,
ngarag si Sara, midterms yata sa Accountancy
ngayon eh. Katakot!”
Wala nga din pala si Dave. Graduate na din. Si
Cyriel na lang pala ang naiwan sa kanilang tatlo..
Speaking of him, nasan na kaya yun? Hindi na niya
ako kinontact since the last text he sent me..
I immediately went to the library para
magresearch. I have a presentation to do later and i
didn’t even start a bit. As in wala! I’ll do this from
scratch! Ugh! This is the main reason why don’t like
cramming. The pressure is overwhelming and my
brain can’t function fully.
I went inside the main lib and got some books
and opened my mac book pro. Okay. Kalma lang,
Dana. You can do this!
I was doing my presentation religiously when
someone poked me from behind.
“What the heck, Josh?!” i hissed, mindful of the
accusing stare from the librarian.
“What, D? I told you that i’ll be studying for my
masterals again, right?” he said and sat on the chair
next to me, “need some help?”

637
 “No, i can manage,” i said.
“You sure? That’s a lot of books,” he stated.
Actually, there’s thre pile of books on my table. This
is a lot of work to do, i know. 
“Just shut up, Josh. This is due later. I need all the
concentration i can get,” i said but he’s not listening.
What the?
“That’s Management Economics, right?” he said
as he continued scanning my presentation, “i can
help you. I mean, i’m a business economics major,
D,” he said because i glared at him.
“Oh, i thought you’re a drug dealing major?” i
sarcastically said.
He showed his loopsided grin, “yup, cum laude
for that one,” the he winked, “but i’m serious
though, i’m good with economics, swear! I can help
you.. some of your inputs in the presentation are
misleading. Why do you have that subject, by the
way? You’re a designing major, right?”
I nodded, “minor subjects. Fine then, help me.”
He grinned and got his own laptop. Whoa. I’ve
never seen Josh so.. serious. He’s like this happy go

638
lucky man and now he’s all serious and worked-up
with my presentation.. but it’s still creepy. Period.
After few hours, my presentation is done!!
Thank, heavens!
I was arranging my things when i noticed a paper
on the floor. I got it and.. “what the, Josh??”
He looked at me with a strange expression,
“whoa, D. Why are you angry?”
“Jerk. Why are you even here?? You have a
class!!” i said as i ran through his newly acquired
schedule.
I hissed. Letche! May klase siya ngayon eh tapos
nandito siya at tinutulungan ako?? Gusto niya bang
lumubog na ako sa utang na loob sa kanya??
He got his things, “no fuss, D. It’s alright. I don’t
want to study, if i even have a choice. It’s just my
dad pushing me to study so relax,” he said, “i’ll go
now. Good luck to your presentation,” he winked
and got out of the lib.
—later that day—
Tapos na din!! Yes! My professor even praised
me for the presentation, mas maganda pa daw yung
sa’kin kaysa sa econ majors. Huh! Beat that! I’m not

639
a dean’s lister for nothing, Prof. Bragging right is
mine.
I went home and took a shower. Wala naman si
mom eh, si dad naman nasa kwarto, natutulog na.
Workaholic parents.
I texted Sara and others para magbar. Today was
exhausting kaya kailangang magrelax minsan.
Pumunta ako sa nearest club sa St. Claire’s. 8 p.m pa
lang naman kaya wala pa masyadong tao. 11 pa kasi
nagsisimulang dumating ang mga tao.
I sat on the stool on the counter and ordered the
regular. Duh. Close na nga kami ng bartender dito
eh. Dito kasi ako madalas pag ayaw kong makita si
Dave. Hahaha! I don’t know, minsan ayokong
makita si Dave. Ang cute cute niya kasi, nanggigigil
ako.
Tonic for tonight. Ang aga pa eh, tagal naman
nila Sara.
I checked my phone.
From: SaraBesty
can’t come. EXAMS. hehehe. loveyouuuuu
From: Kim Miranda

640
 busy with boyfie. hihihi. next time, DK!!!
Ugh! I’m all alone pala. Si Nof kaya? Asan na
naman yung babaeng yun? Tch. Ako na nga lang.
Uuwi na lang din ako before 11 since all alone ang
drama ko.
I was having my 4th shot when Josh arrived.
Seriously, siguro hinahanap niya ako sa GPS! Too
much for a coincidence naman kung hindi sinasadya
di ba??
“Again, Josh. Stop pestering me, you won’t get
laid if you’re around me everytime,” i said.
He laughed, “you’re drunk, D. I won’t get laid
with you, i know that. Besides, i came here with
some friends and i just saw you. Purely
coincidental.”
I rolled my eyes, “yeah, right. Then go, i can
manage.”
He went back to his friends, model friends to be
exact. Narerecognize ko kasi yung iba nakasama ko
na sa shows. Tch. Show off ba sila? Ang daming
high end clubs dito pero dito pa talaga nila napili.
Tch.

641
 As i was enjoying my drink, may mga lalaki na
lumapit sa’kin. Fudge! Kaya ayoko ng nag iisa eh,
boys will hit on me!
“You alone, miss?”-guy 1
“No, i’m with someone. Nag cr lang,” i lied.
Douchebags.
“Then come with us since wala pa pala yung
kasama mo,” -guy 2
I shook my head, “no, really. I’ll stay here,” i
said. Konti na lang maiinis na ko!
“Come on, miss. Wag ka ng pakipot,”-guy 1
I was about to kick these jerks’ ass when
someone spoke, “she’s with me, man. Back the
fucking off,” Josh said using his dangerous (with
that sexy British accent) tone. Naintindihan naman
yata nung mga lalaki kaya umalis na sila.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“Yeah, but thanks for helping,” i admitted.
“You wanna come with me? I’ll introduce you to
my friends,” he offered. 

642
 I declined. I don’t want to mingle with those
models. Lesson learned. Last, last summer, i tried to
be friends with them. Tch. They’re no goods.
Useless girls. They befriended me because of my
mom, gusto pala nilang maging model ng line ng
FHF. Bunch of users.
He went back to his friends then after a minute,
he’s back. O-kay?
“I’ll stay with you,” he said, “one rhum.”
“Huh? Come on, Josh. What do you want from
me? I’ll date you next week if that’s what you want.
Just stop bugging me,” i said.
He smiled, “D, i’m a changed man. I don’t want
anything from you so put your guards down,
alright?”
I rolled my eyes, “talk to the hand, Josh. If this is
about your ruined engagement, i’m so sorry about
that! I really am! I was just drunk that night, i am
really, really sorry!”
He sighed, “yeah, about that. Remember what i
said during the night i won the bidding?” i nodded,
“i said that i’m here to pay back. And that’s what
i’m doing. I’m paying you back for saving me.
Liana’s a btch. He’s doing my best friend behind my

643
back. Thanks to you our engagement was
cancelled,” he said.
Whoa. Never thought Josh has a complicated life.
“I’m also friends with Clarence Perez and he
mentioned about your problem with Cyriel so i
helped you during the bidding. I can’t understand
Rence, though. He told me to stay near you always.
He wants to make his brother jealous. Tss. Rence is
a wicked man by heart.”
I continued drinking, processing what Josh told
me when somebody grabbed me from behind, “Cy?”
He looks furious, “let’s talk.”
Let’s talk. The phrase i always dread to hear.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Andy’s Point of View
“Skinny dipping?”
O____________O
Isasara ko na sana yung pinto pero hinarang niya
yung kamay niya. Hindi naman ako sadista, baka
maipit siya. (-_-)

644
 “What?” i asked. Napaka dense na babae. Kahit
mag two piece siya sa harap ko.. basta! Sht! Dry
spell ako ng two years.. layuan mo ako, tukso!!
“We’re going on skinny dipping with my friends,
wanna come, Mr. Grumpy?” she asked.
Tingin sa mata, Andy! Wala sa dibdib niya yung
mata! Leche!!
“Nah. I’m eating,” sabi ko. Seryosong boses.
Tangna! Nakaka one minute na siya sa doorsteps ko.
Leche! Hanggang five minutes na lang ang self
control ko!! Leche!!
“Come on. We have foods there and bonfire. I’ll
show you around. Miami’s best during night time,”
she said. Lecheng puppy eyes yan, bakit ba nauso ka
pa?!!
“Look, miss. My foot is on cast so even if i want
to, i can’t come,” sabi ko tapos tinuro ko yung paa
ko. Pag angat ko ng tingin, nahinto na naman sa
dibdib niya, malala na ako!
“Oh, that’s fine. I’ll help you,” sabi niya tapos
inalalayan niya ako.
Kinuha niya yung isang braso ko tapos ipinatong
niya sa balikat niya. Tangina, Andy! Yung dulo ng

645
daliri ko, halos nakadikit na sa boobs niya!! Matagal
ko ng iniwasang maging manyak pero kusang
lumalapit sa’kin eh! Leche!
Halos nalunok ko na lahat ng laway ko bago
kami makarating sa shore. Hindi kaya niya napansin
na nanginginig yung daliri ko kanina pa???
“Hey, what’s your name again?” tanong niya sa
akin. 
Tignan mo ’tong babaeng ’to, kanina pa ako
kinukulit pero hindi naman pala alam ang pangalan
ko (-_-)
“Louie,” sabi ko.
Naks, Andy! Maganda yan! Tuloy tuloy na new
life!
“Louie, nice name,” sabi niya tapos humarap sa
mga kaibigan niya, “guys, this is Louie, he’s new to
the neighborhood.” 
Inalalayan niya akong umupo dun sa malapit sa
bonfire. Puta. Chicks lahat ng kaibigan niya. Bakit
puro babae yung nandito? Iniisip niya kaya na
bading ako? Ay puta talaga! Gusto ba niyang
patunayan ko na lalaki ako? Leche! Subukan niya
lang isipin na bading ako!!

646
 “This is Angel, Shaira, Ruan, Jeanlei, Bernadette,
Jem Mateo, Mhael, Leira Gene, Danna, Eunice, Ana
Marie,” tapos tinignan ko isa isa. Tares. Chicks
talaga. Dalin ko kaya si Clarence dito? Matutuwa
yun sigurado! Hahaha! Magagalit naman si Kim
sa’kin. Wag na nga lang.
Nag inuman lang sila. Hindi ako. Nako. Mahirap
na, yung ibang kaibigan ko napikot dahil sa ganito
eh, lasing lasing tapos pag nabuntis yung babae sa
kanila ipapaako kahit wala naman talagang
nangyari. Matalino yata ako.
Mababait naman sila, medyo wild nga lang nung
nakaka ilang bote na ng beer. Nag strip tease sa
harap ko (-_-) Pero okay na din, at least hindi nila
iniisip na bading ako. O baka naman sinusubukan
nila kung bading ako?!! Kung hindi ko sila
papansinin, bading ako, kung papansinin ko sila,
lalaki ako. Hindi ko sila pinansin eh, iniisip kaya
nila na bading ako???
Nag skinny dipping na yung iba. 
Andy (--,)-------------------— dagat
Hindi ako nakatingin. Prevention is better than
cure. 

647
 “Hey,” nakatabi na naman yung makulet na babae
sa akin. Ano nga ba pangalan nito? Kamukha ni
Dana eh. Dana wannabe kaya? Aish! Get a life,
Andy! Kasama na niya si Cy ngayon, wag kang
bitter. Leche.
“Smores?” tanong niya.
Kinuha ko na lang para wala ng usap usap.
“So, how’s my friends. They’re nice, right?”
“Sexy,” sabi ko.
Bigla naman siya tumawa. Nauubos na talaga
pagkalalaki ko sa wannabe na to!
“Sorry for laughing, Louie. That was just epic.
Anyways, you’re a Filipino?”
“No, Japanese.”
She looked confused, “really? You don’t look like
one.”
Leche. Ganda sana eh, medyo tanga lang. Hindi
nga ako singkit eh pano ako naging hapon.
“No, i’m a Filipino. Idiot,” sabi ko.
Nagpout na naman siya, “why are you so grumpy,
Louie? I just want to be friends.”

648
 Tinignan ko siya, “look, miss. I know when a girl
is flirting with me,” sabi ko.
Tumawa na naman siya. 3/4 na lang yung
pagkalalaki ko. (-_-)
“I’m Glorie, Louie. G L O R I E,” she said.
Emphasizing every letters. Tch. 
“Fine, Glorie. As i was saying, it’s given, you’re
flirting with me. And i can’t entertain you, sorry. I
just had a very horrible break up.”
She nodded, “oh. That girl is stupid.”
Nice. Bumalik na sa 1 whole ang pagkalalaki ko.
“She’s not.”
“So tell me about her,” sabi niya.
Leche. Wala ngang Dana dapat eh.
“She’s amazing. Period. I don’t want to talk about
that, if you don’t mind,” i said.
She smiled, “okay. I’m beat, Louie. You want to
go home already?”
Tumango ako tapos inalalayan niya ako.
Nagpaalam muna kami sa friends niya. Chicks
talaga. Leche.

649
 “See you tomorrow,” sabi niya tapos tumakbo na
siya pabalik ng beach.
Napailing na lang ako, ang kulit na babae.

650
 Chapter 58

Chapter 58
“Let’s talk,” sabi niya habang nakatingin sa
aming dalawa ni Josh.
“About?”
“About us,” sabi niya. 
I sipped my drink, “dito na lang tayo. Ano ba
yung sasabihin mo?”
He held my hand, “sa labas tayo, please? Dana?”
I inhaled, “bakit ba kasi kailangang sa labas pa?
Ganun ba yung kaimportante?”
He stared into my eyes, “it’s about us, Dana.
Hindi na ba importante sa’yo yun?” he said with a
pleading voice.
Tumingin ako kay Josh, “excuse us for a while,” i
said tapos naglakad ako palabas ng bar.
Tahimik lang kami habang naglalakad. I don’t
know how to start a conversation with him.

651
Naninibago ako.. ewan ko. Everything weren’t the
same as before.
It took me a minute bago ako nakapagsalita,
“what about us, Cyriel?”
Nakatingin lang siya sa’kin, “okay pa ba tayo,
Dana?”
Natawa ako sa tanong niya, “of course we’re not
okay! Hindi ba halata? Ganun ka na ba ka focused
kay Ynna para hindi mo mapansin na hindi tayo
okay?” sarcastic kong sabi sa kanya. I don’t want to
argue tonight kung pwede lang. Ang dami ng
complications eh, wag na sanang dagdagan pa.
Lumapit siya sa’kin, “Dana naman.. Napag
usapan na natin ’to, di ba?”
“Napag usapan na natin, oo. Pero nasasaktan ako,
Cyriel! Hindi ako sanay na lagi na lang second
priority, na lagi na lang option. Na ako ang kasama
mo pag okay si Ynna, pero pag biglang nagka
problema kay Ynna, bigla ka na lang mawawala sa
tabi ko. Hindi ako sanay sa rejection, Cyriel. Pero
dahil sa’yo, nasasanay na ako.. At ayokong
masanay. Hindi ko gustong masanay.”
He spoke, “sorry, Dana. Sorry kasi wala akong
kwentang lalaki kasi lagi kang nasasaktan dahil

652
sa’kin,” lumapit siya sa akin tapos hinawakan niya
yung kamay ko, “pero wag mo akong sukuan, Dana.
Ikaw lang yung dahilan kaya kinakaya ko pa lahat
ng nangyayari sa buhay ko.”
“Napapagod din ako, Cy. Ako yung dahilan kaya
hindi ka sumusuko.. pero hindi mo man lang ba
naisip na baka ikaw naman yung dahilan kaya gusto
ko nang sumuko?”
Pagkatapos kong sabihin yun, unti unting
napaluhod si Cyriel sa harap ko. Sinubukan ko
siyang itayo pero.. “wag mo namang sabihin yan,
Dana.. Ang sakit eh.. Tinitiis ko na laging wala sa
tabi mo kasi alam kong baka mas masaktan ka pag
nakita mong kasama ko si Ynna. Alam mo ba kung
gano kasakit na wala ka na naman sa tabi ko??
Palagi na lang ganito, lagi na lang may dahilan para
hindi kita makasama. Pero wala akong pakielam sa
lahat ng dahilan na yun, Dana. Alam mo kung bakit?
Kasi mahal kita. “
Nakaluhod pa din siya sa harap ko habang
sinasabi yun, “mahal din naman kita. Pero parang
palaging may mali..”
Tinignan niya ako, “mahal kita, mahal mo ako.
Walang mali dun..”

653
 Nagsalita ako, “pero ako? Sa tingin mo ba ayos
lang ako dun, ha, Cyriel? Naisip mo ba yung
nararamdaman ko??”
Hinawakan niya yung kamay ko, “sandali na
lang, Dana. Hintayin mo ako.. Sandali na lang..”
“Nakapaghintay ako ng halos dalawang taon,
Cyriel. Sa tingin mo hindi ko kayang maghintay ng
ilang buwan? Of course i can! Pero hindi yun ang
tanong.. Ang tanong, kung hindi pa ba ako
napapagod.. because frankly speaking, i’m getting
tired.”
Akala ko nagkamali lang ako ng tingin na may
pumatak na luha galing sa mata ni Cyriel.. Pero mali
pala ako.. Totoo nga.. Umiiyak siya dahil sa’kin..
Unang beses ko siyang nakitang umiyak.. at ako pa
ang dahilan. Tama pa ba yung ginagawa namin?
Palagi na lang may nasasaktan, may umiiyak.
Nagsalita siya, “Dana, mahal kita. Hindi ko alam
kung alam mo pero, ikaw lang ang sinabihan ko
niyan. Ni hindi ang mama ko, ni hindi si Ariza, o
kahit sino mang babaeng makikilala ko. Ikaw lang,
Dana. Nung sinabi ko sa’yo na mahal kita, seryoso
ako. Nung sinabi ko sa’yo na mahal kita, binigay ko
na sa’yo yung karapatan para pasayahin o saktan
ako. Nung sinabi ko sa’yo na mahal kita, umasa ako

654
na magiging masaya ako. Pero kahit ganito yung
nangyayari ngayon, wala akong pakielam. Wala
akong pakielam kahit saktan mo ako.. kasi alam ko
na kahit gaano mo ako saktan, ikaw lang din naman
yung makakapagpasaya sa akin..”
Hindi ako makapagsalita. Hindi ko alam yung
sasabihin ko.. Ngayon ko lang nakita si Cyriel na
ganito.. Na parang ang hina hina niya.. Totoo nga
siguro yung sinabi niya na kaya ko siyang saktan
kasi sa nakikita ko ngayon? Sobrang nasasaktan na
siya.. dahil sa akin..
Lumuhod din ako para magpantay kami, “kung
nasasaktan ka na, nasasaktan din ako.. Siguro dapat
na tayong tumigil. Hindi mo ba napapansin? Walang
sumasaya sa ginagawa natin, Cy. Nasasaktan tayo,
nagsisinungaling tayo sa parents natin, kahit na..
kahit na si Ynna nasasaktan din. Siguro eto na yung
sinasabi nilang sign.. yung pahiwatig na dapat na
tayong tumigil kasi-—”
Hindi ako kasi hinalikan niya ako, “one last
chance, Dana. Three days. Give me three days para
patunayan sa’yo na hindi mali yung ginagawa natin,
na hindi mali na mahal natin ang isa’t isa. Just these
three days, Dana. Kung ayaw mo pa din pagkatapos

655
nito, i’ll let you go. Kahit mahirap, papakawalan
kita..”
—three days after—
“Where are you going, young lady?” mom said as
she opened the door.
Nagkalat kasi yung damit ko sa kama. Inaayos ko
yung gamit ko for my trip, a trip with Cyriel. I have
no slightest idea where we are going pero i still said
yes. Why? Because i am hoping, hoping na maayos
namin ’to. What we have is precious to me kaya
kung kayang ayusin, pilit kong aayusin..
“Holiday, mom. Hectic schedule, i need a break,”
i lied. 
“In the middle of the semester? Can’t you
postpone that trip, Dana? Graduating ka na next
sem!” She exclaimed.
Yeah. Graduating na ako next sem. I took
advance courses kaya 3.5 years na lang ang course
ko. Since third year na ako, kailangan ko na lang ng
on the job training, portfolio and manuscript to
graduate.
“Naka schedule na po. Besides, three days lang.
Just three short days, mom. After this, i’ll be back to

656
normal,” i said.
Normal as in ayos na ulit kami ni Cyriel or
normal as in ako na lang mag isa, like how i was
nung iniwan niya ako. Either way, sana lahat maging
masaya.. because we all deserve it. We all do. 
“Alright, if that’s what you want. Where are you
going?” 
“Somewhere South perhaps? Basta, i’ll text you
the location,” i replied.
She sighed, “looks like everything has been
planned. Just take care of yourself.”
Umalis na si mom and naiwan ako sa room.
Haay. Kaya natin ’to, Cy. I hope that whatever
happens, it’s for the best.
—St. Claire’s—
I went to our school to pass a project. Since 3
p.m. pa naman ako susunduin ni Cy, i decided na
hanapin muna either si Sara, Kim, or Nof.
“Hey, D,” naramdaman kong may tumabi sa’kin.
Si Josh pala, “what happened last time? Never saw
you come back.”

657
 I smiled apologetically, “sorry for that. I totally
forgot.”
“That’s cool, no need to apologize. Anyhow, was
that Clarence’s brother? The one who approached
you last time?”
I nodded, “yup. He’s his brother, Cyriel.”
“I see. He’s familiar, i think we have met
somewhere,” he said.
I replied, “you’re sure? Well maybe you saw him
with Clarence.”
He shrugged, “maybe you’re right. Either way, i
think i’ll get going. I’ll be late for my class,” he
gathered his things, “i’ll collect later, D.”
I smiled. Josh talaga. Ayaw kalimutan yung date.
Sabagay, one hundred thousand din yun! 
“Bakit ka nakangiti?” bigla na lang dumating si
Kim at Nof sa harap ko.
“Kasalanang ngumiti?” i retorted, “nasan na ulit
si Sara? Don’t tell me exams pa din niya? Grabe
naman yun!”
Ito talaga yung times na masaya akong nagshift
ako. Accountancy was hell. I remember my

658
sleepless nights nung freshman pa ako. I would trade
that for anything in this world!
“Nope,” Nof said, popping the ’p’, “ni snatch ni
Dave. Kasama namin siya kanina eh, then dumating
si Dave. And the rest is history.”
Ooh. She’s with Dave pala. Buti pa ang besty ko,
tahimik na tahimik lang ang lovelife. Kailan kaya
ako magkakaroon ng ganun? Sana soon. Gusto ko na
ng katahimikan, i’m turning 20 this December.
Gusto ko na ng tahimik at seryoso na relationship.
Ayoko na sa complications.
“Speaking of Dave, ano nangyari dun?” i asked.
Umorder si Kim since nasa caf kami ngayon.
She shrugged, “the usual. Pero napilitan siyang
magtrain sa company nila. Alam mo na,
tagapagmana eh. Hahaha!”
Oo nga pala. We all share the same fate. Puro
kami tagapagmana ng businesses ng parents namin.
Hindi naman sa nagrereklamo ako, ang taas lang
kasi ng pressure ang expectations. Hindi lang mula
sa parents mo pero pati na din sa mga tao na
nagttrabaho sa inyo. Hindi madali yun. Kaya naiinis
ako sa mga tao na binabalewala lang yung ganung
bagay. Ang tanga kasi nila, selfish pa. Hindi lang

659
sila ang nahihirapan, pati yung mga tao na nakaasa
sa company nila. 
“Yeah, right. Pero okay lang naman kay Dave di
ba?”
She nodded, “of course. Alam mo naman yun, the
good son. Plus nagpromise si Tito na papayag na
siyang magpropose si Dave kay Sara once na
maging stable ang company under Dave’s
management. Ang galing noh?”
Napatingin ako kay Nof. She has a genuine smile.
Naka move on na nga siya kay Dave. Good for her.
Ang hirap kasi ng madami kang hang ups sa past
mo, nakakabaliw.
“That’s great! Ang ganda talaga ng best friend
ko!”
“Oo nga eh. Pero wag kang maingay kay Sara,
ha? Secret lang yun sabi ni Dave.”
I nodded, “alright. Grabe talaga yang si Dave!
Pag nakita ko yan. Naku!”
“Anong meron?” tanong ni Kim nung umupo
siya.
“Wala. Panget mo, pinapaalala ko lang kay DK,”
sabi ni Nof habang kinuha niya yung frapp niya kay

660
Kim.
“Akin na nga yan! Nilibre ka na’t lahat inaaway
mo pa din ako!!”
Natawa ako. Best friends nga naman.
“Anyways, kamusta kayo ni Clarence, Kim?” i
asked. Halata ba na clueless ako? Hindi ako
nakapagparamdam for two weeks sa kanila. Pure
acads mode ako last, last week.
She blushed, “kami pa din ni boyfie!” she
chirped.
“Ew. Disgusting. Buti hindi ka pa iniiwan ni
Clarence. Kakairita yang boses mo,” sabi ni Nof.
Habang nag aaway sila, nagvibrate naman yung
phone ko.
From: Cy Edrian Perez
San ka? I’m here at the parking lot.
I stood up, “una na ko.”
“San ka pupunta?”
I smiled, “may aayusin lang.”
Aayusin ko ang sa amin ni Cyriel.

661
 Ynna’s Point of View
“How are you feeling, honey?” mom asked me
while i was lying on my bed.
“I-i’m fine, mom. I had tons of painkiller,” i lied. 
It hurts. It actually hurts too much. It has been
more than two years since i knew about my
condition. I already prepared myself for whatever is
going for me.. But i never thought it would hurt this
much. This is too much for me..
“Are you sure? You look pale,” mom said. She’s
worried for me. She’s been receiving a lot of stress
from dad’s campaign, yet here i am, giving her more
problems than she could handle. 
“I am okay, mom. Really. It’s part for the illness.
The pale skin, the bruises, the lost of weight,
everything. You should not worry about me, mom. I
accepted this long time ago,” i lied again.
I can’t ever accept the fact that i am dying. All
my dreams have been shattered the moment i knew
about this..
She’s crying again, “i’ll just get something to
eat.”

662
 She went out. She doesn’t want me to see her cry.
It pains her, but it devastates me. She’s my mom..
“Ynna?” i looked at the one who spoke and saw
Cyriel.
“Cyriel,” i said his name weakly.
“Kamusta ka?” he said as he sat on the couch
near my bed.
“Same old, dying,” i cracked a joke.
He frowned. I don’t know if i will blame him for
making me this way.. this pathetic. He’s been there
through everything. I know that i just forced him to
stay with me. But he never let me feel that i gave
him no option, he just stayed by my side. He’s been
my strength through all the mysery i encountered. I
thought i already love him.. But i was wrong..
because i fell in love even more.
“Painkillers?”
I nodded, “know what, Cy? I have something
amazing to tell you!”
“What?”
I smiled, “i have cancer as well! Stage 2.
Amazing, right? Instead of having to stay with me

663
for eight years, siguro kahit two years na lang. Two
years na lang, Cy. Kaya mo naman sigurong ibigay
sa’kin yun, di ba?”
I tried to laugh but he hugged me, “wag kang
ganyan, Ynna. Niloloko mo lang ako eh! Si Dana pa
din ang mahal ko kahit magka cancer, tuberculosis,
o leukemia ka pa! Wag mo naman akong lokohin!”
I silently shed a tear, “sana nga nagloloko lang
ako, Cyriel. Sana nga wala akong sakit, sana nga
hindi ako nahihirapan ng ganito. Sana nga may lakas
ako para ipaglaban ka kay Dana, na agawin ka sa
kanya. Pero hindi eh.. I got these, all of these,” i said
then i burst into tears.
I let myself cry everything out. I cannot cry in
front of my mother. I just cannot risk giving her
another pain. She’s all i got, she’s the person i know
who will not let me down even if the whole world
turned their backs against me. 
“Ssh,” he said while caressing my back. Now, can
you blame me for loving him this much?! 
“Cyriel.. please don’t leave me.. I can’t live
through all these without you.. please.. kahit naaawa
ka lang sa’kin, don’t leave me.. I’m begging you..” i

664
said, forgetting my pride, forgetting my dignity.
Cyriel is all i need.
“I’m sorry, Ynna. Si Dana talaga ang mahal ko.. I
made a lot of wrong decisions before and i lost her
because of that.. Hindi ko na kakayanin pag nawala
pa siya sa’kin. I can’t lose her again.. Not now, not
ever..”
I forced myself to stop crying, “you can’t leave
me just yet, Cy! Is two years that much?! I’m dying!
Siguro nga hindi na ako aabot ng two years! Kahit
yun hindi mo kayang pagbigyan?!”
Lumuhod siya sa harap ko, “please, Ynna. Please
let me go.. kailangan mo ako pero kailangan ko si
Dana.. I just can’t watch her slip away from me, it
kills me to see her drift away! Sabi nga nila palagi
na lang akong nagbibigay.. Hindi ba pwedeng kahit
ngayon ako naman? Hindi ba pwedeng sundin ko
naman yung gusto ko? Hindi ba pwedeng kami
muna na ni Dana?”
I threw the vase across the wall, “lagi na lang
Dana, Dana, Dana!! What does she have na wala
ako?! Ano bang meron siya para magkaganyan ka,
Cyriel?!! Nandito ako! Nandito ako sa harap mo
pero hindi mo ako makita kita! Just for once, can’t
you see me, Cy? Kahit isang beses lang??”

665
 “I-i’m sorry, Ynna.. I can’t be the guy you need.
Sorry kung hindi ko maibigay yung gusto mo. God
knows how much i tried to forget her para lang
matutunan kang mahalin para lang sumaya ka! But..
i just can’t. I love her too much. I gave her my heart,
at wala akong planong bawiin yun..”
I can’t take it anymore.
It hurts.. it fcking hurts like hell..
“Just leave me alone.”

Dana’s Point of View

“Cy!” i called out to get his attention. Para spaced
out siya eh.
Napatingin siya sa direction ko, “kanina ka pa?”
I shook my head, “kakadating ko lang. Where are
we going?”
I tried my best to forget all our problems. Gusto
ko ngayong trip namin, siya lang at ako. Kami lang.
Walang Ynna, walang problema. Si Dana at Cyriel
bago nagulo ang lahat. Siguro naman madali lang
yun, di ba?

666
 “Batangas? Nagpareserve ako sa resort dun. Ayos
lang?” he said and showed me his boyish smile.
I smiled back at him, “Batangas sounds good.
Anyways, nasan ang sasakyan mo?” i asked.
Tinignan ko na yung parking lot for any sign of his
red ferrari.
He shook his head, “we don’t need that.
Commute tayo.”
“WHAT??” i said in hysterics.
Napatawa naman siya sa reaction ko. And what is
wrong with him?? Commute?? I know i used to use
public transportation before pero.. the moment i got
my license, i never had the chance to commute. And
i won’t ever do that again if i could! I always get
chills pag naaalala ko yung kwento sa akin nung
blocmate ko about sa magboyfriend na magkayakap
sa jeepney and turned out na sinaksak pala nung guy
yung girl. It’s just.. way too creepy. Ayoko nang
sumakay ng jeepney or any other form of public
transpo since then. I won’t take the risk.
“Ayaw mo nun, may libreng yakap ka sa’kin pag
inaantok ka?” he said with that familiar smug look
on his face. Nagiging kamukha niya si Clarence pag
ganun.

667
 I sighed, “ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ko?”
He held my hand, “promise i will make this
memorable, Dana.”
It better be, Cyriel. I’ll hold onto that.

Andy’s Point of View

“Aw! Aw! Aw!”
Aish. Bakit ba tahol ng tahol si Berdy ngayon?
Kita ng pagod na pagod ako sa trabaho ko. Ginawa
akong errand boy nung sila Glorie! Hanep na mga
babae yun! Amazona!! Pasalamat sila at gwapo ako,
kundi.. aish! Gwapo ako walang may karapatang
umangal!
Lumapit ako kay Berdy at kinausap ko siya,
“Berdy naman, pagod na nga si Andylicious mo sa
trabaho dahil dun sa kaaway mo na si Glorie tapos
aawayin mo pa ako pagdating sa bahay. Napaka
inconsiderate mo naman na girlfriend.. Akala ko iba
ka kay Dana..”
Aish! Bakit ba nasali si Dana sa usapan?? Bura
bura! Nakaka 20% na nga ako sa moving on eh.
Punyemas! Bakit may move on move on pa akong

668
nalalaman ngayon?? Nababading na yata ako sa
pagsama sama dun kila Glorie!! Buti na lang at
nandun si Lawrence at may nakakausap ako na
lalaki kahit papano!
“Aw, aw, aw..”
Naglalambing na si Berdy. Nako, Andy! Baka
naman may sakit si Berdy?? Aish! 
Lumapit ako kay Berdy at umupo sa harap niya,
“o siya, o siya, dadalhin na kita sa doctor. Spoiled ka
talaga.”
Nagpalit lang ako ng damit at nagready na na
umalis. Ang lamig na dito! Sabagay, magpapasko na
kasi. Ibig sabihin, malapit na din ang birthday ni
Dana.. Andy, umayos ka! Sapakin kaya kita?! Tsk.
Nababaliw na ako. Delikado ’to.
Sumakay na ako sa sasakyan ko. Huh! Mahal
talaga ako ng nanay ko kasi nakuha ko ang
pinakamamahal na BMW ni kuya Andrew! Ni hindi
pa nga niya ’to nagagamit eh. Iba na talaga ang
bunsong anak.. idagdag mo pa ang ka gwapuhan ko. 
“Eto na siguro ’yun,” sabi ko nung tumigil ako sa
isang veterinary clinic. Tama naman siguro since
sinunod ko lang naman yung GPS eh.

669
 —Dandy Veterinary Clinic—
Pumasok ako sa loob, “is the doctor there?”
“Yes, she’s inside.” sabi nung nurse tapos
nagpacute siya. Hmm, nurse Em Em. Sorry, kasama
ko girlfriend ko. Possessive to eh. Haha! 
Pumasok ako sa loob, “good afternoon. I am Dr.
Emione Herrera, what can i do for you?”
Nakanang! Pati ba naman doctora dito, chicks?!
Kung matagal ko nang nalaman ’to eh di sana dito
na ako nag high school at college!
“Ah-eh, my dog’s sick,” bigla namang tumahol si
Berdy. Sensitive talaga, ayaw ng natawag na aso,
gusto girlfriend.
“Where’s your dog?”
Binuhat ko naman si Berdy at ipinatong sa
lamesa, “uh, can i got out for a while?”
Ngumiti yung Dra. Emione. Leche! Tukso,
stalker ba kita?? Lagi mo akong sinusundan!
“Sure, go ahead, Mr..?”
“Louie, Louie Guzman,” sabi ko tapos inextend
ko yung kamay ko para makipagshake hands.

670
 Ngumiti lang siya, “sure then, Louie.”
Lumabas na ako ng clinic bago pa kami maging
apat dun. Ay, potek! Nagiging lumot na naman ang
utak ko! Pumunta nga muna ako sa kainan. Hmm.
Nagugutom na ako. Lagi na lang pizza o kung
anuman na microwavable ang kinakain ko. Gusto ko
ng kanin!!
Pumasok ako sa Daniel’s. Nice. Puro pasta pala
ang sineserve dito. Okay na din kaysa frozen pizza.
Tangina. Isang buwan akong hindi kakain ng pizza!
Masuka suka na ako kahit maisip ko lang yun!!
Umupo ako sa table katabi ng window para wala
lang. Para makita ako ng mga dadaan para sumaya
naman ang araw nila dahil nakakita sila ng gwapo.
Ang bait ko talaga kahit kailan!
“Can i get your--— Louie?? Oh my God! You’re
here!!”

Inalog alog niya pa ako, “i can’t believe it!!”

tumingin siya sa paligid ko, “you’re not with
Berdy?? Finally!! Some lone time with Louie,” she
chirped.

671
 Nakakairita. Kailan ba ako tatantanan ng babaeng
to??

672
 Chapter 59

Chapter 59
Dana’s Point of View
Whoa. Paradise on earth.
“Paano mo ’to nalaman, Cy?” I asked him. Na
mesmerize kasi ako sa ganda ng lugar! It’s so
breathe taking!
He spoke habang binababa niya yung gamit ko.
Pinagbuhat ko siya ng gamit ko! Chivalry at its
finest, “nung nagsscout si Papa ng pag iinvest-an na
resort, we found this. Ang ganda, noh?”
I nodded, “so, share-holder kayo dito?”
“I think so. Ewan ko kung tinuloy ni Papa. Pero
member kami dito, by membership lang kasi ang
nakakapunta dito,” sabi niya.
Tinignan ko naman ’yung lugar. Karamihan
foreigner. Siguro winter na sa kanila kaya nagpunta
na sila sa Pilipinas? First class resort! Hindi ko
naman akalain na dito kami pupunta! Wala akong
dalang bikini! Tsk!

673
 Pumasok kami sa parang hotel. Ewan.
Naghahanap pa kaya sila ng investors? Pipilitin ko si
dad na mag invest dito! Or kahit membership na
lang! 
Pinakita ni Cyriel yung membership card niya,
“this way, sir,” sabi nung receptionist.
Lumapit sa amin yung isang bellboy at kinuha
yung gamit ko from Cy. Mabigat din yun since ilang
damit, sapatos, and toiletries ang nakalagay dun!
After kunin ng bellboy yung gamit, hinawakan ni Cy
yung kamay ko. Nagulat ako kasi hindi na ako
sanay.. pero napatingin ako sa kanya tapos nginitian
niya ako. Nginitian ko na din siya.
’We can do this, Cy.’
Akala ko papasok kami ng elevator since nasa
taas ang rooms pero papalabas na kami ng hotel eh?
“Uh, excuse me, san tayo papunta?” i asked the
bellboy.
Hindi naman kasi naimik si Cy kahit palabas na
kami. Busy kasi siya na paglaruan yung kamay ko.
Binibilang pa niya, as if naman magkukulang yung
daliri ko? Sampu yan kahit anong bilang ang gawin
niya. (-_-)

674
 “Sa VIP place po,” sabi niya. Parang hiyang hiya
naman sa akin ang bellboy na ’to!
Tumahimik na ako at nakisunod na lang sa
nilalakaran namin. Nakarating kami sa parang
secluded place from the resort. Tahimik lang dito
since puro bars and resto yung sa main part ng
resort. Iba’t ibang cabins yung nandito, siguro about
twenty lang? 
Lumapit siya sa parang isang cabin tapos inabot
sa amin yung keycard, “enjoy your stay here, ma’am
and sir!”
Binigyan siya ng tip ni Cy after niyang ipasok sa
cabin yung gamit namin. This is.. too much! Ang
ganda sa loob! Pumunta ako sa round sofa and lie
down.
“Enjoy?” tanong ni Cy.
I beamed, “asa ka. It’s just the beginning. Show
me what you got, Perez,” then i winked.
Umiling iling siya habang pinipigilang tumawa. 
Nagpahinga muna kami since napagod ako sa
byahe! Almost three hours siguro kaming nasa bus
since traffic pa sa Ortigas! Tapos nag taxi pa kami
papunta dito sa resort. I’m really beat. I’ll sleep.

675
 Cyriel’s Point of View
Nakatulog na pala siya. Lumapit ako tapos
binuhat ko siya papunta sa kwarto niya. Ibinaba ko
siya ng dahan dahan tapos tinanggal ko yung mga
buhok na nakahawi sa mukha niya.
“Mahal na mahal kita, Dana. Sana maniwala ka
na ngayon,” sabi ko as i kissed her temple.
Iniwan ko si Ynna kahit na nagmamakaawa siya
sa akin. May sakit siya pero nagawa ko pa din
siyang saktan.. She’s a good friend pero pag si Dana
na yung mawawala sa’kin, kahit sino ipagpapalit
ko. 
Inayos ko yung pagkakahiga sa kanya tapos
nilagyan ko siya ng comforter at tinanggal ko yung
sapatos niya. Naupo muna ako sa bedside niya since
ang tagal ko nang pangarap na makasama ulit siya
ng ganito. Yung ganito lang, walang problema o
kahit ano pa man.
Tinignan ko siya, yung mata niya na mas lalo
akong nahuhulog pag tinitignan niya ako. Na mas
nasasaktan ako pag umiiyak siya, na nababaliw ako
pag tumitingin siya sa iba. Yung buhok niya na
namiss kong hawakan at amuyin tuwing nakatabi

676
siya sa’kin. Yung kamay niya na gusto kong ako
lang ang hahawak, yung mukha niya na hinding
hindi ako magsasawa tignan kahit kailan. Hindi ko
akalain na yung mga ganitong bagay na hindi ko
napapansin dati ay mamimiss ko ng sobra sobra.
Tumayo na ako at pumunta sa kusina.
Nagpareserve na ako nung isang linggo pa kaya
maayos na lahat dito sa cabin. Nagsabi din ako na
punuin nila ng groceries yung fridge kaya walang
problema.
Nagluto ako tutal hindi ko pa yata napagluluto si
Dana kahit nung dati pa. Ang dami kong hindi
nagawa na gustung gusto kong gawin ngayon. Kaya
ngayon na may pagkakataon ako, susulitin ko na.
Gagawin ko lahat at ipapakita ko kung gaano ko siya
kamahal.

Dana’s Point of View

Haaaaaaaaay. Ang sarap ng tulog ko.
Nagstretching muna ako tapos napatingin ako sa
wallclock, “11:30 na??”
Napatayo naman ako ng wala sa oras! Napansin
ko na nasa kwarto na ako. Binuhat siguro ako ni Cy?

677
Bakit naman gabi na agad! 6:30 lang kanina nung
natulog ako eh! Sayang naman! Tatlong araw lang
kami tapos natulog pa ako nung unang araw!
Lumabas ako ng room para hanapin si Cy. Nakita
ko siyang natutulog sa sofa habang nakaupo.
“Tss,” lumapit ako tapos inayos ko siya ng higa.
Baka magka stiff neck pa kasi siya sa posisyon niya!
Hinanap ko naman yung kitchen since
nagugutom na ako. Siguro naman may stock na
kahit junkies o chips man lang dun! Nagugutom na
kasi ako since yung kinain pa namin nila Kim yung
last na kain ko! 
Nung nakarating ako sa kitchen, “Cyriel naman
eh..” Hindi ko napigilang ma touch sa ginawa niya.
May nakahanda kasi na dinner para sa aming
dalawa. Sobrang nag eeffort talaga siya para sa
amin!
Kanina pa niya siguro ’to niluto since mukhang
malamig na yung buttered chicken. Kahit hindi kami
magkasama dati, alam niya pa din yung gusto ko..
Nilagay ko sa microwave lahat ng niluto niya.
Hindi kasi ako marunong magluto. Dapat ba pag
babae marunong agad magluto? Hindi naman! Sexist
lang eh!

678
 Inayos ko ulit yung table at naglagay ako ng
bagong plate and utensils pati gravy and orange
juice. Nung natapos na ako, binalikan ko si Cyriel sa
living room.
“Cy, Cy,” sabi ko habang tinatapik tapik ko siya.
“Hmm?” sabi niya, half asleep. Nakapikit pa kasi
yung mata niya, “wake up, kain tayo?” i said.
Dinilat niya yung mata niya tapos ngumiti.
Na self conscious naman ako sa ngiti niya! May
dumi ba yung mukha ko? Titig na titig siya eh!
“Uh, may mali ba sa mukha ko?” i asked.
He smiled tapos inayos niya yung upo siya, “nah.
I just realized how happy i would be kung mukha
mo ang makikita ko pag gising ko araw araw.”
Napaubo naman ako. Geez, Dana! Get a grip of
yourself! Wag kang obvious kiligin, please!
I smiled awkwardly at him, “of course, ang ganda
ko kaya,” tapos inoffer ko yung kamay ko, “kain
tayo?”
He gladly held my hand tapos sabay kaming
pumunta sa dining table.

679
 “Favorite mo ’to, di ba?” he asked while we’re
eating.
I nodded, “yup. Anything chicken related,” then i
chew a spoonful of rice.
Ngumiti siya sa akin, “ang dumi mong kumain,”
tapos nag lean forward siya at pinunasan yung side
ng lips ko tapos kiniss niya.
O-kay! What’s with him? Hindi ako sanay na
showy siya!
“Cyriel..”
“Hmm?”
“Can i ask you something?”
He smiled, “ano yun?”
I was fidgetting to ask but, “…are you dying?”
Nabulunan naman siya sa narinig niya sa akin.
“Oh!”
Binigyan ko siya ng orange juice. May mali ba sa
tanong ko? Kasi.. naninibago talaga ako sa kanya!
Naging showy ba si Cyriel dati? I mean siguro? I
can’t remember. Vague memories are all i remember.

680
Or ako lang talaga yung may kasalanan kasi naiilang
ako? 
I was taken back to reality nung binaba ni Cyriel
yung baso niya table, “okay ka na?” i worriedly
asked. Nawala halos yung kulay sa mukha niya.
Ganun ba ka grabe yung tanong ko?
“O-okay lang,” sabi niya, still catching his
breathe, “bakit mo nga pala nasabi yun? Do i look
like dying?”
Nahihiya naman ako sa sasabihin ko, “ah-eh,
naninibago lang kasi ako. Entirely my fault.. sorry,
Cy.”
Ngumiti lang siya sa akin, “let’s just forget about
it. From now on, masanay ka na kasi i’ll prove to
you my love. Our forever will start today,” he said
then kissed my knuckles.
Kumain na kami after nun. Ang sarap talaga
magluto ni Cy! Prospect husband? After naming
kumain, nilagay na namin sa dishwasher yung
pinagkainan namin.
I yawned. Past 12 a.m. na pala?
“Inaantok ka na?” he asked.

681
 I shook my head, “hindi pa eh, besides kakakain
lang natin. Do you mind strolling around?”
He shrugged, “not if you’ll hold my hand while
walking.”
I smirked, “ganon na ba ako kaganda para
maging ganyan ka showy ang isang Cyriel Edrian
Perez?”
He shrugged again, “hindi eh.. Ganun lang talaga
kita kamahal kaya ganito ako.”
O-kay. Sabi ko nga hindi na ako magsasalita eh.
Naglakad kami sa shore while holding hands.
Tahimik lang kami, sharing silence between us.
After quite sometime, bumalik na din kami sa cabin,
“good night, Cy.”
“Good night, Dana. See you later.”
And with that, i slept with a smile on my face and
contented heart.

Andy’s Point of View

“What do you want, Louie?” tapos binigay niya
yung menu.

682
 Ang ingay talaga ng Glorie na ’to, oh! Akala ko
pa naman magkaka silence and solitude na ako dito
eh!
“I want you out of my sight,” sabi ko. Kinuha ko
yung laptop ko tapos binuksan. Hmm.
Pinalo niya yung braso ko. Sus. Chansing.
“Louie, you’re being Mr. Grumpy again!!” she
whined.
Ang ingay ng babae na ’to!!
“Give me carbonara, French toast, and uhm,
silence,” sabi ko tapos sinarado ko yung menu.
Nagpout naman siya. Tss! Akala mo cute hindi
naman!
Nag log in muna ako sa FB. Ang dami namang
nag aadd sa akin ngayon. Mga babae talaga oh,
nakita lang na single na ang relationship status ko,
grabe na kung maka add as friend at comment. Pati
lahat ng status ko nillike. Haaay. Dahil ba single ako
o gwapo lang talaga ako?
Nag sign in din ako sa skype. Hmm. Di naman
online si mommy o kuya Andrew. -_—

683
 Mag ssign out sana ako nung nakita kong ininvite
ako ni Nof sa video call. ’Tong baboy na ’to ngayon
lang nagparamdam. Tsk.
Inaccept ko yung invitation niya tapos,
“Guzman!!”
Aish. Napatingin naman yung mga tao sa resto sa
akin. Eskandalosa talaga ’tong baboy na ’to!
Nagsuot nga ako ng earplugs. Kahiya eh. -_—
“Ingay mo, kahiya ka talaga.”
Dinilaan niya ako, “ilang buwan ka ng hindi
nagparamdam tapos ang panget mo pa din.”
“Tss. Magddalawang buwan pa lang namiss mo
na ang ka gwapuhan ko,” sabi ko.
“Kapal mo. Kay Dave at Cyriel pa lang okay na
ko eh,” sabi niya.
Cyriel nga pala. Kamusta na sila ni Dana? Haaay.
Hindi pa din talaga ako nakakalimot. Si Lynne kasi
iniwan ako kaya kung anu ano nangyari sa buhay ko.
Kung hindi kaya ’yun nangyari masaya kaya kami
ngayon? Pamilya kaya kami ni baby AJ ngayon?
Tsk. Dami mong alam, Guzman! Tapos na eh, wala
nang magagawa. Enjoy na lang sa chickas dito sa
Miami!

684
 “Iba pa din ang kagwapuhan ni Andrei Louie
Guzman,” sabi ko tapos uminom ng tubig. Ang tagal
naman ng inorder ko. Bagal talaga ng Glorie na
’yun. -_—
“Oo na, oo na. Pilay ka pa din ba?” sabi niya.
Inayos ko yung laptop tapos tumayo ako para
ipakita sana na nakakalakad na ulit ako pero--—
“I’m so sorry, Louie!!” tapos pinunasan niya ako.
—_—’
“Aish. Clumsy as always,” sabi ko sa kanya.
Itapon daw ba sa damit ko yung carbonara?? 
Nagpout siya tapos nangingilid yung luha niya,
“i-i’m really sorry, Louie,” tapos yumuko siya, “i
didn’t mean it.. it was an accident.. i’m sorry..”
Aish! Bakit naiiyak ’to??
Lumapit ako tapos, “it’s fine. As if i’m not yet
used to you being clumsy,” tapos tinignan niya ako.
Tsk. Naiiyak pala talaga siya. Pinunasan ko yung
luha niya, “it’s fine. I have extra shirt in my car. Just
get me another order, alright?”
Nag nod siya tapos kinuha ko yung extra shirt ko
at nagpalit. Pagbalik ko sa table, “nice. Goodbye,

685
Dana ka na pala, Andy. Sino yung brunette?” sabi ni
Nof.
“Ah yun ba? Si Glorie,” sabi ko.
“New girl?”
Natawa naman ako, “hahaha! Seryoso ka, piggy?
Nakita mo ba kung gaano ka clumsy yun?? Mamaya
mamatay ako agad sa pagka careless nun eh. Tsk.”
Nag shrug siya, “a strong negative is a positive.”
“Dami mong alam, piggy.”
“You’ll never know, Guzman. You might see
yourself falling hard,” sabi niya.
Pwe! Hindi nga? Andy and Glorie? Haha! Ano
’yun, joke?? 
Nagseryoso ako kunwari, “hindi din. May
girlfriend na ako eh.”
Halos mabulunan naman si Nof sa narinig niya.
Kumakain kasi siya. Baboy talaga. -_—
“TALAGA??”
“Tsk. Bawal ba akong magka girlfriend?” sabi ko.

686
 Kinalma niya yung sarili niya, “hindi nga? Sino?
Ano’ng pangalan? Kailan pa kayo??”
Hmm, “si Berdy. Ano, wala pa kaming one week
eh.”
Tinaas niya yung kilay niya, “berdy? Weird
naman ng pangalan niya.”
“Hindi din. Possessive yun eh, mahal na mahal
ako.” totoo naman. Halos nakatabi na nga sa akin
matulog si berdy. Buti hindi ko nadadaganan yun.
Tinitigan niya ako, “seryoso ka sa kanya?”
tumango ako, “oh? Asan siya ngayon? Pwede kong
makita?”
“Nasa doctor eh,” sabi ko. Kamusta na kaya si
berdy? Okay naman siguro. Mukha mabait naman si
Dr. Emione eh tsaka sexy pa! Oha! Hahaha!
“Bakit?”
“Ah-eh,” hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin na aso
si berdy kasi baka pagtawanan ako nito, “masama
pakiramdam. Nahihilo at nagsusuka.”
“Oh my God, Andy!! Oh my God!!”
Ha? Ano bang mali sa sinabi ko???

687
 “Hoy, piggy. Anong oh my god ka jan? May mali
ba sa--—”
OH BAKIT NAWALA??? Black out ba sa
Pilipinas??

Dana’s Point of View

“Dana..”
“Hmm..”
“Dana..”
Sino ba ’to? Inaantok pa ako eh..
“Dana Kathryn Ferrer— Perez, gising ka na..”
tapos naramdaman ko na may naglalaro sa buhok
ko.
I tried to open my eyes but to no avail since i am
still sleepy. What time is it anyways?
“I’m still sleepy, Cy..” i whined.
Hinapalos niya naman yung mukha ko, “gising ka
na, please? Nood tayo ng sunrise. Tulog ulit after
nun? Please, Dana Kathryn Ferrer— Perez?”

688
 Kahit na nakapikit ako, na iimagine ko yung
mukha ni Cy habang sinasabi niya yung pangalan ko
with his last name attached to it. I can’t help but
smile, he’s really adorable!
“Fine, Cyriel Edrian Perez. Pasalamat ka..”
He asked me, “pasalamat ako, ano?”
“Pasalamat ka gwapo ka,” then i stuck out my
tongue.
Natawa naman siya sa akin. Pumasok ako sa cr at
nag ayos. Grabe naman! 4:30 pa lang pala. No
wonder inaantok pa din ako. Nag ayos ako ng sarili
ko. Nakakahiya naman kasi, ang gwapo ng kasama
ko tapos mukha akong basura? No effin way! 
After couple of minutes, lumabas na ako sa cr,
“here.”
Tumayo siya at sinuot sa akin yung jacket,
“thanks. You don’t have to do this, Cy. Hindi ka
naman ganito eh,” i said.
“Hindi talaga ako ganito pero i want to be. I want
to be the man who deserves you. And you deserve
only the best, Dana. Kaya gagawin ko ang lahat para
maging the best.. because i want to be the guy you
deserve,” he said with a smile on his face.

689
 I smiled back at him, not saying anything. 
Konti na lang.. i will fall in love again.. this time,
harder.

I woke up around 9 a.m. since halos 6 a.m. na

yata kami nakabalik ni Cy sa cabin. Three hours
lang halos ang tulog ko.
—flasback—
Napipikit ako habang naglalakad papunta sa kung
saan man kami pupunta ng mapansin ni Cy, “bakit?”
i asked. Tumigil kasi siya sa harap ko.
Tumalikod siya then said, “sakay ka?”
“For real?” i asked. Never once did i imagine na
mag ooffer siya ng piggy back ride sa akin! I mean,
si Cyriel na kulang na lang bigyan ng title na ice
prince sa sobrang katahimikan at pagiging suplado
mag ooffer na sumakay ako sa likod niya?
He chuckled, “yes, for real.”
Without a doubt, sumakay ako sa likod niya. It
feels so.. right. I rested my head on the side of his
neck, familiarizing myself with his smell.

690
 Naglakad siya papunta sa parang cliff where you
can see the overview of the resort. Ang ganda!
Parang yung haven lang ni Cy sa Makati!
May nakahanda na na gamit dun, complete with
cloth na inuupuan namin at konting food.
I yawned.
“Inaantok ka?” he asked.
I nodded. Pinat niya yung lap niya tapos pinahiga
niya ako dun. I smiled at him habang nakatingin ako
sa kanya while lying on his lap.
“Will you sing for me?” i asked.
“Nakantahan na kita dati,” he replied.
“Oh? Kailan?” i asked. Nakantahan niya na ba
ako dati? Imposible namang nakalimutan ko kung
totoo nga! So malamang hindi pa.
“Nung nag away kayo ni Andy,” he said.
Andy? Naalala ko na naman yun. Kamusta na
kaya yun sa Cali? Siguro nambababae yun!
Knowing Andy? Sure as hell na oo!
Napansin niya yata na hindi ko maalala, “hindi
mo na pala maalala. Let me help you,” sabi niya

691
tapos nginitian niya ako. And started singing.
—Would you look at her she looks at me, she’s
got me thinking about her constantly but she don’t
know how i feel.. As she carries on without a doubt,
i wonder if she’s figured it out. I’m crazy for this
girl.. Yeah i’m crazy for this girl..—
I smiled at him, “don’t tell me i got you whipped
that early? Hindi pa nga tayo close nun eh!”
Hindi nga kami halos nag uusap nun eh! Hindi
ba? Kaya nga siya si Mr. Sungit eh!
“One look and you got me,” he said, “hindi ka pa
nagsasalita, nakuha mo na ako. That’s how whipped
i am, Dana. I’m fatally whipped.”
I blushed. I just blushed in front of him!
He leaned closer since nakahiga ako sa lap niya
and kissed my cheeks, “you make me happy just by
blushing. I love you.”
I smiled back at him, “likewise, Cy.”
Natulog muna ako then ginising niya ako nung
magssunrise na, “Dana?”
“Hmm?”

692
 “Gising na, sunrise na,” he said.
I opened my eyes and looked over the horizon
with him. Yung puyat? It’s all worth it! Ang ganda
ng sunrise!
Busy ako sa pag admire sa ganda ng sunrise ng
mapansin ko na nakatingin sa’kin si Cy, “Dana..”
“Hmm?”
“Let’s be together forever,” he said, “sabi nila
kung sino daw yung unang taong makakasama mo
sa pagnood sa pagsikat ng araw, yun daw ang
makakasama mo habang buhay.”
I looked at him and pinched his nose,
“superstitious ka na pala eh!” i teased him, “but
kidding aside, if things are meant to be, it will be.
Magtiwala lang tayo, Cy. Always keep the faith.”
—present—
“Cy?” i called out. Lumabas kasi ako sa kwarto at
hinanap ko siya. He’s nowhere to be found. Nasan
kaya ’yun?
Nagpunta ako ng kitchen para kumain since
nagugutom na din naman ako. May nakita akong
note sa cupboard, “be back before 11 a.m. AKTF -
Cy”

693
 I get his note and kept it, minsan lang magbibigay
ng note yan kaya dapat itago. Tinignan ko yung
fridge, may nakalagay na na pagkain, nilagay ko na
lang sa microwave. Kumain lang ako ng mabilis
since balak kong pumunta sa resort proper ngayon!
Hindi naman siguro kami dumayo ng Batangas para
magkulong sa cabin, di ba?
I wore my short shorts and a hanging blouse
which hangs just above my belly button. Since wala
nga akong dalang bikini, I should buy later.
Nag ikot ikot ako sa resort! It was awesome! Too
bad hindi ko dala ang SLR ko, sayang ang view! But
that’s fine, okay na siguro ang BB ko.
I sat on the of the stools since halos 11 a.m. na
din. Kanina pa pala ako nag iikot ikot. Bumili din
ako ng pasalubong kila Kim, Nof, Sara, Dave, at kila
mom and dad. Bakit nga ba ako bumili? Hindi ko
din naman pala sinabi sa kanila na magbabakasyon
ako. Tsk. Stupid me.
Sayang hindi ako nakapag banana boat ride o
kahit anuman since wala si Cy. Ayoko naman
sumakay mag isa. Wag na lang. Bumalik ako ng
cabin before 11 since sabi ni Cy babalik siya. San
kaya galing yun?

694
 Pagpasok ko sa room, nandun na siya.
“Hey,” nasabi ko na lang. Bigla niya kasi akong
niyakap, “bakit?”
“Wala. Wala ka kasi pagdating ko, akala ko
iniwan mo na ako. Wag mo na akong pansinin,” he
said habang nakayakap pa din sa akin.
I smiled to myself, “sus. Pumunta lang ako sa
labas. I bought these,” tapos tinuro ko yung hawak
hawak ko na paperbags, “where were you, anyways?
Wala ka nung pag gising ko eh,” i said.
“May inayos lang. Kumain ka na?”
I nodded, “yup. Nag lunch na ako. Ikaw?”
“Hindi pa eh, samahan mo ako?”
So, bumalik lang din kami sa resort. Sinamahan
kong kumain si Cy. After nun, nag ikot ikot kami at
nag banana boat ride! Hahaha! Ang saya! Tapos nag
boating din kami at zip line. Hindi nga lang nakapag
scuba diving since ang daming naka line up na din
nung naisip namin. Bumalik kami sa cabin by 2.
“Alis tayo,” sabi ni Cy.
“Where to?”

695
 “Basta,” he said and assured me with a smile.
Nagbihis ako ng sunday dress since ewan. Gusto
ko lang. I wore a floras dress and flats. San kaya ako
dadalin ni Cy? Nung makalabas kami ng resort,
nakita ko yung ferrari niya, “akala ko hindi mo
dala?” i asked him.
“Hindi nga, pinasunod ko lang,” he said tapos
pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto.
“San tayo pupunta?” i asked again. Naccurious
kasi ako.
“Basta,” sabi niya na naman. Better be sure na
magugustuhan ko yung pupuntahan namin.
Natulog pala ako since nagising ako ay nakatigil
na yung sasakyan, “nandito na tayo?”
He nodded, “yes. Shall we?”
Naglakad kami sa.. san nga ba ’to? Hindi ko din
alam eh! Basta ang alam ko, para siyang malaking
garden na punung puno ng flowers. Malayo din
siguro ’to since ang tahimik, “nasan tayo, Cy?”
“Caleruega.”
I just nodded. Busy pa din kasi ako sa pag admire
sa bulaklak na nakita ko sa daan. Naglalakad kasi

696
kami ngayon papunta sa hindi ko alam kung saan.
“Dito na tayo,” he said.
“Sure ka, Cy?” i asked. Ang dami kasing tao sa
chapel. May chapel pala dito sa garden! Ang ganda
lang talaga, may ikakasal pa. Kailan kaya ako
ikakasal? Sana yung ganito din, yung dito gaganapin
tapos ang invited lang ay yung mga tao na kilala ko
talaga. Solemn wedding is all i ask for.
I was busy admiring the wedding when i saw Cy
dropped on his knees, “marry me?”

Andy’s Point of View

Pupuntahan ko na nga si Berdy. Halos isang oras
ko na pala siyang iniwan dun. Tsk. Tatahulan na
naman ako nun mamaya! Nagger pa naman yun.
Tsk.
Papunta na sana ako sa BMW ko nung may
napansin ako sa gutter ng kalsada. Pamilyar ’to ah?
Lumapit ako para tignan kung sino yun, mukha
umiiyak kasi tapos.. si Glorie pala yun! Pano ko
nalaman? Eh kakaiba kasi yung itsura niya.. may
Glorie vibes. Ay letche! Nababading na yata ako!

697
 “Hey,” sabi ko tapos naupo din ako sa gutter ng
kalsada, “why are you crying?”
Nag sniff siya bago magsalita, “nothing, Louie.
Sorry again for what happened..”
I smiled at her, baka nagguilty na naman ’to! Para
isang carbonara at tshirt lang eh! “I told you it’s fine.
Don’t worry,” pag aassure ko sa kanya.
“Sorry again..”
“Why are you crying?” tanong ko sa kanya.
Imposible namang iniyakan niya yung kanina? Eh
hindi naman ako nagalit ah?? Di ba??
“I-it’s nothing,” sabi niya.
“Come on, nothing? You hardly can breath
because of that then you say nothing?”
Tapos nag iiyak na siya, “i was fired. My boss
said i am clumsy and i always cause trouble that’s
why he fired me,” tapos umiyak siya ulit. Sus,
nawalan lang ng trabaho iyak na agad?
Napakaiyakin naman nito!
“Why do you cry so much? It’s just a job,” sabi
ko.

698
 “It’s not like that,” sabi niya, “i’m not like you.
I’m not rich and i need this job. I’m all alone, Louie.
I need to work to live, i don’t have parents who will
support me..”
Aish! Bakit ba kasi gumaganda ang mga babae
pag umiiyak? Hirap tuloy tanggihan! Tsk!
“Do you really need a job?”
Tumango siya.
“Will you work for me?”

“I, Dana Kathyrn Ferrer, promise to take Cyriel

Edrian Perez as my lawfully wedded husband, in
sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in
thick and thin, in happiness and sorrow, ’til death do
us part.”
I, then, looked at him.
“I, Cyriel Edrian Perez, promise to take Dana
Kathyrn Ferrer as my lawfully wedded wife, in
sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in
thick and thin, in happiness and sorrow, ’til death do
us part.”

699
 We stared at each other’s eyes and both smiled.
We heard applauses from the people who
attended the wedding, “let’s go?” tanong ni Cyriel
sa’kin.
I nodded, “let’s go, husband.”
Lumabas na kami sa Caleruega chapel ng
magkahawak ang kamay, “san tayo?”
“Honeymoon?” he teased.
“Can you handle me?” i challenged him.
He chuckled tapos pinitik niya yung noo ko,
“wag kang ganyan, Mrs. Perez. I’m still a man.”
Tumawa na lang kami tapos naglakad papunta sa
ferrari niya, “gusto ko sa susunod tayo na yung
ikakasal talaga,” sabi niya habang hawak yung
kamay ko at yung isa nakalagay sa manibela.
“It depends.. sa proposal mo. I’m not easy to
please, Mr. Perez,” i teased.
He laughed, “alam ko. Kaya nga nag iisip na ako
eh.”
“Bakit? Magppropose ka na ba anytime soon?”
He shrugged, “baka. Brace yourself, Dana.”

700
 Umalis na nga kami sa Caleruega. Nakakatuwang
isipin na kahit hindi totoo, kahit na sumabay lang
kami sa mga kinasal dun habang nagpapalitan sila
ng sumpa sa isa’t isa.. kinasal kami ni Cyriel. Kahit
hindi pa yun legal, the fact na hinarap niya ako sa
simbahan, it was more than enough. It was more
than enough to make me fall over again.
Nakarating kami sa isang restaurant, “dito tayo
maghhoneymoon?”
He smirked, “hindi ka na ba makapaghintay sa
katawan ko, Dana? Katawan ko lang ang habol
mo?”
I punched him, “baka ikaw. Sexy ko kaya. Akala
mo hindi ko napansin na titig na titig ka sa’kin
kanina nung naka hanging blouse ako noh??”
He blushed.
“Okay lang yan, husband. Makikita mo din
naman ’to eh,” then i bit my lip, “kaya bilis bilisan
mo na sa proposal mo.”
Kumain kami. Ito pala yung inayos niya kanina.
Cyriel talaga, yung mga ganitong bagay na
ginagawa niya yung dahilan kaya mas lalo akong
nahuhulog. Slowly but definitely.. i’m definitely
falling hard.

701
 Nakadating kami pabalik sa resort by 7 p.m.
Nakaupo kami pareho sa couch while our hands are
intertwined.
“Cy?” i called his name.
“Hmm?”
“Can i call you mine?” i asked randomly.
Nakita kong nagblush siya. Hahaha! Lagi ko na
’tong gagawin para makita ko siyang nagbblush!
He kissed my cheek, “of course. I’m all yours to
begin with, wife. Kuha lang ako ng tubig,” tapos
tumayo siya.
Nung tumayo siya, may narinig akong parang
nalaglag. Napatingin kami pareho dun sa.. singsing.
Walang nagsalita sa amin.
P-para ba sa’kin yun?
Nilagay ni Cyriel yung kamay niya sa batok niya
tapos pinulot niya yung singsing.
“Sa’kin ba yan?”
Tumango siya.
Binigay ko yung kamay ko, “suot mo.”

702
 “Ha?”
“Sabi ko, ilagay mo sa kamay ko.”
Mukhang naguguluhan siya pero nilagay niya pa
din sa daliri ko, “now, Cyriel Edrian Perez, fiance
mo na ako. Pagkatapos ng lahat ng ’to, pag okay na
ang lahat, pag wala na tayong problema, ako ang
pakakasalan mo. Ako lang, hindi si Ynna Isabel
Henares. Tandaan mo, si Dana Kathryn Ferrer lang
ang pakakasalan mo. Akin lang yang puso mo.. kasi
wala akong balak na ibalik yan.”
Ngumiti siya, “i love you, Dana.”
“Nasabi ko na ba ’to?” i kissed him, “i love you,
Cyriel Edrian Perez.”
I spoke, “i want to be your girl, not your friend,
not your other woman, not your second choice. I
want to be the one you love, held, and gets phone
calls at night, surprises, the kisses on forehead, the i
miss you’s, the i love you’s, i want it all. Can you
give it to me?”
“Would always comply. Always and forever,
Dana,” he said as he kissed my knuckles.
I pulled him closer and kissed him. I kissed him
with everything i have, with everything i could offer.

703
 I nibbled his lower lip while smiling, having my
arms snake its way around his neck. I played with
the strands of his hair, pulling him closer to me. I
want him closer, dangerously closer.
I never thought how much i missed him. All
along, i kept on dismissing the fact that i need him..
that i need him here with me. Right beside me.
He pinned me on the wall and held me by my
waist. I found my hands fumbling over the buttons
of his shirt, unbuttoning it one by one.
He looked into my eyes and said, “Dana?”
I pulled him again and said, “just shut up and kiss
me.”

704
 Chapter 60

Chapter 60
Andy’s Point of View
“Your house’s so big, Louie!”
Ano ba naman ’tong Glorie na ’to? Parang
ngayon lang nakakita ng bahay. (-_-) Hindi ba uso
ang malaking bahay sa Miami?
“Just place your things there,” sabi ko tapos
naupo muna ako sa couch. Naiwan ko pa si Berdy sa
clinic ni Dr. Emione. Bakit ba kasi ngayon pa
nagkasakit si Berdy? Naiwan tuloy akong mag isa
kasama ’tong Glorie na ’to. Di bale, at least makikita
ko si Dr. Sexy bukas. Hahaha!
“Do you live here alone, Louie?”
“Do you see anyone else here aside from us?”
Nagpout na naman siya, letse! “Why are you
always angry with me?”
“It’s just-— i was just stating the obvious. It’s
been a rough day. Just let this one pass,” sabi ko.

705
 Kailangan pang naaalala ko si Dana sa kanya?
Hindi naman sila magkamukha pag tinitigan mo
pero.. ay, tangina malala na ako!
“Alright,” she chirped. Buti na lang talaga
madaling maka move on ’tong babaeng ’to. Kahit
yata sigawan ko ngayon, mamaya lang okay na ulit
’to eh. Iwas hassle din! “What would i cook,
Louie?”
“Whatever,” sabi ko.
“Whatever it is then,” sabi niya. Bakit ba
napakamasayahin ng babaeng ’to? Nagmumukha
tuloy akong grumpy sa tabi niya. Leche.
Nagbukas ako ng laptop. Gagawa din ng design
sa bagong investment ni papa na resort. Engineer
Andrei Louie Guzman. Tangina, sarap pakinggan!
Hahaha! 5 months na lang, April na, balik Pinas.
“What is that?”
“Fck!” napasigaw ako, “why do you always pop
out of nowhere? Jeez!” Mamamatay yata ako sa
sakit sa puso sa babaeng ’to eh!
Nagpout na naman siya. Babaeng pout.
“Sorry, Louie. You just seemed so.. relax and i
couldn’t bring myself to bother you,” paliwanag

706
niya.
“That’s fine. Just don’t do that again.”
Naupo siya sa tabi ko, “anyway, what’s that?”
“Designs.”
Nagpout na naman, “i know that! I’m not stupid.”
“Not so sure about that one, pouty.”
“And since when did you start calling me
names?” tapos nag cross arms siya. Isip bata. Pouty
talaga.
“Since i gave you a job. I am your employer,”
sabi ko habang nirreview yung location na email
nung secretary ni Dad. Hmm. 
“Tch. Here is your whatever, sir.”
“BACONS AND PANCAKES??”
Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa babaeng ’to!
“What’s wrong with that?”
Hingang malalim, Andrei.
“I’m gonna pay you 20 bucks a day for bacons
and pancakes?? Are you nuts?” Aba! Halos 1000 na
sa Pinas ang 20 bucks! 350 lang ang minimum wage

707
tapos etong babae na ’to pagluluto lang naman ang
gagawin. Ang sakit sa ulo!
Pouty again, “but you don’t have anything in
your fridge, Louie. What can i make out of beers and
frozen pizza? Good thing there’s eggs and some
flour.”
“Aish. Fine,” sabi ko tapos tumayo ako at kinuha
yung jacket ko at beanie, “let’s go.”
“Where?”
“Groceries so you would stop whining and
showing me your pouty face.”
Pumunta ako sa garage at sumakay sa BMW. Eto
na namang babaeng ’to akala mo ngayon lang
nakakita ng sasakyan. -_— Pumasok siya sa loob
tapos nakatingin sa akin at nakangiti.
“What?”
Ngumiti na naman siya, “nothing.”
“Creeper.”
“I am not!”
“Shut up.”

708
 Magsasalita pa sana siya kaya lang binuksan ko
yung radio.
—My friends tell me I gotta give it up so I’ve
been trying to move on But my hearts still caught
and my heads not clear of the pictures from before
you were gone And I never wanna hurt no one
Tryin’ to forget your name Something inside just
don’t feel the same Noo She’s not you 
And I don’t know what to say But I’ll say it
anyway No matter what I do I can’t believe the lie
And I just can’t see it through No, she’s not you—
Ay leche! Ano’ng taon na yun pa din ang
pinatutugtog dito sa Miami?? Lintek na David
Archuleta naman oh!
“Why did you turn that radio off? The song’s
good,” sabi ni pouty.
Bakit ba hanggang dito siya pa din naiisip ko.
Halos isang buwan na.. December na pala sa
susunod na araw. Sana makalimot na ako. Gusto ko
na din bumalik sa Pinas, nandun yung buhay ko,
nandun yung mga kaibigan ko, dun ako masaya.
Pero mas sasaya ako kung pagbalik ko dun, wala na
akong nararamdaman para kay Dana. Ay sht! Sino
bang niloko ko? Syempre mahal ko pa din yun!

709
Hindi naman ganun kadaling kalimutan yun. Halos
tatlong taon kong minahal yung babaeng yun eh..
Pero sana mabawasan naman. Kahit konti lang. Para
hindi na sobrang sakit.
“You’re idling,” sabi nung nasa tabi ko.
“We’re here,” sabi ko tapos lumabas na ako tapos
naupo sa hood ng sasakyan, “here.” Inabot ko sa
kanya yung credit card ko, “buy-— whatever. I’ll
wait for you here.”
Umalis na siya. Kahit naman siguro Ms.
Sunshine maiintindihan na gusto kong mapag isa
ngayon.
calling..
She-who-must-not-be-named
“Hello?”
Sht.
Mahal ko pa din talaga.

Dana’s Point of View

710
 “Yes, sir. Will call you after class,” sabi ko kay
Cy then i ended his call.
Last week was.. blissful. After the long years of
pain and hurting, i can say that i am now happy. And
i hope that this will last.
I’m here at a cafe near St. Claire’s, gumagawa ng
bagong designs para sa final portfolio ko since
kailangan ko ng matapos before December.
I was listening to some music when i felt my
phone vibrate.
private number
calling..
Private number?? Sino ba ’to? I don’t usually
entertain stray calls pero.. i feel like i need to answer
it.
“Hello?” i said through the line.
“Hello?”
Wala namang nagsasalita. Pocket dial?
I was about to end the call when i heard someone
from the other line said ’Louie.’

711
 “Andy?” i asked. Si Andy ba yung tumawag?
“Andy?” then the line went dead.
I stared at my phone. Did Andy just call me?
Bakit? All these time hindi siya tumawag sa’kin, not
even a hi or hello or even to tell me that he arrived
safely in California. I thought we’re friends.. Or so i
thought. Of course he wouldn’t contact me! After all
i did to him.. sana mapatawad niya ako. I want him
back. I want Andy back. I want my hot and cold
back.
“Hey.”
“Hey yourself, Josh. Your stalking skill is
becoming.. creepy. How did you know i’m here?” i
asked.
He smiled, “i just know. And don’t flatter
yourself, Ms. Ferrer, i’m not a stalker. I’m seeing
someone.”
“Of course you’re seeing someone. You always
does, Josh. Hard habit to break,” i commented as i
continue to draw.
If i am to graduate next sem, ibibigay ba sa’kin ni
mom yung boutique niya? Pero ayoko pa.. besides,
she can still manage the boutiques. Mom’s just in

712
her early 40’s. Maybe i’ll just ask to manage the new
line she’s planning to start.
But then, papayag kaya si Cy? Would he marry
me after graduation? Geez! Way to go, Dana. You
just returned from a rather blissful vacation tapos
pupunuin mo na naman yung isip mo ng what if’s. I
really know how to torture myself.
“Who’s the unlucky girl?” i asked.
“Nof Salvador,” he grins, “gotcha.”
My jaw just fell. Literally.
“Nof? As in Nof my friend? No, you won’t!
You’re a sore player, Josh! You’ll hurt her!” i
objected. God! Could the start of this week get even
more frustrating? First, Andy’s unexpected call (?),
then this? Nof and Josh? Really??
“Now that’s below the belt, D. I won’t hurt her.
Besides, she’s the one who’s hurting me. She’s been
inflicting great damage to my already bruised ego
since i met her,” sabi niya. Typical of Nof. Sadist at
heart.
“Well deserved, Josh. For all the hearts you
broke,” i honestly commented.

713
 “Whatever, D. By the way, i saw your boyfriend
last week,” he said.
“Where?” i asked nonchalantly. Sheez.
Graduation jitters right through my feet. Ganito ba
talaga ang feeling ng ggraduate? Kinakabahan ako
kahit next sem pa yun! Am i ready to conquer the
world of professionals? Of course i am!
“In my cousin’s house. Yeah. There. I see him
there often,” he said.
I raised a brow, “your cousin? I thought you’re
from England?”
He shrugged, “i am. My dad’s a Filipino but i’m
using my mom’s name since i am quite of the
illegitimate child,” he said as if its an old news,
“don’t give me that face, D. I’m seriously over it.
Besides, my old guy provides me money. No fuss.”
“Still, sorry to hear that, Josh.”
“No, prob. Glad that i don’t carry my father’s
name. My ex fiance wanted to marry me beause of
that. Never thought the name Henares could be so
influencial here,” he said.
I gawked at him, “Fck.”
“What, D?”

714
 “Don’t fcking tell me you’re Ynna’s cousin?”
He nodded.
Fcking fck. Why is everything connected with
her??

Ynna’s Point of View

“Senorita, nasa labas po si Sir Cyriel,” one of the
maids told me.
“Make him leave,” i told her off.
Last week was.. hell. Cyriel left me. I have no
reason to live. I wanna die. I wanna kill Dana! She
took everything away from me! Cyriel is my
everything.. and now, he’s with her.. Everything i
want to be, everything i desire, she all gets it. She’s
the reason i am this pathetic!
“Ynna.” I know that voice. 
“Just go, Perez. I don’t want to have any
connections with you,” i said dryly.
It’s better off this way. I’m weak and dying. I
better make myself used to the fact that he’ll never
be mine.. as long as Dana lives. I better be counting

715
my dying days instead of degrading myself even
more by begging him to stay.
He sat by tha stool near me and placed a basket
of fruits on my bedside table, “brought this for you.”
I smirked at him, “last time i checked, my
family’s richer than yours, Perez. I could buy fruits
for all you care.”
He smiled to himself, “of course, Ynna. Kamusta
ka na?”
“Dying.”
“Did you take your meds?”
“Don’t care.”
“Will you stop being monosyllabic, Ynna?”
I spoke, “don’t you Ynna me, Perez! The moment
you walked out that door, i want nothing from you. I
would die someday and i tell you, it’s because of
you. You killed me, Cyriel! I died a thousand deaths
because of you! Far more excruciating than my
diseases.”
He sat still, “i don’t care about what you think.
Dito ako sa tabi mo. That’s what a good friend
does.”

716
 I slapped him, “stop this, Cyriel! I love you, can’t
you see that? Stop giving me hope that you would
love me back and just leave me alone! Just leave me
and let me die hating Dana.”
He held his freshly slapped cheek, “gusto mo ng
apples, Ynna? Sorry kung wala ako last week, may
inasikaso lang ako. Nakausap mo na ba yung doctor
mo?”

Andy’s Point of View

“Here,” binigay ko sa kanya yung bayad.
“Thank you, boss. Nice working with you,” sabi
niya.
“You sure you can go home alone?” tanong ko.
Gabi na kaya. Alas siete na eh. Mamaya ma rape pa
’tong pouty na ’to.
“Been going home alone since i turned 15, Louie.
See you tomorrow!”
Umalis na siya. Pero dahil nagppractice ako ng
gentleman skills, sinundan ko siya. Baka marape pa
’to, konsensya ko pa. Eh sa katawan pa lang ni pouty
malabong makasuntok ’to ng rapist eh! Ang liit

717
tapos sexy pa. Leche. Oo na, sexy si pouty. Na
aappreciate ko naman yun. Hehe.
Sinusundan ko siya tapos pumasok siya sa isang
club? Dito ba siya nakatira?
Pumasok din ako sa loob tapos hindi ko na siya
nakita. Naupo muna ako sa stool sa counter habang
hinahanap ko siya.
Umorder muna ako ng margarita. Tangina.
Nakakamiss din pala yung bar ni Dave, akalain mo?
Halos ayoko na ngang pumunta dun dati kasi araw
araw akong nandun.
Napatingin naman ako sa mga sipol ng lalaki sa
likod.
Tangina.
“Come with me,” hinatak ko siya palabas. “What
the fck, Glorie Evans?!” sigaw ko sa kanya. Fck
tangina leche! “What?! You’re gonna cry again?!”
“S-sorry, Louie. Why are you mad at me? D-did i
do something wrong?” she said while sobbing.
Inabot ko sa kanya yung panyo ko at nalagay ko
na lang yung kamay ko sa ulo out of frustration,
“what are you doing there?” tanong ko, trying to

718
keep my voice low. Kasi tangina, malapit na akong
sumigaw!
Inilagay ko sa kanya yung jacket ko. Leche! Ang
sakit sa ulo!
“I-it’s my job.”
“It’s your job! Wow, Glorie Evans. How many
jobs do you have? Do you seriously need money to
get into that kind of.. job?”
Ngumiti siya sa’kin pero alam kong hindi totoo.
Tangina, Glorie Evans. Ano bang ginagawa mo
sa’kin?!
“I need it, Louie. I need money. I need it so much
that i would stoop this low and wear these,” sabi
niya sabay turo sa damit niyang hindi ko alam kung
damit pa ba ang tawag, “and entertain people who
would degrade me and treat me as sex objects. Yes,
Louie. I need money that much.”
Kinuha ko yung wallet ko, “there. Quit that
fcking job for fck’s sake, Glorie!”
“I can’t accept this,” tapos binalik niya sakin
yung pera, “if you would excuse me.”
Babalik na sana siya papasok sa bar pero hinatak
ko siya pabalik, “don’t turn your back on me while

719
i’m still talking, Glorie Evans,” binigay ko sa kanya
lahat ng laman ng wallet ko, “i’m buying   your
whole week. Quit your job.”
Naglakad ako palayo pero hinabol niya ako, “i
can’t accept these!”
“Fck. You’re one frustrating woman.”
Binalik niya sa bulsa ko, “here. I can’t have that,
Louie. It’s your money.”
“It’s my parent’s, if that’s what you worry about.”
sabi ko.
“I don’t want it even more if it is your parent’s.”
Hingang malalim, “what should i do to make you
quit your job?”
“Why do you care so much, Louie?”
Kasi.. kasi nakikita ko si Dana sa’yo. Kasi hindi
ko kayang makita si Dana na ganyan ang ginagawa.
Kasi hindi ko mapprotektahan si Dana kasi may
Cyriel na siya kaya ikaw na lang siguro hanggang si
Dana pa din. 
“Because i can.”
“And why do you always give me money?”

720
 I sighed, “because i have. I can afford, Ms.
Evans. That money i’m giving you is nothing, i
swear. Don’t worry too much.”
“O-okay, Louie. I’ll just get my things inside..”
Naglakad na siya pero sumunod ako. Bakit ba
kasi dito siya nagttrabaho? Sobrang hirap ba ng
buhay niya para mapilitan siyang pumasok sa club?
Ilan ba ang trabaho niya? Yung kay Angel, sa akin,
dun sa Daniel’s, tapos dito din? Tsk. Ang sakit sa ulo
ng Glorie na ’to!
“Thanks, Louie,” sabi niya nung kinuha ko yung
gamit niya.
Naglakad lang kami papunta sa bahay nila.
Malayo din mula sa bahay ko pero kaya namang
lakarin. Tsk. Bakit ba hindi ko na lang dinala yung
sasakyan ko? Minsan talaga iniisip ko na naiwan ko
yung utak ko sa Pilipinas eh!
Nginitian niya na naman ako. Ms. Sunshine
talaga ’to, “thanks, Louie.”

“See you tomorrow, Mr. Grumpy.”

721
 Napahawak ako sa pisngi ko. Tsk. Tignan mo,
Dana. Kahit si Glorie naiinlove na yata sa’kin, ikaw
lang talaga ang hindi.

Dana’s Point of View

“Sara..”
“Oh, Dana!”
I hugged her tight, “i missed you. Gaga ka! Hindi
ka man lang nagparamdam sa akin.”
She laughed, “accountancy student, Dana. Gets
mo na yun.”
I laughed as well, “yeah. Accountancy explains it
all. Sorry, namiss ko lang kasi ang best friend ko.”
“Tch. Problema mo? Spill the beans, Dana. Best
friend kaya kita. I should know na may problema
ka.”
I sat down on her bed, “kasi kausap ko si Josh
kanina..”
“Huh? Josh?”
I nodded, “yeah. Josh. The British guy.”

722
 “What the fcking hell, Dana?? Are you nuts? Di
ba yun yung nagbigay sa’yo ng drugs??”
I laughed.
“This is no laughing matter, Dana Kathryn. Bakit
ka sumasama dun??”
“Chill, Sara. He’s sober. Nagpa rehab na yung
tao. Wag nang judgemental. Everybody deserves a
second chance.. and so is he,” i explained.
Everybody deserves that, right? Kaya lang, sana
naman pahalagahan nila yung second chance. Hindi
kasi madaling ibigay yun.
Pero kasi si Cyriel.. I gave him a second chance
pero bakit parang walang nangyayari. I am his
fiance for Christ’s sake! Bakit ganito? Bakit kung
kailan binigay ko na tsaka pa siya natutong
magsinungaling? Ganun ba talaga lahat ng lalaki?
Yun lang ba talaga yung gusto nila?
“Fine. Sorry. Naiinis lang ako kasi di ba siya
yung dahilan kaya mo nahalikan si Dave. Kainis!!”
“Sorry, Sara. Hindi ko talaga sinasadya. Dave is
like a brother to me. I don’t know what-—”
“Chill, Dana. Everybody deserves a second
chance. And so are you,” sabi niya tapos natawa

723
ako, “right back at you,” tapos nagwink siya. This is
why i miss my best friend!
“Buti naman tumawa ka na, Dana. Now, why are
you here?”
Take a deep breath, Dana.
“As i was saying, i saw Josh yesterday.. sabi niya
lagi niyang nakikita si Cyriel sa bahay nila Ynna.”
“Wait, Josh then Ynna then Cyriel? How are they
connected?”
I explained to her na pinsan nga ni Josh si Ynna
and i am still dazed by the idea! Who would have
thought na magpinsan pala yung dalawa na yun??
“They’re cousins.. Don’t you think it’s bizzare,
Dana? Di ba si Josh yung dahilan kaya muntik ka
nang ma hit and run dati tapos siya din yung sa
bidding na nag away daw kayo ni Cyriel according
to Kim. And to think na pinsan pala siya ni Ynna..
it’s weird..”
I shrugged, “i don’t know anything anymore,
Sara. Naguguluhan ako. I asked Cyriel kung saan
siya nagpupunta these days pero sabi niya wala daw.
But Josh said that he saw Cyriel visiting Ynna! It’s-

724
— it’s complicated. Akala ko naman okay na.. I
gave him my everything..”
“You— you gave him your everything?? Dana??”
I burst into tears.
She hugged me, “it’s okay, Dana. Wag ka nang
umiyak. Everything will be alright.. Siguro may
dahilan si Cyriel kung bakit hindi siya nagsasabi ng
totoo. Trust him, alright? Ganito naman talaga eh.
Kung gusto niyong magtagal, you have to learn to
trust him and give him the benefit of the doubt.
Every relationship needs that, Dana.. Besides, ang
layo na ng narating niyo ni Cyriel.. Ynna is old
news, just get over it. Ikaw ang mahal, napatunayan
mo na naman siguro yun, di ba? Just.. just trust him
and everything will fall into right places.”
“Pero kasi-—”
“Walang pero, buts, what ifs, Dana. Life is a
piece of shit. Kung lagi ka na lang magpapaapekto
sa naririnig mo, sa nakikita mo, walang mangyayari.
Sometimes, yung mga bagay na ganun dapat hindi
na natin pinakakailaman. We just need to live with
it. Acceptance, Dana. Ganun talaga. We don’t
always get what we want but we always get what we
need.”

725
 “Thank you, Sara. This is exactly what i need,” i
uttered.
“Sure ba. Tulungan mo naman ako sa exer ko.
Hehehe.”
I laughed, “gaga ka ba? Nagshift ako di ba.”

Color pens. Mags. Ano pa ba ang bibilin ko? Tch.

Bakit ba kasi nasa mall ako ngayon? Geez!
calling..
Cyriel Edrian Perez
“Hello?” i said.
( “Fiance.”)
“Nasan ka?”
( “Nasa office ni Clarence. May pinapagawa siya
eh, alam mo naman yun kung mag utos.”)
“Ah. I thought you could accompany me. See you
later, Cy.”
( “See you tonight, fiance. I love you.”)

726
 “I love-— i’ll call you later,” i said then i ended
the call, “Clarence. Long time no talk, kasama mo si
Cyriel?”
Nakasalubong ko si Clarence. Nandito kasi ako
sa mall nila, may bibilin lang sana ako para sa
portfolio ko. 
“Lil brother? Nah. Ewan ko dun di ko naman
nakikita. Laters, Dana. Daming ginagawa sa office
eh.”
Benefit of the doubt, Dana. Benefit of the doubt.

727
 Chapter 61

Chapter 61
“Oh? Nandito din kayo?” i said as i sat on one of
the couch.
Kim nodded, “yup, DK! Ewan ko kay Nof, she
texted me awhile ago na pumunta dito sa bar ni
Dave eh,” she said as she sipped her martini.
Nandito din si Kim eh sa Area06. Ano ’to? Girl’s
night out? 
“Ano daw agenda?” i said as i ordered rhum on
the rocks. Kim and Sara just shrugged. Ano bang
pakana na naman ni Nof? Ano bang meron ngayon?
Oh God!! Don’t tell me iaannounce niya sa amin na
sila na ni Josh? Like what the heck? Agad agad?
Gaano na ba sila katagal magkakilala? Less than a
month? Besides, who knows what that British guy is
planning? Afterall, he’s her cousin for all i care.
Finally, Nof arrived.
“What’s up?” Sara asked. Buti talaga okay na si
Sara at Nof. It was really way, way awkward nung
hindi sila nag uusap! Bakit ba kasi sobrang cute ni

728
Dave na dalawa sa kaibigan ko ang nag aaway para
sa kanya? -_—
Nof just smiled, “i’ll tell you later. Order muna
tayo?”
“Kill joy ka talaga!!” Kim whined, “sabihin mo
na!!”
We laughed. Kim talaga, isip bata. Buti hindi pa
siya iniiwan ni Clarence eh mas maigsi pa sa
posporo ang pasensya nun!
“Aish, excited? Later nga. Kainis,” she said to
Kim then bumaling siya sa amin, “ano sa inyo? My
treat,” then she beamed.
It’s really getting the best of my curiosity. Ano ba
yung sasabihin niya para ngumiti siya ng ganito??
News of the year??
“Kuripot!” Kim commented, “lilibre na lang, sa
bar pa ni Dave. Hindi man lang sa fine dining.”
Nof stucked out her tongue, “eh di wag ka.
Daming alam.”
“Che!”
We ordered the usual drinks. Margarita for Kim,
Absinthe for me, Tonic for Nof, and Bloody Mary

729
for Sara. 
After couple of time, dumating na yung order
namin. Yeah, nasa second floor kasi kami ng bar ni
Dave. VIP. Libre ’to. Nuxx. Syempre, kasama namin
ang girlfriend niya eh! Ibuko ko pa kay Sara yung
proposal niya eh. Hahaha!
“So, ano nga’ng meron?” Kim asked for God
only knows how many times.
“Aish, hindi makapaghintay?” Nof said.
“Eh kasi eh!! Nabitin ako!!” Kim answered.
“Mamaya na yun. Save the best for last nga eh,”
tapos tumingin siya kay Sara, “ikaw. Kamusta?
Buhay pa ba?”
We laughed. Ang haggard lang kasi ni Sara!
Parang hindi pinatulog ng ilang araw! Pasalamat
siya mahal talaga siya ni Dave kaya natitiis yung
deranged look niya.
She let out a sigh, “kaya pa. Shet! Nauubos na
yung dugo ko sa accountancy! Buti na lang OJT na
next sem. God, gustung gusto ko nang
grumaduate!!”
We all laughed kasi with matching pagyuko pa
siya sa mesa. Hahaha! One of the best decisions na

730
nagawa ko talaga ang pagsshift!
After naming pag usapan yung acads, nalipat
naman kami kay Kim. She raised a brow, “bakit
kayo nakatingin lahat sa akin???”
“How’s married life, Kim?”
O//////o
“Blushing bride! Hahaha!”
Hindi nakapagsalita si Kim! Gagang babae yan!
Wala talagang balak sabihin sa amin. -_— Buti
talaga narinig ko silang nag uusap ni Nof! Akalain
mo, sisters-in-law na pala sila ni Ynna! Great life,
isn’t it??
“Shut up, guys!! Kinikilig ako!! Hihihi,” Kim
said.
I smiled. Good thing she’s happy. I want all of
my friends to be happy. Kahit napaka kumplikado
ng buhay ko, sana kahit sila na lang yung
magkaroon ng simple na buhay. It’s really a pain in
the neck. All these complications!
Our attentions were diverted to Nof, “Nof..”
“Hmm?” she said.

731
 “Are you seeing someone?” i blurted out.
Mamaya niloloko lang pala ako ni Josh!!
She shrugged, “sure. I’m seeing couple of guys.
Why d’you ask?”
I grinned. Josh just met his match. He’s just one
of her boys. Hahaha! He’s right. She’s inflicting a
great damage to his already bruised ego. Way to go,
Nof! Beat him at his own game!
“Wala lang. Anything serious?”
She shrugged again, “ewan. Just playing around.”
Then we talked a bit more. I miss these days.
Yung nag uusap lang kayo ng friends mo about
anything under the sun. Parang walang kwenta lang
yung pinag uusapan namin pero ang saya saya. Dati
parang tine take for granted ko yung mga ganitong
moment, pero ngayon, isa na to sa treasured
moments ko.
Past 11 na nung naubos yung drinks namin,
“wait, kukuha pa ako,” Nof said, “pagbalik ko, i
have something to tell you.”
Oh well. Ano ba yung something na yun?
While waiting for Nof, i went to the comfort
room since madami dami na din kaming nainom. I

732
also checked my phone. Hindi naman importante
yung ibang texts kaya binura ko na din yung ibang
message threads. While erasing those, nakita ko
yung isang text ni Cy.
From: Cyriel Edrian Perez
Call me.
Call him? Ano bang meron? I checked his
message, it was sent just ten minutes ago. Siguro
naman gising pa siya, di ba?
calling..
Cyriel Edrian Perez
After few rings, he picked up his phone.

“Cy, bakit mo ko pinatawag?” i asked. Something

important? Hindi naman niya siguro ako
papatawagin out of the blue lang, di ba?
( “Nasa airport ako..”)
“Huh?”
( “I’ll be gone for 2 weeks..”)

733
 “Bakit?” i asked. Bakit siya aalis? Biglaan naman
yata? Kalagitnaan ng sem ah! Di ba dapat
naghahabol pa siya since delayed na nga siya ng 2
sem?
( “Business matters. I will miss you..”)
I smiled, “i’ll miss you, too. San ka ba pupunta?”
( “Sa Davao lang.”)
“Davao lang pala eh. I could visit you, if you
want,” i offered. Davao lang. Akala ko naman out of
the country.
( “Wag na. Hindi din kita maaasikaso.. I’m sorry,
Dana..”)
“Sus. Nasa airport ka pa ba? Ihahatid kita, gusto
mo?”
( “Hindi. Nasa Davao na ako. Sige, tawagan kita
bukas. Gabi na din, matulog ka na.”)
I chuckled, “hindi na po ako bata. Ikaw nga jan,
pahinga ka na.”
( “i will. Nasan ka ba? Parang ang ingay jan ah.”)
Nilock ko pa yung pinto ng cr. Ang ingay naman
kasi! Weekday na weekday, puno ’tong bar!

734
Napaghahalataan talaga na party people mga tiga St.
Claire’s eh!
“Ah, sa bar ni Dave. Girl’s night out,” i explained
to him. Hala, natatagalan na yata ako. Nakabalik na
kaya si Nof? May sasabihin pa siya, di ba??
( “Ikaw magddrive pauwi? Tsk. Magpasundo ka
na lang.”)
“Ay, daddy, ikaw ba yan? Sige, sige, aalis na ako.
Bye, fiance. Pahinga ka na jan,” i said then i ended
the call.
Ano ba kasi yung ginagawa niya sa Davao?
Importante ba yun?

Ynna’s Point of View

“Ynna..”
He’s here again. What do you want, Cyriel? I’ve
been pushing you away but you just keep on
returning. I’m really tired.. Tired of hurting and
hoping. You already made it clear that it will never
be me. That Dana is the only girl you will ever love.
I get it. Pero bakit ayaw mo pa din akong tigilan? I

735
said it.. i can’t be friends with you.. I can’t be just
friends with you..
“Sabi ni Tita ayaw mo pa magpa therapy?”
I felt that he sat on the edge of my bed.
“Bakit ayaw mo? Gusto mo na ba talagang
mamatay?”
I wanted to nod and say that i f.cking want to die
right now. Everything just hurts for me. Nothing is
easy, even breathing is f.cking hard right now.
“Akala ko ba gusto mo kong makasama?”
I wanted to say yes, i want to be with you, Cy. I
want to be with you until all our hairs turn white. I
want to be your wife until i die that’s why there’s no
chance that i will sign the annulment paper. Konti na
lang.. i will die soon.. Hindi ba pwedeng ibigay sa
akin yun?
“Ayaw mo bang magpagamot, Ynna? Kahit para
sa akin?”
I don’t want to, Cy.. I love you too much. I love
you so much that it kills me. I want to fight my
feelings but i just can’t. I feel weak. All the
medicines are taking its toll on my body.. I feel

736
helpless. I don’t want to prolong my life. I don’t
want to prolong my agony.
“You begged me, Ynna. You begged me to marry
you. I hurt my life, Ynna. Sinaktan ko si Dana,
Ynna.. I did my part. Sana naman gawin mo yung
sa’yo.. Please help yourself. Don’t give up.”
I felt him move.. then i felt his lips on my
forehead, “don’t give up, Ynna. You’re my wife.
You asked for it. Lumaban ka.”
Cyriel, why do you care? It hurts even more..

Cyriel’s Point of View

“Cyriel..”
Tumalikod ako at nakita ko yung mama ni Ynna,
“tita.”
“Can we talk?”
Tumango ako at sumunod sa office sa bahay nila.
Naupo siya sa harap nung working table ni Tito.
Buti na lang wala si Tito. Hindi ako sanay na makita
siya. Lagi niyang pinapamukha sa akin na kung wala
sila, wala din kami. Bakit ba kasi nag invest sila

737
nung nalaman nila na ikakasal kami ni Ynna?! Sila
pa yung major investor! Bakit din ba kasi pumayag
si Clarence?!
“Ano pong pag uusapan?” sabi ko. Kaya lang
naman ako pumupunta dito para kay Ynna. Kaibigan
ko si Ynna. Nahihirapan ako pag nasasaktan siya.
Nag iisa na lang siya ngayon, wala na siyang
kaibigan. Ako na lang. Ako na lang yung meron siya
kaya hindi ko siya kayang iwan. Mahal ko si Dana
pero mas kailangan ako ni Ynna ngayon..
“As you can see, my daughter’s condition is
getting worse,” she said then her voice broke, “don’t
leave her, Cyriel.. She needs you now more than
ever..”
Tumango ako. Alam ko. Hindi ko naman siya
iiwan eh. Kailangan niya ako ngayon. Kaya nga ako
nandito eh. Kaya nga nagsisinungaling ako kay
Dana.. Ayaw kong mag away kami pag nalaman
niyang nandito ako.. Kakaayos lang namin eh..
“She doesn’t want any therapy, Cyriel.. She gave
up. She doesn’t want any treatment..” tapos umiyak
siya. Naawa ako sa kanya. Kakamatay lang nung isa
niyang anak, tapos ngayon si Ynna naman. Hindi ko
alam kung ano ba yung dapat kong gawin.

738
 “Will you convince her, Cyriel? Will you
convince her to go to her grandparents’ place? Will
you accompany her?”
Hindi ko alam. Ayokong sumama dahil ayokong
lumayo kay Dana.. Pero si Ynna..
“Will you come, Cyriel?”
Hindi pa din ako nagsasalita. Hindi ko alam yung
gagawin ko.
“What do you want me to do? To pull out all our
shares and let your family have a taste of
bankruptcy? Or do you want me to ruin Dana’s life?
I’m giving you three choices here, Cyriel. You just
have to choose.”
Hindi ko na talaga alam yung gagawin ko. Wala
naman ako pakielam kahit mawala yung pera eh.
Pero hindi naman ako ganun ka selfish para hindi
isipin yung pamilya ko. Mahal ko ang pamilya ko,
mahal ko si mama, si papa, si Clarence. Iniisip ko
din lahat ng nagttrabaho sa amin.. At mas lalong
mahal ko si Dana.
Pumayag na ako. Wala din naman akong
magagawa. Ako ang nagsimula ng gulo na ’to, ako
dapat ang tumapos. Kung sana naniwala ako sa
sinabi ni Andy dati, eh di sana wala yung gulo na ’to

739
ngayon. Pero wala na eh. Nandito na. Gagawan ko
na lang ng paraan na walang masasaktan.
Sinubukan kong tawagan si Dana pero hindi ko
siya macontact. 
Dana Kathryn Perez
calling..
“Dana..” i called out her name. Bakit ba sobrang
mahal kita?
( “Cy, bakit mo ko pinatawag?”) she asked. 
“Nasa airport ako..” 
( “Huh?”)
“I’ll be gone for 2 weeks..” mamimiss kita..

“Business matters. I will miss you..” ayokong

magsinungaling pero ayaw din naman kitang saktan.
F.ck! Hindi ko na alam! Ayaw kong magsinungaling
pero.. patawadin mo ako, Dana..
( “I’ll miss you, too. San ka ba pupunta?”)
“Sa Davao lang.”

740
 ( “Davao lang pala eh. I could visit you, if you
want,”)
“Wag na. Hindi din kita maaasikaso.. I’m sorry,
Dana..” ayokong makita mo ako na ganito, na hindi
ka maipaglaban kasi natatakot ako. Natatakot akong
mapahamak yung pamilya ko at natatakot akong
masaktan ka. Patawarin mo ako kung hindi ako
kagaya ni Andy na kayang kalimutan lahat para
sa’yo.. Pero masaya ako na kahit hindi ako kagaya
ni Andy, ako pa din yung pinili mo..
( “Sus. Nasa airport ka pa ba? Ihahatid kita, gusto
mo?”) wag na.. baka hindi ako makaalis pag nandito
ka..
“Hindi. Nasa Davao na ako. Sige, tawagan kita
bukas. Gabi na din, matulog ka na.”
She chuckled, ( “hindi na po ako bata. Ikaw nga
jan, pahinga ka na.”)
“I will. Nasan ka ba? Parang ang ingay jan ah.”
( “Ah, sa bar ni Dave. Girl’s night out.”)
“Ikaw magddrive pauwi? Tsk. Magpasundo ka na
lang.”
( “Ay, daddy, ikaw ba yan? Sige, sige, aalis na
ako. Bye, fiance. Pahinga ka na jan,”) she said then

741
she ended the call.
2 weeks lang, Dana. Kailangan lang ako ni
Ynna.. Para na din ’to sa’yo.. Ikaw ang sinisisi nila
sa nangyari sa mga anak nila.. Ako na lang ang
masaktan wag lang ikaw..

Andy’s Point of View

—dingdong—
Aish! Kaaga aga eh!
\(-o-)/
Nag inat inat pa ako habang naglalakad papunta
sa pinto. Sino ba ’to??
“Good morning, boss!!”

Si Glorie pala. Anubayan. Bakit ba kasi binigyan

ko pa ng trabaho ’to? Nakikita ko tuloy araw araw.
Tsk.
Tuloy tuloy lang siyang pumasok. Wow, feel at
home??

742
 “What will i cook?”
“Whatever.”
“Hmm. You really like whatever, don’t you,
Louie?” sabi niya tapos nagsuot ng apron.
“Whatever,” sabi ko tapos umupo ako sa couch at
nanuod ng vampire diaries. Taena! Bakit ba ako
nanunuod nito?? Ay, deny pa, Andy?! Kasi lagi
niyong pinapanuod yan ni Dana dati! Taena. Palala
na ako ng palala. -_—
Natapos ng magluto si pouty tapos umupo na ako
sa lamesa. Akalain mong marunong magluto ng eggs
benedict and pouty na ’to??
Nakatingin lang siya sa kinakain ko. -_—
Bibigyan ko ba siya? -_— Ayoko nga. Nagugutom
ako eh. Hehehe.
“Louie..” 
“Oh?” tsk! Baka humingi pa ’tong si pouty!
Bilisan ko na nga ang kain!!
“Where’s your berdy?”
O___________O
“Aaaack!!” nabulunan ako. Tubig!!!

743
 Nataranta yata si pouty kaya kumuha siya agad
ng tubig, “here, Louie. Why are you eating so fast?
It’s not as if someone’s gonna grab your food. Geez.
Eat slowly.” she said while patting my back.
Langya!! Eh sino ba naman kasi ang hindi
mabubulunan sa tanong niya??? Where’s my
berdy?? Ano ba namang klaseng tanong yun??
Malamang nasa loob ng boxers ko!! Ay taena!
Nilulumot talaga yung utak ko sa pouty na ’to eh!
“Whatever.”
Nagpouty face na naman siya, “whatever, Louie.
Anyways, i can’t come this afternoon. Is it okay
with you?”
I just nodded. Hahaha! No pouty this afternoong!
Ayos to!
“Geez. No need to show me how happy you are
that i’ll be gone, Louie. I’ll be back in the evening!”
Tsk. Masyado bang halata na nakakairita yung
matinis niyang boses? Tsaka mauubusan na ako ng
English dito eh!! Sakit sa ilong!
“Won’t you ask me where i’ll be going?”
Nilipat ko yung channel. Leche. Bakit kasi chicks
si Nina Dobrev? Leche!

744
 “I don’t care.”
“Mr. Grumpy!”
“Whatever.”
Nagpout siya, “one whatever again, Louie. Just
say that word again and i’ll kiss you.”
O___O
She laughed. Abnormal ba ’to?? Taena! Takas
yata sa mental si pouty. -_—
“Don’t worry, Louie. I kiss good. I’m a good
kisser,” sabi niya tapos nagwink siya sa akin.
“I’m a better kisser.”
“I am!!”
Aish! Isip batang brunette na clumsy na pasaway
na sexy-— ay, teka. Bakit naging compliment??
Lumapit siya sa akin, “will you prove that you’re
a better kisser, Louie?”
O___O
Layo layo ng konti.
“I’m expensive, pouty. 50, 000 pesos. Or in your
case, 1, 000 dollars.”

745
 Ay shet! Naalala ko na naman yung GKI.
Nababakla na naman ako! Namimiss ko sila Dave!
Taena, Pilipinas. Bakit ang layo mo??
Nagpout naman siya, “it’s so expensive. Tsk. I’ll
just wait for you to say whatever then i’ll get to kiss
you. Bye, Louie! Chew your food!”
—_—
Andy, tanggalin sa bokabularyo ang whatever.
Delikado. Kiss starts a hellhole of what ifs.

Dana’s Point of View

Bakit nagkakagulo sila?
“Really, Nof??”
Tumango tango lang si Nof. Anyareh ba dito?
Nawala lang ako saglit sa cr, nagkagulo na dito. Ano
ba yung binalita niya?
“Anong meron?” i asked.
“Sorry, DK. Kulit kulit kasi ni Kim kaya sinabi
ko na..”

746
 I just nodded. Ano ba yun at kung makapag react
naman sila??
“Ano ba kasi yun?”
Sara shot a glance at me then Nof spoke, “i don’t
know if it’s a good news or bad new for you but..
Andy’s girlfriend is pregnant, DK!! We’re gonna be
godparents!!”
What??

747
 Chapter 62

Chapter 62
Dana’s Point of View
“Are you okay, honey?”
I turned and saw my father standing by the door
frame, “dad..”
He slowly walked towards me and sat by the
edge of my bed, “everything alright?”
I gave him a weak smile, “of course. Everything’s
alright, dad.”
He moved closer to me and placed his arms
around my shoulders, “Dana, alam ko naman na may
tampo ka pa din sa akin dahil sa mga nangyari dati,”
he said, “pero sana naman kalimutan mo na yun..”
I looked at him in the eye and said, “it’s all in the
past, dad.. Nakalimutan ko na yun..”
He smiled at me, “but i still wonder when did you
stop telling me things..”
“Dad naman..”

748
 He smiled and patted my head, “dalaga na talaga
ang baby ko.. Boy problems?”
I blushed. Boy problem nga ba?
“Ano ba yan? Baka naman kailangan mo ng
fatherly advice?”
I rested my head on his shoulders, “dad..”
“Hmm?”
I took a deep breathe. Siguro eto na yung tamang
oras para sabihin na break na kami ni Andy. It’s
been a month simula nung umalis siya.. It’s been a
month simula nung nagkaayos kami ni Cyriel.. It’s
been a month na..
“Dad?” i called out his name again, uncertain if i
would tell that. He likes Andy! Bigtime. Natatakot
lang ako na makakita ng disappointment sa mukha
niya once na sabihin ko yun..
“What is it, Dana? Come on, sabihin mo na..”
I sighed, “wala na po kami ni Andy..” there, i said
it.
I closed my eyes in anticipation for his reaction.
Instead, i received yet another pat from him, “i
know.”

749
 I opened my eyes, “how??”
He gave my shocked look a warm smile in return,
“Andy told me.”
Ano daw? Andy told him? But how? Why? Akala
ko ba ayaw niyang makipagbreak sa akin? Pero
bakit siya pa yung nagsabi??
“He told me before he left for the States. He’s
really a great guy, Dana. He loves you too much.
Sabi niya sa akin na alam niyang mahihirapan kang
sabihin sa akin yun kaya siya na lang ang magsasabi.
He also told me that he’s the one who caused the
problem kaya kayo nagkaproblema. He told me not
to blame you for ruining whatever you guys had.”
I smiled, bitterly. Si Andy talaga..
“You know how much i like Andy for you,
right?”
I nodded.
“And he will still be the best guy for you. But i
am your dad above everything else and your
happiness is still my first priority..   And if you’re
happy with whoever that is, i’ll support you, hija,”
he said then he stood up, “just be happy and we will
always be there for you.”

750
 I smiled as he went out of my room. Tama si Dad.
Happiness.

Andy’s Point of View

NO GLORIE FOR TODAY!!
Yes naman! Nakawala din ako sa pouty na ’yun!
Tsk! Puntahan ko na nga si Berdy ko dun. Mamaya
isipin nun inabandona ko siya. Hindi kaya ako nang
iiwan, si Dana lang yun. Hehe. De, joke lang.
—Dandy Veterinary Clinic—
“Good morning, Sir,” bati sa akin nung nurse.
“Good morning, nurse Em,” bati ko sa kanya.
Nabasa ko sa name plate eh. Hehe. Nagblush naman
yung nurse. Gwapo mo talaga, Andy. Walang
kupas. 
Nginitian niya ako tapos hinawi niya yung buhok
niya. Tsk. Isa na namang biktima ng kagwapuhan
ko. 
Nginitian ko na lang, “is Dr. Emione inside?”
tanong ko.

751
 Sumimangot naman si Nurse Em. Grabe! Isang
ngiti lang yun ah? Na in love na agad siya? Tsk!
“Yeah,” sabi niya tapos nagtype na ulit siya sa
computer. Tsk. Hindi na ako pinansin. Bayaan na
nga.
Pumasok ako sa loob at nakita kong natutulog pa
si Berdy. Mabuti naman at tulog, masamang gising,
nanunuklaw ay este nangangagat pala. Tsk.
“Good morning, Dr. Emione,” bati ko kay Dr.
Sexy.
“Good morning, Louie. I though you already
forgot your dog,” sabi niya. 
Oo nga eh. Halos nakalimutan ko na si Berdy.
Ang dami ko ding iniisip, lalo na si Dana. Haaay.
December na pala. Ilang araw na lang, pasko na,
tapos birthday din niya. Umuwi kaya ako sa
Pilipinas? Pwede naman di ba? Tsaka bakit nga ba
ako nagtitiis hanggang April dito eh pwede naman
akong umuwi pag gusto ko? Tsk! Ang labo ng
buhay, kasing labo ng lovelife ko! Tapos
dumadagdag pa yang si Glorie pati yung whatever
niya! Sakit sa ulo eh.
Nginitian ko na lang si doc, “hehe. So, how’s my
dog?”

752
 Nilapitan niya si Berdy at hinawakan yung
balahibo. Ay potek! Bakit napaatras ako! Hindi
naman ako yung hinawakan niya, yung Berdy ko!!
Ay potek talaga! Ano bang nangyayari sa
imagination ko?? Dahil ba ’to sa pinanood ko na
Shrek the movie sa HBO kagabi??
“Louie? What’s wrong? You look pale. Are you
fine?”
*gulp*
“I-im fine. I just need some fresh air,” sabi ko
tapos tumakbo ako palabas ng Dandy’s. Lecheng
buhay! Bakit bumabalik na naman ako sa dati?!! 2
years ago na yun ah!! Lintek oh!! 
Hingang malalim, Andy. Linisin ang utak.
Walang masamang sinasabi si Dr. Emione. Wag
madumi ang utak. Cool ka lang.
Alright!
Pumasok agad ako sa clinic ng cool lang. Yan,
tama lang. Chill ka lang.
“So, doc, what’s wrong again with my pet?” my
pet na lang para sure. Naiilang din ako pag my berdy
yung sinasabi ko. Kasalanan talaga ’to!

753
 Nginitian ako ni Dr. Emione, “nothing. Your pet’s
fine. She just needs some quality time with you.”
Aaaah. Nagtatampo lang pala. Akala ko naman
dinapuan na ng rabis. Grabe talaga yang si Berdy
oh! Daig pa girlfriend kung pag alalahanin ako! Tsk.
Kinuha ko na si Berdy tapos nagbayad na din ako
ng babayaran. Tsk. Ang gastos si Berdy. Bayaan na
nga, mayaman naman si papa eh. Haha!
“Berdy?” tawag ko sa kanya. Humarap naman sa
akin. Good girlfriend, “wanna walk?”
“Aw! Aw!”
Kinuha ko yung leash niya at naglakad kami.
Hmmm. Saan kaya kami pupunta?

Ynna’s Point of View

“Apo!”
“Lola..” i uttered, weakly. We’re here at my
grandparent’s house in Davao. The doctor said that i
need fresh air and i need to get away from the things
that give me stress. So that’s why we’re here

754
because i need to get away from Dana. She’s my
sheer stress giver.
She hugged me soon as my wheelchair landed on
the floor of her mansion, “ang sabi ng mama mo
ayaw mo daw magpa therapy! Ang batang ito!
Nawala na nga ang kapatid mo, gusto mo pang
sumunod! Balak mo ba kaming patayin sa sama ng
loob??”
I smiled at her, “i’m fine, lola.. I don’t want to
give you false hope. I’m dying so please just accept
that fact..”
She hugged me even tighter and caressed my
cheeks, “my sweet apo.. Sino ba ang may gawa sa
iyo niyan?”
I shook my head. I don’t want to mention names.
I don’t want to say Grei’s name. He’s suffering
enough. Tama lang sa kanya yun! After raping me
and causing me this-— virus, that’s the least he can
get! And Dana? I have Cyriel. I will not mess with
her as long as Cyriel will stay by my side.
“Lola, he’s Cyriel,” i said as i motioned my hands
towards him.
“Good evening po,” Cyriel greeted her.

755
 “Good evening din, Cyriel. Ikaw ba ang asawa ng
apo ko?” she asked.
I braced myself. I don’t know. I just feel like
doing it since i have no idea whether Cyriel will
deny me or not. It kinda lessen the pain when he
denies me..
He nodded, timidly.
“Nice to finally meet you. Tara at pumasok sa
loob. Ynna, hija, nagpahanda ako ng mga paborito
mo.. Kumain na tayo ng hapunan..”
I shot him a look and said, “you still can go. I can
manage myself.”
I said that to him. This is the last chance, Cy. The
last chance to turn you back on me and be with
Dana. Abandon me now kasi hindi ko alam kung
kakayanin ko pa na wala ka kung magtatagal ka pa
sa tabi ko..
He smiled and started pushing my wheelchair, “i
won’t even if i can. Dito lang ako. 2 weeks.”
Yeah. 2 weeks. 2 weeks then what? I’ll be back to
being the pathetic Ynna again..

756
 Sara’s Point of View
“What about baby crib??” sabi ni Kim.
Nandito kami sa cafeteria ng school. Ewan ko ba,
masaya naman ako para kay Andy. Sino bang hindi
magiging masaya eh magiging tatay na pala yung isa
sa barkada namin, di ba? Pero kasi.. nag aalala ako
para kay Dana.
Best friend ko yan, syempre. Kilala ko yan.
Simula first year ako na kasama niya kaya alam ko
na may gumugulo sa isip niya.
“Crib?? That’s a good idea, Kim! For sure
matutuwa si Andy! Dakilang kuripot yun eh!” sabi
naman ni Nof.
Wonder what they are doing? Nag uusap sila sa
ireregalo sa baby ni Andy! Baliw talaga! Eh ni hindi
nga namin alam kung ilang buwan ng buntis yung
girlfriend eh! Tsaka kung babae ba o lalaki. Tch.
Baliw na kaibigan talaga.
Naglabas ng phone si Kim, “so, baby crib, baby
dresses, bottles, diapers? Ano pa?”
I stood up, “labas muna ako.”
“Ok,” sabi naman ni Kim. Busy kasi sa
pagpplano ng ibibigay.

757
 “Sama ka, Dana?”
She nodded and stood up. Naglakad kami palabas
ng cafeteria. Crowded din kasi since lunch time na.
“So..” pagsisimula ko.
“Hmm?”
“Ano’ng masasabi mo sa balita ni Nof?” i asked
her since hindi kami nakapag usap ng matino last
time nung nasa Area06 kami.. Everything went.. so
fast. Si Andy magiging tatay? Wow.
She shrugged, “good news.”
I raised a brow, “talaga?”
She looked at me and said, “best friend kita, di
ba? You should know what i feel.”
I gave her a weak smile, “oo nga eh. Ang hirap
din eh. Best friend kita kaya nasasaktan din ako,
Dana. Alam kong ako yung isa sa tumulong para
magkaayos kayo ni Cyriel pero..”
Hindi ko natapos yung sinasabi ko. Papaano ko
ba sisimulan.
“But what?” tanong ni Dana.

758
 Huminga ako ng malalim, “pero.. alam kong
nahihirapan ka ngayon dahil dun.. Sorry, Dana..
Alam naman natin na ikaw ang mahal niya pero
hindi niya talaga kayang iwan si Ynna eh.. Sorry,
Dana.. Sorry kung nahihirapan kang makihati dahil
sa kanya.. Sorry kasi hindi kita matulungan..”
She gave me a reassuring smile, “ano ba, sabi
niyo nga, i asked for this so i should live with this.
Besides, past is past. Move on move on din.”
“Sure ka?”
She chuckled, “haay, best friend talaga kita. I’ll
be honest with you, i’m not okay. I certainly am not.
I’m hurt.”
Nginitian ko siya, “obvious naman eh.”
Tumingin siya sa akin, “talaga? Obvious ba
talaga?” i nodded, “eh bakit parang hindi sila
nakakahalata? Bakit parang ang saya saya pa din
nila?” she said, pertaining to Kim and Nof na
masayang nag uusap sa mga ibibigay nila sa anak ni
Andy.
I sat on one of the benches sa labas ng cafeteria,
“magiging honest din ako sa’yo ha?”
Tumango siya.

759
 “Kahit na nasasaktan ka pa, aaminin ko na
masaya pa rin ako para kay Andy.”
Nagsalita siya, “Sara naman eh.. Parang ang sama
sama ko naman na hindi ako masaya.. Gusto kong
maging masaya para sa kanya but i just can’t! Alam
mo yun? I left him to be happy with Cyriel but what
happened? Am i happy? I don’t know, maybe yes,
maybe no! I am uncertain of everything kasi wala na
naman siya sa tabi ko. Yes, i got to be with him for
three goddamned day pero after that? Wala na
naman. Pero si Andy? He got to be happy with
someone.. And now, he’s gonna have a child.. I left
him to be happy but in the end, siya pa yung naging
masaya. Ang sama ko no?”
I shrugged, “normal lang yan. Bitter ka eh.”
Tumingin siya sa akin, “bitter?”
Tumango ako, “oo, bitter. You loved him, Dana.
Normal lang yan. Ewan ko, pati ako naguguluhan na
sa’yo eh. Ayoko nang may kampihan kasi
nahihirapan din ako. Si Cyriel naman din kasi ang
daming ibang priorities, ikaw naman ayaw mo ng
taken for granted ka. Alam mo, Dana. Bagay ka pala
kay Andy, ngayon ko lang napansin. Kasi kay Andy,
lagi kang papansinin. Di ba nga sabi ko sa’yo nun na
patay na patay sa’yo yun? Kaya perfect match

760
kayong dalawa. Pero anong magagawa eh si Cyriel
pa din talaga eh.”
She smiled at me. Haay, Dana. Hanggang kailan
kaya magiging rollercoaster ride ang buhay mo?

Nof’s Point of View

Lumabas sila DK. 
“Psst,” napatingin si Kim sa akin.
“Bakit?” she asked me.
“Bitter si DK! Hahaha!” tapos tumawa ako ng
tumawa.
“Ay, di ka naman masyadong masaya niyan?” she
said, with overflowing sarcasm.
She rolled her eyes, the bratinella way, “ay,
pwedeng kalimutan mo muna yung sarcastic side
mo? Kahit ngayon lang? Nakakatuwang makitang
bitter si DK!! Lalo na pag namumula yung tenga
niya! It’s just so priceless!!” i said.
“Ang sama mo, alam mo yun?” she said to me.

761
 I stucked out my tongue, “as if ako lang ang
masama. If i know, tuwang tuwa ka habang nakikita
ang bitter na mukha ni DK!”
She smiled at me, “gaga ka talaga! Sadista at
heart ka!”
I smiled as i slowly sipped my smoothie, “born
that way. Anyways, paano natin ipapadala yung
regalo natin?” i asked her.
Ewan ko ba pero nahahawa ako sa excitement ni
Kim! Nung una naman, gusto ko lang inisin si DK,
pero ngayon, excited na talaga ako!! Sana babae ang
baby ni Andy para may gagawin kaming barbie ni
Kim!! Yosh! Nakaka excite talaga!
“Hmmm. Gusto mo dun na lang natin iorder then
ipadala na lang nila sa bahay nila Andy. Do you
know where he lives?” she asked me.
Oo nga noh. Hindi ko pa pala alam yung address
ni Guzman! Aish! Pati nga pala number niya hindi
ko din alam!
“Ay, hindi ko alam eh. Tanungin ko na lang pag
nakausap ko siya,” i said.
“Pero Nof, sure ka na buntis yung girlfriend ni
Andy?”

762
 I smiled at her. Hindi din ako sure eh. Haha!
Bayaan na. Basta para sa amin, lalo na kay Dana,
masaya na si Andy. It’s up to her kung magiging
masaya siya or what. Playing cupid pa din pala ako.
Tsk.

Andy’s Point of View

~My Berdy is my best friend~
Lakad lakad lang sa shore. Hmmm. Silence and
solitude at its finest. Buti na lang at Glorie free ang
umaga at hapon ko. Ayos to!
“Napapagod ka na ba, Berdy?”
“Aw! Aw!”
“Hmmm. Pagod na nga ang girlfriend ko. Sige,
upo muna tayo,” sabi ko tapos naglakad kami
papunta sa bench dun sa park sa malapit.
“Uy, Berdy! Wag kang tumakbo!”
Aish! Akala ko makakapagpahinga na ako. Takbo
ng takbo naman si Berdy eh!

763
 “Louie??”
“Glorie? And--—”
“Hello! Are you a friend of my mom?” sabi nung
batang lalaki na blue eyes at blondie.
O_________O
Tumingin ako kay Glorie, “uhm, Louie.. this is
Andrei, my son.. Andrei, this is Louie, my boss..”
Ay anak naman ng meant to be oh! Talagang
kapangalan ko pa ang anak niya?? At may anak na
talaga si Glorie???

764
 Chapter 63

Chapter 63
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Nothing. Why are you here?” i asked Josh.
Nandito ako sa CPark. Wala lang, boring kasi.
Wala si Sara kasi busy sa exams hanggang ngayon!
Come to think of it, three weeks na siyang busy sa
exam ah? Ano yun, death wish? Tapos si Kim ayun,
busy kay Clarence! Si Nof? Ewan ko sa babaeng
yun, may ka date na naman. Si Dave naman sa
training sa company nila. And si Cyriel? MIA lang
sa Davao. Haaay, nakakamiss! Punta kaya akong
Davao? 
“Nothing, just collecting,” sabi niya then he
winked at me.
“Collecting? Hmmm,” i said, playing innocent.
I’ve dated many guys during my dark age and Josh
is just like them, half British, pure flirt. I don’t know
but i’ve got fettish for British accent. Kahit yata
curse ang sabihin nila, ang sexy pa din ng dating.
I’m a sucker for British accent.

765
 He chuckled and said, “ooh, innocent D. I’m
turned on.”
I shook my head, “flirty jerk. Come on, i’m bored
as hell. So yeah, you can collect your hundred
thousand date.”
We stood up and walked towards his car. Hmm.
Impressive yellow Lamborghini. But what can i
expect? Henares eh, wealth runs in the blood.
“So, where are we going?” i asked him.
He winked at me. Again. What’s with Josh and
his winks?
“You’ll see,” he murmured.
I just sat comfortably in his car and waited. Better
make it worth it, Josh. Hundred thousand ang
sinayang mo dito.

Andy’s Point of View

*___*
Blue eyes, blonde hair, cute na cute na bata. Anak
ba talaga ni pouty ’to? Ang cute nung bata eh! Ang
layo kay pouty! Baka naman ampon niya ’to??

766
 “What, Louie? You’re scaring me with your
stares!!” she then pouted. Tsk. Pouty forever talaga.
Tinitigan ko siya at sinabi, “he’s is your child?”
sabi ko sa kanya sabay turo dun sa batang masayang
nakikipaglaro kay Berdy.
She pouted, “yes, Louie! He’s my child!!”
“Tss.”
“Hey, you’re offending me now, Louie!!”
I rolled my eyes. Leche! Nababading na ako sa
kasasama sa Glorie na ito ha! “I offended you? In
what way, mommy Glorie??”
She sighed. Aba bago ’to! Nagbuntong hininga si
Ms. Sunshine! Improvement!!
“What’s with the big sigh?” tanong ko sa kanya.
Ngumiti siya, “nothing. I’m just tired.”
Tapos naging masaya na ulit yung mukha niya.
Tignan mo ’to! Psychotic yata ’tong lagi kong
kasama! Mamaya pagbalik ko ng Pinas, psychotic na
din ako! Type ba ni Dana yung mga psycho? Hehe.
De, joke lang po.
“Freak show,” sabi ko sa kanya.

767
 “Now, that’s really offending me, Louie! You did
not call me a freak show in front of my son!!” sabi
niya. Hahaha! Nakakatawa talaga tong magalit,
nanliliit yung mata niya!
I shrugged, “yeah, i think i just did. So, who’s the
father?” tanong ko sa kanya. Sino kaya ang tatay ni
Andrei? Leche! Nalilito ako! Ako si Andrei, di ba?
Tapos si Andrei din siya? Eh di si Andrei kaming
dalawa? Ay, labo!
Natahimik siya.
Shit. Na offend ko ba siya?? 
“Sorry, i didn’t mean to be so nosy,” paliwanag
ko. Ang insensitive ko din minsan. Bwisit!
Ngumiti siya. Sus. Praktisado niya na talaga yung
pagngiti. Pero halata namang fake, sa isang buwan
na magkasama kami, alam ko na yung fake sa totoo.
Talino ko yata, gwapo pa! Lethal combination!
Hahaha!
“That’s fine, Louie. You’re not Mr. Grumpy for
nothing,” sabi niya.
I gasped, leche parang bading lang, “now that’s
really offending, Glorie. You did not insult me in
front of my girlfriend!” sabi ko. Hehehe. Ginaya ko

768
lang yung sinabi niya. Hindi na ako makaisip ng
matinong one liner. Hindi pa din masyadong na
process ng utak ko na may anak na pala si pouty.
Sabagay, isang buwan pa lang naman kaming
magkakilala.
Tumawa siya. Eto totoong tawa. Ay, teka nga,
Andy? Hobby nang pansinin ang kilos ni pouty??
Ano ko? In like sa kanya? Leche lang oh! Hindi
pwede! One month pa lang kaming break ni Dana.
Naniniwala yata ako sa three month rule! Si Dana
lang hindi. One day pa lang eh. Hehe. De, joke lang,
Dana. Mahal kaya kita, tignan mo lagi kitang
naiisip.
Ayoko pa talaga. Three months muna. Para
naman kasing hindi ko minahal si Dana kung
papalitan ko siya agad agad. Respeto lang. Pero iba
naman yung kay Dana kasi alam naman namin na si
Cyriel talaga. Kumabaga, subsititute lang ako.
Hotter subsitute nga lang. Hehe.
“It’s a long story, Louie.”
“I have all the time,” sabi ko tapos kinain ko
yung ice cream. Nandito kasi kami sa park sa tabi ng
beach. Nag uusap lang kami ni pouty habang
nakikipaglaro si Andrei. Leche. Ang cute na bata!

769
Gusto ko din gumawa ng anak-— este, gusto ko ng
anak. Ang shrek na talaga oh!
She shrugged tapos naupo, “it’s you know..
teeanage love affair gone wrong,” sabi niya tapos
ngumiti siya.
Tahimik lang ako. Ano bang sasabihin ko? Malay
ko ba sa gone wrong eh taga suporta kaya ako ng
RH Bill. Protektado ako.. dati. Hehehe.
“I met him at one of the places i used to worked.
He’s the son of the owner. He’s nice and charming
and good looking. The typical guy any girl would
fall for,” sabi niya. Teka, ako yata yung dinedescribe
niya. Hehe. Ano bang nangyayari sa’kin??
“Then?” sabi ko. Nakapa cliff hanger naman kasi.
Ayaw pang ituloy sa kung kailan ginawa si Andrei!!
“We dated. We dated for about three months
when he.. got me well, into an accident. That’s the
term he used. Andrei was an accident,” sabi niya
tapos namumula yung mata niya.
Inabot ko sa kanya yung panyo ko, “here.”
Inabot niya naman, “thanks, Louie.”
Pinanood ko lang siya habang nagpupunas ng
panyo. Tignan mo nga naman, may ganito pala sa

770
buhay ni pouty. Akala ko plain vanilla lang ang
buhay niya. Hindi pala. Tatalunin pa yata yung
kumplikado naming buhay nila Dana eh. Tsk.
Hindi ko na siya tinanong. Bahala na siya kung
gusto niyang ituloy. Naiintindihan ko naman na
hindi madaling ikwento yung mga ganun na bagay..
“He left me after he found out i was pregnant.. It
hurts, Louie. It hurts that he didn’t want to be with
me after he found out about that.. But it killed me
that he didn’t take Andrei as his own,” sabi niya
tapos umiyak na siya ng umiyak.
Lumapit ako sa kanya at niyakap siya, “ssh. Stop
crying, Glorie..”
Iyak pa din siya ng iyak.
Haaay, ayoko ng babaeng umiiyak. Naiinis ako.
Nakakainis na yung ibang lalaki walang ginawa
kundi paiyakin sila. Nabbwisit ako sa ganun!
“It’s his child, Louie.. It’s his blood.. How could
he not be his child? They look alike.. He’s his
perfect resemblance!”
“Ssssh,” sabi ko as i caressed her back. Iyak ng
iyak. Hindi na makahinga eh. Tsk! Mamaya

771
kailanganin pa nito ng CPR eh! Eh di nakahalik siya
sa akin ng libre. Tsk. Di pwede. 50,000 ’to oy.
After a minute, natigil na din siya, “i’m sorry,
Louie. I don’t usually talk about him like that..”
Ngumiti na lang ako, “it’s fine. I know you’re
crazy. Nothing new.”
Hinampas niya ako. Ang sakit!
Tumawa na lang ako. Baliw talaga eh. Tsk.
Pero ngayon alam ko na kung bakit kahit binu
bwisit niya ako araw araw, natutuwa pa din akong
kasama siya. Si Lynne pala. Akalain mo, hindi lang
siya kahawig ng first love ko, pareho pa sila ng
buhay. Anak ng meant to be talaga!

Dana’s Point of View

“Josh? Bar? Seriously? A hundred thousand all
down the drain for a night out?” i asked him. We’re
her inside some high end club. Ewan ko ba sa Josh
na ’to. Weirdo.
He hushed me, “sshh, D. It’s great in here. Let’s
get drunk and dance. My dad’s been getting on my

772
nerves and i need to take it out.”
I sighed, “fine. All drink’s on you.”
He shook his head, “sometimes i really want to
ask your mom if she gives you money.”
“Huh?”
“Because you’re always making me libre you,”
he said.
I laughed. Really, really hard! You should have
heard how he said libre! Hahaha! Trying hard
masyado! Katuwa!
“There, there. You’re really friends with Nof. You
both like to laugh at me.”
“Sorry,” sabi ko habang sinusubukang pigilin
yung tawa. Hahaha! Cute cute kasi ng salita niyang
Tagalog na pilit!
“It’s fine. Let’s get you a drink?”
“Tonic,” i said.
He rolled his eyes, “come on. Harder?”
“Fine, fine. Whatever you want.”

773
 He went to the bartender and ordered. I went and
sat down and got my phone.
Hindi nagtetext si Cyriel. Busy siguro talaga?
Hmmm. Sabagay, ang laki naman kasi ng business
nila. Nagtaka pa ako. Sheez. Si Dave at Cyriel
nagttrabaho na. Kami na nila Kim ang next.
Nakakakaba!
“Here,” sabi niya habang nilapag niya sa table
yung mga kinuha niya mula dun sa bartender.
“What’s that?”
He acted like he was thinking, “hmmm. Let me
think.. It’s Bourbon with a twist,” he said then he
gave me a glass where he poured some of his
Bourbon “with a twist”.
“So, cheers?” i asked him.
I was about to drink what he gave me when i
stopped, halfway, “you didn’t put any of your herbal
stuffs in here, right?” i asked him. The last thing i
want in my life right now is a totally uncalled for
accident.
He smirked, “you know me too well, D.. But no, i
didn’t put any herbal in there. I’ve been sober for
months. Give this man some credit,” he said.

774
 “Fine. Credit it is,” i said then i drank what he
gave me.
“To something better,” he said.
“To something better,” i said then we clanked our
glasses.
We’re drinking casually. I mean, we’re friends.
Pero yung ibang tao naman kasi dito, grabe
makatingin! Fine, fine. I get it, model si Josh kaya
kung makatingin lalo na yung mga babae! Kainis!
Parang wala ako sa high end club ah. Cheap ng mga
babae dito eh.
I tried my best to ignore them and started a
chitchat with Josh.
“So..” i said. Paano ko ba siya tatanungin tungkol
kay Ynna? I mean, gustung gusto ko nang mawala
siya sa buhay ko. For good. But i don’t wish her
harm. I think malaki naman ang Pilipinas para hindi
kami magtagpo ng landas, right? “how’s Ynna?”
Tinignan niya ako na parang nagulat sa sinabi ko,
“where’s that coming from?”
“Come on, Josh. Just want to hear some news,” i
replied.

775
 “Well, for starter, i don’t know where she is. I
mean, we’re not close, D. We’re bloodrelated,
there’s where it ends.”
I nodded, “i see. So, how about Cyriel? Do you
still see him visiting? I mean, a week ago?” i said,
fishing for information.
He shook his head, “no, i don’t think so. Ynna’s
missing in action, and as for that boyfriend of yours,
i have no freaking idea where he is.”
I rolled my eyes, “just when i thought you have
an amazing stalker skills,” i joked. Lagi niya kasing
alam kung saan ako hahanapin, malay ko ba kung
talent niya yun?
“That only works on girls, D. I don’t stalk boys.
That’s for you to do,” he said, chuckling. I think
alcohol is going in his system.
“Fine, fine.”
He stood up.
“Why?” i asked.
“Come, i don’t like it in here anymore. So many
eyes on us,” he said and started walking. I get him.
Yung babae talaga nakatingin sa amin. Well, not that
i can blame them. Josh is such a looker. Kung

776
girlfriend lang ako nito, kanina pa ako na offend sa
tingin nung mga babae. Eye rape at its finest.
We reached his yello Lamborghini and said, “you
drive,” then hinagis niya yung keys niya towards
me.
“You sure?” i asked. Yosh! First time kong
makakadrive nito!
“Yeah. Just don’t put any scratch on it, D. I’m
obsessed with my cars.”
I started the ignition. Fast and sleek. I want this
car!!
“So, where are we going?” i asked him.
Nakasandal siya sa sasakyan, hilo na yata tong
kasama ko. Tsk. “can you drive me to my hotel? I
forgot something.”
Hotel?
“Why?” i asked.
“I’m staying there. I told you, dad’s getting in my
nerves so i opted to stay in a hotel. He’s so
bothersome, D. He’ll kill me with his words.”

777
 Haay. I see myself in Josh. Ganyan din kami ng
dad ko dati. Good thing we’re on the right track
now.
“Sure.”
Then we drove towards his hotel.

Ynna’s Point of View

“Ang ganda dito noh?” i slowly said as we were
staring at the field of plantation in front of us.
He nodded, “yes. It’s good for your recovery.”
I shrugged. I still feel weak from all the drugs
i’ve been taking.
He kneeled in front of me because i’m on my
wheelchair. Yes, i can’t walk. That’s how weak i am.
I feel pain most of the time. It’s agonizing and it’s
slowly killing me.
“Bakit ayaw mong magpagamot?” he asked me
for the nth time. Fort the past week na nandito kami,
he’s been bugging me about this. I gave up. Hindi ba
nila maintindihan yun? Ano bang labas ko sa sakit
ko? HIV and cancer? Sa tingin ba nila may pag asa

778
pang mabuhay ako? I don’t think so. There’s no
chance in hell that i’ll survive.
“I’m a hopeless case.” 
He held my hand like he’s been doing everytime,
“kasi gusto mong maging ganyan. Come on, Ynna.
You’re better than this. Nagawa mo nga akong ilayo
kay Dana ng isang taon! Nasan na yung mga
diabolical plans na sinasabi mo? Wala na? Ganun na
lang? Hihintayin mo na lang na mamatay ka??”
I smiled weakly and summoned all my strength to
speak, “yes, Cyriel. I gave up. You asked for this,
and i’m giving it to you. You’re free.”
I really meant it this time. I give up. Matagal na.
The moment he walked out of my door, he already
lost me for good. I know he wants this. He always
wanted me gone and now has has it. I’ll be gone
soon. All i’m asking is for him to give this to me and
let me die hating Dana. It’s the only piece of
consolation i could ever have. The liberty of hating
her.
Why i hate her? She took everything away from
me. How could i possibly not hate her for that??
Then i’m dying.. and my parents. I love them and i
know how it would pain them to have both their

779
children gone all because of her. Directly or
indirectly, she caused all of this. She made my life a
living hell so i made hers as well. She killed my
sister. She killed her.
He smiled, “reverse psychology?”
I smiled, “perhaps.”
He sat beside me, “no need, Ynna. I promised
you i won’t leave you. I don’t break any promises.”
“You broke one,” i told him.
He looked puzzled.
“You promised you’ll never love me but look, i
think you did.”

780
 Chapter 64

Chapter 64
“Cyriel!!”
I ran towards him and plunged myself and gave
him a rib breaking hug.
“I missed you bad,” i uttered.
He hugged me back, “i missed you, too,” then he
looked at me, “pumayat ka ah. Hindi ka ba
kumakain?” he asked me.
I shook my head, “no. You weren’t checking up
on me. You’ve been a bad fiance, Cy. You neglected
me for two weeks,” i said, kidding. But i was partly
serious, he didn’t call me for the last week. Well,
i’ve understand that. He’s busy with whatever he’s
doing. No harm done. All work.
“About that, sorry. But, can we talk?” he said.
I don’t know pero i don’t want to hear phrases
such as can we talk. Everytime i hear that,
something wrong’s bound to happen.

781
 “Yeah, sure,” i said then we headed to some
isolated place in our campus.
We sat under one of the trees. It feels calming.
“How’s school?” he asked.
I shrugged, “same old. Ganun pa din though puro
internship na lang naman kami this sem. Prerogative
na lang kung papasok pa,” i said as a matter of fact.
Truth be told, hindi ko na nga kailangan pumasok
eh. I’ve earned my units and internship and final
portfolio na lang ang kailangan ko para grumaduate.
The courses i have now are just extra courses.The
things thats been holding me here are my friends.
  Hindi ko naman kasabay sila ggraduate eh. Sara’s
course is obviously five years while Kim and Nof,
next, next sem pa sila. I’ll graduate alone but
whatever.
He nodded, “san ka mag iintern?” he asked.
“I don’t know yet. Baka kay mom? I’m still
weighing the options,” i told him.
There’s some offer na internship sa Paris and
stuffs since fashion’s big there. There’s also offer
from renowed designers here in the country. Pero
ang pinakapinag iisipan ko ay yung kay mom. Sabi
niya kasi kung gusto ko daw bang mag personal

782
manage ng bagong bukas niyang branch sa Miami. I
don’t know yet since malayo siya. Pero baka
pumayag din ako since it’s a big opportunity, right?
Tsaka nasa Cali naman si Andy eh.. I think Miami’s
far enough para hindi muna kami magkita. I mean,
the wound’s still fresh. In the right time, magkikita
din kami.
“How about you?” i asked him, “what are your
plans?”
“Company stuff. The usual,” he said.
I feel something’s off. Something’s wrong with
Cyriel.
“Hey,” i said then held his face, “what’s
bothering you?” i asked him.
I’m trying to have an open communication with
him. Eto yung paraan para maging okay kami, di ba?
Talking about everything. Ayoko na kasi ng secrets.
Lies are still lies even though you did them for a
greater cause.
He took a deep breath, “it’s Ynna.”
Just then, my breathing hitched. It’s her. Again.
I calmed myself. She’s old news. Kahit anong
sabihin ni Cyriel, paniniwalaan ko, iintindihin ko.

783
That’s what a good girlfriend does, right? I’ll keep
my mind open for every possibilities. She’s just sick
and pathetic.
I tried to smile, “what about her, Cy?”
He held my hand, “she’s really sick.”
I nodded, “alam ko. Ano’ng bago dun?”
“She’s worse, Dana.”
I nodded, “oo nga. It’s given, Cy. Alam ko na
yun. Ano ba yung gusto mong sabihin?”
He seemed to be gathering all his strength to tell
me what he’s trying to tell me. And.. i felt scared.
For the nth time, i feel scared and insecure of Ynna.
She holds Cyriel. Kahit hindi ko aminin, she has
something na hindi siya kayang iwan niya. 
“I was with her..”
He lied.
“I was with her for the past two weeks, Dana.”
I smiled weakly, “so you lied..”
He nodded.
“It’s fine. You just did that to protect me,” i said.

784
 Umiling siya, “you don’t get it, Dana. I lied. I
lied to you because i’m scared that-—”
I cut him off, “because you’re scared that you
will hurt me. I get it, Cy. It’s okay, really,” i said,
trying to keep my composure.
He held my hands, “it’s not what i meant. Dana.. i
don’t want to be unfair to you.. let’s take a break.”
Sht.
I just felt my world crashing.
Let’s take a break.
Let’s take a fcking break!
I laughed, “what the fck, Cyriel? Niloloko mo ba
ako?”
He looked me in the eyes, “hindi kita niloloko,
Dana. I’m asking for a break. Hindi ako nakikipag
hiwalay sa’yo. Just keep things slow. Yun lang.”
I sobbed quietly, “bakit? Am i pressuring you?
Hindi naman! I’ve been understanding you, Cyriel!
Hindi ako malawak mag isip pero dahil sa’yo,
pinipilit kong palawakin yung isip ko! Hindi na nga
ako nagagalit kay Ynna, di ba? I’ve been really

785
understanding, Cyriel.. And this is what i get after
waiting for you for two weeks? A fcking break?”
He chased my hands, “i’m doing this for you,
Dana. We both need a break. Alam ko nalilito ka kay
Andy..”
I slapped him, “don’t you dare turn this against
me! Hindi ako ang nagsinungaling sa ating dalawa,
Cyriel! Ikaw yun, hindi ako.”
He motioned his hands towards me but i slapped
it away, “no, no, Dana. God! Intindihin mo ako.
Please.”
I sighed in defeat. I sat down and listen to
whatever he’s got to say. Tama naman ako, nothing
good will follow the phrase ’let’s talk.’
“For once, let’s clear everything, Cyriel,” i said.
He nodded.
“You lied to me. That’s fine. Just don’t use that as
a reason for us to take a break.. Please.. I sacrificed
too much.. I don’t deserve that..” i said.
“Dana.. i lied to you. I don’t deserve you,” he
said.

786
 “You don’t get to decide who deserves me, Cy.
That’s for me to decide.”
He sighed, “i lied to you a thousand times. Yung
dati, oo, i lied for you. I lied kasi ayokong masaktan
ka.. And you know what? That’s the thing i regret
the most. Yun yung simula ng pagkawala mo sa
akin. I let you drift from me, Dana. I let us fall apart.
I chose for that to happen.”
I held his hand, “then let’s start over again.”
I don’t want us to end like this. I won’t give up
just like this. No, i won’t.
“Hindi mo ba maintindihan? Iba na ngayon,
Dana! Everything changed.”
“Wala namang nagbago, Cy.”
“But something changed, Dana..”
“Then tell me! What changed?”
He inhaled, “i. I changed. I’ve been denying this
all the time. I love you, Dana. God knows i do. But
my reasons for hurting you changed. I lied to you
kasi natatakot ako.. Natatakot ako na baka pigilan
mo ako.. Baka pigilan mo ako na makasama si
Ynna..”

787
 There.
He said it.
He wants to be with Ynna.
Is this what i get for hurting Andy? Is this what
he felt when i broke his heart? If yes, i feel sorry.
Because it hurts. It really hurts. I feel crushed.
I looked at him with tears flowing. Bakit ko pa
itatago na naiiyak ako? What difference would it
make? I feel hurt. I feel wronged. I feel fcked and
played with.
“Since when?” i asked him nonchalantly.
“Hindi ko alam,” he replied.
I looked up, in attempt to slow down the tears,
“sigurado ka?”
He nodded. And again, he broke me. 
“Cyriel, there’s a thin line between pity and love.
Do you know where you stand?”
He looked at me.
I continued, “answer me when you’re sure.
Because if you’ll say yes, you’ll gonna lose me for
good.”

788
 Andy’s Point of View
“Let’s go shopping, Louie!” sabi ni Glorie.
Haaayst. Paskong pasko na ah! Ang lamig na dito
eh! 
“Why? Do you have money?” i said to her. Tsk.
Tong pouty na ’to! Lakas loob makaaya ng shopping
eh wala namang pera!
She pouted, as usual, “you have lots.”
I rolled my eyes, “tsk. I thought so. You want  to
work for me for my money.. and my body. Very bad
pouty!”
She laughed. Baliw na babae!
“Yeah, right, Louie. As if i would want you for
your body,” she said tapos tinignan niya yung
katawan ko. Ay leche! Eye rape!!
“Pervert!”
“Your personal perv,” sabi niya.

“Momma!!”

789
 Napatingin ako.
“Andrei, baby,” sabi ni Glorie tapos binuhat niya
si Andrei. Oh, bakit nandito yung kakambal ko??
“Louie?”

“Can Andrei stay here with me? Lawrence has

some matters to deal with.. He can’t take care of
Andrei. I promise he’ll behave. Right, Andrei?”
“Yes, momma!”
*O*
Ang cute ni Andrei! Gusto kong gumawa ng
bata!!
“Sure. Sure,” nasabi ko. Leche! Hirap tanggihan
ng batang cute. =___=
“Yey!” sabi ni pouty sabay talon. Baliw. Mamaya
malaglag pa si Andrei, magkaron pa ng hemorrhage
sa utak kagaya ng nanay niyang baliw. “I’ll just
cook, Louie. Look after Andrei.”
Ano pa nga ba?

790
 Chapter 65

Chapter 65
“Nakakainis!” Kim complained.
“Okay lang yan, Kim. I’ll instagram our
escapades para hindi ka huli sa balita,” Nof teased.
Bakit naman ba kasi gustung gusto nilang sumama
sa akin? Hindi naman ako magbabakasyon dun,
internship ang gagawin ko.
“So mean, Nof!! DK naman kasi!! Can’t you
postpone your trip? Gusto kong sumama eh!” Kim
whined.
“We’re not going on a vacation, Kim. Internship,
work, experience. You’ll just get bored there,” i
assured her.
“I know i won’t get bored!” she said with
conviction.
“Bakit parang sure na sure ka naman yatang hindi
ka mabobore dun?” i asked her while continuing to
arrange some of the things that i will bring.

791
 She smiled, a creepy one though, “basta. I know
things will get interesting.”

Nof’s Point of View

Si Kim talaga oh! Ang obvious naman eh. 

Baka makahalata si DK niyan sa mga binabalak

ko. Hehehe. Playing cupids lang ako. Alam ko na
kasi ang life’s mission ko, ang guluhin ang utak ni
DK. Habang nandun kami, ibubugaw ko si Andy
para malito siya pero at the same time, ipapaalala ko
sa kanya na may girlfriend na si Andy. Yung Berdy?
Tsk. Weird name pero who cares?
“Syempre,” i butted in, “things never get boring
as long as i’m there,” i said. Sana mabasa ni DK
yung underlying message dun sa sinabi ko.
Kumbaga sa buhay niya, ako ang game player. I
assure DK na hindi magiging boring ang stay namin
dun. Not even one second boring.
“Yeah, right,” DK said. Busy siya kasi nag aayos
siya ng gamit niya. Tss. Bibili na lang ako dun.
Hmmm. Great idea, Nof. Isasama ko na lang

792
magshopping yung girlfriend ni Andy para naman
makilala ko kung ano ba ang gusto nun. Who
knows? Baka maging close pa kami.
“So, bukas na ang alis natin?” i asked again.
She nodded, “yup. 7 p.m. flight. Three countries
stopovers leg then Miami bound.”
I smiled, “okay. See you tomorrow, DK.”
“Bye din, DK,” Kim said.
We walked past through her doors. Nandito kasi
kami sa bahay nila. Just spying and whatevers. You
know, our life’s mission is to make DK’s life
thrilling.
“So, hindi mo talaga ako isasama dun??” Kim
complained again. Ang kulit ng babaeng to!!
I faced her, “Kimberly Joyce, ikaw ang may
gagawin kaya hindi ka makakasama. Don’t pester
me. It’s not my fault na madami kang hahabuling
exams due.. to your stupid grades.”
“Kainis ka!!”
“The feeling is mutual, dear.”

793
 We went to her convertible and went to the mall.
Pupuntahan lang namin yung boyfriend or husband
niya dahil miss na miss niya na daw. Ew. 
“Punta lang ako sa office ni boyfie. Dito ka lang
or what?” she asked me.
I waved my hand in a dismissing manner, “no, go
ahead. Ayokong masuka sa harap niyo,” i said.
“Bwisit!!” she said and then stomped away. Kasi
naman, ayoko silang makita ni Clarence. Hindi
naman sa dahil single ako or what. But really, para
kang nanonood ng live show pag magkasama sila.
They don’t even care kahit nandun ako. =___=
Make out at its best.
I went window shopping habang wala pa si Kim.
She told me to wait for her since pupunta daw siya
sa bahay namin for strategic planning. Hindi na din
ako bibili since i’ll be going to Miami tomorrow.
Yosh!
calling..
Kim
“Why?”
( “Where are you? Wala si Boyfie sa office eh.”)

794
 “Forever 21. Punta ka ba dito?”
( “Yup. Wait for me.”)
I waited for her. Tss. Ang bagal talaga maglakad
ni Kim. 10 minutes na ko dito ah.
“Nof,” she said while panting, “sorry. Nasa fourth
floor pa kasi yung office ni boyfie. Puno lahat ng
lifts.”
I rolled my eyes, “nako. Don’t explain. Uwi na
tayo.”
“Wait lang!! Magkasama daw si boyfie at Cyriel
eh. Let’s find them. Pretty please?? With cherry on
top??”
Ew. Nagpretty eyes pa si Kim. Yuck.
“Fine.”

Andy’s Point of View

“No, Louie. I promise i didn’t buy those things!!”
sabi ni Pouty sabay taas pa ng kanang kamay.

795
 Sino naman bumili nito?? Wala namang bata sa
bahay ko. Tsaka naka address sa akin eh. Di ba ako
si Andrei Louie Guzman?? Tsaka ay leche! Ano
namang gagawin ko sa napakadaming laruan na
yun?? Hindi naman ako magtatayo ng playground
dito!!
“Yey!! So many toys!!”

Si Andrei lang ang natutuwa sa mga nangyayari.

“Baby, it’s not yours. Don’t touch them,” sabi ni
pouty tapos nilayo niya si Andrei sa mga laruan.
“Uwaaaaa!! You’re so mean, momma!!”

Bakit pakiramdam ko masama akong tao pag

pinatapon ko lang lahat ng laruan??
Lumapit ako kay Andrei.
“Hoy,” sabi ko.
“Why?” sabi niya habang nagpupunas ng luha.
“Do you want those toys?”

796
 Tumango siya, “yes!! I want those toys!!”
“Okay. You can have them.”
“Really??”
Bakit kumikislap pa yung mata niya?? Ganun
niya kagusto yung mga laruan??
“In one condition,” sabi ko.
“What, daddy?”
O_____O
“Daddy??”
Tumango siya, “yes. You are my daddy, right??”
Tumakbo si Pouty papunta kay Andrei, “he’s not
your dad, Andrei. I told you he’s already dead.”
“Uwaaaaa!! But i want him to be my dad!! He’s
handsome like me!! I want him, momma!!”
O____O
“I’m so sorry, Louie. I’ll make it clear to him that
you’re not his dad,” sabi niya tapos binuhat niya si
Louie palabas sa porch.
Daddy??

797
 Hininto ko sila, “wait, pouty.”
“Huh?”
“It’s fine,” sabi ko.
“Fine with what, Louie?”
Tinignan ko si Andrei na namumula kaka iyak,
“he can call me dad.”
Nagpumiglas si Andrei kay Pouty kaya nakababa
siya tapos tumakbo siya papunta sa akin tapos
niyakap yung binti ko, “daddy? Yey!! My dad is
handsome like me!!”
Haha. Anak ko yata talaga si Andrei. Pareho
kaming gwapo.

Clarence’s Point of View

“What brings you here, brother?”
Nandito si Cyriel. Himala. Tagal kong di nakita
’to eh.
“Pwede kang makausap?”
Tumango ako, “sandali lang. Tatapusin ko lang
’to.”

798
 Ang daming paperworks. Tss. Lalong lumaki
yung family business namin simula nung nag invest
yung mga Henares. Kahit nakkbwisit si Payatot,
hindi ko naman maitatanggi na malaki talaga yung
naitutulong ng pamilya nila.
Nung natapos ko na lahat ng kailangan pirmahan,
“Ayu, please cancel my lunch meeting with Ms. Cha
Ochoa Tobias,” sabi ko sa secretary ko na si Ayu.
“Yes, sir.”
Pumunta ako kay Cyriel, “ano bang pag uusapan
natin?”
Ngumiti siya. Tss. Weird. “Wala lang. Kumain ka
na ba?”
“Hindi pa,” sabi ko. Ano ba to? Nagpunta lang
para ayain akong kumain?? Nabakla na ba ang
kapatid ko??
“Tara, kain muna tayo.”
Naglakad kami papunta sa resto. Ewan ko ba sa
kapatid ko na ’to. Nasa iisang bahay lang naman
kami pero hindi kami nagkikita. =___= Two weeks
din yun ah. Buti hindi siya tinatanong ni mom kung
hindi papagalitan na naman ako.

799
 Nung dumating na yung order namin, “ano nga,
Cyriel? Hindi ka naman pupunta dito para lang ayain
akong kumain.”
Binaba niya yung chopsticks, “kasi..”
“Kasi?”
“Nagbreak na kami ni Dana o nagcool off?
Ewan.”
Tss. Expected.
“About time,” sabi ko. Matagal ko nang naisip na
sa ganto din sila dadating ni Dana. Ewan ko. Kahit
kapatid ko si Cyriel, hindi niya deserve si Dana.
Masyadong mabait eh. Mas bagay siya kay payatot.
Opposites attract. Isang mabait, isang masama.
Nangiti na lang siya, “so, expected mo na
talaga?”
Tumango ako. Hmm. Tagal ko na ding hindi
nakakain ng tempura, “oo. Dati pa kita tinatanong
tungkol kay Ynna, di ba? About time na din na
maamin mo sa sarili mo.”
“Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin dati pa?”
Tinignan ko siya, “na alin? Na mahal mo si Ynna
higit pa sa kaibigan? Ulol. Ano ko, si papa Jack?

800
Problema mo yan, idadamay mo pa ko.”
Umiling iling siya, “hindi naman eh.
Nakipaghiwalay ako kay Dana pero hindi ibig
sabihin nun na mahal ko si Ynna. Basta, ang gulo
lang kasi. Lahat kami naguguluhan.”
“Alam mo, Cyriel. Gumugulo lang naman lahat
dahil sa’yo. Makinig ka, ha? Naghiwalay si Dana at
Andy para sa’yo. Umalis si Andy papunta kung saan
man para sa’yo. Nagtiis si Dana para sa’yo. Ikaw
naman ang gagawin mo lang ay ipakita kay Dana na
deserve mo lahat ng ginawa niya. Yun lang naman
eh. Ano bang mahirap dun, di ba? Eh ang problema,
hindi mo magawa yung nag iisang bagay na dapat
mong gawin dahil kay payatot. In short, si Payatot
ang priority mo.”
Sumingit siya, “kasi nga may sakit siya.”
“Sino ba niloloko mo? Ako o ikaw? Kasi hindi
ako tanga kagaya mo,” sabi ko.
“Bakit ba kasi siguradong sigurado ka na mahal
ko nga si Ynna?”
Tinignan ko siya ng diretso, “isa lang, Cyriel.
Kasi nakikita ko kung paano mo siya tratuhin. Hindi
mo nakikita yun.”

801
 Nof’s Point of View
“Kim naman!! Kanina pa tayo paikot ikot eh.
Uwi na tayo, please,” i said.
We’ve been walking for minutes. Nakakapagod
kaya!
She pouted, “kasi naman ang laki laki ng mall
nila!! Nakakainis!!”
In the end, pumayag din siya na umuwi na kami.
Pumunta kami sa bahay then i called DK via
skype since hinihintay ko ding mag online si Andy.
“Hey, DK.”
( “Hey. Ano’ng meron?”)
“Nothing. Bakit ka nga pala online?” i asked her.
Bihira lang kasing mag skype si DK eh.
( “Just talking to Angel, yung nag aayos nung
venue para sa launching ng FHF sa Miami.”)
“Ah. By the way, may titirahan na ba tayo dun?” i
asked her. Say no, DK!! I have brilliant plans. Really
brilliant.

802
 She paused, ( “about that.. wala pang na aarange
si mom eh. For the mean time, sa hotel muna tayo
mag check in.”)
I shook my head really hard, “No, DK! I know a
place. Dun na lang tayo magstay, okay? Basta dun
tayo. Okay, okay? Bye, DK!!”
End call.
Yosh.
Online na si Andy boy.
“ANDY!!!”
( “What? Istorbo ka. Nagtext ka pang mag online
ako. Ano bang meron?”) sabi niya tapos naghikab
pa. Bakit ba naka boxer shorts lang ’tong isang ’to??
Hindi ba malamig dun?? Sabagay. Hehehe. Mas
maganada kung ganyan ang attire niya pag nandun
kami ni DK.
“Ilan ang kwarto diyan sa bahay mo?” i asked.
Based from what i am seeing from the webcam,
malaki yung bahay ni Guzman. Sabagay.
( “’Tong piggy na ’to. Ginising mo ako para
jan??”)
“Basta wag kang magulo.”

803
( “Lima tapos dalawang guest room. Bakit ba??”)
“Hehehe. Bye, Andy.”
Great plan, Nof. 

804
 Chapter 66

Chapter 66
Nof’s Point of View
“Nof, it’s cold!” DK complained.
Sheez! Akala niya ba siya lang ang nilalamig?
Hindi ko na nga maramdaman yung daliri ko eh!
“I know, i know!” i hissed habang hinahanap ko
sa hand carry ko yung leather gloves ko. Jusko,
Guzman. Bakit sa dinami dami ng araw na
maglalaboy ka, ngayon mo pa napili kung kailan
dadating kami ni DK sa Miami??
“Oh,” i said then hinagis ko yung scarf ko at coat
kay DK. Kawawa naman kasi, mukhang
mamamatay na siya sa lamig. =___= Masyado
namang malalamigin ’tong babaeng ’to. Ang balak
ko, grand entrance ang pagkikita nila ni Andy. Baka
naman masobrahan sa grand pag malamig na na
bangkay ’tong kasama ko.
“T-thanks,” sabi niya tapos sinuot ng mabilis
yung coat at scarf.

805
 Hooo! Buti na lang at sanay na ako sa lamig kahit
papano. Sa Paris kasi ako for 2 years nung nawala
ang mom. Kaya nga nahilig ako sa fashion design
eh, center kasi dun.
I sat on the steps on the porch. Kanina ko pa dina
dial yung number niya pero unattended. Leche!
Nasan ba kasi yung lalaking yun???

Andy’s Point of View

“Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!”

Niyugyog pa ako. Aish. Puyat ako. Puyat

akoooo!!
“Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!!!”
—o—
“Why, baby?” sabi ko. Napakakulit ni Andrei.
Tsk. Manang mana sa nanay niyang autistic eh.
“Let’s go out! The snow’s falling!”
Umupo ako sa kama tapos tumingin sa labas ng
bintana. Oo nga noh? Nagssnow na pala. Akalain

806
mo?
“It’s too cold outside, baby,” sabi ko.
“But i want!!! Daddy!! Please???”

Haaaay. Ano ba naman ang magagawa ko pag

nagpacute na ang batang ito??
Binuhat ko siya tapos inupo sa gilid ko tapos
pinat ko yung ulo niya, “alright. Daddy will just take
a bath, alright?”
“But it’s too cold, daddy! You will freeze inside
the bathroom!!”
^_____^
Ang sarap talaga sa feeling pag may nag aalala
sa’yo. Haaaaaaaaay. Gusto ko na din talagang
gumawa ng bata. 
Hinalikan ko siya sa noo, “it’s fine, baby. I’ll use
heater, okay? Just play with berdy while waiting for
me.”
Pumasok na ako sa cr para maligo. Wala kasi si
Glorie ngayon. Ewan ko sa babaeng yun. May
pinuntahan sa kabilang State kaya iniwan sa akin si

807
Andrei. Ako pa ang ginawang katulong. =___=
Nabaligtad pa ang sitwasyon.
Nakatapos na ako. Leche!! Ang lamig pa din ng
tubig! Parang nagyeyelo!! Tsk. Naiintidihan ko na
kung bakit hindi mahilig maligo mga tao dito.
Nakakabaliw naman kasi yung kalamigan eh!
Nagsuot na ako ng madaming damit. Tsk. Nag
drop na daw yung temperature eh, delikado na.
“Wow. You’re so stuffed, daddy!!”

Ginawa pa akong stuffed toy nitong batang ’to?

Tsk. Kundi ko lang ’to mahal eh.
“Did your momma give you extra clothes?”
tanong ko sa kanya. Naka pants, sweater, hand
gloves, beanie, at ear muffin kasi siya. Hehehe. Pati
nakaboots kami pareho. Like father, like son.
Umiling siya, “no, this is everything momma
gave me. She said i’ll be fine since you’ll take care
of me *O*”

808
 Kukutusan ko yang si Glorie pag nakita ko eh.
Pabayaan daw ba si Andrei sa akin?? Porke gwapo
mapagkakatiwalaan na agad?? Eh pano kung
member pala ako ng wakwak gang?? Eh di naibenta
pa ng di oras yung internal organs ni Andrei. Tsk.
“Fine, let’s go,” sabi ko tapos hinawakan ko yung
kamay niya.
“Can we take Berdy with us, daddy?”
“No. It’s non negotiable, Andrei. Do you want
Berdy to freeze to death?”
“Uwaaaa!! I love my berdy! I don’t want her to
freeze to death!! I don’t want my berdy to freeze to
death.”

My berdy to freeze to death???

Anak ko yata talaga si Andrei eh?? Hindi kaya
naanakan ko si pouty dati?? Nakapunta ba ako sa
Miami last, last, last year?? Hmmm. Tignan ko nga
sa passport ko mamaya.
Pinat ko yung ulo niya, “silly. We’ll go with
berdy when the weather’s nice, okay?”

809
 Umalis na kami tapos naglakad papunta sa park.
May ice skating rink daw kasi dun sabi ni pouty
tuwing winter season. Eh nung isang araw pa ako
kinukulit ni Andrei. Ganito pala ang feeling ng may
anak. Tsk.
Nag ice skate lang si Andrei. Ang tapang eh.
Nakikipagsabayan pa sa mga bata dun eh mas
matanda naman sa kanya yung mga yun. 
After ng ilang minuto, napagod din. Jusko. Ang
taas ng energy eh. Isang oras siyang nagsskate dun
ah!
“Daddy, i’m tired. Buy me hotdogs.”

“Okay. Wait for me.”

Hahaha! Natatawa ako minsan kasi
nakakalimutan ko na hindi ko naman talaga anak si
Andrei. Minsan kasi pakiramdam ko ako talaga yung
daddy niya. Gaya na lang ngayon pag inuutusan niya
ako. Parang ako kasi talaga. Ang tanga lang nung
kung sino man ang nang iwan kay pouty at Andrei.
Hindi niya alam kung ano ang pinakawalan niya.
Bumili ako ng dalawang hotdog sandwich, isang
hot chocolate, at isang americano. Pagkatapos

810
naming mag gala at kumain sa park, dumaan muna
kami sa groceries since naubusan na din ako ng
stocks. Dumaan kasi si mom at kuya nung isang
Linggo. Nagstay sila for three days. Hehehe. Namiss
ako ni mom eh. Ang gwapo ko kaya. =___=
Pinakilala ko nga si Andrei na anak ni pouty eh
tapos nung sinabi ko na hindi ko naman anak si
Andrei, umiyak si Andrei. Kesyo ayaw ko daw sa
kanya. Jusko. Bata bata pa, nagddrama na. =___=
Kaya ayun, pinakilala ko bilang anak ko. Ang
sensitive masyado. Pero naiintindihan ko din naman
kasi ngayon lang siya nagka father figure. Ang
sinasabi kasi ni pouty palagi sa kanya na patay na
yung tatay niya kaya siguro masaya din siya na ako
yung tinuturing niyang tatay ngayon.
Konti lang binili ko kasi wala naman akong
dalang sasakyan. Para lang sa kakainin namin
ngayong gabi. Sa’kin kasi matutulog si Andrei eh.
Alam niyo na, nagffeeling dalaga yung nanay niya.
=___=
“Guzman!!!”
O___________________O
“Daddy, our food!!”
Nabitawan ko yung hawak ko.

811
 Hindi ba ako nananaginip??
Si Dana???

Dana’s Point of View

“Daddy! Our food!!”
D-daddy?
Napatingin ako kay Andy, mukha siyang nagulat..
Pero hindi ba dapat ako ang magulat? Daddy? Akala
ko ba buntis pa lang yung girfriend niya? Bakit
mukhang malaki na yung anak niya? Baka naman
pangalawang anak na nila yung ipinagbubuntis? 
“Omg!” narinig kong sabi ni Nof.
Hindi ako makapagreact. Nakatingin lang ako sa
bata sa harap ko. Siguro dalawang taon na. Blue ang
kulay ng mata niya at blondie ang buhok. Ibig
sabihin ba nito.. na blondie ang bagong girlfriend ni
Andy?
“You stupid, inconsiderate jerk! Ang tagal tagal
mong dumating! Muntik na kaming maging snow
man ni DK ah!”

812
 Hindi pa din makapagsalita si Andy.. siguro dahil
nalaman na namin na matagal na pala siyang may
tinatago..
“Excuse me?” nagsalita yung bata na kasama
niya samantalang nakatulala pa din sa Andy sa
amin..
“Are you my daddy’s friends?”
Daddy.. talaga?

Nof’s Point of View

^____________^
“No, i am your daddy’s prettiest friend. And she
is..” tapos tinuro ko si Dana, “your dad’s ex—
girlfriend.”
Ang cute cute na bata! Nako si Guzman talaga!
Tsk. Ang batang ama lang pala ang gusto niyang
title. Tsk. Kaya pala nagmamadaling umalis ng
Pilipinas dati, may babalikan pala sa Miami. Tsk.
Matinik talaga ang lalaking ’to eh.
“Really??” parang hindi makapaniwalang tanong
nung batang blue eyes.

813
 “What’s your name, by the way?” nagtanong na
ako dahil hindi naman yata siya maipapakilala ni
Guzman dahil ayun at nakatitig pa din kay DK.
Akala yata nananaginip lang siya. 
“I’m Andrei,” sabi nung bata tapos nagsmile at
bow. Sheet! Ang cute cute niya! *O*
“A-andrei?” sabi ni DK na nag stummer. Hehehe.
Selos yan, pustahan.
“Yes, my dad’s ex girlfriend,” sabi niya.
Wahaha! Sige lang, ipagdiinan mo pa yung my
dad’s ex girlfriend! Panalong panalo ’to! Matawagan
nga si Kim mamaya. For sure maiinggit yun sa mga
nangyayari dito. Hahaha!
Lumapit ako kay Andrei, “where’s the comfort
room?” i asked. Kanina pa din kasi ako nilalamig
dito. Jusko!
“Third door after the hallway,” sabi niya.
Hinatak ko na din siya. Kailangan yatang
magmoment nung dalawa.

Andy’s Point of View

814
 “D-dana..” nakapagsalita na din ako sa wakas.
Totoo pala ang nakikita ko. Si Dana nga yung nasa
harap ko.
Ngumiti lang siya, “long time no see,” sabi niya.
Ngumiti lang din ako. Grabe! Namiss ko ’to.
Namiss ko siya. Gustung gusto ko siyang yakapin
ngayon pero wala naman akong karapatan kasi
hiwalay na kami. 
“Oo nga eh. Busy din eh.. Kamusta? Kayo ni
Cyriel?”
Medyo natigilan siya sa tanong ko, “ayun,
masaya. Ikaw ha, may anak ka na pala. Hindi ka
man lang nagsabi!”
Masaya naman pala sila ni Cyriel. Mabuti naman.
Hindi nila alam kung ilang gabi akong parang
bading na umiyak dati. Sayang naman yung emo
moments ko kung hindi sila magiging msaya.
“Ah, oo nga eh.. Ngayon ko lang din nalaman
eh,” sabi ko na lang. Mas mabuti na din na isipin
nila yun para hindi naman ako mukhang kawawang
heart broken sa paningin niya.. Okay na din na isipin
niyang naka move on na ako para hindi na din siya
maguilty.

815
 “Tara, pasok tayo?” pag aaya ko.
Pumasok kami sa loob at tinulungan ko siya sa
gamit niya. Teka, bakit nga ba sila nandito?? Kaya
ba tinanong ni piggy yung kwarto sa bahay ko???
Yung baboy talaga na yun oh!!
Umupo siya sa recliner. Ako naman, kumuha ng
towel since natunaw na yung snow sa coat ni Dana
kaya basa siya. Baka magkasakit, magalit pa si
Cyriel sa’kin. Tsk.
“Hot chocolate o coffee o tea?” tanong ko sa
kanya. Nanginginig kasi siya. Tsk. Kung girlfriend
ko pa din ’to, malamang hindi towel binigay ko.
Yayakapin ko yan hanggang hindi na siya lamigin.
Ngumiti siya, “chocolate would be nice.”
Pumunta ako sa kusina at naghanap ng instant hot
chocolate at marshmallows. Buti na lang talaga at
nandito si pouty. Kung hindi nakakahiya kay Dana
dahil puro beer at frozen pizza ang aabutan niya.
=___=
Nasan na nga ba si Nof at Andrei??

Dana’s Point of View

816
 “D-dana..” 
I looked at him. I don’t know how to react. It’s
been more than a month that we haven’t seen each
other.. That last time was when i broke his heart. I
would understand if the chain is still on his door.
I tired to smile, “long time no see.”
He smiled in return. I missed this. I know i sound
so selfish pero kasi.. Andy was a part of my life, is a
part of my life, and will be a part of my life. Maybe
even as a friend..
“Oo nga eh. Busy din eh.. Kamusta? Kayo ni
Cyriel?” he asked.
I was taken aback by his question. What would i
say? That we’re on the rocks and that what i am
feeling is exactly the opposite of what i thought i
would feel? That i am feeling so hurt instead of
feeling happy..
“Ayun, masaya. Ikaw ha, may anak ka na pala.
Hindi ka man lang nagsabi!” i lied. I broke his heart,
hoping that Cyriel would mke me happy. But what
happened?
“Ah, oo nga eh.. Ngayon ko lang din nalaman
eh,” he said. So.. he’s really his son. Kung hindi ko

817
siya hiniwalayan, hindi niya malalaman na may anak
siya?
“Tara, pasok tayo?” he said.
We walked inside his house. Bakit nga ba kami
nandito? And why is he here? I thought he’s in
California? Di ba nga kaya ako pumayag sa offer ni
mom kasi malayo sa kanya? Pero bakit ganun? Kahit
anong iwas ko, napapalapit pa din ako?
I sat on his recliner and he gave me a towel. I
rememer those times when i’m cold, he would hug
me until i feel warm. But that’a all in the past.
Pinakawalan ko siya. I must live with it. He’s got
responsibility.
“Hot chocolate o coffee o tea?” he offered.
I smiled, “chocolate would be nice.”
But being your friend once again would probably
be nicer. 

Nof’s Point of View

“Can i ask your name?” sabi nung miniature ni
Andy na American version.

818
 Nandito ako sa isang kwarto sa bahay ni
Guzman. Nagpalit ako ng damit. Feeling bahay ko
na din ’to, bakit ba?
“Sure, call me auntie Noff” sabi ko kay mini me
habang nagsusuklay. Leche. Puro snow buhok ko
ah!
“Auntie Nof, is she the one who broke daddy’s
heart??”

Aba’t! Ang daming alam ng batang ’to ah! Kinu

kwentuhan kaya ni Guzman ’to??
Tumango tango ako, “yes. The one and only
Dana Kathryn Ferrer.”
Nagpout siya. Omo! Ang cute!!
“I don’t like her then. She broke daddy’s heart.”
^______^
Mukhang magkakasundo kami ng batang ito!

—Philippines—

819
 Cyriel’s Point of View
“Hello, brother.”
“Tss,” sabi ko. Si Clarence lang pala.
“San ka galing?” sabi niya tapos inabutan ako ng
baso ng whisky. Kakagaling lang siguro sa trabaho
kasi naka longsleeves at tie pa.
“Kila Ynna,” sabi ko tapos kinuha ko yung baso
at naupo.
“Naks. Nagiging open ka na talaga sa relasyon
niyo ni Ynna ah.”
“Siraulo.”
Umikot siya at tumayo sa likod ng counter ng
mini bar namin.
“Uuwi ulit sila mom next week. Ano sasabihin
mo pag hinanap nila si Ynna?” sabi niya.
Matagal ko na ding pinag isipan ’to. Wala talaga
akong balak na sabihin sa kanila yung totoong
kalagayan ni Ynna. Wala na eh. Wala na si Dana..
Nawawala na siya. Si Ynna na lang yung hindi
umalis sa tabi ko.
“Eh di yung totoo.. cancer.”

820
 Natawa si Clarence, “gago ka talaga. Sabagay,
totoo naman. Kulang lang.”
“Wag kang manggugulo. Akin ’to. Diskarte ko,”
sabi ko.
Ngumiti siya, “alam ko. Tss. Feeling mo naman
tutulungan kita? Mas kampi ako kay Dana, noh.
Pakielam ko naman sa’yo kahit kapatid kita?”
Ngumiti din ako, “eh di nagkakaintindihan tayo.”
May kinuha siya mula sa drawer ng counter, “oh.
Pinapabigay ni Dana. Wala ka kasi kahapon eh,
hindi mo siya naabutan. Si Ynna ang pinili mo.
Maging masayang byudo ka sana.”
Umalis na siya at iniwan niya ako. Sulat ni Dana..
Cyriel,
I don’t know but i remember reminding you
about my flight later. But.. you’re nowhere to be
found.. Siguro kasama mo siya ngayon.. I was
hoping na makapag usap tayo bago man lang ako
umalis. Yes, i’m going to Miami in few hours time. I
was hoping to clear things up before going. Ayoko
namang umalis na ang labo labo nating dalawa. I
said i’ll be waiting for your answer, right? And i’ll
be. I will give you enough time.. and enough space.

821
Enough na ba ang Miami para ma miss mo ako?
Hahaha. Sorry, i feel really awful for myself. Kasi
umaasa pa din ako kahit alam kong hindi naman na
yata pwede. Ang hirap naman kasi ng kalaban ko..
Kamatayan naman kasi. Sino ba naman ako para
piliin mo, di ba? Ako naman walang sakit. Siguro
mabubuhay pa ako ng matagal unlike her. Ewan. 
Pero Cyriel, would you choose me if i’m dying
just like her?
Because i feel dying.. my heart feels really
painful..
After mong sabihin sa akin na natatakot kang
pigilan kitang makasama siya, i was really scared.
Ano bang meron talaga kayo? Mas gusto mo na ba
siya kaysa sakin? You promised me you don’t love
her.. But i think your promises are meant to hurt
me. 
I will be back, Cyriel. Sana pagbalik ko, maging
maayos na tayong dalawa. Kung wala na talaga,
what could i do but to accept it? At least magkaka
closure na tayong dalawa.. But we can’t be friends..
for the time being. It would probably sting. Really
sting. But time would come na tatawanan na lang
nating kung ano yung nangyari.. But i was really

822
hoping for the former. We really came far enough.
Sayang, Cyriel. Sayang na sayang.
I love you. Take care of Ynna.. i know you want
to do that. I will forever love you.. as my man or as a
friend. Take care.
’Til we meet again.
—Dana

823
 Chapter 67

Chapter 67
Dana’s Point of View
“Come on, Nof. Let’s get to work!” I nodged
Nof. She’s been lying for hours and we need to get
started. The clock’s ticking.
She mumbled, “DK naman..” then she rolled over
to the other side of the bed, “we traveled for 18
hours via plane. 1 hour via car. Wala ka man lang
bang tinatawag na jetlag?”
I rolled my eyes inside my head. Jeez. Bakit ko
nga ba sinama pa si Nof? I knew she wouldn’t be of
any help. At all. A nuisance, maybe. Tignan mo nga,
the moment i arrived here, si Andy agad ang nakita
ko. Just when i thought na makakaalis na ako sa
Pilipinas, ang lugar ng mga problema ko. And here,
it’s basically the same. 
“Fine, fine,” i said then went out of the door.
I grabbed my things and checked my phone.
Margo, mom’s assistant, just sent me the location.
I’ll just follow the GPS. Nakakhiya naman kasi kung

824
magpapasama pa ako kay Andy. Malay ko ba kung
ihahatid niya si Andrei sa nursery or something.
“Good morning, Dana,” Andy greeted me.
I smiled at him and greeted him as well. 
“Breakfast?” he offered.
“Nope, but thanks for the offer. I’ll just grab a to
— go,” i declined. I don’t know. I feel awkward. I
know i don’t have the slightest right to feel
awkward. I was the who who broke up with him.
But still, with little Andrei running around the
house, who wouldn’t? And plus, i am still
wondering who the kid’s mom is.
He bounced from his seat and stood beside me,
with a good twelve inches distant, “san ka ba? Hatid
na kita?” he offered again.
I shook my head and showed him my phone,
“GPS.”
He nodded, “how about borrow my car?”
I smiled at his persistence, “nope. I can manage,
Andy. Mom rented a car before hand. I’ll just beep
you up if i’m lost.”
He shrugged, “baliw. Sige, alis na din ako.”

825
 I know i have no right to pry as well but i can’t
help but to ask, “san ka pupunta?”
He got his keys and grabbed two sweaters, “i’ll
go get Andrei then work. Alam mo na, head of the
family,” then he playfully winked at me.
I sighed inside my head. Of course, Dana. He’s
got a family.

Andy’s Point of View

Tss. Talaga, Andy? Head of the family? Baliw!!
San ba kasi pupunta si Dana at ayaw pang
magpasama? Mamaya mawala pa sa Miami yun eh!
Ang dami pa namang masasamang tao dito. Tsk.
Lagot ako kay Tita pag nagkataon. Teka, alam ba
niyang sa akin nakatira si Nof at Dana? Hmmm.
Tawagan ko nga mamaya.
Pumunta ako sa school ni Andrei. Ang bata bata
pa nag aaral na. Three years old pa lang eh. Kaya
madaming alam eh. Tsk.
“Daddy!!” sumigaw si Andrei liit papunta sa
akin. Eskandalosong bata. Tsk.

826
 “Hey, baby,” sabi ko habang nakayakap siya sa
akin. Sinoot ko na din yung sweater niya para doble.
Ang lamig ngayon eh!
“Thank you, daddy. Are we going to mommy??”
sabi niya. Si Glorie kasi hindi pa nakakauwi. Gala
talagang babae. Feel na feel ang pagka dalaga,
nakalimutan na yatang iniwan niya yung anak sa
akin.
I messed with his blonde hair, “yes. She’s with
Auntie Angel, Auntie Shai, Auntie Jem, Auntie
Aemie and Lawrence,” i said. Nagdiretso na pala sa
trabaho eh.Tamang tama at makatulong nga dun.
Baka namiss na din nila ang ka gwapuhan ko.
Hehehe.
“Ok,” sabi niya tapos sinuot yung seatbelt niya.
Matalinong bata talaga. Hahaha! Manang mana sa
daddy niyang gwapo.
Mga after 20 minutes, nakarating na din kami.
Traffic din kasi dahil sa snow sa daan. Problema
talaga ang snow. Tsk. Bakit ba gustung gusto sa
Pilipinas yun, eh puro perwisyo lang dala nung dito.
Basag na windshield, makalat na front porch,
madulas na daan, at makapal na damit palagi. Tsk.

827
 Pumasok na kami sa loob. Himala, busy ang mga
tao.
“Momma!!” sabi ni Andrei habang nagtatatakbo
doon papunta sa nanay niyang feeling teenager.
Niyakap din siya ni pouty, “hey, baby. Momma
missed you so much. Did you miss me?”
Kiniss siya ni Andrei liit sa cheeks, “no, momma.
Daddy was with me the whole time so i didn’t miss
you.”
Pouty faked a hurt, “so, you love Mr. Grumpy
more?”
Nag nod si Andrei liit. Hehehe. Syempre naman,
eh halos matabunan na siya sa binili kong robot
kahapon. Pag naman ako eh hindi pa niya minahal.
Wahaha!
“Don’t be sad, momma. I still love you. Andrei
loves you,” sabi niya.
Andrei loves you? Parang maling pakinggan?
Andrei loves Dana dapat. Hehehe.
Kiniss siya ni pouty tapos lumabas sila. Ano bang
gagawin nung dalawang yun? Tss. Mapuntahan na
nga lang yung mga sexy dito.

828
 “Hey, Angel,” bati ko dun sa boss.
“Hi, Louie,” sabi niya pero hindi niya tinignan
yung gwapo kong mukha.
“What’s up?” sabi ko. Para kasing sobrang busy
nilang lahat. Anong nangyayare??
“The owner’s daughter is coming any minute so
we’re working our butts,” sabi niya. Ooh, kaya
naman pala. Ganyan din kami eh, gagawin lang
namin yung exer nila Dave pag nakatingin yung
prof. Hehehe. Yung isang prof nga namin nung
college, may crush kay Cyriel (ewan ko ba kung
bakit si Cyriel eh di hamak na mas pogi naman ako
dun) tapos halos ibagsak na kami kasi sinabihan ni
Cyriel ng ’wag mo nga akong hawakan’ o basta
ganun ata. Hahaha! Buti na lang gumana yung
pagpapa cute ni Dave at nakapasa naman kami.
“Need any help?” sabi ko. Kawawa naman sila
eh, mukhang haggard. Eh ang fresh ko pa namang
tignan. Tsk.
Pumunta ako dun sa stage at tumulong. Finishing
touches na lang pala yung kulang. Wala naman din
kasi akong ginagawa kasi natapos ko na yung
proposed design sa resort na gustong ipagawa ni
dad. Bagong business na naman. Ayos!

829
 “Daddy, coffee from momma,” sabi ni Andrei
sabay abot sa akin nung tray mula starbucks.
“Thanks, baby,” sabay inom ng kape.
O___________O
Naibuga ko pa yung inumin ko.
At bakit magkasama si Dana at Pouty????

Dana’s Point of View

Good gracious. I’m lost. Ugh! Bakit ba kasi hindi
pa ako nagpahatid kay Andy? Pride will really get
you nowhere.
“Miss, need help?”
May lumapit sa akin na babae. Brunette.
“Yes,” sabi ko na, “do you know this place?” sabi
ko sabay pakita nung address.
She nodded, “it’s just across the street. I’m going
there as well.”
“Really?” i said out of desperation. Baka kasi
kahit across the street lang eh mawala pa ako. I

830
really suck with directions.. even with GPS.
Goodness!
I offered a ride. She doesn’t seem to be a bad
person naman eh.
“Here it is. Who are you, by the way?” she asked
habang naglalakad kami papasok nung
paggaganapan nung launching ng FHF.
“Dana Ferrer,” i said then offered my hand.
“No way,” she said.
Ha?
“Pardon?” i asked.
“You’re Dana Ferrer? As in the daughter of the
great Adalia Ferrer?” she said, shocked written all
over her face.
I nodded. 
She held my hands and said, “i am a fan of your
mom. I am Chelsea Juliart, by the way.”
I smiled at her. Weird. It feels weird. I feel like
i’ve been mobbed.
We reached our destination then pinakilala niya
ako kila Angel, Aemie, Shaira, and other people

831
whose names i can’t remember. I don’t commit
people’s name into memory if i won’t be interacting
with them for long.
“Oh, and here’s Glorie,” sabi niya dun sa babaeng
kakarating lang.
“Hi, Glorie,” i offered my hand with a smile.
She smiled back at me, “hello. And you are?”
“Dana. Dana Kathryn Ferrer,” i said.
She raised a brow, “your name sounds familiar.”
Tumingin siya sa likod niya tapos may tinawag,
“Louie!”

What is he doing here??

Andy’s Point of View

Tsk! Si Pouty talaga oh! Aalis na sana ako eh.
Pahamak na babae talaga.
“Louie?” sabi ni Dana.
Ngiti na lang, Andy. Tsk. Pahamak na pouty.

832
 “Ah, second name ko?” tanga tangahan pa.
Leche! Lagi na lang akong nagkakaganito sa harap
ni Dana. Ano ko, teenager?? 22 na ako eh! Langya!
“Right,” sabi niya. Hala, napikon ba siya??
Kainis naman!!
“Wait, do you know each other?” singit ni pouty.
Ano bang sasabihin ko? Yes, siya yung babaeng
kinu kwento ko dati na nang iwan sa akin? Ang
pangit namang pakinggan!
“Yes,” si Dana na lang yung sumagot, “we’re
friends.”
Amputspa na we’re.
We’re as in we are
O
We were??
“Oh,” sabi ni Glorie, “anyways, this is Louie
once again and this is my son, Andrei. Say hi to
Dana, baby.”
“I don’t want, momma. She’s a bad girl! She
broke daddy’s heart!!”

833
 Sino’ng nagturo kay Andrei nun??

Nof’s Point of View

Guzman
calling..
“Hello?”
( “Hoy, piggy! Ano’ng mga sinasabi mo kay
Andrei??”)
“Tss. Wag ka na, kakain ako.”
( “Nako! Wag ka ng lalapit kay Andrei, napaka
B.I. mong piggy ka!”)
“Bwisit! Ubusin ko pagkain sa ref mo eh!”
Lecheng Guzman yun! Gigisingin ako para
sigawan??

Dana’s Point of View

I better just work. Andrei doesn’t really like me.
He’s still a kid. What does he know about what
happened between me and Andy? Or is it the other

834
way around? Sobrang mahal niya si Glorie at Andrei
na lahat ng bagay sa nakaraan niya ay sinabi niya?
I should stop thinking about this. Launching
always comes first.
I started arranging the stage. The models will
arrive tomorrow morning. I will stay here for good 2
weeks then back to Manila for Christmas.. and to
talk to Cyriel. Did he get my letter? If yes, why isn’t
he calling? Maybe he’s busy.. taking care of Ynna. I
asked him to, afterall.
“Ms. Ferrer, are you okay?”
“I’m oka--—”

Cyriel’s Point of View

“Sir, package for you daw po,” sabi nung maid.
Inabot ko yung envelope. Ano ba ’to?
“Kanino daw galing?”
Umiling yung maid, “wala pong nakalagay eh.
Iniwan lang po sa harap ng gate. Para sa inyo daw
po.”

835
 Dana’s Point of View
“Where am i?”
I slowly opened my eyes only to see an IV
connected in my arm and i, lying on a hospital bed.
What the hell happened??
I glanced at Andy who’s pacing back and forth
the hospital room.
“Andy?” i called his name.
He looked at me with a frightened expression. 
“You need to go back to the Philippines, Dana,”
sabi niya.
What is happening? Am i sick? Like Ynna? Did i
get what i asked? Magkasakit so i’ll be like her? So i
will have the right to be pathetic and beg him to stay
with me?
“Why?” i asked with my head still pounding.
He took a long, deep breath and gathered all his
courage.
“You’re pregnant.”

836
 Chapter 68

Chapter 68
“W-wait, Andy,” i said, stopping him from
gathering my things.
We went back to his house from the hospital.
And.. it was confirmed. I am pregnant. Six weeks
pregnant.
“You’re going back to Manila, Dana,” he said.
I stopped from my track, “what?”
He continued packing my things, “narinig mo ko,
babalik ka sa Pilipinas,” he said in a dismissing tone.
I sat on the edge of my bed. Everything was a
blur. Was still a blur.
He stopped packing my things and sat in front of
me, “hey, Dana,” he said, enclosing both of my
hands inside his.
I looked at him, “Andy,” i said his name, “i don’t
think i can do this,” i said, finally admitting that i am
scared. I am scared about what the future holds for
me.

837
 He pressed both of my hands and gave me an
encouraging smile, “you can do this, Dana. You’re
far better than this.”
A tear escaped form my eyes, “i don’t think i can.
It’s.. difficult,” i said. Still, i cannot find the courage
to admit that Cyriel and i aren’t really.. together.
He let go of my hands and caressed my cheeks,
“look at me. I know you better than anyone, Dana.
Kaya mo yan. You’ll be a great.. mom,” he said. All
i see in Andy’s eyes are pain.. and defeat.
When he said those words to me, it feels like he’s
giving up on me. I suddenly felt it all over again,
what i felt when i learned that he left for the States. I
feel it again. Those.. emotions in his eyes.
“Pero, Andy..”
He smiled at me, “you’ll go home and tell Cyriel
about this. Best friend ko yun, Dana. He’ll take
responsibility. Don’t doubt him.”
I smiled at him. I don’t know, i’ll just hold onto
Andy’s words.. I won’t doubt him.
“Can you go with me?” i said.
He looked at me.. not saying anything.

838
 I tried to cover my disappointment by smiling
instead. Of course, he wouldn’t come. He has a
family here. Who am i, anyways? An ex— girlfriend
compared to his family. A pregnant one for this
matter.
“Sorry for asking,” i said.
He smiled, “gusto mong sumama ako?”
I nodded. I want him to come. I know this is
already too much to ask. I am not a sadist, i don’t
want to torment him by asking him to come with me
when i break this news to Cyriel. But i need Andy. I
need him by my side in case Cyriel decides to.. be
with Ynna instead.
I may be pregnant but i am not pathetic. I will not
force him to marry me because i am carrying his
child. I wouldn’t do that for anything in this world!
I want us to be married out of love.. and not out
of responsibility.
“Then i’ll go with you,” he said, “maybe this is
what i need.”
I looked at him with a questioning eyes.
“What i need to finally forget you.”

839
 Nof’s Point of View
Haaaaay. Ang boring sa bahay, wala kasi si
Guzman. Tinext ko si Glorie at tinanong kung nasan
siya.
Buddy na kami ni Glorie. Cool kaya niya! At
tandem pa kami sa panloloko kay Andy. Hahaha!
The best din si Andrei liit. Ang cute cute na bata!
Lalo siyang nagiging cute pag tinatawag niyang
’daddy’s cruel ex— girlfriend’ si DK!
Nandito kami sa shopping district sa Miami.
Winter season eh, syempre kailangang bumili ako ng
outfits kung ayaw kong maging yelo.
I also learned from Andy na working mom si
Glorie. I’m an enthusiast of single parents. Ang
galing kaya nila! Their are working their butts out
for a living and at the same time tumatayo din silang
both parents sa anak nila. Aren’t they amazing?
“Are you sure this is all on you?” she asked for
the nth time.
I gave a wink, “yup. Just go and shop for yourself
and Andrei. Consider it as a gift,” i said as i
examined those rack of awesome boots.

840
 We’re here at Nine West. Si Andrei liit? Nandun
sa tito Lawrence niya or whatever. Ninakaw ko lang
si Glorie for some girl moments.
She needs to dress to impress Andy! Ang simple
kasi ni Glorie eh, too plain for Andy’s liking. Eh si
DK.. jusko. Araw araw maganda! Well, who can
blame her? She has the body and the money.
After Nine West, we walked to our next
destination, YSL! Money can really buy me
happiness.
As we were walking, tried to fish for some
information from Glorie. I knew few days back that
she wasn’t really Andy’s girlfriend. That Andy! Aso
pala si Berdy! A very cute puppy for that one.
“So.. what’s the catch?” i said, trying to keep my
cool. Baka maging defensive siya pag nahalata
niyang humahanap ako ng chismis eh!
“About?”
“Duh, you and Andy, of course!” i said.
She showed a playful smile, “why? Why are you
all curious about that?”
I rolled my eyes, “because.. just because. Well,
just answer my question, little wench.” I said. Well,

841
we call each other like that. No harm done. Glorie is
really a fun girl, swear!
She let out an exasperated sigh, “we’re.. friends,
alright? What’s the big deal out of that?”
Again, i rolled my eyes, “the big deal? Because
you two are acting more than what you are saying,” i
said in my most sarcastic tone.
During my stay here in Miami, swear to all the
saints i know, if DK weren’t my friend, i would
totally vote for Glorie! She’s really fun and
everything. And she’s a great mom, mind you.
When i see her and Andy playing around, they
seem happy and contented. I don’t know, that is just
what i see. But when i see DK’s jealous face, i
continue my diabolical plan. I even got Andy to strip
off his shirt to seduce DK.. even though it’s freezing
cold. Don’t ask me how i did it because i did it
Nof’s way.
“Because he’s fun to be with, Nof. We’re friends,
just friends.”
“Did you guys kiss?”
“What? No!”

842
 I laughed, “why are you so defensive? Geez,
Glorie. It’s just a kiss.”
She smiled, “well, sorry. But.. we didn’t kiss.
Swear.”
“But would you like to kiss him?”
She showed a mischievous smile, “i would be
lying if i said i don’t.. but the answer would still be
no. I don’t do complicated man. Louie’s still hang
ups on Dana. They really need to resolve their
issues.”
“But if he’s not complicated?” i said, trying my
best not to look too nosy.
She let out a sigh, “fine, i would love to date
Louie if that’s the case.”
I beamed.
As we reached our next stop, Glorie literally
stopped.
“You, bitch! Where’s my son?!”

Dana’s Point of View

843
 “Everything packed?” i asked Andy.
Today, we would be flying back to the
Philippines. I am nervous, really nervous.
He nodded, “okay ka na?” he asked.
“I’m good.”
“Your meds?”
“Already inside the bag,” i answered.
He got both of our luggage and placed it inside
the cab he hailed. Nof’s not around and she left her
phone so i just left a note explaining the gist of what
happened.
Andy opened the door for me and led me inside
the cab. Just when he was getting inside as well, Nof
arrived.. with Glorie who was crying really hard.

Nof’s Point of View

“Come on, Glorie, stop crying,” i consoled her.
That son of a wench! Ang sama sama ng ugali
niya! Geez! How dare he say those things to

844
Glorie?! Even just by hearing what he said, i feel so
degraded!
Glorie wouldn’t stop crying. I mean, who
wouldn’t? He’s just.. too much of a man. That Hans!
May his soul rot in hell together with Cyriel!
We eventually reached Andy’s house. Heavenly
thanks to international driver’s license.
As we were walking, we saw Andy loading some
luggage into the trunk of a cab. We went there to get
a better view of what the hell is happening.
“What’s happening?” i asked.
Glorie’s still crying fervently behind me and
Dana looked.. pale? I don’t know. What the hell
happened when i was not around?
Andy didn’t hear my question or just didn’t
answer it. Instead, he went to Glorie and asked her.
I butted in, “she won’t talk. I tried.”
He sighed, “ano’ng nangyari?”
I sat on the bench kahit na may snow. DK is still
inside the cab and Glorie went to the front porch and
sat there.

845
 “Well, what happened? Oh yes, we accidentally
bumped into Glorie stupid, stupid, stupid ex—
boyfriend who also happened to be the father of
Andrei!”
Ugh! Just by reminiscing about what happened
earlier, it makes my blood boil! He’s the ultimate
antagonist to my feministic view in life!
“Then he accused Glorie of some horrible things
and for the best part.. he’s gonna sue her. And
demand for full custody of Andrei,” i said as a
matter of factly, “now, what happened here?”
Andy let out a heavy sigh, “Dana’s… pregnant.”
My breathing literally stopped.
“What the hell?!”
Binaling ni Andy yung tingin niya kay DK na
nakaupo sa loob ng cab, waiting probably.
“She’s heading home. Kailangang malaman ni
Cyriel,” he said.
I raised a brow, “kailangan kasama ka?” i said. I
don’t really get DK. Sadista siya, one thing i know
for sure. I mean, siguro nga gusto kong
magkabalikan si Andy and Dana for the sake of it..
but the setting is entirely different now. She’s going

846
to be a mom. I cannot bear to destroy a family.
Cyriel is the father. I know. Something happened
during their three days trip.. But i didn’t see this one
coming.

“Just this last time, Nof. Magiging nanay na siya

eh. I will probably give up, i mean yung talagang
sumuko na once na makita ko yung bata. I may love
her too much pero hindi ko kayang sirain yung
magiging pamilya nila. That’s just way out of line.”
I shrugged. I can’t say anything this time.. my
diabolical plan wouldn’t work.
“So..” i trailed off, “DK needs you.. Glorie needs
you.. kanino ka sasama?”

847
 Chapter 69

Chapter 69
—Philippines—
“Si Cyriel?” I asked Clarence who was then
reading a portion of the broadsheet.
He turned around and seemed so surprised to see
me, “Dana,” he stood up and motioned me to sit on
the chair adjacent to him, “back too soon,” he
commented.
I just arrived here in Manila few hours ago.. with
Nof.
Andy didn’t come with me because of some
issues. I would admit that i am disappointed and at
the same time jealous of the attention Glorie is
getting. When I saw Andy consoling Glorie, i kind
of felt like i should be the one he’s attending to. I
know it is f.ucking wrong to feel that way since i
know.. i really know that i am the one who broke
him and Glorie was the one who was there for him
when he needed someone the most. But i wouldn’t
be a hypocrite by saying that i am really cool with it
because the hell i am not!

848
 With all the things going on, i feel like i don’t
know myself at all. One moment i love Cyriel, then
the next one, i am jealous of Glorie. I cannot
understand myself at all!
Is it possible to love two people at a time?
Before, i thought that that is f.ucking ridiculous.
How could that happen, right? Loving two persons
simultaneously? What a piece of bullsh.it. But with
what’s happening to my crazed world right now? I
believe that crap. I love two persons.. but not
equally. I love the other person more.. But i don’t
know who.. And i need to find out before it’s too
late.
“Yeah, need to arrange some things,” i said, “si
Cyriel?” i said, repeating the question.
He eyed me, “what do you want? Honest answer
or flattering answer?”
I sighed, “honest answer, Clarence.”
He, then, showed a crooked smile, “Payatot,
check up, do the math,” he said.
I nodded. So, he’s in the hospital.
“Thanks, Clarence,” i said.

849
 But before walking out of their door, “please talk
to Kim. Just hear her out,” i said. My love life is a
mess right now, pati ba naman kila Kim? I said those
things to Clarence para naman makapag usap sila.
They really need to fix whatever issues they have.
Tho, i believe that it’s just a misunderstanding.
Communicating would really help.
—Sara’s Apt—
“Dana!!” she said then ran to me and hugged me
tight, “bakit nandito ka na?”
I placed my things on the table and sat on her
couch, “may gagawin ako eh,” i said.
“Ano naman yun? Importante?” she asked.
I nodded, “yup. A life changing matter,” i
answered. I looked around her condo unit and l
didn’t see Kim. I thought she was here.
“I texted Kim.”
“She’s not here. She’s with Bryle, you know, the
f1 racer guy,” she said as though she wants me to
remember that guy.
“Ah, yeah,” i said, “with Bryle? Eh di mas lalong
nagalit si Clarence?”

850
 She shrugged, “no comment about that one,
Dana. You missed a lot of things while you weren’t
here!”
She fed me with the things i missed while i was
not around. Apparently, Kim went to Canada just
days after i left for Miami. And there’s a new b.itch
around named Sage. I would really like to see that
Sage for myself and b.itch with her but i don’t have
the luxury of time. Time is ticking and i need to
make a decision.
After all those things, she asked me, “playtime’s
over, why are you back too soon?”
I tried to smile but i guess that didn’t work. Sara
knows me too much that she knows whenever i am
hiding something.
“I’ll ask you one thing,” i said.
“Spill.”
I took a deep breath, “what would be the reason
why two people should marry?”
She questioned me with her eyes, but nonetheless
answered my question, “for love, of course. I know,
gasgas na. But what else would be the reason why

851
two people will commit to a lifetime obligation if
not for love?”
“But if love is too complicated, ano pang
pwedeng dahilan?”
“Friendship,” she, then, shrugged, “well, if love
is too complicated. I don’t know. Your question is
too trivial. Friendship will be the next best thing
after love. But why would you marry for the sake of
friendship? Ewan, ang gulo. Pero siguro mas okay
na yung friends kayo kasi i believe that love would
someday, well, not fade, but the intensity would
lessen. Inevitable naman yan. But siguro kahit na
nalessen na yung intense feeling niyo para sa isa’t
isa, as long as friendship is there, you two would
surpass whatever marriage life would offer.”
I smiled.
“Gulo ko, noh? But i don’t know. If things are
really complicated, why marry? Aayos ba yung
buhay mo pag nagpakasal ka? Hindi naman ata.
Some say that being single is a curse, but really, it is
not. In fact, it is a blessing. You are given the rare
opportunity to enjoy life without any restrictions,”
she continued.

852
 Sara’s now a matured woman. Her insights are..
deep and considerate. Dave is really good for her.
“Nasagot ko na yung tanong mo,” she said, “now
answer me, bakit bumalik ka agad? Problems?”
I shook my head, “i’ll tell you pag okay na.”
She smiled and held my hands, “you know that
i’m always here. It will be over soon, Dana.
Problems won’t last forever. You’ll soon have your
blissful ending..”
“How i wish,” i silently uttered.

Andy’s Point of View

“Glorie, will you stop crying and talk to me?” i
said and shook her shoulders.
Kanina pa kami dito sa labas ng office ng
attorney para alamin kung ano bang dapat gawin dun
sa kaso ni Andrei liit kaya lang ayaw namang
magsalita ni pouty!
Hindi pa din siya nagsalita. Ano ba kasing sinabi
nung lalaking yun at ganito na lang kung makaiyak
’to??

853
 “Sorry, Louie. You should’ve been with Dana
instead of watching me cry,” sabi niya. Hindi na
lang ako nagsalita. Ano ba naman kasi yung
sasabihin ko? Na hindi ko siya maiwan kasi naawa
ako nung nakita ko siyang umiyak? Naging malapit
na din sa akin si pouty. Lagpas isang buwan akong
nagstay dito tapos sa buong pagsstay ko dito, siya na
yung kasama ko. Siguro kung hindi niya ako kinulit
dati, nagmumukmok pa din ako sa bahay ko.
Kahit na sabihin na si Dana yung mahal ko, hindi
ko kayang iwan basta si Pouty.  Siya yung nandun
nung iniwan ako ni Dana. Ngayong kailangan niya
ako, sino ba naman ako para iwan siya?
“Stop with the Dana thing, pouty. I’ll take care of
that matter after this.”
Nginitian niya ako, “thanks a lot, Louie. I don’t
know what to do without you..”
Pinat ko yung ulo niya, “of course. You’re dumb
and you can’t do anything right without my
guidance and providence.”
Buti naman tumawa na ’to! “Of course.
Conceited jerk as ever.”
Pagkatapos nun, pumasok na kami sa lawyer’s
office. Tsk. Buti na lang mabait ako ngayon. Ewan

854
ko ba, ako pa nagbayad sa professional fee nung
lawyer. =___= Bayaan na nga, pasko naman.
Paglabas namin nung office, “so, can you contact
whoever that jerk is?”
Nagnod siya. Tignan mo nga naman. May
number si pouty! Stalker na stalker ang dating eh!
Hahaha!
Hinanap niya sa pocket nung bag niya yung
contact list niya.
“Here, Hans Peterson.”
Ay anak ng!

Dana’s Point of View

“Sino pong hinahanap niyo?” a certain someone
asked me while i was trying to decide whether i
would ring the bell or not.
I decided to push through, “is Ynna around?”
Nginitian ako nung kasambahay, “ay, si senorita
Ynna po? Pasok po kayo..”

855
 She led me inside the mansion of the Henares
Family.
“Pupuntahan ko po muna si senorita. Ano nga
pong pangalan niyo?”
“Dana. Dana Kathryn Ferrer,” i said.
She went upstairs then someone gave me
refreshment while waiting.
“Punta na daw po kayo,” sabi nung maid, “sa
second floor po..”
I nodded, “i know.”
I went upstairs, taking the familiar steps towards
her room. As i stepped in front of her room, i
summoned all the courage i have left and knocked.
Nobody acknowledged my presence so i took the
liberty to get inside her room since i know that she’s
there.
“Hi,” i silently uttered.
I gazed towards her direction and i can’t help but
feel pity towards her. She.. doesn’t look very good.
She doesn’t look like the same person who made my
life hell years ago.. But nevertheless, whatever she

856
may look, she will never lose the capacity to ruin my
life, that thing i know for sure.
She looked at me and smiled, “back so soon,
Dana. I was still enjoying Cyriel’s attention all for
myself,” she said though she looked like she’s really
having a hard time composing sentence.
I sat on the couch adjacent to her bed, “i’m here
to break some news.”
She took a deep breath, “and what do i have do to
with that?”
I shrugged, “nothing, actually. I just want to see
you right now, looking miserable. Can i take a
picture for memories’ sake?”
She smirked at me, “do as you please, Ferrer.”
After that, a long silence enveloped both of us.
And when i decided to break it, i said, “i am
pregnant.”
She turned her gaze towards me and said, “with
Cy’s child? I’ll be a good stepmother.”
I laughed. Really hard.
“Have you lost your mind? What the f.uck?”

857
 She shrugged, “stating possibilities.”
“I’m pregant, Ynna. Cyriel is the father.. Can you
not give up?”
She looked at me with a straight face, “you’re
just as pathetic as i am, Dana. You’re asking me to
give up? Why? Are you not that confident that
Cyriel will choose you over me?”
I nodded. There’s no use to deny that fact. I am
scared. Scared of what she is for Cyriel.
“Ynna, we both know for a fact that you can
never give Cyriel a family of his own.. You will
leave him.. eventually.”
She smirked, “we can have your baby.”
I smirked as well, “as if that will ever happen.”
She tried to sit down but failed, “never thought
this day would come.. But i’m telling you, i don’t
care if you’re pregnant or what. I love him. I
wouldn’t get this far for nothing. I won’t back down.
Not now, not ever.”
I sighed an exasperated sigh, “aren’t you getting
tired of these?”

858
 “Don’t i look tired? Of course i am. But i won’t
give up just because of that. He’s the only thing that
keeps me intact. I can’t give him up.”
I gave up. This is the last straw. Pagod na din
ako..
“Let’s make a truce..” she looked at me, “if he
wants to be with you, i will give up. I won’t bother
him with anything. At all.. But if he wants to be with
me instead, please let us live in peace, Ynna.
Napapagod na ako.”
She gave me a sly smile, “if i say yes, would you
trust my word?”
I nodded, “i would. Do i have another choice?”
She shrugged, “let’s see,” then she gave me a
smile that made me think twice about trusting her,
“but you know i never played fair.”

After talking to Ynna, i went home.

“Dana!” my mom called.
I went near her and hugged her, “mom,” i called
out her name.

859
 She smiled at me and hugged me back, “what
happened to my baby? Did Miami do you good?”
I stopped. What has Miami done to me? It made
me realize things. I can’t have them both, it’s either i
get one of them, or lose both of them.
Whenever the memory of Andy fooling around
with Glorie plays in the back of my head, it just rubs
on my face how lonely my life is. Whenever i see
Ynna lying on her bed helpless, it makes me feel
really pathetic knowing that she’s the better choice
for someone out there.
“Mom..” i trailed off.
She held my face and stared at me, “Dana, is
something wrong? Tell me, kinakabahan ako sa’yo
eh..”
I shook my head. I can’t tell her, not until i
confront Cyriel.
Instead, i smiled at her, “i love you, mom.”
She pressed both of my hands, “i you, you know
that.”
My dad arrived afterwards. We ate dinner
altogether, just like what a family does.

860
 Andy’s Point of View
“F.uck! What’s wrong with you?” sigaw nung
t.anginang Hans na yun.
“You’re a piece of shi.t! A good for nothing jerk
who likes to ruin woman’s life!” tapos sinapak ko
ulit siya.
F.uck! Pagkatapos ng ilang taon kong
paghahanap sa Hans na ’to, dito lang pala sa Miami
ko makikita ’to? Shet talaga!
“What the f.uck is wrong with you man?!”
Tinulak ko siya, “you. I f.ucking want to kill you
and burn you and escort you to hell , you f.ucking
bastartd”
“Louie!”
Napatingin ako kay Glorie, tumatakbo siya
papunta sa amin.
“Louie, what did you do?!” sigaw niya sakin
tapos nilapitan niya yung Hans na yun.
“Just doing you a favor,” sabi ko habang
tinitignan yung Hans na g.agong yun.

861
 “What is wrong with you, Louie? You said you
will talk to him, not beat the crap out of him!” tapos
pinunasan niya yung duguang mukha nung Hans na
yun.
Hindi ko na alam yung nagawa ko eh. Nung
nakita ko siya, bumalik lahat nung nangyari nung 16
years old ako, nung namatay si Lynne, nung
namatay yung anak niya. Nagdilim na yung paningin
ko. Idagdag mo pa na siya pala yung g.ago na nang
iwan kay Glorie at Andrei. Ano ba yung hobby
niya? Mang buntis ng babae tapos biglang mawala?
Eh g.ago pala siya eh!
“He’s an ass, Glorie.”
Sinampal niya ako, “he’s an ass but he’s the
father of my baby!”
Natawa ako, “seriously, Glorie? After all the
f.uck you went through, you will still stand with that
ass?”
“Yes, Louie.  I would stand with him no matter
what the f.uck i would have to go through. That’s
what love means, Louie. It means suffering without
asking for anything in return. I love him because
he’s the father of my child.”
I smirked, “you will be miserable with him.”

862
 “You don’t get to talk, Louie. What do you think
you’re doing with Dana? Don’t you think that we’re
standing on the same page? You’ll be miserable with
her but what? You just keep on being with her, on
understanding her. Why? Because you f.ucking love
her! You love her, Louie! That is why even though
she is pregnant with your best friend’s child, there’s
still a part of you that wishes she’ll be with you, that
offers yourself to be the father of that child,” tuloy
tuloy niyang sabi.
Tinaas ko yung kamay ko para tumigil na siya,
“stop, Glorie.”
“No, i won’t stop, Louie. You need to hear me
out. The reason you chose to be with me instead of
being with Dana? You wanna know? Because you
are an ass! During the brief period i got to spend
with you, i know you well enough. You don’t want
to be there when it happens because you know that
when you see her cry, everything will go black. You
will do anything for her to the point that you will be
your pathetic self again. You will offer to father her
child. You’re scared, right? Scared of what might
happen.”
Natahimik ako. Ano ba, Glorie?!
“Don’t talk as if you know me,” sabi ko.

863
 “Oh, yes i f.ucking know you, Louie. Just get the
hell out of Miami and finish your issues!”
Hindi ako nagsalita. Ano bang gagawin ko?
“You love her but you are scared, Louie. Be
there. Tell her how you feel and when she finally
made her decision, i’ll be here. Come heaven, come
hell, i’ll be here. If she wants to be with you, i will
be the happiest person for you. And if she didn’t
choose you, i will be here and help you forget her.”
Lumapit siya sa akin, “i kind of love you, Louie.
But i am not selfish to want to have you for myself.
You want to be with her, then go for it. If she doesn’t
want to, come back to me. I don’t mind catching
you,” tapos hinalikan niya ako sa pisngi.
Niyakap ko siya, “thank you, Glorie.”
“You owe me, Guzman,” sabi niya. Natawa
naman ako. Nagaya na kay Nof eh! “I’ll be waiting,”
sabi niya.
Ngumiti ako bago nagsimulang tumakbo pabalik
sa sasakyan ko, “i’ll be with her when i see you.”

Dana’s Point of View

864
 “Cyriel,” i called out.
I went to Dave’s bar.
I went near him and the smell of alcohol
welcomed me.
“You’re back,” sabi niya.
I sat on the stool near him, “bakit ka umiinom?”
Ngumiti siya, “you tell me. Why would i drink?”
“Ano bang sinasabi mo, Cyriel? May problema
ba tayo na hindi ko alam?”
He shrugged, “i don’t know. I don’t even know
why i am drinking. Wala na tayo, di ba? Wala naman
akong karapatang magselos. Di ba?”
“What are you saying? Ano bang pinag uusapan
natin?” i asked him.
“I’m jealous, Dana! No, f.uck, i am furious!”
Natakot ako. For the first time, ngayon ko lang
nakita si Cyriel na ganito.. Galit ba siya dahil
nagkita kami ni Andy at tumira sa iisang bahay?
“I-i didn’t mean to, Cyriel.. I didn’t know that
would happen,” i reasoned out. I really didn’t know
na dun kami pupunta ni Nof! I was surprised as well.

865
 Natawa siya, “no need to explain, Dana. Wala
naman akong karapatan eh..”
“Cyriel naman! Don’t talk to me like this..” lalo
pa’t magkakaanak na tayo.
“How to talk to you, Dana? Tell me. Hindi ko na
din kasi alam..”
“I am pregnant, Cyriel.”
There. I said it.
“Are you really trying to kill me here, Dana?”
Ano?
“W-what, Cyriel? I said i am pregnant! You’re
gonna be a father!” i almost shouted. What the hell
is wrong with him? Why is he acting like this?
Natawa siya, “really? Is it me?”
Sinampal ko siya, “how dare you! I may have
lived with Andy but the hell, Cyriel! I am not that
kind of person!”
Natigilan siya, “you lived with Andy?”
“Yes, that’s the reason why you’re angry!”

866
 Ininom niya yung scotch sa harap niya, “more the
reason it’s hard to believe, Dana.”
Tumayo siya. Hinabol ko siya, “so, ganon na lang
yun, Cyriel? I tell you i am pregnant then you will
act like some jerk with commitment issues?!”
He stopped from his tracks, “you tell me what to
believe,” tapos inabot niya sa akin yung isang
envelope.
F.uck.
What is this?
“Hindi ’to totoo!” i shouted.
“I don’t know what to believe anymore, Dana. I
love you but you just keep on giving me reason not
to..”
I slapped him again, “it’s your child, Cyriel! You
know you’re my first! How dare you doubt me?!”
He smirked, “first, second, third, does it really
matter? Hindi naman eh. I told you i don’t care
about virginity shts, Dana! Kahit may nangyari sa
inyo ni Andy, what did i tell you? I would still have
you! I would accept that child but tell me, who’s the
father?”

867
 I punched him, slapped him, cursed him.
“Cyriel Edrian Perez, you are the father of my
child and i hate you!”
I left him standing there and cried myself out.
How could he? How could he think like that?!
I called Josh.
“Josh..”
( “D.”)
“Where are you?”
( “Area 06. Why?”)
I didn’t answer and ended the call instead. I went
there and the moment i saw him, i gave him the
hardest slap i could muster.
“I trusted you..” i said and cried.
The envelope Cyriel gave me contains pictures of
me and Josh when we went to his hotel room. When
you see the picture, it looks like we went in there
together.
“I— i’m sorry, D. But you deserve it,” he said.

868
 I looked at him with disbelief in my eyes, “what
did you say? I deserve to be doubted by the father of
my child?”
“You deserve it, D. For what you did to Jamie.
She did nothing to you but you killed her.”
I snapped, “i didn’t kill her, Josh! You know that!
How many times did i tell you how sorry i am for
what had happened to her?! You know the remorse
that haunts me every single day!”
“Tat for a tat, D. You killed her, you deserve that.
At least.”
I stared at him. Is this really Josh that i am talking
to?
“You’re unbelievable, Josh.”
“D.. Just.. blood is always thicker than water..”
I just forced a laugh, “the f.uck with you people!
You planned this, didn’t you?! You and your
cousin!”
You know i never fight fair.

869
 “From the very beginning, you’ve been toying
with me! You made me doubt Cyriel, you made him
believe that he’s not the father of my child.
Everything has been planned out. You..” i broke
down and cried.
Josh tried to console me, “i’m sorry, D. But i
need to do that. For Jamie. She’s the only family i
have here but you killed her.. You can’t blame me
for doing this..”
I looked at him while crying, “you think this will
make her happy?”
He shook his head, “i don’t know. But at least she
got her revenge.”
I stood up, “well, you got your revenge.. and you
lost a friend, Josh. Don’t you ever show your face
infront of me again.”

Cyriel’s Point of View

“What?!” sabi ko dun sa pinsan ni Ynna na
kasama ni Dana sa picture.
“That.. that picture.. it was my fault. Nothing
happened between the two of us. Look, tell her i am

870
sorry. She’s a friend.”
Napailing na lang ako. Ano bang nangyayari sa
buhay ko? Pinagdudahan ko si Dana.
“Why are you doing this?” tanong ko sa kanya.
“Because she’s a friend. And i feel sorry. I’m just
trying to fix things,” paliwanag niya.
Pagkatapos niyang ipaliwanag sa akin lahat ng
nangyari, pumunta agad ako kay Dana.
Hintayin mo ako, Dana.

Dana’s Point of View

“Senorita Dana, may naghahanap po sa inyo..”
I stood up even though i am feeling really dizzy.
“Sino daw po?”
“Si Andy po..”
I immediately went down upon hearing Andy’s
name. What is he doing here? I thought..
As soon as he laid his eyes on me, he hugged me
and said those words..

871
 “I love you, Dana. I’ll father your child, just be
with me..” he said
“Dana,” i turned and saw Cyriel standing behind
us, “i’m sorry. Please take me back.”

872
 EPILOGUE

Epilogue
Dana’s Point of View
“Cyriel, it’s a girl..” i said to him with a smile on
my face.
After carrying her for nine months, after enduring
all those morning sickness, after the excruciating
hours of labor, and after going through all the
prejudices thrown at me by the society for being
pregnant at an early age, she’s finally here.. 
“Can i look at her?” he asked.
“Of course,” i said and gave him a look at our
baby.
“She’s an angel,” he said with adoration in his
eyes. He adores her.
“Of course, she is,” i said and caressed her small
face carefully. She really is god sent.. All the efforts
i exerted just to have her? It is all worth it. Indeed it
is true that the very moment you see your baby, all

873
the pain you went through to have her will mean
nothing. 
“What will you name her?” he asked.
I gave him a smile and said, “Alys, Alys Zyril
Perez.”
He gave me a smile in return, “thank you, Dana,”
he said.
I raised a brow, “for what?”
“For naming her after me.. I mean, after all that i
did, i would totally understand if you will follow her
after your name.”
I smiled again. At this moment, i don’t want to
remember what happened months ago. I am happy
and i intend to stay that way. 
“You are her father, Cyriel. Nothing would
change that fact..”
“Pero-—”
I cut him, “you just need to be a good father to
her, Cyriel. And i assure you, everything would be
fine.”

874
 He nodded in approval, “sure we will, Dana. Go
now and rest, you’ve been through hell,” he
commented.
I couldn’t agree more. The labor was a torture! I
don’t think i would be pregnant for the next five
years.
“Hell is the right term, Cy,” i said then yawned.
“Go to sleep now,” he commanded.
I tucked myself inside the comforter Andy
brought for me, “yeah, i think i would. How about
you? Tulog ka na, you’ve been waiting for like
hours.”
“That’s the least i could do,” he said with that sad
look on his face.
“Hey, don’t be sad, Cy. I totally understand your
situation..”
“But still-—”
“No buts, no still. She needs you and i’m fine by
myself here. Andy’s with me. Don’t sweat,” i said.
He sighed, “yeah, of course. Andy’s there. Say hi
to him for me. Sige, good night, Dana.”

875
 I yawned again, “good morning, Cyriel.”
And with that, i dozed off.

Ynna’s Point of View

“Who were you talking to?” i said while still
lying on my death bed. The medicine the doctor
gave me is kicking in my system, and so i feel weak
and limp.
He sat on the side of my bed, “Dana. She just
gave birth.”
I smiled, “just when i thought she would die
while giving birth,” i sarcastically said.
Cyriel didn’t comment on what i said. I would
take it as if he’s used to me speaking that way about
Dana. It’s just how it is, we will never be friends.
“So, is it a bouncing baby boy or an adorable
baby girl?”
He smiled, probably thinking about his baby, “the
latter. She’s really cute.”
I held his hand and pressed it, “bet she is, she’s
your daughter afterall.”

876
 “I want to hold her and sing her lullabies,” he
said with that longing in his eyes.
Weeks after Dana made her decision, Cyriel flew
with me here in Canada. Most of my relatives are
here so i have decided to live my remaining days
here. And the best doctors for my illness are here.
My parents are still hoping to prolong my life, rather
my agony.
“Then go home,” i said.
He shook his head, “i didn’t mean it that way. I’ll
stay here with you.”
“You’ve done enough, Cyriel. I took you from
Dana and made her hate you yet you are still here
with me,” i said. 
I confessed to him months ago about what i did
about the pictures. It’s my doing, i wouldn’t deny
that. But i am not sorry for what i did, i got him
because of that afterall. But i am sorry for Cyriel..
That look on his face when he told me that he would
go with me? I don’t think i could ever forget that..
The pain and agony were so evident and he was on
the brink of crying..
He shrugged, “what could i do? You’re all i
have.”

877
 I shook my head, “you still have your family, and
your daughter. You will be fine, Cy.”
He gave me a weak smile, “my parents hate me.”
“They don’t.. they’re just disappointed. You can
tell them you marry me out of pity. I wouldn’t hold
it against you. And have yourself examined. You’re
HIV free, Cy. Nothing happened between the two of
us, we both know that,” i said.
“Sana nga ganun lang kadali yun. They hated me
even more nung malaman nila yung kay Dana. God
knows how much i want to marry her.. but she just
won’t let me,” he said, and right then and there, i
saw again that pain in his eyes. He’s still hurting..
I muster all the strength i have and enveloped
him inside my arms, “and you know that she will be
happy. That’s what you want, right? Her happiness.
Andy would provide her all the happiness she
needs.”
“Kaya ko din naman yun eh..”
I smiled, “i know. You can make her happy but
that’s not the question anymore, Cyriel. The
question is who she wants to make her happy. And
she made up her mind. She wants Andy to make her
happy.”

878
 “You’re right, and now i’m stucked with you, i
guess,” he said with a hint of smile on his face.
I shook my head, “you’re still a love sick puppy
when it comes to Dana, Cy. You haven’t changed a
bit.”
He showed me that smile that captivated my heart
the very first time i saw it, “i would forever love her.
Alam mo yan.”
I nodded, “i know, and i know that you love me
as well. Not the same as how much you love her, but
nevertheless, you still love me. I could cope up with
that.”
He lied down beside me, “i still want to see my
baby. I saw her through skype and that made me
want to go back to the Philippines even more.”
I tried to sit, “i said you can go back if you want.”
He shook his head, “i promised i’ll be with you
until whenever. Hindi ko man natupad yung pangako
ko kay Dana na papasayahin ko siya, tutuparin ko na
lang yung pangako ko na hindi kita iiwan,” then he
gave me a heartwarming smile.
I sighed. How could i die in peace if i know that
when i die, Cyriel would be alone?

879
 I gave him the folder that i’ve been hiding for
days.
“Ano ’to?” he asked.
“See it for yourself.”
He opened the envelope and scanned its contents,
“who are these girls? Members of your hate list?”
He said and showed me the biodata of the most
sought after women in the Philippines.
“Ha-ha. Very funny, Cyriel,” i said and scattered
the pictures and biodata of the girls, “some of them
are my friends, and rest assured they came from well
known clan. Philippine’s finest.”
Cyriel laughed, a thing that he don’t do very
often. That’s why most people thinks he is cold, but
when in reality, he is one of the most selfless person
i know, “what are you now, a pimp?”
I smiled, “you could think that way. But really,
dear husband, how could i die in peace when i know
that you will be alone?”
He gave out a heavy sigh, “hindi ka pa patay,
Ynna. Ano ba yang pinagsasasabi mo?”
“But i would die soon, husband. Isipin mo na
lang na huling habilin ko ’to. These girls? Date

880
them. If it happens that you like some of them, then
go for another date. This is my way of saying sorry
for ruining your supposed to be happy ending with
Dana, Cyriel.”
He hugged me and played with what’s left with
my hair, “baliw ka talaga. Are you sure i would date
these girls? Baka magselos ka,” he joked, “kay Dana
pa lang, sobra ka nang magselos. Pano pa sa mga
’to? It’s quite a list.”
He, then, scanned the names of the girls. 
1. Vanessa Joy Martin
2. Mae Kristelle Cuajunco
3. Rochelle Jenna Solis
4. Eunice Insauriga
5. Dana Dalayap
6.  Raven Alipio
7.  Jenica Oberos Rebanal
8. Yacinth ivy hutchison
9. Kyla Nicole L. Mangulabnan
10. Tricia Deodores

881
 11. Guia Fatima
12. Ayu Kanmuri
13. Charm Crisostomo
14. Shane Louise Soriano
15. Krisshia Lacson Pingol
16. Faye Andrea Javier
17. Dyrelle Adao
18. Sheanne Agosto
19. Cha Ochoa
20. Janua
“I would probably get jealous, but i’ll endure,”
then i hugged him tighter and let myself get
intoxicated with his personal musk.
He placed the envelope aside and looked into my
eyes, “you are really something, Ynna Isabel
Henares. You make me hate and like you at the same
time.”
I smiled, “i’m one of a kind, Cyriel Edrian Perez.
Sino’ng nagsabi na laging talunan ang kontrabida?
Look at me, i got you.”

882
 “But you will never hear me say i love you,” he
said.
I nodded, “and that’s the price i need to pay. But
at least i know that you love me, i’m good with
that.”

Sara’s Point of View

“Babe naman! Nanganak na daw si Dana! We
should rush to the hospital!” sigaw ko. Si Dave
naman kasi, kung anu ano pa yung ginagawa.
Nandito kasi kami sa restaurant. Date date lang since
hindi na kami nagkikita these past few days. Busy
din kasi siya sa pagttrain sa company nila habang
nagpapakamatay naman ako sa accountancy!
May inaayos siya sa gilid nung table habang
naghihintay na ako sa pinto. Nasa gilid kasi kami
para kita yung view ng city lights.
“Wait lang, babe,” sabi niya.
“Ano ba kasi yang ginagawa mo, Dave Albert
Cruz?? Nako, siguraduhin mong may katuturan yan
ha! Dahil jan hindi ko pa nakikita yung inaanak
ko!!” sabi ko nang pasigaw na. Kasi naman ’tong si
Dana, sinend-an pa ako ng picture ni Alys, ayan

883
tuloy, lalo akong na excite! Sabi kasi nung doctor
niya, bukas pa manganganak ang besty ko pero
ayan, ngayon pa nanganak! Ayan tuloy, wala kami
dun. Kawawa naman si Andy dun, mamatay matay
siguro sa kaba yun.
Habang may inaayos pa siya na kung anu ano
dun, tinawagan ko muna si Dana.
“Besty!”
( “I’m finally a mother!”) sabi niya. Ang lakas ng
energy ni Dana, akala mo hindi nanganak eh.
“I know, i know. Gusto ko nang pumunta jan. Si
Dave kasi, kung anu— ano ang--—”
—Say it’s true, there’s nothing like me and you.
Not alone, tell me you feel it, too. And i would
runaway, i would runaway. I would runaway, i
would runaway with you..—
“Babe!” sabi niya.
Halos mabitawan ko na yung phone ko sa nakita
ko.
Naglakad siya palapit sa akin habang may kagat
kagat na rose? Hindi ko mapigilang mangiti sa
ginawa niya. Si babe talaga!

884
 “Care for a dance?” tanong niya habang
nakayuko at nakalakad ang kamay.
“May choice pa ba ako?” sabi ko tapos kinuha ko
yung kamay niya.
—Cause i have fallen in love with you, no never
have i’m gonna stop falling in love with you. Close
the door, lay down upon the floor. And by
candlelight, make love to me through the night.
Cause i have runaway, i have runaway. I have
runaway, runaway. I have runaway with you—
“Ano bang pakulo ’to?” sabi ko sa kanya, “hindi
naman natin monthsary di ba?”
Umiling siya tapos ngumiti ng nakakaloko.
“Nako, Dave Cruz ha! Wag mo kong daanin sa
ngiti mo,” sabi ko. Kasi naman eh, alam niya
namang lalo akong naiinlove pag nakangiti siya eh.
Akalain mo yun? Posible pa pala na mas mahulog
ako sa kanya? Akala ko mahal na mahal ko na siya,
pero pwede pa pala na mas mahalin ko siya.
Hinalikan niya ako ng mabilis lang, “ang ingay
mo talaga. Sayaw muna tayo, babe. Mamaya mo na
ilabas yang mga sasabihin mo.”

885
 Dahil natuwa talaga ako sa ginawa niya,
nagsayaw lang kami. Nag effort pa talaga si Dave,
may orchestra pa siyang kinuha! Kaya pala kanina
pa siya hindi mapakali eh!
“Ano nga kasi yung meron?” tanong ko habang
naririnig ko pa din yung tunog ng Runaway habang
tinutugtog ng violin. Grabe, ang tagal na din pala?
Halos magdadalawang taon na kami ni Dave. Parang
kahapon lang nung pinasundo niya ako sa limo at
sinabing mahal niya ako. Parang kahapon lang nung
sobrang nag away kami nung hinalikan siya ni Dana.
Parang kahapon lang nung halos hatakin niya na ako
para ipakilala sa buong angkan nila. At parang
kahapon lang nung ipagtulakan niya yung sarili niya
sa bahay namin para kilalanin yung pamilya ko. Ang
dami na pala naming pinagdaanan.
—Cause i have fallen in love with you, no never
have i’m gonna stop falling in love with you. 
Itinaas niya yung kamay niya tapos tumigil yung
pagtugtog. Tapos-—
“Don’t tell me magppropose ka??” sabi ko
pagkatapos niyang lumuhod.
Nangiti siya, “grabe naman, babe. Hindi ba
pwedeng magpanggap ka na hindi ka makapagsalita

886
sa sobrang pagka gulat?”
Nangiti na lang ako. Dave Cruz, what have you
done to me and what did i do to have a guy like you?
“Okay, okay. Kunwari surprised ako,” sabi ko
tapos nilagay yung dalawa kong kamay sa bibig ko
at tinignan siya na parang maiiyak, “w-what are you
doing?”
Natawa siya lalo, “kaya mahal na mahal kita eh,
kayang kaya mong sakyan yung mga trip ko,” sabi
niya sabay naglabas ng velvet na box at binuksan sa
harap ko habang nakaluhod siya, “alam mo, balak ko
sanang ilagay ’to sa kanin nung main course natin
kaya lang sabi ni Dana, baka daw malulon mo yun,”
sabi niya habang natatawa.
“So, alam ni Dana ’to??”
Tumango siya, “yup, babe. Actually, alam na
nilang lahat. Ikaw ang huling makakaalam,” sabi
niya, “so, as i was saying, i would just do it the
traditional way by dropping down on one knee.
Ayoko yatang mawalan ng future wife dahil lang
nabilaukan ka sa engagement ring.”
Hindi ko na mapigilan. Naiiyak na ako. Why do
you love me so much, Dave Cruz?

887
 Nginitian niya ako habang nakaluhod at sinabi
yung mga salita na hindi ko akalain na sasabihin
niya, “will you give me the honor of being your
husband?”
Dati, akala ko magiging isa lang ako sa mga
naging girlfriend ni Dave. Sino ba naman ako? Si
Sara Gomez, isang normal na babae na nangangarap
maging accountant balang araw. Hindi ako
mayaman, hindi din naman sobrang ganda. Eh si
Dave? Ang yaman yaman niya, ang gwapo gwapo
pa. Alam ko naman na mahal ako ni Dave, pero
hindi ako dumating sa punto na inisip ko na ako
yung babae na pakakasalan niya. Sabi ko nga, hindi
naman kami ganun kayaman. Alam ko naman na
ang gustong pakasalan ng pamilya ni Dave, yung
kagaya nila, yung kasing yaman nila. Kaya nga
medyo na insecure ako kay Nof noon kasi bukod sa
ex siya ni Dave, mayaman siya tapos ang ganda
niya. Pero sa nangyayari ngayon? Na gguilty ako
kasi hindi ako nagtiwala sa pagmamahal ni Dave sa
akin..
“Babe? Sasagot ba ng oo o sasagot ng oo?” sabi
niya.
Pinunasan ko yung luha ko. Naiiyak ako eh.. Eto
pala yung tinatawag nila na tears of joy..

888
 “Sigurado ka ba jan?”
“Babe naman.. Nakaluhod na nga ako eh, mukha
pa bang hindi ako seryoso?” sabi niya.
Umupo ako para magkapantay kami tapos
hinalikan ko siya, “oo naman, sino ba ako para
tanggihan ang isang Dave Albert Cruz?”
Hinalikan niya din ako tapos niyakap, “mahal na
mahal talaga kita, Sara Fatima Gomez. I love you!”
sabi niya tapos niyakap ako.
“I love you more, Dave. More than you’ll ever
know,” sabi ko at niyakap ko din siya.

Dana’s Point of View

“Beb.”
“Hmmm?” i mumbled. I still feel awfully tired
and exhausted.
“Nandito si baby Alys,” and with that, i
automatically opened my eyes, “joke lang.”
Hinampas ko si Andy, “i was sleeping, beb. I’m
darn too tired.”

889
 He sat on the edge of my bed, “sorry na, beb.
Ang tagal mo kasing matulog eh.”
I rolled my eyes, “try to labor for fifteen hours,
Andy, and tell me how it would feel.”
He enclosed my hands inside his and kissed my
forehead, “sorry na, beb. Kanina ko pa kasi gustong
sabihin ’to eh,” he said then played with my hands.
“Ano ba yun?”
“Will you marry me?”
I rolled my eyes again, “this topic again, Andy?”
“Eh kasi naman eh, pang fifteen times ko na
yatang tinatanong sa’yo yan pero lagi mong sinasabi
na next time na natin pag usapan eh..”
I held his face, “because i don’t want to get
married looking like an inflated beachball.”
He kissed me, “wag mo ngang tawaging
beachball si Alys.”
I kissed him back, “fine, i don’t want to walk
down the aisle looking like a whale with swollen
feet and nose. It’s scary, Andy.”
He kissed me again, this time, longer.

890
 “I told you, you are the most beautiful pregnant
woman i know.”
I smirked, “because i am the only pregnant
woman you know.”
He chuckled, “tama ka. But Dana, pregnant or
not, you will always be the prettiest person for me.”
I pinched his nose, “flaterry will get you
nowhere, Andy.”
Nilabas niya yung velvet box, “please, please,
please marry me, Dana?”
I can’t help but smile. How could i say no with
Andy looking so cute in front of me?
“Give me one good reason why i should marry
you.”
He looked right through my eyes, “because i
want you barefoot and pregnant in my kitchen.. this
time, with my baby.”
“So, gusto mo akong pakasalan para sa
honeymoon? Perv!”
He kissed me again, “your personal perv, beb.”

891
 “Fine, whatever. When do you want to get
married?”
He looked bewildered with what i just said, “s-so,
papakasalan mo nga ako??”
“Of course, Andy. Sino pa ba ang papakasalan ko
bukod sa’yo?”
He jumped in triumph kaya nagulat si Dra.
Vanessa Joy Martin, my attending doctor, na nagh
hourly check up, “narinig mo yun, dr. Martin?
Pumapayag na siyang maging asawa ko!!”
Nangiti na lang si dra., “congratulations.”
“Sige, dra. Check up niyo muna si misis.
Tatawagan ko lang sila mom pati sila mother-in-law
para sabihin.”
I was still smiling kahit na nakalabas na si Andy.
“You’re lucky, Ms. Ferrer. It’s not everyday that
you meet a guy who’s willing to marry someone
with a child,” she said while checking my blood
pressure.
“That i am, dra. Martin.”
She then handed me a paper, “that’s for the live
birth certificate. Have you decided about the name?”

892
 I nodded, “yup. We’ll name her Alys Zyril
Perez.”
She nodded, “nice name. So, you’ll still give her
her dad’s last name,” she commented. Dra. Vanessa
Joy Martin is Cyriel’s auntie. Cyriel insisted that
she’ll be my ob since he won’t be around. He went
to Canada with Ynna weeks after that fateful day
that i chose Andy over him..
I smiled, “he’s still the father, after all.”
“That’s nice of you, Ms. Ferrer,” she said then i
handled her the form, “so, will i be invited to the
wedding?”
“Of course. After months, perhaps. I need to
regain my old figure before walking down the aisle,”
i said with a smile on my face. It really makes me
happy just by thinking that soon, i would settle
down and be a good wife to Andy.

—Eight months after—

Nof’s Point of View
“Ang tagal naman ni DK!” i said. Kanina pa kaya
kami naghihintay dito sa St. Augustine.

893
 Kim rolled her eyes at me, “duh, of course she’s
taking her time. Palibasa hindi ka pa nakakasal kaya
ka ganyan.”
I rolled my eyes back at her, “whatever, Kim.
Wag niyang idahilan na bride siya kaya may
karapatan siyang paghintayin tayo.”
I looked at my wrist watch. She’s 3 minutes late!
Nakakainis! Kung sana nandito si Glorie at Andrei
liit, eh di sana natuwa pa ako. Hindi kasi sila
makakapunta since may trabaho si Glorie, working
mom eh. Okay lang yun, babalik pa naman yata si
Andy at Dana sa Miami eh, isa yata sa honeymoon
destination nila. 
“Hmp! Bahala ka na nga jan. Daig mo pa si Andy
kung mainis. Feeling groom?”
Iniwan niya na ako tapos pumasok. Ewan ko ba
kung sino ang pupuntahan niya. Si Bryle ba o si
Clarence o yung doctor na nakilala niya sa Canada.
Buhay flirt na naman kasi si Kim, pabayaan.
Habang naghihintay sa bride na si DK Ferrer, i
went to the garden and lit a cigarette. I smoke, bakit
ba? Tss. Kahit naipasa na yang sin tax bill, the hell i
care? Mayaman ako, kahit gawin pa nilang one
thousand per stick, i won’t budge.

894
 Just as i was about to puff, a random guy sat next
to me, “do you have?”
I nodded and find a stick inside my purse and
gave him.
“How are you related to the soon to be married
couple?” he asked.
“Close friend,” i nonchalantly said. Hindi ko
naman kasi siya kilala kaya bakit ko lalagyan ng
feelings yung boses ko?
“Won’t you ask how am i related to them?”
tanong niya. Ang usi naman na lalaki, sayang gwapo
pa naman.
I shook my head, “i don’t pry. And sorry to blow
your ego but i don’t care.”
He chuckled, “nice line, Miss. You really got me
interested.”
“As if i care.”
And then i continued my smoking session. Nasan
na ba kasi si DK? Kung sino sino tuloy ang
nakakusap ko dito!
I felt him stood up then he went in front of me
and kneeled.

895
 “See you around, Miss,” he said and then walked
away pagkatapos niyang dikitan ng sticky note yung
noo ko.
I read the note and it says:
Leif Andrew Guzman
09160987654
Call me.

Dana’s Point of View

As i was walking down, a hot liquid poured down
my face. I can’t believe i am finally getting married.
—When we turn out the lights. The two of us
alone together. Something’s just not right. But girl
you know that. I would never ever let another’s
touch. Come between the two of us. ’Cause no one
else will ever take your place—
“My little princess,” my dad said, “you’re getting
married..”
I let out a small laugh, “dad naman. I would get
married but i won’t be gone. We’ll stay in Alabang,
just few minutes drive from our house.”

896
 Andy bought a house for the three of us. Since
hindi pa tapos yung dream house namin, dun muna
kami titira sa Alabang. Our real house would be in
Batangas, away from the stressful life in the city.
Gusto kong lumaki si Alys sa magandang
environment eh.
“Of course we would be there often. Your mom is
so fond of Alys!” dad commented as we were
walking. This aisle seemed to be extending as we
continued.
—No one else comes close to you. No one makes
me feel the way you do. You’re so special girl to me.
And you’ll always be eternally. Every time I hold
you near. You always say the words I love to hear.
Girl with just a touch, you can do so much. No one
else comes close—
“Everybody likes Alys, she’s so pretty like her
mom,” i said. Cyriel went home few months ago and
didn’t go back to Canada. I don’t know what
happened to him and Ynna. 
“That i won’t argue,” dad said. And when we
finally reached the end of our walk, he handed my
hand to Andy and said, “take care of my baby
daughter, Andy. I put my whole trust on you.”

897
 Andy smiled, “i would take care and treasure her
forever, dad.”
Andy talaga, dad na ang tawag niya kay dad bago
pa kami ikasal. It’s fine with my parents since they
really like Andy.
We went in front of the priest and started the
ceremony.
—And when I wake up to. The touch of your
head on my shoulder. You’re a dream come true,
yeah. Oh girl you know I’ll always treasure. Every
kiss and every day. I love you girl in every way. And
I always will ’cause in my eyes—
“Handa ka na bang maging asawa ko?” i asked.
He gave me a naughty smile, “you bet.”
The ceremony started smoothly and everything
was going as planned. And when it’s the time to
exchange vows..
“I, Andrei Louie Guzman, promise to love Dana
Kathryn Ferrer until my dying days. I promise to
take care of her and cherish her with all my heart. I
promise to stay handsome so that she will not look
at any other guy. I promise to work hard to give her
the life she deserves.I promise to be a good father to

898
our daughter. I promise to go to the gym three times
a week to maintain my abs so i could seduce her to
have many babies. I promise to be patient when
she’s being crazy. And i promise to be the reason
why she smiles and the reason she will look forward
to live the next day.”
I smiled at his vows.
—No one else comes close to you. No one makes
me feel the way you do. You’re so special girl to me.
And you’ll always be eternally baby. Every time I
hold you near. You always say the words I love to
hear. Girl with just a touch, you can do so much. Oh
baby baby—
“I, Dana Kathryn Ferrer soon to be Guzman,
promise to love Andrei Louie Guzman until the last
breath that i will take. I promise to give him all of
my heart without holding back. I promise to be the
good wife he deserves. I promise that i will not give
any handsome guy a second glance for my husband
will be the only apple of my eyes. I promise not to
reach your credit limit. I promise to control my
craziness for as long as i can. And i promise that i
would make you happy and i will always be by your
side, come heaven, come hell.”

899
 And with that, the priest said, “you may now kiss
the bride.”
He kissed me with love and passion and i kissed
him back with the same intensity and ardor that i am
feeling.
After that, he looked me in the eye and said, “i
love you, Mrs. Guzman. Handa ka na ba sa
honeymoon natin?”
I smiled, “always ready for you, Mr. Guzman.”
And we walked outside the church with
contented look on our face.
—No one else comes close… damn I love you—
He is Andrei Louie Guzman, my good kisser, my
best friend, my husband, and my happy ending.

900
 Special Chapter No. 1

Special Chapter No. 1

Andy’s Point of View
Mahirap maging gwapo pag kasama mo ay buntis
na babaeng mahal na mahal mo. Ebidensya?
Evidence no.1:
“Beb!”
Nako patay tayo. Sumigaw na naman si Dana!
Dali dali kong pinatay yung laptop ko at naglakad
ng mabilis papunta sa kwarto namin. Nandun kasi
ako sa working room ko. Aba, ako na si Engr.
Andrei Louie Guzman! Top 6 sa board exam. Okay
lang kahit hindi top1 basta kasama sa top. Sabi sa
inyo may karapatan akong magyabang eh! Hahaha!
“Beb, bakit?” tanong ko kay Dana. Six months na
kasi siyang buntis kaya kinulong ko sa kwarto. De,
joke lang. Bawal kasi siyang gumalaw ng masyado
kasi malaki na yung tyan niya. =___= Hindi pala
malaki, basta sexy pa din siya. Ayaw kasi na
sinasabihan ng malaki. Aba binato ba naman ako ng
kawali nung sinabi kong bilog yung shape niya??

901
 “Gusto ko ng ice cream..”

“Beb..” sabi ko..

“Bakit?”
Napatingin ako sa wallclock, “alas onse ng gabi,
ice cream?”
Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin, “porket buntis na
ako tsaka pangit, hindi mo na sinusunod yung gusto
ko??”
Haaaaaaaaaaaay. Sabi ko nga bibili ako..
Umupo ako sa tabi niya at inakbayan siya, “si beb
naman nagtampo agad. Ano’ng flavor ba?”
“Strawberry. Yung Ben and Jerry’s ha?”
“Hindi ba pwedeng selecta na lang?”
>.> Ang sama ng tingin ni Dana shet!
Nangiti na lang ako, “hehehe. Ben and Jerry’s
nga, beb.”
Hinalikan ko muna siya sa noo bago ako lumabas
at kinuha yung susi ko at jacket. Ano ba namang
buhay to oh! Nagtrabaho maghapon tapos pag uwi

902
isang nagsusungit na Dana ang sumalubong sa akin.
Ganito ba talaga pag gwapo?? Hehehe. Joke lang.
Mahal ko kaya si Dana kahit mukha siyang bolang
laging galit :)
Umabot ako sa Makati para lang sa ice cream na
yan! Parang nagdadalawang isip na akong iseduce si
Dana ah. Nakapag apply pa naman na ako sa Gold’s
gym para sa three times a week kong exercise.
Hehehe.
“Beb?” tawag ko sa kanya. Nasa sala kasi siya
bago ako umalis. Ewan ko ba, nagka fettish sa sofa
si Dana nung lumipat siya dito sa condo ko =___=
Umakyat ako sa second floor. Nasa penthouse
ako kasi regalo sa akin ng lolo ko dahil top6 nga
ako! Hahaha! Pag mayaman na gwapo ka nga naman
oh.
Nung pagpasok ko sa kwarto namin.. tulog na
pala siya.
Lumapit ako tapos hinalikan siya sa noo, “akala
ko mababawasan yung pagmamahal ko pag lagi
kitang kasama, pero bakit ganun? Mas lalo pa kitang
minahal,” tapos inayos ko yung comforter niya.
At nilagay ko na yung ice cream sa fridge.
Mahirap na, baka hanapin niya bukas. Lakas pa

903
naman ng sapak sa utak ng buntis na Dana! Doble pa
sa normal na sapak ng normal na Dana.

Evidence no.2:
“Hello, Dave?”
( “Oh, pare. Napatawag ka?”)
“Punta ka naman dito oh,” sabi ko.
( “Bakit? May inaayos pa ako sa bar eh.”)
Sige, Andy. Kaya mo yan!
“Tangina, Dave. Pumunta ka dito. Papatayin ako
ni Dana pag hindi ka--— ARAY NAMAN! ETO
NA NGA KAUSAP NA!!! Oy, Dave. Pumunta ka
na dito, please!!”
Tinignan ko si Dana na nakahiga sa sofa at binato
ako ng unan =___= Nakakatakot.
( “Bakit nga muna?”)
“Gusto ka nga niyang makita!!”
Bakit naman kasi sa lahat ng paglilihian ni Dana,
yung mukha pa ni Dave?? Alam niyo ba na sa guest
room ako natulog dahil ayaw daw niyang makita ang

904
mukha ko?? At eto pa! Pinagsuot ako ng maskara na
may picture ni Dave habang kumakain kami! Grabe!
Nakakabaliw kasama sa bahay si Dana Kathryn
Ferrer, times two pa kasi buntis!
( “Eh bakit daw?”)
“Tangina, pare. Pumunta ka dito pati si Sara!”
tapos binaba ko na yung tawag at sinoot yung
maskara.
“Pupunta daw ba siya?” sabi ni Dana.
Tumango na lang ako kasi ang hirap magsalita
pag nakamaskara =___=
“Good. Now, bumalik ka sa kusina. Gusto ko ng
chocolate chip cookies,” sabi niya sabay bukas ng
magazine ng Vogue. Nako, Dana! Kung hindi lang
kita mahal nako!
After ilang minuto, natapos na din ako sa
cookies. Nagtake ako ng crash course sa culinary
dahil kay Dana. =___= Gusto niya kasi ako yung
nagluluto ng pagkain niya. Hindi kinakain pag hindi
ako yung nagluto. Aba nag aral na lang ako kaysa
mag hunge strike si Beb kahit mukha akong bading
dun =___= Puro babae classmates ko lecheng yan!
*ding dong*

905
 Narinig kong bumukas yung elevator. May pw
kasi bago ka makarating sa penthouse. Si Dave,Sara,
Nof, Leif, Kim, Dana, at ako lang ang may alam. 
Naramdaman kong may umakbay sa akin, “pare,
housewife na housewife ah!”
“Ulol, dadanasin mo din ’to,” sabi ko habang
nilalagay sa jar yung cookies.
“Ano ba yang nasa mukha mo?”
Humarap ako sa kanya, “HAHAHAHA!”
“Tawa lang. Leche ka,” sabi ko.
Tumatawa pa din siya. “Andy, alam ko namang
mas gwapo ako sa ating dalawa.. Pero aabot ka pala
sa ganito?” tapos tinuro niya yung maskara ko na
picture ni Dave. Nagnakaw pa ako sa FB niya para
dito!
Inakbayan ko siya na parang sinasakal ko, “wag
ka ng magulo, Dave Albert. Puntahan mo na nga
yung future misis ko ng matahimik.”
Tapos naglakad kami papunta dun. Magkausap
yung mag Besty as usual.
“Dave!!” sabi ni Dana.

906
 “Oy,” sabi naman ni Dave.
“Upo ka dito,” sabi ni Dana tapos tinapik niya
yung space sa gilid niya. Aba! Magseselos na ba
ako??
Umupo naman si Dave sa tabi ni Dana habang
kami ni Sara ay nakatayo sa harap nila, “anong
meron kay Dana?” tanong ni Sara.
“Pinaglilihian si Dave,” sabi ko. Aba! Sinubuan
pa talaga niya si Dave ng cookies na ginawa KO?
“Talaga??” parang gulat na gulat na sabi ni Sara,
“kaya pala nanghihingi siya sa akin ng damit ni
Dave nung isang araw. Yung nagamit na daw. Weird
niyang maglihi.”

“Binigay mo naman??”
Nag shrug si Sara, “oo. Umiyak kaya siya nung
sinabi kong ang gross.”
“Grabe naman! Ako nga lagi niyang pinapaligo
kasi ang baho ko daw, tapos si Dave kahit damit na
amoy pawis, okay lang sa kanya??”

907
 Natawa si Sara, “nako, Andy. Masanay ka na.
Mahal mo eh, pagtyagaan mo.”
“Kahit weird?” tanong ko.
Ngumiti si Sara, “weird man, mahal mo pa din.
Ano’ng magagawa mo?”
Oo. Isang pinakaweird na nangyari sa buhay ko
ay ang paglilihi ni Dana, pero mahal ko pa din.

Evidence no.3:
“Bakit ganito yung lasa nung kanin?” sabi ni
Dana.
Kumuha ako mula sa rice cooker tapos tinikman
ko, “okay naman ah?” 
Umiling siya tapos binitiwan niya yung kutsara at
tinidor, “lasang panis.”
Kumuha ako dun sa plato niya tapos tinikman ko,
“okay naman..”
“LASANG PANIS NGA, ANDREI LOUIE
GUZMAN!!”
Nagtakip ako ng tenga.

908
 Hindi pa nga kami kasal, battered husband na
ako.
“..anong gagawin ko?”
“Gusto kong kumain..”
“Tapos?”
“Magsaing ka ulit,” sabi niya. Tatayo na sana ako
at pupunta sa pangalawa kong tirahan, ang kusina,
pero nagsalita siya, “ayoko ng bigas natin. Gusto ko
yung hiningi sa kapitbahay.”
O___________O
“A-ano?”
“Sabi ko, gusto ko yung hiningi. Ayoko ng binili
mo, ayoko nung sa atin. Gusto ko hininging bigas.”
O___________O
“Seryoso ka?” tanong ko. Nabibingi na ba ako o
nababaliw na talaga si Dana?
Nakita kong nangilid yung luha niya, “gusto ko
ng kanin.. Beb.. Sige na..”

909
 Napabuntong hininga na ako. Mga ginagawa ko
nga naman para kay Dana.
Kinuha ko yung rice cooker tapos lumapit ako
kay Dana tapos hinalikan ko siya ng matagal. Aba
kailangan ko yata ng energy booster! Nakakahiyang
manghingi ng bigas!
—26th floor—
Nagdoorbell ako tapos nag iwan ako ng rice
cooker sa tapat ng pinto at note na nagpapaliwanag
sa kalagayan ko sa buhay tapos nag iwan na din ako
ng pera.
Tangina, ginagawa ko ba talaga ’to??
Makalipas ang ilang sandali, nakuha ko na din
ang rice cooker na may lamang hininging bigas at
isinaing ’to.
>.> tingin sa akin ni Dana.
“Lasang biniling bigas.”

Kumuka ako tapos tinikman ko. Leche ano ba

ang lasa ng hininging bigas sa biniling bigas???

910
 Evidence no.4:
“Dana, matagal ka pa ba jan?” sabi ko kasi nasa
loob siya ng fitting room. Nagmall kasi kami ngayon
kasi bored siya.
Kumatok na ako kasi hindi siya sumasagot, “uy,
ano’ng nangyari sa’yo?”
Tumingin ako sa paligid. Walang sales lady,
ayos! 
“Buksan mo naman yung pinto,” sabi ko. Tapos
bumukas na siya. Pumasok ako pero nakita ko siya
na umiiyak, “bakit ka umiiyak??”
“Kasi.. kasi.. hindi ako kasya sa damit eh..”
Nangiti ako. Dana, bakit kahit nababaliw ka, mas
lalo akong nababaliw sa’yo?
Lumapit ako sa kanya, “eh kasi nga,” tapos
sinandal ko siya sa dingding, “buntis ka,” at
hinalikan, “nanjan yung magiging anak natin sa loob
mo,” tapos tinignan ko siya sa mata, “kaya magtiis
ka,” tapos hinawakan ko yung pisngi niya, “pero
tandaan mo na mahal pa din kita.”

911
 Evidence no.5:
“Beb, tanggalin mo nga yung unan sa mukha
mo,” sabi ko kay Dana. Kanina pa kami dito sa
kwarto pero ganyan siya. Madalas naman siyang
nababaliw pero iba ata to. Ayaw tignan yung mukha
ko!! Ang gwapo ko tapos ganun?? May problema
talaga siya ngayon. Tsk.
“Ayoko nga. Layuan mo nga ako, Andy,” sabi
niya.
“Bakit nga? Sige ka, hindi ka makakahinga
niyan. Baka umimpis yung tyan mong mabi--—
Aray naman!!”
Hinampas kasi ako ng unan! 
“Lumayas ka nga!! Alam ko naman na mataba
ako eh!!”
Bumuntong hininga ako, “mataba ka nga pero--
—”
“Tignan mo! Sa’yo din lumabas! Mataba ako!
Iiwan mo na ba ako kasi mataba ako?? Ipagpapalit
mo na ba ako sa secretary mo na yun?? Yung Krisha
Martinez na yun ha?? Sige magsama kayo!!
Tatawagan ko si Cyriel para umuwi dito!! Bwisit ka
talaga Andr--—”

912
 Ang ingay talaga ng babaeng ’to. Hinalikan ko
nga ng tumahimik.
“Dana Kathryn Ferrer— Guzman, pakasalan mo
na kasi ako para hindi ka nababaliw jan,” sabi ko
para smooth. Hehehe. Pang anim na proposal ko na
yan pero rejected palagi. =___=
“Ewan ko sa’yo!!”
Sabay bato ng unan.
Okay, better luck next time. Makukuha ko din
ang oo mo, Beb.

Madami mang dahilan para iwan ko si Dana,

isang dahilan lang ang kailangan ko para manatili sa
tabi niya. Mahal ko eh, magagawa niyo?

913
 Special Chapter No. 2

Special Chapter No. 2

Part 1
Cyriel’s Point of View
“Sir Cyriel, sir Clarence is outside.”
Napatigil ako sa pagbabasa ng proposal kasi
napatingin ako sa secretary ko. Tss. Nandito na
naman si Clarence. Bubulabugin na naman ako nung
matandang bakla na yun.
Tumango na lang ako kasi siguradong mag iinarte
na naman yun pag hindi ko siya pinapasok. Kaya
kami na iissue na may relasyon dito sa office eh.
Langya nakakadiring isipin!
“Hey, brother,” sabi niya tapos umupo siya sa
couch sa office ko. Feel at home talaga ’to! May
office naman siyang sarili. 
“Problema mo?” sabi ko kahit hindi ako
nakatingin sa kanya. Ang dami ko kasing kailangan
na pirmahang papel eh. Kailangan ko din kasing

914
magsipag. Galit pa din kasi sa akin sila Mom at Dad
nung nalaman nila yung tungkol kay Ynna..
“Kasi naman yung isang iddate mo, yung
Rochelle Jenna? Nyeta naman, idate mo na! Nung
isang araw pa kasi kinukulit si Kim!”
“Oh, eh si Kim naman pala yung kinukulit eh!”
Minsan tinatanong ko na lang kung bakit eto pa
naging kapatid ko? Sumasakit lalo ulo ko eh!
“Dude naman, hindi kami makapagsexy time ni
babe! Aba kailangan na naming sundan si Clarise,”
sabi niya habang nandun na naman yung kalaswaan
sa mukha niya. Tss. Nakakadiring kapatid talaga ’to!
“Manyak mo talaga.”
“Gwapo pa din.”
“Bading.”
“Lul. Ako pa naging bading. Ano tawag sa inyo
nila Dave at Andy? Sisterettes?”
“Tangina, Clarence, mandiri ka nga sa mga
sinasabi mo!”
Tapos tumawa siya ng tumawa. Tss. Kawawa
talaga yung pamangkin ko. Abnormal ang tatay. Buti

915
nakakatagal si Kim at Clarise sa baliw na takbo ng
utak nitong unggoy na ’to.
Tapos tumayo na siya at naglakad palabas, “pag
namiss mo ko nasa floor lang ako sa taas nito ha?”
Binato ko ng nameplate ko, “lumayas ka na nga!”
“Hehehe. Love you, baby brother!”
Tss. Nakakasira ng araw!

“I’ll take the rest of the day off,” sabi ko sa

secretary ko.
“Alright, sir. What will i say if someone asks
about your whereabouts?”
“Tell her i’m with my wife.”
Lumabas na ako ng building tapos dumiretso sa
carpark. Bigla ko kasing namiss si Ynna. Pumasok
na ako sa sasakyan ko ng biglang mag ring yung
phone ko.
Your little princess
calling…
“Baby.”

916
 ( “Dad!”)
“Oh, why did you call?”
( “Si daddy kasi inaaway ako!!”)
“Ano’ng ginawa ng daddy mo sa’yo?”
( “Aalis kasi sila ni mommy bukas ng gabi,
gagawa na daw sila ng baby. Matanda tsaka pangit
na daw kasi ako..”)
Hindi ko mapigilang matawa kay Alys. Kahit 7
years old na, isip bata pa din. Spoiled na spoiled kasi
kay Andy eh. Aba dapat lang. 
“Naniwala ka naman kay Andy? Alam mo
namang may pagka abnormal yung daddy mo eh.”
( “I know, dad! Kainis si daddy eh, buti na lang
binilan niya ako ng madaming madaming chocolates
kanina. Hehehe.”)
“Tsk. Baka tumaba ka niyan?”
( “I’m still your little princess pa din naman kahit
tumaba ako, right? Di ba, dad? Di ba, Cyriel Edrian
Perez na dad kong gwapong gwapo pero bading sabi
ni Tito Clarence?”)

917
 Yung huklubang bakla talaga na yun! Tsk! Kung
anu ano tinuturo sa anak ko eh!
“Wag ka ngang nakikipag usap sa Tito Clarence
mo. Sige ka, magiging abnormal ka din.”
( “Whatever, dad. Sige po, nandiyan na si daddy,
tutuksuhin na naman ako nito!”)
“Sige, bye, baby.”
( “Bye, dad! Fetch me tomorrow, ha!”)
“Alright, alright. Pahinga ka na.”
( “I will po. I love you po.”)
“I love you more and more and more each day,
baby. Sige na, punta na ako sa Tita Ynna mo.”
( “Sige po, dad. Say hi to Tita for me.”)
Tingnan mo, ang sweet sweet talaga ng anak ko.
Kahit isip bata yun, mahal na mahal ko yun. Pupunta
nga pala ako bukas para sunduin si Alys. Valentine’s
kasi bukas, malamang magddate na naman si Dana
at Andy. Kawawa naman yung anak ko pag naiwan
mag isa sa bahay nila. Kami na lang magddate.
Pagkalipas ng ilang minuto, nakarating na din
ako. 

918
 “Ynna, long time no see?” sabi ko tapos hinawi
ko yung mga dahon na nagkalat sa taas nung lapida
niya, “pasensya na, alam mo naman na bumabawi pa
ako kila mom eh. Tss. Ikaw kasi eh, iniwan mo agad
ako. Ayan tuloy, ako lang ang mag isang nakakasalo
nung galit nila.”
Ilang taon na nga bang patay si Ynna? Tatlo?
Apat? Ewan ko. Ayokong isipin. Kahit nga death
anniversary niya hindi ko tinandaan eh. Ang hirap
din kasi.
“Valentines na naman bukas. Mag isa na naman
ako. Hindi ka ba nakokonsensya? Ikaw may
kasalanan ng lahat nito tapos ang saya saya mo jan
kung nasan ka man?”
Hindi naman kasi ito talaga yung totoong
libingan ni Ynna. Nasa Davao yung totoo, kasama
nung kay Jamie. Para sa akin lang ’to. Para pag bigla
ko siyang namiss kagaya ngayon, may pupuntahan
ako.
“Bat ganon? Natapos ko na naman na lahat nung
pinapa date mo sa’kin pero wala pa din akong
makita? Ang lakas lang yata ng presensya mo eh.
Hindi pa din ako makahanap ng bago.”

919
 Naaalala ko pa din yung araw na nawala siya.
Hindi ko alam yung gagawin ko nun. Alam mo yung
handa ka na kasi alam mo na anumang oras kukunin
siya pero pag nandun ka na sa punto na mawawala
na siya, hindi mo mapigilan na matakot? Ganun
yung naramdaman ko eh. Hindi ko alam kung paano
bang pagpipigil sa luha yung gagawin ko. Sabi niya
kasi sa’kin, ayaw niya daw akong makitang umiiyak
kaya sinubukan ko talaga na hindi umiyak nung
huling araw niya sa Canada. Pero ewan ko, parang
hindi ako si Cyriel nung araw na yun. Wala akong
ginawa kung hindi umiyak. Parang nawala na lahat
sa’kin eh. Kahit anong tatak ko sa isip ko na
masama si Ynna, hindi ko din maalis na kahit
papano, mahal ko din naman siya. Sa ilang taon na
kasama ko siya, malabo na hindi ako mahulog.
“Si Alys tuloy ang kadate ko bukas.”
Naalala ko dati nung umuwi ako ng Pilipinas para
makita yung anak ko. Bago ako tumalikod para
maglakad, nakita kong umiyak si Ynna. Ewan ko.
Siguro takot siya tuwing umaalis ako? Sabi niya kasi
sa akin, tuwing umaalis ako, natatakot siya kasi
hindi niya alam kung babalik pa ba ako. Paranoid o
possessive man pero kinikilig ako. Tangina
nasosobrahan na yata ako ng pagsama kay Clarence.
Nababakla na ko.

920
 “Pero syempre okay lang. Ang cute ni Alys. Ang
gwapo ko kaya, di ba? Kaya nga inagaw mo ko kay
Dana eh. Hehehe. Pero okay lang kasi bakit naman
ako makikipagdate bukas? Para Valentines lang eh.
Hindi naman nakakabawas sa pagkalalaki ko yung
kawalan ko ng kadate. Malay mo next year, meron
na?”
Tumayo na ako pagkatapos kong magstay dun.
Malapit na din pala kasing dumilim. Kailangan ko
pang umuwi sa condo, nandun kasi si Berdy. Sa’kin
na kasi yun nakatira simula nung bumalik ako ng
Pinas. May allergy pala kasi si Alys. Ang laki na nga
ni Berdy eh. Busog kasi lagi sa’kin eh tapos ine
excercise ko pa palagi. Hehehe.
Pumunta na ko sa sasakyan ko pero may nakita
akong babaeng umiiyak. Tss. Bakit ba ganito na lang
lagi role ko? Nung isang araw may babaeng umiiyak
din akong nakasalubong. Tss.
“Miss?”
Tumingin siya sa’kin. Kilala ko yata ’to ah.
“May problema ka?”
Umiyak pa din siya. Tss. Pag si Dana tsaka Ynna
yung umiiyak, maganda. Pero yung babae na to
nakaka turn off.

921
 “K-kasi iniwan ako ng fiance ko..”
“Tss. Daming lalaki jan eh.”
“Pero s-siya yung mahal ko..”
“Mahal mahal. Alam mo, miss, natututunan ang
pagmamahal. Take it from me. Naranasan ko na yan
eh.”
Nagpunas siya ng luha niya tapos.. sipon? Kadiri.
Turn off talaga ’tong babaeng ’to.
“T-talaga?”
“Oo. Natututunan yun.”
“So, kaya mo bang pag aralan na mahalin ako?”

Part 2
Dave’s Point of View
“Babe, for you,” sabi ko tapos pinakita ko sa
kanya yung diamond necklace na nung isang araw
ko pa binili. 5th anniversary na kasi namin ni babe.
Akalain mo nakatagal ako sa pagiging nagger nitong
si Sara Fatima? Hahaha!

922
 “Babe naman eh!” sabi niya tapos binaba niya si
Dillon sa crib. 2 years old pa lang kasi si Dillon.
Ayaw kasi agad nitong si Sara mag anak! Lagi na
lang akong sinisigawan pag tinatanong ko siya kung
bakit tatlong taon na kaming kasal pero ni fetus,
walang laman yung tiyan niya.
“Dave Albert Cruz naman! Eto na naman ang pag
uusapan natin?? Sabi ko naman sa’yo di ba, ieenjoy
ko muna yung career ko.. Halos mamatay na ako
para lang matapos yung accountancy at maipasa
yang lintek na board exam na yan, tapos ang gusto
mo magpaka butete naman ako ngayon?? Hindi ba
pwedeng tayong dalawa muna?”
Yun yung lagi niyang sinasabi. Kaya parang
honeymoon kami for three years. Hindi naman sa
nagrereklamo ako. Hehehe. Everyday happy kaya
ako for three years. 
“Bakit, asawa ko? Masama bang bigyan ka ng
regalo?”
Umiling siya, “hindi naman sa ganon, babe. Pero
kasi..”
“Pero kasi?”
Huminga siya ng malalim, “alam mo naman na
may issue pa kami ng mommy mo, di ba?”

923
 Oo nga pala, hindi sila okay ng mommy ko.
Ewan ko ba, mabait naman si mommy, mabait din
naman si Sara pero hindi talaga sila magkasundo.
Okay naman si Sara sa daddy ko pati na sa ibang
kamag anak ko pero hindi talaga sila magkasundo ng
nanay ko.
“Hanggang ngayon pa din ba, Mrs. Cruz? Hindi
pa din kayo okay ng mother-in-law mo?”
Niyakap niya ako tapos ipinatong niya yung baba
niya sa balikat ko, “ewan ko ba, alam mo naman na
sinusubukan ko, di ba? Pero kasi ang feeling pa din
ng mommy mo inagaw kita sa kanya eh.”
Napailing na lang ako, “ang cute ko kasi eh.
Tignan mo, pinag aawayan niyo ako. Masama na
talaga ’to.”
Pinisil niya yung pisngi ko tapos hinalikan, buti
na lang hindi umiiyak si Dillon kahit na
naghaharutan kami ng mommy niya sa harap niya.
Hehehe.
“Nako, babe. Hindi na ikaw ang pinaka cute.
Inagaw na ni Dilly Bear ang posisyon mo. Di ba,
Dilly Bear?” sabi niya tapos nilaro laro niya si Dilly.
Haay. Iba talaga pakiramdam na may anak ka.
Ang saya eh! Alam mo yung kahit anong pagod mo

924
sa office, naeexcite ka pa din na umuwi sa bahay
para makipaglaro sa anak mo? Ganun ako palagi eh.
Kaya nga lagi kong kinakalabit si Sara dati eh.
Hehehe. Pero tignan mo naman, sulit ang
paghihintay. Ang cute cute ng anak namin!
“Malamang mana sa akin yan eh. Ang pogi ng
anak ko. Noh, Dilly?”
Pagkatapos nun, pinatulog na niya si Dilly.
Kumain na muna kaming dalawa. May supresa kasi
ako sa kanya para bukas. Valentines na kasi. Tapos
na sa wakas yung bahay namin sa Batangas. Gusto
kasi ni Sara yung malapit kila Dana kaya naisip ko
na magpagawa ng bahay dun. Ayos na din kasi
naiingayan na din ako dito sa Makati. Tsaka
nakatipid naman ako eh. Hehehe. Buti close si Sara
kay Kim. Libre kami sa Architectural firm nila.
Ayos!
“Babe, wag na ’tong diamond necklace, ha?” sabi
niya sabay balik nung necklace sa box at abot sa’kin.
“Bakit ba kasi?”
“Eh kasi nga..”
“Ano nga?”

925
 “Baka kasi isipin ng mommy mo pinakasalan
lang kita para sa pera..”
“Tsk. Sara Fatima Gomez— Cruz, what’s mine is
yours. Ang paranoid mo lang talaga.”
“Pero kasi-—”
“Pinakasalan kita kasi mahal kita. Nagttrabaho
ako ng mabuti kasi gusto kong ibigay lahat ng hindi
mo naranasan noon. Hindi mo ba ako kayang
pagbigyan?”
Buti na lang napangiti ko na ’tong babaeng ’to,
“mahal na mahal kita, alam mo yun?”
“Naman. Ano, gagawa na ba tayo ng baby girl?”

Part 3
Andy’s Point of View
“Mommy, tignan mo si Daddy kinuha yung diary
ko!!”
Hinahabol ako ni Alys sa sala. Hehehe. Masama
bang tignan ko kung may nakalagay bang crush sa
diary ni Alys? Aba kinakabahan lang kasi ako! Nung
isang araw may nakita akong flames sa likod ng

926
notebook niya eh! Mamaya nakikipagligawan na
pala ’tong prinsesa na ’to. Sabihin pa ni Cyriel eh
pinapabayaan ko ’tong prinsesa namin.
“Beb naman!” sabi ni Dana nung pagkapasok
niya sa bahay namin. Galing kasi yan sa boutique
niya. Alam niyo na, nagpapaka workaholic kasi
medyo may baby fats pa din siya. 4 years old na si
Alys pero may mga bakas pa din siya ng katabaan.
Hehehe. Pero secret ko lang yun kasi baka patulugin
niya na naman ako sa labas. Ang lamok kaya!
Tumakbo si Alys papunta sa mommy niya na
maganda pa din kahit mukhang pagod na pagod, “si
daddy kanina pa ko iniinis!!”
Nagbuntong hininga siya, “Andrei Louie
Guzman, wala ka na naman bang magawang matino
at si Alys ang pinagbubuntungan mo ng boredom?”
Ngumiti na lang ako, “hehehe, beb naman.
Namiss kasi kita kaya nakipaglaro muna ako kay
Alys.  Kamusta yung shops?” segue segue lang din.
Hehe.
“Ayun, okay naman. May event lang na
gaganapin next month kaya medyo busy sa shop.”
Niyakap ko si Beb. Kahit pagod na pagod ang
bango bango pa din. Hindi nakakasawang kasama

927
araw araw. 
“Mommy, dinadaan lang kayo ni Daddy sa bola
eh!! Pagalitan niyo na si daddy, bilis!!”
Tsk. Ang talinong bata talaga nitong si Alys eh.
Bakit dito niya dinadaan? Pag dating sa quiz, medyo
alanganin palagi. Siguro naalog yung utak nito nung
nasa loob pa siya ng tiyan ng mommy niya.
“Sige na, pagsasabihan ko ’tong daddy mo.
Pumasok ka na sa kwarto,” sabi niya kay Alys tapos
umakyat na sa kwarto niya. Mabuti naman at
masosolo ko na ’tong asawa ko. Hehehe.
Umupo muna siya tapos pinatong yung bag
niyang Hermes. Tsk. Naubos yung isang buwan na
sweldo ko sa bag na yun ah. Sama kasi ng sama kay
Nof si Dana eh isang gastadora yung babaeng yun.
Palibasa tumatandang dalaga eh. Hahaha!
“Beb, free ka ba bukas?”
Medyo nag isip pa siya tapos tinignan niya yung
iPad niya.
“Free ako ng 7-8:30 p.m. bukas. Bakit, beb?”
Tsk. Ako nga pina cancel ko lahat ng
appointment ko bukas kasi Valentine’s eh.
Masamang magtrabaho ’tong asawa ko,

928
nakakalimutan niyang may napakagwapo siyang
asawa na nagngangalang Andrei Louie Guzman na
nag aasam na makadate niya.
“Valentine’s bukas, beb.”
Sumandal siya sa akin, “sorry, beb. Busy kasi eh.
Alam mo naman na one year pa lang mula ng mag
takeover ako sa business ni mom. Kailangan ko
pang i establish yung pangalan ko..”
Haay. Ano ba nga naman ang magagawa ko?
Siyempre susuportahan ko ’tong misis ko.
“Nakapagpa reserve pa naman ako sa paborito
mong restaurant. Papa cancel ko na lang..”
Biglang inangat niya yung ulo niya at hinalikan
ako, “wag ka ngang tampo jan, Andrei Louie.
Nagpavacant talaga ako ng 7-8 para sabay tayong
mag dinner.”
“Kahit ang gwapo gwapo ng asawa mo, 1 oras
lang ang alloted sa akin? Hanggang dun lang ba ang
mararating ng kagwapuhan ko, Dana Kathryn Ferrer
— Guzman?”
Natawa siya. Tsk. Lagi na lang akong
tinatawanan nito pag ganito ang sinasabi ko.

929
Manang mana si Alys dito eh, lagi na lang akong
pinagkakaisahan.
“Hindi effective, beb. Come on, let’s sleep.
Valentine’s bukas, you might need energy.”
Biglang nagliwanag yung paligid ko!
“Does that mean na?”
Kinindatan niya ako, “who knows?”
Damn, Dana! Kahit na asawa kita, excited pa din
ako! 

Valentine’s Day.
“Iiwan na kita dito ha? Pupuntahan ka naman
daw ng dad mo eh.”
“Alright.”
“Wag kang magfflames!”
“Daddy, you’re so nosy. Go na. I know how
excited you are to date mommy,” sabi ni Alys. Ewan
ko ba kung bakit ganito magsalita ’to. Napapasama
kasi lagi kay Nof eh. Masamang impluwensya talaga
yung piggy na yun!

930
 Umalis na ako. Aayusin ko pa yung lugar eh.
Pinaghandaan ko yata talaga ’to! Pinareserve ko pa
yung buong rooftop para romantic.
Dumating ako ng 6:30 p.m. Ayos na din naman
yung pagkain pati yung violinists. Ang totoo kasi,
balak kong ayain si Dana na mag second
honeymoon. Gusto ko na din kasi ng baby boy. Tsk.
Si Dave kasi lagi na lang akong iniinggit eh! Ang
cute cute kaya ni Dilly Bear. Syempre mahal ko si
Alys pero gusto ko din naman magkaroon ng
magmamana sa kagwapuhan ko, sa pagiging matinik
ko sa girls, at sa pagka suave ko. Sayang ang genes.
Tinext ko na si Dana. Hintay hintay muna sa
rooftop habang hindi pa dumadating ang reyna ko.

“Sigurado po kayo, Sir?”

Tumango na lang ako, “sige, kainin niyo na lang
yan. Hindi na naman yata dadating yung hinihintay
ko eh.”
Kinuha ko na yung coat ko na pinatong ko sa
upuan. 9:30 na pero ni anino ni Dana wala akong
nakita. Ni text o tawag wala akong na receive. Eto
na nga yung dahilan kaya nag aalangan ako na

931
payagan siyang magtrabaho eh. Hindi naman sa
pinipigilan ko siya na gawin yung gusto niya,
natatakot lang kasi ako na mawalan siya ng oras sa
akin na nangyayari na nga ngayon. Tss. Labo ng
buhay. Hindi din palaging masaya ang buhay may
asawa.
Niligpit na nung mga waiter yung lamesa pati
pagkain. Umalis na din yung violinists. Ako? Eto
nakaupo lang sa railings at hawak hawak yung
roundtrip ticket papuntang Norway. Gusto daw kasi
ni Dana na pumunta dun nung isang beses na
nanood kami ng NatGeo.
Hay, Andy. Bakit ba kasi umasa ka? Alam mo
namang mas workaholic pa sa’yo yung asawa mo na
’yun.
Naupo muna ako at naghintay sa rooftop. Malay
ko naman at baka biglang dumating si Dana? Para
kong tanga minsan kasi kahit alam ko na hindi siya
dadating, naghihintay pa din ako. Siguro kung
babalik ako nung 18 years old ako, matatawa ako sa
mga pinaggagagawa ko ngayon. Ako, si Andrei
Louie Guzman, maghihintay sa isang babae? Ano
yun, joke?! Eh dati kalabitin ko lang yung babae
papayag na eh. Pero ang galing nga din ng buhay.

932
Ngayon, kahit na titigan at sigawan ko pa si Dana,
hindi pa din siya dumadating.
Pagkatapos kong magmuni muni sa rooftop,
sinuot ko muna yung coat ko kasi malamig. 11 na
din pala. 
Naglakad ako papunta sa elavator para bumaba
na. Dapat pala sumabit na lang ako sa date ni Alys at
Cyriel. Magbonding na lang kaming mag aama. Tss.
Sayang ang Valentine’s ko.
“A-andy..”
Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero bigla na lang
akong tumalikod nung nakita ko si Dana pagbukas
nung elavator. Nagtatampo ba ako? Oo naman!
Masama bang magtampo kahit minsan??
“Andy naman!”
Naglakad ako papunta sa fire exit at naglakad
pababa ng hagdan. Tangina. Ayoko munang
makausap si Dana.
“Beb!”
Lakad lang ng lakad, Andy. Intindihin mo naman
yung sarili mo ngayon. Kahit ngayon lang. Pwede
ka din namang mainis minsan.

933
 “Aray!”
“Dana?!”
Tangina. Sabi ko nga hindi ko matitiis yung
asawa ko eh. Sino bang niloko ko?
“Ano’ng nangyari sa’yo?” sabi ko tapos tinignan
ko yung paa niya.
“A-aray,” sabi niya nung mejo nagalaw ko yung
paa niya.
“Masakit ba?”
Umiling siya.
“Eh bakit ka umiiyak?”
“K-kasi galit ka sa’kin,” sabi niya tapos tumulo
yung luha niya. Tss. Wala na. Tiklop na ako.
Umiyak na eh.
Kinuha ko yung panyo ko tapos pinunasan ko
yung luha niya, “eh san ka ba kasi nanggaling? Ni
hindi ka man lang nagtext.”
“E-eh kasi nga nagkaproblema sa shop.. Sorry na,
beb. Ha? Ha? Sorry na..”
Bumuntong hininga ako.

934
 “Galit ka talaga sa’kin?”
Tinignan ko siya ng mabuti, “ayaw kitang
lokohin kaya sasabihin ko yung totoo, ha?”
Tumango siya.
“Naiinis ako kasi hindi mo na ako pinapansin.
Puro ka na lang shop, boutique, fashion show, dress,
designs, wala man lang bang Andrei L--—”
Hindi ako nakatapos ng sasabihin kasi bigla niya
akong hinalikan.
“Sorry na, beb. Alam mo naman na mahal na
mahal na mahal na mahal kita, di ba?”
“Talaga?”
Pinindot niya yung ilong ko, “para kang bata.”
“Eh di..”
“Ano’ng eh di?”
“Pwede tayong mag ano..”
“Ano bang ano??” sabi ni Dana, naaasar na yata.
Hehehe. Ang cute pa din ng asawa ko.
“Eto oh.”

935
 Eydee’s Point of View
Andy kissed her with longing, with burning
desire. It’s been a while since they had sex. Sino ba
naman ang makakapag ganun pa kung pareho silang
busy? They are both working, walang gustong
magpaiwan sa bahay. After all, sayang naman yung
ilang taon nilang pinag aralan sa St. Claire’s kung sa
bahay lang sila, right?
Just then, Dana gave up. She gave up all her
worries and inhibitions. She was afraid, afraid that
Andy’s drifting from her. She was busy for the past
weeks, she didn’t have the luxury of time to cater to
her husband’s needs. Sex is always wonderful,
indeed. But there will always come a time when you
will be thinking what would happen to the both of
you if there’s no sexual connection. At yun ang
ginawa niya. She purposely made herself busy para
matignan kung tatagal ba si Andy. She’s pretty
insane, right? But we couldn’t really point a finger.
She’s just a woman who’s afraid.
Andy kissed her deep and wild. He was excited
for her, damn too excited! His tongue found its way
towards Dana’s mouth, seeking for entrance. When
Dana didn’t give him the access he was desperately
looking for, he bit her lower lip.

936
 “Aray!” reklamo ni Dana.
Andy didn’t even budge that his wife shouted,
instead, he took this chance to invade his wife’s oral
cavity. It was sweet like the very first time he kissed
her. Dana will always be Dana. She will always be
Andy’s own brand of ecstacy.
While playing with his wife’s tongue, his hands
gently found its way towards Dana’s dress, zipping
it down and letting his experimental hands enter and
play with the breasts of his wife.
“Really, Andy. Dito sa fire exit?!”
“Sshh,” Andy just said, fully concentrating on
massaging his wife’s bossom.
With Andy’s expert hands working its magic on
her bossoms, Dana couldn’t utter a word, not a
single word. She just lay there and let her husband
perform his magic. But she couldn’t keep still, no,
she would never be able to keep still.
“Mmmm,” she just moaned with delight while
Andy was sucking one of her breasts. She pulled her
husbands head closer to her breast, like she wanted
him to be one with them.

937
 But Andy will always be Andy. While kissing his
wife’s bossom, his other hands was on its way to his
wife’s knickers.
He was taken aback when he didn’t feel anything.
“Wala kang underwear??” he asked his wife,
shock written all over his face.
Dana just smiled timidly, “happy Valentine’s?”
Andy shook his head while smiling, “iba ka
talaga, asawa ko.”
And with that, he removed every piece of
clothing he and Dana has. His coat and tie were
lying on the stairs, helpless. And Dana’s dress was..
torn. Yeah. Andy was damn too excited that he tore
Dana’s dress apart.
He carefully lay Dana on the stairs. His wife was
damn beautiful when she’s naked, stark naked. He
gently stood up while admiring the view. He walked
backwards, not wanting to leave the view of his
wife’s nakedness. Then he locked the door. Yes, he
locked the door of the fire exit. He couldn’t take it if
someone bothers them. No, he really couldn’t.
Then with a heart beat, he was on top of her. He
didn’t kiss her right away, he looked into her eyes

938
instead.
“I love you, Dana Kathryn Guzman,” and after
that, he kissed her hard.
He kissed her passionately. He kissed her lips,
traced her jawlines, and showered little kisses from
her cheeks down to her shoulder blades. He kissed
her like there’s no tomorrow. While kissing her, his
fingers were working its magic. 
“A-andy,” Dana uttered just that. She’s on the
verge, she knows that.
Andy pumped one finger in.. then another.. and
another.
“I’m close,” Dana said.
And as if it’s the magic word, his fingers were
replaced by Andy’s throbbing member. Yes. His
member was throbbing the moment he laid his eyes
on Dana. She always has that effect on him.
Andy began thrusting inside his wife’s core.
Marriage life is indeed wonderful.
“M-my foot. It’s sore. B-be careful,” Dana said,
reminding her husband that she’s injured.

939
 And with that, Andy anchored Dana’s left leg to
his waist. He resume to thrusting. While slamming
his length, he continued assaulting Dana’s lips with
his provoking kisses, and he didn’t want his wife’s
bossom to feel neglected so his hands played with
them. He could really multitask at times like this.
“Faster,” Dana said.
This is what heaven on earth means. She was
being sent to heaven by her husband. She feels like
her core’s gonna break any second so she held on to
something her hands could find.
“S-shet, Dana. Baka bumagsak yung fire
extinguisher,” Andy said while he was pumping in
and out of his wife.
“Ugh!” Dana almost shouted. This is too damn
good for Valentine’s. It feels like Christmas.
Her hands let go of the fire estinguisher and let
her hands hold Andy’s shoulders.
“I-i’m almost there,” she said.
With one final thrust, they both reached the
climax they waited for so long.

940
 Andy wore his slacks and longsleeves while he
gave his coat to her wife.
“Hindi ka na galit sa’kin?” Dana asked Andy
while she was adjusting her now useless dress.
“Konti pa,” Andy teased.
“You’re so perverted, Mr. Guzman.”
Andy stole a chaste kiss from his wife’s lips, “i’ll
be forever addicted to you, Mrs. Guzman.”

941
 Special Chapter No. 3

Special Chapter No. 3

Andy’s Point of View
“Berdy, come here, baby girl,” tawag ko sa
girlfriend ko. Huh! Akala niyo tambay lang ako sa
bahay namin? Productive din naman ako kahit
papano! Nakabili na ako ng baby ko.
Kasama ko siya ngayon sa front porch ng bahay.
Napatanggal ko na nga din pala yung cast. Tch.
Halos isang buwan ko din yung tiniis ah! Hindi
tuloy pantay yung kulay ng paa at binti ko. Pucha!
Kailan pa ako naging vain???
Medyo nagcclutch na lang ako. Ewan. Dyahe
kasi. Para akong disabled eh kaya hindi ko din
ginagamit. Hindi na lang ako gumagalaw para
walang hassle! Hahaha! Tangna ang tamad ko
talaga!
Pinakain ko yung girlfriend ko. At least hindi ako
single ngayon. (-_-)   Meet Berdy, my four months
old girlfriend. Parang pedophile lang ako. Tss.
“Gusto mong maglakad?”

942
 Dinilaan niya yung kamay ko kaya siguro oo na
yun. Kailangan kong intindihin ang girlfriend ko.
Baka iwanan din ako nito. (-_-) Ang sakit lang sa
ego, kahit aso kaya akong idump.
Naglalakad ako papuntang shore ng makita ko na
naman ’tong babae na ’to.
“Hi, Louie!” sabi niya, “what’s his name?” sabi
niya nung nilalaro niya si Berdy. Kinagat siya niya
Berdy. Good girlfriend! Possessive! Hahaha!
“Her. Berdy’s a girl,” sabi ko. Leche!
Napapractice talaga ang English speaking skills ko
sa brunette na ’to!
She pouted, “sorry. Berdy doesn’t seem to like
me,” sabi niya ng naka pout pa din. Lintek bakit ba
nauso pa yung pout???
I smirked, “i know. She doesn’t like ugly people.”
Hinampas niya ako ng mahina, yung ginagawa ng
mga pa cute na babae, “you’re mean.”
“I know. That’s why you called me Mr. Grumpy,
right?”
She stucked her tongue out, “whatever, Louie.
Want to come with me?”

943
 “Huh?”
She beamed, “i’m going to my part time job.
There’s an opening there, wanna try? In case you got
bored. Just to kill some time,” offer niya.
Hmm. Part time job? Pwede din. Medyo okay na
ako sa nirereview ko eh. Basahin ko daw ba kasi
gabi gabi? Tapos naka post pa sa dingding. Halos
mapanaginipan ko na nga yung formulas eh. (-_-)
“Can i bring Berdy together with me?”
She pouted, “i’m afraid not, Louie. Angel’s a
little strict with animals. But you can give her to
Lawrence, my brother. He likes dogs!”
Tumahol naman si Berdy, nagalit yata, “she’s not
a dog. She’s my girlfriend.”
Tumawa naman ’tong babae na ’to. Ano ba
kasing nakakatawa sa sinabi ko????
“Hahaha! I thought you’re single, turned out
you’re out of the market. Berdy seems to be a tough
competitor,” sabi niya habang sinusubukang
hawakan si Berdy, panay iwas naman ng girlfriend
ko. Tch. Suplada. Ilang araw pa lang kaming
nagllive in, possessive na agad sa’kin. Lakas talaga
ng ka gwapuhan ko.

944
 Naglakad lakad kami papunta sa
pinagttrabahuhan niya. Buti na lang at medyo
malapit, nahihirapan pa din kasi akong maglakad.
Nakirot pa din ng konti. (-_-) Kasalanan ’to ni Nof
kaya ako naaksidente. Ano na kayang nangyari sa
baboy na yun?
“Girls, this is Louie once again. The one i
introduced to you before?” sabi niya nung
makapunta kami sa parang abandoned warehouse. 
Ngumiti naman sila. Tukso. Tukso. Tukso. Bakit
mo ako nilalapitan?? (_ _ “)
“This is Angel, my boss. Don’t hit on her, she’s
got a boyfriend, Daniel John is his name.” sabi ni
ano nga ba pangalan nito? Gloria ba? Ah basta! Ni
Gloria dun sa babae na maganda (lahat naman sila
maganda, tanga ko talaga minsan) na nagppaint
nung canvass. Blonde tapos gray yung mata. Chicks
sana eh.. kaso taken. Wag na.
Tinuro niya naman yung babae na nagssort out
nung papers sa gilid, mukhang seryoso eh, “That one
is Ruan, a good friend of mine. She’s kinda serious
at times especially when she does her accounting
works.” Tch. Sayang, ganda pa naman, mukhang
masungit lang. Pero yan ang gusto ko, yung fierce!
Hahaha!

945
 “That one is Shaira, the one in-charged with
technical stuffs. She’s a great programmer!!”
tinignan ko naman yung tinuro niya. Ganda eh!
Kaso may kausap sa phone, “she’s taken already.
Too bad. Ashton is a great guy though! You should
meet him sometime,” sabi niya. Tss. May boyfriend
pala eh. Wag ng lapitan. Problema pa pag nagkataon.
(-_-) Ano ba, Andrei Louie Guzman! May Berdy ka
na!! Mamaya hawaan ako ng rabis na yun pag
nalaman niya nagtwo time ako eh!!
Tapos lumapit kami sa mga babae na nakaupo sa
gilid, mukhang busy eh! Mas sume sexy pa naman
ang babae pag busy!! “Guys, remember Louie?
Louie, this is Jeanlei, our other technician, Jem and
Mhae, our visual artists, Leira and Eunice, our stage
designers, Ana Marie, our production assistant, and
Danna, our production head.” Tinignan ko sila isa
isa. Delikado talaga dito. Puro babae. Teka lang,
bakit ako nandito??? Eh puro babae sila halos lahat
ah!! Wag mong sabihin na babalik na naman sa issue
na bading ako??? Eh kung halikan ko kaya sila isa
isa?!!
Medyo hindi ko nilapitan sila, lalo na yung
Danna! Hahaha! Basta alam niyo na.. Tsaka may
Berdy na ako! Possessive masyado eh. Tsk! Gwapo
ko talaga!

946
 “What are you doing?” tanong ko kay Gloria.
Mukhang busy sila eh. Ano bang ginagawa namin
dito?
“There’s this event in January, fashion event to be
precise. We’re organizing this warehouse because
this is the perfect place since it’s near the city proper
of Miami and its a bit spacious since they will
launch their line here officially. I don’t know who
the designer is by the way. I just heared they are big
in the Philippines,” sabi niya. Ah. Akala ko naman
kung anong kababalaghan ang ginagawa nila dito ng
kaibigan niya. (-_-) 
Tinignan ko muna yung mga ginagawa nila. Bakit
ba sila puro babae dito?? Halos dalawa lang yung
lalaki na nakikita ko. Ano sila? Superwoman??
Akala naman nila kaya nilang buhatin yung
mabibigat na gamit dito. Tss. Pasalamat sila sa abs,
triceps, at biceps ko at matutulungan ko sila. Tsk.
Medyo may naitulong naman ako. Magkano ba
bayad dito?? Halos maligo na ako sa pawis ko eh!!
Sana naman umabot ng pambili ng dog food. Ubos
na pagkain ni Berdy eh. Takaw ng girlfriend ko.
Kailangan ko ng isecure ang trustfund ko. Tsk.
By 6 pm, natapos na din kami. Nagpaalam naman
sila isa isa. Pero nag enjoy talaga ako! Isipin mo

947
naman habang nagttrabaho kami, nakasuot sila ng
micromini shorts at hanging blouse o kaya racerback
shirts. Ganito yata talaga sila manamit dito kasi
kahit si Gloria kung magsuot sa harap ko akala mo
inaakit ako palagi eh. Pero kahit na! Sulit ang pagod
ko!! Hahaha!

948
Table of Contents
Title Page 1
Copyright Information 2
Table of Contents 3
Summary 6
Beginning 8
Chapter 1 10
Chapter 2 16
Chapter 3 24
Chapter 4 29
Chapter 5 34
Chapter 6 38
Chapter 7 44
Chapter 8 48
Chapter 9 55
Chapter 10 59
Chapter 11 64
Chapter 12 68

949
Chapter 13 75
Chapter 14 81
Chapter 15 85
Chapter 16 91
Chapter 17 98
Chapter18 102
Chapter 19 107
Chapter 20 113
Chapter 21 120
Chapter 22 128
Chapter 23 139
Chapter 24 146
Chapter 25 160
Chapter 26 174
Chapter 27 189
Chapter 28 200
Chapter 29 210
Chapter 30 229
Chapter 31 244
Chapter 32 256

950
Chapter 33 270
Chapter 34 285
Chapter 35 298
Chapter 36 313
Chapter 37 324
Chapter 38 333
Chapter 39 347
Chapter 40 363
Chapter 41 377
Chapter 42 406
Chapter 43 422
Chapter 44 440
Chapter 45 459
Chapter 46 472
Chapter 47 482
Chapter 48 494
Chapter 49 505
Chapter 50 524
Chapter 51 536
Chapter 52 550

951
Chapter 53 569
Chapter 54 585
Chapter 55 598
Chapter 56 611
Chapter 57 631
Chapter 58 651
Chapter 59 673
Chapter 60 705
Chapter 61 728
Chapter 62 748
Chapter 63 765
Chapter 64 781
Chapter 65 791
Chapter 66 805
Chapter 67 824
Chapter 68 837
Chapter 69 848
EPILOGUE 873
Special Chapter No. 1 901
Special Chapter No. 2 914

952
Special Chapter No. 3 942

953